Training Log Archive: chitownclark

My last PR for the 2012 season. The 2013 rowing season begins Tuesday. Took 35 seconds off my previous best for this distance. And 1:36 better than my PR for 2011. Let's hope I can show similar improvement in 2013, when I celebrate my 72nd birthday! Today's 2000m pacing splits:
2:09.8
2:07.6
2:08.9
2:09.6
2:06.8....overall: 2:08.5

Note: Two of my older cousins have died suddenly in the past couple of weeks. The most recent, Elliott Wilbur of Concord, Mass was a wonderful guy. We will all miss him.

C • Nice work! 4

Fox Run GC, Schaumburg. The Land Where Cars Rule! Long commute. Took bus-el-bus, then a 3-mi walk down Meacham Road from Woodfield Shopping Center. When the guy in the pro shop saw me approaching on foot across the 18th fairway he sent out a cart to inquire what I was doing out there. NO ONE walks in the NW suburbs!

But a great round, with much more consistency in my game, despite some winds and a few Mulligans. Afterward an even longer trip home, punctuated by a couple stops at Stonewood Ale House in Woodfield, and Revolution Brewing in Chicago. Both within steps of my public transit changeovers.

Recovery row...after an afternoon and evening entertaining Peter from New York. Peter is an old friend from my GE days. He's Danish and single. So it was a bit of "guys night out" that I was rowing to recover from. Whew!

Thunderhawk GC, Beach Park. One of Illinois' best golf courses. Worth the long communte: bike to train to bus and 1.5mi walk to the pro shop. Driving range closed, so teed off at 9:30am by myself...a wonderful round! Each hole a different challenge.

On the 7th green I found a sand wedge which got in the way of my putting. So I put it in my bag, determined to turn it into the pro shop at the turn. But soon a cart appeared, with a southern guy yelling about his forgotten sand wedge. And I handed it over, glad I didn't have to break up my round at the turn.

Later, I met the guy at the bar. "Are you one of those tree-hugging liberals?" he immediately asked, since I was walking. He proceeded to excoriate me in every way, and accused me of trying to steal his golf club! Then he bought me a beer, and offered to give me a ride 1.5 mi south to my bus...in his brand new black Mercedes! He was from New Orleans 30 years ago...and a strong Romney supporter. Quite a rascal, but an enjoyable character!

Prairie Bluff GC, Joliet. Took the Rock Island Line, which was delayed for an hour because of a car on the tracks. Eventually started and wind had built to the 25-30mph range. Out here on the prairies, west of Joliet...nothing to stop the howling wind. Shots into and away from wind were generally ok; shots with the wind from the side got blown unpredictably. And putts wouldn't stop..just kept rolling to the fringe.

Nevertheless scored close to my PR for the course...so must be getting better, even tho the score doesn't indicate improvement.