Training Log Archive: BillD

For the second time in two days i found a double yolk when I cracked an egg. How rare is that!

Taking a page from Phil-Ossify's book on Working Through The Pain, I went out to Mt Norwottuck to try Will's long course. It wasn't the hip pain that was prominent; it was the exhaustion of dealing with dry, slippery oak leaves on slopes, the perilous climb (and descent, too) and dry sticks catching feet and ankles. My route.

At the Start, I had planned to follow the trail to the s.e., but the size and number of No Trespassing signs dissuaded me. I thought I might cut the corner across the "field", but the steep embankment looked dicey and I could see the junction not too far ahead. On the way to #2 I stupidly shot a bearing from the wrong bend in the trail, corrected when I saw the creek, then floundered around misreading where the green was.

On #3 I vowed to be careful with the compass and succeeded. Didn't punch the watch until after I left the flag, having been distracted by the two women and nice (leashed) dog with them at the control.

Descending from #5 was agonizing.

I was never going to jog, but geez it was slow going for me. I ran out of gas after #6 and climbing to #7 (I never found it but apparently was freaking close and felt so at the time) finished me off. It was no longer fun, and suspecting I might have been on the next hill to the south, I decided to punt #8 and headed west directly for #9. I don't understand why the terrain I actually crossed was hashed on the map; the veg didn't seem any different from white areas I had been dealing with. Upon emerging into the power line easement, I was surprised how far north I was but being at the point where the trail departed the easement was firm confirmation of where I was. Too bad I didn't stick to the trail long while looking for #9.

A terrific morning in Charlie's backyard (a/k/a Ratlum): blue sky, warm, good visibility through the woods, no bugs (until stopped at the Finish). Tackled the 2021 Winter Series course that Charlie magnanimously left the flags out on. This was my test whether I (i.e., my R hip) can still endure a 3.1km beeline course. Yes, I can. But I walk, don't jog (avoiding impacting on the hip joint). And the backside below the waist, both left and right side, were complaining from #10 to the Finish.

Navigation was fine in this familiar territory, except around the hill at #2, an area I have always become befuddled in. And I made an unfortunate choice at #7 to exit eastward instead of backtracking to the trail bend. Ran into the thickest laurel I've ever tangled with as I bulled my way back to the trail (note to Charlie: darken the green there!). The rest of the trek was pretty nominal and a lot of fun. My route.

I paused for a few minutes at #8 to take a snapshot of the quiet swamp/pond from a vantage point I hadn't photo'd before. Listened to the birds breaking what otherwise was silence. Indeed, I had the entire DeWeese Recreation Park to myself. Glorious!

On departure chatted with C & R on their lawn ablaze with forsythia and daffodils.

C • Nice write up 1

At last,a visit with the orthopaedics surgeon, the same one who did so well for Susan over her multi year ordeals. A good conversation vetting my many questions about hip replacement and how to assess whether the time for it has arrived, what it would entail, and what expectations post-op are reasonable. I do not yet know whether I am unable to pursue woodland orienteering at an enjoyable pace, so I need to get out there and assess myself. Dealing with snow and icy trails has been totally unappealing during the winter BYOM season. I will look for springtime opportunities.

C • Ratlum 3