Training Log Archive: BillD

Played the nine-hole White course at Blue Fox Run. Brutal. Clear sky and 93F. The course is wicked long, plus on most holes the distance from one green to the next tee is 100 to 200 yards. We were exhausted after six holes. Definitely a place not to play unless renting a cart.

Sought a level trail, so went down to the Farmington Canal trail near Fisher Meadows. One would think that the bottom of the canal would be level. Well, indeed it is but going out (south) I could of sworn it was all slightly uphill. Which of course makes no sense since there is no evidence of locks along the way. Turned around at the cellular tower behind the farm. And on the return I could of sworn it was all slightly uphill. Quite an optical illusion.

Jogged most of the way but every couple of minutes would walk for a minute to keep things manageable. Curious that without any meaningful climbs (which would induce me to walk) like Sessions yesterday my overall pace was nearly the same (9:14/km cf 9:08 yesterday). Perhaps it was because I was less enthused to push it today.

Another glorious weather day.

With Hurd coming up in a few weeks, my only Green course opportunity this season, I figured I should test my jogging endurance. Went out to Sessions to do the road loop. Great weather for trying exertion. Went quite well. Down shifted to a walk for uphills, of course. Right on par with November 2015 when I completed the circuit with a 9:11/km pace. Quite pleasing.

Again I find that after exertion I tend to be prone to near dizziness in bright sunlight unless I put on sunglasses, which cures the problem. I'll ask my eye doc, whom I see this afternoon for my annual checkup, about this.

While Susan was getting her hair done in n. Simsbury, I went up to McLean Game Refuge for a hike. Very nice trails on the n.e. corner. Almost had the place to myself, but, as usual in parks around here, there were small women with big dogs on long leashes, women who seem to take pleasure in letting their hounds rush at you and sniff your crotch while exclaiming "he's friendly!" Would they think of reining in to avoid the assault? Of course not.

Several pleasing features of yesterday’s meet at Stratton Brook:

• the full day operational support from the renown George and Lyn. That made my day!

• the presence of my son and grandson and their help with registration and instruction.

• the afternoon appearance by Charlie, who had just gotten off the plane from Texas, to offer wrap up assistance. Charlie, like George, had provided counseling on course design and shared in the onsite vetting.

• the appearance of so many First Timers, not just from Simsbury where the local library promoted our event, but also from as far away as Darien. All seemed delighted with their experiences, even those caught in the rain storm.

• the appearance by so many Red Coursers to a small park where the woods are known to be substantially unrunnable. The course seemed to generate a lot of enthusiastic splits and routes comparisons among the competitors.