Training Log Archive: bl

Event: Western Mass 5-Day
 

Western Ma 5-day, first middle. Start before 11am so temp seemed ok tho this was billed as a 'heat wave weekend' by the met office. Was a good run with maybe 45" lost on #5 when I turned right instead of left, turned around before trouble came knocking. Went to the others directly enough, maybe too much deliberation at times. Around 12, came upon an orienteer using a walking stick - turned put to be Jim Crawford, Sharon's brother whom I've known since 'the beginning'. I'd call this an A minus run. Within a minute or so of fastest green.

Middle #2 - by now, it was hot & this was a "wilt" for me. Missed # 1 - crossed stream & went up & up...going to highest point. Could not see in woods & had no idea there was a high point to right. Got to top, no flag...hmm...had to be the very highest point I was standing on, headed off into green to north, fingers crossed. Went directly enough to the rest, seeing various runners along the way. Ken W around 3 & 4, Mitch Hansen around 8. Went over the hilltop 5>6 tho that seems so contrary given the work req'd to climb. Running to 12 was a deja vue for second portion of leg. Started out with Clint Morse & was sure he'd gotten there ahead but he spent time surveying the spur to the west. 6' behind leaders.

Went to U Mass campus to see sprint arena/map etc but too tired & hot to compete. Found the local watering hole for a cold dip.

Middle finish


Another view - starts & finishes were probably in as compressed an area as any A meet ever!

Event 1 - Middle Green X - Splits

Event 2 - Middle Green X - Splits

AM DP walk & noon walk at work with some stretching. Off to the Crusades of western Mass "for better or for worse".

SPS track after work, had Mocha from pet therapy day which proved a bit of a distraction. Some blue but no sun, decent breeze so pretty good conditions. 2x200, 2x800, 2x1600.

3:49, 3:46, 7:43, 7:37 - better than the other day. Mocha was tied up for last mile, yelping at times like she was dying...sl. loss of focus for me running by 4x.

To Hopkinton for a visit to 111 ac Hawthorne TF. Had been once before,
maybe 10 yrs. First part is wide open hemlock, not a green thing on the ground. Abundance of walls, streams and contours in some areas. All parts generally open. Probably a good beginner to intermediate forest. Run was really a SloGo walk-jog. Appeared like the green grass of summer w/ plenty of rhododendron color.

Enroute, noted a cat behind a car by side of road. Considered its running
in front of my car (which it did). Just as it was doing so, NPR lady made a
comment about a cat. Was running on Rollins Rd - a loud crack followed by
a large branch crashing to the road about 150m right ahead, blocking half the road. Ever since a tree surgeon pointed out all the hung braches that go unnoticed above, I've been pondering chances.... One missed Beth & M last summer by about 2' in Rollins park.

DP, mellow eve. Met the Saltmarshes on their evening walk. Took a camera as it seemed Z would find a turtle or two and she did find 2. Nose to the ground, turtle finding is the goal. Once found, interest wanes until the next, new trail.

Z's temporary treasure


Wary eye

Gray, cool. Stayed around the Sandbox. Picked up a 30.06 casing - used to
be fascinated with these when 12 or so. Memorial Day parade would result in numerous ending up on the ground for kids to scrap over

Relentless erosion



tree in background used to be on its own promontory

SPS track, noon, little drizzly making for decent enough temp. Nice to visit the
track, having been lacking any "honest" titrable "speed" work. Last 2
springs have dissipated into injury - in no hurry to chase after that
record. 2x400: 4:09, 3:57; 2x 1600:7:42, 7:45. No clue as to when I last did something similar on the track - would guess last spring.

Ran out of time for a third or even fourth but need to visit regularly now
that ice is broken. sub8' pace is in the race. far from 'disdain 7' days but you never know (but avoid pissing off the msk system).

Hopefully rounding up a mapper for more of BBSP - maybe to have 8-10sqk completed by fall.

Parson's DP, cool yet mosquitoes added to the mix. 2 new houses going up.

Noon hour - vacation over, easier to schedule running vs running all over the place in a car. Luti loop, ran right into heat. Fairly harsh W on Clinton, was a shade seeker for the rest. Singlet = de rigueur. Sought a track after work for 2 x 1 mile but CHS in use as was BHS - as should be expected.

Warm in sun before 9a. Discovered an O sign from 4/21 leaning against the "No unauthorized vehicles beyond this point" sign. How many times have we driven by since then? A mystery or "blind as a bat".

C • hopefully you were an autho... 2

Drove fm. Goffstown to Warner for drive up Kearsage Mt. Rd. Gate still across to our surprise & not to our surprise. Feels like summer, was a bummer! Said "Summit 4 mi" by road most of the way. Had been looking forward to a short hike & long views. Walked up the road a bit. Would make a good training place for Mt. Washington RR: longish, steepish, close by. Will try again in June.

Went to Gilmore's for pachysandra.