Training Log Archive: bl

Event: NEOC Heart and Troll Revival A-Meet
 

Mt. Tom NEOC A meet, again, after 30 yrs! Good run except for 2 controls. Had alot of energy, temp was perfect. Alot of trouble w/ #9, Lex B & Guy Olsen in same area, lost around 5'; actually was giving up & heading toward next when I came upon it. On 7, lost some 90" when I just followed 2 runners across the basin to the east & then they seemed confused. I was on a knoll I failed to note on map, got confused myself & went most of way bk to path jct fm which I'd come before sorting things out. Many lovely vistas, leafy carpets, yellow mantles. Wx was ovrcst, threatening sprinkles...a SE gale on the coast for the eve.

Surprised I was in third, expected at least a mid-50's time for myself so was feeling out of competition. Kris Hall on Y at 4.9 was some 67'. Carl Child, Jeff S just ahead, Glen T maybe 64', Tim P 71 I think.

Drove out alone, noted 90 mi to Rt 90, 140 to Mt Tom. After run, wandered north on Rt 5 to 9E fm Northampton. Tried one motel ("cheapest rate") for $140 & Comfort Inn was anything but comfortable at $155. Came into Amherst (as Sat pm football was ending) for coffee shop just opp the library & eventually came in here. Old Amherst/Leverett memories fm early '90's. Bk toward Chicopee on 116 for something affordable. Quite a contrast to last Sat night...dare say I'll sleep better.

Green X Day 1 - Splits

Still more streamers; saw a moose - rather Mocha saw first & chased it but don't think moose was much bothered - went down by a marsh but I had no camera & did not have much time anyway. Gorgeous view by Bog - early sun on stumps & shoreline with mist. But more logging, slash & cut. Too many trees around 6-10' diam just cut & left. No apparent thought to leaving the forest floor appearing more or less cleaned up. For the most part, 'mankind' sucks in every respect:). Had to pick a better control site..the neat knoll with the boulder on top was hidden by downed trees.

Take-it-easy run with Diane down to Rollins Pk, warm. She's a good soounding board - was amused by my capacity to screw up Sat night sleeping at important O meets - tents in wind or rain or maybe cold, other peoples' snoring, arriving once at 0300 (Letchworth) etc.

Think there are 4 streamers more - 45 total. Spent some time in lovely beech forest. How fortunate to have an activity that takes us to so many rewarding places.

more streamers, found one fm last fall, still hanging in there but tattered by forest denizens. Was on boulder I'd considered for the upcoming meet but don't like reusing so moved to nearby reentrant - need to remember to 'refresh' code.

Bog meadow this eve...

Somewhat creative noontime solo to SPS, thru by XC route, return Clinton.
Di tending to Tilly for noon run, her pet therapy dog.

Back to streamering post work. Not too smart in that left compass in car, had trouble with 2 sites & did not leave streamer...can be humbling, also to look at one's fld wk - well, hard area! Get people mad at me...:) Found yet another control fm '07.

w/ Mocha putting out more streamers - Zoe too sore fm last night. Me in too much of a hurry - left map & control codes at home, put out 3 streamers w/o code, not hard to find.

Diane at noon, was in low 40's, Di shows up in shorts & tee with long wool gloves, said that was just fine. I was covered up. Did not get bk to woods for more streamers - drove to Portsmouth & bk to move boat to KPYY.

after putting streamers out, jogged a loop - had more aspiration but heel & darkness won out.

put out 20 streamers after work for 11/1 meet, nice to be in colorful woods vs blue & gray of sea.

Made it ashore in am, went for a jog, found a grassy area by Annisquam canal system, ran thru old burying ground (1644). Gloucester HS right there with track, home of the Fishermen, Newell Stadium. Hardscrabble town, would guess football is important activity; the track was badly torn up by cleats sadly enough...possibly thin clads are not held in much regard. A far cry from Bow HS or St. Pauls. Ran 2 7:45's & felt a bit better about my predicament.