Training Log Archive: Fanatic

Hard to find a really hilly course in downtown Baltimore, but I managed to find a decent one for an hour's workout. :-)

Aren't treadmills wonderful?

I wouldn't count on their being reliable in the data department, however.

In Baltimore with Colette, who is presenting a paper at a language conference. Since I'm not running due to my shoulder, walking was the only alternative.

Went from downtown, near the Harbor, up to Johns Hopkins University where there was a small craft show and festival going on. Turns out it was pretty mellow and not that crowded. On the other hand, I got to explore the campus, which is very nice, and watch the football and tennis teams practice.

Parked near Reservoir Road in Lenox, just above Kennedy Park, and did the bike trail to the south of Reservoir Road that took me to the top of Yokun Ridge, then I dropped down to Reservoir Road and headed up the bike trail leading to the communication tower on Lenox Mountain. Unfortunately, I had promised Colette that I'd be home by five p.m., so I had to cut it short and hussled down Reservoir Road to my car.

Despite my shoulder injury, which precludes me from running, I decided that something is better than nothing, so I headed over to the base of Schermerhorn Road to do some repeat climbs.

Only managed three uphill repeats before I was bored and decided to explore a trail that I had seen many times while driving up Schermerhorn, but never bothered to explore--mainly because it most likely wouldn't lead to anything exciting--just the side of a steep hill.

And when I wandered over to look at the trail name on the brown post, it sort of comfimed my earlier opinion--it read "Dead End." Still, it was a trail, or some sort of old logging road, and it actually went to the base of some nice cliffs and at this time of year also had a nice view to the west--including Woods Pond and then the hills of Lenox. Eventually it did end and I bushwhacked straight down to the dirt road where I had parked and then back to my car.

A pleasent walk and the shoulder didn't complain too much--most likely the naproxen is helping.

C • So what are you training fo... 2

Looking for a little more diversity in my running routes, I decided to try the Appalachian Trail starting near Route 2 in North Adams and heading north to the Vermont state line and a bit beyond.

Many years ago, PG and I helped David Horton run the Long Trail from north to south, in a new record time. Our last segment ended in the rain at the VT/MA border, which is marked with a welcome to the Long Trail sign. It was a miserable finish for David, as he had tons of blisters and his pace that night was wicked slow, and every step was painful.

I had originally thought that I might go to the Seth Warnet shelter and then turn around, but I got started a bit later in the day, and after five miles out, I decided to be prudent and get back at a reasonable hour, i.e., before Colette go home at 7 p.m. :-)

Unfortunately, on the way back, I tripped and slammed my shoulder into a rock. Fortunately, there were no cracking sounds, but it hurt pretty good. That was on the top of East Mountain and I still had abour 2.5 miles to get back to the Route 2, so I opted for the Bad Weather route, which I had noticed on the way up. The final push to the top was through some rather large boulders, so why risk falling there? The other bad weather route was definitely less rocky and the better choice for descending. Still, it was a slog getting back to the end of the run--funny how an injury will do that.

Thought I'd try something a little different--hiking with a little weight in my backpack--only 15+ pounds, but I was heading over to Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Lenox to hike up the Overbrook Trail, which climbs 885' in about a mile and a quarter to the top of Lenox Mountain, so no need to be rediculous. :-)

Just getting over 80 degrees F when I finished, so it wasn't too bad.