Training Log Archive: chitownclark

The Sanctuary GC, New Lenox, IL. Left home at 6:15am to get The Rock Island's early express train down to New Lenox. Temps were significantly warmer, but very windy. Little has been done since the prairie days to add structure to the landscape, and the strong spring wind howls across the links. Nevertheless I played 27 holes...the last 18 with Dan, the president of the local Lion's Club, a local entrepreneur, and a southside guy originally...so had the effusive gregarious spirit you expect from southside folks.

When I first played this course last summer, I thought the fairways were too narrow. Today I was much more in control, and the course seemed just right...took 15 strokes off my previous score!

From the New Lenox train station to the GC and back again, hiking golf cart paths, then service roads alongside the tracks. Actually very convenient, yet all the suburbanites I told about my commute expressed amazement.

Run for the Health of It 5k, Oak Park, IL... Great race. Was doubtful signing up for it. But when the gun went off I started out slowly and kept accelerating through the race. Best 5k time on this race in 3 years, believe it or not. Don't really know why; maybe it is all the walking I've been doing? The running hasn't really be of high quality...so far.

Wow! First beautiful spring weekend day, and EVERYONE is out...a city-wide Critical Mass! Running all over the streets and intersections, wearing as little as possible in the warm sun, exposing pale white winter skin to ultraviolet rays.... I'd love to try a long run. But I paid good money for the 5k tomorrow, so I guess I'll cut it short.

Event: Flying Pig XIV - U S Interscholastic Championship
 

Orchard Valley GC, Aurora IL. By self. Took el, train and bus, then hiked along suburban 4-lane arterial with no sidewalk to get to the cart path. Two hours from my back door to a course 50 miles in the countryside. From where the bus discharged me, it was easy sauntering down to the clubhouse since they had a "frost hold" on the course and no one was yet out hitting balls. Hit a couple of buckets of balls in the bright, chill morning sun in my new golf vest that really works well (short-sleeved high-necked windbreaker).

Spoke with Soupbone. He was on his way to the Pig in Cincinnati. He spent last night in Indy...and at a great bar that we used to hit when we went down to the Pig together. He said, like all things, the recession had taken its toll...the girls were just not as good looking as in the past. Damn! Glad I didn't go: that's usually the high point of the whole weekend.

Back over to Fletcher in cold driving rain, to pick up the last errant rent check.

Finally finished my federal return today...figured AMT just as I have the past two years. Wish someone would tell me what I'm doing wrong. Probably get another bill and fine for underpayment of AMT. But calling the IRS this morning got no satisfaction: after a 25 minute wait, the IRS woman told me her computers were down.

Around the neighborhood, collecting the last of the rents. Then over for the early show of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo A 2-1/2 hr dark and violent Swedish murder mystery...violent particularly toward women. Not my cup of tea particularly. But I did like to slice of Swedish culture, and scenes of Södermalm where I virtually lived while courting Sari ten years ago.

C • Stieg Larsson movies and books 4