Training Log Archive: Bash

Since we didn't make it all the way to Camp Minnesing on Burnt Island Lake yesterday, we decided to go there by canoe this morning. On the river leaving Little Joe Lake, we saw a pair of inexperienced foreign canoe trippers flip, so we stopped to take all their gear on board (including unwaterproofed iPod, digital camera and cell phone floating around loose, a big backpack and a long drybag that wasn't closed) then did a canoe-over-canoe rescue and got them back into the boat. Nice guys, and they were with friends in another canoe who managed to stay dry. When we saw them on our return trip, they had taken our advice to go to shore and get into dry clothes, and they still had big smiles on their faces.

Camp Minnesing is an abandoned lodge that was run by the railroad company in the old days. There are several large stone chimneys and fireplaces spread throughout the forest, along with a few bits and pieces that have survived for more than 60 years since the lodge closed. A portion of the former wagon trail to the lodge now forms part of the Minnesing Trail.

I was interested to see that the flagged White Trail from Arowhon Pines lodge continued past Camp Minnesing as a White & Orange flagged trail. We followed it a short distance and came to what looked like the old wagon trail, with one side of it flagged and looking to be in pretty good shape. Now I'm intrigued. We were out of time, but I want to know where that trail goes! It's only 4 km cross-country from there to the Minnesing Trail, and perhaps there is a nice route joining them. It would make an awesome winter trip to snowshoe into a camp on Burnt Island Lake, then head over to ski the 24K Minnesing Trail as a day trip. I looked at a 1964 map that appears to show the old road. Adventure racing season might be over, but this girl is obviously not over it yet!!

Because of 'Bent's knee, portaging was my department today. The canoe weighed somewhere around 50-55 lb, I'd guess, so it wasn't too terrible. I've portaged in adventure races with all-female teams, but it's been a long time since I've picked up the canoe and put it down without help, which is the hardest part for me. Today we had 4 portages totalling about 1 kilometer, so I've had lots of practice now. It was getting better by the end. 'Bent got a few smiling comments from passing canoeists, but he didn't even mention his bad knee - just acknowledged that yes, he *was* lucky that the wife was willing to carry the boat.

Across Little Joe Lake, to and from the far entrance to the White Trail.

Hiked the White Trail until we ran out of time, passing by Little Joe Lake, Lost Joe Lake and Baby Joe Lake (who *was* Joe anyway?!) before stopping at a nice site at the tip of Burnt Island Lake. The colours are probably 5-7 days past their peak, but it's still spectacular up here - and Burnt Island Lake is especially nice. 'Bent made good time with his ski poles, and the hiking didn't seem to make his knee worse, even though there were a few short, steep sections. His MRI is scheduled for next Saturday, so we'll know what's going on soon. (Thank you, Tarno!)

Old Railway Bike Trail from Mew Lake to Rock Lake. We've always biked the more technical Minnesing Trail when we've come up to Algonquin, so 'Bent's injury is allowing us to see some new sights. As rail trails go, this one is lovely. It passes along lakeshores and rocky hills, and at this time of year, the colours are wonderful - both in the trees and on the trails.

Wildlife Report: One annoyed moose about 5 meters away, crashing into the brush to get away from me, but remaining parallel to the trail. 'Bent didn't get a good look, but it's not wise to mess with meese, so we carried on.

Another fun Bullfrog Power birthday party last night, this year at the Steamwhistle Brewery. 'Bent had been advised that he was going to receive a Splash Award for contribution to the environment, and it was especially cool when the presenter turned out to be Hansel, looking very corporate in his suit, tie, and fleecy lime green bullfrog toque with little eyes poking out the top. (Yes, I got a photo for the newspaper.) Even cooler, it turned out that 'Bent and Hansel were the opening act for Gord Downie, lead vocalist of the Tragically Hip, who is another happy Bullfrog customer. That's not something that many people ever get to do!

Finishing making all the arrangements for our early season XC ski trip to Silver Star to celebrate 'Bent's birthday. Lots of Aeroplan flights were available in November. Sweet! :-)

Quick canoe tour around Little Joe Lake after arriving at Arowhon Pines Lodge in Algonquin Park. Sunny and warm today - very weird for October. Hooded mergansers were hanging out at the far end of the lake. My parents just got back from the U.K. yesterday, and my brother is packing to move next week, so our family has postponed Thanksgiving. We'll get more than enough calories here!

Taking a break because your knee hurts? Turned your ankle one too many times this year? Well, have I got an offer for YOU! If you or someone you know can't compete in Raid The Hammer on Sun. Nov. 11, but you still want to be part of the social event that will close the 2007 adventure racing season, GHO still has a few (OK, many) prestigious volunteer roles available to qualified applicants. Come on out - you know you want to see your friends! FB? Gally? 'Bent? Contact Nina AT dontgetlost DOT ca. Thank you!!

As I headed downstairs in my running clothes, ThunderDog ambled into the kitchen and stared meaningfully at the cupboard where the dog treats are kept. She normally chooses food over any of life's pleasures, but when I saw her resigned-looking face, I just had to ask her if she wanted to come out with me. My senior dog morphed into a dancing puppy on the spot, leaving the treat cupboard behind. That never happens! We ended up doing a longer loop than usual, and she galloped much of the time in spite of the hot day, which allowed me to do a slow run. She has now arranged two throw pillows nicely around herself on the couch and will probably snore for the rest of the afternoon.

Hot day! I decided to add a twist to Short Bruce Loop by introducing a hill progression near the start. First a moderate hill (fire road around Thinker's Hill up to the lookout) with a good recovery, then a medium hill (Raspberry Hill) with a short recovery, then a big-*ss hill (Big Hill). At the end of the Loop, just when my heart rate was returning to normal, I came up Hawk Hill to Thinker's Hill lookout, then back home. Fun way to add some difficulty, and it's nice to have good hills 3 minutes from our back door. The medial side of my left (good) knee is slightly painful when I run, as it was after the trek portion of Saturday's race. I think it will heal soon enough, but I'll take it easy this weekend.

The running was supposed to be a warm-up for Power Yoga, but today's training clock has officially run out of time.

After a long day of laptopping, I was about to start the power yoga DVD when 'Bent called to say that he'd be home from work early. Since "early" = 8 p.m. on Wednesdays, I got dinner ready instead. This week I've been making an impressive effort to achieve a full recovery from Saturday's race, much like my fabulous display of tapering last week. It's gruelling stuff. Hmmm, 39 days till Raid The Hammer. OK, gotta get moving tomorrow.

Caledon Navigators training night, thanks to Keith Sanger. The only attendees were Goose, 'Bent (using ski poles as crutches), BulletDog and me. To keep it social without harming 'Bent's knee, we did it as a group map walk where we picked up the controls as we went. Goose is a good navigator, but still relatively new to orienteering maps, so we talked about how to glean a little more info from an O map.

Hard to believe that I came out of an 11-hr race practically unscathed. I've got a little bruise below one kneecap and a tiny scrape on two knuckles, but that's it. No blisters, no joint problems, no cuts - just some mild stiffness from all the paddling in my awkward bottom-of-the-canoe position. I've done a LOT more damage to myself in a 1-hr orienteering race!