Training Log Archive: Bash

Looking for ideas for navigation training? Here's a long list from O-Training.net.

'Bent and BazingaDog went for a long run in Glen Haffy while BulletDog and I did a hill workout in Palgrave West. Thumbs-of-Death has been treating my gimpy foot while I've been working to strengthen it. My plan is to take a few weeks off long runs to help it recover.

We did a 3 km trail warm-up then three intervals up the main Raspberry Hill trail followed by three intervals up the Hawk Hill trail. Recovery was the run back to the bottom of the hill, using different trails for the Raspberry Hill intervals. BulletDog has never understood the concept of intervals but she played along without complaint. The cool down run inevitably had to include a hill to get us back home, so we lightly jog-walked up Big Hill. Gorgeous day and I felt good - although it wouldn't hurt to get rid of 3-4 lb by the end of the year, which will consist of a ski vacation followed by Christmas party season. Yeah, that's going to happen.

Garmin accidentally got turned off for the 2nd Hawk Hill interval but I added it back into the time/distance. [Edit: Interesting that the Garmin picked up the elevation change for smaller hills along my warm-up/cooldown routes but didn't see the larger elevation changes for the hill intervals. Too short? (About 1 minute of climbing.) Too fast? Ha!]

While watching the Colbert Report with Newt Gingrich.

The weather was spectacular for late November - sunny and 10C - so 'Bent and I rode through the Palgrave West trails and down Duffy's Lane to Albion Hills. The trails are in great shape although there were occasional surprise rocks and roots lurking under the leaves so we had to stay focused. We met several groups of hikers and bikers, which is unusual this late in the season. Great to see people of all ages out enjoying the sun.

My luck ran out late in the ride as I made a left turn onto a double track trail that had a slick layer of mud on top of some harder ground. Conditions had been dry so I was going too fast when my wheels slid out and my bike flew into the air. I had some time to think about the impending crash and managed to detach myself from my bike before we made our re-entry into the atmosphere. Unfortunately, my left knee landed hard on the handlebar, and I spent the next 90 seconds lying in the mud, gingerly checking it for damage. Ski season starts on Friday so I kinda need my knees. It felt like something that a little ice should cure - phew! Other than that, awesome ride - so nice to be out there!

Good conditions for the Leonid meteor shower this weekend!

Hard Core Live with Caron

Verrry stretchhhy power yoga class tonight and lots of balance stuff. Good for my gimpy foot. Caron is heading to Arizona in the morning to cheer for her husband Barrie Shepley who will be doing his first Ironman. He was head coach for Simon Whitfield when he won the first Olympic gold in triathlon.

The 100-mile Western States Endurance Run is one of the most prestigious ultras in North America and can only accept 369 runners due to parkland restrictions. On Day 6 of the 2-week lottery, there are 1880 names on the list. Runners applying in consecutive years receive an additional lottery ticket for each year they have qualified, applied and failed to win an entry. First year lottery applicants like Ang, Carbon's Offset and myself have a 10% chance of getting in. Just as well, since I'm really just doing this to get an extra lottery ticket for future years when it might fit better in my schedule. :)

VIP Day at the Salomon Store so I'd planned to hang around and help out for a few hours. It was great to see so many friends while I was there. They have runs from the store each Wednesday at 6 p.m. so I went with the "slow, friendly" group consisting of Simpy, BugsinTeeth, WandAR and Jen (whom we met tonight). BugsinTeeth and Jen navigated us through some leafy, rooty trails in the dark. Lots of conversation and laughs, then we went to Aroma for snacks and hot drinks before heading back to the store. According to reports from store staff, my friends who came to this year's VIP Day were all *very* enthusiastic shoppers!

This may be the best argument in favour of gay marriage yet. ;)
We will marry your girlfriends
*** Language alert. ***

Attackpointers have been so helpful with my car troubles that I now feel obliged to keep you in the loop! :)

Subaru called. I definitely need my front catalytic converter replaced for the 3rd time since August. This time, however, they're thinking the same way I'm thinking... There must be some other problem that is messing up the catalytic converter. They mentioned some possibilities that were suggested by APers in the earlier comment thread. I'll need to pay to fix those problems once they are diagnosed, then Subaru will give me another catalytic converter under warranty. This is what I wanted to do in June rather than getting obsessed with the check engine light. They'll need the car for three more days in Toronto, not all at the same time. In the meantime, 'Bent and I are sharing his van most of the time rather than risk stalling my car while turning left in front of a Mack truck.

So it's official; I'm buying myself a new car for Christmas.

Sherpa and I took BulletDog and Arleau (her black Lab) for a hilly trail run near the Grand River behind her beautiful new home in Kitchener while Gooder took the kids out in the stroller. Excellent weather and company, and we even carried an orienteering map of the area. Nice chance to catch up!

It was my first time meeting Micro (6 months); he has a great smile and was fascinated by my hair. Mini (age 2) is at a fun age where she understands a great deal and is always busy with something. The first word I heard her say was "Ironman" so we already know how she is going to turn out! :)

Sherpa's older Lab Ciara used to hang out with Tobler when they were younger, and we have always commented on how similar they looked. I knew I would cry when I saw her, and I did - but it was also nice to get cuddles from a friendly pooch who reminded me of our dearly missed ThunderDog.

Mrs. Tiny and Teeny Tiny joined us for a lunch date. She danced and serenaded us enthusiastically (Teeny, not Mrs.) Fun day!

Short spin on the trainer to keep my legs moving while listening to Sean Cullen on the Laugh Out Loud podcast. Other than the little flare-up in my gimpy foot, I feel good after yesterday's race. There's also a goose bump and gash beside my knee cap from banging into the sharp end of a log but it isn't affecting the joint so "it's only a flesh wound", as the Black Knight would say.

Rodney Yee Power Yoga for Flexibility plus a few minutes extra on ankle and hips.