Training Log Archive: Bash

Internet and laptop time are precious in a blackout, especially right before Christmas, so that's why I've been uncharacterically quiet! Oh, and I haven't been training because there's a lot to do during a power outage. Gotta go stoke the fire in a minute but first...

Here's what the ice looked like in our yard on Saturday afternoon.



And here's the same shrub 24 hours later on Sunday.



We've been hearing crashing trees and ice chunks in the forest. It's not safe to go in there yet, and we're not looking forward to seeing what has happened. On our property, the only tree with major damage so far is the big white pine we planted 12 years ago in memory of Richard's Dad.

We had ice pellets and freezing rain all day; supposedly there is an ice Stormageddon on its way tomorrow evening. It was quite slippery around here, and I wasn't sure if it would be safe to take 'Bent's van on our driveway or country road. I had some Christmas errands in Bolton, and my car was in Palgrave getting snow tires put on so I snowshoed 4 km through the freezing rain to the car since it was already at the main highway.

The tree branches in the forest were coated with ice, and I had to stomp through a thick ice crust in some places. If this is the small storm, the big storm is going to wreak havoc on our poor trees! It was bad enough that I decided that even if I could get the car home, it would be better to leave it in the village to give us an escape option if we couldn't get out of our driveway this weekend. So I stopped by the dental office to borrow a BentBlaster since I'd be coming home in the dark.

After a few stops in town (including receiving a wonderful Christmas cookie platter from Coach LD - thank you!), I drove back to Palgrave, left my car at 'Bent's office and snowshoed home in the rainy darkness. It probably sounds awful but it was energizing. In each direction, I included a 5 mins run/5 walk/5 run segment. I've subtracted the running and logged it separately. I had a fairly big pack, especially after shopping, so it was a good workout in the crusty snow.

Here's the drowned rat arriving.

Abbreviated core class with Caron tonight before moving to the larger room upstairs for our Christmas yoga class.

My favourite yoga class of the year. Live piano music performed by the talented Patrick Dilkie, lights dimmed, lots of guests, Caron leading the class wearing a Santa hat, no cost - just donations to charity. Such a relaxing way to head into the holidays. :)

All signed up for the 2014 UTMB lottery. Although I did the 2013 race on behalf of a charity (i.e. by making a big donation), they still consider me unsuccessful in last year's lottery so I have 2 tickets this time, which is a surprise. In last year's lottery, this would have translated to a 65% chance of being selected. Fingers crossed! Who else is in? :)
http://www.ultratrailmb.com/page/197/Enrolment.htm...

Logged @ 50% as usual.

Snowshoeing in Palgrave West, mostly breaking trail in fluffy snow, accompanied by an enthusiastic BulletDog. I included two 10-minute runs, which felt awesome even though I was working hard due to loss of fitness and lots of snow. I was a very happy camper.

Charlevoix Loop in Palgrave West, breaking trail for about half of it.

So much fun to play in the snow. :)

Last of 7 weekly visits to Dr. Bell and the kinesiologists at Back to Function in Orillia. I'll be continuing the physio at home, eventually reducing the frequency from daily to several times weekly, and gradually increasing the level of difficulty in a few exercises. There's a lot of balance involved so I've asked for a slackline for Christmas to make it more fun. :)

I can resume running gradually if my foot continues to feel OK. When I asked about it hopefully, he agreed that snowshoe running would probably be easier on my foot so I could do more of that. Yay. I'll go back to see the doc in a month to see how things are going.

Near the end of the appointment, I had a surprise consultation with a second doc who then took me out for a lovely lunch to celebrate *her* birthday. Welcome home for Christmas, Leanimal and Weeanimal! :)

Toto, we're not in Georgia anymore!



Chilly ski around Palgrave West, mostly breaking trail through powder. I stopped to chat with a neighbour, then it took a loooong time to warm up my fingertips again. The forest was magical.