Training Log Archive: Bash

Timato and I planned to do Georgian Peaks repeats but the main hill is closed for construction - work related to snow making equipment, I heard later. There is a large fence and some signs warning trespassers to stay out so we headed to Blue Mountain instead.

It was as hot and humid as mid-summer and because we're idiots, we chose the Straight Up trail, a steep, open climb up the ski hill. It gains almost as much elevation as Georgian Peaks but it gains it faster. I felt pretty good on my 1st climb but sunscreen and sweat got into my eyes so I stumbled up the 2nd climb with my eyes half-closed. It didn't help that my stomach was feeling lousy before I even got out of bed, and it didn't improve when I climbed hills in crazy heat and humidity. After a break to chat with my neighbour, I did a 3rd climb then decided to switch to The Village Way, a longer trail that stays mostly in the shade.

I was starting to crave an icy drink from the Village so I lowered my goal for the day from 5 escarpment climbs to 1,000 m, finishing on Straight Up again. I met Timato who had just finished his 6th (!!) climb and felt *quite* ready to stop. I climbed until my Suunto assured me that my goal was met, then dashed down for a chilled Starbucks drink.

We'd brought two canoes up north and I was supposed to sit in for Hammer at a Wilderness Traverse paddle training session this afternoon. Since he has an injured wrist, I figured that meant I would need to sit in the bow of the canoe and moan a bit, waving my hand limply from time to time. Unfortunately, Tarno couldn't make it at the last minute so 'Bent and Browner went paddling on their own on Georgian Bay in spectacular, calm weather. I got to hang around Tree Hugger ABC with 4 nice dogs, which wasn't the worst thing.

C • Weather 4

Mrs. Tiny and I went up Switchback and headed west to some snowshoe trails that petered out. If the timing had worked, it would have been *much* better to have Dee lead us on a tour in the right direction. We ended up bushwhacking up the escarpment to the Bruce Trail, then we ran around The Mythical Loree Forest. We stopped a couple of times for wild apples - tart and delicious.

Then we packed up and headed over to Hank's 1st Birthday Party at Petun Conservation Area - so much fun! Thanks, Hermes and Bob. :)

It was just one of those days with family health issues, a huge building permit problem, issues with the university class reunion I'm organizing next weekend, Orienteering Ontario stuff, etc., blah blah. Boy, do I ever love running in the woods. :)

AdventureDog and I went into Palgrave West for a short run with a few Bash & Crash intervals, which are 500 m on trail. It's been a long time so I did the first two at 5K trail pace (I think). I used to do 4-5 of them, all at level 5 intensity, and today I just ran the last one that way. It was embarrassingly slow but there is room for improvement even though I won't get back to my PB. AdventureDog thought intervals were really exciting.

Late afternoon ride to Albion Hills and around a bunch of single track. The trails are much less busy now that Albion's bike racing season is over; I saw two trail runners, two deer and one bunny but no other bikers. I also saw three trees down across different trails and was grateful that I hadn't ridden up too fast.

Normally at this time of year, we'd be promoting the Star Tracks Mountain Bike Adventure at Albion Hills but we're taking a break for 2018 - and maybe longer.

C • Star tracks 4

I'd planned to run but had an unexpected visit from Radek and his son Ryan from Australia. Ryan has changed a lot; instead of being 7, he's about 25.

They needed a dog fix so we took BazingaDog and AdventureDog for a hike around Palgrave West and caught up on each other's news.

(Logged 1 hour of a longer hike.)

Rain, rain, rain.
Shana Tova to anyone who celebrates Rosh Hashanah.