Training Log Archive: Bash

Well, that's a wrap for another Tour de France. It was an interesting one to follow - definitely not a coronation of an obvious winner. Thanks to Mother Nature, this year's race will be remembered for many years.

For TdF fans who missed it, I've just discovered this touching tribute by Phil Liggett to his late friend and fellow commentator for 34 years, Paul Sherwen. Paul had a passion for cycling, a great sense of fun and a suitcase full of courage.

I met Amber and Mrs. Gally for some hill repeats at Georgian Peaks. It's officially closed for construction so it's probably not open on week days but no work was happening today, and there were several other groups on the trail. It started out hot but got cloudy and even sprinkled rain for a while. I wish it had rained more!

It was a relatively easy pace where we walked uphill and jogged downhill, talked, waited for the group to come together, stopped to chat with people who knew Mrs. Gally, took breaks at the top and bottom, etc. I figure it might be similar to the later hours of a mountain race where there are aid station stops, adjustments to clothing and gear, a slower pace, etc. Although it felt pretty easy, our pace would have just met cut-offs in most mountain races.

Mrs. Gally and Dee both moved up to Collingwood full time over the last two weeks. So cool. :)

Hot day! I started at the Beaver Valley Ski Club where I did a couple of extra hills before running a Bruce Trail/Side Trail loop. I went down the west side of the valley then turned down Graham's Hill Side Trail and up Campbell's Hill Road to the top (continuing up past the trail turn-off for extra climb). Then I ran down to the trail and back up the east side of the valley on the BT before the final descent. I didn't see any poison ivy, which is amazing in southern Ontario, but there was a lot of overgrown vegetation so I kept checking my arms and legs for ticks. It was a great route but my legs (and brain) have no energy when it's this hot so it was slow.

Afterward, I picked up a yummy pesto chicken pizza at Justin's Oven in Kimberley. Between that and the Kimberley General Store, there are some very delicious reasons to run from the BV Ski Club.

Finally had time to watch today's Tour de France stage. Wow.

Another milestone in the journey as I drove around southern Ontario and delivered the final bequests from Mom's will. It's one of the few "nice" jobs of being an executor although it's bittersweet.

Browner and I met for a catch-up run in Hockley - the main Bruce Trail + the first two side trails. The temperature and humidity were a little lower so it was a perfect day for it. My legs are tired from RockstAR but I felt surprisingly good running and climbing hills. Maybe it's a post-Canmore training effect or maybe it's just that good conversation takes my mind off my muscles. I need to get back there soon; the trails are in great shape.

Browner is training to race Wilderness Traverse with teammates from New York so I subbed in as her bow paddler on a circumnavigation of Island Lake. It was sunny with a decent breeze - really nice. Out of curiosity, we checked our speed as she switched between kayak paddle and canoe paddle in the stern. In these conditions where the breeze made it necessary for the stern paddler to steer a fair bit, we didn't notice any obvious difference in speed between the two. The canoe paddle takes less effort and throws less water into the boat. Hmm.

Fun training day! :)