Training Log Archive: cmorse

Event: WCOC Paugussett
 

A physically good run throughout - I just spent a lot more time in the woods than I should have. Pretty clean through #4 then on up the hill to #5 and then proceeded to blow 15 minutes in the vaguish cliffs and slash. Thought I was attacking down the reentrant just N of the bag, but must have misread and been headed down the reentrant just S of the bag - probably missed by 25m or so. Then couldn't get anything to match up, finally relocated to the top of the hill and hit it. Then bungled #6, went up one reentrant N, figured out my problem and moved south and found myself on a distinct spur with distinct vernal pools on either side - crap - no where in that part of the map could I find two pools near each other. Decided to bail back to the stream to start over and found the flag by the westernmost pool (east one not mapped). Then clean for a while but slowed down approaching #8 as there were more trails than mapped and it didn't make sense, but I was on the right line anyhow - just tentative going in. then on #11 got to the circle and noticed a distinct stonewall down in renentrant to my right - damn, no stone walls on the map where I thought I was... Stood there like a dufus for a bit trying to make sense of it, then realized there was a wall under the purple circle line. I had nailed it, except for the hesitation. Then bungled #15 trying to count reentrants off the east side of the larger reentrant - I think there are more subtle reentrants than mapped - lost too much time on this one. Clean around the rest of the cluster and then headed out to #21 - except the running was very fine and I let the slope carry me left and hit the trail at the bend down near #22 and had to climb back to #21 - oooff... Spied Tony M. catching up so motored as hard as I could to finish before he did. Managed that at least...

Red course - Splits

Apparently no long run with Bruce, Scott and Mark so I opted to head up to Soapstone at 6:30 (late enough to skip the lights) and ran about an hour south, running a number of trails not currently on my map and finding a couple of trails I've never been on. Then back through the parking area to see if anyone was showing for the Striders Saturday run at 8 - Tom & Willi were walking, Ginny was going for a short run and Regina and friend were just finishing up. So after chatting for 15 minutes or so and an outhouse break, I headed north for a while.

Felt pretty good the entire way, put new superfeet insoles into the shoes and though they certainly improved the ride, theres not quite enough room in the toebox for the extra padding, and I had some minor toenail bleeding when I got back. I think I'll trim an inch or so from the front of the insole.

First hour I went out too fast, I knew it from the beginning, but it felt good so I went with it figuring it would be good training to run later on legs that were more tired. But actually I felt the best in the third hour - consistent and strong, though I did opt to walk a few hills where the footing sucked, but otherwise finished up in 3 hours feeling like I could have gone out and done it again without hesitation. But I'll refrain and go down and see what Mr. Grollman has in store for tomorrow...

And very good to know I've got the resolve to get a run of this length in on my own, though its nice to run with others too.

no opportunity today - not sure what's on tap for tomorrow AM... going to try and get into more of a routine next week - though we've heard that one before...

partly sunny, mild - first run in shorts and tee shirt (I've had some shorts runs, but had windbreaker or long sleeves). Not feeling too sprited, walking a few hills I should have run. Slight tightness in the groin muscles. However, also had a footlong sub about an hour prior to running, so that could be the cause of my sluggishness too...

Wandered down a few more trails, finally found the 'Whittaker Connector' that provides a trail link over to the NCLT properties at Whittaker and McCann Family Farm. Trail pretty vague, but conservation trail markers on trees made it not too bad to follow - couple nice bridges over nasty swampy stream sections. However the trail pretty much dead ends at the Whittaker property boundary - I guess its new enough they haven't cut the trails yet... then back tracked and did a few more new trails (I've been down them, but they're not on any map I've got) and then back in via the Soapstone race course from the 3rd water stop back to Gulf Road. Then off to pick up Anna at school...

Spent a couple hours preparing an area by the deck for a vegetable garden. You'd think that being a professional horticulturist for 30 years I'd have a great garden by now. Not. After dealing with plants all day at work, I'm generally disinclined to do it avocationally as well. But in the interest of having some more diverse fruits/veggies in my diet for health reasons and imparting the knowledge and ability to grow your own to the kids, I've decided to bite the bullet and put one in at home as well.

Weight figure above is after dinner, but regardless, I think I need some caloric restriction - which could be hard to do in this household. But I'll try and set myself some reasonable daily limit, and only allow extra following longer runs (10m+) for recovery and perhaps in the leadup to longer events.

early afternoon run at Soapstone - running a gps track on moonlight course, waypointing trail junctions and exploring some side trails I've never ventured out on. A very nice outing

Happy Feet - short walk in the woods plus running game on the field