Training Log Archive: cmorse

Joined Dave M & Summer for the first part of their planned jaunt around the course. After struggling with the same course yesterday, I was hesitant but wanted to get something in before the rains came and avoid the zero. I actually felt more energetic today even though we went straight up killer hill from the start. Felt like I could have gone longer today, but played it safe a doubled back early.

Got to Gulf Rd a bit early, did some footwork drills to warm up.

Run w/ Tony on southern part of course. Legs really tired, but good to get out. May take a rest day tomorrow.

Early AM run with Ken. First out Nipmuck to 50 Foot Cliff & back, then up to Coney Rock preserve picking up the pace once on top.

Article from last nights race. Apparently I got credit for both the masters & seniors division wins. The latter sounds rather ominous....

Short afternoon hike to the overlook at Campbell's Peaceful Valley Area with the family. Gorgeous afternoon.

Summer Sizzler 5km XC @ Forest Park

started to do some drills after cleaning the car, but just didn't feel up to it...

Met up with Dave M & Dave S for the first of the Summer Sizzler XC races at forest park. Gorgeous weather. Had the kids with me so my usual cross park warmup run was just a walk. Off the line in front with Dave M, chatting down the first hill and onto the single track. As usual on this course, the leader pussyfooted over the plank bridge and I charged through the stream and into the lead. Pretty muddy along the bottom even though the organizers said the course was in really great shape. Well, nothing to climb over or under, but a lot of small leftover debris from last Octobers storm still around, but not enough to slow things down too much. But my lack of a warmup hit me about 1600m into the run as I hit the redline hard - knew I should be able to crank it along a bit harder, but the drugs seemed to be limiting the HR. Oh well, pushed as hard as I could under the circumstances, but let one young guy and two young women go by over the next bit of the course (Dave M already out in front) so settled into 5th place for the duration. Would have liked to close the gap, but not tonight. 21:05 is a PR on this course by 5 seconds, but I suspect the course may also be a tad long too. Anyway, a great night out, walked back to the car and took the kids out for dinner at Mountain View in Hampden before heading home.

Drove Skyline Drive in Shenandoah NP today. Also very nice, but of the two, I like Blue Ridge better. Then we hit the highway and pointed it toward CT & home. Traffic was fine until we crossed the stateline, then a parking lot from Danbury to Waterbury. Quite typical - but I'd rather be sitting in traffic in a known traffic jam than going through NYC and environs.

Got back to town about 7pm, quick empty of the dirty laundry to the washer, then put on the shoes and did a quick run before sunset. Felt good, started out to do an easy run, but by the time I turned around at Hare Rd I was running pretty hard and kept at it for the return half. Probably head up to FP for the first Summer Sizzler 5km on Thursday...

Stopped for a short hike with Hayden while driving N on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC

Stopped again, this time at Mt Mitchell (highest point east of the Misissippi) to stretch the legs a bit. Just a jaunt up from the parking lot, catch the view, then back down... Very cool area, might have to come back some time for some more extended hiking...

Full day on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Started at mile 469 at dawn, finished up at mile 0 at 10:30pm. Very leisurely drive. Stopped frequently to take in the views, read the exhibits, visitor center etc. Last 90 miles in the dark, not much for views (none) but lots of nocturnal wildlife sightings. Another nice feature of indash GPS is that the map display lets you see the turns on this twisty winding road before you can actually see them in the headlights. Very cool...