Training Log Archive: BashIn the 31 days ending Mar 31, 2022:
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Thursday Mar 31, 2022 #
Note
Recovery continues. I can now open ziploc bags and small childproof bottles. Best of all, I played the piano and had no trouble reaching a full octave. Playing guitar, lifting boxes or opening tight jars would not be possible yet because of the stitches across my palm. I need to keep that hand very clean, dry and Polysporin'ed so I still can't wash pots. (Yay.)
On a different note, we know more people with Covid now than at any time in the pandemic - people who managed to avoid it for two years. Most families were infected by children who go to school. :(
On a different note, we know more people with Covid now than at any time in the pandemic - people who managed to avoid it for two years. Most families were infected by children who go to school. :(
Wednesday Mar 30, 2022 #
Note
Kudos to 'Bent for being my left hand man this week - slicing bread, opening jars, feeding the dogs, washing pots, grocery shopping... I could learn to like this! :) The bandages came off today so now I'll have two weeks with Frankenstein stitches healing on my hand. I still can't carry a full glass of water but I have the dexterity to type again.
Monday Mar 28, 2022 #
Note
Progress: I should be able to do proper planks and push-ups after this heals. It's a repair of Dupuytren's contracture - an often hereditary condition where the fascia thickens in your palm and pulls back on a finger or two, preventing you from putting your palm flat on a surface.
If anyone is curious, the marked (but not cut) incision is in the comment. Not recommended for people who get squeamish easily.
I asked for local anaesthesia so I was able to watch the surgery on a screen and chat up the surgeon. Apparently that is an unusual choice but it made life easier for everyone including me. 10/10 would do that again.
I didn't fill the prescription for heavy duty painkillers (yet) because I hoped that lesser painkillers might do the trick and still allow me to drive in the next day or two. So far, so good. I'll know in the morning if this was a dumb choice. It might be.
I'm supposed to wiggle my fingers a lot to avoid stiffness but that doesn't seem like loggable AP training. :)
If anyone is curious, the marked (but not cut) incision is in the comment. Not recommended for people who get squeamish easily.
I asked for local anaesthesia so I was able to watch the surgery on a screen and chat up the surgeon. Apparently that is an unusual choice but it made life easier for everyone including me. 10/10 would do that again.
I didn't fill the prescription for heavy duty painkillers (yet) because I hoped that lesser painkillers might do the trick and still allow me to drive in the next day or two. So far, so good. I'll know in the morning if this was a dumb choice. It might be.
I'm supposed to wiggle my fingers a lot to avoid stiffness but that doesn't seem like loggable AP training. :)
Sunday Mar 27, 2022 #
4 PM
Strength & Mobility 15:00
Saturday Mar 26, 2022 #
12 PM
Trekking (Trail) 1:57:25 [1] 8.47 km (13:52 / km) +2300m 5:53 / km
shoes: Salomon SpikeCross - 2nd pair
Nice catch-up hike around icy Palgrave East with Tim and Jill Bishop, 'Bent and the pooches.
I had my first-ever PCR test this morning so I'll find out tomorrow whether I'll be allowed into the hospital.
I had my first-ever PCR test this morning so I'll find out tomorrow whether I'll be allowed into the hospital.
Thursday Mar 24, 2022 #
9 AM
Running (Country Road) 35:21 [3] 5.11 km (6:55 / km) +78m 6:26 / km
shoes: Salomon Speedcross 5 Red
Now that my ski season is over, it's time to see whether my Achilles physio is working. The plan with my physio was that I would run for a few weeks after ski season then come in for another shockwave treatment and checkup. I'm hoping to be able to run over the next few weeks when I likely won't be able to do much else.
I ran on our rolling gravel road, where the surface is currently wet dirt or mud pocked with potholes filled with water. I felt good while running but the real test, as always, is whether I limp tomorrow. So far, it feels better than usual.
I ran on our rolling gravel road, where the surface is currently wet dirt or mud pocked with potholes filled with water. I felt good while running but the real test, as always, is whether I limp tomorrow. So far, it feels better than usual.
10 AM
Strength & Mobility (Upper body) 20:00 [3]
Wednesday Mar 23, 2022 #
Strength & Mobility 15:00 [3]
Busy week as I try to run errands and do home tasks while I can still use two hands. I warmed up on the rowing machine today because the fact that I won't be able to use it for a while suddenly made it more appealing.
The pre-surgery nurse phoned and was very surprised that I'd been told I could drive after 24 hrs. She doesn't think so and she also explained how to rate pain on a scale of 1 to 10. Huh. Most of this surgery stuff is new to me but *that* part, I was familiar with. I'm really looking forward to watching the surgery but I'd forgotten that it's going to hurt afterwards.
The pre-surgery nurse phoned and was very surprised that I'd been told I could drive after 24 hrs. She doesn't think so and she also explained how to rate pain on a scale of 1 to 10. Huh. Most of this surgery stuff is new to me but *that* part, I was familiar with. I'm really looking forward to watching the surgery but I'd forgotten that it's going to hurt afterwards.
Monday Mar 21, 2022 #
Note
Lots of errands today so I got to see how the end of mask mandates looked in a bunch of locations. Not surprisingly, all staff and citizens in the Public Health Department were masked. Not at the pharmacy though - not even the pharmacist. Canadian Tire was the business with the highest level of masking, including a mandate for staff. The shoe store had the lowest percentage but I'd estimate 2/3 still wore masks. Only one staff member did.
Everyone seemed fine with everyone else doing their own thing. I was all set with three possible comebacks if someone criticized my decision to wear a mask.
1) Rip it off with a big smile and say, "I tested positive yesterday but I was afraid it might bother people. Glad you're OK with it."
2) "My body, my choice. Freeeedom!"
3) Look around furtively then say, "I'm avoiding the government's facial recognition system."
We're awaiting details on the end of mask mandates in health care settings on April 27. It could mean the end of vaccine clinic volunteering for me. 'Bent may keep his waiting room closed permanently. The only dentist in a small town can't get Covid (at least, he has to try damned hard not to) so we can't take part in the "reopening".
Everyone seemed fine with everyone else doing their own thing. I was all set with three possible comebacks if someone criticized my decision to wear a mask.
1) Rip it off with a big smile and say, "I tested positive yesterday but I was afraid it might bother people. Glad you're OK with it."
2) "My body, my choice. Freeeedom!"
3) Look around furtively then say, "I'm avoiding the government's facial recognition system."
We're awaiting details on the end of mask mandates in health care settings on April 27. It could mean the end of vaccine clinic volunteering for me. 'Bent may keep his waiting room closed permanently. The only dentist in a small town can't get Covid (at least, he has to try damned hard not to) so we can't take part in the "reopening".
Sunday Mar 20, 2022 #
Note
Happy Spring Equinox! When we got to Kolapore this weekend, there were flowers waiting for us.
Trekking (Ungroomed) 15:00 [1] 1.25 km (12:00 / km)
Dog hike around the property.
Saturday Mar 19, 2022 #
Strength & Mobility (Core) 30:00
Zoom, zoom.
3 PM
Trekking (Ungroomed) 1:15:21 [2] 4.62 km (16:18 / km) +107m 14:37 / km
shoes: Salomon Snowcross 2 Unspiked
We'd planned a snowshoe hike with the Gallys. Luckily, we have adventurous friends because the weather wasn't ideal for snowshoeing.
The snow had melted a lot since yesterday so we dumped our snowshoes after half a km. There was still some postholing but we crossed a few open, brown fields on our way to Metcalfe Rock.
Then we had our first happy hour on the deck of 2022. It's so nice to hang out with humans these days.
Trekking 1:15:21 [3] 4.62 km (16:18 / km) +107m 14:37 / km
9 PM
Strength & Mobility (Physio) 4:00 [3]
Tuesday Mar 15, 2022 #
Note
OK, it's official. My hand surgery is scheduled for Mon. March 28. It's not the hand I write with but I'm trying to think of all the 2-handed tasks I should do before then, e.g.:
- Stock up on groceries.
- Cut my nails.
- Open jars. (Yeah, that probably isn't practical!)
- Move file boxes into convenient locations so I can work on 1-handed projects.
- Figure out which clothes I can put on with only one hand.
- Find slip-on footwear.
- Strengthen my toes so they can help with tasks normally done by hand, lol.
Any suggestions? I'm going to try doing some things (like typing) with one hand to see how it goes.
I have to get my very first Covid PCR test for this. Cool.
- Stock up on groceries.
- Cut my nails.
- Open jars. (Yeah, that probably isn't practical!)
- Move file boxes into convenient locations so I can work on 1-handed projects.
- Figure out which clothes I can put on with only one hand.
- Find slip-on footwear.
- Strengthen my toes so they can help with tasks normally done by hand, lol.
Any suggestions? I'm going to try doing some things (like typing) with one hand to see how it goes.
I have to get my very first Covid PCR test for this. Cool.
Strength & Mobility (Physio) 4:00 [3]
Sunday Mar 13, 2022 #
11 AM
Snowshoeing (Ungroomed) 1:38:18 [1] 4.59 km (21:26 / km) +88m 19:34 / km
shoes: Salomon Snowcross 2 Unspiked
Snowshoe trek to Metcalfe Rock with 'Bent, his sister Mimi and her husband Frank - a combination of windy fields, open deciduous forest bushwhacking, cedar-lined Bruce Trail and clifftop views. We lent them our guest snowshoes, which are half the size of theirs, and they loved them. They don't do many winter outings but I think they appreciate the magic now. Lots of family fun and conversation.
Look who's off leash - everybody! This winter BazingaDog has become a good off-leash dog for the first time since his early puppy days. Today we trusted him to bushwhack on his own for the first time in a decade. Although he sometimes hesitated before coming when called, he didn't run off like he used to. Good boy. Of course, AdventureDog was good too but he's always been super reliable. He was abandoned by his original owners and he's not willing to risk separation ever again.
Then we had a post-snowshoe campfire with takeout pizza heated on the grill.
Look who's off leash - everybody! This winter BazingaDog has become a good off-leash dog for the first time since his early puppy days. Today we trusted him to bushwhack on his own for the first time in a decade. Although he sometimes hesitated before coming when called, he didn't run off like he used to. Good boy. Of course, AdventureDog was good too but he's always been super reliable. He was abandoned by his original owners and he's not willing to risk separation ever again.
Then we had a post-snowshoe campfire with takeout pizza heated on the grill.
Saturday Mar 12, 2022 #
10 AM
XC Skiing - Classic (Ungroomed) 4:00:00 [3] 27.06 km (6.8 kph) +490m
This was probably the final Kolapore ski of the season for us. I went out with 'Bent - although he was cold so he would ski ahead and ski back to me. Also, he took 11 Strava segments so maybe he made up the part about being cold. The wind chill was *real* and there were occasional snow squalls. I always carry a good-sized pack on these wilderness trails. I rarely open it but today I threw on an extra layer and put on mitt covers.
After some glide wax, I started with decent glide that progressed to excellent glide by the end of the ski as the fresh snow in the tracks got skied on. I didn't have much grip on uphills though so it was more of an upper body workout at times. (I was wearing crown skis so it wasn't a grip wax issue.) We did one more loop of the Winter Only trails that often close before the other trails. It looks like this year the whole trail network will shut down in the next few days. We can't really complain. It's been a blast.
Time deducted for a chat with Bruce & Val King and Richard Ellen, as well as a polite discussion with a couple who had brought their German Shepherd, which is sadly verboten due to trail damage.
After some glide wax, I started with decent glide that progressed to excellent glide by the end of the ski as the fresh snow in the tracks got skied on. I didn't have much grip on uphills though so it was more of an upper body workout at times. (I was wearing crown skis so it wasn't a grip wax issue.) We did one more loop of the Winter Only trails that often close before the other trails. It looks like this year the whole trail network will shut down in the next few days. We can't really complain. It's been a blast.
Time deducted for a chat with Bruce & Val King and Richard Ellen, as well as a polite discussion with a couple who had brought their German Shepherd, which is sadly verboten due to trail damage.
Friday Mar 11, 2022 #
3 PM
XC Skiing - Classic (Ungroomed) 2:10:00 [3] 13.36 km (6.2 kph) +260m
Solo ski around the north end of Kolapore including some bushwhacking, trail breaking across fields, a daring descent of New Chute and a Kolapore Church / Paradise Highway loop. Time deducted for a nice chat with Susan M., one of my friendly Strava segment rivals, and a porch visit with our neighbour Marla, who had baked fresh challah for us.
Wednesday Mar 9, 2022 #
Note
I can exhale now! Jasmin Paris just finished her 3rd loop at the Barkley Marathons with only 10 minutes to go before the 40-hr deadline. She becomes the first woman to finish a Fun Run since 2013.
Thomas Dunkerbeck finished his 3rd loop 22 minutes earlier. The most recent Barkley finisher, John Kelly, arrived much sooner - around 35.5 hours - and could have started his 4th loop before the 36-hr deadline. But he knows what that involves so he decided not to.
Ahead of them, Karel Sabbe started his 4th loop at 32:40 and Greig Hamilton (an Attackpointer) started at 34:54. They are the only runners left on the course now. They have until 7:54 pm to finish 5 loops and become the first Barkley finishers since 2017.
Thomas Dunkerbeck finished his 3rd loop 22 minutes earlier. The most recent Barkley finisher, John Kelly, arrived much sooner - around 35.5 hours - and could have started his 4th loop before the 36-hr deadline. But he knows what that involves so he decided not to.
Ahead of them, Karel Sabbe started his 4th loop at 32:40 and Greig Hamilton (an Attackpointer) started at 34:54. They are the only runners left on the course now. They have until 7:54 pm to finish 5 loops and become the first Barkley finishers since 2017.
Tuesday Mar 8, 2022 #
4 PM
Running (Treadmill) 50:00 [3] 6.83 km (7:19 / km)
Treadmill run including a replay of Jamil Coury's film, "The Year The Barkley Won - 2018 Barkley Marathons".
The conch was blown at 7:54 am this morning - the earliest date ever. The field includes top ultrarunners John Kelly (the most recent Barkley finisher), Courtney Dauwalter and Jasmin Paris (both good candidates to become the first female finishers), Guillaume Calmettes, Harvey Lewis, Karel Sabbe and Canadian Jodi Isenor.
As per tradition, the official news source is Keith Dunn on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/keithdunn
There is occasional news from others using Twitter hashtag #BM100
https://twitter.com/hashtag/BM100?src=hashtag_clic...
Howie Stern has posted a few photos so far.
https://www.instagram.com/howiesternphoto/
Jamil Coury will do occasional live streams on his Run Steep Get High Youtube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoo0wb-sHBq5rZ6La...
John Kelly led out on Loop 2 at 8 hrs 17 mins followed by Karel Sabbe and Albert Casas. Michael Dubova left 5 minutes later. Courtney Dauwalter left at 8:41 in 5th place overall. These are good times for Loop 1 but it was daylight with good weather for Frozen Head State Park. Tonight it's going to rain - a lot.
5 PM
Strength & Mobility (Physio) 4:00 [3]
Saturday Mar 5, 2022 #
9 AM
XC Skiing - Classic (Ungroomed) 3:30:00 [3] 26.01 km (7.4 kph) +467m
Solo ski around Kolapore, heading to the southwest to do the Winter Only trails again - likely for the last time this season, based on the crazy forecast for the next 24 hours. The trails were fast, slightly glazed and a bit scary on downhills if other skiers were climbing.
I ran into two of the four other women who have been battling for Strava crowns in Kolapore this winter. (Kudos to them.) They often ski together and I've been wanting to meet them. We recognized each other from photos and had a nice 10-minute chat including ideas for doing stuff together in future. Social media has its good side.
However, we all knew our mission on a day with fast trails. :) One of the women took four of my Strava segments yesterday so I had work to do. By the end of the day, I'd recovered them all plus a few more, and the other women had taken two crowns from me. Friendly rivalry is fun!
I hope it won't be the last ski in Kolapore for the season but we're expecting rain with thunderstorms, double digit temperatures and very high winds tomorrow. Speaking of which, we're thinking of our friends racing Lawrence Foster's Beaver Freezer event in Sault Sainte Marie tomorrow: Goose and Coach LD, Bob and Hermes, and Hansel. Hermes and Hansel are running; the rest are skiing. Their temperatures will be lower but still above freezing, and the forecast is rain that turns to snow partway through their 42 km day. Fingers crossed they stay warm.
I ran into two of the four other women who have been battling for Strava crowns in Kolapore this winter. (Kudos to them.) They often ski together and I've been wanting to meet them. We recognized each other from photos and had a nice 10-minute chat including ideas for doing stuff together in future. Social media has its good side.
However, we all knew our mission on a day with fast trails. :) One of the women took four of my Strava segments yesterday so I had work to do. By the end of the day, I'd recovered them all plus a few more, and the other women had taken two crowns from me. Friendly rivalry is fun!
I hope it won't be the last ski in Kolapore for the season but we're expecting rain with thunderstorms, double digit temperatures and very high winds tomorrow. Speaking of which, we're thinking of our friends racing Lawrence Foster's Beaver Freezer event in Sault Sainte Marie tomorrow: Goose and Coach LD, Bob and Hermes, and Hansel. Hermes and Hansel are running; the rest are skiing. Their temperatures will be lower but still above freezing, and the forecast is rain that turns to snow partway through their 42 km day. Fingers crossed they stay warm.
Friday Mar 4, 2022 #
12 PM
XC Skiing - Classic (Ungroomed) 2:10:00 [3] 16.36 km (7.6 kph) +224m
'Bent and I skied a loop around the south end of Kolapore on a spectacular afternoon. We included most of the "Winter Use Only" trails because Sunday is forecast to have rain and high temperatures so this may be our last chance of the season to ski the wetlands. One of the long bridges across Kolapore Creek was 50% bare wood already. The trails were mostly fast but some sections were soft and on the borderline of feeling slushy. :( Time deducted for a nice surprise chat with Vicki B. from Timmins, whom we hadn't seen in more than two years.
Snowshoeing (Ungroomed) 16:29 [1] 1.04 km (15:55 / km) +16m 14:46 / km
shoes: Salomon XA Pro GTX - Black
Family snowshoe hike around our Kolapore forest with 'Bent, BazingaDog and AdventureDog.
9 PM
Strength & Mobility (Physio) 4:00 [3]
Just the weighted heel lifts.
Thursday Mar 3, 2022 #
Note
My Achilles felt a little stiff this morning after yesterday's run but the pain level was below 1 on a scale up to 10. Progress.
Wednesday Mar 2, 2022 #
5 PM
Running (Treadmill) 40:00 [3] 5.5 km (7:16 / km)
Since the Snowshoe Raid didn't break my Achilles, I tried a treadmill run and I'll see what it feels like tomorrow. My right heel was a bit stiff the day after the SSR but it wasn't too painful. That may just be the new normal; it would be manageable if that's all there is.
6 PM
Strength & Mobility 20:00
Physio and Foothab