Training Log Archive: Bash

I fell asleep after my alarm this morning, which is rare. I wonder if it has anything to do with trying melatonin last night in hopes that it might reduce jet lag in Europe. Does anyone have any experience with it? I'm only taking it now to see what effect it has on me. After a few nights here, I'll wait and start taking it before bedtime on our first night overseas.

Hillier version of Hockley Provincial Park Loop, which is my regular version of that route now. That's the main Bruce + the two northern side trails, skipping the southernmost side trail, which is flatter than the main trail and doesn't add any distance. 'Bent and AdventureDog were running on the same trails so we met up a few times.

I felt a spring in my step that has been missing lately, although it got less springy as the heat and humidity started to build. My body is a whole lot happier in cool weather. I've done this route a bunch of times and it felt like I might finish a few minutes faster than I did - oh well. I suppose my legs are on work-to-rule after 8 hours of running in the past five days with 2135 meters of hill climbing.

As we approach the end of our training for UTMR, I'm feeling pretty good but I really don't know whether my legs are ready to climb 3,000 m per day for four days. Coming from flat Ontario, there's a lot of guesswork; we'll just have to try it and see.

We replenished the calories we burned at an all-you-can-eat buffet at the Ancaster Mill with my Mom and her friend. She's celebrating her 85th birthday today!

'Bent and I went back for our final blast of Georgian Peaks hill repeats before Ultra Tour Monte Rosa - shorter this time but we tried to go a little more quickly.

The weather was dull at first and lots of other people were there. By the time the rain, wind and fog really got going, we had the hill to ourselves. My Speedcross Pros were great on the slick, wet trail but we both picked up some heavy clay.

Afterward, we went to Pie for our usual post-Peaks pizza. (Say that five times fast!) Yum. I might have to plan another mountain race so I can keep going back.

BazingaDog is feeling much, much better after the scare yesterday. The vet thinks maybe he put his back out temporarily. Just to be on the safe side, he'll avoid running for a few days and we were given a pain killer that he doesn't seem to need anymore. But if it happens again, we'll be ready.

Easy run around Albion Hills checking out part of my preliminary course design for the Star Tracks Mountain Bike Adventure on Oct. 15. Time deducted for stops.

Registration is now open. Last year was our biggest Star Tracks so far and we're hoping to beat that record. Please tell your friends! One category very popular with adventure racers is the Family Team, where one or two parents race with one or more of their children on the Novice course.
https://stars.whyjustrun.ca/events/view/3041

We're hoping some people will come to camp the night before. If there's enough interest, we'll plan some low key evening nav suitable for families or adults, and there might even be marshmallows.

Plans got derailed when 'Bent phoned to say BazingaDog had suffered a mysterious injury or sickness at the dental office. I rushed over to bring him home and assess whether he needed the 1-hr trip to the emergency vet. Eventually, I narrowed it down to pain in his upper right leg or hip, which meant it could wait for our regular vet tomorrow morning. We don't know whether a patient or staff member accidentally ran into him or whether he twisted his own knee or...? Our poor big, sweet guy. :(

After pancakes with 'Bent, Goose and Coach LD, I needed to burn some extra calories so I stopped off at The Grange hill for three repeats on my way to Milton. It's a great hill but it's nervewracking to share the road with vehicles so I don't run it very often. It's closed to traffic in winter, which makes it safer.

Browner and I ran with well-behaved Scout and Contour in the HAFTA Forest. It was a nice rolling route with a mix of double and single track, and technical and smooth trails. Then Browner took me out for a lovely Italian birthday dinner - thank you! :)

I still need to log the paddling, portaging and hiking we did in Killarney Provincial Park last week. Because I've fallen behind, Attackpoint is giving me helpful pointers and highlighting the benefits of logging my training. I guess I'll start with this week because it's faster, and it will stop AP's reminders!

SUP paddle on the quarry

SUP yoga class