Nice to be running in the cooler temps...
We did a 9 mile slog in heat/humidity only 3 weeks ago and I must have stopped to walk a dozen times, gasping like an amphibian washed upon some distant shore, sweating like a Gatorade ad.
Last week we polished off an easy 12 with the cooler temps. Today was also cool and an easy 9 (taper) for the upcoming Hartford Half in two weeks.
It's really different running with other people - get into a good conversation and you don't notice the miles fly by.
Last weekend, did a mile swim on Friday, a 7 mile slog-run in very-warm-and-humid West Hartford (bet I lost 7 lbs in sweat) on Saturday, and a 100-mile bike-ride in East Massachusetts (Narragansett Wheelmen Century). Took about 7.5 hours (the wife got a flat around mile 30, natch).
Yeah, I'm kinda sore from all that - need to roll out the legs, replenish, heal, and recover for Hartford Half-Marathon training (race is 10/11).
Next weekend I'm doing the Narragansett Wheelmen's Flattest Century in the East ride (did it last year, took about 7 hours).
This year NBBW and my biking buddy's 14 yr-old son is joining us, so will be interesting how that plays out (i.e. will Frank slow down??).
The trick on these long rides is that you have to be constantly replenishing yourself with fluids, foods, salt, etc. But it's not a race, it's a ride (keep repeating that, boyo).
I remember last year how surprised I was at the first food stop as to how these guys were jamming food into their mouths (peanut butter samwiches, bananas, bagels, etc.) but soon found myself doing the same at the trough. You really need the caloric intake to maintain a good pace for that long.
After a lot of work on Powerpoint/Excel presentations at work two weeks ago, both arms are dying from Carpal tunnel'ish misery. The training bike rides have been tough while nursing that injury. Hopefully the inflammation has died down by next week. If not - Ibuprofen will be in the saddle with me.
Whilst in Minny two weeks back I took out a yew alongside the house in prep for house painting, but the hedge shears took me down like bloodhounds on Cool Hand Luke.
That and oncet back in H'istan, I had to tackle enormous weedage in the backyard, plus numerous simultaneous powerpoint presentations at work. And, hellboy button mouse on the laptop - net effect - swelling in the wrists, and Constant Sorrows.
I am training for a century ride first week in September in Dartmouth, MA. I did this one last year, took 7 hours. NBBW is joining us this year.
Ibuprofen hasn't made any difference. I need to try bag of frozen peas on the arm.
But I did get in my 65 miles on Sunday (loop from H'istan to E. Longmeadows, MA). Suck it up, boyo.
Visit to Dr. Fear this morning for annual checkup.
He said I was 8 lbs (128 oz, .57 stone, 3638 grams) over the last time I visited him.
Me: Really?
He: Yeah.
I was heavily into marathon training at the time, so there's that, but I didn't think I had added so much. Maybe it's muscle mass (swimming miles now, bike-century-training, etc.).
Or maybe it's time for (Monty Python Spanish Inquisition "Dah Nah!!") The Sacred Heart Memorial Cabbage Soup Recipe.
At pg. 435 in Ulysses, looking forward to the slim 300 pg. Pale Fire.
Whilst in Minny this last week, I had a project to take out a mature Yew (6 ft. and nicely groomed) by the side of the house.
This last winter had been tough and this tree got some serious snow-wasting. It had to go.
I started by using hedge-trimmers to take out the upper portions, but you can only do so much with those. I then moved to using an ax, which is close work on a tree like that. Working in the heat I could only take out several branches before being drenched in sweat. I must have taken 20 showers due to this work.
I finally got it down to stump mode, then started digging out the dirt to take out the many roots (as much below as above). Man, that's tough work also.
I left it with still a bunch above ground and 40% cleared below ground. I might consider using 1) someone with a stump grinder or 2) use charcoal briquets to get the rest obliterated. Not sure.
Back in Hartford, we went out today for a 50 mile bike ride and my shoulders were toast. #tigerbalm.
I'd been doing 1/3-1/2 mile swims at the club for a long time, and decided about 2 months ago to ratchet it up.
I started adding an additional lap each time and got up to 31 laps, then decided to screw it and go for the mile. No problemo.
Last 6 times I've done the full 37 laps (1 mile) and it really hasn't been a problem. Not sure why I had that mental barrier all that time...
Want to do an Olympic triathlon but need to be cool/confident with the distances (1 mile swim, 26 mile bike, 10K run).
Re: endurance reading: at pg. 297 of Ulysses.
Got in an easy 8 miler (was hard) this morning with my running pals. Great temps and humidity. Am trying to keep up the mileage Because Atrophy.
This afternoon NBBW and a good friend did a long swim in Lake Terramuggus, and did the bike route (in advance of next Thursday's triathlon).
Planning to do a long bike tomorrow by the Long Island Sound with NBBW and the BFF.
Re: endurance reading - on page 223 of Ulysses : Shakespeare is the happy hunting ground of all minds that have lost their balance.
Reflections on my father and me, ala James Joyce.
He: Menahga High School, 1953 Chevy, Air Force, Airman, Sebeka, Radar, First Class, Korea, Senior Airman, Montana, Sioux City, IA, Springfield MO, Staff Sergeant, Canal Zone, Panama, ceviche, guinippes (Melicoccus bijugatus), Park Rapids, pistacchios, duck hunting, Viet Nam, reel-to-reel tapes to my mom, Technical Sergeant, Australia, Philippines, Master Sergeant, Duluth MN, smelt-fishing, weather maps, Sr. Master Sergeant, circus peanuts, US Post Office, dark-house spear-fishing, deer hunting. He loved to grill during a blizzard as did I. My brothers and I hauled a large rock to the spot in the Itasca State Park where he had his deer stand.
Me: Park Rapids High School, Dostoevsky, UMD, Fiat, Poland, mathematics, computational linguistics, rational logic, computer science, Control Data, Scandia, compilers, core-file analysis, Slovakia, Martin Marietta, EPIX, tcp/ip, lex/yacc, UnitedHealth, patent, design recovery, grad school, Kefissia, Milan, Istanbul, Mahler, CSC, fixed up a 1951 Chevy, SGS Borealis, grouse hunting, master gardener, Heinrich Buhl, Durrenmat, G. Grass, US Bank, Hartford, bikram yoga, P. Glass, Messiaen, Aetna, cricket, Bhimsen, triathlon, half-marathon, marathon, Cigna, up to 54 countries now, Gravity's Rainbow.
A while back, I was fly-fishing in the Fish-hook river (which feeds into the Straight River). Another guy was working his way downstream. We pass each other with greetings. A minute later, he says, Hey! Are you Ray's boy? I say yes, and feel wonderful at the recognition.
I was on a flight from Paris to Stockholm, and next to me was a Swedish man that had many facial features of my father. We could have been related. I wanted to talk with him but he only knew Swedish and me English.
This morning is the first Saturday - in a long time - that I didn't get up early to do a long training run or triathlon/half marathon. I slept in. Continue reading Downtime
