Saturday, February 26, 2011
Holly told me she was going for a walk around the block and asked if I’d like to join her. I’d been out to grab the paper already and knew that the sidewalks were still under ten inches of snow and on drives done by snow plows, the sidewalk was blocked by about four feet of snow. I didn’t want to discourage her, but I thought it best to give her the lowdown. “Um…you’ll have snow up to your hips in places where people cheated and hired a snow plow instead of doing the manly thing…and shoveling…like me.”
“Well…I’m going to walk anyway. You said it would be a better workout to walk in deep snow, but if its too much for you…I’ll go alone,” she said.
So I put on my boots and we headed out the door. When we reached our third driveway where the sidewalk was blocked with more like six feet of snow, we decided that parts of the walk would be in the only clean surface…the road. In less than 10 minutes Holly was saying she was overdressed…something that freeze baby never says. “You were right about this being a great workout,” she said. If I’d have had a recorder, I’d have taped those words…and played them for John. It took us almost exactly twice as long to complete our your normal walk and we were both sweating pretty heavily…okay…Holly was glowing…I was sweating.
I’d read a story in the PD that morning about deer shedding their antlers and decided that for the afternoon workout, I’d return to the Metropark and scour the back woods looking for some. Dakota was up for the trip, but once we got there and headed off-trail, her progress was derailed by a foot of snow. We spent the next 90 minutes sliding down into ravines and going places I haven’t been before in quest of antlers. I went to the area where I knew between 20-30 deer were bedding down each night, but saw no tracks as I approached the area and wondered if the culling that had been going on over the last couple of days had changed their patterns. I moved over a ridge and found the spot where it appeared they’d moved. Still….12 inches of snow is not the best time to look for heavy things that fall on the ground and any antlers were probably covered. As a ‘Leave No Trace’ educator, I know that you should leave it where you find it. Antlers are rich in calcium and excellent nutrition for the chipmunks, mice and other little creatures running around on the forest floor. Maybe I’ll just pick them up and look them over and take a couple of pictures…if I find any.
We made our way down to and around the marsh, walking about 4 miles and managing a great workout with the snow so deep. I returned home thinking if I rode that would be okay…but there would be no guilt if I didn’t.
Hike duration: 2 hours and 10 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 90 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 650.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
The snowstorm from hell...
Friday, February 25, 2011
The phone ringing at 5:30 a.m. on a week day almost always means one thing…snow day. Jack would be thrilled…he’d asked at least 82 times the night before, “do you think we’ll have a snow day tomorrow?” Frankly, I wasn’t even aware of a snow warning, but he monitors these things like he does ice cream coming into the house. I picked up the phone and listened to the recording confirming Jack’s question and alerting me to the fact that my first workout of the day would be snow removal. And what a workout it was.
The reports said we’d gotten about 8 inches, but with winds howling at over 50 miles an hour, the drifts were the issue. The wind patterns that deposit all downed leaves in front of and into my garage throughout the year act to pile snow in unmovable drifts. I popped open the garage door…and gaped in amazement. This would be a long one.
I made my first push down the middle of our double drive and into the road. Fortunately, the plows had not been through yet, so I’d get a jump on the bottom. They’d deposit at least six feet there before the day was over, so I needed to hurry. Then my snow shovel handle broke loose from the blade. Bastard!
Now I was in real trouble. I have another piece of crap shovel which I use for throwing the large deposits the plows put in the bottom of my drive, but you can’t push with it…and I’m a pusher. I brought the shovel back into the garage and started sorting through my miscellaneous bolt drawer looking for five that would reattach the blade to the handle. I didn’t want to try and make a trip to Home Depot through the drifts in the driveway…which would likely have been impossible anyway…but I found what I needed and was back in business in short order.
It took about an hour to shovel out the drive and I’d stripped down to jeans and a t-shirt to accomplish the task. I’d decided to work from home that morning, so I went back inside to watch the storm continue to roar while I made my calls and waited for the plow to come by and bury the bottom of the drive. He came a little after noon and angled his blade and pushed six tons of snow up towards the telephone pole on the tree lawn. Only two tons of his load made it there…the rest stayed in my driveway.
I waited for the snow to stop falling before heading back out. I spent another 90 minutes trying to remove the load and clean the rest of the drive again, though part of that was spent talking to my neighbors struggling with their snow blowers. I was determined to beat both of them with my shovel…and I did…but at a price. I made my last push and headed for the garage, waving and taunting with the last strength I possessed before closing the door and collapsing on the garage floor…where they couldn’t see me.
Oh yeah…since I didn’t want to consider snow removal a workout…I put 60 minutes on the bike after shoveling. I am so going to pay tomorrow.
Bike duration: 45 minutes. Shoveling duration: For freaking ever.
Training Heart Rate: 130 bpm biking. 250 bpm shoveling snow and cursing plowman.
Calories burned during workout: 900 biking. 17,000 shoveling snow.
The phone ringing at 5:30 a.m. on a week day almost always means one thing…snow day. Jack would be thrilled…he’d asked at least 82 times the night before, “do you think we’ll have a snow day tomorrow?” Frankly, I wasn’t even aware of a snow warning, but he monitors these things like he does ice cream coming into the house. I picked up the phone and listened to the recording confirming Jack’s question and alerting me to the fact that my first workout of the day would be snow removal. And what a workout it was.
The reports said we’d gotten about 8 inches, but with winds howling at over 50 miles an hour, the drifts were the issue. The wind patterns that deposit all downed leaves in front of and into my garage throughout the year act to pile snow in unmovable drifts. I popped open the garage door…and gaped in amazement. This would be a long one.
I made my first push down the middle of our double drive and into the road. Fortunately, the plows had not been through yet, so I’d get a jump on the bottom. They’d deposit at least six feet there before the day was over, so I needed to hurry. Then my snow shovel handle broke loose from the blade. Bastard!
Now I was in real trouble. I have another piece of crap shovel which I use for throwing the large deposits the plows put in the bottom of my drive, but you can’t push with it…and I’m a pusher. I brought the shovel back into the garage and started sorting through my miscellaneous bolt drawer looking for five that would reattach the blade to the handle. I didn’t want to try and make a trip to Home Depot through the drifts in the driveway…which would likely have been impossible anyway…but I found what I needed and was back in business in short order.
It took about an hour to shovel out the drive and I’d stripped down to jeans and a t-shirt to accomplish the task. I’d decided to work from home that morning, so I went back inside to watch the storm continue to roar while I made my calls and waited for the plow to come by and bury the bottom of the drive. He came a little after noon and angled his blade and pushed six tons of snow up towards the telephone pole on the tree lawn. Only two tons of his load made it there…the rest stayed in my driveway.
I waited for the snow to stop falling before heading back out. I spent another 90 minutes trying to remove the load and clean the rest of the drive again, though part of that was spent talking to my neighbors struggling with their snow blowers. I was determined to beat both of them with my shovel…and I did…but at a price. I made my last push and headed for the garage, waving and taunting with the last strength I possessed before closing the door and collapsing on the garage floor…where they couldn’t see me.
Oh yeah…since I didn’t want to consider snow removal a workout…I put 60 minutes on the bike after shoveling. I am so going to pay tomorrow.
Bike duration: 45 minutes. Shoveling duration: For freaking ever.
Training Heart Rate: 130 bpm biking. 250 bpm shoveling snow and cursing plowman.
Calories burned during workout: 900 biking. 17,000 shoveling snow.
Friday, February 25, 2011
A 'wildlife' run.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
It was time to try a run again and so I drove to the Metroparks thinking I’d get some decent trail conditions. I’d stopped there on Wednesday to run, but had found the park closed for “wildlife management”, which means they were culling the deer herd again.
I think everyone knows by now that I’m a big wildlife fan, but I completely understand the need to manage the wildlife in the park. I know there are communities around Cleveland that are up in arms about thinning the deer population, but when the only other way to accomplish the task, since they have no natural predators in Ohio, is to hit them with a vehicle…well…I just think there are better ways. I know it’s expensive and there are arguments over how to do it most humanely, but unless we’re going to reintroduce wolves, what the park is doing is necessary.
Anyway…I asked the Ranger blocking the entrance when the park would reopen and he assured me that by noon tomorrow, they’d be open for business.
He was wrong. I got there in the late afternoon to find the barricades still in place. I considered driving home for another bout on the stationary bike, but decided instead to drive to the Polo Fields and run the ribbon along the Chagrin River south to Miles Road. It turned out to be an excellent decision.
I found the trail to be just a little soft with a pack three-inch pack of slightly melting snow…it was in the high 30’s…and headed out thinking a 30-minute run would be appropriate. As always, when I hit the turnaround, I decided not to turnaround and pushed it out so that I’d end up with 50 minutes instead. I’d had only a mild achilles tweak in the first four minutes of the run and although the right hamstring/butt ache was still there, I ignored it. As I approached the end of the run…a stretch through some pines just before the Polo Fields…I heard something big plunge into the river. I moved to the river’s edge just in time to see an angry beaver slap his tail on the water and dive beneath. I waited for him to resurface, which he did in less than a minute and about 30 feet further up river, but when he sensed my presence, slapped the water again and submerged.
Experience told me he’d not be resurfacing anywhere that I’d see him, so I continued on my run. I made it back to the car in 50 minutes and feeling pretty good about the effort. I began the drive home north along River Road and as I was driving past the Rankin estate (I know it because Jim used to work there as a caretaker years ago) when I noticed what looked like a dog loping across an open field. I quickly pulled a u-turn and returned to the spot for what I was sure would be the opportunity to photograph a coyote.
I grabbed the camera, which was lying on the front seat, as I exited the car. As I closed the door, he looked up from his hunt for whatever was boring under the snow, gave me a look and turned for the woods nearby. I started clicking rapidly and when he stopped to see what I was doing, I managed a couple of pretty nice shots. Though in no danger from me…I was a hundred yards away or more, he didn’t like my attention and turned once more to escape to the woods.
My kind of workout day…good run…beavers and coyotes…and some decent pictures, too.
Run duration: 50 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 140 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 850.
It was time to try a run again and so I drove to the Metroparks thinking I’d get some decent trail conditions. I’d stopped there on Wednesday to run, but had found the park closed for “wildlife management”, which means they were culling the deer herd again.
I think everyone knows by now that I’m a big wildlife fan, but I completely understand the need to manage the wildlife in the park. I know there are communities around Cleveland that are up in arms about thinning the deer population, but when the only other way to accomplish the task, since they have no natural predators in Ohio, is to hit them with a vehicle…well…I just think there are better ways. I know it’s expensive and there are arguments over how to do it most humanely, but unless we’re going to reintroduce wolves, what the park is doing is necessary.
Anyway…I asked the Ranger blocking the entrance when the park would reopen and he assured me that by noon tomorrow, they’d be open for business.
He was wrong. I got there in the late afternoon to find the barricades still in place. I considered driving home for another bout on the stationary bike, but decided instead to drive to the Polo Fields and run the ribbon along the Chagrin River south to Miles Road. It turned out to be an excellent decision.
I found the trail to be just a little soft with a pack three-inch pack of slightly melting snow…it was in the high 30’s…and headed out thinking a 30-minute run would be appropriate. As always, when I hit the turnaround, I decided not to turnaround and pushed it out so that I’d end up with 50 minutes instead. I’d had only a mild achilles tweak in the first four minutes of the run and although the right hamstring/butt ache was still there, I ignored it. As I approached the end of the run…a stretch through some pines just before the Polo Fields…I heard something big plunge into the river. I moved to the river’s edge just in time to see an angry beaver slap his tail on the water and dive beneath. I waited for him to resurface, which he did in less than a minute and about 30 feet further up river, but when he sensed my presence, slapped the water again and submerged.
Experience told me he’d not be resurfacing anywhere that I’d see him, so I continued on my run. I made it back to the car in 50 minutes and feeling pretty good about the effort. I began the drive home north along River Road and as I was driving past the Rankin estate (I know it because Jim used to work there as a caretaker years ago) when I noticed what looked like a dog loping across an open field. I quickly pulled a u-turn and returned to the spot for what I was sure would be the opportunity to photograph a coyote.
I grabbed the camera, which was lying on the front seat, as I exited the car. As I closed the door, he looked up from his hunt for whatever was boring under the snow, gave me a look and turned for the woods nearby. I started clicking rapidly and when he stopped to see what I was doing, I managed a couple of pretty nice shots. Though in no danger from me…I was a hundred yards away or more, he didn’t like my attention and turned once more to escape to the woods.
My kind of workout day…good run…beavers and coyotes…and some decent pictures, too.
Run duration: 50 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 140 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 850.
'Lat-In-Shape' is quite a workout...
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Though I’ve been around fitness and athletic clubs for most of my professional life, I have never…ever…taken an aerobics class of any kind. I was there in the beginning and saw what a smashing success they were and how millions were motivated to exercise through them. I think they’re great and always recommended them to my clients. So why then have I never done one? It’s really quite simple. Self-esteem. Something I have…and would quickly lose…if I ever ventured into any kind of a class that, at its core, required basic rhythm and movement. I have neither. In abundance.
So when I decided to attend Bob’s ‘Lat-In-Shape’ class, I knew it would be as an observer. I mean…they did stuff like cha-cha, samba, salsa, and swing steps…incorporating them into a 1-hour workout. There was music, too, all the things I’d need to entirely embarrass myself…which I never do…intentionally.
“Hey class…this is John Rolf. He’s an Exercise Physiologist and he’s here tonight to do our class and give me some feedback on ways I might improve it,” Bob said as a way of introduction.
“Um…I’m going to just observe tonight, Bob. I’ve got this hamstring thing flaring up and I think I’ll just watch,” I stammered in front of a couple of the women. They coaxed me to try in their good-natured ways…but this man knows his limitations and wasn’t budging.
“Anyway…it’ll be better for me to sit over there and have a better chance to make notes while I observe all of you,” I pleaded…lamely.
Bob had spent 30 minutes prior to class instructing 6-8 women who’d come early on the basic dance steps that he incorporated into the workout. He was very thorough and had them all moving more comfortably by the time the class began. Over 20 women crowded into the Fairport Senior Center hall for the class, ranging in age from 35 to 65…I’d guess. After going through his first song during which they did some gentle movements to loosen and warm their muscles, Bob moved into his first dance/exercise song.
In all, the class offered 10 different songs to which the participants danced and moved aerobically for about 40 minutes. Between each song, Bob offered the opportunity for recovery and water breaks…each of these being about 60 seconds. He finished with a song to which they did some light stretching and balancing moves as they allowed their heart rates to return closer to rest.
I would compare the workout to a fartlek or track workout for runners. Reasonably intense portions of between 3-5 minutes followed by recovery periods that allowed for the next repeat. This type of training burns more calories than steady-state, rhythmic aerobic exercise…to name one benefit.
It was clear to me that the participants enjoyed the workout, liked that they were learning Latin dance steps and all while toning muscles, improving their coordination and balance, muscular endurance and aerobic capacity.
I applaud Bob and ‘Lat-In-Shape’ for its originality, energy and attraction to folks more…well…my age. I believe you will be hearing much more about it in the not-to-distant future.
Oh…and since my hamstring was bothering me…really it was…I did a ride before Bob’s class.
Bike duration: 45 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 675.
Though I’ve been around fitness and athletic clubs for most of my professional life, I have never…ever…taken an aerobics class of any kind. I was there in the beginning and saw what a smashing success they were and how millions were motivated to exercise through them. I think they’re great and always recommended them to my clients. So why then have I never done one? It’s really quite simple. Self-esteem. Something I have…and would quickly lose…if I ever ventured into any kind of a class that, at its core, required basic rhythm and movement. I have neither. In abundance.
So when I decided to attend Bob’s ‘Lat-In-Shape’ class, I knew it would be as an observer. I mean…they did stuff like cha-cha, samba, salsa, and swing steps…incorporating them into a 1-hour workout. There was music, too, all the things I’d need to entirely embarrass myself…which I never do…intentionally.
“Hey class…this is John Rolf. He’s an Exercise Physiologist and he’s here tonight to do our class and give me some feedback on ways I might improve it,” Bob said as a way of introduction.
“Um…I’m going to just observe tonight, Bob. I’ve got this hamstring thing flaring up and I think I’ll just watch,” I stammered in front of a couple of the women. They coaxed me to try in their good-natured ways…but this man knows his limitations and wasn’t budging.
“Anyway…it’ll be better for me to sit over there and have a better chance to make notes while I observe all of you,” I pleaded…lamely.
Bob had spent 30 minutes prior to class instructing 6-8 women who’d come early on the basic dance steps that he incorporated into the workout. He was very thorough and had them all moving more comfortably by the time the class began. Over 20 women crowded into the Fairport Senior Center hall for the class, ranging in age from 35 to 65…I’d guess. After going through his first song during which they did some gentle movements to loosen and warm their muscles, Bob moved into his first dance/exercise song.
In all, the class offered 10 different songs to which the participants danced and moved aerobically for about 40 minutes. Between each song, Bob offered the opportunity for recovery and water breaks…each of these being about 60 seconds. He finished with a song to which they did some light stretching and balancing moves as they allowed their heart rates to return closer to rest.
I would compare the workout to a fartlek or track workout for runners. Reasonably intense portions of between 3-5 minutes followed by recovery periods that allowed for the next repeat. This type of training burns more calories than steady-state, rhythmic aerobic exercise…to name one benefit.
It was clear to me that the participants enjoyed the workout, liked that they were learning Latin dance steps and all while toning muscles, improving their coordination and balance, muscular endurance and aerobic capacity.
I applaud Bob and ‘Lat-In-Shape’ for its originality, energy and attraction to folks more…well…my age. I believe you will be hearing much more about it in the not-to-distant future.
Oh…and since my hamstring was bothering me…really it was…I did a ride before Bob’s class.
Bike duration: 45 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 675.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
A 'picture' perfect day...
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
I noticed that the pain in my feet was subsiding when I got up, but it was a far cry from normal. Today was a run day and I’d have to weigh carefully what I’d be doing. That could wait, though…it was only morning.
I drove Jack to school and was reveling in the beauty of the ice formations on all the trees and bushes and pointing it out to him. “It’s not that big a deal, dad,” he said as I dropped him off in front of the Field House.
I’m trying to remember back to being 16…and it being 7 a.m….and going into school and whether the sun’s rays making the ice on trees seem like they were glowing would have gotten me excited? Yes…actually. I was, and always have been, a morning person. I’ve also been taking pictures since I was a hair older than Jack and amazing scenery shots always got me jazzed. Of course…I was definitely abnormal…definitely.
I was headed for the freeway after dropping him off and admiring the sun filtering through the ice-covered trees when I decided I wasn’t going to go straight to work. Instead, I drove down into the Chagrin Valley and, camera in tow, began pulling off the road and snapping pictures of scenes I found so beautiful that I couldn’t pass. I knew I couldn’t keep this up for too long, but I was having troubles leaving, too. I decided then that I wouldn’t be running that evening…a long hike with the camera was now the agenda.
By the time I returned to the Metropark, the sun was setting, but the rays were long and making for some great shots. I had decided that I’d walk the entire perimeter of the marsh and hope for some quality pictures. I ended up spending close to two hours and snapped over 130 pictures, though I doubted they’d do justice to what my eyes were taking in. Later…after downloading them…my suspicions proved true. Maybe if I was a better photographer…but I suspect it was just one of those nights when you have to get out and experience it…then store it on that hard drive between your ears.
Hike duration: 95 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 90 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 475.
I drove Jack to school and was reveling in the beauty of the ice formations on all the trees and bushes and pointing it out to him. “It’s not that big a deal, dad,” he said as I dropped him off in front of the Field House.
I’m trying to remember back to being 16…and it being 7 a.m….and going into school and whether the sun’s rays making the ice on trees seem like they were glowing would have gotten me excited? Yes…actually. I was, and always have been, a morning person. I’ve also been taking pictures since I was a hair older than Jack and amazing scenery shots always got me jazzed. Of course…I was definitely abnormal…definitely.
I was headed for the freeway after dropping him off and admiring the sun filtering through the ice-covered trees when I decided I wasn’t going to go straight to work. Instead, I drove down into the Chagrin Valley and, camera in tow, began pulling off the road and snapping pictures of scenes I found so beautiful that I couldn’t pass. I knew I couldn’t keep this up for too long, but I was having troubles leaving, too. I decided then that I wouldn’t be running that evening…a long hike with the camera was now the agenda.
By the time I returned to the Metropark, the sun was setting, but the rays were long and making for some great shots. I had decided that I’d walk the entire perimeter of the marsh and hope for some quality pictures. I ended up spending close to two hours and snapped over 130 pictures, though I doubted they’d do justice to what my eyes were taking in. Later…after downloading them…my suspicions proved true. Maybe if I was a better photographer…but I suspect it was just one of those nights when you have to get out and experience it…then store it on that hard drive between your ears.
Hike duration: 95 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 90 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 475.
It's okay to hike...
Monday, February 21, 2011
Though running on my toes during yesterday’s run had been a tremendous help in eliminating the oncoming pain in my achilles, it was going to play havoc with the plantar fascia of my…the strong tendons running from the heels to the balls of the feet. By Sunday evening, I was in pain with every step I took around the house and well aware that it wouldn’t be going away any time soon. If it ain’t one thing…it’s another. Well…I’ve been here many times before and I’ll just work through it. Tomorrow.
My feet were still quite sore when I arrived at the Metropark. It wasn’t a run day…but the way they were feeling, I didn’t even want to walk. Manning up though, I grabbed my camera and made my way into the woods. My plan was to work my way down to the marsh and look for signs and maybe get a picture of…the elusive coyotes. Their tracks were everywhere as I approached the area, but the snow was extremely crunchy, warning anything with ears that I was approaching. I knew I wouldn’t be surprising them, but at least my feet had stopped hurting…they tend to once you begin exercising them…and it was a beautiful evening and kind of a workout.
Which is another thing. I have advised many people over the years…and continue to do so…to begin a hiking program as their form of conditioning. I tell them it’s a good workout, gives them the opportunity to experience nature and improve balance walking off-trail, isn’t boring and lots of other stuff. Yet…whenever I’m following my own advice and hike, I always feel like I still need to do a workout. Often times I guilt myself into it, too, going home to ride the trainer or getting in a run at some later time. I suppose old habits die hard and I’ve conditioned myself after years of training to feel that if I haven’t gotten my heart rate over 130 beats per minute for 30 minutes or more…I haven’t done anything. It simply isn’t true…but that’s the baggage I schlep around.
Anyway, I finished the walk without spotting any coyote and guiltily spent the remainder of the evening nursing sore feet and thinking I should do a ride. I never did…and tomorrow may be more of the same.
Hike duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 90 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 300.
Though running on my toes during yesterday’s run had been a tremendous help in eliminating the oncoming pain in my achilles, it was going to play havoc with the plantar fascia of my…the strong tendons running from the heels to the balls of the feet. By Sunday evening, I was in pain with every step I took around the house and well aware that it wouldn’t be going away any time soon. If it ain’t one thing…it’s another. Well…I’ve been here many times before and I’ll just work through it. Tomorrow.
My feet were still quite sore when I arrived at the Metropark. It wasn’t a run day…but the way they were feeling, I didn’t even want to walk. Manning up though, I grabbed my camera and made my way into the woods. My plan was to work my way down to the marsh and look for signs and maybe get a picture of…the elusive coyotes. Their tracks were everywhere as I approached the area, but the snow was extremely crunchy, warning anything with ears that I was approaching. I knew I wouldn’t be surprising them, but at least my feet had stopped hurting…they tend to once you begin exercising them…and it was a beautiful evening and kind of a workout.
Which is another thing. I have advised many people over the years…and continue to do so…to begin a hiking program as their form of conditioning. I tell them it’s a good workout, gives them the opportunity to experience nature and improve balance walking off-trail, isn’t boring and lots of other stuff. Yet…whenever I’m following my own advice and hike, I always feel like I still need to do a workout. Often times I guilt myself into it, too, going home to ride the trainer or getting in a run at some later time. I suppose old habits die hard and I’ve conditioned myself after years of training to feel that if I haven’t gotten my heart rate over 130 beats per minute for 30 minutes or more…I haven’t done anything. It simply isn’t true…but that’s the baggage I schlep around.
Anyway, I finished the walk without spotting any coyote and guiltily spent the remainder of the evening nursing sore feet and thinking I should do a ride. I never did…and tomorrow may be more of the same.
Hike duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 90 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 300.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Coyote sighting in North Chagrin...
Sunday, February 20, 2011
I saw another opportunity for a double. Holly was not going to church…which pretty much meant neither was I, but I did have to drop Jack there for his daycare job. I dressed for a run and figured I’d put in a 40-minute effort and pick him up when I was done.
I knew the bridle trails were still icy, but was reasonably certain that the less traveled hiking trails would be clear of ice, though muddy. I prefer the hiking trails anyway, so this was no problem. I parked the car and quickly headed into the woods to find that I was right…the trails were muddy, but almost completely ice-free. I felt a twinge in my right achilles about five minutes into the run, but determined that I’d keep going and see what happened. It didn’t bother me for more than a few steps, though it would return at the 20-minute mark. In both instances, I was running uphill and my foot was landing heel first. This puts a lot more stress on the achilles and so I tried running on the balls of my feet as I ascended. The pain went away immediately and I thought I’d resolved the problem. In fact, I had, but started another.
I finished the run noticing the bridle trails were still icy. John and I would be returning later, so I began planning a route that would keep us off the bridle trails. As I was driving home, I received a text from John which read “Don’t think I can hike today. I think I cracked some ribs on a wipeout skiing yesterday.” I tried calling him later to give him some major crap, but he probably knew that’s why I was calling and didn’t pick up. When I finally spoke to Teri, I discovered that he’d taken some muscle relaxants and passed out. I suppose that’s because, unlike me, muscle relaxants affect his brain…which, in his case, are pretty much made up of muscle. Anyway, turns out this was his first attempt at skiing and after a quick lesson and a trip down the easy hill, he figured he was ready for the intermediate hill. He wasn’t… and he crashed.
I couldn’t let his absence stop me so I gathered Dakota and headed for the Metropark. We made our way down to the marsh and moved through the tall, dead reeds to the edge of the water. A Canada goose was honking its displeasure as we approached, Dakota using a little less stealth than me, when I noticed movement off to my right. A coyote with a beautiful rusty brown and grey coat broke from the reeds about 15 feet from me and made its way quickly in to some better cover. Dakota never saw a thing and it happened so quickly that I couldn’t snap a picture. I waited about ten minutes, moving around and trying to flush it again, but it was either gone or staying put and out of sight. There was ice between us and I didn’t have John to send out on it to test its strength, so I had to let it go.
Like the eagle the day before, I’ve seen coyotes not infrequently, but in all these cases I get such a charge at being able to see this kind of nature up close and personal. I don’t suppose I’ll ever get tired of spotting these creatures, which makes every trip to the park worth the effort. You just never know…
Run duration: 40 minutes. Hike duration: 90 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 140 running. 90 hiking.
Calories burned during workout: 675 running. 450 hiking.
I saw another opportunity for a double. Holly was not going to church…which pretty much meant neither was I, but I did have to drop Jack there for his daycare job. I dressed for a run and figured I’d put in a 40-minute effort and pick him up when I was done.
I knew the bridle trails were still icy, but was reasonably certain that the less traveled hiking trails would be clear of ice, though muddy. I prefer the hiking trails anyway, so this was no problem. I parked the car and quickly headed into the woods to find that I was right…the trails were muddy, but almost completely ice-free. I felt a twinge in my right achilles about five minutes into the run, but determined that I’d keep going and see what happened. It didn’t bother me for more than a few steps, though it would return at the 20-minute mark. In both instances, I was running uphill and my foot was landing heel first. This puts a lot more stress on the achilles and so I tried running on the balls of my feet as I ascended. The pain went away immediately and I thought I’d resolved the problem. In fact, I had, but started another.
I finished the run noticing the bridle trails were still icy. John and I would be returning later, so I began planning a route that would keep us off the bridle trails. As I was driving home, I received a text from John which read “Don’t think I can hike today. I think I cracked some ribs on a wipeout skiing yesterday.” I tried calling him later to give him some major crap, but he probably knew that’s why I was calling and didn’t pick up. When I finally spoke to Teri, I discovered that he’d taken some muscle relaxants and passed out. I suppose that’s because, unlike me, muscle relaxants affect his brain…which, in his case, are pretty much made up of muscle. Anyway, turns out this was his first attempt at skiing and after a quick lesson and a trip down the easy hill, he figured he was ready for the intermediate hill. He wasn’t… and he crashed.
I couldn’t let his absence stop me so I gathered Dakota and headed for the Metropark. We made our way down to the marsh and moved through the tall, dead reeds to the edge of the water. A Canada goose was honking its displeasure as we approached, Dakota using a little less stealth than me, when I noticed movement off to my right. A coyote with a beautiful rusty brown and grey coat broke from the reeds about 15 feet from me and made its way quickly in to some better cover. Dakota never saw a thing and it happened so quickly that I couldn’t snap a picture. I waited about ten minutes, moving around and trying to flush it again, but it was either gone or staying put and out of sight. There was ice between us and I didn’t have John to send out on it to test its strength, so I had to let it go.
Like the eagle the day before, I’ve seen coyotes not infrequently, but in all these cases I get such a charge at being able to see this kind of nature up close and personal. I don’t suppose I’ll ever get tired of spotting these creatures, which makes every trip to the park worth the effort. You just never know…
Run duration: 40 minutes. Hike duration: 90 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 140 running. 90 hiking.
Calories burned during workout: 675 running. 450 hiking.
Eagle sighting in Fairport Harbor...
Saturday, February 19, 2011
John and I had talked about hiking some time during the day and I was thinking it would be a good opportunity to score a double so I went to my office and climbed on the trainer for a 70-minute ride. Shorty after showering, he called. “Hey man…can’t hike today. Got some free skiing time at Brandywine and I’m going to take Scott and give it a try,” he said.
Now…it’d been in the 50’s for the past several days and all the snow had melted and I was thinking snow was pretty important to skiing and suggested as much to John. “Yeah…well…they can make more,” he said. I pondered this for a second and said, “but doesn’t it need to be like…freezing?” His timing was spectacular. A week ago there had been two feet of the white stuff on the ground…but that’s John…never the brightest crayon in the box.
“How about tomorrow for the hike?” he asked, which I said was not a problem. Still, I wanted to get in a hike, but I was also interested in getting out to Fairport Harbor. There had been a story in the PD that morning about the ice that was blocking the Grand River. This is a common occurrence with sudden warming trends in the late days of winter, but I’d never bothered to go and see or photograph the incident. I was thinking I might get lucky while there and spot the eagles that had been reported as flying in that area. I asked Holly to join me, but she said she was too cold.
I drove down near the Lake Metropark Beach in Fairport and parked my car. I quickly spotted the massive ice blockage at the mouth of the river…I’m no Sherlock Holmes – it would be pretty hard to miss…and walked out on the break wall to take some pictures. Looking east towards the Perry Nuclear Power Plant, I noticed a large bird flying over the ice inside the break wall. It was too far away to identify, but I’ve got a nice telephoto lens so I started snapping pictures. I was reasonably sure it was an eagle, but I’d know for sure when I returned home later and downloaded the shots.
I waited for another 20 minutes hoping the ‘probably an eagle’ returned, but without success. I gave it up and headed for the North Chagrin Reservation and hike to determine the conditions of the trails for tomorrow’s run and whether I would recommend it for Holly to hike.
The trails there were quite icy and would make hiking and/or running treacherous. I elected to do some off-trail hiking, which was no problem if you’re okay with mud…and I am. I returned home after an hour of this to tell Holly that I’d seen an eagle. Her ‘it’s just a bird’ retort was expected…and delivered, but I was excited to down load the pictures and to discover that I’d actually gotten a couple of pretty good shots.
Some times you just get lucky.
Bike duration: 70 minutes. Hike duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 90 hiking.
Calories burned during workout: 1050 biking. 300 hiking.
Now…it’d been in the 50’s for the past several days and all the snow had melted and I was thinking snow was pretty important to skiing and suggested as much to John. “Yeah…well…they can make more,” he said. I pondered this for a second and said, “but doesn’t it need to be like…freezing?” His timing was spectacular. A week ago there had been two feet of the white stuff on the ground…but that’s John…never the brightest crayon in the box.
“How about tomorrow for the hike?” he asked, which I said was not a problem. Still, I wanted to get in a hike, but I was also interested in getting out to Fairport Harbor. There had been a story in the PD that morning about the ice that was blocking the Grand River. This is a common occurrence with sudden warming trends in the late days of winter, but I’d never bothered to go and see or photograph the incident. I was thinking I might get lucky while there and spot the eagles that had been reported as flying in that area. I asked Holly to join me, but she said she was too cold.
I drove down near the Lake Metropark Beach in Fairport and parked my car. I quickly spotted the massive ice blockage at the mouth of the river…I’m no Sherlock Holmes – it would be pretty hard to miss…and walked out on the break wall to take some pictures. Looking east towards the Perry Nuclear Power Plant, I noticed a large bird flying over the ice inside the break wall. It was too far away to identify, but I’ve got a nice telephoto lens so I started snapping pictures. I was reasonably sure it was an eagle, but I’d know for sure when I returned home later and downloaded the shots.
I waited for another 20 minutes hoping the ‘probably an eagle’ returned, but without success. I gave it up and headed for the North Chagrin Reservation and hike to determine the conditions of the trails for tomorrow’s run and whether I would recommend it for Holly to hike.
The trails there were quite icy and would make hiking and/or running treacherous. I elected to do some off-trail hiking, which was no problem if you’re okay with mud…and I am. I returned home after an hour of this to tell Holly that I’d seen an eagle. Her ‘it’s just a bird’ retort was expected…and delivered, but I was excited to down load the pictures and to discover that I’d actually gotten a couple of pretty good shots.
Some times you just get lucky.
Bike duration: 70 minutes. Hike duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 90 hiking.
Calories burned during workout: 1050 biking. 300 hiking.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
"Lat-in-Shape" is coming...
Friday, February 18, 2011
I was meeting with an old friend of mine, Bob Iafelice, at the Arabica Coffee House in downtown Willoughby (I liked it better when it was a kick-ass hardware store) to discuss his new dance/exercise class when Betty walked in. I knew she was meeting with Holly, but I didn’t know where…and now I did. Both Holly and Betty like to do exercise classes and so this would be an opportunity to get some feedback…not that Bob needed it…on his class. They listened for a bit, but then Holly reminded us that we were just boring guys and left for their own table and some interesting ‘girl talk’.
Bob is a nutritionist and we’ve known each other since grade school. We worked together as Fitness Instructors with the Back Wall Racquet Clubs over 25 years ago and have always stayed in touch since. He’s there for me when I need advice on nutrition and diet and I’m his sounding board for questions about exercise physiology. He had owned two ‘Curves’ stores, but was thrilled to be out of the business of club ownership. He used to be a Ballroom dancer…well…a little more than that… he was the National Amateur Champion about ten years ago…and had created a class he’d been teaching in his ‘Curves’ facilities. Since leaving, he’s started a class called ‘Lat-in-shape’, which combines dance moves and aerobic exercise for a 45-minute workout. I’m going to take one of the classes next week and report back. He says there are seldom guys in the class which doesn’t bother me any, but…not being much of a dancer, asked him if I’d embarrass myself. I could see the surprise on his face when he realized I actually intended to do the class and not just observe. “You’re going to do the class? Um…yes…you’ll embarrass yourself.” Thanks for the vote of confidence.
I went to the South Chagrin Reservation to attempt another run, but quickly discovered that the trails had melted down to the point where only ice remained. I started out with some major slipping and ran into a hiker with his dog. “You’ll never get under the bridge at Chagrin Boulevard…the water is running way too high,” he cautioned. In fact, the runoff from the field I was running across was flooding the trail about 50 yards in front of me…with no way around…and I wasn’t going through. I turned and headed back to the car for a short drive to the Polo Fields.
This is not a bad place to run…if you want to get bored quickly, but it was the best I was going to be able to do. There is a dirt road running around the perimeter of the fields which measures around a mile and so I spent the next 40 minutes making loops, splashing through the mud and wondering why one lady was carrying an infant like a sack of potatoes and another was pushing a stroller…I mean it was REALLY muddy. Well…good for them…get the exercise no matter what.
Holly and I went to ‘Outback’ for dinner later that evening and I have a word of caution for all you ‘Bloomin’ Onion’ lovers…they’ve shrunk. I thought it looked smaller and then Holly shared the same view. We proceeded to eat the entire thing…something we’ve never done…and still had room for dinner, which confirms that it’s smaller. Still tastes damned good though, and is just loaded with saturated fat…of course Holly ate most of it.
Run duration: 40 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 150 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 675.
I was meeting with an old friend of mine, Bob Iafelice, at the Arabica Coffee House in downtown Willoughby (I liked it better when it was a kick-ass hardware store) to discuss his new dance/exercise class when Betty walked in. I knew she was meeting with Holly, but I didn’t know where…and now I did. Both Holly and Betty like to do exercise classes and so this would be an opportunity to get some feedback…not that Bob needed it…on his class. They listened for a bit, but then Holly reminded us that we were just boring guys and left for their own table and some interesting ‘girl talk’.
Bob is a nutritionist and we’ve known each other since grade school. We worked together as Fitness Instructors with the Back Wall Racquet Clubs over 25 years ago and have always stayed in touch since. He’s there for me when I need advice on nutrition and diet and I’m his sounding board for questions about exercise physiology. He had owned two ‘Curves’ stores, but was thrilled to be out of the business of club ownership. He used to be a Ballroom dancer…well…a little more than that… he was the National Amateur Champion about ten years ago…and had created a class he’d been teaching in his ‘Curves’ facilities. Since leaving, he’s started a class called ‘Lat-in-shape’, which combines dance moves and aerobic exercise for a 45-minute workout. I’m going to take one of the classes next week and report back. He says there are seldom guys in the class which doesn’t bother me any, but…not being much of a dancer, asked him if I’d embarrass myself. I could see the surprise on his face when he realized I actually intended to do the class and not just observe. “You’re going to do the class? Um…yes…you’ll embarrass yourself.” Thanks for the vote of confidence.
I went to the South Chagrin Reservation to attempt another run, but quickly discovered that the trails had melted down to the point where only ice remained. I started out with some major slipping and ran into a hiker with his dog. “You’ll never get under the bridge at Chagrin Boulevard…the water is running way too high,” he cautioned. In fact, the runoff from the field I was running across was flooding the trail about 50 yards in front of me…with no way around…and I wasn’t going through. I turned and headed back to the car for a short drive to the Polo Fields.
This is not a bad place to run…if you want to get bored quickly, but it was the best I was going to be able to do. There is a dirt road running around the perimeter of the fields which measures around a mile and so I spent the next 40 minutes making loops, splashing through the mud and wondering why one lady was carrying an infant like a sack of potatoes and another was pushing a stroller…I mean it was REALLY muddy. Well…good for them…get the exercise no matter what.
Holly and I went to ‘Outback’ for dinner later that evening and I have a word of caution for all you ‘Bloomin’ Onion’ lovers…they’ve shrunk. I thought it looked smaller and then Holly shared the same view. We proceeded to eat the entire thing…something we’ve never done…and still had room for dinner, which confirms that it’s smaller. Still tastes damned good though, and is just loaded with saturated fat…of course Holly ate most of it.
Run duration: 40 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 150 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 675.
Riding the dream...
Thursday, February 17, 2011
A week ago, I’d met with Kim to discuss her plans to ride a bike from Highland Heights to Gothic, Co., a trip she is planning to take this summer. I really had little to offer except for a direct connection to someone who has logged more miles on a bike in remote places than almost anyone on the planet…Alaska Paul. I sent him an email…he’s skiing in the Grand Tetons at the moment…describing her agenda and asking for advice. When he finally retuned to the internet, he sent me a list of do’s and don’ts that will prove priceless to Kim…or anyone attempting a long distance cross country bike tour. I’ve taken a 1,100 mile ride, but did it when I was 18 and with all the planning your typical 18-year old could muster…practically none. Some of Paul’s tips were outstanding and simple…like sewing extra pockets onto the outside of panniers (bicycle backpacks that hang on racks attached to the front and back of the bike). Space is at a premium and so he mentioned a Klymit sleeping pad, which he claims will fold up to a size that fits in your pocket. “My goal is to always pack the panniers with room left over for food, wine or beer if I run past a grocery store.” Priorities…Paul’s are interesting.
“Always be sure that your gear can’t drop into your spokes,” he cautioned, and it’s so true. The vibration of the road over the course of many long hours in the saddle could eventually shake something loose and if it goes into the spokes, you could be going over the handle bars and into a deadly crash. “If you’re on a narrow road, watch for oncoming traffic and when you see it, check behind you. If something’s coming at the same time and you’re in doubt – get off the road. It’s not worth a trip to the doctor…or the morgue.”
He suggests racks made of steel, hollow tubes. “It can be welded on the fly, if necessary.” He talks a lot about the proper panniers, water-proofed being worth their weight in gold, but mentioning the added precaution of lining them with trash can liners and having water-proofed, durable covers to keep the road grime, dogs and branches from damaging them along the way.
He also had plenty of good tips for staying properly hydrated (drinking more than just water) and keeping energy levels up to avoid bonking (low blood sugar resulting from very long bouts of exercise without taking in carbohydrates. When this happens, the muscles stop firing and you stop whatever exercise you’re doing). He made some excellent points on what to carry for bike maintenance, but cautioned that having a professional do the final tune-up before leaving is excellent preventive medicine. “I like to carry baby wipes to clean grease from my hands when I have had to make a repair, though.” I carry baby wipes when camping, too. They’re good for cleaning all kinds of things…if you can imagine.
Kim…do whatever you have to and make the trip. It’s been almost 40 years since I took mine and I’ve never forgotten the adventures I had. Plan and prepare all you can, but you’ll still run into the unexpected…and the way you handle it will become some of the best stories of your life.
Paul left us both with a final thought on planning and quality gear… “I ran into a guy doing a 600 mile trip on the cheap in the northern reaches of the remote Northwest Territory of Canada. He had a rusty mountain bike with crappy parts and was carrying everything he needed hanging off the handlebars of his bike in plastic shopping bags. There's a real example of cheap travel. He was on the side of the road when I found him, rolling some cigarettes.”
Okay…skip the cigarettes, but some times you just have to go ahead and do it…no matter what.
A week ago, I’d met with Kim to discuss her plans to ride a bike from Highland Heights to Gothic, Co., a trip she is planning to take this summer. I really had little to offer except for a direct connection to someone who has logged more miles on a bike in remote places than almost anyone on the planet…Alaska Paul. I sent him an email…he’s skiing in the Grand Tetons at the moment…describing her agenda and asking for advice. When he finally retuned to the internet, he sent me a list of do’s and don’ts that will prove priceless to Kim…or anyone attempting a long distance cross country bike tour. I’ve taken a 1,100 mile ride, but did it when I was 18 and with all the planning your typical 18-year old could muster…practically none. Some of Paul’s tips were outstanding and simple…like sewing extra pockets onto the outside of panniers (bicycle backpacks that hang on racks attached to the front and back of the bike). Space is at a premium and so he mentioned a Klymit sleeping pad, which he claims will fold up to a size that fits in your pocket. “My goal is to always pack the panniers with room left over for food, wine or beer if I run past a grocery store.” Priorities…Paul’s are interesting.
“Always be sure that your gear can’t drop into your spokes,” he cautioned, and it’s so true. The vibration of the road over the course of many long hours in the saddle could eventually shake something loose and if it goes into the spokes, you could be going over the handle bars and into a deadly crash. “If you’re on a narrow road, watch for oncoming traffic and when you see it, check behind you. If something’s coming at the same time and you’re in doubt – get off the road. It’s not worth a trip to the doctor…or the morgue.”
He suggests racks made of steel, hollow tubes. “It can be welded on the fly, if necessary.” He talks a lot about the proper panniers, water-proofed being worth their weight in gold, but mentioning the added precaution of lining them with trash can liners and having water-proofed, durable covers to keep the road grime, dogs and branches from damaging them along the way.
He also had plenty of good tips for staying properly hydrated (drinking more than just water) and keeping energy levels up to avoid bonking (low blood sugar resulting from very long bouts of exercise without taking in carbohydrates. When this happens, the muscles stop firing and you stop whatever exercise you’re doing). He made some excellent points on what to carry for bike maintenance, but cautioned that having a professional do the final tune-up before leaving is excellent preventive medicine. “I like to carry baby wipes to clean grease from my hands when I have had to make a repair, though.” I carry baby wipes when camping, too. They’re good for cleaning all kinds of things…if you can imagine.
Kim…do whatever you have to and make the trip. It’s been almost 40 years since I took mine and I’ve never forgotten the adventures I had. Plan and prepare all you can, but you’ll still run into the unexpected…and the way you handle it will become some of the best stories of your life.
Paul left us both with a final thought on planning and quality gear… “I ran into a guy doing a 600 mile trip on the cheap in the northern reaches of the remote Northwest Territory of Canada. He had a rusty mountain bike with crappy parts and was carrying everything he needed hanging off the handlebars of his bike in plastic shopping bags. There's a real example of cheap travel. He was on the side of the road when I found him, rolling some cigarettes.”
Okay…skip the cigarettes, but some times you just have to go ahead and do it…no matter what.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
A different trail with better results...
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
If you don't find me here in the next couple of days...check johnrolf.blogspot.com
It was an absolutely perfect day for a run…sunny and in the 50’s. There was a little issue of 3-4 inches of snow and ice remaining on all the trails, but I had a different plan. I drove down to the South Chagrin Reservation and decided to try the trail running along the Chagrin River between Miles Road and the Polo Fields. I hadn’t been there since the snows began and wondered if I’d have the same issues with the trail I’d been experiencing in the North Chagrin Reservation.
I parked in a small lot on River Road near Jackson and quickly changed into my running gear. I could see the bridle trail was snow covered, but would have to actually run on it before I would know if I’d be falling through with each step.
The initial steps went well…the trail was still hard packed with snow and wasn’t icy. The next question was how far could I run before the achilles started to ache since it had only lasted about 5 minutes the day before. That was running on pavement though, and this clearly was not. As I ran, I quickly noticed how much stress I was feeling throughout the upper hamstrings and the muscles of my gluts and hips. I wasn’t slipping too much, but each step was creating the need for adjustments in the lower half of my body…and it was very tiring. I found that running about 2 minutes per mile slower than usual was generating a heart rate about 10 beats higher than normal…and I was sweating my butt off.
By the 20-minute mark, I was pretty sure I would be able to run as long as I wanted. I don’t understand it, but uneven, softer surfaces give me no trouble when a flat, hard surface had me crippled less than 24 hours earlier. I don’t understand it…but I’m going to quit fighting it.
I turned around after 20 minutes thinking a 40-minute run would be more than enough with the way I was laboring. I made it back to the car in 40 minutes saturated and exhausted, but thrilled that the body was solid. I had felt a slight twinge in the hamstring just below the right butt cheek around the 23 minute mark, but it never got any worse. A good run and a good day.
Run duration: 40 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 150 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 675.
If you don't find me here in the next couple of days...check johnrolf.blogspot.com
It was an absolutely perfect day for a run…sunny and in the 50’s. There was a little issue of 3-4 inches of snow and ice remaining on all the trails, but I had a different plan. I drove down to the South Chagrin Reservation and decided to try the trail running along the Chagrin River between Miles Road and the Polo Fields. I hadn’t been there since the snows began and wondered if I’d have the same issues with the trail I’d been experiencing in the North Chagrin Reservation.
I parked in a small lot on River Road near Jackson and quickly changed into my running gear. I could see the bridle trail was snow covered, but would have to actually run on it before I would know if I’d be falling through with each step.
The initial steps went well…the trail was still hard packed with snow and wasn’t icy. The next question was how far could I run before the achilles started to ache since it had only lasted about 5 minutes the day before. That was running on pavement though, and this clearly was not. As I ran, I quickly noticed how much stress I was feeling throughout the upper hamstrings and the muscles of my gluts and hips. I wasn’t slipping too much, but each step was creating the need for adjustments in the lower half of my body…and it was very tiring. I found that running about 2 minutes per mile slower than usual was generating a heart rate about 10 beats higher than normal…and I was sweating my butt off.
By the 20-minute mark, I was pretty sure I would be able to run as long as I wanted. I don’t understand it, but uneven, softer surfaces give me no trouble when a flat, hard surface had me crippled less than 24 hours earlier. I don’t understand it…but I’m going to quit fighting it.
I turned around after 20 minutes thinking a 40-minute run would be more than enough with the way I was laboring. I made it back to the car in 40 minutes saturated and exhausted, but thrilled that the body was solid. I had felt a slight twinge in the hamstring just below the right butt cheek around the 23 minute mark, but it never got any worse. A good run and a good day.
Run duration: 40 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 150 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 675.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Almost a year...
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
I don’t give up easily. I want to run again and I refuse to believe that I can’t run on hard surfaces, so I went to the Metropark to determine the condition of the trails. They were hard enough for sure…in fact there was more ice than snow on them and skates would have been more appropriate. I slipped and slid for about 7 minutes before deciding I was a step from another fall. I cut through some deep snow to the road and jogged over to the all-purpose trail. About a hundred feet down the trail, my achilles twinged and I stopped. Hard surfaces got me again.
I know its warming up into the fifties over the next few days, so I should just wait to run the trails then…in the mud…which I kind of like anyway. I headed for home disappointed, but not surprised. Holly had said she was hungry and wanted to have dinner soon…but I know her and since she was in her office, I had at least an hour and probably more time to get in my boring, stationary bike ride.
I’m at the end of season three of Lost and should be moving on to season four soon. I’d like to get through season five before the weather breaks to the point that I’m not on the trainer, though I’m probably going to be staying inside until I can figure out what to do about a road bike. Mine is shot and buying a new one right now just isn’t in the cards. Maybe I should ride the Trek, with a supposed cracked frame, until it breaks down. And if I can run…well…cycling won’t matter as much anyway.
I’m four days from completing my first year of writing this blog and exercising almost every day. I’m going to go over that year and review the progress in the coming days, but it has been a most excellent adventure…and one I intend to continue. Thanks for reading.
PS: I still don’t know what’s going to happen to the blog site. I’ve been trying to post to my new site johnrolf@blogspot.com but can’t seem to do it while healthnutslol.blogspot.com exists. If I can’t post to health nuts after the 19th, I’ll start anew with the johnrolf site, so look me up.
Bike duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130.
Calories burned during workout: 900.
I don’t give up easily. I want to run again and I refuse to believe that I can’t run on hard surfaces, so I went to the Metropark to determine the condition of the trails. They were hard enough for sure…in fact there was more ice than snow on them and skates would have been more appropriate. I slipped and slid for about 7 minutes before deciding I was a step from another fall. I cut through some deep snow to the road and jogged over to the all-purpose trail. About a hundred feet down the trail, my achilles twinged and I stopped. Hard surfaces got me again.
I know its warming up into the fifties over the next few days, so I should just wait to run the trails then…in the mud…which I kind of like anyway. I headed for home disappointed, but not surprised. Holly had said she was hungry and wanted to have dinner soon…but I know her and since she was in her office, I had at least an hour and probably more time to get in my boring, stationary bike ride.
I’m at the end of season three of Lost and should be moving on to season four soon. I’d like to get through season five before the weather breaks to the point that I’m not on the trainer, though I’m probably going to be staying inside until I can figure out what to do about a road bike. Mine is shot and buying a new one right now just isn’t in the cards. Maybe I should ride the Trek, with a supposed cracked frame, until it breaks down. And if I can run…well…cycling won’t matter as much anyway.
I’m four days from completing my first year of writing this blog and exercising almost every day. I’m going to go over that year and review the progress in the coming days, but it has been a most excellent adventure…and one I intend to continue. Thanks for reading.
PS: I still don’t know what’s going to happen to the blog site. I’ve been trying to post to my new site johnrolf@blogspot.com but can’t seem to do it while healthnutslol.blogspot.com exists. If I can’t post to health nuts after the 19th, I’ll start anew with the johnrolf site, so look me up.
Bike duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130.
Calories burned during workout: 900.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Worthless and weak...
Monday, February 14, 2011
I really wish Holly would never bake again. I simply have no will power when it comes to cookies and milk…and she just had to go and make those chocolate cookies with peanut butter chips again. I know you just have to say “no” to these temptations, but it’s a hell of a lot easier to say “no” when they’re not in the house.
I went to the Metropark thinking I’d try out the trails for a run. I quickly discovered that they’d become too soft for a meaningful run and I’m getting tired of breaking through the snow regardless of how good a workout it is. I could move back to hiking and the bike for a time, but I really want to run so I moved to the paved paths. I hadn’t gone 5 minutes when I felt a sharp twinge in my right achilles and immediately stopped. I just don’t know what it is about the hard surfaces that’s giving me trouble…but they clearly are and I need to stay away.
So…after only 5 minutes of running, I was heading for home thinking about riding the bike when Holly called. “I’m sooooo cold. Wouldn’t you like to go and get me gas for a Valentine’s Day present?”
Well…no…I hate to get gas…but that’s not quite how I responded. “I’d love nothing more, honey. I’ll go out as soon as I get home.” Which I did…and got it washed, too. Holly came along and by the time we’d visited her parents, done some banking and returned home and had dinner, it was 8 o’clock and I was no longer in the mood to ride the bike. So I didn’t.
I know…worthless and weak…again. I really have problems with getting in the mood to start exercising twice in the same day. I believe I’ll try for the park again tomorrow and maybe do some running even though I’ll likely be cursing the melting base. Cursing…now there’s something I never mind starting up more than once a day…
Run duration: 5 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 140 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: Hardly worth mentioning.
I really wish Holly would never bake again. I simply have no will power when it comes to cookies and milk…and she just had to go and make those chocolate cookies with peanut butter chips again. I know you just have to say “no” to these temptations, but it’s a hell of a lot easier to say “no” when they’re not in the house.
I went to the Metropark thinking I’d try out the trails for a run. I quickly discovered that they’d become too soft for a meaningful run and I’m getting tired of breaking through the snow regardless of how good a workout it is. I could move back to hiking and the bike for a time, but I really want to run so I moved to the paved paths. I hadn’t gone 5 minutes when I felt a sharp twinge in my right achilles and immediately stopped. I just don’t know what it is about the hard surfaces that’s giving me trouble…but they clearly are and I need to stay away.
So…after only 5 minutes of running, I was heading for home thinking about riding the bike when Holly called. “I’m sooooo cold. Wouldn’t you like to go and get me gas for a Valentine’s Day present?”
Well…no…I hate to get gas…but that’s not quite how I responded. “I’d love nothing more, honey. I’ll go out as soon as I get home.” Which I did…and got it washed, too. Holly came along and by the time we’d visited her parents, done some banking and returned home and had dinner, it was 8 o’clock and I was no longer in the mood to ride the bike. So I didn’t.
I know…worthless and weak…again. I really have problems with getting in the mood to start exercising twice in the same day. I believe I’ll try for the park again tomorrow and maybe do some running even though I’ll likely be cursing the melting base. Cursing…now there’s something I never mind starting up more than once a day…
Run duration: 5 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 140 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: Hardly worth mentioning.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Trails are crap for running...
Sunday, February 13, 2011
I’d been getting some grief about the fact that I still had the ‘Manger’ figures in front of the house. “Christmas has been over for a bit now, John, do you suppose you could put them away?” Holly had asked me the previous day. Well…I had a few excuses. It was cold…I needed to leave them out until the Epiphany (twelve days after Christmas)…there was too much ice and snow in front of them…I was terribly busy and didn’t have the ten minutes to spare…that kind of crap…and she wasn’t buying any of it.
So…after church and still in my church clothes, I began chopping away at the ice on the sidewalk leading to our front door and the Manger figurines in front of the picture window. It took about a half hour and once I had the task complete, changed into my running clothes for trip to the Metropark. Once there, I figured it was a perfect day for a 40-minute run which I’d back up with an hour ride. We were going to be eating chicken and dumplings for dinner…mega calories again…and I needed to burn a couple of thousand in preparation. I started the run in a short-sleeved t-shirt and shorts and my bandana on my head. It was in the 40’s and I was more than comfortable. The trails were feeling the warmth as well, as I quickly discovered. I’d run about 5 minutes, breaking through the packed snow with about every third step…getting completely frustrated. This was just not going to work, so I headed for the car having logged only 7 minutes of running. The trails would be like this until they were completely melted, and that was bad news for me. I was thinking as I drove home that I’d have to try a short run on the paved, all-purpose trail tomorrow. I’ve been having bad experiences with injuries every time I try this, but I don’t want to give up running for a week while the melting continues.
I put in an hour on the bike and was done just in time to help with the final preparations for company and dumplings. I ate two helpings, had three chicken thighs and some cookies for dessert. Considering all that was served and eaten over the weekend…I think doubling up on the workouts and activity may have offset all the damage. It was close and I gave it my best shot…
Bike duration: 60 minutes. Run duration: 7 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 140 running.
Calories burned during workout: 900 biking. 110 running.
I’d been getting some grief about the fact that I still had the ‘Manger’ figures in front of the house. “Christmas has been over for a bit now, John, do you suppose you could put them away?” Holly had asked me the previous day. Well…I had a few excuses. It was cold…I needed to leave them out until the Epiphany (twelve days after Christmas)…there was too much ice and snow in front of them…I was terribly busy and didn’t have the ten minutes to spare…that kind of crap…and she wasn’t buying any of it.
So…after church and still in my church clothes, I began chopping away at the ice on the sidewalk leading to our front door and the Manger figurines in front of the picture window. It took about a half hour and once I had the task complete, changed into my running clothes for trip to the Metropark. Once there, I figured it was a perfect day for a 40-minute run which I’d back up with an hour ride. We were going to be eating chicken and dumplings for dinner…mega calories again…and I needed to burn a couple of thousand in preparation. I started the run in a short-sleeved t-shirt and shorts and my bandana on my head. It was in the 40’s and I was more than comfortable. The trails were feeling the warmth as well, as I quickly discovered. I’d run about 5 minutes, breaking through the packed snow with about every third step…getting completely frustrated. This was just not going to work, so I headed for the car having logged only 7 minutes of running. The trails would be like this until they were completely melted, and that was bad news for me. I was thinking as I drove home that I’d have to try a short run on the paved, all-purpose trail tomorrow. I’ve been having bad experiences with injuries every time I try this, but I don’t want to give up running for a week while the melting continues.
I put in an hour on the bike and was done just in time to help with the final preparations for company and dumplings. I ate two helpings, had three chicken thighs and some cookies for dessert. Considering all that was served and eaten over the weekend…I think doubling up on the workouts and activity may have offset all the damage. It was close and I gave it my best shot…
Bike duration: 60 minutes. Run duration: 7 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 140 running.
Calories burned during workout: 900 biking. 110 running.
Building a skylight in the Beaver Lodge...
I’d been talking to John about hiking out on the marsh for about a week. He was really excited for the chance to walk out and investigate the beaver lodge, but knew that we’d have to do it before the warm-up, scheduled to begin on Saturday. “Have you read the blog lately?” I asked him when he arrived.
“No…have to catch up. Its been crazy lately,” he replied…which was a good thing. I’d written how I was going to send him ahead…since it was already warming up…to make sure the ice would hold. I mean…he’s expendable…he’s not writing a riveting blog or anything nearly so important. Definitely more expendable…definitely, and since he hadn’t read what I’d written…well…who’s fault was that?
We made our way down to the marsh and then headed out on the frozen water…John slightly ahead and to the right. We were following the tracks I’d made a couple of days ago and I knew the marsh well and knew this part was solid. Heading to the beaver lodge, which was in a deeper part of the marsh…was another story.
We made it to the lodge without incident and I encouraged John to climb on top for a photo opportunity. “No way dude…I’m not falling through that thing.”
“John…there is no way you’re going through a beaver lodge. You could drive a tank up there and it wouldn’t give. Haven’t you ever seen that Nature show with the Grizzly trying to pound through a lodge to get to the beavers? He didn’t even make a dent in it.”
“You go up there then,” he replied. So I did. He took my picture and when I asked him to pass me the camera, he began to whine again.
“I’m…not…coming…up…there...,” he said again. I mean…he could see me up there. What was he worried about? I could see there was no convincing him, so I came halfway down to reach for the camera. He stepped closer to the lodge and was at its base when it happened. A quick crackling noise and suddenly his leg was gone beneath the ice. If the beavers were in the lodge, cozily watching cable…or whatever they do in there…they were suddenly joined by a soaking wet foot. I began to laugh as he fell backwards and extracted his foot.
“I…told…you…,” he stammered as he lay on the ice. Dakota…concerned for his safety…walked next to him and stuck her nose in the hole he’d made…and took a drink.
“You fell through the ice…not the beaver lodge,” I said, still laughing, but stepping over the ice where he’d fallen in. His leg was soaked up to mid-thigh and the rest of the walk would likely be a little uncomfortable. He didn’t know the way back really…and I wasn’t going to take any shortcuts just because he was dumb enough to find the only weak spot in the ice.
We made our way back and when I suggested we head to a different part of the marsh on the ice, he declined and jumped on to solid land/snow. His leg looked cold…but I was fine and that’s what counted. We continued on, climbing down into another ravine and through plenty of deep snow by staying off-trail, managing a decent 90-minute workout.
Close to midnight, I was feeling the need to do a little more since I’d spent the day when I wasn’t hiking eating too many calories. The morning had started with waffles slathered in butter and covered with whipped cream, strawberries and maple syrup. Later…left-over Anne Ann hot dogs and then fresh-baked cookies with milk. I decided an hour on the bike was appropriate…and that’s what I did. Close to some balance there, but not quite…
Bike duration: 60 minutes. Hike duration: 90 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 90 hiking.
Calories burned during workout: 900 biking. 450 hiking.
Preparing for heavy calories...
Friday, February 11, 2011
May be moving to a new site soon. johnrolf@blogspot.com Read on...
For the last two years, I’ve paid ten bucks to have my blog setup. I did it through ‘Go Daddy’ when I got started and figured that was just the price…which didn’t seem to be too bad. I’ve been getting renewal notices for the last month and I remember my buddy, Jimmy, asking me why I was paying at all? “Blogging is free, John…are you stupid or something?”
Not only am I not stupid…I’m at least three times as smart as Jimmy…but I’m cheap, too. If I don’t have to pay, why am I? Having said that, I sent an email off to ‘Go Daddy’ wondering why, if blogging is free to the rest of the world…I’m paying them? They haven’t answered. Probably worried that if I don’t send in my $7 (I’ve been getting notices for a 30% discount if I sign up NOW!), they’ll crumble like a sand castle on the beach getting hit by a wave.
So…just in case…I’ve developed a back up plan to not paying. I’ve started another blog site where I’m posting the same story each day and its johnrolf@blogspot.com. I know…clever name…but a hell of a lot easier to remember. If they can shut me down at johnrolf@healthnutslol.blogspot.com, I’m prepared to move on…without paying the $7 protection/extortion fee. Anyway…you millions of readers…be prepared to look for me on a different…free…site.
I went to the Metropark on what could be the last cold day for a while. I figured maybe another 40 minute run and then home for some time on the bike. Savannah was on her way from Columbus for a weekend visit and the chance to see Jack going out to his first formal dance and she had requested mega-calories for the weekend. We were scheduled for Annie Ann hot dogs for dinner, waffles with whipped cream and strawberries for Saturday’s breakfast and chicken and dumplings for Sunday’s dinner. I’d gain 5 pounds if I didn’t do some proactive exercising.
I decided to stay on the bridle trails…the only consistently, well-packed running surface in the park at the time. I was cruising along quite easily and decided maybe 50 minutes would be in order. I hit the turnaround and was feeling great until I hit minute 46, where I felt a sudden twinge in my right hamstring just below the buttocks. I slowed quickly and slogged the remaining 5 minutes back to the car without incident. Close. When I retuned home, I straddled the bike and put in 30 minutes more and felt ready for the major calories on the horizon.
Bike duration: 30 minutes. Run duration: 51 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 140 running.
Calories burned during workout: 450 biking. 870 running.
May be moving to a new site soon. johnrolf@blogspot.com Read on...
For the last two years, I’ve paid ten bucks to have my blog setup. I did it through ‘Go Daddy’ when I got started and figured that was just the price…which didn’t seem to be too bad. I’ve been getting renewal notices for the last month and I remember my buddy, Jimmy, asking me why I was paying at all? “Blogging is free, John…are you stupid or something?”
Not only am I not stupid…I’m at least three times as smart as Jimmy…but I’m cheap, too. If I don’t have to pay, why am I? Having said that, I sent an email off to ‘Go Daddy’ wondering why, if blogging is free to the rest of the world…I’m paying them? They haven’t answered. Probably worried that if I don’t send in my $7 (I’ve been getting notices for a 30% discount if I sign up NOW!), they’ll crumble like a sand castle on the beach getting hit by a wave.
So…just in case…I’ve developed a back up plan to not paying. I’ve started another blog site where I’m posting the same story each day and its johnrolf@blogspot.com. I know…clever name…but a hell of a lot easier to remember. If they can shut me down at johnrolf@healthnutslol.blogspot.com, I’m prepared to move on…without paying the $7 protection/extortion fee. Anyway…you millions of readers…be prepared to look for me on a different…free…site.
I went to the Metropark on what could be the last cold day for a while. I figured maybe another 40 minute run and then home for some time on the bike. Savannah was on her way from Columbus for a weekend visit and the chance to see Jack going out to his first formal dance and she had requested mega-calories for the weekend. We were scheduled for Annie Ann hot dogs for dinner, waffles with whipped cream and strawberries for Saturday’s breakfast and chicken and dumplings for Sunday’s dinner. I’d gain 5 pounds if I didn’t do some proactive exercising.
I decided to stay on the bridle trails…the only consistently, well-packed running surface in the park at the time. I was cruising along quite easily and decided maybe 50 minutes would be in order. I hit the turnaround and was feeling great until I hit minute 46, where I felt a sudden twinge in my right hamstring just below the buttocks. I slowed quickly and slogged the remaining 5 minutes back to the car without incident. Close. When I retuned home, I straddled the bike and put in 30 minutes more and felt ready for the major calories on the horizon.
Bike duration: 30 minutes. Run duration: 51 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 140 running.
Calories burned during workout: 450 biking. 870 running.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Paying the beavers a visit...
Thursday, February 10, 2011
There will be a new addition to the Lorain/Carnegie Bridge in 2012. ODOT announced that it will be adding a dedicated, multiuse path for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the Cuyahoga River. It will be six feet wide and have a barrier separating vehicular traffic from users. I suppose this is a good thing, though maybe I’m missing something. Sure…it will be good to cross the bridge on a bike protected by a barrier from vehicles, but as soon as you get to either end of the bridge, you’re right back into traffic and so I’m not so sure why this matters so much. I’ve done a lot of downtown riding, having spent 18 years with the Cleveland Athletic Club and often riding from my home in Willowick to the Club. I must admit that I never had to cross the Lorain/Carnegie Bridge, though I know there is a dedicated bike lane across it now…without a barrier. I spent many very careful miles making my commute in those days knowing that if I didn’t…I’d get hit. Thankfully, I never did and if I was working downtown now and had a place to shower…I’d still be riding to work.
The cost of the dedicated path over the bridge will be $6 million…which is another thing that gives me pause. I’m sure the construction numbers add up, but wow…$6 million for a stretch of road about a half mile long? What I absolutely applaud though, is anything that makes biking, walking or running to work easier. The more people we get out of cars and self-propelled, the better for them and the environment.
It was the coldest walk of the year for Dakota and me. We made our way down to the marsh and proceeded to walk out on it and all the way over to the beaver lodge. John was supposed to have joined me, but I suppose he could have seen yesterday’s posting and was worried about being used as a guinea pig to test the strength of the ice. No matter…it held. I did kick my toe through the snow to find some water seeping up, but that was it. Dakota was quite interested in the lodge…sniffing like something was there. The beaver were probably just inside and laughing their beaver butts off at us for being out in such frigid temperatures. They were right to laugh. It was the first time in a long time that I’ve actually felt like I could have used some face protection from the biting cold wind that was freezing my nose and cheeks. I decided to give up the marsh and get back inside the tree line where there was protection from the wind and a sub-zero chill factor.
We returned to our car in a little over an hour and found the parking lot practically empty. I suppose the sensible folks were inside, which is okay with me…I like having the entire park to myself.
Hike duration: 65 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 90 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 325.
There will be a new addition to the Lorain/Carnegie Bridge in 2012. ODOT announced that it will be adding a dedicated, multiuse path for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the Cuyahoga River. It will be six feet wide and have a barrier separating vehicular traffic from users. I suppose this is a good thing, though maybe I’m missing something. Sure…it will be good to cross the bridge on a bike protected by a barrier from vehicles, but as soon as you get to either end of the bridge, you’re right back into traffic and so I’m not so sure why this matters so much. I’ve done a lot of downtown riding, having spent 18 years with the Cleveland Athletic Club and often riding from my home in Willowick to the Club. I must admit that I never had to cross the Lorain/Carnegie Bridge, though I know there is a dedicated bike lane across it now…without a barrier. I spent many very careful miles making my commute in those days knowing that if I didn’t…I’d get hit. Thankfully, I never did and if I was working downtown now and had a place to shower…I’d still be riding to work.
The cost of the dedicated path over the bridge will be $6 million…which is another thing that gives me pause. I’m sure the construction numbers add up, but wow…$6 million for a stretch of road about a half mile long? What I absolutely applaud though, is anything that makes biking, walking or running to work easier. The more people we get out of cars and self-propelled, the better for them and the environment.
It was the coldest walk of the year for Dakota and me. We made our way down to the marsh and proceeded to walk out on it and all the way over to the beaver lodge. John was supposed to have joined me, but I suppose he could have seen yesterday’s posting and was worried about being used as a guinea pig to test the strength of the ice. No matter…it held. I did kick my toe through the snow to find some water seeping up, but that was it. Dakota was quite interested in the lodge…sniffing like something was there. The beaver were probably just inside and laughing their beaver butts off at us for being out in such frigid temperatures. They were right to laugh. It was the first time in a long time that I’ve actually felt like I could have used some face protection from the biting cold wind that was freezing my nose and cheeks. I decided to give up the marsh and get back inside the tree line where there was protection from the wind and a sub-zero chill factor.
We returned to our car in a little over an hour and found the parking lot practically empty. I suppose the sensible folks were inside, which is okay with me…I like having the entire park to myself.
Hike duration: 65 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 90 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 325.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
A freezing run...
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
I knew the temperature was hovering near single digits as I pulled into the Metropark and headed for the bathroom to change into my running gear. With the chill factor, it was probably in the negative numbers and I really needed to give this some consideration.
If you don’t know by now, I do one thing as good as…and maybe better than…anyone on the planet. I sweat buckets. Even in this cold…I sweat big. I hate wearing a hat over my bald head because it gets saturated in sweat, is uncomfortable, and then stinks like hell as it dries in the back seat of my car after runs. I go with a head band instead, that covers my ears and normally take that off shortly into the run. This day, I had brought along a heavy pair of socks…for my hands…and was going to wear a long and a short-sleeved t-shirt. Additionally, I was wearing my gortex pants I use as rain gear when camping.
There’s a saying about exercising in the cold…if you’re comfortable when you start – you’re probably overdressed. I was comfortable as I started jogging.
The bridle trails are actually getting a decent pack to them. Enough hikers and skiers have been on them to groove a trail about 12 inches wide…or just enough for me to run. I stuck with the bridle early on, but when I cut onto one of the many hiking trails, I found the pack was not nearly so good. Still, it was passable and the slipping accompanying most steps was making the workout all the more intense. I spent the next thirty minutes doing just that and the sweat was pouring from my face…which I wiped with the stockinged (another word for socks on your hands) hands. I had even taken the head band off and was wondering why I wasn’t cold at all…until I turned into the wind. In short order, the head band was back on and I was wishing I’d worn a wind breaker. I could feel the ice forming on my nose and ears and the collar of my t-shirt…and it was rather unpleasant. Fortunately, I had only about 10 minutes of running left, which I survived with a minimal amount of complaining.
It was a great workout and I managed a 46-minute run…my longest in a while. I seem to be healthy, too. Tomorrow…John should be joining me for a hike and I’m planning on covering the entire marsh. I’ll tie a rope around his waist…send him ahead…and make sure the ice is secure. We’ll see how it goes…
Run duration: 46 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 150 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 775.
I knew the temperature was hovering near single digits as I pulled into the Metropark and headed for the bathroom to change into my running gear. With the chill factor, it was probably in the negative numbers and I really needed to give this some consideration.
If you don’t know by now, I do one thing as good as…and maybe better than…anyone on the planet. I sweat buckets. Even in this cold…I sweat big. I hate wearing a hat over my bald head because it gets saturated in sweat, is uncomfortable, and then stinks like hell as it dries in the back seat of my car after runs. I go with a head band instead, that covers my ears and normally take that off shortly into the run. This day, I had brought along a heavy pair of socks…for my hands…and was going to wear a long and a short-sleeved t-shirt. Additionally, I was wearing my gortex pants I use as rain gear when camping.
There’s a saying about exercising in the cold…if you’re comfortable when you start – you’re probably overdressed. I was comfortable as I started jogging.
The bridle trails are actually getting a decent pack to them. Enough hikers and skiers have been on them to groove a trail about 12 inches wide…or just enough for me to run. I stuck with the bridle early on, but when I cut onto one of the many hiking trails, I found the pack was not nearly so good. Still, it was passable and the slipping accompanying most steps was making the workout all the more intense. I spent the next thirty minutes doing just that and the sweat was pouring from my face…which I wiped with the stockinged (another word for socks on your hands) hands. I had even taken the head band off and was wondering why I wasn’t cold at all…until I turned into the wind. In short order, the head band was back on and I was wishing I’d worn a wind breaker. I could feel the ice forming on my nose and ears and the collar of my t-shirt…and it was rather unpleasant. Fortunately, I had only about 10 minutes of running left, which I survived with a minimal amount of complaining.
It was a great workout and I managed a 46-minute run…my longest in a while. I seem to be healthy, too. Tomorrow…John should be joining me for a hike and I’m planning on covering the entire marsh. I’ll tie a rope around his waist…send him ahead…and make sure the ice is secure. We’ll see how it goes…
Run duration: 46 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 150 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 775.
The marsh is almost completely frozen...
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Dakota and I hopped in the car and headed for the Metropark. Holly isn’t in to single digit weather and declined an offer to join us. I was thinking that although it had warmed over the weekend, that the frigid temperatures of the last 36 hours would likely have the marsh completely frozen.
We headed that way…me…wearing a little extra protection against the cold and Dakota…pretty much what she always wears. I was a little concerned about ice between her toes…but not enough to leave her home. She stayed in my tracks as we made our way down to the marsh since the snow was still quite deep. There was nothing moving…or wildlife was clearing out before we arrived since the sound of the crunching of my feet on the frozen snow was carrying well ahead of us. We slid down to the marsh to find the stream that feeds it completely frozen over. We headed out on the marsh seeing no signs of anyone…or anything…having already tested the ice. I wasn’t too terribly concerned, so I took my time and enjoyed the beauty of the unbroken snow as I approached the middle. The beaver lodges still appeared to have some open water near them, so I’ll have to wait to pay them a visit, but that might be in the next couple of days. I’ve never walked the entire marsh, but this cold snap may finally give me the opportunity.
We made it across and took the bridle trail paralleling Ox Lane back to the car. I’m continually amazed at just what a workout walking and sliding in the snow with heavy boots and clothes can be. As I climbed the hill, I could feel the soreness in my gluts…something I know is a result of previous hikes. As cold as it was, I was breaking a sweat as I neared the car. I know its not as rigorous as biking or running, but it’s more enjoyable and I’m not losing much training, either. I suppose I could get snow shoes, but I suspect that I’m working a good deal harder by not having them…and I’m guessing they cost money, too. I’ll stick with the boots, hiking off-trail and plowing through the deep snow. It’s really rewarding.
Hike duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 90 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 300.
Dakota and I hopped in the car and headed for the Metropark. Holly isn’t in to single digit weather and declined an offer to join us. I was thinking that although it had warmed over the weekend, that the frigid temperatures of the last 36 hours would likely have the marsh completely frozen.
We headed that way…me…wearing a little extra protection against the cold and Dakota…pretty much what she always wears. I was a little concerned about ice between her toes…but not enough to leave her home. She stayed in my tracks as we made our way down to the marsh since the snow was still quite deep. There was nothing moving…or wildlife was clearing out before we arrived since the sound of the crunching of my feet on the frozen snow was carrying well ahead of us. We slid down to the marsh to find the stream that feeds it completely frozen over. We headed out on the marsh seeing no signs of anyone…or anything…having already tested the ice. I wasn’t too terribly concerned, so I took my time and enjoyed the beauty of the unbroken snow as I approached the middle. The beaver lodges still appeared to have some open water near them, so I’ll have to wait to pay them a visit, but that might be in the next couple of days. I’ve never walked the entire marsh, but this cold snap may finally give me the opportunity.
We made it across and took the bridle trail paralleling Ox Lane back to the car. I’m continually amazed at just what a workout walking and sliding in the snow with heavy boots and clothes can be. As I climbed the hill, I could feel the soreness in my gluts…something I know is a result of previous hikes. As cold as it was, I was breaking a sweat as I neared the car. I know its not as rigorous as biking or running, but it’s more enjoyable and I’m not losing much training, either. I suppose I could get snow shoes, but I suspect that I’m working a good deal harder by not having them…and I’m guessing they cost money, too. I’ll stick with the boots, hiking off-trail and plowing through the deep snow. It’s really rewarding.
Hike duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 90 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 300.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
It's a tough song to sing...
Monday, February 07, 2011
Well…if you’re a Packer’s fan, it was a great Super Bowl. I am…and it was. It was actually a very entertaining game and I thought the Steelers had the better team, but made the crucial errors which created the Packers chance for victory…and they grabbed it.
I was a little disappointed in the singing of the National Anthem, though. Christina Aguilera’s performed almost flawlessly…almost. I know the lyrics aren’t the easiest to remember, but they are what they are and if you don’t know them, you shouldn’t be singing them on America’s biggest stage. There could be no greater honor than being asked to perform the National Anthem and anyone who gets it ought to be totally committed to doing it correctly. If that means auditioning and then practicing a couple of hundred times to make sure it’s perfect…then do it. If that’s what Christina did and then made the error in spite of those efforts…okay…she’s human and we make mistakes, but anyone performing this song has to be held to the highest standard.
I arrived at the Metropark for what would likely be the last run in reasonably warm winter weather. The forecast was calling for single digits in the coming days…which I actually kind of enjoy. The trails had a little more pack to them and the going wasn’t quite as strenuous, but I still found my legs and hips aching from the strain by the end of a 41-minute run. I’d felt a little tightness in my achilles around the 30-minute mark, but it went away and the run was successful. Forty minutes is enough for now and I need to remind myself of that and not go beyond.
I put in some hard labor completing the de-icing of the driveway when I got home. It’s the best upper body workout I’ve had in some time as my aching muscles reminded me for the remainder of the night. Just in time for another deep freeze…
Run duration: 41 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 140 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 700.
Well…if you’re a Packer’s fan, it was a great Super Bowl. I am…and it was. It was actually a very entertaining game and I thought the Steelers had the better team, but made the crucial errors which created the Packers chance for victory…and they grabbed it.
I was a little disappointed in the singing of the National Anthem, though. Christina Aguilera’s performed almost flawlessly…almost. I know the lyrics aren’t the easiest to remember, but they are what they are and if you don’t know them, you shouldn’t be singing them on America’s biggest stage. There could be no greater honor than being asked to perform the National Anthem and anyone who gets it ought to be totally committed to doing it correctly. If that means auditioning and then practicing a couple of hundred times to make sure it’s perfect…then do it. If that’s what Christina did and then made the error in spite of those efforts…okay…she’s human and we make mistakes, but anyone performing this song has to be held to the highest standard.
I arrived at the Metropark for what would likely be the last run in reasonably warm winter weather. The forecast was calling for single digits in the coming days…which I actually kind of enjoy. The trails had a little more pack to them and the going wasn’t quite as strenuous, but I still found my legs and hips aching from the strain by the end of a 41-minute run. I’d felt a little tightness in my achilles around the 30-minute mark, but it went away and the run was successful. Forty minutes is enough for now and I need to remind myself of that and not go beyond.
I put in some hard labor completing the de-icing of the driveway when I got home. It’s the best upper body workout I’ve had in some time as my aching muscles reminded me for the remainder of the night. Just in time for another deep freeze…
Run duration: 41 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 140 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 700.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Leaking roofs and bike trips to Colorado...
Sunday, February 6, 2011
John and I were scheduled for a hike in the Metropark and I had plans for a challenging one. I was going to take us into four separate ravines through snow that would likely be unbroken and probably 18 inches deep. With the ice crust near the top, each step would be an exertion and I was sure we’d break a good sweat.
Still…I wanted to do more so I started the morning on the trainer with a 50-minute ride. Besides, it was Super Bowl Sunday and that usually meant I’d consume a couple of extra calories before the day was over.
Later in the day, John called to notify me that he was busy catching water that was leaking into his laundry and bed rooms. He’d spent some time on the roof trying to chisel away the ice dams that were causing the melting snow to enter his house, but with little success. “I bet I’m burning up a lot of calories with the way I’m pounding at the ice though,” he commented. At least he had that going for him…but the hike was off.
Kim stopped over to talk about her plans for a bike trip to Gothic, Co. she wanted to take this summer. Its 3,000 miles round trip and would take the entire summer to complete. She knows I have experience with these things, but nothing that long. The key is finding the right route…one that offers camping opportunities, roads in decent shape, a nice shoulder to ride on – if possible, and access to food supplies since they can’t all be carried. I suppose my single biggest concern would be about bike maintenance. I know from personal experience that breaking down a hundred miles from the nearest repair shop can be problematic. Still…I’m envious and wish I had the time for a trip like hers…or Paul’s canoe trip on the Red River from Minnesota to the Hudson Bay. Jobs and life just keep getting in the way…
Bike duration: 50 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130.
Calories burned during workout: 750.
John and I were scheduled for a hike in the Metropark and I had plans for a challenging one. I was going to take us into four separate ravines through snow that would likely be unbroken and probably 18 inches deep. With the ice crust near the top, each step would be an exertion and I was sure we’d break a good sweat.
Still…I wanted to do more so I started the morning on the trainer with a 50-minute ride. Besides, it was Super Bowl Sunday and that usually meant I’d consume a couple of extra calories before the day was over.
Later in the day, John called to notify me that he was busy catching water that was leaking into his laundry and bed rooms. He’d spent some time on the roof trying to chisel away the ice dams that were causing the melting snow to enter his house, but with little success. “I bet I’m burning up a lot of calories with the way I’m pounding at the ice though,” he commented. At least he had that going for him…but the hike was off.
Kim stopped over to talk about her plans for a bike trip to Gothic, Co. she wanted to take this summer. Its 3,000 miles round trip and would take the entire summer to complete. She knows I have experience with these things, but nothing that long. The key is finding the right route…one that offers camping opportunities, roads in decent shape, a nice shoulder to ride on – if possible, and access to food supplies since they can’t all be carried. I suppose my single biggest concern would be about bike maintenance. I know from personal experience that breaking down a hundred miles from the nearest repair shop can be problematic. Still…I’m envious and wish I had the time for a trip like hers…or Paul’s canoe trip on the Red River from Minnesota to the Hudson Bay. Jobs and life just keep getting in the way…
Bike duration: 50 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130.
Calories burned during workout: 750.
Trails are still a mess...
Saturday, February 5, 2011
I started the day by attending a meeting for becoming a Park Ambassador for the North Chagrin Reservation. It was held in the Happy Days Lodge in Streetsboro off of Route 303. As I approached the building, I noticed a statue outside but was disappointed to find that it wasn’t ‘The Fonz’.
I discovered that they are looking for volunteers in 10 different areas and we were to pick three that interested us most. I went for ‘public speaking’ where I’d have the opportunity to spread the word about the values of the Park, working with educating visitors about invasive plants to the Park and a third thing I can’t remember right now. They would also like me assistance with their Junior Ranger program and teaching people about the value of Leave No Trace camping and hiking techniques, which I’d really love to do. My feelings are that the more people use and respect the fabulous park systems we have in greater Cleveland… both the Metropark systems and the National Park…the more likely we are to always have them. In fact, the more support they gain from people using them, the more likely they are to continue to improve and expand…both things for which I can advocate.
I made my way to the Metroparks after the meeting for a run. I wasn’t sure what to expect and had hopes that the trails would be more packed than they had on my previous run.
They weren’t. I labored for 36 minutes and was thinking I’d make it to 40 when I felt a little twinge in my right achilles…so I immediately backed off and called it a day. Still…it had been a very difficult run and my legs were extremely tired.
Though I’m not counting it as workout time, I did have some snow to move. I also began the process of trying to break up the two-inch pad of ice that is covering my driveway. Why…I don’t know. It just bothers me that its there and I can’t wait for the warm days to do the melting. I pounded at it for about an hour and managed to get down to the pavement on about a third of the drive. About some things, I can be a little OCD.
Run duration: 36 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 145.
Calories burned during workout: 600.
I started the day by attending a meeting for becoming a Park Ambassador for the North Chagrin Reservation. It was held in the Happy Days Lodge in Streetsboro off of Route 303. As I approached the building, I noticed a statue outside but was disappointed to find that it wasn’t ‘The Fonz’.
I discovered that they are looking for volunteers in 10 different areas and we were to pick three that interested us most. I went for ‘public speaking’ where I’d have the opportunity to spread the word about the values of the Park, working with educating visitors about invasive plants to the Park and a third thing I can’t remember right now. They would also like me assistance with their Junior Ranger program and teaching people about the value of Leave No Trace camping and hiking techniques, which I’d really love to do. My feelings are that the more people use and respect the fabulous park systems we have in greater Cleveland… both the Metropark systems and the National Park…the more likely we are to always have them. In fact, the more support they gain from people using them, the more likely they are to continue to improve and expand…both things for which I can advocate.
I made my way to the Metroparks after the meeting for a run. I wasn’t sure what to expect and had hopes that the trails would be more packed than they had on my previous run.
They weren’t. I labored for 36 minutes and was thinking I’d make it to 40 when I felt a little twinge in my right achilles…so I immediately backed off and called it a day. Still…it had been a very difficult run and my legs were extremely tired.
Though I’m not counting it as workout time, I did have some snow to move. I also began the process of trying to break up the two-inch pad of ice that is covering my driveway. Why…I don’t know. It just bothers me that its there and I can’t wait for the warm days to do the melting. I pounded at it for about an hour and managed to get down to the pavement on about a third of the drive. About some things, I can be a little OCD.
Run duration: 36 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 145.
Calories burned during workout: 600.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
A gorgeous day in the North Chagrin Reservation
Thursday, February 03, 2011
It was a beautiful, sunny, but cold and crisp morning. I dropped Jack off at school and decided it would the perfect time to try and get some pictures of the winter wonderland the Metropark had become over the last few days. I parked and made my way down to the marsh, stopping to take pictures of the sun sparkling off the new, crystallized dusting of snow that had fallen overnight. I saw a herd of seven deer moving just ahead of my as I hiked, which is more than I’ve seen together in some time. There were three sets of coyote tracks moving through the woods, as well.
I made it to the marsh and decided it was probably frozen enough to support my weight. I really wanted to get out in the middle and take pictures before anything disturbed the unbroken blanket of snow. I started slowly and was breaking through the surface a couple of inches, but then it held. I ended up getting some great shots before returning to the car 75 minutes later.
I made my way back to the Metropark after work to try and get in some running. I wasn’t too hopeful since I figured few people would have passed over the trails during the day and packed it down to where running could be manageable. I was completely right.
I’d decided ahead that a 20-minute run would be more than enough…I’d already walked and was going to ride when I got home…and by the 6-minute mark, was thinking I might not even make it that far. I tried to run in a set of prints from a previous hiker…and there was only one set…but I was breaking through with every stride and getting exhausted. I was probably running about a 10-minute mile pace…but the effort made it feel a lot faster. As I struggled over the final minutes of the run, I thought how much it felt like running in sand…which is completely asinine…and collapsed into the car when I finally made it there.
The moral of the story is…great workout – toughest 23 minutes I’ve ever run…but I’m done with that foolishness. I’m waiting to the hikers and skiers pack it down before I try that again.
Bike duration: 60 minutes. Run duration: 23 minutes. Hike duration: 75 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 145 running. 90 hiking.
Calories burned during workout: 900 biking. 400 running. 375 hiking.
It was a beautiful, sunny, but cold and crisp morning. I dropped Jack off at school and decided it would the perfect time to try and get some pictures of the winter wonderland the Metropark had become over the last few days. I parked and made my way down to the marsh, stopping to take pictures of the sun sparkling off the new, crystallized dusting of snow that had fallen overnight. I saw a herd of seven deer moving just ahead of my as I hiked, which is more than I’ve seen together in some time. There were three sets of coyote tracks moving through the woods, as well.
I made it to the marsh and decided it was probably frozen enough to support my weight. I really wanted to get out in the middle and take pictures before anything disturbed the unbroken blanket of snow. I started slowly and was breaking through the surface a couple of inches, but then it held. I ended up getting some great shots before returning to the car 75 minutes later.
I made my way back to the Metropark after work to try and get in some running. I wasn’t too hopeful since I figured few people would have passed over the trails during the day and packed it down to where running could be manageable. I was completely right.
I’d decided ahead that a 20-minute run would be more than enough…I’d already walked and was going to ride when I got home…and by the 6-minute mark, was thinking I might not even make it that far. I tried to run in a set of prints from a previous hiker…and there was only one set…but I was breaking through with every stride and getting exhausted. I was probably running about a 10-minute mile pace…but the effort made it feel a lot faster. As I struggled over the final minutes of the run, I thought how much it felt like running in sand…which is completely asinine…and collapsed into the car when I finally made it there.
The moral of the story is…great workout – toughest 23 minutes I’ve ever run…but I’m done with that foolishness. I’m waiting to the hikers and skiers pack it down before I try that again.
Bike duration: 60 minutes. Run duration: 23 minutes. Hike duration: 75 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 145 running. 90 hiking.
Calories burned during workout: 900 biking. 400 running. 375 hiking.
"Seriously? You thought you could mail a puppy to Georgia?"
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
I don’t listen to the radio since I discovered audio books, so I don’t know if ‘Knuckleheads in the News’ is still broadcast by Lannigan…if he’s still on the air, that is. Anyway, there was a perfect story for ‘Knuckleheads’ about a lady in Minneapolis who was trying to mail a puppy to a family member in Georgia for her birthday. She went to the Post Office with the puppy sealed in a box and told the employee to be careful with the package because it was very fragile. When some noise came from the box, she said it was a toy robot. At some point, the box was moving and a postal worker decided to have it opened, at which time the puppy was discovered. Air holes had been poked in the box, but then covered by the packaging tape…by who is unclear.
Later, when the lady was contacted about her intentions, she was uninterested in the fate of the puppy, but was anxious to get a refund of the $22 she’d spent to have it mailed and the money she’d put inside the puppy’s collar. The Post Office referred her to the police for the refund.
I’m wondering how this case will go when she steps in front of the judge.
“Over the years, I’ve had some people in front of me that have done some really dumb things…but this has to be the number one dumbest thing ever, Ms. Champion,” the judge said.
“Oh…well…thank you, your Honor. I always try to be the best,” Ms. Champion relied.
“No, no…it’s not a compliment. I’m saying putting a puppy in a box for two days without food or water and letting it be flown in a cargo hold where the temperature would reach 40 below was…well…a death sentence for that puppy. What were you thinking?”
“I’ve heard thinking was overrated…so I try not to do it so much. And what’s all the fuss? It was just a puppy and I think its okay now. What I’m wondering is…can I have my $22 back? Those lousy post office people never did mail the package, after all.”
“Well…sure you can. I’m going to have the refund waiting for you in the Georgia airport. We’re going to box you up, stick you on a plane, and send you there to get it. How’s that suit you?”
They can’t really do that…but it would be nice.
I’d rather move two feet of snow than to have to deal with the ice/slush frozen on my driveway. I chiseled at it for about an hour and managed to clean the bottom five feet of the drive before giving in. I headed to the Metropark with Dakota where the hiking was the toughest its been all winter. We were breaking through about a two-inch layer of crust that had formed over the snow, making every step a struggle. Dakota figured out it would be better to walk in my footsteps and I tried to walk in the prints I’d made the day before. We were so noisy with each step, that the deer were long gone before our arrival. When we arrived at the marsh and were preparing to cross the stream that feeds it, we discovered it was about four feet wide and moving fast…something neither of us had counted on and one of us would have trouble with…me. I managed to find a spot where I could jump and only submerse one foot…which I did in some really icy water. Dakota cleared it easily. Showoff.
I think there’s still more snow coming and with the current condition of the trails, believe it will be a few days before I’ll be running them again.
Hike duration: 75 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 90.
Calories burned during workout: 375.
I don’t listen to the radio since I discovered audio books, so I don’t know if ‘Knuckleheads in the News’ is still broadcast by Lannigan…if he’s still on the air, that is. Anyway, there was a perfect story for ‘Knuckleheads’ about a lady in Minneapolis who was trying to mail a puppy to a family member in Georgia for her birthday. She went to the Post Office with the puppy sealed in a box and told the employee to be careful with the package because it was very fragile. When some noise came from the box, she said it was a toy robot. At some point, the box was moving and a postal worker decided to have it opened, at which time the puppy was discovered. Air holes had been poked in the box, but then covered by the packaging tape…by who is unclear.
Later, when the lady was contacted about her intentions, she was uninterested in the fate of the puppy, but was anxious to get a refund of the $22 she’d spent to have it mailed and the money she’d put inside the puppy’s collar. The Post Office referred her to the police for the refund.
I’m wondering how this case will go when she steps in front of the judge.
“Over the years, I’ve had some people in front of me that have done some really dumb things…but this has to be the number one dumbest thing ever, Ms. Champion,” the judge said.
“Oh…well…thank you, your Honor. I always try to be the best,” Ms. Champion relied.
“No, no…it’s not a compliment. I’m saying putting a puppy in a box for two days without food or water and letting it be flown in a cargo hold where the temperature would reach 40 below was…well…a death sentence for that puppy. What were you thinking?”
“I’ve heard thinking was overrated…so I try not to do it so much. And what’s all the fuss? It was just a puppy and I think its okay now. What I’m wondering is…can I have my $22 back? Those lousy post office people never did mail the package, after all.”
“Well…sure you can. I’m going to have the refund waiting for you in the Georgia airport. We’re going to box you up, stick you on a plane, and send you there to get it. How’s that suit you?”
They can’t really do that…but it would be nice.
I’d rather move two feet of snow than to have to deal with the ice/slush frozen on my driveway. I chiseled at it for about an hour and managed to clean the bottom five feet of the drive before giving in. I headed to the Metropark with Dakota where the hiking was the toughest its been all winter. We were breaking through about a two-inch layer of crust that had formed over the snow, making every step a struggle. Dakota figured out it would be better to walk in my footsteps and I tried to walk in the prints I’d made the day before. We were so noisy with each step, that the deer were long gone before our arrival. When we arrived at the marsh and were preparing to cross the stream that feeds it, we discovered it was about four feet wide and moving fast…something neither of us had counted on and one of us would have trouble with…me. I managed to find a spot where I could jump and only submerse one foot…which I did in some really icy water. Dakota cleared it easily. Showoff.
I think there’s still more snow coming and with the current condition of the trails, believe it will be a few days before I’ll be running them again.
Hike duration: 75 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 90.
Calories burned during workout: 375.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Damn that snow plow guy...
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
I went to bed around midnight thinking “too much hype about snow”. Boy…was I right.
I started shoveling a little before 7 a.m. Jack had to be to school and I needed to get the car out of the driveway. You’ve heard me whine before about living on a curve and the snow plow dumping an inordinate amount of snow in the bottom of my drive as a result, but today was over the top. I had a least three feet of snow to move and time was short. I stripped down to a t-shirt and started throwing. It took about 15 minutes to clear the bottom and I made a path for the car to get out on the rest of the drive so I could take Jack to school and return for the balance. In all, I spent about 45 minutes on it…a decent workout…but had the pleasure of a second plowing before I was through.
I saw them heading down the street on the other side and knew they’d be coming back shortly, so I made my way to the bottom and planted myself in the street as the came charging back. I was pretending to dig out near the curb and stepped back into the drive as the first plow approached. He moved away from the curb and I waved my appreciation, which he didn’t return. I found out why in the next 30 seconds as the second plow came by and sent another half ton of snow all over me and the bottom of my drive. He pretended he didn’t see me…but I could see the wicked glint in his eye as he passed…may he rot in hell.
I went to the Metropark for a hike and carried the camera thinking I’d get some good winter scenery shots. There was at least another 6-8 inches of snow on the trails and when I set off into the woods for the marsh, sunk about twelve inches in. The hike was strenuous, but beautiful. It took about 30 minutes to get down to the marsh and I elected to climb back out the way I’d come in to heighten the workout. Round trip took around 75 minutes and with all the snow I’d moved that morning, figured my workout day was complete.
Hike duration: 75 minutes. Shoveling duration: 45 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 90 hiking. 120 shoveling.
Calories burned during workout: 375 hiking. 450 shoveling.
I went to bed around midnight thinking “too much hype about snow”. Boy…was I right.
I started shoveling a little before 7 a.m. Jack had to be to school and I needed to get the car out of the driveway. You’ve heard me whine before about living on a curve and the snow plow dumping an inordinate amount of snow in the bottom of my drive as a result, but today was over the top. I had a least three feet of snow to move and time was short. I stripped down to a t-shirt and started throwing. It took about 15 minutes to clear the bottom and I made a path for the car to get out on the rest of the drive so I could take Jack to school and return for the balance. In all, I spent about 45 minutes on it…a decent workout…but had the pleasure of a second plowing before I was through.
I saw them heading down the street on the other side and knew they’d be coming back shortly, so I made my way to the bottom and planted myself in the street as the came charging back. I was pretending to dig out near the curb and stepped back into the drive as the first plow approached. He moved away from the curb and I waved my appreciation, which he didn’t return. I found out why in the next 30 seconds as the second plow came by and sent another half ton of snow all over me and the bottom of my drive. He pretended he didn’t see me…but I could see the wicked glint in his eye as he passed…may he rot in hell.
I went to the Metropark for a hike and carried the camera thinking I’d get some good winter scenery shots. There was at least another 6-8 inches of snow on the trails and when I set off into the woods for the marsh, sunk about twelve inches in. The hike was strenuous, but beautiful. It took about 30 minutes to get down to the marsh and I elected to climb back out the way I’d come in to heighten the workout. Round trip took around 75 minutes and with all the snow I’d moved that morning, figured my workout day was complete.
Hike duration: 75 minutes. Shoveling duration: 45 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 90 hiking. 120 shoveling.
Calories burned during workout: 375 hiking. 450 shoveling.
A new 'man crush'
Monday, January 31, 2011
Maybe I just have a man crush on Matt Damon, but every time I see one of his movies, I think he’s a tremendous actor with a lot of range. I watched ‘Invictus', over the weekend and then ‘The Good Shepherd’ last night. Completely different roles and he was fantastically believable in them both. John and I are constantly arguing about movies and today’s best actor…I’ve gone with Tom Hanks and he’s a Sean Penn fan, but I’m starting to think Matt Damon (Leonardo and Denzel are pretty awesome, too) is right there.
I went to the Metropark to do a run thinking I’d go around 35 minutes. The forecast is for terrible weather over the next couple of days, so I wanted to get a run in before the trails are buried and running becomes problematic. I had been thinking I should only run every third day and give the calf the chance to completely heal, but…oh well.
The trails were difficult for running, but the workout is heightened as a result. I did 39 minutes, but my body felt like I’d gone an hour. I don’t cover nearly as much trail in the same amount of time, but the effort, as measured by my training heart rate, is higher than when the trails are clear.
I returned home with the thought that I’d put in some bike time, but I was so whipped from the run that I decided to call it a workout day. Lazy…or smart? I’m going with smart.
Run duration: 39 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 140.
Calories burned during workout: 650.
Maybe I just have a man crush on Matt Damon, but every time I see one of his movies, I think he’s a tremendous actor with a lot of range. I watched ‘Invictus', over the weekend and then ‘The Good Shepherd’ last night. Completely different roles and he was fantastically believable in them both. John and I are constantly arguing about movies and today’s best actor…I’ve gone with Tom Hanks and he’s a Sean Penn fan, but I’m starting to think Matt Damon (Leonardo and Denzel are pretty awesome, too) is right there.
I went to the Metropark to do a run thinking I’d go around 35 minutes. The forecast is for terrible weather over the next couple of days, so I wanted to get a run in before the trails are buried and running becomes problematic. I had been thinking I should only run every third day and give the calf the chance to completely heal, but…oh well.
The trails were difficult for running, but the workout is heightened as a result. I did 39 minutes, but my body felt like I’d gone an hour. I don’t cover nearly as much trail in the same amount of time, but the effort, as measured by my training heart rate, is higher than when the trails are clear.
I returned home with the thought that I’d put in some bike time, but I was so whipped from the run that I decided to call it a workout day. Lazy…or smart? I’m going with smart.
Run duration: 39 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 140.
Calories burned during workout: 650.
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