Long story short: after charging the Garmin I got one 19-minute walk out of it, and on the next walk the battery was low and it quit.
Full story: On 9-15 I took a TM hike and the Garmin ran out of juice about 3 minutes into it. I hooked it up to charge, then looked through the book to see how long to charge it. When I opened the box the book said to charge for 3 hrs for the initial charge. Does that mean I charge it 3 hrs each time? No where did it specify, so I charged it for 3 hrs.
Tonight I decided to take the heinous hill hood route, and the Garmin went out about 1/2 way through. Now I'm thinking that the Garmin was shipped already charged, and through sitting on a shelf it lost a bit. That's why the book said the initial charge should be 3 hrs. Maybe a full charge should be longer. So tonight I'll charge it overnight. The book doesn't say, but that's what I'm doing.
All weekend I've felt tired and blah-y. Don't know why. I intentionally have laid off the walking/hiking/elliptical because of the achilles soreness on my right foot. I read that once you have a definite achilles problem you're likely to always have it. I'll attribute it to my Garmin, which was causing me to walk faster and faster. I'm competitive that way. So now I laid off and tonight I took the walk leisurely. No soreness.
On a funny (sad) note, I decided I'd wear my well-worn MBTs tonight. I haven't worn them since I got my new shoes from Rachael. I put my left on and stood on it and took a few steps. There was just too much turning in of my ankle (over pronation) to my liking, so I changed into my Asics. It's amazing, but my foot does not pronate as much with it. Yes, I know, that's the WHOLE idea.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Losing My Freedom
All day today I couldn't wait to get out to TM. I made good time and Ed and I were parked and starting about 5:30. The Garmin was really slow locating satellites, and it finally said *low battery*, then found some satellites and off we went.
I set the Garmin to do the 5-mile (aka 3.82 mile) loop, but taking my favorite craggy shortcut straight up to the top. I wanted to use my virtual partner. At 1 min, 27 sec Eddie stopped to poop. He is very polite and steps off the trail, then I get a stick and fling it into the depths of the woods. I used to take plastic bags, pick it up, tie it to my backpack, etc. But soon realized every other dog poops out there, and most of them right smack dab ON THE TRAIL. So I consider myself and Eddie polite and considerate.
Anyway, the next time I looked at my Garmin was about 1/2 way up the crag, and it was off! By *low battery* , it apparently means *battery will last about 5 more minutes*. I was so disappointed, and it really took the steam out of my step. My mind began regrouping, and I decided I would still take the same route because I knew its exact length and I could still record it in my Training Center on the computer. Then I thought I would meander along the top of the mountain, since I couldn't watch my Garmin. Then I decided to go to the north end of the ridge and hitch a left loop, returning on the dreaded tadpole. In other words, without my Garmin I feel free to go where ever I want without a solid plan. With my Garmin I'm wanting to compete with myself or the "marked" trail. I'm sure as I get more experience with it I'll get back to going anywhere I want, but for now I feel like I'm locked in and losing my hiking freedom.
I was still trying to decide which route to take when my achilles tendon began bothering me. I can't remember if I mentioned it, but yesterday while wearing my Vasques my right tendon began to hurt. That had never happened before. Then last night I took a hood walk in my shoes and there was no soreness. Today, somehow, I accidently put those same shoes (semi-trail) on again instead of my real trail shoes.
So my sore tendon made my decision for me. Part way, maybe 1/2 way along the ridge, I turned left into the mountain top and meandered my way back on the lovely, largely level, non-technical tangle of trails. Very soon the soreness waned and I finished in fine form. But I'm skipping the hood walk tonight, and probably for the next couple of days.
The only thing I would have bothered taken a pic of was a little fat toady. He probably was a taddie in the spring or early summer.
Total hike, about 50 min, and about 2 miles. All estimated, unfortunately. My Garmin is charging right now.
I set the Garmin to do the 5-mile (aka 3.82 mile) loop, but taking my favorite craggy shortcut straight up to the top. I wanted to use my virtual partner. At 1 min, 27 sec Eddie stopped to poop. He is very polite and steps off the trail, then I get a stick and fling it into the depths of the woods. I used to take plastic bags, pick it up, tie it to my backpack, etc. But soon realized every other dog poops out there, and most of them right smack dab ON THE TRAIL. So I consider myself and Eddie polite and considerate.
Anyway, the next time I looked at my Garmin was about 1/2 way up the crag, and it was off! By *low battery* , it apparently means *battery will last about 5 more minutes*. I was so disappointed, and it really took the steam out of my step. My mind began regrouping, and I decided I would still take the same route because I knew its exact length and I could still record it in my Training Center on the computer. Then I thought I would meander along the top of the mountain, since I couldn't watch my Garmin. Then I decided to go to the north end of the ridge and hitch a left loop, returning on the dreaded tadpole. In other words, without my Garmin I feel free to go where ever I want without a solid plan. With my Garmin I'm wanting to compete with myself or the "marked" trail. I'm sure as I get more experience with it I'll get back to going anywhere I want, but for now I feel like I'm locked in and losing my hiking freedom.
I was still trying to decide which route to take when my achilles tendon began bothering me. I can't remember if I mentioned it, but yesterday while wearing my Vasques my right tendon began to hurt. That had never happened before. Then last night I took a hood walk in my shoes and there was no soreness. Today, somehow, I accidently put those same shoes (semi-trail) on again instead of my real trail shoes.
So my sore tendon made my decision for me. Part way, maybe 1/2 way along the ridge, I turned left into the mountain top and meandered my way back on the lovely, largely level, non-technical tangle of trails. Very soon the soreness waned and I finished in fine form. But I'm skipping the hood walk tonight, and probably for the next couple of days.
The only thing I would have bothered taken a pic of was a little fat toady. He probably was a taddie in the spring or early summer.
Total hike, about 50 min, and about 2 miles. All estimated, unfortunately. My Garmin is charging right now.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Technical Trail
I parked low and began about 3:30. I didn't take Eddie because I expected the trails to be too muddy and I don't have a cover on my back seat right now. The few muddy spots were small and navigable except for one. That one was such a mess that I had to take off my boots after returning to my car.
There were lots of cars in the lot so I decided not to take the full yellow. Instead I went a little west, then followed the trail just to the east of the Tadpole all the way north and looped around on the ridge trail. I had forgotten how technical that particular trail is. Hey, if cyclists can call it technical then so can a hiker!
Shortly past the turtle-head boulder I took a left down to the tarantula trail. It also has substantial technical areas. In fact, toward the south there was an area where the trail had collapsed in a muddy slide. Thankfully that area is so rocky that folks kept the trail going. I was glad I had my Leki with me, as it enabled me to work my way down, through, and around the area. The last time I was there was in March '08 with L, and it wasn't like that then.
I briefly spoke with a man and his young son who asked if they were on the right trail. I saw a 3 or 4 other groups of hikers, heard a couple more, but not once had to stop or step off the trail to let anyone pass. It was WONDERFUL.
Things I could have taken photos of if I'd taken my camera, which I almost did:
1) a cute baby ring-necked snake. It was about 5 - 51/2 inches long and stopped and posed for me! I didn't pick it up because I was afraid of snake ass, and I didn't have a squirt bottle or sweat rag with me to clean up.
2) another eastern velvet ant; boy that's disappointing!
3) a red-spotted purple admiral. I could have taken several good shots of it, and I don't have a pic of one yet. The only other red-spotted I've seen on TM was last year, and it was dead.
4) the area where the tarantula trail had collapsed - but it will be there next time!
Today as I was getting ready to leave for the hike, I realized how many choices I have:
1) hydration backpack, or double-bottle waistpack, or carry water
2) Leki or not
3) Eddie or not
4) hiking boots 1, hiking boots 2, or my new trail shoes
5) camera or not (and then I have to choose which lens)
6) Garmin or not. OK, that's not really a choice. I love using it!
7) sweat rag or not - I would always choose to take it, but sometimes I forget
For this hike I chose no camera, hiking boots 2 (best for mud), Leki (because of mud and thank goodness I had it), no Eddie (because of mud), and waistpack. I feel all dorked out with the Leki, waistpack, and boots, but then I feel the same way with the backpack.
Total hike was 3.51 miles, 1 hr, 43 min, with an average speed of 2.1 mph. The slowness was due to the 'technical' nature.
And because today's hike was so slow, I just took an evening hike in the hood: 1.61 mi, 29 min, 18.18 ave pace. My ave pace goal is 15, which is 4 mph. I would like to reach that by '09.
Temps have been coolish here. Tonight it's about 60. I got a little warm while on TM this afternoon, but made it without a sweat rag and w/o using my t-shirt as a sweat rag. If I'd remember to take one, though, I would have used it.
There were lots of cars in the lot so I decided not to take the full yellow. Instead I went a little west, then followed the trail just to the east of the Tadpole all the way north and looped around on the ridge trail. I had forgotten how technical that particular trail is. Hey, if cyclists can call it technical then so can a hiker!
Shortly past the turtle-head boulder I took a left down to the tarantula trail. It also has substantial technical areas. In fact, toward the south there was an area where the trail had collapsed in a muddy slide. Thankfully that area is so rocky that folks kept the trail going. I was glad I had my Leki with me, as it enabled me to work my way down, through, and around the area. The last time I was there was in March '08 with L, and it wasn't like that then.
I briefly spoke with a man and his young son who asked if they were on the right trail. I saw a 3 or 4 other groups of hikers, heard a couple more, but not once had to stop or step off the trail to let anyone pass. It was WONDERFUL.
Things I could have taken photos of if I'd taken my camera, which I almost did:
1) a cute baby ring-necked snake. It was about 5 - 51/2 inches long and stopped and posed for me! I didn't pick it up because I was afraid of snake ass, and I didn't have a squirt bottle or sweat rag with me to clean up.
2) another eastern velvet ant; boy that's disappointing!
3) a red-spotted purple admiral. I could have taken several good shots of it, and I don't have a pic of one yet. The only other red-spotted I've seen on TM was last year, and it was dead.
4) the area where the tarantula trail had collapsed - but it will be there next time!
Today as I was getting ready to leave for the hike, I realized how many choices I have:
1) hydration backpack, or double-bottle waistpack, or carry water
2) Leki or not
3) Eddie or not
4) hiking boots 1, hiking boots 2, or my new trail shoes
5) camera or not (and then I have to choose which lens)
6) Garmin or not. OK, that's not really a choice. I love using it!
7) sweat rag or not - I would always choose to take it, but sometimes I forget
For this hike I chose no camera, hiking boots 2 (best for mud), Leki (because of mud and thank goodness I had it), no Eddie (because of mud), and waistpack. I feel all dorked out with the Leki, waistpack, and boots, but then I feel the same way with the backpack.
Total hike was 3.51 miles, 1 hr, 43 min, with an average speed of 2.1 mph. The slowness was due to the 'technical' nature.
And because today's hike was so slow, I just took an evening hike in the hood: 1.61 mi, 29 min, 18.18 ave pace. My ave pace goal is 15, which is 4 mph. I would like to reach that by '09.
Temps have been coolish here. Tonight it's about 60. I got a little warm while on TM this afternoon, but made it without a sweat rag and w/o using my t-shirt as a sweat rag. If I'd remember to take one, though, I would have used it.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Raining All Day
The rain continued today, sometimes pretty forceful. I went to the Fitness Center and did lower body weights, then 10 min on the tread climber and 10 on the elliptical. I had planned on doing 30 min of combined cardio. Well, phooey!
Afterwards I went to my newly-discovered shoe/sock store to get a pair of those fabulous socks for my girl cousins, and you know what? I am obviously too stupid to live. I bought 7 pair, 3 of them black (only one pair was for a man.) When I told A that I was going to mail a pair to everyone she said nobody would want black, not even the man, and black would be stupid and wrong. Those weren't her exact words, but she clearly conveyed her contempt. Sigh. Tomorrow I'll take the black ones back and exchange for white.
And I guess that makes me stupid because I have 2 pair of the black ones and I love them! But then, I had to stop wearing my Doc Marten sandals a few years ago because I found out I wasn't supposed to wear them with white socks. Or any socks. I happen to like wearing socks with my sandals. Whoever makes up all these fashion rules needs to retire. And leave the country. And never speak or write again.
Afterwards I went to my newly-discovered shoe/sock store to get a pair of those fabulous socks for my girl cousins, and you know what? I am obviously too stupid to live. I bought 7 pair, 3 of them black (only one pair was for a man.) When I told A that I was going to mail a pair to everyone she said nobody would want black, not even the man, and black would be stupid and wrong. Those weren't her exact words, but she clearly conveyed her contempt. Sigh. Tomorrow I'll take the black ones back and exchange for white.
And I guess that makes me stupid because I have 2 pair of the black ones and I love them! But then, I had to stop wearing my Doc Marten sandals a few years ago because I found out I wasn't supposed to wear them with white socks. Or any socks. I happen to like wearing socks with my sandals. Whoever makes up all these fashion rules needs to retire. And leave the country. And never speak or write again.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Hood Loop Again
It's been rainy now for a couple of days, and thanks to Ike it will rain for 3 more. I'm glad that's all we'll see of him. This evening it wasn't quite precipitating, but the atmosphere is so heavy with moisture I had rivulets running across my skin. If there could be one huge, dense cobby web heavy with dew, I was walking through it - nothing actually coming down yet I was colliding with water drops.
My intention was to take the 1.05 loop twice. I was going to try tapping the lap button on first return to my porch then heading out again. I don't know how that will work while racing myself. I was hoofing it (for me) and beating my 2nd time by 100ft at the .64 mark, but my lower back was getting tight (and I had taken a couple of preventive ibuprofen - just not early enough) so I relaxed my pace slightly. I stopped after one loop and beat my 1st time, but I didn't even notice if/how much I beat my 2nd time. I was scrolling through the different pages and trying to figure out new stuff that I forgot about that until just now. Since it's all turned off and put away I'll just be content to know that I sweated, stiffened, fogged my glasses and felt good.
I'm having thoughts of beginning to *jog* here and there. I've done it on TM a few times and really enjoyed it. I'm not ready to yet, but I'm thinking I may end up building to that. Maybe that will start to develop when we get back from our vacation.
My intention was to take the 1.05 loop twice. I was going to try tapping the lap button on first return to my porch then heading out again. I don't know how that will work while racing myself. I was hoofing it (for me) and beating my 2nd time by 100ft at the .64 mark, but my lower back was getting tight (and I had taken a couple of preventive ibuprofen - just not early enough) so I relaxed my pace slightly. I stopped after one loop and beat my 1st time, but I didn't even notice if/how much I beat my 2nd time. I was scrolling through the different pages and trying to figure out new stuff that I forgot about that until just now. Since it's all turned off and put away I'll just be content to know that I sweated, stiffened, fogged my glasses and felt good.
I'm having thoughts of beginning to *jog* here and there. I've done it on TM a few times and really enjoyed it. I'm not ready to yet, but I'm thinking I may end up building to that. Maybe that will start to develop when we get back from our vacation.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
I Beat My Virtual Partner
Last night I used my new Garmin to take the same 1.05 mile route I established on... Sunday, maybe? These last few days have run together and I've forgotten to mention some noteworthy things on the blog.
Anyway, I set my Garmin to do the same course and I walked with my virtual partner. Eddie and I were ahead the entire route, and ended up beating her by 271 feet. I didn't feel like we kept up any racey kind of pace, just normal walking. Uhh, as I recall I do believe I stopped under just about every streetlight on the night I set the course. I had to! I wanted to see what was going on with the Garmin! It has a backlight, which I used a few times last night, but I don't want to use up the battery sooner than need be. Last night I didn't spend so much time under the lights, and that probably explains why I beat it. Unfortunately I'm very competitive, so I will keep trying to beat my new times.
It's been drizzly all afternoon and evening, and even now, so I don't want to go out. Yes, I'm a big cheap baby. But not too cheap, because I did go to the fitness center and did upper body weights and 25 minutes of elliptical. The WHOLE time I was on the ellip I was thinking about how much fun and almost effortless TM seems compared to the fitness center. And because I stay out there hiking for at least 1 1/2 hrs usually, even better for me.
I'm hoping to walk the hood tomorrow night, maybe even 2 laps!
Anyway, I set my Garmin to do the same course and I walked with my virtual partner. Eddie and I were ahead the entire route, and ended up beating her by 271 feet. I didn't feel like we kept up any racey kind of pace, just normal walking. Uhh, as I recall I do believe I stopped under just about every streetlight on the night I set the course. I had to! I wanted to see what was going on with the Garmin! It has a backlight, which I used a few times last night, but I don't want to use up the battery sooner than need be. Last night I didn't spend so much time under the lights, and that probably explains why I beat it. Unfortunately I'm very competitive, so I will keep trying to beat my new times.
It's been drizzly all afternoon and evening, and even now, so I don't want to go out. Yes, I'm a big cheap baby. But not too cheap, because I did go to the fitness center and did upper body weights and 25 minutes of elliptical. The WHOLE time I was on the ellip I was thinking about how much fun and almost effortless TM seems compared to the fitness center. And because I stay out there hiking for at least 1 1/2 hrs usually, even better for me.
I'm hoping to walk the hood tomorrow night, maybe even 2 laps!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
5 mi = 3.82 mi
I sneaked out of work a whole 16 minutes early today to get a jump-start at TM. Ed and I arrived, parked low, and began just after 5. This evening we took the full, no short-cut version of the 5-mile loop. Twasn't. But now I remember why I like the short-cut so much: the uphill agony doesn't last as long. It's more severe, but it's more important that it doesn't last as long.
Yesterday the forecast called for today's temps to be 10 degrees cooler, but the first hour was really hot and sweaty. Camera-wise, the only remarkable thing today was 2 harvestmen tangoing. Or maybe one killed the other and was carrying it as a trophy. Or maybe the mate died and the one was carrying it back for proper respects. Or maybe they were mating and one was in control and only looked to be carrying the other one. Anyway, their funny bodies and tangle of legs would have made a nice photo.
I just began hiking again last Friday, and I've noticed the harvestmen (aka daddy longlegs when I was a kid) are scampering all across the trails everywhere. Also the cicadas are out full-force, and I find a good number dead on their backs in the trail. Since I like to NOT think about people while hiking, I've spent some time thinking about the dead cicadas, and I've come up with some possible explanations:
1) they are so plentiful right now that as they die naturally they fall all over the place, therefore some on the trails
2) birds are nabbing them, struggling, then dropping them, but by that time the cicada is injured and thus dies
3) some kind of insect-prey, like a tachinid fly, is laying eggs on them so the larvae can worm their way inside then eat the guts until the cicada dies
4) little woodsy gnomes are shooting them with teeny arrows, they fall, then the gnomes eat off the face and feast on the insides
Today I was making a point to keep up my pace and make good time, so next time I take this route I could use my new virtual partner for competition. Stopping to give Eddie water is normal; Eddie pooping is normal; stepping off and waiting at the side of the trail for others to pass me is normal. But today, at 2.67 miles, a bicyclist stopped, inquired about Eddie's breed, then began a conversation that lasted between 20-25 minutes. I KNEW I should have stopped the timer, but I thought it would just be a couple of sentences then off we go.
The man has been riding there for 24 years and was full of information about different areas, different trails, annual trends, etc. I learned quite a bit so I wasn't frustrated with losing so much time. I'll just have to set my pace next time. After standing still for so long my muscles cooled down and I had to rev up again. It wasn't so bad. It was all shady, a little cool, and a tad breezy. Completely and perfectly lovely. I practically sauntered back.
Total hike, with stops, was 2 hrs, 4 minutes. Oh, it's dark now. I think I'll take out trash, get my tomorrow's lunch ready, then put on my Garmin and take the 1.05 neighborhood loop!
Yesterday the forecast called for today's temps to be 10 degrees cooler, but the first hour was really hot and sweaty. Camera-wise, the only remarkable thing today was 2 harvestmen tangoing. Or maybe one killed the other and was carrying it as a trophy. Or maybe the mate died and the one was carrying it back for proper respects. Or maybe they were mating and one was in control and only looked to be carrying the other one. Anyway, their funny bodies and tangle of legs would have made a nice photo.
I just began hiking again last Friday, and I've noticed the harvestmen (aka daddy longlegs when I was a kid) are scampering all across the trails everywhere. Also the cicadas are out full-force, and I find a good number dead on their backs in the trail. Since I like to NOT think about people while hiking, I've spent some time thinking about the dead cicadas, and I've come up with some possible explanations:
1) they are so plentiful right now that as they die naturally they fall all over the place, therefore some on the trails
2) birds are nabbing them, struggling, then dropping them, but by that time the cicada is injured and thus dies
3) some kind of insect-prey, like a tachinid fly, is laying eggs on them so the larvae can worm their way inside then eat the guts until the cicada dies
4) little woodsy gnomes are shooting them with teeny arrows, they fall, then the gnomes eat off the face and feast on the insides
Today I was making a point to keep up my pace and make good time, so next time I take this route I could use my new virtual partner for competition. Stopping to give Eddie water is normal; Eddie pooping is normal; stepping off and waiting at the side of the trail for others to pass me is normal. But today, at 2.67 miles, a bicyclist stopped, inquired about Eddie's breed, then began a conversation that lasted between 20-25 minutes. I KNEW I should have stopped the timer, but I thought it would just be a couple of sentences then off we go.
The man has been riding there for 24 years and was full of information about different areas, different trails, annual trends, etc. I learned quite a bit so I wasn't frustrated with losing so much time. I'll just have to set my pace next time. After standing still for so long my muscles cooled down and I had to rev up again. It wasn't so bad. It was all shady, a little cool, and a tad breezy. Completely and perfectly lovely. I practically sauntered back.
Total hike, with stops, was 2 hrs, 4 minutes. Oh, it's dark now. I think I'll take out trash, get my tomorrow's lunch ready, then put on my Garmin and take the 1.05 neighborhood loop!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
3rd Consecutive Loop
I charged and tried out my new Garmin last night with 2 loops around the block. Today while writing my hiking notes I decided to go back out to TM and take the same craggy loop I took Fri and Sat. So with Ed, no pole, backpack and Garmin I set out.
It took me a bit to get the Garmin started right, and I can't even remember how far up the trailhead I was before it was all set. Not too far, though. I went straight to the top then joined the 5 mile loop. I came across only 3 or 4 bikers but LOTS of hikers and joggers with dogs. We must have met 12 or so dogs on the trail - some on lead, others not. Grrrr.
At about the same place as yesterday, somehow I spied another baby lizard. It wiggled off to the side faster than the one yesterday, but it hasn't yet honed it's hiding skills. It's teeny back legs and tail were sticking out from beneath the small piece of debris. I rustled it and it wiggled on a little further and stopped. Like yesterday I easily picked it up and held it in my palm. But unlike yesterday, today I feared I killed it. It was completely flopped on its back and didn't even move a toe. I touched and prodded it with my finger, blew on it, scrunched my palm together, and nothing.
I turned it onto its stomach and it was completely limp. I didn't know how I could have hurt it. I stood with it a while and could barely see its teeny tiny eyes. They were open. It was limp in my hand, let me move it about, and its eyes were open. I marveled at the tiniest, cutest toes I have ever seen, then put my palm by the ground and tickled its tail. It moved! I gave it a little nudge and it scurried off. I have had/held/played with lizards quite a bit but I'd never had one play 'possum on me before. Hognosed snake, yes, but lizard? Not until today. Of course I was relieved.
Even stopping with the lizard, stopping twice for Eddie to drink (which requires removal of backpack, getting out his bowl and water bottle, etc.) and waiting for him to poop, pee, pee, pee, poop, pee, pee, pee, pee, pee, pee, and stepping off trail for others to pass, I still beat my Friday time by 1 minute!
The Garmin said my official distance was 3.41 miles and time was 1 hr, 34 min. Next time I'll make sure I get it set correctly in the parking lot, I'll take the long, regular route the whole way and see how long it is.
The Garmin is really cool. At home I looked at the map of the route and other stuff from the hike. I read more in the manual, and got so excited that tonight I took a neighborhood walk with it (and Eddie, too.) My walk was 1.05 miles from my porch back to my porch. 21 minutes, so about 3 mi/hr, which right now is what my goal is. So far my lower back is holding up just fine. Maybe my new shoes make a difference. I'm also concentrating on keeping my stride just a wee bit shorter than I'd naturally go.
So now I've walked on concrete in the hood several times with no resultant spasms. I will gradually increase my distance as I prepare for our vacation.
Hydration backpack - $60
Leki - $75
New trail shoes - $90
New socks - $10 (they are soooo worth it!)
Garmin - $200
Partaking in one of life's best pleasures - you know the drill!
It took me a bit to get the Garmin started right, and I can't even remember how far up the trailhead I was before it was all set. Not too far, though. I went straight to the top then joined the 5 mile loop. I came across only 3 or 4 bikers but LOTS of hikers and joggers with dogs. We must have met 12 or so dogs on the trail - some on lead, others not. Grrrr.
At about the same place as yesterday, somehow I spied another baby lizard. It wiggled off to the side faster than the one yesterday, but it hasn't yet honed it's hiding skills. It's teeny back legs and tail were sticking out from beneath the small piece of debris. I rustled it and it wiggled on a little further and stopped. Like yesterday I easily picked it up and held it in my palm. But unlike yesterday, today I feared I killed it. It was completely flopped on its back and didn't even move a toe. I touched and prodded it with my finger, blew on it, scrunched my palm together, and nothing.
I turned it onto its stomach and it was completely limp. I didn't know how I could have hurt it. I stood with it a while and could barely see its teeny tiny eyes. They were open. It was limp in my hand, let me move it about, and its eyes were open. I marveled at the tiniest, cutest toes I have ever seen, then put my palm by the ground and tickled its tail. It moved! I gave it a little nudge and it scurried off. I have had/held/played with lizards quite a bit but I'd never had one play 'possum on me before. Hognosed snake, yes, but lizard? Not until today. Of course I was relieved.
Even stopping with the lizard, stopping twice for Eddie to drink (which requires removal of backpack, getting out his bowl and water bottle, etc.) and waiting for him to poop, pee, pee, pee, poop, pee, pee, pee, pee, pee, pee, and stepping off trail for others to pass, I still beat my Friday time by 1 minute!
The Garmin said my official distance was 3.41 miles and time was 1 hr, 34 min. Next time I'll make sure I get it set correctly in the parking lot, I'll take the long, regular route the whole way and see how long it is.
The Garmin is really cool. At home I looked at the map of the route and other stuff from the hike. I read more in the manual, and got so excited that tonight I took a neighborhood walk with it (and Eddie, too.) My walk was 1.05 miles from my porch back to my porch. 21 minutes, so about 3 mi/hr, which right now is what my goal is. So far my lower back is holding up just fine. Maybe my new shoes make a difference. I'm also concentrating on keeping my stride just a wee bit shorter than I'd naturally go.
So now I've walked on concrete in the hood several times with no resultant spasms. I will gradually increase my distance as I prepare for our vacation.
Hydration backpack - $60
Leki - $75
New trail shoes - $90
New socks - $10 (they are soooo worth it!)
Garmin - $200
Partaking in one of life's best pleasures - you know the drill!
Saturday - No Camera... Again!
I didn't take Ed, didn't take my pole, and didn't wear my backpack. Instead I wore my new double-bottle waist pack. It's OK. During the first 30 minutes I thought it might be putting extra strain on my lower back/hip, but later I didn't even notice it. Of course, the longer I went the less weight I carried because of drinking the water!
I took the exact route as Friday evening. Again there were no pipevines at the top of the craggy trail, but I did see an eastern tiger swallowtail - the yellow and black kind. If I'd had my camera I would have stood around and waited for a landing. We are still having a bit cooler weather than usual because of Gustav (I guess) and I saw several other butterflies out. Bonus, though, as I saw a velvet ant again. It wasn't quite as large as the one I saw earlier in the summer by the upper, but my whole life = 0, and in one summer I see 2! No camera, though.
I reached the loop turn in 40 minutes. On my way back I spied an itsy bitsy new hatchling lizard, probably a skink, on the trail. It stayed in one spot and I gently picked it up and held it in my palm for a few seconds. It was soooo cute. I've never before seen a new lizard. The body was about 3/4 inch long. I set it down off to the side and it slowly sashayed away. No camera!
Total hike was 1 hr, 32 minutes... 3 minutes quicker than Friday.
Today is Sunday, I got my birthday/Christmas gift yesterday from my mom. It's a Garmin distance watch. More about it later, but now I'm getting ready to take the same hike with my new Garmin!
I took the exact route as Friday evening. Again there were no pipevines at the top of the craggy trail, but I did see an eastern tiger swallowtail - the yellow and black kind. If I'd had my camera I would have stood around and waited for a landing. We are still having a bit cooler weather than usual because of Gustav (I guess) and I saw several other butterflies out. Bonus, though, as I saw a velvet ant again. It wasn't quite as large as the one I saw earlier in the summer by the upper, but my whole life = 0, and in one summer I see 2! No camera, though.
I reached the loop turn in 40 minutes. On my way back I spied an itsy bitsy new hatchling lizard, probably a skink, on the trail. It stayed in one spot and I gently picked it up and held it in my palm for a few seconds. It was soooo cute. I've never before seen a new lizard. The body was about 3/4 inch long. I set it down off to the side and it slowly sashayed away. No camera!
Total hike was 1 hr, 32 minutes... 3 minutes quicker than Friday.
Today is Sunday, I got my birthday/Christmas gift yesterday from my mom. It's a Garmin distance watch. More about it later, but now I'm getting ready to take the same hike with my new Garmin!
Friday After Work Hike
I'm behind in noting my hikes: today is Sunday. Friday was completely lovely. I had an early morning meeting at a location near TM, and drove by it on my way back to my regular workplace. I wanted to stop and hike so badly I hurt. By afternoon it was a bit warmer but still nice enough to take an evening hike. I hurried home, got ready, got Eddie ready and we were there at 5:32. We parked low and took the regular 5-mile.
I went straight to the top, using my favorite way, then joined up with the ridge trail. The place where the pipevine swallowtails were having fun in the springtime was empty, but on ahead for a long stretch the blue damselflies were plentiful and busy.
The prehistoric turtle head is always a wonderful sight, and as I passed it I had to turn around and admire it again. It was 43 minutes at the turn of the loop and the skyline was clear and pretty. The return was pleasant, and I took the normal way back to the trailhead (as opposed to my shortcut like I did on the way up.)
In the low part, on the last bit of trail going east before turning south, I was suprised by a raccoon that was walking across the trail just a few yards ahead of me. Likewise, it was surprised by us and took a leap onto the trunk of the nearest tree. The tree had a pretty small diameter and the raccoon was clumsily trying to get higher. Ed and I got a good, long, clear look at it for quite a while, but dang, I didn't have my camera! After about a minute I knew we needed to go on. The tree was so skinny the raccoon really didn't want to go up much higher, so one of us had to act. I wondered if raccoons ever attacked by jumping down on something out of a tree. I've never heard of that, but I was sure thinking it and became a little wary about walking right under it when it wasn't even up very high. I could have reached up with my hiking pole and touched it.
Eddie and I went under it and after several yards turned around to watch it. It apparently wasn't coming down until we were long gone, so we headed on to the car.
Total hike was 1hr, 35 min. I got picked up a salad and something for my mom and went to her house. Ed and I didn't get home until after 10.
I went straight to the top, using my favorite way, then joined up with the ridge trail. The place where the pipevine swallowtails were having fun in the springtime was empty, but on ahead for a long stretch the blue damselflies were plentiful and busy.
The prehistoric turtle head is always a wonderful sight, and as I passed it I had to turn around and admire it again. It was 43 minutes at the turn of the loop and the skyline was clear and pretty. The return was pleasant, and I took the normal way back to the trailhead (as opposed to my shortcut like I did on the way up.)
In the low part, on the last bit of trail going east before turning south, I was suprised by a raccoon that was walking across the trail just a few yards ahead of me. Likewise, it was surprised by us and took a leap onto the trunk of the nearest tree. The tree had a pretty small diameter and the raccoon was clumsily trying to get higher. Ed and I got a good, long, clear look at it for quite a while, but dang, I didn't have my camera! After about a minute I knew we needed to go on. The tree was so skinny the raccoon really didn't want to go up much higher, so one of us had to act. I wondered if raccoons ever attacked by jumping down on something out of a tree. I've never heard of that, but I was sure thinking it and became a little wary about walking right under it when it wasn't even up very high. I could have reached up with my hiking pole and touched it.
Eddie and I went under it and after several yards turned around to watch it. It apparently wasn't coming down until we were long gone, so we headed on to the car.
Total hike was 1hr, 35 min. I got picked up a salad and something for my mom and went to her house. Ed and I didn't get home until after 10.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Lazy Machine Hogs
Several weeks ago when it became too hot to hike, I started using the fitness center more regularly. As like any place else in our society, most people are courteous and respectful. Then we have those few...
I'm certainly not an expert, but everything I've read about weight lifting says if you are going to do more than one set of an exercise you should wait between 30-60 seconds between. I've NEVER seen it recommended that you wait longer than a minute. Evidently everyone hasn't read the books, especially the man who was hogging the leg press this evening.
I began with a 5-minute warm-up on the elliptical before doing my lower body weights. I prefer to start with the leg press because it works the most muscles (so I believe but I could be wrong - and yes, I know squats are best but I feel awkward and fearful of my back so I don't do them. Yet.) So while I was on the elliptical I peered under the obstructions and noticed a man on the leg press. He was just sitting. I stayed on the elliptical an extra minute, hoping he would finish. Still sitting. I continued one more minute, but he still sat there.
Not a big deal, I began with the ad/abductors, which is right next to the leg press so I could jump up and move over as soon as he finished. Well, I did 6 sets of 12 reps on THAT machine and he was still sitting. I did notice him regain consciousness twice and do a few quick leg thrusts, but mostly he was sitting all scrunched up with his feet remaining on the plate.
I moved to the quad machine. During my first set the Press Hog got up and left, but before I could untrap myself another man briskly walked over and began using it. He had been waiting, too. I looked to see where the press hog had gone and he was slowly ambling toward the lobby, sweet as his assy legs could carry him. Ass.
It didn't bother me that another person hopped on the press, because he got down to business then moved on. I know it doesn't really hurt me any but I enjoy doing the weights in a certain order. It feels right. Narcissistic, dis-courteous asses are repugnant. When I was a child I created a cure for those kind of people, and some day I may write about it. Since my method is science fiction it could never work, but it didn't stop me from dreaming...
I'm certainly not an expert, but everything I've read about weight lifting says if you are going to do more than one set of an exercise you should wait between 30-60 seconds between. I've NEVER seen it recommended that you wait longer than a minute. Evidently everyone hasn't read the books, especially the man who was hogging the leg press this evening.
I began with a 5-minute warm-up on the elliptical before doing my lower body weights. I prefer to start with the leg press because it works the most muscles (so I believe but I could be wrong - and yes, I know squats are best but I feel awkward and fearful of my back so I don't do them. Yet.) So while I was on the elliptical I peered under the obstructions and noticed a man on the leg press. He was just sitting. I stayed on the elliptical an extra minute, hoping he would finish. Still sitting. I continued one more minute, but he still sat there.
Not a big deal, I began with the ad/abductors, which is right next to the leg press so I could jump up and move over as soon as he finished. Well, I did 6 sets of 12 reps on THAT machine and he was still sitting. I did notice him regain consciousness twice and do a few quick leg thrusts, but mostly he was sitting all scrunched up with his feet remaining on the plate.
I moved to the quad machine. During my first set the Press Hog got up and left, but before I could untrap myself another man briskly walked over and began using it. He had been waiting, too. I looked to see where the press hog had gone and he was slowly ambling toward the lobby, sweet as his assy legs could carry him. Ass.
It didn't bother me that another person hopped on the press, because he got down to business then moved on. I know it doesn't really hurt me any but I enjoy doing the weights in a certain order. It feels right. Narcissistic, dis-courteous asses are repugnant. When I was a child I created a cure for those kind of people, and some day I may write about it. Since my method is science fiction it could never work, but it didn't stop me from dreaming...
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Walking on Concrete
Last night I up and decided to take a neighborhood walk with my new hybrids (trail+running on pavement shoes). Because I have bad history with concrete I walked only 3 blocks worth and felt OK. This morning I felt the dreaded twinge-ing in my lower back that signals trouble. I took 800 mg ibuprofen and went on to work.
While I felt sharp twinges off and on throughout the day it was certainly not unbearable, nor did it worsen. This evening I decided to try my new herbal tincture that is touted as an anti-spasmotic. Hmmm, after about an hour I didn't feel any pains. I played some baseball, cautiously, with Eddie, took care of the turtles... felt OK.
At 9pm I suddenly felt like living dangerously and took Eddie on another concrete walk. This time about the equivalent of 5 blocks, faster than last night and concentrating on short strides. I feel great, and because we're getting ready to have some Gustav rains it was almost cool and blustery. I loved it, and my new shoes, the Asics, are AMAZING!
Instructions on the tincture say I can take some more dropperfuls, so I'll do that and go to bed. And I think I'll take it to work tomorrow - just in case. Gaaahg! I hope it doesn't make me shat, but if it does, that's just more steps on my pedometer as I run to the bathroom! My count for today is 6455. Dang, that makes me feel lazy.
While I felt sharp twinges off and on throughout the day it was certainly not unbearable, nor did it worsen. This evening I decided to try my new herbal tincture that is touted as an anti-spasmotic. Hmmm, after about an hour I didn't feel any pains. I played some baseball, cautiously, with Eddie, took care of the turtles... felt OK.
At 9pm I suddenly felt like living dangerously and took Eddie on another concrete walk. This time about the equivalent of 5 blocks, faster than last night and concentrating on short strides. I feel great, and because we're getting ready to have some Gustav rains it was almost cool and blustery. I loved it, and my new shoes, the Asics, are AMAZING!
Instructions on the tincture say I can take some more dropperfuls, so I'll do that and go to bed. And I think I'll take it to work tomorrow - just in case. Gaaahg! I hope it doesn't make me shat, but if it does, that's just more steps on my pedometer as I run to the bathroom! My count for today is 6455. Dang, that makes me feel lazy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
