In downtown Corvallis this morning, I noticed some optimistic daffodils were already in bloom. Elsewhere, crocuses are popping out and bursting into bright yellow, pink, and lavender blooms. Alders have catkins, ornamental pears are budding; robins are caroling, the Scrub Jays are yakking, and the Bewick's Wrens are singing like crazy. Yes, spring is on its way. However, winter isn't over yet--the rains returned today.
We waited until afternoon to do a short but intense uphill walk. This is a variation on my Baker Creek route but instead of remaining on FR800, we took the first left fork on FR811 and hoofed it up the hill for a 320 foot elevation gain. We stopped at the end of Alpha Trail which has been recently graveled (it needed it). A nice 1.5 mile round trip.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Saturday Hike at Sulphur Creek
I was out of town for most of last week; my dogs and beloved stayed home while I went off for a writing retreat. When I got back, I was greeted by a happy man and two very ecstatic dogs. This afternoon, the whole family went out for a nice solid hike on a route that is rapidly turning into one of our favorites.
When arrived at the parking spot near the gate across FR72o, there were several cars already there. The sun was still shining but high thin clouds were starting to appear. By the end of our out-and-back walk, clouds were starting to filter out the sunshine.
Puppy was in an especially playful mood, locating someone's lost tennis ball, carrying up the hill, finally losing it somewhere on the way back. Big Dog was moving slower than usual but found plenty of energy to play with a Yellow Lab we met along the way as well as to race Puppy up the hill later on. It felt great to be out in the woods again, chatting with my husband, and enjoying the sheer joy that two happy, hiking dogs can feel.
On a training note, it's time to get serious about mileage. I'm aiming for a 24 week training period and will start building my base soon. My man scouted a ten mile long route this week (by car) that I'm looking forward to tackling in a few weeks.
Finally, please consider donating to help me walk the Breast Cancer 3 Day--just click here and make a small contribution that will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
When arrived at the parking spot near the gate across FR72o, there were several cars already there. The sun was still shining but high thin clouds were starting to appear. By the end of our out-and-back walk, clouds were starting to filter out the sunshine.
Puppy was in an especially playful mood, locating someone's lost tennis ball, carrying up the hill, finally losing it somewhere on the way back. Big Dog was moving slower than usual but found plenty of energy to play with a Yellow Lab we met along the way as well as to race Puppy up the hill later on. It felt great to be out in the woods again, chatting with my husband, and enjoying the sheer joy that two happy, hiking dogs can feel.
On a training note, it's time to get serious about mileage. I'm aiming for a 24 week training period and will start building my base soon. My man scouted a ten mile long route this week (by car) that I'm looking forward to tackling in a few weeks.
Finally, please consider donating to help me walk the Breast Cancer 3 Day--just click here and make a small contribution that will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Benchmarking my pace
I'm in the process of thinking through what it means to train for The 3-Day. I ran a marathon way back when (ok, 20 years ago) so this sort of training isn't completely new to me. One hint I've picked up from the folks that run the event is that I'll want to maintain a 3 mile per hour pace. As a runner, I always considered myself a slow poke. So today, I thought maybe it was a good idea to determine how fast I can walk given my current level of conditioning.
I loaded up my training partners (aka Big Dog and the Puppy) and drove over to my Baker Creek route. This is a fairly challenging out and back that includes a 240 foot elevation gain over less than a mile on the way out. I hoofed it out to my usual turnaround point in 17:34 (roughly 1.1 miles for a respectable 3.78 miles per hour, if I did the math right). I was sucking wind when I got to the end and started back down the hill. I must have puttered around a little on the way back because my total time was 34:12 giving me an overall pace of 3.8 miles per hour. Not bad for a middle-aged computer jockey!
Dogs enjoyed the walk as always though I think the Puppy wondered why I was in such a hurry. He spent part of the time dancing around in front of me as if to say, "hey mom, stop and smell the whatever it is dogs like to sniff--it ain't roses." Cloudy today but no rain, 46 deg F.
Another training note: I did 20 minutes on the ellipitical this morning as well as strength training for my back, shoulders, arms, and legs.
I loaded up my training partners (aka Big Dog and the Puppy) and drove over to my Baker Creek route. This is a fairly challenging out and back that includes a 240 foot elevation gain over less than a mile on the way out. I hoofed it out to my usual turnaround point in 17:34 (roughly 1.1 miles for a respectable 3.78 miles per hour, if I did the math right). I was sucking wind when I got to the end and started back down the hill. I must have puttered around a little on the way back because my total time was 34:12 giving me an overall pace of 3.8 miles per hour. Not bad for a middle-aged computer jockey!
Dogs enjoyed the walk as always though I think the Puppy wondered why I was in such a hurry. He spent part of the time dancing around in front of me as if to say, "hey mom, stop and smell the whatever it is dogs like to sniff--it ain't roses." Cloudy today but no rain, 46 deg F.
Another training note: I did 20 minutes on the ellipitical this morning as well as strength training for my back, shoulders, arms, and legs.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Lots of exercise today
Started the day's activities with 30 minutes on the elliptical trainer followed by upper body strength training. Then, it was off to the sunny Oregon Coast!
We arrived at South Jetty to find lots of folks out enjoying the beautiful weather. Surfers, fisherman, dogs and their people strolling on the beach. We walked the 2.2 mile loop from the South Jetty along the paved trail and back on the beach (This is the same route we did on Jan 16.)
It's a good thing we got lots of advance exercise because our next stop was our favorite restaurant on the coast: Tidal Raves in Depot Bay. We enjoyed a great meal and a tremendous view of the waves and sunshine.
Since the dogs weren't invited to the Coast with us, we came home and loaded up the boys for a short stroll. Because of the great weather, the closer trails were packed. We walked the Cameron Tract (aka Cameron Demonstration Forest) for roughly 1.75 miles. As soon as I find a decent map (or figure out the exact location on the satellite view), I'll post it.
For those who've kindly supported my fund raising quest so far, thanks! If you haven't donated yet, please click on the donate button on the right. Thanks!
We arrived at South Jetty to find lots of folks out enjoying the beautiful weather. Surfers, fisherman, dogs and their people strolling on the beach. We walked the 2.2 mile loop from the South Jetty along the paved trail and back on the beach (This is the same route we did on Jan 16.)
It's a good thing we got lots of advance exercise because our next stop was our favorite restaurant on the coast: Tidal Raves in Depot Bay. We enjoyed a great meal and a tremendous view of the waves and sunshine.
Since the dogs weren't invited to the Coast with us, we came home and loaded up the boys for a short stroll. Because of the great weather, the closer trails were packed. We walked the Cameron Tract (aka Cameron Demonstration Forest) for roughly 1.75 miles. As soon as I find a decent map (or figure out the exact location on the satellite view), I'll post it.
For those who've kindly supported my fund raising quest so far, thanks! If you haven't donated yet, please click on the donate button on the right. Thanks!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
A great new route!
I'll post more details tomorrow but here's the route and the terrain map for this outstanding 6.5 mile loop.
Monday, February 2, 2009
A variation on Jackson Creek
Walked a short route that is a variation on one of my other Jackson Creek walks yesterday. This one combines road and trail walking for a 1.2 mile loopish route. The upside was this is a nice quick walk that got dogs exercised in time for me to get back to see the kickoff of the Superbowl . The downside was the road has been graded recently is is a mushy, muddy mess. Oh well. It was a nice walk anyway.
A couple of notes. The trail portion was drawn by eye and guess. When you turn left off Jackson Creek road, you'll cross a footbridge over Jackson Creek. From there, bear right at all your choice points.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Walking but not posting
I got in several walks last week but no posts. Yesterday, however, we walked a variation on one of my Lewisburg Saddle routes that I thought you'd enjoy knowing about.
Beginning from the parking area at the Saddle, you'll follow FR610 and take the first fork to the left just slightly short of half a mile out. This takes you up a rather steep grade. You'll find another sharp right turn on the way up that follows an unimproved, rough gravel road. If you climb all the way to the summit, you'll have a nice view of the valley below (weather permitting). This little out and back will give you a 1.73 mile round trip in addition to the 200 foot elevation game on the hill climb.
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