2009's Garlic Harvest

I have been growing garlic for many years.

Last September I planted 90 cloves and I harvest 89 heads this year.

After I planted the cloves last year, I slowly covered the bed with leaves, to insulate them during the winter. After all the leaves are in the bed, I cover the bed with bird netting, so the leaves will not blow away and to keep cats out of it.

In the spring, as it warms up, I slowly take the leaves out of the bed. All the garlic shoots are yellow and quickly turn green.

After all the leave are off, I feed the bed with blood meal, then I put a layer of compost over the whole bed. Then I put shredded leaves in the bed as a mulch.

When there are only 4 green leaves left, I harvest the garlic.

Since we had a wet season, I'm letting the garlic dry for three weeks.

After the garlic is dry, I save 90 cloves for next years crop, which I'll plant the second week of September.

http://community.webshots.com/album/574148042nrwyyz

The York Day 5K

7/26/09

This morning I did my first race. It was the York Day 5K. We left the house at 6:30am to get to York High School early.

When we got there, we went inside the school to register. My number was 536. I got my number and timing chip.

Around 7:30am I did a 15 minute warm-up run. It felt good.

I saw Jenifer and the kids when I got back. Then I had to rush over to the start line.

There were a lot of people at the start line. It took me a while but I made it to the back.

While I was waiting to start, it started to rain.

Soon the gun went off and we started the race.

I was nervous since it was my first race. I was surprised how easy it was running in a group.

I kept a consistent pace. I tried to drink water at the 1 mile marker but I spilled 1/2 of it and had a sip and some went up my nose.

I picked up some speed at the last right hand turn towards the finish line. 1/2 way to the finish, I sprinted. While sprinting to the line, someone said "Farmer Bob!". I lifted up my arms then crossed the finish line.

After crossing the finish line, the commentator said "Here are the people who finished under 29 minutes.

I grabbed a piece of watermelon and found Jenifer, Ryan and Krista.

They posted the preliminary times and if I read it right, I was 71/97 and ran it at 27:13.

This was an excellent race and I can't wait for the next one.

Time Trial Training

For the last several months, I've been training for an Individual Time Trial on August 30th in Cumberland Maine.

I start the ride at Spinelli Cinema's parking lot in Barrington, NH. I head south on Rt. 125 to Lee Traffic Circle. I go around the circle then head north back to Spinelli. It's 8.3 miles.

While I was heading south, I heard "on the left" and a bike rider pulled up. He asked me how far I was going and I told him. He said something and took off.

I thought about keeping up with him but I kept to my own pace.

Traffic in the circle was a bit tricky but I made it.

Heading back to Spinelli, I was making good time but my body told me that one run was enough

I've been wanting to do two laps but I will start in August.

It's a good ride and hopefully it will help my chances for the Peak Performance Maine Time Trial Series #12 of 13 in August.

My Tri Training.

On weekends when I get a chance, I will do My Tri.

My Tri consists of first practicing breathing techniques in our pool for 10 minutes, with wetsuit, cap and goggles on. Then from the pool I go to T1, strip off my wetsuit and do a flying mount onto my bike. Then I ride 16 miles. When I get back to my house, I do a flying dismount to T2. Then I put my shoes on and run 3 miles.

This is a great practice and I can't wait to swim better so I can compete in an actual Triathlon.

2009 Aggieman Triathlon

This was the second Tri that I volunteered for this year. It was another excellent experience.

I got to the start line at 5am. Soon I joined Jeff and Orville to set up the transition racks in T1. When that was done, I hung out and watched people setting up their transition areas.

After the swim, I helped Jennifer with calling out the athlet's number so she could mark it down plus the time. When the Kayaker's were done, I had to call out the time. That was fun.

I waited for the last bike rider to leave T1, then I had to drive the bike route and tell the Road Marshalls that the race was over and I had to pick up the caution flags and vests.

I didn't pass the last bike riders until I was on Rt.236. When I took a right onto Rt. 9, I pulled over and waited. When the last bike rider passed, I followed her slowly.

When the bike riders were on Mountain Rd., I passed them and stopped at T2.

I saw Tim, Stu and Chris there (fellow Riptide members) and we waited for the last riders to show up.

After they showed up, I head up the mountain.

I got to the top and hung out. I ate some food and listened to the results.

Hopefully I'll be ready next year to do Aggieman.

My Tri

6/12/09:
This morning I did my own Triathlon.
For the swim, I spent 10 minutes practicing breathing and kicking in my kids 12’x3’ pool, with the help of a kick board. Then I ran from the pool to T1.
Before I put on my wetsuit, I lubed up with sun screen. I wanted to see if that would help me take my wetsuit off faster. When I took the upper half of the wetsuit off, it got stuck on my left wrist. My watch was on the outside of the wetsuit. So I had to pull it back up to take the watch off. When I took off the lower half, it came off easily. Maybe next time I’ll try Pam on my wrists.
Then I put on my Tri top (still scraping cash together for a Riptide top), jersey, sunglasses and helmet. My sunglasses fogged up so I couldn’t use them. Then I did a flying mount onto my bike and I was off.
For the bike ride, I rode 16.4 miles through Berwick and N. Berwick on very hilly terrain. It took a while getting use to riding without sunglasses.
When I got close to T2, I undid my shoes and did a flying dismount. I took off my helmet and jersey, and then put my shoes on. This took a long time, since I haven’t gotten Yankz yet.
My legs were very stiff on the beginning of the 3 mile run. I kept a consistent pace and I sprinted up my driveway to the finish line.
My Tri took me 1.36.
It was an excellent workout and it is now part of my Triathlon Training.

Volunteering at the 2009 King Pine Triathlon

Today I was able to volunteer for the transition area at the King Pine Triathlon. It was a blast and I learned a lot.

Check out the photo's at:

http://sports.webshots.com/album/572734158VekmCu

5/9/09 Pumpkinman Tri Sprint Course ride.

This morning I rode my bike to Spring Hill and rode the Sprint course for the Pumpkinman Triathlon. It was the second day getting use to my new Aerobars.

Knights Rd. has a nice shoulder for bikers and runners.

Emery Bridge Rd. was interesting.

There's a lot of road damage and in a few area's the road banks.

I took a left onto Boyds Corner rd. and it was uphill. When I reached the top, it leveled off and I picked up speed. I knew Thurrell Rd. was on the left so I kept an eye out for it. I started to go faster, then there it was. My back tire skidded when I braked to make the turn.

Going up Thurrell, there's a horse farm at the top of the hill. Going down the hill was fast. I hit 32mph.

Feeling pumped, I took a right onto Great Hill Rd. Oh man, what a long ascent.

I made it up the hill then I started to pick up speed. Then I had to brake hard again for the quick turn onto Hopper Sands Rd.

Pretty soon I was back at Spring Hill. I took a short break, then headed home. It took me 53 minutes to ride the Sprint. Pond Rd. reminded me of Paris Roubaix's cobblestones.

The Sprint course is a challenge. There are more uphills then downhills and it was tough.

I can't wait to ride it again.

Oh, my training.

I thought I mentioned earlier about my training, I didn't.

Last September while coming back from a 33 mile bike ride, I road into the bike ride for the Pumpkinman Triathlon. I road with a couple bike riders and they told me about the event. I got inspired to start Triathlon training.

Now I do 3 days of Strength training, 5 days of Ab/Ham training, and on Saturdays and Sundays I jogged 3 miles, Nordic Walk 1 mile, and when the weather cooperates, I'll work on bike cadence with a 2 or 3 mile bike ride. As I get into better shape, I'll ride longer miles on my bike. I do a 33 mile ride from my house in Berwick to the Kittery Traffic Circle and back. I'm also going to get a pair of Aero bars for my bike.

An addition to my training.

I added a 8 mile bike cadence ride to my training. When I get home from work on Tuesdays and Thursday, I'll gear up and do an 8 mile cadence ride. The cadence ride is over many long country hills.

The ride is an excellent workout. I started last Tuesday.

I worked Saturday so when I got home , I did a ride. It was tough. When I came back on Blackberry Hill Rd., there was a strong headwind. I kept up my cadence but the wind slowed me down. But the weird thing was that when I started the ride, I went the fastest I've ever gone on a bike, 36.6 mph. I beat my last fast time of 35.9 mph.

Thanks to my Specialized Allez Road Bike.

3/14/09 Monroe/Jefferson hike

I met BIGEarl, MadRiver, and Trailtrotter at 7:30am at the Marshfield Station parking. The plan was that BIGEarl and Trailtrotter would hike up Monroe then head south to Ike, Pierce, and Jackson. MadRiver and myself were just going to do Monroe but MadRiver wanted to go over to Jefferson after, which I thought was a good idea, since it was sunny, not too cold and not windy.

If you want to read BIGEarls trip report and look at pictures from our hike, go to:

http://www.rocksontop.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=5604

2/28/09 Cadence bike ride

This morning it was 30 degrees, perfect jogging weather.

I deciced to do a 3 mile jog.

I was warmed up and on the road by 6am.

Working on cadence for jogging, I got into a good pace and was able to keep it. Heading up the hill towards the turnaround area (pictured) I had a tailwind helping me out. When I turned around at the farmhouse, there was a headwind that slowed me down a bit, and cooled me off.

Towards the end of the jog, I sprinted a bit on the road and up my driveway that's a hill. There's a big crack across the driveway by the house and I use this for a start/finish line.

After lunch, I did a 3 mile cadence bike ride. I rode my Allez to the same farmhouse that is 1.5 miles from my house.

Leaving my driveway, it's downhill. Then when a take a left onto the road, I go up a small hill and then go down a long hill, where I go 34 mph.

When I started to pedal halfway down the hill, gaining speed, a car in front of me slowed down and I had to slow down.

Soon I took a left onto Blackberry Hill Rd. This section to the farmhouse (turnaround) is flat to start, goes downhill, then a long subte hill going up to the farmhouse.

Heading back, there are many holes in the road that makes riding tough.

When I turn back onto Berwick Rd., It's a very long subtle uphill, then the last section before my driveway is uphill, then a downhill to my driveway.

I sprinted up my driveway.

I plan on doing this ride on Saturdays and Sundays to work on my cadence.

As it gets warmer, I will be going on longer bike rides. Also I'll start working on jogging after I ride bike and practicing transitions, getting ready for the 2010 Pumpkinman Triathlon.

2/22/09 Jog, Nordic Walk, & Bike ride.

After watching the Tour of California all week, I needed to ride my bike.

So after I jogged 2 miles and Nordic Walked 1 mile, I geared up and planned on riding my bike for 3 miles.

I want to work on my bike cadence for training.

After going down the big hill on Berwick Road, I was freezing. It was 27 degrees and I thought I wouldn't have a problem since I jogged the same route earlier.

So the 3 mile planned bike ride turned into a 2 mile ride. My hands were freezing when I got back home.

Working on cadence is hard. Since most my ride is up long hills, it will be quite the workout. I need to try to keep a constant pedaling speed and it's tough.

1/24/09 South Twin hike.

Name of mountain(s): South Twin Name of trail(s): Beaver Brook to Gale River Loop Road, Gale River, Garfield Ridge & Twinway
Hikers name: Farmer Bob, Rocksnrolls, Glen S., Hiker Bob.
Hike date(s): 1/24/09 Weather and trail conditions: Sunny & cold. Very cold & windy on the summit.
Total miles hiked: 12.8 Trip report:
My original plan was to meet Mike P. at the N. Twin trailhead at the end of Haystack Road. I was suppose to meet mike at 7am at Mountain Bean. I drove by Mountain Bean and I didn’t see his car so I thought I would meet him at the N. Twin trailhead.
When I got to Haystack Road, it wasn’t plowed. I continued driving until I could find a spot to turn around.
I was able to turn around at Beaver Brook and when I did, I saw Rocksnrolls. I stopped and told him what was going on. I said that I’ll check back at Mountain Bean and I may be back if Mike’s not there.
When I went back, he wasn’t there so I drove back to Beaver Brook.
When I got there, Rocksnrolls was joined by Glenn S. and Vegamatic.
I told them that I wanted to join them. They were already geared up so I told them that I would catch up.
Once I was on the road, I was following their snowshoe tracks. It took me an hour and 20 minutes to catch up to them.
Soon the trail got steep and it was getting colder.
I saw Climbing Stallion taking a break. He mentioned that Mike P. went to 7 Drawfs to take the old trail to get to N. Twin Tr.
When we got to Galehead Hut, Hiker Bob was there. It was good seeing him again. We could see Garfield, SW Twin and S. Twin mountains.
We hung out for about 20 minutes and then headed up S. Twin.
Vegamatic headed up Galehead.
The hike up Twinway to S. Twin was tough and steep.
Once we got above treeline, the wind picked up and it got much colder.
Glen S. was ahead of me and I tried to catch up, but it was slow going.
I caught up to Glen at the summit. It was very windy and cold. My thermometer didn’t work. All the red was at the very bottom.
We hung out for about 5 minutes and headed down.
Soon we passed Rocksnrolls and Hiker Bob heading up.
On the way down we did a lot of sliding on snowshoes. A few times I was on one snowshoe and my knee was sliding in the snow. I thought that maybe my knee would catch a boulder so I tried not to slide that way.
Soon we were back at the hut. I was considering going over to Galehead but I wanted to save my energy for the return trip.
Not much happened on the descent. It did get colder.
We were back at our cars before the sun set.
This was an excellent hike with excellent company. It was also the longest I hiked with snowshoes on, and my legs felt like jello.

Check out my pictures at:

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/569784107bLdTvi

Check out Glen S.'s pictures at:

http://picasaweb.google.com/Greatgulf/SouthTwinInWinter2ndTime?authkey=elAISjr8EJc&feat=directlink#

Nordic Walking

I decided to add Nordic Walking to my Triathlon Training.

My weekly training consist of 3 days of Strength Training, 6 days of Cardio/Hamstring Training, and on Saturday and Sunday morning, I jog two miles (this will increase with time).

I am planning on Nordic Walking 3 miles after I jog 2 miles.

Today I used my new pair of LEKI Instructor Nordic Walking poles and walked 3 miles on country roads. These roads have very long hill that makes for a good workout. These are the same roads I jog, and ride my bike.

I'm hoping to get into good enough shape to enter the 2010 Pumpkinman Triathlon in South Berwick Maine.

To check out more information about Nordic Walking, go to:

http://www.leki.com/nordicwalking/