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/

9/12/08 Isles of Shoals

Jenifer and I went out to the Isles of Shoals for the day.

We got on the boat at 7am and rode into the sunrise to the Isles.

We went out to letterbox and we got most of them on Star Island.

Then we took a row boat over to Smuttynose and got one more letterboxes.

After returning to Star, we explored the island.

Then we shared our first Lime Rickey and it was great.

We relaxed on the porch of the Oceanic Hotel while waiting for the boat.

From the porch, I could see Mt. Agamenticus and Monadnock.

The boat ride back was fun.

It was an excellent day out at the Isles of Shoals.

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/567451546ieTqqw

KTC ride 9/5/08

On Sunday morning, I did my usual ride to Kittery Traffic Circle.

When I went by the Vivian Hussey school, I noticed a bike sign with an arrow pointing in the opposite direction. Also there were many Poland Spring water bottles near the sign. (?)

I had no problems making it to KTC but on the way back, I experienced a head wind.

When I got back onto Rt. 4, I noticed Pumpkinman Triathlon Festival flags on the light poles.

When I got close to the junction with the Agamenicus Rd., I saw a police car with its lights flashing. Then I saw someone with an orange flag directing bike riders.

I stopped and asked the policemen what was going on. They told me it was the Pumpkinman Triathlon. When I left them, I joined a rider.

We chatted a bit and then we turned onto Blackberry Hill Rd.

While riding, I passed him. I looked back before taking a left on B H Rd. and he was way behind me.

I continued awhile and I saw another bike rider and I caught up to him. We talked a bit and then in front of the Hussey school, there were people giving away water, banana's, and sports gel.

I grabbed a sports gel and took a right onto Berwick Rd.

I was still riding with another bike rider but he took a right where I went straight to go home.

At that junction, there was a man flagging traffic. I stopped and asked him if he had any info on the triathlon. He said no.

I tried to clip into my pedal while going uphill and I fell down. On the uphill, I couldn't get started so I had to walk my bike up the hill.

Once at the top, I was able to get back on my bike for the short trip back home.

It was an excellent ride and I got psyched riding with others.

Next year I must compete.

Check out the pictures at:

http://community.webshots.com/album/567463334HEkxcl

Bike Ride to Wells Maine

Early this morning I took a bike ride to Wells Maine. Several days ago I drove the route to see how far it was. I also checked out the route to see if it was safe to ride.

This ride is a good workout. It has many long inclines and descents.

When I got to the Wells Maine sign, I took a break.

By the sign, there were several wild blueberries, and of course, I ate them.

This was a 20 mile round trip and it was fun.

For the two picture slide show, go to:

http://community.webshots.com/slideshow/566106242wFrcne

8/31/08 Love Creek Mountain Bike Ride

I started off early this morning and rode to Love Creek Road.

On the way down LC, I saw a trail on the left before the trail I usually take so I tried it. This trail was in bad shape due to ATV's so I turned around.

Once back on Love Creek, I headed down a little ways and took a left onto the Trail.

I still had a problem going over a culvert on the trail. I almost made it but when I got to the other side, I hit a downed log, plus this section of the trail goes uphill.

I took a right when I got to the T Junction.

This section has several downed trees and several huge mud puddles on the trail. The downed trees have trails around them, so do the mud puddles.

Soon I came to another T Junction. The trail in front of me was marked with a "W" and the trail to the right was marked with an orange sign with a black arrow with letters N.E.T.R.A on it.

Following the NETRA trail, I soon came to a field.

I could see a road off in the distance and I thought it was Love Creek.

I rode to the road and found out it was Wentworth Rd.

Wentworth Road goes to Rt. 9 but I didn't want to go that way so I headed back through the field to the NETRA trail.

I stopped at the beginning of the trail and read the sign. It said that there would be a motorcycle race there in a couple of weeks.

I headed back to the T Junction and took a left to head back to Love Creek.

Again I almost made it over the culvert but I was in second gear and that was too low for climbing up the trail.

When I got close to the road, I thought I saw a deer. I found out it was a dog. It looked like a pit bull. I waited a few minutes to see if he would move but it didn't. I tried to back up but then he saw me.

He started to bark. I tried yelling at him but that didn't work.

He kept barking and he started to head towards me.

I turned my bike around and headed back to the field.

I made it back to the field with no problems.

So I had to take Wentworth Road to Rt. 9. If I took Wentworth Rd. the other way, I would be back on Love Creek.

Rt. 9 has a shoulder but it's not the best road to ride on.

I made it back safely home.

I can't wait to go again.

Check out the slide show at:

http://outdoors.webshots.com/slideshow/566062376EPvCJn;jsessionid=abc0HVUjF6IpceJMr6zWr

My Trek is fixed.

I brought my mountain bike to Tri-City Bikes and Mark told me that the freewheel was broke. He didn't have one in stock but he ordered it. The next day I got a call and the Trek was fixed.

Today, I did my usual mountain bike route (Berwick Rd., Blackberry Hill Rd., to Love Creek Rd.

When I was going down Love Creek Rd., there was a tractor going down, and it took up most of the road. While he was going through a puddle, I went to his left and said "Hello". He was surprised to see me but he did say hi.

I took a left onto a dirt trail. This is the second time I was unable to ride over a culvert that acts like a stream, too rocky.

Once I got past that, I continued a ways to the T intersection.

I took a left and rode a ways until there was a huge mud puddle, with many motorcycle tracks through it. I didn't think I could make it so I turned back.

At the intersection, I continued straight.

There were two trees blocking the trail but there were two side trails around them. After I went past the second one, there was a 100 foot long mud puddle. It looked deep so I turned around. I did see a small trail that may have gone around it but I headed back.

I got back to that culvert and I couldn't ride through it.

Heading back, there are some sections on Love Creek Rd. that has a really soft sand and the front and back wheels slips on it, but they are fun going through.

This years garlic.

On 8/4/08, I harvested our garlic. I planted 54 cloves and harvested 53 heads. I planted this years garlic on 9/3/07. When it starts to get cold, I put leaves in the garlic bed, that measures 15'x4'. The garlic overwinters in the bed and in the spring, I take off the leaves.

The garlic grew fast. When the tops start to turn brown, it's time to harvest the garlic.

This year I will be planting 90 cloves of garlic.

Maybe it's time to go into business.