Flash Duck 2008: November 2007

Savannah Georgia

1 comments Published Friday, November 30, 2007 by Carolyne.

We are having so much fun, that there hasn’t been much time to blog. That the days are so short (longer now here in the southern city of Savannah, Georgia, however with the sun rising after 7:00 am and setting not long after 5:00 pm, I’m certainly looking forward to getting back to longer days at home), doesn’t help, as does the fact that I am sharing the laptop with Bob (For the last time!). Love him dearly, but as a two fingered typist, he is certainly a computer hog.

We had planned to leave Savannah by now and be in Charleston, South Carolina. We are enjoying the mild coastal weather, the great southern hospitality and having a chance to just hang around in this lovely small city.

Of course, there are some compensating factors – many compensating factors! We had found a Reindeer Run 5k in Charleston on Saturday – but it seemed very expensive for a measly 5k. I then noticed the Savannah River Bridge Run on Saturday here in town – a 5k at 8:15 am (starting on the other side of the river in South Carolina), a 10k out over the bridge and back starting at 9:00 am, and the DOUBLE PUMP! (their emphasis), combining the two.

Described as the toughest bridge run in the south / or the country, the run takes us over the Talmadge Bridge. It's a 1.4 mile span at a 5.5% grade, 196 feet above the Savannah River. that's an average of a 5.5% gradient up and over and over and over for the 15k double pump. Maybe not too smart for me at the moment, but hell, you've just gotta do it, don't you?

So four weekends, four fun runs, four t-shirts. Pretty cool!

This whole journey has been remarkable for a couple of reasons, it seems as though we are stepping right into the set of Seinfeld (up north, or close to Florida); or are characters in every episode of the Simpsons that we have ever seen. Religious theme parks, a beer (not Duff) Theme Park, excessive Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas stuff everywhere. Decorated theme rooms, Bars like Moe's, and more.

Then there are the songs. Thank heavens that no one else has to suffer our voices in the car! Every location we visit, pass through or nearby has a song burned into our consciousness by popular culture. And out it spurts from our mouths. Sweet Home Alabama. A Rainy night in Georgia. Walking to New Orleans. Those Cotton Feiolds back home.

A River Blog from the Garden of Good and Evil

0 comments Published Thursday, November 29, 2007 by Carolyne.

Bob and I have reached Savannah, Georgia, travelling across the great states of Alabama and Georgia, via the Gulf Coast which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina with greater ferocity than New Orleans.

We are both political tragics, and had to make a visit to Plains, Georgia the boyhood and current home of Jimmy Carter. It was fascinating, still with considerable small town charm, although the thunderous night in Alabama turned into a heavily rainy day, afternoon and night in Georgia.

It was late when we arrived in Savannah and found a hotel in the historic downtown district.

2 comments Published Monday, November 26, 2007 by Carolyne.

Just a quick note - I'm sitting in the car at the NASA base in Mississippi. No, I haven't been arrested for not supporting the re-election of (former Prime Minister) Howard. I am endeavouring NOT to freeze after running a 5km fun run. My knee was not entirely happy after the cycle the other day, so I ran well within myself. More-or-less even 6 minute kilometres should have made me ecstatic. However the course was around 80m long which made me finish in a time of 30 minutes and a couple of seconds. My lack of competititiveness (true, for today anyway) meant that I didn't kick into a finishing sprint. The woman in front of me was 42, the woman in front of her, 41. I thought nothing of this at the time, but after a post-race breakfast of Jambalaya and Beer (or Coca Cola), I was presented with a colourful medallion, complete with Astronauts floating around in space.

We are heading back to N'Awlins' in search of a coffee. Hell/, I'm so cold that American Hot Brown Liquid would do.

0 comments Published by Carolyne.

We are heading back to N'Awlins' in search of a coffee. Hell/, I'm so cold that American Hot Brown Liquid would do.

Saturday 'round N'Awlin's

1 comments Published Sunday, November 25, 2007 by Carolyne.

Bob and I have just had the most wonderful Saturday around N'Awlin's today. We arose well before dawn to listen to the live stream of the election results and of John Howard conceding defeat. It was a good start to the day.

We then drove 45 miles or so across the most amazing, slightly hurricane damaged bridge which spanned about 4 miles (7 kms). The freeway then took us more or less directly to the NASA Space Station where a 5km, half and

full marathon were to take place. The damaged and derelict houses en route to the run remain a testament to the damage of Katrina; although there is a fair amount of rebuilding going on, the skeletons of huge shopping centres still haunted the roadside, dangling big M's, piles of rubble and oceans of carparks sprouting more lawn than the MCG looking like a war zone.

The Gulf Coast Runners (The Gulf of Mexico, along lower Mississippi and Alabama) ran this annual event.

New Orleans

4 comments Published Friday, November 23, 2007 by Carolyne.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Bob and I were completely enchanted by the village of Natchez on the Mississippi River. A high bluff protected the town from the flooding of the river and bayous surround the area.

It also has the great advantage of the recently opened Natchez Trace Parkway, a 440 mile road linking the town of Natchez to Nashville to the North-east. Following the route of an old Indian path that had been tracked by boatmen for a century or more after they carried their goods down the Mississippi, and, being unable to float the barges up river would walk this route back.

The town has a real small time feeling, which suited us just fine. Everyone waves and says the southern equivalent of "G'Day" when you see them, even if they are in a vee-hick-al on the other side of the road. We're staying in the most wonderful turn of the century B&B in town and couldn't be happier. I also was able to run on three consecutive mornings, not too far, but boy was it wonderful!

We hired (or rather sought to hire) a bike so that I could ride along the Trace Parkway with Bob. Having dropped him at the 40 mile mark on Monday, I knew that this road was too perfect not to ride, and we found that Western Auto on route 61 would rent me a bike. The bike guy, Tommy was a cyclist and fixed me up with a slightly too large Cannondale Road Bike. He undertook to pump up the tyres and put on flat pedals for me the next day.

We did cycle the Trace, Tommy refusing to accept any payment for the 3 or so hours that I had the bike. I was a little nervous, being my first cycle for a hell of a long time. The road was so beautiful to ride on though that the miles just floated past. Smooth, black top, wide and tree lined, with all commercial vehicles prohibited and a speed limit of 50. Cycling perfection really.

I reluctantly decided to turn around after about 25kms - which turned out to be the 15.5 mile mark where there was an old farmhouse, and water and restrooms. Despite a slight headwind, I was slightly faster on the way back and was over the moon. I would be keen to come back and cycle the whole route.

Armadillos were also along the way!

We had our voting papers sent from the consulate in New York to the Post Office in Natchez, and filled them in and sent them off in time to be counted. There was a slight problem with my senate paper - they sent me the 79 candidate NSW paper instead of the ACT election paper, however I hope that my vote will count in this most important of elections.

So much to Blog, So Little Computer Time

3 comments Published Tuesday, November 20, 2007 by Carolyne.

So, Bob and I are now in down town Natchez on the Mississippi, in Mississippi.

After leaving the beautiful, if cold (very cold) Asheville in the mountains of North Carolina, (think Bluegrass), we moved on to Chattanooga in Tennessee. A diversion or two off the parkway were some of the most interesting parts of the journey (travel being the joy of getting there rather than the destination). Poor housing, winding country roads and an incredible experience all around.

Of course, the sight of the water dripping off the rocks in great sheets of ice, looked beautiful, but just made us feel a little bit colder again.

We arrived in Chattanooga in time to participate in a local fund raiser for the Mount Olive Church - the curiously named '10 Can 10k'.

We coughed up our entry fee of $10 a head - and 10 cans of food. As is usual for the States, this provided us with pre-race coffee (or a hot brown liquid that passes for that drink over most of the South), post-race bagels and rolls, and a T-Shirt. The field was small, only around 21, but there was a great attitude among the runners and helpers. After the knee op, Graeme the Physio had said that I may be up to running 5k non-stop by the time we return to Australia in mid December. I was confident about making the distance (although I was very stiff at the cold, early morning start), and expected to have to walk well maybe just a bit.

I started at the back and dropped further behind at the gun, as we run up a short hillock. After that I warmed up and settled into a comfortable, if slow pace. The rolling hills meant that splits were going to be very uneven, however it was an enjoyable run with me finishing it without stopping (Yay!) and feeling rather chuffed about that!

We met a fascinating guy at the start, socially and politically progressive, I really warmed to Ray and was delighted to see him leading the charge at the turn-around, ahead of Bob with a few others hot on their heels. They were able to maintain this, resulting in Ray's first winners bling, and a well deserved first M60 trophy for Bob (second overall). Despite the Garmin measuring the course a little short at 9.92km, I'm not complaining about my 62 minute time either.

Onward across the great state of Tennessee the slower way, skirting into Georgia and driving along the border of Alabama most of the way. Lunch (in search of an espresso . . . huh!) was at the Juke Box Junction, where we really did look out of place. Then a short diversion to DuckTown.

10 Can 10k

0 comments Published Saturday, November 17, 2007 by Carolyne.

Choo Choo

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Peaks of Otter Lodge

1 comments Published Wednesday, November 14, 2007 by Carolyne.

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Peaks of Otter Lodge

My medical supplies eventually turned up on Monday morning, just in time for me to use them before we stopped by our favourite espresso bar (It was called the Fox Park Coffee Shop, by we thought of it as Nebraska Joe’s, after the origin of the owner) and a visit to Brodo’s Bagels. (Whole Wheat with BYO Vegemite on mine please). This served as both breakfast and lunch.

Soon after we were on our way, gunning along the interstate in our newest version of the PT Cruiser we had earlier in our trip – a Chevy HHR, a PT Cruiser look alike, although slightly bigger and boxier, and a bright fire engine red. Both Bob and I thought that it was ideal for this stage of our journey.

We joined the Blue Ridge Parkway, at the point where the Skyline Drive terminated, and had relatively clear skies as we began this part of the all-American scenic road trip, a 469 mile (785km) depression era construction through the Appalachian Mountains and the states of Virginia and North Carolina.

Despite it being late in the season, the fall season trees were still bright in their glory for the most part (locals blame global warming), although at the highest point of our afternoon’s travels the bare spindly sticks of the trunks and branches stood a testament on their own, devoid of leaves and steeling themselves for winters full onslaught.

We were planning to reach the town of Roanoke that afternoon, a mere 185 kms away, although a slow speed limited and gasping at every bend route – even without stopping. There were large tracts of road which were almost blinding in it’s intensity of luminous yellow foliage; others where evergreen conifers, red sugar maples and yellow elms competed with each other in a riotous patchwork that assailed the senses.

After stoping for a few minutes to consider whether to visit the ‘must see’ eight wonder of the world, Natural Bridge, at the Lynchburg (think Virginia Tech shooting) turnoff, we continued, gawping all the while before passing a rare structure at Peaks of Otter, alleging food and lodging. It took us a while to take this in, as I consulted the guide and a kilometre or two down the road jointly decided to do a U=turn and check it out.

Despite being out of season (it finishes at the end of October), accommodation was available 365 days a year. Rooms were described as basic, no tv or telephone, and seemed quite expensive for their age and the time of year. However the view over Abbott Lake from the picture window was intoxicating and it didn’t take long to decide to stay here for the night.

I soon changed into running gear – not over bundling this time, restricting myself to knee length tights, and a cool running tri top, and while I headed off for a run, Bob pulled on his new hiking boots bought for his Himalayan trek, and started off in the opposite direction.

Circumnavigating most of the picturesque lake in front of the Lodge (NO Swimming, NO Boating, NO Ice Skating), I then followed the map in my hand to do a loop named Johnson's Farm ~ and as I padded across the groomed nordic ski trails and paths thick with 10cms of leaves, a Stag deer was disturbed just to the right to me; I don't know who was more surprised, the deer with its huge long antlers, or me (having once again stripped off the CR Tri top and down to the CR crop top underneath). On reflection of that sentence, the poor stag had much more of a shock to cope with!

White tail and bum on display, we sauntered across the trail in front of me, barely a couple of arm lengths away. I fumbled for the camera in my waist pack, back he moved into the woods on the other side of the track by the time the battery was fired up. As tempted as I was, I knew that sunset was in about a quarter of an hour, and reluctantly packed up and continued on my way.

The trail climbed and became a little rocky, with many tree roots, but was a beautiful course. A note looked as though it was placed on a stump with a rock on top, however I was running and not about to disturb it. As the rough trail joined a wider 4wd track, another note appeared under a similarly smooth stone, however this time I saw that it was not handwritten, but had typeset printing on it.

Johnson Farm appeared, a wonderful old little collection of apple sheds and farm buildings. Beyond the clearing, I saw another note and had to stop this time to read it; an aproseletizing, 'find Jesus and be saved' note. Incredible!

More deer, squirrels, chipmunks and dozens of birds of prey overhead circled, as I made my way along the path and continued to the track on the other side of the lake, and around a picnic area alongside the river. It was very beautiful, and, while my run was slowed by the need to consult the map and working my way across country and on occasional bush bashing excursions, it was a very satisfying run nevertheless.

The knee gave me no trouble.

While I had a bath, Bob made his new best friend in the Bear Claw Bar over a Sam Adams or three (an American beer he actually can drink), before we joined the rest of the geriatric crowd in the restaurant for dinner. The waitress (server is the approved term) had the sweetest southern accent and it was a dlight just to listen to her, y'all hear. After a shared appetizer of Fried Green Tomatoes with a spicy home-made salsa, Bob and I had a 'measly' 6oz 'flatiron' steak (3 onces each was more than enough), and some broiled catfish with sides of vegetables (we opted for overcooked green beans and carrots, foregoing the more common, universally sweet offerings such as buttered apple slices, apple sauce etc). It was a great night, in a delightful setting.

The Odysessy Continues

1 comments Published Monday, November 12, 2007 by Carolyne.

After a brilliant day yesterday in which we drove up to the estate of Thomas Jefferson at Monticello after the 5k run, and then finished with a surprisingly good, and enormous (18") pizza at which was also provided to us as a targeted barrel draw at the run. (For the record, A 'Long Island Pesto' Pizza - pesto, artichoke hearts, fresh tomato, garlic, light on the cheese).

The house and surrounding estate was amazing, smaller than many modern McMansions, although beautifully proportioned, elegant and light. A character of enormous contradiction, Jefferson was born on the hill across the valley, and died here at Monticello having never left the State of Virginia after he was President.

I had ordered some medical equipment from a firm in Knoxville Tennessee and it was guaranteed to arrive by 10:30 am on Saturday. Although tracked on-line to have arrived in the local courier's depot at 8:07 am, it hadn't turned up at the hotel by the time we returned. Much chasing up on the phone did not offer us any hope to have it before Monday, therefore ensuring that our decision about whether to leave on Sunday or Monday morning was made for us.

So on Sunday we popped into our favourite nearby cafe (owned by a Nebraskan native who fell in love with the progressive attitudes and great lifestyle of Charlottesville), for a heart starting espresso before heading back to the base of the Thomas Jeffeson Parkway to run the trail to the Historic site.

Only 2 miles long, it was a beautifully constructed trail of crushed gravel and extensive boardwalks through spindly tall forests. Deceptively, the trail rose steadily along it's length making my progress very slow. I thought that it must have been that yesterday's 5k had taken more out of me than I had felt it had, although I seemed to have no ill effects. Although much warmer than yesterday, it was still only a couple of degrees at the most by the time we started. I was wearing tights, and had light dri-fit type long sleeve top, and my favoured light polar fleece cycling top with its two rear zip pockets and extra long front zip. I also had a light weight pair of gloves.

I needed all of the gear for the first marked quarter mile or so. Then, slowly, the gloves came off and were shoved down my tights. Then, a well executed unzipping of the fleece to its full extent and wrapping the sleeves around my waist while it was still on. A good number of people were out walking already, some at a very leisurely pace, others pushing it along. A couple of joggers also passed in the other direction, but surprisingly few.

As I neared the end of the trail, I briefly contemplated continuing on the trail which led up to the house. Being the hopelesslessly law abiding citizen I am though, I noticed the sign indicating that a valid ticket must be carried for everyone travelling beyond this point. With a moments hesitation, I turned around and headed back to the car. I had expected Bob to came rocketing past me at any time, however he was no where to be seen. Not far into my return journey, I was incredibly hot, and remembered a seat set into the long boardwalk near the top. I pulled over and removed my tights (I did have Capri's on underneath. Now I was running in just a crop top on top as well which must have accounted for my heartrate dropping a good 8-10 bpm when I resumed running. It was all downhill from here and I knew it.

It was a pleasant 2k to the finish of the trail. It was interesting to look at my splits at the finish.

Lap Time Distance Maxk/hr (bpm) Max HR
1k 7:24 1.00 10.4 144 157
2 7:39 1.00 10.4 157 160
3 6:31 1.00 11.2 159 162
4 6:27 1.00 12.2 159 167
5 5:40 1.00 12.2 162 164
6 5:32 1.00 12.6 166 168
7 1:18 0.25 13.3 168 169

Or to put it another way, my average pace per kilometre was
1. 7:24 min/km
2. 7:38
3. 6:31
4. 6:27
5. 5:41
6. 5:33
7. 5:25

Maybe I wasn't so bad to begin with afterall! It was uphill!

UVA Veteran's 5km

6 comments Published Saturday, November 10, 2007 by Carolyne.

Now don't get upset Aki. The Veteran's in question refer to the fact that it is (Military) Veteran's Day on Monday, not that one needs to be 30, 35 or over to enter.

The fun run was organised with military efficiency by student members of the Navy, Marines and National Guard, most clad in camouflage or coloured matched gear. A 'gung ho' 'pull up' contest (chin ups) was also held with the burly Marine types arrogantly seeking to win by pulling themselves up in rapid succession. A great breakfast / brunch picnic feed was held afterwards on the grassy Amphitheatre, with millions of bagels, Starbucks coffee, and mini muffins and rather delicious wraps.

In addition to this extensive slap-up feed, for our $15 entry fee, we also obtained a very pleasant navy blue T-Shirt (the colours of the University of Virginia are blue and orange). Bob and I were also handed a gift card for a local pizza place, each for a large pizza with 2 toppings. Then we had the fun run as well!

Once again the military precision was revealed in the air horn sounding at a GPS measured time of 08:00:00. I was taken a little off-guard, but tried not to get carried away at the start on my first 'race' and third run since the operation. Starting the run around the landmark, Neo-Georgian buildings of this Thomas Jefferson-designed campus, the crowd around me thinned out considerably before it nearly looped back upon itself and started to leave the formal environment of C19th and began to wind its way through a forest of trees, all starting to display their fall colours. The promised hill eventually arrived, and while I found it rather difficult to breathe (having forgotten my asthma spray), I kept moving in a running sort of motion, whereas those around me were walking. They might have been moving as fast as me, but I did keep running.

Around the 3km mark, we reached the summit of the hill, where military-garbed marshals cheered us on, offered water and I was pleased to have a downhill stretch. Strangely my knee, which had been somewhat stiff and sore at the start of the day and the run (it was cold!), stopped hurting on the uphill stretch. I was delighted to have a downhill stretch and wasn't too bothered by the jarring of the knee on the hard surface. Expecting to loop back around the way we started, I was surprised when the finish appeared in front of me - short of the advertised 5km distance! Drat!

All in all, I measured 4.85km and finished with an official time of 31:19. Not too shabby, especially given the rather substantial climb. A great morning! And the duck is back.

The Story so far . . .

2 comments Published Friday, November 09, 2007 by Carolyne.

Ironically, now that the boy wonder and I have left New York City and are heading into the land of Bluegrass music, Po' Boys and Fish Frys, we have much better internet access.

Go figure.

We are currently in the beautiful University town of Charlottesville, Virginia; good coffee and joggers everywhere! Very exciting.

Although I didn't get for a run in New York, I did get out for a little trot yesterday afternoon after we found 1. espresso; 2. a good vegie sandwich on pumpernickel; and 3. Accommodation in the University quarter (in that order). We had the most stunning drive down the Skyline Drive through the Autumnal colours and deer (more on that later).

It was late (4:50 pm) by the time we started, with Bob and I heading off in separate directions. I just went exploring on the city streets, arrogantly heading in the direction of other joggers that I saw pass on the cross streets in front of me. Even in my second proper run since surgery, I was able to catch and pass many of them. Whoa girl! I was slow, but they were slower. Don't be competitive, don't be

competitive.

With sunset in these parts at 5:08pm (a good 25 minutes later than New York) it wasn't long before I had to loop around and return to the hotel . . . . possibly a good thing as I wanted to go on forever.

Bob returned a few minutes later, having covered only a little more distance (4.05 kms as opposed to my 3.68ish), and having had a far less satisfying experience.

After showering we headed down to Ragged Mountain Running Shop, a place we popped into with David and Lisa a couple of weeks earlier, and one of the attractions of returning here. There was a Veterans 5k at the ?university on Saturday, and we went for information and to enter. Apart from the 8am start time, which should see the temperature right about freezing, I am really looking forward to it.

I forgot 6.

1 comments Published Wednesday, November 07, 2007 by Carolyne.

6. Now I forgot what I forgot . . . .

Oh well, I've done no running here in NYC, time, a cold along with Bob (not nearly so bad though), sore feet, and unpleasant weather. Plan to hit the trails once we get out of a New York State of Mind and into a more laid back Virginian doze.

NTC Update

0 comments Published by Carolyne.

1. We are in New York City
2. Bob has a cold and wasn't able to run the marathon

3. Tomorrow we leave on the second part of our road trip adventure to the Appalachians, the Mississippi and beyond (weather permitting)

4. It's cold. I wonder what Spring in Canberra is like?
5. I love Central Park. I could spend a month there and never get bored.

Our cheapish hotel doesn't have wireless internet, and it seems a shame to waste my first time in the Big Apple locked up inside blogging. Besides, Bob hogs the computer if it is ever on.

Tomorrow we head west to Virginia and begin the second part of our travel odyssey, if the weather holds out. It is cold, far colder than I had expected with the icy wind chill, and we feel rather under prepared.

Boy, Am I Excited!

4 comments Published Thursday, November 01, 2007 by Carolyne.

I would be anyway ~ today we head down from southern New England to the Big Apple; it will be my first time in New York City. I have a constant stream of NYC related songs going around my head, no matter how inappropriate ("We'll go to Yonkers / Where true love conquers, all").

But - as if New York City ("What a beautiful disease") wasn't enough . . . this morning I went for a run! OK, it was very slow, more of a casual jog, and quite short, but I'm counting it as a run. There is a Cliff Walk in Newport which is a right of way along the easements of 64 properties which skirt the sea. A beautiful path, it was perfect for my first hit out. I jogged into the breeze for the first 2.5 kms, exchanging good mornings with other walkers and joggers along the track. At the 2.5km mark I reluctantly turned around and walked for half a km, before breaking once more into a jog back to the hotel.

Wow, I loved it. Pretty slow, a tad over 7 minute pace, it nevertheless felt wonderful!

About me

I'm Carolyne
From Canberra, Australia
I love to run! Staying in Weymouth, Dorset on the South West Coast of England until October. I'm 46, live in Canberra with Bob and have been running since 1990. This has been interrupted by long periods of illness, however I am extremely stubborn! I'll never be a fast runner, however I give it everything, and am slowly learning to read my body better and adjust my training and expectations accordingly. Or rather I would, if running were possible at the moment - I will retuyrn soon.
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