As I get ready to run marathon number 35 (or is it 36?), no matter ... but as I do my daily training, I wonder if I am training hard enough. The routine this week was a six mile run every other day. The other day, I did the indoor bike, until yesterday, when it was nice enough to do my second outdoor biking ride for this spring. Today, I doubled up on the workout by following the six mile run with a 13 mile bike ride. It actually was very nice and, weather permitting, I hope to make this the normal routine. My next run begins the seven mile out and back. This one tends to get a little more grueling, since the out course is mostly up-hill and the biggest rise per mile happens between mile three and mile four. The ranch is at about 3300 feet, and the turnaround for the seven miler is probably at about 3800 feet. The last half-mile when it becomes the eight mile run is probably another 200 feet higher. It doesn't sound like much, but when I did the bike route to the four mile turnaround last year, it would take about 25-30 minutes on the out part of the trip and about 10 minutes for the return. So, there is a lot of work done in the elevation climb!
So, anyway, training continues ... and actually begins to get serious for the rest of the training period beginning this week.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Month in Review (so far)
Note: Captured from my Wunderground Blog, since I seemed to have a pretty good record of the month going there. As some of the images show, the arrival of spring here at The Ranch can vary a bit from day to day. Last weekend saw temperatures in the 60s and 70s, while today and tomorrow, breaking out of the 30s is going to be tough.
The week saw mostly the normal ranch activities. I still haven't started any major spring ranch projects. The highlights were the tossing of the manure pile and the 'harrowing Spring experience'. Both are represented in the Ranching 101 video that appears as a link later in this blog entry.
04/19/2008 -- As the line goes in Independence Day, (and other movies) "I'M BACK!!!", said the snow in this case. An overnight snowfall of 2.4" with the forecast calling for the start of the snow to be at 6:00 PM. So, we'll see how this all plays out.
Morning Snow Viewed from Deck
04/18/2008 -- Broken clouds mixed with sunlight most of today. Again, somewhat cold winds are moving things about. Since shortly after 9:00 AM the velocities have been in the 15-20 mph range. Looks like the top out temperature will be about 50 degrees, since that's where the graph has leveled off. Colder temperatures are in the forecast with snow likely again during the next couple of days, so I better get out and enjoy today before it gets too late.
See a Roll Out With the Horses (video)
Horses Grazing
Ginger and the Creek Flow (video)
Ginger at Creek
Creek flow through Rocks
04/17/2008 -- A pleasant cloud sun mix today. The low temperature was just a bit below freezing, so the horse waterers that have had the heaters turned off were coated with a thin skin of ice. Later in the day, the wind had a coolness in it as though it is still blowing over frozen surfaces. However, the sun cloud mix made the day very nice.
Quiet Pond
Jonah and Harmony
Moon Above Cloud Banks
04/16/2008 -- Such a deal, this S-p-r-i-n-g!! back to a little snow covering overnight (but again quickly gone). It does keep a person from getting too anxious about planting anything yet. Usually, I fill the window box with marigolds, but I guess I'll wait another month or so to do that.
Jonah, Snow, Morning Feeding
04/15/2008 -- Backtracking again today as the highest temperature slipped back into the middle 40's. Even managed to have some snow squalls again this afternoon. I waited out the squall and ran while it was just cloudy, windy, and cool. The later day was a mix of clouds and fading sunlight.
Clouds Over Distant Hills
Jonah's Mane Blowing in the Wind
04/14/2008 -- A little cooler today (50's), since overcast conditions moved into the area. I just settled into regular week-day chores and did a short training ride session on both Corrie and Jonah today.
Clouds over Southeast Trees
04/13/2008 -- Mostly sunny. Mild and dry. The temperature rose to 74 today! It actually felt warm during my run! Nice!
Horses in the Pasture
04/12/2008 -- As the day quietly closes down, I have to say, this was a wonderful day at the ranch. I did a number of ranch related chores and they might even show up in future video clips with a theme of "Ranching 101" as I put together a series of images and video shorts. Today itself was great! Good weather. Everything got done as is needed on the ranch starting with the morning walk and continuing on with animal care and feeding along with a couple of other chores. In one case, seasonal, the "Harrowing, Spring Experience"; aka, the "Spring Harrowing Experience". Whatever! Today, it was combined with a "Tossing of the Manure" event. The Tossing of the Manure event is undertaken from time to time to mix the horse output so that when the time comes it is ready for the spreading. Anyway, these things all were done with a combination of energy and amusement.
Not to forget, the weather today was great. (Or perhaps I am repeating myself) ... Finally with some temperatures in the 60's, and just, overall, a fantastic day at the ranch. (Oh, and I even went for an outdoor bike ride. Very nice ... very nice, indeed). So, at the end of it all, just light up the fire and have a beer, brats, and relax with the dogs!
The Dogs
Beer and Brats
04/11/2008 -- A wonderful "spring" day at the ranch today. Mostly sunny sky, and temperatures in the 50's! Finally, it felt like spring! I even started a fire in the fire-pit after finishing all the ranch work and just sat down and had a beer! It was great!
Jonah
Burning the Bale
Update to the 04/10/2008 Whirlwind event. The local newspaper, the Daily Interlake had an image posted today:
Tornado? (Levente Csaplar photo)
This event was explained as a cold air funnel. It was taken in the West Valley near Kalispell. Based on the time of my video vs the time reported with the newspaper image, this was not the same wind event I had seen at the ranch. But, the weather was definitely dynamic yesterday.
04/10/2008 -- Interesting mix of weather this afternoon. While doing some work near the barn, a whirlwind stirred up a cloud of dust a hundred yards up the driveway from me. Later, during the pasture cleanup, a quick snow squall with a combination of pellets and flakes bounced off of the horses and me. The ground was covered white for a few minutes but a rapid switch back to a sun cloud mix melted the pellets pretty quickly. A couple of more squalls took place during the 60-90 minute chore period of time.
Horses During Snow Squall
04/09/2008 -- No snow during my run today. I added another one-half mile to the outgoing route and ended catching up to the snow line as it works its way up the hill. The road was icy in parts and muddy in other places since the snow melt is running across it in some sections. There were snow squalls visible near Blacktail Mountain about 6-8 miles south of me as I returned, but, mostly a cloud sun mix during my run.
Morning Feeding
04/08/2008 -- The snow line is slowing moving up the winter pasture. I'm still calling it a trace of snow cover for the season until the last of the snow field is gone. There is still about a 30" roof slide bank on the northwest side of the barn/arena complex, but that too is slowing disappearing. The slow snow melt is due to the daily low continuing to drop to the low 20's. A day or two of continuous above freezing will be needed to finish the last of the snow.
Snow Along Barn and Arena
04/07/2008 -- Another run in a snow squall. The start of the run had pellets of snow limiting visibilty to just a couple of hundred yards or so. Before the 1-mile turn off from the blacktop to the gravel road up the hill, the sun was shining. I ran without a cap for about a mile but again pulled it on as another round of snow pellets struck. The gravel ate up the bouncing pellets and the surface turned shiny with wetness in some sections. At the turnaround point the sun again was shining. The downhill return run was great and the passing squalls could be seen moving toward the east mountains. Later in the evening, a sliver of the moon was seen just after sunset and the final animal check was under bright star light.
Horses Across Pasture
04/06/2008 -- Overcast start of the day with some snow pellets. Light rain and snow mixtures in the afternoon with temperatures in the low 40's. There was a good mix of clouds in the late afternoon sky.
Clouds Over East Pasture
04/05/2008 -- Light snow again overnight. Melted away easily, but no heat-wave. Still some packed ice patches in the woods and along the upper pasture fence line.
Morning Feeding in Snow
04/04/2008 -- Sun early in the day changed to mostly overcast during the later afternoon and evening. Doing a camera test lately, with a 5MP vs 8MP side by side.
AIPTEK DV-5700 5MP
HP Mz67 8MP
04/03/2008 -- Dry with another mix of sun and clouds. Clear overnight resulting in a cool low again. Still waiting for the break into a warm feeling day. Nice though, anyway.
Daily Dog Walk
04/02/2008 -- A regular sort of day today. Still holding on to the cooler than the normal temperatures for this day. No new precipitation and another mix of sun and clouds.
Flag and Horses
04/01/2008 -- I went for a run today at about 2:30 PM in a blowing snow squall. Totally miserable, and I was ready to turn around during the first quarter mile and do a treadmill workout instead. By the time I finished the first mile up the hill, the sky was already changing to mostly blue. The return trip after the 2 1/2 mile turnaround was in full sun, calm, and perfect outdoor running conditions. The lesson -- don't give up on something just because it starts out a little rough!
Afterward, just relax with the dogs and know everything is good.
Taffy, Resting
The week saw mostly the normal ranch activities. I still haven't started any major spring ranch projects. The highlights were the tossing of the manure pile and the 'harrowing Spring experience'. Both are represented in the Ranching 101 video that appears as a link later in this blog entry.
04/19/2008 -- As the line goes in Independence Day, (and other movies) "I'M BACK!!!", said the snow in this case. An overnight snowfall of 2.4" with the forecast calling for the start of the snow to be at 6:00 PM. So, we'll see how this all plays out.
Morning Snow Viewed from Deck
04/18/2008 -- Broken clouds mixed with sunlight most of today. Again, somewhat cold winds are moving things about. Since shortly after 9:00 AM the velocities have been in the 15-20 mph range. Looks like the top out temperature will be about 50 degrees, since that's where the graph has leveled off. Colder temperatures are in the forecast with snow likely again during the next couple of days, so I better get out and enjoy today before it gets too late.
See a Roll Out With the Horses (video)
Horses Grazing
Ginger and the Creek Flow (video)
Ginger at Creek
Creek flow through Rocks
04/17/2008 -- A pleasant cloud sun mix today. The low temperature was just a bit below freezing, so the horse waterers that have had the heaters turned off were coated with a thin skin of ice. Later in the day, the wind had a coolness in it as though it is still blowing over frozen surfaces. However, the sun cloud mix made the day very nice.
Quiet Pond
Jonah and Harmony
Moon Above Cloud Banks
04/16/2008 -- Such a deal, this S-p-r-i-n-g!! back to a little snow covering overnight (but again quickly gone). It does keep a person from getting too anxious about planting anything yet. Usually, I fill the window box with marigolds, but I guess I'll wait another month or so to do that.
Jonah, Snow, Morning Feeding
04/15/2008 -- Backtracking again today as the highest temperature slipped back into the middle 40's. Even managed to have some snow squalls again this afternoon. I waited out the squall and ran while it was just cloudy, windy, and cool. The later day was a mix of clouds and fading sunlight.
Clouds Over Distant Hills
Jonah's Mane Blowing in the Wind
04/14/2008 -- A little cooler today (50's), since overcast conditions moved into the area. I just settled into regular week-day chores and did a short training ride session on both Corrie and Jonah today.
Clouds over Southeast Trees
04/13/2008 -- Mostly sunny. Mild and dry. The temperature rose to 74 today! It actually felt warm during my run! Nice!
Horses in the Pasture
04/12/2008 -- As the day quietly closes down, I have to say, this was a wonderful day at the ranch. I did a number of ranch related chores and they might even show up in future video clips with a theme of "Ranching 101" as I put together a series of images and video shorts. Today itself was great! Good weather. Everything got done as is needed on the ranch starting with the morning walk and continuing on with animal care and feeding along with a couple of other chores. In one case, seasonal, the "Harrowing, Spring Experience"; aka, the "Spring Harrowing Experience". Whatever! Today, it was combined with a "Tossing of the Manure" event. The Tossing of the Manure event is undertaken from time to time to mix the horse output so that when the time comes it is ready for the spreading. Anyway, these things all were done with a combination of energy and amusement.
Not to forget, the weather today was great. (Or perhaps I am repeating myself) ... Finally with some temperatures in the 60's, and just, overall, a fantastic day at the ranch. (Oh, and I even went for an outdoor bike ride. Very nice ... very nice, indeed). So, at the end of it all, just light up the fire and have a beer, brats, and relax with the dogs!
The Dogs
Beer and Brats
04/11/2008 -- A wonderful "spring" day at the ranch today. Mostly sunny sky, and temperatures in the 50's! Finally, it felt like spring! I even started a fire in the fire-pit after finishing all the ranch work and just sat down and had a beer! It was great!
Jonah
Burning the Bale
Update to the 04/10/2008 Whirlwind event. The local newspaper, the Daily Interlake had an image posted today:
Tornado? (Levente Csaplar photo)
This event was explained as a cold air funnel. It was taken in the West Valley near Kalispell. Based on the time of my video vs the time reported with the newspaper image, this was not the same wind event I had seen at the ranch. But, the weather was definitely dynamic yesterday.
04/10/2008 -- Interesting mix of weather this afternoon. While doing some work near the barn, a whirlwind stirred up a cloud of dust a hundred yards up the driveway from me. Later, during the pasture cleanup, a quick snow squall with a combination of pellets and flakes bounced off of the horses and me. The ground was covered white for a few minutes but a rapid switch back to a sun cloud mix melted the pellets pretty quickly. A couple of more squalls took place during the 60-90 minute chore period of time.
Horses During Snow Squall
04/09/2008 -- No snow during my run today. I added another one-half mile to the outgoing route and ended catching up to the snow line as it works its way up the hill. The road was icy in parts and muddy in other places since the snow melt is running across it in some sections. There were snow squalls visible near Blacktail Mountain about 6-8 miles south of me as I returned, but, mostly a cloud sun mix during my run.
Morning Feeding
04/08/2008 -- The snow line is slowing moving up the winter pasture. I'm still calling it a trace of snow cover for the season until the last of the snow field is gone. There is still about a 30" roof slide bank on the northwest side of the barn/arena complex, but that too is slowing disappearing. The slow snow melt is due to the daily low continuing to drop to the low 20's. A day or two of continuous above freezing will be needed to finish the last of the snow.
Snow Along Barn and Arena
04/07/2008 -- Another run in a snow squall. The start of the run had pellets of snow limiting visibilty to just a couple of hundred yards or so. Before the 1-mile turn off from the blacktop to the gravel road up the hill, the sun was shining. I ran without a cap for about a mile but again pulled it on as another round of snow pellets struck. The gravel ate up the bouncing pellets and the surface turned shiny with wetness in some sections. At the turnaround point the sun again was shining. The downhill return run was great and the passing squalls could be seen moving toward the east mountains. Later in the evening, a sliver of the moon was seen just after sunset and the final animal check was under bright star light.
Horses Across Pasture
04/06/2008 -- Overcast start of the day with some snow pellets. Light rain and snow mixtures in the afternoon with temperatures in the low 40's. There was a good mix of clouds in the late afternoon sky.
Clouds Over East Pasture
04/05/2008 -- Light snow again overnight. Melted away easily, but no heat-wave. Still some packed ice patches in the woods and along the upper pasture fence line.
Morning Feeding in Snow
04/04/2008 -- Sun early in the day changed to mostly overcast during the later afternoon and evening. Doing a camera test lately, with a 5MP vs 8MP side by side.
AIPTEK DV-5700 5MP
HP Mz67 8MP
04/03/2008 -- Dry with another mix of sun and clouds. Clear overnight resulting in a cool low again. Still waiting for the break into a warm feeling day. Nice though, anyway.
Daily Dog Walk
04/02/2008 -- A regular sort of day today. Still holding on to the cooler than the normal temperatures for this day. No new precipitation and another mix of sun and clouds.
Flag and Horses
04/01/2008 -- I went for a run today at about 2:30 PM in a blowing snow squall. Totally miserable, and I was ready to turn around during the first quarter mile and do a treadmill workout instead. By the time I finished the first mile up the hill, the sky was already changing to mostly blue. The return trip after the 2 1/2 mile turnaround was in full sun, calm, and perfect outdoor running conditions. The lesson -- don't give up on something just because it starts out a little rough!
Afterward, just relax with the dogs and know everything is good.
Taffy, Resting
Thursday, April 10, 2008
April Showers (of snow pellets) and "click" Another Week
So all of the April Fools pranks went over quite well, I am sure. I know I managed to hook a couple of people with mine. So, I hope anyone that might have tried something had good results.
The struggle for springtime in NW Montana continues. I ran in a couple of snow squall events and also did some horse pasture chores in a nice snow pellet shower. The snow field in the pastures is almost gone. Just about another 30 feet or so and it will be up to the fenceline.
Running training is going fairly well. I am doing the "six" lap now. I don't actually follow any known marathon training guide, so my method has been three sets of 3-milers; four sets of 4-milers; five sets of 5-milers ... you get the pattern! I have still been doing just every-other-day runs with a biking workout (still indoor) sandwiched between. In mid April I will change to two days of run, mix, and each week adding the extra day each week. And, hopefully, move to outdoor biking soon too. (The forecast has 60's plus for the coming weekend), so maybe I will do some outdoor biking. Finally! In my "other life" I biked outdoors during every month of the year!
I still haven't done any major ranch project for this year. Since the frost should be out of the ground I might be able to begin construction of the equipment shelters I want to make for the baler and swather. Those machines have been just sitting out in the weather this winter and I want to put them under a roof instead. I have a good collection of materials left over from other projects that will be used to make the shelters.
No flowers yet ... but, that's what next month is all about!
The struggle for springtime in NW Montana continues. I ran in a couple of snow squall events and also did some horse pasture chores in a nice snow pellet shower. The snow field in the pastures is almost gone. Just about another 30 feet or so and it will be up to the fenceline.
Running training is going fairly well. I am doing the "six" lap now. I don't actually follow any known marathon training guide, so my method has been three sets of 3-milers; four sets of 4-milers; five sets of 5-milers ... you get the pattern! I have still been doing just every-other-day runs with a biking workout (still indoor) sandwiched between. In mid April I will change to two days of run, mix, and each week adding the extra day each week. And, hopefully, move to outdoor biking soon too. (The forecast has 60's plus for the coming weekend), so maybe I will do some outdoor biking. Finally! In my "other life" I biked outdoors during every month of the year!
I still haven't done any major ranch project for this year. Since the frost should be out of the ground I might be able to begin construction of the equipment shelters I want to make for the baler and swather. Those machines have been just sitting out in the weather this winter and I want to put them under a roof instead. I have a good collection of materials left over from other projects that will be used to make the shelters.
No flowers yet ... but, that's what next month is all about!
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Weekly Ranch Roundup
Well, not actually a "roundup", like gathering together cattle or horses or something. Just a quick summary of the events around the ranch for the last week or so.
A mix of weather with on again off again snow on some days. I think the total for the week might add up to less than three inches, but the switch over into warm spring days has not happened. No major projects were started. Just some minor relocation of a couple of gate panels and enjoying the spring break period before the real work resumes.
I continued my running training with a consistent four-miler every other day. I'm mixing in an indoor cycle workout on the non-run days. This will soon change to be an outdoor event (I hope). I haven't been much of a biker the last four years. Pretty amazing considering I was a regular bicycle commuter/recreational tourer and logged 3000 to 5000 miles a year for 25+ years. The move to being 'rancher-dan' changed my routine quite a bit. But, I hope to return to a more consistent and longer bike touring workout this summer. That, combined with the marathon training, ranch work, horse riding, and general tasks should make for a great time.
Well, the sun is shining again after an hour or so of snow squalls. Time to check on the animals again and get something done today.
For a video summary of the Weekly Ranch Roundup, just click the embedded link.
Monday, March 24, 2008
A Block of Time Goes By
Well the last several days (week plus) have gone by quickly. A couple of milestone events happened. Actual spring time began. The yard was raked (in a combination of sunny skies and snow squalls). Horse riding began for the year with a ride every day for six days in a row. And, last but not least, our 23rd wedding anniversary took place. It was a good week and then some.
March does seem to be the time of quite a number of anniversary events ... some good, like the above, and others, remembered for their time of sadness. My dad and my mom both died in March (1991 and 1996). My wife's dad died in March (197x ... before my time with her). Also, one of my co-workers died suddenly in March (back in 1994). Maybe March is a tough month since it is normally the transition month between winter and the new life spring brings?
Not much has happened on the new project area. So, most days are just the normal ranch routine. A not so common event during one of the daily walks this week was the sighting of a moose. He/she was lying just outside of the fence-line area one morning. I took a good number of pictures of him/her and posted a video on YouTube. He/she was browsing the area for a bit of time because after the morning walk sighting we came back to the house and did a number of regular morning projects. I went out at mid-day again and was able to get a number of new photos of him/her (still couldn't tell for sure, even with a closer look). One of the neighbors says it's a young bull. We'll see if it hangs around and try to get a closer look again sometime.
So ... just another several days at the ranch! (Click to view video log)
March does seem to be the time of quite a number of anniversary events ... some good, like the above, and others, remembered for their time of sadness. My dad and my mom both died in March (1991 and 1996). My wife's dad died in March (197x ... before my time with her). Also, one of my co-workers died suddenly in March (back in 1994). Maybe March is a tough month since it is normally the transition month between winter and the new life spring brings?
Not much has happened on the new project area. So, most days are just the normal ranch routine. A not so common event during one of the daily walks this week was the sighting of a moose. He/she was lying just outside of the fence-line area one morning. I took a good number of pictures of him/her and posted a video on YouTube. He/she was browsing the area for a bit of time because after the morning walk sighting we came back to the house and did a number of regular morning projects. I went out at mid-day again and was able to get a number of new photos of him/her (still couldn't tell for sure, even with a closer look). One of the neighbors says it's a young bull. We'll see if it hangs around and try to get a closer look again sometime.
So ... just another several days at the ranch! (Click to view video log)
Friday, March 14, 2008
Spring Pasture Move
Well, this week, I moved the horses from the Winter Pasture to the Spring Pasture. The day I moved them, it was a little windy and a combination of the sounds of the creek flowing, tarps that cover the gravel pile, and the flag blowing in the wind only got the attention of Orpheus. The rest just walked up the driveway like it was another day at the ranch. In fact, when I went to get the 4th of the six, the last two, Corrie and Goldstar, followed through the gates and walked along with Harmony and me. Corrie walked over onto the lawn area for just a moment while I opened the paddock gate, but walked right in once it was open. It was a good move to the spring area. There was a bit of snow still in the pasture for the first day and overnight, but the temperatures have been mild enough that the snowline has almost moved all the way down to the summer pasture fenceline already.
No other major activities have taken place yet this outdoor season. Still a little blustery out there today with a snowfall of about 0.7" overnight -- but now already totally melted.
I did start my outdoor running season with two 3-mile out-and-back jogs up the blacktop. It was nice to be running outside again after a couple of months of treadmill workouts. I officially entered Grandma's Marathon that takes place in June in Duluth, Minnesota. This will be my 36th marathon and it's probably the 20th time I've run Grandma's. (I'll need to check my marathon log to verify this). I am still favoring a swollen right ankle that had some tendonitis show up in it last June. Maybe it's a chronic thing I'll just have to deal with until a real fix is done.
I plan to be a little better about following up my running workouts with biking treks this training period. Last year, I did try to do a biking of the running route after getting back from the run a couple of times, so I'll probably expand on that this year. But, mostly, I need to expand the biking sessions a bit, since I only consider the training benefit of biking to be about 1/2 of a running workout.
Another activity I'll do more of this season is increased horse riding. Last year, I only started riding in August. So, now that everyone at the ranch is fit again, I'll probably do more in the near term rather than waiting until so far into the summer.
So, in any case, spring is almost here, and the outdoor activities are beginning.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
The Spring Arrives Month
Spring is arriving slowly at the ranch, but day by day, changes are apparent. The driveway is all the way back to gravel, and it is almost time to move the horses to the spring pasture. The winter pasture has become tramped down to a mixture of hay droppings and some ice. Since the slope of the land in the area I call the spring pasture provides a faster melt-off, it won't be long before the snow disappears completely from it. The deer have already made an appearance on the Glazier slope, a big hill area just north of the ranch, with upward of 20 grazing during most late afternoons. The total snow pack is reduced with 3 to 4 inches in the sunny areas but still a depth of 10-15" in areas where the sun has little impact.
It is just about time to start some outdoor projects. But, the last few days, I have been bringing a box of photo albums a day into the house from the arena/workshop storage area. These albums include many photographs that were packed up more than 10 years ago when mom died and stuff was packed up from her place. (Since I had a pickup truck, I ended up hauling most of the boxes). I'll probably start scanning pictures and putting them into some kind of order. Right now, like most things that are gathered over time, some albums have a combination of 60 year old images combined with more recent (12 year old) photos. It'll be a project.
So, get the indoor things done now, soon it will be outside for almost the full day.
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