Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Small Town Run
I went for one of my favorite runs yesterday.
It's only three weeks since the marathon so I'm still taking it fairly easy. But the temperature is 50 degrees, positively balmy for New Jersey in January. So I put on my shorts and T-shirt and set off along my road which runs along one side of the largest lake in town. It's only 79 acres but this is where the local sailing club meets, where I sailed Sunfish with my sons for many years, where I tried and failed to teach my wife to enjoy sailing, and where I spent three summers teaching kids to sail. The road winds around the lake and, after a mile or so, crosses the main drag through town and then starts to ascend.
The original 600 or so houses in town were built between 1910 and 1923 by one developer. He was particularly influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement, at the height of its popularity when he started building, and he used many features of Gustav Stickley's Craftsman architecture and philosophy. The houses are solid and boxy in appearance, good-sized but not ostentatious homes, with variations of colonial or neo-classical detail. There is much use of natural stone and stucco and they fit well into the landscape, located on natural rather than graded terrain with narrow roads curved to fit the contours of the land.
Now a new generation of builders is busy everywhere in town. Renovations, re-modeling, extensions, tear-downs ... It seems that this town must be supporting the businesses of building contractors from a 50 mile radius. Folks that have made their money on Wall Street or in New York law firms, and guys with mysterious businesses in waste management or the like, are moving in and demanding more space in their homes, more modern amenities, whirlpool baths for him and her and the nanny, acres of granite counter tops, media rooms with 200 inch screens ... Little by little the town is being turned into a cluster of huge McMansions fit for Tony Soprano. On the left is one new home just being finished. On the right of the road another new house is being framed. Both replace older homes that were demolished.
I run up the hill and over a dam between two more lakes. Already it is more peaceful and I can hear the birdsong instead of the contractors' saws and hammers. The path over the dam is soft where the borough employees have spread woodchips. There is still some ice covering the surface of the higher lake. These two lakes and the one above them supported a thriving natural ice business in the late 19th and early 20th centuries -- before the availability of domestic refrigerators put an end to such activities.
Out on to the road again and still climbing. My legs are feeling good. Best run since the marathon. I go past a plumber's van with a sign saying, "Real Men Love Jesus". And then up to the highest lake in town, a popular spot for walking dogs. I see the mother of one of the kids that I taught to sail and wave to her. He was one of the first kids in town that I encouraged to attend junior regattas. I remember taking him when he was about 10 years old to a foggy, cold Sunfish regatta up in the hills of north-west Jersey. He's in college in Boston now.
I approach the highest lake and jog past the town's 911 memorial, a large boulder with simple carving. This small town lost two of its own that day, both workers in the World Trade Center. As chance would have it they were both parents of kids that I taught to sail. Sad and happy memories mixed together.
As I head into the woodlands I pass a notice warning that as part of the town's "deer management program", bow hunters will be in the woods culling the deer. (God forbid that the deer might eat the plants in the gardens of the McMansions.) But I don't think the archers will be aiming their arrows at middle-aged runners puffing along the track so I keep running.
I head into the woods on the trail round the lake. This is where my youngest son won the Trout Derby one brisk spring day and had his photo taken with the mayor and an enormous trout. The trail ascends and I see that there is ice covering about half the lake. In the summer this lake will be covered in water lilies but they are all dormant now. I reach the highest point of the run and start the gentle ascent down the woodland trail to the beach where the swim team meets in the summer. This is also the start and finish point for the town's annual 10K Woods and Lakes Run that I enter most years. Even though it's only January the sun feels amazingly warm on my body as I run out of the woods.
Now I'm retracing my steps. I pass the Jesus loving plumber's van and see that the plumber even looks like Jesus with long hair and a beard. Well, a blonde Jesus. Than as I head back over the dam I hear geese honking and see some Canada geese. Another species for which the town has a "management" program. In a few weeks they will be taking goose eggs from their nests and addling them. And in the summer any geese that survive that will be rounded up into vans and gassed. Got to keep those town beaches clean.
It's relaxing running down the hill and then out on to the main road through town. There is a wide, fairly level, well-surfaced sidewalk separated from the road by a strip of grass. The sidewalk used to be the route of a trolley track in the old days and is a popular spot for runners. A man and a woman running together slowly overtake me but that's OK. I'm still taking it easy. I pass a couple of women walking. One says to the other, "I'll live in it and leave it to you in my will." I pass an elderly lady admiring two small children and talking to their nanny.
Around the north end of the lake and past the school and the town club, two of the older buildings in town. I still have some bounce left in my legs for the final hill in the north-east corner of the main lake and I'm home.
Mmmm. A good run. Just under 5 miles, I'd guess, though I've never measured it. One of my favorite routes.
It's only three weeks since the marathon so I'm still taking it fairly easy. But the temperature is 50 degrees, positively balmy for New Jersey in January. So I put on my shorts and T-shirt and set off along my road which runs along one side of the largest lake in town. It's only 79 acres but this is where the local sailing club meets, where I sailed Sunfish with my sons for many years, where I tried and failed to teach my wife to enjoy sailing, and where I spent three summers teaching kids to sail. The road winds around the lake and, after a mile or so, crosses the main drag through town and then starts to ascend.
The original 600 or so houses in town were built between 1910 and 1923 by one developer. He was particularly influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement, at the height of its popularity when he started building, and he used many features of Gustav Stickley's Craftsman architecture and philosophy. The houses are solid and boxy in appearance, good-sized but not ostentatious homes, with variations of colonial or neo-classical detail. There is much use of natural stone and stucco and they fit well into the landscape, located on natural rather than graded terrain with narrow roads curved to fit the contours of the land.
Now a new generation of builders is busy everywhere in town. Renovations, re-modeling, extensions, tear-downs ... It seems that this town must be supporting the businesses of building contractors from a 50 mile radius. Folks that have made their money on Wall Street or in New York law firms, and guys with mysterious businesses in waste management or the like, are moving in and demanding more space in their homes, more modern amenities, whirlpool baths for him and her and the nanny, acres of granite counter tops, media rooms with 200 inch screens ... Little by little the town is being turned into a cluster of huge McMansions fit for Tony Soprano. On the left is one new home just being finished. On the right of the road another new house is being framed. Both replace older homes that were demolished.
I run up the hill and over a dam between two more lakes. Already it is more peaceful and I can hear the birdsong instead of the contractors' saws and hammers. The path over the dam is soft where the borough employees have spread woodchips. There is still some ice covering the surface of the higher lake. These two lakes and the one above them supported a thriving natural ice business in the late 19th and early 20th centuries -- before the availability of domestic refrigerators put an end to such activities.
Out on to the road again and still climbing. My legs are feeling good. Best run since the marathon. I go past a plumber's van with a sign saying, "Real Men Love Jesus". And then up to the highest lake in town, a popular spot for walking dogs. I see the mother of one of the kids that I taught to sail and wave to her. He was one of the first kids in town that I encouraged to attend junior regattas. I remember taking him when he was about 10 years old to a foggy, cold Sunfish regatta up in the hills of north-west Jersey. He's in college in Boston now.
I approach the highest lake and jog past the town's 911 memorial, a large boulder with simple carving. This small town lost two of its own that day, both workers in the World Trade Center. As chance would have it they were both parents of kids that I taught to sail. Sad and happy memories mixed together.
As I head into the woodlands I pass a notice warning that as part of the town's "deer management program", bow hunters will be in the woods culling the deer. (God forbid that the deer might eat the plants in the gardens of the McMansions.) But I don't think the archers will be aiming their arrows at middle-aged runners puffing along the track so I keep running.
I head into the woods on the trail round the lake. This is where my youngest son won the Trout Derby one brisk spring day and had his photo taken with the mayor and an enormous trout. The trail ascends and I see that there is ice covering about half the lake. In the summer this lake will be covered in water lilies but they are all dormant now. I reach the highest point of the run and start the gentle ascent down the woodland trail to the beach where the swim team meets in the summer. This is also the start and finish point for the town's annual 10K Woods and Lakes Run that I enter most years. Even though it's only January the sun feels amazingly warm on my body as I run out of the woods.
Now I'm retracing my steps. I pass the Jesus loving plumber's van and see that the plumber even looks like Jesus with long hair and a beard. Well, a blonde Jesus. Than as I head back over the dam I hear geese honking and see some Canada geese. Another species for which the town has a "management" program. In a few weeks they will be taking goose eggs from their nests and addling them. And in the summer any geese that survive that will be rounded up into vans and gassed. Got to keep those town beaches clean.
It's relaxing running down the hill and then out on to the main road through town. There is a wide, fairly level, well-surfaced sidewalk separated from the road by a strip of grass. The sidewalk used to be the route of a trolley track in the old days and is a popular spot for runners. A man and a woman running together slowly overtake me but that's OK. I'm still taking it easy. I pass a couple of women walking. One says to the other, "I'll live in it and leave it to you in my will." I pass an elderly lady admiring two small children and talking to their nanny.
Around the north end of the lake and past the school and the town club, two of the older buildings in town. I still have some bounce left in my legs for the final hill in the north-east corner of the main lake and I'm home.
Mmmm. A good run. Just under 5 miles, I'd guess, though I've never measured it. One of my favorite routes.
Monday, January 30, 2006
If I Had An Old Laser ...
It's winter in the northern hemisphere and many of us Laser sailors are suffering from cabin fever. One symptom is a very silly thread at the Laser Forum about what the writers would do with an old Laser. Here are some of the ideas so far.
If I had an old Laser I would ...
Come to think of it forget what I said about cabin fever. Some of these comments are from the southern hemisphere and those guys have absolutely no excuse for their insanity.
If I had an old Laser I would ...
make a mold out of it, and then lay the mold with carbon fiber and make a Laser that a kid could lift with one hand
saw the boat in half from bow to stern, put it on a stand and put glass on top, and use it for a bar
chop it up and use it for a hiking bench
put wheels on it and sail around the parking lot
attach ice skates on the bottom for the November to April sailing season
play around with some foils
attempt to surf at a beach on my Laser
go in a Laser Demolition Derby in 25 knots
go out in the ocean in 30 knots and see how well I can cartwheel the boat by nosediving
sail it in front of a ferry on Sydney Harbour and watch it get demolished
get a bunch of those small rocket motors and see what happens
chuck it off a really high bridge and see what happens
chop it up and use it for a hiking bench
put wheels on it and sail around the parking lot
attach ice skates on the bottom for the November to April sailing season
play around with some foils
attempt to surf at a beach on my Laser
go in a Laser Demolition Derby in 25 knots
go out in the ocean in 30 knots and see how well I can cartwheel the boat by nosediving
sail it in front of a ferry on Sydney Harbour and watch it get demolished
get a bunch of those small rocket motors and see what happens
chuck it off a really high bridge and see what happens
Come to think of it forget what I said about cabin fever. Some of these comments are from the southern hemisphere and those guys have absolutely no excuse for their insanity.
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Anna Wins Gold
Congratulations to USA's Anna Tunnicliffe, who at last week's Miami Olympic Classses Regatta won the gold medal in the Laser Radial class as well as US SAILING's Golden Torch Award, given to the American sailor deemed to have the best overall performance among all classes.More on Miami OCR at Yachts and Yachting.
Saturday, January 28, 2006
High and Dry
Talking of boats out of their element -- in particular boats built to race around the world -- here is a picture of the final resting place of the Teignmouth Electron, rotting away on the Caribbean island of Cayman Brac -- picture by Cayman Net News.
This trimaran was built for the 1968 Sunday Times Golden Globe Race, the first single-handed round the world yacht race. Indeed the Golden Globe Trophy was offered for the first person to sail non-stop single-handed around the world, a feat never before achieved. And there was a separate money prize for the fastest non-stop single-handed circumnavigation.
Nine competitors took up the challenge. Only one, Robin Knox-Johnston, finished. The skipper of Teignmouth Electron, Donald Crowhurst, was at one time thought to be leading the race. But it was subsequently discovered that he had been reporting false positions in his radio reports and had never left the South Atlantic. (This was, of course, in the days before GPS, Virtual Spectator and almost real-time video reports from round the world racers.)
Crowhurst's boat was eventually found abandoned in mid-Atlantic along with logbooks showing his increasing irrationality of mind. It is assumed that he committed suicide by jumping overboard once he realised he could not succeed in his gigantic hoax.
Oversize Load Ahead
I guess the crew of Brasil 1 thought they were going to sail around the world in the Volvo Ocean Race. Instead the boat is making the 2500 mile trip across Australia from Freemantle to Melbourne by road after she lost her mast 1500 miles off the west coast of Australia.Yachts and Yachting quotes Charlie Mills the guy responsible for the transport as saying, "I have not transported a boat before but I have transported wind farm blades."
Good luck to him.
Friday, January 27, 2006
Ask the Tillerman #3
Dear Tillerman,
Every time I sail my Laser I get these terrible pains in my knees and thighs and back. I've tried doing stretches before and after sailing but it doesn't help. My girlfriend who has a cousin who used to date a guy who knew a girl who was training to be an orthodontist says I might have chrondomalatia patella and spondylolisthesis. I'm not getting any younger -- I'm 40 years old. Do I need to sell my Laser and find a keelboat?
Pained in Peoria.
Dear Pained in Peoria,
Don't be such a wuss. Laser sailing is meant to hurt -- just suck it up. And of course you are not too old for a Laser. I know two guys of 75 who are still sailing Lasers and one has an artificial hip and the other an artificial knee. Get yourself in shape for the 2006 North American Laser Masters that are just up the road from you in Milwaukee in September. And never ever mention the K word in my presence again.
Tillerman
Disclaimer and Irony Warning: Tillerman is not a doctor, a psychiatrist or a sports therapist. He is not qualified to diagnose your condition via email. To the fullest extent permitted at law, Tillerman is writing this blog and its contents on an "as is" basis and makes no (and expressly disclaims all) representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, with respect to this blog including, without limitation, warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In addition, Tillerman does not represent or warrant that the information accessible via this blog is accurate, complete, current or even interesting.
Except as specifically stated on this blog, to the fullest extent permitted at law, neither Tillerman nor any of his affiliates, directors, employees, family members, pets, grandchildren or other representatives will be liable for damages arising out of or in connection with the use of this blog or the information, content, or materials included in this blog. This is a comprehensive limitation of liability that applies to all damages of any kind, including (without limitation) compensatory, direct, indirect or consequential damages, loss of data, income or profit, loss of or damage to property, death, injury, pain, discomfort, boredom or eye strain. For the avoidance of doubt, Tillerman is full of crap and often says the exact opposite of what he really thinks.
Every time I sail my Laser I get these terrible pains in my knees and thighs and back. I've tried doing stretches before and after sailing but it doesn't help. My girlfriend who has a cousin who used to date a guy who knew a girl who was training to be an orthodontist says I might have chrondomalatia patella and spondylolisthesis. I'm not getting any younger -- I'm 40 years old. Do I need to sell my Laser and find a keelboat?
Pained in Peoria.
Dear Pained in Peoria,
Don't be such a wuss. Laser sailing is meant to hurt -- just suck it up. And of course you are not too old for a Laser. I know two guys of 75 who are still sailing Lasers and one has an artificial hip and the other an artificial knee. Get yourself in shape for the 2006 North American Laser Masters that are just up the road from you in Milwaukee in September. And never ever mention the K word in my presence again.
Tillerman
Disclaimer and Irony Warning: Tillerman is not a doctor, a psychiatrist or a sports therapist. He is not qualified to diagnose your condition via email. To the fullest extent permitted at law, Tillerman is writing this blog and its contents on an "as is" basis and makes no (and expressly disclaims all) representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, with respect to this blog including, without limitation, warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In addition, Tillerman does not represent or warrant that the information accessible via this blog is accurate, complete, current or even interesting.
Except as specifically stated on this blog, to the fullest extent permitted at law, neither Tillerman nor any of his affiliates, directors, employees, family members, pets, grandchildren or other representatives will be liable for damages arising out of or in connection with the use of this blog or the information, content, or materials included in this blog. This is a comprehensive limitation of liability that applies to all damages of any kind, including (without limitation) compensatory, direct, indirect or consequential damages, loss of data, income or profit, loss of or damage to property, death, injury, pain, discomfort, boredom or eye strain. For the avoidance of doubt, Tillerman is full of crap and often says the exact opposite of what he really thinks.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Racing Rules Discussion
So Liam, have you read the new racing rules?Um ...
They've been out a year. I thought you'd be up to speed by now. After all, you are four years older than me. And I wasn't around much last year.
But Emily ...
I hear that if you touch a mark you only have to do a tack and a gybe, not a complete 360 degree turn?
Well, I ...
And that you're allowed to scull when you're above close-hauled and have little steerageway and are trying to turn back down to close-hauled. Is that right?
I'm just ...
And they've changed the rule about "hunting". I don't really understand that one. You're my big cousin, can you explain it to me?
Not really, I ...
What's up Liam? Why are you so quiet?
I was just trying to say that you look really cute Emily.
You too Liam. Just hold my hand and smile at the camera.
OK.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Sailing Nutrition
What you have for breakfast prior to a day of sailing will have a real impact on your performance and your enjoyment of the day. The goal of your pre-sailing diet should be to optimize fuel stores and hydration levels while relaxing your mind; sailing will provide plenty of excitement and stress so you need a nutritious vitamin-packed breakfast that will loosen you up for the challenges to come. Thankfully it is possible to meet all these needs in one easily digestible liquid meal.
Do not forget that as the day progresses your energy stores can become depleted. The provision of additional sustenance at lunchtime is essential if you are to minimize the performance-sapping effects of fatigue. Psychologically at lunchtime you will need something refreshing and cooling. Once again modern sports nutrition technology has delivered the perfect mid-day liquid supplement.
At the end of a hard day's sailing it is important to refuel and rehydrate your muscles before the next day. The choice of fluid may vary with individual preferences but Tillerman recommends this recipe from our sailing friends in Bermuda.
Mimosa Recipe
Ingredients
2 oz orange juice
Champagne
Directions
Pour orange juice into a Collins glass over two ice cubes. Fill with chilled champagne, stir very gently, and serve.
Do not forget that as the day progresses your energy stores can become depleted. The provision of additional sustenance at lunchtime is essential if you are to minimize the performance-sapping effects of fatigue. Psychologically at lunchtime you will need something refreshing and cooling. Once again modern sports nutrition technology has delivered the perfect mid-day liquid supplement.
Margarita Recipe
Ingredients
8 oz tequila
2 oz triple sec
6 oz limeade frozen concentrate
Juice of one fresh lemon
2 cups ice
Directions
Put ingredients in blender
Blend
At the end of a hard day's sailing it is important to refuel and rehydrate your muscles before the next day. The choice of fluid may vary with individual preferences but Tillerman recommends this recipe from our sailing friends in Bermuda.
Dark and Stormy Recipe
Ingredients
2 oz Gosling's Black Seal Rum
8 oz ginger beer
Directions
Pour rum over ice, add ginger ale and stir
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