Lancer XC Trainning Camp

I wish I had some better pictures from the weekend.....

The semi-annual University of Windsor Lancer XC trainning camp was held once again in Goderich this weekend and hosted, partly, by yours truly.  Since 2002, the team has been up about 6 or 7 times.  Each time in September to get ready for the fall racing season.  They stay in Bayfield, but come into Goderich to train.  Accompanied by coach Malloy, Weston, and Patterson, 20 athletes came and it was a great weekend.

We all worked out on Saturday morning around the Water Treatment Plant.  It went really well; including for myself.  I got rolling completing an 8 minute tempo (going through the mile in about 5:20) and then 10x1k (in 3:12s with 2 mins rest).  I thought I would be able to average under 3:10, but maybe the loop was a bit long?  Or perhaps I am not as fit as I think/hope I am.....  Nevertheless I thought it was a great effort and it will be interesting to see how the races go for me over the next month. 

On Saturday afternoon we all traversed down in Grand Bend.  I organized a bird house making competition, a picture scavenger hunt and a Lancer XC Trivia Questionaire.  The kids seemed to have a great time completing these tasks.  The coaches and I had a pretty good time in the Legion having a cold pint.

It was a great weather weekend and Shelly and I just sort of hung out on Sunday enjoy the last weekend of the summer.  Next Saturday autumn starts I think.



Thresh'n

Back in the day I would have written Thrash'n, but today it was all Thresh'n in Blyth for the annual Thresher's Reunion.  It was a super terrific day with fantastic weather.  Shelly and I jumped on the bike to check out what it is all about.

The main event is the steam powered machines from the early 1900s.  They were obviously the first tractors, they produced about 30 horsepower, and it really started automated farming.  I guess they scaled down steam powered locomotives and adapted them to suit agricultural needs.  They didn't disappointed as there were about 25 of all shapes and sizes.

We sat in on a demonstration of a steam powered threshing machine in action with all of its belts and moving parts.  2 years ago I was in a play at the Livery in Goderich (mini Broadway actually...) and I played the part of a foreman of sorts, of a threshing with a crew of 3 other farmers.  I wish I could remember some of the lines I had; they had to do with keeping the chaf clear of the exit area of the thresher, being mindful of the belts, and I had this bit about how I had once worked with a feller who got caught up inside of a threshing machine and how we just kept pressing on - there was a real funny line in there somewhere.... I can't remember it now though.

Shelly and I had a terrific time and the day couldn't have been any nicer - that is for sure.

They also had a classic car show, plenty of live music, baler twine rope making, great vendors, and even a steam engine powered saw mill milling timber.  I'll go back again and I recommend it to anyone else.

After leaving Blyth we traversed north to Wingham, then east to Lucknow, then north again up to Shelly's folk's place.  There was a bit of drama with a few flat tires on a wagon so Barry, Ryan, and I changed those up.  We'd be no candidates for a NASCAR pit crew, that is for sure, as our beer consumption took priority over the speed in which the rim & rubber had to be switched.  We also went on a puff ball hunt and I scored 5 decent edibles to consume.  Barry noted he has found 28 this year.  That is his limit.

The first week of school went fine.  I usually try to take a picture of myself on the first day - But alas, I didn't.  I sort of thought at the time how stupid that would be this year, but now I am regretting it a bit.  But no worries with me and the 20 pupils.  I got back into my routine and I am pretty sure I can eek out the next 190 days of work.  And I know the kids will probably learn a lot and have a good time which is important too.