Was gone to Vancouver for work all week, and while very eye-opening and enlightening, I was pushed very far outside my comfort zone. Needless to say, still processing and am very happy to be back with my spreadsheets and desk tomorrow! Details to follow, although the mantra was "what happens on the road..."
I don't feel good today though...not sure what it is, but hoping it's just tiredness catching up with me. I was careful (read: obsessive) about taking Emergen-C every day...between Vancouver weather (wet), germ-tubes (aka planes), wonky schedules, no boot camp or running and less than stellar eating habits, it's lucky I managed to survive at all! Maybe it's "Chinook Head" - what I refer to as the weirdness one can experience when a particular warm spell hits Calgary. After all, yesterday's LSD was -6C and 97% humidity, while right now (at 8:48pm) it's still +7C and 45% humidity. That's quite a change and sometimes the body just doesn't like it.
Speaking of training, I did manage to make it out for the planned 38km training run. Last one at this distance before Frozen Ass, in exactly 22 sleeps! And in exactly 23 sleeps, I will be 49! Granted, it'll be the day after the ultra, so I'll most likely feel 149! hehehe... As mentioned above, it was a bit cooler than I expected, so I may not have been properly dressed for a 5 hour jaunt, with only 1 layer on the legs and two up top (shirt and jacket). Granted, I did warm up (I always do) and my legs weren't as stiff as last weekend (when they were, for all intents and purposes, frozen solid) but I could have done with one more thin layer to ward off the chill. We ran east for a bit, to add the mileage, and then pointed west, heading back out to Stoney Trail (the 30km run that turned out to be 33+). Trouble is this time the river has made it impassible on both sides at 10th Street, so we crossed to the north side earlier (easier to cross with the lights, rather than jay-run), which is slightly shorter than the south side route. After making it through the unplowed areas, made better by the recently packed snow (not so icey this time), we had doubled back through Bowness Park, and thought we'd all try J's trick of fueling up with a coffee and a muffin. I tried what can only be described at the oldest, driest, most boring oatmeal raisin cookie, ever, and managed to choke down half of it. I did add milk to my coffee and chug it all back, as well as topping up my water. As we made our way back, D & J were way ahead, with MM and myself bringing up the rear (only 4 of us today). Both MM and I decided early on that if we weren't done 38 at Eau Claire we were happy with that. And so we finished at Eau Claire at 36.55km, or (gasp) 1.45km short. S'all right. I knew I was going out with my 5k peepers today, and would do that distance and more. I could live with myself.
After refueling (usual...chocolate milk, fruit salad, egg wrap, coffee), I took off for another nail appointment (I just can't have nice things...broke off 3, right to the quick, within HOURS of each other...they are all now SHORT!), and then home to the couch.
Today was a 26 minute run with the peepers, and then running around with Mom. Home for dinner of gnocchi, tomato sauce and cheese, and then laying on the couch.
Back to the normal grind tomorrow, but really looking forward to boot camp. Oh boy...I get to set the alarm for 5am!!
Later,
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
The Wet Coast
A quick pop-in to say hello and yes, I am still alive. I arrived in Funcouver on Monday, for work, and have spent the last two days knocking on doors, talking and listening to customers and doing my best to stay dry and warm. That was close to impossible today as the rain came down in sheets. I don't like rain. Period.
I've spent the last few hours catching up on blogs, after spending last night getting to know some of my colleagues here. Man, you ignore the scroll for a couple of days and BAM, you all have a lot to say! I haven't been running here (hotel is right on a highway) but I will make the effort to go to the hotel's "fitness" centre in the morning (dreadmill, universal gym and elliptical) and get my sweat on. The good part of door knocking is the fact that we don't start until 11am...the bad news is it's winter in Vancouver. That means rain. I'd rather have snow!
I am missing my routines, and my furbaby. Mostly my furbaby.
Later,
I've spent the last few hours catching up on blogs, after spending last night getting to know some of my colleagues here. Man, you ignore the scroll for a couple of days and BAM, you all have a lot to say! I haven't been running here (hotel is right on a highway) but I will make the effort to go to the hotel's "fitness" centre in the morning (dreadmill, universal gym and elliptical) and get my sweat on. The good part of door knocking is the fact that we don't start until 11am...the bad news is it's winter in Vancouver. That means rain. I'd rather have snow!
I am missing my routines, and my furbaby. Mostly my furbaby.
Later,
Saturday, January 21, 2012
I see you
This is why I run outdoors.
Sadly, taken with my Crackberry, and while the battery was dying, so I couldn't get a closer shot. But, running along the river, in -16C (ish...didn't know the exact temp) on a Saturday morning in Calgary. These two were just hanging, watching us foolish runners rush on past.
Today was a fall-back day in training, so we "only" ran 28km. I was oh, so hopeful when the weather man said the temps would be -6C when we got up, and then up to 0 (32F) by noon. It didn't happen. I think it was around -16C but with the humidity (still at 85% now), it felt a lot colder. Dressing for how I run (Drippy McSweaterson), I had one layer on the legs, a second skin top under a wind-proof top, under my jacket, gloves and a head band. From the waist up, I was okay, although the gloves and headband stayed on the whole run. My legs were solid blocks of ice from the get-go. They just never warmed up. I should have had a second layer, but lesson learned. I did, however, put my orthotics in my shoes and had a much better run today for it.
We went east again, this time sticking to that direction, rather than breaking south towards the reservoir. The river had fog rising from the open patches of water, and it was snowing when we first headed out. The trees all had Hoar frost on them, and it was quite pretty. Cold, but pretty. We continue east past the bird sanctuary and Pierce Estates, to Ogden Road. There, we cross the river and continue east through Beaver Damn Flats (where we came across the eagles), up to the ridge on Lynnridge (only "warm" part of the run), back down to the river past Glenmore Trail, before turning around at km 14 (14.25, to be exact). Then we head for home. Quite a few of us started (a dozen or so) but most were happy with 18-20km and turned around early. Five of us continued on, although the joke was J. was actually getting in 32 or so, as he'd run ahead, turn around and run back to us, then pace ahead, repeat as necessary. Kind of like the dog from Bugs Bunny, only not quite as hyper!
(source)
Just call me Spike!
After pushing on through the cold, we finished 28km in 3 hours and 41 minutes. Since this could be the weather in February, it was a good idea to run today, rather than wait for a warmer one, or train inside. Races do not normally take place indoors, unless it's in a pool!
After warming up, coaxing the slush that was our fluids out of our water bottles, changing into dry gear (thank goodness for underground parking!) and having lunch (usual: non-fat latte, egg wrap and fruit salad), I did some quick running around (drugstore and vet) before heading for home. One load of laundry later, and an un-inspiring dinner of leftover vegetable lasagna (from my freezer) and salad, I have been pretty much prone on the couch since. Too tired to nap, but I may just obey that 10pm rule from Thursday night easily enough!
Tomorrow morning I will take my 5k peepers out for their Sunday run, then another stop for Mom, before heading down to her place. I will then leave James for my mechanic to work on next week (tune-up, nothing serious) and take the train home, as I won't need James next week. I'm being sent out of town for business...my FIRST.TIME.EVER!
Not that I've worked for a lot of companies in my life (I tend to work someplace for many, many, many years, rather than at many, many, many companies), but I have never had to travel for work. Oh, there was Montreal for Epicure, but that wasn't really for work. That was for me. But Monday morning I am off for Vancouver, to spend the week talking to customers about my company and what we can do for them. Remember, I am in finance and not sales! But this blitz is very different in the fact that all kinds of employees are heading out, from marketing, engineering, IT, sales, human resources, etc. It'll be a real eye-opening experience for me, and a first (hey, fits right into 2012 - year of firsts) as I hope to make some sales through out the week. From what I've heard, everyone out there is having a blast, and it's being really well received. I did find where the nearest Running Room is, but I think I'll be working (shifts are usually noon to 8 - SA-WEET!!!!) through Wednesday's group run. I have also found the nearest Weight Watchers and confirmed meeting times and distance from hotel. I'll either find a trail from the hotel, or use the exercise facilities (dreaded dreadmill) but I will run/sweat every day. After all, this trip also means no Trainer Josh for a week. Sad face... I'll be back Friday evening, just in time for Saturday's 38km! Oh boy!!!
With that, I bid adieu for the night...and blatantly steal this from Monica at Run, Eat, Repeat.
Today was a fall-back day in training, so we "only" ran 28km. I was oh, so hopeful when the weather man said the temps would be -6C when we got up, and then up to 0 (32F) by noon. It didn't happen. I think it was around -16C but with the humidity (still at 85% now), it felt a lot colder. Dressing for how I run (Drippy McSweaterson), I had one layer on the legs, a second skin top under a wind-proof top, under my jacket, gloves and a head band. From the waist up, I was okay, although the gloves and headband stayed on the whole run. My legs were solid blocks of ice from the get-go. They just never warmed up. I should have had a second layer, but lesson learned. I did, however, put my orthotics in my shoes and had a much better run today for it.
We went east again, this time sticking to that direction, rather than breaking south towards the reservoir. The river had fog rising from the open patches of water, and it was snowing when we first headed out. The trees all had Hoar frost on them, and it was quite pretty. Cold, but pretty. We continue east past the bird sanctuary and Pierce Estates, to Ogden Road. There, we cross the river and continue east through Beaver Damn Flats (where we came across the eagles), up to the ridge on Lynnridge (only "warm" part of the run), back down to the river past Glenmore Trail, before turning around at km 14 (14.25, to be exact). Then we head for home. Quite a few of us started (a dozen or so) but most were happy with 18-20km and turned around early. Five of us continued on, although the joke was J. was actually getting in 32 or so, as he'd run ahead, turn around and run back to us, then pace ahead, repeat as necessary. Kind of like the dog from Bugs Bunny, only not quite as hyper!
(source)
Just call me Spike!
After pushing on through the cold, we finished 28km in 3 hours and 41 minutes. Since this could be the weather in February, it was a good idea to run today, rather than wait for a warmer one, or train inside. Races do not normally take place indoors, unless it's in a pool!
After warming up, coaxing the slush that was our fluids out of our water bottles, changing into dry gear (thank goodness for underground parking!) and having lunch (usual: non-fat latte, egg wrap and fruit salad), I did some quick running around (drugstore and vet) before heading for home. One load of laundry later, and an un-inspiring dinner of leftover vegetable lasagna (from my freezer) and salad, I have been pretty much prone on the couch since. Too tired to nap, but I may just obey that 10pm rule from Thursday night easily enough!
Tomorrow morning I will take my 5k peepers out for their Sunday run, then another stop for Mom, before heading down to her place. I will then leave James for my mechanic to work on next week (tune-up, nothing serious) and take the train home, as I won't need James next week. I'm being sent out of town for business...my FIRST.TIME.EVER!
Not that I've worked for a lot of companies in my life (I tend to work someplace for many, many, many years, rather than at many, many, many companies), but I have never had to travel for work. Oh, there was Montreal for Epicure, but that wasn't really for work. That was for me. But Monday morning I am off for Vancouver, to spend the week talking to customers about my company and what we can do for them. Remember, I am in finance and not sales! But this blitz is very different in the fact that all kinds of employees are heading out, from marketing, engineering, IT, sales, human resources, etc. It'll be a real eye-opening experience for me, and a first (hey, fits right into 2012 - year of firsts) as I hope to make some sales through out the week. From what I've heard, everyone out there is having a blast, and it's being really well received. I did find where the nearest Running Room is, but I think I'll be working (shifts are usually noon to 8 - SA-WEET!!!!) through Wednesday's group run. I have also found the nearest Weight Watchers and confirmed meeting times and distance from hotel. I'll either find a trail from the hotel, or use the exercise facilities (dreaded dreadmill) but I will run/sweat every day. After all, this trip also means no Trainer Josh for a week. Sad face... I'll be back Friday evening, just in time for Saturday's 38km! Oh boy!!!
With that, I bid adieu for the night...and blatantly steal this from Monica at Run, Eat, Repeat.
Old Nike ad:
“You pretended the snooze button didn’t exist. You dragged your butt out of bed while others slept. While others ate their pancakes you had a feast of protein, glucose and electrolytes. You double-knotted. You left the porch light on and locked the door behind you.
You ran 5Ks, 10Ks, 26.2 miles. Some days more, some days less. You rewarded a long run with a short run. And a short run with a long run. Rain tried to slow you. Sun tried to microwave you. Snow made you feel like a warrior.
You cramped. You bonked. You paid no mind to comfort. On weekends. On holidays. You made excuses to keep going. Questioned yourself. Played mind games. Put your heart before your knees. Listened to your breathing. Sweat sunscreen into your eyes. Worked on your farmer’s tan. You hit the wall. You went through it.
You decided to be man about it. You decided to be woman about it. Finished what you started. Proved what you were made of. Just kept putting mile after mile on your interval odometer.
For 25 years, you ran. And we ran with you. How much farther will we go? As far as you will.”
Later,
Thursday, January 19, 2012
About time
Had a nice loss at weigh-in today, which just means all the hard work I've been doing is finally clicking. Amazing really...follow the program, sweat more, eat less and voila...weight loss! Down 2.4, which is the motivation I need to continue onward.
No run or boot camp tonight, as I went to a talk given by a fellow runner/tri person I know, who has a company called Choose Energy. She's a bundle of energy without stimulants, so I was curious to hear her nutrition talk on "Weight less for Life". She didn't focus so much on losing weight but more so on balancing everything, and while most of it I've heard in one way or another, I did focus in on one thing. I need more sleep. She says we should all be in bed, asleep at 10pm. Period. Uh-oh...fail. I'm already 35 minutes past. We talked exercise (this woman is a machine - I've seen her in action), nutrition, breathing, emotions, etc. Quite interesting, and she packed a lot into the 90 minutes. Of course, made some great sales for Community Foods as most of us rushed from our seats to the the nutrition aisle and walked away with our new goodies (she also whipped up a smoothie for us to sample). For me, Amazing Grass wheat grass and Hemp protein powder. We did get samples of the berry, original and chocolate Amazing Grass, so I am anxious to try those. Going to aim for a smoothie every other day, say after boot camp. It'll be a great way to get protein back into me quickly, after our intense workout.
Speaking of, I'm now 43 minutes past my bedtime, and boot camp is still at 6am. Currently -23C out there, so it's practically balmy...depending on how it feels when I first head out in the morning, I may run around the block. Or stick to laps of the hall. Saturday's 28km is going to be nice though, as the forecast is for above zero. However will I dress?!
Later,
No run or boot camp tonight, as I went to a talk given by a fellow runner/tri person I know, who has a company called Choose Energy. She's a bundle of energy without stimulants, so I was curious to hear her nutrition talk on "Weight less for Life". She didn't focus so much on losing weight but more so on balancing everything, and while most of it I've heard in one way or another, I did focus in on one thing. I need more sleep. She says we should all be in bed, asleep at 10pm. Period. Uh-oh...fail. I'm already 35 minutes past. We talked exercise (this woman is a machine - I've seen her in action), nutrition, breathing, emotions, etc. Quite interesting, and she packed a lot into the 90 minutes. Of course, made some great sales for Community Foods as most of us rushed from our seats to the the nutrition aisle and walked away with our new goodies (she also whipped up a smoothie for us to sample). For me, Amazing Grass wheat grass and Hemp protein powder. We did get samples of the berry, original and chocolate Amazing Grass, so I am anxious to try those. Going to aim for a smoothie every other day, say after boot camp. It'll be a great way to get protein back into me quickly, after our intense workout.
Speaking of, I'm now 43 minutes past my bedtime, and boot camp is still at 6am. Currently -23C out there, so it's practically balmy...depending on how it feels when I first head out in the morning, I may run around the block. Or stick to laps of the hall. Saturday's 28km is going to be nice though, as the forecast is for above zero. However will I dress?!
Later,
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Deep freeze
I think I haven't blogged because my fingers are frozen. Solid. Since Sunday, the temperatures in Calgary have hovered around the -30C mark...that's -22F. WITHOUT the wind. And Calgary is never without wind! Then we get wind chills in the -36C to -40C. Suffice to say, it's stupid cold.
Does that mean we all stop living here in Cowtown? Nope...nary a "cold weather advisory" or whatever it was the city of Toronto called when their temps plummeted to -16C a few weeks back. We run (run club went on as normal Sunday and tonight), we drive to our appointments (James has handled the cold very well, given he lived his first few years inside a garage...parked outside in the cold is foreign to him) and we (some of us) walk to work. It's all about the layering.
For running:
Tight running pants, that wick moisture. 2nd pair of looser pants over top. Not quite wind-breakers, but slightly thicker, still wicking, and a little warmer. Socks can be double layer, and definitely up over the ankle. You don't want exposed skin down there! Runners, if the paths are clear, or trail runners if you have snow to contend with. Ice is ice...doesn't matter the footwear, it's still slippery. Take it easy.
Tight wicking top. I call it my second skin layer. Over that, a slightly looser and heavier layer. Over that goes an even thicker layer, usually a running jacket of some type. Then top it off with a wind breaking top coat. I prefer gloves, as my hands usually stay warm. But in these extreme temps, I've been wearing a cheap pair of .99 gloves bought at the grocery store underneath the running (aka wicking) gloves. Toque, again that wicks, but comes down nicely over the ears. I've even been known to wear a headband over the hat.
Face: this is where it gets tricky for me. I do not like things covering my mouth. I don't wear scarves properly and I don't like balaclavas. So what I do is wear something around my neck that comes up to my chin. When I'm cold, I can dip my head down, but the mouth is clear for breathing. Some people like to smear Body Glide or Vaseline on their face, but my eyes water so bad that the sheet of ice formed tends to protect my cheeks from harm. Knock on wood.
For work, I follow the same layering principle. Leggings under pants, two tops under my down coat. And it helps that after 6 blocks from home I can access the +15 system in downtown and make it almost the whole way to work inside. Still pretty frosty.
Didn't help when I had to go to the chiro on Tuesday though...that was a chilly walk along the river into Kensington. The river, which has now "eaten" the pathway on both sides, was just slushy on Sunday. By Tuesday, it looked like this. And so cool, as you crossed over it, you could hear it groaning and cracking and popping...Mama Nature may be a be-otch at times, but she's also a cool old broad!
Frustrating part is the City had JUST opened this underpass, after a year of construction. Crap.
I confessed my sins to Therapist Dave, who "punished" me for such foolishness (I ran 36k without my orthotics...a severe lapse of judgement) by doing his best to make me cry. Came very close a few times! Amazing that a man can actually jam his thumb right to the bone, in between the muscles and tendons on one's leg. But I'm moving better, and the leg is not so achy at night. That's when it was really bothering me...not while running or at boot camp, but while sitting still. Weird.
Speaking of boot camp, yes, everyone was there this week, despite the cold. Granted we are inside, but you still have to convince your vehicle to start to get there by 6am. And it is sooooooo hard to leave a warm bed at 5am, knowing it's minus stupid cold outside. Many, many, many push-ups, squats and likes later, I have survived to Wednesday.
Okay...I need to finish up my tea, and head for bed. Only two more days of the bitter cold, just in time for our 28km training run on Saturday, although it could start cool...that means carrying layers home, unfortunately. Two more days...I can take it. I am Canadian!
Later,
Does that mean we all stop living here in Cowtown? Nope...nary a "cold weather advisory" or whatever it was the city of Toronto called when their temps plummeted to -16C a few weeks back. We run (run club went on as normal Sunday and tonight), we drive to our appointments (James has handled the cold very well, given he lived his first few years inside a garage...parked outside in the cold is foreign to him) and we (some of us) walk to work. It's all about the layering.
For running:
Tight running pants, that wick moisture. 2nd pair of looser pants over top. Not quite wind-breakers, but slightly thicker, still wicking, and a little warmer. Socks can be double layer, and definitely up over the ankle. You don't want exposed skin down there! Runners, if the paths are clear, or trail runners if you have snow to contend with. Ice is ice...doesn't matter the footwear, it's still slippery. Take it easy.
Tight wicking top. I call it my second skin layer. Over that, a slightly looser and heavier layer. Over that goes an even thicker layer, usually a running jacket of some type. Then top it off with a wind breaking top coat. I prefer gloves, as my hands usually stay warm. But in these extreme temps, I've been wearing a cheap pair of .99 gloves bought at the grocery store underneath the running (aka wicking) gloves. Toque, again that wicks, but comes down nicely over the ears. I've even been known to wear a headband over the hat.
Face: this is where it gets tricky for me. I do not like things covering my mouth. I don't wear scarves properly and I don't like balaclavas. So what I do is wear something around my neck that comes up to my chin. When I'm cold, I can dip my head down, but the mouth is clear for breathing. Some people like to smear Body Glide or Vaseline on their face, but my eyes water so bad that the sheet of ice formed tends to protect my cheeks from harm. Knock on wood.
For work, I follow the same layering principle. Leggings under pants, two tops under my down coat. And it helps that after 6 blocks from home I can access the +15 system in downtown and make it almost the whole way to work inside. Still pretty frosty.
Didn't help when I had to go to the chiro on Tuesday though...that was a chilly walk along the river into Kensington. The river, which has now "eaten" the pathway on both sides, was just slushy on Sunday. By Tuesday, it looked like this. And so cool, as you crossed over it, you could hear it groaning and cracking and popping...Mama Nature may be a be-otch at times, but she's also a cool old broad!
I confessed my sins to Therapist Dave, who "punished" me for such foolishness (I ran 36k without my orthotics...a severe lapse of judgement) by doing his best to make me cry. Came very close a few times! Amazing that a man can actually jam his thumb right to the bone, in between the muscles and tendons on one's leg. But I'm moving better, and the leg is not so achy at night. That's when it was really bothering me...not while running or at boot camp, but while sitting still. Weird.
Speaking of boot camp, yes, everyone was there this week, despite the cold. Granted we are inside, but you still have to convince your vehicle to start to get there by 6am. And it is sooooooo hard to leave a warm bed at 5am, knowing it's minus stupid cold outside. Many, many, many push-ups, squats and likes later, I have survived to Wednesday.
Okay...I need to finish up my tea, and head for bed. Only two more days of the bitter cold, just in time for our 28km training run on Saturday, although it could start cool...that means carrying layers home, unfortunately. Two more days...I can take it. I am Canadian!
Later,
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Seemed like a good idea
36km LSD for Frozen A** by carollw45 at Garmin Connect - Details
Only 37 more sleeps till the Frozen A$$ 50 Ultra, so our long slow distances have been growing. December 31st had us run 24 km. January 7th saw that jump by more than 29%, as we increased to 31 km. Actually, it would have been almost a 40% jump, had MS and I not stopped at 31 and walk in the last two k. This week, that number jumped another 16% to 36. So much for no more than 10% at a time, huh? Add to this my testing of the theory regarding my orthotics, current leg pain and whether the use of my birks and minimalists have actually retrained my feet. Or, as I now like to call it "what the eff was I thinking?!" I (and my ART therapist) thought I should try running without them for a few weeks, to test them out. I don't think either one of us was thinking about the impact of a 4+ hour run, however.
Got up nice and early and had breakfast of a nut square (like a rice krispie square with rice cereal, nuts, dried fruit, peanut butter, sesame seeds and honey) and Greek yogurt. Made up my OJ & water mix, and packed some Honey Stinger chews and gels. The temps were looking good, which was awesome, as winter is returning big time to Calgary overnight tonight - highs during the week next week will hover around 0F. Or colder!
met up with the gang at Eau Claire, and after getting everyone/everything organized, we were off. We headed east to Fort Calgary, along the Bow river. Nice day, little wind, sun shining and temps around -4C. Not as cold or humid as last week. After passing Fort Calgary, we turned south, sticking along the Elbow river now, and going around behind Stampede Park, until we were heading west. Sticking along the river, we ran towards Talisman Centre, where those who needed it could use the facilities. Some of us (MM and I are the camels of the group) circled around that, while we waited for the others (hence the circle on the map), before continuing on southwest past Mission and Roxboro, heading towards Stanley Park. This is where we lost three of our runners, as they turned back at the 8km mark. Passing Stanley Park, we continued west, through the park and the neighbourhood on the other side, until we hit Riverfront Park, at the base of North Glenmore Athletic park. Up Sandy Bitch...er, Beach hill, for another pit stop at the top (dog park...with human facilities too). Aiming south again, we rounded towards Glenmore Dam and crossed over, and over Glenmore Trail towards the Rockyview Hospital. Pass the hospital, and up and into Eagle Ridge. Out again, this time passing Heritage Park and reaching the eastwardly end of Glenmore Reservoir. We decided earlier on to continue past the usual turnaround point of Glenmore Landing (a Running Room, McDonalds, Starbucks and other shops) for another 2km, in order to reach 36km. This lead us past Bayview, and had us turning around at the South Calgary Sailing Club. Oh boy..."only" 18km to go now.
My feet were not pleased. That made my shins unhappy. My knees, not wanting to be left out, also started to ache. That made the hips jealous, so they yanked on the IT and hamstrings for a while. And the butt...oh, the butt. It was going to be a long run home. But I am nothing if not tenacious. Some may wish to change that to stubborn...stupid...crazy...crazy some more...there are many options!
After another pit stop at McDonalds (I went into the Running Room, got some water and then stretched outside), we were off. J & D took off ahead, as she once again fueled up on coffee and a muffin. I did not get that same energy from my honey gels...I may need to check into her plan next time! Anyway, that left MS, MM and myself, but I was most definitely slowing down. I watched as MS and MM moved further and further ahead of me, but then I would round a corner and there they were, waiting for me. This is how we returned...slow but sure. There are many "bailout" points along this route, and it's not too bad, as the hills are more rolling, but some of the pathways are slanting, as are some of the roadways, and I will truthfully admit running so far without my orthotics was most likely the dumbest thing I have done in a while. I am honestly surprised I can stand upright at this point!!
Took me four hours and fifty minutes to finish, but finish I did. I had about a half km to walk in this week, and after a quick lunch of egg wrap, fruit salad, chocolate milk (best thing EVER) and a coffee, I took off for my manicure scheduled at 3:30. I have very pretty girl nails again (went French this time), and since I immediately changed into my birks the second I got home, my feet/ankles/shins/knees/hips/butt aren't doing too bad. Oh, they're all still really angry at me, but nothing a little more vitamin 'I' won't cure. Dinner was a bit of lasagna - oddly enough, not really hungry - and some salad, and I have been fighting sleep ever since. Good thing there was a Bourne movie on to keep me awake. Mmmmm...such sweet dreams I will have now.
I do have my 5k peepers to take out tomorrow, and this could be a cold one. I am thrilled we're only out for 25 minutes total.
Okay...I'm standing up now (maybe) and heading for bed. Hope everyone else's Saturday was just as awesome as mine.
Later,
Only 37 more sleeps till the Frozen A$$ 50 Ultra, so our long slow distances have been growing. December 31st had us run 24 km. January 7th saw that jump by more than 29%, as we increased to 31 km. Actually, it would have been almost a 40% jump, had MS and I not stopped at 31 and walk in the last two k. This week, that number jumped another 16% to 36. So much for no more than 10% at a time, huh? Add to this my testing of the theory regarding my orthotics, current leg pain and whether the use of my birks and minimalists have actually retrained my feet. Or, as I now like to call it "what the eff was I thinking?!" I (and my ART therapist) thought I should try running without them for a few weeks, to test them out. I don't think either one of us was thinking about the impact of a 4+ hour run, however.
Got up nice and early and had breakfast of a nut square (like a rice krispie square with rice cereal, nuts, dried fruit, peanut butter, sesame seeds and honey) and Greek yogurt. Made up my OJ & water mix, and packed some Honey Stinger chews and gels. The temps were looking good, which was awesome, as winter is returning big time to Calgary overnight tonight - highs during the week next week will hover around 0F. Or colder!
met up with the gang at Eau Claire, and after getting everyone/everything organized, we were off. We headed east to Fort Calgary, along the Bow river. Nice day, little wind, sun shining and temps around -4C. Not as cold or humid as last week. After passing Fort Calgary, we turned south, sticking along the Elbow river now, and going around behind Stampede Park, until we were heading west. Sticking along the river, we ran towards Talisman Centre, where those who needed it could use the facilities. Some of us (MM and I are the camels of the group) circled around that, while we waited for the others (hence the circle on the map), before continuing on southwest past Mission and Roxboro, heading towards Stanley Park. This is where we lost three of our runners, as they turned back at the 8km mark. Passing Stanley Park, we continued west, through the park and the neighbourhood on the other side, until we hit Riverfront Park, at the base of North Glenmore Athletic park. Up Sandy Bitch...er, Beach hill, for another pit stop at the top (dog park...with human facilities too). Aiming south again, we rounded towards Glenmore Dam and crossed over, and over Glenmore Trail towards the Rockyview Hospital. Pass the hospital, and up and into Eagle Ridge. Out again, this time passing Heritage Park and reaching the eastwardly end of Glenmore Reservoir. We decided earlier on to continue past the usual turnaround point of Glenmore Landing (a Running Room, McDonalds, Starbucks and other shops) for another 2km, in order to reach 36km. This lead us past Bayview, and had us turning around at the South Calgary Sailing Club. Oh boy..."only" 18km to go now.
My feet were not pleased. That made my shins unhappy. My knees, not wanting to be left out, also started to ache. That made the hips jealous, so they yanked on the IT and hamstrings for a while. And the butt...oh, the butt. It was going to be a long run home. But I am nothing if not tenacious. Some may wish to change that to stubborn...stupid...crazy...crazy some more...there are many options!
After another pit stop at McDonalds (I went into the Running Room, got some water and then stretched outside), we were off. J & D took off ahead, as she once again fueled up on coffee and a muffin. I did not get that same energy from my honey gels...I may need to check into her plan next time! Anyway, that left MS, MM and myself, but I was most definitely slowing down. I watched as MS and MM moved further and further ahead of me, but then I would round a corner and there they were, waiting for me. This is how we returned...slow but sure. There are many "bailout" points along this route, and it's not too bad, as the hills are more rolling, but some of the pathways are slanting, as are some of the roadways, and I will truthfully admit running so far without my orthotics was most likely the dumbest thing I have done in a while. I am honestly surprised I can stand upright at this point!!
Took me four hours and fifty minutes to finish, but finish I did. I had about a half km to walk in this week, and after a quick lunch of egg wrap, fruit salad, chocolate milk (best thing EVER) and a coffee, I took off for my manicure scheduled at 3:30. I have very pretty girl nails again (went French this time), and since I immediately changed into my birks the second I got home, my feet/ankles/shins/knees/hips/butt aren't doing too bad. Oh, they're all still really angry at me, but nothing a little more vitamin 'I' won't cure. Dinner was a bit of lasagna - oddly enough, not really hungry - and some salad, and I have been fighting sleep ever since. Good thing there was a Bourne movie on to keep me awake. Mmmmm...such sweet dreams I will have now.
I do have my 5k peepers to take out tomorrow, and this could be a cold one. I am thrilled we're only out for 25 minutes total.
Okay...I'm standing up now (maybe) and heading for bed. Hope everyone else's Saturday was just as awesome as mine.
Later,
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Fifty
We did, however, get to do FIFTY squats.
Then we moved on to 5-0 push-ups.
Trucking along, we crossed the gym multiple times, as we counted down 10+10+10+10+10 lunge walks, ensuring each side was even.
Grabbing our weights, we did FIVE-ZERO dead lifts with upright row.
That was so much fun that, in multiples of one 50 times over, we did squat press with a curl.
We did get to lay down at one point, but that was to crank out a few...okay fifty, Supermans.
Flopping onto our backs, we finally rounded out the morning's festivities with, guess how many and the first 49 answers don't count, drop-leg flies.
I feel like I'm three hundred and fifty...just sayin.
Later,
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