Thursday, July 29, 2004

Around 4pm on Wednesday!

Well summer did arrive (who knows how long for) suddenly on Wednesday afternoon. The morning was cool and miserable, rained all day then suddenly cleared up!

So in the evening I went out for a hill training session. Here's a tip, don't eat an entire pizza with Louisiana Hot Sauce and a big glass of wine less than 2 hours before a hill workout. It was hard work. Still I got in 8K and 5 hill repeats before my chocolate lovers latte.

Today I went out for an easy 6K run in the midday sun. It was much hotter than earlier in the week. My achilles is playing me up so I have made an appointment to go see my massage therapist next week. Here's hoping he can sort it out.

Tuesday, July 27, 2004

When will summer arrive?

Did a good 6.5K run today. It has been raining all morning and is only about 19C but at least it wasn't coming down during my run.

My Grey running shoes are over 500K now and my blue pair is not far behind so it's time to get new shoes. With 10 weeks 'til Chicago, I'll probably have to get another pair before then. Seeing as Nike seem to have discontinued the shoes I use, I'll have to find something that works.

Monday, July 26, 2004

Running by the Falls

Here are some pictures of the Falls that I took on my run :







 

Vacation

Well it's been just over a week and a lot has happened.

Firstly, the beginners did their first race.  All finished with big smiles on their faces.  It was a good day for a race, mid twenties, sunny and not too windy.  Personally I did the first 2.5K in 10:12, got so excited by the time, I got a stitch and dragged myself back in.  Still got a fairly respectable time but well off my PB.

Stayed around and had a few drinks after the race.  I knew a bunch of people there.

Did a hot and Sticky 29+K run on the Sunday, the last 23K on my own.  It was sticky and I dragged my butt back in on the last couple of K.

On the Monday we went on vacation to Niagara Falls for a few days.  I did manage to get a couple of 6K runs in, right past Horseshoe Falls.  It's quite refreshing to run in the mist of the falls.  Our hotel was at the top of a very steep hill which was also fun to run up.  All the tourists looked at me like I was mad, while they were too lazy to even get out of their cars to take a photo of the Falls.

This Sunday I got a 26K run in, very comfortable for the whole run although it was a few degrees cooler than the previous week.  I'm thinking of running the beaches this Sunday.

Today I sent off my proof of performance for a preferred start at the Chicago Marathon.  Soon it will be time to apply for a spot in the London Marathon again.

Thursday, July 15, 2004

Prepare to race

Went out last night and got a free running hat. Did a great 10K with a whole bunch of people who were in my last marathon clinic.

At lunch today I went to pick up my race kit for the 5K tomorrow. Great Brooks T-shirts. All ready to run the race tomorrow.

Wednesday, July 14, 2004

Lousy Summer

The weather has been lousy so far this summer. Another day of rain today. I'm running tonight so I hope it dries up.

Also I'm hoping it is nice for the goal run for the beginners on Friday. Last year, the same race was cold and wet. The year before it was great weather so there's always hope.

Anyway, legs are feeling pretty rested right now and no serious problems so it should be a good race.

Tuesday, July 13, 2004

The end is near

Took the Beginners out for their final training run before the 5K on Friday and they all did a great job. It was very hot and considering the conditions, they all did it with little complaint.

We timed the run to end up at McD's so we could have an end-of-class ice cream.

One of them has asked if I would be interested in doing a clinic at her sisters workplace so she must be pleased with the training she got.

Today I didn't run as I'm resting up for the big race on Friday. I'll run tomorrow at the club. They are giving away free hats!

Monday, July 12, 2004

The wonders of body glide

Sunday I ran 26K in the heat and sunshine. It got up to around 30C so we took it nice and easy although still managed a 5:40/Km average.

Last week I had some chafing due to the heat so this week I liberally applied Body Glide and that stuff works wonders. My biggest problem this week is where my water belt rubs on my back. Maybe I should body glide that too!

Tonight is the final class for the beginners and they will be doing their 5K on Friday. It's actually very exciting to have seen them come so far and to have done so well.

Friday, July 09, 2004

Chicago... Here I Come

Well no running today. The last few days of hard workouts and the after effects of being sick have taken their toll and I just need an extra rest day.

I did sign up for the Chicago Marathon though! So now at least I know what I'm training for.

Thursday, July 08, 2004

Heat and Hills

Last night I went out with the run club to do an 'easy' 10K but we went out fast on a hilly route and it was hot and humid. At around 3K I developed a stitch but kept going and suffered for the next 7K. Not a good run.

Today I decides to do a loop on the streets which I thought was about 6K which ended up being 7K. Again hot and humid and the damn stitch was back.

Found a link to some mapping software for my Garmin. I will try it out and let you know how it goes.

Wednesday, July 07, 2004

The finish is in sight

On Monday the beginners class did another excellent workout. They have all progressed so far in such a short time and are already asking if I'm doing another class. They also seem to be getting excited about the 5K on July 16th which is great.

Tuesday I went out to do a speedy 8K but it was hot and I was still feeling the after effects of being sick. It wasn't too slow but it didn't feel that great and it wasn't the sub 5 minutes/K I wanted.

Tonight I plan to go out and get a good 10K in before it rains too much.

Monday, July 05, 2004

Run swim run

Sometime during my 24K run yesterday, my Garmin had a spasm and located me about 800M into lake Ontario and back within a couple of seconds. The result is it read a total distance of about 26K for my 24K run.

Apart from that it wasn't the best run ever. Hot and rain is not the best combination for a long run.

Tonight is week 9 for the beginners. It also looks like it will rain again so I'm not holding out on too many of them showing up but I hope they do.

Friday, July 02, 2004

Canada Day

Took the day off yesterday because of Canada day. I planned to go out in the afternoon but went for a nap instead. My hamstrings are all the better for the extra days rest.

Went out today to do 10K, I probably did 9.5 by my Garmin has been having problems with all the leafy trees and read 8.something. I ran up to Edwards Gardens and up the stairs to the teaching garden and back.

It was another great day for a run, mid 20's, sunny and the unicycle guy was out there with arms flailing!

This Sunday I plan to run 24K. I think I need to invest in a new water belt as my current one just keeps scratching up my lower back and I'm fed up with it.