Lean into the wind

Sunday's run was a blast but not in a good way. The wind was constant from the west so all the way back we had it in our faces so hard it was like running uphill.

I ran with the group who likes to call themselves the dumb asses and we averaged a 5:30/km pace even with the wind.

Luckily it wasn't too cold and we were only doing 22K but I was glad when it was all over. The other good thing was that the rain stopped about 4K in to it.

Today was much nicer. I did an easy 6K up into Sunnybrook park, running the first 2.5K with Rick who is training for the Disney marathon.

I should hear pretty soon about London, the confirmations started going out on Friday.

Tomorrow...More Hills.

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No Snow... wind

The promised 5cm of snow did not arrive and it had actually dried up quite a bit by the time I was ready to go out for my 5K run today. Out of the window, it actually looked nice and the sun was peaking out from time to time. Then I noticed that the flags off in the distance were flapping like crazy and the smoke stacks were spewing out sideways not upwards.

It's a good job I noticed because I decided to wear a wool hat and gloves and the wind was blasting down from the north. The windchill was about -8C.

Despite that, my run was fine and quick too.

Sunday 22K!

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Hills in the Rain

Last night the weather was crappy. It was right around freezing and raining/sleeting hard with a strong wind too. Of course I had to go out and do some hill repeats.

Actually it wasn't too bad once you got out there. My trick is to wear a hat with a peak with a winter hat over the top to keep my ears warm. I find that, with the peak, I keep the rain off my face and that makes all the difference.

I ran hard up the hills and the 5 repeats went like a snap. It also worth remembering to bring at least a dry t-shirt and sweatshirt for that trip to the coffee shop after the run.

We are also organizing a few beers on the evening of Dec 21st after the half and marathon clinic. Let me know if you are interested and I'll send you the details.

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Off roading

I went out for an easy 5K today. Before I left the office I wasn't feeling too much like doing it, it looks cold and dull outside but I got myself out the door anyway.

At about 1.5K I saw the trail off into the woods and at a split second decided to follow it. I know where it comes back out to the paved trail and figured the round trip would be just over 5K.

It's always fun to run off road. It's so much hillier and you have to watch your footing so you can't relax too much but it's fun.

When I finally came out on to the paved trail again I had gone a little further than anticipated and the Garmin had even lost the signal a couple of times so I cam back along the path and as I was coming past the science centre I heard the familiar echoed squawk of a hawk and watched it dive some poor rodent.

They have finally finished paving the parking lot of the science centre so I ran along the fresh asphalt enjoying my tax dollars at work.

The round trip was around 6K but an unexpected good run.

Tomorrow night....Hills!

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Saturday rain, Sunday sunshine

Saturday was a dreary rainy day. Cold and blustery and I was glad I didn't have to run. I watched the Hawaii Ironman on TV and sunk into my couch with my feet up.

Sunday, the rain stopped early and the temp was already 8C by the time I was getting ready for my run. I decided to try not to over dress this week and wore shorts. It was such a great day for a long run. The sun came a went a few times but the scenery along the shore of Lake Ontario was as great as ever.

I really didn't feel too in to it for the first 6-7K but after that it felt good and the kilometers just kept slipping away. The 20K went like a snap of the fingers.

Afterwards I was asked to do another marathon clinic but not until the summer. I don't know why they are so eager but I will probably go ahead and do it.

Still waiting to hear about the London Marathon. Some time in the next 3 weeks it should be finalized.

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Hills

Last night I went out to do four hill repeats. It's so much easier to get a good workout when you run with other people. I tend to get more competitive and work harder when there are other people around.

It was raining but warmish so it wasn't too bad and the legs are not complaining too much (just wait 'til I get to ten repeats).

Today I went out for a 5K tempo run. Again it was quite warm, probably over 12C and I was overdressed but I got it done pretty quick.

I bumped into one of the members of my last beginners running clinic this afternoon. He looks great and is currently training for a 10K. It's good to see success stories like that.

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Catch up

Sunday's run was quite a bit cooler than the previous week but still not winter like. I ran the first 6K with three of the ladies who were in my first marathon clinic. At least I wasn't the most overdressed one, one of them had a winter hat, mittens and neck warmer on. Needless to say, the mittens cam off at about 3K.

I ran the last 10K on my own which wasn't too bad.

Tuesday it was warmer again, probably around 12C so I went out to do my 6K. When I got back, one of the building management guys had been painting the wood around the flower planters which I use to hold on to when I stretch. I saw there was new paint so I checked it and it was dry. When the guy doing the painting saw me, he freaked out and kept shouting at me to watch out for the paint.

Tonight I'll be out for 4 hill repeats. It's not scaring me too much at this point and I didn't even feel the last weeks hill workout.

I've been asked to speak at a 10K running clinic on the preparation that's needed to do an out-of-town marathon but I think I'll have to turn them down because I'm busy on the day they asked me. It's a shame because it would have been fun.

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Windy again

Yesterday it was surprisingly warm and in the evening when I went out to do my hills it was still around 9C. The three hill repeats were easy enough. I have a long time before the London Marathon so I'm starting out with few repeats. I'll be up to 10 before I know it.

Today at lunch I went out for a 6K tempo run. It was very windy from the north and the temperature has dropped a lot, even since this morning. Still, I got the whole thing done pretty quick and the hot shower felt good.

This weekend I plan to drop down to 16K so another easy run on it's way.

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The Hills are Alive

Today I will start my hill training for London, just in case I'm in. I won't know if I got a lottery place until the first week of December but I'm already training for it.

Tonight's run will start out with an easy 3 repeats and I'll be working up to 10 in a few weeks.

I'm also going to sign up for the resolution run because they are giving out a rather snazzy backpack this year with only a $40 registration fee.

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Sub Zero

Today was my first sub-zero run for this winter, just barely. The temp was -0.7 when I went out but the sun was out and there was very little wind. I ran my old 5K loop but the garmin said it was 5.3K.

A nice run though, no-one tried to run me down which makes a change. The legs feel good. Tomorrow night I plan to do a few hills but this week is actually a drop down week.

I'm also coming to the end of the useful life of my Sauconys. I won't be buying the same pair again, they are too lightweight for the miles I run so it's time to start investigating what shoes to buy.

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Winter's on it's way

Last Thursday I got out for my 5K but not before the rain came. It didn't seem to be raining much until I stopped at the end to stretch when I realized all the smokers outside the building where huddled together under the overhang looking at me like I was mad and that standing in the rain was going to kill me.

Sunday was a great day for a run. I went out for a nice 20K, ran the first 8 with some guys who are doing the 1/2 marathon clinic and were out to do 16K. It was actually pretty warm and for once I shed my coat, which I never do once I've started. There was a strong wind from the west which gave me a bit of a challenge on the way back but it was a beautiful autumn day with Lake Ontario lashing at the shores.

This week will be a drop down week and I need to watch my eating. Hallowe'en has taken it's toll!

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Horseradish run

I had a great run last night in the cool air. Went out for 6K and my time was great. The worst part was the fact I had eaten roast beef before the run and the horseradish was repeating on me the whole way.

Today the plan is an easy 5K which I plan to do before the rain comes this afternoon.

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It was a cold and blustery day

It wasn't that cold but it was blustery on Sunday for my 18K. The wind was mostly at our backs on the way out which meant we had to fight hard to get back. At least it wasn't -30 like last winter.

The 18K wasn't too bad but since last Sunday I've had this lingering ache in my right foot. It feels like a bruise but I hope it goes away soon.

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