Tenacious

When I used to play field hockey, the team quickly gave me the nickname, “tenacious”. For full effect, pronounce it in the same masculine manner as you would Aquilinus, Maximus or Tiberius.

Although I had great hand-eye coordination and stamina, my play making ability was left rather lacking. To make up for this shortfall, I would doggedly hound the other players, ultimately forcing them to make mistakes. I miss the game.

As I sit here though, struggling to overcome my third cold of the year the idea of possessing sufficient energy to be anything but anaemic is a distant memory. I think a large part of my fatigue is due to the “black hole of exhaustion” that accompanies parenthood about 6-8 months after the birth of a child.

I experienced a similar sensation about 10 months after Isla was born, and unfortunately for me about 4-weeks before the Boston Marathon. And before I go too far, I don’t mean to suggest my weariness could ever compare to that of my wife’s… men just don’t have the necessary stamina. However, after 240+ interrupted sleeps, coupled with a cold wet winter and a low immune system… I’m tired. Perhaps I should stop here.

As for my running, after taking a couple days off last week, I managed to squeeze in a few workouts. Wednesday’s session was supposed to be on the track (5x1200m) but once again the Colquitz Trail was my chosen battlefield. If they ever decide to hold a race there, I’m going to have a clear advantage. And I unequivocally blame work for shortening Friday’s tempo session, but perhaps it was for the best. Sunday though, that was one for the ages… a thoroughly enjoyable, sunny trail run along the Jocelyn Hill Ridge Trail (thanks RC).

And something completely unrelated, a new song c/o RC (thanks again):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQYpF2pCkLI

Training:
Mar 14: Day off (sick)
Mar 15: Day off (sick)
Mar 16: 1:04:02 w/ 5x4’ hard (4’)
Mar 17: ridiculously slow & painful 1:13:24
Mar 18: 35:55 w/ 30’ tempo
Mar 19: Day off (scheduled)
Mar 20: 1:48:51 undulating

Royal Victoria Marathon (6-weeks out)

As far as rest/recovery weeks go, the last seven days were satisfying. With Monday off, I managed to keep my running reigned in for the next four days. I think an honest litmus test is the fact that I’m now extremely eager to resume the training, a comforting (and all too often rare) feeling passing through the half way point of the marathon program.

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We were off to Galiano Island for the long weekend, which meant I was out the door exceptionally early on Saturday. After a short jog down an eerie and dank Lochside Trail, I popped up onto the embankment overlooking the Blenkinsop Valley, to see Ian and Aseed warming up for our early morning session. My w/o had called for 6x1200 at 5kP but with time pressing I decided to adapt and instead ran the intervals on Donwood Crescent, a route I used once before while tapering for Boston. At that time, I was feeling uninterested, tired and unsure of my training. If nothing else, when comparing my present state of mind it couldn’t be more like chalk and cheese.

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With no time for a real warm-up, we started into the first interval. Within the first few strides, I knew I was running too quickly and really struggled to slow down. The feeling was butter… incredible. I quickly gapped Aseed, and was surprised to find myself running stride for stride with Ian up the only incline. Upon finishing the 1100m loop, I was stunned to see my time of 3:25, 15” faster than what I had expected.

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On April 8^th, I ran 4x Donwood with the laps passing in: 3:37, 3:37, 3:36 and 3:35.

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This time around, they were drastically different: 3:25, 3:26, 3:33, 3:31, 3:31 and 3:39.

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This week is going to be busy, what with Ally out of town until Saturday evening; I don’t know if I should feel more sorry for Isla or me. Currently, and it’s only 8:30 p.m., she went down without a peep. To make the next few days that much more entertaining, this week is supposed to see my second highest volume in preparation for RVM. Wish me luck.

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Training:

Thursday: easy 43:41

Friday: steady 54:55

Saturday: 1:08:52 w/ 6x Donwood (2.5’) 5kP

Sunday: quite strong/undulating 1:13:15

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Weekly mileage: 5h21’39”, +/- 75k or 47 miles

Old Sneakers

I’m happy, and perhaps a bit proud to say that I managed to heed my own advice and did not run yesterday’s workout on the track. With my achilles on the mend, and the last of the 5k summer series next Wednesday I decided to run the session on a grass field not too far from our home.

The route to the park was undulating and served as a good warm-up. After arriving at the field, I did a few light stretches but then quickly jumped into the session. I’d originally scheduled 15x100m 3kP (20”) but opted for the much more civilized 15xdiagonals on an empty soccer pitch.

The workout unfolded without incident and with a few minutes to spare, I decided to take a marginally longer way home. I was glad to see that my achilles wasn’t aggravated but I iced it all the same. But as they say, “the proof is in the mudding” and it wasn’t until this morning, half way through my run to work, that I knew I was well and truly on the mend. One more session this Friday and then race time.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention that on Sunday I went by my favourite running shop and picked up a new pair of shoes. My calves had been sore, along with most of the other muscles, joints and ligaments in my legs, and it wasn’t until I tallied up my mileage that I understood why… 1600+ kilometres. Stupid, just stupid!

Training:

Monday: easy 41:26

Tuesday: 1:15:04 with 15xdiagonals

Wednesday: easy 43:14

Still Holding

On Sunday afternoon, I received an email from Jon asking how the race went. After a brief dialogue, we agreed it was decent enough start to the season. But with my first race now behind me, and Boston inside the 12-week window I was certain it was game time. I was surprised then when Jon told me to run easy on Monday, a day I typically take off, but even more surprised when I found out that I would be doing a 10k/5k pace workout this weekend. What do I know? I guess I still have some time before the real fun and games begin.

As for today, I stopped by the store on the way home from work and exchanged my old worn-out 2130 for some new (red) 2140. I’d been feeling sore and achy the last few weeks but assumed it was either old age or my body adapting to the training. I was wrong. What a difference a new pair of shoes can make!

Okay, the missus is calling and I have to run. I hope everyone has a great weekend of training and happy birthday to Cater and Thomas!

Training:
Monday: easy 40:55
Tuesday: steady 1:23:22
Wednesday: day off (scheduled)
Thursday: steady 1:00:09

Cruel and Unusual

Random thoughts…

While sipping a cup of day-old coffee, I checked the weather forecast, “a chance of rain”. Bugger. I then proceeded to get ready for my jog into work in between spending a few precious moments with the baby, and letting the cat out... wasn’t raining yet. Ten minutes later I was out the door and cursing under my breath as a light rain had started to fall. Damn it. To make matters worse, once reaching work and making my way over to the gym where I shower, I noticed a piece of paper tacked to the change room door, “no hot water”. Feck. Though I suppose the real kicker was hearing from a colleague that water issue was fixed not 30’ after I left. Still, my legs felt good and I can guarantee being the most alert individual in the office this morning.

I signed up for the Provincial Cross Country Championships this weekend in Vancouver. This will be my first sanctioned XC event and although my fitness isn’t there, I’m really looking forward to the experience. I was so excited on the way home that I swung by the running shop and picked up my first pair of XC flats… the Saucony Kilkenny (spikes and all).

Fun and games.

Oh yeah, if you have either:
a) run the Ottawa Marathon;
b) run the Dublin Marathon;
c) are about to run a marathon;
d) own a pair of running shoes; or
simply need a good laugh, check out the following link as columnist Andrew Braithwaite prepares for Dublin.

Lastly, I’d be remiss if I didn’t also congratulate Cliff who ran a Marathon in Toronto last weekend and in so doing smashed his PB and a few mental barriers along the way.

Training: easy 34:28 2xstrides

Turning the Page

My jaunt on Monday was relaxed, at best. After raising the bar during my long-run on Sunday, my legs were heavy and unresponsive as I meandered down the Lochside Trail. There is a fork that I usually reach after running between 9’ to 10’; I set a new benchmark crossing a good minute behind.

Pure bliss.

As I described to a friend this morning, during yesterday’s run I turned a figurative page in my training and started a new chapter. Nothing profound, but I felt better than I had during the previous few months. It could have been the weather, my new shoes or even the route but regardless, I felt good about my stride and my minute repeats might well have been kilometers.

This morning I didn’t expect much from my legs, and during the first few minutes they lived down to my expectation. But after a few unavoidable hills, the pins loosened up and I surprised even myself.

Still, I decided to forego the strides this time around.

Training:
Monday: EZ 28:33 with 6x gentle strides
Tuesday: 1:08:22 with 12x1’ (1’)
Wednesday: easy 36:47

Asics GT 2130

I picked up a pair of the new Asics GT 2130 after the clinic last night and was eager to take them for a spin tonight. I wasn’t that impressed with the changes the company made with the 2120s (they felt clunky and too spacious in the forefoot) but the 2130s felt good. They were comfortable from the get go and the transition at the mid-foot was much more smooth than I expected. I did find toe-box (is that a word) more roomy than necessary but… I could’ve purchased a size smaller had I listened to Seamus. Overall I’d give the shoe a 90% based on performance and comfort.

With the inaugural Cobble Hill 10k this weekend (race #2 in the Island Race Series), tonight’s workout was short and simple, 6x400 slightly faster than 5k pace. Not wanting to overcook my legs I decided to aim for 78s… that was the plan at least.

After a gentle warm-up in bitterly cold conditions (I decided to keep my tights, both shirts and jacket on for the w/o) and a few drills I eased into the first interval, opening the first 200 in a relaxed 35”. As someone with an abundance of front-end speed, I find running a consistent pace in workouts like this difficult. It has probably been years since I’ve run 400s and it showed as it wasn’t until the fifth repeat that I ran an even split.

1:16
1:17
1:16
1:15
1:15
1:14

I’m excited with my decision to run a quick 5k by mid-March but also curious how this will translate and affect my marathon build (Ottawa is 11 weeks after Bazan Bay). Including the 8k two weeks ago, I’ve scheduled 6 races between now and Ottawa and as a result I also plan on keeping the volume down until much later than usual… just a thought.

Training: 52:42 with 6x400 (90”)

New Shoes

Even after stretching last night, the first time in a couple weeks, and taking into account Sunday’s race, I was still left with legs that were fiercely aching and me wondering why? I couldn’t remember the last time feeling this uncomfortable.

It wasn’t until this morning when I was leaving the house, seeing my worn shoes outside the back entrance, that answer to my problem presented itself. I needed new shoes. And so, like a moth drawn to light, I spent the first 5’ of this evenings jaunt making my way to Frontrunners where waiting for me on the counter was new pair of the old faithful. After a quick switch, I thoroughly enjoyed the subsequent 35’ around the park, Terry and all. I always seem to forget the simple things.

Training: 39:52 easy

Saucony Fastwitch

On my way to work this morning I was trying to think of a good reason, any reason, why my calves might be causing me grief. Last nights abuse with the stick had helped, but they weren't 100%. After a few minutes I started to get that nagging feeling, like seeing a face in a crowd but not being able to place the person. Thankfully, it wasn't long afterwards that it hit me, "when was the last time I bought new shoes?"

Later that morning I phoned my sister and she confirmed what I had suspected, January 17th, the Asics 2120. That was before I started my 12 week build for London! Now granted I did receive some new Adidas on March 9th, but I've used those primarily for shorter/easier runs (not wanting to switch to new shoes when I was having grief with my achilles). Regardless, that is four solid months of marathon training and all my long runs!

I popped down to Frontrunners after my run this evening and grabbed a new pair of 2120, and I'm hoping they'll be the catalyst I need. I also picked up a new pair of racing flats, the Saucony Fastwitch Endurance... the old school version, special ordered (thanks Wuz). Tre was putting me through the gears this evening, but I couldn't help but overhear him tell Jim that I was being "one of those customers". The thing was, I couldn't decide on getting the new Fastwitch 2 in a 9 1/2, (I raced London in the 10) or the older, original version in a 10... that was my choice, that's all they had. In the end I went old school, they felt more like my 2120, the heel cup no where near as squishy in the newer version. Anyhow, I'm going to try them out tomorrow and if everything goes well, I'll be bringing them to Ottawa with me.

Hope everyone has a great long weekend, and all the best goes out to Eric who is racing the Fargo Marathon. He has put in some serious training, and should post an impressive time.

Training: easy 33:07

Asics 2110

I don’t know what prompted me to inquire, perhaps it was my irksome left achilles, but before heading out I asked Ally if she could remember when I bought my most recent pair of shoes.

Nope, we were both a loss.

I picked up the phone and gave my sister a call at Frontrunners. She kindly entertained my question, “October 11th” she replied, “and they should be good for between 500 and 800km”. That was only three months ago, how far could I possibly run in three months? I hurriedly grabbed my training log, fumbling through the pages and roughly calculated my mileage at something just over 1300 km. You can see where this is heading. “I’ll see you in five minutes”, I laughed, hanging up the phone.

Off with the old and on with the new. I jogged down to Frontrunners to find my new shoes waiting for me on the counter. I placed my old shoes in the recycle bin (used shoes donated to the less fortunate) and was off out the door with a quick, “Hello, thanks you, and I’ll see you later”.

On the heals of last night’s effortless performance I shouldn’t have been too shocked with this evenings jaunt. The first 40’ passed by nonchalantly but during the last 17’, my legs grew exponentially heavier every step. There was a thick mist out and I might be able to attribute some of the weight to my tights getting soaked, but unless I was running through mercury, there was only last night’s tempo session to truly blame.

Training: an easy 56:48 on a dark, misty evening with my legs feeling heavy during the last 17’, AHR 132, MAX 148

[Perhaps it’s the lingering snow on the road, but I couldn’t help but notice three sets of Christmas lights]