Unwanted Guests

Busy. The last few days of work have seen me hanging about later than planned, and that’s after an early morning start. I don’t expect this to continue much into next week. Here’s hoping.

My running since Tuesday has improved, but that’s all relative. Wednesday morning was cold and crisp and having left my only gloves at work, I was able to experience more of the frigid air than intended. The plan was for 2x10’ tempo and although more fluid than the previous day, there is still much room for improvement. I think I’m trying too hard and my focus over the next few weeks is to run fast but with greater emphasis on control.

With the 8-k race on Sunday, the last couple of days have been easy (and learning from Tuesday, I ran to work yesterday with socks on my hands). That said, my throat started getting sore yesterday afternoon and despite pounding vitamin-c I think I’m going to be carrying an unwanted guest along for the ride during the run tomorrow.

The big news on the home front has been Isla’s crawling (and a bottom tooth). What began as sheer excitement on our part has faded as our world has suddenly crashed down around us as Isla’s continues to grow exponentially.

Training:
Wednesday: 49:14 with 2x10’ tempo (2’)
Thursday: easy 34:49
Friday: easy 37:18 with 4xstrides
Saturday: out the door after I post this…

Malay Style Fried Rice

I was supposed to take yesterday off, but after leaving my bike at work last Friday (and not wanting to take the bus), I laced up my shoes and enjoyed a relaxing jog into work it what was my fastest time yet.

Today couldn’t have been more different. At best, it was fecking tragic. Worst, I needn’t go there.

I believe it started with the Malay Style Fried Rice I had for lunch. Jasmine rice, wok fried prawns, chicken and egg with (not so) mild curry spices, Asian greens, sprouts and herbs; you might think it to be a perfect combination? I certainly did.

I wasn’t out the door more than 30” and my stomach was already grumbling, it hasn’t stopped.

Unlike last week where I mentioned, “turning a figurative page in my training”, today the wind blew, my placing was lost and after bumbling the book in my hands I found myself back at the beginning of chapter one.

The hard pieces today felt more like marathon pace, and I felt like a chump. With the wind gusting and me underdressed, I struggled to find form, each minute passing excruciatingly slow. Still, one fortunate thing about running is tomorrow will bring another day and hopefully and much improved experience.

Training:
Monday: easy 34:40
Tuesday: 1:18:29 with 6x3’ hard (3’)

Boston 2009

“This is to notify you that your entry into the 113th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 20, 2009 has been accepted, provided that the information you submitted is accurate.”

I’m in!

I enjoyed a solid weekend of running, nothing groundbreaking but consistent enough to build a foundation. Saturday saw Rumon, Hicham and I retrace the route that Ian showed me last Sunday. This course still stands as my local favourite. I was surprised at my pathfinding ability as we only strayed off course twice and given the perverse nature of the route, I consider it quite remarkable.

I’m contemplating running the BC Cross Country Championships in a few weeks (as a Master). My fitness level isn’t even close to what I had hoped it might be (I always seem to run faster when I’m alone) but it would be a good experience and provide some entertainment (for others). With this in mind, I’ve signed up for an 8-k road race this weekend which is going to be a very rude awakening.

Onward and upward, right?

Training:
Saturday: undulating 1:41:31
Sunday: easy 1:01:44 with 4x gentle strides

Cross Country Preparation

It always amazes me the tricks my body can play. Typically, but not always, prior to a workout I feel like crap.

This morning was no different.

Once awake, the upcoming session was playing in the background of my mind like a frighteningly sinister orchestral tune. The jog over to CHGC was no different what with my legs feeling heavy and once again unresponsive. Still, with the literal line in the dirt drawn and my watch started, my legs kicked into drive and I was away under truly West Coast fall conditions. Running around the upper loop, I could hear a foghorn in the distance as a steady drizzle poured down. I felt strong, rabid and wet.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. For those racing, Mike and Thomas, all the best. As for me, it’ll be back out onto the trails to try and retrace last weeks epic route.

Training:
Thursday: easy 51:10
Friday: 1:10:32 with 2x4’ hard (4’) + 8’ tempo + 2x4’ hard (4’)

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

It Feels Like the First Time

Do you remember your first long-run? Not one of those lengthy slogs (accidental or otherwise) that returned you back to the house questioning why you went out in the first place. But your first planned proper long-run, once you knew what a long-run was. I don’t remember mine but I do recall the feeling in my legs afterwards; my jaunt this weekend brought that memory screaming back.

After a week of light drizzle and dull skies, we met Sunday morning under cloudless conditions and a beaming (20C) sun. With Ian returning from injury and Hicham enduring the tail end of Ramadan, I assumed the company was akin to my fitness level. I was mistaken.

Regardless, Ian played tour guide on what is officially my new favourite run in the Victoria area. The hills were relentless as the route was beautiful and there wasn’t a level meter (3 ft.) out there. We traversed trails that only deer might use, jogged along roads that reminded me of England and hills, hills that would make Boston seem flat. And the best/unfortunate piece, depending on your condition… everything was runable. My legs ache.

Training:
Saturday: 55:25 with 4x5’ tempo (2’)
Sunday: undulating 1:39:23

And yet a few more

Learning from Tuesday’s mistake, i.e., not being prepared for a longer warm-up, I left work on Thursday and proceeded to take a much more direct route to Cedar Hill than I had a couple days prior.

I decided to change the workout slightly, opting for more variety than what was scheduled. The plan was 3x 60”, 45” 30” and 15” with the walk/jog back down as recovery and an additional 1’ between sets. Working these shorter hill sessions is such a stark contrast to previous marathon preparation and although lung searingly painful, surprisingly enjoyable. With no varsity teams out that day, it was just the hill and me and unlike last week, I was able to jog home on legs that didn’t feel completely wrecked.

Yesterday, I was up early and after a glass of water and a couple pieces of toast I was out the door and jogging to work, and following the previous days lead, opting for a more direct route.

I hope everyone has a great weekend and all the best to those racing in Toronto.

Training:
Thursday: 1:14:25 with 3x(60”, 45”, 30”, 15”) hills (1’)
Friday: easy 35:04