In need of fresh air (and my old habitual ways)

I was surprised by my determination last Thursday as despite having a stomach chock-a-block full of pizza, one Speckled Hen, and the late hour, I dusted off my shoes, laced them up and headed out for a moonlit stroll along the waterfront. Given the days previous six hours, I couldn’t have needed the fresh air more… I guess there’s hope for all of us.

With the arrival of the weekend, I longed for some reprieve in the housing hunting, but like a nagging homework assignment, I couldn’t escape the task at hand. Even as I drove out toward Mattick's Farm to meet my run group, I couldn’t help but notice the ubiquitous “For Sale” signs littered around town. Needless to say, we didn’t find anything but at least, if not wiser for it, I acquainted myself with a few areas of the city never before explored.

Now with the arrival of the new week and the loss of any semblance of what might have been a runner’s body, I find myself reflecting back on my training (if you can call it that with a whopping volume of 4h35’32”) and I’m heartily thankful that the Arizona Marathon is still over four months away.

I miss my regular running routine.

I miss the chase, the hunt and the pain, but I’m welcomed with the thought that it’s out there waiting for me. The next few weeks will undoubtedly pass like a hurricane, but I’m comforted that my honeymoon is only a fortnight away.

Training:
Thursday: 31:00 easy
Friday: 28:10 with 5x strides (1’)
Saturday: 1:50:27 easy
Sunday: 42:52 with 5x strides (1’)
Monday: day off

(The picture was taken while walking along the beach off Dallas)

Swing batter, batter

No run... or fun this evening. Ally and I spent the better part of this afternoon (and evening) putting an offer in on a house only to find out another offer went in tonight as well, $15,000 higher than ours and $5,000 over what they were asking.

I'm disappointed we didn't get the house but happy to have gone through the process. Perhaps if I really loved the place, I mean really, I would've considered giving more? Regardless, I was really amazed how Ally and I came together and how we stuck to our guns on what we were prepared to offer. The driving around and looking at houses in addition to today's offers is helping to crystallize what I'm searching for as I don't want to be put into a position where I have to settle. I'm also "very" happy with our realtor, particularly given the hoops she jumped through this evening (and it was her b-day).

So where does this leave me? Well, a small part of me is considering going out for a run, nothing big, maybe even just an easy 20', I don't know? I need and want some fresh air, in additional to my life (read "normal routine") back.

Do you think I should (it's 11:03), bets?

I have an eye appointment tomorrow, 7:45 a.m., if she doesn't get food poisoning.

I feel old, weary.

Training: day off

... and so it continues

In the last few days we've managed to look at more houses than I care to think, way too many. Yesterday after work, rather than running, I came home and found myself searching a private listing site for new houses... year, neighbourhood, square feet (finished & unfinished), bedrooms, bathrooms, lot size, price, prior price, days on the market, all stats that I've never really cared about until know. Who knew? Whatever happened to miles repeats, shoe size, VO2 max & marathon pace?

In and amongst and the madness, we did find two houses that we're interested in, unfortunately one has an offer pending, and the other, well we can get in to see it until Saturday, but I digress, where was I, yes, running.

Yesterday, I had every intention of running, I'll do it after we drive around in circles, really. I even went so far as to get dressed. There I was, I'd changed into my running kit (it was 9:10 p.m.) and was at the backdoor lacing up my shoes.

"What am I doing I thought, this is crazy", I sadly put the shoes back and didn't run. I'll switch Tuesday for Friday and as it's my program this time I don't have to answer to anyone. Today though was a different matter, I was down at the shop at 5:15 and we were all out the door 20' minutes later for what was a great workout, 7x800m (2'). The road loop isn't actually 800m, about 756m, but close enough. What I was impressed with was that my group did something I rarely do, they descended to intervals: 3:21, 3:11, 3:15, 3:12, 3:09, 3:09 & 3:08.

Training:
Tuesday: day off, wanting to go running, really
Wednesday: 1:03:03

And so it begins, house hunting...

I wish you could enroll in a course on "How to Purchase Your First Home", as today was reminiscent of the first day of swim lessons, where I was thrown into the deep end with a bunch of kids who already knew how to swim. I looked around, wide-eyed, searching for a hand to grab a hold of, anything that would give me some purchase, and sadly, as the chlorinated water splashed into my eyes, all I saw were smooth tiles and a ledge that was out of reach.

All this, while not wanting to look scared.

I am a man, I should know what I'm doing... shouldn't I?

Today was just an introduction, just something to whet the appetite, tomorrow, we're back for more, and oh, I pray this is a brief exercise. You see I'm torn, not only do I get Buyer Guilt when I make any purchase over $100, hence my over analyzing cautious tendencies, but I also hate shopping. I detest shopping. Now, the fact that I'm shopping for the LARGEST (notice I didn't say most important) acquisition of my life, well, that just makes it even more interesting.

To make matters worse, and for those who are not from around here, I have the distinct pleasure of living and searching in a very over inflated market. It seems Victoria was discovered about eight years ago, the same year I completed my last Ironman and decided to pursue a career in accounting.

A week in review, 4h51'51", for a total of about 70km (nothing stellar, but just what I wanted as I ease back into the running realm):

Monday: day off

Tuesday: 35:42 easy

Wednesday: 51:35 easy

Thursday: 1:12:25 easy/moderate

Friday: day off

Saturday: 1:30:45 easy

Sunday: 41:24 easy, Mount Doug, I loved it!

... and today, Monday: day off

It was perfection… happy birthday!

I wasn’t afforded the luxury of sleeping in yesterday as I had to meet the clinic for our scheduled morning run.

[Sleeping in is relative though, 6:00 v. 6:20]

Instead, I awoke at my normal time, stumbled out of bed, punched on the computer and then made my way into the kitchen to make some coffee. Making coffee has become even more of a routine since receiving our first coffee grinder as a wedding present; I love the thing.

Armed with a delicious warm cup of coffee, in my favourite mug, I made my way back to the computer and was startled as Ally yelled out, “Happy Birthday”!

Wow, that was a first, I’d forgotten my birthday and I loved it, it was everything I’d asked.

After two weddings, one job interview and a funeral, when asked, I’d told Ally that I didn’t want to do anything special for my birthday. I wanted to sit back, hibernate from society, and enjoy our time together… just for one evening. The fact that I’d forgotten about the day only proves I’d made the mental leap, it was the perfect start to a great day.

As I’m easing back into running I’d scheduled myself a second day off this week, which worked out for the best as it allowed me time to find ourselves a realtor. With Victoria home to the highest average house prices in the country, buying is something that Ally and I, okay at least I’m looking forward to as much as you would a final exam.

Yesterday, I met the group at Caleb Pike and for all but one of them, introduced them to my favourite trail on the peninsula, the ridge trail that runs north from Caleb Pike, over Homes and Jocelyn Hill and down toward Mount Work. They loved it… the photo was taken one evening in June when Ally and I were out there.

Training:
Friday: day off
Saturday: 1h30’45”

Look at his poor ankles

Last night I enjoyed the closest thing to a midnight run in years, probably since leaving university in the 90's, and it didn't disappoint. We'd received a late summer shower earlier in the evening and the air was still think with energy, but not nearly as hot and humid as at midday. I strolled up Rockland and wove my way through the darkened streets of Oak Bay, making my way to a familiar fountain looking out over the marina. For some reason I expected the streets to be busier but as I glided down the middle of the road I was thankful, this was just what I needed.

This was going to be my longest (solo) run in weeks and believe it or not I was hesitant, not wanting to get stranded 30' + minutes from home. I remember looking at my watch 45'+ minutes into the run realizing only then that I was okay, making the brave decision to marginally pickup the pace.

Up and over King George Terrace where the light over the bay were reminiscent of Monet's Sunrise painting. At the bottom of the hill I met some young teenagers heading down to the beach.

"Hi", one of them yelled, I'm sure in an attempt to bolster their courage and status.

I waved back and clipped along only to hear "look at his poor ankles". "Poor ankles", I thought to myself, what's wrong with my ankles? Ally has mentioned on several occasions that they were thicker when I was trail running...

Oh, that's when it hit me, "look at Port Angeles", I guess my ankles were okay for another day.

Training: 1:12:25 easy/moderate

Why did I feel so good?

I was only going to nap for ten minutes, just relax back onto the bed and shut my eyes and allow my subconscious to take me on an adventure, anywhere, I wasn't fussy... just ten minutes max. This wasn't too much to ask, not after having to spend the morning at the hospital for more x-rays, working from home and then attending a job interview this afternoon? No, I deserved this.

I remember looking over at the clock and shielding the sunlight so I could read the faintly lit red display, it was 4:47.

I'm not sure what woke me but I remember feeling extremely relaxed and yet trapped. It was as if my body was encased in concrete, surrounding me completely. I wasn't on the bed but underneath it, and I found this strangely comforting.

Where was I?

Why did I feel so good and... shouldn't I be somewhere? My mind snapped to attention with the force reminiscent of the dried turkey wish bone snapping at Christmas, CRACK!

5:23... SHIT!

I'm not sure what happened next, but it occurred all at once; I was phoning my sister at the store informing her I'd be there in 5', while throwing off a T-shirt and leaping onto a pair of black adidas shorts. I turned around to find Ally walking in the door, bonus.

I made it to the shop with time to spare (but not much) and led the group out to enjoy a warm summer's day. This week is about recovery for them so the workout was short 3x(2'/1', 1'/30", 30"/30), and by most accounts they loved it.

Training: 51:35 easy