Blogland is cooperating again. For the past few days, my blog seemed to have disappeared on me (I couldn't see it, but I hear others could). I thought it was dead. Good thing Yumke helped me resurrect it. Thanks Yumke!
Weekend recap: I was still very much tired after the 12mi on Sunday morning. This was exacerbated by waiting around for delivery guy who was bringing my new bed, and who was extremely late. I had plans to ride my bike for a bit, get that cross-training, recovery stuff going. But no, delivery man was some 3 hours late, and I needed to move onto other things.
But I slept real well on the king-size bed that night.
The rest continued into Monday, a scheduled rest day, and it was a public holiday here in most of Canada, so no need to work. Or do anything, really. More rest.
That left me with the itch to go running on my lunch break today. I made a last minute decision to go outside and enjoy the sunshine, rather than waste it at the underground gym with the stale air. Plus there's no time tonight ... Mom's back from Hong Kong.
But my last minute decision had small consequences: two pieces of dead electronic gear. Both the iPod and Garmin weren't charged to go. But at least I was, and I did shadows of an old route that I used to do, only a month ago, when I lived in the downtown core. It felt like 3 miles.. and when I mapped it out, it was more like 3.4 miles.
Tuesday, August 8
Saturday, August 5
A (nearly) three-hour tour
Despite opening my eyes at 6AM and pretty much ready to go by 7, I dawdled as usual and finally stepped out at 8:30. I'm glad the sun wasn't so bad, and the temp stayed manageable throughout today's long run, otherwise I'd feel worse about wasting the precious hours before it heats up too bad.
I made a route with a good mix of hills, recreation trails, city streets. When I mapped this out, my eyes popped -- because it was a rather large circle, and I could already visualize all the landmarks along the way. Here's the approximate route. It looks like a polar bear.
My mind wasn't racing with thoughts today. In fact, it was blissfully blank for a good portion of it. I stopped at the local library (near mile 3) to use the washroom before hitting the trail portion, which was probably my 5 favorite miles of the day. At the halfway point, I smiled because I felt I was on my way to a good overall run, feeling like I had a lot left in me.
Not exactly. I slurped up a chocolate Clif shot with a water chaser and kept going for a few more miles, but I felt my legs starting to scream at me once I got to the end of the trail and was back on the city streets. My walking breaks turned into 1-1/2 minutes, and I wasn't covering much ground in the 10 minute sessions I was running. Muscles were tightening. The subway was right there, calling my name. But no, resist! It's just 3 subway stops back to my house. I kept going, just slower, dragging my feet at times.
On the final stretch, I dug deep and sprinted home. I glanced at my wrist. Actual mileage: 12.23 mi. Total time, including all breaks: 2:58:49. I felt like I had won something big. I even ran towards my door like I would if I was crossing the finish line, arms raised, even a little fist pump. I have just completed my longest run to date.
Downed a huge glass of blue Gatorade. Stretched. And stretched. Then stretched some more on my yoga mat on my deck. I think I'll still hurt later on. I must have been grimacing a little already, and I do feel more exhausted than I have in a while after a long run, because my neighbor asked, "So, should I call an ambulance or the coroner?"
I made a route with a good mix of hills, recreation trails, city streets. When I mapped this out, my eyes popped -- because it was a rather large circle, and I could already visualize all the landmarks along the way. Here's the approximate route. It looks like a polar bear.
My mind wasn't racing with thoughts today. In fact, it was blissfully blank for a good portion of it. I stopped at the local library (near mile 3) to use the washroom before hitting the trail portion, which was probably my 5 favorite miles of the day. At the halfway point, I smiled because I felt I was on my way to a good overall run, feeling like I had a lot left in me.
Not exactly. I slurped up a chocolate Clif shot with a water chaser and kept going for a few more miles, but I felt my legs starting to scream at me once I got to the end of the trail and was back on the city streets. My walking breaks turned into 1-1/2 minutes, and I wasn't covering much ground in the 10 minute sessions I was running. Muscles were tightening. The subway was right there, calling my name. But no, resist! It's just 3 subway stops back to my house. I kept going, just slower, dragging my feet at times.
On the final stretch, I dug deep and sprinted home. I glanced at my wrist. Actual mileage: 12.23 mi. Total time, including all breaks: 2:58:49. I felt like I had won something big. I even ran towards my door like I would if I was crossing the finish line, arms raised, even a little fist pump. I have just completed my longest run to date.
Downed a huge glass of blue Gatorade. Stretched. And stretched. Then stretched some more on my yoga mat on my deck. I think I'll still hurt later on. I must have been grimacing a little already, and I do feel more exhausted than I have in a while after a long run, because my neighbor asked, "So, should I call an ambulance or the coroner?"
Friday, August 4
TGIF
ThankGodIamrunningFriday.
Today was supposed to be a rest day, but I've pretty much done nothing all week but rest on account of weird aches in my legs for two days. So, feeling much better, and more energetic (could it be because it's a long weekend?), I stepped out for an early evening run. The temp has moderated to 26C (but feels like 29), but there was a slight breeze, making today's outing fairly comfortable.
Even though it's only been two days without any activity, I was worried that I'd lost some momentum, some confidence, from the previous week when I was feeling pretty good about myself. So I went out today without a distance or route in mind, just a time limit. 30 minutes...designed to recover from the hiatus. The first few steps felt awkward, but I coasted down a hill pretty early and found a rhythm, which fed into a positive spirit.
Even the uphill on the way back -- which was different and longer road -- didn't faze me. I ran straight through, nor did I curse the entire distance, and didn't feel winded by the time I reached the plateau. Nearing the end of my self-prescribed time limit, I ducked into the ravine by my house and it felt for one entire minute like last weekend's trail run in Algonquin Park. Great finish.
I can do 12 miles tomorrow.
Today was supposed to be a rest day, but I've pretty much done nothing all week but rest on account of weird aches in my legs for two days. So, feeling much better, and more energetic (could it be because it's a long weekend?), I stepped out for an early evening run. The temp has moderated to 26C (but feels like 29), but there was a slight breeze, making today's outing fairly comfortable.
Even though it's only been two days without any activity, I was worried that I'd lost some momentum, some confidence, from the previous week when I was feeling pretty good about myself. So I went out today without a distance or route in mind, just a time limit. 30 minutes...designed to recover from the hiatus. The first few steps felt awkward, but I coasted down a hill pretty early and found a rhythm, which fed into a positive spirit.
Even the uphill on the way back -- which was different and longer road -- didn't faze me. I ran straight through, nor did I curse the entire distance, and didn't feel winded by the time I reached the plateau. Nearing the end of my self-prescribed time limit, I ducked into the ravine by my house and it felt for one entire minute like last weekend's trail run in Algonquin Park. Great finish.
I can do 12 miles tomorrow.
Crosstrain Commute
I've got a new plan. (seems I say this a lot, is any plan sticking?)
I've figured out how to fit cross-training into the schedule: Ride my bike to work. There's no reason not do this. My bike is fixed. The heat is not so bad early in the morning. I save myself the hassle of a cramped subway, plus a couple of bucks, each way. It's good for the environment. It's good for me.
It was a easy commute this morning. Door-to-door, it was about 15 minutes quicker than public transit, and barely any traffic. Which was good, because after I whipped down the first hill by my house, I realized I forgot my helmut. Where is my head sometimes. Garmin says it was a 4.16mi ride. So I should be able to get just over 8mi most days, if I stick to this plan. It's weather-dependent after all.
Frankie (who has dropped off the blogosphere... but don't worry, he's generally on plan): "Wow, you ran 4:30 Ks? That's fast!", he says after scrolling through my Garmin history.
Me: Uh... I was on a bike. That's Yumke speed, not Jelly speed. (So Yumke -- if you want a training partner, I'll bring my bike!)
I've run just once this week, which means I took "stepback" week to a whole new level. I may go out for a few Ks tonight, but won't run hard, nor fast, not that that's my style anyway, ahead of the Longest-Ever-to-Date run.
At least everything feels in working order today. Rest is the best remedy sometimes.
I've figured out how to fit cross-training into the schedule: Ride my bike to work. There's no reason not do this. My bike is fixed. The heat is not so bad early in the morning. I save myself the hassle of a cramped subway, plus a couple of bucks, each way. It's good for the environment. It's good for me.
It was a easy commute this morning. Door-to-door, it was about 15 minutes quicker than public transit, and barely any traffic. Which was good, because after I whipped down the first hill by my house, I realized I forgot my helmut. Where is my head sometimes. Garmin says it was a 4.16mi ride. So I should be able to get just over 8mi most days, if I stick to this plan. It's weather-dependent after all.
Frankie (who has dropped off the blogosphere... but don't worry, he's generally on plan): "Wow, you ran 4:30 Ks? That's fast!", he says after scrolling through my Garmin history.
Me: Uh... I was on a bike. That's Yumke speed, not Jelly speed. (So Yumke -- if you want a training partner, I'll bring my bike!)
I've run just once this week, which means I took "stepback" week to a whole new level. I may go out for a few Ks tonight, but won't run hard, nor fast, not that that's my style anyway, ahead of the Longest-Ever-to-Date run.
At least everything feels in working order today. Rest is the best remedy sometimes.
Thursday, August 3
Radiating achiness
I feel like I'm still walking a little bit gingerly today. Maybe it's in my head, but I feel that it's spread to the other leg. Both my knees today just seem to be radiating achiness. Feeling superweary. Don't feel like running, and even less so about getting on a bike. Sigh. Tomorrow is a new day.
This weekend's 12 miles is going to be grueling.
This weekend's 12 miles is going to be grueling.
Wednesday, August 2
Wonka leg
Ouch. Something doesn't feel right about my left thigh. I hadn't really noticed it during work since I spend so much of chained to a desk.
But I felt it on the way home when I walked down some stairs to the subway. And then again when I walked up some stairs back to ground level. And many more times throughout the evening -- up to the bedroom, down to the basement, up to the kitchen, back down to the basement, and then up to the home office, back to the kitchen, and so on and so on.
I wonder if it's from going back to the treadmill and not being accustomed to that kind of running. Or maybe it was from some leg strengthening exercises and I pulled a muscle. Maybe I just hadn't stretched enough before and after running.
What was clear was that I wasn't going to be getting my scheduled 6 miles in tonight. I contemplated taking a bike ride instead, but figured watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (with Johnny Depp) would be much more enjoyable.
I won't worry too much about leg right now. I'm sure it just wants a little more rest and it'll be better tomorrow.
But I felt it on the way home when I walked down some stairs to the subway. And then again when I walked up some stairs back to ground level. And many more times throughout the evening -- up to the bedroom, down to the basement, up to the kitchen, back down to the basement, and then up to the home office, back to the kitchen, and so on and so on.
I wonder if it's from going back to the treadmill and not being accustomed to that kind of running. Or maybe it was from some leg strengthening exercises and I pulled a muscle. Maybe I just hadn't stretched enough before and after running.
What was clear was that I wasn't going to be getting my scheduled 6 miles in tonight. I contemplated taking a bike ride instead, but figured watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (with Johnny Depp) would be much more enjoyable.
I won't worry too much about leg right now. I'm sure it just wants a little more rest and it'll be better tomorrow.
Tuesday, August 1
Heat don't beat me
After a weekend of eating, canoeing, eating, bike riding, eating, kayaking, eating, napping, eating, looking at stars, charring marshmallows, and of course a trail run, then more eating, I took it easy yesterday.
But I wasn't going to let headlines about today's extreme heat alert stop me from getting my miles in today. I am not a fan of running outside in 36C/97F heat (but feels like 48C/118F). Yes, it's hotter in other places on this planet, but I have never been able to handle heat very well. Ever.
So off I went to the underground and very air conditioned gym at lunch time for 3 quick-for-me miles. Now I don't have to wait til the evening in hopes that it'll cool down. It's nice to get the run out of the way. My whole night is clear now .... for unpacking.
But I wasn't going to let headlines about today's extreme heat alert stop me from getting my miles in today. I am not a fan of running outside in 36C/97F heat (but feels like 48C/118F). Yes, it's hotter in other places on this planet, but I have never been able to handle heat very well. Ever.
So off I went to the underground and very air conditioned gym at lunch time for 3 quick-for-me miles. Now I don't have to wait til the evening in hopes that it'll cool down. It's nice to get the run out of the way. My whole night is clear now .... for unpacking.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)