I had a lot on my plate for a Sunday. I was going to my nieces dance recital in Toronto, doing her hair & her makeup prior. Then afterwards, taking my Mum back home to Niagara & then driving back to Barrie. So I needed to get an early start on the run & so with that in mind I headed of around 7:30 and decided to do the highway run. I wanted to get as close to 21 km in as I possibly could.
There was a chill in the air but I threw on my favourite tank top on and slipped my compression sleeves on my calves, filled my water bottle to the brim, adjusted my shoes and clammered into the Tribute.
I oiked myself out of the vehicle, clicked on my water belt and my happy attitude and headed off to the path. I was hoping to do 5 k & 1 minute walk breaks, however I had to settle for 3k & 1 minutes walk breaks. I haven't regained the 5&1 ability yet. Probably in about 2-3 weeks I'll be back on target.
I kept at about a 6:08-6:20 pace as much as possible and as I rounded my way onto the first concession what to my wondering eyes should appear but a completely tarmaced surface!!!!!!!!! I said thank you the WHOLE route. It was so wonderful!
Going up the hill I did walk with the intention of starting hill training this coming week. Start with three hills and go from there. I've had enough of this, I need my strength training back. I may not start by running Berczy Street (for those that don't know Berczy is a 75 degree angle [Ithink, I'm not much of a mathematician]) I may work on a longer climb - lesser grade hill. I'm sure I'll do it, in fact I KNOW I'll do it.
I got to just past the 9 k mark when I decided to turn around. I had only done 6 k last Sunday and 4 of that was walking, so I figured doubling plus two is a hefty jump in one week. Next week though it will have to be 23k. However; back to the 9 k mark. I took a couple extra walk breaks until I could get my mental game back on the tracks. I crossed over the 5/6th road and was back on the new ashpalt & it was like a energizer. Before I knew I was at a 5:36 pace going up the hill towards the stop sign to get on to Ridge road to head back into town. I ducked down towards the path, I had no desire to run UP any hills. I plodded along at about 6:19 nice and easy to finish my distance.
I got 18.5 in and then managed to take the daughter and all our doggies to the land fill for another long walk.
I got to Toronto with time to spare, managed to get the hair done and make up on my neice. She was the best looking Grade 1 there. If I do say so myself!
Monday, June 20, 2011
The week in review.
Wow – I can’t believe that I’ve missed so many blogs? What is the world coming to when you are so busy at work you don’t have time to update your blogs for your peeps? I’m telling ya, it’s craziness!
So Thursday last week Kevin & I did 2000 meters in the pool. I miscounted all but one of our sets. Either I was over or I was WAY under. At one point I was 100 meters off. That’s 4 times the length of the pool, how in heavens name do you make THAT kind of mistake? Generally my brain is thinking about 40 different things at one time or preoccupied with flights of fancy. At any rate we did 2k in the pool – way to go Kevin!!! A milestone for him.
Sunday was a run to remember, remember to forget! Saturday night I had attended the engagement dinner for James & Angela at the Urban Dish. The vegetarian option was gnocchi with wild mushrooms in a sauce. I happily ate the gnocchi as I had no idea what it was, the sauce although it was cream based was very yummy & being lactose intolerant I tried not to have too much of the sauce. It was so delicious.. the sauce unfortunately had about 39 times the amount of garlic that I can consume without gastric issues. Then Scott Googled gnocchi and I found out that it was an Italian dumpling made of flour *groans*. That’s three for three. This did not bode well.
I was in the loo from 5am onwards. So by the time running was going I was pretty sure that my distance was going to be whatever I could muster. My legs we wooden, my veins carried lead, my eyes were sewn shut & I didn’t dare to be too far from a loo. I managed to run 2k out of 6. However; I was able to appreciate all the beautiful houses on Napier St & the cardinal that was singing in the tree following who was me for a few blocks. I think I managed to walk 4 k and run 2. It was sad. Very sad.
Last night at the Trails it was a completely different story. I was running the good run. Keeping a decent pace and having a great pain free experience. We did our usual 9k route. The steep up hills are still a bit of a challenge and I’m still okay with walking them when I have to. The roller coaster was very good bar the back up from other runners so I’d wait at the top of the one hill I had just crested while waiting for the runner in front to get to the top. Mika was running with me, she had a great run, stayed with me the whole time. She’s such a good girlie. Not keen on the mountain bikers going by though. Aahh well. She loves her trial runs.
Tonight was a struggle compared to yesterday’s run. My legs felt like they were inflexible & made of carbonite. It was not my best run. I barely made it 6k. I think I still have to get back into the swing of running back to back nights. I’ve babied my leg so much that I only ran a couple of nights a week. So I’ll have to get back into the swing of things. I think a couple of weeks and I’ll start getting that feel back. I had better, my training starts shortly. YIKES.
So Thursday last week Kevin & I did 2000 meters in the pool. I miscounted all but one of our sets. Either I was over or I was WAY under. At one point I was 100 meters off. That’s 4 times the length of the pool, how in heavens name do you make THAT kind of mistake? Generally my brain is thinking about 40 different things at one time or preoccupied with flights of fancy. At any rate we did 2k in the pool – way to go Kevin!!! A milestone for him.
Sunday was a run to remember, remember to forget! Saturday night I had attended the engagement dinner for James & Angela at the Urban Dish. The vegetarian option was gnocchi with wild mushrooms in a sauce. I happily ate the gnocchi as I had no idea what it was, the sauce although it was cream based was very yummy & being lactose intolerant I tried not to have too much of the sauce. It was so delicious.. the sauce unfortunately had about 39 times the amount of garlic that I can consume without gastric issues. Then Scott Googled gnocchi and I found out that it was an Italian dumpling made of flour *groans*. That’s three for three. This did not bode well.
I was in the loo from 5am onwards. So by the time running was going I was pretty sure that my distance was going to be whatever I could muster. My legs we wooden, my veins carried lead, my eyes were sewn shut & I didn’t dare to be too far from a loo. I managed to run 2k out of 6. However; I was able to appreciate all the beautiful houses on Napier St & the cardinal that was singing in the tree following who was me for a few blocks. I think I managed to walk 4 k and run 2. It was sad. Very sad.
Last night at the Trails it was a completely different story. I was running the good run. Keeping a decent pace and having a great pain free experience. We did our usual 9k route. The steep up hills are still a bit of a challenge and I’m still okay with walking them when I have to. The roller coaster was very good bar the back up from other runners so I’d wait at the top of the one hill I had just crested while waiting for the runner in front to get to the top. Mika was running with me, she had a great run, stayed with me the whole time. She’s such a good girlie. Not keen on the mountain bikers going by though. Aahh well. She loves her trial runs.
Tonight was a struggle compared to yesterday’s run. My legs felt like they were inflexible & made of carbonite. It was not my best run. I barely made it 6k. I think I still have to get back into the swing of running back to back nights. I’ve babied my leg so much that I only ran a couple of nights a week. So I’ll have to get back into the swing of things. I think a couple of weeks and I’ll start getting that feel back. I had better, my training starts shortly. YIKES.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Sunday.. la la la la...
I'll tell ya something - it was a great day for a run yesterday. I woke up Sunday morning to Mocha vocalizing her displeasure at being in her crate when her pack of hounds were out and about. So I let her out, feed, toileted and played with her for a bit, then got my running gear together.
I decided to wear my pink breast cancer running skorts - but I forgot to put on the glide. My somewhat "muscular" legs have a habit of creating friction when I run so now I have road rash on my inner thigh. AGGHH! That stung like a bastard when I finally made it to the bath last night. YIKES.
After much debate (internal) debate I decided that 24 km was not in the cards. I'd rather have a successful shorter distance. My ITB was very sore yet even just walking. At the RR I met up with Cindy & the gang they were doing 10k. Well that was way to low for me. I want to build my mileage so, nothing less than 16 really.
They had a 16 map on the counter so I grabbed one. Trish did as well as did Jenny. SO it would be the Scotia bank Marathon 2009 all over again. Sorta. I ran with Jenny for her first full marathon and really had to help her the last 12k, but she got it done.
The route that we had was good in as much as it took us out and back, however; the fact that every UPHILL that could be added to the "back" part was added with vicious delight I'm sure! I didn't have my Garmin so I wasn't sure what pace we were doing at any given time. Jenny had her iTouch or iPhone hooked up but I don't really trust them. The calibration comes unglued. I usually can tell by my breathing what pace I'm running & what her technology was saying & what I was feeling were two different things. However; we tried to keep it at a comfy 6:15-6:30 pace.
We started up Owen - Worsley & kept moving up and over. And I do mean up. We ended up coming out by St Vincent and going UP. Then Duckworth, UP Georgian. Penetang Rd. Down Crestwood UP Johnson. Across Steel (which is up) Blake, down Vancouver. Kempenfelt Dr. on to Dunlop. Then UP Mulcaster, Collier and down Owen.
I said screw Mulcaster. No friggin way.
It wasn't until the last 750 meters that I decided that I was going to walk. My ITB was humming a very unpleasant tune and I had no desire to cause any issues. Trish was happy to keep me company on our walk back.
I think we lost about 500 meters by cutting out Mulcaster - but I don't really care. LOL.
My ITB is still tighter than a duck's backside.
Trish said she would be okay doing a bit of ART on that baby. I'm using the roller as well, but nothing like a good old fashioned thumb in your ITB pushing out the kinks to make it feel good.
I decided to wear my pink breast cancer running skorts - but I forgot to put on the glide. My somewhat "muscular" legs have a habit of creating friction when I run so now I have road rash on my inner thigh. AGGHH! That stung like a bastard when I finally made it to the bath last night. YIKES.
After much debate (internal) debate I decided that 24 km was not in the cards. I'd rather have a successful shorter distance. My ITB was very sore yet even just walking. At the RR I met up with Cindy & the gang they were doing 10k. Well that was way to low for me. I want to build my mileage so, nothing less than 16 really.
They had a 16 map on the counter so I grabbed one. Trish did as well as did Jenny. SO it would be the Scotia bank Marathon 2009 all over again. Sorta. I ran with Jenny for her first full marathon and really had to help her the last 12k, but she got it done.
The route that we had was good in as much as it took us out and back, however; the fact that every UPHILL that could be added to the "back" part was added with vicious delight I'm sure! I didn't have my Garmin so I wasn't sure what pace we were doing at any given time. Jenny had her iTouch or iPhone hooked up but I don't really trust them. The calibration comes unglued. I usually can tell by my breathing what pace I'm running & what her technology was saying & what I was feeling were two different things. However; we tried to keep it at a comfy 6:15-6:30 pace.
We started up Owen - Worsley & kept moving up and over. And I do mean up. We ended up coming out by St Vincent and going UP. Then Duckworth, UP Georgian. Penetang Rd. Down Crestwood UP Johnson. Across Steel (which is up) Blake, down Vancouver. Kempenfelt Dr. on to Dunlop. Then UP Mulcaster, Collier and down Owen.
I said screw Mulcaster. No friggin way.
It wasn't until the last 750 meters that I decided that I was going to walk. My ITB was humming a very unpleasant tune and I had no desire to cause any issues. Trish was happy to keep me company on our walk back.
I think we lost about 500 meters by cutting out Mulcaster - but I don't really care. LOL.
My ITB is still tighter than a duck's backside.
Trish said she would be okay doing a bit of ART on that baby. I'm using the roller as well, but nothing like a good old fashioned thumb in your ITB pushing out the kinks to make it feel good.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Swim as fast as you can, you can't catch me I'm the Gingerbread.. never mind.
Ohhh ggrr.. my evening was slightly disrupted. I was going to meet Wayne to walk our dogs at 5pm. I didn't make it back til gone 5, then Wayne was in the middle of a brake rebuild so, he was delayed and 45 minutes later he told me to go without him. So at almost 6pm we headed out. That's an hour off my lawnmowing time.
Oh well.
I got back mowed the front lawn & my neighbour's as Dave always snowblows my driveway. Then I took my borrowed roller and ROLLED MY ITB.. oh my gawd, jeezzusmurphy. PAIN...
Then let that settle down a bit and headed to the pool.
Meet up with Kevin and we started our 1900m journey. Poor little dude, he was huffing and puffing but his legs are better. Still room for improvement, but they are much better than was I was seeing last week. Needs to keep the legs a bit more together and pointed.
So it was 100 warm up. 300,350,400,350,300 100 cool down.
And I've started grouping them in 4's. So 300 is 3 groups of 4. when I get to my second set I start counting 2-1, 2-2 on the third set 3-1, 3-2 etc. and somewhere in the counting I got distracted by some very distrubing thoughts and ended up two short. So Kevin would tell me two more ... so off I go.
Stupid counting.
We managed to shave about 6 minutes off our time from last week. I didn't see the exact time we went into the pool, but I know it was well after 8:15 as I kept signalling to the lifeguard that was ignoring me, if we could go in. So that's great. I felt really strong during the swim. The first 50 m I was wondering what the heck I was doing in the pool... I was sore, my arms hurt... blah blah blah.
It turned out very well though.
Chris was in the viewing gallery and waved, my eyes were so blurry though I couldn't actually make her out very well. So it was nice to have a cheering squad for Kevin. He worked hard.
Then a few minutes in the pee pool to reward ourselves and back home to eat the veggie burger Chelsea made for me. yummmmmmmmy!!!
Oh well.
I got back mowed the front lawn & my neighbour's as Dave always snowblows my driveway. Then I took my borrowed roller and ROLLED MY ITB.. oh my gawd, jeezzusmurphy. PAIN...
Then let that settle down a bit and headed to the pool.
Meet up with Kevin and we started our 1900m journey. Poor little dude, he was huffing and puffing but his legs are better. Still room for improvement, but they are much better than was I was seeing last week. Needs to keep the legs a bit more together and pointed.
So it was 100 warm up. 300,350,400,350,300 100 cool down.
And I've started grouping them in 4's. So 300 is 3 groups of 4. when I get to my second set I start counting 2-1, 2-2 on the third set 3-1, 3-2 etc. and somewhere in the counting I got distracted by some very distrubing thoughts and ended up two short. So Kevin would tell me two more ... so off I go.
Stupid counting.
We managed to shave about 6 minutes off our time from last week. I didn't see the exact time we went into the pool, but I know it was well after 8:15 as I kept signalling to the lifeguard that was ignoring me, if we could go in. So that's great. I felt really strong during the swim. The first 50 m I was wondering what the heck I was doing in the pool... I was sore, my arms hurt... blah blah blah.
It turned out very well though.
Chris was in the viewing gallery and waved, my eyes were so blurry though I couldn't actually make her out very well. So it was nice to have a cheering squad for Kevin. He worked hard.
Then a few minutes in the pee pool to reward ourselves and back home to eat the veggie burger Chelsea made for me. yummmmmmmmy!!!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Victoria Day
Oh I know some of you are saying " But Joan, Victoria Day was a couple of weeks ago what are you on?"
I'm not talking about THAT Victoria Day... I'm talking about MY Victoria Day. It's Wednesday night & as you all know by now that's run club night.
I put the new puppy in the crate, she was some tired. I walked her for an hour and she was POOPED. Then when we got home for the walk, I wouldn't let her sleep more than half an hour. So hopefully tonight it's a full night of puppy dreaming.
Right so back to the Running Room. Trish wasn't running at 6:30, she was going later with Fred, fine.. I'm sure Cindy will be there. No Cindy. The usual elite gaggle of runners were at the back taking up space. Then I saw Steen, Lisa & Victoria & Ang. They were all going to do the Bus Run which is 9.3 k. Up some pretty nasty hills as well. I wasn't overly jazzed but I thought give it a whirl. The object isn't to keep up to them, just to keep them in view.
So I reluctantly said yes. Whined from Owen Street until Mulcaster and then put on my best run face.
We got to Vancouver and instead of cutting over to Shanty Bay we kept on Blake. Apparantly the front three shaved off some distance and hills and we were now doing 8k & cutting out Crestwood. God bless them each and everyone.
I had a bit of trouble going up Vancouver - but I kept going slowly. Then up Puget, slowly. Over to Napier. I could feel my body readjust to the slight incline rather than the all out hill. My speed started to increase and I passed Ang.
Then turned up Nelson and I caught up to Victoria. Now Victoria is a lovely lady, I adore her. She & I made my duvet cover & pillow shams together. We get each other. We've had lots of great discussions, she's a clever clever woman. With a great heart. Victoria qualified for Boston her first Marathon & has qualified last year and this year. She's a great runner, so keeping her in my sight would have been grand, but to actually be able to run with her & hold a conversation without puking was such a rush for me.
Now I'm sure she slowed it down a bit, regardless, it was such a great feeling to be able to keep pace with her. My breathing was calm. My feet were flying.
We got back to Fred Grant Square a good two minutes (or more) before Steen, Lisa & Ang.
I'm pumped.
My calf didn't even bother me (much). I'm about to ice it though just in case.
I'm very happy.
I'll take my roller ( well Trish's roller) to work and try to get two mintues on it there. I can't here with all the canines running around. It'd be a disaster.
I'm not talking about THAT Victoria Day... I'm talking about MY Victoria Day. It's Wednesday night & as you all know by now that's run club night.
I put the new puppy in the crate, she was some tired. I walked her for an hour and she was POOPED. Then when we got home for the walk, I wouldn't let her sleep more than half an hour. So hopefully tonight it's a full night of puppy dreaming.
Right so back to the Running Room. Trish wasn't running at 6:30, she was going later with Fred, fine.. I'm sure Cindy will be there. No Cindy. The usual elite gaggle of runners were at the back taking up space. Then I saw Steen, Lisa & Victoria & Ang. They were all going to do the Bus Run which is 9.3 k. Up some pretty nasty hills as well. I wasn't overly jazzed but I thought give it a whirl. The object isn't to keep up to them, just to keep them in view.
So I reluctantly said yes. Whined from Owen Street until Mulcaster and then put on my best run face.
We got to Vancouver and instead of cutting over to Shanty Bay we kept on Blake. Apparantly the front three shaved off some distance and hills and we were now doing 8k & cutting out Crestwood. God bless them each and everyone.
I had a bit of trouble going up Vancouver - but I kept going slowly. Then up Puget, slowly. Over to Napier. I could feel my body readjust to the slight incline rather than the all out hill. My speed started to increase and I passed Ang.
Then turned up Nelson and I caught up to Victoria. Now Victoria is a lovely lady, I adore her. She & I made my duvet cover & pillow shams together. We get each other. We've had lots of great discussions, she's a clever clever woman. With a great heart. Victoria qualified for Boston her first Marathon & has qualified last year and this year. She's a great runner, so keeping her in my sight would have been grand, but to actually be able to run with her & hold a conversation without puking was such a rush for me.
Now I'm sure she slowed it down a bit, regardless, it was such a great feeling to be able to keep pace with her. My breathing was calm. My feet were flying.
We got back to Fred Grant Square a good two minutes (or more) before Steen, Lisa & Ang.
I'm pumped.
My calf didn't even bother me (much). I'm about to ice it though just in case.
I'm very happy.
I'll take my roller ( well Trish's roller) to work and try to get two mintues on it there. I can't here with all the canines running around. It'd be a disaster.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
A training run my sweet pineapple !!
So the buzzer is set to go off on my alarm clock for 4:43am this morning to get ready to meet the gals, Sandra Lalonde & Regina Pehr at the spirit catcher before heading off to Sunnybrook Park in TO for the Toronto Women's Only half marathon.
I woke up before the alarm. Meh.
The ladies were punctual and off we went to the Micky D's on the 400 to pick up Deb Watson. We were off as per my schedule by 6am.
We arrived at the Sony building across from the park with oodles of time - so we warmed up a bit, changed choose, grabbed water bottles & debated clothing. I had my BRR short sleeve shirt on & debated adding my jacket. Thank goodness I didn't. It was going to be a sweltering day by the end of the run.
Now the TO Women's Only isn't my favourite race only due to the course. I'm not a big fan of open courses & even less of a fan of running through parks. Especially through TO, damn they are deceptively hilly. I'm not good with hills right now. Not enough training, however; I digress.
Sandra had managed to snaffle a spot the day before as Karen had to back out. So it was this morning that I learned Sandra was going to run with me, I thought she was joking, but nope very serious. Her goal was to run about 6min pace. Which is okay...I suppose, if you are off the DL which I am not to date. I can run that for about 15 k but that's been my longest run & we walked the big hills.
So I was a bit worried - so I made it clear that Sandra could go her own way when required. I wouldn't hold her back.
I didn't have my Garmin on purpose, I just wanted to enjoy the run. I'd use the KM markers to take my brakes.
Sandra & I were in the 3rd & final wave of the race - at the very front, it was like we were elites!! LOL. Check out the website there should be some good piccies of us posing.
We had a great pace going, it didn't feel bad at all. I used my breathing as a measurement tool & it was all good. We were ahead of pace according to Sandra, but I have no clue.
The first 6k went really well. We didn't have a walk break til 6.5 ish. Then up hill. Blech. Not a fan.
Then by 10k it was getting stinking humid and my breathing was getting laboured. I'm not sure if I get anxious and cause the issues or the breathing difficulty causes the anxiety which increases the heaviness in my chest. But we had a quick walk break at the 10k mark. I was trying my utmost to relax myself, but I started piling on the pressure to keep up with Sandra. She runs 1:47 1/2 marathons. I do not. So I kept going to my dark place & that just did me in.
By the 14k mark I waved Sandra on as we rounded the next turn. I kept her in sight for another kilometer and then I needed a walk break and lost her.
The route was filled with puddles and ladies that felt the need to pussy foot through them, REALLY.. I just barrelled though the middle of them and through the water, enough of that silliness.
Over the bridge and up more hills & by 17k I had another walk break. And my ITB was singing a very unhappy tune. So I made the decision to walk when it started to twing. I did not want an all out pain to happen. So I did a lot of walking between the running from 18 - 20 k.
I ran through the firemen for the third time which, in my opinion is rather a non-event, but the other ladies seem to enjoy it. Almost as much as the firemen.
Then through the chocolate station at 19k - now this is more for me! But I only took one Cadbury's thin. Just the one. I was running with some walking. Then past the 20k mark & I was going to run - I could run 1 k.
Then as I got to the parking lot a woman was yelling " ONLY ONE MORE KILOMETER - THIS IS THE LAST KM..." My brain just shut down. I was ticking off the meters and the thought of having to run one more k - well, it just pissed me off. So either they have the mileage markers wrong or the lady is on crack... so I ended up walking across the parking lot & started running after I hit the trail again. I knew she was off her rocker - the finish line was just around the bend and through the over pass. Geezzz I wish people would just shut up if they don't know distance.
There was one little girl at the 9 k mark saying " Great work, you're almost there" ARE YOU EFFING JOKING ME??!!! We aren't even half way yet. *shakes head*
Here's your sign.
There are way too many turn arounds and loop backs and clover leafs on this course. I don't enjoy it really. The organization is tremendous & I wonder if they might thing about finding a different venue, however; with Rob Ford's current stance on races in Toronto, I can't see it happening. I don't mind it in parks, but close it the public for a few hours & is there anyway for there to be less turn arounds & doubling backs?
Just askin.
I woke up before the alarm. Meh.
The ladies were punctual and off we went to the Micky D's on the 400 to pick up Deb Watson. We were off as per my schedule by 6am.
We arrived at the Sony building across from the park with oodles of time - so we warmed up a bit, changed choose, grabbed water bottles & debated clothing. I had my BRR short sleeve shirt on & debated adding my jacket. Thank goodness I didn't. It was going to be a sweltering day by the end of the run.
Now the TO Women's Only isn't my favourite race only due to the course. I'm not a big fan of open courses & even less of a fan of running through parks. Especially through TO, damn they are deceptively hilly. I'm not good with hills right now. Not enough training, however; I digress.
Sandra had managed to snaffle a spot the day before as Karen had to back out. So it was this morning that I learned Sandra was going to run with me, I thought she was joking, but nope very serious. Her goal was to run about 6min pace. Which is okay...I suppose, if you are off the DL which I am not to date. I can run that for about 15 k but that's been my longest run & we walked the big hills.
So I was a bit worried - so I made it clear that Sandra could go her own way when required. I wouldn't hold her back.
I didn't have my Garmin on purpose, I just wanted to enjoy the run. I'd use the KM markers to take my brakes.
Sandra & I were in the 3rd & final wave of the race - at the very front, it was like we were elites!! LOL. Check out the website there should be some good piccies of us posing.
We had a great pace going, it didn't feel bad at all. I used my breathing as a measurement tool & it was all good. We were ahead of pace according to Sandra, but I have no clue.
The first 6k went really well. We didn't have a walk break til 6.5 ish. Then up hill. Blech. Not a fan.
Then by 10k it was getting stinking humid and my breathing was getting laboured. I'm not sure if I get anxious and cause the issues or the breathing difficulty causes the anxiety which increases the heaviness in my chest. But we had a quick walk break at the 10k mark. I was trying my utmost to relax myself, but I started piling on the pressure to keep up with Sandra. She runs 1:47 1/2 marathons. I do not. So I kept going to my dark place & that just did me in.
By the 14k mark I waved Sandra on as we rounded the next turn. I kept her in sight for another kilometer and then I needed a walk break and lost her.
The route was filled with puddles and ladies that felt the need to pussy foot through them, REALLY.. I just barrelled though the middle of them and through the water, enough of that silliness.
Over the bridge and up more hills & by 17k I had another walk break. And my ITB was singing a very unhappy tune. So I made the decision to walk when it started to twing. I did not want an all out pain to happen. So I did a lot of walking between the running from 18 - 20 k.
I ran through the firemen for the third time which, in my opinion is rather a non-event, but the other ladies seem to enjoy it. Almost as much as the firemen.
Then through the chocolate station at 19k - now this is more for me! But I only took one Cadbury's thin. Just the one. I was running with some walking. Then past the 20k mark & I was going to run - I could run 1 k.
Then as I got to the parking lot a woman was yelling " ONLY ONE MORE KILOMETER - THIS IS THE LAST KM..." My brain just shut down. I was ticking off the meters and the thought of having to run one more k - well, it just pissed me off. So either they have the mileage markers wrong or the lady is on crack... so I ended up walking across the parking lot & started running after I hit the trail again. I knew she was off her rocker - the finish line was just around the bend and through the over pass. Geezzz I wish people would just shut up if they don't know distance.
There was one little girl at the 9 k mark saying " Great work, you're almost there" ARE YOU EFFING JOKING ME??!!! We aren't even half way yet. *shakes head*
Here's your sign.
There are way too many turn arounds and loop backs and clover leafs on this course. I don't enjoy it really. The organization is tremendous & I wonder if they might thing about finding a different venue, however; with Rob Ford's current stance on races in Toronto, I can't see it happening. I don't mind it in parks, but close it the public for a few hours & is there anyway for there to be less turn arounds & doubling backs?
Just askin.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Another day in the woods ....
Ahhhh what a glorious day, I managed to hold my tongue at work & keep the folks down south happy. Could it get any better? Why yes it could!!! I'm a gunna go a trail running tonight! YAHHOO!!
Got home in great time, took the poepies for a "quick" walk came back, got changed and loaded Mika & all my water bottles etc in the car and arrived at the forest with a few minutes to spare.
The crew showed up - most of the usual folks. Sandra, Terry, Jen, Leslie, Lucille, Lorna, Glen, Kelly, Trish & a couple of dudes I did not know. One was Neil the Bastard & the other Alex. ( I think)
Mika was beside herself with glee; a run in the woods and time away from Kees. She was in her element, tear assing through the woods back and forth between the front of the pack and the back of the pack to make sure everyone was accounted for.
Then she settled in beside me or behind me for the run. It felt like I had wooden beams for legs. Though when Sandra asked me how I felt after Sunday's run I said I probably could have done a few more Km but happy with the result. " yeah yeah sure Joan, you say that now" ahahah.. that's true, but looking back I think I would have done okay tacking on 3 more. As long as it wasn't up hill. LOL.
So I managed to keep mid pack or the at least the back of the front of the back. Or front of the mid of the pack. LOL. Trish and I traded spots back & forth. A few more stops that I would have liked on occasion but we were waiting for the back packers. I know I appreciated the others waiting - so I know why it's being done. And I stay inthe middle so I don't get lost!! ahah
I felt my calf ache a lot, but by the 6k mark it had subsided enough that I didn't really notice it. Or perhaps I just got used to it? hmm.. At any rate by about 4k we hit the end of the first section and crossed over Nursery Rd to get to the "roller coaster" that's always a good test of strength. I had commented to Sandra I could really feel the lack of strength training during Sunday's run, but I'm not ready to tackle hill training as of yet. So running up and down the roller coaster was good practise. I even managed the last steep incline well. No stopping except for at the top.
Then out of the woods a K later and only 3 more to go. Sort. The trail back to the car park always feels shorter for some odd reason. I mean much shorter than 3 k. But in actuality it's the half way mark. We finished off at 9k last night. The second half i just love because we generally come across all the mountain bikers and get to stop more often but for briefer periods of time. Just enough for me to give Mika water from her water bottle. She drinks it as I squirt it to her mouth. She's a talented doggy!! That girlie was a running fool! She was great. Waited at the road when told, crossed when told. She's a sweet little girlie.
I think at one point we were running 5:53 pace. I mean seriously?? Gawd!! These are the trails people. STUMPS, ROOTS, STONES not a good combination with blonde, however; even though I found 3 stumps/rocks/roots I managed to stay upright.
We had one woman down within the first 2.5 k and luckily there was no serious injury, just some embarassment.
Got home and steamed up some asparagus from Barrie Hill Farms, made a Hollandaise sauce & a few fried mushrooms. Yummy... Missed the carbs but I had no desire to cook anthing more than I had.
I'll get some in me today! Promise.
Tonight - a quick run as Chelsea is getting her new puppy tonight.
Got home in great time, took the poepies for a "quick" walk came back, got changed and loaded Mika & all my water bottles etc in the car and arrived at the forest with a few minutes to spare.
The crew showed up - most of the usual folks. Sandra, Terry, Jen, Leslie, Lucille, Lorna, Glen, Kelly, Trish & a couple of dudes I did not know. One was Neil the Bastard & the other Alex. ( I think)
Mika was beside herself with glee; a run in the woods and time away from Kees. She was in her element, tear assing through the woods back and forth between the front of the pack and the back of the pack to make sure everyone was accounted for.
Then she settled in beside me or behind me for the run. It felt like I had wooden beams for legs. Though when Sandra asked me how I felt after Sunday's run I said I probably could have done a few more Km but happy with the result. " yeah yeah sure Joan, you say that now" ahahah.. that's true, but looking back I think I would have done okay tacking on 3 more. As long as it wasn't up hill. LOL.
So I managed to keep mid pack or the at least the back of the front of the back. Or front of the mid of the pack. LOL. Trish and I traded spots back & forth. A few more stops that I would have liked on occasion but we were waiting for the back packers. I know I appreciated the others waiting - so I know why it's being done. And I stay inthe middle so I don't get lost!! ahah
I felt my calf ache a lot, but by the 6k mark it had subsided enough that I didn't really notice it. Or perhaps I just got used to it? hmm.. At any rate by about 4k we hit the end of the first section and crossed over Nursery Rd to get to the "roller coaster" that's always a good test of strength. I had commented to Sandra I could really feel the lack of strength training during Sunday's run, but I'm not ready to tackle hill training as of yet. So running up and down the roller coaster was good practise. I even managed the last steep incline well. No stopping except for at the top.
Then out of the woods a K later and only 3 more to go. Sort. The trail back to the car park always feels shorter for some odd reason. I mean much shorter than 3 k. But in actuality it's the half way mark. We finished off at 9k last night. The second half i just love because we generally come across all the mountain bikers and get to stop more often but for briefer periods of time. Just enough for me to give Mika water from her water bottle. She drinks it as I squirt it to her mouth. She's a talented doggy!! That girlie was a running fool! She was great. Waited at the road when told, crossed when told. She's a sweet little girlie.
I think at one point we were running 5:53 pace. I mean seriously?? Gawd!! These are the trails people. STUMPS, ROOTS, STONES not a good combination with blonde, however; even though I found 3 stumps/rocks/roots I managed to stay upright.
We had one woman down within the first 2.5 k and luckily there was no serious injury, just some embarassment.
Got home and steamed up some asparagus from Barrie Hill Farms, made a Hollandaise sauce & a few fried mushrooms. Yummy... Missed the carbs but I had no desire to cook anthing more than I had.
I'll get some in me today! Promise.
Tonight - a quick run as Chelsea is getting her new puppy tonight.
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