Training again

Well I'm back at it now. After a long day at work I decided to head out for a run on a route I think I've only run once before. I was tired but needed to get out and get going. I was quick early but that faded as my day caught up to me. I just pressed on, I thought about cutting it short several times but knew that wouldn't be good and I said I was doing 12 and unless I was broken some how I would just keep on. I stayed true to my route and felt okay while I was out there. Glad to be done though, my legs are still sore from Sunday. Think I'll just run 3 days this week.
59:23 ~ 12km, 4:56 per km.

Perserverance Trail Run

I wasn't sure about driving up to Cumberland to do a short 10k trail race but after some discussion decided that it would be fun so we packed up quick and headed north. The morning of the race could not have been more perfect, 9C and clear. A good crowd of runners turned up for the event and it sounded as if the run would be challenging. Holy crap did I underestimate the severity of what was to come. The first 2k was forest service roads but a steady climb and by steady I mean steep. The course featured a lot of single track with names like, "short and curly", "bear buns" and "off broadway". How deceptive. After the first short singletrack the lead pack missed a turn onto another trail adding almost a km to our run. As we transfered back onto the right route the trail went up, way up for what seemed like forever. See picture as it gives a good indication of the intensity of the climb over such a short distance. Yikes!

The climb was a real test of wills as I had to get over the desire to stop, just keep moving that was all I kept saying. At the top it was so pretty, the view was awesome. Then the downhill, and for a big dude I can really move going downhill. Except I missed one step and wham I was on the ground rolling. I got up quick and looked at my legs, there was nothing sticking out that didn't belong so I kept going blood and all.
I really had to gut out the next couple of minutes as I adjusted to the stinging but it went away fast and I caught up to the two guys that had just passed me. I found a new level of intensity and really pushed hard. As we entered the last two sections of singletrack I was totally inside myself, I could see two steps ahead and moved fast. At the end I could hear the crowd but really didn't know how much more there was to go. As I saw the finish line I was so relieved as I was beat up bad. At the end of the race during the awards, there was a joke made about changing the name to the Allen Lake 15k due to the extra km added on plus I was regifted an award for the most in need of a bandaid with my two bloody knees, it was kinda funny. It was a good one that's for sure, brutal ups and downs, super intense trails, gorgeous and totally fun. 1:08:30 ~ 10.8km, 6:30 per km.

A little tired from a crazy day/night

Things got out of hand last night and again this morning so I was needless to say a wee bit tired heading out this afternoon. It's also my first good run on the road since RVM and I was feeling pretty okay. It took a bit to get going but once I had a pace aside from a little fatigue I felt good and strong. I ran well enough today to be confident for this Sunday in Cumberland. Should be a good time especially if it is wet. 47:47 ~ 10km, 4:46 per km.

Thetis again?

Well this time it was serious. I had my new shoes, a race a week away and I needed some good trail education. So I had a pretty good idea of where I was going to go and set out. I found the trail that I wanted to run but then missed a turn and ended up at Highland Road, quite the wrong way, so I pissed around a bit looking for the right way but decided to just backtrack and head around the lake to finish up. There were some killer climbs and descents. It rained last night so it was more slippery than anything else, had a couple of close calls but it was so much fun. Wow! I felt real awesome and right where I belonged. So very good for me inside you know. 49:25 ~ 7.4k.

Back to Thetis

Strange what difference a day makes. Got out to the park around 2 and got down to business. Feeling really good I ran around Upper Thetis quite comfortably working the hills but they still take their toll. Had some good fortune out there as well so I went and picked up a new pair of trail shoes, I'm sure they will make a difference. Anyway, it was a good day and my legs are fine now, so expect the miles to come quickly. 26:25 ~ 5.3km.

How long has it been since I was out there last?

Thetis Lake. In highschool I think. 20 years ago. Trails seem the same to me. I just never figured that the hills would be so god damned steep. Christ almighty. I was going to run 10, which turned to 5 then suddenly ended at 3. I was toast. I've been taking the easy road so to speak. I should be supplimenting my training with the crap trail runs that Thetis supplies. I will be going back again. Gunner Shaw and Stewart Mtn races are out on the same course that I ran part of today. So I have my work cut out for me now. Trail running. Roots and rocks and all that shit. I guess I am going to learn to love it or die trying. 16:29 ~ 3km, 5:29 per km.

First run post RVM

Tired. Whoa, real fatigue. Not sure how else to phrase it. Legs have been extremely stiff and my left foot is still letting me know how unhappy it is with me. Regardless of all that it was important to get out and do a little today, mobility is good. So I trucked off down the road near home and couldn't get going any faster than my slow marathon pace. It was fine but a serious wake up call. The next race I have to better prepare in the sense of more distance, slower. I can't be so bold to think that I am able to just pick off a 42km run at a whim. I can but then I will suffer and not enjoy the effort. I can run faster, considerably faster I just have to be better prepared. Anyway, it was good to get out in the rain. Figures. 15:55 ~ 3km, 5:17 per km.

3:36:45

Wow, what a day, really. Couldn't have asked for a better day weatherwise but beyond that I felt as good as I ever have before and was really ready to race. Got up early, made two bowls of cereal with banana and water. Got down to the event about 40 minutes before hand to prepare. When the gun went off there was 2041 of us. The first half was real good, I was 1:41:00 at 21.1k, strong and on pace for a sub 3:30 but I knew I was having problems at 27k when my left leg kept wanting to cramp up so I started the frustrating walk/run pacing that slowed everything down. I git each waterstation for as much as I could get out of them which enabled me to keep going. I even had a beer at the Harrier house which was a total laugh. Ingrid was at 25k which was awesome and Andrea was at 38k which I really needed. I was hurting and the last 4k were going to be bad. But at 39k, Jamie was there infront of my parents place wearing the rooster suit and screaming and yelling. It was a totally perfect moment cause I needed something to get out of my head. He ran with me in the suit for about 200meters and cheered me up. After that just the last km was real bad but once I saw the finish I was glad to be done. My second half wasn't as bad time wise because when I did run I still had lots of speed. So next time I have to prepare myself to combat the cramping. Super happy with my time, my performance and just about everything else. Wicked awesome!!! 3:36:45 ~ 42.2km, 5:08 per km.

Two more days till RVM

Last run today before the big event. just a little out and back 5k holding an easy pace to just see how I feel. Foot, feels okay but still sore. Guts, better and feeling hopeful. Day of race will determine how it goes. I'm confident I will finish, that's not so much the issue as how well I will do time wise. I am looking to go under 3:30 but it will be a real test. If I can stay focused and not go out too fast like in May I might have a chance depending upon how good my fitness is. 24:16 ~ 5k, 4:50 per km.

Second to last run before RVM

Well I got a new wrap for keeping my hernia under control so I took the opportunity of a day off due to bad weather to test it out. It worked like a charm, I have to say. I didn't feel the usual discomfort that I have gotten used to which is super cool. I ran well, controlled but quick. Just a simple out and back nothing fancy seeing that the marathon is this Sunday. Funny how things go but as I was coming down the last hill towards home, a couple stopped me and asked if I would help push their car, can you believe that? I stopped and helped them anyway, no big thing. I finihsed real strong, quite surprised by my performance. Feeling good and getting better. 46:15 ~ 10.16km, 4:33 per km.

Well the weather finally changed

Rain. It's been a while since I ran in the cold rain. But I was feeling ready to run so I set my mind to it and off I went. I wasn't really feeling it as I got going, the first km was laboured and rough but it got a little easier. I was running well by midway and really worked the Beach Dr. hill. My pacing picked up as I went on but I was tired. By the time I was finished I was happy to be done. My guts were aching and my left foot was giving me nothing but problems. Ice and Advil I suppose. 46:16 ~ 10km, 4:36 per km.

Last week before race week

Decided that I better get serious now seeing that the race is 11 days away. My fitness is suffering and I'm not too sure if I have enough distance in the bank but it's too late now so I can only do my best. Today was pretty good, I held a pretty even pace and ran mostly pain free, mind you I'm still a little uncomfortable. I ran well, still have to work on the mental aspect of the game. 57:28 ~ 12km, 4:46 per km.