Rainy Run

It’s raining. It’s been raining all day.
So I went running in the rain tonight.

Tonight’s Run:
Distance: 5.5 km
Weather: 9 C, rain, wind S 24 km/h

Final Long Run before the half

One week from today is the Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon and 1/2. I am running the half and I’ve just come back from my final long run before the race.

I ran 18 km today and felt quite good. I’m hoping for a PB (of course) and maybe just maybe Lady Luck will have my back in Vegas.

I’m all packed (except for some running essentials that I still need to use this week) and I’m ready to go. Just 5 more days and I’ll be on my way!

Today’s Run:
Distance: 18 km
Weather: –1 C, felt like –4; wind SW 4 km/h

Thursday Night Speedwork

Tonight I hit the gym and ran on the treadmill, which is something I don’t do very often. I did an interval workout consisting of running a total of 7 miles with 1 mile intervals at a 7:41 min/mi pace. I definitely did a lot of sweating, but it was good.

A week and a half to go

I’m getting excited for Vegas! I’m now at the point where I check the weather daily to see what race day is supposed to be like. A couple of days ago it said that the expected high was 16 C, but now it says a high of 9 C with a low of 2 C. I know that it’s likely to change again, seeing as there’s still a week and a half to go.

This week, I’ve kind of stopped following my training schedule and have started just going out for runs of whatever distance and pace I feel like running. I’ll do my speed workout tomorrow as per schedule and my weekend long run as per schedule as well, but my regular “easy runs” are being mixed up a bit. It’s kind of fun.

Monday morning I ran 10 km, this morning I ran 5.5 km. I may run again tonight… who knows?

Today’s Run:
Distance: 5.5 km
Weather: –2 C (felt like –6 C), wind 11 km/h

I have successfully applied for entry to the ING New York City Marathon 2011

Now to wait until spring to find out if I’m in.

I’m either in for 2011 (if I’m chosen in the lottery), or I wait until the next year when I have guaranteed entry due to being declined entry 3 years in a row.

Morning in the Park

The sun had recently risen; the frost had not yet melted, giving the grass a snowy look. I looked to the pond, which was covered in a morning mist. The sun illuminated it. As I ran past the island, I watched silhouettes of ducks swimming gracefully through the mist and a swan grooming itself near the shore.

It’s not very often that I see Victoria park like this. Normally there are many people walking and cycling, kids playing, and cars driving by. But this morning I was out early enough to enjoy it without the hustle and bustle, but late enough to have light.

Today’s Run:
Distance: 18.5 km
Weather: –3 C, sunny, wind 6 km/h NW

When you’re hungry…

don’t run past a bread factory.

Tonight, I went for a run after work. I didn’t feel hungry when I left the house, but as I stood at a stop light smelling bread baking, it became apparent.

Mmmm… bread.

Tonight’s Run:
Distance: 8 km
Weather: 4 C, wind SE 11 km/h

It’s NYC Marathon Day

I wasn’t running it, but I did watch the highlights on TV and I do know several people who ran it today. It looked like the weather was great for the runners!

Congratulations to all the finishers today!

Today’s Run:
Distance: 16 km
Weather: ~6 C, clear, wind S 13 km/h

Today I ran to Remember

This morning was the Remember Run 5K and 8K races in Cambridge at the Legion. The funds from this race go to the Poppy Fund.

I ran the 8K race. It was a beautiful course, running through Riverside Park on roads, trails, boardwalks, bridges, and even some stairs. Anything wooden was slippery with frost and ice, but it was cold out, so that’s to be expected.

I took it easy on the slippery sections and walked a bit. I don’t want any injuries this close to Vegas. I’d rather be safe than sorry. I finished in 43:17 and actually finished first in my age group, which I was not expecting. There are usually some sub-40 minute 8Kers out there.

Last Session

Last night was the very last Quality Workout session of the season for the marathon group at Runners’ Choice. We had a good night doing intervals at the park. The next session for this group starts in early January. I’ll be certain to join at that time, too because I signed up for my first full marathon! I’ll be running my very first full this coming May and I’m looking forward to training with the group.

Freezing Fog

That’s what the Weather Network says was happening this morning. It was very foggy for my early morning run today and I was noticing that I could see moisture and potentially ice/frost on my eyelashes while running.

This morning’s Run:
Distance: 8 km
Weather: –3 C, freezing fog

A Nice Fall Evening Run

I went out for my run at 8pm this evening. It was dark, it was fairly quiet, it was calm. I could see both stars and clouds in the sky. The temperature was definitely not warm, but it wasn’t too cold, either. I started out with a toque and gloves, but the gloves were removed quite quickly. It was a great night for a run.

Today’s Run:
Distance: 14.5 km
Weather: 2 C to –1 C, no wind