A Quick Summary of a Week Gone By

It’s been a while. I apologize. I will now quickly bring you up to speed on my running over the past week-ish.

My running consisted of:
- indoor mini reverse triathlon (30 min run, 10 min bike, 15 min swim)
- 2.5 hour evening-time icy run
- hills with the group at Runners' Choice 
- rainy 12 km run (but at least it was nicely above freezing and I could wear a hat instead of a toque!)
- 3 hour run that started out nice and sunny, ended up dark, had some clear stretches, some very snowy stretches, some ice, slush, and some puddles

And now it’s my day off.

Brrrr….

Today was very, very cold. Legs don’t like to move when it’s this cold, but I forced them to. It was a tough run. I guess it’ll only make me stronger, though!

Today’s Run:
Distance: 16 km
Weather: –17 C, with a “feels like” temperature of –26 C

Mostly treadmills and a bit of snowy roads

That’s my week of running in a nutshell.

Tonight was a Quality Workout night at Runners’ Choice. The evening started out with a talk by Olympian Eric Gillis. He ran the 10,000 at the Beijing Olympics and is now looking at the marathon for 2012.

After a good talk about training and a Q&A session, we headed outdoors to run out to Longfellow for some hill work. It was a tough run tonight as the roads became progressively more slippery and the soles of our shoes became more caked with snow. It was a good workout.

Tonight’s Run:
Distance: 10 km, including hill repeats
Weather: –8C, snow

Daytime Runs Rock

I'm on vacation as of today, so I got to enjoy a nice morning run that was not at the crack of dawn. I headed out for my run around 9am, which was great! I didn't have to wake up super early, I didn't have to try to drag myself outside half asleep, and there were actually other people out and about that I could say "good morning" to. I got to be one of the people that I'm jealous of as I head to work in the mornings. The people who are out enjoying the nice weather, going for wonderfully nice runs along trails and through parks while others hustle and bustle along to get to their workplace and sit indoors at a desk all day. I'm usually the desk person, today I got to be the one outdoors.

Today's Run:
Distance 5.5 km
Weather: sunny, 17 C

Yesterday's Run (which was a morning run, but a 6am morning run)
Distance: 4 km
Weather: I don't remember the exact temperature, but it was likely around 12 C.

Exam done. Back to Running.

So now that my exam is done, I can get back to running without feeling like I should be studying.

I didn’t go for anything super-long tonight as I don’t want to wear myself out too much this week. I have a half marathon on Sunday morning (and I actually have an 8K on Saturday evening as well) and I want to have as fresh legs as possible.

I also get to finally read my newest issue of Runner’s World today. It’s been sitting on the piano taunting me since it came in the mail, but I told myself that I couldn’t watch it until I was all done my exam. Tonight, before bed, it will be opened.

Today’s Run:
Distance: 5 km
Weather: 12 C, clear, wind 15 km/h

My first snot rocket

I feel like it was almost a right of passage.

Today, I blew my first snot rocket. I’ve been running for 5 or 6 years and it took until now, which is kind of crazy. I had a bug fly up my nose, so, it was necessary.. and it a way it was kind of liberating. I was in the woods at the time, so it seemed only natural.

Today’s Run:
Distance: 20 km
Weather: 15 C, sunny, wind 24 km/h

I had company!

This morning, my nephew Brayden kept me company for the first portion of my run. He's trying out for rep soccer this year and was given instructions by the coach to get out and run, so for the first time in a LONG time I had company. I definitely enjoy running on my own, but to have a running buddy from time to time is quite nice as well.

The photo in this post was taken by my husband at the end of my run just as I was returning to my parents' house. It was a great morning for a run.

Today's Run:
Distance: 6 km
Weather: 22 C

Long weekend, here I come!

It is now officially Easter weekend. I’m even taking Monday off work this year, so I get an extra long weekend, which is fantastic. I get to spend time with family, go for runs in the country, spend more time with family, and enjoy the fabulous weather. Excellent.

Tonight’s Run:
Distance: 5.5 km
Weather: 16 C (and I ran at 10pm, so that’s pretty fantastic for April 1st!)

Whew! I made it!

No walls jumped out in front of me today. My hand was safe and sound. I did, however, see a suspicious looking banana peel on the sidewalk… avoided it like the plague!

Today’s Run:
Distance: 10 km
Weather: 9 C, sunny, very little wind

Hi. My name is Vicki and I’m a klutz

Today, I headed out for a nice afternoon run. I felt good, the run was going well, I was half-way through my planned 10 km when somehow I managed to bash my hand against a stone wall on the edge of someone’s property. I then ended up flailing a bit and started to almost tumble forward, I sped my legs up to catch up with my top half, which was significantly in front of me as I was moving down a bit of a down slope. I managed to not take the giant tumble that I thought I was heading toward and righted myself. I stopped, looked at my hand and saw the blood starting to drip. I started to run again, but then turned around, realizing that I should probably get home to clean up my hand. I was just past a road that goes pretty much straight to my house, so I turned down the road and run the 2 km to home all the while dripping blood from my index finger to my middle finger.

Now it’s all cleaned up and I have a large Band-Aid on which is making typing interesting. My finger is a bit swollen as well, but just due to the scrape and bruising.

Man I’m a klutz. Hopefully, this will be my 2010 (knock on wood, but not too hard, ‘cause that hurts, too).

Today’s Run:
Distance: 7 km
Weather: 7 C, partly cloudy.

Better late than never

I was supposed to do a 10 km easy run yesterday, but I put it off to today after looking at the weather forecast. Yesterday was not the nicest of weather and today was 13 C and sunny. Not too difficult a decision to make to postpone my run to today (I didn’t have another run scheduled for today anyway).

I went for my 10K run after work today. It was nice calm weather and the sun was still out. It  was a nice evening for a run. I estimated what I thought might be a nice 10K route without looking at any maps online and it turned out to be the perfect distance, which was fantastic. I reached my distance when I was just a couple houses away from being back home.

Today’s Run:
Distance: 10 km
Weather: 13 C, sunny, just a little wind

Worth the wait

I played the “watch the weather” game today. The forecast called for some showers and a bit of snow, but also some sunny, partly cloudy parts of the day. I checked out the hourly forecast last night to see approximately when I might want to head out for my long run today and decided mid afternoon seemed like the time. 2pm was showing no more chances of rain.

When 2pm rolled around, I looked out the window and it was still very cloudy. I checked the Weather Network and saw that the temperature was only 3 above. I decided to wait.

Around 5 o’clock the clouds broke up and the sun came out. This was what I was waiting for. I put my Garmin in the window to find satellites, I filled up my Fuel Belt water bottles, got dressed in some running clothes, grabbed my iPod and headed out the door.

The weather stayed very nice for the whole run and I was still back before dark. Definitely worth the wait.

Today’s Run:
Distance: 18 km
Weather: 7 C, sunny, virtually no wind

Bright Sunshiny Day

I can see clearly now, but the rain hasn’t gone too far away. Rumour has it (or the weather forecast) that rain is coming again this weekend.

I took today off because my sister, niece, and nephew were coming to visit. It was fantastic weather today and I got to get out for a wonderful afternoon run.

I took to the trail today and saw many people out cycling, walking, blading, and running. It took me a while to remember that it’s currently March break, which explained all of the people with their kids out at the park.

I got to wear some of my spring running clothes today, which was also very nice. I’m glad to not have to layer these days.

All in all it was an enjoyable run. Now I should get back to hangin’ out with the fam.

Today’s Run:
Distance: 11.3 km
Weather: 17 C, Wind SW 22km/h

Short run before work

I got out this morning to run 5.5 km. It’s tough for me to get out of the house early for a run. I wake up, see the darkness outside, and immediately want to go back to sleep. Today I forced myself up and out, but it did take me a while. I had plans of getting up at 6 and heading out for my run, but I actually started my run around 6:45.

Today’s Run:
Distance: 5.5 km
Weather: 2 C, no wind

I forgot!

As I sit here, watching Breakfast Television, eating my breakfast I realize that I didn’t post after yesterday’s run.

Yesterday afternoon was nice and sunny, so Ryan came to pick up my work stuff (laptop, etc) and I ran straight from work. I got to run in a different area than I normally do (I usually leave for runs from my house) and it was great! Since the time change happened on Sunday, it’s now light longer at night, so I got to get a long run in after work and not end up in the dark at all!

Yesterday’s Run:
Distance: 16.4 km
Weather: Around 10 C and sunny

Mild Late Winter Days

It was another wonderfully sunny day today. Since I was planning on doing a nice 10 mile run today and it has been above zero for a number of days in a row now, I decided to take to a local paved trail that goes through town. I ran through one park on my way to the trail and saw lots and lots of people out and about, walking, inline skating, and playing with their kids in the playground.

Once I set foot on the trail, I saw many more people. Dozens of people out for walks, riding bikes, and other fellow runners. My plan was to stay on the trail until I arrived at another park about 5 km up. I came across one section that indicated it was “closed” but I saw others coming out of this closed section, so I decided to continue. 50m or so down this section of trail it started to be less user friendly. It was snow, slush, and water covered.

I made my way to the second park, where I saw many more people once again running, cycling, skating, and playing. I encountered some more snow and slush, and also mud. There were a few muddy sections in my run today, but nothing too crazy.

For my route home, I decided to stick to the streets: the nice dry streets. The streets also contained many people out for the nice, sunny afternoon.

I love these extra mild late winter days. There’s still no guarantee that we’re out of the woods for snowfalls as it’s only March, but these mild, sunny days really bring a lot of people out to enjoy the outdoors. It’s always nice to see.

Today’s Run:
Distance: 16.5 km
Weather: +6 C, wind W 19 km/h

Let the Sun Shine

Today was a gorgeous sunny day. The sky was perfectly clear and the snow was melting. It was good. Tomorrow is supposed to be the same and a little bit warmer.

I was excited to run in the nice weather today, but there were still some icy patches although they are now fewer and farther between. The melting ice and snow has caused some large puddles on the sidewalks, but that’s okay with me. It still means melting and melting is good.

I look forward to another good run tomorrow. It’ll be a longer one.

Today’s Run
Distance: 5 km
Weather: 2 C

Changes of State

“state change - a change from one state (solid or liquid or gas) to another without a change in chemical composition”

Lately, there have been plenty of state changes. This definitely affects the life of a runner.

This time of year makes me happy as spring is just around the corner, but it also calls for much more planning when it comes to the timing of runs.

During the day, when the sun is shining and the temperatures rise, the snow melts, causing snow banks to turn to water and spill into the sidewalks. Since this is water, people do not necessarily think to put salt on their walks to prevent the freezing, so when the temperatures drop when the sun sets, the water turns to a thin (or sometimes not so thin) layer of ice.

Morning before work = ice
Sunset time of just after 6pm = ice
Work hours = nice and sunny and no ice, but I’m at work

So… if I can manage to get home before 5:30 pm (a rare occurrence), I have a small window of opportunity to run without icy sidewalks. I attempted this today, but when I got outside to start my run around 6:00, the ice had already started to form. Luckily, I was able to find some fairly dry sidewalks.

Welcome to March.

Today’s Run:
Distance: 7 km
Weather: I forgot to check (it was –2 C at 8pm and I ran at 6)

I’m back in the game!

Tonight I headed out for a “test run” so to speak. I was hoping to attempt the run that I was planning to do yesterday, but to do short loops close to home in case the ankle pain returned. I was especially worried going out because on my walk home from work today, I had a few moments of ankle pain (lasted a block or two).

I started out very slowly, walked to the end of my little road, turned the corner, started a slow jog where the pain started yesterday, kept it slow until I reached a corner, turned, and picked up the pace a bit more. It felt good. No pain. I made another turn and decided I would run 2.5 to 3 km down the street, then change directions in order to keep it close to home tonight. When I approached the 3 km mark, I didn’t want to change directions. I wanted to keep going, to run far out. Since the run felt good, I followed my gut. I kept running and did a large oblong course today.

The run continued to feel good. I felt good. I didn’t want to stop. I didn’t take any breaks. I kept going. The final 5 km stretch back toward home was against the wind, which had certainly picked up and gotten colder. By the time I got home, my legs were about ready to give out. My hands were almost numb with cold (I wore the thin gloves… oops). My legs were burning. I didn’t care. I felt good.

Tonight, I ran with a smile on my face.

Tonight’s Run:
Distance: 15 km
Weather: –4 C, feels like –9 C

Long run deferred

This afternoon I got ready to go out for a 9 mile (14.5 km) run, got dressed, filled up my water bottles and loaded them into my Fuel Belt, strapped on my Garmin 305, laced up shoes, started my iPod and headed out the door. I got to the end of my road, turned the corner, ran past one house and OUCH! I got a sudden, sharp pain the the front of my left ankle. I had to stop immediately, turn around, and limp back to the house. I got inside and it didn’t feel too bad, but I’m not going to chance it and run right now. I’m still hoping for an injury-free spring. I guess I’ll try again tomorrow.