October 31, 2004
Pancakes in my calves
Lesson learned - pancakes are not appropriate for 'carb loading' before a run. I had a couple before our long run this morning and it felt like I had eating lead pancakes that were being digested by my calves.
After about 4km, the feeling subsided, but I found it hard to keep up with the 1:50 pace group. Or maybe it was just a big jump from 4km on Wednesday to 9km today.
In any case, I'm putting full blame on the pancakes. They make an excellent scapegoat.
October 27, 2004
The Dwayne Quotient
So, tonight was our Wednesday group run. It was also the last group run before Halloween, so we were encouraged to dress up and the best costume would win a door prize.
I grabbed my cat ears to wear and headed out.
When I arrived at the Slater store, no one else was wearing a costume except for the store manager who then chided us for not dressing up. I donned my ears to prove I had read the email. Then Dwayne jokingly said, "That's not a costume!"
Mental retort, "It's two fecking more ears than anyone else in the room is wearing."
Dwayne, then proceeded to claim the door prize for himself and I got a round of applause for coming in second.
What.A.Jerk.
Opinion of the Running Room... low.
Me, myself and my 4 ears ran an easy 4km.
October 17, 2004
7km.. no problem
4 easy sets of 10x1s with the Sunday morning "run club". It was good to take those days off to let my left leg straighten itself out. Stupid leg. The reward was the raisin toast at the Lieutenant's Pump. Mmm.
October 14, 2004
Stupid skeletal system
I may have started with running too much, too soon. I have a slight ache on the inside of the left shin. I'm taking a few days off trotting to see if it clears up.
October 13, 2004
Clinic Night #1
It was the meet and greet night, but we did neither. The instructor rambled about the tight Ottawa "running community" then failed to get our small class to introduce themselves. I sent them an email about this.
Then we ran a quick 4km.
October 09, 2004
Beat Beethoven
1. I did not beat Beethoven
2. I did want to physically beat the smug running couple with the running strollers who told people to "get back at it" if they were walking. Perhaps they have not heard of the running room's 10x1 theory.
3. I sprinted by them. They should be disqualified for being so smug.
4. My total time was 43:13.. official timing click for result
5. 121 out of 224. I guess that's ok... considering I've been running a combined total of 7 days.
6. It's better than being last.
October 07, 2004
Plateau a go-go
Time: morning, 6:30pm, sunny! - dusk
Distance: roughly 8km
Clothing: t-shirt and shorts (shorts in October!)
Temperature: 19 degrees. Wake me from this tropical bliss.
Route: Bay - QE - canal - Somerset
Total time (including stop lights - stupid stop lights): 48:28
I'm noticing that at around 2-3km into the run I feel tired and "out of shape" and then I seem to settle into a nice stride and it's easy-peasy for the rest of the run. I'm not sure what to do about that.
Too sleepy, can't run
The weather is supposed to be sunny and 23 today. I'll put off a morning run and save it for after work. There'll be lots of people out along the canal tonight.
My training schedule calls for a steady 4km.
Also, welcome me into the runner's fold. I have my first black toenail. I feel so athletic.
October 06, 2004
According to...
In this week's Running Room newsletter, the top "running" songs are:
10 – Brian Adams Unplugged
9 – My Heart Will Go On
8 – Big Yellow Taxi
7 – Mama Let that Boy
6 – It had to be you
5 – Radio
4 – Band on the Run
3 – So Cal Loco
2 – Run, Run Away
1 – Forever Young
Those are the WORST SONGS EVER.
Ok - cynicism ahead
I registered for the Beat Beethoven run this Saturday after work yesterday. I left the Running Room, hopped on my bike and was cycling towards home when I nearly got mowed down by a passing car.
If that's not karma, I don't know what is. Maybe I should invest in a bubble suit.
It's hard to be cynical
Time: morning, 6:30am, dark then sunny
Distance: roughly 6km
Clothing: long tights, longsleeve shirt, vest, jacket, mini gloves. Overdressed. Lose the vest and minis.
Temperature: 4 degrees. Perfect.
Route: Somerset - Canal - Argyle - Bay
Total time (including stop lights): 27:27! Hot sauce.
October 05, 2004
Take my visa already
I want to register for the Beat Beethoven run. I decided that I wouldn't register online with my credit card, but rather in the store so I could pay and pick up my t-shirt all in one go.
They don't allow you to pay by credit card at the store for the races. You can online, but not in-store. What the?
October 04, 2004
8km! Woot!
Time: morning, 6:30am, dark then sunny
Distance: roughly 8km
Clothing: capri, longsleeve shirt, jacket. Overdressed. Lose the jacket already.
Temperature: 11 degrees. Perfect.
Route: Bronson - QE - canal - Somerset
The sunrise was pinky purple over the canal. It was so pretty and the tunes in my iPod were so good, I just kept going. It was a slow/easy run (just under 5 sets of 10+1s), but it proved I can do 8km easily. Now I can go register for Beat Beethoven.
October 03, 2004
Ok, I'm smug
I admit it. I liked running today. I accomplished about four times as much as a regular day. Smite me, I'm becoming smug.
If it's not pouring when my alarm goes off tomorrow, I'm bumping my run up to 6-7km, just in case I decide to register for Beat Beethoven on Saturday.
CIBC Run for the Cure
Time: Sunday morning, 9am
Distance: roughly 4km
Clothing: capri, longsleeve shirt, vest, race tee
Temperature: Near hypothermic, my toes regained feeling by the finish line
Free cookies, breakfast, and socks were had.
Everyone made their "personal bests" I'm sure.
Mine was 18:10. Yay!
October 02, 2004
Casual jaunt post downpour
Time: Evening 30 minutes
Distance: roughly 5km
Temperature: 9 degrees, slight breeze, puddles
Clothing: Running jacket, longsleeve top, wind pants. Overdressed. Didn't need the jacket.
Route: Around Parliament - canal - and return.
Feeling: An easy run, no hills, one hidden puddle by the canal, one wet sock. Slightly damp, but ok. Next time I'll wait a full hour after eating to run. I guess the pool rule applies to running as well.
October 01, 2004
Stairs in the City
Morning: 30 minutes
Distance: roughly 5km
Temperature: 8 degrees and foggy / misty
Clothing: long tights, long top, jacket. Overdressed.
Today was all about stairs and hills. I looped behind the National Library, up the 5 flights of stairs, down the stairs behind Parliament and then up that insane hill behind the Bytowne museum and back along Wellington.
Feeling: Grumpy. I hate stairs and hills.