Friday, April 30, 2010

Sunday May 2

Well then!

Last Sunday mornings' run went terribly for me as I hadn't gotten enough sleep the several nights before and so I ended up going back to bed very quickly (3 miles tops!). I keep hearing that there are days that you head out and find that 'this is not your day'. It bugs me! I think everyday is MINE! Or should be... The body does pose arguments for its' benefit to take breaks and will usually win, and sometimes it is the kids who demand the time. I am excited that with running it is something that I don't need a gym for at least, although it could be another great excuse if it was never open when... but there are the 24hr ones so I guess kids and body talk (complaining) will have to do as the best excuse for now.

With that complaining remark, I must add how fast recovery has been without running shoes. It takes time to get there and built up in the calves and feet, but recovery from a long run of 10-13 miles used to take me three days. Now I find that ice and a great nights sleep seem to be fine. I can walk the next morning without limping, I do get tired quickly though if I head out for a run on the Monday after. Just an interesting piece of info.

I have just noticed that the week before an event I seem to have trouble on the long runs. I wonder if this is my body telling me subconsciously that I really do need that taper week? So it appears. This Sunday morning we will not be meeting at Tim's, but will instead be running at the Police half marathon. I'm thinking of this as another training run for my first marathon coming up at the end of May. I'm just now feeling the pressure to get the miles in, maybe that's because I haven't been out all week, or maybe it is because I now think myself insane for signing up in the first place!

Hopefully this weekend after the half, and a really great breakfast, I will have the opportunity to run home and add a few miles to the days run. I feel the need to get 20 miles in somewhere between now and then, keeping in mind the whole week of taper my body will probably throw in there just to muck with my brain!

Sunday is all for a great cause. Who doesn't know someone affected by this terrible disease?

Hope to see you all out and about!

Nicole

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Sunday, April 25/10

Once again we are going to meet at Tim's (Portage and Westwood) for 5 am.  We are not getting great reviews about the early start time and I am truly sorry about that.  It is out of necessity that we depart  at this hour.  Having said that, there is something magical about being up and about at that time of day.

The run will be shortened to 2 hours and it will  be an out and back.    Sweet dreams and see you tomorrow.

Gail

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Another Adventure of a Long Run Sunday...

So I'm not sure what I was expecting, but this run had many surprises along our path that, well,.... hmmmm Just not sure what to make of it, maybe you can.. So here's the story.....
5Am we meet at the usual location, I'm 10 min late and we decide that this will be a great 16-17 miler! So let's have a coffee and tea to mark the occasion and head out for 5:30 am. So out we go with a great start, it is nice out, still fairly dark, pretty serene at 5:30am. 3 miles down the road there is a bathroom break, maybe I shouldn't have started off with the coffee? Glad there is a place to duck into, again it happens to be another Tim's. On we begin again, to the forest... this is where things get interesting. (I'm such a nerd!)

We run through the park coming to a point where I get to see this awesome sunrise! I'm wondering if my breath is clouding the picture and them realize that it is the mist coming off the water, how awesome! As we approach the top of this incline and turn left.... we discover a pile of ash, which seems interesting as we comment on the party leftovers from the night before. Then to make sure that it is out we check a bit closer, only to discover that the ash is still smoldering. What to do? Could we live with ourselves if this awesome picture was destroyed by a fire because we did nothing? Or was this really nothing at all? (did I mention I'm a nerd!) So we called 311, looking for a non-emergent #, letting them know that maybe some one might want to come out and take a peek to make sure nothing happens. They gave us the non-emergent police #, we explain again how this is not an emergency but maybe some one should take a peek at this. They transfer us to the fire department and again we explain the NON-emergent situation and that if they are sending someone to please let them know that it is NOT an emergency... So we agree to go back to the entrance of the park to show the firemen where this pile of smoldering ash is and I find myself completely embarrassed as they are driving with their lights flashing and their sirens blaring. Then trying to tell them it is a bit of a walk in and I don't know of any road closer... Well they carried in a fire extinguisher a broom and a shovel, could smell it before we got there, found as they moved the ash that the coals were still really hot, it was alright that we called. Although I have to wonder if they were just making us feel better because after all this I realize that I'm carrying a 2 liter pack with Gatorade! Probably could have done the trick? I'm gonna go with the professionals on this one, and we still had 13 miles to go.

So far ...

  1. We left 30 min late



  2. had a 15 min bathroom stop



  3. found leftovers of a fire and had to do something (40 min later)

Off we go again! We are going out to St. Norbert on our journey and along the way we are next travelling through Fort Whyte. Where we had some company. Missed getting a picture of "Beware of the geese as they will attack!" Apparently they are nesting and are aggressive at this time.

Did you know that Mcreary road and McGilvary blvd are actually outside the city limits? Well guess what we found out, yes it is!



This is our something new to learn today.


After this we head down to McDonald's on Kenaston for another bathroom break. Then off to find Pembina hi way.


Found some trails that it looks like the city is putting together, nice! After Kenaston turns into Bishop Grandin on the right they look like they are building trails. This is where we figure it either snowed or maybe the funding ran out for the moment. One day we will come back to see the finished product as they really have made this a great area and it will be a great trail. So from here we find Pembina.


Now it only sounds like the story is over, but you gotta hear about "pinky"! This is the dog we found on Pembina. It looked like it was out with its' owner for a walk, until after a few blocks we realize it didn't have an owner. It nearly gets hit be a few cars (3) and of course we decide that it may need some help. (I think I mentioned I'm a bit of a nerd?) So here we are, telling people it isn't ours, as it does look like it is walking with us, and then calling to it because we don't want to see it get hit by a car. Although it is a small dog, it must be cared for as it is well groomed and is wearing a bright pink jacket with princess written on the back, fur lined hood and all! So we catch up with him and decide that if it wants to come along with us we will try to find its owner later and get it back to its owner. Of course this is when it takes off and runs straight towards a passing train! Turns at the last minute, decides it would like to live a bit longer, and heads home in the direction it came from. A very satisfied stride as it goes! Maybe it just wanted to see if we needed another story to tell. (his run home looked like he did this route daily, go figure?)
We are now 3 miles from our goal! We can see the perimeter and we should be there shortly. As we get to where we are going we are beyond later than our expectations, but we are there and we have accomplished another 17 plus miles! And we have another interesting story to tell. Have a great week.

Nicole

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Long Run Sunday April 18/10

We will depart at 5:00 a.m. tomorrow from Tim's at Westwood &  Portage.  An opportunity has presented itself and it seems we are up for the challenge.   We really have to learn to run faster so we can sleep in a bit more......

Gail

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Sunday, Long run

Now the trouble starts!
I have officially signed up for my first marathon! It will be flat and I will run slow! My footwear will be minimal. I am taking back the vibram five fingers to MEC downtown monday late afternoon as they did not fit my friend. I can't wait to get my next pair though as my husband and I have been sharing.

Last sunday morning was nice to run in the VFF's. I made it out to fort whyte again and thought how different the scenery was from the last time we ran out there. So this weekend on long run I think we will start early and I plan on tryingto out do our longest distance.... Have a greast rest of the week.
Nicole

Saturday, April 10, 2010

April 11 Long Run

Another lesson coming up.....

Did I mention I like to PLAN? So tomorrow will be another free for all!? I'm not sure how else to explain our planned lack of planning.... We will be heading out about 6am, starting at the usual spot, Portage ave and Westwood drive (Tim Hortons). But from there I'm not sure where we are going. Could be an out and back or a one way (with a ride at the end).

Have you seen the commercial where they drive across country stopping at Tims along the way? I think our run tomorrow may be something like this, in the city from Tims to Tims. Not even sure how far we will be going....

But exciting news is that my vibram five fingers arrived and I can't wait to take them out for a long run tomorrow. I ordered them on line through MEC and they arrived quite quickly. I ordered two pair, one for myself and one for my husband. His were too small and mine fit him, so I think we just might have to share untill I get another pair in. I will let you all know if I'm returning these to MEC downtown. I have someone who is interested in trying them on, if they don't fit..... well there will be ONE pair of Vibram Five Fingers downtown at MEC Monday late afternoon. Check the sizing chart, these are a womens 41, which translates loosly into a ladies 9 or a mens 8.

See you all in the morning.

Nicole

Friday, April 2, 2010

April 4th, long run

Easter weekend is upon us already and we have a fantastic weekend without snow ahead of us! How often does that happen? Welcome to early spring, a bit of rain to keep the dust down and the allergies in check. Have an awesome weekend everyone, this Sunday is the start of trying to see how our Sunday runs hook up, as now that cabin season has begun...... well, you know..... it is nice to get out of town sometimes! So there is nothing planned, except getting out on our own and enjoying our families. Take care, and enjoy! See you soon!
Nicole