Category Archives: Training

These posts are about running-specific training.

09.06.12
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Day 18: 3 mile run through Glenmore Reservoir with stroller – YEAH BUDDY!

Today was a perfect morning for training. The temperature was around 12 degrees, the sun was shining and Felix and I had an awesome run through Glenmore Reservoir. We went the hilly way and survived (surprisingly.) I didn’t wake up thinking I wanted to do hills today (or any hill), but when we hit the trail I just felt like I could handle it (even with the stroller.)  I do believe that it was all due to my amazing mathematical skills. I worked out how far I needed to go so that when we turned around I would only have to do one really steep hill and get to finish at the top. It worked out perfectly.

That hill was a real bitch though (excuse the language.) I didn’t even want to look up because I was scared I’d lose steam so I just looked at the ground, pushed with one arm and prayed to God that if I passed out they’d find me before the bear did. Oh yes. There’s been a bear out on the reservoir. I truly hope I never see him (I do have bear spray, though I have no idea how to use it.) We made it to the top and I really wanted to do the Rocky move but thought the old fella I met up there would think I was a total nutcase, so I did it in my head. Todays run wasn’t fast but I really enjoyed it.

I continued “Project Morning” and said “Good morning” to everyone we met (some we met twice); I have to say, 99% of the folks we met today

were smiling and cheery. I talked to a few people along the way. One older man asked me if I planned to do the whole trail; I asked him if he was crazy. But did say “maybe some day!” There were lots of dogs and bikers; Felix loves seeing both. We snapped this picture of the pond as we were nearing the turnaround point. Yes, for my Nova Scotia friends, this is exciting for us here in Alberta. Water. It actually looked really nice; despite a little voice in my head telling to keep checking to make sure there are no moose, cougars or bears around it. I don’t even know what I would do if I saw any of the three. Surprisingly, I am most scared of moose.

I have to say that the runs and recovery are getting easier, but I do know that in the coming weeks my mileage will go up quite a bit. I’m also dreading the hilly runs that are also coming up in training e.g.: 5 x 200 yards uphill. Ouch.

Here are todays stats:

  • Distance: 4.81 km
  • Time: 32:07
  • Pace/km: 6:41
  • Best pace: 6:05

Anyway, as you can see the time wasn’t the best, but I’m not a bit sore and had a great run – it’s all about the journey, right? Here’s a picture of me and Felix after we finished. YAHOO! Big Smiles all around.:)

09.05.12
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Day 17: 3 mile run through my “hood” with stroller

Not going to lie. I absolutely hated pretty much every minute of my run today, but I’m grateful to have it behind me.

The tell-tale sign that it’s not going to be good is when I wake up and want to push it out further in the day. I find myself rationalizing back and forth on why I should push it out; Oh it may be nicer later; it won’t be as busy; Felix just wants to hang out at home. But alas they’re just excuses and truthfully I just didn’t want to run today. I feel as though I should blame it on the amazing meal we had last night at Ruth Chris Steakhouse (everything was coated in butter; delicious.) I argue that that made me more lazy today… right? It may have been the bottle of red we had, too. Or perhaps that I didn’t get to have coffee this morning because I ran out (no pun intended.) At any rate, out we went for our 3 mile run.

It was a cool, grey morning. I wore a long-sleeve and Felix was bundled in a knitted sweater we got from Aunt Mary. He was as tired as I was because he barely made a sound the whole run. The sidewalk was pretty brutal in areas and I question how those with mobility issues get around – it’s unbelievable. But Felix enjoyed the bumps; they kept him entertained.

We did a loop around the neighbourhood and we watched a few golfers (the ones Felix ordinarily heckles from our deck.) These golfers must’ve been die-hards because it was so cold and grey out that I would have stayed in  if I didn’t have to run!

Anyway – here are todays stats: 

  • Distance: 4.81 km
  • Time: 32:40
  • Pace/km: 6:48
  • Best Pace: 5:58

09.04.12
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Day 16: 4 mile Fartlek Run with Stroller

YAHOO! Day 16 –  4 mile Farlek run is done and it was terrific!

I wasn’t too sure what the run would be like today. I woke up feeling tired and felt like it may be a struggle to get motivated. I didn’t sleep that well last night (may have been the cappuccino I had late yesterday afternoon) and therefore, was wired until the very wee hours of the morning. However, I got up, pumped myself full of oatmeal, an apple, water and a cup of hazelnut vanilla coffee and out the door we went!

It was a gorgeous morning; the sun was shining, there was a strong breeze and I had some fantastic company: Felix. This morning (for added challenge) I took Felix with me in the stroller. It was great fun and he enjoyed himself. He was smiling and grabbing at all the bushes and trees he could along the route. At one point we were running straight into the wind and he had his head tilted back, taking in the rays, he looked so much like this photo it made me laugh out loud.

I was really thankful to have a good run day. I’m starting to get into the heavier distances and training, so I want to keep my momentum going! We didn’t see too much else on our route. I did say Good Morning to most people; and most said it back, except for the Grouch (she lives in the neighbourhood) and I wasn’t surprised when she ignored us. 🙂

 Here’s a breakdown of todays training:

  • 1.5 km warm up run
  • 2.5 km steady race pace
  • 0.25 km slow
  • 0.25 km fast
  • 0.25 km slow
  • 0.25 km fast
  • 0.25 km slow
  • 0.25 km fast
  • 0.25 km slow
  • 0.50 km steady pace
  • 0.25 km slow

I even went a little bit further than I was supposed to (not purposely, of course!) Anyway, hope everyone else is having a good week of training. Happy Trails!

09.03.12
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Day 15: Cross training and some weights

Today I hit the gym and did a combination of circuit training and the elliptical. I mixed and matched some things from Day 3 of Making the Cut because a lot of todays workout I’ll actually cover at Yoga tonight. With limited energy,  I wanted to focus more on weights this morning and I plan on being sore later today.

I really enjoyed the workout, though the elliptical was tough. I had to tap into my pump up music and YouTube videos to keep me focused. I finished and I’m happy with the results!

I do want to note, however, that the gym is not the place to enable the “Project Morning” stuff because most people there don’t come across as all that friendly. I may be hasty in my judgement, but I do find that there’s a lot of silent competition going on (e.g.: wandering eyes to make sure someone isn’t being outdone; in which case, they will one-up.) I see this a lot and laugh. I am the girl in there that looks completely clueless (especially walking around with Jillian Michaels book), so most people don’t even bother. There are some people at the gym that are generally friendly, but they get paid to be there. I still love the Trico Center though, it’s the best!

 

Tomorrow is Fartlek training. YAHOO!!!

09.02.12
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Day 14: 3.5 mile run through Glenmore Reservoir with Wedgie

Today we had an awesome run through Glenmore Reservoir.

We started at 8:30 a.m (the earliest I have run in a long time) but it was nice and cool. We decided to be adventurous and go the opposite direction on the trail; it was a mistake (kind of). Besides seeing the bear warning signs, we learned after about 2km that it was a tad hillier than we had anticipated. Neither of us were particularly interested in hill training today, so we decided we’d run out 4km and run back the next 1.; then walk the remainder (which turned out to be a little more than 2km). When all was said and done, I felt great! A little more sweaty than usual, but it was a really nice run; didn’t feel like we were even in the city.

I also continued with my “Project Morning” and said good morning to pretty much everyone I could. People are definitely more friendly on Sunday mornings I think. Not sure why? Just seemed that way. Maybe more laid back; out for the enjoyment? Lots of smiles today, anyway.

Anyway, thanks to Susan for being an awesome running partner today. And for anyone else out there who wants to do group runs on Sunday, let me know (aka: Lorrainne & Andrea)

Here are todays stats:

  • Distance: 5.6 km
  • Time: 37:15
  • Pace/Km: 6:39
  • Best Pace: 6:04

I also wanted to include this picture from the bridge. It was a gorgeous morning – nothing a beautiful as running along the Bras dOr Lakes, but pretty nice for landlocked Alberta.

P.S: Wanted to share this article: Is pregnancy an ‘excuse’ to let yourself go? with any moms out there. What do you think? I think it’s total bollocks.