Today's run was much easier than yesterday's. I guess that's one of the benefits of having a hard run early in the week, the other runs seem so easy!
It was 8k at a very manageable average pace of just over 5 minutes per km for a total of 41 minutes. It was easier on my body, but running slower on a treadmill sure is tougher for me mentally. Boredom sets in quick.
That's why I enjoyed my long run outside on Sunday so much, I was actually going somewhere!
I keep telling myself that treadmill running will not only benefit me physically, but also help to build the mental toughness I'll need to succeed in Georgia. Even though it's only a half marathon, I know at some point I'll experience some sort of discomfort and will have to fight through it to turn in a time fast enough to qualify for NYC.
So it's back on the treadmill the next 3 days for 8k runs each day and then if the weather cooperates, I'll get back outside for a 20k run on Sunday.
About Me
- fedrunner
- Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Trying to reach my full potential as a masters runner
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
I survived!
Ok I'm starting to hate Tuesdays! That's the day Ian usually schedules an interval run at a very fast pace...well at least it's fast for me.
Today it was 12k total, with 8k in the middle of the run broken down as follows: 3k @ 4:05 per km, then 1k @ 4:15 per km, back to 3k @ 4:05, then 1k @ 4:15. Prior to the run I had reservations about whether I could handle the pace for that distance.
I was to find out those reservations had merit!
After the usual 2k warm-up at a leisurely 5:15 per kilometre pace, I dialed it up a few notches and was enjoying the feeling of pushing myself to run hard. The first interval seemed to be over just as fast as it had started and I dialed it down to a 4:15 pace for 1 km and recovered nicely. I never thought that pace would feel "easy", but today it did!
Well that "easy" feeling was soon replaced with a lung-burning, energy-zapping pace that had me wondering why I was putting myself through this torture? I mean really, was all this pain worth it?
Somehow I was able to fight off all the negative thoughts and the urge to hit the down arrow on the speed control, hanging on for the full 3k. But let's just say I was very happy to see the 10k mark appear, where I was quick to reduce the speed to 5:15 per km and cruise home to the finish.
Now, a few hours removed from that experience, I'm glad I fought that inner voice telling me to slow the treadmill down and pack it in. And I know the effort and pain invested now will pay off on race day.
It was a hard run, but hey, no one said training for a 1:30 half marathon would be easy!
Today it was 12k total, with 8k in the middle of the run broken down as follows: 3k @ 4:05 per km, then 1k @ 4:15 per km, back to 3k @ 4:05, then 1k @ 4:15. Prior to the run I had reservations about whether I could handle the pace for that distance.
I was to find out those reservations had merit!
After the usual 2k warm-up at a leisurely 5:15 per kilometre pace, I dialed it up a few notches and was enjoying the feeling of pushing myself to run hard. The first interval seemed to be over just as fast as it had started and I dialed it down to a 4:15 pace for 1 km and recovered nicely. I never thought that pace would feel "easy", but today it did!
Well that "easy" feeling was soon replaced with a lung-burning, energy-zapping pace that had me wondering why I was putting myself through this torture? I mean really, was all this pain worth it?
Somehow I was able to fight off all the negative thoughts and the urge to hit the down arrow on the speed control, hanging on for the full 3k. But let's just say I was very happy to see the 10k mark appear, where I was quick to reduce the speed to 5:15 per km and cruise home to the finish.
Now, a few hours removed from that experience, I'm glad I fought that inner voice telling me to slow the treadmill down and pack it in. And I know the effort and pain invested now will pay off on race day.
It was a hard run, but hey, no one said training for a 1:30 half marathon would be easy!
Monday, December 20, 2010
Paying it forward
I've been running seriously – i.e. training for and competing in races - for almost 4 years. In that time I’ve lost about 25 pounds and feel I’m in the best physical condition of my adult life.
Over that time I’ve shared my running experiences with non-running friends, explaining how in addition to contributing to my overall improved fitness level, running is enjoyable, rewarding and addictive. Most of them usually just laugh, not buying the enjoyment part, and/or say they could never run a marathon.
However, recently two friends have expressed interest in running. I’ve agreed to help them develop training plans based on my running knowledge and expertise, as limited as it might be.
Glen was the first to jump into running after hearing about my Boston
Tackling a marathon without first running a few other races at 5k and 10k distances and building to a half marathon might be a recipe for disaster.
So I have Glen training for the Forest City Half Marathon May 1st in London , Ontario
You can check out his progress at http://runjoggyrun.blogspot.com/.
Now Glen was in good physical condition before beginning a running regime, playing soccer on a regular basis, eating healthy and he has youth on his side, he’s only 36. In addition, he’s built like a runner - about 5 feet, 10 inches tall and lean. I’m confident with some consistent training and barring any injuries, he’ll be able to turn in a 1:40 or under time in May.
Now my other friend, Dave, is a different story!
I’d describe him as the polar opposite of Glen. He’s 50, out of shape, loves his beer and would rather watch most sports on TV in a pub than participate. However, he has played many sports in the past, is athletic and I feel has potential.
He's not planning to run a marathon, but I believe he’s motivated to get himself back in shape and sees running as a way to do that. My master plan is to build him up to running a 5k race in the spring or early summer and then a half marathon in the fall.
And while I think he may be a bit overwhelmed by the thought of running 21.1 kilometres now, if he commits to the process I know he can do it....now I just have to get him to buy in!
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Back in the saddle
Finally felt good enough to go back to work. I was still a bit congested and had a slight cough, but after two days at home I was going a bit "stir crazy" and needed to run!
So off to work I went. As usual, I was able to fit in a lunch-hour run on a treadmill at the gym we have at work. I must say I feel very fortunate to have a gym in our office complex. It's a complete facility with lots of free weights, machines, elliptical machines, stationary bikes and treadmills and the rates are extremely reasonable - $25 per month.
Anyway, I was scheduled to run 8k broken down as 3k@5:10, 3k@5 and 2k@5:05. However, I had missed what I felt was a more important run on Wednesday and decided to do it instead.
It was also an 8k run but after 2k@5:15 to warm up, I was to increase my pace to 4:15 per kilometre and hold that for 4k before cooling down with 2k@5:15. The 4:15 pace is essentially what I'll need to run in Georgia next month over the half marathon distance to qualify for NYC. So any training runs that call for that pace or faster I feel are crucial to my success in the race.
It felt great to run again, even if it was on a treadmill.I warmed up nicely and then shifted to the 4:15 pace. Surprisingly it was "easy", I was cruising at that pace, and was able to focus on form and footfalls. I felt like I could run a long way at that pace and was a bit disappointed that I had to gear down for the last two kilometres.
I was encouraged, perhaps I am making progress and getting faster. The real test, of course, will come in a few weeks, but for now I'm optimistic...and it was great to feel healthy and running again.
So off to work I went. As usual, I was able to fit in a lunch-hour run on a treadmill at the gym we have at work. I must say I feel very fortunate to have a gym in our office complex. It's a complete facility with lots of free weights, machines, elliptical machines, stationary bikes and treadmills and the rates are extremely reasonable - $25 per month.
Anyway, I was scheduled to run 8k broken down as 3k@5:10, 3k@5 and 2k@5:05. However, I had missed what I felt was a more important run on Wednesday and decided to do it instead.
It was also an 8k run but after 2k@5:15 to warm up, I was to increase my pace to 4:15 per kilometre and hold that for 4k before cooling down with 2k@5:15. The 4:15 pace is essentially what I'll need to run in Georgia next month over the half marathon distance to qualify for NYC. So any training runs that call for that pace or faster I feel are crucial to my success in the race.
It felt great to run again, even if it was on a treadmill.I warmed up nicely and then shifted to the 4:15 pace. Surprisingly it was "easy", I was cruising at that pace, and was able to focus on form and footfalls. I felt like I could run a long way at that pace and was a bit disappointed that I had to gear down for the last two kilometres.
I was encouraged, perhaps I am making progress and getting faster. The real test, of course, will come in a few weeks, but for now I'm optimistic...and it was great to feel healthy and running again.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
The year ahead
I'm home sick again today, but feeling better and should be back to work tomorrow. I always preach to my colleagues that if they're sick they should stay home. No need to be a hero and infect everyone else. I figured I should heed my own advice.
The positive to having this "down time" is that I've been able to reflect on the past year and get a jump on setting goals for 2011. As I've written, one of my goals for this coming year is to qualify for and run the ING New York City Marathon in November. Something that I'm focused on now and is important to me, but after I qualify in mid-January, then what?
Well, with respect to running, my goals are to post PRs for the 5k, 10k, half marathon and marathon distances. Ambitious perhaps, but I'm hoping with Ian's experience, direction and motivation, combined with my dedication and consistent training, I'll be able to realize all these running goals.
Since I began running in 2007, golf has taken a backseat to my new passion. However, I'd like to change that in 2011.
Now to be successful or consistent at either sport requires time and commitment. Some might say it would be impossible to adequately "train" for success in both sports simultaneously. Perhaps they're correct, but hey I'm always up for a challenge and proving others wrong.
And, my interest in golf has been renewed recently....the old "absence makes the heart grow fonder" deal I suppose, and the fact that last summer, despite reduced practice and play, my ball-striking was fairly consistent as were my scores. However, there's always room for improvement!
My goals are to dedicate more time to practice (beginning with indoor sessions this winter), increase my play from approximately 35 to 45 rounds this coming summer, lower my scoring average by 2 strokes and finally, enter more tournaments.
So while my goals for golf are perhaps more modest than those I've set for running, I believe they are equally achievable. However, I'll need to manage my time efficiently, because I still have a full-time job and family commitments to consider.
But I figure if Anne can find the time to train for an ironman, I can find time for golf and running. And aren't goals about testing your limits and pushing yourself to achieve something difficult?
So wish me luck and stay tuned!
The positive to having this "down time" is that I've been able to reflect on the past year and get a jump on setting goals for 2011. As I've written, one of my goals for this coming year is to qualify for and run the ING New York City Marathon in November. Something that I'm focused on now and is important to me, but after I qualify in mid-January, then what?
Well, with respect to running, my goals are to post PRs for the 5k, 10k, half marathon and marathon distances. Ambitious perhaps, but I'm hoping with Ian's experience, direction and motivation, combined with my dedication and consistent training, I'll be able to realize all these running goals.
Since I began running in 2007, golf has taken a backseat to my new passion. However, I'd like to change that in 2011.
Now to be successful or consistent at either sport requires time and commitment. Some might say it would be impossible to adequately "train" for success in both sports simultaneously. Perhaps they're correct, but hey I'm always up for a challenge and proving others wrong.
And, my interest in golf has been renewed recently....the old "absence makes the heart grow fonder" deal I suppose, and the fact that last summer, despite reduced practice and play, my ball-striking was fairly consistent as were my scores. However, there's always room for improvement!
My goals are to dedicate more time to practice (beginning with indoor sessions this winter), increase my play from approximately 35 to 45 rounds this coming summer, lower my scoring average by 2 strokes and finally, enter more tournaments.
So while my goals for golf are perhaps more modest than those I've set for running, I believe they are equally achievable. However, I'll need to manage my time efficiently, because I still have a full-time job and family commitments to consider.
But I figure if Anne can find the time to train for an ironman, I can find time for golf and running. And aren't goals about testing your limits and pushing yourself to achieve something difficult?
So wish me luck and stay tuned!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Deja vu all over again
I woke up at 5am this morning so I could get to the gym and get my scheduled 11k interval run in before work. To my surprise the cold I thought I had cleverly eluded by taking Cold FX had returned. My throat was sore, sinuses congested and my muscles ached. I felt like rolling over and going back to sleep, not running.
To top things off, it had snowed over night, was still snowing and, as I would find out later while I was cleaning the snow off my car, the wind was strong and bitterly cold! Anyway, I slowly rolled out of bed, popped some more Cold FX, two Tylenol, got dressed and off I went.
The roads were brutal. I was thankful for having snow tires, as I watched others slipping and sliding on the slick, snow covered streets.
By the time I arrived at the gym my energy level seemed to be rising, my throat wasn't as sore and I was able to once again breathe. Perhaps as I predicted in a previous post (Monday, Monday on December 13) this run would be a breeze!
To remind you, I had already done this run last Tuesday when I should have been running only 10k with slower paces - see Maybe I Need Glasses! posted on December 8th.
Anyway the run started fine and I felt good, getting into a rhythm over the first couple of kilometres as I ran at a 5:15 per k clip. Then things got tough.
I'm not sure if it was the effects of the cold or just the blistering pace Ian had set for me, but my lungs started to burn at the 5.5k mark, just as I started the second interval of 2.5k at a 4:05 per minute pace. I took a deep breath, focused on fast feet, relaxed shoulders and pressed on.
I really thought this time around the run would be somewhat easier than the previous Tuesday, but it wasn't. It was just plain tough and felt pretty much as it had the last time. Maybe it was supposed to be or maybe it was because my body was still fighting a cold.
Whatever the reason, I figured fighting through pain and getting in two of these runs would serve me well in my half marathon in a few weeks. It would also make the remainder of my runs this week seem easy...at least that's what I'm hoping!
To top things off, it had snowed over night, was still snowing and, as I would find out later while I was cleaning the snow off my car, the wind was strong and bitterly cold! Anyway, I slowly rolled out of bed, popped some more Cold FX, two Tylenol, got dressed and off I went.
The roads were brutal. I was thankful for having snow tires, as I watched others slipping and sliding on the slick, snow covered streets.
By the time I arrived at the gym my energy level seemed to be rising, my throat wasn't as sore and I was able to once again breathe. Perhaps as I predicted in a previous post (Monday, Monday on December 13) this run would be a breeze!
To remind you, I had already done this run last Tuesday when I should have been running only 10k with slower paces - see Maybe I Need Glasses! posted on December 8th.
Anyway the run started fine and I felt good, getting into a rhythm over the first couple of kilometres as I ran at a 5:15 per k clip. Then things got tough.
I'm not sure if it was the effects of the cold or just the blistering pace Ian had set for me, but my lungs started to burn at the 5.5k mark, just as I started the second interval of 2.5k at a 4:05 per minute pace. I took a deep breath, focused on fast feet, relaxed shoulders and pressed on.
I really thought this time around the run would be somewhat easier than the previous Tuesday, but it wasn't. It was just plain tough and felt pretty much as it had the last time. Maybe it was supposed to be or maybe it was because my body was still fighting a cold.
Whatever the reason, I figured fighting through pain and getting in two of these runs would serve me well in my half marathon in a few weeks. It would also make the remainder of my runs this week seem easy...at least that's what I'm hoping!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Why NYC?
I haven't really explained why I'm trying to qualify for the New York City Marathon.
In some ways I'm not really sure why either.
My last marathon was Boston in April. It was an amazing experience - the city, the history of the race, the challenging route and the crowds! However, I arrived in Boston less than 100%. I had injured my left hamstring in the Around the Bay Race (a 30k race in Hamilton, Ontario) just 3 weeks before race-day in Beantown.
Add to that being really sick for a few weeks in December and early January and the result is some very negative impacts to my training schedule.
I had easily qualified for Boston in November at the Road 2 Hope Marathon in Hamilton, besting the required time for my age group by almost 6 minutes, finishing in 3:24:45. I felt strong throughout that race and could have finished closer to 3 hours and 20 minutes, but decided to cruise in the last 7k to avoid any injuries that might prevent finishing.
My goal had been to qualify for Boston. There would be other opportunities to focus on speed and faster finish times.
So given my qualifying result in November, I thought with a good winter of training I'd be able to turn in a good time in Boston. That is until a few months later, back in the same city where I qualified for Boston (how ironic), I hurt my hamstring.
As I mentioned, the overall experience of the Boston Marathon exceeded my expectations, my performance however, did not. I struggled at times during the race, not just the usual stuff one experiences at various points of a marathon, but really struggled to the point I almost packed it in at about the 30k mark.
When I finally crossed the finish line in a very disappointing 3:46:34 I told myself, "never again!"
However, once I had a chance to recover, reflect and get over the disappointment, I realized I couldn't end my marathon career on that note! Then I read Liz Robbins' book "A Race Like No Other" which chronicled the 2007 New York City Marathon. Her descriptions of the crowds, the race route and the runners were truly inspirational.
I knew running NYC was a must. And I wanted to qualify for the race based on time, not through the lottery or running for a charity. However, a 3:10 or faster marathon time, required for qualifying in my age group, was not within immediate reach for me. So I chose another option available - use a half marathon time to qualify. it would require a 1:30 or faster time, something I thought I could accomplish. After all I had run a PR half time of 1:38....shaving 8 minutes off over a 6 month time period would be a breeze!
Yeah right! The best I could do was 1:34. So I decided to hire my friend Ian to coach me. He's a former professional tri-athlete, has run many marathons (including NYC) and has coached tri-athletes and runners for nearly 20 years.
So here I am, training for a half marathon in mid-January and setting my sights on NYC for November 2011.
After that who knows, but I hear they have a some good marathons in Chicago, Berlin and London....like golfers, we runners always come back for more!
In some ways I'm not really sure why either.
My last marathon was Boston in April. It was an amazing experience - the city, the history of the race, the challenging route and the crowds! However, I arrived in Boston less than 100%. I had injured my left hamstring in the Around the Bay Race (a 30k race in Hamilton, Ontario) just 3 weeks before race-day in Beantown.
Add to that being really sick for a few weeks in December and early January and the result is some very negative impacts to my training schedule.
I had easily qualified for Boston in November at the Road 2 Hope Marathon in Hamilton, besting the required time for my age group by almost 6 minutes, finishing in 3:24:45. I felt strong throughout that race and could have finished closer to 3 hours and 20 minutes, but decided to cruise in the last 7k to avoid any injuries that might prevent finishing.
My goal had been to qualify for Boston. There would be other opportunities to focus on speed and faster finish times.
So given my qualifying result in November, I thought with a good winter of training I'd be able to turn in a good time in Boston. That is until a few months later, back in the same city where I qualified for Boston (how ironic), I hurt my hamstring.
As I mentioned, the overall experience of the Boston Marathon exceeded my expectations, my performance however, did not. I struggled at times during the race, not just the usual stuff one experiences at various points of a marathon, but really struggled to the point I almost packed it in at about the 30k mark.
When I finally crossed the finish line in a very disappointing 3:46:34 I told myself, "never again!"
However, once I had a chance to recover, reflect and get over the disappointment, I realized I couldn't end my marathon career on that note! Then I read Liz Robbins' book "A Race Like No Other" which chronicled the 2007 New York City Marathon. Her descriptions of the crowds, the race route and the runners were truly inspirational.
I knew running NYC was a must. And I wanted to qualify for the race based on time, not through the lottery or running for a charity. However, a 3:10 or faster marathon time, required for qualifying in my age group, was not within immediate reach for me. So I chose another option available - use a half marathon time to qualify. it would require a 1:30 or faster time, something I thought I could accomplish. After all I had run a PR half time of 1:38....shaving 8 minutes off over a 6 month time period would be a breeze!
Yeah right! The best I could do was 1:34. So I decided to hire my friend Ian to coach me. He's a former professional tri-athlete, has run many marathons (including NYC) and has coached tri-athletes and runners for nearly 20 years.
So here I am, training for a half marathon in mid-January and setting my sights on NYC for November 2011.
After that who knows, but I hear they have a some good marathons in Chicago, Berlin and London....like golfers, we runners always come back for more!
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Oops I did it again!
Ok Ian might be correct...I screwed up my run again today!
I was supposed to run 14k, I knew that, but when I got to the gym, I realized I had forgotten to write down the paces and distances Ian had planned for me throughout the run. I had looked at the breakdown yesterday, so went with what I thought the plan called for and based on my memory.
So I set out to run 3k @ a 5 minute-per-kilometre pace, followed by 3k @ 4:45, 3k @ 4:40, 3k @ 4:30 and then finish up with 2k @ 5.
The run started out great and I felt good. No effects of the cold and I felt strong. I was focussed on my form and foot falls,something I always do when running on the treadmill. As I often do during treadmill runs, I was varying the elevation between a 1 and 2 percent grade. Things were great!
When I got to the 10k mark things got a bit tougher. My breathing became laboured, my legs started to burn and I was wondering if perhaps my memory wasn't as good as I thought it was! I focussed on fast, light feet and made it through the last 2k at the 4:30 pace and coasted to the finish, enjoying the easy of 2k at a 5 minute per kilometre pace.
A 15 minute stretching session followed and after my shower I was actually feeling good. Maybe I had remembered the correct paces etc and it was just supposed to be a hard run.
When I got home and went to enter my time, pace etc into my log, I realized I had screwed up again! I was supposed to run 3k @ 5:15, 2k @ 5, 2k @ 4:55, 2k @ 4:50, 2k @ 4:40 and then 3k @ 5:15.
Oh well, I survived and took solace in the fact that what Ian has me doing is making me stronger and faster.
Tomorrow is a rest day, then 6 consecutive days of running! No rest for the weary.
I was supposed to run 14k, I knew that, but when I got to the gym, I realized I had forgotten to write down the paces and distances Ian had planned for me throughout the run. I had looked at the breakdown yesterday, so went with what I thought the plan called for and based on my memory.
So I set out to run 3k @ a 5 minute-per-kilometre pace, followed by 3k @ 4:45, 3k @ 4:40, 3k @ 4:30 and then finish up with 2k @ 5.
The run started out great and I felt good. No effects of the cold and I felt strong. I was focussed on my form and foot falls,something I always do when running on the treadmill. As I often do during treadmill runs, I was varying the elevation between a 1 and 2 percent grade. Things were great!
When I got to the 10k mark things got a bit tougher. My breathing became laboured, my legs started to burn and I was wondering if perhaps my memory wasn't as good as I thought it was! I focussed on fast, light feet and made it through the last 2k at the 4:30 pace and coasted to the finish, enjoying the easy of 2k at a 5 minute per kilometre pace.
A 15 minute stretching session followed and after my shower I was actually feeling good. Maybe I had remembered the correct paces etc and it was just supposed to be a hard run.
When I got home and went to enter my time, pace etc into my log, I realized I had screwed up again! I was supposed to run 3k @ 5:15, 2k @ 5, 2k @ 4:55, 2k @ 4:50, 2k @ 4:40 and then 3k @ 5:15.
Oh well, I survived and took solace in the fact that what Ian has me doing is making me stronger and faster.
Tomorrow is a rest day, then 6 consecutive days of running! No rest for the weary.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Surprising!
Well my 7k runs was a lot easier than I had anticipated!
Ian had me running 2k at a 5 minute per km clip, then running 2k at 4:45, 2k at 4:40 and finishing with 1k at 5 flat. I ran inside on the treadmill and varied the elevation throughout the run between a 1 and 2 percent grade.
The first part of the run was tough, but as I neared the 2k point I hit my stride and was cruising. I don't normally like running on a treadmill, and until I started working with Ian, 7k would be testing my limits of boredom. However, with the varying paces he provides for most of my runs, it makes the time fly by and I've easily run 11k without wanting to shoot myself!
I had considered bailing on this run, given my condition earlier in the morning. I'm glad I sucked it up forced myself to run as it did me a world of good. I felt great when I finished...I must have purged my system of all the toxins I consumed the night before.
Tonight I'll eat a big bowl of chicken pesto pasta and get to bed early in preparation for my 14k run tomorrow. I plan on running outside, but the forecast is calling for snow and freezing rain.
So I might be forced to use the treadmill once again!
Ian had me running 2k at a 5 minute per km clip, then running 2k at 4:45, 2k at 4:40 and finishing with 1k at 5 flat. I ran inside on the treadmill and varied the elevation throughout the run between a 1 and 2 percent grade.
The first part of the run was tough, but as I neared the 2k point I hit my stride and was cruising. I don't normally like running on a treadmill, and until I started working with Ian, 7k would be testing my limits of boredom. However, with the varying paces he provides for most of my runs, it makes the time fly by and I've easily run 11k without wanting to shoot myself!
I had considered bailing on this run, given my condition earlier in the morning. I'm glad I sucked it up forced myself to run as it did me a world of good. I felt great when I finished...I must have purged my system of all the toxins I consumed the night before.
Tonight I'll eat a big bowl of chicken pesto pasta and get to bed early in preparation for my 14k run tomorrow. I plan on running outside, but the forecast is calling for snow and freezing rain.
So I might be forced to use the treadmill once again!
What was I thinking?
So last night I went out with some friends after work. It was supposed to be an early night - meet at 5:30 for beers, have some dinner, home by 8 or 9 the latest...at least in my mind that was how I had it planned out.
Oh the best laid plans of mice and men....
To explain, these are high school buddies. There's a core group of about 8 of us who have stayed in touch over the years. Our main bond is golf. We played most days during summer vacations throughout our teen years and every two years we go on a week-long golf trip to Florida, that seems to be more fun the older we get.
Two of the group no longer reside in Ottawa. The six who still live in the area, try to meet on a bi-monthly basis for drinks and dinner. Included in this group is my new coach and old friend Ian - who, btw, in reference to my screw up on Tuesday's run, says I'm just stupid and don't need glasses.
Historically we've wrapped things up around 8pm.
However, last night I had invited another high school friend to join us. I ran into Ian (no not my coach) the previous Friday night while out with friends from work. I hadn't seen him in some time and while he wasn't part of the golf group, he knows everyone and I figured it would be a good opportunity to catch up.
Well one thing led to another and I didn't get home until after midnight. I feel like crap today!
Now I could deal with the headache etc if I didn't have shit to do - a 7k run, 4 hours of work on a special project I'm involved at work and a Christmas party at one of Anne's (my girl friend) friend's tonight.
Plus, I feel a cold coming on.
Getting old sucks! Back in the day, I'd be out until the wee hours on a regular basis and always able to meet the call the next day.
Oh well time to suck it up and get moving. Caffeine, Tylenol and Cold FX....the true breakfast of champions!
Wish me luck.
Oh the best laid plans of mice and men....
To explain, these are high school buddies. There's a core group of about 8 of us who have stayed in touch over the years. Our main bond is golf. We played most days during summer vacations throughout our teen years and every two years we go on a week-long golf trip to Florida, that seems to be more fun the older we get.
Two of the group no longer reside in Ottawa. The six who still live in the area, try to meet on a bi-monthly basis for drinks and dinner. Included in this group is my new coach and old friend Ian - who, btw, in reference to my screw up on Tuesday's run, says I'm just stupid and don't need glasses.
Historically we've wrapped things up around 8pm.
However, last night I had invited another high school friend to join us. I ran into Ian (no not my coach) the previous Friday night while out with friends from work. I hadn't seen him in some time and while he wasn't part of the golf group, he knows everyone and I figured it would be a good opportunity to catch up.
Well one thing led to another and I didn't get home until after midnight. I feel like crap today!
Now I could deal with the headache etc if I didn't have shit to do - a 7k run, 4 hours of work on a special project I'm involved at work and a Christmas party at one of Anne's (my girl friend) friend's tonight.
Plus, I feel a cold coming on.
Getting old sucks! Back in the day, I'd be out until the wee hours on a regular basis and always able to meet the call the next day.
Oh well time to suck it up and get moving. Caffeine, Tylenol and Cold FX....the true breakfast of champions!
Wish me luck.
Friday, December 10, 2010
TGIF!
Another work week in the books and another day closer to Christmas.
Hard to believe really as it seemed like only yesterday I was on vacation enjoying the warm Ottawa weather, golfing, running, sitting on the deck with my morning coffee - enjoying all these things in shorts and a short-sleeved shirt.
Now the local golf courses are closed, covered in a thin layer of snow, cold north winds whipping across their fairways as temperatures have plummeted into the double digits below 0C. And I sit enviously here watching the Shark Shootout golf tournament being televised on the Golf Channel from sunny, warm Naples, Florida.
Except for long and/or easy runs, most of my training these days (and for the next 4 months) take place indoors on a treadmill, because trying to run with speed can be a hazardous proposition between December and March in these parts!
So like many fellow runners and golfers who live north of 49th parallel, I wait. I wait for the ice and snow to recede so I can once again safely run along my favourite pathways and stroll down the fairways of my favourite golf courses.
One day closer to Christmas... and one day closer to spring!
Enjoy your Friday.
Hard to believe really as it seemed like only yesterday I was on vacation enjoying the warm Ottawa weather, golfing, running, sitting on the deck with my morning coffee - enjoying all these things in shorts and a short-sleeved shirt.
Now the local golf courses are closed, covered in a thin layer of snow, cold north winds whipping across their fairways as temperatures have plummeted into the double digits below 0C. And I sit enviously here watching the Shark Shootout golf tournament being televised on the Golf Channel from sunny, warm Naples, Florida.
Except for long and/or easy runs, most of my training these days (and for the next 4 months) take place indoors on a treadmill, because trying to run with speed can be a hazardous proposition between December and March in these parts!
So like many fellow runners and golfers who live north of 49th parallel, I wait. I wait for the ice and snow to recede so I can once again safely run along my favourite pathways and stroll down the fairways of my favourite golf courses.
One day closer to Christmas... and one day closer to spring!
Enjoy your Friday.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Ah Rest Day
Tomorrow is a day off. I'm looking forward to it. After my screw up with Tuesday's run, my legs have been a bit sore. Today's 7k run helped get rid of some of the stiffness and combined with a great post-run stretching session, I'm feeling good. However, a day of rest will be good.
The plan calls for 7k on Saturday, followed by 14k on Sunday. I'm planning to run with a friend on Sunday over a hilly route, so that should be interesting.
Next week coach Ian has me running 6 consecutive days so that will be challenging!
Overall my training with Ian has been great and I'm confident I'll be ready for the half in mid-January.
http://robinspacers.org/museum/
The plan calls for 7k on Saturday, followed by 14k on Sunday. I'm planning to run with a friend on Sunday over a hilly route, so that should be interesting.
Next week coach Ian has me running 6 consecutive days so that will be challenging!
Overall my training with Ian has been great and I'm confident I'll be ready for the half in mid-January.
http://robinspacers.org/museum/
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Maybe I need glasses!
So yesterday was day one of my fifth week training with my coach Ian, the long-time friend I mentioned in my first post. Anyway, Ian sends me a new training schedule every two weeks and it covers a two-week time frame. So Sunday I received a plan that goes from December 6th to December 19th.
Mondays are usually a rest day. So yesterday, Tuesday, was the first run for the new two-week plan. Anyway, I copied the run onto a piece of paper and headed off to the gym at lunch to get in my run. I pin the runs on a bulletin board in front of one of the treadmills in the gym at work to help me remember what I'm supposed to run for that day. Many of the runs Ian provides have varying paces over various distances, especially the interval runs he usually schedules on Tuesdays, and it can be difficult to remember all the intervals, paces etc....well at least for me it is!
And as you might expect the runs have been getting progressively harder as my training progresses and race day gets closer.
So yesterday I was a bit anxious about what I perceived as a tough interval run. Anyway, things started off fine and as anticipated, it got difficult, but I managed. I did, however, think Ian was pushing me just a bit too hard!
Following the run I showered and head back to work, definitely felling the run in my legs. It was only when I got home after work and was logging my run into my spread sheet that I realized I had actually run the Tuesday, December 14th run, not the December 7th run! No wonder it was so hard!
Lately, as the words on my computer screen become increasingly difficult to read and I find myself holding newspapers, magazines and books farther from my face than I used to, I've been wondering if the time to get glasses was fast approaching.
Based on this experience, perhaps that time has come!
Mondays are usually a rest day. So yesterday, Tuesday, was the first run for the new two-week plan. Anyway, I copied the run onto a piece of paper and headed off to the gym at lunch to get in my run. I pin the runs on a bulletin board in front of one of the treadmills in the gym at work to help me remember what I'm supposed to run for that day. Many of the runs Ian provides have varying paces over various distances, especially the interval runs he usually schedules on Tuesdays, and it can be difficult to remember all the intervals, paces etc....well at least for me it is!
And as you might expect the runs have been getting progressively harder as my training progresses and race day gets closer.
So yesterday I was a bit anxious about what I perceived as a tough interval run. Anyway, things started off fine and as anticipated, it got difficult, but I managed. I did, however, think Ian was pushing me just a bit too hard!
Following the run I showered and head back to work, definitely felling the run in my legs. It was only when I got home after work and was logging my run into my spread sheet that I realized I had actually run the Tuesday, December 14th run, not the December 7th run! No wonder it was so hard!
Lately, as the words on my computer screen become increasingly difficult to read and I find myself holding newspapers, magazines and books farther from my face than I used to, I've been wondering if the time to get glasses was fast approaching.
Based on this experience, perhaps that time has come!
Hello blogging world!
Well I'm no Tiger and I'm sure the blogging community wasn't anxiously awaiting my blogging debut, but here I am...please be gentle!
I'm not really sure how blogs are supposed to work, but I thought I might have some ideas and viewpoints of interest to share with others on two of my favorite things - golfing and running.
First, some background. I'm an ex- golf professional that gave up the golf industry 10 years ago to pursue a new career in the federal government. Strange perhaps, but after 15 years in the golf biz, I was ready for a change and finally found a use for my college journalism diploma. So began my new life in communications for the public service. Over the years I've advanced through the ranks and transitioned from communications to our department's market development branch.
I've continued to golf and have competed as a reinstated amateur in local and provincial tournaments on a part-time basis with mixed success. In 2007, with my interest in golf waining, I found a new passion in running. With the help of a friend (now my girlfriend) who had run a few marathons, I started training for my first marathon. Since then I've run three marathons, including Boston this past April, and a number of half marathons, 10k and 5k races.
In late October, following a few failed attempts to qualify for the 2011 New York City Marathon based on a half marathon time - 1 hour and 30 minutes or less for my age category - I felt as though I had taken my running as far as I could on my own, so I hired a long-time friend and respected local coach to help me get to the next level.
So, in the coming weeks and months I plan to share my journey to NYC and talk some golf until the snow melts and I can get back to fairways.
Enjoy and I look forward to your comments.
I've continued to golf and have competed as a reinstated amateur in local and provincial tournaments on a part-time basis with mixed success. In 2007, with my interest in golf waining, I found a new passion in running. With the help of a friend (now my girlfriend) who had run a few marathons, I started training for my first marathon. Since then I've run three marathons, including Boston this past April, and a number of half marathons, 10k and 5k races.
In late October, following a few failed attempts to qualify for the 2011 New York City Marathon based on a half marathon time - 1 hour and 30 minutes or less for my age category - I felt as though I had taken my running as far as I could on my own, so I hired a long-time friend and respected local coach to help me get to the next level.
So, in the coming weeks and months I plan to share my journey to NYC and talk some golf until the snow melts and I can get back to fairways.
Enjoy and I look forward to your comments.
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