It is Easter weekend, a lovely four-day weekend that will undoubtedly leave me on Monday just aching to get back to work and away from the tedium of home. Yeah, you read that right.
However, I capitalized on the FINALLY nice weather yesterday (see last post where I asked for warm... we just got it), and went out for my first run in, according to my running watch, three weeks.
Now a bit of my failure to run is falling off the maintenance plan, and part of it was a bitch of a cold that invaded my sinuses, and a bit of it was the cold in my lungs finally deciding to come out. Yes, the cold I had two weeks prior to my March 12 race decided to go.
I'm not 100% better. I'm still sniffling and coughing a bit but damn I'm tired of waiting for nicer weather and clear lungs to run, so I'll take the nicer weather. I did a 5km route around my block. My left knee was stiff when I started, and then right at the end, my left knee started to go. However, all in all, the nice weather, a good breakfast of pancakes, and only slight muscle stiffness has me rarin' to get back on running track.
That, and realizing there's a marathon at the end of August I'd love to try.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
March Madness
Would the weather please take a hint and warm up? It's the end of March, for Pete's sake, and still hovering around 0!
But that didn't stop the dust, no no! Since there is no snow to cover it up, all the dust flies up as cars drive past, clogging in my lungs.
Which are already clogged from some unknown cold or problem. I keep thinking that I should go visit the doctor, but have trouble getting out of bed.
On that account, I'm still running in the afternoons, when it is warmer and sunnier. I'm sure the morning is a great time to run at this time of year, but it's still dark!
I must apologize, I'm tired and feeling a bit sarcastic, and it's only 7:30pm. After doing 4km this afternoon, I am still pooped as heck, but happy that I got it done and over with. Now to get this stupid lung issue solved...
But that didn't stop the dust, no no! Since there is no snow to cover it up, all the dust flies up as cars drive past, clogging in my lungs.
Which are already clogged from some unknown cold or problem. I keep thinking that I should go visit the doctor, but have trouble getting out of bed.
On that account, I'm still running in the afternoons, when it is warmer and sunnier. I'm sure the morning is a great time to run at this time of year, but it's still dark!
I must apologize, I'm tired and feeling a bit sarcastic, and it's only 7:30pm. After doing 4km this afternoon, I am still pooped as heck, but happy that I got it done and over with. Now to get this stupid lung issue solved...
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Post Race Day
I posted last December about maintenance plans, which I am absolutely awful for.
This time, I have a cunning plan. Let's just hope it's better than Black Adder's cunning plans.
I will now proceed to the half-marathon clinic at the Kanata Running Room. I've taken the first step and introduced myself to the leader. Whether I actually join the clinic itself or just join the Sunday runs, I'm not sure. I will start next weekend, because this is going to be an easy recovery week.
Ugh. That's all the writing I've got in me today.
This time, I have a cunning plan. Let's just hope it's better than Black Adder's cunning plans.
I will now proceed to the half-marathon clinic at the Kanata Running Room. I've taken the first step and introduced myself to the leader. Whether I actually join the clinic itself or just join the Sunday runs, I'm not sure. I will start next weekend, because this is going to be an easy recovery week.
Ugh. That's all the writing I've got in me today.
St. Patrick's Day 10K 2011
After not posting in all of February, I will finally write:
Enough, Winter, lay off and bring in Spring! Gawwwwwd!
It's been cold and rainy and snowy and miserable here, and I think everyone who's not an ardent skier will agree that it is time for nicer weather.
The contrast is apparent in photos of this year's race compared to last year. 2010's St. Patrick's Day race was, though overcast and slightly drizzly, verdant. This year's photos show snow, snow, slush, ice, and icy water. No green to be seen!
Having moved much further away than last year, I was a little worried about arrival, but I was able to arrive 30 minutes before race-time anyway. I had decided to do the 10k this year, because I knew I could do the distance, but it was still a challenge.
The race took us from Immaculata High School (who generously lent their gym) up Col. By Drive, up to around Carleton University and back. The first half had more uphill, and the only benefit of that was it meant more downhill on the way back. However, I can still remember after the half-way mark thinking, "What? This was uphill a few minutes ago! It's a physics impossibility to have this route be uphill both ways at the same time!"
I will admit, this race was a struggle. I had been sick two weeks prior, and my lungs felt like they couldn't get full. My legs and knees were wobbly by the end of it, and I took far too many walk-breaks (and one texting break).
I picked up my pace for the last kilometer, and made it in at 1:13, only 6 minutes longer than my first 10k. I was a bit disappointed because I'd really hoped to get under one hour, but I think if I hadn't been sick, my time would have been a lot better.
Post-run, I harassed a friend to wakefulness and dragged him out for brunch. I had a probably-very-unhealthy steak and eggs. Protein, baby!
Lessons learned from this race:
1. Eat something more than cereal before a race. A bowl of cheerios was not cutting it. And of course, experiment with what this meal will be before race day!
2. If you're going to get sick, try to do it after the race. If you can't put off being sick, try to take care of yourself as much as possible so you get healthy faster. This is a legitimate reason to take time off work, and your boss who is hopefully a runner will understand.
3. You still have something at the end! Swing the arms harder, know it's the end, and go for it! See the clock ticking up and tell yourself, "Not gonna finish 1:15 if I can help it!"
4. Don't mouth along to your music. Everyone will think you're strange, and it's very likely you're interrupting your breathing habits. The latter is more dire.
Enough, Winter, lay off and bring in Spring! Gawwwwwd!
It's been cold and rainy and snowy and miserable here, and I think everyone who's not an ardent skier will agree that it is time for nicer weather.
The contrast is apparent in photos of this year's race compared to last year. 2010's St. Patrick's Day race was, though overcast and slightly drizzly, verdant. This year's photos show snow, snow, slush, ice, and icy water. No green to be seen!
Having moved much further away than last year, I was a little worried about arrival, but I was able to arrive 30 minutes before race-time anyway. I had decided to do the 10k this year, because I knew I could do the distance, but it was still a challenge.
The race took us from Immaculata High School (who generously lent their gym) up Col. By Drive, up to around Carleton University and back. The first half had more uphill, and the only benefit of that was it meant more downhill on the way back. However, I can still remember after the half-way mark thinking, "What? This was uphill a few minutes ago! It's a physics impossibility to have this route be uphill both ways at the same time!"
I will admit, this race was a struggle. I had been sick two weeks prior, and my lungs felt like they couldn't get full. My legs and knees were wobbly by the end of it, and I took far too many walk-breaks (and one texting break).
I picked up my pace for the last kilometer, and made it in at 1:13, only 6 minutes longer than my first 10k. I was a bit disappointed because I'd really hoped to get under one hour, but I think if I hadn't been sick, my time would have been a lot better.
Post-run, I harassed a friend to wakefulness and dragged him out for brunch. I had a probably-very-unhealthy steak and eggs. Protein, baby!
Lessons learned from this race:
1. Eat something more than cereal before a race. A bowl of cheerios was not cutting it. And of course, experiment with what this meal will be before race day!
2. If you're going to get sick, try to do it after the race. If you can't put off being sick, try to take care of yourself as much as possible so you get healthy faster. This is a legitimate reason to take time off work, and your boss who is hopefully a runner will understand.
3. You still have something at the end! Swing the arms harder, know it's the end, and go for it! See the clock ticking up and tell yourself, "Not gonna finish 1:15 if I can help it!"
4. Don't mouth along to your music. Everyone will think you're strange, and it's very likely you're interrupting your breathing habits. The latter is more dire.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Further on Skin Care
I posted earlier this month about skin care when running in the winter.
Then I got the January/February edition of Women's Running, and saw that they've done the same thing. Reading through it, myself and the magazine seem to agree on most aspects, and there's some good advice on products and ingredients to look for, some even at reasonable prices.
One point of variance is on exfoliation. WR suggests if your skin is flaky, exfoliating more often will remove those extra flakes, rather than applying more moisturizer to try to renew the skin.
I tried exfoliating twice this week, and have met with sad lack of success. Instead of the usual freshly-exfoliated feeling I usually get, my face felt very rough and desperate for more moisturizer.
However, the rest of WR's tips seem sensible, and check out the section on vitamins.
In other news, morning running continues outside of Running Room days, and when it's less than -10C, it's a pleasant way to start the morning. However, running any time at -28C is not a fun option.
That was Monday's temperature, and I'm not afraid to say that I did not run that night. Apparently very few others did too.
Then I got the January/February edition of Women's Running, and saw that they've done the same thing. Reading through it, myself and the magazine seem to agree on most aspects, and there's some good advice on products and ingredients to look for, some even at reasonable prices.
One point of variance is on exfoliation. WR suggests if your skin is flaky, exfoliating more often will remove those extra flakes, rather than applying more moisturizer to try to renew the skin.
I tried exfoliating twice this week, and have met with sad lack of success. Instead of the usual freshly-exfoliated feeling I usually get, my face felt very rough and desperate for more moisturizer.
However, the rest of WR's tips seem sensible, and check out the section on vitamins.
In other news, morning running continues outside of Running Room days, and when it's less than -10C, it's a pleasant way to start the morning. However, running any time at -28C is not a fun option.
That was Monday's temperature, and I'm not afraid to say that I did not run that night. Apparently very few others did too.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Running after a Snowfall
So with my glorious (?) return to the Running Room, I have also taken up Sunday morning runs.
The Running Room runs free running groups Wednesdays and Sundays. However, in order to make sure runners have enough time to do whatever else they must do during the day, the Sunday mornings are at 8:30 a.m. when no one wants to be awake, much less dressed up to go out into the bitter cold, brush their car off, let it warm up so the frost dissipates on the inside of the windshield, and then go running for whatever distance.
But we do it anyway.
It's cold, it's early, and not most people's definition of fun.
Especially not when it snowed all day, the day before.
I even passed up my cousin's engagement party because it was across the city, one hour on the main highway. That's how bad road conditions were.
However, that didn't excuse running this morning. The snowplows had been out, even on sidewalks. They did a reasonable job (read: I wasn't running in knee-deep snow), but I really wish I'd put on my Yaktrax before heading out.
It was a good run, and my Garmin said I used up 400 calories. However, the Garmin doesn't seem to realize it was -15 celcius outside, with windchill to -25 of same said temperature measurement. I'm pretty sure I used at least 100 calories staying warm in said windchill.
When I got home, I showered and then turned it into a bath. Muah to Sundays of relaxing! After that much relaxation, I needed a nap!
Something that I realized today is, with the added energy expenditure, I need to consume more calories too! I thought I was consuming enough today:
a bowl of Cheerios and a cup of coffee pre-run
two Eggo (tm) waffles and some syrup, and a cup of coffee post-run
a small bowl of left-over spaghetti with meat sauce for lunch
three absolutely awful rice wraps from Farm Boy (seriously, they must have been sitting there all day, if they were properly cooked to begin with)
a small bowl of chicken with chillies and basil, no rice
2 bottles of beer
(note, I won't be posting all of my daily meals here, but this was today)
I didn't feel anywhere close to full until the chicken with chillies and basil. Also, if you want to make this recipe, I'd suggest cutting the garlic back to two tablespoons.
That's all for now. Run safe!
The Running Room runs free running groups Wednesdays and Sundays. However, in order to make sure runners have enough time to do whatever else they must do during the day, the Sunday mornings are at 8:30 a.m. when no one wants to be awake, much less dressed up to go out into the bitter cold, brush their car off, let it warm up so the frost dissipates on the inside of the windshield, and then go running for whatever distance.
But we do it anyway.
It's cold, it's early, and not most people's definition of fun.
Especially not when it snowed all day, the day before.
I even passed up my cousin's engagement party because it was across the city, one hour on the main highway. That's how bad road conditions were.
However, that didn't excuse running this morning. The snowplows had been out, even on sidewalks. They did a reasonable job (read: I wasn't running in knee-deep snow), but I really wish I'd put on my Yaktrax before heading out.
It was a good run, and my Garmin said I used up 400 calories. However, the Garmin doesn't seem to realize it was -15 celcius outside, with windchill to -25 of same said temperature measurement. I'm pretty sure I used at least 100 calories staying warm in said windchill.
When I got home, I showered and then turned it into a bath. Muah to Sundays of relaxing! After that much relaxation, I needed a nap!
Something that I realized today is, with the added energy expenditure, I need to consume more calories too! I thought I was consuming enough today:
a bowl of Cheerios and a cup of coffee pre-run
two Eggo (tm) waffles and some syrup, and a cup of coffee post-run
a small bowl of left-over spaghetti with meat sauce for lunch
three absolutely awful rice wraps from Farm Boy (seriously, they must have been sitting there all day, if they were properly cooked to begin with)
a small bowl of chicken with chillies and basil, no rice
2 bottles of beer
(note, I won't be posting all of my daily meals here, but this was today)
I didn't feel anywhere close to full until the chicken with chillies and basil. Also, if you want to make this recipe, I'd suggest cutting the garlic back to two tablespoons.
That's all for now. Run safe!
Two Years of This
I was looking back through the archives a few days ago, and reminiscing, and suddenly realized! It's been two years since I started this blog, and started running. Happy birthday, Run Jelly Run! Frequently, I'm still amazed that, despite the lay-offs I've taken, I'm still running and writing.
In celebration of my two years, I will list and link the running magazines that keep me inspired and informed:
Runner's World: An American magazine, but it has some of the most interesting articles I read. Marc Parent's column 'the Newbie Chronicles' amuses me, the nutrition and recipes columns are interesting and delicious, and the glossy, well-coloured photos make for a very pretty read. Even the numerous ads for marathons are inspiring, and at the back, there is a list of upcoming races around the States. A monthly magazine, it's well worth getting the subscription.
Canadian Running: The main Canadian running publication, this magazine comes out twice a month. I really appreciate Canadian Running because it is all on running in Canada, and each winter, the advice for running in Canadian weather is indispensable. The nutrition section is smaller than in RW, and the articles are less blog-type/personal and more general. My favourite part of Canadian Running, apart from the Canadian focus, is the profiling of different cities in each edition in 'On the Run in...' They provide distance routes to run in a different city, and a profile of the different weathers and tourist sights and spots to visit.
Women's Running Magazine: Another American publication, this is also a bi-monthly magazine that focuses (as implied) on women who run. I found this magazine at a pre-race expo, and was thrilled. Finally, a publication that focuses on the concerns women have before, during, and after running, like sports-bra fittings, how to deal with post-run shine, and women's psychology in running. However, I find that a lot of the magazine has beautiful glossy photos of slender women who fit their running skirts like models, unlike the majority of women who I've seen running. So if you're going to subscribe to this magazine, be aware that the photos are very idealistic (and I'm betting very air-brushed) and that while running will make you fitter and happier, it may not make you look like the women in this magazine.
Running Room Magazine: This is probably the most grass-roots magazine that I read, and the very best part is that it's free. This is because it's published from the funds of the Running Room, and you can sign up for it from the Running Room. It is a multi-page ad for the Running Room's wares, but it also includes interesting stories of people who have run and raced across Canada. It's also the most photographically realistic of the four magazines, and while the paper isn't as glossy or as expensive (it's free, after all), it is still worth flipping through and giving the articles a read.
In other news, as an example of you never stop learning, I learned a very valuable trick for winter running.
Now, this trick is probably one of the most obvious ones in the book, and somehow it totally passed me: to keep from getting drafts up your shirt, tuck your shirt in. Seems so simple, doesn't it? And yet somehow, I never clued in.
Let this be a lesson! You never stop learning new tricks and tips to make running more enjoyable or challenging, or whatever you need it to be.
In celebration of my two years, I will list and link the running magazines that keep me inspired and informed:
Runner's World: An American magazine, but it has some of the most interesting articles I read. Marc Parent's column 'the Newbie Chronicles' amuses me, the nutrition and recipes columns are interesting and delicious, and the glossy, well-coloured photos make for a very pretty read. Even the numerous ads for marathons are inspiring, and at the back, there is a list of upcoming races around the States. A monthly magazine, it's well worth getting the subscription.
Canadian Running: The main Canadian running publication, this magazine comes out twice a month. I really appreciate Canadian Running because it is all on running in Canada, and each winter, the advice for running in Canadian weather is indispensable. The nutrition section is smaller than in RW, and the articles are less blog-type/personal and more general. My favourite part of Canadian Running, apart from the Canadian focus, is the profiling of different cities in each edition in 'On the Run in...' They provide distance routes to run in a different city, and a profile of the different weathers and tourist sights and spots to visit.
Women's Running Magazine: Another American publication, this is also a bi-monthly magazine that focuses (as implied) on women who run. I found this magazine at a pre-race expo, and was thrilled. Finally, a publication that focuses on the concerns women have before, during, and after running, like sports-bra fittings, how to deal with post-run shine, and women's psychology in running. However, I find that a lot of the magazine has beautiful glossy photos of slender women who fit their running skirts like models, unlike the majority of women who I've seen running. So if you're going to subscribe to this magazine, be aware that the photos are very idealistic (and I'm betting very air-brushed) and that while running will make you fitter and happier, it may not make you look like the women in this magazine.
Running Room Magazine: This is probably the most grass-roots magazine that I read, and the very best part is that it's free. This is because it's published from the funds of the Running Room, and you can sign up for it from the Running Room. It is a multi-page ad for the Running Room's wares, but it also includes interesting stories of people who have run and raced across Canada. It's also the most photographically realistic of the four magazines, and while the paper isn't as glossy or as expensive (it's free, after all), it is still worth flipping through and giving the articles a read.
In other news, as an example of you never stop learning, I learned a very valuable trick for winter running.
Now, this trick is probably one of the most obvious ones in the book, and somehow it totally passed me: to keep from getting drafts up your shirt, tuck your shirt in. Seems so simple, doesn't it? And yet somehow, I never clued in.
Let this be a lesson! You never stop learning new tricks and tips to make running more enjoyable or challenging, or whatever you need it to be.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
St. Patrick's Day Run - March 12, 2010
For the first time ever, I did a short race for fun.
Author's Note: I was just going through my old posts and noticed this never got posted! So I'll finish it here, in the past tense.
It's been about a year since I did this race, and I will do it again this year, I am sincerely hoping!
Getting to the race, at a local high school was little problem. Parking was a bit more of one. Good thing I took the bus! But the energy once getting my racing kit was high, and the grey sky and drizzle didn't dampen anyone's spirits.
A running friend lent me a green tie with shamrocks all over it for an Irish flair. I still have it and will wear it again for this year's race. I consider it my medal for the race. :) Maybe I'll see her this year and be able to return it!
The race went well, but I decided that I really wanted to try for 5k in 30 minutes. I realized that I hadn't worked up my race pace enough and was pushing myself for it, and came in at 33m45s. Not too bad!
I also had a bit of incentive in this race. Later that day, I headed out to Petawawa to help celebrate my now-boyfriend's birthday and was able to regale them with the tale of my race.
Another way this race was fun: there is absolutely no competitive tone for this race, which encourages a lot of casual runners to join. I saw a lot of friends who were not usually runners in this race, and had a lot of fun comparing times and aches and pains later.
This year will mark one year of doing the St. Patrick's Day run and one year of dating my sweetie, who is encouraging and wonderful and a delight to run with!
Author's Note: I was just going through my old posts and noticed this never got posted! So I'll finish it here, in the past tense.
It's been about a year since I did this race, and I will do it again this year, I am sincerely hoping!
Getting to the race, at a local high school was little problem. Parking was a bit more of one. Good thing I took the bus! But the energy once getting my racing kit was high, and the grey sky and drizzle didn't dampen anyone's spirits.
A running friend lent me a green tie with shamrocks all over it for an Irish flair. I still have it and will wear it again for this year's race. I consider it my medal for the race. :) Maybe I'll see her this year and be able to return it!
The race went well, but I decided that I really wanted to try for 5k in 30 minutes. I realized that I hadn't worked up my race pace enough and was pushing myself for it, and came in at 33m45s. Not too bad!
I also had a bit of incentive in this race. Later that day, I headed out to Petawawa to help celebrate my now-boyfriend's birthday and was able to regale them with the tale of my race.
Another way this race was fun: there is absolutely no competitive tone for this race, which encourages a lot of casual runners to join. I saw a lot of friends who were not usually runners in this race, and had a lot of fun comparing times and aches and pains later.
This year will mark one year of doing the St. Patrick's Day run and one year of dating my sweetie, who is encouraging and wonderful and a delight to run with!
Skin in Winter Running
This is a short Public Service Announcement (think post-WWII social norms ads) on taking care of your skin while running in winter.
The subject stems from living in Canada, running in Canada's winter, and remembering a little too late that your skin needs more protection if you're going to run outside in said winter.
My problem admittedly started when I went home to Alberta for Christmas. I took my regular skin-care regime and didn't change it at all.
The thing I forgot was, Alberta's air is a lot dryer than Ontario air, and my skin wouldn't be as oily.
I noticed that the facial cleanser, Cetaphil's Oily Skin Cleanser, was actually hurting my face when I used it, and my moisturiser wasn't keeping up.
It was only after I hit New Brunswick to realize the problem. Duh. So I went out and bought a bar of Cetaphil's gentle cleanser (not a specialized facial one, just general) and used that, to help my skin rebalance.
This wasn't even from running in Alberta's air, just standing around in it.
Now I'm back in Ottawa, and subjecting my skin to around -7 to -15C temperatures, with windchills and humidity.
My usual regime needs a bit of updating. I may switch to Cetaphil's Sensitive Skin Cleanser, using a pump and a half of moisturizer, and using as much body lotion as I need. I also have the left-over gentle skin bar and may use it for the rest of me.
Key for taking care of your skin in the winter (running or not):
1. Don't be afraid to adjust your skin care routine. What worked in the summer won't necessarily work in the winter. Skin a bit dry? Try a gentler cleanser.
2. Don't over-exfoliate. You'll just irritate your skin unnecessarily.
3. Keep hydrated! Water keeps your skin healthy and looking good, and you need it for running anyway.
4. Change out of running clothes as soon as you can after a run. The cold clamminess of your clothes will leach heat from your body, and that can never be good for your skin.
5. Pat your skin dry.
6. Protect against hypothermia by covering your skin. Wear gloves, even if they're light fabric. Usually I can't stand to wear gloves while running but these days, it's just the right covering to keep my hands warm.
7. Don't forget about protecting your lips! Use a lip balm that won't dry out your lips (no alcohol), with a sunscreen in it.
8. Be sensible about temperature. If it's -25C or lower outside, find something else to stay fit, like a stationary bike, or pay for a day at the gym for a treadmill (if it's that temperature inside, pay your hydro bill!).
9. Some people can run with a scarf over their face, but I've never tried it. I have seen facial coverings to protect faces from frostbite. Give it a shot!
10. Even if you haven't had laser eye surgery, remember to hydrate your eyes too. I've noticed that my eyes get really dry on a run in the winter.
Those are my ten tips for protecting your skin while running in the winter, and I'm probably just touching the tip of the iceberg.
The subject stems from living in Canada, running in Canada's winter, and remembering a little too late that your skin needs more protection if you're going to run outside in said winter.
My problem admittedly started when I went home to Alberta for Christmas. I took my regular skin-care regime and didn't change it at all.
The thing I forgot was, Alberta's air is a lot dryer than Ontario air, and my skin wouldn't be as oily.
I noticed that the facial cleanser, Cetaphil's Oily Skin Cleanser, was actually hurting my face when I used it, and my moisturiser wasn't keeping up.
It was only after I hit New Brunswick to realize the problem. Duh. So I went out and bought a bar of Cetaphil's gentle cleanser (not a specialized facial one, just general) and used that, to help my skin rebalance.
This wasn't even from running in Alberta's air, just standing around in it.
Now I'm back in Ottawa, and subjecting my skin to around -7 to -15C temperatures, with windchills and humidity.
My usual regime needs a bit of updating. I may switch to Cetaphil's Sensitive Skin Cleanser, using a pump and a half of moisturizer, and using as much body lotion as I need. I also have the left-over gentle skin bar and may use it for the rest of me.
Key for taking care of your skin in the winter (running or not):
1. Don't be afraid to adjust your skin care routine. What worked in the summer won't necessarily work in the winter. Skin a bit dry? Try a gentler cleanser.
2. Don't over-exfoliate. You'll just irritate your skin unnecessarily.
3. Keep hydrated! Water keeps your skin healthy and looking good, and you need it for running anyway.
4. Change out of running clothes as soon as you can after a run. The cold clamminess of your clothes will leach heat from your body, and that can never be good for your skin.
5. Pat your skin dry.
6. Protect against hypothermia by covering your skin. Wear gloves, even if they're light fabric. Usually I can't stand to wear gloves while running but these days, it's just the right covering to keep my hands warm.
7. Don't forget about protecting your lips! Use a lip balm that won't dry out your lips (no alcohol), with a sunscreen in it.
8. Be sensible about temperature. If it's -25C or lower outside, find something else to stay fit, like a stationary bike, or pay for a day at the gym for a treadmill (if it's that temperature inside, pay your hydro bill!).
9. Some people can run with a scarf over their face, but I've never tried it. I have seen facial coverings to protect faces from frostbite. Give it a shot!
10. Even if you haven't had laser eye surgery, remember to hydrate your eyes too. I've noticed that my eyes get really dry on a run in the winter.
Those are my ten tips for protecting your skin while running in the winter, and I'm probably just touching the tip of the iceberg.
Woke up this morning...
Well, yesterday morning.
At 4:45 a.m. Thought, 'Dagnabbit, too early,' so I put my head back down for 30 minutes. Which became 75 minutes. At which point I woke up, cursed at the clock, and pondered running at lunch time.
Any sport will reasonably work some flexibility into its program (though I have heard of certain running coaches who are famous for NOT doing that, but then, I'm never going pro). I am famous (to myself) for allowing too much flexibility: I don't feel like running today, I can do it tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow...
This got me into trouble in my last half-marathon race. I didn't do enough of the work, and I ended 13 minutes later than I wanted to (though I still beat my personal best by 10 minutes!).
This time, I am buckling down. Just you watch me.
I had considered taking all my running stuff to work and going at lunchtime. Winter running gear can be cumbersome though, and it wouldn't all fit into my little gym bag! So I scrapped that plan, and decided to wait for the evening.
As previously mentioned, it's hard for me to get up and running when I get home from work. I leave after an eight-hour day (or longer), wait in the cold for the stupid bus that never seems to show on time (10-20 minutes late), trudge from bus stop to home and unwrap from winter clothes into the luxurious heat of my shared townhouse. Who would want to go back into the cold after that?
Last night, I had one thing that changed my mind: my favourite MST3K channel was showing a movie that makes even me groan and wait for the sweet, blissful end, Laserblast. Some movies, you can watch to see how bad they get, some you turn off in sheer disgust. This one chased me out of the house and into the cold to do my run. Well done, Laserblast, well done.
I took off without my Yaktrax on, believing most of my fellow suburbanites would be so kind as to shovel their sidewalks for young, industrial runners like myself. I was only half right, but as they say all too often, c'est la vie!
Also of note, I forgot to turn my Garmin on for the first kilometer. Admittedly, I already had my headphones going (not advised for evening running, though I feel safe in my neighbourhood) and didn't hear the starting beep as I pressed the button. Sometimes, my Garmin Forerunner 305 needs a bit of button-pushing emphasis to get it going.
My run ended pretty well, so I decided to go for all-you-can-eat sushi. That turned into another nightmare of waiting over an hour for our first order, but that's another story.
At 4:45 a.m. Thought, 'Dagnabbit, too early,' so I put my head back down for 30 minutes. Which became 75 minutes. At which point I woke up, cursed at the clock, and pondered running at lunch time.
Any sport will reasonably work some flexibility into its program (though I have heard of certain running coaches who are famous for NOT doing that, but then, I'm never going pro). I am famous (to myself) for allowing too much flexibility: I don't feel like running today, I can do it tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow...
This got me into trouble in my last half-marathon race. I didn't do enough of the work, and I ended 13 minutes later than I wanted to (though I still beat my personal best by 10 minutes!).
This time, I am buckling down. Just you watch me.
I had considered taking all my running stuff to work and going at lunchtime. Winter running gear can be cumbersome though, and it wouldn't all fit into my little gym bag! So I scrapped that plan, and decided to wait for the evening.
As previously mentioned, it's hard for me to get up and running when I get home from work. I leave after an eight-hour day (or longer), wait in the cold for the stupid bus that never seems to show on time (10-20 minutes late), trudge from bus stop to home and unwrap from winter clothes into the luxurious heat of my shared townhouse. Who would want to go back into the cold after that?
Last night, I had one thing that changed my mind: my favourite MST3K channel was showing a movie that makes even me groan and wait for the sweet, blissful end, Laserblast. Some movies, you can watch to see how bad they get, some you turn off in sheer disgust. This one chased me out of the house and into the cold to do my run. Well done, Laserblast, well done.
I took off without my Yaktrax on, believing most of my fellow suburbanites would be so kind as to shovel their sidewalks for young, industrial runners like myself. I was only half right, but as they say all too often, c'est la vie!
Also of note, I forgot to turn my Garmin on for the first kilometer. Admittedly, I already had my headphones going (not advised for evening running, though I feel safe in my neighbourhood) and didn't hear the starting beep as I pressed the button. Sometimes, my Garmin Forerunner 305 needs a bit of button-pushing emphasis to get it going.
My run ended pretty well, so I decided to go for all-you-can-eat sushi. That turned into another nightmare of waiting over an hour for our first order, but that's another story.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
To the Grind
I started running with the Running Room again last night. I joined the 10K group about a week in, and did the 6k planned last night.
As I knew, and anyone with common sense would know, jumping back in from my previous gleeful status of 'running once in a while' to 6k is bound to leave some ouchie.
That was my thighs and knees today. They didn't hurt quite as much as I expected, but a chance conversation with a friend who's recovering from a knee injury reminded me to buy new ice packs.
Tomorrow's plan is for 3k. I'm going to (try to) get up early in the morning to do it then - a little solidarity with my sweetie who has to be up at 4 a.m. for work.
As I last wrote, I want to plan a bit more on the idea of an exit strategy to this 10k group, which will end March 12. It is thus: run with the half-marathoners. C'est easy, non?
I will slide in with the half-marathon group and continue my training that way.
When I hit that point, then, I'll have to decide what to do next. Probably just sign up for the group and the next race again.
As I knew, and anyone with common sense would know, jumping back in from my previous gleeful status of 'running once in a while' to 6k is bound to leave some ouchie.
That was my thighs and knees today. They didn't hurt quite as much as I expected, but a chance conversation with a friend who's recovering from a knee injury reminded me to buy new ice packs.
Tomorrow's plan is for 3k. I'm going to (try to) get up early in the morning to do it then - a little solidarity with my sweetie who has to be up at 4 a.m. for work.
As I last wrote, I want to plan a bit more on the idea of an exit strategy to this 10k group, which will end March 12. It is thus: run with the half-marathoners. C'est easy, non?
I will slide in with the half-marathon group and continue my training that way.
When I hit that point, then, I'll have to decide what to do next. Probably just sign up for the group and the next race again.
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