Today's weather was a gloriously sunny 13C. Despite an energy crash at around 2:30, I was so excited to get out there and run that I spent a few minutes texting my boyfriend, and then headed out.
It was so lovely that I kept breaking pace. You'd think I'd slow down to appreciate it more. I did slow down more than Tuesday's run, where it was cold and cloudy so I was pushing 5:15 just to get it done and over with. Not sustainable!
However, I think it's really a good time to look at new shoes, because almost on schedule, my knees are starting to hurt early in my run.
The problem is, how do I go about finding the right shoe? The Ghost 4 has apparently incorporated the technology that the Glycerin 7 adopted which led to disastrous and expensive results - did I never finish that story? Long story short, I took those 7s out and ran on them and it turned out that the pressure spots were in exactly the right places to cause me a lot of pain. Anyways, it's back to the Running Room for me. Thankfully, tomorrow is payday.
The plan for this weekend is 12k with the Running Room and then off to brunch with my mother. Getting 'er done, one run at a time.
Showing posts with label gear. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gear. Show all posts
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Suburban Running
My excuse for not having run or written for the past two weeks is because I was moving. Most of my time was (supposed to be) taken up by packing and cleaning.
I took my first run in my new area today, a suburban part of Ottawa. It was quite a nice run, an slow and easy 3k around the block. I started up one road, and saw a cross street and thought, "Hey, doesn't that loop around?"
Jumping on to that street, I saw a number of other walkers, some lovely houses (I admit, I'm window-house hunting, where you see a house you like and admire, but don't go in to purchase), and after the turn back, I came across... a barn! There's a red barn and a little farmhouse right in the middle of suburbia!
I want to go knock on the owners' door one day and say, "Good on you, keeping this land and your barn!" I'm sure they were under a lot of pressure to sell. The barn looks like it's in reasonably good shape, but I didn't smell any animals. We don't want to offend the delicate sensibilities of suburbanites, now, do we?
In other news, the shoes were still working great, and my knees, though stiff, were responding well by the end of the trek.
I took my first run in my new area today, a suburban part of Ottawa. It was quite a nice run, an slow and easy 3k around the block. I started up one road, and saw a cross street and thought, "Hey, doesn't that loop around?"
Jumping on to that street, I saw a number of other walkers, some lovely houses (I admit, I'm window-house hunting, where you see a house you like and admire, but don't go in to purchase), and after the turn back, I came across... a barn! There's a red barn and a little farmhouse right in the middle of suburbia!
I want to go knock on the owners' door one day and say, "Good on you, keeping this land and your barn!" I'm sure they were under a lot of pressure to sell. The barn looks like it's in reasonably good shape, but I didn't smell any animals. We don't want to offend the delicate sensibilities of suburbanites, now, do we?
In other news, the shoes were still working great, and my knees, though stiff, were responding well by the end of the trek.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Running in the Hometown
I'm back in Alberta this week. As always, running in the drier climate, with more packed snow is frustrating.
I went for a brief run with my sister yesterday; my first since I'd landed on Monday. While I had no fear that she was faster than me, I was worried by a few things.
First, the air is drier in Alberta than in Ontario, and thinner because of elevation. That means less oxygen getting to my muscles, and a constant thirst.
Also, the snow packed on the sidewalks made running more of an effort, because I would start to slip a little as I pulled my foot from the pave... er, snow. That means more effort expended in balance as well.
Lastly, my shoes were reaching their replace-by date, as I have had them since before my race in September. I had kept them going this long because Alberta has 0% provincial sales tax (PST), so the only tax was the 5% goods and sales tax, as opposed to Ontario, where the PST is 7%. In any case, I was definitely feeling my legs and knees ache for the past few runs, and decided it was time for a new pair.
Remember: Even if you aren't using your running shoes, the foam in them will degrade over time, so storing them for years in a closet will not keep them fresh and new!
So I stopped by the local Running Room this morning and got a new pair. I found a pair of Glycerin 6! The Glycerin 6 was my first pair of running shoes, and when I bumped up to a Glycerin 7, I learned a harsh and expensive lesson about using new shoes on a treadmill first.
Today, my sister and I will be going to the new fitness centre in our hometown to try out these new shoes, and hopefully not make the mistake I made the first time 'round.
I am lucky that I came home during a week of relatively nice weather; the forecast hovers around a high of 0C. Apparently the day after I leave, the mercury drops dramatically. Lucky me!
In other news, I am signed up for the St. Patrick's Day 5k run on March 13. It sounds like a fun run to do, as there are prizes for best costume, dry-fit shirts, and I know someone else who is running that race. It's about two kilometers longer than I'm supposed to run that day, but it's all in good fun.
I went for a brief run with my sister yesterday; my first since I'd landed on Monday. While I had no fear that she was faster than me, I was worried by a few things.
First, the air is drier in Alberta than in Ontario, and thinner because of elevation. That means less oxygen getting to my muscles, and a constant thirst.
Also, the snow packed on the sidewalks made running more of an effort, because I would start to slip a little as I pulled my foot from the pave... er, snow. That means more effort expended in balance as well.
Lastly, my shoes were reaching their replace-by date, as I have had them since before my race in September. I had kept them going this long because Alberta has 0% provincial sales tax (PST), so the only tax was the 5% goods and sales tax, as opposed to Ontario, where the PST is 7%. In any case, I was definitely feeling my legs and knees ache for the past few runs, and decided it was time for a new pair.
Remember: Even if you aren't using your running shoes, the foam in them will degrade over time, so storing them for years in a closet will not keep them fresh and new!
So I stopped by the local Running Room this morning and got a new pair. I found a pair of Glycerin 6! The Glycerin 6 was my first pair of running shoes, and when I bumped up to a Glycerin 7, I learned a harsh and expensive lesson about using new shoes on a treadmill first.
Today, my sister and I will be going to the new fitness centre in our hometown to try out these new shoes, and hopefully not make the mistake I made the first time 'round.
I am lucky that I came home during a week of relatively nice weather; the forecast hovers around a high of 0C. Apparently the day after I leave, the mercury drops dramatically. Lucky me!
In other news, I am signed up for the St. Patrick's Day 5k run on March 13. It sounds like a fun run to do, as there are prizes for best costume, dry-fit shirts, and I know someone else who is running that race. It's about two kilometers longer than I'm supposed to run that day, but it's all in good fun.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Yay for the Running Room!
I would like to thank the people of the Bank St. Running Room store for caring for my Garmin watch while it was missing. They hid it from prying eyes, asked who it might belong to, and cosseted it while it was alone.
Long story short, I thought I'd put my Garmin watch in my bag three weeks ago, when I apparently hadn't. The Running Room staff found it, and put out the word that a precious (and runners consider their running watches very precious) Garmin watch was missing its owner, and they couldn't understand why the owner hadn't claimed it in three weeks! However, most of my running had been indoors, and I figured it was somewhere around the house (as I usually do). Fortunately, my Garmin and I are gladly reunited, and I won't have to spend $200 in Alberta for a new one!
The run today was a long, slow 7k of wondering if I was going to finish the route. My legs were tight, and it was -14C, with a windchill to -20C, so I bundled up in four layers: a skin-tight layer, my long-sleeve half-marathon wicking shirt (for inspiration), my 'warm' layer, and the wind-breaking coat. It did the job of keeping me temperate, but I was concerned when the wind would pick up and I'd feel the chill through my entire body.
On bottom, I wore my usual outdoor running pants, but I have found that all of my regular running socks don't cover my ankles, leaving a gap where cold wind can blow and freeze my skin.
So in light of the deficiencies in my garb, I have gone and spent another sheaf of money at the Running Room, investing in a warmer winter mid-layer which can double as an early spring/late fall layer, a pair of socks that cover my ankles, and a cute pair of evaporating running gloves. All ready to hit the roads in Alberta when I go home next week!
I have discovered a slight issue with SparkPeople's nutrition and fitness plan: if I were to try and follow it while training for a half-marathon, I would fall over in exhaustion. The problem is that runners need to consume a lot more calories than SparkPeople is advising. I am thinking that I will consider the SP advice on days that I am not running, and use good sense on the days that I am.
However, tonight's meal regime is a bust: it's Superbowl night.
Long story short, I thought I'd put my Garmin watch in my bag three weeks ago, when I apparently hadn't. The Running Room staff found it, and put out the word that a precious (and runners consider their running watches very precious) Garmin watch was missing its owner, and they couldn't understand why the owner hadn't claimed it in three weeks! However, most of my running had been indoors, and I figured it was somewhere around the house (as I usually do). Fortunately, my Garmin and I are gladly reunited, and I won't have to spend $200 in Alberta for a new one!
The run today was a long, slow 7k of wondering if I was going to finish the route. My legs were tight, and it was -14C, with a windchill to -20C, so I bundled up in four layers: a skin-tight layer, my long-sleeve half-marathon wicking shirt (for inspiration), my 'warm' layer, and the wind-breaking coat. It did the job of keeping me temperate, but I was concerned when the wind would pick up and I'd feel the chill through my entire body.
On bottom, I wore my usual outdoor running pants, but I have found that all of my regular running socks don't cover my ankles, leaving a gap where cold wind can blow and freeze my skin.
So in light of the deficiencies in my garb, I have gone and spent another sheaf of money at the Running Room, investing in a warmer winter mid-layer which can double as an early spring/late fall layer, a pair of socks that cover my ankles, and a cute pair of evaporating running gloves. All ready to hit the roads in Alberta when I go home next week!
I have discovered a slight issue with SparkPeople's nutrition and fitness plan: if I were to try and follow it while training for a half-marathon, I would fall over in exhaustion. The problem is that runners need to consume a lot more calories than SparkPeople is advising. I am thinking that I will consider the SP advice on days that I am not running, and use good sense on the days that I am.
However, tonight's meal regime is a bust: it's Superbowl night.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Post-Half-Marathon
In celebration of finishing the half-marathon in a standing position, I will dispense of some wisdom I have learned:
- Don't stop training two weeks before the half. The distance you haven't run is where your body will file for divorce.
- Have friends at the end-line. Nothing beats that feeling.
- Stay in hotels with treadmills. You may hate them, but you won't need your Garmin to GPS your ass home
- After the race, eat whatever the hell you want. That's part of the reward.
- Even if there's no race on the horizon, think ahead. For me, it's likely the marathon (though I said I wouldn't, apparently I'm going to anyway).
- Remember the feeling of crossing that finish line. It will help you cross many more.
- Tell everyone your next race.
- Take one day of rest or easy exercise per every mile (not kilometer) run. I've exhausted my 13 days, so it's back to the grind.
- Really, really, really, do not use your new shoes outside. I have spent $300 on new shoes in the past three months. Two pairs. Glycerin 7s didn't work out.
- Don't be bashful when people say you're looking good or that you've lost weight. You have, even if the scale is lying to you.
- Keep writing your damn blog because it will at least keep your mind on running.
My new challenge will be getting back into cold weather running - I knew I said I love it, prefer it over hot weather running... but we'll see. Almost time to break out the YakTrax!
Oh, and fall-weather running? Blows.
- Don't stop training two weeks before the half. The distance you haven't run is where your body will file for divorce.
- Have friends at the end-line. Nothing beats that feeling.
- Stay in hotels with treadmills. You may hate them, but you won't need your Garmin to GPS your ass home
- After the race, eat whatever the hell you want. That's part of the reward.
- Even if there's no race on the horizon, think ahead. For me, it's likely the marathon (though I said I wouldn't, apparently I'm going to anyway).
- Remember the feeling of crossing that finish line. It will help you cross many more.
- Tell everyone your next race.
- Take one day of rest or easy exercise per every mile (not kilometer) run. I've exhausted my 13 days, so it's back to the grind.
- Really, really, really, do not use your new shoes outside. I have spent $300 on new shoes in the past three months. Two pairs. Glycerin 7s didn't work out.
- Don't be bashful when people say you're looking good or that you've lost weight. You have, even if the scale is lying to you.
- Keep writing your damn blog because it will at least keep your mind on running.
My new challenge will be getting back into cold weather running - I knew I said I love it, prefer it over hot weather running... but we'll see. Almost time to break out the YakTrax!
Oh, and fall-weather running? Blows.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Hot Weather Running
I may have mentioned how much I hate hot weather running. It turns out, I'm a little off. I hate hot, humid weather running. Sadly, in Ottawa, there is a lot of hot and humid.
The keys to running in hot and humid weather are:
1. Hydration: This can never be stressed enough. What I didn't figure out for a long time is that hydration takes a matter of days, not hours. To be properly hydrated for a run, you should really start the week before. Eight cups of water are the usual suggestion, but for runners in this weather, it should be a lot more!
2. Being sensible: Even the hardiest of marathon runners are trimming back their runs today. The Running Room group was to do 32km, but most of them stopped around 27. Myself, I was glad to do only 12km.
3. Knowing when to stop: Running in this weather is really hard on your body. Never mind the hydration, it's plain hard to do. I have heard that running in this heat is twice the effort as running on a pleasant day. So if your body is saying stop, if your calves are cramping and your vision is wavering, and you can't seem to run in a straight line, for Pete's sake, stop! The harm you will do to yourself far outweighs any benefit you could gain.
In other news, I have obtained my new shoes! I stayed with the Brooks Glycerin 7 because I had no issue with my first pair, and it was like running on a supportive marshmallow. And it seems not only do I get to run happily, I'm being environmentally supportive too - Brooks has introduced BioMoGo, to aid in the breakdown of the shoe when I send them to the Golden Shoe Closet in the sky. As long as they don't start breaking down early, I think I'm happy with that addition.
Lastly, I have signed up for two new races:
1. The U.S. 10K Classic, in Atlanta, Georgia. I'm in town Labour Day weekend anyways, so why not?
2. Run for the Cure, Ottawa, a gentle 5K in support of research on breast cancer on October 4. I figure it'll be a nice move back into running after the Army Half-Marathon! (if you'd like to donate, look me up on the website)
Go me!
The keys to running in hot and humid weather are:
1. Hydration: This can never be stressed enough. What I didn't figure out for a long time is that hydration takes a matter of days, not hours. To be properly hydrated for a run, you should really start the week before. Eight cups of water are the usual suggestion, but for runners in this weather, it should be a lot more!
2. Being sensible: Even the hardiest of marathon runners are trimming back their runs today. The Running Room group was to do 32km, but most of them stopped around 27. Myself, I was glad to do only 12km.
3. Knowing when to stop: Running in this weather is really hard on your body. Never mind the hydration, it's plain hard to do. I have heard that running in this heat is twice the effort as running on a pleasant day. So if your body is saying stop, if your calves are cramping and your vision is wavering, and you can't seem to run in a straight line, for Pete's sake, stop! The harm you will do to yourself far outweighs any benefit you could gain.
In other news, I have obtained my new shoes! I stayed with the Brooks Glycerin 7 because I had no issue with my first pair, and it was like running on a supportive marshmallow. And it seems not only do I get to run happily, I'm being environmentally supportive too - Brooks has introduced BioMoGo, to aid in the breakdown of the shoe when I send them to the Golden Shoe Closet in the sky. As long as they don't start breaking down early, I think I'm happy with that addition.
Lastly, I have signed up for two new races:
1. The U.S. 10K Classic, in Atlanta, Georgia. I'm in town Labour Day weekend anyways, so why not?
2. Run for the Cure, Ottawa, a gentle 5K in support of research on breast cancer on October 4. I figure it'll be a nice move back into running after the Army Half-Marathon! (if you'd like to donate, look me up on the website)
Go me!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Post-Run
I went out with the Running Room Group (not the same as the clinic - the group is free), and found it very enjoyable. I think it's a great way to challenge my running pace and to meet and converse with new people.
When we took off, I started chatting with a woman who turns out to be an experienced runner. We chatted about running, the weather, careers, and even the bus strike. Turns out we share opinions on the Union and the City. It was a great run.
Something to bear in mind, though: when you are going for a cool-weather run where your end point is not home, take a warm coat with you.
The temperature gods said it was -2 with a -8 windchill. Hah, I said upon leaving, I will layer up in running clothes and be fine. Which I was, until I arrived at the store. By that time, I had realized I would have to lose one layer (of five, admittedly) to run comfortably.
The wind was quite cold and piercing, so I knew I couldn't take off my wind-breaker, so I took off the t-shirt, and left it at the store. The run was fine, I sweated like usual, and like usual, the sweat got trapped by the wind-breaker.
I arrived back at the store, a bit chilled, and upon putting my t-shirt on again, I realized that I would have to get home in damp, cold clothes that would do nothing to trap heat in, like it had on the walk there.
I know from working with horses that, if you have a damp horse, you never leave them to 'dry off' naturally. Horses, and you, lose a lot of heat, and then energy, when you are wet and cold. Always put a warm, dry coat (or blanket, in the case of a horse). The Running Room has a room downstairs where you can leave your coat while you run.
I certainly wish I had.
When we took off, I started chatting with a woman who turns out to be an experienced runner. We chatted about running, the weather, careers, and even the bus strike. Turns out we share opinions on the Union and the City. It was a great run.
Something to bear in mind, though: when you are going for a cool-weather run where your end point is not home, take a warm coat with you.
The temperature gods said it was -2 with a -8 windchill. Hah, I said upon leaving, I will layer up in running clothes and be fine. Which I was, until I arrived at the store. By that time, I had realized I would have to lose one layer (of five, admittedly) to run comfortably.
The wind was quite cold and piercing, so I knew I couldn't take off my wind-breaker, so I took off the t-shirt, and left it at the store. The run was fine, I sweated like usual, and like usual, the sweat got trapped by the wind-breaker.
I arrived back at the store, a bit chilled, and upon putting my t-shirt on again, I realized that I would have to get home in damp, cold clothes that would do nothing to trap heat in, like it had on the walk there.
I know from working with horses that, if you have a damp horse, you never leave them to 'dry off' naturally. Horses, and you, lose a lot of heat, and then energy, when you are wet and cold. Always put a warm, dry coat (or blanket, in the case of a horse). The Running Room has a room downstairs where you can leave your coat while you run.
I certainly wish I had.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Running, Week Two
So I've been doing this crazy 'running' thing for a week. A whole week. That's a long time... in ant years.
The weird thing is, I'm loving it. I was really enjoying the run today. I'm up to 3 minutes run, 1 minute walk, and I am eating this stuff up! My legs aren't tired or sore right now, and I find I end the night with a rousing 36 crunches and other stretches.
Today's run took me down a slightly different path. I was running along the river, a flattened path of snow. It was a good run, but I was glad to be wearing my red jacket; the path was pretty dark, and I felt a bit nervous seeing other people on the path - who are they? What if they're muggers, looking for a naïve jogger like myself to harm? What if I slip and fall and knock myself out? What if, what if, what if.
Anyways, apart from my fears, I'm doing fine. By the end of the week, this will be a breeze, and I'll be ready for the next challenge.
I'm slowly trying to modify my diet, too. Tonight was baked chicken, boiled baby potatoes with a sprinkle of salt, and veggies. No butter, no oils (though oils are healthy!), nothing naughty. Hopefully this will make up for my morning breakfast of a fried egg-and-cheese sandwich (on brown toast, no butter!) and coffee.
Gear-wise, I'm happy with everything but the heart-rate monitor. In the sad case of this one, simple means stupid. I can't switch from the monitor back to the timer, there's no discernible stopwatch, and I highly doubt there's any nightlight that I can operate without screwing something up. I challenge Polar to make it better!
The weather is supposed to be going up this week, which has me all a-squee. I won't have to wear long-johns under my pants! Which reminds me of my next topic - layering is everything, and you can run in -20C weather if you're dressed right.
If I can, anyone can!
The weird thing is, I'm loving it. I was really enjoying the run today. I'm up to 3 minutes run, 1 minute walk, and I am eating this stuff up! My legs aren't tired or sore right now, and I find I end the night with a rousing 36 crunches and other stretches.
Today's run took me down a slightly different path. I was running along the river, a flattened path of snow. It was a good run, but I was glad to be wearing my red jacket; the path was pretty dark, and I felt a bit nervous seeing other people on the path - who are they? What if they're muggers, looking for a naïve jogger like myself to harm? What if I slip and fall and knock myself out? What if, what if, what if.
Anyways, apart from my fears, I'm doing fine. By the end of the week, this will be a breeze, and I'll be ready for the next challenge.
I'm slowly trying to modify my diet, too. Tonight was baked chicken, boiled baby potatoes with a sprinkle of salt, and veggies. No butter, no oils (though oils are healthy!), nothing naughty. Hopefully this will make up for my morning breakfast of a fried egg-and-cheese sandwich (on brown toast, no butter!) and coffee.
Gear-wise, I'm happy with everything but the heart-rate monitor. In the sad case of this one, simple means stupid. I can't switch from the monitor back to the timer, there's no discernible stopwatch, and I highly doubt there's any nightlight that I can operate without screwing something up. I challenge Polar to make it better!
The weather is supposed to be going up this week, which has me all a-squee. I won't have to wear long-johns under my pants! Which reminds me of my next topic - layering is everything, and you can run in -20C weather if you're dressed right.
If I can, anyone can!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Running in a New City
I have found a new, novel use for Yaktrax: if you are running in a new city, with lots of twists and turns, you can follow your yaktrax tracks back to your origin.
I am in Trois-Rivières this weekend, to watch my sister box. A lot of people seem... maybe not awed, but approving of my declared intention to run 10K. Coming from a boxing community, where a lot of their cardio is gained from running, this feels like a pat on the back.
I went out for a run this morning. The weather was a cool -15C with windchill to about -25C. After a few minutes of running, of course, I didn't feel the cold much anymore. I had my tunes going, I was out adventuring a new city, and I was running through a nagging tension in my left calf (an old issue, which I will explain when I remember exactly what it is).
I felt slightly plateau-ey. I didn't have quite as much fun as last time, but I'm aware that you have some good days, and some bad days, and hopefully it averages out to the good side.
This run would be classified as 'average'. There were a few times that I over-ran the clock (I'm still on the 2m run, 1m walk), so I think moving to the next week will be reasonably easy to follow through on.
I almost got lost, too! Fortunately, I headed back the way I came and then found my old Yaktrax marks in the scraped snow, thus saving me from an ignominious, chilly death.
However, I think I got a bit of frost bite on my face. Gotta be careful with that!
In other news, I think I like running in winter. I must be crazy.
I am in Trois-Rivières this weekend, to watch my sister box. A lot of people seem... maybe not awed, but approving of my declared intention to run 10K. Coming from a boxing community, where a lot of their cardio is gained from running, this feels like a pat on the back.
I went out for a run this morning. The weather was a cool -15C with windchill to about -25C. After a few minutes of running, of course, I didn't feel the cold much anymore. I had my tunes going, I was out adventuring a new city, and I was running through a nagging tension in my left calf (an old issue, which I will explain when I remember exactly what it is).
I felt slightly plateau-ey. I didn't have quite as much fun as last time, but I'm aware that you have some good days, and some bad days, and hopefully it averages out to the good side.
This run would be classified as 'average'. There were a few times that I over-ran the clock (I'm still on the 2m run, 1m walk), so I think moving to the next week will be reasonably easy to follow through on.
I almost got lost, too! Fortunately, I headed back the way I came and then found my old Yaktrax marks in the scraped snow, thus saving me from an ignominious, chilly death.
However, I think I got a bit of frost bite on my face. Gotta be careful with that!
In other news, I think I like running in winter. I must be crazy.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Running with Yax
I promised myself I wasn't going to do this to my bank account for a few more weeks, but I have. And I don't regret it. I bought a new pair of running shoes.
The rule of thumb is that you should replace running shoes every 6 to 8 months, or every 1000 km.
My old shoes are about two years old now, and when I took them to the Running Room guy, he said that, while they'd be good for puttering or walking about in, they were not suitable for running. He then showed me the side of my shoe, down by the bottom, where some creases were showing. Apparently, there is foam, like an Aero bar, in there, and the creases indicate that the foam is no longer springing back as it should. How educational!
So I broke down and got a new pair of shoes. Lovely Brooks shoes, the first ones on that I tried, and they're so comfortable. I don't even need to put my Superfeet insoles in them!
I also got a pair of Yaktrax ice-grippers. My hesitation in buying them lay in whether they would grip the slush that coats the sidewalks as well as snow and ice, but the salesguy assured me it wouldn't be a problem.
I would like to take a moment to mention - the Running Room sales people, and so far all running-equipment salespeople, are priceless. I was asking all sorts of newbie questions: what's a clinic like? It's more than one lesson for $75? Do you have any coming up for the 10K? and the guy answered them all patiently and thoroughly. He also gave me times when he would be less busy, and thusly be more able to answer any more questions I had.
Then, equipped with these things (and a price around $200! yikes!), I got home and went out immediately for a run.
I layered up - old long-johns underneath my lined running pants on bottom, a skin layer, long-johns top, my hooded top, and my wind-breaker on top. I was toasty as a marshmallow, lemme tell ya, but not too toasty. For this weather, it was great! I was doing one minute walk, two minutes run, rinse and repeat, and I can really say I felt great doing it. A couple of times at the end of the runs, I felt like continuing, and a couple of times, I felt like a walk was necessary, but it felt great!
The Yaktrax were a good addition - while they didn't keep me from slipping on every surface, they did a good job with the slush. The one problem was when they got bogged up with snow. Stomping on my heel did the trick to loosen the snow.
Anyways, I have a guest coming over for dinner (a healthy baked salmon with wild rice and broccoli with a not-as-healthy cheese sauce), and I've got tons of cleaning to do.
Later, what motivates me, and others.
The rule of thumb is that you should replace running shoes every 6 to 8 months, or every 1000 km.
My old shoes are about two years old now, and when I took them to the Running Room guy, he said that, while they'd be good for puttering or walking about in, they were not suitable for running. He then showed me the side of my shoe, down by the bottom, where some creases were showing. Apparently, there is foam, like an Aero bar, in there, and the creases indicate that the foam is no longer springing back as it should. How educational!
So I broke down and got a new pair of shoes. Lovely Brooks shoes, the first ones on that I tried, and they're so comfortable. I don't even need to put my Superfeet insoles in them!
I also got a pair of Yaktrax ice-grippers. My hesitation in buying them lay in whether they would grip the slush that coats the sidewalks as well as snow and ice, but the salesguy assured me it wouldn't be a problem.
I would like to take a moment to mention - the Running Room sales people, and so far all running-equipment salespeople, are priceless. I was asking all sorts of newbie questions: what's a clinic like? It's more than one lesson for $75? Do you have any coming up for the 10K? and the guy answered them all patiently and thoroughly. He also gave me times when he would be less busy, and thusly be more able to answer any more questions I had.
Then, equipped with these things (and a price around $200! yikes!), I got home and went out immediately for a run.
I layered up - old long-johns underneath my lined running pants on bottom, a skin layer, long-johns top, my hooded top, and my wind-breaker on top. I was toasty as a marshmallow, lemme tell ya, but not too toasty. For this weather, it was great! I was doing one minute walk, two minutes run, rinse and repeat, and I can really say I felt great doing it. A couple of times at the end of the runs, I felt like continuing, and a couple of times, I felt like a walk was necessary, but it felt great!
The Yaktrax were a good addition - while they didn't keep me from slipping on every surface, they did a good job with the slush. The one problem was when they got bogged up with snow. Stomping on my heel did the trick to loosen the snow.
Anyways, I have a guest coming over for dinner (a healthy baked salmon with wild rice and broccoli with a not-as-healthy cheese sauce), and I've got tons of cleaning to do.
Later, what motivates me, and others.
Monday, January 19, 2009
The First Run
I woke up this morning, and knew today would be the day. Today would be the first leg of my journey into jogging. And then I hit the snooze button.
When I did emerge from my warm cocoon of blankets and linens, I pondered how I would pull this off. I had to walk to work, so what would I do with my coat? What would I wear on the way to work? How would I get it home?
Fortunately, I'd thought about this. I decided to layer my heavy fall coat over my wind-repellent spring coat. At the end of the day, I would leave it at work, and bring my heavier coat in tomorrow, bringing both home that night.
Shirts were easy to fit into my back pack, and I wore my running pants under my work pants. I could fit my work outfit into my backpack on the way home.
In the end, everything worked out, but I have discovered my first hatred of running. Worse than the ache in my knee, worse than people in my way (though that was quite irritating), it's the slush. The slippy, slidy, uncertain footing of snow that's been ground in with salt, and the city hasn't had time to clean it yet. There are these things called Yaktrax that fit around your shoe to prevent slipping on ice - but what about mushy snow? There's also STABILicers, which have the same set-up, but they seem heavier-duty, like baseball cleats. However, with all the salt that's spread on Ottawa's streets, something that serious seems unnecessary.
Anyways, the run itself was interesting - I couldn't figure out how to get my stopwatch sorted out, so I ran according to my heart-beat. I would run until my heartbeat was way above the MHR, then walk until it had dropped to about 150 bpm. I think the continuous surpassing of 160 bpm is due to both lack of fitness and the slushy roads - keeping on my feet required a lot more effort than it should!
The weather was decently warm - when I left, it was -10C and the windchill was 'calm'. However, the snow - what a pain!
I'm not too happy with how I felt during the run - I needed to stretch out more, but after a while, the threat of seizing went away and it turned into a gentle tired feeling. I think with more practice, it will get better. I just really have to keep working on it.
Now, for my congratulatory dinner, I will be making a nice, hot curry.
When I did emerge from my warm cocoon of blankets and linens, I pondered how I would pull this off. I had to walk to work, so what would I do with my coat? What would I wear on the way to work? How would I get it home?
Fortunately, I'd thought about this. I decided to layer my heavy fall coat over my wind-repellent spring coat. At the end of the day, I would leave it at work, and bring my heavier coat in tomorrow, bringing both home that night.
Shirts were easy to fit into my back pack, and I wore my running pants under my work pants. I could fit my work outfit into my backpack on the way home.
In the end, everything worked out, but I have discovered my first hatred of running. Worse than the ache in my knee, worse than people in my way (though that was quite irritating), it's the slush. The slippy, slidy, uncertain footing of snow that's been ground in with salt, and the city hasn't had time to clean it yet. There are these things called Yaktrax that fit around your shoe to prevent slipping on ice - but what about mushy snow? There's also STABILicers, which have the same set-up, but they seem heavier-duty, like baseball cleats. However, with all the salt that's spread on Ottawa's streets, something that serious seems unnecessary.
Anyways, the run itself was interesting - I couldn't figure out how to get my stopwatch sorted out, so I ran according to my heart-beat. I would run until my heartbeat was way above the MHR, then walk until it had dropped to about 150 bpm. I think the continuous surpassing of 160 bpm is due to both lack of fitness and the slushy roads - keeping on my feet required a lot more effort than it should!
The weather was decently warm - when I left, it was -10C and the windchill was 'calm'. However, the snow - what a pain!
I'm not too happy with how I felt during the run - I needed to stretch out more, but after a while, the threat of seizing went away and it turned into a gentle tired feeling. I think with more practice, it will get better. I just really have to keep working on it.
Now, for my congratulatory dinner, I will be making a nice, hot curry.
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