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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)