Training Log Archive: AnvilIn the 31 days ending Aug 31, 2010:
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Tuesday Aug 31, 2010 #
5 PM
Running 1:38:57 [3] 16.82 km (5:53 / km) +320m 5:22 / km
shoes: 2010.2 Triumphs
Thomas Nipen Tribute again up on the mountain at a hefty 'feels like' 38.
I didn't get the memo it got this hot here. Tourism Canada has done a good job of hiding that little nugget.
A session that would make the Hobart oval ints group weep. 1,2,3,4,4,3,2,1 with 1 min rest on trails. Early ones uphill, then undulating, then more uphill then about 12 seconds of downhill towards the end. Then a fair whack of 30 sec on/off.
Tough.
I didn't get the memo it got this hot here. Tourism Canada has done a good job of hiding that little nugget.
A session that would make the Hobart oval ints group weep. 1,2,3,4,4,3,2,1 with 1 min rest on trails. Early ones uphill, then undulating, then more uphill then about 12 seconds of downhill towards the end. Then a fair whack of 30 sec on/off.
Tough.
Monday Aug 30, 2010 #
Note
weight:77.8kg
Was shocked to see that number. I was just over 80 before NAOCs and was expecting to see mid 80s after spending a month sitting on my arse and eating lots of crap on the road!
7 PM
Not Training hills 5:00 [2]
Week 3, Day 1 of push up challenge.
14-13-12-10 with 60 sec recovery
First 2 sets were knocked off with ease, then the lead/jelly effect kicked in and failure kicked in part way through the 3rd - had to do the 4th in 2 goes.
Just call me Anthony.
14-13-12-10 with 60 sec recovery
First 2 sets were knocked off with ease, then the lead/jelly effect kicked in and failure kicked in part way through the 3rd - had to do the 4th in 2 goes.
Just call me Anthony.
C • Haha 4
Sunday Aug 29, 2010 #
6 PM
Running tempo 40:51 7.64 km (5:21 / km) +250m 4:36 / km
shoes: 2010.2 Triumphs
Hot day, but had to head out again and investigate the Dundas Valley trails - I figure I'm not gonna learn the network until I run them solo.
2 laps of the Main Loop, second at tempo. 3.2km loop - 17:33, 15:08. Gonna have to do it again and get under 15 next time!
Goes to show how little I take in when letting others lead, it wasn't till the 2nd loop that we'd done a vast chunk of this loop the day before. Missed the K2 turn off both times.... by accident.
GLOF is gonna be wicked fun, if I had a complaint at Ottawa there wasn't many chances to really stride out and red line it in the forest.
For those back at home needing comparisons - Dundas Valley = Bendigo fast vs Ottawa = Littlechild Creek slow.
2 laps of the Main Loop, second at tempo. 3.2km loop - 17:33, 15:08. Gonna have to do it again and get under 15 next time!
Goes to show how little I take in when letting others lead, it wasn't till the 2nd loop that we'd done a vast chunk of this loop the day before. Missed the K2 turn off both times.... by accident.
GLOF is gonna be wicked fun, if I had a complaint at Ottawa there wasn't many chances to really stride out and red line it in the forest.
For those back at home needing comparisons - Dundas Valley = Bendigo fast vs Ottawa = Littlechild Creek slow.
Saturday Aug 28, 2010 #
8 AM
Running 1:39:37 [2] 14.6 km (6:49 / km) +685m 5:32 / km
shoes: 2010.2 Triumphs
Long run time wise, but only longerish distance with Stu, Dan and hammer.
Wicked trails, undulating but never steep (the famed K2 would be named K0.3 in Tassie or Vancouver).
Saw 2 waterfalls, so that means there's 98 to go. I wanted to drink the water, but apparently that's a bad idea.
Wicked trails, undulating but never steep (the famed K2 would be named K0.3 in Tassie or Vancouver).
Saw 2 waterfalls, so that means there's 98 to go. I wanted to drink the water, but apparently that's a bad idea.
Friday Aug 27, 2010 #
5 PM
Running 35:42 [2] 6.53 km (5:28 / km) +100m 5:05 / km
shoes: 2010.2 Triumphs
Short run to break in my new pair of shoes (since the last pair are somewhere in Michigan after I Ieft them on the roof of the car).
This was the loop I wanted to do on Wednesday, along Ginger Valley Trail and back through McMaster Uni. Went past the track (can anyone run there?) and the football stadiums complete with teams training (complete in their massive pansy protective wear) - was kinda cool, was like watching a lame football movie.
Felt OK, then swallowed a bug and had a toilet stop (these two events are not connected), then once I started up again I felt like a massive Anthony.
This was the loop I wanted to do on Wednesday, along Ginger Valley Trail and back through McMaster Uni. Went past the track (can anyone run there?) and the football stadiums complete with teams training (complete in their massive pansy protective wear) - was kinda cool, was like watching a lame football movie.
Felt OK, then swallowed a bug and had a toilet stop (these two events are not connected), then once I started up again I felt like a massive Anthony.
Thursday Aug 26, 2010 #
Note
Just had a good read of the 'Forbidden Features at COC Long' thread.
Some of the posts in there make me want to stick my finger through my eye, into my brain and wiggle it about.
Some of the posts in there make me want to stick my finger through my eye, into my brain and wiggle it about.
5 PM
Running 1:00:01 [3] 10.44 km (5:45 / km) +270m 5:06 / km
shoes: La Sportiva Cross Lite
Allegedly there's another TNT Thursdays, I turn up at the same place and time but see no one familiar.
Wait a bit, decide these guys are all talk, so just do three loops of an undulating trail we use to warm up on on Tuesday.
Did the undulating, technical track at tempo and cruised the graded 'radial' track. Felt better on each one and quite good on the way back - I think this is going to be a good year!
Wait a bit, decide these guys are all talk, so just do three loops of an undulating trail we use to warm up on on Tuesday.
Did the undulating, technical track at tempo and cruised the graded 'radial' track. Felt better on each one and quite good on the way back - I think this is going to be a good year!
9 PM
Core & Strength 1:00 [1]
Since the 100 pushup challenge seems to have died down on AP, time for me to start (and I finally have a place to do them in)
Just the test for tonight, a lowly 15, which unfortunately just slots me into 'average' and I have to start in week 3.
Just the test for tonight, a lowly 15, which unfortunately just slots me into 'average' and I have to start in week 3.
C • ? 7
Wednesday Aug 25, 2010 #
6 PM
Running 25:38 [2] 4.33 km (5:55 / km) +70m 5:29 / km
shoes: La Sportiva Cross Lite
Very easy jog exploring the trails round my new hood.
As usual on an exploratory run it didn't go as planned, but my legs were too wrecked from yesterday to do much more. Also picked up a blister thanks to the crappy Summer Survival socks - into the bin for them!
As usual on an exploratory run it didn't go as planned, but my legs were too wrecked from yesterday to do much more. Also picked up a blister thanks to the crappy Summer Survival socks - into the bin for them!
Tuesday Aug 24, 2010 #
5 PM
Running 1:40:07 [3] 16.64 km (6:01 / km) +300m 5:31 / km
shoes: Salomens
So it seems the Tuesday Pain Run is a trans-Canada tradition.
Wasn't actually that bad, just longer than I expected and the weekends races were still pretty fresh in my legs.
Interval session up 'the mountain' with a good crew - look forward to more of this.
Wasn't actually that bad, just longer than I expected and the weekends races were still pretty fresh in my legs.
Interval session up 'the mountain' with a good crew - look forward to more of this.
C • TNT 9
Sunday Aug 22, 2010 #
11 AM
Orienteering race 2:09:19 [3] 11.1 km (11:39 / km)
shoes: Salomens
COC Long Champs - The Barrens
Can't really say much more than what's already been said. Absolute cracker, ball tearer & diabolical area.
Didn't have a great run, started off too fast and not able to simplify, so slowed right down and was doing fine navigation the whole way.
Was going OK to 6, but stuffed the 2nd long leg by a lot. Tried to be clever (which is a look that rarely suits me) and take the shortest route between a million little lakes, but since the gaps were generally 1/2 metre beaver dams, it took a very long time, I dropped 5 minutes to Eric here and were were on par at #6.
Just plodded round after that, no real mistakes but never super accurate.
Funnily enough, the area most reminded me of Venice - it's the only other area where I've had a route where I've had to exit the control and travel in the opposite direction to the next control!
Can't really say much more than what's already been said. Absolute cracker, ball tearer & diabolical area.
Didn't have a great run, started off too fast and not able to simplify, so slowed right down and was doing fine navigation the whole way.
Was going OK to 6, but stuffed the 2nd long leg by a lot. Tried to be clever (which is a look that rarely suits me) and take the shortest route between a million little lakes, but since the gaps were generally 1/2 metre beaver dams, it took a very long time, I dropped 5 minutes to Eric here and were were on par at #6.
Just plodded round after that, no real mistakes but never super accurate.
Funnily enough, the area most reminded me of Venice - it's the only other area where I've had a route where I've had to exit the control and travel in the opposite direction to the next control!
C • map? 2
Saturday Aug 21, 2010 #
11 AM
Orienteering race 16:09 [5] 2.9 km (5:34 / km) +40m 5:13 / km
shoes: Adidas Adizero
COC Sprint Champs - NRC North
Another disappointing race. Wasn't focussed at the start and lost time on the first 3 forest controls.
Well overshot #1, expecting it to be further into the forest from the road - in actual fact it was on the edge of the forest. Lost 30-40 seconds here, could here my one minute man snapping branches in the forest behind me.
Then was flustered on #2, got to the circle OK, but was on the wrong edge of the impassable fence corner, so everything seemed 90 degrees out. About 10-15 secs lost.
Finally on #3, expected it to be visible from the road (since #1 was) and overshot it a little - another 10-15 secs lost.
Then it became relatively easy urban terrain. Not overly complex, just a lot of funny shaped buildings. Thought the course setting was very good through this middle section, from #5 to #13 there was route choice on each leg and the best route was never instantly obvious - so planning ahead was important.
Unfortunately all the good stuff had been used up by #13 and we were about 1km from the finish, so it was fairly straightforward to the end. I knew from the earlier mistakes I'd be well down the results, so my heart wasn't really in it.
Would have been quite a good result without those mistakes - I was never going to do Robbie's time of around 14:30, but would have easily been low to mid 15s, which would have put me around 2nd to 5th.
It's funny, before these events I thought it was going to be my running speed that was going to let me down, but it's been the opposite.
Looking forward to seeing what happens when the training can become more structured again
Another disappointing race. Wasn't focussed at the start and lost time on the first 3 forest controls.
Well overshot #1, expecting it to be further into the forest from the road - in actual fact it was on the edge of the forest. Lost 30-40 seconds here, could here my one minute man snapping branches in the forest behind me.
Then was flustered on #2, got to the circle OK, but was on the wrong edge of the impassable fence corner, so everything seemed 90 degrees out. About 10-15 secs lost.
Finally on #3, expected it to be visible from the road (since #1 was) and overshot it a little - another 10-15 secs lost.
Then it became relatively easy urban terrain. Not overly complex, just a lot of funny shaped buildings. Thought the course setting was very good through this middle section, from #5 to #13 there was route choice on each leg and the best route was never instantly obvious - so planning ahead was important.
Unfortunately all the good stuff had been used up by #13 and we were about 1km from the finish, so it was fairly straightforward to the end. I knew from the earlier mistakes I'd be well down the results, so my heart wasn't really in it.
Would have been quite a good result without those mistakes - I was never going to do Robbie's time of around 14:30, but would have easily been low to mid 15s, which would have put me around 2nd to 5th.
It's funny, before these events I thought it was going to be my running speed that was going to let me down, but it's been the opposite.
Looking forward to seeing what happens when the training can become more structured again
Friday Aug 20, 2010 #
1 PM
Orienteering race 43:08 [3] 4.8 km (8:59 / km) +115m 8:01 / km
shoes: La Sportiva Cross Lite
Canadian Middle Champs - Spreckley's Trails
Absolutely diabolical area, probably no more 15m height variation across the map, lots of light green & little hilltops, mounds, gullies and rock all over the place. In all honestly, the type of terrain I suck most at.
#1: Get right into the middle of the circle and just don't see the rock. Frantically look around until I notice a SportIdent box poking out... I'm sure that rock was camouflaged in the same manner as that walkway over the chasm from Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade.
#2: Massive balls up, couldn't see a good route, so just decide to head south and tick off features. After about a minute I've not picked up a thing, so bail to the track to the west and attack from there. Then I go in too early, waste a minute or 2 misreading ponds and marshes. Bail out again and do it right. About 3-4 minutes wasted there.
Small time losses on #6, #13, #15 and #19 misreading the detail in the circle.
Could have been straighter on a few routes as well.
Not a great run, but not quite the disaster it could have been.
Absolutely diabolical area, probably no more 15m height variation across the map, lots of light green & little hilltops, mounds, gullies and rock all over the place. In all honestly, the type of terrain I suck most at.
#1: Get right into the middle of the circle and just don't see the rock. Frantically look around until I notice a SportIdent box poking out... I'm sure that rock was camouflaged in the same manner as that walkway over the chasm from Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade.
#2: Massive balls up, couldn't see a good route, so just decide to head south and tick off features. After about a minute I've not picked up a thing, so bail to the track to the west and attack from there. Then I go in too early, waste a minute or 2 misreading ponds and marshes. Bail out again and do it right. About 3-4 minutes wasted there.
Small time losses on #6, #13, #15 and #19 misreading the detail in the circle.
Could have been straighter on a few routes as well.
Not a great run, but not quite the disaster it could have been.
C • map 1
Thursday Aug 19, 2010 #
2 PM
Orienteering race 25:22 [4] 2.8 km (9:04 / km) +60m 8:11 / km
shoes: La Sportiva Cross Lite
COC Relays
Ran 3rd leg as a GVOC team with the elder Rennies'.
Started a bit down, but with lots of people to run down. Went out hard, first loop was pretty pointless, especially when you see the terrain to the north of the assembly they didn't use.
Solid through to #9, had passed about 7 or 8 teams, then I shanked #10 by 3.5 minutes. Had come out on the track exactly where planned, but convinced myself I'd come out too high and had to head 100m further down.
Pop in, there's rock and detail and a control that's not mine... Must be a split, can't be far away. Run round like a loser, see 3 people I pass head by, realise I must be way off and finally find the bugger.
Attempt to run down the guys that passed me, but it's no dice, make mistakes on #13 and #15 as well.
Not a great day, am gonna take tomorrow very conservatively...
Ran 3rd leg as a GVOC team with the elder Rennies'.
Started a bit down, but with lots of people to run down. Went out hard, first loop was pretty pointless, especially when you see the terrain to the north of the assembly they didn't use.
Solid through to #9, had passed about 7 or 8 teams, then I shanked #10 by 3.5 minutes. Had come out on the track exactly where planned, but convinced myself I'd come out too high and had to head 100m further down.
Pop in, there's rock and detail and a control that's not mine... Must be a split, can't be far away. Run round like a loser, see 3 people I pass head by, realise I must be way off and finally find the bugger.
Attempt to run down the guys that passed me, but it's no dice, make mistakes on #13 and #15 as well.
Not a great day, am gonna take tomorrow very conservatively...
Wednesday Aug 18, 2010 #
12 PM
Orienteering race 9:08 [4] 2.14 km (4:17 / km) +15m 4:08 / km
shoes: Adidas Adizero
Prologue for the Chase Sprint.
Super easy park course. Shot off quickly and was doing well, within seconds of the leaders at the spectator control.
Unfortunately came unstuck at #8, got tangled up with some traffic and lost contact and blew 25 seconds. Intensity dropped after that and lost some seconds on later controls (who puts the on the approach side of an impassable feature).
Ended up 47 secs behind the leader, but with about 5 guys within 10 secs in front of me, perfect for a chase.....
Super easy park course. Shot off quickly and was doing well, within seconds of the leaders at the spectator control.
Unfortunately came unstuck at #8, got tangled up with some traffic and lost contact and blew 25 seconds. Intensity dropped after that and lost some seconds on later controls (who puts the on the approach side of an impassable feature).
Ended up 47 secs behind the leader, but with about 5 guys within 10 secs in front of me, perfect for a chase.....
3 PM
Orienteering race 13:48 [5] 2.8 km (4:56 / km) +75m 4:21 / km
shoes: Adidas Adizero
Except that I never caught any of them! :)
Looking at the splits for the morning race, I was running faster than all the guys in front of me. So I assume I should be able to catch them during the chase, but they all slowly pull away from me as the course goes on.
I guess that confirms that I'm not the fastest runner, but my mad sprint navigation skillz balance that out a little.
Actually I did catch one guy, but I think he may have jumped one of the impassable fences as he finished in front of me - they weren't printed properly, so technically not illegal.
Not much navigation required, but I did pick the faster route choice towards the end of the course whilst the majority of the pack took the longer option - this did enable me to get back within striking distance, but not enough to gain any places. Fun races though, chasing sprints are awesome!
Looking at the splits for the morning race, I was running faster than all the guys in front of me. So I assume I should be able to catch them during the chase, but they all slowly pull away from me as the course goes on.
I guess that confirms that I'm not the fastest runner, but my mad sprint navigation skillz balance that out a little.
Actually I did catch one guy, but I think he may have jumped one of the impassable fences as he finished in front of me - they weren't printed properly, so technically not illegal.
Not much navigation required, but I did pick the faster route choice towards the end of the course whilst the majority of the pack took the longer option - this did enable me to get back within striking distance, but not enough to gain any places. Fun races though, chasing sprints are awesome!
Tuesday Aug 17, 2010 #
12 PM
Running 31:00 [2] 6.05 km (5:08 / km)
shoes: Salomens
Easy out and back along the river after getting into Ottawa.
Didn't feel very good at all, sluggish and slow. Hopefully just a minor thing and I'll be ready to roll tomorrow.
Didn't feel very good at all, sluggish and slow. Hopefully just a minor thing and I'll be ready to roll tomorrow.
Monday Aug 16, 2010 #
10 AM
Running 41:05 [3] 7.5 km (5:29 / km) +110m 5:06 / km
shoes: Salomens
Lake Laurentian Trails, Sudbury, ON
Was meant to be a network of trails here, but I could see any signage or maps at the trailhead so I just ran on everything I could find.
Quite nice, eventually found a signed snowshoe trail which was quite nice, although in places it was more of a less thick corridor through vegetation.
Nice forest, lots of bare rock knolls all over the place - would be great O terrain.
Found the ski trails as I drove out and investigated - totally overgrown, glad I never found them!
Was meant to be a network of trails here, but I could see any signage or maps at the trailhead so I just ran on everything I could find.
Quite nice, eventually found a signed snowshoe trail which was quite nice, although in places it was more of a less thick corridor through vegetation.
Nice forest, lots of bare rock knolls all over the place - would be great O terrain.
Found the ski trails as I drove out and investigated - totally overgrown, glad I never found them!
Saturday Aug 14, 2010 #
1 PM
Running 55:00 [3] 10.0 km (5:30 / km) +400m 4:35 / km
shoes: Salomens
Spur Valley Ski Trails, Michigan
Beautiful day for it, warm, blue skies and no hint of humidity.
Time is a guess, Garmin said it had 30% left when I started, but it gave up the ghost after the first big hill - must have been too hard for it.
Another nice set of trails, I did loop G - 10K and the toughest of the lot. Was feeling smug about what a good choice I made, then the loop descends a hill and the track goes straight into a long marshy gully....
Hating the world, I consider going back, but harden up, get through it and it's nice trails the whole way. Becomes a bit of a slog towards the end, keep thinking I'm almost back only to turn another corner and see the track disappear into the distance.
Glad to get it done - my other option for the day were another set of trails near to where I am now and it's alternating between showers and hot sun which has made the humidity go through the roof!
Beautiful day for it, warm, blue skies and no hint of humidity.
Time is a guess, Garmin said it had 30% left when I started, but it gave up the ghost after the first big hill - must have been too hard for it.
Another nice set of trails, I did loop G - 10K and the toughest of the lot. Was feeling smug about what a good choice I made, then the loop descends a hill and the track goes straight into a long marshy gully....
Hating the world, I consider going back, but harden up, get through it and it's nice trails the whole way. Becomes a bit of a slog towards the end, keep thinking I'm almost back only to turn another corner and see the track disappear into the distance.
Glad to get it done - my other option for the day were another set of trails near to where I am now and it's alternating between showers and hot sun which has made the humidity go through the roof!
Friday Aug 13, 2010 #
5 PM
Running 47:54 [3] 9.04 km (5:18 / km) +250m 4:39 / km
shoes: La Sportiva Cross Lite
Al Quall Recreation Ski Trails, Ishpeming, Michigan
Very nice, tough set of trails. Did the 7.5km Deer Lake then the 2km Baby Lake trail. Either constant undulation or knee to waist high vegetation to thrash through - sometimes both. Felt really good today, was a bit cooler and a lot less humid.
Really happy to be back in Boreal forests. From what I saw this spot could make a decent O area - topography was very Scandi, typical glacial undulations and rock, pretty rough though - would be slow going.
Just as I was finishing I spotted this lake out of the corner of my eye and trundled down to the beach for a quick cool off/swim. I could get used to this!
Very nice, tough set of trails. Did the 7.5km Deer Lake then the 2km Baby Lake trail. Either constant undulation or knee to waist high vegetation to thrash through - sometimes both. Felt really good today, was a bit cooler and a lot less humid.
Really happy to be back in Boreal forests. From what I saw this spot could make a decent O area - topography was very Scandi, typical glacial undulations and rock, pretty rough though - would be slow going.
Just as I was finishing I spotted this lake out of the corner of my eye and trundled down to the beach for a quick cool off/swim. I could get used to this!
Thursday Aug 12, 2010 #
5 PM
Running 36:37 [2] 7.0 km (5:14 / km) +150m 4:44 / km
shoes: Salomens
After Hours Ski Trails in Brule River State Park, Wisconsin.
Just pulled in off the highway, trails were looking a little muddy and overgrown and I almost bailed, so worked on a HTFU mantra.
Was a bit of a slog to begin with, uphill and boggy, but once I got to the top of the hill the trails cleared up and it was quite nice. A few tracks were closed and my route ended up shorter than planned, but it was a nice leg stretcher after a frustrating day.
Finally got a flat today, luckily it was just outside a relatively major city so it didn't take too long to get a new one. But changing a tire in an exposed car park, in the sun on a humid 35 degree day is something I hope I don't have to experience again any time soon.
Just pulled in off the highway, trails were looking a little muddy and overgrown and I almost bailed, so worked on a HTFU mantra.
Was a bit of a slog to begin with, uphill and boggy, but once I got to the top of the hill the trails cleared up and it was quite nice. A few tracks were closed and my route ended up shorter than planned, but it was a nice leg stretcher after a frustrating day.
Finally got a flat today, luckily it was just outside a relatively major city so it didn't take too long to get a new one. But changing a tire in an exposed car park, in the sun on a humid 35 degree day is something I hope I don't have to experience again any time soon.
Wednesday Aug 11, 2010 #
4 PM
Running 42:12 8.19 km (5:09 / km)
shoes: 2010 Triumphs
Chippewa National Forest, Minnesota
Bit of comedy trying to find a decent track here. Was given an excellent list of hiking trails at the info centre. Picked a 6 miler about 15k into the forest, drove back and forth along a forest road for 15 minutes trying to find the trail head and I finally spot the top of the sign poking through a jungle of foliage.
Seems maintaining the tracks isn't high priority here!
So I decide not to try any others and head for a cycle track along the banks of Cass Lake... only to discover when I get there the track is closed for some pipeline maintenance that runs along the track!
Luckily, there's a 1.8 mile 'interpretive walk' that starts at the same place, so I take it as a sign and do a progressive run. 3 loops getting faster each time.
Went OK, didn't seem to have a top gear for the final loop today though.
Being off the prairies is a joy. It's still pretty hot and humid, but a lot less so.
Minnesota is the land of 10000 lakes according to the number plates, so you're never far from somewhere to cool off afterwards.
Bit of comedy trying to find a decent track here. Was given an excellent list of hiking trails at the info centre. Picked a 6 miler about 15k into the forest, drove back and forth along a forest road for 15 minutes trying to find the trail head and I finally spot the top of the sign poking through a jungle of foliage.
Seems maintaining the tracks isn't high priority here!
So I decide not to try any others and head for a cycle track along the banks of Cass Lake... only to discover when I get there the track is closed for some pipeline maintenance that runs along the track!
Luckily, there's a 1.8 mile 'interpretive walk' that starts at the same place, so I take it as a sign and do a progressive run. 3 loops getting faster each time.
Went OK, didn't seem to have a top gear for the final loop today though.
Being off the prairies is a joy. It's still pretty hot and humid, but a lot less so.
Minnesota is the land of 10000 lakes according to the number plates, so you're never far from somewhere to cool off afterwards.
Monday Aug 9, 2010 #
7 PM
Running 40:00 8.42 km (4:45 / km) +30m 4:40 / km
shoes: 2010 Triumphs
Mona Fartlek at Portage La Prairie.
It was hot and humid. It was hot in Brandon at the track I planned on using. So headed to another track down the highway at Portage. At 6pm it was still hot (29, feels like forty freaking one - according to the web), but I didn't know that then so just decided it wasn't get any better any time soon, suck it up and get it done.
There wasn't a track at Portage where I planned, it has been paved over as a driver testing area for truck drivers but luckily it adjacent to a park area so just ran the roads/tracks around there.
Was a bit slow on the intervals, but much better on the floats than any other time I've done on of these sessions, which is really the point of a Mona Fartlek so happy with that.
Was drenched in sweat afterwards, have never run in that kind of humidity before. Only managed 4.9km for the session, but given the heat I'm OK with that.
It was hot and humid. It was hot in Brandon at the track I planned on using. So headed to another track down the highway at Portage. At 6pm it was still hot (29, feels like forty freaking one - according to the web), but I didn't know that then so just decided it wasn't get any better any time soon, suck it up and get it done.
There wasn't a track at Portage where I planned, it has been paved over as a driver testing area for truck drivers but luckily it adjacent to a park area so just ran the roads/tracks around there.
Was a bit slow on the intervals, but much better on the floats than any other time I've done on of these sessions, which is really the point of a Mona Fartlek so happy with that.
Was drenched in sweat afterwards, have never run in that kind of humidity before. Only managed 4.9km for the session, but given the heat I'm OK with that.
Sunday Aug 8, 2010 #
9 AM
Running 45:00 [3] 9.42 km (4:47 / km) +100m 4:32 / km
shoes: 2010 Triumphs
Didn't think I'd be capable of much this morning after getting up at 5:30 to watch the Sprint finals, but if watching a WOC race doesn't psych you up a little bit, you're on the wrong website here :)
Nice run in central Saskatoon. Keeping with the urban theme of the day, first half along both sides of the river, then back through the University.
Felt pretty sprightly, as you should after a rest day. Some construction got in my way and I couldn't cross the bridge that I planned. Second bridge was also interesting, a relatively old rail bridge with the pedestrian access a wooden walkway cantilevered off the side. Not sure how old it was but could feel the wood deforming when I landed on the centre of each span! Guard rail was only waist high as well - it was quite a drop and not a deep river!
Quite a lot of running deja vu moments, the river sections reminded me in part of both running along the river in Brisbane and also South West London. First bridge cross was almost a dead ringer for Hammersmith Bridge. Nice day too, getting started early was good as the humidity was not too oppressive yet.
Nice run in central Saskatoon. Keeping with the urban theme of the day, first half along both sides of the river, then back through the University.
Felt pretty sprightly, as you should after a rest day. Some construction got in my way and I couldn't cross the bridge that I planned. Second bridge was also interesting, a relatively old rail bridge with the pedestrian access a wooden walkway cantilevered off the side. Not sure how old it was but could feel the wood deforming when I landed on the centre of each span! Guard rail was only waist high as well - it was quite a drop and not a deep river!
Quite a lot of running deja vu moments, the river sections reminded me in part of both running along the river in Brisbane and also South West London. First bridge cross was almost a dead ringer for Hammersmith Bridge. Nice day too, getting started early was good as the humidity was not too oppressive yet.
Saturday Aug 7, 2010 #
Note
(rest day)
Need to replenish blood supplies after yesterdays mosquito mauling.
GO AUS!!!!
and a quiet supporting grunt for Canadia ;)
GO AUS!!!!
and a quiet supporting grunt for Canadia ;)
Friday Aug 6, 2010 #
12 PM
Running 1:15:00 [2] 14.0 km (5:21 / km) +75m 5:13 / km
shoes: Salomens
Today's park of choice was Cooking Lake Prov. Park, just outside of Edmonton.
Massive 70km network of ski trails - I was going to go a lot longer since I had the choice, but it turns out my legs were tapped out, I think last weeks Half has caught up with me.
It was also hot, super humid and buggy. I'm pretty sure the park was created to preserve an ideal breeding habitat for mosquitos. If I'd stop, I'd have about 20 buzzing round me, in my ears, nose, shorts etc in moments.
Had this image of a swarm trailing me as I was running, like that scene of Neo flying in The Matrix (yes, I run *that* fast).
Massive 70km network of ski trails - I was going to go a lot longer since I had the choice, but it turns out my legs were tapped out, I think last weeks Half has caught up with me.
It was also hot, super humid and buggy. I'm pretty sure the park was created to preserve an ideal breeding habitat for mosquitos. If I'd stop, I'd have about 20 buzzing round me, in my ears, nose, shorts etc in moments.
Had this image of a swarm trailing me as I was running, like that scene of Neo flying in The Matrix (yes, I run *that* fast).
Thursday Aug 5, 2010 #
12 PM
Running 57:00 [3] 11.4 km (5:00 / km) +200m 4:36 / km
shoes: Salomens
Young's Pt. Provincial Park, AB
A little bit a research goes a long way, much nicer set of trails today - though wikipedia lied and said there was 20km worth (wikipedia, wrong? never).
Was just a constantly undulating ski trail, quite nice, even some pine forest out the back. Felt hot and sluggish, but got a little better towards the end. Tempo'd the last 2ks or so.
Have never seen haze like today. I guess it's from all the forest fires in BC, was even worse than any southeast Asian or north African capital city I've been to.
A little bit a research goes a long way, much nicer set of trails today - though wikipedia lied and said there was 20km worth (wikipedia, wrong? never).
Was just a constantly undulating ski trail, quite nice, even some pine forest out the back. Felt hot and sluggish, but got a little better towards the end. Tempo'd the last 2ks or so.
Have never seen haze like today. I guess it's from all the forest fires in BC, was even worse than any southeast Asian or north African capital city I've been to.
Wednesday Aug 4, 2010 #
2 PM
Running 30:00 [4] 5.14 km (5:50 / km)
shoes: La Sportiva Cross Lite
Swan Lake Provincial Park
BC Parks website said there were 'hiking opportunities' in this park.
There was one trail.
It was 500m long.
Still, made the best of it and did 8x500m intervals with 90s recovery. Bit pissweak but my first speed session for a while. Aimed to get faster each rep.
Trail was pretty easy, nice and flat but a bit rooty. It was bloody hot.
Disappointing lake swim afterwards. Weedy, muddy and kinda gross warm. If it was in the rockies I reckon it would have been called a hot spring.
Splits were: 1:56, 1:51, 1:49, 1:49, 1:50, 1:47, 1:44, 1:42
Take out the rests and its a sub 18min 5k (and that's including the warm down!)
BC Parks website said there were 'hiking opportunities' in this park.
There was one trail.
It was 500m long.
Still, made the best of it and did 8x500m intervals with 90s recovery. Bit pissweak but my first speed session for a while. Aimed to get faster each rep.
Trail was pretty easy, nice and flat but a bit rooty. It was bloody hot.
Disappointing lake swim afterwards. Weedy, muddy and kinda gross warm. If it was in the rockies I reckon it would have been called a hot spring.
Splits were: 1:56, 1:51, 1:49, 1:49, 1:50, 1:47, 1:44, 1:42
Take out the rests and its a sub 18min 5k (and that's including the warm down!)
C • Swim 2
Tuesday Aug 3, 2010 #
11 AM
Running 1:11:54 [3] 10.52 km (6:50 / km) +350m 5:52 / km
shoes: Salomens
From Summit Lake up to Flower Springs Lake (or something like that, can't remember the name) and back.
real struggle to begin with, tracks weren't marked and there were thousands of them near the lake. Almost quit, but decided to keep going. Got much better once I got up onto the tundra and was surrounded by alpine vistas in all directions - reminded me of Oing in Switzerland last year.
Legs couldn't handle any climb after Sunday.
real struggle to begin with, tracks weren't marked and there were thousands of them near the lake. Almost quit, but decided to keep going. Got much better once I got up onto the tundra and was surrounded by alpine vistas in all directions - reminded me of Oing in Switzerland last year.
Legs couldn't handle any climb after Sunday.
Sunday Aug 1, 2010 #
9 AM
Running 1:37:26 [4] 20.17 km (4:50 / km) +400m 4:24 / km
shoes: 2010 Triumphs
Yukon River Trail Half Marathon
Not my greatest race, felt great in the first 5k, comfortably holding 4th and then it all fell apart. Stitch came and went periodically, stomach felt dodgy and the last 3k into town on the bike track was pure hell. Ended up 10th.
Tried to go into the basement but there was nothing down there but soft toys and unicorn figurines.
But, great course - a little bit too much on bike paths for it to be a true 'trail' race. Probably should have entered the full marathon as the additional 20k is all trail, but there were still a few awesome moments, popping out to the edge of the river, then running a goat trail 50m or so above it, Miles Canyon suspension bridge and the 5k of trail after that coming back into town.
Gotta love Whitehorse, how many cities can start a trail race in downtown and still have mist of the race in forest?
Not my greatest race, felt great in the first 5k, comfortably holding 4th and then it all fell apart. Stitch came and went periodically, stomach felt dodgy and the last 3k into town on the bike track was pure hell. Ended up 10th.
Tried to go into the basement but there was nothing down there but soft toys and unicorn figurines.
But, great course - a little bit too much on bike paths for it to be a true 'trail' race. Probably should have entered the full marathon as the additional 20k is all trail, but there were still a few awesome moments, popping out to the edge of the river, then running a goat trail 50m or so above it, Miles Canyon suspension bridge and the 5k of trail after that coming back into town.
Gotta love Whitehorse, how many cities can start a trail race in downtown and still have mist of the race in forest?