Training Log Archive: STORM

Run through Kelso and Hilton

Easy road run

Easy road run

Easy road run. Right calf is feeling much better after two weeks off, but not 'ready-to-run-80k-this-weekend' better, so heading to Shawinigan Friday for la Chute du Diable is not in the cards. 2nd DNS this year - not liking that much, but keeping focused on Bear100 which is now less than a month away...

Annual paddle trip with Browner - this time to Algonquin, which I'm ashamed to admit I've never paddled in before! Great 3-night loop with stops at McIntosh, Big Trout and Burnt Island lakes, and the perfect opportunity to christen our beautiful new Souris River boat.

C • Sounds great! 7

Quick ride, but a fun one

Getting an early jump on ESAR course scouting

Ride through Britton Tract while visiting my locker

Rode out to my old stomping grounds in the Don trails to keep my mind off the fact that I probably won't be able to do much if any running until Chute du Diable in two weeks. Urban riding is really not my thing, but the bike path from our place is pretty direct and relatively car-free (outside the disaster zone that is Queen's Quay right now). I haven't been in these trails since last year, and since I had my old Epic. The difference on the new 29'er is so incredibly noticeable - still very, very pleased with this purchase!

Right calf is officially strained. Gonna be spending some time getting better acquainted with my bike...

C • Blah 3

BPMR relay with Mique. I was in for the paddle and two run stages, and Mique took the bike stages. Lake was like glass and beautifully clear - it was actually hard to focus on paddle strokes while my eyes were constantly being drawn to the perfectly visible floor beneath. First time in my kayak since Early 2013, but it just eats up perfect conditions like these. Must come back here again to enjoy it more...

C • Congrats! :) 3

16km and 6km trail runs on Stage 3 and 5. The first was a phenomenally beautiful Bruce Trail loop with views from the bluffs overlooking the water - got pretty technical at times, but absolutely loved it. The second took me back to Wiarton following parts of the Bruce, including a very cool spiral staircase.

Fun day with Mique, Katie, Tom, Browner and the Schwass clan - have been meaning to try this race for a while, but timing has never worked. Must spend more time in the awesome area!

Had to cut this run short due to a strange tightness in my right calf that got worse as I ambled on. Mique is counting on me to run two legs at BPMR this weekend, so I decided to call it. Nice night for a walk though...

Easy road run

Limehouse to Kelso run. Browner dropped me off so that we could meet at Kelso where she was doing hill repeats. Plan was to run the Bruce, but the deer flies drove me out to the roads. Seriously - since when did they get this bad down here? Worse than Bark Lake...

Eager Beaver 100k at Mansfield with Browner, Mique, CP Bruce and Rob. Normally we would be riding the Parry Sound hydrocut this weekend, but there was no way I was going back there anytime soon after WT, so Browner suggested this race as an alternative. Very impressed by the course marking on a 100km course that was probably 75% trail - the RD said he had put out 1,200 arrows!

The pace off the start was ridiculous, so when reached the point of nearly losing my breakfast, I decided to back off and watch Mique disappear in the trees. It paid off though, as I was able to catch him at 80k and we rode the rest in together. I had myself a little pity party in the first 25k over how little training I've been able to do since the spring, how obvious it was, blah, blah, wah, wah - but once I finally settled in/settled down I actually felt pretty strong throughout. I think we finished 7th but not certain - it wasn't a big field but given that the extent of my mountain biking this year includes WT and some course scouting/marking, I'll definitely take it!

Tough, tough course, good times with fun people, and super-proud of Browner for finishing faster than the time she had planned for herself. The Parry Sound ride is always fun, but I'm glad we chose this option instead.

C • Nice 6