Training Log Archive: Bash

'Bent and I ran from home via Finnerty and Bruce Trail to Centreville Creek Rd. and back again. It's a nice rolling section of trail with occasional short steep hills where I pushed extra hard since uphill is the safest terrain for my ankle (which was braced). I also did some pick-ups in a few places where the trail was smooth and relatively flat. Tried to push the hips further forward, which seems to help but I forget to do it when I'm tired. I logged some additional level 5 intensity because 'Bent can - and did - chat away happily at my threshold pace, so I occasionally had to respond. "Did you hear about the new solar power incentive programs in China?" "Huffpuff-that'sgreathoney-huffpuff." Quite pleased with this one, aside from the bad ankle.

While watching comedy

Well... for the first time ever, I blew off a race that I'd paid for because I just didn't feel like doing it. It wasn't so much the cold, pelting rain as it was the short night of sleep combined with the realization that I would have to leave for Caledon Day 3.5 hrs earlier than my volunteer duties required. The $38 that I'd paid online (for a 5K road run - what was I thinking?) wasn't a factor in the decision at all.

The pooches were delighted. They watched me bike in front of old Seinfeld episodes, then I took them to Caledon East in a shameless (and highly effective) attempt to get people to visit our booth. What's funny is that my dogs know more people in the community than I do because they work in 'Bent's dental office. So whenever I take them to a public event, they're highly popular, and I get to know their friends better.

First leg workout since the ankle injury - felt good.

Since I'm volunteering at Caledon Day tomorrow, I decided at the last minute to register for the 5K run that is happening shortly before my volunteer shift.

The Positives:
1) I can combine my workout with my volunteer work.
2) My ankle is probably OK to run on the road.
3) Since I've never run a 5K race, I'm guaranteed to get a PB.

The Negatives:
1) When the confirmation list came up, it showed my name along with just 16 other people. Uh oh, there is a risk of placing last in a group that small!
2) Rain, rain, rain, rain - and cold.
3) Pavement - but I knew that.

Dropped by the Salomon Store to see the fall/winter line - it's like a completely different store. Couldn't resist - now I'm all set up for nordic skiing and winter running!

The drive back to Caledon after dinner at my mother-in-law's was *scary*. I thought my defrost had stopped working suddenly, then realized that I was in pea soup fog that lasted for the final 30 minutes of the drive. Good thing I know that road so well, since it would have been easy to miss a stop sign. I watched someone go through a red light across my path. Glad to be home!

I dug my Active Ankle out of the drawer and ran some of the Palgrave West trails with BulletDog. I'd forgotten how secure that brace makes me feel! Eventually I'll need to wean myself off it to gain ankle strength, but the injury is still too fresh for that.

As we approached Wheelie's Woods, we heard a chainsaw and a small crash. Not sure what they're doing in there, but the lumberjacks are probably not expecting folks on the trail, so we'll have to steer clear for awhile. We found trees and branches down on most trails due to the high winds earlier this week.

I'd grabbed a pair of old running shoes without thinking too hard about it, and BOY does it make a difference. I've been using my XT Wings lately, and the difference in support and cushioning between the Wings and my 3-year-old XA Pros was like night and day. Mustn't make that mistake again.

Hard Core with Caron has started for 09/10! Nice to get back with the group. She's got a new trick where we get into plank position with our arms on the mat and our feet on two frisbee-sized disks that slide on the floor. Then we hold the plank while we slide our feet into different positions. Apparently, this is just the beginning - ouch!

Yoga class - all the poses were accompanied by arm positions that stretched the shoulders and back. There was only one position that my ankle couldn't do - and another one that I probably shouldn't have done (upward dog with knees lifted off the ground). Felt good!

As my ankle continues to turn different shades of the rainbow, I thought I'd give it a bike trainer workout that wouldn't hurt too much. (Until I unclipped at the end - OW.) Also, it was raining, and history has shown that the mere act of me getting on my trainer creates sunny weather for everyone who wants to train outdoors. That worked pretty well, but the rain is back now. Sorry guys - maybe I'm losing my touch. Watched The Daily Report, pedalling hard in the big ring on commercials. Jon made me laugh out loud a couple of times.

No risk to the ankle while working my biceps - phew. Watched the Colbert Report with one of George Bush's former speech writers as the guest. He claims not to have written anything using the words "misunderestimated" or "decider", but he used "freedom", "bold" and "democracy" as much as possible!

The Blaze Run will be featured on The Daily Planet on the Discovery Channel at 7pm and 11pm eastern time tonight. Don't miss it!

Photos and details now added for Algonquin Park trip from Friday to Sunday!