Run or Play Dead?

I took the day off work yesterday and we drove out to Rattlesnake Point, a section on the Bruce Trail in Milton. We are planning on doing some hiking/camping this summer and we wanted to "test the waters" with our little Basset Hound "Filbert"and ensure that he is up for the task. So, we fished our day packs out of storage, bundled up and headed out early yesterday morning. It was a little chilly, but we dressed appropriately and it couldn't have been a more perfect day.

We picked a 14 km trail and headed off into the wilderness. At some point along the way Ara stops and says to me "Hey, do you think there are bears out here on the Escarpment?" I responded with a "I dunno, why?" with which was responded "cuz, I'm pretty sure these aren't dog tracks in the mud..." And boy, was he right. The trail was pretty soft and muddy in places as was the particular stretch that we were on and clear as day (or mud - ha ha) were undeniable, fresh bear tracks. And they were huge. We tracked them a fair distance and made comments about how convenient the bear must have found the man made trail that he was walking on and trying to remember if you run or play dead with black bears (something I must really get straight one of these days) and then started to question what exactly bears eat when they first wake up from hibernation, considering there was no vegetation to be found. Hmm...groggy, disoriented, hungry bears...thats when we started singing and making a disrespectful amount of noise.

Half way into the hike we came upon an Iroquoian Village (and a rest station with flush toilets!) and we stopped to eat the packed lunch we brought. Then back on the trail.

So, it's funny how when you are walking downhill at a rather slight incline how you don't really notice...but when you are climbing uphill at a friggin' steep incline, it really takes a toll. All I kept thinking to myself was how much worse this would be with a 50 lb pack on my back and a canoe over my head. That made everything seem much better and I arrived at the top of the valley without too much crying, complaining and bartering for rest stops!

The dog had the time of his life and didn't hold us back at all, in fact he was leading most of the way. It was evident that he was pretty exhausted when he didn't even want to get out of the car when we got home. He lifted his head and looked at us as if to say "you guys go ahead, I'm just going to sleep here." Needless to say he slept all night, but he is now back to his regular self this morning. He is sitting by the door as I type, motioning that it is time to go for a walk. I must oblige.

I wonder if there's a secret handshake...

I apologize for the delay since my last post. (I know that you are all hanging on my every word!)

The training update: Things have been going very well and I have mostly been focusing on running, as this is the most difficult for me. The weather has been pretty crap, so I have been destined to run on the treadmill (alternating between "What not to Wear and Dr. Oz - it's amazing how inspiring unhealthy people can be!), but today was the first really nice day in about a week. I hit the trail in the valley after work today and ran a little over 4km in 18 minutes. It was pretty cool to actually be able to set a goal like that and achieve it. It was also an interesting people watching exercise. Did you know that there is something like a secret society of runners? With secret salutations and hand gestures!?! I told you there was something suspicious about those running folks! But, seriously...runners are nice people. They wave at you and salute as they run past. Some even say "hello...nice evening". I returned these pleasant gestures with flailing arms and well-intentioned grunting. I guess I haven't been fully initiated into the club yet.

New Limits and Skinny Digits

After my new found enjoyment of pounding the pavement from earlier this week, the weather forced me back into the gym and back on to the treadmill. (I am quite conflicted, because the TV watching sure is nice, but part of me likes the whole wide world factor). Anyway, I decided that I needed to up the ante, as it were, and set myself some goals. Up until this point, I have been running until I don't feel like running anymore. My upward limit has been about 13 minutes. I decided to set a more definitive goal that might push me beyond my comfort zone. On Wednesday I ran for .... drumroll please ... 30 minutes and a total distance of 2 miles. Obviously, I'm working on the endurance factor here and not speed. On Friday, I thought; "Let's see what I'm really made of" and decided to push it to 40 minutes. I only made it to 38 minutes because I was actually fearful that I was going to loose my footing, bash my face on the handle bars and then get swept away in a puddle of shame by the conveyor belt. But, 38 minutes of run, run, running! I am pretty proud of myself.
I have abandoned the training schedule that I was trying to follow, as I realized that I couldn't actually complete many of the activities. For example: run 60 minutes. So, for now I am focusing on getting my endurance up and then I will give the 10 week training schedule another shot. I am still maintaining 5 days of "training" a week, which is having an impact my waistline. My paints are getting saggy and my rings keep falling off. Can you believe that! I'm loosing weight in my hands! Of all the pudgy places that might benefit from a little loss and I'm loosing weight in my fingers. Ridiculous! Maybe my dreams of becoming a Sally Hansen model are not lost entirely.

Call Me Crazy!

I have always been suspicious of people who run. On the rare occasions when I've had to get up early (trips to the airport for example), I have seen them out there...running, in their special running jackets and tight pants with the reflective stripes the sun barely struggling up behind them. I have always thought that these folks were completely and utterly mad. Why?? Why would anyone get out of a warm bed at 5 in the morning to go and run 5 miles in the pre-dawn, freezing cold rain? Why? Is there a chemical imbalance, or perhaps some unfortunate gene mutation? What could possibly provoke this behaviour? Madness...that's what. I could maybe wrap my head around getting up that early to go to the gym...at least it is climate controlled and has cable..civilized, if you will.

Well, you probably know where I am going with this. It was absolutely not 5 in the morning as you all well know, I don't do anything at 5 in the morning let alone run down the street for no good reason. No, it was a very respectable 6:20 pm when I laced up my "for indoor use only" running shoes and tucked my shame under a brightly coloured toque and started jogging outside, on the street, with no destination. And so I ran. Not very far, and not for very long. But I ran. And, can I tell you? Way better then running on that stupid treadmill! I could have done without the "it's cold, but I'm all sweaty" feeling and the constant runny nose, but still a much better experience. It made a huge difference to have physical goals (even if it was only "the next stop sign") instead of measuring myself against an angry, red digital timer.

So, for all you runners out there. Perhaps you are not completely certifiable, perhaps there is something more to this. Although , you are on your own with the 5 am nonsense. That is really sheer madness.

I brought along the crew to document the occasion. (In the photographers defense; the dog thought that we were playing a game and was trying to chase me!)

New Motivation

I've heard stories of people who stick pictures of big, greasy, bacon-cheeseburgers on their treadmills as a way of motivating themselves. Sort of like racing dogs chasing rabbits (I've always wondered if they actually get to eat the rabbits at the end of the race -same goes for the cheeseburger - hmm...anyway, I digress). Well, I am going to put my economics textbook behind the treadmill so that I can run away from it. Tell myself that if I don't complete another mile, I will have to take some form of advanced economics course next semester. I HATES THIS COURSE! HATES IT! I have not been adhering to my training schedule at all this week because I am trying to get as much studying in as I can. The good news is my mid-term is tonight and after that I can get back to the gym and whipping my butt into shape.

Fiscal Policy vs. Elliptical

Howdy all! I am technically supposed to be studying for my Economics mid-term, so I'll have to keep this brief. Ara has even taken the dog out to give me some peace. I have been practicing the fine art of procrastination ever since I got home from work today. I have had a nap (glorious!), done the dishes, organized the photographs of my darling niece and am now writing to all of you. The one thing that I did not do that would have prolonged the inevitable, is go to the gym. Today is the first day since "I took action" that I have not adhered to my training schedule. I figure I can excuse myself because I really can't afford to do poorly on this test and I promise this is not the start of a slippery slope. Truth be told; I think I would rather be at the gym over reading about how fiscal policy impacts GDP any day. Urg! Wish me luck!