Drinking...Running...Whatever!

I just want to mention that "Home for a Rest" by Spirit of the West is not just a great drinking song! It also makes for a fabulous running song! Just saying...

As long as I'm getting enough protein

The days are longer and the evenings are still nice and cool, so you would think that this would be the perfect time of day for a nice run through the valley, right? No, wrong. It is an incredibly disgusting time for a run in the valley. I started out around 7 pm and kept thinking to myself...where is everyone? Answer: they are at home not inhaling their weight in bugs. It wasn't so bad at first, because when you hit a swarmy patch you can sort of wave your arms around and dance through them holding your breath (yes, I am aware of how ridiculous I must look, thank you), but 15 minutes or so into the run, there is no holding of your breath. By this point, even the option to breath through your nose is gone. You are huffing and puffing and swallowing mouth fulls of these little flying protein shakes. Or at least I was.

They say that everyone consumes a certain amount of insects in their lifetime. I think I once heard from a reliable insect source that I know that the average human eats 7 spiders a year. (As reliable as this source is, it is very possible that he is completely saying this to give me nightmares). If it is true, so be it. I just really didn't need to consume a years worth in 25 minutes. I feel ill just thinking about it.

Maybe an adjustment to the schedule is required.

Just a teeny weeny problem.

Well, look at that... It's been almost a whole month since I last updated this site. I took some time away from the training schedule in order to study for a final exam that I had coming up. That was almost 3 weeks ago and I must admit, I've been pretty stationary since then. It's easy to fall into a routine that makes it incredibly easy to justify not working out. I admit...that is exactly what happened. But 2 things happened in the last week that are giving me the much needed kick in the booty that I need.

1) I got a package delivered from Team Fox (remember I have raising funds for Parkinson's research...), and this package contained my fancy Nike dri-fit sporty, racing top that I am going to adorn during my race. When I originally signed up as a fundraiser I got a very nice email from the Michael J Fox foundation explaining that they were temporarily out of team shirts in size medium, and would I mind waiting a month or so. Considering the race isn't until September, I indicated that of course this wouldn't be a problem. Well, the shirt was delivered and there is in fact a small problem. A really small problem. Not a medium sized problem...a "who on earth calls this a size medium" teeny, weeny little problem. Now granted, I understand that these fancy performance fabrics have a little give to them, but I'm not so sure that this thing won't end up being worn as a headband come race day. So, I'm taking it as a bit of "dri-fit" inspiration and let's see if we can't shed a few pounds so that I can squeeze myself in the "medium" shirt and represent!

2) Equally Inspiring (read; there is no backing out now kids!); I am officially registered in my race. I have no details about it except for the general township and day. I am assuming that they will forward me additional details as we approach d-day. (DO-IT Day!). And guess what!?...they also provide a "technical race" shirt as part of your registration dues. Needless to say, I ordered the size large.

Running along the Bunny Trail!

I have been taking advantage of the nice weather and trying to run down in the valley as much as possible. My lovely white running shoes are now all muddy, which under normal circumstances would be very upsetting, but under these circumstances I feel like this is somehow equivalent to something like a girl guide badge. An indicator of kilometers clocked in the real world.

I have been experiencing a strange phenomenon while running. For the first 800 metres or so, I have to really push myself to pick up my feet with each step. I am always convinced that this is going to be the time that I have to give up and walk all the way; but then something takes over and I am able to continue on. And then, when the end comes into sight I wonder if I'll actually be able to stop. I feel as if it will physically pain me to stop running. Now don't get me wrong, I very much want to stop running, but there is this very strange force that seems to make seem impossible. I always manage to overcome that force and bring myself to a walk, but it's not easy. When running you start to actually feel light and when you stop you turn into awkward deadweight.

I need to get the bex-cycle out soon, but she needs a trip to the spa (Cycle Path) before making her debut for the season!

Hope everyone is enjoying the weather et bon Paque!

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.