Training Log Archive: WIn the 31 days ending May 31, 2015:
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Sunday May 31, 2015 #
Note
Still not back to exercise. But! I am eating again. Small victories. Didn't lose as much weight as I might have liked, though.
Saturday May 30, 2015 #
Note
What most disappointing is how this month of training was going so nicely. I had a couple of great final workouts planned and none of them are going to happen now. That really sucks.
Friday May 29, 2015 #
Note
Every three or so years, I get a horrible, horrible stomach illness.
I don't know what causes it. But, here's what happens.
I wake up (at any time of night), feeling a little off. I go and get some stomach stuff. I continue to feel a bit off, maybe fall asleep again, but wake up sometime later still not feeling great in the stomach area. Shortly thereafter I go and throw up for a while, and feel a little better.
Then my stomach pain gets worse, and it builds to a crescendo of pain until I throw up again, and feel a little better.
Then again.
And again.
And again.
Basically in 15-20 intervals until infinity. Eventually I run out of things to throw up so its just remarkably painful dry heaving.
Eventually I throw in the metaphorical towel and wander into the hospital holding a bucket. Its a tad embarrassing.
This time around was a little different. The pain waves came further apart (maybe an hour or so). I also tried some different medication. When the time came to give up and go to the hospital, I simply couldn't. It was two hours until I was going to do more data collection for my thesis and I absolutely could not miss that, it would render this month I've spent in Edmonton completely and utterly useless. I got as close as the door to the ER, and then aborted and went back home to tough it out for a couple hours and then attempt to go to the shop and do my interviews anyway, in a wobbly, half-starved, totally dehydrated state.
So that's what I did. It wasn't pretty, but, actually, standing up and moving a bit was a pleasant change, and I was able to take in some sports drink and felt a little better.
As is the case, by the next morning, I was feeling better, but obviously super fatigued and not moving very quickly. I won't be eating anything at all for a couple days, but eventually I'll be back to normal. I'm proud of myself for toughing it out this time instead of going to get IV gravol and being yelled at by nurses (that's what they usually do).
Now to reset the 3 year timer for next time. I wonder what sort of inopportune time it will choose next.
I don't know what causes it. But, here's what happens.
I wake up (at any time of night), feeling a little off. I go and get some stomach stuff. I continue to feel a bit off, maybe fall asleep again, but wake up sometime later still not feeling great in the stomach area. Shortly thereafter I go and throw up for a while, and feel a little better.
Then my stomach pain gets worse, and it builds to a crescendo of pain until I throw up again, and feel a little better.
Then again.
And again.
And again.
Basically in 15-20 intervals until infinity. Eventually I run out of things to throw up so its just remarkably painful dry heaving.
Eventually I throw in the metaphorical towel and wander into the hospital holding a bucket. Its a tad embarrassing.
This time around was a little different. The pain waves came further apart (maybe an hour or so). I also tried some different medication. When the time came to give up and go to the hospital, I simply couldn't. It was two hours until I was going to do more data collection for my thesis and I absolutely could not miss that, it would render this month I've spent in Edmonton completely and utterly useless. I got as close as the door to the ER, and then aborted and went back home to tough it out for a couple hours and then attempt to go to the shop and do my interviews anyway, in a wobbly, half-starved, totally dehydrated state.
So that's what I did. It wasn't pretty, but, actually, standing up and moving a bit was a pleasant change, and I was able to take in some sports drink and felt a little better.
As is the case, by the next morning, I was feeling better, but obviously super fatigued and not moving very quickly. I won't be eating anything at all for a couple days, but eventually I'll be back to normal. I'm proud of myself for toughing it out this time instead of going to get IV gravol and being yelled at by nurses (that's what they usually do).
Now to reset the 3 year timer for next time. I wonder what sort of inopportune time it will choose next.
Thursday May 28, 2015 #
Note
Since it was the first day I was doing pre-interviews for my data collection for my thesis on Saturday, I decided to spend the bulk of my time focusing on getting ready for that. But, I had budgeted enough time that I could get in some good training over the weekend even while doing data collection. Great plan, right?
Wednesday May 27, 2015 #
Running 40:00 [1] 8.43 km (4:45 / km)
shoes: Pearl Izumi Streak (circa 2009
Morning jog to spin out the legs, which are starting to feel pretty regularly tired. Tonight is O+ Corporate Challenge, so the courses will be super easy and it would be nice to be able to run them briskly, if not fast.
Tuesday May 26, 2015 #
Running 1:00:00 [1] 10.43 km (5:45 / km)
shoes: Pearl Izumi Streak (circa 2009
Drove to Millwoods for the (presumably) first ever run on the J Percy Page map that Meghan made last year. The actual park part is relatively bland with wide open spaces. But! She also mapped the little housing community to the north of the park, which was very cool! It reminded me of British housing estates, with tightly packed houses, random passageways, misshapen houses, and very easy to lose track of where you are. It was really good stuff. Another session there would be pretty relevant to Scotland, I think. Alas, I do not have time.
Also I suspect some of the places I went would be considered private property. Or, at least, seeing runners in pyjama pants would warrrant a call to the cops.
Also I suspect some of the places I went would be considered private property. Or, at least, seeing runners in pyjama pants would warrrant a call to the cops.
Cycling 1:20:00 [1] 31.93 km (2:30 / km)
I checked off mountain biking a few days ago, now its time to check off road biking, with a little meander through neighbourhoods and Whitemud Creek. My bike is in rough shape, a lot of clicking and creaking going on, I kept pretty poor care of these last few years. Sorry Ridley. Nevertheless, I nice ride hitting all the smooth roads and few bike paths.
And that famously unfinished map of mine, "Electric Alleyway". Its a 4km long park that's only about 100 meters wide and has a powerline running above it. Woulda been fun!
And that famously unfinished map of mine, "Electric Alleyway". Its a 4km long park that's only about 100 meters wide and has a powerline running above it. Woulda been fun!
Monday May 25, 2015 #
Running 50:00 [1] 9.62 km (5:12 / km)
shoes: Mizuno Wave Rider 16
Huomenna juosta kodiinsta. My legs were a little tired from the work day + long run, but kept it light and brisk, I think. My Polar says I was running a little slower than usual, but, it also thinks my heart rate was 200 for the first 9 minutes, so.... what does it know?
Sunday May 24, 2015 #
Running 1:55:00 [1] 22.06 km (5:13 / km)
shoes: Brooks Pure Connect 4
So, the plan was to start at the shop, run down to Rundle, and watch the start of the Corporate Challenge, then keep running. I like watching the Corporate Challenge because its a pretty solid train wreck of people sprinting to the start triangle and then stopping dead. And the one odd person who starts walking in completely the opposite direction from the entire rest of the field. I mean, its possible you're going to a different control, but maybe it would be wise to go in the general direction of everyone else? I remember realizing that at my first WOC Middle race, where I started veering to the left, while the two guys with me were veering right. I realized then that my map was upside down.
Anyway, I wanted to watch the start, but sudden panic and then wanted me to go out and check a control, so, I did, and thus missed the start! Argh. The one reason I went over there. Undaunted, I continued my run over the Science Park and along the Pipe Dream trail that takes me back to Goldbar and then around the river to Riverside golf course. A lady stopped me to point out a bald eagle just hanging out on a piece of driftwood in the river. I don't think I've ever seen one in the city. At least I can remember one.
Anyway, I wanted to watch the start, but sudden panic and then wanted me to go out and check a control, so, I did, and thus missed the start! Argh. The one reason I went over there. Undaunted, I continued my run over the Science Park and along the Pipe Dream trail that takes me back to Goldbar and then around the river to Riverside golf course. A lady stopped me to point out a bald eagle just hanging out on a piece of driftwood in the river. I don't think I've ever seen one in the city. At least I can remember one.
Saturday May 23, 2015 #
Orienteering 1:15:00 [2] 13.71 km (5:28 / km)
shoes: Brooks Pure Connect 4
Saturday morning run where I endeavoured to do some orienteering. Unfortunately, due to factors outside of my own control, I left about half an hour late so I had to short-cut the warm-up and cool-down so that I could get to the shop and work on time.
Basically, I parked at Goldbar, and then ran over to Hermitage for an old run around over there. The flags were still out, which was nice, but the map is clearly out of date, because I got stuck at trails that were not there any more and confused by clearings that have appeared out of nowhere. Hermitage is an extremely difficult place to put on interesting orienteering. Not unlike... most of Edmonton.
Unless.... you're expanding the Legislature grounds sprint map. Could this be the most impressive looking sprint map venue around? I think so!
Also, I've decided to name this new section of the map "Skypalace Square".
Basically, I parked at Goldbar, and then ran over to Hermitage for an old run around over there. The flags were still out, which was nice, but the map is clearly out of date, because I got stuck at trails that were not there any more and confused by clearings that have appeared out of nowhere. Hermitage is an extremely difficult place to put on interesting orienteering. Not unlike... most of Edmonton.
Unless.... you're expanding the Legislature grounds sprint map. Could this be the most impressive looking sprint map venue around? I think so!
Also, I've decided to name this new section of the map "Skypalace Square".
Friday May 22, 2015 #
Running 50:00 [1] 9.6 km (5:12 / km)
shoes: Brooks Pure Connect 4
In fact, my biggest physical concern at the moment are the monster blisters that are appearing on the lateral side of both my big toes. I'm not entirely sure which shoes are causing this, but they are pretty blistery and not so happy. I suppose I can just hope that they callous right up real soon and until then I'll just.... well, I'll probably do nothing.
Today's run was mainly hampered by my extremely disappointing new Brooks shorts I ordered. They're black with some blue, so I want to sprint in them with my Tera jersey, but they have a boxer short inside, which I figured I wouldn't like, and I don't. They're also much heavier than I thought. And they don't have a zipper pocket. Oh well, I didn't like my Pearl shorts before I first got them either, and now they're not so bad.
Today's run was mainly hampered by my extremely disappointing new Brooks shorts I ordered. They're black with some blue, so I want to sprint in them with my Tera jersey, but they have a boxer short inside, which I figured I wouldn't like, and I don't. They're also much heavier than I thought. And they don't have a zipper pocket. Oh well, I didn't like my Pearl shorts before I first got them either, and now they're not so bad.
Cycling 1:20:00 [1] 21.87 km (3:39 / km)
I thought it might be appropriate to give my legs a little break and go for a bike ride, so I pumped up my 29er tires and went out for a bit of a spin. My technical skills are definitely not quite what they used to be in my cycling heyday. Yes, I did have a cycling heyday, and triumphantly climbed all the way from sport to expert in MTB and 'cross. Triumphant indeed.
On the way back home I stopped by the Scona track to watch Jack run a 10,000m on the track, which was dumb because I wished I had been racing too. The winner did it in about 33:15, which, on a wind-less day on the track, I could.... *possibly* beat, I'm not sure. It would have been fun to try and see if hanging on to him would have dragged me to a PB. Oh well!
There's a 3000m next weekend but I don't think I'll have time to do it. And I EVEN HAVE NEW SPIKES! AUGH!
On the way back home I stopped by the Scona track to watch Jack run a 10,000m on the track, which was dumb because I wished I had been racing too. The winner did it in about 33:15, which, on a wind-less day on the track, I could.... *possibly* beat, I'm not sure. It would have been fun to try and see if hanging on to him would have dragged me to a PB. Oh well!
There's a 3000m next weekend but I don't think I'll have time to do it. And I EVEN HAVE NEW SPIKES! AUGH!
Thursday May 21, 2015 #
Running intervals 55:00 [4] 10.66 km (5:10 / km)
shoes: Pearl Izumi Streak (circa 2009
No time like the present to go out and do a track workout! My legs were still feeling it from yesterday, but I sometimes like the idea of back to back intensity. I mean, we usually do back-to-back-to-back race weekends, so why not, right?
Headed over to a real vintage gravel track in St. Albert, feature goose poop, a bit of a slant, and plenty of ruts. Like running on that track in canmore that featured an uphill.
Ran 1200/800/400/400/800/1200 with the short ones being faster than the long ones. They certainly also got progressively harder, I could feel my leg technique start to get wobbly by the end. Did the 1200 in 3:59, then 2:30, 1:09, 1:10, 2:30, 3:59. So... actually, stunningly consistent. I'm quite surprised.
But, Kim swears I look faster than last year, and he knows better than I, so... boom!
Headed over to a real vintage gravel track in St. Albert, feature goose poop, a bit of a slant, and plenty of ruts. Like running on that track in canmore that featured an uphill.
Ran 1200/800/400/400/800/1200 with the short ones being faster than the long ones. They certainly also got progressively harder, I could feel my leg technique start to get wobbly by the end. Did the 1200 in 3:59, then 2:30, 1:09, 1:10, 2:30, 3:59. So... actually, stunningly consistent. I'm quite surprised.
But, Kim swears I look faster than last year, and he knows better than I, so... boom!
Running 30:00 [1] 5.51 km (5:27 / km)
shoes: Mizuno Wave Rider 16
Little bit of a recovery shake-out before the evening at the shop. It took a long time for my legs to warm up to this idea. Right around the time that I finished.
Wednesday May 20, 2015 #
Running race 16:49 [4] 4.7 km (3:35 / km) +70m 3:20 / km
shoes: Saucony Kinvara TR
Final Frank's race of season! My favorite part was this kid from this school in "New Norway" (Yes, this is a real place - population 283), stuck himself right at the front of the start. For some reason people are reluctant to be at the front of the pack at the start line, so there was this big hole. And he marched right in there. And as the rest of converged on him and were about twice his size, he stood firm and sure as heck he was the first across the start line. Mad props, small New Norwegian. Good style.
This week I managed to avoid the cookie stone of last week and instead was fueled by Calzone Power, which is, among many things, intense deliciousity. Thankfully I ate it well, well in advance so I wasn't reminded of it mid-race.
I felt pretty good climbing Esso hill, I think I was probably going a little harder than I should have, because I don't feel like I ever really recovered for the rest of the race. One problem was that it was quite hot and really, really, dry. My throat was on fire for most of the race, and you could tell everyone agreed because there was all kinds of coughing at the finish line. I then hustled off to orienteering only to find out a day later that I had won a pair of new Brooks. Eiiiiiiii!
Oh well, I probably don't need to take more shoes back with me, I'm already bringing..... 5? Brooks Pure Connect, a Gore-tex pair, Kinvara TRs, Mizuno Hitogami and my totally sweet purple glow-in-the-dark NB 980s. Oh yes. They exist. And are awesome.
This week I managed to avoid the cookie stone of last week and instead was fueled by Calzone Power, which is, among many things, intense deliciousity. Thankfully I ate it well, well in advance so I wasn't reminded of it mid-race.
I felt pretty good climbing Esso hill, I think I was probably going a little harder than I should have, because I don't feel like I ever really recovered for the rest of the race. One problem was that it was quite hot and really, really, dry. My throat was on fire for most of the race, and you could tell everyone agreed because there was all kinds of coughing at the finish line. I then hustled off to orienteering only to find out a day later that I had won a pair of new Brooks. Eiiiiiiii!
Oh well, I probably don't need to take more shoes back with me, I'm already bringing..... 5? Brooks Pure Connect, a Gore-tex pair, Kinvara TRs, Mizuno Hitogami and my totally sweet purple glow-in-the-dark NB 980s. Oh yes. They exist. And are awesome.
Orienteering 30:00 [1] 6.39 km (4:42 / km)
shoes: Saucony Kinvara TR
Hustled from Frank's race to Wednesday orienteering at Laurier. The first half was ludicrously easy and it seems that made everyone be totally complacent and the second half which can sometimes be a little tricky (if only because psychotic dogs chase you around) was a bit more interesting. Unfortunately the features the controls were on were all ones I've been to hundreds of times before.
"Oh, yes, that boulder, I know where that is". "Yep, that knoll, easy."
But, its okay, I think my running fitness is shaping up nicely and when back in Finland its going to be an intensive technical blitz leading up to O-Ringen and WOC. But, Jukola first! I'm quietly hoping they put me on like, the third team, but on first leg.
Never been to Jukola before, let's go first. I'm way into that.
"Oh, yes, that boulder, I know where that is". "Yep, that knoll, easy."
But, its okay, I think my running fitness is shaping up nicely and when back in Finland its going to be an intensive technical blitz leading up to O-Ringen and WOC. But, Jukola first! I'm quietly hoping they put me on like, the third team, but on first leg.
Never been to Jukola before, let's go first. I'm way into that.
Running 33:11 [3] 4.0 km (8:18 / km)
shoes: Saucony Kinvara TR
Warm-up ja cool-down.
Tuesday May 19, 2015 #
Running 1:05:00 [1] 12.19 km (5:20 / km)
shoes: Mizuno Wave Rider 16
A little morning jaunt to shake out the legs. And boy howdy did they need shaking. Lungs still feel fine, legs were quite unhappy. After the run it was high time to compress myself to the gills and hope I recover for Wednesday's Frank's race. OH CRAP. I just remembered that I need to register for that!
Also! My new XC spikes came today. This may seem odd since I haven't run a cross country or track race in an awful lot of years, but.... heck, 30 dollar Brooks Mach 16? I just couldn't say no. Its all part of my two-step "track race" plan:
1) Buy track spikes.
2) Actually register for a race.
I suspect I'll have way more fun with step 1 than step 2. And more success.
Also! My new XC spikes came today. This may seem odd since I haven't run a cross country or track race in an awful lot of years, but.... heck, 30 dollar Brooks Mach 16? I just couldn't say no. Its all part of my two-step "track race" plan:
1) Buy track spikes.
2) Actually register for a race.
I suspect I'll have way more fun with step 1 than step 2. And more success.
Monday May 18, 2015 #
Orienteering 1:50:00 [1] 20.96 km (5:15 / km)
shoes: Saucony Kinvara TR
Saturday was the triumphant introduction of a new updated version of the Whitemud map, which was put to good use by holding a bog-standard regular Wednesday event. On a Saturday. Triumphant indeed.
But, being Saturday, I was working, so I ventured out to run around it today, as part of a longer run. So, I jogged over to Whitemud, started at number 14, and did the rest of the course. Whitemud forces you to make some route choice decisions because there's a lot of green and generally you have to take trails, so it would be more fun if the club would hold something like a mass start or a night-o. I remember doing a night-o mass start with the club once (it was a score-o, but... close enough, I suppose), and it made Whitemud significantly trickier. The mass start night-orienteering (and, well, night orienteering in general) has since been abolished, it would appear.
Afterwards, moseyed all the way down Whitemud and back home. Legs were good and tired, the lungs felt just fine though. Maybe should have ran for a bit more!
But, being Saturday, I was working, so I ventured out to run around it today, as part of a longer run. So, I jogged over to Whitemud, started at number 14, and did the rest of the course. Whitemud forces you to make some route choice decisions because there's a lot of green and generally you have to take trails, so it would be more fun if the club would hold something like a mass start or a night-o. I remember doing a night-o mass start with the club once (it was a score-o, but... close enough, I suppose), and it made Whitemud significantly trickier. The mass start night-orienteering (and, well, night orienteering in general) has since been abolished, it would appear.
Afterwards, moseyed all the way down Whitemud and back home. Legs were good and tired, the lungs felt just fine though. Maybe should have ran for a bit more!
Sunday May 17, 2015 #
Running intervals 1:15:00 [4] 12.51 km (6:00 / km)
shoes: Saucony Kinvara TR
Hit up SWC for some Kim-tervals around Moose Loop. Gosh, I have a lot of weird names in these sessions! Its handy, though, because now I can go back and check what sort of pace I did these last year.
Around June I did a longer interval and then 3 x this loop, and ran them in 3:52, 3:46, and 3:39.
Today I did 4, and I felt good for the first three, and the fourth one was quite a bit tougher. I think I went too hard on number two, which made me hurt for the last two. Certainly I had thought about doing 5, but the fourth one was a little too fatiguing to want to do a 5th. Next time. Anyway, I did them in 3:47, 3:35, 3:37, and 3:39. So, maybe a bit faster than June last year? Maybe not the gainz I was hoping for, but just have to keep at it.
Around June I did a longer interval and then 3 x this loop, and ran them in 3:52, 3:46, and 3:39.
Today I did 4, and I felt good for the first three, and the fourth one was quite a bit tougher. I think I went too hard on number two, which made me hurt for the last two. Certainly I had thought about doing 5, but the fourth one was a little too fatiguing to want to do a 5th. Next time. Anyway, I did them in 3:47, 3:35, 3:37, and 3:39. So, maybe a bit faster than June last year? Maybe not the gainz I was hoping for, but just have to keep at it.
Running 45:00 [3] 8.61 km (5:14 / km)
shoes: Saucony Kinvara TR
Afternoon recovery jaunt. Being a relatively nice day and a Sunday of a long weekend, it was pretty darn busy out. Plenty of people doing the stairs at Whitemud, several people who looked like they were riding stolen bikes because they didn't have helmets and the bikes we were way to small for them, lots of people fishing, people getting high over by Keillor Road, you know, the usual. But in greater quantities.
Saturday May 16, 2015 #
Running 1:00:00 [1] 11.92 km (5:02 / km)
shoes: Mizuno Wave Rider 16
Full day at the shop ahead, so I managed to get up early enough to do a bit of a jaunt before a remarkably slow day. Went up Mill Creek and then across to Queen E for a few more trails to check off my list. Its May, but its also rather cold. The sun is out, but its only about 4 degrees in the mornings. Brrrr.
Hopefully Finland will be warm and sunny when I get back! (Ha ha!)
Hopefully Finland will be warm and sunny when I get back! (Ha ha!)
Friday May 15, 2015 #
Running 1:05:00 [3] 12.09 km (5:23 / km)
shoes: Pearl Izumi Streak (circa 2009
Well, I probably should have gone for a morning run, I didn't expect to be waiting around until so late in the evening to go for a weird workout. 60 x 5s with 25 recovery. This kind of workout is not really in the plan, but it was hardly a physically difficult workout, so I envision it as just lots of little strides. Two ways I could jazz it up, though, would be to start from a standstill (because I'm not great at acceleration, and that's a common sprint thing), or to do them on some technical single track or even in the terrain. Another thought I had was to do maybe 10 of these, then a tempo, then another 10.
So, vague ideas. The acceleration thing, though, that has some merit. I've only sprinted with that touch free system once, but it went really well when I could just blaze on by a control instead of slowing down, which could suggest that stop-and-go is something I could improve on.
So, vague ideas. The acceleration thing, though, that has some merit. I've only sprinted with that touch free system once, but it went really well when I could just blaze on by a control instead of slowing down, which could suggest that stop-and-go is something I could improve on.
Thursday May 14, 2015 #
Running 1:00:00 [1] 11.79 km (5:05 / km)
shoes: Mizuno Wave Rider 16
A nice morning run around a different loop. Check another one off the list! Considering yesterday's race, my legs were feeling remarkably chipper! What a great sign! Check out all these exclamation marks!
!
!
C • ; 4
Running 50:00 [1] 8.72 km (5:44 / km)
shoes: Pearl Izumi Streak (circa 2009
Went for an evening jaunt after Paul worked at the shop. Not remarkably fast, but it was just nice to get out for another little jaunt, on yet another loop. And, in a stunning twist, on one of the worst off-leash dog trails I've been on, I didn't see a single one! Its been a week and I haven't even complained about off-leash dogs yet. Its a Christmas miracle!
Wednesday May 13, 2015 #
Running race 21:52 [4] 6.4 km (3:25 / km) +80m 3:13 / km
shoes: Saucony Kinvara TR
Current athletic bucket list:
- Improve sprint final result and re-take best ever Canadian men's sprint result
- Run WOC long final
- Sub-9:00 3000m
- Win Frank Macnamara XC race - CHECK
Yes, it has finally happened, after racing this series off and on for like, 12 years, I actually won a Wednesday night cross country race. The field has been getting weaker over the years, but Francois kept coming out. It was great because I had someone to chase after, but bad because he always beat me. However, he moved to Switzerland! So, I was in the clear! I took it easy off the start to assess the situation, and the realized the situation was that we were running real slow so I think I'm in the clear. I suspect I ate a few too many cookies this afternoon as I started to feel sluggish up the long climb and definitely the last mile or so, but I won with a solid 50 second margin. Unfortunately I was 13 seconds down on last year's time on this course, but this year I was all by myself without anyone to chase and was also carrying a cookie stone in my gut.
So, let that be lesson to you:
Never give up, because eventually everyone fast will move away.
- Improve sprint final result and re-take best ever Canadian men's sprint result
- Run WOC long final
- Sub-9:00 3000m
- Win Frank Macnamara XC race - CHECK
Yes, it has finally happened, after racing this series off and on for like, 12 years, I actually won a Wednesday night cross country race. The field has been getting weaker over the years, but Francois kept coming out. It was great because I had someone to chase after, but bad because he always beat me. However, he moved to Switzerland! So, I was in the clear! I took it easy off the start to assess the situation, and the realized the situation was that we were running real slow so I think I'm in the clear. I suspect I ate a few too many cookies this afternoon as I started to feel sluggish up the long climb and definitely the last mile or so, but I won with a solid 50 second margin. Unfortunately I was 13 seconds down on last year's time on this course, but this year I was all by myself without anyone to chase and was also carrying a cookie stone in my gut.
So, let that be lesson to you:
Never give up, because eventually everyone fast will move away.
Running 38:08 [1] 3.5 km (10:54 / km)
shoes: Saucony Kinvara TR
Orienteering 35:00 [1] 6.29 km (5:34 / km)
Lept in the car after XC to head out to Blackfoot for Wednesday night borienteering. A quick glance meant I needed to jazz it up a little, so I tried to do it by memory. Just one leg at a time, but figure out the leg and then not look at the map anymore. This is a fairly easy map to do that, but its still something I need to do more of. I have a very distractable mind all the time, so I should probably buy that pair of headphones that are on sale.
I mean, work on getting distracted less often.
I mean, work on getting distracted less often.
Tuesday May 12, 2015 #
Running intervals 1:20:00 [3] 15.0 km (5:20 / km)
shoes: Pearl Izumi Streak (circa 2009
Patrick was doing his interval workout, so I joined in. Its a weird one, 46 x 20 seconds with 40 seconds rest, at... 8km pace? I'm really not clear on what the purpose of this workout was, so I just kind of ran 20 second speed. Like, fast, but not balls out. I think my heart rate never go above 160.
More irritating was how I can't seem to get my Polar to co-operate. The way that you program workouts has got to be the most cumbersome method I've experienced in quite a long time. Their old 600i from, what, 15 years ago? had better ways than how it works now.
You have to go on Flow, and set a "training target". First, you HAVE to set a warm-up and cool-down time. I don't like setting those, because I just want to run until I'm ready. I tried setting it to zero, but the screen gets screwed up, you can't see your running data unless you hit start, and then it just starts the workout. So, you have to set it to some arbitrary number. Thankfully, you can skip ahead once you want to start, so I guess I'll just set it to an hour or something.
Then, after about 6 more annoying steps, you can finally program it into the watch. BUT, despite setting a workout, the watch doesn't automatically take laps at the start and end of each interval. So if I do 4 x 10 minutes, it won't automatically record how far/fast I went for each interval. I have to physically take a lap every time.
What kind of training watch doesn't do THAT?
Its design decisions like that which really shows that sports companies are run by businessmen and programmers, and apparently don't have a single athlete on staff.
Its like how Strava still has a category for Cross country skiing and Nordic skiing.
More irritating was how I can't seem to get my Polar to co-operate. The way that you program workouts has got to be the most cumbersome method I've experienced in quite a long time. Their old 600i from, what, 15 years ago? had better ways than how it works now.
You have to go on Flow, and set a "training target". First, you HAVE to set a warm-up and cool-down time. I don't like setting those, because I just want to run until I'm ready. I tried setting it to zero, but the screen gets screwed up, you can't see your running data unless you hit start, and then it just starts the workout. So, you have to set it to some arbitrary number. Thankfully, you can skip ahead once you want to start, so I guess I'll just set it to an hour or something.
Then, after about 6 more annoying steps, you can finally program it into the watch. BUT, despite setting a workout, the watch doesn't automatically take laps at the start and end of each interval. So if I do 4 x 10 minutes, it won't automatically record how far/fast I went for each interval. I have to physically take a lap every time.
What kind of training watch doesn't do THAT?
Its design decisions like that which really shows that sports companies are run by businessmen and programmers, and apparently don't have a single athlete on staff.
Its like how Strava still has a category for Cross country skiing and Nordic skiing.
Monday May 11, 2015 #
Running 1:20:00 [1] 15.71 km (5:06 / km)
shoes: Pearl Izumi Streak (circa 2009
Monday morning cruise over to my old roller-ski stomping ground, McKinnon Ravine. One year when I was training for skiing (though not enough), I counted the number of times I skied 100% bottom to top of McKinnon Ravine, I got to 87. Always kind of wished I'd gotten to 100.
I look at my relatively blister free hands and am moderately glad I don't do that any more. And then I notice I don't have many toenails.
Oh well, kaksipa päätä makkarassa. (Sort of?)
I look at my relatively blister free hands and am moderately glad I don't do that any more. And then I notice I don't have many toenails.
Oh well, kaksipa päätä makkarassa. (Sort of?)
Running 55:00 [1] 9.3 km (5:55 / km)
shoes: Pearl Izumi Streak (circa 2009
Another mildly slow jog with someone else. One of my goals while I'm here is to run basically all of my old trails at least one. Check off another one, plenty, plenty more to go. This has been an abrupt increase in running volume, but the legs are feeling pretty good so far. Nevertheless, the nice weather and pleasant running means I have to be a little careful not to get carried away. Maybe I should get my bike back in commission.
Sunday May 10, 2015 #
Running 55:00 [1] 9.01 km (6:06 / km)
shoes: Mizuno Wave Rider 16
Maryann was heading off tomorrow for a placement in Red Deer, so although I had intended to do a longer run, instead I joined her for an easy run down to Hawrelak and back. As we got to the top of Keillor Road, some of mid-pack runners of the Mother's Day 10k were coming up the hill.
This one dude ran past, and as he did he lifted up his shirt, wiped the sweat off his face, and on the way by blew his nose into the front of his shirt. That was weird. And gross.
This one dude ran past, and as he did he lifted up his shirt, wiped the sweat off his face, and on the way by blew his nose into the front of his shirt. That was weird. And gross.
Running 50:00 [1] 9.6 km (5:12 / km)
shoes: Pearl Izumi Streak (circa 2009
After a lazy Sunday at the shop, I had the energy to go for another run. My achilles has been bothering me now that I'm running more, but a little bit of warm-up works wonders, and eventually I felt just fine.
I also covered 500 meters more than this morning in 5 less minutes. Some runs are a bit more effective than others. But, I can't do all my workouts alone. Just... 95% it would seem. I thought that percentage might go down a little bit while in Finland, but that hasn't quite worked out the way I wanted to. And now the boys living in the other building are moving away. Darn.
I also covered 500 meters more than this morning in 5 less minutes. Some runs are a bit more effective than others. But, I can't do all my workouts alone. Just... 95% it would seem. I thought that percentage might go down a little bit while in Finland, but that hasn't quite worked out the way I wanted to. And now the boys living in the other building are moving away. Darn.
Saturday May 9, 2015 #
Running 50:00 [1] 9.55 km (5:14 / km)
shoes: Pearl Izumi Streak (circa 2009
I had everything planned out so well. Until I didn't. Darn! Oh well. Monday.
Friday May 8, 2015 #
Running 1:20:00 [1] 15.35 km (5:13 / km)
shoes: Mizuno Wave Rider 16
Back in Edmonton for a bit! Yay! I realized what I missed - the river valley. There are few things I like more than running through my trails. I know the all so, so well, and sometimes I tire of them, but today is not that day. All I thought was that its a shame people don't come to Edmonton more often so that I can show them how awesome it is. I couldn't possibly afford to live here any more, I don't think, not at the moment, but I wish I could buy a nice house in Belgravia or something and then encourage various Europeans to come over and join in the fun. For a couple days. Then we'd go to the mountains. Great city to live in, not the most riveting to visit.
Thursday May 7, 2015 #
Running 1:15:00 [1] 13.69 km (5:29 / km)
shoes: Pearl Izumi Streak (circa 2009
An overnight layover in Houston meant we went to a hotel. I check a map and the hotel was actually relatively close to the Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Reserve.
I checked a map so I had a rough idea of where I need to go. I figured, being a park, as long as I got to the edge of the park, I'd find a trail to enter the park.
As it turns out, I forgot that I'm in Amurica, and thus the entire park is surrounded by a large fence with barb wire on top. Great. I had a rough idea of where I thought the entrance would be, so, undaunted, I continued, but had difficulty finding away to GET to the entrance through all the suburbia and cul-de-sacs. I found it after about 40 minutes, which gave me about 15 minutes to hit some trails and run around.
It was a cute park, it would have been nice to run around it more. There is no way you could do any orienteering in this park. Way too thick. It was also a shame that all the trails were paved and not something softer.
Either way, my brief experience of Houston was not so bad. I really only spoke to the people at the hotel, and no, they weren't very nice. But the weather was nice, that park was okay, and the sign on the vending machine that said "watter available in office" [sic], was very funny.
So.... I give a Houston a Not enough information / 10.
I checked a map so I had a rough idea of where I need to go. I figured, being a park, as long as I got to the edge of the park, I'd find a trail to enter the park.
As it turns out, I forgot that I'm in Amurica, and thus the entire park is surrounded by a large fence with barb wire on top. Great. I had a rough idea of where I thought the entrance would be, so, undaunted, I continued, but had difficulty finding away to GET to the entrance through all the suburbia and cul-de-sacs. I found it after about 40 minutes, which gave me about 15 minutes to hit some trails and run around.
It was a cute park, it would have been nice to run around it more. There is no way you could do any orienteering in this park. Way too thick. It was also a shame that all the trails were paved and not something softer.
Either way, my brief experience of Houston was not so bad. I really only spoke to the people at the hotel, and no, they weren't very nice. But the weather was nice, that park was okay, and the sign on the vending machine that said "watter available in office" [sic], was very funny.
So.... I give a Houston a Not enough information / 10.
Wednesday May 6, 2015 #
Running 1:10:00 [1] 12.02 km (5:49 / km)
shoes: Pearl Izumi Streak (circa 2009
Final run on the Cayman Islands. Sad. But, we went back to the other place that Claire likes to run on the island. More dyke roads, but at least its not pavement. I imagine its pretty good for intensity if you can get over the eventual boredom. A little bit softer than pavement, but fairly smooth and straight. Good for sustained running at any pace. I'm not going to miss CI, but I'm going to miss hanging out with someone is enthusiastic for adventures (with adequate rest in between) , can take and dish out the wisecracks in equal proportion, and having someone to talk that I know is totally on my side.
Although I suppose technically that's her job. Its what I'm not paying her for.
Although I suppose technically that's her job. Its what I'm not paying her for.
Tuesday May 5, 2015 #
Orienteering 45:00 [3] 7.0 km (6:26 / km)
shoes: Pearl Izumi Streak (circa 2009
Finally time for the much anticipated ultimate race of the First Non-Annual Cayman Islands International Sprint Orienteering-palooza Cup, or, FNCIISOC, or something like that, its possible I forgot a letter (TM).
This was clearly the most important orienteering race to have ever happened on the Cayman Islands, and the men's and women's elite category was a who's who of international orienteering, in that the international orienteering community would say, "who?".
In the interest of efficient start management, the race was a mass start. Unfortunately, the route choice to number one was immediately blocked by some unexpected construction, which pretty much made this race fall in line with most urban sprints around the world. Its like it was meant to be.
There was much protesting over the quality of the mapping, particularly on the way to number 2, when a very obvious underpass and sidewalk were mysteriously omitted from the map. Clearly the mapper did not put in the requisite time with Google Earth or creeping on people's vacation videos on Youtube.
Unfortunately, on several controls, all elite competitors were in fact disqualified by officials who were hiding in the bushes.. However, upon multiple protests, they were all reinstated due to the fact that were it not for crossing the olive green, the athletes would have literally been trapped and unable to get to the next control. Glad to see the jury was willing to be flexible. It is assumed there will be plenty of passive aggressive comments about this on Attackpoint.
The race featured some short legs, two controls on a tropic island, a super-long, map spanning route choice leg, and plenty of bewildered observers.
This can only bode well for the future of orienteering on the Cayman Islands. Since the founding of the Cayman Islands as a country there have been an average of zero orienteering events per year. Now we can proudly say that rate has increased to 0.0189 orienteering events per year. Talks with Noname to produce Team Cayman O-lands is already underway.
This was clearly the most important orienteering race to have ever happened on the Cayman Islands, and the men's and women's elite category was a who's who of international orienteering, in that the international orienteering community would say, "who?".
In the interest of efficient start management, the race was a mass start. Unfortunately, the route choice to number one was immediately blocked by some unexpected construction, which pretty much made this race fall in line with most urban sprints around the world. Its like it was meant to be.
There was much protesting over the quality of the mapping, particularly on the way to number 2, when a very obvious underpass and sidewalk were mysteriously omitted from the map. Clearly the mapper did not put in the requisite time with Google Earth or creeping on people's vacation videos on Youtube.
Unfortunately, on several controls, all elite competitors were in fact disqualified by officials who were hiding in the bushes.. However, upon multiple protests, they were all reinstated due to the fact that were it not for crossing the olive green, the athletes would have literally been trapped and unable to get to the next control. Glad to see the jury was willing to be flexible. It is assumed there will be plenty of passive aggressive comments about this on Attackpoint.
The race featured some short legs, two controls on a tropic island, a super-long, map spanning route choice leg, and plenty of bewildered observers.
This can only bode well for the future of orienteering on the Cayman Islands. Since the founding of the Cayman Islands as a country there have been an average of zero orienteering events per year. Now we can proudly say that rate has increased to 0.0189 orienteering events per year. Talks with Noname to produce Team Cayman O-lands is already underway.
Monday May 4, 2015 #
Running 1:00:00 [1] 11.31 km (5:18 / km)
shoes: Pearl Izumi Streak (circa 2009
Another hot hot hot weather run in the cayman islands. This is also I think the sixth straight day where my watch registers precisely zero meters of climb. I think the only time I've achieved that is running on a treadmill. I'm quite certain now that running on this island all the time would be both insufferably boring and leave me quite injured.
Or I suppose, mentally tough and with feet of steel. You never know.
Or I suppose, mentally tough and with feet of steel. You never know.
Sunday May 3, 2015 #
Running 45:00 [1] 8.53 km (5:17 / km)
shoes: Pearl Izumi Streak (circa 2009
'twas a late night last night. But I was still motivated to get out and go for a little run post-wedding. I definitely drank quite a bit, but really felt no ill effects and went for a golf course jog by myself. Good stuff.
Saturday May 2, 2015 #
Running 45:00 [1] 8.65 km (5:12 / km)
(sick) shoes: Pearl Izumi Streak (circa 2009
There was a fully day on Friday with rehearsal dinners and moving to different hotels and whatnot that simply training didn't happen.
But, Saturday, it was required to go for a wedding run, so instead of running the dirt roads, we ran some of the roads of the golf course. No doubt it would be crazy boring to be a runner here all the time. You'd be great at running in the heat, but there's simply no great places to run and very little variety. This is just an out and back that really only takes 45 minutes, though I suppose you could also add some little detours to make it a bit longer. Sure, the scenery is nice, but you can only see the beaches sometimes, then otherwise its just fancy houses, fancy houses being built, and fancy houses not being built by Caymanians who are sitting around smoking pot.
The vast majority of what we saw was the last one.
But, Saturday, it was required to go for a wedding run, so instead of running the dirt roads, we ran some of the roads of the golf course. No doubt it would be crazy boring to be a runner here all the time. You'd be great at running in the heat, but there's simply no great places to run and very little variety. This is just an out and back that really only takes 45 minutes, though I suppose you could also add some little detours to make it a bit longer. Sure, the scenery is nice, but you can only see the beaches sometimes, then otherwise its just fancy houses, fancy houses being built, and fancy houses not being built by Caymanians who are sitting around smoking pot.
The vast majority of what we saw was the last one.