Training Log Archive: Bash

The Salomon team with Wesley Korir, winner of the 2012 Boston Marathon. Scott checked whether he was OK with posing in front of a Salomon logo while wearing his Nike logo!

The Salomon Toronto store was a major sponsor of the Monster Dash and asked their sponsored athletes to come out tonight. We didn't know what our costumes would be but we were asked to arrive wearing black bottoms and white shirts. It turned out we were doing the Running of the Bulls. Store manager Scott Burger was one of the bulls with a cardboard box strapped to his shoulders hanging around his body with a bull head on the front and four legs around the sides. Miles was the other bull. Josh, Solo, Brian C. and I were the four runners with matching red waist sashes and neck bandanas. With cold rain falling, we stuck some layers underneath our white shirts and added hats and gloves. Just because we run with bulls doesn't mean that we're stupid. :)



We were all supposed to run the 10K together but one of the bulls ran ahead with Solo and Josh a few kms in. Brian and I stayed with Scott, who just started running this year and did an awesome job wearing an awkward cardboard box that got heavier and heavier as rain kept soaking into it. It was a nice chatty run in the dark - lots of fun.

There should be a photo or two to follow, including a pic of us all standing in our costumes with Wesley Korir, who won this year's Boston Marathon in 2:12:40 - which may sound like a good time but it's 6.5 minutes slower than his marathon PB. (!!) His role tonight was to run the children's Spooky Mile - more than once, turning back at the finish line to join the slower kids in the event. When I shook his hand, I told him that since I did the 10K tonight, this may be the only time I'll ever outrun him. He seemed to like that. :)

Interesting fact from Wikipedia: "Korir is noted for buying two Subway tuna sandwiches before each race, one of which he eats pre-race and the other intended to eat post-race, but which he often gives to a homeless person instead."

'Bent and I left Palgrave in pitch blackness at 6:20 a.m. with cold rain slapping against the sides of the van. Lesser friends would have stayed home but we drove 90 minutes through the maelstrom to Dundas because we had committed to Pat-hectic that we would run SMT with him then help to hang controls for Peak-2-Peak.

He slept in. :)

Fortunately, Trav, Baloney and Trix were gracious hosts and took us for a beautiful run in the rain, skidding on bright yellow leaves and splashing through puddles. Possibly the Best SMT Ever. Well, actually, I think it's the *only* SMT I've ever done.



The others kindly dialled down their pace to avoid losing me. I was disappointed when both my knees began to hurt on the downhills. That had happened in the last part of the Oil Creek 100K but I hadn't felt it since. Otherwise, it was a fun autumn tour of the Dundas Valley with excellent company! Sherman Falls was thundering when we got back.



We capped it off with a trip to Domestique, the local bike-themed cafe with awesome lattes and bike-themed cookies.



With croissants and strong coffee in the equation - not to mention that it was after 10 a.m. - Pat-hectic eventually joined the party. A great place to hang out.

After dawdling in Domestique, Beanermunky's Chocolate Shop and Adventure Attic, 'Bent and I finally ran out of excuses not to return into the cold rain to hang 7 controls each for Peak-2-Peak. A couple of ribbons had come down and naturally I doubted myself so I spent quite awhile confirming a couple of the sites. Otherwise, it went well. It was surprisingly fun to be out in heavy rain, knowing that my layers were doing their job. Unfortunately, my lower left shin was hurting after this morning, which was my first long-ish run since Oil Creek. It's still early in the recovery from such a long race. Patience...

It's been a year since Goose tried to break my ankle (OK, maybe he was just a witness), and thanks to a couple of subsequent injuries, my left foot is messed up. It is willing to run long distances but I know I'm making adjustments to compensate for its inadequacies. It's time to get it fixed for real, then strengthen it.

Dr. Thumbs-of-Death noted today that the foot has shifted in the anterior direction, which explains the pain I felt in the inferior extensor retinaculum (where the shin turns the corner to become a foot) after 60K at Oil Creek. Also, both sides of my foot just in front of the heel are tight with scar tissue. The patient is going to live but HOLY CRAP, that treatment was the most painful thing I've voluntarily subjected myself to in my entire life! I thought I'd hit rock bottom the time I found bruises on my leg in the shape of Dr. Leanimal's fingerprints but I look back on that treatment session fondly now. I've never asked a chiro to stop ART because it hurts too much but I came really, really close today. I figure that if it doesn't hurt, it won't work so I must be well on the road to recovery now.

In the meantime, I'm going to need to work harder on mobility and strength. Here's something that might help.

Cruised around the Palgrave East single track in very warm weather. It was great but sadly, the trails in the north half of the conservation area are coated with horse feces from inconsiderate equestrians who would undoubtedly be upset if I failed to clean up after my dogs. There is a nearby riding school that likely pays nothing for the privilege of destroying trails built by the Caledon Cycling Club. We need to figure something out before our much-loved trails become useless, chopped-up horse trails instead of multi-use trails. No offence intended to considerate equestrians, Funderstorm - I know you would never allow your horse to ruin good single track.

Hard Core Live with Caron.

Power Yoga with C3 triathlon club. Great to be back! Some tough stuff tonight - too much for 'Bent's bad knee at times.

Thinking of my American friends after spending two weekends in the U.S.

While we were at NAOC this weekend, I was thinking that I'd really like to do the U.S. Ultralong Orienteering Champs next year since I enjoy longer nav races. This week I discovered that the 2012 Ultralong and Night O Champs still haven't happened yet. Hmm... Anyone up for a road trip?

BulletDog and I did a quick Tour de Palgrave on a misty autumn day. I meant to run longer but time was tight, and I got distracted trying to figure out Instagram. I'm definitely not an expert yet!

In Hamilton this Sunday, it's the Peak-2-Peak training event for the Salomon Dontgetlost Adventure Running Series.

Because Salomon Raid The Hammer always sells out, the Kids' Raid has been moved to coincide with Peak-2-Peak. This means that a few more volunteers are needed to help out. Pat-hectic is coordinating the charge, and volunteers can arrange to do the course before/after their shift.

Here is what is needed:

Registration (9:30-10:30am):
- Hand out SI cards, maps and get the waiver signed

Kids Course Marshalling (10:30-11:30am):
- Staff the road crossing and sweep the teams on the 3k kids course (all on trail).

SI Download & Results printing (11:00-12:30pm):
- Collect and download SI cards and print out results periodically. (Training provided - you only need basic computer skills.)

Control Collection:
- 1 p.m. onwards. Good navigation training opportunity for those who like to sleep in on the weekend! Bring your day pack.

I'm not sure but sometimes instructors are also needed for the brief mini-nav intro clinic at 10 a.m.

I'll be there on Saturday to help put out controls. Turns out Sunday is double-booked.

If you're able to help, you can put a comment on Pat-hectic's log or e-mail him directly at adventurerunningkids AT dontgetlost DOT ca.

If your kids age 6+ might enjoy this, check out the Kids' Raid event page. The youngest kids must have an adult accompanying them. Teams of two or three. Three levels of difficulty/distance.