Nothing went as planned yesterday. I wanted run the reverse hypo half marathon with the West Striders, but decided against it once I realized that I would be lucky to finish in one piece. I don’t mind pushing the limits of my body, but I haven’t run that distance since last August, and the thought of bonking in the freezing cold (-27 with wind chill) didn’t seem too appealing.
Instead, I decided to run at the Irving Nature Park, a little peninsula that's home to hundreds of bird species and other forms of wildlife. I thought it was a good idea because a)it’s only a few kilometers from my house and b)the road is measured, with markers every half kilometer. I knew how fast I wanted to run, so if I was moving too slow (or quick) after the first 500 meters I could simply make adjustment. No problem, right?
Wrong. The park hasn’t been plowed since lord knows when, so the ground was covered in hard, uneven snow. Some spots were relatively runner friendly, but other areas were twisted ankles waiting to happen. I didn’t want to scrap my run, though, so I ran past the gate and hoped for the best.
My best wasn’t too great. I passed the 1K mark about a minute slower than planned, and it took a concerted effort to pick up the pace. Not that it mattered; half of my energy was spent looking for places to run without falling. By 3K I decided that running safe was smarter than running my pace, so I dropped back the effort and finished about 4 minutes off pace. I’ll get a better measurement of my fitness next week.
You might not hear about it right away, though. I have two presentations and an essay due this week, which doesn’t leave much time for personal writing. If you hear from me, I am either procrastinating or figuring out a way to combine melodic contour and running. My vote is on the former.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
State of the Training Address
My first month of training is approaching its end, and so far so good. I am running five days a week, and have added some hectic gym classes and Wii Fit in for good measure. I have started eating better – poverty has forced me to avoid restaurants – and am getting used to eating smaller portions. I doubt I’ll ever be a health nut – I love chocolate too much for that to happen – but if I can keep active and relatively healthy, I won’t complain.
My Phys Ed class is certainly keeping me active. We have spent the last few classes practicing creative movement, and the last lesson consisted of the students coming up with their own dance routines. My group came up with some elaborate moves (the gun fight at the end was a highlight), and by the time we were done we were all sweaty and exhausted. I suppose it could be worse – we could be writing midterms.
I thought the excessive amount of dancing and posting would ruin my run, but I found myself boogying down the West Side Streets at a fairly rapid pace. I don’t exactly know how fast I am moving out there, but I know that I am getting faster, and that’s all I need to inspire me thus far.
I’ll have a better idea of my pace tomorrow. I plan on running a measured course, which will give me an idea of where I stand in terms of fitness. I don’t plan on running fast – it’s going to be a long, slow, distance run – but at least it will give me an idea of how fast I should be running on subsequent outings.
I would spend some time explaining that last statement, but I need to get ready to go out. I can’t pass up a good party, even if it’s happening the night before my long run. I’ll try to be on my best behaviour, but no promises.
My Phys Ed class is certainly keeping me active. We have spent the last few classes practicing creative movement, and the last lesson consisted of the students coming up with their own dance routines. My group came up with some elaborate moves (the gun fight at the end was a highlight), and by the time we were done we were all sweaty and exhausted. I suppose it could be worse – we could be writing midterms.
I thought the excessive amount of dancing and posting would ruin my run, but I found myself boogying down the West Side Streets at a fairly rapid pace. I don’t exactly know how fast I am moving out there, but I know that I am getting faster, and that’s all I need to inspire me thus far.
I’ll have a better idea of my pace tomorrow. I plan on running a measured course, which will give me an idea of where I stand in terms of fitness. I don’t plan on running fast – it’s going to be a long, slow, distance run – but at least it will give me an idea of how fast I should be running on subsequent outings.
I would spend some time explaining that last statement, but I need to get ready to go out. I can’t pass up a good party, even if it’s happening the night before my long run. I’ll try to be on my best behaviour, but no promises.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Studies, Skates, and Stupid Drivers
I know this entry is arriving a day late, but I have a really good excuse: I spent most of last night working on a paper for my Teaching and Learning Theory class. The old me (the one that took almost 13 years to finish a Bachelor of Arts degree) would have passed the paper in weeks late, if at all, but the new me is aiming for straight A’s. Hopefully all this effort results in some steady employment next year. Anyone out there looking for a music teacher?
I was just as productive physically as I was mentally. Instead of spending my lunch break in the computer lab, I strapped on a pair of skates and headed to the Aitken Center with my friends Justin, Kristi, and Bill. I hadn’t skated since I was a teenager, and my first few loops were awkward at best, especially compared to Justin (a hockey player) and Kristi (a former figure skater). I did show signs of improvement though, so I may make the NHL just yet.
I supplemented that activity with a relatively long run. I tacked an extra 10 minutes onto my normal loop last night, and, aside from a little fatigue from the skating, felt relatively good. I am slowly coming out of last week’s rut, and am even showing signs of losing weight. I still need to lose around 15 pounds to be in race shape – most of it’s in my belly – but I have nine months to make that happen, so I won’t force the issue. I might need that insulation for those cold February nights.
One thing I will mention to all of you before I go back to my schoolwork. ALWAYS ensure that drivers see you before stepping in front of their cars. Last night I ran in front of an idling car, only to have the driver hit the gas in hopes of making a sudden left turn. Luckily she missed – I jumped and hollered at the same time, which did the trick – but a moment in either direction and I would have finished my run in an ambulance. Yes, drivers should pay more attention to pedestrians, but all the shouldas and couldas in the world won’t protect you from a broken hip if a car doesn’t see you on the road.
Okay, enough of my ranting. Back to work I go!
I was just as productive physically as I was mentally. Instead of spending my lunch break in the computer lab, I strapped on a pair of skates and headed to the Aitken Center with my friends Justin, Kristi, and Bill. I hadn’t skated since I was a teenager, and my first few loops were awkward at best, especially compared to Justin (a hockey player) and Kristi (a former figure skater). I did show signs of improvement though, so I may make the NHL just yet.
I supplemented that activity with a relatively long run. I tacked an extra 10 minutes onto my normal loop last night, and, aside from a little fatigue from the skating, felt relatively good. I am slowly coming out of last week’s rut, and am even showing signs of losing weight. I still need to lose around 15 pounds to be in race shape – most of it’s in my belly – but I have nine months to make that happen, so I won’t force the issue. I might need that insulation for those cold February nights.
One thing I will mention to all of you before I go back to my schoolwork. ALWAYS ensure that drivers see you before stepping in front of their cars. Last night I ran in front of an idling car, only to have the driver hit the gas in hopes of making a sudden left turn. Luckily she missed – I jumped and hollered at the same time, which did the trick – but a moment in either direction and I would have finished my run in an ambulance. Yes, drivers should pay more attention to pedestrians, but all the shouldas and couldas in the world won’t protect you from a broken hip if a car doesn’t see you on the road.
Okay, enough of my ranting. Back to work I go!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Imperfect Timing
Fitting a run into my daily routine is becoming increasingly difficult. Some of it is due to my busy schedule, but most of it is due to procrastination. This is not a new phenomenon. If you don’t believe me, check out this excerpt from my previous blog:
“I am a terrible procrastinator, so it’s easy to find things to do when I don’t want to run. Usually it starts out with something constructive, like doing the dishes. Then, I check the messages on the phone. The phone is next to the computer, so then I check my email. From there, it’s a slippery slope to the television, which is one step away from a nap. If sleep takes over, and it has on occasion, it’s game over.” – Chuck Teed, October 11, 2006
Lately, I find myself pushing back the start time until it’s almost too late. Yesterday I didn’t get outside until well after dark (those of you who read the blog daily will note that I planned on running in the daylight), thus maintaining my streak of night time runs. Today I had a six hour running window, but didn’t manage to leave the house until I had less than an hour to spare. Guess what happened to the length of my run? If I don’t start focusing a short term goal (a race, for example), I am never going to make it to the starting line of the marathon.
Yes, I know I that I should be focusing on building a base, but I also don’t want to get into a rut, and these short runs are starting to get to me. I need to switch up the routine, so if anyone in the blogosphere has any suggestions, I am all eyes (I would say ears, but I imagine I’ll be reading your response). Drop me a line at kvchallenger@gmail.com, or post a reply below.
“I am a terrible procrastinator, so it’s easy to find things to do when I don’t want to run. Usually it starts out with something constructive, like doing the dishes. Then, I check the messages on the phone. The phone is next to the computer, so then I check my email. From there, it’s a slippery slope to the television, which is one step away from a nap. If sleep takes over, and it has on occasion, it’s game over.” – Chuck Teed, October 11, 2006
Lately, I find myself pushing back the start time until it’s almost too late. Yesterday I didn’t get outside until well after dark (those of you who read the blog daily will note that I planned on running in the daylight), thus maintaining my streak of night time runs. Today I had a six hour running window, but didn’t manage to leave the house until I had less than an hour to spare. Guess what happened to the length of my run? If I don’t start focusing a short term goal (a race, for example), I am never going to make it to the starting line of the marathon.
Yes, I know I that I should be focusing on building a base, but I also don’t want to get into a rut, and these short runs are starting to get to me. I need to switch up the routine, so if anyone in the blogosphere has any suggestions, I am all eyes (I would say ears, but I imagine I’ll be reading your response). Drop me a line at kvchallenger@gmail.com, or post a reply below.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Dog Days of Winter
It’s been a busy few days, and the blog has suffered as a result. I had 20 centimeters of snow to shovel Wednesday, a social studies project due Thursday, and a gig last night, so writing has fallen by the wayside. I also missed my run two days in a row due to all the hectic activity. Not a good training week, that’s for sure.
That being said, I have been physically active all week. I am currently taking a physical education class as part of my Education degree, and at least half of each class consists of the students running around the gymnasium. We spent most of Thursday afternoon dancing, and I was soaked with sweat by the end of class. If you see me busting out some new moves on the dance floor, you’ll know why.
And let’s not forget the shoveling. It seems that my driveway is a snowdrift zone, so each snowfall requires at least two trips outside to finish the job properly. I had to include a third trek on Wednesday to shovel out the mouth of the driveway, which was filled with heavy, thick snow from helpful Mr. Plow. I should really consider investing in a snow blower.
I did manage to make it outside yesterday. It was the polar opposite of my run on Tuesday. I started out slow, and got progressively slower as the run progressed. The sidewalks were snow covered and slippery, and each step forward was weak and tenuous. I felt like I was starting from scratch, and it was discouraging at best. At least it was a short run.
I am hoping today’s trek is better. If I hurry, I can get outside before it is dark outside. Hopefully that will lift my spirits and give me the energy I need to complete the run successfully. Fingers crossed.
That being said, I have been physically active all week. I am currently taking a physical education class as part of my Education degree, and at least half of each class consists of the students running around the gymnasium. We spent most of Thursday afternoon dancing, and I was soaked with sweat by the end of class. If you see me busting out some new moves on the dance floor, you’ll know why.
And let’s not forget the shoveling. It seems that my driveway is a snowdrift zone, so each snowfall requires at least two trips outside to finish the job properly. I had to include a third trek on Wednesday to shovel out the mouth of the driveway, which was filled with heavy, thick snow from helpful Mr. Plow. I should really consider investing in a snow blower.
I did manage to make it outside yesterday. It was the polar opposite of my run on Tuesday. I started out slow, and got progressively slower as the run progressed. The sidewalks were snow covered and slippery, and each step forward was weak and tenuous. I felt like I was starting from scratch, and it was discouraging at best. At least it was a short run.
I am hoping today’s trek is better. If I hurry, I can get outside before it is dark outside. Hopefully that will lift my spirits and give me the energy I need to complete the run successfully. Fingers crossed.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Need For Speed
Man, what a great run! I didn’t expect much when I stepped outside – it was 11:30PM and I was starving – but for some reason I had a lot of pickup on my step when I started running. Usually it takes me a few minutes to massage the kinks out of my legs, but today I was a well oiled machine, and I took advantage of the situation to push myself a little harder than usual.
I attacked the hills with ease. I dodged potholes and pedestrians with confidence. My form felt tight, and my leg turnover was faster than normal. I floored the gas pedal on the homestretch, running at race pace for the last time minutes of the run. I was panting when I finally stopped, but it was a good burn, the type when get when you know you’ve left it all on the track (or in this case, street). I’m pumped.
I can’t get too pumped, though. It’s well past midnight, and I have 8:30 classes in Fredericton tomorrow. If I have any luck we’ll get snowed in, but something tells me I’ll be going to class. Let’s see how fast I am moving on less than six hours sleep.
I attacked the hills with ease. I dodged potholes and pedestrians with confidence. My form felt tight, and my leg turnover was faster than normal. I floored the gas pedal on the homestretch, running at race pace for the last time minutes of the run. I was panting when I finally stopped, but it was a good burn, the type when get when you know you’ve left it all on the track (or in this case, street). I’m pumped.
I can’t get too pumped, though. It’s well past midnight, and I have 8:30 classes in Fredericton tomorrow. If I have any luck we’ll get snowed in, but something tells me I’ll be going to class. Let’s see how fast I am moving on less than six hours sleep.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Wii Are Getting Fit
Yesterday’s run was not much to blog about. Basically, I jogged to Home Hardware to return an ill fitting toilet flange, then meandered my way back to the house. Aside from navigating through some heavy West Side traffic (why does the city only plow half the sidewalks in this city?), the jaunt went without incident. Absolutely nothing interesting to report.
Instead, I talk about my Wii Fit and Wii Fit Plus. I’ve owned the Wii Fit and balance board for almost a year, and received the Fit Plus expansion as a Christmas gift from my fiancé Sarah. Both games sat unused for weeks following Christmas – moving into a house will do that – until yesterday, when I finally decided to dust of the balance board and give it a whirl.
In the past, video games have attempted to promote a healthy lifestyle (anyone remember the ill-fated Power Pad for the original Nintendo?) but it wasn’t until Wii Fit came along that the general public bought into the concept. Now the second best-selling game of all time, Wii Fit has coerced millions of people of all ages off the couch and into a fitness routine.
Yesterday’s Wii Fit routine included 10 minutes of Yoga and about 20 minutes of games. Most of the activities are relatively tame – one of the Yoga poses basically consists of breathing while standing still – but you can build up a sweat if you really push yourself. The game registers the ten highest scores in each activity, which enhances the replay factor for competitive people like me.
The Wii Fit Plus expansion includes some new Yoga Poses, strength exercises, and 15 new games to try out. I am only about half way through the various activities, but those I have attempted thus far are at least as fun as those on the original game, if not more. I’ve also yet to try out the multiplayer mode, but as soon as Sarah issues a challenge, I’ll be giving it a whirl.
Would I choose the Wii Fit over a personal fitness trainer? Probably not. But, if don’t have a gym membership and a have an urge to get active, I would suggest picking it up. It’s a lot of fun to play with, and if you burn a few calories, well, that’s a bonus.
If you want to learn more about Wii Fit, click here. I will continue to update you on my Wii Fit progress as my training progresses.
Instead, I talk about my Wii Fit and Wii Fit Plus. I’ve owned the Wii Fit and balance board for almost a year, and received the Fit Plus expansion as a Christmas gift from my fiancé Sarah. Both games sat unused for weeks following Christmas – moving into a house will do that – until yesterday, when I finally decided to dust of the balance board and give it a whirl.
In the past, video games have attempted to promote a healthy lifestyle (anyone remember the ill-fated Power Pad for the original Nintendo?) but it wasn’t until Wii Fit came along that the general public bought into the concept. Now the second best-selling game of all time, Wii Fit has coerced millions of people of all ages off the couch and into a fitness routine.
Yesterday’s Wii Fit routine included 10 minutes of Yoga and about 20 minutes of games. Most of the activities are relatively tame – one of the Yoga poses basically consists of breathing while standing still – but you can build up a sweat if you really push yourself. The game registers the ten highest scores in each activity, which enhances the replay factor for competitive people like me.
The Wii Fit Plus expansion includes some new Yoga Poses, strength exercises, and 15 new games to try out. I am only about half way through the various activities, but those I have attempted thus far are at least as fun as those on the original game, if not more. I’ve also yet to try out the multiplayer mode, but as soon as Sarah issues a challenge, I’ll be giving it a whirl.
Would I choose the Wii Fit over a personal fitness trainer? Probably not. But, if don’t have a gym membership and a have an urge to get active, I would suggest picking it up. It’s a lot of fun to play with, and if you burn a few calories, well, that’s a bonus.
If you want to learn more about Wii Fit, click here. I will continue to update you on my Wii Fit progress as my training progresses.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Another Midnight Special
Ok, this blog was delayed, but for good reason: I spent most of the day fixing my toilet. What started as a quick, one hour job (replacing the wax seal) turned into an eight hour ordeal that included trips to three different hardware stores. Everything is fine now, but at one point there was a chance we’d have to spend the night without a toilet, which is never fun in a Canadian winter.
Anyway, my plumbing adventures pushed back my run until midnight. Thinking I had the sidewalks to myself, I daydreamed until I almost knocked over another person running in the opposite direction. I hate getting caught off guard like that, but at least it woke me up to my surroundings. I guess other people do wander the streets after dark.
The rest of the run went without incident. It wasn’t as enjoyable as last night’s outing – I was really feeling the hills – but I finished faster and more energized than when I started. Hopefully I left some gas in the tank for tomorrow’s run.
I’d write more, but it’s much too late for logical thought at this point. I am sure there are a lot more running related topics I could talk about here, so if you have any suggestions for blog entries, feel free to comment, or simply drop me an email at kvchallenger@gmail.com. I update the blog all the time, so you can expect a quick response!
Anyway, my plumbing adventures pushed back my run until midnight. Thinking I had the sidewalks to myself, I daydreamed until I almost knocked over another person running in the opposite direction. I hate getting caught off guard like that, but at least it woke me up to my surroundings. I guess other people do wander the streets after dark.
The rest of the run went without incident. It wasn’t as enjoyable as last night’s outing – I was really feeling the hills – but I finished faster and more energized than when I started. Hopefully I left some gas in the tank for tomorrow’s run.
I’d write more, but it’s much too late for logical thought at this point. I am sure there are a lot more running related topics I could talk about here, so if you have any suggestions for blog entries, feel free to comment, or simply drop me an email at kvchallenger@gmail.com. I update the blog all the time, so you can expect a quick response!
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Running Behind
It’s 2:43AM and I am sitting on the couch after a night of fun with my fiancé and friends. I should have written after my run, but pool games and parties beckoned instead. Now I can barely keep my eyes open, and I fear this blog will suffer as a result. I will apologize in advance if this doesn’t make sense.
One thing that should be mentioned is that my run tonight was awesome. Like my blog, I planned doing it earlier, but life got in the way. Insurance meetings, government meetings, and financial meetings were piled on top of each other, only to be followed by furniture shopping. Instead of an early PM start, I ended up walking out the door around 9:30PM.
I didn`t have a clue where to go, so I just followed my trusty Main Street route and let my legs dictate the rest. I started out slowly (I was still working the kinks out from an intense game of tag earlier in the day, but we`ll talk about that another time), but soon I found myself moving quite easily. I passed the turnaround point without a second thought, and decided that it was time to make up for Sunday`s lost mileage.
For most of the run I was lost inside my head, rarely reflecting on what was going on with my body. I thought about school, and what I would do when I graduated in July, and wondered where my training would take me this year. Before I knew it, I was back on the home stretch, with an twenty extra minutes tacked on to my daily total. Excellent.
I moved quickly for the last section of the run, only slowing down for cars that blocked sidewalks and cut me off. I was tempted to run in front of the vehicles to make my presence known, but I didn`t want to get run over. I can`t qualify for Boston from a hospital bed, last I checked. Ten minutes later I was back at my house, feeling fine. Best run since I started training, by far.
One quick note before I go: If the writing improved after the second paragraph, it`s because I finished this entry Saturday afternoon. Sleep took over about ten minutes after I started blogging last night, so I retreated to the comforts of my bed. As much as I like blogging, I enjoy sleeping more. Expect another entry later this evening.
One thing that should be mentioned is that my run tonight was awesome. Like my blog, I planned doing it earlier, but life got in the way. Insurance meetings, government meetings, and financial meetings were piled on top of each other, only to be followed by furniture shopping. Instead of an early PM start, I ended up walking out the door around 9:30PM.
I didn`t have a clue where to go, so I just followed my trusty Main Street route and let my legs dictate the rest. I started out slowly (I was still working the kinks out from an intense game of tag earlier in the day, but we`ll talk about that another time), but soon I found myself moving quite easily. I passed the turnaround point without a second thought, and decided that it was time to make up for Sunday`s lost mileage.
For most of the run I was lost inside my head, rarely reflecting on what was going on with my body. I thought about school, and what I would do when I graduated in July, and wondered where my training would take me this year. Before I knew it, I was back on the home stretch, with an twenty extra minutes tacked on to my daily total. Excellent.
I moved quickly for the last section of the run, only slowing down for cars that blocked sidewalks and cut me off. I was tempted to run in front of the vehicles to make my presence known, but I didn`t want to get run over. I can`t qualify for Boston from a hospital bed, last I checked. Ten minutes later I was back at my house, feeling fine. Best run since I started training, by far.
One quick note before I go: If the writing improved after the second paragraph, it`s because I finished this entry Saturday afternoon. Sleep took over about ten minutes after I started blogging last night, so I retreated to the comforts of my bed. As much as I like blogging, I enjoy sleeping more. Expect another entry later this evening.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
A Matter of Form
So I took a look at my weight and measurements, and I am not exactly in top physical condition. I’ve gained two or three inches on my waist, and I am slightly overweight for my size. It’s nothing I didn’t already notice, but it’s never fun to confirm that out you’re out of shape. It’s a good thing I started training when I did, otherwise bathing suit season would have been a disaster.
Tonight’s run actually took place at a decent hour. I managed a 7:30 start time, and wandered the West Side Streets until I felt it was time to drag my body back into the house. It wasn’t a spectacular run, but it was the first time in since I started training that I thought about form while I was out on the streets. Instead of slogging out a couple of quick miles, I focused on relaxing both my body and my breathing. Lo and behold, my enjoyment increased, and I was able to pick up the pace a little bit. It was a small victory, to be sure, but it’s one of the many things I need to remember in order to improve as a runner over the next few months.
Well, it’s time for bed again. I’ve been blogging now for a little over a week, and I have yet to finish any of my posts before midnight. I guess I should be happy that I am consistent, but I really ought to start aiming for an earlier bed time. I might be perfectly pleasant online, but no one wants to hang out with a sleep deprived Chuck in person, believe me.
Tonight’s run actually took place at a decent hour. I managed a 7:30 start time, and wandered the West Side Streets until I felt it was time to drag my body back into the house. It wasn’t a spectacular run, but it was the first time in since I started training that I thought about form while I was out on the streets. Instead of slogging out a couple of quick miles, I focused on relaxing both my body and my breathing. Lo and behold, my enjoyment increased, and I was able to pick up the pace a little bit. It was a small victory, to be sure, but it’s one of the many things I need to remember in order to improve as a runner over the next few months.
Well, it’s time for bed again. I’ve been blogging now for a little over a week, and I have yet to finish any of my posts before midnight. I guess I should be happy that I am consistent, but I really ought to start aiming for an earlier bed time. I might be perfectly pleasant online, but no one wants to hang out with a sleep deprived Chuck in person, believe me.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Midnight Runner
I am having a hard time fitting a daily run into my schedule. I thought about venturing outside yesterday, but working from 9AM until 7:30PM tends killed my willpower. Today wasn't much better. Three classes in Fredericton and an 8PM jam with Penny Blacks left me with little time to spare, and the frigid temperatures (it's currently -14, -20 with wind chill), weren't exactly inviting me outside. What is a boy to do in these situations?
Procrastinate, of course. I had time to run between classes and jamming, but an afternoon nap killed any chance of that happening. I then spent an hour post-jam doing various chores around the house, hoping the urge to run would subside.
It didn’t, and at 11:30 I found myself pulling on my hat and mittens and venturing outside. It was mighty cold, so I added several layers of clothing to my frame before exiting the house. Aside from my face, I was actually quite warm, and the run ended up being quite enjoyable. The stars were out in full force, and I found myself daydreaming while wandering through a few unfamiliar West Side neighbourhoods. I even extended the run by a few minutes because it felt a little short. Not too bad, considering I didn’t want to leave the house.
Speaking of procrastinating, I better get to bed. It’s almost 1AM, and I need to wake up in a little over five hours in order to make it to my first classes in Fredericton tomorrow morning. Going to bed at a decent hour would probably kill my urge to nap in the afternoon, but that’s a battle I will have to fight another day.
Procrastinate, of course. I had time to run between classes and jamming, but an afternoon nap killed any chance of that happening. I then spent an hour post-jam doing various chores around the house, hoping the urge to run would subside.
It didn’t, and at 11:30 I found myself pulling on my hat and mittens and venturing outside. It was mighty cold, so I added several layers of clothing to my frame before exiting the house. Aside from my face, I was actually quite warm, and the run ended up being quite enjoyable. The stars were out in full force, and I found myself daydreaming while wandering through a few unfamiliar West Side neighbourhoods. I even extended the run by a few minutes because it felt a little short. Not too bad, considering I didn’t want to leave the house.
Speaking of procrastinating, I better get to bed. It’s almost 1AM, and I need to wake up in a little over five hours in order to make it to my first classes in Fredericton tomorrow morning. Going to bed at a decent hour would probably kill my urge to nap in the afternoon, but that’s a battle I will have to fight another day.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
(Not So) Long Run
My attempt at a Sunday long run was a failure. Actually, I can't even say I attempted a long run. Basically, I did a short destination run this morning, thinking I would have a chance to venture outside later in the day. That never happened. Instead, I treated myself to the WORST AUCTION EVER.
How bad was it? I spent an hour listening to an ancient auctioneer berate the tiny crowd for not buying junk. Here's a sample riff from this afternoon's festivities.
"This porcelain swan is worth at least 150 dollars. You'd be stupid to pass this up. Who wants it for ten dollars? Eight? Five? Forget it, I'm putting it away. Next up is a box of random knives and forks that are worth at least 100 dollars. No one in their right might could ever do without these. Who will take the entire box for 10 dollars. What's wrong with you people?"
Anyway, going to the auction led to a trip to the mall (that's what happens when you don't buy stuff at auctions), which led to a trip to Kent's Building Supplies (that's what happens when you decide you can't afford the stuff at the mall and need to fix up the stuff you already own), which led to coffee, donuts, and a few more stores. I didn't make it home until well after dark, and all of my running clothes were wet with sweat because they had sat in a gym bag after my destination run. Guh.
It is now midnight, my running clothes are in the wash, and I am getting ready for bed. I’m annoyed that I didn’t get my long run in, but at least I ran today, so the day is not a total loss. I’ll try to make up for the lost mileage sometime this week.
How bad was it? I spent an hour listening to an ancient auctioneer berate the tiny crowd for not buying junk. Here's a sample riff from this afternoon's festivities.
"This porcelain swan is worth at least 150 dollars. You'd be stupid to pass this up. Who wants it for ten dollars? Eight? Five? Forget it, I'm putting it away. Next up is a box of random knives and forks that are worth at least 100 dollars. No one in their right might could ever do without these. Who will take the entire box for 10 dollars. What's wrong with you people?"
Anyway, going to the auction led to a trip to the mall (that's what happens when you don't buy stuff at auctions), which led to a trip to Kent's Building Supplies (that's what happens when you decide you can't afford the stuff at the mall and need to fix up the stuff you already own), which led to coffee, donuts, and a few more stores. I didn't make it home until well after dark, and all of my running clothes were wet with sweat because they had sat in a gym bag after my destination run. Guh.
It is now midnight, my running clothes are in the wash, and I am getting ready for bed. I’m annoyed that I didn’t get my long run in, but at least I ran today, so the day is not a total loss. I’ll try to make up for the lost mileage sometime this week.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Running Against The Wind
It’s getting colder every time I step outside. The current temperature is -10 (-20 with wind chill), and it’s supposed to be even colder tomorrow morning. So much for saving money on heating bills this winter.
Luckily for me, it was only -8 (-17 with wind chill) when I ran earlier this evening. I didn’t immediately notice the difference in temperature when I stepped out of the house, but soon the wind was slapping me across the face and I was wondering if I had enough layers to finish my run in comfort. I decided the best bet was to find a route that would keep me sheltered from the cold, and hope for the best.
My quest led me to Seawood Lane. Big enough for one car to pass through comfortably, Seawood is surrounded by trees, which kept me protected from the arctic breeze long enough to warm up. Sadly, it’s only about a kilometer in length, so it wasn’t long before I was assaulted by the wind once again.
I think the urge to get out of the cold increased my tempo on the run. I pushed hard on the hills (both up and down), and generally kept a brisk pace. It’s probably the best I’ve felt since I started training, and bodes well for my long run tomorrow. My goal is relatively pedestrian – if I crack an hour, I’ll be surprised – but I need to start varying the distances or I’ll get stale. Hopefully the weather cooperates and I don’t freeze out on the roads.
Luckily for me, it was only -8 (-17 with wind chill) when I ran earlier this evening. I didn’t immediately notice the difference in temperature when I stepped out of the house, but soon the wind was slapping me across the face and I was wondering if I had enough layers to finish my run in comfort. I decided the best bet was to find a route that would keep me sheltered from the cold, and hope for the best.
My quest led me to Seawood Lane. Big enough for one car to pass through comfortably, Seawood is surrounded by trees, which kept me protected from the arctic breeze long enough to warm up. Sadly, it’s only about a kilometer in length, so it wasn’t long before I was assaulted by the wind once again.
I think the urge to get out of the cold increased my tempo on the run. I pushed hard on the hills (both up and down), and generally kept a brisk pace. It’s probably the best I’ve felt since I started training, and bodes well for my long run tomorrow. My goal is relatively pedestrian – if I crack an hour, I’ll be surprised – but I need to start varying the distances or I’ll get stale. Hopefully the weather cooperates and I don’t freeze out on the roads.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Cool (Cold) Runnings
I’m getting sick. Not the down and out for days variety, but the lingering cough and cold sort of ailment that makes you miserable while you go to school or work. If I had my druthers, I would rather be forced to stay in bed, but something tells me I’ll be good enough for a class or two tomorrow morning.
I am also good enough for a run or two this weekend. At this point, the illness is lodged in my sinuses, which means it’s not adversely affecting my breathing. When it come to physical activity and sickness, my philosophy is ‘if it’s in your chest, take a rest, if it’s in your head, get out of bed,’ and until someone tells me otherwise, I’ll stick with it.
Speaking of cold, these runs are starting to get a little chilly. The last few days were around the freezing mark (32 degrees Fahrenheit for those of you in the United States), but tonight the temperature dipped down to about -5, and I could definitely tell a difference in my comfort level. My hands were cold, and my toes were freezing. It might be time for some new cold weather running duds.
Other than that, the run went without incident. In fact, this was the first time since I started training where I felt motivated to add an extra couple of minutes to the run. I decided against it at the last minute – groceries beckoned – but I’m feeling confident that a Sunday morning long run isn’t out of the question. How long has yet to be determined, but if I stay on my feet for an hour, I won’t complain.
I am also good enough for a run or two this weekend. At this point, the illness is lodged in my sinuses, which means it’s not adversely affecting my breathing. When it come to physical activity and sickness, my philosophy is ‘if it’s in your chest, take a rest, if it’s in your head, get out of bed,’ and until someone tells me otherwise, I’ll stick with it.
Speaking of cold, these runs are starting to get a little chilly. The last few days were around the freezing mark (32 degrees Fahrenheit for those of you in the United States), but tonight the temperature dipped down to about -5, and I could definitely tell a difference in my comfort level. My hands were cold, and my toes were freezing. It might be time for some new cold weather running duds.
Other than that, the run went without incident. In fact, this was the first time since I started training where I felt motivated to add an extra couple of minutes to the run. I decided against it at the last minute – groceries beckoned – but I’m feeling confident that a Sunday morning long run isn’t out of the question. How long has yet to be determined, but if I stay on my feet for an hour, I won’t complain.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Banking Miles
Looking back at the first few entries, I have come to the realization that I have some work to do in the writing department. I haven’t written for entertainment purposes in a long time, and like my running, it’s going to take some time before I am back at full steam. Then again, I do think the blog adequately reflects the tedium of my first few forays into running. If I only wrote about my best runs, I wouldn’t have much of a blog.
I wasn’t feeling too motivated today, so I decided to throw a few errands in the mix as an excuse to go outside. I had to physically transfer money between two banks – I really need to get my mortgage and chequing account under one roof – so I ran to one bank, withdrew as much money as my limit would allow, then ran to the other bank and made the deposit. I received a few strange looks from people as I was huffing and puffing at the bank machine – the reflective vest probably didn’t help matters much - but other than that the run went without incident.
Mind you, my legs are starting to feel a bit fatigued, so I may need to take a day off in the near future. I don’t like rest days – I’m lazy enough as it is – but if I don’t rest I am more likely to get injured down the road. Better find a way to cross train, and quick.
I'll leave you with a link to an article I read earlier today. It's about a high school runner who manages to finish a cross country race after breaking her leg. It's from the ESPN website, so I can assure you it's as least as good and anything I've written thus far.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Slow and Steady Builds a Base
If there’s anything that can make your athletic endeavours seem tame, it’s reading a well written mountain climbing book like Touching The Void. For those of you who do not know the story, it’s about a climber who breaks his knee on top of a 20,000 foot mountain, falls into a 100 foot crevasse, and is left for dead. Three days later he literally crawls back to base camp, surviving on nothing more than fumes and a few handfuls of water. Those icy Saint John streets don’t sound so rough now, do they?
Reading the book almost cancelled my run. By the time I put it down, it was nearly 8:00PM, and I still hadn’t prepared dinner. Luckily, I wasn’t feeling overly ambitious in the cooking department, so I was fine with some toast with almond butter and some blueberry cereal. I probably should improve my diet if I am going become a better runner, but for now I am content to fight one battle at a time, thank you.
Tonight was another exploration of West Saint John. Didn’t stray too far from the house, avoided cold, slushy puddles, and called it a night before fatigue slowed me down too much. At this point I’m only keeping track of time spent on my feet (about 30 minutes a night thus far), because I don’t want to get too obsessed with distance this early into training. Once I get a few solid weeks of running under my belt I’ll start upping the ante, but until then it’s slow, steady, and short.
If anyone has any nuggets of running wisdom they would like to share with me, please feel free to post, or drop me an email at kvchallenger@gmail.com. I might have a few years of running under my belt, but I have plenty to learn about the sport.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Weekend Update
OK, so I didn’t make it out for my run on Saturday. I forgot about a morning concert (I play bass in the band Penny Blacks, and you can check us out here) when planning my day, so my running time was spent running around the house in the hopes of looking presentable for the gig. By the time we wrapped up at the City Market, the weather was bad enough to keep me inside. Hopefully shoveling show counts as cross training.
That being said, I did manage two runs this weekend. The first adventure took place Friday night, and took me around my neighbourhood. I don’t know the area too well yet – I just moved to Fundy Heights two weeks ago – so I used the run as an opportunity to visit my little subdivision. I took several twists and turns that led to dead ends, and eventually ended up at Martello Tower. I hadn’t visited the landmark in years, and never realized what a wonderful view it provided. Now that it’s within walking distance, I’ll have to stop by and enjoy the sights.
Tonight I went in the opposite direction, which led me toward the Irving Nature Park. I wasn’t wearing any reflective gear (forgot it at home), so instead of running on the side of the road as I usually do, I spent most of my time sloshing through wet snow on unplowed sidewalks. I can’t say it was the greatest run I ever experienced, but it felt a lot better than the Martello Tower adventure two days ago. Hopefully it won’t take too long to get into decent running condition.
I’m keeping these entries short and sweet for now, but I plan on picking up the pace once my runs become more adventurous. I expect it won’t take too long before something noteworthy happens on the roads...
Friday, January 1, 2010
KV Challenger - An Introduction
Let me begin this blog by introducing myself. My name is Chuck Teed, and I am a 32-year-old running enthusiast from Saint John, New Brunswick. I would call myself a runner, but I don't always run as often as I would like these days. A typical year consists of me hitting a race or two, but I haven't run a full season since my early 20s and my finish times reflect the lack of effort. I am definitely not the runner I was ten years ago.
While I won't break any land speed records this year, I still think I have one good marathon in me. I've run three marathons in my life, the best being a 3:23.38 on six weeks training. With the proper base, I think I could crack 3:10 and qualify for the Boston Marathon.
This is where the blog comes in. I am attempting a qualifying run at the Kennebecasis Challenge Marathon October 17, 2010, and I will use this space to keep people updated on my progress. I've blogged about my running adventures on previous occasions, and I found it a wonderful way to keep my training on track. I can't be a couch potato if people are watching my every move, you know.
Anyway, I should cut this entry short and rest up for tomorrow's run. We're expecting a big storm, and I need to hit the streets before I get blown into the Bay of Fundy. Wish me luck!
While I won't break any land speed records this year, I still think I have one good marathon in me. I've run three marathons in my life, the best being a 3:23.38 on six weeks training. With the proper base, I think I could crack 3:10 and qualify for the Boston Marathon.
This is where the blog comes in. I am attempting a qualifying run at the Kennebecasis Challenge Marathon October 17, 2010, and I will use this space to keep people updated on my progress. I've blogged about my running adventures on previous occasions, and I found it a wonderful way to keep my training on track. I can't be a couch potato if people are watching my every move, you know.
Anyway, I should cut this entry short and rest up for tomorrow's run. We're expecting a big storm, and I need to hit the streets before I get blown into the Bay of Fundy. Wish me luck!
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