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.

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.