Tag Archives: Training

Lobsters and mussels and running and happy!

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Well it’s been a while since I wrote last. I had a bit of a work-stress-induced running hiatus, which when I think about it is a pretty poor excuse since running is one of the best de-stressing activities there is. In any case, I’m back at it now and hopefully I’ll keep the ball rolling this time. So far, stress levels have been kept relatively low and the happiness gauge is pointing upwards!

A lot has happened since the last time I wrote. First of all, Kimberly and I both did not get accepted in the NYC Marathon lottery. Then two weeks later, we both got accepted in the Chicago Marathon lottery! We’re running Chicago! I’ve never run a marathon, and decided that this would be the year. I’m pretty excited that Chicago is going to be the place to do it, since it’s a city I’ve always wanted to visit and have heard great things about. Training starts last week!

We also just got back from a vacation to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Even though the weather wasn’t the greatest, we still had a fantastic vacation. Visited lots of family and a few friends, and did some solo exploring in Halifax, Peggy’s Cove, Mahone Bay and Lunenberg. This was also the time when the accumulated work stress from the last two months began to melt away and I started running again. We got in a few runs while on vacation and I convinced myself that I shouldn’t let work interfere with doing something I love. In fact, a regular running schedule is likely to help manage a stressful work environment by keeping my sanity intact! So since we got back, I’ve run six of the last seven days. My plan going forward is to do shorter, specific workouts during the week and then one long run on the weekends. Six runs a week, without overdoing it and injuring myself (fingers crossed!).

I also just replaced my old runners with a brand new pair of Newton Distance III’s. As per usual with Newton, they’re amazing. I had been running in the Distance S for the past few years but decided that I don’t need the support any more, and I’m pretty sure I’ve made the right decision. After close to a dozen or so runs with them, I’ve had no issues and my feet are happy. They’re really light, my feet like them, and I’m digging the colour.

Newton Distance III

Today tested my new found commitment as it was 2 degrees celcius and snowing lightly in Edmonton. I got out for an easy 14km run anyway. Sometimes weather that looks unpleasant from the warmth of your couch isn’t actually that bad once you get out there – provided you’re dressed for it! I had a pretty decent run today and it felt good knowing that I’ve started ramping up my mileage again. The little pellets of snow had me squinting pretty hard for the first couple of km’s, but after that things improved and the rest of the run was actually pretty pleasant. I enjoy long runs. Probably because (most of the time) they’re run at a pretty leisurely pace. I’m looking forward to when I’m getting in those 25-35 km runs in preparation for the marathon, but I also want to make sure I slowly ramp up the miles so I don’t overdo it and put myself out of commission.

Spring-ish run

I’ve been doing the food thing the last few posts but I am admittedly unprepared for it this time. I could tell you about the lobster rolls we had at my parents’ place in Miramichi, or the platter of mussels, oysters, dulce, smoked salmon, or the fish and chips we had at the Tide and Boar in Moncton, or the “pound and a pint” I got at the Salt Shaker Deli in Lunenberg, NS… but that’s not that interesting, is it? ;) If you find yourself in New Brunswick or Nova Scotia – get the seafood. Even if you don’t like seafood!

Mussels!That’s all for now. Along with my commitment to run more, I am officially committing to write more! I’ll be back with another post next week. Promise!

Taking a turn for the better

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Winter in Canada is a strange and frustrating thing. The weather (and weather forecasters) toy with our emotions all year long, and 30 degree temperature swings over a period of one – to – two days isn’t all that uncommon. I just looked back at the blog I posted last week and it was -34 degrees while I was writing it. Now it’s 8 degrees and sunny and everything is melting! It’s spring! We’re saved!

Nah, I’m not that naive. It is nice to allow yourself to get swept up in the excitement of a beautiful day though. Even though we probably still have quite a few below-zero days and snow storms coming our way before summer, winter is definitely on its way out and it’s days like this that make you feel like things are really starting to take a turn for the better.

Speaking of taking a turn for the better, the back problems I whined about last week are also subsiding and I managed to get a total of five decent runs in last week. Included in those workouts were 2 x 1 mile at 5k pace, and a track workout that consisted of three sets of 2 x 400m and 1 x 150m. I love 400′s (massive sarcasm)! Really though, track workouts make my lungs hurt. But it’s the kind of hurt that I know is going to pay off later this summer when I’m killing my PB’s! I also managed to get out for a short run with Kimberly. We don’t run together all that often, but it is nice when we’re able to go out and keep each other company on a beautiful spring-ish day.

Our first run together - 2014

This week I’m going to try to keep the consistency up, and get a speed workout and a hill workout in before taking on the St. Patrick’s Day 5k in Calgary next Sunday. I had originally set my sights on a sub-20 minute run but the closer it gets the more I’m thinking that might be a bit too ambitious for this time of year. Regardless, I’m going to give’er and see what happens.

Another benefit of spring-like weather is that it means it’s time to dust off the barbecue! Last night we had some friends over and tried a chicken skewer recipe from Whitewater Cooks (one of our favourite series of cookbooks), that included three different dipping sauces – chipotle honey, tzaziki, and charmoula. Tonight, we also dipped into the Whitewater books for an Indian Chicken Burger recipe, made with ground chicken, garam masala, curry powder, garlic, eggs and bread crumbs, and topped with mango chutney, raita sauce, sliced cucumbers and tomatoes. Damn – I’ll be making this one again! Can’t say enough good things about the Whitewater series of cookbooks. So many of their recipes are in our regular rotation! Check them out for sure.

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Well, one more week and we’ll be half-way through March. It’s kind of hard to believe that summer will be here soon. The winter in Edmonton has been so harsh this year – and probably has been in most other parts of Canada as well (unless you live in the Okanagan or Vancouver area…). The nice weather has lifted my spirits and I would like to wish everybody a great start to their outdoor running season! Wish me luck for my 5k next week – it’s short, but it’s going to be tough!

Good intentions and motivation don’t always go hand-in-hand

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We’re now well into 2014, and since my last race I’ve gotten married, spent a week and a half in Mexico followed by two days in Kelowna for Christmas, followed by a week and change at work for year-end festivities (fellow accountants know what I’m talking about). Did I mention that lunch and dinner was provided during year-end… Buffet style? Good times for sure. And I have the gut to prove it!

Okay, it might not be THAT bad, but suffice to say that December and January were not friendly to my fitness, despite feeling motivated to set goals and start training for 2014. But that is all going to change, of course. Isn’t it?

In the past few weeks I’ve hit the track maybe once a week and run outside maybe twice a week. Swimming has been admittedly lacking, even though it is my weakness, and I am hoping that my cycling fitness comes back quickly since it is my strong suit. I’m not going to make excuses, even though I could. I’ve been lazy. Yes, I do workouts every week but definitely not with the consistency that someone with big goals should. Something needs to change.

With that being said, I’ve decided that my starting point is going to be to register for the St. Patrick’s day 5km run in Calgary. It’s a distance that I haven’t tried before, and I am interested to see how I would go on a shorter-distance race. For the next month I’m really going to focus on this, with a goal of going under 20 minutes. Maybe I should be more ambitious than that, but it’s a bit of an unknown for me and under 20 seems to be a pretty decent time.

On top of that, I’ve managed to get in about 32km of running this week, which included one track session that consisted of 4 sets of 5 x 200m on one minute (ouch), and three outdoor runs – one 12k run at my long, slow pace, one 6.5k run at a moderate intensity, and an 8k run at an easy-ish pace. The main goal for now is to increase frequency and mileage. Four runs in a week isn’t bad to start but my goal is 5-6. Edmonton winters make it difficult to achieve this at times – this morning when I woke up it was -26 Celcius with the windchill rated at -34. I’m not running in that! At the moment though, we’re only at -21 with no windchill so it’s looking like I’ll be able to get in my long run after all. Consistency is the key, and it looks like the ball has started rolling!

Must. Get. Satellites! If it's not on Garmin, it didn't happen!

Must. Get. Satellites! If it’s not on Garmin, it didn’t happen!

This is where my morning torture sessions take place.

This is where my morning torture sessions take place.

I also want to try to do a bit about food in each of my blog entries. After all – as runners, nutrition is part of the game and we do work up some healthy appetites with all of these workouts! This week we tried a recipe that Kim found on blissfulbblog.com called Creamy Avocado Pasta. I never would have thought to make pasta sauce using an avocado, but this is genius! I pretty much followed her recipe, but used regular linguini noodles instead of whole wheat spaghetti, and added in some chopped grape tomatoes. Delish! This one is definitely going into our regular rotation.

Yum! (That would be a chocolate porter in the glass next to it. Why pair wine when there is perfectly good beer in the fridge??)

Yum! (That would be a chocolate porter in the glass next to it. Why pair wine when there is perfectly good beer in the fridge??)

I think I was saying something about going for a run? Better go layer up before I convince myself that it’s nicer in the warmth of my condo!