Fast and Spurious

I've become more interested in bettering my running speed recently. Now that my hypochondriac doctor has proven, much to his chagrin, that there is absolutely nothing wrong with my heart, I am determined to push it as hard as I can. This is proving to be extremely interesting; my times are indeed getting consistently faster on my daily 10km runs. Where I used to do that distance in around 57 minutes every day, I now consistently go under 53 minutes and actually hit 52:04 last week.
Which proves that there are infinite angles to keep running interesting. Anyone who uses the excuse that running is boring has problems to address. They need to develop their introspective skills for one thing. they also need to become more observant since running pretty much anywhere provides a buffet for the visual senses. And they simply need to think more creatively and go right back to the basics. We run because we can and because we were made to do so.

Around the Bay

So the race last Sunday went even better than I anticipated. My pace was faster than ever; that little bit of weight I lost seems to have helped immensely. Just paying close attention to the calories in/calories out thing as well as the quality and variety of food is a huge factor.
The weather was almost perfect; overcast, cool enough for a light jacket and tights. When I got to the hills after 19kms, I concentrated on keeping up the speed. The great thing about a well-populated race like this (approx 10,000 runners) is that there is always someone to focus on passing. The downhills hurt a bit, but the uphills were actually welcome for the change in muscle work even though they tax the lungs a bit. The Grim Reaper was great to see, funny guy, and he was within 3 or 4 km of the finish.
I almost sprinted for the last couple of kms. It was crazy fun; drizzle had started within 15 minutes of my finishing. My finish was one of the best ever for me; I look like I'm just giving it, which I was!
Then I fainted in the food line; a nice girl crouched beside me and talked me through until I felt better (took about 15 minutes), lent me her cell phone to call my wife. And I was absolutely fine after that. Don't know her name, but thank you for your help!!

Day Off

I always feel guilty, or restless, or impatient on days off. Something is missing. It's difficult to get into that zone where you convince yourself that it's for the best. That sore hamstring, tight calf, general wear and tear, are all very grateful for the rest.
I think it's important to maintain that balance of being able to take time off with a minimum level of guilt, but to nurse just a bit of that guilt because otherwise the days off could become more frequent. And if that happens, the whole thing could start to unravel. Too much rest is not an option. So 10km tomorrow morning it is, then off to the gym Friday morning. Saturday is a no-run day since it's the day of the expo for Around the Bay. Sunday morning will be the day of the race, and that's what the party is all about.

Memories of Spring Marathons

The weeks leading up to my first spring marathon in 2006 (Ottawa Marathon) were weeks of anxiety and uncertainty. Sure, I had completed the Toronto Marathon in October 2005, but training through the winter was a bit tougher. I wasn't going out in all weather. I would take days off when it was particularly cold or windy or icy. The pains and tightness that have since become minor issues to patiently work through were matters of concern that would preoccupy my thoughts throughout the day.
The Ottawa Marathon was the last weekend of May, and the entire month was one big rainfest. And cold. On top of that, my daughter, who ran the Toronto Marathon with me, was not having a good time of it with her aching knees. Ultimately, she switched to the Half at the Expo, so it was gonna be just me.
The morning of the race dawned humid and hot. Damn hot. By the end of the race it reached 30 Celsius. But guess what? I ran the race in 4:16, a PR that I didn't pass until the Niagara Marathon in Oct 2009, nine marathons and 3 and a half years later.
I no longer feel anxious before a marathon. Excited and prepared, yes. I have a healthy respect for the distance. But I now just go out there and do that victory lap for all the training that preceded the run, make or renew a few friendships along the route, and bring home the bling.
Come on, spring 2010 marathon season. I'm ready for you.

Around the Bay Around the Corner

It's getting close to the Around the Bay, and I don't think I've ever felt less tense or more prepared than now. Maybe it has to do with having run a personal record four marathons last year, the last of which was a PR. Maybe it's being at my lowest weight since my teens and at my fittest. It could be the dramatic drop in meat as part of my diet in the past few months, or the increasing level of creative input I've had at my job.
Whatever the reason, I'm chomping at the bit. The unrelenting deep freeze temperatures of this winter haven't helped to make me less patient to see spring. It's time. Let the running season begin!

Almost Christmas

This morning I woke up congested and clearly in thrall to a bit of a cold virus. Fool that I am, I donned the running gear and went for my usual Saturday 18 km run. And you know what? Apart from the excessive phlem (I won't elaborate) it was a fantastic run in every way. Yes, I know, I probably should have listened to conventional wisdom and stayed in the house. Had I stayed in the house, I would have missed a great run and felt even more miserable. It's like when I'm slightly injured; I ignore the temptation to stay away from running, and to date I've never regretted those decisions. The moral of the story is this: don't cancel your run unless it's a damned good reason.

Today's Run

Running at 8 am on a Monday morning is nothing like running at 4:30 am on a weekday. The world is a busy place by 8 am. Granted, it's far more interesting, and there's a lot more light. I prefer the lonely 4:30 run; far less threat of being hit by a truck, for one thing. Ah well, all week should be interesting since I do not intend to run at 4:30 am while I'm on vacation. Vacation is work time, so off to put up Christmas lights and all that.