Monthly Archives: March 2008

Today I went to the indoor track and ran 7 km in 44:37 for a 6:22 pace. I like running on that track. It seems to be really cushy on the feet and they have quiet music and a water fountain. It’s a refreshing change. After the run I played in the pool a bit. Other than a good fast (for me) pace, there is nothing really special to say about this run.

After work, I bit the bullet and ran 14 km in 1:43:23 for a 7:23 pace. I lost some time on the slippery trail portion but I made it up on the road. My goal was a 7:30 pace. Running on the wet icy trail is a real chore and not very efficient because a lot of your energy goes to peripheral muscles that help you recover and keep your balance. They also help avoid injury by tensing up to brace for those inevitable and numerous sideways slips. Yesterday I saw my first goose, and today I saw 9 more. Now to rest from running until Wednesday. Next Sunday I actually begin to increase the weekly long distance run. Let’s see, that would be an additional 10% which is 15.4 km rather than 14 km. I will probably round that up to 16 km, which – HEY! – is the … Continue reading →

Today after work I ran 7 km in 47:15 for a 6:45 pace. I’m working really hard these days to lose more weight and I am beginning to succeed. We shall see. I make no quantitative statements until I see some genuine results. Anyway, I got back from my run just as the sun was setting. It was really nice for a change to run in the warmth and sunshine and without bulky winter gear. I am gradually becoming aware of something else too. In hindsight, last year I seemed to really struggle to run at a reasonable pace and I now realize that I must have been over-trained. I did not rest enough between runs. Now that I am trying three runs per week, I am getting a lot more rest and my pace and energy seems to be increasing a great deal. Before, I was running 4 days … Continue reading →

Well, after a relatively long rest of a week and a bit I ran 7 km after work today. It was dark, beginning around 6:30 PM when I went out and it was about -4 and snowing. I wore my reflective vest and my blinky blink red flashing light. I ran it in 53:08 for a 7:35 pace. I really hated running down my pothole and gopher hole riddled snowy driveway in the dark. From now on I’ll bring a light for nighttime running so I don’t break an ankle. It’s back to work tomorrow morning.

I have been resting for a whole week! Apart from my Karate classes which are pretty intense as a cross-training routine, I have just been busy at work. I am still aiming for a marathon this summer and I have (had?) chosen the ING in Edmonton. But after reading the description of the Calgary Marathon, I find myself wishing I could do both. But I know I can’t. I am waiting for the last minute to register because I want to be very sure. I need to do some more thinking and I also need to test myself on actual runs before I can choose the training program that is right for me. For now, my next run and my first after the rest is Wednesday, a 7 km run. Will I do it? Who can say?