Going Long (again) in 2024

Sat, Apr 20, 2024

Sat, 20 Apr 2024 06:00:00

Long run today, with half on the Capreol Ski Trails. I ran 8 road, 15 trail, 8 road. 5:20:38. Average pace was 10:21. It started off around the freezing mark, and got as high as 4C/40F. There was some gusty wind, but the forest nullified that for the most part.

Was startled by a big moose in the woods just off the trail, about 30 feet away. It's amazing how big those things are. You don't appreciate that until you are up close. Of course, I startled it too. Also stirred up a partridge at one point.

There was rain/sleet at one point. Then some snow. A bit of rain. And the sun, finally, came out toward the end.

Thu, Apr 18, 2024

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 06:00:00

Easy run in a light, cold rain. 9:05 pace.

Wed, Apr 17, 2024

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 06:00:00

Early morning run; 9:01 pace.

Tue, Apr 16, 2024

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 06:00:00

Ran in my Boston Marathon jacket yesterday and today in honour of the big day. I see an Ethiopian won. I stayed with an Ethiopian family in 2017. Wonderful people, but should not have eaten their food the night before my marathon. 9:33 pace today.

Mon, Apr 15, 2024

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 06:00:00

Easy run in the rising sun. 9:00/mile pace.

Sat, Apr 13, 2024

Sat, 13 Apr 2024 06:00:00

It rained 2 inches over the past 2 days. A little snow thrown in there too. And lots of wind. Today, it's just the wind. 35-55 km/h, which is 20-35 mph. Great when it's at your back, but not so nice in your face.

Anyway, other than that, it was hovering around 2C/35F, so not too bad for running. Pace was 9:15/mile, so just shy of 2 1/2 hours of running.

Next Saturday will be my longest "long" run (31 miles) before my Ultra at the end of May.

Fri, Apr 12, 2024

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 06:00:00

Nasty morning. Cold. Windy. Wet. Treadmill run. 9:31 pace.

Wed, Apr 10, 2024

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 06:00:00

Speedwork on the treadmill.

7 x 800 @ 6:53 pace with 400 recoveries.

Tue, Apr 09, 2024

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 06:00:00

9:32 easy pace. Everything feels great, so no soreness after last week's back to back. And that is after a long drive home today. Well, 6 hours, so not TOO bad.

Was in beautiful Dunnville, on the North shore of Lake Erie, for yesterday's total eclipse. I drove down Sunday and just returned today. This was a redemption trip, after my very long 1600km (1000 mile) motorcycle ride to Bloomsdale, MO in 2017 to watch the eclipse there. Then, it was a very hot day with very clear skies. Just a few minutes before totality, one stupid cloud floated in front of the sun and totatally blocked the view. It drifted away a few minutes after totality. The man next to me summed up everyone's feelings when he said sarcastically "Well, ain't that just sweet! Thank you Jesus!" That sentence made it all worth while for me! Especially afterwards, when I was stuck in the biggest traffic jam in American history.

This time, it was cloudy for most of the morning and the afternoon. You could catch glimpses of the partial eclipse every so often when the clouds parted. Then, for most of the 3 1/2 minutes of totality, the clouds right at that point cleared, and I had my first view of the sun's aurora. It was awesome! Made it all worth while once again. A trip well worth taking. Thank you Jesus! (and no sarcasm) :)

Mon, Apr 08, 2024

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 06:00:00

Eclipse day. Cloudy. Of course. Slight soreness in my left iguinal ligament, but was ok for running. Pancake flat road, which helped. 9:46 easy pace.

Sat, Apr 06, 2024

Sat, 06 Apr 2024 06:00:00

Second half of my 'back to back'. Full sun. Just at the freezing mark to start, and then up to 4C/40F at the finish. Heavy legs toward the end, but kept a pretty even pace throughout, which averaged 9:41/mile. No issues with the psoas today, but I stopped to stretch it out twice just in case.

Fri, Apr 05, 2024

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 06:00:00

Late snow storm on Wednesday. Over a foot of very wet snow. I had to start really early this morning to get my mileage in, so ran on the treadmill. Mostly at a 9:31 pace, but I slowed it down after mile 11 because of some tightness in my psoas. I got off a few times to stretch it, and it seems to be ok. I'll find out tomorrow when I run 22 miles to complete my back to back.

Wed, Apr 03, 2024

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 06:00:00

Speedwork on the treadmill.

7 x 800 @ 6:58 pace with 400 recoveries.

Tue, Apr 02, 2024

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 06:00:00

Bright and cool early morning run. 9:04 pace.

Mon, Apr 01, 2024

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 06:00:00

Gorgeous running morning. Hovering just around freezing, with a warm sun once it rose. A stiff North wind which I ran 3 of the miles into. 8:55 pace. It just felt good to run a bit faster.

Sat, Mar 30, 2024

Sat, 30 Mar 2024 06:00:00

I ran this in 3 loops so I was able to make my home a 'rest stop'. 8 miles for the first loop, then I picked up a flask of Tailwind. By then, it was 'warm' enough for it not to freeze. Then I ran a 10 mile loop, stopping after that to eat a banana and add more Tailwind to my flask. Also ditched the mitts and neck warmer, and put on gloves. The final 6 loops had the sun shining, and I finished with no aches or pains; just heavy legs. Averaged a 9:38 pace, so 9 minutes shy of 4 hours.

Fri, Mar 29, 2024

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 06:00:00

Overcast and cool, at -3C/26F; good for running. 8:57 even pace.

Wed, Mar 27, 2024

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 06:00:00

On the treadmill for today's speed workout.

7 x 800 @ 6:58 pace with 400 recoveries.

Everything feels great.

Tue, Mar 26, 2024

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 06:00:00

Very easy 9:25 pace.

Mon, Mar 25, 2024

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 06:00:00

Back on the road today. On the cool side, but ok for running. 9:17 pace. I may have a fracture in my middle toe on the left foot. It has been hurting for a few weeks, but I really felt it today. Not affecting my running form, so will continue running through it. Hopefully doesn't get any worse.

Sat, Mar 23, 2024

Sat, 23 Mar 2024 06:00:00

I planned on road running today, but woke up to a significant blizzard. Low visibility, with huge, fluffy flakes of snow. One of the nicest snowfalls this year, but I opted for the safety of the treadmill. 9:31 pace.

9 weeks to Sulphur Springs 50 and 24 weeks to Haliburton 100.

Fri, Mar 22, 2024

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 06:00:00

Dark and cold morning, so I chose the treadmill. 9:05 pace.

Wed, Mar 20, 2024

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 06:00:00

Speedwork on the treadmill. 7 x 800 @ 6:58 pace with 400 recoveries.

2 1/2" of snow fell yesterday. It may not sound like much, but in a winter that didn't see much snow at all, having that much fall on the 1st day of Spring seemed remarkable.