My usual running trails continue to be uncooperative with my quest to do a little speed this week. Instead I just opted to get some more miles under my belt. I figured that this would be the safest option given the trail conditions as well as the fact that Christmas week disrupted my mileage ramp-up, so taking an extra week to push into the high 40's should be prudent and wise.
While running, this song came graced my Ipod. This basically sums up the relationship between me and the trails this week. I quite enjoyed the video with it as well...
I ran 8 miles as follows:
7:14, 7:10, 7:05, 7:03, 7:10, 7:00, 6:57, 7:04
Weekly Mileage: 46 miles (Goal: 48)
A+
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Jan.10: Bored Yet?
Today I guess I was overly optimistic thinking that perhaps (at least) the inside lane of the track should be clear of ice and snow. I headed to the track hoping that I would be able to take a bite into my first "speed" workout of the season only to find worse ice and snow than my usual trails through the Bois. Seeing that I was already committed to a run at the track but that it was clearly unsuitable for any kind of speed I started off on my first of 48 laps at Easy pace. (For those of you who try to avoid math, that works out to be 12 miles of sweet, sweet, mind-numbing running/skating).
I wanted my long run to be 25% of my total weekly mileage - mission accomplished. To be honest though, I think I would have preferred running it on the dreadmill - at least I would not be slipping all over the place and I could pass the miles away by watching French TV...hmmm, when I put it that way the track does not seem too bad anymore! The run passed dreadfully slow as follows:
7:19, 7:19, 7:17, 7:16, 7:14, 7:15, 7:14, 7:12, 7:11, 7:14, 7:11, 7:15 min/mile
Tomorrow I may make another attempt at doing some speed, but like all my other runs this week, that will be strictly dictated by trail conditions. Also, I find that my legs get just a little extra tenderized by running on this ice so I may forego speed altogether...
A+
I wanted my long run to be 25% of my total weekly mileage - mission accomplished. To be honest though, I think I would have preferred running it on the dreadmill - at least I would not be slipping all over the place and I could pass the miles away by watching French TV...hmmm, when I put it that way the track does not seem too bad anymore! The run passed dreadfully slow as follows:
7:19, 7:19, 7:17, 7:16, 7:14, 7:15, 7:14, 7:12, 7:11, 7:14, 7:11, 7:15 min/mile
Tomorrow I may make another attempt at doing some speed, but like all my other runs this week, that will be strictly dictated by trail conditions. Also, I find that my legs get just a little extra tenderized by running on this ice so I may forego speed altogether...
A+
Friday, January 9, 2009
Jan.9: Still Slippery
Everyday I think that the trails will be improved from the day before and everyday I am wrong. I left work a little after 7 tonight, which delayed the start of my run a little, but thankfully I was bound and determined to get out there (as opposed to staying warm inside). Since I started getting bored with yesterday's run at about the 8 mile mark I decided to only run 8 tonight (seems logical doesn't it?!) in an effort to keep it all enjoyable - and it worked! I tempted fate again on the icey pathways as follows:
7:26, 7:26, 7:28, 7:18, 7:21, 7:16, 7:14, 7:11 min/mile
I just love running under a clear sky, in the woods, under a bright moon. We are 2 days infront of a full moon and running under a clear sky at night on an isolated trail is hard to beat. Runs like tonight make you forget that you live in a metropolitan area of nearly 12 million and make you believe, if only for an hour, that you are the sole inhabitant. Hmmm...this must be one of the reasons I love running.
To respond to some comments:
Steeeeeve: I agree. In fact your comment is best illustrated in Jack Daniel's book on figure 1.5. That being said I will argue that although the time difference may be marginal (implying that the improvments resulting from your training are only marginal), the difference in emotion/satisfication/accomplishment/bragging rights/etc between running a 3:00:05 marathon and a 2:59:55 marathon is exponential... :-)
Bert: It looks like I may have a good chance of staying here for another year! Considering that I was only supposed to be here for less than a year, you might say I have been really excited and fortunate to capitilize on a slow moving project!
Simon: I appreciate your optimism on what the trails will sound and look like when the weather improves. Unfortunately, this particular park is known for its transvestites and prostitutes (but it is the only one big enough to seriously run in on this side of Paris). So, when the weather improves so does their activity and sightings of things I wish I would never see on a run...
A+
7:26, 7:26, 7:28, 7:18, 7:21, 7:16, 7:14, 7:11 min/mile
I just love running under a clear sky, in the woods, under a bright moon. We are 2 days infront of a full moon and running under a clear sky at night on an isolated trail is hard to beat. Runs like tonight make you forget that you live in a metropolitan area of nearly 12 million and make you believe, if only for an hour, that you are the sole inhabitant. Hmmm...this must be one of the reasons I love running.
To respond to some comments:
Steeeeeve: I agree. In fact your comment is best illustrated in Jack Daniel's book on figure 1.5. That being said I will argue that although the time difference may be marginal (implying that the improvments resulting from your training are only marginal), the difference in emotion/satisfication/accomplishment/bragging rights/etc between running a 3:00:05 marathon and a 2:59:55 marathon is exponential... :-)
Bert: It looks like I may have a good chance of staying here for another year! Considering that I was only supposed to be here for less than a year, you might say I have been really excited and fortunate to capitilize on a slow moving project!
Simon: I appreciate your optimism on what the trails will sound and look like when the weather improves. Unfortunately, this particular park is known for its transvestites and prostitutes (but it is the only one big enough to seriously run in on this side of Paris). So, when the weather improves so does their activity and sightings of things I wish I would never see on a run...
A+
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Jan. 8: Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility
I remember back in college learning about The Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility in Economics. Basically, if I remember correctly, it attempts to describe the relationship between one's satisfaction, or enjoyment, with something and how it changes with repeated consumption of that same thing. Let me use Thanksgiving Dinner as an example.
Thanksgiving dinner is one of those special dinners where there is just a little extra sauce, a little extra dessert, and basically a little extra of everything. This is a dinner you have been anticipating for the last month. So your first bite of whatever is on top of that food mound that that looks like a mini volcano with gravy instead of lava is delicious. It is so good that you are already stuffing in your second bite before your first mouthful has even had a chance to travel back to your molars. But this bite is even better, because now you dipped your turkey in some sweet potato, gravy, and you even managed to get a little stuffing on that fork as well. So with remnants of your first bite, and with your second bite still clearly visble in your mouth to Aunt Martha across the table, you bulldoze that third, even tastier bite, on into that black hole that once resembled your mouth. On this goes for awhile, each bite just a little tastier and sweeter than the one before...
But suddenly you realize that everything is just starting to taste the same on your plate. Your tastebuds are no longer dazzled by the sweet ham and they are starting to have trouble distinguishing the wine from the gravy. On any normal day, you would stop here and be completely satisfied. But this is not a normal day and plates of new, undiscovered food are still being passed infront of you. So, not wanting to offend your new found long lost cousin, you are compelled to try a little of his Road Kill BBQ or whatever it is that he is begging people to eat. And on this goes, each bite becoming more challenging and daunting than the rest. You might even spend a few moments of self reflective time, staring off in a distant trance with your eyes half shut hoping you can disguise a few silent burps and farts as "grandma's brand" in an effort to vacate just a little extra room for dessert. But alas, you soon find yourself holding your belly, lying on the living room floor infront of the TV sleeping with a sweet, sweet tryctophan buzz promising yourself that you will never do that again.
Now, just as we measure weight in pounds, and speed in miles/hour, the economists measure our degree of satisfaction in a utiles. So given the above example, we experience a period where our satisfaction (or our total utile count) increases, followed by a period where it marginally decreases from the time previous (or decreased marginal utiles (utility)...hence the name of the law).
All that just to describe that is how my run felt tonight! The first couple of miles I felt great. I felt alive; the cold air cleansing my lungs with each breath. By mile 6-8 I was starting to get a little bored of slipping on patches of ice and the novelty of running within the tight wooded paths of the Bois, dancing between the eerie shadows cast by the pale moonlight was starting to wear off. Miles 8-10 were just a bored grind...my utile count was definitely low! The run went as follows (you can tell where the icey bits and the dry bits were by the pace!):
7:18, 7:07, 7:25, 7:18, 7:21, 7:14, 7:17, 7:16, 7:11, 7:05 min/mile
A+
Thanksgiving dinner is one of those special dinners where there is just a little extra sauce, a little extra dessert, and basically a little extra of everything. This is a dinner you have been anticipating for the last month. So your first bite of whatever is on top of that food mound that that looks like a mini volcano with gravy instead of lava is delicious. It is so good that you are already stuffing in your second bite before your first mouthful has even had a chance to travel back to your molars. But this bite is even better, because now you dipped your turkey in some sweet potato, gravy, and you even managed to get a little stuffing on that fork as well. So with remnants of your first bite, and with your second bite still clearly visble in your mouth to Aunt Martha across the table, you bulldoze that third, even tastier bite, on into that black hole that once resembled your mouth. On this goes for awhile, each bite just a little tastier and sweeter than the one before...
But suddenly you realize that everything is just starting to taste the same on your plate. Your tastebuds are no longer dazzled by the sweet ham and they are starting to have trouble distinguishing the wine from the gravy. On any normal day, you would stop here and be completely satisfied. But this is not a normal day and plates of new, undiscovered food are still being passed infront of you. So, not wanting to offend your new found long lost cousin, you are compelled to try a little of his Road Kill BBQ or whatever it is that he is begging people to eat. And on this goes, each bite becoming more challenging and daunting than the rest. You might even spend a few moments of self reflective time, staring off in a distant trance with your eyes half shut hoping you can disguise a few silent burps and farts as "grandma's brand" in an effort to vacate just a little extra room for dessert. But alas, you soon find yourself holding your belly, lying on the living room floor infront of the TV sleeping with a sweet, sweet tryctophan buzz promising yourself that you will never do that again.
Now, just as we measure weight in pounds, and speed in miles/hour, the economists measure our degree of satisfaction in a utiles. So given the above example, we experience a period where our satisfaction (or our total utile count) increases, followed by a period where it marginally decreases from the time previous (or decreased marginal utiles (utility)...hence the name of the law).
All that just to describe that is how my run felt tonight! The first couple of miles I felt great. I felt alive; the cold air cleansing my lungs with each breath. By mile 6-8 I was starting to get a little bored of slipping on patches of ice and the novelty of running within the tight wooded paths of the Bois, dancing between the eerie shadows cast by the pale moonlight was starting to wear off. Miles 8-10 were just a bored grind...my utile count was definitely low! The run went as follows (you can tell where the icey bits and the dry bits were by the pace!):
7:18, 7:07, 7:25, 7:18, 7:21, 7:14, 7:17, 7:16, 7:11, 7:05 min/mile
A+
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Jan. 7: Slippery Roads
This is exactly the reason I have not run in the last two days...
...the sidewalks in Paris have gotten progressively icier since Monday night. Last night I was planning on heading out while walking home from the Metro station and nearly wiped out, so I decided against in. Back in Calgary, where I grew up, we had a sensible by-law that would fine any person who did not shovel or salt their sidewalks within 24 hours of snowfall...apparently Paris does not have the same!
On an aside...if you listen to the commentary on the above video you will hear some of the dumbest live tv coverage ever.
1. Clearly those two ass-clowns have never run a marathon...all they are good at doing is running off at the mouth.
2. Don't you love how they talk you through the replay over and over again? "And here you see him, raising his hands (to signal his victory), then he slips on the mat..." If people get paid for this "quality" of work, then I should change professions.
3. But my favorite bit is, "but did he cross the line?"
Now on to the race director.."he probably only has a mild concussion...he is fine". Seriously?
Oops, my bad...I made the mistake of looking around for some more dumb running commentary I came across this...
...those 10 seconds of silence even made me feel uncomfortable...I had to break eye contact with my computer and silently humm something to myself whilst looking down at my shoes to confirm that they were still tied...
Tonight I had my usual 1 hour of Pilates...for those actually interested in a workout update!
A+
...the sidewalks in Paris have gotten progressively icier since Monday night. Last night I was planning on heading out while walking home from the Metro station and nearly wiped out, so I decided against in. Back in Calgary, where I grew up, we had a sensible by-law that would fine any person who did not shovel or salt their sidewalks within 24 hours of snowfall...apparently Paris does not have the same!
On an aside...if you listen to the commentary on the above video you will hear some of the dumbest live tv coverage ever.
1. Clearly those two ass-clowns have never run a marathon...all they are good at doing is running off at the mouth.
2. Don't you love how they talk you through the replay over and over again? "And here you see him, raising his hands (to signal his victory), then he slips on the mat..." If people get paid for this "quality" of work, then I should change professions.
3. But my favorite bit is, "but did he cross the line?"
Now on to the race director.."he probably only has a mild concussion...he is fine". Seriously?
Oops, my bad...I made the mistake of looking around for some more dumb running commentary I came across this...
...those 10 seconds of silence even made me feel uncomfortable...I had to break eye contact with my computer and silently humm something to myself whilst looking down at my shoes to confirm that they were still tied...
Tonight I had my usual 1 hour of Pilates...for those actually interested in a workout update!
A+
Monday, January 5, 2009
Jan.5: Back to Work
Last night going to bed I lied there, staring at the ceiling contemplating what today might bring. It would be, afterall, my first day back at work in nearly 2.5 weeks. I felt like a kid again, forcing myself to go to bed early the night before school started again after summer break, wondering what the new year might bring. I lied there trying vainly to remember what it was I was actually working on. After 5 minutes of hopeless thought I resigned myself to the fact that today would probably be a loooooooooong one!
Remarkably my fears were without substance. I managed to crank out a sweet, sweet day at work. I even walked home with a little swagger thinking to myself, "Yep, 2009 is looking like a good year!" But this thought ended abruptly when I nearly got to my door and I realized that I forgot my keys 30 minutes ago, back in my office. Yep, it looks like the world and I were once again even for the day! But I am confident that there are still a few days left in this year for me to still get the upper hand!
This delay, nor the icy paths resulting from a full day of snow flurries, did not deter me from getting out to enjoy 8 miles completely to myself. I had to be extra careful and run slowly so I would not fall ass-over-tea kettle. As it turns out, I was right on my easy pace anyhow, so it worked out quite well. The run went as follows:
7:24, 7:29, 7:27, 7:24, 7:26, 7:23, 7:23, 7:15 min/mile
For what it is worth, I flirted with an acclerated run yesterday as well. I "accelerated" for 6 miles then pulled it back for the final 2. That run was on dry streets and looked a little different:
7:16, 7:08, 7:07, 6:58, 6:50, 6:13, 7:04, 7:01 min/mile
This is also the first week of Phase II for training. Up until now I really have not been too motivated. I generally find that once I start banging out some hard workouts that my motivation is soon to pick up. I am sure that will be the case again and am looking forward to the journey...again! This journey may be a little different as I want to get back into cycling, which was my first love long before this running nonsense got in the way!!
A+
Remarkably my fears were without substance. I managed to crank out a sweet, sweet day at work. I even walked home with a little swagger thinking to myself, "Yep, 2009 is looking like a good year!" But this thought ended abruptly when I nearly got to my door and I realized that I forgot my keys 30 minutes ago, back in my office. Yep, it looks like the world and I were once again even for the day! But I am confident that there are still a few days left in this year for me to still get the upper hand!
This delay, nor the icy paths resulting from a full day of snow flurries, did not deter me from getting out to enjoy 8 miles completely to myself. I had to be extra careful and run slowly so I would not fall ass-over-tea kettle. As it turns out, I was right on my easy pace anyhow, so it worked out quite well. The run went as follows:
7:24, 7:29, 7:27, 7:24, 7:26, 7:23, 7:23, 7:15 min/mile
For what it is worth, I flirted with an acclerated run yesterday as well. I "accelerated" for 6 miles then pulled it back for the final 2. That run was on dry streets and looked a little different:
7:16, 7:08, 7:07, 6:58, 6:50, 6:13, 7:04, 7:01 min/mile
This is also the first week of Phase II for training. Up until now I really have not been too motivated. I generally find that once I start banging out some hard workouts that my motivation is soon to pick up. I am sure that will be the case again and am looking forward to the journey...again! This journey may be a little different as I want to get back into cycling, which was my first love long before this running nonsense got in the way!!
A+
Saturday, January 3, 2009
2008: Christmas Holidays
I have spent the last 2 weeks with my family between England and Paris for the Holidays. This was the first time my entire family has been together in over 5 years, so needless to say it was a very special time indeed. I had limited access to internet over Christmas since we were staying in a little cottage on the Leeds Castle grounds. The other times I actually did have access, I preferred to be spending my time playing games, visiting, and enjoying everyone's company. Below is a little photo storybook of my holidays.
It all started when we arrived at Leeds Castle on December 19,
to join the rest of my family for the holidays. There were 10 of us, including myself, Jennie, my brother's new fiancee, my brother, my sister, her husband, my grandma (all the way from Saskatchewan), my mom, dad, and my other sister.
We stayed on the idealic Leeds Castle grounds in the Keeper's House for the rest of the week. Other than us, there were just a few sheep,
and black swans, which are the symbol of the castle. They were first imported to the UK from Australia by Lady Baillie, who was a former inhabitant of the castle and spent much of her time beautifying it.
During the first half of the week it was unseasonably warm, which was enjoyed by all. Sometimes even the nicer weather could not tear us away from a scrappy game of Settlers of Catan,
Monopoly (the reason I am smiling is because I was just on the verge of my victory!),
or foozeball. I definitely have to give victory credit to my brother-in-law who was clearly the champion when it came to individual play. However, I do believe that my mother and I were the team champions! As it turns out, my brother-in-law had access to a foozeball table at his old place of work...now I know why he had to work so many late nights!
Inbetween the games and the trash talking we did find a nice little watering hole (The George Inn), where we even managed to wet our whistle's during Christmas afternoon. The atmosphere was cozy, the food was good, and it was stumbling distance from the cottage...what more could you ask for in a pub?!
It did not matter if we went out for a bite to eat and a pint, or if we stayed in, it was always a fun time! Christmas dinner was especially giddy, and to be honest, I cannot recall if grandma was actually sitting on my lap for that photo!
I guess you could say, I felt like a king over the holidays!
But it was not all fun and games - I did even manage to get in a little exercise while I was there. There were times where it was difficult to fit in a regular workout routine. I even found myself doing crossbody leg swings while waiting for a train to attend a Christmas Carol recital at the Canterburry Cathedral.
I wanted to be limber for my 20 miler I ran with my brother on Christmas Day around the Castle grounds. While we were running he told me that he was going to blow off this long run but after reading one of my earlier blog posts, he said that he would feel too guilty if he did not! I have discovered another training motivation technique - Guilt!
But we both concluded that running in the shadows of the castle, undistrubed by people, was a pretty special way to spend Christmas morning!
After our time in England, the gang moved across the English Channel to Paris, where my brother and I still found time to do a little exercise, but in the form of the Wii Fit. Skiing was especially popular...people even held the imaginary poles!
I kept my workout regiment up by showing grandma many of the sites and sounds of Paris. I had to push her along the cobble stone streets of Paris, which provided good strength training! I would not trade the time spent with her for anything...plus her chair provided a good place for me to lean when we were both taking a break!
It was special to take her to see my favorite view of the Notre Dame,
to look up high
to see the Eiffle Tower,
to share her very first cotton candy with her,
and to take her to see the masterpieces in the Louvre. She found that this one reminded her a lot of home!
The Louvre was very special - grandma told me that she remembered learning about The Mona Lisa in school and she was looking forward to seeing it. When we got into the room where it is on display it was a complete zoo. We patiently got "in line" and were waiting to get upfront when an off-duty tour guide approached us and told us to follow him. He proceeded to take us around the side, through the security, and sat us no more than 10 feet directly infront of The Mona Lisa. He talked to us about the Mona Lisa then told us to stay as long as we wanted. The mobs of people AND the security were all behind us - just grandma, me, and Mona. We sat there for 3-5 minutes and enjoyed a view seldom enjoyed of the painting before we moved on. That was a special moment made possible by a complete stranger.
We continued exploring Paris everyday
and reflecting back on the holidays now,
they were without a doubt the best ever - not because of the location, but because of who was there.
A+
It all started when we arrived at Leeds Castle on December 19,
to join the rest of my family for the holidays. There were 10 of us, including myself, Jennie, my brother's new fiancee, my brother, my sister, her husband, my grandma (all the way from Saskatchewan), my mom, dad, and my other sister.
We stayed on the idealic Leeds Castle grounds in the Keeper's House for the rest of the week. Other than us, there were just a few sheep,
and black swans, which are the symbol of the castle. They were first imported to the UK from Australia by Lady Baillie, who was a former inhabitant of the castle and spent much of her time beautifying it.
During the first half of the week it was unseasonably warm, which was enjoyed by all. Sometimes even the nicer weather could not tear us away from a scrappy game of Settlers of Catan,
Monopoly (the reason I am smiling is because I was just on the verge of my victory!),
or foozeball. I definitely have to give victory credit to my brother-in-law who was clearly the champion when it came to individual play. However, I do believe that my mother and I were the team champions! As it turns out, my brother-in-law had access to a foozeball table at his old place of work...now I know why he had to work so many late nights!
Inbetween the games and the trash talking we did find a nice little watering hole (The George Inn), where we even managed to wet our whistle's during Christmas afternoon. The atmosphere was cozy, the food was good, and it was stumbling distance from the cottage...what more could you ask for in a pub?!
It did not matter if we went out for a bite to eat and a pint, or if we stayed in, it was always a fun time! Christmas dinner was especially giddy, and to be honest, I cannot recall if grandma was actually sitting on my lap for that photo!
I guess you could say, I felt like a king over the holidays!
But it was not all fun and games - I did even manage to get in a little exercise while I was there. There were times where it was difficult to fit in a regular workout routine. I even found myself doing crossbody leg swings while waiting for a train to attend a Christmas Carol recital at the Canterburry Cathedral.
I wanted to be limber for my 20 miler I ran with my brother on Christmas Day around the Castle grounds. While we were running he told me that he was going to blow off this long run but after reading one of my earlier blog posts, he said that he would feel too guilty if he did not! I have discovered another training motivation technique - Guilt!
But we both concluded that running in the shadows of the castle, undistrubed by people, was a pretty special way to spend Christmas morning!
After our time in England, the gang moved across the English Channel to Paris, where my brother and I still found time to do a little exercise, but in the form of the Wii Fit. Skiing was especially popular...people even held the imaginary poles!
I kept my workout regiment up by showing grandma many of the sites and sounds of Paris. I had to push her along the cobble stone streets of Paris, which provided good strength training! I would not trade the time spent with her for anything...plus her chair provided a good place for me to lean when we were both taking a break!
It was special to take her to see my favorite view of the Notre Dame,
to look up high
to see the Eiffle Tower,
to share her very first cotton candy with her,
and to take her to see the masterpieces in the Louvre. She found that this one reminded her a lot of home!
The Louvre was very special - grandma told me that she remembered learning about The Mona Lisa in school and she was looking forward to seeing it. When we got into the room where it is on display it was a complete zoo. We patiently got "in line" and were waiting to get upfront when an off-duty tour guide approached us and told us to follow him. He proceeded to take us around the side, through the security, and sat us no more than 10 feet directly infront of The Mona Lisa. He talked to us about the Mona Lisa then told us to stay as long as we wanted. The mobs of people AND the security were all behind us - just grandma, me, and Mona. We sat there for 3-5 minutes and enjoyed a view seldom enjoyed of the painting before we moved on. That was a special moment made possible by a complete stranger.
We continued exploring Paris everyday
and reflecting back on the holidays now,
they were without a doubt the best ever - not because of the location, but because of who was there.
A+
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
