Thurs, recovery day, bunch of little runs/jogs/walks. 2ish miles to volunteer job, mostly jogging (was late), then 2ish miles back, then 3ish miles jogging to dragonboating and 3ish miles jogging back. Total 10.89 miles. Plus dragonboating, which was a lot of fun! My legs were a little dead, but I still had a bit of a cold so I wasn't too concerned. It was good to get an artificial fever jacked up.
Fri, 2.5 miles in the morning, 8.44 in the evening. Amazing how crappy I felt in the morning and how much differently, how much better I felt in the evening.
Except at one point. We ran by the Arboretum (not really through, just on the bike path beside the Canal) and, yep, someone's unleashed dog ran up to mine growling. I realize that mine probably stares down most other dogs, but he stays by my side and doesn't go up to them and/or growl. I tugged him ahead as the other dog went behind him for whatever reason, and then I stuck my leg between it and I/my dog and told it to "Go!" Meanwhile, the owners were pathetically mewing 'come, come, come'. It stayed away. The owners said 'sorry about that' as they went to collect it. I was too annoyed to meet their gaze, just said 'ok' and ran on.
Yeah, some dogs just run up to others growling and will simmer down. Whatever.
But this was on a REC/RUNNING/BIKE PATH!! There is plenty of space for ill-trained dogs to run off leash, why right on the path? morons.
I wished I had the guts to say 'oh, you dropped a chromosome.'
However, that wouldn't be constructive, nor within the limited reach of my impaired wit at times like these, when the curtain of red descends and I have a split second to mutter 'ok' and get out of there before I get all too nasty.
I talked with my mom about this, and she thinks that I might have a good idea: carry copies of a dog trainer's business card and hand them out whenever someone's dog is being a butt. I had a trainer come over once to help with my dog and she really helped; unfortunately, I've run out of the cards she left behind but maybe I can get her to send me more.
At any rate, it took me a few miles to cool down and then the endorphins kicked in and I was in the zone. So it ended up being a nice run after all. Then we walked for a bit and my dog had a nice sniff with another dog whose owner held it back at first. It was yipping and standing on its hind feet. I talked with the owner a bit as she calmed it down and then we let the dogs sniff each other. That's how it should be.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Mon-Tues-Wed
Just an update to Monday's entry: I thought my head would explode. I was miserable at work. 3 miles total that day.
Tues, I slept in, and jogged with the dog for 8.45 miles, very slowly. My legs were a bit stiff, but it felt good to sweat out the bug a bit, and once I warmed up a bit, it was pleasant to keep going. The pressure headaches were gone, too. Thank goodness. It felt almost as bad as that time I fell asleep in a non-pressurized prop plane and didn't wake up until it was landing. The most memorable part of this run was the groundhog that ran just a bit ahead of us. My dog remained heeling, but he was royally whining. He knows to ignore squirrels and is getting better at ignoring rabbits and chipmucks (he apparently can tell rodent species apart, or at least slot them into two categories: "things I've gotten yelled at for chasing" and "things I have not...yet". Although, admittedly, we dealt with the rabbit and baby rabbit issue two years ago, but since we haven't seen much of either since the move, they've become exciting again.) At any rate, all this pales besides the lumbering round bulk of a groundhog. So plump, so catchable! And this thing didn't slog off out of sight, but kept jiggling ahead of us. It wouldn't go away! Finally, I turned around to give it some time to waddle off.
Wed, I slept in less, and jogged with the dog for 5.85 miles. Then, in the evening, I ran 8.34, including a 7k tempo with the group, at about 5:01/km. This is maybe a bit slow for a tempo pace for me, but long for a tempo run for me and I'm pretty flat and sick, so it was very suitable now. For various reasons/excuses, I did no tempo runs in the spring. Since they are my weakness, I should do them, and this is a good way to get back into them.
I should do resistance exercises but I have dragonboating tomorrow and that will be a workout enough. I'm trying to recover from this cold, but I would like to keep my mileage up. Will see if that works!
Oh, my 'new'* 'speedwork'** shoes are featured in an article on a website: http://running.competitor.com/shoes-and-gear/girl-gear-saucony-grid-type-a2_2170
* Not really new anymore
**Not really exclusively for speedwork: also wore them for my last marathon, which was very much divorced from 'speed'. LOL
The website, at any rate, is new and very interesting: www.running.competitor.com
Tues, I slept in, and jogged with the dog for 8.45 miles, very slowly. My legs were a bit stiff, but it felt good to sweat out the bug a bit, and once I warmed up a bit, it was pleasant to keep going. The pressure headaches were gone, too. Thank goodness. It felt almost as bad as that time I fell asleep in a non-pressurized prop plane and didn't wake up until it was landing. The most memorable part of this run was the groundhog that ran just a bit ahead of us. My dog remained heeling, but he was royally whining. He knows to ignore squirrels and is getting better at ignoring rabbits and chipmucks (he apparently can tell rodent species apart, or at least slot them into two categories: "things I've gotten yelled at for chasing" and "things I have not...yet". Although, admittedly, we dealt with the rabbit and baby rabbit issue two years ago, but since we haven't seen much of either since the move, they've become exciting again.) At any rate, all this pales besides the lumbering round bulk of a groundhog. So plump, so catchable! And this thing didn't slog off out of sight, but kept jiggling ahead of us. It wouldn't go away! Finally, I turned around to give it some time to waddle off.
Wed, I slept in less, and jogged with the dog for 5.85 miles. Then, in the evening, I ran 8.34, including a 7k tempo with the group, at about 5:01/km. This is maybe a bit slow for a tempo pace for me, but long for a tempo run for me and I'm pretty flat and sick, so it was very suitable now. For various reasons/excuses, I did no tempo runs in the spring. Since they are my weakness, I should do them, and this is a good way to get back into them.
I should do resistance exercises but I have dragonboating tomorrow and that will be a workout enough. I'm trying to recover from this cold, but I would like to keep my mileage up. Will see if that works!
Oh, my 'new'* 'speedwork'** shoes are featured in an article on a website: http://running.competitor.com/shoes-and-gear/girl-gear-saucony-grid-type-a2_2170
* Not really new anymore
**Not really exclusively for speedwork: also wore them for my last marathon, which was very much divorced from 'speed'. LOL
The website, at any rate, is new and very interesting: www.running.competitor.com
Monday, June 8, 2009
I have dog flu, H1N1E
Maybe...he has sneezed in my face a few times.
At any rate, he was in my face in general last night, so I took him out for a couple of miles. I don't think he's going to get an outing today, though. I slept for nearly 11 hrs, and will sleep again for a bunch, then try to get through work. I'm hoping I can leave early.
At any rate, I won't be working there much longer. It's been a slice, but it's time to go.
No idea when my husband will be back, but I might, just might, get to see him this month!
At any rate, he was in my face in general last night, so I took him out for a couple of miles. I don't think he's going to get an outing today, though. I slept for nearly 11 hrs, and will sleep again for a bunch, then try to get through work. I'm hoping I can leave early.
At any rate, I won't be working there much longer. It's been a slice, but it's time to go.
No idea when my husband will be back, but I might, just might, get to see him this month!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
waxing and waning
Saturday: the dog and I headed out. So much for sticking to one route and getting into a rhythm, though I'll probably do this during the week. Somehow, though, I didn't feel like doing this yesterday. I just wanted to head out and go wherever.
A good thing too: there were a few challenges thrown in our path.
I decided to head to the Ottawa river; going through the underpasses around Wellington/Portage, I noticed that there were more walkers than usual. A few minutes later, I noticed that some of them wore coordinated outfits. A moment or two later, I noticed the COWBELL. It was really nice to hear that I was doing great, but I was distracted by wondering what was going on. We passed tents and portapotties across the street from the War Museum, and I figured, hey, that's where they're stopping. No, there were more walkers up ahead, but spread out. We jogged by and I decided that I was going to spread good vibes by encouraging them, good job, good work, good luck, etc...I think it was the 60 km weekend to Cure Breast Cancer. They were going to be out for a while both days.
We ran alongside them for a few miles and then we came to the Champlain bridge, which looked to be their turnaround point. I wasn't sure, though. I was considering going on to Westboro or beyond, but I didn't want to trouble them on the way back.
Instead, we took a water break and a detour, across the bridge. This was a fortunate choice: the path on that side is shadier. I let my dog stand in the river a couple of times to cool his feet, and he drank a little, poor thing, and then we headed back across Booth and behind the Hill where it was shady too, another water break, and then up past the locks and through the mass of tourists recently disgorged by Capital Cruises.
I hate to be crabby about tourists, but it's a habit dating from a childhood growing up a spit away from Parliament Hill and so forth. I'm in recovery, but suffice to say that I wish there was a larger window between turning the water fountains on and the summer tourist crunch. I forget when they turned on that water fountain where the Canal meets the river, but it seems that they finally get it going and suddenly there's a throng of camera-wielding drifters blocking the beeline. NCC: "Well, here's the water, but you're going to have to work for it." But I exaggerate, I'm sure.
We went under the bridge and then noticed, wow, the fence was gone.
Another irksome thing: all of last summer, we had to go up and along the NAC drive because they had the path blocked by the Canal. This was strangely annoying. Finally they finished and the fences went down, but then the snow came--admittedly, the chronology has been muddled, but there wasn't a heck of a lot of time between enjoying the clear path and finding another fence. Yeah, they were now going to dick around with another 20M stretch by the Canal, necessitating the same annoying detour up through the NAC...
However, yesterday, I saw that the fence was pushed aside. We could pass! We went over the new concrete past the NAC cafe, and then got under the bridge, and there was a generator or something with a truck hitch blocking our way. I went over and the dog went under, and then we got to more fencing, so had to step up into the bushes on the side....still, it was less annoying than going up next to the NAC. (I still don't know why I dislike going that way...yeah, some people drive like they're on fire on the way to the parking, and there are occasionally meandering herds to rival those by the locks...).
We went on, and I decided that we'd go through Patterson/Central Park, or whatever it's called. But there was a fair going on so we stuck to pavement and got home.
Still, it was a good outing. 12.63 miles.
And then, later that evening, my throat started getting scratchy. I gargled with salt water, which works 90% of the time, but this thing had dug itself deep. Phlegm kept me awake for much of the night.
I woke up this morning in time for run club, but rather thickly. I wasn't going anywhere. Dozed for another ten minutes then decided to give run club a stab anyway, or at least get out--seemed better to get an artificial fever jacked up and then nap in the afternoon than sleep in. And, sometimes, I have good runs when I'm sick. Today wasn't one of them. I made it out too late for run club--met one person who was late, too, but decided to pack it in after that. Didn't meet anyone else. 6.16 miles, and now I'm eating loads of fruit and will be getting to that nap shortly.
A good thing too: there were a few challenges thrown in our path.
I decided to head to the Ottawa river; going through the underpasses around Wellington/Portage, I noticed that there were more walkers than usual. A few minutes later, I noticed that some of them wore coordinated outfits. A moment or two later, I noticed the COWBELL. It was really nice to hear that I was doing great, but I was distracted by wondering what was going on. We passed tents and portapotties across the street from the War Museum, and I figured, hey, that's where they're stopping. No, there were more walkers up ahead, but spread out. We jogged by and I decided that I was going to spread good vibes by encouraging them, good job, good work, good luck, etc...I think it was the 60 km weekend to Cure Breast Cancer. They were going to be out for a while both days.
We ran alongside them for a few miles and then we came to the Champlain bridge, which looked to be their turnaround point. I wasn't sure, though. I was considering going on to Westboro or beyond, but I didn't want to trouble them on the way back.
Instead, we took a water break and a detour, across the bridge. This was a fortunate choice: the path on that side is shadier. I let my dog stand in the river a couple of times to cool his feet, and he drank a little, poor thing, and then we headed back across Booth and behind the Hill where it was shady too, another water break, and then up past the locks and through the mass of tourists recently disgorged by Capital Cruises.
I hate to be crabby about tourists, but it's a habit dating from a childhood growing up a spit away from Parliament Hill and so forth. I'm in recovery, but suffice to say that I wish there was a larger window between turning the water fountains on and the summer tourist crunch. I forget when they turned on that water fountain where the Canal meets the river, but it seems that they finally get it going and suddenly there's a throng of camera-wielding drifters blocking the beeline. NCC: "Well, here's the water, but you're going to have to work for it." But I exaggerate, I'm sure.
We went under the bridge and then noticed, wow, the fence was gone.
Another irksome thing: all of last summer, we had to go up and along the NAC drive because they had the path blocked by the Canal. This was strangely annoying. Finally they finished and the fences went down, but then the snow came--admittedly, the chronology has been muddled, but there wasn't a heck of a lot of time between enjoying the clear path and finding another fence. Yeah, they were now going to dick around with another 20M stretch by the Canal, necessitating the same annoying detour up through the NAC...
However, yesterday, I saw that the fence was pushed aside. We could pass! We went over the new concrete past the NAC cafe, and then got under the bridge, and there was a generator or something with a truck hitch blocking our way. I went over and the dog went under, and then we got to more fencing, so had to step up into the bushes on the side....still, it was less annoying than going up next to the NAC. (I still don't know why I dislike going that way...yeah, some people drive like they're on fire on the way to the parking, and there are occasionally meandering herds to rival those by the locks...).
We went on, and I decided that we'd go through Patterson/Central Park, or whatever it's called. But there was a fair going on so we stuck to pavement and got home.
Still, it was a good outing. 12.63 miles.
And then, later that evening, my throat started getting scratchy. I gargled with salt water, which works 90% of the time, but this thing had dug itself deep. Phlegm kept me awake for much of the night.
I woke up this morning in time for run club, but rather thickly. I wasn't going anywhere. Dozed for another ten minutes then decided to give run club a stab anyway, or at least get out--seemed better to get an artificial fever jacked up and then nap in the afternoon than sleep in. And, sometimes, I have good runs when I'm sick. Today wasn't one of them. I made it out too late for run club--met one person who was late, too, but decided to pack it in after that. Didn't meet anyone else. 6.16 miles, and now I'm eating loads of fruit and will be getting to that nap shortly.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Thurs commute
I had this matcha iced latte yesterday evening and it was totally wrong for me. I couldn't get to sleep for a while.
And I got up feeling like crud.
Did 2ish miles with the dogs, then 2 to the hospital (I'm volunteering there) and 2 back. These four miles included a fair bit of walking--I didn't want to sweat too much. Then 3ish to dragonboating. I was planning to jog back home, but by then I was pretty tired and more than happy to accept a lift.
The dragonboating was fun. I was a bit worried...I did it for about three years in Montreal, but that was a while ago. But I think it's mostly come back. And I hadn't realized how much I missed paddling. I remember thinking, as the sun went down on the river, how right it was to be there.
And I got up feeling like crud.
Did 2ish miles with the dogs, then 2 to the hospital (I'm volunteering there) and 2 back. These four miles included a fair bit of walking--I didn't want to sweat too much. Then 3ish to dragonboating. I was planning to jog back home, but by then I was pretty tired and more than happy to accept a lift.
The dragonboating was fun. I was a bit worried...I did it for about three years in Montreal, but that was a while ago. But I think it's mostly come back. And I hadn't realized how much I missed paddling. I remember thinking, as the sun went down on the river, how right it was to be there.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Mon-Tues, GREAT Wed
Mon: 3 miles, no resistance exercises because I had to work--I was going to do them after work, but it turned out to be a heavy shift lifting-wise. So I guess I got a good workout in anyway, but not the same range of muscles that I usually tackle.
Tues: 1.5 miles Such an easy, lazy day!
Wed: 15.16 miles.
This has been one of the best days I've had recently. I didn't have to work, but I woke up at about 6:22 am. Way too early. I fell asleep and woke up again at 6:38. Way too early, but it was almost as if there was a voice in my head saying that I should get up and out, it would be worth it, and I'd regret missing it. Whatever it was. So, I pulled on some running clothes and grabbed the dog and headed out.
I don't usually get out that early; I'd assumed that it would be crowded with pre-work runners, but it was surprisingly clear. And lovely. I don't know what the temp was, but it was comfortable and there was plenty of shade. The dog and I just loped along for a while. We got to the point where I would have turned, for an easy loop, but I wanted to go further. It was so invigorating.
On our way home, I considered stopping by at a dog park--I don't usually take my dog to these things, but he was good and tired and if there's just one or two other nice dogs, he enjoys it. However, as we walked by the fence, a big dog came up growling. At first, I thought to hustle my dog along because I don't want him to think he has to handle that, but the growling didn't seem too aggressive (some dogs just don't know better) and my dog was calm with the fence between them, and so we just stood there and listened to this dog growl and so forth, with the pathetic 'come' cries of the jerk owner sitting on her butt on the other side of the park. LOL. And then my dog peed in the direction of the other dog. He sometimes does this (or tries to do) when confronted with some other dog trying to be dominant. I guess it's a dominant issue. Usually I don't allow it, but this dog really asked for it. It shut the other dog up and they sniffed each other through the fence for a bit and then its owner's cries got through and it loped back.
Well, I met another dog owner on her way to the park, and I told her about that dog. She knew it and said that the owner can't control it. Meanwhile, our dogs were going through the greetings and they decided they wanted to play, and, dang it, if that dumb dog/owner hadn't been in there, they could have had a nice session tearing around the yard. I wish I could have taken my dog in there. He likes playing, but he doesn't appreciate pushy dogs, either, and unfortunately, most people bring their dogs to the dog park way too wound up. So we rarely go.
But, still, it was a really nice outing. And I had loads of energy the rest of the day--I'd forgotten how invigorating an early-morning run can be. I did a bunch of yardwork and school work, plus errands, and it seemed that I was working faster than usual. I'd look at my watch, expecting a 1/2 hour or whatever later, and it was only ten minutes or whatever later.
This also meant that I was totally fried by five, so I had a nap, and slept a bit too late for run club. Fortunately, there are only so many good routes, so I headed straight for the Canal and joined up with them there. Someone mentioned that they were warming up...this month is supposed to be easy, so I was surprised. Turned out they were planning a 30-min tempo at 5:00-5:15, so that seemed manageable. It's not quite tempo pace for me, but considering my lack of speed training these days, plus the hot weather, maybe it is! And it was hot, but the run went well. We picked it up a bit near the end. I am so used to going faster at the end of runs, especially when they're out and backs, so I just let it out the last 1/2 mile--not pushing, just opening up. It's kind of a reward :) I hope nobody minded.
And, THEN, resistance exercises.
Now I'm feeling worn out, but in a good way!
Tomorrow will be an easy day running-wise, although another double, probably 3 and 3 miles. I'm going to a dragonboating practice too. Should be fun!
Tues: 1.5 miles Such an easy, lazy day!
Wed: 15.16 miles.
This has been one of the best days I've had recently. I didn't have to work, but I woke up at about 6:22 am. Way too early. I fell asleep and woke up again at 6:38. Way too early, but it was almost as if there was a voice in my head saying that I should get up and out, it would be worth it, and I'd regret missing it. Whatever it was. So, I pulled on some running clothes and grabbed the dog and headed out.
I don't usually get out that early; I'd assumed that it would be crowded with pre-work runners, but it was surprisingly clear. And lovely. I don't know what the temp was, but it was comfortable and there was plenty of shade. The dog and I just loped along for a while. We got to the point where I would have turned, for an easy loop, but I wanted to go further. It was so invigorating.
On our way home, I considered stopping by at a dog park--I don't usually take my dog to these things, but he was good and tired and if there's just one or two other nice dogs, he enjoys it. However, as we walked by the fence, a big dog came up growling. At first, I thought to hustle my dog along because I don't want him to think he has to handle that, but the growling didn't seem too aggressive (some dogs just don't know better) and my dog was calm with the fence between them, and so we just stood there and listened to this dog growl and so forth, with the pathetic 'come' cries of the jerk owner sitting on her butt on the other side of the park. LOL. And then my dog peed in the direction of the other dog. He sometimes does this (or tries to do) when confronted with some other dog trying to be dominant. I guess it's a dominant issue. Usually I don't allow it, but this dog really asked for it. It shut the other dog up and they sniffed each other through the fence for a bit and then its owner's cries got through and it loped back.
Well, I met another dog owner on her way to the park, and I told her about that dog. She knew it and said that the owner can't control it. Meanwhile, our dogs were going through the greetings and they decided they wanted to play, and, dang it, if that dumb dog/owner hadn't been in there, they could have had a nice session tearing around the yard. I wish I could have taken my dog in there. He likes playing, but he doesn't appreciate pushy dogs, either, and unfortunately, most people bring their dogs to the dog park way too wound up. So we rarely go.
But, still, it was a really nice outing. And I had loads of energy the rest of the day--I'd forgotten how invigorating an early-morning run can be. I did a bunch of yardwork and school work, plus errands, and it seemed that I was working faster than usual. I'd look at my watch, expecting a 1/2 hour or whatever later, and it was only ten minutes or whatever later.
This also meant that I was totally fried by five, so I had a nap, and slept a bit too late for run club. Fortunately, there are only so many good routes, so I headed straight for the Canal and joined up with them there. Someone mentioned that they were warming up...this month is supposed to be easy, so I was surprised. Turned out they were planning a 30-min tempo at 5:00-5:15, so that seemed manageable. It's not quite tempo pace for me, but considering my lack of speed training these days, plus the hot weather, maybe it is! And it was hot, but the run went well. We picked it up a bit near the end. I am so used to going faster at the end of runs, especially when they're out and backs, so I just let it out the last 1/2 mile--not pushing, just opening up. It's kind of a reward :) I hope nobody minded.
And, THEN, resistance exercises.
Now I'm feeling worn out, but in a good way!
Tomorrow will be an easy day running-wise, although another double, probably 3 and 3 miles. I'm going to a dragonboating practice too. Should be fun!
Monday, June 1, 2009
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