May 2008 Archives

remind me again, this is a blog about what?

I had to go back a bit to find a post about running. I think that is what I am supposed to be blogging about. Running. More specifically me running.

I ran on Saturday and Sunday. The weather was great. hmmm ... pretty uneventful, and that does not a Pulitzer post make.

We need something with running challenges, conflicts, motivation, pain, suffering, sleep deprivation, multiple outfits, weather, and of course a variety of fun characters.

I have just the thing!

Shore 2 Shore Relay

322kms of fun! It's like the Canadian version of Hood to Coast, except no Hood, and an extra Coast, or a shore to be precise, a shore to shore if you like, kinda like the name suggests.

It all starts Friday morning at 8am when our team of 12 hit the road, approximately 34 hours later we'll be done.

I was supposed to run tonight after work, but I'm too tired. I think I need alcohol.. I hope you readers don't come here for motivation and quality programming!

You step in wet paint and think that is how they will link you to the crime.

The yellow strips in the parking lot were freshly painted this morning. After I stepped on the line and made a yellow imprint I thought "this is how they would catch me".

Catch me ... I haven't committed a crime or plan to, but I know how I go down.

We had our third session in the pool tonight. I've suspected from minute 5 of the first night in the pool that I might be, no sorry am definitely a ....

SUPERSTAR

I've been able to swim for as long as I can remember. I grew up with a pool in our backyard so I don't have a fear of water. However, my idea of swimming, isn't doing laps, it's more goofing around, cooling off or seeing how far I can swim without breathing. Hours logged at a pool bar I have, technique I don't.

So I signed up for this technique and drill class thinking it would be challenging. I've definitely learned how to breath properly and improved my stroke form. But what amazed me, is how difficult people find swimming. Over half the class can't make it across the shallow end without sinking.

Don't let my over inflated ego fool you, I'm not great, but I can complete a full length, so I feel like Ian Thorpe!

I think I might join a learn to run group - I'll be super fast!

I have never had much interest in running Boston, not because I don't think it would be amazing, but because qualifing seems, well, completely unrealistic.

I know anyone can do it if you run fast enough or live long enough, but it's always been something I didn't really entertain. When runners in our group qualified and ran it, I was happy for them, but never envious.

However, this year is a bit different. People I know went. People who I see as normal qualified. They have made it seem obtainable, possible even desirable.

So all I have to do is shave a mere 56 minutes off my marathon time. I have 5 months to do it. 5 months to be able to run a mile in 8 min 34 secs ... 26 times in a row.

The computer just took over and typed the word PIPEDREAM

Bad computer, just because I barely ran last week, and the runs I did do were horrible ... yes and slow. No need to rub it in.

I think having a positive attitude (unlike my computer) and desire is a great start, so I am deducting 5 marathon minutes for that. Okay now all we need is 51 more minutes.

After lunch I went to the store and did NOT buy the wine gums I wanted. That has to be a least a minute there.

Congrats to everyone who ran yesterday and especially Jeff who I got to met after he conquered the London Half Marathon!

I have ADD when it come to hobbies. It's one of the reasons why I have a 2 bedroom condo. I don't really need another bed, but I do need a place to store all the equipment I have for all the activities I decide to take up.

Golf clubs
I actually did play for a few years. We'd (me and 3 friends) play 9 holes followed by beer and nachos on a Thursday night, then I started running on Thursday nights, now my clubs have a thick layer of dust.

Bike
purchased after watching Lance and 5 days of the tour. Then I realized I have a fear of falling off the bike. So I ride it three times a year to get over my fear and any guilt of not using the stupid thing.

Yoga ball
I actually have two of these, one is deflating the other is still in the box.

Yoga mat
I do use this. However, not enough to justify the pretty and expensive yoga bag I bought to carry it around in!

Rollerblades
I dated a guy who bladed. He asked if I bladed. I said yes. By yes, I meant I actually haven't tried it, but have seen people do it, and really how hard can it be. Then went to the store and bought a pair. I tried them in park, I was crap. Had an emergency lesson. Managed to look cute and semi gracefully during a couple rollerblading dates. Stopped dating skaterboy. Now have stupid pair of skates.

Rollerblade accessories
Knee pads, wrist protector etc, I wouldn't have bought or worn these, lets face it, I only got the skates for a date, I was trying to look cute and like I had a clue what I was doing. But I couldn't take the lesson without them, mandatory apparently!

I am totally aware of my behaviour. But I love that everytime I sign up for something new, I am exciting and it think this will be different!

Like swimming. I have signed up for a swimming drill/technique class, which starts tonight. I've bought goggles.

Every Tuesday night for 8 weeks. 8 weeks. Seems like a long time. Maybe I have committment issues?