End of November

Since the 21st, I have run 11.4miles.
Which isn't amazing, but it's more than the average for the month... or the past few months.


However, for the past 3 days I have made time and gone out running at night everyday. Without my ipod.


It's nice to have some alone time to think and sort out my thoughts. It's also nice because I just want to build my base back up during the winter to kick some half marathon butt next spring/summer :)


I've been mapping out my routes on google maps, and I like to pick streets that I'm familiar with.


I also think I have figured out a way to stay warm in the winter*. I have gone running in -1 degrees already, and I was pretty toasty :)
I wear my running rights, two pairs of gloves, a thermal race hat, a long-sleeved Tshirt and two sweaters.
:D
Oh, and I wear my contacts so that my glasses don't fog up.


I thought the cold air would be a huge deal... and it sort of was. The past week my throat has just been killing me, and I've been drinking so many hot mugs of tea I cannot count. Neocitrin helps, temporarily, but I hate using meds when I don't need to.
It does seem that my throat is getting better... and perhaps I will be all used to the colder weather by the time it snows.


My time in Edmonton, AB, will definitely help with the cold-adjustment:
It's -10 (feels like -14) there at the moment!!




*previously 'summer' hahaha silly typing mistakes!

Rain

Oh well, this past week has seen everything in terms of weather: a few days ago it was warm and awesome, two days ago it was really, really cold, and today is rainy, but mild.

I did manage a couple of runs so far this week - a little ten minute one on Monday (in between studying) and a longer, 20 minute one yesterday.
I was thinking it would be a daily streak, as I had plans on running tonight after class, but I really don't want to be tired, cold and stressed, so it's postponed until tomorrow. We are supposed to get flurries tomorrow, so I may be able to say I ran in snow for the first time this year! (Er - since the beginning of the year....)

My goals at this point are simple - run consistently through the winter.

I'm accomplishing that by:
1) Having bought winter tights! I dished out $100 and went for the most awesome, most comfortable, cheaper option (out of two) at the London Running Room, and now feel super-high-tech (along with my Timex watch!!). I now have few excuses to use to stay home and lazy.
2) Toughing it out and getting my lungs used to the cold. After my run last night, my throat really hurts today. 3 cups of hot tea so far have done little to help. I have used some vapo-rub, which just made me smell weird. I'm at a loss! Hopefully, my lungs + throat will adjust SOON, and this will no longer be an issue...
3) Reading awesome blogs, keeping active on Daily Mile, and thinking about running TWO half marathons next year. STAYING motivated is a huge issue for me, especially in the winter! I want to remember my reasons for running, and that usually helps me get out there. Because once I'm out, I always feel better. :) [health, walking taller, being proud of myself, a sense of huge accomplishment, and bragging rights!]

Quick 15miles

Just a quick post before I head to bed...
I beat the icy rain today and got driven made it to the gym :)
I biked for 10 miles, ran for 1/2 mile and biked the last 5miles to make an hour of biking.


I am very pleased with my cycling improvement in the past 2 weeks.
In 3 workouts, I have added 3 miles and improved my time - all my cycles were <1hour.


I also used my new Timex Flix watch to time my splits, and it's pretty neat to be able to see workouts in this new tech-y way :D




4.33
3.45
4.20
4.15
4.26
3.17
5.06
3.34
3.43
3.44


5.01 [1/2 mile run]
6.34 [2 mins walking to loosen legs + bike mile 11]


3.54
3.51
3.04
3.01

I really pushed the last few miles because I wanted to wrap it up, hehe.
I had taken a book to read on the bike, and I've noticed a clear difference (of about a minute) between when I read my book or concentrate on my spin. I guess this would fit in with the RW article I was reading about the music debate.




Anyway, off to bed!

Naps and running!

Hello everyone!
Today was a pretty poorly planned day (it seems that most days lately are).


I woke up at 4 this morning to take my sister to the airport. :(
I had field placement from 8-4, because I'm a social work student. 
I came home, watched a few TV shows, lied down to read my textbook and BAM, the next thing I know it's dark outside and it's 10pm.
WHERE DID THE TIME GO?! And why didn't I realise I was THAT tired?


Needless to say, I haven't managed to read my textbook or go to the gym as planned :(


A few days ago, I got a GU package in the mail with a bunch of little samples. YAY!!! [They're very, very nice, so shoot them an email :)]
I am so so excited to try them, as I have zero experience with energy gels and am so curious to see if they'll help me on longer runs.


I also received a very, very awesome present yesterday - a Timex Ironman watch! It's perfect and seriously appropriate because I usually time my runs on my Ipod - I listen to 10-20 songs during a run, and then add up the song durations! Haha, this always means I can't skip any songs, and that I can't really calculate total or only-running time. It used to be a huge headache.
BUT NOW, I can go for a run, bike or swim (up to 100 hours!) and lap-time my splits! I am so very excited to take my new watch out to the gym (which should have happened today) and take my GU for a run outside.




Hopefully my next few days will be less tired, less wasted and more exercise-filled!!


And congrats to all of those that had races this weekend, I'm so excited to read race reports! :)

International Running

You know, I've been to a lot of places.
And you know.... I've run in a few of those places :)

Romania
Kuwait
Canada
Hungary
U.A.E
Cyprus

And this summer, I'll have a chance to run in another, new, different country!
I've just been accepted as a new EP (Exchange Participant) for AIESEC in their international Internship program. I know it sounds like an advertisement, but I'm SO EXCITED to see part of a new continent, stay there for 8+ weeks and be able to run a bit there.

It'll definitely make my list longer =D

Saturday 10mile Bike trip

The plan was to map out a 10mile route, to the Ojibway Park a bit South from here.
It was supposed to be a loop, out to the Park and then back home a different way.

However, I managed to get lost on the Parkway, and ended up at a dog park! Which was still pretty cool, but I didn't know how to get back on track...

I ended up re-tracing my steps and managed to make my way back home.

Total distance: 8miles

Total time: 44mins

:)

5 things about my bike adventure:

+ I forgot my bottle of tea :(

+ It smelt like cat food at a certain place...

+ There was a little blocked off trail that said NO TRESPASSING on it. I was tempted!

+ ... And then I saw a security car a few minutes away, so I was glad I don't usually break rules.

+ The weather was perfect for a bike - around 6 degrees and sunny :D

Snow-weather

It's that time of year when white flakes fall from the sky!
Sure, it's pretty out when there's a blanket of snow everywhere, and the world sounds like it's whispering :)

BUT the gyms get crowded, people get lazy and I DON'T WANT TO RUN IN THE SNOW!!!

This is the third running winter I'll experience, and I've promised myself that I'm going to finally figure it out :)

New Month

New month... new post.
I'm a little surprised that it's already Wednesday and I haven't run or been to the gym since my 10k on Friday.
That is going to change! (time permitting...)


I went to the gym for an hour today:
10mi bike in <50 mins
1mi cool-down jog in >12 mins :(
Changing machines felt SO weird, and I had to stop and stretch a few times during the mile because my left leg cramped up.


I'm considering joining a local tri club... it would be the motivation I need to get out to the gym and improve in different areas other than running. 


I know this is a sucky post! But has anyone switched from running to multi-sports? Has anyone ever done a bike race? :)