Running Stories

On Sunday, I woke up with the sun shining in my face. The Capilano Canyon Night run party went fairly late. It had been a tough work week. It had rained almost constantly for over 2 months. I rarely sleep in past 8:30, but I had no plans and it felt great to do nothing but soak in the rays. I could tell it was going to be a good day.

This past Sunday was THE day.

By 10:00 am, I must have received a dozen calls or emails from my buddies informing me that "today was THE day". I have no idea what "THE day" means, but I knew when I looked outside that my buddies were right and that I'd better get my butt out the door.

I will share the details of what I did on THE day in another post, but I thought it was worthwhile to look at what defines THE day so you will know one when you wake up to one.

Here are a few thoughts:

Just arrived here in international falls MN for the Arrowhead 135 mile race. on the last flight over I got to chat with last years winner and only finisher on foot Sarah Lowell. now I've just got to pass the gear check and get some rest. It's tropical over here with a temperature of +20 compared to last years -40. I was really hoping it was more like -10 and dry. maybe I'll have to pull out the shorts. 

Daniel   

My list of ultra races.

By chronological order.

Late last summer I foolishly pronounced I would line up for the Vancouver New Years Day 50Km again. Training was going well until life got in the way, my daughter got sick, my friends took a break from long runs and to top it of my right hip started to be very painful.

I eventually resigned to run the 25km yesterday and try the 50km another year. Deep inside, though, I didn't want to run the 25km. I wanted to do the 50km.

Today I got my ass kicked.

Now, my Mama always taught me that a good sportsman is one who accepts defeat graciously and respects the one that whoop'd 'ya. What if I kicked my own ass?

Today I did a full-on $185 lactate, VO2 Max and Energy Usage analysis at Peak Center for Human Performance in Burnaby, BC. It involved running on a treadmill in a lab for about half an hour. I also had my finger poked from time to time with a little needle thingie. (Yes, my adventure drew blood!)

After missing the club run on Saturday due to being sick, Sunday I was feeling quite a bit better and decided to head out for a run. I like to pack light so I stuffed some dog poo pickup bags into the pockets on my hand helds and my drivers license and car keys into my pants pocket. I decided I didn't have the space in my pocket for my usual array of safety gear when heading up into the mountains; a lighter. At least that way I can start a fire if I get stranded for some reason. I pulled my compass, which was hanging off the door handle, out of the way of the door as I closed it.

Today was a great day for a trail run! While out doing Mike and Melissa's Fun Run this morning, the topic of conversation turned to the Stein Valley and a Club Flash event some of us did in the fall of 2007. Sure, we got our asses kicked, but it was a blast. In the words of Colin Freeland, "We've got some unfinished business" with the Stein.

Well, uphill for one...The first part of the Go Home course winds it's way from sleepy Deep Cove at sealevel up to the Lookout Parking Lot off Mt. Seymour Road.  A calf busting climb on the best of days. 

I had started with the hope to be able to hang on to the slower ladies, but had to let them go once we reached Indian Arm Rd.  I've been training a lot and have worked on my speed, but lately, there just isn't any "umph" in those legs.