Tomorrow is a big day for me...my first ever trail race!! It's kind of a ridiculous trip really but I still think it's going to be fun. If I had planned it better i'd be camping out there tonight and tomorrow night but I didn't...so i'm not! Anyways, I'm doing the Nipika Crazy Soles 25km Trail Race in Kootenay National Park! It's about a 3 hour drive from Calgary and the race starts at 11am. However the package pickup is from 8-930 which sucks but I did manage to meet someone who is going to pick it up for me as he's camping out there tonight, fewf! So I don't need to worry about that in case i'm late for some reason. I would still like to be there by 9am so I can relax a bit, stretch my legs after 3 hours in the car, and get organized! So i'm aiming to be on the road by 6am!
Like I said, it's my first trail race and I don't really know what I should bring with me in my hydration pack besides the obvious drink, food and bear spray (yes we've already confirmed how terrified of bears I am). So for those of you out there that trail run/race...do you have any tips/pointers for me on things I should bring or do etc? Since I have never run a trail race before I have no idea how long it should take me to do it...I only know how fast I am on the road! So I would like to think I can do it in 3 hours but I hope it's not wishful thinking. If the race starts at 11am and I'm done by 2pm...that gives me a little time to relax, chat, eat, and enjoy the post race atmosphere before I have to boot it back to Calgary.
Why am I "booting" it back? Because I want to get back at a decent hour, get a decent sleep and get up at 5am again to run the Calgary half marathon on Sunday! I'm not crazy...I mean i'm not going to race it or anything...I would love to be able to hold 5 min kilometres for the half but that might be wishful thinking depending on how sore I am from Saturday! I just want to start getting used to these double days of long runs as I start preparing for the 6 days of running at Transrockies in August (which by the way I just finished paying for today so I'm officially doing the race now...no turning back baby!).
Anyhow, I'm excited but nervous about this weekend...I don't know what to expect tomorrow and I don't want to wimp out on Sunday's run either! I love the big city races so Sunday should be lots of fun!
Wish me luck! I'm bringing my camera so I hope to get some great pics during tomorrow's run!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
My Whirlwind Newfie Trip!
Well I've been back in Calgary for a few days now after a kick ass trip to Newfoundland. It was short but sweet and I managed to fit in lots of stuff that I wanted to do! I left Calgary at 12:40am on the red-eye Sunday evening (Monday) and although I took gravol for my motion sickness which normally knocks you out...I slept very little. I had a little girl sitting next to me who was sleeping over her mom's lap...the kids feet were tucked in next to me and kept kicking me throughout the flight everytime I managed to fall asleep...damn it! The mom kept apologizing and grabbing her feet but it didn't help me get anymore sleep!!
I also managed to get in some time with my Newfie girls back home. Oh how I've missed them! 5 of us went out to Quintanas one night (my most favorite Mexican restaurant ever) where I enjoyed a fab chicken taco salad (the same salad i've been getting since I first started going here with these girls when we were 13!!!) and some yummy drinks :) That night we decided to go for a beer next door to a local pub called Big Ben's that I haven't been to since the day I graduated high school 12 years ago lol. It's exactly the same. Here are a couple of pics of me at the pub and enjoying some delicious Rickards White :)
Anyhow, after getting home the first thing I did was walk down to Middle Cove Beach with my mom. We live about 2 mins outside of the City limits and about a 10 min walk down to the beach. It was a nice warm day and I've really missed that beach! I haven't been down there in years...brought me back to our bonfires we used to have and drinking on the beach back in the day...and me somehow ending up in the Atlantic Ocean hahaha...but I digress...
I wanted to get in a couple of longish trail runs while I was there and did I ever. I forgot how many great trails there are throughout the city! One thing I also forgot about was the wind...I know I know, how did I forget a thing like that? I guess I started believing that the winds back home are not as bad as I always thought they were...well they are...and when you think that's bad, well they're even worse than that! I have a feeling that's part of the reason why I didn't grow up as a triathlete! I can not imagine riding in winds like that...and they don't seem to end. The entire week I was there was windy...so all of my runs were tough! Am I complaining? Nope, I still enjoyed every minute of each run :) I went out one evening with my dad...he's 60 years old and can still run my ass into the ground :) I love it!
One of the days I was home I went on a hike with my parents, my aunt, and her boyfriend. We did the Lamanche hike which is part of the East Coast Trail...a fabulous trail system along the coast of the Avalon Peninsula. Here are some pictures of us on our hike :)
I also managed to get in some time with my Newfie girls back home. Oh how I've missed them! 5 of us went out to Quintanas one night (my most favorite Mexican restaurant ever) where I enjoyed a fab chicken taco salad (the same salad i've been getting since I first started going here with these girls when we were 13!!!) and some yummy drinks :) That night we decided to go for a beer next door to a local pub called Big Ben's that I haven't been to since the day I graduated high school 12 years ago lol. It's exactly the same. Here are a couple of pics of me at the pub and enjoying some delicious Rickards White :)
Ok folks, that's it...my trip to Newfoundland in a nutshell...as much as i could fit in in 5 days :) Forgive my haphazard mess of photos...I don't add pics very often so i don't seem to know what i'm doing yet! :)
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Hellllloooo Newfoundland!!
Well i'm off to my homeland in just over 8 hours...taking the red-eye...the only way to fly to Newfoundland really....the time seems to go by a lot quicker! I'm excited to get some running in with my dad as well as some trailruns and a day of hiking with the family! I'm only there for about 5 full days so i've got lots to cram in...of course there's visiting some friends and visiting the infamous George Street...sigh..it's been way too long :)
This weekend has been beautiful in Calgary...19 yesterday and 24 today...I celebrated by running 2 great runs on saturday and today...a 18km run along the Douglas Fir Trail and whatever other trails I could find on that side of the Bow River...then today a 20km run on the path along the Bow. It was fantastic and i'm sure i'll have no problem sleeping on the plane tonight! Looks like i'm leaving Calgary just in time because it's going to be um 3 degrees C tomorrow?!?! What the F is up with that? Guess what it's going to be in good ol St.John's, Newfoundland tomorrow?!? 18 degrees folks! Ha, that's wicked...I think that's the first time I've gone to visit St.John's and it's been warmer than where I left!!
Have a great week everybody!
This weekend has been beautiful in Calgary...19 yesterday and 24 today...I celebrated by running 2 great runs on saturday and today...a 18km run along the Douglas Fir Trail and whatever other trails I could find on that side of the Bow River...then today a 20km run on the path along the Bow. It was fantastic and i'm sure i'll have no problem sleeping on the plane tonight! Looks like i'm leaving Calgary just in time because it's going to be um 3 degrees C tomorrow?!?! What the F is up with that? Guess what it's going to be in good ol St.John's, Newfoundland tomorrow?!? 18 degrees folks! Ha, that's wicked...I think that's the first time I've gone to visit St.John's and it's been warmer than where I left!!
Have a great week everybody!
Friday, May 15, 2009
Transrockies Team Name
My brother and I need to come up with a team name for Transrockies....i'm not usually very imaginative when it comes to that stuff so if you have any great ideas I'd appreciate you passing them on!!
Keep in mind that we are a couple of Newfies so that could also be incorporated into it somehow :) Actually, I'm heading home to NF on the red eye sunday night for a whole week...maybe i'll be inspired when i'm there :)
Have a great weekend everybody, i'm hoping to get in some serious trailrunning!
Keep in mind that we are a couple of Newfies so that could also be incorporated into it somehow :) Actually, I'm heading home to NF on the red eye sunday night for a whole week...maybe i'll be inspired when i'm there :)
Have a great weekend everybody, i'm hoping to get in some serious trailrunning!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Indecisive!
Ok soooo a long time ago I registered for the Crazy Soles Nipika Trail Run 25km in Kootenay National Park taking place on May 30th as my first trail race of the season. For some reason I had thought it was way closer to Calgary and then when I realized it was about 3 hours away I got to thinking maybe I wouldn't want to do it. So then I decided I wouldn't do it and ended up registering for the Calgary half marathon which is the day after this trail race on May 31st.
Now I can't decide which to do...I kind of want to do both. But I know I should be doing more trail races and less road races in preparation for Transrockies. Argh. I also feel like I could get a kick ass PB in the Calgary half but if I do the trail race the day before (no matter how easy I try to run it), i'm sure i'm asking for a slow half the next day. Do I care? Well I shouldn't but I'm sure I would seeing as how darn competitive I am. My second half of Boston was a PB so I can't help but think I should be able to beat it? Hmmm....
Bah, i'm so indescisive...I just started reading Sunshine Girl's race report from last year and now I want to do it. You know what part of my problem is? BEARS! How do I get into trailrunning/racing without freaking out about bears...i'm terrified. I don't want to be doing a race where i'm likely to be on my own for the most part...in the woods...and run into a bear. Bear spray does not make me feel safe. Maybe if I can find a partner who'll stick with me throughout the whole race I'll still do it...hmmm. Guess I could call up my bro and see if he's interested. I don't think he's quite there yet in terms of distance...he's slowly building up his long runs. Any of you guys want to be my running buddy in 3 weeks in Invermere? Come on...you know you want to... :)
I'm taking another day off from running today...still a bit sore from Sunday's run. I'm going to do some easy cardio for an hour...the stupid crosstrainer elliptical thing and probably some bike. The rain has now started in Calgary today so I don't feel too guilty about being inside!
Happy training! :)
(and seriously, if you want to be my running partner for a fun 25km trail race in 3 weeks let me know!!!)
Now I can't decide which to do...I kind of want to do both. But I know I should be doing more trail races and less road races in preparation for Transrockies. Argh. I also feel like I could get a kick ass PB in the Calgary half but if I do the trail race the day before (no matter how easy I try to run it), i'm sure i'm asking for a slow half the next day. Do I care? Well I shouldn't but I'm sure I would seeing as how darn competitive I am. My second half of Boston was a PB so I can't help but think I should be able to beat it? Hmmm....
Bah, i'm so indescisive...I just started reading Sunshine Girl's race report from last year and now I want to do it. You know what part of my problem is? BEARS! How do I get into trailrunning/racing without freaking out about bears...i'm terrified. I don't want to be doing a race where i'm likely to be on my own for the most part...in the woods...and run into a bear. Bear spray does not make me feel safe. Maybe if I can find a partner who'll stick with me throughout the whole race I'll still do it...hmmm. Guess I could call up my bro and see if he's interested. I don't think he's quite there yet in terms of distance...he's slowly building up his long runs. Any of you guys want to be my running buddy in 3 weeks in Invermere? Come on...you know you want to... :)
I'm taking another day off from running today...still a bit sore from Sunday's run. I'm going to do some easy cardio for an hour...the stupid crosstrainer elliptical thing and probably some bike. The rain has now started in Calgary today so I don't feel too guilty about being inside!
Happy training! :)
(and seriously, if you want to be my running partner for a fun 25km trail race in 3 weeks let me know!!!)
Monday, May 11, 2009
It's Monday...and I couldn't be happier!
Well, i'm super pumped! After last sunday's long run, I finished feeling depressed as I knew my leg was bad enough that I needed to take the whole week off from running to see if that would help. I couldn't pinpoint the pain but I felt like it was IT band related...my hip was sore and achy and it radiated down the side indicating IT issues. I also had a tight upper calf and that hurt around the side of my knee and also behind my knee.
I've not been good with recovery since Boston as for some reason I just always want to get back at it as soon as possible after a race. My own fault...lesson learned!! Anyhow, my body told me to bugger off and I finally did! I took 5 days off from running, did a bit of light crosstraining, some weights and some climbing...then saturday evening I went out with a friend for a 10km run...i felt awkward at first...not running in 5 days just felt so weird. I did have to stop halfway just to stretch out my hip and IT band as they were tight...but not painful...just needing a good stretch and a good session on the foam roller after.
Sunday I woke up with no pain wahoo! I knew I wanted to do at least 32km but more around the 35km range. Well it ended up being 38km!!! This was unplanned as I ended up taking some detours and reroutes in an area i've never run before. But it was fantastic and I finished with a big smile and a great feeling of satisfaction. Ahhhh....so nice to do a long run again virtually pain free. I think I just might be able to do my first 50km in 4 weeks afterall. We'll see how the Calgary half goes first...3 weeks till that race. I've got to try and work in some speedwork as I haven't done any since before Boston. I still think it'll be a great race and I'm really looking forward to it.
I'm such a happy girl when I can run! :)
I've not been good with recovery since Boston as for some reason I just always want to get back at it as soon as possible after a race. My own fault...lesson learned!! Anyhow, my body told me to bugger off and I finally did! I took 5 days off from running, did a bit of light crosstraining, some weights and some climbing...then saturday evening I went out with a friend for a 10km run...i felt awkward at first...not running in 5 days just felt so weird. I did have to stop halfway just to stretch out my hip and IT band as they were tight...but not painful...just needing a good stretch and a good session on the foam roller after.
Sunday I woke up with no pain wahoo! I knew I wanted to do at least 32km but more around the 35km range. Well it ended up being 38km!!! This was unplanned as I ended up taking some detours and reroutes in an area i've never run before. But it was fantastic and I finished with a big smile and a great feeling of satisfaction. Ahhhh....so nice to do a long run again virtually pain free. I think I just might be able to do my first 50km in 4 weeks afterall. We'll see how the Calgary half goes first...3 weeks till that race. I've got to try and work in some speedwork as I haven't done any since before Boston. I still think it'll be a great race and I'm really looking forward to it.
I'm such a happy girl when I can run! :)
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
I've been tagged....
Susi tagged me in this little game that's been going around in blogland...I don't often fill these things out when I get them in emails but I figured what the heck...
The rules are:
1. Fill it out
2. Change one question with one of your own
3. Add an additional question
4. Tag 3 other people to do the same
1. What are your current obsessions? Running (duh, can't get enough) and food...oh and hopefully in the near future triathlon :)
2. Which item from your closet are you wearing most often? When i'm not at work it's usually something from LuluLemon...I love that store and they've taken way too much money from me...sigh...
3. Last thing you bought for myself? A ton of running shoes at the New Balance outlet store in Boston! :)
4. What’s for dinner? When you say dinner, do you mean supper? Because in Newfoundland we also call lunch dinner...so for lunch i'm having a turkey sandwich with carrots and roasted red pepper hummus, and for supper i'm having an old time favorite - tomato soup and grilled cheese baby!!
5. Say something to the person who tagged you: Susi, you totally crack me up and if we ever meet I think we'd be instant friends! One day when I finally get my butt in gear for triathlon I hope to get out for a ride with you...and hopefully be able to keep up! :) I always looks forward to reading your posts as there's always something there I feel I can relate to!
6. What is one item you could not live without? My ipod...which i'm actually having to live without right now as it's not working :( It's making me very unhappy and I just might have to go buy a new one!!
7. Vacation spots you must visit before you die? There's way too many on my list...New Zealand, South America, Norway, Italy, Greece, Spain, Vietnam....
8. What is your most immediate short term goal: To not run for the rest of the week...it's very hard to do but my body is not happy and is telling me it needs more recovery time... :(
9. What are you reading right now? I just started a new book 2 days ago called "The Dim Sum of All Things"...not far enough in to know how I feel about it yet.
10. What is the last movie you saw and enjoyed? I have to say for a good chick flick it was "He's Just Not That Into You" because well...that's my life and I could relate on so many levels haha, and on the plane back from Boston I watched "SlumDog Millionaire" which was a really awesome flim.
11. What’s your guilty pleasure? Unfortunately I have to admit "Gossip Girl"...i'm not a big tv watcher...but i'm obsessed with that show...it's definitely the highlight of my monday nights!
12. What’s your favorite smell? My dog (minus the wet dog smell), fresh cut grass, chlorine, and BBQ - the smell that taunts me on my evening runs....
13. Whats something you look forward to? Many things...I'm super excited for my trip home to Newfoundland in 2 weeks (first time i've been back in 2 years). I'm hugely excited for my first hike of the season (hopefully this weekend) and any hiking/camping trips I have planned for the rest of the summer. And i'm super duper pumped for my Transrockies Trail race with my brother in Colorado this August!!
14. Favorite Quote? This quote from both Amber and Chad's blog has quickly become my favorite... "Live more than your neighbors. Unleash yourself upon the world and go places. Go now. Giggle, no, laugh. No...stay out past dark and bark at the moon like the wild dog that you are. Understand that this is not a dress rehearsal. This is it. Your life. Face your fears and live your dreams. Take it all in. Yes, every chance you get. Come close. And by all means, whatever you do, get it on film." Jon Blais "Blazeman"
15. What is your dream job? To get paid to do what I love - run!
16. Whats one thing you can't go a day with out doing? Checking my email unfortunately
17. What do you have an addiction to? Chocolate and Cookies...neither of which I can have in my house....they are drugs to me!
18. Do you like to dress up in costumes? NOPE...hate it...probably because i've never in my life had a good costume idea...
19. How many pairs of shoes (not just running) do you have?? A ridiculous amount...oh wait, I should have also put shoes under an addiction of mine...as well as an obsession...I couldn't even guestimate right now on a number.
20. Tell us one random thing about you. I'm sensitive about Newfoundland and get offended when people make fun of us or call us "goofy newfies"...not cool.
21. Why did you start your blog? Because there were many blogs that I was already reading and I could relate to everyone on so many levels. I love the comments and support everyone gives each other...and well, most of my friends are not runners or triathletes so they think i'm a little nuts. It's nice to talk to other people who are as crazy about their sport as I am!!
22. Question I've added - What is the best race experience you've had so far? I actually have to admit it was Boston...not just because I qualified and got to go to a race that's been a goal of mine for years...but because I actually ran the best race of my life (so far)...I felt pretty great throughout, ran the entire marathon without stopping once, killed the hills, didn't bonk or have any real low point at any time during the race, PB'd, and BQ'd...it was totally kick ass!
Tag You're It!!
Stephanie
Janice
Chad
The rules are:
1. Fill it out
2. Change one question with one of your own
3. Add an additional question
4. Tag 3 other people to do the same
1. What are your current obsessions? Running (duh, can't get enough) and food...oh and hopefully in the near future triathlon :)
2. Which item from your closet are you wearing most often? When i'm not at work it's usually something from LuluLemon...I love that store and they've taken way too much money from me...sigh...
3. Last thing you bought for myself? A ton of running shoes at the New Balance outlet store in Boston! :)
4. What’s for dinner? When you say dinner, do you mean supper? Because in Newfoundland we also call lunch dinner...so for lunch i'm having a turkey sandwich with carrots and roasted red pepper hummus, and for supper i'm having an old time favorite - tomato soup and grilled cheese baby!!
5. Say something to the person who tagged you: Susi, you totally crack me up and if we ever meet I think we'd be instant friends! One day when I finally get my butt in gear for triathlon I hope to get out for a ride with you...and hopefully be able to keep up! :) I always looks forward to reading your posts as there's always something there I feel I can relate to!
6. What is one item you could not live without? My ipod...which i'm actually having to live without right now as it's not working :( It's making me very unhappy and I just might have to go buy a new one!!
7. Vacation spots you must visit before you die? There's way too many on my list...New Zealand, South America, Norway, Italy, Greece, Spain, Vietnam....
8. What is your most immediate short term goal: To not run for the rest of the week...it's very hard to do but my body is not happy and is telling me it needs more recovery time... :(
9. What are you reading right now? I just started a new book 2 days ago called "The Dim Sum of All Things"...not far enough in to know how I feel about it yet.
10. What is the last movie you saw and enjoyed? I have to say for a good chick flick it was "He's Just Not That Into You" because well...that's my life and I could relate on so many levels haha, and on the plane back from Boston I watched "SlumDog Millionaire" which was a really awesome flim.
11. What’s your guilty pleasure? Unfortunately I have to admit "Gossip Girl"...i'm not a big tv watcher...but i'm obsessed with that show...it's definitely the highlight of my monday nights!
12. What’s your favorite smell? My dog (minus the wet dog smell), fresh cut grass, chlorine, and BBQ - the smell that taunts me on my evening runs....
13. Whats something you look forward to? Many things...I'm super excited for my trip home to Newfoundland in 2 weeks (first time i've been back in 2 years). I'm hugely excited for my first hike of the season (hopefully this weekend) and any hiking/camping trips I have planned for the rest of the summer. And i'm super duper pumped for my Transrockies Trail race with my brother in Colorado this August!!
14. Favorite Quote? This quote from both Amber and Chad's blog has quickly become my favorite... "Live more than your neighbors. Unleash yourself upon the world and go places. Go now. Giggle, no, laugh. No...stay out past dark and bark at the moon like the wild dog that you are. Understand that this is not a dress rehearsal. This is it. Your life. Face your fears and live your dreams. Take it all in. Yes, every chance you get. Come close. And by all means, whatever you do, get it on film." Jon Blais "Blazeman"
15. What is your dream job? To get paid to do what I love - run!
16. Whats one thing you can't go a day with out doing? Checking my email unfortunately
17. What do you have an addiction to? Chocolate and Cookies...neither of which I can have in my house....they are drugs to me!
18. Do you like to dress up in costumes? NOPE...hate it...probably because i've never in my life had a good costume idea...
19. How many pairs of shoes (not just running) do you have?? A ridiculous amount...oh wait, I should have also put shoes under an addiction of mine...as well as an obsession...I couldn't even guestimate right now on a number.
20. Tell us one random thing about you. I'm sensitive about Newfoundland and get offended when people make fun of us or call us "goofy newfies"...not cool.
21. Why did you start your blog? Because there were many blogs that I was already reading and I could relate to everyone on so many levels. I love the comments and support everyone gives each other...and well, most of my friends are not runners or triathletes so they think i'm a little nuts. It's nice to talk to other people who are as crazy about their sport as I am!!
22. Question I've added - What is the best race experience you've had so far? I actually have to admit it was Boston...not just because I qualified and got to go to a race that's been a goal of mine for years...but because I actually ran the best race of my life (so far)...I felt pretty great throughout, ran the entire marathon without stopping once, killed the hills, didn't bonk or have any real low point at any time during the race, PB'd, and BQ'd...it was totally kick ass!
Tag You're It!!
Stephanie
Janice
Chad
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