Weekend Activities & Festivities

Training for Wakely is ticking along quite well. Last week was really encouraging coming off an almost 4 hour run on the Saturday, I seemed to recover well and hit my workouts for the week. This past weekend was a little of a push with two races on Saturday and a 3 hour run Sunday.

Yup 2 races, one day. Smart? I'll let you know in a couple of days.

Saturday A.M. - Jog the Bog.

This was a small key local fun race organized by a guy (James) on Running Mania. About 20 people showed up for the event, and it was a great opportunity for Strider to run his first race. We ended up coming in 3rd and he beat me by a nose.

More Pictures Here

Saturday P.M. - Kilt Run (Perth)

I had mentioned back in January that Kim and I had registered for this event. It was an attempt at setting the world record for the largest number of participants wearing Kilts, and by the turn out they were more than successful. Our plan was to run a fairly relaxed run, but once the gun (and it was quite the loud gun) went off, Kim was in full race mode. We had a great time and with a strong finishing push Kim secured 2nd in her age group (which unfortunately we did not find out about till we got home) and like Strider, beat me by a nose. Just wasn't my day.

More Pics Here

Sunday A.M.

3 hour run on the Gatineau Trails. My left calf is quite stiff from running in my Vibrams at the Bog Jog, but even though I was dead tired Saturday night I got through the 3 hours feeling fairly strong. Really noticing some good strength coming back in my downhills.

Sunday Afternoon.

England was eliminated from the World Cup by Germany. As disappointing as this is, England has not had the best tournament and Germany was the much better team. I'll continue to watch and root for Germany, but starting this Saturday is the Tour de France, so I may be a little distracted.

Sunday P.M.

Taking a note from Derrick's post about Sweet Tater Pepper I just had to give them a try. My version was; I microwaved the sweet potatoes, scooped out the inners into a bowl. Added Garlic, diced up hot peppers, shredded cheese, cinnamon, salt and pepper, mashed and mixed it all together and stuffed into Sweet Peppers. Grilled on top rack of the BBQ for about 25mins. Awesomely delicious. Nice Cab/Merlot on the side.

Heading into a hard week of training as things start to peak before taper. Feeling good about things, and the only real niggle it the silly tight left calf.

Happy 1st Birthday Strider.

I can't believe our little puppy is a year old today. I can't remember what it was like without Strider in our lives, but again it feels like just yesterday when we brought him home. He is a great buddy to all of us, and loves each of us equally. He is turning into a great running partner, and did his longest run of 1:00 and 10.75km last week. Birthday hugs and slopping kisses to you my friend

Picking him up at the Breader.

Chillin together last night

So this week in training was a recovery week. Strange that I have been more tired and sore than in previous weeks. Trust in the coach! Anyhow total for the week was a respectable 6:38, that included running the Beaver chase race with Graham. I am proud of him for running it, but I don't think he enjoyed it that much.

Vice for the week.

and why is the Flake Bar the vice for the week? Well it is British, and the World Cup has started, so we must do our part.



So key run for this week is Saturday, so all roads lead to that training run this week. Lots of sleep and foam roller will the the prescription for the week

Happy Father's Day to my Fellow Dads.

Weekly Summary May 31 - June 6

Quick Update.

7 weeks to Wakely! I think I can now officially start the count down, but I am in no rush for it to get there, I want to enjoy the first 7 weeks of summer, and I still have some serious work to do before then.

This past week of training was a huge confidence and strength builder, for the first time since before Pittsfield I am starting to feel real positive on where I am...but there is cautionary tale in this too. I was starting to feel the first signs of over training; I was not sleeping well and felt irritable, but for no apparent reason. Home life has been hectic and training steadily increasing, so not surprising . Last week when Derrick sent me my workouts for the week he told me that this week would be a recovery week. Wow, body and coach were in sync and knowing that I had a recovery ahead of me I knew I could push the week a little harder and have the time to recoup. Final total for the week was 9:27, which include a couple of small doubles, one strength in the park again, and an awesome back-to-back weekend.

The weekend was a true highlight. Saturday I ran 3:00, randomly meeting up with my old trail partner Eric (he was running with his friend Marc), on some back trail. Great time as the 3 of us ran for a good 1:30 together. Sunday Kim and I ran 2:15 in the rain on some really nice trails, with a quick stop at Herridge Cabin at about the 1/2 way mark. Total distance for the 5:15 was 49.2km with about 7,000ft of climbing. My hill strength has carried over from Pittsfield nicely, just need to focus a little on some downhills.