Merry Christmas from Bailey the Unknown Reindeer

Progress

I had a good run yesterday.  It was snowing and about -12 so I decided to do the long run on the tready.  Last winter I ran most of the time outside even up to like -25(just temperature)?  This winter since I have the treadmill option so close I'll probably be using it more.  As long as they don't kick me out of the gym for hogging the treadmill for hours at a time. 

On a side note, when they gave us the gym tour our guide mentioned that the treadmills stop at 1 hour.  Then she casually mentioned that it's not a big deal, who runs for a couple hours anyways??  lol I said ahhh I do(I should have kept my mouth shut) but yeah it's not a big deal starting over at 1 hour.  Then she also mentioned that the eliptical could be a tougher workout than the treadmill.  I kinda rolled my eyes, but kept my mouth shut.  lol I don't want to get into a debate, but seriously eliptical vs treadmill???  For what I need it for?  Actually running races?  Not that she would know that.  Not her fault, for a workout sure it's a great tool.  But to resemble or mimic any type of natural movement ie running?  Nope it doesn't cut it.  Anyways side rant, sorry. 

So I did my 13 mile run indoors and today my skin in various places is/are chafed raw.  OUCH!!  My running is comin along great, and that one pace that I always set the dreadmill up to is becoming quite easy.  Yesterday I wore my hr monitor and could see my progress.  I'm a ways off from where I was during the summer, but it'll happen.  Gotta be patient.  My weight isn't coming off yet, I have to be patient with that too.  Last week I ran 5 days, this week probably 6.  I'll keep a journal so I can keep track of my runs and make sure I'm not doing too much too soon.

I've decided to follow a plan by Pfitzinger, linked here http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=4432&CategoryID=&PageNum=5.  I'm sure it's ok to post it since it was posted online at runningtimes's site.  So my plan is to build up my mileage to the start of the plan.  If I count the weeks backward it would start on Jan 24th and I want to be doing the correct mileage by then so I can step into the plan and not get injured.  Right now I'm building with out doing any speed work.  I'm resisting the urge, although I really want to increase the speed, and or do some intervals.  In my opinion the miles have to be built up before you add the speed.  That way your body is already used to the stress that running gives, and will recover faster when adding the speed work.  Plus hopefully I'll be leaner so my legs will be able to handle my body weight. ha ha.  While that plan is very close to what I've done in the past I may have to change some things around as I'm different and my life is different too!!  It's ok, I'm just using it as a starting point.  I feel I need the schedule and goal for each day.  It keeps me motivated and on days where I have none, it reminds me that I'm headed out for a run anyways!!  Happy running folks

DP

What the heck are ice pellets?

Are they really triangular shaped like that?  That could hurt!! 

Back running

What can I say, I'm a runner at heart.  I absolutely love running.  It doesn't matter on the technique, or equipment, my income, or maintenance(other than on my body).  All I do is head out the door and put one foot in front of the other rinse and repeat right Cam?  I tried sking a bit and I really do love it too, but it's just not running.  For the sking I have to take more time to do it.  It takes longer to get ready, then I usually have to get to the trail(if there is a trail), and to get a good workout in I have to do an hour minimum.  So yeah, I'm gonna hit up the running again.  I want to ski a couple times a month though, it is awesome cross training.  But I def. won't take it as serious as I at first planned on doing, and probably won't be doing the Berkie like I really wanted to do.  I dun know, maybe I'll change my mind again, stay tuned I guess.

So what will I do??  I will run, and tentatively do the Calgary marathon.  I've never done my home town race, the full that is.  I need to get over my fear of the marathon.  My last two marathons didn't go well and I'd like to get the confidence back that I can go the full distance... at "race pace" what ever that means.  lol  Then after that, I'm still looking at ultras, I may sign up for a couple and let my body decide.  They're cheap compared to Ironmans, if I sign up for a couple then end up not starting it won't kill the pocket book too badly.  :P

Last year I ran mostly outside during the winter, with some key workouts on the tready/track at the talisman.  This year I signed up at a gym in my neighborhood.  It's actually 24 hours so I could run at midnight if I want.  So I will combine outdoor when it's warmer, indoor when cold or I want to run in the light.  :P  Cheers,

DP

Our tree is up!!

Yeah I know, a lil early.  It was Lisa's idea, I just go a long with it.  We also practiced some of our dance moves.  Yes I learned to dip!!!  (I don't know how correct that is as this was one of the last things we learned)  Don't laugh too much, a little is ok though.

Anyone need a wetsuit???

Or even if you don't and think you might in the future, check this deal out.  I'm considering it even though I'm not doing any triathlon next year.  I couldn't find any reviews on the profile design suit, I know they make good bike parts, kinda strange they're designing wetsuits now.  It looks like it's relatively new, which is why there are no reviews worth reading(I found two but they weren't helpful) anyways.  You can't go wrong for 89 bucks, and I can tell you this.  The company(bicycleoutfitter) is awesome to deal with, I bought my kurt kinetic trainer from them and they sent it to Canada as a gift therefore I payed no customs fees, only the shipping.  I checked the cost of the suit other places and couldn't find anything close that that price.

http://catalog.bicycleoutfittersindy.com/product/profile-design-bionik-2-54134-1.htm

Some more sking notes

I forgot to mention a few things on yesterday's post.  I really notice the soreness in my muscles, especially after my first two skis, and then again immediately following yesterday's ski.  Just like cycling, it seems that the quad gets the most work.  I guess it's very similar to the cycling push down on the pedals, with sking it's pushing off the ground.  Although so far my hips, lower back, and overall core muscles are getting a working over too.  But I think that's mostly from the trail cutting(balance needed) and the uneven ground that I sometimes go over which would require more balance as well.

I got a cool head lamp from Mec.  I figured with the sking on uneven unknown terrain and often in areas with no lighting the head lamp would come in handy.  It's got two, well three settings, plus it dims as well on each setting.  So it's quite versatile, and all the brightness I need.

I have one slight problem that I hope will go away.  I don't know what mec's return policy is but my boots get uncomfortable after a while.  When I push off, the boots have to bend a lot just past the toes.  The boot material folds and puts a lot of pressure on my pinky toe.  After awhile my toes really hurt a lot.  I'm not sure if this is just part of breaking in the boot(will it go away??) or should I go back and try on a few more boots to see if I can find somthing more comfortable.  The boot fits perfect, and I like the style, so if I knew it would correct itself as I break it in, I would stick with it.  My foot doesn't blister, it just gets sore.  Sking two days in a row is painful when I start out on the second day, so I'm not sure.  And again, I'm not sure if Mec would take used boots back.  Does anyone know?  It's a shame cause there's no way I could have known this problem with out actually sking with the boots.

DP