The weatherman promised poor conditions for running this morning and he did not disappoint. The freaking wind was out of this world, and tomorrow's forecast, while different (less wind, but colder with snow) wasn't much more appealing. I decided to totally skip this week. I thought out my options for a Saturday and considered maybe doing my taxes (not fun) or perhaps installing my new garage door opener (much fun). After procrastinating the decision for about an hour I got my stuff on and went running!
It was decidedly not fun! I went into town knowing that was the only possible way I may get some decent miles in. There is a nice little 2.5 km loop that has a bit of traffic on one section, and a bit of wind, but it was as good as it's gonna get. I left the plan kind of open, not knowing exactly what it was gonna be like once I got going. I don't think I have ever tried a long run in 40-50 km winds. What I figured out very quickly was that there was no way I was going to be able to make it back home from the loop since the winds picked up even more, and sections of the trip back would have been into the teeth of it. So I ran in circles (well rectangles actually) until I hit 30 kms and then I did an E.T. I phoned home!
I did have a nice moment at about 18 kms when my arthritic left hip really started to hurt. For some reason it triggered an overwhelming sense of gratitude.... gratitude that my health problems are so minor. Think about it as I did. I am a 56 year old cancer survivor who's arthritis starts acting up after 18 kms of running. Tell that problem to a real arthritis sufferer!
And overall I was happy with my run. I ran 5:09 kms for a total time of 2:34:30. Most importantly I did not slow down over the distance. My second half was faster than my first.
Only 3 weeks til the first test of the season. I declare us ready for the Around The Bay Road Race on Mar 25th. It is really Roo's day, as for me it is a training run, and the opportunity to bond with my honey, but for her it is D-day. Her goal for the 30 kms is 2 hours 30 minutes, or 5 min kms. I would tell you that she will accomplish it with ease, but that would diminish the challenge both of the training, and of the race itself. This race is one of the most difficult long distance events in North America primarily because of the hills over the last 10 kms. Rather I would tell you that I am supremely confident that Claudette will finish comfortably under her goal time.
After I posted this I opened it back up again because I forgot something important. I want to announce a special "Game On" hats off today to one Brian Burke, the GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs. I admit that I don't really like the guy but I continue to gain huge respect for him. Today he took another giant leap forward! It was during a press conference he was holding to announce the new coach of the leafs. Understand that video of this conference would be seen by millions of sports fas across North America and other parts of the world. He was acknowledging the rights of fans to boo their hockey team , their coach, or anything else they choose to boo. As long as, and I quote, "their words are not racist, homophobic, or obscene". You are the man Brain Burke!! Hats off!!
(run, 30 kms 2:34:30)
"Gratitude is an art of painting an adversity into a lovely picture."---Kak Sri
"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures."---Thornton Wilder
....and especially for my son Michael....
"In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican."---H.L. Mencken
Love
Peter
It was decidedly not fun! I went into town knowing that was the only possible way I may get some decent miles in. There is a nice little 2.5 km loop that has a bit of traffic on one section, and a bit of wind, but it was as good as it's gonna get. I left the plan kind of open, not knowing exactly what it was gonna be like once I got going. I don't think I have ever tried a long run in 40-50 km winds. What I figured out very quickly was that there was no way I was going to be able to make it back home from the loop since the winds picked up even more, and sections of the trip back would have been into the teeth of it. So I ran in circles (well rectangles actually) until I hit 30 kms and then I did an E.T. I phoned home!
I did have a nice moment at about 18 kms when my arthritic left hip really started to hurt. For some reason it triggered an overwhelming sense of gratitude.... gratitude that my health problems are so minor. Think about it as I did. I am a 56 year old cancer survivor who's arthritis starts acting up after 18 kms of running. Tell that problem to a real arthritis sufferer!
And overall I was happy with my run. I ran 5:09 kms for a total time of 2:34:30. Most importantly I did not slow down over the distance. My second half was faster than my first.
Only 3 weeks til the first test of the season. I declare us ready for the Around The Bay Road Race on Mar 25th. It is really Roo's day, as for me it is a training run, and the opportunity to bond with my honey, but for her it is D-day. Her goal for the 30 kms is 2 hours 30 minutes, or 5 min kms. I would tell you that she will accomplish it with ease, but that would diminish the challenge both of the training, and of the race itself. This race is one of the most difficult long distance events in North America primarily because of the hills over the last 10 kms. Rather I would tell you that I am supremely confident that Claudette will finish comfortably under her goal time.
After I posted this I opened it back up again because I forgot something important. I want to announce a special "Game On" hats off today to one Brian Burke, the GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs. I admit that I don't really like the guy but I continue to gain huge respect for him. Today he took another giant leap forward! It was during a press conference he was holding to announce the new coach of the leafs. Understand that video of this conference would be seen by millions of sports fas across North America and other parts of the world. He was acknowledging the rights of fans to boo their hockey team , their coach, or anything else they choose to boo. As long as, and I quote, "their words are not racist, homophobic, or obscene". You are the man Brain Burke!! Hats off!!
(run, 30 kms 2:34:30)
"Gratitude is an art of painting an adversity into a lovely picture."---Kak Sri
"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures."---Thornton Wilder
....and especially for my son Michael....
"In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican."---H.L. Mencken
Love
Peter
I love your 18 km revelation. I have recently started to become aware, more than ever before, of just how fortunate I am. This awareness makes me more grateful than ever before for said fortune. I believe this is a key ingredient to true happiness. I am even surprised at my own thought process from time to time. I can see or experience what some might see as a quite negative situation, and my first thought is of all the benefit the experience is to me, or how much worse the situation may have been had I not been so fortunate. It is a great state of mind to be in when my primary thoughts are of good fortune.
ReplyDeleteLove Old John
Incredibly cool!
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