This weekend we have decided to change things up. This was the weekend we have been training for, our first 50km finish. Unfortunately the park is flooded out and this run has been postponed until August 20th. (I will have to wait for my first official 50km finish until then…). I think there is a lesson in here about patience, training, and recognizing my actual readiness (not just what I perceive in my mind). This lesson will be closer studied after this weekend.
Because of the postponement we have decided that we would like to tackle this distance on our own. Bob and I are running this distance on Saturday as we had a sitter booked (she booked the day off work for us), and so we decided that it would be nice to run together seeing as we have the opportunity. This is not something we are able to do often as sitters get expensive after a while, and they are busy as well with their teenage lives.
This is something I am looking forward to. Bob and I don’t often get to spend this kind of alone time together. So many things are going through my mind; it’s like a first date again. How long until he runs off and I can’t keep up anymore? For any of you who know my husband you know how he shoots out at the start, I’ll be glad there’s no one counting down. Will he be able to run as slowly as I? If not, will I be able to catch up around 17-24 mile mark? (Almost happened once) Oh well, I’m not 17 anymore (far cry from that, thank the good Lord) so I know that these things don’t really matter, I’m going to enjoy tomorrows run for as long as it goes. (He has promised not to run to far off on me; it isn’t a race or anything)
It’s funny how we get caught up in our lives and it’s these little things that we can appreciate, getting to go on a long run with my husband. I am becoming more grateful for the postponement (not the flood), as I wouldn’t have had the chance to spend such a great amount of my day uninterrupted with my awesome husband. Of course our children are a welcomed interruption into our lives; it will be nice to spend a day together.
Back to packing; I wonder what I’ll be able to fill my bag with for this 50km run. (Camera for sure, snacks, water, more water...)
Have a spectacular weekend…. See you Sunday.
Nicole
Showing posts with label Life Lessons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life Lessons. Show all posts
Friday, May 13, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
A new milage, Good Friday's activities
A sign along our route we found interesting,located between homes by the side of the road.
We aren't in Winnipeg anymore!
After a miss print one week a few months back, writing about running to Oak Hammock Marsh, when a close friend corrected the statement and pointed out that it was Fort Whyte we ran to; it became a goal to run out to Oak Hammock Marsh. It has been our longest distance so far, a 28+ miles. Very close to the 50km we hope to successfully run May 14th at the Manitoba trail run in Spruce woods. But this would be getting ahead of myself…..
4am, sitting at Tim Horton’s sucking back a coffee, not for enjoyment, but it seems a necessity at this point in the morning. Then finding out that breakfast doesn’t start until 5am! Did anyone else know this? I was sort of astounded to find out that at 4am, there are NO breakfast sandwiches available! So a muffin had to suffice for the first while. We both arrived a bit late, which was very nice to get in a coffee and muffin before hitting the road, and headed to find another Tim’s 6 miles away, where we would arrive after 5am so we could fuel with the expected breakfast sandwich (finally).
Being more properly fueled (mmmm) we hit the hill! Garbage hill looks a bit different at 6 in the morning. We were also surprised to see someone out walking their dog at this hour on a holiday, nice to know we aren’t the only crazy people out and about. Having joined a clinic at City Park Runners, Tuesday nights I have spent learning to run hills. I’m not yet sure I’m ready to admit this to everyone out there but…….. I have really enjoyed learning more about running hills, running up this thing, or maybe it’s the downhill….. Definitely the downhill! I get a bit of speed built up on the downs and just love the fact that I feel like I can actually keep up with others on a down. I’m not a fast runner at all, but a downhill lets me look like I run.
At this time of the morning we have decided that we are not too worried about our route as it is 6-8am on a holiday and we don’t expect any other questionable characters out and about with us on the road. (keep in mind I would have no idea what a questionable character would look like) Up Notre Dame, down McPhillips and out to Leila, where we find another bathroom break. This is the last known bathroom break we have on our route, and once we hit pipeline road, we don’t know what will be out there for the second half of this run. (Insert music from ‘twilight zone’ here)
We have been packing a lot of things for many of our runs up to this point, mostly food, extra clothing, and water. At this point we had discussed leaving a lot of stuffs behind, get some basics and run with that. So in my pack I filled the platypus with an electrolyte replacement drink, had a container of grapes, half a roll of bathroom tissue (could be needed!), headlamp, extra grocery bag (I’m not sure why either, but it was there), wallet, phone, house keys, pen, band-aids, hand sanitizer, extra shell(looked like rain), extra leggings (in case of getting too cold),contact case and rinse, sunglasses (ever the optimist?), and some gels just in case. This was a nice light load for a change. No I’m not kidding! I think it may stem from reading about a race where there were not enough supplies along the route for the runners who are in the California mountains, running along a 100 mile trail, and a few having to DNF about halfway, because not only one but several stations along the way ran out of water and the rest of their supplies. I know we are nowhere near running this kind of a distance at this point, but it is nice to know that we wouldn’t have to worry about?????? Not sure yet, but maybe we won’t have to if we keep this up. Although, after the lesson learned at the Polar Bear run across Lake Winnipeg this year, when I’m running in a planned event I think I will try and trust the RD’s and rely on their providing along the way. I must have some trust issues?
Pipeline road took us out quite a ways and we were able to see farm lands as we went. Everything was very wet, but we were also hopeful because the flooding was not as bad as we had imagined it might be. Along the way we were greeted by several dogs. This is a bit unnerving, I think I may prefer to run by someone disheveled looking in the city than try to run (walk) by a barking dog who’s NOT leashed and their owner is nowhere around! There was one owner who corralled his dog, then let him go again, only to stand back and call to him. I was a bit concerned about this one as I was unsure what would happen if the dog charged us, but it ended alright as we passed and he decided that we were no threat to his person and he ignored us. There was another dog protecting his land a bit later, he paced back and forth along his property, barked a few times and kept us under watch, but never left his land. Then a little while later we met two retrievers’ who had a really close look at us as they checked us out from their property line, but then came out to give us a good sniff. This was unsettling, one dog had his tail wagging, which made me feel a bit safer but the other wasn’t so sure and kept looking at us to make sure we didn’t do anything to his friend as we were sniffed up close. Through all these dogs, we slowed to a walk as to not give them a chase, but we were really unsure what else to do. There was a time that I had learned a bit of self defense but as I scrolled through the very short amount of knowledge in my head there was really nothing I found that would be useful here. (Not that I am quick enough to use anything I’ve learned anyways)
It was interesting to see and follow a map; some roads look longer than others you know. It was nice to get to the road where we found our last 11 miles lay in front of us, route 220 black dale road, straight ahead. After a while on this road I found myself wondering if I had taken the right turn, thinking that we should be seeing more signs for our destination, forgetting that I have plotted this route to avoid traffic on a busy highway. Only to find ourselves at intersections with a large sign for our destination, another 100 yards or so up from here and we see a sign for a ‘Manitoba Attraction’ 3km away. Along with a cool ‘wildlife crossing’ sign, at this point we were having some excitement about almost being there.
We finally arrived at the sign to mark our occasion of making it. We did finally run to Oak Hammock Marsh. 28+ miles, and we were in hysterics to realize that it was probably another half mile to get to the actual building up the road. So up the road we went, and when our ride drove by we waved him on to meet us at the very end.
Of course we finished with a lunch celebration, but when the food came we devoured it too quickly to get a picture to insert here. I need to say a huge thank you to our husbands and kids who put up with our insanity, and for driving out to get us on our one way journeys.
My lesson learned:
We can only be a successful as our support. Without my family I would not be able to accomplish all that I am; and I would not have the potential to be what I will grow to become.
4am, sitting at Tim Horton’s sucking back a coffee, not for enjoyment, but it seems a necessity at this point in the morning. Then finding out that breakfast doesn’t start until 5am! Did anyone else know this? I was sort of astounded to find out that at 4am, there are NO breakfast sandwiches available! So a muffin had to suffice for the first while. We both arrived a bit late, which was very nice to get in a coffee and muffin before hitting the road, and headed to find another Tim’s 6 miles away, where we would arrive after 5am so we could fuel with the expected breakfast sandwich (finally).
Being more properly fueled (mmmm) we hit the hill! Garbage hill looks a bit different at 6 in the morning. We were also surprised to see someone out walking their dog at this hour on a holiday, nice to know we aren’t the only crazy people out and about. Having joined a clinic at City Park Runners, Tuesday nights I have spent learning to run hills. I’m not yet sure I’m ready to admit this to everyone out there but…….. I have really enjoyed learning more about running hills, running up this thing, or maybe it’s the downhill….. Definitely the downhill! I get a bit of speed built up on the downs and just love the fact that I feel like I can actually keep up with others on a down. I’m not a fast runner at all, but a downhill lets me look like I run.
At this time of the morning we have decided that we are not too worried about our route as it is 6-8am on a holiday and we don’t expect any other questionable characters out and about with us on the road. (keep in mind I would have no idea what a questionable character would look like) Up Notre Dame, down McPhillips and out to Leila, where we find another bathroom break. This is the last known bathroom break we have on our route, and once we hit pipeline road, we don’t know what will be out there for the second half of this run. (Insert music from ‘twilight zone’ here)
We have been packing a lot of things for many of our runs up to this point, mostly food, extra clothing, and water. At this point we had discussed leaving a lot of stuffs behind, get some basics and run with that. So in my pack I filled the platypus with an electrolyte replacement drink, had a container of grapes, half a roll of bathroom tissue (could be needed!), headlamp, extra grocery bag (I’m not sure why either, but it was there), wallet, phone, house keys, pen, band-aids, hand sanitizer, extra shell(looked like rain), extra leggings (in case of getting too cold),contact case and rinse, sunglasses (ever the optimist?), and some gels just in case. This was a nice light load for a change. No I’m not kidding! I think it may stem from reading about a race where there were not enough supplies along the route for the runners who are in the California mountains, running along a 100 mile trail, and a few having to DNF about halfway, because not only one but several stations along the way ran out of water and the rest of their supplies. I know we are nowhere near running this kind of a distance at this point, but it is nice to know that we wouldn’t have to worry about?????? Not sure yet, but maybe we won’t have to if we keep this up. Although, after the lesson learned at the Polar Bear run across Lake Winnipeg this year, when I’m running in a planned event I think I will try and trust the RD’s and rely on their providing along the way. I must have some trust issues?
Pipeline road took us out quite a ways and we were able to see farm lands as we went. Everything was very wet, but we were also hopeful because the flooding was not as bad as we had imagined it might be. Along the way we were greeted by several dogs. This is a bit unnerving, I think I may prefer to run by someone disheveled looking in the city than try to run (walk) by a barking dog who’s NOT leashed and their owner is nowhere around! There was one owner who corralled his dog, then let him go again, only to stand back and call to him. I was a bit concerned about this one as I was unsure what would happen if the dog charged us, but it ended alright as we passed and he decided that we were no threat to his person and he ignored us. There was another dog protecting his land a bit later, he paced back and forth along his property, barked a few times and kept us under watch, but never left his land. Then a little while later we met two retrievers’ who had a really close look at us as they checked us out from their property line, but then came out to give us a good sniff. This was unsettling, one dog had his tail wagging, which made me feel a bit safer but the other wasn’t so sure and kept looking at us to make sure we didn’t do anything to his friend as we were sniffed up close. Through all these dogs, we slowed to a walk as to not give them a chase, but we were really unsure what else to do. There was a time that I had learned a bit of self defense but as I scrolled through the very short amount of knowledge in my head there was really nothing I found that would be useful here. (Not that I am quick enough to use anything I’ve learned anyways)
It was interesting to see and follow a map; some roads look longer than others you know. It was nice to get to the road where we found our last 11 miles lay in front of us, route 220 black dale road, straight ahead. After a while on this road I found myself wondering if I had taken the right turn, thinking that we should be seeing more signs for our destination, forgetting that I have plotted this route to avoid traffic on a busy highway. Only to find ourselves at intersections with a large sign for our destination, another 100 yards or so up from here and we see a sign for a ‘Manitoba Attraction’ 3km away. Along with a cool ‘wildlife crossing’ sign, at this point we were having some excitement about almost being there.
We finally arrived at the sign to mark our occasion of making it. We did finally run to Oak Hammock Marsh. 28+ miles, and we were in hysterics to realize that it was probably another half mile to get to the actual building up the road. So up the road we went, and when our ride drove by we waved him on to meet us at the very end.
Of course we finished with a lunch celebration, but when the food came we devoured it too quickly to get a picture to insert here. I need to say a huge thank you to our husbands and kids who put up with our insanity, and for driving out to get us on our one way journeys.
My lesson learned:
We can only be a successful as our support. Without my family I would not be able to accomplish all that I am; and I would not have the potential to be what I will grow to become.
Nicole
Friday, December 31, 2010
2010
Here it is, the end of another year. Tomorrow begins a new year, 2011.
I like to reflect on a year; see what lessons' I've learned well, and recognize others that I know will be back to test me again. I'm also not one for 'resolutions', but I do like to goal set. Maybe it's because I like to plan that it is I like to goal set. Reflecting gives me a place to see where it is I've come from, how far I have made it along the journey, and the goal setting gives me something to reach for over the next little while. Then it will be time to begin again, sometimes it is easy to recognize this as a daily pattern, but today being December 31st I will see it as a yearly one. Until tomorrow morning anyways.
As I met with a very close friend (sister) tonight, I was reminded of the JOY of the journey. Sometimes it takes effort to find joy in the journey, especially when we aren't finding it to be travelled as quickly as we would like, or that maybe we are travelling so quickly that we are caught up in the time flying when we finally slow to check out the scenery we are lost in what we have missed. Our lives are the journey. There is no one destination that we will get to and stay at, until we meet our Maker. Joy has been created for us to find and experience along our journey, until we get home.
Wishing you all JOY to fill your lives along your journey into another year that is filled with awesome experiences; to keep you smiling, loving, living, (running).
As I leave this post I would like to end with another blogger finish, (as my prayers go out to another friend who is soon to be meeting with her Father, Lord and Saviour) I hope you don't mind Mike, and thank you for the reminder with every read of your blog........
It is a great day to be alive!
Nicole
I like to reflect on a year; see what lessons' I've learned well, and recognize others that I know will be back to test me again. I'm also not one for 'resolutions', but I do like to goal set. Maybe it's because I like to plan that it is I like to goal set. Reflecting gives me a place to see where it is I've come from, how far I have made it along the journey, and the goal setting gives me something to reach for over the next little while. Then it will be time to begin again, sometimes it is easy to recognize this as a daily pattern, but today being December 31st I will see it as a yearly one. Until tomorrow morning anyways.
As I met with a very close friend (sister) tonight, I was reminded of the JOY of the journey. Sometimes it takes effort to find joy in the journey, especially when we aren't finding it to be travelled as quickly as we would like, or that maybe we are travelling so quickly that we are caught up in the time flying when we finally slow to check out the scenery we are lost in what we have missed. Our lives are the journey. There is no one destination that we will get to and stay at, until we meet our Maker. Joy has been created for us to find and experience along our journey, until we get home.
Wishing you all JOY to fill your lives along your journey into another year that is filled with awesome experiences; to keep you smiling, loving, living, (running).
As I leave this post I would like to end with another blogger finish, (as my prayers go out to another friend who is soon to be meeting with her Father, Lord and Saviour) I hope you don't mind Mike, and thank you for the reminder with every read of your blog........
It is a great day to be alive!
Nicole
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Post marathon blues?
So here we are, two weeks after the Trehern marathon. It seems to have gone by slowly. There has been so much information about how to train, the Internet is full of training plans. Although I have found very little info on recovery, and what little I have found is extremely vague. I was happy to hear that there was some info on "post marathon blues". This is something that I have experienced, but never really have heard people talk about. G told me she had found some info on it and I was so happy to think that I wasn't quite as insane as I had previously thought. Apparently this is some thing that has been documented, although not well. It seems that an after race plan is something that helps out in this area, a recovery time and future plans keep you moving through this 'down time'. It is interesting how everyone talks about the 'runners high' and no one really talks about the after effects of achieving a goal and getting to the 'now what?' phase of running.
Running is so varied form one person to another, it is so individual, it keeps us all learning about ourselves and our environment. Each run, training or race, is so different and ever changing that there are a variety of guide lines for how to train for different events, and they later become more narrow per runner, as to what works for that one specific person. There are so many ideas and schools of thought, which keeps it all interesting and I don't think I will ever get board trying new things. Although now, with trying a new distance I find comfort in the thought of something less varied, a training plan I can stick to, something concrete to follow, one that is specific to this new distance. Call it a starting point, a diving board, something to expand on in the future. We are looking at the last marathon as part of our training plan for the next adventure, Vulture Bait 50k. I am currently working in an after plan, especially knowing how I can feel 4-5 days after the high from completing a marathon. Not something I'm liking.
Experimenting with nutrition and distance has taken up a large part of running this year, each long run has brought out new snacks (Jeannie's chocolate cake was a nice touch back in Feb.) new ways to hydrate in different temperatures (water and Gatorade freeze well in -20C). Where are we going to feel exhausted? How far until we need to refuel? How are we going to refuel? We have discovered that the 'long run rounds' are great cookies for spring summer and fall, but get too frozen in the winter. The home-made protein bars are best in winter as they are better frozen, and get too soggy in the spring and summer when it is getting warmer out.
I guess the lesson is to plan what you can, then roll with what ever falls onto your path, and to always keep getting up. As I write this though I see Gail has a way more awesome post... so I'm gonna stop here and take her advice to keep motivated....
See you tomorrow morning.
Nicole
Running is so varied form one person to another, it is so individual, it keeps us all learning about ourselves and our environment. Each run, training or race, is so different and ever changing that there are a variety of guide lines for how to train for different events, and they later become more narrow per runner, as to what works for that one specific person. There are so many ideas and schools of thought, which keeps it all interesting and I don't think I will ever get board trying new things. Although now, with trying a new distance I find comfort in the thought of something less varied, a training plan I can stick to, something concrete to follow, one that is specific to this new distance. Call it a starting point, a diving board, something to expand on in the future. We are looking at the last marathon as part of our training plan for the next adventure, Vulture Bait 50k. I am currently working in an after plan, especially knowing how I can feel 4-5 days after the high from completing a marathon. Not something I'm liking.
Experimenting with nutrition and distance has taken up a large part of running this year, each long run has brought out new snacks (Jeannie's chocolate cake was a nice touch back in Feb.) new ways to hydrate in different temperatures (water and Gatorade freeze well in -20C). Where are we going to feel exhausted? How far until we need to refuel? How are we going to refuel? We have discovered that the 'long run rounds' are great cookies for spring summer and fall, but get too frozen in the winter. The home-made protein bars are best in winter as they are better frozen, and get too soggy in the spring and summer when it is getting warmer out.
I guess the lesson is to plan what you can, then roll with what ever falls onto your path, and to always keep getting up. As I write this though I see Gail has a way more awesome post... so I'm gonna stop here and take her advice to keep motivated....
See you tomorrow morning.
Nicole
Thursday, June 17, 2010
A Few Thoughts
Last Sunday we started out at 6 am thinking it would be great to get that extra hour of sleep for a change. But when I awoke and realized it was already bright outside there was a feeling I had missed something. There was sadness in knowing we missed an opportunity to run with the rising of the sun. When I shared this feeling with Nicole she confessed she felt the same way. I cannot believe I am saying this but we agreed to go back to beginning our long runs before sunrise so as not to miss that magical time of day. When you start out running in the dark and slowly see the sun come up upon the horizon, you know you are part of something special, but you are not merely a spectator. It reminds me of something I read once. A society of ancient people believed that exertion through running at dawn helped strengthen the sun to come up for a new day. So from now on we will do our part in helping the sun come up....although this exertion thing is new to us.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
The cancelled run
Last Sundays' long run did not go as we had originally planned. The Polar Bear Run needed to be cancelled at the last minute and so we were left disappointed. Waking up Sunday morning for me was incredibly hard, I had felt so deflated from the cancellation that I could have slept the day away. Thanks to G and C for getting me up, out, and throwing a new experience at me. I had been looking forward to a bit of a spiritual experience along the way, usually finding lessons and all as we go. The lesson I experienced was not the one I thought. Instead of endurance (although that was there), I found that G was the one to recognize that the lesson had changed, it was now about going out in the face of disappointment and doing what we had wanted to accomplish in the first place, 17 miles!
So I'm going to tell you about a trail run today. Let me first tell you that not all trails are created equal! I have been encountering some very nice trails in the city, as there are more being paved with asphalt and still more with the gravel. Winnipeg is really adding to their bike paths around the city and it is great to have the ability to get 'off road' experience. Although I was not aware that I will no longer consider this a 'trail'! Not after Sundays run.
Trail now, in my mind, consists of more dirt, trees, tree roots, brush, and sometimes finding (making) your own trail along the way! Sometimes you can not see a trail and yet you will find that getting from here to there will create one in your mind and that is the trail at the time. Careful where you step! The river was low and we ran along it in several places as we went from St. James to St. Mary's and Bishop Grandin. I think I enjoyed the new experience (I guess I'm not one for bugs and getting dirty) and am looking forward to trying that again. I would like to get over my not liking bugs and getting dirty. This is where we found a bit of dirt....
I guess you had to be there to get the full effect of me screaming "get them off me!" I don't like stuff stuck to me either! Another thing to get over in the future! 
A nice pathway at the forks.
A beautiful finish to 17 miles!
Have a great week everyone!
So I'm going to tell you about a trail run today. Let me first tell you that not all trails are created equal! I have been encountering some very nice trails in the city, as there are more being paved with asphalt and still more with the gravel. Winnipeg is really adding to their bike paths around the city and it is great to have the ability to get 'off road' experience. Although I was not aware that I will no longer consider this a 'trail'! Not after Sundays run.
Trail now, in my mind, consists of more dirt, trees, tree roots, brush, and sometimes finding (making) your own trail along the way! Sometimes you can not see a trail and yet you will find that getting from here to there will create one in your mind and that is the trail at the time. Careful where you step! The river was low and we ran along it in several places as we went from St. James to St. Mary's and Bishop Grandin. I think I enjoyed the new experience (I guess I'm not one for bugs and getting dirty) and am looking forward to trying that again. I would like to get over my not liking bugs and getting dirty. This is where we found a bit of dirt....
I did mention that we were trying out new gear today. For this Polar Bear run G and I had got platypus bags for the back packs. I think I like this way of carrying water. It seems easier and lighter than bottles of water. Not hat it is lighter but definitely easier to carry in form as the weight doesn't bang around on my back. I also had the gortex socks on for this run. They definitely kept my feet dry! I'm not sure though, I found them maybe a bit snug? I'm still undecided, but i did like the thought that bugs probably couldn't get through them.
Notice a difference? Definately need to watch where you are going on this one!>>
I will leave you with a few pictures from Sundays' run.
I guess you had to be there to get the full effect of me screaming "get them off me!" I don't like stuff stuck to me either! Another thing to get over in the future! 
A nice pathway at the forks.
A beautiful finish to 17 miles!
Have a great week everyone!
Friday, March 12, 2010
A new level of Insanity?
So here we are, coming to another weekend, another long run Sunday around the corner. We are very apprehensive about this run as we have signed up for a 'trail' run adding some mileage to our last weeks 16 miler. This run is about 17 miles, but it will be on some new terrain for us.
It is always nice to know you are about to have a new experience...... Although it can be a bit scary too!
So here it is, our starting point will be at Willow Island road and Snowman trail, one mile south of Gimli, 8am! We will be running to Grand Marais...ACROSS THE LAKE.
So I have this need to explain a sermon I heard this week, actually there were two on the same subject, Monster Faith and Getting in Over your Head. They seem appropriate for this weekends run. It is all about how when we get in over our heads we then seem to recognize the need for help. I think that is where God sometimes likes us to be, in over our heads, because we seem to rely on Him way more than if we stay safely on shore. Thinking this was a lesson I seem to keep having to relearn over and over, I realized that I just may need some more practice every now and then. Kind of a reminder that it isn't all me, and of course, how much more I can do when it's not all me.
So that's the plan, get in over me head (I'm still bringing extra supplies, water, clothes, compass, power bars) then hold onto prayer as we run across the lake. WooHoo. In checking with all my other senses, I am really at peace with the decision to go on this crazy ass run. Which really makes me wonder.....
Nicole
It is always nice to know you are about to have a new experience...... Although it can be a bit scary too!
So here it is, our starting point will be at Willow Island road and Snowman trail, one mile south of Gimli, 8am! We will be running to Grand Marais...ACROSS THE LAKE.
So I have this need to explain a sermon I heard this week, actually there were two on the same subject, Monster Faith and Getting in Over your Head. They seem appropriate for this weekends run. It is all about how when we get in over our heads we then seem to recognize the need for help. I think that is where God sometimes likes us to be, in over our heads, because we seem to rely on Him way more than if we stay safely on shore. Thinking this was a lesson I seem to keep having to relearn over and over, I realized that I just may need some more practice every now and then. Kind of a reminder that it isn't all me, and of course, how much more I can do when it's not all me.
So that's the plan, get in over me head (I'm still bringing extra supplies, water, clothes, compass, power bars) then hold onto prayer as we run across the lake. WooHoo. In checking with all my other senses, I am really at peace with the decision to go on this crazy ass run. Which really makes me wonder.....
Nicole
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Hypothermic half 2010 Winnipeg
What an amazing week! So far?....
This is what it says.>>
Sunday started us off with the hypothermic half marathon, and that was an amazing day. Along the road that was set for our race trail we found some inspiration to keep us moving, thank you to whoever did this as I was most impressed.....
This was seen as we were running by and I wasn't sure I read it right so I had to go back to see it again (only on race day!), and of course get the picture. As you can tell, timing is not our focus. We are considering distance and really trying for that rather than our timing. This particular race is also making sure we add to our consistancy for distance. 2 weeks ago we did 14 miles, last week we did 6 miles so this week we came back to a 13 miler and faired well enough to see what is up this weekend. Still focussed on a distance run of personal bests in the next month. How accurate this sign is. At this point in the race things were going well, and the other signs that followed kept us smiling as we carried on. Of course we couldn't just pass by and not acknowledge the work someone had put into this great event. It was my first winter half marathon.
This is my friend! This is an appropriate sign just for her........ think big! Our excursion in a couple of weeks is her idea, of course I didn't say no!....
I am finding it hard to run without a smile! I can't say thank you enough to whoever went to all this work! I had such a great day and this really topped it off for me....... and it was all before 10am!
This is what it says.>> Definitely someone who runs was here. I find it interesting how running can parallel living. 
And how true these signs are...
If you were out there you know they were placed along the trail on page 2 of the run map, to greet us and to inspire us along the way. Again, Thank You!
One last photo to show off what an extraordinary day we all had out there, this is less than 2 miles from the finish as we are almost home.
Of course in my mind I'm wondering where all these hills came from out here in Winnipeg?
Have a great rest of the week and we will hopefully see you out there.... Sunday?
Nicole
Sunday, January 24, 2010
A Memorable Run
Our unspoken motto is 'Nobody gets left behind". Sometimes you set out feeling great and then realize the run is not going to go as planned, for whatever reason. In these times it is important to remember we grow from every running experience, it all counts, and we can lean on each other.
The bog run of last year was my memorable experience. That day I learned the importance of reading signs and not to follow in the steps of a runner with longer legs than myself. Today it was someone else's turn to have a memorable run, another memory we can laugh about later on.
The bog run of last year was my memorable experience. That day I learned the importance of reading signs and not to follow in the steps of a runner with longer legs than myself. Today it was someone else's turn to have a memorable run, another memory we can laugh about later on.
Monday, January 11, 2010
January 9th long run
I am having a faint recollection of a lesson (that I should have learned?)that is in the back of my mind, nagging at me......
Oh yes, there it is #52 Listening to your body! Oh well, I guess I will have to work on that one as I travel through today. Which I have to say is not as unpleasant as I thought it would be, just a bit tender in the knees. Yesterday I had a hard time as me knees and legs protested the length of our run later in the afternoon, but of course where helped out (for a short time) with a nice sit in the hot tub I missed out on last week.
After 3 weeks without doing any real distance work I feel that maybe I might have overdone the run yesterday. Note for next time I suppose. But now that it is out of the way I am looking forward to getting some work in this week so I am better prepared for next weeks long run.
I did run this with mukluks. As we are still trying to run with a minimalist view, and I really do not see us inside on a track for the length of time it will take to accomplish a long run. We all may turn crazy with that thought! I was pleasantly surprised that the mukluks were not as slippery as I thought they might be, and they are still very warm. I have run in -32 with them as well and with one pair of thermal socks they are toasty warm; I am a suck for cold and will almost always overdress.
See you next week.
Nicole
Oh yes, there it is #52 Listening to your body! Oh well, I guess I will have to work on that one as I travel through today. Which I have to say is not as unpleasant as I thought it would be, just a bit tender in the knees. Yesterday I had a hard time as me knees and legs protested the length of our run later in the afternoon, but of course where helped out (for a short time) with a nice sit in the hot tub I missed out on last week.
After 3 weeks without doing any real distance work I feel that maybe I might have overdone the run yesterday. Note for next time I suppose. But now that it is out of the way I am looking forward to getting some work in this week so I am better prepared for next weeks long run.
I did run this with mukluks. As we are still trying to run with a minimalist view, and I really do not see us inside on a track for the length of time it will take to accomplish a long run. We all may turn crazy with that thought! I was pleasantly surprised that the mukluks were not as slippery as I thought they might be, and they are still very warm. I have run in -32 with them as well and with one pair of thermal socks they are toasty warm; I am a suck for cold and will almost always overdress.
See you next week.
Nicole
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Dress warm out there!
So upon waking early (without the help from an alarm) and thinking it would be nice to just get up and go for a run...( not really, I actually had to spend 10 minutes convincing myself to get up, and I did wonder why I was awake in the first place, being 5:30 am).
Out I went, into our cold. Not checking the actual temperature, (don't try this at home) just thinking about how cold it has been,-20 to -23ish. Let's stop here and talk about how important layering is, as this is CANADA! One layer is not enough at this time of year, two layers can be enough (two weeks ago was nice for this at -10) if the sun is shining and there is no wind chill and it is not any colder than -20, three layers may be enough if you have the right type of layers. This is how it went.....
Head: hat, ear warmer,scarf, neck warmer.
This was great layering, even a bit warm after 20 min.
Upper Body: thermal long sleeve under armor, long sleeve thick running top, heavy running shell.
This worked very well, after 4 miles the arms began to get a bit chilled, but not bad.
Lower body: winter running pant, wind pant.
As you can tell this is where I forgot to add a thermal layer. After 2 miles the quads were very chilled and by mile 3 I was looking to get home and get warm. Although by mile 4 I was wondering if that part of my leg was there still, so I was happy to arrive home after 5 miles and very cold quads! Yes the, glutes were cold as well!
Feet: thermal socks, muck lucks.
My feet were awesome! This is the way I think I will go for the winter running as my feet were nice and cozy!
Now upon arriving home and getting my legs warmed up I turned on the weather station only to find I had been out in -28! Which is not that bad, considering how crazy we got last year. But I have decided that anything colder than -20 is going to need the added thermal base layer!
Life lesson #62: check the weather BEFORE you go outside! (especially in the winter) and then listen to your mother, (even if she is that voice in your head) and dress appropriately!
Last years winter running we found that the glutes and the quads were the 2 items we had a hard time keeping warm, so the search is on and we will have as much fun experimenting with the clothing this winter I am sure. On another note I do hope we can find something quickly to keep these areas warm as I think it would help us get out there for a longer time, or more often.... and maybe it is still all about the shopping for the gear?
Nicole
Out I went, into our cold. Not checking the actual temperature, (don't try this at home) just thinking about how cold it has been,-20 to -23ish. Let's stop here and talk about how important layering is, as this is CANADA! One layer is not enough at this time of year, two layers can be enough (two weeks ago was nice for this at -10) if the sun is shining and there is no wind chill and it is not any colder than -20, three layers may be enough if you have the right type of layers. This is how it went.....
Head: hat, ear warmer,scarf, neck warmer.
This was great layering, even a bit warm after 20 min.
Upper Body: thermal long sleeve under armor, long sleeve thick running top, heavy running shell.
This worked very well, after 4 miles the arms began to get a bit chilled, but not bad.
Lower body: winter running pant, wind pant.
As you can tell this is where I forgot to add a thermal layer. After 2 miles the quads were very chilled and by mile 3 I was looking to get home and get warm. Although by mile 4 I was wondering if that part of my leg was there still, so I was happy to arrive home after 5 miles and very cold quads! Yes the, glutes were cold as well!
Feet: thermal socks, muck lucks.
My feet were awesome! This is the way I think I will go for the winter running as my feet were nice and cozy!
Now upon arriving home and getting my legs warmed up I turned on the weather station only to find I had been out in -28! Which is not that bad, considering how crazy we got last year. But I have decided that anything colder than -20 is going to need the added thermal base layer!
Life lesson #62: check the weather BEFORE you go outside! (especially in the winter) and then listen to your mother, (even if she is that voice in your head) and dress appropriately!
Last years winter running we found that the glutes and the quads were the 2 items we had a hard time keeping warm, so the search is on and we will have as much fun experimenting with the clothing this winter I am sure. On another note I do hope we can find something quickly to keep these areas warm as I think it would help us get out there for a longer time, or more often.... and maybe it is still all about the shopping for the gear?
Nicole
Friday, October 30, 2009
Life Lesson # 53, Humility
Disappointment arrives when expectations have not been met! (Lesson #24)
When expectations are not met, it is sometimes followed by a sense of humility as we come to recognize the current level of expectation may have been well over estimated.
The latest example of this comes from last week’s runs. It had been a busy week and between sick kids, sore bodies (you know, the one I haven’t been listening to) and a lack of sleep I was unable to get out for any weekday runs’. C did an awesome map for us and we were excited about the craziness of running a new distance of 14-15 miles, there was no consideration given to the preceding nights plans’. This just happened to be the 10km Nike human race. Along with ignoring my tight calf from the Sunday before and G was still being careful of her knee, we really were looking forward to the long run in the morning.
Sunday morning arrives and we are our usual ½ asleep selves, until we get moving where the laughter and the moods begin to rise. The pace is nice, possibly a bit faster to start, and all seems well as we look forward to our longest run yet. C was taking us on some new trail that was nice to run on. We saw the usual bunny along the way (we have many of those critters in the city) and we were pleasantly surprised to watch a deer cross our trail. We kept checking with each other to see how our bodies were managing, and all seemed fine (usually is in the land of denial). Then about mile 7 a confession was made and it was time to head home. Our bodies had decided we were ignoring them and the bodies were going to set us straight, weather we liked it or not!
I’m not sure that the night before I even questioned that I would not be able to run the full 14 miles. As we turned back for home I felt like I had just fallen on my face into the mud.
I have been humbled!
I cannot force my body to go a distance I have not trained it for, not without injury anyway. I will still chalk it up to a good run, as the many lessons I learned from it are useful and will be with me for a while.
So with a pride that has been appropriately run over and but back into its’ place I will hit the trails running with a new respect for learning the language my body is speaking to me.
Nicole
When expectations are not met, it is sometimes followed by a sense of humility as we come to recognize the current level of expectation may have been well over estimated.
The latest example of this comes from last week’s runs. It had been a busy week and between sick kids, sore bodies (you know, the one I haven’t been listening to) and a lack of sleep I was unable to get out for any weekday runs’. C did an awesome map for us and we were excited about the craziness of running a new distance of 14-15 miles, there was no consideration given to the preceding nights plans’. This just happened to be the 10km Nike human race. Along with ignoring my tight calf from the Sunday before and G was still being careful of her knee, we really were looking forward to the long run in the morning.
Sunday morning arrives and we are our usual ½ asleep selves, until we get moving where the laughter and the moods begin to rise. The pace is nice, possibly a bit faster to start, and all seems well as we look forward to our longest run yet. C was taking us on some new trail that was nice to run on. We saw the usual bunny along the way (we have many of those critters in the city) and we were pleasantly surprised to watch a deer cross our trail. We kept checking with each other to see how our bodies were managing, and all seemed fine (usually is in the land of denial). Then about mile 7 a confession was made and it was time to head home. Our bodies had decided we were ignoring them and the bodies were going to set us straight, weather we liked it or not!
I’m not sure that the night before I even questioned that I would not be able to run the full 14 miles. As we turned back for home I felt like I had just fallen on my face into the mud.
I have been humbled!
I cannot force my body to go a distance I have not trained it for, not without injury anyway. I will still chalk it up to a good run, as the many lessons I learned from it are useful and will be with me for a while.
So with a pride that has been appropriately run over and but back into its’ place I will hit the trails running with a new respect for learning the language my body is speaking to me.
Nicole
Monday, October 26, 2009
Life Lesson #52
I am not sure if I believe that I could over train. Being a bit overweight I find it hard to believe that I could somehow overwork myself to a detriment. Now with that said...Yes, I do realize that I have a tendency to live in denial......
I do believe that there are times where I need to learn to listen to my body better as it speaks (screams out in agony) to me.
Life Lesson #52:
I am not very good at listening to my body,and hearing the things it has to say to me. I have a really hard time finding a pace, I have a hard time noticing if I am slowing down, I sometimes think I am going much faster than my average pace to only discover I am not really increasing my speed.For Christmas last year my awesome, thoughtful husband bought me a garmin. It was everything I could ask for! It keeps my heart rate, shows my time and pace and (my favorite) distance (of course the maps are really cool too). There is a point where I found myself relying on the garmin to tell me how I was feeling during a run as I would look over the numbers after I returned home. I know it is silly, but I guess I didn't need to really listen to my body now did I...
I admit it, I am addicted. So now,...
Now it is time to start listening to my body better, and not the numbers. We ran our first race this year with minimal footwear (the water shoes) Friday Oct. 24Th. In realizing that my addiction has become something I needed to face I decided to leave the heart rate monitor at home. (yahoo for me). As we began the run my garmin timer wouldn't kick in.... I felt like I had just quit smoking again cold turkey! Panic set in, then it left me like the weight of my old shoes. Thank you Lord for crapping out my garmin for the evening to show me how I don't need to rely on it. I went on our first minimal footwear race with minimal technology as well!
I still will like to have a distance monitor to make sure I am on route for the long runs and I will still use the garmin to help me train, but I don't need it to tell me how I am feeling. As a matter of fact I will tell it how I am doing as I train for the longer distances.
Which brings me to Life Lesson #53: a lesson on humility, to be saved for another time...
I love to run and the lessons I find along the way keep me coming out for more!
Nicole
I do believe that there are times where I need to learn to listen to my body better as it speaks (screams out in agony) to me.
Life Lesson #52:
I am not very good at listening to my body,and hearing the things it has to say to me. I have a really hard time finding a pace, I have a hard time noticing if I am slowing down, I sometimes think I am going much faster than my average pace to only discover I am not really increasing my speed.For Christmas last year my awesome, thoughtful husband bought me a garmin. It was everything I could ask for! It keeps my heart rate, shows my time and pace and (my favorite) distance (of course the maps are really cool too). There is a point where I found myself relying on the garmin to tell me how I was feeling during a run as I would look over the numbers after I returned home. I know it is silly, but I guess I didn't need to really listen to my body now did I...
I admit it, I am addicted. So now,...
Now it is time to start listening to my body better, and not the numbers. We ran our first race this year with minimal footwear (the water shoes) Friday Oct. 24Th. In realizing that my addiction has become something I needed to face I decided to leave the heart rate monitor at home. (yahoo for me). As we began the run my garmin timer wouldn't kick in.... I felt like I had just quit smoking again cold turkey! Panic set in, then it left me like the weight of my old shoes. Thank you Lord for crapping out my garmin for the evening to show me how I don't need to rely on it. I went on our first minimal footwear race with minimal technology as well!
I still will like to have a distance monitor to make sure I am on route for the long runs and I will still use the garmin to help me train, but I don't need it to tell me how I am feeling. As a matter of fact I will tell it how I am doing as I train for the longer distances.
Which brings me to Life Lesson #53: a lesson on humility, to be saved for another time...
I love to run and the lessons I find along the way keep me coming out for more!
Nicole
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Life and its' Lessons...
5 am this morning I left the house to meet my crazy -or just as crazy as me- running partner. It was cool and a little breezy, just nice enough to make sure we don't overheat; it has now been three weeks since we have been running with minimal footwear. As we are going along in the changeover we have been experiencing some new muscle building in our calves and feet. I was very unaware of how many muscles actually run through the top of your foot; now I am learning there are more than I would have guessed, and I think I can feel them all individually firing one at a time. Although they are sore in a way like you have just finished a satisfying workout.
Yesterday was the beginning of a new chapter for me and my running. I am beginning to set new goals and look forward. This time of year seems to do that for me as I find myself involved in the new fall schedule of my kids, husband, work, and of course running! Two years ago I began the journey of running (again), and here I am today glad I signed up for the running clinic. Things have changed as things always do with time and the latest chapter is here, with minimal shoes.
I have always found running to bring me life Lessons' as I go along. This mornings was an interesting one, (we can get to that later as I am still in denial), I have been pondering it all day. I enjoy all the introspective (sometime very spiritual), as well as the plain 'in your face' (glide is my friend! I must not leave home without it) lessons that have been brought to my attention through running.
We are learning how to run anew, and we are having a great time, we hope you enjoy our journey and would like to come along for the RUN.
Sunday mornings we meet at 7 am at a coffee shop (yet to be named this week). We will post possible distances (we may currently be looking at 9-11 miles) and a meeting place soon.
5 am this morning I left the house to meet my crazy -or just as crazy as me- running partner. It was cool and a little breezy, just nice enough to make sure we don't overheat; it has now been three weeks since we have been running with minimal footwear. As we are going along in the changeover we have been experiencing some new muscle building in our calves and feet. I was very unaware of how many muscles actually run through the top of your foot; now I am learning there are more than I would have guessed, and I think I can feel them all individually firing one at a time. Although they are sore in a way like you have just finished a satisfying workout.
Yesterday was the beginning of a new chapter for me and my running. I am beginning to set new goals and look forward. This time of year seems to do that for me as I find myself involved in the new fall schedule of my kids, husband, work, and of course running! Two years ago I began the journey of running (again), and here I am today glad I signed up for the running clinic. Things have changed as things always do with time and the latest chapter is here, with minimal shoes.
I have always found running to bring me life Lessons' as I go along. This mornings was an interesting one, (we can get to that later as I am still in denial), I have been pondering it all day. I enjoy all the introspective (sometime very spiritual), as well as the plain 'in your face' (glide is my friend! I must not leave home without it) lessons that have been brought to my attention through running.
We are learning how to run anew, and we are having a great time, we hope you enjoy our journey and would like to come along for the RUN.
Sunday mornings we meet at 7 am at a coffee shop (yet to be named this week). We will post possible distances (we may currently be looking at 9-11 miles) and a meeting place soon.
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