FREEZING RAIN, ICY GROUND.....

I hate this weather!!! I ran 12 miles in pouring rain (11:25 min/ mile)... I was soaked, socks included, within 10 mins and it was cold.... thanks for my spiky things to put on my shoes... Do I have to specify that it was not fun at all? I wish I did my LSD yesterday! The only reason why I kept going is in case that next week-end in Burlington has that same weather, at least I will be prepared! The good news: shin splints on my leg left is minimal! It's tapering week now for me =)

Have a good one!

MARTY????!!!!

Marty has been on blog hiatus for a while now but I still frequently check his blog....in case he updates it! And big shock today his page is gone...... =( It's been replaced by some viagra pills add... Well, I hope the running is still going well and everything is alright with the monsters and the rest of the family!!

1 WEEK TO THE BEGINNING OF THE RACING SEASON!

And I am very excited!! I'm hoping all my shin splints problems will be gone by then. As I said in my last post, I went to see a sports therapist (ST) on Monday and an ART chiropractor Friday and I have to say I was shocked to hear what the ST had to say!! He's a Varsity ST and he was telling me that I should expect at some point to run with pain and that shin splints are not a big deal... I'm like running is my HOBBY and I want to do it pain free, I'm not competing at the university level, I am no professional athlete. This is all about fun and enjoying myself for me! =) So, from that meeting I got some stretches and exercices to do and that was pretty much all.... and I'm not planning to ever see this person again!

On the other hand, I really liked the chiropractor =) He took me seriously and gave me tons of information on where this could be coming from. He was also very happy I came to see him at the first signs of pain. And since I missed my long run last week-end, I didn't have pain at the time I saw him but I could feel it when he put pressure there. He thinks the shin splints will be gone with 3 appt. He says if it does persist he could videorecord me running and see if it's coming from somewhere else (bad posture or hand movement that makes me pronating...). He says it's no surprise the pain is coming from the leg where I had no knee problem as my other leg is probably compensating for the weaker knee. He also looked at my hip flexer and said they are a source of shin splints but they seemed alright. So overall, I'm very satisfied with the whole massage and his hands on approach to the problem.... we'll see how tomorrow's long run will go =) I just learned we're expecting a snow storm here...arghh wish I had ran my 12 miler instead!! Tomorrow will not be fun... oh well if it's snowing and icing in Burlington next week I'll be ready!!

Here's this week Recap:
Tuesday: 5 miles at 10:35 min/mile
Thursday: 3 miles at 11:06 min/mile with a new running buddy (Andy)
Saturday: 3 miles at 9:51 min/mile (Pace)

Have a good long run all! =)

A WEEK WITH ALMOST NO RUNNING....

We got hit pretty hard with a snow storm last Tuesday and I decided to stay home instead of running. (Call me lazy but weather was CRAZY!) Then with all the snow on the ground and being in Windsor (i.e. VERY slow plowing) I went to the gym on Wednesday and run 40 mins at 9:30 min/mile but by the end I had some shin splints and my calf was thight too. I stretched a lot that night and decided to do the 3 mile recovery run on the bike, so there again I went to the gym (I hate that place!)! Somehow I hurt my back (another reason to hate the gym) so after a lenghty phone call discussion with my brother, I decided to take the week-end off running... like he said: "Better take a break now and run the half in 2 weeks". Which is a very sage decision and I'm happy I went with it =) Although the week-end seemed sooooooooooo long without running.

I went to see the sport therapist today and that was pretty much a lost of time and money... but I ran 3 miles on the treadmill afterwards and the leg was alright =) On Friday, I'm trying something new called Active Release Technique, I've heard it made miracles for other runners so I'm hoping this will help me too!!

Have a good running week everyone! Weather is finally nice so enjoy!

I THINK I'M IN LOVE...

with my new fuel belt! Wow, I've never experienced running with a non-bouncing belt before! That was great! I don't know why I held on for so long on my old one! =) And because Arcaner mentioned having some ice forming in his bottle of water, I decided to put the belt under my windproof coat, close to my body so it would stay warm. And it worked, everything stayed liquid for the whole 1h52 while I ran my 10 miler (11:17 min/mile). Although when I got in, I notice ice forming somewhere else, my pony tail was like a big block of ice! My legs felt tired and my body was already cold so I thought it was the best time to try this cold bath thing (can't do ice!). Well, I lasted 2 mins in there and my calf that was bothering me isn't so bad.... whether the cold bath really works or it's magical thinking!

Yesterday, I ran an uneventful 5 miles pace (9:55 min/mile) but the sun was out and it wasn't as cold as this morning so it was almost nice!

That's it for me, I think this week I will try to run only 4 days and we'll see how the calf is recovering! Happy running everyone, stay warm! =)

WHICH JOURNEY COMES WITHOUT CHALLENGES?

I guess none that involves me! After having some knee/IT band problems during my training for the Toronto Marathon back in October. I'm getting some intense calf pain in my left leg... I missed my 3 mile recovery run today to give it a break. I iced it a lot yesterday after my speedwork and some more tonight. Again, I just wish this is not something serious... I am thinking of doing 4 runs a week instead of 5 for the time remaining before the half. I know I will be running Hal Higdon's Novice II shedule for my May marathon so I will switch soon to 4 times a week anyway. I don't know why I feel like I am quitting something... And I don't want to be a quitter! But I guess I have to listen to my body as is telling me that running 5 times a week is just a bit too much right now. Especially in this weather....

RUNNING UPDATE

Well it's still very cold out, I'm not going to pretend I enjoy running in -30 weather. I ran 5 miles yesterday, will do some speedwork tonight (9X 500m at 5K pace) and then 3 miles at recovery on Thursday. I'm thinking about going to the gym... but I gotta walk to the gym so why not run outside? Ahhhh so many dilemmas…There is less than a month before the Chilly Half-Marathon, I feel ready and I really can't wait to race again!

WIND CHILL WARNING, STAY INSIDE...

While I run outside!! I felt a little crazy this morning, the weather network indicated a temperature of -18 oC feeling like -28 oC with windchill. My parents were comfortably sipping on hot coffees in my warm apartment while I went for my run... arghh I felt like putting it off but at the same time I was really excited to try on my new shoes!!! This 9 miler went by "quickly" enough, I only felt the cold for the first 3 miles after that I couldn't feel my thighs, legs, feet or face so I was alright! ;-)

Yesterday we went shopping at Birch Run, an awesome outlet mall, where I bought myself some nice Fila winter running gear and two new pairs of Nike running shoes. And today I spent some more money at the Running Factory for a new Fuel Belt, a pair of wool socks and some mittens. Hopefully my next long run will be a little warmer!!

Happy Running everyone! Stay warm! =)

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE A BEST FRIEND WHEN...

...she supports you and attends all of your races
...she is willing to dog-sit your pooch for 4 days when you're away racing with your BF
...when you broke up with that BF, she decides to come to the race and dog-sit your pooch while cheering you!
...you can call anytime of day to talk, cry and bitch about that ex
...you feel understood even when you're not speaking......

Thanks Flashy, you're the Best!!!

I love you =)