SNOWSTORM OF THE YEAR!

We rarely have lot of snow in Windsor. And we never really have snow on the ground before I leave for the Christmas vacation, let alone that much (15 cm)!! That's quite a big deal here! Rocky has snow up to his neck, he has to jump like a little Rabbit to move! It is so funny! =) At least we don't have as much as Montreal or Toronto (up to 50 cm!).

CHICKEN?

We've been having some crazy hot weather these days, I'm talking high 30's with humidex (100 F). I tried to wake up early today but no luck. My body just didn't want to do it. It's already 34 oC here and I'm in no desire to get out of my cool A⁄C apartment..... Yep, you can call me lazy =(

I'll see how it feels when the sun goes down and I might venture tonight. As for today, I am doing nothing! Walked for 20 mins with Rocky and I was in sweat. Thursday 4 miler was done in 44 mins and with the pooch so we're getting pretty good at this ;-)

BACK TO OUR REGULAR SCHEDULE.....

Okay.... I admit it, I slacked off, big time last week. Only one 3 miler on Wednesday. But this week is a new beginning, I'm commiting to run on Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday-Sunday.

I tried to get up early, like last year's 5AMs, but I can't do it this time around. So, I decided to run in the evening. By the time I finish work and walk my dog, I'm out the door for 6h30-7PM. It was hot tonight, 33 oC, but I had a great 3 mile run (3o mins). I'm pretty happy with my time considering the heat, I felt thirsty after 5 mins of running and I had 3 L of water during the day... Very important to stay hydrated in such weather!

I am so in love with my running skirt, I dunno how I ever did all summer in capris last year's. I took a pic for those who were wondering what it looks like. Sorry about the cut off head but it is hard to take a full body shot with the camera timer... :o)

Happy running everyone!

A HARD 12 MILER???

After having 2 awesome 20 milers I never thought I would say that but this 12 miler was painful!! I know why... and it's totally my own fault so I am sucking it up right now...

Yesterday

-I didn't drink my water

-I didn't carbload

-I didn't go to bed early

-I drank too much wine!!

Today

- I slept in 'till 11!!

- I waited until midday to get out the door

It was 25oC and the sun was killing me, I was sweating big time, my contact lenses were burning.... I felt like I weighted 300 lbs not a fun sight... It was getting better around 6 miles when I turned around and the wind was in my face, so refreshing... Anyway, 12 miler in the book with an average pace of 11:34 min/mile.

On a happier note, I went to Point Pelee yesterday and I had a good walk with Rocky there. The point was covered with water though, we couldn't go very far, here is a picture of the pooch and I!

Have a good running week everyone!!!

WHAT A GREAT WEEK-END!!!

The weather was AWESOME (high 20's oC/ 80F), the 20 miler went great, even got a tan out of it! I finished a bit faster than the previous one, my pace was 11:14 min/mile instead of 11:31, the absence of snow and wind really helping with this! It went by very quickly nothing hurt at all, I just have to figure something out for the sweat in my eyes. The baseball cap is not preventing this and it is truly annoying to use my t-shirt sleeve! When I got back home, I had my usual cold bath but I was a bit stiff in the afternoon this time. At least it was all gone on Sunday! I even went for a 3h bike ride yesterday and stopped to read by the Detroit River.

It is now taper time and I sure am going to enjoy it!

Have a good running week everyone! =)

GO AWAY WINTER GO NOW!!

I HATE YOU SNOW!
I HATE YOU WIND!
WINTER, JUST GO AWAY NOW!

WHY DID WE GET A SNOW STORM ON APRIL 7TH??

Rant is over now, it's good to get it off my chest... I ended up running 20 miles @ 11:31 min/mile pace. Where is my chocolate now?!?

SPRING THAW????

Spring has come and gone here! After our wonderful heat wave last week, the weather cool down just in time for the race. It was really chilly on Sunday morning!! And the race started 30 mins late, I was completely frozen after 5 minutes and even if I was cheering the kids at the dash and 1K, I could barely feel my feet by the beginning of the race!!! Once the gun went off (I didn't even heard it, just followed people who started running!), cold feet and hands didn't matter anymore!! I didn't want to stat too crazy, as this is my biggest issue with races. So, I tried a 8:20 min/mile pace which is a pace that I think I could have maintained if I had been running on fresh legs (I ran 11 miles the day before). When I realised the legs were not cooperating as much as I wanted, I just tried to keep my pace around 9 min/mile for the whole time. The race went by fast!! I had completely forgotten how short a 5K race is after running all these longer distances!! I did it in 27:33 which is a PR for me, improving my time by almost 2 minutes!!! My last 5K was on Canada Day with 29:29. The best thing about this: a sub 9 min/mile pace!!!! 8:52 min/mile is so sexy =) Also, I finally made out of the "Back of the pack", I'm not a proud "Middle of the pack" (12/24 in my AG)!! Yay, I'm so happy with my improvements this year so far!

I noticed Shelley's Ironman hat when she made the U-turn, she had been running right in front of me! =) I had a chance to talk to her after the race and it is very nice to meet a fellow blogger, especially someone who is such an inspiration to me! She never stops, has more energy than the energizer bunny!! I mean she is training for her 7th Ironman this year!!

Today was a rest day, tomorrow back to our normal running schedule (5 miles). Have a good week everyone!

YOU KNOW SPRING IS HERE WHEN....

-It's 20 oC outside and you can run in capris and a tank top
-The usually deserted streets are full of people just hanging out on the front porch
-You don't see any more snow
-The birds are singing
-You decide to run 8 miles at pace (10:22 min/mile) instead of the plan 4 because it's so nice and you can't stop....
-Last but not least: you're running through MicMac Park and you see people having sex in the back seat of a car! yes I did see you in the Grey Mazda Protégé!!!

Have a good day everyone =) it's still gorgeous here and I'm going to do a slow 4 miler tonight!

RAINING... AGAIN....

I ran 4 miles on Tuesday (10:30 min/mile) and then 30 min tempo run on Wednesday (9:35 min/mile). And tonight was 2 miles in pouring rain.... again... grr! We're having this freezing rain warning going. I decided to bring the pooch along tonight, makes the run more enjoyable =) And I knew I wouldn't have to walk him in the rain after (bonus!). He did start to slow down considerably after 1.5 miles, he was way behind me!!! I believe he can run 3 miles but 2 miles is a great distance for him. I would have love to adopt a bigger dog and be able to do all the runs with him, maybe one day!

I just checked the weather network and it seems that Sunday will be a great Race Day! Sunny with a high of -1 oC and a min of -6 oC and wind of 20 km/h. Perfect! Well this has time to change like 20 times in the meantime but at least the outlook is good!! I can't wait till the road trip, Flashy is coming with me! This is going to be great!!! =)

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!

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! =)

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! =)