Goals for 2014

Here are my goals for 2014

• Run 1000 miles
• Run a half marathon in under 1:50
• Finish Ironman Calgary in under 6 hours
• Do 100 pushups in one sitting
• Beat Fast Alex!

Other than beating Fast Alex, doing 100 push ups may be the toughest task.  Definitely have to pick up my game?

Run of the Week: Running in the Snow

The morning after the first big snow of the year I ran outside with Fast Alex and Semi-Fast Mike.  We left from Wolf Willow through the trails to Fort Edmonton Footbridge then came back along past Fort Edmonton and along the Quesnel bridge.  The snow was pretty heavy which made for tough running, but the fresh snow on trees and trail was pretty awesome.  I found a hole in my shoe and was worried about water getting in/feet freezing so I put a ziplock bag through it, it filled with air and worked pretty well, actually.

The Route

Snowy Trail

View From the top of the Stairs

Battle of the Fast and Semi-Fast

Fort Edmonton Footbridge in the Snow

Steep Stairs

Fort Edmonton Footbridge

The Snowy Balls of Edmonton

Across the Bridge

Keeping the Cold Out of the Running Shoe Hole

  

Edmonton Fall Classic 2013 - 30th Year Awesome?

Yesterday Semi-Fast Mike and I ran the Fall Classic.  I've written about this race before here and here, it is a great fall race with a scenic course and a good pancake breakfast after.  I think it was a little more expensive this year though...

My watch was dead when I went to run, so I didn't bother with heart rate but still carried my watch with me so my running form wouldn't change.  It was nice to just be able to run without worrying about timing at all, thought I felt I couldn't ask other people what time it was since I was holding I watch in my hand, and didn't want to seem strange.

I started the race pretty strong, near the back of the field but passed people consistently for the first several miles.  At the out and back SF Mike was only a little way behind, running pretty strong as well.  However, my left foot was starting to go numb and just before the half way point I had to sit down and take my shoe off.  My split time was still 45 minutes, which was pretty good.  The first 10 minutes or so of the second half involved me sitting down and taking my shoe off every little while, but after that I slowed down and sorted the problem out by about 2/3 of the way into the race.  I felt pretty strong the last bit, though in a little pain as always.  I crossed the finish line in just under 1:34, an improvement from last year but short of a PB.  Next year I guess?

After the Fall Classic

Special Medals for 30th Anniversary Run

Run of the Week - Classic River Valley Run From Downtown

In keeping with my ninety minute runs once a week training plan, yesterday I ran with Mike for 90. It was a classic river valley run from his downtown apartment, very scenic with the fall weather and what not. Features of the run:

• lots of solid trail running
• good fall views of the rivers and trees
• ran up the Kinsmen hill
• finished on the legislature steps

River Valley Running Route

View of the University

Running by the River

Thumbs Up in Hawrylak

Mike Finishes Strong at the Legislature

Registered for the Fall Classic

Just before the price jump Mike and I registered for the Fall Classic.  It is the 30th annual race, and it will be the third year in a row I've done it (see here and here)  so it should be a great experience.

I'm not sure what my goal time will be, I was going to try to get a PB but I don't think I'm really in good enough shape too.  I've been running 90 minutes every Sunday but then slacking during the week, only getting in 1 or 2 more runs a week.  It'll be interesting to see what effect that has on my overall time?  Fast Alex is still injured and so sitting this one out, so it isn't quite as competitive an event.

Semi Fast Mike is Also Racing

Run of the Week: Commonwealth Track Workout

Mike Post Workout

Higdon called for a 6 mile "race" this past weekend, and it was pouring rain, so we headed to Commonwealth for an inside run.  I like to run inside when you want to track how fast you are going because it makes it much easier to keep track of your speed.  My plan was to go the first 2 miles at 9:00 min/mile, then the middle two to 8:30 min/mile, then finally drop down to 8:00 min/mile for the final two.  Unfortunately, I couldn't get to 8:00 min/mile, due to fitness and math problems but I did manage to hit the other two goal paces.  Unless I can seriously improve my fitness between now and race day it is going to be tough to make much of an improvement on my PB, but hopefully I can top it.

Pace and Heart Rate

After the run we hit the pool, including the water slide, climbing wall, steam room, and hot tub.  We even saw the Eskimos injured qb, which was pretty cool.  I've decided my new tradition is to hit the water slide at least once every time I workout inside.  Seems solid so far, if immature?

Run of the Week - San Diego Style

Last week I was in San Diego, so I ran along the waterfront downtown there.  It is pretty nice, interesting running, tons of other runners, and I had good weather too.  My heart rate was pretty low (average 151) for a slow but OK pace (average 10:00 min/mile), so possibly being at sea level helped out?


View Larger Map

 I would definitely recommend this running route, if you are in downtown San Diego it seems like a great place to run.

I went just past the Hilton, where this view is from, all along the walkway seen here

Ran past the USS Midway twice

View of the Run Route from the Bay