Training Log Archive: phatty

Goose and I went to Albion in the crisp, early AM - snow's coming...I can feel it! Really tried to toe off using first and second toes with the help of the Barefoot Science insoles. So far so good as no pain as what I would normally feel.

C • Hey, Congrats!! 5

Solo ride SE to Kleinburg area, W to north end of Brampton, N to Old School Rd, and back to B-Town. Not particularly hilly but very windy in places.

Went to see Dr. Larry Bell DC in Orillia about my ongoing knee issue. After a few tests, he concluded that the majority of the reason for the knee pain stems from my feet. While I have super flat feet and have used orthotics and control shoes to deal with it, my arches are incredibly weak. Add in a locked cuboid bone and incredibly inflexible toes (eg. They hardly bend back at all so my toe off is lateral rather than off the first two toes) and
it's no wonder I've been phuct up! So, he worked me over pretty hard and recommended Barefoot Science insoles. I've also got some specific exercises that I'm to do to strengthen my arches as well as increase flexibility. For the first time in a long time, I think I see the light at the end of the tunnel...and it's not the pain train!

Night run around B-Town while Leanimal made me a calzone...mmm-mmm good.

No better description for the repeats that CoachLD put together for us. Up, down, up, down, up, down...over and over again on the hill at Bash and Bents' place. Good session. Of course, Goose crushed as his skills are mad.

Gave it what I had at the THOMASS near Campbellville and if I was a 1 handicap, my race would have been great. However, that little issue of a missing x-zone in my execution of the racecourse didn't help...damn...I knew it was too good to be true! Miller and I had a good battle going in the early going and when I couldn't see him in front of me anymore, I should have clued in. Of course not, I'd keep hammering anyway. I was pleased with how my compass work was going and while I'm sure I was guilty of using people in front of me as clues to the whereabouts of the upcoming CP, I think I raced pretty honestly. So honest, that when I got to the finish line with the dudes that usually crush me, realized my error, I went back with Hammer to the missed section to give it a go. Much more spread out and took a bit to do.

I didn't feel like the racecourse was an even playing field as the Elite Males didn't have a hope of catching everyone else and I would be surprised if there were one in the top ten overall. Just too much extra distance. With that said, I only race to see where I stack up against the others in my category...well okay, I only race to see where I stack up against Tiny! I'll have to wait until next time as this one didn't count!

C • Handicapped 2

Ran down the road (and back) to do the section that I missed in the race. Sh!t.

Centreville / Patterson / MT Wolfe route on road bikes with ARWC athlete, Leanimal. I think that's my first time on that bike since August...YIKES! Tried to dust her on the hills, taking advantage of the 850 km in her legs last week, to make myself feel awesome! I know, I'm a big, big man.

Got a decent run around Bolton on roads and trail - had to take back episode 1 of season 5 of 24...so addicted! Felt way out of shape and tired. Will persevere!

Falling asleep whilst skiing so took a quick nap beside the car. Didn't have it today...

THOMASS Forks of the Credit (Jan-10) - Racecourse Planning: Out for longer than this, and I did run quite a bit, but given that I was checking the map over and over again, searching for better spots for a CP, realizing that things in the real world don't exactly match the map, and starving/thirsting for eats/water (oops, didn't bring any), I did my fair share of low intensity stuff.

For those who are planning to race this event, and actually read my uninteresting training of late, this course is going to be good fun. I've managed to throw in a bunch of decision-making for all handicap levels. This is seemingly flat terrain when you look at the map, but be assured, the hills are rolling and plentiful. With the box that I've put together, all handicaps will drop 2 CPs - eg. there are 8 in total and those with a handicap of 0 have to do 6 of them. So, yes, there's lots of choice and as I've learned through the distance measuring, the shortest routes aren't obvious (at least for me....but that's not saying much)...and in many cases, they're the hardest work. Choose wisely my friends!

Don't worry, Bash is making sure I don't screw this up and create another, Leanimal-esque controversy...bazing!...although, for the record, that was the best THOMASS I can recall in the last couple of years that I've done.

C • Jan. 17 6

Finally got some time away from the Sales Meeting for a run. Went arount Banff and the bottom of Tunnel MTN with Philthy. As we went along a closed off road, we saw a couple of four legged forms ahead of us on the snowy route we were headed on. The backs were fairly high so they were likely a couple of elk. Of course, Philthy was scared that they were bears, cried a little, but we threw rocks and yelled to get them away. Philthy was less scared when he remembered that if they were bears, he'd only have to out run me!

Spent today just basking in the glorious afterglow of last night's race. I have had a full day buzz and still feel as giddy as a school girl. If only Leanimal and my friends could have seen me running. If it wasn't dark over 90% of the route, I'm sure that spectators would have stood and stared in awe of a truly masculine specimen running with such grace and power. I must have looked like a cross between a unicorn, effortlessly prancing along the route, and that of a tiger, bounding uphill with such power. The post-race party was also tremendous. I can't remember the last time I had so many wine-spritzers and danced all night. I have to say that it must have been my finest race ever and I'm considering giving up AR to switch to road racing. I've always been attracted to the short shorts that runners wear, and now that compression socks are generally accepted by athletes, I think that it's time to make the switch. I'm also looking forward to wearing tank tops. Tank tops don't get much use in AR but seem very popular in road running. I think that they look beautiful. The only problem is that my wife would never let me leave the house in one because I would look too good. I'll have to figure out a way to get around this. I guess that the other thing I'll have to do is stop leaving my AP account open on my buddies computers. Who knows what they might write if they discovered that my profile was still logged on?

C • Congratulations 5

C • Got it at unicorn. 2

Winterstart, Banff, AB - After months of preparation and training, it was finally the day. Oh yes, the 5 Miler in Banff dans le nuit. I originally thought it was a trail race so I likely didn't need the XT Hawks. Instead, I realized that this was my 3rd road race. Pretty flat to start, so Zoolander took off like a dude wearing Exo 3/4 Tights in the Autobahn / Bright Red colourway...you know, as one does. I took it pretty easy as I didn't know the course or how tough the Tunnel MTN climb would be. I got passed again and again on the flat but when the hill came, that was my time to strike. My legs fired away and I passed a whack of folks, made the turn and let it rip back down as best I could...without slipping on the snowy road. Back on the flats, I continued to pass people and didn't realize the finish was so close. Dropped it into top gear and gave'r to the line...almost 4 minutes behind Zoolander...doah! Definitely left some on the course but decent result.

Dark run around b-town, stopping off to wish CoachLD a happy '40th'.

Up HVT to Duffy's and back via roads as the trail was bloody slippery and the coyotes were scaring Goose...big time...I think I saw a tear of fear.

C • Race 2

Goose's session for the birthday woman, CoachLD began with a portage to the Humber River from their house. We definitely got a few odd looks from passers-by, as we lugged our boats along the neighbourhood streets in the middle of fall. We then ran to the Humber Camp area, quite derelict now, and back to their place.

Up to Albion for CoachLD's b-day present treasure hunt. Slippery underneith the leaves but still that fall smell hanging in the air.

Ran up to the stashed boats along the Humber. The two river crossings were chilly on our legs.

Fun paddle downstream to complete the 50km tour sans carbon emissions! Good day! Great job, Goose!