Training Log Archive: Mrs. Tiny

Long run. With many trails in questionable shape, I headed up to Waterloo park where I thought the trails might be clearer (they're paved, so melt faster). Took a long route up, needed a pit stop and decided I could pick up some company for part of the run if I dropped by my sister in law's place. Ronin (their pooch) was all too happy to come along for an hour. :) dropped Ronin off after another hour. Then toured around the park again, then on to breithaupt park for some trail loops. Most trails were slushy, but it meant that the ice was also softened, making it runnable.

A very tough run solo, but got it done. Ronin definitely helped break it up. :)

C • Nice job! 4

Stars training. 2 fast times around the course. Chased a teenager the first time... so tiring. hard run with snow and ice making things even tougher than trying to chase a 16 year old would already be! Haha.

Warm-up / cool-down and intervals at Breithaupt. A few slick spots, but trails were in pretty good condition... winter condition... sigh. ;)
4 min on, 2 min off, X 6

Run at the Hydrocut with Funderstorm - good trail conditions for running today - not as sloppy as the last time we were there, which was nice. Coach Tiny said I needed to run for 2.5 hrs, so after Funderstorm had to leave for her beer serving duties at Food & Drink Hamilton, I did a little extra loop to get the time in. Legs were feeling a bit tired after stepmill and bodypump.

... or as Funderstorm would call it the 'Dreaded stepmill'

Tough... had to decrease the level at the end, was so tempted to just 'trip' to get off the stupid thing. Good for me, but evil.

C • embarrassed... 4

As I was supposed to do 1 hr of running, I decided that the stepmill was probably a good alternative in partner with 30 min of running. The first 15-20 minutes were uncomfortable with jello legs. Felt much better for the last half and then was rather sad when I had to get off to get ready for work. Strange...

After a bit of a bumpy start (me not finding the parking lot, getting the CORRECT directions, then meeting up with the ladies), but once we were out, it was great. A very tough run with Mrs. Gally and Virginia (not sure if she has an AP name?) along the Bruce in Halton. Mrs. Gally lead the way and it was a great time with two great women. The trails weren't too bad in many places, but definitely with the warmer two days getting quite slushy and we spent a fair bit trekking through deeper snow.

Mrs. Gally had originally planned a Hockley loop, but with the promise of terrible, slushy trail conditions, we altered our plan for some better used trails. Bent decided to try Hockley today, so can't wait to hear how it was!

C • Hockley Loop 4

Weights at the gym, plus a very short treadmill warm up. When I stepped outside of the office to head to the gym, I couldn't believe I was about to go work out INSIDE on such a beautiful day, but coach Tiny gave me strict instructions it was strength training day, so indoors I went.

Coach Tiny had me running hill repeats (treadmill since it was stupid cold out this morning and I'm done with -20C running...). 6 repeats, 3 min hill, 7% grade, 5.5 speed, 'break' at 2% grade, no speed change 1.5 min. Whatever that all works out to be... the last hill felt like 3 hrs... not 3 min. I assume that's a good thing! :) Warm-up and cool-down time included.

I went through 4 treadmills this morning - the first one was too high-tech for me... it kept beeping at me and the sound kept cutting in and out, the touch screen buttons weren't working properly (and / or, I couldn't figure them out, whichever), the second, the sound wasn't working for the TV - no good, the third, the little screens that show grade and speed weren't working, so I could adjust them, but couldn't tell what they were set at... not so useful. Luckily, treadmill #4 was working just fine. :)

Long run with Funderstorm at Hilton Falls. Funderstorm suggested we try there to ensure we had a nice, packed-down trail run, and she picked a good option. Trails were in great condition and the weather was very cooperative. Ran into my brother at the start of the run (he was out skiing), which was pretty funny "hey, I think I know that guy...".

This was a very tough run for me, my lungs were / are still not back up to full capacity. Definitely a struggle to keep pace with Funderstorm, but she was gracious as always - allowing me a hack break here and there. :)

Had a lunch out after our run to ensure we consumed every calorie we'd burned (afterall... why would one run, but to eat?!?). :) Delicious salad, a beer, beer battered fish and fries... mmmm..... Ok.. I'm hungry again.

J-e-l-l-o - that's what I am. Typing is even hard... how will I ever bring my coffee cup to my lips... must... find... strength... reserve. slllurrrrrp. Or... I could bring my lips to the cup... ahhhhh.

Making up for lost time on my Thursday run - made it a difficult pace (post body pump, it probably wasn't that fast... just felt hard). Lungs ok during run, but holy hack attack after I stopped. Felt sorry for the people near me. I'm sure they were grossed out. Wore my minimalist shoes, which added some extra difficulty (have not run in them for a looong time).

Failed run this morning. Lungs not happy, coughing, hacking, etc. Not sure if the cold temp made it worse of just the running. Am going to try a treadmill run tomorrow morning and see how that feels.

Gym fail. Tiny pushed me out of bed this morning for spin class. Wasn't feeling so great, but was hopeful that getting to the gym would help (as it has in so many other cases). Not so much today. Left after three songs in spin class. My lungs were burning (not from working hard) and I was feeling a little light headed, so decided it was best if I just stopped. My cough has moved into my chest... little bugger.

C • boo.... 3

Feeling sick and tired. Not a great combination. Hoping I can drag myself to spin class in the morning for some mental therapy, just might not be able to push very hard when breathing is umm... less than ideal (cough cough, snuffle, snort, etc).

Funderstorm and I endeavored to do a run at the Hydrocut...I had a great time, but calling it a 'run' would be slightly inaccurate. I think a snow adventure run-hike would be closer to what happened. :)

Although the Hydrocut is well used, all the recent wind blew snow over most of the trails on the Glasgow side which made it a fun adventure not knowing if you'd step on the narrow, packed trail, or just off the trail and sink in past your knee. Great fun! (no, seriously, I was giggling through all of this). We decided to up the ante on the adventure and make our way to the pines side in hopes that it was a bit more sheltered, a bit more recently used and therefore a bit more runnable. After a 1km trek, we made it to packed trails and managed to get an actual 'run' in. It was a gorgeous day to be out for some adventuring.

Funderstorm was lamenting her book smarts but lack of 'street smarts' (in relation to thinking it was a good idea to go running in the Hydrocut), then on the way back (on road instead of another 1km slog), she said "Oh, let's run along the rail line"!. I replayed our earlier conversation and in consideration that and how active I know the line to be, gave a definite "No" to that idea. ;)