P.S.

Just in case anyones wondering (and I thought you might be since its the weekend)...

BEER+WINE=BAD 18km RUN

I know this from personal experience- last weekend.  I finished all 18km- but it was ugly.  And I had to go to bed for the rest of the day on Sunday.  Never, ever again.  Body, I really do promise you...at least that I won't do it before a run!

Run Runaway

What a gem!  An absolute gem!



I dare say this song has inspired me!  Time for a new running playlist.   This time only songs with the word "run" in the title will be included.  I like it.  Any suggestions, my running-crazed peeps?

Speaking of running crazed peeps, is anyone running in Calgary today?  Because if you are, they you are definitely crazy...maybe even insane.  We've just been hit by a major winter storm and it is Brutal.  Yep, that's right- with a capital B.  Even this running crazed lunatic is opting for yoga.  In the hot room.  Where it's warm and lovely and feels like Hawaii.

And before I forget- Run Runaway- Slade version?  Or Great Big Sea?  Thoughts?

Running from A-Z

So I have a dandy idea for a new running goal!

Well, to be fair...this really isn't MY idea, I borrowed it from one of the women, Jan,  in my Thursday night speedwork group. 

Here it is:
I am going to complete a marathon that starts with every letter of the alphabet. 

Yep, you heard right...I'm going to run a marathon that starts with EVERY letter of the alphabet.  So that would be 26 marathons.  Not necessarily in alphabetical order.  EXCITING!  What a fabulous idea, Jan!  I can't wait to get started!   I should also mention that I am SUPER impressed with how far Jan is into this most excellent of running adventures and wish her all the luck in the world in Duluth in June!

To be fair, I am going to count the ones I've already done...although since I've completed 4 Calgary's and a Boston it really only takes care of 2 letters.  And Chicago in October won't help me along since I have taken care of "C" 4 times in Calgary already.  Hmmm.  I think I'm going to have to start going to do more than 1 a year if I have any hope of completing this before I'm old and grey.  But that's OK since I now train SMARTER!  More on that later...

Boston was on Monday.  I wish I had been there running it.  Once you've run Boston, a little part of your heart will always wish you were chuggin' away up and over those Newton hills!  Check out the video of the women's and men's finish.  Monumental, both of them, the women's because it yet again came down to seconds (after an almost 2+ minutes lead) and the men's because it was a record breaking run!  Watch the video all the way to the end to see the men's finish.

Just Because...

...I think this will put everyone in an awesome mood if you aren't already on this bright and sunny Monday morning!



I especially like the dancing and the high wasited jeans that are part of the all denim outfit.  Really, what's not to love? 

Maybe this should be everyone's download for a new running song, yes?  Thoughts?

Juxtaposition

Last Friday when I went for my long run, it was like this...

This week when I ventured out for my long run, it was like this...

Any guesses which run was better?

It's not rocket science, that's for sure!  Beautiful sunshine, warm temperatures and calm winds made for a much, much for fabulous run for me!  It was just a positive experience all around. 

This is in COMPLETE juxtaposition to my run the previous Friday.  Can I be honest?  That run was so awful I just about cried...almost, but not quite...OK...MAYBE a tear or two, but I'm not sure, it could have been from the wind.  I was at least an hour away from home with a ridiculously frigid north wind practically blowing me right off the path.  I like to think that I'm kind of a hearty runner (ARJR forcing me out of bed for a -30 run or two in the Peg helped with the hearty factor), but this was just plain miserable.  In fact, it was quite enough to make me question my sanity and what the hell I was doing out in the great out of doors when I could be snuggled up on my couch with a blanket and a good book. I actually walked a few times...and believe me, I never, EVER walk.

And then this Friday happened.  Almost like summer.  And it was enough to erase the previous weeks run from my recent memory and I was just content to be out in the world, padding along the path, loving life.  Amazing.

How Do I Love Thee?

Dear Running-

I love you. It’s really that simple. You just make my life better. You make my life easier. You make my life less complicated and more pleasant to exist in. So I just love you. I really can’t explain it any better than that.

I know we have faced some hard times, like all the times we had breaks from each other. Sometimes I felt like you deserted me. I would see you in the park, on the pathways, sidewalks and tracks with other people and I admit it, I felt jealous. I know that you would never, ever leave me or cheat on me, but it was hard to see you with other people. When we decided it was time to get back together, I loved that we could pick up right where we left off. I mean, I know we had to work at it, to get to the level we were at before the break, but it was worth it and our relationship was just better in the long run…hee- get it? Long run?

I want you to know that I have NEVER held it against you when I’ve been injured, sore or tired. I know that every relationship has its ups and downs, and those are just a part of the trials and tribulations that we face in our life together. I have done my best to give you what you need- good fuel, full nights of sleep, massages and physio, and I know that you have appreciated those things whole heartedly. I do apologize if, on occasion, I seem to be a bit selfish after a long night of self indulgence if I abandon you or if it seems as if I am forcing you out onto the path when you really don’t want to go. I know those days are tough, but I appreciated your perseverance to stick with me. I sure do owe you a lot!

I guess, Running, I just wanted to say thanks for all you do for me…I really do appreciated the mental and physical health that you bring me and want you to know that I promise to keep you in my life forever. You really are the best. I truly do love you more than you will ever know.

xoxo- ME

One Great City

I'm in the Peg...the Dub...the 2-oh-4...

For those of you the require a translation, that would be WINNIPEG!  Also know as One Great City.  And it really is one great city.  Big trees.  Moisture in the air.  Affordable.  What's not to love?  Not quite this green just yet, but it will be...yes, yes it will be...

Truth?  It looks about like this right now...

Yikes!  Scary!  But lovely just the same...

Today I went for my speed interval workout.  I did it at the Gritty Grotto.  For those Peg-neophytes, the Grotto is the gym on the U of M Campus.   I've heard plenty about this gym, but have never had the full grotto experience until today.  And an experience it was.  I was running in a basement on a track made from rubberized interlocking patio stones. The gym equipment was from perhaps the mid 70's.  I was half expecting John Travolta to strut around the corner in a pair of skin tight white polyester pants with his shirt unzipped to his navel sporting a lovely gold medallion with Stayin' Alive blasting in the background.  It was DARK.  I wasn't sure if it was midnight or noon or what.  The ceiling was low.  The air was moist.  And it had a particular smell, although I'm not sure if I can relate the smell to anything I've ever smelt before...it might be a very unique Gritty Grotto smell all of its own.  Unfortunately, I don't have a pic for a good visual; I was slightly intimidated by the "NO CAMERA" signs everywhere and didn't want to get bounced from the Grotto on my first trip.  Mainly because I thought it was GREAT!  Definitley not the newest or most beautiful gym I've ever been to, but there was just something about the Grotto that tugged at my heart strings. 

And before I sign off, a quick note.  I LOVE running in Winnipeg.  Love, Love Love.  Why?  Here's why...

1. Friendly runners.  Everyone says hi.  Good morning.  Great day for a run.  Whatever...they just acknowledge your presence on the trail.  LOVE establishing camraderie with fellow runners.  In Calgary, when I say "hello"  to fellow runners on the path they generally either: ignore me, look at me like I'm crazy, or think really, really hard about where they perhaps they know me from since I wouldn't be saying hi unless I knew them...strange.

2. Its flat.  Perfectly flat.  In fact, I dare you to find a hill.  ARJR and I found one once...but it was more of a mound to be fair.  Not that I don't like hills, but I kinda feel like a rock star when I'm chuggin' along in Winnipeg.  Flat and fast.  Nice.

3. Tough runners.  Last winter when I was here my sister woke me up at 5:30 a.m. for a little jog before she went to work.  While you may be wondering what's tough about a 5:30 morning jog, I should mention that it was -40.  Yep- -40.  Running in a snowsuit was tricky but we managed.  And I should also mention that we weren't the only ones out there.  Runners in the Peg- a hearty bunch for sure!