Triple C

I know some of you are a bit crazy for calorie counting and I've come across this lovely little tool on the Runner's World website...

Runner's World Calorie Counter

It will give you an idea of the calorie burn on different types of runs.  If you're anything like me, this will give you free license to chow down! 

Also- for those that don't want to take the time to input the numbers, here is an article that gives a general idea of those calories burned on different runs.  Keeping in mind of course that every body is so incredibly different that this is just a general average. 

Runner's World Calories Burned While Running

And 1 more small tidbit...

I love this ad campaign...LOVE it.  It captures exactly the reason why I log miles and miles and miles.  Nice work Asics!

Second Rice Defeat

It's true.  My sister was recently tricked by Vince and the Motley Crue into thinking her liver was half its age. The result?   Copious liquor consumption (sadly though, no Durangos) followed by defeat via snowbank wipeout and a hangover.  I, on the other hand, have been defeated by bronchitis.

My doctor has banned me from running. B-A-N-N-E-D.  In his more than most serious manner (and this is one stoic dude) he informed me that running, in no uncertain terms was the worst idea possible.  Then he loaded me up with steriods and antibiotics.  Truthfully, I have followed doctor's orders given the fact that I am simply too sick and therefore don't even feel like running (CRAZY) because my bod is screaming at me to rest and heal.  However, I am starting to feel the itch...the weather is getting better...and I want to be out there!  Again, I have to remind myself that this rest is very, very good for me and is the best present I can give myself.  Maybe Sunday might be the day to get back out there...we'll see...

And back to my previous thoughts...really Durangos?  Flavoured beer?  Yuck.  But maybe a tasty treat when we were 16.  Way back in the day when these dudes were way more cool...and less puffy...

Rock on.

Peace out.

In Case of Confusion

Just in case anyone is slightly confused...thank-you Wikipedia...

"Running is a means for an animal to move on foot. It is defined in sporting terms as a gait in which at some point all feet are off the ground at the same time. This is in contrast to walking, where one foot is always in contact with the ground, the legs are kept mostly straight and the center of gravity rides along fairly smoothly on top of the legs. The term running can refer to any of a variety of speeds ranging from jogging to sprinting."

People- both feet off the ground at the same time.  Got it?  Good.

Superbowl weekend.  In my crystal ball I see the Saints winning.  I also see myself consuming a few Summer in a cans and some salty snacks.  Which means I better get my butt out there and partake in the aforementioned definition. 

Peace out.

Look out Chicago!

It's official!  Look out Chicago!  I am invading your city to pound the pavement on the 10th of October.  Which I just realized is 10-10-10.  I believe this bodes well for me...I happen to like even numbers.  EXCITING!

There is just something about running a marathon of this magnitude that really gets me excited about running all over again.  In fact, I get downright tingly.  All over.  From the top of my head to the very tips of my toes.  There is just something so magical about running a 26.2 with 45 000 other running crazed lunatics.  I dare say there will be an awesome energy in and around the city and its participants on that day.  I'm also very excited to have travel buddies for this one!  That's right- "TG" will be in attendance for the marathon and will be in fine form, no doubt.  I know we're ready for Chicago...but if Chicago is ready for us I cannot say.  And one final note...just a quick mention so as to not shift the cosmos too terribly much...it appears that there is not ONE, but TWO members of "TG" registered for this running event...

I know- it's only FEBRUARY and I'm not one to want life to pass me by...but...
HURRY UP OCTOBER!

Just So You Know...

I haven't been running for 1 week. 

And I feel a bit like a crazed maniac.  Like a caged animal.  Like a prisoner in my own body.

Maybe a bit of an exaggeration on all fronts, but I'm PISSED.  I was working extra hard to get this bod ready for some intense marathon training.  And then I got bronchitis.  Not the doctor diagnosed kind, but the self diagnosed kind in which I cannot stop hacking (the nurse at work informed me this is damaging my lungs; sorry lungs) and I feel like I'm breathing through a straw.

Oprah and Dr.Phil, you were distracting for a couple of days, but I'm over you now.  I just want to go running.  Do you hear that universe?  DO YOU HEAR IT?  I don't ask for a lot (at least I don't think I do)...but I am going to ask for this.  Please.  For the sake of my sanity.  Cure this damn bronchitis and LET ME RUN.

Its a Running Explosion!

At least it is according to the people at lulu...

One chaney and I were in one of the mall lulu's on Saturday...which we decided was completely against the lulu philosophy...and we were informed by a rather chipper luluite (or is it lulutian?)  that "Running is exploding this year."

It made me gigle. I pictured this...

But instead of fire I pictured all of these mini runners bursting out of the explosion and scurrying every which way.  Interesting.  Ok- maybe just weird.



Please people.  Can we weigh in on this?  First of all- is running REALLY exploding this year?  And more importantly- is it luluite or lulutian?

LOST

Well, we weren't really lost, but it sure turned into a LONG one!

Christmas day. The fam and I decided to head out for a jog...you know the feeling, after eating and drinking and eating and drinking and napping and eating some more, it was high time we got our Christmas bods out there and did something good for them. I should mention that we were in Florida in Del Boca Vista (think the Seinfeld's retirement community) which is quite pleasant. Perhaps we could even call it Pleasantville. Anyhow, we set out for a bit of a jog and we (in all honesty it was me) got a bit turned around. And we came out a few miles further from home than we expected. Oops.

So in fine Rice-Wirvin form, we kept slogging away, a term I use very loosely since slogging in shorts and a t-shirt on a clear, paved golf cart path in +15 is much different from slogging in multi-layers through ice and snow in -30. And we finally did make it home. Just in time to eat a guilt-free, carb-loaded Christmas dinner. Yum. And in the process, we created a new challenge. Every year on Christmas, we will run one mile further than the previous Christmas. Which means next Christmas we will be out for a nice little 11 mile jaunt. Take that Christmas baking. Take that.

New Year, New Year's Resolutions and New Challenges! EXCITING! Anyone dong anything crazy? Running a new distance? Embarking on training to improve times? Triathlons? Anyone? Me, I joined a running group! Yep, that's right...I am no longer a solitary runner. I am a groupie. The group is through Mount Royal College and is predominantly for speed work. This is exciting as doing those damn intervals is tough on your own. I found it a little too easy to talk myself out of them. Being part of a group makes me just a wee bit more accountable. Last night was the first session...we did a warm up and some agility stuff and then did a 6 minute fartlek (alternating slow/fast running), followed by a 1 km time trial. And some core work. Yes, yes, yes it's going to be a good year!