Weird.

So.  I was running.  Yesterday.  Shocking, I know.  And there was a song on my ipod that I knew, and LOVED- I believe it was a Tom Petty song...maybe...maybe not...truth?  I can't really remember because,after all, it was a whole 12 hours ago.  Anyhow, point of this short but sweet story being, is that I have no idea how this song got on my ipod.  I surely didn't download it...and I don't think I uploaded it.  Strange.  But enjoyable just the same.  I guess the ipod fairy must have paid a visit to my place and guessed that I liked that song and ever so discreetly placed it on my pod for me.  What a sweet, sweet thing that ipod fairy...

And just in case you needed a bit of awesomeness today, here it is...

And with that, I must work...

Inspiration

Today when I was out for my long run, I thought frequently about Terry Fox.  I'm certain his story requires no official details or introduction, but in case you live in a dank and dark cave in the middle of nowhere and happen to be reading my blog, Terry Fox was a young man who embarked on a cross Canada run called the Marathon of Hope in order to raise money and awareness for cancer, the disease that took his leg.   When I was running this morning, there were times when my knees and back were aching and my stomach was not 100%.  And as I was running along, I noticed the signs for the Terry Fox run...and I was so very humbled.  Here I was, running on TWO legs that work perfectly well, on TWO knees that have carried me where ever I have asked them to take me, with 100% health as I am free of sickness and disease.  Terry Fox ran the equivalent of a marathon every single day during his Marathon of Hope, and he did it all with an artificial leg and much, much less that 100% health.  In doing so, he started a legacy that our whole nation has embraced and has raised millions upon millions of dollars for cancer research, and perhaps even more valuable, he has brought awareness to a disease that kills many.  More than that, I thought about how it is that it just takes one small person with one big dream to make a difference and change the world.  Terry Fox is a hero for many different reasons, but to me he is a hero because he did what most don't have the courage to do.  He had a huge dream and what would seem to many to be an unachievable goal.  And he did what most people would never do...he acted on it.  Amazing. 

Since I'm discussing amazing people with humongous dreams and courage, I would also like to mention this cross-Canada journey...

Step into Action is Dr. Riley Senft's personal quest to raise awareness about prostate cancer.  I had the pleasure of meeting his mother in Kenora this summer and hearing about this incredible man and this incredible journey.  I encourage each and everyone of you to check out the website Step into Action and to consider again the fact that we all have the ability to make a difference and to change the world.  We just have to find the courage to do it.  Dr. Senft, I have never met you and you will likely never read my blog, but I thought I should put it out there that I am in awe of your courage and the amazing steps you are taking on your journey each and every day. I wish you good luck for a smooth run all the way to the coast.  I know the marathon gods are watching over you and smiling as you near completion of your run across the country!

Which leads me, and hopefully all of you,  to ponder this one small question...

"What is it that you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"

-Mary Oliver

Please...do tell...enquiring minds...



The Fall

No,  I didn't trip while I was running, it's that time of year!

The Fall.  New season, new beginnings.  Cool (er) running temperatures, pretty coloured leaved on the running routes and drastic increases in mileage.  NYC- just two short months away.  I'm starting to think about it much more frequently...time to miss less runs and recommit to the marathon training schedule after a summer hiatus.

I am missing summer, of course.  I miss the lake, I miss my family, I miss commuting by boat and of course, I miss the lazy days that summer vacay brings.  But to be honest and truthful, I am happy to be back into the regular routine and the sense of orderliness that this seems to bring to life. 

So.  NYC.  In terms of preparation, the mileage is starting to climb and I'm starting to consider my pace much, much more on my medium distance runs.  I'm running longer intervals on the speedwork front and am hitting lot of hills to keep everything strong and powerful.  And, of utmost importance, I am doing a lot of yoga.  A lot.  My back has been sore and soreness just will not do.  Yoga has been helping and is a good reminder to all my running peeps out there to make sure you are doing what you need to stay healthy and stay running.  For me, right now, this means yoga twice weekly.  Not optional.  I have also reaccquainted myself with my foam roller and my evening stretching regime.  Again, not optional.  Training for a race of any distance requires much more than just running.  Keep that in your mind while you're out there on the trails and consider the "non-running" parts of your training!

So, as the sun sets on this most awesome of summers, happy trails, my running peeps!  Enjoy the last bit of running friendly weather before the snow flies!




Beautiful morning commute on the lake.  Have I mentioned that a boat is a much preferable mode of transportation?



Good-bye summer!  We'll miss you!  Welcome fall!

Hi! I'm Henry!

And I'm the newest little runner in the Rice family.  I mean the Rice-Wirvin family!  I was born on August 6th at 3:17pm.

My Auntie Andrea thinks she is a marathoner, but let me tell you, world, my mom is REALLY the marathoner in the family!  I am the product of a totally natural childbirth- what a champ, my mom.  WHAT A CHAMP! 

I can't wait until I'm old enough to go running with my Aunt and Mom and tackle hills with my Pops.  But even if I don't like to run, my Aunt will still love me the most anyway.  I know she will love me no matter what!

Until I am old enough to run, this is how I am preparing...

After all, a true runner knows just how important it is to sleep.  And eat.  And then sleep some more.

And...do Asics come in size newborn?

This is How Things Are...

Update!  Very quick!  Too nice for typing!

Weather.  +30C.  Run.  Hill Intervals- 5 medium (45sec), 5 long (70sec), 5 short (30sec).  Intervals in between- Pushups and a variety of squats and jumps.  Total time working.it.out. 1 hour.

Fitness.  Lacking.  This just about killed me.

Inspiration- NEEDED!  Anyone?  Anyone?  NYC beginning to frequent my thoughts.

And now I must swim.  I'm hot.

P.S. Still not an aunt.  But waiting patiently!

Hello Summer!

Greetings Peeps!

I heart summer.  Every single little thing about it, too.  I love the heat.  I love the Northern Ontario humidity.  I love the cool lightning storms during the heat waves.  I love being on holidays.  I love the lake and visiting my family.  And of course I love summer running!

This will be a quick post as I'm in between swims.  Nothing beats this crazy 40 plus degree heat like some jumps off the dock!

First.  Decided to stop wondering about all this barefoot brouhaha and give it a try myself.  And then decided I am not hardcore enough to do the total barefoot thing (and my feet are ugly enough from running) and purchased a pair of Saucony Hattori minimalist trainers.  This is them...

I started by running my summer training and personal training in them.  And guess what?  Love.  They felt great!  So, I took it one barefoot step further and just went for a jog.  A quick 33 minute affair that included 10 repeats on Christie's hill.  I decided this was a good way to experiment since the hill is steep and I am mainly on my toes for this anyhow.  The outcome? My  left achilles and knees are slightly sore, but other than that, a good thing...or so I think.  I had to work really, really hard to stay off my heels, especially on the downhills. 

Anyhow- the long and the short of it is that I think these are GREAT, although I'm not quite ready for a 26.2 in them yet and likely never will be!  But they will be fun for shorter runs.  Want some?  Go see Nolan and the gang and the Tech Shop in Calgary.  They will put you in the right pair!   

Second.  Did I mention I love summer?  This is why:

Summer training, lake style.  What I see while working out at my cottage.  Or camp, in Kenora speak.

Broke out the TRX and hung from our crooked tree.  Worked beautifully.  Plus got to jump in between sets.

Anyone want to come over for a workout?  We could even swim for intervals!

Third.  A huge shout out to KayZ (like JayZ but she's way cooler, trust me) for her third place finish in the Stampede Road Race 10k.  You. Are. Awesome!  And you run like the wind!  I see some very speedy fall training runs in our future!

Fourth.  I get to meet Barry the Baby in just 22 short days.  At least if I have my say and mother nature cooperates.  I'm going to be an ant!  I mean an aunt!  I wonder if it's too early to purchase some new runners for the little one...

Happy summer everyone!  Enjoy!

I Am Not Invincible

This is a picture of my knees.

Lovely , aren't they?

 As lovely as knees can be, I suppose.

And if you're wondering why I've included a picture of my knees in this post, I am now going to tell you.

This may come as a bit of a shock, but I am not invincible.  Likely the person who suffered the most shock from this little nugget of info was ME, but for those of you that are also picking yourselves up off the floor and are recovering from (hee) this surprise, the mortality check I had this week was a bit of a scare with my knees.

It's a bit of a long one and I'd like to keep it short so I'll spare you the long winded version and treat you to the short but sweet version.  Short but sweet....mmm...cupcakes...

Anyhow, while participating in a few group exercise classes (which shall remain nameless) in an attempt to strengthen for the next round of marathon training, I did exercises that I knew I shouldn't be doing.  Every ounce of my trainer brain said bad, bad, very bad idea, but I did the exercises anyways.  Subsequently, I awoke Monday morning to a slightly swollen knee.

And then I freaked out.  Big time.  BIG time.  If you want the full details, I suggest you contact my dear friend Wendy as she was a first hand witness.  Not pretty.  Mainly because all I could think about was the possibility that I may never run a marathon again.  And to be honest, this caused me a great deal of distress.

So, knees...

I know I am so very hard on you.  I ask you to run miles and miles and miles.  I ask you to run up and down hills several times.  I show up for my speed interval workouts and I pound extra hard on the pavement in an attempt to run faster.  I put you through squats and lunges in millions of different varieties, but at the end of the day they are still squats and lunges and I know these are tough on you after a while.  And after all of that work, I often neglect you and by skipping the stretching and the foam roller work.

Knees, I promise from this point on, I will mend my ways!  I know now that I am not invincible and since I'm just slightly past my teenage years, I need to treat you with the kindness, love and respect you deserve.  Rest assured (I know you are all waiting with bated breath), I am not injured, but had some minor irritation around my patella as a result of low back, glut and quad tightness.  One quick trip to Marda Loop Sport Physio and the PT there has assured me that I will be up and running (pardon the pun) in no time.  Relief. 

Sadly, though, I am unable to race in the K100 this weekend and feel very badly for letting my team down.  I am hoping that this doesn't mean that I've been permanently cut, as Mugs, Jugs and Rugs was a mighty fine group of runners to be associated with.  I hope they know that I am with them in spirit every step of the 100 miles in Kananaskis this weekend. 

And...last but most definitely not least, I am almost on holidays.  Almost.  If you are in Kenora this summer and was to run, just let me know.  I'll likely come with you.  Because my knee will be healed by then...100% healed, and I cannot WAIT to go running.