Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Sunrise Run

Well, it would have been a sunrise run a month ago, but now it's still over an hour away. It was beginning to brighten in the east, tho'.

I took the same route as the other insomniac runs, more or less, pushing a couple of blocks farther in some places, to get a little more distance, and looking for some different scenery (although in the dark, you don't see much, anyway).

Today's run:
Distance: 5.64 km. Time: 31:54. Average speed: 10.6 kph.
Rest distance: 291.7 m. Rest time: 3:00.
Total distance: 5.93 km. Total time: 34:54

Weather: Clear and 7C. Actually a very beautiful morning, and the stars seem very bright. Mars is especially prominent, high in the south.

Monday, August 29, 2005

Storm Threatening

It was kind of grey outside when I left the house,and seemed to get greyer, and darker, and colder, and windier as time went on. Bopping along the Eau Claire promenade, there was a rather startling thunderclap, and ya know it's about to get damp when that happens. But it held off until the last couple of blocks before home. Still enought to get thoroughly wet.

Passed Kim, a friend I hadn't seen since the marathon, and we exchanged "how ya doin'" She was ahead of me by about a minute in the marathon, and last year, I believe she ran under four hours. Impressive!

Tonight, I felt really loose and well stretched. Got into my long, loping stride, which I haven't used for ages, and it I felt like I was gliding. I can't be sure, but it feels as if my centre of gravity doesn't bounce so much, and I have more flexing in the knees, and because of that, or in spite of it, there's no stress on them. Just kind of a light, gliding feeling, a nice groove.

Today's run:
Distance: 8.99 km. Time: 45:24. Average speed: 11.9 kph.
Rest distance: 498.3 m. Rest time: 5:00.
Total distance: 9.49 km. Total time: 50:24

Weather: Cloudy and 13C, with a rainshower starting as I got close to home.

Sunday, August 28, 2005

Early Morning

Another one of those nights: awake and staring into the dark at four in the morning. So what the heck, I'm up and out running. Just a quick one though, cuz today was Mozart on the Mountain and I was volunteering.

So out the door, down 10th, around Cresent Road and back up 4th. No frills route, but I did remember my lenses this time so I could see to enjoy the view of downtown, and that lovely starry sky that we'll get in the evening come Christmas.

Today's run:
Distance: 4.73 km. Time: 24:53. Average speed: 11.4 kph.
Rest distance: 344.8 m. Rest time: 2:00.
Total distance: 5.07 km. Total time: 26:53

Weather: Clear and 12C. Rather nice out, and a great precursor to a georgeous summer day.

Friday, August 26, 2005

Quick Friday Run

I don't think I got a good satellite lock tonight. I'm pretty sure I went farther than the GPS said, and with three one minute walk breaks, there's no way I could have covered almost a kilometre. But anyway.

Today's run:
Distance: 5.38 km. Time: 33:35. Average speed: 7.9 kph.
Rest distance: 952.7 m. Rest time: 3:00.
Total distance: 4.43 km. Total time: 36:35.

Weather: Partly cloudy and 24C. A little warm, but nice. Not a bad run at all.

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Slippery Encounter

A cold wet day, but I needed to get out. For some reason it's been really hard lately to haul myself out of the house, get on the road and get running. So I got home from work, hummed and hawwed, changed into my running clothes, grumbled a bit, took a deep breath, and charged out the door. (Wasn't so hard, was it?)

Tonight I went down 10th Street, and straight across the river. Down the promenade, up Centre Street bridge and homeward. But there was a bit of a difference.

When I come up to an intersection, I watch for cars. Drivers in this town can be so focused on watching for that gap in the oncoming traffic that they're oblivious to anything else. So I watch, when I approach an intersection, and try and make eye contact, so I know they're aware of me.

When it's overcast like it is tonight, it's hard to see anyone through a car's windows. The reflection of the sky and surroundings dominates those windows in such flat lighting. You can't see them to see where they are looking.

And on the other hand, it was one of those times that my attention was more inward than it should have been.

As I stepped off the curb at 13th Avenue, I was suddenly backpedaling and sidestepping and trying to get a grip on the wet slippery sheet metal of the hood, to try and climb up on it, and just generally trying to keep from slipping under the front of this car. Then after a few seconds, when he stopped and I finally regained my footing, I kind of blew up at the guy for a minute, but he didn't hang around.

My intention was for a slow easy run, but it ended up being a bit adrenalin fueled.

Today's run:
Distance: 8.01 km. Time: 42.46. Average speed: 11.2 kph.
Rest distance: 507.7 m. Rest time:4:00.
Total distance: 8.52 km. Total time: 46:46.

Weather: Light rain and 9C. Kinda wet, and it felt better that I thought it would considering. I'll see if I develop a bumper shaped bruise or two on my shins.

Sunday, August 21, 2005

Moose Mountain

I've moved this post to here.

Friday, August 19, 2005

Early, Early, Early

Most nights I seem to be done sleeping after five hours or so. It's been like that for at least two years, maybe more. Last night was no exception. So instead of laying there and staring into the dark until the alarm goes off, this morning I decided to get up and do something. And why not a run?

Same circuit as on Wednesday, cuz it's quick and scenic, probably more scenic at night with that huge moon close to setting in the west. I say probably since I forgot my glasses. Even so, the world had a blurry beauty, and I'm not so blind that I can't pick out the brighter stars. But next time I gotta take the glasses.

Today's run:
Distance: 4.69 km. Time: 27:00. Average speed: 10.4 kph.
Rest distance: 204.5 m. Rest time: 2:03.
Total distance: 4.90 km. Total time: 29:03.

Weather: Mainly clear and 5C. I dressed in the usual tee and shorts, but layered with a light sweat shirt and my wind pants. I suppose we'll soon have to be thinking about dressing warmer for all day. Where did the summer go?

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Needed That.

Even on good days, sometimes I need to just get out and go. And it was a good day at work. But I got home feeling a little jumpy, so out I go just to burn it off.

This one was short: down 10th Street and across to Cresent Road at 13th Avenue, then straight up 4th Street. I haven't run along Cresent Road since before I moved to my present location, I think. So it looked totally unfamiliar, since it would have been April or maybe even earlier since I'd been along there last.

Today's run:
Distance: 4.73 km. Time: 25:09. Average speed: 11.3 kph.
Rest distance: 263.1 m. Rest time: 2:00.
Total distance: 5.00 km. Total time: 27:09.

Weather: Coudy and 9C - another cool evening, and just right for a hard run.

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Got Energy!

Lots of it, too. My first interval was a little pokey, but after that I was cruisin'. Guess it was speed night.

I did Confederation Park and the golf course tonight, and then around Canmore Park and past the Ecole Banff Trail on 24th Street. Then back home, retracing my steps.

Today's run:
Distance: 8.45 km. Time: 49:35. Average speed: 11.3 kph.
Rest distance: 505.9 m. Rest time: 4:35.
Total distance: 8.96 km. Total time: 51:51.

Weather: Cloudy and 11C. Perfect running weather.

Sunday, August 14, 2005

Late Sunday Run

Didn't know if I was going to do a run today, as it's been busy weekend. But I got everything done, and got home at a decent time, so why not?

The usual: to the river, over to 14th Street, back to Prince's Island, and back up 4th Street. It was kinda nice, though, with the rain. The sun was also shining, and the falling rain was magically backlit by it. By the time I got near Kensington, the rain had stopped, and the sun was hidden again.

Today's run:
Distance: 8.49 km. Time: 46:51. Average speed: 10.9 kph.
Rest distance: 503.0 m. Rest time: 5:00.
Total distance: 8.99 km. Total time: 51:51.

Weather: Light rain and 13C. There's also been smoke, from some B.C. forest fire. Most of the day it's been a far off haze, enough to obscure the mountains, but in the last couple of hours it has thickened.

Friday, August 12, 2005

Busy Day

Just a quick run around Confederation Park cuz I got stuff to do

Today's run:
Distance: 4.39 km. Time: 20.32. Average speed: 12.8 kph.

Weather: Partly cloudy and 13C. Actually a really nice afternoon right now

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Wet Wednesday

More damp than soaking. but cool and rainy - just how I like it. Down to the river, over to 14th, back to Prince's Island, then up The Path Under The Stairs and home.

This was a great run. I haven't felt so good running for ages, so what's up with that? And despite the rain, there were a lot of people out running and walking. Great energy and a lot of fun.

Today's run:
Distance: 8.78 km. Time: 47:33. Average speed: 11.1 kph.
Rest distance: 610.1 m. Rest time: 5:00.
Total distance: 9.39 km. Total time: 52:33.

Weather: Light rain and 8C. Perfect running weather.

Monday, August 08, 2005

That Kind of Day

Forgot my umbrella so it was a wet walk home. Lot's of little annoyances at work. What's with that? All those niggling little things pile up all in a heap to make for a challenging day.

So I was really looking forward to a quick run to burn off some frustration. Besides, I like running in the rain. But there was just one more little annoyance. As the door closed to my suite, I realized I had the wrong keys in my hand.

So what to do? Well, go for a run, of course. It was a short run, just down 10th Street and then over to my landlady's place, all the while hoping she was home. And she was. So it was just a short run down the hill, and then back up. Then a short drive to take back the key.

I'm hoping the rest of the day is better.

Today's run:
Distance: 3.33 km. Time: 36:13. Average speed: 5.5 kph.

Looks like the GPS lost the satellites while I was chatting with the landlady.

Sunday, August 07, 2005

Lovely Sunday Morning

Time to try some distance. Actually it was my usual route along the river bookended by Crowchild on the west and the Centre Street bridge on the east. I took Nony's Awful Little Hill at a slow easy pace.

One thing I rediscovered this morning, is that a long slow stride with a little flexing feels so effortless. This was a pace I'd fall into when I was living in the south of the city and ran in Fish Creek Park, and it always felt like I could go for miles. I didn't quite match the feeling, but it was one of the most comfortable runs I've had in a long time.

Today's run:
Distance: 12.03 km. Time: 1:07:15. Average speed: 10.7 kph.
Rest distance: 678.8 m. Rest time: 7:00.
Total distance: 12.71 km. Total time: 1:14:15.

Weather: Partly cloudy and 13C, and a little breezy. But that made it kinda nice.

Saturday, August 06, 2005

Grotto Canyon

I've moved this post to here.

Friday, August 05, 2005

Hot Friday Night

Signifigantly hotter than what I've run in before, but I don't recollect too many details from last summer's runs.

Just a straight through run, Confederation Park and Golf Course, to 19th Street and back. Lovely sunny evening, but just a tad on the warm side. So I took it slow, and enjoyed the scenery.

Today's run:
Distance: 6.18 km. Time: 41:07. Average speed: 9.0 kph.

Weather: Sunny and 28C. Whooo! All drippy, sweaty - bleah!

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

Wednesday Night Regular

It does feel good to get back out there and putting some miles on these shoes. It's a great night for it, too, with lots of people out, especially on blades for some reason.

Tonight it was down to the river, bracketed by 14th Street and Prince's Island. Tried to go easy, and I think I succeeded. I'm not going to go hard for awhile.

Today's run:
Distance: 8.84 km. Time: 50:00. Average speed: 11.5 kph.
Rest distance: 526.8 m. Rest time: 5:00.
Total distance: 9.36 km. Total time: 55:00.

Weather: Sunny and 21C. Another perfect evening.

About the speed: something is haywire there. One interval measured 15.8 kph, which is way beyond my capabilities. The actual average is probably closer to 10.5 km.

Tuesday, August 02, 2005

Time to Get Back on the Road

I was planning to start back into running tomorrow night, as it's my usual night to run with Nony. But she calls me tonight, asking if I was up for a run tonight. So sure!

This time she came up my way and we did a short run through Confederation Park and past the golf course. She hasn't been in this area for quite a while, and had forgotten about the hills along the golf course, but we both tackled them quite handily.

A nice run on a beautiful night, with delightful company, and a great way to ease back into a more serious schedule.

Today's run:
Distance: 4.79 km. Time: 34:35. Average speed: 8.3 kph.
Rest distance: 1.93 km. Rest time: 20:00.
Total distance: 6.72 km. Total time: 54:35.

Weather: Sunny and 20C, and a light breeze. Perfect!