Just a bit of snow this morning, nothing to get excited about. It didn't even slow down my commute, as I got to work disappointingly on time, without really trying.
I expected there to be some of it around to make running interesting, but the paths are pretty much all clear. There is some wet places that will turn to ice soon, but they didn't affect my running. It was a beautiful sunny evening when I started, and not at all dark when I got home. And a good run.
Distance: 10.21 km. Time: 56:57.
Average speed: 10.8 kph (5:35 min/km).
Shoes: New Balance 1061.
Weather: Sunny and 0C.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Balloon Post?
For some reason the wind chimes down by The Pumphouse were easy to spot tonight. It's staying bright enough by the time I get down there. I've always wondered if there were more than those five, and if I just wasn't sharp-eyed enough to pick them out.
But near them, three really big balloons were tethered tightly to the chicken wire around a small stand of cottonwoods - the kind that's supposed to keep the beavers from cleaning the place out. No idea why they were there. They were off the path and kind of around behind, so someone had to push their way through the bush to get there.
It was a great run. Lots of others out, and I think people are starting to thaw a little, too. I didn't get much eye contact, but a few responded to my good-evenings
Distance: 10.03 km. Time: 56:34.
Average speed: 10.6 kph (5:38 min/km).
Shoes: New Balance 1061.
Weather: Mainly sunny and 5C.
But near them, three really big balloons were tethered tightly to the chicken wire around a small stand of cottonwoods - the kind that's supposed to keep the beavers from cleaning the place out. No idea why they were there. They were off the path and kind of around behind, so someone had to push their way through the bush to get there.
It was a great run. Lots of others out, and I think people are starting to thaw a little, too. I didn't get much eye contact, but a few responded to my good-evenings
Distance: 10.03 km. Time: 56:34.
Average speed: 10.6 kph (5:38 min/km).
Shoes: New Balance 1061.
Weather: Mainly sunny and 5C.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Running Buddy
I'd met Heather a couple of weeks ago. It turned out that we both run, so we talked about getting together for a Sunday morning run. So today turned out to be perfect for that.
We decided to run to Edworthy and back. It turns out that it's about an 11 km run from her place. Marvelous weather and great company, and we got so involved in the conversation that the run was over in no time.
What's becoming typical for Sunday morning is lots of people out. It was a beautiful morning, and there was lots of great energy from all the runners
Distance: 11.19 km. Time: 1:05:37. Average speed: 10.2 kph (5:53 min/km).
Shoes: New Balance 1061.
Weather: Cloudy and -3C.
We decided to run to Edworthy and back. It turns out that it's about an 11 km run from her place. Marvelous weather and great company, and we got so involved in the conversation that the run was over in no time.
What's becoming typical for Sunday morning is lots of people out. It was a beautiful morning, and there was lots of great energy from all the runners
Distance: 11.19 km. Time: 1:05:37. Average speed: 10.2 kph (5:53 min/km).
Shoes: New Balance 1061.
Weather: Cloudy and -3C.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Anybody Seen My Energy?
Jeez, what happened?? I felt like I was dragging my couch along. No energy, and I felt just heavy. I hope there were extra calories sacrificed to get me out there.
I'm running in sunshine, though. Real sunlight for the first half of the run. Ahhhh.... And then I get the rapidly fading twilight. But spring is coming. We've had spectacular weather. In fact, I was over dressed. I should have been in running shorts and a long sleeve t-shirt.
There was a big oops on Bow Trail. A Beemer in the 14th Street off-ramp kinda misaligned with the lane under 14th, and tried to climb the concrete abutment that holds the overpass up. Nasty lookin' crunch, but apparently no one was hurt. Of course it was snarling traffic a little.
Distance: 9.84 km. Time: 55:34. Average speed: 10.6 kph (5:40 min/km).
Shoes: New Balance 1061.
Weather: Sunny and 4C.
I'm running in sunshine, though. Real sunlight for the first half of the run. Ahhhh.... And then I get the rapidly fading twilight. But spring is coming. We've had spectacular weather. In fact, I was over dressed. I should have been in running shorts and a long sleeve t-shirt.
There was a big oops on Bow Trail. A Beemer in the 14th Street off-ramp kinda misaligned with the lane under 14th, and tried to climb the concrete abutment that holds the overpass up. Nasty lookin' crunch, but apparently no one was hurt. Of course it was snarling traffic a little.
Distance: 9.84 km. Time: 55:34. Average speed: 10.6 kph (5:40 min/km).
Shoes: New Balance 1061.
Weather: Sunny and 4C.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Pushing It
I'm really trying hard to get out regularly, and get on some kind of routine. So tonight I was out and on the paths as soon as I got home from work.
Nothing much special about tonight. It is definitely staying light longer now. I finish an hour run and it's sort of early twilight.
One observation is that eye contact with other runners is pretty rare. If they do make eye contact, they look away immediately. It's so different from the Sunday morning runs when everyone says good morning.
Distance: 10.04 km. Time: 57:28. Average speed: 10.5 kph (5:43 min/km).
Shoes: New Balance 1061.
Weather: Mainly clear and 1C.
Nothing much special about tonight. It is definitely staying light longer now. I finish an hour run and it's sort of early twilight.
One observation is that eye contact with other runners is pretty rare. If they do make eye contact, they look away immediately. It's so different from the Sunday morning runs when everyone says good morning.
Distance: 10.04 km. Time: 57:28. Average speed: 10.5 kph (5:43 min/km).
Shoes: New Balance 1061.
Weather: Mainly clear and 1C.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Hot Sunday Morning Run
I wonder what that was all about? I was feeling kind of old and stiff when I got out there, hoping that I'd be able to loosen up a little after a couple of kilometres. It didn't seem like I was running any faster or slower than usual though. But in reality I was cookin'.
The sky was crystal clear for once, with the mountains on the western horizon bright and sharp. The band on Banded Peak was sharp, and the two humps of Moose Mountain looked clean and brilliant. I wish I could identify some of the other peaks.
A slight western breeze made the start a little hard on the face, but after warming up, I stopped noticing it. I think everyone was up for a sunny calm day for running because there were an awful lot of runners out. It was great.
Outbound toward Edworthy was uneventful. I felt like I was covering a lot of ground during the nine minute running intervals. At thirty minutes, I was well past Crowchild.
A quick bathroom stop at Edworthy, a loop around Angel's Cafe, and I was heading back toward downtown. I met Peter-Mark after ten minutes, and we stopped to catch up. We gotta get together one of these Sundays, cuz we both run pretty much the same route.
I didn't try the trail below Spruce Cliff. From across the river, I could see the ice was piled up to almost the top of the fence at one point, and I wasn't keen on the slow, shaky shuffle it would have required to cross it. But I crossed at Crowchild, just to get some distance from the south side of the river.
My timing was interesting, too. I managed to hit a walk break just as I got to the steepest part of The Path Under The Stairs, so I didn't have to try to keep running it. And by the time the walk break was over, I was past it. That left me for a nice strong finish.
Today's run:
Distance: 16.03 km. Time: 1:26:45. Average speed: 11.1 kph. (5:24 min/km)
Rest distance: 977.1 m. Rest time: 9:00.
Total distance: 17.00 km. Total time: 1:35:45.
Shoes: New Balance 1061.
Weather: Mainly sunny and -9C at the start, warming up to -2 by the end.
The sky was crystal clear for once, with the mountains on the western horizon bright and sharp. The band on Banded Peak was sharp, and the two humps of Moose Mountain looked clean and brilliant. I wish I could identify some of the other peaks.
A slight western breeze made the start a little hard on the face, but after warming up, I stopped noticing it. I think everyone was up for a sunny calm day for running because there were an awful lot of runners out. It was great.
Outbound toward Edworthy was uneventful. I felt like I was covering a lot of ground during the nine minute running intervals. At thirty minutes, I was well past Crowchild.
A quick bathroom stop at Edworthy, a loop around Angel's Cafe, and I was heading back toward downtown. I met Peter-Mark after ten minutes, and we stopped to catch up. We gotta get together one of these Sundays, cuz we both run pretty much the same route.
I didn't try the trail below Spruce Cliff. From across the river, I could see the ice was piled up to almost the top of the fence at one point, and I wasn't keen on the slow, shaky shuffle it would have required to cross it. But I crossed at Crowchild, just to get some distance from the south side of the river.
My timing was interesting, too. I managed to hit a walk break just as I got to the steepest part of The Path Under The Stairs, so I didn't have to try to keep running it. And by the time the walk break was over, I was past it. That left me for a nice strong finish.
Today's run:
Distance: 16.03 km. Time: 1:26:45. Average speed: 11.1 kph. (5:24 min/km)
Rest distance: 977.1 m. Rest time: 9:00.
Total distance: 17.00 km. Total time: 1:35:45.
Shoes: New Balance 1061.
Weather: Mainly sunny and -9C at the start, warming up to -2 by the end.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Movie Night
My Valentine's Day run. There was a movie crew setting up on Prince's Island. I wonder if it's going to be some kind of Christmas thing. The railing of the Jaipur Bridge was covered with garlands and Christmas lights.
After that, it was not much happening. Except a person I passed on the Prince's Island foot bridge was drafting me all the way to about the Greyhound terminal, when she finally passed me. Then on the Crowchild bridge she stopped to stretch, while I kept going, and she followed me all the way until about a half a kilometre past 10th Street. It made for a weird feeling.
Otherwise, nothing different. I start out in the light now, although it's still after sunset. And it's not quite so dark when I finish. Warm weather makes it easier to get out.
Distance: 10.20 km. Time: 55:38. Average speed: 11.0 kph (5:27 min/km).
Shoes: New Balance 1061.
Weather: Mainly clear and 1C.
After that, it was not much happening. Except a person I passed on the Prince's Island foot bridge was drafting me all the way to about the Greyhound terminal, when she finally passed me. Then on the Crowchild bridge she stopped to stretch, while I kept going, and she followed me all the way until about a half a kilometre past 10th Street. It made for a weird feeling.
Otherwise, nothing different. I start out in the light now, although it's still after sunset. And it's not quite so dark when I finish. Warm weather makes it easier to get out.
Distance: 10.20 km. Time: 55:38. Average speed: 11.0 kph (5:27 min/km).
Shoes: New Balance 1061.
Weather: Mainly clear and 1C.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Crazy Weather
Still struggling with motivation, but I'm getting out there. I wasn't going to go, cuz it seemed so cold, but I managed to convince myself that it was going to warm up and be lovely out.
Of course, once I got out and moving I was fine. It never did reach the high promised by the forecast, but it was nice enough, cuz we didn't get the wind that was promised either.
I was off and down The Path just before lunch time. It was cold enough that I questioned the wisdom of not wearing a scarf, but after fifteen minutes or so, I was warm enough that my face wasn't freezing. It was quite comfortable, actually.
I did the full long distance loop today, going all the way to the Edworthy foot bridge and crossing over to return by the path below Spruce Cliff and Wildwood. Of course the gate is closed, and the warning signs are up, but the path around it is well used.
The biggest issue is that the natural springs that constantly run on that side have deposited huge mounds of ice on the path. One is so big that the six foot chain link fence that separates the path from the railroad tracks actually only came up to my knee. It was also still being built up by the flowing water, so there were stretches of wet ice, where I held onto the fence for balance, and of course on this one, I had to bend down to reach it. Freaky.
Between that and the unplowed paths through Lawrey Gardens, it was slow going through there. Not too many other people; in fact I only met two.
I also caught the tail end of the Hypothermic Half marathon. Pylons marking the trail at intersections, and kilometre markers. It was about 12:30 when I got back to the 14th Street bridge, passing an abandoned water station. Decent day for running, but I bet it was cold for the volunteers at the water stations and along the path.
After that, it was straight on to the top of the bluff, and along the top. I've been running to 4th Street lately, just to take in the view for awhile before heading north toward home. No sign of the mountains this morning, but it was becoming a lovely day.
Today's run:
Distance: 16.49 km. Time: 1:34:48. Average speed: 10.4 kph. (5:45 min/km)
Rest distance: 1.01 km. Rest time: 10:00.
Total distance: 17.50 km. Total time: 1:44:48.
Shoes: New Balance 1061.
Weather: Cloudy and -20 at the start, warming up to -17 by the end.
Of course, once I got out and moving I was fine. It never did reach the high promised by the forecast, but it was nice enough, cuz we didn't get the wind that was promised either.
I was off and down The Path just before lunch time. It was cold enough that I questioned the wisdom of not wearing a scarf, but after fifteen minutes or so, I was warm enough that my face wasn't freezing. It was quite comfortable, actually.
I did the full long distance loop today, going all the way to the Edworthy foot bridge and crossing over to return by the path below Spruce Cliff and Wildwood. Of course the gate is closed, and the warning signs are up, but the path around it is well used.
The biggest issue is that the natural springs that constantly run on that side have deposited huge mounds of ice on the path. One is so big that the six foot chain link fence that separates the path from the railroad tracks actually only came up to my knee. It was also still being built up by the flowing water, so there were stretches of wet ice, where I held onto the fence for balance, and of course on this one, I had to bend down to reach it. Freaky.
Between that and the unplowed paths through Lawrey Gardens, it was slow going through there. Not too many other people; in fact I only met two.
I also caught the tail end of the Hypothermic Half marathon. Pylons marking the trail at intersections, and kilometre markers. It was about 12:30 when I got back to the 14th Street bridge, passing an abandoned water station. Decent day for running, but I bet it was cold for the volunteers at the water stations and along the path.
After that, it was straight on to the top of the bluff, and along the top. I've been running to 4th Street lately, just to take in the view for awhile before heading north toward home. No sign of the mountains this morning, but it was becoming a lovely day.
Today's run:
Distance: 16.49 km. Time: 1:34:48. Average speed: 10.4 kph. (5:45 min/km)
Rest distance: 1.01 km. Rest time: 10:00.
Total distance: 17.50 km. Total time: 1:44:48.
Shoes: New Balance 1061.
Weather: Cloudy and -20 at the start, warming up to -17 by the end.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Finally!
I got out again after almost two weeks of not being able to. Boy, but I missed it!
It was great to get out and down along the river. It still gets dark way, way too early, but it's not quite so early as it was the last time I was out. I went for the Crowchild loop, looking to burn off some excess calories that have been sneaking up on me since Christmas.
Big crowd at the bottom of The Stairs. I notice they're getting a little worn with all the traffic from the fitness groups that run up and down them. It's a popular and busy place for that.
After I crossed the river, the promenade was pretty quiet for a nice winter day. A few runners out, but not many. Not even that many cyclists.
Overall, it was an uneventful run and I was done soon enough. It was good to get it in before the cold comes back, but then that shouldn't slow a dedicated runner down, should it?
Distance: 10.21 km. Time: 59:30. Average speed: 10.3 kph (5:50 min/km).
Shoes: New Balance 1061.
Weather: Sunny and -5C.
It was great to get out and down along the river. It still gets dark way, way too early, but it's not quite so early as it was the last time I was out. I went for the Crowchild loop, looking to burn off some excess calories that have been sneaking up on me since Christmas.
Big crowd at the bottom of The Stairs. I notice they're getting a little worn with all the traffic from the fitness groups that run up and down them. It's a popular and busy place for that.
After I crossed the river, the promenade was pretty quiet for a nice winter day. A few runners out, but not many. Not even that many cyclists.
Overall, it was an uneventful run and I was done soon enough. It was good to get it in before the cold comes back, but then that shouldn't slow a dedicated runner down, should it?
Distance: 10.21 km. Time: 59:30. Average speed: 10.3 kph (5:50 min/km).
Shoes: New Balance 1061.
Weather: Sunny and -5C.
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