I'm beginning to like the sprint up those stairs as a finish. I wasn't going to do it this time, figuring I would reverse what I did a couple of days ago.
But anyway, I started out like I usually do, running along Crescent Road to the top of The Path and taking it down to the bottom. I weaved through traffic, runners that stopped at the bottom and then just stood in the way.
On to the path along Memorial Drive. Lovely sunset, lovely evening. A little cool, but perfect for running. I crossed at 14th again, as usual, and on the other side by the sculpture garden, I started meeting runners with bibs. I have no idea what that was about.
At the causeway to Prince's Island, at the west end of the island, I crossed over and ran along the water, just for a change. Past the River Cafe, and then back on the usual path. Not much to see, really, but it was a little bit of a change.
When I got across the foot bridge, I did plan on taking the path along the bottom of the bluff, but found myself heading for the stairs. It wasn't a total sprint. I have to admit I walked the landing that's half way up, and there wasn't a lot of bounce to my stride near the top, but I was running it.
I took the path along the bluff, all the way to 6A Street, before crossing over to Alexander Crescent and toward home.
Distance: 7.53 Time: 42:47
Average speed: 5:40 min/km (10.58 kph).
Shoes: Asics GT-2130.
Weather: Partly cloudy and 5C.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Trying to Get Back to Routine
The remnants of that cold are still hanging around, but the post-run coughing fit wasn't nearly as intense as last week. I still feel some tension in the chest while I'm running, but there's definite improvement.
A good run tonight. I mixed things up some, too. I started by heading west along Cresent Road until the sharp turn, where it leaves the edge of the bluff. Very near there, a path slashes across the slope down to the paved path that curves around behind Sunnyside along the bottom.
On the paved path, I ran back toward The Stairs, and then joined my usual route across Memorial Drive and along the river.
Very nice out tonight, with warm temperatures and nary a breeze. Definitely shorts and t-shirt weather.
I crossed the river at 14th Street, then back toward the promenade and Eau Claire. By the time I reached the Jaipur Bridge, sunset was about done. It was very dark on the island, with no lights on yet. I got a little way along on the suspension bridge, and they all came on. Kind of really bright after being really dark.
I've been running up the first couple of flights of The Stairs to reach The Path and then continuing up like always. But tonight for some reason, I stuck to the stairs. I managed to run up all but the last twenty steps or so, and then only because of traffic.
It's wonderful to finally get out after a long hiatus.
Distance: 7.50 Time: 42:31
Average speed: 5:39 min/km (10.58 kph).
Shoes: Asics GT-2130.
Weather: Cloudy and 11C.
A good run tonight. I mixed things up some, too. I started by heading west along Cresent Road until the sharp turn, where it leaves the edge of the bluff. Very near there, a path slashes across the slope down to the paved path that curves around behind Sunnyside along the bottom.
On the paved path, I ran back toward The Stairs, and then joined my usual route across Memorial Drive and along the river.
Very nice out tonight, with warm temperatures and nary a breeze. Definitely shorts and t-shirt weather.
I crossed the river at 14th Street, then back toward the promenade and Eau Claire. By the time I reached the Jaipur Bridge, sunset was about done. It was very dark on the island, with no lights on yet. I got a little way along on the suspension bridge, and they all came on. Kind of really bright after being really dark.
I've been running up the first couple of flights of The Stairs to reach The Path and then continuing up like always. But tonight for some reason, I stuck to the stairs. I managed to run up all but the last twenty steps or so, and then only because of traffic.
It's wonderful to finally get out after a long hiatus.
Distance: 7.50 Time: 42:31
Average speed: 5:39 min/km (10.58 kph).
Shoes: Asics GT-2130.
Weather: Cloudy and 11C.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Hack, Hack
This damn cold has been hanging on for a couple or weeks now. But I finally felt healthy enough to try a run. Right up until I actually stepped out the door, when a tickly tickle started in the throat and wouldn't let go until I got down the bluff. Not coughing, but a kind of constant 'ahem, ahem, ahem...' Once I got on the path along Memorial Drive, it had settled down into a raspy wheeze.
A long day was in front of this, too. I have been having issues with home internet service, and after calls spread out over the last week, a service person was dispatched for today.
Naturally, they never know when they'll show up. I went into work, gathered up some stuff and brought it home. I was out of touch, email-wise, but I was moderately productive.
The guy finally showed up at 6:00 pm, about the time I was about to call it a day and change into running gear. An hour later I have an new internet modem/router, and a somewhat cheaper access plan. Five minutes after that, I was coughing down the street.
I only ran to 14th Street, and even then my chest was a little achy with the wheezing and stuff. All this darkness, and not nearly anyone on the trails. Cold and windy, too, which made it all the more dismal.
And yet, not really. Once I was moving and warmed up, it felt crisp. And it wasn't entirely dark. I got to catch the last bit of glow from the sunset. People were out. Not a bad evening at all.
Distance: 7.15 Time: 41:18
Average speed: 5:46 min/km (10.39 kph).
Shoes: Asics GT-2130.
Weather: Clear and 5C.
A long day was in front of this, too. I have been having issues with home internet service, and after calls spread out over the last week, a service person was dispatched for today.
Naturally, they never know when they'll show up. I went into work, gathered up some stuff and brought it home. I was out of touch, email-wise, but I was moderately productive.
The guy finally showed up at 6:00 pm, about the time I was about to call it a day and change into running gear. An hour later I have an new internet modem/router, and a somewhat cheaper access plan. Five minutes after that, I was coughing down the street.
I only ran to 14th Street, and even then my chest was a little achy with the wheezing and stuff. All this darkness, and not nearly anyone on the trails. Cold and windy, too, which made it all the more dismal.
And yet, not really. Once I was moving and warmed up, it felt crisp. And it wasn't entirely dark. I got to catch the last bit of glow from the sunset. People were out. Not a bad evening at all.
Distance: 7.15 Time: 41:18
Average speed: 5:46 min/km (10.39 kph).
Shoes: Asics GT-2130.
Weather: Clear and 5C.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Just a Quick One
I was meeting a friend for dinner, so had to get a quick one in. I haven't run for awhile, and I'm starting to miss it. With the hiking, it's not such a big deal to miss a little, but I get a little antsy if I haven't been out there for awhile.
Tonight was cool. The weather has been all over the map the last couple of days, and there is a definite chill. I reluctantly dug out the running tights, and likely didn't really need them, but there ya go.
I found I wasn't the only one either. Some have been wearing warm gear for a couple of weeks. Tonight there were fewer in shorts than not. Even with shorts, the tops were layered. And the west horizon is looking decidedly white.
A good strong run, typical of when I don't get out for awhile.
Distance: 7.10 Time: 39:43
Average speed: 5:35 min/km (10.73 kph).
Shoes: Asics GT-2130.
Weather: Cloudy and 6C.
Tonight was cool. The weather has been all over the map the last couple of days, and there is a definite chill. I reluctantly dug out the running tights, and likely didn't really need them, but there ya go.
I found I wasn't the only one either. Some have been wearing warm gear for a couple of weeks. Tonight there were fewer in shorts than not. Even with shorts, the tops were layered. And the west horizon is looking decidedly white.
A good strong run, typical of when I don't get out for awhile.
Distance: 7.10 Time: 39:43
Average speed: 5:35 min/km (10.73 kph).
Shoes: Asics GT-2130.
Weather: Cloudy and 6C.
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Saturday Morning
It's not often I go out on a Saturday, but I've only run once all week, and tomorrow I'll be heading to the Kananaskis for a hike. So I needed a loosener.
Out the door, and down the street. It took an extra minute or two for the GPS to find itself, and the fall chill was definitely in the air. I had also found my running gloves last week, but forgot to wear them, not even thinking of them until well into the run when my fingers began to feel crampy from the cold.
That didn't last long, of course, once I was good and warm. I find it takes longer to get to that point of being fully warmed up, lately. I attribute that to my increased level of fitness.
It's such a colourful time of year. When running, it's hard to shuffle through the leaves, but every step brought a satisfying crunch (to quote some cereal box from somewhere.)
Saturdays seem quiet on The Stairs, with none of the fitness groups jamming them or the surrounding paths. But there were a couple running up and down - there is always someone on it. Seems like a 24 hour thing, some days.
Nice run, lovely morning. I'm good.
Distance: 7.16 Time: 41:08
Average speed: 5:44 min/km (10.44 kph).
Shoes: Asics GT-2130.
Weather: Mostly cloudy and 6C.
Out the door, and down the street. It took an extra minute or two for the GPS to find itself, and the fall chill was definitely in the air. I had also found my running gloves last week, but forgot to wear them, not even thinking of them until well into the run when my fingers began to feel crampy from the cold.
That didn't last long, of course, once I was good and warm. I find it takes longer to get to that point of being fully warmed up, lately. I attribute that to my increased level of fitness.
It's such a colourful time of year. When running, it's hard to shuffle through the leaves, but every step brought a satisfying crunch (to quote some cereal box from somewhere.)
Saturdays seem quiet on The Stairs, with none of the fitness groups jamming them or the surrounding paths. But there were a couple running up and down - there is always someone on it. Seems like a 24 hour thing, some days.
Nice run, lovely morning. I'm good.
Distance: 7.16 Time: 41:08
Average speed: 5:44 min/km (10.44 kph).
Shoes: Asics GT-2130.
Weather: Mostly cloudy and 6C.
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