Summery Spring Run

Gosh, but it's wonderful out. No snow in sight, so maybe it's actually going to stay on the warm side of 0C.

I was going to run the Crowchild loop, but I've got to meet someone tonight, so I did the 14th Street loop instead. A really nice run, and so many bicycles, some of them none too aware of where they're going. Sheesh!

Distance: 7.28 km. Time: 38:01 Average speed: 11.5 kph.

Shoes: Saucony Grid Phoenix (Yellow) B.

Weather: Sunny and 18C.

I'll find out if I'm in the New York City Marathon in about 51 days.
The New York City Marathon is in 193 days.
The Calgary Marathon is in 74 days.

Too Cold?

Man, I can hardly type. My hands are a little stiff after today's run. It was probably a little too cold to go without gloves. It was a little on the chilly side this morning, but I went with shorts and a t-shirt, and my running vest. It took a couple of miles to warm up, and my hands were awfully cold until then. The rest of the first half was OK.

But it got chilly again after turning around, which, by the way was about three hundred metres down Bow Cresent. Once I got back to the river, I noticed the wind from the east more as I ran into it. And it was chilly. Some parts weren't bad, along stretches sheltered by trees. Toward the end, after I crested the bluff, even my forearms were cramping from being cold. Gotta watch that.

But a good run. And lots of people out too.

Today's run:
Distance: 22.42 km. Time: 2:03:20. Average speed: 10.9 kph.
Rest distance: 1.42 km. Rest time: 13:00.
Total distance: 23.84 km. Total time: 2:16:20.

Shoes: Saucony Grid Phoenix (Yellow) A.

Weather: Fog and 1C at the start, and only gaining another degree by the end.

I'll find out if I'm in the New York City Marathon in about 53 days.
The New York City Marathon is in 195 days.
The Calgary Marathon is in 76 days.

This Weather is Ridiculous

Still waiting for signs of spring in terms of weather. Other symbols of spring time abound - robins, road construction, that kind of thing. But even with the driving snow, it was quite nice for running.

I haven't been out in ages, just my run last Sunday, so I really needed to get out there and go. I'm finally settling into my work and figuring a few things out, and maybe next week I can get back into the noon hour runs.

Tonight I thought I'd just do the 14th Street loop, since I haven't been out for awhile, and it's also kinda late in the day.

Just got an email from my brother. He has software for his GPS that will map out his runs on Google Earth. He sent me the data from his last run - a 10 km jaunt through Central Park. I'm jealous...

Distance: 6.15 km. Time: 37:55 Average speed: 9.7 kph.

Shoes: Saucony Grid Phoenix (Yellow) B.

Weather: Light snow and 0C.

I'll find out if I'm in the New York City Marathon in about 55 days.
The New York City Marathon is in 197 days.
The Calgary Marathon is in 78 days.

I Really Love Sunday Runs

When it's this nice out, and there are that many people out, it's wonderful. And toward the end, I ended up with the front runners in the Chinook Half Marathon, which was interesting. They were a pretty focused bunch.

I ran the south side of the river to Edworthy again. The ice below Spruce Cliff has melted considerably, but there's still lots. The channels that have been cut through it to funnel the spring water across the path haven't seemed to have changed much. I would have thought the running water would have cut them to the pavement by now. The sanded path is pretty much all gravel as the ice layers melt, so running across the ice was no problem at all. I imagine it'll be at least a couple of weeks before it's all gone.

After crossing to the north side at Edworthy, I continued west until turn-around time, at which point I was just off the path and about two hundred metres down 13th Avenue, in the middle of the Shouldice Athletic Park. From there it was straight along the north side of the river to downtown, and the The Path Under The Stairs.

Running was such a rush this morning, and I felt very good. With only a couple of strange moments, the last few weeks have been amazing, what with all the change that's been happening for my friends and I, include a new career for me. That last has been pretty exciting, but it has cut into my running time this past week. I'll have to figure this out soon.

Today's run:
Distance: 19.94 km. Time: 1:45:33. Average speed: 11.3 kph.
Rest distance: 1.09 km. Rest time: 11:00.
Total distance: 21.04 km. Total time: 1:56:33.

Shoes: Saucony Grid Phoenix (Yellow) A.

Weather: Cloudy and 5C to start, warming slightly to 7C by the end.

I'll find out if I'm in the New York City Marathon in about 60 days.
The New York City Marathon is in 202 days.
The Calgary Marathon is in 83 days.

Rain, Snow, Dry, Wet...Pick One, Already!

This weather is just weird. Not bad for running, as the snow stopped just before I got out, but sheesh!

I wondered if I should go all the way to Crowchild, or just cut it off at 14th, but it felt great out there. So I did the long loop. My runs have been great for months, always feeling great. At least after I finish. The sense of accomplishment, maybe? What ever it is, I love it.

Even The Path Under The Stairs was no problem. I had lots of energy to attack it, and kept up a great pace all the way up. Just as I turned off Cresent Road to head home, I passed my neighbour. Dressed for running but not running. I remembered that she's going to Boston very soon. Probably tapering, and just taking it easy. I can't wait to hear how it went.

Distance: 9.94 km. Time: 55:51 Average speed: 10.7 kph.

Shoes: Saucony Grid Phoenix (Yellow) B.

Weather: Cloudy and 2C.

I'll find out if I'm in the New York City Marathon in about 65 days.
The New York City Marathon is in 207 days.
The Calgary Marathon is in 88 days.

Spring is Back!

Well, it's back for the day, at least. But what a lovely day!

I ran westward again, this time crossing to the north side of the river at Crowchild, instead of trying to cross all that treacherous ice below Spruce Cliff. There were lots of runners out, likely because of the sunshine, which made it fun. They thinned out after Edworthy, and almost disappeared once I got on Bow Cresent.

At the end of Bow Cresent, a paved path continues to the river and under the train bridge. I followed it along the river to a foot bridge I had no idea was there. Just across the river, my last walk interval started at the end of the bridge, by a sign announcing that I was entering the Bowmont Natural Environment Park. Who knew?

Turning around, I retraced my steps. At two hours, I found that I was within twenty metres of where I was at one hour, meaning I was being incredibly consistent as far as speed. The gap was a little larger at two and a half hours, but still within a hundred metres of where I was at the thirty minute mark - almost right under the Crowchild bridge.

At two hours and forty-some minutes, things were beginning to hurt a little. But I still felt really good. I climbed The Path Under The Stairs with a pretty decent energy, considering, and had a nice strong finish. I have to compare this run to one I had a couple of years ago, before I had ever run a marathon. I'd done a compareable run, and I remember the emotional realization that a four hour marathon was within reach. Today, I'm a little more blasé about that kind of thing, but still impressed with myself.

Today's run:
Distance: 28.62 km. Time: 2:42:01. Average speed: 10.6 kph.
Rest distance: 2.03 km. Rest time: 17:02.
Total distance: 30.65 km. Total time: 2:59:03.

Shoes: Saucony Grid Phoenix (Yellow) A.

Weather: Sunny and 0C to start, but some high cloud began to roll in after a couple of hours, and the temperature climbed to 6C.

I'll find out if I'm in the New York City Marathon in about 67 days.
The New York City Marathon is in 209 days.
The Calgary Marathon is in 90 days.

What Happened to Spring?

It was happening a few days ago. I'm sure it was. I distinctly remember wearing shorts and a t-shirt and being quite comfortable. And sun...there was sunshine...and blue sky....

I think it has snowed continously for the last three and a half days. Somehow it isn't piling up, and the paths are being kept clear. Running isn't a problem, if you're ready for a little icy spot here and there.

Still doing the Crowchild loop, cuz it's such a nice distance. It leaves me feeling like I've burned a few calories, and it's a nice way to spend an hour.

I think lately my writing has been more of a dashed-off note than anything deep. Perhaps that's what it always was here. But anyway, in a conversation with Nony the other evening, she said she still keeps up with these ramblings. I have to say that pleases me very much.

Distance: 9.99 km. Time: 58:08 Average speed: 10.3 kph.

Shoes: Saucony Grid Phoenix (Yellow) B.

Weather: Light snow and -4C.

I'll find out if I'm in the New York City Marathon in about 70 days.
The New York City Marathon is in 212 days.
The Calgary Marathon is in 93 days.

Snow Again??

Sheesh, but the weather in this town is fickle! We've been getting heavily snowed on for the past couple of days. It makes the place pretty until it starts to melt, and it's not fun slogging through it. But the paths are clear, mostly, so out I go.

It was so cold starting off, that I figured maybe 14th Street would be far enough. But by the time I got there, I was nicely warmed up. A slight worry at that point was that I was moving with the wind, and the return leg might get a little challenging. But it wasn't too bad at all.

No crowd out running, just a few stragglers, so that energy wasn't there, but a nice run, nonetheless. Interesting that it felt faster than it was.

Distance: 9.50 km. Time: 56:47 Average speed: 10.0 kph.

Shoes: Saucony Grid Phoenix (Yellow) B.

Weather: Light snow and -7C.

I'll find out if I'm in the New York City Marathon in about 72 days.
The New York City Marathon is in 214 days.
The Calgary Marathon is in 95 days.

Wotta Run!

It seems to happen a lot, that I get out there and lose myself in the act of running. The miles go by and I don't even notice. I get to the turn around point before I know it, and it seems so effortless. Even the little aches that start up around the two hour point seem to belong where they are.

Snow almost all the way today. It started about fifteen or twenty minutes into it, and on the outbound leg, there were moments when you had to look at a dark background to see the flakes. But after I turned around on Bow Cresent, just past 65th Street, it socked right in, with the visibility dropping to about a kilometre. And it was off and on like that for the rest of the run.

The ice below Spruce Cliff is still pretty treacherous in places, but the sand they put along the side is thickening up as it melts into the lower layers, so that gives me a path to run through it. And someone has cut channels through the ice, straight across the path, so the spring water can drain without resurfacing the existing ice.

Not a busy morning, as the greyness and the snow probably kept some people inside, but still busy enough. Those that were out there were obviously happy to be there, and happy that spring is finally here. Great energy.

Today's run:
Distance: 25.39 km. Time: 2:21:19. Average speed: 10.8 kph.
Rest distance: 1.58 km. Rest time: 15:00.
Total distance: 26.97 km. Total time: 2:36:19.

Shoes: Saucony Grid Phoenix (Yellow) A.

Weather: Light snow and -3C.

I'll find out if I'm in the New York City Marathon in about 74 days.
The New York City Marathon is in 216 days.
The Calgary Marathon is in 97 days.

I'm Getting a Tan!

I've been able to get out a couple of times in shorts and a tee, and did so tonight. I find that I'm tanning a little, even with that exposure.

I ran Crowchild again, and for some reason, it was really fun. Maybe with all the people out, and the nice weather, maybe the karma was just there. What ever it was, it was one of the most enjoyable runs I've had. I'm left feeling really good right now.

Distance: 10.03 km. Time: 54:29 Average speed: 11.0 kph.

Shoes: Saucony Grid Phoenix (Yellow) B.

Weather: Partly cloudy and 13C, though the CBC sign said 16C.

I'll find out if I'm in the New York City Marathon in about 77 days.
The New York City Marathon is in 219 days.
The Calgary Marathon is in 100 days.

Low Flying Aircraft

Tonight's run was a little slower than my usual pace, but that's about where I needed to be, motion-wise. I did the Crowchild loop again. It's a great route, and almost spot on 10 km.

The snow we were warned about last night was late. We were supposed to wake up to knee deep drifts and the city at a standstill. But it held off until about 8:00 this morning. Most of it melts on contact with pavement, but it's piling nicely on lawns and gardens. The paths were wet, but not at all icy. Even the puddles weren't all that large.

Just as I was starting out, turning on to Cresent Road, the STARS ambulance went by. It was snowing pretty heavily at the time, and I suppose they needed to keep visual contact with the ground, but goodness they were low. I would estimate 200 feet above the river, as they weren't quite at eye level with me, and Cresent Road is about 150 feet above the river. Kind of a cool sight.

Distance: 10.06 km. Time: 58:33 Average speed: 10.3 kph.

Shoes: Saucony Grid Phoenix (Yellow) B.

Weather: Light snow and 1C.

I'll find out if I'm in the New York City Marathon in about 79 days.
The New York City Marathon is in 221 days.
The Calgary Marathon is in 102 days.

Cool Spring Run

Not as warm as yesterday, but still very much spring weather. I tried the south side of the river until Edworthy, and it's still a mess. Much of the path below Spruce Cliff is covered in ice, still, although the graveled trail through it is no longer being buried by new ice. In some places, it's wet and slippery, and occasional ankle deep puddles add to the challenge. Nothing like having cold wet feet. Or wet socks that ride around inside your shoe.

But for all of that, it was a good run. I found myself at the turnaround time within about three metres of where I ended up last week. So I'm a little slower today, since it took me ten minutes longer to get there. But hey, I'm running for distance, not speed.

I felt almost used up at the end, suggesting I'm about right on. The last half hour was a bit challenging, but I've definitely faced worse.

Today's run:
Distance: 22.02 km. Time: 2:01:54. Average speed: 10.8 kph.
Rest distance: 1.33 km. Rest time: 13:00.
Total distance: 23.35 km. Total time: 2:14:54.

Shoes: Saucony Grid Phoenix (Yellow) A.

Weather: Cloudy and 4C.

I'll find out if I'm in the New York City Marathon in about 81 days.
The New York City Marathon is in 223 days.
The Calgary Marathon is in 104 days.

Fabulous Friday Run

Well, why not? It felt really good out there, and it really feels like spring. And the weekend is here, and it's been a bleah week (or two.)

I've got so much energy, it seems like, that the Crowchild loop is just a nice way to spend an hour. Lots of people out, and that gives everything such a positive feel.

Yup, going good! It's shorts and t-shirt weather, too.

Did some checking into the NYC Marathon, and found that the May 1 deadline is for non-U.S. residents. The deadline for U.S. residents is June 1, which leads me to believe that the draw may not happen until then. So I've modified the countdowns below.

Distance: 10.09 km. Time: 53:57 Average speed: 11.2 kph.

Shoes: Saucony Grid Phoenix (Yellow) B.

Weather: Cloudy and 15C.

I'll find out if I'm in the New York City Marathon in about 83 days.
The New York City Marathon is in 225 days.
The Calgary Marathon is in 106 days.

And Another run

Wow, am I ever making up for lost time. The runs are feeling really good.

Today was another loop around the Crowchild route, and the paths are pretty much dry, even after all the snow that came down this morning. Bit of a shock, that.

Lots of people out running and spring is upon us.

Distance: 10.02 km. Time: 56:07 Average speed: 10.7 kph.

Shoes: Saucony Grid Phoenix (Yellow) B.

Weather: Partly cloudy and 4C.

I'll find out if I'm in the New York City Marathon in about 54 days.
The New York City Marathon is in 227 days.
The Calgary Marathon is in 108 days.

Finding the Groove Again

Today it felt like I was running again. Not too easy, but not at all hard. Feeling really good. And the conditions were lovely, even with the wind.

I did the Crowchild loop and set a nice easy pace. I didn't bother checking the GPS for speed or elapsed time or distance, and just let myself find whatever pace felt right. It turned out a little slower than the last few runs, but I'm just out there burning calories, not trying to adhere to a strict running regimen.

As it should be.

Almost got forced off the path by a cyclist, who was looking over his shoulder for some reason. Sheesh. Way too busy out there for that kind of inattention, especially at the speeds they travel.

Distance: 9.80 km. Time: 56:41 Average speed: 10.4 kph.

Shoes: Saucony Grid Phoenix (Yellow) B.

Weather: Cloudy and 7C, but the CBC sign said 1C.

I'll find out if I'm in the New York City Marathon in about 55 days.
The New York City Marathon is in 228 days.
The Calgary Marathon is in 109 days.

Start It Up

I start today. Training for the big ones, that is. Today was an hour out and an hour back. It felt good mostly, though the last twenty minutes were a bit slow. But that's as it should be. And it tells me I have work to do.

I headed west on the north side of the river. It was a sort of no frills Edworthy loop, except I went all the way to the John Hextall bridge before turning around, near the Shouldice pool. I don't remember much about the run. It was pretty straight forward.

I do remember the people though. Lots of runners out, even with the grey skys and threat of snow. And lots of enthusiasm - everyone seemed so up beat. It made it a lot of fun, and the time just flew.

Today's run:
Distance: 20.59 km. Time: 1:52:05. Average speed: 11.0 kph.
Rest distance: 1.27 km. Rest time: 12:00.
Total distance: 21.86 km. Total time: 2:04:05.

Shoes: Saucony Grid Phoenix (Yellow) A.

Weather: Light snow and -1C.

I'll find out if I'm in the New York City Marathon in about 57 days.
The New York City Marathon is in 230 days.
The Calgary Marathon is in 111 days.

Trying to Get Back On Track

It's been a long recovery from illness, and most of the last couple of weeks have been runless due to a persistent cough. I've done a round of antibiotics, and that seems to have made a difference, but it's still there.

Today was the first run in a long time. Beautiful weather out, and even with the snow from the past couple of days, the paths are pretty much dry. I just ran the 14th Street loop, just to see how it went, and kept the 10th Street bridge in mind in case this cough started up. It went fine, and 14th was probably just right.

Minor glitch: the GPS went dead near the end of the run, so I'll just use the same numbers from the last run in the Saucony B's.

Distance: 7.23 km. Time: 38:02 Average speed: 11.4 kph.

Shoes: Saucony Grid Phoenix (Yellow) B.

Weather: Sunny and -3C.

I'll find out if I'm in the New York City Marathon in about 60 days.
The New York City Marathon is in 233 days.
The Calgary Marathon is in 114 days.

It's Like Summer!

Very nice day out. Definitely not the kind of weather you want to be stuck inside somewhere.

I did the 14th Street loop again. Some puddles have shrunk and even dried up, others are turning into lakes. And there are stretches where it's just a thin layer of water on the path, so it gets a little splashy. Some are a bit muddy. I love it.

Lots of people out running tonight, and almost everyone is getting back to the summer running clothes. It would be nice if the cloud would go away for the afternoon. But next week, the sun will be even higher once we get into daylight savings. Time to work on the tan.

Distance: 7.25 km. Time: 37:26 Average speed: 11.6 kph.

Shoes: Saucony Grid Phoenix (Yellow) A.

Weather: Mostly cloudy and 11C. It was up to 14C an hour before.

I'll find out if I'm in the New York City Marathon in about 68 days.
The New York City Marathon is in 241 days.
The Calgary Marathon is in 122 days.

Is It Really Spring??

Or is it just this Calgary weather that messes with us every year at this time? It really is lovely out, definitely shorts and t-shirt weather. And regardless of the weather, I've been waiting for today just to be able to get out there and run.

The cough still dogs me a bit, so I might have to give it some attention. A minor issue, as is the wet and mud that spreads here and there across the paths. With shorts, come muddy legs - it does get a bit splattery.

I ran the 14th Street loop tonight, and I have to say that late afternoon is my second favourite time to be out, after the noon hour. Lots of people are out around 5:00 and it's the same energy as the noon hour crowd.

Distance: 7.23 km. Time: 38:02 Average speed: 11.4 kph.

Shoes: Saucony Grid Phoenix (Yellow) B.

Weather: Mainly sunny and 7C, which was the conditions at the airport. At Calgary Olympic Park it was closer to 10C. The downtown river bank is probably somewhere in the middle.

I'll find out if I'm in the New York City Marathon in about 69 days.
The New York City Marathon is in 242 days.
The Calgary Marathon is in 123 days.

Finally Back Into Distance Runs

Man, did it ever feel good out there this morning! I have missed getting out, having been ill for the past couple of weeks. The cough was a little annoying at times, but mostly it stayed away.

Lots of big puddles on the paths, especially around the Crowchild bridge. There were places where I had a choice between going hand over hand along the guardrail to keep from slipping in the water, or balancing on a ridge of ice that used to be a ridge of snow pushed up along side the path by a plow. And of course, slide one way into the puddle, or slide the other way down the bank and into the river, or at least a snow bank on top of the ice on the river. But I got around those okay, and stayed upright. I even kept my feet dry.

A great beautiful run, and gorgeous chinook weather. The sky was clear to the horizon, too, so the western view was stupendous. And a whole lot of people out enjoying it.

Today's run:
Distance: 16.05 km. Time: 1:24:41. Average speed: 11.4 kph.
Rest distance: 901.3m. Rest time: 9:00.
Total distance: 16.95 km. Total time: 1:33:41.

Shoes: Saucony Grid Phoenix (Yellow) A.

Weather: Cloudy and 6C to start, warming up to 8C. A little bit of a breeze, and the chinook arch kept the western sky clear.

I'll find out if I'm in the New York City Marathon in about 71 days.
The New York City Marathon is in 244 days.
The Calgary Marathon is in 125 days.