You've Got Some 'Splainin'

I'm at a loss.

About a month ago, I came back from my Eastern Canada road trip.  While I was there, a heat wave going on and the running was extremely hard.  I attempted all of my scheduled runs, but found I could not complete them at the targeted pace.  I accepted that.

My first week back, I nailed the tempo.  All was good.  Or so I thought.

Since that time, 4 weeks, I haven't been able to hit my targets, finishing up 15-25 secs/mile off... instead of a 7:45, I'm now hitting a 8:10/mile.

I'm looking back at the last few months wondering what happened.  I'm not sure what changed.  My diet was interrupted during the trip, but has returned to mostly the same.  The temperature has been warm, but others in the clinic are hitting or getting close to their targets.  I don't feel my level of effort has changed and I continue to push through each of the runs.

After VIM I felt so confident I'd get my BQ for Victoria.  Following my return from Peru, I was nailing my tempo runs and PB'ing some of my speed workouts.  But, these last few weeks have been very difficult for me mentally.

Tomorrow, I'm changing up my venue for my tempo.  I'm doing a beach run instead of the regular UBC area.  I'm targeting a 8:05... not great, but better than I've done in a month.

Finally, I've been reluctant to blog, as the impetus was to be an inspiration.  I didn't see my current performance to be at all inspirational.  But after speaking to a reader about this capturing the ups and downs, I decided to pen this entry.

Note: I'm planning to do a quick update after my tempo run.

Update:  I did my 10 mile tempo run.  Went down to Jericho/Kits area, nice cool-ish day.  I ended up with 8:00.  I'm pretty happy.  I have some ways to go, but at least it's an improvement from my previous efforts.

I Hurt

It's been a tough week...

• Wednesday, track workout.  I did well, but my legs were very sore for days.  
• Friday, tempo run.  I was supposed to do 9 miles, but could only muster 6 miles.  I'm blaming my soreness and the heat.  It's good to find excuses :P
• Saturday, Grouse Grind with my girls.  They both hit PBs of 1:09 (R) and 1:10 (C)!
• Sunday, an 18 mile run
• Tuesday, BCMC trail solo.  ~1 hour
• Wednesday, track workout again

Why do I put myself through this?

I sometimes wonder what makes me tick.

I'm pretty sure I'm not "normal".  I don't wear that label with honour, it's just a fact.  I don't make an effort to think different.

I do know I am willing to take some risks if the downside is pain.  I enjoy going mountain biking on the edge of my skill, I like to push my luck snowboarding.  Injuries?  Hmm... two sprained ankles, broken fingers, broken hand, 2x bruised ribs, and of course countless bruises, cuts, and a few near concussions (i.e. strained neck from my head hitting the snow so hard).

I view life as a collection of experiences, not a collection of goods.  The saying, he who dies with the most toys still dies, strikes a chord with me.  Sure, not all experiences are pleasant, but from each new one, you learn some.

But what is the alternative?  Biking or riding at a leisurely pace???  I've tried and just can't do it, it's too boring.  I don't understand why people hold back.  If I'm in something, I'm in.  In for a penny, in for a pound.

I am different.  I accept pain and discomfort as a price to pay for living life.  So yeah, I hurt, but I have no regrets.

Fun Time is Over

Time to get serious.

I've been a ramblin' boy for the last few months.  But I am settling down now...no more trips to the Amazon, no more visiting family back East during a heat wave, and certainly no more poutines with mushrooms and onions (Mmmm!)

I'm running a better now than ever before.  I ran a PB mile recently and have had strong track workouts since.  I know I have my work cut out for me in order to still push it to get my BQ in Victoria.  

My weight is the biggest thing (pun intended) I need to work on.  My VIM weight was 144, I'm now 148.  Four pounds may not sound like a lot, but carrying it for a 26+ miles is another matter.  I'd like to hit 144 again for Victoria, but I won't complain too much if I can even hit 142.

My strategy is pretty simple, just ease up on the bad food.  My recent trip to Ontario and Quebec was tough.  A lot of eating out, a lot of poutines, and a lot of generally less healthy food than I eat normally.  I need to get back to my whole foods and then I'm hoping my weight will start coming off.

As always, it's a tricky balancing act of losing fat and not muscle. 

I'm Hot

I had previously thought I was pretty good running in the heat.  A trip to Hawaii changed that.

It was in early November, cool by Hawaiian standards, but I was going from freezing temperatures in Vancouver to high-20's.  I had run RVM about a month prior.  I felt pretty good running in the coolness of Vancouver, but a tempo lap around Diamond Head proved too much.


I'm in Eastern Canada right now and the area is going through a heat wave.  Ottawa was cool, but Toronto, Quebec, and Montreal have been down right muggy.  The temperature is hovering around 30 but the Humidex shows that it will feel like 40+  My longer runs have proven to be, er... disappointing.  A slow six miler had me stopping 2-3 times, my speedwork was way off pace and my tempo was slow and shortened.  I can unequivocally say, I was suffering in all of them.  Also, I can unequivocally say that I suck in the heat.

But like most things that are uncomfortable, there is a significant benefit...


I love racing in the fall.  You get to train in warm/hot days, but then get a nice cool weather to race in.


I actually figured out why I was good running in the heat years ago.  I never pushed myself whether it was warm, cold or whatever.  When it was warm out, I had so much buffer that they were easy too.  


Now, when I run, I just do the best I can.

Planes, Trains, Automobiles

I'm doing my Eastern Canadian road trip..  Plane to Ottawa, train to Toronto and Montreal, and automobile to Quebec City.

My normal routes in Vancouver are well worn, so it's always kinda exciting running out of the ordinary.  For my first out of town run, I went to the track and did 400m repeats, but the next run was around my sister's neighbourhood.  I got lost.  I don't have a very good sense of direction at the best of times.  I'm wandering back and I'm slowing down 'cause I have no idea if I'm headed in the right direction, and lo and behold I spot a deer in the middle of the road.  The deer ran away, but for a second I thought, maybe I should chase after him, but then I thought, who the hell am I, Bear Grylls?

I really do love running in new places.  It's fun to see new things.  And sure, you might get lost, but sometimes after getting lost, it might allow you to see some pretty cool things.

PS Happy Canada Day

Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon

I decided to give back a little to the running community.

After having run in a couple of dozen races, I decided to volunteer for one.

I've always held admiration for the race volunteers.  They wake up early, cheering runners on through rain, sleet, or snow.  Their reward?  A shirt that says "Volunteer" on it.

I wanted to volunteer for a bigger race, but it had to be one that I didn't plan to do... SVHM would be perfect.  I ran (not raced) it couple of years ago and enjoyed it, but because of the significant downhill section, I have reservations about it being a "true" half marathon.  Some people may disagree, but this is my blog ;)

Prior to the race, I found out many of my friends/acquaintances were running it, this would make cheering and watching out for them, even more fun.  Let's see... Shawna, Eric, Dennis, Amanda, Jen x2, Adrainna, Tricia, Joe, Wynne, Tomoko, and Stella.  I'm probably missing some people, and even the above list, I still didn't see more than half.

Earlier I said that volunteers only receive a shirt.  But hardly.

I had a great time at the race.  Many of the racers would take a moment to say "thanks" or give me a thumbs up.  I even had some people cheering that chose to stand with me.  The couple at the beginning were waiting for their daughter and then for the 2nd half, a group of 3 came out with hand-drawn posters that the racers all smiled and/or laughed at. "No Wimps", "Running is better than therapy".

But perhaps best of all, I had two friends come by to support their fellow runners.  Sue brought me a coffee, which I certainly needed since I only had less than 4 hours of sleep.  Sue is a great runner friend.  She's always willing to help you out and inspire/motivate you to do better.  She used our location as a launching point to pace her/our runner friends.  Nancy came by too.  She was out for a 12k run, and only 2k in when she stopped for a visit.  She's been on a very slow road to running recovery, so it's always nice to see her out.  She too paced some friends.

Running is beautiful.  It's elegant in its simplicity.  One leg in front of the other, repeats a few thousand times.  But its beauty is in the diversity of people it attracts.  Nearly everyone can run.  It brings out all body shapes, the lean Kenyans, the sedentary couch potatoes.  The young and old.  Some are hoping to beat records, some are just out for a good time, and some are out there to enjoy camaraderie.

When the race ended, the bus dropped me back at UBC and as I walked, I thought to myself.  "I love to experience things that grow me, and volunteering today, is one I will cherish."

"Nothing measurable matters." - EE Cummings

Too Tired

Not sure what happened.

The clinic run was 10x400m.  John asked that I target a 91sec pace.  The first 3 were fast, too fast... trying to keep up with Sue wasn't the best decision.  The next 7 were slow.  On the last lap, I hit 94s.  I don't think I could have gone much faster if my clothes were on fire.

I gave it all I could, and it wasn't quite enough.

I really don't like that feeling.  I went home, feeling very melancholy.  The next day, I felt drained.  I tried/wanted to perk up, but just seemed unable.

When I chatted with John after the run.  He mentioned that he no longer competes because he's tired of it.  When he competed, he ran 12 times a week.  He won the Vancouver Marathon in 1978.

At first, I didn't understand why he stopped, but then I thought, it makes perfect sense.  How much longer would you want to be pushing your limits?  There's no cruise control when running/competing.  It's always a constant push for better/faster/longer.

I'm lucky.

I know I can motivate myself beyond this, I'll willingly suffer pain and humility when I know it is getting me closer to a tangible goal.

My dad used to say he was a dog, beat him, and he'd still come back for more.  That's tenacity!