With my Mom and Dad in town there hasn`t been much training in the last few weeks. Dad has been shovelling the snow for me and Mom is fattening me up for slaughter. I was planning to start a new exercise program and diet restrictions but if this keeps up much longer 2009 is going to be a drastic departure in an effort to get back into some semblance of fitness before I have to take off my bulky sweats.
I did get out on snowshoes for an hour Christmas day with Lady J. She had fun so we will have to look for a set of snowshoes for her. Something in her size since my canoes made the walk an extra challenge for her.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Race Face: The Flatter Course
I did the first (of four) Madtrapper races today. The snow was deep and the air was cold. -18 degrees Celsius at kick off. My legs were a bit heavy from going out with the running man Thursday evening. I forgot how much faster than me he is and while we ran our 8 (he tries to say 6) km along the canal I felt fine. Stiff legs yesterday said that was too much two days before a race. A hot yoga class (@ HYER Destination) helped limber that up some but this morning after an unusually poor nights sleep I was not near 100% but I was still going to try for a sub 1:30 time.
Things went smoothly at first, the drive was good so I got there with just the right amount of time to prep. I had my super power shake rented a set of running snow shoes and started out strong (for me). Being the fat guy and comparatively slow I run at the back of the pack so the path is well packed by the time I get there. About 7km in I realized I needed an energy bar - and that my bars were still in the kitchen cabinet at home. In my defence I was distracted while packing this morning. So at km 8 I bonked and a promising pace died in the frigid mountain air. I briskly walked the last two kilometres fair shivering with cold. Running on empty in -18 is not ideal. I made it back to the ark with all my fingers and toes and a hot plate of chili really hit the spot. The post-race repast is one of the big attractions of the Madtrapper IMO.
Gear notes:
1. I`m happy with my winter running kit except for the gloves. I want a slightly heavier set of gloves for these colder days. The gloves I have are fine only to about -10.
2. Gortex socks ROCK! I`ve been singing their praises all fall but now I can really rave since I can compare them directly to my pre-gortex sock life. (Was that really life or just punishment for some past wrongs?) My feet were warm and dry start to finish. Properly applied they are top notch gear and worth every penny.
3. If I`m going to be out for more than one hour I must remember to carry an energy bar and ideally something to drink. Of course one guy said his water bottle was iced up on the second lap so he would not bring it again.
Results:
In the end I finished the 10km in 1:36 and not in last place! I had been on target for about 1:25 when I bonked so next time (if I remember to pack the energy bar) under 1:30 should be no problem :). Next time is the hilly course which I actually find easier. I tend to fly down the hills with reckless abandon while the flats mean actually trying to find a running rhythm on a totally unstable platform.
Things went smoothly at first, the drive was good so I got there with just the right amount of time to prep. I had my super power shake rented a set of running snow shoes and started out strong (for me). Being the fat guy and comparatively slow I run at the back of the pack so the path is well packed by the time I get there. About 7km in I realized I needed an energy bar - and that my bars were still in the kitchen cabinet at home. In my defence I was distracted while packing this morning. So at km 8 I bonked and a promising pace died in the frigid mountain air. I briskly walked the last two kilometres fair shivering with cold. Running on empty in -18 is not ideal. I made it back to the ark with all my fingers and toes and a hot plate of chili really hit the spot. The post-race repast is one of the big attractions of the Madtrapper IMO.
Gear notes:
1. I`m happy with my winter running kit except for the gloves. I want a slightly heavier set of gloves for these colder days. The gloves I have are fine only to about -10.
2. Gortex socks ROCK! I`ve been singing their praises all fall but now I can really rave since I can compare them directly to my pre-gortex sock life. (Was that really life or just punishment for some past wrongs?) My feet were warm and dry start to finish. Properly applied they are top notch gear and worth every penny.
3. If I`m going to be out for more than one hour I must remember to carry an energy bar and ideally something to drink. Of course one guy said his water bottle was iced up on the second lap so he would not bring it again.
Results:
In the end I finished the 10km in 1:36 and not in last place! I had been on target for about 1:25 when I bonked so next time (if I remember to pack the energy bar) under 1:30 should be no problem :). Next time is the hilly course which I actually find easier. I tend to fly down the hills with reckless abandon while the flats mean actually trying to find a running rhythm on a totally unstable platform.
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