STRAVA Summary

Monday, February 23, 2009

Snowy Peterborough


I have been having trouble trying to understand how a I feel about my result on Sunday. Although conditions were not ideal, it was a flat course and the second half the roads were fairly well clear of snow. So by rights I should have run a good second half and I thought a sub 1:30 was possible. Other than the last 4 - 5k I struggled to get into a good rythym for most of the race.
The hour before the race we watched the blizzard like conditions outside of the YMCA, switched shoes and debated on whether or not to change clothes. I settled on the trail shoes (XT wings) and for going the jacket. The temperature was not bad, about -1C, but there was a strong wind form the south west. By the time we got to the start line the sun came out and it felt nice. We met Rick, Tracey and Jim at the start area and got ready to go. The first half of the race was a case of looking for good footing as everything was snow covered and slippery, but we were close to maintaining a 4:15/km pace. At about 4k Brendan took off, I either couldn't or didin't have the desire to chase him (more likely the latter). At about the same time I guess I was pulling away from Jamie too. As well as the slippery footing we had to battle the head wind to the turn around. The route back should have been easier with the wind at our back and most of the snow cleared from the road, but it didn't seem to matter. Brendan was now out of sight. With about 5k to go I felt a surge and pushed harder and finished strong coming in at 1:31:57. Brendan finished in 1:28 and Jamie was only about 15 seconds behind me, so he finished very strong. Jamie's time was a PB. Mine was my 12th best time in half, and considering that the last time I ran this race was in 1:32 on a tougher course in much worse conditions, it makes a overall dissapointing result. Why? I don't know. I had no aspirations going into the race, so I hsouldn't be dissapointed. Maybe it as the shoes, although I think they were required for the first half, the Xt wings tend to be heavier and stiffer. Anyway now I know where I stand, and that more work is to be done. But that will have to wait, as I have a week in the Dominican coming up this Saturday and there will be no running going on, just lots of rest and relaxation.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

This Weekend

This coming Sunday (22nd) is the 31st annual Peterborough Half Marathon. I haven't done this race in quite a few years and the course has changed, supposedly flatter and faster. Although I'm not sure you can run fast in Peterborough in February. As it turns the weather may not be in our favour, with it calling for snow and cold temps. The last time I did this race we had a flash freeze in the middle of the race, snow covered roads and windy. The years before that I ran in shorts, unbelievable for February. Well it won't be shorts this year. I know Jamie was looking for me to pace him in for a sub 1:30, but I think that may be a challenge if the roads are snow covered.
My lead to this race has been quite good. A couple of my usual hilly, tempo runs (15k) the past couple of weeks a speed work out on the treadmill last week. I'll have another run on Friday and that will be it. The beauty of Peterborough is the race doesn't start until 12:30pm. Even driving from Barrie we can still sleep in and get there in plenty of time.
The shoes I won at Ghost Town finally arrived on Tuesday (Saucony Paramounts). So as I was alone at home after work I decided to take them for a test run (the 15k hilly tempo run mentioned above). They felt good, comfortable on the feet. I'm not sure if I'll wear them on Sunday or not though.
1 week and 2 days and we're off to the Dominican (Samana for 7 days). Looking forward to some sun and warm temperatures. Nothing but RnR.

Friday, February 13, 2009

What's new.

It has been a while since my last post. I don't have any excuses except laziness. The running has been going good, especially as the weather has been getting slowly better. Except last Wednesday when it was stupidly cold and windy, so I didn't run. Last Sunday I got the mileage up to 36k, surprising myself, and it felt good. Then on Monday I did a hilly "tempo" run, probably not normally a good idea the day after a long run. But again it felt good. Tuesday was a rest day and then Wednesday I woke up with a sore leg, which wouldn't go away. I thought that maybe I had overdone it and it was going to be one of those injuries that stops me running. As usual I ignored common sense and went out for the usual Wednesday run and the soreness disappeared. Last night was the Powerstream/Barrie Hydro meet and greet followed by the Colts game. Which went well. No running so it was another good rest day. 1 week to Peterborough.