Where Do the Hours Go?

I always seem to have the right intentions, but I'm never able to get things done. Case in point this blog, I would love to do daily updates, but i have trouble doing monthly updates. I think I'm going make the time.
So how is the running going? Maybe I should ask how is the training going, as I am doing regular swimming sessions to supplement the running, along with a bit of spinning too. Theo talked me into going out swimming on Tuesday's, Thursday and Saturdays and other than the odd session I've going out regularly since the start of the year. At first I found it very tough, but over time I think I am getting much more efficient and I am sure it is helping the cardio. Just trying to do 2 lengths was tough at first, now I start with 4 lengths. Spinning for about 45 minutes or so before swimming on Tuesday's and Thursday's is just bonus points, just seems to hurt my ass, but I am sure it is having an effect too. With Green Jewel coming up in 5 weeks it will be interesting to see how I fair compared with last year. I'm thinking that I am in much better shape than last year, although not without a few niggling little problems, I would be disappointed if I can't beat last years time. All things considering though, all the races this spring etc are just training runs for Vermont in July.
The running has been hit and miss, most of it good, but for some reasons the long runs on Saturday have been rather difficult. And stranger again is that the Sunday long runs have been generally, really good. Comparing last years run log with this year so far. Monthly, the mileage is almost identical and I am actually ahead if last year for my long runs. So in that respect I am doing well. I still feel that I have to get the long run distance up, providing that the weather co-operates. *fingers crossed*. I guess really can't complain too much as the weather has been far better than last year.
Race Schedule?
Yeah things are starting to shape up with the race schedule now. 6 Races are on the schedule with the latest addition the Niagara Ultra 100k. A new distance for me, but Looking forward to it on the Niagara Ultra course. Always a good event. Not sure what to expect though, just get it done I guess.
As I mentioned earlier I have the Green Jewel 50k on March 3rd in Ohio. Then in Seaton Trail 52k in May, thankfully much later than las tear and the horrible weather that hit in April. There is Sulphur Springs 50 mile race at the end of May. Then Niagara on June 23rd. We will probably be doing the annual night run to Orillia and back the weekend before Niagara, which will conflict with the Barrie Half Marathon, so our running support may not be quite as good as the last two years.
Those races all lead up to Vermont 100 on July 21st. At the moment the only other race I have signed up for is the North Coast 24 Hr event in Cleveland in September. There are many other events I would like to do, but at the moment I am biding my time. Pick Your Poison, Dirty Girls, Haliburton, let's see....

A New Year...

A new year and new ideas about training pop up, whether they work or not we will find out in the months to come. So what have I changed? Well Theo talked me into going swimming at the East Bayfield Rec centre and possibly spinning too and last week I took him up on the offer. With the extra workouts it's not leaving much time for rest though and I will had ego be careful with that and take the days off when I feel I need them. I started running Monday nights before the new year and with runs on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday now joined with a long Saturday run, Tuesdays and Thursdays were my only days off. Not anymore as Swimming is Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Saturdays swim following my long run. I'm guessing this will either kill me or make me stronger.
So far the swimming is going well, albeit tough slogging. I am so inefficient when swimming, but apparently with a few pointers and some work that will get better. At the moment I am just trying to get used to swimming for as long as possible now. I definitely feel the work in the arms and shoulders. My first spin session was this past Thursday ad it was ok, rather boring, but a lot of sweating.
THe running has been great as the whether has been very cooperative, at least until today that is. The temperature dropped during the day to -8C and snowed most of the afternoon. The run tonight felt tough, but mostly due to the sloppy conditions as apposed to the cold an wind. Tomorrow I have my long run and it may be rather abbreviated as it is supposed to be about -18c in the morning, with out the wind chill. We shall see!
I've been upping the mileage as my first race of the year is only 7 weeks away at the Green Jewel 50k. As of today I have also signed up for Seaton Trail 52k, Sulphur Springs 50 miler, Vermont 100, and the North Coast 24 hr. I still plan on signing up for Pick Your Poison 50k (still no registration available for that one yet!!!! Come on guys), although I was surprised to be the first one signed up for Seaton Trail. The Niagara 100k is another race is want to do, I think! Most of the rest of the Ultra Series too, but the time will come to sign up for those.

2011 Year End

With the new year now into full swing I figured like many, I should recap my last years running accomplishments.
I was hoping that the amongst other things the least I could do was to at least learn from the previous years mistakes.
So what were the mistakes? Running too many races and not being properly prepared to run that many miles. I had signed up for my first 100 miler (Burning River) and had to back out at the last minute when I realized that injuries had prevented me from running 10k, never mind 100 miles. It took me a long time to get over that and realize what I needed to do to train properly. Late in 2010 I was one of the first to sign up for Burning River and wasn't ready to ramp up the mileage until the new year. All my focus for 2011 would be on Burning River with no back to back Marathons and unnecessary races. I started running 2 long runs per weekend in January with Theo. We would both be doing the Green Jewel 50k in Ohio, for Theo his first.
Training in Barrie in January can be tough at the best of times, but in 2011 it was extremely hard. Many a long run was run in sloppy, deep snowy conditions and in some cases cut shorter than planned. Regardless we went to Green Jewel and had good runs in difficult conditions. Heavy rain the week before had created s lot of flooding, which had mostly cleared up by race time. At least we didn't have to deal with snow, at least until we drove home. That was a miserable drive.
Another "fun run" was Seaton Trail. The equivalent to a Nor'easter blew through after a week of rain and created more difficult conditions for this 52k race (which turned out to be about 56k), heavy rains and high winds welcomed runners. I almost quit at half way, but soldiered on. Only 31 finishers in the 52k and 3 in the 50 miler should give you an idea of how bad it was.
A training run to Wasaga Beach and back (50 miles) went off really well, despite the rain.
The weather was much better for Sulphur Springs, but there was still a lot of mud on the course, but just enough to make it fun. I had attempted the 50 mile here last year, but as an omen of what was to come I dropped at about 35 miles. This year was totally different, as I finished feeling good, finishing the last loop strongly.
Creemore has become an annual event and as usual was very warm and humid, but a decent race.
Prior to actually running Burning River I went down with Roger and did 2 of the scheduled training runs, which I would recommend to anyone planning on doing BR100. I also went down to Vermont for the Vermont 100 to crew and pace Catherine, a great weekend and a good experience, unfortunately Catherine didn't complete the race. getting pull off the course at about 56 miles.
Burning River was a great success, I finished and felt great. It just set the seeds for me wanting to do more of the same.
After a trip to England to help Victoria move (which helped enforce a 2 week recovery with no running). Once back I helped our team in the Simcoe Shores relay. Much more fun actually being able to run this year, but it felt very hard.
In September I tried to get into the North Coast 24 hour race, but tried to late and it was sold out. I thought it would be interesting to see how far I could run in 24 hours on a fairly flat course. More to come on that one!
I signed up for Vulture Bait which I had been planning on doing for a number of years, but it always conflicted with other races. The race turned out to be a hidden gem, great course, but horrible weather, which seemed to be a reoccurring theme for the year.
A last minute sign up for the Borden half marathon (WTF, a half?), at which I surprised myself by how well I did.
I finished the year by starting a strength training program to try and overcome some of the injuries caused by some muscle weakness here and there. Physical Therapy and ART has had some positive affects on my injuries.
Overall the year has finished very positively on the running/injury front. I have also signed up for Vermont 100, North Coast 24 hr (with time to spare this year) and lately I just signed up for Green Jewel again. There are a lot of other possibilities too, especially the OUS series races. Its looking up for a good year.


2011 races:

March 5, Green Jewel 50k - 4:48 22nd place out of 100
April 16, Seaton Trail 54k - 6:47, 18th out of 31 finishers
May 28, Sulphur Springs 50 miles - 9:29, 18th out of 63
July 2, Creemore Vertical Challenge 50k - 5:24, 20th out of 89
July 30- 31, Burning River 100 Mile - 24:38:56, 49th out of 310
Oct 15, Vulture Bait 50 - 5:06, 30th out of 89
Oct 23, Borden Half Marathon - 1:35, 17th out of 239

Total distance ran in 2011 - 3685 km's
Highest weekly mileage - 171 km's
Highest monthly mileage - 420 km's