I did another 5k road race yesterday. Thought I was pacing myself well. Came in 10secs over my personal best at 26:40.
Later, when reviewing my stats on my watch I noticed that 6 minutes into the race my heart rate dropped significantly. I do not recall feeling like I could have ran a lot faster at that point. At the end, when I pushed it, I really could not have run any faster. However, most of the race my heart rate was much lower than when I train. I don’t understand unless my watch failed me somehow. Or, I can run faster sooner. We’ll see at the next race I guess.
5k, slightly hilly, pavement, 9c and clear.
Sunday, October 22, 2017
Sunday, October 15, 2017
still here ...
I'm still running and will start more regular postings within the next couple of weeks.
BTW - My personal best for a 5km run is 26min, 30sec. Not bad. Although there are always some that are very much faster. Oh, well.
BTW - My personal best for a 5km run is 26min, 30sec. Not bad. Although there are always some that are very much faster. Oh, well.
Sunday, April 30, 2017
Running ... and I need to smarten up!
So, I ran my first official timed race (5k) on Apr.9th. I did a respectable 26:35.6 and came in second in my category - male, 60 - 69 years old (2 out of 5). (48th overall out of around 315 runners.) It was a fairly flat and familiar course. It was hard but I was personally amazed at my time when I finished. (My personal best had been around 27:45 for 5k)
So, today I ran another timed race (5k of course - no sense in totally destroying myself just yet). During the last race I was caught behind a lot of slower runners and walkers at the start of the (narrow) course so I was determined not to let that happen again. This time I started near the front of a pack of over 900.
I figured I'd let the faster runners pass me for a change so I could set my pace early. However, as luck would have it, feeling so good out of the gate I kept up an impossible personal pace of less than 5 minutes per 1k for the first 2 kms. That's WAY beyond my red line! Also, the first 1k had a downhill that I was not prepared for - even though it was a road I had driven on thousands of times before. (Funny how you just don't notice such things the same in a car!) As I was running down it I was thinking, "okay, we'll have to go back up as some point, and I'm going to die!".
At around 2.5 - 3kms was the water station. Except they had both water and Gatorade. My mistake. I took the Gatorade and almost immediately regretted it. It just didn't sit well with me.
Then, of course, the uphill came after that at around 4kms (again, on a stretch of road I have driven thousands of times, but never appreciated the grade). I slowed my pace but I just wasn't going to make it. So - I walked. 30 seconds worth. A few people passed me but not more than 8 - 10 (I think). Anyway, that walk "rest" was exactly what I needed.
I got going again, and then booted-it for the final 200 metres. I came in at 26:31 beating my previous by 4+ seconds. I have to say, given how things were going, I was ecstatic! While I was hoping to beat my previous best, I really thought I'd blown it.
1st out of 13 for my category (male, age 60 - 69); 125 out of 900+
Lesson learned - I hope!
Oh - and, my knee is better, thank you. Looks like it was probably a muscle imbalance. There was no damage as I had originally feared (being a bit older, and all). Now, if I could just get rid of that pesky remaining excess 20 lbs.
So, today I ran another timed race (5k of course - no sense in totally destroying myself just yet). During the last race I was caught behind a lot of slower runners and walkers at the start of the (narrow) course so I was determined not to let that happen again. This time I started near the front of a pack of over 900.
I figured I'd let the faster runners pass me for a change so I could set my pace early. However, as luck would have it, feeling so good out of the gate I kept up an impossible personal pace of less than 5 minutes per 1k for the first 2 kms. That's WAY beyond my red line! Also, the first 1k had a downhill that I was not prepared for - even though it was a road I had driven on thousands of times before. (Funny how you just don't notice such things the same in a car!) As I was running down it I was thinking, "okay, we'll have to go back up as some point, and I'm going to die!".
At around 2.5 - 3kms was the water station. Except they had both water and Gatorade. My mistake. I took the Gatorade and almost immediately regretted it. It just didn't sit well with me.
Then, of course, the uphill came after that at around 4kms (again, on a stretch of road I have driven thousands of times, but never appreciated the grade). I slowed my pace but I just wasn't going to make it. So - I walked. 30 seconds worth. A few people passed me but not more than 8 - 10 (I think). Anyway, that walk "rest" was exactly what I needed.
I got going again, and then booted-it for the final 200 metres. I came in at 26:31 beating my previous by 4+ seconds. I have to say, given how things were going, I was ecstatic! While I was hoping to beat my previous best, I really thought I'd blown it.
1st out of 13 for my category (male, age 60 - 69); 125 out of 900+
Lesson learned - I hope!
Oh - and, my knee is better, thank you. Looks like it was probably a muscle imbalance. There was no damage as I had originally feared (being a bit older, and all). Now, if I could just get rid of that pesky remaining excess 20 lbs.
Sunday, March 12, 2017
Moving along (with a sore knee) ...
I previously mentioned that I have been part of an amazing group of runners - both the instructors and the instructees - since last October when I joined some classes to better formalise my running. I just happened to get in with a great group of people.
Yesterday (Saturday) was going to be our last opportunity to be together and run together as we were doing a 5K at the end of our training.
Well, I made it through the 5K yesterday - a fun run celebrating the upcoming St. Patrick's Day that was held in Lucan, Ontario (Canada). I'm still nursing a sore knee so I wasn't sure of how this was going to unfold.
So, I self-medicated beforehand (I took 1 extra-strength Advil). And, while my knee hurt a bit throughout the run, I made it in 30mins, 8secs - amazingly among my better run times. Did I mention that it was cold and windy with a windchill of -17c? Brrrrrr!
My knee felt well last evening but this morning it is sore again.
I go to the chiropractor again tomorrow morning as a planned follow-up. And, then tomorrow evening, I will start my cross-training - finally.
As for our group? Well, we've decided that we will try to continue to meet to run outside of our previously more formalised setting. Sore knee or not, I will be there.
Yesterday (Saturday) was going to be our last opportunity to be together and run together as we were doing a 5K at the end of our training.
Well, I made it through the 5K yesterday - a fun run celebrating the upcoming St. Patrick's Day that was held in Lucan, Ontario (Canada). I'm still nursing a sore knee so I wasn't sure of how this was going to unfold.
So, I self-medicated beforehand (I took 1 extra-strength Advil). And, while my knee hurt a bit throughout the run, I made it in 30mins, 8secs - amazingly among my better run times. Did I mention that it was cold and windy with a windchill of -17c? Brrrrrr!
My knee felt well last evening but this morning it is sore again.
I go to the chiropractor again tomorrow morning as a planned follow-up. And, then tomorrow evening, I will start my cross-training - finally.
As for our group? Well, we've decided that we will try to continue to meet to run outside of our previously more formalised setting. Sore knee or not, I will be there.
Thursday, March 9, 2017
I ran Sunday (Mar.5) morning and everything was fine - 5.4kms - and faster than Friday evening - closer to my normal pace for 10 & 1's.
Then trying to get back in shape a bit faster I went out Monday (Mar.6) evening for a 6k run. I went slower than Sunday and still, at just over 5k, my knee began acting up. *&@$#! I didn't try running through it like before because I now know what the issue likely is. So, I walked, at a leisurely pace, the remaining 0.75k home.
It's now Thursday and, while there's still something there, it doesn't hurt. I hope to participate in a 5K fun run this Saturday because it will be the last time our group (Learn 2 Run, and then 5K) will be together. If I can't run I will be there anyway to cheer them on.
Meanwhile, I've joined a gym. I really need to get some kind of cross-training in. And, learn how to strengthen my knee(s)!
Then trying to get back in shape a bit faster I went out Monday (Mar.6) evening for a 6k run. I went slower than Sunday and still, at just over 5k, my knee began acting up. *&@$#! I didn't try running through it like before because I now know what the issue likely is. So, I walked, at a leisurely pace, the remaining 0.75k home.
It's now Thursday and, while there's still something there, it doesn't hurt. I hope to participate in a 5K fun run this Saturday because it will be the last time our group (Learn 2 Run, and then 5K) will be together. If I can't run I will be there anyway to cheer them on.
Meanwhile, I've joined a gym. I really need to get some kind of cross-training in. And, learn how to strengthen my knee(s)!
Saturday, March 4, 2017
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
The Elephant in the Room ...
... or, next to me in bed!
It can be very uncomfortable in Canada ... existing in North America ... knowing there's an elephant in the bed beside you that could roll over at any time.
It looks like the US is tearing itself apart (and a lot of the world along with it) ... hopefully not worse than the 60's ... and we're right here to witness.
I wonder if there are any decent Republicans left in Congress. Are there any with a true "moral heart"?
If any are true Christians (in the US Congress), why the hell are they allowing this to happen? Review the words attributed to Jesus. Did he ever say this is the path to peace?
It can be very uncomfortable in Canada ... existing in North America ... knowing there's an elephant in the bed beside you that could roll over at any time.
It looks like the US is tearing itself apart (and a lot of the world along with it) ... hopefully not worse than the 60's ... and we're right here to witness.
I wonder if there are any decent Republicans left in Congress. Are there any with a true "moral heart"?
If any are true Christians (in the US Congress), why the hell are they allowing this to happen? Review the words attributed to Jesus. Did he ever say this is the path to peace?
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
More on the despicable slaughter in Quebec on Sunday ...
here ... think about it. They need to be held responsibile for their words. Words matter. (Just ask Joseph Goebbels.)
http://kersplebedeb.com/posts/those-who-have-no-blood-on-their-hands
http://kersplebedeb.com/posts/those-who-have-no-blood-on-their-hands
Monday, January 30, 2017
Oh (no!) ... Canada
Another massacre in Canada - this time at a Mosque in Quebec.
Thank you so very much Donald Trump and Dr. Kellie Leitch. I am sure this couldn't have happened without your help.
All my thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by this horendous event.
Canada is better than this!
Thank you so very much Donald Trump and Dr. Kellie Leitch. I am sure this couldn't have happened without your help.
All my thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by this horendous event.
Canada is better than this!
Monday, January 23, 2017
In October of last year I decided I should "formalise" my running by joining a run group. As we were approaching Fall and Winter, and the changing weather, I thought it would be a good idea to get hands-on advice and direction.
I joined a local "Learn to Run" group. And, while I was well ahead of the pace they would be running at, it has been a helpful and enjoyable experience.
(If I had joined when I first decided to start running, I probably would not have been able to keep up!)
There were about 12 of us in the group. All very friendly and supportive. It was a great experience that culminated in the Resolution Run on Dec.31st that I previously mentioned.
Many from the original group (including myself) wanted to continue and signed-up for the 5K run group that started in early January (2017). And, we insisted that our coaches - a great wife and husband team - continue on with us.
I joined a local "Learn to Run" group. And, while I was well ahead of the pace they would be running at, it has been a helpful and enjoyable experience.
(If I had joined when I first decided to start running, I probably would not have been able to keep up!)
There were about 12 of us in the group. All very friendly and supportive. It was a great experience that culminated in the Resolution Run on Dec.31st that I previously mentioned.
Many from the original group (including myself) wanted to continue and signed-up for the 5K run group that started in early January (2017). And, we insisted that our coaches - a great wife and husband team - continue on with us.
Sunday, January 22, 2017
Okay, so today I really went outside my abilities and ran a total of 14k. Not what I had originally intended.
I will explain more tomorrow. But, I joined a running group. We ran about 4k. Then, I decided I needed to run further - later. So, I ran an additional 10k. I have a feeling I will regret this tomorrow. We'll see.
Happy running!
I will explain more tomorrow. But, I joined a running group. We ran about 4k. Then, I decided I needed to run further - later. So, I ran an additional 10k. I have a feeling I will regret this tomorrow. We'll see.
Happy running!
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