Wednesday, January 30, 2008
PEI Ice Storm
On Monday my beloved PEI was slammed by a pretty severe ice storm. Here are a couple of pictures:
"Running Man"
Yesterday evening I received the following email from my brother Stephen:
He's decided to train for the National Capital Marathon along with his wife Tara. So, if all goes well there'll be 4 of us - Steve, Tara, Jill and me - at the start line on May 25th.
Well mark the day....I started my training tonight.....3.5 km in 24 mins.....it was tough footing...but I got er done. I just came back and I am still gasping for breath haha.
He's decided to train for the National Capital Marathon along with his wife Tara. So, if all goes well there'll be 4 of us - Steve, Tara, Jill and me - at the start line on May 25th.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Back in the Swim of Things
Haven't posted in a while because I have been really under the weather for the past week. That's meant a full week away from both swimming and running. Last night though I "got back into the swim of things" by going to my swim class. Even though I wasn't feeling great, it felt good to be doing something active. The coach for the program was trying to teach us how to do "flip turns". let's just say I wasn't a star pupil!! By the time I got out of the pool my stomach was queezy from all the somersaults that I'd been doing in the water.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Start of Swim Class
Tonight I start my swim class and I am really looking forward to what I will learn. I will probably be the worst swimmer in the group but that just means I have the best opportunity to improve and the most to gain!!
I missed being able to swim on Monday so I got to the pool yesterday and did approximately 600m. Today at lunch I'll be doing a short run (3-4k).
I missed being able to swim on Monday so I got to the pool yesterday and did approximately 600m. Today at lunch I'll be doing a short run (3-4k).
Monday, January 14, 2008
I Think I'm Hooked
Plan was to get to the pool at lunch today for a swim session. Just looked at my daytimer and turns out I have a lunch meeting to attend. You know you're hooked when you'd rather go swimming than out for a free lunch!
Busy week ahead as Jill starts her Half Marathon clinic and I start my swim training course.
Busy week ahead as Jill starts her Half Marathon clinic and I start my swim training course.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
7k
... that's how far I ran today. It was unseasonably warm today so that when combined with the rain we had yesterday there were a lot of puddles. Kudos though to Fredericton drivers. They all gave me a nice wide birth as I ran along the side of the road.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Love Those Goggles!
Earlier this week Jill picked up a set of swim goggles for me at the Running Room. Wow, what a difference they made for my swim today. No, they didn't enable me to go any further or faster but they sure made the time more enjoyable and I haven't had to spend the afternoon with burning, watering eyes.
Yesterday I scheduled as a rest day and today I did 24 lengths (600 meters) of the pool. I sure won't be confused as being a member of the varsity swim team by casual viewers but so far the lifeguards have not felt the need to jump in an save me either.
This weekend the goals is to do at least one and possible two runs of 5k or more.
Yesterday I scheduled as a rest day and today I did 24 lengths (600 meters) of the pool. I sure won't be confused as being a member of the varsity swim team by casual viewers but so far the lifeguards have not felt the need to jump in an save me either.
This weekend the goals is to do at least one and possible two runs of 5k or more.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
My first "Daily Double"
Yesterday I did my first double workout. I swam just over 20 lengths at lunch time and then went for a 5k run with the Running Room crew in the evening. Thought I might be sore this morning but I don't feel any the worse for wear.
Rest day today then back to the pool tomorrow.
Rest day today then back to the pool tomorrow.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Changing Weather
We've had a real change in the weather over the last couple of days. Yesterday when I went for my run it was several degrees above zero as compared to last Friday when the windchill was around -20c. I took the camera with me once again so here are a couple of pics:
Everyone was walking on the road because the sidewalks are either under water or too slippery
Snowloads on the roofs are a concern so some folks are having to shovel them off
The entrance to UNB's Fredericton campus
Everyone was walking on the road because the sidewalks are either under water or too slippery
Snowloads on the roofs are a concern so some folks are having to shovel them off
The entrance to UNB's Fredericton campus
Monday, January 07, 2008
Start of School
Today is the first day of classes here at UNB so campus is a lot busier than it was last week.
Got out for a 5k run yesterday afternoon and took my camera with me to document the height of some of the snowbanks around town.
Today at lunch I was to the pool for my second swim session. Proud of myself for doing 20 lengths (6 front crawl, 14 breast stroke). I'm really looking forward to the start next week of the swim class that I am enrolled in.
Got out for a 5k run yesterday afternoon and took my camera with me to document the height of some of the snowbanks around town.
Today at lunch I was to the pool for my second swim session. Proud of myself for doing 20 lengths (6 front crawl, 14 breast stroke). I'm really looking forward to the start next week of the swim class that I am enrolled in.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Winter Running
In spite of -15c temperatures (-19c windchill) today I headed out at lunch to do a 30 minute run. It turned out to be only 4.5 km which is a little less than I might normally cover in that time but that's mostly attributable to the slippery, snow covered sidewalks/streets I suppose.
Saw lots of city works crews out continuing the cleanup from our 4 recent winter storms. We have SO much snow that there is almost nowhere left to pile it, especially downtown where the streets are narrow and the house lots small. Some of the banks are well over my head at the ends of peoples' driveways.
Saw lots of city works crews out continuing the cleanup from our 4 recent winter storms. We have SO much snow that there is almost nowhere left to pile it, especially downtown where the streets are narrow and the house lots small. Some of the banks are well over my head at the ends of peoples' driveways.
Marathon Stats
I found some interesting statistical information recently at a site called MarathonGuide.com:
2007 Overall Demographics
Marathon Participation
Men 60.5% Women 39.5%
Average Age of Participants
Men 40.5 Women 36.5
Average Finish Time
Men 4:29:52 Women 4:59:28
To read the full article click HERE
2007 Overall Demographics
Marathon Participation
Men 60.5% Women 39.5%
Average Age of Participants
Men 40.5 Women 36.5
Average Finish Time
Men 4:29:52 Women 4:59:28
To read the full article click HERE
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Initial Swim Session
At lunch I went for my first swim session at the UNB Sir Max Aitken pool. The pool is very nice and was converted a year or so ago to salt water which helps one's buoyancy and is less harsh than chlorine.
I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to do 16 lengths of the 25 meter pool using a combination of front crawl and breast stroke. I took only very short breaks in between lengths and all-in-all feel very encouraged. So, between now and July I need to get to 30 lengths of (preferably) front crawl with no stops. Very achievable.
I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to do 16 lengths of the 25 meter pool using a combination of front crawl and breast stroke. I took only very short breaks in between lengths and all-in-all feel very encouraged. So, between now and July I need to get to 30 lengths of (preferably) front crawl with no stops. Very achievable.
Goals for 2008
They say that one of the keys to achieving your goals is to actually write them down so I'll use this blog to detail my running-related objectives for 2008:
1. Complete the National Capital Half Marathon in May.
2. Complete the Duncan Hadley Triathlon (sprint distance) in July.
3. Volunteer at one or more running events in the Fredericton area.
In addition, I will consider using my deferred entry for the New York City marathon in November 2008 however this goal is not yet "firm".
1. Complete the National Capital Half Marathon in May.
2. Complete the Duncan Hadley Triathlon (sprint distance) in July.
3. Volunteer at one or more running events in the Fredericton area.
In addition, I will consider using my deferred entry for the New York City marathon in November 2008 however this goal is not yet "firm".
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Happy New Year !!
To start 2008 off on the right foot (pun intended!), Jill and I participated in the
5k Resolution Run on January 1st. What could be more Canadian than running a race in the dead of winter after a huge snowstorm with the start line in front of a Tim Horton's outlet?
Here is Jill with a few of the members of the 5k class that she recently taught.
Here is Jill approaching the finish.
And here are two of the keeners from my recent 10k group, Amy and Terri-Lyn
5k Resolution Run on January 1st. What could be more Canadian than running a race in the dead of winter after a huge snowstorm with the start line in front of a Tim Horton's outlet?
Here is Jill with a few of the members of the 5k class that she recently taught.
Here is Jill approaching the finish.
And here are two of the keeners from my recent 10k group, Amy and Terri-Lyn
