kenj mentor group - back for another great season! CLOSED (Page 45)

Great running Bill!  Trails and ultra distance create a different perspective I'm sure!

I also might have to bail on volunteering at IMLP. The plan was to run my "A" trail race that morning then drive up for a late shift. I don't want to commit then find out I can't physically work a run aid station, or even not make the drive up. Going to wait till its closer before deciding either way.

Well, I did my first half marathon of the season, and my 4th lifetime. The Hypothermic Half Marathon at Fort Whyte. I was in wave 1 which started at 7:30am. It was a beautiful morning. The sun was just rising as we started and we had a beautiful dusting of hoar frost over night so all the trees we covered. It was about -11 at the start with a light south breeze. We ran on trails through Fort Whyte, then into Assiniboine forest and around Assiniboine park then back to Fort Whyte. I finished in 1:39:19 which put me in fifth in my wave. This is only about 5 minutes off my PR for the half, and that was a nice sunny summer race in June.

I used my Garmin Forerunner 610 on the course and it read exactly 13.11 miles when I was finished. Amazing how accurate that thing is. Even in the cold, the battery was only down to 82% of full. I really like the screen where you can set your pace and you "virtual run" against the computer. It is good motivation to keep the pace up and consistent. That was always one thing I found difficult to do. The start is easy, there is the excitement to carry you, but I had the tendency to lag in the middle. Now, I just look at my "virtual run partner" and I know if I am going to fast or to slow and change my pace accordingly.

The trails were snow packed and icy, but compared to earlier in the week, the conditions were fantastic. I tip my hats to all the volunteers who stood outside for hours directing traffic and manning the aid stations. It made for a very enjoyable race. The post race breakfast was amazing. A huge selection of fruit, and pastries. Then on to bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, french toast and savory diced potatoes. Coffee, tea, orange juice rounded out the breakfast. The finisher medal was also very nice. Over all, a great day and a great race. I feel that my track workouts and sprint sets are helping me with my runs. I want to run sub 1:30 half marathons this year, and I think this is a step in the right direction.

After the huge breakfast I jumped in my car and and drove to the hockey rink for my Sunday morning hockey game. Less than 1.5 hours after I crossed the finish line I was on the ice for a spirited game of hockey. Now, I am just relaxing, doing laundry and cleaning the house and preparing meals for the coming week. I am up at 5:15am tomorrow for my master's swim class and the training starts again. My coach is giving me some easy sessions this week to help with recovery. And Thursday I have no workouts planned and I get to go see the Winnipeg Jets vs New Jersey Devils.

I hope everyone had/or is having a great weekend.

Great job Dwayne!  Nice that you got out there in the cold and had a great run then a hockey game on top of it!!

Bike workouts are strength exercises mostly, which are hill repeats on the trainer.  50 to 60 rpm at high power, 90% plus.  Really feel like its a great thing.  I will keep hill repeats, either on the CT or outdoors in the mix of workouts every week.

Swim is plus 10.  Lessons really helped to even the stroke and I got a cadence counter which is helping to take away dead spots. I feel faster, easier and smoother in the water, not harder.  

Great running Ice!!  The foam roller is my best friend some days too!

Nice results for the run Becky!! Especially after a ride Saturday!  I will read your report later, but for now, off to the pool!

Glad to hear that the run didn't bother your foot too much Brian. 

I read and enjoyed your race report Becky!  Very nice!

Isn't there always traffic on I4 between Sanford and Disney?  We always stay at the Hilton behind the outlet mall near the entrance for Epcot and it doesn't seem to ever be moving at speed.  The Princess Half was this weekend too wasn't it?

I love the medal, I may have to come down some time to do that just to get the pirate medal!!

Dwayne, not surehow you managed to play hockey, but I tip my hat! I managed light recovery work yesterday, but this morning totally fell apart on a trainer ride and went back to bed hurting all over, no injuries, just pain. Maybe I, ll get something in after work if loosen up some.

As an aside, had my firt POST-race dream/nightmare. on saturday night. was back on the trail and it was getting dark and I was strickly walking. The RD askes my bib (this wasn't chip timed) and I asked him for the time -8:30. I had been out there for 12:30 and I became despondent and weepy.. an aide worker was consoling me saying sometimes people lose track of time out there. People who know me that I might be rageful at. times, but haven't been weepy since I learned to tie my own shoes. It seemed so real until the part when. I was pushing aw shopping cart down the trail. I almost never remember dreams but my wife, who does, says throwing totally randow items into dreams is your mind telling you that none this is real. Thank goodness :-)

Wow - congrats to everyone who raced this weekend - sounds like you all did awesome!   As soon as I get a chance I will go and find the race reports. 

Brian - glad your foot is healing!!!!!  Iceman - incredible, as always.  DJ- woot and it is only February!

I am supposed to have a swim specific week this week.  But will probably just add in an extra swim and really up the bike and run from what the schedule has - I really need more than an hour run this week! Off to spin class!

jaagaard - 2013-02-25 9:52 PM Disney Princess Half was a blast, although the 3 am wake-up call, following the 1 am bedtime was perhaps suboptimal.

First time at Disneyworld, and my kids are in paradise. Other than my race, this is mostly a rest week for me, although standing in line all day will leave you more sore than you might think!

Great job with the race!  Their races are a bit of a challenge when it comes to time as they start them early!

BTW, did you change your user name?  I recognize the profile picture!

So what is going on around here today? 

I did my run this morning, 5 miles as it is a recovery week.  Strength training after work then I am debating masters tonight or bike then swim in the morning.

BUSY day today.  Hoping to get a run in before I leave downtown here.  Then going to masters tonight.  Tomorrow....tempo trainer ride and Kettlebells!