Brock

March 5, 2011

Without My Ducklings

Running so fast I blurred It has been quite a while since I have had to train on my own. Actually, I can literally pinpoint the day – the day I joined Team in Training.

Sure, I would head out for the odd run alone but I could always count on having at least two training sessions per week (”quality” and “long slow”) with my peeps (is that still a word?). Since I started the Runner Makeover I have been aspiring to speeds that I would dare not inflict on my unsuspecting team of trainees. Don’t get me wrong, I am loving everything about this makeover but it is a little lonely without my little running ducklings (a name my 2009 Vancouver team got as they followed me, single file, through the rain to the race expo).

I still meet up with my team on Tuesday nights and Saturday mornings (when the weather permits, this has been a long and harsh Edmonton winter) but that only accounts for 10-15kms of my weekly 70-80km, of which most are done between 5:45am – 8:00am. I blame the ridiculous time of day on my work week. I work full-time as a web developer, teach Design Studies at MacEwan University, coach for Team and Training, get my own training done… and try to have a life. Ha!

I’m not complaining, I enjoy a busy day but it does lead to lonely runs, at early hours, without my running ducklings.

March 2, 2011

You want me to run how fast? ok!

Me and my new adizeroboston shoes. ♪ Baby it’s cold out there but it’s nice and warm on the track ♫

Ok, so that’s not a song… but it was indeed a lot warmer at the track this morning than it was outside. -46°C with the windchill when I got up at 5:15 to head to the Kinsmen Sport Center here in Edmonton. “Gross” is all I have to say about that.

Anyway, armed with my new Adidas shoes, shorts, socks, shirt and miCoach gear I hit the track this morning for a steady 12km run at 5:00/km. A few weeks ago I would have been intimidated by that type of workout (see Chrystal’s Fear and (or maybe of) Running post) but lately, this has been the norm. Heck, last week Coach Tania had me log 78kms. Yeah, I am pretty chuffed! Prior to this makeover, I severely impressed myself with a 50km week!

Lately my favourite day of the week has become Thursday – that’s the day I do the fun stuff. Last week it was “3 x 3000m @ 4:30/km with a 600m rest”. This week I get to do “5 x 2000m at 4:20/km with a 500m rest”. I have always been a believer in speed training but never to this extent. Pray for me! I will let you know how it goes.

February 27, 2011

Running through the pow-pow

A Rather Snowy Run The streets of Edmonton are much more suited to downhill skiing than running today, there’s about 5cm of fresh powder covering every trail, sidewalk and path but I just got home from my Long Slow Distance run as prescribed by our awesome Make-Over Coach Tania Jones. 22km in all (well ok, 21.46 according to the lovely voice in the Adidas miCoach) through the wind, snow and cold. Luckily 7.25km of it was spent leading my Team in Training group on their 3rd “Group Training Session” – these kinds of runs are always more pleasant in a group.

A few weeks ago I was laying in bed, checking my email on my phone wishing someone would bring me a coffee when I saw I had an email from Tania Jones. The name rang a loud bell but I wasn’t sure why. A quick Google search later and I was out of bed, giggling like a schoolboy, getting my wits together before I replied.

I had a vague memory of submitting a paragraph to something about a marathon make-over but had figured it was long over and gone so hadn’t thought of it in a while. Plus I never win anything… ever.

When I got off the phone with Tania, being the social media internet nerd I am, I immediately jumped on FaceBook and Twitter to spread my exciting news. That was quickly reeled in. I wasn’t to talk about the contest until the February issue of iRun was published. It was an excruciating time. Not as excruciating as the workouts I was soon to embark on… but I will save that for another post.

For now, I just want to thank iRun for this amazing opportunity, Adidas for all the wicked gear (it fits perfectly and makes me look FAST), and most of all Tania for all her guidance and encouragement. It’s only been a few weeks but I can literally measure the progress I have made.

I can’t wait for the weeks to come.

February 13, 2011

A New Half Marathon PB

Photo of Brock at the start line of the race

Despite the icy, slushy, snowy and uneven Edmonton terrain, I managed to PB this morning! I posted the nerdy data/details at the Garmin Connect website – http://connect.garmin.com/activity/68153804

1:40:50 was my official time this morning at the Edmonton Hypothermic Half Marathon (sleepy-head edition). It was 2 degrees Celsius above zero so not an entirely accurate name for the race (this year) but still, racing outdoors in February in Edmonton is always a crap-shoot.

My previous Half Marathon PB was 1:54:05. I got that at the BMO Vancouver Marathon in 2009. I have done a couple Halfs since then but none very seriously. I have always considered the Full Marathon to be my race but after today I am having second thoughts. The Half Marathon is just so… civilized. I am still able to walk, talk and be productive even after PBing. That is not something I can usually say after a Full.

According to the stat sheet that was hanging near the finish line, I placed 7th overall and 3rd in my category. I will wait to see the results when they are posted online to make sure that is accurate but I have no reason to doubt that it is.

I am a proud runner… now I will wait to hear what my coach has to say about it! Come on Tania, check your email!

February 10, 2011

I have a logo!

Skywalker Fitness crest by Raoul Mendoza

My good buddy and gifted designer, Raoul Mendoza of http://www.dirtylab.com, just sent me the final versions of my logo and crest!

They look awesome! I mean check it out! Can’t you just imagine that on a cycling jersey or technical shirt? It would look freakin’ GREAT. I can’t wait to have an excuse to make some. Let me know if you would be interested in having one and I will start looking into prices.

I am so excited. It’s like xmas for design-nerds.

January 27, 2011

Tania Jones!

Yesterday I had the awesome pleasure of not only finding out that I have been shortlisted for the iRun Makeover Content but I got two emails and spoke on the phone with THE Tania Jones (I felt a little like an excited school boy).

We mostly chatted about the contest and how I might fit in if I was to be chosen as a finalist (which I really REALLY hope I do) but she also offered me some great training advice.

I think I am falling into the trap of the over achiever, over enthusiastic, over training marathon runner – I have hopes, dreams, goals and plans that don’t actually support each other… which is fine if “just participating” is your goal but… mine is not. I really have my sights set on qualifying for the Boston Marathon and that means I have to train smart and focused. Coach Jane had spoken to me about this in the past and it made sense then… but for some reason, since that conversation with Jane, I let that idea slide. Hearing it again from Tania made me realize that I was once again falling into that trap.

So this morning, I am off to get to work on some focused speed training and then this afternoon I am going to look at my plans for the season and see how I can streamline it. Woo!

See, even coaches need coaching.

January 23, 2011

Finally, good weather!

Spring 2011 Team in Training Edmonton team

Hurray! The snow has subsided and the temperature has warmed enough that we could go for a run outdoors today!

It was glorious. I had nearly forgotten how much shorter 16km feels when you have people to chat with and scenery to look at. I really do recommend that if you are currently a treadmill junky, get out and run in the fresh air. Preferably with some like-minded individuals. It really turns those LSD runs from something you have to do into something you really want to do!

Seriously. You don’t know what you are missing!

January 13, 2011

Beet Juice? Really?

A friend of mine (thanks Dr. Sexton) sent me an article from the Globe and Mail that has some awesome info in it.

Most of it is not news to anyone who keeps up to date on the latest findings (dynamic stretching diminishes strength and endurance, marathons show short term damage to the heart muscle) but some one it is very interesting. In particular the part that says “nitrates in beet juice are responsible for its endurance-boosting effect”. Apparently “in 2009, researchers at the University of Exeter announced that drinking beet juice for a few days allowed subjects to run about 15 per cent longer in treadmill tests.” Crazy! I know I will be buying some beet juice next time I’m at the grocery store!

January 4, 2011

The plan for Tue, Jan 4th, 2011

Ah… *sigh* I actually got 8 hours sleep last night – awesome! Just finished a big bowl of Heritage Flakes (with some added dry rolled oats) topped with a banana and almond milk. Now I am off to the gym to get an hour of resistance training (weight lifting, pulling, swinging) in.

The weather is supposed to be gorgeous this afternoon so I am reversing my workout and doing a cardio session second in the day (studies have show that you burn more calories if you do cardio before weights). Around 1:00pm, after a good post weights snack and a small high protein lunch, I will head out for a 5km Fartlek session.

Can’t wait… why wait!? Here I go!

December 31, 2010

2008, 2009 vs. 2010 Totals

2010 wasn’t the best year for me in a number of ways… sigh… but it was a great year for my training, racing and for expanding my knowledge of Marathon and Triathlon. I received my TnT Coach Certification from an idol of mine, Jack Tupper Daniels, I have nearly completed my coach certification from the AFLCA (group fitness with a portable equipment designation) and I have reached “triathlon coach in training” status from the NCCP. I completed my first Olympic Distance Triathlon and now have my sites set on a Half-Ironman.

I track my workouts at www.workoutlog.com and these are my yearly totals for 2008, 2009 and 2010 (barring me going out for a big ride or run later today).

	2008	2009	2010
Type	Distance	Distance	Distance
Run (trails, track & treadmill)	1751.0 km	1512.6 km	2100.2 km
Bike (Road & trainer)	472.4 km	1527.9 km	2122 km
Swim (Pool & open-water)	41475.0 m	28775.0 m	65118.4 m

I pretty much kicked my own ass this year. On top of what you see above, I also spent 81:20 doing resistance training and another 20-ish hours doing various other cardio activities (tennis & hockey). I lost approximately 15 lbs, dropped 2 pants sizes and put on a noticeable amount of lean muscle. Not bad for a (nearly) 40-year-old chump with a funky ticker.

2010 Races:
Maui Oceanfront Marathon – Jan 24th
Edmonton Hypothermic Half Marathon – Feb 28th
Vancouver Marathon (on-course coach) – May 2nd
Seattle Rock & Roll Marathon – June 26th
Tour de L’Alberta – July 25th
St.Albert Starrt Triathlon – Aug 8th
Alberta Challenge Olympic Triathlon – Aug 22nd
San Francisco Nike Women’s Marathon (on-course coach) – Oct 17th
New York ING Marathon – Nov 7th

2011 Races (subject to change):
Edmonton Hypothermic Half Marathon – Feb 13th
Goodlife Fitness Toronto Marathon – May 15th
Ottawa Marathon (on-course coach) – May 29th
San Diego Marathon (on-course coach) – June 5th
Great White North Half-Ironman – July 3rd
Goodlife Fitness Victoria Marathon – Oct 9th

I have my sights set on qualifying for the Boston Marathon this year. I ran a 3:50:51 in NYC and I need to do better than 3:20:59 to qualify. This may be a lofty goal but I think I can at least get close. I’m going to try anyway.

So, here’s to 2011 being even faster, stronger, healthier, leaner and even more fun than 2010 was. Woohoo!