Never underestimate how a cup of coffee can fix your running

I'm sure that like us,  you've all got crazy schedules that seem to make running a distinct memory some days.   Each of our individual lives are jam-packed with the kiddos extra-carricular activities and the every day challenges of marriage and parenting so we're sure you can appreciate that trying to merge our schedules just to get a run in together is a conundrum all it's own.

Then, just when you think all is lost, something magical happens and the run-gods bring everything into alignment and bada-bing bada-boom you get it together.   In our case,  instead of a run, it was a coffee date.........to talk about running.

Jess and I are the type of runners that in order to keep on track,  need a goal to move us along.   Ironically,  we spend most of our time texting each other just trying to figure out what that goal can be since  we can't manage to get a run in together......  we know......vicious circle.  

So as it worked out we were sitting in a warm aquatic centre with coffees discussing our potential run plan for 2014.

Now, if you'll remember from last year about this time,  we planned to do a bunch of Northern Ontario races in order to save ourselves some money and experience more of what the north had to offer.   It must be said,  we loved the experience.   By far our favorite new experience was the Run for Patrick.  It's likely that we will do this race again this year and would encourage any of of our followers to give it a go.

Seems like 2014 is going to be the year of  ROLLING HILLS,  REDEMPTION & RE-UNITING  (is it just me or did you hear dramatic theme music?)

Rolling Hills: The Ramsay Tour and The Huntsville Half have hit our radar this year and both boast a very hilly and challanging course map.  Let's see what happens!  We'll be sure to post our antics!

Redemption: For runners this means taking back an absolutely crap-tastic race that you know in your runner's heart that you could've done better if something hadn't derailed it. (see Lowlights)  You let it sour you for a short time but in the end you always yearn to go back and kick it's ass.   For Jess this is the Toronto Women's 1/2 Marathon  and it looks like we are going to be heading  back to Toronto to take on this course and show it who's boss.  Due to hot firefighters on the course........I am absolutely willing to help Jess in this endeavour!

Reuniting: Running is the sport that can bring complete strangers into hours of conversation about everything from that icky toe,  to great conquests in training,  to failures and of course the self-deprication that only comes from running.   We have had the great pleasure to make some great run-friends in our years together and this year we are going to try to reunite with them at various races.   This one came about because of a challenge that was thrown down to us on Facebook from the amazing Sharon Devellis of Yummy Mummy and Speedskating Mom fame.  Looks like we are Mississauga bound.  We are also trying to reconnect with a couple ladies we had the pleasure of meeting during our time with Team in Training at the Montreal  Rock n' Roll Marathon but we are trying to convince them they need to come experience the north.......Wish us luck!


If anyone has races that they think we should try please let us know here or on our Facebook page.  We'd love to hear from you!

Long may we run,

Denise and Jessica

- 30......no thank you.

When did I become such a wuss?  

I used to eat -30 degree runs for breakfast and growl my victory as I unwrapped the frosty layers post run. Now, when the thermometer hits -30 I look longingly at my run gear and manage to talk myself out of a run choosing instead to cozy up to a glass of wine.

Today is a perfect example:   I didn't get to run yesterday due to my overloaded Monday so before I went to bed I packed my run bag determined to get a run in today.  I looked at the handy-dandy weather app on my phone this morning to see what the temperature was......-19 was the projected high.......o.k. not so bad,  I added an extra layer in the bag and thought to myself, " I am running today, its just a little cold"  I was psyched!

Then I went to start my car.

 -19?  I call bullshit.   It was so cold out that when I opened the door to go, the dog looked at me as if to say,  "I'm good, I can hold it."  When my car finally relented against it's frigid slumber and coughed to a start, the man on the radio made me aware that with the windchill, we were actually headed for a balmy -30 degrees for the day.   Seriously!  that's the kind of cold that makes your eyeballs water and makes you do that little short breathing so you don't actually have to take too much cold air inside your body and make yourself colder!

How on earth did I used to do this?  Where did my motivation go?  Can someone find it and ship it back to me so I can get my ass in gear and stop longing for a dreadmill.   Me! Longing for a dreadmill?  Somebody call the San and tell them I'm coming because I must be out of my mind.

I've never considered myself  a "fair weather" runner but - 30.......no thank you!

Long may we run,

D

2014 - New Beginings

Happy New Year!

 
Like the title says it's time for new beginings.  The tail end of 2013 was a real crapper as far as any sort of consistant run-schedule went for Jess and I.  But, it's to be expected when you life goes bazooey! (yes its a word)

That's the thing about being a regular person with a love of running and not an elite athlete ,  life gets in the way sometimes and generally; it's just about figuring out life's road block so you can get back to doing the thing that lights you up inside.

Speaking for myself,  I know that I spent the better part of December beating myself up over the fact that I wasn't running 3-4 times per week like I usually did and bemoaning my run-tragedy to my hubby to the point where he looked at me with a smile and did his best "quit your whining" eyes and asked me if I knew where my run bag was.   I think he may have been ready to throw me and it out into the snow.

But here we are in January 2014.   We made it to a new year!  A year full of potential runs, races and goodness knows shenanigans and stories. 


Like this:


Sunday January 5, 2014.

Jess and I decided we had had enough of this not running together foolishness and planned a morning run.  No distance decided during our banter the night before,  just a run.  Well maybe a shuffle,  or something akin to a jog since we were both so out of shape but a run nonetheless damn it!

Jess had decided I was trying to kill her when I proposed 9km (go big or go home) but I 'm smart and planned for the potential of a 6km drop off just in case we were both feeling suckish. But as we moved along at a pace far slower than we were used to but one that kept us moving forward, I think we each silently knew that we would be ok.

Sidebar ~  the route we used is one that we run quite often, its mildly challenging but in our winter conditions tends to be a safe choice for not getting sent to the Emergency Unit due to vehichular maming.

As we neared the 5km mark we started to encounter what we lovingly call "dog's breakfast".   It's when the sidewalk plow guys don't so much plow the sidewalk as they churn up all the ice and snow and leave the path mangled.  The result of this mangling is that runners get to try to gracefully . hop/prance around like bambi trying to make their way along the route and risk a twisted ankle.(Jess and I will easily tell you that we are neither pranc-y or graceful so this prospect is just suckish)

Oh joy, oh bliss!  

But,  as only crazies can do, we pushed on.  With our oaf-like pancing, slipping and sucking wind but pushing on.  We hit some clear spots, some not so clear spots.  Some hills,  and some flats.   We sighed,  we grumbled,  and I believe there was even a "oh for fuck sakes"  uttered once or twice but we kept moving forward until at last 9.5 km was achieved.   Victory! Hell ya!

Lesson learned:  It was not a great run.  It was hard and slow and in many parts just plain awful but, we did it.  Not all runs can be great but you have to accept that the crappy runs make the great runs that much better and it's what you do with the effort that keeps you moving forward.


Long may we run,

D

Excuses, Excuses

Howdy! Jessica here...

The Crazies have a confession.

It has been five weeks since we have run together. Five weeks!
Not only that, running seems to have taken a back seat in each of our lives, despite our best efforts!

My Mother in law Linda, passed away at the beginning of September. She had suddenly fallen ill, and although I was scheduled to run the half marathon course at the Ramsey Tour (one of my favourite courses), I chose to skip the race so I could spend more time with her.  I wouldn't have had it any other way. I miss her immensely.  Shortly after that, my asthma flared up and I have been unable to run.

For Denise, a dramatic increase in her daughter's athletic activities have left her struggling to find the time to run as well.

But today, FINALLY!  Finally we were to go for a run together.  It would be a short (for both of us), wheezy (for me) run --but we were going to run!! The crazies...together again.  We would look glorious! We would be the envy of all we passed!

Until my iPhone buzzed.  And the text from Denise read: You're not going to believe this.....three shirts.....no pants!!!!

Clearly, there would be no run for us.
So, we went to Starbucks, and hatched a plan to hopefully run on Wednesday.
So we ask of you:  What do you do when you have plenty of motivation to run, but no time?

How are you fitting in your runs?

Long may we run, (eventually. if we have pants)

Jessica and Denise

The Northern Run - 1/2 Marathon & 5 Km - Race Details

OK Crazies!  Here's the deets on the newest 1/2 marathon & 5 Km to hit Northern Ontario - Sudbury that is.

Got an email  this morning from one of the race directors "Buddy Green"  with all the need to know's about this new event.

It will start and finish at the Skead Community Center.  The 1/2 marathon course will travel down the dam road to the dam at the end of Lake Wahnapitei and then return to town with a small loop through the town of Skead and then finish back at the community center.   The 5 Km will be an out and back down the dam road with the turn around point at 2.5 Km

There will be opportunity to get water and Gatorade  different times out on the course as well s some gels at the aid stations. It will be a challenging run, (not a run where you would expect a personal best time but if you do that's awesome!) but more a course that will challenge you a little more than a typical 1/2 marathon.

Food will be provided after the run for participants and volunteers.

The fundraising goal is undefined but the proceeds will go to helping local youth involved in sport.  The organizers hope it will increase community involvement and physical activity and they are happy to be creating another local running event so that people don't always have to travel down south to run. They are also encouraging the pre-registration of any school teams or large groups.

Pre-registration is possible by contacting buddy.h.green@gmail.com and those who pre-register will be treated to shorter line ups where only bib pick up is required at the registration table on race day.

Hope to see you out there supporting this new local event!


Long may we run,

D.

Fall Run Season - It's the most wonderful time of the year!

I read somewhere that summer bodies are made from winter running.  While this may be true and I applaud the author for those words of wisdom,  fall running may not produce a bikini body but fall runs are like comfort food.  They feed the soul.

Running with the warm autumn sun on your face while the air is still chilled from the morning.  Maybe a little fog left on the horizon because the sun hasn't fully warmed it away.

Clicking away the kilometers as you notice the calm stillness of the lake (if you are lucky enough to have one to look at like we do here) and see the trees showing their full beauty. Getting to wear a long sleeve shirt instead of sweating to death in a tank top.    

Speaking of fall races ( I know great segway)

After having a conversation with another local runner about the lack of fall runs in Sudbury, we did some poking around and found out we actually have a lot to look forward to in Sudbury as we  head into October so we thought we'd share what we found with you and let you have at it.

October 5th    Run for the Cure     Venue:  Cambrian College

October 14th   Turkey Gobbler Run   Venue:  Walden Ski Trails

October 19th  The Northern Run    Venue:  Skead Community Centre

October 20th  Colours of Hope 5Km   Venue:  Lake Laurentian Conservation Area Trails

October 25th  Superheroes vs Villains   Venue:  Adanac Ski Trail

There's nothing quite like fall running but it is short lived in the north so take advantage of it while you can and get in a few races to round out your season.

Long may we run.

D

Ramsey Tour - Race Recap

What a great event!

Considering the weather the previous day I was a little concerned but as weather goes, it was just the perfect weather for running.  Cool to start but the sun was out to remind you that summer had just ended and enough of a breeze to keep you cool and not be considered a head wind.

If ever there was an underestimated race in the running season it's the Sudbury Masters Continental Insulation Ramsey Tour (Ramsey Tour for short ) The race itself is a grass roots type run that's been around for many years.  It's championed by the anyone who's ever run either the 5 Km or 1/2 marathon courses and the attendance is annually supported by participants from Sudbury Rocks Run Club and Track North.

The 1/2 marathon course is one of the most challenging courses I've run (and I've done San Francisco!) but it's one of the most beautifully scenic courses so you can forgive the difficulty.

This year I was very excited to see some of the same volunteers as years past but a few new faces as well and I heard they were up to 5 aid stations this year!  Big shout out to the volunteers,  they rock!

The route is as the name suggests,  a complete once around Lake Ramsey and to put it mildly, HILLY but nothing that would worry a Sudburian.  Except that lovely little ditty known as cardiac hill but really.....walk it.......there's no shame in it.  The "hilly" only lasts for the first 6 Km and then it's long stretches of flat or almost flat terrain that passes along Lake Ramsey for the better part of the remainder of the race.  The hills are forgivable.

This year we had 5 water stations along the route so you can definitely run without the cumbersome fuel belt if you so choose but there is no gel station so remember to pack em if you got em'.  There are also no port a potties, so be sure to go at the start, because at this time of year you may not have the leafy privacy coverage you need. 

This is definitely a course you could try for a PB on,  the local runners do!  Although I have now resided it to be a Sunday LSD because with the great views and perfect weather they seem to get every year,  I want to enjoy every kilometer of the course  . With 50 participants in the 1/2 marathon average finish time was almost a 50/50 split in the pack with just over half finishing  this year's race sub-2.

I will definitely run this race again. It's hard to beat a race with great community support, a great course,  perfect weather and ice cream when you are finished!  

Two Deux Crazy Thumbs Up!
Oh yeah...and me?  A lovely little LSD brought in at 2:16

Long may we run,

D.  






SudburyMasters Continental Insulation Ramsey Tour