Catching Up!

Hasn't really been too much to report on my end lately and that has kind of been the reason for the lack of the blog posts. The great Pacific Northwest Fall/Winter has finally came. I think it's been raining for 2 weeks straight and the forecast is for that to continue, at least for the next week. So my final race for the year the Seattle Half Marathon on Sunday looks to be a wet one. My only hope is it doesn't snow like the last time I ran in Seattle in 2006.

Run training has been going well. I have been getting in almost 50km's week in and week out. Which seems to be about my limit, too much over this and the niggles start and then lead to injuries. I have gotten back in the pool, and last week put in a 1500M effort without too much fatigue. The bike has somewhat been lacking, I'd rather be outside but with all this rain and the dark, I just don't feel safe out there and am really having trouble getting on the trainer. And last week was the official start of my strength routine with one day of Yoga and a day of Weights. Should be picking that up a bit this week. Still not too sure what my goals for 2010 are going to be. Currently I'm thinking some Xterra and 1/2 Ironmans, but I've been doing a lot of flip flopping.



In really exciting news. Julie and I are looking forward to adding another runninggunner to the world come next April. I've even already picked up a jogging stroller via Craigslist. This news is somewhat why I haven't decided on 2010 plans. I know we'll be busy with a little one for sure. But just don't know how busy yet, and what I will realistically be able to train for. But I definitely can't wait!


That about catches me up to now. The next couple of weeks look to be pretty busy with the holiday's coming up.

Enjoying the Fall

Have been enjoying the last couple of weeks. We have been having a beautiful fall here and the colours are awesome. I have been able to get in quite a few rides lately and the running is coming along again. Going to be heading back to the pool today for the first time in about 3 or 4 months. And my 2010 training will officially start the base miles on November 15th. Looking forward to getting back in top shape again. I was looking back at my blog and remembered before breaking my collarbone in February I was probably in the best shape of my life. Still in fairly good shape but definitely need to sharpen it up again.

Saturday was Halloween and Julie and I got in to the spirit and the Olympic spirit.

Quatchi and Miga

If it's not one thing....

it's another. It seems like this year was definitely not supposed to be a big race year. I've finally been starting to feel my fitness coming around and have been amping up the run mileage in an effort to prep for the Seattle Half Marathon, and last week finally registered and booked a hotel. And then I get sick this weekend. The kind of sickness that kept me on the couch all day Saturday and Sunday. Then on Sunday I start getting some sharp pains in my right foot. This keeps me on the couch for another day and on Monday night it starts to get so bad I can barely put any weight on it. Very mysterious but I chalk it up to the flu/cold that I am fighting off. Then I barely sleep all night Monday due to the pain and first thing Tuesday Morning I head to the Doctors.

Turns out I have some sort of underskin infection from a cut I suffered about a week ago. And am now on some Antibiotics and starting to be able to walk again. 5 days on the couch has killed me though and am starting to go stir crazy. Good news is it looks like I should be back to work tomorrow, but who know how much more time I'll need off of training. Hopefully back on the bike if possible in a couple of days.

Speaking of the bike, last weekend I got out for a few rides and wow, it was cold. One day it was -3C when I left the house. What happened to the summer? A couple of pics.

Crosstastic

Raced in my first cyclocross race last weekend. And have to say it was way more fun that I thought it would be. It was also way more painful than I thought it would be. I started off the first lap within what felt like the main part of the pack. But I seemed to have gone out too hard and started falling through the pack. It ended up being a 5 lap race and after the second lap I finally figured out my pace. The only problem was that I went a little too hard in the first two laps. Overall though I had a lot of fun and am going to be racing a couple of more times this year. Also, going to be putting my pennies away so that next year I can race on an actual cyclocross bike instead of my mountain bike. It was a little bit heavy.

Training has been going well and I have consistently been getting about 30 miles + in for the last couple weeks of running and all at a base pace. The pace is slowing starting to get faster as well, which is a definite good thing. I need to get back into some consistent riding, which should start to come along in the next while as I have finally succumbed and got the trainer out.

This weekend is Thanksgiving up here in Canada and am looking forward to a great Turkey dinner and getting in a couple of good rides. Watching Kona on the livefeed should be fun as well. Go Chrissie and Bree for the women and Go Macca and Terenzo for the men.

Have a great weekend.

Some pics from the cross race. Crappy quality as they came from my iphone

Cruising Along

Last couple of weeks have been going okay. Since my last post I was sick for about 10 days not debilitating sick. It was actually quite weird I was able to live everyday life, but when it came to getting in workouts my lungs burned and I basically took the time off. This just happened to happen while I had a week of vacation which we had rented a cabin on a lake with my parents. I always say this, every vacation I pack all my gear and then get out for one or maybe max 2 workouts. This week away was no different except the one run I got out for was one of the worst of my life. Was feeling fine hanging out at the lake but 15 minutes into the run and I was dying. Basically suffered through a run/walk for an hour and hung the shoes up for the rest of the week.
Beer at the Lake

Once back I had finally fully recovered and last week had my biggest run week of the year finishing it up with my longest run of the year a whole 18km's. Felt good though and have started this week off good as well. The plan right now is to focus on the run for the rest of the year and am looking at incorporating an hour of riding per day. Unfortunately it looks like daylight is limited now and I am going to have to get the trainer out. I have been denying it, but this has just led to missing some workouts. So it is definitely time to get back on the horse.

My Long Run Partner


Some cool running trails


In exciting news I picked up a new roadbike this week. A Specialized Allez Sport, got a killer deal on it, the guys an Velocity definitely hooked me up. And also, it looks like I am going to race in my first cyclocross race this Sunday. I am going in the beginner category and on my mountain bike, but I really need to race and am looking forward to getting a taste of the Cross. If it goes well, next year I'll be lookin for my own cross ride.
The New Ride