Compare Your Commute: Driving

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June 6, 2009

VICKY:
How has the drive in to work been for you lately? Mine has been super busy and definitely not what I expected for this time of year. I wish I lived closer to work so I could just run or bike in.

GRANT:
Mine has been pretty typical, except that the other day I brought my camera, GPS and heart rate monitor.

VICKY:
Why did you do that?

GRANT:
I’ve been wondering what the physical differences are between driving in and biking in to work.

VICKY:
That’s a pretty neat idea. Any results to share with us yet?

GRANT:
Well it took me 30 minutes to drive in, which is pretty much the average. On the bad snow or rain days it can be worse. I live over in Gatineau, Quebec as you know, and we work here in Ottawa, Ontario so the big problem is always the bridge. There are so many cars that get backed up. We really need another couple of bridges, or a much improved transit system, but that is the subject for another blog. Anyways, I am interested in what I physically get out of driving in to work. The distance was 12 kilometers. 30 minutes for 12 kilometers. That’s not so good. According to my Garmin I burned 466 calories. That number seems really high though maybe it’s a technical error. I’ll try it again another time and see if I get a similar number. My average heart rate was 71 which is fairly high for me, but the first couple of kilometers I was up in the high 70s probably because of walking to the car. My max heart rate was 90. All in all it was pretty mundane.

VICKY:
How fast do you walk to your car? Just kidding. So what next?

GRANT:
Next week I’ll bike to work and we’ll compare the numbers.

How do You Train for a 21,000 km Trek? Ask Steve

By

Terri McGillivray

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June 4, 2009

steves-pic — Steve is getting ready to run across Canada. Why don't you join him?

Can you imagine running 21,000 kilometers? Actually running and some swimming?

I was speaking with a colleague from work the other day. We had been talking about how she is getting ready to run a race in October. The conversation quickly turned to her fiancée, Steve Gaul. He is planning to run across Canada next June or perhaps earlier in honour of the May 24 weekend.

Steve is debating whether he is going to run the traditional route others runners, including Terry Fox have taken. Or whether he is going to take the Rail Trail. He figures running the Rail Trail will mean running for eight months. He will be running across Canada from Cape Fear Newfoundland to Victoria British Columbia through some of the most incredible scenery. And maybe some of the most difficult. Using the Rail Trail will mean there are a lot more runners who will be able to join him.

“I first came up with the idea while running one day. I was distraught over my sister’s battle with cancer and found it impossible to deal with, thinking there was nothing I could do.”

Steve is getting ready to run across Canada. Why don't you join him? — Steve is getting ready to run across Canada. Why don

And the idea morphed into a cross Canada trek. With the goal being raising awareness of the benefits of physical activity.

And with that a plan was set and a goal put in place.

He doesn’t see himself a lonely runner on the road with only his support crew as company. Steve sees Canadians across the country joining him.

“My dream is to have everyone run/walk at least 1 km with me. 1 km from every Canadian. I figure a great way to meet every Canadian.”

I told Steve to sign me up. I might even keep him company for more than a kilometer! Check back on the blog. I would like to keep track of how things go while he gets prepared! And even while he runs!

Drop Steve a line at his email. He would love to hear from other runners. If you would like to join Steve and help make history, his email is beatcancer@stevegaul.com.

Who Needs Reality TV When You Have Shopping for Spandex?

By

Terri McGillivray

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June 3, 2009

new-stuff — Is running really about the right fashions?

I was thinking of reality television today. I’m going to work on my very own running reality tv. But sometimes you can have just too much reality.

It got me thinking about what has up until now been alluded to. The winter running pants disaster. Not too many people know this story. And what better place to ruin my reputation than right here on the internet?

Is running really about the right fashions?

You see, I decided that I needed to buy winter running pants. I had been running in a lovely pair of spandex pants that seemed to do the trick. But I thought since the Gazelle had the proper running gear that maybe I should invest in a nice pair of winter pants.

So off I went to the Runners Den. Where I learned a hard lesson. Spandex comes in different types. I had walked in with the idea in mind that I wanted a pair of those nice tighter fitting pants.

So I told the helpful person that I wanted spandex tights. I should have known I was in trouble when he took out a few pairs. And explained how one pair was good for up to -20 and that the next pair was good for up to -50.

Things took a definite turn for the worse when he handed me three pairs of pants and told me to go and try them on. And didn’t ask my size.

The Gazelle and I looking quite fashionable on our way to the start line.

I thought running was about setting personal goals and acheiving them. Maybe being fashionable while running is important too.

Stay tuned for part two tomorrow ….

They’re Not Laughing at Me, They’re Laughing With Me

By

Terri McGillivray

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June 2, 2009

mountainstore3 — A place for friends and family to gather

Imitation is the sincerist form of flattery. That’s what my Mom said. I guess she hasn’t had fellow runners doing an imitation of you inspiring other runners while you are standing there. My copycat got the biggest laugh from me. If you can’t laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at?

I made it to the Den tonight. As always, I stayed behind to help Esther with the beginners. I have figured out what motivates her – or at least I think I figured it out.

Esther told the beginners that we were going to do something a little different today. Something that she promised them they would all love. Kind of like hills, but that is a whole other story. Today they were going to practice fartleks. Some of the beginners looked at each other and mouthed, “a what?”

And off we all went to do fartleks. On the way there, Esther explained what she wanted me to do. Run and try to count to 30 without fainting. Actually it was as easy as it sounds. We ran for 30 seconds a bit faster than our normal pace. Then walked for about 45 seconds.

We all managed to make it through to the first half of the run. Esther asked if I could ensure that I ran at the back and make sure that we all stayed together as a group. Unfortunately, my little group got separated from the main group.

A place for friends and family to gather

We were slower than the first group, but we had a great time and made it back in one piece. You know you have arrived when you get made fun of along the way!!! I think I’ll have to work out an even better imitation of myself for the next run.

But what made it even more thrilling and hence the reason for understanding Esther’s motivation, as we stretched and made plans for Thursday, one by one my little group thanked me for the encouragement on our way back. Pshaw I said humbly.

A smart IDea…

By

Karen Karnis

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June 1, 2009

Don’t want to carry your ID on a run? Afraid of losing it? Too inconvenient?

Well maybe you have some points, but really, running without any ID or contact information is just a bad idea. If you are ever in a situation where you can’t communicate, you need to have something on you that identifies who you are, how to get in touch with your emergency contacts, and any important medical information.

If you want to keep it really basic, slip a piece of paper with the pertinent information under the insert in your shoe. Emergency services should know to look there.

There are other options. Personally, I have a “dog-tag” style ID from Road ID. On one side it has my name, phone number, my husband’s cell number, my parents’ number, my blood type, and that I have no known allergies. The fun side is the back – you can get any number of cool pictures on it – mine happens to be a Canadian flag. (In retrospect I think I would like the shoe-ID better, but the dog-tag just looks so cool!)

Less pricey are the dog-tags from Artscow, also customizable with artwork, and though not as nice as the Road ID, it is excellent for the price.

Or another option is simply to get a pet tag engraved at your local pet store that you can attach to your shoelace, keychain, the drawstring of your shorts, or anything like that.

It was a long time before I finally got around to getting an ID tag made. I just never seemed to get around to it. No one plans to be in a situation where they’ll need one, so consider this a “gentle reminder”: do it right now! Or add it to your to-do list, but make sure it is the list of things to do before the end of the week, not the list of things to do “sometime”!

SSShhhh Don’t Tell the Gazelle My Secret

By

Terri McGillivray

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May 31, 2009

Sshhhh …. I know I’ve asked you this before, but I really hope that I can count on you for this. Whatever you do, don’t tell the Gazelle. He won’t be at all happy with me. And truth be told I’m already unhappy with myself.

You see, I didn’t run all last week. It all started out so innocently. I really had planned to run all week. I was looking quite forward to seeing Dave before he went off to have surgery. And I was looking forward to seeing Jim too. But like Susan Boyle, it went off the rails.

Sadly, my children’s great grandmother passed away on the weekend. And even though I am divorced, I really like Great-Grandma. And I knew that I had to go and pay my respects to this remarkable lady.

Unfortunately, the only time that I could go was Tuesday night. I had seriously thought about running before and then bringing a change of clothes. But one whiff of my running shirt from the week before convinced me that might not be such a great idea.

And so I missed Tuesday night’s run.

I doubled my efforts to ensure that I got to go run on thursday. I talked to my colleague Tina who has taken up running at the Runner’s Den too. I told her I would definitely see her there on Thursday night.

I got my clothes ready Wednesday night, just so I didn’t waste any time. And then disaster struck.

My allergies. And even though I take a prescribed medication for my allergies, it wasn’t enough.

I was going to drop DemonDog off with her grandparents and go back home and get changed. My dad took one look at me, listened to the stuffy nose sounds I was emitting and said, “I hope you aren’t going running tonight.”

I didn’t. Tuesday night for sure. Just don’t tell the Gazelle.

Time to get back at it

By

Karen Karnis

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May 31, 2009

Following a goal race I often find myself in a bit of a running-lull. It starts out with the post-race recovery period, which is very necessary for your body after having pushed it so hard. It’s a time of celebration, where I go overboard eating all the things I’ve avoided during training because they make me feel draggy or slightly off. It’s rest not only for race-weary muscles, but the travel-weary mind and spirit.

Then the rest period is over and I should be doing some active recovery. Light jogs, walks, that sort of thing. Instead, it’s a time of catching up on things I hadn’t done while so focussed on training. Appointments, emails, little tasks around the house. The race is still recent enough to feel like I have run lately; yet the routine of training feels like a distant memory. It’s a strange mental space where, despite having run like clockwork regardless of the conditions, it is somehow too windy, early, late, cold or hot, and a lot of “I’ll do it tomorrow” is thrown about like dirty laundry in a college dorm. My motivation lags; mostly I am just tired.

I ran a race last weekend; my goal race was 3 weeks ago. I’ve run here and there, but it’s time, now, to get back at it. Time to set some new goals and plan a new schedule. Time to fall in love all over again.

I’ll be making a decision on my A-race for the fall in the next week or so, and maybe picking some events between now and then, just for fun. I’ll be putting a schedule on the calendar and making dates with myself so there is no ambiguity. I will be stocking up on fresh, healthy menu choices that I know will help me feel more energetic. I will be laying out my clothes, setting the alarm, and I will be running.

Another Internet Myth Bites the Dust – Thankfully

By

Terri McGillivray

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May 30, 2009

The guy who visualised the outcome did better. I tried to convince Jim and Dave about the truth in this study. Oddly enough I don’t think they believed me.

It all started when I heard about this study. The study, I never did learn who had commissioned it, was to find out whether a person who actually does physical activity is fitter than the person who visualises being fit.

So the scientist (maybe) selected a bunch of people for the test. They had the first group doing all sorts of stuff. Running, swimming, biking were just some of the things the test subject did in the study. Oddly enough, I don’t recall how long the study took to complete.

The other group selected got to sit on the couch everyday. I’m not sure whether it was their own couch, or the scientists couch. If it were me, I might prefer my own couch. But only as long as the dog and cat couldn’t jump on me for entertainment.

Anyway, the couch potato people had to visualise every single day for one hour being physically fit. They had to visualise their hearts getting stronger. And their lungs too. I’m not sure if they had to visualise muscles getting stronger and bigger.

So the study went on for days, perhaps weeks. And at the end of it, they scientists reached a conclusion.

“Aha,” you are thinking to yourself, that’s a no brainer. “The answer is obvious. The people who did all that stuff.”

Sadly, that wasn’t the case. The study concluded that the people who visualised fitness were fitter.

Jim laughed at me. “Do you really believe that,” he said. “That one has been around for years.”

I’m glad he didn’t believe me either. I enjoy his stories and enthusisam for running and would be really sad not to be able to share that with him. But did you hear the one about the couple on Lover’s Lane?

Stamp You Hoof Once for Yes, Twice for NO

By

Terri McGillivray

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May 29, 2009

running-first-aid1 — A runners first aid kit. Sometimes you need the help of an expert.

The Gazelle and I were talking about my parent’s horse today. The poor guy has a problem with his foot. I asked the Gazelle to explain to me about the problem the horse has. Once he explained it to me, I was thankful that a) I’m not a horse and b) I can talk.

The problem, he explained to me, was like having an ingrown toenail that is infected and you can’t tell people what is hurting you.

Having said all that, what are common running injuries. I am not even going to pretend I am an expert. The only expertise I have when it comes to running injuries is actually getting them.

A runners first aid kit. Sometimes you need the help of an expert.

Ok seriously, I have had some small experience with plantar fasciitis. I’m going through it the second time around. I spoke with a runner who said she has had it four times! And she is still running marathons. I have been told that I should stop running altogether. And I have also been told the just keep going, in moderation.

I’ve also had some experience with stress fractures. I remember my doctor saying to me, “But Teresa, it’s a big bone. ” I guess stress fractures don’t really care whether its a big bone like the tibia or the metatarsals.

Maybe not so common is bruised bones. I can’t remember whether this happens before or after the fracture. But this one takes longer than the stress fracture to heal.

Elite Health ART guy Donnie. He's my first aid and keeps me running — Elite Health ART guy Donnie. He

Since I am not an expert, consult one if you have any of these injuries. A sports medicine doctor in your area might be a good start. Or if you have an ART hero like I have, he or she can help you. And let’s be thankful that we can tell them what is wrong with us and what hurts.

Beat Oprah!

By

Vicky and Grant

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May 29, 2009

VICKY:
4:29:20

GRANT:
No way. That’s fast. Maybe I should have picked someone slower, like Katie Holmes (5:29:58) or David Lee Roth (6:04:43).

VICKY:
Still think you can do it?

GRANT:
Hell yes I can. I’m putting her picture up on my bathroom mirror. I’m going to stare at it every day. This is going to be like Rocky vs. Mr. T.

VICKY:
May 30, 2010. Ottawa Race Weekend. You have one year to beat Oprah.

GRANT:
Beat Oprah!

VICKY:
What happens if you lose?

GRANT:
I dunno. Maybe I have to read her lousy book recommendations for a year. That should be incentive enough.

VICKY:
Deal.

GRANT:
I’m coming for you Oprah!