I have run 94 kilometres over the last seven days.
It has been my plan all along to run every day while I am on holiday. Call it a mini running camp if you will. I don’t know when I will have the luxury of running whenever I feel like it again. It’s November so that means I am running in the dark when I get home from work.
Mother Nature has been on my side over the last couple of days. Last week I wasn’t able to take off my gloves without my fingers freezing in the first minute. Now I am lathering on sunscreen and over dressing. The temperatures have been from -10 to about +4 over the last seven days. Fortunately I packed enough running clothes for all four seasons.
The skies opened up with light, fluffy snow on my first morning here. I didn’t hesitate to go out for a walk and take in the area. I found the Valley Trail, which is used for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Staff told me it’s not a very good trail at this time of the year to run because it is multi-use and the snow is deep.
Finding the footing on my runs has been so so – some roads/trails have almost no snow while others have been up to my ankle. I look on the bright side – the more challenging, the route, the better the workout. Right before I left for holiday, I bought a pair of Kahtoolas and new poles from MEC. I haven’t used either yet, and I probably won’t as I stick to the trails.
My pace for most of my runs have been pretty moderate as I focus on time on my feet and looking around at the mountains. There’s been a lot of start and stops as I have to take a photo or video. I almost never focus on speed in the winter months. However, this winter will be different because I have Bjorn.
Of course all this running (and sitting behind the wheel) means I have to double up on my injury prevention. My right leg/hip/foot already feels it after I run “too” much. I’m taking Karen’s advice and doing yoga/stretching every day. Hanging out in the sauna is also helping.
I registered for Edmonton’s River Valley Revenge in January. I have said in the past (after an awful hypothermic run) that I would never run another winter race again. But here we are. I am excited that Carleigh and Jon are also running! If all goes well, I may run the Frozen Ass Fifty in Calgary in February. I registered last year but the crappy winter roads kept me away.
Last winter was not my finest for running. I’m hoping that signing up for two winter runs will get my butt in gear and start 2018 off on the right foot. I haven’t decided which races I am going run in 2018. I’ve said to friends that I want to run something new and exciting. I want to be challenged and inspired.
Any suggestions?
See you at River Valley Revenge! Bring the kahtoolas 🙂
Yes! I can’t wait!