Training Log Archive: STORM

Phenomenal run through Gatineau while Browner snowboarded at Fortune (we're in town visiting her brother). First time in years running in the minus 20 range - really pleased with the new Isotherm jacket. Ran along Meech Lake Road for about 8k out to a snowshoe trail loop that I wanted to hit, and was met by a very friendly and very energetic husky. After we exchanged greetings, he took off down the road towards P13 where I was cutting in to the trail. When I eventually got there and entered the trailhead, guess who was at the kiosk waiting for me? Uh oh...

Despite all my coaxing to get him back down towards the road, Moose (I named him Moose) wasn't having it, and I knew I couldn't spend a great deal of time before I started to freeze. By the time we got to the junction where the loop began, I knew I was going to have a running buddy for the next 6k (and one who seriously out of my league at that). I worried about having him take off mid-loop and being left responsible for losing a dog in the woods that wasn't even mine, but it soon became very apparent that I wasn't the one doing the guiding on this trail. We leap-frogged back and forth as he repeatedly stopped to examine yellow snow, but he never let me out of his sight. Clearly, I was the one who had been adopted, and he was taking ME for a run!

Although he wasn't big at stopping to admire the viewpoints, spent most of the time marking his territory, and stopped to glance back at me with a mocking look every time we climbed a hill, Moose was a great running partner - I had forgotten how fun it can be to go for a snow-run with a dog. Fortunately there was a couple at the end of the trail with a husky of their own who was willing to take him back to to his owner (his collar had a phone number) and I saw them drive out afterwards which I took as a good sign that they were successful. The rest of the way back was admittedly a bit lonely - gotta get me a running dog!

C • Bash and Bent 3

Easy road run

Easy road run

Slippy road run. Ordered a pair of Spikecross immediately following (note that Sport Chek is currently blowing them out on their online store).

C • Not sure what you normally wear but 6

Entry submitted/flights booked for Badger Mountain Challenge 100-miler March 28th in Kennewick, Washington. Browner is going to crew for me, and has even agreed to make the trip a winter vacation, despite the absence of hot temperatures/exotic destinations and the fact that 4 of 7 days will be spent in transit or in race mode. I am indeed one very lucky guy... :)

C • You *are* lucky 3

Sunday repeated

Bailed on my Sunday long run. I'm plenty foolish when it comes to running, but not foolish enough to try running in this mess! Browner made me run stairs instead. Ugh.

Easy road run

18km road run

UTMB application done. Seems unlikely that I would be lucky in the draw two years in a row, but we'll give it a shot...

C • Fingers crossed... 4

Spin class with Browner. 5 minutes short of an hour only cuz' we were late.

18km road run. So sluggish in the stupid snow...

Mix of Bruce Trail and backroads from Speyside. Slow slogging through the snow meant this one had to be more about time on the feet rather than distance. Good proprioception training perhaps, but not so much for logging miles. Stupid winter...

Easy road run, made not-so-easy by crappy snowstorm. Long tomorrow is gonna suck!

18km road run

18km road run

Easy road run

35k run out and back on the Bruce from Clappison's Corners. Suffered towards the end - enjoyed a few too many beers last night...

Easy run through Guelph Lake trails

18km road run

18km road run

Easy road run

35km run out and back along the Humber.