Training Log Archive: Mick

A run through cedarbrae ravine with Paul.

Tough workout. This included a circuit of 6 * ( 10 push-ups, 10 sit-ups, swim 25m ).

A really easy run. My knees feel a little weird, so I'm being very cautious. In the past, I've often developed ITB and knee problems after big races, and I'm trying to prevent that this time.

Seaton Trail 26km Trail Run

Seaton Trail Race
This was my first trail race, and my longest running race to date. It was a beautiful day to be out, sunny with a high of 20C.

I barely stretched or warmed-up beforehand, which was a little foolish. Also, I had planned on taking the first half easy and finishing strongly, but after the start I found myself running with the leaders for the first 4 km. Thankfully, they started to pull away from me after the first major climb, and by the 6km mark they were out of the sight.

Though I'm sure I took it out a little too hard at the beginning, I was pretty close to even splitting the first and second halves of the race. My halfway split was about 1:03-1:04. And the second half of the race was actually a little longer because I lost the marked trail three times. I'm sure I lost a couple of minutes due to poor course marking, but I wasn't the only one. I was told that the leader ended up third because of a wrong turn. Despite a couple of stretches of poor trail markings, the course was great. Most areas had dried from thursday's rain. We had four stream crossings. One of them was up to my waist, which was quite refreshing, but left me with very heavy shoes.

I ran the last 5 km totally alone, and was quite sure I'd be able to hold my placing, but in the last 500 m I noticed 3 runners gaining on me quickly. I really ran hard and managed to finish before them. At this point, they continued on and I realized they were the leaders of the 52 km race. And they looked so fresh!

I'm not quite sure about my finishing time/place or the winner's time. I'll have to check with the webpage this coming week. I was told that the winning time was about 1:59, and I think I finished around 6th place at about 2:09.

C • 4

Seaton Results: http://ouser.org/results/05/st05.htm
I came fifth of forty.

My legs are fatigued and a little sore from a heavy kick set during tuesday's swim. I hope I'm rested for saturday's run.

First serious swim in months.

Loops at Queen's Park with the tri club. Distance is accurate, but the time is a guess. Timed my last full loop 2:40 for 0.83 km.

Warm-up/down and recovery during intervals.

Ran east on St.Clair, south-east through the David Balfour Ravine, north on Bayview to Pottery road and the don river trail. I followed the trail to the fork for Taylor Creek. Then I followed an unmarked trail which followed one fork of the Don and the railway. Crossed the river on a CN rail bridge, continued on, and then hopped a fence to find myself on Bermondsey rd. Ran north to eglinton, west on eglinton to sunnybrook park. Ran around the park a bit, and then came home.

Route The air quality is pretty bad. I seemed to be breathing harder than usual. Would I have noticed, if I didn't know of the smog warning?

Hill Workout at Casa Loma
2 x (hard up the hill, easy down the stairs)
2 x (hard up the stairs, easy down the hill)

Out and back on the Seaton Trail with Dan. We stopped a couple of times to enjoy the views of the valley, and to eat wild apples.

I was soaked to the bone during a morning thunderstorm.
Route

errands on commuter bike

I finally got out on my recently purchased 1998 Trek 1200. Just getting used to the clipless pedals.

I moved apartments today. One flight of stairs down from the old apartment, and four flights up to the new. It took three to four hours to move all my stuff. Afterwards my brother and I headed to Ajax to pick up some of Laura's furniture.

Killarney Provincial Park: La Cloche Silhouette Trail
Day 6: Our victory leg! Unfortunately, a few in our party were suffering from some pretty bad blisters. My only regret is not seeing Lake Johnnie. Who names a lake Johnnie?

Killarney Provincial Park: La Cloche Silhouette Trail
Day 5: Finally, the hiking was starting to get easier. We enjoyed the last of the impressive ridge top views. This was definitely the best campsite, Topaz Lake. Fantastic swimming, and some exciting cliff jumping.

Killarney Provincial Park: La Cloche Silhouette Trail
Day 4: More gorgeous ridge hiking.

Killarney Provincial Park: La Cloche Silhouette Trail
Day 3: We had some rain in the morning, but it had fully cleared by early afternoon. It was a much more relaxed day of hiking, though I was completely beat by the end of the day. Dan, Jason and I hiked up Silver Peak, which is the 6th highest peak in Ontario at a whopping 552 m. Maybe the height isn't impressive, but the view was remarkable (including the Inco stacks in far off Sudbury).

C • 2

Killarney Provincial Park: La Cloche Silhouette Trail
Day 2: This was our longest and most challening day out. I had a great swim in a clear, blue lake.