The Question

"What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" - Mary Oliver

Triumph 8

Hadn't been for a run since Dec. 8, but today I broke the exercise drought and tried out my brand spanking new Saucony Triumph 8 running shoes. I really should have got myself a new pair of runners about six months ago, so it felt great to have padding under my feet again! This particular shoe has been great for me for the past few years, so I plan to just keep getting the updated version each time I wear out a pair. A quality pair of running shoes is not cheap but definitely necessary for distance running. I also use orthotics, which I'm praying will guard against runner's knee, shin splints, and heaven forbid, stress fractures. I've had a stress fracture in my femur, and it's really worth avoiding.

Anyway, today I ran hills for 40 minutes and other than a bit of a side cramp, I think I ran at my usual pace, so it seems I've not lost much in terms of cardio. No idea how my legs are going to feel tomorrow, but that's okay. I'll take tomorrow off and run again on Tuesday. A week today I'll be starting a four-month half marathon clinic with the Runner's Den in Port Moody. Can't wait!

Running...for the train

Haven't been for a run in about nine days (unless you count running through downtown in a pinstripe suit to make the train home from work.) So I'm not feeling especially ready for the half marathon training clinic kick-off on January 2. The problem is this: I'm working a three month contract that involves me being in a window-less office way downtown for eight hours a day, Monday to Friday. It's almost the shortest day of the year, so getting up when it's still dark and getting home when it's dark again means I've really no (safe) time to go running. I honestly don't know what other women do. Treadmill at the gym? First of all, that just sucks, and I don't want to have to pay to run. That's crazy. Running is free. And outdoors.

Can't wait for Saturday, I tell ya that!

Running clinic

Today I went to the Runner's Den in Port Moody to sign up for their half marathon training clinic, which starts Jan. 2. The race will be the BMO Vancouver Marathon, May 1, 2011.

The guy at the counter was tall and clearly a runner. Thin, super chilled but with a friendly smile powered by endorphins and (most likely) a vegan diet. There were two women ahead of me with matching white ball caps, long running jackets with reflective tape, black tights and flashy new runners. They looked like they were either total noobs or marathon elite. I'm looking forward to getting to know these people.

When they were finished signing up it was my turn, and then I asked about getting new running shoes. For the past few years I've been replacing my worn runners with exactly the same shoe, the Saucony Triumph. The newest one is the Triumph 7, which I'm hoping Santa will have placed neatly wrapped under the tree on Dec. 25. Nice sales guy said I will get 15 per cent off because I've registered for the clinic. When I lef the store the sun was shining. It's been a good day. Time for a run!

Running to beat the blues

This year a study came out suggesting that, even better than antidepressant medication, exercise is the best way to stay mentally healthy.  This is awesome. The thing about medication, of course, is there are always side effects, and they are always negative side effects. The opposite is true of exercise. Running can help keep one's mood elevated and, of course, side effects include better circulation, stronger muscles and denser bones, slower aging, maintaining a healthy weight, and the list goes on.

I found this article online last night when I was searching for more evidence of running as a natural way to prevent depression -- and it's just amazing. Daniele Seiss writes about her experiences with major depression and how long, long walks and then long runs helped her to beat the blues (and even the need to take antidepressant medication). She doesn't even fear another relapse because she's exercises to stay healthy and happy.

How cool is that? Yet another reason to make sure to stick to a running schedule.

Puppy postponed

Well, it seems if you don't have a set work schedule, it can be difficult to get work if you apply with a puppy in tow. At least, that's what I'm concerned about. I went to an info session last week, two puppy training classes on Monday night, and an interview this morning, and have determined that as much as I do want to pursue raising a service dog, this is not the right time. As a freelancer, I've no idea where and for whom I'll be working in the next year, so I can't know that any editor I approach will be fine with me bringing a dog into his or her newsroom.

There is a chance, however, that if I can get myself on a schedule, I could get a puppy in a few months and just take jobs that I can either do from home or are in newsrooms where editors are happy to have me bring the puppy. It's do-able, but I'm going to wait till after Christmas and until this upcoming job I've got in Dec. and Jan. is over because I know that with this particular editor, at least, he's just not cool with me bringing the dog. Fair enough. Bit of a bummer, but I'll see where I'm at in another two months.

Fall Classic

Yesterday I ran the New Balance Fall Classic 10 km at UBC. It was cold. It was very cold. Some parts of the course were icy. I hadn't trained, so I didn't get a PR, though according to the organizers, I did. My elapsed time was 56:14 on the website, but I say that's bull since I timed myself and it took almost exactly 58 minutes to cross the finish. Not impressed with this race for several reasons, but mostly because the chip time clearly didn't work. That's what you pay for when you do an organized race -- official chip time. Well, that and the t-shirt, but they didn't have that in my size.

Definitely not planning to do this one again. The only good thing I can say about it is the money goes to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, so at least it's not a financial waste. And a run is a run is a run. So yeah, I got my excersize for the day.