The Week!

We flew into Glasgow early this morning. Our flight from Toronto was delayed for 3 hours but otherwise the trip wasn’t bad. It actually seemed quite short since we weren’t flying from Victoria. Juice and I were able to check into our hotel as soon as we got downtown. We freshened up and then walked just a few steps to Buchanan St., a street closed off to traffic lined with some great restaurants, pubs, cafés and some greats shops!

 We found a great spot for brunch. I had the ‘full breakfast’ which included scrambled eggs, sausage potatoes, grilled tomatoes, toast and blood pudding. I never had blood pudding before and despite knowing what goes into it, I tried and it liked it! Even Juice liked it!

We spent the rest of the afternoon checking out the shops and exploring and taking it all in.

We had a gorgeous day and even found a pretty walkway next to the Clyde River where we took some time out to rest our legs and soak up some rays. 

We were both strarting to fade so we went back to the room and had a nap from 3 to 5pm and then jogged back to the waterway and did a 30′ run along the Clyde River. So, I ran along the Thames in London, The Avon River in Stratford, the Riviere de Prairie in Montreal and now Clyde River here in Glasgow. Running next to these waterways appealed to my Aquarian nature!

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Juice and I did a 75′ run along the bike path that runs along Riviére de Prairie to Ile De la Visitation where I did a few laps around the small island. I ran with Juice for the first 20; then went ahead and ran at an easy/steady pace. I was feeling really smooth today (had a great sleep!) but held back keeping an eye on my HR.

Total Time: Very flat 1:15:14 (17.09 km)

Avg/Km: 4:24

Avg HR: 125 bpm

 

Tuesday June 9, 2009

We woke up to pouring ran this morning. I made plans to meet Mal  for my wo in the early afternoon. When we got there the rain was still coming down hard so I had to do a bit of arm-twisting to get Sir Malcolm out the door. It was raining, windy and cold and we quetched all the way to Mount Royal. Jon gave me a quick and short wo: 2 sets of 5′ (3′) 2.5′ at 5km effort. Mal used a 1km loop near the base of Mount Royal than was run partly on the main gravel road, partly on a smaller, muddier path with one good sized hill. The rain let up just as we started the first interval. I felt very good and finished strongly with all reps at about 3:28/km pace, the last at 3:15 as we didn’t hit the hill on that rep. The three of us came back covered in mud. Mal took some great pictures of my white shirt with mud splattered all up the back.

Monday, June 8, 2009

I got in 2 x 45′ at a steady pace in beautiful weather! The first was done on the bike path near Joey’s Mom’s place and the second one was done on Mount Royale with Mal and Juice going around the cross at the top…it has been years since I have done that run and it was great fun running with Mal again and talking shop! Juice and I got a quick visit in with Mal and Pam’s newest family member!

Total Time: 1:39:46 (20.98 km)

AM: Time: 45:08  Avg/Km: 4:25  (10.24)  Avg HR: 125 bpm

PM: 54:37 (10.74 km) Avg/Km: 5:05  Avg HR: 117 bpm

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Getting up this morning was brutal. Brandon met me at the residence at 7:45 and took me on some great trails on a new route. We bumped into a friend od his from his club who joined us for the last 30′. The pace was pretty easy because the trails were gnarly. I had less than an hour to shower and get packed up because I wanted to get some core work in before I left. I got it all in and got a lift to Toronto by Brandon who even took me to the train station. He was picking up Chantelle the next day at the airport so I lucked out. Thanks Bran! The trip to Montreal on the train was great. I love the train!

Total Time: Gnarly trails 1:30:06 (18.17 km)

Avg/Km: 4:46 Avg HR: 122 bpm

Saturday, June 6, 2009

I ran along the conservation trails again today. I got out early and beat the heat and followed that with a plyo session. I felt pretty springy! David got me a ticket to see West Side Story at the Festival last night so we went and got to see a great show!

Tonight was closing night for the opera. Bran’s parents invited me over before the show for a home-cooked meal. It was absolutely delicious!! They are the sweetest people and I really enjoyed meeting them! I can see how Bran and Chantelle turned out so well.

Total Time: 1:00:03 (13:11 km)

Avg/Km: 4:35 Avg HR: 128 bpm

Friday, June 5, 2009

I got a lift after last night’s show to Stratford. I got in two runs today and did the same route along the Avon River and cedar chip conservation trails down the street from the house. I did the same route for both runs and each run had three large hills so I got in some good strength training while maintaining a steady pace.

Total Time: Hilly 1:34:11 (21.33 km)

AM: 47:07 Avg/Km: 4:24 (10.71) Avg HR: 130 bpm

PM: 47:04 Avg/Km: 4:26 (10.62) Avg HR: 129 bpm

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Jon is always very good at giving positive and inspiring feed back after a race without being Pollyanna about it. I am looking forward to getting more specific with my training especially when I get back home and back into a proper routine. I bet he’ll be happy too not having to deal with my weird schedule.

Today’s run felt great! I ran easily though making sure my HR didn’t go above 130 bpm. No soreness at all from the race last night. I am glad I wore flats instead of spikes. My calves were saved and I should be able to get in a good week of training before the next race in Scotland next Sunday. I even got in a good session of weights after the run.

Total Time: 1:1010 (13.39 km)

Avg/Km: 4:30 Avg HR: 128 bpm