20 minute Challenge

Well, it was more like 40 minutes. I'm not sure though, you'd have to ask N, or "the woman with no heartbeat". (The HRM she got for her birthday doesn't seem to work-- but it does tell time and has a nifty stopwatch feature.)

We got to the Running Room at Glenmore Landing just in time to scoop the last two hats. We both thought that it was a little odd that they advertised that you had to pre-register to get a hat, but we weren't asked for any confirmation...

After a little pep talk and a group photo, the crowd (100 people at least?) set out for the paths. I was glad I wasn't out there on my bike! People running on the left side of the yellow line were oddly shocked to be sworn at by oncoming cyclists...

People were going off in all directions, but we decided to head south towards Heritage Park and the Hospital. N didn't think so at the time, but she was keeping a pretty good pace, even though she was chatting with some of the girls from her clinic who were there. While she chatted, I ran ahead, thinking to do intervals by pushing ahead, turning around and running back to N, running with her for a bit, then repeat. But she was kind of keeping up, so I didn't have far to run back, the first time.

At about the hospital, I pushed ahead once again, deciding to go all the way to Glenmore trail, and thinking N would turn around just past the hospital, and I could catch up to her pretty quickly... but it wasn't until I was past Heritage Park again that I even saw her! I think she does run faster when I'm not around.

Total time: ~40mins
Distance: ~5k

Gotta take it easy before Saturday! The plan is to bike for an hour tonight, then swim tomorrow, but I really want to ride my bike home tomorrow too. I'll just take it easy on the way home.

Like New!

Did I mention how awesome it is to have a great bike shop next door? I've never been that great at taking care of my bikes, though for the most part, I know how and have the right stuff. But since my last bike pretty much rusted up from neglect, when I found out that Pedalhead offers 2 years of free service on any bike you buy there, I was sold.

I'd dropped the bike off on Sunday afternoon, and managed to just squeeze in the door as they were closing shop last night. They only charge if they use parts, which they didn't, so I just walked out with a shinier, well-lubricated bike. I just had to take it for a spin.

N decided to stay on the couch "so you can go faster". I took full advantage, pushing hard the whole way. I flew past four kids on mountain bikes, and a neighbor on a leisurely cruise on my way to the station and across Macleod, in the drop bars the whole way. As I navigated the wheelchair ramp at the station, a couple of the mountain bikers caught up to me (actually, I think it was two different guys), and I felt bad for making them slow down before they rode down the stairs. I used to do that! I don't think the TCX would appreciate it though.

As soon as I got away from the station, it was back to the drops, pushing hard but keeping a good cadence. It's tricky to find that balance between speed/power and high pedal rpms, but I got some good practice on this ride.

I've got a bell, and I use it often on the pathways, especially when I'm screamin' along. I use it on blind corners, whenever I'm passing someone when their back is to me even if they're already off to one side, just in case. And I do keep one hand (usually two) on the brakes. So I think my chances of actually crashing into someone are pretty low. But some people just don't understand the concept of sharing the paths. Pay attention, people! Stay to the right! You don't have to walk three abreast just because there's three of you, and if you do, pay attention! And in-line skaters... why must you wear headphones? I enjoy skating on asphalt, in fact for a few summers it was my primary means of transport. But be aware of the fact that you take up the whole path, don't skate side by side, and pay attention!

/end rant.

I'm not saying that all walkers, skaters or even cyclists are bad. In fact, most of the people on the paths are sensible, and more than courteous. But some people... well, need to pull their iPods out of their heads, and probably put on a brain bucket too.

Even more challenging than dodging people was the hill coming out of the park. This time, I went all the way to the ranch, and up the hill behind it. I thought it would be easier than the Acadia hill. Wrong. I'm pretty sure it's longer, and there's one section at the very top that has stairs parallel to the asphalt. Yeah, roughly 45 degrees. Only for about 10-15 feet, but it took my lowest gear and a lot of will to make it, even standing on the pedals.

From there, I looped back through the community on the "on-street bikeways". I feel another rant coming on about those, but I think I will save it for another post.

Time: ~45mins
Distance: 13km (?)

Fish Creek Loop in Reverse, No Flooding

I've been running with N a lot lately, which is great, I'm super happy that she enjoys it and wants to run with me. But let's face it, my legs are longer! And with the Open Minds 10k this weekend, I figured I should get at least one longer, harder run in this week.

We started off together, heading down Lake Fraser for Fish Creek Park. The plan was to go across Macleod at Canyon Meadows LRT, into the park on our usual route. N would keep running for about 20 minutes, then turn around, while I kept going through the park and back up the hill at Acadia Dr., and back around on my loop.

I handed her the keys, and took off just before the station, thinking if I went fast enough, I might be able to catch her again before she got back home. Since my Nike+iPod isn't well calibrated, I'm not sure what exactly my pace was, but it felt good to let loose and GO.

By the time I hit the hill, I was keeping a pretty good rhythm, and managed to keep a good cadence going, even though the hill shortened my stride. I focused on lifting my feet, keeping my stride as long as possible on the steep hill. It was tough, but I made it, and kept going. Down by the creek, I'd entertained the thought of doing repeats on the hill, but by the time I got to the top, I decided that maybe I should save that for another day.

I never did catch N before she got home, but it's okay, because she did buzz me into the building.

Time: 46mins
Distance: ~7.4km
Avg Pace: ~ 6min/km