What A Winter!

I haven't been great at posting this winter - it's been 5 weeks. Life's been crazy! Work, family life, school issues with Logan, and nagging injuries. Not going to complain too much - everyone's got challenges. At work we launched a new product so I've had to travel quite a bit. Covering most of Ontario plus conferences keeps me on the move.

 I always make a stop at the Terry Fox memorial whenever I'm in Thunder Bay - very inspiring.

 I so wish I lived closer to the conditions for cross-country skiing. Sara and I love it and it's great for training. We ventured up to Collingwood for a weekend and went out at Scenic Caves. So much fun!

 Sara with some Dork in a beaver hat.

 Surprised she can get her arms around me!

 Check out this Dude - Logan is twelve-teen now and taller than me. Based on the size of his feet he still has more to go.

 Too much of this! Bbbut it's so good. In Windsor for work. Stayed at Caesar's (guess you could tell by the glass). I'm not a gambler but I do like wandering through the casino and people watching - it is so fascinating.

 View from a run looking at Detroit.

 Back home to get last long run in for the Bay. For the most part the winter was mild even though this pic implies otherwise. I've been struggling with my long runs since the Grimsby half. I strained a quad and turned my ankle over at Logan's soccer shortly after the race and haven't been the same since. Frustrating.

 Who's the puffy guy next to Sara?!

 This explains the puffiness.

 More mild the following week on the Bay course.

 Spencer Smith Park heading back to Dundurn.

 Went for a haircut at Great Clips - never again!! Pretty aggressive neck line trim lady!

 In London for my Sis-in-Law's wedding. Sara was the Maid of Honour for her sister Justina. Had a great time and took advantage of the extensive trail system in London for a run before the ceremony.

 Logan and his cousin Matthew at the reception at an old pub in London - lots of fun.

 Post wedding - tired!

 Hubba, hubba!

 I've been riding outdoors a lot this winter - that's never happened before. We even got out for 40+km three times in February. The roads were clear and free of grit.

 Nice melon Dork!

 Felker's Falls - scene from a ride. We are lucky - the number of trails near our house is incredible. We can go flat, super hilly, quiet country, see waterfalls - love where I live!

 On the road again - this time to Vancouver. Weather was amazing. At conferences I put in long days but I try to get out for a run where I can. Stanley Park never gets old for me - great scenery.

 I was in Vancouver for 5 days. I managed a 2 hour window of free time so I rented a mountain bike and got a 50 minute ride in. Not many gears on this bad boy but still fun.

 Scene from a ride.

 This is how I imagine myself finishing a race - haha!

 Vancouver airport at 1:30. This conference came up after I signed up for Around the Bay. I got home at 10:30pm the night before the race. The time difference didn't help. Given all that and being on my feet at the conference, I decided I would only run part of the Bay.

 Cool feature on the 777 airplane - a virtual cockpit view, complete with data and real time tracking of what the pilot is doing and what they see out of their window.

 Fine group of ladies from TCoB. The squad did amazing - so many great performances. On a personal note - Sara was awesome. With me being away so much, she is usually pretty tired from holding down the fort. She went 2:40 at the Bay with the cold wind - well done!

 Logan at Mac for swim lessons - he loves the water. This summer we will be seeking out waves - we both love it!

 Cleaned up the machine - it's ready for takeoff. I guess I only need to get fit now haha. I weighed myself post Vancouver and I weighed 173.5 lbs - my heaviest in years. Good news - as of this writing I'm already down to 166 - liking that trend.

 Dork in the sun - sheepish look.

 Work day in Toronto - clear skies.

 With Sara turning 40 and my 50th birthday around the corner, we decided to shelve our tropical destination trip for this home on wheels. We love camping and we figured we'd get so much more out of this than a week away south. It comes complete with stove/oven, fridge/freezer, microwave, double sink, and toilet/shower. Best of all it comes with heated mattresses for those cool nights (plus a furnace/air conditioning).

 Coming to a race soon! Can't wait!

Cheers!

Sign, Sign, Everywhere A Sign

 

Cheers!

Feb's Done and I Haven't Posted Lately!

 February is gone but it was memorable. The weather has been unreal! The pics you see were all taken in February. Bay training has been tiring but exceptional due to clear roads and mild temps. Based on my look above Lasalle Hill still challenges.

 Next day Sara and I did 43k on the bike. Awesome!! The roads were clear and grit-free. While windy it was 10C and who could pass up a chance to ride in February.

 Next up - Grimsby Half Marathon. Here I am pre-race. This race marked a first for me in my endurance racing life - I missed the race start! I actually arrived at the race 75 minutes before the start. I had a 2k warmup then went into the high school to warm up and stretch. All the participants were stretching or keeping warm in the high school - it was -17C with the wind chill initially. I didn't have a watch on and I couldn't see a clock. With lots of people around I asked a fellow racer what time it was and he responded "9:03". What?!! My race was supposed to start at 9:00. What I didn't realize was the other race was starting at 9:15! I ran out the door, turned on my Garmin and started running. I got a few laughs over this - no more so than me laughing at myself! My Garmin picked up a satellite a few minutes in, I turned it on and started trying to catch up. I reached the last person at the 1k mark and started to settle in without trying to catch up too fast.

 Post race. I was cold!! It was windy and damp near the lake where the course followed. I ran sub 5:00/km for the first 16k and slowed to about 5:05 til km 18. It was at this point I cramped up from the cold, especially my right hamstring. Km 18 and 19 were 6:03 and 5:35 respectively. I stopped and tried to stretch it out but the cold really tightened things up. I managed through and crossed the line in 1:47. It was a little off my goal time of 1:45 but considering the cold it was a good effort.

 Next day after the race came this!

 Long run with Sara along the beachfront for something different.

 A couple of days later? Back on the bike for another 40k. Two legit outdoor rides in February - who would have thought?!

Post ride on the following Friday night I turned my ankle over at Logan's soccer. Unfortunate and a little tender but seems to be coming around. My other challenge leading up to the Bay is a work trip from March 29th to April 2nd in Vancouver. Usually my conferences entail lots of standing, lots of late nights, lack of activity, and two 5 hour flights. I land the night before the Bay on April 2nd at 9:00pm which is definitely not ideal. I will likely not get to bed before 11:30 at best. I will definitely be exhausted so I will need to be smart and adjust my expectations. If I can stay in 5:15-5:30 per km pace I will be satisfied.

 

Cheers!

 

Merry Happy Valentines!

 

Cheers!

January Is Over! Hello February

 How about this winter - what a difference from the last two years. Also what a difference in training as a result. Better still I haven't had that urge to go away for a winter vacation. Well the Canadian dollar may also have something to do with that!

 As part of our usual "month-long" celebration of Sara's birthday, we went up to Blue Mountain for an over-nighter. We went cross country skiing with our friends Ted and Coreen. We have a great time with the usual laughs and beverages. Scenic Caves has some nice trails.

 Dork in a beaver hat.

 

 Check out my twelve-teen year old Logan - taller than me, size 10 feet and now very difficult to wrestle with. I'm in trouble! Jesse is doing great in Banff working at the Fairmont Resort and snowboarding a ton. Em is a working machine working at the hospital and at a doggy daycare.

 Sara and I at the gym trash talking each other on the treadmill. With Logan getting older and Emily at home we've been able to work out together more which is nice. We've largely worked out separately (and by ourselves) for the bulk of the last 10 years. Having company is great.

 Getting some core work in.

 My core is woefully weak.

 Maybe this is why!

 At a recent conference in Toronto I got a nice view of the Molson Canadian rink on the rooftop of a Toronto office building. Looks pretty cool - you can rent it for a mere $2000 per hour.

 This is what it's looked like this winter for the most part. Clear roads, mild temps and sunshine - gotta love it!

 Bay course.

 Getting down n' dirty on Lasalle hill.

 February 7th - 43K ride! Are you kidding me?! I've never done a decent ride outdoors in February with clear roads.

 I like this shot - hides my chins!

 

Cheers!