Dirge Rhetoric

Happy Hilladays

2009-12-23T15:32:00.000-08:00

Having hosted my rather small, ragtag group of miscreant running comrades from my house (the compound) for the better part of four years, most every Tuesday night, this time we set about choosing a Christmas lights route. “It should be,” offers Sean, “hilly, as per usual.” The route I chose indeed provided a healthy measure of hills as well as Christmas spirit.

Having run the early kilometers at a rather easy pace, we commenced the sightseeing way first. After meandering up and down frosty and bright streets amongst slow-moving vehicles and bundled kids, slogging, we headed off toward the hills. We had seen enough. Besides exhaust plumes and fogged-windowed drivers made for safety concerns.

We received many looks of scorn as we moved forth amongst the traffic . Typically, we see few cars during our late night meanders. On each side of the road there were 3 of us, enough legs to confuse drivers who assumed, at first site, that we were perhaps a collection of suburban sheep, but there are too many legs and not a whole lot of wool. One driver offered his brilliant remonstration: “Off the road.” Six single finger salutes greet the crank, with a few shrewdly kept wise cracks held for such occasions, all under the ruse of Christmas spirit of course – we entertained ourselves endlessly with our brilliant satirical skills. The car plodded forward, wedged in the forever-line of Christmas light gawkers. We continue on with our witty banter long after the mewling driver is gone and lost amongst the blinking lights, laughing all the way.

Hill of significance number 1 is named Vicar Drive, which is followed directly by its tough stepsister, Anglican Rise, providing a total of nearly1kilometer of 15% grade. There lies a plateau at the 400m-point, which provides a false sense of recovery, at its end we meet our maker. As we climbed the unforgiving 300m of Vicar Rise, which is steeper yet and winding, the frost, patches and bits of invisible ice and remnants of packed snow require a discerning eye, as where we step has every bearing on when we fall and how hard we land. “Oh my god.” Simon offered his all-too familiar refrain with a breathy gasp. The hill is relentless and as far into oxygen debt Simon has gone on this run, he leads us into our rather pathetic gospel of the Grand Ole Duke of York, sung to the tune of A Hunting We Will Go (hunting for hills).

The Grand old Duke of York,
He had ten thousand men;
He marched them up to the top of the hill,
And he marched them down again.

And when they were up, they were up,
And when they were down, they were down,
And when they were only halfway up,
They were neither up nor down.

Apparently this stanza was written about any number of Grande Ole Dukes of York who for the most part, in their personal states of incompetence, led their men to slaughter. You know you have failed when songs of your ineptitude become childhood staples – nursery rhymes or perhaps a Christmas Carol.

Simon thought that singing this song, if we want to call it singing, would be an ode to Sean – a tribute. Sadly, upon further research, The Grande Ole Duke of York - as a tribute, is really a character -roast. We sang gaily regardless and breathlessly we thumbed our noses at slumbering families as we pass their houses at 10:40 PM sounding every bit a small collection of drunkards on a binge. We could have caroled however, we would have earned more scorn for our efforts.

Subsequent descents from the tops of these hills require much in the way of carelessness, unless one wants to take forever doing it. We hear Simon braying noisily in the back of the pack, mindless of his deep march to sea level, where of course we commenced another climb. What goes up must come down and in our case, back up again. A barking mad and higher-pitched bleet emitted from Simon and we discover to our great entertainment, he is now flat-footed with arms splayed for balance, his appearance not unlike an umpire calling a runner safe on a slide to the plate. And his eyes, they are expanded to the size of garbage can lids. He found ice.

Joseph Ridge Drive and Mary Crescent are two roads, which lead us to the same heights as Anglican Rise offered, only we start ed lower and the respite is another shorter plateau. Craig offers a newly (to us) discovered verse:

You swing him to the left
You swing him to the right
You swing him upside down
Oh what an ugly site.

Sheldon, drunk on his own running whimsy, was singing the loudest of us all. While we strained to deliver in gasps - none of us were on key, it was sacrilege. The ensuing silence indicated the steepness of the hill and poor timing in our verse, a certain New Zealand rugby team would be aghast. Lumps of coal were piling high in the Vicar’s neighbourhood.

The climb had spread us unevenly up the side of the ridge. We waited at the top and eventually gathering to continue through a short, dark path. From there it was another descent and a climb worthy of it’s faux-name. The name of the Road is Halliburton however; we refer to it as Hell-a-burton. By the time we are at the very bottom of Hell-a-burton, we have recovered enough to forget what we learned the first two times we went up, albeit shorter, it is the steepest yet. We possess short, but great memories.

It is so steep, cars are not permitted to go up, only down and very large red signs remind us that we are going the WRONG WAY. One third of the way up, after Simon yelped “oh my God” once again, we pass a paradoxically named building, Bonanza Place, as if we have hit the jackpot. We have not, yet, hit the jackpot!

“Car up” Mike yells to warn others behind him that there is a car coming down, as Hell-a-burton is a road devoid of lights of any sort and half-way up, deluded of any ambient light whatsoever. It sits in complete darkness; hell hath no fury like the top of this hill. To the driver, we are a pathetic sight, running up, dressed in the latest fashion - black with nary a light or reflector, we need a guide. The top has caused even the most lady-like ladies to offer F bombs, directed at that night’s run leader.

Upon our return to the compound we navigated westward a couple kilometers to view the Everest of Christmas houses, on this, our Christmas lights run. We finally come across Tim Burton’s dream and Charles Dickens’s nightmare rolled into one: God Is a hard Act to Follow Place.

Simon, the ultimate power-geek immediately found himself - in his own personal heaven. He was eyeing Yoda, a 3-foot tall guard amongst the roses, (“come to the dark side, you will”) protecting a skeleton of a zeppelin complete with flapping wings and miniature, mechanized men stooping and bending inside. There is a candle that stands 30 feet, taller than the bungalow. On the deck resides Santa Claus, not just jolly, he stands high above the deck, 25 feet, peering north. The yard was filled with dozens of people, taking photos and videos. A moment of hilarity happened when Simon, slack -jawed in wonderment, discovered that the red 1940s era fire truck located off to the side of the driveway powered the entire display.

90 minutes after we started, we neared the compound, passing the empty church, which marks are left turn to home. A serving of amber rum and egg-nogg was had; I had two. What a great hill workout.

Although Christmas and this time of year means many things to many people, during our Tuesday ritual it means little more than a new route to be discovered and a little distraction to be entertained by.

Happy Holidays.

Running break - bah!

2009-12-21T09:16:00.000-08:00

A couple months ago, I started a 3-month break from running, my biggest break ever. I got 10 days into it and started running again. Two months later I am in no better a position today, than then. Yesterday I started the 3-month break all over again, this time, I think I will stick to it.

I can run and I can run fair quantities however, I cannot up the pace without needing 2 - 3 days off. I don't want to jog for the rest of my life. I want to race again. I find joy in competing against myself and perhaps a running comrade, who happens to be at whatever level of fitness I happen to be at.

The bursitis in the heels can be confusing. For instance Tuesday, I ran 90 minutes and felt good, we did hills and ran easy-medium-steady. The next day I could hardly walk. The next day, I was running again, in pain, but running - no problem.

Saturday at Elk-Beaver Lakes, I started the first km very slow, then picked up the pace. I wanted to run as fast as I could without racing or without any strain - go by feel and only look at the watch and heart rate monitor when I am done.

The first km I know was 6 minutes, but after that I ran 34:55 or so for 9k. This is great and terrible. I am quite fit, from doing long runs, running some good solid weeks and not compromising by aerobic limit, by not racing or doing speed work, so paradoxicley (is that a word?) I am as fit as ever, but needing to take a break from running.

The run felt good and there was no pain, but two days later, there is pain and I am limping. Sounds like a typical runner? Well I look around me and I have cut holes in the back of all my runners, carved the heel out of my dress shoes, I stink up the joint with copious amounts of apple cider vinegar and I am limping around. Sometimes I can hardly walk. This has got to stop.

I brought my gear for the Y and at lunch will be spinning and doing other things to make me feel like I am getting exercise.

Bah.

2009-12-16T13:51:00.000-08:00

Media Release

100.3 the Q! Signs on as Title Sponsor of the Victoria Track Series

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Radio Station, 100.3 the Q! - CKKQ FM have agreed to become the title sponsor of the Victoria Track Series for 2010 through 2012. The name of the Victoria Track Series, going-forward is: the Q!’s Victoria Track Series.

Brother radio station the Zone 91.3, CJZN FM provides a support role.

The Q!’s Victoria Track Series kicks off on Saturday May 1, 2010. This is an 8 meet series that will be run on an every-other-week schedule over the 16-week span of time until Saturday August 21, 2010.

Unique to this series is the fact that joggers and elite runners will have equal opportunity to compete at their own levels, on the same track, during the same meets, but in separate races. Runners may choose a selection of single races, or compete against themselves over a series for series points and standings.

Emphasis is on fun!

Christopher Kelsall, Series Director:

“I am absolutely thrilled to have the support and partnership of 100.3 the Q! and the Zone 91.3 for the inaugural Q!’s Victoria Track Series and their commitment for next three years. The Q!’s willingness to partner, speaks volumes of their community support that the Q! and the Q! staff have become well known for over the past 20-plus years”

“100.3 the Q! and the Zone 91.3 values align well with the Victoria Track Series. They speak to the audience that we need to reach and they support the Mustard Seed Food Bank, which is a very deserving cause to support. We are happy to help support the Mustard Seed Food Bank with the Q! and the Zone.”

Racing

Currently there are few opportunities for competitive national and international athletes to compete on the track, on Vancouver Island. Often athletes are forced to travel at their own expense to the mainland and various points throughout North America and in some cases Europe. Many of these athletes need to qualify for national or international competition or are looking to qualify for funding from Athletics Canada yet others are competing for US College scholarships.

This series will provide the opportunity for runners to compete over distances of 800m, 1500m, the Mile (1609m), 3000m and 5000m.

The support

The Q! will be on location providing music during each of the 8 meets, selected MC service, on-air promotions, commercials and additional support and sponsorship.

About the sponsors

CKKQ - FM - For over 20 years, 100.3 The Q! has delivered the best entertainment and has succeeded by surrounding that entertainment with great music.
With dedicated Q! listeners up-island, on the mainland, and through Washington state, The Q!'s relaxed, unpretentious attitude and live listener interaction - available 24 hours a day, seven days a week - has earned many a radio preset.

CJZN - FM - The Zone @ 91-3: Modern rock. Vancouver Island's only modern rock station, The Zone brings the likes of Beck, nine inch nails, and the Foo Fighters together with young upstarts like IllScarlett, and the Arctic Monkeys.
With its Full Frontal Forecasts and 91-Second News Updates, the island is equally balanced with intelligent, yet irreverent info from music-addicted airstaff seen chatting up listeners at concerts and clubs every night.

Contact:

Christopher Kelsall
Series Director,
Q!’s Victoria Track Series
christopherkelsall@gmail.com
www.trackseries.ca (soon)
250-812-7118

Wilt Chamberlain for 50, 000

2009-12-14T09:13:00.000-08:00

Can you imagine the next Cialis or Viagra commercial series: Wilt Chamberlain goes for 50, 000.

Remember the old claim of his, where Wilt the Stilt said he had been with 35, 000 women. Somehow he was a sort of hero, to make that claim. That might go over in the 1970s but of course in the new era it doesn't, yet there is more of that sort of thing going on nowadays. Seems like political correctness and censorship have the opposite effect from their intention. Put your finger on the mercury it slips away. Put your thumb on the people they move to their own free will.

Tiger Woods can't be a hero right now because he has fallen from the media darling spotlight, to the grim light of reality (when you do something stupid in public).

I wonder if Tiger is as stupid as he seems? Here he was representing all those companies and they paid him handsomely to do it. I am sure there must have been a professional conduct agreement read by his lawyer and signed by Tiger for each company, because they are dropping like flies.

1.) Is he THAT stupid?
2.) Perhaps he doesn't care as he is a billionaire.
3.) Is his need for sex and action that bad that he can't think logically?
4.) Is his ego that primitive?

Who is going to be the next hero?

Americans especially, like their celebrities. They have some sort of insatiable appetite for hanging onto their favourite celeb - kinda sad really. Look who has fallen from grace over the past few years:

- Michael Jackson
- Mike Tyson
- Tiger Woods
- OJ Simpson
- Barry Bonds
- Marion Jones

Perhaps half the problem is not that the Celebrity conducted themselves in a poor manner - although the above people have in the worst possible way. The other half of the problem may be the fact that these celebs are so hoisted.

Solution: Calm down on the worship.

If Tiger was smart he would have either not married that women he got tangled with or got a divorce if she was that nasty that he needed to cheat so much. I pick the former.

If he would have stayed single, he could have tried to take on Wilt Chamberlain's record and it would be ok. Or he could invite children over to his mansion to play paddy cake and drink red wine.

I say the next Cialis or Viagra commercial should really be Wilt taking a shot from the 3 point line in a darkened and empty gymnasium, scoring (at his old age) then turning to the camera and saying, "thanks to Viagra, I am going for 50, 000."

Only those brought up in the '60s and '70s will get it and that's all that matters.

Uncommon Heart, Anne Audain & John L. Parker Jr.

2009-12-08T09:44:00.000-08:00

© Copyright – 2009 – Christopher Kelsall

Anne Audain’s book, Uncommon Heart, co-written with John L. Parker Jr. (who penned the classic, Once a Runner) is an ardent, tell-all, roller-coaster ride that weaves its way through her life story powered by unrelenting emotional steam.

Read on.

Canadian Marathon record. Will it fall?

2009-12-01T08:34:00.000-08:00

An interesting thing or so went on in the running community as of late. Sunday, Simon Bairu ran away from Dylan Wykes - a solid runner and the whole Canadian Cross-Country Championships field, running what some speculate to be a fantastic time, worthy of perhaps a 10, 000m personal best equivalent, say 27-mid or something. Simon has been heard to say that he expects to take down the very old Canadian marathon standard of 2:10, please do. Saying that, his cross-country performance makes it look very possible. He finished 70 seconds up on Wykes. I wonder if he was pushed harder, he would have run faster yet?

Marilyn Arsenault with a bevy of other western Canadians went to run the Chiba Ekiden in Japan. Marilyn ran well and got an invite to Australia to run a race down there and finished 7th in a massive event. I am jealous, she sat with Craig Mottram and talked to him for some time. I would give a small, left body part for that opportunity.

Ekiden

Chiba Ekiden is a race that was put together in honour of the great marathon runner, Toshiko Seko, when he retired. Seko, won some big name events including Fukuoka, Boston. Ekiden in Japanese means Relay and this particular relay is the length of a marathon.

Seko

Toshiko would bow before a photo of his master (coach) the late Kiyoshi Nakamura before and after his runs. Nakamura was to Seko what Jesus was to the apostles. Seko went on to win the 1981 and 1987 Boston Marathons. He also won Fukuoka 4 times and London and Chicago both in 1986.

Toshiko is famous for his quote, "the marathon is my only girlfriend. I give her everything I have."

Jon Brown is off to the Fukuoka Marathon, which is being run in a few days. Jon is also Canadian and has run better than the Canadian marathon standard on two occasions. I wonder if he will take down the record before Bairu? Jon does have the ability to run exactly the pace he needs to, on the day, to get the most out of his result. For instance if he wants Athletics Canada's A+ standard for the marathon, I can see him running 2:12:30 on purpose. As Fukuoka is a fast course and provides good competition. It will be interesting to see if he just races it full out. I have no idea, but either way his result will create some dialogue.

Jon is Marilyn's coach (big secret) she has been running a string of personal bests of note, since joining Brown. I think Mar Mar may be running a marathon sooner than later. I can see an Athletics Canada standard being achieved for yet another open window for the ever-chipper Marilyn.

One thing that I think is really interesting is Nakamura, the Jesus to Seko the faux-apostle was an Arthur Lydiard fan, in a big way [gotcha! you thought you were getting through this blog post without me mentioning my Jesus, Arthur Ldyiard]....anyway, Nakamura and now Seko and of course all of Japan consider Arthur Lydiard a Gawd-of-sorts. They are, next to one or two east Afrikan nations, the best marathon country in the world. Incidentally, Jon is on the advisory panel of the Lydiard Foundation - therefore a Lydiard man. Mar Mar is not the only athlete reaping the benefits of Lydiard style training under Jon Brown.

I recently was given, along with Brown, the designation of Lydiard Official Coach. I already had my level 1 and that was pre-school for me - actually not - kidding, and I very much enjoyed sitting in that class listening to Japanese-now-American Nobuya 'Nobby' Hashizume spill hours of non-stop data, facts and stories (he is an encyclopedia of running) about running history, stuff of today and the future. Nobby of course talked a lot about and blogs often now, about Nakamura, Seko and all things Lydiard.

Interesting, the only country which is confirmed to be stronger than Japan in the marathon for sure, is Kenya. Outside of that, it is all speculation. So it is intriguing that Lydiard, when he made a trip to Kenya said after observing their training, "I have nothing to tell you, you do all the right things." Or something very much like that.

Go Jon go.

The Development of the all-mighty character runner (yeah right)

2009-11-16T08:21:00.000-08:00

Last week I ran the Thetis Lake Relays race. This is a 4 lap event, where teams of 4 or 2 or even 1 soloist run around the mostly muddy, single and double-track trails of the now suburban Thetis Lake. Each lap is a 'cross-country' 5km, which means it could be 5.5km or 4.5km or something to that effect, in inaccuracy. It matters not as it is cross-country and cross is never about time, as conditions and routes often change year-to-year, it's about placement. I happened to run marathon pace, taking it steady and strong, but not fast. I ran 85:56, where I could have run 81 or 82:00 minutes with my current fitness.

I indicate my time because I wasn't running for placement (hence not racing) on this route, which WAS wild, now half of it is like a concrete path, packed and hard - blech!

Today is National Fast Food Day.

CRD also known as the Capital Regional District (of Greater Victoria) want to make the wild rain forest accessible to everyone, which includes being wheelchair accessible. Why don't they just put a strip of pavement right through the entire island forests with little loop-offs to paid gravel parking lots with the requisite cappuccino stands. Put a McDonald's restaurant into a 1000 year old tree, several could fit in! Heck instead of the American franchise mid-way that Duncan has become, just turn a tree into a mid-way. As you drive up to the tree, you order and by rope ladder a teen descends from a Starbuck's branch or Dairy Queen or Subway.

....sorry I went off track there.

Anyway, like I was saying I ran the Thetis Lake Relays. I also took a day off - the next day.

Putting on the heart rate monitor, which to me, feels like I am wearing some gothic, sexually intriguing strap around the chest, as I wander through the recreation center showers avoiding eye contact...I paid attention to what zones I was working (fitness zones, ahem) to see if I am actually running a variety of paces. So far the little graph on the screen and the heart rate feedback indicates I am working the 4th of 5 zones by-far the most. I average around 170 bpm. My heart is like a humming bird's, it wirrrrrrs along, like a tiny engine, which might explain why I can't seem to get faster - my heart may be fast, but perhaps it is the size of a marble.

So here are the numerals:

Over the prior several weeks I have been hovering around 50-odd to 63 miles-per-week (80 to 101kms) and hoping to increase this to 70 miles-per-week as a minimum default amount and 100 miles-per-week as the top. Somewhere in there an average will fall into place - the key is to run steady strong and put pressure on the heart and the whole cardio-vascular system to be able to run at a better pace, at the same level of discomfort, as when I was less fit. So far I think it is working. This week I ran 72 miles, 26 yesterday. I ran 90 miles over 8 days and again this includes a day off and a quasi-race.

Before the Thetis Lake Relays race, I ran a 60 minute fartlek the night before and that day was a 'double day' meaning two runs. The day before that I ran a small recovery double and the day before that was a fast paced 28km run, rather flat, but long-ish and at a good pace. So running 85:56 solo at the Thetis Lake Relays was like going to the franchise tree mid-way on a full stomach and ordering a Big Mac, Large Fries and a X-Large Score Blizzard from the DQ.

...well the race had even splits, you know. 21:30 every lap give or take.

Join the Victoria Track Series facebook group.

Fitter.

2009-11-06T09:56:00.001-08:00

So there you have it. I have fitness returning to my bawd. Running everyday and now the odd double has commenced the beginnings of increased aerobic capacity, here. It's not rocket science, but it is science. I don't need to get overly or overtly scientific about gaining fitness, just run lots; the cardio-vascular system adjusts because the system reacts thinking, "hey you keep doing this, let's put our energy into getting better at it so we can BE better at it."

You know, create fatigue and things, recover-be-stronger-keep-doing-it or recess, again, axiom (it's an axiom now).

The body adjusts sometimes fairly quickly, it's pretty simple, stress and recover, repeat.

Nearly 100% of non-endurance based athletes, when heading for a workout requiring aerobic fitness, will say something to the effect, "I am going to go work on my cardio." What they are saying is, I don't really know exactly what I am doing, but I want to be 'fitter', whatever that means.

They are partly going in the right direction, but they are also misdirected a little and like a scope of a gun off by a millimetre, the bullet ends up well off target.

The mitochondria in the specifically used muscles for THAT specific exercise develop, recess and develop again depending on demands. Mitochondria extract oxygen from the blood of the working muscles.

Damn if I don't hear someone say something to the effect, "I am going to cycle, to improve my running cardio." This is misdirection, not by a lot at first glance, but when the bullet hits the bone, it kills the wrong animal (cryptic I know).

Listen DAWG! The major muscle groups that are engaged during cycling build new and re-activate dormant capillary beds to those specific muscles, as does the oxygen sucking-from-blood mitochondria. So while large quads, jacked full of oxygenated blood are tuned to the exercise of going nearly round and round in motion. The up and out and down and back exercise of running, where foot-plant and toe-off and stability in-between are different and require greater development of the lower leg and the hamstring - when you go a little faster, are specific and different than the former. Still reading along?

So next time you say to me, I am cross training. I may say something like, "ohhhh good for you." But I am thinking, 'there is no such thing as cross-training, as a means of exercise that is better than the specific exercise for which you are foresaking."

Stop bullshitting yourself with this crap.

Cross-training is good for when you have done everything you possibly can have done specifically to develop your body for THAT exercise. It will help you to keep weight in check, if you need that. It will help off-set injuries in some cases. Cross-training will help you keep a well-rounded physique if this is what you want. Some exercises are there for a runner to improve the core. And good for them.

Take the top 1000 (arbitrary number I know) long distance runners in the world (or top Rowers, Cyclists, nordic skiers etc) and compare their amount of exercise-specific exercise to their cross-training exercise.

Automation is the term used to describe muscle motor and skill development and refinement for athletes wishing to perfect, if you will, their appropriate specific skill. A tennis player will for example get the backhand just so and will practice moving that damned arm back and forth, gripping the racquet a very certain way and will move that arm a bazillion times to create 'automation', where the exercise becomes automatic and exact. Yes this requires information to be exchanged between the brain, the arm and the nerve axions to communicate, to create correct and automatic movement - "I am moving arm into backhand direction, to nail that ball, the way I have done a bazillion times already."

THAT is happening, as well as....wait for it....wait for it....the requisite capillary development, strengthening of heart and development of cardio-vascular system to supply oxygenated blood to the area so that THAT mitochondria can extract the oxygen from the blood and supply it to the specific working soft tissues.

Now apply this science-non-science to everything you ever do that requires movement and stop, for the love of science (and non science) bullshitting yourself about cross-training directly benefiting a specific exercise. Does a bread maker make quiche Lorraine in the spare time to get better at making bread? Does a tennis player, play cricket to get better at tennis? Does a massage therapist practice surgery to get better at massage (and never mind the legal ramifications)? Does a hockey player snowboard to get better at hockey? No!

Cycling and swimming and rowing and dancing are as different from running as is swimming to tree-climbing (which is a lost art, I miss dearly).

Sorry, ranted...feel better now.

And am slightly fitter for typing these words ....'fitter' for 'typing' that is.

Fine print, but big enough so you wont miss it: Typing this blog post wont make me better at finger puppets.

Athletics Canada's Apparent Albatross

2009-11-01T00:28:00.000-07:00

There is a stirring of athletes and involved personalities, gently rustling the jib of the Canadian cross-country scene. This is happening right now at a well-known Canadian running forum. The parties appear to be organizing, in their attempts to sway Athletics Canada (AC) brass to hand over management of the national cross-country team to them, at least for one year. The proposal? Well it is in the works as they say, swirling in virtual dialogue.

Read on...

Victoria Track Series.

2009-10-30T10:28:00.000-07:00

Victoria Track Series, coming to Oak Bay High School's, Jack Wallace Memorial Track. The series will happen between May and August 2010. Featuring races for everyone in the open category, races for elites, possibly high school only race and plausibly the Kingston Beer Mile.

In planning stages, some things need to be ironed out, yet.

Should you wish to sponsor this event, contact me ASAP, as there are only so many spots available and a couple are already taken.

Check facebook, as there is now a facebook group, join in. There will be a race series website shortly - stay-tuned.

Swine flu

2009-10-26T22:54:00.001-07:00

Training on track, but not 'on' the track.

2009-10-24T20:14:00.000-07:00

This morning, out on my run, I said to myself, "when was the last time I felt this smooth?"

This is an odd statement considering I am experiencing several niggles of doom. For one, I am still getting over my heel bursitis, yes it is much better, but the first 20 - 30:00 of a run are still flat-footed and slower.

I also have left arm tendinitis, as per my physician's diagnosis, in the shoulder. Now I know we don't run with our arms, we run with our legs, but the pain has been intense enough to be distracting.

The right foot has an apparent bruised area at the ball of the foot where I land.

My pinky toes grow callous skin and if I don't clip the extra skin, it tears open and shoots pain through my foot until I duct tape it back together.

Now my left hamstring for the first time in like forever was perfect.

This is a lot of stuff considering, I have never had an injury full-bore. Oh sure I have had niggles, but never an injury to stop me.

Now saying this, I have finally strung two half-decent weeks together. [fingers ARE CROSSED].

Two 60 miles weeks-in-a-row. Next up a 70 mile week.

Lap of Elk-Beaver - 42:30 felt easy.

Royal Victoria Marathon Outtakes...video.

2009-10-17T19:00:00.000-07:00

Royal Victoria Marathon - from lead vehicle - set to music.

2009-10-17T09:28:00.000-07:00

Hugh Trenchard - Royal Victoria Marathon.

2009-10-15T11:33:00.000-07:00

Interesting admission arrived on the Prairie Inn Harrier's chatline yesterday. Local sub-elite runner, Hugh Trenchard posted a public announcement that he admits to taking what he referred to as 'feeds' from a cyclist, away from the designated 'feed stations' during the Royal Victoria Marathon. He went on to say that it is not the cyclist's fault, but his own, then goes on to suggest the race organization need to adjust things so that elites coming through, have space to be able to reach out and grab their bottle. He added something to the effect, I am prepared to accept disqualification.

Breaking the rules knowingly or otherwise is moot, admitting to it does not render one innocent. Running just under 2:40:00 for a marathon (not in contention) also does not exclude him from going directly to jail, not passing go, not collecting his medal - or in this case, handing it back in.

Oh sure it was grown up of him to admit guilt and it was even more ballsy to post this brave declaration on a popular, public forum for all to see including assholes like me.

He is now a sacrificial lamb, as far as I am concerned, he martyred himself for the greater good. I know that having the vantage point from the lead vehicle, I can tell you that Hugh had to run by plenty of crowded stations. I know this, as the police escort and our driver, the age-less Mike Ellis had to use the lights, siren and horn respectively, on many occasions, to get by the early starters.

Early starters, should not waddle 3-wide on a road, which houses 4-wide at best. The Royal Victoria Marathon is a race after all, not a dance-a-thon or a community urban hike, where we sing Kumbaya My Lord holding hands and crying together in harmony. Remember that song?

I'd like to teach the world to sing, in purrrfect haarrr money? Not here man.

In fact the best singer in the event, Opera singing Diva, Marilyn Arsenault would not be caught dead (because she would be dead & because she wouldn't do it) singing anything while trying to race her best on the day. She did and broke the half marathon course record on her way to a 1:15:39 victory. Only then can she cry if she wants to - but no singing Kumbaya my Lord; not here man.

Hugh now faces disqualification. He neither achieved a personal best and certainly no money has been awarded. As mentioned, he would not be in contention for the overall win either. I wonder if he would be so open and honest if he had won a couple thousand dollars or set a personal best? I don't know if he is typically honest or dishonest, I don't know him that well. I do know however, that if he stayed quiet, hiding in the dark with hands clasped, sweating it out - waiting for all the photos and videos to be posted online for the world to see, he would have been humiliated beyond belief and disqualified. He was smart enough to circumvent that.

An interesting situation has occurred here because if he actually thinks there is a chance to not be disqualified because he was open and the organization committee subsequently does not disqualify him, then they will set a precedent, which will open the flood-gates. It would be idiotic for 'example purposes' to not disqualify him. He is forcing their hand.

In the best interest of future Royal Victoria Marathons, I suggest the committee DQ him and next time put the thinking cap on, Hugh.

Royal Victoria Marathon - 2009

2009-10-13T15:28:00.001-07:00

The magic of Rod Dixon....and a great event, to boot!

Bear finding - Port Hardy

2009-10-07T12:33:00.000-07:00

Update: Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey.

2009-10-01T23:41:00.000-07:00

Ok I was told to get the unpasteurized honey to mix with the Apple Cider Vinegar, the natural, organic stuff with the 'Mother' still in it. I think the Mother is full of enzymes, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and 90 other good things.

I chose a Buckwheat Honey. I chose a BC company's product from Prince George or Rupert or somewhere. I did not research the honey, but used the vegetable and fruit rule-of-thumb and that is, 'buy dark,' the darker the better - this turned out to be a good decision. It turns out that dark honey is chock-a-block full of antioxidants and other things that are not light honey.

...okay...okay here is the update. I started applying the apple cider vinegar to my heels twice daily and drinking a few teaspoons twice a day Friday night.

Yesterday I finally got around to getting the honey.

So Friday night, all day Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and today is Thursday and now that you are reading this it is Friday.

On Saturday I ended my two months break at day 10 days with a 1 hour run. Sunday, I ran 2 hours, Monday I rested, just in case. Tuesday I ran TNLW 13kms (a short TNLW).

Before I started my break from running, I would have to waddle like a penguin when I got up in the a.m. and the first 30 minutes of my runs were painful. WELL since taking the apple cider vinegar, I almost walk perfectly normal in the mornings now and the runs are hardly painful at all - including today's 10 miler (16k) at half marathon effort.

I cannot believe this stuff appears to work!

Trust me I'd cut-off various body parts to enjoy running again, if I had to. I am also a skeptic by nature. So there is no delusion here. Try Googling apple cider vinegar! It's the magic elixir!

Some interesting news.

2009-09-25T09:58:00.000-07:00

Having so much time off from running, out of nowhere, because of this injury (of course), I feel like James Brown, the hardest working man in show business and I don't have the Coke habit to fuel me.

I come home, commence the cooking of dinner and where before I would wander around putting the frying pan in the fridge, the salt in my coffee and the wine in the toilet, because I was tired all the time, I find now, I have so much energy I slide around the kitchen, like James Brown. I FEEL GOOD/I feel nice/all sugar and spice....

Even though I have been supplementing my downtime with physical activity, there seems to be no exercise as effective as running. I have done some cycling and some spinning. Because I am not cycling fit specifically, I work up a sweat and do breath very heavy on the uphills, but generally speaking I am not even close to tired after. Also my cycling muscles are being greeted with WORK - they are clearly different that running muscles. Cycling and running do not complement each other one iota.

I have done some roller-blading, which I understand is closer to running than cycling is and I enjoy it - I chased Mr. Noodle around a 5 mile (8+km) time trial, he just about killed himself at - running a pb and I was hardly sweating.

I have done lots of push-ups and some crunches, I will look like Bruce Lee soon, if I don't get fat from lack of running.

I long to run.

Gawd I long to run.

I asked an Olympic legend friend 'Lorraine' what she did for her 28 year career with this same injury. She said, "apple cider vinegar and honey, rub it on and drink it, it works wonders".

So I Google this stuff thinking there will be no information about it at all - turns out there is all sorts of information about bursitis being cured or alleviated with apple cider vinegar and honey.

...and I was considering surgery?

...now I will try this concoction - starting tonight.

tune in for my feedback.

Meanwhile, I am going to ride my bike for 3 hours Saturday, then Sunday play roller hockey for a couple of hours.

If the issue starts to look better by Monday, I will stop the non-running non-sense and will be hitting the roads 'n trails 'n tracks ASAP.

I will make promises with my GAWD and I will be delivered from evil with apple vinegar cider and unpasteurized honey. And I WILL FEEL GOOD/Feeeeeeel niiiice/al sugar and spice.....WOOT!

Steve Osaduik & Richard Mosley - Landsend 10k

2009-09-21T12:47:00.001-07:00

Time off for obsessive behavior.

2009-09-17T21:27:00.001-07:00

I never thought the decision to take a complete break from running, like maybe two months or so, would be this uncomplicated and come so easy. If I had perhaps broken a bone or pulled a tendon, the decision could have been emotionally disturbing however, after running for 13 years without a break-with barely a 4-day-stint off in all those years, I have now come to terms with it. I have decided that this running injury I have, caused by stiff-heeled dress shoes, is not getting better. I have talked to several people about their own experiences with this same injury and it seems that they either run with it forever, something I am not interested in doing, they opt for quitting running or to take months off.

I am opting for months off - maybe it wont take that long.

Oh sure I can run 60 or 70-miles-per-week right now; I did last week. But each morning I have to deal with waddling around like a penguin or running in pain for the first 30 minutes of every run; why put up with that? Running is about the joy in the expression of freedom, it's about the feeling of fitness and if really fit, about racing and competing if that is what one desires. I like all of that.

I could run 90 or 100-miles-per-week too if I really wanted, but would really need to slow the paces down. That is fine for awhile too, but during the training, if I at some point want to get sharp - I wonder if I could handle even 40-miles-per-week with all the accompanying torque on the heel area, which exacerbates the insertional bursa-something-itis.

In addition to this injury, I have also been tight in the hamstrings, glutes and back, which I can deal with, but requires it seems, much yoga and real wicked sessions with a broom handle and knuckling the muscles after hot baths, where I would rather be doing something more productive during that time.

Taking time off will be interesting, as when my injury is all better and I start to come back, I will have many goals, where as running nearly everyday for 13 years, the goals have become slightly mundane: 12 weeks out from a marathon, start the hill phase, then the anaerobic phase then the sharpening and so on.

Now my goals will be little ones (I imagine) like for instance, if I am off for two months, which seems like a life sentence to me right now, I will start back with a little run, like a 5k or 30:00 jog - easy. Then if I am a little sore (ha ha) I will take it slowly, gradually and progressively build back to what I consider normal. See if I can get fit after awhile. All along I can have little baby-step goals, 30:00 4 x-per-week. Perhaps a few weeks later, go with 30, 40 and 50 minute runs every-other-day and just keep up that progress until I am running twice daily again.

I cringe because I have played around in a rather cavalier fashion with running quantities, where I would be quite happy to run 70kms in 3 days or 90 in 4.5 days or a couple times I got over (100 miles) 162kms in back-to-back weeks, which is pretty rich for a father with a career who will never ever achieve anything in running other than great personal satisfaction.

So as reality sets in I can see, instead of waking up on Sunday anticipating and preparing my long run or a race, I will grab the roller blades and flash around the city - shirt ruffling in the breeze or go to the lacrosse box for a couple hours, take some slap shots, maybe join in on some drop-in shinny. Perhaps I will jump on the bike for a few hours, follow it up with a swim, maybe get on a heavy bag and manhandle it for 6 rounds...things I haven't done much of in the past decade, which I engaged in often before I became an obsessed runner. I might fling my legs around as I did when I was kickboxing, see if there is any snap there. Throw some weights around in the gym, aqua-jog, StairMaster and play with all sorts of exercise gear. I always wondered if I could put up with an erg for 40 minutes, before going completely insane.

I imagine I will enjoy all sorts of activities during my hiatus, all the while and during every single minute of it, the mind will not stray or deviate; I will be dreaming incessantly of the day when I can sit down on my garage floor, slip on a pair of Adi Dazzler's rubber bottom flats and pop out the door for a free run through the streets of my neighbourhood.

Track Classic 2009 - Geoff Martinson

2009-09-16T22:28:00.001-07:00

Black Press 5000

2009-09-13T01:20:00.000-07:00

2009-09-11T16:03:00.001-07:00

Track and Field Videos on Flotrack

Cam Levins

2009-09-08T11:55:00.000-07:00

On June 16th, Black Creek’s Cam Levins finished 2nd over-all in the British Columbia Provincial 5k Road Race Championships on a challenging and hilly, double-looped course. He finished in the time of 14:53. Friday, August 14th he won a local 5000m event in 14:09 - The Black Press 5000. Interestingly, he ran faster during his summer build-up than he did at the end of his NCAA Division 1 track season. Following that August 14th performance in Victoria, B.C. he flew to the other end of the country to Prince Edward Island where he took in the Canada Summer Games 5000m and won in 14:23.

He is on a roll. He even has his own official Cam Levins thread at the Comox Valley Road Runners site.