Winter, you almost broke me.

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted, that is mainly because I haven’t had anything positive to write about.  Mother Nature has been kicking my butt all winter long.  You start to question your sanity when you are running for 2 hours in -20C with a freezing wind that is always in your face no matter what direction you run in.   I was beginning to question why I bother since I was no longer enjoying myself, but then yesterday happened.

It was warm (at least above 0C), sunny and snow free.  Dan and I “free-styled”, no planned route just run and see where we end up.

Crossing the bridge, still some snow on the hill in the park.

Dan took me across the bridge where we usually access the Don Trail, I’d never been across the bridge, I rarely run east of the Don Valley Parkway (unless it’s on the Taylor Creek Trail).  My one attempt of running east of the Don Valley ended with me getting a little lost, being chased by a junkie (who was faster than he looked) and finally having to stop another runner to help me get away from said junkie and back to my side of the “tracks”.

This pub has my maiden name! and really good food and beer….

The old Don Jail

So I put my brave face on and went for it, and I was rewarded with a fabulous 30km run that was inspiring and rejuvenating.  I feel like I’m ready to get serious about my running again.

Kew Beach, eventually there was a boardwalk but we did some sand running too.

Lake Ontario

While I may have been slacking with my running I have been getting stronger.  I started boxing twice a week for 90 minutes, I sweat like I’ve never sweat, I hurt in places I didn’t know I could hurt, it turns out I do have abdominal muscles and if anything I can attempt to box the Mogollon Monster should we meet.

I’ve also been going to yoga once a week, I’m terrible at it.  My instructor is very supportive and tries to remain positive, but I can see it in her face when I have to ask for help in the modified positions because she is at loss as to what to do with me.  I don’t hold it against her, I mean it must be hard as a teacher to watch a student never improve, and really who can’t do the modified positions?  Me.  But I always feel good when I leave and I’m even trying to incorporate a little at home so maybe someday I will finally be able to bend.

I have been planning my running season for this year too, this is what it looks like so far;

DC Marathon, March 16 (weekend break plus long run!)

Around the Bay, March 24 (I don’t know why I keep doing this one)

Pick your Poison 25km, April 27 (Never done before, always nice to try something new)

Bear Mountain 50km, May 5 (Yes, the Bear Mountain that made me cry, but I’m only doing the 50km, Dan is going to redeem himself on the 50 miles)

Sulphur Spring 100 miles, May 25 (I think I need to run 100 miles before I go back to Arizona, here’s hoping!)

Niagara Ultra 50km, June 22 (I love this race)

Limberlost 56km, July 13 (Love this one too)

Dirty Girls 12 hours, August 10 (Good night running practice, hoping to get 50 miles)

Mogollon Monster, September 28 (Redemption)

I’ve tried to stop myself from racing too much something I’ve been known to do, and I’m also going to be treating a lot of these races as training runs (I’ve said that before and then I run all out, but I really mean it this time!).

Oh yeah, also Dan and I are going to try fastpacking this year.  We picked up our new tent this weekend and took for a test drive in the living room.  Going to be awesome!

Working on my corpse pose in the tent

I don’t know where Dan will be sleeping, that is my sleeping bag taking up most of the space.

This tent is so light and yet really functional, unlike the person trying to put it up.