On Being An Athlete

So in my last post about my experience with the Fall Classic, I mentioned the post-race low feeling many experience, including myself. Running the Fall Classic certainly helped alleviate my own post-race gloom. But yet now, a week later, I am still feeling this odd sense of blah, looking ahead at my racing calendar and seeing that what's next isn't until April and May of 2012. Then I look at the calendar a little harder and realize that January 1st, 2012 I do actually have something planned. January 1st, 2012 is right around the corner too. It isn't a race, no, but it's the official start of my 18-week marathon training program: the most intense and most important training program I will have put myself through to date. That indeed is something to look forward to, and a great way to bring in the new year. In the meantime, I'm running for fun and building up my mileage so it isn't difficult to jump into full-on training mode.

So why isn't it feeling like enough?

Race Report: New Balance Fall Classic 10km Run, 2011

Today I ran my second race of 2011. I wasn't exactly planning on it, not before last weekend when I registered anyway. Somehow having only my one big race this year wasn't enough, especially since I'm planning on being part of at least 3 next year (but knowing me, it'll be more).

Spontaneity

Spontaneity in life is important. It's something I'm not very good at; I appreciate my schedules, lists, and filled agenda book. I function well knowing what time something is going to happen on what day, and how much time each thing will have dedicated to it. But there's always been something so lovely about acting with spontaneity. I get excited at the unplanned.

Dedicating a Run

Today was a beautiful day to run. This morning's run included pouring rain, a crisp autumn temperature, and plenty of colourful leaves covering the sidewalks and park trails. It was a perfect morning for a thoughtful 7km run, and a chance to remember those who fought for freedom in my own way. It was 40-somewhat minutes of silence, strategically timed so I could catch the Remembrance Day ceremonies to salute our veterans, here in North Vancouver.