November and December are truly the hardest months for any athlete to train through. If you struggle to get out for workouts when its still dark out or hit the double run in the evening, you are not alone. I have been pulling out every single trick-in the bag that I have to keep motivation high and stay on top of my training. The main goal: stay focused on the light at the end of the tunnel and, there really is some truth in that. End of January, myself and 13 other Canadians are headed to Costa Rica for the TCC race where yes, it should be multiple days of hot and sunny runs. Oh, I can't wait.
In the mean time, it's mileage and very focused workouts. In a way, I think opening up my new studio is a blessing in disguise. My daily workouts are more of a stress relief/clear my mind time then anything and hence, I'm getting the hours in. For example, when I can't decide between "telus and shaw" hmmmm, I go for a run. Seems to be working to some degree.
Anyways, just a quick update from here in the Squamish mud puddle:
Icy trails have meant running lots on roads and being creative. I enjoyed a great run last week down on Chuckanut MT in Bellingham with Dan. Trails were clear and dry - it was awesome. Having a nexus card for fast track border crossings is a huge help. With that said, I traveled down yesterday to WA again to take part in the Birch Bay Ghost Marathon. After a big week of training including a great hill climbing session on Friday morning, I was shocked at how well I felt to put in a 42km tempo run! I can feel the effects of the past few months of quality training now. However, I arrived with about 1min to spare to the race start line and just took off running to catch up to the leaders. A 1st place overall was nice but really, it was just great to run in a new area and put some miles down.
Putting the skis on now for a mix of skate skiing and back country! Great to work some new muscles and enjoy training in the white stuff. I'm mixing my days up with bike/run/bike combinations and doing morning runs out on trails with my yaktraxs on and evening runs on the road looking at all the Christmas lights.
My athletes continue to inspire me each and everyday. Lots of new folks starting in January on some pretty lofty 2011 goals so as I write their programs and familiarize myself with their backgrounds, I get pretty fired up. Then there is a handful of my Canadian runners who are working so hard to prep for Costa. We are all in the same boat with the weather so its rather comforting to know that as I slog through a wet run, so are they! And then there are those athletes who continue to be traveling to races all winter long, finding the sunshine and checking off bucket list goals. Very cool. Oh, and lots of friends doing unique running and winter adventuring things that I follow on facebook - it all helps with motivation.
I've almost got my 2011 calendar set. There are some races that have me stoked and some personal adventures that I can't wait to tackle!
And of course it's the Christmas holidays so I'm looking forward to a mix of Island and Ontario time, good friends and amazing family!
Adventure Onwards in the rain, snow, sleet or hail! I'm with ya!
