Why I don’t run to catch the bus
Posted: 17 May 2009 Filed under: Running, Transit | Tags: buzzer, poll, speedwork, training 1 Comment »[Buzzer Blog] Friday fun poll: do you run to catch a transit vehicle?
(Here’s another post that manages to combine running with my other interests. Previous ones included running and music, and running and Doctor Who.)
I was quite surprised that Jhenifer at the Buzzer Blog chose to put up my question for this week’s fun poll, after she put out an open call for suggestions. (Oh yeah, and if you saw my title, you know how I voted.)
I was inspired to come up with this poll question by the simple fact that I am a runner, but when it comes to chasing a bus, I can’t be bothered to do it, at least not anymore. Back in high school, I could easily sprint across busy intersections or bound up escalators to catch a bus or SkyTrain that had just arrived.
At some point, probably around the time I was doing my undergrad at UBC, I didn’t bother so much. Maybe it was the fact that, for the most part, I had an idea of when my bus was due to depart (especially after night classes). Nowadays, with next-bus information readily available by phone, txt, or web, there’s really no need to be caught off-guard with a just-arrived bus.
Besides, given my training for long-distance running, sprinting just isn’t my specialty. The first few times I attempted speedwork at a track, I felt like I tested my physical limits at running at top speed. I’m sure I could have just collapsed at the end. Don’t get me wrong, speed training does help in a half marathon, as long you’re mentally prepared to tackle it.
That’s my explanation for the poll question and my reasons why I voted “No”. I had no delusion of changing anyone’s mind in voting, but if I did, then bonus to me! I’ll catch you on the bus, if I can make it.
BMO Half 2009 – the analysis
Posted: 3 May 2009 Filed under: 365 to 26.2 | Tags: bmo half marathon, run, training 4 Comments »What a difference a year makes! Last year, I logged a time of 2:19:47. This year, I had as my goal to beat that time. Little did I realize that the 2:12:13 in this year’s BMO Half is a new personal best! I can point to two main factors why I did as well as did this year:
- I ran the whole thing non-stop (except for walking pauses to consume gel or water that never exceeded one minute). In training, I consciously made the decision to move away from the run-10-walk-1 method I’ve used in training for, and running in, the last four half marathons. I quite surprised myself with the result, not just in the time, but in the fact that the whole run was consistent from beginning to end, and as I’ve tweeted soon after the race, I took great pride in that.
- I knew what to expect. The hill heading to Prospect Point is the main challenge in an otherwise flat course on the Downtown Peninsula. This year, I forced myself on to those grueling hill sessions with progressively steeper inclines. This was what was neglected in previous training sessions, and I did ignore them at my peril. I also knew to conserve my energy once the run entered Stanley Park. This paid off too: my speed in the section that included Prospect Point was greatly improved over last year.
Training Summary: The total km logged over 16 weeks of training was 352.2. I’m sure that had a lot of influence in this year’s result (vs. 275 km last year).
Next up: I think I’m going to capitalize on the momentum of this result by registering this week for the Royal Victoria Marathon. What I did today shows I am more than capable of taking on the rigors of training for a full marathon, and I’m keen to get started!
