Excuses, Excuses

Howdy! Jessica here...

The Crazies have a confession.

It has been five weeks since we have run together. Five weeks!
Not only that, running seems to have taken a back seat in each of our lives, despite our best efforts!

My Mother in law Linda, passed away at the beginning of September. She had suddenly fallen ill, and although I was scheduled to run the half marathon course at the Ramsey Tour (one of my favourite courses), I chose to skip the race so I could spend more time with her.  I wouldn't have had it any other way. I miss her immensely.  Shortly after that, my asthma flared up and I have been unable to run.

For Denise, a dramatic increase in her daughter's athletic activities have left her struggling to find the time to run as well.

But today, FINALLY!  Finally we were to go for a run together.  It would be a short (for both of us), wheezy (for me) run --but we were going to run!! The crazies...together again.  We would look glorious! We would be the envy of all we passed!

Until my iPhone buzzed.  And the text from Denise read: You're not going to believe this.....three shirts.....no pants!!!!

Clearly, there would be no run for us.
So, we went to Starbucks, and hatched a plan to hopefully run on Wednesday.
So we ask of you:  What do you do when you have plenty of motivation to run, but no time?

How are you fitting in your runs?

Long may we run, (eventually. if we have pants)

Jessica and Denise

The Northern Run - 1/2 Marathon & 5 Km - Race Details

OK Crazies!  Here's the deets on the newest 1/2 marathon & 5 Km to hit Northern Ontario - Sudbury that is.

Got an email  this morning from one of the race directors "Buddy Green"  with all the need to know's about this new event.

It will start and finish at the Skead Community Center.  The 1/2 marathon course will travel down the dam road to the dam at the end of Lake Wahnapitei and then return to town with a small loop through the town of Skead and then finish back at the community center.   The 5 Km will be an out and back down the dam road with the turn around point at 2.5 Km

There will be opportunity to get water and Gatorade  different times out on the course as well s some gels at the aid stations. It will be a challenging run, (not a run where you would expect a personal best time but if you do that's awesome!) but more a course that will challenge you a little more than a typical 1/2 marathon.

Food will be provided after the run for participants and volunteers.

The fundraising goal is undefined but the proceeds will go to helping local youth involved in sport.  The organizers hope it will increase community involvement and physical activity and they are happy to be creating another local running event so that people don't always have to travel down south to run. They are also encouraging the pre-registration of any school teams or large groups.

Pre-registration is possible by contacting buddy.h.green@gmail.com and those who pre-register will be treated to shorter line ups where only bib pick up is required at the registration table on race day.

Hope to see you out there supporting this new local event!


Long may we run,

D.

Fall Run Season - It's the most wonderful time of the year!

I read somewhere that summer bodies are made from winter running.  While this may be true and I applaud the author for those words of wisdom,  fall running may not produce a bikini body but fall runs are like comfort food.  They feed the soul.

Running with the warm autumn sun on your face while the air is still chilled from the morning.  Maybe a little fog left on the horizon because the sun hasn't fully warmed it away.

Clicking away the kilometers as you notice the calm stillness of the lake (if you are lucky enough to have one to look at like we do here) and see the trees showing their full beauty. Getting to wear a long sleeve shirt instead of sweating to death in a tank top.    

Speaking of fall races ( I know great segway)

After having a conversation with another local runner about the lack of fall runs in Sudbury, we did some poking around and found out we actually have a lot to look forward to in Sudbury as we  head into October so we thought we'd share what we found with you and let you have at it.

October 5th    Run for the Cure     Venue:  Cambrian College

October 14th   Turkey Gobbler Run   Venue:  Walden Ski Trails

October 19th  The Northern Run    Venue:  Skead Community Centre

October 20th  Colours of Hope 5Km   Venue:  Lake Laurentian Conservation Area Trails

October 25th  Superheroes vs Villains   Venue:  Adanac Ski Trail

There's nothing quite like fall running but it is short lived in the north so take advantage of it while you can and get in a few races to round out your season.

Long may we run.

D

Ramsey Tour - Race Recap

What a great event!

Considering the weather the previous day I was a little concerned but as weather goes, it was just the perfect weather for running.  Cool to start but the sun was out to remind you that summer had just ended and enough of a breeze to keep you cool and not be considered a head wind.

If ever there was an underestimated race in the running season it's the Sudbury Masters Continental Insulation Ramsey Tour (Ramsey Tour for short ) The race itself is a grass roots type run that's been around for many years.  It's championed by the anyone who's ever run either the 5 Km or 1/2 marathon courses and the attendance is annually supported by participants from Sudbury Rocks Run Club and Track North.

The 1/2 marathon course is one of the most challenging courses I've run (and I've done San Francisco!) but it's one of the most beautifully scenic courses so you can forgive the difficulty.

This year I was very excited to see some of the same volunteers as years past but a few new faces as well and I heard they were up to 5 aid stations this year!  Big shout out to the volunteers,  they rock!

The route is as the name suggests,  a complete once around Lake Ramsey and to put it mildly, HILLY but nothing that would worry a Sudburian.  Except that lovely little ditty known as cardiac hill but really.....walk it.......there's no shame in it.  The "hilly" only lasts for the first 6 Km and then it's long stretches of flat or almost flat terrain that passes along Lake Ramsey for the better part of the remainder of the race.  The hills are forgivable.

This year we had 5 water stations along the route so you can definitely run without the cumbersome fuel belt if you so choose but there is no gel station so remember to pack em if you got em'.  There are also no port a potties, so be sure to go at the start, because at this time of year you may not have the leafy privacy coverage you need. 

This is definitely a course you could try for a PB on,  the local runners do!  Although I have now resided it to be a Sunday LSD because with the great views and perfect weather they seem to get every year,  I want to enjoy every kilometer of the course  . With 50 participants in the 1/2 marathon average finish time was almost a 50/50 split in the pack with just over half finishing  this year's race sub-2.

I will definitely run this race again. It's hard to beat a race with great community support, a great course,  perfect weather and ice cream when you are finished!  

Two Deux Crazy Thumbs Up!
Oh yeah...and me?  A lovely little LSD brought in at 2:16

Long may we run,

D.  






SudburyMasters Continental Insulation Ramsey Tour

Training Tip Tuesday - mini workouts for training more than just your legs

Stop the T-Rex!

As a runner I tend to neglect the rest of my body when it comes to training so I often joke that I'm like a T-Rex......great legs but useless upper body and arms.  As a result, I'm often on the lookout for short workouts that I can squeeze in before my morning shower or after a run that will get me on the path to having more upper body strength than a 4yr old girl. 

Recently I came across a week's worth of workouts posted by a dancer called Back on Pointe   and thought why not? , her blog talked about getting back into it and starting over so I thought this would be a good way to ease into core and upper body.   Did you know that when you haven't done jumping jacks and push ups in a while, they tend to hurt the next day?   I mean seriously!  Next day my inner thighs felt like someone kicked me in my lady parts and my pectoral region was less than co-operative when I tried to wash my hair.   Ahhh such is the life of the 40 year old :)

I posted the link to her list of the weeks workouts so my training challenge to you is to give the week's workouts a try and drop us a comment on this post to let us know how you did.

Till next week,

D.

Training Tip Tuesday - Protect the boobies!

Ladies!  For the love of all that is good and bouncy get a good sports bra!   

On many a run  Jess and I  have commented to each other after passing a fellow lady runner that we really want to stop her and tell her where to get a better sports bra.  Really!  

There are times when it just looks painful when the boobies are bouncing around like water balloons in a sports bra.  It just can't be comfy or make you love the run you are on.  Come on girls!, brace the boobies

If you are like me and didn't have the first clue as to what to look for or didn't know you had the wrong sports bra for you check out this very helpful fit guide from moving comfort  

Now we understand - being of very different levels of endowment ourselves - that not all boobs are created equally. A good bra is hard to find.  BUT,  we do recommend just like buying your first pair of shoes, that you take the time to do the research and find that ta-ta tamer that will do the trick.   

And for those I.B.T.C.  members like myself ........don't disregard the itty-bitty's  they still need protection from the bounce and friction.!   Check out a few of my favorites below.  Who knows,  there might be one in there for you!

Ta-Ta's for now,

D.

   The Stuff your Bra II by lululemon - what girl doesn't love extra pockets!

 The Alexis  by Moving Comfort - had it two year and still works like a charm!

         

Training Tip Tuesdays

Jess and I decided that if we were going to walk the walk,  it's time we talk the talk so to speak.  So, to give you a little more of what you're looking for.

Here's today's tip:

DON'T NEGLECT THE CORE!       

We know, alot easier said than done right?

Here's the thing, alot of people think that working your core means doing crunches, sit-ups and planks until you have that dreamy six pack.......no so much kiddos!

 The core group of muscles that are activated when you run include: 

• Your external and internal obliques (muscles that run up and down alongside your abs)
• Your glutes (hips and buttocks).  sit ups and crunches don't help these big boys
• And believe it or not, the hamstrings and the erector spinae -- the muscles and tendons running down your spine to the side of your vertebral column --  are also part of the core group.  

 Believe it or not it takes only 15 mins, 3 times a week to work on strengthening your core - your coffee machine takes more time than that in the morning!  At least mine does,  Jess has a new fancy schmancy machine that is lightning fast so she'll have to find her 15 mins somewhere else!

TUESDAY DARE

That's right you heard us,  we dare (yes we realize daring you is childish - but we like it) you to try this work out three times this week,  just this one week.   Then report back to us in the comments section and let us know how you did.

15 Minute Core Workout -  I found this one in Runner's World and it's been my favorite so far.  The first time I did it while "keeping honest"  I was sore for 2 days after.

TRY 2 SETS OF THESE BEFORE OR AFTER A RUN - 3 TIMES THIS WEEK 

Superman

What It Hits: transversus abdominis (deep abs) and erector spinae (lower back)

Start facedown on the floor, with your arms and legs extended out front. Raise your head, your left arm, and right leg about five inches off the floor. Hold for three counts, then lower. Repeat with your right arm and left leg. Do up to 10 reps on each side.

Keep It Honest: Don't raise your shoulders too much.

Make It Harder: Lift both arms and legs at the same time.

Bridge

What It Hits: glutes and hamstrings

Lie faceup on the floor, with your knees bent 90 degrees, your feet on the floor. Lift your hips and back off the floor until your body forms a straight line from your shoulders to your knees. Hold for five to 10 seconds. Lower to the floor and repeat 10 to 12 times.

Keep It Honest: Squeeze your glutes at the top of the movement, and don't let your spine sag.

Make It Harder: Straighten one leg once your hips are lifted.

Metronome

What It Hits: obliques

Lie faceup on the floor with your knees bent and raised over your hips, with your ankles parallel to the ground, your feet lifted, and your arms extended outward. Rotate your legs to the left side, bringing your knees as close to the floor as possible without touching.
Return to the center, then move your knees to the right side. Do 10 to 12 reps on each side.

Keep It Honest: Make sure not to swing your hips or use momentum; start the movement from your core and continue to move slowly from side to side.

Make It Harder: Keep your legs straight.

Plank Lift

What It Hits: transversus abdominis and lower back

Begin facedown on the floor, propped up on your forearms, with knees and feet together. With your elbows under your shoulders, lift your torso, legs, and hips in a straight line from head to heels. Hold for 10 seconds. Raise your right leg a few inches, keeping the rest of the body still. Lower and repeat with your left leg.

Keep It Honest: Pull in your belly and don't let your hips sag.

Make It Harder: Extend the time of the exercise. Each time you lift your leg, hold it for 15 to 20 seconds.

Side Plank

What It Hits: obliques, transversus abdominis, lower back, hips, and glutes

Lie on your right side, supporting your upper body on your right forearm, with your left arm at your left side. Lift your hips and, keeping your body weight supported on the forearm and the side of the right foot, extend your left arm above your shoulder. Hold this position for 10 to 30 seconds. Switch sides and repeat.

Keep It Honest: Keep your hips up; don't let them sag.

Make It Harder: Support your upper body with your right hand, instead of your forearm.

Until next Tuesday,

Denise & Jessica

BOUNCE Energy Balls

 Jessica and I are always looking for a good post long run protein snack that we can get into us within 20 mins of our run that doesn't taste like chocolate cardboard and that isn't so big that we have to force the last half of it down in order to get the right amount of protein we need to recover.

Look what we found!

This little baby has 12g of Protein!

We first came across the Bounce Energy Balls while we were training for the Mississauga Marathon.  We happened to be at our local Bulk Barn looking for snacks and there they were in their pretty bite size packaging just begging us to pick them up and check them out.

PROS:

• They taste great!  They come in 6 flavours - I've tried 3 so far!
• They aren't filled with a lot of processed garbage that I can't pronounce and the are GMO free!
• The come in this perfect little package that literally fits in the smallest pocket in my run bag.
• The don't hit my stomach like a brick after a long run - I can eat the whole thing.

CONS:

• Of the 6 flavours available on-line only 4 are available in my local store.
• Jess can't finish the whole thing.  She now eats 1/2 as part of her recovery.

Just a side note:  We did a little research on the company to see what they were all about and I have to say that when a company's world wide question is "What Would You Do If You Had The Balls?" You just had to know that we were gonna love them!

Race Recap: Run for Patrick

What a great event!

It was a sunny day, quite warm at the end, but the breeze took the edge off the heat, so conditions were great!

Both Denise and I planned to use this as a training run, as we head towards Massey. This being only our second longish run after the Mississauga Marathon, we were happy with whatever time we got, with our eye on potentially getting me to a PB. All I needed was under 2:18

The race itself is well supported and the volunteers rock! All runners were super supportive, and we garnered high fives from nearly all the front runners as the blew past us on the switchbacks.

We were ridiculously excited to see that candy was offered at the water station around the 9km/16km mark. Gummy Bears, M&Ms, and Smarties, Oh My!!!

The route is quite flat with some mild hills, but nothing that would worry a Sudburian.

There are several water stations along the route so you can definitely run without the cumbersome fuel belt, and there are two opportunities to grab a gel as well. Not too many port a potties, so be sure to go at the start, because a creek makes it difficult to dash into the wooded areas.

This is definitely a course you could try for a PB on, even with the switchbacks, there is a lot of room to maneuver. And the race has great community support. Average finish time at this year's race was sub-2.

It was nice to see fellow Sudburian Jeffrey Paul with a top 3 finish.

We will definitely run this race again. It's hard to beat a race with candy on the course and a cookie as a medal!

Oh yeah...and me? PB!!! Thanks to Denise for staying with me!

Visit the race's webpage for more information on this event. Also, be sure to visit the Patrick 4 Life page to learn more about Patrick. Put this on your race calendar for next year!

Long may we run,

Jessica

Mississauga Marathon Race Report.

HIGHLIGHTS

Water stations every 2km.  It was quite hot, so they were very appreciated.

All the spectators and volunteers were fantastic.

Beautiful course with lots of shady areas.

We met Andre while we ran.  He works at the Toronto Zoo, in the gift shop.  Hi Andre!

Random stranger at 40km, who told us were awesome and that he was proud of us, that we had come so far and just had a little more to go.  He had me welling up with tears.

Crossing the finish line, hand in hand, arms raised.  It was not how we had planned it, but was obviously how it was meant to be.

The finish line announcer saying, "Congratulations Denise Clement and Jessica (pause, pause, pause) Gwenard-Valiqwetty"

Finding our way to Lake Ontario and wading in through the boat launch. The police officer standing on the dock, laughing at us.

Our ever dependable Sherpa, Margaret Guenard (or should I say Margaret Gwenard). She was there for us at the finish, cheering us (and all the other runners on).  Most importantly, after we were done, she was our brain.  After a marathon, its hard to think....she found us access to the water, got things out of our bag, helped us stretch....a good Sherpa is so valuable...we have the BEST. No, we are not willing to share.

Increased police presence at finish line, provided ample opportunity for eye candy. In Uniform.  At the finish. Where we looked oh so sexy.  Maybe this should be a lowlight. Seriously though, obviously the increased police presence provided a measure of reassurance to all runners and spectators.  We aren't used to seeing that at a finish line, but they did a great jod, and we never once felt they were intrusive.

LOWLIGHTS

It was really hot, for early May.  We have trained primarily in below zero temps, and very below zero temps.  In fact, we had only a handful of runs in temps above zero, and only one of those was a long run.  Our bodies were NOT ready for the heat

Chafing.  Pro tip.  No matter the rush you are in, be sure that there are no remnants of the cheap, one ply toilet paper left behind in your butt cheeks.  Otherwise, after 15km or so,the chafing is unspeakable.

Never try a new nutrition source during a race that you haven't tried in training.  This seemingly small thing, derailed Denise who was well on track for a fantastic PB.  But, she champed it out.  Rock star, she is.

Wicked sunburn for the palest of the anglophones.  Jessica is not only sore from running, but a nasty sunburn.  I applied SPF 60 sunblock at the start, but couldnt carry it with me.  maybe races should stock Sunscreen at some of the waterstations?  What do you think?

We definitely recommend the Mississauga event.  It is a very well organized race, with fantastic volunteers and a beautiful course.  We plan on returning again.  For the Half-marathon.

Two, "Deux Crazy" thumbs up.


Long May We Run,

Crampy and Chafy
(Denise and Jessica)

Deux Crazy Anglophones - The lighter side of running

While Jessica and I were trotting out our 32Km last weekend we started chatting about some of the  things we've done and seen in our time on the roads together and it started a chain reaction of laughter.  As most runners can tell you,  in running you have to be slightly self-depricating and have a good sense of humour because sometimes running. is just not graceful or sexy.  And sometimes it's just a wicked good time!

Here's a few for a giggle:

There's nothing quite like walking into a women's washroom after a rainy-day race and hearing "I don't think I've ever been this wet"  and a chorus of laughter to follow.

Watching a dainty looking petite woman pull a nutrition gel out of her sweaty sports bra, rip the top off with her teeth -spitooning it to the side -  scarfing down said gel and burping.

Farting on the run:  needs no description but if you've done it  you know what I mean and you are probably giggling a little.   Heck it was almost 10 years into our relationship before I "tooted" in front of my husband but it took less than 3 years to rip one out in front of Jessica.

Dropping trow in the bush because the nearing porta-potty is at least 2Km away. 

The guy who does the farmer's nose blow without checking who's on his right......you get the idea.

Having full on conversations about your bowels/bowel movements with the recurring sentiment of  "maybe I shouldn't have eaten that before a long run"

The woman walking her dog who had given the dog a package of cigarettes to carry in it's mouth while they walked.


But remember,  along with the gross and the crazy, there's also to be had some great moments and great memories like these ones:




Pumping up before the Sudbury Rocks!

Volunteering at the Hypo Half

Our Cheer Squad for Team in Training

Meeting Dayna Pidhoreski at the Toronto Women's Half

Runner and Supporters of the first Chase Down Classic!




Long may we run,

D



Boston Marathon

To say we are devastated by the tragic events at today's Boston Marathon is an understatement.

We ask that you keep all people affected by this terrible tragedy in your thoughts and prayers and hold your families close.

Jessica and Denise.

Run Sudbury - Rave Runs in my city

People who are not runners or are run curious will often give me "the look" when I tell them that I'm training for a marathon - you know the one, it's a cross between: you're crazy! and where the heck to you run that much in Sudbury?  So I thought I would pass along some of my favorite run routes in and around the city to give you some insight of why you should run here if you get the chance.

 As always, there are some things need to know about running Sudbury:

 We have hills.  Lots of hills!  We are a city built out of a basin and most of the runs that you could do while staying with family or at a hotel will give you a hill within the first 2-3Km. 

Sudbury almost 200Km of beautiful trails that weave across the city. Runners can partake in portions of the trail system  during a road run or make a full trail run all on their own.  If you are a trail lover or just want to try something different make sure you check out what Sudbury's trails have to offer.

Sudbury has it's own marathon race weekend!  Sudbury Rocks!  Race, Run or Walk for Diabetes  This race offers a Marathon & Team Relay,  1/2 Marathon, 10Km, 5Km, and Kids 1Km.  

And probably most important;  Whether you are a first-time runner or a long-time runner, you will always have a route to run or someone to run with when you pop into the Sudbury Running Room  for their FREE Run Club. 

Here's a tour of  my favourite places to run.  Check em' out,  Come Run Sudbury!

4.4Km
This single loop run takes you through Bell Park along beautiful Ramsay Lake, past Science North and the Sudbury Art Gallery

9.9 Km
This loop goes through some beautiful south end neighbourhoods, along the Laurentian Path to the grounds of Laurentian University.

14Km
This loop runs toward the west end of the city, crosses into the downtown and rounds out by running along Lakes Ramsay.

18 Km
This loop runs along three of the main roads in Sudbury and crosses through New Sudbury and the downtown area

Long may we run,

D.

Today's Run Report : Soakers. With a more than a chance of "Oh my God could I stop getting rained on please"

In case you haven't figured it out,  we ran 28Km in the piss-pouring rain.  Why would you do that on purpose you ask?  Here's a little insight into Jessica and I and how we bargain with and enable each other in ridiculous ways.

FRIDAY  (all via text message)

Jessica:  We need a plan for our run.  Saturday?  Sunday?
              Sunday is warmer, maybe raining
              Saturday is colder with flurries
              Sunday afternoon looks to be 8 degrees an sunny

I have not replied yet but can you see the selling already starting from my running mate who hates cold and winter?

Me: I would rather run in the morning.
      ( Challenge : This does not work well for Saturday unless we run wicked early in the cold, as one of the kiddos has a swim test that I'd like to be there for)

Jessica:  me tooo.  But.......8 degrees......and sunny!  It's like a dream  ha ha.   (notice the layering of the sales shtick)

Me:  It would be nice but what if it's raining?

Courtesy of the handy dandy weather app my techno savvy mate has she sends me ..........

Jessica:  It appears that it will rain from 3am - 9am Sunday ( selling not only time but a lack of rain)
              If we run @ 7am on Saturday it will be -10 before windchill ( remember, she hates winter)

Knowing that I can make my chum happy , and that I know how this will work best, I give back:

Me:  How about we stick with our original plan of running Sunday, we start at 9am and take  whatever comes at us.

And ta-daa there you have it how we ended up with a Sunday run. 

Here's how that went:

Woke up to rain,  not surprising since it was on the weather app and we knew it was supposed to stop by 9:00am.  (This did not end up being the case)
Pulled everything together for a soggy run including a change of dry clothes, recovery snack and a towel.  Made the drive to our trusty Running Room where we were meeting another one of our running friends who was going to join us for 16km of our run.   Upon arriving she looked at me and said "are we really running in this?"  To which I answered with "if you paid for a race entry and on race day it rained, would you run?"  Nuff said.  Off we go.

Now  yes, we knew it was raining, and yes we knew it was going to be challenging to get through 28Km in said rain but I cannot begin to tell you the level of effort it took when after 9Km we were so soaking wet that it no longer mattered which layer of slush or puddle we ran through just as long as we could keep going.
We began to talk of how great it would be if one of the crazy husbands could meet us at 15km with dry clothes.  Or what the possibility would be of one of them driving along side us with a portable heater or golf umbrella. We debated running to a local gym and taking up 2 dreadmills for the remainder of our run but knew this was not realistic.  I think  each of us was silentlymaking deals with the devil about the swapping of souls for the stopping of rain.   When this didn't work,  we cursed Mother Nature, loudly and frequently.  
When all was said and done,  we were cold, wet, and sore from all the dodging of puddles and slush but,  we did it.  Just as we always do,  with humour and determination.  Oh and let us not forget the ever important  LATTE LATTE LATTE!

Long may we run,

D.

Sometimes, the run just SUCKS.

We were scheduled to run 24km today.  We decided a little bit later than one usually does, to run the Mississauga Marathon on May 5th.  It is the 10th anniversary of the event, and after a series of text messages that proves we enable each other, we decided to do it? (Thank goodness our addiction is running!)

After all it was this very race weekend, last year, that kick started the Deux of us on our crazy adventures.  So there you have it.  We are once again earning ourselves some post-run lattes!

LATTE, LATTE, LATTE!

Sorry, I digress.

Anyway, back to the story of our scheduled 24km run.

We ran 21km, last weekend in a very frigid -27C, and we certainly felt prepared for today.  But the running gods apparently had other plans.  You know how for most runs, for the first 8-10 minutes, you feel a little sore, or stiff, or gangly?  It tends to take a while to loosen up those muscles, get them warmed up and find your stride.  Well, today our run started out no differently.  Unfortunately it ended no differently either.

So frustrating.  So far, we haven't been able to determine why, it seems to be just one of those things.  The terrain was decent, a few wet and slippery areas, but nothing too treacherous - with the exception of Loach's trail- which ran the gammut of snowy, wet, icy, muddy and gross.

By 12km we were tired, by the top of the South Bay road hill (fondly called @#$%#$ South Bay, by me), we were about 16km in and we were exhausted.  We had fueled well, we were hydrated.....but we were tanked.

It was about another 2km after that, as we came out the Loach's Road end of the trail that we knew we were done,  We had another 6-7km to go, but we were running sloppy, slouching and generally miserable.

All of that can lead to injury, so we decided to head back to the store, adding on a tiny side street loop that would get us to 20km.  It can feel a bit like a failure to have to cut a run short, but I am confident we made the right choice.

We are not doing this to qualify for Boston, or attain a specific finishing time.  We know we are going into this less fit than when we ran Montreal. We simply want to finish.

At the beginning of each run, we always say "NO WHAMMIES", meaning no injuries, or falls, or otherwise unfortunate mishaps, that could derail our plans.

Although we are both sore, we finished with "NO WHAMMIES" and that is a very good thing. As Denise says, that was our reckoning run. And now we move on to better things, and longer distances.

A small piece of trivia for you: The last time the DCA cut a run short was on this VERY eventful adventure.

**We will be fundraising for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, so please stay tuned for details and links!

Long may we run.

Jessica

We aren't the only crazy ones!

Hello everyone!

Just a quick post to introduce you to a friend and running buddy of ours!  Sherry has run with us a number of times, even running a half-marathon with me.

She's started her own blog, Middle-Aged Madness.  Why not jump on over there to check out her very first post!

Long may we run!

Jes

Running a Frosty 20Km

Holy Crap that was a cold one!

Since we'd been having slightly warmer temps than usual for this time of year in the Suds, Jess and I held out hope that we were going to be blessed with an early dose of Spring to keep us motivated as we up our mileage for the weekend.

 Not so much.  

For our 20Km run on Saturday it was a nippy -25 with windchill.  

Now don't get me wrong,  when living in the north there is a certain amount of freeze-your-butt-off-ed-ness you learn to just accept. Fortunately, as runners in the north,  we have learned that there are four requirements to running in the -20's  that can come together to make for a brisk yet enjoyable run. 

1. Base layer - a.k.a.  trusty smart wool socks and Merino wool long underwear
2. Thermal layer - whatever brand of slightly thicker run jersey or fleece based garment you are comfy in
3. Outer layer - a jacket and pants that will resist wind but breathe so you don't turn into a moving lesson in condensation.
4. The ability to laugh at the oh so womanly frost beard and  joker-like frozen smile  you will undoubtedly sport somewhere around the 10 km mark.

To see where 20Km in -25 took us check out:

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/fullscreen/181826570/

Running frosty,

D.

Post Long-Run Lattes.

Well deserved Hazelnut Macchiatos after an 18km run.

What could the Deux Crazy Anglophones be up to?

Stay tuned!

VOLUNTEERS: We can't race without them!

As runners, we can't possibly run every race.  Even in Sudbury, where there isn't a race every weekend!

We have lives, families, training schedules.  But here's the great thing about races---are you ready for this?
You don't have to run in a race to be involved.  VOLUNTEER!

Any avid runner will tell you that without volunteers, our sport just wouldn't happen. From course set up, to course marshals, water stations, finish line volunteers, medical officials, etc.  The list of possibilities is endless.

Both Denise and I make it a point to volunteer at any event we can. It is an incredible experience, and so empowering to see people of all ages, shapes, sizes completing a race.  It may be their first, or their 100th race.  They may be on their way to their best time ever or their worst.  The emotions a runner experiences during a race can run the full gamut, and depending on where on the course you are: you feel it with them.

My absolute favorite place to be at a race I am not running is the finish line.  To see the emotions that people experience in the last few hundred meters leaves you in awe.  I've seen people go from agony, to relief, to joy, pride, happiness and disbelief.  I am not a knowledgeable, nor trained photographer. I have a camera, and I take pictures for fun.

For the past 4 or 5 years, I have volunteered to take pictures at the local Hypothermic Half Marathon, hosted by the Running Room in Sudbury.  Our course is a double loop.  I take pictures of everyone as they come around the first time, and then I zip up to the finish line, plop myself on top of my trusty flower planter and snap away.

Check out the emotion in these pictures!

As this runner approached the finish, he called out to his son and held out his  hand.  I was so happy to capture that moment!

These friends ran together and finished together.  I love that they finished in style.  Denise and I finished Midsummer Night Run and Montreal Marathon this way and there really is something unifying about it.

Check out the frosty beard and the massive icicle hanging from this racer's beard! Hyperthermic, indeed!

 

The young man in this picture ran side by side with his girlfriend in this race.  It may have been her first half-marathon, I don't know.  I can tell you that he has finished this race over an hour faster than the time he did this one.  He's won it. But one look at this and you can see how proud he is of her and that he'd do it again in a heartbeat! We runners are funny like that.  We love to help others reach their goals!

This guy was super excited!

This man was one of the last to finish.  He is accompanied on each side by our "sweeps". There are those that  ask if finishing last is embarassing or discouraging.  I personally think the runners that finish towards the back of the pack are some of the strongest, most dedicated people you will ever meet.

Try volunteering at a race sometime. Its an experience you will never forget. In fact, why not volunteer at Sudbury Rocks!! on Mother's Day.  Check out the details here.

Long may we run.

Jessica

2013 Run Season here we come!

CATCH THE DEUX CRAZY ANGLOPHONES AT THESE 2013 RACES

 

This year we'll be sporting our own personalized race shirts at all our races.  If you spot the Deux Crazy Anglophones at a race, get your picture taken with us and send us a copy to post on our blog.

 

Sudbury Rocks May 12th

Run for Patrick June 9th

The Miner's Mayhem June 22nd

Firecracker 5Km July 1st

The Friendly Massey Marathon July 14/15th

Timmins Golden Trails Festival ( this one is a maybe)

Ramsey Tour September 19th

Run for the Cure October6th

Wiki 10km October21st

Zombie Run October 26th

Haunted Hustle October 28th

Running in Northern Ontario - Look what I found!

Now as most of you know, this running sport we love can be a wee bit costly and with the average race weekend out of town running as much as $400.00 for a weekend for race entry, gas, meals, and hotel (- think I'm crazy? do the math, I think you'll be surprised!) I thought it was high time that I started checking out races close to home.

For some reason, I thought that it would be harder to find races and places to run in Northern Ontario but it was really just as simple as going our local run club websit and lo and behold,  15+ races ranging from 5Km to Full Marathons! All within 2 hours of my home, all $60 or less (for the distances I was looking at) and all between May and December.  

So, I did what any penny-pinching part of a running duo would do......... I texted my running mate and told her how much money we were going to save and gave her the list of races to choose from!

Here's the list of races happening in the North in 2013 here is the Sudbury Rocks Running Club Website for a link to all the races listed below   http://www.sudburyrocks.ca/events.htm

http://www.sudburyrocksmarathon.com
http://runwalk4patrick.ca
http://tristyle.weebly.com/
http://www.friendlymasseymarathon.com
http://www.stjosephislandtriathlon.com
http://www.waldenxc.com  Turkey Gobbler Trail Run
http://www.sudburyrocks.ca/Events%202010/2012/Wiky%20Poster%202012.pdf
http://tristyle.weebly.com/zombie-run.html
http://www.hauntedhustle.com/default.html

We'll keep you posted on which ones we choose,  hope to see you at a race this year!
D