A Passion for Running

Yup! SEVEN more additions to the RBF directory. Just when you thought you were over your run-blog addiction huh?

Colin from run a marthon, write a novel
Cindy from Cindy Wolff’s Running Blog
Taco John
Ed & Jeff from Two Fools Running.
Deva from Deva Runs
and Scott from Evolution Echo

Welcome to you all!

Looks like Aaron and I have converted another of you running bloggers over to the dark side (can’t resist with the whole Star Wars DVD release thing). Reba formerly from here is moving her blog to here with Complete Running.

Muhuwaahahahah!!! Looks like our plans for world domination are coming to light.

My new workstation looked just AWFUL!!!

Pre-move, we were given an opportunity to choose the location of our workstation. Being the veteran of the group, I was given first dibs so I picked the northeast corner because it had north and east facing windows – the latter with a view of the river valley and morning sunlight.

We were told the workstations would be the same size. Well, they are not the same size. They are two feet smaller in both length and width than the old stations. What pissed me off was that it was just the last three stations nearest to the corners that were smaller in size. Apparently, my employer was economizing on space and decided to covert the two workstations located in the corners of the building into three smaller ones.

Argh. It would have been REALLY nice is someone would have provided this bit of info before I chose my station and was moved.

So, I was NOT happy and neither were two of my colleagues. There was a big argument with one of the people who managed the moving project which finally ended in arms being thrown up because it was obvious we would not get satisfaction.

There is a happy ending, however.

I came back to my station, did some meditative breathing, unpacked a few of the boxes and opened the blinds. Everything started to seem a bit bigger and brighter. Then I went for my run and everything got even better. Suddenly, the whole argument seemed rather pointless and silly.

Funny how a run can do that for ya huh?

Nothing spectacular about the run, but the view (as you now know) WAS spectacular. It was really beautiful out there. The leaves are changing rapidly now and are even different than when I took those pictures on Friday. Lots more on the ground now too.

The run consisted of 8km (5 miles) in 44 minutes at a 5:30min/km (8:48min/mile) pace. It felt very difficult today. Not surprising considering the rest I took recovering from my cold, aches and pains – all of which are much better now. Also not surprising since I drank too much beer and wine yesterday with my Dad and Aaron and was dehydrated for my run today.

Side-note: Aaron, my dad and I were making wine yesterday. How much wine you say? About 250 liters or 66 gallons! If you bottled that in those regular sized (750ml/25 ounce) wine bottles, you would have 333 bottles of wine! No, we are not alcoholics and are not going into the wine making business. Being Italian, my dad has been making terrific wine for most of his life. His supply is almost dry so he wanted to make some more. Plus, I wanted to learn how, plus Aaron is getting married in June so we decided it would be neat if we made the wine for his wedding. Lori’s parents also wanted in on it too so we are splitting everthing four or five ways including the wedding. Cool huh?

Back to running. Tomorrow I’ll do some leg drills, Wednesday my four-hill route and Thursday a tempo run. Friday will mark the beginning of a SWEET 10 day taper. I’m looking forward to that!

I’ve also made an appointment for another massage on Friday. I’ve been experiencing a LOT of tightness in my hamstrings. Gotta work that out before the marathon. I’ve had hamstrings cramp up during a marathon and it simply AIN’T ANY FUN!

More precisely, here are some pictures of a bit of the city I call home! They were taken along routes I often run during my lunch breaks and after work.

I hope you enjoy this glimpse into Edmonton.