Running: Back to the Outdoors

I ran outside for the first time since last November (when I started in with the three week cold) on Sunday. What a rush! Since I was last running outdoors I've been trying to work on strength and core in the gym, spending time recovering from illness (some more), and generally getting my brain back into training. Getting back outside was so enjoyable even with the -10C and sunny weather.

I started out from home heading east before crossing the river and heading back west. The south side of the river isn't the best below the escarpment between Crowchild Tr and Edworthy Park, but I had packed my Kahtoola crampons knowing this from last year. Not a single problem with traction was had. I crunched through packed snow and ice with ease.

I got home in just over an hour. I had run 9 minutes, walked 1 minute for most of it except for a few minutes I had to wait for a train before crossing the tracks. And was I ever in for a shock when I got home and checked my Garmin. My average heart rate for the run was 84% of max HR! I could hardly believe it. It didn't feel like I was working that hard. I certainly wasn't running a blazing pace. But I was enjoying myself and probably running an adrenaline high.

Whatever the reason for the high HR I had a blast and really enjoyed the run. I didn't feel burned out afterwards or the next day. There was some stiffness the next day in my legs because I haven't run on an uneven surface in a while, but other than that I felt great and went to the gym on Monday for a light workout. More core and stretching between now and my run on Thursday on the gym. The weekend is looking great, so I'll definitely be out again on Saturday and probably Sunday too.

Yeah fun!

Life: A Dog's Life

So Aerin and I talking seriously about getting a dog - financials, care, training, breed, grooming, feeding, etc. The breed we have zeroed in on is the Black Russian Terrier. This is not a small breed by any measure. They are a cross between Rotteweilers, Giant Schnauzer, Airedales and Newfoundlands. After much reading about Blackies, we've been very impressed with their list of attributes: intelligence, sociable, great strength and endurance, even temperment, protective, and loyal.

We wanted a dog that could do a number of things. One of the first things was a dog that we could take backcountry without worrying her (yes, we want a female puppy) taking off after every little movement. A Blackie is also big and strong enough that we can put a dog pack on her to carry her own food and bed. The sociable aspect is important since we don't want to just leave her in a boarding kennel, so her ability to be around people is a definite plus. Her endurance is also great as a working breed, so I can take her running for exercise too. There's lots of things we want to do in terms of training, so her intelligence is a great plus.

Last Sunday evening we talked to a breeder over the phone, and she was kind enough to hook us up with someone in Calgary with one of her dogs. So on Sunday morning we get to meet a Blackie for the first time since neither of us has seen one in the flesh before.

And just for fun, who doesn't love video of cute puppies?