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Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Race Preview: Ajax Run the Lake 10k


Race website

I am doing this 10km as a tune-up for the 1/2 marathon I have planned next week.

I have never done this race before, but when I have run the Ajax waterfront the experience has been mixed.  It's a nice park area with a great view of the lake, but it's pretty hilly... and the wind can really whip up at times.  Current forecast is for temps just barely above freezing - so it could be crispy!

Current 10km PB: 40:53

Chances I'll set a PB: 0%

My PB is from Sporting Life... net downhill and that particular day there was a great tail-wind!  So a cold November hilly course won't yield the same kind of result... I'm thinking 4:20/km pace is more realistic, works out to about 43:00-43:30 or so.




Sunday, October 28, 2012

Got Hit By a Car


Readers of this blog will remember that I was hit by a truck a few years ago.  That was on my bike, and it was no joke - landed me in an ambulance, thankfully without any broken bones (but a mild concussion).

Today it was a car's turn, and on my feet instead of my bike.

4-way stop.  I was running on the sidewalk, paused as I approached.  He stopped, I started going in the crosswalk in front of his car and inexplicably he started going again!  Luckily he hit the brakes just as he hit me, so I fell hands-first onto the hood but didn't take a directly hit to my legs (at least not hard enough to leave a mark).

Younger guy, I ripped a strip out of him then went on my way.  Got his plate, reported it, so life goes on.

Be careful out there!

Monday, October 22, 2012

Mountain bike. Fall. Awesome.

I don't have much to say, other than fall mountain biking is amazing. 


Taken this weekend in Durham Forest, Ontario.  See you out there, still a few weeks left to enjoy the awesomeness!


Thursday, October 11, 2012

Lance - the Final Chapter?


I came to terms with the fact Lance doped a long time ago.  I thought the writing was on the wall back in 2010, and again earlier this year... but the die-hards died hard!

This time, I don't think anyone can doubt it.

USADA has put together a comprehensive case in their "Reasoned Decision".  All of the evidence is great, but the words of the cyclists who were there are the most striking.  If you have any doubt left, flip to the section "Appendicies and Supporting Materials" and read those Affidavids. 

Guys like George Hincape and Michael Barry are not people who were ever caught.  They passed their tests, just like Lance. They have absolutely no reason to come forward - except that the writing was on the wall.

They are part of the solution, and along with the biological passports I think there is reason to believe cycling is getting clean.  Not 100%, but in the right direction.

As for Lance - it really should be over.  He should come clean (so to speak) and do what he can for the sport. 

Sadly, I can't see that happening.

Even without Lance, cycling can move forward.  Hopefully the likes of Bruyneel are swept away and a new era can be ushered in.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Intermittent Fasting - Progress Report


I have been at it for a few weeks now, with some mixed results.

The Program

Eat during an 8 hour window each day, fast for 16 hours.  Repeat.

I chose an 11:30am-7:30pm eating window, so basically I get normal lunch and dinner.  No breakfast and minimal post-dinner snacking.

More details in this blog post.

The Good - Appetite

I used to be hungry all the time - even after a meal.

During intermittent fasting, I've rarely felt hungry, and never any hungrier than usual.  I was expecting to be famished, especially at the end of the 16 hours - but it felt totally normal and natural.

So the big win here is a curbed appetite.  I don't know why - I have to assume it's due to improvements in insulin sensitivity, or maybe it's psychological - but either way this has been much easier to stick to than calorie counting.

The Bad - No Weight Loss

My weight hasn't budged, it's pretty much where it was at the start of this experiment.

Now I have to admit I have not tried even a little to curb my eating during the 8 hour window... it's pretty much been "anything goes".  As I said previously, I haven't felt all that hungry, but during the eating window I respond to even a slight interest in eating by, well, eating!

I am going to bring healthier snacks to work with me (rather than succumbing to the siren song of the Tim Horton's donuts) and cut back a bit on beer/wine, see if it helps this aspect, since it's the main reason I'm doing this at all!

The Good - Energy

I have felt really good, even during work-outs.  Mostly I have timed them to be either in or after my eating period so I'm not energy deprived, but even when they're not I haven't felt bad at all.

The Bad - Carbo Loading...

This isn't really a negative of the fasting, but rather my ability to stick with it... when a race is looming, it has to go out the window for a few days while I carb-up.  I have to think fasting prior to a race would negatively impact glycogen levels in the muscles.

Fortunately I don't do more than a race every month or so, so it shouldn't impact things too badly.

Overall...

I'm glad I tried it and I'm going to stick with it at least for a few more weeks.  I feel great and it's pretty easy to stick to.  Hopefully the weight loss follows!