Neuf

I have a calendar item that tells me something weird: as of Tuesday next week, it'll be nine years since I started this blog.

This is apparently my 481st post, which I assume is approximately 48 posts per reader

I'd already been competing in endurance athletics (mostly road running and triathlon) for nearly 3 years when I moved to this format instead of the clunky, hand-coded website I reserved for race reports only. I had secured some sponsorships, and was really a bit excitable about the whole business. 

I'd like to think I've learned not to take myself so seriously.

In that very vein, I made an executive decision: despite it being a long weekend, I wasn't going to try to bank a bunch of doubles to improve my standings in the 100 in 100. Instead, I would try to improve my general well-being and chill the heck out a little.

To be clear: we may have differing approaches to "chill"

Saturday rather punished my attempt to go about business as usual: my morning run down to the Cambridge Farmers' Market for groceries took place in bitter cold, with wind blowing the falling snow in my face most of the way. Brunch was ok - the "hanging out with my sweetheart" bit - but then I encountered a whole bunch of self-entitled people roam around Huron Natural Area when I went for a second run that day.

It was still pretty, but I was rather soured on the whole thing..

The snow - which had just started falling again as I arrived - seemed to get heavier as the light faded. I hadn't brought a headlamp, and even if I had it would have been difficult to see. I had thoughts about pushing a little further than a single lap, but it was clearly not my day.

So I ran away.

Sunday was Valentine's Day, so we started with a heart-y brunch.

By which I mean: if you look closely, I carved the strawberries on the waffle into heart shapes.

..then it was off to a trail with Tank to take advantage of the beautiful sunshine, and all the snow that had fallen through the week.

A precious moment of solitude on the otherwise well-used trail

Well, call it duo-tude

Conditions were fabulous, and we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly - we even got warm enough that it didn't feel entirely strange hitting up our local vegan/allergy-friendly ice cream shop to sample both their "chocolate dipped strawberry" and "chocolate raspberry" flavours, which they kindly packed into a single pint for us. Seriously; you should check them out. The frozen treats are awesome, they carry a bunch of other vegan and allergen-free foods (everything from popcorn and granola bars to entrées), and it's owned by just the sweetest lady ever. 

Though sweetest guy ever goes to this fellow right here <3

I didn't shirk off running entirely - as a matter of fact, I made good use of that snow on the trails by getting in only my 4th snowshoe run of the season. Appropriately enough, on the anniversary weekend of the inaugural Happy Trails snowshoe race "The Flurry".

Amusingly enough, I think I wore the same outfit just by coincidence..

While Tank went for a walk in the same woods, I ran up a big stinkin' hill.

Yes, I'm aware it looks like nothing, and vert isn't real.

The view from the trailhead at the top was entirely worth it, and then I got to bail back down it!

Back home for an incredible dinner barbecued by my darling (and the ice cream that had survived our plundering between the ski and run/hike), we laid our plans for Family Day Monday. 

More rock and woods than rock and roll

There were two things on the docket: a hike, and a brew-up - preferably in a cave, as it was supposed to snow most of the day.

And there are plenty of places to hide from it, if you're willing to get a little low!

First, though, we ended up wandering over the ice - sturdied by the arctic blast of the past week - to check out a bit of a different perspective on some of the fascinating rock formations in Rockwood Lake.

Definitely a change from paddling past!

We accessed the Pothole Trail from a gently sloping spot on the shore of the lake, and went wandering through the cedars clinging tenaciously to the rocks, trying to restrain ourselves from doing some climbing.

So many tempting looking hand a foot holds..

Wandering through the potholes themselves, it's virtually impossible not to marvel at the incredible effects of water and time on the solid limestone.

What nature hath wrought.

Never having previously been to Rockwood in winter, we were fascinated by the icy sculptures formed by falling water among the rocks and trees.

Like this out-of-the-way little spot

Not to mention the year-round wonders of natural decay

I could sit and stare at the varying degradation rates of the rings for hours

..and of course the majestic beauty of towering rocks and the caves that lurk below them.

The sheer tonneage of stone on top of that deep void is mind boggling.

Having walked the Cave Trail, we ascended the Cedar Ridge Trail to head toward the car, which was parked in a lot that claimed it would be locked by an impassable gate at 4:30pm sharp. We did stop at the lookout (having paused to put on our spikes beforehand, as the path to it was treacherously icy), but otherwise hiked along efficiently so we'd have plenty of time before our car was trapped.

You can't come to Rockwood and not hit the lookout.

So we didn't get our brew-up in a cave, but we still got it among the trees: having moved our car to the central parking lot near the gate (which had been chock full when we arrived), we wandered over to a woodsy spot and cooked up some delicious post-hike hot chocolate.

It's not camping, but it's the closest we've come since October.

As for running? Well, that was almost an afterthought - really, I hadn't even picked a place to run, and foolishly hadn't brought a headlamp. We had to pop into Guelph on our way home, and as we came in York Road I spotted the covered bridge. Since Tank had never seen it, I asked him to stop at the small parking lot on the east side of the Speed River so we could check it out.

Covered bridges are always neat, but the construction of this one is fascinating

Then I realized we were right beside a trail - a groomed, crushed stone path that runs alongside the Eramosa River, a dammed portion of which actually forms Rockwood Lake before it joins the Speed River on its way to Cambridge, flowing just down the hill from our house.

Not the most interesting spot, but still quite nice, and safer than singletrack as sunset neared.

I set off heading northeast into the wind, and was soon rewarded by a new discovery: having only run a small section of this trail previously in absolutely atrocious freezing rain conditions, I'd never realised there was some singletrack right on the riverbank!

Ooh, now this I like!

Ice conditions varied widely: there were people skating just a few hundred metres upriver

I even found another of the eco-ornaments hanging off a tree near the terminus of the main trail.

The bright sumac shone out in the grey and white of an overcast winter evening

I explored for about 2.75km, until I came to a place where the trodden-down snow seemed to tail off in a pile of deadfall.

This is where - with fading light - we nope.

I figured I'd try to stay on the main trail for the way back.

I'm sure you know how that went.

With just enough light left to see how icy it was (after I'd already committed to taking it), I bopped along a section of conifer-lined singletrack I hadn't previously noticed, emerging right by the covered bridge once more.

I mean, at least I could only fall on the river, not in it - it was frozen solid at the banks.

When I reached the bridge itself, I ran across and back again, discovering that it's lit up at night with lights that sweep cascades of colour down its length!

Poorly captured by my cellphone's camera, but super neat to see!

The lights aren't very visible from the outside at dusk, though.

So I didn't spend the extra time away from work improving my run fitness, or chasing a spreadsheet - instead I had some fun and learned new things, while spending some extra time with the man I love. That may not sit well with the Type A crowd who think days off are some sort of weakness or personal failing, but like I said: I'd like to think I've learned not to take myself so seriously anymore. 

And cheers to that!

The final weekend of the 100 in 100 is upon us now; the challenge ends Monday. I've already equaled my prior best of 111 as of Thursday, so now the question becomes...do I put in a final push, or just cruise it in? 

Hmm...I wonder what flavours No Udder is scooping this weekend?

One hundred down

 ..who knows how many to go?

Winter light is so magnificently strange sometimes

The worst kept secret of all time is that I've been taking part in the annual Slowtwitch 100 runs in 100 days challenge again, only with a much earlier start date than ever. It began all the way back on November 15th, since which time I've managed to put in a pretty decent block of consistent running...despite (probably) catching Covid-19 in December, some rather long workdays, and the inherent challenges of a Canadian winter.

Keeping in mind I have no access to either indoor track or treadmill

By dint of my longest run streak ever (a modest 20 days over the holidays, but I'm someone that really values my usual Fridays off) and really committing to running twice per day every Saturday and Sunday, I arrived at last weekend with 96 runs already in the bag. 

Better scenery than a treadmill, anyway.

Of course, the weather had to come into play sometime: we'd had a relatively mild winter so far, with only a few dumps of snow. As much as it pains me to miss out on my favourite form of masochism, it's probably a good thing that the snowshoe racing season was cancelled due to the pandemic this year - I've not had much opportunity to train in my snowshoes due to the lack of lasting snow. We did get a dump of it last week, but then the temperatures plummeted just in time for the weekend of my final push to 100.

Thanks a bunch, Mother Nature!

The usual run to the market on Saturday morning had me busting out the wool tubular gaiter as a hood - a thing I don't do until the mercury drops to -10c or below. The wind made it feel like a positively frosty -19c (-2f), and I was glad to have Tanker meet me with a sweater to change into, and a heavy down coat and insulated skirt to throw on so I could shop without freezing solid. 

At least it had been sunny, though

Second run, though, was rather a different story.

The sun was long gone

I could have made it out before sunset, but you know that lack of snow I mentioned? It's made for a really crap cross-country ski season, and I decided Saturday afternoon that we couldn't afford to waste skiable conditions while they existed, so I spent the last of the daylight getting some kicks in with my sweetheart.

..and some glides, as well!

Then straight off to the head of the Mill Run Trail, where I was fortunate to be able to do a point-to-point running almost entirely downwind. It was a very dark night, and I didn't see another soul as I trotted through the woods.

If you look really closely, you can see a pinprick of light at the end of the tunnel of trees

It was cold enough that my phone refused to let me use flash photography at the dam, despite riding in the pocket of an insulated jacket against my right hip. Fortunately my trusty sweater, down coat, and insulated skirt awaited at the other end with Tank so we could hit the grocery store just a couple of kilometers from the trail before heading home to get some dinner and sleep.

..and let my jacket dry out, as I might need it again the next day.

Sunday dawned just as cold, but with even more wind driving the apparent temperature down to a bone-chilling -22c (-8f). I knew I needed to hide in the woods.

So that's exactly what I did!

The ups and downs of the Sudden Regional Forest felt like exactly what my legs needed after mostly flat running the day before, and I had a ball exploring the trails there in the afternoon sun. It's another one of those tracts that don't feel big enough for major trail runs when prepping for big races, but that I adore getting to know during 100 in 100 season when shorter, more frequent runs rule my weekend days.

What's not to love?

I wish I had more photos from this run, but the wind was so cold that my phone began to shut down of its own accord when I'd take it out to snap pics. For awhile I was able to re-warm it in my pocket, re-start it, then get one or two more shots off..

I'm delighted I was able to capture the stark contrast of these dark seeds against the snow

..but after awhile my phone would shut down without even reaching a full boot, so I put it away and just looked.

You might think this would absolve you of having to endure my endless run selfies.
You'd be wrong.

In milder weather I'll often plan that the hour between the end of one run and the start of another is spent in transit (and eating some stuff to refuel), but in deep cold it felt like a sketchy idea to start the second run wet with sweat from the first, so it was back home for a change of kit and then off to the Linear Trail - just down the hill from home - for my 4th run of the weekend and 100th run of the challenge.

It seemed quite appropriate that run #100 should begin at twilight

Fortunately the wind had died significantly by this time, so my out-and-back route didn't involve too much of a struggle. My poor phone, however, had definitely had enough of the cold; I was barely able to get a shot of the ever-photogenic confluence of the Grand & Speed River before it shut itself down once more.

It's usually a popular spot around sunset, but there was no-one about on this evening

Just before 7pm on Sunday, February 7th - day 85 of the challenge - I finished my 100th run and gratefully dove into the thermos of hot chocolate I'd left in the car. 

Taken after I got home, once my phone had warmed enough to cooperate again.

I'm far from outstanding among the participants in the challenge - you know, just like in everything else. You have to scroll a fair way down the page to see me in the standings, and my mileage is certainly nothing to brag about.

Though I will note that there are a total of 395 participants who have logged at least 20 runs, putting me in the top 10%

I have, however, had quite a bit of fun along the way.

Like reaching new heights..

..and seeing things from another perspective.

..and of course, I've continued to run Monday through Thursday this week, because damnit it's a ONE HUNDRED DAY challenge. My prior best - set last year - was 111 runs over the course of the 100 days. I have the opportunity to beat that this year by simply keeping on doing what I've been doing. So, as the biting cold settles over the trails once more, I'll layer up tomorrow for another double run day. No point in coasting it in when you can end off strong.

Everyone knows you've gotta put in a kick as you approach the finish!

Wishing you all a very happy Family Day weekend (or President's Day for my friends to the South) - stay warm and go be awesome!

Edited to add (13-Feb-2021): from Nov 15th, 2020 to Feb 7th, 2021 I took a total of 10 days off from running (every Friday except Christmas Day and New Year's Day) so I actually completed 100 runs in 75 days, and since I never ran more than twice in a day that equates to 25 double run days in the span of 85 days. It's the "100 runs in 100 days" challenge, NOT the "run 100 days in a row" challenge. 

Taking it back

 No, not something I've said.

I stand firmly behind all of my blitherings!

I'm taking back a term that has been used in derogatory fashion by certain folks who often think quite highly of themselves, regardless of whether or not their esteem is deserved.

I might get a bit salty, but I promise there will still be pretty photos.

The term? Hobby jogger.

*cue dramatic sky* Dun dun DUUUUUUN

If you're sitting there wondering what it's supposed to mean, I'll reference the Urban Dictionary for you (for the first and - if we're all lucky - last time on this blog):

"Term of mild abuse describing recreational runners. Normally invoked by more experienced and accomplished athletes.

I watched the New York Marathon on TV last week and after the first couple of hundred went by it was wall to wall hobby joggers."

Because why shouldn't everything be subject to elitism, right?

Here's the thing: if you want to be that guy (or girl, or possibly small ornamental teapot - you do you, folks!) who is hyper-focused on squeezing every drop of performance out of the meat suit you wear, that's heckin' awesome. If you find success and get showered in glorious podium finishes, I am absolutely stoked for you! 

You know there's a giant "however" coming..

HOWEVER (see? Look how smart you are!), if you think for one hot second - maybe that second you just shaved off your mile PR - that your results give you the right to look down on other people who may not care as much about being the best & fastest, you're dead wrong. 

There's so much more to life than "get faster"

I've been known to push myself pretty hard in races from time to time, and occasionally even get lucky when the fast people stayed home; I've stepped up on a few podiums myself here and there, though typically with times that would make the sort of person who uses "hobby jogger" like an epithet sneer. What keeps me running, though - day in, day out, week after week and year after year - is the joy it brings, through the things I get to see and experience along the way.

Like the weird light of an overcast winter day

If my primary goal were performance, I'd likely have a training plan set out that would prescribe certain paces and times I'd have to try to hit every week, rather than simply listening to my body and mind and letting myself run according to the day. 

I almost certainly couldn't just decide to throw down a snowshoe run because the conditions happened to be perfect that afternoon.

I'd have to be focused on staying in my target heart rate zone, paying attention to my watch's display of my metrics rather than to the world around me.

Which would mean I might miss the beauty of this creative and eco-friendly ornament..

..or the frosty beauty of one of summer's forgotten fungi.

I'd have to choose places to train that would let me dictate my pace by my effort, rather than flowing with the lay of the land as it rolls over roots and rocks, and flows in frozen streams.

How am I supposed to do 3 x 5mins at 5k pace through this?

I'm delighted that there are people out there who push the limits of human performance to ever-higher marks - I respect their dedication and effort, but even if I were to focus my energies to the same degree and fulfill 100% of my true running potential, I'd still be left in the dust of almost anyone but the most average of athletes. I don't have much talent, and made poor choices in my youth that further impaired my chances of ever lighting the world on fire with my athleticism. So, instead I run for joy.

And sometimes stop and tuck myself into a hollow tree, just because.

I jog. As a hobby. Hobby...jogger. I'm owning it, but I'll never think myself less for doing so. Running might not mean the same thing to me as it does to someone else, but what a bore it would be if we were all the same. I certainly can't say that I enjoy it every single run - there are times when I just want to laze on the couch instead, and days when the best thing about running is that I eventually got to stop - but it's good more often than it's not, so I'll just keep trotting around with my phone camera handy, until age or injuries prevent me, or it ceases to be fun.

After all, it's just a hobby, right?

I hope you never encounter anyone who tries to make you feel like you're lesser because you approach something differently than they do, but if you do I 100% have your back. Just run your own run, and know that you're probably having more fun!