Running out of the Passage

This past Friday my husband and I decided to take the day off work to celebrate our anniversary. To me that meant an opportunity to get a long run in before we spent the rest of the day together. So, after sleeping into 6:30 (hey, I've got a 2 year old) I got up and decided to "just go" and run until I hit 20km. So, off I went, down Cow Bay Road, following the stream of cars on their way to work. The Passage was still in its early morning quiet mode-even with the traffic lined up at the Tim Hortons for coffee. It was so nice just to get into my own head running along the shore. As I went down Pleasant street I cut down to the trail the goes behind the old value Village-now Farmers Market. I was pleasantly surprised to see the graffiti artists have been busy there, creating some rather beautiful works of art. Some look straight out of a graphic novel, other look like they belong on canvas in an art gallery-really something to see! I was staring so hard at them that I nearly ran right off the trail. After that I had a steep hill to climb before passing in front of my workplace before crossing the bridge. As I ran across the bridge I noticed that I was running only slightly slower than the rush hour crawl the cars were doing. Now I was in full rush hour craziness. It definitely woke me up from the sleepy quiet of the Passage. I ran down Barrington Street, figuring that it was probably 4km to the Superstore. Not even close. As I breezed by the buildings and came to Scotia Square I still had 3km left to go, and as I reached the Superstore I still had another 2km left. So, I ran down to the waterfront, still 1km left. Some people might have just packed it in then and hopped on the ferry back home, but no, I came this far and darn it I was going to finish that entire 20km! So, up and down the streets I went working in that last 1km until I finally heard my iPod say, Congratulations you've finished your 20km run! All I could think was "thank god!" as I pressed "end workout" on my iPod.
It was a neat way to see the Passage, Dartmouth and Halifax wake up. I don't think I'd do that route every time I have 20kms to run, but if I have the time I'll try it again.

I'm having a fight with my iPod

This morning I had a tempo run planned of about 10km. I didn't want to really push the distance since my legs were tired from running the track the last two days. So I'm out, chugging along and everything seems to be going well. The friendly little voice tells me I've done 1, 2, 3, 4 kms, then just 5 more to go. Then the iPod voice seemed to disappear. I was a bit distracted by the beautiful colors the sky was making off the coast; the blue clouds with red and pink edges-just gorgeous! But still, no voice. I know I've gone more than another 2km but still my iPod reads at 6.5km with-what?! A 10 minute per km pace?! What the heck? So I stop and the stupid thing isn't even getting a decent reading of my pace. Good grief.

So I finished my run, frustrated that I appear to only have run 8km and have been out running for over an hour. My iPod has been given a "time out" for bad behaviour. I checked my distance on mapmyrun.com once I got to work-yes I wouldn't just be "zen" about it all, I needed to know how far I actually went- and it turns out I ran 12km. Grrr. Looks like I've got a date tonight with my new pal-the foam roller :-)

Fall is here!

During my last couple of morning runs I've noticed how much more chilly the air has been. This summer was far too brief in my opinion. It felt like we had one serious week of summer and then Mother Nature snapped her fingers and boom-we're in fall. I've (sadly) had to start wearing my outer shell out on my runs.
The Passage is so nice to run in during the fall, the sun makes some beautiful colors as it rises in the morning, the leaves on the trees and seeing the fishing boats trail out of the cove reminds me that most people are usually still asleep at this hour.
Recently "Qigley's Corner" has begun a kind of face-lift. My husband and I were sad to see the trees and flower bushes removed from the corner, but pleased when it was replaced with a new sidewalk and an interesting-Ode to the sea- mural that's still evolving. Our daughter loves to announce the fishies -as she calls them-when we drive or walk past.
Also our little community strip (The Sandpiper) -mall has undergone some changes. The old Movie Gallery had it's last day yesterday, madly selling everything for 80% off. The Chris Brothers next door has left as well, opening the space up for-apparently-a Valu Foods. If this is true I would be SO pleased. I know we in the Passage don't have to travel very far for groceries, but paying an arm and a leg for pop or a snack is a pain when you don't want to make the 15 minute drive.
On my morning runs I've noticed more and more people out and about. I try to make a point to say good morning to anyone I see walking or jogging. I think it's nice to know there are other people out there dragging their butts out of bed early to get up to do the same thing, and so I like to say hi to them as I pass. Sometimes I get a good morning or hello back, other times not. Usually the other runners will say hello, while I find most walkers don't. I'm not really sure why walkers don't say hello, but I just figure they're too into their workout to notice me and my cheerful little good morning as I bound past. Maybe they're just not morning people, out exercising in the morning. That would be hard.
This Friday my husband and I are taking the day off to celebrate our 7 year anniversary. I'm planning on a nice long run out to the Moose and probably Rainbow Haven beach and back. The route is really hilly but the scenery is what some people pay big vacation bucks for. Yet another reason I love living in the Passage.