Hi!
Thanks for taking the time to visit my page. Your sponsorship makes it possible for WWF to continue
their valuable conservation efforts and their fight against climate change. Last year I participated in the climb and our team raised over $800, exceeding the goal we set for ourselves. This year our team has two new members and we'd like to surpass last year's total. With your help we'll get there!
Thanks,
George
Training DiaryApril 3rd:
There was the bout of food poisoning from Pacific Mall's $4 food court - I lost 12 lbs in one week. Then I had my braces tightened. Then my wisdom teeth were removed. None of these things have been conducive to eating properly or living healthy. Before these setbacks, I'd achieved a six minute mile on the treadmill. When I stepped onto the treadmill this morning after two months off, I decided to lower my expectations and did a 20 minute run at a 10 minute mile pace. It felt good to run again.
April 6th:I've decided to do some weightlifting to prepare my legs for the climb. That means squats and deadlifts. I've decided on high reps at a moderate weight (135 lbs). Today I did 3 sets of squats, averaging 20 reps. Afterwards my legs were wobbly and I felt rather nauseous. Curious.
April 8th:Two days after those squats and I'm S-O-R-E. When I try to walk, I lurch like Frankenstein. Putting on shoes is an adventure. What I really need is
a helper monkey. Despite the soreness, I decided to try jogging today. As the motor spun up, visions of me
flying off the treadmill danced through my head. As it turns out, jogging was easier than walking! Maybe climbing stairs will be easier still. :p
April 14th:
9 degrees Celsius. Go downtown and you'll feel it: everybody has that spring in their step. In garages across Ontario, golf clubs are being dusted off, bikes are getting uncovered and oiled. Today I decided to inaugurate Spring with my first outdoor run of the year. Wow. Pushing off pavement is a lot harder than trotting on a treadmill. 15 minutes out from my front porch and my lungs are searing, I've got a thick foam in my throat, and my sides are cramping up. How did I get so weak?
I run to the traffic light, wait for it to change to green, and walk for the next five minutes - gotta catch my breath again. I'm feeling light-headed and a bit loopy. Enough. Back to running. The road home is uphill, and the way is mostly clear. One final kick, and I see a young couple approaching with a stroller. The father falls behind into single file and nods as I run past. It's nice to have your struggle acknowledged. I briefly ponder what I look like when I'm running. What sort of expressions do I make? Real ugly, I'm sure. I think I look like a struggler. I don't mind.
It's half an hour later as I write this and I'm still light-headed. I like endorphins. Tomorrow I might get a last training day in before Thursday's climb.