Monday, December 30, 2013

Just in Time for New Year's, My Christmas Recap

Posted by CheapRunnerMike

Hi folks, welcome to Monday.  At least it is another short week with a holiday on Wednesday…seriously, who doesn't love breaking up the work week with Wednesday holidays??

I hope Christmas was good for all of you as you spent time relaxing and hanging with family and friends…there were good times to be had at the CheapRunner household and Santa was good to all of us as well.

image (3)

I was lucky enough to score some cool new running gear…I got new Yurbud headphones, the sweet TriggerPoint Mini Grid foam roller (will be great for travelling) and the incredibly versatile Buff Headband (/scarf/facemask/wristband/etc….)

Image

I took the Buff and Yurbuds for an 8-mile spin on Boxing Day (yes, in Canada we have a holiday the day after Christmas called Boxing Day…it is basically our version of Black Friday)

image (5)

Perhaps the coolest running-related gift I got was from Michelle…she got me a coach for Christmas!  Well, she is going to let me pick out exactly what I want as far as a coach goes, but you get the idea.  There are so many options out there…local, online, running clubs, triathlon clubs.  It is hard to choose!  I've been thinking about it and which route to go, also soliciting advice from some other people the last few days, and I have come to the conclusion that I really need to figure out what my goals are and what I want to get out of a coaching experience before I make my decision.  Right now I would say that I am leaning towards joining one of the local running clubs here in London, the London Runner Distance Club.  I see these guys on the podium at almost every race I go to around town, and that in itself is a great endorsement.  They also have close ties to two of my favourite local running stores, Runner's Choice and New Balance London.  The only negative I found in researching coaching was that at my "advanced" age I am now considered a 'Masters' runner!  I always thought that Masters started at 40, but apparently it is 30!  Oh well, it was bound to happen soon enough anyways.

***************************************************
Our Disney races are right around the corner now, less than two weeks away.  I have wrapped up my Goofy training and am now heading into taper…will have 3 or 4 easy runs this week and then basically a week off next week (I'll get in one easy 5-miler).  Since I posted a few weeks ago about being ill-prepared for Goofy I have done a really good job getting some good runs in.  I was able to up my weekly mileage and get some quality long runs finished as well and even made good use of the dreaded treadmill as a training tool.  I now feel ready for the 39.3 miles that await me.  I love that they actually plow and salt the park paths that I run on here in London…so nice to be able to run on this on a snowy day.  And yes, that is actual, genuine SUNSHINE in this picture :)

image (6)

It can be an adventure getting to the parks some days, but I appreciate my tax dollars at work once I get there.

I'll leave you all with a picture that sums up what these holidays are all about; spending time with those you love…and coffee.

photo

What was the best running-related Christmas present you received?

Do you have any experience or advice with running coaches?

6 comments:

  1. Looks like a wonderful white Christmas!! It was 60 and 70 degrees in H.town!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sugar Coated SheridanDecember 30, 2013 at 11:33 AM

    Oh I just love that last picture!!! Perfection :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. And the best part is that the snow all melted away!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. So exciting that you are going to get a coach!!! I got new running/workout clothes and then today I took some gift cards and bought the FitBit Force for just $2.00!!!
    Glad you have been able to get in more mileage lately.
    And - nice Grinch pants!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ya not sure who decided I would get the Grinch...sounds like you made out pretty good!

    ReplyDelete