Are we ever really satisfied?

Well, we did complain for so long about how cold and rainy it was over the winter and spring and that it took summer sooooo long to get here....and here it is and now we are complaining about the heat! Are we never truely satisfied?
We can ask that of any runner or walker....are you truely satisfied with that last walk?, the pace? the route? or even the distance? It seems we are forever meeting or beating our goals and then instead of congratulating ourselves we immediately set a new and better goal.
Take this last run/walk I did...granted it was supper hot, I left home at 0800 but I should have started at 0600 (see? already complaining) and I brought water, gaterade and a granola bar....I set my pace and off I went. I went for 25 km but I felt unsatisfied because I was suppose to go for 25.5 km....how is it that I couldn't be happy with one when it was only .5 of a km out from the other?
Ah...that is the life of a runner or walker....always striving for something better...better times, better distances, better feeling, better pace...well...you get the picture.
A little update on our marathon group. We are now down to only 3 people from 6. It turns out 2 people never even registered....chickens!....and one person dropped out. I have to confess that I have felt like dropping out myself at times. I mean....training for a marathon takes time and alot of it! It's hard and don't we all like easy if it is offered to us? But...and there is a but...I have set this goal for myself this year and darn it...I'm sticking to it....even if I have to do the thing on my own. (well, not truely on my own there will be thousands of people there, but you know what I mean!)
It's week 11 and our long walk is 27.5 kms...sigh....I'll endeavor to get up earlier this week to get out on the roads before the sun comes out.
Happy Sept long weekend to everyone......

Training while out Sailing

Well, I'm back from a 10 sailing trip with my husband and dog...and yes, I did manage to get in all my training while away.
On a sad note...one of the girls have already dropped out. That had made me think that I would rather do a 1/2 instead. Why?....it would be easier, I've done it many times before, I just ran/walked a 1/2 on my latest training run and isn't it human nature to go the easy route without having to push yourself? No...I'm sticking to the
full...it's my goal this year.
Charlie and I did 2 runs around Stanley Park in Vancouver...each being 10 km's. The while in Naniamo Harbour we did 14 km around NewCastle Island Park-trail runs and in various lengths....then Charlie went back to the boat and I finished with a 8 km walk. The while on Gabriola Island we went 8 km's....4 kms up hill ( 3 km of them a 12% grade) and 4 km downhill back to the beach.
So, yes, even though it was hard to organize and had to get out early, I was able to maintain my training while on holidays.
Now back to reality and to my usual road routes.

Calf cramps...the pains of walking

Wow....how much is walking different than walking? I tell you it's alot different...different muscles, gait and prolonged times out there with the training. My calfs have been hurting for a few weeks now but the last few days have been almost painful. It was painful the one night I woke with a charlie horse but I was able to relieve it fast with flexing my foot....thank goodness.
So I read a few articles about calf cramps and exercise. I basically knew most of what I read....drink lots of water, potassium, and stretching. I know I've been bad about the water and most likely that is my problem. Now you can't correct that all at once because that causes a whole different problem! Stretching is now reinstituted into my exercise regime and I pretty much eat a banana a day and lots of veggies...so potassium is covered. My calfs are feeling better but on todays 19.5 km walk I could feel a few twinges. Nothing that stopping to stretch every 30 or 40 mins can't help.
Added to my calf problems, I have sore toes...and the middles ones are a little swollen. Now I tribute that to the trail running I've been doing and all the toe bashing that happens in the runners. No...I haven't got the dreaded and weirdly honoring runners black toenails...just the swelling and pain.
I never knew that walking could be so painful and soooo very different than running. I'm getting into the 3 plus hour long walks and have got my camelback hydration system out of the garage. Also, I think I'm going to have to start bringing some food along too!
So many things to learn....and I have to keep the dreaded feelings of 'taking on too much' away....I find myself thinking we should have just signed up for a 1/2 marathon but no....this is going to be fun!

Longest wooden trestle in Canada

Charlie and I went to go check out the newly opened Kinsol Trestle in the Cowichan Valley. It's renovation is just completed and the opening makes it the longest free standing wooden Trestle in Canada and probably in the North American area.
It now connects the Trans Canada Trail so one doesn't have to hike all the way down, cross a river, and hike back to the top again to continue with the journey....or go the 90 km out of the way detour set up on the local road connections.
It spans the river valley about 114 feet high above and for about 617 feet across. It's awe inspiring. We enjoyed the views from both sides and it looks like they are creating a network of trails down by the river too.
It's a great place to head off and go for a run or walk. The day I went it was early in the morning so parking was plenty and it was quiet on the trail. But 1 hour and 1/2 later...we got back to the car after passing family after family on bikes or foot, and there were more cars circling around the parking lot looking for spots to park. The moral of the story is get up before the general crowds even think of leaving the house!
Our training is going well. Charlie is on all my training walks except the long distance ones....he's still too young. This weekend is 19.5 km and I hope to meet up with some of the DOA's to walk 2 1/2 hours...either that I'll be listening to my usual podcasts and music on my own!
As you can see I haven't been able to get 4 days a week in but I'm pretty close to the total km's needed for the week. My calfs are complaining already but I will try extra stretching and see how that does. I should be getting everyone together soon because it's almost the '1/2 way' there mark....yahooooo!