The 2nd Annual Air Force Run

So it was rainy, windy and a little cool when we lined up for our respective races. I, the Half Marathon and my daughter Stéphany a 10Km. With very little training since my Winnipeg Police Services Half Marathon of May 2nd and Stéphany's one or two training runs this year, we were not very optimistic that we would finish with a good time. I guess the body responds in mysterious ways because Steph put in her fastest time of 1:10 which is 7min/km and faster than any other race or practice runs she has done. Bravo ma grande!

I ran my half in 1:51:32 and as it turns out, it is my second best time for a half marathon. My best was in Kandahar, Afghanistan at 1:51:24. Had I known I was that close I would have pushed a little more although I was pretty much out of gas by the time I hit the finish line. I really need to train better for these things. The thing I'm most proud though is that this race was my 10th half marathon since I ran my first one in 2006 and none in 2007. I think I might run one more this year on top of the Manitoba Full Marathon on 20 June. Three Half per year is enough because I ran five last year and was pretty beat at the end. I'm feeling my 40 year old body after a race but I also have never been this healthy in my life.

I will run and race until my body decides I can't anymore. Hopefully it won't be for another 30+ years. This is tough but sooooo rewarding.

Salut.

Lots of lungs but no legs.

Yep! I had no problems with my oxygen intake capacity when I ran the Winnipeg Police Services Half Marathon this past Sunday. In fact I think I was probably 20 pulse per minute slower than my 85% . My problem was the legs. I did not put sufficient KMs in training to allow my leg muscles the proper conditioning for 21.1Kms. My hip flexors and the rest of the joints in my legs were having difficulty functioning after about 14Kms which happens to be the longest run I did this year due to a little encounter with some four-legged furry friends of the barking nature. Anyway, I ran with my friend Jennifer who also did not put enough miles on her legs to be able to keep a fast pace. She was also recovering from a bad couple of weeks of sinus infection so she had a good excuse. Me, I was just lazy. This was my 9th Half Marathon race and I knew I could finish it no matter what so I didn't force myself to run like I should have. I do these for fun and with a 2:00 finish time I'm happy. My next race is going to be the Air Force Run on 30 May and that too is a Half Marathon. I will try to do better. I must keep training and be more disciplined because on Father's day I'm running the Manitoba Marathon and it will be my second full. This distance I cannot take for granted that I will finish. A full 26mile marathon needs preparation even if you plan on walking. The wall awaits you around mile 19 and even if you plan on walking, cramps and the infamous lactic acid build up can stop you dead in your tracks.

This race distance should never be underestimated. Even pros know to respect the 26.2 distance. The best example of this is Paula Radcliff from UK during the summer Olympics. Find her on Google and you'll see.

Talk to you soon.

Chuck

I joined the CAV.

No not the cavalry. The Canadian Army Veteran motorcycle unit. It's a group of veterans who have decided 7 years ago to get together to Ride their motorcycles and have Fun. My formation is the 1st CAV (central Canada) and my unit in Winnipeg is Dieppe from the great battle in France that cost Canadians so many lives due to poor Intelligence and tactics. A major failure in command but I digress.

I've met one member so far and spoke to my unit president on the phone. They seemed super nice and very welcoming. I will meet them this week for coffee and maybe will receive my 1st CAV patch as well. I'm anxious to ride with these guys. It'll be nice to ride with someone for a change.

More to follow after my first meeting with the Prez Des.