2nd SOWA Half Corked Marathon in 2011

SOLD OUT!SOWA 1/2 CORKED MARATHON was predictably a hit last year here in the South Okanagan.  It will be held on May 29, 2011.   Making a cancellation list is the only way at this point until they grow the capacity of this event.

Showcasing the area's wineries which tote some of the highest accolades in the world around wine, this event is a fun way to both run and taste. Nowhere but to go up with this kind of event.  Not sure how actually competitive this type of race will be overall, but it would be an experience, running to different wineries and sampling, enjoying the terrain and beautiful wineries in the area.  Check it out.  I met the director today and chatted about the event, he expects growth as it becomes more well known, which has already happened this second time around.

I found a review from a runner in this event:

The sun was shining in Osoyoos this morning and it was a great day to drink wine and drink wine and drink wine.....oh and run :)
As you can see from the photo, Peter Pan and Captain Hook were at the race!
We were also very excited to see the grape lady there too - so we had to get a picture with her.
The race had a great spirit - there was 250 runners between the ages of 19 & 69!!
Over half of the runners dressed up and there was a costume parade before the race started.
The terrain was gorgeous with about half the race being on trails through the vineyards - Stace and I were really pleased with that as we are not much for road runners.
We didn't have to run far between wine tasting stations :) The maximum distance was 5km which was the last leg of the race. The rest of the race there was wine stations every 1.5 - 3 kms. Mmmm, wine.
Stace and I definitely enjoyed the fun atmosphere of the race. With 6 wine stops we ran the 17.7km in 1h50min. Our "Disney" team ran the race together and had to take some breaks for the princesses - they don't like running hills :)
All in all it was a great experience - we definitely had our fill of wine and we can wait to work on our costumes for next year!!

CORE WORK

I have beguna program to start strengthening my core.  at hundred pushups.com there is a program I am trying.  First thing to do is to test how many pushups in a row you can do in good form.  I did 24.  Next day, i started the program.  3X per week, I am training.  Gotta say, yesterday being my first session, I am SORE.

More to come on that.  I am also starting some plank exercises to strengthen my abs. 

I gotta say, I do love a good set of visible abdominal muscles for just the asthetics of shirtlessness.  Unfortunately, it lays for me underneath a layer of flab!  This has a lot to do with my gene pool I climb out of, but I am not merely looking for the showiness of the squares on my stomach, I am looking to help my form remain pure through this pursuit of a sub 40 minute 10 k.  My long runs have caused my core to show their true weaknesses and as much as I have resisted, I am hoping to tackle this as a complete plan for speeding up without getting injured.   I will also be employing the Wii Fit yoga poses to make it more fun, and to encourage my kids to participate.

So more to come on that too!

Watching The Weak Points From Speedwork

Yesterday'shill repeats, I'm feeling them where it usually trips me up, right in the gluteus medius.or minimus (its hard to distinguish, one being on top of the other). (thats what she said) :)
Yup my arse.  As usual, from my hip down into the lower part of my buttock is sore.  I need to keep an eye on this as it has tripped me up in the past and I have had a good stint about a year now of injury free running.  If I could only have the buttocks of an adonis.  But sadly, I have my father's arse.  which is to say, I dont have much of one.  Area of weakness.

What's more, is working on core strength will in the long run help me find proper form when i am maxed out and feeling tired.  Form tends to get lost first, and injury follows.  More to come.

On another note, I had to take a break from running for a few days this week as my left calf was extremely DOS (Delayed Onset Soreness).  Trying to wrack my brains as to what could have caused this, I realized on Monday morning I was sitting on the couch and got up with a numb lower leg, it was comical and strange as I tried to walk on my left leg and it kept giving out like a weird robot movement.  Next day:  Extremely sitff and sore calf muscle!  It was after a run so my theory is cutting off blood flow to that muscle on the couch created some sort of soreness akin to doing calf raises to the max.  OUCH.  and weird.

Hill Hell

Did the dreaded hills. Accomplished good times, but still hated hem with much vigor.  For those who desire, you may follow my prgress to a sub 40 10 k goal on www.Dailymile.com  Here is my link: http://www.dailymile.com/people/ootaynee

It was not as frosty this morning which is nicer on the lungs and face.

For those who may not have noticed, I have added a vlog on the page (upper left corner) to introduce myself, more to come I hope in the future, thought it is nice to match a face with the blog and to check that I am not just some couch potato (that was the old me!) pretending and stealing other people's photos!

In all today it was a short but intense run.  Did I mention I hate hills? :P

CRAPPY Day Run

Had quite a few reasons to feel low yesterday.  Started to run, but it was cold, so I turned around and came back inside.  Came home early after a long day discovering a few things that were discouraging.  Eventually I forced myself to go for a run.  This was a 'shake it off' kind of event.  The run had stiff cold wind in the face  the first half.  It was time to clear the head and get some inspiration.  I have much to be thankful for.  I was pretty glum all day, but as i ran, God began to speak to my heart.  "I am able" he kept repeating to my heart."you can and will make it" he said to me.  By the end of the run, I felt like I could face some things I was dreading.  Sometimes the run is my hotline to sanity!  And there was much to be thankful for when i got back, including my beautiful and supportive wife and children to hang out with and my worship team which I had scheduled a practice with where the music hit me right between the eyes that I have a BiG God who loves me and is able to meet all my needs.

Today is a new day and new possibilities arise with the sun!