Another 40K Run

Yesterday, we did our tough training. We ran our second 40KM run, it is the same route as my previous post My First Unofficial Marathon. But this time we apply the lessons we learned from our first 40K.

The Runkin Man Lessons Learned

• Bring an eyeglass cleaner. The dusts and sweat combines blurs the eyeglasses.
• Go to Vic West via the Johnson St. bridge, come back via Bay St. In early morning there is no traffic on Johnson St. bridge but at midday sometimes the bridge is lifted up for ship to pass.

Pedestrians, cyclist and vehicles waiting for the Johnson St bridge to go down.

• Bring a frozen water in the Van, so we can have a cold water after our run.
• Bring sandwiches instead of cookies. Sandwiches are healthier option.
• Bring more gels. Take a gel every 1-hour to replenish energy.
• Take boosts(high calories meal replacement) at the start of the run.

My Lessons Learned

• Put a lip gloss with SPF to avoid lip sunburn.
• Don't forget to put sunblock on the hands and palms.
• Bring powder gatorade to refill our hydration bottles. 

We had improved our performance on this run compare to the previous run. But just like the first 40K, we were both knackered within the next 48 hours and just wanting to eat and sleep. I was able to have about 1.5 hours swimming today though, but I only practiced my kicks. But after my swimming, I just sleep the entire afternoon. 

Our next long run will be 50KM. We plan to do two 50KMs and then two-weeks taper for the Great Lake Walk Ultra-marathon. I'm really looking forward to it.

The Runkin

A Hike To Gowlland Tod

We had been frequent hikers to Gowlland Tod Provincial Park because of its location and amazing scenery. Last July 13, we did a 4.5-hour hike to 2 peaks, the Jocelyn Hill and Holmes Peak. This is our cross training for the Great Lake Ultra-marathon. Our training plans are alternate between a tough training week followed by an easy training week since a week before this we did our 40 KM run, so this is the easy cross training. The good thing about hiking is you don't have to keep pushing yourself all the time, because it is a variety of flat, uphill and downhills. It maybe difficult when climbing uphill but once you reached the top its either a flat or a downhill, so you get to relax after a long climb.

Gowlland Tod Trail Map and Elavation

We arrived at the park at about 6AM, we did not know that the parking area only opens at 9. So, we decided to park at a playground a few meters further the park. It was still a bit dark in the trail when we started our hike. I keep saying "I want sunshine",  but during our runs I always hated the sunshine, I even sprinted just to get to the shaded area as soon as I can.

The Runkin Man and I were wearing matching colored outfits, I wore my neon lime/green colored free technical T-shirt from the oak bay marathon, green hat and lime/green trail runners. The Runkin Man wore a lime/green colored shirt from MEC, a neon green Nike hat, a black and green running shorts and a men's version of my trail runners. When we were nearing the Jocelyn Hill we met this couple who started their run from the other end of the trail, they were wearing matching blue outfits too! On our way back, we met another trail runner couple's who were wearing matching red outfits as well. We thought we are the only couple who looks silly in our matching outfits, it turns out it has been a trend these days. We are planning to run our Great Lake Ultra-marathon in matching outfits too, but we are not sure yet on our color scheme.

When we do our hikes, I'm faster than the Runkin Man when going uphills. But when going down hills, it takes me a long time. Even if we did several hikes already I'm still scared of slipping downhill. My new Salomon Trail Runners is very good at gripping the surface compare to my New Balance walking shoes that I had been wearing on my previous hikes.

The view from the Holmes Peak. 

The Malahat as seen from the Holmes Peak

The Holmes Peak has a lot nicer view than the Jocelyn Hill. The Jocelyn is just overlooking at Victoria. On our next hike, we are planning to hike from end to end and back. 

The Runkin

My first unofficial marathon

I'm one week late in my blog posts. Im hoping to do 2 blog posts today to catch up with my delays. This event happened last July 6. I ran and walk my first 41KM and the Runkin Man ran and walk 39KM. This is part of our training for the 56km Great Lake Walk and Ultra-marathon. The original plan is to run and walk from McKenzie Lochside trail toward Sidney. However, the Runkin Man realize that with this route there is a part that there is no side walk, so we have to be at the bicycle lane. So, we modified the plan on the last minute. We started at the Galloping Goose trail 0 mile marker, near the Johnson St. bridge and ends at the 20 mile marker in Island View beach.

We woke up early at 4:30AM, I had two toasts and strawberry jam, my usual pre-run breakfast. The Runkin Dog is very well behave this time, usually she got excited and paced around the house. But since the Runkin Mom has been taking her out to a dog park on mornings that we are away, she just sit at the back of the couch looking at the window waiting for the Runkin Mom.

The First 20km
We started our run at 5:27 AM as registered in my Garmin watch. I brought with me three 7-ounce water with gatorade, and one 7-ounce special juice(beetroot + carrots+ grapefruit + apple). For the first 6 kilometers, the Runkin Man and I were doing a run/walk strategy to warm us up. After the 6th km I ran off and drank my special juice. I could not believe how effective it was, I got a bursts of energy. I usually run at 6:30-7:30 mins/kilometer, after I drank the special juice I ran at 5:50 - 6:15 mins/kilometer. I forced myself to slow down because I still have a long way to go. When I reached the Island View, I purchased a bottle of gatorade and water at the Michells Farm Market. During one of my runs before, I was at the Farm Market earlier than they were supposed to open. But the owner seeing me thirsty and tired he said "You know, we are not open yet but I'll let you buy. Next time, if there's no one around here yet, there is hose at the side of the store, just turn it on to have some water". Since then, I had been a regular customer every Saturday morning on this Farm Market. After having some drinks and refilling my hydration bottles, I turned back to met the Runkin Man. Everytime I see the Runkin Man from a distance, I always felt happy that I wont be running alone from that point onwards. We always met each other near the Pigs Barn.

The pigs were sleeping when we passed by

The Last 20km
On the last 20km, I am the support (vehicle) of the Runkin Man. When on the cycling, he is my support (vehicle), on running I am his support (vehicle). I ran ahead to have our water bottles refilled. I ran ahead to press the pedestrian walk button, so when the Runkin Man arrives he does not have to stop at the intersection. We keep an eye on each other just to make sure that we are not suffering from hyponatremia.  From time to time, I ask the Runkin Man "What is your name?" Just to make sure that he does not have hyponatremia. When someone suffer from hyponatremia, they gets confused and don't even know what their name is. As for me, I'm not worried at all I know I still have the energy to finish the run, I sprinted at the bridge in Galloping Goose near Walmart. Its about 4km before the finished.

We Made It!
We had finished an almost full marathon distance. Im now confident to say, that we can do the 56K, we still have 2 months more to train. By that time, we will be a bit stronger and will have a good finish time. I will be happy if we can finish the 56K in less than 10 hours, but if we can finish it in less than 9 hours I will be ecstatic. We sat on the camper Van parked in Vic West for awhile eating cookies and re-hydrating ourselves. We sat at the side door of the van and had our legs stretched on the small side walk, passers by were looking at us. They must be thinking, "What these two are doing?" We were too tired to care.

We have not DNF(Did not finish) yet in any of our trainings and races. No matter how tough it is, its all in the mind!

We will do our another 40K run next weekend, July 20.

The Runkin

Cycling Adventure From Victoria To Salt Spring

This post is a bit late.. but still want to share with everyone my toughest bike ride so far.

Im still a beginner in cycling, but a lot better than I used to. One day, the Runkin Man and I decided to do a challenging bike ride. But where to? Leechtown? Lake Cowichan? or Salt Spring Island? We settled for Salt Spring Island because of its Saturday market. Its like hitting two birds with one stone, a good bike ride and being able to have the best cheese in Vancouver island.

The Adventure Begins...
We started our ride at the McKenzie Lochside trail, we had been frequent riders in the Lochside trail towards Sidney, so we were alright until this point. But we were both first timers riding from Sidney to Ferry terminal. We followed the trail but then we made a wrong turn, its a dead end, our only option is through the highway. It was the scariest ride I've had, riding my bike on a high way! There was one point that we were in the crossing on the highway, the Runkin Man said dont worry just keep close to me and you will be alright. Luckily, after several kilometers in the highway, we found a way back to the trail, and saw a woman on a run, we asked her if the trail goes all the way to the ferry terminal. And it does! I was so relieved to be out of the highway. We took the 8:30 AM Swartz Bay to Fullford Harbour ferry. The ferry ride gives us a break in cycling for about 45 mins.

At the Salt Spring Island
Seeing the hill at the start of the route in Salt Spring Island, i wanted to back out. I told the Runkin Man, lets just put our bikes in the rack and take the bus. But he did not let me:-( So the adventure continues, we took the Fullford Ganges Rd. The road is narrow and busy because of the vehicles from and to the ferry terminal. And then, there was this hill that just keeps going up and up for about 2 km. I put my bike in the lowest gear, but I just could not climb the hill. I think the Runkin Man is also a bit tired with this hill, when i told him I will just push my bike on this hill, he let me without much convincing and accompany me as well. When we reached the top of the hill, we stop for drinks and there was this couple who were also struggling on the hill. The man reaches the top of the hill while his wife pushes the bike like us. After this part it was pretty much manageable hills. And on the last two kilometers towards Ganges,  it was a very steep downhill with a grade of 13%. It was fun riding down the hills, and we reached the market! We were about 5 minutes ahead of the couple, we asked them how was the ride. The woman said it was fun but they will take a bus back to the terminal. For us, we will still ride our bikes back as the Runkin Man does not let me give up!

We had our lunch at the market, did some cheese taste test. We brought back home some goat cheese, blue cheese and smoked tuna.

We cycled a total of 28 kilometers to and from ferry terminal and the Ganges market.

Journey Back Home
Back at the Swartz Bay Terminal on our way home, it was a bit of challenge on how to exit to the Lochside trail. We were caught in the swarm of cars that exits. I learned that we have to get out as fast as we can from the ferry terminal to avoid the cars, and there is a small door opening for cyclist as well to exit to the Lochside trail.

On the last 30 kilometers from the Swartz Bay Terminal to McKenzie Lochside Trail, we were able to successfully follow the trail without passing the highway. We stopped by at a convenience store near the Waddling Dog to get some cold drinks. I was already very tired and thirsty at this point, I felt like the cold water is the most precious thing! My legs ache very badly, it was probably a lactic acid build up from the hills in Salt Spring. I was already very slow on the way back home, and I wanted to just wait somewhere and let the Runkin Man pick me up by car. Every kilometer, the Runkin Man waited for me and cheer for me. So it lifts my spirit to keep pushing the pedal.

I was so happy, the Runkin Man did not let me gave up. And I finished my 82 km bike ride! My toughest so far, but I will be back in Salt Spring but when I come back, I will ride it all the way!


The Runkin

Meet the Runkin

I am a 30-something female software engineer, who does not have the writing skill but wants to capture the memories of our outdoor adventures, composed mostly of going long distance cycling and our (me and my boyfriend's) quest to join ultra marathons, and to inspire others that it is never too late to start an active lifestyle. So bear with me for wrong grammars.

How I became a runner?

About 2 and a half years ago, I was one of those women who likes to hangout in the malls. But then things changed when I met my boyfriend. He has a very active lifestyle and loves to run. Because he spends most of his weekends either running or hiking, I have to do some running myself to keep up with him. But now things changed I am faster runner than him and actively participated more races than him. But I still could not keep up with him on cycling.

Back then, I had a roommate who loves to run too. I told her that I will join on her runs in the galloping goose. The first time I run was about 1.5km, at 200 meters i was already gasping for breath. I told her to just leave me behind, and I walk the rest of the distance. I keep running for 1.5km, then to 3km, and then just out of the blue, me and some friends just decided to take a bus to elk lake and do the entire 10km loop. A kilometer marker seems to be forever, we run and walk.. until we finished it. After that experienced, I decided to sign up for the 8km run for goodlife fitness victoria marathon. And then I started running with my boyfriend as well.

I still consider myself a beginner in running because I have not done my first full marathon yet. But now i can easily run 21k without worries.  I had participated one 8km run, three half marathons, and is currently training for the 56 kilometer "The Great Lake Walk"  around Lake Cowichan on Sept. 21st. We're planning to do a run and walk for this event.

The runkin at Oakbay half marathon.

How I became a cyclist?

Victoria is a very cycle friendly city, bike lanes in most streets, co-workers cycling to work. Because of this I am motivated  to own a bike myself. My first bike is a 100 dollar bike, it has gears but difficult to changed. You know what a 100 dollar bike is. Anyways, back then, I did not know that 5000 dollars bicycles exists. The last time I rode a bike was when I was only 12 years old. I pushed my bike from the bicycle shop towards my boarding house cause I still have to practice how to ride again. In the galloping goose near the Cecelia ravine park there is a bit of a space that I can practice. Several times, I get into the bushes, got lots of bruises too. I practiced after work until I am able to cycle about 500 meters. But then, in the galloping goose there's this posts that separate the lanes. I had difficulty passing my bike into those posts. And there's the bridge between the lochside trail and the galloping goose trail that I have to push my bike when passing over it. I never gave up, I practiced and practiced and practiced and practiced. And just yesterday, me and my boyfriend cycled a total of 82km from Victoria(this is going to be a separate blog posts) to Salt Spring Island. But its not on a 100 dollar bike anymore.. and i am in complete cycling gears as well.


Why runkin?

My boyfriend fondly call our dog rumpkin, but I want to call her runking because she is a fast runner border collie, but because its a she I could not call her a king, and while we were brainstorming on how to call my blog we just settle for runkin. Run+kin, a running family. On my upcoming posts, I will refer my boyfriend the "Runkin Man" and Rosy the border collie, the "Runkin Dog".

Welcome to my Blog!

The Runkin