50 is Fabulous - We're Back (July 2024)

June 30, 2024 and I turned 50. While this blog has been a little quiet lately, a certain John needs to be kept up to date, so I thought I would fill everyone in on what's been up in the first month of Ian's 50th year.

With no specific goals set except for the Natal Day 2 Miler on Aug 5th coming up, I opted to see what my 50 year old legs coudl achieve. I wanted to increase my time on feet through both running and power hiking. I wanted to get my vert up as well because why not. 

The month started with a Parkrun in Truro on a humid and foggy July 1st. The Truro parkrun is always a welcoming crew and I love this course. It is tough, hilly, and with a rocky road as the bulk of the run, not technically fast. I have never been excited in general about flat courses. 

Since it was Canada Day, I also got to wear my red parkrun shirt which coincidentally is the 50th run short. So a great chance to show off my age. I managed to grab a nice tough sub 18 min 5K run to start the month. 

As I mentioned, hiking and hills were a key part of my "plans" this month. So I found trails and hills where I could. Like right next to my office, where I would head out for a quick morning 100m of vert. 

With my partnership with a local distribution company that deals in On running shoes, I was also out testing the On CloudSurfer Trail shoe. For me this is a great fun and heavily cushioned shoe that has a little road capability as well. So I feel super comfortable running from my house to our local trails. I tried to get out a few times this month. 

Training means eating. I also tried to make sure and increase my pickle and sandwich numbers this month. I think all 50 years old should consume m ore pickles. Thanks 5K Cafe. 

Though I normally have been just settled on hitting one sub 18 min 5K a month, I got back to our local parkrun and threw down a second one. Our parkrun is technically a faster course, though it can be daunting as the 2.5km constant slight uphill can be draining. You really need to fight  to keep on pace.

All of this of course was in addition to increased running milage, more hill work, more intervals, more hiking. And my efforts at hiking were fast as well, with an ideal hiking speed of close to a 9 min/km. 

I found some big stair cases! 

And some waterfalls.

A last minute sign up for a hilly trail race came mid month. Why not? Was all my training going to drain me or help me? This race was a 16km run up and down the "local" ski hill. 

It was a hot and humid day, like this whole month as been. As the course was a 2 loop one with the chance to grab water or electrolyte drink at the start of lap 2, I opted to just carry a small flask of highly caloried drink to sip on lap one with the goal in mind to get it all down. The course was 250m of vert in the first 2 km, so all my power hiking came in super handy. 

I quickly took to the lead of the run, making it to the top solo, then began the meandering run down the other side. I took care to power hike the steepest bits, not wanting to fall prey to killing myself "roadie" style on lap one. I also took it a little easy on the steepest descents as well. But by 7km in, second place Cameron had caught up to me. I let him threw and tagged along. He was pushing hard. 

Luckily my saving myself on lap 1 paid off. I was able to push the climb even harder on lap 2 to pass Cameron again (after refilling my bottle). This time I didn't take my lead for granted and pushed the next bit as hard as I could. I ended up holding the lead and taking home first place in a time of 1:38, better than my goal of 1:45 (trails are usually hard to judge pace on). I was happy almost hitting a 6 min/km pace on this run. 

Taking advantage of our trip up to the race, we had some drinks to celebrate, then headed off for some hiking and waterfalls!

It was great to have the pups with us as well. 

The month wasn't done though. More parkruns and more hills! More hikes! 

As learning is always fun I found a new book to keep myself motivated to hit my best self at 50. I am happy I am not slowing down with age, that my injuries are limited and minor and that I have a great community around me. 

And though it wasn't in July, I did have to mention that August started with a sub 18 min parkrun on Saturday then a 3rd place overall finish in the local Natal Day 2 Miler, averaging a 5:27 min mile and placing up in the top with all the 19 year olds. 

August is bringing a focus on strength. Again no specific goal races, just keeping things interesting. If something fun comes up, I'll be up for it.