Run – 2018 September 8

This morning it was just a week until I run a marathon, so I went out for a long run again. Next week will demand a push, but I’m getting accustomed to the kind of endurance it will take.

I ended my run at the Central Library and then enjoyed seeing some flowers at the Public Gardens. This time of year is when the Gardens are most exciting.

Halifax, Halifax County, Canada

Sunday 20K

I ran 20km from my home in Halifax, across the bridge, through Dartmouth and out to Eastern Passage this morning. It was my longest run in nearly 2 years and I was happy with it even though my pace was higher than I am used to. I plan to take longer runs like this to prepare for the marathon I’ll be running in September.

It was nice to go past some unusual sights for this run, including the odd pig on a bench in the photo on this post.

Eastern Passage, Halifax County, Canada

Run – 2018 August 5

I spent the weekend working from my couch, so runs to start my Saturday and end my Sunday were essential. It felt so good to get out running tonight and move after staring at a screen so long. My weekend pace below 5:00 held even though I felt a bit sluggish at first.

Run – 2018 July 15

I’ve been happy with my weekend runs. I’ve been able to maintain a pace below 5:00 fairly regularly since switching to forefoot running, and I’m feeling good about ramping up ahead of running a marathon for the first time in September.

Run – 2018 June 16 & 17

I enjoyed two runs through great weather this weekend, heading in opposite directions from my home. Saturday’s run took me past a beautiful piece of art on the side of an apartment building I hadn’t noticed before. Today my focus was again on building forefoot habits, and I was able to lock in the pace below 5 minutes.

Run – 2018 June 10

I had another sub-5 pace run this morning toward Point Pleasant Park. Forefoot running has been good for my times so far and it feels like I’m gaining strength. It doesn’t hurt that I’m running after beautiful views.

Halifax, Halifax County, Canada

Run – 2018 May 27

I enjoyed a run from my home to the waterfront this morning. I have been trying to build the habit of forefoot running this week and I’m very happy with the results. I was able to run 5 km with a pace reliably at 5:00 or lower, my best results this year. I know that when I have run the best in the past I have been using the technique, but I haven’t made it my default before now. It feels good to make some progress with my pace for the first time in a while.

During my run I passed the volunteer statues at the Halifax waterfront. I went back to snap a photo of them after getting some vegetables at the market.

Halifax Waterfront

Zombies, Run! Season 7, Missions 1-6

Zombies, Run! season 7 started with a surprising disappointment for me. In season 6 the villains were fascists and there were moments with great lines and heartening stances; the game had never been better. The latest season begins with the setup of a cannibal anarchist biker gang as an antagonistic faction. It’s a frustrating, misguided choice that confuses the political stance opposing coercion and advocating for stateless societies with an ethos of coercive violence.

SAM YAO: Oh, yeah. Well, Just to share intel between settlements, rumors, that kind of thing. A lot of it turns out to be nothing, but this… well, they’re saying Sigrid had a deal. She just didn’t bother them, and they kept their murder/cannibal stuff north of Thwaite. Since she fell, well, they’ve got ambitious. If you can call anarchists ambitious.

This peace conference is supposed to bring people together, to work out how we’re going to organize the country now Sigrid’s gone. So obviously, they want to sabotage it.

–Season 7, Mission 1: Sorry For Party Rocking

On into the sixth mission, the confusion continues:

SAM YAO: Well, yeah. Well, more like out of the sadistic anarchist cult, into the jaws of the undead, but yeah. She didn’t want to infect anyone, so she’s waiting in the woods. You should have time to get the cure to her.

–Season 7, Mission 6: Sleep When I’m Dead

I’m hopeful the story will correct this big initial misstep as it continues, but for me this initial batch of missions have been disappointing pieces of writing from Naomi Alderman, an author who has often impressed me (The Power is excellent).

Zombies, Run! Spring 2018 Virtual Race

Saturday I ran the Spring 2018 Zombies, Run Virtual Race 5K. The story was fun and I had a solid run, finishing the 5 km route in 25:11, just above my aim of a 5 minute pace.

I ran along the Chain of Lakes Trail, one of my favourite routes to run because of the beautiful scenery and the long, straight stretches without road crossings.

Zombies, Run! 2018 April 14

This morning I ran the second training mission for the Spring 2018 Virtual Race from Zombies, Run! I’m looking forward to running the 5K and 10K races starting next weekend and hope to bring my pace down a bit when I do. I’ve always enjoyed the extra effort that goes into the stories for the virtual races, and, while this one hasn’t grabbed my interest in the way others have, I’m hoping for something that lives up to the standards set by the other races.

We’ve had a report from our friends in London: the Crown Jewels have been stolen under the cover of the zombie apocalypse! You’ve been recruited to the Queen’s Own Royal Guards: Tactical Zombie Division, along with Commander Sara Smith – Runner 8.

Runner 5, we need you to catch the thieves and discover what else they’re planning…

Join thousands of runners worldwide in a high-tech, story-driven running adventure. You choose the distance. You choose the route. We make it a mission.