Doing the Running Thing

An other week, an other step forward.

• By rejean
• 19 February, 2013
• 6 Comments

Things keep on going well and being consistent here at Yaya.

This last week I started going some of my easy runs with Tydeson, a local runner, it’s been a nice change to my typical runs. I didn’t think is was possible to run a km in over 8mins, but it is, and I was still working fairly hard! Instead of running on the clearest path possible like most westerners do, they like to run very randomly in the forest, zigzagging around trees, going up and down short steep hills, and jumping over stuff. Being such a rhythm runner, this is a great change, and think it could help me be a bit more explosive. I still like having my even paced, grinding up long steady hill runs, but will add these type of runs a few time a week.

The pace we end up running really depend mostly on how thick the forest is, anywhere between 4-6mins/km, and the very odd 7-8min/km. But we do finish every run at a strong pace, and often do some pick ups on the dirt track before finishing with 1 or 2 very slow laps. So watch out if you’re next to me at 42kms in my next marathon, I’ll be ready to tear it up that last 200m!

Tydeson, my new training partner.

On Friday I went out for dinner in Addis with friends in some small authentic Ethiopia restaurants. Aliza and Xavier are starting a project called Addis eats. The idea is for them to organize small food tours in Addis for tourist, in the best, clean and safe restaurants. We had small meals in 3 different places, and the best coffee I’ve ever had. Most of theses places would be impossible to find in tourist guides, and would be easy to dismiss walking by. So if anyone decides to come to Ethiopia, Addis eats is a must. I still need some work with my injera eating skills, but it’s getting there!

On Sunday, when I got back from my long run, Haile Gebrselassie happened to be here hanging out at Yaya. It was cool meeting him, and seeing just how normal he is considering everything he’s done in running and business, it definitely didn’t go up to his head. Julia mentioned to him that I’ve run over 300km in a week before, and he officially thinks I’m a nut job, asking why I would do that to myself. I reassured him that I won’t be going that high in the near future, so I think were still going to be best friends!

I go the thumbs up to race the Harry’s Spring Run Off on April 6th in High Park. I haven’t done this race since 2009, but love the course and I’ve done a lot of training there the last 2 years. It’s going to be a great way to get the 2013 season started. Hope to see some of you there.

Have a great week.

Some pictures from my week.

Shout out to team Rocket Fuel and The Runner’s Shop.

Kids love having there picture taken.

Hazard of eating with injera.

Bala, Ryan, and Myself.

Thibs

Magic in the making

Best coffee ever

Xavier, Ryan, Myself, and Bala. Eliza, we’ll try to include you in the pictures next time.