"Zig-Zag away from the knife thrower" 4.1 - 188.86

Today's title is based upon a conversation I observed yesterday at the end of my self-defence class.

During the class we had been practicing a "knife deflection and then run away drill"..

basically you fake out the attacker, slap the knife hand away from your body and then apply a vigorous kicking to their gentitalia followed by a hasty retreat..The drill had very practical approach to this potential threat without a lot of fancy stances and arm waving tom-foolery...

So after the class a fellow student asked the instructor if we should generally flee in a direct manner or run away in a zig-zag pattern in case the attacker decides to throw his knife at you..
The instructor was very polite in his response and explained that during such an event as a knife attack there would be so much adrenaline going through your system that you are only going to be able to perform some very simple instinctive movements and flee, no time to ponder..and hopefully the attacker would be busy dealing with some very bruised testicles and have no desire to persue you or hurl his knife at your back...

also knife throwing is hard and since the odds are you will never be attacked by circus folk or Ninjas..so "zig-zag" running isn't part of the drill unless of course you are a pirate..but then you'd catch the knife or throw yours first..

So todays walk was great!!! I was really sore after class the night before and was afraid it would end up being a march of pain down a trail of tears...but it turned out as I walked the pain went away and I felt great!! I even broke my time for this particular 4.1 mile route!!

An odd thing I noticed was the area near the graveyard smells lovely..

spooky...

iPOD: "Pump It UP" by Elvis Costello

Time: 67 Minutes

"Nice day for a walk" 10.2 - 184.76

Beautiful day for a walk, I could smell the blossoms in the air and enjoyed a wamr wind for part of my stroll..

I saw a lot of runners out today... (more folks are outside now the weather is nice)

and on the downside... I saw more way more junkies too (more folks are outside now the weather is nice)

Great weather and I think I was a little over dressed..next week, short sleeved shirt and no gloves..

I can't beleieve I have been at this for 12 weeks, I gotta say I am very happy I took it upon myself to start this training, I am feeling a lot better about myself both physically and emotionally, I still have a long ways to go before I am "skinny"..but I think it is ok to pat myself on the back today..

I begin the taper down process now so less mega long walks..I am 3 weeks away from the half marathon..

iPOD: "Listen To The Music" by The Doobie Brothers

Time: 182 Minutes

"Daffodils and little orange caps"..4.1 - 174.56

Well, I have say that adding the cross-training with my self-defence class has really helped my walking times improve!! All that punching and kicking is a great workout and uses different muscles and adds an anerobic aspect to my training..

My whole walk today was strong and fast and I feel like I have energy to spare..

I am enjoying the spring evenings while walking and have found out I have a fondness for daffodils..

*ahem*

I am confident enough in my masculinity to admit that.. :P

On the downside... I have noticed a lot more orange needle caps lying in the gutters along my walking route..There were a lot of prostitutes out today as well.. very sad..

Still light out though..

iPOD: "Hot Stuff" by Donna Summer

Time: 67 Minutes!! (record for this route!!)

"A little more pepper for Mr. Fancy High Stepper!!" 4.1 - 170.46

For the life of me I had no idea where that the title for this blog came from..

Not like anyboy really reads the damn thing..or..*sniff*...cares...

I had a really strong walk today, no real pain and I totally kicked ass on the 2nd half..

Pure speed baby!!! pure speed!!!

Gotta remember to wear my shades next time cause for the first half of my walk I was strolling towards a setting sun...

I think Monday's "Self Defence" class really helped me today (more on that in a new blog)

iPOD: "Pianolo" by Perez Pardo and his Orchestra

Time: 71 Minutes

"Grease is the word" 13 - 166.36

Well I got my 13 mile walk done in a really good time, I was virtually pain free and kept a great pace for the enitre route. I was very happy..shoulda greased up first though...:P

It is kinda strange walking through a cross section of the full socio-econimic diversity of Vancouver.. I walk by surly crack addicts standing on Kingsway and Fraser that stare at me with open hostility to stolling near private school kids tooling around Kerrisdale in high performance autos that I stare at with open hostility.. Interesting..

I had some serious hills on this route and whoa momma!!! Do I love powering up hills!!

I had to stop at a 7-11 along the way to buy a sports drink..this is now part of training plan, after the 8 mile mark I get something to drink...my drink of choice is the orange gatorade..

I sure miss running..but until I get light enough and strong enough I will walk.. I have decided I will train so I will be able to run again...

iPOD: "Shining Star" by Earth, Wind & Fire

Time: 3:38 !!!

"I am a sturdy little fellow full of zip and dash" 4.1 - 153.36

I wish I could claim credit for the title of this post..but I am paraphrasing a line from a favorite webcomic of mine..

The great achewood

I felt really strong today and I think the reason why I was so sore was because I was walking a lot faster than usual.. also..

also..

My so called shorter route is actually the same as the longer one! :P

but..

BUT!!!

I am 3 minutes faster than my previous faster time on this route!!!

getting ready for the big 13 this saturday!!!

iPOD: :Ironfist" by Motorhead

Time: 71 minutes

The Boy With The Rocket Powered Bum! 4.1 - 149.26

I had a really good walk today, no real leg or back pain and the weather was a lot warmer than last week.

Nothing else really to report..this saturday is my 13 mile pre-race walk

*gulp*

next week I am going to take a month long self defence class on the days I do not walk. Hopefully this will be a good form of cross training, I am really looking forward to the class

iPOD: "Caravan" by The James Buzon Trio

Time: 68 Minutes