The toe is still buggin’. I went to the specialist that did the original surgery and he said it’s looking better, but yet it still burns like an infection. He asked if my family doctor had taken a swab to find out what kind of infection it is so they can prescribe the correct antibiotic for that bacteria? I said no. He shrugged and got a swab. Then proceeded to stick it down the side of my nail into the toe to find some puss to test. In a word………OUCH!

However, he was quick and it was over fast with no real residual pain. He did say “no dancing or christmas shopping”…lol

So, it’s swimming and weights for the next 4-5 days. Then will see.

On the positive side, swimming is my worst discipline of the triathlon and it’s the one I like the least. So maybe there is some caotic higher power at work here………..

Be active and healthy

Steve

Once again training is on a downswing. This can be so frustrating.  i had an ingrown toenail removed a month ago. It wasn’t “really” bothering me. But, it did at times burn and impede my training and performance. So with big future plans i figured it’d be best to get it taken care of before the great training weather is upon us. I did. Took 3-4 days for it to heal before continuing training. Then it started burning. Getting Red and angry looking. It’s infected. After one course of Antibiotics, it’s still infected. Now I’m off training again.  Another course of antibiotics. Man,  what a pain in the butt….or toe in this case.

My lesson here is always keep a recent sugically repaired area clean while healing. once It started to feel better I stopped the salt baths and stop putting polysporene on it and wrappingit.  Out training with feet sweat and running shoe’s and bike shoes and it’s infected. Maybe this weekend of training will help me realize that. I am however going to go and do some weights.  Cheers

Steve

God bless Aloe and Vitamin E. I’ve been putting them on my burn religiously 3-5 times per day.  I was finnally able to sleep on my back for a bit last night.  AHHhhhhhh. Always wear sunscreen. If you take nothing else from any of my posts. Take that one.

Training last night was WOW! For any of you that know the Hamlton area and the Wilson street hill that leads into Ancaster. Well, My coach took us through Ancaster to Lovers lane…..lol. Anyways…….that was an amazing winding mostly down hill with ups and downs and cray 90 degree turns up and down.  Very technical and fun. Then down and around into Dundas and to Hamilton and the bottom of Wilson street hill. Then the steady climb up that hill back to lovers lane……REAPEAT…..yes I said repeat. Oddly enough, I was stronger on the second pass? Go figure? Maybe it was the confidence of knowing I can make it up that climb. After watching the Pens kick butt over the wings I had to literally crawl up the stairs as my legs were DEAD. Bed has never felt so good. Here’s the surprising thing. My legs feel good today.  Like I actually recovered well over night. I guess will see how they respond to interval training with Evan tonight.

What did I learn from the ride?  Always keep peddling. Even when your legs feel like rubber. Don’t push to hard up the hill.  Keep a steady fast spin. Then up shift once at the top and keep spinning out the lactic acid. That way you’ll be fresher later. Like on the repeat loop……Cheers

Steve

I can’t remember the last time I had a sunburn. However, I did my long ride yesterday. 3 hours and there was no clouds at all if you recall. I never usually even wear sunscreen. EVER. Casey has me starting to. She says it’s important. I think she’s right. The sun is good for you, but sun damage is not.  Spending hours upon hours exposed to it unprotected is not good. Sunscreen is necessary. So when I put it on yesterday I missed my shoulder blades. Wearing a tank top and down in a crouch for 3 hours ……. ouch. MY god it stings and burns.  So to all who read this.  If your going out for some extended out door activities.  Wear sunscreen and be careful putting it on.  Don’t miss anything exposed to the elements. EVER.

The ride was great mind you. Beautiful scenery along jerseyville road to hiway 2.  Then out to brantford and back along hiway 2 to gardners road to rymal. Then a loop around upper paradise back home.

Today, some endurance and hill work at Pinehurst Conservation Area. 2 hours of hilly trails. Great company on the run.  Thank you. Also thenk you for the tips about hilly trail running.  I will put them to use.

Now I’m lying on the ground shirtless with cold aloe gel on my burn. It is so uncomfortable. Watching the French open final. Go Roger……I taped it earlier. Nite

Steve

p.s. Wear sunscreen

Well here we go again. They say most successful ventures were not accomplished on the first try. I have known for years that my destiny would be to run across canada and encourage others to join in the fight against diseases like Cancer. Motivate and guide others to get up off the couch and take up active lifestyles and balanced healthy diets. It has only been a matter of  what, when, where, and how. I always new the Y…….

So, my latest idea…..and I think my best. Is to ‘hexathon’ across the Canadian Rail Trail.

http://www.tctrail.ca/home.php

I have long contemplated what would get me the best results in my dreams and goals.  Running along Canada’s hi-ways attracting as much media attention as possible to spread the word and try to encourage others to join. There are a lot of logistical headaches when it comes to that. Also,  it has been done to death I fear. As great of a feat it is, people and media do not seem to excited about the idea of someone running across Canada to raise money or awareness for disease prevention or cure. It’s almost dare I say passe. After meeting with media groups and organizations like Participaction and Body Break. No one seems interested in jumping on board to make something of it. Now,maybe it was my approach? and I’m reading to better my approach for this time around.

First off, using the rail trail iliminates all kinds of logisitics. The trail is a “shared use” recreational trail.  Meaning one and all can use the trail. “To the extent feasible, the Trans Canada Trail will be a shared-use Trail, accommodating six preferred activities: walking, cycling, horseback riding, canoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.” ( from FAQ’S on cttrail.ca)

This way I can start whenever and finish whenever. No permits or police escorts needed. Anyone and everyone can join in to help me reach my goal of 1km from every canadian. No cars or dangerous roads involved. The only thing is that it is a much longer trek. Which is why this is a “trek” and not a run. or as I like to call it now a “hexathon”. 6 different disciplines. Running, biking (rollerblading or skateboarding), hiking (walking), snowshoeing ( cross country skiing), swimming, and canoeing (kayaking). As the trail will have sections that require all of those. This also allows for every canadian to join.  It will also be much easier for the dogs to take part which can now involve another facet,  the SPCA. Need a reason to get active, adopted a dog. I feel it is a win, win, win, scenario. The only downfall is the distance and time required. But,  there is a benefit to that to. It has never been done. This may get the media back interested now. The reality of my goal is, the more media invovled the better chance I have of acheiving my goal of 1 km per canadian. Let’s do it!!!!!

Steve

www.stevegaul.com