Look Up. Sounds simple enough. But lace on a pair of trail running shoes or throw your leg over a mountain bike or cyclo-cross bike and things can get a bit challenging.

I always start with the best of intentions – to look up and down the trail so I can see what is coming up and be mentally and physically ready for it. Rather than being surprised by the big rock or the bend in the trail, I’ll know it is there and will instinctively react. At least – this is the theory….

On Monday night I attended a trail running clinic taught by Lise Meloche of Natural Fitness Lab. This was an excellent session that really taught me so much about trail running. Really, beforehand I believed that trail running was just running… Well, not anymore. There is some serious technique and skills that go into effective climbing and descending – along with learning how to read a trail. To say this trail running clinic reignited my enjoyment of running would be an understatement – I think it got me full-on hooked again.

So much so that on Tuesday I went out for a rather hot and humid lunchtime run at Kanata Lakes. If you’re looking for some good technical trail running in Kanata – definitely go for a run here. I’m used to mountain biking on these trails, but running on these takes things to a new level. The keys from Monday’s session came in very handy: look up, lift your feet, kick your bum, swing your arms, read the trail. I tried to do it all – sometimes it worked and other times I found myself surprised by a bend in the trail or a rock that seemed to jump out from nowhere.

Thursday in an effort to continue with my theme of nature, I did a before work mountain bike ride at Kanata Lakes. I must say, a great way to start the day and I’m surprised more people don’t do this… anyway, my goal for the ride was very similar to my run on Tuesday – to look up and to anticipate. I find I get caught up in looking at my front wheel and then because my technical skills are not top-notch, I end up braking, choosing a bad line or simply falling off my bike. I did have a great ride and started to feel really connected with the bike – I do find it takes me about 25 minutes or so of mountain biking before I’m super comfortable on the singletrack (I’m guessing this is because I don’t have a lot of experience).

So look up. Look up when you’re out riding or running. Look up from your computer when you’re bogged down with work. Look up from your gadget when you’re out for dinner or at coffee shop. Look up because you just never know what is around the corner. Chances are pretty high you’ll like what you see and want to do it more and more.

I realized that it has been a while since I last wrote something in this little space. No real reasons for this. Guess, I just didn’t really feel like I had much to say or contribute. And now? Well, not much has changed, but I thought I’d let you know the latest – you can take it for what it is.

Had a brilliant week of vacation. We didn’t fly to Paris or visit the Grand Canyon (this would have been good) – instead it was a mellow week of bike racing, cheering, reading, sleeping, mountain biking, running and chillaxing. In fact Marc was only off for a couple of days – so most of the time I was soloing it on my summer vacation. We did go to Lac Megantic for the Canadian National Masters Road Racing Championships – this was a great few days – we had a sweet chalet in the woods that forced both of us to completely relax. Marc did some good hard racing – I stood on the side of the road with water bottles and cheered. Before we left for the races and even last week, anyone who asked where we went likely had not heard of Lac Megantic and now sadly the train derailment and explosion in this community has changed this.

Health-wise, things are much better. Three weeks ago, I was very sick. I knew I was sick and things were not getting better. I could tell by the way people looked at me that I didn’t look great, the bruises on my arms were ugly and not healing, and I simply was not doing well. Hence, the colonoscopy… If you’ve never had a colonoscopy, lets just say the procedure itself isn’t so bad but the preparation is a tad rough – you need to be “empty” and I mean really “empty”. Had the colonoscopy and as expected, things were worse than my doctor expected them to be. Sigh. Well, now flash forward three weeks and I feel so much better. Nothing has changed. My medicine is the same. My habits are the same. Only difference is I’m not going to the bathroom upwards of 20 times a day anymore. In fact – dare I say, things are almost normal. I have no idea what has brought this on. My only guess is it was the “emptying” that I had to do to prepare for the colonoscopy. There are some people who believe in juice fasts and liquid diets to help clean out the digestive system when in an ulcerative colitis flare – saying that the gut flora has to be replenished – maybe this is what has happened? I don’t know – but whatever it is – I’ll take it.

I’m still riding. Just not training. I’ve been getting in some good rides on both my mountain bike (love this bike) and my road bike. I’ve even doubled my Gatineau Park training rides for 2012 – in 2012 I did one ride in the Gatineau Park – so far this year I’ve done two! And I must say both rides were highly enjoyable with most excellent riding partners. I have been riding my mountain bike quite a bit at both Kanata Lakes and in the Gatineau Park. I’m really enjoying riding the 36/50 trail in the Gatineau Park and in Kanata Lakes, I’m getting more and more comfortable with the rocks and roots. We are super lucky in Ottawa to have two such different riding venues.

Tonight I’m off to a trail running clinic taught by Dave and Lise from Natural Fitness Labs. I’m super looking forward to this. I do enjoy running. I’m slow and I run like an elephant – but it makes me happy. I love it even more when I’m out in nature getting my feet muddy and scrambling around natural obstacles. I’m still slow on the trails, but I don’t really care. It is the doing that is important. Last week I went out to the Tuesday night trail run that Dave and Lise organize – I was a bit nervous but I thought I’d go and just see what happens. As expected, I was a bit intimidated by the folks wearing their race t-shirts and talking about their latest ultratrail races…. But once we got going I was fine. I mentioned this experience to my friend Dawn and she said “Vicki, everyone who registers for the race gets a t-shirt – whether they’re first or last.” This really struck home with me and it is something I’ll be trying to remember tonight and at tomorrow’s group trail run. (Oh and I did buy some new trail running shoes. After having my feet ripped up again, I decided this was a bit silly. Turns out my other shoes were too narrow for my wide foot. So I’ve got a new pair of New Balance 110BE’s. Fingers crossed they do the trick.)

As you may now, I read a lot. Just like my running though, I’m a slow reader… Anyway, if you’re looking for some good books to read, here are my suggestions: Through Black Spruce, Three Day Road, 419, Mary Coin, Wild, Wave, Burgess Boys, and The Woman Upstairs. All excellent reads. If you feel like watching a movie – Now You See Me is entertaining (ignore the critics) as is Red (yes this is an old one but we had to watch it to be ready for Red2). If you want to vege out in front of the television, might I recommend: Master Chef Australia (so so much better than Master Chef US) and The Killing (this is such a good program). Oh and of course watch last week’s episode of Rookie Blues….

Hmm, what else? Nothing much else really. Life is rolling along and I’m happy to be part of it. July is shaping up to be a much better month than June was and I’ve got my fingers crossed for August. Cyclo-cross season is right around the corner – I’m looking forward to getting out to the Eastern Ontario Cyclo-Cross Series.

Three days, two runs.

Sore calf muscles. Ripped up feet from some crazy blisters.

This is okay. I can ignore this kind of discomfort for the rewards these runs have provided.

I discovered a fun trail system in Piopolis, Quebec – bridges, gravel trails, gnarly singletrack, climbing, twisting, descending, shoe-sucking muck, green stuff, moss, smiles with some huffing and puffing.

On Thursday I discovered this tail system at the tail-end of my run and resolved to return today. What a great choice. My calf muscles had tightened up into angry balls of hatred overnight but with some massaging, coaxing and the determination to block out the discomfort of muscle tightness, I set out on a trail run.

So much fun. I felt like I could run forever. I quickly discovered the wet slippery bridges require caution and when you think you’re being cautious – be a little bit more cautious. When my watch beeped signalling that it was time to turn around, I ignored it for a bit and kept on going. Just up this climb and down the other side, I told myself – I wonder where it goes?

I have no idea how far I ran or at what pace. There were moments when I opened things up and other times when I slowed to prevent slipping and spilling. All in all so much fun.

When I exited the woods it was pouring rain – the perfect way to wash the muck off my legs.

I’m definitely looking forward to my next run (maybe tomorrow)…

(The two running conundrums I must solve though are: extremely tight calf muscles (guessing this is because I’m a sporadic runner and I’m also wondering if my close-to-minimal shoes are the culprit) and crazy blisters on the bottom of big toes – after only 15 minutes of running I can feel the heat and irritation (I’ve tried all manner of socks with and without moleskin and other blister preventive measures – these are big ugly blisters that often fill with blood – yes gross and not pleasant). These two annoyances need to be solved so I can run more often and more enjoyably – I can suck up the blister pain but I don’t think this is something I should have to do and as for the calf muscles they should come around – but maybe I need to change my shoes….)

Today was a good day. A very good day. I felt the best today that I have all week. (This is not to say that I’m “better” – just that I didn’t feel completely drained and defeated.)

I rode my Opus Fhast 29er out at South March Highlands (aka Kanata Lakes) after work. It was awesome. I’m finally clicking with my new bike. I rode over, around and through things that previously had me stumbling, fumbling and mumbling. (I’m sure my sweet new Opus cycling kit helped me out. Looking good is half the battle!)

I felt like I could ride forever today. I wasn’t super fast. But I pedaled and smiled. I remembered to look ahead down the trail and anticipate the terrain. I discovered some new-to-me trails. I rescued a turtle.

Most of all, I listened to my body. I didn’t push it. I just rode for fun and sheer enjoyment.

(Big thanks to Dave for the sweet Opus cycling kit. The black and green looks super sharp and the kit is very comfortable.)

I’ve had a week or so to let the reality set in. I’m sick and there is not much I can do about it. It is my reality right now. I hate it. But it can be and has been worse. I’ve tried the “resting” thing… I’m not very good at it, nor do I think it really helps me. For me an idle body is a very active mind that churns away thinking of all things I’m not doing and can’t do.

Well, I’m done with this. Don’t worry, I’m not about to go out and run for three hours (though I’d like to) or do a five hour epic on the bike (though I’d like to). No, instead I’m going to move and get out when I can and want. On Saturday I went for nice easy 63 km – it felt great to be out pedaling. I didn’t worry about my wattage, speed, pace, etc. I just pedaled. I listened to podcasts, drank water and let it all go. Definitely the type of medicine and therapy I need right now.

Today I didn’t do much, an easy yoga routine at home and then I spent the afternoon hanging out with friends and cheering on Marc and his team at the Preston St. bike race. I have to tell you that those four hours of being outside talking to people, cheering on the big and little kids and just being and doing were so very awesome. So much better for my progress than any drug, rest, or diet modification. Just seeing and being around people who are happy, uplifting and seizing the day, makes a big impact on my mental and physical self.

This is the perspective that I needed. Yes, I’m sick. Yes, it sucks. Yes, I hate it. But you know what, I can handle it. And thanks to all of you for the supportive words, the hugs, the patience when I’ve been less than fun to be around and for being understanding.

Thanks for the inspiration – and for reminding me that this will be okay.