Running Equations. Fun: Serious. Maple Syrup.

Successful training is all about balance and equations. We balance stress and rest. That’s a training equation that works. We balance the chocolate chip cookies with the weekly mileage. The core work with the lying on the couch (sometimes). The newly purchased gear with the early morning alarm clocks. The weird behaviour like early morning 5:05am runs (which Jamie always clarifies: “this is the middle of the night, not the early morning”) with the more understood behavior like 9:30am Saturday runs. We balance the fun with the serious too.

This weekend, several of my Halifax Road Hammer teammates are competing in the SMU Open Indoor Track race in the 3000m event. That’s some serious suffering racing coming up. So time to balance it with some fun.

The title of the fun is: Maple Syrup.

The running joke of my training life this winter has been Maple Syrup.  I will explain.

First, we have to back up with some context.  I have to get my easy mileage in beginning at 5:05-5:15am because I work full time, coach 12 runners and most importantly have little children who’s lives I don’t want to miss. Luckily, I have many happy go-lucky training partners who will join me. Sometimes there are even six of us out together at once: Linda, Leah, Nick T, Jamie, Holly and now Rick.

In January, I had this runner approach me online about coaching but he wanted to run an ultra trail marathon. That’s out of my skill set so I referred him to fellow local coach Rick Canning of New Leaf Endurance.  I didn’t actually know Rick personally but I knew that he was both an ultra guy and  trail runner. So Rick and I chat a bit. I tell him that I like his Instagram photos. He says let’s meet in real life, go for a run.  This a good idea: growing a healthy ecosystem of coach relationships in our city.

We plan to meet for a morning run.  Like the “normal” people we are, we plan to meet at 5:15am on a Friday at the bathrooms at the Halifax Commons for our run. I tell my husband: I’m meeting a guy I’ve never met in the dark of 5am at the bathroom Commons. His response is standard. “Whatever, Erin. You’re just going to go do your crazy running s@#t anyway.” So Rick and I have a good run and I am happy to gain a new running partner for our early morning crew.

My husband doesn’t not support my morning running.  In fact he helps structure our home life around it, getting in the shower first and getting the kids out of bed while I shower.  He just thinks it’s crazy. Probably same for one of my favorite early morning gals and fellow Love Training More coach Linda’s husband.

We all carry on with our morning running through January.

So obviously I have to try it. Monday, February 6 is the day. I have all the specific instructions that I need from coach Rick. The 5am “dose” is 2 tbsp full followed by a glass of water. I have to admit, it is better than the Gu gel I usually eat at 5am.  Plus it’s real food.

Next?