Month: February 2015

Race Report, Running

PRR First Half Race Report

Christine Cogger

It’s a lot easier to write a post about a race that goes totally sideways than it is to write one about a race that goes well. What am I supposed to say? “Blah blah blah I ran well, felt good, it was sunny, set a great big PR, go me.”

Boring, right? Plus, that pretty much sums it up.

Therefore, please allow me to share 2 elements of my race that I feel I really nailed.

1. Pre-race bathroom location

I believe this is a personal best for me in terms of timing and lineup brevity. I really surprised myself here and will refuse to divulge the location of this bathroom for fear that it will ruin things for me should I ever run this race again.

2. Race outfit

In my humble opinion, it’s extremely important to wear all of the colours available to you when toeing the line in a race. I feel like I preformed well here, with the exception perhaps of socks. In this case, I sacrificed colour for fit but in the future, screw it, colour wins because no matter what I wear, my feet hurt anyway at the end. Also, my hair clashed with my sunglasses. Something to work on in the future.

Lastly, you know that when your training partner/race pacer /bestie crosses the line seconds behind you and whispers “F— you”, you know it’s been a good one.

Bring it on, 2015!

The lighting fails to really capture the brightness of this outfit.
She with the longest arms takes thy selfie
I call this “hey guys! wait! wait for me! hey guys!”
Day-to-day life, Racing, Random, Triathlon

What’s in your bag?

Christine Cogger

I was thumbing through some crappy magazine in the checkout line at the grocery store the other night and read one of those “What’s in your bag” articles (and I use the term “article” very, very lightly here).

I scoffed at how totally ridiculous this list was because, mainly, it was way too perfect. I challenge anyone to upend a bag they use consistently and not find an old balled up kleenex, a wrapper of something or a pen that doesn’t work. These perfectly styled layouts? Not my reality.

Let’s start with the fact that the bag I carry most often is a GIGANTIC backpack that doubles as carryall, locker room, computer bag and mobile snack station.

IMG_7619

While it’s big enough to carry pretty much everything I own, I know that I look like a kindergardener trundling along on her first day of school when I wear it. I also realize that should I fall over backwards while wearing it when it’s fully full, it might be Game Over.

Turtle

Since I am currently training for Ironman (and stuff) and spending a few days a week out of the house away from a home base, I tend to rely on this bag more frequently than usual. So I thought I’d play the game with myself.

“Christine, what’s in your bag?”

Well, let’s see, shall we? (Dumps bag on kitchen floor).

  • Damp bathing suit + towel;
  • Swim bag with all manner of swim toys;
  • Anja’s swim goggles (huh);
  • 2 pairs of running shoes;
  • Trucker hat, running toque, favourite Planks toque;
  • Running shorts (forgotten in there from Friday’s workout. Gross.)
  • 5 socks;
  • 3 pairs of underwear: 2 of mine, 1 of Anja’s (useful!);
  • iPod. Battery dead. Typical.
  • 2 pairs of earbuds;
  • 2 shirts;
  • 1 pair of tights;
  • Sunglasses (it’s been raining for daaaaaaays);
  • Running jacket;
  • $2.85 in change;
  • A bag of training food;
  • Water bottle;
  • A ziploc bag with 2 dates;
  • Toothbrush;
  • 3 gym pass cards (so THAT’S where they were!)
  • Travel toiletry kit;
  • 2 sports bras;
  • Laptop;
  • Nok anti-chafe cream;
  • Dry shampoo;
  • Day planner + pen;
  • Watch;
  • 2 headbands, countless bobby pins and 7 elastics (and I don’t really tie my hair up).
  • 3 lip balms;
  • Lots of bits of gravel.
IMG_7620
My stylist quit moments after this dumping occurred.

I guess I’ll never get a page in Fashion magazine.  But I bet you’re all dying to know what I’d answer to the paparazzi yelling: “Christine, Christine! Who are you wearing?!”

I’ll spare you.