Southern British Columbia is on fire these days. Literally.
This is resulting in a whole heck of a lot of smoke being in the air. This was taken on Thursday and it hasn’t got much better since then.
Here is a headline and photo out of one of our local papers.
When I went to work on Friday morning the air didn’t seem too bad but it got worse throughout the day. I thought if I got up really early on Saturday then I would be able to avoid the smoke and get all 18 miles in.
I was wrong. I got up at 4:20 AM on Saturday and was heading out the door by 5.
As soon as I stepped out the door I could smell the smoke. Imagine sticking your head over a campfire, that’s what it smelled like. By the time I’d walked to my car my nose was burning from the smoke. I debated trying to run anyways but I knew that would be a bad idea and would have been really bad for me. So I elected to go to the gym and run instead. 18 miles on the treadmill would be dreadful but I decided I would shoot for 8-10 miles.
I tried two different gyms, both were closed and wouldn’t open till 7 am. At this point I was starting to get exhausted and frustrated so I went home to wait until the gyms opened and ended up going back to bed.
I went back to sleep until 9 and by that point it was too late to go to the gym as I had plans at 11 and didn’t want to be rushed.
I was really frustrated this morning. Really frustrated. I took Thursday and Friday as rest days because I wanted my arch and shin to be 100% by today so I could rock the 18-miles. I know it’s terrible to say this, but when you’re training that hard and then you take a few days off it doesn’t feel good. It makes you feel disgusting and bloated. I felt fat and gross and I just want to workout.
I’m off to spend a few hours with family that are passing through town now and then I’m hitting up the gym and I’m hitting it hard. I plan on being there for 2+ hours and I can’t wait to workout all this grossness and frustration. I hate the treadmill immensely but right now I just want to RUN!
I know that it’s not my fault that I couldn’t get my run in, but it’s just SO FRUSTRATING. I’m planning on doing the 18-miles on Wednesday this week instead. Hopefully the smoke is gone by then. Cross your fingers for me!
Hope everyone is having a better Saturday then me 
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
I can see how frustrating this would be, but I’m really glad that you’re not going out there and breathing in that horrible quality air. You’ll be able to rock the 18 mile distance, but it sounds like choosing your time is a very good idea <3
Oh, wildfire season. I know that smoky air so, so well.
Wow a post on Saturday, I like this.
I’m sorry you are SO frustrated right now. I personally would prefer that I don’t get to the gym, or get to do a run because of something I do (or choose not to do as the case may be) rather than outside forces. Then I only have myself to blame. I do think you were REALLY smart to not even attempt to run- you don’t want to be doing that in a high health risk.
I hope you kick some butt at the gym tonight and I’ll be hoping for you that the smoke is gone by Wednesday!
“Sticking your head in a campfire” is probably the best way to describe this filth of air that we have right now! I feel so bad for all the runners and athletes who have to be outside in this garbage!
Don’t feel gross or fat! AND it’s not your fault that the air quality stinks. Cheer up, buttercup.
I think it’s a great idea to go to the gym and get out all your frustration!
I think you totally made the right decision, but I get the feeling of disappointment. No fun! I hope your town’s air clears up soon! We went through that a few years ago, but definitely not at that level. It’s scary to go outside!!
I’m sorry friend, I know how pumped you were for this 18 miler. But it was a wise decision to not run in those conditions as that would have been so so so hard on your respiratory system. I have also had the last 2 days as rest days so I am itching to get out there & do my 18 miler tomorrow. I don’t have to put up w/ smoky conditions… but it is going to be freaking humid so I am not really all that pumped for that, but oh well! I can’t complain becuase I don’t have to put up w/ smoke!! So sucky! I hope it has totally cleared out by the time we are doing our 20 milers!!!
Oh that sucks! Sorry about the run that wasn’t…
I had no idea that was going on? Ugh…
It was so smoky in Calgary yesterday from the BC fires that I cancelled my boot camp. And I think Trainer Josh was cancelling all his other classes. It’s just downright nasty out there, and I can’t even imagine how much worse it is being in the middle of it!
I just want it to clear up enough to rock out our 29km (18 miles) tomorrow morning. We’re doing a really hilly route too, so there will be a LOT of deep breathing…I’ll be sure to double up on my asthma and allergy meds, just in case.
Enjoy whatever run you get in.
It’s really smoky in Edmonton because of the fires, I can’t imagine how much worse it must be there! Hope the gym goes well
I feel your frustration! Nothing worse than having your heart and mind set in something only to be disappointed. I’m sure you got in an awesome workout at the gym.
I absolutely feel your frustration! I’m sorry!
Ewww the air looks nasty! You made a wise decision to try to go to the gym. Hope the training goes better next week!
I followed your saga on Twitter, and could literally feel your frustration coming through the screen! I am so sorry to read this, but good for you for making the RIGHT decision.
That looks ATROCIOUS!!!! I’m so glad you didn’t run in that. It would have been just horrible for your lungs. Living in that is bad enough. You don’t need to go running in it.
Eeek.
sorry to hear that about B.C. i hope they get it under control real soon!
that sucks about not running too, i know first hand how frusterating it is. ya just don’t feel the same! exercise withdrawal sucks!!!
that sounds awful! i’m glad you were able to get in 10 at the gym. treadmill running takes the right frame of mind… until you can get yourself in that frame, its like running on a people mover…. BORING!
Oh my goodness, the air pollution looks DREADFUL. Please wear a mask while you go about!! I really hope it gets better soon. I totally feel your frustration not being able to run! I just had a stress fracture on my forefoot and this whole week I DIDN’T DO ANYTHING AT ALL, cos I can’t put any weight on my right foot. It feels so weird not running or sweating it out. I want to die. But! I hope the air at your place clears soon so you can run your 18 miles! And I love your red hair btw, it’s so pretty!
It is smoky in Regina too!
We’ve had either really horrible heat or air quality warnings nearly everyday this summer. It’s a shame as I had gotten into the habit of walking everyday but then I stopped because of the way the weather was. Now there’s been nice days but now I got lazy, I really have to start forcing myself to get out on my walk.
Aw, that sucks! I’m sorry to hear that Amber. That would not have been conducive to running. Hope the gym was enough to get you feeling better about the day anyway. I know it’s hard when you have expectations for your run and then it doesn’t turn out as planned. And its especially hard when you know its all so that you can run this damn marathon. Good luck, you’ll be just fine and I’m sure the bod appreciated a few rest days.
WOW, yup I’d be staying in too. Hopefully the air clears soon and you can get out for your run. I can’t imagine doing 18 miles on a dreadmill….
I feel for you. I hate running oustide in the summer as it is because of the humidity but I can’t imagine how it would be with all that smoke. I saw on Twitter that you did get a run in on the treadmill later in the day so good for you for not giving up altogether.
So sorry you couldn’t get your long run in! I understand how frustrating that must be. I hope the air clears up soon!
Talk about an Obstacle – sheesh!! For many reasons, I hope the air clears up soon! 18 miles on a treadmill would Not be fun :-/
Wow I am sorry to hear this! Hmmm where are you living? In Bby and West Van I didn’t see any!! hmmmm
I hope you were able to run it up today?
xxoo
Oh yuck, that looks so dangerous. Good for you – you made the right decision. Can’t risk your health. Runners need to breathe!
We have bad smoke that comes up from Mexico fires each Spring. There are always at least a few days where it’s best to stay inside. Hope things clear up very soon for y’all!
Yikes, that’s totally scary, but you definitely made the right decision. I hear you on the disappointment though – I really hope it clears up soon!
Thursday afternoon (in Edmonton) we could smell the smoke inside our office, and our windows don’t even open! So terrible.
Bummer about the weather and your run. Just remind yourself it’s better to have a bad or non-training run than it is to have a bad or non-race. You’re learning to deal with adversity and discovering ways to persevere. Those are coping skills that will carry you through your marathon. So, even though it was frustrating and feels like you didn’t accomplish your goals …just remember, you have one big goal you’re working towards and all of this stuff plays a role!