Putting it out there.
Registered:
Goodlife Toronto Half. May 2015
Amsterdam Half. Oct 2015.
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Road to Boston is going to be longer.
Been a while. Ran a few races and its been determined that my head isn't ready for a full marathon. Since March, I've tackled my first 10k...twice, and 2 half marathons. Times are promising, but not where I wanted them to be.
My first half marathon in 4 years, was a great PB. 1:46:14 in May. My previous PB was 2:02:??. I was surprised and happy. However, My 2nd half in October was a different story. I had more miles under my belt, fantastic training...but crashed at 12k. Personally, seeing costumed mascots passing you on the race course was demoralizing. The first 10k in 48 mins..felt great until I was passed by a man dressed as a cowboy and horse. 2nd was Batman, then a man juggling. Could be in this order, in my mind having these 3 run by, crushed me mentally. All of a sudden, my legs felt like lead and my head was saying STOP. At 14k, I threw plan A out the window...quickly followed by plan B, and Plan C. By 18k my only goal was to not stop and keep running. Ran a respectable 1:48...but it's crushing when I know I was capable of a 1:42.
So, met with the coach and decided this year, training is going to be tweaked, with more emphasis on longer runs, hills, and halfs. Slowly increase my mileage and speed and maybe in 2 years, I will make a real attempt at a BQ.
My first half marathon in 4 years, was a great PB. 1:46:14 in May. My previous PB was 2:02:??. I was surprised and happy. However, My 2nd half in October was a different story. I had more miles under my belt, fantastic training...but crashed at 12k. Personally, seeing costumed mascots passing you on the race course was demoralizing. The first 10k in 48 mins..felt great until I was passed by a man dressed as a cowboy and horse. 2nd was Batman, then a man juggling. Could be in this order, in my mind having these 3 run by, crushed me mentally. All of a sudden, my legs felt like lead and my head was saying STOP. At 14k, I threw plan A out the window...quickly followed by plan B, and Plan C. By 18k my only goal was to not stop and keep running. Ran a respectable 1:48...but it's crushing when I know I was capable of a 1:42.
So, met with the coach and decided this year, training is going to be tweaked, with more emphasis on longer runs, hills, and halfs. Slowly increase my mileage and speed and maybe in 2 years, I will make a real attempt at a BQ.
Friday, March 14, 2014
March 14, 2014
I've had a nagging knee pain for the last 6 weeks. Its fine if you keep your knee bent but hurts like hell when you straighten it. Finally after asking the running guru about it...was suggested I should switch running shoes and stop wearing the same pair 2 days in a row, I can finally say it doesn't hurt as much.
The last couple weeks running has been tough. Winter running and the snow is definitely dragging me down. However, I do feel better at the end of a 14k workout. This week has been tough. Monday was a 12k run. Tuesday with a 5k warmup, had 4 sets of 1300 meter. Times were 6:00, 5:45, 5:55, 5:36. Followed by cooldown. Fun but definitely a challenge. Wednesday, we were hit by another snow storm. 15cms dumped. A definite no run day. Thursday, made it to a treadmill and plodded out 12k. Did I tell you coach is a Brit? Well, some useless trivia, the treadmill was invented by a Brit, Sir William Cubitt. Used as a form of torture for prisoners.
Today, met up with the group and struggled through a supposedly easy 12k run. Breathed like an asthmatic through the whole workout. Tomorrow is a rest day, and Sunday, will be meeting with the group at the ungodly hour of pre-dawn for a long run. It'll be fun.
The last couple weeks running has been tough. Winter running and the snow is definitely dragging me down. However, I do feel better at the end of a 14k workout. This week has been tough. Monday was a 12k run. Tuesday with a 5k warmup, had 4 sets of 1300 meter. Times were 6:00, 5:45, 5:55, 5:36. Followed by cooldown. Fun but definitely a challenge. Wednesday, we were hit by another snow storm. 15cms dumped. A definite no run day. Thursday, made it to a treadmill and plodded out 12k. Did I tell you coach is a Brit? Well, some useless trivia, the treadmill was invented by a Brit, Sir William Cubitt. Used as a form of torture for prisoners.
Today, met up with the group and struggled through a supposedly easy 12k run. Breathed like an asthmatic through the whole workout. Tomorrow is a rest day, and Sunday, will be meeting with the group at the ungodly hour of pre-dawn for a long run. It'll be fun.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Winter Running
The last week of training has been challenging. My times have been slower than usual. The effort has been more than usual. The arctic blast and wind chill have been punishing. My long run this weekend was difficult. My plan called for 90 mins. Decided to run north which is usually a gradual incline, which isn't so bad..however, sidewalks and roads were a mess. Drivers were not courteous and the sidewalks were ice covered and treacherous. At one point, while crossing an intersection with the light, an impatient driver attempting a left turn, leaned on his horn while I was crossing the street. By this point I was fed up. Stopped on the cross walk, smiled, waved and waited the 27 seconds I had left on the walk sign before continuing my long run.
My winter gear I don't think is meant for anything colder than -25C. I am waiting for this cold weather to end. Tomorrow morning's temperature is predicted to be a balmy -19 with the wind. Which is great. Instead of 3 pairs of gloves, I will wear only 2, but I will still double my socks.
Up coming races planned include but not all confirmed.
Good Friday 5k
Mississauga Half Marathon
Moon in June 10k
Dundas Cactus 10k
Hamilton Marathon
My winter gear I don't think is meant for anything colder than -25C. I am waiting for this cold weather to end. Tomorrow morning's temperature is predicted to be a balmy -19 with the wind. Which is great. Instead of 3 pairs of gloves, I will wear only 2, but I will still double my socks.
Up coming races planned include but not all confirmed.
Good Friday 5k
Mississauga Half Marathon
Moon in June 10k
Dundas Cactus 10k
Hamilton Marathon
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Is running fun.
What kind of people run. What kind of person am I?
There are people who run to lose weight, to have a healthier life style, to relieve stress, to clear their minds. I run because I want to fly. I want to run fast and have the feeling that I can run forever. That feeling is called "being in the zone". Most of the time, it's work. I'm tired, I'm sore, I'm playing mind games to get through the workouts.
Why do I run? It's definitely not fun...when I'm not in the zone.
When you're a kid, kids have goals. To get through Grade 1...to get through grade 2...to learn to read, to learn their multiplication tables. To get their driver's licence...etc.
At my age, after having finished school, bought a house, a car, have children..get married and divorced...you need goals to make life worth living. One of my personal goals is to run Boston. To get there, I have to train hard. HARD. It's not fun. It's a lot of work. It requires a lot of mental toughness. For example, who in their right mind would go out in -28C arctic weather with just tights, a long sleeve shirt, run jacket, trail shoes, a baseball cap and ear muffs? Someone with the big goal to qualify for Boston. That's who. Most people...meaning the non-runners would be sitting inside drinking warm cocoa or still asleep in their beds.
Why do I run? Because after giving myself to my kids as a mother...to my students as a teacher...to their parents as an advisor...I give and I give. Running is the only thing that I do that is for me. Something I do that benefits me. It is something I do that makes me a more disciplined person. A healthier person and an athlete. When people ask me how many days I run in a week...I answer with "I don't run on Sundays." Do I call myself a runner? You bet I do.
There are people who run to lose weight, to have a healthier life style, to relieve stress, to clear their minds. I run because I want to fly. I want to run fast and have the feeling that I can run forever. That feeling is called "being in the zone". Most of the time, it's work. I'm tired, I'm sore, I'm playing mind games to get through the workouts.
Why do I run? It's definitely not fun...when I'm not in the zone.
When you're a kid, kids have goals. To get through Grade 1...to get through grade 2...to learn to read, to learn their multiplication tables. To get their driver's licence...etc.
At my age, after having finished school, bought a house, a car, have children..get married and divorced...you need goals to make life worth living. One of my personal goals is to run Boston. To get there, I have to train hard. HARD. It's not fun. It's a lot of work. It requires a lot of mental toughness. For example, who in their right mind would go out in -28C arctic weather with just tights, a long sleeve shirt, run jacket, trail shoes, a baseball cap and ear muffs? Someone with the big goal to qualify for Boston. That's who. Most people...meaning the non-runners would be sitting inside drinking warm cocoa or still asleep in their beds.
Why do I run? Because after giving myself to my kids as a mother...to my students as a teacher...to their parents as an advisor...I give and I give. Running is the only thing that I do that is for me. Something I do that benefits me. It is something I do that makes me a more disciplined person. A healthier person and an athlete. When people ask me how many days I run in a week...I answer with "I don't run on Sundays." Do I call myself a runner? You bet I do.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Speed work in arctic conditions.
Tuesdays and Thursdays are usually quality workouts...speed work, tempo runs, hill training.
Today, we have myself, Coach, the Polish Prince, and 2 gals. I will call them Diva and the producer.
Workout was warmup followed by a set of 800 meters, 500s, 400, 300s, and 250s. TOUGH workout. Total came up to 12k. It was so cold my hands were cold and fingers were hurting under 3 layers of gloves. However, stars were aligned and was able to hit my times. I think I found the trick. If I only focus a few meters ahead and just concentrate on form and keeping my pace, I can hold it. As soon as I look up and see how much further I have to go, I lose it.
The Polish prince was like a race horse. He never stands still and is always zig zagging inbetween sets. The Diva, I've never seen her without mascara and eyeliner, was lagging behind and dreaming about heat and a glass of wine. The Diva forgot her glasses to block the wind. At the end of the workout, she had one eye almost frozen shut. She came up to me afterwards and asked if there was something stuck on her eye. I said, yeah! A big chunk of ice!.It was a big one!
Tomorrow's workout, an easy 12k.
Today, we have myself, Coach, the Polish Prince, and 2 gals. I will call them Diva and the producer.
Workout was warmup followed by a set of 800 meters, 500s, 400, 300s, and 250s. TOUGH workout. Total came up to 12k. It was so cold my hands were cold and fingers were hurting under 3 layers of gloves. However, stars were aligned and was able to hit my times. I think I found the trick. If I only focus a few meters ahead and just concentrate on form and keeping my pace, I can hold it. As soon as I look up and see how much further I have to go, I lose it.
The Polish prince was like a race horse. He never stands still and is always zig zagging inbetween sets. The Diva, I've never seen her without mascara and eyeliner, was lagging behind and dreaming about heat and a glass of wine. The Diva forgot her glasses to block the wind. At the end of the workout, she had one eye almost frozen shut. She came up to me afterwards and asked if there was something stuck on her eye. I said, yeah! A big chunk of ice!.It was a big one!
Tomorrow's workout, an easy 12k.
Friday, February 7, 2014
It's COLD out.
We had a record snow fall this week which made running outside a little challenging. Snowbanks on either side of the road and sidewalks were way over my head. For the last couple months, I had been running with Brooks Cascadias. They are an awesome trail running shoe that got me through snow and slush..however, I found them a little stiff and heavy. Last week, picked up a pair of Ghost 6. AWESOME SHOES!!! Love them. Ran in them all week and NO PAIN! Joints are fine, feet are fine.
Today temps were -23 with the windchill. Decided to meet the group for a morning run. Today's group included the Minister, Doctor, Dentist, Kid, Polish Prince and the Coach. Easy run scheduled. As the run went on, it got tough. It was windy, cold, and roads were still snow covered. As time went on, my watch was moving pass the hour mark and into the 75-80 min zone. Thoughts going through my mind were - "crap! We're going slow! How much farther?" and more importantly..."Can't feel my face. I hope I don't get frostbite". Eventually made it back to the car. Coach clapped me on the back and said "WELL DONE, PRINCESS!". To which I replied. "What the hell! How far was that?!?" 15.8kms.
EASY RUN!
Tomorrow, meeting the Taxi driver for a long run.
P.S. Lost the Dentist around the 12k mark and felt bad for rushing to the car at the end without waiting for the Dentist. Anyways, later this evening, I messaged the Dentist to apologize only to find out later that he had stopped and called a CAB. Talk about bailing!!!
Today temps were -23 with the windchill. Decided to meet the group for a morning run. Today's group included the Minister, Doctor, Dentist, Kid, Polish Prince and the Coach. Easy run scheduled. As the run went on, it got tough. It was windy, cold, and roads were still snow covered. As time went on, my watch was moving pass the hour mark and into the 75-80 min zone. Thoughts going through my mind were - "crap! We're going slow! How much farther?" and more importantly..."Can't feel my face. I hope I don't get frostbite". Eventually made it back to the car. Coach clapped me on the back and said "WELL DONE, PRINCESS!". To which I replied. "What the hell! How far was that?!?" 15.8kms.
EASY RUN!
Tomorrow, meeting the Taxi driver for a long run.
P.S. Lost the Dentist around the 12k mark and felt bad for rushing to the car at the end without waiting for the Dentist. Anyways, later this evening, I messaged the Dentist to apologize only to find out later that he had stopped and called a CAB. Talk about bailing!!!
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