Friday, June 27, 2008

Check In Before The Long Weekend

Well so far this week has been good. I skipped my planned 3k on Wednesday, but I ran 5k on Tuesday and Thursday. I am also running five again tonight, as I won't be able to run tomorrow (working from 8-6:30 need to make up the hours for the six days missed LAST WEEKEND!)

Then it is the dreaded 9K on Sunday. The "plan" is to get up at six and go. I figure it will take me about an hour and a half. And I have to get home in time for Colin to go to The Running Room for Run Club at 8:30.

Then it's relaxing by the pool on Sunday. Unless it rains. Which it looks like it will.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Week 3

I am not going to bother updating last week, because it was a wash!

On Tuesday night at work, I managed to drop one of our clinic benches on my foot. It was swollen and I couldn't run for two days. Then on Thursday morning, I fell down the stairs! With the weekend being as busy as it was, I didn't get out once. But upwards and onwards I say!

Here is the schedule for week three:

Monday - off
Tuesday - 4k
Wednesday - 3k
Thursday - 4k
Friday - off
Saturday - 3k, swimming
Sunday - 9k LSD and more swimming hopefully. And softball!

My foot is still sore, so I am hoping that I can manage ok tonight. I am going to run home from work, so it should be good!

I just wanted to send a shout out to Marlene and Patricia for completing The Mitsubishi City Race this weekend. You can read the full report here.

Way to go!

Monday, June 16, 2008

Week 2

Already?

So week one was ok! Let's see what we have in store for week 2!

Sunday - 7k
Monday - Swimming
Tuesday - 4k
Wednesday - 3k
Thursday - 4k
Friday - Rest
Saturday - 3k

Total - 20k

Connor is having his operation on Friday, so I am glad that is a rest day. Sunday could also be a challenge with Sydney's baptism!

Have a great day everyone!

Friday, June 13, 2008

Freakin' Friday

So far so good this week! Let's see how I am doing, shall we?

Sunday - 7k - Actually 10+, but in 40 degree heat!
Monday - Rest - Yep
Tuesday -4k - Yep
Wednesday - 3k- with a work buddy at work, so lots of hills! But slow
Thursday - 3k - not so much. An AF related migraine hit and Maxolt was my only friend last night!
Friday - Rest day! Date night baby!
Saturday 3k - going to run to work. Works out to 5k
Sunday - 7k - Father's Day, so I will be up early and then brunch with the Dad's in my life!

At least SOME of the humidity has gone away, but it seems to be creeping back in today. GAH! I hate humidity, I wish at least this was Jamaica!

Monday, June 9, 2008

Fun Stuff

Marlene tagged me, so here goes.

1. How would you describe your running 10 years ago?

Into the store to get cigarettes. Seriously. I weighed over 250 pounds and I was not active AT ALL!

2. What is your best and worst run/race experience?

1. My best run experience was my first race, the SportingLife 10k. It was my first race and a great experience.

2. The worst running experience I have has was on a run this winter. I had ZERO traction and the roads were a mess. I fell badly twice and really messed up my knee. It wasn't a good time.

3. Why do you run?

For my health and overall well-being. And it is so much FUN!

4. What is the best or worst piece of advice you've been given about running?

Best: Drink 1 cup of water for every hour you are awake. Hydration is the key people.

Worst: Not to eat before a long run. WTF is that about?

5. Tell us something surprising about yourself that not many people would know.

I can play Saxophone: Tenor, Alto and Soprano :)

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Mud Run Report

Today was the Mud Run and it was the HARDEST thing that I have ever physically done. Bar none.

Colin and I got to the Run early so there was a lot of standing around. The run was Originally scheduled to begin at 9:45, but the 10k group didn't get out until 10:30!

The weather was hot and I have been pounding back the water all weekend. So I thought that I was prepared in those regards. Physically I have been pretty immobile the last few weeks, so I didn't have a lot of running experience. But who needs that for a 10k.

The Claireville Conservation Area is exactly how it sounds. It consists of a dirt road that basically drives into the woods. The beginning of the race was on this dirt road. And it wasn't that difficult. I managed to run the first 1.5k pretty strong and was feeling good. This is going to be easy, I thought to myself.

Then we got into the more "adventurous" part of the race. Basically, it goes right into the woods. There is a 1 foot path and it bottle necked. So the next 1/2k we were all but forced to walk. It opened up again for another 1/2k and then bottle necked at the river crossing. And like all good Canadians, WE LINED UP LOL! But then the teams that started 15 minutes after us started to catch up and we were forced to move. There was a lot of dirt and it was a difficult trek up the hill.

It opened up again into a field and away we went. I walked a bit but ran until we hit the 4k mark. The worst part about that was that the 4k mark was at the FINISH LINE. So only 4k in and the 5k race is done and people are finished. It was difficult to keep going. For a brief second I really considered turning Right instead of Left.

The next 6k I can only describe in one word. H E L L. It was mentally the hardest thing. It was too hot, and apparently I hadn't had enough water. At 7k I realized I couldn't close my hands and saw that they had swelled to almost triple their size.

The last 2k were insane. I would start to run, then walk then run again. I would suddenly have these huge emotional bursts of adrenaline and just as soon as they would come, they would go again. At the 9.25k mark we actually SAW our BFF's Marlene and Mark, and Dave. If it wasn't for then and their encouragement, I think I may have not finished, even so close to the finish line.

We finally made it to the Mud pit and jumped in. We crossed at about 2:36 minutes. And I was fine with that.

Colin ran the ENTIRE race with me and never left my side. Between 7-9k he was the ONLY reason I was moving forward and not stopping. He was encouraging and I knew he could have kicked ass on this race. But he didn't want to leave me behind. That is the measure of a man right there.

Sitting in the river and washing off after the race, I cried. I was so glad that I had finished and I new that up until this exact moment, I had never done anything so difficult.

And the worst part of it all? As soon as I was done, I turned to Colin and said "We are totally doing that again next year!"

Friday, June 6, 2008

Scotia Here I Come

So beginning on Sunday, I will officially be training for the Scotiabank Waterfront 1/2 Marathon. Am I a little nervous? Yes. But it's about time.

This is the breakdown for the next week:

Sunday: 7k LSD (Long Slow Distance) I will be doing 10k instead due to the fact that the Mud Run is that day
Monday: off
Tuesday: 3k
Wednesday:4k
Thursday: 3k
Friday: off
Saturday: 3k

Total: 20k (actually 23k).

I am hoping to fit in some swimming in the fams pool as it is finally open. And of course, our softball game is on Sunday too!

Enjoy this great weather everyone!

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

1-1

Yay we won!

It was a great game and we won!

So back to the drawing board I go. My running has come to a stand still so to speak. As has eating regularly. But we're home from a nice weekend at the lake and we will be getting back to "normal" soon. The Mud Run is this weekend and it should be great!