Even before running the Colonel By Classic 8k race, I had decided that upon completing the run, I would take a little time off of running in order to hoefully rest my nagging hamstring and ankle (which I now have been told is actually a hip problem) issues.
Two days post-race, the Sisson family met up with new friends the Robbins family and my running friend Robin for a morning at the Farm.
We went up to Wakefield and introduced our offspring to the wonders of barns, horses (in their cases, ponies) and tractors. Both Caroline and I were THRILLED to bits at how much our children enjoyed the pony riding and how brave the kids all were when it came to being on a moving beast. (sidenote - for all my riding experience, Caroline has much, much more. She used to be a jockey - helping train the 2 year olds before they headed to the racetracks... sigh - if only!) Once the kiddos started complaining of hungry tummies, the girls hopped on our own horses to go on a trail ride while the others had a picnic lunch. It was AWESOME to LITERALLY be back in the saddle again. I think I had a permanent smile for the next 2 days.
Not only did I have a permanent smile, but I also felt leg muscles I think I forgot I had. ;-)
THEN the allergies and cold set in. Lucky for me, even with Mark having a nasty cold the week before, I seemed to escape without it until AFTER the run was done. Once it did hit though, it really REALLY sucked. Even today, I am still coughing a ton from being short of breath!
This past Tuesday, it was time for me to get back to running. I had had enough with the excuse of being sick and stuffed up and coughing and just needed to run. I had begun to notice a change in my attitude - noticing how quick I was to snap at my kids and my husband and knew my lack of activity (more specifically, my lack of producing endorphins) was begining to show.
I made sure to get out for a nice "quick" run that evening and felt boatloads better afterwards. I also had a major revelation... I am at a point that I now think of 4.4k as a "quick and short run". HOW COOL IS THAT??????
Yesterday evening, I went out again. This time, with April, who has not run in about 6 weeks. I mapped us out a short 3.65k loop and went out looking forward to enjoying the company. I didn't care that we didn't make it up the hill, or that we had to walk on more than one occassion. I was SUPER proud of April for coming out and getting it done after such a long time off. Another revelation - it is not the distance or the speed that you run, but the ENJOYMENT you feel when you are doing it that matters most.
Looking forward to another fun run with friends tomorrow at lunch time!
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Race Recap - Colonel By Classic 8k
Saturday morning, I got up, slipped on my race gear and headed downstiars to feed myself and the kids. I also packed a picnic lunch for Mark to bring to the park while I was running. Like all first time races, I was anxious with anticipation of the unknown. I knew this race was incorporated with a tri/duathalon which was happening in the morning. The road races were to begin while the last of the tri/duatheletes were completing their races; much later in the day. I had been informed by some of my tri-friends that since this was the first tri of the season, it was usually very popular and expected to be quite crowded.
I arrived on site early, not sure what sort of parking traffic to expect. I did have friends racing in the morning, but sadly, she had begun and finished her race before I was even done breakfast!
When I arrived, I quickly headed to the results to see if I could find her and I found out she did AWESOME for her first tri-a-tri. I am super proud of her and looking forward to hearing all about the race and what her plans are for her next race. :) Way ta go Donna!
I realised relatively quickly that the road race was definately not the draw of this event. Out of the 900+ people entered for the day, only 201 road racers... 76 of those were running the 8k. Now THAT'S a small race!
The race was beautiful. The weather was hot, but not scorchingly so and Colonel By Road had surprisingly more shade than I had expected. I started off deliberatly slow so that I would not run myself into the ground like I did in Manotick a few weeks ago. I kept pace with a friend who I have never run with but who had shared with me her estimated finish time. I kept up with her for the first 3k but when I slowed for my second walk break (I was running 10:1), she got ahead of me and I got to watch her from further away. She is fantastic at keeping and sticking with a pace and I hope I get a chance to run with her again sometime (shout out to Kyla!).
My only 2 complaints about this race:
1) the run was a out and back, starting at Carleton, going up to Pretoria Bridge and then back. Instead of making the race start further down Colonel By to make up the distance, they had us running past the start line (and finishing shoot) for about 300 meters before having to turn around and run back to the start line again on the grassy side of the road and into the finishing shoot. This really messed with my head. When I am running a race, I like to see the finish line and be able to go to it... not have to run PAST it only to have to loop back to it another time!
2) As I said, the route was an out and back. It also shared the same route with the 3k racers (of which their were 49). The water station was placed at around the 1.75 k mark - right under the Bank street bridge. I understand having it there so the volunteers are in the shade, but not only did the 3k peeps not get a water station (when it had been promissed to be at their turn around point), but it is kinda a crappy place to have it for the 8k runners too. Not many people need a drink after running for 10 minutes... although most people want water before 5.5k. I understand that given the race route, it didn't make a lot of sence to have more than 1 water station out... and I wore my water belt because I was aware of this before running... it was just odd.
I ended up finishing the race in 1:03:02, which I am happy with. I stuck with my "average" pace of 7:53 and although I suspect, given how fresh I felt after the race, that I could have pushed myself more, I accept the fact that this is only the 5th time I have ever run that distance (or further) and that alone is an accomplishment to be proud of.
At the finish line, I had my mother, my husband, my kids and my firend Sarah cheering me on and I finished strong and sprinted through the finish line. I am excited to see my race pictures but while I wait, here is one of my son and I sprinting to the finish... yes, he joined me for the last 100m on this race too. :)
I arrived on site early, not sure what sort of parking traffic to expect. I did have friends racing in the morning, but sadly, she had begun and finished her race before I was even done breakfast!
When I arrived, I quickly headed to the results to see if I could find her and I found out she did AWESOME for her first tri-a-tri. I am super proud of her and looking forward to hearing all about the race and what her plans are for her next race. :) Way ta go Donna!
I realised relatively quickly that the road race was definately not the draw of this event. Out of the 900+ people entered for the day, only 201 road racers... 76 of those were running the 8k. Now THAT'S a small race!
The race was beautiful. The weather was hot, but not scorchingly so and Colonel By Road had surprisingly more shade than I had expected. I started off deliberatly slow so that I would not run myself into the ground like I did in Manotick a few weeks ago. I kept pace with a friend who I have never run with but who had shared with me her estimated finish time. I kept up with her for the first 3k but when I slowed for my second walk break (I was running 10:1), she got ahead of me and I got to watch her from further away. She is fantastic at keeping and sticking with a pace and I hope I get a chance to run with her again sometime (shout out to Kyla!).
My only 2 complaints about this race:
1) the run was a out and back, starting at Carleton, going up to Pretoria Bridge and then back. Instead of making the race start further down Colonel By to make up the distance, they had us running past the start line (and finishing shoot) for about 300 meters before having to turn around and run back to the start line again on the grassy side of the road and into the finishing shoot. This really messed with my head. When I am running a race, I like to see the finish line and be able to go to it... not have to run PAST it only to have to loop back to it another time!
2) As I said, the route was an out and back. It also shared the same route with the 3k racers (of which their were 49). The water station was placed at around the 1.75 k mark - right under the Bank street bridge. I understand having it there so the volunteers are in the shade, but not only did the 3k peeps not get a water station (when it had been promissed to be at their turn around point), but it is kinda a crappy place to have it for the 8k runners too. Not many people need a drink after running for 10 minutes... although most people want water before 5.5k. I understand that given the race route, it didn't make a lot of sence to have more than 1 water station out... and I wore my water belt because I was aware of this before running... it was just odd.
I ended up finishing the race in 1:03:02, which I am happy with. I stuck with my "average" pace of 7:53 and although I suspect, given how fresh I felt after the race, that I could have pushed myself more, I accept the fact that this is only the 5th time I have ever run that distance (or further) and that alone is an accomplishment to be proud of.
At the finish line, I had my mother, my husband, my kids and my firend Sarah cheering me on and I finished strong and sprinted through the finish line. I am excited to see my race pictures but while I wait, here is one of my son and I sprinting to the finish... yes, he joined me for the last 100m on this race too. :)
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
HIGH TEN!!!
On Sunday morning, I woke up with my alarm, rolled out of bed and into my running gear. It was cold outside and I even contemplated trying to find my gloves. I decided I'd warm up on the run and that a quick breakfast and a few minutes to relax would be more important than the search for the missing gloves.
On Sunday morning, I hopped into my truck and went to pick up Ange. We had a route mapped out that started and finished at the local high school - one I assumed would be a relatively smooth run (and thank goodness, for the most part, I was right give or take a couple of small hills it was all on a nice bike path).
On Sunday morning, Ange and I ran 10k.
My very first 10k.
Last Sunday, Ange and I ran 9k... and it was hot and sweaty and took us (me) 1:18 to complete.
This past Sunday, we ran 10k in 1:21; at least half of which was into a pretty strong head wind making it feel as if we were running while pushing against wet towels. It was tough going!
Ange, as usual, was my anchor... she is so very wonderful at giving you that extra support when she can tell you are getting tired and cold and questioning your sanity. Every time I started feeling like I was beginning to struggle, I'd look at her and she would give me a big smile, tell me I was doing great, but that we were NOT going to stop. (sidenote: Ange is also the reason we still have a neighbourhood bootcamp. Every week, she puts together a 1 hour training plan and puts about 10 women (and sometime some men too) through their paces... You rock Ange!)
On Sunday, I achieved a goal that has been in my head since last fall. One I was forced to give up due to injury and one that I questioned many times over whether I would be able to accomplish. I did it and I am proud.
When we completed the run, we went back to our respective homes and I was welcomed with open arms by Mark and the kids, who were busily colouring mother's day cards and full of congratulations on my run.
I had breakfast in a bath, and then basked in my post-run glow for the rest of the day.
BEST mother's day EVER.
On Sunday morning, I hopped into my truck and went to pick up Ange. We had a route mapped out that started and finished at the local high school - one I assumed would be a relatively smooth run (and thank goodness, for the most part, I was right give or take a couple of small hills it was all on a nice bike path).
On Sunday morning, Ange and I ran 10k.
My very first 10k.
Last Sunday, Ange and I ran 9k... and it was hot and sweaty and took us (me) 1:18 to complete.
This past Sunday, we ran 10k in 1:21; at least half of which was into a pretty strong head wind making it feel as if we were running while pushing against wet towels. It was tough going!
Ange, as usual, was my anchor... she is so very wonderful at giving you that extra support when she can tell you are getting tired and cold and questioning your sanity. Every time I started feeling like I was beginning to struggle, I'd look at her and she would give me a big smile, tell me I was doing great, but that we were NOT going to stop. (sidenote: Ange is also the reason we still have a neighbourhood bootcamp. Every week, she puts together a 1 hour training plan and puts about 10 women (and sometime some men too) through their paces... You rock Ange!)
On Sunday, I achieved a goal that has been in my head since last fall. One I was forced to give up due to injury and one that I questioned many times over whether I would be able to accomplish. I did it and I am proud.
When we completed the run, we went back to our respective homes and I was welcomed with open arms by Mark and the kids, who were busily colouring mother's day cards and full of congratulations on my run.
I had breakfast in a bath, and then basked in my post-run glow for the rest of the day.
BEST mother's day EVER.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Just.keep.going.
Wednesday, was a wonderfully active work day.
During lunch hour, I trotted over to Parliament hill along with 1000 of my "other friends" to take a yoga class on the hill. Every Wednesday from 12-1 in the spring/summer, Lululemon Rideau Centre gets yoga instructors from across the city to come and lead anyone interested in a wonderfully refreshing yoga class on the grass of Parliament Hill. This past Wednesday was my first time actually going and it was well worth it. One of the owners of Moksha Yoga in Orleans was leading us in a wonderfully paced hour of stretching, balancing, breathing and relaxing. It was a perfect way to split up my work week and will certainly become a mainstay in my exercise plan for the rest of the summer.
I also had plans to run in the evening. Although my running date fell through, I still forced myself to get out the door by making sure all my work out clothes were on and I was ready to go as soon as Madie's little head hit her beloved pillow. I went out knowing the running room gang was finishing up their hill repeats tonight and that I didn't want to risk aggravating my hamstring before my "big run" this Sunday.
I went out planning on doing the same 4.5k loop I did last week - a relatively even run that isn't very "challenging" but still gets me out the door. But at the last minute, I decided to change my route and head down towards the lower road where I knew in order to get back home, I would need to climb up as well.
As soon as I started the run, I felt "off". My legs were not exactly "sore", but they didn't feel right. Everything felt heavy and I began second guessing my ability to run at all.
After having a day to reflect on it, I know think this coincides with the afternoon yoga, which had done wonders to lengthen my tight muscles. I don't think I am USED TO running with muscles that are loose and subtle...
Is that a thing????
Anyways, I questioned my run so often in those first 2 km that I lost count. But I got it done, pushing the negative talk to the back of my mind and after a while, I started to "feel" the run. I felt good, having fallen into a stride I was comfortable in and didn't want to stop.
I kept thinking of ways to make the run longer instead of thinking up ways to shorten the run and found myself passing the roads which I would normally take up and back towards my neighbourhood. I found out that even though there may not be a sidewalk along the road you drive on (the Lower Aylmer Road), there IS a pathway just north of that road that brings you through a nice little park and safely onto Vanier which has the sidewalk the whole way up.
I took that road up a long gradual 2k increase, past my son's school where I allowed myself a quick 15 second walk break from the "hill". Then off I continued. At one point, I actually yelled out "go!" - knowing that if anyone was outside and heard, they would only think I was saying it to my dog, who was running with me, even though it was really me yelling at me to not stop.
Once I got back to my neighbourhood, it was getting dark and I had been out for just over 33 minutes. I knew I needed to head home, but because my route was somewhat exploratory, I had no idea what distance I had run. I did know that 1/3rd was downhill, and 1/3 was uphill, with the rest being a relatively flat in between.
After getting home and mapping out the route, I realised I had run around 4.5k in all.
But you know, although I am happy about the distance / time, I am morehappy PROUD that I kept going through all the self doubt talk of those first 10 minutes.
And I go into today's run with some new knowledge about how long it takes me to find my groove (AND a new route to use too!) :)
During lunch hour, I trotted over to Parliament hill along with 1000 of my "other friends" to take a yoga class on the hill. Every Wednesday from 12-1 in the spring/summer, Lululemon Rideau Centre gets yoga instructors from across the city to come and lead anyone interested in a wonderfully refreshing yoga class on the grass of Parliament Hill. This past Wednesday was my first time actually going and it was well worth it. One of the owners of Moksha Yoga in Orleans was leading us in a wonderfully paced hour of stretching, balancing, breathing and relaxing. It was a perfect way to split up my work week and will certainly become a mainstay in my exercise plan for the rest of the summer.
I also had plans to run in the evening. Although my running date fell through, I still forced myself to get out the door by making sure all my work out clothes were on and I was ready to go as soon as Madie's little head hit her beloved pillow. I went out knowing the running room gang was finishing up their hill repeats tonight and that I didn't want to risk aggravating my hamstring before my "big run" this Sunday.
I went out planning on doing the same 4.5k loop I did last week - a relatively even run that isn't very "challenging" but still gets me out the door. But at the last minute, I decided to change my route and head down towards the lower road where I knew in order to get back home, I would need to climb up as well.
As soon as I started the run, I felt "off". My legs were not exactly "sore", but they didn't feel right. Everything felt heavy and I began second guessing my ability to run at all.
After having a day to reflect on it, I know think this coincides with the afternoon yoga, which had done wonders to lengthen my tight muscles. I don't think I am USED TO running with muscles that are loose and subtle...
Is that a thing????
Anyways, I questioned my run so often in those first 2 km that I lost count. But I got it done, pushing the negative talk to the back of my mind and after a while, I started to "feel" the run. I felt good, having fallen into a stride I was comfortable in and didn't want to stop.
I kept thinking of ways to make the run longer instead of thinking up ways to shorten the run and found myself passing the roads which I would normally take up and back towards my neighbourhood. I found out that even though there may not be a sidewalk along the road you drive on (the Lower Aylmer Road), there IS a pathway just north of that road that brings you through a nice little park and safely onto Vanier which has the sidewalk the whole way up.
I took that road up a long gradual 2k increase, past my son's school where I allowed myself a quick 15 second walk break from the "hill". Then off I continued. At one point, I actually yelled out "go!" - knowing that if anyone was outside and heard, they would only think I was saying it to my dog, who was running with me, even though it was really me yelling at me to not stop.
Once I got back to my neighbourhood, it was getting dark and I had been out for just over 33 minutes. I knew I needed to head home, but because my route was somewhat exploratory, I had no idea what distance I had run. I did know that 1/3rd was downhill, and 1/3 was uphill, with the rest being a relatively flat in between.
After getting home and mapping out the route, I realised I had run around 4.5k in all.
But you know, although I am happy about the distance / time, I am more
And I go into today's run with some new knowledge about how long it takes me to find my groove (AND a new route to use too!) :)
Monday, May 6, 2013
9k
A friend of mine ran a marathon (her first!) on Sunday. Another friend ran a half-marathon and had a PB time that was almost 10 minutes faster than her last half marathon. Another couple friends ran a training run of 19k.
I, along with the HUGE help of my friend and super-star ego-booster Ange, ran a 9k.
In distance, this seems puny compared to the rest of the distance accomplishments my friends achieved this past Sunday, but to me... this WAS like running my own marathon.
Even now, I still find myself fighting the mind games that go along with this run:
I "only" ran 9k... no, I RAN 9k... when many others did not run at all!
My time was not even worth mentioning... NO, I ran 9k in 1:18 including a pee break at the library.
My hamstring began throwing spasms once every km or so after passing (about) the 4k mark... BUT I COMPENSATED AND KEPT GOING.
There were hills I didn't expect which excuses the time... I FOUGHT TO GET UP THOSE HILLS NO MATTER HOW SLOW A JOG IT TOOK ME.
Most importantly, we increased our speed (if only by a little) for the last 300 meters.
WE FINISHED STRONG.
I purposefully left my bus pass at home.
I purposefully planned a route that would take me on a big loop and would not give me any options of cutting the run short (unless I wanted to go up big hills... no thanks!).
I purposefully ensured I had company on my run (and good company at that!)
I purposefully avoided the running room so that I didn't feel that "guilt" of keeping others back nor did I start off my run with that negative self-talk telling me how slow I was and how I will never be able to keep up with the runners ahead of me.
Ange had to stop me a few times on the run... telling me "not to talk or think like that" when she would catch me starting with the negative talk. She told me I would be so happy once I finished the run and should be proud of accomplishing it.
And she was right.
In the end, I was proud. And BOY did that lemon-lime freezy, followed by a cool beer, followed by a cool shower ever feel FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC.
Ange was bringing her son to his swimming lesson after the run and was sweet enough to post some food for thought on my facebook page. She told me when she headed to Westboro, she decided to "out of curiosity" see how far 9kms felt in the car. It took her driving from our neighbourhood all the way to Dovercourt to get to the 9k distance.
That's pretty darned cool. :)
I, along with the HUGE help of my friend and super-star ego-booster Ange, ran a 9k.
In distance, this seems puny compared to the rest of the distance accomplishments my friends achieved this past Sunday, but to me... this WAS like running my own marathon.
Even now, I still find myself fighting the mind games that go along with this run:
I "only" ran 9k... no, I RAN 9k... when many others did not run at all!
My time was not even worth mentioning... NO, I ran 9k in 1:18 including a pee break at the library.
My hamstring began throwing spasms once every km or so after passing (about) the 4k mark... BUT I COMPENSATED AND KEPT GOING.
There were hills I didn't expect which excuses the time... I FOUGHT TO GET UP THOSE HILLS NO MATTER HOW SLOW A JOG IT TOOK ME.
Most importantly, we increased our speed (if only by a little) for the last 300 meters.
WE FINISHED STRONG.
I purposefully left my bus pass at home.
I purposefully planned a route that would take me on a big loop and would not give me any options of cutting the run short (unless I wanted to go up big hills... no thanks!).
I purposefully ensured I had company on my run (and good company at that!)
I purposefully avoided the running room so that I didn't feel that "guilt" of keeping others back nor did I start off my run with that negative self-talk telling me how slow I was and how I will never be able to keep up with the runners ahead of me.
Ange had to stop me a few times on the run... telling me "not to talk or think like that" when she would catch me starting with the negative talk. She told me I would be so happy once I finished the run and should be proud of accomplishing it.
And she was right.
In the end, I was proud. And BOY did that lemon-lime freezy, followed by a cool beer, followed by a cool shower ever feel FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC.
Ange was bringing her son to his swimming lesson after the run and was sweet enough to post some food for thought on my facebook page. She told me when she headed to Westboro, she decided to "out of curiosity" see how far 9kms felt in the car. It took her driving from our neighbourhood all the way to Dovercourt to get to the 9k distance.
That's pretty darned cool. :)
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Recoup
Last week my family was sick with colds the majority of the week.
I was bound and determined to stay healthy... at least until after my race on Sunday.
Saturday morning, I had one KILLER of a headache, but with the help of extra strength Advil and a nap, I seemed to have been able to clear it in time for the run on Sunday.
Like clockwork, on Monday, I could feel my body succumbing to phlem and fatigue. On Tuesday morning, I took the day off work because I felt so rotten. I slept until noon, and then ate lunch in bed while catching up on Castle and Bones.
I could feel the goo (as my daughter calls it) in my lungs and quickly went and renewed my Advair (asthma inhaler) prescription and started taking it as a precautionary so this virus doesn't get too cozy and decide to play house in my lungs.
Today, I was supposed to run hills but and hesitant given my lungs not feeling 100%. Instead, I'll run a rolling route in my neighbourhood that begins going down, but also comes back up, only at a less obnoxious of a vertical than the hills I saw Sunday (or would see tonight were I to go to Westboro). The other important thing about the route tonight... It is easily changed on a whim. If I feel things are getting a bit too laboured, I can always cut it a bit shorter.
I am learning to be nice to my body; to respect and accept its occasional limitations - what a concept!
I was bound and determined to stay healthy... at least until after my race on Sunday.
Saturday morning, I had one KILLER of a headache, but with the help of extra strength Advil and a nap, I seemed to have been able to clear it in time for the run on Sunday.
Like clockwork, on Monday, I could feel my body succumbing to phlem and fatigue. On Tuesday morning, I took the day off work because I felt so rotten. I slept until noon, and then ate lunch in bed while catching up on Castle and Bones.
I could feel the goo (as my daughter calls it) in my lungs and quickly went and renewed my Advair (asthma inhaler) prescription and started taking it as a precautionary so this virus doesn't get too cozy and decide to play house in my lungs.
Today, I was supposed to run hills but and hesitant given my lungs not feeling 100%. Instead, I'll run a rolling route in my neighbourhood that begins going down, but also comes back up, only at a less obnoxious of a vertical than the hills I saw Sunday (or would see tonight were I to go to Westboro). The other important thing about the route tonight... It is easily changed on a whim. If I feel things are getting a bit too laboured, I can always cut it a bit shorter.
I am learning to be nice to my body; to respect and accept its occasional limitations - what a concept!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)