My 2012 in running

In the middle of March, 2012, a friend of mine and I embarked upon a journey to start running. After completing the Couch to 5k program on our own, we ran our first race on Ottawa Race Weekend.

In retrospect, it was a miserable race to run as our first. There were somewhere in the range of 8000 people running the 5k that (very) hot afternoon and I felt somewhat defeated because due to the shear number of people running the race, I felt like I ran at least 1km longer than the 5k I had trained for just from dodging the many MANY walkers, people running intervals and either pushing their strollers or running alongside their dogs (both of which were clearly stated as not allowed on the race website). Eventhough April and I had run the race route 2 nights prior in a time of 35 minutes, I finished the race in a time of 41 (and change) and was admittedly disapointed. Nonetheless, I loved hearing that my children saw me cross the finish line and were chearing me on and so very proud that I crossed that line.

From there, April and I continued to train and signed up for our second race - the Kanata Canada Day 5k Road Race.

On July 1, 2012, I lined up at the start line with a much smaller crowd of 850 others, on a beautiful morning to run a mostly shaded route through the suburbs of Kanata Lakes. The route was awesome, but sadly, I was fighting to catch my breath the whole race and finished in just over 40 minutes. This was also the first race for Madie and Joshua - who both got to run the Tot Trott - a 200 meter sprint to the finish line - that occured once all the 5k and 10k racers finished. A couple days later, I found out I had run the race with what was to become a throat infection, bronchitis and a sinus infection.

I continued to run through the summer with my eyes set on the Race for the Cure at the end of September. I was running with a team and was running in the memory of Mark's aunt Ethel, who had passed away of cancer the year Madie was born. This was not a timed run, and to date, this would be my most cherished race so far.

The race was held on a misty Saturday on Joshua's first weekend of hockey. Mark was supposed to run with me, but because of Joshua's hockey schedule, I brought Madie and the joging stroller to run in his place. Dressed up in pink with temporary tattoos on our cheeks, we drove out to Tunney's Pasture with April and her son Nathan to meet up with the rest of the team. I had deciuded I wanted to run some of the race, and went ahead of the rest of our team - most of who were going to walk the 5k along side a cancer survivor who had been April's motivation to sign up for the race. I ran at a slow pace, and ran for around 1.5km until Madie poked her head out from under the stroller and asked if she could run along side me. I have never been so very proud in my life. She ran holding my hand, and then wanted her doll to "run" too - and bent over, moving the little legs of the Cabbage Patch Kid she had with her in the stroller. I don't know how long that race took me to finish; and it didn't matter. Becasue I did it with my daughter and for my daughter.

After that, April and I put out sights on our next race - the Resolution Run - to be our first 10k - on my 36th birthday. We signed up for the 10k Running Room Clinic in order to keep us motivated to run in our first Ottawa winter.

I got to week 3 of that training before I sprained my ankle (an injury which was done in a gym, but not while running). An injury which took almost 3 weeks to come back from, and preceded a back injury due compensation from the ankle injury that resulted in pain like nothing I had ever felt before. I was off work on sick leave for a whole month, and given a mixture of anti inflammatory meds, muscle relaxants and Percocet for the pain.

Finally, we are in the year 2013 and I have been given the green light to recommence my running. My plan is to rerun the C25k which started me on this running journey, and then restart the 10k running room program at the next start at the end of March. Between the two programs, I will build up my distance with half a 5k program which was provided to me by a new running friend.

Plans this year include a 5k at the end of April, an 8k at the end of May, the Spartan Race (a 5k and obstacle course) in the middle of June, and the Kanata Canada Day Road Race 10 k on July 1.

My non-running plan is to restart this blog, and bring you all along on for the ride.

I hope you will join me! :)