Easy does it

I went running last night for the first time in what felt like a very long time (in reality, it had only been about a week). The weather had made a turn (again - really Mother Nature, this IS getting a bit silly) from nasty hot and it-hurts-to-breathe-while-walking-humid to a bit less humid, with a really REALLY nice breeze.

Now that I am aware of the raining, cool weather we will endure today, I totally get it. Last night though, I just really REALLY felt like I needed to take advantage and get.out.there.

I posted an accountability status on my FB profile of

"I.MUST.GET.OUT.RUNNING.TONIGHT"

and got the response I had hoped for. A handful of my runner friends who now knew I hoped to get out there and were guaranteed to follow up if they didn't see the post that shows up automatically via dailymile.com stating I had indeed gone out.

It was not until 8:20p.m that I finally stepped into my trusty runner and headed out for my run of "around 4.5k".

I wasn't as organised as usual, and hadn't looked at any of my maps. I was going blind, in some ways, and having to estimate the distance using one of the routes around my house.

Lucky for me, I remembered mapping out a large square-ish route going down my usual hilly road, but then heading west towards my old neighbourhood before turning back up and running a steady incline for 1.5k and then heading back home. I remembered it being somewhere between 4 and 5k (it ended up being 4.75k).

As usual, it took the first km to shaky the cobwebs off the old muscles, catch my breath, find my pace and then sit back and start enjoying my run. I found the air still heavy and my pace was ajusted accordingly. And when I turned that corner and felt a wonderful breeze blowing over my face, instead of cursing the headwind I would have to deal with while running uphill for the next 1.5k, I smiled and thought of how nice it felt.

And to the nice man who ran by me up that hill while I was on my walk break and gave me a good pace to mimic when I restarted my run, I thank you. You are what kept me going in the right direction and at the right speed halfway up that hill (before you turned around, obviously finished with your run). When you passed me, I thought you were running fast and stong and it made me feel the same when I could match your stride with relative ease.

All in all, the run was nowhere near a "good" time, but it WAS invigorating and I am so very happy to have gotten out that door.

This weekend, I hope to tackle 10k again. I have been offered a chance to run in a night race in the middle of July (go here to check it out) and that will be my first timed official 10k... so I want to get at least 2 more runs in for that distance before that!

Reaching...

This weather is killing me. Okay - that MAY be a bit of an exageration, but it IS killing any roll I was on with my training. Humidity and I have a long standing feud with each other. The heavy air makes it feel like I have a 20 pound weight crazy glued on my chest - making it hard to breath even when I am sedetary. You can imagine, running in this weather is not an option with this gal. So, in the past 2 weeks, I have managed 2 short runs and 1 yoga class and there is no reason why that can't be increased. But between the humidex and the thunderstorms in the forecast for this next week, I am trying to find other ways to reach my beloved endorphin buzz. In addition to the couple of shorter evening (cooler) runs I hope to be able to fit in, I hope to take a trip to our local swimming pool and see how I do with some swimming lengths. It has been a while since I have had the opportunity to swim laps and with all the triathalon talk I have been hearing as of late, I would love to see what I can do! Also, I will continue with my plank challenge (for those who aren't "in the know", this includes a month's worth of planks starting at 20 seconds and increasing up to 4.5 minutes). I'm currently at 2 minutes and almost halfway there! It is a really short daily exercise that makes you feel like you accomplish a lot in a short period of time. Something else I want to try soon: biking to work. It is only around 15 km from my work to my house and I am pretty confident that my legs could get me there... the fact that I also have a shower at my use at work makes this all the more inticing to me. :)

"Momma, I wanna RUN with you!"

My heart melted a little as those words came out of my daughter's mouth while we headed out the door to get to the race earlier than the 2 dads and the kids. To hear my daughter day that makes it all the more worth it. I am successfully teaching my daughter how important, fun and rewarding exercise can be. She WANTS to exercise with me - and it fills my heart with joy. Unfortunately, today's race was not exactly appropriate for her to accompany me. Sarah, Pascale and I were running our first (and not last, I suspect) Colour Run. A child friendly race, yes, but one I wanted to run with my girlfriends. For as much as she says she doesn't enjoy it, Sarah is a great runner with wonderful long legs that make her stride beautifully long and graceful... not to mention fast. I don't get to run with her often because it is very difficult for her to run at my, errr, pace. Pascale began the C25k after hearing I was planning on coming to Montreal to run this race. She decided it sounded fun and that she wanted to try. She too said she didn't like running; but yesterday, she told me she had changed her mind and now actually ENJOYS it. Although there was absolutely NO peer pressure involved, I still think it is pretty great that she feel like she should thank ME for getting her started. Since the race is very much a fun run (you run through colour stations at every kilometer or so and so in addition to running, there is also a lot of walking, skipping and dancing along the race route. It is NOT timed and most everyone involved has smiles on their faces the whole time. Once the race was over, we celebrated by brigning some colour "bombs" to our kids; who were waiting for us at the end of the race route. Then they were able to throw colour at us as well as at the other racers who were just about to complete their races too. AND, Madie got to run with her momma too. As I arrived to their watching spot, she asked again and I was happy to comply. I took her hand and ran about 400 meters with her; and it was great. This is a race I really plan to repeat - hopefully, as a family event. It was SO.MUCH.FUN. I loved just getting out there, running as much as you could (again, lots of "dodging" involved when there are that many people!) and having fun getting all coloured up along the way and not having to worry about time or pace. It really is freeing to not look at that watch when running.

back in the saddle

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!

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. :)

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.

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 more happy 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!) :)