After the half marathon on the 16th, I took things easy the rest of the week. I did a couple of short runs but my hip was bothering me. I ended up going out of town on the week-end to visit my parents and purposely didn't bring any workout gear with me so I would take a rest break.
That seemed to be exactly what I needed. Sunday I came home and went out for a run. One of my goals for the year is to lower my 5K PR to 38 minutes. I did run/walk intervals of 3/1. My run intervals were between 6.26min/km and 7.25min/km and I hit 5km at 37 minutes and 59 seconds. Hopefully I can repeat this at Saturday's race.
When I got home, I did 40 minutes of stretching which seemed to help work out all of the lingering kinks.
Monday evening, I went back to my buddy Tony Horton and did P90X Back & Biceps and followed up with Ab Ripper X. Ouch. I've been neglecting my weight training in the final weeks of half marathon training so I was quite sore afterwards.
Pouring rain when I got home last night so I hung out with my other Beach Body friend Charlene and did Fire 30 followed by more stretching.
So back into regular workout routine and feeling good.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Scotiabank Waterfront Half Marathon 2011 Recap
3 days later and I'm still collecting my thoughts on my first half marathon. Its kind of a blur.
Pre Race
I got up at 5:30 which ended up being about 20 minutes too early. Had a shower to wake up, ate a bagel with jam and juice for breakfast. Headed off for the blue line buses to get downtown. Noticed other runners on the bus which was fun.
Conveniently, the start line was directly outside of one of the locations I work at so I hung out inside. No porta potties or bag check for me (thank goodness cause the bag check situation turned into a two hour nightmare for a lot of people). Filled my water belt, called my husband to say hello, ate a cliff bar.
I headed out to the start corrals twenty minutes before the start and thankfully I allowed myself a bit of time as I went completely the wrong way and ended up walking around for 15 minutes to get to my proper corral.
I hate being in start corrals by myself, but I just took the time to take in the whole atmosphere. I was chilly in my t-shirt. Next time I need to bring a throwaway sweater.
Race
Being in the slowest corral, it was 15 minutes after the official start that I finally crossed the start line. There was a good crowd along the first stretch which was fun.
I was super pumped up and on a bit of a adrenaline high for the first three kilometres. I loved running down front street as I normally walk that route to go to work.
I hit the 5km mark in 40 minutes so I knew I was on my 8min/km pace.
Around 8km, my left hip starting hurting during my walk breaks.
I was super happy to reach the turnaround point around 12km at Windermere. Turns out one of my staff was around there but I didn't see her.
The volunteers and spectators were great. I enjoyed the signs along the course and the encouragement from random people at the side of the road.
I walked up every hill to conserve energy and I walked between kilometre 19 and 21. My hip was hurting, my feet hurt, my right knee felt wonky. I had a cup of Gatorade at the last water stop and that gave me a bit of energy.
When I turned onto Bay street, I was determined the run the rest of the way. I took out my earphones so I could hear the crowds and get the full experience. I saw my parents and my husband around the 300 metres to go mark. They were yelling and waving.
This is when I started to get emotional. I started thinking how when I started running in March 2010, 3 km was super tough and all I wanted to do was get to my first 5km race. I remembered limping the 10 minute walk to the subway station in 2008 when my arthritis was at its worse. I thought about how happy I was when I got the okay to start working out again in 2009 and I was able to get on an exercise bike for 15 minutes at a time. And here I am now, about to finish my first half marathon.
I crossed the finish line with a chip time of 2hrs 50 minutes and 45 seconds. Not a great time for most people but I'm super proud of it. Got my medal, picked up a bottle of water, a bagel and a bottle of Gatorade. Saw the ridiculous crowds at bag check and snuck out through an opening in the fence. Found my family and headed home.
I loved every minute of this race. It was tough, the food selection at the finish line was lame and the weather wasn't ideal but it's always going to be one of the highlights of my life.
Pre Race
I got up at 5:30 which ended up being about 20 minutes too early. Had a shower to wake up, ate a bagel with jam and juice for breakfast. Headed off for the blue line buses to get downtown. Noticed other runners on the bus which was fun.
Conveniently, the start line was directly outside of one of the locations I work at so I hung out inside. No porta potties or bag check for me (thank goodness cause the bag check situation turned into a two hour nightmare for a lot of people). Filled my water belt, called my husband to say hello, ate a cliff bar.
I headed out to the start corrals twenty minutes before the start and thankfully I allowed myself a bit of time as I went completely the wrong way and ended up walking around for 15 minutes to get to my proper corral.
I hate being in start corrals by myself, but I just took the time to take in the whole atmosphere. I was chilly in my t-shirt. Next time I need to bring a throwaway sweater.
Race
Being in the slowest corral, it was 15 minutes after the official start that I finally crossed the start line. There was a good crowd along the first stretch which was fun.
I was super pumped up and on a bit of a adrenaline high for the first three kilometres. I loved running down front street as I normally walk that route to go to work.
I hit the 5km mark in 40 minutes so I knew I was on my 8min/km pace.
Around 8km, my left hip starting hurting during my walk breaks.
I was super happy to reach the turnaround point around 12km at Windermere. Turns out one of my staff was around there but I didn't see her.
The volunteers and spectators were great. I enjoyed the signs along the course and the encouragement from random people at the side of the road.
I walked up every hill to conserve energy and I walked between kilometre 19 and 21. My hip was hurting, my feet hurt, my right knee felt wonky. I had a cup of Gatorade at the last water stop and that gave me a bit of energy.
When I turned onto Bay street, I was determined the run the rest of the way. I took out my earphones so I could hear the crowds and get the full experience. I saw my parents and my husband around the 300 metres to go mark. They were yelling and waving.
This is when I started to get emotional. I started thinking how when I started running in March 2010, 3 km was super tough and all I wanted to do was get to my first 5km race. I remembered limping the 10 minute walk to the subway station in 2008 when my arthritis was at its worse. I thought about how happy I was when I got the okay to start working out again in 2009 and I was able to get on an exercise bike for 15 minutes at a time. And here I am now, about to finish my first half marathon.
I crossed the finish line with a chip time of 2hrs 50 minutes and 45 seconds. Not a great time for most people but I'm super proud of it. Got my medal, picked up a bottle of water, a bagel and a bottle of Gatorade. Saw the ridiculous crowds at bag check and snuck out through an opening in the fence. Found my family and headed home.
I loved every minute of this race. It was tough, the food selection at the finish line was lame and the weather wasn't ideal but it's always going to be one of the highlights of my life.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Day Before
Saturday = rest day. I did all of my errands and running around yesterday afternoon so today I'm going to relax, eat properly and get ready for Sunday morning. I have pasta for dinner, Downton Abbey and Spirit of the Marathon on DVD.
After my MRI yesterday, I hit up race kit pick up and the expo.
Besides the shirt and bag, the race kit wasn't too exciting. A juice box, a mini cliff bar and the usual flyers. I like the shirt though. Fits alright and I like that there is a different shirt for each distance (the marathon shirt looks the best. As it should).
I wandered around the expo for a bit. I didn't end up buying anything except for a renewal on Canadian Running magazine. I did stop by the Run Disney booth and picked up a brochure. They did have all of their medals out including the goofy medal. I felt kind of emotional holding it. Sigh. Someday.
Race Goals
My goal tomorrow is to finish strong. I'm expecting to finish in about 3 hours which is slow yes, but its realistic for me. Signing up for this half marathon was (and still is) so far out of my comfort zone. This is the first of what will hopefully be many half marathons so there's lots of time to work on speed and times later. First one is always a PR!
After my MRI yesterday, I hit up race kit pick up and the expo.
Besides the shirt and bag, the race kit wasn't too exciting. A juice box, a mini cliff bar and the usual flyers. I like the shirt though. Fits alright and I like that there is a different shirt for each distance (the marathon shirt looks the best. As it should).
I wandered around the expo for a bit. I didn't end up buying anything except for a renewal on Canadian Running magazine. I did stop by the Run Disney booth and picked up a brochure. They did have all of their medals out including the goofy medal. I felt kind of emotional holding it. Sigh. Someday.
Race Goals
My goal tomorrow is to finish strong. I'm expecting to finish in about 3 hours which is slow yes, but its realistic for me. Signing up for this half marathon was (and still is) so far out of my comfort zone. This is the first of what will hopefully be many half marathons so there's lots of time to work on speed and times later. First one is always a PR!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Almost There
This evening I did my last pre-race run. 3 km at 5/1 run/walk intervals. I decided to do a shorter distance so I could push it a bit.
I'm focusing on healthy eats, lots of water, rest. I've upped my calories for the week. The focus is on fueling for Sunday, not weight loss.
I'm hoping to get to the race expo tomorrow afternoon but I had a last minute MRI scheduled. My rheumy has sent me for an ultrasound and an MRI for my feet and hands to see if I have any inflammation that she can't see in my x-rays. My hands have been feeling good but my feet hurt on and off. I am concerned that she'll tell me to lay off the running but I'm not going to dwell on that.
I'm focusing on healthy eats, lots of water, rest. I've upped my calories for the week. The focus is on fueling for Sunday, not weight loss.
I'm hoping to get to the race expo tomorrow afternoon but I had a last minute MRI scheduled. My rheumy has sent me for an ultrasound and an MRI for my feet and hands to see if I have any inflammation that she can't see in my x-rays. My hands have been feeling good but my feet hurt on and off. I am concerned that she'll tell me to lay off the running but I'm not going to dwell on that.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
4 days
I'm getting super nervous.
My last long run was two and a half weeks ago. What if I can't run further then 10 km??
Everyone at work is coughing. I don't want to get sick!!
My feet have been achy. What if my arthritis flares up??
I skipped my run today!! Because of rain!! I'm a wimpy runner!!
I had two different marathon anxiety dreams last night. One I was late to the race and the other I lost my shoes and had to run in my socks.
At the same time, I'm super pumped. I'm looking forward to the race expo and picking up my race kit. I'm excited about being in the start corrals with a ton of other people. Really excited for the finish line and getting a medal. Its the in between start line and finish line that's more of an unknown.
My last long run was two and a half weeks ago. What if I can't run further then 10 km??
Everyone at work is coughing. I don't want to get sick!!
My feet have been achy. What if my arthritis flares up??
I skipped my run today!! Because of rain!! I'm a wimpy runner!!
I had two different marathon anxiety dreams last night. One I was late to the race and the other I lost my shoes and had to run in my socks.
At the same time, I'm super pumped. I'm looking forward to the race expo and picking up my race kit. I'm excited about being in the start corrals with a ton of other people. Really excited for the finish line and getting a medal. Its the in between start line and finish line that's more of an unknown.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
7 Days
I'm on a bit of a countdown to the half marathon. Its pretty much all I can think about right now.
Yesterday - ran 10 km. I started out too quick which came back to bite me later. At one point I looked down at my garmin and realized I was at a 5:30m/km pace. Um, no. My overall pace wound up at 8:02/km which is where I want to be right now for longer distances. I'm expecting to be more around 8:30m/km at the actual race.
When I got home, I stretched a bit. I have a pain in the muscle of my left leg which is a bit worrisome but it only seems to hurt if I put pressure on it.
I picked up a couple of books for motivation.
"No Need for Speed" and "Accidental Athlete" both by John "The Penguin" Bingham. I think of myself as a bit of penguin so these are both right up my alley.
On today's agenda - rest and pie baking. Yum yum. Pie won't get eaten though until tomorrow night at my parents' house.
Yesterday - ran 10 km. I started out too quick which came back to bite me later. At one point I looked down at my garmin and realized I was at a 5:30m/km pace. Um, no. My overall pace wound up at 8:02/km which is where I want to be right now for longer distances. I'm expecting to be more around 8:30m/km at the actual race.
When I got home, I stretched a bit. I have a pain in the muscle of my left leg which is a bit worrisome but it only seems to hurt if I put pressure on it.
I picked up a couple of books for motivation.
"No Need for Speed" and "Accidental Athlete" both by John "The Penguin" Bingham. I think of myself as a bit of penguin so these are both right up my alley.
On today's agenda - rest and pie baking. Yum yum. Pie won't get eaten though until tomorrow night at my parents' house.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
8 days….
8 days left until my first half marathon.
Eeeek!!
I’ve been taking things easy this week. I ran 5K on Tuesday then 6ish on Thursday. I have a 10K planned for later today.
I am kind of freaking out a bit and really want to do another 20K run to cement in my mind that I can do this, but I’ve read enough magazine articles to trust the taper that’s in my training plan.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
September in Review
Total Distance Ran: 115.99 km
Longest Distance: 19.74 km
Best pace: 7.47/km
September was a monumental month for me, running wise. I pushed myself both in terms of distance and in terms of speed. While 7.47/km is slow for most people, its heading in the right direction for me.
What’s Ahead in October:
- Thanksgiving (yay!)
- Half Marathon
- Last 5K of the year
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