I Did It!

Very happy to see my boyfriend cheering me on at 12 km

At this time last week I wasn't so sure that I would be writing my post half marathon blog. Fortunately though I managed to almost fully  recover from my cold in time for the big run on Sunday.  I woke up that day feeling excited but nervous. Actually, I'm pretty sure I was shaking.

Weather wise it was a gorgeous day for a run and the course starting at U.B.C., and ending up at Stanley Park, was beautiful. I highly recommend this half marathon to anyone who is thinking of doing one.

The first 5 km or so were in the sun and I was hot and not quite feeling like my energy levels were back to normal after my cold.  However, once we got in to the shade a bit, and a few clouds rolled in, I started to feel okay. 

The physio exercises and IMS I have been doing must have really helped because my hip was not a problem at all.  Unfortunately though a little twist of my ankle, while walking a few weeks ago, came back to haunt me and my ankle was quite sore throughout the run.  I had to stop a few times to stretch so it wouldn't completely tighten up.

From 12 to 16 km I felt alright.  When I started tiring around 16.5 km I decided to tell myself that I had just started running and that I was heading out for a short 5 km jog. Anything to get me to the finish line!  The volunteers and supporters cheering on the streets of Kitsilano were a huge boost to my spirits at that time.  So to all of you who came out to cheer your friends, family members, and complete strangers, a big "thank you."

The tough part of the run came around 17 km, when I incorrectly thought that we were running straight down Cornwall and on to the Burrard Bridge.  When I realized the course took us winding through the Kits Point neighbourhood instead, and I wasn't as close to the finish as I thought I was, it was a bit of a mental blow.  I also started to feel kind of cold and "out of body like." I think my week of being sick was catching up with me and I may have overdosed on Gu and Gel Blasts. :)  But..... I pushed on, ran up and over the Burrard Bridge, and made my way to the finish line with the help of the  Beastie Boys, "Sabotage" blasting in my ears.:)  Crossing the finish line was amazing and having friends and family there made it that much better.  My time was 2:19 and I'm happy with that for a first time effort.

2014 Fragile X Team

I wanted to say congratulations to everyone on the Fragile X Team for running and for such an amazing fundraising effort.  I am so happy that we surpassed our fundraising goal of $20,000!!  Thanks again to everyone who supported me and donated to the Fragile X Research Foundation.

This experience of training for, and running, the Scotiabank half marathon has been a big challenge but I feel mentally and physically great for having done it. After five days of rest and some much needed yoga (stairs were a problem for a few days) I find myself wanting to get out there and run again. Maybe just a short one though.   I do need to keep my training going so that I'm ready for my second half marathon in the fall. 

Mission Accomplished! :)

Wow! What an awesome race, with beautiful weather, fabulous volunteers and awesome post-race refreshments and entertainment!  Thank you Scotiabank, Asics and Canadian Running Series for putting on such a world class event. This was my first time running a half marathon in downtown Vancouver and now I definitely see why people travel from all over to run this spectacular route! Enjoying the beautiful scenery, being cheered on by the wonderful volunteers and cheering squads definitely helped to keep me going!!



SAS Team. Photograph by Own The Moment Photography

This was my second time tackling a half marathon and I am not going to lie, this time around felt much more physically and mentally challenging than my first race. Yet it has proven to be an excellent learning experience for me as I continue to strive to make running a lifestyle!

Unfortunately I did not beat my PB this time around, however I am happy with my chip time of 2:11:57 and I really enjoyed focusing on the experience of the race rather than my time. I have learned so much from my training this year and am excited to apply it to my next race. I learned that nutrition is key and this is something that I need further education on. I did not adequately fuel my body this time around (even though I thought I did) and I paid for it!!!  I also struggled with an injury during training which taught me the importance of rest, stretching, and healing. Lastly I am (still) learning to pace myself in the beginning of the race. I AGAIN started off a little too quickly (not as much as the Modo 8km Race, but still too fast), which resulted in me walking quite a bit more than I had planned on. You learn through your mistakes…. And I look forward to incorporating these changes as I strive towards my running goals.

I want to take this opportunity to say a BIG thank you to all of the event sponsors, specifically Scotiabank and Asics for putting on a fantastic event and providing us with amazing Asics gear. I also want to thank all the people who voted for me to have the awesome experience of being a “Joe Runner”; to everyone who sponsored Servants Anonymous Society and helped raise valuable funds to assist vulnerable women and youth in our community; to all the supporting sponsors that were fuelling us after the race; the musical talents along the course; and last but not least all of the volunteers and cheering squads on the side lines. You are such an integral part of making a race successful, motivating runners, and keeping the spirit alive during the race. Thank you all so much, your smiles and words of encouragement made all the difference!!!

I have thoroughly enjoyed being able to share my personal running journey, meet wonderful people, run in a world-class event and raise money for an amazing cause! I wish you all the best in your personal running journeys and hope to see you at the next race!

Happy Running :)

Final Stretch!

T-minus 5 days. How are you feeling? I am experiencing a mixture of emotions. Some days I think I am not ready, while other days I feel like nothing could stop me (those days rock).  My tapering has been going well and I have had some nice, continuous runs where I did not need to stop and walk, however my min/km is quite a bit slower than it was last year. I would love to beat my PB on Sunday, yet I am being realistic that I may not and I am slowly accepting this. I am working on focusing on the experience of the race and staying injury free so I can continue running after the race….which has really been challenging due to my competitive streak.   

 

 

As the finish line is in sight, I am happy to have that little extra inspiration from people in my life to keep pushing me through those days when self-doubt creeps in. Like my boss who just completed the Ride to Conquer Cancer – riding her bike over 200 kms in 2 days!!! That is amazing….my tush hurts just thinking about it!! My Mom and Dad, both 60 years old, annihilating their first 10 km race finishing just over the 53 minute mark! And my sister Aly, whose passion for fitness is contagious and inspires me daily to lead a healthier, active lifestyle.  

 Also, the women at Servants Anonymous Surrey, who day in and day out continue to grow, heal and overcome the oppression and exploitation they have endured, inspire me to keep going. Getting to know some of these amazing women and training with them over the last few weeks has been wonderful and I am so excited for them to run their first race this weekend!  

 Witnessing others struggle, persevere and conquer their goals, is amazing motivation and inspiration. If they can do it…I can do it and if I can do it…you can do it!  See you Race Day :)

Happy Running!

 

6 Days, 1 Bad Cold

It is six days to the Scotiabank Half Marathon and unfortunately I am facing another obstacle. My training, and managing my injuries, was going really well.  However, this past Friday I came down with a bad cold that still has me spending most of my days lying on the couch.  I was supposed to do my last long run of 15 km on Saturday but wasn't able to.  I haven't run since last Thursday, which has me freaking out a bit.  So much for tapering off my running.  Instead I have come to an abrupt halt :)  Mostly, I'm just worried that I won't be better by Sunday.  I've worked pretty hard and have put in many kilometers so I will be heart broken if I'm not healthy enough to run my best on Sunday. I guess there is no sense stressing too much as that isn't going to help me get better.  One day at a time. :)

My nephew Oliver at Crescent Beach

Thank you to everyone who has sponsored and supported me so far! For those of you who have not yet had a chance to donate, there is still plenty of time for you to go to my fundraising page and donate to the Fragile X Research Foundation.  Sick or not I will be out running on Sunday. :) Thanks!!

Taper Time!

I can’t believe we are less than 2 weeks away to the Scotiabank Half Marathon! Are you ready?

 

This past weekend I had a great training weekend. I hiked up Dog Mountain with a close friend of mine early Saturday morning and then completed my last long run of 19kms early Sunday morning. I felt fantastic! It was such a beautiful weekend and it was so nice to be able to get outside, de-stress and enjoy everything that BC has to offer!

 

Dog Mountain XT day :)

 

My long run went quite well with my hip only beginning to pain around the 16km point. All that stretching I have been doing is paying off! I am however feeling very physically tired this week – I think this is because I have not been as diligent in ensuring my body receives the proper nutrition to fuel my runs. This is something I am still learning about. I have read about nutrition and running, however sometimes I find it to be overwhelming as there are so many different pieces of advice out there and I do not know where to start.  If anyone has any resources surrounding nutrition and running please let me know as this is something I need to gain a better understanding of. 

 

Now that we are just over 10 days out its Taper Time. These are two of my favourite weeks of training because it means the finish line is drawing near and I am one step closer to completing my goal. Such an awesome feeling, I cannot wait to cross the finish line!

 

Happy Running! :)

Running with Dogs

Have you ever thought about jogging with your dog? It is an awesome way for you and your dog to get exercise, bond, and keep you feeling safe on those early morning runs! I love running with my dogs, Titan, a Siberian Husky/German Sheppard and Zeus, an American Stafford Mix.

At first I found it a little challenging, managing the leashes, poo stops and squirrel encounters, however over time it became easier, we got into a routine and we are able to run quite well together. If you have ever thought about Running with your dog here are some key “Do and Do Nots” that I have learned along the way:

DO keep them hydrated and watch for heat stroke. Run with the dogs early in the morning or later at night. If your dog becomes sluggish, is panting heavily, has glazed eyes and/or is foaming at the mouth, he needs to cool down. Educate yourself on the signs and symptoms and carry water!

DO know your dog’s limits. I know that I can run Titan (the husky mix) on 15-20 kms runs, however I know Zeus (the American Stafford sausage roll) will max out at 7kms. Research your dog’s breed to see if they are good breeds for jogging.  

DO invest in a good handsfree leash. Honestly AMANZING! you have so much more control over the dogs, and your hands are free to carry a water bottle. Check out irondoggy.com for a great leash.

DO NOT bring on bad karma. Scoop the Poop. Be prepared, bring poo bags, and take a minute to pick it up. This is definitely one of the annoying parts of running with your dogs, but it is what it is. Don’t ruin your neighbours shoes and morning....

DO NOT feed your dog crazy amounts of food/treats the night before – have you ever tried to pick up diarrhea and have to run with it to the next garbage can – GROSS! I learned that one the hard way.

DO NOT let your dog rule the run. There are other places that you can bring your dog for them to release additional energy. This is your run that you are bringing the dogs on. To be successful running with your dog you have to be the leader and ensure that the dog follows your lead. 

These are a few things that I have learned along the way.  I hope if you consider running with your dog these tips may help!

 

Happy Running!  

Nineteen!

Pre 19km run in my Asics gear:)

Running has been going really well the last couple of weeks. I have had some big successes in terms of getting in the distances I need to in order to feel more confident about doing 21 km on race day.   I have been able to get out with the Forerunners group the last two weekends, which has been really good for my training. I've had the pleasure to run with some super nice, supportive people.

I have to say I was very nervous going out with them for the first time as they were doing 17 km that day and the longest I had done was a 15 km run/walk.  We pretty much ran the whole distance aside from a water stop around the 10km mark.  While I was exhausted after and had a bit of an upset stomach (this seems to be a problem for me on long runs), my body actually felt pretty good.

Some of the Forerunners gang at the 10 km water station

After celebrating that success I spent the next 7 days worrying about the 19 km run that I did yesterday.  I found it hard to enjoy the first week of my vacation knowing I had that run on the horizon.  The run yesterday morning was hot and felt really long but I'm so happy I did it!  I have discovered that one of the breaking points for me on these longs runs is around 10 to 12 km.  I start really wanting to stop.  However, because I had people to run with,  and try to keep pace with,  I managed to push through without any breaks other than our one water station stop.  It was tough getting up the three flights of stairs to my apartment after but today I feel great.  Just three weeks to the big day!

Getting Anxious....

The past week I have been struggling with some feelings of anxiety. With the race in less than a month, I am feeling less prepared than I was last year at my first half marathon. Some of my more experienced running friends have shared that they found their second half marathon to almost be harder than their first as they knew what they were getting into.  

I must say I am feeling as though this may be happening to me.  I remember last year at my first half I was nervous and anxious, but it was a different ‘unknown/excited’ type of anxiousness. This year it is more of a ‘oh crap, I know what is coming and I feel as though I am not ready’ kind of anxiousness.

 

This year I have also struggled with injuries and sickness which I had not experienced last year. This has definitely impacted my training and how prepared I feel.  So I am trying not to panic and stick with my plan. I still hope to beat my time from last year (2:05:17), however I am trying to not get hung up on that, and just enjoy the experience while continuing to stay healthy!

Back in the Swing of Things

Where did May go? It seemed to sail by fast--with a few races at the start of the month, giving way to Victoria Day, and the unofficial start of summer the long weekend represents. Somewhere as the sun was popping out (for good?) in Vancouver, I came down with an awful stomach flu. I'll pass on the specifics, but to say, I didn't feel like eating, never mind running!

Still, my routine has gotten to a point that I expect--like it or not--to run 3-5 days a week. Not running for over a week? It felt unnatural and after a week lying about indoors, I pushed myself outside for a light jog. I never expected, even with a few races behind me, that running would become part of my day--not running made my time home sick so stark and reminded me how running has quickly become an important anchor throughout my days. And now that the weather is nice, increasingly, running outside is a chance to get away from the desk and clear my head--if only temporarily.

Running after a stomach flu calls to attention the need to hydrate, though. When you're as sick as I was, you're already really dehydrated to begin with--so I've been drinking more electrolyte drinks, more water, before, during, and after my runs. Hydration is important in the best of cases, so I've had to plan a bit more before my runs to make sure I've had enough to drink, and have water to take with me for longer distances. With less than 4 weeks until the Scotiabank Half Marathon, every kilometre and every litre makes a difference toward a healthy and happy race day.

Hot or Cold, Rain or Shine

The weather is one of those variables runners can't control. Training schedules can't always be put on hold for a blue sky day. I obviously love running on sunny days. However, one thing I have discovered lately with our changeable Spring weather is that my body seems to prefer running on cooler, and dare I say it, even rainy days.

A rainy Sunday run

Selfie attempt

While many Vancouver runners were out doing the half or full marathon a couple of Sundays ago, I was lying in bed trying to convince myself to get out and run in that pouring rain. After walking a lap around my bed I convinced myself that my "long run" couldn't wait for another day.  I made it out the door and was drenched within minutes but I ended up having one of my best 10 km runs to date.

The runs that I did on sunny evenings last week were quite the opposite of my successful rainy run.  Both runs were only about 5-6 km but they felt a lot longer and left me feeling drained.  I'm pretty sure the warm temperatures, in addition to seasonal allergies and the time of day that I ran, were all factors in those less than fantastic runs. 

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Monday night running route

On my "long run" day this week it was sunny so I intentionally headed out early in the morning to try and avoid having to run in the heat. I also recently bought a hydration belt, which I was so thankful for that day!! Having water and Gatorade on hand definitely helped me reach my goal of 15 km!!  I never thought I would be one of those people sporting a water belt. :)

By trial and error I'm learning what works for me so that I can run successfully in all kinds of weather.   I think that if I continue to train in different conditions I'll be well prepared to run the half marathon and the weather, be it rain or shine, will hopefully not be a factor in my performance.

That being said.....for race day I'm visualizing slightly cloudy skies with the sun breaking through just as I'm on the homeward stretch to the finish line. :)