The last couple weeks have been nothing special. I was fighting a bug (thankfully feeling better now) and so I cut down a lot of my runs in order to get my energy back, and to save my legs and my health for Around the Bay on Sunday, so this post will be about Around the Bay
Around the Bay
The expo was awesome first of all, lots of elite athletes walking around. Seriously, the amount of Boston jackets there was inspiring, and intimidating. The race shirt was awesome ("Older than Boston!") and I bought a jacket, as well as a New Balance shirt that said "Excellence is measured one bay at a time" (which I totally wore on Monday- not nearly enough people commented on it for my liking, lol), and a technical t-shirt that says "I know I run like a girl- try to keep up" (love it right? I've come across the saying before- it inspired this blog). Afterwards my dad and I walked through Hessville in Hamilton and found this sketchy little Mexican dive bar that had the world's best burritos (including a tofu-vegetarian one!) and some fries- carbed up for the race!
The weather on Sunday was beautiful- cool and overcast, but warmed up as the day went on. No rain, a little bit of sun, but luckily the heat and the sun didn't hit until after we were done running. Dad and I had an awesome run- we finished in 3:50, which we were extremely happy with because as a training run we were going pretty slow and we expected to finish at 4:00 at the earliest. The first 10k consisted of us getting into our groove, and the second 10k flew by completely. Before we knew it we were at 20k and about to hit the hills. They were rolling hills through the suburbs of Burlington/Hamilton, and the big hill at 26k didn't even phase us too too much, because we thought that we weren't going to hit the big hill until 27/28k. The entire time we were running up the hill we thought we were going to hit a bigger one next- so mentally this one didn't seem so detrimental (but it was one hell of a hill- long and steep!)
The finish line was inside Copps Coliseum which is neat- first finish line I had experienced like that. Video footage of the finished line was being shown across the jumbotron over centre ice and my dad and I held hands and crossed the finish line together.
It was definitely the best training run by far (after all we did get a medal!) but we both felt good and strong and it was a nice change of pace from our usual tours of ajax. Though we lucked out extremely when it came to the weather, this run is definitely going on our list of races to run again.
As my dad and I were discussing- either we run in crappy weather at home, or we run in crappy weather in Hamilton and get a medal!!
Until next week!
2 months until the Marathon!
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
Week 8
Week 8
So I think there is what, only 10 more weeks left? Wow!
Let me just say that the 26km run my dad and I did yesterday was awesome! The absolutely gorgeous weather had us both in delightful moods as we dressed lightly and did our weekly running tour of ajax (touring central-south ajax this time, down by the lake, loop out to pickering, then a final loop around Rossland), and yes, both got a little sunburnt. I now have an awkward red line around my neck where the collar of my shirt was, and awkward burns on the backs of my calves where my capri running pants stopped.
We had a new tactic this week- drive to starbucks, park there and start our run. Meaning, when we finished three and a half hours later, we were only steps away from food, coffees, and bathrooms- definitely liking this plan. We sat for about 30 mins, discussed the run, and as always the case with runners- we talked about upcoming races, fueling strategies, calorie intake, etc.
When we both stood up 30 mins later lets just say we were both grunting and walking with some stiff legs. Causing the middle-aged stout chubby man and his equally out of shape looking wife sitting at the table next to us to say: "feeling stiff from your run? i feel your pain! I did a little bike ride yesterday and am going to run later today"... which prompted my dad to remark as soon as we were outside and out of hearing range "sure buddy- you look like you're 'feeling my pain'". Now I know runners come in all shapes and sizes. believe me, some of the people who ran past me during the marathon were people I never would have pegged as runners, much less running a marathon. But this man did not look like he was running more than 5k-if that. Which caused some grumbling from us as we waddled our way back to the car.
the runs were good this past week. Was tired during the 6k tempo- but still finished in 34.50 so still a time I'm very happy with. Had a beautiful day on wednesday- which made doing 5 hills that much easier (although mother nature was a bit of a bitch and decided to bring in a bit of a wind, after I had already gotten to the hill, so I was running into the wind every time I started to sprint uphill- which in turn meant I was cursing like a sailor as I ran up the hill. The people in the Volkswagon dealership on bailey probably think I'm bat-shit crazy. they all stare at me while they're outside having their smoke breaks).
My dad and I did a 10k steady run on friday, which started out nice but we quickly got caught in a snowstorm and came home laughing, dripping wet, with piles of snow on our heads and shoulder. Interesting how the weather switched from that on friday to where is was on sunday when we were wishing we were in shorts and a t-shirt towards the end because it was 15 degrees outside.
I'm excited for thursday- it's supposed to be 15 again or something like that! Time to bust out the shorts!
I always like being able to run in the spring after months of wearing thick layers, mitts, hats, scarves. I always feel lighter and faster. I can feel the warmth of the sun and everything is just so much happier. It also makes me want to buy some new runnning gear. Winter running gear isn't exciting, but warm weather gear is! Its always bright colours, light fabrics. Don't be surprised if I make a lulu lemon pit stop on my way home from school sometime in the next couple weeks!
Well I'm going to bed because I'm exhausted and I'm doing 6k tempo tomorrow- so I want to be well rested.
Night!!
So I think there is what, only 10 more weeks left? Wow!
Let me just say that the 26km run my dad and I did yesterday was awesome! The absolutely gorgeous weather had us both in delightful moods as we dressed lightly and did our weekly running tour of ajax (touring central-south ajax this time, down by the lake, loop out to pickering, then a final loop around Rossland), and yes, both got a little sunburnt. I now have an awkward red line around my neck where the collar of my shirt was, and awkward burns on the backs of my calves where my capri running pants stopped.
We had a new tactic this week- drive to starbucks, park there and start our run. Meaning, when we finished three and a half hours later, we were only steps away from food, coffees, and bathrooms- definitely liking this plan. We sat for about 30 mins, discussed the run, and as always the case with runners- we talked about upcoming races, fueling strategies, calorie intake, etc.
When we both stood up 30 mins later lets just say we were both grunting and walking with some stiff legs. Causing the middle-aged stout chubby man and his equally out of shape looking wife sitting at the table next to us to say: "feeling stiff from your run? i feel your pain! I did a little bike ride yesterday and am going to run later today"... which prompted my dad to remark as soon as we were outside and out of hearing range "sure buddy- you look like you're 'feeling my pain'". Now I know runners come in all shapes and sizes. believe me, some of the people who ran past me during the marathon were people I never would have pegged as runners, much less running a marathon. But this man did not look like he was running more than 5k-if that. Which caused some grumbling from us as we waddled our way back to the car.
the runs were good this past week. Was tired during the 6k tempo- but still finished in 34.50 so still a time I'm very happy with. Had a beautiful day on wednesday- which made doing 5 hills that much easier (although mother nature was a bit of a bitch and decided to bring in a bit of a wind, after I had already gotten to the hill, so I was running into the wind every time I started to sprint uphill- which in turn meant I was cursing like a sailor as I ran up the hill. The people in the Volkswagon dealership on bailey probably think I'm bat-shit crazy. they all stare at me while they're outside having their smoke breaks).
My dad and I did a 10k steady run on friday, which started out nice but we quickly got caught in a snowstorm and came home laughing, dripping wet, with piles of snow on our heads and shoulder. Interesting how the weather switched from that on friday to where is was on sunday when we were wishing we were in shorts and a t-shirt towards the end because it was 15 degrees outside.
I'm excited for thursday- it's supposed to be 15 again or something like that! Time to bust out the shorts!
I always like being able to run in the spring after months of wearing thick layers, mitts, hats, scarves. I always feel lighter and faster. I can feel the warmth of the sun and everything is just so much happier. It also makes me want to buy some new runnning gear. Winter running gear isn't exciting, but warm weather gear is! Its always bright colours, light fabrics. Don't be surprised if I make a lulu lemon pit stop on my way home from school sometime in the next couple weeks!
Well I'm going to bed because I'm exhausted and I'm doing 6k tempo tomorrow- so I want to be well rested.
Night!!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Week 7
Week 7
It's getting to that part in the training where I'm starting to feel tired- I definitely need to start getting more sleep. And eating more lol.
There were a lot of treadmill runs this past week, thanks to that stupid blizzard/wind storm that rolled in mid-week last week. Everything cleared up though, luckily, for the weekend, and Sunday was a gorgeous day for the long run (23k!!) Next week my dad and I are doing 26k then we're doing Around the Bay 30k race in Hamilton for a training run on March 24. Very exciting.
Unfortunately hills have started :( I did 4 hills on the treadmill last week, and I'm going to do 5 tomorrow- but its supposed to be 11 degrees outside- so I'm hoping for a beautiful day!
The weather this week is supposed to be decent so I'm looking forward to running outside again.
Hopefully some more sleep and an increase in my calorie intake will give me some more energy :)
Also, after I get through this month at school, I will be much less busy- so that will be another load off of my plate.
It's getting to that part in the training where I'm starting to feel tired- I definitely need to start getting more sleep. And eating more lol.
There were a lot of treadmill runs this past week, thanks to that stupid blizzard/wind storm that rolled in mid-week last week. Everything cleared up though, luckily, for the weekend, and Sunday was a gorgeous day for the long run (23k!!) Next week my dad and I are doing 26k then we're doing Around the Bay 30k race in Hamilton for a training run on March 24. Very exciting.
Unfortunately hills have started :( I did 4 hills on the treadmill last week, and I'm going to do 5 tomorrow- but its supposed to be 11 degrees outside- so I'm hoping for a beautiful day!
The weather this week is supposed to be decent so I'm looking forward to running outside again.
Hopefully some more sleep and an increase in my calorie intake will give me some more energy :)
Also, after I get through this month at school, I will be much less busy- so that will be another load off of my plate.
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