So for this month: 226.48km
Pretty darn happy...my goal was 225...I continue to have to take rest days for muscle tightness/IT band issues...and to obtain 226.48 with all that stuff going on, I am pretty darn happy!
I don't have any goals for October just yet...need to get through the Marathon and then go from there...I'll post my Marathon goals in a few days!
Happy Running :)
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Last Day of September
10 Days until 10-10-10
Yes...I am thinking about the Marathon lots BUT really what I am thinking about is the HUGE piece of cheesecake I'll be eating to celebrate my birthday! I need one of those shirts that says "I Run to Eat".
Weather Check: *I do realize that it is WAY too soon to actually take the weather predictions seriously...however...a girl can wish.....They are predicting a High of 13 (56) and a low of 5 (41) and partly cloudy!!! PERFECT...here's hoping it holds out....
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Hello Tempo Tuesday
Last Tempo Tuesday: Awesomeness=6km in 31:23 or a 5:13km/pace (3.72miles with a 8:19)....Fastest of this cycle...I think there were a combo of things....
1. It was raining...I wanted to be out of the rain (Curly Hair + rain = 80's Hair disaster)
2. I was supposed to have a 30min nap...that turned into and 1h30min nap...my mum was coming to pick me up....I didn't want to be late...
3. I missed my running group...I knew I would have to push myself tonight...it was tough...but felt good...I know that although there will be 44,999 other people in Chicago...It comes down to me...
Tomorrow is a 10km run...I am hoping I will be able to do it...we will see as I am having dental work done tomorrow :( boooourns.........
Happy Running!
1. It was raining...I wanted to be out of the rain (Curly Hair + rain = 80's Hair disaster)
2. I was supposed to have a 30min nap...that turned into and 1h30min nap...my mum was coming to pick me up....I didn't want to be late...
3. I missed my running group...I knew I would have to push myself tonight...it was tough...but felt good...I know that although there will be 44,999 other people in Chicago...It comes down to me...
Tomorrow is a 10km run...I am hoping I will be able to do it...we will see as I am having dental work done tomorrow :( boooourns.........
Happy Running!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Weekend in Review
Hi folks,
Quick Update Here:
Thursday: 6.5km run followed by a massage...all went well...I continue to struggle with tightness in the calves...which in turn affects every else....same old same old...stretching and icing...
Friday: Sushi Cab-Load with Running Friends who were participating in the Scotia Waterfront Half and Full....
Saturday: Two Parties....two big ones....had a blast...ate like CRAZY....I kept commenting that Friday/Saturday I ate WAY too much...however....
Sunday: 23km...I FELT so good...Actually I felt GREAT...I was able to complete my run at marathon pace (I think...my garmin died at 16km....but I luckily checked the time before...sooo pretty much marathon pace)...This was the BEST I have felt nutrition wise all cycle....
Carbo-Load Friday was key...followed by non-stop carbs sat....this allowed me to skip breakfast Sunday....I took a gel 15mins before for the first time ever...it was great....I took 3 clift shots after 45mins.....then after another 45mins a half a gel....followed by the rest of the gel 45mins later....I drank plenty of water and G2....I was less salty...no leg cramps...no Stomach Issues which was actually pretty insane...I always have GI issues....and I had none....life was good...I was pretty motivated as some of my running friends had just completed their first Marathon or Half Marathon...I am just so happy for them...I am getting a little teary-eyed thinking about it....
Quick Update Here:
Thursday: 6.5km run followed by a massage...all went well...I continue to struggle with tightness in the calves...which in turn affects every else....same old same old...stretching and icing...
Friday: Sushi Cab-Load with Running Friends who were participating in the Scotia Waterfront Half and Full....
Saturday: Two Parties....two big ones....had a blast...ate like CRAZY....I kept commenting that Friday/Saturday I ate WAY too much...however....
Sunday: 23km...I FELT so good...Actually I felt GREAT...I was able to complete my run at marathon pace (I think...my garmin died at 16km....but I luckily checked the time before...sooo pretty much marathon pace)...This was the BEST I have felt nutrition wise all cycle....
Carbo-Load Friday was key...followed by non-stop carbs sat....this allowed me to skip breakfast Sunday....I took a gel 15mins before for the first time ever...it was great....I took 3 clift shots after 45mins.....then after another 45mins a half a gel....followed by the rest of the gel 45mins later....I drank plenty of water and G2....I was less salty...no leg cramps...no Stomach Issues which was actually pretty insane...I always have GI issues....and I had none....life was good...I was pretty motivated as some of my running friends had just completed their first Marathon or Half Marathon...I am just so happy for them...I am getting a little teary-eyed thinking about it....
Do you remember how you felt right after your first Half or Full Marathon?? Tell me about it!! I would love to hear!!
"When you cross the finish line, no matter how slow or fast, it will change your life forever" -Dick Beardsley, Spirit of the Marathon...
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Running by Feel...
Tonight I knew I was pressed for time...I had already come to the conclusion that I probably wasn't going to get my 10km in....instead of taking a nap when I got home, I put on my running shoes...left the house and just went....I went by time...I knew I had roughly 30-40mins...I was able to do 6.5km come home and shower then head to my massage appointment...This is one of those rare times where I just went because my body was telling me I would feel great...not by marathon shcedule or because I "should"...it just felt right....It was AWESOME! I really liked having that feeling...I wasn't thinking about PR's or the Marathon...I just ran...Bliss...
Went to the massage therapist...it hurts so good....she rocks...she is a runner and "just get's it"....my calves continue to wreck havoc on most other parts of the body...feeling a little sore...but all is good...I will be taking a scheduled rest day tomorrow...supposed to do 23km for a Long Run...most likely will do a bike ride instead....I think my body needs a bit of a break to heal up...especially since I have some marathon pace runs coming up next week...
Tomorrow is Friday...I will be meeting with the rest of my running group to have a Carb Load Dinner...They are running the Scotia Waterfront Marathon in TO this weekend...I cannot wait to see them cross that finish line!
Happy Running
Went to the massage therapist...it hurts so good....she rocks...she is a runner and "just get's it"....my calves continue to wreck havoc on most other parts of the body...feeling a little sore...but all is good...I will be taking a scheduled rest day tomorrow...supposed to do 23km for a Long Run...most likely will do a bike ride instead....I think my body needs a bit of a break to heal up...especially since I have some marathon pace runs coming up next week...
Tomorrow is Friday...I will be meeting with the rest of my running group to have a Carb Load Dinner...They are running the Scotia Waterfront Marathon in TO this weekend...I cannot wait to see them cross that finish line!
Happy Running
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Dear Canada Post:
Thank you for delivering my Chicago 10-10-10 Participant booklet! You made my day! Lots of bed time reading now!
I have also got my bib number! Woot Woot....Love getting mail....
Sidenote: The envelope it came it looked like JUNK mail....If I didn't look closely enough I would have totally thrown it out....
Running:
Tuesday: 6km Tempo Run: 5:37 pace
Wednesday: 10km Steady Run: 6:07 pace
I have to say...both those runs I did not follow the 10:1 walk/run...it feels pretty good....it is starting to get a bit easier...
Tomorrow I have a dentist appointment at 7:00am (no idea of why I booked it that early) and a massage appointment at 6:00pm...it is going to be a good day...no running...hopefully Friday I can get something in!
Happy Running :)
I have also got my bib number! Woot Woot....Love getting mail....
Sidenote: The envelope it came it looked like JUNK mail....If I didn't look closely enough I would have totally thrown it out....
Running:
Tuesday: 6km Tempo Run: 5:37 pace
Wednesday: 10km Steady Run: 6:07 pace
I have to say...both those runs I did not follow the 10:1 walk/run...it feels pretty good....it is starting to get a bit easier...
Tomorrow I have a dentist appointment at 7:00am (no idea of why I booked it that early) and a massage appointment at 6:00pm...it is going to be a good day...no running...hopefully Friday I can get something in!
Happy Running :)
Sunday, September 19, 2010
35km Done and Done!
Let the taper begin my friends!!!! 35km or 21.75miles done! It was a great day...the weather was gorgeous...I kept my pace slow which I still find difficult to do on Sunday Long Runs...Mentally I was 110% which is great...considering I have only done this distance once before and that was in 2007 with my first marathon!
10-10-10 Taken at the beach where we finished our 35km!
The legs are tired...I am not going to lie....they are really stiff and tired...I stretched once I go home which has helped a great deal and I will do my usual routine tonight and keep my feet up, ice etc...I have my last massage shceduled for Thursday...I am hoping this will again help some...It will be a challenge to get all my runs in this week with some big meetings and a packed weekend(a wedding reception, party, sushi dinner date)...including going to the Scotia Waterfront Marathon to cheer on others from my group!
On our drive back to London we made sure to get a picture with the Port Stanley sign...
I need to give a special Shout out to my Hubby as well as Lindsay's Hubby Jamie....The hubby rode his bike the entire way and supplied us with cold beverages (plus he got my salt and vinigar chips for the end for me...I always like a few with my lunch...I loose salt like it is my job)...as well Jamie followed us in his truck and had cold water stops and chocolate milk waiting for us at the finish and drove all of us back to our cars in London(we stunk up is poor truck)...We couldn't have done it without them! Thanks boys!!!
We watched Spirit of the Marathon together the night before the run...Great movie which now has me pretty excited for Chicago! I might need to watch it again...
Happy Running!
10-10-10 Taken at the beach where we finished our 35km!
The legs are tired...I am not going to lie....they are really stiff and tired...I stretched once I go home which has helped a great deal and I will do my usual routine tonight and keep my feet up, ice etc...I have my last massage shceduled for Thursday...I am hoping this will again help some...It will be a challenge to get all my runs in this week with some big meetings and a packed weekend(a wedding reception, party, sushi dinner date)...including going to the Scotia Waterfront Marathon to cheer on others from my group!
On our drive back to London we made sure to get a picture with the Port Stanley sign...
I need to give a special Shout out to my Hubby as well as Lindsay's Hubby Jamie....The hubby rode his bike the entire way and supplied us with cold beverages (plus he got my salt and vinigar chips for the end for me...I always like a few with my lunch...I loose salt like it is my job)...as well Jamie followed us in his truck and had cold water stops and chocolate milk waiting for us at the finish and drove all of us back to our cars in London(we stunk up is poor truck)...We couldn't have done it without them! Thanks boys!!!
We watched Spirit of the Marathon together the night before the run...Great movie which now has me pretty excited for Chicago! I might need to watch it again...
Happy Running!
Saturday, September 18, 2010
This Week in Running
How's my running?
Tempo Tuesday: 6km: 32:14km
Wednesday: 10km: 1:03:09
Thursday: 6km:39:09
Doing well...sticking to three mid-week runs at this point and one long run on Sundays...I wish I could do at least one more run or a bike ride...however the legs at this point are too fragile....they are stiff, sore and tired...I am three weeks out and do not want to risk anything at this point....My tempo runs are getting faster and on Thursday I went out with a group for another run where I did not use my 10:1 walk breaks.....I haven't decided if I am going to start slowly stopping the 10:1 thing...but right now I am feeling comfortable...I will still do them for my long runs for sure...not giving those up!
Tonight: Lindsay and Catherine are coming over for a Pasta Dinner Carb Load and then to watch Spirit of the Marathon before our last long run....35km...We plan to run to Port Stanley again....Our hubby's will be our road crew providing us with anything that we may need!
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Tempo Tuesday: 6km: 32:14km
Wednesday: 10km: 1:03:09
Thursday: 6km:39:09
Doing well...sticking to three mid-week runs at this point and one long run on Sundays...I wish I could do at least one more run or a bike ride...however the legs at this point are too fragile....they are stiff, sore and tired...I am three weeks out and do not want to risk anything at this point....My tempo runs are getting faster and on Thursday I went out with a group for another run where I did not use my 10:1 walk breaks.....I haven't decided if I am going to start slowly stopping the 10:1 thing...but right now I am feeling comfortable...I will still do them for my long runs for sure...not giving those up!
Tonight: Lindsay and Catherine are coming over for a Pasta Dinner Carb Load and then to watch Spirit of the Marathon before our last long run....35km...We plan to run to Port Stanley again....Our hubby's will be our road crew providing us with anything that we may need!
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Super Curly Crazy Hair and a Bondi Band
Hi There,
Here I am!
I have hair...curly hair...crazy hair....This is a picture where I actually am wearing it down....I Love my hair...it has taken me roughly 25 years to actually figure out how to style and handle my hair (I will be 29 in 25 days....Chi-Marathon also 25 days away)
ANYWAY: The reason my hair is CRAZY is because it is actually pretty fine...I just have a lot of it... A LOT...I pretty much shed more than a small animal does...if it was thick and nice...I would probably wear it down more or I could straighten etc....I have two hair styles....Down and UP!
I wear a headband everyday....I love them...it keeps my hair out of my face...it is kind of my signature....underneath every hair band that is cloth (non cloth ones are fine) I need to wear a Goody:
Love the Goody Comb circle thingy....in fact I go through them like crazy....I wear them on their own...it works...we have a good relationship...except that when I run...even if I wear the goody a hand band will NOT stay in...I have tried every cloth head band imaginable...ones with rubber, sticky, small width, wide width, thick, thin etc....I had pretty much given up and aways wear a hat or a visor when I run....They are good but I find I can over heat in them because I have so MUCH hair...cloth hairbands are way better....if I just wear the goody I get nasty stinging salty eyes...no one likes that...
I contacted Rebecca over at Bondi Band to ask them a couple of questions about which would be a good fit for me...She was so kind and sent me a black heavy wicking band..I received it in the mail yesterday...I am not going to lie....I was hesitant...how could something so thin stay on my head, wick sweat and look good....I tried it on....felt okay...but the true test was running...last night I had on tap a sweaty tempo 6km...Rebecca instructed that I should wear it once inch above the brow line...I probably had it a bit too high in the picture...I adjusted it to closer to the brow line when running...
Well Guess What? The BONDI BAND WORKED!! (Honestly if you listen closely you can hear angles singing right now)....I was so SURPRISED...I had doubts....but NOT any more....No stinging eyes...no hair adjustment...pure bliss!
Thank you Rebecca and Bondi Band!!! I can't wait to order some really funky colours and maybe after Chicago a 26.2 one!!!
Does anyone else have hair trouble when they run???
Here I am!
I have hair...curly hair...crazy hair....This is a picture where I actually am wearing it down....I Love my hair...it has taken me roughly 25 years to actually figure out how to style and handle my hair (I will be 29 in 25 days....Chi-Marathon also 25 days away)
ANYWAY: The reason my hair is CRAZY is because it is actually pretty fine...I just have a lot of it... A LOT...I pretty much shed more than a small animal does...if it was thick and nice...I would probably wear it down more or I could straighten etc....I have two hair styles....Down and UP!
I wear a headband everyday....I love them...it keeps my hair out of my face...it is kind of my signature....underneath every hair band that is cloth (non cloth ones are fine) I need to wear a Goody:
Love the Goody Comb circle thingy....in fact I go through them like crazy....I wear them on their own...it works...we have a good relationship...except that when I run...even if I wear the goody a hand band will NOT stay in...I have tried every cloth head band imaginable...ones with rubber, sticky, small width, wide width, thick, thin etc....I had pretty much given up and aways wear a hat or a visor when I run....They are good but I find I can over heat in them because I have so MUCH hair...cloth hairbands are way better....if I just wear the goody I get nasty stinging salty eyes...no one likes that...
I contacted Rebecca over at Bondi Band to ask them a couple of questions about which would be a good fit for me...She was so kind and sent me a black heavy wicking band..I received it in the mail yesterday...I am not going to lie....I was hesitant...how could something so thin stay on my head, wick sweat and look good....I tried it on....felt okay...but the true test was running...last night I had on tap a sweaty tempo 6km...Rebecca instructed that I should wear it once inch above the brow line...I probably had it a bit too high in the picture...I adjusted it to closer to the brow line when running...
Well Guess What? The BONDI BAND WORKED!! (Honestly if you listen closely you can hear angles singing right now)....I was so SURPRISED...I had doubts....but NOT any more....No stinging eyes...no hair adjustment...pure bliss!
Thank you Rebecca and Bondi Band!!! I can't wait to order some really funky colours and maybe after Chicago a 26.2 one!!!
Does anyone else have hair trouble when they run???
Monday, September 13, 2010
Long Run Recap
Hi Folks,
Short post: Ran 29km on Sunday....wasn't into the route...was super stiff...legs hurt...no nutrition...not a happy camper...the best part was the end when we all went to my Marathon Instructors house for Brunch! (Thanks Jane and Rick....you guys ROCK!). It was so motivating...Jane has run Chicago Marathon a few times and showed us pictures, posters, her medals....it was just what I needed after a challenging run (both mentally and physically). No more 29km runs this cycle....35km on tap for Sunday...most likely will do another London to Port Stanley Run...It is so nice that for the first time in a LONG time I can "let go" of a bad run....I feel at peace....life is good....
6km tempo run Tuesday...(Sports Psychologist is coming to speak to my running group again! Woot Woot!)
5x800's Yasso's or 10km Fartlek for Wednesday...
Thursday: 10km
Friday:Rest
Saturday: Yoga
Sunday: LAST LONG RUN!
Happy Running!
Short post: Ran 29km on Sunday....wasn't into the route...was super stiff...legs hurt...no nutrition...not a happy camper...the best part was the end when we all went to my Marathon Instructors house for Brunch! (Thanks Jane and Rick....you guys ROCK!). It was so motivating...Jane has run Chicago Marathon a few times and showed us pictures, posters, her medals....it was just what I needed after a challenging run (both mentally and physically). No more 29km runs this cycle....35km on tap for Sunday...most likely will do another London to Port Stanley Run...It is so nice that for the first time in a LONG time I can "let go" of a bad run....I feel at peace....life is good....
6km tempo run Tuesday...(Sports Psychologist is coming to speak to my running group again! Woot Woot!)
5x800's Yasso's or 10km Fartlek for Wednesday...
Thursday: 10km
Friday:Rest
Saturday: Yoga
Sunday: LAST LONG RUN!
Happy Running!
Friday, September 10, 2010
1 MONTH UNTIL CHICAGO
I cannot believe that today I am officially 1 month away from Running the Chicago Marathon....Pretty exciting folks!!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Weekend Recap!
Hi Folks,
I took a quiet week as my legs were still feeling quite stiff...I had a sports massage on Thursday night and decided to take Friday and Saturday as rest days...This really helped a great deal...Sunday I woke up nice and early and met my friend Lindsay to do our 32km run...we joined with another local running store...We did a run from London to Port Stanley...
Let me tell you...IT WAS A BLAST! They had the best rest stops...Lots of water/sports drink, tons of fruit, candy, salty treats...everyone was so encouraging....almost 200 people did this training run...I was so impressed and plan on doing this again next year....I felt so encouraged by everyone...The neat part is that you can start anywhere a long the trail...so if you only needed to do 10km you can! Fabulous!
Me, Lindsay and Catherine (3 Crazy Ladies Running Chicago!)
I ran with Lindsay the entire time. We really focused on slowing down the pace. This helped the legs....but man is it hard to slow down sometimes....Catherine had an amazing run as well! I cannot wait to run Chicago with them!
I immediately got home and stretched! This helped so much...then me and the hubby packed up the car and headed to Muskoka for a few days...he drove the entire way and I sat in the car with ice packs on the knees....good times...
I did hardly anything on Monday...was pretty much a couch potato...I stretched and rolled and was FINALLY starting to see a light at the end of this crappy leg pain tunnel...Instead of a tempo run on Tuesday I did a steady run...I am not wanting to push it too much at this point....
Tonight I came home and did my first night of Yasso 800's at a local track...I did four sets...not wanting to push it....
It was great...I had an average time of 4:02...Now this is all relative...can I run a 4:02:00 marathon? At this point...no way....
With my 30km race time I used the Macmillan Running Calculator....it would predict a 4:33:31...THAT seems CRAZY fast to me....soooo we will see....I do enjoy the speed work....
Tomorrow I have another massage scheduled! Woot Woot...hopefully it won't hurt as much! Then Friday I need to get at least a 10km run in....Sunday will only be 29km....two more crazy long runs left....Let me tell you...I will be happy once the taper is here!
Happy Running!
I took a quiet week as my legs were still feeling quite stiff...I had a sports massage on Thursday night and decided to take Friday and Saturday as rest days...This really helped a great deal...Sunday I woke up nice and early and met my friend Lindsay to do our 32km run...we joined with another local running store...We did a run from London to Port Stanley...
Let me tell you...IT WAS A BLAST! They had the best rest stops...Lots of water/sports drink, tons of fruit, candy, salty treats...everyone was so encouraging....almost 200 people did this training run...I was so impressed and plan on doing this again next year....I felt so encouraged by everyone...The neat part is that you can start anywhere a long the trail...so if you only needed to do 10km you can! Fabulous!
Me, Lindsay and Catherine (3 Crazy Ladies Running Chicago!)
I ran with Lindsay the entire time. We really focused on slowing down the pace. This helped the legs....but man is it hard to slow down sometimes....Catherine had an amazing run as well! I cannot wait to run Chicago with them!
I immediately got home and stretched! This helped so much...then me and the hubby packed up the car and headed to Muskoka for a few days...he drove the entire way and I sat in the car with ice packs on the knees....good times...
I did hardly anything on Monday...was pretty much a couch potato...I stretched and rolled and was FINALLY starting to see a light at the end of this crappy leg pain tunnel...Instead of a tempo run on Tuesday I did a steady run...I am not wanting to push it too much at this point....
Tonight I came home and did my first night of Yasso 800's at a local track...I did four sets...not wanting to push it....
It was great...I had an average time of 4:02...Now this is all relative...can I run a 4:02:00 marathon? At this point...no way....
With my 30km race time I used the Macmillan Running Calculator....it would predict a 4:33:31...THAT seems CRAZY fast to me....soooo we will see....I do enjoy the speed work....
Tomorrow I have another massage scheduled! Woot Woot...hopefully it won't hurt as much! Then Friday I need to get at least a 10km run in....Sunday will only be 29km....two more crazy long runs left....Let me tell you...I will be happy once the taper is here!
Happy Running!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Cherry On Top Award
Sandy at Sassy Runner Girl, so so kind to award me the Cherry on Top Award...
The Rules:
1. Answer this question: If you had the chance to go back and change one thing in your life, would you and what would it be?
2. The third and final thing is, thank the person who gave you the award.
1. I don't know if I would go back and change anything in my life....maybe it would have been to continue running after my first Marathon in 2007...as this cycle it is all feeling so new again...However that being said...I think I made the right choice at the time (it involved working crazy night shift hours etc) and I think I came back with a vengeance...I have PR'd, I am enjoying running, I am running a lot more, I will actually run on my own....so I guess that I don't have any regrets!!
2. Thank you so much Sassy Runner Girl
*This award has been passed around to so many inspirational bloggers...So if you haven't received it yet consider this a shoutout to you! Do you have any regrets?!?!?
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
DONE AND DONE!
Hill Training is finished for this cycle....13km with 10x Hill repeats in this heat=brutal...I am SO OVER hills! Bring on the Speed WORK!
Knee Update
So Last night I ran a 6km tempo run....it went well...I think that the thing that MOST hurt was the humidity...man it felt like 40degrees out there! I will be happy once we get some relief in the Weather somewhere around Friday! The knee felt surprisingly okay...I didn't push it to hard...I listened to my body...Right now I think the stretching and Rolling is helping...I came home from the run and did my routine and then woke up this morning and did the same thing...for the next little bit I am going to have to double dip in this department in order to keep things calm down there...
I have another massage appointment scheduled but not for a few weeks....so hard to get into all these places right now since it is FALL marathon time!
I just wanted to give a shout out to some of the other fall marathoner/half-marathoner blogger's...There are at least 3-4 of you who are struggling with injury...I am thinking about you and sending positive vibes your way....injuries can be devastating and frustrating...I found this a good article from Runner's World in September...
Chicago is now only 39 days away! We are in the 30's people! This also means only 39 days until my birthday....still need to figure out what to wear for the marathon!
I have another massage appointment scheduled but not for a few weeks....so hard to get into all these places right now since it is FALL marathon time!
I just wanted to give a shout out to some of the other fall marathoner/half-marathoner blogger's...There are at least 3-4 of you who are struggling with injury...I am thinking about you and sending positive vibes your way....injuries can be devastating and frustrating...I found this a good article from Runner's World in September...
Chicago is now only 39 days away! We are in the 30's people! This also means only 39 days until my birthday....still need to figure out what to wear for the marathon!
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