Weekend Recap

This weekend was a little crazy....I helped my mum move on Sat. so I was not able to get my 6km run in...no worries since I did enough lifting, and going up and down stairs...Sunday morning came WAY too early...I had switched up my long run schedule a bit...last week was supposed to be 19km but I did 30km in order to do19km yesterday so that I wasn't going to burn out before the Mid Summer Nights Run on Sat.....it went well...I ran with a faster group and they kept me going...so nice to run with this group of individuals...most of them were "Marathon Vets" and they had great tips and advice...I hit 17km and needed at least 2km more so I headed downtown to do a couple of loops....after a good 8mins of running I looked down and my Garmin had FROZE again!!! This is the second time on a long run...it really throws me off...I am so dependent on knowing my distance, pace and overall time...I am really hoping that this was a fluke....and my Forerunner 101 (old school I know!) isn't dying...

Today is a scheduled rest day but I am hoping that I can get a bike ride in today! It has been WAY too long since I was on my bike...This week I will continue with my usual schedule but I may not push it as hard...

Tuesday: Tempo 6km
Wednesday: 9.5km including 8 hill repeats
Thursday: 8km Steady
Friday: Rest Day
Saturday: A Mid-Summer Night's 30km Run
Sunday: Rest Day

*Goals for the 30km Race....This is my first at this distance so a PR for sure! Woot Woot....I am going to attempt pacing this race at the same pace as Chicago...We will see...if it happens it happens...if it doesn't then it doesn't...This will be a learning experience for me....I am excited!

A Little Motivation Goes a Long Way

I love the blogging world...I never thought that I would enjoy reading about so many different individuals running adventures...it truly is inspirational....Today while reading two fellow Canuck blogs by Marlene and Laura I got a bit of a kick...The heat and humidity here in Ontario has been brutal...I love summer and the heat but this year has been bad and it has made me feel a little sluggish lately....anyway...Laura talked about being in a funk and getting out by working hard and Marlene talked about tempo runs and doing them in this heat and how in the end they will pay off...It is a good reminder that running is hard work and when we work hard it can have so many amazing affects...instead of complaining about the heat I headed to run clinic this evening with the idea that I was going to work hard and feel great at the end...it worked...

I had an amazing run both physically and mentally...I really needed tonight...

6.36km in 36:00min for an average pace of 5:38!!! This was including my 10:1 walk breaks and a couple of stop lights! I am pretty happy...Working hard does pay off and this certainly gave me a bit of motivation...I am starting to like these tempo runs and am looking forward to the speed work that will start sometime in September! I am feeling comfortable in my training and with the plan I continue to follow....Chicago is officially 2 months away from today!!! CRAZY!

Tomorrow's Plan: 8.5km including 7 hill repeats!

PS. Don't forget to enter the CEP Compression Sock giveaway...

CEP GIVEAWAY!!!

Remember that CEP Review I did a few weeks back? Well they are so great that they have offered to sponsor a giveaway for one pair of Running Compression Socks! Let me tell you..they were pretty amazing yesterday on my 30km run...my legs are feeling pretty darn good...




For each of the Following you do you will receive an Entry! Be sure to leave me a comment for each!


1. Let me know which colo(u)r you would choose if you win.

2. Follow CEP on Twitter.

3. Like CEP on Facebook.

4. Follow this blog (or let me know if you already do).

5. Spread the word via Twitter, Facebook or your blog!

6. TWO bonus entries for the first to comment on this post!


Giveaway Ends Monday August 16, 2010 at midnight!!! Good Luck!!!

30.55km Sunday Long Run

Today was my longest run to date of this cycle: I was scheduled to run 19km today but after last weeks disaster of 26km by myself I thought..."I would rather run 29km with the group then 19km by myself" I KNOW!! CRAZY!!! I also thought it would be a good idea to run the 29km this week...19km next week followed by the Mid Summer nights run (30km) the following week...a little taper so to say...

So today I really forced myself...You are going to do this 29km slow and steady...

And I did....

Lap Paces in Km:

7:09
6:38
6:52
6:40
6:31
6:39
7:42
6:32
7:09
6:34
7:19
7:59
8:26
6:25
6:15
8:45
6:14
6:14
6:30
4:40**Garmin messed up obviously...

My GPS had a weak signal and it went crazy at the end...plus we had 4 pit stops where we filled up on water etc...I was most impressed that at the end I was able to pick the pace up...I have a tendency to go out WAY to fast then die...today I felt it the opposite...Sooo all in all a good run....I really need to work on making my pace consistent...Today felt better than most...we had those stops which through a few of them off...This will be an on going battle for me!

I had a Chocolate Milk when I finished followed by a salad with Grilled Chicken, slivered almonds, a little feta cheese, strawberries and a side of lemon poppy seed dressing...it was so tasty...I am continuing to make sure I drink lots of water today...I wore my compression socks during the run...They gave me a little pep...my body is pretty sore right now...in fact I could barely have a nap because my legs were so sore....stretching and icing tonight at some point...

Happy Sunday Long run!

Some Inspriation from www.amazon.ca

I have read on Multiple Blogs about the book "Born to Run" and the DVD "Spirit of the Marathon"...I figure with only 65 days until Chicago I could use some extra inspiration as I am heading into the "thick" of it....This weekend will be my first 29km run!!

So I picked these up and will do a little review....I am pretty excited!!! I ordered them on Tuesday and they got here today! Had a good 8km today...It started pretty sluggish but I picked it up at the end which made me pretty happy...Although running on my own is tough I know that mentally it will prepare me for the 42.2km....






Also...I officially signed up for the Midsummer Nights 30km Run in Toronto...I am looking forward to practicing my pacing and having a training run that is "fun". There are a few members from my running group going as well..I have heard great things...This will be my first 30km race a PB for sure!

Off to read!

July Stats

Bye Bye July....Hello August....

My running stats were not as high as I would have liked but with the Bike tour I cut out some runs as well I took a week off to heal as I was feeling slightly injured...

Running: 138km
Bike: 249km


This month my goal is: 200km and if I do bike it will be more for fitness and recovery. I do need to focus on some core strength exercises that the physiotherapist gave me and lots of stretching...new shoes and orthotics are good so far...

What are your August Mileage goals??

MS BIKE Race Report and Vacation

Helloooooo,

I know that it has been a while...After we finished the MS Bike Race we took off immediately up to Muskoka for the week...it was amazing....so relaxing...the weather was perfect...it was just what I needed...


Sooo the bike race....

We were up at 5am and headed to Grand Bend to be at the starting gate for 7am...We didn't leave until 8am...


Day 1 was 86.7km...It was nice for the most part because it was cloudy not too humid...perfect for the most part....They had 5 stops along the way with lots of goodies...it was so well organized...I am actually looking forward to doing it next year....

Weather: For the most part was great...with LESS THAN 5km to go it got UGLY....pouring rain...Flying Pig type of rain!!!! I was soaked...it was bad...however it was done...my in-laws who are so amazing were there in the Rain to see us come through the finish line...so sweet AND they took my soaking wet Laundry HOME, WASHED IT and brought it back for 7am!!!!! It doesn't get much better than that!! They rock! Here are some pictures from Day 1...


Me and the Hubby



The Riding Crew


Riding to a Strong Finish in the Rain



Me and the Hubby at the Finish


This is my Friend Anne...we rode together most of the way on the first day!


I tied my shoes to the vent on the ceiling to help dry them out after the first day...water was stuck in the GEL part on the bottom of my shoe...it was very damp!


Day 2

Although it was shorter...only 77.7km....It was a lot tougher for a few reasons....The WIND was brutal since we were riding towards Lake Huron and it was HILLY!!! But I was able to get through it quite...I think I surprised myself!

Only 2 photos from that day...


The Crew at the Start of Day 2


Beautiful Weather from Day 2


Vacation:

Here is what I did

Tuesday: 6km
Wednesday: 6km (5 hill repeats)
Thursday: 8km
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 6km
Sunday: Drive home...no run
Holiday Monday: 26km

It was an okay week...I got the runs in...they were not quality...my pace was all over the map...especially today on the 26km...I am struggling because I have had to do a lot of running by myself...my two Chicago Training partners (check out their blogs) Lindsay and Catherine and currently at Fitness Ridge...The Biggest Loser Fitness Camp...I am really missing them :(
So they next two weeks will be a great challenge for me to get quality miles in so that when they return they aren't leaving me in the dust too much!

Tomorrow I will be back with my run club...They are great for my weekly runs...

Tuesday: Tempo 6km (This will be a recovery run instead)
Wednesday: 7km (with 6 hills)
Thursday: 8km
Friday: Bike
Saturday: 6km


It looks like it should be a good week!!