now it's real!

It's almost time again for another race!  This Sunday I will be running in the Chilly Half Marathon in Burlington. I checked the vrpro.ca website and found my bib number, now it feels real.  Now I am getting a little nervous but I'm looking forward to it too. 

I missed a few workouts this week, I was down and out on the coach for a couple days not feeling well but today I was feeling much better so decided I hit the pool for a swim after work.   I did a few of the drills we usually follow on Wednesday mornings.  The pool was pretty quite and I really enjoyed gliding through the water while trying to remember all the things I learned in the past two months.  Keeping my head down, following through on my stroke and keeping my arms in the proper position...swimming is a lot more to remember and harder than it looks but really I just  I felt calm and relaxed in the water.   It was a good swim tonight.



mmmm lunch!



Tomorrow I plan to get to spin then a short run Friday night.  I have to pick up my race kit Saturday morning downtown Burlington then I am just gonna take it easy and stay off my feet.

I was getting my lunch ready for tomorrow and thought I would share my container tree... I have a salad with romaine, broccoli, red peppers and onion flakes on the side (these are amazing and go with everything).  In the white container I have chicken piccata and on top of that I have mixed frozen berries (that I will have with the protein powder and some almonds ) and on top is the citrus maple salad dressing (this is so tasty!)   I forgot to add the banana for the photo but that will be my pre workout snack and that right there will get me through the day.

 

track day!

We met at the indoor track this morning for the usual weekend torture session.  This is a tough workout geared to help make us run faster, I think it's working which helps get me there. We did the work out then played a fun game of leap frog.  I think it was about 10 or so people running single file and the last person has to run along and pass the group ending up at the start of the line.  It was challenging as the slow run for these guys is on the faster side for me still so it was like a second full workout just trying to keep up let alone having to pass.  I passed a couple times, the last time I got around I gave it all I had. It's amazing the encouragement and motivation that comes from running with a group.  Although I didn't keep up with them the whole time, I had a lot of fun pushing during the run.

The workout wrapped up and as I poured myself into the car to head back to Burlington I briefly considered not going for my swim.  That though didn't last long as I turned down the road to the gym.  I swam for about 30 minutes or so following a bit of my mid week swim workout. 

Tomorrow will be an easy 8km as its the tappering run before race day next Sunday!!! WOW where did the past two months go!? 

that's it for today folks...have a good one!

across burlington and back

I basically ran from one end of Burlington and back, at least what I consider that area to be.  Anything after maple (ok after jo-brant) is aldershot...ok it's not but give me a break.  I made my route over breakfast and was planning to park at the waterfront lot and start from there but I didn't realize you had to PAY to park there! So annoying so I decided to head further down the road and park for free on the beach path.  Because of this I figured I wouldn't have to run all the way to "great lakes blvd" in Oakville, that Burloak would be far enough. 

I headed out with a cloudy sky overhead but the sun poke out from time to time.  I was running faster than I wanted to in the first half so I was trying to keep an eye on my heart rate.  This also happened last week when I had a bit of a hard time finishing, I didn't want that to happen again.  I push through and made it down to hampton heath and saw on runtastic that I had hit 9km.  I turned around and made a rest stop at tim hortons and got back on my way again.

I was having a hard time with my knee again so during my walk minute I was taking a little extra time to stretch out my legs, even if it meant taking long than a minute.  I was pushing to finish in under my time from last week. I went just under 3 hours last week doing 17km but I know a lot of that was because of the snow and the cold. 

I had checked my distance and it was around the 14 km mark that I realized the error I had made!  I turned around at the 9km point and should have continued another half kilometer to get my 19, I wasn't running 18 today! I was so annoyed with myself and I know I have said this before but apparently I didn't learn my lesson...but I should NEVER try to do math while running, even simply subtraction is just too much apparently.

I kept checking my time and distance determined to come in under 3 hours this week.  I made my way through downtown and the flurries had started and it felt colder than when I had set out.  By the time I made it to the car it was a quite the little storm going on but I couldn't stop without going the distance.  I ran past the car grunting and just wanting to be finished but I wasn't.  I ran almost another half km, turned around and headed back to the car and turned one last time and again back to the car to finish with a solid 19.01 km!

This is what happens when you change your route!

mid week report

I think there are a few reasons as to why I have been dragging my @$$ this week but I will spare you the details.  I left work late Monday missing spin so I opted to take care of a couple errands for this coming weekend.  Last night I just lost my workout mojo and stayed in with the hubby to rest and watch a movie.

This morning, I am happy to say I got up and made it to the 5:30 swim!  Tonight I will do my strength training session solo as my workout buddy is chill'n on the beach (so jealous!!!) but I will do her proud and get my workout done tonight.

Spin Thursday then taking Friday off to get my 19km long run done. 

Another Long Sunday Run

 I wasn't too thrilled to get the fresh layer of snow yesterday and knew it was going to cause me some grief on this run.  I usually like to stick to bike paths as I feel safer running there instead of on the roads. Its amazing how many people don't see you or can't be bothered to move over and give you some room.

I had mapped out 17k and got myself ready to go.  My husband was looking at me like I was nuts as I was wrapping the scare around my face.  He can relate as he's an all weather fisherman but he still thinks its crazy to run outside in the winter.  He suggested I stay in and run on the treadmill but there is NO WAY I am going that distance on the hamster wheel. 

I knew this run was going to hurt but I was trying to stay positive.  I think what ended up really slowing me down was running on the snowy sidewalks.  I was trying to keep up my speed while I weaved around some side streets but it wasn't an easy run and to be totally honest, I'm really glad its done.   I felt okay for the first half but coming up Walkers Line was tough.  I have to plan my routes better and not have to make the climb on the return trip.

My knee didn't hurt at all today which was awesome! Last week I was in some real pain within the first 5-6km but today it never hurt.  I think it was because I ended up taking yesterday off from the track and the pool.  I had woke up and looked out the window and decided I really didn't want to make the drive to Milton in the weather we were having.  I was going to head to the gym but I just felt exhausted.  I made the executive decision and stayed home and just took it easy until my 12:45 appointment. 

For nutrition I had a pack of jellybelly electrolyte beans as I got ready and packed a bottle of G2 and a bottle of water, two gels a chocolate and vanilla as I like them better than the fruit flavours and a pack of gummy sharks.    I got home and ate 2/3 of a muffin and two small pancakes. 

Today was definitely my long (and slowest) run of the week.  I hope my next one is better!

real quick

Just a quick post to check-in, I haven't had much time to blog lately but Ali gave me a helpful nudge last night so here I am.

I really just wanted to report that for the past two weeks (and this week is looking pretty good too) I have hit all my scheduled workouts! Woohoo!

I was reading an article about the benefits of stretching and while I do stretch after workout I am going to start stretching more often.  Apparently this will help lengthen my muscles and maybe make me a little faster! I would say it would be worth it even if it just helped with the stiffness and sores post workout :)

Last Sunday long run checked in at 15 km, 17 for this week...oh boy!

have a good one all!