Day 8: Sunday Was Race Day...The Hannukah Hustle

Yesterday was a great day to run.  The weather was warm and the sun was peaking out.  Mike and I were in Hamilton for the Hannukah Hustle.  It's my 3rd year running this race and I love it!  The course is so pretty and VRPro puts on such great races!  This year was no exception.

Here we are before the race.  It was a bit chilly standing around.

I hadn't run since Wednesday so I knew I wasn't going to go much faster than my best time.  River ended up with a cold and couldn't run Friday.  My schedule got all thrown off because I had to take her to the vet so I didn't get out for a run either.  River really keeps me going.

The race starts with a downhill and since it's an out and back that means it ends in an uphill.  Ugh...It's not a big hill, but it's still a hill.  I felt really good the whole race.  I knew I was going to slow down a bit at the end going up the hill so I tried to push a bit more than normal at the front end of the race.  I could feel that I did push harder around the 3k mark.  I really tried to keep my pace up though.  It always seems that the hills that are the gentle rolling hills are the hardest for me.  Yep, I felt this hill!  I was not a happy camper going up it.  Once I got to the top there is about 100 yards to the finish.  I tried to push it, but my legs wouldn't go as hard as I wanted them to go.  I need to get more speed work in starting this week.  Here I am crossing the finish line and after the race.

I was off my best time by about 50 seconds.  I ran my 5k in 30:53.  Not bad and about what I expected.  After getting some water, a hot dog, and a potato latke, we checked the results.  I ended up first in my age group!  I have never placed in a race in the 4 years I've been running.  I was really excited!  There were 5 other women in my age group.  It was pretty cool to place.  Here I am getting my medal and then posing for pictures.

Here is what the medal looked like.  I think it's pretty cool!

I really love the races that VRPro puts on and am looking forward to running the Santa Race Hamilton with James on Sunday.  Right now I'm getting ready to head out for a quick run with River.  She's allowed to go on short runs for now.  It's going to be a windy one though!  Hope we don't blow away!

Day 3: Brrrr.....

Yesterday I just took River for a walk.  I was supposed to do speed work, but Mike was out of town and I just couldn't get motivated to get to the gym later in the day.  Today we woke up to snow and cold temperatures.  After dropping James off, I came home and got ready for my run.  River was excited like she always is.

We started out a bit slower since there was snow on parts of the sidewalk.  I didn't want to slip and fall.  It was cold, but sunny and that made for a nice day to run.  I never really hit my groove today though.  The run just felt off the whole time.  It didn't hurt or fell hard, it just felt off.  My pace was okay even with the snow.  I just wasn't feeling it this morning.

River had a good time though.  She was in her element with this cooler temperatures.  She was happy and smiling the whole time.  Towards the end she was ready to come home though.  She has a point in the run where I think she just gets bored, but then all of a sudden she's back in the run.  It makes for some great interval training for me though.

Tomorrow I'm supposed to be in the gym.  I have to get back in that routine.  I'm back on a running schedule so now I have to get back to the gym.  It's a cross training day so I'll do the bike and weights.  I just have to make myself get up and go.  Friday is my long run day.  Going to try to get 10-12k in that morning.  Saturday is my rest day and Sunday I run the Hanukkah Hustle.  It should be a good next few days!

Day 1 of Training For My Next Goal Race

Today is my first day of training for my next goal race; The Robbie Burns 8k in January.  It will be my first race as a 40 year old.  I've run this race 2 other times and I love it.  The course is flat and the route is nice.  My first year, it was my first run longer than 5k.  Last year I ran with a strained hamstring.  This year I want to kill it!  My goal is under 55 minutes.  My 8k runs with River have been pretty good.  I'm feeling good since I've been back after my half marathon.  Last week was my first week of good solid running and I felt really strong.

Yesterday I was able to get out for a long run before the swim meet.  River and I ran 6.5 miles.  I had to really force myself out the door because I was tired.  I was only going to do a short run, but I started getting my water bottles together and River's water bottle together.  Pretty soon I was out the door and heading down my long route.  We ran through the country on a crisp morning.  The wind was blowing, but there was only about a mile that we were running into the wind.  That was a tough mile though.  I felt good for most of the run.  There was about 10-15 minutes that were rough, but River pulled me through it.  I felt really good after the run and River was sacked out for Mike and James while I was at the meet.

This morning we went for a short 2.5 mile recovery run.  Last week we were lucky in missing the rain.  Today not so much.  We had just started the run when it started raining.  Because of the temperature, the rain was slushy and icy.  River didn't like the rain and slush at all.  She is very much a fair weather dog.  She was pouting a bit on the last half of the run.  She is a trooper though.  I'm glad that she will come out running with me.

I wanted to be back in the gym tomorrow, but I'm not sure if I can since Mike is out of town and James gets dropped off so early.  I might have to do speed work with River at the "track" between the schools.  She'll like that as long as it's not raining. 

Now I'm off to get my week started!  Take some time today to remember all those who have served our country.  Thank you for you service!

First Snowy Run of the Winter!

Okay, so it was just a little snow, but it was still snow!

I got to sleep in a bit this morning since James' mother was taking him to school today.  River got me up at the time I normally get James up for school and she was anxious to get going.  She danced around me as I got ready to head out for what I wanted to be at least 5-6k this morning.  When she saw me put on my running shoes she got really excited.  Then we walked out the door.

She saw the snow, turned and looked at me, and sighed.  She is not a fan of snow at all.  She is a fan of running though.  We started out and she kept looking back at me as if to ask why all this snow was there.

About halfway through the run I snapped this picture.

She's happy to be out, but not happy about the snow. 

After a mile she wanted to go back home.  I directed down a street that led away from home, but she wasn't having it.  She found her way back home.  I was able to get 2 miles in this morning before she drug me back to the house.

She had her after run snack and is now curled up on the couch sleeping.

Hopefully Sunday there isn't any snow on the ground so I can get a 10k run in with her.

To be fair, Mulder wasn't to thrilled with the snow either.  He walked out on the deck and you could see his shoulders just sink as he realized that there was snow.  Anya is the only one that is happy that is snowed.  She rushed out and rolled around in it with a huge smile on her face.

I like the temps and the snow, but I really don't want the ice and covered sidewalks.  I want to run outside as long as I can.  I hate running on treadmills!

Off to start the rest of my day!  Enjoy yours!

Back on Track!

After taking about a week off after my half-marathon and then another week off due to a bad cold, I'm back in the swing of things.  Monday River and I ran 3 miles and today we did 5 miles.  The temperatures have been great for running!  Monday was a little on the cool side, but today was perfect.

Today was a bit rough getting out the door though.  I really had to talk myself into this run.  I was starting to get a headache because of the rain that was moving in.  I'm still not completely 100% after my cold, but I had to get River out for a walk so I figured I should just suck it up and run.  I put my Suck It Up Cupcake Bondi Band on to keep me motivated.  Once River saw me putting my running shoes on and getting her water bottle ready she got really excited so that made me even more excited.  We went out and River just wanted to start chasing all the leaves and things blowing around.  I got her settled on a pace and she was all smiles.

We have a 5 mile run that we do that takes us through a park and past the dog park we take her too.  there is some path running and it's a nice run.  Today we ran it backwards.  It made for a nice change.  She loved running the path as she got to chase squirrels and more leaves.  When we got to the dog park she kind of half-heartedly tried to get me to go in, but she was really enjoying the run. 

We did take a different side road to avoid some construction on the main road.  It gave her some new things to smell and some new things for me to look at while running.  We did see a few houses that already have their Christmas decorations up.  I'm so not ready for that!

Once back on the main road, River got to race a few buses.  I don't know why she loves chasing those, but she does.  It gives me some great interval training though.  The last mile was into the wind and it started raining a bit.  It was a nice finish though.

I'm so glad I went out for this run.  It just felt so good!  Now I have to get some lunch and get my work done.  On to the rest of the day!

Monster Dash 5k

Tonight we were in Toronto for the Monster Dash.  It was our first time running the race and we are so glad we decided to do it!  It was an awesome race!

Yesterday we finished James' costume.  He is going as a Cyberman for Halloween and wanted to run the race in the costume.  It turned out pretty good.

I went as a butterfly fairy.

He was so excited to run this race.  His costume turned out better than I thought it would.  He did find out that Cybermen don't really sit.

Before the race we had to check out the finish line and get the last minute goofiness out.

We got to run the race in the dark so we brought our headlamps.  They really helped since part of the race was through the woods.  I thought he would have walked more since his costume was really cumbersome, but he was a trooper and ran almost the entire time!  He did walk to drink some water at the halfway point, but other than that he ran the whole time!  He was so excited when he finished the race.

After the race it was time to party!  Mike and I got to enjoy a really good vanilla porter from Mill Street Brewery.  It was a nice winter beer.  James enjoyed pizza, fruit, and juice.

Then it was time to dance.  And what dance does a Cyberman do?  The Robot of course!

 

 

 

 

He had a great time dancing!  And to top the night off, he won Best Costume for 17 and under!  He got a nice little prize pack that had 2 books, some ear buds, and 2 tickets to the Hockey Hall of Fame. 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a great night and we hope to be able to do this race again next year!



Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon-Half Marathon

Well, I did it!!!!!!!!  I ran my first half marathon in 2:44.30!  30 seconds under my goal time.  I had a good time with this race!

I was really nervous before the race.  James, Mike, mom and dad were great at trying to calm me down.  Here is James and before the race.

The size of the race was amazing!  The energy was amazing!  It was just a great race!

I started out too fast.  I felt really good and just let my legs run, but it was too fast.  I was 1:10 at the 10k mark.  Just off my best 10k time.  Not so hot for a half marathon.  I followed my plan and at the 10k mark I walked so I could eat my stingers and drink some Gatorade.  I still felt pretty good until about the 16k mark.  Then I could feel my muscles start to get tired.  I walked again to get the rest of my stingers and some more Gatorade.  At the 19k mark, my muscles were dead.  I had to walk a few minutes to get my legs under me for the rest of the race.

When I crossed the finish line I felt so good at having finished the race!  My legs were dead the rest of the day, but I did it!  I enjoyed running this distance.  It's just a good distance and a doable distance training wise. 

Here I am after the race.

I liked this distance so much, that I entered another half marathon on June 1st.  It will be the Niagara Falls Women's Half Marathon.  I'm excited and ready to do the training.

As of right now, my next goal race is the Robbie Burns 8k in January.  I'm going to be training for that starting next week.  This week I'm using to recover and do short runs to get my legs back.  Today I went for a short 2 mile run with River.  My legs are still pretty tired, but the run felt good.  It is getting cold out though.  I had to pull out my running tights and long sleeve shirts.  Brrrrr....I don't know that I'm ready for the cold weather yet.  Tomorrow I'm going to the gym to do the bike and Friday I'm taking another short run.  Sunday we have a 5k race that we are doing.  It's the Monster Dash in Toronto.  James and I are dressing up.  It should be a fun Halloween themed race.

I just have to get my legs rested and then I can get back on a training schedule and back in the gym for weights.  This race really got me motivated to keep running and to try the longer distances.

Race Blog Catch Up: 6 Days Left!!!!!!!

I have been so busy with things at home that I haven't been logging my miles or keeping up with my blog.  As Sunday gets closer, I'm starting to get nervous.  I have 2 more short runs before the big day!  I'm excited, but I know I will start getting snippy the closer it gets.

Last weekend we ran the CIBC Run For the Cure.  I got to run with River.  This was her very first race and she ran like a champ!  She loved running the race.  She didn't even want to stop at the half way point for water.  She looked at me and kept running.  James loved all the pre-race stuff and loved our t-shirts.  He likes doing this race.  Once River and I finished she kept watching for James.  When she didn't see him she made me run back to find him.  It was so cute.  They both got to run across the finish line together.

Here are a few pictures from the race.

Today I ran the KW Oktoberfest 5K Fun Run.  This is my 4th year running this race.  It leads off the Thanksgiving parade and follows the route.  It's hilly, but a lot of fun.  I ran in my chicken hat this year. 

James liked that it was easy to find me.  I ran a pretty good time and felt strong the whole way.  At some point my hat got turned around though.

Because of my chicken hat, I won the Spirit Award!  I got a bag of all sorts of Oktoberfest swag.  Here I am displaying it all.

It was a fun day.  I have to think of how to top my chicken hat next year.

Only 6 more days until I run my first half marathon.  AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

Day 85: Recovery Run Day

After running 2 races this weekend I let myself sleep in until I had to get up to get ready to start the day.  Sleeping in for my is 5:30-6:00.  I decided to run after I took James to school.  I'm glad it did it then.  There wasn't a lot of traffic.  There really wasn't a lot of people out.  It was still cool and River got to run with me.

We did about 2.5 miles at a nice easy pace.  We took a couple of paths through the woods and behind one of the schools.  She likes those paths a lot.  She was having a good time until another dog barked at her.  It wasn't a friendly bark either.  She gets so upset when dogs don't like her.  Poor girl was so sad the rest of the run.

The rest of my day has been working at the computer so I'm glad I got my run in when I did.  I may do the same thing tomorrow.  I don't know if I will be able to take River or not.  It depends on the weather.

Starting tomorrow I'm going to take at least one picture on my training runs until I run my half marathon.  I want to see the change in leaves and nature over the next month.  It should be fun.

Today I signed us all up for a Halloween run.  James was very interested in it so we will all be running the 5k together.  It looks like a lot of fun and it will be a nice easy race for me after my half.  I won't run fast and I'll just have fun with it.  It will also be a great way to get back into my training after taking a few days off.

I'm getting really excited!!!  Only 27days left!!!!!!!

Days 83 and 84: My Annual Fall Race Weekend

This weekend was my annual fall race weekend.  I ran the Oasis Toronto Zoo 10k and the Island Girl 5k.  I love this weekend and it's always a good time.

Saturday Mike and I got up early and drove to the Toronto Zoo for one of my favorite races of the year. It was not a nice day at all.  It was pouring rain and it really never stopped raining.  However, during the 10k it wasn't coming down hard, but I know the 5k race got soaked.

I love  running through the zoo with all the animals just waking up and right there watching us run.  The wolves were so cool sitting up on top of their hill watching all the runners go by.  I know they were looking for the weak one so I picked up my pace.

The route is always a hilly one, but I had a few goals in mind.  I wanted to run the entire 10k without walking at all.  I wanted to hold my half marathon pace as well.  I didn't walk at all!  I was so happy about that.  I was a little fast for my half marathon pace, but the half marathon isn't as hilly so it may be right on pace.  I was right on my best 10k time.  Not bad for the rain and the hills. 

Here I am before the race.

We were going to stay at the zoo, but the weather was so crummy that we just went home.  Mike waited for me in car and I texted him when I crossed the finish line.  He met me at the exit with an umbrella.

It was a great day and a great race!

This morning we had to get up early again and head back to Toronto for the Island Girl 5k.  This race is on Centre Island and is a nice flat course with the exception of the bridge at the start and end of the race.  I felt great on this run!  I ran a best 5k time and bested my time from last year's race by 5 minutes.  I felt strong and relaxed the whole race.  It was cooler today, but there was no rain.  It really was a beautiful day to race.

Here are a few pictures from the race.

As of today there is only 28 days until my half marathon.  In 4 weeks I'll have completed my first every half marathon race.  I'm really starting to feel like I can do this.

Days 76-78: Kind of a mixed bag weekend

I think I finally have a handle on this new school schedule.  At least I hope I do.  The past 2 weeks my training has been crap. 

This weekend was pretty good though.  Saturday, James ran his first obstacle race.  He ran the Badass Dash.  He had a great time!  It was a nice race for kids.  Mike and I couldn't run the adult race for several reasons.  For me it was too close to the half marathon.  For Mike, the only times open were early in the morning and I had swim practice.  He couldn't leave James alone while he ran.  Maybe next year.

Anyway, James had a good time and loved the obstacle race!  He said his favorite obstacle was the Water Web.  He got soaked, but he loved it!  He also love that he had to climb over a bus.  Here are a few pictures from the race.

Sunday, I got up and did the Terry Fox Run with the swim team.  My groups had to run a 5k and the older kids had to do 10k.  I did 20k because I had to get my long run in sometime.  It was a beautiful day to run and it was a loop course.  I did 8 loops.  I thought I would get bored with that, but I really didn't.  It was a pretty course and it kind of made it feel faster.  I may try to do that with my next long run here.

The run itself felt really good.  I did break down and get new shoes and that has made a huge difference.  I had no pain at all in my Achilles or hamstring.  I ran an hour and a half before I did my 5 minute walk to get my honey stingers and Gatorade.  Then I did a 2 minute walk at the 2:15 mark.  This run really made me feel like I can do this half marathon.  I should be under my goal time, but we'll see.

This morning I got up and did a 2 mile recovery run with River.  It is so nice to run in cool weather.  I love running in the fall and in the spring because the weather is so awesome! 

Tomorrow I'm supposed to do a tempo run that is in total 7 miles with warm-up/cool down and the tempo part.  I think I'll take River with me as there will be times for breaks and her to get water.  I'm feeling really good about this race.  Only 34 more days!