Let the Half Marathon Training Begin!

Today was my kickoff to half marathon training.  I won't really start a structured program until next week, but James was here and we went for a run.


He was up before me this morning.  I was in the process of trying to drag myself out of bed when I heard him rustling around.  I got up and checked my email while he spent a half hour doing his "paperwork" in his "office."  I thought I would have to pry him out of bed and hook him up to River's leash to get him started, but nope, he was ready to go.


Today we took a route that went by his old school.  I think that was some of his motivation.  His mother moved so he switched schools this year.  He loves his new school, but misses his old one.  Plus the route is fairly flat for my benefit.


River was ready to go as well.  She did he getting into the leash dance and the hurry up and put on your shoes song.  It was a nice morning for a run and River took off with me in tow.  I got her settled into a pace just in time for a bus to come along.  River views buses as the enemy and it's her job to protect the city from these vicious beasts.  It's a job she take very seriously.  After she yelled and chased the bus away, we had to wait for James to catch up.


We didn't get very far from the bus stop when I pug decided to join us on our run.  Pugs are not good at looking both ways before they cross the street, so I'm waving a van off while this pug is moving it's little pug legs to catch up to River.  Once he got to us, he decided that running isn't a pug thing, but cuddles was.  The owner came and got him and we were off once more.


I think back to when I first started back with running and how I wouldn't go on main roads because I didn't view myself as a "real runner."  Man was I missing out. I love to see the looks on peoples faces as I'm running.  Now keep in mind I have a crazy eyed coon hound around my waist, a 9 year old boy doing his best impression of the Phoebe run from Friends, and my Training For the Zombie Apocalypse Bondi Band on.  I can only imagine what we all looked like.


Today we ran a half mile further than we ran on Sunday and only a minute and a half longer.  I'm very proud of my running partners.  James a very clear goal of running the 10K Lord of the Bling virtual run.  He really wants to do that so he's training for it now. 


We're home now and getting ready to shower and run errands.  I'm off to Nepean for a swim meet so probably won't get my runs in this weekend.  I'll take my running stuff just in case, but I don't see it happening.  If I don't get to run, my next run with be the Canada Day 5k on Tuesday.


Canada Day is when my training officially kicks off.  James and River will be my training partners for the shorter runs, sprint days and hill days.  James says his looking forward to the hill days because he loves running uphill.  He's a bit crazy that way.


Have a great weekend!

What a Sticky Run

Today I postponed my run until after I dropped James off at school.  I think that was a mistake. I should have just run at five this morning.  It got humid out!  River was excited when she saw my running shoes come out.  I love watching her literally jump into her harness to go for a run.  It makes me smile and it makes it easier to get out the door.

We started out at a slow pace until a city bus passed us.  All bets were off then.  See, River thinks buses are giant rabbits to be chased.  I will say I do get my interval training in by running with her.

She was fine until about 15 minutes into the run.  She started slowing down then.  I don't take water with us on anything under 5k as it's usually around a 30 minute run.  Today I think she may appreciated the water.  I also didn't think it was that humid out either.  I feel like such a bad doggy mama. 

I did have to stop and stretch my hip so she got a rest then.  When I fell on Monday, I must have landed on it and not realized it.  I can't tell if there is a bruise as it's right where I have one of my tattoos so I can't see it there is a bruise there or not.

Towards the end of the run, I thought River was going to slow down for a walk but one of those really loud giant rabbits went by and we sprinted almost the last 3 minutes. 

After our walks or runs, she usually demands her lunch.  Today she drank some water and flopped down on the floor and is now sound asleep.  She's worn out.  Poor girl.  She loves every minute of the run though.

Tomorrow I'm back in the gym and starting back up with the weights.  I'll stop in the gym after I'm done coaching my Masters swim practice.  I'm excited to be back at it.  I'm feeling pretty good and motivated to get back to running and back to the gym.

It's all about pulling hard, running fast, being carefree and having fun. 

Back At It!

This morning I was determined to get up and out the door for a quick run.  I know I have to build back up and that is the plan.  I set my alarm and the dogs helped get me up.  I fed them and got dressed.  When I pulled out my running shoes, River got really excited.  She knows what my running shoes look like and she knew that she was going to go for a run.  Once she gets going, I have no excuse not to get out the door.


I only had about 20-25 minutes since Mike had to leave for work.  It was just enough for my first day back.  It was a beautiful, cool morning.  I had the radio on and was enjoying the quiet calm of the day.  Early mornings are my favorite time of the day.  River and I love being out and checking out everything. 


I felt pretty good and the run was feeling nice and easy.  That's when it happened.  I misjudged the curb and did a fantastic swan dive into a beautiful tuck and roll landing.  I sat there stunned for a minute and then hopped up before anyone saw me.  As I was sitting there, River gave me a look that said, "Get up!  I have geese to chase!"  When I got home I saw the damage.

I also have a nice scrape on my ankle.  It was quite the fall.  We finished the run and I sat on the deck for a bit just enjoying the birds and the world waking up.  

Tomorrow I'm out for a bit longer.  Just increasing my time not focusing on the mileage just yet.  Just running a few more minutes each day for the next week and a half.  July 1st is my kick off for training for my next half marathon.

Beautiful Friday

I got some much needed sleep last night.  One of the reasons my motivation has been lacking is my lack of sleep.  I have been having problems sleeping.  I have slept fairly well the past few nights so Sunday should be a go for my run.


I took all 3 dogs our for our mid-morning walk and they loved it.  The walk well together for the most part.  River wants to get back to running though.  When we pass a runner she looks back at me as if to say, "This should be us!"  Mulder and Anya are not runners, but they love the long walks.


I get to spend the rest of the day hitting up all the thrift stores because James announced that he wants to go at the 11th Doctor to the Niagara Falls Comic Com tomorrow.  I'm off to find the pieces for the costume.  At least it wasn't a Pokémon character because I have no time to make a costume like that.


I spent the walk making my normal lists of what needs to get done and spent some time thinking about my running.  It's one of the few times I don't think and with my mind in overdrive lately I really need to get back at it.  I planned our route for Sunday.  I know it's just going to be a short run, but just thinking about getting back out there makes me smile.  Sunday looks perfect for a run too!


I'm ready to be back at it.  I have a few races coming up that I will run with James and I'm excited to have him training with me this summer. He won't go on long runs, but he and I will do some short runs, hill work and speed work together.  He made the comment that he likes running with River and I.  Then he said something that I have to remember to keep me motivated and remind me why I enjoy running.  He said, "I like when we run with River because she has a lot of fun running.  She reminds me of 4 things about running.  You should run fast, pull hard, be carefree and have fun."  It's so true! 


Running should be fun and carefree.  Sometimes I think we lose that when we are training for a goal race or trying to find time to fit in a run.  My goal for the summer is to be carefree and have fun while I'm running.  I want to be as happy as River is when she's running.  I want to have that 9 year old mind set that James has.  Just have that feeling I did when I was a kid.  How great it felt to run.


So my mantra for the summer is Run Fast. Pull Hard. Be Carefree. Have Fun!


Have a great day!

Niagara Falls Women's Half Marathon Wrap Up

It's been awhile since I've posted and I need to get back at it. 


On Sunday I ran the Niagara Falls Women's Half Marathon.  It was a great race and a beautiful venue.  The race kits was amazing!  I loved running by the Falls.  My problems were my own doing. 


I've had some motivation issues so I haven't been running like I should.  I hadn't run for 3 weeks leading up the race.  I knew it was going to be rough go of it.  I was so right.  The first 15 minutes were pure torture.  I had to give in and do a 5 minute run 2 minute walk for the remainder of the race.  It worked well, but I was disappointed in myself for not training.


I added 9 minutes to my best time.  I'm going to run this race again next year to prove to myself that I can do it well.


I'm getting back on a training schedule starting on Sunday.  River and I are up early and out the door.  Now that swim season is almost over I can focus on me.


I'm looking forward to an easy 4-5 miles on Sunday. 


I'm signing for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon again this year.  Training will start July 1st for that.  I have some 5ks on the schedule for this summer and a few fun runs like the Dirty Dash, the Warrior Dash and a color run at sometime.


James will be running some of them with me and I have to be ready to run with him.  I'm looking forward to training this summer and fall.


Here we go!

Day 3: Olympic Inspiration

James got up early this morning and I had been up for a couple of hours already.  I was watching the Olympics and the women's hockey game was starting when he got up.  It was USA vs. Canada.  He was very excited and got to watch the first period before he had to get ready for school.  On the way to school, we kept trying to find the game, but couldn't.  When we got to school, the US was up 1-0.  I went to the gym after dropping him off and was able to watch the 3 period.  It was a pretty good game.  Canada won 3-2.  When the United States scored their 2nd goal I forgot where I was.  I was running along and when the goal was scored, I threw my hands up and said, "YES!" in a not so quiet voice.  Oops....It was a good game.  I can't wait for the medal games now.

I did do 4.5 miles on the treadmill today.  I felt pretty good and kept moving.  I think watching the Olympics is helping.  It helps pass the time and I am an Olympic junkie!  I got to also watch speed skating.  Today was a day off from my weights.  Tomorrow I have another cross training day and weights again.  Friday is my first long run of my training.  I have to remember my vasaline though.  My legs are a bit chaffed from running today.

This weekend I'll have 2 rest days as I'm at a swim meet all weekend.  It should be a fun time though. 

109 days left!

Day 2: Half Marathon Training Has Begun!

And I'm off and running!  Yesterday and today I was in the gym with my goal in sight!  Yesterday I ran a 5k on the treadmill (Yuck!) and did weights (legs).  Today was a cross training day so I did the recumbent bike and upper body weights.  It felt good.  I'm glad I used last week to get back in the swing of things.  I have a schedule and my training plan, so I'm ready to go!


I just want some of this snow to melt so as my long runs get longer, I can run them outside.  I can only do about 10k on the treadmill and that's a mental battle for me.  I just hate staying in the same place the whole time.  I do make a game out of it and speed up and slow down at various times.  It doesn't make it any easier mentally for me though.  I just have to get through it I guess. 


Weight lifting has been going really well.  I feel really good while doing it.  I'm already going to up the weight on some exercises.  That's a good sign!


With my half marathon training comes my half marathon eating.  More protein and lots of fresh fruits and veggies!  I love it!  I have been eating like crap for about a month.  I haven't been getting enough vegetables and I can tell.  But I'm back on it and should start feeling more energized soon.


My next check up race is on March 8th.  It's the downhill race I run every year.  This year I'm going to break 30 minutes!  That's my goal and I think I'll be there by March.


Tomorrow I'm doing a 4-5 mile run, but no weights.  Thursday is another cross training and weights day.  Friday is my long run, 10k.  Saturday and Sunday I'm at a swim meet so I won't be able to get in any runs.  Monday should feel good though after standing on the pool deck the whole weekend.


110 days until I run my race!  Let's get this done!