Rock'N'Roll Seattle

Hey All,

Here are a few pictures of the route from this weekend!

Seward Park

A beautiful day for a run, with a beautiful view

I-90 bridge

With cars on either Side we ran and were likely a bit of a distraction ;)

Coming up on the Home Stretch, with views of my 2 favorite places

Safeco Field

CenturyLink :)

Upside down of the Ferris wheel

What a fantastic day, a bit warm but better then torrential downpour like the Run for Water was.
I will do a full race recap later, but for now here are some pics for it and a forewarning, I hit the wall, crazy hard! and for some reason wasn't expecting to and was completely thrown off... yea...

Anyways! Happy Wednesday, Summer is official here but on the Wet West Coast you can't tell.

Last week of training? or a week of avoiding injury?

Anyone who trains for an event will tell you, injuries are a huge set back. They throw off your training, alter your movement and cause you to overcompensate, even when you are not doing the activity you are training for. Typically getting injured isn't something that plagues my mind, I wear my heels to work, race up stairs and walk with a purpose when necessary (aka, when something is wrong and needs to be fixed... they hear me coming, the shoes you hear first, then you know by the look.. or so I've been told). I promise, I am a nice person; however, I do expect things to function at an acceptable rate or pace.

Anyways, with less than one week to go before the marathon, the idea of sprained/rolled ankles and falling down stairs is plaguing my mind. This was fueled on Sunday, when I was out for a 13 mile run I went along a road with no sidewalk or shoulder. It was in farming area and I was waving to a farmer who was out painting his fence... and then my left foot had a little misstep and found itself in between the road and the dirt/grass. After a very unflattering recovering, full with arm swings and stumbling (I'm lucky I didn't throw my back out! and that there was no cars or video camera's to witness this), I pulled myself together and concluded no more waving! Stay with it Melissa!

Now, instead of wearing heels to work, I'm walking around the office in runners, and today I've even gone as far as to match my runners with my dress... Hey, their my Nike Women's Marathon Runners that are Tiffany Blue... they're fancy see:

 

So this week, is minimum running and minimizing the likelihood of injury... no tempting of fate over here. Stairs- one at a time, no need for running. Running- focus on where my legs are going and not pushing it to the point of fatigue. Biking- none this week... Ya, little bit sad about that but my quads are going to have enough to handle with the hills in Seattle. Swimming- same note as biking... although I might hit up the pool solo tomorrow morning to just stretch things out. 

Anyways, Happy Wednesday, I am half way through the work week and on the home stretch now. Happy Running, Cycling, Swimming or whatever else you do and be leery of being too energetic when saying hello to passerby's. (oh and Go Blackhawks!! Please... show up tonight not like Monday night... you do know this is the Stanley Cup Finals right?)

Misconceptions and Bad Race Day Signs

Hey, so after the debacle at the BMO Vancouver Half Marathon I hit up the pool last week. Its amazing what staring at the bottom of the pool for an hour does to my concept of self, and strength. Despite the fact that it was my first practice of the Summer session (ya, everyone else was in their second week- thanks awesome cold) I felt strong the next day. Sure all of my shoulder muscles felt like they were going to bust out of my shirt like the incredible Hulk they were so strained (Fly set the first day back = death the next day), but it hurt so GOOOOD.

Anyways, this Sunday I went for a 12 mile run, taking it easy ensuring that I walked when needed and took in plenty of fluids. Despite the slight rain, it is officially to warm out in the Lower Mainland of BC for a coat or long sleeve layers for this kid. So I took off my rain coat, tucked it in real good to my water belt at mile 2 and kept on trucking on. While I was running I thought of a few things pertaining to running and what my opinion was on the matter. Often at Marathons you see people holding signs, thinking that they are funny or will be motivating, such as:
                      'You thought they said RUM didn't you'
                      'Worst parade ever'
                      'Chafing is Sexy'
                      'Last Hill Ahead' (often followed by multiple hills... thanks awesome, cruel spectator)

etc... So on Sunday I thought of some of the signs I see and discussions with people who aren't runners I have pertaining to running so here is me debunking, and sharing some thoughts with you.

        -Chafing is sexy: Clearly the people who hold these signs have never experienced it... Chafing is not sexy, it hurts like nothing else, tends to go unnoticed until after or worse is noticed and gets progressively worse causing one to curse the fact that they didn't factor in the humidity or light rain fall while skipping out on the body glide
        - I could never run, I don't enjoy it: While, want to get in on a little secret, I enjoy what running brings to my life (healthy heart, endurance etc) but I often do not enjoy it either. I run because I like the idea of who I can be as a runner. I run because it helps my sanity and allows me to get lost for a moment in time and day dream about what my life may be. I'm not artistic, and although I'd rather grab a bowl of ice cream and reflect on these thoughts, I don't think I would appreciate the long term effects of being that type of person.
         - I could never be that motivated or disciplined: while runners appear to be motivated and disciplined, we also go out for runs for other reasons, such as to be social, hang out with others, or be with people without having to talk with people (seriously, go out running on a Saturday or Sunday morning, odds are you will be with other people)... also, it is always an added bonus when you cross paths with some eye candy ;) Hey whatever gets you out the door :)
         - I'm not in good enough shape to be a runner: Umm... thats why you should start running or walking? So that you can then become a person who happens to run for a certain period of time, and once your ready, you can identify yourself a runner. In my experience the running community is not one to judge, we come in all shapes, sizes, economic status and backgrounds. Anyone who is out there and giving it a shot we applaud and embrace as one of us. My friends viewed me as a runner long before I ever came to accept this term.
        -I don't have the time: We all have the time, it is if you are willing to make the time or adjust your schedule to fit it in. Being a healthy or healthier person starts with small changes, so I do find it difficult when people compliment or admire me but cling to this idea that they themselves could never be an active person it is rather annoying. Despite how busy and chaotic life may be, opportunities to hold the butter, or take the stairs do still exist.

Anyways, moving on to this week up ahead:
Monday - Swimming 1 hour (it was a free set)
Tuesday - potential work out dvd, and swimming 1 hour
Wednesday - Running (no time or distance determined)
Thursday - Swimming
Friday - Running
Saturday - Long Run (2 plus hours)

Happy Tuesday, and Provincial Election day :)

BMO Vancouver Half Marathon Recap

The BMO Vancouver Marathon was this Sunday, and I did the half so here is the recap of how it all went down:

Now although I have been sick and not logging in the training miles needed my plan going in was to try from the start for a PR and if it didn't feel right, I'd adjust my goal as need be...

I set myself up with the 2 hour pace group and at the start I dropped it like its hot, naturally ;), and hit the ground with low 8 mins miles, on par for what I wanted to do at the beginning, as it was downhill, and then hoped to hold onto 8:30/9 min miles for the remainder....

Well, low and behold my Garmin died... I have no idea why as I only went on one run with it since charging it! Clearly I need to charge it every time I'm going to go for a run (and this is also why I wore two watches a month or so ago when I went running). So at mile 2.5 I was watchless and to make the scenario even more unfortunate... I had brought my iPod shuffle with me, which left me with no way of timing myself (maybe these people who run with iPhones are onto something).

Hey Mom! Can you take my Garmin as it is no longer of purpose and will just cause a tan line?

 

 

 

But I saw my mom and friend, waived, said hi, gave a hug and told her how my Garmin had died but I was feeling good. I gave her my watch as I didn't see the point in pretending that I had any way of pacing myself and tried to find someone to try and stick with. Unfortunately I just could not get myself into the groove. I put my headphones in and tried to hit the pavement but it just wasn't happening. When the 2 hour pace group caught up to me I tried to stick with them but I was so hot it all just seemed so unbearable. At that point I then tried to find some of the people I knew running the race to join in with them but despite my attempts we missed one another and the will to keep going just wasn't there. 

So, after hitting the 10 km mark way off pace (1:05) and hoarking like the champ I am (thanks awesome nasal/chest/cold yuckness I have) I figured whats the worse that can happen? So I walked, with small intervals of running (I do not think I even ran for a whole song worth), and the heat got to me like crazy. Normally, mid 20 C- 30 C is my kind of running temp, but because I haven't been feeling that well my core body temperature seems to be a lot higher, or at least thats my theory and I'm sticking to it. 

An 11 km walk well everyone else ran and passed me :) always good to have that big serving of humble pie, but honestly, all I could do was laugh and enjoy the scenery and try to encourage those around me. When the wheels have fallen off and you know they have there is no sense in getting annoyed, it just happens. Oh the cold slap of reality, how brisk you can be but heck, it was still a lot of fun. 

Almost done, gotta at least run the last 1/4 km! 

My Mom and friend had a leopard print balloon so that I would be able to easily spot them at the view points we had previously discussed. (Lessons learned from the NWM 26.2 in San Fran). So as I came to the end and saw them, I bee lined it over, once again hugged, and thanked them for coming out and spending a Sunday morning chasing my friends and I around the BMO Vancouver running course. I then proceeded to sprint to the finish and likely confuse many people around me in the process (i.e. how does she have so much energy!?). 

Honestly, my body's inability to perform was an indicator of just how poorly I have been training and treating it (or how sick it has been?). I have 4 weeks to get myself back on track, and if I do not feel confident I will switch from the Rock'N'Roll Seattle full to the half. Running (or attempting) 13.1 miles at mediocre health is achievable for me, but 26.2 miles is not. I often say, 'I know my limits and I play within them', and this is an example of that. 

My final time for the BMO Half Marathon was 2:23:41, the slowest I have ever 'ran' 13.1 miles, and although it wasn't reflective of me as a runner, I still had a great time and my only regret is that I didn't pace my friend who was running her first ever half marathon... I got greedy and thought maybe my body would be able to pull one out (competitive streak). Although it may not have happened this time, I was reminded of how much work needs to go into being the runner that I want to be.

Happy Monday, and for anyone who did a race this weekend, I hope yours was a success!

Who Puts Away a Dead Garmin?!

Alright, so remember that Monday of the Boston Marathon... When I went for a run and thought it was extremely fitting that my Garmin died at the end of it... Ya, funny story, since I was leaving the next day for Florida I never charged it. Seriously? And I'm going into a Master's program?

My oh my. Anyways, yesterday I attempted to go for a run, was initially annoyed when I realized I had no Garmin. But then figured I would use my good ol IronMan watch which lets face it, same dif just no pace time really. And honestly, with this delightful chest cold I have it is probably for the best that I couldn't see my pace time.

I did an old and faithful route, that I used to do last year and the year before when I first started to really run outside. I am fortunate enough to live near by a park that has a lake with a walk/running path that goes around it. It was comforting to run a route that I used to do, to know that the one hill I may have to walk up but try not to get discouraged and just keep on keeping on. Sometimes, during these runs, the ones when you head out thinking you have come so far but mentally feeling discouraged like you haven't. It is during these runs, when you run old routes that you can feel reassured in yourself, in your strength and in how far you have come as a runner.

 It was a beautiful sunshiny day out, and the park was full of people running, walking and playing which is always nice. Since I had  no Garmin I used MapMyRun to see how far I went and was surprised as to the distance, yeaaa 5.13 miles... Oh, right, but I'm doing at least 13.1 next weekend (and should be doing 17 or something according to my training plan... awesome).

Anyways, I can't even remember what my time was, but heck, 5 miles is better then none at all, and the feeling of heat, exhaustion, and sweat running down my face was pure satisfaction.

This weekend I am going to attempt to go on a nice slow run on Sunday, and Saturday I'm not doing anything as I am working from 8:30 to a undecided time due to a work even that is taking place.

So Happy Friday to anyone who happens to see this and I hope it is a sunny Friday for you like we are having in the lower mainland right now. 

Running in Paradise

While, I've been in Hawaii over a week, and island hoped yesterday. The whole reason why I had taken so much time off from running when my knee started hurting was so that I could run while I was here.

And it was sooo worth it.

Running in March with just a running skirt, sports bra and vest :)

 

I ran 3 miles Monday (day 1) 4 miles Tuesday, took a break wednesday and Thursday and then 4 on Friday and Saturday.

 

Some people have a hard time running while on vacation, and I will admit there are some challenges.

 

For example:

             Eating Habbits- are completely different (you are on holidays, thats why you work hard all year round), oh and don't forget all the specialty beverages your drinking!

             Climate Change- the temperature change can be hard for your body to adjust to

             The Group- when you run, whoever you are traveling with may be waiting for you to get back so that they can make plans for the day which can put pressure on you to cut your run short.

 

But heres the thing, to me, exercising while on vacation is what I look forward to the most! I finally have no schedule to keep me tied down. I can run when I want, hit up the gym when I want and go take a swim in the ocean whenever I'd like. Plus, all of the walking around I've done is so much better then sitting in an Office Chair for 8 hours a day!

 

Now the quality of my runs while here may not have been the best, but really, just because you are in paradise doens't mean your runs are going to be paradise (see the above reasons for challenges... I'm sure some of those were contributing factors).

 

All, in all, for me, running is a part of my vacation that I look forward to, so I make time for it by waking up before the people that I'm traveling with. Its nice to start off your mornings by yourself, pounding the pavement or the plastic wood path. Passing fellow runners, saying good morning, and noticing how much straighter everyone runs here, with no pressure or burdens on their shoulders.

 

So when your on vacation, don't allow your routine or training to take a slide. Enjoy the freedom of a no work schedule, and if you are feeling the pressures of your group to be ready early, then wake up earlier. You aren't going to be the only one out there running, and it is nice to know that althouh you may be far away from your home running community, there is a running community that exists while on Holidays.  



    Cooling off in the Ocean after my Run... Not something I get to do back home

When the Snooze Button Wins... Kind of

Happy Wednesday! I do not know about you, but I am soooo happy that it is Wednesday, the only thing that would make this day better is if it were Thursday, or Friday oh Heck who am I kidding, really what I'm looking forward to is Sunday! (When I leave for Hawaii)... anyways, back to the reality of Wednesday.

As mentioned previously, I have been having some issues with my right leg, which turned Monday into a rest day (no tempo run), Tuesday into a rest day (no workout dvd), which brings us to Wednesday.

So, this morning I had every intention of waking up at 5:45 am, out the door by 6:30, at the gym at 7 (when the work gym opens) and go on the bike for 40-45 minutes...

5:45 rolled around, snooze was pressed, 6 am rolled around and the thoughts going through my head were not very nice. With the time change, we have reverted back to dark, dark mornings, where you peer out of your sleep filled eyes to find only darkness out there... That is not inviting... Anyways, 6:05 I mustered the energy to kick my blankets off and at 6:10 (yes, I was moving at a tortoise pace*) I finally made it upstairs to make coffee. Quickly* getting my lunch gathered for the day while the coffee was being made, and finally at 6:45 I was out the door.

I made it to the gym for 7:10, but upon getting there any thought of going on the bike was gone, as I looked at the 3 free treadmills waiting for me... I could hear them calling me from across the way, the comfort of the treadmill just drew me towards it. So I decided I'd give running a try, make sure I was looking at my form in the reflection of the window in front of me and the mirror beside me and the most amazing thing happened... Nothing hurt! So I ran 2.5 miles at an 9.05/mile pace and .5 miles at an 8:34 pace.... It was great!

This morning went nothing like I had planned, but even though that was the case, it was still great. I'm happy that even though I woke up late I didn't throw in the towel and sacrifice going to the gym. 3 miles is 3 miles, and 35 minutes on the always comforting Treadmill is 35 minutes of activity that I would not have gotten. So although the snooze button may have won the early battle, I came out victorious. I got my workout in before work, and it turned out to be better then I could have anticipated. (take that time change!) Anyone else experiencing the effects of this time change interfering with their pre work workouts?

Oh and quick side note, this morning at the gym, the people were actually working out! Granted it was predominately girls who were there right at 7 am... hmmm maybe its just the Thursday gym goers who are weird... The one girl was doing a circuit that scared the heebeegeebees out of me and made me happy I had a 'valid' excuse to be taking it easy!

An Unexpected Cause to Pause

Happy Monday, for those of you enduring the effects of Time Change, my one suggestion-Coffee... and lots of it. Now if you are confused as to where to find your coffee maker or filter, then you are in BIG trouble and I suggest treating yourself to coffee out this morning.

Last week was my first official week of marathon training and it looked a little something like this:

Mon-rest
Tues- 4 mile tempo run, Workout DVD (Shed and Shred by Jillian Michaels)
Wed- Ab and arm circuit with 5 min skipping warm up (30 min total time0
Thurs- Hill Training (aka DEATH)
Fri- 30 min swimming
Sat- rest
Sunday- 60 min swim with coach

Okay, so that little word following Sat is the cause for pause... what, Rest, isn't that supposed to be the long run day? Yes, yes it is... However, I have encountered a small little problem, that was a tweak a few weeks ago, but is not going away and I now have just accepted that it is a problem. At first, my right knee felt off. No big deal, take it easy, it'll go away... But then, I started compensating for it with my left leg... yes, now we are headed for troubled waters. Fast forward a week and last week Thursday evening my whole leg was almost in a semi flex, and my hip is telling me that something is definitely out of line.

So now, I shall be headed to physio sometime this week (hopefully sooner rather then later) as I have a suspicion as to what it is, and am desperately hoping it will be a quick fix. Unless I can do enough home stretching and exercises to correct it. But either way, I need to go get it checked out by a professional before I do any real damage. I hope that your training is going better then mine!! and remember, if your body is telling you something is off, take a break before you do greater damage, even if it means detouring from your 'plan'.

Neon On, Pride Off

Alright, so day numero 1 of hill training... umm OUCH! First of all, what masochist invented hill training (this better pay off!!) and Secondly, what other crazy people actually do this!

1.5 mile warm up 9.05
1 min incline 2.0, 2 min 3.0, 1 min 4.0, 2 min 3.0, 2 min 2.5, 1 min 3.0, 1 min 4.0
1 minute rest in between and on the back half I slowed the pace to 9.34/mile
cooldown
Total mileage done - 3.41

Okay, so I worked up the courage and went to the gym at work (I work at a University so it is the same gym that students, staff and faculty use...). I dressed quite modest (for me) to the gym,  capri's, running T-shirt... Mistake number 1 right there... Now remember, I am used to running on the treadmill in the privacy of my own home... meaning short shorts and sports bra/racerback. So I was dying of heat .12 miles in.

Mistake number 2- expecting no one to be there, sheesh I pulled up right when it opened and two guys were already on the treadmills. No worries though, 4 were available and I think I got the prime one, not super close to the mirrors, centred with a tv, Yes things were good. Except, I ended up being the only person in the whole freaking place who looked like they were in discomfort. Seriously! I think I had 2 or 3 waves of people come on the treadmills beside me and leave. Oh ya, because they were doing 'circuit' training... when I do a circuit I still break a sweat but hey, who am I to judge... I'm just saying 1 rep a minute aint going to get you anywhere fast... Oh ya, and the girl who came on the treadmill beside me, had a Tim Hortons coffee cup in her hand as she leisurely walked.... And people wonder why even though they go to the gym they aren't losing weight? (I mean if all you can do is 1 rep a minute then good for you! Do that, but if that is all that you could do you would probably be breaking a sweat because it is uncomfortable! I don't mean to be judgey, but I do think I rolled my eyes at the girl drinking her coffee while on the treadmill....)

So yes, I ended up being a hot sweaty mess, sweat dropping into my eye balls and falling on the treadmill, hair all over the place despite my head band. Ugh, this is why I enjoyed running in the privacy of my own home... all of these self conscious issues were avoided, but here's the thing, the purpose of a gym is to work out. So I learned a good lesson this morning. When the workout gear goes on, the pride comes off.

My workouts are not going to be perfect, my tempo pace wont always be met, and there may even be days when I have to walk. But at the end of the day, the point is that I make the best of the situation and don't let myself off the hook too easily, but extend grace when necessary. Its a balance that I will likely always be working at, but one that needs to be kept in check in order to ensure the longevity of my running life. Anyways, thanks for reading the random thoughts/rant about my gym experience... I have a feeling this may become a common trend: Random gym sightings!

Marathon Training... Its begun

Sorry for my delayed absence from this little blogging corner of mine. My sister was home for a week and a bit so I was busy visiting with her, then my parents got back from a 3 week holiday so my schedule has been a bit out of wack after work hours. 

So, Marathon training has officially begun, as of Yesterday when I fit in my 'tempo' run...and for those wondering the plan that I am following, it can be found here: http://abbotsford.runforwater.ca/run/training , this is what my copy looks like:

Page 1, converted to miles and dates altered for Rock'n'Roll Seattle

Although I am Canadian, I 'run' in miles. I can't do the km thing, because mentally, that is just too many!!! My mental strength can be rather weak at times, so I do not need a looming number surrounding my run to psych me out.

 Why I liked this training option?

                     a- its simple (although I roughly followed a trianing plan last time, I didn't stick to it, and my marathon was a disaster, sooo lets try and stick to a plan!!) 

                     b- 3 runs a week, I cannot run 5-6 times a week and if I can squeeze in a 4th junk mile run I will, but if my body feels like its going to break I'm going to swim it out

                     c- it easily allows me to fit in the BMO half as the week prior to it is a recovery week! :D 

I have realized that marathon training is hard, mentally, physically, financially even (just because of how much your eating and the quality of foods your eating) so this time around, I would like to give it the respect it deserves. 

My plan is the following:

                      Monday - Tempo Runs

                      Tuesday- DVD workout 

                      Wednesday- Intervals/Hills (or circuit training)

                      Thursday -junk mile or I will do the Interval/Hills if I can only run 3 days a week

                      Friday- swim before work

                      Saturday-  Long Run Saturdays 

                      Sunday - Swimming 

Now I realize that to the outsider, it appears that I have no rest day, but  I should clarify. Because I am not too sure how my muscles will respond, Wednesdays may become a rest day and Thursday will be the Intervals/hills as noted above. Also, Swimming on Fridays would be by myself, and for me, swimming is extremely relaxing and it stretches out my back and hips in ways that yoga does for other people... I just do not have the patience for yoga, just like most people think swimming laps is crazy and boring, I have the same feelings about yoga.

As nothing is set in stone I will try and update every Monday my week plan, and do Recap Sundays to digress about how things are going. 

Happy Wednesday! Hope wherever you are you are using the start of March as a reset and have started a journey towards a new goal or an old goal you have been putting off.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Week 1 of feeling better, and 1 week out of the official start date of Training for RNR Seattle... So what have I been up to, attempting to get my legs back and attempting to formulate a game plan so that I will not be completely owned by the Full Marathon like the Nike Women's Marathon (NWM). That race got the best of me, and I'm the first to admit that, but this time around I would like to walk away victorious, with the feeling that I am a marathon runner.

As I mentioned before, whenever I'm sick the hardest part is that mentally I expect myself to be the same as I was prior to, but the thing is, I'm not. So this past week I stuck with short, interval type runs. aka No pain No gain, so make it count. Monday was a 5 mile, Wed was 4 and Saturday morning I honestly can't even remember, the only thing I know was that it felt hard. I stopped, walked a bit, then would start back running again, I think I did just over 5 but once again I don't really remember and the point of this run was to just do it. To run, for a significant amount of time even though I didn't want to. Sunday I went to swim practice (ya, I handn't been in 3 weeks, I asked my coach if he missed me) and managed to do the fastest shower and change to make it to church that started 15 minutes after swimming practice ended.... God doesn't care if you smell like chlorine... now the people around me might of... Sunday was great because swimming is so different then running, and I have a coach that tells me what to do and other swimmers coming up behind me so I can't go all chillaxingly slow.

Now that I have had time to reflect and formulate goals, I have decided that the goal pace that I would like to work down to for a half is 8:30, and considering I'm doing the BMO Half in May, I feel like I have enough time to perhaps make this a possibility. Having done it before, I know that this is a good course to get a PR on because of its downhill gradient. Also, this year I'm going to do some training run's in Stanley Park/along the Seawall because mentally, I get owned when I run in nature and I finally realized why. While some people do so well in this type of scenic course, I fail because when I run, I love people watching! I love looking at houses or cars, seeing the ones I like or do not like, I run to be by myself, but still be with others. Also, I don't really care about flowers, what type of trees are around me bluh bluh bluh, I am soooo not zen enough for that to motivate me.

Well, once again, I have a plan (as you can tell I'm a plan and making lists type of gal), so lets see how well I will follow this and execute it. With 1 week left of non structured running plans I have a feeling this week is going to be rather sporadic and my last week of running only on my beloved holey treadmill... Tonight will be a Biggest Loser/Oscar fashion recap inspired run, so likely I will easily zone out on the Treadmill and spend 90 minutes there... Seriously, Oscars last night, I Love Jennifer Lawrence, and only she can recover from her fall with such smooth humor... Also, now I am motivated by all those Woman in form fitted gowns to get my butt on the treadmill to make sure I keep everything 'tight'. Hey, motivation is motivation, plus, lets face it I really like me some food. :) So whatever, motivates you, I hope you find it on this Monday and start your week off right. Happy Monday!

Plan Z...

After last weeks optimistic post, and great hopes and good feelings about February 17th, Wednesday evening came... which from now on will be known as the start of the epic cold/flu hybrid of 2013... I have been out of comission since Wednesday evening... and I am now faced with the uncertainty of what to do this upcoming Sunday. Often when I'm sick, once I finally have the energy to run again it is extremely frustrating and dissapointing because I've taken so many steps back in my strength and endurance. But do I really not want to do this run this weekend? I don't know... or do I try and switch to the 10 km? I do not know...

At this point in time I'm not too sure how I'm going to proceed or what I will be doing come Sunday morning, but first things first I need to just focus on getting myself better and getting back to work and a minimalist version of my daily routines...

Hope everyone else is in better health than I am... Oh also, so much for the plank a day challenge... flip side, my abs do look quite fabulous, its amazing what this cold/flu will do for a girls figure ;).

Plank a Day

Happy Workout DVD Tuesday! Woot Woot! I am so ready to bust a move tonight, followed by the inevitable not being able to move and cringe every time I go up the stairs at work for the rest of the week. I mean it just hurts so good!!

Anywho! So last week Wednesday there was no Wicked Workout. The hole in the treadmill has me a little scared to use it, plus I had a looming deadline on Thursday so I would not have had time anyways. Thursday and Friday I didn't end up doing any form of exercise because I was being lazy, additionally after work on Friday a friend was coming over to watch the hockey game...

                            Geography does not depict my team of choice

Yes I am from BC, Yes I live around Vancouver, but NO I am not a Canucks Fan ;)... It is amazing that I can go out and not get heckled too much... my Mom says its because I'm a female sports fan, I don't know what the reason is, but I will take it! (So coming into work on Monday may have slightly sucked... but hey, at least I ain't no closet fan!)

Moving on! Saturday I had every intention of going outside for a long run... instead I baked, swept the floors and washed all of the mats in the house... Ya... I don't think this was a very good excuse but I don't know, I just couldn't find the motivation. While it may have been a beautiful, sunny day on Saturday, I chose the rainy Sunday to go for a run...

 

Wasting time before Super Bowl the only way I know how

However, this run ended up being great! First - I figured out my running clothes for the Fort Langley Half. Second - Outside speed work (hello 8:34 min miles!) and finally- steep little hills that are quite comparable to the Fort Langley Half hills.... it may not have been a high mileage run, but it did boost my confidence and I now have a game plan going into the Fort Langley Half. 

The thing about Half Marathons after you've trained and done a full, is that they seem like no biggy. You know your body, you know your limits and you know how hard you can push yourself. Sure I likely should have trained a bit harder for this run, but the thing is that I know that I'm stronger than I was last year physically and mentally. Plus, I have the confidence in myself to know that I can finish. :)

Now, Seeing as the Fort Langley Half is quickly approaching, that means another event is happening... HAWAII!! Which is why the title of this post is 'Plank a Day'. Now until Hawaii I will be doing... a plank a day! (thank goodness I have new music on the iPod because i'm going to need it.) Last night I started my Ab workout and finished it with 3 planks (2 x 60 secs, 1 x 90 secs). From February 4th- March 16th I will be doing at least a 1 minute plank a day... ya I realize to most people this isn't even an issue, but for me, well this is the start of something I often say I'm going to do or would be a great idea, but don't follow through on (Beyonce may or may not have had a motivation factor... she looked AMAZING!).

So, happy Tuesday, I hope you all enjoyed the Super Bowl (and Beyonce!!! I may or may not have screamed when Destiney's Child was reunited... and was refrained from dancing only because my friends boyfriend was there), and bring on the 2013 NFL season, us Seahawk Fans are ready.

Wicked Workout Wednesdays may be temporarily postponed :(

Well, what a week, and it is only Wednesday. Will there ever come a time when I do not feel that I am working for the weekend? Because right now, that seems to be all I do, and my weekends aren't even that fun... oh well...

So Monday morning fail turned into a very sad evening. My faithful training partner, who calmed the storms of University, allowed me to run when it was rainy and dark outside, was there for me at all hours night or day appears to be on the verge of retirement...

After many years, long mileage runs, and two a days it appears this old girl has served her faithful time and is ready to be let go... I do not know how I feel about this and after Monday's speed session (speedy for me... 9 min mile, 3 x 8:44 min miles) I haven't gone back to try her out. Between the loud noise the belt makes when it is going through, and the fear of busting my knee by having my foot get caught, I think its time for me to bring my running clothes to work and start using the facilities here, or go outside during lunch... ya I don't know how I feel about either of those options as I'm used to busting it out and looking a hot mess in the comforts of my own home with no one watching....

Alas, moving on! DVD Tuesday began yesterday (after being postponed for two weeks) and it was awesome! Thank you Jillian Michaels, I don't think I will be able to sit and not engage my core muscles today.... I  have decided that along with DVD Tuesday, Tuesday will be my weekly weigh in as my friends scale tells me the numbers I actually care about... Body % Fat and BMI.... now those are numbers I can focus on and try to improve, weight on the other hand, well, muscles weighs more then fat blah blah blah you get the point.

So now with a treadmill temporarily out of order, how am I going to fit in Wicked Workout Wednesday... I have a feeling things are going to get creative, and weights, a deck of card, balancing ball, and skipping may be involved (yuck) oh well! A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do, and sometimes, you just gotta make it work with what ya got.

Anywho! Happy Wicked Workout Wednesday, we are half way through the work week (if you work a mon-fri job) and January is almost over! All in all plenty to be thankful for and Spring to look forward to :)

Does Painting count as a workout?

So I realize that my reasoning for creating this little blog seems to have failed as I am lacking on posting and thus keeping myself accountable... but I'm hoping that once next week has past I will be able to actually put some time and energy into this... more about that later (I know, annoying right... why even mention it?)

Anywho, so my wicked workout Wednesday, it actual turned into a wicked run... ya 7 miles on the treadmill refusing to get off the darn thing! It felt great! It was good to finally get some mileage into my runs, and mentally it is just such a relief to exceed the 6 miler mark.. For me, once I pass 4 miles, they all begin  to meld together. I think every runner has that point, at some distance or another when it becomes easy... Unfortunately there is an end to that (mine is likely around 14 miles... meaning that for a half i'm totally fine once I pass the 4 mile mark but for the full I somewhat end up dying and wanting to cry once I hit 14 miles and often you can see the half marathoners finish as you are forced to carry on...)

Anyways! So last Wednesday, awesome run! Pretty sure I took Thursday off if I can recall correctly, and then Friday my big project began. For my moms birthday (which is in December) I had given her a card with a paint swatch in it, indicating that I would repaint the downstairs rec room (the last room in the house that needed to be redone!) for her birthday and Christmas present... yes I know many are opposed to combined gifts, but most of my family is born in November and December so funds are tight and ideas become limited.... I mean sure she wanted gift cards for her koboo reader but seriously, how lame would that be?!

So, this weekend my parents were gone so I figured it was the perfect time to redo the basement! I did the taping and filling on Friday evening, and then Saturday I did the first coat of paint in the morning turned the heat on, ate a late lunch and did the second coat. On Sunday I  went to Swim Practice, and then came home before my parents got there and quickly moved the furniture around... does anyone know how heavy a treadmill is? Let me tell you, that was a precarious situation I found myself in but alas, the furniture was moved!

They came home were surprised, I still had to do one wall and a bit due to the set up of the room (the tv and ALL of its accessories needed to be moved before I could get to that wall) so Monday and Tuesday were spent to coat number one and coat number 2 in that area. So now, Wednesday is here once again, and it has been a week since I've run *gulp* oops.....

Well, painting worked muscles in my arms and hands I did not know existed, or perhaps their lack of existence is why I was sore... So, hopefully that plus the permanent squats I was doing means that tonight when I try to tackle a run it will not completely suck...

Oh and by the way, swimming on Sunday was great, had a bit of a break through and in someways it was completely depressing in realizing that having taken so much time off from it the strokes had changed so much.... Oh well, perhaps I will be proof that sometimes, once in a while, you can teach an old dog new tricks... if it isn't too stubborn to give it  a shot...

So whatever you are up to today, just remember, you are halfway through the week, the weekend is in your grasp, so even though you may bribe yourself with the thought of bed right after work go for a walk, a quick run or a home circuit while watching your favorite wednesday night show... whatever gets the blood flowing :)

Happy Wicked Workout Wednesday!!!

Getting Back to It...

Getting back into it... the Holidays are officially over, the business of the start of the School Year is slowing down in the work place, meaning returning to regular work hours.

With all of this being said, I made a new playlist this weekend to help motivate me when I'm running. I know it is so silly, but seriously an updated playlist with a few new songs or just a rearrangement of old ones makes for a whole new running experience in my books! (This is also when having a treadmill in your house comes in handy, because if you start busting a move or singing while running there are no eye witnesses... not that I would do this but hypothetically speaking).

Last week was a good week, I threw a 5 miler in the mix on Thursday, and then a 4 miler on Saturday and a 3 miler on Sunday. Monday I took the day off and on Tuesday I was supposed to do a new Jillian Michaels workout DVD, but I had a horrid sleep the night before and was at work for 7 am (meeting in Vancouver... for a morning I was like an important person). The whole tossing and turning, and freaking out about the prospect of being late for work resulted in me being rather lazy in the evening and soaking in a bubble bath with water so hot I'm pretty sure I sweated enough that it was like I did an H-core run! (same effect right?... No hmm alright). *Side Note, mothers whether they stay at home or work I have no idea how they do it all and manage to fit in time to workout...I'm one person and I EXHAUST myself!!!*

So anyways, seeing as today is Wednesday, aka humpday, aka 2 more work days until the weekend tonight I'm going to try and make it count. Workout DVD plus a run on the treadmill while watching Chicago Fire? I think so! Lame sauce Wednesday is going to be wicked work out Wednesday!(or thats my story while I'm sitting on my butt at work... come 4: 30 hopefully I will be singing the same tune!!)

Wild Card Weekend and Running while Flailing

Hey, so I definately started writing this post earlier this week, but with how crazy the work week has been here it is a little late being put up:

Sat: first run of 2013 outside... not even 3 miles (it sucked) 
Sun: 1 hour swim practice
Mon: 3 miles on the treadmill

Wild Card Weekend (NFL) was this weekend, meaning that I was enthusiastically glued to the television; especially while the Seahawks were playing. Well the first 13 minutes had me a bit worried, I quickly realized that I needed to eat celery, 4 pieces to be exact, in order to ensure the Hawks success (remember, it's only weird if it doesn't work)... So after swim practice on Sunday morning, I hit the couch hard and watched the end of the Baltimore Indy game and the whole Seahawks vs Redskins game...

So, since being sick over Christmas holidays, I have been attempting to run, and mentally I think that I have the same physical capacity as before... but when the cold reality on Saturday morning while out on my 'run' the real wake-up call came... Apparently being sick, not eating much and not moving really wiped me out...

This New Year is not taking off how I had hoped it would... instead of enjoying a glorious 6 mile run outside I didn't even last 3 miles, I was cold, my lungs felt like they were being ripped out of my body and I slowed down had the cold rain absorbed in my clothes and angrily stomped home feeling like a running poser... *sigh* alas, I am not Wonder Women or some Crazy Runner girl full of amazing running capabilities, I am me. I struggle, some days running is easy, and others it completely sucks... but at the end of the day, as long as I tried, extend a bit of grace and understanding it is all good in my books :)

Holiday Goals out the Window!

Well, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! For the past two years I have gotten sick over the Christmas season, this year I was determined to not get sick on Christmas... so the eve of the 26th came and I was sick sleeping on the couch with Vicks and a towel wrapped around my throat... Awesome :(

Anyways, since I had been battling a cold for the past 2 - 3 weeks I decided that if my body truly wanted to be sick I was going to let it in hopes of kicking this terrible bug/sore throat/ cold whatever it was... So bring on the NyQuil, Cold FX, Vitamin C, Throat Losengers etc... I wanted to sleep and knock this thing out of my system. The cold combined with being away (I was in Seattle the weekend before Christmas and the weekend after) resulted in no running taking place for 7 + days! Which is crazy for me, but seriously needed (one night I slept 13 + hours!!!)

So, what did I learn from this Christmas season and holiday experience... all of my tips for fitting in the workouts didn't work. Short days, travel and the hustle and bustle of family and Christmas and needing copious amounts of sleep resulted in no time to run... But at the end of the day, thats okay. What is a week or two without running? My identity is not completely locked in to me running (just slightly) and taking a break does not make me 'not a runner'.

Now, back to work, back to routine and back to running. Tomorrow is going to be the first outdoor run of 2013 and I'm hoping for a good one. So, whatever it is you are up to this weekend, I hope you have a great time and if you see a girl who looks like she is dying running outside, that just may be me. :)

How Much Is Too Much?

Monday Evening - Ran on Treadmill 6 miles

Tuesday Evening - Ran on Treadmill 3 miles

I first started running long distances, and training for half marathons last year. The end of December 2011 (I think it was the 28th or 29th) I signed up for my first Half Marathon, which was to take place in February. Prior to this, the longest I ran was 4 maybe 6 miles every now and then but I typically stuck with the tried and true 3 miler. As many runners may know, once you start running races, you catch this type of running-bug. So naturally I did another half marathon three months after my first, got into the Nike Women's Marathon and started training for that shortly after my second half marathon.

Although I tried following a training plan, what I quickly  realized that my body is not made for high mileage training. I do not think that I will ever be one of those people who can consistently run 5-7 times  a week and stay 100% healthy. Instead, 3-4 runs a week, and cross-training (alright, the goal of cross-training, great intentions... but really, who wants to go for a bike ride in December, or drive to the pool in the cold to get into a cold pool and do laps... not this kid), with one rest day every week seems to be the way my body functions best.

So all of this being said, why did I decide to run back to back nights? Because giving advice and adhering to it are two very different things. But perhaps, this upcoming year, I will do a better job at listening to my body, training smart, and cross-training. :)

Like I said, I'm getting a jump start on this whole New Years resolution...