Its a long road

Wow, what a tough couple of weeks. No time to blog. I did my long run on July 18 but struggled at the end. The 2 little water bottles that fit in my belt just aren't enough for a 20k run. I've come up with a plan for refilling the bottles along the way so hopefully that will help. The week following, I was training for the Keats Swim. Just over a mile from Keats Island to Amours Beach in Gibsons. I was getting up early (slightly earlier than usual) to go to the pool for 6:30 am. Sweet that it is right beside my house. Anyway, I swam 90 laps on Monday (1800 m), paddled Monday night with a swim at our rest break, ran a tempo run Tuesday night followed by circuit training. Wednesday morning when I went to swim I was a little worn out. I only did 45 laps thinking that I probably should save something for the actual swim.

So Sea Cavalcade came along and I entered the mile race right before the parade. Looking at how I have run so far I was thinking I might be able to do it in 8 1/2 minutes, 8 if I'm really on. I am very pleased to say that I ran it in 7:25. I was third from last but I surpassed my expectations so I'm really happy about the results. Something to beat next year.:)

I was hoping for a spectacular time at the swim but I don't think I did much better that the last time I swam it when I wasn't fit at all. I guess I'm just a slow swimmer. Go figure. But I did it. I finished second to last on that one. I guess someone has to bring up the rear.

After the Keats Swim of just over an hour, I needed to do a long run. Just 15km this time, as per Denise. I wan't sure I would make it the full distance as the swim was quite taxing. I actually finished the run with energy to spare and I did it at about the same pace as my tempo runs. I kept thinking my GPS wasn't working but my pace gets slower when it isn't working, not faster. Don't know what that was all about but I hope to repeat. When I did the tempo run on Tuesday I struggled to do the 6:30 pace. Maybe because it was much later in the day than usual or the stress of the long hours at work or not getting enough sleep. I really hope next week goes better.

I would have liked to have gone back to the pool this week but I was so busy at work getting GST's done for the end of the month that I was getting up even earlier than I did to go swimming! I even missed my circuit training this week and am down a run. I am so looking forward to this weekend. Hopefully the long weekend will energize me and I can get back into the routine of training.

I have been thinking a lot about core training. I would really like to start as I think it would really help my overall posture and running. Plus I really would like to get rid of this pot belly. I'm not sure how I am going to go about it or when I will start. I will have to do some research into the best exercises. I would like to start doing Denise's DVD's but again, as with everything else, I'd have to try to fit it in.

Next weekend I am doing a half marathon in Ladner. I still haven't decided how to approach it. I would like to do it like a tempo run. If I could do it at the pace I did last weekend, I wouldn't get a PR but I'd be happy with the results.

Wahoo, 92 days and counting!!

What! No Feedback?

I was about 10 minutes into my run when I realized I turned off the little voice in my head. Well, actually, the little voice in my running program on my iphone. I decided to let it go and see how I do without the feedback every five minutes. It was a tough run. My legs were tired. I may have to rethink running 3 days in a row. Especially if the first 2 are hard runs. I think the feedback keeps me motivated. However, it may also give me an excuse to run slower. My goal was an easy 8.5 km run at about a 7:08 per km pace. I clocked an average 6:36 pace for 9.33 km. Can't say I'd have run UP Gibsons Way from North Road if I'd have known I had done my 8.5. I was tired at the end but glad I had run. Went to circuit training afterwards. I had a glass of fruit juice before I went and I think that helped with my energy level.

I went swimming this morning. I finally liked it. I forgot why I used to like to swim. The last few times I went I didn't get into that rythm where I feel I can swim forever. I found that today. Music would sure be sweet, though!

105 days to Athens

July 15, 2010

Well, I got to Davis Bay. I was quite tired but I stopped because my right calf was hurting and not getting any better and I was afraid of doing damage. The run was 17.5 km. Not what I was hoping for but good enough. I'll do another long one this week and then I start to alternate after that. I'm not going to get to run longer than the 42.2 km but all the literature says I'm not suppose to anyway.

I think the pain in my right calf was caused by the new Shape-Up runners that I've been wearing. I don't feel the extra work when I'm walking in them but they may be doing something. I've stopped wearing them for a week to see if the pain goes away. If it does and I start wearing them again and the pain comes back I'll know. The last 2 runs I have had the calf pain but not as bad as Sunday. Mind you, I didn't run as far.

I had a great run with Wendy on Tuesday. I felt great after we were done but we still had a decent pace for the Tempo run. Wendy suggested we try different routes so she came up with a new one for next Tuesday. I'm looking forward to it.

Last night was a good run. I did my second hill work out. I used Payne hill from Reed to Cemetery. I only did 3 repeats (it was all I could do anyway) but when I got home and read my schedule, I was suppose to do 5. Yikes! 107 days to go and I'm already behind! :)

I've also been feeling kinda PMSish. I'm thinking it is because my shot is due so I booked an appointment to get it Friday. Hope it helps. That and a new haircut and I should be ready to take on the world. Or at least the Gibsons Mile and the Keats Swim next week.

107 days to go!

Long time no log

Wow, time flies when you're busy! It feels like this is the first time that I'm able to take a breath. We spent the weekend in Vancouver the weekend of the Scotia Bank half. After much debate about logistics, I left work at 10:15 am the following Wednesday and we headed off to Calgary for the Canada Day "long" weekend. While the last thing I want to do these days is spend 10 hours in a vehicle, it was a very worth while trip. We saw most of Dale's family and they are just such wonderful people that it ALMOST negates the long trip. And I did get to run! I ran 3 days in Calgary. It is actually a very run friendly place. There are lots of paths throughout the city. And more than enough hills to keep it challenging. And the bonus is that I got to run one on one with Dale's niece who owns a fitness centre. I participated in her 9 am strength training class. I found out that I am not as fit as I led myself to believe. It was very challenging and I was sore for a few days afterwards (I haven't had sore muscles in ages). Then at 10 am there was no other participants for her usual run so I had her all to myself. I so enjoyed getting all that advice from an expert. And she is such an enthusiastic, encouraging person. Even without the advice, to run with Denise is fun and motivating.

So, after a long trip home on Sunday, a swim at the pool Monday morning followed by an evening paddle, 3 nights of running in 30 degrees and Friday night and all Saturday at the outrigger races, I finally get a few minutes to relax. Before my long run. It feels like its been a long haul and I'm looking forward to next weekend when all I have planned is a haircut. The house is showing neglect and I really need to catch up.

It should be interesting to see how my long run goes today. I've had some difficult runs lately and my busy schedule is starting to get to me. I'm hoping to do at least 14 miles today but I'm not going to push it. I'll try to run quite slow and see how far I get.

I'm going to take Denise's advice and revamp my training schedule to have a long run every other week. I'm also going to convert back to km because I'm no longer using a treadmill. Well, better get off and get ready for that long run.