11.1.11 Run

30 min
3.97 km
7:34 min/km
316 cal

One Week After...

And I feel good. Really good!

How was the race? Awesome, once we got to about 6K and my calves finally loosened up a bit. Not so good between 30-40K (that's to be expected though), excellent finish!

How was my time? Believe it or not, only a few minutes off my best. Not bad for half-assed training!

I am a marathoner! Times three!

One Week Out...

from 42.2km in Niagara Falls!

I went for a short run today--the first since my long run two Mondays ago (stupid Thanksgiving cold got the best of me). It was hard, I'm not going to lie. But you know what? I know that I can run 42.2km. I've done it before. I know that I can walk 42.2km. I've done it before. So what if I don't qualify for Boston? Not that that's even a remote possibility at this point. =P

I am a runner.

I'm not fast. I don't care, because I don't run for anyone but ME.

So today there were no earth shattering or Guinness world records broken. But it was certainly a beautiful day for a run!

4.11 km
32:56
8:01 min/km
323 cal

4 hours 3 minutes and 45 seconds

My ass seized at 25K.

Final stats: 1801 calories, 26.6K, 9.09min/km

It was gorgeous outside! A gorgeous fall day, perfect for a run.

Run Forrest, Run!

I want to be more like Forrest Gump. That guy could run and run and run and run some more. Me, not so much. But I got my ass out there, which is more than most people can say. My goal was 8K or an hour, whichever came first. But then I saw my good buddy, 3 Post Hill and thought, hey, why don't I go say hi. So I did two hills that weren't part of my original route. The sun also came out in full force and I was overdressed. Again. Sheesh.

57:41
7.17km
8.03km/h
557 cal

I'm not fast and you know what? I don't care. I run because I feel good (usually not during, but sometimes. Always afterwards). I run because I can be outside in the sunshine. I run because I can. I run so that I can feel my body--my breath & my strong legs propelling me along paths and roadways that most people don't take advantage of.

It's a beautiful fall morning out there and I got to be a part of that. If I was going faster, I would have missed the lone leaf bouncing across the pathway. Or the baby that waved as I passed. Or the mallard duck that the group of birders pointed out along the river. I don't want to miss those things.

Sunday Long Run and Lots of Time to Think

That's what I love about a long run. It's just you, your breath, your footsteps and your thoughts.

2:59:38
1453 cal
8.41km/h
20.69 km

I was aiming for 21.1, but I hit the wall at 17 and decided to take the shorter way home (which is also conveniently along a bus route, should that be necessary). Now, to make friends with my good buddy the foam roller, finish this post-run chocolate moo and hit the shower. I have to be at work at 3 and miss out on another glorious fall day. Good thing I just spent 3 hours out there!

Ugh!

Today was one of those runs. You know, your legs feel like lead, every breath feels like your last and you just can't find your groove.

I eked out 4.1 km and you know what, I'm OK with that. The next one will be better.

I Love Fall Running!

It's cool and crisp, yet sunny! Who could ask for more?

7.89 km
1:02:23
7.5 km/h
531 cal

Now, must make lunch & dinner, shower my stinky, sweaty self and go for a massage before work!

Quickie

Must sleep soon!

Got up early this morning and did a quick 2.05 km (according to mapmyrun, my Garmin was dead). It was interesting to run sans technology...

Hopped in the car and headed north to the doc's for a check-up, picnic lakeside and then boarded the bus to head home again to go to work. I'm knackered!

Tomorrow (and the weekend) is busy:
-fasting bloodwork for a study I'm participating in @ the colon cancer screening clinic
-get my hair did (the grey is slowly taking over. Thank God for chemicals!)
-lunch with my yoga teacher @ The Coup (YUM)
-AMAZING weekend of yoga with Desiree Rumbaugh!!

Probably won't be around much since I'll be on my mat! Have a great weekend.

When will I learn?!

I am not a hot weather runner!! But I did enjoy the sleep in this morning.
I ran for an hour and a half:
10.51 km
751 cal
8:34 km/h
Not speedy, but not bad considering it's the farthest I've ran since the end of March! I walked another 1.5km at the end (I was melting) for a grand total of 12 today. I'll take it!

Now, off to a Clinique counter and then to find me some bubble tea on this gorgeous Labour Day!

Thursday Run

It almost didn't happen...I got chatting with my neighbour, and then it got hot out, but I bit the bullet! It wasn't far, it wasn't fast, but I don't care. I ran. And considering that I saw two elderly gentlemen in wheelchairs en route, I'm pretty damned grateful that I *can* run.

3.5 km
27:30
7.51 km/h
277 cal

Tomorrow I'm off to yoga in the morning (Dear Mat: I have missed you like you'll never know. I'll see you bright and early. I promise!) and then back on the bus heading for Red Deer. Mom's picking me up and we're going to my aunt's house for the night and then to Bonnyville for a funeral Saturday morning. It's a whirlwind trip, since I've got to be back to work on Sunday afternoon. It's hard watching my dad's big family dwindle to nothing...

Anyways, must sleep so that I can get all bendy tomorrow!

What was I thinking?

Going running at mid-day? Oh right, I didn't get up till late, then dilly-dallied around and before I knew it, it was 1130! Take note, H-woman, you are a morning runner!! Must go to bed before 0200h so getting up and out the door is easier.

Run/walk intervals:
40:40
7.54 km/h
5.15 km
408 cal

Walking(at the end):
12:36
9.19 km/h
1.35 km
87 cal

Not fast, but heck, at this point, I'm just happy to get out there!

Let the Weekend Begin!

Have I mentioned how much I love days off? Today marks the start of my four day weekend!

Of course, because I *could* sleep in, I awoke bright and early at 0500h. After trying to go back to sleep for an hour, I just bit the bullet and got up. I got my application for my Anusara Immersion completed and sent in, bills paid, breakfast, packed for the weekend, went for a run and got some yoga in all by 0930h!

4.03 km
30:27
7.33km/h
326 cal

I'm enjoying a second mug of tea in the sunshine and waiting for Sam to drop by so she can get the low-down on how to feed Nerm.

This weekend is going to ROCK! My cousin and her family are here from England! I haven't seen them since I stayed with them immediately after 9/11. My brother and his family are here, too. We're gathering at my mom's today/tonight and then tomorrow we're hitting the waterslides at Sylvan Lake. My brother's got his boat, so there may also be some tubing! We're going to have a BBQ, complete with s'mores, and I'm harvesting my mint so there will be mojitos all around.

Happy Friday!

I did it!

Got out for a run, that is! I slept in (my own fault, stayed up way too late watching YouTube videos of my favourite Anusara yoga teachers) and have to be at work early today (massage therapist is coming to work and I have an appointment!!). Yikes! Didn't leave me with much time, but I wanted to go out and see if I've kicked this cold-turned-sinus-infection to the curb.

The verdict: I think it's gone!

19 minutes (hey, it's better than the no minutes I've been running lately!)
2.58 km
7.25 km/hr
207 cal

I'm a sweaty mess and sipping a cool coconut water with ice and lime to refresh. Now, to revamp my training schedule to be sure I can finish Niagara upright, smiling, uninjured and .... drumroll, please....in under 6 hours!

Monday catch-up

There's been a lot going on:

-yoga: teaching and my own practice

-running: not nearly enough, but a great 8K run on Sunday morning before the heat hit

-family: mom and nephew came to visit. Hit up the Farmer's Market in Millarville and BBQ'd and went to see Wicked. There may also have been Stampede fireworks from a 2nd story patio (sans railing--it's still a construction site, after all) and late night noodles and bubble tea.

It's all good. =)

Tuesday Training

29:40
4.11 km
7:13 km/h
338 cal

Like Wayne Gretzky says, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." It's like that with running, you never regret going once you go. It's like that with yoga, I've never once regretted stepping onto my mat. It's like that with love, you can't fall if you don't take the first step.

What shot are you taking today?

Amazing Saturday

Starts out with a run:
45:22
7:33 km/h
6.02 km
488 cal

Followed by whole grain banana chocolate chip pancakes on the patio.

Grocery shop and preparation for BBQ/Epicure party I'm hosting.

Then Restorative Yoga class with my lovely friend Catherine.

And I discovered that I have abdominal muscles in there somewhere, 'cause they hurt like hell from yesterday's crazy yoga class! I love it! =)

Yesterday's Run

Had to be fast, since I slept in and my friend was coming over for brunch!

2.66 km
18:43
7:02 km/h
214 cal

I wore my speedy shoes for the first time in ages and felt pretty light on my feet. It was hot at 9 already, though! This working late is cutting into my getting up early and going for a run time!

Friday Wrap-up

What a week!

I worked four days this week and put in overtime every.single.night. Anywhere from an hour to 4.25. Sheesh! I'm a little tired and bleary eyed.

Good news, my cousin is driving to the family picnic tomorrow, so instead of being up and on a bus by 0830h, I don't have to get up until then. He's picking me up at 0930h and we'll hit the road. We've been playing phone tag--I haven't actually seen him since we went skiing for his birthday on April Fool's Day. Where has this year gone already?!

With that, I'd better hit the hay. I only got one run in this week, so if I wake up early, I'd like to go for a quick one before we leave. If not, I'm taking my ball glove, a fast ball, a soft ball, a football and a volleyball. There will be activity to be had!

Before work this afternoon, I had a quick yoga practice (obviously, these are not photos of me!):

Salamba sarvangasana (shoulder stand, Mother of all asanas)


Halasana (plow pose)

Source

Sirsasana II (tripod headstand, king of all asanas)

Source

Anantasana

Source

I felt great afterwards!

Ahhh, Summer!

Today's run:
6.06km
46:18
7:38 km/h
489 cal

When I left, it was already 15C and now it's 17C. Summer is finally here! This means that I have to come home from work and go to bed so that I can get up and run when it's cooler. It was warm out there this morning, but not too bad.

I'm sipping a refreshing soda and lime and then I'll be hitting the patio with my book (World Without End)! When that one's done, I've scored a paperback copy of The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.

Summer's here and the livin' is easy!