Well, week 1 of training is almost completed! Three days of running, one day to go. I ran Mon, Tue. and Thur. - 5 k each time. I have a longer run on Saturday - we shall see how that goes.
I think I may redo this week - so I don't go up in kms too quickly - I am coming off a month long break... shin splints would not be fun right now...and I have time to spare... so sounds like a win/win for me.
I've chosen to follow Hal Higdon's novice marathon training. I've done his 1/2 marathon training before and it went well... so I figure I might as well stick to what I know. Fingers crossed there won't be any injuries on the way.
What else have I done this week? I've walked 10km twice, biked on the trainer and had one session of cross fit (Which I really enjoy!). I know I will enjoy the next sessions - I've signed up for 12 sessions with personal trainer to really get me going and understanding the moves - it's a bit complicated for me. I tend to overthink things... I will get it. I just hope it doesn't take me as long as it took me to learn to snowboard! haha
I'm planning on having a rest day tomorrow - perhaps I'll walk or bike a little - but nothing too taxing. A well deserved rest!
Thursday, December 27, 2018
Saturday, December 22, 2018
regular old run...
This morning I went for a regular old run. Outside. In the wind. In new snow. Phew! That wasn't easy! I just hate running with the wind in my face... don't you? You run down one street and think - I can't wait to make that turn - the wind will be in my back - you finally make the turn only to still have the wind in your face! I don't get it! The wind should be in your back at some point on the run! I really don't like the wind!
I ran with my new gadget this morning - for my birthday I received a heart rate monitor that tells you all sorts of things that I have no idea what they mean! 🤣 I have some researching to do over the holidays! Oscillation, left right, up down, smoothness, burn vs burst, blah blah blah.
This morning, each time my app talked to me, it told me my heart rate and that I was running at 90 to 100%. After reading a little, I guess I was working too hard. I wish it would've told me to slow down! Oh well - I didn't feel like I was working to hard... now I know - I will do some more research before I truly decide what my max HR is...
Well that's it for now! I thought I would have more to write about! next time maybe!
I ran with my new gadget this morning - for my birthday I received a heart rate monitor that tells you all sorts of things that I have no idea what they mean! 🤣 I have some researching to do over the holidays! Oscillation, left right, up down, smoothness, burn vs burst, blah blah blah.
This morning, each time my app talked to me, it told me my heart rate and that I was running at 90 to 100%. After reading a little, I guess I was working too hard. I wish it would've told me to slow down! Oh well - I didn't feel like I was working to hard... now I know - I will do some more research before I truly decide what my max HR is...
Well that's it for now! I thought I would have more to write about! next time maybe!
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
Cross Fit Training
Well, I've had my birthday and I'm now 47 years old. Time I start thinking of more than my heart health. We all know that as you get older, the body starts to do funny things... bones and muscles are not exception! I don't want shrivelling bones and muscles as they are both important if I want to continue to do the activities I enjoy doing -like running and hiking! We have our trip around Mont Blanc this summer, which will have us walking 18 to 20 km each day, and my first marathon in the spring, 42.2 km of running... - I need to be in tip top shape for both...which means working out different parts of my body... hence joining a cross fit gym.
So far, I've had 4 sessions with a personal trainer and I love it! The first session wasn't too difficult as it was more of an assessment so the trainer can have an idea of what I can do. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't easy! You have to push yourself if you want to see what you can do! Part of that session was also learning all sorts of proper form when working with weights and kettlebells and the likes. If you know me, you know it can take me time to get it. I have to feel it to understand it. I warned my trainer that he would need to be patient (haha). I'm happy to report that he is very patient!
Last night was my fourth session. Let me tell you... this morning, I found muscles I forgot I had! Boy oh boy! That was a great workout! I already feel somewhat stronger - mentally at least! Of course the muscles take more than 4 times of doing something to get stronger... but I will get there!
The reason this training should be helpful for my running is that there is a lot of hip work... which is a big part of my problem - weak core and hips -which cause issues with IT band and other things... so watch out Spring running! I will be ready for you!
I look forward to seeing how this will help with my running goals this year. Fingers crossed that I will see great results!
What gym did I join? Check them out here: Cross fit 613
So far, I've had 4 sessions with a personal trainer and I love it! The first session wasn't too difficult as it was more of an assessment so the trainer can have an idea of what I can do. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't easy! You have to push yourself if you want to see what you can do! Part of that session was also learning all sorts of proper form when working with weights and kettlebells and the likes. If you know me, you know it can take me time to get it. I have to feel it to understand it. I warned my trainer that he would need to be patient (haha). I'm happy to report that he is very patient!
Last night was my fourth session. Let me tell you... this morning, I found muscles I forgot I had! Boy oh boy! That was a great workout! I already feel somewhat stronger - mentally at least! Of course the muscles take more than 4 times of doing something to get stronger... but I will get there!
The reason this training should be helpful for my running is that there is a lot of hip work... which is a big part of my problem - weak core and hips -which cause issues with IT band and other things... so watch out Spring running! I will be ready for you!
I look forward to seeing how this will help with my running goals this year. Fingers crossed that I will see great results!
What gym did I join? Check them out here: Cross fit 613
Monday, November 19, 2018
Fat Ass Trail Run - 25k
The Fat Ass Trail Race takes places in Trenton - at the Batawa Ski Hill. They offer a variety of distances. Last year, I completed the 25km with my Rémi. It was train wreck. My IT band didn't cooperate and I had to walk most of the 25km - barely being able to walk by the end. I never quit, never even thought of quitting. It was put one foot in front of the other, keep going. It took us 4hours and 40 minutes.
This year's route was the same as last. Up the long and steep ski hill, down on the other side and around the mountain, and up again and down again - you know, a typical trail race! This is a nice trail. Lots of flats, the hills are not that frequent but sure make up for it by being long! There was a few wet spots freezing cold water -wet feet on snow and ice is not the most pleasant thing, but it's all part of the fun.
Things were going great - fantastic actually! Until we hit km 9 or so. I turned to tell Lisa I had bad news - I could start my knees being unhappy, my calves and hips getting tighter. I always know what that means -extreme knee pain. This year, my left knee! Why does this keep happening to me? I don't know - things had been going so well for a couple months! Man oh man! The one good thing, we are at km 9 or so - which is better than last year! This happened at the 3rd km!
Well, I'm not a quitter, so we keep going - running short bouts, walking short bouts. I stopped for second to try and stretch and see if that would help, and wished I had Advil or Tylenol - which I left in the car - when two girls stopped to see if I was ok - told them I was fine, it was just my IT - low and behold, she offered me some Advil! God send! Took an Advil and hoped it would start working quickly. No such luck - the Advil didn't really do anything.
We kept going and going. At one point on the trail, you cross the road to do a loop on the other side. I grabbed a smores and kept going. This side is more hilly -more ups and downs - it's also more slippery - this is where the 50km are doing their 5 loops - so the snow has been trampled more which means it's now icier. As I was going down a slippery section, I fell right on my bottom, thankfully managed to miss my tailbone - breaking it twice is enough thank you very much! - that hurt! So now, my bum and left wrist hurt. Great. At least this is taking away from the knee pain. I turn to warn the 2 guys that have caught up to us - too late - one of them almost fell. A lady is now coming - I try to warn her, too late - BOOM! She's down. Well, I sure am glad we don't have to do this loop again!
Off we go and continue our journey. I was hoping there would still be some smores when we got to the aid station but no such luck. Grab some cheesies and continues our journey. At this point, we are close to the 17.5 finish line. I'm in quite a bit of pain, but I'm not willing to quit. I'm not yet at the point of where I was last year - meaning I can still run little bursts - a couple of hundred meters at a time. We decide to keep going. The last loop went as well as it could in the shape I'm in. I've learned to run and stop before I get the stabbing pain in the knee -and so I can handle the pain. My right knee is also hurting at this point - when one side goes, the other soon follows as it can only compensate for so long. We did finish the course in 4 hours and 15 minutes! Better time than last year - not as good as I wanted it to be, but still happy and proud I got it done.
I was hoping this year would have been different from last year. It just wasn't in the cards and that's ok! I was out there running. I could've been sitting on my couch doing nothing to stay healthy. I will now take a month off from running - give my body some time to heal and my muscles time to loosen up. Hopefully this will help with the marathon training that will be starting in January.
This year's route was the same as last. Up the long and steep ski hill, down on the other side and around the mountain, and up again and down again - you know, a typical trail race! This is a nice trail. Lots of flats, the hills are not that frequent but sure make up for it by being long! There was a few wet spots freezing cold water -wet feet on snow and ice is not the most pleasant thing, but it's all part of the fun.
Things were going great - fantastic actually! Until we hit km 9 or so. I turned to tell Lisa I had bad news - I could start my knees being unhappy, my calves and hips getting tighter. I always know what that means -extreme knee pain. This year, my left knee! Why does this keep happening to me? I don't know - things had been going so well for a couple months! Man oh man! The one good thing, we are at km 9 or so - which is better than last year! This happened at the 3rd km!
Well, I'm not a quitter, so we keep going - running short bouts, walking short bouts. I stopped for second to try and stretch and see if that would help, and wished I had Advil or Tylenol - which I left in the car - when two girls stopped to see if I was ok - told them I was fine, it was just my IT - low and behold, she offered me some Advil! God send! Took an Advil and hoped it would start working quickly. No such luck - the Advil didn't really do anything.
We kept going and going. At one point on the trail, you cross the road to do a loop on the other side. I grabbed a smores and kept going. This side is more hilly -more ups and downs - it's also more slippery - this is where the 50km are doing their 5 loops - so the snow has been trampled more which means it's now icier. As I was going down a slippery section, I fell right on my bottom, thankfully managed to miss my tailbone - breaking it twice is enough thank you very much! - that hurt! So now, my bum and left wrist hurt. Great. At least this is taking away from the knee pain. I turn to warn the 2 guys that have caught up to us - too late - one of them almost fell. A lady is now coming - I try to warn her, too late - BOOM! She's down. Well, I sure am glad we don't have to do this loop again!Off we go and continue our journey. I was hoping there would still be some smores when we got to the aid station but no such luck. Grab some cheesies and continues our journey. At this point, we are close to the 17.5 finish line. I'm in quite a bit of pain, but I'm not willing to quit. I'm not yet at the point of where I was last year - meaning I can still run little bursts - a couple of hundred meters at a time. We decide to keep going. The last loop went as well as it could in the shape I'm in. I've learned to run and stop before I get the stabbing pain in the knee -and so I can handle the pain. My right knee is also hurting at this point - when one side goes, the other soon follows as it can only compensate for so long. We did finish the course in 4 hours and 15 minutes! Better time than last year - not as good as I wanted it to be, but still happy and proud I got it done.
I was hoping this year would have been different from last year. It just wasn't in the cards and that's ok! I was out there running. I could've been sitting on my couch doing nothing to stay healthy. I will now take a month off from running - give my body some time to heal and my muscles time to loosen up. Hopefully this will help with the marathon training that will be starting in January.
Saturday, July 7, 2018
The Limberlost Challenge
The adventure started yesterday, when Rémi and I left to go to a race near Huntsville. We were meeting Kristi, Mike and the kids at The Nordic Inn. It was a pretty rustic motel! More to come later.
In the motel there was a little restaurant and so we decided to have dinner there as the "chef" could cook something gluten free for Luke. It was all you can eat fish and chip night and so we all opted for that. Bad choice before a race I know... Spaghetti would've been much better but it was not on the menu. It took what seemed like forever to be served. The "waitress" was quite flustered, apologizing for the wait but according to her it was really busy and she and the chef were the only 2 people working. There was 2 tables with people sitting, and everyone was eating the same thing... I'm not sure how she would do if the place truly was busy! haha
After dinner, we each went to our room as it was bedtime by then. Back to our rustic rooms. We had a very old green bathtub, new toilet, a teeny tiny little TV and 2 beds. Just by looking at the beds you could tell the mattresses must have been as old as the place! Talk about not very comfortable! I tossed and turned and tossed and turned until 3am. I felt like I was going to roll off the bed... you know when it's that old... I got up, went to the washroom and decided to try the other bed. It was a bit more comfortable. We should've tried both beds when we got in!
6am came and we got up to get ready. Got dressed, had "breakfast" and off we went. We had a 1/2 hour drive to get to the course.
Once we arrived, we got our bibs, listened to a short debrief, had one last pee break and off we went. It's a beautiful place! If you are ever in that area, the hiking trails are just gorgeous! The views... ahhh. The hills, not so much fun but they are part of the adventure.
All was going well. Doing good time, up and down, up another hill, around a corner, jump over a rock, and a root (whoever said this was not a technical trail lied). Come the first aid station - eat a couple pieces of watermelon, a couple pretzel (mistake! I was stuck with this dry thing in my mouth for a while! Note to self -go for the chips next time!) and off we go. Get to the second aid station - do the same thing -minus the pretzels!
Not long after this second aid station, my left knee started to hurt. I know this pain too well as I've
been battling it on the right leg for 2 years... that's finally fix and the left starts to act up? No!!! Every step you take (running and downhill) is excruciating. It feels like you are being stabbed with a knife. It truly is unbearable. We ended up walking 7 km until we got to the end of the first loop - 14k. I had a decision to make - hike the second loop and risk that it gets worse and actually start hurting when walking? or stop and take the DNF (did not finish). With our trip to Peru coming up soon, the decision was pretty much made for me. I can't risk not being able to go on the trip. So that was the end of the race. I wanted Remi to keep going without me, but he wouldn't.
We did get our medal as it was the same whether you do 14, 28 or 56k. I'm a little disappointed but know full well these things happen... and it's out of your control. I'm now dealing with pain in both hips (which is causing the knee pain), my knee and my foot (which could also be the cause). Back to physio next week!
Official Website: Limberlost Challenge
In the motel there was a little restaurant and so we decided to have dinner there as the "chef" could cook something gluten free for Luke. It was all you can eat fish and chip night and so we all opted for that. Bad choice before a race I know... Spaghetti would've been much better but it was not on the menu. It took what seemed like forever to be served. The "waitress" was quite flustered, apologizing for the wait but according to her it was really busy and she and the chef were the only 2 people working. There was 2 tables with people sitting, and everyone was eating the same thing... I'm not sure how she would do if the place truly was busy! haha
After dinner, we each went to our room as it was bedtime by then. Back to our rustic rooms. We had a very old green bathtub, new toilet, a teeny tiny little TV and 2 beds. Just by looking at the beds you could tell the mattresses must have been as old as the place! Talk about not very comfortable! I tossed and turned and tossed and turned until 3am. I felt like I was going to roll off the bed... you know when it's that old... I got up, went to the washroom and decided to try the other bed. It was a bit more comfortable. We should've tried both beds when we got in!
6am came and we got up to get ready. Got dressed, had "breakfast" and off we went. We had a 1/2 hour drive to get to the course.Once we arrived, we got our bibs, listened to a short debrief, had one last pee break and off we went. It's a beautiful place! If you are ever in that area, the hiking trails are just gorgeous! The views... ahhh. The hills, not so much fun but they are part of the adventure.
All was going well. Doing good time, up and down, up another hill, around a corner, jump over a rock, and a root (whoever said this was not a technical trail lied). Come the first aid station - eat a couple pieces of watermelon, a couple pretzel (mistake! I was stuck with this dry thing in my mouth for a while! Note to self -go for the chips next time!) and off we go. Get to the second aid station - do the same thing -minus the pretzels!
Not long after this second aid station, my left knee started to hurt. I know this pain too well as I'vebeen battling it on the right leg for 2 years... that's finally fix and the left starts to act up? No!!! Every step you take (running and downhill) is excruciating. It feels like you are being stabbed with a knife. It truly is unbearable. We ended up walking 7 km until we got to the end of the first loop - 14k. I had a decision to make - hike the second loop and risk that it gets worse and actually start hurting when walking? or stop and take the DNF (did not finish). With our trip to Peru coming up soon, the decision was pretty much made for me. I can't risk not being able to go on the trip. So that was the end of the race. I wanted Remi to keep going without me, but he wouldn't.
We did get our medal as it was the same whether you do 14, 28 or 56k. I'm a little disappointed but know full well these things happen... and it's out of your control. I'm now dealing with pain in both hips (which is causing the knee pain), my knee and my foot (which could also be the cause). Back to physio next week!Official Website: Limberlost Challenge
Thursday, June 21, 2018
My "New to Me" Trail Adventure
I had the afternoon off today and so I decided to go on a trail run. I was by myself, didn't feel like doing the usual trail by my house, was looking to do some hills without going all the way to Gatineau. I decided to go to the trail behind Remi's work - it's hilly, I can do however long I want as it attaches to other trails- perfect. Off I go.
I start on the trail, it's a gravel trail, used a lot by bikes as well as it goes all the way downtown Ottawa. Last time I did this trail, I remembered it was quite hilly and had to walk up a few of them. However, when I ran it today, I kept thinking where are the hills? I didn't have to walk even once - that's good! I guess the hiking and running in the Gats may be paying off. Anyway... back to the adventure.
When I got as far as I wanted to go, about 2.5 km, I turned around as I wanted to go off on the little paths that would bring me to a single track trail back down "the hill" -which as I mentioned was non extistent today.
The start of the trail is actually quite pretty - it opens up on a bed of flat rock - probably some fossils around if you looked for them. I take a second to look at the map, to make sure I am where I think I am. Yup! Off I go again.
Picture this: Me, happy I'm in nature, running, just enjoying the beauty...When all of a sudden, something big and wet "is on my leg". I start screaming and jumping around and screaming some more (those who know me have a vivid picture in their heads I'm sure!). I suddenly see what had hit me... A big frog! I love frogs- just not when I don't expect them and they jump in front of me! The poor thing - I don't know who was scared the most... I wonder if the darn thing now has a concussion! I was able to get close and get a picture of it. Off I go - after this frog, I saw many others -jumping around - little ones, big ones, green ones, brown ones - all over the place. I just needed the one to wake me up I guess!
I ran for a short while when again, I came across wildlife - a wild turkey. When I first saw her, she was in the middle of the path. She must have spotted me as by the time I got there, she was hiding behind a bush. I slowed right down as to not scare her. Well! I've never seen such a nutty bird! All of a sudden she started "yelling" and running around like a maniac. I thought "What the heck is wrong with you?"! I looked down, and there, right in front of me were these little puff balls! Baby turkeys!! That explained why mom was acting so crazy! I took one second to get a photo, all the while telling mom not to worry, I wasn't going to hurt her precious babies. I'm not sure how many there were, I saw lots of movements, but only 2 of them stopped where they were and crouched all the way down. I walked slowly as to not crush any cute cotton ball size birds - as mom was still running like a maniac, trying to get me away from her babies. Wow - they were so cute!
I don't think the next part of the trail has been used in a while. There was lots of "mud". It's more like swamp dark earth. You don't want to stand in it as you don't know how deep it will sink - you know what I mean? My shoes were under the mud multiple times. I wish I had taken a picture... I didn't want to stop as it's also the kind of stuff mosquitoes love... so no stopping.
I came across what I named a fairy bridge. It was so pretty! Something out of a fairytale book - old bridge, with pretty little green grown on either side, water on either side. I of course had to take a couple pictures... which as usual, don't really make it justice...
The rest of my run was pretty uneventful. I ended up doing 6.5km.
I did take a picture of my legs when I got home, once I had changed my shoes and was heading out for a short bike ride.
What a perfect day!
ps-click on photo for larger version
I start on the trail, it's a gravel trail, used a lot by bikes as well as it goes all the way downtown Ottawa. Last time I did this trail, I remembered it was quite hilly and had to walk up a few of them. However, when I ran it today, I kept thinking where are the hills? I didn't have to walk even once - that's good! I guess the hiking and running in the Gats may be paying off. Anyway... back to the adventure.
When I got as far as I wanted to go, about 2.5 km, I turned around as I wanted to go off on the little paths that would bring me to a single track trail back down "the hill" -which as I mentioned was non extistent today.
The start of the trail is actually quite pretty - it opens up on a bed of flat rock - probably some fossils around if you looked for them. I take a second to look at the map, to make sure I am where I think I am. Yup! Off I go again.
I ran for a short while when again, I came across wildlife - a wild turkey. When I first saw her, she was in the middle of the path. She must have spotted me as by the time I got there, she was hiding behind a bush. I slowed right down as to not scare her. Well! I've never seen such a nutty bird! All of a sudden she started "yelling" and running around like a maniac. I thought "What the heck is wrong with you?"! I looked down, and there, right in front of me were these little puff balls! Baby turkeys!! That explained why mom was acting so crazy! I took one second to get a photo, all the while telling mom not to worry, I wasn't going to hurt her precious babies. I'm not sure how many there were, I saw lots of movements, but only 2 of them stopped where they were and crouched all the way down. I walked slowly as to not crush any cute cotton ball size birds - as mom was still running like a maniac, trying to get me away from her babies. Wow - they were so cute!I don't think the next part of the trail has been used in a while. There was lots of "mud". It's more like swamp dark earth. You don't want to stand in it as you don't know how deep it will sink - you know what I mean? My shoes were under the mud multiple times. I wish I had taken a picture... I didn't want to stop as it's also the kind of stuff mosquitoes love... so no stopping.
I came across what I named a fairy bridge. It was so pretty! Something out of a fairytale book - old bridge, with pretty little green grown on either side, water on either side. I of course had to take a couple pictures... which as usual, don't really make it justice...
The rest of my run was pretty uneventful. I ended up doing 6.5km.
I did take a picture of my legs when I got home, once I had changed my shoes and was heading out for a short bike ride.What a perfect day!
ps-click on photo for larger version
Monday, June 4, 2018
Niagara Falls Women's 1/2 marathon
Yesterday was my second try at a road 1/2 marathon. I've completed 2 trail 25km races - but that's a whole different ball game! I had one goal - beat last year's time of 2:40:24 -which technically should be easy as I don't have last year's injury to deal with. So? What happened? Did I do it? You will have to read on to find out!
Noreen and I left early Friday morning to make our way to Niagara Falls to get our race kits, get some shopping done on Saturday (yes, you read that correctly - I went shopping). Karen, Leanne and Rebecca were in a different car and left a little later due to appointments in the city.
We arrived in Niagara Falls in plenty of time to get our kits, go out for dinner, have a walk in front of the falls, and go grocery shopping for some treats and race morning breakfast (as I forgot it at home).
Sunday morning came around quickly. Got up, everyone got all their gear organized and off we went. As an aside, since this is the women's 1/2, you should see the portapotties - they have flowers in all of them! I didn't use them this year so no photos.
The gun went and off we went. Within the first 100 meters, an older woman fell right in front of me - I mean flat on the ground - out like a light. I stood legs and arms wide open to divert traffic -while someone else helped her up. I have no idea if she ran or not - the first aid people arrived right away and off I went.
The race starts at Marineland, we then go towards the falls - which is nice, slow downhill for most of the way. We pass the falls, turn back near the International Bridge and come back - and so we see the falls twice. I took the time to stop and enjoy the view... how could you not? (See how competitive I am? I stop to enjoy the view! No need to wonder why my daughter doesn't have competitive bone in her body!) After snapping a picture - which didn't even turn out, off I went again.
The problem with going downhill for the first 3 km or so, is that the next three are uphill since you come back... By km 6, I felt great except for one thing... my stomach - it was rumbling and not very happy with me... you know, when you travel, your body just isn't the same as when you are at home... plus, it's a well known problem with longer distance running... It's not the first or last time this happens to me I'm sure. I found a portable toilet and wasted probably a good 5 minutes there. Off I went and tried to catch up the time lost.
A few km later, there I was again, tummy really angry with me - had to stop again and wasted another 5 to 10 minutes there. I was not happy at this point. How can I beat my time if I'm sitting here? Argh!
Off I was again.
At km 9 or so I think it was, you get to a bridge, cross it, and go on the other side of the river - you are still in Canada peeps. You run and run and run thinking "Where is the darn turn around?" People coming back tell you that you are almost there -trust me, they are lying. It was very humid and I felt like there were not enough water stations... I should've ran with my hydration vest... oh well, live and learn I guess. By km 15 or so, my left knee started to hurt - pain I know too well - my IT band... weird that it was my left knee though as it's always my right one that hurts... so, slowly but surely I kept going. I think I may know why my knees are a problem during this race... the slant on the road is awful. I tried to stay on the flattish parts - but those are nearly non existent.
When you get back to the bridge, there is 2 km left to the race. It's a very LONG 2 km. As I was wobbling along, I could see my friends waiting for me at the last turn, screaming their heads off, encouraging me. The last 200m were the most painful - thankfully I had Karen running alongside me, yelling at me to go and go faster that I could do this. I felt like my knee was getting stabbed by a knife - but I kept on going. I finished the race with a time of 2:36:35! I did it! I beat last year's time by 4 minutes - which could've been more had it not been for those stupid washroom stops. Such is life.
All in all, great race, fabulous weekend with wonderful ladies!
Now I start trail running training for the next race - Limberlost Challenge - Remi and I will be doing the 28km race! Looking forward to that challenge!
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| Photo op with Kathrine Switzer. |
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| Dinner time! |
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| I made a friend! He doesn't talk much. |
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| In front of the falls. |
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| start line |
The gun went and off we went. Within the first 100 meters, an older woman fell right in front of me - I mean flat on the ground - out like a light. I stood legs and arms wide open to divert traffic -while someone else helped her up. I have no idea if she ran or not - the first aid people arrived right away and off I went.
The race starts at Marineland, we then go towards the falls - which is nice, slow downhill for most of the way. We pass the falls, turn back near the International Bridge and come back - and so we see the falls twice. I took the time to stop and enjoy the view... how could you not? (See how competitive I am? I stop to enjoy the view! No need to wonder why my daughter doesn't have competitive bone in her body!) After snapping a picture - which didn't even turn out, off I went again.
The problem with going downhill for the first 3 km or so, is that the next three are uphill since you come back... By km 6, I felt great except for one thing... my stomach - it was rumbling and not very happy with me... you know, when you travel, your body just isn't the same as when you are at home... plus, it's a well known problem with longer distance running... It's not the first or last time this happens to me I'm sure. I found a portable toilet and wasted probably a good 5 minutes there. Off I went and tried to catch up the time lost.
A few km later, there I was again, tummy really angry with me - had to stop again and wasted another 5 to 10 minutes there. I was not happy at this point. How can I beat my time if I'm sitting here? Argh!
Off I was again.
At km 9 or so I think it was, you get to a bridge, cross it, and go on the other side of the river - you are still in Canada peeps. You run and run and run thinking "Where is the darn turn around?" People coming back tell you that you are almost there -trust me, they are lying. It was very humid and I felt like there were not enough water stations... I should've ran with my hydration vest... oh well, live and learn I guess. By km 15 or so, my left knee started to hurt - pain I know too well - my IT band... weird that it was my left knee though as it's always my right one that hurts... so, slowly but surely I kept going. I think I may know why my knees are a problem during this race... the slant on the road is awful. I tried to stay on the flattish parts - but those are nearly non existent.
When you get back to the bridge, there is 2 km left to the race. It's a very LONG 2 km. As I was wobbling along, I could see my friends waiting for me at the last turn, screaming their heads off, encouraging me. The last 200m were the most painful - thankfully I had Karen running alongside me, yelling at me to go and go faster that I could do this. I felt like my knee was getting stabbed by a knife - but I kept on going. I finished the race with a time of 2:36:35! I did it! I beat last year's time by 4 minutes - which could've been more had it not been for those stupid washroom stops. Such is life.
All in all, great race, fabulous weekend with wonderful ladies!
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| Me and my medal |
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| Karen Burns, Me, Rebecca Vandenbosch, Leanne, Noreen Marchildon |
Now I start trail running training for the next race - Limberlost Challenge - Remi and I will be doing the 28km race! Looking forward to that challenge!
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