And So It Starts Again...

It's December 24th, a day of love, joy, and family time.  This year, it also happens to be the day marathon training starts! 

Remi and I will be signing up for the St. Lawrence Marathon - his first, my second marathon -just waiting for the registration page to open!  I've decided to do this one instead of the Ottawa Marathon.  It's smaller and supposedly a flatter course along the Seaway.  It's also a little earlier in the season -so it shouldn't be crazy hot!

I'm looking forward to running this distance again.  Why? I have no idea... it's not like the first one was pleasant... the pain, the fatigue, the feeling of despair... Fun! said no one ever!  For me, I think it's the personal challenge, prove to myself that I can do it, that I can do whatever I put my mind to. 

What I really don't look forward to is the training - all those long hours of running, prepping, risking injury every time -it is winter here, ice, snow, cold -all are potential risks for injury.  Yet, here I am, starting a new cycle.

My main goal this year is to conquer getting into my head and going into that dark place that prevents me from being my best.  That's not an easy thing... and I have no idea how I'm going to achieve this... but I know that I will give it my all! 

Midnight Moose -25km

Midnight Moose is a race that takes place at night, in Gatineau Park.  They have various lengths to join -from 25 to 50, to 100, to 160km!  Remi and I joined for the second year, in the 25k race.

This is a challenging race -You get up in the morning, go to work, go home, prepare dinner, eat, get ready for the big night, in our case, drive about 45 minutes, sign in, wait around until briefing time, and then start running.  This year, the race's start and finish was at Camp Fortune - a ski hill in the area.  Yup, you read that correctly.  A ski hill.  Which mean lots of running up and down a ski hill.  You see, Ray, the race organizer likes to make us suffer =).  He often will choose the most difficult routes... which is partly why I love their races - you know you will have to push yourself to the limit.

10pm arrives and off we go.  Up the first side of the mountain, down, through single track technical trails, up and down again, around this bend, around the next bend, until we arrive at the top of a hill.  We see lots of runners at the bottom of the hill, making their way up the next hill.  We also see flags - with no runners... so off we go chasing the runners.  Big mistake.  None of those runners were on the right track!  After going down this huge hill, and halfway up the other side, we turned around and went back up the way we just came to where the flags were.  It became clear that is where we were supposed to be running!

We continued on to do King, around and about other trails to end back out at Fortune.  This was a tough course.  It took us 4hours and 20 minutes - would've been 4 hours  if it wasn't for that mistake! Funny enough, I was more tired after this race than after doing my 50k.  Will I do it again? Probably! I'm a sucker for punishment! 😂

My first Ultra marathon

I'm finally finding some time to write about my experience running my first ultra marathon - a 50km trail run in Kitchener Waterloo called Conquer the Canuck.

When I finished my first marathon 2 weeks prior, I thought, well, the training is done, might as well get my 1st ultra done as well since it's on my list of running goals.  I decided to wait a few days and see how my legs and body felt.  Got up Monday morning, nothing. No soreness, no pain, no nothing.  I still waited until Wednesday to decide.

What made me want to do this one? Well, my running friend Kristi (@AverageRunnerK) wanted to do the two day race -50k on Sat. and 42.2 on Sunday.  I said, Hey! I'll join you, I will do the 50 on Saturday and just hang around on Sunday.  That was all we both needed to register.  Doesn't take much! 😂

We drove up on the Friday afternoon and stayed at one of Kristi's friend's Kyra (@kyraonthego).

I was told the trail would be rolling hills and beautiful.  I can agree that it was beautiful - varied in trees and terrain.  I can't agree on the rolling hills part...unless we don't have the same definition of rolling hills... These hills weren't the Gats, but they sure were not rolling either. Anyways... I digress...


Race starts - the race was 6 loops of 8.3 km.  The first two loops were fantastic.  I felt great - the hills surprised me a little as I, you know, was expecting rolling hills... (think countryside roads...rolling hills... that's what I envisioned -but in the woods...).  I've run up much bigger hills while running in Gatineau Park, but was trained for those.  Problem is I've been training on flat roads... no hills... on we go.

Loop three came and it was more difficult.  There was, the proverbial wall. "The wall".  So what is "the wall" exactly?  If ever you hit "the wall" you will know it.   It's a mental barrier that every long distance runner (or so I'm told) goes through at some point in their run.  You start feeling like you will never finish, that you can't do this, that it's ridiculous that you are even there to begin with... all sorts of negative self talk starts to happen.  Why this happens, I have no idea.  It just does.

 By this point, I was debating quitting. I talked myself into doing one more loop and decided I would maybe quit after the next one (knowing very well that I wouldn't quit with only 2 loops left to do).  That's sort of how you get out of it...talking yourself out.

I can usually talk myself out of this "funk" within 3 or 5 km.  Not this time!  My funk lasted a good 8 to 10km.  That's a very long time.  I kept going, walking more than running during this time.  I caught up to someone, started chatting and that helped me to snap out of it.  I reached an aid station and when the girl asked me if she could do anything for me, I asked for a hug.  She graciously gave me a hug, I had a piece of watermelon, some Gatorade and off I went, feeling somewhat better.

Back to more running and less walking.  That's a good thing.  I didn't have any pain anywhere, my legs felt fine, my feet felt great as well.  If only my mind didn't insist on playing these games with me.  I hit a second wall at some point not long after the little high from the hug and encouragement.  I think I was getting disappointed with my time and that might have had something to do with it.  I'm not exactly sure.  Whatever the reason, I had to get over it with only one loop and a bit left to do.

After the 5th loop, I was happy to be almost done.  I started my last loop with ice in my hydration pack, ice in my buff, watermelon in my belly and candy in my pockets.  I was still doing not bad in time- I thought if I mostly run, I could make it in 6hours 20min.  That didn't happen.  I wasn't hurting anywhere, but man I was tired!  Those hills took a lot out of me.  So did the heat.  I still kept on going... to be clear, I was like the little train that could... not the Energizer bunny! 😂

Relaxing, waiting for Kristi to finish her 2nd day -42.2k

I managed to finish in 7h 40min.  which is 15 minutes before the cutoff, and I was the last one.  Phew!  Can you imagine finishing and being over the time limit??  That would be devastating I think.  I'm disappointed in my time as I know I could've done this in about 6 hours to 6h 15min.  I really have to get a better handle on controlling my mind.  That would make a big difference I'm sure.  I have the determination and the drive, now to control those negative thoughts... Well, I got it done -which is more than most people on earth can say.  I'm not fast, I will never be fast - in long distance trail running, speed is not the point -well, you have to be able to do the cutoffs - I'm looking forward to trying this again -perhaps in the fall, or next year.  Time will tell.  For now, on to the next adventure - a hike around Mont Blanc- 170km in 12 days (I think it's 12).  Until next time!

What went well:
-beautiful trail, views, terrain
-started slow
-had plenty of fuel with me including maple syrup, electrolytes, granola bar, nuts -plus 3 aid station with fruit and drinks
-was dressed properly
-got it done all by myself -no one to push me -had to do that myself


Lessons learned for next time:
-drink more electrolytes -I drank 3 or 4 bottles of water, but I should've been drinking more electrolytes as well (warm elect. is pretty gross) -was dehydrated at the end
-take more salt tablets -I only took 2- I should've taken at least one every hour.
-train for hills -don't believe when people tell you rolling hills! haha
-work on better controlling mind games
-need to stay at that slow pace for longer -perhaps an entire loop
-

My first marathon!

I did it!  I am a marathoner! I got through the training, and I got through the race!

The day started at 5:30 with breakfast and last minute prep.  We left the house at 6 so I could have a good 1/2 hour before the race to just walk around and find Kristi (@AverageRunnerK) the 5 hour pace bunny.  7am-gun sounds and off we went on our merry way.

The first 5km went well.  I followed Kristi, doing 10 minute run 1 minute walk.  I then went on my own as I didn't like that speed - just doesn't feel natural to me.  I met up with an ultra trail marathoner and ran with him for a while.  We parted ways when he had to use the potty.  Not long after did he catch up with me and we ran another while together.


I stopped on the bridge to take a couple photos and this is where Kristi and the group passed me.  I thought -ah, no problem, I will catch up with them... which never happened.  I could see them ahead, so I walked when they did and I ran when they did.  I can't remember when exactly, but I hit a wall, and I hit it pretty hard - must've been around 25km.  I wanted to quit, I wanted to cry, I have no idea why.... why do these lows hit you?? and why so hard?  It took forever to get out of this funk.  I don't know how long, but at least until the National Arts Gallery.

I kept on going, slowly but surely - now that I look at my splits, there isn't that much difference... these lows are all created in your head...

I turned the corner on Sussex at the art gallery, passed the Mint and had to stop to help someone -this girl passed me.  She was drenched and I remember thinking what the hell?  Why is she so wet? We haven't seen a mist station in a long time... and you wouldn't get that wet from a water station.  She had water droplets all over her legs and body.  She started looking like she was drunk.  I quickly asked if she was ok to which she replied she was.  I told her she wasn't, grabbed her by the arm and walked her to the sidewalk and "forced her" to sit down.  Someone came to help and I had to leave, knowing she was with someone else.  Hydrate people!  Your life is at stake here!  I continued running and close by I saw the first aiders - I sent them her way.  I'm guessing she didn't finish the race and that an ambulance had to come and get her... but I don't know for sure.

Soon after that, at the bottom of the hill, another runner that I had passed and been passed by many times was stopped so I asked her if she was doing 10/1. She replied my English no good -so I spoke to her in French.  We soon became best friends and ran the rest of the race together.  Thank goodness!  Being with someone else, especially on the long boring parkway makes a difference!  We chatted about this and that and encouraged each other to go on.  That's what runners do.

Passing through Manor Park and Beechwood area was great!  I saw some students, who attend the school I work at, cheering me on - what a boost!  It just lifts your spirits and gives you a bit of umpph to keep going.

My partner and I soldiered on... when we arrived at km 38 or so? There was Dan (@ottpak a runner I know)-part of the xtra mile crew - I gave him a huge hug and told him I wanted to cry, and cried a bit.  You can't understand how seeing people you know gives you that extra little something needed to continue.  He had words of encouragement and off we went.

I knew my sister was waiting at Pretoria bridge - another great boost of energy!  A great big hug, a few tears and off I went.   My partner didn't stop or she would not have been able to get going again!  We turned the corner to complete the last kilometer or so... and it hits me again... this uncontrollable urge to cry.  I see and xtra miler who is coming towards us and here comes the tears and I ask her: Why? Why do we have to finish with a hill?  Can't they come up with a better end for the race? 42 km and finish with a hill? 😂 The poor girl didn't know what to say!  She had words of encouragement, I grabbed my partner by the hand and said let's go, we are finishing this together.  I was able to sprint the last 150m or so and finished with 5:23.  A little slower than I wanted but that's ok - considering I've been battling a cold since Easter and I couldn't move yesterday... I think it's a pretty good time.

So what next?  Funny how right after you finish one race, you are looking for the next one!  I had planned on doing one marathon and one ultra (50k) race this year.  One down, one to go!

Training Run that turned in a PR

Sunday morning. Joining a group for a 21.1 training run.  Go at it slow and steady because you haven't gone running all week after having oral surgery on Tuesday. Well, that's what I told myself before leaving the house.  Is that what happened? Of course not!

I met Kristi and Mike at the park and ride so we could make our way together to the training run that was starting at Landsdowne park.  It's part of the beer run series (or something like that... who knows...).  We get there, meet other people, see the pace bunnies and none of them are my speed.  There is one for 2h15 minutes and one for 2h30m... so I decided to start with the 2:25 bunny and slow down whenever I needed I would have the other group that would catch up.  Off we go.

Well, I ended up staying with my first bunny, Kristi and Lorna (I think that was her name) for the whole 21.1km and ended up getting a new PR -2h14m!  So much for slow and steady!   Funny thing is I didn't feel out of breath or really that tired.  I still had lots of energy to sprint at the end for a good 200 meters.

At about km16 or so, I felt my left glutes wasn't firing anymore... I have to figure why that happens... and if it does happen, how to get it going again. It's quite annoying because when that happens, everything else starts to fall apart... like the IT band - ouch that hurts!  I was able to control the pain and keep going, but I'm paying for it today.  More painful rolling in my future!  Oh well... the life of a runner!

I'm very pleased with this training run!  What will the next session bring? Only time will tell!

Marc, Kristi and I at the end of the run.

Team Awesome: some of us were part of the panel after the run.

Running South March Highlands

I'd forgotten how much harder trail running was compared to road running!  Don't get me wrong, they can both be challenging - in different ways! I find the roads challenge me mentally - I get bored and then start to play mind games.  Trails are challenging physically -up, down, watch for holes, rocks and roots (well, not this time of year!).

So, it's a beautiful Saturday morning - supposed to run 19.7 km as my program is suggesting.  I decided to join Kristi and a few others in the Highlands for a run - not quite sure if I was going to do half in the trail and half on the road.  I thought I would go with the flow and see how things went.

This particular trail is maintained by the local mountain bike association.  Lots of people use if for walking or running, but it's main use is bikes -this time of year, bikes with really fat tires.  The bikers did an amazing job at making the trail wide enough to run, with a fabulous snow base - no ice today!  Bonus!

The Highlands is full of hills -up, down, up down -some steeper than others -I really don't know how bikers to it! Thanks to my Crossfit training -I'm now able to run up all the hills!  What a great feeling to be able to do that!  Last year, I walked up most hills -not because I wasn't in shape -but because I wasn't strong enough to push up the hills.  No more of that!

I felt strong most of the run.  The last 5km was tough -getting tired from all those hills -plus this was my longest run since my last race in November.  My calves were feeling tight and so was my right hip.  I thought to myself "tomorrow won't be fun"!  (I was right -it's not fun!)  We ended up doing 20.2 km.  Not bad!  Not an easy 20k either!  March Highlands is known to be a difficult trail on best of days - add the snow makes it that much more difficult.  Got it done though!

Sunday morning, got up to very tight calves - so yoga and stretching it will be!

Progress takes time...

Progress takes time.  You must be willing to accept it.  It's a this fact.  If you don't, you will be disappointed!  Getting fit, or fitter, does not happen over night!  If you are willing to put the time and dedication in, you should eventually see some sort of results.  Time, I don't have time is what you are thinking... if you want it, you will find the time.  You find the time to watch television don't you? You find the time to go on Facebook or whatever other sites you visit don't you? How about the time to smoke or have a beer?  The time is there if you really want it to be.  I apologize... I digress... Back to the subject at hand... progress.

I've now completed 15 sessions with Ty, my trainer at Crossfit613. Only 3 sessions to go!  How is that possible?  Time flies when you are having fun I guess!  Every session has been different, challenging yet quite enjoyable.  I like pushing myself to do better -and I don't back down from a challenge.

Here's a few examples of the progress I've made...
The first time I went, I was asked to hang from the rig for I can't remember - maybe a minute?  I lasted a whole... are you ready for this?  a whole 2 seconds.  You read that correctly.  I couldn't hold myself up -just hanging, not moving or anything - for more than 2 seconds.  Last night, I had to do knee raises -that's when you hang from the bar, and you need to engage your "shoulder muscles" and then lift your knees up - three sets- one of 21, one of 15 and one of 9.  I was allowed to break the numbers as I needed to.  For example - my set of 21 I did 6, 3 second break, 5, 3 second break and the remaining ones.  For my set of 15, I was able to to 8, break then 7.  During the last set, I was very proud of myself for hanging on and doing 9 in a row without dropping!  What an accomplishment after not being able to hang on for more than 2 seconds!  I never thought this would be possible!

Other progressions - I am now able to deadlift 55 pounds (same amount of reps as the previous exercise -knee raises).  I could probably lift more than that, but it's important to take it slow and learn to keep the proper form.  When I started, I was lifting... you guessed it...  nothing... so great progression here as well!

My back squats are progressing well - I can't remember the weight I was doing last week...  but when I started I was doing only the bar - this time around, I have weights on the bar - just can't remember how much - I need to keep better track so I can see my progression better.

What I'm still having issues with are the "complicated" moves -well, they seem to be complicated for me! 😂  The jerk this, the clean that... I can't for the life of me remember the terms or the steps!  When it's explained to me, I get it, I understand, I can picture it in my head, I run it through in my mind, then it's my turn and... nothing.  Yet, there is Ty, encouraging me, saying I'm doing great - my brain is thinking yeah... right... but it's all good.  I know that it takes time and that I will get there...

Just like every single sport I have tried, it takes me time... let's see... swimming? OMG! I took the first yellow, orange and red at least 25 times each... I still grew up to be a lifeguard for over 10 years.  Snowboarding? It took me 3 or 4 years to feel comfortable going downhill -not thinking I was going to die.  What else... I will just stop there and embarrassing myself as I'm sure you get the idea.

The point is that if you don't give up, you keep trying, and you have people around you who keep encouraging you (I'm lucky I have Rémi and Ty encouraging me every single time),  you will get there.   Just give it time.

The training continues...

I've now completed week 3 of my marathon training (doing week 1 twice).  Things are going well, I think.  I'm still having a difficult time not walking once or twice, but that's ok.  Yesterday's route had what I consider to be "a hill from hell".  It's about 500m long and gets steeper and steeper as you get closer to the top.  I slow down, and concentrate on my breathing, some swearing in my head the whole way up.  I count my steps to help me not think of how difficult it is (a tip from my cousin who runs ultra marathons).   I think of my husband who would run this at the speed of a gazelle.  I think of my trainer who would be saying "don't leave anything in your tank".  I don't allow myself to walk until I hit the top.  By the time I'm done this darn hill, I'm all out of energy, out of of "oumph" and I feel like I must walk.  My brain forces my legs to stop.  I allow myself to walk 50 steps.  I count, 1, 2, 3... 25, 45, 50.  Wishing I had 50 more steps to walk, I start running again.  Discipline.  Mental strength.  That's what is going to get me through.  Why only 50 steps?  It gives me enough time to get my heart rate back down just a bit, and enough time to catch my breath (another trick from my cousin).  50 steps.  Rarely more. 

Yesterday's long run was a little shorter than last week.  I love that Hal Higdon's program has  you upping the distance for about three week and then you get a break.  The fourth week has a bit less distance to cover - giving you a little break.  I'm always thankful when I hit these weeks.  It helps me catch up if you will.  Since I have a difficult time taking complete rest days, these weeks are a must.  Next long run will be 14 km -that's almost double yesterday's run!  Ouch!  We shall see how that goes!  I'm not sure what route I will take.  I think I'm going to skip that hill from hell, or keep it for near the end.

Other than running, I'm on week 6 of working with Ty, my personal trainer at Crossfit613.  That's going well!  Ty is a great motivator!  He takes his time and doesn't get frustrated when I'm not "getting it".

Even though I'm not lifting much weight yet, I'm feeling stronger than before I started (this is really session 12 if you count the 6 intro sessions).  It seems to be helping my running as well.  My longest run so far this training season has been 11.3 km and I had no issues with my IT band - which I'm hoping means my hips are getting stronger.  I feel the muscles in my legs are stronger as well as my core.

As for getting the lifting techniques right, well, that is proving to be difficult for me.  I will not  give up! Never give up.  I will get it eventually - I'm almost there.  Just like every other sport I try, it takes time for me to "get it" - once I get it though - watch out!  Proof - snowboarding - it took me years to be good at it! 

Why does it take me so long to "get it"?  Fear.  Fear of what?  In the case of snowboarding it was fear of speed, fear of falling and getting hurt (broke my tailbone the first year), fear of losing control.

What's the fear now?  I'm not sure.  Fear of looking stupid? Fear of getting hurt? Fear of not being able to do it? I'm not exactly sure...I will figure it out and conquer it -of that I'm sure!

Well, today is a rest day.  As much as I love sitting there, doing nothing other than watching TV, I have a hard time not getting some sort of exercise done.  Today's plan was to go for an easy skate on the canal - major snowstorm happening with frigid cold... It's not worth the risk of driving there... so rest day it will be!



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