25 km RUN FOR THE TOAD

I came across this run when googling different marathon training plans.  Looked like a ton of fun, but having already committed to the Midsummer Run, I opted out of registering.  PLUS it was a 3 hr drive away. 

Lurking thru a running forum I frequent, I saw that another board member was selling her bib for less than what it was selling for from registering.  80$.  I took it as a sign that I needed to try this run.  Also, coincidently, my BFF Brooke's birthday was that weekend, and she wanted to outlet shop in Niagria Falls, an hour away from Paris Ont. 

OK, contacted the girl, bought her bib, info changed into my info! 

Then I started to stress over if I had the right shoes, how to run on a trail, etc etc.  I brought 3 pairs of shoes with me Saturday morning but ended with my regular distance shoe, Adidas Mana 5.

5 am came pretty early on Saturday morning, but wanted lots of time for getting lost, picking up Brooke (who went out to celebrate her birthday the night before), and picking up my kit.
I woke Piper, she wanted to tag along for the day.  She woke up with no grumpiness and off we went in the pitch black. 

Grabbed Brooked at her friends house in Oshawa, and GPS'd where we needed to go from there.  Laughing for the drive up, we were pretty happy and excited.  Brooke commented on how interesting my run would be considering that my nose was running and I was clogged with phlegm, 

Nearing Paris, we had a little mix up from where we needed to be, stopped and asked some locals who gave PERFECT directions and we turned in the conservation area the same time as 10 other cars...... and then into a line of 40 or more in front of us.  
After parking I walked quickly ahead to grab my kit, and I needed to get into my run clothes as well.  It turned out we still had 40 minutes to race start.  We people watched for a while and saw the 50k'ers off.
10 minutes later, I got in line, and had no idea what I was in store for!   It started off fairly well, hit the 4k mark at about 25 min.  My nose was very clogged and I was mouth breathing, so I needed to stop and blow.  Decided to take a sip of my water since I was already stopped.  Big breath, and carried on. 
At around 8 km, I noticed the difference in muscles it takes to trail run vs road running.  My knees and front leg muscles were throbbing, ankles were angry at the sight of another incline.  My nose continously needed blowing, and I couldnt seem to get a good 'cough' out.    I kept waiting for this steep hill, dreading it!

First lap was done, 1:20:35 . Part of me really considered quitting.  LOL.  I jogged off to the port a potties, peed, blew my nose, stuffed toilet paper in my pockets for more blowing on course,  took a gel and carried on.  I decided now I knew what to expect, I would walk the inclines and then I could speed up on the downhills and flats.  It was WAY more enjoyable.  Talked to a girl on course, and she had run it 4 times before, she laughed when I mentioned that this was my first ever trail run.  YOU CHOSE THIS FOR YOUR FIRST....WAY TO GO!   
I loved the trail parts, when there was a slope and jumping roots, that was really run, the small inclines, continously over and over.....not so much.  Especially trying to work around other people and herded together. 
2nd lap was 1:27:19  which I am sure the 7 minutes lost was the washroom break and the pep talk I had to give myself to carry on! HA.

A little stiff this morning, but shook that out at the Run for the Cure.  Which I only did 2km off because Steele and Paxton were cold and done.  Had 2 of them in one stroller and trying to push. Piper carried on with her gymnastics team, and we met her at the finish line! 

417   417 Pam Christie           2:47:54 SF30-39   54/116    175  6:43 2:47:22  1:20:35 1:27:19  Indian River   


Oddly, my bib number was 417 and I came in 417th place.   :D

Next year?  We'll see, BUT I am signing up for another (shorter, and closer to home) trail run for October.   

B&O Yorkville 5k

Nicci and I last minute signed up for this run.  And MIRACOUSLY were there about an hour early!!  HUGE for us. Usually we are racing for the run start.

Thankfully we were there early because somehow we were on the sign up sheet but our bibs werent there. So we had to wait at another table for them to make us new bibs. 

The run was held in a nice part of Toronto, had stylish black tees, on-site massagers, black bags, and GORGEOUS black and PINK medals!  I will SO be back for this one.  The proceeds went to YMCA Womens' shelters.

(pssst, there was a Lululemon RIGHT there, literally at the race start~ but didn't open till 11am on Sundays.  BOO!)
And of course, there I was aiming for a sub 25 minute 5k.......... 25:06 was my chip time, my garmin read 25:15 BUT was measured long.  5.14km, so my garmin timed me at 24:31 for a 5k, ummmm so I am taking it! LOL

Speedwork

I attempted some hills yesterday, but this nagging cold has stuffed up my sinuses.  So I quit at 5km.

Today I wanted to try something a little different, and since I haven't done any real speed workouts in about 3 or 4 weeks.  I wanted to keep it easy.  Hindsight, I am actually feeling it in my legs right now and I don't know if it's from lack of speedwork lately, OR from the workout itself.


13 x 200 meters
200 meter rest
6 x 100 meter hill

Ended up with just over 6 kilometer.  I did see pace speeds of 3:xx while running.  So that's a plus! :)

Game change plan!

So I have a friend who has run like 10 marathons and last week just finished the Ironman! WHAAT!?! 
I have discussed with her my marathon plans and she suggested the GOODLIFE as a first.  The crowds are great spectators and cheer the runners, and it's a fast and downhill course.  AND HEY, it gives me 250 days to train!  HA!

I have decided though, to take on a impromtu 25 kilometer trail run.  EEEK, never done a trail run before! Do I need different shoes?  How does it work?

Last week was a slow week from running.  I did a few slooooow runs and then took a full 3 days off. We had taken the kids to Great Wolf Lodge, and Marine Land ($$$).  My highlight was COACH factory store!

So today was a back at 'er day . Warm, but overcast and drizzly and got in a 13.5km run.  Didn't time myself today, as I was kicking beer cans into piles, then Sebastian and I drove back and picked them up.  We decided to save for a trip out West next summer!

A Mid Summer Nights Run 30km

Well the time finally arrived.  I had taken Thursday and Friday off running, and did a light weight workout Friday evening  and lots of stretching.  I spent the day Saturday around the house, I made a banana bread and other various chores around the home.  Nothing strenuous.

We left around 3pm to be there for 5p as the 30k started at 5:30pm.  I had picked up our kits on the Thursday, so it was just to worry about any traffic and parking issues.  They had given me a parking pass, but we ended up finding a spot RIGHT beside McCleary Park.  Literally 200ft away from the start line.

A downside was, Scott planned on doing the 5k with the double stroller and Piper running, and when we got there, we obviously didn't read the email for final instructions because it was a shuttle to the 5k start.  Scott groaned and was looking for a way out of it, but Piper would have been CRUSHED to miss it.  My bestie Brooke lives super close, and she came down and helped him corral kids during the 5k and they walked the whole thing together, no stroller. Kids had a great time, they played at the park and Steele was DELIRIOUS with the crowd cheering him thru the finish!  Piper really enjoys the running and always says 'Mommy says to finish strong!"

So some nervousness at the start line, I got in around the 2:45 pace bunny.  I started and just kept my eyes down and looking a few feet in front of me.  I have been trying hard lately to not compare or compete, especially too early.  It was a little warm but it was cooling nicely as the sun was setting.  Some of the areas were still dealing with traffic, and it was nice to sight see and not think about running so much. 

At 8 km mark ( 42 min) , I slowed to a walk and took my first gel, rinsed my mouth with water and started running again.  About 2 min later, I had a stitch starting and it was pretty difficult to run.  I honestly can't say if it was a mindplay on my part, as we had just come around to where the race started, and part of me wanted to quit.  I've done 2 ATB's so it wasn't the distance as much as it was the distance IN SUMMER.  I think I had just freaked myself out so much the last month, I had almost convinced myself I couldn't wouldn't   do it. At the next aid station, I grabbed some gatorade and stretched a bit while I walked for a minute or 2.  Admittedly, kilometers 8-15 were rough.  My lips were really dry, and the stitch and lower abdomin hurt.  I had to turn down my Ipod because it just felt too loud in my ears.  Then it just seemed to disappear as quickly as it came.  I picked up a bit and ran until I hit around 20k and decided to take a 2nd gel and a fresh piece of gum.  (I love to chew gum when I run, keeps my mouth moist.  Vanilla mint splash)

I am pretty sure I had another walk break in there between 20-25km , but still could see the 2:45 pace bunny a few hundred meters in front of me.  We ended up running into a park area, and this is what really slowed me down.  I am a good race finisher, the last kilometer I can seem to find some energy on reserve, BUT it's the 2 or 3 km BEFORE that last km that get me.  There is something with being so close and not done yet. And looking back to the womens Starbucks run we did around Mother's day, I don't do well in closed loopy areas like parks.  It really wears me out.  So km's 24-27 were looping around this park by the beach.  Nice scenery, but I just hate the feeling of up here, over there, now down this way and out across there.  LOL.  Plus there was beachgoers and people sightseeing at the park.  I just wanted OUT OF THE PARK.  I lost some time in the park, AND the 2:45 bunny.....

So I ran behind the 3:00 bunny and finished strong from 29 km on. I stayed on the outside of the pylons and sped up after turning that final corner.  I tried to run and crowd gaze to see if I could see my family.  After crossing the mat, I saw Scott and he high 5'd me!  The kiddos' were pretty happy to see mom and I WAS SO EFFING HAPPY TO BE DONE!  It was a tough run. 
3:00:09 
Slower than my Around the Bay time but I had consistantly run that and with the walking I did last night, I know the better time is there.  Humidity and lack of good training in July and most of August hurt me.  BUT I AM OK WITH IT!

Chasing the 25 minutes......

Saturday August 3rd, I signed up for a small, slightly disorganized 5km.  An old friend from high school was driving from Ottawa to do with a friend, so I decided to tag along.  Sebastian decided to come and be my cheering squad.

Handsome boy

  I say disorganized because the RR website didn't even say the location of the run, or where the kit pick up would be!   *I ended up calling the run director on the Friday and asking, and then he sent out a mass email.*  Also that morning they were missing a box of mens M shirts.

Great view! 

The humidity gone and a slight mist in the air, I am loving running again.  I know my training has NOT been up to par lately, so I just wanted to run and kind of see where I am at this point.  Driving the treed lane into the parking area for the run, I realized there was quite a few dips in the road.  Dips=HILLS.  LOL.  

So they started the kids 1k, and about 10 minutes later started the 10k, then moved into the 5k a few minutes after that.  They had a weird system for timing, it beeped when you crossed the finish and a paddle to run over your chip.  ?  Everyone had to stay in order after crossing to get 'paddled' down.

aSo as the title says, I am still chasing the sub 25 minute 5km!  ARGH.  The hills, stopping to tie my shoe at km 3 (that was a new one, NEVER happened to me before!!)  I still managed 2nd in my age group (20-39) .  24th overall.

Bash got me as I crossed the finish.

Someday.........


So I've heard for a few years about a ZOMBIES, RUN! coming out to itunes.  I decided to go for the 8$ download. 
Eh.   Worth the hype, not in my opinion.   BUT I was using it on my Ipod, I don't own a Iphone.  So GPS wasn't an option. It mixes your music playlist in with the storyline. It gives you different times in your workout to speed up.  I've tried it  twice, and will give it another go in the cooler weather when I am enjoying my run instead of panting on the side of the road like a dog in heat. *wink*

Still getting Sebastian to come for rides on his bike while I run.  He had an almost 2 week break, but did 11+ km yesterday!!!! His longest yet, AND we picked up 24 beer cans!

Starting to freak a little...........

HOT HOT HOT.
We've had a few 'thunderstorms' in the past month.  Like 2.  And it slightly cools the temps for an hour or so after.  THEN right back to humid and hot.  Admittedly, I have been struggling with the runs.  When I do run, there are numerous walk breaks, standing under the tree in the shade and wishing I was 'I dream of Jeannie' and blinking and being home again. 

 

Today was a 10k struggle.  HOW THE EFF will I run 30km on the 18th of August?  I am hoping with all my heart and secretly doing rain dances in my backyard, that because it's a night (5:30pm start) that the temps will be cooler. ARGH.  Scott said I'm stubborn enough, that when the time comes- hot or not, I'll just do it because I have to. HA.

On another note, I've done 4 of the 90 day workouts on non run days.  They are pretty fun, and a nice break from the monotony of just lifting weights. It's a non stop of 25-45 minutes of body weight, light/heavier dumbells, stability ball type workout.  Disc 3 was HARD. Like H.A.R.D.  I consider myself in pretty good shape, and it was challenging during the workout, but the next day......I could barely get down the stairs.  My calves were on FIRE. Disc 3 was constant jump squats, jump lunges, burpees, mountain climbers, AAAAAAAND repeat.