I am Running for my Life

Well the 10k is over, but the road to the half is far from finished! I did a 20 minute run on Tuesday to stretch out my muscles, which were not properly stretched out after the Sun Run.

And yesterday I went for 40 minutes, out by moms place since she’s away and I’m staying closer to work these days since I’m there lost of the time!

I don’t feel all that prepared to be honest. It’s in just over a week and I’ve barely trained the last two weeks. Not to mention my diet has been terrible, given I’m working so much and what I eat is what is at the office. So I’m scared, but I also know that I can do it which is the important part. A friend just registered for the next major half marathon, I’m thinking I might too since I’ll be able to get my training back to where it needs to be at that point. Hope it works, but we’ll see how may 5th goes. And til then, keeping running is the goal!!

Well I didn’t break an hour which was my goal, and I’m pretty sure it has to do with the complete and utter lack of rest and care for my body over the last few weeks. But I ran the whole thing and most importantly my other half ran it and enjoyed himself. I finally have a running partner! If he keeps it up :-) will write more later, when I have some time to breathe. Work is kicking my butt atm!

I’ve had to sorta scale back my running as a result of increasing work commitments over the last week, continuing for a month. So I have been running, but definitely not as intensely as I should be, nor as frequently.

That said, the Sun Run is this Sunday, which I am feeling more solemn about than excited right now. I think it will be good to show solidarity, and I’m happy about how the race organizers have stepped up to do so. And many people are joining last minute, so I think it will be good. But it’ll be a run of reflection more than one with concerns about beating my best time.

Anyway, that’s it from me for now. Still here, still running. Will try to post pics of Sundays race on here too. Wish me/the 45k of us running lots of luck! :-)

Runners are a community. I know a great number of people whose Sunday morning ritual is to be out pounding the pavement, running trails, feeling the fresh air in their lungs and the wind in their hair -running to be fit, to extend life, and also running to feel alive.

Running has made or strengthened a great number of friendships in my life. I do feel a certain sense of kinship with fellow runners, from those I encounter on my own runs to those completing races across the world. We have a shared experience in common. This is as close to a religion, an understanding of communitarianism, as it gets for me.

That said, Boston is the pinnacle of many people’s running career, it is the be all end all of marathon runs, it is a race runners across the globe have a great sense of respect for. It truly is an international marathon, and one that for me feels out of reach personally but still very close to my heart.

When hurricane sandy hit, and they were debating what to do about the NYC marathon, runners were divided. Many thought it should go on to show the resilience of the city, a great number thought it was just too soon. I started to hear stories about runners donating their hotel rooms to victims of the hurricane, and using the day of the marathon to help people out by transporting things, getting water to people etc.

In the same vein, stories came out yesterday about runners finishing their run and continuing running on to the hospital to give blood. These stories make me very happy to be part of the running community.

As with religion, runners around the world won’t ever meet each other on a large scale, but there is a common bond, a common experience, that makes us tip our hats, smile, acknowledge others we encounter while out for our runs. It makes us a community.

My next two runs, the sun run and the BMO half, are going to take on a different tone for me now, and as always I am thankful to count myself as part of a diverse and varied, international, strong and resilient community.

When you see people out running, remember that we are a community, take the time to acknowledge your fellow runners, because we really are all in this together.

Thanks for reading. See you out there on the run…

Distance - 18k 

Time - 2:07.44

Category (trail, road, hills, other) - bridges, downtown sidewalks, seawall

Nutrition (pre, during, post-run, hydration) - Last night dinner: pizza. I had some stir fry earlier too. Maybe not the best pre-race meal ever! Breakfast: Banana and peanut butter larabar. During: Vega gel. I hate the gels, but I didn’t think to buy sharkies or wine gums in advance of the run and it was all I had. And water of course. I don’t think I drink enough during the run, and I think I’m paying for it now because I have a serious headache. Lunch was a little later. I had a protein shake right after the run which held me over while I did some grocery shopping and laundry. Then I had chips and grapes and stuff, but I didn’t eat til dinner a few hours later. That’s probably another mistake. 

Conditions (weather, temperature, terrain) - It was raining but not pelting down, just a steady drizzle. The sun looked like it was going to come out in the end, but it didn’t. Going over the bridge was windy, and so was the western most point of the seawall, but it wasn’t too bad. Terrain was pretty flat for the most part, except the climb to get back on the bridge coming home. I kept my rain jacket on the whole time despite feeling like I could take it off a couple of times. 

Health (heart rate, weight, sleep) - I slept well but was still really exhausted given how much I’ve been working. Weight needs to come down, that’s a work in progress. 

Notes (shoes, gear, perceived effort, energy level, goals) - I ran with two new friends that I just met though a mutual friend, they are doing the same half marathon as me in a few weeks. It was really great to get to know them, it was distracting from the actual process of running since we talked a lot. It was pretty great! I don’t know that I’ll be doing another really long one before the half, so it’ll be interesting to see how the 5th goes. 4 weeks, eep! 

Well this was the most intense run that happens in our clinic, week 11, hill training and an hour running (with 1min breaks depending on which group you’re in).

It was also a really beautiful night. I missed last weeks gorgeous night, but I was happy to be there for this one.

My crew ran 10, walked 1 x6. The route we took had us looping in and around the faster group which was kind of fun. As hill training we went up to a park in our neighbourhood. It was a good run, lots of energy from the group. And I was just happy to be out doing it!

Shin pain was at a minimum. I really should’ve iced them post run but they weren’t hurting too bad. I blasted them with cold water for a bit at the end of my shower so hopefully they’ll be good today.

Next run will be Sunday, and I’m going to try for 18k, since this is my last chance to do a good long one before the half on May 5th. I hope it’s not too early. I’ll try to get a few other 15-16 ones in before then too. Eep!

Well after a GORGEOUS long weekend here, I got up nice and early to run before work this morning. I went on a 20 minute run because tomorrow night we’re doing our longest most intense run at the clinic. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone’s progress! 

I went around my neighbourhood, and because of the no rain I was able to go on the wood chip trail which was great. Shins are feeling much better. I should really roll out my ITBand, but I’m feeling too lazy. Maybe later this week.

Just need to figure out when to do my long run, I think it’s going to have to be Sunday since I work most of Saturday…argh.