Finally feeling like myself today!!
The day after the race I felt like I got hit by a bus! I am sure that feeling is totally natural and quite honestly I didn't expect any less. Day 2 - was a little better. My aches and pains were diminishing and now the, "I need to sleep" phase set in. I was really, really tired and felt like I could nap soon after 11am. Note to self: take a day off after a half marathon!! Day 3 - indeed a lot better. I could function normally, I actually felt like I might want to run but because of an evening get together of my run club I opted to go eat and socialize rather than exercise. Day 4 - and I feel really, really good! Crazy down pour of rain kept me inside to run on my hamster wheel. I did 5k on the treadmill tonight. I won't lie, it was tough... especially the last kilometre. I persisted and finished what I set out to do. My 5k post half was now done. YAY! I'm back on my feet again. Training for this week will probably look like this:
Thursday - 5k
Friday - 4k
Saturday - 5k
Sunday - 12k
More importantly, I finished my half marathon and I SURVIVED!!!
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Sunday, October 14, 2012
absolute success!
Completed the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon today! Finish time was 2:00:19, I totally rocked it! Four minutes faster than my initial goal time. I couldn't be more thrilled (and relieved).
I left the house at 6:45 am, complete darkness and pouring rain. Wind was heavy, roads were terrible. The entire drive I was thinking, "what am I doing"?
When I arrived at the starting corral I ditched my rain "garbage bag" jacket and an old hoodie I brought in case it was cool. Suprisingly, the rain quit, the tempurature was actually pleasant and so began our 21k journey through the streets of Toronto.
The course was crowded, not a lot of room to move but the pace was good. I felt great and kept up with those around me. I stopped at each and every aid station for either water or Gatorade, I took my Gu at 8km. No stomach cramps, no bathroom urges ... life is good!
The last 2 kilometres were the toughest. I wanted to stop so badly but persisted and pushed on through.
As I crossed the finish line, I threw my hands in the air and almost felt like I was going to burst into tears.
It was emotional. All of those weeks training, my last four months spent in running shorts and athletic tanks had finally paid off. I had completed my first half marathon. My time was impressive (for me). Better than I ever expected. I am beyond thrilled, what an amazing achievement, I can hardly wait for the next one!!!
I left the house at 6:45 am, complete darkness and pouring rain. Wind was heavy, roads were terrible. The entire drive I was thinking, "what am I doing"?
When I arrived at the starting corral I ditched my rain "garbage bag" jacket and an old hoodie I brought in case it was cool. Suprisingly, the rain quit, the tempurature was actually pleasant and so began our 21k journey through the streets of Toronto.
The course was crowded, not a lot of room to move but the pace was good. I felt great and kept up with those around me. I stopped at each and every aid station for either water or Gatorade, I took my Gu at 8km. No stomach cramps, no bathroom urges ... life is good!
The last 2 kilometres were the toughest. I wanted to stop so badly but persisted and pushed on through.
As I crossed the finish line, I threw my hands in the air and almost felt like I was going to burst into tears.
It was emotional. All of those weeks training, my last four months spent in running shorts and athletic tanks had finally paid off. I had completed my first half marathon. My time was impressive (for me). Better than I ever expected. I am beyond thrilled, what an amazing achievement, I can hardly wait for the next one!!!
stunning medal
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| finish line at the Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon. |
Friday, October 12, 2012
been there, done that, got the t-shirt...
Picked up this sweet beauty at the run expo today!
I'm feeling so drained right now. I will be so relieved after Sunday's run. I can't wait to eat a big plate of Chinese food (and maybe some wings too)!!
I'm feeling so drained right now. I will be so relieved after Sunday's run. I can't wait to eat a big plate of Chinese food (and maybe some wings too)!!
Thursday, October 11, 2012
2 days to go!
STWM in 2 days! Packet pick up is tomorrow and I am pumped! Feeling a little under the weather today but I'm not going to let it get the best of me. I've got two days to recover .... TWO DAYS!!!
Ran 6k tonight in the wind. It wasn't as bad as I thought and since race day is expected to be very windy its best I get out there and practice. The wind is going to be from the South West - a good thing, so I'm told.
Decided today to run in my "old faithfuls" on race day. I've got two other pairs of shoes but this pair wins. These are going to be my official half-marathon shoe. I LOVE these!!! They've got about 200k on them but they haven't lost their "spring". Lots of room in the toe box and I never really focus on my feet when I run in these shoes. So there you have it ... shoes, playlist... I'm almost ready.
Ran 6k tonight in the wind. It wasn't as bad as I thought and since race day is expected to be very windy its best I get out there and practice. The wind is going to be from the South West - a good thing, so I'm told.
Decided today to run in my "old faithfuls" on race day. I've got two other pairs of shoes but this pair wins. These are going to be my official half-marathon shoe. I LOVE these!!! They've got about 200k on them but they haven't lost their "spring". Lots of room in the toe box and I never really focus on my feet when I run in these shoes. So there you have it ... shoes, playlist... I'm almost ready.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
getting antsy!
resting is sure tough! As I am running the half on Sunday, I am keeping it pretty light for this week.
Last night I intended to run light hills - 6k. My legs were saying "go" but my body was saying, "pitstop"!!
I cut it short at 5k. I'll be back at it tomorrow and then taking it easy for the days nearing the race.
Next job will be wardrobe selection and kit pick-up :))))
Last night I intended to run light hills - 6k. My legs were saying "go" but my body was saying, "pitstop"!!
I cut it short at 5k. I'll be back at it tomorrow and then taking it easy for the days nearing the race.
Good news! My playlist is complete. I'm pumped to run to this selection of music. I have forced myself not to use any of these songs on any of my runs in the past few weeks. These are some of my fave's. See a sampling below....
Next job will be wardrobe selection and kit pick-up :))))Monday, October 8, 2012
keep calm
Sunday, October 7, 2012
one week to go...
Well, it's official! One week until I run the half marathon at the Scotia Bank Waterfront Marathon in Toronto.
I was hoping to get this blog up and running a few months ago but since I spend most of my free time, which is very scarce, running, I don't have a lot of time for blogs.
A little nervous, I'll admit. I have ran the distance before but this is the first time I will run 13.1 in a race setting. Those of you who race know that anything can happen on race day, and I mean ANYTHING!
My clothes are selected. My shoes are ready. Now I wait....
I'm in taper time right now so not a lot of running planned for this week. My schedule will probably go as follows:
Monday - rest
Tuesday - 6k (light hills)
Wednesday - rest
Thursday - 6k
Friday - 3k
Saturday- rest
Sunday - GO TIME!
I don't like running the day before I race. Although, some recommend a short 3k to get warmed up, I like the feeling of just wanting to get out there because its been a few days since I ran any long distance.
I think my biggest fear for the half marathon is the weather. Right now the forecast is calling for heavy wind and rain.... can it get any worse? Hoping that the weather channel is wrong and since it is still a week away the probability for change is good. Fingers crossed.
On my list for tomorrow is creating my 13.1 play list. Oh, and laundry, vacuuming and cleaning. Funny, life doesn't stop just because I run!!
I was hoping to get this blog up and running a few months ago but since I spend most of my free time, which is very scarce, running, I don't have a lot of time for blogs.
A little nervous, I'll admit. I have ran the distance before but this is the first time I will run 13.1 in a race setting. Those of you who race know that anything can happen on race day, and I mean ANYTHING!
My clothes are selected. My shoes are ready. Now I wait....
I'm in taper time right now so not a lot of running planned for this week. My schedule will probably go as follows:
Monday - rest
Tuesday - 6k (light hills)
Wednesday - rest
Thursday - 6k
Friday - 3k
Saturday- rest
Sunday - GO TIME!
I don't like running the day before I race. Although, some recommend a short 3k to get warmed up, I like the feeling of just wanting to get out there because its been a few days since I ran any long distance.
I think my biggest fear for the half marathon is the weather. Right now the forecast is calling for heavy wind and rain.... can it get any worse? Hoping that the weather channel is wrong and since it is still a week away the probability for change is good. Fingers crossed.
On my list for tomorrow is creating my 13.1 play list. Oh, and laundry, vacuuming and cleaning. Funny, life doesn't stop just because I run!!
Saturday, October 6, 2012
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