Melissa's - now that's a PB!

Went to Banff for the Melissa's 22km race this weekend. I felt completely unprepared since I didn't train for this race.

At package pick-up we're told that the course had to be cut to 20.2kms because there was a mother bear and cubs seen on a portion of the course. Can't say I was really disappointed about that.

Race day: the weather looked overcast but once we started walking to the start line it cleared up and looked like it was going to be pretty warm (wish I would have worn shorts). Lawrence and I had decided to run this one together. The last time he ran a race with me was my first ever 5km. The first 5km felt really good, I only took walk breaks when I felt I really needed them (which coincidentally happened on every uphill). At 9km I realized I was going to do a PB for 10km. I usually run 10km in 1:20 but I was at about 1:07 at the 9km point and managed to finish the first 10km in about 1:15! As the kms wore on I noticed the bottom of my feet were really starting to hurt. The pain was across my arches on both feet. I have found that the insoles I use in my shoes seem to put too much pressure on my arches but only on runs over 15kms. My left hip was a little sore but not bad. Pressed on through the next 9km, just walking the uphills. I knew today was going to be a PB for the records. On the last km I was wearing out a bit and took a short walk with only 500m to go. Once I could see the finish line I started running, going for the sprint to the finish when I realized that the race does not finish at the giant start/finish banner (whose idea was that???) but you have another 100m to run. I kept running but really picked it up when I saw my running partner cheering for me (she challenges me to sprint the finish of every training run) so I had to sprint it for her. Crossed the line and couldn't believe my watch....2:28:32!!!!! My best time for a half marathon before this was 2:54 - now that's a Personal Best!! I couldn't believe it. The company was great too - Lawrence is a pretty good running partner. Capped off the race with the free beer and enjoyed the fantastic day.

A picture with the gang from Runningmania

Why walk when you can run?

So, after meeting with the coach and discussing the "no walk break" philosophy, I figured I better get started with this so I can be on the right page when we start working together in November. Since heart rate is vital for this type of training I decided to try out the garmin HRM again (it caused real chaffing issues last time).

Sunday - goal: run as long as possible without taking a break (planned run distance 7-8km) Outcome: I DID IT!! 7.5km with no walk breaks. We stopped once to jump a puddle and have a quick drink. To my surprise I felt great. I checked my heart rate periodically (arond 170) but didn't bother looking at the time. I just got in to a rhythem and went. It helped that I had actually managed to convince a couple of my running friends to try this experiment out with me.

Wednesday - planned 4-5km nice easy run (since I have Melissa's 22km this weekend). Another great run with no walk breaks! I think I'll be able to adjust to this just fine.

Now to start monitoring the heart rate. I still hate the garmin chest strap so I think I'll have to buy a new hrm that I like.

Highlight of the week...picking my new wheels on Friday! Got to take it for a ride on Monday and it felt really nice. I was more comfortable in the aero position than sitting up, which is a great change from my old bike!! Hopefully it will encourage me to stay in aero for longer periods.

Off to the race this weekend.

My new addition!!

So the highlight of the week was putting a deposit down on the new ride. I was going to wait until the new fall bikes came in, but these ones are selling out fast. I am really excited to try out a better bike.

I think this week I have come to the realization that this is no longer just a hobby or something I do to just "get out there". I've invested in a better bike and decided to hire a coach to help me reach my goal of bettering my time (and finishing under the official cut-off time) at Great White North next year. The goal is specific, but I would also like to learn how to train properly. Definitely not sounding like a hobby anymore. Now I'm turning in to one of those people I always complained about: "we are just weekend warriors, no one is going to pay us to do this, so why do they take it so seriously?" I guess the answer is: there comes a time when you get the taste of success but know you can achieve more, and you want to see exactly what you can do if you work for it.

Finishing GWN was one of the top 3 best moments of my life! Crossing that line was a big F___ U to the overweight, depressed, out of shape, high blood pressure, unmotivated, and unpassionate person I used to be. Putting on running shoes has lead me to a life that I would have never dreamed possible. Finishing that race not only proved to my doubting inner self that I can do these things but it also gives me confidance in everything I do. The only thing I'm this passionate about is inspiring others to make the change in their own lives and discover what they are really capable of.

Guess this has been a bit of self realization week. Remind me to read this again when I'm exhausted and just don't want to train for triathlon anymore!

Training this week was crummy because my ITB (at least I've decided that's what it is) is causing me a lot of pain.


Wednesday: I was still sore but thought I'd try to run anyway. I was looking forward to another faster 5km. Nutrition for these runs is often a problem. I tried a baked potato for lunch, a booster juice(very berry) at 3 and ate a cliff bar on the way at 5. We started out pretty fast and it hurt! My chest was hurting and then I got a pain in my right side. I walked for a while until it went away, and then lightly ran back. Overall it was ok.

Thursday: I tried to do yoga but just completely lost my will to do it and my left side (butt mainly) was really hurting so I quit after a half hour.

Sunday: My left leg was hurting all day on Saturday so I decided that my planned 18km was probably not a good idea. We went out and did 12km instead. I felt pretty good, the pain was only nagging and didn't get worse. I finished feeling like I could have run further which was a good sign.

I'm pretty unprepared for Melissa's in two weeks, so no real goal for this one except not to die. I signed up for it because everyone says it's a great race and you just have to do it. Guess summer holidays and the post race slump wiped out training for this one. We'll see how it goes.

Back in training

After the death race, I had a pretty good run on the Wednesday. Then took some time off for a vacation to Vancouver Island with a stop to visit friends in Penticton at Ironman Canada. It was fantastic to see the IM atmosphere and the expo-shame we couldn't stay for the race though. I would have loved to watch it.

Here is my photo for inspiration...


This week, it was back to training. Melissa's 22km is only 3 weeks away!
Monday - 1hr yoga for athletes. This has gotten easier but I am still following the "easy" guy. I don't have anywhere near the kind of flexibility of the other two levels.
Wednesday - ran 5km with a PB!!!!! 35:05. I really need to make the Wednesday count and work on some speed. I know I'm faster, it's just buried underneath my fear of pain or discomfort. I have to learn to push through and start working towards a 30min 5km.
Thursday - cycling!! did about 50km (just over 2 hours) with some friends. It was a great ride but I now know 100% that my bike is the cause of my shoulder pain. Glad I solved that mystery, shame it's going to cost over $2000 for a new bike but I think I will see the benefits of spending the money.
Sunday - 14km. Forgot to take my garmin so I don't have the average pace. It took us about 2:15 to finish. I felt pretty good but had to stop and walk at one point I got this strange pain right behind my right knee. It radiated down my calf. I stopped to walk for a bit and it seemed to clear up. Just noting this in case I have some problems later - then I'll know when it started.

It was a great week of training! I feel good so I think the rest was worthwhile. I felt guilty not training but I think it was worth it.