Ouch, My Toe

So, I have been steadily building up my running base and today, went for my first over 10 km run. I did 12 km, adding that to the 8 km I did yesterday and the short runs I took on my lunch hours, I've clocked 25 km in one week. And I did a Yogo-Pilates class on top of that! So...um....yow-cha. I hurt. My upper abs hurts. My glutes hurt. My right big toe hurts. I have a yucky looking blister on it. I put Vitamin E and a band-aid on it. I remember now that when I trained for a half-m back in 2003, my toes bled near the end of my training. Its a sock issue, so I'm going out to buy some Nike socks this week. They are the best in my humble opinion (IMHO). I also have a headache because I didn't drink enough water. Typically I don't hydrate at 10 km or less, mostly because I hate carrying a water bottle. I have a MEC water system, but I hate the feeling of water slooshing around in a bottle on my back. I'll have to suck it up though.

I've been doing about 15 - 20 km a week for the last month, appr. My legs are slimming down, my abs have re-appeared. My muffin top disappeared. And my booty back in shape again. First time since Jackson was born! So the weight-loss side effect of training is very very welcome.

Now, I just have to keep my week-day routine (hills and speed) and starting two weeks from now, I'll add a kilometre onto each Sunday's run. And invest in some bandaids and Advil.

Life is good.

Training Update

Until last week, I was able to get some good outdoor mileage, but then the barometer fell to geezly cold temps. I've moved indoors to my gym to run on the treadmill on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. I'm hoping to keep my Sunday long run outdoors. In fact, I'm going to run with a group from the Running Room at 8:30 Sunday mornings. Brrrrr.

This Sunday, I'm running the Frosty Five for the Canadian Cancer Society. I'm on my lunch break now, and debating whether I should see if there are any sales at Sport Chek. I can't find my neck warmer! I think one of the kids used it to play dress up with.

My friend Karen joined a half-marathon training group. She tells me what she learned, and then I apply it. One thing she said she learned was how to enforce your posture. She said to swing your arms like they are on train tracks. That will keep my shoulder's square and keep me from leaning forward. I tried it at the gym yesterday. Unfortunatly, my train tracking put my fingers in direct line with the treadmill's panic button. So, at 12-minute-mile pace on a 3.8 incline, I hit the panic button which shut the machine completely down. I jumped my legs off the mill and onto the side platforms, so I didn't go flying backward like in the cartoons. My heart was pounding hard though!!!

January, starting to ramp up

My husband bought me some good running gear and accessories for my training effort. I got a new pair of 'go fasters", an iPod Nano, a Nike+iPod training system, and an Under Armour shirt. I already have a great MEC winter running suit, so I'm good for the winter now!

I started increasing my distance last sunday by going 11.5 km, while keeping my other runs the same (about 4 -6 km). I'll keep my Sunday runs at approx. 10 km until mid-Febuary and then start adding mileage. Race day is May 10th!! I did a half-marathon in 2:20, so my goal is 2:10 this year. Since its been so long (2003), I'll just be happy doing it and won't worry too much about my time.

Oh, and I lost the weight I gained and then some. I'm back to my pre-Jackson weight, which certainly helps with my speed. Less weight to carry on my 'go fasters". lol

Progress....nat

I haven't blogged in awhile. Its been a busy fall. I went to Boston on business. That was nice. Took Jackson to school today for a kindergarden orientation. He did really well, but he had a hard time sitting still. He was like a Mexican jumping bean. Even so, he paid attention and did all the tasks he was asked to do.

Now remember, this blog is all about my training so...

The training isn't going too bad. I have good winter running gear. Just bought a new MEC physique jacket. I need a new pair of winter runners and I've had no luck at at the local stores. So I found a pair I like on Amazon. They are Asics and I wear Asics normal runners, so I'm confident the fit will be right. I sent the link to Bill and said "buy me these for Christmas". ha ha. I'm also going to get a pair of yak traks; they attach to your boots or sneakers to create traction, much like chains on your tires. I've been out running in the snow twice (we just got snow this week) and I was slipping a little. I had to take shorter steps to compensate. Sage has good sneakers and she was bounding ahead of me. That might have something to do with the fact that she's 9 and full of crazy energy, while I'm 39 and pushing myself. ha ha.

The no-aspartame/no cola diet is still sticking. I feel great, but a strange thing happened. I gained weight! I don't get it. I exercise every day, which is more than most people. I cut out nasty colas and sweeteners, and I GAIN. At any rate, I figure my body will right itself if I keep a consistent lifestyle. I just hope it does so, before the the staff Christmas parties!! Maybe my weight is just 'wigging out' without all the chemicals to suppress my appetite and artificially accelerate my metabolism.

So New Year's Eve...that's the night I will go online and register for the half-marathon. I did the same for the last half-marathon I ran. Its a great way to start the new year!

41 days aspartame free and I feel healthier than ever. I cut down to one coffee (milk only) a day. I drink lots of water, and 3 white teas a day.

I was doing well on a regular running schedule. I had to move indoors to the gym treadmills, because its dark so darn early. When we move to our new office, where we will have our own in-office bathrooms, I'll start running outside on our lunch hour. I ordered my new MEC jacket a couple of days ago. Can't wait until it comes in.

I have a few days of work imposed exercise rest. I have two weeks of work to cram into one, because I'm going to Boston on training next week. I'll try to make up some workout time on the weekend. I hope the hotel has a nice gym, otherwise it will be yoga or pilates in my room.

Oooh, get this. My Boston friends are taking care on me in my off-training hours. Pat is taking me to the factory outlet mall shopping on Tuesday night (Girls Night Out = GNO). Then Pat, Chris, and Mike are taking me out to a Thai restaurant and then we are going to see Pam Mayne's (another mutual friend's/excoworker) play at a community theatre. She directed the play and her husband directed it. I'm really looking forward to it!

Top Ten Reasons to Run a Half-Marathon

10. God gave me two legs so I should use them.
9. I did it before, I can do it again.
8. Only 1 percent of the population has ever run a half-marathon.
7. Its only 2 hours and 15 of my life.
6. Everyone was born a natural-born athlete, we just grew up, got lazy, and lost our way. Its time to return to it and celebrate it.
5. My last half-marathon was 6 years ago. I lost my bragging rights and need to get them back.
4. My kids can't run with me. Its the only "me" time I have.
3. Running is the best weight management and therapy tool there is.
2. I turn 40 this year; can't think of a better way to kick off the second half of my life.
1. Because I can. I absolutely can.

Conditioning at its best!

I went on a team-building adventure with my co-workers yesterday. We went to TreeGo and spent three hours on a tree-line obstacle course. Holy cow!! Talk about physical conditioning. Today, my triceps, upper abs, and lats are sore. My legs aren't as sore, which means I was working it wrong. I should have used my legs more and my arms less. Same rule applies to rock climbing. It was my first of many trips to TreeGo, so I'm sure I'll get better!! Here are a couple choice pics and videos.