35 days to go... my workout

I really don’t want to go for a run but… as Ben said (paraphrasing) “I’m thinking about it and therefore should just be doing it”

Off I go… (and it’s still sunny)

Edit:

Went for that run...
about 4 miles (6.4km)
about 42 minutes
5 on 1 x 7ish
My gps wouldn't find any satellites for a while so I just started running hence the approximations.
Quick arm workout afterwards
bench press (10 lb dumbbells)
seated row (10lb dumbbells)
biceps (10lb dumbbells)
triceps (15 lbs)
two sets of 12

36 days to go... my workout

Saturday mornings are for paddling...

It was crisp outside (internet temp said -1C when I woke up) but sunny...

2 hour paddle - warm up to kits beach then 10, 20, 30, 20 minute pieces.  Bit of a breakdown in the boat when it 'just wasn't quite good enough' and realized that we all need to be supportive of each other doing the best we are capable of... sometimes the effort has to be enough.  I've learned that through the half marathon training and through this fitblr community...

Afterwards I was starving and Kim was doing housework so I proposed run then lunch or just lunch and of course she jumped at the run option followed by lunch.  It was good (though I was tired and slow) - 5 miles just under an hour... did 7 on 1 pieces by 7.  The sun was shining and we were out at Jericho where I remember one of my earlier runs before Christmas and we passed my turnaround spot from that day on the second piece.  We then made the end of the path on piece 4 which made me feel like I've come a long way since I started this running journey back in November.  I'm running farther now and covering distances that would have killed me back then.  I like that feeling.

Enjoyed an awesome breakfast and good conversation afterwards and then I still had most of the afternoon to get things done - there's something satisfying in getting two workouts done by noon.  I'll take it.

Sunday (today) is a rest day as I've done the cross training and weekend run on Saturday.

Workout Summary:
2 hour paddle
5 miles in 56 minutes (7 on 1 by 7)

Feeling sore today but...

Glad that today is a rest day even after my days of recovery/rest earlier in the week.  Everything feels sore/tired.  I can feel my arms and abs from the strength last night too which is good but also... ouch!

Spending the evening hanging out with (almost) one year old twins... yay! Though they will be sleeping most of the time I'm there I'm looking forward to enjoying my friends couch and a good book while her and her hubby get a well deserved date night.

38* days to go... my workout

So it was a good impulse sign up for the 15km run I'm doing March 26 because had I waited until after my first run back tonight I probably wouldn't have done it.  Ouch!

Training (week 5.5 of Hal Higdon's training for 15km race) called for 3 miles.

Mile 1 - 9:28

Mile 2 - 9:23 (18.51)

Mile 3 - 9.32 (28:23)

Bonus 0.12 - 1.05 (29:28) - PR 5km time

Followed by some strength training
bench press (12 pounds) - 12 x 2
seated row (12 pounds) - 12 x 2
tricep extensions (15 pounds) - 12 x 2
bicep curls (12 pounds) - 12 x 2
crunches - 12 front, 12 to each side
plank - 2 x 30 seconds
skipped the lunges as my legs are still feeling sore from the half

*days until the 15km I signed up for today...

So this just happened...

There is something to be said about having goals to work towards - just 4 days out from my first half I signed up for a 15km...  I haven't felt any focus and am now reading to tie on those shoes and gear up again... only 38 days til then...

edit:
So I actually found a training program for a 15km (9.3 mile) race courtesy of Hal Higdon... and I like how it's again only 3 days of running.

Hal Higdon's 15-K TRAINING GUIDE (novice)

BUT... it's a 10 week program so I'll be starting on week 5.5 but coming off the half I know I can do it (positive thinking!)

I DID IT! 13.1 done!

start - managed to find Jen lining up just before the start which helped to distract me/ calm my nerves a little bit...  just needed to get moving...thought of just how many watches had been "started at that moment' it was funny to see everyone pushing that little button...

between mile 0 and 1 - realized my gps han't picked up the satellites and therefore was not measuring distance (my race plan of walking the first minute of a mile and then running the next was thrown out the window) - time to adapt the plan - had my trusty timex and was feeling good so set it to run 11 and walk 1 (1 more minute of running than I had ever done training but was feeling good (managed this for the first 6 pieces - almost half way then went to 10 and 1)

mile 3.12 - hit the 5km mark at 31 minutes - wow, went out fast considering my PR 5 km time in training runs is just over 30 minutes

mile 5 - just as my gps decided to find satellites my hip flexors started talking to me - in a bit of a loud, disgruntled voice letting me know they were there and they weren't too impressed. Hit this point around 1:01

mile 6.5ish - walked for two minutes instead of 1 and decided to switch to 10 and 1 pieces (from 11 and 1).  Had a gel and was feeling the hurt.  Just as my walk piece ended and I started to run - Chumbawamba's Tubthumping came on my ipod to push me along "I get knocked down but I get up again, you're never gonna keep me down"

mile 8 - halfway through a 10 minute piece I notice a woman running beside me at the exact same pace - she comments on this and we proceed to pull each other through the next 5 minutes.  I thought she was just pulling me along but I saw her at the finish line and she thanked me in return as she was tempted to walk at that point but we both kept on moving

mile 8.5 - ran past Siwash rock and was spurned on by the encouragement and support that Patti has provided me during a lot of my training.

mile 9 - had to go back around lost lagoon... it's only about 1 mile around but it felt like forever I think because it's a divergance near the end rather than a straight back shot

mile 11 - thought a lot about Kim and how I had to push myself because if she were running beside me she wouldn't let me slack off (and we had run that route a few times together

mile 11 and a bit - my race plan went out the window - running 10 minute pieces was killing me at this point - I was down to running about 5 and walking one - a little bit less even on the running at times but kept telling myself that running would get me to the end faster so I kept pushing on

mile 12 - big struggle and I was almost in tears at this point knowing that I was doing something I had never done before and pushing my body through all the pain - the side of my left knee (IT band) felt like someone had stabbed me with a knife was was twisting it an it barely moves at the moment (3 hours after finishing).  Ouch!

mile 12.5 - almost to the finish - could picture the turn into the finish line and there was a slight downhill at this point so I just kept the feet moving and the tears at bay and knew it would soon be over.

mile 13 - bit of an extra kick in my step (thanks Kim for all those finishing sprint pieces from our training runs)... made the last turn and could see the finish and picked up the pace.  Was watching the time and made sure I came in just under 2:28... figured I'd finish between 2:20 and 2:30 so I'm happy.  Could definitely use some more distance as I had a positive split but it was my first time out and I'm happy it's over.  Had anyone I know been at the finish line I probaby would have started bawling but I got my medal and kept walking (or some version thereof).  Grabbed my bag from gear check and went to the food tents and in that time the rain had started.  Thanks for holding off just long enough for me to finish - there was even sun in parts though I was a little too warm when directly in it).

I'm sure there is more but I'm too tired to recall the rest at this point.  Just want to add thanks to everyone that supported me through the training, gave words of encouragement (loved the texts coming in last night) and inspiration that came from so many places...

Everyone is now asking if I'm ready for the next one and I think that the pain of this one has to wear off first before I'll even consider it.  I have however realized that (at least for now) a marathon is not in my future - I can't imagine going through that for more than twice the time.  I'm immensely impressed for all you marathoners out there.

And now it's time for my well earned nap... I'm fed and clean and sleepy... after all the crazy dreams I had last night (it's true, I didn't sleep well at all) I need some rest.  The only good thing was that in my dream I was going to be late for the race and this made me sad - it was that message from my subconscious that gave me a boost of confidence this morning - that message was telling me I was ready.  And I was.  I DID IT!

definitely look tired but I DID IT (and got the medal to prove it)

New half marathon PR*

Finished the Pacific Road Runners "First Half" half marathon this morning in just under 2:28...  everything from my waist down currently hurts.

The rain held off and the sun even made an appearance which made the morning great.
I'm nourished, showered and full of ibuprofen... sitting here with ice and about to nap... full race report later.

*any time would have been a PR as it's the first half marathon I did.

Tonight's Workout - I made it SUCK...

Tapering for the half on Sunday (eek)...

6 x 5 minutes on 1 minute off...
36 minutes
3.5 miles (5.6km)
10.29 min/mile (6.43 min/km)

Managed to stay between 6.0 and 7.0 on the treadmill playing games with distance - usually 0.1miles at 6.0, 0.05 miles at 7.0 and 0.05 miles at 6.5, repeat and then the last minute was usually 20 seconds at 7.0, 6.5, 6.0

And my new mantra when pushing hard and it hurts is "Make it Suck" courtesy of lifedoesjed (and often repeated by robdoeslife1)

Great stretching afterwards - I was doing some pigeon pose (yoga posture) - my favorite and awesome for stretching my IT band which often gets tight and opens up my hips.  Yay!

Five more sleeps til 13.1!

Pigeon Pose (not me but I loved the leg warmers)

I'm running my first half marathon in 6 days...

I've never really explained 'why' I signed up for a half marathon but now that it's less than a week away I figured I'd capture those thoughts now - it might add a little insight or take away the fear for someone else of the challenge...

Back at the end of October I decided that I needed motivation to run through the winter - I'm a paddler

- I paddle many miles all summer long but needed that extra boost of cardio and I knew I needed motivation to get my shoes on and my feet moving...

This motivation was FEAR... I knew that if I signed up for a 5 or 10k I could just show up and get through it (don't hate me) but it would HURT a lot... it wasn't enough because it was the training - the weekly miles - that I was after.  So a half it was - it intimidated me and I knew that if I didn't get some distance in before then I wouldn't make it to the end.  And that is my goal... TO FINISH.

Some tips that have definitely helped:

-I told all my IRL friends before signing up that I was planning on doing it and I felt their support.  This made a big difference - be vocal about this and you'll be held accountable by those around you even if it's just by them asking how the training is going.

-I was realistic about the time I'd commit to running each week (3 days) and found a training plan that matched my commitment level - it's a three day a week run/walk plan that can be found here.

-I learned that sometimes just putting on your shoes is the hardest part.  That your body can do it but it's your mind that holds you back.  Just do it!

-I wasn't hard on myself if I missed a run but made sure to not let this be the norm - I tried to get on track for the next one.

-I found a friend to run with on the longer runs as I'm not comfortable running outside on my own in the dark and winter training means it's dark after work.

-I found this very supportive Fitblr community which has been a bigger inspiration than I could have ever realized - hearing about everyone else doing their training (for whatever distance) has inspired me to just put on my shoes and get out there.

-I realized that some days it's ok to just throw out what the workout calls for and just run - to keep it fun, to ensure that I just do it.

And so... in 6 days I will start (and finish!)  my first ever half marathon.  I am mentally prepared for my race - I plan to walk the first minute of every mile and run to the next mile marker which means I'll have 13 pieces, I can wrap my head around this (as some training has already had 12 piece workouts) and it means that if I run faster then I get to that 'resting' walk sooner.

I know my body is capable because of the training I have done and I'm already proud of some of the distances I have covered because of this goal.  I know I can do this and I'm excited to continue running even after this is over.

So think of me out there next Sunday morning and I'll let you know how it all turns out...

Today's Workout

Truly taking advantage of this wicked city I live it today... paddling on the ocean and then snowshoeing in the mountains.  Sweet!

Hour-ish paddle this morning - wasn't too hard but was fun and spent a lot of time in seat 1 and 2 so that was good.  Everyone got a chance to steer so at times the boat was pretty sluggish.

THEN...

7km snowshoe (with admittedly lots of moaning by me)... thought it was a 2km out and 2km back but turns out it was actually 3.5km out, 3.5km back... lots of ups and downs and some running(!) on the way back...

I'm exhausted now... early to bed after all this fresh air.

Today's Run...

5km on the treadmill at lunch

Had Jed's mantra of "If it doesn’t suck, then you aren’t working hard enough" going through my head...

New PR... 30:40. And it sucked!

Most of my training has been time based pieces and it's a nice change of pace (har-har) sometimes to go for a distance based run - the faster/ harder you go the sooner you're done.  It's all a mental game!

Glad my workout is over for today though I'm contemplating hot yoga either tonight or tomorrow... it's been a while since I've been there.

Also- signed up today for a 10km on April 27 so that will be my next focus after the 1/2 marathon on the 13th (eek, 10 days)

Last Night's Run

Ran again outside with Kimberley last night (I think we're lucky to always go the nights it's *not* raining...  knock-on-wood)

Workout: 8 on 1 times 8, 72 minutes
Distance: 10.17 km (6.35 miles)
Avg. Pace: 7.07 min/km (11.34 min/mile)

Felt good.  Did a bunch of sprint pieces at the end - 20 strides at the start of every minute starting at 5 minutes down until 1:30 then we did 5 strides every 15 seconds - it hurt but she made me do it*

Am completely sick today.  Can't breath, crazy headache, chilled, stuffed up... mainlining buckley's, staying in bed.

*actually she didn't this time, it's just what we do but it still hurt and makes me kinda hate her for loving the pain so much