Back on the road again

Well - it sure has been too long!!!

Several things conspired against me keeping up my run program and the longer I didn't run the more fearful I was of starting again and being so far back.....

I kept giving myself deadlines....... but I kept justifying why I had to miss those deadlines.

Today I ran out of excuses and more than that I really WANTED to run.

Until I was halfway down the block and then I wondered what the heck I was doing...... HA!

It was a sunny but windy morning and so much warmer than when I was last out.  I need to reconsider my run clothing STAT.

In the end:

I ran 3km in 23min at an average pace of 8:02min per km........ and I was really pleased with that......I didn't have much left in the tank but I am back on the road and ready to take it one step at a time!

Blurred vision

Some weeks just don't play ball.

I knew this one was trouble when I woke up on Monday morning (which was a stat holiday) and my shoulder was agony and my left eye was red and scratchy and painful.

I was SO frustrated.

The last day of a 5 day stretch off work always has me itching to complete "the list" of things I wanted to get done.  To run those errands the week would leave little time for.  To have a lovely meal with my family before the craziness of a new term.

But I was benched.  Or couched in this case.

And while the shoulder started to feel better the eye got worse.

This week has been mostly about blurred vision as the Dr has worked to sort our some pretty big issues in my eye.  It has been painful and frustrating.  For almost 3 days I have not been able to see this computer screen or my phone or anything in the near distance.

Looking up and out to the distance was fine.

In a surreal way my physical condition this week mirrored my internal / emotional condition.

My vision was blurred in more than one way.

I am so frustrated that my body has interrupted my running program.  I was so desperate to run I was in tears on Monday when pain and blurred vision stopped me short.  But really what was that about?  It's not like I am an elite athlete with Olympic time trials on the horizon (in fact I more resemble a shuffling Armenian grandmother than a runner - no offence to Armenian grandmothers intended).  I have a training program but no one was holding me to account to it except myself.   Same with Jazzercise....its me that wants/needs to go.

So there I sat on the step.....feet away from my runners feeling defeated.

Like a failure.

And then I decided I could sit there feeling miz and like a failure, feeling like I would never get back up again (its the Irish dramatic DNA in me to be so OTT) or I could give myself a break.

A week off.

To heal and to rest.

That all was not lost.  I might have to back up my run program a couple weeks but all is NOT lost.

And right away I felt better.  I felt like having given myself permission to rest and heal I had taken the self-imposed pressure off and I could relax.

In the past I might have used this bump to walk away from goals set, to throw back my head and wail that is was all too hard (see Irish reference above), to use this as a good reason to not follow through.

But this time I want keep going.

I have unfinished business out there on the road.  My body will return to its more cooperative ways.

My vision will clear inside and out and on I will go..... shuffling along..... one step at a time.

It's messy

I have had too many breaks in my running routine and I am mighty frustrated.

I was away on vacation and family time didn't jive with me taking off to run.  and then I had a work commitment on a run day.

So on Friday I hot the road ready to feel awful.  Firstly my iTunes failed me and my running play list disappeared so I had no music on my my run and nearly died of fright when the RunKeeper Ap talked to me.

I actually felt great - my legs and lungs were both ok and it was very warm.

It was a stat holiday - Good Friday - so lots of people were out in their yards in the sunshine - it was a much busier run with people out on the sidewalks than I am used to.

I missed the music and my splits were all over the place.

I ended with
25 minutes
Av pace 7.54min/km which is slower for me but after the break in my routine I was happy.
3.2km
No walking

I have managed to keep doing my Jazzercise workouts 2-3 times a week.

I have now tweaked my neck/shoulder and didn't run today but am hoping drugs and some sleep (after a sleepless night last night) and I can catch up with that run tomorrow and be back on routine even if a couple of weeks behind schedule now.

Intervals......I am not sure we are going to be friends

I completely missed the 3 hours of sunshine today and headed to Minoru Track in howling winds and sideways rain (half the lower mainland is out of power).

The track is very exposed and the wind was fierce.

I had a nice 8 minute warm up jog and then my husband gave me the 2 minute start signal and I was off like a bullet ....... for about 100 meters...... then I wanted to die....... so I slowed down and to my horror I was walking before the 2 minute mark.

The 4 minute brisk walk felt long and I felt ready to run again......for about 150 meters....

It wasn't my legs it was my lungs...... crazy....

The third sprint was better and closer to being 400m but I was done!

I was wet and cold and tired.  Thankful for Allan for being there to give me the signals.

In the end:
21.49 minutes
3.06km
7.08 mins /km A NEW RECORD (bit I think it doesn't really count).

Hope you are enjoying Hawaii Erin Lee!  My next run will be in Tofino!

No awards but I am back

I have backed up my run program a week as I missed Wednesday due to torrential rain.....and Friday due to an 18 hour work day (driving to Seattle and back).

So I went out this morning to run last Sundays run over again.

It was hellish.

Let me just say I am exhausted......  the week was hard and long and I had girls night last night and although I was the DD I was out late and didn't sleep well.

I got out of bed and went to run with no breakfast and no stretching.

Stupid right!

I had stomach cramps and a sore left shin all the way.

BUT

I did it.......I laid it down on the road in sunshine and windy conditions.

And it felt good to get back out there.  To get it done.

3.1km
25 mins
8.05min/km

Long Run Sunday

Not such a long run today at 3.5 km but after my run Friday and being on my feet all day yesterday including a long walk around the bird sanctuary (and a short night thanks to Spring Forward) .... my body was tired and sore.

Went out in overcast but not too cold weather.  Ran the same route and almost the same distance as Friday but had a couple of short walking spells.

Ran mostly 7min splits with one 6 and one 8.....

3.51km
27.22 mins
7.47min/km

Still waiting for this to feel natural nevermind good......glad to be doing it......wish my body was looking better for the effort...... is this doldrums normal?

Who knows.....interval run on Wednesday should be interesting.

Fab Friday

I am not sure when that "need" to run kicks in but I don't have it yet and am ever grateful I am so competitive with myself that I hold myself to a piece of paper on the fridge that says when to run and how far or how fast!

I would have packed it in long since were it not for that plan!

It was a gorgeous sunny afternoon and one of my only runs in double digit temps.  Felt warm.

I specifically wanted to run even splits on this run so I had to really apply the "brakes" in the first 5 mins.

Every split was in the low to mid 7 minutes.  I ran on the dyke which was crazy busy and I didn't have my usual split markers which I didn't like but realise I can't get to reliant on one route in the (seemingly unlikely) event I actually ever run a race.

I ran No 1 and Steveston to the Dyke and the Dyke to halfway between Williams and Blundell and then turned for home with the sun full in my eyes.

In the last 8-10 minutes (when I would usually want to walk) I was still happily running and I think I got a small taste of the elusive "zone" runners comment on......I ran the entire 30 minutes and felt good.

30 mins
3.87km
7.44min/km

Terrible Tempo Wednesday

Had a twingy knee after Jazzercise on Monday. Iced it.  Felt OK Tuesday but skipped Jazz to rest it.

Did not feel like running on Wednesday in the rain but that schedule was there on the fridge......I couldn't not go!

I decided to start slow and see how the knee felt and take it from there.  Knee hurt right away but after a block or two settled down and felt fine for the rest of the run and only slightly achy since then. Slight shin discomfort on the same leg.

Anyway there I was cruising along and just to prove I still and a horrible judge of how fast I am running....my first split at 5 minutes as 5:14min/km..... I gasped out loud......my first sub 6 min ever!

Managed to stay in the low 7's for the rest of the run.  Felt sluggish but kept running.

Was just in the home stretch in the back alley hoping there may be a PB in those stats (by a second or two) when my neighbour drove up and rolled down his window and clearly wanted to chat.  By the time I realised my run was done I had let RunKeeper run on 3 minutes thus killing my stats and time.....UGH.

So here are some skewed stats

2.87km
27:04 minutes
9:25min/km

Long Run in the sun!

I set off in the sun today although the wind was a bit chilly.  Does one run with sunglasses?  I didn't as I knew they would steam up.

Anyhoo.....It was fun to run trying to catch my shadow.

Went out well and my first 4 splits were all in the low 7's which felt good.

I ran around the houses again as I knew the dyke would be crazy on a sunny Sunday.  I go the distance just right and hit the 4km mark 2 houses before mine! More luck than planning.

It was a tough run.  My stomach wasn't feeling good and I had cramps around the 3.2km mark.  I just wanted to get home but I wasn't focused on the run anymore. The last 800m was a slog.


4km
31.08mins
7.47min/km

Average run....... could have been better.

Here beginneth the 2nd month!

I had to turn over the calendar to see what I was running today!

Amazing to think I have been running for almost 2 months and have completed the first 4 weeks of my 12 week training program.

Its been a horrible week and I took the day off to give myself a break.  So I stayed in bed until 10am!

And then I got up, got dressed and went for a run.  In the rain.

I was really not feeling it today and was consoling myself that at least I was out there pounding the pavement and I wasn't going to care what my splits were.

And they were slower....no 6 minute splits at all.

BUT

I ran the entire 25 minutes - absolutely no walking.  Does this mean I should just keep the tempo even and steady rather than go out fast?  I certainly felt better and had gas in the tank at the end and a pretty good run overall.

25 minutes
3.25km
7.43min/km

Long Run Sunday

Set out in the cold and wet and windy on Sunday to do my 3.5km long run which I wasn't feeling was very long at all.  Funny how quickly things change!

I ran a wierd round the houses route trying to keep the pace and get the distance right.  A lot of running around big puddles and hopping on and off the sidewalk which really messes with my rhythm.

First split at 5 min was 7:40min/km
Second was 6:04min/km at 10 minutes......

Ended 3.5km
26.53minutes

7:41min/km 

No PB but a good run - settling into a comfort zone around 7:40min/km which feels good and is ahead of the goal for this session of training.

Legs feeling great.

Legs Eleven

I didn't want to run.

Friday....end of a long week......changing into gear...UGH...

"Just go" I told myself.....so I went.

Into the teeth of a gale down Steveston Highway but watching a spectacular sunset.   My my the wind was strong and very cold.....nose and eyes running.

My first split was around 8minutes and I was actually pleased to have not gone out too fast - thanks Mr Wind.

I kicked it up a notch and my second split was 7:47min/km.
My third was 6:40 which caught me by surprise but I was in the groove and kept on running.

I had to run around the block a couple times to stay running for the required 25 minutes.

I ran 3.26km in 25 minutes
Average pace 7:39min/km - a new PB!  Surprised!!

Wow - Run 10

On one hand it seems crazy I have run 10 times...... on the other hand ....only 10??

It was my 3rd tempo run.....20 minutes

Raining and 4 degrees.....felt chilly.

First split a 7min/km (at 5 mins)
Second 7:07min/km (at 10 mins)

I ended up walking about 600m of the second half of the run....my legs were tired.

I ran 2.6km in 20 minutes and managed a PB of 7:42min/km

Run 9 was FINE!

Today was my long run.......3km.......which was oddly shorter than my last 3 Sunday runs but I am following the schedule from my Trainer!

I was also wear new shoes I purchased in the USA yesterday.  I am sure it breaks all rules to just grab them out of the box and go for a run but that's what I did.  Felt good to have such a cushioned stride.  Saucony Grid Cohesion 5

It was a balmy 10 degrees and I ran the same route as my tempo run and calculated how to add some distance to make it to 3km.

I changed up all my running gear and it worked so much better!! Nothing moved. So nice to run without clothes issues.

I thought my Running app had malfunctioned when the 10 minute split didn't come up at the place I was expecting - I kept running and was at least a full block further when it came up than I was on Thursday and I was blown away to hear my pace was 6:40min/km!  No wonder!  I actually found that oddly demotivating as I thought it was too fast and I was going to pay later.

But I actually had one of the best runs yet.  My tempo was actually fairly even and mainly stayed between 7:30 and 8:15 (I need to compare the dips and spikes to my music :)

I got to my front door at exactly 3km.
23:27 minutes
7:49min/km average

A slight shin pain on the left and that leg felt sluggish.

Run 8 was Gr8

I did not feel like running today.

I employed several delaying tactics but my family help me accountable and I headed out 4:45pm with the sun in my eyes.

Immediately had clothing issues - I am so frustrated with my clothing.  I must find clothes that work together incl underwear!!

This was my second Tempo run and was to be the same as the last - 20 mins.

I enjoyed the pace I was at and was surprised how far I got at the 10 minutes/turn around spot.  I knew my pace was fast and I was really trying to get closer to the goal of 8:15min/km.

I got home in 20 minutes
Ran 2.58 km

And.....drumroll........7:47min/km........a new PB.

I have run 9.5km this week and I feel Gr8.

Looking forward to 3km on Sunday.

Nicky Run 7 - First Tempo Run

I am now officially on a training program thanks to Erin Lee at 337 Multisport.  What a science there turns out to be to this running gig.....no wonder so many start and fail.....I would have without professional help that is FOR SURE!

So I had a horrendous day at work and got home after 6pm and by the time I had fed the family take out pizza and vented about my day to my every dependable spouse ... it was dark.

If I hadn't had a plan to follow I would not have run.

I headed out on my first night run (reflective gear and flashing lights on).

Only scheduled to be 20 minutes but with the focus on a 5 minute warm up, 10 minutes of fast running to up the tempo of my running I am guessing and then a 5 minute warm down run.

The goal was 8.15mins/km which is a big jump from my best time of 8.35min/km.


So I ran hard.  Funny how much faster I could run when time and not distance was the goal!

My first split at 3 minutes was 8 min

Second split at 6 minutes was 7:20 - I nearly fainted on the sidewalk!


I paid for that I think as I ended the run with a PB at 8:23min/km (short of the goal but I wasn't too dissatisfied as I was super tired and hungry and distracted).

Now enjoying a glass of red wine and a slice of pizza!

Nicky Run 6

I hadn't run since the disasterous run last Sunday so I was hesitant today.

I got my kids to put a running playlist today and WHAT a difference it made!

I actually out ran the play list.

Longest run 4.55km (my goal today was 3km) Average pace 8.35minutes/km 355 calories burned.

It was a glorious sunny day and a very comfortable 7 degrees.

First 2.5km were easy.  Around 2.8km I got a bit of a stitch but it went away.

Around 3.2km my feet started feeling numb along the sides.....I walked a few paces but it didn't feel any better so I went back to running.

Got home with gas in the tank.

Very enjoyable run.

I get my 12 week run schedule from my trainer tomorrow and it starts on Wednesday so I am excited and feel like this bit of running before hand has helped both physically and mentally.

So far to go still but ..... one step at a time..... I will get it done.

Nicky Run 5

BLAH

I didn't even take a photo.

I think I made a few mistakes and they cost me:

I was tired.
I didn't eat breakfast (had a cup of coffee and a cookie!!)
I didn't drink any water before I left (or take any with me)
I forgot to go to the bathroom before I left
I wasn't dressed warmly enough (I had a t-shirt and a thin shell)

The first 2.5 km were just great - despite the fog turning to gentle rain I had found a new path and was enjoying the quiet.  My time intervals were under 9 minutes.

Around 3km I started to feel like I needed the bathroom.  Then I started to feel a little thirsty.

I got totally distracted and lost my rhythm and my focus (and focused on getting home).

I abandoned my route and got home at a decent pace but did less than the 5km I had as a goal and felt BLAH about it all.

I guess it's good to have the first ugly run over and done with?

Nicky Run 4

February 1, 2013

Today is my 43rd birthday and I got a lot of running swag. 

So after a linger in bed I got up and donned my awesome new running socks - what a difference!!

And a new running shell from MEC that is so thin and breathable but kept me just warm enough.  Thanks Allan!

I tried to start out a bit slower and also tried lengthening my stride (I must read up on this) so I was super surprised when my 5 minute interval said I was running at 8min/km.

I ran a different route but was thwarted when I tried to get on the dyke at Williams as it is closed so I doubled back and followed the same route home as my "usual" 3km run.

This extra distance put me at 3.5 km at the end of the run which was slightly less than I was planning and my pace did slow over the run but ended at 8mins47 seconds making it my fastest paced run so far. 

I felt good - I did a couple walking spells mainly to stretch my Achilles which was a little twingy but I got back to running within 2 minutes each time.

Legs felt good at the end with more in them.

Jacket was great - tucked my t-shirt into my running tights as per Allan's suggestion . Jacket still rode up and I was pulling it down not because it was uncomfortable but because I wanted my behind covered..... I guess I need to get over that at some point!

Also must find better running underwear!

Looking forward to donning the Lululemon run shirt my staff gave me yesterday when there is no threat of rain.

Nicky Run 3

I have decided to add a little photo project to my run blog to make it more appealing to me!

January 30, 2013

This is Run #3 for me after a week break. 

And I felt it. 

I started out too fast and had to settle myself into a pace that I could sustain.  Still feeling like I need to figure out how to lengthen my stride - it's more a shuffle now.

LOVED my new running tights - very comfortable.  However the slipperyness of them meant I was pulling my jacket down all through my run and my new run t-shirt was all bunched up.  I spent to much of this run fussing with my clothing.

I did remember to bring a kleenex this time and, of course, I didn't need it!  It was a balmy 6 degrees and dry.

Still not running to music - just the voices in my head to keep me company!

I ran 3.06km at a pace of 9mins 10sec.

Also for the record:
I did a jazzercise class on Monday and Tuesday.

Allan has sprained his ankle and is off to physio......he is discouraged.

Allan - Run 1

Allan ran 5.32 km
30 mins 11 sec
Average speed 10.6km/hr

Felt good. 

Ran down No 1 Rd alomg boardwalk to Britannia to Homma parking lot and reversed route home.

Light rain.

Nicky - Missed run

Thursday January 24, 2013

Jazzercise 1 hour class

Friday January 25, 2013

Was hoping and planning to run another 3km today but work went late and I didn't get it done. 

Felt really disappointed.

Went for a brisk 4km walk with the dog (which included stops for dog business and coffee) but felt good stretch to quads and calves.

Saturday January 26th, 2013

Jazzercise 1 hour class

Nicky Run 2

Was very sore after Run 1 especially legs and obliques.
Did Jazzercise one hour cardio and strength workout on Monday which hurt but felt great after 

Wednesday January 23rd

Came home from work and went out in old runners due to light rain.

Feet were wet within the first block.

Forgot tissue and chapstick again - slow learner.  Also no music yet.

Did remember to drink before going.

Stuck to the road a bit longer but eventually hit the dyke between Williams and Steveston and then back to road for the last part.  Dyke was deserted due to the rain and I loved it.

Focused on pacing and posture - kept shoulders back and head up more and felt much better.

I ran every step of the 3km and had a great run in 24 minutes 5 seconds (slightly faster pace than first run)

Ended strong with gas in the tank.

Very happy.

TWO DOWN

Nicky Run 1

Sunday January 20th

I took off for my timed 5km in my jazzer shoes and clothes with a new vented run jacket and my iPhone 4 running the RunKeeper app.

Some things I wish I had had.......
a tissue (it was 4 degrees and my nose started to drip pretty quick),
chapstick - I am a mouth breathing runner and in the cold I needed it
better hair control - I had a lululemon headband but it didn't work

I ran with no music and have done since then again and I am not sure about if it will be a focus or a distraction - I guess I will have to try it out.

I ran on the road and on the gravel dyke and around Garry Point Park (through a flock of snow geese).

It felt hard - I had one stretch on the dyke that was relatively quiet when I got into a good rhythm and felt ok but the rest was a slog.

I ran about 2/3 and walked about 1/3.  I have a fast walking pace so I didn't cool down too much,

Things that were hard....
Transitions - I found stepping on and off curbs hard and going from the sidewalk to the gravel and back
Dodging people
Keeping my head up and a good posture
Hearing my phone (which had the settings on for miles which drove me crazy).

I did 5km in 40 minutes at an average pace of just under 9 minutes/ km.

Happy to have done it.

Very sore after.

Why all this excercise?

Nicky
I am almost 43 and have been Jazzercising for 3 years and LOVE it.  I am in better shape and slimmer than in many years.  Through those years I faced several health issues that benched me.

I am ready for a new challenge and I picked running a half-marathon (21 km) as my challenge.

I can't do it alone so I have selected Erin lee at 337 Multisport to devise a training program for me to achieve this goal.

I have never run before.

Erin's first assignment - Run 5km and give me your time so I can write you a program.