“Mental will is

a muscle that needs exercise, just like the muscles of the body.” -Lynn Jennings

4.8K @ 7'36
http://nikeplus.nike.com/plus/activity/running/detail/2113090614?external_share_id=b6ed1e4f-d802-4fe3-95f7-a5fc7633c1a8&fb_action_ids=10100477670527457&fb_action_types=nikeapp%3Arun&fb_source=timeline_og&action_object_map=%7B%2210100477670527457%22%3A623474887678093%7D&action_type_map=%7B%2210100477670527457%22%3A%22nikeapp%3Arun%22%7D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D

This particular quote is oh, so appropriate for today. The weather conditions tonight were less than ideal for me after not having run for the better part of 3 months (with the exception of my resolution run).

So,  I am supposed to be running another 10K race in a couple months. I have not, as of yet, registered for the race. I will get around to it. I have planned to train according to that date. It's a pretty intense schedule of running 6 days a week. Some things have changed since I last wrote. I am currently 'between jobs'. I got sick of being underemployed as a cleaner and picked up a contract job working on a research project. I could have kept the cleaning as a security measure knowing the contract was ending at the end of February but decided it was time to cut the safety net and start my career. So if anyone knows of anyone looking for a stellar social worker direct them my way. With this new found free time I hope to log more training time.

I also met with a specialist last week who is an internist regarding my pancreas and all the stuff going on inside me, which is a lot... Not much to report on that front I have been referred for a CT to take a look at the little fella and see if he's shrivelled up, falling apart, and so forth. I was referred from my nurse at the diabetes clinic (who I incidentally bumped into tonight at the gym...more on that...). I check in there on a monthly basis pretty much. Last week I met with the dietitian who asked how much activity I do and I told her yoga 3 times a week, she said, "wow". I didn't think it was that impressive but I appreciated the awe, regardless. Two days later I'm with the specialist. He asks me the same thing and he says, "no, I mean real exercise" I was quite indignant and told him that an hour of yoga burns 247 calories. (I have to concede, spinning burns 7-800 but that wasn't the point!) I also asked him if he'd done yoga, when he said no I said "well, there you go" when really I wanted to tell him to shut his trap. I'd already called another doctor stupid (which I'm not sure he appreciated) at that point so figured I would take it easy on the guy.

He also told me that once you start exercising you don't want to stop. I was also tempted to tell him that I had trained for 10K and stopped running immediately after race day and trained for the tri in the summer and still didn't feel compelled to continue exercising beyond the minimal yoga that I'd kept up. I dont' have anything against the guy but, don't lie to me about how "addicting" exercise is. Yes, I enjoy it. But I would still rather not go for a 40 minute run in the rain regardless of how many times I've done it.

So tonight, I went to a yoga class with a couple of my friends and I happened to bump into my nurse who referred me (see, I told you I'd get back to it) and I told her about the appt and that he said yoga wasn't real exercise. As I bid her adieu I told her I was going to "exercise" and she told me she would tell  him that she saw me "exercising". I appreciated it. I hope she does. I'm also going to print off articles about the health benefits of yoga for him for my next appt. I strongly believe that yoga is for everyone and a great way to ease into exercise for the inactive. Frick.

Back to the run for the day. I had been waiting for it to stop raining before I went for a run. It rained all day. After yoga I had to suck it up and head out. Full disclosure- it was laundry day- Thus, I had to run in a damp sports bra. It made me want to run even less. I hate rain, I hate March, uncomfortable bra, first run back. The odds were against me enjoying the event.

I rain in the rain with my new contacts, I liked the fact that I didn't have drops impeding my view, there's nothing I could do about the fact that it was march but the 6 degrees made for the perfect running temperature. I didn't even notice the bra. I figure that since I swam in it for the tri and didn't notice it that I would actually be ok after all, it was just an excuse.

First run back- I am not sure about others but I always find them difficult. It's always most difficult to just get out there. I did run the first 2km with a stitch, I chose music that would really distract me and I chose well tonight. Even though I haven't been out I have learned a lot about my body and how I feel running. I knew at kilometre 3 that that's where I was just because I felt good and finally in a groove at that point. The last 2 were really good, actually. I was REALLY tired by the end and it was definitely a struggle picking up the pace in the last 400 but I felt good knowing that I had worked hard.

I was exhausted when I heard that my pace was 7'36. It really made it worth the effort for me. I am always happy with anything sub 7'45 so that pace time was fantastic! I'd made a point of not checking it through the run knowing I just wanted to finish as I didn't expect too much from myself.

Just an update on my last post. I did get my coat from the race and it looks great and fits me. I had forgotten that I had it and should have given it a go tonight.

Here's a link to some fantastic sports GIFs
http://www.buzzfeed.com/jpmoore/the-funniest-sports-gifs-of-2012

I super enjoy Usain Bolt, the coach who can't make a heart and the worst pitch of all time.

Namaste.

Resolution Run

Today was race day! Wait, what? I last posted a month ago? Yup, that would be correct. Today's race was a bit different. I was alone for one, no spectators. I ran in Kitchener. It was my first winter race. Let me tell you, only real runners participate in a winter 10K run.

I was checking the information on the run and I noticed that they hadn't listed a same day race kit pick-up time. I panicked and called the store and they told me that they would bring the leftovers for us. This race gives a coat, so I wanted my coat but I did not want to drive from Hamilton to Waterloo Region twice in two days so I resolved to just take my chance. If they didn't have a coat that fit me, I'd take one regardless and at least SOMEONE would get a nice coat out of it.

Last night I got everything together that I would need today.  I planned on hitting the hay early then Notting Hill was on (my favourite movie ending ever) so of course I had to watch it through. Then, because it was based in England and I was watching it on NYE I remembered that the 2012 Big Fat Quiz of the year would have occurred. So, against my better judgement I youtubed that because I LOVE them. I reassured myself that I would just see if it was there, then I would go to bed and, sure enough it had been uploaded. Well, I told myself, I would just fall asleep to it. Fuck that! It was hilarious. So, I watched it in it's entirety. 2 AM rolled around and I knew I HAD to go to bed as I had a 7:45 wake up planned.

I slept incredibly well and woke up feeling refreshed. I ate my traditional peanut butter on toast and banana and headed out, thankful that I'd prepared everything the night before. I got to the site and when I went to pick up my kit they did not have my coat but told me they'd order one for me. I thought that was nice.

I went out to the car and waited for the race to start as it was 9:45 and it didn't start until 10:30, as per the event website. I figured that I would listen to the Game of Thrones Audiobook that I'd uploaded to my iPod for a bit. Then I noticed a crowd of people come out and head to the entrance of the parking lot, which I assumed to be the start line. I found this rather curious. I started to gather my things, at 10 I headed over to see what was going on, if they were doing a warm up or whatever. Oh nope, not the case. The race was starting at 10. I was about 200m away and heard a great cheer and watched the pack take off. I started flat out sprinting towards them to catch up.

I had 4 people behind me, walking. God bless the walkers, I thought. They ensure that I would not finish last. The race was being run in 4 laps of 2.5k. it went uphill, flat, uphill, flat, uphill, loooooong downhill. I finished the first lap knowing that I was definitely in the last 5 when I heard the walkers behind me say, ok that was our warm up lap, let's start running. Fuck, I thought. Fuck. There is a good chance that I am going to finish this last. In the past month I hadn't run and I'd decided to focus more on yoga. While I've done yoga everyday for 5 weeks, Yoga is not cardio. It is definitely not 10 kilometres of cardio with a freakin' brutal cold (which I've had since boxing day- mind you, a cold is not pancreatitus, so better than my last tenner). I know a few people started late because I saw then when I finished my first lap, they must have seen the 10:30 start time as well.

I just told myself to keep on going and that I could always quit, there was no medal to be had and I was guaranteed my coat. I kept on though. One man gave me a thumbs up on a hill as he passed on my second lap, I liked that, vowing that if I was ever fast enough to pass others, I'd do the same. I'm not confidant that this situation will ever arise.

As I started on the first uphill in the third lap, a weird thing happened. the insides of my knees started to cramp. This has NEVER happened before. EVER. It was so strange. It was painful. I don't know if it happened because there were so many uphills or because it was cold, or a combination of both, but it was the STRANGEST thing ever. I figured I'd just keep going. If it was a cramp it would go away, when I hit the flat and the 2nd uphill it was gone. Then on my third lap after the long uphill a man told me to keep it up and that I'd crushed that uphill. I'm not gonna lie, I got a little choked up at that point. I love running uphill and I know he was just being nice but I was also debating at the point if I should call it quits after 3 laps. I'd noticed that I had not seen the last 2 walkers after I finished 5 K so I assumed that they'd dropped out.

NO! I decided. I would continue. When I finished my third lap the guy was telling people their times and it was an hour 10 minutes at that point. My goal was to run it in 90 minutes. This race was not chip timed and having started the run a little later than the others with only 2.5K left to go I knew with certainty that I would be able to run the last lap in 20 minutes. I always felt good during the last 2 kilometres. And I did! I finished in 90 minutes. This means that I knocked 2 minutes off my previous time. A new personal best! As I ran that last lap, there were no volunteers out stationed in their spots. I figured he, someone has to finish last and at least I finished. Unlike those walking drop outs. There was no one to cheer me on at the finish line and it kind of sucked as they'd even packed up the pylons but I was surprisingly ok with it all.

The day was gorgeous, perfect for a run. I love my winter running and I felt SO good in that last lap. I'm always happy to finish 10, it's far. Not many people run it on a regular basis (including me, apparently). I just listened to my Game of Thrones audiobook and enjoyed the day, even pushed myself a bit and I felt it a very rewarding race.

“You can quit and no one will really care….

but you will always know.”- John Colins

8K @ 7'59

Powersong: Dead and Gone- Black Keys

After my disastrous run on Sunday I wasn't so keen to head back out to the streets. Further discouraging me was the perhaps overly ambitious training schedule that I've adopted. I've chosen it because it was designed for speedwork. For my last race I just wanted to complete it. I really want to stop finishing last in my age category, so I will have to try to pick up the pace.

This new schedule has longer runs in it than the previous one. In addition, it's done in miles not kilometres so I really have no idea how far I am running. I had no idea that 5 miles was 8 km so didn't expect to be out there for more than an hour. Today was a just go out and run, run so that I'd get back into the groove. It was pretty windy but warm and sunshiney. I was pretty pleased with my pace time and surprised to see that my third K was the fastest. Typically it's the first.

I am considering running the Burlington Santa 5K with my little buddy, she's 7 and seemed keen to give it a try.

Here's another reason to take up exercise, it makes you smarter!: http://www.heartandstroke.com/site/c.ikIQLcMWJtE/b.8455921/k.2555/Study_shows_exercise_boosts_brainpower.htm

Guest Post: FUN RUN WON (metaphorically).

Please welcome my first guest blogger! Shelagh. She was my fellow Santa on Sunday. Here's her race day story in her own words:

Yes, it is true, I did not WIN the Santa 5k race but I did WIN against myself. In the spring my friend and I started to exercise three times a week at 6am. We were crazy at the time, that was going well so we started doing it five times a week (run M,W,F and bike Tue, Thrs). at 6 am. We were doing the couch to 5k app and I must say we had gotten pretty far until the summer just got in the way. She went away to the cottage and then I ventured off to Vancouver and let's say the motivation was not there individually. Luckily for outside sources of motivation... during the summer Morgan knew about me running and using the couch to 5k app! She asked me if I wanted to go for a 2.5k Run on a Sunday. I was game obviously but also extremely nervous, as some of you may be aware the couch to 5k app usually begins with a 5 min warm up walk, jog/walk alternation and concludes with a 5 min cool down. That is what I was used to... but this 2.5 k Morgan believed in me that I could accomplish it without walking. Well, I am not the best with keeping a Pace, as pro runners do but I did have to walk a few times because of that. Regardless, it was a great motivator to prove that 2.5 k is just a scary distance in my head but not so scary while running it.

So the slacking begins... summer ends, the nice running weather fades and welcome cold mornings and dark evenings. How is this weather any motivation to run!! To the experienced runners and brave souls who like the cold, this weather is no change for your routine, but for those who fell out of their routine, this is not helping anyone. Long story short Morgan asked me to do the Santa 5 k at the end of October. I was very hesitate since well you know the lack of running and all, hell I didn't even finish the couch to 5 k app!! But She has a gift to talk ya into something, especially because she knows I did really want to do it! The best was that she said- It is just a fun race and why not have a fun run as your first run! Well she sure was right!

Which brings Saturday night before the race. In a panic and constant butterflies in my belly, I decide that I will probably die Sunday unless I go for a practice run since I haven't been training. So I turn on my app, head out into the well lit streets and start running. I end up running/walking 3.3 k! Pretty proud of myself I head home... I know that at least I can complete more then half of the race and have settled with the fact that they will just have to carry me on a stretcher for the remainder 1.7 k. With my mind at ease I head to bed. RACE DAY: excited and all dressed up and blended in with 550 santas, I begin my very first race (since elementary school). Thinking hey this isn't that bad, hey this is pretty fun, hey I am still alive, HEY I CAN DO THIS!

I, a newbie runner, have completed my first 5K fun run! (in a Santa suit- so fun!). Thanks to Morgan for inspiring me as well as cheering me on and giving me hope as well as motivation to complete my first race! I felt so accomplished after the race and was just so excited, a few friends came to watch which was such a surprise but they knew it meant a lot to me! I felt great after the race and really want to get back into training...

hold me to it friends.

thanks for the guest spot Morgan!

She

Santa 5K

This past Sunday I participated in Hamilton's inaugural 5K Santa run. It entails that all participants wear a Santa suit, yes- including hat and beard for the duration for the race. I convinced a friend of mine to participate, making this her first race. It was definitely the most unique race that I'd participated in. It was great seeing lots of families and children out there.

Although it was only a 5K I definitely struggled finishing in 47 minutes and change. My diabetes after my last bout of pancreatitus has been significantly more difficult to manage. I haven't seen any of my 'team' yet about this but I am assuming that the last bout that I had may have damaged my pancreas further. I'm adjusting my meds and it's slowly getting better. That, with the crazy busy weekend that I had did not do my body any favours. It absolutely refused to move any faster for me. It was great running conditions, cool and and not too windy. There was a bit of snow, but the conditions weren't too crazy. I really REALLY wanted to stop and start walking but I persevered, using the little engine that could mantra "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can..." and then I changed my internal chant to "I KNOW I can, I KNOW I can, I KNOW I can..."

Courtesy of My Sports Shooter

Aside from my performance I had a really fun morning. I would recommend this race for people with kids. There was one family in particular that I saw a dad with his son and daughter that really impressed me, you can tell that they ran together. The dad was kind of coaching the kids along, being very supportive and not at all pushy. I really like seeing families being active together. The benefits of activity for kids are so huge emotionally, psychologically and physically.



Courtesy of My Sports
Shooter. It's tiny but
it's me.

 I'm also very proud of my friend for finishing her first race in a great time under 40 minutes!

Courtesy of Shelagh Irving

Get kids active, it's a lifelong habit! See this little guy:

It's Been a While...

I ran for the first time since my race. I had a terrible bout of pancreatitus. I hadn't plugged in my data for my Nike+ because both my body and my computer were under the weather. When I got back from my run today I checked out the feedback from the race. The race where I had pancreatitus. The race that I threw up after. The race where a 70+ man beat me and I finished last for my age category. And I achieved a personal best for a 10K. I don't know what that says about my training.

Today's run was strange it started off well and I was enjoying the weather (a balmy 14) and I was running in new shoes which felt good. I was also re-calibrating my Nike+ so I hope that it gives me more accurate feedback. It seems to be a bit better. I did a 4 mile run and the pace time seemed more fitting. So I was enjoying myself then my tummy started flipping and I felt like I was going to throw up. I don't think I'm quite fully recovered yet. Some deep breathing took care of that feeling. I persisted and felt better. Moves like Jagger really put some spring into my step.

On Sunday I'm running a 5K Santa race with a friend. We must wear the Santa suit or else we're dq'd. I am looking forward to it and am hoping that the weather remains lovely.

Road To Hope Version 2.0

Yesterday was a race day! The last run I logged was Oct 10. I wasn't terribly prepared for the run with the awful weather this week I didn't get out and didn't make much of an effort as I had also  been experiencing a bout of pancreatitus since Monday. I finished in just over an hour and thirty two minutes. My goal was 82 minutes. Darn.

I shall set the scene though. I went down to pick up my race kit on Friday 20 minutes after the process started. It was crazy! Really busy and people everywhere. I got me pumped for the race though. I normally do race day pick up but thought I would go a day ahead this time so that I could sleep in later on the day of the race.

I went to bed Friday night knowing that I was feeling under the weather but still able to function. I figured if I limited my food intake Friday, because food results in pain when I am 'danking' (Dank is my pancreas and when he's inflamed I'm danking). I looked forward to getting in a good sleep and hopefully feeling much improved. I fell asleep relatively quickly and woke up in agony at around 3 and stayed awake until 5.

At this point I had pretty much made up my mind that I would not be racing. I couldn't stop thinking about the fact that I paid a registration fee and I really wanted that medal! When I woke up a few hours later I was feeling slightly better so I sat around waffling for a bit then my mom offered me a ride to the race. I decided to go for it. I was feeling well enough to walk it if I had to. I do not condone what I did as, perhaps from a health perspective, it may not have been the best idea that I'd ever had. BUT IT WAS RACE DAY. So, I skipped breakfast and headed down to Confederation Park.

The weather wasn't super sunny but it was pretty clear and somewhat windy. Chilly. Being near the water I immediately regretted not having brought a pair of light gloves to wear. I warm up after the first k usually but my hands normally stay pretty cool.  At the expo I found a really neat pair of mitts though that have the flip back tops to turn into gloves. The tips of the fingers peel back too for easy texting and use of my iPod. It also has an LED light on them. There was no tax on accessories so I picked them up.

The race started 5 minutes late and it was the same route that I ran when I did the 5K, it was just a loop that we did twice. After the first K I realized that my Nike+ was REALLY off. As in it was over reporting how far and how fast I had gone in the past. I knew I was going to be running for what would seem like forever. It was marked every Km so that was nice.  I managed to run the whole 10k. I passed one person on the second half of my race. Which is something that I like to gauge my run by. In the middle of the race my mom was able to chat with me and told me that while she was strolling around to kill time she came across another race and took pictures of the runners because she was surprised that there was another event being held so close by. Then she realized it WAS my race.

According to my Nike+ I ran 11.87 K at a pace of 8'14. Which, in relation to past runs would have had me done my 10 K in 81 minutes and 40 seconds so TECHNICALLY I made my goal. But because the thing had previously short changed me on distance all my information was screwed up. My official results are a pace of 9:17 and total time of 1:31:49. I came in last for my age and gender and a 70 + year old man beat me. I was a little disappointed because of my health I didn't know how I would ACTUALLY have done had I been ship shape. It's always really fantastic to cross the finish line though. As I approached it the photographer and volunteer told me I had 150m to go. I have never been more relieved to finish a race.  The announcer said that he didn't have access to my name but congratulated me. So the volunteers gave me high fives and called me nameless. AND I GOT MY MEDAL!!! That's all I wanted. I went and grabbed a banana cuz I was still feeling ok. Not the best idea. I felt SO SICK and the pain kicked in, I could barely get down some Gatorade.

Normally I am completely fine post race. This time I got into bed shivering and stayed there watching a Who's the Boss marathon for 5 hours. Overall it was a decent day. I don't regret doing what I did. I knew myself well enough to know that I would be able to walk if I had to and that I had the endurance to make it to the finish.