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.

Keepin' the Pace.

4K @ 7'42

Today's run comes on the tail of 3 hours of sleep. One of those days where I wake up with  a huge rush of energy. It didn't necessarily translate into a  faster pace time. It was decent though. I am glad that I finished strong. As long as I finish faster than I start I am pretty happy. Running these longer distances now mean that my legs are far more fatigued than they used to be. It does make a difference and I am finding it more difficult to pick up the pace. I need some warm up time, whereas before my legs felt fresh and ready to go.

50 days until my race. Without races I'm not sure that I would have the motivation that I do. They're also really fun. I encourage everyone to register for one. They're fantastic and there's all kinds of them various distances, locations, and all ages! I noticed on Facebook that a fellow SJU-er has registered for the Terry Fox run. He like me, did a walk to run program. Here's his story and the link to sponsor him:

http://myterryfoxrun.com/story.html

All the best Steve!! Have a blast.

Race Day

The start/finish line.

Today was the big day. I'd trained 3 months for this. I feel pretty good about my run. I didn't bring my Nike+ and it wasn't a race with chip timing so I can't give you an exact result. I was really disappointed about this. I know I ran hard and pushed myself and I'm happy. It's the end of my 5K races.

The weather was not ideal but it was not hot (and not hailing/snowing as it apparently was last year). The rain stopped by the end of the race and was never too intense. At the 4K mark there was a big looooong (.5K) uphill but I refused to walk up it. I was slow but I was not walking. It left me quite breathless. The last half kilometre was easy after that and I am certain that I crossed the finish line smiling. The route definitely had potential to be beautiful if it had have been sunny. The cherry blossoms were out in full bloom. I crossed over several bridges and there was all kinds of wildlife surrounding me. High Park is quite lovely.

Approaching the finish line.

The first place guy finished it in like, 17 and a half minutes, I know he passed me in the loop when I had completed 1.5 k and he had completed 3.5K. I love seeing those first runners, they're so amazing. The trouble with the fact that there was no chip timing is that I don't know the exact time I got started and when you start in a pack like that it takes a bit to hit your stride. I was also at the back of the pack. So, I crossed the finish line in 41 minutes and a few seconds but I know that I finished in 40 minutes at the most. That last uphill was definitely a killer. I improved my position in the 2nd half of the race over 4 people. Yes, I counted, and yes, they were all adults. I find this comforting, it's kind of the whole slow and steady wins the race, thing. Regardless, this was my fastest race to date.

As for the event itself, it's the smallest I've participated in. There wasn't enough signage and we (my mom came with me as a supporter) had a lot of difficulty finding the start line. There were no medals and the race kit was modest but I did get a really great aluminum water bottle. I could have requested a certificate of participation but the MC said they'd be great for kids, so really, I'd feel a bit ridiculous. I do have my race bib and a few pictures though, so that's enough. The absolute best thing about this race that I didn't get at the other two I'd been in was the volunteers. I really liked that they were posted every half K and they were all provided with clappers, horns and other such delightful noisemakers and they sure used them. The encouragement was awesome! It made me smile every time I ran by them. For a small race they even had a boisterous crowd at the end celebrating the finishes.

Crossing the finish line, it looks like I am walking, let me assure you I am not.

I'm not sure that I would participate in this event again but I had a good day. Thanks to all who contributed and my mom for coming out and taking pictures.. Next up: The Try-a-Try in August.

Final Chapter (hopefully)

Why hello again and thank you for reading this. I did indeed go for a run today!

3.5 K @ 7'28. You may see that this is reduced from 8'15 last week  and 8'20 on Monday. I am a little proud of that. I always find it so interesting how your actual physical well being affects things. I know it shouldn't be a surprise but it is to me. Just shows that you gotta take care of yourself. Before I ran today I checked my BP, I also checked it after I got back from my run and after my cool down. It was high normal, then normal then low-normal. So it seems I am good to go again and can close the Low blood pressure saga.

The actual run in itself felt really good. I find that I have a short stride so I tried to stretch out a bit and it felt good. As I finished up I felt so good I picked up the pace and did a bit of a dash.  Subsequently, I got a stitch. They always remind me of the one day I was on the cross country team in elementary school. Not one day when I was on the cross country team, the one day. I was 7, got a stitch, didn't know what the heck was happening and quit the team.

As a follow up to the last post, I did register for a race. On April 15, I will be running the 5K individual race in the Hustle for Hunger. The race raises money for the Daily Bread Food Bank. If you would care to donate, go here: http://www.giving.runningroom.com/hm/index.php then you can click on pledge an athlete on the bottom left of the page and search for me. My goal is to raise $50 from soliciting 5 dollars from 10 people. Of course more is welcome.

Guess what?! It's Heart Month. Heart and Stroke is a cause dear to my...wait for it...heart. Right now you can do a risk assessment and just for doing that Desjardins Financial Security will donate $1 to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. It only takes 10 minutes and you're helping others as well as yourself. Here's the link: https://ehealth.heartandstroke.ca/heartstroke/hsra/?LID=1&pgSrc=risk_MDW_panel_HSF_desjardins_en I did the assessment and have 10/16 positive risk factors (improve my heart health) and 6/17 negative risk factors (that reduce my heart health). After the survey they give you tips and tools that you can use. One of which for me was build a network that supports you. And that's you guys! I check every day to see how many hits my little blog gets and I love the support. Like I mentioned before I think about what I'm going to blog about while I run. I was not so keen to get out on this oh so grey day and the thought of sharing how my run went got me out there.