A Midsummer Night's Run

Today, actually, right now, I would be on my way to running 30K at A Midsummer Night's Run. At this point though, I can't imagine what it would feel like to be running for what would be around 8K by now, with 22K more to go.

I'm not running and haven't been running for a while for a number of reasons. The most important reason though is actually the same as the most important thing I'm doing right now.

I'm housing a baby!

That's right, a life has decided to rent space for personal growth in my uterus for the next 7ish months, and despite the way I'm feeling, I completely welcome it and surrender all control of my body for the success of this life's development.

I will, however, hopefully keep running, and that will be a new adventure that I'll definitely write about.

The Banana Boom

I got this in my STWM newsletter. Thought I'd share it with my fellow runners who weren't aware...

The banana boom

Some of us like using gels for additional carbs on the run, some of us don't. Sport drink does it for many, not for everyone. Sport beans & jelly beans work for some. Energy bars work for some. Everything works for some, not for everyone. Except the banana.

The banana is the perfect 'fuel' for runners. Full of carbs (39g!) and natural sugars, easy to ingest, easy to digest to get the carbs working for you, and it even comes in its own yellow carrying case to prevent it from getting sunburned.

High in potassium and magnesium, the banana replaces electrolytes vital to muscle movement. The only thing missing is sodium, also needed to keep muscles moving. So maybe you pop a few sodium tablets or sport drink to go with the banana. Mix it up!

And bananas are way cheaper than gels, they're natural, you know you can stomach them, they even taste good! Yes sir, your running is really going to improve when you start carrying bananas with you on long runs.

They're becoming so popular as a 'fuel' that Fuel Belt is adapting its belts to hold up to 6 bananas. Water belts are getting banana holders - yeah, so you can attach a bunch of them! Races are adding 'banana stations'. Dole and Chiquita are vying for race sponsorships. Even the little pocket inside runners' shorts is being lengthened to accommodate a banana.

Such a simple food, who would have thought it would become the little fruit that COULD!

The Dish on The Half

I'd never run an official half marathon before. I was stoked for this one. The course was really simple and easy so it was just a matter of keeping it together. I did well and beat my previous personal record by over 10 minutes!! I also did some fundraising for this race. Thank you to all who pledged :)

The race actually began BEFORE the actual race. With the streets closed, it was crazy trying to get off the highway. My husband came with me and together with a long line of runners in cars, we sat on the highway exit ramp. People were getting out of cars on the ramp and running to the start line. I took this as an opportunity to not start with the huge group so I stayed in the car. By the time we got closer to the parking lot, it was almost start time, so I kissed my husband later! and ran for the start line.

The actual race was pretty crazy. I was doing well, then at the 8K mark, I had a UUUUUUGE (so huge, the H doesn't fit) cramp. It was enough that I had to literally stop...it didn't help to walk. So I stopped, forced myself not to cry, and yelled to myself (mentally) to GET. IT. TO.GETH.ER. I finished the race cramp-free after that. It was so weird for me to get a cramp -- I almost never get them.

The course traveled passed a lot of really big houses, and there wasn't any looping, so it was nice and scenic. The things I found challenging were that some parts were so narrow so you had to go single file and that the finish line was sorta hidden so you didn't have much of an idea where to start sprinting to the finish.

It was a great race though, and I'd definitely do it again.

NEW PR!!!

I ran the Mississauga Half-Marathon today. It was a pretty simple course :)

2:07:16

That's over 10 minutes cut off from my last PR. WOOHOO!!

Run #1, 2009

I did my first run of the year, just an 8K, the Harry Rosen Spring Run-off. I'd never done this one before, but my sister-in-law had and warned me of a huge hill at the end of the run.

She wasn't kidding. Part of the course lets you go down the hill so you get your high off of it, but it also marks the end of the race...in the reverse direction. I thought I was going to die. If my husband wasn't running with me, I think I would have walked, I was so defeated. He has what he lovingly calls "thunder thighs" so he's good at hills. The course itself would have been pretty nice if it was a nice day and it was a little further into spring. Everyone knows High Park turns out to be beautiful at its best.

Hands down, worst race ever. EVER. At least, in terms of me and my history. I had never run a time like this, and it was at least a whole minute over my usual training km pace. Although I could easily blame the horrid cold temperatures, the gusty winds, the damp ground, the hilliness, my misaligned left leg that had been acting up all week which I had been trying to correct with my orthotics and knee brace, a poor night of sleep, a sore back due to a mattress too soft for my taste, and who knows what else, I know it really comes down to my lack of preparation. I didn't even think to shave my legs and put lotion on them! I didn't realize until I stripped my outer layer of bottoms (my pants) -- how embarrassing.

I don't know what it was with this race. For some reason, I don't know what, I didn't do any fundraising. Part of me feels hesitant to fundraise this year given the economy and people's tendencies to save more for themselves in times like these and that I really fundraised last year and two years before that and figured my donors needed some rest. That shouldn't stop me. There are people everywhere who are still willing to give what they can and I forgot about those people. Granted, I wouldn't be asking for a lot and I don't necessarily have a huge goal as in 2008 and 2006, but I still could have done it. I should have remembered that that was the key reason I started doing these races in the first place -- to support and spread support for various causes.

The Harry Rosen Spring Run-off is organized in an effort to support research for prostate cancer. You can register for this run and other runs like this and choose not to fundraise. I get that many runners would like to just run, have their times recorded, win money or other things like that, but for me, I thought that maybe if I didn't fundraise, the run would be more for me, more for my own effort and would ease me a bit to not have to perform the "ask". I can't believe I thought this because the "ask" was never really hard to do, and I always have supporters.

I'm hitting myself over the head. I know what to do now, and I know that I really need to work on this.

I'm not a very good hill runner, so I need to hill train.
I'm not a very fast runner, so I need to do more tempo runs.
I don't have the strongest legs, so I need to make sure I work harder on building muscle.
I need to do more yoga to work on my breathing.
I need to do more core work so my form remains intact.
I get sore easily, so I need to up my lactic acid threshold.
I need to be closer to the cause, so I need to fundraise and research.
I need to train harder, longer, and be stronger and more positive that I can do it and I will do it better every time.

This race woke me up when I didn't even think I was sleeping.

To come: the Ask.

SPIT

I just got word that the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon is getting rid of the Leslie Spit portion and moving it towards the beach.

ALLELUIA!

Yes, I’m doing this marathon again this year, provided I’m in good condition to do so ;) and this was one part of the course that I’m dreading.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the Leslie Spit, it’s probably the most dismal part of the course. Just take a look. There’s also some information about it here. Just think, they dropped bombs here, remember?

On this part of the course, the path is kinda narrow so you sorta have to go single file. Also, towards the end of the spit, you loop, so the whole time you’re running, you’re looking for that loop and it feels like you’re never gonna get there…meanwhile, those who have looped already are passing you in the other direction. One of the only good things about this is that if you’re running with a team, those ahead of you can cheer you on as they pass you. The ground is really flat and on either side of the path is neglected grass and weeds.

I’m glad this part of the course has changed…but I’ll be there though for the Midsummer Night’s 30K Run.

DST

Is anyone else knocked out by the “Spring Forward” of Daylight Savings Time? The good thing about it is that my post-work runs are now always accompanied by sunlight which means I don’t always need a partner to run with (I don’t run alone in the dark, for safety’s sake). That is, until the “Fall Back” in fall.

I’m excited. It’s starting to get warmer outside. In place of ice patches, there are puddles to dodge (or splash in!). I don’t have to wear as many layers. I don’t have to wear and wash my balaclava every time.

Spring’s coming!

Should I?

On my "One Day..." list...

Registered

...for two events so far...

8K Harry's Spring Run-off
42.2K Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon (yes, I'm doing it again...because I know I can do it and eat my original time ALIVE!)

I took advantage of the COMBO deal offered by the Canada Running Series and saved myself $5...and then was charged $5 for the processing fee. Ooops.

I also picked my events for the year (more on them later). I'm so excited!

How I did

I never did finish telling you about my TNT experience.

In short, it was a blast.

I raised more than was required for my goal, and I have so many people to thank for that. Chances are, you're one of them, so THANK YOU!

It was a little bit of challenge getting to my goal, especially given that I sometimes feel as though I've exhausted my usual list of donors. I did get some corporate sponsorships, gifts-in-kind for the fundraiser my husband and I threw, and some very large donations from people I knew and didn't know. I never doubted that I'd reach my goal, but admit it did worry me when I didn't reach it by the date of the marathon. One of the best things TNT has is, it gives you one month after the event to finish raising the money. It was definitely a very successful month!

I hope to one day run an event with the team again, and I know I'll come out some Saturdays and get back in touch with everyone and train from the new location.

Thanks for a great experience, TNT!!

2009

Sorry, it's been a while since I've posted. Happy New Year! I hope you're all doing well with your 2009 resolutions so far and that you've got at least one fitness one in your list. This year I hope to fit in at least 2 halfs and 1 full.

I was so inspired in 2008 with my marathon training that I'm admittedly addicted. I'm currently searching for races in my city and surrounding areas, also hoping to take advantage of the Canadian Running Series discounts before January 27. Here are the events I'm taking a look at so far...

April 4: Harry's Spring run off - 8K, Toronto
May 3: Sporting Life Run - 10K, Toronto
May 10: Mississauga Marathon - Half-marathon 21.1K, Mississauga
May 31: Toronto Women's Half Marathon - 21.1K, Toronto
July 19: Acura Toronto Ten-Miler - 16.1K, Toronto
July 26: Whitby Half Marathon - 21.1K, Whitby
August 22: A Midsummer Night's Run - 30K, Toronto
September 27: Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon - Half marathon 21.1K or Full marathon 42.2 K, Toronto (I am determined to beat my 5h time)
October 18: GoodLife Fitness Toronto Marathon - Half marathon 21.1K or Full marathon 42.2 K (but the route isn't very scenic), Toronto
October 25: Niagara Falls International Marathon - Half marathon 21.1K or Full marathon 42.2 K, Niagara Falls

Of course, I'm not going to run all these races, but these are the ones I'm interested in training for. I just need to choose which ones I'd like to participate in. I don't have a triathlon for this year...I've decided to keep that on my Things-I'll-Do-One-Day,-maybe list.

I'll keep you posted on which races I'm training for.

Happy Running!
Treeh