Gotta Run

Sorry, I'm horrible with keeping up with this blog!

This winter has been a wrench, thrown into the plans for implementing a run somewhere in my daily routine. With going back to work, juggling the tasks of motherhood and having a 13 month old (who has no interest in learning to run himself!), it's been hard enough as it is to find time for a run. But I make do with what I have. It's rare and short, but I find time.

One of the best ways I get a run in is by having a running partner or group. Nothing better than peer pressure to get you doing stuff, right? Just kidding. But really, when you have someone motivating you and relying on you to help motivate them, you don't want to let them down. And so, when you have someone to run with, it's much easier to get out there and give the ground a good beating with your kicks.

I started a running group last year, composed mainly of various family members and friends and it continues to grow. It's really exciting. We've chosen our first race, the Toronto Pearson Runway Race, where  you get to run on the tarmac! How crazy is that? It's gonna be a lot of fun!

I think we may continue running together through the summer, so if you're interested, come join us! We run every Sunday morning in various areas in the GTA.

RIP, Danny Kassap

Danny Kassap

1982-2011

Half - DONE!

I completed my first half-marathon as a mother and my second ever. It was great. I completed the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront (half)Marathon in 2:12:43. That's about 15.6 extra seconds per km over my PR. I'm proud of myself. I aimed to finish before 2h30, and further aimed to finish before 2h15 and I did that. I wasn't sure how I was going to do considering just last weekend I got a bad throat infection and so I couldn't train properly. The weather was nice and cool and it was sunny and clear. What a beautiful day for a marathon!

I felt pretty good throughout. I kept hydrated all week prior to the race and ate well for the most part. I also got to carb-load the night before and didn't overdo it. And even better, I "unloaded" at home before the race (a MUST!). By the end of it, I had only consumed 2 gels and 2 and a half of my bottles of Gatorade. I've NEVER done that before.

The course is pretty much flat. One good thing about this is that the markers are easy to see, so once you pass one, you can see the next one. I LOVE this course.

But perhaps the best part of this race, for me, was getting to "re-finish". When I did the full two years ago, I had a really poor finish. I have bad memories of the last 1K, struggling to finish, practically walking, dehydrated, salty and sweaty. This time, I was able to retrace my steps from two years prior, at a pretty consistent pace that I had been keeping throughout. I would have liked to sprint to the finish line, but my feet were cramping, causing my legs to stiffen. Instead, I compensated with longer strides. I finished well and I still had enough energy to smile when it was all over. And, my hips were nice and intact.

I think I'm back!

I'm thinking about doing a full again next year. Hmmmm...

Can you see me? I'm waving!

We'll see...

I have a half-marathon in 5 days.

I'm in the middle of recovering from a throat infection.

We'll see how this goes.

Wanna run with me?

I forgot to post about this a long time ago, but, I've started a running group. So far, there are around 10 people and we're meeting every 2 weeks, running in different areas of the GTA. We're training and running together for a 5K race (not sure which one yet) in 2011. If you're interested, even if it's just to join us sometimes or to start running (we're not doing 5K right away), contact me! We'd love to have you!