In October of 2007 I starting running. Why? I was 18 months from turning 40 and it was either wallow in it or greet the 40's with more passion than when I turned 20. So I set 3 goals for myself:
1. A physical challenge
2. A challenge to do something I did not believe I could do
3. Give myself something I would have forever
Those three goals, more specifically, were:
1. To be in better shape at 40 than at 20. So I started running, 3x a week, for 30 minutes, on a treadmill, and hated it. I told my husband I would never run a marathon (btw I just signed up for my 9th marathon)
2. To bake a pie. The crust, too. From scratch. Still not as good as my Mom's but I can say I've made a few pies.
3. To buy myself an awesome piece of jewelry - done and which I still wear to this day.
That was nearly 10 years ago, and this year, on my 48th birthday, I realized that I needed to set some big challenges again as I approach my 50th. I thought I'd make the goals a little tougher, give myself 2 years to achieve them and decided to launch #better@50 journey May 1.
The three goals follow the same theme as the ones for my 40th but a little loftier:
1. Physical challenge: Up the fitness even more, try hard to qualify for the NY marathon (I've qualified for Boston, NY is even harder).
2. A challenge to do something I did not believe I could do - learn to SWIM.
3. Give myself something I will have forever - still undecided.
It's been 3 months since the launch of #better@50 and so far, so good.
I completed a certificate in athletic nutrition and have really refined my diet; my weight is down, but, more importantly, I'm fuelling my workouts properly and really seeing progress on all fronts. I'm not yet speedy enough to qualify for NY but still have lots of time to train. I bought a road bike this month as a way to add more low impact training and have had so much fun racing around the neighbourhood!
I started swimming lessons in July and have surprised myself by how quickly I have progressed from not swimming to managing a quasi-front crawl.
Still have not yet decided on the "forever" goal - but my 9th marathon will be Big Sur California April 2018 - that's a bucket list item so could well be part of the goal!
Monday, August 7, 2017
Monday, May 28, 2012
Ottawa Marathon - A Race to Learn From
This past weekend, I made the 6 hour journey to Ottawa, the nation's capital, with my daughter and my folks (brought along for a free trip and babysitting!). Their company was wonderful but all four of us in a small hotel room isn't conducive to pre-marathon rest. I don't know about you but sleeping with a kid who's a bed hogger plus all her stuffed animals and extra "softy" blankets isn't really restful. And then there is the noise of the hotel air conditioner and those who snore. Long story short, no sleep for two nights.
On Sunday, May 27, I got up at 5am (after the dream that I slept in and missed the race...so I must have had some REM sleep!), put on my lucky running gear, ate a banana, a plain bagel and some Gatorade. The stomach was nervous - always is before these long races. I met up with my running buddy just after 6am. We had been training through wind, snow, sleet, cold weather and horrific hills in Waterloo county for months. We were ready and we were stoked. Unfortunately, my running buddy had a really bad sinus infection and a stress fracture but she came out to try anyway. She's tough and she's BQ'd, once even in Boston itself. To have kept up with her during long runs meant that I had improved.
The weather in Ottawa that morning was stellar. About 11C, slightly cloudy and not much wind. I knew a PB and perhaps a BQ were in the cards. I even lined up with the 3:45 pace bunny, confident in my training and my experience after 2 other marathons, 2 half marathons and a 30km race in the past year. The coolest part was that the pace bunny was a very experienced runner who I follow on Twitter. So many times he has inspired me to run and keep going - so awesome to meet him in person. I hope he knows I'm not some crazy groupie but just a person who is crazy enough to run and keep trying!
At 7am, we were off. It was a tight run, people packed together and trying to break out but difficult when there are record breaking numbers of participants. I was running, keeping up with the 3:45 pace bunny and feeling awesome. The thought of "oh my god, I'm going to BQ" was going through my head....until about the 13th kilometre. The stick-a-knife-in-my-gut pain of a diaphragm cramp I had experienced at the Around the Bay race came on fast and reduced me to a walk. I thought about taking out my Blackberry and calling someone to pick me up - but who? The folks don't have a cell phone and I didn't really know where the heck I was. I had lost my running buddy about 8kms back and hoped that maybe she'd catch up to me. No such luck. There was only one way to go and that was to continue on for the next 29+ kilometres.
I got myself together and was hobbling along when the 3:55 run/walk pace bunny came along. Great! I could follow this crowd and still PB. So along I went, chatting a little while carefully keeping my eye on the pace bunny's 140.6 IronMan tattoo. That was inspiring....and helped me focus. Somewhere around 25km I started to slow and couldn't keep up. It was getting warmer and the sun was out. Let me tell you, there is a big physiological difference between training/running at temperatures under 12C than there is at around 20C. And I was feeling that difference. The residents of Ottawa must have known, too, as they brought out hoses and generously sprayed those of us feeling the heat! I had to keep going. I told my folks that I'd probably meet them about 4hrs and 15 minutes after I started - meaning sub 4hour race plus time to get my medal, eat and hobble slowly to the meeting place. Now it was looking like they would have to wait longer. I walked a lot and ran when I could. I was encouraged by the awesome crowds, the bands that played along the course and managed to fist pump and dance a bit when I heard "Super Trooper" at one of the water stations. It was going to be a tough go but dammit, I didn't come all this way to not get my medal. I knew my daughter would be at the end waiting to ask me "Did you win, Mommy?" and wear my medal.
The last 5km were particularly brutal. I was well over 4 hours now and it was really sunny and warm. Usually, I get my second wind and sprint the last 3km but that wasn't the case here. After 4hours 27 minutes and 13 seconds (which isn't bad, it's like the top half....but my worst run yet), I crossed the finish line and got my medal.
I found my folks and my daughter....and she asked, "Did you win, Mommy?" And I answered, "I won for myself today". She doesn't want me to run any more marathons (probably because I look awful after them!) - I can't say that I promised her I wouldn't. The funny thing about running is that, good or bad, you examine your results and you determine what you might try differently or keep the same for the next time. Because, there is always the next race. And it could be the one you PB or BQ. It's all in the mind, as the 3:45 pace bunny told me. And I believe it.
On Sunday, May 27, I got up at 5am (after the dream that I slept in and missed the race...so I must have had some REM sleep!), put on my lucky running gear, ate a banana, a plain bagel and some Gatorade. The stomach was nervous - always is before these long races. I met up with my running buddy just after 6am. We had been training through wind, snow, sleet, cold weather and horrific hills in Waterloo county for months. We were ready and we were stoked. Unfortunately, my running buddy had a really bad sinus infection and a stress fracture but she came out to try anyway. She's tough and she's BQ'd, once even in Boston itself. To have kept up with her during long runs meant that I had improved.
The weather in Ottawa that morning was stellar. About 11C, slightly cloudy and not much wind. I knew a PB and perhaps a BQ were in the cards. I even lined up with the 3:45 pace bunny, confident in my training and my experience after 2 other marathons, 2 half marathons and a 30km race in the past year. The coolest part was that the pace bunny was a very experienced runner who I follow on Twitter. So many times he has inspired me to run and keep going - so awesome to meet him in person. I hope he knows I'm not some crazy groupie but just a person who is crazy enough to run and keep trying!
At 7am, we were off. It was a tight run, people packed together and trying to break out but difficult when there are record breaking numbers of participants. I was running, keeping up with the 3:45 pace bunny and feeling awesome. The thought of "oh my god, I'm going to BQ" was going through my head....until about the 13th kilometre. The stick-a-knife-in-my-gut pain of a diaphragm cramp I had experienced at the Around the Bay race came on fast and reduced me to a walk. I thought about taking out my Blackberry and calling someone to pick me up - but who? The folks don't have a cell phone and I didn't really know where the heck I was. I had lost my running buddy about 8kms back and hoped that maybe she'd catch up to me. No such luck. There was only one way to go and that was to continue on for the next 29+ kilometres.
I got myself together and was hobbling along when the 3:55 run/walk pace bunny came along. Great! I could follow this crowd and still PB. So along I went, chatting a little while carefully keeping my eye on the pace bunny's 140.6 IronMan tattoo. That was inspiring....and helped me focus. Somewhere around 25km I started to slow and couldn't keep up. It was getting warmer and the sun was out. Let me tell you, there is a big physiological difference between training/running at temperatures under 12C than there is at around 20C. And I was feeling that difference. The residents of Ottawa must have known, too, as they brought out hoses and generously sprayed those of us feeling the heat! I had to keep going. I told my folks that I'd probably meet them about 4hrs and 15 minutes after I started - meaning sub 4hour race plus time to get my medal, eat and hobble slowly to the meeting place. Now it was looking like they would have to wait longer. I walked a lot and ran when I could. I was encouraged by the awesome crowds, the bands that played along the course and managed to fist pump and dance a bit when I heard "Super Trooper" at one of the water stations. It was going to be a tough go but dammit, I didn't come all this way to not get my medal. I knew my daughter would be at the end waiting to ask me "Did you win, Mommy?" and wear my medal.
The last 5km were particularly brutal. I was well over 4 hours now and it was really sunny and warm. Usually, I get my second wind and sprint the last 3km but that wasn't the case here. After 4hours 27 minutes and 13 seconds (which isn't bad, it's like the top half....but my worst run yet), I crossed the finish line and got my medal.
I found my folks and my daughter....and she asked, "Did you win, Mommy?" And I answered, "I won for myself today". She doesn't want me to run any more marathons (probably because I look awful after them!) - I can't say that I promised her I wouldn't. The funny thing about running is that, good or bad, you examine your results and you determine what you might try differently or keep the same for the next time. Because, there is always the next race. And it could be the one you PB or BQ. It's all in the mind, as the 3:45 pace bunny told me. And I believe it.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Reflections on a Sunny Sunday
It's the Victoria Day Weekend in Canada and I decided to take a day off to make for four days of rest and relaxation. I think I needed it after finishing my most intense marathon training ever in prep for the Ottawa Marathon May27th. I probably needed a break after some other tough things that have challenged me over the past month. As I sit on my deck, wine in hand, on this beautiful day, I can't help but think of what I've accomplished, the people who have supported me and the beauty of life. I thank my family, my kids, my darling husband (who the hell else would put up with my craziness for 20 years?), and dear friends ME and LH, and JK the most amazing lady and all the tweeps that inspire me every day. When tough things happen you can choose one of three things : let it define you, let it destroy you or let it strengthen you. Those who know me know which one I chose. Sometimes it just takes me a while to get there. I'm going to rock the Ottawa Marathon for me and all of you.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Sunny Sunday 38.66km
I post this blog as my rewards for a successful training week bake in the oven. Homemade pizza (with lots of black olives) and chocolate chip cookies - my two faves I shall enjoy. This week was the highest mileage in my marathon training plan - I clocked just over 82km, 38.66km of them today. It was a gorgeous morning, the sun shining, birds chirping, apple blossoms in Mennonite country, winds light and the temperature near perfect. I must admit, while the run was arduous, the scenery and the company I had made it not so bad. Scenery, exchanging stories, philosophies on life and general camaraderie is what makes the run go by fast. Yes, 38.66kms can go fast. For those of you wondering, the "runner's high" I don't think is ever achieved during a long run. But I can tell you that afterward, as today, you feel an incredible sense of accomplishment, an "I can do anything" mentality and your entire mood is just awesome. Next week, I start tapering which means I reduce the mileage slowly as I finish the last 3 weeks till the Ottawa Marathon. Enjoy the last of the weekend - I know I will!
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Reflections on the Eve of the Long Run
Tomorrow, many of my runner tweeps are set to run the GoodLife Toronto Marathon and it looks like supreme conditions for a PB. I, on the other hand, will be doing a 38km run, the longest in my training plan for the Ottawa Marathon May 27th. This is the highest mileage week in my plan - the week I always swear that "this will be my last marathon". It will be my third. Glutton for punishment, I guess. People ask me why I do this. It's hard to explain but I boil it down to 3 things: 1. It's a challenge and the more I put into it, the better I get 2. CALORIE BURN 3. Stress relief. And let me tell you, the third reason is so powerful that many a time I have had to go out for a run just to get rid of the nasty stuff that we all face some days.
To all those running tomorrow, may you have the run of your dreams.
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