Thinking on A Run

One of the main reasons why I don't like running alone - besides the lack of safety, but I also find that I have way too much time alone, alone with my own thoughts. Today I had a lot of things running through my head. The first one was the different styles of running that there is out there. I am not spectacular to watch, in fact I encourage you not to watch me, as I get very self conscience, but looking around there are so many different ways to complete this activity. I had one fellow pass by me looking like he had something wedged up his butt, or that he had been for a very long horse ride, but then I just thought to myself, he is going so quick that technique must work for him. Another few that passed me (I am not going to lie, a lot of people passed me on my run today) looked liked they were in constant pain, they were wincing with every step, but that is a step towards their dreams and goals. I thought I wonder what people think I look like when I run. I get very paranoid about people assessing my booty. This comes from being paid out when I was a youngster in Sydney on a Family holiday to help my sister move into her new apartment. I was walking with my dad in front of my brother and sister and they started laughing hysterically. They pointed out that both my dad's and my butt wobbles when we walk. I was young and naive and thought that everyone's butt wobbled when they walked, but sure enough after examining people's walking styles, I realized that everyone is not the same. Now, i don't know if mine still does it (I am assuming that it does) but I can't feel it wobbling when I run, however when I run, I waddle like I am a duck doing their run up before taking flight. I wonder if people take notice as I waddle past them?? Another thing that I was thinking about was maybe I am way to ambitious for taking on a challenge such as a Full marathon in June. I can do 5-10 kms quiet comfortably, but, they way my legs held up today, makes me wonder if I make it, although, I am not going to pull out, I look forward to the day when I complete the marathon when I can look back on this blog and wonder, what was I thinking, that I couldn't do it, look at me I did it.

A Bit of This & A Bit of That

As I sit here trying to think of something to write, I think about my future and how happy I am at the moment. Sure I am in a area of work that has its challenges, but on a whole, the stress is somewhat fun, and being able to ressolve problems, make it all ok. I am still training, and I am happy that I have so many loving and supportive people. I did a really good run on Sunday, it was a quick 2km run and I did it in on of my fastest times. Tiger Woods came onto my Nike+ telling me that I had just completed my quickest mile which makes me strive for faster times and more training, just so I can get someone else other then Tiger telling me how good I am doing (to be honest, he isn't really my ideal role model, if you know what I mean). My quickest run however, wasn't quick enough to ensure that my housemates got to Costco in time, so that they could do their shopping, if only they had of told me they close early on Sundays, then maybe this problem wouldn't have occurred. But I wiped out my good workout in order to have a Vanilla Flavored milkshake on the deflated trip back from the shops, all courtesy of Mr L, as it had been a bad day for us all round (i never did get to buy the giant pack of TP). The good news is that the Mentoring meetings went well, and I am excited about the next chapter that is about to begin. I went to the first Info session on Monday night, have another one on Thursday and then have one on Sunday morning....hopefully we get some great people to these meetings so that they sign up to help this great foundation. To help with cross training, i have now got the papers ready for the kickboxing bootcamp, that I wanted to do, and will start that in the beginning of Feb. My only niggling thought is that I won't be there enough for the BF as he is going through some pretty heartbreaking stuff at the moment, but when you read this Mr M (aka adoring BF), i want you to know how much I love and adore you and you are the best thing a lazy girl can have ;)

On a side note I thought that it would be appropriate for me to concentrate not only getting enough execercise to make me super fit, but also start expanding my brain, and well some lack of knowledge (I may have completed a Uni degree but that doesn't neccessarily mean much - well to me anyway - and therefore i am only bagging myself out). This year I am determined to read 1 book every 2 months (why not 1 book a month, well to be honest i didn't really want to get ahead of myself and this seemed like  a good challenge). I completed my first book last week, wasn't the best book but i had to get through it. I have started the second book, and have only read the prelude, once again struggling. Also to expand my mind I am doing the daily crossword puzzle in my lunch break, that way i can expand my knowledge for words. Healthy mind = healthy body!

Becoming A Mentor

I got some exciting news whilst I was at work today! I am going to be a mentor for the runners in the Summer Season of Team In Training. Team in Training is an organzation that raises funds into finding a cure for Luekemia & Lymphoma. They have made some amazing breakthroughs in the past years and a huge amount of credit goes towards the volunteers whom raise funds for this much needed cause. (http://www.teamintraining.ca/). I am really excited about this new challenge. I met many of my friends through volunteering in Team in Training last year and they helped me reach my goal of running my first half Marathon. At this stage I am unsure of which event I will be assisting in there are 2 running ones which are a possibilty. The Rock n Roll San Diego & The Rock n Roll Seattle. I will find out all the details on Sunday!! :) I trained again this afternoon. If you can call it training. I walked home from the train station. I did the 3 kms in 30 minutes which was at a brisk walking pace. The were also hills (argh I detest hills so much!) but half way along i got a niggling knee spasm which continued until i got home. I am not sure what is causing this, I have had knee troubles in the past, but this year I am determined no to succombe to any injury! Hey I just realised that this is the second post in 2 days....wonder if this will become a habit???

Training Plans

Training has finally started - I am starting off very slow and will work my way up to a faster pace. This year I am determined to stay injury free! I went for a run with BF on Sunday. We ran 4km's around East Hastings. It was a good run, BF succumbed to a slight bout of shin splints, so we went a bit slower then we first expected. I am excited to have started again, and am so glad that I have someone to give me the motivational boot up the arse that I need. The other thing that I am excited about is my purchase of Nike+(http://nikerunning.nike.com/nikeos/p/nikeplus/en_US/?rs=1) so that I can track my running. We took it out for a test run and it worked really well. I know that I will be more eager to run and exercise now that I have a new toy. I am also excited about the events that I will be competing in. I have 2 half marathons that I want to complete and then a full marathon. To guide me along the way I have also have a personal trainer in Runners World (http://www.runnersworld.com/channel/0,,s6-238-0-0-0,00.html) which I will modify to suit my needs (find schedule below). My only other toss up is whether or not to take up Yoga or Kickboxing. I like the idea of meditating to let my body relax, but I also like the idea of getting a good cardio workout. I will have to make up my mind shortly, so that I can participate in a kickboxing boot camp which is starting in the first week of February. I now have a really positive outlook on the year ahead, and I can't wait to continue training!!.

Wk	Dat	Mon	Tues	Weds	Thurs	Fri	Sat	Sun	Total
1	1/18 1/24	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:43	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:43	Rest / XT	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:43	9 km
2	1/25 1/31	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:43	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:43	Rest / XT	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 5 km @8:43	11 km
3	2/1 2/7	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:43	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 5 km @8:43	Rest / XT	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 6 km @8:43	14 km
4	2/8 2/14	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:43	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 5 km @8:43	Rest / XT	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 8 km @8:43	16 km
5	2/15 2/21	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:38	Rest / XT	Tempo Run Dist: 8 km, inc Warm; 5 km @ 7:38; Cool	Rest / XT	Rest / XT	Long Run Dist: 10 km @8:38	21 km
6	2/22 2/28	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:38	Rest / XT	Speedwork Dist: 8 km, inc Warm; 2x1600 in 11:35 w/800 jogs; Cool	Rest / XT	Rest / XT	Long Run Dist: 10 km @8:38	21 km
7	3/1 3/7	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:38	Rest / XT	Tempo Run Dist: 8 km, inc Warm; 5 km @ 7:38; Cool	Rest / XT	Rest / XT	Long Run Dist: 11 km @8:38	22 km
8	3/8 3/14	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:38	Rest / XT	Tempo Run Dist: 10 km, inc Warm; 6 km @ 7:42; Cool	Rest / XT	Rest / XT	Long Run Dist: 11 km @8:38	24 km
9	3/15 3/21	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 6 km @8:33	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 5 km @8:33	Rest / XT	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 6 km @8:33	17 km
10	3/22 3/28	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:33	Rest / XT	Speedwork Dist: 11 km, inc Warm; 3x1600 in 11:28 w/800 jogs; Cool	Rest / XT	Rest / XT	Long Run Dist: 13 km @8:33	27 km
11	3/29 4/4	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:33	Rest / XT	Tempo Run Dist: 10 km, inc Warm; 6 km @ 7:37; Cool	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:33	Rest / XT	Long Run Dist: 13 km @8:33	29 km
12	4/5 4/11	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:33	Rest / XT	Tempo Run Dist: 11 km, inc Warm; 8 km @ 7:41; Cool	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:33	Rest / XT	Long Run Dist: 14 km @8:33	31 km
13	4/12 4/18	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:27	Rest / XT	Speedwork Dist: 13 km, inc Warm; 4x1600 in 11:21 w/800 jogs; Cool	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:27	Rest / XT	Long Run Dist: 14 km @8:27	33 km
14	4/19 4/25	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:43	Rest / XT	Tempo Run Dist: 8 km, inc Warm; 5 km @ 7:42; Cool	Rest / XT	Rest / XT	Race Day Dist: Half-Marathon @7:40 Time: 2:41:59	32 km

A New Year, A New Beginning????????

So, it appears that my motivation has failed me again. My first goal for the new year was to do the polar Bear Swim on the 1st of January. Did this hapen - well no it didn't. The appeal of sleeping in after a late night out just seemed like a good idea. I did pay for my late night and lack of nutrition and exercise. I came down with an incredibly sore throat on the Saturday and the weekend seemed very much like a blur - lots of sleeping, drinking fluids and rest, and now is the perfect time for me to reasses the goals that I hope to achieve this year. I am not going to go way over my head this time. With the right training and the right nutrition and support i think that I will make it. It helps that along the way I have the support of my loving BF who is also in the mood to "get fit" and will compete in some events with me this year. I also am living in a friendly and happy environment and my fantastic roomies are also in the mood to make 2010 count :)
So new goals in mind - I have set up a events Calander and also a training schedule to make 2010 count. I will be competing in the BMO Vancouver Half Marathon, The Scotiabank Vancouver 1/2 Marathon  and hope that I can compete in a full marathon by the end of the year.I will be entering into the Mitsubishi Challenge and also the Vancouver 10km Sun Run with my adorable BF.. Along with these my other goals is reaching optimum strength in mind body and spirit and make 2010 the year to count. Also....I will blog more often to keep myself motivated and so I can track my progress.