Volunteering 2012

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Three Things Thursday

It's been a long time since I did one of these so here goes:

1: I Won't Be Running the Scotiabank Half Marathon on Sunday
After thinking a lot about this and doing a lot of soul searching, I have decided not to run the Scotiabank Half Marathon this weekend. This was going to be the race that launched my training for the New York Marathon. However, my leg has started to act up, and instead of pushing myself too far (with no training), I will sit this one out and start my Marathon training on the first weekend in July. I have to take good care of my tendon to ensure that I have nipped this injury before it gets too serious. Lots of stretching, ice and rest. I will listen to my leg when it starts to hurt too much. The Half Marathon that I will focus on for my New York training will be:















Source

One of my friends convinced me that this would be a great training run for me, so hey why not.

2. Training Plan has been set
I have chosen my training plan. It will give me the direction that I need for the lead up into the big one. I will adapt my training to match that from is from the John Stanton book "Running: The Complete Guide to Building Your Running Program":
Running
Source


I have chosen the plan that will complete the marathon, but in no particular set time. I don't want to put too much pressure on myself for this marathon, just to finish will be A-OK with me. This will be my first marathon in which I go into it with a structured training plan. I am dedicated to this, and hope that I will have lots of other runners to join me on my long runs :)

3. It is finally Summer in Vancouver!!!!!!!!
I can hardly believe that we have had two decent warm days in a row. Fingers crossed that it keeps going - here's high hopes for a long warm summer!

Good luck to everyone running races this weekend!

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Starbucks Run for Women Race Recap

Last week I ran in the Vancouver Starbucks Run for Women (June 9, 2012), held up and around UBC/Pacific Spirit Park.

RUN for WOMEN National Series
Starbucks Run for Women

This would be my first attempt at a road/trail race. Before the race I had no idea that it was a trail race. I had done no preparation, and knew that this wouldn't be my fastest time for a 10km. We arrived pretty early to the starting area, along with a sea of  purple t-shirts and eager athletes to start the race. After a talk by John Stanton and Olympian Jennifer Heil, we were all called to the start line to start the inaugural race. After a short countdown, we were told to smile for the camera's as we passed the start line, and then we were off.

I knew form the get go, that I was going to struggle with the race, I was coming off a bad cold, and still had sinus issues, and I also forgot my water bottle. I set off with a slow pace, determined not to use up all my energy in the beginning. With lots of people jostling for positions, I found my happy pace. At the 1km mark was the first water station, and I was happy to have a short break to take in some water and have a breather. And then I was off again. After running down the side of a road for (what seemed like) a while we headed into Pacific Spirit Park and there I was official running through the trails for the first time.

I found the going to be pretty tough, and after a week of rain, the trails had not yet dried out, so there was plenty of mud and slippery rocks. I found the paths to be overcrowded, and they had not closed off the trail to others, so a few times I had to run around loose dogs, be wary of oncoming bikes, and the general public who were walking the trails.  I found myself slowly losing confidence in my abilities, and starting to struggle with negative thoughts after only running 4 km's, for the first time, I thought that I would not be able to complete the race.

I had to conserve my energy and to do this, I decided to walk up the hills, and run slowly down the hills. My legs were killing me, and I had a feeling that my IT bands were not going to be very happy with me after the race. They started tightening up on the first downhill part. I was dying to come to another water station. I believe that there was meant to be a water station at the 5.5km mark, however it felt like forever to get there. I kept looking at my watch and felt that I was running further then the markers had stated.

After I got to the second water station, I once again slowly took my time going through there, enjoying my breather, and knowing that I had under 5km's to go, I would take the rest of the race at a slower pace, I had relief knowing that I had a chance of completing my race. The final KM's of the race was pretty much like the beginning of the race. Up and down hills, trying hard not to run directly through the muddy trail. I played tag with people in front of me, trying to keep pace, and not let them get too far ahead of me.

Finally I could hear the cars on the road, after what seemed like forever. I was waiting for the final water station (9km mark) so that I could take in some more liquids, as my sinus issues were really waring me out. To my disappointment the water station was closed by the time I got there. I was a little disappointed, but I knew that I only had another KM or so to go, so I told myself to hold on, and that there would be a bottle of water waiting for me at the end!

Slowly but surely I made it onto the final hill, in preparation for the finish line. I huge wave of relief swept over me, as this had been one of the more challenging races that I had run in. (Mainly due to my own self doubt). I ran up the final hill to the finish shute, and I couldn't be more happier at that point to finally finish the race.  I really like that we received a finishers bracelet once we finished. It was a nice touch, and so different from the other medals I have received.

 
 
Source

Overall I ran the race in 1:19:31.52. By far my slowest race, but perhaps my most rewarding. The money raised went to the charity Plan Because I Am A Girl Project a program that I am hoping to support further in the not too distant future. I hope to be able to run this race again next year. Next year I will be prepared, train for it, and wear proper trail running shoes.

Next planned race for me, Vancouver Scotiabank Half Marathon (June 24). My goal is to finish in under 3 hours, I just want to finish the race, with little training, and hope not to injure myself for the beginning of my training for the New York Marathon.


Monday, June 4, 2012

I'm In.......Time to Come Up with a Training Plan


I found out a month or so ago, that I had made it into the New York Marathon.




Time to start figuring out my training plan. Something that I actually going to stick to this time because of the costs, and it is going to be the biggest race of my life. I have had my ups and downs recently, poor training and diet, and I am determined to kick some butt in this race. I'm sick at the moment, but know with proper rest I will be back up and running in no time. I know the extent of which I can push myself, and when to stop so that I don't re-injure myself. I have been battling an Achilles problem for a year, and every time I think that it is improving, my body defies me, and I am back to almost square one. I know the drill, ice, rest and plenty of stretching. I will take more notice of my body - it is obviously telling me something, when things stop working correctly.

What training plans do you stick to when it is the race of your life? I know that there are various running groups, but at this point in time, I don't have the money to be able to afford the luxury of a coach. I know that I will need motivation and  a set training plan. I know that I have countless support from my friends and family, and I don't want to let them down, I want to make then proud. 

So the hunt begins, for the perfect training plan for me. I'm tired of making excuses for my poor performances in races, the bottom line is that I don't train enough, and the reason my body rebels against me, is due to the lack of training. I want to perform at the very best that I can offer. In the past 4 weeks, I have run the BMO Vancouver Half Marathon, and the Fargo 10 & 5km challenge. My next race is this coming weekend, the Run for Women 10km (http://www.runningroom.com/runforwomen/) and then I will have the Scotiabank Half Marathon in a few weeks time (http://canadarunningseries.com/svhm/). I'm not going to push myself too hard in these races, I know that I have a long road ahead of me, to make sure that I can run the big one in November.

I am planning on updating the blog frequently as I want to be accountable, and keep myself motivated. (Since I have been off the blog for a while now). Full steam ahead for the next race!