Finding MY Inspiration

After taking a few days off training after the last blog post, I have found a little more passion for running. My housemate kicked me into gear and we did some hill training and sprint training. Then my bf took charge and had me running to Trout Lake and back and running hills, including Prospect Hill, which I was finally able to run up. It has taking me two attempts at half marathons to run up it without stopping, which I have so far been unable to do. I completed it in my training run, and ambitious to do it a few more times before the summer season has rolled away for another year. Another thing that has given me new motivation is doing "fun" things during the summer period.
Last 3 Weeks in a Nutshell
I took time off from training to go to the beach with the housemates dogs:

It was fun to spend time frolicking on the beach with them, and took my mind off things that have been going on in my head. The transfer into my new job has been a bit overwhelming, so it was great to take some time out.

The following weekend my bf and I headed up to Whistler for a weekend getaway. It was so much fun, we didn't have enough time up there but we had fun looking at the sights and know what we want to when we get up there. We definitely want to do some more hiking up there, go canoeing and do some other adventure things. Here is a photo from the top of Blackombe mid hike:

Last weekend, my housemate and I competed in the Vancouver Chase, which is sort of like a large scavenger hunt around Vancouver. After figuring out some clues you had to find the place that the clue indicated and perform some tasks. I held a Tarantula,  ate pigs ear, was in an Army Bootcamp and was a fire woman for 10 minutes. It was perhaps the most strenuous thing that I have ever completed, and my body is hurting more then it did when I finished the Seattle Marathon some months ago. If I happen to do it again, I think that it would be wise to invest in a good street map, and perhaps a Blackberry or Iphone. I feel sorry for the BF after interrupting him constantly during the day to find answer to clues and directions on how to get there. After 6 hours and 2 minutes of constant movement we finally crossed the finish line!

After some much needed rest after a long and exhausting day I prepared myself for a concert on Sunday night, one that I have been waiting to see for a while. I met up with an old running friend Ali whom I met from Team In Training and we had a bit of a chat about running. I had been tossing up whether or not to run with my Nike chip or a watch in the next marathon. I found that it was so inaccurate and frustrating, when I thought I was getting close to the finish, I had a lot more to do. She said that she ran her last marathon without a watch and found it one of the funnest marathons she has run in. So I have ultimately decided that I won't run with a watch or my chip and perhaps just my Ipod, to keep me entertained on the out and back. After dinner we went to a concert:

It was one of the most amazing concerts that I have been to, and reminded me a lot of home. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to see them, and if I get the opportunity to see them again I definitely will.

I will be taking a few days off before I get back into training, I am still very sore from Saturday, and I hope that I will be back into it by Wednesday. On the weekend I am starting a detox. I thought a long weekend would be a good time to start. I am determined to get healthy and fit by the time the next marathon comes along (eek only 7 weeks!!).

Take a look at my bf's blog here. It was a year long project and I am so impressed with how the photo's turned out (he is so hard on himself).

To my housemate, bf and Ali, thank you for inspiring me to get back on the running band wagon. 

Running Rut

I am in a huge running rut, and I hope to get out of it soon, so that I can train for the Nike Women's Marathon. Something changed with my running goals after completing the Seattle Rock N Roll Marathon, and I hope that I find my mojo soon. I am taking action, but not the action I should. I am eating more then exercising, and reading books on Zen Running, I need to find some inspiration and someone to give me a swift kick in the butt.

Trying to Implement A Training Plan for Nike Womens Marathon

Now that I know what it feels like to run in a marathon, I know what I need to do to ensure that I am prepared for my next race, The Nike Women's Marathon in October. I have a little over 100 days to prepared for it and want to utilize my time as much as I can. I was so disappointed with the way that I felt after the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, so I want to shake things up a bit, and do a better time. I am still trying to find the right program that will suit me, something with speed and strength training, but Smart Coach says that I don't have enough time to do the plan right in the short amount of time. I am currently looking through books so that I can make a training plan that will suit me goals and my desire to run a lot faster then the last marathon. I have read a lot of negative feedback about the Nike Womens Marathon, and would like to know if anyone has an opinion on this. I am sure that I am going to have (being fully prepared this time) a lot of fun, and I am going to give it my all, maybe the organizers have changed the way the course works this year to make it satisfying for both the Half and Full Marathon runners!! Anyway, I love reading comments, so make sure to drop by to say hi!!!

Seattle Rock N Roll Marathon Report

It has been almost a week since I completed, perhaps one of the most mentally challenging things that I have ever been through. I almost didn't make it, but because I had some awesome cheer people (sorry MJ for not hi - fiving you at the end of the race) I eventually made it, in a time that seemed so well disappointing. Might as well start from the beginning:

The Expo:

This was by far, one of the best expo's that I have been to. It surpasses both the Vancouver Marathon & also the Disney 1/2 Marathon Expo. There was plenty to do and see, lots of samples and lots of talks and demonstrations. I was lucky enough to get the chance to walk around with Winnie and MJ (who didn't complain the whole trip whilst chauffeuring Winnie & I around. Thanks MJ you're the best!! So after we picked up our race packets we posed with the souvenir shirts:

I know awesome photo right. So then we continued walking around until we found a huge line up at the Sony tent. We looked to see who it was and it was Meb:

So we waited in line for a while and decided to get our photo taken.

So after dill dallying around at the expo for a little over 3 hours, we met up with our other Team in Training runner, Ali, Juneko & Veronica (and eventually Summer) and headed off to find some lunch. We found a place with "the best Gyros on the Earth" (no lie that is what the signage said), and had a bite to eat. After lunch, we all headed off to do our own thing, and get prepared for the inspiration dinner. The inspiration dinner was amazing and wasn't short of inspiring everyone who attended. There were great speakers and great food, lots of pasta to fill up on. We then headed off to Veronica's room for the T-Shirt decorating part of the evening, and to get final instructions for the race. There was lots of nervous and exited energy in the room, and then after the meeting we all said good night and headed off to our motel, in anticipation for race day.

RACE DAY:
Because I wasn't staying with the team, MJ & Winnie were kind enough to get up at 4:30am with me, so that they could drop me off at the start line. Well what I thought was the start line was about a 1.5 mile hike to the start line, but after walking around in what felt like circles, I finally found the crowd and the start line for the race. I thought that it was a little ironic that the start line was near the Ambulance Headquarters. After walking around by myself for a bit, I bumped into Bonnie, a former TNTer and a mentor for the Summer team with Winnie and I. We hung out for a bit, and decided to go line up for the "Honey Bucket" i.e. Port  a Potties. Whilst looking for a good bathroom area, we ran into the entire team. Talk about a happy discovery!! We chatted for a good hour before we all had to go to our corals for the start of the race. We were all in different starting areas, so we said our good byes, wished each other luck and we were all on our way.

At 7:00am the gun went and off went the elite. It was about 20minutes before my corral got to the start line, but I was lucky enough to run into a former BC TNTer and we talked a bit while waiting to go. And off we went. I ran the first mile fairly quickly, and was impressed with how good I was feeling. The first band was playing "I come from a land down under" which I thought was a pretty good omen. I was feeling really good, and was eager to get to Mile 7 as this would be where Winnie and MJ would be standing waiting to cheer me on. Mile 7 seemed like forever to get there, but I finally did and seeing them on the sideline cheered me up a bit, as my Ipod music wasn't inspiring me, and the bands on the course, weren't really inspiring me either. The first out and back where the marathoners and the half marathoners split was running across the bridge over Lake Washington. It was about at this point that my foot started to ache. I had had problems with my foot for a while, so stopped training for a few weeks, and iced it constantly. It was really starting to bug me. After running up and back across the bridge we headed into the first tunnel. I thought I was going to faint. It was so incredibly hot, and the tunnel seemed to go forever. In the tunnel they had a DJ playing techno music, so along with feeling faint, the thumping music, just made me feel worse. At KM 20 I felt like I had had enough. My foot was killing me, I was depressed because if I was in a half marathon I would only have a little over a KM to go, and I started to talk negatively to myself, convincing myself that I couldn't do it. Then at mile 13 I saw this:

Winnie and MJ were at Mile 13 to cheer me on. I was so incredibly happy to see them!!! I ran over to them and I think I said to them "I'm in so much pain" and they said you can do it, MJ gave me a kiss on my cheek, Winnie waved her cowbell at me and I was off again. And ran I did. For another few miles, before we hit yet another tunnel. I manage to come across Ali as I was entering the tunnel and she was exiting it, we cheered for each other, and off we went in our very different directions. It was about at this point where I thought I can do it, but it is going to take an incredibly long time. I wasn't in a good place and found the lack of signage very distracting. I kept on thinking how far am I from the finish. I did what I thought was the last out and back and was about to give up again. The heat was starting to get to me, I was way over my anticipated 5 hour finish time, and was getting disappointed in myself, and sad that I was making Winnie and MJ waiting around too long for me to finish. I was about to head back into the Tunnel and another to my surprise I found this:

They had made their way again to see me. It was so awesome, that I started to tear up a bit. I could see that I only had 7 km's to go, and this was going to be the hardest 7 km's that I have ever run! I was lucky enough to come across a lot of TNT coaches, who would walk/run with you for about 6km's until you hit the 26mile mark. I had some good conversations with them, as I was then at the point, where I was walking because my body was unable to muster up any strength to run any more. Argh and then there it was a last out and back. I am not going to lie, it was horrible, and I was so angry at this point, that I swore never to do another marathon in my life! It was so incredibly hot, the drink stations were closing up, and well made me feel bad, and very uninspired. I was lucky enough to chat with a lovely TNT coach whose name I don't remember and he made 3 km's go by very quickly. I was at the last corner, where I got wings on my feet. And I was off. At the bottom of the hill was Veronica, who was cheering me on. I gave here a quick hug, and almost burst into tears, I was so sore at this point, that I just wanted it to be over. Then around the corner, and I could finally see the finish line. There weren't many people there, but that was ok. I saw Winnie and MJ and some girl across from them holding here hand out for a hi-5. Which I gave here with a big grin. I was told after the race that MJ wanted a Hi-5 but he was too late with putting his hand out. I am so sorry about that. Then I finally finished the dreading finish line. It took a little over 6 and a half hours. Way out of what time I thought that I would be finishing in.

Everyone was saying that it was a great effort, because I was injured, but at the same time I was disappointed. Maybe if I had of trained a different way, I may have been able to complete it in a quicker time.

Now that I have had a week to rest my legs, which have no soreness in them at all after two days, I have to think of a game plan for the next marathon. I swore off marathons while I was out there, but it is a great accomplishment, and I am determined to do more. MJ has even said he wants to do the Fargo Marathon next year when he goes home, which I think will be fun to run in. My next event is the Nike Women's Marathon which I am running in with Winnie. I hope that she gets better soon, so that we can start training together. So I start training next week. All I know is that I have lots of Hill work to do. I wasn't prepared for the Hills in Seattle, so I will be better prepared for the hills in San Fran...

Thanks Winnie, MJ, Ali, Juneko, Summer, Cynthia, Vanessa, Veronica, Bonnie, and Coach Ray & TNT for inspiring me during the race day, and throughout the weekend of the Rock n Roll!! You guys Rock, and made me achieve a dream that I thought was impossible!!!

Goals for the Seattle Rock 'n' Roll Marathon

In two weeks time I would have finished the Seattle Rock 'n' Roll Marathon (I hope). It is a scary thought. It has come around way too quickly for my liking, and now that I am injured, I am a little disappointed that I might not do as well as I expected. So I thought that now would be as good as time as ever, to write down my goals for the marathon.
Goal 1:

To finish the marathon: I know that this seems pretty obvious, but now that I have an injured foot, the thought of running let alone completing a marathon, seems pretty far fetched. I really hope that my foot heals quickly, so that I can take part in it. I go for a long run tomorrow with the team, and if I am able to complete it then, I will continue on with my quest to run the full, if not, I will walk the full and change my corral. 

Goal 2:

To have fun and remain positive throughout the race: Having bands every mile, I think will contribute to how I feel throughout the race. I also want to feel the runners high, of completing something that I thought would not be possible (well for me anyway). I know that once I complete this marathon, I will have the faith that I can do anything. My friend suggested that I run through the pain and visualize each mile and how to tackle each mile. I can't think of anything past mile 13, but I know on the race day I will have a different point of view, and the adrenaline from being in a race, will make me incredibly happy =)

Goal 3

Not to finish last. (is that a bit insensitive?). That has always been my biggest fear when entering races, to end up last or being told that I am running too slow and that I won't be able to finish the race. I know the sense of reaching the finish line would be good enough, but not coming in last would be great! =) I have finished last in a swimming race before. It was the individual medley, and I was literally 2 laps behind the second last person. I had a standing ovation, and to me it felt like they were pitying me, I know that I should of been proud to complete it at all, but instead I was embarrassed (maybe I have grown up since then)......so hey if I finish last so be it, at least I tried my best!!!!

Goal 3

To enjoy my time away! I am really excited about where we are staying (The BF, W & I), and I am hoping that it will provide the much anticipated relaxation that I desperately need. I need to recharge my emotional batteries, and think that the time away will help. I will be spending time with ones that I enjoy being around (a few of the many whose company I enjoy) and it is a chance not to think about "work". 

Goal 4
To enjoy the festivities with my Team in Training mentees and group!! I am really excited about the Team Pasta Party and the Victory Dinner. It will close this chapter of Team in Training for me (until I compete in a Triathlon for them next year), a experience that I have really enjoyed.    
Goal 5

Shopping! I can't wait to go shopping after the Expo - thank god that we have a chauffeur to take us to any place that we want!!!

These  are my goals, I can't wait to write my race review and go through the goals that I achieved :)   

   

Three Things Thursday - Summer Plan Edition

I have been quiet lazy with my 3 things that I am greatful for each Thursday - is it bad that I feel like I have run out of things that I am greatful for? I know that I have a lot to thank for but sometimes it is hard to think of them, and write them down - so here goes a different way of doing it. This is the 3 things that I will plan to do during Summer!

Spend Time in The Great Outdoors!!
I plan on taking lots of Bike rides and hikes this year (perhaps throw in a little camping here and there), it is the same plan as last year, but hey life got in the way and I didn't achieve many hikes or any bike rides at all! This means that I get to spend more time with my adorable BF and we can actually take time out over the weekend to enjoy each other's company. He was lovely enough to buy me a Bike for my birthday yesterday, which I am so happy about, and now I am even more eager to get out and ride, and well drag him along with me. (I love you baby =D) I also have my first marathon coming up, which I am going to kick ass in (I won't do an overly impressive time, but as long as I finish I will be happy!!) in only 4 weeks time, I am over the freaking out, and into the excitement phase. I am looking forward to laying out my race outfit in the next couple of days and take it on training runs to make sure that everything is comfortable. The coach thinks that I am ready for this challenge, and said that there aren't many hills. I nicely pointed out to him, that the majority of the course is hills, and one with a huge elevation gain.

Take more photos
Last year I received a pretty awesome camera (thanks MJ =D) and I didn't use it as much as I wanted to. This year I plan to take more photo walks and see what I manage to come up with. I will even learn how to use different camera's and learn how to zoom properly. I may even finish up the photo album that I have been making for my father for the past year - it is a long overdue photo journal documenting my time in Canada as my dad doesn't have access to the internet to see my photos.

Scuba Diving
I brought an introductory Scuba Diving pass for myself at a discount price. Pretty keen to try this at least once =)

Oh and plan my trip to San Francisco for the Nike Womens Marathon. I like to plan a lot in advance so that everything runs to schedule. It may take me just about all summer to do it!!

Have a happy Thursday =)

No Title

Every now and then I run out of things to write about. I think that I sometimes live a very boring and uninteresting life - it is me, this is who I am. I haven't done much training since the Sun Run. I ran 26 km's last Sunday (it was meant to be 32kms, but I got lost and the coach had to come pick me up). I only ran 10km's today. I think that I have somewhat lost my mojo, something that I will need to get back, very quickly. I only have 32 day's left until I tackle my first marathon, something which now I am both excited and petrified about. I know that I react differently on race days. I have more energy and want to prove to others that I can do this. I need to prove to myself that I can do this in training runs. I am not sure why, but I always want to quit when I am on the training runs, even though I know that it will benefit me in the long run. Instead of running the 18kms with the full marathon runners, I opted for the 10km's instead. Why do I do this to myself - I know that I will regret it later on, but what can I do right? Tomorrow I start with a different attitude. I can do this, and I will do this! I am going to kick ass at the gym tomorrow, and then spend a relaxing day with the housemates - I am almost a year older, and I new a new attitude for my entry into my late 20's, something which I am excited about - another year older, another year wiser right? I am going to train harder and eat better (kind of hard at the moment with only have a temporary kitchen at the moment).

So that is the end of my un-motivational story - I hope that I find my grove really soon!!!