Last week, for the first time in over 2 years, I managed to complete a new PR in my weekly distance. I managed, despite working full time, running my daughter back and forth to a 5 day long dance competition that went to 10pm at night, dealing with a nagging front patella pain and hosting my in-laws, to complete 64km, including a long run. Yup, I rock. Then I got hit with a sinus/head cold. Then my head felt like a rock lol. I should have realized that increasing my distance would make me more likely to catch a cold (since your immune system gets depressed as you tax your body more) but I figured since I was increasing my distance slowly that I would adjust to it and catching a cold or the flu wouldn't be an issue. And it probably wouldn't have been if I hadn't sat at a dance competition with 100 other parents/kids for 5 days.
So for two days I've had pulsating ears, sore throat and dizzy spells. I decided to forego my usual carb restrictions so I could keep my energy levels up and hopefully send this cold packing. All I want to do is sleep. This week is thankfully a scale back week so my overall distance goal is 60km. Today I'm debating if I can run a 8km or 12km. I hate to cut back on my run, especially when I have the time to complete the 12km but I have a feeling I might be walking half of it so I may just stick with the 8 and save my longer runs for the weekend when I'm feeling better. Damn cold.
A lot of runners have a much more extended debate with themselves when running sick. The general rule of thumb is that if you feel like crap but it's all above the neck (such as my case), then giv'r. If your lungs are taking a beating or if you need to visit the washroom frequently then you should probably shelve the run. So, because I only feel like crap from the neck up, I shall run, albeit slooooowly. Onwards and upwards!
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Why I won't run Boston. Ever.
Boston. To many runners it is the ultimate race experience. For some of them it is actually a life goal. I used to be a huge fan of the race too, but ever since I discovered trail running my runner mentality has changed.
I no longer chase a certain PR, I don't let it define me as a runner. I have come to realize the reason I'm out there, day after day, is because I simply love the sport and time spent in nature is a precious, rare thing for most people these days. I'm positive if I did a poll at my own workplace (which admittedly has a lot of fit, active people!) I would find less than 10% have spent an hour in the woods in the last week.
That's sad. This disconnect we have between ourselves and nature is only growing and we should pay attention to how it affects our lives, both mentally and physically.
I love the sweet smell of the trees, watching the rivers flow and the crunch of a good trail under my feet. I love going out for hours and just being my running-self. It both recharges me mentally and breaks me down physically. Bliss. That's why I love ultras. With generous cut off times, aid station eating-fests and the most supportive fellow runners on the planet I can't think of a better way (aside from hanging out with my awesome husband and daughter) that I could spend a day.
Do I still follow a training plan? You bet I do! I learned long ago that following one keeps the suffering level to a minimum during any race so to me it's still common sense.
So why do I still bother to race? I race much less than I used to, it has certainly become less important to me, but part of me wants to push my own personal boundaries. Yes, you can do this without a starting line but can you do it on a specific day? That's the question each runner, regardless of distance or type of race, puts on themselves when they decide to run a race. Sure you can run a 50 minute 10k but can you do it on, say May 10th, when it's raining and the route is different than the pancake flat route you usually run? Running trails has made me a stronger runner and has given me confidence to answer that question with a yes, yes I can, or at least I'm going to try.
Boston is a historic, beautiful road race, and I'll continue to watch it each year to see the runners triumph over their own limits and set records, but afterwards I'll head out into the woods, to smell the trees and enjoy the mud.
I no longer chase a certain PR, I don't let it define me as a runner. I have come to realize the reason I'm out there, day after day, is because I simply love the sport and time spent in nature is a precious, rare thing for most people these days. I'm positive if I did a poll at my own workplace (which admittedly has a lot of fit, active people!) I would find less than 10% have spent an hour in the woods in the last week.
That's sad. This disconnect we have between ourselves and nature is only growing and we should pay attention to how it affects our lives, both mentally and physically.
I love the sweet smell of the trees, watching the rivers flow and the crunch of a good trail under my feet. I love going out for hours and just being my running-self. It both recharges me mentally and breaks me down physically. Bliss. That's why I love ultras. With generous cut off times, aid station eating-fests and the most supportive fellow runners on the planet I can't think of a better way (aside from hanging out with my awesome husband and daughter) that I could spend a day.
Do I still follow a training plan? You bet I do! I learned long ago that following one keeps the suffering level to a minimum during any race so to me it's still common sense.
So why do I still bother to race? I race much less than I used to, it has certainly become less important to me, but part of me wants to push my own personal boundaries. Yes, you can do this without a starting line but can you do it on a specific day? That's the question each runner, regardless of distance or type of race, puts on themselves when they decide to run a race. Sure you can run a 50 minute 10k but can you do it on, say May 10th, when it's raining and the route is different than the pancake flat route you usually run? Running trails has made me a stronger runner and has given me confidence to answer that question with a yes, yes I can, or at least I'm going to try.
Boston is a historic, beautiful road race, and I'll continue to watch it each year to see the runners triumph over their own limits and set records, but afterwards I'll head out into the woods, to smell the trees and enjoy the mud.
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
It begins...
The build-up phase is complete! Now the real work begins with the intense 16 week part of my marathon plan. This week is a solid 52kms consisting of two 8km runs, two 10km runs and a 16km LSD (long slow distance) run.
I typically have no issue completing the weekday runs, it's finding time to tackle the long runs is what stresses me out slightly. This week though that shouldn't be a huge issue, since I have Friday off and can tackle the 16kms before my daughter gets home from school (and before her dance competition in the evening!).
My knee has been pretty good. This past week when I conquered a total of 60kms (total) I started feeling twinges at the top of my kneecap. So, I shortened my stride and after a kilometer or so it eased up then disappeared. It happened a few times, and as I recall it starts to happen whenever I increase my distance, so just another thing to keep in mind I suppose.
My weight lifting has taken a bit of a backseat to my running these past two weeks, so that's something I'll have to try and balance a bit better. Between that and my daughter's dance competition season, things are about to get pretty interesting!
I typically have no issue completing the weekday runs, it's finding time to tackle the long runs is what stresses me out slightly. This week though that shouldn't be a huge issue, since I have Friday off and can tackle the 16kms before my daughter gets home from school (and before her dance competition in the evening!).
My knee has been pretty good. This past week when I conquered a total of 60kms (total) I started feeling twinges at the top of my kneecap. So, I shortened my stride and after a kilometer or so it eased up then disappeared. It happened a few times, and as I recall it starts to happen whenever I increase my distance, so just another thing to keep in mind I suppose.
My weight lifting has taken a bit of a backseat to my running these past two weeks, so that's something I'll have to try and balance a bit better. Between that and my daughter's dance competition season, things are about to get pretty interesting!
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