Maxed Out on Miley

I know some folks are able to run with just the sounds of the birds chirping--not me. Finding the right beats to run to is part art, part science. You need a certain beats per minute for pacing, and in my case, it needs to be catchy, but not too catchy that I want to sing along. I can barely run without wheezing, I'm not about to add crooning to the mix. So, for the last few weeks my runs have been brought to you by Miley Cyrus--with Party in the U.S.A. providing the right tempo to keep me going.

Still, Miley can only take me so far, and with the Scotiabank Half Marathon quickly approaching, I'm off looking for new music to add to my running playlist. Any suggestions? What's on your playlist?

Two Months To Go!

60 days until the Scotiabank Half Marathon! Where has the time gone? It may be a bit gray and rainy out there, but soon enough, it will be summer--and with it, a race from UBC to Stanley Park to enjoy. I don't know about you, but I sure need to step up my training. I'm counting on crossing the finish line with a personal best. Two months is all that stands between me and my finisher's medal and I'm excited!

Gratitude.

As Easter weekend passes and spring is blossoming in the air, I am feeling grateful. For the past 3 weeks, I have been struggling with a hip injury and have had to learn to slow down in order for my body to heal. This has been frustrating, yet rewarding as the injury has given me the opportunity to reflect on how grateful I am for having a healthy, strong body. Having been raised to view all life experiences as learning opportunities; I believe this injury is teaching me to take better care of myself, mentally and physically, while being grateful for things I usually take for granted – like a healthy body, a healthy mind and the freedom to choose my future.     

In being more aware of all I have to be grateful for; I am reminded of why I am running the Scotiabank Half Marathon. I chose to run in support of Servants Anonymous Society. This is a small grass roots organization whose mission is to provide safe, secure homes, full time education, long term support, hope and wholeness to women and youth survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Since 2001, SAS has helped over 400 young women escape human trafficking and sexual exploitation in Metro Vancouver.   

This past week I was able to go to SAS and meet some of these women who are running their first 5km race at the Scotiabank Half Marathon. We are planning to meet every second week until the race to chat about our progress and go on training runs. I look forward to running with these women who have overcome so much and are fighting each day to live their lives on their accord. I will keep you posted in future posts on how our training goes.

If you are interested in donating to SAS and helping with their cause, please feel free to click the link below and assist me in raising valuable funds and awareness to combat this heinous crime against humanity. https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/FundraisingPage.aspx?SID=4135474&LangPref=en-CA

Thank you.

Things Found While Running: Street Art in Denver

Today was a beautiful day for a run--and not just to send support back to all those running in Boston today--Denver was positively spectacular. The sun shined, the birds chirped, and I took a 10km loop around the Mile High City. And I couldn't help but pause to share some of the fantastic street art in town that made my run all the more fun, eclectic, and as much a cultural tour as it was miles logged toward my Scotiabank goals. 

Increasing Distance

I'm loving our spring weather for running!

Over the last couple of weeks I have managed to fit in a couple of "longer" runs.  I did my first long run with my friend, and new running buddy, Sabrina.  We did 12 km in total, running for 7 minutes and walking for 1 minute. Cardiovascular wise I felt great during the run, however, my legs are still giving me some trouble. Around 7 km my calf started to tighten up quite a bit and I had to stop a few times to stretch.  I stretched for about 20 minutes before the run so I'm not sure why that happened??  On a positive note the chronic aches, on my left side, were absent throughout the run and I felt really good the next day. I guess the physio and massage therapy are starting to work! My massage therapist has also recommended that I try Intramuscular Stimulation so I'm going to give that a go next.  (All this running has made me very grateful for excellent medical coverage). I have also discovered the foam roller, which is my new best friend :)

Photo stop at the 9 km mark

My running accomplishment last week was that I did 12.3 km by myself!! As I have mentioned before, it has always been a struggle for me to run more than 7 or 8 km on my own so I was really happy with that small success. I have to admit though, as I was wrapping up my run that day, I was having a really hard time imagining doing another 9 km. Yikes!

The Forerunners group I have been doing speed training with the last couple of weeks are running 15 km this Saturday. I'm thinking about joining them....... we'll see how the leg holds up on my shorter runs over the next few days :)

I have incorporated the Burrard Bridge in to my running route so it won't be so daunting at 19km on race day.

P.S. Congratulations to everyone who did Boston this morning!!  Today I'm thinking of my friend Paula who did the Boston Marathon last year (amazing!!!). My heart goes out to those who were unable to finish, who were injured, and to the loved ones of the three who lost their lives.  Peace :)

The Mentor, The Mentee and The Ripple Effect

Stunning Kits Beach

This past weekend I was able to take advantage of the beautiful weather and go for a scenic run around Kitsilano Beach with my mentor and good friend, Jessica Manca. I first met Jessica through the Women in Leadership Mentorship Program last year when we were matched as mentor and mentee.  We were a match made in heaven; Jessica a smart, funny, authentic, successful Coach and Author and me a fairly smart, sometimes funny, always authentic, dreamer in need of guidance and coaching.


It was really rewarding being able to run with Jessica. When we first met, Jessica told me she was not a runner and doubted she could even run around her block. However, as our friendship grew she would speak about running 750 meters straight, then 1 km straight, then 2 km straight. This past weekend Jessica beat one of her PB and ran 3kms straight!! Jessica has told me that I inspired her to start running. How awesome is that?! 

PB Achieved!

Continuing to run and committing to my goals is not only showing myself that I can do it, but also inadvertently showing my friends and family they can too! My 60 year old dad is training for his first 10km race with a goal of under 60 minutes, my cousin  signed up for her first half marathon and a neighbour in my complex told me that watching me live a healthier lifestyle encouraged him to lose 60lbs.  It excites and humbles me that people are encouraged to believe in themselves and know that if an average “Joe Runner” like me can do it, they sure can too! 

Happy Running!



Anima Sana In Corpore Sano - A sound mind in a sound body

What a gorgeous week! Spring makes me so happy! :)

Since my last post, I am feeling better about my training and getting out of the little “funk” I was in.  I am back on my training schedule, but incorporating more cross training and yoga due to a hip injury. I am also foam rolling and doing some myofascial release techniques to help ease the pain which I believe is coming from my Tensor Fascia Lata.  Oh the things you learn on Google! :)

This past week on a few of my runs I decided to ditch the GPS and stop obsessing over my pace and just run. It was Awesome! It was so enjoyable, and I found myself to be in a much better head space and enjoying my run. I had read some articles which spoke about running for feel and not focusing so much on your pace which I found very interesting so I decided to try it out. Best decision! I suggest everyone try this if they feel they are becoming too focused on their pace and losing sight of running for health and lifestyle. This is to not say that challenging yourself and your PB is not important, but rather a nice reminder of how rejuvenating running can be.    



Thank you Asics!

I am also breaking in my new Asics Gel Excel 33 which I LOVE. They are actually my first pair of Asics and now I know what all the hype is about!! Fun factoid…Did you know Asics is an acronym for the Latin phrase “Anima Sana In Corpore Sano” which means "A sound mind in a sound body".  Love it!

Happy Running!

My Motivation

One of Oliver's favourite places

I just wanted to write a short post today because it is my nephew, Oliver's, birthday.  As some of you know, Oliver is the reason  I started doing the Scotiabank 5 km run a few years back.  At that time I couldn't run more than 3 km without feeling out of breath and wiped out.  That year I was dealing with some pretty tough things personally and getting back out running again helped me to climb out of that dark place I was in. When my sister suggested participating in the 5 km run, and fund raising for the Fragile X Research Foundation, I was thankful to have something positive to focus on. Last year my Dad, sister, and I represented "Team Oliver" and did the run for the second time.  This year my goal for the Scotiabank run has changed to the half marathon but my motivation remains the same. I'm running for my  beautiful, joyful, 8 year old nephew Oliver.  Happy Birthday Ollie!

To donate to the Fragile X Research Foundation, please go to the Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon and 5km charity page or you can try link below, which should take you to my personal fundraising page......if it works :) Thanks everyone!

https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/FundraisingPage.aspx?SID=(!SolicitationID)&LangPref=en-CA

P.S. This week my sister had a beautiful essay about Oliver, entitled "Bird bingo with Frosty and the angel," published in the Globe and Mail and on the Fragile X Canada website. If you are interested in reading it you can find it at the link below.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/facts-and-arguments/fragile-x-syndrome-has-delayed-my-sons-development-will-he-ever-have-a-friend-who-isnt-made-of-wood/article17833467/

Running in the Heat

This is not, I'll admit, a common Vancouver problem, but as I laboured through a run yesterday morning I was immediately regretting that latte I had thrown back just a few moments before. My hotel was nicely located in an outdoor shopping mall, and I wanted to take advantage of the location by logging some laps around a verdant outdoor space filled with inviting foot bridges, waterfalls, and enough visual distraction from the many storefronts. I left the lobby, conservatively slow--I used to live in the region and know how hot it can get--but even at a reasonably casual pace, the heat was scorching. Despite doing a lap, about 3.5k in total, around the outdoor shopping complex, I felt more spent and drained than I had after a cool 8k at the Modo Spring Run-Off two weeks earlier. Sure, I've been a little behind the ball with the running and training as work and travel kick in to high gear, but it was that unrelenting Florida sun that was taunting me. I scrambled to find shade as much as I could, but it was all for not. In 32-degree weather, shade is only a quick and all too short respite from an intense heat that really knocks your energy down fast.

Once I got back to the hotel, I took stock of the run--and my wheezing fit to catch my breath. Water. I had not had nearly enough of it. Why didn't I see anyone else running? They had considered what I failed to: that the Florida sunshine can be unforgiving and it is best to pull out the cardio in the early evening or mornings, before the sun has reached its full effect.

Excited as I am that Spring-like (emphasis on the 'like') weather has (mostly) come to Vancouver and I can lace up my ASICS and head out on leisurely jog around the seawall, my run yesterday was a reminder that this far South, the words 'polar vortex' have no meaning--and when the weather is this intense, you can't hydrate enough. In the meantime, I'll keep to the air conditioned hotel gym for the next few days of my Florida tour.

The Running Community

The first run with my new Asics! Love them :)

I must start off by asking you to please ignore any poor grammar, or rambling, in this blog as I've just finished my second day shift and my brain is a bit fried. :) 

My last run was this past Monday night with the Lady Sport 10 km training group. Unfortunately, work has prevented me from going regularly, so it's great when I can join them.  It makes me feel like  I'm a part of a running community and it is so much more fun than running alone!  This week was especially motivating because a couple of the group leaders got up and spoke to us about their marathon running accomplishments in New York, D.C. and San Francisco.  Very inspiring! The more I try to increase my running distances the more I appreciate what a huge feat marathon running is.

After going to the Kings of Leon concert Sunday night, and then for a massage the next morning, all I really wanted to do on Monday night was relax on a patio with a cold beer in hand. :) However, I forced myself out the door and ended up being super happy that I did. The gorgeous weather and getting to run with some new people made the effort worthwhile. I'm still having some aches in my lower leg and hip but I'm working on my physio exercises as much as I can and trying to space out my runs to give my body time to rest. Some days I get pretty frustrated that my body isn't co-operating with my goals but I will keep working at it.

Monday evening running route along the Kits Beach sea wall.

Last night I was supposed to go to my first half marathon training session at Forerunners, but, I had to miss it because of work (again!).  I'm looking forward to going to the clinic next week though, hopefully meeting some new people to run with, and learning more about how to train for a long run.

Now I must get some sleep...... I've heard it is really important to being a successful runner :).

Getting out of the funk....

I was going to post earlier this week, however I felt as though I did not have much to say. This past week, I was struggling with a constant fiery of mental battles between the negative and positive self-beliefs I hold; and unfortunately last week the negative self-beliefs won. After running at the MODO race and learning firsthand the lesson of not pacing appropriately, I was very sore and achy for about 4 days after. During this time, I got into a little bit of a running funk. I could feel myself spiraling into that annoying, unaccountable, pity party of self-doubt. You know the one… I can’t do it….It’s too hard…. I’m too slow…. What the heck was I thinking??
I hate those parties.

However after slowly accepting that I was at a lame pity-party that I no longer wanted to be the guest of honour at, I started googling articles about “getting out of a running funk” and reminding myself of the reasons why I run. After doing this and convincing myself to just lace up and go, I was able to slowly start coming out of it. I am not fully out of it yet, but I do feel like I am back on track…one run at a time right? Does anyone have any advice on how they get out of their running funks? Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated so I can file it for the next time I find myself at a party I really do not want to be at. J

Two of the reasons I run...to exercise my dogs and to be in nature :)
Giving my running partners freedom in White Rock