#8

Run number eight is in the books. It was one of those days that you don't mind running in the snow, which was fresh and light and fluffy... however underneath I did manage to find several sections of black ice which was a great excuse for me to take it a little easy. I am trying to be very patient with the hamstring/butt area and with all the runs that I am doing, I am not paying attention to what my pace is. I am also not deciding how far I am running until I am out there, if I am feeling good I keep it going, if I am feeling tired or sore or I am rushed for time then I cut the run a little shorter. Mileage for run # 8 was 9.15 km.

Five..Six..Seven..

Ok the days all kind of got away from me there, but not to worry I did all my runs.

I headed out for my fifth run in the late morning. It was warmer and I was looking forward to the run but not really sure of where to run. I decided to do an out and back and try to come back stronger. Footing was better because the roads were dry so I felt more relaxed while I was out there. I felt great on the way out but then when I turned around it was right into a head wind, it kind of knocked my socks off, lol. No negative splitting happening this day :) (7.51km). My sixth run was probably my best one of the week. I was feeling a little sore from the weeks training but the sun was almost out and I had the thumps on and I felt like I could keep going. It wasn't fast but it was one of those runs that gets all the cob webs out and makes you feel so energized and content when you are done. Ended with 10.46km. Run #7 was a solid one to end out the week, legs were sore from a bike ride and core workout that I did the day before (and maybe the previous 6 runs) and I had 2 little terriers that chased and growled, and sadly I was intimidated!! I finished this run with a distance of 9.10 km. Overall I am really happy with the first 7 runs of the 30 day challenge. I did take have to take a day off (Bob, I am playing the single mom card and there is nothing you can do about it) but I will still get all 30 runs done, I will double up days to make up for those days that I just can't get out because of my little ladies! First week total distance was 61.75 km and the hamstring/glute is feeling pretty good!

Number 4

My fourth run has been the best one so far. It was one of those milder days in the winter that makes you almost think you don't mind all the snow and slush, you are able to wear your "thinner" tights and it feels mild out. I started my fourth run with an intense ride on the trainer, I loved the workout I did and felt really strong. Hopped off the bike and headed out deciding to go a different way than I have been going... seeing where the road went. Happily I only ran into one dog and he seemed pleasant enough. The roads were pretty clear and that combined with the fact that I was already warmed up and it was milder today I had a great run. (8.02 km)

This 30 day thing is going pretty well. I am focusing on not running to hard or to far with each run just about getting it done and so far that seems to be going well for me so I am going to keep rolling with that!

2 and 3...

I am a little behind but I am updating finally...

I headed out for run #2 with SV and I have to admit I wasn't ready for that one... I have had a bit of a chest infection/flu bug since right after Christmas and this run hurt. I felt like I was wheezing the entire time and I couldn't get the chest to "loosen up" so that I could get rid of some of the crap in there. My legs were a little sore from the first run and this is the fastest I have ran since the hamstring injury but man was I glad to have the excuse to cut this run short (because I had 28 more runs to do.... )I tried to get SV to join me on the 30 day challenge, but he refused, lol. Overall it was a good run and I did 7 km.

Run #3 was a cold one! I am not sure what the temperature was but man was my face cold. My legs were stiff and pretty sore and I decided to take it pretty easy. I loosened up after the first 10 minutes and actually really enjoyed the run. I did 7.68 km and it felt like a solid run. I could feel my butt/hamstring by the end of the run so I did some yoga and felt great the rest of the day.

I had kind of fallen off the running wagon because of the hamstring and I have to admit that I am enjoying getting back out there. I don't even mind the ridiculously cold temperatures and snow covered roads, it just feels so great to be out clearing the mind and pushing the body.

3 down..... only 27 to go!!

How Far I've come

Wow, just over a year ago I did the 30 runs in 30 days.... so much has happened since then and today I began the experience again. It kinda feels like a new start and I love that feeling!

I will be blogging each day about my runs. I know not all of them are going to be enjoyable but it is still something I really enjoyed last year and as Bob said "Just getter done"

I headed out today in -24 windchill on a snow covered road. I decided to do this road because it lets me just run out however far and turn around... very little thinking required. Halfway out I realized that I hadn't brought my camera along, so I will try to remember for tomorrows run... in case I see something fun while I am out there!

It was a great run, not fast because of the snow ruts and ice but it was still a nice challenging run. Finished 11.92 km this morning fully bundled up and it was a great day out there, the sun was shining brightly. I loved it. I think I may just make this 30 day challenge a yearly thing!

Ultra Distance Triathlete of the Year

Wow, what a way to start 2010. I had been informed that Triathlon Canada Magazine wanted a picture of me from the Ultraman event photographer and there had been a little write up about Ultraman in the November issue so I was looking forward to seeing the new issue when it came out but to be honest I wasn't sure what I was going to be in there for. I was thinking maybe they were going to do a story about Ultraman....
I woke up yesterday to a text message from my friend and crew member Susan who told me I was the Ultra distance triathlete of the year. Pretty cool, I have to admit. Wolfgang was named the male ultra distance triathlete of the year as well, which I find very awesome as we spent a good portion of the first marathon running together and he is a great guy.
It is an honour to have been selected and to have my name and picture published in a magazine. It also is highly motivating, I hold no ambition of becoming the ultra distance triathlete of 2010 but it certainly is a nice acknowledgement to have and something to get me going on these cold and dreary days that we are having.
If nothing else it put a smile on my face and reminded me how proud I am of accomplishing that race in a very difficult year of my life!

hmmmmn....Yoga...

Why is it that something that has the ability to do such good for the body and the mind is one of the first things to be cast aside as things get hectic/stressful? I have been doing yoga since 2002, when my sister introduced me to the beauty of it. In the years since I have kept up with a healthy yoga practice, at times only doing yoga and no swim, bike or run. However, in the last several months yoga completely fell off my radar. I did none with my Ultraman training and through all the stress of the months that are now behind me, I couldn't bring myself to be alone with my yoga mat.... maybe it was the knowledge that my mind wasn't ready to focus on the stillness or maybe it was because the situation was just to volatile to let myself try to find some peace.

The interesting thing about the human body is that it will allow you to ignore it for only so long. It will allow you to pile up physical and mental stress to it's breaking point, protesting politely and when you still don't give it what it needs it makes you pay attention. Luckily, I am getting better at listening to my body and while I did ignore the hamstring/butt pain for awhile I am giving my body what it was wanting. The treatments from Dr. Peggy are working (see her website Shin Splints Solutions, link in my favourite things, for more info) slowly getting back into running and most importantly I got back on the yoga mat.

I can't say that it has been the most pleasant experience getting back to the mat, the body is tight and has forgotten the sweetness that can come from certain poses, but I know I will get back to the point that I can relax and breathe deeply in any pose. I am noticing an improvement in the injured area and that is motivating me to keep my body relaxed and has me coming back to the mat.

I am also feeling a little less blah as I was in my last post. It is amazing how breathing deeply can help you put the past truly behind you and help you focus on the future. My brain is feeling a little less cluttered and unfocused. I have been able to slow down and realize that the past year of my life was a very stressful one but I have survived it and I am happy, I feel like me. I am closer to my family than I have been in years and I have the best parents and sister anyone could ever hope for, my girls are healthy and happy and I do my very best for them and they love me "around the world and back again". I am in a healthy and respectful relationship with a fabulous man, he makes me very happy and I know who my true friends are and love them all dearly for their friendship. When I am on the yoga mat I focus on all these good thoughts and no longer worry that the stress and drama will overwhelm me because I have found my way back to the sweetness and stillness of yoga (and I won't let it be cast aside again)!