Well it has been a while since I have updated this blog...I guess I am not really the 'blogging' type. With facebook, work, kids and running...my computer time is becoming more and more limited. However I thought I would quickly update this to reflect that I did in fact, register for the Philadelphia Marthon with hopes of redeeming myself in this grueling race called "the marathon".
I set myself up on a training program and it has been going fairly well. A few missed runs and some illness, but nothing too detrimental. I have done 2 long runs of 32 km each and I am still around to tell the tale - however I am having serious doubts about adding another 10.2 km to that distance. I have also heard that the Philly race course has 2 hills (one at mile 10 and one at mile 20) so the marathon anxiety is starting already.
I still have 2 weeks before I have to taper, so I am going to do a 35 km run next week and then another one between 32-35 km - then taper for 2 weeks before the race. If nothing else, it should help me mentally. Then - I will have to leave the rest up to the 'running Gods'!!!
There comes a point during my long runs...usually around the 28-30 km mark where I start to question my sanity...why am I doing this? is it really worth it? Upon further reflection I began to realize that marathoning is just as much of a mental exercise as it is a physical one. So over the next month as I prepare to head off to Philly I am going to 'try' and take some time to mentally get myself ready for this race (whatever that means!) but I read that in the John Stanton book LOL! I know I am a nutso, OCD type A runner and will probably drive everyone around me crazy incessantly talking about running...but that's just me!
You guessed it...I am Canadian and a Runner, and this is my blog. It's not really about the running or taming the obsession, but the journey along the way!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
42.2 km review....
I am now 1 week post Mississauga Marathon so I guess it is time for a recap. Short story is I completed the marathon upright and smiling, however with legs (quads) that were rock solid and hardly moving. Finishing (chip) time was 4:42:52. So that is 10 minutes slower then my best marathon time in 2007.
It was a fantastic race and I felt pretty awesome throughout the entire race. I was actually doing really well for the first half finishing in 2:04 and even good up to the 30 km mark - that is when it fell apart. My quads were seizing up and cramping and I was forced to walk a lot and stop to stretch them out. This is totally reflective in the fact that my longest 'long run' was 30 km and I only did that once. So - it goes to show you that you can't cheat in your training or it will show on race day. But...sometimes life just gets in the way and it is impossible to get the proper training in. All in all I am very happy with the race all things considered.
However - I am even more determined to run a 4:15 marathon...with the proper training of course! And have been trying to see how I could fit in another full marathon this year. This is what I have come up with:
Acura 10 miler - July 11
Scotiabank Half Marathon - September 26
Philadelphia Marathon - November 21
I am working on setting up a training schedule for the Half that carries on to train for the full in November. If I can stick to the scheudle and get the training runs in, and of course stay injury free, I feel like a 4:15 is totally within my grasp.
It was a fantastic race and I felt pretty awesome throughout the entire race. I was actually doing really well for the first half finishing in 2:04 and even good up to the 30 km mark - that is when it fell apart. My quads were seizing up and cramping and I was forced to walk a lot and stop to stretch them out. This is totally reflective in the fact that my longest 'long run' was 30 km and I only did that once. So - it goes to show you that you can't cheat in your training or it will show on race day. But...sometimes life just gets in the way and it is impossible to get the proper training in. All in all I am very happy with the race all things considered.
However - I am even more determined to run a 4:15 marathon...with the proper training of course! And have been trying to see how I could fit in another full marathon this year. This is what I have come up with:
Acura 10 miler - July 11
Scotiabank Half Marathon - September 26
Philadelphia Marathon - November 21
I am working on setting up a training schedule for the Half that carries on to train for the full in November. If I can stick to the scheudle and get the training runs in, and of course stay injury free, I feel like a 4:15 is totally within my grasp.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
37 Days...where did the time go???
Well I am supposed to be running 42.2 km in 37 days and my training has been non-existent. Sure I have "run" but I have not been "training". I have not done a long run in ages and am feeling awful about it.
March is always a hard month - we have 3 birthdays, march break (which means a week of entertaining the kids) and then Easter (read: ate too many chocolate eggs!!!). I have baked cakes and cupcakes, ate pizza and just pretty much struggled to get out just to get in a few km's at a time.
So...now what to do. I am not giving up...I am way too stubborn for that! But running a full marathon in 37 days will not be pretty...and I will have to lower my time expectations. I think at this point I am just going to focus on getting out for some key runs to get my mileage up and just plan to cross the finish line up right and smiling.
March is always a hard month - we have 3 birthdays, march break (which means a week of entertaining the kids) and then Easter (read: ate too many chocolate eggs!!!). I have baked cakes and cupcakes, ate pizza and just pretty much struggled to get out just to get in a few km's at a time.
So...now what to do. I am not giving up...I am way too stubborn for that! But running a full marathon in 37 days will not be pretty...and I will have to lower my time expectations. I think at this point I am just going to focus on getting out for some key runs to get my mileage up and just plan to cross the finish line up right and smiling.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Scotiabank stays - Toronto Goodlife will be a Spring race!
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/768307--toronto-marathons-make-peace-goodlife-moves-to-spring
Was there really any question about this??? I don't think so - but it is nice to see that an 'agreement' was made between all the parties. Starting 2011 Scotiabank will be the only fall marathon in Toronto and the Toronto Goodlife Marathon will switch to a date in May. I hope this will not cause problems for the Mississauga Marathon which also runs in May - but I doubt it as Mississauga has a pretty good following.
"the City of Toronto will put its marketing muscle behind the half-marathon of GoodLife, which is billed as a fun event, and the full marathon of the Scotiabank, a competitive race that draws international running stars and raises an equal amount for charity."
"Brookes said he is delighted and grateful and expects the move to make each marathon bigger, more successful and a stronger magnet for runners and tourists....Alone in September, the waterfront marathon now has an ambitious five-year plan to increase its competitors to 10,000, from fewer than 3,700 last year, and move to the top tier of marathons with Chicago, New York and Boston."
I am really looking forward to a truly spectacular Toronto Waterfront Marathon that will be considered on par with the top 5 international marathons.....I guess I better stick with this running thing :-)
Was there really any question about this??? I don't think so - but it is nice to see that an 'agreement' was made between all the parties. Starting 2011 Scotiabank will be the only fall marathon in Toronto and the Toronto Goodlife Marathon will switch to a date in May. I hope this will not cause problems for the Mississauga Marathon which also runs in May - but I doubt it as Mississauga has a pretty good following.
"the City of Toronto will put its marketing muscle behind the half-marathon of GoodLife, which is billed as a fun event, and the full marathon of the Scotiabank, a competitive race that draws international running stars and raises an equal amount for charity."
"Brookes said he is delighted and grateful and expects the move to make each marathon bigger, more successful and a stronger magnet for runners and tourists....Alone in September, the waterfront marathon now has an ambitious five-year plan to increase its competitors to 10,000, from fewer than 3,700 last year, and move to the top tier of marathons with Chicago, New York and Boston."
I am really looking forward to a truly spectacular Toronto Waterfront Marathon that will be considered on par with the top 5 international marathons.....I guess I better stick with this running thing :-)
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Scotiabank vs Toronto Marathon....
So - it appears that the City of Toronto is finally realizing that 2 marathons held in Toronto a mere 3 weeks apart is a silly idea! They are giving the race organizers 2 more weeks to hammer it out. The most reasonable option IMO would be to move the smaller marathon (Toronto Good Life) to the spring, however they will not go quietly!
Personally, I love Scotiabank - the large crowds, the draw of the elite race, the fast / flat race course that runs along the waterfront...I think it has the potential to became a world class Marathon. Of course Torontonians will have to become a little more 'runner friendly' and embrace the few hours of road closures on a Sunday morning. I think that is a small price to pay for bringing in so many tourists dollars for the city AND the 2.3 Million raised for local charities....common...this is a no brainer!
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2010/02/02/toronto-marathons-council563.html
Council is giving the organizers of two Toronto marathons a couple of weeks to come up with a scenario in which both races can continue to be held in future years. That offer comes despite a report released by city staff late January found that the marathons were held too close to each other and recommended that one of them be eliminated next year.
The city's public works and infrastructure committee heard from supporters of each marathon on Tuesday. After their presentations, Coun. Gord Perks said their organizers will have to agree on a revised schedule in which the races are spread further apart. Failure to do so could mean the city will put out a call for proposals from other bidders to run just one marathon — possibly pushing both current races out of the picture altogether.
Personally, I love Scotiabank - the large crowds, the draw of the elite race, the fast / flat race course that runs along the waterfront...I think it has the potential to became a world class Marathon. Of course Torontonians will have to become a little more 'runner friendly' and embrace the few hours of road closures on a Sunday morning. I think that is a small price to pay for bringing in so many tourists dollars for the city AND the 2.3 Million raised for local charities....common...this is a no brainer!
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2010/02/02/toronto-marathons-council563.html
Council is giving the organizers of two Toronto marathons a couple of weeks to come up with a scenario in which both races can continue to be held in future years. That offer comes despite a report released by city staff late January found that the marathons were held too close to each other and recommended that one of them be eliminated next year.
The city's public works and infrastructure committee heard from supporters of each marathon on Tuesday. After their presentations, Coun. Gord Perks said their organizers will have to agree on a revised schedule in which the races are spread further apart. Failure to do so could mean the city will put out a call for proposals from other bidders to run just one marathon — possibly pushing both current races out of the picture altogether.
Monday, February 1, 2010
158.81 KM for January...
I am pretty happy with my training so far in January. I logged 15 runs with a total mileage of 158.81 KMs. Considering I was pretty much starting all over again after being off from running over the Christmas holidays. I also had a bad fall on the ice while out for a run on Tuesday Jan.26 and had to take 4 days off due to injury. My bumps and bruises are healing up so I expect to carry on fine into February.
My longest "LSD" run was 19.4 km - so I will have to start bumping that up. I am also reconsidering the total mileage as my training plan has a mid-week run of 13 km on wednesday. I was finding myself getting very tired. So...we'll see. Either I will adapt to it by getting my butt into bed nice and early or I may reduce the mid-week run to a 6.5 km run. OR possibly alternate short and long mid-week runs. This is still a learning process for me.
My longest "LSD" run was 19.4 km - so I will have to start bumping that up. I am also reconsidering the total mileage as my training plan has a mid-week run of 13 km on wednesday. I was finding myself getting very tired. So...we'll see. Either I will adapt to it by getting my butt into bed nice and early or I may reduce the mid-week run to a 6.5 km run. OR possibly alternate short and long mid-week runs. This is still a learning process for me.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Marathon Training Schedule - Metric Version
So - here I am, officially back into the Spring Marathon Training. It is hard to believe that the Mississauga Marathon which is held on Mother's Day, is only 18 weeks away. Here is the marathon training plan that I will be attempting to follow. The goal is to run a 4 hr & 15 min 42.2 KM. That means taking 17 min and 11 seconds off my best time.
Week# Sun. Mon. Tue. Wed. Thu. Fri. Sat. Total
1 Jan.17 16 Rest 9.5 13 9.5 Rest 6.5 54.5
2 Jan.24 19 Rest 9.5 13 9.5 Rest 6.5 57.5
3 Jan.31 9.5 Rest 6.5 Rest 6.5 Rest 6.5 29
4 Feb.7 22.5 Rest 9.5 13 9.5 Rest 6.5 61
5 Feb.14 26 Rest 9.5 13 9.5 Rest 8 66
6 Feb.21 29 Rest 9.5 13 9.5 Rest 8 69
7 Feb.28 9.5 Rest 8 Rest 8 Rest 6.5 32
8 Mar-07 32 Rest 8 11 9.5 Rest 6.5 67
9 Mar-14 22.5 Rest 9.5 13 9.5 Rest 8 62.5
10 Mar-21 11 Rest 8 Rest 9.5 Rest 6.5 35
11 Mar-28 34 Rest 8 11 9.5 Rest 6.5 69
12 Apr-04 22.5 Rest 9.5 13 9.5 Rest 6.5 61
13 Apr-11 13 Rest 9.5 Rest 9.5 Rest 6.5 38.5
14 Apr-18 36-37 Rest 8 11 9.5 Rest 8 72 - 73
15 Apr-25 19 Rest 9.5 13 9.5 Rest 6.5 57.5
16 May-02 22.5 Rest 11 Rest 8 Rest 6.5 48
17 May-09 16 Rest 10 Rest 7 Rest 3 36
18 May-16 42.2 Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest 42.2
Week# Sun. Mon. Tue. Wed. Thu. Fri. Sat. Total
1 Jan.17 16 Rest 9.5 13 9.5 Rest 6.5 54.5
2 Jan.24 19 Rest 9.5 13 9.5 Rest 6.5 57.5
3 Jan.31 9.5 Rest 6.5 Rest 6.5 Rest 6.5 29
4 Feb.7 22.5 Rest 9.5 13 9.5 Rest 6.5 61
5 Feb.14 26 Rest 9.5 13 9.5 Rest 8 66
6 Feb.21 29 Rest 9.5 13 9.5 Rest 8 69
7 Feb.28 9.5 Rest 8 Rest 8 Rest 6.5 32
8 Mar-07 32 Rest 8 11 9.5 Rest 6.5 67
9 Mar-14 22.5 Rest 9.5 13 9.5 Rest 8 62.5
10 Mar-21 11 Rest 8 Rest 9.5 Rest 6.5 35
11 Mar-28 34 Rest 8 11 9.5 Rest 6.5 69
12 Apr-04 22.5 Rest 9.5 13 9.5 Rest 6.5 61
13 Apr-11 13 Rest 9.5 Rest 9.5 Rest 6.5 38.5
14 Apr-18 36-37 Rest 8 11 9.5 Rest 8 72 - 73
15 Apr-25 19 Rest 9.5 13 9.5 Rest 6.5 57.5
16 May-02 22.5 Rest 11 Rest 8 Rest 6.5 48
17 May-09 16 Rest 10 Rest 7 Rest 3 36
18 May-16 42.2 Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest 42.2
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