The Good Hurt

My body is a bundle of stiff, painful muscles this morning and I woke up craving something sweet and light: vanilla yogourt, granola and strawberries. It's a guilt-free reward.

Last night I ran 5K (yes, for those who are counting that is twice in a week....gasp) in my personal best time of 33 minutes and 59 seconds. The forced sprint at the end was intense, no doubt because I had someone 'screaming' in my ear...300 m...250m...200m...don't talk you'll waste energy (I'll let you imagine what I had just said to him)...50 more meters! And that's what a terrific run-leader makes you do. Once you can breathe again and the world stops spinning, you'll even thank them for hurting you.

This week marks 1 year since I went to my first running clinic. Over the winter my runs weren't even close to being as consistent as I'd hoped, but the fact that I keep lacing up and getting back in motion makes me proud. The fact that I feel stronger and faster with every run makes me happy.

I know I've said it before, but if you've even given running or walking a passing thought then this place is an amazing starting point. If I can do it than believe me, anyone can. And by the end of this summer I am determined to do it about 3 minutes and 59 seconds faster than last night!

New Week

This week is starting out with...

• A new banner. There are times when I find myself spending more time tweeking than posting. It's sort of like moving furniture around instead of cleaning. I think this latest look is going to be around for a while though (famous last words).
  
• A 5K run...complete (36 minutes and 40 seconds). If I managed to squeeze these runs in more regularly they would go a lot faster and hurt a lot less. Goals are important.
• Some knitting after a very long time and several attempts at patterns that just didn't stick. After a few dozen rows I think it's safe to say that I'm back on a roll.
  
• Lots of plans, lots of lists and lots of shopping. June is a big month around here (which will either help or hinder my slacking blog ways).
• From Interweave Knits - Spring 2009

Snow : Shoes

This weekend, a long overdue introduction was made.

"Shoes - Meet snow!"

And after a two-month lapse, a Sunday morning run was a great first step back into routine. The extra inch or so of snow that fell again last night wasn't expressly ordered but on the bright side, it did provide a bit of extra grip (or potential cushioning if my fear of hitting ice and eating the road became a reality).


Thanks to a bit of retail therapy, even the threat of -19c with the windchill didn't deter me. 'Snug as a bug in a rug' wouldn't best describe winter running, but 'briskly refreshing' isn't that far from the truth either.

In the end it was a great start to a sunny day, and left me refreshed, smiling, and thankfully vertical. It's official - I am an all-season runner.

rest

That was a Sunday well spent.

An early morning run. Crisp, cool, windy, but absolute perfection after five minutes of a quick pace and a few abandoned layers. Sunlight, leaves, the sound of bells, wind, waves and the gravel beneath my feet.



A rainy afternoon with work caught up, cleaning already done, and guilt free lounging indoors with a good book, a family movie that we haven't already see a hundred time, and some Halloween fun.

Relaxing with a few rows of knitting and adding some final bits and bobs to costumes.



A 15 minute nap.

Eating leftover birthday cake. Feeling the burn from my run (which justifies more cake) and the drowsy, heavy comfort of a day spent relaxing.

Global Trotting

OK, so this isn't exactly the 'serendipity' post I was planning, but it's actually right on topic.

My Sunday morning training run coincided with the Nike Human Race run. And really...who am I argue with the human race.

So quite unexpectedly (and sweaty, and panting and all-around pretty pooped) I now have another 5K event under my water belt. Woot woot!



I have to admit that this is only the second time I've run a full 5K route since this post. Instead, I've been running with a group that's been focusing on cardio building and hill training and duration vs. distance. Not exactly what I went into the clinics looking for, but hey, hills can be fun, right!?! (she says to try and convince herself as much as anyone else).

Needless to say, running a flat route with a bit of extra group based adrenalin and making it to the end of a favourite old route (old - as in 6 weeks ago - ancient history it seems) felt pretty darn good!

And if I had just had the will-power to resist a warm fresh baked cinnamon bun at the end, it probably would have counted even more. But hey, finish lines require a celebration right? (again, she tries to say with great conviction).

In Motion

10 weeks ago a moment of impulse hit (I seem to recall that several rainy days cooped up with the kids, a visit from a girl friend and a large Martini were involved).

I've never been a runner - walking is more my speed. Running always struck me as something that very fit people did. I could barely imagine having enough stamina (let alone motivation) to run a few minutes straight.

But despite a 35 year non-running self-concept, on that rainy afternoon I registered with The Running Room (and then spent several days wondering what on earth had possessed me and picturing myself lying in a sweating, panting heap somewhere along the waterfront trail).

My first Learn to Run clinic was...surprise...not quite as difficult as I'd imagined. And as the weeks went on I somehow managed to keep rising to the challenge of adding running minutes and relying on far fewer walking breaks. There were lots of good runs, and absolutely some very very bad runs along the way.

But somehow folks, surpassing all of my initial expectations (which were honestly...just to remain vertical and not hurt anything), I have become a runner.

Last night I celebrated 10 weeks of hard work and some great new friends as I ran in my first 5K event.

I'm not the fastest. I don't alway start the day wanting to run. But I always finish. And I always finish smiling.

Finishing Time: 35:57*
Overall Placing: 305/378
Class Placing: 20/30
Gender Placing: 162/224

*My pre-race goal was to finish in under 38 minutes.

If you've ever given running a passing thought and need more convincing, drop me a line or visit your local Running Room. You won't regret it.