The Right Stuff? (Half Marathon Training: Week 1)

Well, week 1 of Half Marathon training is in the books and I wish I could say it was a roaring success.   I suppose if you consider that I did complete all of the required runs and got my "miles" in (23.6 km to be exact), then the week wasn't a total disaster, but I seem to have lost my running "mojo" and I have no idea where it went or how to begin getting it back. 

The half marathon plan I have chosen to follow is 16 weeks long and doesn't leave a whole lot of room for slacking - as of Day 1 of this training program, my goal race (Toronto Island Girl Half Marathon) was exactly 16 weeks away!  AHHHHHH!

Day 1:   Scheduled Run:   4-6km "Casual Run" .   Actual Run: 4.01km, 7:08 mins/km.    This run was supposed to be slow and casual, and that's pretty much exactly what it was.   I hadn't eaten dinner yet when I went out, so I didn't push the distance too much.  At the time I thought the run felt difficult, but looking back on it, it was the best run of the week.

Day 2:  Interval training:  An important component of any training plan, interval training helps runners add speed to their distance.  I didn't know a lot about interval training other than you are supposed to run in shorts "bursts" at close to your maximum speed, and then slow down to slower than your usual race pace for a longer interval, and then repeat for 15-20 mins.   I decided I was going to alternate 30 second bursts of "speed" with 60 seconds of running at a more normal pace.  After the first set, I arrived at the conclusion that interval training is the enemy.  I managed to finish 17 minutes of intervals (2.44 km avg. pace 6:58 mins/km) and it was all I could do to make it home without
puking.   Must come up with something different for next week.....

Day 3:   Rest day.   One thing is for sure, I am a total ROCK STAR with rest days.   I bet no one does it better than me. 

Day 4:   Scheduled Run:   6km "Tempo Run".  Actual Run:  6.10km, 7:42 mins/km.    What happened to my pace????  ARGH!!!!  It was so cold and miserable outside, I decided to hit the Milton Indoor Track to get my run in.   I deliberately took it easy on this run just to make sure I could cover the distance, but I left this run feeling so incredibly discouraged.  Just a month ago I had managed a 6:48 min/km pace at the Goodlife 5K and I felt awesome, now here I was struggling through a SLOW 6k - almost 1 min/km slower!   Sigh.  

Day 5:  Scheduled Run:   5-7km "Casual Run".   Actual Run:  5km, 7:26 mins/km.  Overall, this run felt better than Thursday, but I'm still not in "the zone".   Another run at the Milton Indoor Track. 

Day 6:   Scheduled Run:  6-8km "Long Run"   I decided to bump my long run to Sunday.....so today was another REST DAY!   

Day 7:   Scheduled Run:  6-8km "Long Run".  Actual Run:   6.06km, 7:37 mins/km.   This was, by far, the worst run of the week.   I had high hopes for this run - so high, in fact, that I had planned to run the suggested maximum 8k distance when I left the house.  I had eaten well all day and was very well hydrated - I was going to ROCK IT!   Shortly into the run, however, it became obvious there was going to be no "Rocking it" on this day.    As nice as it was to be running outside again, I left right when the sun was at its highest and the heat wreaked havoc on my energy levels.  I ran out of water after about 4k and I just couldn't turn off the negative inner monologue that had started in my head.  I had left my iPod at home (BAD IDEA!) so there was nothing to drown out the constant nagging of my inner voice telling me  "You're never going to be a Half Marthon Runner!   You are too old, too out of shape and pathetic"!   Sigh.  I really hope that I have a few good runs in my future next week, because this negative inner voice is really starting to get the best of me - I'm starting to believe it!!!

Overall, even though my pace was uber crappy this week, that's not what really has me down.   I've never really let the stop watch dictate whether a run was successful - a mile is a mile, whether it took 10 minutes or 13 and trying to be "fast" was never the point when I started this running journey.   I think it comes down to the fact that I'm not really "feeling it" this week.  I'm really starting to doubt whether I have the "Right Stuff" to complete that half marathon in September.   I need an awesome run - STAT!   Now where did I put my cape?????

As hard as it can be, I need to change my mindset a little and look at the week from another perspective.  If anyone was to read my Training Diary and compare it to my Training Plan, the week looks like a success.    All runs crossed off the list - all required miles were completed.  I need to chalk it up to a little bump in the road, shake it off, and get my head back in the right place.  Did I really think I was going to get to 21.1 kms and not hit any road blocks?  Of course not! 

Here's hoping I get my groove back a little in Week 2!!!!

Happy Trails! 

J :)

The Inside Track (B210K Week 1)

I don't know about you, but lately I have been stuck in what can only be described as "the mid-winter BLAHS".   I think it happens to most of us every year, but this winter seems to be worse than those in recent memory.   Yes, I KNOW we live in Canada and that we DO have winter, but we have been spoiled rotten the past few years (last year in particular) and it seems like I've forgotten what winter really feels like. 

This time last year I was about a month into the C25K program and didn't seem to have any problems finding the motivation to get my runs in. This year, thanks to those "blahs", bursts of motivation seem to be few and far between.    Thankfully about a month ago I discovered the Milton Indoor Running Track - an elevated indoor track above a hockey arena, providing a fabulous alternative to running outdoors in the elements.  I have been going a couple of times a week to try to re-establish a good 5K base before I officially begin my 10K training plan.  The track has, without a doubt, saved my training.  

Monday March 4 - Bridge to 10K, Week 1, Day 1 -  I finally decided I was ready to begin the official 10K training plan.   It's super chilly again today, so off to the indoor track I go.  The plan for Day 1 is 10 minutes of walking/1 minute running x 4.    I was very happy to discover that my new Garmin Forerunner 10 running watch could be programmed to alert me when to run and when to walk, while I used the "lap feature" to keep track of my laps so I could calculate my distance at the end of the run.  (5.25 laps = 1 km).  Ironically, I haven't actually run OUTSIDE since I purchased my Garmin watch at the end of January, but I plan to review it here once I get a chance to use all the features.

I wasn't expecting this run to be as challenging as it was - I'm not sure if that was due to me taking last week off to fight a cold or if the re-introduction of the walk breaks threw me for a bit of a loop.  In any case, I dragged my ass for the last 10 minutes and in the final 3 minutes my left knee, from whom I hadn't heard in months, decided to act up a little.   Hoping for better on Wednesday.   Distance completed:  5.52 km, pace: 7:49 mins/km  (Walking intervals = slower pace)

Tuesday March 5 - Rest Day.   Semi-concerned about mysterious ankle pain which seems to have come out of nowhere.   Hoping that it turns out to be nothing and tomorrow's run can proceed as scheduled. 

Wednesday March 6 - Going to take it easy on the ankle for one more day.    *sadface*

Thursday March 7 - Decided to try a workout DVD in the basement to test out the ankle.   I did a 2 mile DVD which I used to struggle through years ago but today I barely broke a sweat.   Ankle held up ok during the workout but was sore afterwards. 

Friday March 8 - Threw caution to the wind and completed W1D2.  It was just too nice outside not to run.   The last 10 minute interval was a bit of a challenge but I JUST missed a 5K PR by 5 seconds even WITH the 1 minute walk intervals (ARGH!!!).   Overall this run was awesome despite ankle pain.   Distance completed:   5.78 km, pace: 7:26 mins/km (MUCH faster than MONDAY!)

Saturday March 9 - 3 mile cardio DVD in the basement.   Broke a sweat this time, but I definitely need some more challenging DVDs.   

Sunday March 10 - W1D3 - Well if I thought Friday was nice, today was positively SUMMERIFFIC!  The mild temps made for some super sloppy running trails so I had to do some major puddle dodging.  Once AGAIN the last 10 minute interval was a bit tough (why IS that?), but I think I am ready for Week 2!  I didn't notice my ankle at all DURING the run, but after the run the pain was back. I may have to explore this further.    Distance completed:   5.78km, pace 7:26 mins/km.  (Identical to Friday but I broke a PR for fastest mile!)

So, week one is now complete and I think I am starting to find my groove a little.   Week 2 is going to begin on Wednesday - I've planned HOT YOGA for Monday and scheduled a rest day for Tuesday.   I'm very happy to look back on my training plan for the week and know that I completed all of my scheduled workouts!

Here we go again!

J :)

PS   I am IN LOVE with my Garmin watch.  Review to follow next week......

My 28 year old self....

Our latest book club pick is called "What Alice Forgot" (Liane Moriarty).   The story begins with  Alice "coming to" after a fall off a bike in spin class.    Alice thinks she is a 29 year old blissfully happy newlywed awaiting the birth of her first child, when in reality she is a 39 year old nearly-divorced mother of 3.   Somehow she has misplaced the last 10 years of her life.  She can't remember her three children, her decision to quit her job and be a stay-at-home mom or her seemingly perfect marriage falling apart.   And what the heck is she doing in a spin class anyway?   Exercise is a 4-letter word!!!  At one point, Alice commented "How is it possible that SO MUCH has changed in just 10 years?".  It got me thinking....just how much HAS life changed in the last 10 years?   If I suddenly found myself in the same situation as poor Alice, what would I have missed?

This time 10 years ago I was 28 and adjusting to married life having just moved into our "supposed to be for only 3-5 years" new home (which we still live in today).  Makenna was nearly 4 and Erin was soon to become a rapidly dividing cluster of cells. I was 10 lbs lighter, my hair was long and red and my face showed none of the not-so-charming "character lines" (sure, let's call them that) which I notice in every single picture that is taken of me these days.   I had never sent a text message, posted on Facebook or watched a YouTube video.  Use my cell phone to "google" something?    What on earth are you talking about?

I drove a 2001 5-speed Chevy Cavalier.  The farthest I had ever run was from the car to the grocery store in a rainstorm.  I was shy, had very little self-confidence and was terrified of public speaking.  I wanted to have two more children.    My parents and brother lived 10 minutes away.   I did work in Real Estate and I was well on my way to my best year ever.   Once I discovered I was pregnant, I tried to work as hard as I could to ensure that I would be able to take a year off after "Baby Halter" arrived, since paid mat leave was not something I could take advantage of as a Self Employed person.     I sold more than 40 homes that year - a milestone I have never reached (nor wanted to reach) since.  For the past 10 years, my "career" has taken a backseat to my family - a decision I haven't once regretted.   

What has changed in the past 10 years?   Everything!  If you had told me 10 years ago that I would learn to run, perform in 4 dance shows at the Living Arts Centre, discover a passion for writing or find my calling as a "motivational speaker" of sorts,  I would have thought you were crazy.  Surely this can't be the same person that used to throw up on "School Speech Day" every year?   Fundamentally,  I am the same person now that I was 10 years ago.   So how can I be so very different?   

I really think, for the most part, life doesn't get going until 30.   Up until then you are dealt an ever changing hand of cards, and your future slowly takes shape as you decide which cards to hold and which cards to fold.  *Cue Kenny Rogers*  You are so busy trying to figure out what you're doing,  whether you're doing it right and what everyone else thinks of what you're doing, that you can't even decide whether or not you actually like doing it.  I know, for me, after 30 things started to come together.  I found my voice.  I found my self-confidence.  I cared less what everyone thought of me and more about what I wanted.   The person I was becoming bore little resemblance to the person I was trying so hard to be when I was in my 20s. 

I am only about 1/3 of the way through the book so I have no idea what becomes of Alice and her 29 year old self trapped in a 39 year old life that she doesn't remember choosing.   Those 10 years of life lessons that Alice lost?   I'm pretty thankful I learned them.  If I could somehow rewind the clock 10 years and say anything to my 28 year old self I think it would be :

Dear 28 Year Old Me:

- Even though you think you've got it figured out, you don't.
- Stop sweating the small stuff and just live.  
- You may not love your body, but take care of it and it will take you anywhere.
- Money means nothing.   Find your passion and live it. 
- You are stronger than you give yourself credit for.
- Ten years from now you will wish you had started today.
- You are important too.
- Giving your kids memories is more important than giving them "stuff"
- Sometimes, it's OK to say NO.  
- Oh, and start writing things down because all that stuff you think you will remember forever will be fuzzy at best in ten years.  Even if you take a million pictures of it. 

Love, the 38 Year Old You. 

PS  You Rock!  Tell yourself this often. 

J :)

You Are What You Eat

A new week, a new look for my blog!!!   While this week wasn't exactly a win in the exercise department
(-20s with windchill is not my ideal running weather), I did take some very positive steps forward in an effort to clean up my eating habits.   I was fortunate that my 6 week "Food Free-For-All" didn't have a significant impact on the number on the scale, but it really gave me a kick in the ass energy-wise.  

 

 

So, with the exception of a couple of drinks at Friday Night Wine Book Club, I did pretty well with my eating this week.   (The food journaling habit seems to be taking a while to kick in though).   I am also working really hard at kicking my "on-again, off-again" love affair with diet coke, which had returned to a passionate "on-again" relationship of late. 

 

Even though I didn't get out for my planned runs this week (I'm still blaming the weather...), I did manage to sneak in some workouts in my basement thanks to some old favourite workout DVDs video tapes.  (How retro!!)  I promised myself that, no matter the weather, I was going to get out for a run this weekend.   I am trying to re-establish a solid 5K base so that I can start working the "Bridge to 10K" program. 

 

I had trouble choosing an outfit that would solve the old "Not too hot, hot too cold" conundrum, (I had thought that -3 would feel like BIKINI weather after what we had to endure last week.  Not so), but eventually I settled on something.   Makenna decided to join me as well for her first run since the December 1st Santa Shuffle. (Yay!) We planned on a 4K+ route in our neighbourhood and headed out around 1pm with the sun blazing.  

 

It felt REALLY good to get back out there.  Everything seemed to come together and it was as if I hadn't taken 6 weeks off to Eat, Drink and be Merry.   After the first 2K I overheated and had to take off my jacket, but overall this run felt totally fantastic.   No cramps, no side stitches, no knee pain. I am also FINALLY closing in on a 7 mins/km pace.   I couldn't help but think that this may have had something a lot to do with how well I ate during the week and how well hydrated I was.   I have heard it, I have read it, I have even preached it to my Weight Watchers members, but I definitely experienced it today - you are what you eat.    Everything you put into your body is fuel and your engine runs so much better on premium fuel than the crappy, over-processed, low-grade fuel that we so often find in fast food restaurants and the frozen food aisle. 

 

I've noticed that a lot of my Facebook friends are embracing the "Paleo" style of eating.  In short, you eat only foods that would have been available during the "Paleolithic Era".  If a caveman ate it, you're good to go.  If not, steer clear.    Really, this style of eating makes a lot of sense to me - good, clean, wholesome eating. Nothing packaged, nothing processed.   I'm not quite sure if I could adopt this diet for the long haul (No Grains!  No Dairy!  No Chocolate!), but I'm contemplating adding in a week of Paleo-style eating maybe once every month or so just to see how it affects my training. 

 

Looking ahead to this week, I have 3 quick 4K runs scheduled during the week as well as my "long run" on Sunday.   (My long run is currently only 6K, but we all have to start somewhere).  Add in a yoga class and a couple of my vintage home workouts and I should start seeing my energy levels returning to their former glory sooner rather than later. 

 

Until we eat again,

 

J :)

No day like TODAY!

After taking pretty much the entire month of December off from any activity that didn't involve eating, drinking or spending money, immediately followed by a week long vacation in Mexico that involved more of the same, I decided that TODAY was the day to get back on the proverbial healthy living bandwagon.  And let me tell you, even though my brain was ready for this transition, my body had to be dragged kicking and screaming out for a "pre-training" run.   The weather forecast couldn't have been more co-operative so even though I am still battling some kind of head cold, I knew I had to lace up my shoes and get out there.

I had been doing so well with maintaining my healthy eating habits for the first 11 months of the year, but everything really fell apart in December.   It's amazing how one bad month can really throw you for a loop.  I've noticed that my energy levels for the past 6 weeks have been somewhat comparable to those of a hibernating bear, which I am certain has a great deal to do with my diet.   Today, I was determined to make better choices and recreate the habit of "food journaling". 

I've been giving a lot of thought to the goals that I have set for myself for the upcoming year and I have to say, I'm definitely nervous scared s*%$less.  I almost don't know where to start.  I do have a "training plan" of sorts, but looking at it after not running for over a month is rather intimidating.    I figured today I would just go out and do a quick 4K, see how it feels and go from there.  

So how did it feel, you ask?    It sucked.   A lot.   So much so that I only ended up doing 2 of the planned 4K.   My chest burned and my head was pounding which, in all fairness, is probably due more to the cold I am battling than the lack of exercise recently, but still.   It did feel good to get past my "fear" of lacing up my shoes though and I gave myself permission to quit after 2K.  I figure it's a start and every journey has to have one even if it's not pretty.  

Even though my ultimate goal for the year is the Island Girl Half Marathon in September, there is another rather large and daunting challenge I must face on the way - the Mississauga Marathon 10K race in May - which will be my focus for the first 4 months of the year.  Even though I have already completed an 8K race, I will be going back to basics to prepare for the 10K.   I do know that a good portion of the course is hilly, so I will need to add some hill work as well as some interval speed training, which will be new to me.   

I'm going to follow a plan that is similar to the one that I used to prepare for the 5K last year called "Bridge to 10K".   It is quite short, only 6 weeks, so I will use a program that I found on www.runforlife.ca to take me to race day once I've completed the 6 week "Bridge" plan.   (I will also be following their "Half Marathon" training plan after the 10k is complete).  I'm going to spend the afternoon scheduling the runs, cross training sessions and yoga classes into my calendar so I have a clear picture of where I'm going for at least the next 4 months. 

I'm hoping that as my body gets re-accustomed to exercise and proper eating everything will start to fall back into place and the fear and doubt that have found their way into my mind will be remembered only in this blog post.

J :)

13(.1) for 2013??

Wow, I can't believe I haven't written a post since the post race wrap up blog back in May.   Not sure why, really.   One of the best things about my running journey was that it forced me to blog often, ensuring that I had a record of my journey from couch potato to 5K runner.  I enjoyed sharing those posts with you, perhaps even more than I enjoyed the running itself and I'm not sure why I stopped writing.  Perhaps life just got in the way.

A lot has happened since then.   This morning I wrapped up my 2012 race season with the 5K Santa Shuffle in Mississauga.  A nice, informal "fun run" for charity, that also happened to be a friend's very first race.   I remembered so well what it felt like to be in her running shoes and it was nice to have a chance to be there to experience her first race with her. 

It got me thinking back to how far I've come and how much I've enjoyed this year.  One of the highlights was being able to experience 4 races with Makenna - I'm so glad we can do this together.  (Well, mostly together - generally after the gun goes off I don't see her again until the finish line....but I digress).  I was a little sad knowing that this was my last race for the year (for my 2012 race highlights, click HERE), but I also started thinking ahead to 2013!  What goals should I set?  What races should I run?  

So, after some thought, and without further ado, here are my 2013 Running Goals:

1. To complete 13 races in 2013 (and ideally NOT repeats of any races from 2012, unless racing a different distance). A few I have in mind are the famous "Around the Bay" (not the full 30k), "Harry's 8K Spring Run off", "A Mid-summer Night's Run 15k (you should SEE the medal for this one!) and perhaps even a road trip race.

2. To run 13.1 miles....in one race....I believe they have a name for that.....A HALF MARATHON! Yes, I'm going to go out on a limb and put this goal out there on the net for all to see - I will run a half marathon in 2013.

I had been hovering on the fence for quite some time about this, knowing that I really wanted to do it, but not quite sure if I could. I went back and re-read some of my blogs from when I was starting out back in February. Realizing that there was a time, not so long ago, when running for 60 seconds was a challenge and the thought of running a 5K race was nearly an impossible dream, somehow put it all into perspective. Damn right, I can do this!!!!! I can and I will!

I haven't quite decided yet which one I will do, but I am aiming for September/October. If you have a suggestion, by all means send it my way! The Island Girl Half Marathon in September is the front runner at the moment. I like the fact that it is totally flat and is a smaller event for women only.  I'll give it some thought over the next few weeks and come up with a race that will work!

In honour of goal setting for 2013, here are the top 13 things I learned during my rookie running season:

13.  Someone will always be faster (and slower!) than you.  Comparing yourself to other runners is foolish - the only runner you should try to beat is yourself.  (but don't become a slave to the stopwatch).

12. There will be days when the last thing in the world you want to do is run - just put on your shoes and go.  I guarantee you will not come home and regret it. 

11.  Being a medal wh*re bling junkie is perfectly acceptable.  Signing up for a race solely because of the awesome finisher's medal - also OK. 

10. Cute running clothes are a powerful motivator so go ahead and spend some money.  (Side note:  buying shoes is NOT the time to be frugal)

9. Smile as you cross the finish line - you won't want to buy a grumpy looking race photo. 

8.  Running is NOT a licence to eat whatever you want, whenever you want to.   Eventually your pants will get tighter.  

7.  HYDRATE - before, during and after. 

6.  Aches and pains are your body's way of telling you to slow down - LISTEN TO IT!

5.  Not every run/race will be awesome.   Some will suck.  A lot.   You still did better than everyone sitting on the couch. 

4.   Some runs/races WILL be SO awesome that you will think you are a super hero and will consider wearing a cape on all future runs.

3.  Those big bursts of motivaion?   They don't last.  Make sure you have a plan (and a goal race) to keep you motivated when the going gets tough. 

2.  Having a training blog (or training buddy) to be accountable to works like a charm!

and the #1 thing I learned in my rookie running season.......

1.  I CAN DO IT!

Happy Running! 

J :)

Running Commentary Part Deux (Post Race Wrap Up)

Well, as most of you know that have been following me on Facebook, my 3 months of hard work and training finally paid off.  On Saturday, May 5th at approximately 6:41 pm, I crossed the finish line of the Mississauga Marathon "Hazel" 5K!  I'd love to say that it was easy and that all my efforts thus far paved the way for an easy jaunt to the finish line, but in fact this run was one of the hardest I had completed so far.  Definitely tougher than the two "warm-up" 5K's  I had run in the week leading up to the race.   Here's a rundown of what went through my head from beginning to end:

Pre-Race:   A (very crowded) shuttle bus dropped my running buddy and I off at the start line, near Port Credit Arena.  Holy cow there are a lot of people here.  We were pretty early so we had nearly an hour to kill.  Now what do we do?   Learning from a previous training run that needed to be aborted for a bathroom break, lining up for the porta potties sounded like an excellent plan.  Can't say I don't learn from my mistakes.  The race "Emcee" announced that there were around 1300 registered participants in the race.  Dear God, please don't let me be last!  A quick pre-race stop at the "hydration table", and it was time to find a place in the mass of people, preferably not too close to the front.  Would really rather not get trampled.  Kid sings the national anthem (cute!) and we count down to the start.  Here we go!   The race horn sounds and we're off!  There are so many people that we kind of do a strange "saunter" to the starting mats (this is weird), but about a minute after the horn we reach the front of the pack and the race officially begins for us!

Kilometre 1:  It's kind of disconcerting for the first 100 metres or so, with all of the faster runners dodging around you in the crowd. Not sure I like this.  I lose my much faster running buddy around this point, so I try to settle down into what feels like a normal pace for me.  Slow. The first kilometre is still pretty crowded, so establishing any sort of a steady pace is pretty difficult (at least for a rookie), but eventually I think I find it.  Holy crap a lot of people are passing me.  The first kilometre passes in a blink (OMG, the 1K sign! ), and I begin to think the race is going to be a piece of cake.  I am super runner!  Hear me roar!

Kilometre 2:  Another lady that I know that started way behind me, zips past me in a blur.  You go girl!  But I notice that I am passing my share of people too. So what if most of them are walking?  I see a woman a the side of the road holding out a bowl of orange wedges,  (Mmmmm, I could go for an orange wedge right now), but I suspect that might be a little distracting so I keep going.  For some reason this kilometre seems much longer than the first.   Surely the finish line must be just around the corner? I start to reflect on how far I've come since I began this journey, and get a little misty eyed in the process.  You softie!  You call yourself a runner???!!!   It seems to be ages before I see the 2K sign and the aid/hydration station.  Yay, Water!

Kilometre 3:   I grab a paper cup from one of the volunteers, but because I don't want to slow down to drink it, I end up spilling it down the front of my shirt.  This really adds to my gracefulness!  I notice that most people just crumple their cup and toss it on the ground, but I can't bring myself to do it so I keep my eyes out for the trash can ahead.  "And the Green Citizen of the Year Award goes to......"   At about the 2.5k mark, I somehow manage to swallow a bug (protein!!), and I really wish I still had that cup of water with me.  Around this point, we encounter our first "mini-incline" in the form of a curved bridge.  Why does this feel so much harder than it did last week?  One runner in particular is driving me nuts by zooming past me on one side, and then stopping dead in front of me, only to zoom past me again once I pass her.  If we were driving, I would so give her the finger!  Finally, up ahead, I see the 3K sign. Hallelujah! 

Kilometre 4:    I can feel myself slowing down considerably at this point.  Is this race not over YET?  The race organizers cleverly tease us early on in this phase by showing you the finish line, but then diverting you in another direction to do a loop around a park trail.  Damn you, race organizers!  This was, by far, the longest leg of the race.   For a portion of the trail you are passing faster runners going in the opposite direction, and I keep my eyes peeled for my long lost running buddy.  You lucky buggers are almost done!   After what seems like forever....the 4K sign!  Wait, do I hear angels singing??

Final Kilometre:  I can see the finish line up ahead, but it seems like a really long way away.  You've got this, you're almost there.  I notice my inner voice has gotten considerably nicer in the final K. I think I prefer this side of you, inner voice!   As I run along a section of the waterfront trail (this is really pretty), I hear music and cheering up ahead. Almost party time!!   Around this point my headphone cords are driving me absolutely crazy, so I take them off and hang them around my neck.  Goodbye, P!nk!  And yes,  I am a Rock Star.   What's that I see up ahead???  Please tell me it's not a hill.   That's right.   A HILL!  Damn you race organizers!!   I wonder what happened to my nicer inner voice?  I'm sorry, you've got this.  Kick that hill's A$$!!    A cheery person at the bottom of the hill says the finish line is only 100m away.  Hill, you're going DOWN!!!   I make it up the hill, around a bend and see the finish line ahead. A strange voice announces my name, (Hey, how does he know it's me?  I MUST be rock star),  and I realize it's because I've crossed a pre-finish timing mat.  I look up at this point and see the kids and Marc cheering me on.  I must not cry.  I must not cry.     A few more steps and....YAHOOOOOOO!!!!

I DID IT!  I'm in a daze and slightly weepy.   A person comes up to me and gives me a hug.  I really hope this is Aynsley.   I realize it IS my long lost running buddy (whew!) who waited for me at the finish line before going around to meet her family even though she finished about 6 minutes before I did.   Awwww, that was nice.  More tears.   Man, we're going to have to toughen you up before the next race!  She shows me where to go to claim my medal (YESS!!) and I notice that it matches my shirt perfectly.  My inner fashionista is pleased.    Nicely done!    We make our way through the crowd and find our kids waiting with their "GO MOM" signs.   Geez, Im crying again.   I have to say, this feels pretty darn good!! Yay, Me!

 All in all, I'm pretty pleased with how my first race went down.  My official "Chip Time" was 41:51, which was about a minute slower than I had been running, but I'm still pretty proud of myself. My goal was to run the entire 5K without stopping and, while I may not have been the fastest, I did it.  And I wasn't last.   I wasn't going to write this final blog since, by now, everyone already knows that I completed the race, but I decided that my adventure needed a proper wrap-up.   This morning I received an email from the official race photographers with my race photos, and I thought that it would be nice to compile these blogs, along with my own photos and some of the professional ones, into a scrapbook of my journey.   I figure it will be a nice reminder of my strength on days when I'm not feeling so strong!

So, once again, thank you to all who supported me.  It has meant a great deal and I couldn't have gotten here without you! 

I promise not to bore you with my running saga any more! 

J :)