Im a Marathoner!!!

Well its official, I am now a Marathoner.

After 4 months of tough training and a sprained foot along the way I finally made it!

The day started off at 4:15 am yup super early! I had everything laid out the night before even my oatmeal and chia seeds in a bowl ready for hot water. I got ready ate my oatmeal, foam rolled a bit. Heather and her husband picked me up at 5 am and we headed for New Glasgow, about a hour and a 1/2 drive away. I was excited but stressing a bit in the car, my stomach had serious knots in it. I think I said "omg" 100 times. It was pouring rain our whole way there and I was praying it would stop.

We got to New Glasgow just before 7 am to pick up our race kits. Got out kits did a quick bathroom stop and sat in the car out of the rain until we were ready to head to the start line for a 8 am start.

Got our Swings on and we are ready to go!

 

Standing at the start line I was shaking and started to feel very emotional. I knew the next time I come back across this mat I was coming back a different person. A Marathoner & a bad ass strong women.

 

Off I go! I had pre planned to run the first 1/2 a bit slower and to pace myself, everyone I had asked said that they went out to fast their first time. So I planned to hit 21k at 2:00 hr.
I hit 21k at 2:06. Ten minutes slower then I ran the Bluenose 1/2 Marathon in May.
The full started out at 8 am with the 5k 10k and half marathon with a 9 am start. The course was 4 laps so the first 10k was just the full. The 2nd lap around a ton of people came out of no where and were running the opposite direction from us. They did not share the road very well Grr... I was still feeling strong but felt blisters forming.
3rd lap I was hitting all my long training run times. At 31km I spotted my Mom and Dad. I waved and yelled to them that I was at 31km and starting to "feel it" haha my mom yelled " Oh, Sam be safe, how's your hip/bum?" haha  I laughed and kept pushing through. My blisters felt like they were getting bad and at 33km I felt a pop and gush between my big toe and 2nd toe. I worried I possibly had a blood blister but I told myself to stop thinking of your feet and think about the finish line, the more u think about them the more they will hurt. As I was running up a hill for the 3rd time a older man with a long white bread came up behind me and said " don't let grandpa pass you up the hill" haha gave me a giggle.. he didn't pass me ;)
The last lap was a bit lonely  the 5k, 10k and most of the 1/2 marathoners were finished and I was pretty much alone. I still felt good cardio wise my legs were starting to get tired but I was so close. I saw the turn around point and the 40km marker. I started to pick up the pace I was so close I could taste it. I played with my iPod button a bit and skipped through to a good song to cross the finish line to haha I cant even remember now what song it was.
I crossed with my arms waving in the air at 4hr 20min.
My mom, dad, mother and father in law, Heather and Steve (who also ran his first full marathon in a amazing time) were all there at the finish cheering me in. I felt like I was on top of the world.

Here I come :)

 

My mom and Dad

In- Laws

 

Heather and I

Steve, Heather and Myself

 

My first thoughts were I cant wait to start training and do it again :)

 

Oh and incase you were wondering about me feet

ah yeah so that's what happens when u run 42.2km in the rain

 

 

Some shots that Heathers friend had taken of me during the run

 

I plan on taking the week off to recover. I can hardly walk down the stairs and it hurts to sit to pee. I'm going to run short 5-10k run for the next month and then start training for a fall marathon :)

 

Katie came over later on in the evening for a tea and to hear all about how it went. she brought me the sweetest card and look at my new Erica Sara designs charm eekk even has the date on the back!

 

Thanks for stopping by and reading about my first of many marathons ;)

 

 

 

Week recap and Tutu Run!

Hey Everyone :)
 So here is what this weeks training looked like.

Monday- 8 min abs
Tuesday - 6k run and plank
Wednesday - 8 min abs
Thursday -5k run
Friday - 11k
Saturday- Rest day
Sunday - 16k

My piriformis has been bothering me a bit the past few days, I slacked a bit on my physio exercises last week because it was feeling so good. Now I am paying for it. I iced and heated all Saturday evening before Sunday's long run.  That definitely helped I didn't feel it at all my whole run Sunday , I felt great even picked up the pace a bit without trying too :)

Sundays Long run. I ran the first 11k alone and then meet the TTP (Timberlea Tundra Pounders) for the last 5k. We ran a 5k tutu trail run in the support of the women that were mocked by Self Magazine . The trail is finally snow and ice free. I cant wait to start logging more miles on the trail finally.

 

Shame on you SELF MAGAZINE!

 

Saturday was a much needed rest day :) The day started out bright and early with a trip downtown for breakfast with the hubby. I had Eggs benny it was so good. I also stopped into the running room at stalked up on my favorite salted caramel GU and honey stingers

 

Sunday was also my Puppy Jacksons 1st Birthday ( aww he's not a puppy anymore)

                                                            Jackson first day with us

 

My Boyfriends brother and his girlfriend have Jacksons sister Zoe. So Sunday afternoon we had a little puppy party :) We drove out to my boyfriends parents house for pasta dinner, wine :) and too many desserts. The in laws are heading to Mexico this week (so jealous) take me with you...

I'd say they are pretty spoiled

 

Also today I found out that back in February at the Frostbite 5 miler I placed 2nd in my age group! YAHOO! I had no idea.  

 

Hope everything also had a great weekend!

 

Training plan for the next 10 weeks!

So because I had run the Hypothermic 1/2 marathon and the 25 k moose run both in March I started my marathon training early and kept adding km on from 25k to 28k I ran Sunday :) this had me weeks ahead of myself in training for my June 15 marathon. I want to be sure I am ready but I don't want to over train. So today I sat down and wrote down a new schedule for the next 10 weeks as close to Hal Higdons  novice 1 training plan as I could get. I also have the Bluenose 1/2 Marathon May 18 that needs to be worked into the plan and The Sole Sisters 5k June 7.

Here's what I came up with starting this week :

Week 1-10



1) 6k, 11k, 5k, 16k


2) 5k,11k, 6k, 25k

3) 6k ,13k ,8k, 24k

4) 6k, 13k ,8k, 19k

5) 6k, 14k, 8k, 28k

6) 8k, 14k, 8k, 21.1k Bluenose half marathon

7) 8k, 16k, 8k, *32k*

8) 8k, 13k, 6k, 19k Taper

9) 6k, 10k, (Sole Sisters5k),13k

10) 5k, 6k, 3k, 42,2k Johnny Miles Marathon! :)

69 Days!

I love seeing a plan in black and white ( or in this case Rainbow ) and crossing off each run as I complete it :) I have never

followed any kind od training plan in the past and I am really enjoying it.

Today I ran 6k. I think it had to be the slowest 6k I have ever run. My legs just felt so heavy as I ran. Still recovering from Sundays 28km.

When I was finished I stretched and had a Epsom salt bath.

I also foam rolled, and did 8 min abs :) 

 

Have you ever had to switch up your training ?

 

Do you  tend to run slower while marathon training ?

 

Longest run yet!

Yesterday I ran my longest long run yet! 28k!

Last Sunday I missed my long run of 19k because of freezing rain so I had decided  to re do it this weekend. I am weeks ahead of myself in training for my full that really redoing a week was no biggie. Sunday night I went to bed thinking I really want to push my self and run a new distance. I left the house prepared for 28k, water, nuun, GU, pro compressions on. I told my boyfriend I would be back in 2 hours or 3 depending how I felt.
The first 5k always feel crappy, I keep telling my self it gets better just keep running. By 10k I had convinced myself I was committed to 28k. It was around that time I also ran By Heather. She was out on her last 32k run before Boston! she warned me of  bad headwind on the way back. ugh she was so right!
I ran out on the main Road until the sidewalks end, its about 10k from my house, then back towards home, then back out and back home ha-ha, I ran past a family outside spring cleaning each time, after 2 hours I think they thought I was nuts.
 I felt really good up to around 23k, the last few km were a battle body vs. mind for sure.
I was so proud of myself when I finally hit 28k! My legs felt like jelly walking home and it almost felt uncomfortable to walk after running for so long.

post run :)

 

When I got home I stretched right away, had a Epsom salt bath, foam rolled, made a protein smoothie and ate everything in sight ha-ha

Kyle got me cupcakes after my run

 

I also finally registered for my marathon, I had chosen the marathon I wanted to do months ago but was putting off actually registering for it. After running 28k I now had to confidence to do it.

June 15    26.2!

 

 

I also treated myself to new pro compressions :)

I'm so excited for these baby's to come in the mail :)

So ready for spring

Oh man this weather is getting so annoying! I am so done with winter running. I am dreaming of shorts t shirts and tanks.

After a few days of snow and freezing rain I finally got out for a semi long run today. I needed it so badly. Its amazing what a good run can do for your mental health. I don't mind running in the snow ( if your going to be a winter runner here in NS you have to get used to snow running) but I cant do freezing rain. It was down right dangerous the past few days.

The first 5k I felt like I was dragging my legs were heavy. The first few km are always the worst. Once I hit 7-8km I felt so much better. I ran 7k in the side street (which were very messy and slush covered) and then the last few km on the main road for a total of 15km. I only saw 2 other runners running together my whole run. My I pod died the last 5k ughh running without music is horrible I can hear myself breathing and my feet hitting the ground. its the worst.

I sported my valley harvest marathon jacket/buff and maritime race weekend hat today :) Bring on sunny weather and race season!

Jackson says HAPPY HUMP DAY!

Weekly recap & Pace Bunny

Hey everyone,
This week has been so long and busy.

I worked Monday, Wed and Thursday this week 12 hour days so running was out but I did manage to make sure I did my 8 min abs and planks after work each day :)

Tuesday run was a easy 6k. my garmin died at 5 1/2 km :( My legs have been feeling heavy lately I describe it as they are permanently tired. So Thanks to Courtney I had my very first leg massage :) it was amazing my legs feel so much better! I booked in for another one planed for after my long run of 28k on my schedule. I will also try to get one after my 32km and again after the marathon :)

Wednesday I worked 7-7 and I was dreading even going in to work. Nova Scotia was going to be hit with the storm of the year! the whole city shut down even Tim Hortons closed ( which we all know never happens)  Hello mother nature its SPRING! I knew there was a good possibility I may not make it home from work if night staff couldn't make it in. Thankfully I made it home. But 11 of my co workers had to stay the night and work the next day. 36 hours at work. They are amazing.

 

Thursday I worked again I was scheduled for 7-3 and I was really looking forward to the shorter day and being able to run after work.  But when I got to work and saw my fellow co worker trying to keep her head up tired from sleeping in the staff room all night because she was stuck at work because of the storm. I told her to go home at 3 and I would stay till 7 for her.

Fridays run called for 13km. I was looking forward to this run so much because I had worked long days Wednesday and Thursday and I needed this run. I woke up made my coffee and was really looking forward to a relaxing day off. I curled up on the couch with my coffee and watched my shows I had missed through the week. as soon as I was done I planed on heading out the door for my run. My boyfriend called in a panic. He forgot the papers he needed to buy our hockey tickets for playoffs that went on sale at 11 am. I had to hurry and get dressed and make the dreaded trip downtown. 3 bus rides to get there! This is not how I wanted to spend my day off. But since I was downtown I stopped into the running room to get GU for my next few long runs.

Salted caramel is my fav!

 

I also picked up a fuel belt. I had been using a hand held one and with these long runs it was getting in the way.

When I finally got home I headed out for my 13km run, I decided to try out my fuel belt during this run to see how I it felt before taking it on a long run. I normally don't take water unless its a super hot summer day or I am running 20 ish km. I felt really good I hardly noticed it. I am going to love it come summer months.

When kyle got home he brought me cupcakes to say thanks for making the long trip downtown :) They we carrot with cream cheese icing YUM!

 

 

 Saturday called for 8k. I headed out as soon as I got up to get it done, because we had lots or errands to run.  It was a super mild day and I only wore a long sleeve and t shirt over top and I still felt over dressed.

When I was out Saturday running errand I picked up some Beet Juice. Heather was telling me a while ago about all it benefits and I have been meaning to try it out.

 

Sunday we woke up to a freezing rain storm :( ugh I should have been smarter and done my Sunday long run on Saturday. I really have been kicking myself all day. It was so slippery out this morning I couldn't even get down my door step to take my dog out. I am really ahead in my marathon training schedule because of two recent races I had done. So missing this long run and doing it next weekend really isn't a huge deal. But I felt guilty all day about it. It felt really weird not running and not working actually like something was missing.

 

 

So I have been planning to run the Bluenose half marathon in May as one of my training runs. I planed on running this at a easy pace and just have fun. This is not my half I am going to train  for a PB this is just a training run before my full a month later. I got to thinking about volunteering as a pace bunny. Why not run this and help other runners reach their goals that they worked so hard for. So I emailed the running room and sent in my previous Half times. I got a email the following day :) I am going to be the 2 hr pace bunny. I am super excited to do this. I think it will be a great experience.

 

I hope you all had a great weekend!

 

Do you get down on yourself when u miss a run ?

 

Tried beet juice ?

have u ever been a pace bunny ?

 

Week Recap :)

Sorry I have been MIA all week... :(

This is what's been going on the past week.

Monday-  I worked a 12hr day so this was a write off. But was a much needed rest day after Sundays 25km Moose Run. My legs felt really good Monday no muscle soreness just a bit tired. I started doing a 8 min abs  workout on you tube. I did that when I got home from work so I guess it wasn't a complete write off :) such a good burn!

Tuesday - Today my training program called for a 6km run. So that's exactly what I ran :)

After my run I stretched (in the past I had been really bad with not stretching after a run, but with my piriformis acting up I am not taking any chances, plus I should have been doing it all along)

I headed to physio to see how my bum had held up during and after the Moose run. I told her it was a bit stiff the Sunday evening post run but was perfectly fine after. I have to continue doing my exercises but I no longer need to go back :) I can still feel it after a longer run but it recovers quickly.

After Physio I headed into town to pic up cupcakes at a local bakery for my boyfriends birthday!

They were delicious! He requested Chocolate chip pancakes for dinner too. After dinner a delivery came.

A present for Dad LOL! (it was a fossil watch) I forgot to take a picture.

 

 

Wednesday & Thursday- I worked 12 hr shifts both of these days so all I did was the 8 min abs both days. Better then nothing!

 

Friday- My training program called for 13km. My Legs felt heavy and tired today, felt like I was dragging. But I got it done!

When I came home I made sure to stretch and foam roll. I was hoping the rolling would help my legs for sundays long run.

Friday evening we headed to game 1 of  the playoffs for our local Hockey Team  the 2013 memorial cup champs the Halifax Mooseheads.  Kyle and I go to pretty well every game. GO MOOSE GO! They won of course ;)

 

Saturday-  Today called for a easy 6k. The weather was perfect, you could feel spring in the air.

 

My legs felt much better today! I hurried home to get ready because the fam jam was coming over for a lasagna dinner for Kyle's birthday. Both his Nans came and his grandfather, mom, dad and sister.

Lunch was so yummy, I made two lasagnas, creaser salad and Texas toast garlic bread. His mom brought broccoli salad and a carrot cake.  

 

Happy Birthday!

 

here are a few pictures from the day :)

It was a great day spent with family :) when everyone left we got ready to head out to Game 2 of the playoffs

-we won 7-1 :)

 

Sunday Runday- Today called for 24km my longest distance I have ever run alone. I ate toast with Peanut butter and banana and a cup of red rose tea. watch cornation street and procrastinated getting out there this morning. Finally at 10:30 am I headed out. I really tired to pace myself this whole run, I tried to stay in the 6 min km mark for most of my run because I didn't want to run out of gas near the end. In the first half of the run this was actually hard to do.

In the first 2 km I ran past Heather. She was running 32 big ones today! way to go!

I ran a few sides streets then headed out to the main road, I ran about 11 km out and then turned around and headed back. I had a GU gel at 10k. On the way back at about 16km I turned up into the subdivion before mine and ran almost all the sides streets in there before heading out back on the main road. I was at 20k when I turned onto the main road. I turned up into my subdivion and ran the last 3km.

 

 

Overall I was happy with my run and super proud when I was done. I was thinking during my run, training on these long runs alone is actually great mental training as well and sometimes that's the hardest part of a run.

I had to push hard the last 5k but I knew I could do it.

When I got home a stretch ran a hot Epsom salt bath, made a protein smoothie, put my jammies and pro compressions on. I spent the rest of the after noon eating leftover carrot cake napping and drinking tea :)

 

week 11/18 marathon training in the bag:)

 

 

I hope you all had a great weekend. Thanks for stopping by and sorry I hadn't posted all week.