Winter is in the Air

It is fair to say that with the chilled air, frost and scattered flurries, winter is definitely here. The days are getting shorter and colder making it more challenging to run. It has become a battle but the importance of training increases with the marathon just a little over four months away. On the cold nights, when the flannel pajamas are more snug then running shoes it is so easy to say no. I am thankful for my running group as they provide me with the motivation to get out the door (at least one night a week)...I can leave the other two runs for the weekend.

My legs are falling apart. The cold has attacked them and brought on dry skin where only so much moisturizer can help. I scratch a lot ..so much so that I've bruised and have drawn blood. It's not pretty but in a strange sort of way its worth it! Although the end of term has exhausted me to no end, I feel great! I will be challenging myself to a 10 mile run this weekend for my long run of training. Up to this point I've only ran 8miles...so I will be sure to keep you posted on the success of it!

I plan on purchasing some long running pants (trousers for you UK readers) to help aid the dry skin. I'm sure the exposure of my shin and calves with three-quarter ones aren't helping...My runs will be increasing to four a week from now 'til the marathon race...eek! My next challenge now is running over the Christmas holiday.

Habit

hab·it [hab-it] - noun
1. an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary
2. customary practice or usage
3. addiction

It has been a while since my last blog entry but as time gets closer to marathon day I feel I am constantly evaluating the way my body feels, what I'm eating and if I've have had enough sleep. I suppose that's natural for any athlete with a set goal. Those that have known me for a long time know that I enjoy my sweets however I feel I have knocked the problem and habit of stuffing my face almost every day to being able to enjoy a treat every now and again and not feel guilty. Running has helped burn the extra calories so I'm happy with that and feeling great because of it. Research has shown that added sugar to our diets is not healthy however I believe in moderation and with exercise it is.

I am now comfortably running three times a week which now seems to be a good habit. The goal for December is four times a week - Thursday becoming my fourth day. I am looking forward to the challenges that lay ahead of me. I have to think about increasing the distance of my long run from 8 to 10 miles which  will have to be enjoyable and comfortable by the end of the December. I am feeling great especially as running has now become my own time - away from the house, away from work, away from the kids. It has become a time when I clear my mind of the 'every day' and reflect on the goodness in my life. 

Who would have thought I would enjoy it this much? Some say running is boring and at times I definitely agree but what's better than fresh air, noises in nature, and peacefulness of the countryside all while exercising? It is time for my long Sunday run now, where should I go? hmm...

Scotland

I have previously read that running is a great exercise for those who travel regularly. After getting the body back to health, I am now enjoying a five day holiday with Mark in Scotland. I brought all of my running gear and funnily enough it hasn't been taken out of my duffle bag. I figure all the walking for long periods of time and battling the hills in Edinburgh was good training...right? I must say, it will be nice to get the running shoes on Saturday once I am home.

Victim

It's that time of the year when schools, public transport, supermarkets and even the gyms are full of sneezes, coughs, sniffles and tissues. I am now a victim...

We were warned this weekend in Brighton over the setbacks of the running routine during the winter months but I didn't think it would come this quickly. Unable to attend my running group this week, I am finding comfort under the duvet and with Jack, my fleece blanket...not to mention the delicious ice creams! It's hard to see the sun shining through the window and feel the beautiful fresh air through the window and not get out to enjoy it. However, I have to listen to the body and rest.

On the mend...

Training Day



Wow, what a weekend! I just spent a few days in Brighton for one of the most motivating days since registering for the marathon. Listening to experienced runners, elite athletes, physiotherapists, nutritionists and other experts in the running field my head is buzzing with excitement. Saucony completed a thorough gait analysis to ensure I was running with the correct support to prevent injury. I was happy to hear that my gait was really good and I was wearing the proper shoes. Since my current running shoes are at the end of their lifeline I bought a new pair anyway and in return received a forty pound goody bag, including a long sleeved running shirt, water bottle, energy bars and more! My new florescent top will make me noticeable from miles away especially during my group runs on Tuesday and Thursday evenings - it goes great with my new flashing light arm band as well.

The biggest news of the weekend is that I found myself an excellent charity to run for! Teenage Cancer Trust is currently building a new facility to help teenagers with their treatments while having support from people their own age. I will update you more on this charity once I have been officially added to their system.

Thank you to Mark and Shirley for getting me to Brighton and home again safely and ensuring my nerves didn't get the best of me. The feedback I received from Mom and Dad about my charity of choice was so positive. Thank you for being so supportive! I love how excited Lindsay and Perry are to do a Brighton Pub Crawl around the marathon route while I run the 26.2 miles -- just remember, you will have to carry me back to the hotel when I'm done!  

Running Club

Finally, a computer that works! A computer that will let me add a post to my blog...

First off, Happy Thanksgiving to all of my Canadian friends and family. On Sunday, while you were all cooking and filling your bellies with turkey, I ran my first 8.5 mile run (approximately 13.5km). The sun was out giving off a 22 degree day which made it challenging at times however I won't complain as its the middle of October. I have a new, very practical water bottle designed especially for runners which was very handy. Shortly after the run, I found myself drifting off to sleep on the couch but being Thanksgiving and living with an Australian I did the best I could to prepare a decently cooked meal and it turned out to great...I think. I have a lot to give thanks for.

Tonight was my first official night as a Ricky Running Sister. So yes, I have joined the local running club. The friendly, inviting atmosphere was fantastic. I ran with the more advanced group clocking in 6 miles (approximately 10km) in one hour four minutes. That included a five minute walk with a girl who injured a leg. Tuesdays are club nights, but I have been asked to join a small group of ladies that run on Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings. They are currently training for a half marathon, so they will help keep me on my toes and most importantly help motivate me for future, cold winter night runs.

Thanks to my two new followers Mel and Lucy! It is fun to have such great people follow in what seems to be a tough personal challenge. Your support is muchly appreciated. xo

I Blame it on Blisters!

I haven't written an entry for a while... perhaps it was due to my lack of motivation to be active or because my computer has a virus. Either way, the past week of training has not been a successful one. I think I was more productive last week in getting blisters - three of them from my work shoes - one on each pinkie toe and a bigger blister on the bottom of my big toe. I did manage to get to the gym twice for some weights and other cardio but it was very uncomfortable to walk let alone run. Needless to say the shoes have been thrown in the dumpster near my home which brings a smile from ear to ear and not just to me... Mark did enjoy the walk in my bare feet from the car to the bin - perhaps another Sid move?

 

A few good things have happened in organising my training over the weekend. I have registered and booked accommodation for a marathon clinic where I will be provided with nutrition and running information to get me through the race. This takes place in a couple of weeks and I am really looking forward to meeting people who are also preparing for the same difficult task. Thanks to my support team for providing the transportation and company on the trip. You are the best!

 

I have also looked into and inquired about joining the local running club which will begin next Tuesday. It will be good to have some people to meet and run with during the long, dark winter evenings and very cold mornings.

 

Excitement has occurred as I now have a registered third follower - Thanks Julie-Beth!

Autumn Morning

Waking up this morning I made the decision to go to the gym to do some interval training to improve my speed. As I opened the blind and saw the bright blue sky and the warm sun, I realised it was the perfect morning for a run by the canal. I easily ran 10km today with the cool autumn air keeping my body temperature at a reasonable level...thankfully. As I sit here writing, I feel fatigued and a little sore but it was well worth it.

Upon registering for the Brighton Marathon, I entered as a 'general entrant' meaning I wouldn't have to raise money for charity if I didn't want to. However, I have been inspired by the recent Great North Run participants and I am currently doing some research of charities to run for. I like my mom's idea of raising money to help families affected by cancer in my local area. The challenge is finding the right one. I'd like to go for a smaller organisation that has just started or is not getting as much funding as the others. Any suggestions would be great. In the meantime, I will keep searching.   

The photos below are from one of my running routes. I passed all of these things on my run today.

 Entry to the Lakes

 Sailing Club at Bury Lake

 Weeping Willows near Batchworth Lock

 Boathouses near Batchworth Lock

World's Best Pub

Fear

fear [feer] -noun

1. a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.

2. concern or anxiety; solicitude: a fear for someone's safety.

3. that which causes a feeling of being afraid; that of which a person is afraid

What is it that we fear the most? Is it darkness? Loneliness? Defeat? Disease? Or is it the fear of success? Failure?

When we do fear, how do we feel? How do we react?

The fear of success is a complicated one. As individuals, we feel internal bliss when we achieve a goal and obtain personal bests. The fear is how others perceive us to be. Isn't it?

When running the marathon, I fear I won't complete it. I fear I will let others down. I fear that my best just isn't good enough. I feel as though this will be an emotional battle as well as a physical battle to complete.

I admit - the challenge is what I fear the most, but...I love it!

Sunrise

 

sun·rise [suhn-rahyz] - noun

1. the rise or ascent of the sun above the horizon in the morning.

2. the atmospheric and scenic phenomena accompanying this.

3. the time when half the sun has risen above the horizon.

 

Sitting at our foldaway table by the large window, thinking of the days gone by and the week ahead, I'm filled with complete peacefulness. The sun is rising for a new day and the rest of the neighbourhood seems to be snuggled in their beds for a Saturday morning lie in. No breath of wind. Silence.

 

I debate going for a run but feeling the chill from the outside and seeing the near frost on the cars, I relax. I tell myself to wait just a few hours, but I feel anxious. Trying to pass time and after doing a little tidy around our home, I step out into the sunshine and shiver. It is just a few degrees above freezing. I know I will warm up once I start running but I can't bare it. I'm off to the gym.

 

Going to the gym isn't necessarily a bad thing. A little cross training is supposed to be good for a long distance runner. I run 5km in approximately 28 minutes as a warm up. It's no longer cold. With sweat pouring down my face I head for the weights. The peacefulness still exists within me and in the atmosphere. It's good to have the workout done well before nine o'clock. I feel confident and ready for the day ahead.

The Fly

The fly is a creature that flies around and, well, enjoys being a fly. Its bad points include hanging around horse manure. The good points is that they are seriously fun to smoosh with a fly swatter--my favorite! The trouble is, what do you do when you are running in wooded area and as you inhale you literally devour every fly in sight? Today, that was my challenge. I believe I spent more time and energy trying to dodge the suckers than actually running. Then, I began to wonder if they thought I was manure...did I actually smell that bad? or were they just hanging around the damp areas as they tend to do. I prefer the later reasoning. I believe a fly even has more friends than you and I, and that includes our facebook friends. There are millions of them hanging out in a large group having a big social gathering and just being in the way. Don't they have anything better to do? For mid-week, it was a short 4 mile run but satisfying. Let's hope those flies mind their own business next time.

Decisions

de·ci·sion [dih-sizh-uhn] - noun
1. the act or process of deciding; determination, as of a question or doubt, by making a judgment:
2. the act of or need for making up one's mind

A decision is something that most of us struggle with -- deciding what we eat, what type of red we would like to drink, what clothes we want to wear, and even what path we would like to take. As a child, the only decisions you have to make in life are based on play -- what toy, what cartoon, what imaginary friend -- it all seems quite simple. However, while growing up no one really tells us the importance of how your decisions greatly impact your future. The decisions you make regarding friends and family, education and career, dreams and reality always bring us to the present.

Over the past ten years I've struggled to make decisions. I've struggled to be selfish. I've struggled to bring complete happiness into my life. On Thursday, September 11th, 2008, I took on an adventure that has been beyond anything I ever imagined. The decision for the adventure was one of the most difficult. Battling with the thought of being away from family and close friends and giving up the ever so familiar for the complete unknown by myself was extremely challenging. I left the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, Canada (population: 10,000) for London, England (population: approximately 8,000,000). I resigned from an excellent school on the Burin Peninsula to teach math in inner city London. When I look back on the struggles, stress and nervousness at that time, I laugh to myself wondering why I didn't do this earlier. Europe is magical - no photo does it justice. The cultures, languages, cuisine, and modes of transportation make you laugh at times and stand in shock at others. I know this was the right decision for me!

Over the past year I've been struggling with the motivation to keep fit and stay fit. While watching TV coverage of the Virgin 2010 London Marathon I was inspired. I was inspired by the people, both young and old alike, who have defeated the odds against diseases such as cancer and cystic fibrosis. Inspired by people who ran with amputations and severe vision impairment. So, sitting on the couch with a bag of pretzels in one hand and a breezer in the other, I thought to myself 'if they can do it, why can't I?'. So the decision was made and a few hours later I had entered myself in the second ever 2011 Brighton Marathon. I've never been a big runner, but I have completed a few cross country races during my school days and have completed the Tely 10 in St. John's, Newfoundland (10 miles).

My boyfriend, Mark, and my brother, Perry, convinced me to create a blog so that friends and family could track my training progress and send me messages of support. I've never done anything like this before, but so far I'm excited! I hope you enjoy reading about my struggles and triumphs and hopefully it will be a decision I won't regret.