Ticker Update

Finally updated the ticker; it SHOULD do it auto from my MAPMYRUN right? lol 
1595.4 km so far; only 204.6 more in the next 3 months!  I can do that!

Another Better Week in Progress

This week has gone much better than many of my previous weeks have gone.  Of course I am not doing anything differently. Maybe I am just adjusting to some changes in eating and sleeping, and it's agreeing with me.
Whatever it is, Im not knocking it.

Monday was busy. Like...every day is busy.  but with Scott away and Cross Country practices and stuff, just super busy.  I attended Cross Country with the highschool and had them do a variety of things. Some had not worked out on Sunday and those runners did some intervals. Others had done their Sunday run, and they did an easy run.  After I got them going I left with my kids and went to MIL's house for supper. Since we were early, Taylor and I had a chance to go for our run on the Trail; She did warm up 5 minutes walk and 25 minutes run and I ran out 2.5 and back 2.5 so we finished at the same time, 5 km in 30 minutes flat for me. The headwind on the way back was humbling ;)

Tuesday I chose a rest day; managed to put enough stuff off that I could attend Holly's first soccer game with the junior high; even tho she didnt play very much, I thought it was a fun game.  She likely has to do her time as the littlest 6th grader; but after watching her get equal time and play so well all summer it's hard to watch her sit on the bench at school games.  On the other hand the game was SUPER rough and some of those kids are 3 years older than she is, so maybe its ok.   I find when players are not as skilled they resort to rough play so it's not surprising.

Wednesday was the XC team's first meet; my kids ran at it as well.  And I had to miss it. :(:(:(  It was incredibly hard to have to stay in Truro when all those runners went away to run.  I finished my lab and clean up, and headed home at about supper time.  I changed and headed out for a drizzly 8 km loop, which I thought I was really doing super well on; I did the first 4 plus km in less than 24 minutes, then really pushed it harder to do up to 7 in 38 minutes and change...thought was pretty good, til I got to the top of my hill and towards home and realised I was still over 50 minutes. would like to get there in less than 50....SIGH. 51:19 for 8.6 km and 5:58 pace.  If I could skip that darned hill.....

Taylor Intermediate in her first 4 km race!



Holly Junior In her first 3 km race :):)

I was very proud of both of my girls for finishing their first races!

 

 

Thursday; All of my kids were dealt with, so after picking up Annika and getting her to Scott, and sending the XC kids off on a recovery jog, I headed up into the top part of the park where Ive never been, and explored. I had a time limit of an hour since Holly had a soccer game at the JR high at supper time, so I really pushed it. The first half was UP, climbing for freaking ever with a few rollers in the middle.  I went so far on this new path, which felt very isolated. I didnt know where it went, so I turned back at a little over 5 km and took the fastest, straightest route back to my car, much of it downhill.  YAY :)  10.2 km in 1:03:20, felt like I had worked hard. It was raining and super muggy.  Stood at the soccer game for 2 hours after that, and ended up feeling pretty sick with a headache and nausea and just plain achiness.  So home and rest and work for the evening.

 

Friday could have been rest day :) but I worked out instead with the XC runners; some speedwork is much needed.

 

6 X 30 second sprints uphill...followed by 4 X 60 second sprints up the same hill.  warm up and cool down brought estimate of 5.25 km done.  Good workout.

 

Now sitting here on Saturday morning wondering if my Beer Mile this afternoon is considered an adequate workout or if I should get something else in as well.  But as I am still sitting here, it's not looking good.  Its too late to run now before Holly's hockey scrimmage, and afterwards I might not want to. It's supposed to rain really well. Maybe this is a rest day.  



No Massive FAILS this week

After last Sunday's lack of runs, I determined this week was going to be better. I am analysing what I am doing wrong with fueling, sleeping, warm up, speed, etc. and trying to sort out why my runs are SUCKING.  I am not doing anything different with eating. OK not true!  Chocolate covered almonds are NOT an acceptable substitute when you dont have time for lunch.  An apple a day may keep the doctor away but it's not a meal.  and eating supper late at night? 

Sleeping is trickier to fix.  Because it's not a choice. I am trying to go to bed earlier but things still need to be done.  When you're away all day there are certain evening chores we need to do to catch up; not to mention staying up late to create awesome lectures for the new course.  So Im trying to get to bed earlier, skipping most TV watching, reading very little (even tho I got a good book), and keeping activities in the evening light.  I can fall asleep in seconds. But every morning I am waking at like 430 am. Part of the problem is definitely the cat. He wants company at 430 am. He starts the grooming on the bed, moving, meowing, playing under the bed, knocking stuff off the nightstand, clawing at the pillows under my head, clawing at the carpet, playing with his mouse, meowing out the window; I can lock him out but some nights that just means he is desparate to get in and claws at the door.  This is making sleep really hard. It's even worse than husband snoring!  Its even worse than sleeping with smallest child!
I could lock him in the basement where he would make enough noise to keep the oldest child awake.  Although seems she can sleep through a hurricane so that might be an option tonight.

But once I am awake the mind starts going through what has to be done that day, and that's it. The end of sleep.  If I could clear my mind before the imaginary lists start, I might be better off.  I am making lists of the kid's activities, where they are and where they need to go; I start going over what I need to do for work. What I need to do for Cross Country. And even one morning at 4 am I was going through a lecture I needed to give that day.  It was the best lecture ever!  Totally on Phylogenetics and Cladistics!  :)
Sleep is a problem.

Im not doing much warm up.  I figure running up and down the stairs with laundry and running around doing the chores is enough. That's not changed much.  I am stretching afterwards tho, and trying to do a lot of foam rolling, although that getting on the floor usually means Im a plaything for the cats. 

And speed. Maybe I am trying too hard for each run to be a good one, and not wanting to waste my time on "junk miles", since reading something that said if we are not either pushing it a little or running for like 3 hours, everything else is just junk miles and does nothing to advance the running. Im tense and in a hurry because I have too much to do. Im not relaxing, and trying to fit too much into too little time.  And time wasting is something I am well accomplished at.  Breaking bad habits has been really hard. 

In trying to improve the running, I am trying to fix some issues.  It's a slow process that I tend to sabotage at all corners.  A work in progress.

Sunday I didn't run which means I was hoping on Monday to have a long run.  HA when did I think that was going to happen?

It rained allllll night super hard, and kept up the next day.  Monday morning brought flooded and washed out roads.  I cancelled XC but it didnt matter since that school closed anyway...due to flooding.  My kids stayed in school and I stayed at work, once I made it there. They actually closed one area of road right behind me; I am so glad I have an SUV and not a small car. 



on the way to the kids schools



I heard they were talking about closing the one last route I had to home; Scott stayed on one side of town so that he could reach the kids, and I stayed on my side at work, so I could reach the house. If we were separated, at least that way all of the creatures were looked after. But if they closed that one last route, we werent going to get home to the dogs and cats.  SO we picked up the kids from school early, and took them home.  They didnt end up closing the bridge, because water stopped rising, but we didnt take the chance.

After getting home and checking for damage (leaking roof), working a bit, naturally I decided to go for a run.  I ran up the hill, little damage that way although the streams were all raging.

Then on the way home I ran down to the bridge. That's where all the damage is.



Drive home




near home



The road is running away!

Bridge they talked about closing. My kids were swimming here a week ago

It was neat to see the power of the water.

6.73 km in the rain.

Tuesday was bright and sunny (relatively) and the XC team ventured back to the park. Many of our trails were washed out a bit so we stuck to the lower park and did Jacob's Ladder, 174 steep wooden steps up to the top.  It was a little slippy. We were supposed to have a break in between repeats to run around to the bottom of the stairs, and only do a few repeats of the stairs themselves.  But without using the rock and sand strewn trail down (slippery) we were left with up and down the stairs. AND therefore too many were done.  Some of the senior boys, competing a bit, repeated up to 8 or so times.  TOO much!  I did 6 myself before we headed to the falls. We swam in the falls on Sunday. Today it was too full of rushing water so we just enjoyed the nice spray off the water and got soaked enough. I estimate about 5 km but not sure.  Those stairs left our legs shaking.I picked up the kids from School activities and ran them home before I had a VERY LONG coaches meeting in the evening. A way late night. 

Wednesday morning was ok :) not so sore.  Work was long and absolutely crazy.  Lectures and labs filled the day.  I went home afterwards and changed, headed out for a run with Toni. She keeps me paced well and we did 7.7 km in 44:30. I was beat although it didnt seem that bad. 

Wednesday night the discomfort set in, and walking became hard. DAMN the stairs.  Calves screaming, quads shrieking. LOL lesson learned? not likely. Did the same thing with hockey last week.

Thursday was another busy day and work was long and filled. Rest day!  :) I didnt run but I did meet the XC kids and timed them in a time trial.  Which was mean, right after all those stairs. They are working pretty hard.  :)  Holly had soccer practice; She made the junior high soccer team as striker.  :) proud of her; they only picked 2 grade six students and she's the first grade 6 striker.  After picking her up, we went home and stayed there.  We spent an hour doing the garbage, collecting some up around the yard and making sure there was no recycling in it before putting it out by the road. Early to bed; relatively since Scott is away and I had to stay up to put the dogs to bed. When they are kenneled all day it doesnt seem fair to put them to bed at 830! 

Friday morning we got ready to go out and watched while the garbage men rejected most of my carefully separated garbage and left no reason why.  This may indicate how "hanging on by a thread" I am; I might have lost my mind slightly and chased the garbage truck.  I HAD to find out why my bags were left; since I would just go put it out again next time?????  SIGH. I likely look like the CRAZY lady everyone is terrified of. My kids are humiliated.  But I did make those men be accountable for their actions lolol they didnt really give a good reason for leaving all of it; a bag was wrong colour but I only rebagged it so it wouldnt break when they lifted it (was a hole in one spot); left the paint cans because, well, they were paint cans?  I took those to the Enviro Depot and they took the ones with paint in them but told us to put empty ones in the trash so we carted them home, to be rejected by the trash men. They left a third bag for no reason. Only took one bag. 

Losing my mind isnt much fun.

After working all day, I had MIL picking up kids; they were being VERY difficult; one going away for the evening, one skipping XC practice because she wanted to go with her grandmother; I made her stay with me instead and run with the high school team. No skipping. 

I tried to have the XC team do Fartleks.  I explained they run on feeling, they should practice picking it up by increasing cadence, not stride length; I wanted them to increase turnover.  They don't like the lack of structure Fartleks gives them, so one actually had a whistle and used it to time out some short intervals and some followed, some didn't. Some did a pretty lame job of it, others ran their butts off.  So it is with this individual sport.  I likely went about 2 km on the 5 laps I did with Holly.

After practice, MIL came back and the two small kids were bugging for a sleepover. I totally caved; exhausted, and the thought of spending the evening with them mad and asking for a sleepover and why was I so mean?? And Why was I being so mean? lol I let them go. I was too tired to argue.

So I was kid free.  And I went for a run.  We just left the car and Toni and I started wandering around, up to the highway, back down the trail; 10.65 km in 1:09:19.  A slow, easy run.  After running I intended to go home for supper and a shower but just grabbed the shower and went to a friends place for a drink and some relaxing.  Sometime just before I went home, I felt suddenly, incredibly nauseated.  I actually went and laid on the bathroom floor for a minute. It passed. How odd.

Saturday morning I had every intention of getting up early and running but instead I was house cleaning and getting laundry done and rushing around.  Then Holly had hockey tryouts, and I took the kids to the mall to get Holly's skates heat-molding, then we shopped for some shoes for her, got a present for a Sunday baby shower, looked for something else (cannot remember where we went) then went home.  The rest of the night was a blur; the kids were playing with a magic kit, I did dishes, cleaned yard some, Taylor mowed lawn, Bunch of stuff I cannot remember lOL.  I didnt run.

Sunday was better tho. Still busy; we headed out early so the girls could go to Drama in Old Barns, which is about 22 minutes away. Holly and I spent that time running on the trail; she biked with me.  It's long slow run day, and Im full of other commitments. So I did what I could; I got in 10.2 km on the trail with Holly. At about 2 miles I was feeling spaced out and hungry. On the way back at about 4 miles, Holly spotted an apple tree and we spent a few minutes picking some apples; the best ones were up high. I had an apple (and a half) and felt much less hungry and happy to finish the run. I mean, really, it was pretty nice. We were on the Cobequid Trail so scenery was awesome

And I had this little one keeping me company on her bicycle :)

Running conditions were good despite a strong wind on the way back in our faces.  This was a good run.

10.22 km in 1:10:56 (includes the time spend picking and eating the apples Whooops :))

Took the kids home to eat and get ready for the baby shower we attended back in Old Barns; I spent HOURS in the car yesterday!  :)

We missed the Terry Fox Run in town which made me sad, but sometimes you just have to give up being everywhere at once.  :)

We left the baby shower early to get to Cross Country practice in the park.  3 local teams are kind of going to practice together on Sunday afternoons to utilize coaching efficiency in the area :)   I had my team doing long 1+ km intervals, 5 of them, on a loop in the park.  I did laps with them, and my long slow day contained some race pace km repeats on trail.  After they were finished I did another couple of miles on the trails, adding 11.56 km in 1:14:57 (includes some breaks) to finish the day up with 21.88 km on TRAILS!!  Too bad it had to be split, but it's the only way sometimes to get things in.  Running can be a time consuming activity!

Pretty tired now, we went home and did the typical Sunday Night routine, before I tried REALLY hard to get a little more work done, falling asleep on the FLOOR beside my bed, which kinda told me that was enough and I was better off going to sleep :(:(:(

Now it's Monday and I wonder what this week is going to bring me?

It continues

Today was a massive Fail.  On the run, on productivity...
But let's rewind back to Thursday...
When I had a really sweaty gross run.  But not a bad run.

Thursday night I went out and played Hockey. Why not? Have to start sometime.
Friday after lectures, I met a friend, kinda talked her into going 16 km, and off we went. I had a granola bar just before so thought I would be ok for food even tho we would be gone into Lunchtime.  We picked a route that took us through the park and back around town.  And I was fine, right up to the last 2 km.  Then I felt hungry and like it took some concentration to put one foot in front of the other.  Just before we got to the end, we had to stop at a stop light.

And I felt the blackness closing in on me.  Narrowing my sight to right in front of me.  I walked around the light pole looking like a complete moron. I couldnt stand still.  I gasped air and didnt want to sit because that would have been it.  It was a little unnerving.  Last week, a runner in town died at the end of a long run, due to an aneurism.  I sure did not want to be the next runner to pass out on a street corner. :( With these thoughts in my head, the light turned and we finished our 16 km.  But I hated every second of those last 2 km.

A couple of weeks ago I was doing 27 km. Now 16 feels like crap.  What is wrong with me?

A couple of hours later I had the first meeting with this year's Cross Country Runners!  It was a good meeting even tho I screwed up and was late.  We finish the meeting with an easy run to the park where the team will meet for runs.  I hated every step of that mile, and every step back :( ok not every one, but it wasnt a fun run.  19 km total for the day. Who cares how long it took ;)

That night my legs and hips got super tight and I started having trouble lifting them, like when you step up or get into a car.  I know what that's about; hockey! It was hockey coming back to haunt me.  Im out of shape for that.

Saturday I had a rest day because I was not walking well.  We had all sorts of running around and errands and I was just tired from poor sleep and late night.  Too bad, it was a nice albeit hot day. 

Because Sunday I had planned to go for a run with some other people.  And I got up and found I was alone with my kids and they had to get to church 25 minutes away.  It frustrates me when I make plans and then have them foiled by someone else's plans!  :( I got ready and got the kids to church (late) but almost at the same time as I was dropping them off, it started to rain. No, rain would be an understatement.  POUR.  And rain is one thing, but strong wind blowing it sideways does not appeal to me. 

I watched the rain for awhile in resigned disappointment.  At least if I had been out running when the rain started...but beginning is super hard.  And then for the rest of the day I had things to do; Holly had to go to hockey, I had Cross country practice. I ran with the kids, but it was not a good run.  It was choppy and there was walking because there were some new runners and I was talking to them.
Today was a total FAIL.  Supposed to be a long run. But to be honest I am a little nervous to go for a long run alone, without anyone to call for a pity-pick-up. I will have to get over it. Im so off track for Marathon running! :(:(:(:(:(

Making the most of what's left of summer

It's been ages since I last posted and I'm not even going to attempt to remember what I've been up to. There is so little left of summer, I've been trying to use up every waking minute. But I have to admit exhaustion is getting the best of me. I cannot just run or just bike or just do what the kids need; trying to do it all is exhausting. I'm writing this from my phone, attempting to take advantage of some downtime. On our way to a soccer game. Excuse any spelling mistakes: autocorrect is not my friend.
I was cruising along in my training plan, got a 27 km long run in. I got all the runs in the next week.  Nice 13.8, 14.4, little runs. And next long run was a step back week; only 21.5 km.  All went well.  Was getting set for my big 30 k long run, when the time crunch knocked me off.Just not time for it all. And once you're off, how much harder is it to get back on?
The girls had soccer games and jamborees north of here, so we room the kids camping in Antigonish for a weekend. We were with about 6 other families heading same places, so it was easier to manage games at same times an hour apart. We left Holly with a friend and took Annika to her jamboree where she played 3 games in awfully hot conditions. She did awesome. Holly's team also did well. Back to campground then more soccer in the morning before heading home. No long run, no run. That's 2 days off. We were thrown right into preparations for Exhibition as items had to be taken in for 4H that night and Annika had to decorate the cake we made before we camped. We spent the rest of the day cake decorating. I felt way too bad to leave her to it, so no run.
Exhibition started Monday morning right away; too busy no run. I could have gotten up at dawn and run before but tired an kids had to be places at like 7 am so it was just too hard to get out earlier and as the only parent home the kids really needed guidance. Long freaking day at the Ex and we were there til dark. Tuesday was a repeat. Only earlier. And later. Wednesday should have been better but it wasn't . We wasted lots of the day at the ex and relaxed away the rest. Annika had an evening soccer party that night. No run. That's 5 days off. In a row. But because it was sooooo busy and exhausting, not restful, so feeling like crap.  Missed long run, missed little runs.
Thursday morning it was time to start again.  8.6 km; ugh!  It was brutal as I thought it might be. 

Ugh seriously, this is the hardest post to write!  Its been 6 days since I started it! And tonnes of it disappeared.  Rewriting.

So got restarted. Falling off the wagon isn't hard and it's not always a question of dedication. We are just trying SO hard to do it all.  And with the end of summer coming we wanted to get as much in as possible. Exhibition was totally worth it. Mostly fun!
8.6 miserable km in 56 minutes.  :P

Next morning I went up Greenfield way and did 9 miles (14.4 km) and that was long.  SIGH. Better tho.  1:34:58.  There were a lot of knarly hills on that route!
Friday night we went to a party. Not like a stuffy party but one with loads of drinks and pool and Wii Rock Band games.  And it went on for a long time :) So Saturday was now so a rest day.  We had company and it's hard to take off running when you have company.  On Saturday we took the kids for a walk in the park and they swam in the falls.  Night time was the Ex to pick up 4H stuff and a fairly early bedtime. Ugh.
Woke up next morning still feeling a little shakey but better; I spontaneously decided to sign up for the Cobequid 10 K run.  As soon as we registered and warmed up I remembered why I dont run that race anymore; freaking hot!  A 9 am start time is so awful in August.
Warm up was ok, race started a few minutes late, and congestion cleared by 5 km in lol at the turn around it improved.  I reeled people in for the last 5 km; It was one of the most consistently paced runs Ive ever done. First 5 k was 26:57. Finished the race in 55:39.  A personal Best!  Although I did do the Cabot Trail in less, it was part of another race, as well it was much cooler and my training was way less miles then.

Crowded start line

Challenged at the end; she beat me.

42/101, 6/27 Age Group, 5:34 mins/km pace.

The rest of Sunday was spent at race awards (good food so we stayed a bit; I could have had 2nd place or better in my age group at 5 km but I didnt run THAT race) and then we packed and went to Melmurby Beach until well into the evening.  It was hot and perfect.

Monday morning I thought it would be a great idea to do a long run. That wasn't the smartest thing ever.  Tired legs from a Race and hours at the beach?  It was a drag from start to finish. But I aimed for 10 miles and I came close. Ran out of road.  1:42:29. Getting better.
Took the kids to Moncton Zoo. 

Tuesday morning I got up super early and took my awesome bike for a ride.  23.14 km; I thought I was going to get rained on, and stopped to get a plastic bag for my iPhone.  It soon stopped and I continued on.  When I got home I changed helmet for hat and headed out for a 5 km run. That was tonnes of fun; always. lol  1:05:53 and 32:28 respectively.  Had work meetings afterwards, then Holly had soccer Tuesday night. Fun.

Wednesday no idea what happened.  I don't think I did much of anything. Went to office for a bit.

Thursday the girls had soccer in Stellarton;  Did run beforehand only 8.65 km on the loop.  52:30 minutes.

Friday I went 13.8 km. I dont know where I went lol.  I might remember eventually.

Saturday morning we went to Halifax for Holly to play in her Provincials.  There was no time for a run.  I suppose there was but I didnt go.

So Sunday am I did a better job of getting out of bed and was running before 7 am. It was COLD.  I mean, numb fingers and ears, thinking gloves and hats!  UGH.  Pretty, sunny, but I believe some people had a frost!  On Sept 2!!  Ugh. Just a reminder that I am so not ready to start facing those damned wintery runs.  Maybe once Ive enjoyed the fall ones?

6.5 km up the hill and back in 40:40.  I better improve those times, if Im racing a Relay in November. Just a short relay, 7 km apiece, but I want to be the fast one on my team hahah!  and that race recognises that we have loads of tech shirts and is actually puting Arm Sleeves in the bag!

The rest of Sunday morning was spent in Halifax at Holly's last game of Provincials where they did not finish in last place so happy days, and then we came home and cleaned bedrooms and garages and sheds and stuff.  In the evening after a late supper we had a later walk on the Trail with friends and the kids had bikes and it was all very nice.
5.3 more km in an hour.

Monday was Labour Day and I was determined we were going to the beach.  Scott's idea, I held us to it.  First I had a long run to make. I thought ok 21 km should do it.  I wish my body had agreed.  I started wishing for Scott around 17.5 km; I was feeling kinda sick and ran out of water/gatorade.  I just wanted to stop. And sure enough at 18.4 km he came around the corner with a drink and i got in the car and we went home.  I wasnt too short but it's still kind of a fail to me.

Tuesday I went back to work (SAD) and it was crazy.  My schedule this term is rotten. Holly had her very last soccer game with XFC this summer and we went over to that; they won and it was a good game. 

Wednesday the clouds broke. I dont mind running in the rain but for over 24 hours it poured straight. No breaks.  I was at work and kept looking for a little less rain.  I think it happened while I was teaching (classes started!!) anyway I dont mind rain but the wind driving the rain sideways didnt appeal to me at all. SO no run. SAD. 

Thursday was less rain more drizzle so a friend and I went running and it was good. Although muggy as all get out. Grossly sweating, I cannot believe how much I sweat. Think, sauna sweating.  I look like I stepped out of a shower sweat.  It's awful.  8 km in under 50 minutes (not logged yet) and then back into dress clothes and off to teach a lab. That's how I roll. 

Now I am caught up.  Still off the training plan. Severely. I dont see how a full Marathon can be salvaged at this point but Im always hopeful.

Anyone with advice on how to pull out a full marathon?  It's about 6 weeks away...or 5.  UGH!!!!!