Heavy Legs…Keep On, Keepin On

Last time I ran was last Wednesday and it was crazy brutal…Went out for 10k and had to keep stopping because my legs were so heavy, aching..couldn’t get them moving…It was more of a walk than a run..by the time I reached home I was frustrated, discouraged and not too happy…This was the second time within a week that my legs were in so much protest…I don’t feel it was from over-training because I have been pretty much still lately…I did a 35k ride on Monday, very cold but my legs felt good, an easy 5k Tuesday and then Wednesday i was greeted with this crazy run…

As I returned home I was so upset and my family knew just by the look on my face…stating to them…I think I need to take a break from running. They were surprised of this, and I hated to even voice it…It would be like dumping a great friend, one who has always been there when I have a bad day, the pavement always is a great place to bring a smile back on my face..It helps me keep my weight down, feel achievements within myself, makes me feel great to wear myself into the ground…just an awesome friend, how could I ever drop something that benefits me so much. However, I want to start training and if things don’t look up soon…I know it will just be a dream.

I had an appointment in Halifax on Thursday, an 11hr drive..my legs were not too happy..and today it being Saturday they are still aching.

I have doing my research and it indicated that if your circulation isn’t so good, to keep moving at least 30 min a day…so maybe i need to be moving more…instead of stopping…keep on keepin on…push push…it only makes sense..I stop, my legs will seize up…I want to be able to embrace this running experience until late in life..I feel it’s a great health benefit and the proof is in the research….so I’m not stopping…i’m pushing forward…

So i headed out for my run today…and it felt amazing…I find it crazy how my legs can feel heavy on one run and fabulous on the other..but I’ve started taking some baby aspirin, Omega 3, to name a few of my supplements…and hydrate hydrate hydrate..and following a good eating plan of more fruit and veggies.

These little challenges are just part of the game, I need to remind myself not to get discouraged but to keep going…as my young 13 year old voiced to me this week “Quitters don’t prosper”…I love to run and exercise and I plan to keep going…pushing towards my goal…If it kills me..I’ll die happy!

I have been asked “why do you exercise so much”…well now I have another answer..because my legs need the therapy…One more benefit…so many numerous reasons to keep going….

Keep the Challenge within you!!

Workout:

•Type: Run
•Date: 05/28/2011
•Time: 08:48:58
•Total Time: 00:44:00.00
•Calories: 511
•Distance: 7 km
•Average Pace: 6:16.96/km

Biking in Burrr weather

It was cold today...Everyone is wondering what is going on, It's May 23rd and feels like November...looking out the window I could almost feel the cold...but push push...if I want to build my strength up, sitting around is not going to achieve it. So out I went..I was thinking 40k but my route ended up to be 35.30..and I must say I was happy to get home. My feet were the worst, really cold and numb before I made it home..However I did it, got out, pushed myself and that part feels great. I will be happy when Mr Sun decides to show his face and not just tease us...The best is yet to come.

As I was riding up a hill, a huge camper trailor went by me, felt like within inches..however I sure he didn't want to go to the other side of the road because of being on a hill and he probably didn't want to slow down, because he needed his speed to make the hill...however, couldn't he have just honked ever so slightly...I don't know which would have made me jumped the most, but with my mountain bike at least I could have gone to the side shoulder...I was upset and thinking if he at the front of the campground getting ready to register, I'm pulling in and give him a piece of my mind...guess it's just as well he wasn't there...I would have made an complete arse of myself...but at it was upsetting...wanting to build my mileage and I know it will help my running but I must say I enjoy the woods much better. Oh well.. its all good...I'm sure it will happen again...ride and smile is the best we can do...all in all it felt good to be on two wheels and get the ride done...

I am going to sit down and look at my training and my eating...now that I've finished my 1/2 and had some recovery it's time to start training again...I need to commit...writing it down is the best way for me.

Move while you can...it's a blessing

A first time Barefoot Fun Run

Tuesday night fun run...Always enjoy the company and the exercise..the best of both worlds..But tonight was a first...And I love experiencing new things. Sara and I were the only runners tonight..As we were running we talked about my 1/2 marathon that I just completed and wearing my kilt..I explained to her how alot of people are now wearing kilts and also barefoot running..and how I would like to try it..."want to try it now?" she asked..well didn't take much to persuade me..off came our shoes and socks and our barefeet hit the pavement...I couldn't get over how much I like it...felt great, and it was alot of fun...We ran for 2.5k..which was a surprise to me...From the high school to almost HMS...pretty good distance and feeling great. Came home, my feet were burning a bit, took a soak. I can feel the workout in my calves...I really enjoyed this run and hope to get myself some minimal shoes for my long runs...I noticed the inside of my running shoes has a small whole, in just 2 1/2 months..it must be the rubbing...nevertheless I don't want to buy anymore runners for now....maybe fall.

Ab ripper completed for another night...

Loving the great things life has to offer!!

Cheers to barefoot running!!!

A 1/2 to remember

I forgot to turn off my garmin as I crossed the finish line...straight for water and pizza!

Mixed emotions upon arriving to the running event…Very excited that I finally get to run my first 1/2 which I thought at one point was not in the cards, and yet anxious..thinking what have I got myself into? As I headed to the start line, they indicated “runners in the front, walkers in the back”…so I stayed at the front…big mistake, should have proceeded to the middle of the pack…The gun went off and the elite runners in the front took off like scared rabbits, dragging my poor rear behind them….Holy Smokes, where is the fire!! Looking at my Garmin…I was way above my pace that I usually run…I need to back off if I expect to make it to the finish line….

I ran 11k without stopping, felt great…at the turn around point, thought me little legs need a short break .. its was a beautiful flat course, along the flooded banks of the river…So many things I enjoyed, the smell of the spuce trees as we ran along the wooded trail, the beauty of the water and the sun came out and was shining down on us…what an awesome day!

About 15k my itband started to whisper a little to me, so I slacked off..found I was pushing myself and yet had to stop and walk some, to give my leg a deserved break…It would have been nice to complete this run in 2:00 hrs….As I was running, the pacer bunny of 2:OO hours came up and passed me, trying to keep her pace…It was a bit beyond me at this point…At about 17 k another pacer came along…2:10…hmmm lets try this…I kept with him, at one point the wind came up and his bunny ears almost flew off his head, it made a nice laugh along the way…starting up a bit of a grade, I stopped…”come one, we’re almost there”…he said…”I’ll catch up”..at the top of the grade, he was ahead of me..looking back and waving his arms…telling me to come on…So I sprinted and caught up…at this point there was only about 2k to go..thinking what’s 2 k?..but after running 19..it was hard to keep pushing..but no stopping now….As I approached the chip mat…I ran acrossed it, only to realize it was for the full marathon! oops!..mistake number 2! proceeded to the 1/2 mat..thank god it recorded time….

This run was fantastic…I did find that the chip markings were the only thing not marked so well…A very elite runner came flying in for his full at 2:35! missing the marathon mat and proceeded to the 1/2 mat…I think he may have lost a minute or two…no big deal to me, but for a guy running so hard and doing such a fantastic job, I felt bad for him…however he came in first and did one heck of a job.

After the run, I found my pace bunny…gave him a nice hug and thanked him for pushing me through, explaining it was my first 1/2 and I really needed that push…

Decided to wear my kilt for this event to celebrate the run…It was fun and alot of people really took a shining to my kilt…

A Fantastic day and a awesome run, one that I will be remembering for a very long time…I love firsts…Another item to check off my bucket list

Running is so amazing!

finished time 2:10:09….Not the best, but I’ll take it….now I have something to work on