Done, Done and DONE!!!

Guess what...we're DONE!  The Rock 'n Roll Las Vegas Half-Marathon is finally nothing but a memory....and what a memory it is...  Climbing through a hedge to try to get to our starting corral, extreme congestion through-out the entire race, a total lack of water and Cytomax along the course (and rumours that in the desperation to replenish the water supply - water from fire hydrants was used!), chaotic and dangerous finishing area, spectators finding their way onto the race course and in the way of runners....Ahhh....what a fun time...

As I did not have any encounters with what I like to refer to as human hazards and I brought a little bit of water and Gatorade with me my only real complaint was the total congestion....for the entire route.  After 12 weeks of training and thinking this was going to be my ONLY half-marathon...it is very disappointing to not have the time I wanted.  My time wasn't HORRIBLE.... 2:31:11....but it wasn't what I was hoping for or expecting.  As this may very well be my one and only shot - it sucks to not have been able to run my own race...  But oh well...  Been there, done that....Got my tacky glow-in-the-dark finisher's medal :)

One Week to Go!

One week from now I will be lined up in the parking lot by Mandalay Bay getting ready to run the Rock n' Roll Las Vegas half-marathon.  Excited to get there, excited to run, REALLY excited to have it over.  Hoping the sore back, head, throat, etc., are a result of not sleeping so well lately and NOT because I am getting sick again!

Cheap Trick will be playing to get us pumped up at the start...I am sure between them, the Vegas atmosphere, and the running Elvi - it will be an exciting and energizing environment. Suddenly a week seems like such a long time.  I'm half packed already...Training is practically done.....I am ready... LET'S DO THIS THING!! 

Not How It Is Supposed to Work

So.....as you may know....I'm training for a half marathon.  I've done 11.5 weeks of training so far.  Running more km a week than I ever have in my life...  Ran 24 km last weekend alone....  I must be SUPER FIT now, eh?

Can you believe I've GAINED weight?  Colleen keeps telling me about all the weight she's losing and I keep finding it!!  Seriously!  And this isn't "oh it's muscle" weight gain like people try to tell us to make us feel better... This is "hmmm...these pants feel kinda snug" weight gain... 

How is it possible to gain weight when doing so much more running, you ask?  Well, it's quite simple!  You use the extra mileage as an excuse to eat anything and everything you desire.  You eat like you've been living on a deserted island and have just seen food for the first time in months... Quite simply, you consume so many calories that even super long, 19k runs are not enough to counteract the volume of food you're taking in.

I keep telling myself that after Vegas I'll smarten up again...  Good thing Vegas is just a week and a half away.... Otherwise I'd be waddling across the finish line...  In the meantime; however, I think I'll go find a snack...

It's OVER!!!!

Ok....It's not REALLY over, over....  But the toughest part of the training IS OVER!! 

Yup, somehow in the minus double-digit weather and snow we got a 19K run in.  That is the longest training run we have to do.  Our next LONG long run will be in Vegas.  And then NEVER AGAIN!!!  (or at least for a while)

Of course, 19K can't just go smoothly.  Poor Colleen had a major issue with hip pain and had to cut her run a little short.  Luckily, Gerilee is a better friend than I so she stuck by her while I just kept plugging along (in my defense...I didn't know she was hurt until the end!).  Because it was soooo cold, however, I did not stretch.  After a 19k run....I didn't stretch!  Boy am I paying for it now.  Today's (Sunday) run was harder than the 19K was, I swear.  I had to just hurtle myself at top speed down any hills because my quads hurt too much to brace them to slow myself down.  Going down stairs, sitting down, all hurts...  And tomorrow will likely be worse.

But, did I mention....IT'S DONE!!  The hard part is done!  I think I'm going to fall a little in love with the taper!

SERIOULSY??? NOW???

I'm sick!  Having trouble keeping my eyes open, sound like some bizarre alien under water, congested, exhausted sick!  Uggghhh....  And I have three days until our longest training run.  19k...this Saturday....And I'm sick!

I am not taking this cold lying down....I'm giving it the good fight.... Double-doses of Cold FX chased down by vats of EMERGEN-C...  Vitamin D, multi-vitamins, tons of water, green tea....I've been doing it all....and every day it gets a little worse :(

So, finally today I am taking drastic measures... I am skipping our training run.  Depending on how I feel, I might skip spin class tomorrow too....which would kinda break my heart.  For some reason I enjoyed the thought of celebrating my 40th birthday at spin class...  But if I have to skip it, I will... because the goal is the half marathon...the goal is the training...and somehow, someway  I need to be better by Saturday....if it kills me!

Whose Idea Was This Anyway???

Ok....I have good news and bad news...

The good news is I seem to have gotten the upper hand on the blisters.  Slicing the big one wide open, applying antiseptic regularly and soaking in salt water seemed to work.  I still applied band-aids and mole skin before today's run - just to be safe - but ended up with no trouble with them at all.  Yay!

However, that might be the only part of my lower body that doesn't hurt :(  My body is seriously telling me it does NOT like these longer distances.  Even my feet hurt...all the time...a dull kind of burning ache.  Kind of ironic that I was the one who wanted to do a half-marathon and I was the one who wanted to go to Vegas...Now I just can't wait for it to be over.  Only 3 more long runs...That's what I have to remember.  Surely I can make it through 3 more long runs...

That's all...

And So It Begins...

I was hoping Mother Nature would take pity on us and hold off for another month...but no such luck :(  Today, exactly one month before the Rock n' Roll Las Vegas Half-Marathon...this is what's happening outside:

Ugggh...Snow.  Ok...I KNOW I live in Canada. I KNOW it is November and this is FAR from unusual...but I was really hoping for a miracle and that we could continue training in dry conditions. I am ok with running in the snow when we get back..but so not looking forward to trudging through snow for 19km in a couple weeks...

Sigh...

I know...I know....suck it up, princess....

Wanna see my blisters?

Running sucks!

Ok...maybe I don't REALLY mean that...but this half-marathon training is killing me.  My body (uneven hips and all) is not built to endure long-distance runs it would appear....and it is letting me know it.

In addition to the back, glute, hamstring pain I'm dealing with while running double-digit km's I now have some lovely blisters... Blisters that I have photographed and will show to anyone willing to take a look.  Not sure my point in doing that...do I need to show that I'm tougher than them?  Maybe it is because people can't SEE the other pain I'm in...so this is a little bit of tangible proof that I'm suffering?  Who knows..  But whatever my reason - here's a little blister love for you too:

(Excuse the very old remnants of nail polish!  Hey...I'm an athlete in training! I don't have time for luxuries like pedicures!!)

16K is a Killer...

Another week....another long run.  This one was 16k...and my body knows it.  Hurt for the last few km of the run...and am pretty stiff still.  Went slow during the run and had some pretty serious, heart-felt conversations along the way.  Amazing what we're willing to disclose when out running.  It is like a really slow, painful therapy session...

Sure wish I could figure out the pain thing when I'm running though.  Colleen has no pain at all when running - it is amazing.  I have a feeling the fact that I have one hip that sits higher than the other, which makes one leg longer than the other is a big reason for my pain.  Maybe?  Who knows....Hopefully I am able to run our 5.5k EZ run tomorrow.  Then I'm going to have my boy over for a special dinner tomorrow night!  Yay!

Half Way There...

Ok....so I'm behind on my blogging....  Have had some "stuff" going on...  So glad to have had running as a coping mechanism...

Anyway...we're half way there!  Week 6 of our 12-week training plan is DONE DONE DONE!  The long run was 14.5 km and I did it alone...and it was great.  Well, except for the pit bull and husky running after me, circling around me and barking like it wanted to rip my throat out.  Could have done without that...but whatever... (stupid, irresponsible pet owners!).

As of Sunday, we've logged 162.5 official training km.  And the compression tights?  I think they might be pretty great.  I wasn't able to get the full effect because I started with a sore back...but I think that I had less hip/glute pain this time around...and my legs felt GREAT!

I can't imagine being able to get those tiny little things stretched over my less-tiny body in the women's washroom at work, however....so I think the compression tights will remain only for long runs on weekends...when I can get dressed at home and fall over on my bed in the process...not end up falling in the toilet or something...

The next 6-weeks of my training will be dedicated to my friend who has a long road ahead of her too...but just like us, she'll get through it by putting one foot in front of the other.

How Do YOU Spell Relief?

I'm hoping relief is spelled C-O-M-P-R-E-S-S-I-O-N!

As mentioned, I am experiencing pain when I do my long runs... And though some pain is maybe to be expected, this is pain that could very well interfere with my ability to finish a long run (though if I wasn't so stubborn and stopped and stretched for a minute when it started hurting it would help...but whatever...we all have issues).

So, today I got my compression tights in the mail.  Aren't they fancy looking:

Now, if you've never worn compression tights before, lemme tell ya.  Just putting them on is an experience. It is a workout just getting them up....and you've NEVER seen a muffin top like a compression tights muffin top if you don't quite get them pulled up far enough.  Not a pretty sight (be thankful I didn't take a picture of THAT!).

My next run is this week's long run.  14.5k....so it will be time to give the tights a real test.  Fingers crossed please (they cost a bloody fortune and will break my heart if they don't give me some relief!). 

Seven Weeks to Go!

Finished another week of training....week 5!  Like the past several weeks, Tuesday (a relatively short run) sucked majorly...hurt, tired, etc.  Not sure why I struggle through Tuesdays.

Because our spin class (cross training) is on Thursday evenings, we've switched our Wed & Thur training...so now Wed we run a 1.5k warmup, then do a distance (varies each week) at race pace and then a 1.5k cool down.  You'd think that would be a tougher run...but I've quite enjoyed the Wednesday runs. 

Thursday spin classes always rock!  I am pushing myself way harder this fall than I ever did before summer.  Loving it!

Saturday is long run day...this week was 13k.  By the time I start getting close to the double digits in km, I start hurting.  The outside of my hips/glutes and lower back....aching big time :(  So, after some intense research via Google I decided that maybe compression tights might help. So I went to our "cycle and sports" shop here in town - which is the closest we come to a running supply store and asked if they have compression tights.  The oh-so-wise fellow helping me suggested I go to the local drugstore.

WHAT!!??  Is he serious??  He thinks I am asking for THESE:

Ugghh!!  Shows we live in a small town and are in DESPERATE need of a real running/yoga/bike store when the closest we have refers me to the drug store for SUPPORT HOSE!!  Wow.

So, today we took a ride to Invermere....A smaller town...but one that actually has a great store called Crazy Soles.  Unfortunately, despite a phone message that said they were open Sunday's....they were not.  So, we drove an hour and a half each way and I ended up with a 45 calorie DQ Fudge Bar and a bottle of water.  Oh well, it was a fun trip anyway....however, the search for ACTUAL compression tights continues....

And on to week 6 of training! Almost half way there!

Groin, Groin....Gone

Ouch!  So....barely slept last night because my groin hurt every time I moved.  Rolling over or moving from one side to another was a near impossibility...Ugggh...  I am only a third of the way through training...I soooo can NOT have a groin injury at this point.

Pulled out the other shoes that I bought in Spokane and wore them for today's run, am eating better so my body gets what it needs to repair better, loaded up on Ibuprofen and a "value size" tube of Voltaren and spent my lunch hour doing some hip and hamstring stretching to see if it will help. So far today I am feeling MUCH better than yesterday (though yesterday's run WAS longer).  This Saturday is a 13k run....That will be the next test.

However, I keep hearing about the woman who ran the Chicago Marathon last weekend...at 38 weeks pregnant....and gave birth 7 hours after crossing the finish line!??  WTF!  SERIOUSLY???  Who does that!!??  Ok, that puts my achy girl bits in a little better perspective.  Suck it up, Schmidt.... At least you're not carrying another human along with you when you run....a human who is trying to get out no less!  Yikes!  THAT is commitment.

Four Weeks in...

Ok....we've completed four weeks.  We're officially 1/3 of the way there.  It only gets harder from here...YIKES!  My glutes/hips are NOT particularly enjoying the long runs.  Will have to figure something out with those.  Foam roller? Stretching? Strengthening?  I dunno.  Trial and error I guess. The long run for week 4 was 11k.  Still well within my comfort zone after doing 10k long runs all summer.  Though I got the 10k under an hour, I have thrown all thoughts about speed out the window.  It's all about just getting it done at this point.

Yup....one hour, 16 minutes....but that's ok.  What worries me is the fact that my hips, lower back and glutes were quite sore for the last part of the run and I was very stiff and sore after we were done (felt much better after stretching).  Not sure how I'll get through a 19k run!  Yikes!

This upcoming weekend we'll be doing the longest run we've ever done!  13k.  That's one more than Bloomsday, 3 more than a "regular" long run.  And a little scary...  But we'll just do what we can do I guess.  Good thing I'm stubborn :)

Some Yummy Inspiration

Well...Ok. This running thing started as a way to get into better shape. Once I lost a fair amount of weight, I began to look at people's body's and admiring nicely toned arms, flat bellies, muscular legs, etc...and use that as inspiration to continue working.

Today, however, I was handed (actually tweeted) some AMAZING inspiration. This image of a body that looks almost impossible to achieve...and it happens to be the body of my favourite Vancouver Canuck! Yup...It's Ryan Kesler's photo from his ESPN's The Body Issue.

Seriously...how does a human being look like that? There is not an ounce of fat anywhere. It's pure, sculpted, rock-solid perfection (and is also now the desktop wallpaper on my laptop!)

Now, don't get me wrong...as inspiring as this picture is - I don't have any delusions that my body fat will get into the negatives like Kesler's appears to be....but WOW! It's hard to not want to work a little harder at least. (Right after I'm done staring at my new desktop, that is!)

Jogging For Jerry

It's official!  We've launched our website and have begun collecting donations on behalf of Epilepsy Canada. Check out the details!

Fingers crossed that we're able to raise at least the $1000 that is our goal before Vegas.  Training will be so much easier with this goal in mind.  It's no longer about us as individuals.... Our aches and pains we're sure to experience as a result of our training pale in comparison to what Jerry and others with epilepsy endure.

So, bring on the donations!  We'll run hard in return :)

Three Weeks Down....

...and NINE to go!  Yikes!

Last week the thought of 9 more weeks might have been enough to bring me to tears.  Running was HARD again.  Things hurt.  I lost my mo-jo.  I just wasn't into it....at all.  Totally regretted signing up for the half, totally regretted our training plan, kinda regretted I ever started running.

Then I had a good run.  Yup, that is all it takes...  I quit trying to get the fastest time I could and just started running.  And it felt good.  Better than good.  It re-invigorated me.  I am back to enjoying running.  I am actually LOOKING FORWARD TO our longer weekend runs!  11k next Saturday!  Whoo Hoooo!  Bring it on!

Let's hope the next 9 weeks of training keep pumping me up and the lost mo-jo days are behind me.  Temporarily at least.  They'll be back.  Post-race let-down and all that.  In December.  Shouldn't be too hard to re-find my desire to run in December right?  Snow, ice, dark, weeks and months of freezing temperatures ahead.  Oh well....TODAY I had a good run....so, bring it!

It's All Downhill From Here....

It's official!!  Times are in for the Blue Heron 10k in Creston....and I was officially in under an hour!

Yup!  58:35.  So what if I almost threw-up once I crossed the finish line...  I got in under an hour...and only 4 people in my age group beat me...(and lets face it...I am at the TOP of my age group).

It seems that this milestone happened in the nick of time.  In a recent edition of a running magazine, there was an article about how times begin increasing once runners turn 40.  As you'll see in the image above....I'm the magical age of 39 right now.  And, as you may recall, we are going to Vegas in December....to run a half-marathon...and to celebrate me turning 40!  In fact there's only about 53 days from this race day to the big 4-0!  Talk about getting in under the wire...

But it's done now.  I have an "OFFICIAL" under 60-minute 10k on record...and my times are EXPECTED to get longer now that I'm getting so old...  What a relief!  I can just coast from now on!  Ahhhhh  :)

Anal AND Annoying

Sooo, if you read the comments on my blog you will have seen that one friend recently requested a blog post about how anal and annoying I am!  Now, SOME people might consider a comment like that rude...or at very least a little judgmental...  But you have to KNOW this friend...then it is just FUNNY.  What makes it even funnier is how monumentally true it is!

I AM anal....and it IS annoying!  But I'm ok with that.  It hasn't always served me well in ALL areas of my life.  I have control issues (my son can attest to that) and my need to control things did neither him nor I any favours when I was raising him.  My control issues also make me a bit of a psycho because I have irrational fears of pretty much anything out of my control (which includes most of the world!).  So, what was I saying about being ok with it?  hmmmm...

Oh yah!  I am ok with it because in some cases it works well for me.  And since this is a running blog...it has served me especially well with running.  I started running with the Couch to 5K program.  I listened to a podcast which told me when to run and when to walk and when to stop.  It was perfect for me.  I knew what to expect each and every time I ran and stopping wasn't a question... I had to do what I was being told to do (which drove this same friend insane when I got to the point that I was willing to run with her...I still remember her ready to kill me because we were on a downhill and she wanted to take advantage of it and start running...but my podcast hadn't given me the go-ahead yet.  Still surprised she didn't shove me under the next passing car). 

When I finished the Couch to 5K I then went on to the Gateway to 10k, training for the Bloomsday 12K and then began a routine of running every second day.  It is not an option for me.  Weather doesn't matter.  The "rule" is I run on running days.  I don't see it as an option...and while people think I am insane - I am training for a half marathon... If I had given myself the option to quit - if I didn't follow the plan in a hugely anal, annoying way....I would have quit...long ago.... I know it.

I have gotten slightly more relaxed about my routine.  Recently, I cut back my lunch-time workouts to only 2 days/week instead of 5 (though I still go to the gym for core work and stretching those other 3 days) and though I am following a new training plan I have given myself a little bit of leeway with it.  Today was to be my long run day (though only 8k) and tomorrow an easy 4k... But I had signed up for a 10k which is tomorrow so I did my short run today and will do the 10k tomorrow.  Just like that...I changed things up!  Like a crazy woman!! 

But after that...it's back to my schedule, back to my routine, back to being anal and annoying....because anal and annoying keeps me running!

First Week....DONE!

Done my first official week of half-marathon training.  Made one mistake - thinking Friday was a cross-training day, not a rest day...so did a 8.5k walk that I didn't need to do...  But oh well...

Struggled through both the Thursday and the Saturday run, though.... Began to suspect that perhaps working out hard in the gym 5x/week in addition to the running and cross-training required by our program might be a bit much.... So, I consulted the experts....on Twitter...I mean, where else would you find experts when you live in a small town with no real obvious experts to consult?  One of them is author and Runners World contributor, Bart Yasso - so, really....he knows his stuff.

So, the consensus of my Twitter experts was a resounding YES....I am doing too much :(  Both said circuit training 1x/week is the most I should be doing (that was before I fessed up to the spin class starting this week).  Soooo....I am not willing to give up my workouts entirely....but I am going to give in a little.  Monday and Friday's are official rest days...I am going to only do some stretching and core work those days and Wednesdays.  Running will be Tuesday/Wednesday, Saturday/Sunday.  On Tuesday and Thursday (likely??) I will workout in the gym....but primarily on upper body.  Thursday I will also do spin class (which is my official cross-training day, anyway).  Hopefully taking it easy 3x/week at lunch will help my body to better deal with the training to come....and perhaps will let my groin issues improve somewhat as well.

Next weekend is supposed to be an 8k run on Saturday and a 4k easy run Sunday...However, we're signed up for a 10k in Creston on Sunday...so the 4k will be Saturday, the 10k Sunday....and then after that...I should be able to stay on schedule...hopefully!

Hurry up December!  I'm ready for this to be done already!  The half-marathon is taking over my life!

Training commences....

We'll it's official...I am midway through the first week of half-marathon training.  Have to say...pretty anti-climatic so far.  Only one run completed at this point...and it was a 5k...much like every other early morning 5k we've been doing all along.  Won't be long before we're amp-ing up, however....so I should be grateful for the familiar while it exists...

Not doing so well with the whole 'rest' concept, however.  Monday was actually a rest day.  No running, no cross training... Yet, I spent my lunch hour doing squat jumps, plie squats, walking lunges, rowing machine, a bunch of core stability exercises and sprints on the treadmill.  Hmmm...perhaps not what was intended by the word "rest".  Oh well...will likely do the same next week.  And though I will be spending my lunch hour doing a different circuit training workout today...I'll also try to figure out 30-40 minutes of cardio to do...Because today is cross-training day :)

Running 6.5k after work tomorrow then another 6.5k on Saturday (sooo relaxed after a summer of 10k's) and an easy 4k Sunday...  Ahhh....  relaxing almost :)  In just a few weeks I'll be wishing for these days back, I'm sure :)

I Did It!!

Yup...I did it!  Actually, I did it twice!!  Before you start thinking that something positive actually happened in my social life...let me remind you - this is a RUNNING blog.  And what I did is RAN....10K.....in less than an hour!  The first time was a week ago...but sadly, I didn't have my laptop (getting repaired) and could not download my Garmin info..and it made blogging tricky too (could have still done it....but - obviously - I didn't).  So, that run a week ago...I finished 10K in 59:39!  But could not download my Garmin info as proof...and ran alone....so, really...you'll have  to take my word for it (or not - if you choose to be that way).

Having accomplished my goal, I planned to make yesterday's 10K a more relaxed run.  Was going to stick by Colleen the entire time and let her set the pace.  However, it turns out Colleen was going camping...and I was running alone again....  And as it would turn out...I can be very competitive with myself.  I got a late start...so considered doing just 8k instead.  Made a deal with myself that I would have to complete the first 4K in 24 minutes or less in order to get under an hour again...so if my time at the 4k mark was 25 minutes or more...I would turn around and just complete the 8.  However, at the 4k mark I was just over 24 minutes...and my second half tends to be faster than my first....so I continued on with hope that I could again get under an hour.  I kept track each km to make sure I was staying on track...and then got to km 9.  As always, the last km is the hardest.  My pace had begun to slow a little but I was determined to finish strong.  Something must have shown in my face (pain? determination? exhaustion) because all of a sudden people passing me at various places along that last km were cheering me on. "Way to go" "Good job" "Almost there" It was like I was in an "official" race.  I've had the occasional person make a comment along Rails to Trails before...but never before several people - in different groups...just when I needed it most.  What a great little community of people use the Rails to Trails!  And it worked!

Yup!  Even beat my time from the previous week!

Now the next run I do will be my first "official" training run for the half marathon.  Only 5k....but the start of something new.  Hopefully this will be something good for me to focus on - rather than using SO much energy focusing on what is missing from my life.

Of course, the best news of all this weekend....Kienan Hebert - the 3 year old abducted from his home was returned, unharmed.  Now, lets hope for his abductor's arrest so everyone in the East Kootenay can rest easy.

Math Challenged

Ok....was just pointed out to me that August 30 - September 13 is NOT one week.... DUH!

So....TWO....TWO weeks until our first offiical training run for the half marathon...

IDIOT!

One Week to Go!!

One week from today will be our first "official" training run for the half-marathon.  Ok...so our first "official" run is only 5k... which is no different than any other weekday run at this point.... but still....it is the first day we'll be doing it as part of our "Advanced Beginner Half-Marathon Training".  Yikes.  Let the torture begin...

Getting Closer....But Not There Yet

Well, my quest to complete a 10k in under an hour has gone another month without being achieved....and I thought I was going to throw up today I was running so hard at the end...ugghh...

Getting ever closer, though:

Goal is still make it in under an hour at the Blue Heron 10k....if not before...  Damn you, 10k...I WILL win this one!!  ONE DAY!!!!

Sooo...out for a walk after work today with Lana and Colleen....following the usual route along Rotary Trail...heading through Kinsman Park....when something caught my eye and struck me as funny. You may recognize the sign in the picture below from an earlier post...with a few minor changes... I mean, usually I am not a supporter of defacing property...in all honesty I've kind of turned into one of 'those' people who gripe about kids these days and their lack of respect... (gahd I'm old!)... But seriously...how do you NOT get a chuckle out of THIS:

So, I guess the moral of the story is...if you're a defacer of property with a sense of humour and decent spelling capabilities....I'm kinda ok with that! 

You MIGHT be obsessed if....

Ok yah....so the mould thing continues... The more that gets ripped out, the more there is to rip out.  Should have a totally new house by the time its done....Won't be able to afford to live in it...but new all the same...

The huge issue is the sore throat, headache and stuffy nose I've been experiencing the past few days.  All mould related I'm sure.  As I told a friend of mine today - "I start official half marathon training in 3 weeks...if it gets into my respiratory system and interferes with that I am going to be PISSED"!  "Oh", she said "So, who cares about your health in general - it's whether it interferes with running or not?". 

Huh...when did I become THAT person?...  Oh well...I'll still be pissed if it messes with my half!

No, No...I Said a FUN GUY....

So, been a bit of a slacker exercise-wise this week.  I still went to the gym every day at lunch and ran Wednesday morning and this morning (5k) but only made one walk.  Being back at work put a big crimp in my exercise dedication....

Another thing that has thrown a bit of a wrench in things is coming home to see how my bathroom fixes were going only to find that the bathroom is FULL of mould.  Lovely black, disgusting mould.

Yup....that happened... So, instead of a walk tonight, I donned a smelly protective mask which made my hair stick out like Bozo the clown and pulled staples out of the studs so we can hang new drywall.... The mould on the remaining wall board has been sprayed with a mould killer...we'll see in the morning whether it has worked or if we're replacing that wall as well....

Leave it to me to ask for a fun guy.....and get fungi instead :(

Busted by the Plank Police

So...I believe I have mentioned the #PlankADay twitter thing that I thought would be a good idea to try.  You simply aim to do one plank a day - holding it for as long as possible - EVERY day.  Then you send out a tweet letting other #PlankADay -ers know that you've completed yours.  Seemed harmless...  Then one day I received a notice that I was being followed (on Twitter...not for real) by @PlankPolice.  Seriously?  The Plank Police?  There's some pressure...

So, cut to Monday.  First day back to work.  A little disorienting...I was a little tired...  I still completed my planks....but I forgot to send out a tweet...  Tuesday at work it dawns on me so I send a delayed tweet:

 Whew!  Safe!  No worries that the Plank PoPo are going to be after me, right?  WRONG!  I received a tweet back:

SERIOUSLY!  A penalty plank!  Sheesh!

But, yup....I did it... And dutifully reported in....I'm such a sucker...

Cute? NOT!

So, I'm back to work after 3 weeks holidays.  Work has been..ummm....well lets just say there has been stuff that's happened that doesn't make it my favourite place to be right now.  Nothing major...just have my nose out of joint a little...  So, being back at work doesn't thrill me... I decided I needed a pick-me-up.

On our trip to Wallace, Idaho - we shopped at Kohl's in Hayden....I found a dress I absolutely loved and had to buy...  So, I thought I'd wear it today...If I look cute - it will make me feel better, right?

So, I arrived at work....super cute dress...strappy high heel sandals, feeling pretty darn good about myself.  Sit down at my desk for a bit...then got up to do something and noticed something on my chair.  What was that!?  Suddenly I remember....the backs of my thighs are peeling...because I am too much of an idiot after almost 40 years to have actually learned how to prevent that!  Uggh...   Whatever...I'll just sit a lot of the day...which means, really, no one will see me in my cute dress...but that's ok...I know I look cute.

Toward the end of the day I take a run to the washroom...as I am washing my hands I glance in the mirror and notice my left arm has a series of little bruises all over it...It looks like I have freaking track marks!

So, note to self... When dressing to try to look cute - do so in a way that does NOT show off your leper thighs and junkie arms!  Sigh...

One Twenty Three....Almost Killed Me!

So, I was doing a fair amount of walking leading up into and at the start of my last week of vacation.  Whenever I go for a lengthy walk, a run or a bike ride, I always strap on my Garmin watch to track what I'm doing.  I then go to the dailymile.com website afterward to log what I've done and post it to Facebook (cuz I'm braggy like that)... The dailymile website keeps a running tab on the top of the # of km you've logged for the week so far...Sooo...being the dumbass I am, I thought "I wonder if I can do 100km this week?".  Once the idea has been planted...

So, the week looked like this - Monday 8k walk, Tuesday 5k run/8k walk, Wednesday 8k walk, Thursday 5k run, 8k walk...hmmm...my lower back is beginning to bother me a little...feels a bit tight... Friday 10k bike, 9k walk (yup, lower back not really very happy).  Saturday 10k run (owww...THAT hurt!)...and then it was Sunday...and I had 29km more to go!  Yikes...So, Sunday I decided to bike to Kimberley and back... STUPID...Not only is it more km than I needed...but I had that nagging back thing going on...  But I'm nothing if not stubborn...  Hopped on my bike and away I went.  Got as far as Marysville and was thinking this isn't too bad...not much farther to Kimberley.  Unfortunately, Marysville to Kimberley is ALL up hill...(which my back does NOT like).  Somehow I made it...painfully... Turned around, stopped at a picnic table for a snack and some water and coasted back down to Marysville...ahh...my back didn't mind that so much.  Then I remembered....the 3.5km hill I had to climb to get back to Cranbrook...and then the KILLER hill back up to my house...uggghh....but I did it...  Could barely walk by the time I got back...had to skip running on Monday because of my back....but I did it.  Worth it???  You betcha!  I beat my goal...123km in one week!  Woot Woot!

The picture below was taken at the official 100km mark!

One Month Until The Torture Begins....

One month from today we officially start our training program for the half marathon.  When I think ahead to a 19k training run it kind of scares the crap out of me....yet, in some ways - I can't believe we still have to wait another month.  It seems like we'll never get around to training.  Running has been going well for me lately and I just want to take advantage of that and train while the training is good.  Fingers crossed that it lasts!

I Weigh WHAT???

So, just back from my big vacation for the year.  A three-day trip with Heather and Nicole to Wallace Idaho.  Was to be two days of biking - so some good exercise.  Ended up being one afternoon of mostly coasting downhill - lol!  Beautiful coasting - amazing sights along the Route of the Hiawatha.  Went through some very cool (and one FREEZING COLD) tunnels - including the almost 2-miler that was a bit creepy. 

Got home late last night and got on the scale this morning.  Three days of bad eating, beer drinking, and almost no exercise sure catches up with you quickly!  Holy crumb!  Wish I could LOSE that much weight that quickly...

So, fun-time is over.  Work-time is back.  Ran this morning - 5k and 10 sprints.  Leg workout at the gym and then a nice long walk planned with Colleen for tonight.  Gym (and a walk?) tomorrow and then Loop the Lake on Saturday...  Time to getter done!

From Aggressive Deer to Barking Birds??

So, anyone who lives in my little city knows full well that we've had a little issue with deer who have decided they are quite comfortable hanging out in town with the rest of us.  For the most part, they are just a bit of a nuisance - eating all the flowers out of gardens, eating trees/bushes, strolling ever so slowly across busy streets...but on occasion, when their babies are quite little - they can act like any other momma acts and will do anything to protect their fawns.  A couple of people have been hurt...and one video of a dog getting it's ass kicked went viral on YouTube (put your dogs on a leash, people, and you don't have to worry about it!).

For obvious reasons, however, our folks at City Hall decided that warning signs were in order.  So....a certain husband of a certain friend of mine ordered up and had signs posted reminding us to be on the lookout for the deer.

And....whaddya know!  The signs work!  Who knew we have the smartest deer around in our little ole city?  But apparently we DO!  I think they can read!  SERIOUSLY!  I have not seen ONE deer when out walking/running/biking (which you may have noticed I do a fair amount of) since the signs went up!  I can just hear them now...at a town hall type gathering of deer... "Oh shit!  Those humans are on to us now!  First these signs...then what??  A cull??  Yikes!  Let's get our little white tails out of here"!  Seems like the most logical explanation for the sudden decline in deer sightings to me!  Well played, Mr. Z, well played!

HOWEVER!  On our walk today, I heard the strangest noise come out of a bird's beak...  I looked at Colleen and said "Did that bird just BARK at us?".  She agreed that it had.  So, just a heads up to the fine folks at City Hall (and that includes you Mr Z!), you might want to think about some signage for barking birds before long.  We can't be expected to tolerate THAT type of behaviour, can we?

Why, why, why.....?

Getting up at 5:45 tomorrow morning again (still on my holidays!!) to meet the girls for a pre-work run.  Should "pre-work runs" not only happen when I am actually working?  Ugghh....  I mean, I know....I can go back to bed when I get home....but I'm soooo tired today.  Had a stupid big chai tea latte at 7:30 last night...spent a good chunk of the night wide awake...and another, larger chunk, in the bathroom peeing.  STOOPID!  Then I did another version of a "Schmidt Tri-athlon" today.  Biked to COTR, did a kettlebell workout followed by 20 minutes on the elliptical, then biked home...then I went for a walk with Kyla... Hmm...maybe that's more than a tri-athlon?  Isn't that 4 things?  Oh...and then there is the idiotic #plankaday challenge I decided was a great idea...  So...5 things...  What's that called?  A cinq-athlon?  Gah!  Is it bed time yet?

Looking forward to the bike trip to Idaho....should be a bit of a rest for me :)

A Schmidt Triathlon?

Busy training day today.  Got up early (5:45am) to meet the girls for a pre-work run....even though I am on holidays.  Who does that?  (need to have head examined)  Then I met my lunch-time workout partner for a circuit training kinda workout thing (uggh, I HATE t-pushups!) and then a 6k walk with Colleen to round out the day.  Since I can't swim..and I have lost the keys to my bike lock...that's my version of a triathlon!

Because I had a busy day...and because it's Tuesday (weigh-in/cheat day) I rewarded myself with a Ty-cooked meal and the most ginormous chai tea latte I've ever seen (even with skim milk I hate to think how many calories were in that puppy!)  On the way home I bought a new bike lock...so plan (weather permitting) to bike to the College for my gym workout (kettlebells tomorrow).  Kinda hoping the facilities guys have something to cut my old lock off my bike...and then tomorrow night is a Kyla walk....which of course means a good ab workout from laughing.

Speaking of abs....almost forgot my plank-a-day challenge.  One 60 second plank followed by a 30 second plank.  Hoping it gets easier as time goes...

Now I'm beat...Heading to bed to watch Chelsea Lately...

What the Hawk??

Wish I had pictures for today's blog post.  Due to maintenance on Rails to Trails, we were forced to go to Wasa for our 10k run this week.  A good incentive to keep running was the swarms of mosquitoes that would go crazy on us as soon as we stopped.  Had about 2.5k walk back to the car after we finished running - and even though I put my jacket back on and zipped it up to my chin, I wasn't entirely sure we'd have any blood left by the time we found refuge.  Crazy! 

The 10k went pretty well.  My hips are giving me a little trouble (need to stretch?  from planks?  who knows!) so they hurt a little.  My time was slower than the past couple of 10k's for sure.  Colleen had a good run she was happy about, though....

So, we finish the run, took refuge in Colleen's lovely Dodge Charger for the trip back to town... We're cruising along the highway and Colleen and I both spy a hawk flying on along the side of the highway...then it flew over the highway, and then it was coming toward the car, closer and closer....right at the windshield!  Colleen's holding tight to the steering wheel, bracing for impact.  I'm ducking and squealing and holding my hands in front of me - visualizing this damn hawk coming THROUGH the windshield and landing on my lap.  Me - who is terrified of a robin!!  Sheesh!  I kind of wish I could have seen a speech bubble above the hawk's head too...I can imagine it was also thinking "oh shit!".  Thankfully it finally pulled up and flew OVER the car instead of through it.  Something about us and freaky bird incidents (first we were dive-bombed by a grouse who then came along with us for a run for a bit!). 

After that, the rest of the trip was uneventful.  Headed up to Colleen's when we hit town for a blissful soak in the hot tub before heading home to eat.  Then it was plank-a-day time.  Did one 60 second plank and one 30 second.  Decided to give my lower back a break and not push for a second 60 second.

Now must finally go shower!

New Challenge

Ahhh...gotta love Twitter.  So much information coming in - all in short little bursts of 140 characters or less.  Got up today to multiple tweets about Amy Winehouse's untimely demise (a little surreal that she now joins Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Kurt Kobain and Janis Joplin in the "died at 27" club).

Anyway, another thing that has entered my consciousness through Twitter is what some folks I am following have started doing.  They are tagging their tweets with #plankaday and giving details as to the number of planks and their duration that they complete each day.

So, somewhere in my less-than-brilliant mind a little voice said "what a great idea!"...  When I will learn to NOT listen to that voice, I don't know...but apparently now is not the time.  I have officially thrown my hat in the ring for the plank-a-day challenge (competing only against myself, of course).  My initial goal is to do at least one 60 second plank every single day between now and the end of my holidays (August 14).  Started off with a bang today.  Completed TWO 60 second planks.  Good thing no one was around during the second one.  Not sure those grunting and groaning sounds were really human-sounding.  But..I did it.  Now, however, I have a pretty tender lower back...Perhaps starting with one and working toward 2 is a better idea?

Tomorrow....10k and day two of #plankaday!

Why I Run

Someone recently tweeted out the message "Why do you run?".  In response I said (somewhat) facetiously "I run in hopes that boys will chase me".  Well, in fact, there is some level of truth to that, I suppose...

However, this past week I've rediscovered yet another reason to run.  It keeps me from committing homicide, being locked away in a psych ward or from simply lying in the corner in the fetal position.  It's been a stressful time at work.  Events that have transpired have done an amazing job of beating me up emotionally and making me doubt relationships I had built over many years.  There were days that getting out of bed seemed like far more than I could handle...facing it (mostly) alone made it that much tougher. When I could barely function because it was feeling like too much, though, a run always helped.  I would arrive at the starting point feeling like I had been beaten up and had nothing left.  The first km or so is always tough....but somewhere along the way I would realize the feelings of pain, disappointment and emotional exhaustion were being left farther and farther behind with every step I took.  Soon I felt free, rejuvenated and like I could face not only what was happening at work - but that I could take on the world.  The feeling doesn't last forever (if only I could bottle it and take a hit whenever needed) but it provides enough of a break that I can face all that is happening again.  It is like with each run I get just a little bit stronger - not just physically but emotionally as well.

So, this is why I run...Because life throws us unfair curve balls and some times it is hard to deal with them...but running gives me the strength to get through them all.  (Though it would be nice on those rough days to have someone around to hold me in his arms and help to block out the world for a little while...so I will also continue to run in hopes boys will chase me!).

Some are great running days....and then there was today...

Today's run felt like a struggle from start to finish.  My iPod died at the 20 minute mark.  I had made ok time at the half-way point but needed to pick it up if I was going to make it in under an hour....but rather than have a faster second half, I slowed down a little and finished in 1:02:07.  Six seconds faster than last week...but still over 2 minutes slower than I'd like.

Oh well...will keep plugging away at it...  It will come eventually. 

Even though every part of me protested mightily....I still completed 10 sprints as well...

Now I think I might have a nap before heading to Fernie.  Seems like a great plan to me!

Where I'm At

Ok...after that last post I am going to avoid the use of the word "cute" for the rest of this post.

This is the end of the first week with both of my regular running/exercise buddies gone on vacation.  I've heard from Colleen.  Hoping Gerilee is having a great trip and is staying safe.  I did my first 10k alone.  It was uneventful and I was happy with my time.  Then I had my first morning run alone.  Came across a few deer but was a pretty good run anyway.  Had a new partner join me for my other two runs this week.  Was nice to have company but found myself backing off to her slower pace.  Not horribly slow but frustrating enough that I'm hoping for another 10k alone tomorrow. 

Managed to get out for a walk (6k) most days this week.  Took Wednesday off.  Thursday Lana and her friend Tammy joined me so it was a little bit slower.  Friday Heather and I walked from work downtown for beer and dinner and then back.  Does that count?  I bought a running magazine along the way - that HAS TO count for something, right??  lol...

Today, did the 22k bike ride from my house to the bridge and back.  Waited too long in the day so it was quite windy...  Wind has picked up a lot again now so I am glad to be done.

Now off to find some grub :)

Shopping, Shopping, Shopping!

One of the best parts of running has to be the cute running clothes you can buy!  In addition to my Nuu-Muu (which I still LOVE), I recently bought three new running shirts from the best company - One More Mile.  I've never had such great customer service!  They rock!  I'll definitely buy more from them.  The shirts I got have cute sayings on them:

1)  If you see me collapse pause my Garmin.

2)  I am only doing this so I can post a picture on Facebook.

3)  If found on ground, please drag across finish line.

LOVE THEM!!

I also have a running skort coming from Run Girl Run.  I got one with attached tights - to avoid the dreaded chub rub!  So much for running being an inexpensive sport!  After spending a good chunk of the day scouring this town for a regular skort, however, I have definitely determined Cranbrook is in need of a running/biking/yoga shop.  The selection in town is horrible!

One Down....

I did it!  First 10k of the season and it is done, done, DONE!  And it was pretty great too.  I thought briefly that I might be able to make it in under an hour - but it wasn't to be.  Still pretty darn happy with the 1:02:13 time I got though.  A sub-hour 10k definitely seems possible....down the road.  I gave it all I had today, though.  Ankle gave me a little trouble and at one point my left hamstring had a couple moments of seizing up...but otherwise it was a great run in the sunshine.  Oh...still having iPod trouble too.  Checked last night and it said battery was at 75% so didn't bother re-charging it.  About 15 minutes into my run, it died....  Would have been nice to have had music the rest of the way but was fine without it. 

Tons of people on Rails to Trails today.  Not sure if that is because it is a rare nice weekend, a long weekend, or the combination of the two.  Finished off my 10k with running 10 sprints and then some stretching.  A group that seemed to have biked from Kimberley came while I was stretching.  One of the guys told me when I was done that I "look pretty limber".  Not quite sure what that meant...

Almost tempted to do a bike ride today too...but think perhaps I'll sit in the sunshine with a book and a beer instead :)  I <3 Summer!

Yeouch!

Ok....fastest 9k to date this morning (I think).  55:44...but boy do I feel it.  I may never move again.  The thought of doing 10k in under an hour is seeming more and more unrealistic.  I'm a hurtin' unit.  Still managed to do 10 sprints after the run....but those were very tough too.  Started out particularly rough and got better however.

The next few weeks will be a challenge for me.  After Thursday, I'll have no one waiting for me at Rails to Trails to get me out of bed in the morning.  Then there is the issue of the deer (and other animals) that freak me out when I run on the trail early in the morning alone.  More incentive to run FAST perhaps??  Starting 10k runs next weekend and will do at least the first two weekends alone.  Is that good?  Bad?  Remains to be seen.

For now...I must go stretch some more before my body seizes so badly I can not actually walk.  Isn't running FUN?? 

Brrrrr....

Is it REALLY almost July?  Went for another bike ride from my house to the bridge and back (about 22 km) with Colleen....but it was a chilly ride.  Colleen gave me a good giggle when she said at one point that she thought she was getting frostbite.  Usually speeding down the hills is the best part of the bike ride...but today it was just COLD. 

Supposed to be 8 degrees in the morning so should be a nice cool run tomorrow.  We'll be good and ready for a winter half marathon at this point.

Bring on the sunshine!!  I want summer!

Awesome Day!

Whoo Hooo....I love days where I have boundless amounts of energy for some strange reason...  Ran 5k this morning, did kettlebells and sprints at lunch and now just did a 22 k bike ride.... And thanks to the combination of the freakishly weird amounts of energy and the months of hell in spin class, I made it up the never-ending hill in a gear one notch below the hardest gear.  Made it up the killer hill to my place in a harder gear too (though not as tough a gear as the long, gradual hill).  When I got up the really hard part of that hill to my place and then up the slightly less hard part, there was a crinkled up package of cigarettes lying in the road.  What a great reminder of how far I have come.  Definitely couldn't have had a day like this back when I was a smoker.  Think I'll sleep well tonight!

Beautiful day outside.  Blue sky, 26 degrees....and beautiful scenery along the way.  How can you NOT be filled with energy when you're surrounded by the beautiful scenery we're lucky enough to enjoy here in the Kootenays!?

Lucky Lucky Me

Every now and then I am reminded that despite any set-backs that may occur in life, I am a super lucky girl!  I am especially lucky to have some wonderful, supportive, encouraging and super cool friends.  Went for a great walk with Kyla today...not only was it a nice walk - but she is so freaking entertaining, you can't help but be in a good mood when you've spent time with her...

I kept talking about my running girls to her too....and she (being the awesome, supportive ultra-cool chick she is) commented on how great she thinks it is that I have these women in my life that are willing to do crazy things with me like Bloomsday, the Vegas half...and maybe, just maybe a duathlon??!!  I, of course, know how lucky I am to have them (both for the running support and for all the support in so many other ways!) but having someone else comment on it is a great reminder.

Everything else seems less important when I focus on just how lucky I really am!  Lucky lucky me!

Saw this quote today.  Totally reminded me of my friends today:  "A word of encouragement during a failure is worth more than an hour of praise after success"

Time to Reflect

Went out last night... Didn't get much sleep.  Having an introspective day today.  Don't see much happening training-wise...just some thinking time.

Three early-morning runs coming up this week as well as the last (I think) 9k weekend run.  Once July comes around I'll be going up to 10k on the weekends.  Supposed to be some decent weather days starting on Tuesday for a few days...so hopefully will get some biking in for cross-training this week too.

Sometimes You Need A Push

Great 9k today.  All three of us were finally back together....Colleen, Gerilee and I.  Yay!!  Whether intended or not, having Gerilee running beside me pushes me to do better so I was able to take another minute off of my 9k time from last week!  Getting 10k done in under an hour might just be possible some day after all.

Followed the great run with some sprints and stretching.  Think my quads might protest somewhat tomorrow.  Still enjoying the running thing so much more now, though.  Amazing what pain-free running can do for you :)

The Runs Keep on Comin'

Nothing new or exciting to report on the running front.  Did our regular 5k on Tuesday and Thursday.  Our longer 9k run is tomorrow.  Hope to get in under an hour again...but have been feeling tired and sluggish the past few days.  Didn't do much of anything today so hoping I'll have the energy I need in the morning.

Loving how much better I feel running now than I used to, though.  Even the rough days aren't nearly so rough.

Well, time to rest up for tomorrow (some more).

'Til next time....

New Goal...

Forgot to mention in my last post.... After achieving my goal of a sub-hour 9k....I now want to attempt a 10k in under an hour....By the end of July if possible.  Yikes!

The picture attached has nothing to do with running....but isn't the baby deer cute?

Great Run Day!

The sun was shining - which always inspires a better run.  I love a morning where the air still feels a little bit crisp yet the sun is shining down...it is so energizing.  Today was another 9k run.  I hoped by the end of the month to be able to complete 9k in less than an hour.  Surpassed that goal today (only half way through the month) and completed in 58:10.  Yay!  I felt really good through almost the whole run.  Had a little pain in my heel/ankle for a bit....but the groin gave me no trouble at all. 

Wore my new Nuu-Muu for the first time today.  It is ultra-comfortable.  I felt great running in it.  Might need to get more.... hmmmm....So much for running being an 'inexpensive' sport!

Now back to real life....laundry, lawn mowing and grocery shopping...uggh...

'Til next time....

Keep on Runnin'

Over-did (or properly did) kettlebells on Tuesday.  Was supposed to run Wednesday morning but was awake most of the night listening to the rain pouring down like crazy.  At four a.m. I turned on my cell phone and began praying Colleen would call and cancel!  Thankfully, she did just that.  Not so much cancelled, I guess....just postponed to after work.  Did the route through town...had to detour a little through Kinsman Park due to some pretty major flooding (damn rain!).  Just means we have to stick to the ultra-flat Rails to Trails, I guess. Oh darn!  Run was relatively good....other than the huge pain in my thighs/butt from kettlebells.  We certainly didn't make any time records...But we ran 5k...and that is what counts.

Hopefully we'll get Gerilee out running with us again soon.... Seems like FOREVER since we all last ran together :(

We all ordered some cool new running t-shirts/tanks today.  Looking forward to their arrival...We might never be the fastest in the race...but that doesn't mean we can't look the best :)

One Step Forward...and then a step back

Well, my Vegas roomie/travel mate has determined that it is not possible for her to go to Vegas after all.  This now opens up questions for me.  Do I try to find someone else to go with so I can share expenses and not end up lost wandering the streets of Vegas?  Do I try to book at the same time as one of the other couples going?  Do I really want to be the third wheel (7th wheel actually, I guess...since there will be 3 couples and me).  Or should I grow up and put on my big-girl panties and get my own self to Vegas like a real adult would?  hmmmm... 

Biking Day

Excellent cross-training day....though I prefer to just think of it as a beautiful bike ride.  Went to Marysville on Rails to Trails with Colleen, had a good lunch at the golf course and then biked home.  About 37km in all.  Felt pretty good the whole way.  Such a beautiful area...Was loving the sunshine and the views.  All-in-all it has been an awesome weekend (including the Canucks winning in OT to take a 2-0 lead in the Stanley Cup finals against Boston!).  Need to get my bike seat raised....bit hard on my knees currently.  Such a nice way to spend the morning, however...  Now it is back to reality...laundry and grocery shopping....sigh...

Six Months and Counting...

Ok....here we go!  Six months from now I will be preparing to run my first ever half marathon.  Yikes!  I've registered so there is no turning back now, right?  Right!

Days like today I feel like maybe I can actually do this.  Had a great run this morning with Colleen.  The sun was shining but it wasn't too hot (yet).  It was the type of morning that almost makes you WANT to run.  We did 9km today.  Groin started hurting around the 6k mark....but actually got better.  Especially after I drank water?  Maybe.  Must remember to keep doing that....WATER!  Very important. 

Running is going so much better now than in the past.  Partly due to the increase in water I am consuming, I'm sure and likely in part due to me working on strengthening my core.  Hopefully by the time we start ACTUALLY training for the half, my groin issues will be a thing of the past.  Got a couple of months of just running for "fun" before we have to worry about that, though. 

Looking forward to more runs in the sun :)

D.