My new training plan & a booboo!

I'm stepping up my races in the next couple months.

 

July I'm doing a 10 K and August I'm doing a 15K.

 

I mentioned this to a friend who runs half marathons (she's doing the 15K with me) and she directed me towards to Hal Higdon's website and training programs.

 

I have a little over 7 weeks until my 15K and I'm going to start at Week 3 of the training schedule. I've looked it over and I'm already running all of the distances he has listed. I think started at Week 3 would set me up nicely for my 15K.

 

 

My 10K, not so much but all I can do it try my best during that race and since it will be my first 10K, no matter what my time is it will still be a PR and then I can improve on it when I head to Niagara Falls to do the 10K there.

 

I'm hoping I can keep up with this schedule. I can already sense that I might have to be moving some stuff around but I think that adding stretching, strength and cross training and structured distances into my training will definitely be beneficial.

 

 

Maybe it'll also push me past my 157 lb plateau that I've been stuck on.

 

Now, my booboo as my 2 year old calls it.

 

I've run into the classic problem of CHAFING!

 

After my Colour Me Rad 5K I had a little bit of it. It was sore, but really I figured it would just go away no problem.

 

Then I went for a run on Tuesday in really hot, sticky, humid weather wearing my running shorts because the capris were just too ridiculously hot.

 

So here's my question to you:

 

How do you stop this?

 

I put polysporin on after my run, but how do you prevent it?

 

I'll take anything at this point!

 

 

Colour Me Rad 5K Toronto

Yesterday, I ran the Colour Me Rad 5K in Toronto.

 

 

It was a ton of fun, even though the temperature and humidity were absolutely ridiculous!!

 

I went with my lovely sister-in-law Adrienne and a few of her friends, Ashely, Jess and Steph. I honestly was worried about keeping up with these ladies, even though I've been running since January and 'training'. They're all in really good shape and play soccer so they're used to running.

 

We got there, parked, took a before picture:

 

 

And walked to the starting/finishing area. They had pre-race Zumba as a warm up and lots of things thrown out into the crowd. We saw tons of ridiculous outfits (including one guy in white boxers...completely gross) and I stated that it was completely different from the other races I've done.

 

Then the run/walk started. They told everyone to run on the left and walk on the right. Apparently, that's useless information as a lot of people would just stop and walk wherever they wanted.

 

The heat was nuts, the water station was actually a stop (we ran right by) and the 'track' conditions went from concrete to asphalt to trail. It was slightly insane and my legs definitely felt the differences.

 

We finished (time wasn't really kept and my watch turned off instead of started) and decided to head home, but not before taking a post race 'coloured' picture and a quick stop at Subway for lunch.

 

Overall, it was fun. I looked as though I didn't get any colour on me, but I'd definitely do it again!

 

 

Oh and these snazzy glasses came with it, but I might need to fight my little guy to get them back.

 

Have you done any of these "fun runs?" Which ones?

It pays to push!

The other day I wrote about me not pushing myself enough and how I constantly wuss out on things.

 

Before I started running, I thought, well there's no use doing on 3 or 4 kilometers if you've already done 6 or 7. That's just going backwards. I thought I needed to constantly be pushing the kilometers up to get better.

Well, I changed that thinking.

 

Last night, I set myself on a quick route around my neighbourhood. I'd played softball Wednesday night and usually my legs are a mess. Since, I didn't run much during softball (not a great hitting night) my legs were feeling a little tired but decent. No shin soreness, just a little fatigued.

 

I decided that I want to do the 4K route right around where my house is and that it each kilometer had to be under 6:30 and I wanted to be 25:00 minutes.

 

Well, for the most part I did it.

 

My km times were as follows

 

1: 6:17

2: 6:08

3: 6:23

4: 6:11

 

I managed to complete it in 25:00 minutes.

 

I probably could have gone a bit faster at the end, but I was distracted by my husband and kids sitting out on the lawn watching the construction vehicles.

 

I wouldn't say I was completely out of my comfort zone the entire time, but by the end I was really pushing myself. My brain even tried to adjust my goal, or be alright with something other than what I set out to do, but I shut that down quite quickly and said "Nope. We're doing what we set out to do!

 

And I did it!!

As an added bonus, my husband mentioned that my legs were more toned and a lot better!!

 

Linking up over at Running Bloggers for Fitness Friday!!

 

 

Gels, Chews and Bars, Oh My!!

I'm starting to do a little more research into running nutrition.

 

I'm trying to adjust my eating to lose the last of the weight that I want to lose, as well as to give me the greatest nutrition for my running. I don't want to hit the wall because I didn't eat enough or the proper things.
 

 
I sure don't want to hit the wall! Have you ever hit it?
 

While doing some research, I've come across different ways to get the push you need to finish those longer runs. I know they aren't necessary during a 5K (and for a lot of people within a 10K race) but I'm doing a 15K race later in August and I want to make sure that I'm properly prepared.

 

There are so many different gels, chews, bars and drinks that I can't keep them all straight. There are also so many companies making them.

So many to choose from!!
 

How do you choose which one is best?

 

I've heard that it's a personal thing and that certain people handle all different kinds with no problems and others have to stick to one specific type/company/flavour or they spend a lot of time in the port-a-potties before, during and after the race.

I'm assuming you just try them out as you go and you eventually figure out where to start?

Any recommendations on how to do this??

P.S. I honestly never thought there was this much to running....but I love it all!!!!

My Run List

After my first race back in May, I decided that I was going to do one race per month this year.

 

I think that's all I can handle with the boys being so young and still wanting to have some family time at this point. It's hard to wait around at a start line/finish line with the two boys doing nothing (I'm sure that's what they're thinking they're doing). Eventually I'll be able to bump up the number of runs but for now this works for our family.

 

Here are the runs I'm doing for the remainder of the year.

 

June

Bread & Honey Festival 5K
Color Me Rad 5K

July

Eaton Downtown Dash 10 K

August

A Midsummer Night's Run 15K (*gasp*)

September

Oasis Zoo Run 5K

October

 

Run for the Cure 5K

Niagara Falls 10K

December

Santa Shuffle 5K

 

I might sneak in a couple more here or there in the fall (September - November) but we'll have to see what's available. Then I get to start planning for next year. I'm going to throw in a half or two next year and see how it goes.

Do you plan out all your races ahead of time?
Or do you look for something a week or two ahead?
How many races do you do a year?


Am I pushing hard enough?

This is a question I find myself asking over and over again lately.
I've been reading other blogs and I see them all training for marathons and half marathons.

My longest run I'm working on this summer is a 15 K in August.

I feel like I'm slacking!!

Being someone who just started running in January, I didn't think a half marathon would be possible by the end of the year.

But could it be??

I don't think I'm going to be trying for one this year since I'm registered for all my races already. But I look at some of the training programs online and there's no way I could keep up with them. I already have enough trouble finding time to run some nights as it is. There's been so many weeks where I've only been able to run one or two days and any other training would be nearly impossible when the boys are on opposite schedules (like today).

I feel as though I quit too quickly. Even when I run, there are days where I settle for a short run as opposed to pushing myself.

I'm think of getting up at 6 to go for a run before the boys wake up and my husband gets up for work. I figure it will help with the heat that is starting up and it will guarantee that it'll be done.

Maybe I'll try it on Wednesday and see how it goes.

So where do I go from here....

Do I change my Niagara Falls 10K to a Half? Or do I just settle with the 10K for now?

A Run Gone Wrong

Alright, so it wasn't horribly wrong and I'm exaggerating a lot, but yesterday's run kind of sucked.

 

I had all intentions of going out and adding to my 7.01 km I did the other day.

 

I was going to push 7.5km, but apparently my body, clothes and the heat disagreed. I only did 5.42 km

 

The first minute of my run usually sucks.

 

It's the point where my legs are arguing with my, I need to adjust most of my clothes and I really just want to turn around.

 

My right knee was nagging at me from the get go, which is strange because it's usually my left knee that gives me issues. I've also been having a lot of issues with my sciatic pain that was left over from my last pregnancy. It decided to flair up today too.

 

It was also one of the hotter days I've run in. I went from starting out running in this (back in January):

 

 

to running in this:

 

 

My body is still adjusting to the heat I think! Also, running in the evening is often a lot cooler where as yesterday's run was in the afternoon.

 

The top I wore yesterday had straps that kept sliding off so I had to tuck them under my sports bra. Then my shorts needed to be adjusted during the first little bit because they feel like they're going to fall down until I get sweaty enough that they'll stay.

 

However, after sitting with my thoughts for awhile, I decided that while it may have sucked during it, there was a time where I couldn't run 5.42 km without having to stop and walk most of it. There will also be a time where I can't run 5.42 km so I should just suck it up and be happy that I did it.

 

 I do need to push myself more though or a 10K under an hour will be hard to do at my race in July.

How was your run this weekend??

 



How to follow me!

For those of you who are here visiting for the first time....THANKS and welcome!

The best way to follow my blog is through Facebook (click the 'F' button on the right).  I post pictures, updates and my new blog posts there.

Also check out my Instagram account:

victoriam823



I'll warn you though, there's lots of pictures of my boys. Not so much running.

I also have Pinterest.

http://pinterest.com/victoriamack

I'm slowly working on my 'healthy' boards, so please bear with me!

Twitter is an option as well.

@BrghtPnkRunners

Leave a comment telling me you visited and your blog and I'll definitely come back for a visit!!!

Have a great weekend!


 

 

New Records!!

Tonight, I was feeling pretty good on my run so I decided to push myself.

 

This resulted in not one, but two new records.

 

Record #1

 

5K PB in 31:53

 

Record #2

 

New long distance 7.01 km

 

I realize it's a drop in the bucket for some people and in the grand scheme of a marathon, but for someone who hadn't run a half a kilometer before January this is amazing.

 

I'm also signed up for a 10K in July, that I was starting to question.

 

I'm beginning to feel ready for it.

 

Now, I stretch like crazy because when I got in I had to get the boys ready for bed and everything seized up quite quickly!! OUCH!

 

How do you feel when you get a new PB??

 

 



Reason # 7439 why I need a treadmill....

It has rained. ALLLLLL day.

 

 

It hasn't let up once today.

 

So miserable.

 

I could go for a run in the rain but I hate the feeling of rain on my arms and legs and it's too hot to be covered head to toe.

 

There have also been so many times where the opportunity to run in the evening just hasn't presented itself but the boys have been napping at the same time for a good chunk of time.

 

I could have been running.

 

Most expensive I found, but doesn't she look fit??

 

Granted, I go back to work in September. I can join a gym then, go after work, hop on the treadmill do some weights and go home.

 

But if I get a treadmill I can run at home whenever and set up a mini gym in the basement with some weights and not pay the outrageous monthly membership fees.

 

Then I wouldn't have to squeeze my run in after work before I go to get the boys and I wouldn't feel guilty for paying for a gym membership when I can go run out in the beautiful sunshine.

 

If we do decide to have a third child and I go on maternity leave again, I'm demanding a treadmill. Trying to find time to get out and run with three young kids will be tricky but if all I need to do is run downstairs there's a better chance it'll be done.

 

I've even thought of ways to finance this. If everyone in my family went in on the treadmill together for a Christmas gift, I wouldn't want anything else.

 

*Sigh* For now, I'll just suck it up and let Jillian Michaels kick my butt tonight with a little 30 day shred. Hopefully tomorrow will be nicer and I can get out and put some kilometers on my shoes.

 

Maybe a treadmill isn't a great idea. I'd probably just be on the treadmill trying to recreate this....

 

What do you do in crappy weather??

 

 



How I got started..

As I stated in my first post, I started running to lose weight.

When I was younger and in high school, I hated running. I remember ranking sports on a three tier system based on how much running there was and that the only sports I would participate in would be those with little running (i.e. tennis at a very amateur level, volleyball, softball, etc.). I honestly would avoid it at all costs.

So how in the world am I hoping one day I'll run the Boston Marathon?

 

With my first son, I weighed 150lbs when I got pregnant. Throughout the pregnancy, I gained 35 lbs. Typical, right? No big deal. I thought, once this baby starts getting onto a routine I'll go workout and get myself back into shape.

My 'shape' became indented into the corner of my couch and the only weight I had lost was the amount that my son weighed when he was born.

Eventually, about a year later, we found out we were pregnant again. I weighed 180lbs. I hadn't worked out at all minus some little walks. Of course, just when I had planned to start to try running, get healthy and eat better, the idea of losing weight wasn't plausible anymore.

I topped out at 210lbs. That was just before my second son was born in October 2012.

Definitely the heaviest I've every been! But the cute boys were worth it!

 

This time, I vowed that things were going to be different. I signed myself up for my first 5K at the Mississauga Marathon that would be held in May.

I then started doing the ever so popular Couch to 5K program.


This was the app I used (free on Google Play)

Living in Canada, it meant running in the cold, ice and snow and therefore I needed to gear myself up.

I went to the nearest running store, grabbed some tights and got fitted for my running shoes (hence the blog title), found a running buddy and completed the C25K program.


 

I've fought through shin splints, freezing rain and lack of time and I was impressed I was still doing it.

I ran the race on May 5th and had an absolute blast. It was nice to see what all the hard work culminates too.

 

Now, I'm addicted. I've got races planned from now until December and I'm looking at training for the winter months and drooling over treadmills and running shorts.

I guess the moral of the story is, if I can do it, you can do it. I know, that's very cliche but it's true!

I'm now training for my first 10K in July and a 15K in August. I'm hoping to up my distances next year and head into half marathon territory.

 

Race Recap - Bread & Honey Festival

Sunday I participated in my 2nd race.

It was the annual Bread and Honey Festival Race
 

 

It was kind of a hot mess. Literally.

The weather was interesting. At 6:15 am (when I woke up) there was a downpour! I immediately thought, oh *beep* (G rated blog here).

Luckily, by the time we left for the race at 7:15, the rain had stopped. But holy crap, it was humid. Like, so humid that my hair was starting to look as though I'd stuck my finger into a light socket.

I dressed for rainy weather. I hate the feeling of rain on my arms (it gives me the heebeejeebees) so I wore a long sleeved shirt and running capris.

Here's where things go wrong.

I didn't run at all last week. Life got in the way. Plus, I have a cold/allergies that hit on Friday and has hung around all weekend. Oh ya, did I mention the lack of sleep I get before big events? Ya, big events make for some horrible dreams.

My running capris, they had a string. Notice, had. It came out in the wash and I figured my pants would stay on without it. Nope, I spent the first 30 seconds of the race trying to make sure my pants weren't going to fall down. Then I got sweaty so they stuck.

Then, the sun came out. The temperature must have jumped up to 50 degrees Celsius. Ok, not 50, but it felt like it!

The humidity attacked after that and got the better of my lungs. I haven't run much in humid weather yet and now know that training needs to be done. A lot of training in humid weather.

That's when the walking started. I had one kilometre where my time was 7:35! WHAT?! That was just utterly ridiculous to me and so frustrating.

Eventually, I made it back to the finish line and received my cute little medal (one of the reasons I signed up) and stewed about the race the rest of the day.



What I learned from this race: tank tops or t-shirts are necessary in humid weather, I need to invest in more running shorts (I have one pair), running with a cold/allergies sucks, morning races are stressful and affect my sleep and not running the week before is definitely a no-no for me!

My next race is the end of June and it's Color Me Rad! I'm doing this race with my sister-in-law and some of her friends so I'm really excited!