Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon Weeks 4 + 5 / 11
02.05.2016
Schedule: Strength + Stretch.
Distance: 0km. Did not strengthen nor stretch.
Daytime Distance (commute + shift): 10km.
Music: N/A
03.05.2016
Schedule: 6.5km run.
Distance: 0km.
Daytime Distance (commute + shift): 8.5km.
Music: N/A
04.05.16
Schedule: 7 x 400 track intervals.
Distance: 6.75km – ran with friends again; it makes all the difference.
Daytime Distance (commute + shift): 9km.
Music: N/A
05.05.16
Schedule: 5km run + strength
Distance: 0km.
Daytime Distance (commute + shift): 9km.
Music: N/A
06.05.16
Schedule: Rest (yay!)
Distance: 0km.
Daytime Distance (commute + shift): 5km.
07.05.16
Schedule: 5km pace
Distance: 0km.
Daytime Distance: 5km. Walked with my son and his school in the local parade.
Music: N/A
08.05.16
Schedule: 13km long run
Distance: 0km.
Daytime Distance: 7.5km split between a trip to the park with Spud and a family Mother’s Day hike.
Music: N/A
WEEK 4 TOTALS
Distance (actual vs scheduled): 6.75km vs 36km
Daytime Distance (commute + shift): 54km
*****************************************************
09.05.2016
Schedule: Strength + Stretch.
Distance: 0km.
Daytime Distance (commute + shift): 7.5km.
Music: N/A
10.05.2016
Schedule: 6.5km run.
Distance: 0km. Commute from hell coming home, lost will to run… Sent Colin out instead while I covered Spud’s dinner and bedtime. Wine.
Daytime Distance (commute + shift): 8km.
Music: N/A
11.05.16
Schedule: 40min Tempo
Distance: 40min with hills instead = 5.5km. Ran the biggest hill all the way without stopping, which is a big deal for me! Total run was actually 6.5km in 47min.
Daytime Distance (commute + shift): 11km.
Music: Fall Out Boy’s American Beauty / American Psycho album played straight through and then repeated.
12.05.16
Schedule: 5km run + strength
Distance: 5km
Daytime Distance (commute + shift): 9km.
Music: Can’t remember if I had my iPod for this run.
13.05.16
Schedule: Rest (yay!)
Distance: 0km.
Daytime Distance (commute + shift): 12km. Also includes hanging out downtown after work waiting to meet up with friends for drinks.
14.05.16
Schedule: 5km pace
Distance: 0km.
Music: N/A
15.05.16
Schedule: 15km long run
Distance: 17km. Ran with Colin and Dianna in Squamish. Completed the Coast Mountain Trail Series’ Survival of the Fittest long course, minus the short downhill/uphill of the start/finish. Since they are in the final taper for their race the distance was short enough that I could finally tag along! I’ll be doing the SOTF short course in 2 weeks so it was a nice preview.
Music: N/A
WEEK 5 TOTALS
Distance (actual vs scheduled): 28.5km vs 37km
Daytime Distance (commute + shift): 47.5km
Note: Remember to take your vitamins! The difference in how I felt between Week 4 and Week 5 was night and day once I started taking my vitamins, and specifically my iron, again.
Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon Week 3 / 11
25.04.2016
Schedule: Strength + Stretch.
Distance: 0km. Did not strengthen nor stretch. Zzzz.
Daytime Distance (commute + shift): 13.5km.
Music: N/A
26.04.2016
Schedule: 5.5km run.
Distance: 0km. Made the mistake of sitting in a comfy chair, got hungry, put on pjs. Zzzz.
Daytime Distance (commute + shift): 10.5km.
Music: N/A
27.04.16
Schedule: 35min Tempo
Distance: 10km slow instead. Didn’t want to go, but did it anyways. Awful.
Daytime Distance (commute + shift): 9.5km.
Music: N/A
28.04.16
Schedule: 5km run + strength
Distance: 5km + no strength
Daytime Distance (commute + shift): 10km.
Music: N/A
29.04.16
Schedule: Rest (yay!)
Distance: 0km.
Daytime Distance (commute + shift): 13km.
30.04.16
Schedule: 5km pace
Distance: 0km.
Music: N/A
01.05.16
Schedule: 11km long run
Distance: 0km. Didn’t work out with Colin’s run schedule and then had errands and a work shift. Oh, well… At least the distance isn’t what I’m worried about.
Music: N/A
WEEK 3 TOTALS
Distance (actual vs scheduled): 15km vs 30km
Daytime Distance (commute + shift): 56.5km
TrailCross!
It was only a matter of time. Between the varied [insert sport here]-cross disciplines that are out there – ski, board, moto, cyclo, etc. – and the desire for runners to have a fun, non-traditional race atmosphere you had to figure that TrailCross would eventually come to be. I am both excited and terrified to be able to compete in the first TrailCross race in Chilliwack, BC, on 26 April 2014.
Let me back track a little… Until last week I had no idea what TrailCross was. I’ve done fun runs before, but generally stick to the traditional roads and trails. I like a good get-together as much as the rest of you, but one can’t say that fun runs are generally super competitive. Not that I’m a super competitive racer by any means. More back-of-the-packer than anything else. But I do have aspirations of getting some semblance of speed going this year, even if it’s just a tad faster than last year. Basically, through that ramble, I’m trying to say that TrailCross has fallen into my lap.
In the randomness that is social media I was followed on Twitter by @Trail_Cross. I have to admit that I was immediately intrigued by their race. Compete in heats over a short distance (1-2km) on trails and runners advance base on placement. Do this 2 or 3 times until you get a winner. The bonus – at least to me – is that there is a beginner and an advanced category. I was seriously considering trying to make it work in my race schedule (I actually have one this year!) and then they offered me entry. Well, to be honest, I cheekily asked for a mutually beneficial working relationship.* So now I’m slightly nervous. As stated above, I’m not fast. And this race is based on speed and pretty much speed alone.
From the TrailCross Facebook page
So I haven’t figured out if competing in this race – there is no “running” – might be the best idea I’ve ever had, but I am really looking forward to finding out.
I want need you to join me! Enter LOVEMYRUN to receive $5 off your registration fee.
Have you ever run a race like this before? Tips are appreciated – although I think “run like hell” is the only advice that’ll work…
* Disclosure Statement: I have been given one race entry to TrailCross Chilliwack in exchange for this post.
I’m in love with a French bird…
I don’t usually shout from the rooftops about things I love. Yes, I love running (most days). I’m happy to talk about it all day which probably annoys my coworkers more than they’ll let me know. However, right now you’ll have to put up with me professing my love for the Seattle women’s running apparel company Oiselle.
I have been a fan of their clothes since I saw (and was subsequently gifted) the Start Line Tee:
Source: oiselle.com
I had just run a 50k and was proud that I could claim that bottom line. I still don’t have a 5k or 8k finish, but I digress…
Last year a local store, Distance Runwear, started carrying their line. I was ecstatic! Not having to drive to the States to get my fix was great. Since their clothes are investments for me I’m sure Dave, the owner, was sick of me coming in all the time and perusing. However, since my Christmas/birthday/just because wish lists are basically “Oiselle” or “money for Oiselle” he sees us often enough. 🙂
I have slowly been building my wardrobe (I won a gift certificate from them on Twitter last summer). Last weekend I hit the jackpot!
Let me set the stage:
Two weeks ago Oiselle announced that they were having a sample sale. If you’ve never been to one the gist is cheap stuff! Of course, my problem was distance. About 200km. So I brought up the idea with Colin. And was roundly turned down. We were already planning to drive down to pick up my (exchanged) Nuun visor – my love for them is a whole nother different post entirely – but only as far as Costco in Burlington. So I moped and pouted about the Oiselle sale. And told Colin that so many people I knew from Ragnar would probably be going. And pleaded to go. Eventually he caved. Yes, because he’s awesome and loves me, but I’m pretty sure it was mostly so he wouldn’t have to hear me talk about it anymore!
Saturday morning we did what we needed to do in Blaine and then made a bee-line to Green Lake. A note to you locals, how do you stand the parking situation there?!? It took us 15 minutes to find a freakin’ spot! Anyways, we found the place and waded in. Well, I did. Colin found a few things for me, but by the time I went to try stuff on he and Spud had found their way to a couch. If everything had fit and I had an unlimited budget I would have happily purchased it all! There were a few things I was hoping for, but didn’t find (Motor Tee, L/S Stripey, bras). That said, I’m certainly not disappointed by what I got! I also got to meet Sarah from Oiselle (that’s her in the top picture) and Sarah from the Oiselle team; it’s always nice to meet the people you converse with online…
Transformer Vehicle aka How Spud Kept Busy for an hour and a half
The Goods:
Fair warning: if you don’t like or care about pictures and descriptions please skip the following…
1. Injinji No-Show socks x 2: $2/pair. Colin found these for me. Injinjis are my favourite and only running socks, but I was apprehensive because of the height. The last time I got no-shows they kept ending up under my heel. For $2 I’m kicking myself that I didn’t buy all of them!
Source: rei.com
Source: rei.com
2. Onward Tee: $10. Love the colour and design!
Source: oiselle.com
3. Tall Track Tee: $10. Spud’s favourite because it’s orange.
Source: oiselle.com
4. Stripey Short Sleeve: $10. Super cute running shirt. It even has a pocket I can hide my iPod in.
Wore this on my last treadmill tempo!
5. Heathered Tech Top: $10. Another for running and will match my new Mizunos.
Source: oiselle.com
6. Aero Tank: $10. Pretty sure this will be a go-to summer run top – and has the iPod pocket too.
Source: oiselle.com
7. Rogas Galore!! 2 x regular and 1 x long (my second pair – lived in them last summer): $30 total. I think I found the last three size medium Rogas. And for that price I can get over my lack of love for the backs of my thighs.
Source: oiselle.com
My shorts are really where I notice that I got them from a sample sale. The Long Roga is actually the pair I’m wearing in the Stripey tee picture above. I haven’t been able to find a picture of them with that light blue on the waist so I’m thinking they were an experiment. Also between the two regular length Rogas the pink is quite a bit shorter than the blue. They have been deemed (by me) my inside shorts as there’s a little too much underbutt going on…
8. Onyx Jacket: $25. Chose this over the Bum Wrap (same price). It’s like the arm warmers, thumbies and all, only a whole garment. This will get a lot of wear!
9. Green Lake Hoody: FREE!!! High quality control standards meant I got to take one of these with me as I left. I can see the stitching issue (barely), but am certainly okay living with it!
Sleepy selfie; don’t mind the pj pants and cans to take back…
Thank you Oiselle for cleaning out your closet, so to speak. I am so happy with my purchases. I have no problem writing a completely unsolicited post singing your praises. You’re an amazing company (run by some pretty awesome people) and I’m more than happy and willing to support you.
Now if I can only convince you to add a Canadian team member.
Seriously.
All I need is a singlet and a bio and I’ll be a happy girl…
Three Things Thursday
1. THE GOOD: ran with two friends today. Wasn’t the speediest run – covered 8.43km in roughly an hour – but had Spud in the stroller. I got a break for a little while when Jenn offered to take over. It was very much appreciated!
2. THE BAD: my hip flexor still hurts. And, really, I’m not surprised since I’ve done nothing to help myself. I really need to get off my ass start stretch and strength exercises. I need to work on my core too. I know my posture is atrocious if I’m pushing Spud. Good thing New Year’s resolutions are coming up!
3. THE UGLY: I have to go to work tonight. Night crew. 10:30pm – 7am. I work for a large sporting goods retailer as sales support. That means I get to help with Boxing Day ad prep and set up (I get to work Boxing Day too).
So I Went For A Run…
- Running in the rain is fine. It’s not my favourite, but I trained for my first half marathon at this time last year and it wasn’t a problem.
- Running during the day is so nice. I don’t have to have lights and reflectors. I can run by myself. I’m 95% sure that drivers see me when I’m crossing the street – though there were a few that looked surprised that I was in the crosswalk.
- Spud likes the stroller. He did his warm-up stretches and run before we left the house.
- Spud likes the rain! As in there was no way the rain cover was going on. We have a water resistant blanket that he’ll deign to put on, but that was it. For the first while he didn’t even want to have the pull down cover over his head. He’s 3 so I pick my battles. If I get to run he can get soaked if he wants to…
- Stroller time = nap time! Yay! I think he only slept for about 20 minutes, but since he was up at 6am that’s fine with me.
- One 37lb 3 year old + one 25lb BOB Revolution stroller = 62lbs to push up hills. I felt quite justified in walking up the second half of the hill to the overpass. And then I got a bit of a break so we could watch the trains in the yard underneath.
Love My Runners 