Race Day goals!

This has been one of the least stressful weeks leading up to a race that I've ever had.  Hmmm, wonder why?  Maybe because I only decided to race 2 days ago?

Then yesterday, I was obsessed with watching the Ironman World Championships.  Anybody else check that out?  Amazing!  What a race!  What a finish!  Both the men and women.

Anyways, today is race day.  As usual, my bad pre-race picture.  No number yet, as I still have to register...

Not my best picture.  I was looking at the side of the camera where there's a little screen.   Neat sky in the background though!

Goals:

1. Break 1 hour.

2. Don't get worked up about factors beyond my control.

3. Push myself hard those last few kilometers.  Don't just coast in.

That is all!  See you on the other side of my sub-60 10K!

The itch to race...

Alright, so I realize that it's only been a month since my Olympic triathlon.  It's also only a month until my half marathon.

But, I am getting the itch to race.

There's a couple of reasons I see for this.  Part of it is purely that racing energizes me and motivates me.  The week after a race, I feel fabulous.  Another reason is that I feel like I have unfinished business at both the 5k and 10k distance.

The unfinished business is running a (stand alone) 5K in under 30 minutes.  Also, the desire to run a 10K in under 60.

I firmly believe that both are within my capabilities.  I *sort of* ran a sub-30 5K at last year's resolution run (on a short course).  I've also run two sub-30 5Ks as the final leg of sprint triathlons.  In fact, I only missed it on my third sprint by 2 seconds, and that was on a 31c (89f) day.

Then, there's the 10K distance.  I have not yet "sort of" run a sub-60 10K, but I've come close.  I came 13 seconds away at the St Patrick's day race.  On that day, I was hoping to break 62 minutes, so my time was great, but still frustrating to come so close to another milestone.  In Banff, after swimming and biking for over 2 hours, I ran 10K in 61:05.  Interesting story about that day: I expected to do the run in about 65 minutes, but my garmin had gone wacky and I had no idea what my actual pace was.  Had I realized I was going that fast, I would have slowed down, because I did not think I was capable of running that pace at the end of a triathlon.


And that's the thing.  So much of this is mental.  If you believe you can't do something, you probably can't.  If you believe you can and you give it your all, who knows?  Sometimes success requires near misses along the way.

Right now, I believe that I am capable of running a sub-60 10K in a race, and I'm ready to do it.  I also want to do it while I can still see the goal as a challenge, not a given.

So, yesterday, I searched for upcoming races.  Low and behold, there's a 10K Thanksgiving run that I can do on Sunday (aka tomorrow).  Online sign up has ended, but I can sign up on site in the morning.

Soon, I'll add a sub-60 10K to my list of accomplishments.

Don't be a dumb ass - My shin splint situation

You know how when you go to the dentist, you'll always be asked how often you floss?  You'll sheepishly reply something about how you try to do it every couple nights.  Really, you do it about once a month, or just on days after eating corn on the cob.  You know it, you're dentist knows it, and you both know you ought to do it more.

That's how I've always felt when I go to see my massage therapist, Shannon.  I'll mention a tight muscle and she'll suggest a couple stretches for it.  She also always reminds me to stretch and sometimes ice the muscles she worked on afterwards.  And... well, let's just say, I'm less then diligent.

Now, I've got another stretching advocate, Dr Greg.  He's the chiropractor I went to see about my tight achey calf, once I realized it could be shin splints.  

Now, it may seem ridiculous that I didn't realize I was developing shin splints, but let me just say that it isn't my shins that were bothering me.  Rather, it is the muscle that connects to them.  So, I was identifying it as calf tightness, which it is.  The thing is, with the location of this calf tightness (and the fact that it never really went away), it can lead to shin splints.

Anyways, Dr. Greg asked me about my stretching practices.  I said that I try to stretch - sometimes.  Truthfully, I do try to stretch, but not nearly as often as I should.  I'd say 1 out 4 runs a week are followed by a good stretch.  After swimming or biking?  Almost never.

Then he asked me if I'd been icing the sore calf.  I said no.  I know I should, but I just don't take the time.

He told me I was being a dumb ass.

Okay... actually he didn't say I was a dumb ass.  Much more diplomatic.  I think it was more like "Deb, Deb Deb, you're going to have to be a more seasoned triathlete."

What I heard (and I'm sure he was thinking) is "Don't be such a dumb ass.  You're not twenty years old anymore."

Now, the GOOD news is, I've got no restriction on running, and while this is an overuse injury, it is currently a very minor one - provided I take care of it properly.

Then he proceeded to move my leg around and prod at my calf.  If you've never had ART before, let me say it sure doesn't tickle.  But, it's productive pain, and if it would keep me running, I'd deal with any pain that can help me.

For the next couple weeks, I need to stretch after running, ice it and get some ART (active release therapy).

Oh, and I probably should keep stretching after that, as well as icing when I have sore spots.  After all, I need to stop being a dumb ass, because I'm not twenty years old anymore...

Three Things Thursday - The "I need it" edition

Lately Sweetpea is in a stage where she sucks at sharing.  She likes to have toys and hoard toys.  When her brother has something she wants, she'll let out a pitiful whiney "I neeeeeed it!".  Mind you, it might be the one car Spud is playing with when she has 10 others.  We'll still hear the pathetic "I neeeeed it" cried out when told she has to share and let him have it.

So, today's post is dedicated to Sweetpea.  It's the "I neeeeeed it" day.

1. The Garmin 910XT

This multisport watch has just been announced, and hasn't even been released yet.  Despite the fact I have a perfectly functional Garmin 305, my immediate reaction to seeing this was "I need it!"  It does everything my 305 does, and more.  Particularly the swim functions.  It can count my laps in the pool much better then I do.  It can even count my strokes!

After seeing this, I sent an email to set up some testing.  It's not something I've talked about a lot on my blog, but I'm lucky enough to live in the town where ANT+ technology was developed (it's a major technology used in the accessories with the gps watches).  As such, I sometimes get to do testing for Garmin.  I can't talk about it much (due to a non-disclosure agreement), but I can say that I do it, and I need to do more so that I can earn this watch!  I got in this morning to do a swim test session.  Little by little, I will get it!

2. These shoes!

A friend posted these shoes on facebook after her son bought them.  I LOVE them.  They would go with any colour I want to wear.  And they are just plain fabulous!  Sadly, this is a "I need it" that I don't get to have.  These are neutral running shoes.  I pronate and need supportive running shoes.  Why are all the colourful running shoes for neutral runners?  Us pronaters want something fun too!

3. Perspective

After yesterday's post, I did some thinking and investigating.  One thing I did was email the organizers of the 70.3 race I want to do.  They got back to me very quickly and I've been assured that the race is still running and they are just working on some final details before the actual announcement.

The other thing is considering my possible shin splints.  First off, I'm freaking out before it is necessary.  I don't even know for sure that's my problem.  May as well wait until I know before freaking out.  I might just have to heat and ice and stretch more.

Secondly, even if I have to take time off running, it is NOT the end of the world.  Very frustrating?  Yes.  Potential to kill my current half marathon plans?  Yes.  Likelihood of killing any of my long term training plans?  No.  I can deal with this, and one way or another, it's not that big a deal.  Many people have dealt with much much bigger issues and injuries.

Weight loss Wednesday - In a bit of a slump

So, today's weight on the scale was 194.2, for a weekly loss of 0.6 and a total loss of 49.2.  I'm not happy with that loss, but I'm not devastated by it either.

When I decided to restart my weight loss, I pledged to track all my food and watch my calorie intake.  The first week, things got away from me and I never started doing it.  I still lost over 2 pounds.  The next week, it didn't really happen either, and I still had a respectable loss of over a pound.  This week, it's caught up to me.  Since I only want to be in weight loss mode for a few months, I'm going to have to start making it count by actually counting what I eat.

On a not terribly related note, I'm feeling sort of down right now.  I've had a couple of hits this week, and there's a couple other things up in the air.  I'm a planner, and am frustrated by the lack of my ability to plan.

First off, my husband and I talked about budget and the numbers, and it looks like a coach is not in the cards for next season.  Yes, I realize I am not a pro, and I'm never going to place.  Having said that, I had really been hoping we could swing it.  I know I need to start training smarter.  I feel like a coach would help push me in ways I'm afraid to push myself.  It's not the end of the world, but I'm going to have to get past the disappointment.

Then, it seems that a lingering soreness is likely shin splints.  I've had a tight achey muscle on the inside of my calf for a couple months now, and kept hoping it would go away.  I had my husband ask his ART/chiro whether he thinks it's something that can be worked on.  He does think it is something that can be worked on, and he also suggested the likelihood of shin splints.  Now, I have an appointment for tomorrow, so I hope for a more definitive diagnosis and plan.  I just really really hope this doesn't impact my half marathon plans.  I am fairly confident that it's not a stress fracture (simply not enough pain), so I seriously hope he doesn't suggest I stop running - even temporarily.

Then there's my whole race schedule for next year.  This is one of those things that I just want to come into place so I know what I'm working towards.  I'd been planning on doing Calgary 70.3, but while the date has been announced, there's been no further information about it and it's not on the ironman website.  I'm worried it may not be happening.

Of course, there's also the fact that it's the day after my cousin's wedding.  Is it crazy to do a half ironman the day after attending a wedding?  I would have no trouble leaving early; we have kids, so probably would be anyways.  Besides, I'm not that much of a late night person.  I think we even left our own wedding before midnight.

Then there's the fact that the other half-iron I considered is likely to fill up anytime.  So, if I wait, but it turns out the Calgary one isn't running, I'll be left scrambling.

Meh, what a whiny annoying post!  Now, I've had my whine, I'll start coming up with a plan to deal with all my frustrations.  Wish me luck with that appointment tomorrow!  That's the biggest thing weighing on me right now...

Having faith in yourself and trusting your training

I have an issue that I continue to work on.  Let's just say it's a work in process, and will be for a long time.

Self doubt.

I have a really hard time believing I can do something until I've actually done it.  For instance, this weekend, my long run was supposed to be 22km (13.7mi).  I have never run more then 20km.  (Yes, I've done a half marathon, but crashed towards the end, so didn't "run" more then 20 even there.)

Okay, but let's consider this.  I have run 20km, and it wasn't even that hard to accomplish.  2 more kilometers is only 10% and isn't even a stretch.  But, I was worrying beforehand if I was going to be able to do it.  Would I be fueled enough?  What if I crashed?

Okay, another thing.  When I was training for the Police Half, I wanted to break 2:30 for the half marathon. Yeah, I wasn't setting time goals, but that was the time they started reopening the route to traffic, and I wanted to be done before then.  I didn't make it.  So, then there's the concern: am I capable of running a half marathon in less then 2:30?

Okay, it's a bit blurry, but the read out is: 2:27:06, and 22km

Mind you, I ran this 22km in my town, which is fairly hilly.  The race I'm doing in a month and a half is in a mostly flat section of Calgary.  Barring complications on the race course, I think a sub 2:30 half is incredibly achievable.  Perhaps I should even set my sights higher?

The thing is, I'm going to have to start trusting my training.  So far, I've been able to train over the distance on almost every race I've done.  BUT, my long term sights are set on Ironman, and I want to do a marathon.  You simply don't train beyond the distance in those races.

I have gotten better though.  Early on in my running I had to fight the little mental voice telling me I'm not a runner for most of my runs.  I believe I am a runner now.  I just have to believe I can go the distance.



And, in some races, when you go the distance, you get a medal...

When I got home from my 10km run on Saturday, Spud awarded me with a medal for completing my "race".  I love the fact that he still considers finishing to be winning.  I hope we can keep that attitude.

A closer look at the medal... 

This is the side you get if you don't go out the door to run at all... 

Spud and Sweetpea race!

Alright, this race report is long overdue, given it happened 2 weeks ago.  Having said that, temporary laptop trouble left the pictures trapped and inaccessible for part of that time.  Now, it's time to cover Sweeptea's very first race, and Spud's first running only race.  (He actually did a triathlon as his first race. Talk about an overachiever...)

The day dawned bright and early for me, as I was volunteering for this race, the Urban Venus Deliciously Sweet Race.  Truthfully, there's not much to tell about the volunteering.  They had way too many people for an almost non-existent job of setting up food (it was done when I got there, and I was a few minutes early).  It's great that they were able to get lots of volunteers out.  The race was in benefit of the science centre, and I think they have a large volunteer base.  Having said that, I think it's too bad they didn't use me on the course, since it seemed very few of the volunteers were runners or even knew anything about races.  I would have cheered, but that's okay.

The kids' race started an hour and a half after the adult races, so I was done at my post about 15 minutes before.  My husband had arrived separately with Spud and Sweetpea and they'd spent some time playing on the playground and running around.  We got their numbers on to them and tried to get them to smile for the camera.

Looking at the camera seemed to be an added complication that wasn't going to happen...

Then it was time to warm up...

There actually was a warm up run by a local fitness group.  The kids had fun with it.  It was pretty dance-like, and Spud got very into it.  Sweetpea followed along as well.

After the warm up, it was time to line up at the starting line.  I was running with Spud while Beejay ran with Sweetpea.  We didn't line up together as I knew Spud would run pretty quick and Sweetpea goes a bit slower.  I tried to take Spud near the starting line, leaving room for older and faster kids, but in front of the toddlers, and pretty much any kids smaller then him.  Beejay and Sweetpea went further back.

Spud got a little offended when a few 10ish year olds went in front of him and lined up right at the starting line.  I get it.  He was there first and he thinks it's like a regular line up.  I'll have to teach him more about seeding himself in the future...  ;)  I tried to give him a mini pep talk about pacing, since I knew he'd go fast. Having said that, the race was only 1 km (0.62mi), so I wasn't too worried.

Then, the starting gun went and we were off.  And I mean off!  He sprinted right out of there and was keeping up with the older kids.  I was running behind him rather then beside at this point, since there wasn't room to be beside him.  Truthfully, I had to work to keep up.  I was wearing my garmin (out of curiousity) and we reached a speed of 3:58/km in that first section.  I've often thought he'll outrun me by the time he's 12 years old, but I'm now amending that estimate to 8.

Of course, at 4 years old, he doesn't quite get that pacing thing, and he got a stitch in his side.  He slowed down and walked for a bit.  I tried to suggest going slower, but when he felt better, he sprinted off again.  I realized at that point that I should just let him run his own race.  One day he'll learn to go slower to go longer, but for now he's just having fun.  As a mom, I need to let him experience it himself.

The rest of the race alternated between walks and sprints.  When we turned back towards the finish line, he was running and probably was close to needing to walk, but he saw the end and got a new burst of energy. Off he went and he finished strong!

Meanwhile Sweetpea was running with Beejay and I wasn't sure she'd go the full distance.  Having just turned three, she doesn't have as much stamina as her brother and still often ends up on shoulders by the end of family walks.  Having said that, she went the whole way.  At one point, she had a near fall from someone stopping right in front of her.  (There was a lot of that going on.  Kids don't run the steadiest of paces.)  Fortunately, since she was running with Daddy, she got saved, but was a little shaken up.  She recovered by the end of the race and ran across the finish line.

Of course, the best part of the race was the prize received for running it.  As this was the "Deliciously Sweet Race", they were giving out cupcakes, which the kids were happy to collect.

They thoroughly enjoyed the icing!