May Fitness Report

So, um, it's the end of May and I should probably confess talk about how things went this month in the exercise department.

It all comes down to perspective really. 

Ask me how my running went? Go on. Ask me! 

Well, I ran 12 times. I put in a total of 12 hours and 45 minutes and I ran a total distance of 116km. 

Not to shabby if you ask me. 

Cycling, well, that wasn't quite as impressive. My weekends have been pretty packed and I've had to miss two out of four Sunday rides. So I cycled twice, for a total of 3.25 hours and a distance of 68km. Not great really. Ideally I should have done twice that much. Especially considering I don't tend to ride on the trainer once it gets nice out. 

Swimming, well, that was downright awful. I swam twice. Period. In 31 days. A total of 6450m. That's it. 

Why? Well I have lots of excuses that are all, in and of themselves, reasonable but when they are all squeezed into one month, they begin to sound rather pitiful. I'm tired (wah!), I have early morning meetings (double wah!), I have to run 22k the next day so I should sleep in (suck it up). 

The sad news about swimming is that a) our pool will be closed for several weeks in June for maintenance and b) the local open water options have not even warmed up to 60C yet. So they are not even options. Which means that June isn't shaping up so nicely in the swimming department. 

On the other hand, I did manage to play 7 golf games (63 holes in total) which means I walked for 16 hours and logged 40km doing it.

Out of 31 days, I managed to do something on 21 of them. In fact, some days I did two different things. Not my best month but not my worst either. Definitely heavy in the running department which I'm happy about and I got to spend a ton of time outside on the golf course which also makes me smile. 

I do need to focus more on the swimming and cycling which should be easier now that the half marathon training is done. Just in time for tri season! 

A Rose by Any Other Name...

Psst! It's me. Zip. The fitbit.

There seems to be some trouble brewing in my house and I'm not sure what to do about it.

Rose arrived about ten days ago and has been hanging around ever since. Don't get me wrong. She's nice and all.

It's just that, well, she's a little bit too nice. If you know what I mean.

When it was Dexter, Lucky and I, we were a team. You know. We all worked together to help Céline and make sure things were moving along tickity-boo. We kept her active, helped keep the blood sugar monsters at bay and chatted it up when we had a few quiet minutes.

Rose arrives and, immediately, Dexter and Lucky get put into the diabetes cupboard. That part is ok. I mean it makes sense right? Rose can do on her own what Lucky and Dexter did together. So I get it. And so do they. No hard feelings eh?

So here's the problem.

Yesterday morning, I overheard Céline and Doug chatting. Doug was asking how Rose was. Which was weird because he didn't usually ask about Lucky and Dex. But, clear as day, I heard him say "and how is Rose this fine morning?"

Céline answered "ok, I think, she was quiet last night".

To which Doug said "I think she likes me. She kept coming over to my side of the bed last night."

What!?!?

Then, if you can believe it, it got worse. Later that morning I was sitting in my nighttime spot in the office. Doug was shaving and Céline was in the shower. Which means that Rose was sitting on the counter of the washroom sink. I could not see her but I could hear what was going on.

"Rose is winking at me. I think she likes me!" announces Doug.

"Well, you are pretty cute" replied Céline. She didn't seem to mind but I sure did.

We all have jobs to do and, as far as I can tell, nowhere in Rose's job description does it say to flirt with the boss' boyfriend.

I cannot wait until race day this weekend. That will give me 2 1/2 hours of uninterrupted time with Rose to give her a good talking to.

She should know better!

Half Marathon Lessons

I have run 10 half marathons. I'll be running my 11th on Sunday. Each one was exactly 21.1 kilometres long, despite what my Garmin has told me. Apparently I weave a lot in some races. Probably at the end when I'm rather tired.

Ten races that were all 21.1 kilometres long. I had similar training plans for each of them, give or take a speed workout or a long run distance.

Each race taught me a unique lesson or two that has made subsequent races both easier, and harder, to run.
Easier because I learned a little more about what to expect. Harder because I know a little more what to expect.

Run for the Grapes in 2008 - I learned that I can indeed run a half marathon. And I can run it with diabetes! Take that diabetes gods and other non-believers!!

Ottawa in 2009 - I learned that, just because it's hot outside, I don't need to drink an entire glass of water at each water station. I also learned that, when you start to feel really nauseated during a race where you have been drinking a lot of water, drinking more water will not help. I ended up finishing the race extremely hyperhydrated and, in hindsight, should have sought medical attention. I did not. I showered and went out for breakfast instead but was too ill to eat a bite. I am alive to tell the tale. I now drink moderately in races...just like I do on any long run. I learned to be smart, listen to my body and respect the fine balance it is trying to maintain.

Run for the Grapes 2009 - I learned that I am a pretty consistent runner and that my pace time does not vary much. My time was nearly identical to my first half, one year earlier. I think I expected to somehow knock off 15 minutes but I didn't even knock off one. I was not ok with that then. I'm ok with it now and pride myself on being a metronome.

 

Grimsby 2010 - this was the half-marathon that I was the least prepared for. I signed up on a whim and I went in hoping to survive and maintain some shred of dignity. I had no other expectations other than I didn't want to embarrass myself in front of my (then) new boyfriend. It is my fastest half marathon and I have not come close to beating that time since. Apparently having a handsome man waiting at the finish line in the middle of February is a bit of a motivator.

Cleveland 2010 - in this race, the marathoners and half marathoners start at the same time. As I neared the finish line a huge cheer erupted from the crowd as the marathon winner came roaring up behind me. We crossed the finish line at the same time (2:22:22). He had run twice the distance and looked much better at the end than I did. This is where I learned yet another lesson in humility. This was also the first race where I was running a half marathon while Doug was running a full marathon at the same time. I finished mine as fast as I could so that I could go stand at the finish line and stare down the street watching for his familiar stride. I learned that waiting for someone you love to finish their race is a lot harder than running your own.

Run for the Grapes 2010 - I was nursing shin splints and wasn't expecting much. I just wanted to get the race done so I could take a few weeks off. My sister and Doug had decided to ride the course on their bikes and keep me company. I learned that having people out there on the course to support and encourage you isn't embarrassing as I expected it would be. It gives you strength when you don't think you have any. Having your parents waiting at the finish is also pretty sweet and having your father run the last few meters with you is the best.

Niagara Falls Women's Half 2012 - this was my 'comeback' half after having been off for over two months due to my marathon training-induced stress fracture. I had completed a conservative training plan and just needed to cross that finish line without pain to show myself I could still be a runner. It was probably my best half because I had removed all 'performance' pressure. I just wanted to run it and enjoy the fact that I was running again...and I did!

Niagara Falls International 2012 - One year earlier, I was supposed to be running the full at this race. I signed up for the half because I had decided not to try for a full again but I needed, deep down, to run that route and cross that finish line. I did and it felt like I had beaten back a few demons in the process.

Tel Aviv 2013 - I trained all through the Canadian winter for this race. Countless times I imagine running towards that finish line with my little sister and her husband cheering me on. Instead, they cancelled the full marathon and moved the half marathon ahead two hours because of the 40+ degree weather. I suddenly found myself running in lethal temperatures, inhaling sand, surrounded by runners speaking Hebrew, not English, with an insulin pump full of insulin that was slowly cooking itself into uselessness. I changed my game plan before the gun even went off and ran conservatively. I had salt tablets, I drank water, I checked my blood sugar like a hawk and I walked as needed. I crossed that finish line after weaving through runners lying all over the ground and sidewalks receiving medical attention. I found my sister who had been terrified after seeing everyone coming in and hearing all the sirens. It was my slowest half but my proudest because I ran smart, took my time, and finished strong.

Niagara Falls International 2013 - I loved this race so much in 2012 that I signed up to do it all over again. I knew what to expect and I had survived Tel Aviv so I went in a little cocky. I struggled through the last kilometres. My ears were completely plugged and I was experiencing the breathing difficulty that comes with that. I spent the afternoon on the couch unable to eat due to nausea and fell into bed exhausted. I learned to never ever feel overconfident about a race. A race needs to be treated with respect no matter how many times you've done it before.

Niagara Falls Women's Half 2014 - I am not injured and I am not sore. I am tired, more than I want to be. I am in a wedding the following weekend so I cannot get injured on this run...nor can I have tan lines from a race day sunburn because it will ruin those wedding day photos. I have put in the training but, this time, I am not overconfident about it. I just know that, if I trust my training, and run smart, I will be fine. I want to run this race the way I ran it two years ago. For fun...because I can.

Run for the Grapes 2008 - my first half

 

Ottawa 2009

 

Run for the Grapes 2009

 

Run for the Grapes 2010 - finishing the run with my dad!

Niagara Falls Women's Half 2012

 

Niagara Falls International 2012

Tel Aviv 2013

 

Niagara Falls International 2013

Insert here: Niagara Falls Women's Half 2014

Sunday's Race

So I have a half marathon to run this weekend. On Sunday morning at 8am.

I've done all the training for it. In fact, I've actually done all the training for it. Not just most of the training for it.

I did all of the long runs - building up to 22k before tapering back down.

I did the Tuesday/Thursday morning runs, putting in 7-9k twice a week. I missed two of those I have to admit and blame that entirely on the rain.

It's been, surprisingly, the easiest half marathon training I have ever done.

Easy because all of the long runs went well. Easy because my blood sugars behaved. Easy because I wasn't battling injuries.

The thing about this training that I think made all the difference was that I didn't really have time for it. I didn't have time to train and I certainly don't have time this weekend to race. From start to finish, I have forced myself to make time for it.

I have to squeeze in 2+ hour runs on Saturday mornings on time to be showered, dressed and presentable by 11am for family brunches and wedding showers. I had to drag my running stuff to cottage weekends and fit in a quick long run before everyone else was up and ready to start the day. Gone were the lazy Saturday post-run afternoons of lounging on the couch or the back deck, re-hydrating and resting my legs. Instead I was forcing my tired feet into dressy sandals or standing on them for 8 hours while helping prepare food for wedding showers.

It's been a wild few months. As much as I would have loved to have a few extra hours on Saturday mornings, I don't begrudge the training for a second. It kept me sane, gave me quiet time to gather my thoughts and work out life's little details. Most of all, it kept me fit and healthy.

This Sunday I will be running a half marathon. It seems surreal because I haven't had much time to think about it. Which means I haven't have too much time to fret about it or worry about the logistics. Instead, I'm just going to fit it into the already busy weekend and treat it like a regular long run...with a medal at the end.

Best news of all? I have absolutely nothing planned on Sunday afternoon.

Yet...

Good News Bad News

Good news: I have the most wonderful and much needed sister weekend at a lovely little cottage.

Bad news: I did not have one moment in which to write a blog for Monday.

See you all on Tuesday!

Working out my Stubborn Muscles

I stopped at Sobey's after work yesterday to pick up a few groceries. Sobey's is not my usual grocery store location but it was right beside where my last appointment of the day ended so I figured a bird in the hand...

I need 3 things so I grabbed one of those hand baskets instead of a cart.

I went to the produce section and grabbed the cucumber, the red pepper and the fennel I wanted. I spotted some lovely looking avocados that would be ready to eat by Saturday so I grabbed two of those. The bananas I saw next were that perfect shade of yellow/green so I grabbed a bunch.

Then I saw lemons and limes so I tossed two of each in the basket because I go through those like they're going out of style and I had decided to make one of my famous veggie/grain/legume salad for my dinner. The dressing is needs fresh lemon juice AND zest.

Onions! We finished the last one the night before with our steak so I tossed a fresh bag in.

Then Doug texted in response to my earlier message to ask for bagels. No problem!

And since I was in a different grocery store than I was used to, I decided that I might as well wander the aisles to see what else they had.

A piece of salmon to complement my salad ended up in the basket. So did a box of my favourite cereal. And a bag of Skittles for my sister. And some of the cheese we like and couldn't find last week at our regular store. Oh, and some broth because we were running low and I wanted to simmer my grain/legume mix in it.

You can imagine how, at this point, my shoulder felt like it was being wrenched out of its socket as I lugged the overflowing basket of groceries up one aisle and down the other.

When I finally made it to the check out line, the lady in front of me in line, who had much less than I did, actually offered to let me go first. I politely declined and joked about it being my upper body workout.

And then I laughed. There was a day when I was not as strong as I am now. And I would have grabbed a cart so I didn't have to carry a basket full of food. Now I actually have some upper body strength so I grab a basket and then stubbornly lug it around even though it's way too heavy and there are carts within easy reach.

*sigh*

Guess I don't need to work out my stubborn side. Those muscles are in fabulous shape.

Just ask Doug.

He'll tell you all about it.

Lalalala! I'm not Listening.

Apparently smoking isn't as bad for you as we used to think.

Not that it's less bad than we thought it was. It's just that the latest research points to the fact that, apparently, having a poor diet is worse for you than smoking is.

So smoking may have gone down a notch on the bad for you scale even though it is no less bad for you than it was before.

And did you know that sitting is the new smoking?

So if the old way of thinking was that smoking was the worst for you, followed by a bad diet and then sitting, is the new way of thinking that sitting is the worst, followed by bad diet and then smoking?

These are the things I think about while swimming at 5:30am.

The whole thing started as I saw a hair drift by under me as I swam. I don't usually see anything in the pool when I swim other than water and other swimmers. Thanks at least in part to my non-prescription, semi-fogged goggles that I look through.

So I saw that hair and then I wondered what else was floating in the pool that I didn't see. And whether it was bad for me to be swimming in the pool so much. Whether the benefits of swimming were somehow diminished by the damages of immersing myself in a hair-filled, cootie-infested chlorine bath.

Then I got all grossed out and tried to change the subject in my head so I didn't start gagging.

And so the subject changed to other things that were bad for me. Like smoking which I don't do so it's not really causing me harm but it is bad for me and therefore I would never take it up.

But sitting is the new smoking and I sit on the couch at night blogging about my healthy lifestyle. Which might not be as healthy as I think it is because a good part of my week is spent either swimming in a chlorine-filled pool or sitting on my duff.

That's about the point at which I got back to the wall after my 400m pull and was told that we were going to do 50m sprints. Thank heavens for tough workouts - they keep me from thinking too much.