Run run run!

I've decided to turn this into a bit of a run blog as I lead up to my Half-marathon on June 24. I'll keep all of you posted on how my training is going along with my fundraising efforts!

https://ocp.diabetes.ca/pledge/csPersonalPage.asp?prId=td&tId=18466&oId=13437285

Please visit that page if you wish to donate. I'm running with Team Diabetes and I'm really close to my goal! I just need your help!! The deadline is May 18.

In the past the farthest I've ever run is a 10k. I've done three of those so far in my life, and obviously I need to be able to go farther. On the weekend I challenged myself to do just that.

One of my goals for a very long time has been to run False Creek. It was an easier plan when I lived just off the beach in English Bay. However, moving away from there has made the distance longer. So on a gorgeous Saturday I set off from Kitsilano and ran False Creek and home again. A grand total of 12.15k. All this while being chased by zombies!

I run with a game called Zombies, RUN! It's really great interactive running game, where I have to collect supplies for the city I live in during a zombie apocalyspe. The game automatically collects supplies as I run and occasionally I have to sprint away from Zombie Mobs. It's a really great way to become faster and also to just get out there and go as there is an actual storyline that develops the more you run.

So running 12k while being chased by zombies was interesting. You think you're tired and then bam, RUN. I only ran into one mob...but I was going up a hill. I could have out run them! Still bothered by that.

Today I'll head out for another, not sure how long yet. Probably not 12k but still a good distance. I need to make 10k feel as easy as 5k

Here is a photo of me completing the Scotiabank 5k last year. It was actually one of my worse races. I was not happy at ALL.

Props to Chris Langford for the photo

Holiday Monday!

Welcome August...hopefully you are the bearer of SUMMER!

It's actually for reals finally starting to be warm and sunny. This week isn't calling for one DROP of rain :D Let's hope it stays that way

My dad comes into town for a week long visit tomorrow! I can't wait. He stayed with us for a month during the Olympics because he was a volunteer (probably the one with the coolest job too). So the city is going to look VERY different to him now!

I've booked my flight home for September for the birth of my sister's BFB (big fat baby..her nickname for it teehee) So hopefully the little...it..comes on time. They are keeping the name and sex a GIANT secret so it should be exciting!

I'm also dreaming of going home next July for my family's reunion. Every last Sunday of July is the big festivo because that is the closest Sunday to July 28th, Peru's day of independence. I haven't been in so long and I miss it. Especially since it's gone from casual attire to PERU EVERYWHERE.

I think is like 1/7th of my family...There are no kids under 10 in this shot. There are at least 20 of those ones running around somewhere.....

You can also see my sistur and BFB on the left! I can't believe she fit into her shirt! Anyway, I must be back for this at some point...especially since we haven't been back since we got married...(womp womp) So half my family have never met David....

Some fun news! David has started running! When I started (and since) he's always gone on about how much he HATES running. Then out of nowhere I casually mentioned (for the eleventy billionth time) that he should come with me sometime, and this time he said yes! So we got him some shoes and away he went. He's pretty fast. He really likes taking Daisy with him, and since she loves to run, it works for everyone! The best part it we got a good pair of shoes and those aren't cheap...so he can't quit or he would be wasting money! Muahahaha. I don't think he will quit though, he's good at it and he tends to keep doing things he good at. He quits when he sucks *cough DDR* 

SO ANYWAY! Since for everyone who isn't in television has a holiday today I will entertain you with some of my favourite things!

My New DSLR camera: Okay so it's brand new so I'm not even sure it's my favourite yet, BUT it's really fun and exciting to have a GREAT camera. Sadly, I have forgotten everything I learned in photography class...so I have to muddle my way through figuring it out.... My notes don't make ANY sense either. 

Zevia sodas (all natural and so yummy) • Nintendo DS • Playing Tekken with David • Final Fantasy VIII • baking • potlucks! • Sunshine • getting tons of things done in one day • crafting • watersports • Yogi tea • scones • grilled peanut butter and chocolate sandwiches • Stat pay! • Awesome regular bus drivers

We are having a big work potluck in a little bit....I heard rumours of a Winnie the Pooh waffle maker! Excitement!

What do you hope August brings?

Manic monday!

I know! It's been a while since a Monday post!!! Yay! I also went ahead with a new template. What do you think? Pretty simple, but I feel like being simple right now!

I'm sure you're all wondering how my triathlon went!! Yes you are. David took some photos via Instagram. I'm hoping we can get a really GOOD camera soon...then he won't be taking photos with his iPhone all the time.

The SWIM!

The swim portion was easy for me. I swam for more than half my life competitively. I was the 4th fastest time and it gave me a massive lead over the others.

Getting ready to cycle

I lost a lot of time here. People who finished the swim after me caught up and passed me here. I learned that if I want to keep doing these...I need a tri-suit. The cycle was meh. I'm not super great and it was tough after swimming. There was a good incline which sucked. But I didn't get passed by too many people so yay!

The finish!

The run was TOUGH. I am not a very good runner to begin with (why I keep doing it I'm not sure...) but having swam and then biked before this made it hard. AND I wasn't allowed my iPod...which is what gets me through runs! So I sang to myself the whole time! Strangely enough I came in at my usual 5k time...which is BAFFLING to me....I feel like I went so slow! But go me!

We earned these bottles!

This was probably the biggest challenge I've ever done, and the greatest thing I've accomplished. I'm really glad I had a friend doing the race too. I signed up before her, but when she heard I was doing it she was in too...which is awesome! It was fun to have someone to train with. Actually she came first in our age group and second overall in the women!!! She's GOOD. I hope she keeps doing them! I might keep doing the short ones...but I think I would make a great part of a team in a triathlon. My swim is awesome! It was also amazing having David right on the sidelines cheering me on. Literally right there. He actually ran with me from the swim to cycle transition. All day long he kept going on about how proud he was of me and smiling. I could tell he really meant it and that made me so happy :D!

Since it's Monday I will give you some faves! I had some great posts planned before my hard drive bit it so I'll try to get back on track with those soon :)

Monday faves!

Being a triathlete • my sweet new water bottle and shirt from the tri • post race day eats • Coke Zero • frozen yogurt • bike sleeves! • my new bike • where I live • music • eBay • thrifty shopping • supportive in-laws! (it's fun sharing interests with them!) • the library • my hair

I saw the last Harry Potter movie yesterday. I was SO disappointed...what a let down...that is a WHOLE blog post of it's own though!

Did you see HP7 pt2? What did you think?

I'm back!

I was off sick for a week. Hence no faves last week...nothing was very happy. Except for David taking care of me. That's pretty awesome.


I ran the TC 10K! Even after not having run since the Sun Run and being sick and all asthmatic-y. I was only a couple minutes off my Sun Run time which doesn't make any sense...I'm pretty sure the Sun Run was closer to 11K.....

I got to go to Victoria for the weekend and see some friends. It was very fun, not only to just chill and stay with them, but to have someone to do the run with! Natasha was MUCH faster than I was, but the excitement and heading down with a friend is very nice

Post run stretching! Which I

didn't do enough of.....

So my next run is just a 5k...but I'd like to drop some time off of it. I know it sounds weak, but I'm finding a 10k not all that hard. The Sun Run was my first one and tough because of that...but even being sick the TC 10k just wasn't hard. It was a BEAUTIFUL course and it just went by quickly! Love it. A half marathon might be next!

So May happened?! Time just flies...The sun was out yesterday but is hiding again...What I wouldn't do for two nice days in a row.

However, to cheer me up!

MONDAY FAVES!

Collecting running shirts • visiting friends • the sun! • Post-run feeling greatness! • PVR (mine is broken...I miss it :( ) • My new iPhone • Being talked about on the radio • the truth • Daisy starting to get her training • Twitter (keeps you up to date!)  • finishing crochet projects • starting a new book • crinkle cut french fries • cheese • Chipotle • having my voice back

It was a super busy week last week. This week is a little more chill because the team is on the 2 game away part of the playoffs....so I have some time to rest! Which is good...I have SO much to do around the house. Never a dull moment with me!

How was your weekend?





10K Monday!

Well I did it. I ran the Sun Run...first 10k in the bag. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be. I'm feeling a little sore today, but nothing yoga can't handle. What a great feeling it was to cross that finish line and know that I just RAN 10k!! The Run Lola Run soundtrack got me through the last 2k that's for sure. But I did it!!! One more 10k in two weeks! Then a 5k, my fundraiser run.

I tweeted some photos during the run! Check my twitter for them! Be sure to follow my Twitter for updates during the TC10k in two weeks, and behind the scenes photos and updates from the Canucks games.

On that note

Being able to run 10k! • Playoff sweeps (fingers crossed) • everyone getting together to watch playoff hockey • new crochet projects • shopping for baby gifts! • the fact that spring is FINALLY here!! • vests • the gifts my employers love to give us :D • having jobs I love to be at, not because I have to make money • long dog walks • grandparents • having so many people cheer me on for my run • Imaq (Farewell!) • Tourism Passport season!!!! • Student free bus and Skytrain season • New and exciting ideas in development

I just had a muffin...I didn't WANT it..but I was just SO hungry...I need to restock my breakfast foods at work. I'll head to the gym today and work it off...no rest for me! Another 10K in two weeks! This one will be in Victoria and I have a friend doing it too...probably not WITH me though..I'm a slow runner, but this doesn't bother me. I ran the whole 10k (10minutes of running, 1 minute of walking) which is a lot more than I can say for most of the people I saw on the route. They were very in the way :( 

I'm very excited to head home and get some rest. It's beautiful outside already so I'll have to take Daisy on a loooooong walk.

What are you going to do with this nice weather?

Lacking Motivation

Bler.

I have gained weight lately. I have been so lazy and so unmotivated to exercise, which doesn't help of course. I partly blame the weather. It's been so awful and cold and rainy lately. Who wants to go outside, even if to the gym.... Being all warm and cozy is so much nicer than opening the door. However, this has really hurt me. I have a 10k to run in ONE week and my lazy butt didn't run all March and now here I am. Screwed. I ran 4k last week..that's it. How can I run a 10k!?

I'm really disappointed with myself. I need to find a way to get motivated to get out there and work out (other than my disappointment with how I look)


How do you find motivation?

Monday isn't pro me

Sometimes I feel like Monday is working against me.

I try to have a good outlook for the beginning of the week..but it just seems like Monday WANTS to be hated. It should be nicer to me.

I try....

I'm participating in the 2011 Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge at the Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon & 5k. I'm fundraising for the Vancouver Aquarium. If you didn't already know what an amazing place it is, feel free to ask me why! I truly love it there and want to give back!

You can help support me by making a secure online donation using your credit card!! Please sponsor me on another one of my charity runs. You can do so here!!

On that note:

FAVES!!!

Sunny days • a good run • cracked.com • Coffee creamer • trips to Victoria! (this week!) • Daisy starting to calm down and listen • The Dog Whisperer (sorry...I'm hooked) • Having a sister who works at a vet • knitting little baby sized gifts • seeing little glimpses of summer • Kitsilano • tacos • naps • fundraising • water bottles • juice boxes

I have a 10K to run in two weeks....I'm only at 5k..(yes STILL) I'm rather nervous.

Can I do it internet?

WOW

Quick run post!

I just had the BEST run of my life...I don't even know where it came from! I last ran on Tuesday I think...It wasn't easy, usual amount of toughness. Ran down to what was known as LiveCity Yaletown during the Olympics and back. Nothing special.

But today...I just hit the ground FLYING. I was so steady! And I felt so fast! I was taking strides and just going! Since I got back into running, I've had to start with a 5 minute light jog to warm up and then I could do 10 and 1s...but today I just went right into the 10 and 1s. It was GREAT! I ran all the way to the Aquarium and back. Nearly 6k!! I also beat my previous 5k times by 4 minutes!!! That's insane!!


I just feel so great about that run. It felt like I was possessed by someone who was actually fit :D!


I'm having a can of coke now...we're out of milk so I can't recharge with chocolate milk...which I usually have. For some reason after a run I LOOOVE carbon...I wish I had some Perrier!

Less than a month...

and I'm almost at 5k! How awesome is that.

Yesterday I had a great run on the seawall. And if I hadn't needed to go shower to go to work, I know I could have kept going to hit 5k. I'm so thrilled...I definitely didn't think it would only take a month to get back to running 5k...Ok so I only ran 4.25 BUT that's SO close...and it's a new record for me in the 4k! Which means my 5k must be faster too! yipeee! I'll try to run it this week. Last week was rough for running...LOTS of rain. So I was at the gym mostly doing Zumba and spin class. Cross training really helps

If you follow my Sportstracker, some times you won't see a run on there. That's because I've had to use a treadmill. :( If it's REALLY pouring I don't want to run in that. I hate using a treadmill...but since it tends to rain for days on end here, I don't always have a choice.

My hips are a little tight today. I need to get back to doing yoga right after....I never allow myself enough time. I have to start running earlier in the day. But I feel so great. Between spin, yoga, Zumba, running, and cycling, I'm just a MACHINE.

I tried Zumba for the first time on Tuesday and it is SO FUN. I'm sad I waited so long to try it...and probably won't get to again :( At my gym it's an extra fee to take some specialty classes and Zumba is one of them...I can either pay the fee...or pay my membership to get back into swimming. So I think I'm going to go with the swimming, which is a bummer because I love spin class, Zumba, and some of the other programs. But it starts to get pricey! Bummmer.

Run RUN!

Well last week was certainly interesting for running...considering it was calling for snow! I ran on Wednesday I think, and towards the end of my run little flakes were falling! I have a running touque...I never thought that would happen...I've gone to the dark side!

This week was much better. It's not as cold so I'm able to run along the water. On cold windy days I run through the neighbourhood away from the ocean so I'm much warmer. Downside (or maybe upside) there are several hills through out the neighbourhood. Last year I avoided hills like the plague. But now I can see how they really help me train.

I'm still running 3 times a week. Yippee! Trying to follow the running plan my father-in-law gave me. It's a little lofty for me yet, but I'll do it!

Yesterday I ran along the seawall to almost David Lam Park and back and it felt amazing. I really chalk this up to running hills for the past couple weeks, and then running flat. I almost did 4 k!! I'm even more confident now that I'll be able to run 10k by April...still not sure about a half-marathon by June though...it seems like SUCH a long distance!

I'm officially registered for both the TC10k and the Sun Run! No turning back now!

Also, I got this AMAZING app for my cell phone. It's called Sports Tracker, and using the GPS on my phone it tracks me, so I know exactly how far I've run, where I ran, how long it took, my pace and so on. SO AMAZING (and it's not just for running either!) I'm in love with it. So check out where I've been! Click The Link

I didn't eat the best in the last week...I really want to have more veggies for eating in the house...the problem I find with that is, when I'm cold, I definitely don't want to eat cold food...problem is the healthy stuff is cold...the warm stuff is all the carbs in the cupboard. Yar. I was eating a lot of trail mix the past week...but I find all the nuts make me feel sluggish and all warbly. I should just stick to almonds. I'm also back on having green tea first thing in the AM. Keeps me awake at work, and it's good for you. I find coffee makes me sick, and I had a really bad caffine problem I kicked a few years ago (see: severe withdrawl symptoms) and I really don't want to become dependant on it again. Sure Green Tea has caffeine too...but I don't feel the same way when I drink tea vs coffee... What I can't wait for is the summer..Green Tea lemonade with matcha...so. amazing. Matcha is so great for you. And so tasty. I used to do the Matcha Frappucino...but that's good for nothing! So I got hooked on the lemonades and occasionally with have a straight up Matcha Tea. It's also fantastic in smoothies, which I also hope to get back on making in the spring. yum yum!! With dessert tofu they are SO amazing. Banana and coconut were my faves.

RUN!

So I've started running again. I'm signed up for two runs in 2011. The Vancouver Sun Run and the TC10K. Both were runs I wanted to do last year but wasn't at that level when I thought about it. But now I have nearly 5 months to train. NO excuses! So I will also keep a little blog about it. Keep myself accountable to all of you!

So this week was tough! I was SO SORE after I went for my first run since October. Not very far, 5min x 3. But I was thrilled to be able to run at all!! I thought I would be back to square one since it had been so long. So the run was great!...the next day was awful. My back was so sore...lots of heat and massages for a couple days. It's since loosened up and hasn't given me any trouble after my other runs!

I ran in the pouring rain the other day. I headed out for a quick one when the rain had stopped, but halfway...boom. So I toughed it out. I'm going to have to get used to that if I'm training for the next few months! I really hate using treadmills. That day was 7min x2 and a hill or two!

Today was chilly! I realized that I've gone to the dark side if I have a running touque!! But it feels good. Not cold but chilly makes me feel invigorated. It takes longer for my muscles to warm up though. So I took it easy. 7min x2 again with one mini hill. Slowly working my way back to 10 and 1's.

I know I can rock these 10Ks. I'm also doing a lot of yoga to keep me stretched and limber. I think this will make a big difference and I find I get A LOT of tightness in my hips, and my calfs and ankles are constantly tight (My physiotherapists won't let me hear the end of it). I've also got new tunes on my shuffle, and I'm getting use out of that running jacket I earned with my 5k last year. My heel finally doesn't hurt either! So really everything is in my favour! I just have to keep up the training...so webland. Don't let me slack!! I'm going to be with the Global team for the Sun Run, and a co-worker lives a block away from me, so we can motivate each other on the rough days, but the TC10k is all me! I'm even travelling for it! :O

Soon I'll be back to all my running glory!

Vancouver running, rained of course