Calgary Marathon - 10km

Why would I pay to run 10km, when I could just as easily run in the park for free?

There is just something about running with 2899 other people at 7am on spectacular Sunday morning that makes the entry fee totally worth it... (and obviously, I do it for the shirt).

I really need to work on my 'running-face'... 

I successfully achieved my goal for this run... finish in under 1:00 hour. My time was 59m42s and I finished 74/201 in my gender/age group.

My next goal... run 10km in under 58 minutes by the end of August 2015. I imagine I'll be quite fatigued by the time it comes for me to run my triathlon... I'm hoping for my tri run to be under 1h10m.

Just keep running...

I don't know about you, but I regularly want to quit when I'm 10 minutes into a run. I'm not in pain and I'm usually not out of breath at 10 minutes so it's not a physically limiting urge to quit. Instead, it's obsessive thoughts about quitting or justifying a shorter run. 

Today's run was tough... My mind was consumed by thoughts of 'just quit' for 20 of my 40 minute run. Usually when this happens I picture myself in a bikini or a dress and visualize how I want to look in that 'outfit'. I know if I want to look like how I picture myself, I am going to need to work out. Therefore I keep running. 

But that didn't work for me today... Instead I thought of how proud I will feel when I complete the entire 40 minute run without stopping. I pushed throfufh and completed the run. My motivation to exercise is slowly shifting to become more internal. It feels great! 

Here's to a Healthy 2015... right after this heaping plate of Nachos

I kinda, sorta, took a month off... and I'd highly recommend it. Over the holiday season I was travelling in Costa Rica and soaking up as much sun as possible. Turns out that flipping myself over every 20 minutes to ensure an even tan, leaves no time for working out. 

 But, here we are early in 2015 ready to have the most healthy year yet. Some of you may not think that January 21 is 'early' however, my birthday is January 18, and therefore I start my year after treating myself to treats such as this ridiculous plate of nachos. Happy Birthday to Me!! 

What we see here is sour cream atop turkey, con queso, tomatoes, re-fried beans, guacamole, and yes chips are in there! This was my birthday dinner. It was lovely.

So, yesterday was my first official day of training for the triathlon on June 13, 2016. I went for a run outside (which I haven't done since summer!). While I did miss watching trashy TV on the treadmill, it was sooooo great to be outside in the fresh air. Not that muggy, sweaty gym stuff.  Sidewalks were a little slippery, but the weather was glorious.

(... I wish I took this picture...)

I didn't run very far, only 3.2 km (24 minutes), but that's what this training plan called for. I've chosen a 3X/week training schedule which I'm hoping isn't too hefty, but I've got 20 weeks to make some serious changes. Alright, now that we've got the nachos out of the way... let's get healthy!

Run - 3.8km

This pretty much sums up my workout today... #nuffsaid

Run - 5.1km

4/5 days this week I've made it to the gym! Before I started this whole 'go to the gym in the morning' thing, I made a goal for myself that if I went to the gym for 6 morning over two weeks, I will buy myself some luon! I've got my eye on some yoga shorts, capri tights, and a new bra. Can't wait!!

Bike - 5km

I did not want to run today. I barely even made it to the gym. I tried to run and only made it 1.6 km. After that I switched to the bike and finished the rest of my cardio while watching the news.

Regardless of my lack of 6am gym enthusiasm, at least I looked good. These paisley beauty's always make me feel fit! (both "fitness fit" and "British fit"). 

It's the little things... The guy working the front counter absolutely made my day today. He saved me a month worth of gym membership due to a small typo that was made at registration. Talk about a nice guy!

Run - 3.5 km

YAY!!! Second day I've made it to they gym at 6am!

It was a much better run than yesterday. I didn't do any floor exercises but I did spend 5 minutes walking at a 'brisk' pace.

I ran at 6.5 today as well. Slowly getting up to 7.0. I took a 1 minute walk break at 10 minutes (which is a surprisingly refreshing break.)

If you are new to running I would highly recommend the 10:1 run-walk ratio. The running room recommends this 'pace' for a lot of their training programs. However, I prefer to do a 9:1 ratio. Using a 9:1 ratio means that every time you reach a number that ends in '9' you walk, and '0' you start running again.

Run - 4.3km

Second run in a hotel today. This one went much better. I had the whole place to myself.
I cranked up the TV and ran alongside some Duck Dynasty adventures.

Near the end of my run a guy came in and started running at what looked like a fairly leisurely pace... however, when I sneakily glanced over he was running at 12mph!! Meanwhile there I was prancing along at an easy 6mph. Somewhat discouraging and motivating....

Run - 3.2km

Running in a hotel tonight... and it wasn't the best.

I don't know if was due to the fact that the treadmill was super noisy, the others in the gym were older men that were, for-a-lack-of-a-better-term 'creepy'. Or maybe it had something to do with the carb loaded, sugary, cheese-nation food I had on the weekend (bonspiels have a tendency to do that to a person). Either way... it was great to get on the treadmill and put a couple km's on.

I put on some lbs & age this past weekend

Run - 5.1 km

Another fabulous run today! I went faster than I usually do which felt great... I ran at 6.5 for 20 minutes and then slowed it down to 6-6.2 for the last 10 minutes of my run. Nothing feels better than running for longer than you expected... having that desire to keep pushing your body is something that is hard to explain, but one of the greatest feelings in the world.

If you've already pushed yourself to get to the gym, you may as well make it worth while and give yourself the proper work out you deserve. No sense going to the gym only to quit 5 minutes short of your run time, or to drop that last set just because you don't feel like doing it.

When I get the urge to stop running, I have to ask myself why?

Am I stopping just because it is easier than running? Or am I stopping because I have to (pain, time, etc). Nine times out of ten I want to stop just because it's easier. Keep Pushing....