Apparently, that's what it equates to when you lose 1lb... two seconds per pound per mile.
Although I swear I have been pretty darn good in eating and tracking these days, the weight has not been coming off as part of the Boston training. It's gotten to be a bit frustrating really. So my lovely husband sat me down last night for a "talk." He's willing to prepare all my meals for me for the next 3.5 weeks, around 1200cals, as long as I stick to it. I was a little blown away by his proposal, and so of course, I agreed. It won't be easy, but clearly, I have the best husband ever.
My hip flexors, gastroc and all sorts of other ligaments and tendons are super duper tight these days. Made the trip to the chiro this evening a little tense and interesting. I have been given the instructions to take the Stick to it, and roll out the knots. And then return in 1 week, after my Birch Bay 30km.
Just goes to show that I like to keep things interesting. Besides, what would training be like if it were completely injury-free?
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
The Hamster Wheel
Ever have one of those days when you come home from work, feeling a little exhausted and like you didn't get anything done? A day where you may have just felt you were running on a hamster wheel? Well, that's me, at 6:29pm, fresh home from work.
My company hired a new president six months ago who was "sales driven." This in turn, has created a whole new focus on building business and growing our existing accounts, rah, rah, rah. You catch my drift. Anyhow, there are just some days where I come home more exhausted than when I woke up.
But thank goodness it's my designated rest day! And to celebrate the occassion, I wore my brand new compression socks to work today, and made no apologies. I am such a trigeek! Hee!
In the meantime, I will see how long it takes before the hubby comes home, which should be anytime. Perhaps I should go see if we have any food for dinner.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Bossy Bessie from Broadway
So today was a special day. Not only being officially the first day of Spring (yay!), but was also the coveted "Pancake Run", held by the Denman Running Room here in Vancouver. This is a long-standing tradition during the course of training for the Vancouver Marathon, where the different Running Rooms in the lower mainland converge to Denman, and have the opportunity to run part of the Vancouver Marathon course. It is always an interesting day, as you have the opportunity to catch up with some old friends, as well as run with people from all corners of the lower mainland.
I came to the event with an agenda, and frankly, I will not apologize. Primarily, it was to make it clear from the very beginning, that I was going to focus on pace and not participate in a 32km hammerfest. For many, this is the first crack at the longest distance in the program, and the longest they have ever run. For me, it was an opportunity to get one of my biggest workouts, without being completely blown apart because the pace was too fast.
I recognized within the first 300m that I had to speak up and fast or else it would have been too fast a pace. There were others who jumped in and backed me up to focus on working together to ensure that we maintained the 5:45/km pace. I have to admit that my old bossy ways surfaced, and quite frankly, it was like a visit from a good old friend. Hehe.
Things went well. In fact, I think it was one of the best runs I've had this training schedule, largely due to the fact that we were consistent in our pace. The weather was awesome and I didn't forget any nutrition, so things were great. No chafing as well. In all, it was a 20-miler success story.
Following the run, I put on the fancy-dancy new compression socks. I feel so.... compressed. We'll see if all this hype of 25% faster recovery is factual, or a bunch of ballyhoo. I will keep you posted.
So I am off to get cleaned up, do much of nothing, and then Chinese Food with Aunty Anne! Ciao!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Inspiration
Why hello there.
I know, it's been a very long time. I have been very busy stalking other people's blogs, and totally neglecting mine. Not that I haven't thought about it. Really. Just too darn lazy to type I guess!
I have been recently inspired to get back to the drawing blog board by a few things. It seems everyone and their dog have blogs (thanks to our modern narcissistic society), and quite frankly, maybe it's time I shared some of my thoughts too. Sure,why not.
So I did a little messing around on the 'puter, and perhaps it may be starting to take shape. There are a few things that I am going to have to get sorted. Like posting more than once a year, and maybe adding a few things like pictures. So baby steps. My first post for 2011.
A few things have happened since my last posting. Firstly, I finally qualified for Boston, and running it in 4 weeks time (yay me!). Secondly, I did a kick ass year of triathlon for 2010. I completed 4 half ironmans, 1 IronMan Canada and 3 marathons. I was busy, and then I was TIRED. But, I PB'd in all but one race (Sooke), but even then, I came 3rd in my age category, so what was lost in time, was made up with an extra medal. Nothing says awesome like external gratification!
Some things have stayed the same. Greg and I are still doing great. We love our house and celebrated 2 years in January. We have an awesome cat named Piper. I celebrated my second anniversary with RHPL just this past Wednesday. So in short, things are good.. really good.
Training for Boston has been good, and eventful. I had originally decided to use the Hal Higdon program. It's a bit crazy, and I didn't quite understand some of the rationale behind some of the schedule (like who does 16km race pace run on Saturday and then run 32km LSD the next day?!?!). So I fired Hal and returned to my Running Room standard. Ten years of RR does tend to keep consistency. However, I have tried to do lots of up/down hill running to prepare for Boston. My achilles heels and hip flexors aren't too happy about it, but I will keep them at bay with ART and push forward. As a result, I received a new PB at the First Half half marathon- 1:43:42, a 1 1/2 minute improvement from my previous PB at Delta half marathon. Huh!
Well, it looks like I should get my butt in gear and get some dinner. Apparently I am running 32km in the morning and will be rewarded with pancakes. Yum!
I know, it's been a very long time. I have been very busy stalking other people's blogs, and totally neglecting mine. Not that I haven't thought about it. Really. Just too darn lazy to type I guess!
I have been recently inspired to get back to the drawing blog board by a few things. It seems everyone and their dog have blogs (thanks to our modern narcissistic society), and quite frankly, maybe it's time I shared some of my thoughts too. Sure,why not.
So I did a little messing around on the 'puter, and perhaps it may be starting to take shape. There are a few things that I am going to have to get sorted. Like posting more than once a year, and maybe adding a few things like pictures. So baby steps. My first post for 2011.
A few things have happened since my last posting. Firstly, I finally qualified for Boston, and running it in 4 weeks time (yay me!). Secondly, I did a kick ass year of triathlon for 2010. I completed 4 half ironmans, 1 IronMan Canada and 3 marathons. I was busy, and then I was TIRED. But, I PB'd in all but one race (Sooke), but even then, I came 3rd in my age category, so what was lost in time, was made up with an extra medal. Nothing says awesome like external gratification!
Some things have stayed the same. Greg and I are still doing great. We love our house and celebrated 2 years in January. We have an awesome cat named Piper. I celebrated my second anniversary with RHPL just this past Wednesday. So in short, things are good.. really good.
Training for Boston has been good, and eventful. I had originally decided to use the Hal Higdon program. It's a bit crazy, and I didn't quite understand some of the rationale behind some of the schedule (like who does 16km race pace run on Saturday and then run 32km LSD the next day?!?!). So I fired Hal and returned to my Running Room standard. Ten years of RR does tend to keep consistency. However, I have tried to do lots of up/down hill running to prepare for Boston. My achilles heels and hip flexors aren't too happy about it, but I will keep them at bay with ART and push forward. As a result, I received a new PB at the First Half half marathon- 1:43:42, a 1 1/2 minute improvement from my previous PB at Delta half marathon. Huh!
Well, it looks like I should get my butt in gear and get some dinner. Apparently I am running 32km in the morning and will be rewarded with pancakes. Yum!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Christmas Cookies are Evil
I think the title says it all... Christmas cookies are evil. Every single damn morsel. And I have the stomach ache to prove it. Well, happy Tuesday. I sit here, waiting for the Canucks game to finish, so that I can watch the season finale of the Biggest Loser. The Canucks just scored a goal, bringing it to 3-2 for Nashville Predators, sometime in the 3rd period. Not that it really matters, but just a gauge as to how before I can watch tv. Typically on a Tuesday night, I would be out doing speedwork. However, I had my H1N1 flu shot, and of course, the side effects showed up just as I was finishing my work day. I came home feeling achy, headachey and exhausted. Apparently all the typical side effects experienced with this swine flu shot. Goody. So I thought an evening taking it easy would probably not be a bad idea on my part. Well, the hockey game is over, and time to indulge.... in the Biggest Loser. Ciao bella.
Friday, December 4, 2009
I Should Be In Bed...
Hi again,
Friday night, 11:59pm on Chocolate Cake Friday. Another Friday, and the cake certainly did not disappoint. The tradition continues.
I am writing as a way to settle mind before I head to bed, which I should have done an hour ago. However, I have been doing my usual obsessing about marathon training, pacing, and scheduling. Nothing changes, and everything changes. But what is consistent, is that I am always focussed on the prize, a Boston Marathon qualifier. And that seems worth it.
This weekend looks to be busy. Greg & I have errands to run in the morning, only to be back in time for Greg to watch the Canucks game. I am going to run 7 miles (12km) at race pace, as well as decide on my Christmas cookie for the selection on Monday, strategize about putting up Christmas lights and meet up with Karen & Denny late afternoon. The plan with them is to go ice skating at Robson Square, followed by dinner and who knows what. It will be fun to meet up with them and enjoy their company.
Sunday looks like 23km long run (in 0C temperatures!), followed by Christmas light application and hopefully baking, and lounging. Fingers crossed it all comes together. There has to be cookies, the deadline is set.
I found a blog of a guy who went from 452lb to 220lb in the course of 2 years who was an avid triathlete. It was quite amazing to read actually, and I am interested in finding out how his IM Florida race went. I'll have to check back.
Other than that, life is hectic but good. Work has had a few interesting curveballs tossed in to keep things interesting and on my toes. I made a conscious effort to not discuss work at all, and just focus on enjoying Greg's company when we went out for dinner. Hard to do, but why think about work when I can focus on play.
Well, I think this may have done the trick. Off to bed!
Ciao!
Friday night, 11:59pm on Chocolate Cake Friday. Another Friday, and the cake certainly did not disappoint. The tradition continues.
I am writing as a way to settle mind before I head to bed, which I should have done an hour ago. However, I have been doing my usual obsessing about marathon training, pacing, and scheduling. Nothing changes, and everything changes. But what is consistent, is that I am always focussed on the prize, a Boston Marathon qualifier. And that seems worth it.
This weekend looks to be busy. Greg & I have errands to run in the morning, only to be back in time for Greg to watch the Canucks game. I am going to run 7 miles (12km) at race pace, as well as decide on my Christmas cookie for the selection on Monday, strategize about putting up Christmas lights and meet up with Karen & Denny late afternoon. The plan with them is to go ice skating at Robson Square, followed by dinner and who knows what. It will be fun to meet up with them and enjoy their company.
Sunday looks like 23km long run (in 0C temperatures!), followed by Christmas light application and hopefully baking, and lounging. Fingers crossed it all comes together. There has to be cookies, the deadline is set.
I found a blog of a guy who went from 452lb to 220lb in the course of 2 years who was an avid triathlete. It was quite amazing to read actually, and I am interested in finding out how his IM Florida race went. I'll have to check back.
Other than that, life is hectic but good. Work has had a few interesting curveballs tossed in to keep things interesting and on my toes. I made a conscious effort to not discuss work at all, and just focus on enjoying Greg's company when we went out for dinner. Hard to do, but why think about work when I can focus on play.
Well, I think this may have done the trick. Off to bed!
Ciao!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Speedwork
Hi again,
So I am feeling a little stoked. I decided Tuesdays are a good night to focus on speedwork in my quest for a Boston Qualifier. I spent the better part of last night working on my schedule (still lots to tweak) and made the committment to myself, that in order to be faster, I have to run faster. And if that means subjecting myself to weekly sessions of tempting asthma attacks, so be it.
I have found on my journeys of running through North Vancouver, that there are a bunch of tracks around, and not too far away either. The track on Jones is mediocre at best- it's a dirt track and there is no guarantee that the lights will be on. So I have decided to move my weekly sessions to Sutherland Secondary, where a beautiful asphalt track awaits, with lots of lights and no shortage of soccer teams playing on the astro turf. It's conveniently 3km away from my house, which means this will provide a sufficient distance for warm up and cool down.
My first evening of sessions (or more like reinstallation of track work since before our honeymoon) started tonight. Work has been hectic lately, so my enthusiasm to go out and run out some stress was huge. My plan called for 3 x 1 mile repeats, aiming for a 7:00-7:15 mile pace. In short, I nailed it. I do notice that I had lost some fitness with all the chaos that has been my life the past 6 weeks, but I am pretty sure that I can reclaim some ground on that category. I am feeling really excited about doing this. Besides, it just reinforces why I love running, because I can't help but marvel at the sense of accomplishment afterwards!
Tonight I was able to enjoy one of my biggest tv indulgences- Biggest Loser. I used to just hate it, and watched to attack and critcize. Now I just watch to check out the different work out maneuvers (sp?) for the work out plan I will start (yeah, huh). It's down to the final four contestants, and it's kinda interesting to see how much their bodies have changed. I don't have any particular faves, but Tara Costa, the runner up from season 7 (can you tell I have watched every season?) was there to cheer on Amanda as she ran through the marathon challenge. I have respect for Tara, and I think it's because I have the same kind of competitive mindset. So I will be a little sad as I watch the end of this season next week (as I eat Christmas cookies!)
Well, that sums it up for one night. Ciao bella!
So I am feeling a little stoked. I decided Tuesdays are a good night to focus on speedwork in my quest for a Boston Qualifier. I spent the better part of last night working on my schedule (still lots to tweak) and made the committment to myself, that in order to be faster, I have to run faster. And if that means subjecting myself to weekly sessions of tempting asthma attacks, so be it.
I have found on my journeys of running through North Vancouver, that there are a bunch of tracks around, and not too far away either. The track on Jones is mediocre at best- it's a dirt track and there is no guarantee that the lights will be on. So I have decided to move my weekly sessions to Sutherland Secondary, where a beautiful asphalt track awaits, with lots of lights and no shortage of soccer teams playing on the astro turf. It's conveniently 3km away from my house, which means this will provide a sufficient distance for warm up and cool down.
My first evening of sessions (or more like reinstallation of track work since before our honeymoon) started tonight. Work has been hectic lately, so my enthusiasm to go out and run out some stress was huge. My plan called for 3 x 1 mile repeats, aiming for a 7:00-7:15 mile pace. In short, I nailed it. I do notice that I had lost some fitness with all the chaos that has been my life the past 6 weeks, but I am pretty sure that I can reclaim some ground on that category. I am feeling really excited about doing this. Besides, it just reinforces why I love running, because I can't help but marvel at the sense of accomplishment afterwards!
Tonight I was able to enjoy one of my biggest tv indulgences- Biggest Loser. I used to just hate it, and watched to attack and critcize. Now I just watch to check out the different work out maneuvers (sp?) for the work out plan I will start (yeah, huh). It's down to the final four contestants, and it's kinda interesting to see how much their bodies have changed. I don't have any particular faves, but Tara Costa, the runner up from season 7 (can you tell I have watched every season?) was there to cheer on Amanda as she ran through the marathon challenge. I have respect for Tara, and I think it's because I have the same kind of competitive mindset. So I will be a little sad as I watch the end of this season next week (as I eat Christmas cookies!)
Well, that sums it up for one night. Ciao bella!
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