back to the long runs…

In preparation for the Edinburgh Rock ‘n Roll Half-Marathon on April 15th, I did my longest run in a long long time – and got myself back on my schedule!  I ran for an hour and a half and did about 8.5 miles according to my Garmin. The last long run I did was 2 weeks ago and was 50 minutes (I had to high-tail it home to go to the washroom!).  I’ve been running twice during the week for about 35 minutes during my lunch break too. The jump from 50 to 90 may not have been the brightest, but I had to get back on schedule.

Yesterday, I told Adam that I didn’t want to do the run because I couldn’t find any motivation to go for long runs anymore and would do more damage on the big day since my training hasn’t been the greatest.  After sitting inside all day finishing up some personal training work and eating the delicious Easter candy my family sent me (YUM!), I woke up on Sunday and pushed myself out the door so I’d burn all that sugar I consumed (not the best source of nutrition before a long run).

Now I have a massive post-run headache and am trying to determine why it happens. It’s not the first time, so it’s not the increase in time from 50 to 90 minutes. A search online has led to either hunching my shoulders and being tense during the run, not eating right before/after the run, or not hydrating enough before/during/after.  Next week, I’ll eat some toast with peanut butter and a banana and drink some gatorade immediately after the run.  Perhaps I will avoid fuelling with Easter candies too – I’ll save those for the post-run celebration while I sit on the couch recuperating!

missed a few weeks of training updates… TRIATHLON DONE!

After travelling around for a few weeks and not really keeping up-to-date here, the triathlon has come and now has gone!  It was pretty hard and I’m not so sure I’ll do another one.  I think the official times are going to be posted sometime soon, but I’m pretty sure I did it in 1hr and 34 ish minutes.  The swim was 400 m and I did it in around 8:15, then biked 15km around this loop six times with a not-so-nice hill (glad we went to Tremblant to practice hills!), and then ran 5 laps around a park that had ups and downs for 5km.  I didn’t run a full lap since my legs were dead after the bike.

Adam came and cheered me on and took some pics that I’ll post later.  Now it’s time to relax and try not to fall asleep until at least 9pm (it’s 6:41pm!).

Thanks to everyone who has supported me and donated to the Leonard Cheshire Disability Charity.  It was a great day out and a perfect environment for a first triathlon!

 

forgot to post about last week – oops!

I guess I got a bit distracted from being in Ottawa and forgot to post about my training for week 8.  I did pretty good I think!  Monday I went for a hike in a place called Westhumble with Melinda for a few hours.  Tuesday, I did some muscle conditioning stuff involving squats and lunges and probably pushups (I don’t remember exactly what I did!). Wednesday before my flight, I ran for 35 mins.  Thursday I biked outside on a road bike for the first time during my training. Dad told me it was about 20km, but I think it was only 16 – which is 1 more than I need to do in a couple weeks! Friday I walked for an hour – I got lost trying to find my way to stores from the beach! Oops!  Saturday I ran for 45 mins outside in the heat.  And Sunday was my break day – thank goodness!

This week’s been good so far.  Monday I ran on a treadmill for 30 mins and did 25 mins of weights with my sis when she got home from work.  The run session was good; the weights were pretty lazy ones! Tuesday I went on a mountain bike along a path behind Breanna’s house and did just over 7.5km in 30 mins.  Wednesday, after getting some GU chews and some other electrolyte candies (YUM!), I needed to try them out.  So I biked for an hour and then ran for 35.  They worked pretty well because I was only really tired at the end of the run and somehow forced myself to keep going. The hot weather probably had something to do with it too.  Thursday I took the day off.  Friday, I lounged around in an outdoor pool.  I did have to run after a car so that my cousin wouldn’t get lost in downtown Ottawa – so I think that counts!  Today (Saturday), I did some interval training and went on a treadmill and eliptical cross trainer for 30 mins and did 30 mins of muscle stuff.  I’m pooped now.  Tomorrow, I’ll see if I can drag Adam to the gym downstairs and see if he wants to do a workout with me! hahah!

I have 3 more weeks til the big day and still need to raise some moullah.  Sponsor me please!!!  Click here to do so!! Yahoo!!  I’m really excited, and a bit afraid of the whole thing.  I have to count laps while cycling and running… this might prove troublesome because I always forget to count properly….

5 weeks to go!!

This past week, I did loads of walking instead of biking, running or swimming.  I ran on Tuesday (I think!) for a half-hour and got a huge blister on my big toe because of the humidity and the rubbing… not cool.  This was after walking home from Wandsworth Council to register to marry!  That took an hour and a bit.  Wednesday I walked home from Balham in the hot weather and instantly needed a shower when I got home!

This week my plan is getting back into the higher intensity for the remaining 5 weeks.  So far, yesterday I went for a hike in Westhumble with Melinda.  We went up and down hills and didn’t get lost.  It was also sunny out until the last litte bit as we walked towards the pub for lunch – we had to do a last second dash to avoid getting drenched!  It was about a 2.5 hour hike and then walk to and from the train station.  Today, I did some muscle conditioning. Tomorrow is a flight to Ottawa.  Thursday will be a 20km bike ride with dad along the Ottawa River.  Friday will be a run of 40 mins.  Saturday, I’ll go for another bike ride bedore Kim & Eric’s wedding.  Sunday, I’ll take  a break!

I still haven’t figured out what I am going to do about a bike on the day of the triathlon, but I have 5 weeks to do that!

 

I’m £75 away from the minimum amount that I need to raise.  Almost there – so if you haven’t already sponsored me for a great cause, please click here and get donating! (If you’ve given me cash, I am donating it all at the end in one lump sum).

 

Thanks to everyone who has supported me so far!! I appreciate it!!

 

 

Another week done, but not as good… getting tired!

Last week I worked out 3 times only  - Monday I ran for 30 mins and did intervals, Tuesday I biked and then Saturday I bike for an hour.  I was poisoned on Sunday with some kind of curry that did not sit well and I napped for most of the day.

My gym pass is now on hold for August since I’m in Ottawa for most of the month, so it’s running, yoga and weights at home for the next week.  My left calf is ridiculously sore after my run yesterday.  Today is yoga, Thursday will be weights, and Friday – if the calf is better I’ll go for another run.  Saturday is Adam’s bday celebration at Ascot, so I’m not planning on working out that day and Sunday I’ll do some weights.

5 weeks left and I’m lacking motivation!  Hopefully cycling outside in Ottawa will do the trick!

 

Remember to donate to help me raise money for Leonard Cheshire Disability!  Click here!

 

Thanks!!