I have graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with Honours Geography and Sociology! I have applied to various Bachelor of Education (Teachers College) programs throughout Ontario for next fall. In preparation for my upcoming 1/2 Marathon Clinic (in February) I have recommitted myself to Weight Watchers. As of today I am a member of the Fitness Clubs of Canada!
I would like to thank Indigo and Bexx, two lovely Laurier Alum, who have supported my running goals from the get-go!
Best Support Network!
2nd Half Marathon
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Race Confirmation
I have had a "quieter" online presence then I had anticipated. I have good news to report. I have received confirmation that I am registered for the Tom Taylor Trail Ten Miler it is on Halloween! I'm excited for this race for a few reasons.
1) This is the inaugural race
2) Tony, from my running clinic is one of the organizers
3) It raises money for a Charity, Inn From The Cold
4) It is the longest race I have ever run (16km's)
5) I will have a slice or two of my Dairy Queen ice cream birthday cake, which has yet to be purchased.
My birthday was in May, but I have been working hard since May 4th to lose 20 lbs :)
Running has been going really well! It's hard to believe that my 10 Miler clinic is almost over! I've noticed a big difference in my ability to run more comfortably at a faster pace. My lungs feel healthier. I no longer bring my iPod to the Monday clinic nights, or Run Club on Wednesdays (for hills training and tempo runs). Last Wednesday we did a 2km warm up run, then a 12 minute tempo run, and five 90 second hills followed by a 2km run back to the store.
1) This is the inaugural race
2) Tony, from my running clinic is one of the organizers
3) It raises money for a Charity, Inn From The Cold
4) It is the longest race I have ever run (16km's)
5) I will have a slice or two of my Dairy Queen ice cream birthday cake, which has yet to be purchased.
My birthday was in May, but I have been working hard since May 4th to lose 20 lbs :)
Running has been going really well! It's hard to believe that my 10 Miler clinic is almost over! I've noticed a big difference in my ability to run more comfortably at a faster pace. My lungs feel healthier. I no longer bring my iPod to the Monday clinic nights, or Run Club on Wednesdays (for hills training and tempo runs). Last Wednesday we did a 2km warm up run, then a 12 minute tempo run, and five 90 second hills followed by a 2km run back to the store.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Waiting Pool
I have decided to join a three month "Full Fitness Membership" with unlimited access to the fitness studios, lane swims, aquafit and aerobics classes within the community centres in town. Tonight I went to the Running Room for Tempo Runs. Tony ran with my tonight, which I was very fortunate for. He runs much faster than me, but he was a great conversationalist. I enjoy getting to know the members of my group better.
This car is entitled "Waiting Pool" because I was planning on attending a one hour aquafit class in the deep end, to discover that the pool closest to my home will re-open September 25th.
This car is entitled "Waiting Pool" because I was planning on attending a one hour aquafit class in the deep end, to discover that the pool closest to my home will re-open September 25th.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Searching for a Reasonable Gym
Since I moved home from university I have been in search of a gym that I will enjoy as much as my university facilities. I want to get a good workout, using weights, and attending aerobics classes as cross training for running. I am being cautious to join a gym without doing my research. I looked into the Goodlife, however I didn't like the lack of air circulation (as it was in a basement). I also looked into Extreme Fitness, but have read a lot of negative reviews about it. I thought I would enjoy the fact that they have a pool, so I could do aquafit, but I need to re-evaluate that. I'm trying to find a facility closer to home, as I have been doing 20-30 minute commutes for running and weight watchers. I also explored the option of going to a YMCA fitness facility, but there aren't any near me. I am now exploring different fitness opportunities within the community centres in town. I'm hoping to get a combined aerobics and aquafit pass. I will keep you posted!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Good Word
I have good news to report. Today I ran 11.4km's which is the farthest distance I have run yet. I also attended my first tempo run this past week alone. I look forward to running with the group again this Wednesday. I decided to run with a smile on my face near the end of the run, I might have looked silly, but it helped motivate me. I was feeling some pain in my toe nails near the end of the run. My aim was to run 9km's but I was feeling good at the end of it and pushed through an extra 2.4km's. This week I really need to focus on having good workouts as I went out to dinner a lot this long weekend.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Change
Hello,
Since my last post I have completed my undergraduate degree in Honours Geography and Sociology! I also worked as a counsellor at Cairn during Teen Week. I loved every second of it.
Now that I'm home I am back to my 16k running clinic and Weight Watchers. We had two kinesiologists as our guest speakers last night to talk about over training. We ran a humid, muggy 5k in Newmarket last night. As a result I had difficulty sleeping last night, which I think was in response to the heat and that I was not getting four runs in a week. Yesterday I ran without my Garmin because I knew I would be looking at it every ten seconds. The 5k was hard to get back into especially with the heat. I ran with Suzanne yesterday which was nice since we were running at the same speed. I look forward to getting to know my clinic members better.
Tomorrow I will be getting my first taste of tempo runs, my plan is to ensure that I hydrate throughout the day and use Thursday as a rest day. I will not be running the Zoo Run as the 10k portion is sold out. I feel like I have a lot of work to do to train for my Halloween 16k Race. I also need to follow my running program so that I am healthy and feel good for my convocation October 29th. This weeks long slow distance run is 9k.
How have you been finding the heat?
Since my last post I have completed my undergraduate degree in Honours Geography and Sociology! I also worked as a counsellor at Cairn during Teen Week. I loved every second of it.
Now that I'm home I am back to my 16k running clinic and Weight Watchers. We had two kinesiologists as our guest speakers last night to talk about over training. We ran a humid, muggy 5k in Newmarket last night. As a result I had difficulty sleeping last night, which I think was in response to the heat and that I was not getting four runs in a week. Yesterday I ran without my Garmin because I knew I would be looking at it every ten seconds. The 5k was hard to get back into especially with the heat. I ran with Suzanne yesterday which was nice since we were running at the same speed. I look forward to getting to know my clinic members better.
Tomorrow I will be getting my first taste of tempo runs, my plan is to ensure that I hydrate throughout the day and use Thursday as a rest day. I will not be running the Zoo Run as the 10k portion is sold out. I feel like I have a lot of work to do to train for my Halloween 16k Race. I also need to follow my running program so that I am healthy and feel good for my convocation October 29th. This weeks long slow distance run is 9k.
How have you been finding the heat?
Saturday, August 14, 2010
New Store = New Friends
New Clinic Update:
What a friendly crowd. I really enjoyed the sense of community that I've experienced at the Waterloo and Aurora Running Room, so I wasn't sure what to expect at the Newmarket location. Everybody in my new clinic was delightful. They made me feel welcome right off the bat. I was nervous prior to getting there, but excited about the possibility of forming new relationships. I'm normally one of the slower runners in the group, and the clinic instructor stuck with me for the first half of the run. I was excited to find out that nobody in our clinic brought their ipods, so I carried mine the whole way without using it. I will not bring my ipod to clinic nights but I still plan on bringing my it to hills and slow long distance runs.
Challenges:
I knew that finishing up my last university course would require a lot of time and attention. As a result of my workload and the fact that a majority of our mark allocation is slotted at the end of the term I have temporarily compromised my running and sleeping schedule.
Advice:
If you are accustomed to running while listening to music I encourage you to try a run without it at least once. I found I paid more attention to my breathing, and that I had to dig deeper to push through some of the challenging spots. I strongly recommend "listening to your body". When you pay less attention to eating properly, getting the sleep your body needs and proper hydration either decrease your pace, distance or level of intensity in your run to prevent injuries. A lesson I learned from my previous instructor is to stretch properly right after your run. It is easy to get caught up in conversation while you're stretching and look like your going through the motions without the same benefits you would get if you were paying attention to your form.
I have some exciting changes and surprises for the upcoming weeks.
I'll make sure to keep you posted.
What a friendly crowd. I really enjoyed the sense of community that I've experienced at the Waterloo and Aurora Running Room, so I wasn't sure what to expect at the Newmarket location. Everybody in my new clinic was delightful. They made me feel welcome right off the bat. I was nervous prior to getting there, but excited about the possibility of forming new relationships. I'm normally one of the slower runners in the group, and the clinic instructor stuck with me for the first half of the run. I was excited to find out that nobody in our clinic brought their ipods, so I carried mine the whole way without using it. I will not bring my ipod to clinic nights but I still plan on bringing my it to hills and slow long distance runs.
Challenges:
I knew that finishing up my last university course would require a lot of time and attention. As a result of my workload and the fact that a majority of our mark allocation is slotted at the end of the term I have temporarily compromised my running and sleeping schedule.
Advice:
If you are accustomed to running while listening to music I encourage you to try a run without it at least once. I found I paid more attention to my breathing, and that I had to dig deeper to push through some of the challenging spots. I strongly recommend "listening to your body". When you pay less attention to eating properly, getting the sleep your body needs and proper hydration either decrease your pace, distance or level of intensity in your run to prevent injuries. A lesson I learned from my previous instructor is to stretch properly right after your run. It is easy to get caught up in conversation while you're stretching and look like your going through the motions without the same benefits you would get if you were paying attention to your form.
I have some exciting changes and surprises for the upcoming weeks.
I'll make sure to keep you posted.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
All Signed Up
Hello Sports Fans,
Today marks the day I signed-up for my 10 Mile Clinic. I am excited to announce that we will be following the 'Half Marathon Manual' for the first twelve weeks. I wanted to join a clinic that built upon the foundation we established in my previous 10km clinic. I was unable to sign-up for a half marathon clinic as there is currently one in session.
There were four of us out to do hills training tonight from my previous 10km clinic. We ran 1.5km's followed by 5 hill repeats. I am proud of us for sticking with training even though our clinic ended this week. It was humid out, so I treated myself to my favourite Starbucks drink, the 'Strawberry Vivanno Smoothie'.
Todays lesson is to drink enough water to stay hydrated.
Thank-you for helping to motivate me to get out of air conditioning to run today :)
Today marks the day I signed-up for my 10 Mile Clinic. I am excited to announce that we will be following the 'Half Marathon Manual' for the first twelve weeks. I wanted to join a clinic that built upon the foundation we established in my previous 10km clinic. I was unable to sign-up for a half marathon clinic as there is currently one in session.
There were four of us out to do hills training tonight from my previous 10km clinic. We ran 1.5km's followed by 5 hill repeats. I am proud of us for sticking with training even though our clinic ended this week. It was humid out, so I treated myself to my favourite Starbucks drink, the 'Strawberry Vivanno Smoothie'.
Todays lesson is to drink enough water to stay hydrated.
Thank-you for helping to motivate me to get out of air conditioning to run today :)
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!
The main emphasis of this blog is three-fold:
1) Motivation. My 10km running clinic with the Running Room has just come to a close. I am feeling motivated, so now is as good a time as any to share my running journey with you.
2) Accountability. I will use this blog to help me be accountable to myself, and to you. I find getting my goals, and achievements in writing to be powerful.
3) Staying on Track. I have been improving my health, and fitness over the past few years, and hope to continue to see improvements.
My Goal Race is the end of May for the Ottawa Half Marathon in 2011.
My Running History
While attending university I wanted to exercise outdoors in the winter so I joined the 10km Walking Room Clinic at the Running Room. I really enjoyed the sense of community at the Running Room, as well as the educational components. I later joined the Learn to Run program, followed by the 5km Running Clinic. My first race was at the Ottawa Race Weekend in May 2009 where I ran 5km's. I was fortunate to have support both running the race, and with family cheering me on. Upon arriving home after moving away from university I resettled at another Running Room where I completed my first 10km Running Clinic. Our goal race was the Durham 1/4 Marathon in Oshawa raising money for homeless youth, which marked my second race. Once again my family and friends cheered me on.
The Plan
I am currently enrolling in the 10 Mile Clinic at the Running Room which will be a first for me, and the longest distance yet. The 10 Mile Clinic and shorter distance clinics have a 10 week duration. My aim (hopefully without injuries) is to run the Tom Taylor Trail 10 Miler goal race October 31st 2010. Friends from my previous clinic will run 10km's in the Zoo Run October 14th, 2010. I love the zoo, so it should be hilly but enjoyable. I want to join the 10km Clinic upon completion of the 10 Mile Clinic to maintain my running and distance. Their goal race is the Egg Nog Jog December 12, 2010. By mid January I intend on joining the Half Marathon Clinic, which is 4 months long. There are two goal races, the first being Around the Bay March 27, 2011 Relay Team, and the second being The Ottawa Half Marathon May 29th, 2011. The cool thing about the Ottawa race is that it will hopefully be my gift to myself for my 26th birthday by completing a Half Marathon as a milestone!
I look forward to your support, and to sharing my journey with you!
1) Motivation. My 10km running clinic with the Running Room has just come to a close. I am feeling motivated, so now is as good a time as any to share my running journey with you.
2) Accountability. I will use this blog to help me be accountable to myself, and to you. I find getting my goals, and achievements in writing to be powerful.
3) Staying on Track. I have been improving my health, and fitness over the past few years, and hope to continue to see improvements.
My Goal Race is the end of May for the Ottawa Half Marathon in 2011.
My Running History
While attending university I wanted to exercise outdoors in the winter so I joined the 10km Walking Room Clinic at the Running Room. I really enjoyed the sense of community at the Running Room, as well as the educational components. I later joined the Learn to Run program, followed by the 5km Running Clinic. My first race was at the Ottawa Race Weekend in May 2009 where I ran 5km's. I was fortunate to have support both running the race, and with family cheering me on. Upon arriving home after moving away from university I resettled at another Running Room where I completed my first 10km Running Clinic. Our goal race was the Durham 1/4 Marathon in Oshawa raising money for homeless youth, which marked my second race. Once again my family and friends cheered me on.
The Plan
I am currently enrolling in the 10 Mile Clinic at the Running Room which will be a first for me, and the longest distance yet. The 10 Mile Clinic and shorter distance clinics have a 10 week duration. My aim (hopefully without injuries) is to run the Tom Taylor Trail 10 Miler goal race October 31st 2010. Friends from my previous clinic will run 10km's in the Zoo Run October 14th, 2010. I love the zoo, so it should be hilly but enjoyable. I want to join the 10km Clinic upon completion of the 10 Mile Clinic to maintain my running and distance. Their goal race is the Egg Nog Jog December 12, 2010. By mid January I intend on joining the Half Marathon Clinic, which is 4 months long. There are two goal races, the first being Around the Bay March 27, 2011 Relay Team, and the second being The Ottawa Half Marathon May 29th, 2011. The cool thing about the Ottawa race is that it will hopefully be my gift to myself for my 26th birthday by completing a Half Marathon as a milestone!
I look forward to your support, and to sharing my journey with you!
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