Day 81 - Persistence

Even though I was in a tonne of pain last night and hardly slept, I forced myself to go out for a run as I knew it would feel good to loosen all those muscles that were tightening up from the run the day before. I guess running daily has taught me a lot about being persistent. Not only do you have to fight through the challenges of time, health, physique, other people, but also the mental voice in your head fighting you everyday trying to convince you that you don't have to go out running today. I've learned so far that if you set yourself up for success, in other words, plan ahead, know what you are capable of and know what you want to accomplish, create the environment that will help you achieve the next step or next goal, anything is possible. I make sure I have my clothes laid out and ready for the next day's run, I go to bed early and I make sure I do my run first thing before anything else happens that day so I can enjoy my day full of energy and satisfaction. For any of you out there wishing you were dedicating daily workout time to yourself, keep this in mind. If a busy person like me can do it, anyone can do it. I started running and I could hardly make it around the block the first time out. There is hope!! Be persistent!

THU August 19, 2010 9:00 am

Temp 18

Wind

SW 9

Humidity 88

Today's Stats: 4 miles, 6.53 km in 38:47, avg pace 5:56 /km, avg speed 10.1 km/h burned 575 cal
Listened to: second half of Deepak Chopra & Dr. Wayne Dyer - How to Get what you Really Want - there are some very wise people out there...

Day 80 - I run everyday!

I thought I'd write about running everyday. Some people ask me why I run everyday, some say ' hey I didn't see your post today, did you run?' , some say ' shouldn't you have a rest day'! - There are 2 reasons why I run everyday! One is that, in the training program I'm following in Fred Lebow' s book ' Complete Book of Running & Fitness' it has a sure fire proof plan on how to run a 3:30-4:00 marathon runner at a 10K race pace and if these guys have done it than I can too! The second reason is that, mentally I just can't miss a day, if I let myself miss one day, I leave room to let myself miss another and so on and I will get off course. (I proved that last time I got off track a few weeks ago) So the moral of the story is to make sure I run everyday. Today was a weird day, I got up late having worked late last night so I was tiered. I would of had to push Sophie in the stroller 6 miles and just the thought of doing the run and then pushing 50lbs on top of that was not comforting. So I finally crawled out the door at 6:30pm when Dan took Sophie to Isabelle's soccer game. Oh yes, I had an hour to myself. For all you mothers out there, take the time for you!! It's so worth it. So just to confirm, if you don't see my posts everyday, don't fret!! I am still running everyday no fail! I've just let myself off the hook about writing everyday. It's not easy to get time alone at the computer....if you know what I mean :) To all you followers out there, reach out and touch base. I love hearing from you. :)

WED August 18th, 2010 6:30pm

Temp 23

Wind SW 13

Humidity 50

Today's Intention: to get my ass out the door, delayed long enough
Today's Stats: 6 miles, 9.70 km in 57:47, avg pace 5:57 /km, avg speed 10.1 km/h burned 860 cal
Listened to: Deepak Chopra & Dr. Wayne Dyer - How To Get What You Really Want - great stuff!!

Day 77 - pour down on me!

Today was one of those days that you wish won't happen on a Sunday. The day us runners have to do our long runs. I woke up to the sound of thunder and  lighting outside my bedroom window. I thought I was still dreaming, or maybe it was the middle of the night. But no, it was 8am time to get up. I waited and waited for the weather to clear up so I could go out for my run. I finally decided to venture outside to tackle my 14 mile run when I got half way down the highway to my destination the rain and lightening started again. So I turned around and started back home. I was telling myself what a great excuse to get out of running that far today. But then remembered I have no excuses as I have a treadmill downstairs that I can run on. So that is where I did my run today, on my treadmill in front of the tv. For 2 and half hours I ran and watched a couple movies and a few shows, it was great!! Not as bad as I thought it would be. But I do prefer running outside as appose to inside in front of the tv.
Today's Stats: 2 hours and 20 mins on tread mill

Day 74 - paying the price

The run today started out pretty slow. I had to get my muscles warmed up to the idea. I was really stiff from the 6 miles I did yesterday because stupidly I didn't stretch after my run yesterday! I was pressed for time and had to get to a business meeting and cut out my stretching time so I could get there on time. I guess I'll have to get up earlier :( If I don't stretch, all the muscles in my back, lower back, ham strings, hip flexors etc. seize up. It gets to the point I can't even bend over to pick something up. I am getting stronger but the daily yoga and stretching are a must for me to be able to stay supple and mobile. I had to pay the price for veering off the routine...have I learned my lesson? I guess we will see!
Today's Goal: to survive - I could hardly move this morning! I didn't stretch after running yesterday and I felt it today. 
Today's Stats: 4 miles, 6.46 km in 39:43, avg pace 6:09 /km, avg speed 9.8 km/h burned 562 cal

THU Aug 12, 2010 7:00am

Temp 16

Wind

E 13

Humidity 88

Listened to: Bobby Bryant, 'Extra' program - track 3   www.radicalbobbyjack.com

Day 71 - Habit of setting daily goals

Having a GPS watch is great as I'm able to do my runs from anywhere and keep track of my distances. Running in Montreal this morning I achieved another personal best! avg pace of 5:39 /km this is great. I wasn't even trying, I just went out running and voila it happened! I don't look at my watch very often during a run, I guess I should change that approach so that I'm consciously striving to push the limit in my level of improvement. Who knows where I'll end up if I actually set mini goals within my big goal of running a marathon. I need to plan it out before my run and set goals on a daily basis and stop going with the flow. From now on, I will give you my intended result for the daily run and compare it to the actual stats. This will be interesting as in my training manual it says to do my daily runs 'easy'. I will be challenging this slightly as I'm sure I'm strong enough to push myself a little harder than usual. The trick will be to not injure myself.
Today's Stats: 3 miles, 4.96 km in 27:57, avg pace 5:39 /km, avg speed 10.6 km/h burned 434 cal
Listened To: Wayne Dyer, audio book: How to Have Conscious Contact with God

Day 67 - 6am internal alarm

Ok, so now that I'm on the routine of running everyday, my body literally jumps out of bed on it's own. It's like it subconsciously knows that it will be going for a run and is excited to start the day. I tell you about this feeling because I use to crawl out of bed with soreness and stiffness due to lower back pain. And all the western medicine said I needed to take pain pills, anti inflammatory, sleeping pills, arthritis medicine. I stopped taking all over the counter medicine about  4 years ago and decided I would heal my body on it's own. I will take care of my body, watch what I put in it and use alternative medicine and energy healing to get me back to shape. I'm not a 100% there yet but I do want to tell you I notice a huge difference in my pain level, my posture, my physical ability and my energy level. After dealing with these pains for over 11 years, I know what pain is and I say you can beat any pain with just a little hard work and effort to take care of your body!!! So my advice to any of you who are reading my blog is to start taking the first hour of the day for YOU and you will be able to give back 10 fold to the people and things around you.

THU August 5, 2010 8:00am

Temp 21

Feels Like

29 Wind

SW 7

Humidity 94

Today's Stats: 4 miles, 6.43 km, 39:30, avg pace 6:09 /km, avg speed 9.8 km/h burned 560 cal.
Listened to: Bobby Bryant www.radicalbobbyjack.com  - just can't get enough and love his message!!

Day 66 - New idea for running wear

Humidity is still a big factor with performance today! I could of done a better time but I guess I'm working on my endurance with this weather...I don't think I have experienced this type of humidity before 94!!. Glad I ran at 8am this morning, I tried to stay in the shade for most of the run but along the river it's open to the whole sky and on top of the humidity was the new morning sun raising, no escaping the heat or the humidity. Normally I'm taking it all in, loving and enjoying all the nature around me while I run but this morning I was almost trying to hide from it.
It was so hot, I actually took my shirt and flipped it up over my boobs and ran with it like that so the air would hit my stomach. Normally I'd be to shy to do that but I didn't care today, I just wanted to be cooler in some way. It seemed to work but made me realize that outfit changes are a must during long runs. You really need to monitor and analyze the weather before a run or you could be hindering your performance.
I wonder if running companies make a female tank top that you can zip off the lower portion and turn it in to a bra tank if need be...you know how you can do that with pants and turn them into shorts...anyway just a suggestion. I would buy one!! :)

WED August 4, 2010 8:00am

Temp 24

Felt like

35 Wind

SW 11

Humidity 94

Today's Stats: 6 miles, 9.66 km in 59:40, avg pace 6:11 /km, avg speed 9.7 km/h burned 829 cal
Listened to: Bobby Bryant, 'Extra' track 5 - Awaken www.radicalbobbyjack.com - some great stuff, check it out

Day 64 - Friction!

A new pain developed...back fat! Ever hear of it? lol well because my arms are swinging so fast as I run my little heart out, I'm getting friction irritations on my under arms and back area. I finally remember to put some Vaseline on the area before my run and what a difference. I was hoping the more I ran the skinnier I would get the less friction I would have but I guess I'm running longer distances now so the friction will be there inevitability. I used this really cool product called soothing naturals from Johnson's a sooth & protect balm I had for daughter when she was a baby. Worked like a charm!

MON August 2, 2010 8:00am

Temp 19

Wind

S 4

Humidity 78

Today's Stats: 4 miles, 6.44 km in 38:20 mins, avg pace 5:57 /km, avg speed 10.1km/h burned 582 cal

Day 62 - Kicking ASS!!

It took me a bit longer to get out the house today to do my run. I wanted to make sure everything was just perfect from the clothes I was wearing to the audio I would listen to. I decided to start with the audio book 'The Power of Now' and then switched to 'The seven habits of highly successful people', these classics never get old to me as, each time I listen to them I learn something new or have a totally different perspective on the lessons.\
As for my run, I kicked ass!!   check out my avg pace - totally respectable!  :)
I was totally siked for my run this morning. I started out slow and steady but really didn't have one pain, issue or dought. I just went out there and did it. The only funny thing that happened is that I underestimated the distance and ended up running in a subdivision for a bit till I found my way out and headed down the highway. Then it was just straight running. Really enjoyed my run this morning and I'm really looking forward to the next few months of training and then of course the grand finally the Marathon with my DAD!!
Woo Hoo!! ok, now for a shower...

SAT July 31, 2010 10:00am

Temp 19

Wind NE 6

Humidity 52

Today's Stats: 10.13 miles, 16.29 km in 1:44:41, avg pace 6:26/km, avg speed 9.3 km/h burned 1480 cal

Day 61 - increasing energy

A relaxing out and back 3 mile run this morning. Getting ready for my long run tomrrow am. I adjusted my training schedule a bit to catch up to be running 35 miles a week this week so I have to put in a 10 mile run tomorrow. I"m not to worried about it, I have lots of motivational audio to keep me going and I'll just take it easy. It won't be a run that I'm looking at my time, just to make sure I have the endurance to finish it. I don't think I lost much endurance from my 5 weeks hiatus because my avg pace time is pretty close to what it was before I had my break. Only time will tell. Today I listened to Anthony Robbins - 'Learn to increase your energy', it was great to hear his perspective on how to increase energy from his 'Living Health' program. A couple of things I learned: cells in your body will function better if you are maximizing your breathing performance, breath in for 1 count, hold for 4 counts, exhale for 2 counts do this 10 time 3 times a day,  and the second thing is to eat water rich foods - 70% of your diet should consist of water based foods like fruit, veggies and sprouts ( I need to work on this one!)

FRI July 30, 2010 8:00am

Temp 15

Wind

N 15 Humidity

63

Today's Stats: 3miles in 30.03, avg pace 9:49/mi, 440 cal

Day 60 - weird bruises

Every so often my knees hurt a little from running, but not so much that I would talk about it, as it usually only lasts for a day or so and then goes away. Well this week it's a bit different, I developed bruises on the inner upper part of both of my knees. It's really weird, it's like the muscles got used that normally don't get used and then broke small capillaries around the area due to the extreme exertion. They don't hurt but it looks a little funny! I find the body to be amazing, it's constantly try to communicate to us. Now all we have to do is make sure we are listening...

THU July 29, 2010 8:00 am

Temp 17

Wind

NW 15

Humidity 68

Today's Stats:5 miles, 8:05 km in 47:40 mins, avg pace 5:55 /km, 10:01 km/h burned 710 km

And talking about listening to our bodies, I must of been feeling pretty good to have a avg pace time of under 6mins/km, woo hoo! Just back at it and already kickin' butt!!

Day 59 - Pre and Post just as important

So finally my muscles are getting use to running again. It's been a few tough days of getting going but once I'm out running, they warm up to the idea of being out on the open road and they start performing. I"m not a 100% back in the routine as I forgot to charge my watch last night so I have no stats for you today, but I assure you I ran my 4 miles exactly as I had paced out the distance earlier this week.
I've been really trying to make sure I focus on my pre and post stretching and strength training, as I secretly would love to someday get some abs! I'm not really putting that out there yet as I want to get through this marathon first and then maybe I'll take on the ab goal! I do however  integrate small little exercises in my routine to wake them up and get them ready for the someday big push on for defining what and if anything actually exist in that mid section!
Anyway, all that to say. The running is going well, I've got that down pretty good now. Just need to integrate all the other little pieces like clean eating, drinking lots of water, rest, daily blogging etc.
Really glad I'm back at it...

Day 55 - Back at it!

I'm back, and totally excited to be running again. I first want to thank all my followers for their kind remarks and support during my hiatus! I was very touched to learn of the number of people following my blog. Even though it doesn't show on my blog that there are many following, I received many email, calls and pokes inquiring about my return to the training. I have to say it's been a long 5 weeks since I last ran. I endured a few different experiences such as the flu, migraines, fatigue and even the hives. I really have no idea why my body broke down so much and decided that it wouldn't let me perform on the training track. But now after a few weeks off, I feel rested, energized and excited to push forward to catch up to meet my goal of running a marathon with my dad in October. Once again, thank you so much to the many people in my life who are supporting me in this endeavor and please know I will not let you down.
Today's Stats: Ran 6 miles, 9.65 km, in 1:02 hrs, avg pace 6:31/km, avg speed 9.2 km/h burned 843 cal

SAT July 24, 2010 3:00pm

Temp 29

Feels Like

39   Wind

SW 9   Humidity

66

I love all of you fans out there and love getting messages from you. I look forward to reconnecting with you on a daily basis to share my trials and tribulations of my teaching myself how to run a marathon.

Day 48 - Friendly Run

Today was suppose to be my easy day to run only 3miles but I had the chance to go running with a business colleague and good friend Dr. Nathalie Beachamp author of www.WellnessOnTheGo.com and I had to say yes even if we were going to run a 10k. It was great though because we did a casual run with great dialogue which is not something I get to do often as I'm usually always alone when I train. We also ran at 2pm in the afternoon which is another thing I'm not really use to as I just finished eating a salmon dinner at lunch. It was yummy but alot of food to eat right before running. I'm use to running on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. Just before our run we bumped into Deborah MacDonald from EVOLV water and I drank a full bottle before going out on the trail so a good 2 miles into our run I really needed to go to the little girls room, I started thinking about what if that happens when I'm out running my marathon, will they have bathrooms along the course? Is that something normal for them to have? Do I stop or keep going? lol I guess it depends on how bad I have to go!
Overall a great run, with a great friend! :) Thanks Dr. Nat!
Todays stats aren't accurate as I got talking and forgot to stop the watch but here is what it says: 6miles, 9.78km, in 1:16, avg pace of 7:52/km burned 823 cal, not to warm but lots of humidity.

SAT June 12th at 2:00pm

Temp 18

Wind

NE 11

Humidity 88