Wednesday, April 28, 2010

You're almost there! Not.

Run.Run.Run.STOP

I haven't blogged much lately. Mostly I am too lazy to write about running, after running all the time. If I could blog while running (just uploading my thoughts) that would be great! We've had some fun adventures lately with some stellar runs and even a race! Ever since the race I have been fighting a cold/flu though and today I had to succomb completely. Hence the STOP. And since I am on my ass on the couch anyway...

We got out to Grande Cache a couple weekends ago and were able to run most of leg one (we did an out and back). The hills and trail conditions were a reality check for me- no more road running! I need to run hills and trail. That is what is going to help me now! I have a great base, I just need to get more specific.
Here are some shots from Grande Cache:
So as I said, after the run in GC, I decided I needed to get off the roads and onto the trails...and I needed to find some hills to train on! I found some great terrain south of the city. Below is a shot of part of the trail- like mother nature's agility ladder!
Here are some more, the second one is a long sandy hill that is a great
This past Sunday we headed a couple of hours north to the Peace River Valley. We participated in the Unchaga Run in Peace near Grimshaw. It was a beautiful drive north, the countryside is amazing up there!
The bridge is the Dunvegan Valley Suspension Bridge. I stole this photo from the interweb since I forgot my camera.
Here is my Garmin info from the race. If you click more info you can see a profile of the run course, it really did redefine "hilly"...

And here is a shot of us at the finish line. I was happy to discover I could still push myself into that white hot instesity place. I finished in 1:34:58 officially. I was rewarded with a 5th overall placing, 1st female and set a course record. (it is a new race, only the 3rd year). D finished strong in 1:18- super impressive if you know just how long and steep that last hill was!!

Unfortunately I think the intensity was too much combined with the high mileage (I ran 30km the Friday before the race) and I am now paying for it. As much as I hate being sidelined, I am taking it as a deep recovery week to let things heal up and get stroger. I just hope I am 100% by the weekend so we can make the most of our weekend in the mountains!!

Happy Training everyone...

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Spring!!

How do you know it is Spring in GP?
- The pathways are packed with runners, walkers, bikes and dogs
- Motorbikes everywhere
- Bootcampers flooding the park at 6am
- Beautiful sunrises on the way home from class
- 9pm and still daylight
- Emails flying about group rides, runs etc.
- A big SMILE on my face :)

Sunday, April 4, 2010

the weekend

It has been a while.
This was a big weekend for my run training. I did a 45km run in 4:20 and felt fantastic. The next day (today) I did 10km and it took more energy than yesterday's 45. That is the b@$ch that is running.
But I feel good that I am making progress.

More importantly, I have beautiful neices. Seriously, I have the cutest 3 neices on the planet. I thank God for the gift of these girls and for being a part of their lives.
Happy Easter!!
 
And of course my boys, the loves of my life!!