Why the new blog? I have enjoyed reading other people's blogs for a year or so now and even have a few favorites that I follow regularly. I thought that maybe this time I would attempt a blog that focuses more on food from a storyteller point of view (with a scattered picture here and there), my love of running, and just general happenings in my life. Hopefully, I can make this one last but who knows...it's just the first post.
Speaking of running, I'll give all you nonexistent (as of yet) viewers a little intro to my running history. I ran off and on throughout high school and into my undergraduate degree but always on a treadmill. I couldn't fathom at that time why anyone would run outside. I mean, come on. How boring! I didn't focus on running at all at that time- it would just be one of the occasional rotations on my fitness regime that also included weight training, cardio classes, and the use of other exercises machines like the ellliptical and stairclimber.
In April of last year, my temporary teaching contract ended and I found myself facing unemployment for an indeterminate amount of time. Living alone at my parent's house (they spend most of their time out of town at their cabin), I needed something to occupy my time so I picked up running with a more focused attitude. Still, I only ran on my treadmill but I soon went from running a few minutes at a time to running a steady 45 minutes a day, nearly every day. I lost a few pounds and put on some lean muscle but I looked skinny rather than athletic which was the look I was hoping for.
Once September rolled around, I faced a move in order to substitute teach and be with my boyfriend who had a one year teaching position in a neighbouring community. I worked out at home using P90 X DVD's, but put running on hold until this past May.
Starting in May, I began running again. However, this time, I had left my treadmill at my parent's home and not wanting to splurge on a pricey gym membership, I decided to give running outside a go. Armed with my Iphone and Runmeter app, I started slow - walking for the length of one song, and then slowly jogging for the length of another. After a few weeks, I found I could jog for two songs and walk for one.
Within a few weeks, I was feeling more confident about my running abilities and decided to enter a race or two in order to give me a goal in my training.
Well, one race turned into two and then three and now, at the end of summer and beginning of another school year, I have run four races:
First race: Mews 8 K
Location: St.John's, NL
Date: July 10, 2011
Time: 41:55
Age Group Placing: 16/30
Gender Placing: 68/140
Overall Placing: 191/282
Notes: This being my first race, I was ill-matched against the 'seasoned' runners with their high knee socks (what gives?) and 'Athletics NorthEast Running Club' shirts. I got so caught up in the excitement that I bolted past the start line and felt awesome. Until 3 km's in. Having only really trained for a month prior to the race, I was unaware of starting slow and saving your real push for the end. I passed a lot of people in those first few kilometres but I got passed quite a lot afterwards. Not to mention, St.John's had a wind warning in effect the morning of the race so I was fighting exhaustion and the elements for much of the race. I finished not sure whether I should cheer or barf.
Second Race: Tely 10 (10 mile race)
Location: St.John's, NL
Date: July 24th, 2011
Time: 1:36.14
Age Group Placing:106/222
Gender Placing: 729/1671
Overall Placing: 1679/2860
Notes: I paced this race MUCH better than the 8 k. Knowing it was a 10 mile (16 km) race, I started off at a slow but comfortable pace. I maintained this pace throughout the entire race and felt pretty darn good doing so. My breathing did not even get laboured until mile 8 or so so I knew I was running like I had planned. About 3 miles in, I got DOUSED with a bout of heavy rain and I suddenly understood why so many runners were wearing baseball hats. As much as I fought to keep the rain out of my eyes, I was mopping water off of my face and almost lost a contact lens. I finished the race comfortable and pleased with my time (I had wanted to finish in an hour and 40 minutes or less).
Third Race: Commander Gander 5 K Race
Location: Gander, NL
Date: July 31, 2011
Time: 26:03
Age Group Placing: 2/3
Gender Placing: 3/19
Overall Placing: 11/35
Notes: Every year, for the Festival of Flight, Gander has a 5 and 10 k race. I entered the 5 K because I wanted to see how/if I could handle a faster type run. The morning was really drizzly and wet but I got off to a good start and finished in a time I was pleased with. I committed a bit of a race faux-pas though because as I neared the finish line, I looked behind me and there was no one within sight on my heels. So I walked for a little while. Stupid I know, but damn, I was tired! I was awarded with a cheao silver medal (which isn't really much to brag about considering there was only 3 people in my age category anyway) but I got a wicked free sub at the reception. Bonus points all around.
Fourth Race: Orleans 5k Shoe Shuffle
Location: Orleans, Ontario
Date: August 6th, 2011
Time: 26:09
No official stats but I know I was the 2nd woman to finish and according to my sister, must have came in around 7th out of 35-40 people.
Notes: I decided to do this race on a whim while visiting my sister in Ottawa. Her boyfriend did it as well (he placed third, I think?). It was a really hot morning (at least to me, anyway. I am used to Newfoundland weather), and the course was an out and back course over a small path through a woods/park. While we had numbers and there was a finishing line and timer, no official times were recorded and I think it was more a race for people in the Running Room's 'Learn To Run' program. That being said, I really enjoyed this race. I was by myself for much of the duration and it was really nice and peaceful. Were it not for the 'race pressure' I put on myself, I would have thought it was just a typical steady run. They gave out free cookies at the end which appeased me considering I was like one of only a handful of people who didn't win a prize.
So that sums up my racing history for this summer - I think I have the bug in me now because I am already registered for two upcoming races: The Huffin Puffin Half-Marathon and the Cape to Cabot: a grueling 20 km race from Cape Spear to Cabot Tower. With only 3 k being flat and the rest being huge hills, it is sure to be a challenge.
I think the most important discovery I've made through my renewed interest in running is that I actually like running outside. There's something to be said for the peace and quiet you get from running down isolated pathways (I like to run down towards Gander Bay) with nothing but the wind in your face and the sound of your feet. While I still sometimes opt for a treadmill run (when the weather is less than fabulous or I need to get a good speed workout in), I've developed a love for running outdoors and I can't wait to have some crisp, beautiful fall runs.
As for today, I tackled my 18 km long run. I am on a half marathon training schedule I got from my Running Room book and today was my long run. I felt pretty good for most of it and am confident I can tackle the 21.1 km Huffin Puffin. So far today, I've also consumed:
Breakfast: Plain oatmeal with two spoonfuls of bakeapple jam, 1 glass of orange juice, two fat-free pear-vanilla yogurts with 3 tablespoons of chia seeds mixed in, 1 cup coffee
Lunch: Peanut butter and jam sandwich, 1 glass skim milk, 1 orange
I'm sipping on some Orange Gatorade right now left over from my run this morning and am
Cheers!
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