Hi Lisa

You inspired me to write.

Had a few good runs. Thanksgiving weekend, I finally got my boardwalk run in Toronto. It ended with a big hill which is probably good for me, as we don't see many hills in the West Island.

Last week I ran one day and had my best run to date... 10km without stopping.

On the downside, I am so close to being a pilates dropout. The plank is going to be the death of me!!! Also, it was Divali this past weekend and Halloween next weekend so I think I'm looking at a bit of a lull in running. not good as the race is coming up. I leave for Florida on Sunday and hope to run at least twice there and am hoping the entirely different climate won't mess me up.

That's about all. Hope the rest of you are doing well and are more organized than me about going to the Running Room and signing up for the race. I'm hoping to do it this week before I leave.

Better stop igoring the kidlets. KT

hello?

Wow - when I look at the calendar I can't believe the passage of time. From the lack of posts, needless to say, my running has been non-existent. I was in San Antonio Texas for one week and then back at the office working 9-10 hr days (and squeeze in a business trip to Ottawa) - phew!

My awesome idea to run home from work has been foiled by the need to bring my laptop home in the evenings (yes, to work some more). I may sound like I'm worked to the bone but I don't anticipate this pace for too much longer (I hope!) and am actually really enjoying myself. :)

I'm still on course for the Cap St Jacques and I really hope a few of you are as well!
Keep us posted!

There is still plenty of time!

I ran 8.5km on Saturday! Granted I had the two biggest running motivators ever. Building an appetite for an outrageous turkey dinner (with all the trimmings, including three different desserts!) and hanging out with my brother-in-law (a canadian marathon champion!).

I had a great run through my old neighborhood. It was definitely feuled with thoughts of the Thanksgiving dinner that night. And it doesn't hurt to talk about running with my brother-in-law, Matt, who was Canada's top marathoner (twice!).

Just a reminder that we are still a ways away from the race, so if your training is lagging there is plenty of time to catch up. Personally, I'll be in Texas until next weekend, so likely won't get another run in this week. My training has been variable lately, but there is time to smooth it out.

Keep your posts coming... I think we can all agree we enjoy hearing how your doing!

Holding steady

Even with more than a week off, I managed to run the 2.5km daycare-to-home route holding roughly the same pace (6'47") as last time. I figure this is a good sign, and reason enough to up the distance on my next time out. It's supposed to be a gorgeous weekend and, with that in mind, I'm going to make a promise to get out for a run at least 2x between now and Monday. I'll let you know how it goes.

Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving weekend!

Where there is a will...

I was determined not to give up on running. And not having ran in almost three weeks and having zero energy in the evenings to go for a run, my situation was looking pretty bleak. But I want to run (and need to run), so tonight I ran home from work! It's an uphill run, but only about 5km - which is manageable, with just enough of an incline to keep me working.

I brought my running clothes in a backpack. And when the day was done, I swapped the clothes in the pack for the clothes I wore at the office - and off I went! It was a small challenge to run with the backpack, but the added weight is good for training.

My goal to run three days a week is now much more conceivable. There are certainly opportunities to fit running into your schedule... you just have to find them!

A change is as good as a rest, a rest is as good as a run

As you all know, I've had a couple of not-so-great runs after a difficult and migrainey week and 3 days with no exercise at all. Coupled with the heavy Rosh Hashannah eats, I was not feeling so fantastic when, on Thursday, I decided it was time to get back out there even if it killed me. I haven't been to run club in 2 weeks and, when I go this Tuesday, I really, really don't want to be the girl who hasn't done anything while everyone else has been improving.

So, I made the promise to myself that I always make when I am feeling crappy...I'll run my short route (about 20 mins) and, if I feel okay halfway through, I'll switch to longer. It's easy to lengthen and shorten runs on the canal path. So, off I went...and went and went and went until I was all the way to Old Montreal. It was my longest run since I quit running 3 years ago whilst training for the half marathon. I felt great, in stride and I even threw in a couple of "sprints." After a couple of days of rest while babysitting Finn and Sophie in the West Island, I hit the path again today, going all the way to the old port again.

It just goes to show how important those rest days really are. I think slowing down for a few days made all the difference.

A better week?

All right, so another weekend of no running for me. Boo. It might do me some good today, as I am still recovering from a debaucherous Friday night. If there is anything that shows I am getting older, it's my inability to consume alcohol like I used to. But back to running...

I had high hopes of running my "ambitious mountain" run, but if I can muster the energy today, it will be my "short NDG" run - but even that seems unlikely today.

Tomorrow is a fresh start to a new week; hopefully one that includes at least three runs.

Ciao for now,
L

back in the game

After 3 months away from running and the gym, I am finally back in the game! My little hiatus caused a major change in my body and I gained about 8 pounds. Skinny jeans no more, my friends. Last night I was in a nasty mood due to traffic and other irritations. An hour on the treadmill (I am slow- this is 5 miles for me) and my aggression was all gone. Thank goodness, because I was feeling volatile before the run and someone could have gotten hurt. I get such a high from a good run and crave the impact. I also crave the bad dance music that I play when I run. All my faves played during my little trip to the gym last night (Madonna, Justin, Timberland). I think I will have to pound the pavement again tonight. Oh, and they gave me a free gym back when I renewed my membership at the Y! Guess they owed me for the hundreds I spent during those months I was on gym-vacay. Hope I can fit into my clothes again soon.

EGAD!!!!!

Wednesday night was my first run in weeks and it was the worst run I've ever had!!! The darkness wasn't as depressing as I thought, although I really don't have the correct running gear for cold weather...

So I managed to run 35 minutes straight and I think I did about 4kms. The problem is that I stopped to do one minute of walking and then when I started running again, I only got to run for about five more minutes and I was overcome by a wave of nausea and had to stop and walk the rest of the way home. It was depressing. I felt like crap when I got home and went to bed with an upset stomach.

The problem could be a few things. 1) I ate a big dinner about 15 minutes before I left. Might have messed me up 2) I've been sick for awhile and have lost some weight. Could be I just didn't have the energy in my system 3) maybe should have done 10 and 1's instead of a long run... But in general, I don't like 10 and 1's... even if I'm doing a long run, I usually do 14 and 1's because I find I'm never tired after 10 and feel like I'm just starting to get going and I think the stopping is sometimes worse for me.

Anyway, it was a depressing, rotten, bad run... I think the first one I've ever had. Hopefully, Sunday morning will be better. KT

Well, I did it!

First run since Sept 20th! It took some serious determination to put on my running clothes and forgo the LuluLemon jogging pants and hoodie. The last thing I felt like doing was heading out into the cold, dark evening to RUN. But I did! And, as suspected, I feel great afterward.

I didn't have the best run. It was a short run, and I only get into my "mode" towards the end (when my short run is finishing). So I'll have to find another alternative to my two runs (ambitious mountain run, and short NDG run). There has to be an in-between!

That's it for now. Just a quick note to say I got out there! Starting is indeed the hardest part... now to reap the rewards - a hot shower, dinner and PJs!!

A hiatus

I'm glad to see some participation on the blog!!

My usual running schedule (which was quite admirable) has waned considerably. But I'm not being hard on myself because an enormous change in my lifestyle has occurred (new job) and it's the Jewish high holidays and I've been celebrating with gusto. My days are long, my nights even longer. When is there time to run?

But I miss it dearly and need it desperately. So.... I'm going to get back out there. The last time I ran it was nice out (perfect running temperature!) and still light. Now I will be running in the cold and dark. Welcome to the onset of winter running!! Once I get used to it, it won't be so bad.

So, if I don't get a run in tomorrow evening; then my runs will likely start up again this weekend. Perhaps one of my ambitious mountain runs! From NDG, up Cote-St-Luc, along The Boulevard, and finally up to the mountain! (yes, very ambitious, but absolutely fabulous!!).

More soon, happy running!