Today was a perfect spring day. The sky was bright blue and the sun was shining. I ran my regular 5 km with Baci but slower than usual hoping that I would do between 15 and 18 km today.
I felt strong and ran easily. No aches or pains and most importantly, I ran happy. I really felt back to myself again: loving running and listening to music. I felt light on my feet and enjoyed the run.
I feel that I have shaken off the shock and sadness of last week's attack.
Maybe because the two men were caught.
Maybe because I recognize that the bombings did not personally attack me.
Maybe because other people closer to home need my focus.
Maybe I just needed time.
Whatever the reason, I'm in a good head space today. I ran 17 km and I feel good.
I am where I am supposed to be, doing what I am supposed to be doing.
Tuesday, 23 April 2013
Tuesday, 16 April 2013
Not in the mood for a parade
Many people on Facebook and Twitter posted that they were going to go for a run today in solidarity for those who were injured or killed in the Boston Marathon bombings yesterday. As I am a runner and part of the running community,with a heavy heart and so many conflicting thoughts, I decided to don my runners and go on the treadmill for 5 km. At first it felt right, I was joining my community is their healing thoughts and ran knowing that we runners will not be silenced or stopped. Then it felt very wrong. Shouldn't we not run today in honor of those who can no longer run?
I like running in road races. Signing up for one forces me to exercise and keep up my discipline and motivation to stay healthy and fit. By staying driven, I stay sane and calm as well. I feel that I am a better parent and wife. I have more tolerance and less frustration of the little things that usually push my buttons.
I like races because I know that I am a strong runner and I like to see how I compare to other women my age (not only am I driven, I admit I am also somewhat competitive).
I like races because even though each year I get older, I am staying just as fast, so it keeps me feeling young. Though post race recuperation time and injury occurrence do betray my true age.
I like road races because I feel like I am in a parade. There are spectators clapping and waving to you. You wave back to strangers. There is music, smiles, camaraderie. There are bands and posters. And at the end, you get a medal! There are photos and post race commentaries with other runners.
All of this is for me. For my health, my sanity, my self-esteem. Sure it is also good role modeling for my family but in essence I run for me.
I can't imagine doing all this for selfish gains, having a bomb go off, lose my leg or worse my life, have my child killed or maimed and have my running affect the rest of my family in such a horrendous way. I know it would not be my fault, but I can imagine feeling that I had put my family in danger because I wanted to have the bragging rights of running in a road race.
I am signed up for the Toronto Women's Half Marathon at the end of May. Right now though, I am not in a mood for a parade.
That is how I feel today. I don't know how I will feel tomorrow.
I like running in road races. Signing up for one forces me to exercise and keep up my discipline and motivation to stay healthy and fit. By staying driven, I stay sane and calm as well. I feel that I am a better parent and wife. I have more tolerance and less frustration of the little things that usually push my buttons.
I like races because I know that I am a strong runner and I like to see how I compare to other women my age (not only am I driven, I admit I am also somewhat competitive).
I like races because even though each year I get older, I am staying just as fast, so it keeps me feeling young. Though post race recuperation time and injury occurrence do betray my true age.
I like road races because I feel like I am in a parade. There are spectators clapping and waving to you. You wave back to strangers. There is music, smiles, camaraderie. There are bands and posters. And at the end, you get a medal! There are photos and post race commentaries with other runners.
All of this is for me. For my health, my sanity, my self-esteem. Sure it is also good role modeling for my family but in essence I run for me.
I can't imagine doing all this for selfish gains, having a bomb go off, lose my leg or worse my life, have my child killed or maimed and have my running affect the rest of my family in such a horrendous way. I know it would not be my fault, but I can imagine feeling that I had put my family in danger because I wanted to have the bragging rights of running in a road race.
I am signed up for the Toronto Women's Half Marathon at the end of May. Right now though, I am not in a mood for a parade.
That is how I feel today. I don't know how I will feel tomorrow.
Monday, 15 April 2013
Keds are only for short walks and the airplane
I read a recent article about how to write successful blogs. One tip that stayed with me is that one must record both the good as well as the bad. Readers want reality. Truth. No hiding and pretending I am a superhero mother runner who saves the world (though in my mind...).
I just got back from a 9 day holiday in Buenos Aires. I accompanied my husband and his team (+ spouses/guests). There was a lot of small talk as we all got to know one another. Of course, I talked about running. There were many runners in the group so it was an easy bonding topic. At one dinner we discussed the difference between being 'driven' and being 'competitive'. Being driven one wants to do one's best. Being competitive means others must fail so that you succeed. Interesting.
I ran once outside for about 5 km with a colleague of my husband's. I was told not to run alone (the doorman said it would be fine but it depends "how fast can you run?"). By the way, not totally true. I went out for coffee one morning, got slightly lost and was fine. After spending all day in the plane and all the next day walking around, touring in my black Keds, my Achilles felt very tight. I was glad after 30 min, my running partner and I had found our way back home. It was an interesting run because instead of taking the time to look around, I was always watching 3 feet in front of me. The sidewalks were so uneven and torn up. I really was concerned that I may twist my ankle.
I ran again a few days later but on the treadmill in the gym. I felt great, was listening to my music and feeling strong. But once again, my achilles would not loosen up and I decided instead of running 45 min-60, I had better strop at 30. I was happy that I ran 5 km in 27 min easily. Great timing but I had to go back to my room and roll a cold water bottle from our bar fridge up and down my leg.
It is so disappointing when your body says stop but you're having fun, listening to music and you want to keep going. I hate having to stop before I am tired. It is the worst let down. When that happens, I really have to talk myself into the accomplishment of the run so that I don't feel the frustration of the let down.
I kept touring the city in both my Keds as well as ballet flats. This was a huge mistake. By the end of our trip everything was hurting: shins, achilles, and especially arches!
So many people in Buenos Aires look fashionable. There are shoe stores on every corner selling fancy flats, heels, wedges and boots but there I was walking around on the last day in my white New Balance Runners. I felt much better.
I decided, on that last day, that I liked my sporty look and might even get a pair of runners in black to wear during the day but in Toronto.
Lesson learned--- Keds are cute and perfect for the airplane but not for touring a city where you are walking all day.
I just got back from a 9 day holiday in Buenos Aires. I accompanied my husband and his team (+ spouses/guests). There was a lot of small talk as we all got to know one another. Of course, I talked about running. There were many runners in the group so it was an easy bonding topic. At one dinner we discussed the difference between being 'driven' and being 'competitive'. Being driven one wants to do one's best. Being competitive means others must fail so that you succeed. Interesting.
I ran once outside for about 5 km with a colleague of my husband's. I was told not to run alone (the doorman said it would be fine but it depends "how fast can you run?"). By the way, not totally true. I went out for coffee one morning, got slightly lost and was fine. After spending all day in the plane and all the next day walking around, touring in my black Keds, my Achilles felt very tight. I was glad after 30 min, my running partner and I had found our way back home. It was an interesting run because instead of taking the time to look around, I was always watching 3 feet in front of me. The sidewalks were so uneven and torn up. I really was concerned that I may twist my ankle.
I ran again a few days later but on the treadmill in the gym. I felt great, was listening to my music and feeling strong. But once again, my achilles would not loosen up and I decided instead of running 45 min-60, I had better strop at 30. I was happy that I ran 5 km in 27 min easily. Great timing but I had to go back to my room and roll a cold water bottle from our bar fridge up and down my leg.
It is so disappointing when your body says stop but you're having fun, listening to music and you want to keep going. I hate having to stop before I am tired. It is the worst let down. When that happens, I really have to talk myself into the accomplishment of the run so that I don't feel the frustration of the let down.
I kept touring the city in both my Keds as well as ballet flats. This was a huge mistake. By the end of our trip everything was hurting: shins, achilles, and especially arches!
So many people in Buenos Aires look fashionable. There are shoe stores on every corner selling fancy flats, heels, wedges and boots but there I was walking around on the last day in my white New Balance Runners. I felt much better.
I decided, on that last day, that I liked my sporty look and might even get a pair of runners in black to wear during the day but in Toronto.
Lesson learned--- Keds are cute and perfect for the airplane but not for touring a city where you are walking all day.
Tuesday, 2 April 2013
Britney Spears is in my head
Oops I did it again... :)
Going out on my run today I told myself that if I ran 15 km and felt ok, I would register for the Toronto Women's Half Marathon scheduled for May. Last year I was going to run it but pulled my hamstring just before signing up.
This morning I ran 5 km with Baci and it felt like a good warm up. No aches or pains. After dropping off the dog, I set myself up well with water and sport beans, hoping that I would continue far enough to use them. I did run another 10 km easily!
I was playing tag with a streetcar for the last 5 km which gave a sign from above. The message was clear and it gave me the confidence to make my decision.
When I got home, I registered for my 6th Half Marathon.
Feeling strong and as always excited for a race I have not done before.
Can't wait to bring this one home. :)
Going out on my run today I told myself that if I ran 15 km and felt ok, I would register for the Toronto Women's Half Marathon scheduled for May. Last year I was going to run it but pulled my hamstring just before signing up.
This morning I ran 5 km with Baci and it felt like a good warm up. No aches or pains. After dropping off the dog, I set myself up well with water and sport beans, hoping that I would continue far enough to use them. I did run another 10 km easily!
I was playing tag with a streetcar for the last 5 km which gave a sign from above. The message was clear and it gave me the confidence to make my decision.
When I got home, I registered for my 6th Half Marathon.
Feeling strong and as always excited for a race I have not done before.
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