Triathlon Dirt

Royal Victoria Marathon Race Review

So, I finished my first marathon this past Thanksgiving weekend in Victoria. And.....
I did great. But enough about me, you want to hear about the race!

Royal Victoria Marathon this Thanksgiving Weekend.

I'm running in my VERY FIRST EVER MARATHON!!!! The Royal Victoria Marathon. Yep, that's right, in just four days time I'll be doing a (hopefully) four hour and fifteen minute run around Victora, B.C.

I'm staying at the Howard Johnson's Hotel which is less than a few kilometers from the race start line.

I've even picked out my Victoria Post Marathon celebration restaurant. I want a meal from Re-Bar Modern Food! I own their cookbook... Rebar: Modern Food Cookbook.

I'm sick. I'm in peak mileage for my marathon training.

I'm sick. I'm in peak mileage for my marathon training. But no, I'm not here to complain about it for once. I only blog when I'm down and want to complain. Sol the good news is that I've resolved not to worry about missing training this time whilst I'm sick. There is no use crying over spilt milk and things like this have happened to me before during peak training times and I've still pulled through on race day. I'm not going to let this affect me mentally when I know they won't have a huge effect physically. (Remember when I got sick when training for the half ironman? I still did that without any real hinderances).

I'm even just looking forward to getting out there more and even a little excited to get back into doing speed work for the next four weeks before the marathon. It feels like so long since I've really done any speed work and I really found that was one of things that really helped me this last year improve on my over all fitness. The 10min x 6 speed running intervals really made my half ironman training. I can't wait to really give it my all. It's tough, but I'm excited to push it again. (I say this eagerly from the couch of course).

Happy Running & if you're sick like me.. take it easy! Train smart and not hard! (Even if it is your first half or full marathon, you'll make it, even if you have to walk!).

The bad news for me is that I'm starting to wonder if this is turning into flu.

23km run review for Sunday. On my way to the Marathon!

I did my first ever 23km run on Sunday morning.

I've only ever done 22km before. I think with my half ironman base it helped make this long run relatively painless. I'd had only 5 or 6 hours sleep the night before so I'd anticipated a tougher run. The first few km were hard to warmup but after a few k I was back on track.

We did one medium sized hill (UBC, if you live in Vancouver) and I found it to be quite easy. I think the strength training and cross training (biking) is paying off on my running more than I realized. I'm noticing more and more than Im not really having bad runs anymore, knock on wood, I'm beginning to wonder if I should have gone with the fast 4 hour pace group, haha! No, I think it's best that I don't strain myself on my first ever marathon and stick with the 4hrs - 4.15plan. (Heck, I wouldn't cry if I was 4.20+!)

Day after (monday:
My quads are a little tight, but not sore. Just not 100%... more like 85%. I could handle a short run today but I'm holding off until tomorrow. It's strange having two 'rest' days a week. I feel like I should be doing something.. get my lazy ass off the couch!

Looking forward to 26km next week... woohoo!!! Marathon runner!

Vancouver Subaru Sprint Triathlon Race Report (July 113th, 208)

On Sunday I completed the Vancouver Subaru Sprint Triathlon. It was really fabulous. The weather was sunny yet not too hot (as we started early in the day) and the water was cold but not unbearable with a wet suit.

5 tips to stop a bad run before it starts.

This morning I humbly reminded of a few things you should always do to help ensure you have a decent run. I embarked on the 5km run from HELL this AM. And the worst part of it was, it was preventable, I'm sure.

I *was* going to the gym this AM, until I found out their Canada day hours begun at 8am (not 7am, like when I go). So, I decided to go for a run instead.

Here are my top 5 tips to a better run!

Subaru Vancouver Sprint Triathlon

Ok, now I've officially entered the Vancouver Subaru Sprint Triathlon for next weekend. Actually I think it's official name is (for anyone who's searching is: SUBARU VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL HALF and SPRINT TRIATHLON).

It should be a great race, assuming the weather is good, as it's on Spanish Banks Beach with it's amazing views of downtown's skyline and the North Shore Mountains.

Tips for buying the perfect running shoe! (PDF from Running Room)

I got this great Running Room PDF in my email yesterday that gives out tips on how to buy the right running shoe!

Download the full pdf on tips for buying running shoes

Once you find a good shoe I recommend sticking with it. Infact, once I find a pair I like in Running Room I'll often stock pile them by buying a bunch. You'll often find they change or discontinue a style from time to time and you have to start the painful process over again. I often go online to a place like Amazon as well to compare prices.

** Remember a good rule of thumb on when you need new shoes is when you've logged approximately 800km or 500 miles. Or simply compare your old shoes with a new pair and see how much difference their is in support.


The Running Room classification system consists of:

Motion Control:

• You quickly break down midsoles, over-pronate and need a firm midsole with a sturdy heel couter.

Cushioning & Stability:

• You need cushioning, a flexible forefoodt and no motion control features. You under-pronate.

Stability:

• You need extra cushioning and some degree of stability and are no an excessive pronator.

My first longer run since the half ironman. (18km)

Sunday morning I hopped out of bed (a little late) and went for my first longer run (18km) since the half ironman. It's been two weeks since the competition and I decided it was time to get back on the horse.

I've been battling tightness and soreness in my hamstrings ever since the half ironman. Each time I go for a run I feel it start to irritate around the 10-15 minute mark. Being a person with exceptionally poor mobility in the hamstring area (I can't touch my toes, infact I can barely reach mid-calf) I find this a bit worrying.

Oliver Half Ironman Race Report

ATTN: I haven't really checked this over for grammer yet! It took a while to write! Appologies
Oliver Half Ironman Race Report

On Sunday June 1st my husband and I completed my first ever half ironman in Oliver. It took me 6 hours and 52 minutes. (I thought it would take me over 7, so I was filled with sheer pride when I crossed the finish line). Actually, it wasn't joy over my time, it was for the pure joy for actually finishing. My husband (I'm so proud of him, did it in 5.44).