Race Day!

Well instead of getting up early, putting on my running gear I had laid out the night before and taking off with the rest of the nutters (including my friend Lisa who flew down for the race) I spent my morning flat on my back, heating pad in place and choking back 2 Advil every 4 hours.  So not the way I had planned to spend the day.

At some point in the last week I seemed to have tweaked my back.  I don’t know for sure (haven’t had an x-ray) but I’m pretty sure I’ve slipped a disc…again.  At least that’s how it feels.  It started Wednesday when I got out of the car and needed to hold on due to the pain. Then it went away.  Then is started every time I got up and then to even when I walked.  Then to constant and ever increasing.  Then it was Saturday.  That’s when I decided I wasn’t running and got a little depressed.  I mean I’ve battled a cold and a broken toe and completed my training in the allotted time, so I deserved the race.  But in my place, Rob ran for me.  On the plus side, he ran a personal best and I couldn’t be more proud!  One hour 2 minutes.  He’s now got it on his brain that he wants to beat an hour.  I’m sure he can do it but he has to finish his marathon training first.

Rob and I have tried to train together in the past but inevitably someone gets hurt.  Last weekend we ran together…and it apparently was my turn to be injured.  And I’m glad it’s me because my race was only a 10k, his marathon is a little more training involved.  So I’ll take one for the team!

Now my goal is to get back to…well walking first…then to running.

So I’m putting my half marathon hopes on hold while I get healthy…again!

To Rob, thank you for all your support and for stepping in and completing a personal best 10km!  I’m so proud of you :)

To everyone else thanks for reading and being there with me.  So for now I’ll rest up and keep getting stronger and doing the other thing I’m good at, baking/blogging at Trilogy Edibles.

Until next time!

Week 5–Day 4, 5 and 7–some tennis, pump class and a 10k!

I’ve been both good and bad this week.  Good with keeping up with my working out, bad with blogging about it.

It’s the week before Halloween so it’s crazy around here.  But the costumes are now done, cookies baked, candy bought and pumpkins are carved! 

In all that I had a tennis lesson on Thursday.  After my abysmal playing on Weds night, it had to be done.  Then Friday after all cookies were finally decorated I went to body pump and then today (Sunday) I ran 10k.

View from the path:

Today I started running with Rob and his running partner Gary.  I ran the first 3 miles with them and then turned back.  They ran 15 miles today, I just 6.  I felt bad for leaving them…NOT :)

I ran the American Tobacco trail and it was really nice.  However, the weather has turned to fall with a vengeance so has gone from 70 to 38 in two days.  I was running around this morning looking for mittens.  I just haven’t had the time to find the warmer running clothes.

But I got it done and I felt great.  But now it’s 9pm and I’m really tired.

Last week to go before the big race.  I’ve run it once, twice should be a breeze!

The Music:

Only for half the run and I forgot to get it off the iPod.  But it was pretty good this morning.

Until next time!

Week 5, Day 3–3 mile run and some tennis, if you can call it that :(

I got up and ran 3 miles!  whoop whoop.  Then I spent the better part of the day decorating cookies.

Then this evening I  went and played tennis, oh my it was so pathetic.  I couldn’t hit a good shot if the racquet was twice as big.  But we had fun and then I came home and ate a cupcake and the balance was restored!

I have a lesson tomorrow, so hopefully that will help.

I shall persevere and keep at it.  One week left until the race and then to choose my half.  I know I said I was going to run the Disney Princess but Lisa and I may choose another one.

The music was good for my run but I had to plug it in to recharge it and my list was erased.

Until next time.

Week 5, Day 1–3km baby!

You’re probably thinking two things.  One, she ran? and two, she ran!!!

My toe didn’t bug me much over the weekend so I thought I’d give it a go and victorious, 3km achieved.  Not without a bit of a challenge from a week off and the continuous thought that my toe should hurt, but it didn’t.  So just a long run behind but should be able to make up no problem, I’ll run 9km this weekend and then the race the following weekend.  YAY!  fingers crossed nothing else goes wrong

View from the path:

Just me because I didn’t want to take Dartagnan if I only made it to the end of the street and had to turn around, he’d have been way to hyper.  So just me and the beautiful weather.  It was a chilly start to the run, about 50 but with the sun out I warmed up quick.  I love running in this weather!

The Music:

• Beth – Glee
• Supermassive Black Hole – Muse
• Neighbourhood #4 – Arcade Fire
• Satellite Mind – Metric
• Jacob’s Theme – Howard Shore
• You and I – Lady GaGa
• Dream On – Glee
• Firework – Glee

Until tomorrow.  I have tennis tonight and then Body Pump in the morning!

Week 4, Day 5–Body Pump and a winner!

I kept going back and forth whether I would go to class today.  My toe is a loverly shade of purple and it’s spread to the top of my foot.  The swelling is down but still quite sore. 

But I went.  I had to modify some things and completely omit the lunges.  For some muscle groups I use a split stance with my left foot back so today I had to put my right and boy it was weird!

I got through it!  Today was also the launch of the new release and the three instructors dressed up for Halloween as an angel, devil and a fallen angel.  They also gave out door prizes and guess who won one????

That’s right…ME:)

I won a 25 dollar gift card to an Italian Eatery. 

In the end I’m glad I went to class.  Both because I feel better, but also because I get dinner out!  On the plus side of breaking ones toe, the lunge track was brutal.  Glad I got to miss that one or I wouldn’t have been walking at all this weekend due to the pain.  Now it’ll only be with a slight limp.  I was also excited because I could put my runners on.

Until next time.  I doubt I’ll attempt a run this weekend, maybe next week.

Week 4, Day 1 & 2 and an unfortunate break

Hey all, I’m into week 4 and feeling pretty good.  I ran my 7km (4.5 mile) on the weekend and my goals seems achievable. 

Well it did, right up until yesterday afternoon.

First I will admit to working out both Monday and Tuesday.  Monday was tennis.  I had wanted to go for a run as well but spend the morning dealing with the bank and them believing I had stolen my social security number.  There are two and half hours I’m never getting back.  All is resolved, at least for now.

Tuesday I did a body pump class.  Loved it, felt strong when I finished.

Then I came home…

Last week I cut the tip off my thumb whilst chopping apples, then yesterday I was just walking through the family room into the kitchen when my baby toe hit our rocking chair.  There was some screaming and profanities that made Rowan tell me that that wasn’t nice, but sometimes you just can’t stop yourself.

So now my toe is 3 times bigger than the other baby toe and a beautiful shade of purple…and yup it’s broken.

Now I’m that person who’s wearing socks with sandals because I can’t put my shoes on.  The socks are b/c it’s cold.

Now I’m hoping the pain lessens in the next couple days and with some tape I’ll be back to running next week.  I have two weeks until my race, so I should be able to run by then but I may or may not be able to run it all.  Ah well, it does feel, however, that it only ever happens to me :)

I’ll still be going to Body Pump on Friday but probably not  my tennis lesson tomorrow.

Heal baby heal!!!

Thanks for visiting!

Week 3, Day 5 & 6–Body Pump for a Cause & 4.5mile run

Well week 3 has come to an end and I’m still on track!  Yesterday I did 10 minutes on the treadmill and then a Body Pump class.  If you read my other blog, Trilogy Edibles, you’ll see what I did.

It was a hard class too, this week’s theme was the State Fair which is on for the next two weeks.  It’s weird here, the State Fair is a big deal, unlike at home.  Everyone goes.  So if you do pump where you are then you’ll know that when I say we did “firework” for the lunge track, you know how I’m feeling today. Legs are sore.

Today I had to do my long run.  I normally run on Sunday but Rob is running, so I had to do it the day after pump.  So I ran 4.5 miles or 7.2kms.

View from the path:

Today’s run was tricky. Not because I was tired or sore, well I was but that’s not why it was tricky.  It was tricky because I had to make my run 7km.  So I started out and when I got to a spot, I would look at the GPS and determine where I had to run next to add on. Now what I thought would be enough wasn’t, so I had to do that three times.  It was mentally tougher because I hadn’t thought it out before.  But I got it done!

The Music:

• The Edge of Glory – Lady GaGa
• Shooting the Moon – OK Go
• Bleed it Out – Linkin Park
• Over the Rainbow – Glee
• My Immortal – Evanescence
• Let Love Be Your Energy – Robbie Williams
• Paparazzi – Lady GaGa
• Ours – The Bravery
• Oh, The Boss is Coming – Arkells
• Speechless – Lady GaGa
• Misery Business – Paramore
• Alejandro – Lady GaGa
• No Cars Go – Arcade Fire
• Born This Way – Glee
• Hate on Me – Glee (this was my stretch song)

Until next time!

Week 3, Day 1 and 3–Tennis and a 5km

Ok so not as good this week as the last two but sometimes you just need to take a break. On Monday I only played tennis, didn’t want to over do it like last Monday.  I was also still in a turkey coma from our Thanksgiving meal on Sunday, so I played dismally.  It was embarrassing.

Yesterday was a day where my body spoke to me and said, please leave me alone.  Most times I actually don’t listen and feel better after but yesterday I listened.  I did nothing, well I baked cookies but physically I did nothing.

Today I decided to go a little longer and made it 4.5 km (2.8miles).  I dropped both kids at their respective spots this morning and then ran the bigger block.  I also decided to run the path in behind the big hill.  I thought maybe it would run around it but nope, it’s just a rolling incline which in the end was not easier.  I’m not sure which I prefer at the moment, the one big uphill or the rolling.  I’ll let you know tomorrow as my legs will tell me as the day progresses :)

View from the path:

I ran in the rain!  For those who know me know I don’t run in the rain.  I’ll run in the snow, deathly cold and crazy hot, but I don’t run in the rain.  Today I did.  I got up, put my running gear on and then took the kids.  I was all ready to go, so I just kept going.  It didn’t rain long but I was damp when I got home.  I didn’t take Dartagnan this morning and he was not happy about it when we left.. He normally doesn’t bark when we leave, today he went nuts.  So when I got home, we went for a walk.

The Music: it was with me today, thank god!

• Monster – Lady GaGa
• Telephone – Lady GaGa & Beyonce
• Loser – Glee
• Neighbourhood #3  - Arcade Fire
• Somewhere Only We know – Glee
• Can You Feel It – The Jacksons ( I don’t know why but I love this song!)
• Taking Chances – Glee
• Heart of the City – Arkells (awesome Canadian band, a must have)
• Eyes on Fire – Blue Foundation

Until next time!

Week 2, Days 5 and 7–5km(3.2mi) complete!!!

Well I did it, longest run so far in months.  5km or 3.2 miles(pick your poison!)

I also did workout on Friday I just forgot to blog about it.  I did a Body Pump class.  Lisa (instructor) decided to do a breast cancer pink theme and chose every Pink song which are usually pretty brutal.  I am still sore.

Then that night Rob and I went to the tennis club social and played tennis.  Well he played, I was pathetic.  I never played doubles, I play singles.  I don’t understand it but I’m trying.  We got killed 0-6 first set then we changed partners and split up.  We met the kookiest couple, they were great.  My partner, Joe, and I won 6-4 and it was much more fun.  I still didn’t play well.  Then Joe offered to play a short set of singles for fun.  I didn’t win but I finally played tennis.  I could hit the ball the way I wanted, place shots etc.   My serve actually went in.  I lost 1-3 but it was a ton of fun.  It was great to get out!

Today was the long run of 5km.  It wasn’t fast, it wasn’t pretty but I got it done!  I went alone this morning because I needed to run on my terms not Dartagnan’s.  He’s still not talking to me.

View from the path:

It’s also a good thing he didn’t come because I almost got hit by a car twice.  Once when I was crossing on the light and the person wanted to turn left.  He honked at me and then kept coming because traffic was coming towards him.  Jackass!  The second was a car didn’t stop at the stop sign but at the corner.  Good thing I was paying attention because god knows she wasn’t.  Missed me by inches.  If Darty was there he’d have got hit.  It certainly kept it entertaining.

The Music:

It was against me.  Great songs came on but all on the slow side.  So I had to stop and put on the girls dance songs to boost my morale!

• Alejandro – Lady GaGa
• The Resistance – Muse
• Can’t Always Get What You Want – Rolling Stones
• Pretending – Glee
• Somewhere Over the Rainbow – Glee

This is where I couldn’t handle another slow song

• I Like That – Enrique Iglesias and Pitbull
• Dynamite – Thaoi Cruz
• Rain Over Me – Marc Antony and Pitbull
• Give Me Everything – Ne-yo and Pitbull

Week 3 – Bring it on!

Week 2, Day 4–tennis lesson

hey there all.  Today was my tennis lesson day and I only needed to take a break once. So much better than my first lesson 3 weeks ago.  It’s a great workout running around the court, so much different from just running forward.

I’m enjoying being back on the court and having great encouragement by the tennis pro as well as my family. It’s great!  I especially enjoyed going into the proshop to pay for my lesson and having the lady behind the desk ask if I was Karen, from Monday night quads.  I said yes and her response was, “oh, I hear you’re good”.  Ego boost!

Tomorrow is another 3km run and body pump!  Then the big 5km (3mile) run on the weekend.  It’s not Rob’s 16 mile run, but it’s still a big one :)

Until tomorrow!

Week 2, Day 3–3km angry

Never run angry. 

That would have been good to realize this morning, because I did.  Rob got up early to run and didn’t wake me up.  I had a bizarre dream and when I did get up and realized the time, I was already off.  I ran into Abby’s room and scared the crap out of her because I was behind.  I threw clothes at her and then into Rowan’s room.  She was sleeping at the foot of her bed and was cranky (which isn’t unusual).  Then Rob meandered in to “help” but I told him to get moving himself.

So I found myself yelling a little more this morning.  Girls are off to school, Rob to work, I need to run.  Or so I thought.

My legs were heavy, I was angry and it felt like I hadn’t run in a month!  I hate that feeling.  But I did it!

View from the path:

Dead thing is still there, it’s so gross.  But at least it doesn’t smell. Plus trying not to cry I was so angry but by the time I finished I seemed to feel much better.

Music:

• Leave Out all the Rest – Linkin Park
• 18 Wheeler – Pink
• Scheibe – Lady Gaga
• Unnatural selection – Muse
• Hearing Damage – Thom Yorke
• All These Thing That I’ve Done – The Killers

Week 2, Day 2–nothing!

I had plans to go to the gym but after my run, body pump class and two hours of tennis last night, I’m tired so I’m doing nothing today. Ok, well not nothing.  I’m getting ready with all the baking required for Canadian thanksgiving!

Until tomorrow!

Week 2, Day 1–3km and a pump class!

Well I didn’t run this weekend, I ate instead :)

Back at it today, I went to the gym and ran 3km on the treadmill and then I did a body pump class.  I only did one class last week and my body missed it.  No doubt I’ll be sore tomorrow! Especially since I’m playing tennis tonight too!

View from the treadmill:

I hate running on the treadmill because it truly is boring.  You don’t go anywhere. However, the people watching is most excellent.  There was the sweaty guy behind me who is on the treadmill for a couple hours each morning.  He’s pretty rank, so I’ve learned to not go on the treadmill next to him if I want to save my olfactory senses :)  But gotta love his dedication!

There’s also a Zumba class before the pump class.  I’m amazed to watch, b/c I’ll never attempt.  Sometimes knowing ones limits is essential!

The Music on the treadmill:  I needed peppy music this morning so used the girls dance mix!

• I Like That – Enrique Iglesias and Pitbull
• Dynamite – Thaoi Cruz
• Rain Over Me – Marc Antony and Pitbull
• Give Me Everything – Ne-yo and Pitbull
• Breakaway – Lemonade Mouth

Week 1, Day 5, August 30, 2011 - 3km

I did run this morning and yesterday I played tennis.  I didn’t feel the need to blog about it yesterday because really I just ran around the court for an hour during my lesson.  But it was an awesome workout!

As for today, I ran the loop with my training partner Darty and it was delightful.  The temperature has finally dropped and was down right pleasant out there.  My run was better but not great.  Still I got out there!

View from the path:

The dead whatever was still out there but that was about it.

The Music:

It was good but then the girls got a hold of it and it’s several hours later, so I don’t remember the exact list.  sorry

 

My goal is to run once this weekend too!

Week 1 Day 3–Sept 28, 2011 3km!

Who was the spaz who decided to come back to running after a month off during the most humid week of the year???  oh yeah that was me :)

Well to say that this mornings run was soupy, than I’m not sure that’s enough to describe it.  It was gross.  I mean I’ve described runs before as like running through a cloud but this morning was worse and I couldn’t before imagine how.  But I did it, it wasn’t straight through, but ah well.  3km is harder than I remember lol

View from the path:

Today I walked Abby up to the bus then Rowan and I crossed the street and she went to daycare.  I love the convenience of it all.  Some days I even walk Rowan home from daycare with Dartagnan! crazy.

I started my run from Little Treasures and ran the block.  But because of where it is located, I ran the loop backwards which always makes for an interesting run.  Your landmarks are off and of course what’s normally uphill is downhill and vice versa. And that too makes for a challenge, especially in this heat.  I decided not to take Darty which was probably a good idea.  I did take him for a walk of our street when I got back, so I could cool down (which wasn’t possible, so muggy!)

I’m now 3 days for 3!!!  First week is always the easiest, it’s keeping it up for six weeks, now that’s the challenge :)

The Music:

• Safety Dance – Glee
• She’s Not There – The  Zombies
• Thanks for the Memories – Fall Out Boy
• Teenage Dream – Glee
• The Catalyst – Linkin Park
• Closer – Nine Inch Nails
• Any Way You Want It – Glee

As you all know I love me my Glee but I gotta say I’m a little disappointed so far with this season.  I love Rachel and Kurt but what about the rest of the cast?  Where’s my Finn, Puck and Arty??? Or just a group number? I’m just saying!

Until tomorrow!  Tennis lesson is on tap. Here’s hoping my shoulder is good to go!

Week 1, Day 2–Sept 27, 2011

So last night I played tennis and didn’t embarrass myself.  After my lesson last week, my confidence was back.  I actually won several of my service games, with the help of my partner of course.  However, during one serve I seemed to have tweaked my shoulder.  It’s more of the “you haven’t done this in a long time what the hell are you doing to me” pain, than having actually hurt myself.

Now to this morning, I took a body pump class.  Because of said “tweak” I decided not to aggravate it, so instead of anything overhead, I did dead rows.  So if you’ve taken a body pump class before you’ll know that with the 4th track (clean and press), I did a stellar number of rows!

Tomorrow I run! 3km

Until then :)

Week 1–Day 1 (Sept 26, 2011)

I did it! Can I just leave it at that?  no, ok.  It was ugly, but I knew it was going to be.  I mean what did I expect after over a month since the last run.  I ran 3km, just the around-the-block loop and Dartagnan came with.  He was a happy puppy this morning!

It was a bit different than normal too because instead of going before everyone got up, I waited until all were off to school and work.  I’ll have to get use to that! It was a nice temperature too, but the humidity was gross.  ah well, tis the south :)

View from the path:

There are more people out at this time than at 6am.  No other runners but many more cars.  The biggest shock was the dead unknown animal on the sidewalk.  I say unknown because I think it’d been there a while.  I had to take a wide berth on it as I’m sure Dartagnan would have loved to have given it a good sniff.  I know, gross.

So I’m glad I ran, now to keep it up.  On the plus side, my feet didn’t hurt!

The Music: The music was on my side this morning, I so enjoy when I can sing to the music.  It makes the awareness of the pain go away LOL

• River Deep Mountain High – Glee
• Welcome to the Black Pearl – My Chemical Romance
• Pullin Punches – Arkells
• SOS – Rihanna
• Starlight – Muse
• Wake Me Up Before You Go Go – Wham!
• Nine In the Afternoon – Panic at the Disco

OK, here I go again!

So what you’re seeing here is my registration for the Raleigh City of Oaks 10km on Sunday November 6th at 7am.

oh yeah baby, here we go again.

Since the whole foot thing I’ve not run at all and then I got the “back to school” cold that neither of my girls got so I think I got both of theirs.  Almost 10 very long days of hell.  Last week was my first back to the gym and I was pretty good and worked out everyday but Thursday.  I’ve also gone back to tennis too. Played twice last week.

My friend Lisa, who I ran the marathon with, is coming to visit that weekend and we’ve decided to give the 10km a go.  Rob would have joined but he’s in the midst of his marathon training. He ran 10 and half miles this morning!

So just 6 weeks away.  First run tomorrow…wish me luck :)

This would not be the best time frame for a 10km, but it’s also not my first.

This is my plan:

Week 1 – 3km
Week 2 – 5km
Week 3 – 7km
Week 4 – 9km
Week 5 – 10km
Week 6 – 10km(race)

here’s hoping for no colds, no injuries and no hurricanes/tornados/earthquakes :)

Until tomorrow!

An unfortunate break

So I’m not not working out, I am, just a little differently these days.  About two weeks ago I started getting foot pain in both feet.  %$#^%&$!!!! was pretty much how I felt.  Lot’s of expletives as this isn’t my first time dealing with plantar fasciitis. Where the tendons in your foot become inflamed.  So I stopped running for a week then got new runners (they are so pretty) and new everyday shoes (to my husbands dismay, not so pretty).

These are Saucony Progrid Stabil shoes.  I’ve had this “style” of shoe for almost 12 years.  They are awesome for us who pronate pretty severely and have wide feet with really thin heels.  These are also the men’s version because the women’s 10W isn’t wide enough.  I know I’m an oddity! I love these shoes, I hope Saucony keeps making them as long as I continue to run (here’s hoping for a long time).

So now that the girls are back at school I’ve been hitting the gym.  Monday I ran on the treadmill (not a ton of pain but still aware of it), Tuesday I took a Body Pump class and today I did a Body Step class.  Sadly my right food is still not happy.  I’m icing it while I type.

I’m heading north to Toronto and Ottawa for a week with Rowan and not taking my running gear with, kind of a forced break.  Here’s hoping my foot is grateful and the pain goes away soon!

It’ll be another week until I post, fingers crossed things get better.  I’ve got lots of time to register for my race!

Thanks for stopping by!

August 22, 2011 - 3km

I’ve not been good, I’ve been bad actually.  We’ve had a few cakes made around here and I’ve partaken in more than I should.  I also started to get really sore feet.  Like really sore, to the point it hurt to put them on the ground to stand up.  Over the weekend they started to get better so I put the shoes on this morning and took to the path!

View from the path!

I was up and out before 7am this morning.  Me and Darty went out and it was muggy.  Not hot, muggy.  I saw two runners this morning!  When I got home I was sweaty and purple!  We will see how the feet feel later today.  It may be time for new shoes!

The Music:

• Castles – The Philosopher Kings
• Get it Right – Glee
• Hearing Damage – Thom Yorke
• Lean on Me – Glee
• Gold Gun Girls – Metric
• Footloose – Kenny Loggins (oh please you all love this song!)

Until next time!