Running my First 26K

Last weekend we had a strong snowfall that lasted for three days. Since I am not used to running in the snow, and I thought of all the hazards this weather condition brings along, I decided to stay home. I just did not find it responsible to run on a terrain that I do not know where I am stepping on; I could easily bend my ankle or fall. I also thought of the increase risk of cars sliding and losing control and running over us, especially when we are running on the shoulder of the road. I also thought of my feet being wet and cold for 26k (I have had them wet and cold before be never for 26k). So I decided not to go. Some of my running friends ran and some stayed home. So Today, those that did not ran last Sunday, were planning to pay for our 26k run, while the rest of the group was running just 19k.

But fate is fate and after a week with a fairly nice weather, it has to snow on Sunday again. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!

When training for a marathon it is hard to take two weekends in a row off. So, not really wanting to do it, I had to face the snow conditions today and go for my run. It was not as bad as it was last weekend though, but still, there was snow on the ground and slush on our bodies after cars that drove by threw it all over us.

After running 26k with the weather conditions we had today, I think anything else will seem pretty easy, and I mean it. It was my first time running on the snow/rain. The strides change dramatically so you feel the run faster in your legs. Going up hill (and today we had a few of those), is the hardest thing ever. My legs felt like stuck in concrete buckets and I had to move them with every stride I took. My legs were burning, my butts hurt and my back was all crunched and tensed because I kept looking down. It felt like I was not getting anywhere, like I was running in the same spot for longer than necessary.

There was just one positive thing, I had bought gore-tex runners (water proof), and so no matter where I put my feet in, they were all dry and warm. When I checked the forecast last Friday, I saw what was coming, and I knew I was not going to skip another run, so I headed to the store and got a new pair of trail-waterproof runners. Trail because they have more grip, which helps with the snow/ice conditions on the ground. Waterproof because after sticking your shoes in the snow for so long, plus the rain and the puddles, they eventually (sooner than later) get wet.

I broke all my running rules by using brand new shoes on a super long run. I was afraid they were not going to be comfortable. I should have broken them down on shorter runs first. But, luckily they were fine and served their purpose. They are not the softest runners that I have had, but at least they kept me warm and dry.

26k down in awful weather conditions. Next week’s 29k seems easy as long as Mother Nature does not decide to send another snowfall on us.

My Animal Lover Note:

My Guilty Pleasure

We always have our long runs on Sundays. We start running at 8:30am and, depending on the run, I get home around 11am. The first thing I have to do, once I get back home from my run, is taking a shower. It is the only way my body can compensate from the extreme cold it has been exposed to. Even though it is cold, and therefore I dress for the weather, after running 5 kilometers our bodies are already sweating. This sweat wets our clothes and, with the cold weather, these wet clothes become very cold.

The wet clothes don’t affect me during the first half of the run. My body is still producing a lot of heat and the temperature exchange between body-environment is still working. But when the sweat has damped my clothes, and they have become cold and wet, I start feeling colder and colder. Eventually, the heat my body produces can’t warm me up at the same rate my clothes are cooling me down. This means that by the end of the run I am cold, very cold (we are talking about running during the winter months), so this is why taking a hot shower helps me regaining that lovely, warm body temperature.

And here it is where my guilty pleasure comes: I leave the bathroom and walk straight to my bed, get under the covers and fall asleep with a smile in my face (true story, my husband can testify to it). I take a long, reconstructive, guilt-free nap. After a couple hours I wake up recovered, happy and super hungry.

I have to confess, one of my favourite things about my Sunday runs is the nap that follows them!

My Animal Lover Note

Entering a New World

Since running a marathon is a new experience for me, I have been learning so many new things. For instance, we have been talking about hydration and fuelling. We know how to handle those two things up to 22k, but from there up we are entering a twilight zone. Our water bottles, fueling blocks, and pockets can handle things up to 22k. But what do we do when we start running 25, 30, and 35 k? We will need more water, more fuelling and more storage space. So, I have been doing some research.

To solve my problems, I wanted to try a camel pack. After reading several reviews and articles, written by experienced marathon and ultra-marathon runners, I learned that camel packs are made for hikers and bikers but not for runners. The running version of a camel pack is made by a company named NATHAN. These people are experts designing running equipment. They have two hydration vests: the Intensity and the Vaporshape. These vests are designed for runners, and here is why: 

·         The way they adjust to your body does not let them bounce when running.

·         They have front pockets (front of your body), so reaching for fueling is easy; with the camel pack, you have to take it off to be able to get things from its pockets.

·         It has several front pockets: cellphone, fuelling, extra water.

·         It also has a back pocket, big enough to carry a light jacket or a shirt.

·         The fabric that they use for the vest is breathable and soft, reducing the chances of chafing.

·         It has a 2 litter bladder that is easy to take out for refilling during a race.

Of course I bought a hydration vest. I bought the Intensity one just because it was way cheaper than the Vaporshape. The Vaporshape is the newer version but both of them have great reviews, and they can both carry the same amount of liquid. Hopefully I will start using it next Sunday.

Today I also started doing something new regarding my fueling. I always fuel with Cliff Blocks, but for longer distances I know I have to add something else. When you start introducing new things in your running routine, you got to do it when you are running shorter distances. In case things don’t work, you know at least that it is a short way back home. Since today we were just running 16k, I decided to fuel with a peanut butter and chocolate chip LARABAR. Every walk break I took a bite and drank a bit of water. It was very good on my stomach, it gave me energy, and by the end of the run I did not feel so hungry (as I always do). I will keep experimenting with other food items, like homemade cookies and some fruit. Of course, this is all possible because my new hydration vest gives me enough storage room to carry my Cliff Blocks, my new fueling food, and my cellphone.

My Animal Lover Note:

     

Back to Official Training

I knew it! I am so glad I took it easy during the Christmas Holidays (and by easy I don’t mean I did not work out, I just ran less). I needed a change. I needed to cut down my run days. Now, with the clinic in its way, I don’t care if it is raining, or cold, or dark. It is clinic time and running has a purpose, there is a race in the horizon, and a big one. Having this in mind changes everything. If I miss a running session, I pay it back. The weather stops being an excuse to go for a run, and my cross training sessions are now geared towards my race. I really enjoy this process, the building up, the commitment, the effort. It is a process that always pays back in one way or another.

We are all training to run our first marathon. We all wanted to run one, but we were afraid of doing it. We did not want to train with the traditional marathon group. It has very fast and experienced marathon runners, and we all felt intimidated. The only way we could do this was if we could do it together, and if Ron was our leader; and all these things happened.

There is a big group of people in this clinic, around 30. The group naturally splits into 3 sub-groups as soon as we start running: the experienced marathon runners and the faster people, us (my running buddies), and the slower gang. I find it very particular that we always end up running at the same pace. We are so used to running together that none of us runs with another group.

We just started a new journey, one that is brand new for us. We are all exited and scared. But we are also happy because we have each other to share the journey with, and we are lucky enough to have the best running instructor in the world: Ron Heron.

My Animal Lover Note:

The Need of Racing

It has already been a month since my last race, and I can tell how much of a difference it makes to my running when I know I am training for a race instead of just running. Racing is what makes the difference between a jogger and a runner. Our runs make more sense when they are gear towards getting ready for a race. We runners like racing, we live for it.

When I am training for a race, I never, ever feel like not running. I simply know it is something it has to be done if I want to do well on race day. When I am off season (like this last month) I skip runs very easily (just because it is raining), and usually I don’t feel like running long distances (why would I if a 10-12k workout is more than enough?). I can say that racing is what makes me a better runner, a more committed one.

On the other hand, it would be hard on the body and the mind, to even pretend, to keep the same level of training throughout every month of the year. They would burn out. So, it is good to have these off season periods to indulge in some laziness (which it does not mean not exercising), to change the routines, and to run less. After a while, we start missing the excitement, the commitment, and the hard work that is part of training for a race.

In one more week my off season time will end. On January 7th I will start a new running clinic. This time I will start training to run my first full marathon. This running season will hopefully take me until the end of October, when I will hit the off season months again.

My Animal Lover Note:

What I Have Learned

Last Friday I was talking to some of my running friends about how running has shaped our lives. We were analyzing how running is so different from others sports or ways of exercising. When you are an endurance runner you know it is impossible to compete against others. The only person you are competing against is yourself and your own fears, and this ends up altering who you are.

Although I have never been a quitter, I can definitely say that since I am a runner I have a stronger will, I don’t whine, and I have more courage and confidence to fight until the end. Running has taught me that when you persevere and work hard you see the results; you see the light at the end of the tunnel.

A race is a reflection of what life is. During a race you experience ups and downs; there are moments where you feel high and others where you feel low. You doubt yourself but you also feel confident. There are times that you need others to cheer you up, and times in which you are alone and you have to find the strength to cheer yourself up. It is easier when you are running with someone else but this is not always possible, so you have to learn to run by yourself too. You learn that you need to work hard to see results, otherwise things won’t change. You learn to enjoy the view because if you just think about the finishing line you will miss the journey. You learn that sometimes it is just about enjoying and sometimes it is about pushing the limits.

You learn that the competition is with yourself, no one else. You understand that we are all so different (different bodies, different weaknesses, different injuries, different goals, and different thoughts) that it does not make sense to compete against each other; and here is when you learn to be happy for them. You also learn that, for this competition to make sense, you need to help others to achieve their personal goals. You eventually realize that, there will be so many times, you will need them too to get you through the finishing line.

I used to go to therapy now I run.

My Animal Lover Note:

Running Below Zero

Today I had a very interesting run. For the first time I ran with the temperature below zero. It was -6 degrees Celsius when we started running. Dressing for this kind of weather could be tricky. You want to be warm but at the same time you don’t want to overdress. I know I warm up as soon as I get running, and I hate the feeling of being overdressed as much as I hate to feel cold.

I read once that you need to dress as if the weather is going to be around 8 more degrees than what it is when you start running. So, if it is 10 degrees outside, dress for 18 degrees. This formula always work and has helped me finding the right clothes to reach a comfortable temperature when running.

I am used to running from zero degrees up. I have figure out all those numbers regarding which kind of jacket, top, pants, and gloves combination I need to wear. But today it was a new experience. I think I was able to pull it together by adding an extra layer to my upper body, leg warmers and a tuque.

Just one mistake, next time I need thicker gloves. I can’t run with my hands cold but I can’t also handle them hot, so I have gloves of different thickness to choose from according to the temperature outside. Today I chose some thicker, fluffy ones. They worked for the first half of the run, but later on, since the body heat tends to protect the vital organs when they are exposed to extreme temperatures, your fingers and toes loose heat very fast and it is harder to keep them warm. By the end of my run I could barely move my fingers.

I also had a situation with my running pants. I have a nice pair for very warm running pants. They have a layer of fleece on the inside so they feel really warm and cozy. I hadn’t worn them in a year, because they are the extremely cold weather pants, and when I wore them today and started running they started falling down! I spent all my run pulling my pants up! The good side is that this means I am leaner, and I think there isn’t a woman out there that does not get happy when she finds out she has lost some weight without dieting or putting an extra effort in it.

My Animal Lover Note:

An Easier Month

As the holiday season starts my mind is asking for a bit of a change regarding my training. I will start my marathon clinic on January 7th and from that day on, until May 4th, the training is going to be hard and intense. So I have decided that during this month I will cut back one run per week and add one cross training activity. That means I will just run two times per week instead of three. I am kind of craving for this change since the weather is getting colder, snow and black ice are already in the forecast, and an indoor training sounds more appealing to me. I will probably even go from one resting day per week to two. I am aware I have to let my body recover to get ready for the intense training that is coming.

I read once that it is not good for your body to train at the same intensity every single day, week and month of the year. You need to have breaks and easier months to be able to perform better on the harder months. December is a busy month anyways, full of family and friends gatherings. I will try to do my best to make myself rest (this does not mean stopping at all) and enjoy this time of the year, until I crave the intense, hard training of the running season.

And what are my running goals for next year? Run my first full marathon in May, run two half marathons (Scotia-Bank and Lululemon) and if everything feels good after that first big race, I will try to run another full marathon during the fall.

My Animal Lover Note:

6th Half Marathon Race of the Year, 8th in Total

At the end of January this year I set a goal for myself: I wanted to run 5 half marathon races that ended up becoming 6. When I wrote about it I thought of it as this big goal I had to accomplish, and here I am writing about my 6th and last race of the year. I did it!

Today’s race was a very interesting experience. I had set a finishing goal of two hours. I trained hard and was ready to do it. I felt really good at the beginning of the race. Oddly, I did not feel the usual discomfort that I feel during the first 5k, while my body is warming up. I was ready from the beginning and I ran my first 5k at an amazing time of 5:15 minutes per kilometer. Since I felt good I took advantage of this knowing that latter, on the second half of the race, things get harder. I ran my fastest 10k ever: 56 minutes. I was happy and confident that I was going to hit my goal.

Since I was pushing hard (when I say it felt good it does not mean it was easy), once I hit the 12th kilometer I hit a mental wall. I checked my watch and it was showing a 6 minutes pace. I was supposed to run at 5:30, and I was doing it find, and without knowing it I found myself up in 6. I tried to pick it up but I could not go faster, my legs were heavy, I felt tired and I started to lose hope. This went on for about 3-4 kilometres. I tried pushing, was able to go down to 5:50, but again it felt hard.

Once I saw the 16th k mark I said to myself, “I need to run faster so this is over faster, I can’t imagine holding up this torture for longer.” The need to finish helped me pushing harder and I picked up my 5:30 pace. It was hard to stay in there. Everything started to hurt, IT bands, hip flexors, knees, feet. I was able to pull it together and managed to handle the pain and the pace for 4 more kilometres. I kept checking my time and I saw that I could make it. I had 10 minutes to run 2 kilometres, something feasible. I knew I had to run a bit faster but that was ok, because I always manage to have extra energy to sprint at the end.

So, kilometre 19 came along. I tried running a bit faster and all those pains that I was trying to keep at bay came very strong and hit me hard. Then I hit the wall for the second time. The pain in my right IT band, hip flexor and knee was excruciating. It was so hard that I felt like crying. I could barely bend my right knee so I had to slow down dramatically. I did not want to walk so I tried running with shorter strides. I went from a 5:30 pace to a 9:00 pace (which is almost walking). I saw my watch and I had 6 minutes left to run my last k. I was not going to make it. At this time I tried to keep running and not give up to walking. I had a new goal now; I wanted to get there in less than 2 hours and 4 minutes (which was my last PB on the ScotiaBank race). Almost crying and dizzy because of the pain, I crossed the finish line in 2 hours and 3 minutes. I reached a personal best.

I was not very happy at the beginning because I had not reached my goal. I was very quiet and kept thinking about the race. I ate my banana and drank my soy milk quiet, my brain was processing.

Several hours after the race I conclude the following: after running this race I can tell I am a faster runner. At the beginning of this year’s journey I though it impossible to be able to maintain a 5:30 pace for even 10k. Today I was able to hold it for almost the whole time. I pushed harder than ever. I felt more pain than ever. I found the strength to cheer myself up and pull it together to keep going. But even though it was the hardest race ever, both physically and mentally, I still managed to PB. I am happy, proud and in a lot of pain!

My Animal Lover Note:

This is Why I Post on Social Media

I was caught up by the topic of a TV talk show that was on air the other day: The four hostesses were discussing how people usually find it annoying when runners brag about their accomplishments on social media. I immediately thought of myself, of course, since I have this blog, and also, I usually post on Facebook a comment or two after running a race.

I listened carefully to what they were saying. Their discussion points were the following:
•A real runner does not have the need to tell the world about their accomplishments.
•Only those with a low self-steam have the need to be recognized for what they have accomplished.
•Get a life.
•Other people don’t care about what you do. If you actually do it for yourself, keep it to yourself.

This was basically it. I know it sounds somehow shallow, but what if people really think that of us, runners, who share our experiences on social media?

I thought about it while walking my dogs and here is my response:
•What is a real runner? Is it just an Olympic runner? Well, when you are a runner you know you are as real as any other runner in the world. The fact that some runners win races, get medals and prizes does not make them more real than me. I run, I train, I take it seriously, and I race.
•I follow “real runners” blogs, so guess what? They also post about their experiences and share with the running world lovers their opinions and perspectives.
•We don’t post to get recognized (at least I don’t). I post because I feel proud of myself, the same way someone that just baked a cake posts its picture on Instgram, or when someone feels proud of their son’s soccer game, they put it up there as well. We all want to share with our friends those things that make us happy.
•I have a life, and running is a big part of it.
•I think running is such a big accomplishment, and it requires so much determination and strong will, that those who don’t do it feel intimidated.

When I go out with my no running friends on a Saturday night and I call it an early night they all ask me why. I first say “oh, I have to run tomorrow so I want to get a good sleep.” They usually tend to answer “well you don’t have to run in the morning, you sleep in and then go for a run. What are you running, 5k?” Then I have to say “I have to run in the morning because I train with a group and no, I am not running 5k, I am running 22k. That is why I have to do it early and with my running group, otherwise I won’t be able to do it by myself.” They are usually shocked after I say 22k, or 20k, or 18k and I am not saying this to brag, I am saying this so they get why I actually need to leave early. I actually need to get a good sleep.

Answering with the truth when others ask is not bragging, it is just being honest.

My Animal Lover Note:

And Here it Goes Again

Today, while running our last long run before the race (22k), two thoughts came to my mind:

• During the fall/winter months I always have a hard time before I start my early morning runs. I am very cold and it always takes a while for my body to warm up so I can actually start enjoying the run. At the beginning of the run, when we are walking to warm up, I always question my decision of being there. What was I thinking about? I could be in bed, all warm and cuddle, drinking hot chocolate and watching a movie! Instead, I am here, cold (and some days wet), with a long run in front of me. You really need to be crazy to do this.

After five kilometers into the run, those feeling are gone and I actually start enjoying myself. It is always the same, and it seems that my brain does not get it. That is why it is important to run with a group of people. If I were running by myself I would definitely come up with excuses to run later, and at the end to not even do it. When you run with someone else, there is no way out. You know they are there counting on you, so you do it.

What takes me through all this painful mental process is the feeling I know I will get once I finish my run. There are no words to describe what you feel when you see that it is 10:30am and you have just finished running 22 kilometres, you have just burned 1400 calories, and you still have ahead the rest of the day for you to eat, nap, work, clean and rest. That is amazing! By the end of the day I know my day did not go wasted. I earned every single meal and treat, I am better trained, my fitness level went up a little bit, and I am more confident of what I can do.

• In two weeks I will be running my 6th half marathon race of the year. I can’t believe it is almost here. For this one I am trying to attempt a 2 hours finishing. We have all been training hard and I know I am ready and well prepared. But no matter how many races I have run I keep going through the same mental process: Now that I am getting closer to race day I keep doubting that I can actually make it in two hours. I know I have the training in but every single run proves my fears that it will be hard and maybe I can’t make it. I know this is a mind trick, but it sure feels real.

My Animal Lover Note:

My Two Personalities

A couple of times, while running, I have seen people from work and when I say hi they do not recognize me immediately. They have to think about where they know me from and after some long seconds they finally make the click. I have to keep running so I can’t help them out with their scanning task.

On the other hand, the few times I have seen my running buddies outside the running world, we are always shocked by how gorgeous we all look.

It seems that I have two personalities: My runner one and my work one. I know for sure that any of my colleagues would have a hard time trying to picture me running. I am such a different person when I am at work and I look different as well. I am always very well groomed, everything matches, I smell good (really good), my hair looks nice and clean, and my jewellery is on place as well as my scarf and my boots. I hate getting wet and I always complain when is raining and have no way to cover my hair and my shoes. If I can, I take the elevator to go up one floor. I hate sweating when I am at work, so I avoid any kind of extra effort that it’s not absolutely necessary. Based on this, I can assure that whoever sees me running can’t believe it is the same person.

Now, when I have my runner hat on, I behave different. First of all I look different, I am always wearing black tights, a black long sleeve top, black gloves and a black hat. Nothing fancy, nothing cute, just comfy. My hair is a mess, my face is red, and by the end of the run, my clothes are dirty and all sweaty. I smell bad, like wet grass (maybe because I am vegan?) and if it is raining I am totally wet, including my shoes and of course my hair. I don’t care about running through mud and puddles and I am always trying to get more distance in; I never stop if my watch has not reached the kilometers I am supposed to run. If this means running around the block a couple more times, I will definitely do it.

I have realized that I get enough dirt, sweat, rain and ugliness when I am running, so at work I don’t have to bear with that. Why would I walk up the stairs if that night I am running 10k? Why would I get wet or be happy about it if that night I am going to have to run in the rain for an hour? Why would I like to smell bad if every single night I get a real taste of it? Why would I like to sweat on my work clothes if my work out ones always end up totally damped?

My Animal Lover Note:
"I am a vegan because after much learning and thought about the issue, I have come to see enslaving, exploiting, or intentionally killing an animal as morally equivalent to enslaving, exploiting, or intentionally killing a child. The only difference is one is socially acceptable and the other is socially unacceptable That may sound shocking or "extreme" to some people, but it is only because we are so acculturated to devalue sentient nonhuman beings to the status of "things". What is truly extreme is the violence of intentionally killing about 56 billion *land* animals annually globally for unnecessary food preferences alone. Unless you consider nonviolence and justice to be "extreme", veganism is not extreme. " ~
(author of www.uvearchives.wordpress.com)

Sisterhood + Ron

Those that like running and have found a group of people to run with, probably feel the same that I feel about my running buddies.

A couple years ago, when I joined my first running clinic, I did not know anyone from the running world. Up to that point I was a solitary runner. I remember when people were introducing themselves we all looked at each other with this curious, head to toe look. Who are these people? Are they nice? Are they experienced runners?

Since you end up seeing them three times a week for 4 month in a row, plus the fact that you have to run next to them, there is no way out of a minimal conversation. After the first couple months you start getting this familiarity feeling that leads to deeper conversations. And one day, after running for a couple of hours, you realize you have opened yourself to this stranger and it actually felt really good. You also realize that this person you have been running with has just told you something very private. You keep running. There is no space for judging, just listening.

My running days are my therapeutic days. I get to vent, to talk about stupid things, to listen to similar stories, to laugh.

We have been running together three days a week for almost 2 years, non-stop. We feel so comfortable with each other, and we know each other so well, that we can’t wait to start talking, listening or just running next to one another.

I can say I belong to a sisterhood of runners + Ron: Laura, Melanie, Andy, Teena and Ron are my people, my therapists and my friends. I feel blessed to know them and to be part of their lives.



My Animal Lover Note: 

Too Responsible

I can’t believe what running has done to me. It has become a staple in my life and it gives me as much (or even more) pleasure as other fun things that I love to do. I rarely go out dancing. Last night I went with a bunch of friends to a Salsa concert. I love dancing and I love Latin music. The event started at 8:00pm with great dancing music. We danced non-stop until midnight. But by midnight, the Salsa singer had not come out yet. At that time I was already getting worried because, according to my math, I should be back home by 1:00am to be able to have some decent hours of sleep before my 18k Sunday morning run. The singer decided to start singing at 1:00am! That was not part of my plan. So we stayed for 3 songs and around 1:20 we left. I was not tired but my conscious kept telling me, “you are running 18k tomorrow, you have to sleep, and you have to rest.”

By the time we got home, ate something and got ready for bed it was 2:30am. Some of my friends stayed there until the end and got home around 4:00am.

What I really wanted to do: stay until the end and then go to The Naam (vegetarian/vegan restaurant, open 24/7) for an early morning breakfast.

What I did: Left the actual concert basically when it started, went straight home and to bed.

How I feel today: I am glad I chose option number two because, even though I was tired, I was able to do my 18k run without any inconveniences, and every time I finish these long runs I feel sooooo good.

So being too responsible is good. Loving running as much, or even more, than staying on a pretty cool Salsa concert is good too.

My Animal Lover Note:

Commitment

This morning, when I arrived to my regular bootcamp class, one of the ladies I train with asked me why I was already all sweaty. I told her I had just finished my speed work out. She was very surprised that I had already been working out for an hour previous to the class, especially on Thanksgiving Day.

This is the kind of things you do when you are committed to something. I know among professional athletes this is part of their daily life, but it is not the case among normal, common people. I have seen that when someone is not committed to a sport, or does not have a specific fitness goal, they just find it a little extravagant when someone is very responsible with their workouts.

I had to double up my training to day because, due to work related activities, I won’t be able to do the speed work out on Wednesday night. I knew I had to, somehow, make up for it. It worked out perfect today because I had the time and Ron was able to run with me and guide me on the workout.

When I finished my bootcamp class I was leg-exhausted but happy and proud. Next Wednesday, when I can’t make it to my regular training, I won’t feel bad because I already did it.

I have learned that every little thing you do towards your goal makes a big difference at the end. I already have a goal for my next half marathon race. I want to run it in 2 hours. I know it is going to be hard, and who knows if I can make it, but one thing I know for sure: I will train as hard as I can to reach my goal, and I will enjoy the journey as much as I will enjoy the race because what proves that I am a good runner is not my time on race day but my level of commitment during my training.

My Animal Lover Note: Yesterday I went to the Langley Herbivores Thanksgiving potluck. This one was the biggest one I have ever been to. 40 people shared their vegan food and warmth with each other. The food was amazing. We had all the regulars but in a vegan, compassionate version. No turkey or any other animal were killed or harmed during the preparation of this dinner.

18K Destination Run

Today Ron, Mel and I headed to Vancouver for our 18K run. We were very lucky with the weather. It was a sunny and warm fall day. I always get very excited when I have ahead a new route to discover. This time we decided to run on the scenic sea wall, from Jericho Beach to Science World and back. For those who don’t know (I was one of them until today), there is a trail that goes by the water all the way from Jericho to Science World. No stop lights, no cars, just a wide and scenic trail that takes you by several marines, and under the three bridges that connect Vancouver (Burrard, Granville and Cambie), until you get to Science World. Once we got there we hit the 9th kilometer so we looped back to the car.

The route was full of runners, walkers and bikers. This, plus the amazing view made our 18k feel like 10k.

Here are some picks. I wanted to take more but I am so bad at remembering to stop and take pictures. I just get myself lost in the beauty and forget that I actually should be recording it.

As every good destination run should finish, we ended up having a great vegan brunch at Bandidas Taqueria.

My Animal Lover Note: Yesterday, while running some errands in Vancouver, I saw a group of people walking with signs. Most of them were wearing t-shirts that said VEGAN on them, so I definitely had to stop and find out what was going on. It was the walk for farmed animals. These people were their voices. They wanted everyone to know how hard and horrible their lives are and all the suffering they have to endure, for the solely reason of satisfying a selfish human whim.

Rest Days

I should not be talking about this after having 5 months of almost non-stop training. I have taken a day off here and there because I was traveling, or because someone was in town for a visit, but besides those odd days I have been training 7 days a week.

I know, and I am super aware of it, that resting is as important as working out. When you work out hard you are ripping off muscle fibers. To be able to improve your performance you have to let them rebuilt before you work on ripping off again those new fibers. Every time they rebuilt they are stronger, leaner, and fitter. But this process only happens as long as you let them rebuilt themselves, and of course, they need time for this!

I have an excuse for my non-stop training during the summer: on my “rest day” I was doing The Grind (which is the hardest work out ever!). I did not have any other day to fit it in and I did not want to give up any of my other trainings (which I actually love). I made sure though I ate tons of vegan protein and carbohydrates (nuts, almond milk, fruit, and tofu) right after each training, to avoid inflammation and enhance the recovery process. I definitely think it worked because during these months I was barely sore and I had lots of energy to keep up my high intensity training.

I also knew I was going to get my rest day back (eventually). I knew once summer was over, and The Grind was out of the picture, I could go back to my more reasonable routine of having one day off, per week, from exercising.

I am not going to lie, by the beginning of September I was already feeling my muscles tired. I felt them heavy when running and it was hard to keep up a decent running pace. Last week I had my first official rest day in a while, and it felt soooooo good! It is crazy how fast muscles can recover. I took a day off, just one, and on Sunday I felt like flying, the same on Wednesday, during our hill training. Yesterday was off as well and today I felt good in my run. I felt light, fast and not tired at all. My body is saying thank you and is paying me back with fast recovery and better performance.

I do not regret what I did during the summer though; actually I will do it all over again. Summer is meant to be outdoors, so any chance I get to do this I take it, even if it means not resting at all. I know the cold, dark days are already upon us, and this means snow, ice and lots of rain, which translates into more days at home. But I can now say that I do appreciate this already forgotten feeling of having a day off, so does my body.


My Animal Lover Note:
 

It is Time for my New Pair of Runners

A pair of runners should be changed after using them for about 700 kilometers. According to my math this is around 6 months after the date I started using my current runners; which means that I should start using the new pair in October. Lately, I have been feeling that my runners are not doing their work properly, they don’t feel that soft anymore and the cushion has definitely worn out. Today, before leaving my house for my 16k run, I thought I should use my new runners. I kind of felt I needed a good cushion for this long run, but when I picked out the window and saw it was raining, I said to myself, “nope, I don’t want my new runners to get wet. At least not the first time I use them.”

So I wore my old ones, and as I was expecting, by the time we were on the 12th kilometer my knees and IT-band started hurting. It was the kind of pain that, I already know, is a sign of lack of cushioning and time to change your shoes. I was able to finish my run without a lot of pain. When we were stretching Ron complained about his runners. He said it felt like it was time to change them. The funniest thing was when he said, “I was going to wear the new ones today but since it was raining I did not want them to get wet on the first time I wore them.”

How crazy are we? We all have this weird thing that comes inherent to running (we don’t do it because we copy people, we just do it because it feels right), that we never want to wear our new pair of runners, for the first time, on a rainy day. As if they will never get wet, muddy and dirty!

So, Tuesday, when I run again I will use my new pair of runners, and my old ones? Well, they will go straight to charity.

I always find hard to give away my old runners though. I know I can’t run with them anymore. I know I won’t use them for anything else. I know the only thing they will do, if I keep them, is taking space off my closet. But I always find myself attached to those old guys. They have taken me through kilometers and kilometers, through rain, heat, and paved roads; and these ones, specially these ones, have taken me through 4 half marathon races. That is a lot. These shoes helped me getting there and a piece of me is leaving with them: memories, sweat, doubts, pains and personal bests. But at the same time I can’t wait to try on the new guys, and see the new places, kilometers, and personal bests they will take me to.

Let the new cycle begin.

My Animal Lover Note:

Some Forgotten Truths about Healthy Eating (for runners and no runners)

There is a ridiculous trend call the “low carb diet.” Carbs have wrongly become the enemy food and you can hear every one dieting talking about “zero carbs”, or “I am cutting out my carbs.”

“Carbohydrates are vital for providing energy for our bodies and brains. Without them, we would be comatose zombies… Yet all carbs are not created equal... Simple carbs suck and are as nutritional beneficial as toilet paper. They are mostly made up of sugar, which releases too quickly, almost violently, into our bodies, causing sugar highs and then crashes. This tends to leave us feeling hungry, so we eat more…”Complex carbs are made up of starch and fibre and “release gradually, providing a steady source of energy. They make us feel full and satisfied and are easily broken to release new energy.”

White rice, white bread, and regular pasta belong to the category of the bad boys’ carbs. They have been stripped away from all their nutrients, vitamins and minerals. For the sake of being refined, white and soft, they have lost all their nutritional integrity.

On the other hand, complex carbs like potatoes, yams, sweet potatoes, barley, corn, brown rice, millet, beans, hummus, lentils, quinoa and pasta (made from whole wheat, buckwheat, amaranth, etc.), are rich nutrient foods (they have lots of minerals, vitamins, protein, and natural fiber) that make a great source of steady, healthy energy.

Last week, I overheard a conversation between a fitness instructor and one of his clients (that wants to lose some weight) regarding not eating fruits to avoid the excessive sugars they have. I had to leave the place to stop listening to this high level of ignorance.

“The most irritating thing about the low-carb craze is the resistance to eating fruit. Fruit is the most perfect food in existence. It is unique in that it barely requires any work to be digested. High in enzymes, it effortlessly passes through the body, supplying carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids amino acids, and cancer-fighting tannins and flavonoids. Because it is made up of mostly water, fruit hydrates the body and aids in cleaning, detoxifying, and eliminating….

So shout it from the rooftops until every one of your dumb-ass misinformed friends hears: YOU CAN EAT BREAD AND FRUIT!”

Source: Skinny Bitch by Lori Freedman and Kim Barnouin.

My Animal Lover Note:

Are you Jealous?

We all know jealousy exists almost everywhere we go. There is jealousy at work, at the gym, and between siblings. I am sure jealousy is a common ingredient in the life of professional athletes as well. But I have found a place where, so far, jealousy is not part of it: recreational runners. We all run because we want to, not because we make a living out of it or because we have to impress someone. The only person we want to impress is ourselves. We all know and appreciate the great effort it takes to finish a race. We all know what it takes to break off some seconds from your previous race time. We all know what it feels like training in the rain, snow and wind, at night or early in the morning. We all know what a Sunday afternoon feels like, after running 20 kilometers in the morning, and you still need to clean your house, go grocery shopping, cook, etc. We all know this because we all do it every week. So, when we see someone improving their times, passing us, finishing a race under two hours, we all say fuck, that is great! Wow!!!! There is not jealousy but admiration and respect because we all know what it takes to get there.

I have been doing the Grind every week of the summer as part of my cross training. I usually finish it under an hour, and in my way up I am usually passing people, just a few male grinders pass me. Today, this young lady passed me with this amazing pace; she was going up two stairs at a time and she was going fast. I was very impress because I know I am fit and there is no way I could keep up with her. When I got to the top, she was already there of course, I told her “great pace! I saw you and I was like shit look at her.” She was so happy that I said that to her. She smiled, said thanks and put her fist up. She was proud of herself and was happy that someone saw and acknowledged what she did.

We all compete against ourselves, no one else. We are all different, we have different bodies, weakness, health issues, and we are all aware of it. That is why when we tell a no runner about a race that we just ran and they ask us if we won, we always say “of course I won. I always win. I race against myself not against the other ten thousand people that were running, and just by racing I am winning.”

My Animal Lover Note: Yesterday we had our September Langley Herbivores potluck. There were lots of new people that want to try the vegan diet and some old vegans that just heard about us. Two high lights of the potluck:
•I saw the most beautiful vegan family: mom, dad and three girls all vegans, beautiful and healthy.
•A 13 year old girl came with her mom. The girl became vegan a year ago after watching Forks over Knifes and Earthlings (I highly recommend both). She told her mom she was not going to eat any animal products and despite the mom’s efforts to change her mind, she stuck to it. Wow! That is the kind of will and commitment people need. Now mom fully supports her and even though she is not vegan, she cooks for her daughter and understands her points of view.