Half Marathon Week...wow that came up fast

Okay, it is race week. The Chilly Half Marathon is Sunday (downtown Burlington if anyone would like to come out and freeze) and while I should feel great I am totally getting nervous.

As for the training, all is going well except for the feeling of a truck running me over last week knocking me out for 2 days. I only missed one run but it certainly shortened my Sunday long run. This is called tapering I know but I was not planning on tapering as my end goal is still Around the Bay. I know I also mentioned it but it bothered me more that I missed a 40th b-day party than the one speed work run. I have also been spending a bunch of time on the physio table (see picture that Kloe took). My knee/leg/IT Band - well my entire right leg is finally feeling better but not 100%. I will rest in April until it is better (I have said that before).

I have finished long runs of 25km, 22km, 22km, 19km, 18km in the last 5 weeks - including four on the ATB course and the North Shore hills. My Tuesday runs are around 12km, Wednesday is a 30minute jog, Thursdays have been either hills or speed so I feel I am on schedule for both races but you never know what will happen until I hit the race courses. The other unknown is the weather - they are calling for 45km winds on Sunday. Did I mention I hate winds?

Anyways...here goes the craziest month for me. I just keep telling myself four weeks until the bacon cheeseburger, fries (with GRAVY), and a pound of wings.

First hurdle of training...and one week to the Chilly Half.

Okay, even though I said I wouldn't do it I did. I have been training lots on the North Shore here in Burlington running those hills and it might sound crazy but I actually enjoy it. What I didn't enjoy is the GPS in my iphone always messing up - telling me I just ran a 3 minute km, calculating my total run at 31km which is wasn't, it was a disaster. So I broke down, did a bunch of research, and bought a running watch. Funny how the RR pushes the Garmins so much (which happen to be the most expensive) but I don't need the bells and whistles just one that tell me way too much information. I ended up buying the new Nike with TomTom GPS - the reviews were that it was perfect for beginners which I am. I must admit I love it - and it does make a great difference not hearing that voice every KM - just look when I want to.

As for the the training, I got 25km in last Sunday for my long run - including the famous Valley Inn Road. Felt awesome but it is not going to be fun on race day. Lots of great runs overall, feeling strong. And then boom - HELLO MR. FLU! Spent the last half of last week in bed and feeling like I was run over by a truck. It hurt bad. It also hurt that I had to miss Wes's 40th birthday bash but I know I can make that up to him later. I only missed a couple of short runs which I should have been tapering for the Half Marathon next week anyways but that wasn't my plan. I did get 13km in Sunday and thought about pushing longer but common sense finally kicked in and I decided to stop. I am only 2 days removed from being bed ridden so I need to be smart. I will get a few good runs in this week go for a strong half marathon. Not worried about a PB just a strong half in the two hour range. Let's hope the weather holds up.

Crazy to think this is the stretch run - 1 week to the Chilly Half Marathon, and four weeks today is the ATB. I am now officially nervous.

Okay ignore that "winter isn't that bad" post.

I guess I am one of those people - complaining whenever I have the chance. We finally had our first blast of winter and wow what a difference it make when it comes to running. Saturday was -24, wind up to 45kmh, and snow. Needless to say my long run was moved to Sunday. For training, it is not the cold or snow it is that stupid wind. Stupid, stupid, wind.

So as far as the training goes I am still on my pace - 4 runs per week, 1 other cardio, and 2 days of rest. I have made the decision that my long runs (either Saturday or Sunday) will be down on the North Shore where the hills section are of the ATB. Now these are certainly not hills that I would encounter if I ran the Squamish 50 miler (that's a shout out to Gary Robbins), but for anybody in Southern Ontario they do hit you like a ton of bricks. Especially after you have run 15 or 20 kms and then you have to run them. When your first 15km have been run in the snow and wet conditions it makes them even more difficult. I did 24 km today and the last bit was a good size hill and wow that hurt. I must admit I did not run that entire hill (but I did not walk the entire thing either.

Now all that complaining being said I loved the run today. I was not really that cold at any time, could always feel my toes and fingers, and ran pretty much further than I ever have.

I am totally having second thoughts of running the Chilly Half Marathon in two weeks. I know I can finish, I know I am not training for a personal best, but I did hear from numerous people it is a great training race for the ATB so that is why I am signed up. I am going to run it and I am sure I will feel great once I am done but the second thoughts are certainly kicking in.

Anyways - we are only 6 weeks to go to the ATB race. I honestly will say i am thinking about the race every time I run and it is the major factor that keeps me going. I also think this running bug has really set in - why else would I run this morning with a windchill of -18, snow blowing horizontally, and the roads were soaked. But it felt great. Awesome.

3 more weeks to the Chilly Half Marathon, 6 more weeks to the ATB, and 6 weeks and around 5 hours until I eat a Bacon Double Cheeseburger, Fries, a pound of wings and a few pints.

And the training goes on - in the winter.

Okay - I cannot complain at all as we have not really had a winter this year with no snow and it hasn't really been that cold. However - I can completely complain about the wind. Every day it seems like we have wind from 35 - 45 km per hour. It is not fun running in that. I do try to go out against the wind but 8 km in and I am totally exhausted. I am thinking I would rather have snow than this wind thing.

As far as running in the winter I do hear lots of comments on how/why/stupid/ and things like that. I was the same way until I got out and realized how great it feels on a sunny & cold day. You feel alive. A couple of good layers, dress properly and who really cares how cold it is out? For most people reading this we are in Canada so suck it up and get outside. Sure your nose might run but that's what your gloves are for - give it a good wipe and voila! Please also note just because it is cold out you still will get the chafing issues as my chest area found out last Saturday after the run once I hit the shower.

I also bought new shoes. Kind of weird that I am telling everyone who is reading this that but I was thinking - do I buy the same pair again - try something new - have two different pairs and alternate? I went with a new different pair. They do feel weird. Part of me is regretting that decision but let's see what happens.

Okay - so now I am almost 3 weeks to my (second) half marathon (double wow) and 6 weeks to the Around the Bay. I am totally starting to get nervous. Last week was my first crack at running North shore in Burlington - where the hills are for on the ATB course. Wow - it sure is a busy place on a Saturday morning. I guess I should have figured that but was totally shocked at the number of runners.

So what am I doing? Only running at this point as the leg injury is still kicking my butt. I am now going to a new physiotherapist who believe she finally figured out it is nerve issue behind the knee. Apparently I can continue to run so I certainly plan on it (I probably would anyways).

My plan to the finish the training portion of the ATB will include:
1) Four runs per week
2) Long runs on North Shore to practice those hills
3) Try to stay off the beer (oops - upcoming events include Wes's 40th and the Van Halen concert)
4) Hope this wind dies down.

I do want to get back in the spinning routine but need to get this leg better but my focus has to be these two races.

I was thinking of trying one of those adventure races (tough mudder) in the summer - anyone want to do it?