Update! Weeks 8 & 9 and Chilly Goals!

Hello... is this thing on? Sorry, I've been MIA, which usually happens when work gets crazy. And its been two weeks of full  on crazy, but we had our first big presentation yesterday and whew, it went well. So now I have a few down days before I get right back into revisions for the next round (advertising - all glamour!)

I've never seen an episode

So, how did the weeks go? Pretty okay. I missed some distance, but not the long runs, which are key. I actually fit all of my runs in last week including a 23k Tuesday run (spread over two runs!)

That's right, you even seen one trainer session in each week.

Week 8 I managed to run 6x100m run on the Monday and  noped the nope out of any other work for the week. The week did end well with a 30k run along the Around the Bay route with Sam (for 18k) and Emma (for the entire run), and then tacked on 2k to hit my first 20 miler of  the  training plan. It was a tough run (what with the elevation changes and distance), but I'm super  happy to have put the distance behind me, even if I was a bit delirious by the end.

You know you're hungry when, nearing the end of your run, you read "No fries..." #justrun #likeagirl

A photo posted by Nicole (@macnic05) on Feb 20, 2016 at 7:59am PST

Emma waited for me to jog out to the pier and take photos finish my run so that  we could  get a post-run selfie together and bask in our awesomeness. I was shocked when I loaded the splits and  saw just how amazingly consistent they were for the last half of the run (all in the 5:30s/km - go us!).

Week 9 was planned as a huge week: 69km with a 23k run on Tuesday and 26k with 19k at pace on Saturday. Thankfully, Sam became the voice of reason, asking why we'd run race pace the week before an actual race that  we were all planning on ... racing? Whew! With that settled, I tacked the week of long work and long runs and hit all of  my distance and a bike ride! The long runs and long work hours meant far too many of these:

Planning season. Death by mini eggs. #media #justanotherdamndayinadvertising

A photo posted by Nicole (@macnic05) on Feb 25, 2016 at 10:41am PST

Its never a good thing to work a 7 minute walk from a Bulk Barn.

With the weekend long run clear to run easy, Sam decided that she'd plan a hell run, her favourite route which meant all of the Around the Bay Northshore Hills and then more hills followed by other hills after that. And one super sweet downhill. I wasn't feeling the run from the second I woke up, but I did my best to keep up with the girls and they were awesome about waiting for me to crest the hills and in the end, I felt great for having put the mileage in.

It will make me stronger

26k on Northshore and Hillsdale today with these Chiquita bananas. We're coming for ya #atb2016

A photo posted by Sam J (@sammykaye71) on Feb 27, 2016 at 7:12am PST

Everyweek, Sam #doesitfortheinsta

So, two good weeks, building base, if not speed. I was on the treadmill a few times in those weeks, so that does mean I was running some speed within those, but no tempo or anything. That is something that will come back next week. For this week, the goal is the nail the Chilly Half Marathon.

This will be my fifth running of the race. I PB'd my first race here and have always enjoyed  the run despite varied conditions. I've decided to go out with the 1:50 pacer and the goal is to come in at 1:49xx. This is faster than I need to run to qualify for the Boston Marathon and if I manage to nail it, it will be a huge mental boost. Besides, Emma is looking to PB at sub 1:51:19 (and I was part  of that!) and I want to do my best to help her get there. I know she can do it and I know I can too. Sunday will tell! See you on the flip side with the race report!

Chilly Half Marathon: The Plan

This Sunday, I will run the Chilly Half Marathon for the fourth year in a row!

This race has great memories for me. It was my third half marathon back in 2012, even though it was "just" a training run on the path to my first marathon. 2012 brought me a PB and so did the 2013 edition. Finally, last year, I battled PF, but still finished with Emma and celebrated as she ran her way to a small PB.

I've always loved this race! How can you not? Its a fast and flat out and back race and when you're finished, the bars open to offer free chili and beer to the racers! Win, Win!

This year, the goals are different. Or, as Phaedra has noted, "this is NOT your A race."

So, she's given me a plan, based solely on time per KM. The plan is to stick to the plan. Sam's game to come along for the ride.

We'll go out and aim to hit 5:08/km as fast as possible (the beginning is always a bit of a cluster nightmare until about 3k) and then the effort should be smooth and easy all the way past the turn at 14k and then at 16k, we're supposed to pick it up and hit 5:05/km for the last five. Hopefully, we'll be feeling good enough to hit a bit faster in the last couple of KM. I've toyed with the idea of suggesting we race up the chute, but I know Sam will beat me, so instead, I'll settle for another (and better) finishing photo:

Road2Hope, 2014

See you on the flip side! If all goes well, the final time should be somewhere under 1:48! Not bad at all!

Mississauga Marathon: Race Goals

Has there ever been a more obvious post in the history of this blog? As if anyone who reads this (pretty much all of whom are friends I know if real life), doesn't know what my goals for this Sunday are.

But, let's put them out there, shall we?

I had two goals when I started training for this race, way, way, way back in November! We'll talk about the time goal in a bit, but the other goal was to raise money for Wishes For Olivia in support of Make-A-Wish Canada.

I wanted to raise $3,400.

I wan't sure I would be able to do it.

I am ECSTATIC to let you know that I have raised:

$3,655

In support of this cause and charity! I had 71 lovely friends, family and even strangers come out of the woods to put some of their hard earned money toward this cause which is so close to my heart and I THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for your support.

Now, my other goal.

The one based on time.

Say it with me:

3:39:59

This time will qualify me for the Boston Marathon (I likely won't get to the start line, but... details)

But, I'm reluctant to put all of my eggs in this basket. I don't want this race to be deemed a non-success if I don't reach my above time goal. Especially when I've already had such success with my fundraising. And you never know what race day will bring!

So, I will put down B, C, and D goals as well.

B Goal: 3:45:00 - this would still be an amazing accomplishment!

C Goal: PB with a sub 3:51:31 - who doesn't love a PB?

D Goal: Not to crap my skirt (as always!!!!)

Ultimate goal: Cross that finish line, smiling, happy and proud of what I've done. Because on Sunday, I will finish my third marathon. I will have raised a significant amount of money which will help make wishes come true for some deserving children. I will have honoured Olivia and shared her and her memory with others.

And all of that, regardless of what the watch says, is reason to smile.

I'll toe the line at 0730. Bib 469

See you on the other side of the finish.

Around the Bay Race Goals!

Its that time again! Around the Bay time!!! This year is the 120th anniversary of the oldest road race in North America. This will be my third time in a row running this race and for the first time, I'm going to race it!

I've always had an amazing time at this race and I hope the fact that I've decided to race it will make no difference in that area

2012

2013

If you want to read about those races, look to the left hand race report navigation and read away!

This year, as I said, I'm not going to run this as a Long Slow Distance run, I'm going to race it. And so, the goals are:

A+ Goal: 2:33

This is my ultimate goal marathon pace of 5:06/km (8:13/mi). It will be a stretch, I think to be able to finish in this time. The 8k of rolling hills which start at 19k is the main reason why.

A Goal: 2:34

This ticks the pace down a bit to 5:08/km (8:16/mi). This may be a stretch as well, dependent on how I do handle the hills and how the wind treats us.

B Goal: 2:35

Do you see a theme? 5:10/km pace (8:19/mi). In reality, this is my sweet spot. I'll be extremely happy if I finish in this time.

C Goal: 2:36

Perfect BQ marathon pace 5:12/km (8:23/mi). Not a disaster by any means!

D Goal: Don't crap my pants. HA.

So, its a bit of a different race. Yes, I have those tiered goals, but I'm not really confident in any to be honest. I mean, you never know when the poop-monster will rear its ugly head! What I want to ensure, not matter what the watch says at the finish line, is that I gave it my all and still managed to have fun.

See you on the flip side!

Chilly Half Marathon Goals

Well, the bib numbers have been posted (1569) and so its time to post about my goals for the upcoming Chilly Half Marathon on Sunday March 2nd.

Originally, the plan here was to run it fast and finally claim that pure 1:45 for both Sam and I. I've PR'd on the course the past two years and I really enjoy the nature of the course a lot.

The course starts in downtown Burlington on Brant, goes out west on Lakeshore, behind Joseph Brant hospital before turning around to head east along Lakeshore to Burloak. At that point, we turn around again (this is about 12k in) and head back to Brant and across the finish line. Last year I executed an almost perfect negative split race when I felt so good and was able to pick up the pace to catch Sam and Phil by 18k. It makes sense that the plan to go sub 1:45:56 and PR was what propelled me to sign up in the first place for the 2014 edition.

Then, enter The Polar Vortex: Winter of Doom and its sequel, Plantar Fasciitis: The Battle for Dominance. While training actually hasn't been derailed by either (I've stuck to the treadmill to deal with the winter and have only skipped a few pace workouts), I still don't feel like I'm in the shape I was in back in November to be able to give this race a proper go at a PR.

I'm resigned to the fact that I won't three-peat at Chilly. I'm comforted by the fact that the real goal race is the Mississauga Marathon ( a mere 65 days away!). So, I decided to race this half marathon as a true test and to do so with friends.

The decision was made after I was creeping reading Emma's blog and noticed that she was just shy of a 1:50 half marathon PR. If I'm at 1:50 at the half way point of Mississauga, I'll be running the slowest I possibly can and still hit my Boston Qualification time of 3:40. Seems like a good time to test how easy 1:50 held steady, feels. Plus, Sam said she'd also start with us. Of course everyone is all, "Depending on the weather. Depending on my PF."

I'm just going to ignore my still phlegmy lungs (yes, this never went away when my lung infection did in October).

I'm going to ignore this:

And I'm going to hope that the improvement I'm seeing in my foot is really in my foot and not in my head.

And I hope that I can return next week with a tale of easy running and PR glory (for Emma).

A Goal: 1:50 or better

B Goal: Race smart (e.g. don't mess up my foot any more!)

C Goal: Have fun. #alltheracephotorunnerdposes

D Goal (You all know this one): Don't crap my pants!

See y'all after the race.

2014 Goals

In random order:

1. Eat better. Less potato chips, more green stuff, more fruit
2. Have more patience with my kids and husband and parents (who are living with us until June)
3. Be more awesome at work
4. Go to Church more. With both kids
5. Listen to people more while in conversation. I mean, listen
6. Sub 1:45:00 half marathon
7. Sub 24:00 5k
8. Race a 10k for the first time since 2011
9. Sub 41:00 at Robbie Burns (weather permitting)
10. Raise a whole lot of money for Make-A-Wish Canada
11. Qualify to run the 2015 Boston Marathon; go sub 3:40:00 in the marathon
12. Embrace my wacky me; being cool IS being yourself

Road 2 Hope, Hamilton Half Marathon Race Goals

I'm not going to wax poetic with this one.

My goal is to get the 1:45 finish.

My secondary goal is to have Sam PB (sub 1:46:16)

I guess my tertiary goal is to PB (sub 1:49:31)

Final goal never changes: Not to crap my pants

See you all after the race!

Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon Goals!

Well, the time has come to lay out the goals for the A race of the fall, The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon. After my amazing experience during the Mississauga Marathon this past May, I originally wanted to run the marathon at STWM, however my husband asked me to put family first and to "just run a normal half marathon."

So I agreed and I dedicated myself to getting the majority of my runs in without interfering with family time. This meant a LOT of 0430 wake ups and runs done before 0600!

For this 18 week training plan, I decided to follow the Jack Daniels Running Formula approach which involves two effinghard "quality" runs per week, with one of those being during the long run. The entire approach, including paces, was designed to enable me to toe the line on Sunday with the training behind me to meet my "A" goal. Speedy Sam agreed to join me in this craziness and even put in a 26k run (as I was also training for the Midsummer 30k) and so I had company (because misery loves company). We #embracedthesuck together.

But you're here to read about goals. Well, I'm still going to put my "A" goal out there. I'm not entirely sure I will be able to get it, but I'm going to keep the mind strong and go for it. What will help is that Kenny may run with Sam and I as our personal pacer (skirt and socks not required!)!

A Goal

1:45:XX

Yes, if I get in, even at 1:45:59, I'm counting it! That's about a 5:00/km or 8:00/mi pace.

B Goal

1:47:15

About a 5:05/km or 8:11/mi pace. This will give Sam a 2 second PB!

C Goal

Sub 1:50:00

This will get me into the corral at Around the Bay and be a PB.

D Goal (Say it with me)

Not to crap my pants.

Good luck to everyone running - there are SOOOO many of you. I'll be bib #11791 and wearing an orange skirt with my new rainbow socks! Look for the gal chasing Speedy Sam, who will likely be in pink!

See you all on the other side. 

The County Half Marathon Race Goals!

I'm two days away from my ninth half marathon! I can't believe it! This will also be my very first destination race as The County Marathon takes place in Prince Edward County.

How did I get here you ask?

Its pretty simple in a long story kind of way.

Every year, I help to organize a group (27 this year!) of ladies (mainly) from Ottawa and the GTA (this year we have two coming from Halifax and one from Calgary) for an annual retreat! This will be our sixth year! Very amazing because we all met on an online chat board, but we've become more than that, much more! We originally decided on PEC because it is about halfway between Ottawa and Toronto so it was the perfect place to meet in the middle. Then we discovered how beautiful the area is (with winery's and spa's and Hot Hot-Dog slinging men) and discovered our home for the past two years and things really took off. The group seems to expand by a few ladies every year and there is always loads of fun:

The first retreat. There were 12 of us.

This year, the winning weekend coincided with the race. I knew this, but decided early not to run it because, well.... I tend to have quite a bit of... drinks fun on the Saturday night:

No idea what I'm singing.

But! When Irina (ironically, someone I also met online, due to blogging) mentioned on Facebook that she was signing up for this half marathon, my arm turned to rubber and I decided to go for it! After all, I have 18k on the plan with 12k at race pace this weekend, so why not do it at a half marathon and get some more race experience and some bling bling?

So, the goals!

3k warm up, 12k at race pace (4:58/km) and the last 6.1k easy.

Now, if, just if my easy pace ends up around 5:30/km, I may just run the last few km harder so that I can squeeze out a sub 1:50 and get into a corral for Around the Bay. But that depends on many things. The goal of this race is to do the training run, NOT to get a PB.

Oh and not to crap my pants... 

See you on the flip side!

Milton Half Marathon Race Goals!

Well, the 2013 edition of the Milton Half Marathon has been a whirlwind for me, for sure! Originally, I approached the organizers about being a pacer in the race. I thought it would be a perfect way to give back and still run in my town, along my training roads. Well, I was too late and they already had lined up all the pacers needed at the times I was willing to commit to (1:55, 2:00).

Fast forward to the middle of August - about a month away from race day, and I get an email from the organizer asking if I was still interested in the 2:00 continuous pacing job!  I jumped at the chance and was very excited to be able to give back. In the meantime, I paced the Midsummer Night's 30k run and started to work on constancy at the 5:41/km pace I would need to guild people to that 2:00 finish.

Then I got the email. The one that told me that I was not the pacer.

So what's a girl to do? I'm not ready yet to commit to going after the fall half goal of 1:45. I have six more weeks to get ready for that both physically and mentally.

But, I feel like I'm close.

I want to have a challenging race because, well... I've done an "easy" race already this summer.

I want to run alone. Just me and my thoughts (and likely my playlist).

So, the goal for the Milton Half Marathon will be

1:49:00 or less!

That will give me a nice PB and tell me how ready I really am for Scotia.

My plan (and this is where the or less part comes in), is to start at a 5:10/km pace and run that until after I pass by my family at 12.5(ish) km. At that point, I'll do my first evaluation and see if I can drop the pace a bit, maybe to 5:08 or 5:07. From there, I'll run until I get to the DailyMile cheering section at 16.5km and then look to drop the pace down a bit more. When I get around the final Tupper loop and head back over Thompson road toward the last 3km and the finish, I will be targeting splits under 5:00, with the hope that the final adrenalin push will be enough to get me up the underpass hill right at the end and turning onto Main Street with legs a'churning.

Or, as Doc Hudson tells McQueen on the last lap of the Piston Cup (yes, that IS Fergus' favorite movie right now):

 Drive her in deep, and hope she sticks

I'm really looking forward to this one! See you on the flip side.

Bread & Honey 5k race goals

Well, the annual Bread & Honey festival takes place this weekend in Streetsville. When I was a kid, I used to dance in the parade each and every year as I spent 16 years taking competitive dance lessons at the Mississauga School of Dance

1995 International production number champions, Orlando, FLD

When I found out that the festival holds a race on the Sunday morning, I had to join up. I've run the 5k twice and the 15k once (which was enough for me! LOL). I'm back again on Sunday to run the 5k.

So, what are my goals?

Well, my original thought was to run a 4:30/km pace and try to get in around 22:30 which would set me up nicely for my half marathon goal at Milton/STWM, but after only one session where I ran 1.5 miles at that pace (broken up) and an abortive attempt yesterday, I think I'm simply going to run my ass off and try to PB (sub 24:37).

Last year I came in 6th in my age group. It would be AMAZING to get into a higher position, but I really can't control that. The speedsters may be out in force. Instead I'll focus on running a 5k the way you're supposed to: All out, kicking the whole time and feeling that exhilaration when you feel like death at the end

I plan to do at least 3km of warm up before the race and line up right at the start line. Last year I hung back just a bit and it was a mistake as I had to jockey and weave and dammit, I'm going to be a speedster this year! I also know about the slight uphill after 4k (which is a downhill in the first KM) so I will use that to my advantage. I'm scared and excited about just going for it. I may even.... only display the KMs on my Garmin.

CRAZY!

See you all on the flip side!

Mississauga Marathon Goals!

The bib numbers have been posted and so it is time to post my goals for this race on Sunday! If you've been paying attention, the time goals will not be surprising.

Beyond time goals though, I have my ultimate goal. One that I've learned to strive toward and have met with increased success the more races I've run and so, my 

ULTIMATE GOAL:

Finish the race smiling and cheering, knowing that I could not have run a better race on that day at that time, regardless of what the clock says.

And while all of that is nice and all, I'm driven by those time goals as well. And so, here they are:

A GOAL:

3:55:00 

This goal was born when I had such success at Chilly running the half marathon there. Then training kept going really well. Suddenly, it made sense to go for it!

B GOAL:

4:00:00

This was the goal when I started my training on December 31st. It would also mean a 5m12s PB.

C GOAL:

sub 4:05:12

Go for that PB!

and, as always, 

D GOAL:

Not to crap my pants, literally.

Something that could (but WILL NOT) happen.

 If you're running in Toronto, all the best to you! If you're running Mississauga on Sunday, say "HI" if you see me!

I'll be wearing bib #515

(have I ever mentioned that 5 is my favorite number?)

Around the Bay Race Goals!

Much like last year the goal for the 2013 Around the Bay race is to run it as a Long Slow Distance run. Wayne, Colin, Phil and I are going to start together and aim for a 5:55-6:00/km pace and enjoy ourselves along the way.

I do feel that if the day is going well, and I'm within the target to get a PB at sub 2:59:51 after the hill at Valley Inn, I will go for it for sure. That part of the race is all downhill to Copps and I really had a blast passing by people along the way last year as well.

Other goals include tweeting, Facebook updating and generally having a great time on this catered training run. For those who haven't seen this yet, check out the elevation map my friend shared on her facebook. It is hilarious!

I'll be bib number 6235 and I'll be in the open corral at the start!

Good luck to everyone running this event and remember to have fun with it.

Chillly Half Marathon Race Goals!

Yes, it is that time once again! The first Spring race of 2013 is here and I'm ready to run it and (finally) go get the PB that I've been trying to get for two half marathon races now.

While old man Winter may try to wreak havoc on my plans, I'm still going to go out there and go for it. After all, last year I had a most amazing race which brought me the PB that I still hold to this day.

So, without further ado:

A+: Sub 1:55:00

A: 1:55:00

B: Sub 1:57:10 (my current PB)

C: Sub 2hrs

D: Not to crap my pants, literally

My plan is to go out with the 1:55:00 pacer and stick with them for at least the first 10k (There will be a 1:55:00 pacer, right?!?!), after 10k I will see how I'm feeling and let it rip if I'm feeling good or hang on for dear life if I'm not.

Bib is 1858

See you on the other side!

Robbie Burns Race Goals

Ock-Aiee!

Tis time once again to lace up the shoon, dig out the bunnet and pull on the wee kiltie!

Robbie Burns race, 2012

It's Robbie Burns Race weekend!

My original plan for this race was to go out hard and try to run it at 5k race pace. This goal was planted in my head in the fall when I could easily hold that pace (5:00/km) for 3 out of 5 miles on a treadmill.

Fast forward through the off season (and serious lack of tempo/speed running) and reality has had me re-evaluate that goal.

As such, I'm going to race this sucker for a PB still, but aim for a test of my goal half marathon pace for Chilly (5:27/km).

Thus, my goal for the race in terms of time is

43:36

(or better, ah-hem).

My other goals include having FUN and enjoying getting to know Emma more as I pick her up and we head to the race together. At least this year the winter tights plus real Scottish socks won't be too warm.

If you see that crazy lady on Sunday, say Hi! I may not answer due to effort, but I'll take all the support I can.

Whee! Race Season has begun!

Hamilton Half Marathon Race Goals

Well, this Sunday I will run my second half marathon at the Road 2 Hope Hamilton Marathon. However my goals are a bit different for this race.

I will be pacing my stranger virtual friend, Ali as she runs her very first half marathon. I've "known" Ali for about a year or so and "met" her on Daily Mile. Then I started reading her blog and knew that I had found someone who I could like for real. She is open, honest and funny and tries her best not to miss a weekday update about her running, or baking or son or just life. Plus, she always has a smile and thumbs up for almost any occasion!

Ali Mc. Thumbs up and smiling all the time!

I volunteered to be her personal pacer after she worried that she would go out too fast and crash and burn during the race. When she said that her goal was 2:15, I knew that I could help her achieve that goal and that I'd have a great time doing so. So my goals have nothing to do with time for this race.

My goals (in no particular order)

• Be a respectful partner. This is not MY race. It is Ali's race. I intend to listen to her and take her seriously. Of course, I do follow her training via her blog and on DailyMile, so I have a certain expectation of what she is capable of, but this is one day and anything can happen.

• Keep on the slower pace. At least for the first half (the exception will be the Red Hill Valley Expressway). Don't tell Ali, but I'm a wee bit worried about this. 

• Be positive. Easy peasy. I love to run and I love when others love to run. Done.

• Be a cheerleader when needed. Be a hardass coach when needed. There will be lots of thumbs up, positive re-enforcement and cheering. If needed, there will also be some hard talk. Especially at the last bit.

• #runnerd out for every photo opp that I notice.

• Get major cheers for this first-timer whenever I can.

• Cross the finish line after Ali.

• Get Ali across the line in 2:15 or better.

I'm ready and (whether she knows it or not), so is Ali.

I'm bib #2647, Ali is bib #3523

Cheer us on if you see us!

See you after the finish!

Niagara Falls Half Marathon Goals

Well, the time is here! On Sunday I will run my second "A" half marathon of the year. I had originally signed up to run Niagara as a fun run with my friend Julie who has been recovering from surgery most of the year, but wanted to go for a PB at around 1:56ish. Then Julie tripped while running and broke her foot! :-(  Needless to say, she is not running this weekend (but her cast is off and she's on the mend). Around the same time, I convinced my neighbour Bridgett to sign up to run her first half marathon. I figured I'd run with her instead. Then, my first "A" half marathon happened and I fell apart and I decided to make this race my goal race. Bridgett? Something tells me she will cross the line before me.

Goals:

A+: Sub 1:55:00
A: 1:55:00
B: Sub 1:57:10 (my current PB)
C: Sub 2hrs
D: Not to crap my pants, literally

So, I actually have a plan which I've thought out to utilize Bridgett's ability to increase her pace as we get closer and closer to the end of a run. First, take a look at the elevation map of this race:

Pretty freaking sweet, eh?

So, the plan. I'm going to start at a 1:55 pace (5:27/km) and keep Bridgett there as well (this is why she's running with me, so that she doesn't go out too fast and die at the end). Around 11-12km, if we're feeling good I'm going to slowly begin to decrease the pace, but smartly. The plan is to never run faster then 5:20/km at this time. At 16-17km the downhill starts and that is when I'm going to let it fly. I fully expect Bridgett to leave my here. She is seriously fast and if she is able to shut off her brain, she should smoke her first half marathon. 20-21k is a flat, but hopefully it'll be full of spectators (including my friend Jenn and her mum!), and my goal is to bust out and run as fast as I can, crossing the line with my A+ goal firmly in hand.

Bib# is 1663.

See you on the other side of the finish line.

Milton Half Marathon Race Goals

YAY! It is here! This Sunday I will run my fourth half marathon and run it in MY town, Milton, Ontario!

I have been working toward a PB for this race, assuming I'd attempt to run it in 1:55:00 for a nice, strong PB over the Chilly Half Marathon which I ran in early March, and finished in 1:57:10.

Then on Wednesday, I had coffee with Robin

(digression - Robin and I work for the same company! Normally, this wouldn't be a huge deal because our company employs over 40,000 people in Canada, but in one of those small world moments, we work in the same building, five floors apart!)

And Robin began to ask me why I wouldn't try for a better result.

 "What's holding you back?"
 "A half is the perfect time to experiment; you'd never go full out in a marathon"
"If you start fast and fade, you'll likely still end up faster then that 1:55 goal"
"Listen, you can run faster then me and I have a 1:53 half marathon"

She gave me lots to think about. The thing is, I have my year end softball tournament this weekend, starting tonight with one game. We play again at on Saturday at 9am. If we keep winning, we could end up playing three games in total on Saturday. Obviously this doesn't make for the best pre-race conditions.

But....

You miss 100% of the shots you never take

- Wayne Gretzky 

And then I got my bib:

Well, if that is not a sure sign, I don't know what is.

So, on Sunday instead of lining up with the 1:55:00 pacer, I'll be lining up with the 1:50:00 pacer for the A goal:

1:50:00

B goal: Sub 1:55:00

C goal: 1:55:XX

D goal: Not to crap my pants

See you on the course on Sunday!

MidSummer Night's Run 30k Race Goals!

Tomorrow, I will run my very first Midsummer Night's Run 30k race! I'm so excited as I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in Theatre Theory and Criticism (and a minor in Film & TV Theory/Criticism), so this run is right up my ally. Plus, the Bard's Midsummer Night's Dream is one of the best of his cannon; a fun, sexually charged romp with fantasy, frolic and love (of course, as it is a comedy).

I had originally thought I would attempt a 5:40 pace per KM for this run, but have decided against that plan.

I want to have fun on this race.

The race starts at 5:30pm and the longest distance I've ever run at that time was 16k and I was very sick afterward.

I won't be able to nap or rest during the day on Saturday as my husband has to work (although my parents are coming to help with the kids!)

I want to run with DailyMile friends.

I want to run with a pacer.

And so, my goal for the MidSummer Night's 30k Run is:

3:00:00

That's a 6:00/km pace and should be easy for me! I'm planning on bringing 3 gels and a pack of chomps and eating a bagel with peanut butter around 3-3:30 to mimic what I'd normally do in a morning race. I will also run with water (belt or handheld TBD) and take advantage of the water stops. If I feel crappy, I'll go slower. If I feel amazing, I'll go faster. The plan is to stick with the pacer through 20k at the very least.

I can't wait to run this race for the first time! If you see me, please say "Hi!" I'll be starting with the 3-hour pacer.

Good luck to all and HAVE FUN!

Bread & Honey 5k Race Goals

I really had debated running in the Bread & Honey races this year, but made a decision to do so because I love the route and I have such fond memories of the Bread & Honey festival. I danced in the parade for many years as I took lessons in Streetsville from ages 3-18 and I enjoyed going to the midway as a teen as well.

My current 5k PB came last year at the Energizer 5k night race and is 26:50.

I have not trained for speed at all as my focus this winter has been on the marathon.

I have run two test runs in the past two weeks, a five km run with KM 2 at 4:43 and KM 3 at 5:07. I did a treadmill run this week with 15 minutes at 5:06/km pace. McMillan says (based on my marathon time), that I can run 3 miles in 24:15.

And so, my goals:

A+: 25:00*

A: PB at sub 26:50*

B: Not to crap my pants


*both goals depend on weather; Sunday's forecast is 60% POP with Thundershowers, 18C and 15 KM/hr winds.

I still have to decide if I'm going to pace based on my garmin, or just go by feel. If I'll look for a negative split or an even run. I guess all of that will be a game time decision. This will also be the first race where I warm up prior. How long should I warm up for?

Of course I'll be back to tell you all about it! I hope you enjoy your weekend!