Forest City Road Races 5k Race Recap

The Forest City Road Race is my must-do race, the one I just can't miss.  I must admit that I have only ran two so far, but they won't be the only ones - I will run this one every year as long as I can.  

Part of the reason it is so special is because in 2012 it was the first race my daughter and I had ever run (we caught the racing bug because of it!), and also because it is so well organized and the volunteers are amazing!!  All along the course the volunteers are there clapping and cheering you on; they keep you motivated and have such energy, it just seems to give you more energy to run faster.  

My daughter and I were excited to run this year's 5k race again (next year I'm aiming for the 10k!!).  I had my hubby drive us and he was supposed to drop us off close to the starting area so I didn't have to worry about parking.  Unfortunately he took a wrong turn and we got stuck in traffic that had stopped for the half-marathon group to run through.  With only 10 min until the start of the 5k, my daughter and I knew we'd never make it in the car, so we got out and ran/speedwalked to the starting area.  We were still a couple blocks away when we heard the starting gun go off.  Talk about disappointed!!  We kept on going, and got to the starting line and saw that they were tearing it down.  Looking around, I found a race official and asked if we could still go.  He just said he needed to take a picture of our race bibs and then we could go.  So, five minutes after the starting gun went off, we crossed the imaginary start line.

Our view of the field of runners after our late start.

Needless to say, we were already tired from the run to the start line (I calculated it later and it was about 2km that we had to run to get there), and to top it off, we  couldn't see anyone else who was in the race.  

It felt pretty bleak, and our motivation was low, but soon we saw a few of the walkers in the race up ahead.  My daughter would pick out a person, and that was our goal to pass that person.  We were NOT going to finish last!!  

Getting close to the end, we had already passed a few runners
Photo credit: www.zoomphoto.ca

So after passing each person, we'd set another person as a goal and try to pass them.  It worked, it gave us small goals to move forward and we slowly kept passing people.  I had planned to set a PR this race, but I don't think I did.  For one, all we had for a time was the gun time (our chip on our bib wasn't activated because we were so late) so I don't know how we did, and we had already tired ourselves out running the 2km before the race and stressing out about not getting there fast enough.  

Almost at the finish line.
Photo credit: www.zoomphoto.ca

Setting a PR doesn't matter, just being able to get to the starting line and running the race AND finishing it is what matters. Plus, my daughter and I did it together, motivating each other and sticking together.  Well, we stayed together until the home stretch where she made her dash like she always does.

Love this pic
Photo credit: www.zoomphoto.ca

We got our medals and felt great!  Tired, but great.  

We almost did 10k, I think we can do that next year.  That's the goal!

After the race and with our finishers' medals - we did it!

My shoes, bling and bib. 

Gearing up for my first race of the year

Crossing the finish line at my first race, April 2013

Spring will soon be here (oh man, I sure hope so because this winter has been brutal) because it is time to sign up for my favourite local race.  The race is in April, and it's my fave because it was the first one I ran, and it was on the first anniversary of my mom's passing - I ran it in memory of her.    I honestly thought I'd run the race and that would be it, well, I was warned by others that I would be hooked and I am!  I ran a few others last year, but I must say there is nothing like your first love - lol.  

So, today I signed my youngest daughter and myself up for the race.  It's official, we are going, and I plan on smashing my time from last year, so I had better get training!!

Speaking of training, I won a free month of online training from Kelly's Fit Lifestyle and after a full week, I have DOMS everywhere and I have lost over 6lbs :)  Yay!    She is pushing me to do exercises that are good for me, but if left to myself, I probably wouldn't do. After my first week check-in, she changed my macros and I am all set for another week.  I'll keep you all updated! 

Love lifting <3

My First Color Run

THE COLOR RUN

My daughters and I recently did The Color Run, the "happiest 5k on the planet".   We had been looking forward to this race (my oldest daughter's first race) since we saw that it was coming to Canada.  

I thought it was going to be a large race, but I was surprised to find out there were 7000 people there!!  That's a lot of people in one small space!
We were lucky enough to be the second wave of runners to start the race.  I am not sure how many waves there were, but I think quite a few.

At the starting line

There were runners and walkers and even children.  Lots of people dressed up (seeing guys in tutus was pretty funny) and it was a very festive atmosphere.
It wasn't a timed race, so it was a more relaxed feeling.  We walked the race because my oldest daughter is not a runner, and we were there to get covered in colour, not to beat a time :)

BEFORE..

BEFORE  and....

AFTER

Some advice if you're thinking of running a colour run, put your phone or camera in a zip-up plastic bag.  You can still take pictures with it (although not as clear) and it will be protected from all of the dust. And there is a lot of dust, and it gets everywhere!! :)

Am I colourful enough?

We had a good time, and that is exactly what the colour run is all about.  If they come to our city next year, I think we'll be back for another run!! 

After the pink station and the blue station.

 

A very colourful finish line

My oldest daughter and I. She has asthma, so wore something over her nose
when we were being sprayed with colour

Two thumbs-up from my youngest

At the finish line everyone had a packet of coloured
powder and they were throwing it everywhere.

I was slightly dirty after. The green was
hard to get off

We were a tad colourful ;)

The colourful mess after the race 

Summer Night 5k Race Recap

My fourth race this year (my fourth race ever) was the Barking Frog Summer Night 5k.  I was looking forward to this evening race all summer, but as it got closer to the date, the summer heat and humidity kept climbing.  I am a new runner, and running in the heat is a struggle.

The heat and humidity made the run very very hard, and the thunderstorms
happened as I crossed the finish line.

So excited to use my "new" Garmin during the race.

I recently got a "new to me" Garmin just days before the race, and was excited to try it out during the race.
I love gadgets, and it's just one more toy to use when I track my runs :)

All ready to go!

The whole race was a struggle for me.  I was hot and sweating even before the race started - it was that hot and humid out.  I did a lot more walking during the race than I have ever done in a race, but I went with how I felt and figured it was better to finish the race on my own two feet than to be carried out on a stretcher (someone did leave via ambulance I was told later). 

As I was running the last half kilometer, I could hear the thunder booming behind me (good motivation to keep moving faster).  I was lucky that it started to rain only as I was coming up to the finish line (you can see rain drops in the pictures if you look closer enough).  Right after my finish ( I can say I was not last, I was slow, but not the slowest), the heavens opened up and there was a giant downpour and lightning.  My family and I had blocks to run to get to our car.  We made it safely, but totally drenched (which felt awesome after running in that heat).

Crossing the finish line.

My next race is in August, and it is the Colour Run.  I am so excited!!  I have never done a colour run (or anything like it), so I am not sure what to expect.  It should be fun, both of my daughters are doing the run with me - both the runner daughter and the non-runner daughter :) :)

I'll be sure to blog about it!!

The clouds opened up just as I was crossing the finish line.
Raindrops are actually visible in the picture.

My daughter crossing the finish line!

SMGH Run for Health 5k Race Recap

This past Sunday was my third 5k race, and my first race in the heat.  My first two races were much, much cooler and I really noticed the difference.  Unfortunately I didn't beat my time from my last race (which was my goal), but I did finish. 

 My daughter ran with me, and she hadn't been feeling 100% for the couple of days leading up to the race, and the heat took a toll on her too.  A couple of times she looked like she wouldn't finish, but when I asked if she wanted to quit she said she wasn't a quitter!!  

My daughter crossing the finish line

Coming up to the finish line.

 The race was a small local race to raise funds for the local hospital.  There were a good number of runners for the 3k, 5k and 10k races.  The only complaint that I had was that we had to run on the road with the traffic with NO signs warning cars that there was a race and to watch out for runners.   A few times, my daughter and I had to get off of the road because we weren't sure if the oncoming car was going to get over and give us room.  Kinda scary!
Hopefully if they hold the race again next year, they'll have it a little better planned!!

Second Race, a New PR and "Pardon My Streaking!!"

I guess I am now officially addicted to races.  I just ran my second 5k race this past weekend, and have another 5k race in 2 weeks :)  Plus, I am looking at others close by that my daughter and I can run. 

This run was to raise money for Ronald McDonald House in Ontario, so it was also for a good cause.  Luckily the day was sunny but cooler (no heat and humidity - yay!), and I am hoping we'll luck out and have cooler weather for the next race too.

My daughter coming up to the finish line.

I am not a fast runner, and I never will be, but I am happy to report that I beat my time from my last 5k race.    My last race was 45:29 and I finished this race with a time of 42:54.  I am hoping to finish my next race just a little faster :) :)  Always pushing!!

Me heading to the finish line.

 RUNNING STREAK

I've decided that I will be streaking this summer!!  Don't worry, it's not what it sounds, it's a challenge from Runner's World that has challengers running a mile a day from May 27th to July 4th and using the hashtag #rwrunstreak.  If you'd like to follow me, I am posting on my Twitter and on my Instagram (links to the right of the page). 

Only 6 days.......

I can't believe it, only 6 days left until I run my first 5k race.  I am so totally excited, but terrified at the same time.  Knowing that I can't run the full distance, and I'll have to run/walk, I am worried that I will make a fool of myself.
I have been training, but the weather has been off and on (it snowed yesterday!!) and I just don't feel like I get as good of a training session on the dreadmill.
Today was cool but sunny, so I took two of the dogs (Lola and Lily) and my two daughters, and went for a training run at the local conservation area.

My newest running partner, Lily. She loves the outings!

My daughters and my dogs ;)

I felt better about the upcoming race after my run.  I will not be the fastest (likely the last to cross the finish line), but I am doing it and therefore beating everyone who doesn't even try.

Countdown is on....only 21 days until race day!

 I can't believe that it is coming so fast!! My first 5k road race is only 21 days way - yikes!!!  
The weather hasn't been cooperating for most of my training, and I've had to do most of it inside on the "dreadmill" which I don't like.  For the past week, there have been a few more days where I can get out and do some training outside :)  Yay!

My workout partner today, Lola.  She had fun, but did try to trip me a couple of times :(

 

today's workout (5k +)

I can't run the full distance yet, but I can run 1km, then I alternate running and walking until I have gone the full 5k.  I am hoping that I will get a little faster or build a little more endurance and be able to run the whole distance - even if it is very slow.  

Any suggestions on how to increase my endurance??

Wish me luck :) and good weather. 

Busy Month & Training Update

I have been bad for not blogging much in March, it just seems that I couldn't find the time for anything.  I have been swamped with work, finishing an on-line course I was taking, picking up some extra hours at a part-time second job, putting together new fitness classes for work, working out daily with my weights, and training for my 5k race.


Slowly but surely I am getting ready for the 5k.  I hate running on the treadmill, but this winter weather just won't let go so I have been stuck training inside on the "dreadmill" for most of my runs.


I did manage to get one walk/run outside with my training partner, Lola, but it was so bitterly windy and cold and incredibly muddy.
It snowed this morning, but it is supposed to be clearer the rest of the week, and the temperatures are to be above freezing too.  Things are looking up!!  Let's hope the wind stays down and the sun shines more, and then Lola and I can get out and train more!

Lola enjoying her walk/run