11.8K Run

Today I ran 11.8K in 1hour and 35mins with the running group.  I had 14K scheduled but it started to rain, so I cut it short.  This is the route we took:
north Clarence
east Dufferin
north Wellington
east Pall Mall
north Maitland
west Huron
north Waterloo
west Epworth
north Meadow Down
west Mayfair
north Richmond
H20 Stop @ Ross Park
east Bike path in Park
stay on bike path thru Western
south The Parkway West Bikepath into Gibbons @ Huron
south Bike path into Harris Park
south Bike path into Forks of the Thames
east King to Club
This is my schedule for next week:

Monday: Cross Train

Tuesday: 10K Run

Wednesday: Rest Day

Thursday: 10K Run

Friday: Rest Day

Saturday: 6K

Sunday: 24K Run

5.95K Run

Today I ran 5.95K in 45mins.  Today was suppose to be a rest day since I raced yesterday, but it was much too nice out side not to run!

Downtown 5K

Yesterday was the Downtown 5K!

I ran it in 33:53.  I am really happy with this time as I was hoping for 34mins!  It was a really nice warm day. 

Race package!

Before the race!

Half way through the race!

Me finishing.  I end up passing those three ladies ahead of me!

Cross Train and 5.12K Run

On Monday I was able to get 4miles in on the stationary bike at the gym.  On Thursday I ran 5.12K with the running group in 38mins. We actually ran the route of the Downtown 5K race that was held today. 
 5.1K/3.2M
north Clarence
west Angel
north Richmond
east Central
south Waterloo
west King
north Clarence
west Angel
north Richmond
east Central
south Waterloo
west King to Club
My race recap to come soon!
Also, check out Running Diva Mom for two giveaways!  Honest Tea Giveaway and Knuckle Lights Giveaway!

21.66K Run

Today I ran 21.66K in 2hours and 50mins with the running group.  Since it was Around the Bay in Hamilton today, there were not may people in the group this morning.   I am happy to report though that two ladies from the Marathon Group won their age groups at Around the Bay!
This is the route we took:
west King
north bikepath
west Riverview
west Evergreen
Thru Tunnel
west Terry Fox PW
west Maurice Chapman PW
west Springbank Park road
south Boler
TA at Griffith
north Boler
Full loop of Park
east Springbank Park road above SBG
west Springbank Park road back toward Pumphouse at Hairpin
east Maurice Chapman PW
east Terry Fox PW back as you came to the Club
This is my schedule for next week:

Monday: Cross Train

Tuesday: 10K Run

Wednesday: Rest Day

Thursday: 5K Run

Friday: Downtown 5K Race

Saturday: Off

Sunday: 14K Run

9.72K Group Run and 5.49K Run

On Thursday I ran 9.72K with the running group in 1hour and 18mins.  It was snowing during the run, on the second day of Spring!  Today I ran 5.49K in 42mins.  It was pretty warm out today.  Tomorrow I have 22K on the schedule. 

Cross Train and Book Review

Tonight I completed 3.35miles on the bike at the gym in half hour.  My legs were feeling much better then I thought they were going to feel after my long run yesterday. 
I am only a week late but here is my review for A Life Without Limits: A World Champion's Journey by Chrissie Wellington

Synopsis:
In 2007, Chrissie Wellington shocked the triathlon world by winning the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii. As a newcomer to the sport and a complete unknown to the press, Chrissie's win shook up the sport. A LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS is the story of her rise to the top, a journey that has taken her around the world, from a childhood in England, to the mountains of Nepal, to the oceans of New Zealand, and the trails of Argentina, and first across the finish line.

Wellington's first-hand, inspiring story includes all the incredible challenges she has faced--from anorexia to near--drowning to training with a controversial coach. But to Wellington, the drama of the sports also presents an opportunity to use sports to improve people's lives.

A LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS reveals the heart behind Wellington's success, along with the diet, training and motivational techniques that keep her going through one of the world's most grueling events.

I wasn't sure how I was going to like reading another triathlon book, but I quite enjoyed reading this book.  I enjoyed hearing of her thoughts during training and races and how she overcomes the mental aspect of both.  I felt it was interesting how she kept referring to the poem "IF" by Rudyard Kipling. The funny thing is that the same day "IF" came up in the book, someone in my training group had posted the poem on our facebook page.

If

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;
If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son!

Rudyard Kipling

20.22K Run

Today I ran 20.22K in 2hours and 43mins with the running group.  I am very happy with this time as I think this sets me up well for achieving a time of 2hours and 45mins for the Forest City 1/2 Marathon in April.  This is the route we took:
west King
X Bridge
west Beecher
X Wharncliffe to the north
west Riverview
west Evergreen
Thru Tunnel
west Terry Fox PW
H20 Stop at Saturn Playground
west TFPW
Start and end Race Pace at Springbank Gardens
west Maurice Chapman PW
west Springbank Roadway
west upstairs at end of Park
north Boler
Turn around at Wayne Rd
Return to Club exactly as you come
This is my schedule for next week:

Monday: Cross Train

Tuesday: 10K Run

Wednesday: Rest Day

Thursday: 10K Run

Friday: Rest Day  

Saturday: 6K Run

Sunday: 22K Run

3.73Mile Treadmill Run, 9.3K Group Run and 5.96K Run

Earlier this week I received my Bib Stickers that I won from Running Diva Mom's blog.  I am excited to use them on my race bibs this year!

On Wednesday I ran 3.74Miles on the treadmill in 48mins.
Thursday I ran 9.3K with the running group in 1 hour and 12mins.  This is the route we took:
west King
x bridge
north bike path
west Riverview
west Evergreen
south thru Tunnel
west Terry Fox PW
Turn around at Springbank Gardens Building
Start Tempo at the Turn around point
east TFPW
east Road back to Filtration Plant
east TFPW
return to Club as you came
We had to modify the route slightly as there was some flooding near the river.
Today I ran 5.96K in 48mins.  Tomorrow I have 20K on the schedule.  Hopefully it does not snow over night.  I am sick of running in snow.

Week in Review

So I have been slacking on updating my blog this week, so here is what I have been up to!
On Wednesday I ran 3.74Miles on the treadmill in 48mins.  This was the first time I wore my new shoes.  I ended up with a blister afterwards.  This was a little bit of a concern as these Sauconys were the new model of my old ones.  I was willing to give them another shot as I this was my first run in them, on a treadmill and I had a blood blister on my little toe from my run the Sunday before. 
On Thursday I ran 11K in 1hour and 29mins with the running group.  This is the route we took:
west King
north Talbot
east St James
north St George
west Huron
north Sunset
west University (X bridge)
north Perth
east Windermere
south Richmond
west University
south Sunset
west Huron
south St George
west St James
south Talbot
east King to Club
I wore my new shoes on this run and my feet were okay.  No new blisters, a little sore as they were new, but I think they will be fine.  What I did notice after my run was that my new Nathan Fuel Belt had a hole in it.  I had only had it for one week and a hole developed.  Needless to say, I was not impressed.  I could tell, when I bought it, the quality of the product was not up to par with my old Nathan Fuel Belt.  I retuned this fuel belt Friday night and still need to find a replacement.  I am thinking of going to Mountain Equipment Coop.
On Saturday I ran 17.39K in 2hours and 21mins.  I was very happy with this time.  I had to move my long run to Saturday this week as we were heading to Owen Sound on Sunday for my Mom's 60th Surprise Birthday Party! 
This is my schedule for next week:

Monday: Cross Train

Tuesday: 10K Run

Wednesday: Rest Day

Thursday: 10K Run

Friday: Rest Day  

Saturday: 6K Run

Sunday: 20K Run

9.81K and 15.49K Runs

On Thursday I ran 9.81K in 1hour and 16mins with the running group.  It was a nice warm night for a run.  This is the route we took:
north Clarence
west Queen
south Ridout
west Commissioners
north Wharncliffe
east Riverside
east Dundas
south Clarence to Club
I also bought a new fuel belt that I tested out on my run. 

only mine has silver flasks

This morning I ran 15.49K in 1hour and 58mins with the running group. This is the route we took:
west King
west Riverview
west Evergreen
Thru Tunnel
west Terry Fox PW
west Maurice Chapman PW
west Springbank Park road
north North st in Park
east Springbank Park road above SBG
west Springbank Park road back toward Pumphouse at Hairpin
east Maurice Chapman PW
east Terry Fox PW as you came back to Club
We checked out a new Vegetarian and Vegan store this afternoon, The Meatless Market, and bought some Yves meatless meatballs for dinner tonight and some Vega Sport electrolyte hydrator.  The meatless meatballs were delicious.  I have been looking for some meatless meatballs for a while since the ones I used to buy were discontinued.
This is my schedule for next week:

Monday: Cross Train

Tuesday: 10K Run

Wednesday: Rest Day

Thursday: 10K Run

Friday: Rest Day  

Saturday: 6K Run

Sunday: 18K Run

Also, check out Running Diva Mom for a Flip Belt Giveaway and a Hands Turned On Tee Giveaway!