Author: hoodieruns

MIA

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Sorry guys, I've been MIA lately. Its been a combination of crazy work demands, life hurdles and a lack of motivation to write about any of it. Last week was a breaking point… Plenty of tears but also incredible friends that had insightful, objective and heartfelt encouragement to help me. I sometimes forget that the only thing I really have any control over is myself. They were there with gentle reminders and hugs to pick me back up. Thank you friends.

My workouts have taken a hit over the last couple of weeks… No consistency. I had a great chat with KB on Saturday night that really helped remind me that doing consistent workouts will help me take on our monumental Boston Qualification goal. Thanks KB, sorry I was grumpy, but you did really help re-motivate me!

So, now that I'm back in the saddle so to speak, I got an 8M/13km run done on Sunday in the gorgeous sunshiny morning. Last night I did 60 minutes on Ginger. The saddle situation there is still an issue… Seriously ladies- what saddle is on your bike? Mine is killing me.

Tonight I've got soccer on my to do list. Might tack on a run to and from as it would only be an extra 20mins and it has gotten pretty mild here.

So there you go kids, I'm back and plugging away at my goals. I'm also still up to my crazy antics (see photos) so don't you worry!

Where are you at with your goals?

Early morning run!

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After Sunday’s sore leg and bum episode, I took yesterday off to recoup.  This morning, I told myself that I’d go out for an easy 10 minute run and see how I felt and make a decision from there. It was minus three degrees Celsius this morning when I started my run. Plus windchill. Very chilly! That cold air made my eyes water, my nose run and my feet fleet.  Nine minutes into my run, I’d already covered 1.6km and I continued to push the pace from there, covering another 3.2km in 16:55. By then I was warmed up and I dialed it back to a gentler pace to finish off the run (6.67km in total). Total time 36 minutes.  To recap: that’s a four minute improvement of time from Sunday’s run. My ass is officially unbroken!

Tonight I’ve got volleyball and soccer.  Busy night.

My ass. It’s broken.

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Thanks for nothing squats and lunges. I've got a pulled hammie and a sore knee, care of my broken assed hobble during my run last night. Oh, and, while the yelps have passed, it still hurts to climb stairs. I would've easily been caught if chased last night.

Completed 6.67km in 40-something mins.

To comfort myself tonight, I baked cookies but ate so much batter I have a tummy ache.

I'll be in the corner, pouting… With a sore bum.

Workout in but no run

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I'm in Toronto this week for a conference.

Gotta get the workouts in right? Right. Crucially I made the poor decision not to pack outdoor running gear. Why would I do such a silly thing? Well, my hotel has a gym. Perfect! Alarm goes at 6:30 this morning and off I go to the Fitness Centre!

Fitness Centre: It's an rinky dinky after thought, tucked way at the back of the building, next to service elevators and un-hotel-carpeted space. Hotel carpets are a psychedelic trip. Every single one of them. Where do they find these things?! Anyway, I made the safari trek through the labyrinth of halls to the “Fitness Centre”.   I opened the door and there is a small room, no windows, dim lights and five cardio machines. And a line up.

It feels like minus five degrees Celsius outside. Remember that crucially poor decision to not pack outdoor running gear?  Sh*t.

Alright, I'm a smart girl. I've got the power of the internet in a little plastic box in my hand. Surely I can still figure out how to break a sweat today. Check, check and check! 100 jumping jacks, 75 squats, 50 walking lunges, 50 mountain climbers, 10 pushups, a weak sauce 30 second plank and 20minutes later, I'm sweaty and jelly-legged. Add in my 10minute walk this morning and again home tonight, that's 40minutes of exercise. Hopefully there won't be a line-up at the Fitness Centre(!) tonight.

Yesterday, I didn't get a workout in but I did mess up Google and went on a wild goose chase, correction – lengthy walk – to go for din din and bevvies with @bigbrnz @Wardy_ and @keilhammer. I definitely ploughed through 2 pints, 1/3rd of a bottle of wine, and STEAK. Sooooo good. Even better company. It was also a very motivational evening, with a “I'm gonna workout tomorrow, you'd better get your ass out of bed and workout too” flavour to it. So I did. Despite roadblocks.
  

Last week… gone.

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Last week I was MIA.

Monday I was super tired from all the training the week before. Decided to take a rest day.
Tuesday and Wednesday I was sick, possibly with food poisoning. Five lbs lost in two days in probably the least pleasant of ways.
Thursday was soccer. Felt weak and my stomach was still sore.
Friday off day.
Saturday and Sunday was spent eating Thanksgiving bounty at my parents’ house. There was no working out. Just a light walk on Sunday.

So here it is Monday once again and did Hoodie get up and get her ass out the door for a run this morning? No. She elected to sleep until 7:45am.

Not only did I not get a run in this morning I also had the sad realization on my drive to work that I would miss all daylight and likely would have to run in the dark tonight. Late to work = late leaving work + needing to get groceries + put dinner on the table = late, dark workout.

There’s also the added dilemma of what to do with my training schedule? Do I skip last week altogether and proceed to week three OR do I do week two this week and not complete week 12?

I’m very unsure of what to do here. Any suggestions?

Rosy Cheeks!

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Just nicely in from a 35min shake down ride with Ginger. Learned a few things:
1. The saddle is still iffy. I'm very sorry lady parts.
2. 5 degrees Celsius means put warmer socks on or booties.
3. I have the neck and shoulder strength of my 93 year old great grandmother. Maybe not even that much. Plank meet Hoodie. Hoodie meet Plank.
4. Aerobars are the most scariest things ever and the most exhilarating.
5. I'm not too comfortable in the aero position at 46km/h.

I also did a 30min tempo run. I hit and held BQ pace for 12mins and then mentally wet the bed. Was supposed to make it to 15mins. Ah well. Next week I'll get there.

What is your weekend workout plan?

whirlwind

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Right now it seems as though life and work are super busy, a whirlwind if you will. Thankfully, running is doing a great job at keeping me sane. This week I’ve really cranked out the workouts. In fact I’m really impressed with me. I actually hauled my ass off the couch on Wednesday night at 10PM and got my work out done. Despite the cat attempting to keep me pinned to the couch. Below is my week summary of workouts.

Completed workouts:
Monday – missed workout.
Tuesday – hill repeats run and soccer
Wednesday – 5K run
Thursday – spin, strength and soccer
Friday – REST!
Planned workouts:
Saturday – tempo run
Sunday – 10K long run.
Other obsession consuming my attention lately is pinterest.
Head over here to see see my Friday funny: http://pinterest.com/pin/441176805/ 

*deep breath* I have some news

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This is a big deal. *deep breath* I have some news.

No, I’m not pregnant.

I’m going to run the Ottawa Marathon on Sunday 27 May, 2012 and I’m shooting for a Boston Qualifying time. 

Oh my god, I’ve said it. This is a big deal. KB and I are both committing to this goal. She and I are in the same age category and we both need to run absolutely no more than 3:35. That’s an hour and 10 minutes off my marathon time. (cue butterflies in my stomach and general feeling of nausea.)

The last few weeks have been a bit of a roller coaster for me and as a result, I’ve been running like a madwoman. About four or five days a week, you can find me pounding the pavement, trying desperately to hang on to my sanity.

Two weekends ago I ran 7K with SK and it slipped by so quickly. Last weekend I ran 8K back home in Goderich and wanted to go much further. I was afraid of being accused of trying to run from my demons (aka Mom would get worried about me and drive out to pick me up) so I cut it back. During the week I’m getting in at least two 5K runs, a bike ride on the trainer in the basement, and a 6.6K run. And I’m feeling amazing. So logically, my head turns to “I wonder what we are capable of?” Not to mention a friend, MC, ran his first marathon at Niagara Falls on the 23rd and said, “I’m super proud, but I want to do another one and do it faster.” Which is pretty much exactly what I said after mine. Yet another spark in the fire… Finally, I saw KB on Friday night. She and I chatted about a spring marathon and our parallel goals of ‘better’ and ‘faster’. So that, dear reader, is how I got to “I’m going to do another marathon and I’m going to qualify for Boston while doing it.”

“That’s great Hoodie,” you say, “spout off lots of big talk. Where’s the plan Hoodie? Where’s the PLAN?!?” Well, rest assured good friend. There is a plan and it started yesterday.

The Plan.
Starting yesterday I’m doing the Hal Higdon 12 Week Intermediate Speed Work prep. See below for the bang it started off with…

After the 12 Weeks of Hal, I’m moving on to 18 (more) Weeks of Hal. Again, an intermediate training program.

Status Update:
 Day one: failed to run 5K. I ate Halloween candy, sat on the couch, and gushed over this cuteness:

Day two: because of time constraints, swapped the scheduled workout with the Wednesday workout. Completed 4.3K and 3 x hill sprint repeats.
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To refresh your memory, or to learn about how the marathon went for me the first time, read marathon before 25 – complete.

Check out the pictures at marathon pics almost a month late.

There you go. That’s my big news. Hells yes bitches.

www.runottawa.com