Month: October 2014

Thirty Day BootCamp Monthly Challenge

/ Anna @ Piper's Run / 7 Comments

Since I’m not training for a race in November or December I want to start some other workouts. Workouts that I can do at home while the girls sleep or that I could do during my lunch break. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll still be running but I’m ready for a little change.

Some of my November workouts will be from this challenge. I’d love to do the whole challenge but I don’t always have success with monthly challenges.

My Goal – complete one full week of this challenge.

Jodi Higgs Boot Camp Challenge:

Jodi Higgis Nov 2014 Challenge

Please note: Jodi Higgs created this workout challenge, not me. You can follow her on FACEBOOK and find more of her workouts there! She’s got some awesome monthly challenges.

What in-home workouts do you do?

Have you ever tried one of Jodi’s workouts before?

What do your November workouts look like?

Runalicious Winner & Physiotherapy

/ Anna @ Piper's Run / 13 Comments

First off, it feels so good to have my runner’s confessions off my chest and hearing some of yours Thanks for sharing.

Second, a BIG thanks to everyone who entered the Runalicious T-Shirt Contest, I loved all the slogans 🙂 The fine folks at Runalicious have chosen a WINNER!!!

runalicious logo

“Because I Can”

and the winner is

Congrats Tera M!

Keep an eye out on the blog for the upcoming print pictures soon 🙂

Third – I may have made my physiotherapist laugh out loud at 8 am yesterday morning.

IMG_20141028_192026_edit

Yes, I’m back in Physiotherapy. Last winter I was having SI joint problems and was in PT for about 3 months and it got better. I started running ALL THE TIME and my back got a lot better. I had no problems until a few weeks before my HALF Marathon, I took one little step in my kitchen (flat surface) and BAM! That dam shooting pain in my back can back. I may have cried like a baby…..this happened just before my half marathon and I was worried I couldn’t run.

The good news: it doesn’t hurt when I run.

The pain has been there for almost 2 months now, s-l-o-w-l-y getting better. Since I have an awesome Doctor, she sent me for x-rays, massage therapy and physiotherapy to get it all worked out.

The bad news: turns out, I have degenerative osteoarthritis in both my right and left  SI joints. Your left is worse but mild she said. Umm, I’m 34 years old and I have what? Also, apparently it can be common after multiple pregnancies. Well, that’s just great.

Remember this……(if you are new you might not know I wore these fancy braces while pregnant)

Don't be jealous

Rocking KT Tape and a Maternity Brace!

Treatment – nothing. Keep being active, keep running, keep working out and if it flairs up take some meds if you feel you need to. Oh, and back to Physiotherapy.

So, yesterday morning was my first visit back and I had my purple PRO Compression socks under my pants. My legs were a little tired from two days of running (10k, 5k) so wearing my compression socks was just part of my normal running routine to aid in recovery. And, I really just love wearing my compression socks.

Anyway……..She wanted to see my feet/legs and how I walked etc. As I pulled up my pant leg to my knee she burst out laughing! “I wasn’t expecting that” she said with a few more giggles. Mind you, it was 8 AM when we met. “Are those compression socks?”… Yes I replied. “Those are sweet, I love the colour”. Me too, I  said, me too 🙂 Then we talked about compression socks for a while and I left with a happy SI joint.

Now I must go be a good patient and do my special exercises 🙂 Maybe next week I’ll wear my fancy compression socks, HA!

Do you go to Physiotherapy?

SI joint suggestions? 

Do you wear your compression socks to work?

 

Runner’s Confessions #1

/ Anna @ Piper's Run / 35 Comments

I miss my long runs! 

There I said it….oh….it’s like letting out your pants after eating Thanksgiving dinner… feels…so…good. That feels so good to actually say it…well, write it down.

Post Run Marathon Confessions

I miss my long runs…the time to run slow and steady, time to think about a LOT of stuff, time to play the mental game of how far to run, when should I walk and when to take my GU’s. I miss running with my running buddy, Krystol (who just rocked her 2nd half marathon 1:59:53) and the few broken conversations we can fit in when not struggling through the run.

I also miss my post run morning stretches with my girls.

Yoga/Stretching post long run :)

Yoga/Stretching post long run 🙂

I know I will be running more half marathons next year, as I totally got bit by that bug.

One more confession: I may have bought enough deodorant to last the next year. Thanks Costco.

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Since I ran the BLT 5k Saturday morning my Sunday Runday was wide open. The girls and I drove back from Halifax so Lilly to go to soccer. Once we got home from that I had it in my head that I would do a “long run” on the treadmill that night. Somehow, both girls got the message loud and clear and went to bed with no problems! Miracle, I say!

At 7:40 I hopped on the treadmill planning to run between 6-9 km…and I managed 10k. A long run. It felt good. REALLY GOOD. My legs were tired but my mind was clear. It was just what I needed. I am hoping to continue my long runs of 8 – 15km over the next two months.

I’m just not ready to give them up.

Last chance to enter the Runalicious contest – ends tonight at midnight!

What’s your running confession?

Have you ever bought THAT much deodorant at once?

Have you started planning or registering for your 2015 races/events?

 

BLT 5k Recap

/ Anna @ Piper's Run / 11 Comments

My last official “race” of the year has happened! I would like to run 1-2 more 5k’s but I’ve yet to register or commit 100%.

Saturday morning was the BLT 5K (Beechville – Lakeside – Timberlea) put on by the Timberlea Tundra Pounder’s founder, Courtney! She blogs at Runner Girl. Let’s just say, she thought of everything and put on a successful event!

Pre Race:

BLT 5k run flag

It rained on the way to the run.

As I drove the 3 minutes from my parents place to my old school (yes, I actually attended this Elementary school when I was in Grade 6), I noticed the signs that we hand crafted. Nice touch! Then I parked at the school and took a moment to watch the Canadian flag flap around in the wind at half mast. Eventually I went inside the school where is was super warm and got my race kit… a personalized race kit.

“It may be hard now but someday this will be your warm up”

Cute, eh!

Cute, eh!

When I got my race kit, I was able to meet some runners/bloggers that I’ve been following and connecting with at recent events. I got to meet Heidi from Idle Hide.

heidi and anna

Heidi and I.

Race:

I ran most of the race with my long time friend Tracey. It was nice to run together and catch up. We both wore our Red/White Maritime Race Weekend shirt as we wanted to #raceredandwhite this weekend.

anna and tracey blt run 2014

Me and Tracey

I had no goals for this race other than to do it and have fun. We went out really fast and then let up a bit. It was nice to run on the trail which recently had four days of rain on it. The trail was in great condition but I sure was dreading that hill at the end.

I’m finally starting to trust my training but more specifically my hill training. I dread running up those hills but am always surprised after reaching the top of them how strong I am now. Must keep that in mind over the next  few cold months.

I wasn’t sure if I’d get a PB and actually couldn’t remember what my 5k PB was until after the race. No PB for me but it was a great run under 28 minutes (27:46 on my Garmin).

Tracey and I post race

Tracey and I post race

Post Race:

I also got to meet Heather – super-duper Boston Marathon runner 🙂 Not only does she know my buddy Hal Higdon (she was in his book 4:09:43) she blogs over at Girl Goes Running. We’ve tried to meet up at other runs but it just never worked out until now. She is super friendly and passionate about running. It was great to finally chat with her.

Anna & Heather BLT Run

Heather (right) and I.

I also got to chat with Samantha. She ran her second full marathon at the Valley Harvest so it was nice to chat about that run and her experience with FULL marathons. It’s something I want to do someday but not sure quite when it will all line up for me; training wise.

Anna and Samantha BLT run

Samantha and I.

I hung around and ate too much cake with Heather, Samantha and a few others 😉 What a great event! Courtney did an awesome job, as did the volunteers. I look forward to more runs with the TTPer’s when I’m in town and their event next year 🙂

PR Medal Garmin

I came home to my girls out walking with “Grandad”. Lilly asked me “Did you win your race Mommy?” And I said, yes Lilly…I sure did 🙂 I don’t know if I’ll ever “win” a race but I will always win my race.

Last few days for the Runalicious contest/giveaway (Canada Only).

Anyone run the BLT 5k ?

Do you meet up with other bloggers at races?

Anyone race this weekend?