What I Wear Wednesday {Fall Runner’s Edition}

September 30, 2015September 29, 2015 / Anna @ Piper's Run / 19 Comments

Fall sure has arrived in Nova Scotia and the short-shorts and tanks are now being covered in layers of long sleeves. Debates of how cold it really is outside runs through my head as the leaves are starting to turn colours. Cold weather doesn’t stop us from running but it sure changes what you wear on your runs!

Our daughter who is learning about seasons in school would say that it’s “autumn” not “fall”. She’s very proud of what she’s learning in school even if her father calls it “autumn” and I call it “fall”. So for her sake, autumn running looks a little like this for me lately:

Do I wear shorts and compression socks, long-sleeved shirts or sleeves with a t-shirt? I’ve done both! Not quiet ready to give up my short-shorts just yet and I love my compression socks on a long run. I don’t like when my arms get cold so I usually run in a tank with a long sleeve shirt over top. I can take it off at any time and tie it around my waist. I love when races have long sleeves as their “shirt”.

Do I wear capris and ankle socks or compression socks on my long run? Usually if I’m wearing capris, I wear ankle socks. I save my compression socks for when I wear shorts. However, I have been known to wear my compression socks with capris before – it’s quite the sight!

What reflective gear do I wear for the beginning of my early morning run vs the end of a night run? I usually start off my early morning runs with as much reflective gear as possible. Vest, arm or ankle straps and sometimes my clothing has reflection tape on it. I also use this when I go biking – a person as got to be seen!

Do you run with reflective gear on your footwear ?

I’ve been testing out these Reebok ZPump Fusion sneakers to run outside. They are easy to put on and pretty comfortable. I like how they mold to your feet as you pump them up. My daughters think it’s funny to release the air for me. For night-time running, I love how they have a large reflective strip on the back – again, a person needs to be seen!

Don’t worry, I always wear my trusty Garmin and Road ID – I never run without my Road I.D.

These are just a few of my fall…oops, I mean autumn running items I’ve been wearing lately.

Do you have seasonal clothing for running?

Are you loving the cooler temps?

Training Update for PEI Half Marathon

September 28, 2015September 27, 2015 / Anna @ Piper's Run / 14 Comments

Alright, I’m ready for this…well, as ready as I’m going to be with my most recent injuries. I finally managed a long run on the weekend without my foot taped and woke up the next day with no pain when I walked. I’m loosely using my last training plan to continue getting ready for my 21.1 run on Oct 18th.

If you are new to my blog, here is a quick update: After finishing week #10 of training {you can read that here}, I woke up with a sore foot. Had an x-ray – nothing broken so a took 5 days off running. Attempted a long run and massive pain again – had another x-ray – nothing broken but was told I sprained my foot. I missed my MRW Half Marathon due to this injury as was not a happy runner. I got my foot taped while at physio for my hamstring; physiotherapist thought it was my Cuboid bone. So, I’ve had my foot taped for the last few weeks and just started running last Thursday with no tape.

This is how the last week of “training” went…

What was Planning VS What Really Happened:

Monday: Rest Day – Ripped in 30 Level 3
Tuesday: Rest Day – Rest Day
Wednesday: 5k – 6k Outside
Thursday: 8k – 8k Treadmill Run
Friday: Rest Day – Nailed it!
Saturday: 12-14k Long Run – 15k Long Run
Sunday: Cross Training – Ripped in 30 Level 4. My arms were so wobbly after (for hours!).

Saturday’s long run was to run 12 – 14 k to test out my foot. Last minute I wrote my running buddy who was busy getting ready for her daughter’s 3rd birthday party and asked her if she wanted to do a long run together early in the morning. She said sure!

We met around 6:30 AM just as the sun was starting to lighten up the sky. The plan was to run out 7k and turn back. She was going to run a few extra kilometres after we finished the 12-14k. We ran out 7.5 km as there is a garbage bin at that location and we wanted to dump our GU packages there rather than carry them.

My legs felt great. I struggled a lot on the way back. My quads were really challenged. My hamstring was probably cold from me wearing short-shorts. We chatted a lot and every once in a while I’d say “I’m going to struggle here”, so we’d slow down. Mainly, that was on a hill or L-O-N-G incline. We walked and talked some more.

Have to admit – I’m pretty happy with my time/pace.

It was a hard run but a great run…just what I needed. My foot felt great during the run but a little off later that day. It was not painful or bad at all. Sunday, my foot felt great for most of the day. At this point, I just feel like I have a sore ankle (not cuboid bone) so I’m hoping to strengthen the muscles in my foot/around my foot over the next few weeks. Gotta get my wobble board out, oh I mean, take it away from the girls since they play on it!

And yes, later that afternoon we enjoyed birthday cake!

Total KM: 29

I’m feeling: Fairly content with my running this week. It was all about running pain-free.

Only TWO weeks until the Valley Harvest 10k (pacing 1:10 finish) and THREE WEEKS until PEI Half Marathon! I’m back to getting nervous!

How was your weekend?

Anyone run (training or race)?

What are you wearing these days on your runs?

Always Double Check Your Gym Bag

September 25, 2015September 25, 2015 / Anna @ Piper's Run / 9 Comments

It’s been one of those weeks! Wednesday I had planned to run during my lunch and even managed to pack my gear bag before I ate breakfast….priorities, right. Ha ha. If I didn’t pack it before I left my bedroom, I would have probably forgotten to do so. I even told my husband the night before, don’t let me forget to pack my running gear.

Most of my running gear was ready to go in my bag. I guess I tend to leave a “set of clothing” in the bag and I already had my pink Asics ready to go. I even had my Garmin and Road ID. It was going be great…I’d get my “runch” in after a morning meeting and before my afternoon conference call. When I arrived back at my office around noon, I slowly pulled out my running clothing and started to make my way to the bathroom to change. Well, it seems I was missing something.

I left my sports bra behind! SHIT!!!!!!!! Seriously, how did I miss that one! Now, my sister jokingly said on my Facebook page – you should have used duck tape. Honestly, the thought crossed my mind. I had two running tanks and could have taped up the girls with one of those. That thought lasted a millisecond.

More Running……

It’s been a busy work week but Sai was home for a few days which made everything better…easy. I came home to dinner made one day and all the laundry washed and folded! Wednesday night, I was able to get out for a little 6k run with my foot taped. The tape didn’t feel great so I took it off after my run. Time to run tape free and test out the foot.

Arm sleeves and capris – brrr, it’s getting cooler!

Last night I was planning to run but wasn’t fully committed. Once we got the girls to bed, I decided that 8k was on tap. Really, I’m just following my training plan from my last cycle for two races in October (10k & Half). I kinda wanted to run outside but decided to run on the treadmill without my foot taped. I wanted to test it out and see how I can manage and be close to home in case shit hit the fan and I couldn’t walk at all.

I struggled with EVERY. SINGLE. KILOMETER! Every single one was hard. It started with a stitch on my left side that wouldn’t go away until I hit 4km. Then I had to walk, slow ~~the treadmill down~~ my pace down. I even questioned if I should be running anymore.

I finally finished the 8k just under the 60 minute mark, sat down on the treadmill and cried! I wasn’t crying because my foot was hurting, in fact my foot felt good and still does today. I don’t know why I cried – maybe just out of frustration, being tired and just wanting to feel normal…you know, not feel like my body is fighting me.

After I wiped away the tears I sat down with my husband and had a good chat. I was upset at how every kilometer was a struggle, it was HARD. Running was HARD again. I felt like I’ve lost all my half marathon training. I felt slow, I felt like the two races I have in October aren’t going to be what I wanted them to be. He reminded me that every run is not going to be a good run {and I know that} but this one just SUCKED!

Oct 11th, I’m pacing the 1:10 – 10k runners, which should be a lot of fun but I’m not running that race for myself. I’m running that race to get others to the finish line in an hour and ten minutes. I’m even contemplating running another 6-8k after that so I can get one more long run in before my half marathon.

Oct 18th {PEI Marathon}, I’m planning to run the half marathon but am going to wait and see how the next few weeks go. If my foot isn’t good, I’ll run the 10k. If I’m feeling good about what training I have behind me and my foot is good, then I’ll run my half marathon.

Any running is good running, right…. RIGHT, I must remember this. Injuries come and go and some just stay with you longer.

What I’m looking forward to this weekend: A LONG RUN, a 3 year-old’s birthday party and time with my family.

What are you up to this weekend?

When was the last time you forgot an important piece of running gear?

Any fall races lined up?

Stress Can Be Powerful

September 22, 2015September 22, 2015 / Anna @ Piper's Run / 9 Comments

It’s amazing how stress can take a toll on your body. It can shut you down completely or it can tick away at you slowly. I try to remain positive on this blog but stuff sure has taken a toll on me lately, maybe that’s why I keep getting injured when running. Or maybe I’m just unlucky this year….I say this year because next year’s going to be GREAT. {See what I did there, staying positive}.

The last few weeks have been slowly getting more stressful, whether that be because of work, kids, being a part-time single parent, NOT running, being injured, etc. This past weekend the stress just kind of hit me…you know…one of those knock you off your feet kind of blow to the body.

I literally felt the stress of everything take over my body this weekend. {Don’t worry, I’m okay and happy but I am feeling stressed}. This past weekend, the girls and I had nothing planned and it was fantastic…..or so I thought. I’m not getting much sleeping lately (thanks Fitbit for that tip) which makes me a cranky person. The girls are still young, don’t listen all the time, play with each other until they fight, have meltdowns for no reason and drive me nuts sometimes.

I thought going to the Zoo would be fun…so we did that Saturday and played outside. Sunday we made muffins, played outside riding their bikes and they hung out at our neighbours for an hour. I’m pretty sure she could see how exhausted and stressed I was. I’m pretty lucky to have such a great neighbour that the girls love to spend time with.

It was one of those weekends, the one where I live for 7 pm so I can put them to bed. The one where I think….I CAN run later tonight and I know I’ll feel better after that run. It was one of those weekends that you are not proud of yourself and apologies to your children – yeah, I did that!

Yesterday, I felt the stress just creeping through my body and slowly taking over any energy my body had left. However, I still had to make dinner, read to the girls and put them to bed before I could shut it down for the night. As I ate dinner my husband called and it was just what I needed. The voice, the silence of him listening, his responses made me feel better. In the end, he told me to go workout. Nothing better when your husband knows exactly what you need to relieve some stress.

Ripped in 30 Level 30 in my Maritime Race Weekend tank.

Also, I’ve stopped using my Fitbit a few days ago…I don’t need to know how much I’m sleeping/not sleeping, I don’t need to know how many steps I’m getting. I just need to know how I feel when I am stressed out and that running/working out is a huge stress reliever for me. I got in a great 10k run on the treadmill Saturday…that runners’ high felt pretty good after that!

I’ve also tried to enjoy the best moments of my day. Like when Hilary woke up at 11 something the other night and I had to rock her back to sleep. Rather then being annoyed as sometimes we parents can do, especially after just falling asleep only to be woken up again, I soaked it in. She’s almost 3 and those days of cuddles are slipping away. So, I rocked her a little longer, kissed her cheek a few more times and yes, rocked her a few more times before I decided I should really go to bed. Secretly, I loved it and it made me feel better.

Last night’s workout was just what I needed.

PS – Mom, I’m fine.

Ever feel “stress” take over your body?

What’s your #1 stress reliever?

Side note – I get my foot taped later today at physio so you bet I’ll be heading out for a run 🙂

Another side note – I wasn’t sure I wanted to post this at all but being on social media this morning, I decided why not…life is life. Plus……I’m feeling a little fearless today…. #261fearless to be exact 😉