About Me

Run or Ride!?!

/ Anna @ Piper's Run / Leave a comment

We’ve been enjoying the beautiful weather we are currently having in Nova Scotia.

I’m trying to take advantage of the nice weather and get outside for as many runs as I can but also rides on my bike. Since I took my bike off is trainer (and won’t be putting it back on until fall), my only option for a ride is outdoors.

Yesterday, late afternoon I managed to get in my longest road ride of 33km done. The first half was a loop I’ve never done and was great. The second loop was horrible and I thought I was going to get hike my so many cars or ride off into the ditch. It was brutal and I’ll never take that road again. Not need to put myself in that situation again.

My girls have been loving getting out on their bikes in our subdivision and local trail over the last few months. Last year we took a ride into the next town and I’m hoping to convince them to do that again soon. It’s only 8k one way but I don’t know they’d be up for the return ride. We’ll see.

Below, I’m “blinded by the light” (of the sun) post ride! Also, one of our favourite songs to dance to in our house. We’ve also got in a few evening rides which are fun and a good way to get out of the house!

On Sunday which was my daughter’s 10th birthday, I managed to get in a faster 10k. Be it the cooler temps and overcast sky, running more consistently for the last three months or losing some weight recently…I ran faster by 4-5 minutes. Not going to lie, it felt great to push my pace and see 5:48/km at one point.

I’m hoping to run a half marathon at some point this summer but I need to work up to it. I don’t seem to have the fitness/body that can just go run a half marathon whenever I want to.

Our “Three Moms on the Run” team is just under 200km into 792km “Run Across Nova Scotia”. I’ve only completed 48km so I’ve got to get running more soon! Sure wishing I was on vacation 😊. So it’s a toss up these days, do I run or ride?

What’s your go to activity? Run or ride? (Or something else)

Are you having good sunshine weather or crappy rainy weather?

Last, are you done with Covid? (Like me)

I’m still running….across NS.

/ Anna @ Piper's Run / 8 Comments

I’m running across Nova Scotia over the 99 days but not by myself.

Two friends and I have teamed up to complete the 792km “Run Across Nova Scotia” together. We’ll each run 264km between June 1st and Sept 7th.

When I saw this virtual race pop up I thought…..wouldn’t that be fun and then immediately thought of … there is no way I could possibly do that distance by myself. Luckily, I have two friends that felt the same way and wanted to take on the challenge together.

We are “Three Moms on the Run” and are running 3-4 times a week each. Basically, whatever our schedules will allow for. Personally, I think I’ll be doing a lot of 5k’s mainly because that’s all the time I have.

I’d like to get back to some long runs again but I’m also loving riding my bike so it’s hard to choose which one I want to do more on the weekends.

This past weekend I ran 10k on the treadmill and it actually felt really good. Not all treadmill runs feel that way and I was occupied with watching Sweet Magnolias on Netflix. Sunday I wanted to run outside with no distance or route in mind. I’m pretty sure I pushed it too far as the last 3k or my 8k run, I was dying – see below!

I took a pack of Endurnace Tap along and gluzzled it around 4k since I knew at that point it was another 4k to return home. Still loving my Endurance Tap but wish I has brought some water with me as well for this run.

The first week of Run Across Nkva Scotia is done and I finished with 28/264km and our team is at 81.99/792km. I’d say that’s a pretty great start and week for Three Moms on the Run. We just need to find the time to get out together and do a social distancing run!!!!

As summer approaches and no races other than virtual, I’m thankful for race directors who are coming up with new and creative ways to keep us running and motivated.

Anyone else taking on a big challenge this month or summer?

What’s your favourite go-to on Netflix? I may have finished Sweet Magnolias already.

What’s one thing you are enjoying about virtual races (if you’ve signed up for any).?

Running: Food for the Soul

/ Anna @ Piper's Run / 7 Comments

Running these days is like food for the soul. It can allow you to escape reality, forget your troubles and engage you in away that nothing else can.

I’m running more now than I have in the past for many reasons (no injuries being one of them) but it’s also a great stress reliever. Working full time from home, helping my kids with “school” work and other normal life responsibilities are taking a toll.

Good sleep has become a big priority over the last few months. I actually slept-in for the first time in weeks this morning and it was lovely. I didn’t have to get up and get ready for work as it’s Victoria Day / May 2-4 long weekend. I also did my long run yesterday, so no early morning run today. I’m still in my PJ’s as I write this, also not normal for me at this time of day.

Our bubble expanded on the weekend in Nova Scotia and we got to see my parents in person for the first time in 9-10 weeks – it was just what we all needed. The weather is finally feeling like spring too – we really needed this weather.

Yesterday I participated in my second virtual run…. which should have been my 8th half marathon at the Blunose Marathon. They offered a “distance run” for free. It was so great to see all the #BN2020 over social media this weekend.

I ran the 15k distance run as I my body isn’t quite ready for a half marathon right now.

I ran 5k around my subdivision, which has some good hills, then headed out on hwy 1 (sidewalks) for 5k and returned home, another 5k. My legs felt heavy towards the last 4k but I kept going and felt great once I finished, in 1:44:19. Not an amazing time but I’m happy with that pace for now.

I’m looking at a few more virtual races over the coming months, cause why not! It will keep me running, healthy and fuel my soul, mind and body.

On a separate note, I’m barely reading lately. I had a goal of reading 20 books this year and so far I’ve finished 9. I have one book on the go but not loving it – I’ll spare you the title. Then I’m digging into “Little Fires Everywhere”. I’ve read the first few pages but want to finish my other book before getting into this one.

I’m still loving early morning runs to start my day and getting close to taking my bike off its trainer. Still hoping unclipping my shoes will be as easy outside as is inside on the trainer. We’ll see soon!

What books are you reading ?

Anyone else doing virtual runs?

What’s fueling your soul right now?

I’m Just Not That Into You…..Half Marathon Training

/ Anna @ Piper's Run / 5 Comments

Ugh. I was so excited when I signed up for my next half marathon months ago. But I’m just not into training anymore and week 4 started a few days ago. (heads up, slightly downer of a post but my reality).

I came up with a training plan and have misplaced it between work and home. However, it doesn’t change that much from week to week minus speed work and long runs. To be 100% honest, I kinda don’t care that I’ve misplaced it. I’ve barely put much effort into finding it as well or printing a new copy. I’m just not into half marathon training right now.

With all the cancellations here due to Covid -19, I just kinda don’t care if my race in May is cancelled. It might actually be a relief if its cancelled. To date, it’s still on. Or should I say, as I write this it’s still on.

I’ve also been dealing with tendinitis in my rotator cuff all winter which actually really sucks a lot. The littlest things hurt it. On top of that, for the last 3, almost 4 weeks I’ve had pain in my neck….like when you sleep funny on it and wake up with a kink. Well, I’ve had a kink that won’t go away until this week. I’ve had two massages on my neck and finally felt some relief until I went to soccer last week. I collided with another player providing a set back to my neck. Between physio and massage, I feel like I’m kinda just holding myself together with a little physio tape and no patience.

We are on March Break and everything we planned to do is closed as is the case around the world. It took a few days of feeling sad but we’ve moved on. It’s life right now. We are also sick, not Covid-19 sick but sick. Advil, tylenol, vicks, humidifier, lozenges, gargling with salt water, you name it we’ve tried it. My girls have it the worst and my husband is at work. Paramedics don’t get to work from home. I’m also scared of this virus.

In between feeling miserable and moments of feeling okay, we took advantage of the nice sunshine but cold winds and have gone for a few walks. I have no interest in running, no mojo, no dedication to running, na-da.

My new happy place?

I did get on my bike yesterday for a nice 23 km indoor ride while the girls relaxed in front of the tv. That felt nice but as I rode my bike and I looked at my treadmill beside me, I felt no love for it. No love for having the opportunity to run on it. Maybe that will change in the coming days like everything else is changing so fast. However, my training for an upcoming half marathon is almost none existant.

So what now? I dunno. I have a week off with my sick kids (husband is working) then I’m back to working from home with my kids who don’t have school for two weeks (much like everyone else), maybe longer.

Anyone else struggling with training (if your race is still on)?

Anyones race got cancelled – are you still training? What now?

Parents – what are you doing to keep your kids from not fighting?

I don’t blog post often but you can find me on Instagram: @pipersrun