November 30th Already!

/ Anna @ Piper's Run / 4 Comments

I can’t believe tomorrow is December 1st….and I’ve barely wrote any blog posts this year. 🤷‍♀️

I’ve been spending most of my social media time on Instagram at “pipersrun”….if you want to see more daily posts, since I suck a blogging this year.

I did however, finish the Run Across Nova Scotia team relay back in mid August. Three of us ran 264km to run the distance of Nova Scotia during wave 1 of this crazy pandemic. It kept me motivated to keep running and getting outsize more.

I got to enjoy some beautiful longer rides this fall with my husband….who is way more of a hard core cyclist than I am. It was fun to be on the road with him. We also did some fall trail running together at Cape Split and Keppoch….both beautiful places we’ll run again. Cape Split is close by and we’ve run it before but Keppoch was so beautiful, I can’t wait to go back!

This fall I’ve been trying to hit 100km a month to reach my yearly goal of 1000km….as of writing this, I’m 4km away from my monthly goal. Yes, you guess it…I’m heading out to get in those 4km today.

I still have 115km in December to hit my yearly goal and I’ve made a plan to get there. I’m also close to my 1000km of cycling goal for the year but it’s time to put my bike on the trianer….sad day.

Yesterday I enjoyed a 13km run in the sunshine. However, it was super cold in the shade. Can’t win them all!

Okay, I’ll off to get a 4km easy run and finish my 100km for the month.

Anyone else going for a monthly goal today?

How about yearly goals?

Are you planning for 2021 yet?

Still RANS!

/ Anna @ Piper's Run / 2 Comments

Oh Hello there!

It’s been a while!

It’s been a busy summer but I’m still working on my virtual race with team “Three Moms on the Run” – Run Across Nova Scotia. We are currently 646.43k in and on our way to 792km….getting a lot closer to the end of the race!

A few weeks back, the three of us managed to get out for an awesome trail run at Cape Split. It’s about 12k run plus a little bit – round trip of rocks, roots and a little mud too. I’ve only run it twice but have hiked it so many times. It’s so far, my favourite trail run.

It was a wee bit foggy when we got out to the point but was shaping up to be a very hot and humid day. Thankfully, we started our run just around 8am and finished before it was too hot. Lots of hikers on the trail which is always fun to see.

Three Moms on the Run

I’ve done a little more trail/dirt road runs and am loving being on the trails more. Hoping to keep that up over the coming months. I’ve even dusted off my treadmill to get in a few runs for this virtual race.

I’m getting excited to finish this virtual event but already wishing their was another one I could sign up for. It’s been a great motivator to keep me running.

This past weekend during the great Garmin outage, I ran a 10k trail/dirt road 10k for another virtual race – Good Clean Run. Since we can’t show up to races here, I’m glad the option is available for virtual races and I have completed 4 this year.

I bought a running hydration vest (Osprey) this summer and I think it’s my favourite piece of running equipment. I take it on every long or HOT run this summer and it hasn’t disappointed me yet. Game changer!

Cycling has taken a back seat which is too bad but I’m hoping to get in a few more rides this summer. I’d love to do a big trail ride but it’s around 117km, point to point and I’ve never done that distance before. However, I’ve also learned to “never say never”!

How is your summer shaping up?

Are you doing virtual races?

What’s your favourite piece of equipment for running?

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).?