10k

Maritime Race Weekend 10k Recap

/ Anna @ Piper's Run / 11 Comments

It’s been a while since I’ve done a proper race recap, so I thought I’d do one from this weekend. I ran the Maritime Race Weekend 10k Saturday. Though I’m training for the PEI Marathon (HALF marathon – Oct 14th), this 10k didn’t actually fit into my training plan…..but I made it work anyway.

In previous years, I go in Friday night and run the Tartan Twosome (5k sunset, 5/10/half/full sunrise Saturday) race but with both of my girls in school and my husband working, I just couldn’t pull it off this year. It’s hard getting to the city with two kids and a dog after working/school all day. This year, I decided 10k Saturday would be enough. I’m not going to lie – I missed running the 5k sunset but I quite enjoyed not stressing out about getting into the city on time!

I had a horrible sleep the night before at my parents place, basically awake every hour and one my daughters woke up with a night terror – yeah, those still happen. I got up early and was out the door by 6:10 to get over to the race about 30 minutes away. It was smooth sailing over and I got a decent parking spot which is about 1 km away from the race line.

Fisherman’s Cove fog!

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I met up with my running buddy, Krystol and we hit up the extremely long yet fast moving porta-potty line. I saw lots of people I knew but didn’t get a chance to say Hi to everyone. The fog was HEAVY but the sun was trying to blast through and it sure did. In a matter of minutes it was hot and humid – like hot summer running.

Happy runners!

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The gun went off and off we went with the rest of the crowd of runners. My first km was around 6:26 and that’s a faster start then I would do for a longer run but also felt in control sandwiched in-between runners. In the past, I’d likely get frustrated running with so many people close by and unable to move around them but this year I just didn’t feel rushed to get out there. I zigged zagged when I could around runners and eventually felt comfortable running.

Just before the 3km mark, you start running up this hill. It’s the hill that never ends and almost doesn’t look like it’s a hill until you get to mid way and then you start working really hard. I don’t dislike it but I definitely worked hard getting up it. I thought I’d have to walk at the top but was able to recover enough to keep my feet running.

As I hit the second water station before coming down that big hill, I grabbed a water, took a sip and then poured the rest over my head. I figured if it was this hot now, I’d be super hot towards the end of my run. I repeated this at every water station – minus the time I was given Gatorade. The cold water felt wonderful on my head. I cruised down the hill, rather fast and got going into a pace the felt really good. I was running around 5:45 – 6:00/km. Not going to lie – I was shocked at how fast I was running for me.

At the bottom of the hill you turn left and run along a very flat road beside the ocean. It was super bright as the sun was shining directly at us. I enjoyed seeing friends pass on the other side and high-fiving them along the way. I was working really hard and pulled off a few decent paces: 5:52/km, 5:59/km and 6:01;km (km 5 – 7) then I started to slow down.

At the turn around point all I could remember is how beautiful it was. The warm sun on my back and the beautiful blue ocean to my left and I remembered why I really loved this race – the views! I was on a bit of a struggle bus in trying to keep that 6 min per km pace and just couldn’t do it. I just kept putting one foot in front of the other knowing that after the race I still had to run another 6k.

As I was nearing the finish I thought I could make an attempt at a sub 60 but it was just too far out of my reach. I was trying to push hard but it just felt like it wasn’t there until I turned the last hairpin corner and passed a handful of people to the finish line. My whole body hurt and I thought you could see if all over my face. I was lucky enough to finish 2 minutes or so behind Krystol who captured my finish.

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I really love this race and will do it again and again! Great job to Michelle (Race Director) and all her volunteers! Krystol and I hung around for a bit, grabbed a yummy bagel, tones of water to hydrate and took a few photos along the way.

10k Finsher at Fisherman’s Cove – sunshiny day!

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I left Fisherman’s Cove around 11am and headed back towards my parents house to run my next 6k. I’ll be honest, I didn’t want to do it and almost backed out. I’m not sure what inside of me made me do it but off I went to run another 6k. I had changed out of my sweaty clothing and ran along the COLTA trail (Chain of Lakes Trail Association). It was such a beautiful place to run and so many bikers and walkers! I think I was the only crazy one running in the HEAT of the day. Good lord it was H-O-T!!!

This run was much slower with paces of 6:52 to 6:11/km. I think towards the end of my run I just wanted to be done and picked up my pace somehow! It was a hard run but I was able to jump in my parents pool to cool off with my girls – so worth it! We also snuck in a trip over to Peggy’s Cove – so beautiful!

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I had to look up my race etc today as I didn’t look after the race. My chip time was 1:01:27, gun time was 1:02:38, 50th in my age group (out of 187). Not too bad!

How was your weekend?

Anyone race?

Have you done a double day run on race day before?

 

Hello Race Weekend!

/ Anna @ Piper's Run / 3 Comments

Happy Friday!

It’s a race weekend here!!! I signed up back in the summer for this race and can’t believe it’s here already!

Though I am training for my half marathon in October (PEI), I figured it couldn’t hurt to add in a few shorter races. Early September, I ran the Berwick 5 mile (8k) road race and had a great run! It was my second year running it and though I ran it two minutes slower, it was still a great race for me. I haven’t seen paces like that in over a year and it was nice to know I could still run fast (for almost 8k).

Post run pain all over my face! Berwick 5 Miler.

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This weekend is Maritime Race Weekend. There is a 5k race tonight and then 5/10/half/full tomorrow morning. I usually participate in the double race but it’s getting harder and harder to get into the city (an hour’s drive) with both kids and sometimes the dog. My husband’s schedule has him working this weekend so I’ll be taking the kids and Carmacks with me. With both girls in school and travel time, I just can’t do the Friday night sunset run. It’s a bummer but it’s also reality!

Having said that, I’m really looking forward to my 10k tomorrow. I have no plans, no intentions other then to run 10k and still be able to get another 6k later on to complete my long run for the weekend. Half marathon training problems solved!!!

This race and course is my 10k PB of 55:59 and I know I’m now where near that time – which is totally fine by me. I’m looking forward to running with my running buddy, seeing running friends and just being in the running community/event. It’s such a fun race/place to be!

Half Marathon Training:

It’s going pretty good so far. I’m on week 7 and have been doing a TONE of early morning runs. With our family schedule it just seems easier to go to bed early and get up super early for a run of 5k – 7k and sometimes I do speed work as well.

As of now I don’t have any goals for my half but if I keep running the way I am for my long runs I should finish under 2:20. Part of me wants to run faster then 2:13 which is what I ran the PEI half in 2015. I’m just going to wait and see what happens.  I know what the route looks like and those BIG rolling hills during the last 5km won’t be a surprise to me this year!

I’ve been using my Tiux socks a lot when running and for recovery. I’ve been known to wear them around my office with my dress clothing. You know you are a runner when you wear compression socks at work!!! You can check out their new crew socks here: Tiux. {Also – use “ANNASTIUX” for 20% off your order} These crew socks are $22.99!

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Good luck to all those running this weekend – be it at Maritime Race Weekend, Berlin or another run!!!  Happy Friday! You can follow me more over on Instagram here!!!

Are you racing this weekend?

Loving the fall weather (I am)?

Do you repeat races races over and over again? (I do).

Valley Harvest 10k Pace Bunny Recap ’17

/ Anna @ Piper's Run / 18 Comments

Where to start? I had an absolute blast running this race. I was pacing the 1:10 pace (7:00 minute/km) and enjoyed every minute of it!

I started the day pretty early at 5:15am and snuck the dog out of the house for a quick pee without waking up the whole family. THIS was a big mother runner win! I needed a little time to wake up, change into my running gear but managed to get out the door about 6:08. With no traffic in sight, I made my way to Acadia University and parked on a side street to later avoid crossing runners on their route.

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I met up with with a few runner friends from the city and then got my 1:10 pace sign and bib. It was such a beautiful and WARM day….17c and it wasn’t even 7am at that point! It was a little muggy but still overcast which would later clear and just get hotter. I was able to see Ben Brown take off (Para Track Athlete) for his 10k, the full and half marathon runners start and then it was time for the 10ker’s to line up. We started at 8am.

My running buddy Krystol managed to find me (even with my sign not visible at the time) before we started. I had a few people say that I was their pace bunny or that they wanted to stay between me and Sherry (1:15 bunny). Perfect! As the gun went off we all shuffled forwards only to be halted abruptly as you are at the start of any race. A few laughs later and we were on our way again. Garmin’s chirping all around.

Traditional Pre Race Selfie with Krystol.

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KM: One to Six

We weren’t very far into the first kilometre and I was worried I was running too fast. That first km is always the hardest to run the slowest but when you are a pace bunny you’ve got to be really careful. I slowed my pace down a little and kept moving forward. It was rather quiet during the first few kilometres but a lady in red (sorry, I can’t remember your name) started chatting with me. She had paced races before and asked how my pacing was. I said pretty accurate and she said “oh good”.

After climbing Hennigar’s Hill (on the way out) my pace slowed down a bit but I got it back on track and we were about 15-20 seconds ahead of the 7 minute/km pace. I thought I had missed the bucket to drop my sign in and was trying to decide what to do with it. Do I just drop it and pick it up on my way back, do I run with it the whole time – no???? Eventually, there was a volunteer collecting them and I gladly gave mine over and shook out my upper body.  You know, it’s not easy running with a sign!

Down the hill we went to the first water station where I gladly took some water – it was getting HOT! It was extremely flat at this point and runners (50 minute pace bunny) were coming on the opposite side of the road. I always love seeing super fast runners. I enjoyed a few conversations with some runners and made the turn around at the 5k mark. I started to lose a few runners who wanted to finish between 1:05 and 1:10. The sun was blasting on our faces at this point and occasional gusts of wind would stir up and push against us. Luckily another pace bunny (Greg) reminded me of this at the start and I was prepared.

After the wind, we hit the water station again (yes please). We then climbed the hill by the Irvin gas station which I think is the hardest one on runners. The location and the incline and really can get you and as a continuous pace bunny, there was no stopping. I just kept going but slowed down my pace slightly, cheered on those running or walking and made my way up the hill to recover at the top with a slow pace before picking it up again.

KM: Six – Ten.

As I mentioned, I lost a few runners at this point – they either picked up their pace or dropped behind me but I always had small groups of people near by. We had half marathon’s zoom by us which was amazing!

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Back towards Hennigar’s hill – the last major hill to climb – I again, just kept moving forward and encouraged other runners. From there it was smooth sailing at a nice and steady pace. Towards the last kilometre there is a long incline that most people forget about or don’t realise they still need to run UP before entering the track. As we got to the top I was a little worried I was too fast for my time but managed to smooth it out a bit.

The track is like heaven on your body at the end of this race. The pounding on the pavement vs pounding on the nice soft track is like night and day. I managed to find my running buddy and kept going to the finish line.

One ear up!

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I crossed in 1:09:37 out of my 1:10 pace time! I’m pretty happy with my time though there is a little part of me that wished I was closer to the 1:10 like I did two years ago (1:09:59). I had a blast!  I had a few runners come up and thank me for pacing them which was awesome. To know that you did the job that was expected of you during the race is pretty darn sweet.

I guzzled a bottle of water, stretched and grabbed a cookie and banana before heading back out again. WHAT? Yes, that’s right. Most of the pace bunnies when back out on the course to help other runners in. This was a whole other experience.

Post race….happy runners!

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Pacing others.

Though my race pace duties were done, I went back on the course and cheered on the runners. You know sometimes that little boost is all a runner needs. I saw some runner friends and lots of people I didn’t know. I came across this lady (which I never got her name) but she wasn’t feeling great and just done. So we walked together for a bit and then ran and walked some more. She had run a half marathon the week before (amazing, eh!!!!) but just wasn’t feeling great during this half.

We talked a bit more and made our way into the stadium on that sweet soft track where we walked again. I took her water belt as it didn’t seem to be comfortable for her, so I figured I could carry it and she’d feel a little better. She made her way to the finish line and I stayed with her for a bit. This was probably the best part of pacing – helping a complete stranger finish her half marathon when I believe, all she wanted to do was stop. I wish I would have gotten her name as I’d love to connect with her to see how she made out.

I went back out a few more times and some runners where really having a hard time with the heat. I reminded them to slow their breathing down along with their pace and ran them through to the finish area. There is nothing better then the finish line at a race. To see the faces of all the runners (the fastest to the slowest) is amazing. The blood, sweat and tears that have gone into all that training and their final run – a great accomplishment achieved!

I’ve had a few people say “how do you pace a race?”. Well, you run your run. You trust yourself (practice your pace). You use a Garmin or two like me. You do the math in your head constantly and focus on the other runners not yourself. In the end, you cross the finish line when you cross the finish line and more then likely if you’ve done your job right, you crossed as close to your finish time as possible.

Eventually, I had to leave to get back to my family and make the trip to the city for Thanksgiving dinner with my larger family. That meal was THE BEST MEAL EVER! I ate so much and then crashed hard at 9pm. My body was done!

A big hats off to all the pace bunnies with White Rabbit Pacing last weekend. They all did amazing! I’m looking forward to pacing again next year.

How was your weekend/Thanksgiving?

Anyone race? 

Love hot races in the fall or hate them?

 

 

Valley Harvest Marathon 10k Recap 2016

/ Anna @ Piper's Run / 27 Comments

It seems as if the Valley Harvest Marathon is now becoming a tradition during Thanksgiving weekend. I’ve run it six times! I’ve ran the half in 2014 (my PB), paced the 10k (1:10 finish) in 2015 and this year’s 10k. In 2013, I ran the 5k, I skipped it in 2012 as I was very pregnant with Hilary. In 2011, I ran the 5k and in 2010, I ran the 10k four months postpartum after Lilly. I only have one distance I haven’t completed….yet.

2016

Sunday morning I got up at 5:30 otherwise known as stupid-early o’clock and left the house at 6:28am. Acadia University is only a 15 minutes for me on a good day and I had no problems with traffic or road construction. I ran into some friends, hit up the washroom one last time and met up with Krystol who was running her 10th half marathon! I really miss running the long distances right now so I tried not to think about what distance I was doing. At 7:45 the half marathoners took off and then us at 8 am.

Traditional pre-race photo & Krystol finishing her half marathon.

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Before the race, I got to meet some  people from Instagram {teamaldred, fit_pedagogue and newshell73), some during the run as they passed by and then after as well. It’s always nice to put a real personality to a face from IG/Twitter and having a conversations beyond 140 characters or “heart likes”.

I stood by Matthew, the 1:05 pace bunny from White Rabbit Pacing. They are awesome and I felt a little disappointed in myself that I wasn’t pacing this race again. It was on my list of things to do this year but being injured and having an unreliable pace, I couldn’t commit. It wouldn’t be fair to the runners if I couldn’t keep up the pace. I didn’t see the 1:10 pace bunny so decided while waiting for the gun to go off, that I’d keep with the 1:05 (6:30/km) pace bunny however that didn’t last long.

My main goal was to run a steady race and don’t give up. Obviously, I know I could do the distance but with little training and motivation lately, my confidence was rather low. My Green Garmin beeped at the 1k mark 6:24…not bad. Comfortable. My stiff ankle was to be expected and that feeling went away after the first k. I hadn’t gone out too fast, as I have before at the beginning of a race. I was just where I wanted to be. 🙂

I was keeping my pace relativity consistent and had the 1:05 pace bunny behind me somewhere. I kept looking forward as I didn’t want to know how close I was with him. Then kilometre two hit: 6:16 – that felt nice even with the hills where people passed me right and left. My goal wasn’t to be fast, it was to race smart and steady…forget about everyone else passing you. Sometimes that’s hard to do!

As kilometre three hit we neared a long downhill where I tried to just glide down it easily. I grabbed some water took a sip and put the rest on my head and neck as the humidity was starting to increase a bit. The first place male was approaching us FAST and I was amazed by his speed. I then saw the first female! The next little stretch was flat so I picked up my pace a little more during kilometres four and five {see below}.

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I felt really good but knew I still had another 4k to go and didn’t want to push it too early. I hit the turn around spot and took a short walking break and was back at it.  Sometimes I find this long stretch of road very daunting and was trying to focus on other people running in the other direction.Occasionally I would find someone to catch up to and pick them off one by one – I’ve never done that before.

I saw Kendra who was running fast shout “stay strong”.  After the straight stretched we approached another hill, near the Irving station (for those that now the area). I slowly moved up the hill passing people walking and heard a women saying “great job, looking strong pushing up the hill” which gave me a little boost. I then had to stop at the top of the hill to catch my breath. I conquered the hill but knew my limits and took a good walking break which is reflected in kilometre seven {6:46}.

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As I approached 8k, running downhill then up another my fitness level or lack of started to show. Taking 6-7 weeks off consistent running really takes a told on your body. Though I was active by cycling, yoga and swimming it wasn’t enough to keep me in running shape. This is when I just kept thinking “one foot in front of the other” with a few brief walking breaks. This was a rough patch.

I had nothing left but a long incline with lots of people watching everyone finish. As I approached Raymond field (track), I was just done. That last little incline or what felt like a long incline took the last bit of energy out of me. As the group of people bottle-necked the entrance to the track, I took short steps and slowed down enough to catch my breath again. It felt relieving. As I ran on the soft track underneath my feet my body felt happy and I was able to pick up my pace. It felt nice finishing strong around the track and turning off my Green Garmin at 1:03:59. Not a PB but such a great run for me right now. I couldn’t have asked for a better run/race and time. Though I’m still a good 8-9 minutes off a PB, it felt great.

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My ankle felt great post run which was also a key piece to this run. The Physiotherapy and exercises are working. I saw lots of friends and chatted with them before I realised Krystol would soon be finishin. I decided to walk the track backwards so I wouldn’t miss her and saw her approaching the finish with the clock ticking 1:59:xx ….she made it under 2 hours! I was a little concerned for her as she came across the finish line not looking great so I immediately got her attention and met up at the end of the chute. She was 2 seconds off a PB and has been dealing with Achilles pain for a month now.

Another great run/race done! No regrets, no complaints, no “what ifs”. I ran into more people who successfully grained new PB’s which is always awesome. Thank you Valley Harvest Marathon committee for a great event, it’s greatly appreciated. And thank you to all the awesome pace bunnies from White Rabbit Pacing.

That was a long post…thanks for sticking around. After my run, we drove to the city for Thanksgiving dinner with my family and had such a great visit and I ate all the food!

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I think that is my last official race of the year! I’m hoping to run a Santa Shuffle in December but that’s it for big races. My head is spinning for next year but I need to focus on my PT and some good cross training to avoid injuries next year.

Anyone race last weekend?

Do you use pace bunnies?

Canadians – how was your thanksgiving weekend?

Have any holiday races planned in the coming months?