downhill skiing

Marching along….

/ Anna @ Piper's Run / Leave a comment

Well hello there!

Last time I blogged was January 6th, clearly I’m not cut out for this anymore. I can’t believe its March AND almost March Break!

It’s been a typical winter for me – very little running and lots of winter sports. I mean, can you blame me? I’ve been soaking up last minute opportunities to x-country ski, snowshoe, skate and downhill ski.

Yesterday after a busy day at work, I picked up the girls and took them skating at our local rink that opened up again due to a mega cold snap. We had the think mostly to ourselves.

Things have been open, shut down and then reopened here. Vaccinations have been rolling out but I’m low on the list so I’ll just wait and see when I get it. Hopefully by this summer.

I’ve kinda lost all motivation to run😳 which really sucks. I’ve packed my bags with all my running gear multiple times in the last few weeks and headed off to the office with the intention to run. But, I didn’t. I just didn’t bother. I even planned my lunch break or end of the day to run, but didn’t. I’m just not feeling it.

I’ve been doing little Zwifting but not as much as I was in January when I completed the Tour de Zwift. That was one of the hardest and most intense activity I’ve done in a long time. Often, after a ride, my legs would shake uncontrollably which was a weird sensation post ride. I never thought I would have done that amount of climbing on a ride. Feeling good about that accomplishment.

Well, that’s been my winter so far! With the time change next week and potentially warmer weather coming in a few weeks, I’m hoping to be running a bit more!

Anyone else struggling with running? Or one of your main activities?

Happy March!

February Freeze

/ Anna @ Piper's Run / 1 Comment

It’s a wee bit cold here in Nova Scotia but not unlikely temps for February. Yesterday was -17°C (1.4°F) but felt like -22°C ( -7.6°F) and we snowshoed in the morning and skied all afternoon.

Normally, the girls would have had school but it was day three of snow days. I don’t think it was necessary but apparently the roads where bad enough to cancel school three days in a row. Meh….we got around just fine in our car.

January was a busy month of a little running, lots of soccer, skiing and some skating and snowshoeing. Each year come January I tend to run less and take advantage of our winter weather and get outside with my family more. #notjustarunner

I logged 38.67km running, downhill skied 4 days, cross country skied 3 days, snowshoed once, played 5 soccer games, hiked once with Carmacks , and went skating twice.

February hasn’t seen as much activity but I’ve been walking my dog 2k Tuesday- Friday and sometimes on the weekend (my husband walks him other times)…..so at least I was moving. Not going to lie, if we didn’t have a dog I wouldn’t walk at all….not my favourite activity to choose to do. Unless I have our four legging friend, its work related (walking meetings) or family hiking, I’m not going for a walk.

I had a week where I planned to cycle but every night when the time came I just couldn’t do it. Exhaustion is real! Time to figure out a new evening plan cause my mornings are for hibernating or walking my dog. Funny how last summer and fall I was living for #5kat5am runs.

I really need to get my butt into running again as I’ve registered for a half marathon this spring and excited about that distance as it’s been two years since I’ve ran it.

As winter progresses, I’ll continue to ski, skate and snowshoe as our schedules permit and soccer games as I can make them. I need to find a good (for me) half marathon training plan and have always use Hal Higdon’s plans….but open to others as well.

What’s your favourite half marathon training plan?

Anyone else judging snow days?

What’s your favourite way to stay active in the winter?

Jan 15 – 21st Weekly Wrap Up

/ Anna @ Piper's Run / 14 Comments

I’m behind the times with my blog post! We had such a busy weekend of attending a University basketball game, the girls basketball practice, birthday party for the girls, hitting the hill and more……that I ran out of time to blog on the weekend. So here is my weekly wrap up from last week!

January 15-21st

Monday: Indoor ride 20.43 km. Nice and easy ride.

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Tuesday: Indoor ride: 24.47km – 60 minutes of riding.

I missed yoga as I had a sick kid with me at work. Strep throat hit both girls this week and it was horrible to see them in so much pain. Thankful for meds, that’s for sure!

Wednesday: Physio appointment/Rest Day.

Thursday: Indoor ride: 20.37km. My butt hates me but my legs are feeling stronger!

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Friday: Rest day.

Saturday: Cross Country Skiing! I wanted to run but had 2 hours of kid free time and thought I’d hit up our local trail (Harvest Moon Trailway) for a little ski. I did 6k and it felt pretty good on my hip which got sore later on. I iced it and that helped. It’s been a few years since I’ve pulled out my cross country skis…hope to get on the again this winter!

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Sunday: More winter fun….we went downhill skiing Sunday morning. It was super busy at Martock but that’s to be expected. The girls had a blast and asked when we could go again!!

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I’ve yet to get in a run but have a few more days until my next physio appointment to get a run in. I’m loving cycling lately and seem to be racking up the mileage there! It helps that I can watch a show while I ride….or at least listen to a show while I peddle my legs.

Also, I still haven’t written a 2018 goals post. I have it drafted but changed it 10 times already. I’m wondering if I should even post about it at this point.

How was your week?

Anyone else get outside on the weekend?

Have you set your goals for this year…this late before?

I don’t always post on here but you can find me posting daily over at Instagram. 

 I’m linking up with Holly and Wendy for the Weekly Wrap.

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Lack of Motivation: Building My Base Week 4 and 5

/ Anna @ Piper's Run / 19 Comments

Motivation to run is probably at it’s lowest point in a long time. Not sure why but for some reason I’m somewhat okay with that.

Basically, I’m focusing on building my base because soon I’ll be training for a 10k in May (I think) and Half Marathon in June. I don’t want to go into training empty – you know what I mean? I want to have maintained my fitness so that when I start those training plans I’m not struggling like I have before. Mind you last year, I trained for what would have been my 3 & 4th half marathon with a major hamstring injury.

My hamstring still isn’t 100%! What, a year or more later and it’s not better?  Yes and No. You see, IF I don’t stretch properly after a run, I’m in a lot of pain so stretching is key for me. I need to get back into foam rolling regularly again too!

The first three weeks I shared my “building my base” in the same format I did with my training plans. Not this week. Since I’m catching you up on two weeks, I decided to keep it simple.

Week #4

  • Monday 8th: Yoga Class
  • Tuesday: 2k treadmill run, wasn’t feeling it.
  • Wednesday: Noth.ing
  • Thursday: Skipping & 5k treadmill run
  • Friday: Downhill Skiing for 2 hours by myself. (Vacation)
  • Saturday: Nothing.
  • Sunday: Skating with the family.

Week #5

  • Monday 15th: Skiing with the family. (Holiday)
  • Tuesday: Skiing with a friend. (Vacation)
  • Wednesday: Rest Day. Went to bed early, was exhausted.
  • Thursday: 5 minutes of skipping, 5k treadmill run, 50 squats
  • Friday: Rest Day. Just exhausted with life and wanted to go to bed early.
  • Saturday: Nothing. Unless shopping kid less for 3 hours counts? Seriously, my body was aching from running errands all afternoon.
  • Sunday: 7k treadmill run. Finally this was a great run, I felt great during the run and after. So nice to end the week with a GOOD run!

feb 21st run

If you missed the first three weeks you can catch up here: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3.

That’s it. I’m happy with being active in a variety of things but missing the consistency of running a lot. Really, it’s February and I can’t complain. I’ve logged more km running then last year already. I’ve been skiing three times, went to yoga twice so far and did a little skating with the family.

Though my motivation and interest in running is low….I’m still working hard at building my base…or should I say maintaining my base now.

How’s your month of February going?

Anyone else struggling like me?