Sometimes You Just Need to Run

October 2, 2017 / Anna @ Piper's Run / 21 Comments

Sometimes you just need to run – that statement has been true for me the last few weeks. If you missed why I wasn’t running or had a DNS for my MRW half marathon – check out the post here.

Almost every day for two weeks, I just wanted to run but I couldn’t until I was “cleared”. So once I was allowed to run, I did. Taking two weeks off running kinda sucks. My lungs hurt after that first run. My body ached for two days after that first run. I just needed that run even if my lungs hurt or my body was going to ache.

Saturday I went for a “long run” to test out pacing for my upcoming race. I’m pacing the Valley Harvest Marathon 10k – 1:10 finish on Sunday (Canadian Thanksgiving). Oh I can’t wait to eat all the food as well. This will be my second time pacing this race, this distance and this pace with White Rabbit Pacing – I’m kinda excited!

Before last Saturday’s run, I just wanted to get out their and test out my legs, my lungs and my pace. I had no plans of where I was going to run until I stepped outside. I had no clue how far I wanted to run until I hit the 5k mark and decided I should turn around and head home. I had no plan other then to practice pacing and then had a little fun on the last two km’s.

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I practiced my pace of 7:00 minute per kilometre. I really want to run 6:55/km this Sunday in order to finish under 1:10 but I’ll talk more about that in my next post. So I ran, up a steep hill that I thought I was going to die on and figured that if I can do this now, next week will be easier. I ran on rolling hills, an old unpaved country road with cows and horses on each side of the road. I got chased by a dog for a minute until the owner called it back – that wasn’t really fun. But, I ran.

I just needed that long run. A confidence booster after my bubble was burst out of my hands a few weeks ago. I’m moving on from that thankfully but sometimes you just want to run! I needed that run Saturday.

How was your weekend?

When was the last time you needed a run? (or ride, yoga etc).

Anyone take in any fall-like activities?

Charge the Garmin!

March 22, 2017 / Anna @ Piper's Run / 23 Comments

Ever have that moment of “all I want to do is run” but then change your mind a few minutes later? That was me yesterday. I’ve barely put any mileage on my Garmin this year, in fact I’m pretty sure that I can count how many time’s I’ve run since January on one hand.

It’s not that I don’t want to run, it’s that I’ve been enjoying other sports with my family which was more important then trying to fit in a run. Skiing, snowshoeing and skating will be off the agenda soon enough. Maybe sometimes we just need to do “other” activities to enjoy the one we love so much.

Having said that, yesterday I really wanted to run but got home late for work with the girls. This meant that there was a late dinner, late bath and late getting the girls to bed. Not to mention my husband was home so we tried to have as many conversations about many things while we had time.

When bath time hit and my husband was with the girls, I found my Garmin and plugged it in. This was my way of convincing myself that I should really go for a run. If my Garmin was charged I had no excuses, right? We finished bathing the girls and got them into bed. We both spend time with each of girls talking about their day, singing songs etc. While I was with Hilary I decided that I didn’t want to run but then quickly changed my mind when I was with Lilly. I think laziness was setting in and I just wanted an excuse.

After saying goodnight to Lilly, I walked out and said to Saï…”I think I want to run” with lots of hesitation. He just said “yes, go now”. So I did. I jumped in my running tights, threw on my sports bra and strapped on my Garmin. However, I couldn’t find my running jacket and after searching the house it was on the drying rack. Good news: my Garmin was charge!

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This time I was prepared with my Garmin charged and ready to go – no batteries dying on me My run started as the sun was just starting to go down but with my headlamp, reflective gear and sidewalks to run on, I was good to go. I ran out 3 km and ran back a slightly different way to finish with 5 k.

My pace is beyond slow but I don’t care. My reality is that I’m happy with just getting out for a run, avoiding injuries and at some point getting back into following a training plan for a race. What race is still to be determined!

If you don’t wear your Garmin, did your run even happen ?

What pushes you out the door when your lacking motivation?

Ever change your mind multiple times like me?

The Day I Thought My Garmin Died!

March 12, 2015 / Anna @ Piper's Run / 18 Comments

Gulp! Oh man I thought my Green Garmin died today!

Last night I went to bed super early, before 9:30 as I just wasn’t feeling 100%. I missed the opportunity to run and honestly, didn’t even care – what’s up with that? I even started second guessing myself with my running.

Anyway, as I was going to bed I thought I’d pack my running gear in the morning so I could run OUTSIDE at lunch. My, how I’ve missed my “runch” time this winter! I grabbed my gear; clothing, runners, foam roller (yes I’m going to foam roll at work) and then my Garmin. And it looked like this……..

No time. Nothing 😦

Well what do you expect when you don’t use it for more than a month and not charge it? I dies.

So, I charged it up while I worked and went out for my RUNCH! This wasn’t an awesome run as the sidewalks were still ICY!

Nice sideways, eh!

Up hill, down hill, ice everywhere, some clear spots, slush and ended my 5 k run with only 5 soakers. Good thing I brought extra socks with me!

“runch”

I was a little unsure about running on the sidewalks so I brought my old yak traxs with me and put them on when I saw a women slip with cowboy boots on (Umm, who wears cowboy boots in the WINTER in Nova Scotia?). I took it easy (7:00 minute km pace) and then foam rolled when I got back to the office.

Happy to have that run behind me as I was feeling super low about my running yesterday/this morning. My energy level has picked up which is already great and I managed to hit my 10,000 steps with my Fitbit Flex already (we still have a love-hate relationship going on).

Good news – my hamstring felt great.

Bad news – my ankles aren’t too happy after that run.

You win some you lose some!

Anyone “runching” lately?

Sidewalks clear, snow-covered (I hope not) or icy like ours?

PS we are expecting a snow storm on the weekend!

Would you have run on those sidewalks or call it a day?

Runners Confession #2: No Training Plan = No Motivation

November 25, 2014 / Anna @ Piper's Run / 12 Comments

What’s going on here? Seriously? I’m feel like a whiny baby when it comes to running these days. I want to run, I love to run, I enjoy running but I am seriously lacking some motivation since my half marathon in October. OCTOBER was forever ago!

Instead, I put on a cozy fire, relax and forget about my trusty treadmill 😦

I have no training plan to follow. No major race to focus on. Oh, and I just want to sleep since I’m up 1-3 times a night with Hilary still. Seriously, when is she going to sleep better? Talk about mother running problems! And yes, I know I’m not the only one out there…please tell me I’m not.

I’m hoping the fact that I packed my running bag this morning may give me a little boost. After all, If I put my mind to it I reach my 1000th kilometer by the end of this week!

Lunch Time: And cue in the motivation! I FORGOT MY GARMIN!!!!!!!! It was going to be a naked run, until I hit up MapMyRun online and confirmed the route I was going to take.

6k in 35:59 🙂

It was SO beautiful outside I could have run in short and a tank top! 6k in 35:59 according to my Timex watch – Not.Too.Shabby! I’m hoping the December running challenge I’ve signed up for will keep me motivated in December with Run Steff Run.