healthy-living

Summer Soccer

/ Anna @ Piper's Run / 4 Comments

I was pretty convinced I wasn’t going to play soccer until this fall when the indoor (winter) season started. Honestly, I wasn’t convinced my hamstring was good to go….I was scared to get on the field and injure it again.

It took a little ( or a lot of) convincing but I decided after running Johnny Miles that if my hamstring was good, I’d play. And just like that, I’m back on the field. It’s been since December 2014 since I last played and it sure felt great.

I’ve joined a women’s 7 aside league which will be different for me as I still loved playing 11 aside. What matters is that I’m on the field and with a group of women (mom’s too) that I don’t know, except for two. It’s kinda fun not knowing most of the team as it gives me an opportunity to meet some new people.

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We only play 60 minute games but it goes by quickly and it’s amazing how exhausting you can get from a quick sprint and then recovering back by doing the slowest trot you could ever do. Speed work at it’s finest! Actually, thinking back to when I was 14 and was doing fartlek’s, trail runs and sprints on the field…that’s where I got started with running.

Last week, after the first game, I just hurt, all over! It felt good to be on the field but I felt odd and uncomfortable for the first 5 minutes and then I just sank back into the game. My shins hurt from my horrible cleats that were being held together by electrical tape and my upper thighs were sore from sprinting. My second game was much better and I didn’t feel odd or uncomfortable as I was able to make better decisions on the field then the previous game.

When I was on the field I got completely lost in the game. You know that feeling of completely being in the moment. I’d forgotten about my family, work stuff, stress, house/yard stuff…everything. It wasn’t until after the game that I realized I was so focused on playing. It’s been a long time since I felt that way and it was kinda nice.

There is lots of soccer games ahead of me this summer between playing once a week and coaching both girls in U4 and U6 soccer. I love it and forgot how much I missed it. Now to just figure out a training plan for what is suppose to be my next (5th) half marathon in September!

When was the last time you ran (played a sport) with people you didn’t know?

What are your summer plans?

What’s your favourite thing to do in the summer?

Happy 4th of July to my American readers! Hope you got to celebrate!

Rookie Moment & March.

/ Anna @ Piper's Run / 6 Comments

Last week I had a rookie moment…you know that moment when you just shake your head at yourself because you feel like you should know better (and you do).

I started training for my 4th half marathon with a strength training workout last week. It was super hard but extremely effective. The second day had me running 5k but I was off work that day and wanted to go to yoga. I decided I’d go to yoga and run that night…no problem, I can handle a double workout day (so I thought).

I struggled slightly through my yoga class as the night before’s workout left me sore all over…but I did it and felt great. As the afternoon when on my energy level decreased and my desire to run wasn’t there. Honestly, I could barely function I was so exhausted!  So, I decided not to run and go to bed early – best decision ever!

As I hit DAY 3 of training I was still super sore from Monday’s workout and hadn’t even ran yet, I felt like such a rookie. My run was great (5 x 400’s) on the treadmill though I messed up and only did 4 x 400’s. Ahh well…one day at a time.

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March

I really can’t believe it’s April already. I’m 100% ready for spring weather, green grass growing and flowers blooming. March was a pretty good month, though busy with work at the beginning. We enjoyed Lilly’s first March break and Saï has been really busy with work…HERE 🙂 We’ve sure been loving having him home at the end of his shift; tucking in the girls for bedtime and for me just being able to spend more time together. I kept up my “building my base” and starting using a training plan for Johnny Miles Half.

March Mileage

April

As for this month, I’m just wanting to enjoy half marathon training and get better sleep. I need more sleep. Last night I was in bed before 9 PM and didn’t get up until 8 AM when my girls were begging for breakfast (fair enough).

When was your last rookie moment?

How was your March?

Any April goals?

Open Slopes

/ Anna @ Piper's Run / 9 Comments

I just had a great morning to myself. I booked the day off work, made some plans and got up early with the girls.

Once I dropped them off at daycare/school, I headed to our local hill, Ski Martock. It’s fairly small and some might say it’s not a mountain but it sure has a lot of character, passion and great memories. It’s one of two hills I grew up skiing on.

I was all by myself. No friends. No family. Just me.  I arrived before the lift open and was on the hill at 9 am sharp with a handful of senior’s. Normally, I’d try to ski with my Dad but he already had plans to ski at the other hill with his friend.

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As I glided over the freshly groomed tracks, I quickly finished my run and got back on the chair lift. I had no commitments other then to ski by myself. Little did I know, I would run into 2 of my former high school teachers while in the lodge and on the chair lift. We caught up and skied together.

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It felt so good to rip down the hill, carving my turns, feeling the burning in my thighs and the rush of the -10C (-18 with windchill) air on my cheeks as they occasionally peeked out from under my neck warmer. Oh, I love skiing.

It’s a long weekend here (Heritage/Family Day) on Monday so I took today and Tuesday off to enjoy some time to myself and get things done around the house.

Off to vacuum and clean bathrooms – fun 🙂 So glad I “played” first thing this morning or this cleaning bit would just suck 😉

Hope you all have a great weekend. 

Any plans?

We’re getting more snow..surprise!!! 

 

I Heart Exercise

/ Anna @ Piper's Run / 5 Comments

Well, it’s no surprise to you that I enjoy working out. If you’ve been around the blog a while you’ll know that I love to run, play soccer (when not injured), ski, snowshoe and be active with my kids outside year round.

I’ve grown up play sports since I was old enough to figure it out; skiing at three, soccer at 5 and then multiple sports as a teenager (volleyball, badminton, soccer etc.). We grew up playing “capture the flag” in our neighbourhood, riding our bikes to our soccer games or friends houses.

I guess I’ve always loved to be active. If my Mom was writing this post she would tell you about the time when I was a little one (under 3) and had my “exercise” gear on. Picture the 80’s outfits; head band, pony tail, leotard, body suit and socks that strunched down to my ankles. Oh yes, that was me. I would wait for my “exercise” program to come on the TV during lunch hour. One more, two more…I would repeat over and over again!!! Apparently I loved it!

February is Heart Month and GoodLife Fitness has a “Heart Health Challenge” going on!

You can join the challenge here.

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Daily challenges will be provided. Let’s be honest…who doesn’t need a little help with motivation this winter, I know I do!

Along with the daily challenges there will be exercise tips and recipe ideas. They are also providing suggestions for reducing stress and getting better sleep. For me this is a big one! I know I don’t get enough sleep, especially this week with a sick kid and working full time while my husband is away working. It’s life but it’s stressful so any tips I can get would be great!

Did you know…“Canadian Physical Activity guideline recommends 150 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Statistics Canada reports that only about 15% of Canadian adults meet the current guidelines. This tends to be higher in males (17%) than females (13%), and younger adults aged 18 to 39 years (19%) compared to older adults 60 to 79 years (11%). Cardio and strength training both have great benefits for your heart. Your heart needs more than just cardio exercise to stay healthy and strong.”

GoodLife Fitness will have an open house February 15th – 19th where you can learn more about heart health! Open house, yes please!!! GoodLife Fitness has partner with the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre for this challenge.

Though exercise is extremely important to me, so is hearth health. My Dad had a heart attack last year and for someone turning 70 this March, he is an extremely active senior. So heart health is important to me because it hits close to home. My Dad continues to ski, snow shoe, walk and referee soccer in the summer months. He takes care of is heart health and so should we all!

Take care of yourself this month and join us in the I Heart Exercise Challenge!

Don’t forget to use the #iHeartExercise for the month of February!

What’s your number one form of exercise?

When was the last time you thought about your heart health?