Maritime Race Weekend Training Week 8 {Half} Training, Ups & Downs.

August 24, 2016August 23, 2016 / Anna @ Piper's Run / 9 Comments

I almost feel like there is nothing to write about for this weeks training since it was basically non-existent. If you missed it, last week during my soccer game I injured my ankle. It hurt a lot for 24 hours but each day got better and better. I took a full 7 days off running.

I did manage to get out for a run this Monday and it went really well with my ankle taped up. So far it’s okay, doesn’t hurt but isn’t 100%, hopefully I’ll know more tomorrow.

What was Planned vs. What Really Happened:

Monday August 15th: Coaching/Rest Day | Rest Day. I couldn’t have done this better, though I was injured. The girls didn’t have soccer but it was on the schedule by mistake.

I spent the day at work, icing my ankle and walking really slowly. Driving wasn’t awesome either but what can ya do when you’ve got to go to work/drop your kids off.

Tuesday: Yoga | Rest Day. I couldn’t even go to yoga 😦 I was able to start walking normal but it was still a slower pace for me. I kept to walking from my car to the office and once around the grocery store. Pretty limited.

Wednesday: Run | PT Exercises & Weights. As my husband left for his evening run, I did some of my PT exercises for my SI joint and a few weights. I really wanted to just go for a run but my foot still hurt.

IMG_20160816_203607[1]

Thursday: Speed Work | Rest Day. By Thursday I just started to feel sad that I wasn’t running. It’s been beautiful weather and I actually feel motivated to run (of course, when you can run that’s all you want to do). I just felt bummed out. Bu Thursday, I was trying to figure out how hard it’s going to be to start running again after taking a full week off.

Friday: Rest Day | Swimming.

Saturday: 17k Long Run | Yoga/Swimming . I tried to keep myself busy on the weekend and to not think about all the running I have been missing. We went to Valley Yoga Fest in the morning and swam in the afternoon.

Swimming Aug 20

Sunday: Soccer Game | Yoga/Swimming. I’m out of soccer for a bit until I figure out my ankle. We went to yoga and swam again. Leisurely laps for 25 minutes.

Ankle update: I think it was just a strain vs a sprain. I had VERY little swelling and almost no bruising but man, the pain was severe. We’ll just see how it goes. I have an ankle brace that I can wear for soccer but I’m not playing any time soon. As for running, I’m taping my ankle when I run {one run done so far} since I had years of practice, it’s like tying up my shoes.

Overall: I’ve moved onto feeling disappointed. I have no idea what distance I can run at this point and time will tell. I’ll listen to my body, my Physiotherapist and go from there. There are other half marathons this fall but man, I was really starting to get excited for this one. So, no decisions on changing from the half to 10k as of today.

KM This week: 0

KM this training cycle: 127 km

Race Day: Sept 16th {5k} and 17th {Half Marathon, I think}.

Ever take a full week off running so close to your race day? (4-5 weeks out)

How do you keep yourself busy when you get injured?

Yoga, Swim {The Hip}, Repeat.

August 22, 2016August 21, 2016 / Anna @ Piper's Run / 6 Comments

That pretty much sums up my weekend. Lots of good things, sunshine, water and I even shed a few tears and reflected on life in general.

This past weekend there was an event called Valley Yoga Fest. The girls and I decided to go Saturday morning to check out the kids class (amazing) and I did the adult class nearby. The kids class was so awesome, they did about 40 minutes of yoga and then played on the BIG playground – what kid wouldn’t love that!

Valley Yoga Fest

I was at the adult yoga class on a beach towel since my girls had both of my yoga mats. Honestly, I didn’t care I was on a towel with the wet grass underneath me. I was just happy to be able to attend a class and have my children participate in one at the same time. The towel didn’t faze me. My girls wanted me over at the playground so I cut my class short, again that was fine by me because it meant I had happy kids and I got in a little yoga.

Well, this is where the fun begins! Lululemon staff were at the session and gave me and my friend a new yoga mat! They gave out roughly 10 or more to random people in the class that we attended but they wanted to make sure we both got one since we were on towels and then we could do yoga WITH our kids…all on mats! Both my friend and I were blown away! We got lots of goodies; samples, complementary yoga classes at local studios, sunscreen and flavoured water.

Valley Yoga Fest 2.jpg

With my husband on night shifts all weekend, we went out Saturday afternoon to swim. I am taking care of my boss’s pool so we spent around 3 hours swimming and playing. We repeated this on Sunday too; yoga in the morning for all three of us and swimming in the afternoon. I even managed to do 25 minutes of leisurely laps…good lord I could never be a swimmer!

During Sunday’s yoga class I couldn’t help but think about Gord Downie and the concert I listened to the night before. I started my practice with him in my thoughts and eventually got lost in the hour and some random hugs and refereeing with the girls. The last song they played during the yoga class was a Tragically Hip song. To be honest, the tears starting falling down my face in an emotion of pure sadness. Full circle yoga session for me I guess.

THE TRAGICALLY HIP

If you don’t know who I am talking about, look them up…they are the most Canadian band you’ll ever hear. Last night all of Canada basically said “goodbye” to them as their lead singer Gord Downie has incurable brain cancer {horrible}. They put on a three hour show during their last tour.

I’ve listen to this band since high school and loved them all along. There are slight references to Canadian towns {Bobcaygen}, the radio/tv broadcaster {CBC} and reference great moments in Canadian history {hockey} in their lyrics………..

If there’s a goal that everyone remembers
It was back in old seventy two
We all squeezed the stick and we all pulled the trigger
And all I remember is sitting beside you

You said you didn’t give a f— about hockey
And I never saw someone say that before
You held my hand and we walked home the long way
You were loosening my grip on Bobby Orr

Saturday night I went to an outdoor concert to listen to them play as the CBC was airing their LAST concert live from Kingston, Ontario. I just needed to see the concert outside of my house for some reason and the outdoor venue was awesome.

They did THREE encores and Gord spoke briefly, mentioning the Prime Minister {Justin} but also leaving us with these words “Have A Good Life”. Oh man, I started crying! He was saying his goodbye and wishing US all well! OMG, lots of tears for his man. A friend of mine who attended another concert earlier in the week shared that he said “be kind to each other, take care of each other, and have a nice life”!

It’s true. We ALL need to be kind. We all need to take care of each other. If we could all do this, the world would be a better place I’m sure. The Tragically Hip may have finished their last tour ever but their music and their legacy will be with us forever.

I’m exhausted from all the activity, staying up WAY pass my bed time {so worth it} but also the sadness for Gord Downie. What now…well, I hope he’s able to enjoy life with his family, band members and friends.

How was your weekend?

Do bands have impacts on you?

Did you catch the concert or see any reference to it online?

Half Marathon Training Week #4 and Swimming

August 18, 2014 / Anna @ Piper's Run / 15 Comments

Hello Monday morning! I’ve got them running legs…it’s all they want to do. Run, run and more running but sometimes my mind just wants to do nothing. Another week done, another week of training for the Valley Harvest Half Marathon done 🙂 It went a little like this:

What was planned VS What REALLY happened:

Monday: Stretch & Strengthen – 7k Outside that included 8 hills. I wanted to run since I did yoga Sunday and felt that 7k was a good distance to go. I threw in a few hills….3 that were REALLY LONG inclines…you know the ones you don’t think will ever end; then a set of 4 repeats, then a flat stretch and another hill that didn’t want to end. It was hard but good at the same time. Later that night not only did my legs hurt but my lungs did too!

Tuesday: 6k Run – 6k Outside that included 3 hills (normal route). I ran my normal route and had a good 6k run.

Wednesday: 35 minute tempo run – 6k Treadmill– I felt like this was a good run, nothing amazing but not terrible. It was far from a tempo run but it’s all good.

Thursday: 5k + Strength – 5k + Strength workout. My co-worker Melissa and I did a run/workout combination during our lunch break. We ran 2k, then did this workout {40 jumping jacks, 30 crunches, 20 squats, 10 push ups), then ran 1k, repeated the workout {40,30,20,10), ran 1k that included a set of stairs and walked 1k to cool down. It might not have been a solid 5k but I got the distance in and some strength workout too.

Friday: Glorious REST DAY!!!!! Much needed! Lilly had a soccer extravaganza event: bbq, bouncy castle and soccer game/skills session. We didn’t get home until 7:30, then we weeded our neighbours garden until after 8pm. I had to pack for Halifax as we were making another trip in for our car.

Saturday: We drove to Halifax (an hour way) to pick up my new car (it had some major work done – long story), so we spent the weekend at my parents place. Running, swimming, a birthday party, Grammy/Grandad and Auntie time along with Saï coming home!

Saturday Run: 5 k run….ran 12k. Switched my Sunday long run to Saturday. It was a great long run on a gravel trail and shade then back on the sidewalk in the sun. Fairly flat with hills at the beginning and end. I had planned on the 11k but added 1 more kilometer since I still had that distance to go before I got back to the house. Oh and I had my first GU in YEARS…like 9 years! It was “Chocolate Outrage” and I actually really liked it. I told my husband which one I had and he almost barfed in his mouth…guess he’s not a fan of chocolate gu 😉

After my run, Lilly and I jumped in the pool…she learned to float like a star fish and I cooled off from my run. Later we went to a party and Hilary ate enough watermelon for an entire family of six, I swear! She also loved the bouncy castle.

Sunday: 11k – 5k run. Since I switched my long run to Saturday I still had a 5k run to do. We drove back from my parents place, had lunch and got the girls settled into nap/quiet time. I went for a quick 5k run and it was terrible! HA! After 2 km I decided that I just wanted to run my normal route and no hard hills…just the two normal hills I have to run. I had a side stitch that didn’t want to go away and at the last-minute I ran down one of the hard hills only to run up again. I figured I’d be thankful later that I did it {I was}.

I got home to find Hilary still not asleep and Lilly want to be done with quiet time! The four of us went out to run a few errands. No nap for Hilary meant for one cranky little girl…they were both in bed my 6:30 and Saï and I passed out at 6:45 pm, I forgot how good a 2 hour nap could make you feel 🙂

And that was my running week!

How was your weekend?

Anyone run? Vacation?

Would you swim post long run or not ?

Other Half Marathon Training: Training Plan, Week 1 and Week 2 and Week 3.

Running and an Unexpected Surprise!

July 21, 2014July 20, 2014 / Anna @ Piper's Run / 8 Comments

Happy Monday!

I’m rather sad to see this past weekend end, to the point that I wish this week was my vacation week. Sadly it’s not and therefore I’ll be at work this week 😦 My weekend started off with a great run in my new shoes: New Balance 890’s.

The first 1-3km I was trying to figure out if I liked them or not. I found the heel rather hard in my left shoe and slightly uncomfortable. The shoes are SO light compared to everything else I’ve ever had. I ran 6k outside and did some hill repeats x3. It’s hard to tell after just one run but give me a few weeks in them and I’ll let you know what I think of them. It was a slow run but I was happy with it.

The hills were during kilometers 4 and 5 which shows in my times…..but I didn’t walk any of it 🙂

Saturday morning at 3:44 am I got woken up by someone coming into my bedroom {that sounds bad but it wasn’t}. My parents were staying over (hence the run outside and not on the treadmill) so I though it was my father. He’s had a number of Charlie horses in his legs so I thought he might be coming to ask about ice/meds etc.

When I saw the light {again, that sounds bad}, all I could think of is “Why is Dad so tall all of a sudden?” and “What’s wrong?”. It was in fact, my husband who is 6’2 but I was SO confused as he wasn’t supposed to be home. He came home to surprise us for 5 days – best reason to wake up at 3:44 am. Then I couldn’t sleep because I was too excited to see him! The girls were super thrilled to see him in the morning too! Win win for everyone!

The girls and I had a play date Saturday morning at a friend’s house – we got to swim in the lake, had a picnic lunch and Lilly got to try out her friend’s kayak!!! It was a great morning AND I somehow convinced Krystol {my running buddy} to sign up for the Valley Harvest Half Marathon!!! I’m just a tad excited to run it with her 🙂

We spent the rest of the weekend outside at our house: sprinkler fun, bubbles, walks and playing in the sandbox not to mention eating some good food. I took Saturday off from running and ran Sunday: 7k on the treadmill and was soaked in sweat – summer running at it’s best.

How was your weekend?

Anyone run?

Have you ever been woken up in the middle of the night by your spouse expectantly?