Year of Running {2016}

December 15, 2016December 14, 2016 / Anna @ Piper's Run / 43 Comments

Well, my year of running in 2016 is summed up in a few races out of a handful that I did last year. I had a rough year with three different injuries (2 minor and 1 major) so running was a roller coaster of good and bad.

I wanted to share with you some of my best running of 2016, especially for those newer followers to Piper’s Run. Last year’s recap can be found here: 2015.

Best Race Experience: Maritime Race Weekend was simply the best. The weather was perfect, the hype was awesome and the atmosphere both days was energetic and motivating. Though I went into MRW with a fresh ankle injury and dropped down from the half to the 5k race, I had a blast.

Best run: Back in August was my last long run during training and it was my favourite! It was week six of training for MRW and I ran it early in the morning from my parents house. I paced myself well, saw many runners on the trail, ran out of Nuun, stopped at a grocery store to refuel and even managed to pick up my pace for the last 2 km. It was just great…then I injured my ankle at soccer the following week….whomp, whomp!

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Best new piece of running gear: It’s not necessarily “running gear” but I love my Qalo rings. My husband and I both got two rings each. He wears his all the time and I wear mine when I run/workout. They are silicone rings that move with your finger if you are picking up weights (or other objects) and won’t catch on anything like a stretcher (my husband is a Paramedic).

Best running advice you’ve received this year: Best to not run and take time to heal.

Best Advice I Can Give: Just because you are injured now, will not mean you are injured later. Take time to rest, heal and get stronger.

Most inspirational runner: I was pretty excited to see Kyla from Early Bird Runner, run her first Boston Marathon. She trained well and finished solid. I also got to meet her last year when she was visiting home visiting family which was fun.

Favorite picture from a run or race this year: Maritime Race Weekend 5k. After a disappointing soccer injury, I was just happy to be running.

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Race experience you would repeat in a heartbeat: I’ve already registered for Maritime Race Weekend 5k & Half Marathon (Tartan Twosome) for next September.

Worst Running Moment & Favourite Medal: Johnny Miles Half Marathon. This is only for personal reason, the event itself was wonderful and I want to do it again. This was my goal race.

It was to be my comeback race from my hamstring injury from the previous year. It was a weekend away with my running buddy. However, it was such a struggle – mentally and physically. Looking back, even though I felt I failed myself miserably, I ran at a time when I was grieving the lost of our dog. This might sound silly to some but I was more devastated about MacLean’s death the I ever thought I would be. It happened suddenly on Friday morning and I ran the half on Sunday morning.

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It was extremely hot (that’s fine) but I struggled through every single step. I wanted to give up after 5k and quit but I kept running….and walked a lot. I almost ran a personal worst and I STILL don’t know my exact finish time. I cried at the finish. It was rough.

It’s taken a few months but I can say now that I am proud this finish and love this medal. Definitely, my favourite medal for 2016.

If you could sum up your year in a couple of words what would they be? Disappointing, challenging and determined.

The “Year of Running”is hosted by Courtney from Eat Pray Run.

What’s your “Best” of 2016 in Running?

Who is your most inspirational runner?

Best running gear?

Parenting Edition:What’s In A Race Photo?

October 28, 2016October 27, 2016 / Anna @ Piper's Run / 15 Comments

With race season wrapping up in our area, race photo’s are starting to pop up on Facebook news feeds and emails. The anticipation of seeing your photo can be thrilling or scary then to see the photo and think, oh shit, I looked horrible (or great). They are fun because it brings you back to that moment in time when you may have been struggling or you nailed a new PB.

As a parent, if your kids are in sports you get to watch them over and over AND over again. Soccer games, rugby matches, cross country meets or swimming lesson. Growing up I played multiple sports and my parents were always at my games/siblings games. Soccer games, volleyball games, badminton games etc. They sat and watched over and over again all three of us play. They drove us to games, wiped our tears when we lost an important game, played with us, coached us; they were our biggest cheerleaders.

For me and my husband (Saï), as parents of an almost 4 year old and 6 year old, we now get to watch them play sports. It’s all introductory lessons and practices of soccer, swimming and now gymnastics.

I believe that since Saï and I both run, the girls like to run. You know monkey see monkey do. They genuinely love to run but have different running styles. Lilly is calm and collected like her father and Hilary has fast feet…not like her mother.

So why am I writing this post? Well, all because of this photo:

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{Thank you Valley Harvest Marathon for the free photos, it’s much appreciated!)

This wasn’t her first kids run, she’s done a handful of them over the last three years. She run twice around the beautiful Acadia University track with other six year old’s at the Valley Harvest Marathon Kids Run.

BUT, this photo…the face of focus, I’m hoping not pain. Her hair bouncing to the side from her body gliding over the track, her posture and form pushing her forward, her outfit that she picked out to run in. I also love the other girls in the photo, all doing their own thing and enjoying it. Oh, I love this photo of my daughter.

I’m sure there will be more sports over the years and, I so look forward to watching and capturing moments like this.

So what’s the value of a race photo as a parent – SO MUCH HAPPINESS 🙂

Happy Friday Folks!

What are your weekend plans?

What are your thoughts on race photos?

Last – for those that commented on Wednesday’s post – thank you.

Valley Harvest Marathon Kids Run 2016 Recap

October 10, 2016October 10, 2016 / Anna @ Piper's Run / 30 Comments

It seems each year the weekend of Valley Harvest Marathon (Canadian Thanksgiving weekend) the weather is different. In 2014 it was super wet, last year it was the windiest and this year probably the warmest in a few years. With the bright sun-shining down on over 1000 kids, it was a great day!

We actually started the day off with swimming lessons at 8:30 and were amazed that it went so well. We were expecting Hilary have a meltdown since she dislikes water and didn’t want to do swimming lessons. Lilly swam in the deep end for the first time unassisted and Hilary was in the water the whole time with an instructor! Big win!

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After an early lunch we headed off to Wolfville to pick up our race kits and meet up with friends. Race kit pick up with kids can be a bit hectic but they had some activities for the kids to do which was great. We ran into lots of people we knew which is always fun.

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We waited outside from 1:30 until the 2 pm start time which for our three-almost four year old, was too long of a wait (parenting lesson learned). At 2 pm the under 5 girls went, which meant it was Hilary’s turn to run one lap around the Acadia track. Last year she did it all by herself so we expected her to do it again by herself. That was not the case.

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After see most of the kids pass around the track, Hilary was nowhere to be seen. I made my way over to the other side of the field to see her walking with a sad face. I tried to cheer her up and her response was “I just want to run with you”. With no hesitation, I grabbed her hand that was reaching out to me and took off in my Birkenstock. She cruised around the track to the finish her lap. She’s actually a fast runner so it was funny trying to keep up with her in birks. Afterwards she was so happy to “have won the race”!

Next up was under 5 boys and then it was supposed to be 5 & 6 year olds girls. I’m not sure if they changed it last minute but as Lilly was waiting with the other 5 & 6 year old girls they announced it was only 5 year olds going. Six year olds had to go back and wait with their parents so Lilly stepped to the side of the track. Lilly was fine but it was a little chaotic for some parents and kids. It was 5 year old girls who then did two laps followed by the 5 year old boys who did two laps, then it was Lilly’s turn with the 6 year olds. We waited in shade near the start to watch all the runners finish.

Finally it was Lilly’s turn and she was so excited. We talked a lot about pacing herself as sometimes she goes too fast and then get’s a stitch in her side. She did a great job running and had a happy face as she passed us on her first lap. The best part was watching her get her medal and run over to me with excitement all over her face. So worth it.

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We played on the field with friends and took in the Run, Jump, Throw, Wheel equipment that a friend was facilitating. We got to practice throwing a pretend javelin on a rope which was really cool.

Though it was a bit chaotic for some parents it was a great day to have kids out running and cheering each other on. There was lots of traffic delays due to highway and road construction that you can’t really do anything about. We had typical wait times getting out of Acadia University where the run was held but that to be expected when you go to an event like that.

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I love having such a great event so close to home to watch not only our girls run but their friends run too. Sometimes we parents feel like we run around with our heads cut off when taking your kids to fun events like this but in the end it’s all worth it. The girls had a blast and that’s what really matters.

Big thanks to Valley Harvest Marathon committee for the Kids Run – 1000’s kids registered – that’s awesome!

Do your kids run in kids events?

Anyone’s kids run in the Valley Harvest Marathon?

Do you plan for traffic delays when going to a race?

Valley Harvest Marathon 10k Recap to come…it was great!

Best of 2015 in Running

December 21, 2015December 20, 2015 / Anna @ Piper's Run / 21 Comments

Though it wasn’t a big year of running but it sure was an adventure that had it’s up’s and downs. Obviously, the hamstring injury was the low point which too over 9 most of the year but I ended with some fun races.

Last year I did a “Best of 2014 Running” and thought I’d do it again. This year it’s hosted by Eat Pray Run DC. I’ve added some “other” pieces to the questions.

Best Race Photo & Best Race Experience: Pacing 10k Valley Harvest

I’ve never used a pace bunny before at a race so I’m not sure what drove me to sign up to be one but I’m sure happy I did. Through White Rabbit Pacing, I paced the 1:10 – 10k finish and managed a 1:09:59 finish time.

I was super nervous going into it as I was just getting my foot back to normal after it’s brief encounter with injury. I did a few practice runs and took some time to figure out pacing with my Garmin which was a life saver.

I love this race photo from me pacing – I had so much fun!

Finish photo at Valley Harvest marathon Pace Bunny

Though the winds was rough, this was the first time I loved running the 10k at Valley Harvest Marathon as I normally dislike one long open section. This year that part of the route was filled with runners around me, high fives and good chats with people I’ve never met before.

I absolutely loved pacing and planning on doing it again in 2016!

Best Volunteering Experience: Maritime Race Weekend

THIS RACE! This race was supposed to be my “come back” race but it was not. Luckily, I was able to volunteer handing out medals to finishers both Friday night (5k) and Saturday (all distances).

This race is one of the best races in Nova Scotia. The excitement around the race year round is vibrant. It’s the race that encourages everyone to participate whether you are a runner or not. It’s the race that gives back to community groups. It’s the race that you don’t want to miss!

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I had a lot of fun volunteering, meeting new people, seeing friends finish their races. It an event that your running friends/communities come together. It’s a must do and I’m all ready signed up for September 2016!

Best Run: PEI Half Marathon

This by far was my best run of the year. My 3rd half marathon and one I was super nervous about. I didn’t know how my hamstring would hold up but new to keep moving forward and take it all in.

PEI 3rd Half Marathon 2015

My goal was a 6:30/km pace and I set my Garmin to 6:20 pace. I finished in 2:13:28. Not my best time but not my worst either; it was the exact time that I needed it to be. Though my hamstring was fine running, I’d later be in pain for a week due to not stretching properly – lesson learned.

Best New Piece of Gear:

I don’t really have a favourite new piece of running gear but I sure did love my pink Asics that my husband picked up from me.

Early morning sweat

Best Piece of Running Advice You Received:

Maintenance and cross training is key for good running. You can run all you want but if you don’t work the muscles the propel you to run – you remain injured. ~from my physiotherapist

Race Experience You’d Repeat in a Heartbeat:

Pacing with White Rabbit Pacing. Hands down, I loved this and hoping to do so again next fall.

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Worst Running Moment: Hamstring Injury.

On December 10th 2014, I pulled my hamstring playing soccer and figured it was just a normal minor injury. I took some time off, not enough clearly and waited a full month to seek out treatment – lessened learned: seek treatment ASAP. Just because you’ve pulled muscle many many times before doesn’t always mean it’s the same.

This injury sidelined me until June, though I was running a little I was still in lots of pain until June…until I saw a Sports Physiotherapist and he got me back on track. I was going great until I somehow injured my cuboid bone that took me out of another race.

Injuries suck.

Favourite Medal: PEI Half Marathon & Valley Harvest 10k Pacing.

2015 medals