Will Run For Thanksgiving Supper!!

No really! I will.

I was so happy when Thanksgiving weekend came around- not only was it a long weekend but it meant that another race day had rolled in!! The first time I started running- about 5 years ago, I had set my eyes on the Valley Harvest Marathon weekend as a MUST DO! However, I really felt like I need to be a way better runner to take part in such a run. And if you've read any of my other posts, you probably know that I've become a better runner and a healthier, fitter person! So when my trainer friend planted the seed of running in Valley Harvest, I got that pit in my stomach, the sweaty palms and asked at least 20 questions about the route, my abilities and so on.. followed by a hell yeah I'll do it!!

So there it was- my second 10k in the racing season.. a first for me. But I was so excited for that run! Think about something you've wanted for over 5 years.. but you couldn't have it for many reasons... many of those obstacles that were in my way were created by myself. But the day was here for me to crush all of those obstacles.

The race happened on a Sunday and that Thursday just before while I was at bootcamp my IT band felt like someone stabbed it. Given the catastrophic thinker I am, my first thought was... I'm ruined for the race on Sunday.
I stopped at my physiotherapist's office on my way home and literally begged for an appointment the next day... and thankfully he squeezed me in at 7am! I've never been so happy to have an appointment at that time!! I had several people trying to talk me down and say things like "there will be more races", "you could do 5k", "don't push to race and prevent yourself from running for months afterwards"... etc. Turned out to be a fluke injury that didn't impact the run! Thankfully!! But a lesson was learned.. (one can hope anyway).. the flare up was entirely related to my previous hip injury. So when a physio person says to do exercises... you should! Ha.

Icing and Tens Machine on the IT Band the night before :)

My fabulous trainer friend picked me up at 5:30 AM!! 5:30!! In the morning!!

Proof that it was dark o'clock.

The sun wasn't even up! Our races didn't start until 8:00 but we had heard that traffic the day before for the kids run was hectic and the construction on the highway backed everything up causing huge delays.. so being the planners we are, we needed to make sure we'd make it there in time. Murphy's Law- we made it there with zero delays and even had time for a pre-race rest in the car before picking up our kits.

We did get to see a pretty sunrise though...

It was oddly warm for an October morning... pretty sure it was around 15 degrees... at 8am! We made our way to the field to start warming up and getting ready to get underway. Because of the flare up with my IT Band, I was pretty focused on making sure that I was as warmed up for this run as I could possibly be... and that totally lead me to lose track of time.

Traditional pre race photo

I literally only had a couple minutes on the track before the gun went off. While I was finding my place in the line, I received the CUTEST audio message from my nephew to cheer me on...can't lie-  hearing the message and the combination of nerves and excitement I had... his boost of confidence totally made me tear up... which completely distracted me even more from getting my earphones in, Garmin signal found and just ready to run! So the gun went off and I was still trying to get ready for the run! Thankfully there were lots of people ahead of me, so all was in order by the time I crossed the start line!

Start line!

I have to say that most of the 10 kilometers went really well!! One thing I like about running races with people I know... is getting to see them throughout the race. I got to see a few familiar faces and give some high fives around the halfway mark. The first 8k went went off without a hitch! I hadn't had any hip or ITB pain, so I was feeling good! For the most part, I had no complaints until the 8.5 kilometer mark. At that point, I was tired, thirsty and I just wanted to see the finish line. The 8.5-9.5 part was a mental struggle. I started thinking that my legs were done, I was starting to (think) I hurt and that I was just going to have to walk the rest of the way. None of these things were actually true though! I had no pain! Legs were doing just fine... it was all mental. At just the very right moment, my power song came on and really, that was all I needed to get through the end of the race.
The thought of running in the Acadia University outdoor track/stadium caused me a lot of anxiety leading up to the race, but I have to say once I stepped foot on the track, it felt awesome. Obviously part of that is because I could see the finish line!! As I rounded the corner to the finish line- there was my trainer friend cheering me on and taking pictures. I also saw the current time on the race clock and I was coming in seconds under my Cobequid 10k time, so I kicked it up a gear and made sure to cross that finish line just a little faster! As a side note- I totally forgot that that time was the gun time, not when I actually crossed the start line, so I ended the race with a new PB of 1:03:37!

Nailed it!!!

I will definitely be participating in the Valley Harvest Marathon weekend again... who knows what distance, but I will be there! The route was great, the sights were fabulous and it was an extremely well organized event!

Good Times in the Maritimes!! MRW 2016

A few years ago, I had signed up to take part in Maritime Race Weekend, but I ended up not being able to participate because of an injury. So I felt like this year I had to do it, if for nothing else to make up for 2013. I am SO happy that I signed up for this event! I will be returning every year to this one!

From the very second that I picked up my race kit, I was excited to get getting running. The swag from the race kit was awesome. I got an awesome hat, the most comfortable long sleeve tech shirt, tattoos, a pretty tartan plaid race bib and pirate themed buff!

I rushed home from work for a quick wardrobe change and headed out to pick up Courteney and Cathy to head for our Sunset run. My sister is a neighbour of Cathy's so when I pulled up to her driveway I got to see my nephew before the run! Check out the super cute sign :)

There are a bunch of different runs that happy on Maritime Race Weekend. It kicks off with the "sunset 5k" on Friday night followed by a "sunrise" 5k, 10k, half full & ultra-marathons on Saturday morning. I know it's shocking that after 7 months of running, I opted out of the ultra marathon (50K) and went for the sunrise 5k! If you did the sunset 5k and one of the Saturday runs, you were part of the Tartan Twosome, which really just means that you get an extra medal... (this may have been a deciding factor for me). The entire theme of the weekend is pirates, so you see a lot of people dressed up. I gave in to peer pressure and agreed to dress up for the Friday night run. Now- I didn't go all crazy and buy a whole costume because I didn't want to spend then money on a costume that I'd only wear once. However- like I said.. I'll be back to this run every year.. so I'll be investing in a costume!

We waited in a super long, but ridiculously fast moving bathroom line before heading to the start. There were sooooo many people there, but it was wonderful!!

How could you not have a fabulous evening when you're running alongside the ocean and get to watch that sun set!! Cathy and I stuck together for the Sunset 5k. I always love running with Cathy :)

The sunset was absolutely stunning on Friday. This picture doesn't do it justice.

1 of 2 5k's done!

Part of the TTP Running Group from Timberlea

I probably didn't get home until 9:30-10 and when I did I had to grab something to eat, ice the hip and get to bed! Saturday morning was an early one. I was up 5:45 and out the door just after 6. We wanted to make sure we were able to find parking and get situated for the 8am gun time. Again, we waiting in a super long, but super fast moving bathroom line and then took a few pre race photos.

More TTP Crew

So the nerves were kicking in, butterflies were going on.. and Courteney and I talked game plan for the race. Friday night I didn't push myself, I saved the racing for Saturday. Although I really wanted to aim for my time to be under 30 minutes, we agreed that that would be my goal for 2017, not this race season. So my current PB for 5k was 32:48 and in the 10K in Truro, my 5k turn around time was 31:31, so we were aiming to come across the finish at 31:00.

Courteney said she would pace me, but to put my headphones in get the race zone. So in the zone I went! We were off, and I was closely watching my watch.. noticed we were under the our pace time of 6... so I was happy, that alloed a little room for when we took a walk break or water break.... or when I got tired. In the first 2.5k, Courteney was also super close and often times I found her kind of cutting me off, or running in my way... so being oblivious me, I would go around her and kept my good pace going! We had agreed to a walk break at the halfway point, but I was feeling really good, so I looked at her and said I'm good, let's keep going. We soon came up on a water station, where we walked through it, I took a swig of water and we kept going.

Somewhere around the 4k-ish mark, I hit a mental wall. And she knew as my footwork changed... so I said we needed a walk break.. I took my headphones out so I could get a pep talk... and before I knew it she said OK! That's enough walking... let's go... but.. but.. let's go.. so we did! My head was back in the game and I have to say that I am SO thankful that I ran the route the night before, because I realized how close we were getting to the end... when I realized that, I looked at my watch and saw that I was at 27 minutes. I looked ahead again and thought "oh my god, I can *@&^)%# do this. I CAN DO THIS!!!" And I took off. I didn't say a word to my pace bunny, I just booked it. I had a minor moment as I turned the corner to the finish line that I started sprinting way too fast, but that was forgotten when I saw the finish line. I crossed that line knowing that blew my goal out of the water. The next few minutes are a bit of a blur, but Courteney came over, and was just as excited as me. She gave me a huge hug and we looked at my time- 29:22!!!! I CRUSHED my 2017 goal and my current PB!!! There may or may not have been a couple tears shed from both of us over that AMAZING run. We got our medals and waited to see a couple of our friends cross the finish too. I have a new favorite post run food... freezies! They were handing them out in the food area and it was hands down, the most enjoyable food there!

We were both pretty pumped about my time!

Runner's high- PB with a time I honestly didn't think possible in 2016!

I was super happy to meet up with Amy for a post run high five/hug/selfie!

Best bling from a race yet.

As per most stories with my trainer/coach/cheerleader friend, it's always a good story. I learned after we crossed the finish line that she had talked to me the whole way. Not making conversation, but cheered me and gave the pep talks I would totally need... if I didn't have my music blasting. I really wish I had heard all the positive talk, but it seemed to work anyway.
Maritime Race Weekend is an event I will be participating in for years to come. The atmosphere, scenery, flawless planning and good times are well worth it. Eyes are now looking forward to the Valley Harvest 10K.

This is what I trained for!

Once again, I completed another running training plan... this time for 10k. When my trainer friend gave it to me, I was shocked that although it was definitely a training plan for 10k, there wasn't one run on the schedule that took me 10k! She told me that once I get up to 9k, that last 1k is peanuts...cue nervous laughter at that comment!! How can running an additional kilometer after already having run 9... be peanuts?! She must be a crazy half marathon runner...

Thankfully, with the time I had to complete the training plan, I was able to do a 10k on my own before doing my 10k race. I had so many emotions that day that I ran 10k. It was a mental game in the morning as I got ready to run my first 10k in 5 years, but it went SO well!! The trail in my area was closed to any activity because of the extremely dry conditions, so I had to hit the road. I was really excited about 3k in to see my trainer friend waiting to join me for 5k of the run. She made a comment when she started running to just keep doing what I was doing and to pretend she wasn't there. So I did. I kept one headphone in so that my techno and Meghan Trainor's tunes could keep me going! I was so proud when I got home and had completed my 10k in a record breaking 1:04:54. The last time I ran 10k (2011) my time was 1:27!! To have just taken 23 minutes off my time I really couldn't be more proud!! The most satisfying part of this run though, was knowing that I could do it. I knew at this point, that the 10k race I would be doing at the end of August, wasn't as much of a daunting task.

It was just after this run that I started having SEVERE hip pain during my runs, and limping for a day or two after my runs. Short story with this is I ended up having to start physio as some of my hip muscles weren't strengthened for the longer distances. 6 weeks later, I'm still in physio, but it's winding down (I hope). The hardest part about an injury is resting. It has been 6-7 months of consistent running and working out, so to have to take a break from most of it was a hard pill to swallow. Thankfully there was only one week of almost no activity and then I was able to build it back up.

August 28th was the big day for my official 10k race! My trainer friend signed up for the 5k of this race, so we took the opportunity to travel together. What is the worst part about signing up for races? The right answer is the start time. My friend picked me up at dark o'clock- also known as something just after 7am. I have to laugh because I'm not exactly known as a morning person, so she was expecting the hour long drive would be in silence, but much to hers (and my) surprise, I was chatty the whole way. Now, when you're not a morning person and someone pulls up to your house with music pumping and they're car dancing.. it could be a long drive. Thankfully- the music was good and the drive felt short. When we got to the starting point, we picked up our race kits and got ready to line up. My bib number was 75, and there were a few moments of panic thinking there were only a handful of people doing the run and am I going to be fast enough to ensure that I don't come last?! Courteney was able to talk me down from that and we headed for the line up. We took the obligatory pre race selfie and we waited!

I have to say- I expected to be a bag of nerves for the day before and the morning of- but I wasn't! It was like I trusted the training process I had been through and knew I could do it. There were between 300-400 people doing the different distances, and most of us started at the same time. I started out really strong, felt really good with my running, I got to see my friend head back after the 2.5k turn around point! High fived and kept going. By the 5k mark, I still felt REALLY good!! Between the 4-6k point there were great signs posted on poles and chalk messages written on the road!

(You trained too hard to walk- MOVE IT!)

 

(Pain is temporary, internet results are forever)

Then just before the 7k mark, I was starting to hit the inevitable mental wall. And then I heard someone text me, so as a distraction to my running, naturally, I checked it! It was my sister! IT was a simple message, but it was a good one- "Go get em"... so I sent her this picture... exactly where I was in my race

7k/10k! She replied back "You're rocking it.. goooooo Jill!". This was honestly the exact motivation I need to hear. So I lifted my head and started picking who I'd use as my pace bunny and who I could pass! The 8.5-9.5K was the hardest. Hands down. I was hot, I was tired and I really just wanted to be done. It was somewhere in this time frame too, that I started feeling the hip pain come through. So I was tapping out.

Courteney got cold after her 5k, before I finished so she snatched up my sweater.

Look at that!! A smile on my face at the end of 10k!!

My trainer friend was waiting for me close to the finish and I was SO happy to see here there! Partly because I knew the finish line was close. We ran it in together and I couldn't be happier!! I finished in 1:04:15!! There were lots of high fives, hugs and smiles after crossing that finish line! I already can't wait to do it again! Valley Harvest 10k in October, with a couple 5k's before that!!

Struggle Street Part 2!

Oh…the dreaded scale...a wonderful invention that torments us.  This little gadget can either fulfill our hopes and dreams…or crush us.  Okay…maybe that’s a bit dramatic.  Back in November, Weight Watchers changed their program and their tagline to Beyond the Scale. The new program emphasized other things related to a participant’s weightless journey such as increased energy, lower cholesterol, changes in your clothes, etc.  There are days when I agree with this change 100%. You know, on those days when I'm down on the scale, I've really learned to embrace the smaller clothes, better energy levels, higher level of confidence, being able to buy clothes in ANY store and so on.

A lot of the time though, especially when you're an accounting person, numbers say it all. I mean, after all, the first thing you do when you walk in to WW is step on the scale but I digress. My problem with the scale goes beyond WW. My first year at WW saw me weighing myself a couple of times a day- usually first thing in the morning and then again before going to bed. I heard many times at meetings how they recommend you to not step on a scale at home. I can understand both sides of this thought process, but for some people (like me), we need the reassurance of seeing the number on that dreaded scale go down. If it does, we’re doing things well and if it’s the same or up, we need to work harder.

I understand that everyone is different, and their body reacts to daily events differently. I also know how my body reacts at this point- so I can tell you exactly what will cause my weight to go up even if I’m nailing my eating and working out. It gives me a great deal of anxiety to try and not weigh myself at least once a week at home.  Past experience tells me that my scale won’t move down (or I'll gain) when I am feeling high levels of emotion/anxiety. So given the fact that only weighting myself once a week causes anxiety, I am not willing to fight that unnecessary battle by not weighing myself.  I do agree that people need to look at their successes beyond the scale as that can speak volumes and can DEFINITELY remind you how far you’ve come. When I look beyond my 90 pounds gone, I am so happy with the other things that are happening…

·         My pant size is 4-5 sizes smaller

·         My shirts about 3 sizes smaller

·         I can run further and faster, than ever before

·         I have enough energy to work, workout, socialize and play with my nieces and nephew (sometimes all of those things in one day)

·         and so much more.

I can’t even express to you how much better I feel since losing weight. I guess what I’m saying is, if you’re like me and you’re stuck on the number on the scale, take a second to think of all of the other positive things that you’ve done... I know it’s hard, but it’s worth it.  And if that scale still looks at you with a sparkle…don’t stress…step on it because we have enough stress on this journey without adding more to it.

Struggle Street Part 1/2

I've been on my weight-loss journey for 2 years now and I won’t lie, it hasn’t been a breeze.  There have been lots of bumps, boulders and slips along the way. For the entire 2 years, there have been 2 struggles that I still have to work really hard to deal with: 1- tracking my food and 2- dealing with the scale.

In this post, I’m going to dig into the first item.  My next post will deal with #2…otherwise, you guys would be asleep before you even finished #1.

I feel like I have so much knowledge when it comes to food. Be it counting calories, eating clean, following Weight Watchers (WW) and so on. With every route that one can take to lose weight, what you eat is the biggest part of that journey. Four to six years ago, I lost 46 pounds by counting calories using myfitnesspal.com. Being the anal-retentive, structure-loving, accountant type person, I loved counting calories. Everything has a numerical value and it was a black & white world. It was like a fun Price is Right, math game for me... play with numbers to see if I can get to my daily calorie intake without going over. It was all about creating a deficit of 3500 calories for a pound.

After gaining back those 46 pounds (and then some), and taking a 3 year break from caring about what I was doing to my body/overall health, I joined Weight Watchers. Just like any good newbie, I started off really well when it came to tracking/recording all of my food. At the beginning, I had a really hard time with the 'free' fruits and some vegetables. In the past I had been so focused on the calories and other info associated with every food, that I found it ridiculously hard to believe that a banana could be ZERO points! I heard numerous times at the WW meetings that we weren't there because we were eating too much fruit. And eventually, I had to agree with that…I wasn’t there because I was eating too many bananas and thus I embraced the PointsPlus system at WW. From the day I joined WW (June 2014) through to January of 2016, I was a dabbler with tracking. I knew that if I was honest and tracked everything I ate, I'd lose weight. Yet, I had the hardest time doing it. It made logical sense to do it, but it was almost as if I got cocky and thought I could stay in my daily points range without writing everything down. Boy, was I wrong.  I ended up flip-flopping… the weeks I tracked I would lose 1-3 pounds and the weeks I didn't I would either lose less than 1lb or I would gain.

So, why do I find tracking so difficult? Why is something that has a proven track record when it comes to helping people lose weight so hard for me to do? Here's how I see it. I am a perfectionist with a fear of failure. I have been a perfectionist for as long as I can remember. When I was younger, my perfectionism came out through my school work. On my weight loss journey it comes out through tracking my food. When my good food game is on, I have no issue tracking.  However, should I slip up a TINY bit and eat something that I would consider to not be full on healthy... I have a tendency to not track the entire day, or to purposely leave that one thing off my food log. I know that's not cheating anyone but myself but both of those things equal failure to me. The perfectionist in me sees that I've failed by not sticking to my healthy eating 100% and I've failed by not being entirely honest with my food log.  I know you’re saying “Don’t beat yourself up…we all slip up” but all of this failure causes a lot of fear within me- not just the fear of letting me down, but the fear of letting everyone down who knows I'm on this journey. What is continuously shocking to me is that when I don't track, I have a tendency to UNDER eat. I know, I'm just as shocked as you. Turns out through my journey, I've learned to just reach for better food and make better choices which result in a lower point intake. I bet you didn’t think that people who go to WW under eat!

So what have I learned with all of this tracking turmoil? I like to think that I have finally accepted and learned the importance of tracking. Tracking my foods is just another piece of evidence that I’m doing things right. I have committed to continuously tracking as of August 1st! To ensure that I follow through with this, I am sending my food log to my trainer every day - just another accountability check for me on this daily road to a better me! I’ve also learned that I’m human and that is TOTALLY OK! I’m going to slip up and I might not have a perfect food log every day. But that’s part of being human, it’s part of living life... I’m not going to tell you I never eat a donut or chocolate or pizza, I have just learned to eat it less often and am sure to savour it more when I do indulge. One quote I repeat a lot is- It’s not what you did, it’s what you do next that matters J