Archive for January, 2010
Distance: 5.08k
Time: 35:17
Today, I think I was reminded of how you choose you own destiny. I went for my run, doubtful that it would be good, and it wasn’t. It started with too much wine last night (two glasses), and not a very restful sleep. Then the milk had gone bad, so I ruined my coffee and couldn’t drink it. I tried another cup with powdered milk (the only milk we had) and it was just nasty. Since I had to go out and get more milk anyway, I decided to get my run over with.
The weather wasn’t too bad, cool and drizzly. I decided to wear my rain jacket, which I really don’t like wearing because it’s too loose, but I didn’t want to get soaked. My new headphones had issues because the band around the back of my head kept rubbing against the collar of my jacket. They didn’t feel like they were on right. I’d also gotten used to being able to change the volume from the headphones, so it took a bit to get the right volume. I started off way too fast, so I started losing steam about halfway through my run. And I got a stitch in my side at the second kilometer that didn’t go away until the end of the run. So, by the end of the run, I felt just as grumpy as I did when I started. Usually I feel way better. The only thing that lifted my mood was a big caramel macchiato from Starbucks. Finally some caffeine!
Someone on Twitter said you’re only one run away from a great run, meaning that if this one sucked, the next one will be (hopefully) better. My next run will be in a new month, so I hope I can start fresh. Not the best way to end this month, but at least I got out there!
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Distance: 5.04k yesterday, 5.08k today
Time: 34:51 yesterday, 35:10 today
I’ve now done two runs since my 10k, and my times were a bit better, although not as fast as that race. Both days were beautiful out, as seen by the pictures below.
On my way to my run yesterday.
Before today’s run.
After today’s run.
This is why I love running in Victoria. I lived in Edmonton for two years and there is now way I would want to run outside in January there. It’s too friggin’ cold and there is snow everywhere. The last two days here, the temperature was about 7 degrees and the sun came out!
Now, on to my headphone problems. Yesterday, right at the start of my run, I noticed that the right side of my headphones weren’t working. I fiddled with the jack, which didn’t work, but I think it slowed down my time somewhat. When I got home, I saw what the problem was.
Not fixable.
So, I wore my other headphones today, which I normally use in the house. They were a huge pain in the butt because the cord is way too long, and they weren’t comfortable while I was running. Oh, and I can’t wear my headband with them. So I went out this afternoon and bought some new sports ones.
Ooh, sporty.
Haven’t tried them yet, but I’m planning to test them on a run this Saturday. By the way, after Saturday’s run, I’ll have 96k for this month. Just 4k short of 100. That’s almost 2 1/2 marathons!
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Distance: 10k
Time: 66:59
My first race was awesome! I beat my last 10k time by about five minutes, making this my fastest run ever. I was so stoked when I got to the finish line and saw my time. Even my mom was surprised (yeah, she came to see me; thanks, Mom!) because she thought I would be another ten minutes, and there I was! This race definitely made me want to do more races, and boosted my confidence for the marathon.
It was fun to be around so many other runners at the start of the race. There were probably 600 or so runners there, of all ages, from teens to seniors. And they were almost all faster than me. But I’ll get back to that. There was no formal start line, just everyone cluttered in one area. One of the directors yelled “go” to start the race, nothing fancy. I stayed near the back, because I knew I was slow and didn’t want to get passed by everyone. I still got passed by a lot of people, mostly in the first kilometer. Then, the race wasn’t much different than running by myself, because they were all ahead! I really didn’t feel bad though, because my only goal was to beat my other 10k time. I did start put a bit too fast for the first kilometer or two, so I think I slowed down a bit during kilometer 3 & 4. Then, I got in the zone, and just motored along at my own pace. My one ego boost is that I had to look behind me every once in a while, to make sure I wasn’t the last one.
I definitely felt my best from kilometer 5 through to the end. Around kilometer 8, the “flat” course had a couple of hills. They weren’t as bad as the ones on my 8k run, but they were unexpected, since the website said the course was pretty flat. I actually got through them without slowing down too much. Then, I know I ran faster than I usually do. By the ninth kilometer, I was feeling good, but I was ready to see the finish; when I did, I put on a burst of speed to the end. I glanced at my time on the board, but it didn’t really sink in until I looked at my RunKeeper. Then I was absolutely blown away!
There were a few funny moments. I kept trying to pass this one guy, who must have been in his seventies. He kept slowing to a walk, I would pass him, and then he’d start running again and pass me. I think I finally got ahead of him during the last kilometer and beat him. Also, there was another woman, who looked younger than me, who started walking about halfway through. As soon as I got beside her, she started running again. Still not sure if it was a coincidence or not. I didn’t pay attention to whether she beat me or not.
As I mentioned, I used RunKeeper during my run, and if you want, you can see the results here. The time is a bit off from the official time, probably because I didn’t start it exactly when the timer started. I can’t wait to do my next race, although I’m not sure if I’ll get to one in February. The only one I know about that I could do is a 12k, which might be a bit much. I do know that I’m hooked and will definitely do another race soon!
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Distance: 4.98k
Time: 35:08
Today was another fast run, pretty much tied with my best time. Like last time, it was sunny out, and the Walkway was totally crowded with walkers, cyclists, and annoying dog-walkers who have the leash right across the path. But this time I wasn’t as angry, although there was momentary irritation. I just couldn’t be grumpy on my run when the sun was shining. So I guess I blame the speed on the gorgousness of Victoria in January.
I’m starting to get a bit nervous about the race tomorrow. Not about the distance, I know I can do that. I’m just not used to running with a bunch of people, on a completely unfamiliar course. I hope I don’t go the wrong way; my plan is to just follow the other runners. It would have been nice to get a t-shirt or other suvenir of my first real race, but I guess I’ll have to console myself with a running number. If I get one. Maybe I’ll bring a camera.
Anyway, wish me luck! I’ll post about how it goes.
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Distance: 5.02k
Time: 36:02
Not a bad time today, with a wicked headwind the whole way there. The run itself was a bit rough, with the wind, and I started off too fast, and all I had before I left was a cup of weak coffee. My right knee twinged the whole way, although I was able to ignore it for most of the way back. Good thing I have three more days and only one more run before my 10k.
Speaking of which, I’ve been thinking about what I want to accomplish with this race. I really signed up for this race, and made my New Year’s Resolution, to get used to running in a crowd before my marathon. I’m not doing it to win any medals. So, my only goal for this race is to beat my time from last week, which was just over 72 minutes. Nothing more. It’ll be overwhelming enough to run with hundreds of other people on a course I’ve never done before; I don’t need to add any unrealiatic expectations. I’ll definitely post about the run afterwards.
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Posted in Running Marathon | 
Tags: Cobble Hill 10K, Crowded, New Year's resolutions, racing, Running, windy | 
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