Wow time is flying by and just 8 weeks until the Bluenose. The long runs are getting tougher but it is great to run the route that I will be running on race day. Very luck with great weather for Sunday runs. Today was 14km and we did the waterfront boardwalk however with PPP Drive hill at the end then back to Spring Garden. I just get going slowing and stayed with the group. I find I have to start doing some more stretching and doing my exercises to strenghen abs and glutes. My IT band is starting to act up on my R leg so I have to do some preventative work and hoping to add a hot yoga class in this week and ongoing. It still feels so surreal that I am doing this ! LOL Why and I still in shock every Sunday after the run ? It is a great feeling of accomplishment. However I am pooped by mid afternoon and of course still take Piper for a walk. It is good to go for a slow walk to stretch my legs.
Val , Isabelle and Catherine were up for a highland dance compitition this weekend. It was great to have them stay with me and spend time with them. Isabelle is turning 9 in April and is so confident and mature for her age. She loves highland dance and is doing well in the competitions. She won another overall Beginner trophy today and only has one more placing to move to the next level of comptition. It would be so nice to live close to Val and spend more time with her family. I mentioned to Isabelle going camping with Blaise and me this summer in PEI and she said she would love too and Lachlan as well.
Another week down and only two more weeks of school work and I am free. One more assignment to do next weekend and looking forward to a break. I love the newness and freshness of spring. Not sure how much running I will get in this week as my church Lent Mission is Monday - Wednesday. May have to run at lunch time a few times this week.
Number of runs this week: 4
Longest run : 14. 7 km
Hill reapeats: 5 at PPP Drive
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
March Running Hot Hot Hot
Oh my nerves March 21 it was 25C and today March 22 it hit 30C. We are all in shock in Nova Scotia. However it is back to normal on the weekend. This week was a tough week running. Wednesday evening we did 5 hill repeats on Point Pleasant drive and I think I left part of my lungs and heart on the road ! Yikes that was tough but it will make me stronger.
This Sunday up to 14Km. I just received my "i run like a girl " order so looking forward to sporting this this weekend to motivate me. I also ordered headbands with sayings and my favorite one is " I run for Wine " LOL
Enjoying this amazing weather and only 8 more weeks until Bluenose
Cheers
Karen
This Sunday up to 14Km. I just received my "i run like a girl " order so looking forward to sporting this this weekend to motivate me. I also ordered headbands with sayings and my favorite one is " I run for Wine " LOL
Enjoying this amazing weather and only 8 more weeks until Bluenose
Cheers
Karen
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Spring has Srpung !
It was a beautiful morning for a run. I think spring is finally settling in to Halifax. Although we did have snow and freezing this week. It was a great morning for a run. My running run group did 12Km today and it was basically the Bluenose 10K route with the Macdonald Bridge ! Sigh ! I survived it was long slow steady run. Thanks to my running buddies and chatters Nancy and Sarah for keeping me going. I am still getting stronger and when I feel like stopping and walk the momentum of the group kept me going. Looking forward to the rest of the experience of training for the half.
Spring and the lightness in the air really helps with the transition from Lent to Easter. I have been really challenged this Lent to reflect and meditate on the ares of my life that I can change and have faith and courage to truly allow God's grace to heal and strengthen me. I have been trying to not let my negativity about the length of our wait and the politics and policies of community service get me down. I know there are wonderful people doing the best they can with the resources they have to ensure the safety and welfare of the kids in care. However to be honest it makes me crazy that " parents" are given so many chances to in the end have kids in care who have suffered under sometimes horrific living situations or having to be " caretakers to other siblings or their parents. Why aren't these kids placed in care sooner ? There I said it! So this Lent I have been praying for forgiveness for these "parents" and compassion and to not focus on "me" and to pray for all the kids in care and their current caretakers.
I mean really many folks have so much larger burdens that I sometimes feel silly even thinking about it. I have so many blessings in my life and so much to be grateful for and realize it is by God's grace that I have these blessings in my life.
Today's' gospel was John 3:16
New International Version (NIV)
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
This verse has received a lot of media attention lately with Tim Tebow but I think that is a good thing. It is a powerful message.
Looking forward to nice spring week with lots of running. ( after I recover from today's run
Number of runs this week: 2
Longest run this week: 12KM (the build is on)
Nameste
Karen
Spring and the lightness in the air really helps with the transition from Lent to Easter. I have been really challenged this Lent to reflect and meditate on the ares of my life that I can change and have faith and courage to truly allow God's grace to heal and strengthen me. I have been trying to not let my negativity about the length of our wait and the politics and policies of community service get me down. I know there are wonderful people doing the best they can with the resources they have to ensure the safety and welfare of the kids in care. However to be honest it makes me crazy that " parents" are given so many chances to in the end have kids in care who have suffered under sometimes horrific living situations or having to be " caretakers to other siblings or their parents. Why aren't these kids placed in care sooner ? There I said it! So this Lent I have been praying for forgiveness for these "parents" and compassion and to not focus on "me" and to pray for all the kids in care and their current caretakers.
I mean really many folks have so much larger burdens that I sometimes feel silly even thinking about it. I have so many blessings in my life and so much to be grateful for and realize it is by God's grace that I have these blessings in my life.
Today's' gospel was John 3:16
New International Version (NIV)
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
This verse has received a lot of media attention lately with Tim Tebow but I think that is a good thing. It is a powerful message.
Looking forward to nice spring week with lots of running. ( after I recover from today's run
Number of runs this week: 2
Longest run this week: 12KM (the build is on)
Nameste
Karen
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Getting Stronger
Week 9 of Running Room half marathon clinic and hill training has begun. This week we did 3 hill repeats and it was tough. The hill training was on South Street from Barrington to Queen this week. The group leaders had a special surprise of hot chocolate for the group when we were finished. I survived and realized that I am getting stronger. The steady runs are getting much easier and of course the hills in Halifax you cannot avoid and ones I used to dread are very not that bad. It feels great to finish a run and feel strong and not like I am going to die ! We did a 5km steady run this week and I felt like I could have kept running for so much longer. Yeah I am getting stronger and turning into a real runner ! I still feel like an impersonator some weeks like " what the hell am I doing ? but I am doing it and I feel great.
I am even looking ahead to see what runs are coming up this summer and planning a few summer races.
Along with running and training I am trying to take some time during Lent to be quiet and reflect on the changes and ways I can make more room in my life for prayer and really let Jesus " walk with me " or run with me. I have always enjoyed the session of Lent and try to grow in my spiritual development. Blaise and I are in the middle of taking " Dogmatic Theology" a 8 week course at our church. We both enjoy the CD and the small group discussion. I have really been opened up and challenged and leaning closer to my Catholic roots. We have meet some people in our church and are taking on the role of greeter and after church cafe hosts. I am glad we are doing this together and not waiting until we have kids to get involved in our parish life. I have always felt that infertility in a way has been a gift to my spiritual growth because I went searching everywhere ( yoga, acupuncture, healing medications, herbs, stones borstals ) and was opened up and realized that Jesus was with me all along and welcomed me home when I finally got it! At present I am trying to truly allow God to lead the way and discover the purpose of our waiting in adoption. Developing a community in our parish is one of the gifts that Blaise and I are realizing. So as I train and prepare for the Bluenose Half Marathon I am also preparing my heart and soul to accept the challenge of moving forward in faith and real relationship with God.
My mantra for running is " I AM Strong, I AM Healthy, I AM Grateful to be doing this.
Number of runs this week: 4
Number of hill repeats: 3
Longest run this week: 10K
Cheers
Karen
I am even looking ahead to see what runs are coming up this summer and planning a few summer races.
Along with running and training I am trying to take some time during Lent to be quiet and reflect on the changes and ways I can make more room in my life for prayer and really let Jesus " walk with me " or run with me. I have always enjoyed the session of Lent and try to grow in my spiritual development. Blaise and I are in the middle of taking " Dogmatic Theology" a 8 week course at our church. We both enjoy the CD and the small group discussion. I have really been opened up and challenged and leaning closer to my Catholic roots. We have meet some people in our church and are taking on the role of greeter and after church cafe hosts. I am glad we are doing this together and not waiting until we have kids to get involved in our parish life. I have always felt that infertility in a way has been a gift to my spiritual growth because I went searching everywhere ( yoga, acupuncture, healing medications, herbs, stones borstals ) and was opened up and realized that Jesus was with me all along and welcomed me home when I finally got it! At present I am trying to truly allow God to lead the way and discover the purpose of our waiting in adoption. Developing a community in our parish is one of the gifts that Blaise and I are realizing. So as I train and prepare for the Bluenose Half Marathon I am also preparing my heart and soul to accept the challenge of moving forward in faith and real relationship with God.
My mantra for running is " I AM Strong, I AM Healthy, I AM Grateful to be doing this.
Number of runs this week: 4
Number of hill repeats: 3
Longest run this week: 10K
Cheers
Karen
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Why I Run !
Well I have made it to week 7 of the Half Marathon clinic training. I even put in my registration for the run! I am extremely amazed at myself and how much I look forward to my runs. I can't honestly say that they are getting easier however I do feel like I am getting stronger. Running with the group has certainly helped push me on runs when I felt like I was going to die! My legs are strong but my breathing is still tricky and hills ! Oh my nerves I really have to change my mindset about hills. Each run we do has a hill after all we are in Halifax ! Last night on a 3k run we ran up Salter St. from Lower Water Street. Salter is the street that runs by the Maritime Center ! Wholly steep hill I literally thought my heart and lungs were going to land on the street ! Hill training officially starts next Wednesday with 3 hill repeats on Point Pleasant Drive. I know it is all about building strength and endurance and I have to figure out a way to not dread these runs. I recall that during the 10K clinic I did come to like the hill repeats however the most we did was 4 and for the half you work up to 9 !
Last week at clinic we were asked to reflect on " Why we run ? It seems like such a simple question but it really got me thinking. I was a person who thought I could not run and now I am running 4 times a week and have a goal of completing the Bluenose Half Marathon in 2:15. Sometimes I think who is the crazy running lady ? I like yoga which is slow and meditative and makes you feel alive and so relaxed after a good flow class. However with running I feel so alive after a run and very different from yoga. Yoga is about getting in tune with your body but hey go for a brisk 5 km and you don't have to try to hard to get in tune with your body! Your lungs are working hard, you can feel your heart beating and your legs are pulsating with fresh blood and energy. A good run is good for the soul and clears away any negative energy or self doubts. When I reflected on why I run here is my answer:
1) I run because I CAN
2) I run for all those who cannot run
3) I run to be fit and healthy
4) I run because it makes me feel so alive, vibrant and young
5) I run as a meditation and prayer of gratitude for all my blessing in my life
6) I run to experience nature in a new way.
7) I run because it makes me feel strong
8) I run to prove to myself that Yes I can be a runner !
Each runner has their own story. I am not a very competitive person so my running goal are very challenging but not crazy. I just hope that on May 20 that I do not puke on the finish line and that I am still running when I cross the finish line !
Nameste
Karen
Last week at clinic we were asked to reflect on " Why we run ? It seems like such a simple question but it really got me thinking. I was a person who thought I could not run and now I am running 4 times a week and have a goal of completing the Bluenose Half Marathon in 2:15. Sometimes I think who is the crazy running lady ? I like yoga which is slow and meditative and makes you feel alive and so relaxed after a good flow class. However with running I feel so alive after a run and very different from yoga. Yoga is about getting in tune with your body but hey go for a brisk 5 km and you don't have to try to hard to get in tune with your body! Your lungs are working hard, you can feel your heart beating and your legs are pulsating with fresh blood and energy. A good run is good for the soul and clears away any negative energy or self doubts. When I reflected on why I run here is my answer:
1) I run because I CAN
2) I run for all those who cannot run
3) I run to be fit and healthy
4) I run because it makes me feel so alive, vibrant and young
5) I run as a meditation and prayer of gratitude for all my blessing in my life
6) I run to experience nature in a new way.
7) I run because it makes me feel strong
8) I run to prove to myself that Yes I can be a runner !
Each runner has their own story. I am not a very competitive person so my running goal are very challenging but not crazy. I just hope that on May 20 that I do not puke on the finish line and that I am still running when I cross the finish line !
Nameste
Karen
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