The Midlife Reframe

Category: halfmarathon

  • That’s All Folks!

    Well, I did it.

    The weather was perfect.  The energy was amazing. I was ready.

    Hydration baby!

    Once I got downtown, I ran into some of my running friends 🙂   We had a chat before they went our for their 10k.

    I went into my training with the A/B/C plan in my head.  A: Go for my best time. B: Go for my best time when I am not my best.  C: Don’t die and finish, lol.

    I went with my Plan B, and decided to hang out with the 2:15 Pace Bunny and see how it went.

    I was concerned, I won’t lie.  Not running the last few weeks of training really had me worried.  Thankfully my PT and RMT told me I would be okay.

    I was okay.

    I felt good.  I met a Twitter bud Shelley while running along Agricola Street.  My body was feeling okay. After the first 5kms I went a little bit ahead of the Pace Bunny, but kept close enough to hear when we would take our walk breaks.  I stayed out front until Point Pleasant Park and “the hill”.  I wanted to walk it, mostly because I know when I hit my wall, and if walking that hill cut into my time, I was willing to save my legs to get me through until the end.

    I caught up with the group on our way out of Point Pleasant and tried to stay with them as much as I could.  Shelley and I met up again and we hung out for a bit until her knee got angry with her and she told me to soldier on.

    I soldiered.  I walked when I needed to.

    I was treated to a dance and a hug by my friend Tab who was out there cheering all the runners on South Park Street 🙂

    I chugged along until I hit the last couple of kms.  I then ran into my Twitter friend Sherry who was volunteering at a water station. She ran with me until the corner of Citadel Hill (thanks girl!).  Then I walked a bit, because this is “almost the end”.   It’s downhill.  Then the slow painful incline of Brunswick Street, lol.

    I hoofed it down Cogswell Street, heard someone yelling my name (later found out who that was – another social media peep, Chantal!), and got down to Brunswick.  I took a short walk break.  Then started running again.

    Not too long before the Finish Line I heard a familiar voice coming up beside me.  Shelley had made it!  We ran across the finish line together 🙂

    Shelley and I heading into the Scotiabank Centre for some TLC (and I had a hankering for chocolate milk!)

    I am lucky to have a good Sherpa Team waiting at the finish line of every race.  My Mom and TeenThing 🙂

    This race, as rough as it was for me the last few kilometres, reminded me why I love to run.

    So very thankful.

    @crazymamaruns

  • Races, Brain Melts, and the Return of the FitBit

     

    Began 2017 on the right foot. Let's hope I don't injure anything, lol.
    Began 2017 on the right foot. Let’s hope I don’t injure anything, lol.

    Okay,

    So over the holidays I decided that I seriously needed to keep moving this year.  Not just for my physical health, but for my mental health.  I sat and muddled about a fall half marathon.  I wanted something close to home (because I am without my own vehicle, and would need to acquire one for long distance travel) and fun.

    I ended up choosing the Half at Maritime Race Weekend.

    Here is the elevation for MRW Half :)
    Here is the elevation for MRW Half 🙂

    I did the Tartan Twosome there last year (5ks) and really enjoyed the atmosphere and all the goodies offered post race.  Also, the views in Eastern Passage are amazing!

    Also, I purchased a Believe Journal over the holidays.  SUPER EXCITED.

    Plan Amy, plan.
    Plan Amy, plan.

    I am ramping up to start training for the BlueNose Half Marathon shortly and have been writing in my journal daily.  I should be receiving my plan soon and am looking forward to getting back on the training train 😉

    You said Brain Melts?

    Oh yes, brain melts.

    Once I had registered and started to plan out my races, I had a brain melt.

    Then panic.

    What had I done?!?!?

    I am usually a one big race and then all the smaller distances to keep me moving.

    I did not get the kms in that I wanted my first week and by the weekend, it caught up with me:  work, life, running, KERSMASH.

    I had an anxiety moment.  A brain melting, bugs crawling on my skin, flight (not fight), moment.

    I’m good now, but it was yuck.

    And now, let’s talk about the FitBit.

    I Thought You Divorced Your FitBit?

    I did.

    We recently made up, for now.  I put my step goal down to 8,000 and joined a challenge.

    Results from first full week:  I can’t do challenges.  It still ramps up my brain and makes me super anxious.

    But I decided to still wear it.  If anything I can see my sleep patterns and make sure I do get up and move around (she says as she sits and types, lol).

    It gives me some motivation to be active, and see lovely sights such as this on my lunch hour:

    Halifax Waterfront
    Halifax Waterfront

    That is what’s been happening here in the land of Amy so far in 2017.  Come back around soon, as we get ready to document the Odyssey that is my life and how I am going to manage 2 Half Marathons and my brain!

    @crazymamaruns

  • BlueNose Marathon 2016 – Half Marathon Playback!!!

    I DID IT!!

    I am totally dying here.

    It was a greyish cool day for running.  Perfect weather.

    I played it safe with my usual coffee and oatmeal combo.  My nerves were ON FIRE.  It was super hard to eat.  I thought I was going to barf.  For real.

    I had everything laid out, so gearing up and heading out was super easy.

    I hopped on the public limo, along with a few other runners, and listened to my “Race Day Jams” playlist to psych myself up for the race.

    Once I was down there, my nerves eased up.  The atmosphere on Race Day is wicked amazing.  I ran into one of the Clayton Park Runners on my way in and we had a quick chat before we both went up into the Scotiabank Centre.

    I hung out and waited for my BRF so we could check our bags and gear up.  I fuelled with Cherry Lime Nuun and Chocolate Chip Clif Bar.  I had my trusty Brooks Glycerin 13s on my feet 🙂

    Every single volunteer associated with an event as this are WONDERFUL.  They make everything run like a well-oiled machine.

    Because my nerves were shot, I forgot my Garmin in my bag!  Good thing I had my phone with Strava ready to rock and roll.


    My BRF and I decided a while before the race that we would get with the 2:15 Pace Bunny.

    I am glad we did, she was awesome.  We did go out fast, but her plan was to bank us time for Point Pleasant Park and the HILL OF DEATH.  (Yes, there are a few hills along this race route, but PPP has the sloggiest one!)

    Blurry me! Just after we started.

    My Twitter friend Sarah caught me around the 5km mark.  I saw her on the sidelines and yelled at her, lol.  She got this picture of me.

    SARAAAAAAAAAAAAH!



    We had a great group running with the 2:15 Pace Bunny.  We laughed and talked and had a great time.  We actually caught up to the 2:10 Pace Bunny on Devonshire. Our group can be seen in the BlueNose Video on YouTube around 9:57 underneath the MacDonald Bridge.

    I was very lucky to see so many Twitter friends and other people I knew along the race route.  It made such a big difference.  I am also grateful for every single person that stood/sat along the race route cheering us all on.  It really makes a difference to those of us running, especially when we start to tire.

    I made it through Point Pleasant Park relatively unscathed.  We were able to walk up the hills and save up what energy we could.  I felt strong coming out of the Park.  I knew I was getting a little tired, but with most of the race behind me, I knew I could keep going.

    I fuelled a little too late in the race and had some nausea around 19ish kms.  I told my BRF to go and took a walk break until it subsided (a deal we struck previously – if something happened to one of us, the other would keep going).  I picked it back up at the 20km mark and ran like I was on fire.  Every step hurt.  My lungs cried and I thought I was going to throw up.

    Running down Brunswick Street is a surreal experience.  Every single person is cheering you on.  They are calling out your name, pushing you forward.  I put my head down and ran.

    It was not a PR, but pretty damn close (2:12:20).  Two minutes over my last half time two years ago.  Not too shabby for an old broad 😉


    I wanted my first half after surgery and recovery to be here, at home, in Halifax.  I am glad I did.  It felt great to pull this out with people I knew and a city that loves BlueNose Marathon Weekend 🙂

    As I recover today, I am now trying to choose my next race!  I think I will keep to shorter distances for the rest of this race season.


    Thanks for coming along on this journey with me.  Can’t wait to share my next race with you!!

    @crazymamaruns



  • My Last Long Run = One Week Out from Bluenose Marathon Half 2016

    HOW DID THIS HAPPEN??!??!

    Where in the hell did all this time go?

    This time next week I will be done.  Finished.  Full of food and naps.

    Today was the last long training run.  I was given the all clear to run outside as I have been banished to the elliptical as we treated my calf strain flare up.

    My BRF and I did 13km on the BLT here in Halifax.  It was cloudy/sunny and warmish, so the bugs were out.  I probably ate quite a few…unintentionally.  But the coolest part about today’s run:  about 10kms in, two deer came down from across the highway and ran out in front of us across the trail!  They were speedy, so there was no time to grab my phone.  But it was AWESOME.  A sign of good luck for sure!!

    Post 13k – Legs feeling good!

    A nice easy run. A happy Mama 😉

    Of course, the first few kms were gross, as per the usual.  

    So, what is this “walking like JLO” thing?

    Walking like JLO (as per my Chiro’s recommendation) is paying off!  It seems that my glutes were firing AFTER my hammies, not by much, but that is not how it is supposed to work. (I have been saying “Walk like JLO” in my head all week, hahahahaha.)  With the adjustments I’ve been having and my recent massage, I felt really good on my run today.

    What is the game plan for this week?


    This week will be all about the gym and the elliptical.  I want to be proactive with this calf of mine.  So I am living in my compression gear today, possibly tomorrow if I find myself a little tender.

    It will also be the mental game this week.  Need to keep myself on the ball.  Fighting the inner doubt machine will be a struggle, even on race day.  I just have to remember that it is just like every long run.  Enjoy it.  Feel it.  And run MY race.

    So keep your eyes on this space next Sunday/Monday.  My race review will be here, with lots of pics and vids.

    Run happy!


    @crazymamaruns
     

  • The Chronicles of Half Marathon Training – Checkin In and Some TMI

    So Here We Are…

    20 days out.

    2 long runs left.

    During my 16k on the BLT
    It has to be said:  I was feeling SUPER NERVOUS after the plague and the calf strain about my runs.  I was even considering pulling down to a 10k because I wasn’t sure what my body could handle.
    After yesterday, I am feeling SUPER PUMPED about this half.  I felt great yesterday at the end of my long run with my BRF Kara.  I wore my compression socks, I had Nuun in my water bottle and took a Clif Bar for my energy.
    WINNING FUEL COMBO.  
    We also both commented on how great we felt coming back as opposed to heading out.  This bodes well, as usually it is the opposite for me and I want to either nap or die at 16k.

    Also, fueling up with a PB Parfait from DQ the night before – WIN 😉
    We made pretty good time for our long run, considering we felt like we slogged through the first half.  I also had to pee 3kms in on the trail, in the woods.  So that was my walk break, hahaha. (Note to Self:  Always take Kleenex in your pack.)  So no more orange juice AFTER my coffee and oatmeal.
    My legs are doing okay today.  I have my compression sleeves on and eating all the foods 😉
    Next weekend is 18k, then we are down to 13k the weekend before the race.
    Keeping my fingers crossed for decent weather!
    So, now I am going to ride this wave of feeling awesome.  Look out 21.1kms!
    Crazy Mama out 😉

    @crazymamaruns

  • When Anxiety Comes Knocking….

    You Put On Your Best Face

    Okay, maybe not THIS face, lol.

    Because we, the mentally ill, it’s what we do.  Until we can’t.

    Last week was bad for me.
    My anxiety was bad.  It started on Monday.
    I woke up with it, like the bottom fell out of my stomach.  There was no reason for it.  It’s just how I started the day.
    Then, for me, everything and everyone around me changes.  I feel like I am under the microscope.  Being examined.  Secretly criticized.
    I bury myself in work, and hope that I can just get through the day without an attack.  Most times, when I get home I am good.  Home is safe.  Home has no people (well, other than TeenThing, lol). 
    I am lucky to have drugs that I can take to calm the racing heartbeat and panic.  It was used a few times this week.

    After Wednesday I was better, and by Friday I was okay.  But on Friday, I crashed.  So tired.  Tired from keeping my head above water.  It’s exhausting fighting that battle every day, working, and being a mom.
    Why do I NOT say anything sometimes?  I don’t want to worry anyone.  Funny isn’t it.  I am worrying about others worrying about me.  Guess where THAT put my anxiety, DEFCON 1.  If what I was feeling lasted longer, I would have said something.  Sometimes, I am also tired of explaining what I can’t explain.  So I keep it to myself.  Sometimes, THAT is my coping mechanism.
    It’s not that I don’t want to share it with those that care about me, it’s that sometimes sharing it is overwhelming.  

    I am happy to say that I am feeling much better now.  Fitness works well for me as a way to create balance.  I was not as vigilant with it last week as I should have been.  Movement is medicine (thanks Clara Hughes!) and I needed more movement.

    One Month Away From The Half Marathon?

    Yes, one month away!

    I was discharged from physio last week (YAAAAAAY).

    I also switched my gym membership to a spot closer to home.  I have some major ass kicking to do.
    I did get out on the trails here last week, and that felt amazing.

    (I have my base laid down for my running, so I am lucky there.  This whole calf strain had me worried for a bit.)
    I am planning some HIIT classes, some spin, weight training and some pool time until Race Day to complement my running.  
    I am glad to be running with my BRF again.
    I have TeenThing to gym it with me.
    A new week ahead means a chance to start fresh.
    Time to Giv’r.

  • The Chronicles of Half Marathon Training – In Limbo

    Limbo looks like that…

    If you read my last post, you know my last run ended with a pull and some pain.
    Thankfully, I have not torn anything in my calf.  I have some tib post and some pulled muscles.
    My PT did an assessment, some ultrasound, dry needling and TENS with heat.  I was given home exercises and I have been sticking to them.  I was told NOT to stretch until Friday (this was on Wednesday) and when I did start, it was to be gentle stretching.
    No running.
    No running until I see her Tuesday.
    I know I’ll be fine for my training.  She assures me I am fine.
    But.

    (There is always a but, and you can’t tell me you didn’t see it coming.)


    I am very indifferent towards this situation.  I think I have to be.  If not, my depression and anxiety would be all up in my business.
    Don’t think it hasn’t been lurking.  It has.  I have just been keeping myself busy.  Core work, reading, crocheting, and meditation.  The less time I have to sit and think, the better.

    That is crucial for me.  The more time I have to think, the worse the situation will become (in my mind, anyway) and I will start to obsess over my calf and I would research the injury and think of all the ways I could get better faster, or how I could improve my stride.  THEN, well then I would think while I was running.  Overthink.  That is not why I run.  I run to clear my mind, not fire it up into overdrive.
    The one thing I have done is order compression sleeves.  I plan on wearing them during my runs.  A little proactive measure on the advice of an experienced marathoner 😉
    So, cross all available body parts that I am up and running again soon! 

    Anyone else injured out there?  If so, I hope you too are able to lace up and head out again in the very immediate future!




     

  • The Chronicles of Half Marathon Training – Week 3

    Some Knotty Glutes!

    That’s right.  My ass was in knots.

    So much so that my lower back hurt.  Quite a bit actually.

    I didn’t run on Saturday.  I did yoga, stretching and some foam rolling.

    TEARS.

    Heat.

    Advil.

    But I Did Have a Good Week!

    Sunday was snowy but I felt AWESOME!

    We’ve had some strange weather.  Snow and then some okay days.

    Tuesday was CRAZY windy! Nice and sunny, but Wooooo!

    Once we hit Thursday, it rained…..and rained until Friday night.  So I opted for the treadmill at lunch.

    Thursday was a 5km run at the gym at work.
    3 miles on Friday….I had a great meal at The Keg later 🙂

    There was a staff event put on by my place of employment.  We have it every year……KEG NIGHT.  We eat and eat.  I had a great meal!  Yay steak!  After I got home the rain had started to change over to freezing rain.  Big mess.

    And Then……Saturday

    When I say I had a knots in my glute, I mean I had KNOTS.

    Nasty.  Foam roller and I had it out.

    Now, if this was me a few years ago, I would have been like….MUST RUN….AT ALL COSTS.

    Now that I am older and wiser.  I knew I had to take care of the situation to be able to keep running without any further issues.

    I am building my base right now, which means a day taking care of my body is not compromising my training.

    So, I was pretty close to running a half this week with total mileage.  I am totally good with that!

    New kicks are in order this week, which means a trip to Luke at Aerobics First 🙂

    C’mon back next weekend, not only to check out my new sneaks, but to see if we really DID get the kickass storm they are talking about Monday night into Tuesday!

    @crazymamaruns

  • The Chronicles of Half Marathon Training – Week 1

    And so, it begins…Run #1

    My training weeks go from Sunday to Saturday.
    I was down for 10kms broken down between Thursday and Saturday.  I ended up doing close to 9km.
    Thursday was a GREAT run!  It was cold as all get out, but I was layered sufficiently and had a route planned out.
    It was my very first run outside, post December,…EVER.
    I was hella tight on Friday, using muscles I haven’t used and not used to running in the snow….with some dodge and weave action, lol.  Running with snow….interesting.  Note:  More stretching required.

    No, I was NOT robbing any stores…

    Also, first run with my Garmin!

    It was snowing – so pretty

    Saturday: Run #2

    Well, today wasn’t as awesome as I wanted, close to 4kms.
    I was too fast out of the gate. Ran hunched over.  That made my lower back sore.  Just not my best run.
    But, I ran.  Better than no run.  (There was a break just before I ran up the trail to stretch out my back.)
    The difference between now and from years past was that I knew when I was done.
    I didn’t push it.
    Got home and had a good stretching session.
    Then came coffee and a hot shower. 
    Sweat Frost!  Woop!

    I love my Garmin!

    Clear sidewalks make awesome runs 🙂

    All in all, I am pleased with the first “week” (aka: two days, lol).
    Tomorrow starts a full, action packed week of running awesomeness.
    C’mon back next Saturday for a play by play of how a full week of training may or may not have killed me 😉

    @crazymamaruns

  • Countdown to Half Marathon Training – Blue Nose Marathon 2016

    Nervous is an understatement…

    So nervous that I miscalculated the the beginning date of my training plan when putting it in my calendar.  Oops!
    I had myself starting on January 14th.  When I was finishing up the calendar entries I noticed that I was ending the week BEFORE the Blue Nose…..GAH!
    So, this week I will redo the plan and get an extra week in at the gym and do some running outside (after both storms pass this week – eeep!).

    More winter running….outside……this year!!

     

    But you’ve run this race before RIGHT?!?!

    Yeeeeeeessssssssssssss.  But it’s been 3 years.
    I know once I start a regular training plan I will be fine.  It’s the getting started part that is the problem, hahaha.
    This time around, I am following the Hansons Half Marathon Method.  It’s usually my legs that are the issue when I hit the last 5kms or so of a Half.  This plan will get me used to cumulative fatigue.  I am coupling this with strength training and yoga to round it out.
    I have already started my yoga and strength training.  At the end of a 7 Day Bad Yogi Challenge this week.  Also doing The Year of Yoga. Starting back to a regular yoga practice has really brought attention to how tight my body is.  OWIE!

    I have calculated my required food intake to start training at my current weight and will do some intense grocery shopping this week.  I will be logging some serious kms with this plan and need the fuel to keep this body pumping.  Look out Costco!
    So from now until May 22nd be prepared for “The Chronicles of Half Marathon Training” by Yours Truly!!!