A Runner's Odyssey

Back on the horse....

2008-11-24T13:53:00.003-05:00

It's been a while since I wrote and a lot has happen since.
After my third race I had to stop for a while because my knee was killing me. I then went to see my friend's physo who suggested taping my knee and my gosh that worked wonders. With my discovery of taping I decided to take on another 1/2 marathon with just 12 weeks to train for it and being off running for almost two months. I didn't see it as impossible, I thought I could do it. The taping worked, their was pain but it wasn't as much pain as I having before, I could walk on it after a run. Two weeks before the race the taping stop helping and I was in pain again. So I decided not to run on it for the next two weeks.
That was a wise decision. The unwise thing was to play an Ultimate tournament the weekend before the race. Big mistake. I had four matches that day that I ran for one hour each match. My knee was killing me. I could barely walk. Icing it helped but not that much.
Race day came up quickly and my knee wasn't any better. It was a rainy Sunday morning and the race organizer said this was the first time it rained on race day in eight years. I think the weather was just reflecting my mood. Despite common sense I decided to run on my bad knee. Happy to say that I completed my 4th 1/2 but not in stellar time. This race I can honestly say that I did it to complete it and not for time. I most definitely didn't get a PR.
For two months I have been building up my leg muscles and strengthening my knee. I am happy to announce that I have been running for three weeks now without any pain. I am taking it easy on my runs. Not over doing it. Stretching after my runs and icing it if I feel the slightest pain in my knee.
Here is to running for many years to come.
Kat

3rd 1/2 completed...still bad knee

2008-05-21T19:40:00.001-04:00

So I finished my 3rd 1/2. I didn't do it in the time I wanted but I did miss two weeks of training because of my bad knee.

I actually finished at: 1:53:54.2. It was less than a minute from my previous finish time. I was disappointed at first but then I cramped up and couldn't walk for a good five minutes. I was crying like a little girl on the ground. It was pretty embarrassing I am sure you saw me if you were at Bank Scotia 1/2 marathon in Montreal. I guess I am just happy that I finished that race because my knee was hurting like" h-e-double hockey sticks".

The thing is that I haven't been running seen that race. It's been a month. My knee has been killing me. I tried to do a two mile yesterday to test it and my knee was killing me today.

I am truly sad that I am unable to run so far and I am afraid that it might be a long time 'til I run again. I know that I should rest the knee because if I run on it and it's not heal I might not be able to run ever again and that thought really saddens me. I love to run and I would miss it dearly if I couldn't run. I would feel that a part of me have been taking away.

So you see why I haven't written in awhile.

Kat

Big Race, Bad Knee

2008-04-19T07:18:00.003-04:00

So tomorrow is my third 1/2 marathon and I am excited but afraid. I want to improve my time and run it in 1:45. If you asked me two weeks ago if I would able to do that I would gleefully shout, "yes!". Unfortunately, I can't be that confident because I have been off training for 2 weeks because of a bad knee.

At this point I would be happy just finishing this race.

So wish me luck.

Kat

Indoor vs Outdoor

2008-03-17T08:39:00.005-04:00

It's been a while since I wrote on this blog and I have missed sharing my running experience with everyone (or only one person who knows who reads these blogs).

Though I have been lazy about writing on my blog I haven't been so with my training. I have a half marathon in a month's time and I have been training like mad. I have every intention that I will finally run a 1:45.

This year I found it difficult to run outside because it has been so cold outside. I guess I am getting old and the cold is really getting to me. So I have been doing my long runs indoor at the YMCA on their track. The problem is that I have been doing all my training indoors. My tempo and speed work I have always done on a treadmill, so all me training days have been inside. I am afraid that this will do me more harm than good.

What do you guys think? Will training indoors hurt me or not?

Winter is here!

2007-12-02T19:31:00.000-05:00

I have been really bad in my maintenance. The cold has hit Montreal a little early so I wasn’t doing my long runs because I usually did them outside. I was feeling lazy and refused to go outside to do my long run. Com’on it’s cold! You can’t blame a girl for not wanting to go out there.

I then went to Vegas for four days with every intention of hitting the treadmill in my hotel. Guess how many times I did that. You guessed it, 0!

When I came home I felt disgusted in myself. I got back on my training plan and this week I actually did my long run. It was hard but I did it.

I woke up to frost on my windows. My boyfriend said something that made me smile. He said, “I am proud of you baby you are really a runner.” I accused him of being sarcastic but he said he wasn’t I took it and ran with it. Actually ran because I had to make that statement true even though it was -14ºC.

I won’t lie, it was bloody cold. Doing it though has reinforced my drive and I am back to my maintenance training program.

This week’s training at a glance (my rest week):

Mon.: 5 miles @ 9:15/mile
Wed.: 5 miles @ 9:15/mile
Sat.: 5 miles @ 9:15/mile

1st 10K, done!

2007-10-24T10:48:00.000-04:00

Wow. It’s been a while since I wrote on this blog.

You will all be happy to know that I have completed yet another race. This time a 10K. It was the 1st ever MUHC Run For Your Life. Which took place at Angrignon Park, Montreal, Quebec on Saturday October 20th.

I did it in 49:38.5.

I was aiming for 40-45 minutes, which I realized now was unrealistic because it was my first 10K and I only trained 5 weeks for it. Not to take anything away from my finish time though, I am very proud of my time. Just the next time I will know more of what to expect from a 10K and I will do better.

Saturday was a beautiful autumn day. It was not too hot but not too cold as well. Like the third bear, it was perfect. I started my race at a steady pace that I was happy with. It was just hard enough and left room to pick it up at the second half. At least so I thought. By the 5K I started to cramp and had a stitch. This was forgotten when a little healthy completion was forged. Another woman and I tried to beat the blonde woman in front of us. She was going extremely faster than us. So I had to pick up the pace. After 2K my cramp and stitch was becoming painful and I had to slow down my pace. I wished the other woman luck and hoped that she beat the blonde woman.

With 2K left in the race my boyfriend came to give me support. He kept telling me to push it. I weakly uttered I’m cramping. He kept trying to encourage me. At this point I was in so much pain that even the slightest encouragement was just pissing me off. I became the pregnant woman in labour blaming the husband for causing her so much pain. I had to yell, “Shut up!” After he walked away chest fallen, I had to stop. I walked it off a bit and started to run again but the cramp was still there. I had to stop again. Turning behind me I saw a man creeping up closer towards me. I wasn’t going to let him get any closer. I had already lost a lot of ground and I knew I wasn’t going to make it up but I didn’t want this guy to beat me to the finish. So I sucked it up and began to run again at a slow pace at first because I was still cramping. With 1K left I picked up my pace and struggled to the finish line where I kneed over in pain. Even though, I was happy that I completed my first 10K.

When the results were posted I placed 10/42 women. Wow. That’s amazing for a woman who ran with a cramp!

Next up for me: maintenance.

My next race won’t be until April of 2008 another half marathon.

I did it!

2007-09-10T11:28:00.000-04:00

A full detailed blog will be posted later on this week but I just wanted to let everyone know that I completed my 1/2 marathon in:

1:54:17.2

I achieved my goal of coming under 2 hours. I am very proud of myself. Can't wait for the next race.

Kat

2 weeks, to the date 'til the race

2007-08-26T19:49:00.000-04:00

Wow, it's already two weeks to my race. I'm psyched and scared at the same time.

I think my training will help me reach my goal this time. I think I will be able to a run the 1/2 in under 2 hours. Of course, I made a mistake in my training program. I downloaded a training program from Runner's World.com. The program was great, I think it will get me my goal. Because I didn't know when the race would be I picked a 16 week program that didn't really match my race date. So it was one week earlier. From the many books I have read I can probably fake it but I am a girl that likes to follow things not create my own program. If that makes sense.

I have done my last long run and I killed it. It was only 11 miles but if you can do 11 miles 2 more miles aren't going to kill you. I pushed it not as much as I will on race day but I least I know that I can.

So wish me luck, two weeks is coming really soon.

Kathy

Last Speedwork Run

2007-08-15T16:59:00.000-04:00

Training Day: SpeedWork
Workout: 10 X 800 meters @ 3:45 w/ 400 meters cooldown
Actual Workout: 6 X 800 meters

Today was my last Speedwork!

Hurray!!!

God, I hate Speedwork.

I did 3 miles out of the 5 miles. I am actually very proud of myself even if I didn't do what I was suppose to do, I did what I could do. I can't tell you how happy I am that this part is done. I just have two Tempo Runs before the big day. Those I dislike as well. I can't seem to get pass 3 miles.

I am starting to get psyched for the race. So much so I have even started to look for my next race. I was thinking of doing a 10 K. I know it's strange that I started with such a long distance race and then decided to do a smaller distance race. The thing is I thought I could do my training and work at the same time. Unfortunately, for me my work schedule contains to much hours. At the least I can work for 10 hours a day at the most 16 hours. It gets really hard to wake up early in the morning to do your runs and neglect your much needed sleep.

So I think I will try a shorter distance this time. That way I am not putting in too much mileage. At least I hope so.

Wish me luck,
Kat

The Vacation Runner

2007-08-13T17:44:00.000-04:00

So last week I was on vacation for a week. Despite being on vacation I tried to keep up my training. I was actually really proud of myself. Out of the 4 days I had to run I ran 3 which included my Tempo Run and my Long Run (10 miles).

It's amazing if you put your mind to it you can do anything you want. Of course, my boyfriend who was also on vacation with me wasn't very happy that I was keeping to the training schedule. But I had to choice. There is only three weeks until my half marathon. I have to do as much training as I possible can.

It was an especially hard Long Run that I lost my training partner. My boyfriend was going to run the 1/2 with me. It would have been a couples thing. From the on set he was plagued with running injures from bad knees to really bad blisters. My boyfriend is 6'2" and 235lbs and which most is muscle, he isn't built for running, this was politely said to him at the running store that we went to get him a better pair of running shoes. There was exactly 3 shoes that he could choose from. Even still he was plagued with huge blisters that went across him feet. He hasn't been able to do the Long Runs but he has always killed my butt in Tempo and Speedwork (for which I have stated before). He has yet to complete a Long Run without stopping and walking, the longest he had gone was 6 miles. I begged him to stop and that he didn't have to run the 1/2 with me but I guess it's a macho male thing and he continued despite the pain.

But this 10 mile run was the sinker. We were doing a hilly run that was mostly ups and the blisters and knee pain came two folds. So he decided to throw in the towel. Which I agreed to with a sigh of relief. It was getting hard to see him try to walk around after a really hard day. Also, on a selfish note, it meant I could train when I wanted to, early in the morning. My boyfriend was not an early person.

So I will be alone on the journey to finish my second 1/2. Wish me luck.

Kat

A Fuel Belt Is a Runner's Best Friend

2007-08-02T01:28:00.000-04:00

Let me start off by singing the praise of Fuel Belt. I love love Fuel Belt! They first came to my attention when I saw Fergie from the Black Eye Peas (one of my favourite bands) pictured wearing one.

At first I didn't like the whole fanny pack look of it. Remember fanny packs people. God those things were ugly and I think some people are actually wearing it still. Despite the fanny pack look of them I have come to love my Fuel Belt. I know I get strange looks from people when I am heading off for my run but I honestly don't care. It keeps me hydrated and that's all I care about.

Yesterday , I went out for a run at 10:00am in the morning, yes I am totally insane. The sun was killing me. It was an easy run of 4 miles. I brought my Fuel Belt and kept myself hydrated. Of course, I learned from my past mistake. Once I ran a 4 miles in the boiling sun and didn't take any water because I thought it would be an easy run. Close to the half way point I thought I was going to pass out. I had to stop running and when I did I nearly fainted. From then I wear my Fuel Belt on even easy runs of 2 miles.

Despite the fact that they are expensive it remains one of my best buys for running. Along side my polar heart monitor and Nike + iPod Sport Kit.

It will be almost a month to my next marathon. Getting really excited.

'Til next post.
Kat

Long Run

2007-07-31T20:14:00.000-04:00

I was dreading my Long Run this past weekend (10 miles). I knew I had to do it but didn't mean I have to like it. The last time I trained for the 1/2 marathon this was the point that I stopped because I was sick. I had a cold or the flu, I don't know which for a full month. Surprisingly, I went and completed the race none the less. I think most of my friends and family were surprised that I did.

I know it was my first 1/2 but I wasn't happy with my result. I walked twice in the marathon and that showed me that I needed to train. Training is hard but if you want the result you have to suck it up and do it.

Despite the fact I did the long run it wasn't very easy and I did it not even close to the pace that I was suppose to do it at. A couple of days before I did something stupid. I decided to do 300 squats. My legs were burning and I could barely run. But I kept on like a trooper. Wanting to quit many times but sucking it up. I hope that can keep up that attitude on the time of the race and come in under 2 hours.

'Til my next post.

Kat

Bad runner....bad blogger

2007-07-25T10:06:00.000-04:00

I have been pretty bad about blogging, I didn't blog once last week. It was the same for my running. I don't want to make excuses.......but I will. My work hours was insane last week with 14 hour days, it doesn't give you much energy to exercise or live. This week I promise to be better with the blogging and the running.

Of course, my week started off good. The easy 2 mile run but then I had to do Tempo Run. God, I dislike Tempo Runs but not as much as I dislike Speed Work. It was a disappointing Tempo Run though this week. I was suppose to do 5 miles @ 8:09. I did 2 1/2. I know that Tempo Run and Speed Work is a will power thing at least that's what my boyfriend says. This coming from the guy who can do Tempo Runs in his sleep. My only comfort is that I can kick his ass in the Long Runs, he doesn't have the endurance, at least not yet.

I just want to be able to finish a Tempo Run and say that I had the will power to finish. I guess that is what separates us average individuals from the elite runners. I had a secret fantasy when I started running again that I would be able to run as fast as the elites. Then I learned how fast they ran and that fantasy totally disappeared. I know that I will never be that fast but I want to be able to run at a decent speed.

I won't give up though. I know that one day I will crack that barrier that is telling me to give up. I won't run as fast as the elites but I will be about to run a personal best.

Kat

The Running Room

2007-07-13T16:46:00.000-04:00

So today I went to the Running Room.

Can someone please tell me why because you put "running" in front of a piece of clothing it becomes so expensive. I don't get it. It's a pair of shorts. Why, do I have to pay an arm and a leg to buy it? The most insane of this is Nike+ clothing.

I have the whole Nike + kit. I love it. I totally recommend it whole hearted to anyone who doesn't have it. You get your music, you get Lance Armstrong telling you when you reach a certain goal and your runs are graphed on their web site. It's great. The only think it's missing is a heart rate monitor but I am happy with my polar heart rate monitor. But I digress......

I wanted a Nike + t-shirt with a place to put my nano. The damn thing would have cost me $74.99 (cdn) not including taxes. For crying out loud! I didn't need it that much. I will wear my cheat t-shirt.

Man, I love running but buying the gear is killing me. Like any passion you have to suck it up (all the cost) and to quote Nike's famous slogan, "Just Do It!".

So run on runners, run on with your very expensive gear.

Tomorrow is my long run (9 miles) wish me luck.

Kat

The Runner In Me!

2007-07-11T18:06:00.000-04:00

I am a runner!

It's amazing that how in your youth you don't realize what is good for you. In High School I was on the track team. I actually didn't like it all that much but my Coach pushed me. I was the only black girl on the team so I think she expected a lot from me. She didn't really get it. She suggested I do long distance and I quite firmly in my wanting to do short distances. I didn't want to run for that long. The quicker it was finish the better it was or me back then. I ran only the 100 meters, 200 meters & 400 meters. I wasn't really good in either but it was short and sweet.

A year ago, I got back into running and I fell in love! I was so much in love that I decided to run a half marathon. The beginning of this year I ran my first half marathon and finish with a 2:15 time. Wasn't happy with that. So, now I'm training for my second half marathon, taking place on September 9, 2007.

This will be my blog to document this.

Kat