Week 16: Five weeks until San Francisco – savouring my blessings

The last kilometre of my 33km run yesterday!

Total kms this week: 62 kms
Total kms in 16 weeks: 627 kms
Longest run: 33 kms
Other training: long beach walks, swimming
Funds raised to date: $4,001.00

It’s hard to believe but, if things go as planned, I’ll be running the final miles of the San Francisco Nike Women’s Marathon five weeks from now. With just one more tough week of training ahead before I begin tapering, I’m excited and relieved the finish line is in sight. 

I really love running so I’ve mostly enjoyed my training this summer.  Nevertheless, it has begun to take a toll.  It will be nice not to have to plan every weekend around my training schedule. This weekend, for example, I ran a total of 41.5 kilometres (almost a full marathon!) over two days - 33kms yesterday and 8.5 kms today – which didn’t leave time for much else.

Of course, since today is September 11^th, the tragedy of the attacks on the US and the death and destruction that's followed (and continues) are top of mind.  However, I've decided to avoid the special reports on radio and TV and honour those who've died by savouring my own life and many blessings instead.

Week 15: On vacation…and getting ready for two final weeks of tough training

Total kms this week: 38 kms
Total kms in 15 weeks: 565 kms
Longest run: 17 kms
Other training: long beach walks
Funds raised to date: $4,001.00

It’s been a mellow week. I’ve been on vacation and focussing on eating well and getting as much rest as possible before I launch into two more weeks of tough training. It’s been lovely in many ways but it’s also given me a taste of what my taper’s going to feel like. Icky. After all these months of training, even a day or two without running makes me feel antsy as heck. Thank goodness for other things to keep me occupied.

Today, it was a long walk along the coast between Broad Cove and Green Bay, where I took the picture above. It was a spectacular hike even with the fog rolling in. The wind was wild and the waves rolled large rocks against the shore making a sound I haven’t heard since our trip to Newfoundland several years ago. Truly breathtaking. We’ll be back for another hike soon.

Now that I’ve had a bit of breather, it’s time to kick back into full gear. On the agenda for this week – 3 or 4 short runs of between 5 and 10 kilometres each, followed by a 32-34 km run on the weekend. The forecast looks good for next Sunday so I’m thinking another hilly route is in order and there’s a 5k race in Lunenburg on Saturday that looks like fun.

Unfortunately, it’s been a slow week on the fundraising side because, for the most part, I've been off-line. Besides, I knew that people were just finishing up summer holidays and preparing to go back to work but, hopefully, there’s time enough to put on another push once folks have got their feet back on the ground. It would be great to raise another $2,000 before I head for San Francisco in six weeks (gulp!).

Thanks to everyone for their support so far – especially to my very patient and loving husband for all his encouragement and for taking such great care of me while he’s been in Nova Scotia this summer. Thanks too to all those who inspire – Jon and Kirsi, Gill and Gregor, Jane and Brent, Michael and Maeve, Christine, Jack and many others. I couldn’t have done any of this without them.

Week 14: Hills, hills and more hills

 

Total kms this week:  62 kms
Total kms in 14 weeks: 527 kms
Longest run: 33 kms
Hills: 7 (but they were 50% longer than usual!)
Other training: yoga
Funds raised to date: $4,001.00

The big news this week is that my sponsors have now contributed just over $4,000 – meaning my initial fundraising target has been met!  My sincere thanks to each and every one of them. Their support means so much – not just to me, but to Kirsi, to Jon’s family, and to all who benefit from the work of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada.

Of course, with nearly seven weeks to go until race day, I plan to continue fundraising in hopes of raising even more. It’s a great cause, and every dollar will make the hills of San Francisco seem that much easier to climb.

Speaking of hills, not only did I run more kilometres this week than I have any other this summer, but I ran as many hills as I could in the process.  After completing a final hill training session Thursday evening, I selected a LSR route for the weekend that incorporated another series of tough hills (one of which is pictured above). None was as long or as steep as those I’ll be running in San Francisco but I’m hopeful they were nevertheless a reasonably good test for my right knee, which (aside from a few mild twinges en route home Thursday evening) performed well. 

I’m on vacation this coming week so plan to recuperate a bit by running three or four relatively short runs (nothing longer than 16-20 kms), then launch myself into two final weeks of tough training before beginning my “taper” in mid-September. (During my taper, I’ll gradually reduce the intensity of my training in an effort to let my body heal as fully as possible while maintaining race readiness.)  I’ve got to admit I’m looking forward to it.

Because I planned to run a marathon in San Francisco this fall and expected it to be a challenge, I’ve essentially been in training all year.  In fact, I reviewed the data stored on my computer this week and realized that I’ve run more than 1200 kms since January – an average of just over 35 kms per week and new high for me – which I hope means I’m as ready as I’ll ever be to tackle the hills of San Francisco.  Seven weeks from today, I’ll know for sure. 

In any case, my heartfelt thanks once again to all who have sponsored me. Your support and encouragement mean more than I can say. And, if you haven’t yet sponsored me, I hope you’ll consider visiting my fundraising page where you can make a donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada using your credit card or PayPal. 

Thanks, everyone!

Week 13: My inspiration band

Chicago - just before the race

Kilometres this week: 49 kms 
Total kms in 13 weeks: 465 kms
Long run: 23 kms (on a very hot and humid day!)
Hills: 10!

Other training: yoga (2 hours), boot camp 

Funds raised to date: $3615.00

The following is a post I wrote August 25, 2009 when I was training to run the Chicago Marathon.  The sentiments I expressed then are just as true today. I still have the band I wore in Chicago (you can see it in the pic above) and I plan to wear it again in SF - along with second one containing the names of the people I've gotten to know or heard about from their loved ones over the past two years. If you have a name you'd like added to my new inspiration band, please leave a comment below or send me an email.

*  *  *

I was thinking about inspiration today as I headed out for my long run. In the past, inspiration for my running has tended to be things like the size of my waistline, the data on my heart rate monitor, or the latest issue of Runner’s World. My training for Chicago is inspired by something completely different – a desire to pay tribute to those whose lives have been touched by blood cancers and to contribute to finding cures for all forms of the disease.

Many marathoners wear a pace band on their wrists when they race. The band sets out the time it will take them to reach every mile marker if they are running at their goal pace. I’m going to wear a different kind of band – an inspiration band – one that lists the names of people I know, or know of, who have been victims of leukemia or lymphoma. My plan is to put 26 names on it – one to provide inspiration for each mile of the race. So far, I’ve collected 9.

Week 12: Lots and lots and lots of running

Halifax harbour from the bridge this morning

Kilometres this week: 58 kms 
Total kms in 12 weeks: 416 kms

Other training: no time for much else!

Funds raised to date: $3365.00

No time to write much tonight after one heck of a busy weekend. In addition to running 42kms (10 yesterday and 32 today), I went on a road trip to attend a MacIntosh family picnic yesterday, spent time on the waterfront this afternoon and visited with a friend this evening - so I'm tuckered out, to say the least.

In any case, it's probably enough to say that my training went very well again this week. I was especially pleased with today's long run because I managed to get out on the road shortly after 7:00 a.m. before it got too hot and felt great throughout - despite the fact that my route included  a number of fairly tough hills.

Plans for the coming week include lots more running, and another push on the fundraising side. There are a number of people who've said they intend to sponsor me but haven't yet, so another (gentle) reminder appears to be in order. :-)  I'm still hoping to raise at least $4,000 before I head for San Francisco in nine weeks time. My goodness, the time is going quickly! 

Have a great week, everyone!

Week 11: Catching up!

Kilometres this week: 46 kms
Total kms in 11 weeks: 357.7 kms

Other training: a wicked "boot camp" class, yoga

Funds raised to date: $3310.00

The high point of this week was exchanging messages with Kirsi, one of my honourees. As I mentioned previously, she and I and a few friends are planning a 50th birthday trip together in the new year so emails were flying this past weekend as we reached final agreement on a destination and dates for the trip.

Kirsi also sent pictures from her summer vacation - part of which she spent sailing with friends. I especially love this one of her at the helm - in her TNT hat! Looking at her now, it's hard to believe she was as ill as she was.

Here's another great one from the same trip. It's wonderful to see her looking so relaxed and happy!

For those who are interested, I've posted a few more photos on "her" page (which you can reach by clicking here.)

Training
Because I was out of town until Monday night, it was a short training week but I still managed to squeeze in four excellent workouts over six days. In place of hill training on Thursday night, I tackled my first ever boot camp session. Given how sore my legs felt for two or three days after, I'm pretty sure I got at least as much strength training out of that session as I would have gotten out of running 8 or 10 hills. In any case, I made sure to incorporate some good steep hills into my other runs this week, and my knee held up well.

Week 10: Resting and recouping

Kilometres this week: 21 kms
Total kms in 10 weeks: 321.7 kms

Other training: yoga, resting and eating!

Funds raised to date: $2560.00 

Our TNT coaches tell us that rest is part of training - that our bodies need occasional breaks so they can recover and get stronger after a series of tough workouts - which was my justification for skipping a long slow run this past weekend and focussing on resting and eating lots instead.  I didn't have much choice in any case given that I was on the road visiting with hubbie in Ottawa and driving to Bracebridge and back (10 hours return) to attend a friend's marriage celebration.

Though my total mileage for the week was low, the training I managed to do was of good quality. I ran eight hill repeats last Wednesday evening, a hilly 5kms in Bracebridge and 8kms at a challenging (for me!) pace with a TNT friend Brent in Ottawa yesterday - where it was already incredibly hot and humid by 7:30 am!

Much as I enjoyed my time in "Upper" Canada, I must say it felt good to return to the more moderate climate of HRM last night and I look forward to the training I have planned for the week ahead - which includes more hills and a 29km run on Saturday.

In terms of fundraising, four new sponsors stepped up to make donations this week bringing the grand total to 33 so far. I'm still a long way from achieving my initial goal of raising $4,000 but I remain optimistic given that the race is still eleven weeks away.

By the way, I had a note from Kirsi a few days ago saying that she'd just returned from vacation and had had a marvellous time. Now that she's back home, she and I and our two other college roommates will have to get more serious about planning our big 50th birthday trip in January!  It's wonderful that the four of us are still able (and still want!) to go on adventures together after all these years.

I hope you and yours are enjoying a happy and healthy summer so far. If you haven't yet sponsored me... well, you know the drill. :-)  I'd really appreciate whatever support you are able and willing to provide.