The end

I've come to the end of my road...for this year anyway. I won't be able to do my marathon this year, but there is always next year or the year after or the year after. It's just not possible the way I am right now.

I went for a long run last week on Sunday after waiting over a week from my previous long run that hadn't went that well. I felt fine until 12km when I realized I wouldn't be able to finish, again. My knees were both acting up and I'm just getting tired of having that happen a lot. So, I made a decision that I would "give up" for this year and try again another time when I can prepare better.

I figure I have at least a month of recovery from this continuous knee issue if I want to run without any pain. That puts me into August and the marathon is in September. So, even if I was able to get myself better, I couldn't build up enough distance in that time, assuming I didn't hurt myself again. So, maybe I'll try for the half, but maybe not. I'm not letting myself feel pressured into replacing this run with something else.

I will run a marathon, but it's not going to be in 2010. There are just some realities about me as a runner I have to face and come to terms with. I get knee problems every year but I was ok until I ran a race too fast. So, over winter I will start again. I'm going to keep myself at 10km every week and slowly build up over winter like I did last winter. It sucks, but it's how it is. I have to ask myself, do I want to run for the next 2 months or the rest of my life?

This will be my last blog for this year, but maybe I'll pick it up again in winter. It's crazy running outside in the snow. Thanks to everyone who has been reading this and I hope to write again sometime and say that I finally ran my marathon.

Down but not out

Well I ended up a bit sick last week, but it didn't stop me from going out and getting some exercise. I did the usual short runs and swimming, and on Thursday I did an 18km. Well, I'm not sure you could actually say I did it. Unfortunately I've been sidelined again by this nagging knee stuff. I ran about 12km then my knee started acting up again. I walked and ran back, although I couldn't run for very long before wishing I hadn't. It didn't feel as bad as before, but I might just be trying to convince myself of that so I can keep running.
So, again, I've been trying to take it easy. I went swimming on Monday and did a short run at the track after and it wasn't horrible. I went for a 15km bike ride today and my knee is sore. I have been trying to ice it lots today. Not really sure how this is going to play out. I think this is all because of a small incident on the weekend at the cottage. My whole leg seized up and it was like someone had stabbed my knee. I had run a 16km the week before with no problem. So, I'm working on getting some more strengthening exercises in my workouts to help workout the areas around my knees and my core. Once again, we'll see.

Longer.

Wow, sorry about not updating for so long. Life is busy sometimes! I thought I'd include a photo from a race that a couple friends of ours did with us last year. The Santa Run in Burlington. One of the funniest runs to do. All these people dressed like Santa running down the road. It was a blast and I'd recommend it to anyone in the area. I'm the little one.

This last week has been really good. I was able to increase my biking and running a lot! On Monday I did a swim (not much to say about that) and Tuesday I tried for the long bike/run. I biked 20km and ran 5km right after, to see if I'd be able to do the duathlon next week. I survived! I don't really bike very fast, so it takes me awhile but it's really a nice way to see the city and discover new trails around. When I got back, I fully intended to sign up for the duathlon but unfortunately it's all sold out. I don't really feel up to doing the 42km olympic one either, lol. I was really surprised at how ok I felt after doing this long workout. I think sometimes I get intimidated by big numbers and don't want to push myself to do it. I think that I am actually capable of more than I do. I think most people are, actually.

Wednesday I went swimming again (and again, not much to say, you swim back and forth, then back and forth, lol). Thursday was the day for my long run. I managed to do 16km, which is on schedule for me. Pretty good run. Again I was surprised that I felt so good doing it. However, the hurting usually comes a couple hours after, lol. It totally drains me and I become useless by the end of the night, running on empty. Word of advice for anyone who is into doing long distance or intense running. Protein and re-fueling is one of the most important parts of a successful run. The meal immediately after, I feel to be the most important one you have all day. Unfortunately, I was going out and didn't have time for a good meal and I could definitely tell. When you do this much exercise, you become very in tune with your body. It's strange.

Then on Friday I went for a reaaaallllly early swim. Too early for me, lol. We were heading out to the cottage at 9 so I had to go early or I'd go too many days without exercising (I don't want to run on the crazy hilly, gravel, winding cottage road full of black flies and mosquitoes-and sometimes bears!). I'm pretty strict with myself with how many days I'll take off. It's the only way I can keep going, is to be strict. Sacrifices of my social life happen all the time. Anyway, the plus side to going that early is that hardly anyone was there and I had the lane to myself. No offense to any parents of young children, but I was happy there weren't any kids there since sometimes if I go at the wrong time, I can't even have a shower. Unfortunately, no matter what time I go at, there are always naked women hanging out there like it's normal to walk around a group of strangers when you are naked. For some people that's a re-occurring nightmare. For others (mostly old women), it's part of their daily routine. I just try to look at the ground.

On to this week. Today I decided to try a longer bike ride, since 20km isn't actually that hard, unless it's all hills. I went for 26km and I feel good. Well, I think I'm getting a cold, so I don't feel good, but in terms of the bike riding, I did ok with it. I'm still learning how far I have to go to get a good workout, and 26km isn't far enough yet.

So, I'm still not sure where this will take me, but for now I think I'm entitled to go downstairs and eat a bowl of ice cream.

On the road again...and again..

And the goodness continues! Despite all this rain, somehow I have not run or biked in it at all but I've been out every day.

On Wednesday I went for a short 9 length (back and forth) swim. I was in the deep end and have been working on overcoming fear with that but for some reason I was panicking a bit and didn't do as much as I would have liked. It was followed with my usual workout.

Thursday was a really good day to try out some multi-sporting. I went for a 6km bike ride and then a 4km run. I felt really good too. In between I came inside to change though. So, it wasn't exactly like it would be in a race. A good start though.

Friday I went for another swim, this time panicking less and swam 10 lengths back and forth. I think that's about 400m or so. It's 20-25m across one way. I preferred swimming in the shallow end because then I didn't get stuck in lanes with people who were swimming in a way that makes it difficult for me to swim (like splashing like crazy, swimming really slow, not swimming in a circle, etc.). For the most part I actually swim in the leisure lane so I can't complain about the slow swimming, I just have issues branching out farther away from the edge, lol. I've tried going out 1 lane or two, but it will take some time for me to relax about it. So for now I suffer and have to take lots of breaks while I swim.

Today Ryan joined me for my 14km run. He wasn't sure if he'd make it since it's been awhile since he ran that long, but we both survived. I of course did not get enough sleep again, but was ok. It wasn't actually very hot either which was nice. The sun came in and out and there was a good wind. I'm a bit achy now but I really think I've finally kicked the injury.

Things are looking good!

A Good Week

It's been a great week! To finish off last week, I went for a 12km run on Saturday. I made a couple mistakes though. I didn't get enough sleep for a few days before and I went out at 9:30. These days it's been 20 already that early. And it was somewhere around that when I went out. All I have is this little clipped on water bottle that holds maybe 1 cup of water so I was definitely a bit thirsty when I got back. My legs were a bit sore, but overall, I'd say my injury is definitely becoming part of the past. I was at The Running Room yesterday looking at water bottles but I'm just not sold on using a whole belt of water bottles. I'll probably go back and ask the people there what they think. They told me to get the one I have when I asked them a couple years ago but it's just not enough when I'm running farther. Word of advice to anyone considering running between 9am-6pm: Bring lots of water! I don't generally drink a lot of water, at least not at one time or I'd throw up, but it's also very helpful to dump it on your head. On my run, I was so irritated and not enjoying my music and couldn't figure out why. Then I realized I was probably just too hot and uncomfortable. So, I started dumping the water on my head and I felt a lot better.
Sunday I took the day off. On Monday I wanted to try a longer bike ride to see if there is a chance of me doing the duathlon in June at Guelph Lake. So I went out intending to try 20km. Well, for some reason I went out late morning again. So, it was hot, but not as hot as when I ran because biking usually gives a nice breeze. I tried a route with some decent hills, since I know from experience that this race will have a lot of them (when I did the tri, it was a 10km bike ride and very hilly). I wasn't going all that fast, but I'd say I did pretty good for biking that distance for the first time in my life. I went out shopping later for some actual biking shorts and was surprised at what the shorts actually look like. It's like a built in bike seat cushion on the shorts, lol. How can anyone run in those things? I'm sure I'd run like I'd been on a horse for too long. I think I'm gonna keep looking around.
Today I went for a 4km run. My IT Band was a bit sore on my left leg, but probably just from the long bike ride yesterday. I bought new running shorts yesterday. The kind a lot of people wear-the short ones that are loose. I figured if so many people have them, they must be a good kind. Yes, they are. So comfortable, just really short. They have a built in part, like a cheerleader skirt would, like underwear, which I assume is because if they didn't, it would be a show for everyone while you run.
Hopefully the rest of the week goes as well as it has been so far!

Strap yourself in for a long ride...I wrote a lot!

I'm feeling slightly inspired as I write this blog and I hope to inspire everyone who reads it.

I've recently started exercising every day or almost every day, which has been fantastic. I did a lot of exercise before, but I would take days off in the middle of the week sometimes. This week has been pretty good. Sunday I decided would be an off day. Monday I ran 4km and biked 3km (I think-I wrote about it but I forget how far I went), Tuesday I swam somewhere around 400-500m, Wednesday I biked 6.5km then ran 3km, Thursday I swam the same distance and today I biked 10.5km. Every day that I do those exercises, I also do a gym workout (I have 2 different workout "routines" that I do-weights, ab stuff, extensions of all sorts...and so on. I won't bore you with details! lol Everything has been going well and I haven't been having any knee troubles.

I have realized throughout my exercising, that it makes me feel good...all the endorphins or whatever that get released through exercise certainly make me feel 100%. It also doesn't hurt that when I do all this and eat properly, it makes me in good shape and makes me feel like I look good. It is generally good for most people to exercise to live a long, healthy life. But, I also have another reason why I do it. I don't often think of this reason until something or someone comes along that makes me think about what my life could be.

Every day people get sick. It isn't news to anyone that all over the world, every day, people die. For many reasons. Some preventable, some not. It's very sad in my opinion but it's the circle of life. It will happen to everyone. Death and taxes, right? So. What is my other reason? Because I can. I was born with both legs, both arms and a fully functioning body. I was born with the ability to do anything I wanted. From the get go, I was given the opportunity to be and do anything I wanted. A fresh start. That is not the case for all. Some people are born with missing limbs or sickness. Diseases that have no cure or cures that make you incapable of doing anything but lie in a bed. I am not one of those people.

I am very lucky. The way I look at it, I have no excuse not to keep my body in the best shape I can. I was given (however you want to interpret that) a chance to live a full life and I want to live that life the best I can. I push my body to it's limits because I know it will make me stronger. I am tired of hearing people complain about things that are just excuses not to do anything and to be lazy. I certainly don't expect everyone to do what I do but I do expect people to do what they can. You know, I don't mind the Eminem song "Lose Yourself." He says some inspirational things in his song and from what I have heard of him, it seems he overcame a lot of obstacles in his life to fulfill a dream he had. People do that all the time. They ignore what people say they can or can't do and do what they want to do. They push past obstacles and keep focused on the dream to accomplish something meaningful to themselves (and maybe not even to anyone else).

The true heroes in my books are those who don't let situations or circumstances determine their dreams. I may have mentioned him before, but there is a man and his son, Dick and Rick Hoyt, who I learned about over the last few months. Look them up on youtube and listen to the story. Even if you are not interested in an ironman race, I think you'll be inspired by the obstacles that they both overcome. It gives perspective. Yes, my knee injury is incredibly frustrating because it made me incapable of doing something I love for a time, but it's not nearly what others have had to overcome.

I could go on for hours, but I'll spare you. I am inspired today to live my life to the fullest for as long as I have. That's a hard thing to maintain every day, for sure, but I'm going to try. I don't know when I'll die or even if I have some underlying sickness in my body creeping it's way through me. I just know that today I'm here. Today I will run. I will keep running until my legs stop working. It is my passion. I'm not going to make excuses.

At the risk of offending people with what I say, I'm going to keep going. Stop being lazy and get out and do what you need to do. Stop letting fear or excuses hold you back from what you should be doing. I'm not telling you to run. I'm saying that I'm tired of people complaining about this or that, "oh I can't do that because...(insert lame excuse here)." You can so do it. You can face your fear. You can meet your goal. You can do anything you put your mind to. Yes sometimes situations beyond your control happen, but you can't let the fear of those situations hold you back. Overcome the obstacles that come and move on. I was terrified in the water during the triathlon I did. The first attempt at it, I had to be rescued out of the water. But, I tried. The second attempt a few weeks later was a success. When I got in the water, I stood in the beach area staring out towards the first marker, debating whether I should swim or turn around, uncertain as to whether or not I would have to be rescued again or worse, drown. Then and there I made a choice to swim. And I made it. I want to continually make the choice to swim.

I will meet my goal. I will run a marathon.

Better and Better

Hey everyone! A quick update with good news! I ran a 4km on Friday and had no problems at all! Nothing hurt! I also ran 4km on Monday and had no problems, again! So, things are looking up. I'm going for a short run tonight and planning a 12km on Saturday, but we'll see how things go.
All in all, things are definitely improving. I've been having what I needed. No pain during the run or after. I also went biking shortly after my run on Monday and other than a little tightness, I was feeling good. I'm trying to get used to doing 2 sports at the same time again, in preparation for dualthons or triathlons.
As always, we'll see.

1 2 3 4 5 6 switch!

Sorry everyone! I haven't been very good with this blogging thing lately!!

So on Thursday I tried a 4km run after having such a good run earlier in the week. Unfortunately this one didn't work out as well. For some reason that I will probably never understand, my right knee ended up super sore, the same way the other one was. My left knee was fine. So, since I'd thought I would be ok, I did it on a day I had to work. It was not fun working that evening. Not as bad as the time I went in after running like 20km, but still not nice. So, I rested my knees AGAIN and went swimming and biking. A funny thing was that when I got back there was a Canada Goose on the tip of our roof and one in front of our driveway. I ran in to try to get a picture but a weedman truck scared them off. I swear the geese are taking over our neighbourhood. There was one on my neighbour's roof too.

Today I went out hoping for a longer run. I'm sick of these wimpy runs (they are wimpy for me, not for everyone, don't get me wrong). I woke up with a sore right knee and thought I might only make it 2km. I never understand this injury thing. I think maybe my knee was sore because I was playing the drums and really trying to get this one beat that requires a lot of the bass drum. But I also could have slept wrong. It drives me crazy that big parts of being able to run properly can be on things out of my control.

Anyway, so I went out aiming for 8km but would be happy with only a few km. I went 4km out and felt ok. I could tell I had been having trouble with the knee but overall it was fine. So, when I got back to my house I ran 2 extra km because I felt fine. So I ended up surviving a 10km. In theory I should be able to do 22km still because it hasn't been that long since I last did it and I probably won't lose my distance that easily. So, again I will try building up and see how it goes. If I end up able to do this marathon it won't be without considerable training and ups and downs.

So, until next time....keep fit and have fun!

On the road again

Things are looking good here. I decided to try a longer run (not like my real longer ones, but longer than 2km) on Monday. I went out intending to do a 5km if I could make it. I made sure to keep close to the house. I ran almost 2.5km out and was starting to feel some knee pain so I turned around. It was slight and ended up disappearing for awhile so I decided that if I felt ok when I was almost back to my house, I'd try for 6km. So, I felt fine and finished 6km. I was not sore at all after or for the rest of the day. It felt good to run again. It's totally an addiction of mine.
So, things are looking better and better. I'm not really feeling sore anymore at all. I did some extra swimming, biking and workouts focusing on abs and I think these workouts combined with better eating (as I sit here eating chocolate covered raisins, lol) and rest have helped get me back into longer-ish runs. If I am able to get back to 10km by the end of the month, I should be able to do the full marathon.
As always....time will tell.

2.5km and counting....

Despite the crappy weather out today, I thought I'd try to run after being off for a week. I was surprised that I was able to make it to 1km without pain. Really good news. So, I went 2.5km (didn't want to push it-I have to work later today and I stand the whole shift) and survived. I found that my knee/leg was sore after but nothing like the other day. So, I know I can run at least 2.5km. It's not the 22km I did a few weeks ago, but it's a step. I'm learning IT Band strengthening exercises and stretches and I'm going to throw in some runner's knee ones too because that's something that has bothered me in the past too. If anyone reading this is thinking of running, I would suggest learning stuff like that BEFORE you try it, lol. I think that was one mistake I made in the last 5 months-not doing those stretches, knowing that I am prone to this type of injury. I also realized I let my protein consumption slip (lazy, didn't feel like making food...lol) so I'm concentrating more on that. Little things that I hadn't thought of have had big impacts!
Anyway, so it's good news for now!

Birthday disaster

Well it's about time I update! So, on Thursday, my birthday, I got all ready for a long run. I was planning on doing 20km or more if I felt ok. If I had been sticking to my plan I would have been at 26km but that wasn't realistic after being sidelined from an injury for a bit.

So, I start my run, feeling good...going...going...going...a little bit of soreness in my right knee but ok....going...going...going....for an hour...10km away from my house, then the unthinkable happens. My knee starts hurting. At first not too much but I thought it best to turn around. I ran 1km down the road (on bad uneven dirt road unfortunately) and it didn't let up. It was my left leg, not even the one that was hurting a bit on the way out. When I say knee, I don't mean knee though...it was the IT band. The bad thing. The thing that stops my running almost immediately and puts me back to the beginning. So, I stopped and walked. Felt a bit better. Started to run...immediate pain. No good.

So, as I was 10km and an away running from my house, I became so angry. There was absolutely no warning of this in the first 10km. Usually there is something. But no. So, I walked the 10km back to my house since I had no money, no phone, no way of getting back to my house otherwise. Unfortunately, my knee still hurt when I was walking. It took me almost 2 hours to get home and it hurt the whole time. Sad but true. I wondered when I'd be able to run again and felt that my legs might as well be broken.

The next 3 days after were very unpleasant. I was in pain a lot and once in awhile I'd move my leg the wrong way and it would be like electricity through my leg. It still hurts. This is familiar from other years. Fortunately I don't work very much and was off for almost 4 full days after the run. I haven't run since and just yesterday tried a swim. It went ok and so today I did a 4.5km bike ride which irritated it a bit, but it's a good workout for me since I can't run right now. I've still been doing my regular workouts. I have 2 different workout plans that I do after a run or after a swim, isolating different parts (abs or arms usually). I'm going to try running again on Thursday or Friday but this is a huge blow.

So, it's back to the beginning for me. At this point I'm not sure if the marathon is a possibility anymore. I have 5 months left and a long way to go if I have to start at the beginning. It took me 5 months to get to halfway. So depending on where I can start again, I may or may not be doing my marathon. It's a shame when you've come this far, done everything right and because of one stupid mistake (the 5km race) that I didn't even think about, I may miss out on what I've been planning since December. There's always the half I suppose. Right now, I'll just be happy to be able to run again.

Back on track?

So after missing my 8km race (decided it really wasn't worth it if it would mean I'd be out of luck with the marathon) I gave it a shot running on Monday. I ran 4km without any knee pain (other than the normal running stuff). Felt good to be back to normal. So I am very thankful that I was able to keep myself from trying to run through the pain last week and instead I stopped. It really has taken me years to learn that lesson. I don't know if I can fully express how it feels to not be able to do something you are passionate about (unless you have experienced this before). It sucks! Fortunately I could still swim and I started biking.
Tomorrow (my birthday, by the way) I'm going to attempt a 20km. I haven't run that far in over 2 weeks, but I think when you have a long distance base, as I do, it shouldn't matter. In fact, it might even go better than my other long runs. If I am not dying at the end of the 20km, I will try to run 2 or 4km more to get back to where I should be, or pretty close to it. I'm tentatively planning a marathon in Niagara for mid-June, but it depends on how this all goes. I will really find out in a few weeks if the race begins at 30km. For me it has begun at 22km. So, it's sad for me, but I won't be doing any races this summer unless I decide not to do the marathon. At least we'll save some money! Hopefully I will have more interesting stories to write tomorrow!

A bad week

On Monday night it was time to do my weekly long run, this week being 24km. I made a discovery that day though. Working all day (standing) then trying to run does not work for me. Stubborn me decided to try running after and it was a miserably disaster. I made it 2.5km out and was in pain most of the time. It was the time of pain that maybe only a runner will understand. You can run through it but it's not good to run through it. I ran a half marathon in similar pain (much worse though). To make matters worse for me at the time, since I'd been stubborn for so long (2.5km) it meant I had to walk back 2.5km. I was dressed for a long, hot run but not for a long, not so warm walk. My hands nearly froze by the time I got home and it was not a nice walk. I've never walked well. You could say I'm a bad walker, lol. I have bad posture or something.

I think that I was still a bit sore from my race on Saturday and it was just too soon. Since I have the 2nd part of this race on Saturday, I am forced to wait until next week to do a long run or I will end up injured for the rest of the season. Running 24km too close to another run is a bad idea for me. What I was feeling on my run was runner's knee, which doesn't worry me as much as the ITB pains. Runner's knee goes away for me but the ITB pain makes me have to stop running for awhile, then start all over again. So, I will just pick up my long run next week.

I'll be spending the rest of the week swimming and biking, getting ready for the triathlon. It's really frustrating not being able to run, but I have learned my lesson over many years of being injured. As soon as it hurts, stop. You have to stop and say do I want to run for the next 2 weeks or the rest of my life.

First race of the season

So today I ran in the ENDURrace 5km. Unfortunately for all of us running, it decided to snow after many, many nice days in a row. The snow/cold wasn't so bad, but the wind pretty much sucked. But, we all survived and everyone seemed pretty happy after. This is the first race in a 2-race series. There is an 8km next Saturday evening. I figured out fairly soon after I started that I was wearing too much. I just didn't want to be cold and you would think I would know how much to wear considering I ran all winter outside, but it didn't work out so well. There were 3 hills in it, the last one being the killer long one. I was feeling pretty good and passed a lot of people on the hills (I do a lot of training on hills so I would say I'm fairly good with them). At the very end a girl passed me but wasn't going much faster than me so I sprinted to try to catch her and I did catch her but then she realized that I was gonna beat her and she sped up and I just couldn't stay that fast for the 5 seconds longer it would have been for me to beat her. It was a good challenge though.

My time was 26:16 which is ok, but not what I used to do. I was happy with it because it's the fastest I've been able to run this year so far for a 5km. I was also happy because I found out when the results went up that I had placed 2nd in my category (female age 25-29). I have actually placed every time I've run this race, so I'm happy that I am still running well, even though my training has changed. I was running almost as fast as I could the whole time.

So, overall, I'm pretty happy with how everything went today (other than the snow!). Ryan was happy with his run as well, though it's much tougher for him to place in his category because there are a lot of men competing who are very fast. The only downside for us now is that we both have sore throats/lots of coughing from breathing hard in the cold air. I was coughing so much I actually have given myself the hiccups. I also get sinus issues after this race every time I run in it. So, we are sniffing and coughing and planning a relaxing movie night! It's a small price to pay for all the benefits of doing this kind of exercise though. Off to the next race!

I love 22

Never have I been happier to see the number 22 as I was yesterday.....(to be continued)

For all of you who have lost toenails, who haven't been able to use stairs for days after a run, who won't cancel a run no matter how many schools and buses are closed for a snow day, who have no social life for a year before a big race, who will get up hours before work to run even when it's still dark out, and for those who organize your entire week around your runs...know this-you are not alone! There is a drive in all of us for something. For me, it's running. I can't explain it, I just love it. I see that same drive in people at races. So, I thought I would blog about it. I'm training for a marathon and I thought I would start writing about it in hopes to motivate others who are running or doing any other sort of exercise (or even those who feel like they might want to start). A number of years ago when I was running, a friend and I would email each other about our runs and we both found it motivational. I hope these blogs motivate and inspire (or at the very least, entertain) those who read them. I hope I don't discourage anyone from running when I write about the bad stuff that comes with the territory of training for anything this much.

To start off, I should have started this way back at the beginning in December when I decided I wanted to do a marathon in 2010 but I wasn't sure at that point if I would even make it to half without injury.

To give you some background, I've been running seriously for about 6 years, but ran when I was younger in school as well. I ran a few 5km races and joined the cross country team. I did ok with it, but lost motivation in high school and didn't really pick it up again (except for off and on runs during summer) until 2004. I started running with Ryan in 2006 and we began our races in 2007. It all started with the ENDURrace. We competed in only the 5km race (there is also an 8km) and I placed in my category which helped give me perspective as to where I stood in competitive running. I realized I didn't completely suck at running, haha.

After that race, we competed in many more, sometimes doing well, sometimes not. Later on in 2007, we tried a half marathon. Well...2 actually. Our inexperience with races of this size was shown when we signed up for the races 2 weeks apart. Since then we've learned doing a race of that size 2 weeks apart with the little training we did is a really bad idea. I was also injured (in my knees) for both races. My best time was 2:06. The following year we did more races and tried the half marathon again. I was injured during my training again and ran in pain for 2 hours and 30 minutes. I don't have a high pain tolerance but I have a high endurance level and this is why I kept running despite constant pain.

So, in 2009 I decided to focus more on 5k races, but was not able to get my speed to what I wanted. All in all, a frustrating running season. I also tried a try-a-tri and that's a whole other story in itself. At this point I realized how much better I run when I swim, bike and do a lot of core workouts. When it got colder, I decided to try to run outside as long as I could. The other option was the rec centre track, which I don't really like using. In December, I decided I'd like to try a full marathon. This required me being able to start running longer each week. Fortunately for me, we had a mild winter and I survived outside all winter.

So, the training began. I started running 3 times a week, 1 long run, 1 short run with sprints, and one medium run at a medium pace. After my runs, I would do a workout and on the off days I would sometimes go swimming. I increased my long run by 10% every week.

So....why do I love 22? Yesterday I hit the 22km mark. A half marathon is 21km and I've never run farther than 21km before, so I'm feeling pretty good. I'm not injured at all. This is monumental for me. My time this week was 2:19, which I'm ok with. It has taken me 6 years to figure out the proper training for myself to run without injury, so I'm just happy to finish. I'll tell ya, it's not easy to run that far. It's not as hard as it was in the past for me though because I've been building up properly. The swimming/workout sessions have been key in keeping my knees from injury.

So, that's all for now. Stay tuned....