I realized on the very long run this past weekend, that I haven't updated the blog in awhile... well, we've got a little over one month until race day - holy what happened to the summer! The past three weeks have been a lot of running... 30.5 km, 29 km, and 32.5 km. Yikes!
This past weekend was probably my most successful training run yet - the all mighty 32 km challenge! I started the run off telling myself to just breathe through it - I have discovered that if you think about the distance too much, well you do feel every kilometre as it passes by. So okay, away we go... no thinking... just woke up, geared up, fueled up, take a deep breathe and away we go! This Sunday had to be one of the most beautiful Sunday runs in awhile. The temperature at the start was a very pleasing 9 or 10 C... it was sunny, blue skies, and (as some might say, sadly), you could almost smell the fall (yikes!). I do love running in the fall though... everything seems clearer and crisp... plus the smell is great!
But I took off with two running partners that are great people, however a little stronger than I - Petra and Matt... luckily for me, they are two great people to run with, because they both appreciate a nice long slow warm up, an easy comfortable middle of the distance pace they are booth patient when it comes to bathroom breaks, and have enough humour to tease me about my obessive need to say hi to everyone we pass. In addition to that, Petra has already run many fulls and so in the time of need her strength in experience was the comforting voice when I wasn't sure my legs would go on. Matt is more the strong silent type - although definitely someone who has a good sense of humour and will put up with two ladies yammering on about everything and nothing to pass the time by.
All of Muray's (you may remember him as the man with running-god legs) routes are very centrally located... while they have become a little boring (Mill Creek ravine now passes by quickly, as does the run behind EPCOR...) - river valley road and hawrelek park are quickly becoming my least favourite areas of the run! But at least there are some strategically place water fountains (for quickly running through and soaking oneself) and loads of potential pit stops!
So back to the run. I think my nutrition was fairly spot on (although I spent what felt like almost every walk break eating - I guess there's nothing too wrong with that)... somehow, we managed to finish the last 5 or 8 km at a 6:15 min/km pace - WOW! I think a lot of it had to do with Petra and her chatter that kept us distracted... or maybe it was the insanely loud groans and moans at the start of each run, or the chanting "Yes, we can" down 87 Avenue... anyway, we accomplished our goal of 32 km in under 4 hours! Ha! Actuallyl in 3 hours and 46 mins... I hope I feel that strong during the race.
As I roll into the last month of training... the focus will still be on consistency and nutrition, but also to enjoy I guess.. and keep that stretching going! In additiona to being so amazed that I completed the distance (I think I told everyone that would listen on Monday morning - sorry!), I am somehow able to get out of bed on Monday morning without pain or stiffness... double WOW! I guess it all is coming together - VICTORIA HERE I COME!
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