Music and running! (and I ran my first 12kms EVER today!)

So today I ran 12kms after the previous weekends HORRIBLE run, it was fantastic! Although the minute my garmin said 12kms it was shut off and I walked the rest of the way to Starbucks (yes, I get a latte on Sundays after my run!) I was only supposed to run 9kms today but I wanted to see if I could run 12kms instead. Hopefully I won't pay for it tomorrow!

MUSIC! So, there are a few tunes I listen to when I need to keep going. The first one is Don't Let Me Be Misundersood by Santa Esmaralda. This song makes me run faster! I used it when I was running my last km in my first 10km race in years.

Another song I like that keeps me going in the middle (and maybe I sing out loud a little) is Ordinary Day by Great Big Sea. Actually, just about anything by them like maybe The Night Paddy Murphy Died also makes me sing VERY LOUDLY out loud while running! Yup, I love my Great Big Sea! They also have a great beat to run to with their faster songs, but its better to listen to them halfway or towards the end of your run, the music will make you run a bit faster and you don't want to burn out at the start!

One last song that I use to get me through when I'm really struggling is, yup, you guess it, Rolling in the Deep by Adele. I don't know why but this song just helps me through harder runs. I also used it a few times last year while doing the Grouse Grind. 

Two bad, bad runs in a row

Wow, my runs on Saturday and Sunday were both horrible, Sunday's being much worse then Saturday's. I ran 5kms Saturday, then proceeded to bike about 50 or so kms. Sunday was going to do my long run and then a short bike ride on my new road bike. I only managed to do about 7kms on Sunday, and that was with adding a minute to what my average pace time has been. I couldn't even dig energy from reserves. I was happy I managed to do 7kms though!

After this I need to take a look at my diet again and make sure I'm drinking enough water.

On the up side, how did we ever manage to do a run or bike ride without technology? I'm loving my new Garmin (Forerunner 210). It'll tell me when my heart rate is too low or too high. I'm not sure if it's working properly, it kept telling me today that my heart rate was going below 100 beats a minute while running, that's highly doubtful! Although it didn't reach my max, so, need to work harder.

I will be adding a pyramid to my training this week. One of my coworkers gave me a pyramid mostly to beat one of the guys I work with :) I know, horrible! The set up goes like this, one minute run as hard as you can, one minute slow jog, repeat once, then two minutes run as hard as you can, one minute slow jog, repeat once. Three minutes run as hard as you can, one minute slow jog, repeat once. Four minutes hard run, walk or slow jog 5 minutes, then repeat entire thing (with only one four minute hard run) the other way. Apparently if you run four times a week (at least) and add this as one of your runs you can increase your pace. Should be fun considering I also need to add hills this week! Good times.

Brick Number Two completed!

Once again it hurt but I did 10.5 or so kms bike ride and then almost 5kms run. The first 17 minutes hurt like a bleep (of my run) but after that I started to loosen up, but honestly, not that much. I had to walk in a couple spots. I probably started off running too quickly, next times, much slower pace!

I also picked up my new Garmin Forerunner 210 today! It's currently charging~! Forecast for the weekends is sun sun sun! Guess who's taking the new road bike and new garmin out for a spin on Saturday!

I'm rounding to second base...

If you've seen Moneyball (spoiler alert) you'll remember towards the end of the movie after Oakland A's lose the last game Peter Brand (Jonah Hill) takes Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) to watch video of a recent baseball game of a 240lbs baseball player who's afraid to round first to second. The player hits the ball, he decides to round to second and his worst fears come true, he falls. His fears take over and he scrambles back to first, not realizing he'd hit a home run! The first baseman of the other team tells him that he hit a home run and helps him up and everyone cheers him around the base to home!

I really like the story, I feel like I'm losing my fears of rounding to second base and by that I'm having less fears about running longer distances. I might change my mind again when I have to reach 16kms for my half marathon training!

Today was great! I did my run in the pouring rain. Fun and at least it was warm. Managed to keep my pace faster then what I've been averaging (about 20 seconds faster). I might be on par to do the half marathon in 2 hours and 30 minutes (well, here's hoping!!) I'd like to do the Sun Run in 1 hour 10 minutes, at least that's the goal.

I also went to the first of a few workshops being held by UBC in preparation of the triathlon in March. I think it's fantastic that UBC is offering free sessions leading up to their triathlon/duathlon. I'm hoping to pick up a few tips to help my training and heighten my experience of my first triathlon! I already have a feeling I'll be hooked.

I found a race to do next year!

If I can't make it to race I want to do in France, I think I should do this one! http://halfcorked.eventbrite.ca/

I did my first brick!

I know that sounds a little weird. I did about 7kms bike ride home, took 5.36 minutes to change and get my butt out for a run! I was going for a short run, trying for 2.5 or 3kms. I accidentally switched my watch from timer BACK to watch mode so when I got home I thought I only did 2 or so KMS in 18 minutes, but I really did was 4kms in 30 minutes! Shocker! I might have to do that again!

I ramp up my training for the half marathon this weekend as well. 44 days until the Triathlon and 100 days until the half. I might be a little worried! Actually, more like thinking to myself, what the hell did I get myself into!

The Day After

Well, so far I feel fine after the 10k run. I know some people say you'll be sore after pushing your PB time but so far so good! And, bonus time, I get to bike to work today (no snow and hopefully no black ice)! I managed to bike to the race yesterday and it felt so good being on my bike I almost went for a bike ride instead of doing the race!

I wonder how Flavia's doing!