Impromptu Race!

Since Steve and I had a wedding to attend on Saturday night this week, I decided to get my long run in on Saturday morning. As it so happened, the Molson Timex 10k race took place on Saturday, and a day or 2 before, I decided to register for it.

I have literally never run an official race for a distance less than 16 km before, so I wasn't really sure how I would do, or what my time would be. I DREAD racing. I get really nervous and anxious thinking about it, so we decided this would also be good practice. It was a really nice day for a run, and I'm glad I didn't spend much time analyzing the race course, because there were a few more HILLS than I thought there would be!

All in all, I'm quite pleased with how I did for this first time.

I'm now prepared to run an 8 KM race in a couple of weeks.

The "official" results are here on the NLAA Web site, however, we were told that there was an accidental extra 200 m on the course, so my time should really be a little less than this!

57:05 - not bad for hills and wind. I think my goals for the Tely 10 are within reach!

My wonderful friend Selina took some great pictures at the race, including this one:

Thanks Selina! Let's see what the Mews 8 k brings....it's a faster course!

Friday

I haven't been sure what to write for the past few days. I try to keep my blog really positive, but the truth is, I have been struggling with my running, and have been feeling somewhat frustrated lately.

I realize that this is compeletely my own doing. I trained for, and ran the half marathon in February, and since then, my runs have been irregular at best. Where did that time go? No wonder I'm not feeling good about my runs when 4 months have gone by.

I have lot's of great "excuses" - school was really busy (yes it was), work was really busy (it always is), we went on our honeymoon etc.

So now I am trying to get back into regular training, despite my life. I am registered for the Tely 10, and want to have a good run.

I ran:

last Sunday (a very difficult run for me with lot's of hills)

Wednesday morning (tempo run - mornings are always hard, but I feel great for the rest of the day)

Thursday night - 4 hills - "ugh"

Let's hope it's going to feel easier again soon.

I have to end my post and start off my weekend with something positive, so here's a "Wordle" that I created with running inspiration!

Image created on http://www.wordle.net

This Summer's Training Goal

Sunday, July 25 I will run the Tely 10 race in St. John's. This will be my 3rd consecutive year running this race (!) I can hardly believe it.

My goal for this year is to get faster. and will be working more on speed in my training (something that I never really do much of). We'll see if it makes a difference!

The time to beat from last year: 1:31:21

Would definitely like to be under 1:30 this year.

Now I just have to schedule running around my life schedule which changes from week to week!

NYC Marathon

Less than a month until I find out about my standing in the NYC lottery!

I found this cool video that "runs" through the full marathon course (at a faster speed of course!)

Goals!

(from Etsy seller valentinadesign )

In case you don't know me very well, I am a BIG dreamer. I have lot's of plans, hopes and goals. Running a marathon is only one of my goals.

I do things that scare me (those are usually the best).

I'm proud of all the cool, fun things that I have done so far, and I always look forward to my next adventure. Here's (some) of the things on my life list!

1. Go dog sledding
2. Learn to snowboard
3. Get my motorcycle license
4. Hot air balloon ride
5. Visit Monet's House in Giverny
6. Finish my Master's degree
7. Swim with dolphins
8. Run the Tely 10 - for 2 years now, and will hopefully keep doing this one every year!
9. Volunteer Abroad
10. See Cirque du Soleil
11. Go to Africa (Safari)
12. Have a small house/cabin by the ocean in Newfoundland
13. Go to New York City - and I will be going again to run my marathon!

14. Skydiving - pretty much my ultimate fear of heights. but I know it would be amazing.

15. Run a Marathon

Speaking of things that scare me, here's a few pictures of me ziplining a couple of years ago in Ontario. I'm a bit scared of heights, so started out shaking, but once I got the hang of it, it was AMAZING!

Are you following your goals and dreams?

I found this on the blog thank goodness it's Monday (definitely a positive thinking blog!)

Are you doing things that make you happy? Do you have goals and dreams? Are you following them? If not, change something!

Happy Friday!

BIG DREAMS

My big running dream is to run the New York City Marathon.

I run for fitness, not to race. Always. I participate in "races", but the end goal is always to finish strong and feel good about my accomplishments, never anything else....although, sometimes during, or after, a difficult run, one's brain would have one believe that nothing sort of being THE BEST is acceptable.....but those are fleeting moments.

I love to run and socialize with my running friends, and NEVER run more than 3 times a week. I try to incorporate running into my life, not have a life based on running.

This blog is about my journey towards the marathon. My goal is to enter via the marathon lottery, which can take up to 4 years. In the meantime, I thought I would bring others along on my journey, which is always more important than the destination.

This blog will be INTERACTIVE. You will see photos, maybe even a few videos. Ideas and inspiration.
I encourage my readers to bookmark and check back regularly! Send me your comments and questions! I would love to hear from you!

(a picture of me finishing my first 16k/10 mile race in 2008 - the completion of my first big running goal!)