Half marathon dreams

Summer is over.

This is the conclusion after I hung up the phone with my friend and running coach, C, yesterday afternoon. We have a " running date" this coming weekend. It sounds like hills will be involved. I haven't done any hill running since May. Ugh. She also mentioned an alternative, but it sounds as painful as hill running. I think that option may involve running eight kilometers. Double ugh.

I was very upfront and honest with C. Although I have been running faithfully all summer, I have been quite lazy. I haven't ran more than 4.1 kilometers for months. I consider four kilometers a long distance run. I'm scheduled to run in the CIBC Run for the Cure on October 3. I know I won't have any problems running the five kilometer route, but I'm not looking forward to it as there has been an element of laziness in my running throughout the summer.

And if it is any consolation for me, C hasn't ran this summer. She doesn't run in the summers. But for me, I must run, even in the most humid, sticky days. I don't have a choice. If I don't run, I feel antsy and unbalanced. I can't afford to feel those feelings. During our conversation, C mentioned that we should do the Race Weekend half marathon. Although months ago I was all gung-ho to do a half marathon, I now have my doubts. The other night while running a 4.1 kilometer route, I started to wonder how I even ran a 10 kilometer race in June. Was I nuts? And am I nuts for contemplating running a half marathon? I could be.

Time will only tell. Hills are fun, C tells me. Horrible but fun. If I can survive a hill run this coming weekend, maybe, just maybe, I might start considering a half marathon.

Why I run

Since running a 10k race more than two weeks ago, I've slacked off on running distances longer than 3k. And I've really slacked off on hill running. I haven't ran hills in nearly five weeks. But as I pointed out to dear husband this weekend, I'm still running. For the most part, I try to update my sticky note running journal. Every time I run, I write the date, distance and time on a sticky note and post it on my kitchen cabinet. It keeps me motivated. There are nearly 80 sticky notes on this one cabinet.

I thought today, to keep me motivated, I'd write the reasons why I run. So in no particular order, here is why I run.

Why I run

I run because I can release stress and frustration in a positive, healthy way.

I run because it helps me keep my sanity.

I run because sometimes it is the only "me" time I get during the day.

I run because it is fun.

I run because of the endorphin high.

I run because it helps me mediate and clear my mind.

I run because I can prove to myself that I can run.

I run because it gives me confidence and strength.

I run because the greatest feeling in the world is crossing the finish line.

I run because it keeps me in shape.

I run because it challenges my mind.

I run because it is very cool experience to run in a crowd of 7,500 people.

I run because it makes me sweat.

I run because it helps me to build stamina and endurance.

I run because not only does it motivate me, it motivates others.

I run because I breathe better afterwards.

I run because I can. And if I can do it, anyone can.

Running reality check

I’ve been told (by my running coach) that running up hills is a fun activity that I will come to enjoy. At this point of time, I have yet to fully embrace hill running. Actually, in my humble opinion, hills are a bitch.

Sunday, I met up with my running coach and friend, C. She makes running look easy. She’s graceful. Me, not so much. However, that hasn’t stopped me from dreaming of running a half marathon. I know this is a lofty dream, but it is one I aspire to do.

While C has been extremely supportive when it comes to help me achieving my running goals, she has made me pause a bit when it comes to a half marathon dream, especially after our hill running expedition. There is a half marathon in September. I found a 16-week half-marathon training program through the Running Room that will take me up to race day. It is doable, but I have some concerns. Number one: running outside in the summer. I hate the heat. Not too sure if I can run in it. Number two: possible injury. Yes, I ran 8k last week, but that doesn’t necessarily translate in me running 21k. Number three: can I finish it?

After talking to C, she has no doubt that I could do a half marathon, but the question remains what kind of time do I want? If I don’t mind walking a bit and don’t care about time, I’d likely finish it. But if I want a half decent time, that’s when the dream becomes a bit hazy.

As part of the half-marathon training program, hill running is included in the plan. C gave me a bit of a taste (well more of a taste) during our run. Under the illusion we’d go on a leisurely run along the Ottawa River, C informed me we’d run 7k, which included hill running.

Well, didn’t I get a running reality check when I attempted to run up a massive hill. The mission: run up this giant hill with all our might. Crest said hill and run 25 meters before jogging down. Repeat two more times.

Are you kidding me?!? Mission impossible, I thought.

As C ran up the hill like a graceful gazelle, I trudged up the hill like a hippo with all my might. My legs felt like lead and my heart was beating so rapidly that I thought it was going to jump straight out of my chest.

After the first attempt, I thought I was going to throw up. Do you think you are going to die? Asked C. Isn’t it fun? I should mention she was smiling. I think I replied to her comment with an expletive.

I will spare you the gory details, but I will tell you this: I did complete all three hill runs. It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t nice. But I got the job done. Hill running, according to C, will improve my endurance and make me a stronger runner. She has first hand experience that hill running is important in any half-marathon training.

So I have a date with hill running once a week for the foreseeable future. I still fail to see how hill running is fun. And I’m not too sure if I’m willing to fully embrace it . . . yet.

Gotta run . . . update number five

There are some things in life that are good for me, but I don't like doing. I place lunges and hill running in that category.

I hate lunges. Hate them. But they are good for me. Although it has taken several years, I have developed an appreciation for them and what they do for my butt.

But hill running. Ugh. I'm not too sure at his point that I can develop an appreciation for hill running.

Until I started running outside, I didn't realize how big the hills in actually are in my neighbourhood. When I encounter a hill while driving, I step on the gas pedal. I can't do that I'm running as I rely on my own two feet and endurance to get myself up the hill.

In the last couple of weeks, I have been running mainly one particular route and it involves a large, windy hill that I consider fairly steep. For the last week, I've "cheated" by running down the hill, not up it. (However, I have to run up a hill on the way back). Yesterday, I decided I would run up said hill and if I had to walk when I reached the top, then that was okay.

As I've written before, a big portion of running is succeeding at mental game that plays out in your head. Yes, I want to stop, but can I take one more step? Can I take another step? And one more after that? Turning the corner towards the hill, I started to worry if I could even get to the bottom of the hill, never mind run up it. But once I reached the hill and started my ascent, I started running small steps. Once I reached the top, I kept on running. Although I did want to stop, I wouldn't let myself because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to start running again. I finished the course without one walking break. Pretty good

C, my friend and running coach, enjoys hill running as it builds endurance. She says that she didn't like it at first, but she now appreciates it. I personally think hill running is an acquired taste, one that I have yet to acquire.