2013 Run Goals

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been thinking a lot about what my goals will be for next year. I haven’t totally figured them out, but it’ll be a focus over the coming weeks. One thing I know for sure is that I love running. Even when I’m procrastinating running and doing everything but running, I still think of it. I know it’s good for my body and brain — and I want to kick some serious pavement {and start to dabble in trails} next year.

Here’s what I know for sure…

5 Half Marathons:

• January 27th – Carlsbad Half Marathon in California (w/ Monique)
• May 5th – BMO Half Marathon in Vancouver (w/ Haley & the #RunCrew)
• June 23rd – Scotiabank Half Marathon in Vancouver or Rock n’ Roll Half Marathon in Seattle (w/ Erin)
• August 10th – Seawheeze Half Marathon in Vancouver (w/ the #RunCrew)
• October/November – Mizuno Half Marathon in Amsterdam, NL or Intercontinental Eurasia Half Marathon in Istanbul, TK

Start to Dabble in Tri-Land:

• March 10th – UBC Rec Duathlon in Vancouver

Become one with the Trails:

• March 31st: My First Trail Race 10K  in North Vancouver

Pavement Fun: 

• March 3rd – Diva on the Run 8K in Vancouver
• March 16th – St. Patrick’s Day 5K in Vancouver
• April 21st – Vancouver Sun Run 10K in Vancouver (w/ Team Avigilon)
• April 28th – Times Colonist 10K in Victoria (w/ Clare, Haley & the #RunCrew)
• June 1st – Whistler 10K Road Run in Whistler (w/ the #RunCrew)
• June 14th – Longest Day Road Race 5K in Vancouver
• August 17th – Color Me Rad 5K in Vancouver (w/ the #RunCrew)
• September 8th – Coho Run 14K in Vancouver
• September 29th – Surrey International World Music Marathon 5K in Surrey
• October 13th – Goodlife Fitness Victoria 8K Road Race in Victoria (w/ Clare)

My plan for 2013 was 5 half marathons. I didn’t think I could run 1 this year — and I did! Now it’s time to turn up the challenge:

• 5 half marathons (including sub 2:00)
• 10 additional pavement/trail races
• 1000 km in 2013

The goals are achievable if I listen to my body, proactively work with my favourite physio man — and keep up with the cross training. Oh — and run. ;) I really want to get in the habit of running 3-4km, when I don’t feel like running. In my head… when I process if I’m going to run tonight or not… I always tell myself it needs to be at least 7km. Most of the time I won’t let myself run if it’s less… lame. I need to figure that out stat and get in the habit of doing a few short, easy runs a week… progressing to two 10K’s a week and a Sunday long run.

I’m really excited to work on my pace, cadence and speed. Last year I avoided hill training like the plague. This year I’m geared up for bridge repeats and challenging runs. The ‘flat as a pancake’ seawall will always be my fave, but in order to improve, I’ve gotta switch it up {solid advice from my aunt!}.

Lean mean running machine in 2013. That’s the plan!

Not a Runner to… wha… a Runner!

Exactly one year ago today I set a goal. On December 22, 2011, I told myself I would run a half-marathon. Not because I knew how far a half-marathon was… not because I knew how far 10K was… just because I knew it would be good for my mind.

On January 18, 2012 {such a procrastinator}, I ran for the first time in my life — and on January 22, 2012, I completed my first race. Woop!

Since then it’s been a wild ride. I’ve completed 15 races:

• 5K on Jan 22: Chilly Chase Vancouver  {32:54} || Race Recap
• 8k on March 25: Harry’s Spring Run Off {54:06} || Race Recap
• 10K on April 15: Vancouver Sun Run {1:04:32} || Race Recap
• 10K on April 29: Victoria Times Colonist Run {1:03:43}
• 10K on May 27: Run for Water {58:41}
• 10K on June 9: Starbucks Run for Women {58:58} || Race Recap
• 5K on June 15: Longest Day Road Race {29:29}
• 10K on July 21: Running Room Summerfast {1:03:26)
• Half-Marathon on August 11: Lululemon Seawheeze {22.9K! 2:22:04} || Race Recap
• 5K on August 18: Color Me Rad {untimed} || Race Recap
• 14K on September 9: The Coho Race {1:25:48}
• 8K on October 7: Goodlife Fitness Victoria Road Race {45:24} || Race Recap
• 10K on October 13th: Energizer Night Race {1:00:10}
• 5K on October 14th: Jog 4 Joy {untimed}
• 5K on December 1st: Santa Shuffle {29:47}

… and ran somewhere between 600-700 km. Not exactly sure as I wasn’t always neurotic with my Nike+ GPS app. ;)

DNF: Rock n’ Roll Half Marathon Seattle — injured!

Body: No major injuries, but adductor issues mid-year and my right ankle has been bothering me the last few months. Lost 1 toenail — very close to losing another.

Trained in: Vancouver, BC; Salt Spring Island, BC; Victoria, BC; Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

Raced in: Vancouver, BC; Abbotsford, BC; Victoria, BC

Favourite race: Lululemon Seawheeze!

Personal Bests:

• 1K: 4:11 {August 2012}
• 1 mile: 7:23  {August 2012}
• 5K: 24:51 {December 2012}
• 8K: 43:57 {December 2012}
• 10K: 56:53 {September 2012}
• 15K: 1:35:10 {May 2012}
• 23K: 2:20:17 {August 2012}

So there you have it, 11 months of running — BOOM — officially a runner! :) Running has been hands down the best thing that has happened to me this year. For the first time in my life, I feel strong. I have never ever seen strength in my body — when I check out my arms in the mirror {let’s be honest, guys aren’t the only ones who check themselves out} or to see a picture of these lean legs — I think whoa…! Remember when you were a stick thing Jillian Walker? Remember when?!

Those days are over. Strong is the new skinny.

Strength coupled with breath {and mental sanity} has been my saving grace this year. Looking forward to continuing the journey in 2013 — and celebrating my run anniversary with Monique in San Diego in January!

Thank you to Haley, Derek, Reagan, Pete, Michelle, Jen, Katie, Kate, Kittima, Clare — and the #RunCrew for the encouragement and advice this past year. Meant the world. xo

West Coast Represent

Since starting Runcouver, I’ve become way more  tapped into the running shoe community (they probably have a more formal name than that)… anyways you know who I mean…. Saucony, Mizuno, New Balance and the like. I read their blogs, pay attention to their tweets and learn about how they engage with the community.

Last week Saucony Canada’s “Show Us Your STRONG Face” contest came across my feed and I did a big — ooooo, ahhhhh. Many of you know about the running shoe ordeal / nightmare / blah blah I went through this Spring trying to find THE shoe. I had been running in a pair of crappy runners from 10 years ago and my toes were turning black and blue on every run. I set out to find THE shoe and it took me an absolute eternity. After trying on (and running in) about 10  pairs, I landed on the Saucony Kinvara 3. The folks at Running Room on Denman told me they were light, had enough support and would make me a speedy demon on the pavement.

Well they were bang on.

I’ve been running in them since Spring and I haven’t thought twice about switching. I have thought about buying a second pair though!

Saucony called out to runners across Canada — they wanted to see our definition of STRONG. What did you have to do? Just submit a photo of you running strong with a tagline, then voting would begin and 3 people would win new runners!

So I entered (how could I not, let’s be real)!

My submission:

“Running has given me strength that I didn’t know was possible. For the first time in my life, I feel mentally and physically strong — like I could take on the world. Running through pink fairy dust and dominating a race? No big deal.”

The photo was taken at Color Me Rad (a 5K race that took place at UBC Thunderbird Stadium in August). It could also be known as the most colourful run in the city — they spray paint on you at every kilometre. :) Such a fun race — and definitely one that Kate, Meridith and I powered through!

31 people entered — with only a few from the West Coast (and only one other from Vancouver! High five Andrew!). I already love you to the moon and back — but I would love you to MARS and back if you would support the contest (and my entry hehe!).

This girl needs a new pair of Kinvaras. :)

The nitty gritty:

• Vote ONCE PER DAY
• Voting ends November 28th at 10:00pm EST (that’s 7:00pm PST folks!)
• Twitter hashtag is #FindYourStrong

It’s super easy.

All you gotta do is click below to cast your vote on the best STRONG face in Canada!

Voting began yesterday and we hit 52 votes! Woop woop! Thank you friends. 5 days to go.

VOTE HERE

Colour Me Rad

Another race, another weekend! Color Me Rad is a fun 5K that hit the city of Vancouver this morning. Haley had been organizing a team with JCI Vancouver – and it was set to be the most fun run of the year.

Before we got RAD.

Kittima and I headed out to UBC Thunderbird Stadium to meet the crew and we were swarmed with tons of people in white! The concept? Dress like an angel and get attacked with colour at every kilometre. By the end of the race, you’ll look like a pack of skittles and will have dominated 5k to start your weekend.

Sounds like fun eh?

I knew that this race wasn’t going to be a personal best. ;) The goal was full on colour! And to get that colour… you had to run slow through the colour areas, twirl, grab more cornstarch-filled powder out of the boxes — and laugh along the way!

We quickly lost track of our team and I ended up running with Kate and Meridith. Let me tell you — the time went by fast, because we had something to look forward to at each kilometre. Not only did they throw powdered colour on you, they also sprayed you down with liquid colour. I got a major spray of yellow in my face at 3k.

The more colour, the more fun right?

Anyways the race was a blast. It wasn’t a timed event — but of course I set my Nike+ GPS… gotta keep track of this progress! I forgot to turn it off as we crossed the finish line, but we finished somewhere right under 30 minutes. We were covered in colour and looked like smurfs. Once everyone had finished, the Color Me Rad crew got everyone together for a colour bomb. We threw colour up into the air and it created quite a show. To check out a picture of the colour bomb, click here.

Thanks to everyone who came out. I’ve had two showers and my feet are still blue. Hope you’ve had a bit better luck with colour removal! ;)

Me post-race. Photo Taken by the lovely Kate Wienburg.

Color Me Rad

This looks amazing.

August 18th in Vancouver. [To my Calgary peeps... August 11th in your neck of the woods.]

Follow at @ColorMeRad5K or give them a like facebook.com/colormerad5k

ADDED TO THE RUN LIST. Not timed, just fun.