Coyote Running

Friday.  Sky was blue.  Sun was shining.  Day was HOT.  Perfect day for running, in my estimation.

Today I had the privilege of running with the Centennial Coyotes cross country team!  I love running (surprise) and one of the best things about this whole marathon craziness is when I get to teach, share it, live it with others.  And who better to share it with that a group of high school kids and their fearless coaches who are about to embark upon their very first cross country race of the year!

First.  I would be remiss if I didn't offer a huge shout out to the coaches of said team.  While it might seem that training for running is really just about going running, truthfully there is a whole lotta science behind it and a whole lotta energy that goes into leading these students in practices and in meets.  Centennial coaches, you are wonderful.  The extra time and energy you dedicate to ensuring these student athletes can be a part of a team like cross country is nothing short of admirable and so large cyber hug to YOU.  Yes, you, D-Ost with your moullet (that's French for mullet) blowing in the breeze and YOU Chaney with your incredibly coordinated running attire.  I love that you guys give your time to these students and to running.  Thank-you.

Second.  WOW.  Exactly one calendar year ago I ran with this exact cross country team and had the opportunity to run with one runner girl who shall remain nameless.  Remember her?  Grade 10?  Super, super talented athlete?  Exceptional student?  Loves running, maybe even as much as I do?  Anyhow, runner girl is now is grade 11, and, I can state, with confidence, that the world should look out for this girl.  That's right.  Look. Out. World.  Her tenacity and spark are amazing.  She has huge goals.  And she's going after them.  Not just in running, too.  In LIFE.  To me, this is the sign of foresight and maturity well beyond her years.  It was a privilege to see her and run with her again, and I hope that she is enjoying her running journey just as much as I enjoy learning all about it. 

Third.  This team has a boxer.  A fighter.  If that ever gets old for him, he should certainly take up distance running as more than a supplement to his training.  Huge hill in Fish Creek Park?  He killed it.  And killed it 5 times.  Just for fun.  And then looked at the rest of us as if to say, "That's it?".  INSANE.  And awesome. 

Hopefully, one of the messages I shared with these runners was clear; and that is running is an amazing life sport that can take you to places you never even imagined.  It might take you to a crazy race in a crazy place.  It might allow you to meet and run with people who will change your life.  It might open doors that you never even knew existed.  It just requires that you keep on keepin' on.  Feet into shoes.  Shoes onto pavement.  One foot in front of the other.  AWESOME.

And the best running advice an old gal like me can give?  Here it is!

So Close...So Far Away

Sometimes 2:59.59 feels like its a long way away.

From 3:07, that is.

Confused?  My current marathon personal best is a 3:07.  My ultimate goal, for now, is a 2:59.  This means I need to shave a whole 7 minutes from my time.

7 minutes.  This is the length of time it took this morning for me to: park my car and walk into Starbucks.  Order a grande Earl Grey tea with lots of room in my lovely new white re-useable cup.  Pour a healthy amount of skim milk into said tea.  And return to car.  All things considered, not that long of a time frame.

But when I'm thinking about those 7 minutes out there on the marathon course, I am very aware of exactly how those 7 minutes are going to feel.  They certainly are not going to feel like this morning's leisurely stroll into Starbucks to order tea.  Those 7 minutes are going to hurt.  Hella hurt.  Body telling brain to stop hurt.  Lungs exploding, feet numb, every muscle in my body burning hurt.  The sweat equity that is going into those 7 minutes is extensive...intervals, long runs, hill training, tempo runs, recovery runs, yoga days, stretching, stretching, stretching.  To me, there is something so simple and beautiful about this, the fact that with marathon training, you get out EXACTLY what you put in. And yes, no doubt...it. will. HURT.

However, I also have to remind myself that my philosophy on running and training parallels my philosophy on life, in which case it is never just about the destination but about appreciating the journey along the way.  And what a journey to 2:59.59 it will be. Along the way there is 3:02 and 3:03 and 3:06.  Those numbers are all fabulous in their own right and stand for me being just a little better than I was last time out.  Even before the finish line is crossed and there is a final time on the clock, there are so many amazing adventures to be had within this journey.   Great running to be had with even better friends.  Great running to be had at high schools sharing what I know with kids who are likely way faster but maybe slightly less disciplined than me.  Great meals to be consumed after long, long, LONG Saturday or Sunday morning runs.  So much great, in fact, that I get excited just thinking about it.  And during my 30k tomorrow morning?  I'm going to breathe deeply, appreciate the moment and relish every step of the way.

And where does this leave me?  I guess it leaves me right in the middle of it all.  Putting one foot in front of the other.  Again, and again.  Heading towards the finish line, which is also the middle point...and the starting line and all the places in between.  2:59...I'm comin' for ya!

Freedom

I've been writing this post in my head for a long, long, LONG time!  Yes, you see, I've been at the lake!  All summer long, in fact, and for me this means: no computer, no internet and barely cell phone reception!  It certainly did not mean no running, of course, and as you can expect I've been hard at it: long runs in 30+ heat and humidity, intervals early in the morning so I don't perish in the summer hot, trail running right from my cottage at Trinity Bay (courtesy of by brother in law, Tee Dubs) and half marathon training with the best training partner a gal could ever ask for, ARJR.  Anyhow, I'm back.  Back to the city, back to the structure and routine of life, back to some serious training.  With the Marine Corps marathon looming in the not so distant future, I am on it!

Anyhow, I spent some time this summer thinking about freedom.  While I certainly do NOT take my beautiful Canadian freedom for granted and am grateful for it, the kind of freedom I'm referring to here is the sense of peace that occurs when you are able to free your mind from the business, craziness and stressfulness that everyday life can bring.  For some, like me, clearing thoughts and worries right out the mind is a seemingly impossible task.  I know it's supposed to happen at yoga, but for me, it most certainly does not, no matter how hard I may try (hearing my one of my fav yogis, Kathy in my head right now saying "try easy") or how much I want it.  Thankfully, running has become a form of moving meditation for me and the peace I feel in my mind and the happiness I feel in my heart can only be achieved by getting my feet into shoes and onto the pavement.  Bliss, every single time!

And then this summer, I made the most awesome discovery.

The same peace of mind I am able to achieve during a run can also be found night boating.

For those who have not had the pleasure of spending any length of time on the water, I was born and raised on the shores of an incredibly unique lake in Northern Ontario called Lake of the Woods.  I have been driving a boat for just about as long as I can remember.  My first boat was an awesome 14ft red aluminum vessel with a fabulous 4hp Evinrude.  Definitely not breaking any speed records, but it certainly got me to and from whomever I was visiting lake side!

Let's set the stage for this whole night boating thing:

Sunset at Trinity Bay, Lake of the Woods, KENORA

This is sunset.  Pre night boating if you will.  Magical, yes?  I sure think so.

Anyhow, driving a boat on a big lake in the pitch black of night is a surreal experience.  The only light is if there happens to be a bit of moonlight dancing on the water.  There are no signs, no speed limits, no noises, no anything, really.  Just the sound of the wind in your hair. You do need to have a general sense of where the heck you are going, since, even though its black, you are navigating reefs, rocks, channel markers, buoys, islands, mainland and other various hazards.  Every part of you is aware of where you are at during that particular moment...not where you are coming from or your destination, just that very moment.  I breathe in the summer humid air, notice the sound of the air swooshing by my ears and smile because I am so very fortunate to be able to be in that moment...in a boat...on a lake...in the dead of night. 


And the result?  A sense of calm, peace, gratitude and happiness that for me, can only be replicated (so far :) by putting one foot in front of the other, on the pavement, in running shoes.  Its difficult to put into words just exactly what this feels like, but if you've experienced it, you know.  And if you haven't, rest assured it is a very unique and individual experience; you WILL know when you get there, and will know exactly what I'm talking about.

Freedom.  It really, really is a beautiful thing.

Lemon Love

Peeps!  Be prepared to be blasted with an attitude of gratitude!

Before we get to that, I'm wondering about your summers'.  Yes, yours!  And YOURS!  I can only hope that wherever you are reading this from in the world that you are having as fantastic a summer as I.  My summer is going a little something like this:

Run cross training: open lake swims!  FUN!

Nothing like rolling out of bed and into the lake, especially when its hot.  DAMN hot.  So hot I'm almost remembering that really, I am a mermaid after years of being land locked on the prairies because I am spending so much time in the water.

Anyhow, I've mentioned before and I will again, that this year, I had the most massive honour of being chosen to be a lululemon run ambassador for the 4th St. store in Calgary.  In a nutshell, what this means in its most basic sense is that lulu supports me in my running endeavours, and I support them in their running endeavours.  However, it means, much, much, MUCH more to me than just that, and I want to take a moment to share with you what it has meant to me to be a run ambassador with this most amazing company!

One of the things I really appreciate about lululemon is that they fully and wholeheartedly support grass roots community building where their stores are located, locally AND globally! They really, really are trying to elevate the world from mediocrity to greatness and for me, this has meant that I am able to ask them to support me in the work I do with individuals I am supporting to meet run, fitness and lifestyle goals.  Supporting and elevating individuals from mediocrity to personal greatness, if you will.  Truth?  This is what I LOVE to do.  It is my passion and  I feel so very fortunate that I have been able to do this with and through lululemon.

This is the bigger picture, but I'd also like to share, on a more personal level, just how much I appreciate everything and anything the 4th st. store in Calgary does for me.  Every single time I come into the store (truth- about twice a week, whether I'm taking runners out or not, I have a SERIOUS addiction to their clothing, run and otherwise) I feel like I'm with my tribe.  All of the peeps who work in the store treat me as a friend that they are happy to see, and that just makes me smile.  I love going to the store, talking running, talking goals and talking life with not only the people that work there, but the guests that are often cruising around the running section looking for some new gear.  I should also mention, that I am the proud owner of quite possibly the most fabulous running wardrobe the world ever did see thanks to my 4th street peeps!  I spend a lot A LOT of time in running gear and just because we're working hard and sweating it out on the mean streets of Calgs sure does not mean we shouldn't look good doing it, so much much gratitude to lululemon for continually coming up with new styles and colours that make a gal feel like she looks great despite the sweat!

Also...and this is big...I'd dare say that lulu and the 4th st. staff in particular, believed in me long before I actually believed in myself.  This has been a really big year for me.  Huge in fact.  I've imagined my life in 10 years, have clarity in seeing where I will be and now have the confidence to take the huge steps to get there.  In essence, I have been encouraged to get the eff out of my own way, and quite simply, I will!  There have been many messengers of magic on this journey and several of them wear luon (that would be lulu material :) and hang out at the 4th street store on a daily basis.  They encourage and inspire me each and every time I see them.  The impact they have had on my life simply cannot be understated and I feel like I am well on my way to achieving the goals I have set for myself.  I am humbled, honoured and so incredibly grateful to know these people, be a part of the lemons (as they affectionately call themselves) and to be a part of the work they undertake.  What an amazing company.  What an amazing experience.  I am so lucky.

Last but not least, did ya know that lulu is holding its first ever half marathon?  Eeek!  It's called the Sea Wheeze.  EXCITING!  Did ya know that its very, very soon on the 11th of August?  Did ya know that they sold it out?  That's right...sold. it. out.  A huge accomplishment on the very first try.  And like everything the lemons do, this will be one fantastic event and I am super pumped to be a part of it.   I know there are many people working tirelessly in Vancouver and elsewhere to ensure that the event is awesome, memorable and let's be honest, the best dang half marathon the world ever did see.  How much work it is to create and carry out an event of this magnitude, I cannot even imagine, so I'd just love to give a big shout out and a huge hug over the interweb to those who are involved.  Thank you for all you are doing to create an amazing event!

And on that note, I think I see the sun poking its head through the clouds.  My inner mermaid is calling and its time to hit the lake!

PS- One more running thing...I went for a long one this morning...25k in fact, in the mist.  It was a run and a facial all at once.  And surprise, surprise, I loved every second. 

The Plan

Running universe!  It feels like forever since I've blogged since I've been so very busy running around, quite literally. Training and running and working and training other people and running with other people and yoga...keeps a gal busy and out of trouble for the most part.  Notice I did say for the most part.

Last Saturday I ran in the K100.  For those non-Calgaryians, the K100 is a 100 mile relay race in Kananaskis Country.  10 runners make up a team and each run a leg of various distances, some trail, some road.  I had leg 1, which starts in the wee town of Longview and is a lovely18.1km on the open road.  Despite the 3:45 am wake up call to get my butt to the start line in time, this race was a fabulous experience and one that I highly recommend to anyone and everyone that wants to partake in a relay race with some seriously stunning scenery!

K100 legs 1-4.  Super speedy I might add!  Nicely done ladies!

I had no plans to run this race quickly as it was all for the fun and the experience.  I cruised through 10k and pushed for 8k.  Truth?  It just felt AWESOME to race again.  Totally and completely.  I felt alive.  I tingled.  I pushed hard up hills.  I laughed.  I raced a guy in an all out sprint for the finish.  I missed racing so much and I didn't even know it. Super excited now to get to the Seawheeze in August and the Marine Corps marathon in October.  Can. Not. Wait.

And this brings me to the summer training plan.  I'll be up to some serious training in between swimming and boating and fishing and water skiing and drinking summer in a can (that a Coors light in case you're wondering) and night boating and living like a hippie at my cottage.  Training will look like this:

1. Cross train, cross train, cross train.  Lots of open water swimming.  Cannot wait to hit Trinity Bay for several three island swims.  Glorious.
2. Maintain strength.  TRX hanging from tree overlooking the lake.  Intervals up and down the hill to the water and back.  Who needs a gym?  It's summer, people...GET OUTSIDE
3. Yoga.  On the dock.  In the sun.  What could be better?
4. RUN.  Like a maniac.  Keep the distance and the mileage up but ultimately need to work the speed.  Shocking, I know.

My summer gym.  LOVE.

And that's about it.  Busy but not too busy.  Outdoors, in the sunshine.  And on the water.  I can't wait for the feeling of peace and serenity I will get from it all.  For me, summer is truly a time to let it all go, give myself permission to stop planning, thinking, doing and seriously breathe deeply and appreciate the moment.  Summer Andrea is generally a more calm and peaceful Andrea.  I've kind of missed her lately...and am very, very glad that we will be reunited in just 2 short days.

So...in case you miss me over the summer as I am off the grid and blogging less, please, please, please have wonderful summers, ya'll!  And do some running too, please!  There is nothing better than summer running in my opinion, so get out there while the sun is shining and shorts are the costume of choice!

Peace.  Love.  SUMMER.  RUNNING.

Non Advice

Eeek!  Several marathon virgins and marathon veterans and relay maniacs and half marathon hooligans pounded it out on the mean streets of the Peg today in the Manitoba marathon.  Congrats to all those who participated!  A huge accomplishment and hopefully the start of an amazing journey into marathon madness for each and every one of you.  Nothing beats the feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction at the end of a race, so it is my hope that each and everyone of you is revelling in yours.

Do ya know what one of my most favourite things about being a marathon veteran is?  Really?  Besides the training and the running and the yoga and the hills and the fitness part of it, one of my happiest moments in this marathon adventure is when I get to share what I have learned with running newbies.  The running community is one that I am privileged to be a part of and I consider it an honour to answer (or at least try to) any and all questions that come my way.  However, I find myself in the tricky position, at times, of trying to come up with answers to questions that I simply cannot.  As much as I would like to, running really and truly is a journey of individual discovery in many different ways, and while I have many of the answers, I certainly don't have them all.   In no particular order, here are the most common questions I find myself faced with that I simply can't answer.

1. What kind of shoes should I buy?
Truthfully, finding the right running shoes for YOU is kind of like finding a boyfriend or girlfriend.  You see a pair that look pretty awesome.  You take them for a quick spin on the track or treadmill.  Sometimes it works out and forward into running bliss you head.  Sometimes it doesn't and you have to go back through the process again and again until you find some that do.  I don't know if Asics will work for you just like I don't know if you will suddenly like a brunette if you've always liked blondes.  Although, brunettes ARE pretty damn awesome if I do say so myself.  I can't say if minimalist or barefoot running is for you just like I have no idea if the dude that you met on-line last week is really the one.  I would suggest going slow, taking your time, knowing what you want from things and then moving forward if it feels right, in the case of finding the partner AND the right shoes!  The best advice I can give is to get into a running store where they are knowledgeable about gait and shoes ( the TechShop will do nicely) and allow them to put you in several pairs until you find "the ones" that feel just right.  How will you know?  Trust me.  You just will.  ;)

2. What should I eat before I run?
Well, after a long and interesting experiment, I have a huge list of foods that do not work for me pre running, so I can certainly tell you what I will NOT to eat before a run.  High on the list is pea soup.  Just between you, me and my legions of faithful followers (hey, how about becoming an official follower of my blog, there's no time like the present :) I had some pea soup for lunch one day and then embarked on a long run.  Let's just say it didn't end well.  Thankfully, peeps on my regular running route are used to seeing me sprint into their homes in a mad dash to make it to the washroom.  Again, I repeat, pea soup does not work as a pre run meal for me.  As for what does?  It's an experiment that you'll need to figure out for yourself.   My stomach is different from your stomach.  What might cause me to break into a mad sprint for the porta john may have an entirely different and awesome effect on you. But just in case you're wondering, socks double well for toilet paper if you're in a pinch.  This is the best advice I can give in this case!

3. What's wrong with my knee?
I wish I knew.  Also, I wish I knew what was wrong with you hip and your back and your ankles.  I wish I knew what was wrong with my knee too.  While I'd love to be able to help you out with your injury by diagnosing it, treating it and telling you that you will be back to running in no time, the bottom line is that I am not qualified to do so and you need to get into see an expert.  There are all sorts of qualified peeps who can help you out here: massage therapists, physiotherapists, chiros, sports docs, peeps at the running injury clinic are all far more qualified to help you find an answer to this question.  I simply cannot.  What I can tell you is this: do the work you need to PREVENT an injury, and a happy injury free runner you will (hopefully) be!  Get on the foam roller (this I can help you with), get your butt to a yoga class on a regular basis, and strength and cross train in the off season.  Trust me.  I'm living proof that it works and it works well.  Training for endurance events in running is a lot, A LOT of wear and tear on the bod.  Look after yourself and keep running until you're 80 or older.  I know I plan to!

So while I'd like to believe I am the guru of all things running, the truth is I will do my best each and every time, but most of the time, my answers to questions  you have start with it depends, maybe it could be and I don't know.  But I DO know that the journey to figure it out is half the battle.  And figure it out you will, one pair of shoes, one mad sprint to the toilet and one tweaked knee at a time.

And just because it's almost summer...but mainly because it's awesome...remember this one?  Nothing says sexy like a bandana, a large chain and a topless Mark Wahlberg hanging off a chain link fence. 

Going Commando

Yesterday, I ran a 10k.  In my underwear no less!

Confused?  No, I didn't go streaking. I have (hopefully) left that behaviour far in my past, but I did participate in The Underwear Affair, a fundraising 10k to raise dollars and awareness for cancers "down there".  This is more that a worthy cause to support as so many people are affected by these cancers.

For some time I have thought, that as a runner, I should participate in a fundraising run of some sort.  There are, after all, many runs out there supporting a variety of different causes and this one seemed as good a cause as any to support.  A quick trip to the Underwear Affair website and it was official; I was captain of Going Commando.  In case you've missed it, this 10k is a bit unusual in that everyone runs in their underwear (or some iteration of underwear- there were some REALLY interesting costumes and underoos on parade) and Going Commando was chosen as the team name for the double entendre.  No, we were certainly NOT "going commando" as an arrest for public nudity may not appear favourable on my record, but I thought it would be fun if everyone who was a part of the team sported their best army themed skivvies.

Curious about what a bunch of runners dressed in camouflage underwear look like? Here it is:


Marcel: tall guy in the middle- you win the prize for best Commando costume.  HANDS DOWN!

And here's the rest of Going Commando:

A decent looking bunch if I do say so myself!

And now for an admission. 

Did you know that I AM SHY?  I really am.  About my body, that is.  For a long time, I wished that my body was everything that it wasn't: super thin, ultra long-legged, super model-esque.  I suppose people always want what we really can't have to some extent, and in my case, that has meant the desire to have much, much longer legs, less muscle and a trunk with way less junk.  Very recently, I made a decision that I was going to stop wishing for what I was never going to have and I was going to accept the body I was born with.  Embrace it, if you will.  And a part of embracing it meant deciding to be proud of it.   Thus was born the idea of running around the city of Calgary in my underwear.  Thank goodness the Underwear Affair provided a platform for this, otherwise a solo run in my underwear may have resulted in people questioning my sanity! 

It was interesting and timely to me that the underoos I selected for the race had a message in the band that seemed to be put there entirely for me:

Again, I repeat: I really DO have an athlete's body.  Healthy, strong and fit.  For this, I am thankful.  All it took to come to this conclusion, truthfully, was to switch my mindset.  I started to refer to my body as athletic.  I told people I wasn't shy and that I was GOING to be running in underwear.  Just underwear and nothing else.  I started to thank my body for all it does for me.  I stopped wishing for longer legs and less of an ass and started to realize that having an ass means that I can power through those last few incredibly difficult miles in a marathon.  It really is amazing to me the power our thoughts and mindset can have over how we feel about ourselves. 

And guess what happened?  For real?!  I loved every second of it.  As I trudged along in my skivvies I felt happy and free.  I started to run a bit faster.  And then a wee bit faster.  And then, it just felt like I was flying.  I felt light, happy and confident.

Me!  Running towards the finish in my underoos!

Me!  Pre-race in  my underoos!

The result?  Going Commando: Mission Accomplished.

Dollars raised for cancer research: over $9000- a huge thank you to everyone who supported me with generous donations.

Mindset: changed.  I am an athlete.  I have an athletic body.  Strong. Healthy. Fit.

And incredibly thankful.