Tuesday, December 31, 2013

CheapRunnerRhoda’s 2013 Year of Running

Posted by Anonymous

Good morning everyone! Happy New Year’s Eve Day!

I am the lucky one that gets to do the last post of 2013!

2013 was a rough year for me. I faced some tough decisions and things were not always easy but I made it through. Running, amongst other things, was one of the things that helped me do that. The tough things threw me off of my running schedule and I didn’t get in my 2013 miles as I had planned but lets see what I did get done...

January

January started off with me being sick. I had ran outside for a few days in a row leading up to New Year’s Eve and then did the New Year’s Eve Resolution run. It had been cold out and New Year’s Eve was no exception. I have struggled with my lungs and running in the cold over the years and it caught up with me again. I was forced to take a few days off of running and take my runs back indoors to the treadmill.

Total Mileage: 192 km/120 m

February

February came and I knew we were going on vacation mid-month and didn’t know how much running I would be able to get in during that week so I wanted to get as much in before we went away. Turns out we were able to run every day while we were there. There were perfect sidewalks for quite a ways and I did an easy 5 km run every morning before we got to the real activities of the day!

Total Mileage: 230 km/ 144 m

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March

By March, I was able to start running outside again when I could, which means on the weekends because it is still dark when I am done work during the week. I was able to get my highest monthly mileage ever this month. I ran every day of the month but 5 days. This would mark the only month of the year that I hit every training run on my schedule.

Total Mileage: 288 km/ 180 m

April

Life started to get busy for me in April. Things were ramping up at work and I wasn’t home as much. I also had the Forest City Half Marathon in my plans for April 28th so would have to taper the last week of the month. This was the first half marathon I did and it was in 2012 that I did it. It was also my PR for half marathon. I knew I was not going to PR this one so just gave it my all. I placed 5th in my age group and was the 17th female finisher overall. Time was 1:44:11.  Race recap here

Total Mileage: 205 km/128 m

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May

May was such a happy running month as now all of my runs could be done outside!! Loved it! The weather was great and I took advantage of the running paths as much as I could. My sister Miriam also started running with me a few times a month.

Total Mileage: 251 km/157 m

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June

June started off with the Niagara Fall’s Women’s Half Marathon on June 2nd. Michelle and I headed there the day before and had a girls race weekend. I placed 6th in my age group and 24th overall. Time was 1:44:21. It was so much fun and such a great race that we registered immediately after for 2014. We even recruited a couple more women to join us. Mike’s mom and sister also registered! I look forward to the 2014 race! Race recap here

Total Mileage: 238 km/149 m

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July

July is where my monthly mileage really started to go down hill. Work was extremely busy and I again was away a lot and struggling through some personal things. My heart and mind was just not in it. I was not getting in my long runs on the weekends which is where I was losing the mileage.

Total Mileage: 200 km/125 m

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August

August saw a further decline in my mileage. I was working 12 plus hour days, in early, staying late and those paths were just not inviting enough after those long days. I did manage to get my longest run ever in of 30 km with Mike one weekend.

Total Mileage: 171 km/107 m

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September

September dropped even more.... I had moved and was in a transition mode and was just not feeling like running. I did complete 2 races that month though. The Springbank Road Race Half Marathon. I finished 3rd in my age group and even got a prize (pair of New Balance Socks). Finish time was: 1:47:33. Then a week later I did the MEC 10 k race. I placed 3rd overall and received a 3rd place medal and a $10 gift card for MEC (Mountain Equipment Company). Finish time was: 48:41, which was a 10k race PR for me. That gave me a boost that I really needed!

Race Recaps here and here

Total Mileage: 142 km/89 m

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October

October brought on some travelling races again. The 3 of us went to Disney to do the Tower of Terror run. The next weekend we were in Chicago for Mike to run the Chicago Marathon. 2 weekends later, we were back in our hometown and running the Halloween Haunting race. For that race, I finished 2nd in my age group and 14th girl overall. Time was: 47:59, which would become my new 10k race PR. It was a busy month of travelling and moving as I moved into my new place that month, so my running mileage suffered yet again. I hit an all time low of 141 km/88m in the month. 

Race Recaps here and here

Total Mileage: 141 km/88 m

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November

November came and I was determined to get my mileage back up closer to where I wanted it to be and where I needed it to be. I was settled in my new place and things were slow at work so I should have no excuses now. Michelle had discovered another local race where they offered a Half Marathon so I signed up for that as incentive to ramp things up. I ended up finishing 2nd in my age group and the 14th finisher overall. Finish time was: 1:43:47, not a PR, but for the year it was, so I was super pumped!

Race Recap here

Total Mileage: 211 km/132m

December

December. Well, it has not been a great month of running. We started the month off with the Santa Shuffle 5K race so that was fun. My runs during the week have suffered but I have been able to get some longer runs in on the weekends so I am okay with that for this month. There have been lots of festivities going on and it has been a matter of what is more important, running or spending time with those I love... I have been choosing the later option. Tis the season, right! December will mark my lowest mileage month of the year. I am okay with that!

Total Mileage: 96 km/60 m

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Overall I look back and am thankful for everything that happened in 2013. I have grown and learned so much. I didn’t achieve my goal of 2013 miles but I did run the most mileage in a year since I started running in 2011. I have enjoyed exploring the running world more than ever and getting to know other running bloggers through our blog that we started this year! Thanks everyone! Cheers to bigger and better things to come in 2014!

Happy New YEAR!!

Was 2013 the year you started running???

What are your New Year’s Eve Plans???

Monday, December 30, 2013

Just in Time for New Year's, My Christmas Recap

Posted by CheapRunnerMike

Hi folks, welcome to Monday.  At least it is another short week with a holiday on Wednesday…seriously, who doesn't love breaking up the work week with Wednesday holidays??

I hope Christmas was good for all of you as you spent time relaxing and hanging with family and friends…there were good times to be had at the CheapRunner household and Santa was good to all of us as well.

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I was lucky enough to score some cool new running gear…I got new Yurbud headphones, the sweet TriggerPoint Mini Grid foam roller (will be great for travelling) and the incredibly versatile Buff Headband (/scarf/facemask/wristband/etc….)

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I took the Buff and Yurbuds for an 8-mile spin on Boxing Day (yes, in Canada we have a holiday the day after Christmas called Boxing Day…it is basically our version of Black Friday)

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Perhaps the coolest running-related gift I got was from Michelle…she got me a coach for Christmas!  Well, she is going to let me pick out exactly what I want as far as a coach goes, but you get the idea.  There are so many options out there…local, online, running clubs, triathlon clubs.  It is hard to choose!  I've been thinking about it and which route to go, also soliciting advice from some other people the last few days, and I have come to the conclusion that I really need to figure out what my goals are and what I want to get out of a coaching experience before I make my decision.  Right now I would say that I am leaning towards joining one of the local running clubs here in London, the London Runner Distance Club.  I see these guys on the podium at almost every race I go to around town, and that in itself is a great endorsement.  They also have close ties to two of my favourite local running stores, Runner's Choice and New Balance London.  The only negative I found in researching coaching was that at my "advanced" age I am now considered a 'Masters' runner!  I always thought that Masters started at 40, but apparently it is 30!  Oh well, it was bound to happen soon enough anyways.

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Our Disney races are right around the corner now, less than two weeks away.  I have wrapped up my Goofy training and am now heading into taper…will have 3 or 4 easy runs this week and then basically a week off next week (I'll get in one easy 5-miler).  Since I posted a few weeks ago about being ill-prepared for Goofy I have done a really good job getting some good runs in.  I was able to up my weekly mileage and get some quality long runs finished as well and even made good use of the dreaded treadmill as a training tool.  I now feel ready for the 39.3 miles that await me.  I love that they actually plow and salt the park paths that I run on here in London…so nice to be able to run on this on a snowy day.  And yes, that is actual, genuine SUNSHINE in this picture :)

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It can be an adventure getting to the parks some days, but I appreciate my tax dollars at work once I get there.

I'll leave you all with a picture that sums up what these holidays are all about; spending time with those you love…and coffee.

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What was the best running-related Christmas present you received?

Do you have any experience or advice with running coaches?

Sunday, December 29, 2013

3 Cheap Runners' Weekend Wrap

Posted by CheapRunnerMike

While the 3 Cheap Runners enjoy their day off, here are a few of the happenings that caught their eyes during the past week...

 

Links we Liked

 

In case you missed a day...

 

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Snapshot Saturday

Posted by CheapRunnerMike
Enjoy some photos snapped by the 3CheapRunners this week as seen on Instagram.
 
 



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Friday, December 27, 2013

Christmas in Three Words or Less

Posted by CheapRunnerMichelle

I hope you have enjoyed your holidays with your loved ones...today we're all back to work...boo...BUT at least it's Friday already!

I thought I would share with you our Christmas celebrations in pics, described in three words.

Christmas Eve Party

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Our Christmas jammies

 

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Christmas morning stockings

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New "branded" attire

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Best soother ever

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Cousin Christmas yoga

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More presents....

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Christmas Dinner

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It's always such a whirlwind of activity at this time of year...but I wouldn't have it any other way! Yesterday we spent a quiet day at home, recouping from the long could of previous days - and it was just what the doctor ordered.

Happy weekend friends!

Who is still celebrating Christmas this weekend?

Favourite gift you received?

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Good Bye

Posted by Anonymous

Happy Boxing Day everyone! I hope everyone had a great day celebrating with family and friends! I can't believe another Christmas is over!

I don't want to be a downer but I need to pay some tribute today.

Yesterday we said goodbye to the best Grandmother anyone could ever ask for! I feel so Blessed to have had such an amazing role model throughout my life. She left behind a legacy of love, strength and courage. She made such a positive impression on everyone who met her and always had a positive outlook on things, no matter what the circumstance was. I am so thankful to have so many happy memories of her growing up and throughout the years! She knew the true meaning of unconditional love and showed it to everyone she knew on a daily basis. I will always remember her big smile! She received the best Christmas Present ever, being able to meet her maker. I love you Grandma! Until we meet again!


 

 

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Get Off the Internets & Spend Some Time With Your Family!

Posted by CheapRunnerMike

Merry Christmas friends!  Enjoy your time with family and remember what Christmas is all about.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Loosy Goosy

Posted by CheapRunnerMichelle

Merry Christmas Eve friends!!! Man I love the Christmas holidays sooo much – and I am super excited to be off for the next three days to just hang with the family (well minus Mike today, while he is at work).

My fellow cheaprunners have just re-capped their 2013 in running, but I have decided to not do Part 3, and instead wanted to look forward.

Although I am only “officially” signed up for 2 races in 2014 – there are many ones that I would like to do…so I thought we could look forward to a “loose” 2014 race schedule.

January 2014

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It is no surprise to y'all that in just 2 weeks we are heading to Disney for the marathon weekend, and I am doing the ½ distance on the Saturday (might I add…very….very….very….early – like as in the race starts at 5:30am…which means that we have to be at the race at approx. 3:30am….argh)

I am really looking forward to another great Disney race! I had so much fun at our last one in October. Hands down – I WILL most definitely be stopping for pics with all the various characters along the course…and I will be dressed in costume – any guesses what I’ll be?!?

February 2014

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…’nough said – this is all I plan on doing. No races for me

March 2014

Around the Bay – Mike found this race earlier this year and kinda threw it out there as a “would you be interested in”…

It is a 30K loop and goes around the bay in Hamilton, ON Canada. Neat history fact – this race is the “oldest on the continent, first run in 1894, three years before the Boston Marathon.”

Although I have said that a marathon is NOT on my bucket list – I think this is a distance that I would at least try once. I have already decided that if I do end up running this race – I will do what this gal did in her last marathon to PR…10 min running and 1 minute walking – right out of the gate. Doing that makes this race sound doable to me – and the more I think about it – the more “serious” I am becoming about signing up for this. A big “pro” for me for this race is that it is fairly close to home – so we could just drive up the morning of.

April 2014

Last year I ran the Run for Retina (5km) and The Forest City Road race (actually I have run FCRR the last 2 years in a row – the first year 5km, and last year 10km)…I will most likely do both of these races, and my plan will be to do the 10km distance at both.

May 2014

Expedition Everest Challenge at Disney -- Kennedy has been wanting to do this race/scavenger hunt for a few years now – and she is finally old enough to participate. Because of her age – she needs to be on a team – so right now “we” (as in Mike and I) are thinking that this will be a mother/daughter race weekend…gotta be honest – I was kinda hoping that Mike would be there to solve the “clues” on the scavenger hunt for us…but oh well…at least Kennedy is smart just like her daddy ;)

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Two weeks later there is a marathon and ½ marathon out in California that Mike and I are definitely considering.

The Surfer’s Path Marathon -- We have never been to Cali – but have always wanted to…so this race is kind of a great excuse. We can kill two birds with one stone – and call this our anniversary trip as well. Skinny Runner has done this race before – and it sounds like an absolutely breathtaking course….oh and who can forgot…it’s also a great excuse to meet my friend in real life – and be completely inappropriate together for a weekend! (and I might even be able to convince her to run with me!)

June 2014

This is the only other race that I am already officially signed up for, Niagara Falls Women’s ½ Marathon.  Rhoda and I both ran the inaugural event last year – and despite how my feet felt by the end of the race – it was a lot of fun. It was a great girl’s weekend at the Falls – so when we got emails shortly after the race to sign up for almost ½ of what we paid to run last year – we jumped at the chance. (we even convinced my MIL and SIL to join us in 2014 as well). It was a great course – running along the Falls, the staff were great…and they give out the BEST swag bags of any race I have ever done. I am really looking forward to this race already – and have a PR goal that I am hoping to achieve at this run.

Guelph One -- This was the very 1st triathlon that I ever participated in 2 years ago now. With our weather being so crappy last year I decided to not sign up for this race – as I was not feeling “trained” enough, and I did not want to swim in freezing cold water. This winter I’d like to focus a little more on my swimming, and if I feel things are going well – I think I’d like to give the sprint or Olympic distance a try.

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Well this marks the ½ way point – so I think I’ll do the rest in a Part 2 follow-up post for sometime next week.

If you made it this far in the post – send me your address – you deserve a medal ;)

Merry Christmas everyone – I hope you and your loved ones get to relax and enjoy the true meaning of the season!

Monday, December 23, 2013

Running Confessions Part 2

Posted by Anonymous

Good morning everyone! Happy Monday!

So a few posts ago Mike was confessing that he wasn’t getting his long runs in and wasn’t ready for our next race, which is now in less than 3 weeks.

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Now, I get that it is a bigger deal for him, since he is doing the half marathon on Saturday and then the very next day doing the full marathon (he is a little cray cray, but we already knew that), but for me, I was feeling the same way (that I wasn’t ready) while reading his post. I am only doing the half marathon race. I know it is a Disney run and supposed to be fun and I fully intend on having fun and enjoying the run, however, I still need to get through 21.1km/13.1m and if I am not prepared to run that distance than there is going to be nothing fun about that. I do have a running schedule, which looks a little something like this below pic…

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However, if you can see it clearly (the purple is what I actually run), you will see I have not been doing very well with it, in the last month. Yes, I have excuses and some are legit, but some are not and just mean that I am being lazy!! This weekend, I was determined to get my long run in, regardless of what it took. I was really hoping to run outside but I took it to the treadmill at the gym. The TV sound sucks at the gym, so I didn’t even try to watch anything, I just put my music on and away I went. My plan was to run for 2 hours and see how far I could go in that time. The first hour took me to 11.77km/7.36m for a pace of 5:05/km or 8:09/m.

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Other than feeling really sweaty, I still felt really good and ready to take on another hour.

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I jumped off the treadmill, took a bathroom break and a GU gel, the hopped back on for hour number 2.

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I also, had a water bottle filled with Watermelon NUUN to get me through the 2 hours.

Hour number 2 took me to 11.86km/7.41m for a pace of 5:04/km or 8:06/m. Both hours were pretty dang close in pace. I alternated at 7.1m/hr for 5 min, then 7.5m/hr for 4 min, then 8.0m/hr for 1 min during the first hour, did the same for the second hour but increased the min at 8.0m/hr by 1 each round. Alternating the speeds and having some good tunes to listen to helped the time go by and I definitely recommend it.

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After I was done, I had a protein shake, then went home and had a nice long shower! For dinner, I rewarded myself with some yumminess!! Don’t be jealous!

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Yes, I ate them all!!

Have a great day everyone!!!!

How was your weekend? What is 1 exciting thing you did?

How long was your longest run this weekend?

Sunday, December 22, 2013

3 Cheap Runners' Weekend Wrap

Posted by CheapRunnerMike

While the 3 Cheap Runners enjoy their day off, here are a few of the happenings that caught their eyes during the past week...

 

Links we Liked

 

In case you missed a day...

 

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Snapshot Saturday

Posted by CheapRunnerMike
Enjoy some photos snapped by the 3CheapRunners this week as seen on Instagram.
 
 



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