half marathon

Race Recap – GoodLife Toronto Half Marathon

Not a PB but a Feelings PB  and I’m SO into running again! 🙂

Sunday’s GoodLife Fitness Toronto Half Marathon may not have brought a PB in time but it was definitely a Feelings PB. Although… I will give myself credit that it was the fastest 21.1KM I’ve run in over 18 months (finishing at 1:59:18) – so that’s pretty darn awesome!

When I say it was a Feelings PB, it’s because I felt joy, strength and motivation throughout the whole race. Running alongside 14,000 runners in some unfavourable weather and the vibes were still so high. The crew love was absolutely incredible and carried me through most of the race (Huge Thanks Morgan & Lauren!) And even though I grew a tad tired towards the end, I really did enjoy every minute of those 21.1KM! I had no crazy pains, no hoping for it to be over soon, and no question on whether I would finish strong or whether I might die of pain the day after.

Today, my heart is full, my body feels energized and while there will always be some slight disappointment in not beating a previous time, I’m thankful to have been able to run. With coming back from some time off, not fully recovered from an eye illness and running with only one contact in, the fact that I was able to get out and run for 2 hours is something to REALLY appreciate.

We all run our own races for different reasons and it’s not always about the distance or time. For me, running this race was about celebrating the achievements that surrounded me pre, during and post-race. It was about celebrating the end of 16 amazing training weeks with Academy of Lions RunCrew  and its success in helping me grow stronger, faster and find my love for running again (as I had set out to do with joining RunLAB) + I made friends with some pretty rad people along the way! This race was about meeting challenges, putting the last 4 months of ups/downs into perspective and enjoying the final victory lap of  RunLAB; running with our community all set out to smash their own goals.

It may have been dreary, cold, windy and rainy, but we killed it and we did it together! Congrats fellow runners! 🙂5813

Inthis2gether! xx

Week 14 – RunLab

Week 14’s a wrap!

With two weeks to go until we hit the GoodLife Marathon, many are excited and eager to hit their goal that was set 14 weeks ago and I think equally as thrilled that it’s time to taper and training is almost over! That is until the runners high sets in post race and we all start training for the next. 😉

I, on the other hand am excited to be back training with the Academy of Lions RunCrew after being off ill for almost a month. I had a severe eye infection that left me living as a hermit. No social outings, no work, little screen time, and the darker the space the better. My lungs were aching for the taste of air, my skin to feel that warm spring sun and my sanity to socialize and catch up with friends!

Coming back after 4 weeks off didn’t make for the easiest of runs but my heart is happy and it’s great to be back running with the Crew! With my first full week of training and Sunday’s long run of 16.5km, I’m  happy to say that my body hadn’t lost all of the great training it had gone through and I feel as though I’ve bounced back pretty well! I’m pretty happy of where I am at physically and yes, I may be a tad sore but it’s a good sore. A soreness that I’m thankful for because I’m back at it and still able to work towards running GoodLife on May 1.

Unfortunately with being off for so long, I missed the peak weeks of training and am falling short of being able to complete a full marathon, which I finally had set my heart on (I think haha). However, I have high hopes that I’ll be able to finish the half feeling great and ready to cheer on the rest of the Crew as they finish the 42.2!

It’s been incredible to see how far everyone has come in their training and see how they crush kilometre after kilometre after kilometre! I love that social media was able to connect us when I was down and out and allow me to follow their triumphs as each week passed. After all, we are #inthis2gether! I will admit I did have serious RunCrew envy when the sun grew brighter, the days warmer and they were all out crushing 30+ km’s each Sunday, but it made me even more excited to get back at it.

The solidarity this group has and the support they give is outstanding. They were able to connect with me while I was off, advise on what my next move should be and encourage me not to fret and that there will always be another race! It was humbling to know that people I’d met only 10 weeks ago were so genuine, concerned and supportive through my whole ordeal. Major crew love here and I’m super grateful!

RunCrew

Get Running. xx

RunLAB

Spring is just around the corner which means Marathon season is also nearing. Making it time to lace up and hit the streets.

After the Nike’s Womens Run I lost a bit of my passion for running. Time seemed to be hard to come by and everything else took priority. Next thing I knew the winter months were amongst us and naturally I succumbed to hibernation mode. I do admit, a break was welcomed and I hadn’t sworn off running completely. I was still getting out one or twice a week but I had lost that love for running on the daily. I knew I had to spice things up before it began to feel like a fitness chore.

Now to ignite that spark!Nike RunningOne of my running goals last year was to be more social with running. Which unfortunately,  I hadn’t quite accomplished. I definitely was more social with sharing and I did do some runs with friendships, but on the day to day – not so much. So, as the year-end neared, I decided to join a run crew! I was unsettled with nerves, undecided on my level of commitment and uneducated on what each run group was really all about. I found it all a tad intimidating to be honest. However, I was super excited at the challenge and as with many of my running queries, I turned to my trusted friends and my biggest runspirations and that is where Academy of Lions RunCrew came into play. Academy of LionsMy good friend Natalie had always been encouraging me to come out to her crew, so finally I committed myself to doing just that. Once a week, half an hour, running with the community – perfection! I made it out a handful of times before the holidays and started to feel that happy flutter once again. Plus, I got to catch up with some pretty awesome people! I was excited to return in the New Year and with my luck – the launch of their first ever RunLAB. Timing couldn’t have been better!

A 16 week program designed to challenge yourself but not by yourself. Weekly runs led with the best support (3 energizing and experienced coaches) and the motivation of MANY, as we all train towards our own goals and distances (5K, 10K, 21.1K & 42.2K) on #TheRoadtoGoodLife (Toronto’s Good Life Marathon).

I should note, that what is truly incredible about this training program is that it is open to all and free! No matter what your goal is, whether you are new to running or looking to run your 20th marathon, this Run Crew is welcoming to all levels of athletes and it doesn’t go unnoticed. Academy of Lions is truly doing something remarkable to help bring the community together and inspire one another on their running journey. Insert High Five!

We just finished off week 2 and it’s going great so far. I’m already feeling stronger, more confident in my ability and super motivated! I’ve yet to decide whether it’ll be a half or a full marathon for me (I’m leaning towards the half, the full scares me), but I am training towards the Around the Bay 30K again (see last year’s recap here) and will gauge at that point on how I will finish these 16 weeks. I’m excited to see how much stronger I am this time around with a proper program to follow. 🙂 I’ll be sure to keep you all posted! Running Selfie

Find your Strong. xx

 

 

Race Recap – Niagara Falls Women’s Half Marathon

Joy. Balance. Gratitude. Empowerment.

All smiles for miles. Both pre and post-race, my smiles come from a place of pure joy. I went into yesterday’s race with a different mindset, an unspoken intention. My intention for this race (as always) was to push limits and surpass previous set goals, but most and foremost to enjoy running for what it is and remember why I love this sport.

Running races isn’t always about fulfilling the need to beat my previous self (although that feeling is unreal), but remembering that there is a balance, a sweet spot, a moment to relish. I wanted to enjoy race day the way I enjoy my weekend long runs; taking in the fresh air, admiring the beauty that surrounds me, getting lost and running because I can. In yesterday’s race, I did just that; with thousands of strong beautiful women around me, minus the getting lost part – thanks to a well-marked course and all the voluncheers! 🙂

Pre-raceThe Niagara Falls Women’s Half Marathon is one of my favourite races to date. Canada’s largest half marathon catered to women with all the frills. From the organization, to an early morning dance session, pretty porta-potties, chocolate, wine, and empowerment, nothing was overlooked. Everything was perfect.

Amongst the presence of close to 4,000 participants, Kathrine Switzer, best known as the first woman (as a numbered entry, 261) to run the Boston Marathon in 1967, was there gracing us with her words of courage and empowerment. Her motivating speech had ladies cheering with excitement and in tears of joy, strangers hugging and encouraging each other on the journey we were all about to endure. As I have said before, this is my favourite part of the race, that meditative moment of self-realization, that puts the whole journey into perspective. Gratitude and joy flowing through the mind, body and heart for this gift; of health, of strength, of wellness, of soul.

Front Wine SelfieAs with any new race, I love the unexpectedness of a new route (partly why I sometimes get lost on my leisure runs), the unknown holds excitement. Each step covering new territory, taking in new scenes. The course for NFWHM was beauteous in its scenery, running along the falls and along the Niagara parkway overlooking the river. The sun was shining, my body felt strong, my mind was clear and my soul was happy. I pushed along with positive vibes and encouraged the women around me to keep on going. There was a tremendous amount of love at this race,  all of us running together as one family. The camaraderie of sisterhood.

Action Shot

For me, pushing through those final moments, I go into sensory overload. It’s hard to explain, but there is A LOT going on, physically and emotionally, it’s almost hard to focus on the finish line. And then, there is this moment, of stillness, when everything blurs together and you see the light beam on  the smiling faces of your biggest supporters in that final stretch, waving and cheering you on. This is the moment your energy skyrockets through to the finish line and it’s over. And you couldn’t be happier. Another goal achieved, the thrill of survival, embracing your cheerleaders and in this case wine country calling your name.

My time 2:08:16 wasn’t on par with what I thought I would finish in, but this race wasn’t about the time and with that, I am all smiles.

1535

I’ll be out again in the next day or so, to keep the legs in gear for Sunday’s Nike Women’s 15K which I am super pumped up about. This time, I’ll be surrounded by so many of my lovely running ladies who inspire me daily to push the limits. Can’t wait!

Be empowered. xx