Races

marathon, half marathon, aqua jogging, pilates, baking

We run…

Two years ago today, I was doing this: With the bestest, most favourite running chicks EVER: Today, I’m doing a little of this … again: Remember these shoes: Well, it seems, these shoes, these beautiful looking New Balance 860 running sneakers, of which I won in a Canadian Running contest a few months back (along with a sports bra, shirt and shorts… love the shirt, like the bra and shorts) are the latest to cause me injury… or close to injury. Following last week’s autumnal run, the first since my half marathon, the heel of my left foot was super tender. I’d had something similar in the spring, not the sharp, searing, tearing pain of plantar fasciitis, but just tenderness, of which ice and rest did the trick. I’m hoping for the same with this one here, but nearly one week post run and I’m still feeling tenderness and random […]

We run… Read More »

Race Day: Bellingham Bay half II

So. Where were we? Right, the race itself… When I signed up for this race, I essentially considered it an at-home race. Bellingham is about an hour away, without the border lineup, and over the years I’ve been there countless times. But mostly only for Costco runs or other such cross-border shopping. No exploring. And so, when we arrived at the start in downtown Bellingham, I was immediately taken in by the cuteness of this town; its history, unique eateries, gathering spaces, beauty. And the course itself, while it had all the beauties of B.C., there was still an element of mystery for me to feel like I was exploring new territory. We ran past Little House on the Prairie style houses, along romantic, tree-canopied trails, around the bay jostling for position against the forceful breeze coming up off the water,  past clusters of enthusiastic cheerleaders; one a girl about

Race Day: Bellingham Bay half II Read More »

Race Day: Bellingham Bay half I

UNDER 2 HOURS!!! < 2 HOURS!!! SUB 2 HOURS!!! But wait…breathe…calm. First thing’s first: There was rain. There was pain. There was even a train. And oh yes, there was an evil, little brain. When I woke up at 5 a.m. Sunday morning and heard the monsoon crashing at my window, the last thing I wanted was to get up and run a half marathon. And so, when Big Ring commented that his throat was feeling a little tickly, I offered to forgo the run in the name of his health. And when both my shoulders were feeling a little sickly, I suggested maybe it wasn’t wise to put them through 21.1 km. And when the border line up was more like 40 minutes and not the advertised 10, I proposed we opt not to face the sure-to-be prickly border guard and hightail it quickly back home. The fierce jitters

Race Day: Bellingham Bay half I Read More »

Battles of a sick taper

Sigh. This weekend marked the start of taper week for me with the Bellingham Bay half marathon set for next Sunday, which, given that I’ve been pretty much in taper mode the last month and a half with that stupid, vexing injury of mine, didn’t really mean much. In fact, I was more worried about not running a significant distance than about cooling my running heels. But because Big Ring and I had plans for an afternoon belated celebration of our 4-year wedding anniversary – NO LITTLE RING!  – I thought I’d be able to get through this weekend no problem. Out of sight out of mind right 😀 09•12•09 But then, I got sick. A stupid, freaking, jerk-face cold. And then, Little Ring got sick. And then, our afternoon date was cancelled due to said sickness. And then, we were stuck at home. And then, the rain came. And

Battles of a sick taper Read More »

Fairhaven: a love affair continues

Oh beautiful, beautiful Fairhaven, we have had a love affair that has lasted a good many years haven’t we. Ah, the memories, the moments, the romances we’ve had. It’s an affair that’s extended well beyond the short-lived toe shoe craze of mine that first put you in my sights. Your history, your old-time architecture, your boutiques, your food, your village greens, your marinas, every visit is ripe with wonderfully new discoveries. And so, my beauty, it only seemed natural, don’t you think, I run a race on your very personage 😀 FAIRHAVEN WATERFRONT 15K: 8 a.m. BG before: 10.4 Carbs: breakfast 2.5 hours earlier, full bolus Temp. basal: none Time: 1:24:04 Distance: 15 km Average pace: 5:38 min/km Average cadence: 86 spm Fuel: @30 minutes 2 shot blocks @60 minutes 2 shot blocks 10:15 p.m. BG after: 9.2 11th in my age/gender category, not too shabby. But next time, I

Fairhaven: a love affair continues Read More »