See you in June!
Monday, May 5, 2014
I'm off to Thailand!
As you're reading this, I am most likely on my way to Thailand! So I won't be posting anything until the end of May, and now you know why!
See you in June!
See you in June!
Sunday, May 4, 2014
My first half marathon: Success! ...Sort of.
I mean, I finished it...!
Last night, I was too excited to sleep (which is understandable, a half marathon is a big deal!), so I only got 3 hours of sleep. Normally, that's not really a big deal, since I can act completely rational and function properly with 0 minutes of sleep, but again, this is a half marathon we're talking about!
So, my mom and I headed to Assiniboine Park, where the start and finish lines were and tried to keep our nerves in check. I didn't feel too nervous; I felt good. My legs didn't hurt, I had been able to keep my breakfast down (I've been having some stomach problems lately), and I was excited to do this!
As soon as we started, things took a turn for the worst. My legs felt weaker than weak, as if I had actually run the half yesterday, and my old injuries came back in a flash. All of a sudden, my calves were on fire, my knees ached and I was started to freak out. I wasn't even one mile down, and my legs were already done.
I managed to run the first mile without really stopping. I had some good music and people everywhere around me. But I started to feel worse and worse, to the point that by mile 4, I thought I was either going to puke or pass out, or both at the same time! I was ready to quit. I could barely walk anymore, much less run, and I just wanted it to be over.
I persisted. I wanted to finish this so bad, that despite it all, I kept going. I told my mom that I couldn't run anymore, and we would have to walk it. She insisted on running as much as possible, so we ran at very small intervals (like, 30 seconds-a minute of running and 3-4 minutes of walking) until about mile 7, when I officially quit. No. More. Running.
I was running on 3 hours of sleep and an empty stomach, and my calves felt like there was a knife stuck in them. We were halfway, and I was wanted to finish this, but it would have to be by walking, and that's what we did!
My mom walked a little faster than me, and even though I kept telling her she could run ahead and I would meet her at the finish line, she stayed with me the whole time. I honestly wouldn't have been able to do it without her. Merci maman. Je n'aurais jamais pu le faire sans toi.
The miles seemed to drag on forever, never ending and I felt like I wouldn't survive, but finally, mile 12 rolled around and before I knew it (actually, a lot after I knew it), we were a few hundred feet from the finish line. I decided to run. I needed to finish this running, so I went off, and almost tripped because my legs were too weak, and cross the finish line!
I took us three and a half hours to complete this half marathon, but we finished it. And even if right now, my body is saying NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS WILL I DO THIS EVER AGAIN, my mind is even more determined to run another, and actually run it this time.
I finished the race, I got my medal, and I am so proud of myself for doing this, even if I am a little disappointed that I couldn't do better, there will always be another race, and next time, I will kick ass!
EDIT: The 2014 WPS Half Marathon has raised over 1 million dollars in support of Manitobans fighting cancer!!!
 |
| 1. This guy ran the entire half marathon in a Stormtrooper costume because it's Star Wars Day! 2. Pre-race mom and me 3. Elvis was cheering us on at mile 11! |
Last night, I was too excited to sleep (which is understandable, a half marathon is a big deal!), so I only got 3 hours of sleep. Normally, that's not really a big deal, since I can act completely rational and function properly with 0 minutes of sleep, but again, this is a half marathon we're talking about!
So, my mom and I headed to Assiniboine Park, where the start and finish lines were and tried to keep our nerves in check. I didn't feel too nervous; I felt good. My legs didn't hurt, I had been able to keep my breakfast down (I've been having some stomach problems lately), and I was excited to do this!
As soon as we started, things took a turn for the worst. My legs felt weaker than weak, as if I had actually run the half yesterday, and my old injuries came back in a flash. All of a sudden, my calves were on fire, my knees ached and I was started to freak out. I wasn't even one mile down, and my legs were already done.
I managed to run the first mile without really stopping. I had some good music and people everywhere around me. But I started to feel worse and worse, to the point that by mile 4, I thought I was either going to puke or pass out, or both at the same time! I was ready to quit. I could barely walk anymore, much less run, and I just wanted it to be over.
I persisted. I wanted to finish this so bad, that despite it all, I kept going. I told my mom that I couldn't run anymore, and we would have to walk it. She insisted on running as much as possible, so we ran at very small intervals (like, 30 seconds-a minute of running and 3-4 minutes of walking) until about mile 7, when I officially quit. No. More. Running.
I was running on 3 hours of sleep and an empty stomach, and my calves felt like there was a knife stuck in them. We were halfway, and I was wanted to finish this, but it would have to be by walking, and that's what we did!
My mom walked a little faster than me, and even though I kept telling her she could run ahead and I would meet her at the finish line, she stayed with me the whole time. I honestly wouldn't have been able to do it without her. Merci maman. Je n'aurais jamais pu le faire sans toi.
The miles seemed to drag on forever, never ending and I felt like I wouldn't survive, but finally, mile 12 rolled around and before I knew it (actually, a lot after I knew it), we were a few hundred feet from the finish line. I decided to run. I needed to finish this running, so I went off, and almost tripped because my legs were too weak, and cross the finish line!
 |
| Waving at dad by the finish line. |
 |
| That's us crossing the finish line! |
I. Got. My. Medal!!!
I took us three and a half hours to complete this half marathon, but we finished it. And even if right now, my body is saying NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS WILL I DO THIS EVER AGAIN, my mind is even more determined to run another, and actually run it this time.
 |
| Can you tell I was tired?! |
I finished the race, I got my medal, and I am so proud of myself for doing this, even if I am a little disappointed that I couldn't do better, there will always be another race, and next time, I will kick ass!
EDIT: The 2014 WPS Half Marathon has raised over 1 million dollars in support of Manitobans fighting cancer!!!
Saturday, May 3, 2014
This is it!
After 12 weeks of training and over 160 miles run, I am finally running this half marathon tomorrow!
I went from not doing any exercise whatsoever to running an average of 14 miles a week. I have lost almost 15 pounds, my energy has gone up, I have found a new confidence and I feel great! I can't believe how far I've come these past 12 weeks.
Yesterday I went to pick up my race kit: I got my bib (that's runner-talk for that number-thing that you put on your shirt) and my half-marathon shirt! I'm getting very nervous as I ice my legs, hoping they'll be in top shape for tomorrow!
Here's more info about the half-marathon: WPSHalfMarathon
I went from not doing any exercise whatsoever to running an average of 14 miles a week. I have lost almost 15 pounds, my energy has gone up, I have found a new confidence and I feel great! I can't believe how far I've come these past 12 weeks.
Yesterday I went to pick up my race kit: I got my bib (that's runner-talk for that number-thing that you put on your shirt) and my half-marathon shirt! I'm getting very nervous as I ice my legs, hoping they'll be in top shape for tomorrow!
Here's more info about the half-marathon: WPSHalfMarathon
Wish me luck!
