November 15, 2010
Last Week of Training for Fall 2010
This past weekend I raced at the Casablanca Classic 8km. Entering this race I knew it was going to be a fast one. I ran on the course last year while cheering for Adam, so I knew it was flat. The past few weeks I have been working more on leg turn over but as the gun went off on Saturday my legs were in shock on how quick everyone took off. As I kept running I started to get a rhythm and I felt more comfortable than I have in any other races this season. I went through 5km in 19:10 (which is the same time that I ran my last 5km race in Waterloo). The last 3km was flat and straight so naturally I started to pick up the speed. It also helped that I had another lady pushing me at the finish to run quicker. This was one of the best races I have run this season. I ended up running 31:14 and I was the 8th female.
Adam Hortian was the winner of the race in 24:16, with his training partner, Derek Nakluski in 2nd in 24:30, and in 3rd as Lucas Mcaneney in 24:43. The top 3 females were Luci Njeri Muhami in 28:18, Dana Buchanan 2nd in 28:25, and Winny Tonui 3rd in 29:57.
This will be my last week of training for the fall season with my last race being on Sunday, November 21st in Hamilton at the Hannukah Hustle 5km.
Good luck to Adam Hortian and Derek Nakluski who are both leaving on Friday to run at the Chiba Ekiden Relays in Japan!!
Results from Casablanca Classic 8km:
http://www.sportstats.ca/display-results.php?lang=eng&racecode=46535
November 7, 2010
Waterloo Park Workout
On Thursday, November 4th I did a workout in Waterloo Park. The workout was 1km, 2km, 3km, 2km, 1km. It was done a hilly loop on the grass at the park. The 1km was one loop, 2km 2 loops and 3km 3 loops. My times for the workout were..1km: 3:57 with 2 mins recovery..2km:8:10 with 2:30 mins recovery..3km: 12:40 with 3 mins recovery..2km:8:26 with 2:30 mins recovery..1km: 4:00. During the workout a bunch of boys decided to play soccer on the field so I had to run through their game numerous times. I’m surprised I didn’t get hit with the ball haha.
Here are segments from my workout that Coach Adam Hortian video taped.
November 1, 2010
Halloween Haunting 10km
This past Sunday (October 31, 2010), I ran at the Halloween Haunting 10km in London. This race was stacked with running studs. The men’s race consisted of Canadian 10km Champion Rob Watson, 5th Canadian at the 10km champs/boyfriend Adam Hortian, Scotiabank Half Marathon and Niagara Half Marathon Champion Dagim Yeshitela. The women’s race consisted of 3rd Canadian at the 10km champs Lanni Marchant, Leslie Sexton, and Dana Buchanan. Rob Watson ended up winning with a time of 29:47, with Adam Hortian in 2nd in a time of 30:41, and Dagim Yeshitela in 3rd with a time of 31:07. The first woman was Lanni Marchant in a time of 34:34, with Leslie Sexton in 2nd with a time of 35:26, and Dana Buchanan in 3rd in a time of 36:07. I ran a season’s best time of 39:46. I am happy with this time because it was over a minute faster than my last 10km race. This course was also a rolling course and there was a little bit of wind. Overall, it was a nice day for racing.
Each race I am slowly getting faster. I just have to continue running consistently and in no time I’ll be back to where I was a couple of years ago. I just have to be patient. My next race is Casablanca Classic 8km 
Results from Halloween Haunting 10km:
http://www.chiptimeresults.com/resultsreader.php?y=2010&r=rchalloweenL.htm
October 30, 2010
Back to Square One
The past few months I have been training hard to try to get back to the fitness that I was a year ago. One year ago in November I stress fractured my tibia so I was off running for almost 3 months. After that time off it was a struggle to start running again as it as Winter and freezing cold! I slowly started to start running again however, there were many bumps along the way due to biomechanic issues. I started having shooting back pain and SI joint pain in the Spring so I had to stop running again.
In the summer I started doing some cross training and going to hot yoga frequently trying to stretch out my spine and surrounding muscles. Going to hot yoga helped a lot! I haven’t had any issues since I started going there. The yoga helped me to gain total body strength and help some of my postural issues.
Over the past 12 weeks I have been able to consistently run everyday and average around 70 miles a week. Every week I have gained more fitness and I feel like I am finally starting to improve in my running. I have raced in 5 races since September, and in each one I have managed to run faster. It helps to have a boyfriend who is always there supporting me in my running and being there to cheer me on/coach me during workouts and races.
It is sometimes hard to hit that 70 miles a week while I am in school due to the long class hours. I am currently going to D’Arcy Lane Institute of Massage Therapy. My classes consist of going to school Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 7:30am-8pm. Usually on those days I run at 6am which is hard some days. Most of the time I would rather sleep in. However, lately I have been more motivated to wake up early and get my run in. I like that feeling of getting fit again and I want to continue to get in better shape and run faster!
