The Training Has Begun!

Well, tonight was the big night! The training for the Scotiabank Half Marathon has begun! Which is quite funny because I was also officially registered today. I guess this means I have to do it now...

I've started training with the High Park Running Room, which is great but terrifying. Have you seen the hills in High Park?! Also the number of people who run from High Park is insane- 60 people in the half marathon clinic! I didn't even know 60 people ran. Seriously. 

So we've been divided into our pace groups and obviously I picked the slowest group. Which I found out is also the most fun. The coach brought a water gun to the last half marathon and sprayed people in the last 1k to make them run faster- so perfect. My kind of people. 

What I've realized since the Nike run and now is three things:

1) I need some major motivation with quotes and things. So far I've bought a phone case, a necklace with distances and in considering getting a running tattoo.

2) I seriously miss running when I don't do it. And I don't need to train for things but I need to run. It's interesting how quickly it becomes a part of your life. 

3) I only run to get a medal in the end. Seriously. There is little point to me otherwise! 

Remember how I said I had to bribe myself to finish the 15k with new shoes? Well here they are! They went out for their first 3.5k tonight. They are much lighter than my other shoes and definitely have more cushion. 

A little reminder that if I believe it, I can do it. I've proven that to myself already- why would this be any different? 

A rainy 15k run

On Sunday June 14th, I completed the Nike Women's 15k. 

This run was a pretty big deal. Nike made a huge deal out of it, there was so much hype around it, they were giving out Tiffany's necklaces as the medal...it was really well prepared and put together. It was also the first in Toronto, which made it that much more exciting. So, besides this run being a big deal for the running community it was a big deal for me personally. This was the longest distance I've ever run and a big stepping stone into the half marathon world. It was my introduction into running with water and electrolytes, my first time running with gummies and my first exciting course run!

Typically the night before a run I don't sleep, like at all. I get too nervous and excited and I can't sleep. I'm not sure why, but I was able to sleep a bit more the night before this race. Either I'm getting used to racing or I was just really tired. So I woke up with a bit more energy, grabbed a bagel at Tim Horton's and off I went with my buddy Angie Gardiner (aka. My officially running groupie). 

My race morning didn't go off perfectly as planned- I lost my wave number which put me back 2 waves...which in retrospect was probably a blessing in disguise. Basically this meant we got to the island WAY earlier than necessary and hung out and waited for hours. Needless to say, I found my wave 5 bracelet at the end of the day stuck to my shoe.

Now, I want to say I went out raring, quickly and ready for it but I really wasn't sure what to expect. The route was overly crowded- extremely crowded (10,000 people is a lot on a small island). There was no break in runners until about the 6k mark...so just after the airport- which easily was the highlight of the entire race. Running next to landing air planes, on the Tarmac of an airport I use in the greatest city was an experience like no other. And the view was breathtaking (see below for a picture I got while running!)

So the actual run- I was really impressed with myself. I managed to run about 11k without stopping. Do you all know what means?! My wall has been pushed back! So, at the 11k mark I hate to say this but I almost gave up. I had enough and was bribing myself to keep running. I literally promised myself new running shoes if I finished the race- running shoes I was going to buy anyways! (I bought them...)


Here's the I need to pick a bone...Mother Nature. What was the reason for the rain? Did you really want to test everyone's strength and endurance? Well you did- and I'm pretty sure we showed you what to do with the shitty weather you gave us. People were telling me all about how great it is to train in this weather- which I believe- except it sucked. Being cold, wet, soggy and moist (you're welcome Stephen) was easily the worst part of the entire day.

Ok, back to the race. Once I realized I was back where I started on the course I quite literally gunned it. I'm not sure where the strength or energy came from but I saw the finish line sign and I have never run so fast. Knowing the end was right there was the last push I needed. So I crossed that finish line- basically crying, screaming and ready for water. I got through all the lines, smushed my apple on the ground (by accident and I was about miserable it too) and off I went in search of my Tiffany's necklace and my groupie! 

Needless to say- it took roughly 2 hours to get off the island. Which was not the best ending to the race, but all I could think about was food, warmth and a shower. 

I need to give credit where credit to a big group of people... 

1) To the pace bunny who saw me walking, tapped me on the shoulder and said "come on, you're almost there! Keep it up!" Thank you- that push was perfect. 

2) To the Nike staff handing out high fives like candy- that single high five pushed me another kilometer! 

3) To the island residents at the 13k mark who reminded me I was almost there- you are truly amazing 

4) To the 14k sign blowing in the wind and rain- thank you for showing me how close the end was 

5) To my most special friend and running groupie Angie Gardiner- knowing your face was at the end was the last push. And then seeing your face made me book it so I knew I was done! 

6) To my amazing friends and family sending me Facebook messages and texts the entire race- although I didn't read them while running (for obvious reasons I hope), the ding of my phone told me you were thinking of me and pushing me through it. 

Having taken a bit of time to reflect on this race, I want to say I'm proud of myself. I accomplished something I never thought I could accomplish. Who ever thought I would be running 15k races? No one probably. But I'm also disappointed. I wanted that time. Could I have pushed myself a little more- oh definitely. Could I have not walked? Most likely. Could I improve for next time? Absolutely! But what kind of runner would I be if I was solely proud of this accomplishment? How would I learn from it and make myself better for next time? 

And so the journey continues...this is a bit of a break week for me- my half marathon training programs starts up June 25th! I've got new running shoes, new socks and hopefully some refreshed legs!


Check out some photos from the race! 

Way too early- ready to go!

Training buddy!

View of the city from the Billy Bishop Tarmac!

I DID IT!

Finally on the boat, getting off the island...just 2 hours later...

My times

The route!

Nike Women's 15km!

For some crazy reason I decided to register for a 15km race, while in the process of training for a 10km race. I knew I wanted to run the half marathon in October and needed a way to keep pushing myself, so a 15km race seemed like it made the most sense.

Practically speaking it does if I want to build up to a half marathon. Work from a 5km to a 10km to a 15km to a half marathon. Well that would be practical for someone who wasn't lazy and had some kind of discipline (so anyone but me). 

In my training for this 15km run I've experienced quite a few feelings I was unfamiliar with in the past. Like needing to use the washroom mid run, like stopping to buy water because I may collapse otherwise, feeling as though I wanted to vomit mid run (that's by far the scariest and worst), knowing that running with music no longer helps me but running with people does, getting my breathing under control in the first km sets me up for a successful run, I need to eat before running...the list goes on. 

The most important thing I've learned is that, this whole running thing may be hard (that's an understatement) but the accomplishment every Sunday after I've reached a new distance, or I've set a new PR is what make its all worth it. 

My training for this 15km run has been halted by so many things- most of which is my laziness and lack of discipline- but deep down I know I'm going to do it and I'm going to be so proud when I do. I may not reach my goal time, I may not finish strong but I will finish it. 

And the first thing that will happen in reflecting will be the ways I could've run it faster, where I slipped up, why I took a walk break when I easily could've pushed past...

But will that matter when I've got that medal around me neck? Probably not...

Completed my first solo Sunday run! Had to get a picture of my shocked and proud face! 13 lonely, solid, completed kilometres! 

The 15k is this Sunday June 14th! Wish me luck!!!!

These are my confessions...

Before we really get into this, there are a few things you should all know...

1) I am easily the laziest and least disciplined runner I can possibly be. I almost called this blog "the lazy runner". I will cut every corner I can, I will slow down to get a break at lights just because, I will "skip" a run because of stupid reasons...I am absolutely the laziest runner I could be.

2) I hate the lead up to running. It's the worst. The idea of having to pull on tight pants and a tight shirt and a bra that supposedly holds the girls in tight, and tie running shoes and pack my little pouch thing...it's dreadful. Typing it out is making me hate it even more. If someone did all of this for me, I would enjoy running so much more.

3) I hate the physical process of running. It's so tedious and my body is like "what are you doing to me and for what reason?". But I equally love it. When I haven't done it for a while my body is like "Why haven't you put your feet in front of the other quickly in such a long time?"

4) I have total runners envy. I'm jealous of everyone who can run faster than me (and I really don't run fast at all). I'm jealous of how other runners look compared to me. If I'm not running I'm jealous of whoever I see running. If I am running I'm jealous of a runner going faster than me, or of someone running with someone. If there's a reason to be jealous of a runner- I feel it.

5) The only real satisfaction I get from running is the end of it. When I look at my route map, or have that medal around my neck is the only reason I run.

6) I'm encouraged to run by constantly having new running things. I will literally buy anything that has to do with running because it keeps me motivated. If anyone has any recommendations for a new purchase I'm all ears.

7) I am not a morning runner, but for the rest of my life I will attempt to be. The idea of waking up earlier than I need to makes me more tired.

8) I hate hill training, speed training and long runs. The idea of running being even harder than it needs to be is dreadful. Utterly dreadful.

9) I'm the absolute WORST for stretching (consider this warning for many complaints ahead). But I am going to use this as a commitment to stretch more. But, my foam roller and weird wiggly ball thing and spiky red tennis ball will always be my best friends after a run.

10) The friends I've made, although a tiny group, are a major support system and a major source of encouragement for me. I'm excited to make more friends at the High Park running room. 

11) I love running quotes. I have an entire pinterest board dedicated to them. They keep me motivated.

12) I need to start this one out by saying that I appreciate everyone, but I can't stand when people tell me I'm an inspiration. I can appreciate the sentiment, but I am the least inspirational runner out there (lazy, remember). I don't feel inspirational, especially when I haven't run in awhile or I'm having weak runs, and especially if I skip a run while training for a big race. That is not inspiring, that is Natalie being lazy. It's also a lot to carry on my already exhausted (from running) legs. I love hearing how proud people are of me but I want us to all to be inspired by each other!

13) I will literally soak up any running knowledge I can, because I know so little about it. I have purchased more books than I can read, have a stack of magazines that just grows each month and I can't get enough. SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE WITH ME!

14) I'm absolutely terrified to run a half marathon. Scared out of my mind for the time commitment, the actual process, that I'm not good enough, that I won't finish it, that I'll get injured. You name it, I'm scared of it. 

15) My running wall is hit at the 7.5km mark. It's the worst feeling to push past that point and takes more mental strength than I ever knew I had. My wall doesn't seem to want to push any further which makes running a real challenge. It also makes running beyond 7.5km a real challenge on my own.