becoming a runner

Just because I have not posted does not mean that I have not been running....I have been pretty good over the last few weeks.  I fact, since I last update my blog I think I may have actually made the transition into being a runner.  It happened over a week or two.  


During my group run on November 17 I was pushed pretty hard.  I left the gym a but early and ran to the interval start point with Richard - one of the people who I can almost keep up with!  He kept me going at a pretty speedy pace (well speedier than I normally go).  I was winded during the intervals...but apparently that is the point of them.  I had a moment of excitement on my second interval loop  - when I turned the corner I could see Johann (RTP CEO & Founder, 4-time Gold medallist and my former boss) coming and I was determined not to have him pass me and he didn't!  Soccer started that evening - a 9pm game after a 630am run makes for a really long day.


Then came the fitness testing - the whole idea of this made me really nervous...it was the unknown.  It started with a meeting with Dr. Dave - he assessed my body movements and various aches and pains.  Next was the dreaded VO2 max test.  If you have never undergone one of these tests it involves wearing a heard rate monitor (around your chest) and a face max that measures your oxygen intake.  You warm up on the treadmill and then run at a pace that has been agreed upon....and then they begin to increase the incline, and then they increase it some more, more and even more until they collect all of the data that they need.  Unfortunately for me they had difficulties calibrating the machine and then with the treadmill so the 15 minute test took closer to 30.  Good news is that it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be.  The final portion was strength and core testing.  I am waiting for the overall report but I know I did all right!


I didn't manage to run on the weekend but kicked off the week with a 630am spin class.  This made me realize how tight my hip flexors are.  Tuesday morning Julia and I had a good  longer run (7.5km total).  I realized that I was running.....and not so much shuffling.  It was cold though so I did a fair bit of whining.  To keep me moving at a good pace Julia ran ahead of me and I just had to keep up.  Once we reached the final stretch she had me lead the way home - we made pretty good time.  That evening we had our first running club social!  It was nice because our visitors from Benin were able to be part of it.  Group Coach Megan announced that we would all run the Half at the Toronto Marathon on May 6, 2012!!


Our group run on November 24 had the highest attendance we have seen yet!  I didn't leave the gym quite early enough and the group quickly caught up and then passed me.  Johann did confirm that they run at a blistering pace so I shouldn't feel too bad that I have a hard time keeping up.  The intervals were a bit longer in this run and due to my slower pace at times I had less rest.  It was a good work out and I had a nice run returning to the gym with Nora.  We made it back in time for a final pep talk.  My colleague Steph, who is in the running group but hadn't been out for a while, commented on how my running has improved so much!  The 6pm soccer game kicked my ass...but I do find that I am fitter on the field.


On Saturday in an effort to make up for my missed run the prior weekend I headed to the treadmill at the gym.  I was quickly reminded that I HATE the treadmill....it makes everything hurt.  I managed 2.5km and then had to switch to another machine.  Looks like I will have to prepare myself for a lot of outdoor winter running over the next four months.


Last Sunday I ran with my friend Kathy.  Having someone to chat with made the 6km we ran together fly by.  I had just over another 2km to cover on my own after dropping her off.  8.11km completed in less that 47 minutes!  It was a good workout before Thankgiving (American Thanksgiving) Dinner at my parents.


This past Tuesday I realized that I am in this for the long-haul.  At 630am I was waiting fro Julia in my lobby looking out at the rain pouring down.  Out we went and ran....in the dark, miserable weather.  It was almost refreshing...that is until a car drove by me and soaked me!  But I guess it is the days like that that will prepare me for the big days.


At Thursday's group run I surpassed 10km for the first time ever!  It might not sound like a lot, and I still have a really long way to go, but it was a milestone for me.  Today I ran in the rain again with Kathy.  Its good to have a running buddy!


In non-running news I am really excited to have booked a 2.5 week vacation in March!  I will be heading to Nepal and will trek the Annapurna Range.  (I hope the altitude trekking will make up for the missed running as we will be in the midst of 14-weeks of training for the Half.)