What was it all about? Five years later.

Five years ago today I took the first step into Runners' Edge and began this wild and crazy journey.  Since that day my life has been anything but boring.  What started out as a "we'll see what happens" and "I'll probably die" turned into something life changing.

I've been thinking a lot lately about why I started.  I didn't do it so that I could hopefully one day run a 10k or half marathon. I didn't start it to make new friends or to become part of a group.  Those were all just wonderful side effects.  I did it for my health and my kids.

Somewhere along the last five years it became so much more.  I like the feeling of nausea I feel when stepping up to the starting line in a race and I love the smiles and waves from random strangers when I'm out for an early morning run.  I love the connections I have made because of running.  I love the confidence I have gained since starting.

Most of all though I love that I found a physical activity that I love and that has in turn made me love physical activity of all kinds.  I joined a gym.  I bought a bike.  I use the bike and gym as much as I run.  I have more energy.  Running has become one of my best friends.  At risk of sounding cliche it has been life saving.  I'm so much healthier than I was five years ago.  I can run with my kids. I can spend all day walking around the CNE and not feel dead at the end of the day.  I can go for a hike with my family and get lost and not worry that I won't make it out because I'm too out of shape.

I love running as much today as I did at the end of that first week of the beginner clinic.  That's why I have decided not to do a race this fall. It was becoming a chore, taking me away from what I started this journey for.  Fall is my favourite time of year, the time I like to be out doing things with my family not figuring out how I can get everything done and have a nap after I have run three hours.  I totally plan to keep running.  I've got a full out plan actually.  I'm creating myself a schedule of runs just like I would for a race only they will be no longer than 6k during the week and 10-12k on the weekends.  Come January I'll start ramping things up a bit more because I love the Niagara Falls Women's Half and want to do that in June.

The next phase of this journey is going to focus more on strength training.  It's no secret I want to lose some weight.  I have been talking to a few people who have dropped a significant amount of weight and  I've learned, through their experience and mine that training for a half marathon alone is not going to help me lose.  In fact many people actually gain a few pounds while training.  I have also learned that the more muscle I have the easier the fat disappears.  Now don't start to freak out thinking I'm going to be come a crazy body builder,  I just want to be strong and lean.  At the beginning of this year I was faithfully doing two classes a week at the gym that focused mostly on strength and I lost more in that time than I did all of last year.  As I was training for my half I backed off some on those classes for fear of injury and because I was really tired.  I found out my iron was low but by then soccer season was here and I couldn't attend those classes anymore.  Next week I will be able to get back to those classes and will be able to do them faithfully for a while.  Hopefully by the time I start ramping my distance up for that June Half Marathon I'll be much stronger and perhaps a little faster!

I'm so glad I took those first steps five years ago.  I've changed in ways I didn't know were possible and all of them good.  I don't know where I'll be in five years but I know it's going to be wicked!

August Review

August came and went in the blink of an eye.  It went so fast that and was so busy that I didn't even keep track of my workouts.  I worked late a couple of times and had two weekends in a row of soccer with the kids.  Not to mention Christina's birthday party to plan and throw.  So all in all it was a super busy month.  

All that doesn't mean I didn't workout it just means that I didn't keep track of it well.  I just forgot to log things.  I can say I got to the gym more than I did in July.  A few mornings I rode my bike to and from the gym and did some strength training.  I ran a few times but not what I planned to do.   I was active most days but not in structured workouts.  Mornings are now too dark to ride my bike unless I invest in really good lights and I don't even know if that would be enough.

So now September is here and Fall is looming.  Fall is my favourite month by far!  Cooler temperatures,  lots of fresh local veggies at the market and beautiful colours.  I have a plan for the next few months but will save that for another post.  I assure you it's going to be great!