Toronto Women's 5k Race Recap

What a great day for a Race, Sun was out and not one cloud in the sky, temperature was around 17C but it was a chilly one. 
I have to say I have been really lucky with Race Days when it comes to weather. 
The Toronto Women's Race took place at Sunnybrook Park in Toronto. I had actually never been to this park, it happens to be just behind where Hubby had his surgery in May. 
Love running in a Park setting, maybe because I always run on City streets.


I sort of miss managed my time in the morning. Getting up 2hrs before a race was NOT enough time. I don't know what I was thinking. 
I was up at 6am, making myself a bowl of Oatmeal (which has become my Pre-Race fuel) and a cup of Green Tea. I quickly ate the Oatmeal. Shaved my legs. Brushed my teeth. Got   dressed. Hubby in the mean time was making breakfast for the kids and making sure that everyone was ready by 7am. 
Grabbed Coconut Water, IT Band Wrap (VERY IMPORTANT) and my Green Tea and we were out the door by 7am. 
I didn't like to be rushed like that. I think I need at least 1 1/2 hr before leaving the house on Race morning. Waking up at 5:30am would have worked out better. 

This was certainly a smaller Race compared to the last two races I participated in. 
The 10k had 332 Runners (331 women and 1 man) and the 5k had 267 Runners (263 women and 4 men). 
There was still excitement in the air, but the atmosphere was more relaxed. It was an amazing feeling to be surrounded by all these amazing women runners. 
This was also my running Buddy's First Race and we could not have picked a better event. 

me and my running buddy Ana 

Waiting for the race to start 

our very own personal cheerleaders

The Girls were quite Popular 

As you can tell we had plenty of time before the race, which is just the way I like it.
I had time to sip on my Coconut water and about 10min before we had to line up for our race I hit the port-a-potties.
At 8am runner for the 10k took off and at 8:15am it was finally the 5k runners turn. 
I can't tell you how great it felt to be there waiting for the race to start and finally hearing the race horn. I really missed racing. Crazy! Did I just say that? 
I even managed not to get emotional this time. 

The 1st km went by so quick, I was feeling great, IT Band was feeling great, everything was working out great. 
Ana and I stuck together until about mid way, at around 2.5km Ana took a bit of a walking break and I continued running. I have to say I felt bad about leaving her behind, but we had made a deal that we would run together as long as possible and then I would continue on by myself once Ana couldn't keep up anymore.  I still felt bad. I decided that once I got the the finish line I would run back to get her. 

I was having a great run, I felt great, my legs felt great, I even skipped the last water station. BUT around 3.5km I started to feel my IT Band and at that point realized that perhaps I didn't strap the wrap on tight enough. I decided to stop adjust the strap and take a bit of a walking break. I don't even think I walked for 1min. 
By that time my IT Band was already causing me pain and adjusting the wrap did help a bit but it bothered me for the remainder of the race. It was more then just an awareness of the Pain, it was pain... but not hobbling pain. 
As soon as I saw the Finish line I started telling myself to Finish Strong!! I looked at my Garmin which said 30min and at that time I gave it all I had. 

Love this picture, it's like you can see my determination. FYI the girl beside me is actually from the 10k race!! AMAZING! 

Crossing the Finish line! 

Results:

Chip time: 32:20.6

Overall: 125/267
Females: 121/263
F35-39: 37/81



Very happy with my Personal Accomplishment and NEW Personal Record. 
Right after I crossed the finish line and grabbed some water I headed right back for Ana. I was so proud of her when I looked back and saw her crossing the finish line with in 1min of me!! How amazing is that?? Ana finished her first 5k at 33min... the funny part was her first words to me were "I am NEVER doing this again!", but we all know she doesn't mean that! 

This was a great event and I can't wait to do it again next year! 

Oh Yes, I did end up buying a Race shirt for $20.00, but I just could not resist with the phrase "Women set the Pace" can you blame me? 


Happy Running

Toronto Women's 5k run DONE!!

Chip Time: 32:20min! HA! that's 2minutes faster then my 1st 5k Race.
I guess I have a new PR!! 

Yes that's me crossing the finish line in the picture above, I hope he got a good Race Photo of me.

I'm extremely Happy with how the race went.


I did have some issues with my IT Band at around 3km, I think it could be because the strap was not tight enough, but in the end I finished strong. 
I will post a detailed Race Report Tomorrow and since there was no BLING at this race I leave you with a pictures of me and my Running Buddy Ana taken after the race. What's better then the sense of accomplishment after a race?  

Thank you for all you support and well wishes, hope everyone had great race/run today! 


Happy Running

Countdown to Toronto Women's 5k Run

Only 1 more day until my 2nd 5k Race the Toronto Women's 5k Run 

I'm really looking forward to this Race. There will be Firefighters at the water stations and also a chocolate station, what else could you ask for in a race? 


Today was Race Kit pick up day! I love Race Kits!! 

I was a little bit disappointed with this one. NO Running shirt just a technical running hat, a Couple of Running Magazines, a new product called Immunity-FX, Clinical Strength Deodorant and pamphlets for races.  
I would have liked a Running shirt, even if just a cotton shirt. 
There is also no finisher medal. 
I do love that the Race Bib has my name on it. 

With the IT Band Wrap, running has been fairly pain free and I hope that Saturday will be another pain free run. I'm feeling confident that I will have a great run. 
So what's my goal for Saturday? 
I plan on going out and having a fun, that has always been the plan with running. 
I'm not going to stress over a PR. 
As Anne @ Asthma and the Gift of Running said so well "Not aiming for a PR just a PA (personal accomplishment)" 


Happy Running

IT Band you suck!!

My IT Band troubles continue ... and I'm getting really frustrated. Yesterday I got on the treadmill and was having a great run, 25minutes into the run I felt like I could go forever. I can't remember the last time I had such a great run... and then at the 30min mark I could feel the twitch starting. Within 3mins I was in PAIN, sharp Pain the kind you can't run with. 
I'm at wits end. 
Today will be my 5week with my Physical Therapist. 
I've used the Foam Roller everyday, for the past 5weeks. Yesterday after my run I actually felt NO PAIN while using it... well a lot less pain then usual. 
I've been stretching everyday. 
I've been strengthening my hip abductors (everyday) on my right leg where I have the IT Band problem
I've been strengthening my lower abs everyday.
I switched running shoes, which have been working out really well for me. 
I've been running on straight surfaces. 
I run every other day pushing it as far as I can go without pain.
I was really hoping that by now I would be doing much better, but I'm still only able to run for 30min pain free. 
My next 5k race is only 12 days away, I was really looking forward to improving my race time of 34:17min, but right now I don't think that's going to happen. 
I'm really lost... Do I focus on being able to finish the race running intervals of maybe 10/1 or do I try to run as much as I can and then once the IT Band pain is too much to handle I walk the rest? 


Do you have any suggestions for me?

Week 10: Session 2 redo

on treadmill 

5 minute warm up 

20 minute run, 1minutes walk and 20 minute run (41minutes) 

5 minute cool down 

5.5k (so the treadmill says) 51 minutes

I say it again ... that treadmill is wrong wrong wrong! I ran my butt off in those 40minutes so I don't get 5.5km... it had to be more. 

Today's run was a great. I'm slowly getting my endurance back and had no issues running for 40 minutes. I felt great, not out of breath and just really felt like I could go forever. 

NOW my legs had other plans... my shins started hurting right away, then my calf started. 

I really had to try to ignore what my legs wanted to do, which was NOTHING... they wanted me to go sit on the couch! BUT I was able to put it out of my mind and kept going, I was not going to listen to my legs and finished strong. 

After my run I stretched and then iced down my shins, something I have been doing for a couple of days now and I find that it's really helped with the pain.  I tend to feel fine during the day, it's just during my run that I feel some shin pain, but it's much better. 

My Couch-to-5k group didn't run Yesterday due to rain, we are NOT that hard core yet!!  But we are getting together tomorrow for our second run, should be fun. 

My next session will be on Saturday. 

With running 6 times a week I would like to find time to get some Core workouts in and perhaps weights, I feel like my core could really use the help... BUT I don't know if I'm being realistic with that. In 4 months I go from not working out at all to running 6 times a week... I might be pushing it, so we will see what I can come up with.  

I also signed up for my next race, Toronto Women's 5k on August 28th, really looking forward to beating my current PR of 34:17 (I can't believe I just said that). My girlfriends who are doing the Couch-to-5k and my sister will also be joining me on that race. 

Should be a fun event!!