Thursday, April 02, 2009

Farewell March, Welcome Race Season

I'm happy to report that March was a much better month than February. I was able to run consistently again after a four week hiatus due to that debilitating shoulder injury in January. I've been running again for five weeks now and as of this week, I'm up to 50K/31mi per week and a 23K/14mi long run. I'm pleased with my progress as far as building my distance back up, but still frustrated at how much I'm struggling to hold a quick pace even at short distances. I've recently learned that being on blood thinners can deplete energy levels and produce similar effects to being anemic so in combination with being off for 4 weeks, I shouldn't be surprised.

I have several events coming up and was definitely hoping for a couple of PR's, but we'll just have to wait and see. I know I have to be patient and truth be told, I'm just happy to be running. There are a lot of races coming up in the next few months and the most important thing is staying healthy and injury free, and hopefully having some fun along the way.

Here's what's coming up soon:

April 19th: Boston Athletic Association 5K

April 24th: Reese's Run (virtual 4-miler)

April 26th: Hartwell Half Marathon
(Hubby and I switched from the relay to running the entire half.)

May 3rd: Sporting Life 10K

May 10th: Mississauga Half Marathon

After Mississauga, there will be a three week hiatus before I begin a four-consecutive-week streak of races.

May 31st: Toronto Women's Half

June 7th: MudRun 10K

June 14th: Wine Country Run (10K)*

June 20th: Toronto City Chase

*The Wine Country Run is a new addition. We signed up with a bunch of friends and it's going to be one fun weekend - a bus tour of the local wineries (with tastings!) followed by a BBQ on Saturday and the 10K run through wine country on Sunday - with more wine tastings at the water stations! Now this is my kind of race. You know how I like my wine.

8 races between now and June 21st. Obviously, I won't be racing all of them. In fact, most are 100% "for-fun" events. I'm really looking forward to all of them.

In the midst of all of this, training begins for the Toronto Marathon in October. I've decided to join the clinic again, which starts June 4th.

And with that, let Race Season begin! I can't believe I haven't run a single race since Boxing Day.

31 comments:

Mark said...

Your training is really going good. Great mileage base, your strength WILL come back! Looks like a really fun schedule ahead!
Hooray for April!

TNTcoach Ken said...

Wow, talk about jumping in with both feet! You're going to be a busy little racer. Stay healthy, which we all want to do.

J said...

Looks like a busy schedule but I think it is the prefect way to help you get some of your speed back!!

tfh said...

A busy and very fun-looking schedule-- you inspire me to put more races on my calendar, even when I'm not sure I'll be able to race them all. Spring really is a great time just to be around other runners and enjoy these events!

Lily on the Road said...

All look like very good choices! I'm on the Rideau Lakes Bike Tour the weekend of the Wine Run, otherwise I'd be there!! ; )

Sarah said...

It's the most wonderful time of the year LMAO!

Denise said...

You have a lot coming up! I'm so happy you're running again and you really built up your mileage quickly! Great job!

Runner Leana said...

Wow, you have lots of stuff coming up - it looks exciting! That wine run sounds like a lot of fun! Sadly I don't think we get any wine at my Wine Capital of Canada Tri...we just get to bike past some wineries. Shucks!

Anonymous said...

You have a full schedule. I like how you inserted that you had a 3 week hiatus! I can't wait to read all about them.

Anonymous said...

Awesome full schedule! I want to sign up for more races but with the wedding and school finishing I'm worried...I would have loved to train for the Scotiabank half but it's the day after my wedding...fiance said NO!

BumbleBeeRunning said...

I wish I was doing a run that involved wine- that sounds fabulous! :)

X-Country2 said...

Busy busy year. Good luck with everything!

joyRuN said...

That Wine Country Run sounds super awesome! Wine tastings & BBQ!! They should have the 10K before all that though ;)

Marky Mark said...

Busy season-see you at Sporting Life!

Brian said...

You have made soem ridiculous progress since the dreaded injury, and that is a great line up of races you got coming up!

Mel-2nd Chances said...

see you at a few of those, and our group was looking at doing the wine one too! Funny!

Aron said...

wow that is a lot of races!!! YAY for race season :) glad you are back running too!!

Dori said...

Good job on building your mileage up. That looks like a great race schedule! I'll look forward to reading about your Wine Country run. :-)

Marcy said...

What?!? Wine tastings at the water stations?! Ohhhhh sign me up for that baby! LOL

teacherwoman said...

Looks like a great season! :)

Lindsay said...

wow looks like a solid and busy season of racing! so glad you are doing better and the shoulder is healed :)

the wine race sounds like a must do!

I Run for Fun said...

You are doing such a great job! Wish you a wonderful month!

Heather said...

Looks like you have a fun race season planned! You are right back on track after a rough month -way to go.

Sonia said...

Now that's a busy racing schedule!!! Glad to see you're back in full force =)

I'm so jealous you got in the first Toronto women's marathon. My friend and I wanted to do it but it was already full when we looked at it.

Toni said...

You are busy! Sounds like your training is going great. Have fun with all of your races.

RunningLaur said...

What a great list! I can't wait to read all about it!

Gotta Run..... said...

You have one FUN..STRONG year of races ahead of you. Wine and running... am I dreaming?...lol!!

Marky Mark said...

That Hartwell relay in Aurora appeals to me as a tune up for Sporting Life...

yumke said...

Wow, four races in four weeks. I just completed four in four weeks (two today, one last week and one three weeks ago)... Definitely takes over your weekends

Marci said...

Wow that is a great race shedule! Moe and I are running the wine (half) with running friends, it will be a fun race. I was going to ask you about that Hartwell half, I remember you volunteered at it last year, what is the course like. I need to run a training half sometime towards the end of April (I hope).

Unknown said...

You have a busy race schedule! Definitely feel a PR coming!