It’s been a roller coaster of a year for me. A lot of highs early in the year, with new PBs in the 5k, 8k and 10k distances. Those were pretty sweet – especially my WestVanRun 10km PB. I was particularly thrilled with that one (yes, you’re seeing that right in the picture below – my … Continue reading
My gosh, what an amazing time I had today at the Great Climate 10k Race! It was an awesome race for so many reasons, not least because I totally smashed my A, B, C and D goals (which I’ll get to in just a minute!!). But mostly it was such a great race because it showed me I’m all … Continue reading
Better late than never?! I did want to write about my 100 mile week… First off, let me just start by saying I DID IT!!!! I freaking did it. I ran 100 miles in one week. Between Monday, August 31st and Sunday, September 6th I ran one hundred miles (160km). As you can tell, although it’s … Continue reading
The hour arrived (6am, Sunday morning, on July 27th, 2014), it flew by (42.2km / 26.2mi), and then it was over. Okay, so it didn’t really ‘fly by’. But for so many weeks upon weeks of focusing and prepping for this one single event – The Eugene Marathon – it did kinda feel like it was … Continue reading
I’ll admit as I entered the second last week of training, it was with more excitement than usual. Why? Because I decided to conduct an experiment! First of all, just let me say… You should never try anything brand new as you approach race day. Don’t wear brand new shoes on race day, don’t try food … Continue reading
Entering the third last week of my training schedule should have felt like a relief… Almost there! However, with a few tough tempo workouts ahead of me, a 30km Saturday run and a goal weekly total of 120-125km / 75-78mi, I decided not to think of it as entering taper. Whatever mind games we might … Continue reading
The marathon pace run. One of the most important components in a successful marathon training plan (for experienced runners). I know that because it wasn’t until I added it, that I drove my marathon time down by over 25 minutes. I’ve ended up using half marathon races in this training cycle to replace many of … Continue reading
I took Sunday off after my Seattle Rock n Roll Half marathon. The day after a race, sometimes I’ll do a recovery run, sometimes I just take the day off. I’m glad I took the day off, because then I had this grand idea. Why don’t we run 150km in our upcoming training week? (By … Continue reading
After the Whistler Half Marathon, I experienced severe fatigue. For the next week I didn’t feel at all myself – my legs were heavy, my brain was foggy and despite getting enough sleep I remained very, very tired. It wasn’t until one week later, the next Saturday, that my strength had somewhat returned and I … Continue reading
Do you ever get the feeling that life is flying along at breakneck speed? And you’re doing everything you know how to just barely keep up? That’s where I’ve been. Sometimes it’s where I still am. But I’m not frazzled about it anymore. In fact, I’m rather enjoying it. Sure I’d like to feel more … Continue reading
I didn’t blog last week. I had just finished week 8 and it was my toughest week to date. In short, I’d struggled every single day and even though I’d managed 100km, it wasn’t fun. I began to question what I was doing. When you don’t have anything good to say… Today? I’ve just finished … Continue reading
No way. Another week down already?!! Yep, 90km down. Haha, and posting this as I’m well into week 7 – so much exciting stuff going on – and so many talks!!! But back to week #6… When I first outlined these 30 weeks, I was a little hesitant to begin so far out. I mean, … Continue reading
It’s funny… I’m almost surprised to say I feel great! Especially because I ran the Steveston Icebreaker 8km race today, after running 22km yesterday, and at the end of my highest mileage week thus far in my 30-week schedule. I’d wanted to hit 105km this week, and I easily hit 108km. You might think I’m … Continue reading
Boom. Another week down – just like that. 77 kilometres (48 miles) – covered in 7 days and I even took Friday off. My favourite run of the week? Oh man, that’s a tough one – there were a bunch I really enjoyed… Fun Run #1 It’s early. Monday morning. My alarm hasn’t even gone … Continue reading
It’s happening again. I’m sitting here working, typing… In my running clothes!! After an early morning run, I’ve showered and dressed myself in the gear I’ll wear for my 2nd run in a few hours time. Soon I’ll start sleeping in my run stuff. But that’s not what I’m here to talk about. This post … Continue reading
I didn’t do any pace work last week (other than a few strides). Or the week before. And if I do any this week, it’ll be with a group slower than my target pace. Why? Because I intentionally dedicated the first few weeks to simply ramping up mileage and getting back into the swing of … Continue reading
I think I was hoping for fireworks and applause. At least a few sparklers. I mean, after all, it’s the launch of my new training season! But Monday morning dawns with only a loud BOING BOING BOING. Which is the sound of my alarm. I’ve always thought about getting a kinder alarm – you know, … Continue reading
I’m starting to get antsy. You know, like, actually wanting to run those hard and long workouts again. Which is perfect. That is exactly what this off-season was for. To get back that desire and drive to train hard and long again. I’m ready. But I’ve got a few more weeks to go of these … Continue reading
The marathon. Forty-two point two kilometres. Twenty-six point two miles. It’s a long hike, no matter how you look at it. It’s a great accomplishment, no matter what time you complete it in. One that deserves huge congrats upon crossing the finish line. But wait. What if you cross the finish line in a time … Continue reading
It’s 5:15am. My iPhone sounds suddenly – boing boing boing!! And I’m up, and then hubby’s up… And we’re throwing on our run gear. I grab water, he grabs juice, we both eat a banana. Shoes, GPS’s, gloves… And we’re out the door. Why am I telling you this? Because last time I mentioned the … Continue reading
I think I may have mentioned to you that I am going to run a sub 3:21 marathon this fall. My husband doesn’t like it when I do this. When I announce an audacious goal to the whole wide world. It makes him nervous. Very nervous. And of course I understand why. My goal presumes that … Continue reading
When I crossed the finish line of the Whistler Half Marathon this past June 1st, I immediately did what I always do when I cross the finish line of any race. I made a face like I was dying. Hubby is a faster runner than me. He is always waiting for me at the finish … Continue reading
It was at kilometre 26 that I noticed I was running beside Walter. “Walter!” I said. “Sarah!” he said. “I hate marathons and I’m never running one again” I yelled. Then I did a little freakout – a jump hop and punch the air kind of move. Unfortunately, it really didn’t help anything. Possibly made … Continue reading
Make the best of it… No matter what. That’s what was going through my head as I jogged towards the start line, hugging my warm-up pants and sweater in my sweats bag to my chest in a desperate attempt to keep them dry. A useless attempt really, as the heavens let loose torrents of rain … Continue reading
RunFasterSarah (my running adventures) 