Managed a Friday evening run!

[Amandana]

All day I thought I’d set myself up for two runs on this long weekend (it’s Thanksgiving in Canada), as I didn’t manage my usual early morning run. Both kids were up too early so helped them get back to sleep and then it was too late for a morning run. I contemplated an after work run but was a bit tight on time as my husband was going out for a mountain bike ride.... but then while he was out I figured if he can manage a 1.5 hour bike ride, surely I can squeeze in a 30 minute run. So I put my kit on and headed out the door as he came back in.

It was W4R3, and an evening run for a morning runner... ugh... it was feeling like a bit of a slog. I did a few too many squats and other strengthening exercises a couple days ago, challenging my husband to do them with me... I could feel those. My legs felt heavy and tired and I think the half glass of wine I’d already had was no help either, hehe! I also realized that the lovely carbonated water I love to drink in the evening isn’t the best hydration for a run😬! But I was really happy that I knew some runs are just bad runs and was able to make the best of it by focusing on my breathing. I thought for sure my pace was way slower than usual as my little dog was pulling me along for portions of the run, but I finished the last run about 100m from where I did last time so that was a pleasant surprise.

I was truly impressed that I was able to get through it and maintain a positive attitude. And now I’m on to week 5, and only need to do 1 run over the long weekend!!

[SaskAlliecat Graduate]

I’m definitely more of a morning runner myself but you gotta do what you gotta do! Kudos to you for making the time to make it happen. I find it so much easier in the evening to make excuses and to let the excuses win. I also got out for a run today - a little later than usual (noon) but I went and bought a pair of cold gear tights this morning to give me time to test them out before race day. Bum was still cold but not as bad as with the heat gear tights I was wearing. Time to acclimate to colder weather running again! Enjoy your Thanksgiving 🦃

[Amandana in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Thanks, hope you have a great Thanksgiving too!

Ooh new gear and a race - these are both exciting things! When is the race? Hmm cold bum that’s a bit of a toughie - isn’t really much out there to help with that is there?

[SaskAlliecat Graduate in reply to Amandana]

I have a 12.5k Trail race next weekend - it's a weird distance but it is the loop length for the 50kers. We do one, they do 4, around the hills at a lake on the other side of the province, with 565m of elevation change per loop 😳. I'm doing it with a friend of mine that I run my local trails with. We've both been struggling with training lately - me with work hindering my efforts and a really low motivation level, her with illness and a sore knee - so I think we're keeping this race low key, let's explore a new area for fun and scope it out to see if it is worth doing again next year as a more competitive sort of thing. Any excuse for a girl's night away 😂

misswobble had a great post last year about some merino underwear that I may need to look for. I find my bum usually gets cold in winter. Last year I wore tights under my yoga pants when it got really cold. I'm going to go to a running store in the city next weekend on my way to the race and get some winter weight tights and a proper running shell for this year. I've proven to myself that I'm in this for the long haul so I'm treating myself this year to some running specific gear 😁

[Amandana in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Oh that’s wonderful! My hubby spoiled me with a few running accessories for Mother’s Day in the spring but I haven’t bought anything specific except for my shoes so far... real running gear sounds so exciting! Those running jackets with the nice reflective trim look so nice for rainy days and to keep the wind off.

Lol oh gosh merino underwear! Who knew?! That’s so funny but I shouldn’t laugh as you never know... I might need some myself if I end up as committed as you.😊

What a wonderful idea - a girls trip for an event! Hope your last couple pre-event runs go well and conditions cooperate for you. I imagine trails can get pretty sloppy with snow and rain. 565m of elevation change - that’s got to be hard to find on a 12.5km trail in Saskatchewan!

[SaskAlliecat Graduate in reply to Amandana]

I know, right!!! But both trail races I've done are adjacent to lakes in a river valley so lots of up and down. I don't know the area of this race, but the pre-race info mentioned 4 large hills in the first half of the race, followed by more meandering hills and meadow for the last half. It sounds like he's adjusted the trails to make it more scenic from other years (I'm reading it as to the top of the hills 😳) thereby giving even more elevation change. The trails in my area are extremely rustic, so I'm quite curious to see what these will be like. I'm undecided on whether I'll need my trekking poles for this one. There was no mention of them in the pre race info.

I bought merino long underwear and a base top last year for snowmobiling and for a ski trip when it was insanely cold. They were really nice, but I haven't come across the lovely boxers misswobble had. If I ever come across them, I'll likely buy them 😁

[Amandana in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Be sure to post some photos, sounds like you’ll have some lovely views!!

[SaskAlliecat Graduate in reply to Amandana]

I will. I'm sure we'll be stopping to take in the views/breathe 😂

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

Well done you ! I have a bizarre family life and go out running whenever I can fit it in, so you people who usually have a regular routine seem on a whole different planet sometimes 😄

[Amandana in reply to ButtercupKid]

That’s awesome that you’re able to fit it in with lots on the go!

I’m trying to be more flexible so that these little hiccups don’t keep me from progressing, I really surprised myself with this one as normally any extra time to think about it means I’ll have built up 5-10 excellent excuses as to why I can’t/shouldn’t.

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Amandana]

Oh yes, I know that situation too ! 😆