Success!!! I Didn't Sh!t Myself!

So you may be wondering about that title, well I am about to explain. This past weekend I raced the Chevron Aramco Houston Half Marathon. Prior to my marathon debut (October), coach Matt and I discussed this option as an attempt at a fast half, but then my return to running took slightly longer than expected thanks to my lovely lower back/SI. As I got back into solid training I slowly saw increases in my fitness but I wasn't sure whether I was really ready to run a decent half. As time went on, my fitness improved greatly and I was nailing some pretty good workouts so I decided that yes I would in fact head to Houston and give it a go. 

I was originally supposed to head down with a fellow runner from Ontario but by the time I confirmed that I would attend, this runner told me that unfortunately they were going to pull out. This was JUST as I was about to book my flights as I found a good deal. So instead of booking the flights, I went in search of finding new accommodations. Even though I had contacted the race organizers back at the beginning of October, they were only willing to provide me "sub elite" status which meant a free entry and the ability to start behind all of the athletes they considered elite. 

Thankfully though, through the elite coordinator I was hooked up with the contact info for a local running club. I was able to get in contact with a woman named Heather, who then put out a blurb to her running club to see if anyone would be willing to host me for the weekend. I am VERY grateful that Catherine stepped up and said yes! With that being sorted out, Houston we were back on and flights were purchased (slightly higher in costs). 

Just under 2 weeks before the race, I was out for a short evening run with another local runner (Melissa) and it was an extremely icy evening after a snowfall. We were running by headlamp on a paved trail that we call the Parkway Trail. I stupidly didn't notice the edge of the paved portion of the trail and my ankle decided to roll. I began quite the out of control stumble before finally putting my hands down and stopping myself. Then I proceeded to let go of a few choice words. I was able to finish the run though the ankle was not happy and was slightly swollen. 

 

I am so glad to have such great support through Dr. Abe Avender at Island Optimal Heath and Performance. He told me to come in immediately the next day for some laser and to come in daily until Houston. I was glad to only have minimal time off (though I was able to cross train) before I was back out flying along the roads. The ankle was still slightly swollen but at least there was no pain after 24 hours. Thanks to Abe, Dr. Joe Foglia and to Geordana who all provided treatment and/or laser over the next 8 days. 

Go away cankle 

On Wednesday I headed off to Vancouver, not without incident. As my mom was driving me to the seaplane terminal, we were about 5 minutes away and I had about 10 minutes until the "Arrive 30 minutes before the flight" deadline when someone rear ended us. My first thought and I am pretty sure I said it out loud was "I don't have effing time for this." There didn't appear to be much damage visible to the eye, but we got his information anyways before rushing off to the terminal getting there just a few minutes late. Good thing there were only 2 of us on the flight. Plus my coworkers husband was my pilot so I wasn't too worried. 

See Ya Nanaimo

So the trip was off to a good start. I spent Wednesday night in Vancouver getting a very short visit with my nieces, sister and brother in law. 

Hello Vancouver

The following morning I caught a cab with Dayna Pidhoresky and her husband (and coach) Josh Seifarth at 4:30am. Wow that was early. We all had flights out of Vancouver at 6:30, both through Calgary yet I was on Westjet and they were with Air Canada. 

Leaving Vancouver. Whatever that bright light is, it must be super bright in person.

Sunrise from the plane

Good people in Calgary, but unfortunate weather

 

Catherine picked me up Thursday evening and we had dinner and settled in. Friday she had to work so I headed into the elite hotel to run with Dayna and Josh and then hang out the rest of the day. Saturday I visited the expo with Catherine and had a nice chat with Collen De Reuck. 

Expo fun

 

 
This was followed by a run from the hotel and hung out until after supper. It was nice to catch up with Krista DuChene and Rachel Hannah who were also at the hotel. Dayna and Rachel were in the marathon and Krista and I in the half. There were other Canadians in town too, such as Rob Watson and Sami Jibril both in the half. 

View of the finish area from the hotel

Killing time watching sunsets with these kids (Josh and Dayna)

 

 

Sunday morning was an early wake up call at 4:30 which is 2:30am back home. Thankfully I didn't have any problem with time change so 4:30 felt like 4:30. We headed down early to grab parking and to drop stuff at the bag drop. This was the first time I hadn't been elite in a while. Doing the regular bag drop with no clothing drop at the start line was something new. I had to be in my corral by 6:35. I wore a few warm ups down to the corral as I planned to catch another Canadian in the elite crew to hand my stuff to in order to pass to Josh. I ended up catching Krista at around that time and then I spent the next 25 minutes in my buns and a throw away t-shirt. 

The corral was only about a block long and had quite a few other athletes in there. We ran back and forth and did drills trying to keep warm. Around 6:55 they did the colour guard (or should I say color guard since it was the USA) and the national anthem. At 6:57 they removed our gate and us sub elites ran up to the start behind the elites. I was probably about 10 rows back. It took me 4 seconds to cross the start according to the results. 

I had planned to find Krista, Dayna and Rachel who were going to be going out at 3:30/km or so. I could not even see them at the start. The gun went off at 7:00 and off we went, trying not to stumble over the hundreds of feet around you. After a few hundred meters or so I spotted the 3 of them over to my right and I slowly made my over to them. We ran this way for quite a few km before Dayna pulled ahead and Rachel dropped back. 

Krista and I continued along together and she graciously shared a sip of her first bottle with me. We were still together at 10km and I felt strong. I had no idea what pace we were on as I wasn't paying attention to my watch. I knew the first km we were slow (3:43) and then the next km we were right on (3:30). After that, I didn't look. There were clocks along the course but I never really paid attention to them. I questioned my legs at one point around half way, but my breathing was super relaxed so I knew I was okay. 

Credit: (KTRK Photo- Gina Larson)

Just before 15km I started to run into trouble. Not with my legs but GI wise. This might be TMI for some people but the last 6-7km became a battle not to sh!t myself basically. For the first time ever, my inability to go before the race was coming back to haunt me. By 15km I was maybe a few seconds behind Krista. Every time the bowels acted up, I had to slightly slow down. Then the feeling would pass and I would pick it back up and get back up to the group (including Krista) only to have the feeling return. This went on 3-4 times. I eyed up the outhouses on course and nearly stopped but I thought "I don't want to ruin what might be a good time" and generally each time the outhouses were there, I felt okay. Then 500m later I was eyeing up side roads. 

Unfortunately they want $75 for these photos.... yeah right.

One girl came up beside me and I nearly asked her if I had already done it. I hoped I hadn't. I worried that I had. People said I would know if I did, but me having never been in that situation before, I had no idea. Finally with about a mile left, the bowels felt in control so I picked it up yet again and went with it. I was able to finish strong with my fastest km yet and even pass 3 women along the way. I will admit, I totally did a check of my behind once I finished. I am proud to say I did not sh!t myself and even with the issues I was able to finish 20th female (90th overall) with a 16 second PB in 1:14:45. I finally broke that 75' mark! Woo hoo! 

Oh and in case you are wondering, I found a washroom shortly after thanks to a lovely volunteer who gave me access to an off limits area as I was desperate. The legs felt good after the race other than 2 blisters, each on the same spot on both feet. It bodes well that there is still more in the tank. As the day went on, more and more stories came out of GI issues within the elites, whether it was bowel related or vomit related. There are questions whether the food provided on Saturday at the hotel was the cause or not. I believe the organizers are looking into the issue as too many people became ill. 

I spent Monday sleeping in and then visited the Houston Art Gallery with Catherine before my 5pm flight. 

This art I get. Actually made with coffee stained sugar cubes

 

This art on the other hand, I do not get (Rothsko). 

Monday night was spent in Calgary for a 13 hour layover, which allowed short visits with Trevor, Kim and Chris before flying back to the island on Tuesday morning and then straight back to work. 

My house is in there somewhere

Results can be found here. 

Finish Video here.

Also if you haven't checked it out already, check out this video. 

Nuun Elite Team 2015!

 

The time has finally come! Nuun has crossed the border into Canada and now that all the details have been worked out I am ecstatic to announce that I have been selected to join Team Nuun via Nuun’s Canadian Distributor Red Pine Outdoor! Anyone who knows me knows that I have a tube of Nuun with me wherever I go and when I say wherever, I actually mean wherever. I have received weird looks and comments (no the weird dissolving tablet in my glass is not an Alka-Seltzer) as I pull out Nuun in restaurants, pubs or even awards ceremonies that I have attended. To put it simple, I don’t drink plain water. I MUST have my Nuun. 

No more need to stock up like crazy when in Flagstaff!

If you haven’t tried Nuun then you don’t know what you are missing especially in this hot summer weather we have been having on the West Coast. On hot days, I find myself carrying or stashing a small hand held water bottle with Nuun with me. It also came in even handy this past week when I was running through the smoky air that blanketed the West Coast due to massive forest fires in the area. The ability to wash out the smoky taste mid run was just what I needed. Also on hot days I find that I crave something fizzy post run so I find that just the right dosage of Nuun hits the spot and keeps me away from the terrible bad for you pop. 

Nuun comes in various flavors and is available in many places. Locally here in Nanaimo I know it is available at the Running Room, Atmosphere, Frontrunners, Valhalla Pure Outfitters and Sport Chek. It might be available at other places, but those are the ones where I have purchased it before (prices vary, so shop around). You can also buy online at various places. Personally my favourites are Watermelon, Fruit Punch, Tri-Berry and Orange. I look forward to trying some of the All Day Nuun products as well. So what are you waiting for? Try some Nuun! 

 3 of my favourites!

Post Sun Run Sidelines

So I left my last blog stating I would explain what has gone on since the Sun Run. Coach Matt and I decided post Sun Run to call it a season. We weren't sure what was going on, but rather than try and fight through it, we just shut it down. I saw my doctor again and attempted to request an MRI, but instead he informed me that he had submitted a request for a bone scan the week before. 

The few days after the Sun Run initially made me worried I had another stress fracture. Everything hurt but thankfully slowly the pains went away though so I thought, maybe it's not a stress fracture. I had no idea what was going on. My doctor simply put it down to the fact that my pelvis is twisted (Anterior tilt I believe). I didn't really believe him because it's been twisted for years, so what was the issue now? 

Nevertheless, the bone scan came up the next week and the results came back clear. Woo hoo! Great news; however, all it did was rule out stress fracture and it did not give any idea as to what exactly was going on. I saw many people including Chiro, Physio, Doctor. In the end we did a 2 week end of season break.

Bone Scan

Physio with Mike involved Needles

After the 2 week break I attempted a slow return to running, which was filled with good and bad days. After 10 days I pulled the plug on the running, hit the pool and returned to the gym again. 

 Hello again Island Optimal

I was told by my chiro Abe Avender not set any weight records so I sent this to my trainer Greg Howe to see if he approved of my weight selection. I believe the response was "No"

Here we go again, beautiful weather outside and I was stuck in the pool just like last year. Umm yay? At least I did have a pool buddy for a few runs with Becca who was rehabbing her foot. 

We meet again NAC

After a few weeks in the pool, I began to incorporate runs again and this time it appeared to be going successful. It was about 6 weeks with little to no running. I was pretty cautious and wasn't ready to say I was in the clear until I hit a month without issues. Yep, I wasn't taking any chances. I didn't want to jinx myself. 

Happy to be back running!

I am now well over a month back into running without issues (still not fully sure WHAT the exact issue was but it's gone), other than the regular everyday training stuff, so I am pleased to say that things are going well. I am slowly gaining my fitness back and am striving towards my fall racing goals. Bring it on! In the meantime, enjoy some photos from the last few months.

Thanks to everyone who supported me through my Sundog Eyewear fundraising recently. If you missed out on the discount code, stay tuned as there may be another in the future.

Coaching at the Nanaimo Track Club (Good luck to Alyssa- 800m and Jason- PV off to World Youth Champs)

Tons of fun when my truck broke down in town after leaving the pool. Stupid flex plate

Canada Day fun while running and at work!

Thanks to Happy Water for some discounts! 

Double 5km - Bazan Bay 2015 and St. Patrick's Day 5km

 Bazan Bay 5km- March 8th

March brought on the month of 5kms. First up was the Bazan Bay 5km down in Sidney, BC. This is on the outskirts of Victoria. I worked Saturday night and found myself tossing and turning until approximately 1:30am. This normally wouldn't have been a big deal; however, this also fell on daylight savings, so 2am quickly became 3am. The alarm went off at 7:30 so I think I ended up with approximately 5 hours sleep. 

The drive down was pretty uneventful and I arrived shortly after 9:30, which allowed plenty of time to pick up my race bib and relax before warming up. The weather was more like a gorgeous spring day. We have been pretty lucky here on the West Coast this winter, fairly dry and mild. I don't recall any real snowfall here in town and less rain than usual as well. While the weather has been great for running, the mountains lacked snow. This resulted in the local ski hill barely having a season and could mean we will have lack of water issues this summer. 

Anyway, back to the race. I ran my warm up, spotting my coach and his fiance down the road for a quick pre-race chat. The legs didn't feel that great in warm up, but I was hopeful they would show up for the race. 

Warm Up

Our 2015 Asics Canada race kit came earlier that week so I decided to debut; however, the buns and crop top left me feeling super awkward on the start line. Pretty sure I got a few weird looks and yes I felt pretty darn naked but I figured if I wanted to try the uniform for the first time, it was best to do it in a 5km rather than a half marathon. 

Feeling naked

On the start line and the race went out quick. The Bazan Bay start is pretty brutal. It's packed and everyone is fighting for position. A few hundred meters into the race, a guy in front of me stumbled and began what seemed to me like slow motion falling. As he was falling, another guy not far in front began to somewhat trip over him. Pretty sure I said "oh sh!t" and put my hand on someones back to try and not trip over these two. I might have put my hand on one that fell, but it's hard to remember! It happened so fast, but seemed so slow at the time! I think they both went down or at least partially down, but I know for a fact that one did get back up. 

Thanks to Greg, I am gaining muscles. Look close ;)

 

This caused me to interrupt my stride for a bit and I found the lead ladies had already gapped me. I believe Hilary, Alison and Lemlem were ahead plus a few others. My adrenaline made me pick up the pace a bit to try and catch them, but soon I realized my legs were not having the pace. I kept pushing and didn't look at my watch. The kids in front told me the first km, which I believe was 3:15. From then on the race became hang on for dear life. My legs and my lungs were not having it that day. 

I was 4th female after 2km and then passed Lemlem shortly after. We hit the turn around and I kept trying to pick up the pace. Kyle Weagant was nearby and said "let's go" (or something like that) at one point I believe just after 3km. I tried to go. I really felt like I was picking up the pace on the way back, but the watch disagrees with me. I do remember thinking "wtf where did this wind come from" as there was a bit of a headwind on the way back. It wasn't the worst headwind, but enough to feel it. 

In the end, I finished up 3rd female behind Hilary and Alison in 16:47. Initially I was extremely disappointed with my time. I ran 16:35 here for the win last year and going into the race this year I felt like I was in PB shape and really felt like sub 16:30 was in the cards; however, my body decided differently on race day. 

Photo credit: Ross Palfery

I know I am my own worst critic and am super hard on myself, so after a few reminders from my coach that my training had been different this year, I accepted the result and moved on. He was right. Last year I went into Bazan having run Pioneer 8km, an indoor 5km and NACAC XC (6km). This year I went into Bazan having run Pioneer 8km and First Half Half Marathon, with the half only being 3 weeks prior. Training had not been directed towards the shorter speedier stuff.

After Bazan I took off on a post race workout and ran out some frustrations. Results can be found here. 

St. Patrick's Day 5km- March 14th

6 days after Bazan I headed over to Vancouver to race the St.Patrick's 5km. Steve and Karen are the race directors for this and they do such an excellent job assembling top fields and treating everyone like gold. This year, they were able to help me with some travel to the race. I found myself flying over to Vancouver on Friday morning via Harbour Air. I left my house at 9:30am and by 10:30am I was in Vancouver. How much better could that get?

I went early so I could get in a visit with my adorable nieces. My original plans were to stay with Catherine Watkins; however, she and her family fell ill and she was no longer racing. My sister had her in-laws staying so I ended up booking a last minute hotel room downtown. I had the noisiest neighbours as well and became "that" person who went out in the hall in pj's and said "shut the blank up." The one girl was nice enough and turned down their stereo right away; however, the constant door slamming and yelling carried on. Unfortunately I forgot my earplugs as well (lesson learned). 

The next morning I woke up to pouring rain and wind. Good thing the race is on the seawall.......  hah. I walked over to the start, had some time to relax and visit then warmed up with Dayna Pidhoresky and Josh Seifarth. It was wet and it was windy. This race was going to be fun. The weather gods played nice in the end and gave us a break, the rain stopped just before the start and the wind even died down slightly as well. Unfortunate that we were already pretty wet, but what can you do. 

Yaletown photography

This race starts off and runs downhill and me being one of the worst downhill runners ever found myself around at least 8-10th female. I slowly began picking people off, finding myself 4th behind Asics teammate Rachel Cliff, Dayna and Erica Digby through the mile in 5:15. 

Photo credit: Denise Relke

I kept plodding away through the rolling course. The legs were burning, but the body and lungs felt better than Bazan. At around 3.5km I passed Erica to take over 3rd. 

 

I apparently glare at race photographers. The photo credit above and below is to Rick Horne

 

The final km is brutal as it is nearly all uphill. I egged on a t-shirt wearing kid (aka Josh) as I passed him on the hill; however, the darn t-shirt boy passed me in the final few hundred meters. I finished 3rd female again in a slower 16:56. Last year I ran this course in 16:53 and felt like death. This year, while I was 3 seconds slower, I felt better than Bazan and I felt better from what I remember of last year.  

Top 3, Dayna, myself and Rachel (Yaletown Photography)

I went into the race wanting 3rd or better as those 3 positions offer cash prizing from BMO. 4th and 5th are a Starbucks coffee machine. I was 4th last year and already had a coffee machine (which is barely used as I don't drink coffee) so the last thing I wanted was 4th or 5th. Turns out, Erica was happy with the coffee machine and I got $100 to put towards my hotel! Woo hoo, up $13 whole dollars by the end! Only I spent $18 on the most yummy yoghurt covered raisins at Whole Foods so it was $13 well spent! 

Women's Top 10

Photo credit: Denise Relke

After the race I went for a post race tempo workout and a cool down, then walked back to the seaplane terminal to relax before flying home. Results can be found here. HUGE thanks to Steve and Karen for putting on a spectacular race as always!

You can also watch my Athletics Illustrated interview. I have not yet watched it as I dislike watching/listening to myself. 

Reminder: 

My sponsor Sundog Eyewear is passing along a special offer to help me raise training funds. Until April 30th, they are allowing me to pass on a 25% discount code to all of my friends and they will in return donate 15% of every sale to my training fund. This discount code applies to ALL styles of shades. Just use the CODE: ERINB25 on www.sundogeyewear.com.