Long runs are the days that runners are made from

I read a quote somewhere that said “Long runs are the days that runners are made from”. This is so true. 

We had our first ever over 10k run on Monday.  It was scheduled for Sunday but we were recovering from the Sole Sisters and all the junk we ate afterwards.  That being the case, we decided to run it Monday evening after work….and due to the fact that Twin 1 fell up her stairs and hurt both shins on Sunday….

The day was a little cool but by 6pm when we stepped out and turned the Garmins on the wind had died down and the sun was blazing. We assumed the trail would be cooler and provide us with a little shade once we got off the road route.  Between Twin 1’s and Twin 2’s house the direct route on the road is 5 or 6k.  We took the ‘long’ way through the trials which was 11k.

Twin 2 started out with shin splints again but they subsided after 5k. Twin 1 was hurting a little too but she figured if Twin 2 can run through them then so can she.  No complaints were made.  Twin 1 had to take a few walking breaks because she was not used to the heat/humidity and was almost ready to give up at 8.5k.  She pushed on. Monday night was a water belt night.  It was the first night we tried some Gatorade.  One bottle of Gatorade and one bottle of water.  We really didn’t feel like 11k would be that hard as it was only 1k past 10k and we’ve run that numerous times.  We were wrong.  It goes to show you that the weather can play a factor.  The ½ marathon is 11k return! Someday 11k will seem like a short run just like the 5/6k’s do now. 

As we ran on Monday instead of Sunday we were supposed to run again on Tuesday – our first Tempo Run.  Neither of us really knows what this consists of but it sounds like we have to run ‘fast’.  We did some research and think we have it figured out. 

Tuesday around 2pm Twin 1 got a call from the husband saying that someone was in their home when they were gone and took some cash.  Needless to say the run was cancelled but sitting here writing after the fact, maybe a run would have been a better option after it was all over as it would have been some form of stress release and may have made Twin 1 feel better.  I’m not sure you can ever feel “better” after you know someone has been in your house going through your things when you’re not home.   Anyone can take away my possessions as long as they do not hurt my pup.  She was a bit scared all curled up in the back corner of her crate when dad got home but she is back to normal now.  I hope she never has to go through that again and I hope she forgets what happened.  

When things like this come up it seems like it’s an excuse to EAT and EAT anything you want.  The beginning of the week I put my calendar up and looked at the schedule and said “today is the day I’m doing great - no treats, workout per schedule etc….and then life happens.  Day #2 in and already I’m off schedule.  

But with failure comes success. This little incident made me realize that it’s up to me and how I am going to overcome obstacles with training and in life.  Do I just give in and say “oh well maybe next time” or do I push onward and keep my commitments to myself and my goals that I have before me?  I was reading another runners blog and he said “Success comes in the effort made.  It comes in never giving up”.  I gave up for a day but then tomorrow is a new day.  When life gets in the way we have to MAKE the time rather then find the time and that’s true in everything, whether it be in training, a passion, family etc.

WHERE’S ALL MAH SOUL SISTAS

Hey sister, go sister, soul sister, flow sister

Hey sister, go sister, soul sister, go sister

So BFF Flo saw the twins crossing the finish line at the PEI 10k in October and was inspired.  She wanted to run.  Registration for Sole Sisters 5k opened up in early 2014.  It’s a great first 5k run so we said “Hello, hey Flo, you wanna give it a go?”  Giuchie, Giuchie, ya ya dada (Hey hey hey) Giuchie, Giuchie, ya ya here (here).  We signed her up and the evening finally came. 

Lots of hydration was needed the day of the run so Twin 2 ordered Flo to drink at least 2 full bottles of water:

She had other hydration ideas of her own.

While helping her look for this wine at the liquor store we got separated.  Then heard a ‘YAY’ *clap, clap*.  She hit the jackpot.

The one and only huge dilemma we had (as what happens before every run) is what do we wear?  The weather was weird on Saturday.  So with a lot of texting, talking, etc that consisted of “What are you wearing?”  “I don’t know what are you wearing?”, Twin 1 decided on tights/long sleeve shirt with Sole Sisters tee over.  Twin 2 and Flo decided on just tights and tee.  It was chilly heading over to the run and while we were waiting for a ½ hour at the start but during km #1 the clouds went away, the wind died down and the sun came out in full force.  

We were extremely proud of Flo.  She ran the whole 5k and was struttin’ her stuff on the street.  The only stop exceptions were for the awesome hug stations (one of us may have gotten mauled by a homeless man) and chocolate station.   It was her first race.  There was no way she was missing out on that.   Giuchie, Giuchie, ya ya dada (Hey hey hey) Giuchie, Giuchie, ya ya here (here) Mocha Chocalata ya ya (oh yea).

While we love this run, we have 2 complaints.  1) Runners should be at the front of the run and walkers at the back so there is no tripping/bumping other people; and 2) MORE BATHROOMS!!!!  There are 3200 women running this race.  We require more than 10 (that includes the men’s washroom we overtook as well).

Anyhoo, after receiving our medals and taking some pics we ended up at Wallymart.  So did all our fellow Sole Sisters.  Guess which aisle we all migrated to ….the CHIPS/CHOCOLATE aisle.  I didn’t realize how much we all ‘reward’ ourselves with goodies after we exercise.  Defeats the purpose but we’re all the same.

Registration is open for Sole Sisters 2015 and we are raring to go!