Training Log - June 26, 2014

19 kilometers.

With about 16 weeks to go until my next half marathon, I’m not too worried about being ready to run. As always, it would be great if I could improve my time (a 2:41:00 during my last two attempts) but I’m already looking to 2015 as a year of running further distances. For example, I’m looking towards Around the Bay (30 kilometers) and a full marathon at some point next year.

However, back to yesterday’s long run.

I really impressed myself. I did take many walking/water breaks during that distance over two and a half hours, but considering it was over 23 degrees with a humidity index of over 50%, I was more concerned with my own safety and well-being that having a perfect run. And, to me, keeping hydrated and strong made my run more enjoyable for myself – and finding enjoyment in my runs is something that I have found myself struggling with lately.

Whether it’s a time or distance PB, I’m excited to see what the next few months of training holds.

Run with love

The boyfriend and I went on a short run last night. We don't usual run together but now that's he's back into running I think we're going to try to squeeze in one trail run a week with each other.

After only four kilometres of trails (and mosquitoes) we were covered in sweat. I can't believe how hot and humid it is for June. Despite the temperature and the bugs, it was nice to get out there. I typically like to run solo but having someone along is a nice change. 

Who do you like to run with? Or are you a solo-runner?

Summer solstice

Happy Summer Solstice!

Today is the longest day of sun of the year! I'm currently soaking up some rays through my coat of SPF and thanking the universe for such beautiful weather after, what felt like, the longest, coldest, iciest winter of my life. 

Today is also the start of something I'm calling, The Summer of Betterment. 

After five years of post-secondary education, five years of essays and editing and not enough time focused on my mental, physical, and emotional well-being, I've decided I need to let myself grow and heal again. To do this I've laid out goals that involve some of my favourite pastimes and I'm going to use them to become better over the course of the next three months. It's almost like my own "Happiness Project."

I'm going to:

• read (six books; one every two weeks)

• cook (try one new recipe each week)

• do more yoga (work on improving three poses - tree, headstand, king pigeon - and track my progress)

• other tasks (undecided; maybe try a new hobby or clean out my closest, for example)

To kick off The Summer of Betterment I have my "before" yoga pictures:

To improve these postures I will attend one yoga class a week and practice twice a week at home. These pictures also show me how I can improve. For example, I can tell that my king pigeon does not only need backbend work, but I also need to get my hips closer to the ground. In my headstand I don't only need to work on getting my legs straighter, but my back needs to straighten so that my legs can natural life. 

I'm going to research some helpful poses and cannot wait to see how I progress over the course of this summer.

How do you better yourself mentally, physically, or emotionally?