20 Weeks to Half Marathon

My goal is to run the Valley Harvest Half Marathon, on Sunday, October 11th, 2020 in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. 21.1km.

Monday – Saturday

I accomplished my goal of running 6km Monday – Friday, upping it a bit – two days of the six were 7km. Saturday was a special run day. This was a running event day – my first relay race! I postponed my long run day, to invest my energy into the relay race.

Total Kilometers: 38.16km

Saturday – Mountain View Relay Race

I’m a member of the Mountain View Runners (MVR) running group- out of the Windsor area in Nova Scotia. The group hosted the Mountain View Relay race the weekend of May 30th.

This virtual relay was my first race!

Once registered, I was teamed up with 4 other members. I was the only female of the group of five – the four other men are seasoned runners. I was intimidated for sure, I didn’t want to disappoint my group or be the weak link in the chain. The relay is for fun, but there is still that competitive edge.

Each member within the group individually runs the 5km during the allotted days. The goal, of course, is to run it as fast as you can. Bonus points are given for personal bests – PB, elevation gains, wearing a bib and/or a costume, and a litter run – where you pick up garage along your running route.

After I complete my run, I submit my results. The time of each group member within a team is added up, then bonus “time deduction” points are given to those with PB’s, elevation, etc… to determine the winning team.

There was a total of ten teams. I was part of Team #1.

Adrenaline Rush

When I stood out on the street, wearing my homemade bib and ready to push start on my FitBit that records my run, my heart was “racing”! When I hit that start button and shot off, uphill at first, I had a difficult time catching my breath. I felt as if I was going to hyperventilate. I had to consciously slow my breathing as I pushed myself up the hill as fast as I could, mindful of pacing yes… but still pushing as hard as I could.

I had to be fast. I had to run a PB. I had to do this!!!!!!

Personal Best with Elevation

As I ran as fast as I could, I hardly noticed the world around me. All that mattered was keeping my pace under a certain time. I pushed and pushed…my body not at its peak because I’m taking CBD for anxiety, a side effect for me is decreased appetite. I wasn’t feeling strong, I was feeling determined.

I succeeded in achieving a PB with elevation! My usual pace hovers around 8’11”. My pace this run was 6’23”!

The virtual MVR facebook support was inspiring as members posted their results. Everyone cheering everyone else on!

Just Do It!

Nike is right! Just do it! My time to run 5km was almost double that of my teammates. One member of my team ran the 5km in 16:20min, another ran for elevation gain at 193m, at a time of 23:29min!!!!

I offered a PB and elevation! I gave it my everything! That is why I’m so proud of my results, I did my best!

That is all we can do, each day…. is our best…. ❤️

Update:

My team won the Mountain View Relay Race – Team #1!!

Here are the results:

1. Team One: 1:53:55 (Extra thanks to some serious elevation from Vance and a smoking PB from Stephanie!!)

2. The Somewhat Credibles (Team 3): 1:58:55

3. Team 4: 1:59 (only 5 seconds behind second place!!)

I won my first race AND had an amazing PB (personal best)!!!!

I’m so grateful for my teammates Vance, Brent, Chris, and Jacob who inspired me (intimidated me really, because they’re seasoned runners!) to give this relay my everything, to do my best!!!!!

S, 🏃🏼‍♀️

Half Marathon Training – 2020

Half Marathon Training – Week 1 – In Total, 30km Goal Achieved

Half Marathon Training – Week 2 – Goal – 6km Achieved

Half Marathon Training – Week 3 – Goal – Each Run Holding at 6km Achieved – Goal of Speed Increase Not Achieved

Half Marathon Training – Week 4 – Goal – Long Run – 7km, Holding at 6km & Speed Increase – Achieved!

Half Marathon Training – Week 5 – Goal – Long Run – 8km, Finding My Pace – Achieved!

Half Marathon Training – Week 6 – Goals – 9km & Yoga Achieved – Week of Mishaps – Yup!

Half Marathon Training – Week 7 – Plantar Fasciitis Halts Running – So I Bought a Bike!

Half Marathon Training – Week 8 – Plantar Fasciitis Continues to Halt Running, The COVID-19 Pandemic & My First Time Spinning!

Half Marathon Training – Week 9 – Plantar Fasciitis Continues to Halt Running, Adapting Exercise Habits During These COVID-19 Days With Indoor, Low Impact, High Cardio Exercise & We Bought a Bike!

Half Marathon Training – Week 10 – Plantar Fasciitis Continues to Halt Running & Finding My Exercise Groove During These COVID-19 Days

Half Marathon Training – Week 11 – Plantar Fasciitis Continues to Halt Running: Indoor Cardio & Outdoor Fun

Half Marathon Training – Week 12 – Plantar Fasciitis Continues to Halt Running; Stress & Anxiety & The Body

Half Marathon Training – Week 13 – No Running. Week 14 – RUNNING!!

Half Marathon Training – Week 15 & 16 – Getting My Groove Back

Half Marathon Training – Week 17 – My First 10Km!

Half Marathon Training – Week 18 – My First Race!

Half Marathon Training – Week 19 – ‘Till I Collapse Kinda Week!

Half Marathon Training – Week 20 – The Significance of Music

Half Marathon Training – Week 21 – The Importance of Stretching and Laughter

Half Marathon Training – Weeks 22-24 – Badass and Heart Centered

Half Marathon Training – Weeks 25-27 – New Sneakers, Warrior Walk & Gluteus Medius

Half Marathon Goal – Postponed to 2021