Half Marathon

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

However, I won’t be in Nova Scotia for the marathon, so I had to withdraw.

Rethinking Goal – New Half Marathon

As my husband and I transition from British Columbia to settle in Nova Scotia, I’m not sure when I will be able to commit to another half marathon. Because of COVID, most races here on Vancouver Island have been cancelled, however there are a small number of virtual races posted in October. I would prefer my first marathon to be with people – not virtual.

My thinking is, I’ll aim for the 2021 Valley Harvest Half Marathon! I’ll eventually accomplish the original marathon that motivated my running, back in January of this year.

Listening to My Body

Since I started running back in January, I’ve been relatively pain-free. However, I have had some bumps long the way.

I was out for two months as I recovered from plantar fasciitis. I still have twinges of pain in my foot but take care of it with stretches and rolling a lacrosse ball under it.

Menopause seems to be my most recent nemesis. The fatigue and random body aches. It’s made me rethink running 10kms every run.

Learning to Run

I’m thinking I need to expand my training to be a runner. I’m part of a running group and I hear words like recovery runs, hill repeats, and cross-training. I’ve pretty much been focused on just getting through distance goals. Increasing runs from 5kms to 6kms to 7kms to 8 kms to 10kms. I would hit a stride at 5kms and run that distance for a week or so at 5-6 times a week, then increase to 6kms and run that distance for 5-6 times a week, and so on until I reached 10kms. I was holding at 10kms a run – 4-5 times a week.

My thinking is if I can run 10kms 4-5 times a week, I’ll keep getting stronger.

But, it seems I keep getting tired. And achy. As mentioned, menopause has symptoms of fatigue and body aches – so I’m not sure if the fatigue and body aches are menopause or because my body needs a change up from pushing it so hard.

Probably a combination of both.

So, here is where I need to rethink my running routine. Change it up. Add some cross-training and recovery runs. This will make my running program more interesting and help my overall physical health!

Wish me luck!

Happy running!

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