Times were posted late last night but I was too lazy and too busy (studying for the ToK test) to analyze my race and everything.
3000m- 12:04.57
This was the worst time of my season, I ran a 11:49.34 last week and thought it was easy so I was expecting a 11:30-11:45. In theory I should be able to run a 11:15 flat with no problems since I have at times ran consecutive 3x 3:45/k during a 11k run. I think what majority screwed me over was the fact the UHS girl had put down 11 min as her seed time - she couldn't 11 min, and I highly doubt she has ran under 12 the whole season.
I'm just pissed right now. I thought the UHS girl could run 11 so I stuck with her the whole race, she screwed me over. I hate it when people lie about their seed times, I don't know what you're trying to prove by putting down a fake seed time but it's dishonest and you end up screwing people like me over. What's the point of putting down a seed time you can't run? Most girls will put down either a seed time that is exactly their fastest time but the majority will put down a seed time slower than what they can really run. I'm not going to lie but for one of my races this year my coach put down 11 as my seed time but that's only b/c she was busy when I was telling her my seed time so she only heard the 11 part.
I was so relaxed during the race and I just wasn't tired at all, I should have passed the UHS girl at the start and tried to stick to some other girl b/c the UHS girl was slow, only I didn't know that b/c I didn't use my watch during the race. As I was starting the 4th lap the guy with the gun saw that I was running with my eyes closed and he just had to comment,"look that girl's eyes are closed" - that was one of the only comments I heard during the race.I was kind of pissed b/c some guys from other schools were saying stuff like "the Asian girl will get tired, she's Asian, you can beat her" - way to be racist much. I'm just glad when I run I close my eyes and I hear about 20% of the comments directed toward me b/c, otherwise, I would probably take someone down b/cof my displeasure at their comments - I hate how everyone seems to think Asians can't run.
I think I over took 2 girls with 150m left in the race and I just flat out sprinted to the finish line b/c I had that much energy left. It's sad but i think I also lapped 2 girls - considering my time was pretty bad I can't believe I lapped them.
This track season was a bust - actually my whole spring racing season is a bust. I didn't PR for any of my road races (other than 5k but it was my 5k debute for road so it doesn' count). I managed to PR in the races that didn't count, but honestly, it's not hard for me to PR on track b/c I don't run it. I went to 2.5 offical practices, the rest of my training was long distance training or heading over to BCSS with my dad and doing a tiny bit of speedwork.
I have decided to take the rest of the month very easy and then jump onto the hardcore training in June - ultimately I'm training for the Toronto Waterfront Half but at the same time I'm training for the 2011 Around the Bay, 2011 Toronto Waterfront Marathon, and the cross country season. I think as of right now I can probably run a 5k in 20:50something (my last 5k was a bust b/cof the wind) but I think if training goes well I can run a 20:30something or lower by Sept.
I think I have more speed than I'm running at now but I just need to find it - if I train properly then maybe I'll make OFSAA again in 2010. fingers crossed.
Showing posts with label racing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label racing. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Starting to Feel Nervous
Flashback one year ago, I totally hated track and the only reason to why I was on the team was b/c the head coach was my gym teacher in gr 9 and she was too nice to say no to.
Flashforward one year (present day), I am absolutely nervous for the YRAA finals tomorrow, I really want to make Centrals but I get the feeling I'm not going to make it this year. I just didn't train hard enough this season - to date I've been to 2.5 offical practices & 2 meets (1500 & 3000, both once). I'm running the 1500 steeplechase tomorrow morning at 9:45 (hopefully we will get there on time this year so I won't fight with girls at the washroom) and I'm honestly so scared, I haven't ran steeple in a year. My school doesn't have barriers for steeple training, much less a water pit. The only steeple training I've had is jumping over snow piles and clearing puddles during the winter/early spring. My competitors are all club girls which really scare me b/c I don't run club and I barely did any speed work this season - I'm just relying on the endurance I built up. Right now I'm really worried & scared I won't be able to get over the barrier b/c I'm kind of short.
Tomorrow is going to be hectic b/c I need to go to track and I need to be at my bio trip (York Region Water Festival - I'm teaching kiddies something about water....) so after steeple my mom is picking me up, driving me across york region to Bruce's Mill. At 1 she has to pick me up and drive me back to York (University) for the flat 1500 at 3 - I need time to warm up and just get into the whole racing mood.
I have no expectations for the 1500 whatsoever so that is really just a "fun" race for me. I do hope I can get some points for the school though. I'm kind of scared b/c all the club 800 & 3000 girls will probably be running the 1500, I hope I don't come last.
I really hate how trackdatabase isn't putting up the start list + seed times online, I would really like to know what I'm going to be up against tomorrow & Tues.
Tues, I'm running the 3000 and I hope I do well b/c that is one of the events in which I have a slim shot at making Centrals for - but I'm kind of not thinking too deeply b/c a lot of club girls run the 3000. I'm just not conditioned the same way as them so I'm at a disadvantage.
***Flipped through my yearbook from last year and some of the comments from my friends make me laugh
I read over M's comment (M is an old crush) and I just can't help but giggle as I recall that day at the weightroom. I wonder how M is doing now, I wish him all the best even though I no longer like him. He was very cute though.
"This is the only piece of space I could find, so ya. You kill me in running and it's cool. Run like the Wind" -AR - this comment just made me burst out laughing b/c his msg. was crammed into this tiny corner of a page b/c J had taken up so much room (J's picture also made me laugh, apparently my shorts are too short to be seen)
I seriously need to take some pictures of the drawings on my yearbook, they are hilarious but I think my gr 9 yearbook is even moreso
Flashforward one year (present day), I am absolutely nervous for the YRAA finals tomorrow, I really want to make Centrals but I get the feeling I'm not going to make it this year. I just didn't train hard enough this season - to date I've been to 2.5 offical practices & 2 meets (1500 & 3000, both once). I'm running the 1500 steeplechase tomorrow morning at 9:45 (hopefully we will get there on time this year so I won't fight with girls at the washroom) and I'm honestly so scared, I haven't ran steeple in a year. My school doesn't have barriers for steeple training, much less a water pit. The only steeple training I've had is jumping over snow piles and clearing puddles during the winter/early spring. My competitors are all club girls which really scare me b/c I don't run club and I barely did any speed work this season - I'm just relying on the endurance I built up. Right now I'm really worried & scared I won't be able to get over the barrier b/c I'm kind of short.
Tomorrow is going to be hectic b/c I need to go to track and I need to be at my bio trip (York Region Water Festival - I'm teaching kiddies something about water....) so after steeple my mom is picking me up, driving me across york region to Bruce's Mill. At 1 she has to pick me up and drive me back to York (University) for the flat 1500 at 3 - I need time to warm up and just get into the whole racing mood.
I have no expectations for the 1500 whatsoever so that is really just a "fun" race for me. I do hope I can get some points for the school though. I'm kind of scared b/c all the club 800 & 3000 girls will probably be running the 1500, I hope I don't come last.
I really hate how trackdatabase isn't putting up the start list + seed times online, I would really like to know what I'm going to be up against tomorrow & Tues.
Tues, I'm running the 3000 and I hope I do well b/c that is one of the events in which I have a slim shot at making Centrals for - but I'm kind of not thinking too deeply b/c a lot of club girls run the 3000. I'm just not conditioned the same way as them so I'm at a disadvantage.
***Flipped through my yearbook from last year and some of the comments from my friends make me laugh
I read over M's comment (M is an old crush) and I just can't help but giggle as I recall that day at the weightroom. I wonder how M is doing now, I wish him all the best even though I no longer like him. He was very cute though.
"This is the only piece of space I could find, so ya. You kill me in running and it's cool. Run like the Wind" -AR - this comment just made me burst out laughing b/c his msg. was crammed into this tiny corner of a page b/c J had taken up so much room (J's picture also made me laugh, apparently my shorts are too short to be seen)
I seriously need to take some pictures of the drawings on my yearbook, they are hilarious but I think my gr 9 yearbook is even moreso
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Better than Expected
Times were finally posted and I did so much better than expected! 11:49.34 - considering my left leg isn't exactly aligned and it just wasn't that great a race for me in general I think I did pretty well - I was sure I was running a 12 so I'm happy:).
To think I was unsure if I was even going to run up until the end of 2nd period. Wow, I'm happy - I know I can cut my time down even further - hoping for good races Monday & Tuesday
To think I was unsure if I was even going to run up until the end of 2nd period. Wow, I'm happy - I know I can cut my time down even further - hoping for good races Monday & Tuesday
Bill Crothers Invitational
Once again, I hate waiting for my times to be posted. The 3000 did not go too well today, my left leg feels out of alignment - hopefully a good night sleep will realign my leg since I have regionals on Monday & Tuesday.
I really did not run well, I was so relaxed and couldn't believe my race ended when I was done - I didn't even really work up a sweat. I think there were 7-9 girls running (I showed up late so I couldn't see) the 3000 and I came 4th. I'm kind of pissed at myself b/c I could have been 3rd easily, I started the final sprint too late not to mention my pace throughout the whole race was relaxed and just down right slow. I'm postive the times are in the 12 area and maybe 13 area since I was feeling so relaxed.
I'm also pissed the laces of my spikes came undone during my 2nd or 3rd lap - I ran most of the race with my left shoe untied. That's not good, during my final sprint I felt my shoe literally slide off my foot - not cool.
This race was literally a disaster - I'm so pissed b/c the girl who passed me and went on to win 3rd, her team was soo mean. When they saw my lace was untied and I was slowing down as an effect they were cheering that on "I'm so glad that girl's shoes are not tied b/c ___________ can win" - I'm like wtf, where's your sportsmanship? honestly, suck it. I do like their coach though b/c he saw how much energy and power I had left in the tank and knew if my shoe wasn't undone I could have beat the pants off of his athlete.
I'm sad to report there were no hot guys at the meet - I looked b/c that's what I do but there were none. I was quite upset.
I'm taking the rest of today off but have a standard 11k planned for tomorrow afternoon and a speedwork planned for the night - going to need to sleep (especially since I need to be at bio at 7:30 tomorrow).
Speaking of hot guys when I was at Chapters yesterday there was a cute cashier there and he was trying really hard to get me at his cash. When he saw me in line he dropped whatever he was doing and jumped to open his cash and kind of "msged" his cooworker to be slow. The cute guy rushed to finish the customer before me so I would end up at his cash but no luck for him, his coworker got me. I was kind of sad b/c he was pretty cute - as I left he looked over at me and gave me a sad smile.
Also, I was buying "The Prince" "Brave New World" & "Animal Farm" - as I was looking for "The Prince" one of the older employees was helping me b/c I was too short to see the book and he couldn't believe I was in Gr 11. It was actually pretty funny.
***I"m going to murder someone soon if the times are not posted soon. GRRRRRRRRR.
***my refresh button is about to break b/c of how many times I pressed it today in hopes the results will be put up
I really did not run well, I was so relaxed and couldn't believe my race ended when I was done - I didn't even really work up a sweat. I think there were 7-9 girls running (I showed up late so I couldn't see) the 3000 and I came 4th. I'm kind of pissed at myself b/c I could have been 3rd easily, I started the final sprint too late not to mention my pace throughout the whole race was relaxed and just down right slow. I'm postive the times are in the 12 area and maybe 13 area since I was feeling so relaxed.
I'm also pissed the laces of my spikes came undone during my 2nd or 3rd lap - I ran most of the race with my left shoe untied. That's not good, during my final sprint I felt my shoe literally slide off my foot - not cool.
This race was literally a disaster - I'm so pissed b/c the girl who passed me and went on to win 3rd, her team was soo mean. When they saw my lace was untied and I was slowing down as an effect they were cheering that on "I'm so glad that girl's shoes are not tied b/c ___________ can win" - I'm like wtf, where's your sportsmanship? honestly, suck it. I do like their coach though b/c he saw how much energy and power I had left in the tank and knew if my shoe wasn't undone I could have beat the pants off of his athlete.
I'm sad to report there were no hot guys at the meet - I looked b/c that's what I do but there were none. I was quite upset.
I'm taking the rest of today off but have a standard 11k planned for tomorrow afternoon and a speedwork planned for the night - going to need to sleep (especially since I need to be at bio at 7:30 tomorrow).
Speaking of hot guys when I was at Chapters yesterday there was a cute cashier there and he was trying really hard to get me at his cash. When he saw me in line he dropped whatever he was doing and jumped to open his cash and kind of "msged" his cooworker to be slow. The cute guy rushed to finish the customer before me so I would end up at his cash but no luck for him, his coworker got me. I was kind of sad b/c he was pretty cute - as I left he looked over at me and gave me a sad smile.
Also, I was buying "The Prince" "Brave New World" & "Animal Farm" - as I was looking for "The Prince" one of the older employees was helping me b/c I was too short to see the book and he couldn't believe I was in Gr 11. It was actually pretty funny.
***I"m going to murder someone soon if the times are not posted soon. GRRRRRRRRR.
***my refresh button is about to break b/c of how many times I pressed it today in hopes the results will be put up
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Markham Women's 5k - Racing w/my mom
Happy Mother's Day
I know my mom had a great Mother's day - not only did my brother fly home in time for Mother's Day but she got to go yum cha, not to mention we did a 5k together this morning! Well I ran the 5k and she walked about 4k and ran about 1k - I'm so proud of my mommy. At first I think she agreed to do it b/c it would let us spend some time together but after today I think she's actually going to take up jogging/running and she wants to do this again next year! - well maybe the Yee-Hong one since w'll win!
Personally my race didn't go as planned - I think they forgot to post the kilometre markers till after the more serious runners were done b/c I don't recall any markers but my mom say she saw markers when she was walking (apparently she was at the 1k mark when I was at the 4k mark). I really wanted a sub 21 today but I ran a 21:16.6 - it could have been a sub 21 even with the horrible weather conditions (the first half, I felt like I was going to be blowen over and for the homestretch I was literally blown over - I actually swerved so far to the right b/c of the wind). I could have passed the girl in front of me if I knew exactly where the finish was - I was so fresh at the end. I guess I just have no idea how to run a 5k anymore after focusing on distance for the past while. - negative split, not sure of the pace b/c I couldn't see any markers.
Post race I met Mr. Mac's wife & daughter - his wife is really nice and her daughter is really cute. I found it hilarous b/c she seemed to know so much about me - makes me think I'm the focus of their dinner conversations (probably what not to do LOL). She knew about my hip, my knee, and the last races I did- kind of funny b/c my parents couldn't tell you any of this.
All in all, it was a great day w/my mom - we can now say we raced in the snow in May (only in Canada will it snow in May) TOGETHER.
****
My brother got me a "Miss Marc" Marc Jacobs bag - sorry but I kind of find it kind of ugly but I can't tell him this b/c he thinks it's the cutest thing ever. I'm not much of a "quirky" kind of person - I like classics, the money would have been better spent on buying me leather - I'll even take a pair of Asics over the bag. I do really really appreciate the thought though.
I didn't do the time trial I promised my coach about but I'll tell her 11:50 for 3k but I know I can run it faster than that b/c 2.5k according to the 5k time today (which isn't my fastest) is roughly 10:30 and I know I have enough in the tank to push further- I'm aiming for a 11:45 for a 3k but I don't know how it will go b/c I haven't gone to practice in the longest time.
Starting to freak for bio quest tomorrow - have kreb's cycle + glycolysis memorized but nothing else yet
Starting to freak for IB French on May 24 b/c that's 2 weeks! need to start reading an hour of french each day and writing compositions in my spare time
I know my mom had a great Mother's day - not only did my brother fly home in time for Mother's Day but she got to go yum cha, not to mention we did a 5k together this morning! Well I ran the 5k and she walked about 4k and ran about 1k - I'm so proud of my mommy. At first I think she agreed to do it b/c it would let us spend some time together but after today I think she's actually going to take up jogging/running and she wants to do this again next year! - well maybe the Yee-Hong one since w'll win!
Personally my race didn't go as planned - I think they forgot to post the kilometre markers till after the more serious runners were done b/c I don't recall any markers but my mom say she saw markers when she was walking (apparently she was at the 1k mark when I was at the 4k mark). I really wanted a sub 21 today but I ran a 21:16.6 - it could have been a sub 21 even with the horrible weather conditions (the first half, I felt like I was going to be blowen over and for the homestretch I was literally blown over - I actually swerved so far to the right b/c of the wind). I could have passed the girl in front of me if I knew exactly where the finish was - I was so fresh at the end. I guess I just have no idea how to run a 5k anymore after focusing on distance for the past while. - negative split, not sure of the pace b/c I couldn't see any markers.
Post race I met Mr. Mac's wife & daughter - his wife is really nice and her daughter is really cute. I found it hilarous b/c she seemed to know so much about me - makes me think I'm the focus of their dinner conversations (probably what not to do LOL). She knew about my hip, my knee, and the last races I did- kind of funny b/c my parents couldn't tell you any of this.
All in all, it was a great day w/my mom - we can now say we raced in the snow in May (only in Canada will it snow in May) TOGETHER.
****
My brother got me a "Miss Marc" Marc Jacobs bag - sorry but I kind of find it kind of ugly but I can't tell him this b/c he thinks it's the cutest thing ever. I'm not much of a "quirky" kind of person - I like classics, the money would have been better spent on buying me leather - I'll even take a pair of Asics over the bag. I do really really appreciate the thought though.
I didn't do the time trial I promised my coach about but I'll tell her 11:50 for 3k but I know I can run it faster than that b/c 2.5k according to the 5k time today (which isn't my fastest) is roughly 10:30 and I know I have enough in the tank to push further- I'm aiming for a 11:45 for a 3k but I don't know how it will go b/c I haven't gone to practice in the longest time.
Starting to freak for bio quest tomorrow - have kreb's cycle + glycolysis memorized but nothing else yet
Starting to freak for IB French on May 24 b/c that's 2 weeks! need to start reading an hour of french each day and writing compositions in my spare time
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Sporting Life 10k
Eh. not particularly the best race I've ran but it was better than Southlake. The weather definitely played a huge part in my results. I hate the weather right now,it's been humid and hot for the last two days - it's going to rain but it hasn't yet. Ever since I popped something in my hip last fall I've had issues with my hip before it rains - it just aches and aches before it rains though it doesn't ache when it rains.
I started off well at a 4:20 pace give or take but around 3 or 4k I had to twice b/c BOTH of my shoes became untied. Lovely, eh? Around 5 or 6k I had to stop again b/c my hip was aching really badly - it was 6:00/k - ouch. I picked it up again at 7-8k for a 4:37. My 8-9 k was basically a 4:00 flat. The last k came in at 4:19 with a huge sprint in the end - I'm just so disappointed b/c if it were not for my hip I could have done a sub 45 easy.
Sporting Life 10k 2010: 46:52
It feels really weird b/c the Sporting Life 10k that I did last year was my first road race and now, roughly a year later I've done so many more road races, the count up to today:
-4 x 10k (Sporting Life twice, Angus Glen 10k, Toronto Island Girl 10k)
-2 x half marathon (Toronto Waterfront Half, Southlake Half)
Personal bests:
10k - 45:59 @ the Island Girl 10k
Half marathon - 1:42:40 @ the Toronto Waterfront Half
5k - 21:00 - trail @ school
I know I can get under 45 and maybe into the 43-44 range, physically I am able to do it now as long as the race course is fast and the weather conditions are good. I've also done training runs where I hit 21k at around 1:22-26 so I know I need to aim for that for the next half (Toronto Waterfront half) b/c I know I can do it physically - mentally, I still need some work.
I have yet to do a 5k on road and I'm looking forward to that next week as long as it isn't too hot. I'm hoping to hit the sub 21 range which I think I can do b/c I've done the trail in 21:00 and there are hills on the trail.
Got to get back to studying
Notes:
***Some guy died during the Sporting Life today, he was 60 something and I guess he overexerted himself. One of the teachers with us is a fireman and he checked for the guy's vitals. RIP.
***we came in as the 2nd overall school - if it were not for the fact I had a bad race we would have came in 1st
***WILL IT RAIN ALREADY, MY HIP REALLY ACHES
I started off well at a 4:20 pace give or take but around 3 or 4k I had to twice b/c BOTH of my shoes became untied. Lovely, eh? Around 5 or 6k I had to stop again b/c my hip was aching really badly - it was 6:00/k - ouch. I picked it up again at 7-8k for a 4:37. My 8-9 k was basically a 4:00 flat. The last k came in at 4:19 with a huge sprint in the end - I'm just so disappointed b/c if it were not for my hip I could have done a sub 45 easy.
Sporting Life 10k 2010: 46:52
It feels really weird b/c the Sporting Life 10k that I did last year was my first road race and now, roughly a year later I've done so many more road races, the count up to today:
-4 x 10k (Sporting Life twice, Angus Glen 10k, Toronto Island Girl 10k)
-2 x half marathon (Toronto Waterfront Half, Southlake Half)
Personal bests:
10k - 45:59 @ the Island Girl 10k
Half marathon - 1:42:40 @ the Toronto Waterfront Half
5k - 21:00 - trail @ school
I know I can get under 45 and maybe into the 43-44 range, physically I am able to do it now as long as the race course is fast and the weather conditions are good. I've also done training runs where I hit 21k at around 1:22-26 so I know I need to aim for that for the next half (Toronto Waterfront half) b/c I know I can do it physically - mentally, I still need some work.
I have yet to do a 5k on road and I'm looking forward to that next week as long as it isn't too hot. I'm hoping to hit the sub 21 range which I think I can do b/c I've done the trail in 21:00 and there are hills on the trail.
Got to get back to studying
Notes:
***Some guy died during the Sporting Life today, he was 60 something and I guess he overexerted himself. One of the teachers with us is a fireman and he checked for the guy's vitals. RIP.
***we came in as the 2nd overall school - if it were not for the fact I had a bad race we would have came in 1st
***WILL IT RAIN ALREADY, MY HIP REALLY ACHES
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Cardinal Carter Track Invitational
Kind of pissed at my dad right now, during the ride home he was trying to hand me tips about my race. He only saw the last 300 - from after I was passed by 2 other girls. During the ride he asked why I didn't win my heat and when I told him my split times he told me I shouldnt' have looked at my watch and should have followed the girl in front of me I WAS THE LEAD GIRL FOR MOST OF THE RACE. He then went on to say I shouldn't have slowed down after the 1st lap (I know I shouldn't have slowed down but at the time it seemed right to slow down) - he doesn't understand I need to avoid the chances of getting burned out too early - I didn't want to make the same mistake everyone does, not to mention I'm a DISTANCE runner (real distance) so I accelerate as I run. He has never ran more than 400 from when he and I used to race with my brother when we were little, he doesn't follow running or anything related to running so I don't see how he can give me tips when he doesn't understand the concept at all. I hate how he thinks he's always right but he isn't. I think I would know more about running than him; since I race and all.
I hate the waiting game, I'm currently still waiting for the results of the 1500 to be posted - I left York less than 5 min after my race so I have no idea what I placed or what my time is.
I am so mad at myself, this was not a good race. I ran a 5:23 1500 yesterday so I should have started with Heat 1 but I didn't b/c I wasn't sure if I could run that again and those girls looked so pro - they looked like they can run it under 5. I was boxed in for about 200m until I decided I couldn't race like that so I popped out onto lane 2 or 3 and made my way up - I did not plan it out well, I ended up moving up on the curve which is not good. My first lap was faster than I expected, I ran it in 1:21 so I made myself slow down even though my body could have continued at that pace. My 2nd lap was a 1:34 - a little slower than my target time. Last lap was a 1:29 which was pretty much dead on target but I gave up the lead on the last 300m of the race. I wasn't sure when to start sprinting and with about 300m to go 2 girls passed me, as they passed me I realized I should start sprinting but it was already a bit too late - my final sprint wasn't as powerful as I wanted and I hadn't reached my max. pt yet when I got to the finish line. I think my problem was I had such a huge lead in the beginning I had no idea where the other girls were coming in at.
I'm not sure what my time is but I think I might have beat some girls in heat 1 - I kind of wish I ran in heat 1 so I could be pushed to my max which I wasn't today. I really want to know my time but it's still not posted yet online. If I didn't beat any girls in the first heat I think I'm 18 out of approx 45 - I think there was around 3-4 heats of 15 girls so I guess that's not too bad but not the best I can do.
Sidenote, my friend, Jaime C, came in 7/34 for 100mH - so proud of him, damm you club kids
***taxi driver who drove us to the meet drove soo slow and took the longest route, not to mention he was late so I couldn't nap before my race
***on one of the washroom trips I made, as I entered, I heard someone say "there's an Asian here!" - it was mostly white & African Canadians today - I was 1/2 of the Asian girls who ran the 1500
I hate the waiting game, I'm currently still waiting for the results of the 1500 to be posted - I left York less than 5 min after my race so I have no idea what I placed or what my time is.
I am so mad at myself, this was not a good race. I ran a 5:23 1500 yesterday so I should have started with Heat 1 but I didn't b/c I wasn't sure if I could run that again and those girls looked so pro - they looked like they can run it under 5. I was boxed in for about 200m until I decided I couldn't race like that so I popped out onto lane 2 or 3 and made my way up - I did not plan it out well, I ended up moving up on the curve which is not good. My first lap was faster than I expected, I ran it in 1:21 so I made myself slow down even though my body could have continued at that pace. My 2nd lap was a 1:34 - a little slower than my target time. Last lap was a 1:29 which was pretty much dead on target but I gave up the lead on the last 300m of the race. I wasn't sure when to start sprinting and with about 300m to go 2 girls passed me, as they passed me I realized I should start sprinting but it was already a bit too late - my final sprint wasn't as powerful as I wanted and I hadn't reached my max. pt yet when I got to the finish line. I think my problem was I had such a huge lead in the beginning I had no idea where the other girls were coming in at.
I'm not sure what my time is but I think I might have beat some girls in heat 1 - I kind of wish I ran in heat 1 so I could be pushed to my max which I wasn't today. I really want to know my time but it's still not posted yet online. If I didn't beat any girls in the first heat I think I'm 18 out of approx 45 - I think there was around 3-4 heats of 15 girls so I guess that's not too bad but not the best I can do.
Sidenote, my friend, Jaime C, came in 7/34 for 100mH - so proud of him, damm you club kids
***taxi driver who drove us to the meet drove soo slow and took the longest route, not to mention he was late so I couldn't nap before my race
***on one of the washroom trips I made, as I entered, I heard someone say "there's an Asian here!" - it was mostly white & African Canadians today - I was 1/2 of the Asian girls who ran the 1500
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Finishing was Enough: Southlake Half Marathon
The Southlake Half did not go well - the fact I finished it and was not last is enough for me. I started the race off pretty well (considering the circumstances) and was on track at 5k for a 1:35 half but at either 5k or 6k (can't remember) the phlegm caught up to me and I nearly threw up my breakfast - dry heaved and threw up, the side effects of that virus - took around 10-20s which caused me to give up the distance I was leading by. I think I was still top woman until 6-7k but really, the race ended for me when I threw up. Around 15k I gave up, I actually walked about 1-2k of the race, physically I think I could have still ran a 1:40 but mentally I couldn't do it - my nose was clogging up and I was feeling just sick. I'm just happy I finished. I almost always run negative splits and I think this is the first time my 2nd half is longer than my 1st half. I have never ran a race this horrible in my life (even worst than the Angus Glen 10k where my hip was really messed up).
The course of this race was tough, I've done long runs where I hit 24k at 1:48 or less with the 21k mark around 1:22 so I'm just disappointed in my results, even with all the hills for this race I should have been able to beat 1:40. The number of hills during this race was disgusting, I felt like all I was doing was going up hill - running on Aurora Heights Dr was torture too b/c the road was so rough I felt like tripping every 2s. This race was just not good for me.
On the bright side my running buddy G came in 4th overall woman at a time of 1:41: -, so proud of her but at the same time I can't help but feel that could have been me. For a course like this 1:4- is an amazing time. I can't help but want to just forget this race and move on.
Post race I felt pretty good but about 30-45min after I was light headed and I felt like I was going to faint - I don't think it was b/c I was dehyrated or low on carbs b/c I had gateorade & post race pancakes. I don't know what is going on but it scares me - I battled the light headedness the whole day. When I finally got home from the race I couldn't even stand in the shower long enough to condition or wash my hair properly. Eating wat hard - made my mom bring up my lunch and ate it while covered in blankets but I was literally forcing food into my body - had no appetite. From there I slept for 4-5h which helped but I still dont' have much of an appetite.
Time: 1:52:28.3
Feeling: Sick, tired, disappointment
I think I'm going to take the rest of this month easy - no runs above 15-16K and then start hammering it for the Waterfront Half. I wasn't prepared at all for Southlake - b/w the slump, the fall, and that horrendous cold virus which I'm still not recovered from, I barely did any training. I'm taking June to late Sept not only as training for the Half but to start training for the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in Sept 2011 for my debut - I want my first full to qualify me for Boston (not that I can go since it will be during uni exams and I won't have the money to head out there). I'm aiming to get up to 30-35k this summer for a long run and adding in some more speed work - aiming to do "Around the Bay" next year which is older than Boston.
Spring Road Racing:
April 25 - Southlake Half
May 2 - Sporting Life 10k
May 9 - Markham Women's 5k
Spring Track:
April 29 - Cardinal Carter Track {5:10 -1500 - b/c they're not taking us day 2 I can't do steeple or 3000}
May 13 - BCSS Track {1:00 - 3000m}
May 17 - YRAA Day 1 {9:00 - Steeplechase}
May 18 - YRAA Day 2 {11:00 - 3000m}
***Must go start my ToK Essay - didn't do it early b/c I was studying for math exam or sleeping.
The course of this race was tough, I've done long runs where I hit 24k at 1:48 or less with the 21k mark around 1:22 so I'm just disappointed in my results, even with all the hills for this race I should have been able to beat 1:40. The number of hills during this race was disgusting, I felt like all I was doing was going up hill - running on Aurora Heights Dr was torture too b/c the road was so rough I felt like tripping every 2s. This race was just not good for me.
On the bright side my running buddy G came in 4th overall woman at a time of 1:41: -, so proud of her but at the same time I can't help but feel that could have been me. For a course like this 1:4- is an amazing time. I can't help but want to just forget this race and move on.
Post race I felt pretty good but about 30-45min after I was light headed and I felt like I was going to faint - I don't think it was b/c I was dehyrated or low on carbs b/c I had gateorade & post race pancakes. I don't know what is going on but it scares me - I battled the light headedness the whole day. When I finally got home from the race I couldn't even stand in the shower long enough to condition or wash my hair properly. Eating wat hard - made my mom bring up my lunch and ate it while covered in blankets but I was literally forcing food into my body - had no appetite. From there I slept for 4-5h which helped but I still dont' have much of an appetite.
Time: 1:52:28.3
Feeling: Sick, tired, disappointment
I think I'm going to take the rest of this month easy - no runs above 15-16K and then start hammering it for the Waterfront Half. I wasn't prepared at all for Southlake - b/w the slump, the fall, and that horrendous cold virus which I'm still not recovered from, I barely did any training. I'm taking June to late Sept not only as training for the Half but to start training for the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in Sept 2011 for my debut - I want my first full to qualify me for Boston (not that I can go since it will be during uni exams and I won't have the money to head out there). I'm aiming to get up to 30-35k this summer for a long run and adding in some more speed work - aiming to do "Around the Bay" next year which is older than Boston.
Spring Road Racing:
April 25 - Southlake Half
May 2 - Sporting Life 10k
May 9 - Markham Women's 5k
Spring Track:
April 29 - Cardinal Carter Track {5:10 -1500 - b/c they're not taking us day 2 I can't do steeple or 3000}
May 13 - BCSS Track {1:00 - 3000m}
May 17 - YRAA Day 1 {9:00 - Steeplechase}
May 18 - YRAA Day 2 {11:00 - 3000m}
***Must go start my ToK Essay - didn't do it early b/c I was studying for math exam or sleeping.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
To the Finish Line
To the Finish Line
“I'm running
To the finish line, finish line, finish line
I'm running
To the finish line, finish line...”
Lynn Olsen squinted into the distance, as if she was looking for her finish line, mouthing the words to Brooke Hogan’s “Finish Line” in between her quick steps. She pictured the colossal red inflated structure she knew would be waiting for her at the end of her 21.3k journey – an expedition her body would never forget. With every stride made, her arms had contracted and relaxed as they propelled her forward and granted her momentum, likewise, her leg muscles did the same as she placed each foot before the other. Each nanometre made toward the bronze metal disks hung on red ribbons was an effort, with each kilometre she passed, her body became more fatigued with her leg muscles protesting from the effort.
The first 15k of the race had been a breeze, she had enjoyed every step of it – her legs had carried her swiftly past 5 water stations and 3 aid stations, landing lightly on slightly on her forefoot with each step. She smiled as she recalled the time that had been displayed on her watch as she had gracefully bounded beyond the 15k marker. The digits that had surfaced on her watch 5k ago were etched boldly in her mind, digits that male runners would scorn, digits that elite female athletes would scorn, but digits that made her smile.
She needed to recall the memory of those digits now, she glanced down at her knee before quickly looking away. The skin on her knee was still pretty raw and just starting to scab – she had opted not to use a bandage today as it limited her ability to manoeuvre her knee not to mention it changed her strides. The unaided eye would only be able to take in the rawness of her knee but that was only the start of her knee problems. Her right knee, the dominant knee, was quite swollen partially due to her fall two weeks ago.
Two weeks ago while on her daily run she had tripped over a rather large piece of cardboard which had once been a cardboard box, a metre long and a foot high which someone had littered. Going at a 4 minute per kilometre pace she had tripped over the damn piece of recyclable before flying a few metres and landing with full impact on her knee. The fall had scrapped away all the skin on her right knee as well as left this very important joint very swollen for a week and rendering her to take a complete week off of training.
Two weeks later it was no longer the size of a grapefruit but it was still quite swollen, at the 18k mark she almost fell when she slipped on someone’s wet paper cup – she hated it when runners threw their cups into the middle of the road – as she had braced herself to avoid falling she was forced to stride in such a way most of her body weight was impacted on her right leg. That split second with the strange twisted stride had placed unwanted and unnecessary pressure on her right knee, making it start to swell up again.
She tried not to cry as she felt a twinge of pain as her right foot hit the ground, this race had started off as a miracle but the ending was just as bad as she had feared. Not only did she have to take a full week off training before of the swollen knee from the fall but the week before she had gotten a horrendous cold. The cold had forced her to take a full five days off and refused her the last long run before a race. Her training for this half marathon had just not gone well, between the slump in March because of her workload at school, the fall, and her cold, she had not done a single 80k week. She shook her head, during the summer she had done 80k weeks with ease, easily topping 300k a month. But that was the past and she couldn’t help it now – though she did make a mental reminder in her head to pick a different race next year; a race further into the spring road racing season.
“Let’s go girl! Only 500m left! You can do it”
“Final stretch! Pick! It! Up! Come on girl!”
“Only 500m left! Let’s go!”
Lynn blinked fast, was she dreaming? Did the woman in the gray jacket holding a baby just say there was only 500m left? She glanced at the sign before her, never mind 500m left, there was only 400m left. She took a deep breath and picked up her pace. She imagined she was running a 400m repeat for track practice. She imagined her slump in March was Kara Goucher, the fall was Teyba Erkesso, and her cold was Megan Brown – she imagined she was racing the Boston Marathon with them as her opponents. Picking up her legs more and pumping her arms even more she saw the colossal red inflated structure was only a few metres in front of her. Drawing in a sharp breath she imagined elbowing the other three who were matching her stride by stride, out of the way. She made one final surge and left them the dust, not just any dust, her dust.
Lynn Olsen grasped for air as she looked up at the digits staring down at her, 1:29:26. Never had she thought she would be able to run such a time at the age of 16. When she first started running a year ago she never even thought she could run a half marathon much less in such a short time. She had envisioned such a time in her dreams but to see the digits looking down at her in reality was shocking. She had almost given up when she had her slump, and when she fell, and when she caught that horrendous cold but she hadn’t. She smiled as she realized she had a new personal record but anyone who knew Lynn Madison Olson knew that smile was also because she overcame the inner demons and pushed – she was unstoppable no matter how difficult the obstacles were.
“I'm running
To the finish line, finish line, finish line
I'm running
To the finish line, finish line...”
Smiling as a volunteer placed a finisher’s medal around her neck, Lynn Olsen mouthed the words to “Finish Line” before she looked at the sun and whispered to herself, “I made it to the finish line.”
“I'm running
To the finish line, finish line, finish line
I'm running
To the finish line, finish line...”
Lynn Olsen squinted into the distance, as if she was looking for her finish line, mouthing the words to Brooke Hogan’s “Finish Line” in between her quick steps. She pictured the colossal red inflated structure she knew would be waiting for her at the end of her 21.3k journey – an expedition her body would never forget. With every stride made, her arms had contracted and relaxed as they propelled her forward and granted her momentum, likewise, her leg muscles did the same as she placed each foot before the other. Each nanometre made toward the bronze metal disks hung on red ribbons was an effort, with each kilometre she passed, her body became more fatigued with her leg muscles protesting from the effort.
The first 15k of the race had been a breeze, she had enjoyed every step of it – her legs had carried her swiftly past 5 water stations and 3 aid stations, landing lightly on slightly on her forefoot with each step. She smiled as she recalled the time that had been displayed on her watch as she had gracefully bounded beyond the 15k marker. The digits that had surfaced on her watch 5k ago were etched boldly in her mind, digits that male runners would scorn, digits that elite female athletes would scorn, but digits that made her smile.
She needed to recall the memory of those digits now, she glanced down at her knee before quickly looking away. The skin on her knee was still pretty raw and just starting to scab – she had opted not to use a bandage today as it limited her ability to manoeuvre her knee not to mention it changed her strides. The unaided eye would only be able to take in the rawness of her knee but that was only the start of her knee problems. Her right knee, the dominant knee, was quite swollen partially due to her fall two weeks ago.
Two weeks ago while on her daily run she had tripped over a rather large piece of cardboard which had once been a cardboard box, a metre long and a foot high which someone had littered. Going at a 4 minute per kilometre pace she had tripped over the damn piece of recyclable before flying a few metres and landing with full impact on her knee. The fall had scrapped away all the skin on her right knee as well as left this very important joint very swollen for a week and rendering her to take a complete week off of training.
Two weeks later it was no longer the size of a grapefruit but it was still quite swollen, at the 18k mark she almost fell when she slipped on someone’s wet paper cup – she hated it when runners threw their cups into the middle of the road – as she had braced herself to avoid falling she was forced to stride in such a way most of her body weight was impacted on her right leg. That split second with the strange twisted stride had placed unwanted and unnecessary pressure on her right knee, making it start to swell up again.
She tried not to cry as she felt a twinge of pain as her right foot hit the ground, this race had started off as a miracle but the ending was just as bad as she had feared. Not only did she have to take a full week off training before of the swollen knee from the fall but the week before she had gotten a horrendous cold. The cold had forced her to take a full five days off and refused her the last long run before a race. Her training for this half marathon had just not gone well, between the slump in March because of her workload at school, the fall, and her cold, she had not done a single 80k week. She shook her head, during the summer she had done 80k weeks with ease, easily topping 300k a month. But that was the past and she couldn’t help it now – though she did make a mental reminder in her head to pick a different race next year; a race further into the spring road racing season.
“Let’s go girl! Only 500m left! You can do it”
“Final stretch! Pick! It! Up! Come on girl!”
“Only 500m left! Let’s go!”
Lynn blinked fast, was she dreaming? Did the woman in the gray jacket holding a baby just say there was only 500m left? She glanced at the sign before her, never mind 500m left, there was only 400m left. She took a deep breath and picked up her pace. She imagined she was running a 400m repeat for track practice. She imagined her slump in March was Kara Goucher, the fall was Teyba Erkesso, and her cold was Megan Brown – she imagined she was racing the Boston Marathon with them as her opponents. Picking up her legs more and pumping her arms even more she saw the colossal red inflated structure was only a few metres in front of her. Drawing in a sharp breath she imagined elbowing the other three who were matching her stride by stride, out of the way. She made one final surge and left them the dust, not just any dust, her dust.
Lynn Olsen grasped for air as she looked up at the digits staring down at her, 1:29:26. Never had she thought she would be able to run such a time at the age of 16. When she first started running a year ago she never even thought she could run a half marathon much less in such a short time. She had envisioned such a time in her dreams but to see the digits looking down at her in reality was shocking. She had almost given up when she had her slump, and when she fell, and when she caught that horrendous cold but she hadn’t. She smiled as she realized she had a new personal record but anyone who knew Lynn Madison Olson knew that smile was also because she overcame the inner demons and pushed – she was unstoppable no matter how difficult the obstacles were.
“I'm running
To the finish line, finish line, finish line
I'm running
To the finish line, finish line...”
Smiling as a volunteer placed a finisher’s medal around her neck, Lynn Olsen mouthed the words to “Finish Line” before she looked at the sun and whispered to herself, “I made it to the finish line.”
Saturday, October 24, 2009
OFF to OFSAA BABY
-originally posted Oct 22
HEADING TO OFSAA!!!!!!!!
XC SEASON: Cardinal Carter + YRAA
Last Wed I was at the Cardinal Carter XC meet (Pre-OFSAA) at BOYD Conservation Park. I have to say it was one of the worst races I've ever ran. It took me 23:42.72 to run 5k - yeah I know, slow. Granted the terrain was quite tough - huge hill, many smaller hills, MUD, and just rocky bits over the route. Not to mention I was sick and was blowing my nose every 2 or 3 min - note to self, sticking tissue into the waistband of UA compression shorts = inability to take out the tissue. I just couldn't get my act together that day, I was boxed in the whole race and at the end of the race I had so much energy that I just SPRINTED to the finish - I don't think I have ever sprinted that fast in my life. In the last 100m of the race I passed approx. 30-40 girls - no joke. Overall I placed 113 out of 574 (of those who finished). The placing wasn't amazing but it wasn't bad either but I do wish I had ran a faster race and hadn't been boxed in. Reflecting back I think if I had warmed up a bit more it would have been a faster race - but then I was boxed in the whole race....
Yesterday, I was at the YRAA XC meet which was the meet to qualify for OFSAA. Time wasn't all that great, I was scared I was going to run out of juice so I ran conservatively throughout the race hence 23:18.34. My final sprint could have been alot better, I passed about 5 people in the final 100 m (upon entering the chute) and 2-3 of them were pretty near the finish line by the time I entered the chute. I wish I hadn't been boxed in for the first 5-10s of the race, otherwise I would have been able to run with the lead group and have them set the pace. I have to say, being a distane runner really gives me an advantage both mentally and physically. As I was wrapping up the race I had a side stich but I was able to push myself to run faster simply b/c I kept telling myself not to be a wimp b/c if I can run a half-marathon then I should be able to run a 5k easy. Overall I placed 11th out of 130 (of those who finished). Our team was 3rd in senior girls and b/c YRAA is hosting OFSAA this year they were allowed to have a few extra runners to send to OFSAA (4 teams + 6 individuals instead of 2 teams + 3 individuals / category) hence ST ROBERT RAMS ARE HITTING UP OFSAA BABY!!!! I have to say when I finished and the coaches told me I was heading to OFSAA (as an individual at that time, 8 out of then 11 runners in front of me were from 2 teams) I thought they were mocking me and just joking around. It took them over 10min to convince me that I had made OFSAA. OFSAA is such a big deal and I had never in a million years thought I would actually make it. I can't wait to get one of those cute OFSAA hoodies!
I also ran the guys' 7k race yesterday b/c I didn't have time to run at home and it was amazingly fun. I wasn't allowed to run fast b/c I would "get into the way" of the guys - well technically I wasn't even supposed to run the race. But...I did passed about half of the guys even though I had raced earlier and wasn't even going at a full out pace - each time I passed a guy they were in shock "are you a girl or a guy or a hermaphrodite?" "I'm a chick, sorry to disappoint you babe." I had such an interesting convo on this with this really cute guy (totally would date him if he were faster) none the less he was complimenting me and saying that I must have passed a ton of guys:).
Took my 2nd day off this week, I was planning to run but after yoga my hip started to ache. I have promised myself that after my 10k next week and OFSAA the week after I will take some time off and go see a professional about this b/c I'm really scared it's a stress fracture but..I don't want to know yet b/c my season isn't' over yet.
School is basically killing me right now, let's just say my average dropped over 20% - if anyone is planning to take on IB I suggest you ask yourself if you're ready to take on unwanted stress and huge mark drops.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon
It's been a while since my last post but I've been so busy. Currently I am failing math and English as well as doing poorly in chem. & French. I am excited that I got a 5 on my Frye presentation (20/30| I almost got a 21/30 which would have been a high 5 but she bumped me down – I do understand why though) but I know for midterms I'm going to have a 50something (if I'm lucky) because I totally failed the English test – not only did I not finish question #4 which was worth 50% of the test but I also got the thesis wrong. I have so much homework this weekend; chem. lab due Mon, les devoirs de français, theme/quote charts for English on both The Educated Imagination by Northrope Frye and A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams. I have got to say I absolutely love A Streetcar Named Desire it is such an awesome play – Stanley is just awesome! I also have to get the bulk of my Math Portfolio done which is worth 10% of my final mark and is due in 2 weeks. Not to mention I have a French test on Tues, math test on Wed, and a chem. test on Thurs. Fri will be fun though because 1st period will be Turkey Trot, I really want to win the turkey but I think either Torrey or Kathryn will win it simply because they are better and faster at short distances than I am. Also going shopping with the girls on Fri! YES. Long weekend coming upJ
It's been a week since the Toronto Waterfront Marathon race weekend and about time for me to blog of my experiences. For the record I did not run the full marathon last Sunday as I am underage to run a full marathon as of this moment – when I turn 18 I'm definitely getting a tattoo of my Chinese name as well as running a full marathon. Let's start with the running expo which I went to last Friday after hitting up the University Fair (I'm seriously considering kinesiology and nutritional sciences at either McGill or UBC since I know I won't make it to the States but the problem is what are the options for career if I were to come out with these degrees). The running expo was neat in the sense there were no long line ups for race pack pickups – didn't really get to visit all the booths as I was in a rush. My race pack was a joke – they gave me pasta sauce in a bag. I never even knew pasta sauce could exist in a bag...the rice chips also present in my race pack were awesome though.
The race itself on Sunday was enormous – approx. 20000 people for the full marathon, half marathon, and 5k events. The bag check lines were horrible, they definitely were a factor to my dismayed finishing times. I had signed up to run in the blue corral a few months back as I had predicted a time of 1:50 for myself but that proved to be a horrible experience. There were people who signed up for the yellow and blue corrals who could not run the time windows, this caused me to be stuck behind a ton of people and not be able to run at my own pace not to mention the difference between my official and my chip time is over 8 minutes. I am disappointed with the people who decided to try to give themselves an advantage by signing up for a corral with a time window in which they could not finish in as they are utterly selfish and they cause many others like myself to have to slow down and not race the way we wanted. The race itself was pretty awesome; I loved the cheering & entertainment stations. At one point during the race we passed by a cute Scotiabank dog mascot so I gave him a huge sweaty hug as we were moving slow enough – I kind of feel bad for that guy since I made him all sweaty but he was so cute.
Moving onwards, at 11k I grabbed some Gatorade but stupid me thought I could run while drinking which I couldn't so I managed to get Gatorade ALL OVER ME. It was not cool. At the next drink station I managed to clean myself by pouring water head down J I felt cleaner and definitely more refreshed since it was really humid during the race and I hate humid weather. I believe my 10k split time was 49:50 but I'm not sure but either way even my training run 10k spilt times were faster than this so I definitely was not happy. Around 13k I was able to start running at my own pace as some of the crowd had thinned out, either because they had stopped to walk or they were that much faster than me. The last legs of the race were run more at my pace (11-21k = 52:50) and I was able to sprint the final 500m which felt good as I really was gaining in some speed. I have to say at 18k I got quite pissed - I was passing some spectators when I heard one of them say to her friend, "Look there's a little one". I'm sorry but I'm actually quite sensitive about my height, I'm not THAT short. I'm actually quite a compact size though I do wish I could be taller because it would definitely help me run faster.
The most amusing part of my race were the 7 men who peed at the trees, I have to say I was very tempted to join them but I held in it. I got to say props to them for having the guts to pee at a tree. Not only did they relieve themselves but they also provided the tree with drink and nutrition as pee is actually quite nutritious.
In summarization, , Kenneth Mungara of Kenya ran the fastest marathon ever ran on Canadian soil in a time of 2:08:31.9 while Amane Gobena of Ethiopia won on the women's side in a time of 2:28:31. They are such amazing runners – if only I could run like that. Megan Brown won the Half Marathon on the women's side in a time of 1:17:59.7, I am so happy she won. I had the opportunity to meet her at the Toronto Island Girl 10k over the summer and she is such a nice person. I really do hope she will take her talent to England in 2010 – she is one of Canada's top runners and I fully support her.
As for my own race? My official time was 1:50:50 while my chip time was 1:42:40. I was able to exceed all expectations; I had predicted a time of 1:48-1:50 for myself and only hoped for a sub 1:45 so for me to have ran a 1:42 I was ecstatic. My official time was good enough for me to place 2nd in W19, I think I could have been 1st if it were not for the fact I was stuck behind others for most of the race and couldn't run at my own pace BUT at the same time the placing doesn't matter. Actually, I think the process to getting to race day was more important than race day itself. I put in killer distances over the summer and spent hours a week strengthening my body and the outcome was awesome – the process strengthened my belief that nothing comes easy and the more effort you put into something the greater it is. I am happy to be able to say I ran a half marathon but at the same time I'm happier when I describe my summer training plan – those months were pretty brutal but I did get to experience a ton of things during my training runs. I have to admit I did feel a sense of pride as I looked over the race results and realized I had came 2nd in my age group and was the youngest runner to place.
I do wonder what my prize for placing 2nd in my age group is; I left Nathan Philips Square before the awards ceremony as I did not think I placed not to mention placed in an award winning category. I'm getting my dad to pick up my prize from CRS on Monday and I honesty hope it's not socks because the last time I got my dad to pick up a prize we got socks and he yelled at me for a month :P .
I have got to run, much do homework and work on my Math Portfolio not to mention run since I just took 2 days off for my body to rest up and repair itself.
And for the record, I'm definitely running the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon again next year! Love the distance racesJ so relaxing.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Long Way from the Start
I’m a runner and I can write this with pride, I am not your fastest runner or the one who can endure the longest distance nor am I yet the runner which I aspire to be – to be the ultimate runner in my mind is to be able to run a 5k, 10k, half-marathon, full marathon, ultra marathon, and complete both a duathlon and triathlon. I am a runner because I love to run; I run for the sake of running because I simply love the rush I feel during this motion. Under Armour has the saying “Some athletes train to run, others run to train” and I think this applies to me – I spend time in a weight room to strengthen my body to run and I train for my races by running.
Talking to one of my XC coaches the other day during a pre-school year run with him and my other friend I realized that it has almost been a year since I officially started to run. I started running with XC in September 2008, I joined because it was the first sport of the year and I have no eye-hand coordination hence any sport involving balls is absolutely out of question not to mention I am scared of balls (due to certain mishaps with soccer balls (to the head), volleyballs (to the face), tennis balls (to the nose) and rather hard baseballs &etc. I still remember at the first practice I had clocked a 27-something 5k – that 5k used to seem so tough to me with the hills and such. XC last year was a blur, we only had a few races and while I was never the first girl of my team to get past the finish line I wasn’t the last either, I had started XC as the slowest girl on the team but in the last meet I was the second fastest of the Junior Girls XC team of my school (not saying much though because our school is practically famous for being a failure at sports). My final race last season was a 4k clocking 19:23 – at that point in time I thought it was an amazing time.
I continued to run during the winter thanks to the fact my coaches had set up a running club, this club was directed toward longer distances with the aim to run the Sporting Life 10k. It was then that I realized I LOVED running, in the beginning I was freaked out that I wouldn’t be able to finish whatever distance we were aiming for that day but in the end I was the one pushing for us to go longer and faster – this is all thanks to the encouragement of the coaches as well as my running buddy and the rest of the team.
On May 3, 2009 our team set out to race the Sporting Life 10k with yours truly clocking a 47:13 – that to me was an amazing time for I had aimed for sub 50 and hoped for a sub 48 (keep in mind I had only started to run for a few months for those of you scoffing at such slow times). Our team, the Running Rams, was on fire, our girls’ team came in as the top female high school team of Toronto. We also came in as the overall top second team in Toronto. We were very happy with these results but to our horror we discovered that the event organizers had a little mishap where our team wasn’t listed as a high school team – but that was cleared up with a few emails to the race organizers with the girls’ team receiving New Balance running socks (amazing socks btw) as a prize. This race taught me a lot, the most important lesson regarding running that I learnt was that you should always try to be as far front and close to the starting line as possible – for all awards are based on official time and not chip time.
With the Sporting Life 10k over and in the past I moved on to run track – which was not really what I wanted to do but was “forced” to by the track&field head coach. I ran the 1500m Steeplechase and while I was extremely slow I have to say that was one of the most fun races I have ever done. Of course, being me, I had to do stupid things during my race such as not realizing the finish was 15m in front of me as well as falling flat on my face in the water pit which resulted me being on the covers of a few local newspapers. I also ran the 3000m (flat course) where I was able to advance to OFSAA centrals, at both the YRAA & centrals I raced against an amazing girl. She was quick, lively, and FAST – in my mind in a few years I will see her win a few medals for Canada, the best part is that she is extremely nice. While I protested against joining track I have to say I am glad I did because it gave me a ton of experience and I got to meet some great girls.
A highlight for me has to be the athletic banquet, to my surprise I received both the Track&Field Junior Girls MVP as well as the Cross Country Junior Girls MVP – in my mind I do not deserve these awards because there are girls who are much faster than me and have given more to the teams than I have. For course, I’m not complaining since I never win anything. There is a kind of funny story to the Cross Country MVP award – I actually wasn’t at the banquet when they called my name as the receiver of the award. An hour after they called my name I entered into the room and my friends were all asking me where I had been (I had quite a few texts from them) and my only reply was that I had been out running and that I had PR’ed for 11k. They found it amusing that I had been out running instead of accepting my award for running – I find it amusing that somehow all the recipients of the XC awards were either absent or late, in the official photo of the XC award recipients there was only one guy – the XC Senior Boys MVP.
I continued to run during the summer and I also did a race – the Toronto Island Girl 10k. This race was in a way miserable, it was HOT. I had to race in 38C (humidex included) sunny weather and yet I somehow managed to PR however I wasn’t able to run the time I wanted. I clocked this race with 45:59 – I had wanted a sub 45 which I sincerely believe I could have done if it were not for the heat. This race was a sweet deal for me though, I managed to come 5th overall and 1st in my age group although to me this race wasn’t really a “win” because in my age group there were only 11 girls not to mention the race had an almost all female population. I am proud of myself though and I am happy I got to spend time with my mom, who waited on the Toronto Island with me all morning. That race was amazing in the terms that there was a community feeling to it and everyone was just friendly – racing and running isn’t just about winning but also about making friends.
As a write this, school starts at 8:30 when I get up and a new season of XC starts on either Wednesday or Thursday. Looking back I realize how far I have come, instead of a 27-something 5k on my first practice of the season I’m looking to do a 22:30 5k (still not amazing but I don’t like to run 5ks not to mention I have short legs). In just a year I went from a non-running to one of those crazy people wearing shorts in the winter and running (I used to laugh at those people). With running I made a ton of friends and I am so grateful for their support and we are just going to keep running because it is what we do. Running has made me a happier person as well as less stressed. Overall my point is that if I can come this far then anyone can too. As far as I have come I know I can go further – on September 27 I will be racing the Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon to cross off yet another one of the distances of my list to be the ultimate runner I can be. If you live in Toronto, come and race one of the Toronto Waterfront series with me and if you don’t live in Toronto then just sign up for a race this fall and see where that takes you. I have come a long way from where I started but there is more of that road to run – come join me on my journey to be the ultimate runner or to become healthy.
Talking to one of my XC coaches the other day during a pre-school year run with him and my other friend I realized that it has almost been a year since I officially started to run. I started running with XC in September 2008, I joined because it was the first sport of the year and I have no eye-hand coordination hence any sport involving balls is absolutely out of question not to mention I am scared of balls (due to certain mishaps with soccer balls (to the head), volleyballs (to the face), tennis balls (to the nose) and rather hard baseballs &etc. I still remember at the first practice I had clocked a 27-something 5k – that 5k used to seem so tough to me with the hills and such. XC last year was a blur, we only had a few races and while I was never the first girl of my team to get past the finish line I wasn’t the last either, I had started XC as the slowest girl on the team but in the last meet I was the second fastest of the Junior Girls XC team of my school (not saying much though because our school is practically famous for being a failure at sports). My final race last season was a 4k clocking 19:23 – at that point in time I thought it was an amazing time.
I continued to run during the winter thanks to the fact my coaches had set up a running club, this club was directed toward longer distances with the aim to run the Sporting Life 10k. It was then that I realized I LOVED running, in the beginning I was freaked out that I wouldn’t be able to finish whatever distance we were aiming for that day but in the end I was the one pushing for us to go longer and faster – this is all thanks to the encouragement of the coaches as well as my running buddy and the rest of the team.
On May 3, 2009 our team set out to race the Sporting Life 10k with yours truly clocking a 47:13 – that to me was an amazing time for I had aimed for sub 50 and hoped for a sub 48 (keep in mind I had only started to run for a few months for those of you scoffing at such slow times). Our team, the Running Rams, was on fire, our girls’ team came in as the top female high school team of Toronto. We also came in as the overall top second team in Toronto. We were very happy with these results but to our horror we discovered that the event organizers had a little mishap where our team wasn’t listed as a high school team – but that was cleared up with a few emails to the race organizers with the girls’ team receiving New Balance running socks (amazing socks btw) as a prize. This race taught me a lot, the most important lesson regarding running that I learnt was that you should always try to be as far front and close to the starting line as possible – for all awards are based on official time and not chip time.
With the Sporting Life 10k over and in the past I moved on to run track – which was not really what I wanted to do but was “forced” to by the track&field head coach. I ran the 1500m Steeplechase and while I was extremely slow I have to say that was one of the most fun races I have ever done. Of course, being me, I had to do stupid things during my race such as not realizing the finish was 15m in front of me as well as falling flat on my face in the water pit which resulted me being on the covers of a few local newspapers. I also ran the 3000m (flat course) where I was able to advance to OFSAA centrals, at both the YRAA & centrals I raced against an amazing girl. She was quick, lively, and FAST – in my mind in a few years I will see her win a few medals for Canada, the best part is that she is extremely nice. While I protested against joining track I have to say I am glad I did because it gave me a ton of experience and I got to meet some great girls.
A highlight for me has to be the athletic banquet, to my surprise I received both the Track&Field Junior Girls MVP as well as the Cross Country Junior Girls MVP – in my mind I do not deserve these awards because there are girls who are much faster than me and have given more to the teams than I have. For course, I’m not complaining since I never win anything. There is a kind of funny story to the Cross Country MVP award – I actually wasn’t at the banquet when they called my name as the receiver of the award. An hour after they called my name I entered into the room and my friends were all asking me where I had been (I had quite a few texts from them) and my only reply was that I had been out running and that I had PR’ed for 11k. They found it amusing that I had been out running instead of accepting my award for running – I find it amusing that somehow all the recipients of the XC awards were either absent or late, in the official photo of the XC award recipients there was only one guy – the XC Senior Boys MVP.
I continued to run during the summer and I also did a race – the Toronto Island Girl 10k. This race was in a way miserable, it was HOT. I had to race in 38C (humidex included) sunny weather and yet I somehow managed to PR however I wasn’t able to run the time I wanted. I clocked this race with 45:59 – I had wanted a sub 45 which I sincerely believe I could have done if it were not for the heat. This race was a sweet deal for me though, I managed to come 5th overall and 1st in my age group although to me this race wasn’t really a “win” because in my age group there were only 11 girls not to mention the race had an almost all female population. I am proud of myself though and I am happy I got to spend time with my mom, who waited on the Toronto Island with me all morning. That race was amazing in the terms that there was a community feeling to it and everyone was just friendly – racing and running isn’t just about winning but also about making friends.
As a write this, school starts at 8:30 when I get up and a new season of XC starts on either Wednesday or Thursday. Looking back I realize how far I have come, instead of a 27-something 5k on my first practice of the season I’m looking to do a 22:30 5k (still not amazing but I don’t like to run 5ks not to mention I have short legs). In just a year I went from a non-running to one of those crazy people wearing shorts in the winter and running (I used to laugh at those people). With running I made a ton of friends and I am so grateful for their support and we are just going to keep running because it is what we do. Running has made me a happier person as well as less stressed. Overall my point is that if I can come this far then anyone can too. As far as I have come I know I can go further – on September 27 I will be racing the Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon to cross off yet another one of the distances of my list to be the ultimate runner I can be. If you live in Toronto, come and race one of the Toronto Waterfront series with me and if you don’t live in Toronto then just sign up for a race this fall and see where that takes you. I have come a long way from where I started but there is more of that road to run – come join me on my journey to be the ultimate runner or to become healthy.
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