So as part of my new job, I have a 5km coming up at the end of September. Unlike some of the national charities out there, the Asthma Society of Canada doesn't host our own major fundraising events and runs; the financial risk is too large based on our size. So the ASC relies on one ASC-branded run (Seja's Run, in the spring), and a few other runs that allow donations directly to the charity of the runner's choice. One of these is the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, and Team Asthma hopes to be out there with over 100 runners this year.
I've also jumped on this as an opportunity to get back in shape. When I left BUSU at the end of April, I was the heaviest I have ever been, a whopping 50 pounds more than when I started at Brock 6 years ago. Moving back home this summer temporarily unemployed, I started riding the exercise bike about 5 times a week (the hockey playoffs are an ideal time for that). But after I lost about 15 pounds, I stalled out, and I've been at that weight since. I thought that moving into Toronto, living a decent distance from the subway line might help me out. My one-way trip to work is 1800 steps, about a 2.5km round trip. But that hasn't helped me drop any more pounds yet.
This 5km race has given me a rewnewed focus on fitness again. I started jogging 2 weeks ago to start training, but I was all over the place, inconsistent, and wasnt pacing myself or tracking my distances. This week, our ASC elite amateur runner John Healy started the first of a five-part video series on 'how to train for your first 5km race'. I decided to fall back to his recommended paces, but increase the distance based on my comfort and the fact that I had already been running for a week.
(find that video in a blog post by clicking here. FYI, I also manage this blog as part of my job, and if you have asthma or want asthma news, keep checking this for updates from me!
Today, I went out and I felt great. The pace I've stuck with this week is 2 min run - 2min walk - 2 min run - 2 min walk - repeat. I'm definitely not setting any land speed records, but I can feel my stamina improving, and I'm feeling so much better. I started out with 3km of distance, and that's steadily been lengthening.
Today, I decided to stretch it out to a 6km run. 3250m out, hit a highway wall, double back, and a shortcut home. Something right off the bat felt great though, it was smooth, breathing was great, and I was actually able to lengthen some strides without a lot of discomfort. I hit my turnaround point at 27 minutes and started to double back. And then something hit me, some mental barrier fell, and I knew I could keep going. I passed my shortcut home, and doubled-back on the entire course. Not only was it an extra 500m, but it has an intense uphill near the end that I just knew I could overcome. I finished it all in 56 minutes square, the second half taking only 2 minutes longer than the first half! (granted, that's not an exact science, I had to stop and wait for traffic more in the first half of the run).
A mental barrier is down. I was out for almost an hour, and though I was tired at the end, I was not exhausted and could have gone longer. My goal is a 5km race, but it's also personal fitness, and I'm placing equal emphasis on time, distance, and stamina. I'll start focusing more on speed closer to race day, but for now, a nice long exercise session is just fine with me. I think today's mental barrier is huge for keeping me on this kick, and provides a great continuance to help me kick the next 35 pounds. It's not going to happen overnight, but I'm here to stay.
P.S., I did also just pick up an excercise bike/elliptical combination for about the cost of one month's gym membership, so this isn't something that's doing to die off once I can't go outside anymore. I'm excited, and if anyone in Toronto is out there, I could use a running buddy! Can't wait to hear what step-up John Healy has for me this week.
As an aside, if you would like to donate to my efforts in the 5km race, please visit http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?SID=2671431. 100% of your donation goes to the Asthma Society of Canada (I've already paid the race entry fee, processing fees are covered by sponsors). Thanks for your help!
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