thoughts of an elite masters runner: January 2017

So I've neglected this blog since being injured in September. Perhaps as the injury lingered for 12 weeks and I didn't have a lot to report on in the running front, and I didn't feel motivated to share all the joys of cross training (elliptical, cyber arc, pool and bike workouts just don't seem as fun to me). Now, however, I am back up and running and excited for the new year. It's been about 8 weeks since
I started my walk/run program and I am now back up to running every day. Last week I started back to a full workout schedule. Every time I start back I realize how much I missed running, while simultaneously recognizing how much running fitness I have lost and that running is not easy!

I plan to take the next month to continue to build some fitness while continuing to focus on the little things, or the foundation if you will. I have been diligently rolling every day and performing my physio activation exercises before every run (thanks to Addaday Canada for taking me on as a rep, their tools are extremely helpful with pre run and post run recovery). I have also been getting massage and visiting my physio as frequently as needed. I have started back with strength training that involves more than just body weight exercises and am working at getting in at least one yoga class per week. I signed up for online yoga (@jasyoga) as it enables me to do quick yoga sessions when I can't get out to class. I am scheduling all these workouts as if they were a run to ensure I get them done, as in the past, these were always the first to go if I was busy, I am now giving them as much priority as a run.

I am also being proactive with my nutrition going forward. This piece of the puzzle is one I feel will make a big difference in my training. Generally I eat well and maintain a healthy diet, however I do have a sweet tooth. Moreover, during parts of my training blocks I often feel run down or tired, or get sick, or have difficulty with sleep. I have decided to partner with Inside Tracker after reading many other athletes positive experiences with this company to help me get on top of my nutrition, and hopefully get on top of these issues. A rep from Inside Tracker (www.insidetracker.com) will be drawing some blood from me next week and they will be analyzing it to determine where I am being successful with my nutrition and will pinpoint areas I can improve on. I look forward to seeing the results and implementing their suggestions in to my diet in hopes that this will keep me stronger and healthier going forward. As a masters runner I really feel that I need to be on top of all aspects of my health even more so than when I was younger. I feel that right now is a great time to get a base level of where I am at nutritionally as I am just building up workouts and milage and am not into peak training and racing season yet. I plan to repeat the tests throughout my training cycle to see how my nutrition tweaks make a difference with my training and racing. I do believe they will make a big difference.

As for my training and racing plans going forward, I plan to follow the guidance of my amazing coach Richard Lee who knows when to push me. There is a possibility I will be lining up at a half marathon in about 12 days. It is a local, yet very competitive event. If I decide to run it will be to test were I am at in my fitness and to get a hard training session in, as I am not race ready with only a couple of weeks of workouts under my belt. I love getting out to race and it is never easy to toe the line with a big question mark as to pace, but it's a great opportunity to get back out there, see a ton of my running friends and to push myself. After that I will be making some decisions as to what I want to focus on in the Spring for racing. I might try hitting the track at some point, getting really out of my comfort zone! I will also be planning some road races. I will definitely not be doing a marathon this spring as I want to give my body plenty of time to get used to running again before putting myself through a marathon training cycle.

Thank as always to my amazing sponsors Oiselle, Nuun Hydration, Zensah Compression, Forerunners Vancouver, New Balance Canada, Addaday Canada and RunGo app.

Thank to Inside Tracker for helping me get on top of my Nutrition.

Thanks to all my friends and family who support me through the highs and lows and to my coach Richard Lee for all his support.