Proud.

I didn't post last week (did you notice?), so here is a nice photo of the group out on our one-hour long run. It was a gorgeous day. Check out those clouds! 

I was the only one with a stroller (with both my girls inside), so my work was definitely cut out for me; trying to keep up with the group to shoot all this video footage took serious effort!

Yesterday was the first big running event of the clinic: the TC 10K. We had several runners in the crowd and I was fortunate to line up with a few of them. I captured as many photos and as much video as I could. It was the best race-line-up experience I've ever had. 


And I'm not even kidding; I usually walk up the start line seconds before the gun because I hate standing around.

There were over 12,000 participants (including the 1.5K kids run) running through the streets of Victoria and although it was understandably crowded, it was a fantastic run. 


There were several personal bests set in the Running Moms group (including my own, thank you very much) and we had two SHE Runs members out running their first 10K! Yahoo! 


Everyone finished with a smile on their face; what else matters?

TC 10K: check. Oak Bay Half Marathon: two weeks (less than two weeks!) away on May 13th. 


The next time these lovely ladies don a race number, they'll be laying it all out for 21.1K and I will be cheering them on from the sidelines. ...and running all over the course to shoot video and take photos, of course. My husband will be looking after the kids and I am beyond excited!


I am so proud of all of you. I only hope you are just as proud of yourselves; it's one of the greatest gifts you will ever receive! 

Build strength, improve and gain confidence.

The weather was amazing Sunday morning for our 15K long run and I felt pretty lucky to be out enjoying it. It was a perfect day; the type of day where I swear I'm solar-powered.

We ran a 5K tempo in the middle of the run and everyone worked hard. We had to; a long portion of the 5K route was uphill and my brain stopped processing anything that didn't have to do with keeping my pace. It was the first time in a few weeks that I felt like I was running well and I was so relieved because it means I'm starting to come out the other side of the "mid-clinic slump". Thank goodness!

This week's workout is two-times the mile loop in Beacon Hill Park and two-times up the flagpole hill. We are meant to run the mile at half-marathon pace and the hill at a solid effort. 


Michelle, Christina and I ran the workout this morning and the first mile was only about twenty-seconds fast. Not bad at all. We ran the hill and then set out on the second mile. We were about halfway through the second mile and I was feeling pretty good, so I started to pick up the pace without saying anything. 


We kept running and talking and the pace slowly crept up. Nothing crazy, but we were moving. About two-hundred meters from the finish, Christina says, "This is way faster than last time." I chuckled and told her it was my fault; I had sped up - sorry. The funny thing was, they both stayed with me, even though we ended up finishing forty-seconds faster than the previous loop; a full minute faster than our goal pace.


OK, I know we were running together and talking, so it makes sense that they made the effort to stay with me, but I can't help thinking that it really speaks to how determined the runners in this group have become. These women don't think twice about pushing themselves, they just do. I'm like a proud Mama Bear. 


Fantastic work, Ladies.

Our SHE Runs program is really taking off! We've had several women join and although they mainly run Monday and Friday evenings at 8:30pm, a few of them have run with us from time to time during our 10am time slot. I've run with them a few times in the evenings, but it's always great to see people during the day, especially because I can take photos!

It's been a treat meeting everyone and seeing how willing people are to push themselves; I'm always amazed at the drive and dedication. I look forward to seeing everyone build strength, improve and gain confidence. Honestly, it's my favourite part of being a run leader. 

Remember: if you or someone you know would like to start running, but would benefit from a fun and supportive group, please contact me any time at runningmomsca@gmail.com!

Trust me. Trust yourself.

Another week, another long run through the streets of beautiful Victoria. Oh, and another Running Moms video! 

We're also another week closer to race day and it's the point in the clinic when people tend to feel a bit (or maybe more than a bit) tired. It's totally normal and nothing to be worried about unless there's a physical injury involved. And even the fatigue or the feelings of "blah" will turn back into a pepped-up step once the tapering begins.


Trust me. Trust yourself. Once we get into tapering it begins to feel like we should be running more, because we've become accustomed to longer mileage and harder workouts. It's all about building and storing strength and being able to access it when it counts: race day. The key is to step up to the start line feeling rested and ready. 


The other news for Running Moms is that our SHE Runs group is growing steadily and we now have a great new group of fantastic women! I've always been so inspired by people who take that first step to start running or get back into it after having their kids. It is not an easy thing to do; it takes a whole lot of courage. Thanks to our new runners. It's been such a pleasure to meet all of you. Here's to new beginnings and new friends!

Well worth it.

Beach drive in the cold, rain and wind.

My only thought when I got out of the car this morning was, "The jacket stays on." 


Running Moms ran their longest run of the clinic this morning; the race course of the Oak Bay Half. I won't lie: I was hoping the weather would be nicer. But in true Victoria fashion, we went from cold and blustery, to rainy and blustery, to sunny and blustery, to sunny. 


My only thought when we finished the second pickup was, "The jacket's gotta go." But I wore it for around 16K, so it was well worth it to finish the run with a jacket tied around my waist.

Our pregnant moms, Carey and Adrianne, left us early and ran 10K. After they veered off (and after a much-appreciated washroom pitstop), we ran two 15-minute pickups with a 5-minute jog between sets. As usual, I was beyond impressed with the effort put into the run; finding your race pace takes time and is not easy, but everyone seems up to this ongoing challenge.

Christy left us after the pickups and headed back early. She has been a busy, busy Running Mom; she has led all of our SHE Runs this week, as well as coaching the Thursday-night workout, so it's no surprise that she was tired today!

On the return trip; Beach Drive in the sun.

Run's done. ...where's the coffee shop around here?

Hmm. My only thought as we finished our run was, "Bring on the coffee, already." I sometimes think I run solely for the soy-latte reward and the conversation around the table. It really is a highlight. 


Thanks, Ladies; a pleasure as always. See you at the workout!