Amazing and special morning.

Hands down, the best fall weather I can remember. It's changed in the past couple of days but up until then, Victoria had been nothing but dry and sunny since August. Our Running Moms clinic has had some of the most glorious running weather of any clinic I can remember.

A few weeks ago, during one of our last long runs before the race, we ran one of my favourite routes: out along West Bay Walkway and through Macaulay Point Park. The weather was perfect; not a cloud in the sky.

I think we're going to have to make a Running Moms rule: every time we run the West Bay Walkway, we must stop and take a group photo in this exact spot at the end of the walkway, underneath this tree. We've taken so many great shots here!

Seriously, look at the weather, look at these pictures. Doesn't it make you wish you'd been with us? An incredible morning, for sure.

Sunday, October 7th was the Goodlife Fitness Victoria Marathon, Half Marathon and 8K. We had runners in the 8K and the Half. We also had several team members, family members and kids cheering us on from the sidelines. What an amazing and special morning; one I will never forget.

At the last minute, I decided I wanted to run the race with Christina. We, along with fellow Half-runner Renee, had come down with colds in the week leading up to the race and I just knew the whole day would mean more to me if I could really share it with my team. 

Christina and I were so lucky to run a good portion of the race with Cristal, who appeared behind us at around 8 or 9K. ...and we also ran with a terrific woman named Robyn, who was in town from Quadra Island. We had a great little group out there; awesome conversation and lots of encouragement. 

We weren't the only Running Moms group out on the road that morning; Christy and Cheyanne ran together in the Half, Doris and Sarah ran together in the 8K, and Angela and Tori also ran together in the 8K, along with Christy's husband - and honorary Running Dad!  - Brad. 

Some of us ran personal bests, some of us did not, but I think it's safe to say it was a very successful and enjoyable event.

As Christy, Doris and Sarah pointed out, our words of encouragement to each other during the race were heard by many other runners out there and we actually helped and motivated some of the people around us. I can't think of a better memory to take away from this day.

How I ever got so lucky to be blessed with so many incredible people in my life, I don't know. But I am so, so grateful. 

I'll see you out on the road, my friends. Just keep running.

The brain is a trickster.

We are closing in on race day. Some of our runners will run the GoodLife Fitness Victoria Half Marathon and some will run the 8K Road Race. Both races are October 7th. We've been training since June and although it's the point in the clinic where people start to feel nervous (including me!), the training has gone well and I know we're prepared. The quote in the photo above always comes to mind when race day is inching closer... Because when you're standing on the start line, all you have is now. 

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. On my best days, this has resulted in personal triumph. On my not-so-great days, it's been a consolation and reminder that even with the utmost preparation, there are no guarantees. Truthfully, I think this unknown quantity in running and racing plays a big part in what drives us to continue training and pushing ourselves. As much as I daydream about killing every single race, I know that battling back and refocusing my efforts holds a hell of a lot of appeal from a self-empowerment standpoint; who am I am as a runner is based as much on my ability to muster as it is on my desire to improve.

Still, the brain is a trickster. My head is always trying to bargain against suffering and I've already started preparing myself for the constant conversation I will have in my mind during the race. My legs will be pushed onward and all the while the voice in my head will be trying to make deals to be able to stop. It will be a litany of just-for-a-minute's and how-'bout-now's that will threaten to drive me nuts and as usual, my needy grey matter will start to see a small crack opening up at around kilometre 16. Listen, Brain... We've done this a lot. I'm onto you. Shut it. 

To my incredible and dedicated clinic members: we still have work to do before race day. We'll run it together, even when our brains are trying to convert us to doubt. Don't buy into it; just because our brains want us to be lazy doesn't mean we have to listen.

Summer running.

Ah, Summer running. 

We are so very lucky in Victoria; even our "hot" days are balmy compared to the unbearable heat waves hitting a lot of North America. That being said, the last two Sundays have been pretty darned warm and I definitely appreciate that we run at 8/8:30 in the morning (half-marathon group starts at 8am, 10K group starts at 8:30am)!

Last week, August 5th, we ran one of my favourite runs along West Bay walkway. It was a really good choice, since there was a very pleasant breeze along the water; once we left the walkway, the heat was stifling. 

This run was 1:45 for the half-marathon group and 1:15 for the 10K group. It was a successful outing; gorgeous scenery, great conversation, and one more long run under our belts. 

This past Sunday, August 12th, we ran at Elk/Beaver lakes; the half-marathon group ran twice (21K), regardless of how long it took and the 10K group ran 1:30, regardless of how far they got in that time.

In the end, some of the half-marathoners ran the 21K in 1:59 (a 6-minute improvement over last time!) and some ran the distance in 2:30 or so. We had two 10K-ers out on the course and they both finished their 1:30 with smiles on their faces.

I'm a proud run leader / mama bear. For sure.

We also had two strollers on the trails (only one loop for the kids) and it was so awesome having them there when we finished our run. Nothing like ending a run with a big dose of cuteness. 

Recovery week this week and then we build again for three weeks, ending in running the entire race course. Bring it on!

Nourished.

During our previous two clinics, we've traditionally run our first 20K run at Elk and Beaver Lakes; it's a beautiful 10K loop and we run it twice. 


Yesterday we broke with tradition and ran our one-hour recovery-week run (the first official recovery week of this new clinic) at the Lakes. It was awesome.

With sixteen runners (three guys!) and four strollers holding five kids, we were an impressive group. Of course, smaller groups quickly formed and everyone found someone to run with (for a large portion of their run at least), which always makes me happy.  


There's just something about running at the Lakes. I've run there hundreds of times, but I never tire of it; I would gladly run that loop every week. Simply put, I think it's a place that's good for my soul.

And we couldn't have asked for better running weather: overcast, but not cold, windy or raining. I know a lot of folks have complained about our lacklustre summer, but it's hard to deny that it's been fabulous running weather!

After the run, most of us met up at the lovely restaurant Nourish, at Glendale Gardens. An impressive group on the trails equals an imposing group at a tiny restaurant... Good thing they knew ahead of time that we were coming!

Thanks to all of you for yet another wonderful run. It was amazing to be able to spend the time together afterward as well; we'll have to do that again soon. :)

Two clinics in one.

My last post was the week after the Oak Bay Half Marathon and I remember after I wrote it, I was pretty sure I needed a break. In the preceding months, I had taken hundreds of photos and filmed portions of all our runs. I made several videos and was diligent in posting regularly. I think the end of the last clinic was my chance to take advantage of the maintenance phase of our training cycle and I have to say I was ready to step back. I was burnt out!

Three weeks after the Oak Bay Half came the 1st annual Goddess Run (Half Marathon, 10K and 5K) in Langford. We had several women running; at least one in each event.


I ran the Half, as did Renee, and I don't mind saying that was the toughest Half I've ever run. Yes, the route is challenging, but I knew from the start that my legs didn't have it; it wasn't my day. Even so, my result was nothing to sneeze at and the entire experience lit a fire in me that will only grow until I face that race head on next year. I don't even care all that much if I improve my time (well, of course I do); I have never felt so pummelled by a race and if I finish next year feeling good, it will be a victory.

Our newest batch of Half-Marathon trainees began the clinic June 13th. These photos are from our very first long run together. It's so great to see the majority of our last clinic (aside from our pregnant Moms!) come back for this clinic; it feels like a very big compliment. It's also wonderful to welcome some new faces to the group! It's shaping up to be a fantastic clinic.

Running Moms has also started a 10K clinic! They began June 27th and both clinics (Half and 10K) joined up today for our first long run together. The Half-Marathon clinic ran an extra half-hour; we left first and met up with the 10K clinic for the last forty-five minutes. We had fifteen people including Christy and me. Awesome.


It's an interesting exercise to accommodate two clinics with runners of so many varying abilities. I came ready this morning with a bunch of different route options to ensure everyone was able to run at their own pace and still finish the run within the allotted time. It worked well, thank goodness.


Looking forward to the coming weeks, Ladies! Just keep running!

Our "two-clinic" group this morning.

Oak Bay Half Marathon.

Sunday was the big day; the Oak Bay Half Marathon. I stayed on the sidelines for the race, deciding I'd rather film, take photos and otherwise document the day. And I'm so, so glad I did; it was an amazing day and a wonderful experience. We also had several runners in the 5K event; our pregnant Moms and a few of our She Runs runners. They all ran really well!

One of our Half-Marathon runners had been sick in the days leading up to the race. One ended up going out way too fast and even considered dropping out, but thankfully teamed up with another Running Mom and they finished together. There were some pretty awful blisters and sore toes in the group; it was a hot day. In the end, everyone looked out for each other and finished strong and I even had the pleasure of running a little ways with a few people, which was so nice. I'm extremely proud of all our Running Moms (and Dad) and I can't wait until the next clinic!


Speaking of clinics, the next Half Marathon clinic begins June 13th, training for the Goodlife Fitness Victoria Half Marathon on October 7th. And we're so excited to announce our new 10K clinic! We're training for the Shawnigan Lake Kinsol Half-a-Half (10.5K) on October 28th and will also be ready for the Goodlife Fitness Victoria 8K Road Race on October 7th. All the info is on our Clinics Page. 


Thinking of joining us? Please contact me with any questions! runningmomsca@gmail.com