Finding Solace

I've been away for so long, I know guys. I haven't ran in forever it seems like. I don't know where my spark has gone, and I can't pin point if it has been due to over training or another burnout. I feel no urge to go and run, and I feel that I'm overwhelmed and stressed out in other areas of my life like school and work. I know that running will help ease the stress and emotions that I've been feeling lately, and I plan on getting out there again and making you all proud. My Daily Mile profile says I haven't ran in 2 weeks (!) which is insane because it feels like an eternity. Things aren't going as best as they can right now in my life, I won't lie. I have challenges and pressures set before me and I feel like I'm crumbling.

I've put running on the back burner because I have such high expectations with my results, and I have recently started goal-setting at my current job which showcased all that I want to do (health and sport wise). The looming feeling of achieving these tasks really overwhelmed me (to name a few, qualifying for Boston, and completing an Ironman). It's time to re-evaluate why I love running and to harness the love I get from running, instead of trying to force PR's and catching up to the big guys.

I'm still here, sitting and waiting for the words to come to me; to make you guys proud and never give up. Here's to getting back on the track, on finding solace in running again.

Hope you guys didn't forget about me,

Happy Running :)

Busy Bee! AKA I'm back!

Well I just realized I haven't posted in a while and I have so many things to update you guys on! I run it through my head but never sit down to actually write it through, so for that I apologize. I know it's been too long! This month has been crazy busy and full of all kinds of goodies!

My birthday was a blast and I had so much fun! (Okay I promise that was the last exclamation point.) My darling partner did in fact get me the Garmin 410 which I was SHOCKED about. He is honestly never the type to stick to the plan and is quite spontaneous especially with ideas, so I was shocked that he got it for me (and the newest model no less!). Needless to say, I am totally addicted to it. It's a thing of beauty! Now all I have to do is learn how to use it. We ended up going to dinner at The Keg on my actual birth day and also went to Running Room for a wee bit of shopping (I needed socks, yo.) Then during the weekend we went with a bunch of friends to a teppanyaki korean restaurant which was fantastic! They cook the food right in front of you; it's definitely to die for.

Onto other news, I officially got a job at Lululemon Athletica! I am so excited to be part of the team and I have always wanted to work for the company. Lululemon represents everything I stand for including (but not limited to) health and wellness, passion, and happiness. This was another fantastic birthday gift, and I can't wait to show em what I've got! :D

My first race has finally happened! I can't believe I have a race under my belt, I'm super excited.The Sporting Life 10K was amazing to say the least and was exhilirating. Full report coming tonight, I promise.

All in all, I promise to update you guys more often as long as you keep reading my blog and supporting it :) Hope everyone had a fantastic April. Now time for summer!

Happy Running!

- Kat

7 Day Fun Streak Challenge

I'm back guys! After a lazy, lethargic, and overall disappointing burnout week, I am back!

Last week I decided to challenge myself after my previous burnout week and run for 7 days straight! I don't even know what came over me; I'm just crazy. I love challenging myself and truly believe in what my body is capable of accomplishing. As an ex-athlete (competitive swimmer) I was used to pushing the boundaries and testing my abilities, so it comes with the territory to challenge myself.

After I had my first burnout week (2 weeks ago) I really wanted to up the ante and just test my abilities and making sure they didn't dissipate. I technically only ran 6 days straight, but only because my shins were in pain and my body needed to rest. I had no plans for the type of runs I'd do (tempo vs. long vs. interval vs. easy) I just simply wanted to get out there and prove to the world (and myself) that I was capable of anything when it comes to running. The adrenaline that I felt when running every single day is unexplainable. The power that I felt with every step, made me feel invincible and capable of absolutely anything.

The first run of the week was not my best, I'll admit. I felt distracted, tired, and just out of shape coming back from burnout week. It was an easy 2 miler on the treadmill at my gym, and the next day proved to be better.

On the second day, I managed to sneak a 5K into the break between lectures at my university with my good friend Jessica. She is a novice runner who has quite the potential and who has never run outside! I feel so proud and honoured to have been her first partner to run outside with. It was a beautiful day, and it felt great to show another runner what it feels like to enjoy the scenery, weather, and pavement when running outside.

The next few days I mixed it up with a 6 mile LSD (long slow distance) and some speedwork at my local track. I never once gave up, and I never once said "I can't". I don't believe in quitting, and you better believe that "grit" is my middle name! I refuse to stop, and I will continue to go go go go go! Even if I have to limp it through, I will not stop. Mark my words ;-)

I am extremely proud of what I achieved and very happy and grateful that my body adapted with me throughout the changes. I'm so thankful for my legs, my runs, my energy, and the fact that these runs ARE possible. Our body is an amazing tool, and when we learn how to use it, it is remarkable.

The next few weeks I'll be focusing on interval/speed training as well as some LSD's to get ready for the Sporting Life 10K on May 1st (less than a month away!) which I'm very excited about! Although I don't like to make it known that I'm a relatively new runner (don't like for people to label me and assume that I'm a slow jogger, etc) this race will be my first! This is quite exciting and I can not wait.

Get out there and push yourself. Challenge yourself. Love yourself.

Happy Running!
- K

Guess Who's Getting Older?

My birthday is in about 12 days, and you better believe I succumbed to making a wishlist.

I used to go out and celebrate with friends in pubs, restaurants, bars, yet now all I crave is a stress-free day with a sweet long run (running with my partner [we'll call him "A"] would be even better! Although he got an injury last year while running, I hope he gets better soon enough to run with me!) a latte, and perhaps a bath.

While you're busy thinking "Kat, are you really that humble? Is a latte and a bath all you really want?! You are so simplistic!", yes there are a few gift indulgences that I do crave and would love to have. Like really badly. Really really badly. And so I've decided to put the top 3 things that I would love to have on my birthday (whether I get them or not is another story, but a girl can dream!)

#1: Garmin Forerunner 301/305/405

There's just something about a Garmin Forerunner that says you've 'arrived' as a runner. At least in my opinion. It screams that you're serious about the sport that you call yours; that it's not just a slow, brisk run that you're doing, but a fully calculated and meticulous plan that you're following with every step you take. Sure, I may not run that many miles a week right now, but I definitely look forward to picking up the mileage especially when I start training for my half-marathon in May, and I think the Garmin will help me get out there more often as well. I will definitely need a Garmin to help record all my stats, paces, and routes, as well as keep track of my heart rate. The Garmin comes handy and helps calculate all the work for you (and I'm aaaaall about that! lol).

Amazon's Garmin Forerunner 405

Price Tag: Between $130-$350, with newer models priced considerably higher.

#2: Bosch Tassimo Coffee Machine (Pink ofcourse!)

Seriously, I don't even know how to respond to "How do you not have a coffee maker if you're an avid coffee drinker?". Seriously, I'm ashamed. I looooooove coffee. I could marry coffee if I could (in fact, I just might). However, as a broke student (I love using that excuse lol) I just always use instant coffee. Well, I am raising my standards! When I had breakfast my good friend Vanessa this week after our weekly run, I noticed she had a sweet coffee machine (Tassimo) and the shock hit me that I don't have a coffee machine. Alas, I decided to put this on my wishlist!

Now the only drawbacks with the Tassimo coffee machine, is the fact that you have to buy individual packets for every cup of coffee you make. I'm all about value and saving, so I don't know if this will sit well with my 2 cup quota per day (see broke student example above), however it is a beauty of all proportions! And get this, IT COMES IN PINK! I think I may just have to compromise with the whole quota thing, because a pink coffee machine = good in my books!

Pink Tassimo Coffee Machine

Price Tag: Between $130-$180



#3: Coach Kristin Leather Hobo/Op Art Hobo Handbag

Aside from being athletic, I'm also quite the feminine (I truly don't want to use the term 'girly girl' lol) woman who loves clothes, shopping, and yes you said it: handbags! I just can't help myself! So it seems appropriate that I've wanted this bag since November. It's just a beauty (you men won't understand) that can carry me through my personal life and professional life. To help land me a great job after I finish university (like I said, a girl can dream right?!). It's a beautifully crafted leather handbag from Coach, and it's just beautiful. That's it. That's all there is to know. I've swayed my mother into getting this for me (along with my step-dad) and can't wait to have this baby in my hands!

Coach Kristin Hobo Bag

Price Tag: I don't even want to divulge the info, it's quite pricey for a bag and my partner already thinks I'm crazy lol.

Now before you think I'm superficial and crazy, the first and only thing I want in life and on my birthday is health. Staying healthy for myself, my family staying healthy (including my fantastic grandparents that are entering their 70's) and my loving partner (who quit smoking almost a year ago!) and my friends. Without health, we have nothing. As someone who had health problems back in 2007 until 2009, I don't take my health for granted. It's the only thing we have, and that we should all cherish every single day.

I'm excited to celebrate my birthday, and hope everyone this year has a fantastic and healthy birthday as well!

Happy Running!
- K

Training Burnout

Well, I officially had my first burnout week. Am I initiated yet? :D

Ever since last Thursday, my running efforts have been lack luster to say the least. I ran a sweet and short tempo run last Thursday and attended a hot yoga class on Friday and JUST got back to running yesterday (Thursday). A whole week without running, you ask? Why yes, and it was filled with social outings, beautiful weather, and a chance to enjoy sinful food instead of my usual regime.

I read about training burnout before, but I never thought I'd get it. Besides going out for a few days, my body has been feeling exhausted and tired. I feel like the only thing I want to do is sleep and relax. Burnout is categorized when a runner experiences periods of mental and physical exhaustion from running. Now before you criticize and tell me "But Kat, you don't even run 20-30 miles a week, how can you be burnt out?", I will remind you that I was a couch potato until the end of January. Then BAM I picked up running 3 times a week (11-15 miles a week), so my body (I'm assuming) went into a tailspin, accompanied by stress mode, and asked me what the hell I think I'm doing.

The good thing is that I took my much needed rest and realized that the sinful eating (pizza, beer, and nachos, OH MY!) isn't for me. While it's great to relax and eat junk food with friends, I know where to draw the line now and not continue this pattern every day or every weekend. I enjoy sticking to my nutritional runner's diet and I enjoy eating healthy instead of filling my body with toxins and preservatives. Now don't get me wrong, I love my chocolate brownies and hazelnut lattes, but like they say: everything in moderation!

So to all who are suffering from a burnout week, I suggest you listen to your body and take the week off. Learn to rest, and truly rest! Relax and enjoy the comfort of your home. Eat well, but treat yourself if you really want to. No one will punish you, don't worry! That way you recover faster, and prevent and injury that'll take you out for a few months of running.

Happy Running!

- K

iFitness Running Belt Giveaway!

Running Through Life: iFitness Ultimate Running Belt Review and Giveaway...: "Recently, I was given the chance to try and review the Ultimate Running Belt from iFitness. I have a belt already (won't tell which) and a ..."

Setbacks & Progress

After completing my first week of training, I slipped up a bit.

Only a bit, I promise! After Friday's incident (almost getting hit by a car, I'm definitely fine and dandy now, but was quite angry and shaken up), I took a few days off running and just didn't feel like getting out there, even though the weather was finally starting to come alive! After 4 days of NO running at all, I finally got back on the treadmill (it's still wet outside due to all the puddles) and it was one of the hardest tasks ever!

Seriously, there's a reason why people tell you that you shouldn't take a too long of a break with working out/running/exercising/anything active. It's ridiculous trying to get back into the swing of things! My LSD (long, slow distance run) was just not happening! I couldn't get into the right mindset and was too distracted. I find that for LSD your head really needs to be in the game, otherwise you're doomed. Case in point, on Wednesday's run. So I decided to switch it up and turn it into a short tempo run; just a 2 miler (3K). Picked up the pace and in the end had a 7 min pace/per mile which was fantastic but extremely fast! :)

Thursday's easy run was outside in the morning with Vanessa! It was an easy run and good to get outside and enjoy the beautiful morning. Did I mention I got a new jacket?! After noticing that most of my apparel is black (hey it's slimming!) I decided to switch things up and get a bright, fluorescent, in-yo-face running jacket from the Runner's Shop. It was on sale which is even better! Low and behold, the Saucony Vizi Pro Jacket! Here is a photo of it, yet it is NOTHING like this orange colour they show here. It's more of a "Hey I'm a construction worker part-time, hence why I'm wearing something so bright" kind of colour, compared to the photo below which is more of a mellow orange. Mellow tangerine, let's say.

Oh and the cool thing about the jacket is that on the right lower sleeve, there's a small light that turns on and flashes an intense ray of awesome towards oncoming cars/traffic/anything. BEWARE of my awesome light!

Saturday will consist of another LSD (hopefully my mind will be in it this time) but I also really want to go to Zumba class which I haven't gone to in a while.

Remember that no matter how long you take off from any given activity, it's easy to get back into it if your mind is in the right place. Focus, draw from within, and the results will speak for themselves.

Happy Running!

- K