PB= Paulina is Back
Finally. I have long neglected this blog, yet again, but alas I am back. My indoor season was plagued with my pestering ankle injury from the fall and a more serious medical set back which continues to be present, however I am working hard to limit its effects on me. I finished the season on a high note, PBing in the 1000m at OUAs after a very stressful day and week before. After that, I went to CIS as a 4x800m alternate despite me being quite ill at the time. I enjoyed the experience, but not the cold, in Winnipeg, and the Varsity Blues did fantastic overall at the meet and I was so pleased to be apart of it.
After that, I was in no shape medically or physically to continue running and just let my body rest and try to recuperate. One test in particular that was interesting was my Food Intolerance Test. I was completely unaware, besides my gluten and lactose intolerance, that I had another fifty, yes 5-0 intolerances to deal with that were making me feel ill. Right now, I am gluten, lactose, sugar and egg free, on top of everyday basics such as coffee, cocoa, bananas, blueberries, pork, strawberries, oranges, almonds, and several kinds of fish, to name just a few. As challenging as my new diet may be, I am so thankful to have an extremely patient and talented cook, my mother, to help me cope and make delicious meals for me. Hopefully after my body adjusts to this change, I will start to feel a big difference.
Going into outdoors season all I wanted was to feel good, despite everything that was going on. I went into training in April with no expectations but to try to run pain and discomfort free. I began my season at the Mercedes Benz 5k in Oakville(which I ran last year too). This year was a bit different but nevertheless it went extremely well…for a 6km. Yes, the biker took us on the wrong route and realized a little while later. Despite this technical difficulty, I ran a great time and was 2nd female overall. Congratulations to Belluzzo, my training partner, who won the 5km and Jake who was 4th in the 10km race!
After racing again, it made me acknowledge how much I missed the sport and how I was confident enough to begin workouts on the track. With only six workouts (two weeks worth) under my belt, I opened my season last Tuesday at the U of T Twilight and was extremely pleased with the result. I was only two seconds off my personal best and felt so relaxed, it didn’t quite feel like a race. Using this as extra motivation, I continued to train and raced again Monday night. I am thrilled to say this past Monday I broke a five year personal best in the 1500m despite extreme humidity (felt like 38 degrees), a nasty wind, and getting boxed in for a lap and a half. I left the race as I did at the Twilight meet, with the feeling of more left over and that I raced comfortably. With this feeling, it leaves me optimistic as I look forward to seeing my potential this season once I adjust to my health and diet issues. My determination will let me continue looking forward and training as hard as I can to chip away at my 1500m and 5km times further.
Back on Track
Alas, my extensive hiatus is over. I write today a celebratory blog, exclaiming my return to running. For a long while, I was forced into a “vacation” but have begun my gradual come back.
In late August, preparing for my third cross country season for the Varsity Blues, I was going for a long run in some very hilly RV trails up north. As if planned, right as I exclaimed “I am so ready for this season, I cannot wait!” I heard a pop that to this day makes me shutter, followed by a reactionary “OW!” Instantaneously, my left ankle ballooned over my shoe and I was forced to hobble back to the cottage. Naturally, I pretended like I was alright and it was a just minor injury, but when the next day my doctor wanted me to get an x-ray for a potential break, I knew it was more serious than that.
Luckily (?) it wasn’t, but I had severely damaged 3 ligaments in my ankle and was told I’d need four weeks to let it heal before I could think of racing cross country. I was sentenced to the bike with optimism thinking it’d heal quicker, despite the fact that it was intensely bandaged up and I had established a cool limp walk. For the next few weeks, I lived in the U of T Sport Medicine clinic, with my appointments ranging from 2-3 hours every day with treatment and range of motion drills.
{The stages of my injury: (L-R) Day 1, Compression Tape, 1 Week In, Motivational Ankle Tape, thanks Colleen}
It seemed as though it was paying off when my saviours, Carlo (my physiotherapist) and Ed (my sports massage therapist) agreed that I could begin some runs and try to race the following weekend, but not before I was fit for a lovely ankle brace. The race was a 5km road race in Yorkville and in summary, it felt weird. My stride was so thrown off from the ankle boot and it was cutting into my foot with every step I took. Nevertheless, I was glad to be back and allowed to race with the Varsity Blues in Western for cross country the following weekend. I continued lacing up the brace and attempting long runs, pretending all was ok, but five weeks into my injury and the swelling was still very apparent.
{Yorkville 5k with my ankle brace}
I represented U of T at Western and Chicago, and raced average times, but they felt much much worse. Physically and mentally both races were a battle as I was afraid of making it hurt with every step I took but I continued trekking on. Optimism is kind of my thing…
When I went to see the doctor again after Chicago, I was presented with some awful news, and a even worse ultimatum. I had further damaged all three ligaments running and it was either; race in pain during xc and kiss your indoor season goodbye, or completely shut it down for a month (ie. No running, biking etc) and hope you come back fast enough for track. I picked the second option after a sobbing phone call with my dad, my first and go to running buddy and coach. The month of October to mid November was awful. While all my teammates were racing and training, I was forced onto the sideline, but my spirits weren’t completely crushed. I used this time to take up yoga, strength train, and develop some awesome core (almost a 6 pack…) and by the end of November I was slowly starting runs and small workouts.
I’m going to make a bold statement and declare that last night marked my official return to running. It was the first workout I felt completely amazing in (more so after, speed work is tough) and although going around the bend, I can feel a slight twinge in my ankle, I’m continuing my physio and am so eager to open my track and field season next weekend.
{3rd Year Roster Pic}
Being taken away from running so long make me really understand why I do what I do: Because I love it. When you get caught up in times and races, it almost puts a haze over why one is running in the first place, so when I wasn’t, I really missed it. I am so lucky to be doing something I genuinely enjoy, through tough times and good. Even if I was told I could never race again, I am positive I would still be one of those shuffling joggers you see on the streets. When I go for long runs now, I can feel myself smiling and sprinting down the track gives me glee. I feel as though this season will be an incredible one. I am so hungry and excited to race again that even if it’s not the fastest or best, I know I did everything in my power to get back into things. The toughest part about falling down from an injury is slowly picking yourself up, piece by piece, and getting back on the track again.
Long Hot Summer
Well, it has been quite awhile since I’ve written. I feel as though since school’s end, I’ve hung up a “Gone Running” sign on my life and therefore this blog. However, I have had work to keep me somewhat anchored to the real world and not let me float away with my training, which I have been enjoying! I don’t want to bore you all with a full breakdown of my training, but it has been focusing a lot more on fun and training than focus and racing.
After my very successful season opener at the Mercedes Classic, I took another month of solid base training before I raced again at the IDFH High Park 5km mid-June. It was a low-key race, which was perfect for my mind frame at that time as I went into it wanting to have a good, consistent race. Consistency could not be achieved though since the course itself was anything but. For the first little bit, it was on a fairly flat terrain where I managed to stay with the lead pack and biker. Around 4 minutes in, the pack and I were baffled to see there was no opening kilometre marker so we were completely clueless in regards to the pace. Another few minutes went by before we hit a gradual downhill. The second we hit the downhill, a few guys took off but I wanted to run it conservatively since I had no idea how far I was into the race. At the bottom of this hill I was faced with a turn around and told I was 2km in. I looked down at my watch; 7:30. I was ecstatic with this as a km time since I felt little fatigue in my legs and was mentally strong.
I was in around 5th place working in a pack of 3 all chasing 1 and 2 when we turned a corner shortly after the turn around. I had to catch my breath when I saw the steepness of the hill I was about to conquer. My last minute hill workout unquestionably came in handy as I quickly dropped the pack and powered up the hill. Three minutes passed and the steepness of the hill had ended but I was most certainly still running up an incline. I knew I was more than halfway there but it was so challenging to continue to push myself with nobody around me and no kilometre markers to inform me of my pacing. On and on I went and my legs felt heavier and heavier. I glanced down at my watch and saw 17 minutes flash up. My heart sunk. I was hoping to run 17:30 and had a feeling the end was not going to be in sight anytime soon. I began to pick the pace up as much as I could, considering I was STILL running up a concrete hill.
Finally, I turned a corner and saw my dad cheering me on. I knew this was it and had to just dig in for a few more seconds. Running down the finishing shoot I had to smile because everyone was cheering so much and I crossed the line; 20:03 and 3rd overall. I was slightly disappointed but all I could do was collapse with the winner and second place guy who were both gripping their tired legs. I began talking to them about the brutal course when I found out the winner, who ran 17:40, had run a 15:10 2 weeks ago. I immediately felt better about my time and training.
A huge thank you to Mizuno and Foot Tools Running Store in Burlington for giving me the fantastic gear I wore for the race. I received numerous comments on the incredible, light weight racing shorts.
Since the High Park race, I’ve tried to up my mileage a bit and increase the repeats in workouts to prepare for my cross-country season and the big half marathon debut. About three weeks after the race, I was able to do a 2 hour, 27km run in the trails. I have to say, it wasn’t as bad as I made it out to be in my head and I actually enjoyed it. However, the next day my legs did not enjoy it so much and I was sentenced to the bike for a few days to recover. Since that mega run, I have not done anything that extreme but have stayed above the 60 mark in as many runs as I can.
Getting in the longer runs has also been challenging to do with my work schedule at Track Camp. I begin work at 7:45am and end at 4:15pm, which isn’t too late that one could still fit a run/workout in, but being on ones feet all day, outside, in the heat can take its toll and I crash afterwards. Because of this, many of my runs and workouts have been done in the wee hours of the morning.
Thus far, this summer has been filled with hills, early morning runs and a few track workouts that end with me being incredibly dehydrated. Nonetheless, it has all been fun and I look forward to a great cross-country season and a few road races in August.
Until next time…run on!
Chasing Charity
{Team Fanconi Anemia 2010 Scotiabank}
Last year, as you may recall, I raced the Scotiabank 5km for Fanconi Anemia and in memory of my dear cousin Matthew. With the Charity Challenge well underway and October slowly creeping up, the Fanconi Redhots are back at it again with an even bigger goal! Naturally, I was going to register for the 5km race again but ended up not doing so. I remember how much fun I had and how the 5km was easy for me to accomplish so I decided in order for me to successfully compete for a charity in such challenge, I should challenge myself. Therefore, I have made the decision to race the half marathon and raise money for this wonderful charity along the way. With the race being 5 days before the OUA cross country championships, I cannot say how fast I will be able to run it, but I can say I will tackle the gruelling distance (for me anyways since I’m a trackie) for my cousin Matthew.
Last year, I raised a little over $1,000 for the team which was fantastic but this year I want to try to get even more. Thus, my plan is to raise $100 for every kilometre I race, making my donation goal a whopping $2,100! I know it is a lot of money, but I am determined to raise it.
To learn more about Fanconi Anemia, visit http://www.fanconicanada.org/en/
To sponsor me on my half marathon charity challenge, please visit http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=1156986. All donations are greatly appreciated!
All of the Lights
Last night, being the cliché younger sister I am, I tagged along with my older sister when she went to her soccer practice at Varsity Stadium in Toronto. Because of work I have been unable to train on my favourite track and so I was incredibly giddy to run on it again yet apprehensive since the track and I have failed to meet many times this summer.
Under the lights, I worked out alone and enjoyed the atmosphere so much. Through this simple track workout, it reinstated my belief that I love running. There are just moments in ones training where you finish a workout or a run smiling, but I didn’t finish it smiling, I was grinning throughout. There was just something about being there under the lights, running some up tempo laps in the perfect summer air that make me realize I truly want to do this for as long as I can.
There will be days when I will question something about the sport, or dread an upcoming workout, but I can sit here and type; I love what I do wholeheartedly.
Start Your Engines
{Jake and I, post race}
With school being over one would think I’d be able to devote my full and undivided attention towards my blog, however, technology has failed me for the past two weeks and I have been without my trusty laptop. I would have written sooner, but I cannot imagine the cramping my fingers would undergo typing on a small Blackberry keyboard. Around the same time my laptop decided to die on me, I opened my season in a 5km race here in Oakville, at the Mercedes Benz 5km. My expectations weren’t the highest that early on in the season (it was the first weekend of May) and I was mainly entering the race to a) remember what it was like to race again and b) test the waters to see how upping my mileage would fair out. Going into the race, I had the mind frame of running 19:40 or so and being quite content with it.
The morning of the road race rolled around and although I was trying to shake off the term “race” for this 5km, I couldn’t help getting some pre-racing jitters. It helped having a good friend and teammate, Jake, along to warm up with so I could joke around with him and have the mentality that the 5km was just a workout. Jake was running the 10km which started earlier than the 5km and the way the race route worked, the leaders of the 10km and 5km loop in together so the last 2km they’re all together. I teased Jake saying I’d catch him but never thought much of such situation beyond that (although I hoped for it).
As the racers began to line up, I felt pretty confident doing some hard strides in my new Adidas racing flats, which felt amazing. Before the gun went off I told myself to enjoy it and run it for Danny, who had just passed away. As soon as the race started, I shot out with the top guys and felt really strong. I missed the feeling of racing and got lost in the moment. I was sitting around 20th or so at the 1km mark and glanced down at my watch. 3:19. Yikes, a little too excited. I pulled back the reins but made sure I was keeping in touch with the guys as no females were around. At 2k I had picked off several guys, but proved difficult to do so as all the 5km leaders were dodging oncoming traffic since the 10km walkers wouldn’t move out of the way for us. (A huge error I feel in the race organization was starting the walkers, 5 minutes before the 5km racers). Another speed bump in my race was a right hand turn the 5km runners had to make at 2.2km. As we were all running on the left side of the blocked off lane since the walkers were closest to the curb, it made it extremely challenging to turn while they kept walking straight on the 10km route. I had to yell “MOVE!” to a group of iPod listening walkers so they could get out of the way for me and another guy to turn. I was kind of pissed off but kept powering along, feeling the fatigue from the leg weights I had lifted on the Thursday before (bad move). At 3km I glanced at my watch, 12:00. I had definitely slowed down and was not pleased. However, as I turned the corner, I saw Jake in a battle for third. Still in my have fun mind frame, I managed to yell something that resembled “Common Jake” to him as he sped by. I was going to let him keep running away from me, but realized I wanted to try my hardest to keep him and the other 10km leaders within sights to push me along.
{Hurting around 3km}
I couldn’t keep up with the 10k leaders but I could feel myself picking it up and I caught up to a few more 5kers. At 4km I didn’t even bother to look at my watch because I just wanted to kick it in. With about 600ms to go I glanced behind my shoulder and saw a woman catching up. Not wanting to lose the race now, I tried to use as much as my 800m speed I could and shifted into another gear. The final 50ms I glanced behind one more time to ensure I had it and smiled my way through the finishing shoot. As I crossed I saw 19:00 on the clock. Damn. Although that’s a great time, and PB for me, the feeling of being so close to breaking 19 is slightly frustrating.
After the race, I went and shook the hand of the woman I thought was 2nd in the 5km to find out she was the first 10k woman, oops. Good motivation for us both I guess? In the end I ran 19:00.6 and came 11th overall and am happy with the result. I know I can go way faster as there were minor errors in the race but it’s a great opener. Jake had an incredible race as well, running a pb and placing 4th overall. Also, a huge congratulations to my older sister Monica who ran her first 10km in an outstanding time!
{All smiles}
I’m optimistic for the upcoming season of various road races and looking forward to working on improving my great opener… I just need to remember to have fun doing it.
