A Jogger's Journal

Just a girl in Vancouver that loves to run!

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Failed blogger

Ok, so I admit it: I have been horrible at blogging over the past month or two. I was completely disconnected during the first 2 weeks of July as I was in Calgary for Stampede. Bartending at an event like that means standing on your feet for extended periods of time (15+ hours) so I had to buy some new shoes... jackpot!!

I went to Sportchek to get some new runners  and needed something comfy and cool looking (of course). My girlfriend Lisa had told me how much she loved her new Nike Free Run 3's but I didn't think they would work for me due to my pronation issues. They ARE cool looking shoes though and the employees at the store swore they were the most comfortable around... so I bought them (**well my mom did. Thanks Mom! Love you! Haha). 

They were awesome to work in! My feet rarely hurt and they were so light. When I got back, I decided to try them for a run. What did I have to lose?

Turns out I had LOTS to lose... blisters, killer shin splints and black/bleeding toe nails. After suffering over the past 2 years with all those issues, I had NONE of them after a 5K. I have never ran a 5K without getting blisters so this was a miracle. Turns out less really is more when it comes to shoes (at least for me).

Now I am psyched to be able to run without pain. I will try them again and let you know how it goes. Either way, I am so happy that Lisa suggested them and that my mom is so awesome.

Happy running!

xo

J

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Great smoothie: vanilla greek yogurt, strawberries, coconut water, ice. Yum!! Hydrating & nutritious. Happy Thursday :)

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Finally!!

Well today is a spectacular day because after nearly a month long hiatus, I finally managed to get out for a run! It was a perfect storm of weather, timing, mood & motivation:

It's an overcast day here in Vancouver & (for me) the ideal temperature to run in is anywhere between 10-15 degrees

There were no hot yoga classes at a time that worked for me this morning but I was all amped up to go... I needed to burn off some energy

My shins haven't been too sore the past few days (thanks Yoga!)

The map here is my favorite 5K route in Vancouver. I won't lie and say it was easy. About 4 minutes in I felt like I wanted to turn back & go home. I forgot how hard running is! When you get into it, you are used to the sensation of exhaustion and wanting to die... eventually you learn how to work with it & turn it into an awareness of your body (plus, runner's high in long distance runs makes it all worth it). 

Overall, it was a great way to kick off the week. It felt SO good to be back at it. When I left my apartment this morning all I thought was "Take it easy, this is the first run." The fact that I finished under 30 mins was awesome too (that's my personal 5K absolute maximum time). I got it done in 28:02. No blisters & my legs feel great. :)

Two other cool things about today:

Surpassed 400K on my Nike+

My mom is in Vancouver from Calgary until Thursday for work. I CANNOT wait to see her!

Go run! The first run is ALWAYS the hardest so even if you just start with 1K, GO DO IT. Download Nike+, throw on some good music & just get out there. It's something that is impossible to regret. I should also note that my friend Sarah has started her training (GO SAIR!!) & was also a part of my motivation today. Thanks girlfriend!

J

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Keepin' it tight!

It's amazing how much healthier you become when you start getting back into a solid routine. I admit... I was slacking there for a bit (an injury seems to be a convenient excuse to do nothing) but I feel so much better now. Doing hot yoga requires A LOT of hydration so I WANT to drink 3L of water a day and any craving for fast food disappears when I think about how sick it will make me feel in class later.

Today I did a 7am hot yoga class (thanks Ty for the motivation & delicious 6am coffee) AND a pilates class in the afternoon. Let me tell you... I feel GREAT. I've always been envious of those who manage to get up at 6am to get their workouts in. I'd see someone's status update - 'Great workout this morning!!' posted at 7:58am and roll my eyes, but secretly inside I was just incredibly jealous of their motivation. Now, mind you, I've only done this today but doing it once is a start! If I've learned anything from running it's that the first run is the hardest. Getting the class in at 7 gives me the rest of the day to enjoy the energy from it and I know its out of the way. No excuses!

Moral of the story: I feel like I am on a new path and I can't express how much I love YYoga. Trying something new was the best thing I've done in a while and I feel like all this stretching and strength building will have me back running in no time.

If I can get up at 6am to work out, you totally can too! I am not a morning person but I am determined to establish a new routine that coincides with my goals. Kick your own ass! It's worth it!

xo

J

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Trying Something Different

This week I decided to sign up at YYoga and take some classes there to get back on track. I love it so so much! Hot yoga feels so good and the Pilates class I took yesterday was a core killer. It is amazing how motivating a group dynamic is (not to mention that you have to show off a little bit!). I forgot how good it feels to be challenged like that.

I'm hoping that the heat and strength building helps me recover a bit faster. I need to start running again if I'm going to be successful in my next half marathon at the end of June. (Don't forget to donate to the Vancouver Humane Society if you can! Just $5 helps the cause.)

Donate Here!

I will try to post another video this weekend. I can't make any promises though... the weather is supposed to be beautiful this weekend so I'm sure I'll be hitting up the beach. Gotta love Vancouver!

Happy Friday everyone! Keep runnin' 

J

PS: My boyfriend told me that his mom has checked out my blog... Hi Cheryl! Hello to my mom & dad too! Parents rule :)

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If you can't run... do hot yoga!

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Like a lot of runners in Vancouver, this is my favorite route to take. There is great scenery to distract you from how tired you are (17K is a long run!), endless people watching opportunities and it's pretty much entirely flat. It has numerous water fountains along the way too!

If you live in the city, make sure you do this route at least once. You and your legs will thank me... or hate me.

Can't wait to get back at it! If you are able to run today... go do it for me! :)

J

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I miss running so so much... :(

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Being Injured... Not Fun

So its been just over a week since I ran the half marathon and I still don't feel healed enough to run. It's a huge bummer but I just started walking normally again so I feel if I jump back into running... it's not going to be pretty.

The nasty blister in the arch of my right food is finally somewhat healed, but I'm sure it'll be another week until I feel comfortable enough to run (but I'm secretly hoping I'll be running by Friday).

My other lame injury is a posterior shin splint in my right leg (I think). This is also to do with arch support so I suppose my two injuries are related to the same thing. All I know is that 'taking it easy' sucks and I am extremely jealous of people that I see running the seawall. Good thing I have my bike!

On a positive note... my good friend Sarah (blondie) agreed to be a subject for my blog! I am going to train that girl and we'll do a half marathon at some point this summer. We just have to pick the right one. Stay tuned!! :)

Lovin' the Vancouver sunshine!

J

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It's just running. One foot in front of the other.

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1st ever self-made video! Sorry for the shitty sound quality... but thats a Macbook recording for you! 

Enjoy!

J

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2 Half Marathons in 2 Months!

Today I registered for the Scotiabank Half Marathon. I realized that I could run it to raise money for the Vancouver Humane Society... so its time to get back to training! (Once my foot is back in order of course)

My goal is to raise $500 (every penny counts!) so if you can contribute, please do! Its for a wonderful cause:

Donate Here!

Thankfully I got a prescription ointment today to help speed the healing so hopefully I'll be back at it soon. I'm not going to establish a goal time yet but I'll post it here when I'm confident about a particular number. 

J

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Stopping just means you have to start again. Don't lose your momentum, just slow your pace.

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BMO Half Marathon aftermath

During my run on Sunday, I felt great! It was my first time running in an event this large and it was going to be my longest run yet (I got up to a 20K run in my training **I owe my friend Jay Klos for the motivation).

I felt well prepared:

No drinking that weekend

Carbo loaded for 2 days until 36 hours before the race

Had half a Cliff bar, green tea & a protein smoothie for breakfast @ 5am (race was at 7)

No cramps, no joint pain during my whole run... but afterwards I realized that my feet were DESTROYED. After the race adrenaline wore off and I took off my shoes, it was a bloody massacre. 

Here is a photo: DO NOT open if you don't like nasty wounds.

https://p.twimg.com/AsZS74ZCQAA5R16.jpg:large

I'm really frustrated with my feet because I feel like they are the only thing holding me back from training for a full marathon. I've tried shoes for over-pronation by New Balance, Nike and now Asics. Any suggestions are welcomed. I will be trying different solutions and posting about them when I'm all healed and back at it! Wish me luck!

J

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"Only pussies use the elliptical"