Serious Play

First Outdoor Run

So, on Sunday, my daughter and I went for our first outdoor run of the season.

 

We laced up our running shoes and headed off down the streets in our neighbourhood. We both have been hitting the treadmill already but longing for the rhythmic sound of our feet pattering side by side on the concrete and the spring wind on our faces.

I have been trying to tempt the weather here for a few weeks now, but just when I decide it is starting to get to a reasonable outdoor temperature, it swings low again, or dumps a fresh lot of snow on us. Last weekend we got about 6 inches of fresh snow and have been waiting until now to have clear enough sidewalks to run without the risk of injury.

 

We still had to hurdle several puddles and mounds of snow. A few times we even ended up running down the center of the street because the sidewalks were completely under water.

But not once did we turn back.

The sun was on our face. We found our rhythm. We let the wind blow our hair. We felt the freedom. And we pushed our limits just enough to remind our bodies of what we were capable of in the fall before the snow drove us indoors. 

Looking at the forecast in the next few days means we may be restricted to the indoor treadmill again for a time.

But it doesn't matter.

Now we remember how good it feels.

Now we know spring is on its way.

Now we will get out at the next possible chance...

 

 

 

Running Resumed

So, I am signed up for the Color Me Rad run coming to my city this July.

 

My girls really wanted to participate in this fun run and I just could not deny them, or myself. Turns out, moments after we signed up, the race was sold out! It didn't even make it out of Early Bird registration before filling up! The three of us are so excited to have registered when we did.

 

Before last spring, however, I was not a runner. This is my story...

 

Last February, I was challenged to take on a half marathon with my cousin. She said to me, "I want to do something bigger than me." Well, I couldn't stand by and watch someone else take on a hard thing and not join in. So, I signed up.

I ran my first ever half marathon in May 2012 and documented the entire process in a Half Marathon Mini Album. It was a bit surreal to have done it. It was hard. But I did it! 

After three months of training and running almost every day, the running bug had bit me. I couldn't just drop running cold turkey. It had become a part of me. So, I kept running just for fun. And because it seemed to feed a part of me that I cannot quite explain. It felt good to run. It was ME time. It was outdoor time. It was 'clear my head' time. And the urge to run never really left me.

A few weeks later, a colleague at work told me about the Starbucks Run for Women at the end of June. It was a 10k and seemed it would be so much simpler than the half marathon, so I ran it! I didn't have to do special training like it did with the half marathon. I wouldn't have to carry energy gels and my own bottles of water for this one. I could just go and run. So I did. I kept telling myself, you just ran a half marathon (13 miles), this is less than half (6 miles) of that!

Then I thought I was done. I had run more in the past 5 months than I had ever run! But I couldn't quit. So I kept running. Part way through July I caught wind of the Canmore Rocky Mountain Marathon. How could I not do that? We are out there almost every weekend. I love the mountains. I love running. It seemed inevitable. So I signed up for my second 10k of the season. 

As the chilly winter weather came upon us I put my running shoes in the bottom of my closet. I felt good about what I had accomplished. I had nothing more to prove. I had done more than I ever dreamed I would. And I was satisfied.

Until now.

Since signing up for the Color Me Rad run this July, the urge to run has become very strong again. I have been waiting for our extended winter weather to cooperate so that I could get out and run, but no such luck. So, last night I laced up my mint running shoes once again and head out to my garage to face a very dusty treadmill.

 

And I ran for 3 miles without stopping...

 

 

Canmore Rocky Mountain Half Marathon

So, a few weeks ago I ran my third race in four months.

 

This one was is in my beloved town of Canmore where fall is definitely making an appearance!

I ran the 10k this time around with my cousin Richelle, with whom I trained and ran my first ever half marathon back in May.

The morning was definitely chilly. We huddled and bounced up and down while waiting for the start of the race.

 

 

Once the race began, though, we were pumped and the bright sun was chasing away the chill.

 

 

We ran the first three miles side by side, then settled into our own pace. I let myself become lost in the beautiful surroundings during the second half of the race.

 

 

If you are a runner, you know what I mean. Endurance running is a mental challenge. It can be monotonous and boring. There is so much time to think about how you are feeling...and fixate on the aches and fatigue. My strategy while running is to simply let my mind go blank. I have to force myself not to 'be in the moment' or else I will convince myself that I need a rest!

In this race, I wanted to shut out the 'feelings' but tune in to the beauty of the day and the magestic mountain scenery. I made purposeful deep breaths of fresh pine air. I savoured the heat of the sun on my face.

And I prayed for Myranda, who is laying in a cancer ward having a stem cell transplant. I asked God to take the health and strength of my body which enables me to run, and send it to Myranda's body.

And before I knew it, I was approaching the finish line!

 

Richelle came in shortly after me.

 

My only goal was to beat the time of my last 10k race. And I did!

 

Race Results

Time:  54:30

Overall (females):  93 / 510

Within my age category:  24 / 122

 

NOTE: It seems that there were a number of participant trackers that did not register results,

so I am not sure how accurate these numbers are. My final time is correct though.

 

 

So, I cannot complain. All in all, it was a fabulous experience.

Thinking about doing it again...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Starbucks Run For Women

So, a few weeks ago I ran the 10K Starbucks Run For Women.

 

The morning of the race I awoke to this...

On the drive to the race, I had to give myself a pep talk about running in the rain. How I was just going to do it. How I could do it. How really this would be an experience that would make me stronger. 

I dressed in my warmest running gear and donned a hat to keep the rain out of my eyes.

 

Amazingly, when the special guest speaker, Catriona LeMay Doan, came on stage, the rain stopped!

 

 

And even more amazingly, the rain held off for the entire race!

After running my first half marathon back in May, this 10K felt so simple. I didn't have to train as hard. I didn't have to eat Shot Bloks throughout the race. I didn't have to load up on carbs the night before, or worry about refueling immediately after the race. I didn't even carry extra water, but just took advantage of the water stations along the course.

 

Even though I finished in under an hour (59 minutes), I was disappointed in my time. During training I had been completing 10K in around 56 min and usually on race day you go a little faster due to the adrenalin rush. However, this course was in the river valley and was one hill after the other! I wasn't prepared for that, nor had I trained for hills. So, everything considered, I now feel that I still did well.

My final results were as follows...

Final Time: 59.26

Overall Placement:  94 / 727

Age Category Placement:  19 / 137

 

At the end of the race, I met up with two friends who were running the 5K. Once again, it was so great to participate in something bigger than me.

I was able to raise $200 for the Because I Am A Girl campaign as well.

 

 

I am so enjoying this running now, that I have already signed up for my next race!

 

 

 

 

Starbucks Run For Women

So, I am running in another race.

 

After running my first half marathon in May 2012, I am itching to do it again! This particular race is a 10K, so less than half of what I ran a few weeks ago.

I have continued to run, although a little less sporadic than when I was training for the half marathon. So for the next two weeks I am back on a rigorous training schedule to prepare for this race.

 

Besides the enjoyment of running, I entered this race for the cause that it supports. It is meant to celebrate women across Canada as well as support girls around the world through an organization called Because I Am A Girl . This organization helps girls and women to be empowered. It gives them a leg up. It gives them a start in life that they may not otherwise have. We women in North America know the power that women can have when given a chance...I want to give that chance to girls and women in developing countries too.

Here is some shocking information right off the website...

 

Did you know...?

>>  70% of the one billion pople living in extremem poverty are women and girls.

>>  Girls are 3x more likely to be malnourished than boys.

>>  In the poorest countries of the world, 50% of girls do not attend secondary school.

>>  An extra year of school for girls increases their lifetime income by 15%.

>>  Children of women who have completed primary school are less likely to die before age 5 than children of mothers with no schooling.

>>  Women invest more of their income in their families than men do.

 

Girls and women in the world's poorest countires are the most vunerable members of society, denied the same rights and opportunities as their brothers.

"And yet research is also clear that when girls reach their full potential, through improved status, better health care, and education, it is the most effective development tool for society as a whole. As a country's primary enrolment rate for girls increases, so too does its gross domestic product per capita."

THERE IS HOPE!

 

I challenge you to read a little more and Explore the Girl Issue. These stories will get you thinking...and hopefully engage you to lend a hand. 

 

My goal is to raise at least $200 to support this organization. If you are at all interested in making a donation you can follow these steps...

  1. Log on to www.runningroom.com

  2. Click on the tab along the top marked GIVING

  3. Click on the box labeled PLEDGE AN ATHLETE

  4. Type in my name (Cindy Backstrom) and click SEARCH

  5. Click on my race:  STARBUCKS RUN FOR WOMEN

  6. Finally, click on SPONSOR ME and follow the instructions to donate.

NOTE: You will receive a tax receipt for your generous donation.

 

I thank you in advance for considering this an opportunity to help women in our world.

 

Blessings on you all!

 

 

Half Marathon Mini Album :: Pt 3

So I ran my first half marathon on May 20, 2012.

 

To document the entire training process I created this little mini album to use as a sort of journal. I recorded my progress, my thoughts and reflections, my likes and dislikes throughout the whole thing. So glad I did this. Now I have a lasting memory of an event that was my greatest challenge.

If you are interested in seeing more of this album you can visit the following:

Half Marathon Mini Album :: Pt 1

Half Marathon Mini Album :: Pt 2

 

In Week 10 I focused more on strength training and was supposed to run the actual race trail with my cousin on Sat but that didn't pan out...

 

 

Week 11 I had some unfortunate news...my massage therapist of 8 years was quitting and now I had to find a new therapist just weeks before the race!!

I also had a bit of a mishap on my Saturday run. I typed up the story and slipped it in this custom envelope I made...

 

You can read the full story in my post entitled My Last Long Run.

 

If you are wondering about the Banana Republic logo, I used all paper shopping bags to construct this mini album. It felt good to have a purpose for that pile that I didn't have the heart to throw out.

I fashioned the envelope so that I could frame these two photos with the orange background. 

 

So in Week 12 I had a bit of the jitters. Not like nervous but like excited. Like I was really doing this.

 

On Saturday night my husband and I drove up to Red Deer to stay overnight at my cousin's house. We went out for supper to load up on pasta. I had trouble sleeping and morning came early. But when it did...I was ready. 

The race started at 8am.

 

 

About mile 2 I finally realized that I was in a race. Then about mile 4 I had a fleeting thought that I could just quit if I wanted to. At mile 6 I told myself I was almost halfway there. Around mile 8 a girl running beside me asked if I liked my shoes and we chatted for a bit...too brief for me as it was a welcome distraction. Then I lost myself between miles 8 and 11. 

 

 

The race ended with a downhill slope and a sharp corner to the finish line. Somehow I pulled whatever I had left within me and burst to cross the line. Looking up I saw the numbers 2:19.

To be honest, I was disappointed. My goal was 2:15. But when I found my husband he informed me that 2:19 was the clock for the 10k race! My official time was 2:04 and I was over the moon.

 

To finalize this whole experience, I took my training schedule off the fridge where it had ruled me for 12 weeks and glued it in the front of my album.

 

So glad I OPENed my mind to this experience.

 

 

 

Half Marathon Race Results

So, I ran my first half marathon on the weekend.

 

We drove to Red Deer on Saturday night to stay with my cousin, Richelle, who was my inspiration for this entire idea in the first place!

She had picked up the Race Day Packages earlier that day.

 

 

The race was being timed with a chip timing system which we had to attach to our shoes.

 

Not sure if it was the chill in the 8 am air or nerves, but we were shivering a bit waiting for the race to start.

 

Once the starting gun went off, however, it was Game On! I was unsure of how the start would transpire as there was a mass of participants all starting at once. We tried to pick a pace, but had to be patient as everyone was jockeying for positions. We spotted our husbands and gave them a wave before rounding the first corner.

 

I snapped this one shot with my iPhone while running the first mile as I wanted to remember this moment. It was a bit surreal to be running with so many others. And as you can see, the day was just perfect.

 

Our wonderful husbands tracked us along the course and showed up at various spots to cheer us on and take a few photos. Unfortunately none of them turned out very stellar.

Sean did get this photo of me crossing the finish line though and I treasure it...

 

 

Regardless of our times, we were just happy to have completed our first ever half marathon. What an experience!

 

And a great big THANK YOU to my husband and girls and my parents and many friends who were cheering us on from afar. Your interest and encouragement is what kept me going. I love you all!

After working towards this race for the past 3 months, it feels funny to have it just end. I feel a great sense of satisfaction, but also a twinge of disappointment that it is over.

So, now we are contemplating whether or not we will do it again...

 

 

 

Mini Album :: 11 Miles

So, I have been working on a little mini album called 11 Miles.

 

If you have been following my story you will know that I have spent the last 13 weeks in training for my first half marathon coming this weekend on May 20th. My training schedule dictates that I run shorter distances (3 - 6 miles) during the week and then on the weekends I do longer runs. Over time, I have built up my distance from 8 miles all the way up to 12.

This little mini album documents a significant weekend run for me. This was the run that convinced me that I can actually accomplish this race. This was the run that showed me that I needed to rely on some form of energy during the race (Shot Blocks). This was the run that taught me not to start out too fast or I will fizzle out significantly in the end. This was the run that was in my favourite place right now.

I had taken quite a few Instagram pictures to document my 11 mile run. Since they told a complete story, I decided to use them to create a new mini album. You can read more about this weekend here.

 

To make the album I trimmed and sewed two pieces of patterned paper to form the cover...

 

 

I used kraft paper for the interior pages...

 

I used a triangle template by Julie Fei-Fan Balzer and OA Sprinklers in the blue colour. I had to let each of the pages dry in between, so this step took quite a long time...

 

I stamped various arrow designs in a dark grey colour and the lettering in pink with uppercase letter stamps...

 

I then went back on each page to add the white paint splatters. This step also took quite a while to allow for drying time...

 

I printed out my Instagram photos to measure 2x2 inches and adhered them to each page...

 

I like the repetition.

I like the simplicity.

I like that it tells a story.

I like the large lettering on each page.

I like the colour palette.

I like the arrow designs.

I am pleased with the outcome and can imagine that this will be an album that I return to over and over to relive the experience and recall the day.

 

When was the last time you documented an experience in a mini album?

 

 

 

My Last 'Long Run'

So, Saturday marked my last 'long run' in my training schedule towards my half marathon race this coming weekend.

 

My schedule, which has practically run my life for 12 weeks now, told me to run 5 miles, so that is what I set out to do. I was relieved that I didn't have to run another 10 mile (or more) run as I had over the past few weekends. Anything over 5 miles requires so much more planning. I have to eat lots of carbs the night before. I have to carry special energy fuel for the run (Shot Blocks). I have to carry more water. It is just so much more complicated.

I was pleased that this run was just a simple 5 miles.

Wanting to run at Glenmore Reservoir, but not doing the entire loop of 9 miles, I had a plan to do an 'in and out'. This means, I would run 3 miles 'in' (away from my starting point) and 2 miles 'out' (back towards my car), leaving me with one mile to walk and allow my heartrate to return to normal.

So, off I went... The sun was shining. The path was full of other like-minded people out for exercise and enjoyment. I had music in my ears, courtesy of my iPhone. I felt strong and capable.

 

 

I lost myself in the beauty of the day and the rhythm of my feet and it wasn't until I had already passed my 3 mile marker that I realized I had over run my target! No matter...I turned around and continued back the other way. I was feeling good; nothing hurt, I still had energy, and I was looking forward to our weekend away.

Loving the moment and wanting to document my final long run of my training schedule, I stopped briefly to pull out my iPhone and take a few pics before stuffing it back in my pocket and zipping it safely shut. The next 2 miles sailed by quickly as I nodded and smiled at others along the path, noting those who were out for a leisurely walk as compared to the bikers and runners who were obviously in training like myself.

Finishing my last 2 miles, I slowed to a walk and checked my watch to tell me my pace and time. Pleased with my 5 miles in 47 minutes, I was glad to be able to mentally check off the box on my training schedule.

Having walked for several minutes at that point, I realized that due to overshooting my target, I still had a couple of miles left before arriving at my car. Knowing that my dear husband was at home awaiting my return so that we could head out to our condo in Canmore, I decided I would run the last few miles as it would save me time. Heaven knows I was capable, and it seemed to take so long just walking...so off I went at a decent clip once again. 

Upon returning to my car, I stopped to stretch and smile at myself for going beyond the goal of 5 miles and actually logging an extra 2 miles for a total of 7.

Before stepping into my car, I unloaded the contents of my pockets...my mini water bottle, some kleenex, my iPhone and headphones, and my driver's license (which all running gurus suggested I carry on my person for safety reasons).

Only my driver's license wasn't there!

I checked again. I checked all the other pockets in my jacket. I looked on the ground around me in case it had fallen out while unloading the other items. No luck. I knew for certain that I had tucked it in the pocket with my iPhone, knowing that would be safest. I would be accessing my other pocket containing my water bottle throughout the run and did not want to run the risk of my license falling out without me being aware. I had read in one of my books about that happening to a runner, and I had taken precautions to ensure nothing like that would happen to me. I don't lose things. I plan ahead to avoid such silly mishaps. Only here I was...

And then it hit me... I had taken out my iPhone to take a picture or two...and it was at the farthest point of my run!!!

Knowing my husband would be expecting me home soon, I texted him to tell him that I was about to retrace my steps along the trail to see if I could find my license. The high I had been experiencing only moments before had disappeared and a feeling of dread and regret flooded over me.

Fortunately, there was another parking lot around the south side of the park which would get me closer to the point where I suspected my license had fallen out. After driving around and reparking, I hit the trail again, only this time in my sandals...

 

Of course I ran. I was so conscious of the time I had now wasted and wanted to get this ordeal over with.

As I ran I contemplated what I would do if my license was not in the spot I suspected it would be. What if someone else found it and picked it up? What would they do with it...set it alongside the trail hoping the victim would return to find it? Would they pop it in the mail to return it to me? Would they sell it to someone who looked similar to me as false identification? 

And what would I do if I didn't get it back? I imagined the lengthy process of reapplying for a new license...and do you have to report a stolen license and do they 'cancel' it?

I also noticed the funny looks I was getting from others along the path seeing me run in my sandals. And then my mind rationalized it by thinking that this is what this whole barefoot running thing must feel like...and how do they know that I am not training for barefoot running and this is just an interim step?

Just as I was approaching a mile and a half along the trail and the bend where I was sure I had pulled out my iPhone and hence dropped my license, my iPhone rang. Glancing at the screen, I saw it was my husband and suspected he was about to enquire of my whereabouts and what was taking so long.

However, his first words were, "A guy just dropped off your license at the house."

I nearly fell over!

Ready to cry, either from relief, disbelief or exhaustion (I'm not sure), I stopped and turned back on the trail for the second time that day.

 

All in all, things turned out well. My license was returned. There are still good people in this world. The sun was still shining. We made it out to Canmore with plenty of time to lounge in Starbucks and do a little shopping before heading out to a lovely dinner.

And on my last weekend run of only 5 miles...I had run a total of 10 miles!

 

 

 

Half Marathon Mini Album :: Pt 2

So, I have been adding to my mini album each week as I document my training progress for the half-marathon.

 

You can view Part 1 of this little mini album here.

 

Week 6 consisted of running on the treadmill out at our condo (watching the snow fall outside) and then running the Glenmore Reservoir by myself for my long run...

 

 

Week 7 started out with beautiful weather. On one of my shorter runs I felt so good that I decided to follow up with sprints up and down my street. But by the weekend it was freezing and I was not about to run outdoors.

I googled to find out what was the longest indoor track in my city and ended up running there. It was only marginally better than running on the treadmill at home. By the end of the run I felt a bit like a hamster and my ankle hurt so badly I could barely walk for 4 days...

 

Week 8 I had a much more successful experience for my 11 mile run. The weekend was so gorgeous so we head out Canmore again. I ran while the rest of my family rode bikes on the paths.

This is the first time I truly felt like I could complete this race coming up.

 

 

Week 9 started out rainy so I was on the dreaded treadmill again. But by the weekend, it was alot more mild. My cousin came down to run with me and we completed 12 miles in 2:10...

 

And now, only 3 more weeks to go...