What’s in my Bag for City Chase

City Chase is tomorrow!!! Gah, I’m so excited! This is hands-down one of my favourite races. Daniel and I try to do it every summer, however last summer we couldn’t make it due to our busy schedules. I wrote a Throwback Thursday post about City Chase a while ago, so check it out! I’ll break this post up into segments, so I’ll post what’s going to be in my bag, and then a link to the website or applicable already-posted blog posts.

What’s In My Bag:

–Clif Shot Energy Gels: I love these things! I’ve blogged about them quite a few times and have nothing but good things to say about them. Since the race can take quite a long time, energy gels will definitely be needed.

–Clif Bars (Nut Butter Filled): this is more so for Daniel since he’s not a fan of the energy gels. My love for these bars goes deep! They’re so delicious.

–Under Armour Trail Hydration Pack: this is the actual bag I’ll be taking with me. I took a backpack last time that strapped up across my chest, but it bounced quite a bit and seemed kind of cumbersome. I’m hoping that by taking a hydration pack, I’ll eliminate the bouncing aspect, and we’ll have quite a bit of water to carry with us that I could always refill while we’re en route.

–Goddess Garden Sport Natural Sunscreen Stick: I actually received some samples of this (along with their Everyday Natural Sunscreen Lotion) to review, so this will be the trial run and then I’ll make a product review post sometime next week.

–KT Tape: I’m not putting this in my bag, but I am wearing it, so I figured I’d put it in here. I need some sort of support for my knee as I noticed I’ve still been getting the odd twinge of pain after runs.

It’s supposed to be 24 degrees (75.2 degrees Fahrenheit), so it won’t be too hot, but it might be muggy. Wish us luck! We’re looking to beat our time of 4:57:00, so wish us luck!

 

-Running Fast, Lifting Heavy

 

Compassionate Running

What if I told you that there was a different side to running races; one that didn’t consist of following the pace rabbit or smashing a personal best, but rather running for a cause or charity that you’re passionate about. I like to call this: Compassionate Running. To be quite honest, I never thought about Compassionate Running until I ran my first 10k race last August. So here’s a debrief on how that 10k race helped shape the concept of Compassionate Running.

At the beginning of last summer, I decided that it was time to put all my running to use and run my first 10k. Living in Toronto is a blessing, because there’s always TONS of races in the city and surrounding areas. After seeing a flyer for 2XU Toronto Women’s Run Series at work, I decided to give it a try. Not only was it a series of runs that promoted women participating in the sport, the proceeds went to the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario, (POGO) – this is definitely something I can get behind. Fast forward to August: I ran an amazing 10k at the scenic Sunnybrook Park in Toronto, made amazing memories, and raised money for a great cause. The perfect end to my summer.

Post 2XU Toronto Women’s 10k. All smiles!

What if you feel like running for a charity or cause that currently has no race scheduled? This can leave some runners in a bit of a pickle. I recently came across a website called Eventbrite, that has listings for events both in the States and Canada.

Everything from races to concerts is on their website. What really caught my eye is their non-profit fundraising page.

This page is really cool, because it helps people who are creating events, (a stroll for pediatric cancers for example), big or small, in coordinating their fundraising efforts. I encourage you to check out their website if you’re looking for a race or thinking about starting your own initiative!

 

-Running Fast, Lifting Heavy

Checking In – 5k Race/End of Six Week Cycle

A lot has happened since my last post, and not all of it has been good. Since this post encompasses a few different points, I’ll start with the 5k that I had planned.

Achilles St. Patrick’s Day 5k

This is the first race that I signed up for and didn’t run…ever. It sucked. Why didn’t I run? Two reasons: one, I’m just getting over a stomach bug in which the onset started Saturday night and two, I went to see Cirque Éloize – Cirkopolis with my parents/boyfriend which resulted in a late night. The two of those together made for a bad combination, causing me to feel pretty crappy by the time I woke up on Sunday. I feel pretty bad…almost like I just gave up. That being said, I probably would’ve been in a lot worst shape after the race if I’d showed up and ran it, so it was probably best that I stayed home.

End of Six Week Cycle

I said in a previous post that I would show you guys how far I’ve come in my strength training, (I do the same exercises for six weeks and then change it up), so here it is!

Exercise	Starting Weight/Reps	Ending Weight/Reps
Dumbell External Rotation (shoulders)	10lbs @ 25 reps total	30lbs @ 25 reps total
Shoulder Press (shoulders)	40lbs @ 25 reps total	65lbs @ 22 reps total
Rear Deltoid (shoulders)	60lbs @ 25 reps total	120lbs @ 25 reps total
One Arm Bicep Curls (bicep)	25lbs @ 25 reps total	40lbs @ 23 reps total
Back Extension (back)	135lbs @ 25 reps total	205lbs @ 25 reps total
Standing Barbell Curl (bicep)	40lbs @ 25 reps total	60lbs @ 20 reps total
Roman Chair (back)	25lbs @ 25 reps total	65lbs @ 25 reps total
Hammer Curls (bicep)	20lbs @ 25 reps total	35lbs @ 25 reps total
Lat Pulldown (back)	35lbs @ 25 reps total	85lbs @ 25 reps total
Calf Press (legs)	160lbs @ 25 reps total	215lbs @ 25 reps total
Barbell Squats (legs)	90lbs @ 25 reps total	120lbs @ 25 reps total
Hip Adductor (legs)	135lbs @ 25 reps total	205lbs @ 25 reps total
Hip Abductor (legs)	145lbs @ 25 reps total	190lbs @ 25 reps total
Assisted Dips (triceps)	100lbs @ 25 reps total	70lbs @ 25 reps total
Bench Press (chest)	20lbs @ 25 reps total	50lbs @ 17 reps total
Tricep Press (triceps)	60lbs @ 25 reps total	120lbs @ 25 reps total
Pec Fly (chest)	80lbs @ 25 reps total	90lbs @ 25 reps total
Dumbbell Tricep Extension (Triceps)	35lbs @ 25 reps total	45lbs @ 25 reps total
Chest Press (chest)	65lbs @ 25 reps total	95lbs @ 23 reps total

I’m pretty happy with this! I think my chest could’ve used a little more work, but it is what it is. I’m starting to feel like my normal self again, so I’m hoping in a day or two I’ll be able to hit up the gym.

Have you guys ever had to drop out of a race? If so, what was the context?

 

-Running Fast, Lifting Heavy

Race Season is Starting…

Seeing as my first race of 2017 is less than a month, (March 24^th), I figured I should layout all the races I have planned for the year. I’ve talked about the Mississauga Half that I have planned in May and my team race in two weeks, but that’s it.

March

What: Achilles St. Patrick’s Day 5k

Where: Toronto, ON

Swag/Race Features: Scenic route through Toronto’s High Park, technical race shirt, free Irish chili and a pint of Steam Whistle Beer, (I don’t like chili or beer, so the shirt is pretty much the bulk of the swag for me)

*I’m aiming for a pr in this race, (a sub 32:00 minute time), and I’m REALLY hoping I can crack it. I’m feeling at the moment that it’s a little out of my reach, but we’ll see.

April

April’s pretty up in the air since I’ll have exams and the date that I leave for Europe may fall during this month. I’m thinking I may just leave this month empty in preparation for my half.

May

What: Mississauga Half-Marathon

Where: Mississauga, ON

Swag/Race Features: Net downhill, (yay!), technical race shirt and finisher’s medal

*Since this is my first half, just finishing it would be amazing. That being said, 2:20 or lower would be AMAZING.

June

What: Rugged Maniac

Where: Kitchener, ON

Swag/Race Features: Cotton T-Shirt, Finisher’s Medal, and a free beer, (again, not a beer fan, haha).

*This is a mud run that I’m doing with my mom and my boyfriend. My boyfriend and I have both done mud runs together in the past, but this is my mom’s first time running EVER. She’s a beast, so I know she can hack it.

What: Goodlife Fitness City Chase

Where: Toronto, ON

Swag/Race Features: I wrote a post on this race seeing as I did it two years ago. Check it out!

July 

I think I’m going to take July off. Two races in the same month is more than I’ve ever done and I don’t want to over-commit.

August

I think I’m taking this month off too. I might be taking a couple of credits during the summer to graduate early, in which case my final exams would be this month.

September

What: Oakville Half

Where: Oakville, ON

Swag/Race Features: Technical Race Shirt and Finisher’s Medal

*Halves are my focus for 2017; I really want to master them.

October

I’m taking this month off since I’m not sure how I’ll feel after the half.

November

What: Angus Glen 10k

Where: Markham, ON

Swag/Race Features: It doesn’t seem like they’ve posted this yet since it’s so far in advance, but from what I’ve seen from their past races, their swag bag has been on point.

December

This month is a toss-up. My boyfriend and I are supposed to be in Florida for the holidays, so I may do a race down there…who knows!

 

-Running Fast, Lifting Heavy