PREOCCUPIED

As some of you noticed, I haven't blogged in a while. I've been very busy with school, writing my second scientific article at the moment. And I've been in a sort post-marathon running blues all over again (even though the marathon was back in May!). The fact that I will not race all summer is also affecting my motivation to get out the door. Hi, my name is Sonia and I'm addicted to racing.... With no perspective of racing, my spirit is down! I'm not remotely joking!

So, I hadn't run for 10 days after the Nissan 10 miler in Toronto (finished in 1:46:03) when I finally was so crabby and so depressed that I knew a run would be the only thing to cheer me up. I did a slow 3.5 miles on Wednesday in Windsor heat. I have to say that what really pumped me to return to running was the 2 posts below by some fellow bloggers!

Michelle tagged me as a Rocking Blog Girl
Here is what she wrote: "This girl runs A LOT! I mean, I've read about her doing 20-mile training runs like it was nothing. Seriously, I am impressed!! "

And then Laurel also tagged me and said: "Like a true Canadian, this girl is as friendly as they come no matter how many miles she is running. Her laid back attitude is contagious and makes for feel-good reading. She is the kind of person you feel like you have known forever I always leave her blog with a smile on my face."

These comments made me get out of my lethargic state of mind (and body!). And there again I was this running machine. =) So, thanks to you both lovely ladies for making me smile!

Here is my turn to tag some other Super-Awesome-Blogger-Running-Girls
Jelly-Pepper: Who always makes me smile with her running stories
Amanda: Who never gives up on running
Shelley: Who inspires me the most with her 7th Ironman in 7 years!

Next week is Week 1 (out of 12) of my Detroit Half-marathon training! I've decided to go back to Hal Higdon's training schedule. It helped me get 12 mins PB when I followed it last Winter and I'm hoping it will work again this Fall.

Happy Running everyone =) And thanks for reading!

BACK FROM BEAUTIFUL NEWFOUNDLAND

This is truly a gorgeous part of our country, if you have a chance to visit do not hesitate. There is lots to do and people are really very friendly. It is definitiely not the warmest spot in Canada but you can't have everything. I was very unlucky weather wise, it was pouring rain the whole time (5/7 days). I ran once, 3.5 miles in pouring rain at 6:30 AM after a night of drinking on George Street.... so not my best run. Did I mention it is hilly there? Well, even on what they consider "flat" ground felt like a hill to me! I think this city must be full of strong runners as they are doing hill workout whether they want it or not.

I'm going over to Toronto this week-end to race the Nissan 10 miler. I was happy to see that Yumke, Fran, Amanda and Jelly will also be there and we'll try to meet for brunch after the race. I'm just hoping to run this race at a comfortable pace (10-10:30 min/mile) and enjoy myself.

This is probably my last race of the summer =( Money is so thight now that I will have to cancel some races I really wanted to do but hadn't registered (Run from Cancer organized by Shelley and Crim Road Race). Oh what kind of sacrifices you would do to travel half the country to see your BF...

100th POST!!!

"I run because it's my passion, and not just a sport. Every time I walk out the door, I know why I'm going where I'm going and I'm already focused on that special place where I find my peace and solitude. Running, to me, is more than just a physical exercise... it's a consistent reward for victory!"

-Sasha Azevedo

This sums up why I keep on running and why I will never stop.

I wasn't sure I would keep this blog after my 1st marathon training but I realized that I found lot of friends here and a great support system. Everytime I finish a nice training run or get a personal best, I want to come back here to celebrate these successes with people who understand the feeling, my fellow runner friends. Thanks for always coming back to read my blog and leaving me comments, it means a lot to me =)

Happy Running everyone!

P-S I'm off to Newfoundland for a week and will catch up with you all when I come back

A PB IS A PB...

Even if it is by a few seconds! I finished the 10K HBC Race in 1:01:10 so a big 4 sec faster than 2 weeks ago! Not the under 1h I wanted but I found myself starting too fast and missing the nice kick-ass finish I had at my last 10K. Here are the splits:

Mile 1 -9:10

Mile 2 -9:40

Mile 3 -9:39

Mile 4 -9:56

Mile 5 -10:10

Mile 6 -10:07

Mile 0.28 -12:10 (oh my god! never been so un-motivated to reach the finish line!)

I was a bit overwhelmed with the the price of this race (43$) but the technical t-shirt is awesome and the medal is just crazy! You would think we just ran a marathon. =) I had an awesome time and next time: " I'll get you sub-1h 10K!"