Night Race 10K

Gotta Love a Night Race!

Last Night I did the Night Race!! 

 Wait...Let's start at the very beginning...

I actually got up first thing in the morning and kinda forgot about the race. Raced to a local run store to join a Saturday morning run...then realized WHOOPS...I really don't need to run much...I am doing 10Km at 9 tonight.Then went home... then had a nap, planned out how I can change my life and get a job that somehow involves my passion for running (wait..that is a post for another day).

Then I laid out my stuff...And went back to planning my worldwide takeover. (read job applications - haha)

The run started at 9:15, but left the house at 7 to get to the pick up zone to meet Jen and her mom who were also running the 10km! We hung out, checked out the grounds, rocked to the tunes (and used the porta potties TWICE) before the race began. And, of course took some pics...taking time to enjoy the fun aspect of this run. Just hanging and having a hoot. Checking out the shoeporn (Brooks was shoe-casing the new fall offerings!!!!)

Lately I have been worried about time. If I am "doing it" right. If I will ever get faster, or be where I want to be. I have not been content with progress. Or have I been derailed by a lack of confidence?? Fatty Voice got in my head. But now I am pissed off. No more Fatty Voice. No. I have come so far, I have accomplished so much. And, I have a lot further to go. And even if I never EVER run a 60 minute 10km, I need to be OK with that. I feel GREAT when I run, after I run, when I run. So no more of this bullshit. Just Run. Just go and have fun. Feel it and accept what comes along the way. 

This run started at 9:15 as the sun was setting. I hadn't done this race for a couple years. The first time I did this race I had lost a fair bit of weight (35 pounds) and was about to run my FIRST half marathon. I ran this in about 67 minutes. (and then it took another year to break that PB!) Anyway....I think I got that PB because of running in the dark. No music, nothing but a headlamp lighting the way (and a few other thousand runners to chase!). I have always run with music. But somehow there is something about no music, darkness, the sound of feet hitting the path and one's breathing to make one run. It gives a new idea to find the beat of a run. So I spent a bit of time being introspective and recalling that feeling. And telling myself that THAT is the purpose of this run.

So at the start of the race, chatted with Jen and her mom and chilled. No music. But yes to my GPS watch. Handily...it will be dark in 15 mins so will not be able to see the time. I am going by feel and am so fine with this. And off we go. I can sort of tell it is a tad fast, but I keep going til the 1km marker and pull back a tad. Jen and I run the first 5km together and she pulls ahead. I know she is looking at her watch and feels she is off pace. I resist that. and just let her go. Its pissing rain, the wind is howling, and it feels like autumn, not a summer night. Gotta love a summer storm. But it helps me stay cool. I push forward and take some deep breaths. I know that I started too fast. Then I know that for 45 minutes I was pretty much dead on a consistent time...then I pushed that back out saying when I download the watch then I will know.

But for now this pace feels good. Just keep this pace.

When I got distracted by the cold which makes my legs feel like led, I take a few deep breaths. Push on, I tell myself. Which is kind of easy as there are runners ahead of me. I can see. Chase them, I tell myself! You CAN. At the 45 minute mark I  slowed down a little. I was so wet, so cold, and there was a little logjam of runners and walkers colliding. s'ok...just keep going as I pass the 8km marker.

Then i decide I am going to PUSH. TO. THE END. Just as my most awesome bracelet says: PERSEVERE!

 I don't kill it, since I am being mindful of my hip flexor. But I am increasing the stride. And just smiling and saying DAMN I FEEL GOOD...push on!!!!! And I go. And before I know it I am rounding a corner and the finish is right there. And I see that I am 1:05 something!!! so yup...I get er done in 65 minutes and 30 seconds! yay!

(And much later when I check out my actual timing I realize my GUT was right...I was pretty damn consistent! HUZAHHH)

Not my personal best. Not the cleanest or easiest. But honestly one of my truest races. One where I just ran and loved the feeling. And put aside the bullshit. And, yeh. take that Fatty Voice. Deffo a #runhappy moment. I felt epic. (despite having a bad tummy for an hour after the race. HEY...thankful it didnt rear its ugly head DURING the race!!! haha.)

Looking forward to my 18th halfmara next week.... 

Honestly I cannot believe two years ago I ran my first.

BRING IT!

Vote for Tina Fab

 VOTE For Tina

It started a month ago with me reading a notice on FaceBook:  

WIN $10,000 TO FUEL YOUR ATHLETIC DREAMS!

What? wow....

I read on and got the skinny on the contest sponsored by Genuine Health, a natural sports nutrition company that makes products to fuel workouts and help in recovery! I had tried their products...in part becaue they are natural. They have products derived from natural sources. I loved their protein bars for recovery too! So WHY not enter...

I sure would love to WIN 10 GRAND. It would pay for my TransRockies Race entry (this is the TOP of my bucket list of all races!) My travel. Offset training and help with personal training and recovery expenses!!!

You can VOTE every day until August 31. You can vote once a day per IP address. 

I implore my readers to help me out! I am not as well known as a few of my competitiors. But I think that I have a noble goal and a story to tell!! And, like some of them, have not been featured by media outlets to ask for votes. So am hoping some of you might read this and vote for me. Slow and steady climb may be the way to win.

The link to my contest vote page is: http://www.genuinehealth.com/innerchampion/tina-garstad/

I ask you to take a sec to click the link and vote. And spread the word!

THANK YOU!!

And for those of you wanting to read my submission:

I want to activate my inner champion! And, am hoping with the help of Genuine Health, I want to run The TransRockies Run. It is a multiple point-to-point trail race. In six days racers cover 120 miles and climb 20,000 feet in elevation. This race is all about overcoming adversity and sharing adventure. The idea of finding one’s self on steep, narrow dirt trails on Rocky Mountain ridges sounds crazy, but is it the kind of adventure I want to do. It is the next step in finding my inner champ!
Five years ago I was unhappy. Overweight. Lacking direction. I had lost my way. And so I turned to the one thing over the years that had helped me gain perspective: Exercise. I began running again. At first it was walking. And then it was running and walking. And, after my doctor told me I needed to do more to lose weight, I began running in earnest. I started with short distances. And when I finally worked up to finishing a 12km race in May , I thought that maybe, just maybe I could do a half marathon in August. In training for that I lost over 40 pounds. I changed my mind-set, too. I am stronger, firmer, fabulous!! My body has really changed. Since 2011 I have run 2 marathons, 17 halfmarathons, 2 10-milers, 2 12km races, 17 10km races, 2 8km races, 9 5km races….and been on two ultra marathon relay teams! WOHOOOO! I have found passion, and love that running gives me strength, self-esteem and confidence.
Proper nutrition has been vital to my mental and physical transformation! Genuine Health products help me get the nutrition and assistance I need. I have been dropping weight, all the while gaining strength and endurance. I have been a long time user of the Greens+ for extra energy. I recently started using the activFuel+ to help sustain energy and endurance on my long training runs. No artificial sweeteners also make my tummy happy! After my long runs I also like to indulge in a proteins+express bar! It hits the spot after my 2 or 3 hour run on a Sunday!!
This year I have been pushing myself to run further and try new things. In the past couple years I discovered trail running. I love getting out there with nature and that is the most challenging kind of running I have ever done. I have been training for a few half marathons, including some long distance trail runs. My first trail half marathon this year was cancelled due to the massive flooding in Canmore, but I want to persevere. I still have five more half marathons to run this year – in Edmonton, Kelowna, Canmore and Calgary! In between theses half marathons I will do some trail races. Looking forward, I want to push myself and create NEW physical and mental limits. The TransRockies Run is on THAT bucket list!
So, how would $10,000 help me achieve my fitness dreams and goals? The prize money offered by Genuine Health would give me something I cannot afford. It would help me pay for training and equipment (especially during winter months) to ensure I had the strength and endurance to ensure my inner champ comes OUT! It would help cover the travel expenses and fees for The TransRockies Run, as well as pay for a few trail races to help me prepare me for the demanding task of running several hours a day for 6 days in a row. I’d also use some money to ensure I had proper nutrition, including a supply of Genuine Health products to support me in fueling my goals.
I am hooked on how great running makes me feel! No more panting while bringing in the groceries. It’s amazing to feel proud of myself and my daily accomplishments. Running really has been a life changing experience for me. And with the help of Genuine Health I want to keep growing and changing!

 VOTE For Tina

Before and After

Last night watching Extreme Makeover with a pal, I was prompted to do a couple photo montages....

The first was me meeting Chris Powell. Watching the show last night really took me back a few years of where I had started. Then stopped. Then started again in earnest. 2011 was a turning point for me. I lost 40 pounds and was given a great opportunity from the Calgary Women's Show to have a makeover and meet Chris. I didn't get to spend a LOT of time with him, but I got to ask questions and learn from everything he talked about. From his show, to fitness, to focus. I went back to some pics from that great day in 2011 and I suddenly got some new perspective.

He gave diet advice - sensible and nothing out of the ordinary. But, most importantly, he stressed being proud of oneself and celebrating accomplishments. Being aware of how far you have come...and the steps you took to get there. When he said just remember that when you think you have done something push further, try harder, leave nothing left to chance. What he told me has never left.

And sometimes when I feel sort of weak or down, I think back to his charismatic FABULOUSNESS I am re-invigorated and re-ignited. At the point I met him, I had run two half marathons...I was just starting the journey of the kind of training it takes to do a marathon. I was still a beginner. Over the past two years I have learned a lot more about myself by digging in and training and exceeding what I thought I was capable of.

I found an old pic from 3 years ago and VOILA!  I still have a long ways to go...but I am getting there. And man it feels good.

The pic on the left was taken at a Thanksgiving run (Oct 2010) ... 10km in about 1hr21mins. Clearly walking and running. I had been running for a couple years - really as a fairweather runner. (My best time for a 10km had been 1hr 17 minutes at a Mothers Day race in 2009. Took me til 2011 (and losing 40 pounds)  to best that!!) The pic on the right taken last week after running 6km in 37 minutes.

Been beating myself over running lately. I think I focussed too much on SUCCESS. And what that means. Pace? Time? ow much I am improving. Improving how? hmmmm What other people think....really who gives a shit what others think. Because in all honestly I am my harshest critic. And, sometimes I am not very nice to me.

This year I had really been focussing on times. And besting a time with every race. This year I finally ran 5km in under 30 minutes (on my BDAY no less). I haven't cracked 60 minutes for 10km but I will. I wanted to run a half mara in under 2 hrs and 20 minutes. Today I am not sure I can do that. But, again...I will.

Right now, I am rethinking TIME obsession. Yes, I have goals. But I am not a failure if I do not hit a certain time. I have learned a few things about the RUN. Sometimes enjoying the run is more important. OR knowing what when on DURING a run. Analyzing my pace, understanding how I run or where I lose focus is more important than the time it took to run. And frankly having some frigging fun on the run is also important. Running with Michelle and Cori the last few months have REALLY taught me that! We have had FUN while doing some quality training. And FUN can mean serious work too...

And THAT makes me a better runner.

gosh I hope that ramble makes sense....

a RADical run in Pics!

The Color Me Rad run on August 3rd was a HOOT! 

IT was super short (not even 4km...0 but honestly it was a fun way to get out and get dirrrrrty! 

I think the story of this run is best told in pictorial form! 

We were SO CLEAN to start!!! 

AND so FILTHY at the end! 

This is my FAV photo of the day!!! LOVE the colour droplets in the AIR!! 

There was even a great story in the Calgary Herald...where they highlighted several tweets of those of us who took to the twitterverse to chat up the fun day!! 

And of course AFTER the race they took "official" pics..my pal Tara purchased them So I thought I better share! 

I should add that when I got to work a couple hours later (YES, I SHOWERED!!!)  I was chastised and made to remove my RAD tattoos since they might be considered offensive. 

SIGH. 

Will I do another colour run? HELL YES!!! 

I can't wait!