Vegan Bodybuilding & Fitness

well, the race wasn't terrible but it wasn't great either. The purpose for it was to get back into the whole race environment again before the races that actually matter. It accomplished that. We were running a bit late, and then we got half way there and Todd realized he had forgotten his bib at home. So, we had to turn around and go back, making us even later. I was panicked by the time we got there with still so much to figure out and do. I had meant to take a shot block with be to take one before the race, but I forgot, so I was already feeling a bit weird before we even got out of the car. We made it to the start line on time, but barely.

Anyway when we got to the so-called 1k marker the stopwatch said 5:30! I was like, WTH? It felt like we'd be going at a decent clip. Todd and I consulted and decided if our first km was 5:30 there was no way we could make up enough time to have a time we'd be happy with, then we should just slow down and run for fun. But then we hit the so-called 2k mark in 10:05... meaning a 4:35 second km, which is absolutely impossible. So clearly the km markings were not terribly consistent. We reached the half way mark in just under 13 minutes (indicative of a nearly 6 min/km for that half km, apparently).

It was at about 3k that my lower back began to hurt. Ugh. I haven't been training for 5k at ALL, which really started to come through. Other than a bit of speedwork, I haven't done any runs under 8k in a number of weeks, and I've only very recently gotten "it" back. Anyway, I dealt with the back pain for the last couple km, knowing I wasn't going to come even close to setting a pb. I also felt a bit lethargic because slightly too much time had passed between eating and the race. I ended up finishing in about 26:27, a full 2:20 off of my pb. But then that was set last fall, a few weeks after my half marathon when I was in great shape. I've only been back at running for about a month now, so I guess I can't complain.

You'll be fine...everyone runs into a race unprepared every now and then. Today was the first race I was ever really prepared for...but this time the official screwed things up for me. Oh well...you learn and get better every time. This time you may have been a bit off but really you can blame Todd more than anything

Good points!

Last night I ran home from work (13.5k) and then tacked an extra 3.5k on at the end for 17k. Because of the race I missed my weekend long run, so this took its place.

It was a really tough run, mostly due to getting only five hours sleep the previous night, and because it was very hot and sunny out, 25C. It was -10ish just a few weeks ago. It went right from hovering around freezing to +20 very quickly and I am just not acclimatized to the heat yet. Running along the longest stretch in my route was like running in a desert... all low-rise buildings, no trees, and for one stretch, just fields. It's pretty hilly too, but that doesn't bother me.

I got to the 13.5k mark (home) and stopped, thinking I had done enough. But after walking for a couple minutes I had renewed energy and did the last leg of my planned run.

I averaged just over 6 minutes per km for the whole thing (including walking for a few minutes), which isn't bad because given the heat, I really took it easy to make sure I'd make it home ok. I think heat stroke was a real possibility and it was more important to finish it than to go really fast.

I've got a couple shorter runs planned for Thursday and Friday (8-10k), with Saturday off, and then 20k for Sunday.

Let's see... last Thursday I did a very slow 8.5k recovery run, and then on Friday I did a not-slow-not-fast 10k. I've also done a couple of leg strengthening sessions, and I spend about half an hour or more a day stretching.

On Sunday I did a 20k run. I maintained just over a six minute/km pace. I purposely charted my course so that it covered a lot of uphills. It was actually pretty hellish, as I was already really tired going in to it. I stopped and walked for a few minutes twice, which I rarely do. I only got stopped at one stoplight in all those 20k. Next weekend I plan to run the half marathon race course I'm doing on May 25. Todd will accompany me for part of it, and another veg runner will be joining us as well. I rarely run with other people, so it will be interesting. Even at speedwork group I run alone.

Oh, that was 55.5k for last week. That's about where I want to be, but I am going to make this a lighter week to combat the fatigue I'm feeling from other areas of my life.

It'll be good to take it easy after doing a big week. Maybe after one easy week 55k will be a normal base week for you and not a struggle to maintain.

'That's what I'm hoping. 55 is about where I was consistently for a couple weeks in the fall. Of course it's also when my hip flexor strain developed, so I am being mindful of that. So far it isn't returning at all though!

Tonight I went to speed work group. I felt pretty crappy because my period started today. sorry, TMI I'm sure, but it really affects me physically. Anyway, I cut the workout a bit short but still put in about 8k. Also, the wind was absolutely brutal. I've never been colder while running.

Thats great...this week will hopefully let it recover completely and be ready for the pounding you'll be giving it later in the season.

Our vegetarian association is entering a running team in the upcoming race weekend. We got our printed shirts tonight! We did them on moisture wicking shirts.



From behind:

Very cute

Thanks. We were very fortunate to get sponsorship from VEGA.

I need to be sponsored by VEGA

Nice shirt! It also works as an education tool for us who doesn't know a lot of French...

I also say.........nice shirt!

Glad you're back in action making it happen!

Thanks guys! Here is most of the team... we took these shots tonight.