Pressure mounts
Runners in final stretch before race
FAZIL MIHLAR
At the beginning of my training clinic for the 2013 Vancouver Sun Run, I resolved to finish the race in 50 minutes. But many of my female colleagues at work keep pointing out that I should be able to do a fast 10K. I have been running two to three times a week for the past three months and I have already done a halfmarathon this year in under two hours and an 8K race in 40 minutes. I have some aches and pains because of all the pounding my body has taken. I am not looking for excuses. But I would rather under- promise and over- deliver. I am hoping to eat right, sleep well, do one 8K run on April 16 and a 5K run on April 18 and be prepared to deliver a 50- minute run on Race Day.
KAITLYN HERBST
With spring break over and summer vacation planning in full effect, the ease of running has never been more attractive. It’s an easy way to stay fit while travelling. When I went to Vegas, it was hard to choose runners over a fourth pair of high heels , but I stuck to my plan to stay sort of healthy while in Sin City. Once I got to the hotel, I realized it would cost $ 15 a day just to use the gym. So running it was. I would go early in the morning before the desert heat got too much . Another benefi t of running while on vacation is that you see things you might otherwise miss.
DENISE RYAN
The race is around the corner, and training now is more important than ever. So what do you do when life gets in the way? Adjust your expectations. That thought is helping me as life has thrown us a couple of curve balls. My son was away for two weeks on spring break and came back with a broken rib after a bike accident in Florida. That, and the start of a heavily scheduled baseball season to which he is wholly committed, is suddenly impeding him in the running department. I’ve missed two weeks of the clinic due to commitments , and I’m trying to beat back the guilt of not being perfect in my training. Our first decision was to go with the Run/ Walk option, at least for the rest of the training. My new mantra: Remember, it’s a “fun” run. At least for us. And a new thought: for every person training, the goals are individual. My goals — sharing an endeavour with my kid, and starting to get in shape — have already been accomplished.