Loving this Life

2.5 yr old Leah continues to be happy wherever we go, whether it be the gym for training, the rink for hockey, the grocery store, or just staying home! She just loves reading books and following my every move. It's all about wearing pink and running shoes lately! Big girl is out of her crib and diapers.

Took 5.5 y.o. Seth for a sundae at Menchies. Wow, what a place! It's like a candy store with a bit of frozen yogurt on the side! I'll have to make a stop there after STWM!

Team Cylka cheering on 7.5 y.o. Micah in the gold medal game.

My dear friend, Britanie, has started her chemotherapy treatments. She said she thought of me, toughing it out on a run, to get her through a bout of post-treatment nausea and vomiting. What a girl. Of course, I think of her to push me even further. Here she is with her son, a great friend of our boys'. Can't wait to spend the afternoon with her tomorrow.

Delivering a short message at the Walk of Hope. Know your body and listen to it!

Training continues to go well for STWM. Only 5 weeks to go!
Like I wrote last week, I'm spending way less emotional energy on this race. As you can tell from the pictures, the kids are keeping us pleasantly busy and we are so blessed to have them. Four runs this week (average 22 km) started at 5:15 am to make our family schedule work (our 7 y.o. had a hockey tournament in Toronto, etc.) but I didn't mind. I love the juggling act and am a morning person anyway. Just a little odd when Jonathan kisses the kids, and me, good night at the same time! And of course, the skunks and raccoons always make the run exciting.
My workouts remain steady and consistent with no surprises. Just what you want and again, what I had pre-Worlds. This past week included 20 x 300 m's, a tempo, and a 40 km treadmill long run. Yes, you read correctly. Couldn't do the long run Saturday and needed childcare so relied on the belt to get it done. Great way to get the fluids/carbs perfected, thanks Trent! Because last week's run was more of a progressive one, coach wanted me to hold steady with a pick up in the end. So, I held an even pace for 2 hr then picked it up for the last 39 minutes. Loved every minute of it! Logged 170 km for the week.
This coming week will be another big one with high mileage and intensity, including the Zoo Run/National 10 km Road Championships. Story here. Like last year, I'll train through and use it to keep me sharp. No big expectations.

Back at it

The 2013 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon is exactly six weeks away and I am feeling more confident, each and every day. I think it is safe to say that I am nearly hitting the same workouts and mileage as I was pre-Worlds. Lots of time to keep at it.
I must say that I am certainly not investing the same amount of emotional energy this time. I am blessed with enough busyness in my day to keep my mind occupied and that is a good thing. Our 7 yr old made a rep hockey team that has him on the ice 4/wk and our 5 yr old resumes swim lessons next month. Don't get me wrong - like every marathon I want to give it my all but after Worlds, I've been able to step back with perspective. I want to train and race because that is what I do...and put it to good use Oct 20th,  hopefully with decent weather (;

Glad I can continue being involved in the community.

After school road hockey!

Yep, back to marathon training with kale, beet, salmon and kidney bean salad.

Walk of Hope a hit!

This Story Is Not Over!

Here we go, again! Read it here!
I gave 100% for six months with text-book training and racing (3 PB's - 5 k, 10 k, Half Marathon) in my preparation for the World Championships only to face heat illness at 12 km with vomiting, tears, crazy story-telling, and near unconsciousness with non-English speaking Russians shoving smelling salts up my nose. Not what I imagined! Athletics Canada (and Speed River) Coach Dave Scott-Thomas was with me in the ambulance and while chatting, I remember saying, "Well, I guess this is my story.".
It stunk. I was humbled. I was disappointed. It was my first-ever DNF.
But my faith remained strong and like I wrote later that night, shortly after my ambulance ride I kept fluids down, stretched, walked, and with our team doctor, watched the others finish (way to go, Lanni and Mary through cramps, pain, agony), and jogged back to the hotel, feeling much better especially knowing 22 others DNF'd and it was not just me!
And I knew my story was not over.
It was actually back at the warm-up track, after assisting a hobbling Lanni, that I first had the idea to run a fall marathon. After an emotional hug with Trent S. and Rob W., I said to Rob, "Can you keep a secret?...". And after telling him my idea, he enthusiastically agreed that I would quickly bounce back since I didn't gruel through what the 46/69 women did that day in the 35 degree heat and humidity. He too planned to run STWM (read story here) after a short post-Worlds break, which would not allow loss of the fitness gained in our amazing builds. Once I connected with Rick and Jonathan back at the hotel, it was revealed within minutes that we each thought of me running a fall marathon. It was just a matter of who would say it first!  I think Rick would have given me my training plan that night but we agreed that I would enjoy my break and he would contact Alan because Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon (STWM) was the perfect choice. STWM feels like my home race; it is familiar and comfortable with family and friends nearby. Alan and the CRS crew take great care of us. I won't have far to travel, will benefit from a pacer, and love the fall. 
So, I've been training for a week now and all is well. I'll be honest though, I allowed myself to fully indulge in 10 days of AMAZING European cuisine (you should have seeeeeen the sweets and treats I enjoyed!) and have a few pounds to shed but know with 3 babies and 1 injury, it will come. Patience. I needed that break and enjoyed every bit of it and it motivates me even more to get back into great shape. Again, the cross-training is a great help in my attempt to get back where I left off, pre-Worlds. It's way too early to set a goal time and sure the prize money, Canadian record, PB and all those things are incentives but honestly, I just want to work hard and put it to good use, October 20. We will likely do everything nearly the same as before Worlds because it worked so well. Race dates will be a bit different but I will do the Zoo run 10 km Canadian road champs as a sharpener. So, with just 7 weeks to go, I will buckle down and hopefully have a better ending to this story!

This is the first picture I've seen with me actually running at Worlds! Mary, Lanni and I had a good thing going...for a while anyway! (Krista - middle with red hat, Lanni on the left, and Mary with white hat, left of Lanni).
"Krista, along with Lanni Marchant in the Lead pack, early on, at Moscow World Championships Marathon on August 10th. Silver medallist Valeria Straneo (in blue) just in front. PHOTO: Victor Sailer, PhotoRun"

An absolutely wonderful 10 days

Tomorrow ends our 10 day European Vacation. It was amazing. Grand. Wonderful. The best.
Our travels in Russia, Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, France and Italy were absolutely great. The culture, food, scenes, pace, travel, walking, shopping, relaxation, and 10 days with my husband to celebrate 12 amazing years of marriage was absolutely epic. Epic seems to be the word to use these days so yes, it was epic! A big thanks goes to Jonathan's parents for watching the kids. I last saw them Aug 2 so I hope they remember me!
I've recovered from my attempt at the marathon. Thanks for sharing your experience, Lanni .
I've chatted with Jonathan and Rick about what is next. After 10 days with a lot of amazing food and as much cobble stone walking, I'm ready to lace up the running shoes again (;

Our last evening together in Europe.

Delicious food in Rome, Italy.

Love in Paris, France.

Breath-taking sites in Bern, Switzerland.

Breakfast in Munich, Germany.

Fashion in Vienna, Austria.

Amazing buildings in Moscow, Russia.

Cobblestone in Prague, Czech Republic.

 

Pictures, Aug 9-10. IAAF Worlds, Russia.

1. Carb loading.
2. Clean sport.
3. Runner.
4. Fuel.
5. Race gear.
6. Canadian marathon women.

Not in the plan

It's late and I'm tired with a 6:30 am shuttle to the airport tomorrow but wanted to write about today.
Everything leading up to the race was perfect. Text book. But as marathoners we know we can have that amazing build and that terrible race. Long story short...I collapsed while reaching for my eload bottle at an aid station and DNF'd...with 23 other women. Racing at 2:00 pm in August is quite ridiculous. Temp was about mid 30's with the humidity. Apparently the start time had to do with tv and a very large sum of money. Hopefully a lesson has been learned. Spectators were guzzling water and looking for shade, ambulances (me included) were whizzing by like crazy, and women were walking and cramping (way to go, Lanni and Mary).
Again, great support from the team. Poor DST had a tough time communicating with the Russians medical folks. I ended up in 3 or 4 ambulances! After much vomiting, sharing some crazy stories about marathoning vs childbirth (?), some tears, and being told nearly half the field dropped, I felt better. I watched the finish and kept fluids down then actually jogged 6 km back to the hotel to meet  Rick and Jonathan. A massage, shower and food has me feeling pretty good in my bed right now. God is good, all the time. Tomorrow starts our vacation on our 12 th anniversary. The break will be good. Then we will see what is next.

10. 11. 12.

10. 11. 12.

Like I said before, I am a numbers person and the numbers ten, eleven, and twelve have been in my mind the last few weeks.

10 August. My 10th marathon, first marathon was 11 years ago.

11 August. Our 12th anniversary and start of our 10 day European vacation (first kid-free week away since our honeymoon, departing to Prague on flight #2012 at 1125).

12. My Guelph Gryphon hockey jersey number. 

And now...

211 My IAAF World Championships Women's Marathon number!

Not sure what this might mean in terms of my marathon time or placing!? Anyway...

We've settled quite nicely since arriving, Wednesday...

Staying at the Crowne Plaza, World Trade Centre in Moscow while at the IAAF World Championships with Team Canada for the Marathon has been great. The wide variety of food is healthy, the rooms are quiet and comfortable for resting (thanks, Mr. Rob Guy for switching rooms w Lanni and I so we didn't have to sleep on a cot) and the atmosphere in the common areas with hundreds of other athletes is pretty neat. 

We finally got our luggage Thursday in the early evening, thanks to the persistence of Mr. Scott McDonald, Mr. Peter Eriksson, Mr. Guy and many other team leaders. Seems that in Russia you are given an answer with the expectation that there is no conversation. But after being told a second time that the luggage would arrive,"this evening" our leaders got to the bottom of it. Half of the team were sure glad to see the 30 + suitcases in the lobby after dinner!

Earlier Thursday we met up with NZ marathoner and friend, Mary Davies at the pool and then had lunch together. It was great to see her, and I can't wait to be with her on the start line! She and I have a great connection.

The highlight of Thursday was when Coach Rick and Jonathan came to our hotel to meet with Athletics Canada's DST and Trent, and I. I was glad to see that they arrived safely, review the course, and confirm the race plan. 

Later Lanni and I headed to doping control to give our blood, which was a very well-organized procedure. A lot of work but necessary for a clean sport.

Thursday and Friday for Lanni and I is quite low key; lots of carbs and fluids, and 8 km (Thurs) and 5 km (Fri) of easy running w a few pick ups. We pretty much stayed put all day in the hotel. 

We had a team meeting and picture Friday at 2:00 pm, got our bottles set with Eload (expecting 30 deg C!), hydrated, snacked, ate, and rested. For this marathon , we have our own tables w our own team personally handing us our bottles. Trent has been phenomenal for the team. He knows numbers and studies like the back of his hand. From ideal female marathon BMI to optimal # g carb/h, he's got it! He's sent me a few documents that I look forward to reading once I return to my RD office, after racing and vacation of course. 

I am sooo glad the marathon is day one of competition!

I am ready. Really, ready.

Let's get this race going!

Internet limited. May not be able to post.