1/2 Marathon Training: Week One

This was the first of 12 weeks of training for the BMO Vancouver 1/2 Marathon.  I didn't exactly follow the plan, but I am very happy with how the first week went and excited to be working towards a goal again.

Monday:
5K
Done! 

I headed out and ran around the neighbourhood in an improvised outfit after leaving my jacket behind when travelling for work the week before.  It felt good to be back on a "plan"!

Tuesday:
5K 4 hours of snowshoeing

An afternoon spent snowshoeing up and down a mountain in the snow and sun is the best cross training a girl could ask for!

Wednesday:
Rest

Thursday:
5K 4.5K
I went out in the snow and without my Garmin and tried to invent a new route around my limited neighbourhood.  It must have been a little slower going than I thought, trudging through the snow, because 29 minutes later, Google Maps told me I'd only gone 4.5K.  At least I got out there!

Friday:
Rest

Saturday:
4 miles "Long" Run  9.8 K (6 miles)
Since I replaced one run with snowshoeing this week, I wanted to run a little farther this weekend.  I was also in the mood for a challenge, so I headed to the Pinnacles.  It is exactly what is sounds - a giant hill.  4.9km up, 4.9km down.  There is one little respite about half way up, where you get to go down for about 30 seconds, only to reach the steepest section of the hill around the next bend.  I've only tackled this hill once before, and I had to take a few walk breaks.  On this attempt, I walked once, for 100 steps (would you believe I went out without my Garmin AND my watch?!), once I made it past the steepest section.  Otherwise, I just took it easy, took it one bend at a time, listened to my music (until my iPod battery died on the way down) and took in the views through the trees as I went up and up and up.

See the town, way below!

Even though my weekly mileage is still low, this is the kind of run that makes you feel like you've accomplished something!  Challenge complete.

Sunday:
Snowshoeing 70 minute walk/march in the snow.
The BF had to go out to a farm for work on Sunday, and so I tagged along and we went for a long walk in the snow on the property along the Fraser River.  It was easy going for the first 40 minutes or so, while we walked on an existing snowmobile track, and so we left the snowshoes behind, but to get back to the car we had to cut across a field and then it was a workout!  As always, it was nice to get out together to explore!