Have you ever had a hobby or activity that you love and let it get away for a while?
And a lot of time goes by and you start to wonder if you’ll ever get back into it?
That’s sort of what happened to me with running races.
In 2009, I got hooked on races running two 10k’s, a 10-miler, 3 half-marathons, and a beginner’s triathlon, all within about a year and a half. To say I was hooked on racing was an understatement. I loved the thrill of pushing my body, overcoming mental hurdles, and seeing my time improve. My last race was the Oakville Labour Day 10k and I managed to finish 3rd place in my division with a time of 49:50. It was a great race to end the season.
Despite my love for racing, I shifted gears in 2011 in favour of other activities. I fell in love with hot yoga and rekindled my love for Body Pump and spinning, after Ange gave me a discounted gym membership for the year. I used to be a gym rat back in university, so it was fun to get back into some of my favourite classes.
In 2012, I decided not to renew my gym membership, so I’ve been alternating at-home Booty Camp Fitness strength workouts with running outdoors. Because our winter has been so mild and free of much snow, I’ve been able to enjoy running outdoors several times a week. At first, adjusting to running during winter was difficult for me (it’s harder to breathe!), but now I find that I crave getting outside as much as I can, as long as I bundle up properly. I just don’t leave the house without the most crucial piece of winter running equipment- a few tissues! Having to blow your nose is a great excuse to take a walking break, right?
As you can see, my activities have been all over the place over the past couple years! I used to think that I had to juggle everything I love to do all at once, but I’ve since realized that it’s totally normal for passions and interests to change over time and for our focus to shift. I don’t need to do it all at once and it’s ok if I don’t have the “perfect” balance, whatever that means.
After discovering a love for climbing in Arizona, I found myself playing around with the idea of getting back into running races. It took getting to the top and bottom of a steep, rocky mountain for me to realize how much I’ve missed the feeling of accomplishment when it’s all over. It also made me realize how much I thrive on challenges, physical and mental. As an added bonus, these accomplishments also have a positive impact on my anxiety.
I caught myself thinking, I don’t think I can race this year. I just have too much on my plate…. How am I going to race if I can’t even find the time to _____ right now?
That’s when I realized that being busy is exactly the reason to get back into a long lost activity. We’re all busy. We all have obligations. Life just gets busier and busier with each passing year. Whether it’s racing, volleyball, dance, biking, the gym, or yoga, so many of us (and I think women, especially) let our passions fall to the wayside in favour of work and home obligations. Obviously, life happens and exercise gets put on the back burner at times (I’ve skipped many workouts over the past few months!), but that doesn’t mean I have to give up on a passion all together.
This isn’t to say that I’m going to bite off more than I can chew. I’m going to try to be realistic with the time I will have to race. I’m going to start with shorter 5k or 10k races, that require little training other than the running I’ve already been doing. I’m not trying to achieve a certain time goal right now or win the race (ok maybe I am, bahah). I just want to allow myself the opportunity to get back into something I love. That is definitely attainable.
On that note, I’m excited to let you know that I’ve signed up for three races over the next few months:
1) Sunday Feb 12 (in 2 days!): The Valentine’s Day Couples & Singles 5k, Burlington, ON (I’m going as a SINGLE, anyone want to be my hot date?)
2) Sunday March 4th: Chilly Half Marathon and Frosty 5k, Burlington, ON (I’m doing the 5k)
3) Sunday April 22: Toronto Yonge Street 10k, Toronto, ON
I’m looking for buddies…so let me know if you want to join me!
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Is there an activity or hobby that you are thinking of starting up again? Or a totally new-to-you activity that you’ve been thinking of trying out?
I would love to run with you, but I’m in Portland, Oregon :0( Have a great time at the race this weekend!
Thanks Kim! :)
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I can totally relate! I’m a triathlete and racing is basically my life – it’s been a while because they’re during the spring/summer, and now that the end of the uni school year is in sight I’m getting so excited to get back into it. So true that there’s nothing like the rush after pushing yourself!
Chilly is an awesome race if you haven’t done it before! I ran it in 2010, but I’m not doing it this year…it’s Around the Bay for me instead! I’m loving our winter too, it’s so easy to run outside!
I always love running races, but I’d love to get into weights a little. I have zero upper-body strength and want to change that! :)
im doing the chilly half!! i did it last year – its hard! and cold!
Good luck!! I can imagine the challenge of running the half in the cold. What temp was it last year? One of my halfs was run in -2C and that just about did me in! lol
it was just terrible! rain followed by snowstorm the day/night before, and i think it was about -6 with windchill…froze the roads, and the cups of water at the ice stations! luckily this year has been milder and hopefully it will be a nice day on the 4th!
ahhh crazy. I guess you never know what you’re going to get in march!! Here’s hoping for a nice day :)
I’m running the Toronto Yonge Street 10K! It’ll be my first race back after an injury last year and I can’t wait. Hopefully I’ll see ya there!
I hope to see you there too! Have you run it before?
I did a half along that same (or similar route) there are more hills than they lead on…lol. But it was fun running down yonge st.
Thanks for the positive message! I also have to remind myself that passions change and evolve, and it’s okay not to do everything all at once. And I was just talking to my friend yesterday about how there will always be an excuse for not having time to go to the gym or do whatever other physical activity you prefer, so it’s essential to make it a part of your schedule just like work or classes. Good luck with your races!!
Congrats on rekindling your love for racing Ange!! I’m also doing the same this year, and am so excited for the Lululemon SeaWheeze half marathon in Vancouver in August. It’s been ages since I’ve raced but I really want to do another one! And rock climbing is something I’ve put on my vision board for this year so I’m determined to make it happen. Good luck in the race on Sunday – even though you’re entering as a single I hope your other half will be there taking photos for you! ;)
Angela this is a beautiful post. I think it is important to take breaks from hardcore training like running. I didn’t realize how important it was until my body burnt out. You are a great role model and a great inspiration! Good luck with training.
Good luck on your 5k this weekend! If you’re looking for a 1/2, you should consider the GoodLife Toronto half-marathon on May 6th. I’m still looking for running buddies :)
I am not “re-kindling” a love, rather, kindling a new one altogether! – cycling! – I have always “said” that I want to bike but now I actually am and I have a commuter bike but I am wanting to get a used road bike PLUS I am thinking about kindling triathlon love THANKS to OSG as in your years past, I read, and find inspiration! thanks angela :)
ps I facebook ya AND I tweeted babay!…there’s always MORE to promote about OSG…thazzz why I LOVE it!
Congratulations on getting back into racing! We make time for the things that are important to us. Best of luck to you!
Oh this post is a reminder for me to get back to running and my other long-forgotten hobby-Painting! Maybe I should get back to it this weekend. Thanks Angela for the inspiration.
I’m training for my first 1/2 marathon in April! It has helped me to have a purpose for running, so I decided to fundraise for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It’s been a great experience so far, and gives me more motivation to push myself.
For various reasons, I have been on race hiatus since probably July last year (except for a Turkey Trot), but getting back into it starting in April with a 5K and then a couple of 10k’s over the summer. I had wanted to do a half in April, but it’s just not realistic with our schedule over the next two months. My husband has signed up for a 3 race series, so I have to compete with that :)
Running! After a severe (unrelated) injury last fall, I’m rebuilding time and distance, slowly but surely. It feels sooo good to get back into it!
I haven’t been able to run at a great racing pace the last few years – pregnancy put an end to that. But I did run a 10k 4 months after our daughter was born. It was SO great to be running again. Then last year at the same race (Valley Harvest Marathon in Nova Scotia) I ran a 5k just to get back into it. I came across an old race bib and that has motivated me to run a 5k this year (at the Bluenose Marathon in Halifax) and try for a personal best under 29:16minutes. Fingers crossed. Good luck on your runs!
Goodluck to you!! That’s so great that you are getting back into it too. I find it’s always hard to start something, but once I do, I find it’s not so bad. ;)
Congrats on signing up! Sometimes just having something on the calendar gets your race juices flowing! :)
Love this bit..
“That’s when I realized that being busy is exactly the reason to get back into a long lost activity. We’re all busy. We all have obligations. Life just gets busier and busier with each passing year. Whether it’s racing, volleyball, dance, biking, the gym, or yoga, so many of us (and I think women, especially) let our passions fall to the wayside in favour of work and home obligations. Obviously, life happens and exercise gets put on the back burner at times…”
Yup. Especially in the last year. I’m busy with home life, work life (as i’ve taken on more responsibility), social life etc.. that I just think exercise has really fallen onto the back burner – I feel like the old me (exercise 5-6 days a week) isn’t achievable. BUT exercising 3-4 days a week should be, and could be if I made it a complete priority. I feel better about everything if i do.
Good luck with your upcoming races!
I agree that it really spills over into everything. Working out not only makes me healthier, but it makes it easier to concentrate on work and a more positive person in my everyday life. It’s easy to forget that sometimes though! Goodluck with your goals :) I wish you were here to run with!
I know!! Someday we’ll work out together again!
I’m so excited for you to get back into racing!! I’ve never done any of those races, but I’ve heard about the Valentine’s Day 5k and it sounds super fun :) I look forward to reading your recaps!
I chose Sporting Life (on May 13th) over the Yonge St. 10k this year, but if you’re ever looking for a racing buddy in Toronto, I’m your girl!