See ya, 2013.

End of the year post and reviews are my favourite posts to read. They never get old and I lurve looking back on everyone's year and remembering when such and such happened. 

For me and my family, 2013 was much better than 2012. I hope it continues that way. 

In January, my mom started radiation for her breast cancer. We were glad Chemo was over but nervous what radiation would do. Alex and I celebrated 6 months of dating. It's amazing-we thought we had our relationship at that time down pat, and really knew each other---growing is good. 

February, with it being cold was tough. This is when my Grandpa Hannon's health went down hill. Just couldn't kick a bacterial infection and he was in and out of the hospital for a good 3 months. Add in thinking he was going to go, the second month of 2013 wasn't good to us.  I also ran my 2nd half marathon in 2:07! 

In March, I turned 21 which felt great. And the weather turned nice--finally! I hit another running rut (again) (they happen) 

April was amazing--month of vacations  Karen and I went to Punta Cana for a week and Alex and I went away to Niagara Falls on our first trip away together. And I finished my 2nd year of school. 2 down 2 together. 

The year of weddings started in May, my brother childhood best friend and his girlfriend of 6 years got married. That was sweet. After looking at vacation pictures I got depressed with how I let my body and weight get.  I also got into golf during May---thanks to Alex. 

In June-we thought we were going to lose Grandpa Hannon. I was called home from school to say my good bye's, thankfully he made it and hasn't been in the hospital since. In the middle of the month, cancer had been around for a year. To make June happier, I did Colour Me Rad run (everyone should do it!) 

Best part of July was celebrating 1 year with Alex! 

August taught me life lessons about true friendships. I realized who was true and who is fake around me and people who bring toxins into my life. 

Summer was over and 3rd year started in September. It was also the time I shared my own fears about my mom heading back to work and the cancer.  Best part-Karen got engaged! 

October was a fun month, pumpkin patches and a 1:57 half marathon and joining the YMCA.

November was stressful! School was no joke and I felt that I had way to much on my hands/on the go. 

Lastly, December brought food changes as I joined the Paleo diet and started cooking more healthy meals.

I can't wait for 2014. So excited for things that are coming up and things we don't know about at this moment. 

The half-marathoner who hates running.

Whew----not sure that's even a word but let's pretend it is. No Christmas re-cap here. I'm sure everyone will be doing them come later this week. But, Santa was good to me. I had 3 dinner's with my family back to back which was great at times but a lot of family time. I did get a Canon t3 rebel so no more Iphone pictures!

~

Right now I'm texting my boyfriend Alex and being lectured about not going to running group again this morning. I had my alarm set for 7:15am to leave enough time to get ready and when that annoying alarm went off I tried (really I did) to get out of bed and get ready. That didn't happen and I went back to bed for another 2 hours. I feel bad because I haven't run in almost 3 weeks. Getting up there to my longest hiatus of not running. 

Running right now is boring, it's cold and I hate every second of it as well as everyone else I ran with. It's annoying to be running in a group with people complaining about this and that. But when I go to the Y and do BodyPump or Bootcamp I'm all over that stuff. It's hard but I love doing it. For example, tomorrow I have planned to do a noon class and so excited already for it. 

I do think I've burned myself out, running 3 half marathons in 2013 and maybe I need a break. I'll 100% go back to training for another half marathon but right now I'm really enjoying building muscle.

I would rather do workouts that I love than torture myself with doing workouts I hate. 

So on one hand I miss running and the other hand I love going to the Y so my plan to get the best of both worlds is do run with my group during there smaller milage runs and continue lifting at the Y. That sounds do able. 

What the neighbours think.

I'm taking a little break from stuffing my head full of Canadian Politics (which is actually really interesting). Exam is tomorrow and I need to pass.  Keep them positive thoughts coming my way. 

Christmas is in full effect here at the Hannon household. Tree is up, snow globes are out and the music is playing every waking moment. Totally sound like a cheesy commercial for Walmart or something. I was sad that we didn't cut down our own tree at a farm like we did a few years back. Turns out those trees were from Quebec.

Today I decided to study at home, instead of going to the library. Big mistake. I just cant study at home. My day literally is "oh I gotta pee" "and now that I'm up I'll check my phone for messages." 

5 minutes later. 

"but I need a snack to keep me going"-gets up and makes food

And before I know it, 2 hours have gone by and I've done 15 minutes of studying.

When I study at home I never get dressed. No point to me. And so when the mailman delivers the mail and the lovely neighbour comes and gives my Christmas decoration that fell down, they both give me strange looks. So what if it's 3pm and I'm not dressed. Stop judging!

I've decided to not run a half marathon in March. That's when my next half should be if I keep following the Running Room schedule. I'm still going to run with everyone to keep active but with school keeping me very busy, I don't want to let my marks slip again because I'm focused on training. 

Also, I'm obsessed with the Y and the classes there. 

So if I miss a run here or there? Not a biggie. 

My new running partner.

Recently, Alex has wanted to become healthier, lose the pouch and workout more. 'Done" I said, let's start running. Since I golf with him too, but decided it was only fair to get into running. We even are doing Colour me Rad on August 31st and no, didn't take a lot of convincing to get him to sing up!

We're or should I say he is starting out easy with couch to 5k. We ran/walked 2k early last week and he liked it. Amazing since I've never heard of anyone finishing a ran and liking it. 

It honestly makes me so happy to know that he wants to live a healthier lifestyle and get a good sweat on. Makes it easier for me to maintain that lifestyle too. 

Running Milestones

This week I hit an amazing (in my mind) milestone in running-over 1000 kilometers since November '11. I remember hitting 500 back late last year and thinking 1000 was so far away and I didn't even know if I would make it. But I did. 

Honestly, it's all thanks to the Beaches Running Room Half Marathon clinic. Boy, do they make you run but safely! 

I decided to not train for my next half by myself and thought since my dad has has amazing success in the RR clinics, I would try. Such a great thing they've got going on. They support and community I have is what I need to run a 2 hour half marathon in October. 

Along with running, I'm doing more weights and abs. The last time few times I've run halfs, all I've done to prepare was run, which ya, I need to do but cross training is so important!

Off for a 6k- 3 hill run tonight :) 

Who knew a magazine could have me in tears.

If you read Runner's World, this months issue is a good one. Every article is based off April Boston Marathon and I seriously have not put it down. 

I can't believe it's been a little over 2 months since the bombings because for me, it feels longer. 

I read this at work yesterday and while reading the 6 page oral history of April 15th, which started in at 6:15am monday and went to 9:00am tuesday made me cry. Seeing the map of the bombs and realizing I walked those streets last year scared the crap out of me. 

But then I read something, read that, that feeling of being scared is what terrorism wants us to feel. So, we can't let them win. And Boston won't. 

I loved the article where the author imagined what next year will be like, Boston 2014 will be huge! We thought the crowds were awesome before? Just wait. I need my dad to qualify again this year. If not, road trip to Boston in April to cheer. 

Boston will be better than ever!

*totally just reviewed Runner's World...I should get next years issues for free. 

Colour me RAD!

On saturday Karen and I went cross border to do the Colour me Rad run. The one where every mile they throw colour power cornstarch at you until you are covered in colour! 

We had so much fun rolling in the colours and having rainbow coloured nose hairs and rainbow coloured boogers. 

For a 1st 5k, this is perfect!

Running MoJo is back!

Past couple of weeks I've been so sad about my lack of interest in running. My body has sure been sad too as it was craving some good sweaty workouts and yet I hated the thought of running. Blah.

I re-joined weight watchers this week after a 7 month hiatus and I knew I would have to get into running to help with losing weight and toning up. 

 

It felt so good to realize I've ran almost 10miles this week! Boo yah. Even better, it felt so good while running to actually not be hating every second of it but to be happy and wanting to go farther than what my goal(s) were for that run. 

~

My week on weight watchers was great, I won't be doing this every week but I did lose 2.8 this week! I noticed that I fail during snack times and eat way to much to be considered a "snack." That's being corrected! 

Happy long weekend. 

Boston Forever

I woke up this morning with such a heavy heart but since I just woke, I didn't remember why I was sad.  It wasn't until I brushed the sleep out of my eyes that I remember what happened yesterday in Boston. 

You see, last year I was there. My amazing dad ran the Boston Marathon. I cheered him on at mile 16 and took the subway to the finish line to meet my dad, along with the thousands of others who were supporting their loved ones who lived out their own dreams. 

I was in the crowds of the thousands of runners and their families, the hundreds of volunteers and the media at the finish line. It was a zoo! I can only imagine how more crazy it was yesterday. 

My dad wanted to train again really hard the past year to qualify for Boston again for 2013 but in late summer 2012, he injured his foot real bad and to this day can't run 6k without it hurting. That is the scary part, thinking my family could have been down there this year again. If I think about, it would just be my parents as I have exams and papers to write this week. But we weren't down there. Thank you Lord for not letting my dads foot heal in time. (Feels silly to thank him for that, but really it saved our lives.) 

Boston and the Marathon is always talked about is my house, we have shirts and hats from last year always being worn. My family has goals of going again, maybe next year. Boston will always have a special place in our hearts. 

As much as I didn't want this post to be about my family or myself. It is coming out that way and I need to express my feelings. 

What happened yesterday sucked. It's sad and I want to cry. As a future elementary teacher I still feel uneasy about what happened in Newtown and now this? We can't even run one of the worlds most prestigious marathon in the world without fearing for our life. This world needs help. We need new laws...stat. 

Hearing the stories about the man who ran 26 miles for the 26 victims in Newtown and now his legs are gone?! I'm speechless at that. 

I encourage everyone today to wear blue or yellow in honour of all the victims and those for witnessed everything. If you can, go out and run. Even if it is 26 steps. 

I pray that all runners and their families get home safe and sound today. I pray for peace in this world that is changing and becoming dark....very fast. 

Running Runt

I'm in a running runt. And I need to get out of it...now.

Since my half-marathon which was on the last Sunday of Febraury, I've logged about 21k (13miles) which is not like me. 

I've gotten obsessed with Spin class and slowly getting back into lifting weights because my flabby arms? Need to go. 

But running is a pain and challenge. I always have plans to go, but either I quit before my goal or the entire time I'm focused on how many more minutes until I'll be done and the other things I could be doing then running. 

Like last Thursday. I went to the gym after class to run a nice 5km and 2.6km, I shut off the treadmill dreadmill and left. I don't know why, just hit my "wall" quickly and couldn't get out of it. I was so sad and even more angry at myself. 

How can I go from running a half-marathon in 2 hours and 5 minutes and now I find it so hard to complete 5k! 

The fact that I have another half coming up at the end of May and have only logged 21km, scares me so much. I want to finish this half faster than the pervious ones and right now I'm sure I can. 

As of right now, I know I have to download some brand new music, lace up and get out there. I need to run again. I feel not complete. 

I know I have to face the bad runs and just keep repeating left....right...left...right.  

have any of you gone through a bad time like this? How did you get out of it? 

Peterborough Half-Marathon

Sunday, I (along with my brother, Ryan) ran my second half-marathon. Yes, I ran 13.1 miles or 21km for fun. 

My goal was to finish in under 2:23:00 and beat my time that I ran the ScotiaBank Half-Marathon in October, which I did because I finished in 2:05! I knew around the 14km marker that I would so I got out my phone at sent a video to Alex saying I would. 

It felt so good to finish under my goal and shave off 18 minutes from last race. Hello new PB!

Now I'm deciding which half-marathon to sign up for and start training again for. 

Wednesday Randoms

• As my other university friends are getting into day 3 of classes, I'm still enjoying the last few days of my 5 week Christmas break. And? I'm not bored at all. Sleeping till 9am, slowly getting out of head and running have become my new daily routine and I will miss it. Not looking forward to essays at.all!

• I started tracking my food intake right after New Years, and have lost 2 pounds. Thanks MyFitnessPal! 

• Half marathon training is going great. I wont tell you about my embarrassing bathroom emergency that happened on Saturday. Felt like an 80 year old person! 

• Friday is special. It's Alex and mine 6 month (dating) anniversary. We're getting dressed up, having dinner at Wayne Gretzky's restaurant and seeing a comedy show tomorrow. 

Fitness Friday

I'm so happy to be off school for Christmas holidays until January 14th. Like so so so happy.

So happy because I can get back into running and start training for my 2nd half-marathon that's happening is two months! 

My work outs took a little back seat this semester which made me so sad. Seriously, who knew that working out can make me such a nicer person to around?!

I've been looking around on Pinterest for some new work outs and came across this one. It's awesome! All over workout plus running. Couldn't ask for me!

Source: blondeponytail.com via Sarah on Pinterest

I'm back folks!

After a 19 day running hiatus, I'm back! 

I told myself that when school was in full swing this semester I would still run at least 2 times a week. 

HAHA! That clearly didn't happen.  But now that school is slowing down (a week today I'm done!) I'm so happy to be pounding the pavement again! 

And I even signed up for  the Peterborough half marathon in February! My first race of the the 2013 running year! And my second half marathon! SO EXCITED! 

INSTA-LATELY

1) I ran the Tom Taylor 10 miler on Sunday in 1:43 minutes. 

2) It's been raining since Friday night. Thanks Sandy. 

3) My new favourite snack, pumpkin seeds with cranberries and raisins

4) Post run tradition, icing my knee. 

1st half marathon!

I was sitting in church this morning when I leaned over to the best friend and said "this time last week, I was crossing the finish line of the Toronto Scotiabank half-marathon."

Yup. I did it.  In 2:23. Not bad for my first time. 

I had so much fun but I'll be honest, from 12km-19km I was in so much pain. Yes, I walked A TON because of all the cramps and being tight but made myself run the last 2k...crying the last 500 meters thinking how far I've come in the past year. This time last year? I did a 5k in 36 minutes and hated every single minute of it. A year a go I was 30 pounds heavier. Thanks to running, it's gone. 

Already signed up for the Peterborough half in February! 

Friday Letters

~Dear running,

Remember that 15k we have coming up Aug 18? Ya, it's coming up fast, so let's stop getting cramps at 2k and walking home and run much farther than that.
Sincerely, we must rock this race.

~Dear Blogging,
Why is writing still so hard to do!? I need to get out of this rut.
Sincerely, I promise I'm not abandoning my blog.

~Dear good friend MJ (not that MJ..geez guys who do you think I am?!)

I love you but I am so jelly you are in Hawaii for your 20th birthday. Have a mojito (two shots of rum) for me!
Sincerely, I would have gone but dam summer school gets in the way.

~Dear Summer School,

Two more classes. Two more classes. 6 more hours. Till FREEDOM!
Sincerely, it's my summer and I hate walking up at 7:30am for class.

~Dear Mom,

I love you. No worrying until we know for sure.
Sincerely, very vague letter.

The time I cried at the finish line

love this pin I got. HECK YA! I run 10k's now. 

On saturday papa Hannon and I ran the Mississauga 10k.  

It was a beautiful and warm evening for a run so we were pumped to have a good run. We did, until the hills came. For about 3k it was hill after hill after hill. 

By 6k? I.was.done. 

The cramps near my hips weren't helping either. 

I wanted to finished faster than my 10k time that I did two-ish weeks a go but at this point I would have been very happy to just finish. 

So, I kept listening to LMFAO-Sexy and I know it for about 2k and kept drinking water which helped the cramps. 

Then we came to 8k.  Oh boy, I love 8k. Not.

It was on this little 3 feet wide path with runners running on both sides. Trying not to run over the little 8 years who instead of stopping and walking on the side of the path on the grass, would stop right in front of you! So ya, very little space and trying not to run over children wasn't that fun. 

My dad said we were 1k away from the finished line. I knew we were too because we could hear the party going on. I could hear all the finishers cheering when they heard their name being called but I wasn't having it. 

I was beyond done. All I wanted was to catch my breath, drink some water but mister Marathon runner over here didn't let me. My dad said to pick it up because we could finish  around 55minutes but I told him  begged him  to let me walk for 10 seconds. I couldn't feel anything. 

He said no. And to give all I got. So I did. I started pumping my arms like a crazy women and started making really ugly faces and of course I made troll sounds to help. 

About 400 meters away from the end I yelled at my dad and I said I needed to stop for water. 

Then the pep talk started. 

My awesome dad said to me "no, you don't. Keep running Sarah"

Ya right, I thought. This is easy for you. 

and the one that made me cry "think about how far you've come"- he said

::insert tears::

I have come so far. Let's talk about this for a second. Last October? I couldn't even run 2k without dy-ing and stopping. Now? I've completed two 10k's in two weeks. 

7 months away I was 25 pounds heavier than I am now. Now? I am at a healthy weight and have lost 17cm from my body. 

So ya. I have come so far. Daddie-o was right. 

I am so so happy to tell that I finished in 55:37. 

See? The ugly faces I said I did. That's my dad too. 

My races...so far

I saw on another blog, who happens to be a running junkie like me, her post about all her races, her times , pace and location.

Since I blog, document stuff, I thought this was a great idea. Why not have a hard copy all of my races?! It's fun to look back, isn't it?

5k


Sunday June 14, 2009
Toronto Challenge 5k
Time: 28:42 (5:45 pace)

Sunday July 11, 2010
Acura Toronto Ten Miler and 5k
Time: 34:54 (6:59 pace)


Sunday April 2, 2011
Harry Spring Off- 5k
Time: 33:56 (6:48 pace) 
Toronto

Friday October 21, 2012
Halloween 5k Run
Milton, ON
Time: 32:59

Sunday February 12, 2012 
Whitby Waterfront 5k
Time: 28:30 (5:47 pace)

Sunday February 26, 2012
 YMCA Peterborough 5k
Time: 26:53 (5:35 pace)


Saturday June 3, 2012
A Campaign of Hope
Time:
Toronto-High Park


10k


Sunday April 22, 2012
Toronto Younge Street 10k
Time: 56:30 (5:40 pace)

Saturday May 5, 2012

Mississuaga Marathon/Half/10K/5K
Time:

Where I talk about my love for Friday's

First off-thank you for your kind words on my last post about getting to my goal weight. It's hard to put into words how happy I am right now. So thanks.
~

I can't believe in 4 short hours I will be going into my last class for first year. This year has flown by, which is great but scares me a little bit, before you know it I'll be walking across that stage.
~

Friday's are awesome around here. I seriously love Friday's.

All week I have all-day classes and placement. Some days I go straight to placement and right to work not getting home until 9:45pm. It's a long day.

But knowing Friday is coming up, keeps me going.

Friday's I don't have class until 2pm. It's soooo nice to sleep in! and slowly get ready. I can actually sit down and read the newspaper, eat my breakfast and read my morning devotionals.

It's heaven.

Monday's are also like this. No rushing around, time for myself.

I will make sure to plan my friday classes in the late afternoon next year.
~

Gotten from here

In other news, I'm off to Boston this weekend as my dad is running in the marathon. So excited to have a target 1.2miles away from our hotel and a kohl's 6 miles away! Oh and to see my dad run.

If you're watching the online stream on monday, look for a red hair man with CANADA written on his back. That's my daddy :)