What Training for the Under Armour Eastside 10K Reminded me About Myself

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Experience with the UA Road Running Training plan

Under Armour in collaboration with MapMyRun developed what I would consider one of the best, balanced and comprehensive 10K road running training plans I have seen. The Under Armour Eastside training plan not only incorporated a tapered running program bringing the runner up to 10KM but more importantly included:

I wish more training plans were set up this way – unfortunately most recreational runners, and I have been guilty of the same – focus too much, or even entirely at times, on our distance goal, our pace, and not about a balanced workout. This simply leads to overuse injuries caused by unbalanced or weak muscle development of our quads, glutes and hips. We also rarely take the time to properly stretch, relax and recondition our muscles.

The Under Armour training plan scheduled all of the above and I would highly recommend any road runner, no matter the distance, or race, take a look and blend it into your running routine.

You can check out the full training plan here.

Under Armour Makes impressive Running Gear

In addition to the training plan. As the winner of the Under Armour Eastside 10K contest, Under Armour also outfitted me with new running attire that has quickly become some of my favourites.  

• UA Rush Track Singlet and ½ Leggings
• UA Qualifier Speedpocket Shorts – I love the new waterproof speedpocket in the front of the shorts to fit my iphone, keeps the leather case dry, and these are super breathable shorts. I LOVE these shorts!
• New Hover Infinite Bluetooth Enabled runners that syncs with the UA MapMyRun app and tracks you pace, stride length, and cadence. Through the app, the shoes also provide cool training features such as recommendations on running dynamics (stride length), and dedicated training plans. Word of advice, they fit small – you may need a half a size bigger.
• UA Qualifier Storm Packable Rain Jacket that came in handy this weekend in Vancouver and it’s infamous rain
• A new UA Running hat, however the L/XL size didn’t quite fit my apparently average-sized head 🙁

New gear, top-notch running coach, motivation, and time – how is this not the perfect recipe for a PB?

Injury – why, oh why, do we need to be injured?

I try to remind myself that we cannot take a million steps a year in runners without having some form of injury. Unfortunately for me, a relatively serious injury hit in early July just as I was starting my 8-week training program for the Under Armour Eastside 10K. Within two runs, I went from feeling totally ready for summer training and the 16-week climb to marathon season to barely being able to put any weight on my right foot.  

Rich Hesketh, the Under Armour Training Team member provided me with a great pool routine to help maintain cardio function while I was benched.

When two weeks of rest and recovery were not doing the trick, it was time to call in the amazing physiotherapist team at LifeSpring Physiotherapy in Aurora, ON. If you are looking for a team that understands runners, and running related injuries be sure to check out LifeSpring. Prognosis: Posterior Tibial Tendon Syndrome and a few more weeks off of running.

Green Light to run and 5 weeks to go until Under Armour Eastside 10K

I was given the green light the first week of August to give running a try, however, those first few steps felt like I was back in a “Learn to Run” program. Where my Under Armour training plan called for a 40 minutes long slow distance (LSD) run, I was limited by my Physiotherapist to a 10 minute run at a maximum at 50% intensity, and to cut it short on any sign of pain.  My run, 1:27 KM’s at a 7:48 pace.  A long road away from 10K and a very short period of time to achieve that goal! 

The fun of building up to 10KM began from there:

• 10 minutes – 1.51 km at 6:15 /km
• 10 minutes – 1.71 km at 6:05 /km
• 15 minutes – 2.35 km at 6:25 /km
• 21 minutes – 3.34 km at 6:19 /km
• 32 minutes – 5.01 km at 6:25 /km
• 42 minutes – 6.31 km at 6:38 /km
• 53 minutes – 7.50 km at 7:10 / km (Group run w run club)
• 54 minutes – 7.32 km at 7:32 / km (5-Peaks Trail race)
• 31 minutes – 5:01 km at 6:22 / km (shakeout run before Vancouver)
• Sadly, life, as it does, got in the way of a second shakeout run.  No worries, I have this! 

Was I ready for the 10K?  Close, however, I also realized after my injury that goals need to be flexible.  Where I was once geared up to push myself and body to a new PB, I was totally content to just fall back and enjoy the run.  In hindsight, it was to my advantage. Gone was the stress of a race and I welcomed the rare opportunity to pause, look around the cityscape, take selfie photos, and enjoy the sights of Vancouver as me and 2856 other amazing runners enjoyed the streets of this iconic west coast city.

Running the Under Armour Eastside 10k in Vancouver

Every picture I have seen of the Under Armour Eastside 10k has been wet.  Leading up to race day, the Vancouver weather was ready to repeat.  90% chance of rain with 25mm expected in the forecast.  I am not sure how Under Armour pulled it off; however, race day was perfect weather, overcast and 17 degrees. Thank you run universe!  

Staged to start in the heart of Vancouver’s Gastown we were in for a treat out of the gates. For those not familiar with Vancouver, Gastown is the cities oldest neighbourhood circa 1867. Known for its whistling Steam Clock, mature trees, and cobbled stones, Gastown is home to indie art galleries and decor stores in Victorian buildings. A trendy food and drink scene includes chic cocktail lounges and restaurants serving everything from gourmet sandwiches to local seafood. It is also home to a large foyer as part of Woodwards Development that made for the perfect dry place to have bag check, race kit pickup, and just to culminate waiting for the race to begin.

The previous night’s rain made the cobblestone roads of Gastown a little slippery – however, it didn’t stop the race pack for hitting the course with a super-fast pace out of the gates that continued over the 10-kilometer course.

The race was FAST!

The elite pack at any race always blows me away – with Canadian Olympic Marathon trials just weeks away at Toronto’s Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, they were there in full force to prove a point. The winners came in with staggering finishes with the top male (Trevor Hofbauer) hitting a sub 30-minute mark at 29:58 and top female (Malindi Elmore) setting a new course record with her 32:42 finish.

The fast pace contained with the rest of the 2854 runners behind them.  All I can say is that it spring like weather or nicer 12 months of the year pays off for Vancouver runners. They are a very impressive bunch of runners.

After being injured and my race goal of PB was but aside I set a new simple expectation, “Enjoy the race,” as I reminded myself to simply find that natural pace and use that to govern the run.  That is exactly what I did. Putting my watch and pace aside, I ran, and watched, and cheered on fellow runners as we made our twists and turns through the streets of East Vancouver.

The race took us through Gastown and up-and-coming Railtown district which is home to edgy fashion studios, along the Vancouver’s Powel Street to views of North Vancouver’s mountains, and freight terminals, and past dozens of the city’s homeless campers that make Oppenheimer Park home. The 5 KM mark was the perfect place to throw the races monster of a hill at us – as we head for a +700 meter hill climb that had us twisting and turning through side streets of Vancouver not quite knowing when the crest of would be seen. The hill is certainly a defining moment in the course; run it smart and you will be great for the back half of the race – chew up too much energy and look out – you will have a bit of a laborious hike back to the party zone!  

Total Kudos for the Race Team on this hill!! I was hoping for a King of the Hill challenge for this section – maybe next year!

Where were the Cheer Zones?

Ok Vancouver, where is your cheer? A huge thank you to the people that lined the streets to cheer on the racers, your support is always a huge motivation to keep moving.

Maybe I am spoiled from running larger races in the Toronto area (10,000+ runners) – bands and drums, dozens of dancers, roadside spin-cycle classes, and signs, cow bells and cheers along the entire route. The Eastside route was a bit quiet in comparison. If anything – I would say the race needed a bit more roadside excitement. Don’t get me wrong – I love to just run, but also love the running community and it’s supporters.

Training, equipment, and a consistent and steady pace paid off

Despite my injuries and accelerated training program – my race was my fastest 10K of the year – with a 9-minute improvement over training times and previous 10KM events this season. I had a super-strong negative split by 2 1/2 minutes (30:02+27:34) finishing in 57:36. Still a long shot from my 54:11 PB, however, I am super happy with the result. Maybe there is something to be said for Under Armour’s UA Rush Track Singlet – umm. Regardless, of the science – it has become my go-to running shirt. Now to find myself a short and long sleeve version for Ontario’s fall and winter weather.

What is UA RUSH? During performance, the body emits heat. The responsive UA RUSH fabric absorbs that heat and converts it into infrared energy that is re-emitted back into the body. This recycled energy increases temporary localized circulation, promoting improved performance, energy and recovery. When worn, UA RUSH stimulates increased endurance and strength.

My sister ran 10K in a cast

A special shout and kudos to my sister Gillian that came along with me to the race. An accomplished half-marathon runner in her own right, she had her own injury this race season with a severe ankle sprain. Suited up in her favourite running gear, she battled the 10K in her walking cast / boot. Such an incredible trooper!

What did I gain from a trip to Vancouver? 

I have to thank Under Armour for this amazing opportunity. Not only did they give two Ontario siblings a chance to travel across the country to run in the Under Armour Eastside 10K, they helped keep me running motivated and pushing through my injury. As hosts – the trip went off without a hitch, as sponsors, the selection of running gear the outfitted me with has been a refreshing upgrade to my running bag. I laughed; the contest win was perfect timing as my favourite 2 in 1 UA Running shorts had just worn a hole.

Putting all the joking aside – the Eastside 10K gave me a strong running goal that helped motivate me to work through injury, work through time commitments of being a single parent, of work, of adulating, of simple day to day ups and downs of my chronic illness, and to get me to physio, all to ensure I fit in my critical training runs in and build to that 10 KM goal.

The Under Armour Eastside 10K reminded me, that no matter what adversities pop up in my life, they may shape and influence who I am but does not define who I am – running is, and will continue to be one way I remind myself of that, one way that I push my own limits and achieve a new personal best – or in this case a PB for 2019, and most importantly show my two boys that despite a bumpy and hard road, we can achieve our goals with a little effort and determination.