booze gut

Holy.

Fun.

Have not done that in awhile...first was a tri-group get together and everytime I looked, my martini glass was full...it was like magic...my head hurts today...then off to a pub to celebrate Karina's 40th...someone made her a hat with a cougar on it...my head hurts still...I have to be at the hockey rink in an hour...help...

Shaun and the birthday girl...

The other Shawn and Colleen

I didn't disappoint on the nachos...

The night was an 80's theme night, so some of the hair was way up there.

My crew. My support system. My girls. My rocks. We have been together over 20 years now...I can hardly believe it...it has gone by so fast!!

what's new

Nothing.

I still have not yet done a workout.

Justin sent me an e-mail..."Relax. Let's talk when you are ready."

Okey Dokey

I think I am getting close...to getting ready....to do something. We had our local tri club sign up on Wednesday night and I have signed up for Sunday swims again. Jenna and Chuck will be there...thank-gawd. And we are in the city's brand new $50 mil facility!! Bonus. I will post pics so you can all see what our taxes have built. It really is a beaut.

Hosted my book club last night. Had too much wine and ate way too much. Was a really good time. Those gals are all so on their game. Except not many like my book choice; "Sing them Home." Oh well...can't be brilliant ALL the time...next up is "Book of Negroes." Looking forward to this one.

On tap for the weekend is maybe a bike ride...the weather is absolutely gorgeous and I would hate to waste it. A tri-club function. A 40th birthday party. Hockey practice (at which I expect to be tired and hung over...but sometimes you just gotta have fun...) Paint part of the fence. Clean the garage. The couch. Football.

Have a good one!!

c'mon baby light my fire...

That old fire in the belly has not lit itself yet for any fall training.

There was a brief little spark that simmered for about 20 minutes when Jenn texted me her run splits today...but it then puffed out as quickly as it came...

Coach Justin has called me twice and I have yet to return the call.

I am a hack.

Plain and simple.

A very busy hack, but a hack just the same.

I have a friend who is turning 40 this weekend. My first 40th birthday party!! OMG!! The plans are laid out for the night and I think my subconcious is telling me to hold off any other strenuous activity as there is an all nighter just around the corner....

even ninja turtles reach their limit...

MS Bike Tour 2009

Eeeek...look how white my arms and legs are!! And I do have a bike tan!! I may have to reconsider my anti-tanning stance...

An emotional day for me today. I bike the MS Bike Tour up at Waskesiu. And it was fun at the same time! My team "Back of the Bus" raised OVER $10,000!

This is what I am wearing next year.

The Superhero team...not sure which super hero this guy is but I wish I would have known and I would have worn my WonderWoman costume.

A two seater. Notice the hydration on this bike. Gotta love events sponsored by beer companies!!


I wanted to steal this.

We had these signs tied to the back of our bikes. The red lights really worked and flashed!

Welcome to Northern Saskatchewan

You don't see this at a triathlon. And they were packing "the heat" too! Maybe they thought they were going to see a bear?

Everyone stopped at half way and here was our lunch...

Another Northern Sask shot...

This was the last rest stop...that's me and a bit of time with a Kayak...

a random ramble

I have not much to say. It appears as though most people are getting their 2010 race plans organized. Not me. I don't know what I feel like doing. Coach Justin says pick events you are excited about doing...I can't think of any...the one that keeps popping in my head is the Kelowna Apple Weekend...I had a friend who did the triathlon this year and when I was checking out the website, lo and behold there is a 5 km open water SWIM!!

This?

Would be FUN!! Wouldn't it? And some of those guys and gals can put down a very quick 5000 meters...I think I want to do that...

I am on the fence about GWN in Stoney Plain. Should I? Or Shouldn't I? I loved that race when I did it last year and it looks like there are plenty from Saskatoon entered but I am feeling done with triathlons. Kind of over it. Like I have been there and done that...let's look for a different challenge. What about a marathon? What about a family adventure somewhere next summer?

My brother wants to to Calgary 70.3 with me. I would do that with him but he better do the training!!! I want to go out to Penticton and watch and cheer next Ironman. I want to hang out and have beers with my non-triathlon friends that I never seem to see anymore...

Any other ideas for me?

Tomorrow I am off to Waskesiu to put 100km on my bike for the MS Society. I managed to raise well over $1000 in about 48 hours...maybe I should get to work on the fundraising sooner next year and see what I can come up with...

PBPBPBPBPBPBPBPBPBPBPBPBPBPB!!!!!

The weekend was a good one. Jumped in with tri-buddies Shannon and Dana for the 2.5 hour ride down to Regina. Did the usual chatting about shopping deals, tri club gossip, fun stories, race advice...this last one was more for me than them.

Got to Regina in good time to pick up race packages and dropped all our gear off at the hotel and walked to the mall downtown. Wandered around for awhile but none of us were in a real shopping mood. I was starting to bonk big time and needed food...real food...not some food court crap. Went to Boston Pizza (I know, slightly above food court crap...) which has become our Regina trip tradition...we have done this trip for the last few years...ate like queens...pasta, salad, bread...was great!!

Went back to the hotel and laid around the entire evening watching tv and visiting some more and finally reading to make sure were were good and tired. I was the first to go down at 9:30...and I slept like a log...it was great...I woke up in the same position I had fallen asleep in...that's when you know it was a good one!!

Did the whole pre-race routine thing. Thanks to Shannon for being my "race-wife"...she remembered breakfast (bagel and banana) and some cheap socks with the toes cut off for throw away arm warmers...

Headed down to the race start and it was foggy and spitting rain. It was feeling like a perfect day to run!! These girls are serious competitors (they are doing Chicago in a few weeks and both expect to qualify for Boston...) and warmed up before the run...so I didn't want to sit by myself so I warmed up as well..ahahahahaha!!! And I even stretched!! Did the porta potty thing...shed the last minute warm up gear...dropped off our bags...we were ready to roll.

If you have been following this blog you know that I have tried to work real hard on my running and have been disappointed most of the spring/summer with my results at races.

Today was the day it aaaaaallll came together for me!

I knew it was bound to happen if I just kept getting out there.

The first 5km were not what I would have hoped. My legs were heavy and I could not catch my breath. It was humid and foggy and I felt like I was breathing into a pillow. It was the usual crowded start and dodging the odd runner. Dana's race advice was "When you are racing, it is all about you. Don't worry about anyone else out there...only think about you..." So. I did not talk to anyone, I did not notice any spectators, I went within myself and just ran.

The second 5km was good. I found my legs and I kept checking Gary Garmin and I was telling myself to just slooooowwww down!! My pace was way fast for me. But I was feeling really good!! I hit the 10km mark in the fastest 10km I have EVER ran!!???

I took water and gatorade in at every aid station, I only walked through two of them. This is a GREAT race if anyone ever wants to consider doing it...so much support, well organized, I love this race!

The 3rd 5km was STILL really good!! I was amazed at how good I felt!! This is when I tend to start to fall apart, but not today. I just kept telling myself "tiny, quick steps, keep your back straight, keep your head up, don't look to far ahead of you, it's ALL about me!!"

The next 3km in other races I have to walk, I start cursing, hate running, swear I am never doing this again...but yesterday was a different story...I was still running!! I felt awesome!! I was passing people!! My pace was still crazy fast for me!! What was happening??

Could I be a runner???

And if I am totally honest, the last 3km were the toughest. Like really, really tough. As in I was just putting one foot in front of the other...still running...but slowing down...alot. But I DID NOT WALK!! I RAN up that last hill!! I was being passed by all sorts of people. But I didn't care. I came around that last corner and I heard the announcer say someone's name and "One hour 54 minutes!!" OMG!! I was almost there! Could I break 1:55? Sooooo close!!

1:55.13

I was super happy. And super dizzy at the end. I had to grab the metal gate enclosing the finish line to steady myself because I thought for sure I was going down....and I thought I was going to throw up...

Found Shannon and Dana afterwards and congratulated each other for a superb day. Dana was THIRD in her age group (our age group...) and Shannon was SECOND!!! They also did personal bests by a few minutes!

I feel fantastic today. My legs are just a tiny bit sore. Not bad at all. I am really, really pleased that was my last run for the year...and I am totally sucked in now that I can totally go FASTER!!!

September 11 today

Can anyone believe that 8 years have gone by?

Wow.

I remember turning the tv on that morning and getting ready for work and watching things unfold. I went to work and someone brought a tv in (this before CNN live...) and we watched the whole day huddled in one of the offices. I remember being very scared. There was so much mis-information that was coming and of course we did not know what was happening. But when those towers fell...omg...

The very worst part?

I had tickets to go see Madonna in LA that weekend....and of course all of the planes were grounded and the show was cancelled...that was maybe the only chance I was ever going to have!! Shitty.

Off to Regina this weekend for a half marathon! Girls trip. Ya HOOOO!!! This is always alot of fun, the course is a great one, the weather has always been perfect, the race is crazy well organized, I love this race!! Coach Justin sent me an e-mail with some goals to consider...

1. Have fun!

2. Negative split. This is ALWAYS a goal but I have yet to do this...

3. Average pace 5:25/km...this would put me at a 1:54 half marathon and I would be very excited with that!! And Gary Garmin came back from the dead...my tinkering husband seems to have fixed Gary all up for this run...stay with me Gary!!

Will have a full report for you all next week!

Have a fantastic weekend.

busy...busy...busy...

Hello September!

I am overwhelmed every September as activities are getting started, work starts to get busy and life is hectic.

Friday was a good run and Matthew passed his latest belt test in TKD!! He is so proud and so happy and he really does well at it. One more belt and he will be with "the big kids" and possibly compete. Only if he wants to...I am SO not into pushing my kids in any direction when it comes to sports...WAY over sensitive when it comes to that...

Went for a loooong run on Saturday with some tri-buddies. It was loooong for a few reasons. Gary Garmin died. RIP Gary Garmin!! I could not get him to start up and had a mini panic attack before the run as I would have NO data to look at. Then realized, what was the big deal? Seriously. Recognizing I am addicted is the first step in kicking my addiction...right? Right.

I went out for the run, without Gary, and these gals are all WAY faster than me. I thought I could run with them but I was beat after about an hour...and we still had about 45 minutes to go...so I had to take a few walk breaks...RATS!!! They always came back for me but that is always so disheartening...I hate that!! But a looooong faster than normal run is good. I toughed it out and swallowed my pride and got the damn thing done.

The rest of Saturday, Sunday and Monday brought some very nice and relaxed days at the cabin. Reading, eating, sleeping, tubing, fishing, playing frisbee and catch and going for walks.

I love the cabin.

Super busy week with work stuff and Luke starts pre-school and Matthew starts hockey and I have a half marathon to run on Sunday in Regina...no problem because I am SuperMom!!!

what would you do...?

Through the vine (okay, it was my mom...) I heard that my cousin's new to grade one boy (just like Matthew) was beat up at school his very first day.

I am shocked.

Maybe I should not be shocked, but I am.

The bully was in grade 3. Punched and knocked him down and then kicked him silly. My cousin's kid (who I shall call SB.) apparently took it all until his buds ran for help. SB has never been taught to fight or wrestle or horse around. Not like our house where Shaun is constantly wrestling with our boys and being physical with them. HOWEVER...I think Matthew's reaction would be the very same...he would have just curled up and taken it. He is NOT a fighter.

But our advice has always been just that. Walk away. Tell them to stop. Tell an adult. I am rethinking my advice. My dad's always was...if something happens unprovoked, you wind up, and make sure they never do it again...but make sure it is OFF school property....this from a tough old hockey player!

Seriously...what do you tell your kids about this? You don't want them to be pounded and disrespected but you don't want them to be aggressive and mean...wow...this whole school thing is another ball game!!!

Training news...because I HAVE been working out...I did an hour run today with 3 x 8 minute intervals...ALL at 5 min/km...and my HR was at 160 for each...not over the top!! Cha Ching!!!

training peaks

The folks at CTS have decided to move their scheduling and workout calendars to Training Peaks. I got my updated schedule yesterday.

Wow.

What to you want to track? Cause now I can track everything AND graph it...

Do I need this? I don't know yet...I am finding it a bit overwhelming because before the program was just my workouts...if I did the workout, I clicked the tab "Done" and the day turned green. If I did not do the workout, I clicked "Missed" and the day turned red.

Now, I can move the workout, change it, track nearly everything...it has a spot for weekly goals and nutrition. I can add my picture if I want to!! I can enter my "daily metrics" to track my weight, sleep, HR, etc.

Wow.

Grade One has already seen some drama. Apparently the school mis-judged, did not account for all the new kids registered this year. This? Surprises me. My business mind can't understand how you could not have this type of information before opening the doors for the new year. Now, there are not enough classrooms and not enough teachers. In three days of Grade One, Matthew has had three different teachers...his class is in the library...they are scrambling to figure out what to do...I keep getting notes from the school trying to explain what is going on. And I keep wondering...you people have had the entire summer to figure this out!! But then I am on a huge learning curve with this whole education system thing.

some good workouts

Been getting my workouts in. After my Saturday bike ride, I did sprints across the park trying to beat my 6 year old. Could not do it!! I was gasping by about the 4th one and he was giggling as he kept beating me...little buggah puts on the jets when we have only a few meters to go...damn that kid can run. In my defense, I HAD just biked about 2 hours and I was in bare feet. But I was TRYING and that's what sucks...I was trying to beat him and could NOT!!!

Oh Well.

Sunday brought a long run. 15km in 90 minutes. And it felt awesome. Way better than the last time I did a "how far can you run in 90 minutes" kind of a workout. And I felt good the rest of the day whereas last time I remember feeling not so hot after running that hard for that long. The rest of Sunday was spent doing errands around the house and following IMC online. Texting Jenna people's splits and info and lots of nonsense. Was fun! In my air conditioned house thinking of all you in the heat in Penticton...GREAT JOB to ALL!!!

A P90X workout yesterday and a bike ride today. All is well in Kelly's workout world!

Today was the first day of Grade One. Matthew was excited as he gets his own desk. They put all of his buddies in his class...I wished the teacher luck with those little boys!!

And I cried.

Yes I did.

I just can't believe how fast the years have gone by. He helped me label all of his stuff last night...I had our receptionist make me professional type labels with a super cool font...I know, nerdy!! And he sharpened all of his pencils. The teacher looked old and grumpy...so we shall see how this pans out...