so...i ran...

Getting back at things. I ran today. It was a slow, dark run, but it is 45 minutes in the books. We have been so busy. I am beginning to hate that word...busy. I am being pulled in 100 different directions and it really does stress me out at times.
This has been my week:
Last Friday: Work late....go to meeting for Gold Medal Plates Gala. Get home at 10pm. Miss my kid's taekwondo and bathtime/bedtime. Feel guilty.
Saturday: Up early...like 5:00am early...make cupcakes and pack food and necessities for the day as we are in the budding metropolis of DUNDURN for a hockey tournament. I just want to say that you can smell the rink from up the block...apparently the folks in Dundurn have not read up on healthy eating habits and still fry EVERYTHING! Gross. Hence the packed lunch... Hang in Dundurn all day...take the entire hockey team out for a walk as it was a gorgeous day and bright and sunny and I just wanted to be outside. Was disappointed that not one other parent wanted to come with us...so me and Shaun and 12 little boys ages 7 and 8...oh the good times! Good thing my husband is super immature...he actually brought his ski gloves out to Dundurn in the anticipation of a snowball fight...yes...he had PLANNED for it...was super funny to watch. Left Dundurn in the middle of the 2nd game (missed the last game) and headed back to town for the Gold Medal Plates Gala. Very fun night. But feel guilty again.
Picture taken with lots of Olympic athletes. Met Alex Bilodeau...super nice and humble and polite kid. First gold medal ever on Canadian soil in Vancouver, in case you did not know. Met Catriona...only double gold medalist ever in Canada at a winter Olympics....and she is a home grown Saskatoon gal...and let me tell you...her ass and legs were STILL rock hard!!! She is a teeny girl but holy moly, just looks strong!! She was super intense...like really, really intense...And our men's 8 gold medal rowing team was there...three words...FUN...HOT...& FUN!!!
Sunday: Swimming for me...okay but very tired workout...skating for Luke....Halloween. Apparently the Halloween candy diet works for me as I have lost 2 pounds this week...I know...I know...let's see what the scale says in a few weeks from now...but f*ck it...one of the reasons for having children is the halloween candy...
Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday: Work...hockey...work...run kids around...hockey...work...I am afraid this is my life...oh...made a phone call I have been wanting to make for many months...to a real estate agent!! Not sure where this is going, but we have grown out of our house...I think it is time to move...but shall see what the Universe brings us...
Which brings me to Friday: Do you see any other workouts this week, other than the swim? No? So it is a really big deal that I got my ass out of bed, got my gear on, got out the door and ran....hoping to do better next week!!

bad things good things

Have had an up and down week. Monday was a dentist appointment for my 7 year old and he had to have his tooth taken out entirely! It was decayed to the root. wtf? Poor kid. He was in pretty rough shape after the appointment and said "Mom...I wanted to cry because it hurt, but I just let tears run down my cheeks. I toughed it out." My heart is melting...my dad had bad teeth, I have bad teeth, sorry, Matthew, looks like you are going to have the same troubles we did...f-ing genetics.
Right after the dentist appointment, I get back to work and the first phone call I get for the day is that one of my fave clients had died over the weekend. It made me very sad and I was on a downer day after that. Called a buddy, we went for lunch and we laughed and laughed about the stupid stuff we used to do so the spirits came up a bit, but still, I was sad.
THEN....on Tuesday, I got an e-mail. From one of the guys I work with...our office was sent TWO tickets to the Grey Cup. For our American friends, this is our version of the Super Bowl, but think Canadian...the office had a little draw...guess who won the tickets...ME!!!! And not only that but in box seats with HEAT. Because the stupid thing that we Canadians do is have our football championship at the end of November, in an outdoor stadium. Duh. So!! Off to Edmonton we go to watch the game! I am very excited, we are leaving our kids with relatives and just me and the hubby are taking a little couple trip....we have never done this...hopefully we can stand each other for a few days just the two of us...will be interesting...hahahahaa!!
THEN...I was informed by said hubby to "keep the last week of February open...as in tell work you are leaving town." Hmmmmm...what could this mean?!! He has a secret and it is driving me NUTS! And that last week coincides with my 40th b-day...so hmmmmm x 2....
I am going to my pilates classes and LOVING them. I have to say I was NOT loving them at the start...they were kind of boring...but have learned that the studio is very, very good in that the instructor was taking her time in showing us the moves and how to do them properly. Monday and Wednesday were real, one hour pilates workouts where we flowed from exercise to exercise and holy hell my body is letting my know I have moved it in different ways!! My abs are on fire.
Sunday was a swim day for me. We did a timed, all out 100 meters to see where we were at for the year...it is what it was but one of the guys reeled me in, which pissed me off...so something to work on!!
Next up is a run tomorrow. And an old high school buddy keeps bugging me to run with her...she is just starting back at it...so I am going to call her and hopefully we can meet up on Saturday morning and go for a little visit...I mean run...she is an awesome gal and wants to start working out for real, so looking forward to that. And then Sunday swim again...
We are hockey, hockey, hockey this year...holy cow....bottle drives, selling poinsettas (if you want one, let me know...) gym workouts...2 tournaments coming up...he is really liking it so we will continue to take him. But honestly....

i swam & i ran

Seriously....I did!
But first things first....who watched that Ironman Hawaii on Saturday? That was very exciting! I was bummed that Chrissie was out but that really opened up the race to see what others had for the day, didn't it? And what about Mccormack...is he the hottest triathlete? Or what!!!?? DAMN those guys and girls can RUN!! Justin has told me that to get to Ironman Hawaii, you need to be a really good swimmer...a really good cyclist...and a really good runner....so basically, I have one out of the three...but no desire to do that ever...would take too much time out of my regular scheduled life...so that's that!! I have been following a blog for awhile now of a gal out of California and she started triathlons 2 years ago. Sounds like she did not really know she was all that athletic...never did much as a kid etc, but picked it up (easily) and CRUSHED it in Hawaii!! Ran a 3:10 marathon!!! But damn she works hard...I will give her that...she really works hard at it all and deserves all the success.
So about my swim...nearly 3000 meters in the pool on Sunday. A long, building fitness type of a swim...some pull, some drill, some kick, some swim. I was kind of bored by it all, but was good to stretch these arms and legs and go nice and steady. I need someone FUN to swim with...all those boys are just too damn serious...I am only swiming once per week this year. Dumped my Wednesday swims for pilates. Due to the holiday, the Monday pilates was cancelled so I got my butt out the door and ran. For over an hour!! It actually felt really good. Was nice and cool and a bit breezy and I just ran and ran and ran until I got back home. Nothing very exciting to tell y'all, but I RAN!!!
Coming up is pilates on Wednesday, another run on Thursday and a swim on Sunday. That's it for the week. Coach Justin sent me a very kind e-mail last week that he is taking some space and all of my workouts are optional...yeah...I was THAT stressed out a few weeks back with everything going on...the week I bailed on the half marathon. We are going to ease back into some training after kids' schedules are sorted out. Work is crazy busy...I have been selected to be the lead volunteer the night of the Gold Medal Plates Gala...will be super cool and exciting to have dinner with some of our Canadian Olympians!! Hockey is in full swing...frick...no one said we had to fundraise for this level of hockey...that SUCKS!!! I am going to keep track of what we spend this year (already over $1000...and he has not even played a game yet...) post the income statement and then we can all barf together...

life...in general

Where does the time go? Everyone is so busy...we are so busy!! I am enrolled in Dan Sullivan's Coach Program through work and I am finding it super interesting with lots of ideas and tools to get my life sorted out and block time for everything.
And its goal setting time! Don't you love goal setting time? What is in your wildest dreams that you would LOVE to try? I have so many things I want to do...sport related AND life related.
Coach Justin told me to take a break. Thank-you! I found myself totally overwhelmed, stressed out and not sleeping and I just need this break to get my feet back on the ground, get my head sorted out. But feeling 100% better this week. Almost like I could start back to some training...
On that note, I signed up for a 16 week pilates class. Loving it! I have no range of motion...at all...such simple moves and I can barely do them. But getting better everytime. I missed Monday because I was up too late due to my Netflix addiction. Yeah...we have Netflix in Canada now...I am addicted to the show "Mad Men". Next up is "Heroes".
Sunday swims start again this weekend. I am feeling ready to hit the water again.
I am going to get a couple of runs in over the long weekend. Not long and not fast but I will get out and move this body!
My kids are into their activities. Matthew is LOVING hockey again. Thank goodness...I was worried but the coach is a great guy, we had our first parent get together and we are meeting some really nice and good people. My new social group...the hockey rink!! However, the tier one folk are a bit more serious that what we are used to. Matthew continues to do well at taekwondo...he was invited into the "black belt club" at his TKD school. We declined the invite at first and then he begged, and begged, and begged to join...so what do you do? You sign him up, come up with the money and take him. TKD is his passion. And Luke is sporting a brand new belt that he earned on the weekend!
Luke started skating lessons on Sunday. He fell on his ass 100 times. Hurt his elbow...almost got another's skate to the forehead...I could not watch the last 10 minutes...he came off the ice and said "That was the MOST fun I've EVER had!!" Jeepers. In fact I have video I need to post, because he is so damn cute and if you or I fell on our butts that many times, we would be in traction at the hospital.
So that's all that is new...

jeepers

Let's not talk about the half marathon on Sunday. The short story is that I bailed after 45 minutes. I was not mentally in the right place to run 21km. We had had a super busy week and busy weekend and my heart was not into it. It was also the warmest day we have had ALL SUMMER!!! The race started at noon....I could not run in that heat. If my head was in the right place, I maybe could have toughed it out, but I just was not up for it. The good news is that I still get a tax receipt for the entry fee as it was for charity.

The long story is that I was super stressed out and had not slept in 2 nights. I felt nauseous I was THAT tired. Why was I not sleeping you ask? Hockey. As in hockey tryouts. For my 7 year old. I was way to worked up about everything. I know...ridiculous...but unless you have children, and want them to have fun in what they are doing and try and work hard...then this post may not make any sense to you....

This is going to turn into a Costco size post...so stay with me here...

My 7 year old played hockey for the first time last year. Some of us, as Canadians, take this particular sport very seriously. If you are familiar with hockey, he played Tier 3 all last year. It was fun, we had a blast, the parents/coaches were amazing and it was a great way to spend our winter. Tier 3 is where they put kids that maybe have never played before, or they are not great skaters etc. I was proud of our Tier 3 team as it was easy and supportive and there was no bullshit as we had no aspirations for our kids....we would hear stories of happenings from the Tier 1 groups that made us shudder. Like coaches scheduling dry land training for teams...sending workouts home for 7 year olds to do wall squats and core work...shortening the benches during games in novice...are you kidding me!!??

Anyway, after the fantastic experience we had last year, watching the Olympic hockey, going to a Bruins home game....OUR 7 year old LOVED HOCKEY!! So we continued on and put him in a summer hockey camp. These guys running the camp were serious. They are professional hockey coaches, they know their stuff, they rode those kids hard. Matthew really did not want to go to the last few practices and I think I posted about his meltdown so we quit. It was summer, he did not want to go, I did not want to take him, he cried when we mentioned it, we quit. No biggie.

Fall rolls around and hockey tryouts have been the last 2 weekends. We go to the first skate, he could have taken it or left it. After the second skate, he says he is having fun again. Whew. He saw all of his buddies, it was familiar, we were having FUN again, so the fire inside him had returned!! I was happy to see him excited to play again. And I really felt we had made the right decision to quit the camp.

Here is where I need help.

After the second skate, someone who knew what was going on with the evaluations called our house and told us that Matthew was on "the bubble" of making Tier 1. Come again??

What do you do with that info? Do you tell your 7 year old ..."Honey, you have to try a little harder so you can play with the really good players and get all the good ice times." No, I don't believe you say that. He has no idea about the Tiers or what a good player is vs a not so good player. He has no idea that people are even looking at him....he thinks these are all just practices so far...right or wrong, this is how we have managed the whole hockey tryout thing.

He plays because he wants to.

And between you and me, I did not really appreciate the phone call. But then I am SUPER SENSITIVE to politics getting in the way of fun and sports....

So we said nothing to him. My exact words were "Work hard!! Have FUN!! And pretend your little brother has the puck...." Haaahhahahahha!!!

Then...we get a second call after the 3rd skate...it looks like he has been bumped up to Tier 1.

Holy God. My protective insticts went into overdrive. I just want it all to be a great experience for him. I will not handle the crap very well. I could not sleep as I was worried that a kid "on the bubble" was going to get trampled by some very good and very talented young hockey players. But he held his own in the last skate, even had two breakaways (I think....Shaun said they were lucky chances, but I saw breakaways...) and one goal!!!

I am bound and determined to have another good winter. He can take hockey with him for the rest of his life. And perhaps I am being selfish, but I don't want to deal with crazy parents all winter!!! I will be the one who shoulders all of it so he will know nothing about it. That will take far too much energy...and hopefully I am over reacting...jeepers I really hope so...but I remember what Tier 1 was like for my brother growing up and everyone thinks their junior is the next "big thing". Fist fights in the stands!! Dad's yelling at their kids!! Coaches swearing at players!! (in fact Shaun overheard a dad coming out of the dressing room after a skate telling his kid he was "brutal"...omg I wanted to cry!!)

So....Here's to another hockey season!! I always say, I cannot afford therapy, therefore I run. Well, watch me RUN this winter!!!

On a more positive and funny note...Matthew had a football game last night. It was the very last play, just about dark actually, and the other team punted the ball. These are little kids, so a scramble for the ball...somehow Matthew comes up with it...he runs through the defense...loses BOTH his shoes in the process....takes it all the way down the field for a touchdown!!! In sock feet!! My husband's ears were sore from my screaming....

does this happen to you...?

Here I am near 40 years old trying to stay fit and healthy. So far, so good. I made the decision a couple of years ago to hire a professional coach. Not because I want to break any records, but because I know nothing, and don't want to spend hours on websites trying to figure things out. For the cost of a local gym membership, I have someone in my corner who gets my life, my goals and has more experience, knowledge and championships than anyone I know...
This week I had a run workout because for some reason I thought it a super idea to enter in just ONE MORE HALF MARATHON this fall. Its for charity and one I support...The Children's Hospital...because sick kids from around here have to go OUT of the province for acute care, and wouldn't it be great if they and their families could stay at home when trying to battle an illness.
Now you know where I stand on that issue.
So back to my half marathon this weekend...I missed pretty much EVERY workout last week. After Regina, I was tired then I was really tired and kid busy, work busy and life busy all in the same week. I could not drag my ass from my bed any day last week.
On Tuesday, the schedule called for some 10 minute intervals at a hair faster than my 10km race pace. It was early....it was dark...it was early...I got all stressed out before I even ran because I had myself convinced I was not going to be able to do it. Mental crap got in the way.
Walked home, pouted the entire way, had a good think in the shower. Not too long ago, the pace I was asked to do would have been impossible. But now at least, I am being asked to do it...I would say, this is an improvement!!
I called Justin, complained a little, sulked a little so he gave me a second workout to do and some things to think about. Well, low and behold, I nailed the run, nailed the pace and did an extra interval for good measure!!
We shall see what Sunday brings. It is supposed to be warm...like mid-20's warm...unheard of all summer and the race starts at noon. C'mon legs!! Give me one last good run for the year!!

randomness

Gorgeous. First Day Grade 2

Contemplating the TKD practice...

Someone got their Green Belt recently.

Karen and Me before the Regina Half Marathon.

Goldfish races at the housewarming party we were at the night before.

The goldfish track.

Karen and Me looking normal and not in workout or running clothes.

All class...

Check out that Prairie sky!!!!

Queen City Half Marathon Run Report

I have some great pics to add but just have not had time to put them up. I love this race...I love this course!! A few months ago, the half marathon sold out and I got onto the waiting list...was told I was #100 on the list. Then a couple of weeks ago, got an e-mail that I had a spot if I wanted it...sent in the cheque, and off I went!

I have a super duper great friend who lives in Regina and she kindly put me up for the night. She was also running the half but WAY more focused and tuned in than I was. She had been training and eating really good and was ready to rock her run. She is also running the Chicago AND NYC marathons this fall. I had a cold, could not stop coughing and was not really feelin the running love but wanted to enjoy a nice fall run with 3000 of other like minded individuals.

Got into Regina about 3-ish on Saturday...stopped at Old Navy for the sale...made my way to Karen's house. Freshened up and we went out to a pasta party with all her running mates. They have a very supportive and super cool group called the Jaleta Pacers. Lead by Ted Jaleta who is a very well known running coach in Saskatchewan. What a great group of people!! Was a very fun dinner with running folk. Then we had to drop Karen's daughter off at drama class....and headed to a housewarming party. The party had a Rubix Cube theme...you come wearing pieces of clothing all the colors of the cube...the task is to solve the puzzle...so leave the party by the end of the night dressed all in one color...yeah...you are switching clothing with others throughout the night!!

I wanted to STAY!! SO BAD!! I was in that kind of a mood...

But miss-focus Karen, dragged me home at a pretty decent hour. Thank-god as it was one of those parties where I would not have made it home by daylight...but would have had some pretty awesome stories to tell...

Anyway, morning of the race, Karen was up and at it making us breakies...oatmeal and eggs. I learned that the poop fairy really likes a shot of espresso from Karen's fancy machine first thing in the a.m. I am really proud of the focus she has put into her running this year. And she nailed her run coming in under 2 hours, which was her goal.

Me on the other hand....started soooooo slow....like pedestrian pace...I did not feel all that hot, a bit feverish and just that foggy, head of a cold. My nose ran the entire race. We had to walk across a park for the shitters and the grass was wet so my shoes got soaked and I ran a half marathon in wet shoes....b-l-i-s-t-e-r-s...who I have named Trudi and Bob because they were throbbing so bad I was sure they were alive with their own heartbeats.

Checked my watch a few times during the run and surprisingly was running quite good and felt good. Choked down a cough until about the 15km mark when I could do it no longer...had to stop completely, and take several minutes hacking away off the course. Crappy!! Started running again but the last 5km was a walk...cough...run some...cough...cough...cough...run...walk. Annoying. BUT came in in 2:01 which I am oddly super happy with. Had to sit in one of the chairs at the finish line for many, many minutes hacking away and my chest felt like it was seizing up...almost yaked a few times. A medical guy walked by me a few times asking if I was alright and i just kept giving him the "okay" symbol with my hand because I could not talk!! Once my lungs settled down, I felt pretty good. All in all was a super fun trip with a great friend and it was good to catch up in person.

Some funny pictures to follow...

updates

Psych!!

There are no real updates.

I have been sick, my kid has been sick, we have had a rough week. He has not slept through the night since last Friday and that means mamma has not slept either. I was home from work with him for part of yesterday....we both crashed for about 3 hours...

This means training has come to a standstill. I am entered in the Regina Half Marathon NEXT Sunday...yikes...come on legs!!! Give me a half marathon in 10 days!! I did a long, exhausted, almost puked my guts on the city trails run last Saturday. Then a hard interval run one morning this week...I actually don't even remember which day it was...my brain has been so foggy.

A very good friend lives in Regina and I am staying with her (I hope, I haven't actually asked...but that's the kind of friend she is...I could just show up...) and there could be some laughs and maybe a later night than wanted before a half marathon...she is running it too so it may be a 2 hour visit on the run course...we will see how it all works out!

In other news...kids are registered for their activities...lo and behold, they are NOT priceless. They are very expensive when it comes to activities. Hockey, skating, taekwondo, football, soccer...and then there are OUR activities as well. Heard a great quote a few weeks ago:

"I would rather pay FEES now rather than FINES in a few years..." So I just close my eyes and write the cheques...

The problem I have is that my 7 year old really does not want to play hockey. His father (my hubby) really wants him to play hockey. I? Could care less, but I think a team sport is important to be part of. We have a battle going on in our household right now. I am torn between....he is 7 and does he really know what he wants?? And he really has put his foot down on this and I am finding it curious that a kid that never really says much about anything has such a strong opinion about hockey!! We have registered him BUT have all of the dates written down as to when we can pull the plug to get our money back.

Check back later as this could get interesting.

He loves it when he is there and says how much fun he has after the sessions, but to get him there is a battle. In fact, one day a few weeks ago, I was on my own as Shaun was playing ball and he had a meltdown right there in the dressing room.

So we packed up and left.

However...when I looked in the rearview mirror, on the way home...the little shit was smirking as he had just played me.

And I don't like getting played.

Are there any child psychologists reading this?? Opinions??

Now the deal is that he has to try it out until Christmas. He will be on a team with lots of kids from his school again and maybe he will find his groove again. As he sure did love it just 6 months ago!! And if he doesn't find his groove, well, no more hockey!!

Which wouldn't hurt my feelings much at all...

5km Swim

Another thing on my life's list is done. I have wanted to do a long, long swim for a few years now and decided this year would be the year. Every year out in Kelowna as part of the triathlon national championships, they have a 1500 meter and 5km swim. Open water, long distance swimming has really become popular over the past few years...its an Olympic event now...the world championships were in Canada this year...its a whole new and crazy sport!!

We drove to Calgary on Thursday...holy forest fire smoke...that was not cool. It was like we were in a sci-fi movie and the world was ending. We could not see road signs...that's how bad it was driving into Calgary...what the hell was it going to be like as we got closer to the Okanagan? Well, it was pretty bad. I have pictures that I will post later but that cannot be healthy to breathe in all that smoke for two days!! My 4 year old sneezed from Calgary to Vernon...

Got into Vernon really late as we pissed around, stopping several times on the trip. Was a fun, fun trip! Fell into a few tourist traps...jeepers...those places were built for people like my husband...

Anyway, my Dad has a beautiful home overlooking Lake Okanagan and he graciously gave it up while he stayed at his cabin.

The race was Saturday morning and in Kelowna which is about a 45 minute drive from where we were. Up and early and exhausted...if you have children and you travel with them...you will know what I am talking about!!

Got to the race check in. The whole waterfront was triathlon city. The junior elite girls were just coming out of the water and holy crap...those girls could FLY!! At my race check in, they are pretty darn serious about this open water swimming. Signed the waiver, got my swim cap, they checked my finger and toe nails...told me to take off all jewellry. I left my wedding band on because I have not had it off in over 10 years...the gal said I would likely be dq'd...say what? So I hid my hand until we got into the water!! Crazy.

At the race briefing, they introduced a few people...the world record holder for this distance was there...some dude who had just swam the English Channel was there...the junior Canadian champion...I looked around and realized very quickly, I was in way over my head!! However, I do want to say that it was nice to be around other swimmer bodies...not necessarily small and tiny skinny girls, if you get what I am saying...these were my people!!!

The guys went off first and the gals went off 5 minutes later. These people were competitive. There is a world circuit for the open water long distance swimming and Kelowna wants to get on the circuit so the officials were doing everything to the letter of the law.

There were only about 14 women entered in total....about 11 of them took off like bullets at the start!! Holy SHIT!! I tried to stay on their feet for about the first 1000 meters but they were really racing. If I do this again, more distance and much more speed work...seriously, I was not prepared for how competitive this group was going to be.

The course was 5 laps of a 1000 meter course. After the first lap I was on my own and just kept swimming...I kicked the entire 5000 meters...the swells at the far end of the course were kind of weird to swim in...you would take 10 or so strokes and get no where...the lake was gorgeous to swim in...there were some that dropped out because it was cold, but I did not mind it. I guess they did not grow up going to lakes in northern SK!!! I got lapped by a few men and one woman...and I thought I was a decent swimmer!! These people were FAST!!! Holy crap.

By the last lap, I was getting tired. I swam that sucker hard! My lower back was aching from doing all the sighting. My arms and shoulders were sore. That was a loooong way to swim! I even got disorientated a couple of times so had to stop and do some breast stroke just to get my bearings. The folks here are so lucky to have these big beautiful lakes to do all of their open water swimming in.

In then end, I was the 2nd last female out of the water and about the 4th last overall. The field was about 30 people in total. And I was super HAPPY with my swim!! It was done in about one hour and 30-ish minutes. I thought I would be faster than this but again, I have alot to learn about open water swimming if I want to do that again!!

River Run 10km

Welcome to the world of PB's.
My name is Kelly, and I am your leader!!
Hahahahahahhaa!!
That's right. A 10km PB in the books today! I am SO excited! The secret? I have not had ANY bread in a week. I know, this is not really related, but I am trying not to eat any bread. The beef brisket I had for supper last night. Again, not really related but we were at a birthday party and damn that beef brisket was good and I need to remember to get the recipe. And the 20 minute warm up run I did.
Yes. You read that correctly. The person who never ever warms up, actually went for a 20 minute jog before running the 10km this morning. I thought, what the heck, I want to see what my legs can do when they are actually warmed up and ready to go. Well they can run a 10km faster than they have ran a 10km in about 10 years!!!
Gettin older and gettin faster.
Here is the kilometer by kilometer break down of the run:
#1: Jeepers. It is a great day for a run! Sunny and cool and no wind. This first km is downhill...careful with the pace. DON'T GO OUT TO FAST!!!
#2: This km has a nice little uphill. But I am not even feeling it...what the...?
#3: Spectators. "Hi spectators!!" I am happy, I am running, my legs feel awesome. Do not check Garmin...because I don't want to get discouraged if it is slow and I don't want to panic if it is fast...
#4: Through trees on Spadina Cres. I love this street. So pretty. My legs STILL FEEL GOOD! I might just have a great run...
#5: Damn. I checked Garmin. I went out too fast. Why...why..why...why and when will I learn...but I am not feeling bad so just run and see how it goes.
#6: Aid station. Missed the water cup. Grabbed it wrong and spilled it all over myself. Nice.
#7: How many kms do I have left? I have to use my fingers to count. Look at this...I am passing some people who are taking walk breaks....who am I?
#8: Okay...legs starting to hurt. Breathing is hard. 3 km left. Just hug this white line all the way around and run.
#9: Down the hill. It's not a big hill but when you are running with tired legs...I had flashbacks from Boston...
#10: Back up the other side...its long...its the last km...I am feelin it...I am going to catch these two people...done...focus...focus...FOCUS!! There is the finish line...you can see it for about 600 meters...don't take your eyes off of it...RUN!!!!
51:40 (according to Garmin...official results will likely be a bit different but right now I don't effing CARE!!!)....Holy SHITE!!! I have never ever ran under 52 minutes...EVER!!!
I am elated right now and super duper proud!!!

butterflies

I am getting butterflies about my big swim coming up in just over a week.

5 kilometers of open water no wet suit BLISS

I have been studying up on these open water swims and they are kind of a big deal! They have a world championship every two years...they are now an olympic event...there are 44 people entered for next weekend in Kelowna!!

Bring it on!

But before my swim, I entered in a 10km race this weekend. Just something to do. I entered quite awhile ago, and I grabbed the entry yesterday and this is what it says:

10km Provincial and Canadian Masters Championship

What the...bleep??!!!

I thought it was a little local race!!

OMG!!

But they have not yet cashed my cheque...so perhaps I will get there and they will say "For real runners only!!??"

I will for sure be the biggest person there!! I am not a runner. I love running and I am improving but I am lining up against real runners!!! Even though I ran Boston...but we all know the story behind that race...

Jaysus.

And I am supposed to be attending a stagette (which I would seriously rather stick a fork in my eye than go to this thing...) the night before. I have told Shaun I am going for one hour (his brother's fiance...who did not invite me to the wedding shower and wreaks drama and I have stayed as far away as possible...)

And then I have to put together a 10km the next morning.

Yikes.

Frank Dunn Tri Race Report

Another year in the books! Next year is the race's 30th Anniversary...who's in?? My registration is mailed first thing tomorrow!
We have a cabin about 30 minutes from Waskesiu where this race is held. Up to the cabin we go on Saturday. My hubby had flown down to Reno to pick up his motorcycle so I had the munchkins in the truck and he was on his bike. I guess the 4 days on that thing to get it home weren't enough..? Got my gear sorted out Saturday night, laid around reading and relaxing. The nice thing about these smaller races is that we can pick up our race packages on Sunday morning. Saves me the panic of driving all the way to Waskesiu and back Sat afternoon.
Sunday morning the entire family is up at 5:30am. I had packed them a breakfast AND lunch for the day so my poor sleepy eyed kids were stuffed in their car seats and off we went. They kept asking "Are we going on an airplane?" Because every trip we take on a plane is nearly in the middle of the night...no sweeties, just to mom's triathlon!!
Anyway, got my gear sorted out and package picked up and listened to the pre-race instrucions. Was it me...or were the officials kind of tough this year? They put a snow fence all the way around transition and someone was penalized for jumping over the fence...could you imagine? Before the race even started!! And a buddy of mine was told to put a swim cap on...everyone knows he NEVER swims with a swim cap...They told him he would get a penalty if he did not put a swim cap on. Rules are rules I guess.
The swim: the swim is the swim. My right calf basically seized up for the last 200 meters. Damn it hurt!! And I ran head on into a guy doing back stroke...he was coming the other way and was WAY off course. Second female out of the water...and guess who was first? That's right our own Jenna!! And she got a trophy...I did not know they gave trophies!!!! Now I want one...
And the course was apparently several hundred meters long.
T1: I had a super quick transition. I have learned a few things in these years of triathlons. However my entire right leg seized up and I had to take a few minutes to stretch it out. Annoying. And I started out the wrong way out of transition...so had to double back and go the right way. Annoying. And then I could not get my feet clipped in. I was shaking I was so out of breath and was stressed about my leg. Annoying.
The Bike: Well...I am still a shitty biker. Most of the field passed me. Damn that SUCKS!! I really tried to stay focused and pedaled as hard as I could for 62km. The distance, the bike, the pedalling did not bother me in the least. According to my garmin, I was 5 minutes faster than I have ever been on that course!! So given that I only got ONTO my bike in mid-June...I am super happy with this result.
T2: No issues.
The Run: I have made peace with running. It really came through for me today! I ran the ENTIRE 13km!! I took only two very short breaks to grab water...always two cups...one for me and one for my head. It was hot. OMG it was so hot! By the time I am out there it is almost noon and no shade. It was HOT!!! But I ran and just counted down the clicks. No issues with my leg or anything. I ran on the white line of the road the entire run...just kept looking at it and put one foot in front of the other. I was amazed at how great I felt!!
As I was coming to the finish, I heard the announcer say "There is less than a minute to get in under 4 hours!" OMG I sprinted to the finish...ME! SPRINTED!! I didn't know I could sprint...
Anyway, a very good day for me. My first goal was to get in under 4 hours. I thought this could be tough given that I really only started working on this 6 weeks ago. I thought I would be happy with around 4:15. And being able to run the entire course and with the swim being long...my new PB is gravy!!!

the day it was

Calgary Ironman 70.3 - a spectator's perspective. I did this race last year and my brother was so excited and thrilled, he entered the race for 2010. He has never done a triathlon before. In fact he has never done a race before...10 km...half marathon...nothing. He only bought a bike this spring. I was so very worried for him...I have done these races and I think I put the efforts in for training but he had not done nearly the work I thought was required to complete a half ironman!! Lucky for him he has a ton of natural athletic ability...as kids he could always pick up on sports very easily. I always had to work at it. Apparently, nothing has changed...

Pre-Race - we arrive in Calgary on Friday night and have a nice supper with family. Saturday morning he is up early and heads down to the package pick up to grab his stuff. He comes home and I start quizzing him on his gear. Thank-GOD I had thrown my own tri-gear into the truck before we left my house in Saskatoon. I just brought the entire bucket thinking he may need something in there. He was very, very unprepared to cover that distance in less than 24 hours!!

He had no swim goggles. He had to buy a pair. When I asked him about his swim training, he had basically done a couple of swims...no open water swims...the longest he had covered was 1000 meters. I had to keep my panic to myself. He did not have a bike helmet. When I asked when he had been training with, he had done his bike rides with no helmet!! After cursing him out for several minutes, we had to find him a bike helmet. It was too late in the day to go and buy one. My sister in law digs in their basement and comes up with her old baby blue helmet...with a visor!!

Oh my god.

When I asked what he had done for bike training, he said he had done the course three times. I was starting to feel better. Sometimes we (I) get so hung up on the training and the gear etc...his bike had no aero bars, it had no bottle cages, we had to rig up my aero bottle to the front of his handle bars!! The damn thing had only 8 gears!! He had no clip in pedals...he biked the entire route in his running shoes. Wearing a baby blue bike helmet with a visor...

Sunday morning we were up very early as I told him to get through the day he needed to go slow and EAT. Eat lots. So he had a huge breakfast as my advice was to start with that tank full. He had never trained with gels or food or even a sport drink. I was very scared that he was not going to finish this thing or that he was going to end up in the medical tent.

At the race start, I helped him get his stuff where it needed to be. We had driven his bike out the day before.

Of course, he did not have a wet suit, and I had brought mine for him to use. The night before, he tried it on but put it on backwards...holy I laughed!!

The swim: He struggled in the swim. He could not catch his breath and the suit was just a bit too small. He said he panicked and wanted to stop about 10 minutes into it. He has never swam in open water before. He just took a small break and tread water for a bit and did some back stroke and made his way through the swim course. When I saw him coming up the ramp, his face was total shell shocked...he looked like he had been through a war zone. We walked him over the bike gear and he just kept saying "I couldn't breathe. That was really tough. How long is the bike ride? I couldn't breathe." But he did that swim in 46 minutes!! He was worried he would not make the cut-off...

I got his bag for him and just started handing him his bike stuff. Here are your socks...just put them on. He would say "That swim!! I could not breathe!!" I would say "Forget it...you have to get on your bike now!! Here is your t-shirt...get it on!!"

Oh my god!!

As he was coming out of the transition, he had not put the bottle on correctly and had spilled most of his gatorade...he stopped and I took a few minutes to re-do it for him. My last advice to him was to stop at EVERY aid station and fill that bottle up!! Eat!! EAT!!! EAT!!! Off he goes for 90kms...on a bike with 8 gears and big thick tires and no aero bars. Oi.

The run: We weren't very good spectators as we missed his T2. I thought the bike ride would take him much longer than it did...He did that course on that bike in 3 hours and 33 minutes!! Again, I was worried about him out there but I guess his old hockey legs came through for him. I ran for him just a little bit at the end and he said he was just going slow the whole way but running the whole way...my advice also to him...just go slow the whole day!! He looked good and strong and ran UP that last bugger of a hill at the 18km mark! He did his run in 2:34!! Which by the way...beats my run split from last year...

I am SO PROUD of him for doing this!! I had to keep the panic out of my voice for the two days leading up to the race and just be the upmost supportive sister EVER!! His total time was 7 hours and 10 minutes...very respectable I would say!!

tired number two

"This the last week to make it count!" That's what he said on the phone this week. I have one triathlon to do this summer. One. I only entered to have something to look forward to and get my ass out the door over the summer. It is next weekend. This week has been like the last several...swim...bike...run...
I am feeling super. My running has come around...FINALLY!!
Tuesday was a bike ride that I smoked. The instructions were to do some race pace stuff. I have no idea what my race pace should be so I picked something that I thought could be respectable and I did it!! I was super happy after that bike ride. I can sure notice all the weight training I did in my legs this summer. My goal is to beat my 2008 time on the bike which was...ahem...2 hours and 15 minutes for 62 km. Sigh. I know, I am a shitty biker. BUT that was what I did in 2008 and that time is coming DOWN!!!
Wednesday morning was a swim...another 3000 meters in the pool. I have gotten used to training by myself and I LOVE it. I seem to get a whole lot more focused to get the workout done and there is no pressure of keeping up or waiting for people to show up. But you also don't get to guage how you are doing comparatively...and that's okay because I am learning not to care.
Wednesday night was a hot and windy run. HOT and WINDY. Again, I smoked my pace. I love running again. It just feels good to run!! Each of those intervals were hard fought battles, but they are in the tank. My goal next weekend is to run faster than in 2008...which should not be a problem as I WALKED most of that day. I have unfinished buisness with that run course as the two times I have done that race, I have had to walk. Not this year. I feel a whole lot mentally tougher than I was in 2008 so things are looking up to have a good day!!
No sleep Wed night. I hate not sleeping. To much on the brain. The Thursday workout was supposed to be a 2.5 hour bike ride but I could not wrap my head around that and got only 1.5 hours in. I was exhausted.

i'm tired

And I don't even feel guilty telling you all that, given that some of you are training for Ironman!! Each to their own...and I am TIRED!! Here is how the week went:

Monday...I got up way early and got nearly 2 hours in on my bike. Before work. Yeah. Take THAT!! HaHaha!! It was a gorgeous morning, no flats, some intervals in there for good measure.

Tuesday...early morning meeting so no workouts in the am. My mom took the offspring for the night...Shaun went to a movie with his buddy, and I went for a run. Was a very good run. I have found my running legs.

Wednesday...Up early to hit the pool. 3500 meters in the water...staring at the line on the bottom. Was kind of boring and loooooong, but got it done.

Thursday...was tired in the morning. And it was a rest day...so I slept.

Friday...up again to hit the pool. Another 2500 meters. Some tri peeps were there so some chatting happened. Was a decent swim.

Friday night...I wanted to get a bike ride in but it had poured rain just after work and Shaun decided to go and play ball. So what does this gal do? Onto the trainer. In our hot, hot house, with no air conditioning (we got rid of it as we always get sick every summer and I am 100% sure it that damn air conditioning....without it this year, none of us have been sick, it has been hot some nights, but your body adjusts and it has been great...) I poured sweat from every part of my body for 90 minutes. Watched "The Green Zone". Wasn't a great movie but the ride and the intervals are in.

Saturday morning...a hard run. My legs felt like hell for the first several minutes. Then they just wanted to run...was a beautiful morning, was hot, was a very good run!! Ended up running well over an hour...and my goal for the triathlon coming up in a few weeks is to CRUSH my 2008 run time. That run, back then, was a real bugger and I just remember it being so hard. And hot. And I hated every minute of it. Well, Dear Frank Dunn Run Course...we have some unfinished business and I am ready to go toe to toe with you in a few weeks!!

Saturday afternoon...threw the kids in the truck and went to the cabin. Shaun decided to stay behind to finish some stuff he was working on. I rented some movies and ended up watching "The Road"...a scary, creepy, horrible movie all by myself while the kids were sleeping. OMG, I heard every single critter in the woods ALL night!! And something was running along the roof and the deck and I was totally freaking out...ALL night. Did not sleep a wink.

I am really tired today....

friends in "high" places

From today's stage...the canuck on the left is a guy (I am 98% sure it is him...) I swim with EVERY Sunday!!! And we grew up at the pool together...isn't that picture fantastic!!

new shoes

If Jenn can post a pic of her "special needs" shoes and Melissa posts one of her cool new mom shoes...then check these out...yep...that's 4 inches of heel, baby!! Can't WAIT to wear them somewhere....

But for today I modelled my bike shoes and my running shoes. Sigh. Up early for a bike ride, but damn I was tired. My body just gets wacked when that girlie time of the month comes and I can hardly function for a few days. I don't know what that is all about. It has gotten way worse since having kids. Headaches...soooo tired...lethargic all day...hormones playing havoc on my body and I do not enjoy it. I am literally out of the game for two to three days every month!! Today I tried to get up but just could not. My brain was banging against my skull. So I went back to bed for a few hours. Took some painkillers, dragged my bike outside, got on it and just pedalled.

For just about two hours.

I was flying out highway #5!! Got from my house to the church in about 40 minutes!! Turned around and a great big UGH....wind. Lots and lots of wind. Took me over an hour to get home...But it did not bother me and I just kept pedalling and kept my head down. Had to pee the entire way back but I was not about to go into the grasses and visit those mosquitos again.

And thanks so much for the tips on my last post!! I now have bug spray IN my pack AND I fixed my tire all by myself...All was good today on the bike!!

Then it was time for a run. I seriously felt sick to my stomach starting out but just kept putting one foot in front of the other and after about 20 minutes, I was good to run all day. Ended up running well over an hour. I think I really like to run after a bike ride...my legs are warmed up, I have to really concentrate on keeping myself together...no daydreaming...until it feels good to run. My pace was not all that hot...but covered 12km in about an hour 10...so pretty good for me!! Also took a walk break up Broadway as I love to window shop on that street...some really cute stuff on sale...I will be back there shortly...

!!!!?????

I had a bad feeling. But I went out for a bike ride anyway. That damn back tire of mine has been fighting with me for a few weeks. I took it off and checked the tube and put it all back together again and finally got some decent air into it the other night. All was good.

Up today to go out for a couple of hours before work. I have learned that it only takes me 14 minutes to get to highway 5 where we have a couple of hills. They are not even decent hills but they are all we got, that is close so I like to go out there as much as possible. It was actually a gorgeous morning...the mist over the fields just as I turned onto the highway from McKercher was really pretty. And it was quiet and peaceful. The sun was about to come over the horizon and I was feeling like the rockstar up early getting my ride in.

I got just past the drive-in...as in not even to the base of the first hill and I hear the dreaded...pffffssst.

Oh Shit.

I look back and sure enough, FLAT. Off I get and my first instinct was to just call home for a ride. But then I thought, quit being such a fool and change this thing. This will be GOOD for you!! So I got the wheel off and the tire off without any trouble...the mosquitos were horrible. HORRIBLE!!! I could not stand them. I felt like i was in a sci-fi movie and in an hour someone would just find my bike and my bones at the side of the road...everything else eaten alive. GROSS!!!

I LIKED the semi trucks going by as they would create some wind and push those little bastards away!! I struggled and struggled to get the tube into the tire. I had bought these tubes a few years ago and had never actually used one before...well...I won't use another one. It was like they were too wide to go under the tire (?). But I tried stuffing it in anyway. Honestly, the bugs were so bad...I ended up calling Shaun to come and get me...I could not figure the tube out and I was getting super frustrated. And running out of time.

And then wouldn't you know it, I kept at it while waiting and sure enough, got that stupid tube in and inflated it and got the wheel back on the bike just as he was pulling up!! But boy, oh boy was I in a foul mood!! Some practise needs to be done with getting that back tire sorted out. I could just take it to the bike shop and let them do it....but I want to do it!! So I will be on my new deck tonight, with some beer, sorting that damn bike out.

A side note....I asked Justin about buying a new bike. I am feeling like I should just buy a new bike...He says the cheapest way to improve my riding is to actually ride MORE....and maintain my bike BETTER!!! Hahahahahahahhaa!!!

been a blur

My quest to get these 11 (f-cking) training hours have gone something like this...

Monday...rest day...seriously, it was a rest day...a rest day from resting at the lake all long weekend.

Tuesday...another rest day...because dammit...I was tired and could not for the life of me drag my sorry ass out of bed. On the schedule had been a 90 minute bike ride. Did I mention I was tired? Sometimes I just need to listen the body no matter what the schedule is telling me.

Wednesday...and not very many days left now to get those 11 hours in!! Early morning meeting meant whatever was going to get done had to get done after work. Another 90 minute ride but it was pouring rain...onto the trainer. But it got done!!

Thursday morning...3000 meter swim...at the $50 million dollar pool...10 lanes, 50 meters and I had it ALL to myself. Not one other person in the pool, not even in the warm up pool. Nice.

Thursday night...a 60 minute run...but I did not wait long enough for my supper to settle and I thought I was going to yak the entire time. AND I stepped in a puddle early in the run so I had a wet right shoe and sock that gave me a blister. AND since I wasn't letting the night's meal come up, it tried to go down...had to hustle home or crap my pants...so not a fun time.

Friday morning...another swim...on the schedule was about 1500 meters, but I e-mailed Justin and told him that if I was getting up at 5:30am, driving across town and paying $6 to use the pool...I better make it worth my while. So put in about 2500 meters.

Friday afternoon...90 minutes of lazer tag with the boys...I am SO counting that as training. It was over 30 degrees, I had to carry a very heavy gun and run around the prairie trying not to get shot and shoot my cousins and their kids!! Omg...it was SO MUCH FUN!! But it was 90 minutes of crawling, crouching and sprinting between cover and running up and down hills...I was exhausted by the end of it. Fell asleep on the couch that night.

Saturday am...up at 5:00...fiddled with my back tire for way too long...I can't get enough air into that damn thing. Was running out of time to get the bike ride started so took off anyway, with a low back tire...and no phone. Smart. I just said a little prayer to the bike gods to get me back home. But I was very brave and pedalled through town all the way out Highway 5...no issues. Thank-you bike Gods!! Made it home...quick change into my run clothes and out for a 70 minute run. Legs were shaky for the first bit but then I felt really good. It was a warm morning and lots of people out on the paths. I had to hustle back as Shaun had a ball tournament all day today.

Sunday...let's hope I actually wake up tomorrow after this week so far!! But I want to get a 45 minute run in and a swim. Shaun is golfing and my mom has agreed to take the offspring so my plan is to run early before golf and hit the pool in the afternoon.

Then it is out to my mom's to visit with cousins and eat..eat...eat...eat my face off...

happenings

We are trying to find our groove for July with no school and no kid's activities. The evenings are kind of slow and casual and relaxed. I am keeping up with laundry. I never keep up with laundry. One day this winter, I had to send Matthew to school in a pair of my running socks as the kid did not have one pair of clean socks...oops. I went out that day and purchased about 10 pairs so that "should" never happen again. I know, my dad would tell me that is the easy way out, but really...

We made it to the cabin for the long weekend. Was a gorgeous weekend and the kids had a blast. We rented and watched all 4 of the Indiana Jones movies. Who knew that there was an actual story line in those films? I did not remember that. AND now Matthew wants to be an archeologist...oi. He hums the theme song over and over again. Indiana is his new hero! We played 100 games of UNO and went for many walks. A family of deer has made its home in our yard so that was kind of neat to wake up and see a mama deer and her two babies each morning.

As for training...well...I have deemed July "Get Kelly Fit On Her Bike" month. The problem has been that each time I have scheduled to go for a ride, it is pouring rain!! So I have been on the TRAINER....IN JULY!!! I have 2 whole hours (I know some of you doing Ironman are rolling your eyes...but 2 hours!! That's ALOT for me!!) scheduled for Saturday morning. Rain, rain ...stay away. But before that, I have Friday afternoon booked off and we are going to play LAZER TAG!! How much fun?!! I will let you know.

This week I have 11 hours on the schedule. ELEVEN. And several 2 per day workouts. wtf? But I told him I had the time now with no stuff going on in the evenings....so? Here I go!!

finally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A GOOD VERY GOOD RUN!!!

I entered in the Mogathon today...this is a great event...they have all sorts of distances and they stager the starts so everyone is finishing at the same time. Yeah...it still sucks getting passed by someone finishing up their 30km run in the last few kilometers...but this blog is about ME and my runs!!

I entered the 10km. It was hot. I don't usually do well in the heat. The course was so well supported with spray towers. I ran under all of them. My three main goals were: Do not stop running....ever. Do not look at your garmin...ever...this was supposed to be my get back to running run. I wore it b/c Coach Justin's advice was that this run would be a good measure of where I am and where we start from...again. Lastly, run by myself. And by that I mean, run for me. Don't get discouraged or even notice when you get passed or dropped or it starts to hurt. Its SUPPOSED to hurt!! A tri-guy who has given me lots of advice told me a few weeks ago that I have to learn to be okay with it hurting....for the short time that my legs are tired. Just KNOW that your legs will be tired for about an hour in a 10km. I want to learn this. I am not very good at it!!! For these shorter races, go to a happy place and just run. And I really tried it this time.

My finish time was not all that shit hot...no where near a personal best (surprisingly close to one....) but I can't expect that either given my running has been hit and miss all spring....but dang I felt good. I can't say that I have EVER just gone within myself and ran. Someone asked me if I saw the funny costumes at one of the aid stations....no...I did not even notice!!! I was HAPPY about this!!! I did not even notice the popsicles they were handing out!!! Yey!!!

Hello Running...I have missed you!! C'mon over here and give me a big hug!!!

happiness is this right here

That's what Tony from P90X says now and again when he is getting you to hold some crazy pose and your legs are burning and the sweat is coming off your face...he says "Take your mind to another place and happiness is this right here..." It kind of makes me laugh. He is so goofy but he is so funny.

I held a chair pose for 30 seconds last night. And then a small break. And then another 30 seconds. I did!! I could not do the wall squats if my life depended on them....and the one leg wall squats? Forget it. BUT....was a good little P90X workout in my basement last night. My body moved in ways I did not think it could move and it is letting me know today.

This morning was a run. My main goal today, was to just....keep....running. Even if it is slow. Just run and do not stop, even when you feel like it. I ran almost 7kms!! Was a very good run. Starting to feel better about the running. I am entering in the 10km race this weekend and the instructions are "Run hard and run fast, redline, the whole way and this will give us a great idea of where you are at." Because honestly, I have had to start all over again with this running business. So here I go to a hard 10kms.....eek!

Next up is a swim tomorrow...I am going in early and going to try to get 4000 meters in....just keep swimming....

still coughing...

DAMN!! This cold is hanging on to my chest! What a bugger! But feeling much, much better...sent the munchkins off to grandma's house for one night over the weekend and slept 10 hours...TEN HOURS!!! In ONE night!!! Was effing awesome.
The deck is coming along nicely. My husband is obsessed with it and it was a great weekend to get a very good chunk of it done. I LOVE IT!! I laid out there for a bit yesterday while he was pounding in nails and it was fantastic. We will be spending alot of time out there I imagine. Next up is shopping for a BBQ and some deck furniture....yey!! Anyone who wants to stop in for a beer on the new deck....c'mon over!! But bring bug spray. eeek!
On the workout front....have done nothing. As in nothing. I tried to run on Sunday morning as the local triathlon was happening out at Pike Lake and I was feeling a wee bit motivated but the run went like this....run 10 minutes...cough...cough...coughcoughcough....run a bit more....stop and cough...run a few blocks...coughcoughcoughcoughcough....nice. And I tried to climb over a big pile of dirt under the freeway bridge to get to the other side and cut my arm on the fence. Who knew running could be that dangerous? I get home all sweaty, can't stop coughing with blood running down my right arm. Looked like I had been in a battle!!

Anyway, it's a new week and I have my workouts for the week and I intend to get them in. Coach Justin is over in France for the next couple of weeks...do you you know what major event is happening in France next month? That's right....The Tour De France!! And I don't really understand what he is doing (because sometimes he talks to me in cycling-code-talk) but it sounds like each cycling team has some guys that do some of the course before the Tour to give feedback and tips etc. Justin is on the support crew for one of those guys. I don't really understand, however, he was super excited and told me all about it and basically said, talk to you in a few weeks....get your workouts in!!!

And I found this....since Canada does not have a team at the World Cup, the next best thing is our neighbors to the south. I thought this was a cool video. Those? Are some super tough "good ole boys"!!! Check out "the look" at about 1:45...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxBlpzVSOCQ&feature=related

my weekend continued

It seems as though by trying to get everything in over the last couple of weeks, my body has told me enough....and I am sick...sick...sick at home and should be in bed.

But I get bored in bed so here I am surfing the net and updating my blog.

The question I do have from the weekend is why does Canada not have a team at the world cup of soccer? Is this a naive question? Because let me tell you...I was at our local festival of soccer all weekend as my kids each had 3 games and there are more kids in soccer in this city than in hockey. Maybe we just need 20 more years of supporting and tending to our young soccer players? I loved watching them play! And the sunshine helped.

I woke up Saturday with a very sore throat. The plan was to get a 90 minute bike ride in before the soccer games but that was just not happening. So I slept. I felt okay for the day and managed to sneak out of the house to get a power class in. Was beat by the end of the day and had another horrible sleep. I thought maybe a run would get he bugs out so headed out for a steady, slowish 60. minute run before my swim. Felt better after the run, the morning was gorgeous and with all the rain we have had, the trees and flowers and smells out there were awesome!! I was in a great mood and not even a little sore throat and cloudy head was going to damper my spirit!

Went to the pool and was determined to get my 4000 meter swim in. Did the workout on the board and then Jenn and I added another 1000 meters of pull with paddles and that brought us to about 3500 meters. I was tired. My head felt like a truck ran over it. I knew when I walked out of the pool I was going to be sick....just a matter of when. Shitty.

Sat at the soccer center in the sun for a couple of hours on Sunday....helped Shaun in the yard get ready for the next stage of our NEW DECK (this is a whole other post that I will share sometime as I swear...it has been quite the job...old house...uneven yard...nosy neighbors...) But my role in the deck has been minimal and I felt I should help with some stuff. So between watching Matthew go up and down the alley on his bike, I hauled cement blocks. Not feeling good. In the sun. Not smart!! I woke up today and my body was telling me "Forget it...no work...no deck...no nothing!! You are DONE!"

Sigh.

my weekend

Includes the following:

6 soccer games
1 x 2 hour bike ride
1 taekwondo practice
1 4000 meter swim....this is the one I am excited about!! I want to see what I feel like after 4000 meters in the pool....been a loooong time...
1 x 60 minute run
1 power class
1 trip to the grocery store
10 loads of laundry
1 lawn that needs to be cut
1 house that needs to be cleaned and tidied up
1 bag of hockey equipment that needs to be washed...he is only 7 and he already stinks
1 bathroom that desperately needs to be cleaned...I live with boys...need I say more...
1 truck that needs to be vaccuumed....seriously, it is disgusting
1 trip to Walmart - some hate Walmart, but the genious behind Sam Walton's vision was that he wanted a place for families to shop where they could pick everything up. So they did not have to make several trips to several different stores. Genius. And if you have a weekends like mine, you really LOVE Walmart!!!

lazy....blogger!

I am a lazy blogger. I think that is the longest I have gone for an update. hmmmmm.

Have had a super crazy busy week.

Starting from the middle of last week:

Wednesday brought a swim in the am. Was a boring swim. No coach and I had to come up with a workout on the spot and I was just bored. Did not get alot of meters in. But had a good visit with a couple of the gals.

Thursday was a run....a short, slow run but I got it in and I am proud of myself for just getting one foot in front of the other and getting it done! Coach Justin says to just keep going until you feel that "click" again and then it will feel like the old days.

Friday was my strength class. More squats and lunges and core work. I am happy to report I can now hold a plank for ONE MINUTE!!! This is a small miracle. And it is the full plank, my friends, no knees on the ground. My arms were shaking horrible and the sweat was dripping off my nose, but I held that sucker for one minute!!

Saturday was a gorgeous day in SaskLand. I told Jenn I would meet her out for a bike ride...maybe. She had 3:40 hours to do...I had...well...just get out there and ride your bike to do!! Matthew and I had been on our bikes for about 2 hours Friday night so my butt was sore. Like really sore. And the little shit has named his bike!! He calls it "Zerks". (???) I have no idea where it comes from but that is the name of his new bike. I broke down and took him to the bike shop and bought him a brand new bike as he just loves biking and I thought what the hell...so he tried them all and settled on a dark blue rocket and has named it Zerks.

I L-O-V-E that!!! We went up and down the hill at the school playground about 100 times...and I impressed all the 7 year olds on the playground that I could peddle to the top...I am SO counting those as hill intervals....

Back to the ride with Jenn....I was out there for a bit and then called her cell and she had about 45 min left so I hustled to meet her and we visited for a bit and I escorted her right to her front door. She had a 2 hour run to do the next day so I bullied her into it....telling her I would meet her any time, any place.

Sunday rolls around and I am out the door at 5:15am to meet Jenn. We had a good run. I enjoyed the day, my legs were a bit fresher than hers and we walked a good chunk of the last half hour, but I was happy, and running and the sun was shining....was a very good morning!!

Monday was a rest day...Tuesday was a short 40 minute run that I floated through...I felt the CLICK!!! I think I may finally have my run legs back...we have made peace and I really, really enjoyed yesterday, even though it was in the pouring rain.

Today was a swim and was a good swim. I have to start getting some serious meters in the pool done as I am going to enter that 5km swim challenge in August. I have made up my mind and now I just have to convince the husband he wants to come and stay with his in-laws and watch the kids while I am at, yet, another, race....hmmmmm. Wish me luck!!

i'm having a REALLY good time!

Coach Justin always says "Well, you have a LIFE! So do what you can do."

Yes. I have a life and it is a pretty good one at that. I am very lucky. Or as my buddy says;

"Just keep living in your little bubble." And honestly, what is wrong with that? If you don't open yourself up to the negative shit of the world and what others seem to like to throw at you, then the bubble is pretty nice little place to be. Yea. I have been called naive. But let me tell you something.

I have very little CRAP and energy wasting people in my life. And I am HAVING A BLAST!!!

Friday was sleep in day. Since my goal race is not until like, the end of August....why not sleep in a couple days before then? Landed an account at work that I have been working on for 2 years....TWO YEARS!!! Yeah. I am persistent. Or annoying. Not sure which but the account is over 7 figures so you kinda have to try with those. AND we have organized things so many, LOCAL charities will be supported in the very near future. I love it when it all works out and I look like a genius. It kind of helps my ego.

Saturday brought rain and wind and more rain and wind. We have no television right now as the hubs has not braved the weather to climb up onto the roof and put our satellite back up after he finished the shingles. I was kind of bored (no hockey playoffs!) after getting ALL the errands done, so I had a nap...first one since about 2004....AND I did a bike workout. Yeah. A bike workout!! And we exposed the little boys to the movie "Top Gun".

Hell Yeah!

Is that not THE BEST cinematic effort....EVVA!!?? Here are just a few quotes that you may remember:

"Do some of that pilot shit Maverick!!"

"Great Balls of FIRE!!"

"Tower, this is Ghost Rider requesting a flyby."

"That's a negative, Ghost Rider, the pattern is full."

"I feel the need for speed!!"

Frick I love that show.

Sunday morning brought the local marathon. I was hoping to sneak out of the house to watch but Luke woke up and I promised him pancakes if he would come with me. It was windy and cold out there watching but he was a little trooper. Saw Jenn snag a PB on her half and Chuck land his Boston Q time!! I had walked aways down the course before the finishing shoot and I told Jenn I would call her when I saw Chuck coming up the hill.

I saw him and I started dialing her cell phone and then I heard her HOLLERING her lungs out for Chuck!! It was GREAT! He had a couple of buddies with him and I checked my watch and knew he had his time! It was really awesome to see someone who has worked very hard and has been so focused acheive their goal. Super Duper job Chuck!

The rest of Sunday brought the couch at my Mom's place for Sunday dinner. My step-sister and bros were there and we always have such a good time. The boys played and played and we set up and obstacle course for them in the basement and I almost peed myself laughing at them. Kids are so much fun!

Today was my power class and a 30 minute run. I was so excited for Jenn and Chuck and others out there yesterday, I was floating on the treadmill this morning!

Have a fantastic week, everyone!!

Dear Running,

The local marathon is this weekend. The events available to enter are the usual 10km...half marathon...full marathon. It has always been an exciting weekend with all sorts of stuff happening and our largest local running race. I have always entered something for about the past decade. But not this year.

I hate running right now.

I am awkward and goofy and I went for a run today and thought maybe my funk was over with but when I checked in with Gary Garmin...my pace was ridiculously slow. And I was trying. Really hard. Then I got frustrated and just walked home. The story every run so far in about a month.

F*ck off Running!!!!!!!!

Justin's advice is to run at least the 10km for a measure of where my fitness is for the beginning of summer. That's a great idea. BUT I know where my running fitness is, its in the fucking toilet!!! And the weather is supposed to be crappy so do I really want to get up early, go out to the start line, hang around in the rain and try to pull a 10km out of my ass??!! I seriously do not want to be disappointed and frustrated (and cold) after Sunday. More of Justin's advice is that this will not be my fastest run ever so don't set it up to be. Just see where you are at.

I KNOW where I am at...slow, awkward, with lead in my legs.

On the positive side of my life....went to a fantastic dinner last night...YWCA's Women of Distinction Award Dinner. How motivating!! You hang out in that room for a bit and you feel like a bit of an underachiever. There is lots and lots of great things happening in this city and in this province, it is a very exciting time.

my first two hour bike ride!

But let's start at the beginning of the weekend...

Friday morning I went to my power class at the new gym. I LOVE my power classes!! I find them fun and challenging and the instructors have been different so different workouts and excercises. I am gonna look hot in a tank top if we ever get summer....

Saturday morning was a nice but super cool morning and if I had my life organized a bit better, I should have been out on my bike. But...no...I was up way early baking cupcakes and putting the treat bags together and getting things ready for Smidge's 4th birthday party. By the time the party was over, which was well into the afternoon as we had the school gym rented and ended up playing floor hockey for a couple of hours afterwards...the weather had gone bad. No bike ride Saturday afternoon.

Sunday came and I went for a swim. Was a decent swim. Not many people there due to the long weekend I imagine. The main set was 10 x 150 meters...100 hard, 50 meters easy. My arms and legs and abs were sore from my weight workout and I felt uncoordinated, but got it done anyway.

Holiday Monday came and was a beautiful day. Got over an hour run in....still felt akward and slow and just goofy when I run. I have not yet made peace with running. I had forgotten our local bike race was going on so stopped to watch and visit at the end of my run on Broadway. Went home after about an hour of hanging out and showered, got my kids together and took them down to the bike race.

They were fascinated.

There was an Olympian in the race (Paul Tichelaar) and my 7 year old is fascinated with everything Olympics. He still thinks he is playing for Team Canada someday....I kid you not. But after watching the cyclists, his new goal is to get to the Olympics in cycling....who's kid is this? Imagine how impressive those bikes and outfis and speed are when you are 7 years old!! And my hubby was even impressed as we were standing at a corner and the trash talk and mouths on those cyclists...oi! Lots of bumps and near crashes and even a near fist fight between a spectator and pedestrian...who knew that cycling was a contact sport!!

Last summer, we had taken the training wheels off of M's bike and forced him to ride without them. There were plenty of tears and harsh words from his father and just an overall bad afternoon. If you are a parent, you know how well forcing your kid to do something works out...it doesn't!! He would have NOTHING to do with his bike all summer. Would not ride it at all, not even with the training wheels...it was really frustrating as he just made his mind up that he would not ride his bike. And we never pushed it after that day, because you just can't make them do something they absolutely will not do.

After the race yesterday, he brings his bike out to the yard and asks me to raise the seat. So we clean it off, fix the seat, check the brakes etc. Find his helmet and off we go! 90 MINUTES we were out biking around the neighborhood!! It was alot of fun and only 2 wipe outs. He picked up riding his bike without the training wheels like he has been doing it for years...we stopped in for some supper and then went out for ANOTHER hour!!!

I am not sure if this counts as my 3 hour ride I missed on Saturday but it was way more fun!!

My baby turned 4 this week

Look who came to the party...

My sponge bob creation...

bleh

I am really blah right now when it comes to any training.

My heart is just not into it.

Did a run last Tuesday and that was the last thing I have done....oops. I missed all sorts of workouts on the schedule last week. I just am not that interested...

Had thought about doing the half marathon at the end of the month but I don't think I could run that and do a good job of it so will be either at the lake if the weather is good OR on the sidelines cheering. We have had so much going on the last few weeks...work is very busy...I am taking a course, in a few months I will be a Financial Divorce Analyst...yes...there is an Academy and courses and you get a "designation" to put behind your name at the end of it!! Not that I care about the letters, but it is very interesting and a critical time in people's lives to be helping them with their finances. The financial decisions they make, usually under emotional distress, are often times not great ones.

Matthew has been invited to the Black Belt Club at TKD. This means one more night per week. yikes...not so sure I am into that...he has really excelled and this is basically a fast track to his black belt but he IS only 7 years old...Luke's birthday party this weekend...I have booked a real Jedi Knight and Darth Vader to come by and hang out with all the 4 year olds...am I the coolest mom EVER??!!!

Our pipes at the cabin froze last fall. Nice. A very expensive and stupid mistake we will NOT make again...as in we will be up there earlier in the fall to get them looked after. So have had to find and organize a plumber to go up there and do all that work.

We pulled all of the shingles off our house this weekend and are about 90% done putting the new ones on. Holy. Hell. That is alot of work. Being out there in the hot sun and heat makes me come to work today and hug my desk. And the air conditioning!! My poor hubby up there sweatin it out but it looks fantastic and he does an immaculate job but those were some long hot days up there!

The hockey wind up was on Saturday night....and I drank like it was 1988!! So no Sunday swim for this hung over gal...omgosh we were so lucky to have such a great group of families in our first year of hockey. My guts hurt from laughing and my head hurt from drinking. Was a very good night.

Today I thought I could possibly go to the gym for my power class....but I slept through the alarm...how lame is that? I can remember about 3 times in my entire life I have slept through an alarm...I ALWAYS wake up before that damn thing goes off!! But I think carrying 1000 garbage cans worth of shingles and other crap to the bin should count for something....

Mini-Marathon

Today at preschool, the teacher organized a mini-marathon. Essentially it was a run around the edge of the school park. Each preschooler had a grade 3 care partner...Luke was so excited!! His "very own marathon"!! He insisted on wearing one of my old race numbers with my race belt.

Here they are all lined up at the start line!!

And look who came into the finish in first place!! OMG he was so happy he ran the entire way and says "Mom...I wanted to stop but I just kept running!!" Sound familiar??

The Warm Down

So proud of you Luke!!!