just....keep...running

Why are those last 20 minutes of a long run the ones you really are training for? Holy moly. My legs fell off at about an hour 15 and I was about a half hour from home. Took a major walk break and then just put one foot in front of other over and over and over again till I got home. Funny the deals you make with yourself:

Keep running and I will buy a large coffee...with that creamer you like!

Keep running and you can nap this afternoon.

Keep running cause that lady in the car is looking at you.

But that one is in the tank. Until next week, long run!! We will meet again...

I have a funny hockey story if anyone is interested. Last week at the tournament, Matthew kind of dogged it the last two games. I know, I know, he is only 7 years old and god forbid if I am ever a "hockey-mom" but I know my kid and I know when he is not trying. I was disappointed as I tell him I don't care how many goals you score, I don't care what the score is but you need to try.

He had a game Monday night. I overhear Shaun and Matthew in the bedroom before the game, having some Dad/Son time and Shaun is saying "Hockey is a team sport. If you aren't trying out there you are letting your team down and everyone is having to work harder. It's not fair. You need to skate hard and be a team player." I had to chuckle because this is Tier 3 Novice hockey!! Shaun was talking to him like we were on Team Canada or something!! Anyway, the last thing he says is "And we will take your Wii away for the rest of the week!" I wonder if any of the Team Canada parents have to resort to this....

Well...Oh...my...gosh....if you ever want to see a fire under someone's ass, who is 7, just make that threat! The little terd won Player of the Game!! He was so excited and we were very excited for him! They did a little official presentation after the game etc. He was very proud of himself and we have to go today to pick up the little prize package he won.

more intervals, anyone?

I peeked ahead on my schedule.

More intervals...BUT they are getting longer! Yay! Can she hold that pace for a few more minutes everytime? Will she puke out a lung? Will her legs survive this training? What is this body capable of?

We will know the answers soon enough, I suppose. Tomorrow is my first long-ish run in the ole ramp up for marathon training. 90 minutes. No problem! The note from Coach Justin says "Run 8 kilometers in one direction....turn around and see if you can run back faster!!"

Simple is as simple does.

Today's run was a set of 5 x 5 minute intervals. My legs were not really into it, but my head was. So they met somewhere in the middle. My average pace according to Gary Garmin got a wee bit faster every time so I was happy. And I started to bawl in between the 3rd and 4th one so had a bit of rest...a good cry on a good run. Why the hell not!!

Our Sunday swim coach quit on me this week. I have been scrambling to find another coach. We have 60 (SIXTY) swimmers coming on Sundays! The guy who is looking to take over wants and needs help on deck so I have offered to help coach this one Sunday....eek! I know LOTS about swimming but not sure how good of a coach I will be...stay tuned!

a heavy heart

My Mom's bff lost her battle with cancer yesterday.

I hate cancer. Cancer is a bitch. Cancer makes me cry.

She was diagnosed in May with breast cancer, it was super aggressive and she died yesterday morning. My Mom is very sad but glad her buddy is out of pain. What an ordeal!

Not fair really, to have that happen to such a wonderful person.

But cancer didn't care. It swept her away and was not very nice about it.

Mom went to many a chemo appointment with her...stayed over at her house when things were rough...talked to doctors and nurses and tried to make her comfortable for those last few days. Even arranged to have someone come to do her nails. She travelled to Washington with her pal to see some fancy cancer doctor. The things you do for friends. She always says "When your friends are down...you have to stand up for them."

Mom seems okay but I am angry. Really angry and I don't understand.

She tells me I never will understand but I need to. How do you understand such nonsense? It happened so quickly and she didn't have a chance. Shouldn't you at least get a chance to fight?

Holy hell am I going to have good run tomorrow...

Playing With Fire - book review

This post has nothing to do with triathlons or running.
I got this book for Christmas as I guess the giver thought I have read everything else and we are starting out into hockey so why not this book? And I dropped out of my book club (I need good book suggestions so...tell me some!) So you, my fine blogger readers...all 6 of you...are going to get my book reviews from time to time!! Unless we want to start our own blogger's book club...? Something to consider....
Anyway, Theo Fleury. Wow. I would NOT recommend this book if you are looking for a weekend read. About 3/4 of it is hockey stuff like stats and how great he was and play by play in certain key games, how high he was for this game and that one, how much money he spent on drugs etc. I guess that was his life and if you are interested in that then go for it. If you are a parent, with kids in sports...read it.
He was their ticket. That is ALOT of pressure to put on a 14 year old. Have your own dreams and goals....never, ever put your life in the hands of your kids. I guess this is MY parenting advice!! But he never had a chance from the get go. His dad was the town drunk...his mom spaced out on drugs. He carried his hockey gear in a pillow case!! The town totally took care of him and his brothers. A very sad story, actually. The hockey rink was where he was king, where people would give him attention and praise, as he never got it at home. I have a friend who worked for the Flames when he was in his hay-day and he was just a bad-ass. I remember thinking "What a loser!" And not that we shouldn't take responsibility for our actions when we reach adulthood, but being a loser (outside the rink) was all he ever knew! I can kind of understand it better after reading the book.

hockey, run, swim

We are heavy into this hockey business. Heavy.

At a tournament all day yesterday...first game was at 7:30am. Yikes!! If he did not LOVE It so much I would be totally grumpy but he LOVES IT so what can I do? I get up, get lunches made, get some laundry done and hussle everyone out of bed all before 6:00am. Fun? I think so!!

It is interesting to see what other families do while hanging out at the rink. There is, of course, nothing good to eat at the concession so I had packed fruit, vegis, yogurt, muffins etc. Garbage in...garbage out...right? And then they wonder why their kids are brats (not that mine are NOT brats sometimes) but I try to keep an eye on their diet. Just remember how you feel when you have eaten crap all day?? And then your parents wonder why you have no energy to play hockey? hmmmmmmm.....interesting...

Due to the tourney, no run yesterday. So had to get my arse out of bed AGAIN early and get the run in before my swim. I had put grips on my shoes earlier this week, woke up the next day and had a sore hip...took the grips off...will take the chance in the ice and snow rather than get some silly injury this spring. Was an okay swim. We have some swim drama happening within our local club, and me being the swim co-ordinator, I hear all sides of it. Changes coming. Again. So my head was not really in a swimming mood!! Our Sunday swims have turned into a hot ticket and the growth in participants has been great, but with growth comes growing pains. All will be dealt with Monday....right now Shaun has taken Matthew to a movie and Luke and I are going for a walk as it is gorgeous out there today!!