Somedays I really wish our house wasn't such a busy place.  It seems as though we are always coming or going.  There is always so much going on, especially throughout the school year when I have to be at work, and my husband's schedule demands weekend work every two out of three weekends.  We still manage to think we can do it all, and I just can't imagine it any other way.  Last night my husband told me that I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow, and my legs were still moving, as if I was running still.  Hm. "It would be great if I could get a run in while catching up on some sleep," I thought.

So, this morning after icing some halloween cupcakes and doing general breakfast and morning things, we headed into Guelph for the 'Devil's Run'.  It is a 5km Cross-Country race that has an open category as well as University runners.  My husband was all set to run the race, and the boys and I were ready to cheer!

The boys love cheering from the BOB

It was a cold, but sunny morning, and we were quite a bundled little cheering section.  The course was sort of a figure-eight loop, so after the starting gun went off, we settled in at the intersection of the loop, so we could cheer him on three times throughout the 5k course.  The boys were so proud to yell, "Go Papa Go!"  Just after he finished (a PB for him--yay!) we had to head back to the car so he could rush home and get ready to go to work.  yeesh!

note the kid in the yellow shirt--too cute :)

In the race there was a little boy, running his heart out.  He did very well, and finished looking strong.  It made us hope that our boys have some interest in running when they are (a bit) older.  I just hope I am making them tired of all things running-related by taking them to races, and running around the neighbourhood with them all the time ;)

almost to the finish--just one more huge hill!

We are proud of you, Papa!  Way to go on a fun race day!

Happy running, and trick-or-treating!  Stay warm, it's gonna be a cool one :)

Busy Weekend (again)

This weekend was a busy one, (but fun) with lots of catching up with friends.  Saturday afternoon, we celebrated at a party for my friend Vanessa, who's husband had a surprise party for her, in honour of her first marathon (aw! How sweet)!  By the time I returned home from the party, I was inspired all over again to hit the road in another marathon.  How does that happen?!  It is crazy to think that I am eager to get out there and pound another 42.2 kilometers into my shoes, but I just can't wait to take another stab at it.  Of course, there will be a baby, recovery from said baby, painful miles and miles of preparation, etc. between me and my next attempt.  I can't wait though.  I think hearing someone else's race experience is so inspiring (perhaps that is why I read so many blogs?). 

Sunday morning was a fun run with my family (the boys were so cute tucked in under a blanket, still in their jammies)!  It was foggy, but perfect.  We ran around the neighbourhood and enjoyed the calmness that fog brings.  My husband is running a 5km cross-country race this weekend, so it was nice to catch up with him about his race goals and plans.  My boys counted pumpkins as we ran along, and it was so cute to see them so excited about Halloween.  Their costumes are still 'works in progess' so I must get on that tonight!

Last night I was fortunate enough to experience some athletes of a different kind, at a live taping of the show, "Battle of the Blades".  The show, if you haven't watched it, (you should, it is quite entertaining!) is a CBC-produced skating show where they take accomplished figure skaters, and pair them with accomplished NHL hockey players to perform fancy pairs figure skating acts.  Sort of a "Dancing with the stars"-with-ice-sports-involved idea. How Canadian is that?!  I am not really a hockey-watcher, but I have always watched figure skating, so it was awesome to watch.  I had to keep reminding myself that these hockey players had zero experience in figure skates before coming on the show.  It was truly amazing!  And we saw a few other Canadian celebrities while we were there, which was fun.  Thanks to my friend Vanessa (she is a star of my blog these days!) for inviting me :)

Running is one of the only athletic endeavors I have ever stuck to.  I try to imagine getting out of my comfort zone to try something completely different, like those hockey players.  It is hard for me to think about trying, let alone showing a TV audience!  I think my most-challenging opposite sport would be swimming.  It is crazy, as so many runners are swimmers also, but I just never have been, and I haven't really had the desire to be.  I keep thinking somewhere in my mind that swimming might be something I will learn to be good at when I am 40.  I don't know why, but that seems far enough away that I don't have to worry about it, but close enough that I can still make it a goal.  We'll see.

After that busy weekend, I am exhausted!  I am looking forward to a run after school with my friend M.  Hopefully it is not raining and we can enjoy an energy-boost together!

Happy (foggy) running!

Race Shopping

It is an odd feeling not to have a race coming up to look forward to, and to train toward.  I did have the Angus Glen Half Marathon slotted in for November, but it looks like it just isn't going to happen due to a very exciting family even that is happening the same day (races are great, yes, but becoming the God-parent of my beautiful nephew is something that takes priority)!

As the weather gets cooler, and the races start to 'dry-up' in these parts, and my belly gets more huge, I am feeling the need to find that one more race I had promised myself.  I would love a 10k or 10 mile before Christmas.  There is always the Egg Nog Jog in Georgetown in December, but I do have a fear of all of those hills :)
We'll see.  Any suggestions?

My husband will be running a couple of 5k races within the next month, and I am excited to be a spectator again (Sunday's marathon spectating was fun)!  I would run along with him, but I think my job is to cheer and encourage our boys to cheer :)

So as I run along without a race in mind, I still am enjoying the time I spend out on the road.  I am still enjoying the nice autumn weather, and the fact that I am not yet super-slow.  I am starting to notice other people in my neighbourhood noticing my belly, (I have even seen a couple of double-takes when M and I are out running together with our pregnant bellies) but I will keep running along, taking it one step at a time!

Happy running!

Toronto Goodlife Marathon Spectator Report

What a beautiful day for a run!  Or a beautiful day to watch a run?  Spectator day was just fantastic.  I picked up my friend Lori at 8:30am, and (after a quick trip to Tim Horton's) we were on the road to the race.  Traffic was smooth sailing as we got a great spot on a side street and walked toward Yonge St.  We weren't there long before the leaders were headed our way.  Wow, they run fast!  We held up our signs in one hand, and our hot beverages in the other.  I can't count how many races I have been in, jealous of those people out enjoying the sunny day with their coffee in hand, clapping and cheering.  It felt so nice to be one of them :)

Although we didn't seem to get any photos at that first stop (too much excitement trying to scope out our friend Vanessa) we certainly got into the groove of cheering.  Before long, we decided to get back in the car and head to our next stop at the 11km mark.  We weaved along through some very nice Toronto neighbourhoods and made it to stop number two.  We met up with my husband, who looked more "official" than Lori and myself, as he was working at the time.  He stood with us as we waited for Vanessa to round the bend.  She looked FANTASTIC!!

Vanessa looking great at the 11km mark!

Our next stop was going to be on the Lakeshore at the 29km mark, so we had a bit of time to get there.  We had an easy time navigating through traffic, so we thought we would get to the Lakeshore a bit early and watch more of the runners going by.  It also gave me extra time to get my costume and props ready!

Getting geared up

We set up camp on the path, and watched and cheered.  Lots of runners got a kick out of my costume, which was exactly why I chose to wear it!!  I gave out orange slices (I should have brought LOTS more, as many more people were willing to take orange slices from a complete stranger than I expected!!).  Lori ran the camera, and she did a great job taking photos.  I could not have done both!  Unfortunately I didn't get a photo of Lori :(  She was there, I promise!!

As a bunch of grapes, giving out orange slices!

Vanessa had a great run.  She looked very strong when I last saw her at the 32km mark.  I had to run after her for about 400m, and let me tell ya, running along the Lakeshore in a big grape costume is even more entertaining to runners than just standing there!!  I don't recommend wearing maternity jeans while running.  The waist band will shimmy down very quickly!

By the time I returned home from all of the excitement, I was tired.  Just watching all of those people running was exhausting!!  I wanted to crash for the rest of the day!  Of course, that just isn't an option in my world, and how could I crash, when M and I were planning a run this afternoon?  We had a great (but very windy) 7 mile run this afternoon, again, without any potty breaks!!  I know these pit-stop-free run days are numbered, with my belly growing like it is, but I am just so happy not to have to find an extra-deep ditch!

Have a great recovery, those that ran today.  I know I need some recovery just from the excitement of the day!!

Can't wait to Spectate!!

It is the night before the Toronto Goodlife Marathon, and although I am not running, I am barely able to sleep because I am so excited!  I am going to go as a spectator, to cheer and make a fool of myself (costume may be included--but more on that post-race) while enjoying the race atmosphere.  My friend Lori is joining me, so it should be a great morning!  I love that this race starts at 9am (an hour and a half later than the marathon I ran last month!) so I don't have to drag myself out of bed super early to get there in time.  I also love that my mom is taking care of the boys, so I don't have to drag them all over Toronto!

This race will always hold a dear place in my heart, as I ran the half-marathon in this race last year, and although it was a super-cold day, it was one of my best races to date.  I ran well, felt really strong, and really felt like I was performing well throughout the entire thing.  I am sad to see this race fall off the "fall race" map (it is moving to the spring as of 2011) because it means I won't be running it next year (running even a half-marathon just over a month post-labour is a wee bit too ambitious, even for a crazy person like me)!

As I listen to the radio in these days leading up to the race, I hear the animosity people feel toward their dear roads being closed for races such as this one.  "Stay tuned for tips on how to deal with the traffic turmoil in the city's second marathon in just 3 weeks, or, "The city will be a mess for drivers this Sunday due to the marathon," etc.  Common, people.  It is a Sunday morning.  How many of us really need to be driving downtown so early on a Sunday?  How about taking a moment to honour all of the early Sunday mornings us runners have dedicated to this race?

My husband's job occasionally takes him to the front line of people fed up with traffic headaches.  He witnessed first-hand, some very angry drivers last year during one of the fall marathons in Toronto.  When he came home from work, he was talking about just how upset some people get, and how it was very hard to deal with their complaints and rage.  Of course, these angry people don't get much sympathy from people in my husband's line of work, but that isn't the point.  I know that I am biased because I am a runner, but it angers me that as runners we work soooo hard for sooo many months leading up to these races.  We pay good money to take part in these races.  It all boils down to the morning of the race.  As I run along the streets with other runners, with my head up toward that finish line, I like that it is all about us taking over the street, working toward our goals.  Cars have no place in that.  In training, as runners, we deal with all sorts of auto-centric problems.  Cars driving past through puddles, splashing us at the side of the road.  Cars blindly backing out of driveways without seeing us (how many times have I had a close call with a bumper?!).  Drivers neglecting to check their blind spot at intersections making a right-turn on a red.  The list goes on.  Marathon Road Closure Day is our day to win back those streets!!  Marathon road closures should be called, "Auto-Centric Apology Day".  I am a driver.  I live in a two-car family.  I am not claiming that I don't hate traffic hold-ups.  I just refuse to take out my frustration on pedestrians that are already at a disadvantage.

That's all I am going to say about that.  I should really go to bed so I am fresh for all of the cheering and hoopla of the morning.  I can't wait!!!

*I should add that I have enjoyed the lovely weather this week has turned out.  This morning's sunshine was sooo wonderful to run in!!


Stay tuned for some post-spectating pics!!

Thanksgiving Hangover

Wow...it is amazing how many times one can think, "it's ok, I am eating for two!" over the food eating holiday we like to call Thanksgiving.  The important thing I have to keep in mind, is that I am eating for two, not like two.  We had such a great time visiting my parent's house, where the boys just love to get out and run around on the farm, and enjoy all of the spoiling that comes along with hanging with Grandma and Grandpa.  It is also a great time to get a good run in with my brother.  We headed out Sunday morning (gorgeous weather!!) for a ten mile run that turned into just over 11 miles.  We ran through the tiny town (ok, village) near my parent's farm called Brigden.  This town has a population of about 500 people, and every thanksgiving weekend, the town bursts at the seams for a fall fair that attracts over 50,000 people.  When we ran past the fairgrounds on Sunday morning, there were people getting ready to start the day, but it was still calm.  The rides on the midway hadn't started moving yet, and the cotton candy wasn't yet ready.



Scott and myself (and belly), ready to head out on a beautiful day!

 We didn't stop in at the fair, as we were busy enjoying the run and chatting away.  And, how could I go and enjoy the fair without the company of my boys?!  They just love all that fairs entail...who wouldn't?!  Candy apples, farm animals, and giant pumpkins on display!

Scott and I finished our run at an average pace of 9:20/mile--which is slower than Scott would normally run, but he didn't complain once.  I guess he knows better than to complain about the pace to the pregnant lady :)

The best post-run food happens to be coma-inducing turkey dinner, I must say.  We ate very well, thanks to my wonderful parent's cooking.  Squash from the garden, my sister-in-law's quinoa dish, my aunt's layered jello, and, of course, the turkey!  Top it off with my dad's homemade cinnamon buns, and you are sure to feel like you can't move, let alone run, for days to come!  As luck would have it, we do get hungry again, and the leftovers are there to remind us of that full feeling :)

When we finally returned home, we took advantage of the lovely weather and did some Halloween decorating to our front porch.  My oldest, Elliott is sooo into Halloween this year.  He was thrilled to assist hanging ghost lights, placing pumpkins in the garden and insisting that we "need more" scary stuff before Halloween arrives.  Don't even get me started on the battle of his costume.  I refuse to believe that I will lose and he will end up as spiderman, or a ghost (his only two options at the moment).  I am a huge fan of making my boys match, and having two little matching turtles was what this mama had in mind.  I have been trying to compromise, but I would just hate to see him go out as spiderman like all of the other kids in his class :)  I know, turtles are cute for toddlers, and perhaps dorky for big boys that are almost 4 years old, but I was hoping to hold on to this matching thing for at least one more year?!

Happy Back-to-work day.  I am stuck with an awful cold that has left me with very little in the voice department.  I hope my voice returns before the marathon on Sunday, when I am gearing up to cheer on my friend Vanessa!!

Track Tuesday

Tonight was track night, as Tuesdays from April to November usually are.  I haven't been out to the track in over a month, due to attempting to keep a moderate pace through regular tempo runs, and a tiny bit of hurt pride in not being able to run as fast around that track now that I am toting this belly with me.

The last time I ran at the track was the August 3km time trial, which went fairly well, all things considered.  I will consider that run my last attempt at such a thing while pregnant, so tonight I decided to go out to the track to cheer on my husband, and the others as they rounded the track and gave it their best.

My boys just love that track.  Milo couldn't get out of his car seat fast enough after we pulled into the parking lot.  "Running, Running!" he said, as he set foot on the rubber track.  The two boys ran down the lanes like they were racing each other.  It was cute, but I knew it was going to be hard to wrangle them in to the double BOB when the time trial started (thank goodness for food items to bribe them into the buggy!).  For the duration of the run, the boys and I ran through the field in the middle from one side of the track to the other, cheering from each side.  Elliott cutely said, "Go Orange team!" to the man in the orange shirt, "Go blue team!" to the woman in the blue shirt, and so on.  So funny!

It was nice to catch up with some running buddies after a bit of a break from the track, but it did make me miss it.  I was complaining about 'missing running' on the car ride home, and I was reminded that I am not really 'missing running' lately.  I did just finish the marathon a week ago, I know, but it just seems different.  There are things I do miss, such as running in clothes that fit properly, (not tight and riding up in the belly) finishing a run feeling like I really pushed myself to the limits, (that just isn't in the plan these days, obviously!) and making ambitious (sometimes lofty) goals for upcoming races.  It is silly, really, as I know I should be taking advantage of this time to relax a bit!  I know I will be happy that I am not running super long runs as the weather gets really cold and snowy (soo nice to imagine skipping a 20-40km run on those cold and windy days of winter!).

I have bounced back from Maternity running twice before, so I know I will survive it.  I am excited to have a new little one this spring/summer to cheer me on at races!

The weather is supposed to be warmer as the week moves forward, so I can't wait to get out in shorts a few last times before they are packed away for the cold weather :)

Happy Running!

Short Long Run day!

Today was long run day.  It was quite strange, this morning, knowing that my long run would be so short in comparison to the long runs of the last few months was a strange, but good feeling.  My friend M joined me, and we hit the road/gravel by 8am.  I completed the entire run with a toque on, as it was a chilly one this morning!  It was such a great run.  We laughed and chatted through our 10 miles, and although the wind picked up and worked against us in the last half, it was brightening up and turned into a nice day.

We talked about running with bellies, and other's perceptions of what we should or shouldn't be doing while pregnant.  I know I have talked about this before, but it is a topic that seems to be coming up lots in my life lately, and I just can't get over the opinions people feel they are entitled to share sometimes.  I am not racing for PBs (enter the PPB!) or the gold medal.  I am running in races, sure.  But I am running within the limits my body is capable of.  My goal within each run that I do, whether it's a 5k run around the neighbourhood with the boys, or half-marathon with a chip on my shoe, is to finish feeling strong and not too overworked. I actually enjoy taking this time to relax a bit.  Skipping speed work at the track over the last month has been kind of a nice break.  Taking an extra recovery day here and there is a nice break.  That's what it's about for me.  I like to think that I don't look crazy out there running while pregnant, but I would like it if people would just keep that opinion to themselves sometimes.  I certainly feel like pregnant women give up a lot for those nine months, (most of it necessary, of course) but staying healthy through running does not fit into those "forbidden" items!

At the end of the run, my good friend M did a 'wive's tale'-type test with my hands to determine the gender of our unborn baby.  Someone had just taught her this highly scientific and very accurate test, so she thought she would share.  So, now I know the gender of our baby! phew!  I am all about trusting any test that can be done on a cold morning at the end of my driveway :)

The bonus about our run being so much shorter this morning, was all of the extra time I had afterwards.  We took the boys to the Butterfly Conservatory in Breslau, ON.  It was such a great outing on a fairly cold day.  The boys just loved it, and so did we.  We will definitely go back, but next time, we will try to remember to keep the camera in the house before going instead of the car (duh) as it was so cold, that the lenses fogged up when we got into the tropical atmosphere of the indoors, so we did not get any photos. Boo!

Here's to a good Monday, tomorrow!

Rearview Milo