Check out my posting over at iRun...
http://www.irun.ca/blog/index.php/rest-day/
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
More iRun Monday...
Here's today's post over at iRun. I feel like I have multiple personalities sometimes!
http://www.irun.ca/blog/index.php/a-running-field-trip/
http://www.irun.ca/blog/index.php/a-running-field-trip/
Sunday, November 20, 2011
awww
Well, I have always thought of myself as a runner. But, when my four-year-old does a drawing of me, "look, see, you're in your running shoes, and those are buildings that you run past." I really know I am a runner.
Yes, that is a 'ponytail' in my hair too.
I love the fact that he drew such a huge smile on my face---oh, and the 'Jazz Hands'. Of course I run like that!!
Happy Running
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| Mama the Runner |
I love the fact that he drew such a huge smile on my face---oh, and the 'Jazz Hands'. Of course I run like that!!
Happy Running
Friday, November 18, 2011
I feel so Alive!!
This morning the temperature was about -4 when I left the house. It was a frosty morning, and I was a teeny bit scared to leave, as this morning was one of the first runs that started under 0 this season. As I turned the corner about a minute into the run, I was caught by this feeling I don't feel too often on cold runs...the cool air felt so great on my face, I was invigorated! You know how it feels good sometimes to just splash cool water on your face? That is how this run felt!
The feeling lasted throughout the run. I was dressed perfectly (this doesn't happen all that often--usually there is some form of over/under dressing involved) and the sun was shining. The sun was actually reflecting off the rooftops and cars, where the frost had formed overnight. The cool air felt so nice and great. I have said before the winter running is easier for me than those hot, hot summer runs, but today I remembered why. On those summer runs, I sometimes feel like a hot, sweaty mess. Hard to catch my breath, feeling like I was going to melt to the road. When running in the cold, I feel so calm, and cool. I feel like my form is better, as I am more 'toned'. **I know that in reality, I am not more 'toned'--I am just more 'clenched'!
I am writing about this awesome cool-weather running experience, so I can come back and read this when I am too scared to go out when the temperatures really start to drop!
Happy Running--Hope you get out and enjoy this wonderful cool day, whether it is for a run, or a quick dash to the car for work!
The feeling lasted throughout the run. I was dressed perfectly (this doesn't happen all that often--usually there is some form of over/under dressing involved) and the sun was shining. The sun was actually reflecting off the rooftops and cars, where the frost had formed overnight. The cool air felt so nice and great. I have said before the winter running is easier for me than those hot, hot summer runs, but today I remembered why. On those summer runs, I sometimes feel like a hot, sweaty mess. Hard to catch my breath, feeling like I was going to melt to the road. When running in the cold, I feel so calm, and cool. I feel like my form is better, as I am more 'toned'. **I know that in reality, I am not more 'toned'--I am just more 'clenched'!
I am writing about this awesome cool-weather running experience, so I can come back and read this when I am too scared to go out when the temperatures really start to drop!
Happy Running--Hope you get out and enjoy this wonderful cool day, whether it is for a run, or a quick dash to the car for work!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
more iRun
Check out my new blog post at iRun.ca:
http://www.irun.ca/blog/index.php/my-running-nemesis-the-wind/
http://www.irun.ca/blog/index.php/my-running-nemesis-the-wind/
Monday, November 14, 2011
It's beginning to look a lot like...
Race Memorabilia!
This year I got to thinking about all of those medals I have kicking around from various races. I just love races that give out medals to finishers. It is such a nice way to remember the race (medals are small, portable, always fit, unlike some race t-shirts!). Every finisher receives one, so we all feel special walking around wearing them after the race, feeling like we won!
So many of us throw them into a drawer, shoe box, etc. where they sit until (in my case) the kids drag them out and wear them around. This is really cute, but it doesn't happen that often. I don't need to see my medals displayed every day, but I started thinking about how to display them to feel a bit proud of my accomplishments...
So today, my medals went from this:
...to this:
...and finally, to this!
I decided to use them as Christmas tree ornaments! Move over, "Baby's First Christmas," and make way for "Mama's Half-Marathon" and some others. I can now add any new medals I run for over the course of the year, to my tree at the end of the year. I can reflect on the races and places as I sit and look at the tree, all lit up. I have always loved sitting with a nice cup of tea around the Christmas tree, looking at the wonderful glow of the lights. Now I can see familiar shiny souvenirs that I worked so hard for throughout the rest of the year!
A few aren't on the tree. I have all three of my marathon medals (with race bibs) in shadow boxes (2 are in a hallway, and one is in Oliver's room, as he ran that race with me!) so they are not part of the Christmas ornament collection. I am excited to have these new ornaments out of a little basket, and out as decor for the holidays!
I know it is too early for Christmas decorations. I haven't decorated any of the rest of the house yet. I was just too excited about my new idea, and I actually bought this little Christmas tree just yesterday (of course it's fake--they don't grow pewter-coloured!).
Happy Running!
This year I got to thinking about all of those medals I have kicking around from various races. I just love races that give out medals to finishers. It is such a nice way to remember the race (medals are small, portable, always fit, unlike some race t-shirts!). Every finisher receives one, so we all feel special walking around wearing them after the race, feeling like we won!
So many of us throw them into a drawer, shoe box, etc. where they sit until (in my case) the kids drag them out and wear them around. This is really cute, but it doesn't happen that often. I don't need to see my medals displayed every day, but I started thinking about how to display them to feel a bit proud of my accomplishments...
So today, my medals went from this:
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| pile of medals in a basket |
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| New, smaller ribbons attached! |
 |
| Oh, Christmas tree! |
A few aren't on the tree. I have all three of my marathon medals (with race bibs) in shadow boxes (2 are in a hallway, and one is in Oliver's room, as he ran that race with me!) so they are not part of the Christmas ornament collection. I am excited to have these new ornaments out of a little basket, and out as decor for the holidays!
 |
Happy Running!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
BIG, EXCITING, AWESOME news!!
Not all runners want to run Boston, but I would be lying if I told you I was one of those runners that didn't need want that experience. It was one of those things that I always just thought I would do (along with my brother Scott--my marathon running partner). I failed to realize over 10 years ago as I ran my first marathon that Boston would become even more crazy popular, and that it would become harder and harder to compete for a spot!
When things were getting more crazy with hoopla on the Boston-front about 2 years ago, I decided that it might just be time to buckle-down and check off that dream on my to-do list. I trained and trained, and planned and planned.
The bottom line is that in the midst of some great training, I found out I was going to have baby #3...so my training had to 'slow' a teeny bit, and therefore my time (of course I still ran the marathon) was a bit too slow to get me into Boston (also, I would have had to run Boston 2 weeks after giving birth to the baby, so all-in-all not good!)
Then, this fall, as I was reading iRun magazine I read about a contest they had, in which the winners would get to go to Boston this spring!
...Guess who was chosen?!
Oh, ya!!
Go to iRun.ca to read about it (and see a kind of not flattering pic of me--I had to send one in, and although we have thousands of photos on our computer, there are, like, 5 of me, and 4 are out of focus.).
I will also be blogging over on iRun, which is super exciting too!!
so, go now! Check out www.iRun.ca!
**I posted my first post there...http://www.irun.ca/blog/index.php/the-journey-begins/
When things were getting more crazy with hoopla on the Boston-front about 2 years ago, I decided that it might just be time to buckle-down and check off that dream on my to-do list. I trained and trained, and planned and planned.
The bottom line is that in the midst of some great training, I found out I was going to have baby #3...so my training had to 'slow' a teeny bit, and therefore my time (of course I still ran the marathon) was a bit too slow to get me into Boston (also, I would have had to run Boston 2 weeks after giving birth to the baby, so all-in-all not good!)
Then, this fall, as I was reading iRun magazine I read about a contest they had, in which the winners would get to go to Boston this spring!
...Guess who was chosen?!
Oh, ya!!
Go to iRun.ca to read about it (and see a kind of not flattering pic of me--I had to send one in, and although we have thousands of photos on our computer, there are, like, 5 of me, and 4 are out of focus.).
I will also be blogging over on iRun, which is super exciting too!!
so, go now! Check out www.iRun.ca!
**I posted my first post there...http://www.irun.ca/blog/index.php/the-journey-begins/
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Angus Glen Half Marathon Race Report
In spite of my worries about wardrobe choice for this race, I had a great time, and was dressed (almost) perfectly!
This race takes place about an hour from my house, so I have to factor the drive into planning. The race started at 10am, though, so it felt like I had lots of time before leaving the house at 8am to pick up my friend M (setting the clocks back by an hour also made it seem like I had loads of time that morning!). True to form, my children did not care about the time change, and woke up early. What could have been a quite manageable 6:30am wake up time turned into a painful 5:30am wake up. Boo! I remember the good ol' days when setting the clocks back by an hour actually amounted to extra sleep. Not now. Ah, well. I had the chance to fold some laundry and get things settled for Grandma, who would watch the kids while I was at the race.
Grandma even made oatmeal that morning. Why is it that no matter how old we get, nothing really beats our mom's cooking?
When M and I arrived at the race, we got out of the car to some lovely sunshine. I opted for a short-sleeved shirt, capris, and a very lightweight jacket for the run. The weather man promised lots of wind, so I thought the jacket would be smart on this course that was basically a run down country roads (oh, so little shelter!). The only hat I had brought was a fleece-lined toque, which I thought would be way to warm, so I decided to leave it in the car, and just wear my sunglasses.
*with the wind, my hair was all over the place (yes, ponytails really do nothing) so that was quite annoying. Also, when I was running directly into the wind (which felt like the entire time) it was a bit cold on my head. Lesson learned. Bring emergency back-up hat in the car to all races.
M registered for the race waaaaay in advanced, so she got a locker in the swanky golf course locker room. She was generous enough to let me stash mycrap essentials in it while we raced. Yay!
We waited around the clubhouse (nice and warm) for the race to start. There were lots of runners milling about. We had lots of time to fasten our chips (this race always uses those ankle bracelet ones--which I hate as I always end up with some sort of blister from it) and drink some water. We headed to the lovely clean washrooms one last time, then headed to the starting line.
Before long, the gun went off, and we started out, chatting a bit. Nice and relaxed. After a bit, I started to feel antsy, and M and I separated. We were in a nice sheltered neighbourhood at that point, and I passed a bunch of people and felt generally like a rock star that was going to win the race (ha!).
After about the 3rd mile, we were out on the country roads of Markham, where we would stay for the remainder of the race. That is when the wind and hills started. boo!
I felt great, and my pace was about 8:00/mile (give or take). I settled in around the same small crowd, and was quite happy there.
By mile 8, I was feeling those hills! The wind wasn't giving us any breaks, and the hills just felt longer and longer. They weren't any worse than the beginning, I was just feeling all whiny and sad that my time wasn't going to be special!
I plugged on, and hoped for a miracle. No miracles, just hard work involved in running, I have learned. There was a nice big downhill (yes, followed by an immediate up-hill, but whatever) that I used to relax a bit in the last 2 miles. I had forgotten to bring along any gummies, gels, etc. which I was missing. The water/gatorade stations were well-set up and not too far apart, so I managed. I have to give kudos to the people at the water stations. They didn't fill the cups too full, which was awesome! Especially on a day that wasn't too hot. I hate spilling so much down my face and arms due to a cup full to the brim!
The race ends back at the club house, where there were lots of spectators, and bananas/water waiting. I didn't have anything left for a 'power-surge' at the end, but I am assuming I had left it all out on one of those rolling country hills.
The medals were lovely, and the goody-bags were great. Nice long-sleeved tech shirt too.
I met up with M and we headed in to the yummy buffet lunch. All kinds of fresh sandwiches, salads, drinks. mmmmm. We sat out on the patio to eat. How often can you sit on a patio at a golf course in November?! That's right, it was great!
We trekked back to the car, and I secretly hoped my leg muscles wouldn't cease up. My legs were fine and so was Grandma after watching my boys for the major part of the day! Fun times all around!
Here are the numbers...
This race takes place about an hour from my house, so I have to factor the drive into planning. The race started at 10am, though, so it felt like I had lots of time before leaving the house at 8am to pick up my friend M (setting the clocks back by an hour also made it seem like I had loads of time that morning!). True to form, my children did not care about the time change, and woke up early. What could have been a quite manageable 6:30am wake up time turned into a painful 5:30am wake up. Boo! I remember the good ol' days when setting the clocks back by an hour actually amounted to extra sleep. Not now. Ah, well. I had the chance to fold some laundry and get things settled for Grandma, who would watch the kids while I was at the race.
Grandma even made oatmeal that morning. Why is it that no matter how old we get, nothing really beats our mom's cooking?
When M and I arrived at the race, we got out of the car to some lovely sunshine. I opted for a short-sleeved shirt, capris, and a very lightweight jacket for the run. The weather man promised lots of wind, so I thought the jacket would be smart on this course that was basically a run down country roads (oh, so little shelter!). The only hat I had brought was a fleece-lined toque, which I thought would be way to warm, so I decided to leave it in the car, and just wear my sunglasses.
*with the wind, my hair was all over the place (yes, ponytails really do nothing) so that was quite annoying. Also, when I was running directly into the wind (which felt like the entire time) it was a bit cold on my head. Lesson learned. Bring emergency back-up hat in the car to all races.
M registered for the race waaaaay in advanced, so she got a locker in the swanky golf course locker room. She was generous enough to let me stash my
We waited around the clubhouse (nice and warm) for the race to start. There were lots of runners milling about. We had lots of time to fasten our chips (this race always uses those ankle bracelet ones--which I hate as I always end up with some sort of blister from it) and drink some water. We headed to the lovely clean washrooms one last time, then headed to the starting line.
Before long, the gun went off, and we started out, chatting a bit. Nice and relaxed. After a bit, I started to feel antsy, and M and I separated. We were in a nice sheltered neighbourhood at that point, and I passed a bunch of people and felt generally like a rock star that was going to win the race (ha!).
After about the 3rd mile, we were out on the country roads of Markham, where we would stay for the remainder of the race. That is when the wind and hills started. boo!
I felt great, and my pace was about 8:00/mile (give or take). I settled in around the same small crowd, and was quite happy there.
By mile 8, I was feeling those hills! The wind wasn't giving us any breaks, and the hills just felt longer and longer. They weren't any worse than the beginning, I was just feeling all whiny and sad that my time wasn't going to be special!
I plugged on, and hoped for a miracle. No miracles, just hard work involved in running, I have learned. There was a nice big downhill (yes, followed by an immediate up-hill, but whatever) that I used to relax a bit in the last 2 miles. I had forgotten to bring along any gummies, gels, etc. which I was missing. The water/gatorade stations were well-set up and not too far apart, so I managed. I have to give kudos to the people at the water stations. They didn't fill the cups too full, which was awesome! Especially on a day that wasn't too hot. I hate spilling so much down my face and arms due to a cup full to the brim!
The race ends back at the club house, where there were lots of spectators, and bananas/water waiting. I didn't have anything left for a 'power-surge' at the end, but I am assuming I had left it all out on one of those rolling country hills.
The medals were lovely, and the goody-bags were great. Nice long-sleeved tech shirt too.
I met up with M and we headed in to the yummy buffet lunch. All kinds of fresh sandwiches, salads, drinks. mmmmm. We sat out on the patio to eat. How often can you sit on a patio at a golf course in November?! That's right, it was great!
We trekked back to the car, and I secretly hoped my leg muscles wouldn't cease up. My legs were fine and so was Grandma after watching my boys for the major part of the day! Fun times all around!
Here are the numbers...
Time: 147:56
Overall Place: 129/546
Gender: 24/260
Age Group: 3/26
Tonight is the first night of Tempo Tuesdays in Guelph, so I am excited to get out there again!
Happy Running
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Yet another 'Race Eve'...
Here it is again, the night before a half-marathon. This time, however, I am not fighting a yucky head cold, so all is looking up! It is also a night which most of us love in these parts; the night that we move our clocks back by an hour. Ahh, an hour extra of sleep for me. Er, wait a minute. I have 3 little boys that probably didn't get the memo, and therefore will be up at their usual time. Hmph. At least I shouldn't have to rush to the starting line! (Which, incidentally, I had to do last time I ran a race at this venue)
I am running the Angus Glen Half Marathon. It will be the first race my great running friend M and I have run together in quite a while. It should be fun all around!
The only issue I am having (of course, the night before) is what to wear...
The race starts at 10:00am (which will actually be like 11:00am). The weather says Sunny, but with wind (but south wind). I am a chronic over-dresser. I try really hard to be smart and sensible, but something in me decides at the last minute to grab thatunnecessary extra layer at the last minute that I almost always regret. I get so afraid of the cold. I know, I live in big bad cold Canada, and I should suck it up and take the chill like the rest of em'. I just don't know how to say no to that extra long sleeved coolmax shirt, or that fleece-lined toque. It is a problem that I am going to attempt to work through this winter (while my cheeks freeze, I am certain).
Grandma is here to watch my boys while I am at the race, so they will be having fun building forts and living it up until I return. I love having Grandma here!
Here's hoping I will be sensible and get to bed early tonight!
I am running the Angus Glen Half Marathon. It will be the first race my great running friend M and I have run together in quite a while. It should be fun all around!
The only issue I am having (of course, the night before) is what to wear...
The race starts at 10:00am (which will actually be like 11:00am). The weather says Sunny, but with wind (but south wind). I am a chronic over-dresser. I try really hard to be smart and sensible, but something in me decides at the last minute to grab that
Grandma is here to watch my boys while I am at the race, so they will be having fun building forts and living it up until I return. I love having Grandma here!
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| Grandma and her boys |
Here's hoping I will be sensible and get to bed early tonight!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
My First Pet
As I ran along the country road on my long run this morning, (a terrific, gorgeous day!!) I happened to look down in the gravel a few times to notice a few cute fuzzy caterpillars. It brought back one of my proudest moments from childhood, along with one of the saddest.
Although I grew up on a farm, I was never really into 'icky' stuff, like bugs, worms, or toads (did everyone else believe that touching toads would give you warts, or was this just me?!). One fine fall day when I was 5 years old (or so) I found a black and orange caterpillar out in the yard, and decided it was just the cutest thing ever. I carefully picked it up with a stick/leave contraption, (one still needs to use caution when handling even the cutest fuzzy things in nature) and decided it was going to be my new pet. Sure, we had a dog, but this pet was going to be my very own.
I proudly took my new little pet inside to house to show my mom. I was proud because I had caught the little cutie, and I was also proud because this caterpillar was going to be my new friend, not gross at all. "Look at what I found!" I said to my mom.
"Oh, what a nice stick," she said.
"No, the caterpillar!" I said, as I scanned my stick for my little friend. Then, I realized the tragedy. The caterpillar wasn't there. I shamefully looked down at the floor. I picked up my foot. There it was. A squished, little cute fuzzy caterpillar.
That was that. No more pet.
So, as I ran along today, I looked down more and more, as not to destroy the caterpillar/butterfly population further than my 5-year-old self had done all those years ago.
So...step lightly out on those country roads, running friends!
*my almost 5-year-old has taken to 'adopting' pets as well. One evening this summer, while out for a walk, he decided to befriend an Inch Worm. He desperately wanted to bring him home as a new pet. I told him, "no, he has to go back to the rock to be with his Mama and Papa." To which he replied, smartly, "Nope, he is a grown-up inch worm, so no one is waiting for him at home."
hmph. Somehow I got him to release the little green inch worm, but I did take his photo before we left:
Although I grew up on a farm, I was never really into 'icky' stuff, like bugs, worms, or toads (did everyone else believe that touching toads would give you warts, or was this just me?!). One fine fall day when I was 5 years old (or so) I found a black and orange caterpillar out in the yard, and decided it was just the cutest thing ever. I carefully picked it up with a stick/leave contraption, (one still needs to use caution when handling even the cutest fuzzy things in nature) and decided it was going to be my new pet. Sure, we had a dog, but this pet was going to be my very own.
I proudly took my new little pet inside to house to show my mom. I was proud because I had caught the little cutie, and I was also proud because this caterpillar was going to be my new friend, not gross at all. "Look at what I found!" I said to my mom.
"Oh, what a nice stick," she said.
"No, the caterpillar!" I said, as I scanned my stick for my little friend. Then, I realized the tragedy. The caterpillar wasn't there. I shamefully looked down at the floor. I picked up my foot. There it was. A squished, little cute fuzzy caterpillar.
That was that. No more pet.
So, as I ran along today, I looked down more and more, as not to destroy the caterpillar/butterfly population further than my 5-year-old self had done all those years ago.
So...step lightly out on those country roads, running friends!
*my almost 5-year-old has taken to 'adopting' pets as well. One evening this summer, while out for a walk, he decided to befriend an Inch Worm. He desperately wanted to bring him home as a new pet. I told him, "no, he has to go back to the rock to be with his Mama and Papa." To which he replied, smartly, "Nope, he is a grown-up inch worm, so no one is waiting for him at home."
hmph. Somehow I got him to release the little green inch worm, but I did take his photo before we left:
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| Friends for life |
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