Sunday, February 15, 2009

Race Schedule Update and Totally Unrelated Thoughts

Thanks to all the great advice from my fellow bloggers and those that run with me around here, I have decided to formally change my registration in the Ottawa Marathon (May) to the 1/2 marathon.  I have revised my mapped out training plan to reflect this new distance as well as my time goal of sub 1:50.   I was worried that I would feel disappointed in myself but I actually feel great!  I am anxious to get a great finish time and am strangely excited to increase my speedwork...weird.  

So now the modified 2009 Run Mommy Schedule looks like this:

May - Ottawa 1/2 marathon
June - Durham Forest Trail Run (very excited for this one - my first trail run!)
June  - August - perhaps a few more trail runs and the occasional 5-10k for speed
September - Scotiabank 1/2 marathon Arthritis Society Alumni event
October - GoodLife Toronto Marathon (or 1/2 marathon - undecided about this one.  The beauty part of this race is that I work for Goodlife so no registration fee)
December -  Barbados with Joints in Motion! Full marathon.

I know Marci posted about Barbados too and we are very excited!  I am sure we will post more on our upcoming events.  Can't wait.  Although I know Marci will kick my butt to the finish line because she has become super speedy gal - I am totally OK with it. :) 

So there you go.  I think my schedule works well for my family, my job, my marriage, my clean bathrooms.  It is enough that I feel like I am still running regularly but not so much that it takes over my life.  Also, the longer distances occur in the late fall when I have months and months of ice/snow free training beforehand.   It also gives me a chance to play soccer (pulled hip flexor aside) and tennis as well as all the activities we do as a family like coaching their soccer, bike riding etc..   Thanks again to all who gave me solid and thoughtful advice. :) 

Under the title of totally unrelated, I had a fun cooking day yesterday.  Thanks the Sexy Six Pack Challenge, I have been really trying hard to eat clean as much as possible.  This means lots of whole foods, nothing processed and staying away from crap (as much as one person can and remain sane).  For Valentines Day yesterday we decided on a fun family/adult menu.  First, I made homemade butternut squash soup.  I LOVED it.  I put a small dollop of sour cream on the top as well as some sprouts...

Final vote - Run Mommy - YUM.  Hubby - sort of, Run Girl - LOVED it, Run Boy - YUCK.  Umm..  soup is one my favourite things to make and is so much easier than most people think.  

Then we made homemade pizza's.  This is always a big hit except that my children make theirs pretty quick. - sauce...cheese...done.   This time, Run Girl actually put on some tomatos, broccoli and a few pepperonis.  She is always the more adventurous eater than the boy. Then Hubby and I decided to make our pizza and this was the final result.
This pizza made me laugh so hard that I had to take a picture of it!  It is such a reflection of our relationship!  First, you will notice that the size if the halves is not quite half.  Clearly he made his half first.  Second, his is full the basic's - tomato sauce, mountains of cheese and pepperoni.  That is my husband- a very basic guy with no extraordinary requirements.  Then you see my half (or slightly less than) and I have put on pesto, broccoli, red onions, veggie chicken (soy), and goat cheese.   

I think all couples should make a shared pizza for therapy - it really helps define things!  What makes me so happy is that he admired my half(ish) even though the thought it was disgusting to him.  He didn't make fun of putting pesto on pizza or scold me for buying expensive goat cheese or soy chicken just for a pizza.  He appreciated that I thought it was yummy and he happily ate his portion with just as much joy.  I guess that's why we have been together for so long and are going to celebrate 10 years this year!  

Great the blogging allows us to give free food therapy too. :) Final thoughts..I became a new auntie this week!  I have a brand new nephew and a sister who is a first time mom so I expect lots and lots and lots of calls. :)

26 comments:

Denise said...

The pizza thing is so true!! Our halves would be so radically different, too.

I'm so jealous of this Barbados marathon.

Marlene said...

It sounds like you made the right decision for you. Looks like a great line-up this year! Can't wait to hear how all of it goes.

LOL @ the pizza... I would take your half for sure, even if it's not quite half.

Unknown said...

Sounds like a great run schedule for the year and you've set a fantastic goal for May. Good luck! Food looks good too, yum!

Missy said...

That's good stuff...I know our pizza would look much like yours for sure! People laugh when I say it but guys are really, pretty simple. We're the one's that complicate things...did I just say that out loud?

Marci said...

Mmm that food looks so good. Your race schedule looks great. I am so excited for Barbados!

Meg said...

Hey, glad you stopped by my blog! I'm in Kingston-good to know there are others in the blogger world close by. Which video are you doing for Sexy Six Pack? I saw a post on another blog and ordered 30 Day Shred and am waiting anxiously for it to get here. Do you know if it's any good?

And holy awesome race schedule!

teacherwoman said...

Glad to hear you are happy with your decision in regards to the half marathon! I am excited for you!

BTW, can I just comment and say how adorable your little ones are?!?! Too cute!

Anonymous said...

Looks like a great (and sane LOL) race schedule! That pizza looked exactly like one would like if my husband and I were to make a pizza. Too funny! The soup looked awesome - is the recipe online somewhere?

Kim said...

That's so great you can appreciate each other's differences! The pizza is just a 'topping' on the relationship. Too fun!

BeachRunner said...

Sweet schedule.

Mel-2nd Chances said...

so funny about the pizza, and so so true. Your schedule looks great!

Alexandra said...

I think you will enjoy doing a few half marathons. I did a few last year and each one got quicker! I loved it! I found I had more time to do the other things I enjoyed too and that's important! Good work on your careful consideration and making wise choices!

Oh boy, everybody has food posted and recipes posted, I am getting so hungry!

RunToTheFinish said...

Oh the soup looks yummyyyy, i was thinking about making some next weekend...but we may have to take the pizza challenge instead...ours would be much like yours.

Glad to hear the clean eating is going well! I know that is the next thing I need to work on.

Love the 1/2 marathon, it gives your schedule more freedom and yet you still have lots of opportunity to improve and enjoy!

Marcy said...

Switching to the half seems like a great thing :-) Sub 1:50 here you come ;-)

Lindsay said...

sometimes it's nice to switch it up and focus on a little more speed/pr goal instead. i'm glad you are having no regrets about the decision! and mmm homemade pizza, love it!

joyRuN said...

Looks like a great schedule!

That pizza pic is hilarious :)

Jo Lynn said...

That pizza is just like me and my husband. He get the "all meat marvel" while I get "all veggies, easy on the cheese please". LOL

Jo Lynn said...

That pizza is just like me and my husband. He get the "all meat marvel" while I get "all veggies, easy on the cheese please". LOL

Rookie on the Run said...

Your new schedule looks great! So did the pizza... not sure which half I would choose for myself. Sometimes, a pile of cheese and greasy pepperoni just "hits the spot". I have to agree with Teacher Woman- your kids are adorable!

ShutUpandRun said...

Good luck on your clean eating. I could use a dose of that. Also, sounds like you made the best decision for you and your family regarding the marathon vs. 1/2 marathon. Good luck with training!

Anonymous said...

YOU ARE MY HERO!!!!


((( i have a full marathon in 4 weeks, and my diet sucks. I'm sooooo thinking about switching to the half.... hmmmmm....))))

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great schedule.

Heather said...

Looks like you had a fun Valentine's. My husband's half would have looked just like your husband's - all pepperoni!

The fact that you are excited about your training for the half is a good sign that you made the right decision. A sub-1:50 is an awesome goal!

Runner Leana said...

Your pizza looks delicious! It sounds like you made a terrific decision about the Ottawa marathon in May. Congratulations!

Felice Devine said...

Great schedule! Wow. So jealous about Barbados!

Laurel said...

LOL! I LOVE the pizza! Too funny. It's so obvious which side is his.

Glad yo made the decision on the half and congratulations on being a new Auntie!