Run Like a Girl

Tale of the Trail and V for Veg

2009-07-02T15:45:00.003-04:00

I am a terrible blogger as of late...we are moving out of our house in 10 days, moving into my sister's house for 7 weeks and then moving into our new house in early September. My son has finished school and my daugher is entering the "I'm 4 years old and I can anything!" phase. Summer and its crazy schedule is upon us and time is just slipping away from me!

That said, I have two topics for today.. The first is my debut to trail running - I LOVED it! it was fantastic and I will absolutely do it again. I was very nervous about things like the etiquette during the narrows and how to maneuver through uneven terrin and as it turns out - these were reasonable things to be nervous about! However, it was great and I STRONGLY recommend to any runners - particularly if you are feeling a little blah about your running. The event has a real "ECO" vibe to it, right down to the earth friendly music at the finish! As expected, my friend totally kicked my butt but hats off to her - she is a short distance machine. She loved it as much as I did so we will do another.

Secondly, I am going to add a cooking and nutrition element to the blog so I need some help! I need some good examples of fruits and vegetables that are maybe not exactly mainstream. Everyone is familiar with the standard things we see but I want to open up the mind a little and find some that are less popular. I want to set up my articles from A-Z so try to think alphabetically with your ideas! Lastly, I want to find ways to use these fruits and veggies in a family friendly way so if you have any tips/recipes/ideas or links that you can suggest, pass it along in the comments on in my email - runmommy@rogers.com

Thanks

p.s. For anyone that follows it - Dementieva is beating Serena Williams in Wimbledon right now.. not by much but it is shocking nonetheless. Match Point for Dementieva---oops back to Deuce..

Best Friends and Opponents

2009-06-08T07:39:00.003-04:00

This weekend will be a first for me..my first trail run! I am really excited but very nervous! I am not sure why because the distance is short but the idea of all those hills and different terrain have me a bit spooked. Also, being a Canadian, we could only get out on trails in May because it was either frozen or sludge until then. Not to mention, I don't like to go out to the trails by myself so I have to ensure I have a partner with me. This can be challanging when most of my running partners are also Mom's with crazy parent schedules. As a result, I have only done 2 trail runs and the race is this Saturday!

Here is my other problem and it is NOT a reasonable one. I often run with one of my best friends. Our children are both the exact same age and sex and we see and/or speak to each other nearly every day. Even our names are only different by the placement of the "E". She was a great short distance runner in her youth and as an adult she is still very active in hockey, lacrosse etc.. She and I are running this event together and she is PUMPED. However, she normally cuts runs off at 10km. While training for my marathon, she would often meet me on my second loop so to give me a push but she was not going more than 10k.

I am definately the stronger long distance runner and have far more mileage in a week but I can say with certainty that she will KICK MY BUTT in this race. She is super fast on the short distance. This has me a little bummed out! Do you think that is strange? What is even more strange is why would I even want to be so competative with my closest friend? Is that a woman thing or just a human being thing? It is even more strange that we are hardly Olympic competitors in our 20's. Does anyone else think that once you have a mortgage, two children and exceed the age of 35, we should be a bit more forgiving to ourselves and our fellow competitors?

One of my favourite things about running is the racing environment. I am addicted to the energy people give off and I can honestly say that I am fine with total strangers running me down but it stresses me when it is my best friend. I feel the same way when I am play soccer and tennis. I don't lose any sleep when a team of stranges mows us over but last week I played against a friends team and felt compelled to kick (forgive the pun) it up a notch. Playing tennis with my brother in law is probably the best workout I can get because I refuse to give an inch.

I think I need a little therapy!

Laptops, Sippy Cups and Running Shoes

2009-06-01T07:38:00.002-04:00

So is the woes of a working mother. Don't get me wrong, I love my job. I spend all day encouraging Corporate Canada to support their employees in improving their lives, their health and their overall wellness. In this trying economic times, the message is louder than ever.

However, there are days.....for example, Friday of last week I started the day like any other with one MAJOR execption. I like to run in the mornings - it gets the job done, I get a nice jump start to the day and frankly, my evenings are often absorbed by so many other things. However, on this day, I just didn't. No reason really, I just took the children to day care, came back to change into running clothes and go. I was a little concerned about time as I had my first meeting at 9:00 which meant a short run and a quick shower but I had done it before. This particular morning, I just wasn't feeling it and instead, I read the paper (online of course!) and drank a tea and got myself ready at a nice leisurely pace. - I should have known not to mess with the order of things as I discovered throughout the day.

Off I go to my meeting, smugly enjoying my change in schedule and thinking about some article I had read in the paper. When I drove around a corner toward my meeting, my bag fell off my seat and its contents went flying out. Although a pain, it is usually not a problem but this time, a wayward sippy cup was in my bag from the weekend. Of course the lid had come loose and now the contents of the sippy cup were all over the place - including my wallet, my Blackberry, my expense cheque that I had not yet desposited....When I say contents, I actually mean GRAPE juice. Excellent. I allow myself a few cursory statements not suitable for family reading and carrying on thinking about how I was going to pitch out all the sippy cups and therefore end the ongoing battle with my four year that she is WAY too old for them. There, now I felt better.

I arrive at my meeting where I am scheduled to speak to a large group of community nurses about our new partnership with their employer. The room in which I was presenting was large and what was probably at one time a cafeteria. I get myself set up and pull out all my materials. Then I pull out my laptop for the presentation slide show and begin to source an electrical outlet. Now, under normal circumstances, it is faily likely that an outlet is a no brainer. But keep in mind this was a cafeteria and the set up of the room is not exactly "standard". With no outlet to be found, I think - no problem. The laptop has a battery right? Of course I had forgotten that on Thursday, I had sat in a coffee shop between my meetings where there was no outlet and I had used up most of the battery life. Now I am standing in front of 200+ employees eager to learn of the wonderful changes their employer is embarking on and my presentation will probably only last about 10 minutes on the charge I have. And so it continues...

End of the day arrives and I pick up my children, go home, make dinner, chat with the hubby and put kids to bed. I spell out the mishaps of my day and he says, "maybe you should have run this morning after all?". After thinking about this, I decide perhaps he was right. Now after 8:00pm, I change my clothes, put on my running shoes and head out the door. I am determined to correct the universe! I start up the hill that we live on (I won't miss that when we move) and get to the top - about to the turn the corner when I trip over a ledge on the sidewalk. Not only to a trip but my foot goes off the sidewalk and into the mud to the side. When I say mud, I acually mean, swamp that has been freshly filled by the rain in recent days. My foot, up to the ankle, is buried in indescribable sludge and when I pull out my foot, I see that my shoe is not even visable.

I turn around and call it day. :)

Run Like a Family

2009-05-24T20:07:00.002-04:00

This weekend was quite an internal debate. I was registered for the 1/2 marathon in Ottawa and I was quite excited about it! I have been training pretty hard to increase my speed and I really wanted to have a good result. I also planned on spending the weekend (Ottawa is 4 hours away) with my cousin and aunt and it was going to be a lot of fun.

Then, there was a problem. In the past few weeks, I have travelled for work, my husband always travels. Our house is in chaos as we undertake the daunting task of packing it and moving to new house in the summer. Our 6 year old son has had a few minor issues at school with attention span and following instructions which often parallels my husbands travel schedule. Our 4 year old daughter has had a terrible flare up of her arthritis - all of which has resulted in a less than mellow environment in our little family of four.

On Thursday when my aunt called to confirm details for the weekend, I found myself not wanting to go. This was a surprise to me because I was really looking forward but in that moment, I just wanted some peace and order. I felt terribly guilty as I was only planning on brining my daughter with me. I thought my son would enjoy a little private time with Daddy for the weekend. However, as I was talking through the plans with my cousin, my son asked if he and Daddy could come too. When I asked him why he looked at me like I might be crazy and said, "Shouldn't we all go together?".

It occured to me then that my weekend would be far better served just hanging out as a family. We had a yard sale Saturday morning and raised several hundred dollars for The Arthritis Society. Last night we hung out with friends and their kids, this morning we all went to play soccer and then this afternoon we went for a bike/run/rollerblade on trails along Lake Ontario. Now my children are in bed and out cold by 8:15 after a busy weekend where we were all together. That is a great feeling!

I may not have done the event but I think I made the right choice. I often tell myself that the benefit of my running on my children is tremendous. They see what it is to be active and competative. They get the "bug" to challenge themselves and they feel good that their Mom runs, plays soccer, plays tennis. They also get a Mom who is more relaxed, in strong physcial condition and gets her healing in running shoes instead of prescription bottles. However, I often forget (or chose to overlook) the disadvantages they have. Sometimes on a Sunday morning, they just want to hang out with me on the couch or go for a walk. They don't want to wait for me to head out for 2 hours. When they come to see me run, they are really only excited for the final 10 minutes and could care less if I run 5k or 25k. I may have to remind myself more often that children are just children. Then it may be easier to catch their cues when they pass them on.

I'm Back! With a Twist....

2009-05-18T22:27:00.003-04:00

Hi everyone!

Well, after just a few weeks away from the blog..I am back! But it is a little different this time. I have been talking to Amy from the Runners Lounge about a concept for their website that has me very excited! As nearly all of my blog buddies know, I have two small children, work full time outside of the home, have a busy husband and so on. I really enjoy reading all the great posts about the successes people have and the truely remarkable speeds, acheivements, mileage - very astounding! Having completed one marathon and several 1/2 marathons, I have yet to achieve my time goal so my hats go off for all those that do! I realized not that long ago that if I really wanted to do it all, there were some things that had to be removed from my life. As a result, I decided to break from my blog even though I knew I would miss it.

That said, I have come to realize that I really need this outlet for much more than just for running. I love reading the posts and embrace the feedback from others. Getting to know the bloggers has really been an inspiration! However, I need to channel my energy into the world I know best soooo....... I have decided to work with the Runners Lounge on something very exciting!

We thought that there was a great opportunity to create a new outlet on the Runners Lounge for a very special kind of runner - MOMS! With Mother's Day just behind us, I realized that running for Mom's is much more than just for exercise. Lots of Mom's start running after babies are born to lose the weight but discover a much better reward. Maybe you were a runner before you were a Mom or maybe not. Maybe you ran during pregnancy, or maybe you run with your kids now. Maybe you run to get a break from your kids or maybe you run to be a better mom. No matter how you got there - we want to hear from you!

Before we launch this great project - we want to know what you are looking for. What interests you as a Mom runner? What would you want to see? Are there topics out there that you think are not addressed enough? What do you think is missing? I have a TON of great things that I would love to write about but it is only interesting if people are getting what they are looking for! Maybe you are looking for a great network to start running groups for moms or maybe you want to start a team?? So many great things can be done but we are hoping you can help figure out what to do first!

One of the first questions we need to answer - we need a name for our group! I would love to have a great catchy name that says WE ARE MOMS AND WE RUN. Ideally it is just a few words and is not too cheesy. What do you think? Surely there is a Mom out there much more creative than me who has some great name for a bunch of crazy women who parent and run! It would also be great to have our own logo or design that was easy to recognize!

I know this is not going to be as interesting for the male bloggers or all those great running women out there who are not mom's but I plan to still read all your blogs as much as I can. I am very excited about working with the Runners Lounge on this project because I can really expand on what I know best as a runner - being a Mom who runs!

Thanks for all your input and please pass along this message to any other Mom's out there that you think might have some thoughts, advice, ideas - just about anything will do. You can comment on this post or even better - send me an email at runmommy@rogers.com. I can't wait to get all your replies and watch for us on the Runners Lounge!

WINNERS!

2009-04-29T23:05:00.003-04:00

Hello all!

Thank-you so much for all the participants in our virtual event - Reese's Run (4 for 4 on the 24th). Marci and I were very happy with the outcome and could not have been more excited to hear all the updates and reports! I have some winners! Send me an email at runmommy@rogers.com with your details and either Marci or I will make sure you get your prize. Congratulations!

$100 Running Shoes from Online Shoes - Sara (Rookie on the Run)

Book - Explosive Running - Aron (Runners Rambles)

Book - Pfitz - Kristen G.

Restaurant Gift Card - Lori D. and Shannon W.

Marci and I really enjoyed putting this together and we hope you enjoyed it too. Personally, I cannot express enough how much the support of our event, the kind words my husband and I have received and the wonderful posts we have read have meant to us. As a parent, the first instict when receiving bad news is to worry about every last thing that could go wrong. You want to fix it and you want to take on the pain and suffering yourself. By doing what we do and by finding ways to give meaning to it, my husband and I feel a little less helpless. Our daughter is one of millions that suffer with JRA and "grown-up" arthritis. Please know that your contribution is much bigger than just this event....it is definately much bigger.

Thank-you again to all the bloggers out there as I will miss posting about my ongoing rambles and reading all of yours. I could not have done my first marathon without this support and I wish you all the very best. I am sure I will peek in on everyone from time to time and hope to bump into at least a few in each event I go to!

Good luck and keep those laces tied :)

Run Mommy (Christy)

Reese's Run The Grand Finale!

2009-04-23T09:06:00.004-04:00

Hello all!

I am afraid this has been a CRAZY month and my blogging has really fallen aside. I miss reading all the posts and talking to others about running, parenting etc.. I continue to be amazed by all the accomplishments that people have acheived!

In my running world, I am planning to run the Ottawa Marathon in May, my first trail run in June and the Goodlife Toronto Marathon in October. Of course Marci and I plan to participate with the Joints in Motion late this year! I remain focused on the 1/2 marathon but will likely consider the full marathon for the JIM event. I was asked to participate in an event at my son's school to talk to the kids about running which was a great experience. I am still addicted to my Garmin although I may need to take a class in it. :)

On that note, I wanted to remind everyone of Reese's Run this Friday! Marci and I are very excited and we have lots of great prizes such as a pair of running shoes from Online Shoes, gift certificates for restaurants, books etc.. I have already received a few emails from people who have already done their 4 miles or 4km or whatever they chose to do. I am overjoyed by the response so far so I hope all you will participate! As an update, Reese is my 3 year old daughter and she suffers from Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Her treatments are ongoing and her prognosis is unknown but we have found a way make ourselves feel like we are doing SOMETHING to improve her life. Marci has been generous enough come on board to support the Arthritis Society as well and we are very excited about it!

Click on the banner below (or click here) to be linked to the donation page for the Arthritis Society. Then after your event, send an email to me or Marci (I am runmommy@rogers.com) and hopefully you will be a winner!

On Monday, we will post the winners! On that note, Monday will be my last post on the blog. I have enjoyed this process quite a bit and I will miss reading about all of you and posting my thoughts. However, life is busy, busy, busy and occassionally we have to prioritize!

Marci and I appreciate all of the support everyone has given so far to Reese's Run and good luck!

Christy

Early Bird Winners! Reese's Run

2009-03-29T22:25:00.004-04:00

Congratulations! The early bird winners of Reese's Run have been drawn and the winners were announced first on Marci's blog. Here are the results!

Keg Gift Certificate - Melanie (2nd Chances)

Running Books - Katie Riley

If you haven't already, please send an email to me at runmommy@rogers.com or Marci and we will mail out your prize. Way to go!

We have over 40 people so far and we are excited to have a successful virtual run. If you haven't already, don't forget to sign up for Reese's Run (4 for 4 on the 24th!).

Thanks for all the early bird entries! Special thanks to all those with the nice comments and words I have received. We deal with things as they come and although I worry nearly every day, I know Reese is getting great care and as far as she knows, she is a happy and healthy little girl. I am eternally grateful for all those who support us. :)

Thanks again!

Christy and Marci

Last Day for the Early Bird (Plus new problem)

2009-03-23T17:35:00.004-04:00

First, Marci and I just wanted to remind everyone that tomorrow is the last day before the early bird draw for Reese's Run - our Virtual event! We have great prizes like running shoes from Online Shoes, gift cards for restaurants, bootcamp classes, running equipment etc... Make sure you can be part of the early bird draw!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER (DONATE TO THE ARTHRITIS SOCIETY)

Also, I have a speed problem..Now that I am focused on the 1/2 marathon and really working on improving my time, I have really been working hard on speedwork. However, as soon as I increase my speed during regular runs (even a little) or tempo, I struggle with the run, get sore shins, sore hips - overall crappy runs. As soon as I slow down, my runs improve. Every once in a while I have a fantastic run and then I think I am FINALLY making progress but inevitably I struggle with the next one. Am I destined to be never break 2 hour HM???

Reese's Run to New House

2009-03-16T07:15:00.005-04:00

What a strange week this has been! First we launched our Reese's Run event - very excited about that. Then we did out income taxes thinking we would going to need to eat boxed food to pay our tax bill and discovered we are getting a nice tax return. Then we set out to see a house that our friend likes only to decide on buying a new house!!

We have not actually done it yet but after researching all the necessary info such as which school our kids would attend, what we do about day care, how much our current house is worth, checking out other comparable homes on the market etc.. we have finally decided to give it a go. Lots to happen still, like selling our house! This gives me mixed feelings. I LOVE our house. We bought it before we had our children so it has grown up with us as a family. We have done a fair amount to make it exactly like we want and now we are going to leave it behind?? Also, we know the community well and all the kids/families on the hockey team, soccer team, Cub Scouts, at school etc. My son would have to change schools which makes him very unhappy but he is only going into second grade so he'll get over it. Just a little sad to leave it all after 10 years. I know every running route around me from a quick 5k to a half marathon! I would have to start all over!

However, the new neighbourhood is a little easier for my husbands commute and makes no difference to mine. The area is surrounded by trees and a creek as well as a bike trail. The school the kids would attend is only a few years old and has the option of regular stream or full year school (5 terms with 2 week vacations between each term). The house is beautiful and exactly what we like in a home. All we have to do is sell our house (*gulp*) and fork over all our money. Just doing our part to save the economy... :)

So I have been preoccupied this week but I am still excited about Reese's Run our Virtual event on (or around) April 24th! Have you registered yet?

We are drawing for the early bird prizes next week so don't forget to register! Remember the "registration" page is simply the donation page for the Arthritis Society so you will receive a receipt email immediately following the pledge. After the event, you would send us a message with your completed time and we have other prizes! Thanks all!

Reese's Run

2009-03-08T13:29:00.007-04:00

My participation with the Joints in Motion Training Team is not new to most of you but now I can announce that I am officially participating in the Barbados event in December with Marci! We are really excited to do this and I am extremely humbled that Marci has chosen this event to give back to running. The fundraising is daunting but having already completed my first marathon, I feel more excited than ever for the event!

March is Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness month so it fitting that we commence our campaign today. For most people, arthritis in children is unheard of. My husband and I didn't even know how to react when we first heard the diagnosis as we had no idea what that meant for a 2 year old who is growing every day. We have had ups and downs and the future is unknown but as of today, we have a happy, busy little 3 year old thanks to the efforts of her doctors and treatments that didn't exist even a few years ago. This is why I participant with Joints in Motion because it is all I can do to continue the research and advancements not only for Reese but all the other loved ones who suffer from chronic pain.

Below is an article posted by the Arthritis Society of Canada:

Affecting about 1 in 1,000 Canadians under the age of 16, juvenile arthritis (JA) is a leading chronic disease among kids in this country. The Arthritis Society uses Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month in March to heighten awareness of this disease and to raise much-needed funds for research that will find better treatments and, ultimately, a cure.

“Arthritis is a crushing reality for many children in Canada; it’s not just their parents or grandparents who are at risk,” says Dr. Brian Feldman, Vice Chair of The Arthritis Society’s Medical Advisory Committee and a paediatric rheumatologist at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. “The course of juvenile arthritis is unpredictable. Painful flare-ups may occur without warning and the child has to undergo a rigorous, time-consuming and sometimes unpleasant treatment program.”

Juvenile arthritis is the result of the body’s immune system not working properly. The immune system fails to recognize healthy body tissue and attacks it. Symptoms include excruciating pain and inflammation in the joints. Depending on the severity of the arthritis, some children experience irregular growth or physical disability.

The rest of the article can be found at the following link.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT

In order to kick off our fundraising for the marathon, Marci and I are hosting a virtual race to raise money for the Arthritis Society.

Here are the details:

What: Reese Run: 4 Mile Virtual Race

When: April 24^th, 2009

Registration: $10.00 minimum donation (feel free

to donate more if you can!)

Prizes: Great prizes

Early bird prize (Register before March 24^th)

First male

First female

On April 24th, Reese will turn 4 years old. She has decided that for her 4th birthday she wants to have a Floor Hockey party! This makes us very happy as less than 2 years ago she couldn't climb the stairs. To celebrate this, we are hoping that everyone will participate in the event and pass the banner and link on to others that may want to so as well! Below is the link for the fundraising page:

We hope to have great success with our event and welcome your thoughts. Thank-you for posting on your blog if you can and we are excited to see the results!

A Glossary of Terms

2009-03-03T16:53:00.002-05:00

Wow! It has been a full week! It has been a strange week work wise so I have been a little distracted. I have been reading all the blogs, just haven't been able to comment. However, back to it!

I have confusion and I hoping that someone has posted a Glossary of Terms to clear up my questions. In all my reading of various running books, blogs, articles etc..I see different terms and titles for different types of runs. Just when I think I have it down pat, I read another article and the terminology is different and I am at a loss AGAIN.

For example, I know was a LSD and I totally understand its purpose and structure. However, the Continuos Run vrs a Steady Run vrs a Tempo Run vs the ordinary - just run - this is where I get confused. Throw in more advanced titles like "Lactate Threshold" and "Pace Intervals" and I am spent. You'd think an expensive education would have served be better???

Therefore, if anyone has posted any such glossary or can confirm for me what things are the same feel free to tell me where to find it. To further fuel the fire, I am constantly converting between KM's and Miles depending on what article or information I am reading which has turned me into scholastic mush. :)

On a side note, Marci and I are working on something great that we hope to announce soon! We are very excited about it so we can't wait.

Return of the MOJO and Extraordinary Runner Award

2009-02-23T18:42:00.004-05:00

Wow I am so excited! I got an email today that I won an Extraordinary Running Award from the Runners Lounge! If I had lost my mojo before..I DEFINITELY got it back today! I put a link to my story below.

My Joints Are In Motion

I have won a free pair of shoes and I am also being interviewed for the Open Mic for this Friday! I feel like such a celebrity - at least in running blog land (that's good enough for me). I feel great today and not just because of this but when I reread my story it really reminded me of what drove me to come back to running in the first place. I shouldn't care if my butt is bigger than it used to be or that I don't have time to become a stellar speedster or even that I look like a bag of dodo at the end of a race (insert hottie magazine runner pictures here). I did some speed work this morning and at the end of it I felt fantastic - and a little sick to my stomach so I guess it was a success. A personal success. That's all I need!

This year I am participating in a few other events but I am doing another marathon with the Joints in Motion Training Team in December so I have that to drive me on. This time I am participating with a friend (Marci) and I am just as excited as I was the first time. I needed this reminder to confirm for me that I get my validation from myself. Logging heavy mileage or getting a record time is fantastic and I look forward to getting there once kids are older and life is easier but I can and should be just as easily motivated by the simple fact that I laced up my shoes and got out there.

Anytime I am losing my faith or feel the mojo slipping away, I will reread my story and many others like mine and tell myself that I run because my daughter might not or because so many people would love to run and can't/won't. I will be reminded that the only roadblocks to success are the ones we put up ourselves. I will also remind myself that the definition of success should be as flexible as my commitment to a sugar free diet (imagine crazy fits of laughter at this point).

Next time the big green blog of ectoplasm comes calling, I will sit on him with my "less than Jillian Micheals standard" backside. Then I will lace up and head out.

Thanks for all the great comments from the last post - it helps!

Attack of the Blob

2009-02-19T14:00:00.006-05:00

I am in a rut. Marathon Mama refered to herself as Ectoplasm which I thought was hilarious so I am totally stealing it and it will now be a reflection of my mood over the past few days.

Last week we had great weather and now back to cold temps and snow - yuck. I keep begging hubby to get promoted to California or the Carolinas where he goes all the time but so far I am not getting anywhere. Run Girl has decided that sleep is not necessary even after nearly four years of life so I have had one too many pre-school sized conversations at 2:00 in the morning. Futhermore, I have had some work stress and things are not going as I hoped. I don't exactly work in a recession proof industry so I am hitting wall after wall and sometimes, it is better to just fall down.

I was very inspired by my new training plan last week and yet I have not run in four days. Call it time management, call it laziness, call it a sudden addiction to my couch after the kidlets are gone to bed - whatever it is, I am losing myself quickly and turning into that green blob. Perhaps me and Marathon Mama should go out for a gigantic bowl of ice cream to really finish us off. :)

I need some inspiration. I may be opening up the flood gates here but I want to know of a book you have read or a great article or something that really gets your blood pumping. It would be fantastic if it could be about a 30 something working mom of little kids, with a travelling husband, 20 extra pounds to lose and the desire to be a superior runner and elite soccer/tennis player and super mom but alas, this may be asking too much. I accept all entries and welcome thoughts.

It would also be wonderful if something free could just show up at my door like I read about on several blogs. What fairy godmother do I talk to about that? (I am smiling as much my ectoplasm will allow for) :)

Race Schedule Update and Totally Unrelated Thoughts

2009-02-15T06:56:00.006-05:00

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. :)

An Alternate Universe

2009-02-10T16:29:00.002-05:00

Today I am in an alternate universe..it seems so bizarre to me that I felt compelled to post about it.

I have not run since Saturday. I played soccer on Sunday but of course - now a sore leg. Today is better but I think I need to give it a few more days.
I am on a business trip this week so I will not be MOM (in person at least) for three days.
As a result of a said business trip, I have just arrived in my hotel room and I am now watching Oprah while I blog. Can't say that EVER happens at 4:30 in the evening.
I usually have fruit smoothie for breakfast and some kind of soup for lunch. Today I had a bagel with cream cheese and for lunch - a chicken burger. And I don't eat meat.
Before I turned on the computer, I was browsing through my Runners World magazine and my Oxygen exercise mag. This was to alleviate my guilt on today's poor eating (while I cannot run). What is really crazy about this is (aside from the time of day) is that while I was browsing, there was a knock on the door which was VIP Business services dropping off my complementary bag of cookies and juices. I ate the cookies while browsing the health living magazines...I don't even like white chocolate.
The temperature today is much like April - not January...and I am in Northern Ontario.
Tomorrow, after I sleep all by myself in my hotel room with no children calling me or husband making bizarre night time noise, I will get up and speak to employers looking to bring health promotion to their workplace. Can I do that with a straight face??

Maybe I should call my house now and talk to the kids during dinner so I can get a sense of the volume that I am not in the middle of. Then I should tidy up the hotel room and maybe wipe down the bathroom..That should be bring me back to reality. :)

7 on the 7th and RICE

2009-02-08T12:05:00.010-05:00

Well I managed to finish my 7 on the 7th in some good weather for a nice change! Yesterday was record breaking warm temperatures however the downside was the sidewalks were full of water and puddles from the melting snow. However, I managed to get my 7 miles in pretty well (considering it was the first outdoor run in weeks). I had a full intention of 75 minutes to get it done...well, well, well...

I started out great but like I said, the water getting in my shoes took some getting used to. I had my ipod up to max volume to give me a push. I felt a lot of energy from the warming temp. I tried really, really hard not to look at my Garmin but couldn't help myself a few times. A little addictive. :). I am actually glad I did because it kicked my butt a few times. I wrapped up the seven miles in exactly 70 minutes - I am not kidding - I hit the stop button at 7 miles and time was exactly 1:10. Crazy. I felt pretty good about it and anxious to get going on some speed work this week. Thanks to Run to the Finish for putting it together!

Now on to today's adventures. I did not do my long run today as I am running with a coworker tomorrow. So tonight I had my soccer game which I was really excited about! Last week we played a team filled with 19 and 20 year olds and I knew this week's opponents were more in the 30+ set. Thankfully. Anyway, I had a lot of energy to burn and couldn't wait to get on the field. I play mid-field so there is a lot of running but today when I got out there, something felt funny in the right quad. I ran around a bit hoping it would go away. Then on a rush for the goal, I crumpled in what I thought was a charlie horse (the worst one I have ever had!). I dragged myself off and then began stretching and trying to work it out.

I waited it out until the second half and went back in. I was running around OK and then again on a break for the ball on the right way, I planted my left foot with the intent of striking with my right foot and my whole body went down with killer pain in my right upper quad. I think it is my hip flexor?? It is very painful to lift my leg and I literally dragged my right leg home.

So now what do I do?? I will be really bummed if this squashes my soccer playing but even worse if I can't run. I welcome any and all advice. I am trying to do RICE but if there other helpful tips - I'll take them. :)

Speaking of helpful tips - thank-you to all who commented on my last post. I really took everything in and will make that call this week. At this point (injury aside) I am really considering doing the 1/2 and save Marathon #2 for the fall. I have decided I can be mom, wife, friend, sister etc... AND runner. I just need to know my limits. :) Thanks again all. :)

Half The Race, Twice the Effort

2009-02-05T14:55:00.007-05:00

Today is a strange day and one in which I am grateful for the sounding board that is this blog. As most know, I just did my first full marathon and while I was not overjoyed with the finishing time,the experience was unforgettable. However, I am determined to do more marathons and get a much more respectable time. That said, I have some limitations. Ones that I have chosen to ignore for a while but I think I must acknowledge and confront.

First, the weather. No surprise here but I HATE winter. More importantly, I hate cold temperatures. Truth be told, I live in Southern Ontario where we have it much better than other parts of Canada or than our American friends in the northern states. However, I still hate wearing 8 layers of clothes and sliding on ice and getting frost bitten cheeks. This winter has been particularly daunting and I have run more on a treadmill or indoor track than I have outdoors for the past three weeks. This makes me a little nervous!

Secondly, I have small children and a full time job as well as a husband that travels half the month. Again, I fully acknowledge that there are many, many women out there that have these same things and manage Boston level runs and superior accomplishments. I worship these women. Plus I imagine that they all look like this hardbody in the picture...

This leads me to my thought...perhaps I should put more focus on the half marathon and really striving for an excellent time than being so determined to to get a great time in the full marathon? Is that selling myself short? Am I giving up? That is not to say that I never want to do another marathon because I do. I am thinking that I would like to do several 1/2 marathons with some hard core training and specific goals and perhaps try two or three marathons in a year (preferably in the fall when I have a snow/ice free training period).

I have been doing a lot of reading lately on the half marathon and it has quickly become a huge event in recent years. I am sure there are a number of reasons but for many, it is simply more attainable. The distance is..well...half as much so it seems logical that more people could acheive it. The marathon is a wonderful experience, and one I don't want to miss out on a second time but the mileage and training structure is such that it takes up more of my time than I can spare on a regular basis. At least if I want to do it properly.

That is another fair point, I can continue to train for the full marathons but I may end up acheiving under my standards because I simply do not have the same amout of time to do everything in my life (Effectively). My children are very proud of me as a runner but I am often met with sad faces when I head out the door to run because they would rather play Checkers or even the popular, "Help Mommy Sort the Laundry" game. :) God knows my bathrooms would struggle to pass a "white glove" test.

I know myself and doing the marathon for the second time means that I MUST acheive some kind of respectable showing (for my standards). In May, I am registered for the Ottawa marathon but I am strongly considering changing to the Half Marathon and really focusing on a sub 1:55 result. Then I will do more 1/2 marathons as well as a few trail races followed by the full Marathon in Barbados with the Joints in Motion (and Marci!) in December. Of course then my husband and I are participating in the Disney event (his first 1/2 marathon) and I would like to do the Goofy. That would mean my total marathons for 2009 would be 2 but my half marathons would be more like 6 or 7 plus trail runs. Will I get the same satisfaction from that now that I have done a marathon?

Thanks for the thoughts. Wow I love having a blog. :)

Dear Body

2009-02-02T13:10:00.005-05:00

Dear Body,

I know you have taken some abuse in recent years, I apologize. I have taken you for granted and now I must try to make amends. I understand now that fancy creams and a loofah sponge are not enough to truly make you happy. There are so many other things to consider Body, and I have listed my promises to you below:

First, I promise to eliminate retched and toxic white sugar from my diet. I know that Tongue and Taste buds might be upset at first but overall, Endocrine system will be overjoyed and it will be worth upset buds.

I promise you Heart and Lungs to keep up all the oxygen that gets pumped into you on a regular basis. I realize that for a few years, you were starved but I am afraid you have to blame Reproductive system for that.

I promise you Muscular system, to really try to give you a workout. I try but it is simply not very fun to lift something up and down unless you get a fun toddler hug out of it. However, I expect something in return. I expect you to tighten up and maintain your shape when I am wearing a bathing suit or sleeveless top. No excuses this time. This is especially important for you backside muscles. 35 years is a long time to stay upright, I get it but lunges are not fun so I expect you to fall in line.

While I have already addressed Muscular System, I think it is important to speak directly to Abdomen. I believe you may have suffered the most, I am so very sorry. Unfortunately, I can't do much about those nasty stretch marks or c-section scars but I can really promise you that I will finally get rid of that nasty pouch you have been carrying. It must be so uncomfortable and frankly, a little embarrassing for you! I have to warn you, it might get worse before it gets better because they have these things called crunches. There are terribly unpleasant but no pain, no gain.

Now Skin...we have to really get serious. I accept that you cannot remain tight and firm for ever but what can I do to make sure you don't get lazy for at least a few more years?? I use great sunscreen and shield you from rays as much as I can. What more do you want?? OK, OK, I promise not to wash you with regular soap anymore and I swear I will invest in more facials. But I beg you...especially you around the eyes - cut me some slack..

Now for my requests:

Legs, I ask a lot of you. Not only do you keep my upright and able to be an active part of the world but I expect you to carry me for long, long, long time without rest. I want you to expel that lactic acid as quickly as possible and let that oxygen in! My guess is that it is like cocaine for your muscles so enjoy it! I appreciate your efforts but we really need to kick it up a notch. While I appreciate you hanging in there, it is time to buckle down. You also need to make nice with Feet because we need them to cooperate to be successful. Plus, as an added bonus I think it is time to chop off that little extra you got hanging on the thighs..do you really need that? Think of the nice pants you could show off if you got rid of it.

Lungs, get ready because there is going to be a LOT more oxygen coming in at speeds a little faster than before. I never cursed you with smoke or toxic fumes so you should be able to pick this up quick.

Heart. The centre of your universe. The doctor tells me that despite all my efforts, you are hurting a little and need to be cleaned up. I will dedicate significant effort to make that happen. I beg you to give me some time because I can't risk losing you. I need you for practical purposes because everybody works together better when you are happy. More importantly, I gave some of you away to my husband and children resulting in a serious risk of breaking more hearts than just you if I left. I will make it my mission that with the my help, the doctors help and your dedication, you will be all fixed up in a few months. Please don't give up because I need some more of you to give away for many years to come.

If I could make one last request, while I realize you are getting older, is it too much to ask that you shrink just a little?? We can only pull off a bikini for so long and I would definitely like that to be just a tiny bit longer.... please???

Thank-you, Body for listening to me. I hope we can reach a mutually beneficial agreement and not have to discuss these things again. Together we can accomplish so many great things so let's do it and stop thinking about it. Its time for action!

Your truly, the Soul of Run Mommy. :)

Run for Reasons

2009-01-29T13:41:00.004-05:00

Some fun news! Actually, two things are fun in the Run Mommy house...

Joints in Motion: I had a fantastic experience participating in the WDW marathon weekend in January and it was very fulfilling to participate with the Joints in Motion Training Team. Obviously we have a personal reason to participate with this group but I would put it out there for all to consider. There are so many great reasons and organizations out there and I have no doubt that people want to do things like this for issues close to their heart. However, you might know someone who suffers from arthritis or other autoimmune diseases or perhaps it is even something that you yourself have experienced. Maybe you have considered participating for a cause but don't have one that is of high importance to you. The Arthritis Society does not necessarily have the same level of exposure as other groups do so they could use your help. To stay in theme with my previous post - It is a great way to make your running feel exceptional. If you don't know someone that could be your hero for the cause.. I happen to have a great little fair-haired arthritis hero for you to borrow.... :)

I have decided to participate in the Barbados Marathon event with the The Arthritis Society (Canada) JIM team. I am sure the Arthritis Foundation (US) does something similar as we saw a lot of team shirts at WDW. The Barbados event is in December 2009 so there is plenty of time to get registered and raise the funds. Trust me when I say that you will have a very fun time. Marci is in too....right Marci???

Second fun order of business... My better half has decided to train and run his first half marathon! I am very excited because I really wanted this sport to be something that could do together. I know there are significant limitations to this because of his long work hours, travelling schedule and the fact there are few times we can run together with two little kids. However, I really want to encourage him. The best part - we are going to Walt Disney World again!!! Him and I are going to go back to Disney in Jan 2010 because he wants his first race to be there too. We are both going to run the 1/2 marathon and I may toss around the Goofy...we will see. This time we are going to try and sneak away for the weekend WITHOUT the kids but going to WDW without our kids might be some very bad parenting. Unless we don't tell them... :)

Fun times all around! Now if only I could get rid of this nagging pain coming back to my foot.

Revolutionary Run

2009-01-26T20:50:00.004-05:00

I recently watched the movie Revolutionary Road. I must admit, it could be a chick flick but I am certain their are men out there who would really enjoy it. The two main actors were exceptional (hello Leo) and it was quite a statement on suburban living...even it was in the 50's. After I saw it, I was running and could not stop thinking about it!

In the past I have mentioned that I tend to make up crazy stories while I run and of course this was no exception. I imagined a very elaborate story involving a bottle of wine, a set of poolside deck chairs and Leo's glorious eyes..I digress.

In the movie, there is Frank a spirited young man with goals and aspirations who eventually falls into the same non-descript job his father held where he rides the train to the city and sits at a cubicle. April is his wife who at one time wanted to be an actress but now finds herself in the position of doting housewife and mother waiting while her man brings home the bacon. The tone of the movie is that of the deadening impact of cultural suburbia turning its occupants into lifeless souls. Without giving too much away, you feel sorry for both characters at one point or another and I doubt there is anyone out there that does not find some mirroring in their own relationship.

I live in the suburbs, I have a loving husband that I adore, 2 children - a boy and girl of which the boy is older, a two story house, 2 cars and a small yard with a wooden jungle gym. I work outside of the home but let's face it, despite my vast education, my salary would hardly pay the bills making the man of the house the primary breadwinner. He commutes to work and often comes home to his dinner warming up in the oven. So despite the generations between this film's story and now, I find myself in a nearly comparable position. Does that mean I will eventually face the same crumbling grip on reality? In some ways, I chose this life but it's not like I laid out a set of instructions and checked them off my list.. Two story house in the burbs - check, one boy and one girl - check. Trip to Italy for the weekend - check (oops scratch that - that was my other life).

Running along, I wondered if I was at risk of being sucked into the vortex of suburbia wasteland. It occurred to me that there was one dramatic difference - no where in the movie did the female lead follow through on something extraordinary. As much as I beat on myself when I miss a few runs because of the other things that fill my life, I still run a lot more than most people out there. I have no idea what the stats are but I am certain there is only a small percentage of people (particularly women) that can run for more than 20 minutes at a time. In the film, April is likely feeling the effects of not only her compromised life but also the list of accomplishments unfilled. Disappointment in yourself can be more toxic than swimming in one of our polluted water bodies.

I decided that if people only found something that makes them feel extraordinary than perhaps your soul would stay in tact - even if you live in a brick box surrounded by other, nearly identical brick boxes. When I run, I feel the blood pumping and the lungs filling and I love the sound my feet make when hitting the ground and even the strange twinge I get in my 35 year old hips that have borne two children. When I run in events the energy around me from the participants and the spectators is as addictive as refined sugar. The ever popular "runners high" can ride along with me all day helping to ward off the blues, lower the blood pressure and keep stress under control.

There is no doubt that I will never win a gold medal or even my age category. I don't have lunch with political power houses, take weekend trips to Peru or write bestselling novels but running is an extraordinary aspect of my existence. I am certain that running provides me the capacity to be a great mom, a loving wife and productive citizen. It lets me exist in my cookie cutter life and still be fulfilled as a human being. I hope that everyone that runs realizes that as much as running does not define you, it certainly is part of the definition.

That said, I have get going because I have cookies in the oven -- and their burning. :)

A Saturday Summary

2009-01-24T19:26:00.003-05:00

I never do this but it is what it is...here's my summary of thoughts for this week in very boring but comprehensive bullet points:

- Tomorrow will be long run of Week 1 of Marathon #2 training...did that sentence make any sense??
- Most runs this week were on a treadmill. I hang my Canadian head in shame
- I was MOSTLY dedicated to eating Clean all week with the small exception of some french fries last night at my sister's house (reason to follow)
- My sister is hours, days (maybe a week) from having her first (and only) baby. Her husband fell down and broke his leg yesterday and now is in a constant state of drug induced pain relieve while sitting with feet up on the couch. All the mothers out there are cringing in shock and empathy for my sister while the men are thinking about the modern of version of a wife who spends her time barefoot and pregnant while serving him (come on..you know you are a little :) :)
- My husband is leaving tomorrow morning for work until the end of January leaving me to handle all these things, make it to my job, manage my children and complete week #2 of training. Ummmm
- My 3 year old has a chest infection that has turned her into a demon spawn even thought I feel so bad for her as she coughs out her lungs.
- My 6 year old is having school yard drama with in his "bestest buddy" club that has him broken hearted and slowly slipping into a Nintendo DS coma - intervention underway
- Positives: my husband got his bonus which makes our 10th anniversary trip to Paris in August that much more likely!
- I got myself a snappy new haircut that I actually like (bless you Katie Holmes for bringing back the bob..)
- My husband and I are going to watch a movie tonight that we both really want to see (all those "youngins" are laughing at how excited I am about our plans. Love my thirties..LOL!)

I hope I didn't totally bore everyone today. I do feel much better and excited to get out for my run in the ice cold wind and air!

The Middle Place

2009-01-21T17:59:00.003-05:00

First let me aplogize in advance to my male blogging friends. As much as I try to stay gender neutral in my posts..I could not ignore this one. Feel free to check in after a day or two when I assure you, I will be back to normal...

Now for the women...There are many things swirling around the internet, in books, magazines, TV informercials etc..that make me a little ashamed of our gender. I often wonder what goes through a women's mind when she is exposing intimate parts of herself (literally) on facebook or myspace or offering up her services in a way that should be her power and not her weakness. However, I have never picked up a paycheck from Playboy either so who am I to judge? :)

From time to time, I come across something that makes me smile and feel glad that we live in a time when access to information is so plentiful and that positive and confirming messages are out there for all generations of women. This video was sent to me by another woman whose strength and fortitude is equally matched by her killer scallop potatoes. It makes me glad to be a woman and I hope you ladies will all feel the same.

Again, I promise that next post will back to my regular commentary on my hatred for the winter, runners highs and lows and the occasional rant on the price of milk.

Thanks to all the ladies for being just that.

Week One of Marathon #2 Training

2009-01-19T13:30:00.003-05:00

So here I go again..this time I have a much different perspective AND a specific time goal. I spent lots of time last night after the kidlets went to bed planning out my training strategy. I have to consider not only my goals but also my life and how to fit everything in it. I think I once gave the advice to someone that you have to consider your life schedule when planning your training goals otherwise you are only making this hard on yourself...I am trying to accept that advice for myself. :)

A friend gave me the same book that I think Marci and Aron have both used so I spent a long time looking through that. It was a bit complex at times but it made a lot of sense. The mileage is pretty hefty so I am taking a piece of that training plan, a piece of what I learned from the Running Room and a piece of what I know of myself personally (as well as the demands of my life). From this I have developed my customized "Run Mommy" schedule! I even charted it out in a spreadsheet and posted it on my fridge with specific instructions for each day. So begins Week 1.

Some major considerations with my new plan are that I want to improve my overall time (significantly) and I would like to have full confidence going into the marathon (May 24th). This marathon is in Ottawa which is not necessarily local but also not thousands of miles away so it is not piggy backing on a family vacation. Another positive is that the really long runs are still a few weeks away so hopefully the bulk if this nightmare weather will be on its way out.

I also will be a little more strict on making sure I follow the plan but won't beat myself silly if things get a little muddled up. Life is going to happen and unless someone wants to pay me to stay home and train full time while also covering the expenses of a full time nanny, housekeeper, cook, driver and wife (oops...I think that last one might be illegal and not in my best interest), I have to accept that it is what it is. My husband is being fully supportive so onward march!

Lastly, I will not sacrifice my other activities for running all the time. I will return to my once a month tennis tournament and I am playing soccer again for the first time since the birth of baby number 2. It is not exactly as competative as I used to play but I am pretty excited about it!

I do feel a lot "cooler" now that I can contribute to other chats on the blogs with little things like "...when I did my first marathon..." and "...here's the advice that I can give..." Its like I finally graduated. :)

Disney 2009 Race Report

2009-01-14T11:07:00.016-05:00

Wow, I have really looked forward to writing this one! First let me say that we had a fantastic time and no matter what - I have absolutely no regrets. That said, you must forgive me in advance as I will like slip between family fun photos and race moments. Not the typical format for a proper race report but this was not a proper race (for me anyway!).

Thursday we headed off the airplane and it was the first time on a plane for the kids. I was nervous for them but they were excited and LOVED the take off. Descending was not as fun for my little one but it quickly passed as they realized we were in Florida!

Getting excited on the plane

This is Daddy, calm cool and relaxed (because he is on the opposite aisle from kids :)

Thursday night we arrive at the All-Star Sports Resort in Disney World and the over-stimulation has begun! My 6 year old son was the perfect candidate for a WDW vacation as he LOVED every second of it.

Getting the Sword from the Stone

Cannonball!
Walking up to the Castle for the first time
Driving the race car with Poppa...(notice Poppa almost having a heart attack with a three year old girl at the wheel.)
Jedi in training vrs Darth Vader (my son's highest point of the trip - absolutely)
So much to see at once...

A REALLY cool stunt show with lots of explosions and fast cars etc...my husband and son were literally at the edge of their seats. Me however...let's just say this was the day after the marathon and our seats where several steps down---- several. Enough said.

The magic of the castle can really get you - even the grown ups!

We arrived on Thursday and left on Tuesday. I went into this event with the full intention of completing a marathon, raising lots of money for the Joints in Motion and having a fantastic family vacation. I had no expectations of the marathon and although I had some hopes for a finish time, I was not prepared to sacrifice my other goals to do it. We'll get to that later...

Friday was the run expo and the reception where I spoke to the team. I was happy with my speech and I think it came off ok?? I have no pictures of it but I understand the chairperson of the team took quite a few so I am sure I will get some sent to me. It was more emotional than I had thought it would be and at the end when everyone stood up and was clapping - I had myself a short but thorough breakdown. This whole experience has been pretty overwhelming so it was worth a few minutes of weepy! After a few moments all was well and we headed off to dinner and to the expo!

First let me say that Disney's Wide World of Sports was pretty cool. The expo was very spread out so you got your number and chip at one spot, walk, walk, walk, climb stairs, out door, across path, walk, walk, walk and head into place where you get your t-shirt and kit, walk around and into expo. At bit confusing but there were no lines despite the thousands of people. Having the expo over several days probably helped. Bear in mind, I have little to compare it to so my standards are low. However, I didn't get much time to wander around the expo because I had my whole family with me but I did manage to get a cool sweater to commemorate the event. The T-shirts were also really nice - and long sleeved.

The next day was Saturday when they were having the 1/2 marathon. This is where things start to get a little different then I would normally do (and probably most of you would do). I had a lot of debate about how to handle the days coming into the marathon. The brain in my head said I should lay low and perhaps hang around the pool for the day. My husband and parents agreed to take the kids into a park so I can cool out. I had already decided that this was not going to happen. I did not come all this way with my family (for my daughter) just to let them have all the fun and miss out of the faces of little kids in the happiest place ever! The day before I had stayed at the Animal Kingdom for only 1/2 the day because I had to head out to my reception and expo so I didn't want to miss anymore. So...I went to the park with kids and we had a FANTASTIC time for our second day in the parks. We didn't stay late but we had a fun day none the less. I did everything possible to stay off my feet as much as I could and my husband did all the chasing around and getting of things. Thankfully, the lines were short or non-existent so this was not a concern. We were back at the hotel by 4pm and had a quiet evening.

Sunday morning we had to be up by 2:45 for the bus to pick us up around 3:15 (yes, that is AM). Of course I was up at 1:30 with nerves and concern for the alarm waking up my children. (Lesson 2 on the things I will do differently next time is not to stay in a room with my husband and children the night before. Again however, I wouldn't have changed it this time). On the bus and the nerves are really setting in now. There were so many people at the start line and it seemed so crazy that all these people were up so early! The line ups for the port potty's were not too bad but after already having thousands of people through them the day before for the 1/2 marathon - they were NASTY. Really nasty.

We got into our corral and waited and waited...I was nervous but not too bad. The start was fantastic with lots of TV screens and speakers so everyone could see and hear what was happening. The fireworks went off and off we went! When I say off we went, I mean that we started our slow crawl toward the start line and waited at least 15 minutes before we could start running.

Lesson Three in my first marathon - how to maneuver around crowds during a race. This is where more race experience would have come in handy. Thankfully, I had a very experienced team mate who helped me out with this. It was easy to get trapped in a corner or forced back to accommodate others. The first 3 or 4 miles was through Epcot and the space was a bit tight! In this race, the first few corrals started at a different location and then we all merged together at mile 4. It was really cool to look around - especially since the park was closed but there were lots of employees and of course characters to greet us!

After exiting Epcot, we began the first of three long stretches of highway. I was feeling really great and keeping up a solid 4:50 - 5 hour pace. Lots of people stopped to get pictures taken with characters but the lines were long and I was not about to give up any more time. Of course I had to pee and I managed to sneak into a men's washroom before we exited Epcot. I noticed that a lot of people (not just men) dropped their drawers wherever it seemed natural and did what they had to do! This also applied to the BioFreeze and the Vaseline (let's just say I saw my fair share of things that will stick in my head a bit too much if you know what I mean).

The stretches outside of the parks where on closed highways which were OK first thing in the AM. The temp was still cool and energy was high enough for it not to be a problem. Heading into the Magic Kingdom at Mile 10 was AWESOME! There were tons of people (even though the park wasn't open yet). I had told my family not to try and find me during the race because it would have been hard to cart around the kids but then I sort of regretted it when I saw so many people cheering on their friends and family. However, lots of people shouted out my name and people from the Joints in Motion team were great about being out on the course with a large t-shirt on a stick so they could be found. I ran through the castle - THE castle! It was fantastic. Lesson Number 4 - learn where the photographers are likely to be so that you get a great shot. I was nearly tossed into the moat (if there was one) with people trying to get their picture done by the several photographers on the other side of the castle. By the way, all the race pictures aren't available until Friday so we have to wait - that is a bummer.

We left the Magic Kingdom and got back on a highway headed to the Animal Kingdom. Again, we saw some great characters and passed lots of cool cheer teams. We headed into Animal Kingdom at around Mile 16 and at this point, I was starting to hurt. This was the first time (among many) that I started to have doubts about finishing. I was really hurting and it was getting hot and about 3 hours had nearly passed. Up to this point, I had kept myself entertained chatting with others around me and reading the many, many great shirts and signs people were wearing or holding. I was totally enjoying the creative costumes and the number of people who wore tiaras, funny hats, fairy wings.. My favourite shirt that I saw said "This is my first marathon. If you can read this, you aren't going to finish either!". I thought that was great. I saw that girl near the end and gave her nice boost for finishing! Going through the Animal Kingdom I got a bit of boost because I love it there and I saw a wedding proposal! It was really cute and there was lots of cheering for them. As we came of this park and headed out the highway again - the worst part of the entire race.

Miles 18-22 were hands down the worst part of the race. At this point, it was very hot, I was sore and exhausted. There was nothing to look at but asphalt and I was tired of reading people's shirts and signs. There were fewer spectators and I had already released my teammate from my slow pace and let her carry forward. I wanted to quit very badly and if I could have found a way to do it with some dignity I would have. Then I came across a woman who was feeling much the same way. She let me use her cell phone to call my family and then her and I ran together for next several miles. I picked up the pace as did she and we got a bit of second wind as we approached mile 22 coming in Hollywood Studios park. This was fun because we went through the centre and the parks were open and busy now. Power Rangers jumped out at us and I think this is where we saw Captain Jack Sparrow?? I can't remember now.

Outside of this park we went past a fancy resort between Mile 24 and 25. I was feeling better and now I knew I was going to finish it. At this point, a sub 5 hour was out of the question and I found myself struggling to get a sub 6 hour! I had myself a brief moment of contempt for my lost time earlier on and tried picking it up to make sure I didn't go over 6 hours. As I came into Epcot I was REALLY hurting and when I saw the sign for mile 25 and fell apart. The whole experience was catching up with me and fact that I was just over a mile away from the end had me totally overwhelmed. I kept thinking, the end of around the corner, around the corner and where is my family??? Finally I saw them just as I came up to the Mile 26 marker.

From what I understand, one of the Joints in Motion people took pictures of me when I ran up to my family to give them hugs. I was a total wreck but this point so I am sure those are really pretty. :( I am sure she will send them along and I will include them a second post called the "the Good, the Bad and Ugly". :)

It seemed like eternity before the finish line presented itself but I made it there. I even had the good sense to give a sign of victory to the cameras as I crossed over! I think the time was over 6 hours but to be very honest I am not sure. I really don't want to know and happy to keep it that way. I happily crept my way to the chip removal and the medal which I couldn't wait to get. As I made my way to the friends and family tents, I felt a huge rush but at the same time I was really having a hard time breathing. I ended up getting a few minutes of medical attention but then all was well. There were lots of teammates at the "A" (for Arthritis) and my family found their way over there and I had myself yet another meltdown. Again, I know there were several pictures of this taken by the Arthritis Society so I will be sure to post. My husband, son and daughter had cheered hard for me (and apparently lots of others!) and my Dad (and Mom) was over the moon with pride. I am told that everyone in their general area of the crowd knew our story and they were all cheering when I came around. I must admit, I barely remember this but I don't doubt it for a second.

So now I have this!

I must admit that after that race (and probably several times during) I swore this was it for me. There was no way that I would do another full marathon. However, now that a few days have passed I realize that I will do it again and this time the purpose will be different. The goal then will be for a time goal and training and prep will be much different.

Most of the pictures above were taken after the marathon. Yes, I went home after the marathon, had a shower and we headed out to the parks for the rest of the day and ALL of the next day. It was excruciating most of the time and taking stairs downhill was like knives in my thighs but I was not alone! It was like belonging to a private club as all other participants who proudly wore their medals around the park gave the compassionate nod or exchanged looks of "yes, I feel your pain". My Dad told everyone who asked about my medal how I ran my first marathon and my kids kept asking me if my legs were hurting or if I was tired. Of course I lied and said no but that was all part of it. Employees in the parks would congratulate me and park visitors would ask about how it was. I could not ask for anything more and I have learned many great lessons that I will take with me. However, I would do it all again - exactly the same way because the outcome was fantastic.

Moving on to Number 2! TI hope the others that were at Disney had a great time and I can't wait to read their posts. Thanks again to everyone for all their great comments and kind words - I am really, really lucky. :)

Mission Accomplished

2009-01-13T20:38:00.002-05:00

It's done! I have SOOOO much to say but we just got home tonight and now I am doing MOUNTAINS of laundry so that my son will make it to school tomorrow. I promise to update tomorrow!

M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E

2009-01-07T10:32:00.004-05:00

Here we go! Today I am working then packing, organizing and fretting over details but tomorrow we are off! Children have counted to the sleeps to 1 and I believe I spent more money in the last 2 days then a few months ago when we actually paid for our trip.

Thanks to everyone for all the encouraging words and now all I can do is go and do it! I pray I don't let anyone down and that we have a perfect family vacation.

Good luck to all others running Disney this weekend and if you see a blond woman wearing a lime green singlet that says "Joints and Motion" and a hat that says " Reese's Runners" , who may or may not be in motion at the time - feel free to kick her in the butt and say "Get MOVING!" :)

I've Done it Again!

2009-01-04T07:38:00.004-05:00

It is Sunday morning and here I am at the computer while my children watch Scooby-Doo. I have gone back and forth on my last run today pre marathon and still in debate. Two problems...first - it is FREEZING outside. Yesterday I ran 6k outside and I was so cold that my face was totally numb by the time I got home. This morning is even more cold. Secondly- my foot has really flared up in the past weeks and I am a little nervous about doing anything to it before next Sunday (one week!!). What to do...

On other notes, I have done it! I registered for my second marathon! I happy to report that I actually have the start of my 2009 schedule.

Jan 11 - Disney marathon!

March 29th - Run Around the Bay 30k (maybe)

May 24th - Ottawa Marathon (registered!)

June 13th - Durham Region Forest Trail Run (Sport Distance for my first trail run)

Sept 27th - Scotiabank 1/2 marathon Toronto

Oct 18th - Goodlife Toronto Marathon (probably - as an employee of Goodlife I should participate in at least one event and I discovered the relay was not for me)

There is the matter of finding at least one other marathon outside of Canada (as per my New Years Resolutions). I plan on doing one other event in 2009 with the Arthritis Society and I am deciding between three:

Big Sur - California in April. This looks absolutely spectacular! I am a little concerned because it is in April (sooner than later) and it is VERY hilly. However, the course cannot be ignored.

Europe Marathon (Trieste, Italy) - May 9th. I would love to do this one as the group from the Arthritis Society is enormous but the marathon is small. The crowd support is not huge but come on ...it's Italy! However, it is significantly more expensive and it is unlikely my hubby could come with me. It seems a shame to go to Italy without my husband. Uuumm...

Barbado's Marathon (Dec 4th) - There are positives and negatives to this one. The positives are the location (obviously) and that it is not until December so possibly my hubby can come too. The negatives are that the comments on this race are not that great. The organization is reported to be inconsistent and the local support is low.

What to do??

2009 Is The New 2008

2008-12-29T17:15:00.004-05:00

I have been reading a lot of great posts these past days that summarize the accomplishments of 2008 and the goals for 2009. I had hoped to do something similar but then I realized the difficulty I might have in doing that? First, I really just returned to running earlier in the year and have yet to accomplish a formal race accomplishment beyond a few 5k and 10k's. I guess I could summarize as follows:

Decide in early 2008 that we could not just wait around for our daughters condition to get worse. Rather than be idle, I informed my hubby that I was going to run a 1/2 marathon with the Joints in Motion Care team in Toronto. The 1/2 marathon was many, many months away so I was not overly worried. Hubby was somewhat concerned about my tendency to overextend myself but I assured him that all was well.
In February 2009, I met with the Arthritis Society. After learning of my previous running experience, they convinced me that the 1/2 marathon in Disney is a far more exciting thing to do and that I could try to raise a lot more money. I was very skeptical but decided to give it a shot (see: hubby has more anxiety...).
In March 2009, I began running again with more regularity. Somedays I felt like an Olympic Athlete and super Mom...other days I was little more than pathetic and bloated former athlete trying to relive the glory days after two kids and one too many plates of nachos. I digress....
In April 2008, I began to fundraise and Glory be to God, it was an enormous success! In less than a week I had raised over $4000 and within a month I had exceed $6000. At last check, my total funds raised was approached $7000 with one week left. We have wonderful friends, families, colleagues and employers!
In May 2008, the training coach convinced me I could do the full marathon. This was a matter of significant debate in the RunMommy household as the time, energy and physical capacity was soon to exceed critical mass. However...the full had eluded me twice previously (darn pregnancies) so a little part of me couldn't let it go and hubby relented.
May 2008 to present - training really begins..hurray!
September 2008 - foot injury and relentless pain threaten to sideline the event and there is much discussion on whether we can proceed with so much on the line. Several mental breakdowns later, it is decided to push forward and hope for the best! After rest, lots of massage, physio and excellent advice - we were back on track with only the time goal to sacrifice.
November 2008 - first run to exceed 30k and the first time we actually thought this might happen. Thanks again to M&M!
December 2008 - tickets are paid for, travel plans are booked, children are over the moon with excitement and there is no turning back now

So here we are! We leave one week from today and I am ready to roll. At this point, I would be happy even if I finish is 6 hours (put sub 5 would make me happier - who am I kidding??).

As for 2009 plans:

Complete first marathon
Sit on butt for at least 1 full week (post Disney tour)
Play competitive soccer again after 5 year hiatus.
Conitnue to encourage children to participate in athletic endeavors to their fullest effort!
Repair SuperMom cape for future use
Cook dinner every night - not just on days I want to have vegetarian fare
Participate in at least one trail race
Complete at least on other marathon (maybe 2 - maybe 3 - Wow, the addiction really is catching!)
At least one marathon must be in another country - perhaps without children this time??
Become friends with my bikini (seriously??? no)
Enjoy 10 years of joyful marriage (hopefully in a cafe in Paris)
Introduce one new children's active living event in the community (LOVE my job)
Continue to read up on the activities of all the bloggers who run for health, run for love, run for joy, run for torture or run for all the above.

Happy New Year!

Running the Holidays

2008-12-28T10:46:00.002-05:00

Again, I have been very neglectful of the blog and my blogger friends these past weeks but it seems wrapping up work, final weeks of training, planning a family vacation all over the busiest days of the year is a little more time consuming than I thought!

With that thought, I need to start planning what to bring. Packing for my family is one thing but I don't want to forget any essentials for the marathon either. I have been pouring over websites with tips and ideas and tried to search through the Disney site as well but I welcome any tidbits of advice! I have this horrible image where I arrive in Florida with only one shoe (of the pair that I have PERFECTLY broken in) or without my all important hat.

I have mostly done my speech and practiced it a few times - 4.5 minutes give or take. Now my biggest stress on that is what to wear...it seems the marathon training diet is the WORST one ever! I had hoped that two weeks before marathon, my butt would be the size of Jennifer Anistons but it seems that eating non-stop (especially on Sunday's) is not offset by miles of running...who knew??? Lesson learned oh wise running gods.

So I will spend the next week getting vacation organized because taking a loving but useless husband and two small children on an airplane to Orlando should be no problem. (*cough, gasp*).

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and looking forward to a joyous 2009!

Three Weeks and Counting

2008-12-21T17:27:00.003-05:00

I must apologize for my absence this week, it has been crazy busy. I am just starting to get caught up on the blogs so I hope I didn't lose anyone! Anyway, I am not feeling to great today and I am praying that it is not a drive down bug because this could possibly be the WORST timing for that! Christmas is a few days away, I have to finish up a few more things for work before holidays and I am in the final three weeks of my training for Disney. Let's hope it all works out.

Today I met with my training gods, Marci and Moe and managed to get in about 17km in the dome (round and round and round...). This morning when I woke up I felt a bit funny and nauseous but when we got going, I felt better. I was banking on 30k+ today and felt pretty good about it early in the run. At about 10k I started to feel a bit off and by 15km it was awful and I was sure I was going to be sick. I had some water, a gel, and kept going. At 17k I had to pack it in because I was sure I was going to lose my lunch on poor Marci (sorry for the graphic details but there really is no dainty way to say it is there??). This has me a bit stressed as that was to be my third and final 30k + run before the marathon. Not to mention, this crazy winter weather is making outdoor runs nearly impossible so the bulk of my final weeks will be indoor. Both Moe and Marci were very certain that I will be ready but I am very nervous...much more than I ever thought I would be.

Well, I think I will soon head to bed as the toast I had when I got back from the run is also disagreeing with me. Here's hoping this is nothing more than a 24 bug as I think my children will be devastated to have a wiped out Mommy for Christmas!

I Need Ideas!

2008-12-13T07:28:00.003-05:00

Thanks everyone for the comments on the last post. I feel a lot more confident about what I am going to say and actually, I am kind of excited about it now. Thanks!

This is totally off the running topic but I really need some ideas...to finish up my Christmas shopping. My own kids are done as is my husband and both set of parents. We don't buy for aunts, uncles, cousins etc.. We do a draw among the 25 or so extended family members and then make a game out of it on Christmas. It is really fun and a lot more economical! However, I still have three more to buy and I am TOTALLY stumped.

First, my 14 year old nephew. He is my sister-in-law's son and he is a great kid. He likes what all boys his ages likes - HELP! Who knows what he likes - he is 14??? From what his mom tells me, he mixes between little boy and grown up man every hour so his interests change by the minute. In one sentence he is excited about heading out to snowboard and in another sentence he is talking about all his cool friends (of which some are possibly female??). He wears his pants too low and his hair too long but he is a really good natured kid - even for a quasi adolescent. :) I am at a loss on this one.

Second is his sister. This is a real stumper because she is 18, wears various assortments of black and her hair is all different lengths and about 4 different colours including pink, blue, purple - really just depends on her mood (which by the way is equally as unpredictable). She is a very beautiful girl who wears WAY too much make-up and paints bizarre things on her face and hands. I couldn't not even begin to guess what her interests are. When I was 18, I wore boot cut jeans, button up polo shirts and had white blond hair halfway down my back. I am confident she would have found me appalling! She doesn't play any sports and abhors any kind of sweating. She struggles in school despite being genius level of intelligence and rallies against her parents and their rules at every opportunity. Depite all this, she adores my children and gets down and dirty whenever she plays with them! They really love her which is a wonderful statement on the fact that children don't judge in appearance. Underneath all that junk on her, she is a nice kid just looking for her path. She is also an excellent artist but my attemps to buy her art supplies in the past have been somewhat poor as I apparently know nothing about it (that is true).

Finally, my babysitter. She is a wonderful woman who watches my children three days a week. She is also my son's Cub Scout leader and she is the assistant coach on his hockey team. She takes my daughter to swimming lessons and remembers when it is "needle day" so to make sure she gets an extra surprise on those days. Usually a new package of hair pony's or a toy hockey stick (yes, my daughter would rather play with hockey sticks than babies). She and her husband both give up a lot of their time to their own kids activities as well. She is the president of the Parent and Teacher Association and quite often does little extra's for me like picking up my son from school even on days that are not hers. I know the obvious chloice is a bonus ($$) and she would probably like that best but I would like to get her something personal and more thoughtful. She really cares for my kids a lot and want them to give her something!

So there it is...I am stumped on these three things. I hope no one minds that I have hijacked my blog for this purpose but I am desperate! On the other hand, this week's long run is another 30k+ run as I countdown to Disney!

Inspiration Mile

2008-12-10T16:55:00.003-05:00

I have talked about this in the past but I thought this was worth posting. As everyone know, I am running in Disney with the Joints in Motion training team. I am running for my 3 year old daughter who was diagnosed last year with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. I am in the final stretch for fundraising so I put this out there for anyone still interested in sponsoring me at Run for Reese !

That aside, I have also been asked to speak at the reception and tell our story. While I am not a fearful public speaker, I have really struggled on what to say?? I don't want it to be a quiet sad story and I also want to be sure to talk about running a marathon - not just arthritis. I have been asking around for ideas and have several people send me little quotes, jokes etc...about running and I thought I would post but a few of my favourites for all my blog friends!

If you want to win something, run 100 metres. If you want to experience something, run a marathon. - Emil Zapotek

Most people run a race to see who is the fastest. I run a race to see who has the most guts. - Steve Prefontaine

You have to forget your last marathon before you try another. Your mind can't know what's coming. -Frank Shorter

We can't all be hero's. Someone has to sit on the curb and clap as we go by.

- Will Rogers

The advantage to exercising everyday is that you die healthier

- Anonymous

Michael Johnson, the Olympic gold medal runner, was on his way to a club with some friends. At the door, the bouncer turned to him and said: "Sorry, mate, you can't come in here - no denim". Michael was quite annoyed at this and retorted: "Don't you know who I am? I'm Michael Johnson". The bouncer replied "Then it won't take you long to run home and change, will it?"

Last year I entered the "New York City marathon". I finished last. It was embarrassing. And the guy who was in front of me, second to last, was making fun of me. He said, "Hey buddy, how does it feel to be last?". I replied: "Do you want to know?" and I dropped out.

The difference between a mile and a marathon is that a mile is like burning your finger and a marathon is like being slow roasted over coals.

Most men take the straight and narrow. A few take the road less traveled. I chose to cut through the woods."

Runners just do it - they run for the finish line even if someone else has reached it first.   - Unknown

Some individuals dream of great accomplishments, while others stay awake and do them.   - Beth Lukens, Florida State runner

Everyone is an athlete. The only difference is that some of us are in training, and some are not.   - Dr. George Sheehan

If I am still standing at the end of the race, hit me with a board and knock me down, because that means I didn’t run hard enough.   - Steve Jones

Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.   -Lance Armstrong

Marathoning is like cutting yourself unexpectedly. You dip into the pain so gradually that the damage is done before you are aware of it. Unfortunately, when the awareness comes, it is excruciating. - John Farrington, Australian marathoner

I welcome any other thoughts, jokes, top 10 lists..anything I can put into my speech so I don't sound like a total cornball. It will be hard enough to be a room full of people running for something that is so important to us and I think I would rather have an uplifting and positive story to tell the night before running the longest thing I have ever done in my life. Don't you agree? :)

Work, Kids, Holidays, Training, Trip..... I'm Tired

2008-12-08T22:17:00.004-05:00

I am really getting tired. I work full time and although I have a great job, I am pretty busy and have full days. My children, while I adore them - are EXHAUSTING. They have started to fight with each other CONSTANTLY which is driving me insane. They will fight about who gets to drink from the blue cup and who gets to stand beside the cart in the grocery store, who's snowball is the biggest and so on...I really thought a boy and a girl wouldn't fight so much. I stand corrected.

I am getting very nervous about the race so I stress about each training run a bit more than I should. The weather is stressing me because I really hoped December was going to be a more mellow weather month. This makes training more challanging because of the added thoughts about how and where to run. Not to mention, running 25 or 30k + takes a really long time! With little spare time as it is, giving up so many hours is wearing me down.

I think I have Christmas presents for all and have thought of everything but I know I am forgetting someone and with little time to get out, I hope that doesn't happen.

Finally, I am trying to plan for our trip which up to the this point has been sort of secondary to all this. Now I am starting to realize that in less then a month, my family (including my 3 and 6 year old) are heading on an airplane to a far away destination. This can not be done on a lark!

Umm...maybe I should head out to play tennis or something physical. Oh that's right, I can't do that because my husband is at his one night a week hockey game and sadly a 6 year old is not a suitable babysitter. :)

If you can believe it, reading all these posts including Marci's that I just read has me thinking about what race I will want to do next! I think I am insane. Aren't we all?

Sunday Run a Bust

2008-12-07T10:26:00.003-05:00

Hello all,

Today is a bummer. I set out this morning on my 23k run (only four more long runs to go!). I was a little worried because it was quite a winter stirring last night. However, I bundled up and got myself prepared for the cold. My friend was meeting me on the second loop and she bailed out this morning because of the wind! So off I went down the road. At 1km I realized it was much colder than I thought. At around 2km, the wind was blowing and when it got strong (which was a lot) it would blow wind and snow on my face...it felt like little tiny daggers on my cheeks! At 3km, I turned around and ran home.

So there you go. What started as 23km ended up being 6km which I may have run in record time. Winter really blows.

Tomorrow I am going to a local indoor track to run 6 million laps around and get my 23km for my long run. It is not ideal but better than a treadmill for 2.5 hours. Next week it is back up over 30k again so let's start hoping for some sun!

Instead, my husband, kids and I are heading out to pick up our tree from a local farm. The children are extremely excited and I am also anxious to get out the decorations and lights. Some family for dinner tonight and back to work again tomorrow!

Friends and Enemies

2008-12-03T07:25:00.008-05:00

Not to worry, my subject is not nearly as ominous as the title sounds. I was thinking yesterday that there are so many things that make me happy in running and then other things that are driving me crazy.

Friend: Disney! Can't wait, we are very excited and not just for the marathon but for all the super fun things that we are going to do. My children talk about it every day...if we don't see Lightening McQueen or Nemo..there will be trouble :)

Enemy: INJURIES! Most know of my nagging foot injury that put up roadblocks for several weeks during my training. I will not say that there is no pain but lots of massage, physio, orthotics and proper coaching really made a great difference. Sunday I did 35k and the pain was no more than the rest of my body! There is nothing more frustrating than having an injury after you are doing something so great for your body, mind and overall health.

Friend: My new Asics running shoes!

With all my research on how to alleviate my foot pain, it was suggested that I give the Cumulus or Nimbus models a try. LOVE THEM. For the first time, I am really having no foot or heel pain while I run. From a dedicated Nike girl - I am converted.

Enemy: Darkness. This time of year, it is dark - a lot. If I run in the early am it is dark. If I want to run in the evening, I have to go by 4:00 if I still want to be in daylight. Sometimes I don't mind the darkness but I can sometimes get talked into slowing down or walking for safety reasons or because it just seems so late and I am tired (even though it might only be 5:00). Here's to the planet speeding up the rotation process.

Friend: I have discovered a great benefit to running that some people talk about more than others (I am thinking men vrs women). Great Jeans. And no, not the genetic kind.

It is fair to say that I am not walking down any catwalks anytime soon but I enjoy that some of the more jiggly bits are little tighter and firmer. No woman out there can honestly say great jeans don't matter - just admit it. Let's not get crazy though, lots of parts are still a little too big and a lot more jiggly...perhaps I should do another marathon after this to keep working on it?

Enemy: Icy Roads.

For many of you this is not a problem. Here in Canada we have winter so ice can be a nightmare. As long as people clear their walkways and driveways, ice on running routes are not always a problem. However, quite often there are patches and sometimes they sneak up on you. I do hate treadmills but sometimes they are a necessary evil so I don't break my neck.

Friend: Support. This blog and my blogging friends, family members and non running friends who pep me up when I am tired, offer to babysit when Daddy is away. Friends that run really far distances with me when they don't have a race they are training for (thanks Moe/Marci). A great husband who makes sure I get the time I need and gives the green light on YET ANOTHER pair of shoes and kids who drive by with Daddy to cheer me on. Support is vital to success and I could not ask for more.

So there it is. My thoughts for today!

35K!

2008-12-01T09:00:00.003-05:00

I was giving this post a lot of thought as I considered several options for topics or some kind of clever title..but I have nothing. Nothing more than to say that I had my longest run to date yesterday - again! Last week I did 26k and I felt over the moon about it. This week I was planning 30k but instead of 30k..it was 35k!!

Many, many thanks to Marci's husband who was generous enough to accompany me on this mega run when Marci was sidelined with illness. I felt terrible that he was up so early and on his feet for so long just to drag me along but I was extremely happy to finish! The best part was that I thought we had only done 30k so to find out it was 35k was very, very thrilling. In addition, I felt a lot better about the fact that I totally wanted to throw up at the end and it was comforting to know that it was because it was such a long run. Thanks again Moe and I hope you are feeling much better Marci!

I must admit that making the jump from 26k to 35k in a week was tiring and I was pretty sore yesterday but I still feel great and without anything more profound to say - that is my boring post for today! :)

Time to Run

2008-11-26T15:00:00.004-05:00

What time of the day do you run? I vary it but I think I prefer the mornings because then it is done for the day and I feel great all day. I have a little more spring in my step in the am and there is less interference with kid schedules or evening events. I like to shower and dress for the day AFTER I have already gotten messy and sweaty and then I can also check it off the list. The down side is that I tend to eat a little more than I probably should over the day as I think it is "OK".

There have been lots of times where I have run in the evening due to various conflicts or absent husband etc... During the warmer months it is not too bad but now it is cold, dark and very miserable by 6:00pm. I usually can't get out in the evening until after 8:00 (post kid bed time) so it is not so pleasant. However, some of my fastest runs have been in the evening...

What do you do?

Also, I have posted this video because I thought it was a great "mini" inspiration. Enjoy! Happy Thanksgiving to my American bloggers!

Mental Game

2008-11-24T09:37:00.005-05:00

First let me say congratulations for all those in Philly this past weekend! I look forward to reading race reports and seeing how everyone is feeling today. I hope it wasn't too cold or wintery. Only crazy people would attempt to run 42km in late November in the freezing cold, snow, slush - mess. You have to be a little off your rocker?? :)

That brings me to today's thought on running - the mental game. As many know, I have had some set backs in my training in the recent months with Plantar Faciitis and some shin pains. After weeks of no running, many massages, orthotics and countless hours stretching - I am back at it. I had two weeks of "building back up" but this week I am back on schedule and while my finishing goal is slighly altered, I am still in the game.

However, yesterday I attempted my first really long run in quite a while. I had decided that it was going to be final test to decide if I was going to make it in the full at Disney. One of the other runners going to Disney was going to come to my house so we could attempt 29km together but on Saturday she advised that a pulled muscle had her sidelined for a week or so. Suddenly, I was attempting to run nearly 30km all by myself and I was totally, 100% terrified. I don't know what was the matter with me but in the hour leading up to the run I was convinced this was a mistake and I was full of dread and doubt. I hated the idea of getting out in the cold to run a distance I had never done in my life, by myself. This is when I really wish I had a running group that I participate with. I know, I know - there are lots and I will hook up. I just find scheduling a real challange with a full time job, two little people and their schedules. Not to mention finding some time in the week to actually converse with my hubby.

Back to my stress... so I was getting suited up and having a near mental collapse. My husband was telling me all the right things and promised to drive by me a few times. I had my cell phone on me to call him (he was taking our son to a birthday party and then grocery shopping with the little one). I finally got out there and within 5 minutes I realized my iPod was dead. Could there be any more signs of failure???? I ran back to my house to put back the quiet iPod and was even more petrified of 3 hours of nothing but my own spinning thoughts. Nevertheless..off I went.

The first 7 or 8km were horrible. I was sore and it seemed colder than I thought. I thought up all the explanations I could give to the Arthritis Society, our family, our friends - my kids as to why I couldn't do the marathon. I had lost so much training time already and there was no way I could get it back. At about 10km, I stopped at a gas station to use the facilities and while I was there I called my husband to come and get me. If you can believe it, he didn't answer - after he had promised to have the phone practially in his hand! I called twice and got no answer so I had no choice but to carry on.

All of the sudden, I felt better. I had myself a tasty energy burst with a chocolate GU (my favourite) and I was running along. I decided at this point to take off my watch and put it in my pocket. So now I am running with no iPod, no watch and cell phone which proved to be a useless security line because my husband was deep in the grocery megastore and had no service. It occured to me at one point that I had probably passed 20km but I still felt OK!

About 30 or so minutes past this point, I started to go downhill (figuratively speaking). My head was dizzy and my heart was racing. What was crazy is that my husband happened to drive by at that exact moment that I felt like I was going to fall down. I took that as a sign and I jumped in the car and went home. At first I was really upset that I hadn't finished 29km. Then after I got home and had my stardard post long run snack of toasted english muffin and peanut butter, I checked MapMyRun. I had gone 26km. This is the longest distance I have ever run in my life. I have no idea how long it took me and I don't care. I was overwhelmed that I had done it and the lunacy of my head games along the way seemed so insignificant now. If there was ever a moment that I would classify as "pivotal" , that was it.

This morning I feel a little sore but the pains in my feet are not nearly as bad as they have been or as I expected them to be. I feel a level of confidence that I never had before and although we have only 5 more weeks of training before tapering - I know I can do it. Putting aside the possibilites of a dumptruck mowing me down or tripping over a set of Star Wars figures on my staircase - I am going to do it. I don't think I ever fully respected the mental strength and capacity required to run those distances but I see it much better now and I can't wait to go to Disney now and see it through.

So, I have my eyes open for dumptrucks and all the Star Wars figures are in a box on a shelf - just in case.

Olympic Torch Relay 2010

2008-11-21T18:50:00.003-05:00

Today I am a proud Canadian runner! It was announced today that the Olympic Torch Relay for the Vancouver Olympic Games in 2010 will be the longest in history. At 45,000 km, it will take 106 days and will reach the most northern population as well as both coasts

I would LOVE to participate in this event! I can't think of a better way to be part of the Olympics (at 35 years old, I stand little chance of being a contender for the Olympic pairs skating.. :) ) I know there are likely thousands of others contending for a spot but I plan to jump through all necessary hoops and then hope for the best. I have no idea when and how these decisions get made but I plan a full effort to be part of it!

Can you imagine saying you were part of an Olympic relay???

The Day After....

2008-11-19T21:27:00.007-05:00

Many have indicated that I might be crazy to attempt a trip through Disney with my hubby and little ones after the marathon but I really have no choice. Basically, there was no chance hubby and I were going without the children - especially when I am participating in this event for my daughter. Plus they are VERY excited and I couldn't bring myself to tell a parental fib about where Mommy and Daddy were going. (For those readers that are parents - you know the parental fib). I am excited to see them get excited so we are off all together!

However, we have only a short time down there so every day counts. Therefore, the concern for Mommy's legs (or in my case - my feet) will be VERY minimal. My husband is already warning me that within an hour of my finish the kids are banking on a second marathon through the parks. I guess this is when I have to draw on that super human "Mom" strength that you read about!

On that note, I came across a great video. Make sure you watch to the end. I plan to show the family this video and hope they have a little mercy...at least for an hour or so. :)

My Joints are in Motion

2008-11-17T11:46:00.004-05:00

As most know, I am participating in with the Joints in Motion training team with the Arthritis Society. It is a wonderful way to participate in an international event and raise money for something that affects all ages (as we have discovered). This week, I received a call from the organization asking me to be the speaker at the reception and to tell our story. This is a great honour but also very intimidating! I am not a fearful public speaker but I am not normally speaking about things so close to home. Now I will train for my race and practice my speech!

I know a lot of people run for a wide variety of reasons but I recommend that everyone do something like this at least once. There are lots of other organizations that offer a similar opportunity such as the Diabetes Association among others. My husband, kids and parents are all coming so it may be costing us a truckload of $$ but we haven't even given that as much thought as we might have for other trips. It is a great experience and I am getting more and more nervous!

Straight Out of a Movie

2008-11-13T19:43:00.004-05:00

So you are running along, you got a good groove and perhaps you are thinking about what to make for dinner or what errands you will complete later. Maybe you are focused on the pace or what you might name some future unborn child - who knows but I'll bet EVERYONE has daydreamed some big scene, like a movie where you are finishing first in the Olympics or running through jungles from drug lords or maybe your "movie scene" is a romantic connection with the love of your life who follows you across country.....whatever it is, you KNOW you all do it! What else are you going to think about running those long distances?? One can only complete mental checklists for so long.

These leads me to consider what the soundtrack would be for my movie scene. When I make up these crazy images in my head during my runs, it usually depends on the song that is on my iPod or what topics are on my mind in that moment. Sometimes I have just seen a movie that I liked or maybe my husband is away (as is often is) and I have some ridiculous scene where he shows up at my office with plane tickets to Hawaii and a grandma to watch the kids. But if I had to pick one song for my soundtrack what would it be??

The obvious choice is something by U2 or Coldplay as they are my favourites but they aren't quite as "energetic" as I need in my movie scenes (obviously the romantic daydreams are less frequent :) ) So after careful consideration I have come up a totally insane song that I have determined will be the soundtrack to the video I am making about my experience in Disney with the Joints in Motion. Some of you might be surprised as it is not very mainstream and not very girly but the mind wants what it wants!

The song is Shipping up to Boston by the Dropkick Murphys. I know, I had never heard of them either but my husbands friend is a huge fan and he introduced me to best "power song" music ever!

First, admit that you do this and then I would love to know what your songs are...I am very interested plus it will help me build up my iPod before getting into the super long distances :)

2 Months To Go

2008-11-10T21:04:00.005-05:00

Tomorrow is it officially two months until my marathon in Disney. While I have not fully recovered from my PF injury - I am sucking it up and moving on. I have a great coach with the Joints in Motion team and he has been really thorough on helping me get back to it.

I don't normally summarize my training plan for the week (usually out of shame) but here it is:

Monday - 5km

Tuesday - running rest but doing Body Attack class at work (learning to instruct)

Wednesday - 8km (this is also tennis night but I think I may cancel for this week because hubby is away and getting a sitter is impossible)

Thursday - rest

Friday - 4-5 km

Saturday - 6km

Sunday 12km (followed by my traditional Sunday spree at the bulk barn where I endulge on very healthy and nutritious items - that happened to be dipped in chocolate. Come on...you know you do it to).

I know I should be much higher on Sunday but as this is my first full week back to running post injury, we thought keeping it lower would be best. Next week I make a bigger jump and the week after that (provided all is well) we are back on schedule. I was originally planning for 4:30 but now I just want to finish. Besides, the trip is already hit our VISA and the kids told Nana they wanted "Mickey Money" for Christmas. NO turning back now!

On the upside, I have raised $6,300 for the Arthritis Society so far. It is a little lower than the $10,000 we had dreamed of but higher than my original goal of $4,000. Do you think if I don't finish, people will want a matching percentage of their money back?? :)

10 Things About Me

2008-11-08T07:21:00.005-05:00

Here we go...10 things about me...

1. I am obsessed with French culture and history. I read cookbooks, study maps, read novels set in France and so on. I took French history classes in University as my electives - not because I had to. If anyone is equally obsessed with the history of France, I recommend one of my favourite series of books - The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B by Sandra Gulland. It is actually the title of the first book in a series of three (I read them so fast that I considered them all one book). I can't recommend it enough. Even for none French history buffs.

2. I love photography. Not just photography but photographs in particular. I would rather have pictures than art on the walls and I have no bias toward any kinds of pictures. Some of my favourites are food photography, the outdoors, children but really - I like it all. If I had oodles of free time and financial resources, I would study photography myself because in realty I don't actually have very good skills but I like to think I do!

3. I met my husband when we were 12. We went to high school together but went to separate universities. Flash forward 15 years and we got married! Next year we celebrate 10 wonderful years.

4. Despite being married for almost four years and being close to 30 years old, our first child was a "surprise"! Without stepping into TMI territory, I had been training for 1/2 marathons and was in the middle of training for my first full which I was told can sometimes mess with mother nature. VOILA! Turns out to be accurate! Although shocked is putting it mildly, we were very blessed to have a baby boy and couldn't imagine life without him or his sister.

5. I can say the alphabet backwards - really fast. Its a gift.

6. I love to play most sports - especially soccer, tennis and volleyball. But I am terrified to play only one - baseball. That's right, the super dangerous, anxiety filled, extreme sport called BASEBALL. Here is my logic: someone whips a very hard ball at you, you hit it, then someone tries to throw that same hard ball at the same place you are running to. Does ANYONE see the danger there??

7. I have a great job. I promote Corporate Wellness for Goodlife Fitness so I meet with companies who want to partner with us to improve the wellness culture in their workplace. I spend all day talking about healthy living, I am encouraged to work out and get involved in the community. It doesn't get much better than that!

8. I have freakishly small ears. So small that I have to by children's headphones because normal ear buds don't fit. For races, I try to wear the full headband earbuds. Sounds charming doesn't it?? I also only hear in one ear as a result of a girls night in university that went slightly awry..that's another story that is less than flattering. :)

9. I am a little addicted to cookbooks. That is not to say that I cook often but there it is. I especially like cookbooks with really great pictures (no surprise). Some of my favourites are Supernatural Cooking by Heidi Swanson. She also has a fabulous website called 101 Cookbooks. I believe she is also a professional food photographer. My other favourite is Country Cooking of France by Anne Willen which has fantastic pictures. Anyone else seeing the trend? Umm..

10. I am fantasy Olympian. Somewhere is my head, I was supposed to be some sort of professional athlete but sadly, I never caught on until it was too late! Yet another reason to love running - it is a chance to be a "professional athlete" at least in my family!

I hope to see a few more of these but I am not up on the "tagging" etiquette!

Run Away Mommy

2008-11-05T22:27:00.007-05:00

First of all - Well done Obama!

On the advice of my trainer, I have begun to start of up training slowly but surely. I am anxious to just gun it out of the blocks but I am trying to heed the good advice. How unlike me! However, I am travelling for work this week so it makes it easier to stick to a more moderate training plan. Today I got out to run in the neighbourhood of my hotel but this is hilly territory so I am sure my backside is going to pay for this. Probably just as well as I think my butt was getting a little too comfortable sitting on couches and chairs.

This brings me to today's topic, fitting in the run while travelling. That is the beauty of running isn't it? It is totally portable and can be done pretty much anywhere! Unfortunately I forgot my ipod which changes the whole dynamic of my run. I have a terrible time running without it! Apparently, my own thoughts are poor company.

When you think about it, there are very few other activities that travel as well. Team sports are obvious, while things like skiing, climbing - even hiking require at least some preplanning. All you really need to run is a pair of decent shoes. Today I actually went out without an iPod, phone, Nike+ or even even water and I felt strangly naked.

My other problem with my naked run was that my head was just a little too clear. As much as I enjoy the break from my beautiful but exausting family, I do miss the little monsters. I am sure Daddy has it covered and they sounded perfectly well cared for when I talked to them. It is weird how we do that as Mom's isn't it? My husband is a grown man who is perfectly capable but I am still worried that my son is wearing the same pair of pants for three days and my daughter is eating Froot Loops for dinner (I LOATHE the Loops). My hubby is a great husband and fantastic father but despite running a department of people all over North America - he probably couldn't tell you the last name of our babysitter. I like this picture because my efforts to have perfectly tidy and beautiful children at my sisters wedding were thwarted by Daddy oddly giving them a crumbling, sugar covered biscuit.

I guess my message today is that it is possible to run while you travel, it is also possible to run without all our running gadgets but it is NOT possible to run away from your family (even for work) and not miss them because they creep into your brain all day - especially when you run unaccessorized in a strange place!

Election Day

2008-11-04T06:45:00.002-05:00

I am a Canadian and therefore cannot vote in today's election. However, most Canadian's would agree that we have a strong interest in who leads our southern neighbour. After all this coverage of the past year, I would say running in an election is far more exhausting than running a marathon.

I have watched a fair amount of coverage and have changed my opinion several times. There are positives and negatives about both parties and men and it is difficult to say what is best for the country. As a woman, I admire Sarah P. not only for stepping up but for taking a significant beating by the public and media and still holding strong. However, I am not sure she is ready to take over the country if need be. I think Obama has some excellent ideas and may be just what is needed but he always seems like there are other motives. However, I don't get a say so I hope the voting public gets what they want!

Good luck to all my American blog friends with today's election and may the best man (whose initials might be B.O.) win!

The Return of Run Mommy

2008-11-03T14:38:00.006-05:00

Well, it is official - I have been given the green light to get back on the training train! I have my brand new orthotics and despite the fact that I still have that sneaky pull in my foot, I am going to give it a go. I plan on being smart about it but I am anxious to get rolling. Thanks for all the great messsages of support...I knew this blog would be a fantastic way to talk to other runners!

With that said, I could use some ideas on races I could do between now and January. I realize many of you are well outside the borders of the Greater Toronto Area but I still welcome some input. I know I need to be aware of my injury but I really want to get a few more races under my belt before the big day.

Here is my training approach until Disney on January 11th, 2009:

break in my new orthotics
invest in a few new ice packs
follow my training plan to the letter
schedule 10-12 stretch breaks into my day
exhaust all my health benefits by booking a massage every week
learn to live with discomfort until January 12th!
accept that my goal may now be "to finish" instead of 4:30.
Happily rest on my laurels from January 12th until Feb 12th if necessary!

Thanks again to all for the great messages!

Big Day Tomorrow!

2008-11-02T15:00:00.003-05:00

Monday morning I have an appointment with my family Dr. and my Podiatrist. I will get new orthotics and will discuss the possibility of running again this week. I am a little nervous because I still have that "twang" in my right foot(P.F) that jumps out with some regularity. However, I have done everything as instructed and have barely run at all in the past two weeks. I have decided that I will not make any decisions about Disney until mid-November. That is not to say we won't go (it is already paid for!) but the question is whether I will just run the 1/2 or maybe not at all. I prefer not to think about this option but it is out there.

Here's hoping for a positive outcome!

To Veg or Not to Veg

2008-10-31T11:18:00.008-04:00

Today, on the holiest of candy days, I thought I could bring up an interesting and sometimes contentious topic in the nutrition/athletic world. Vegetarianism

I am one of those "quasi-vegetarians" in that I don't eat red meat at all but I do eat chicken and occassional pork. It first started in University where I studied health promotion and was also living in student induced poverty so a meat free diet was a financial necessity. In all honesty, my interest in a vegetarian diet is not about the ecological factors or my love of our four legged friends (God love those selfless cows who gave me my fabulous brown leather boots). I simply don't enjoy the taste of meat and I feel much better when eating a "clean" diet with lots of veggies and fruits. On the other hand, my husband is a hard core carnivore and would rather gouge out his eyes with hot flaming sticks than give up meat. I refuse to make seperate meals so this is what keeps me from making the full "veg" committment. My husband travels quite a bit and when he is away, me and our children tend to eat a totally veg diet because it is my preference and I almost always feel better.

However, I wonder how it would impact me as a runner? Prior to being a regular runner, I didn't find a veg diet problematic but with these kinds of distances, I wonder if I might not be getting enough protien. Then I came across a Canadian superstar Brendan Brazier who is triathlete and ultra-marathon champ. He is a strong proponent for a plant based diet for all athletes and he really gave me a good prospective!

I also read a book that really gave me a HUGE push toward considering making the final plunge. It is called the China Study by Dr. T.Colin Campbell.

I strongly recommend anyone with even a mild interest in giving up Sam the Cow to read it. Even my husband had to give some considerations to how a meat eating diet impacts the Earth, the economy, and overall wellbeing of people.

I would love to hear how many of you are vegetarians, vegans or "other" - like me. I welcome your thoughts!

Happy Halloween!

War and Peace

2008-10-29T22:09:00.005-04:00

Today's topic: How to be a loving and doting mother despite the natural human instinct to run from stressful situations.

I have two beautiful and loving children whom I adore most of the time. Ask any parent, and they will tell you that their children are the most wonderful of creatures who enrich our lives and make us whole everyday they are on the planet. However, if the same parents are being totally honest, they would also acknowledge that there are moments when you must fight the instinct to take their most prized possession and set it on fire just to spite them.

Today I have considered this very thing and have thankfully made it through to bedtime with Teddy's limbs still in tact... See proof below (yes, Teddy is a lamb but calls him Teddy so we go with it):

It could be that I am more stressed than usual with my injury that has me grounded or the fact that I ate a chicken burger today and I never eat burgers and only rarely eat meat. Who knows where it is coming from but it seemed that every thing that came out of my mouth was challenged by my two darling little monsters. In all his six years on the Earth, my little man has only gone to bed without a bedtime story a small handful of times. My daughter had her med injection today so I admit to indulging her on injection day. This has resulted in a child that resembles the person who is next in line at Tim Hortons; just behind the guy getting breakfast and coffee for all 50 of his coworkers. See example below:

However, after a long and taxing day, I have called a truce and we managed to have a nice quiet moment reading Lightening McQueen and the Ghost Light and everyone went to bed peacefully. Normally I would now head out for my run but instead, I sit at the MAC, drinking the last of the Shiraz and wondering if tomorrow will be more peace - less war.

Running to Stand Still

2008-10-27T20:32:00.006-04:00

I came across a blog with this title and I just couldn't help but take a look. It could be because she is a Mom like me or any number of things but truthfully, I think it really described how I am feeling right now. I know I already had my little meltdown late last week so I won't beat that dead horse but now that I have resigned myself to the fact that I must wait on the sidelines for a couple of weeks, it is really starting to sink in. Reading all these fantastic posts about great races this past weekend is starting to bring out the green enemy! Don't get me wrong, I love reading how great everyone does - it is very inspirational. However, I was planning to let Marci talk me into doing Hamilton 1/2 marathon this weekend and now that is not even an option.

It could also be because I have been in perpetual motion since Friday doing work, kids, groceries, laundry, hockey practice, birthday party etc.. Normally I also manage to squeeze in the run which gives me my healthly and perfectly legal "boost" but without it I am starting to go a little nutty! I also think that my pants are tight and butt is bigger. Can that happen in just a week? My poor suffering husband...God love his tolerance of my endorphine mood swings.

So that's me, just Running to Stand Still until such time as my angry and inflamed appendage gets over its little temper tantrum and decides to play nice with the rest of my body.

Suddenly I have an urge to pull out cassette tapes of U2, The Joshua Tree and hang out in my bedroom writing in a funky journal...weird. :) For all those born in the seventies...here is my contribution for the day. My man Bono - Enjoy!

An Improved Attitude

2008-10-25T08:29:00.003-04:00

Sorry about my previous post...I think my emotions got the best of me a bit and having this outlet was the first thing I thought of! I really appreciate all the great comments and I am feeling much better. I plan on taking on all the special tips you gave and try them all..I will try anything!

In the meantime, I spoke with the coach for the Joints in Motion Team and he gave me a few other things to do and put my mind at ease. I may end of changing my time goal but I can live with that. I must admit, this was the first time I became this charged about running. Do you think that means I have gone over to the other side where 5k's are a training run and I read new blog posts before I read the news? Wow...that's great!

I know a few people are running this weekend so good luck to you all and I'll catch you on the flip side. :)

My Lowest Day

2008-10-23T09:01:00.008-04:00

Today is a bad day. For the past few weeks, I have wrestled with a nagging pain in my foot (occasionally feet). I went to a doctor, got the nod of "yes, it is an injury so just lay off running for a while". He sent me to a massage therapist who is fantastic and also a runner so we had a mutual understanding that "no running" was not an option. She has given my a laundry list of things to do in addition to massage in order to alleviate the pain of plantar fasciitis. In addition, I trimmed back my running for the past two weeks and I also saw a podiatrist for custom orthotics (still working on getting those). I followed every instruction to the letter. I ice constantly, I do more stretching than I ever have and I have attempted to ease back into running. Last night I did 10km after doing just 4k and 5k for the few days leading up it and today the pain is right back where I started. I just laced up to do a quick 5km and could barely get down my street. If I lose much more time in the training, I will never be able to complete the race on Jan 11th.

I am totally devastated...I have been planning this run in Disney for months and months. In addition, I have trained for a marathon three times and not completed it (2 times I got pregnant which is excusable but the first time, I had an injury). I HAVE to do this.

For those who don't know, I am participating in this marathon as a member of the Joints in Motion training team. Last year, our two year old daughter was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. For a long time, she struggled to walk and get dressed or just to play like normal little kids. She has a great doctor and physiotherapist at the Hospital for Sick Children and in recent months, a number of procedures and some hard core meds have really made a difference. Her condition will last forever and the relief is periodic so of course we want to fix it. Since I am not a doctor or scientist, this is the only thing I know how to do to make her life better. My fundraising goal was $4000 and I have already raised more than $6500 (see my arthritis webpage) thanks to the fantastically generous friends and family we are lucky to have. In addition, my kids are over the moon with excitement to go to Disney AND to see Mommy run. My son is in Grade 1 and he had to talk to the class about things that were important to him. He chose to talk about how Mommy is running a marathon at Disney World so that his baby sister can feel better. There is so much more to this race than just my desire to finish so what do I do?...what do I do...?

The Next Generation of Runners

2008-10-21T12:34:00.006-04:00

A few weeks ago, a bunch of us participated in the Run for the Cure. It was great because it was something very close to my best friend's heart and we had a full team of gals. Some were runners, some walkers and some "in-between". This race is always about a lot more than running and the crowd was crazy! So much pink...

The best part was that I ran the race with my little neighbour. She is a die hard athlete for a nine year old and she is always asking me about my running. With parents permission, she joined our team and she managed to raise more than $400 which is the highest on our team! She was really excited about getting a number and painting her hair pink as well as all the vendors and various things to see (like the level of dedication to the outfit of many of the participants!). Standing at the start line, I could tell she was a little nervous but she was a trooper! For the first few minutes, I made her hold my hand because I was afraid of losing her in the crowd and I could not be responsible for returning without my neighbours child! She is an asthmatic so I had TWO puffers in my hands just in case..

Of course I ran with her the whole way and she was a star - we only stopped a few times! She was VERY excited when we crossed the finish line and like any true athlete she was anxious to know our finishing time. This week, she made up Thank-you cards for all those that sponsored her and brought one to me. In each of the cards she put a picture of herself crossing the finish line. I thought this was an excellent idea and one that I will be sure to do myself! You will notice in the picture that she looks like J-Lo crossing the finish line getting snapped by paps while her security runs nearby...that's me - security!

A Humbling Reminder

2008-10-20T08:47:00.004-04:00

Today I participated in the Toronto Marathon on the relay team with Goodlife. It was my first experience with the relay and it certainly was an adventure! It seems getting to the transfer point was more of an effort than the actual 7km that I ran (the final leg)! Overall, it was a good experience but I don't think relays are for me. It doesn't have the same satisfaction and I was a little jealous of the snazzy medals given to the finishers!

However, I did get something out of the experience. I was standing at the 35km mark waiting for my relay transfer. We were having a great time cheering on the participants as they came into their final stretch and believe me, some needed it more than others! I was totally amazed at the variety of people - young, old, short, tall, pencil thin, pleasantly round - it was fantastic to see. Running 7km was the longest distance ever for my friend and she was in awe of the accomplishment of these people.

At one point, a young woman ran by and she did not look good. She was hobbling and cramped and didn't even seem to hear us as she ran by. She was strong and fit but just past the 35km marker she slowed and her body was forcing her to sit. She was fighting it and trying to stand back up but her legs just would not agree. Some people helped and then a medic arrived but she seemed to be physically and mentally defeated. She wanted to get up but there was no chance her body would cooperate. Her mental state resulted in her being more physical with the medics than I am sure she would normally be.

Witnessing this, my heart was broken for her because she was little more than 6km from the finish. Was this her first race? Has she already done a few and was going for a PB? I have no idea what her story was but I felt very humbled by how much respect we must have for the distance and the accomplishment. If anything, it made me realize how much I must keep to my running schedule and work on my mental training. I hope today she is feeling better and planning her next attempt with a fresh perspective.

Congratulations to all the finishers!

Run for the Goodlife

2008-10-17T14:07:00.005-04:00

This weekend is the Goodlife Marathon and I am getting very excited but at the same time I am a bit bummed out. I work in the corporate office for Goodlife so I wanted to be part of a team. I am doing the relay in a group of eight runners so I am only doing 5km. In a strange way, it feels like I am cheating...isn't that strange? For lots of people (myself included just a short while ago), 5km is a really far distance to run but even after just a few months of running regularly, 5km feels like a quick warm up. This is especially true now while I am training for the full marathon and should be doing 20km on Sunday and not 5km. I suppose I could have done the 1/2 marathon but then to whom would I "pass the baton" to? What would I do while all my Goodlife colleagues are doing a group hug or team cheer?

However, the part I am really excited about is that some of the team members have never done a race before and are really nervous. I can't wait to hear from them after they have had the full race experience like getting your number, waiting for the mass start, seeing all the signs and cheering for people that are mostly strangers. And of course the total thrill at the end of the race when everyone compares notes on where the toughest hill was and what mile marker they crashed on. I wonder if this is what addicts feel like when they attract a few more junkies into the crack house?

Aside from my dereliction from the training schedule, I do love a good race - even if I am cheating!

Why Do We Do It?

2008-10-15T22:49:00.013-04:00

Following my return to the running world, I receive this question a lot. Especially after the birth of two children and all the time that consumes. This lead me to consider the many reasons why we, more specifically, why I run like I do.

The first and obvious one for most people is the health benefits, losing weight, the conditioning, abiding by the "active living" mantra, blah, blah, blah. While all very true and perfectly valid reasons, there is a way to stay active without having your toe nails desinigrate in the process. Not to mention, whatever land mass I lose off my backend finds its way to my calves and in the process I end up sacrificing my love affair with my brown boots.

The second could be to set a great example for the kids who mirror mom and dad like miniature stalkers. Again, it is a good reason and definitely one I considered but at this stage, the hero worship experienced one day is just as often replaced with sad little faces who just want Mommy to stay home and play snakes and ladders instead of heading out to run.

It could be the camaraderie of the races, networking with like minded people, sharing in the joys and pains of the strangers that tend to form into groups during the long races and runs. I have played team sports all my life and would argue that although running does offer these things - it is at the same time one of the most solitary sports. Years of soccer gave me a great respect for the team dynamic and I see this as the one weakness in running.

So many other things to consider...the feeling of accomplishment, the chance to be a champion (for some), the mental clarity and break from our multi-media world, the knowledge that running leaves a small environmental footprint when compared to other sports and so on. I am confident that if you interview ten runners you will get a different answer each time. So how would I answer it?

I have given it a lot of thought and tonight after I got home from my 10k tempo run in which I managed to accomplish my fastest mile, I knew what it was. While sitting in my chair regaling my partially distracted husband with a minute by minute illustration of my run, I realized that my chest felt overflowing with oxygen. I recognized the feeling immediately because it was the same one I get after races, long runs or any really great run. I LOVE this feeling. It lasts for hours afterward and I described it to my husband as all my reasons for running filling into my chest. In reality it is probably just that my lungs are exhausted from being so overworked, but it doesn't matter. That is my reason, that is why I do it.

Whatever your reason is...it is worth it.

Welcome All!

2008-10-13T18:25:00.002-04:00

Hello All!

After many months of reading other posts and following so many running blogs, I thought it time to finally share my thoughts with the running community! Despite the name of the blog, I promise not to bore you with too many ramblings about the joys of parenting or the ups and downs of scheduling running into an already overbooked life. However, I may slip from time to time...

On that note, I brief introduction is required. As a young gal, I loved playing all kinds of different sports. Prior to the birth of my children, I loved the running and was known to periodically call myself a "runner". With a brief return post baby number one, I found myself no longer worthy of the " runner" title after baby number two. It seems two small children, a career, a husband, a house etc..does not lend itself to training the way I like to so instead I took the easy way out and just gave it up. In the process, I lost myself (not to mention my body) and found I was giving up on more than my love of athletics. After some prodding from the hubby and the return of some other moms, I managed to get right back in the saddle like I was never away! Sure, the legs are a little slower and the cardio system needed a jump start but I am back at it with a vengeance, taking on bootcamp and tennis along the way.

The number one lesson I have learned in my return is this: It is not about how hard you train, but how to train WELL while still being a wife, mother, friend...a person. I hope I can impart on others the good, bad and ugly that I experience in order to add "runner" back to my personal identity! Thanks for coming along!