tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17369080941046722932024-03-05T10:11:23.108-05:00Jen Gets MovingA reformed couch potato works on staying active and being outdoors as much as possibleJenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137409066872659859noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736908094104672293.post-50809224255671451342013-10-20T21:40:00.000-04:002013-10-20T21:50:23.896-04:00Birthday Week!This was a short week following Thanksgiving, but we packed a lot in - including birthdays for my husband, my sister, my sister-in-law...and me! This was a week of daily cake and pie and a few big dinners, but I also stayed fairly busy - <br />
<br />
The dog and I got in our three runs for C25K week 3, we went on a couple of trips to dog park, I got through Day 15 of the 30-day ab challenge, and we got out of town to see my family for birthday dinner. A few pics - <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x5mNIC8iAZQ/UmSC_0C1ElI/AAAAAAAADXk/0BayeDujFuY/s1600/2013-10-15+c25k+w3r1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x5mNIC8iAZQ/UmSC_0C1ElI/AAAAAAAADXk/0BayeDujFuY/s400/2013-10-15+c25k+w3r1.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tuesday - It's raining, it's dark - and we're running. Woah.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nL96tZWN-e8/UmSDDj9n5zI/AAAAAAAADXs/fvQ6Dzcw3i8/s1600/2013-10-16+park.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nL96tZWN-e8/UmSDDj9n5zI/AAAAAAAADXs/fvQ6Dzcw3i8/s400/2013-10-16+park.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wednesday - amazing moon over the dog park tonight</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xfcEsaEm9ms/UmSDJ9soAYI/AAAAAAAADX0/Aw3ZuXHyycc/s1600/2013-10-19+fall+colours.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xfcEsaEm9ms/UmSDJ9soAYI/AAAAAAAADX0/Aw3ZuXHyycc/s400/2013-10-19+fall+colours.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saturday morning Fall colours </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mrZuLPVkJjs/UmSDMeJyYFI/AAAAAAAADYA/OVY9uUhXVP0/s1600/2013-10-19+raptor.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mrZuLPVkJjs/UmSDMeJyYFI/AAAAAAAADYA/OVY9uUhXVP0/s400/2013-10-19+raptor.jpeg" width="371" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted on a roof during our run on Saturday afternoon. Any birders out there recognize what this is?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-unJXMi8jD7A/UmSDMWf75SI/AAAAAAAADX8/coB-U5qdZiI/s1600/2013-10-20+dogs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-unJXMi8jD7A/UmSDMWf75SI/AAAAAAAADX8/coB-U5qdZiI/s400/2013-10-20+dogs.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My parents' puppy is 17n weeks old and getting bigger - but he's still quite a bit smaller than Stella :-)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In other news - today was the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. A number my friends were spectating and volunteering, and I was disappointed that I couldn't be a part of it. It's made me realize that I haven't volunteered at a race for well over a year...and also reopened my secret urge to do a half one day. I am training for the ATB 15K in March, so a half in May seems like good timing. On paper at least. <br />
<br />
Two things to think about while I'm planning next year's goals. Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137409066872659859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736908094104672293.post-35881868271794967502013-10-14T21:34:00.000-04:002013-10-14T21:34:06.267-04:00Happy Thanksgiving!This has been a good week - lots of stuffing, mashed potatoes and pie this weekend, but otherwise it has been a good week. <br />
<br />
There were a few walks at High Park with the dog - <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ERF5FvSQBWA/UlHzxwyf1kI/AAAAAAAADWU/vPn4oQovSKE/s1600/2013-10-06+blurry+dog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ERF5FvSQBWA/UlHzxwyf1kI/AAAAAAAADWU/vPn4oQovSKE/s400/2013-10-06+blurry+dog.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blurry. Running.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-itOpCs1WJ60/UlHzxIB3ohI/AAAAAAAADWQ/yEYFDnscAiI/s1600/2013-10-06+High+Park.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-itOpCs1WJ60/UlHzxIB3ohI/AAAAAAAADWQ/yEYFDnscAiI/s400/2013-10-06+High+Park.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fall colours</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The dog and I finished weeks 1 AND 2 of Couch to 5K - </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-olhb6f-H6-c/UlM8PlX9yyI/AAAAAAAADWo/KiKj5uVKljs/s1600/2013-10-07+walk+break.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-olhb6f-H6-c/UlM8PlX9yyI/AAAAAAAADWo/KiKj5uVKljs/s400/2013-10-07+walk+break.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walk breaks are for stopping to sniff, right?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHK5B6SbiPYmbl8qWj_gD0VbD3bfeq7nTE_Z8EqeVXUVpiElHehwmF08_Zr-GPAYgyk7_GUxieOTssg75js2qzHmZSPehgGp6Skug8f36G1KNer2GX77vF1Xj6Tl9RQy-6iMyMhCQt10a/s1600/2013-10-14+c25k+w2r3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHK5B6SbiPYmbl8qWj_gD0VbD3bfeq7nTE_Z8EqeVXUVpiElHehwmF08_Zr-GPAYgyk7_GUxieOTssg75js2qzHmZSPehgGp6Skug8f36G1KNer2GX77vF1Xj6Tl9RQy-6iMyMhCQt10a/s400/2013-10-14+c25k+w2r3.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favourite part of every run</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I made it through Day 11 of the Ab Challenge - <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YUGs9yHQXAE/UlGLX_K699I/AAAAAAAADWE/0A8UOfN4jSM/s1600/ab-challenge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YUGs9yHQXAE/UlGLX_K699I/AAAAAAAADWE/0A8UOfN4jSM/s400/ab-challenge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We cleaned like mad and had the family over for Thanksgiving Dinner, then spent today over at the Brickworks for a walk in the fall colours. <br />
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WgL3yVyZyA0/UlyZFDRkFDI/AAAAAAAADXI/orTnxRU-rRI/s1600/2013-10-14+belly+rubs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WgL3yVyZyA0/UlyZFDRkFDI/AAAAAAAADXI/orTnxRU-rRI/s400/2013-10-14+belly+rubs.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tried to take a family picture, but belly rubs were more important</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LMu25riQziY/UlyZJ8ISRqI/AAAAAAAADXQ/55odgn5aCu0/s1600/2013-10-14+brickworks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LMu25riQziY/UlyZJ8ISRqI/AAAAAAAADXQ/55odgn5aCu0/s400/2013-10-14+brickworks.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfect way to end a long weekend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A good week. </div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137409066872659859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736908094104672293.post-56951277153215364772013-10-06T12:21:00.000-04:002013-10-06T12:21:57.914-04:00Alright, alright - I'll get off the couchCan you tell that I've been struggling with starting to get back on track? Sporadic blogging and almost complete lack of exercise are big clues. <br />
<br />
I stopped running somewhere around February. Stopped going to my gym in late spring, then juuuuust started going regularly again when it closed abruptly. Haven't been working out at home. Have been quite indulgent with the treats. The worst part is not particularly caring. Being lazy is so easy. But my pants are getting tight and I feel uncomfortable. <br />
<br />
So - it's time to either slide into absolute laziness and let exercise become something that I used to do - or decide to recommit. I was dangerously close to option A when Island Girl (half marathon relay) rolled around 2 weeks ago. I signed up in the spring, didn't train, and would have bailed if it hadn't been a relay event. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oNPhVNpxgOI/UlGIqwkGhLI/AAAAAAAADVM/k6M_mLcPb3c/s1600/2013-09-22+Island+Girl+ferry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oNPhVNpxgOI/UlGIqwkGhLI/AAAAAAAADVM/k6M_mLcPb3c/s400/2013-09-22+Island+Girl+ferry.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous morning to be up and heading to a starting line</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I got to thinking on the ferry over - despite being so sedentary this year, I've done a 15K (March), a 10K (May), a 75K bike ride (June), a 5K (June) and I was on my way to a 10.5K. Every single one was harder and slower than it needed to be, but I did them. Going over this list was a huge morale booster. <br />
<br />
During the race - my time at the 5K mark was 3 minutes slower than my PR, my legs really stiffened up in the last kilometer, and it took me 90 minutes to cross that 10.5K finish line - but I loved the adrenaline rush and the fun of being part of the crowd. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7GsRSYFMqqY/UkzKkUfcQ1I/AAAAAAAADUo/H14MyWQME0U/s1600/2013-0923+Island+Girl+halfway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7GsRSYFMqqY/UkzKkUfcQ1I/AAAAAAAADUo/H14MyWQME0U/s400/2013-0923+Island+Girl+halfway.jpg" title="Sept - 5K into the 10.5K Island Girl" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halfway done!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Tagged Lynda in, walked off the jelly legs, then joined the cheering section until it was time to meet Lynda and run her the last 150 metres into her finish line. She put the pedal to the metal and SPRINTED in!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixMjB8SrsY_Ys_SZnnSS8COcVZfivzC1mG5sTB5OK7GLIfiG0Sl2mJVwtrECtdp-fw4-HwxvabKSgk4QORTqJ3kFi_4EtBcFkiJa_sv48WtkpFXfnOOD8XFMGdnyLPdPNeuxcHnR2pcpXV/s1600/2013-0923+Island+Girl+finish.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixMjB8SrsY_Ys_SZnnSS8COcVZfivzC1mG5sTB5OK7GLIfiG0Sl2mJVwtrECtdp-fw4-HwxvabKSgk4QORTqJ3kFi_4EtBcFkiJa_sv48WtkpFXfnOOD8XFMGdnyLPdPNeuxcHnR2pcpXV/s400/2013-0923+Island+Girl+finish.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
Medals, ferry, brunch and run chats. Lynda has set out some aggressive goals for herself for 2013 and expects me to be along at the start line for a few of those with her. I think that means I'm recommitting.<br />
<br />
I was kinda surly about the idea of starting actual regular running again through. It took me a solid 10 days after Island Girl to actually lace up, hit start on my C25K app and head out the door with my furry running partner. She's absolutely thrilled, so there's that. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTO1Kxx6o43vA4l0xPvRmrTWPHCjls3r4Kv0wFnh0Od2qsTvegV2EZLgliGcGyvlD_-FLEWLfgEzPwNS-Cv5wDLsLfhDKlD5Q0mdulRNznUOaxPZ5TpFwacAHmNkxMqb8_zxmTJ1fUMwKv/s1600/2013-10-02+c25K+w1r1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTO1Kxx6o43vA4l0xPvRmrTWPHCjls3r4Kv0wFnh0Od2qsTvegV2EZLgliGcGyvlD_-FLEWLfgEzPwNS-Cv5wDLsLfhDKlD5Q0mdulRNznUOaxPZ5TpFwacAHmNkxMqb8_zxmTJ1fUMwKv/s400/2013-10-02+c25K+w1r1.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">C25K Week 1, Run 1. Pics or it didn't happen. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And with that one run, I found myself slipping back into some good habits. I started the 30-day ab challenge at home - <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YUGs9yHQXAE/UlGLX_K699I/AAAAAAAADWA/uaAtHXjfJXE/s1600/ab-challenge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YUGs9yHQXAE/UlGLX_K699I/AAAAAAAADWA/uaAtHXjfJXE/s400/ab-challenge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I got surprisingly sweaty playing ping pong at a work event - <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iptTtXem2Z0/UlGK0lnchsI/AAAAAAAADVY/1_GaKhXbHSU/s1600/2013-10-03+ping+pong.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iptTtXem2Z0/UlGK0lnchsI/AAAAAAAADVY/1_GaKhXbHSU/s400/2013-10-03+ping+pong.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who knew ping pong was such a workout?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Did a second C25K run - <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oe3nvGY4M7k/UlGK02nudcI/AAAAAAAADVc/hnLcwhaGTmc/s1600/2013-10-04+c25K+w1r2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oe3nvGY4M7k/UlGK02nudcI/AAAAAAAADVc/hnLcwhaGTmc/s400/2013-10-04+c25K+w1r2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">C25K w1r2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Got out for a walk to see some fall colours - <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kr7WKOsP4kk/UlGK07rPvaI/AAAAAAAADVs/MdPleVR1JDU/s1600/2013-10-05+tree.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kr7WKOsP4kk/UlGK07rPvaI/AAAAAAAADVs/MdPleVR1JDU/s400/2013-10-05+tree.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LS7-Re06yko/UlGK1o_6OQI/AAAAAAAADVg/VorvzNd6Tlg/s1600/2013-10-05+wildflowers.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LS7-Re06yko/UlGK1o_6OQI/AAAAAAAADVg/VorvzNd6Tlg/s400/2013-10-05+wildflowers.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
And went to a family yoga class with my husband and daughter this morning. That's something new. So was the almost-handstand that I did up against a wall. Wow.<br />
<br />
So. One day at a time. <br />
<br />
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137409066872659859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736908094104672293.post-8963483265050070582013-09-22T19:51:00.000-04:002013-09-22T19:58:12.077-04:00Hello, again!It's been a while...again.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I mentioned <a href="http://jengetsmoving.blogspot.ca/2013/06/sooooooits-been-while.html" target="_blank">last time</a> that I'd lost my motivation to keep moving. Still struggling with that, but things are on the upswing. Turns out that I had been battling some reasonably minor health problems that were sapping my energy. Those peaked in July, and have since been resolved, but at the same time, my gym went out of business very unexpectedly. I started searching for a new one but found myself really enjoying the extra free time that came from not working out. Kept meaning to take up running again, but then the summer heat & humidity hit, vacation time interrupted my routines...and wow, is that ever a long list of excuses for not exercising, eh?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The good news is that back in June, I stopped driving to work and taking transit, which has given me about 2 kms each day of extra walking. So, there's that. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here's what I've been up to: </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.colormerad.com/" target="_blank">Color Me Rad</a> 5K with Lynda - a brutally hot day. It was 38C with the humidity at 10am!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4YXbddJYptp_9mVlfeXIpesFl-mBiSjrPppOs0xdke-pgNnxXneDD8ivgzC61BLovetswO1qnNtuLLUBK_DKZ4jpPnfaGdQEDsT3bnojyanW2lpZtAHZz9K1gD2yv-Soloq-FpbcH1sL/s1600/2013-6+Colour+Me+Rad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4YXbddJYptp_9mVlfeXIpesFl-mBiSjrPppOs0xdke-pgNnxXneDD8ivgzC61BLovetswO1qnNtuLLUBK_DKZ4jpPnfaGdQEDsT3bnojyanW2lpZtAHZz9K1gD2yv-Soloq-FpbcH1sL/s400/2013-6+Colour+Me+Rad.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Tree planting day with our local park group. We shovelled mulch onto 100 new trees!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TtUtcJDZZ9Q/Uj9-jjcLuZI/AAAAAAAADS4/vzjGmxKJ4WU/s1600/2013-6+Tree+planting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TtUtcJDZZ9Q/Uj9-jjcLuZI/AAAAAAAADS4/vzjGmxKJ4WU/s400/2013-6+Tree+planting.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Archery lesson with my husband at our local <a href="http://www.casaloma.org/" target="_blank">castle</a>. Turns out that we're both pretty good at this :-)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-naWT2RAMwTY/Uj9-nNU8ukI/AAAAAAAADTI/QKngpWpIjs4/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-naWT2RAMwTY/Uj9-nNU8ukI/AAAAAAAADTI/QKngpWpIjs4/s400/photo.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Got the kids to the beach a few times -<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AQ_1FPVDtrg/Uj9-sW9WihI/AAAAAAAADTg/GqCEEhTp_88/s1600/photo+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AQ_1FPVDtrg/Uj9-sW9WihI/AAAAAAAADTg/GqCEEhTp_88/s400/photo+(2).JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Rented a cabin up north for a week in July. Lots and lots of relaxing, but I got out in a kayak almost every day:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qClH90WzW6o/Uj9-r3AxP6I/AAAAAAAADTQ/Nz87qxZ_FWE/s1600/photo+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qClH90WzW6o/Uj9-r3AxP6I/AAAAAAAADTQ/Nz87qxZ_FWE/s400/photo+(3).JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qu8-4tcCuSo/Uj9-sGgjr9I/AAAAAAAADTU/2mJ_8UdfF4E/s1600/photo+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qu8-4tcCuSo/Uj9-sGgjr9I/AAAAAAAADTU/2mJ_8UdfF4E/s400/photo+(4).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our dog loved loved loved the cabin!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My cousin & I got our kids up north in August for our annual Two Moms, Six Kids camping trip.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ExiSZB_yISk/Uj9-sTgJUAI/AAAAAAAADTY/t9WZ3TSWGGI/s1600/photo+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ExiSZB_yISk/Uj9-sTgJUAI/AAAAAAAADTY/t9WZ3TSWGGI/s400/photo+(5).JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This beach was about 2 minutes from our tents</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kcBrodvkeZj7oqn7d9an7t2Kq4GDfaU5t9tTehyphenhyphenw_VSwtJhfNoqA_oVPL4rJdnnkW7reRIlBzC_8KS0IZ7iIBLTdbOmalapJbbCdvGTp_Sck6pMzlVbiZlQdO1fNTtH12JW81HQXLXkP/s1600/photo+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kcBrodvkeZj7oqn7d9an7t2Kq4GDfaU5t9tTehyphenhyphenw_VSwtJhfNoqA_oVPL4rJdnnkW7reRIlBzC_8KS0IZ7iIBLTdbOmalapJbbCdvGTp_Sck6pMzlVbiZlQdO1fNTtH12JW81HQXLXkP/s400/photo+(6).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And hiking led to some spectacular views. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Got the dog out for lots and lots of walks of course -<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uod_4LPpeB0/Uj9-tb4Gg2I/AAAAAAAADT8/TMDdy-wGRaE/s1600/photo+(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uod_4LPpeB0/Uj9-tb4Gg2I/AAAAAAAADT8/TMDdy-wGRaE/s400/photo+(7).JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h9yD7dsZTE4/Uj9-tpRW2xI/AAAAAAAADTw/JmjJOZC_aL4/s1600/photo+(8).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h9yD7dsZTE4/Uj9-tpRW2xI/AAAAAAAADTw/JmjJOZC_aL4/s400/photo+(8).JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7yt7_EpGAng/Uj9-uJLn6TI/AAAAAAAADT4/po2PVxLt2Rc/s1600/photo+(9).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7yt7_EpGAng/Uj9-uJLn6TI/AAAAAAAADT4/po2PVxLt2Rc/s400/photo+(9).JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And today, a bunch of us got up early and caught the ferry over to the Island for our annual <a href="http://www.islandgirlrunning.com/" target="_blank">Island Girl Run</a>! Orange medals = half marathon relay (10.5KM each); blue medals = half marathon!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O4ieOn1Dz_0/Uj9_NLO_XNI/AAAAAAAADUQ/fdwr_lwLz3k/s1600/2013-9-21+island+girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="331" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O4ieOn1Dz_0/Uj9_NLO_XNI/AAAAAAAADUQ/fdwr_lwLz3k/s400/2013-9-21+island+girl.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back: Cassie, Sarah, Karen, Me, Lynda, Laura.<br />
Front: Melissa, Alex, Emma</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
I have to say - doing 10.5K on no training didn't make for the best morning, but my nutrition was solid and I power walked my way into a finish that was only 6 minutes slower than last year's run WITH training. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What's up next? I'm not signed up for anything, but we are talking about the Around the Bay race in March again, and I'm thinking of doing an 8K in October. I suppose I'd better stop talking about training and actually get out there. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'll keep you posted. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137409066872659859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736908094104672293.post-31831734895465090642013-06-02T17:16:00.000-04:002013-06-02T18:12:08.407-04:00Soooooo...It's Been a While!Something happened last fall and my motivation ground to a halt. My interest in taking time to exercise, run and go to the gym vanished. It's no coincidence that blogging fell off at the same time that I stopped having anything to really talk about. I think it started off as taking some time to rest and relax after a busy season...but the motivation to pick things up where I left off hasn't really come back. <br />
<br />
I'm working on it. <br />
<br />
Meanwhile, I kept signing up - and showing up - for races, but they have been harder than they needed to be since I haven't been training. <br />
<br />
Both my mom and my friend Julia called me out on my lack of blogging recently. I promised Julia that if I could make it to the finish line of my race today, that I'd pick it up again. I did, so here I am (Hi, Julia!). Hopefully recommitting to blogging will force me to get moving again, so that I have something to write about!<br />
<br />
Here's what you've missed: <br />
<br />
<strong>December 2012 - Santa Shuffle 5K</strong><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fituh3u8sa0/Uaupcnub-DI/AAAAAAAADP8/tdHeolQJPOo/s1600/2012-12-01+Santa+shuffle+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fituh3u8sa0/Uaupcnub-DI/AAAAAAAADP8/tdHeolQJPOo/s1600/2012-12-01+Santa+shuffle+002.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah, my daughter, me, Emma, my son</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This was a strange one - it is usually a very well-organized race but not this time? It was supposed to be a 10am start, but at 9.30 they started letting people go out whenever they showed up, causing a lot of confusion for all runners who came on time. A number of bandits also ran the race, were given medals and allowed to help themselves to post-race refreshments - meaning that by the time we crossed the finish line there was barely anything left. It's a charity race so I shouldn't mind - but it was a very chaotic morning and things really didn't need to be this way. <br />
<strong> </strong><br />
<strong>March 2013 - Around the Bay 30K relay (15K for each runner)</strong><br />
<strong>Big, scary goal #1</strong><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c4WI97cbF2c/Uausk0smwhI/AAAAAAAADQQ/vrgf1Cfaodw/s1600/2013-03-24+ATB+23K+made+it+past+the+reaper.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c4WI97cbF2c/Uausk0smwhI/AAAAAAAADQQ/vrgf1Cfaodw/s1600/2013-03-24+ATB+23K+made+it+past+the+reaper.png" height="400" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only 2K left to go. Just passed The Reaper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nA0ucNZ5lwA/UausrcDQqgI/AAAAAAAADQY/bng3-DMYiwA/s1600/2013-03-24+ATB+finish+line.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nA0ucNZ5lwA/UausrcDQqgI/AAAAAAAADQY/bng3-DMYiwA/s1600/2013-03-24+ATB+finish+line.png" height="400" width="268" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t71z1rmgrso/UautTBCzRVI/AAAAAAAADQw/3kGmSM2oif4/s1600/2013-03-24+ATB+group.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t71z1rmgrso/UautTBCzRVI/AAAAAAAADQw/3kGmSM2oif4/s1600/2013-03-24+ATB+group.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rachel & Sarah (relay team), Emma (30K), Laura (30K), myself & Lynda (relay team)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This race kicked my butt but I had so much fun that I didn't care. It's out of town, so we booked a hotel room, made a girls' weekend out of it and had a blast. We went last year, but I only did the 5K. Not-so-secretly had my heart set on doing the relay but wasn't mentally ready at the time. Made sure I'd be back for the longer course in 2013 to earn one of their "older than Boston" shirts.<br />
<br />
This race features rolling hills (bah) but a lovely view and the people who live on the route not only come out to cheer for hours, but play music, offer snacks and generally put on a party. That last hill is a killer though - and the Reaper is waiting for you at the top. The agonizing thing? You can see the finish line for the last 3 kms and it takes forever on tired legs to get there. <br />
<br />
More training and better nutrition would have been wise. I was going on empty for the last 1.5K. Took everything I had to pick things up for the finish line. Going back next year and aim to arrived trained. <br />
<br />
<strong>May 13, 2013 - Sporting Life 10K</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QwsEAZpY_is/UautS8GldTI/AAAAAAAADQk/aFzPIbF8yNY/s1600/2013-05-13+SL10K+around+4K+mark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QwsEAZpY_is/UautS8GldTI/AAAAAAAADQk/aFzPIbF8yNY/s1600/2013-05-13+SL10K+around+4K+mark.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the few moments where I managed to actually run</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kdTENCaQHDg/Uaut98eclYI/AAAAAAAADRA/GbURfwmMl_E/s1600/2013-05-13+SL10K+finish.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kdTENCaQHDg/Uaut98eclYI/AAAAAAAADRA/GbURfwmMl_E/s1600/2013-05-13+SL10K+finish.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex, Sarah, myself</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This race kicked my butt and I DID care. I could not believe how much fitness I lost in two short months after ATB. I was running on empty after about KM 3 and the whole thing was such a struggle. Spent most of it power-walking. An eye-opener to say the least....but I couldn't get back in to running just yet because it was time to cram for...<br />
<br />
<strong>June 2, 2013 - Ride for Heart 75K</strong><br />
<strong>Big, scary goal #2</strong><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jgZ-M0wt3VE/Uaut9lMDy-I/AAAAAAAADQ4/vEt8pWqnk2g/s1600/2013-06-02+Ride+for+Heart+finish.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jgZ-M0wt3VE/Uaut9lMDy-I/AAAAAAAADQ4/vEt8pWqnk2g/s1600/2013-06-02+Ride+for+Heart+finish.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Done and so happy. Amazing how all the pain goes away as soon as you cross the finish line!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You heard me - I crammed for a 75K bike ride. I started with a few short rides and almost gave up. Switched to my husband's road bike (significantly lighter than my mountain bike) and pulled off confidence-boosting 21K and 44K rides over rollllling hills. <br />
<br />
I've also done the 25K (2011) and 50K (2012) version of this ride and wasn't going to give up on my goal of doing the full course this year. <br />
<br />
So - I got up at 4.30am, rode to the 6am start line and just. kept. riding. It poured rain for a while - so heavily that I was actually wishing for my swim goggles. Then the wind picked up. Which was not fun. But I watched my nutrition carefully (G2, Hammer gels, bananas, raisins & pretzels for the record), managed not to swallow any bugs and didn't walk up a single hill. 81K total including my ride from home.<br />
<br />
But I really don't recommend cramming for this sort of thing. I also don't recommend doing this sort of thing in NON-PADDED shorts. Ouch. <br />
<br />
What's next? A recovery day or two, then back to the gym and C25K. We're doing the Colour Run later this month, the Warrior Dash in July, and Island Girl 10.5K in September. I'd prefer not to go into these completely undertrained. <br />
<br />
How have you been?Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137409066872659859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736908094104672293.post-73941072065848661172012-11-03T23:24:00.000-04:002012-11-03T23:24:55.646-04:00One of those weeksIt's been another one of those weeks, where a busy calendar threw off my schedule and I couldn't seem to find the time to reschedule my workouts and runs. <br />
<br />
I did get in one trip to the gym, one short (2.5K) run and one family stroll. I.m sure if I'd tried harder I would have found time, but this week really flew by. <br />
<br />
Here's a recap - <br />
<br />
Sunday - rest day following the Women's Run 8K. <br />
<br />
Monday - Gym for a circuit and body sculpting...then spent the evening storm-proofing to get ready for the fallout from Hurricane Sandy. We had a mild enough evening, but lots of wind and rain overnight. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Tuesday - Woke up to find that a neighbour's tree went down in the wind, missing houses and cars (phew!) but it knocked our power lines down. Husband stayed home to work with Hydro and electricians; I spent the evening doing the standard Tuesday evening stuff - supervising homework, making dinner, driving kids to Brownies & Scouts, taking dog to dog park, picking kids up. Power not back on yet. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Wednesday - Halloween! Power was restored by mid-afternoon; rest of the day was a scramble to get ready for trick-or-treating. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LUZ6LuUGqCY/UJXfZQc-U_I/AAAAAAAADMk/RiaFbNeTpo4/s1600/2012-10-31-00027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LUZ6LuUGqCY/UJXfZQc-U_I/AAAAAAAADMk/RiaFbNeTpo4/s400/2012-10-31-00027.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spooky spooky</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Thursday - Together with our neighbours, we hosted a Pumpkin Parade down at our Park. Does your city do this? People bring their pumpkins down to the park, light them and everyone admires them and stays to mingle and chat. Great way to get to know more people in the area. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y2aQwEwzuqg/UJXX3U632aI/AAAAAAAADLY/rZHvY5NERu8/s1600/28752_487537771267551_903367772_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y2aQwEwzuqg/UJXX3U632aI/AAAAAAAADLY/rZHvY5NERu8/s400/28752_487537771267551_903367772_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Friday - snuck in a quick run after work with Stella, then home to get my son ready for a camping trip. </div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bdpJRkoZj_M/UJXYAKTRq2I/AAAAAAAADLg/cOrTUqiO1_c/s1600/2012-11-02+out+for+a+chilly+run.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bdpJRkoZj_M/UJXYAKTRq2I/AAAAAAAADLg/cOrTUqiO1_c/s400/2012-11-02+out+for+a+chilly+run.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THE SUN CAME OUT. First time in over a week. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Saturday - down to the lake for a stroll and to let the dog run. Chilly but delightfully sunny. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OiYLy9auZiE/UJXYDit9wfI/AAAAAAAADLo/3MRFZy2DiCU/s1600/2012-11-03+Humber+Bay+dog+park+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OiYLy9auZiE/UJXYDit9wfI/AAAAAAAADLo/3MRFZy2DiCU/s400/2012-11-03+Humber+Bay+dog+park+01.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PcaBfl0HvM4/UJXaIfu-7cI/AAAAAAAADLw/up9qjXdD358/s1600/2012-11-03+Humber+Bay+dog+park+02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PcaBfl0HvM4/UJXaIfu-7cI/AAAAAAAADLw/up9qjXdD358/s400/2012-11-03+Humber+Bay+dog+park+02.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong>How was your week? What do you do when life gets in the way of your workouts?</strong>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137409066872659859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736908094104672293.post-46971160769593953192012-10-28T10:15:00.004-04:002012-10-28T23:11:33.993-04:00If You Wait for Perfect Conditions...<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H-lP6UPvsgQ/UI0rRLBGleI/AAAAAAAADHY/6rBbFDIf5KM/s1600/if+you+wait+for+perfect+conditions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H-lP6UPvsgQ/UI0rRLBGleI/AAAAAAAADHY/6rBbFDIf5KM/s400/if+you+wait+for+perfect+conditions.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yeahhhhh, I need to look at this one regularly. Repeat it to myself daily. Maybe get it tattooed on the back of my hand. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
See, I certainly like the results when I run regularly. But I don't like running when it's hot... humid... wet... rainy... cold... too sunny... too dark... too early in the morning... too late in the day... </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sheesh, I'm a delicate flower, eh?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The funny thing is - I did a race this weekend (Women's Run 8K) in the pouring rain, and the rain didn't bother me in the slightest. Being underprepared from not getting enough training in was a problem, but the rain wasn't!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
See, I woke up that morning and lay in bed listening to the rain. Briefly thought about ditching the race but knew I'd regret it if I did. Told myself that the starting gun wasn't going off for a couple of hours and I'd really regret not going if the weather calmed down by then. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Out of bed, showered, breakfast, got dressed and into the car. Still raining. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Drove to the site, parked and sat in my car with coffee and a book until the last possible moment, listening to the rain drumming on the roof.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Once I was finally out of the car...the rain didn't seem THAT bad. Hiked up to bag check, hit the washrooms and lined up in my corral. Ran/walked the 8K, dodged as many puddles as I could, and barely noticed the rain despite getting soaked to the skin. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Do me a favour? Remind me of this the next time that I'm in my cozy house and finding it hard to get out in the weather for a run. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I had a good - not great - time at this race. It's a wonderful event, but lack of training in the last few weeks and poor nutrition that morning (too small breakfast, too close to the start time) meant that I did much more power walking and less running than I would have liked, and I was scraping the bottom of the barrel energy-wise by 7K. I did manage to pick it up in the last 300m for the photographers, though :-)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But I made sure to look around to enjoy the course and the fall colours - the park this race takes place in is gorgeous! My <a href="http://jengetsmoving.blogspot.ca/2011/10/womens-run-5k-check.html" target="_blank">daughter did the 5K route with me last fall</a> and we had a marvellous time. Also made sure to thank each and every volunteer on and off the course. They were troupers. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And when I got to the finishline, I was so proud of myself. Proud for showing up, proud for not cutting things short by following the 5K-ers, and so proud for finishing an 8K - going longer than 5K is still a really new thing for me. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here's hoping I actually learned a few things with this race. I'm going to need it to get ready for the 15K I'm doing in March...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here's a few pics from the last 2 weeks - </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iOpWMAg4fCc/UI055iBHnXI/AAAAAAAADI0/3qIMDVU9PF8/s1600/2012-10-20+new+shoes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iOpWMAg4fCc/UI055iBHnXI/AAAAAAAADI0/3qIMDVU9PF8/s400/2012-10-20+new+shoes.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New running shoes. Went for a few short runs around the 'hood with the dog.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sivHpZEKuqU/UI0qDdi12hI/AAAAAAAADGo/UNVkBeWATTQ/s1600/2012-10-20-+high+park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sivHpZEKuqU/UI0qDdi12hI/AAAAAAAADGo/UNVkBeWATTQ/s400/2012-10-20-+high+park.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got to High Park a couple of times for the dog park...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-te_e1r38Nrg/UI0qXGo34iI/AAAAAAAADGw/ZIFgtJ7zwNA/s1600/2012-10-20+high+park+stella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-te_e1r38Nrg/UI0qXGo34iI/AAAAAAAADGw/ZIFgtJ7zwNA/s400/2012-10-20+high+park+stella.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and trail running. Stella had a fabulous time in this gigantic mud puddle. <br />
Wasn't too pleased later at home in the shower though. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c57v1VmpJ-I/UI0qZKyzjsI/AAAAAAAADG4/_ZeSWi71kFE/s1600/2012-10-22+curves+stretching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c57v1VmpJ-I/UI0qZKyzjsI/AAAAAAAADG4/_ZeSWi71kFE/s400/2012-10-22+curves+stretching.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got to Curves a couple of times each week. My daughter likes to come sometimes. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fsDDV350EhQ/UI0qdTnDMCI/AAAAAAAADHA/lDY1bsP638s/s1600/2012-10-27+sunnybrook+park.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fsDDV350EhQ/UI0qdTnDMCI/AAAAAAAADHA/lDY1bsP638s/s400/2012-10-27+sunnybrook+park.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking to the start of the Women's Run. Pretty park. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DJj5qhWifvs/UI0qgODAYNI/AAAAAAAADHI/fa59y2rVXl0/s1600/2012-10-27+willet+creek.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DJj5qhWifvs/UI0qgODAYNI/AAAAAAAADHI/fa59y2rVXl0/s400/2012-10-27+willet+creek.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wilket Creek winds through the park. Can't tell it's raining, can you?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wf-1mv_vnxo/UI3v_-QQ8HI/AAAAAAAADKc/hzQgWvkIO1o/s1600/2012-10-27+TO+Womens+8K+01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wf-1mv_vnxo/UI3v_-QQ8HI/AAAAAAAADKc/hzQgWvkIO1o/s400/2012-10-27+TO+Womens+8K+01.png" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out the rain - and how wet my hair is!<br />
This is at about 7.7K. Told you that I pulled it together for the photographers!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O4H5nnK7cnQ/UI3wPthBNqI/AAAAAAAADKk/GVxw5M8WXg0/s1600/2012-10-27+TO+Womens+8K+02.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O4H5nnK7cnQ/UI3wPthBNqI/AAAAAAAADKk/GVxw5M8WXg0/s400/2012-10-27+TO+Womens+8K+02.png" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading into the finish line. Proud. Happy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qiRmBfaEWns/UI0qhWFngsI/AAAAAAAADHQ/eVb1_2PWagY/s1600/2012-10-27+women's+run+8K.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qiRmBfaEWns/UI0qhWFngsI/AAAAAAAADHQ/eVb1_2PWagY/s400/2012-10-27+women's+run+8K.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8K is in the books! Soaked to the skin but smiling. <br />
Had a complete set of dry clothes in my car. Got changed and wore my medal for the rest of the day - even to the dentist!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137409066872659859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736908094104672293.post-20056802992331276822012-10-14T22:08:00.000-04:002012-10-14T22:08:09.619-04:00Unfinished Business<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ever sign up for a race because you feel like you had unfinished business on the course?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I just did. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Around this time last year, I signed up for the 5K course of the Around the Bay race for March 2012. The full event is a 30K; you can do the full or split it as a 2-or 3-person relay. This was one of those races that I'd been wanting to do, but at the time wasn't anywhere close to being mentally ready to tackle anything longer than a 5K.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So - <a href="http://jengetsmoving.blogspot.ca/2012/03/around-bay-5k-check.html" target="_blank">I did the 5</a> and cheered my friends on as they did the relay or the full 30K. But I secretly wanted to be on one of those relay teams, and badly wanted to earn one of ATB's "Older than Boston" shirts - which you do not get if you only go for the 5K. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well, since <a href="http://jengetsmoving.blogspot.ca/2012/09/island-girl-half-marathon-relay-check.html" target="_blank">doing my first 10.5K this season</a>, I'm ready to commit to a few more 10s. I reached out to my running buddies and we started partnering up for the next Around the Bay in March. In teams of two. Wait - what? That means doing 15K each - and winter training. Huh. OK!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This one is definitely going on my list of Big Goals for 2013. Funny thing is, going from the couch to 5K was a lot harder than going from 5K to 10K. And now that I've done 10, 15K seems manageable. Work, yes - but manageable rather than terrifying. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Then again, it seems manageable now, in October. And it will be in March - as long as I put in the training time this winter. Good thing I've got that big dog. That big, half-husky dog. Who loves running and loves winter. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As for unfinished business, I'm also feeling like I have some on the <a href="http://jengetsmoving.blogspot.ca/2012/07/orillia-try-tri-check.html" target="_blank">try-a-tri course I did this summer</a>. Have reread my race recap a few times and am trying to decide if I want to give tri another go, or if I'm going to switch to du rather than face open water swimming at a race again. Something to think about. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>Recap for this week - </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This was a short week, thanks to Thanksgiving on Monday. Made it to the gym for a Zumba class and circuit, took Stella for a 3K run. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My daughter and I went to a wedding on Friday - my trainer, Ana, got married! Beautiful ceremony (not a dry eye in the house), and we did so much dancing that this just about counts as a workout :-) </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V3ENyP-Esyg/UHtr1KhGKdI/AAAAAAAADFE/5Vl-OIHeS9o/s1600/2012-10-12-1351+leaving+for+Ana+&+Tulio's+wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V3ENyP-Esyg/UHtr1KhGKdI/AAAAAAAADFE/5Vl-OIHeS9o/s400/2012-10-12-1351+leaving+for+Ana+&+Tulio's+wedding.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dressed up and ready to go. <br />
Was a rare chance to see my gym friends in non-wicking clothes, with hair and makeup done! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Took Stella to High Park the next morning and completely confused her by walking the trails rather than running them. Sorry, Stella - I was super tired. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQDth6-ESddmSLaLwuNKDbMpEvf3tyuzHuKHVSJgTI1Pgtw5qxnXo1chVOu3d0wEBM2j_Oi7cgtNnx1UO6HwzlUMGian9mMiCY78goubqtatu0amO8YZPkwUobLHXs9SghxR_eIQz2sZH/s1600/2012-10-13+stella+high+park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQDth6-ESddmSLaLwuNKDbMpEvf3tyuzHuKHVSJgTI1Pgtw5qxnXo1chVOu3d0wEBM2j_Oi7cgtNnx1UO6HwzlUMGian9mMiCY78goubqtatu0amO8YZPkwUobLHXs9SghxR_eIQz2sZH/s400/2012-10-13+stella+high+park.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not the only time she stopped to stare at me. She could not figure out why I kept walking rather than start running. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And then we finished the weekend with a day trip to have Sunday dinner with my family. October is birthday season around here and we had some celebrathing to do. Also cake and cupcakes to eat. Back to the gym tomorrow!</div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137409066872659859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736908094104672293.post-14093750816355124932012-10-08T21:08:00.001-04:002012-10-08T21:08:57.504-04:00Happy Thanksgiving!<div style="text-align: justify;">
I had one heck of a week, followed by a fabulous weekend. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Things were exceptionally busy at both work and at home during the week, and I'm not proud to say that with the stress of it all I did a fair bit of yelling at home. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The one thing that kept me from going completely over the edge was exercise. I'd have a nutso day at work, go home to a different kind of nutso, yell, then head out the door to either run with the dog or hit the gym. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Endorphins are wonderful things, aren't they? I'd come home feeling refreshed and happy, start off the next day calm, but then find myself getting increasingly tense as the day went on. Repeat.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So - I got in a couple of short runs, a couple of circuits, an abs workout, a body sculpting class and eventually the week was over. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And we had a 3-day weekend for Thanksgiving. Blissful.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We kicked things off with treetop trekking & ziplining! My son and I went with my brother-in-law and nephew, with my SIL on hand to take pictures. We gave this adventure to my nephew for his birthday, and had a fantastic afternoon out in the forest with the trees in full colour. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But here's the thing - I've <a href="http://jengetsmoving.blogspot.ca/2011/09/trying-something-new-treetop-trekking.html" target="_blank">done this before</a>, but I really am afraid of heights. Ziplining is great fun, but walking on wobbly tightropes high up off the ground is really not my thing. But sometimes you have to push the envelope, y'know?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-agGKhSfh89A/UHNfyvrjJcI/AAAAAAAADBA/a6VgbYJwOng/s1600/2012-10-06+Ziplining+015+Jen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-agGKhSfh89A/UHNfyvrjJcI/AAAAAAAADBA/a6VgbYJwOng/s400/2012-10-06+Ziplining+015+Jen.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me in red - catching my breath with my son. My nephew behind us in blue, with his dad on the platform to the right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2zlP4qg2GNA/UHNf2ar7U6I/AAAAAAAADBI/GwRdaTee48I/s1600/2012-10-06+Ziplining+028+Jen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2zlP4qg2GNA/UHNf2ar7U6I/AAAAAAAADBI/GwRdaTee48I/s400/2012-10-06+Ziplining+028+Jen.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading out on the next obstacle. Reminding myself: "I am a Spartan...I am a Warrior..."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BmJQAXIxxMI/UHNf6g1_erI/AAAAAAAADBQ/-0t0LDvKPqI/s1600/2012-10-06+Ziplining+030+Jen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BmJQAXIxxMI/UHNf6g1_erI/AAAAAAAADBQ/-0t0LDvKPqI/s400/2012-10-06+Ziplining+030+Jen.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edging along</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IUY9u1X7ccE/UHNg2LU7B_I/AAAAAAAADBY/Qv92x-ho0os/s1600/2012-10-06+Ziplining+&+Treetop+trekking+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IUY9u1X7ccE/UHNg2LU7B_I/AAAAAAAADBY/Qv92x-ho0os/s400/2012-10-06+Ziplining+&+Treetop+trekking+005.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I loved this one!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After the first obstacle course, I'd had enough. Meanwhile, both kids turned out to be absolute adrenaline junkies. They hit the intermediate course, then my son and BIL went for advanced one before all three of them went for the Big Zip at the end. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0U_itVU09w4/UHNiNb_39kI/AAAAAAAADBg/NRb__hwTuIw/s1600/2012-10-06+Ziplining+&+Treetop+trekking+020+intermediate+double+decker+cousins.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0U_itVU09w4/UHNiNb_39kI/AAAAAAAADBg/NRb__hwTuIw/s400/2012-10-06+Ziplining+&+Treetop+trekking+020+intermediate+double+decker+cousins.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Double-decker cousins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lRR3l6tvSoE/UHNiYott0EI/AAAAAAAADBo/2zmlnB3pgD8/s1600/2012-10-06+Ziplining+&+Treetop+trekking+026+intermediate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lRR3l6tvSoE/UHNiYott0EI/AAAAAAAADBo/2zmlnB3pgD8/s400/2012-10-06+Ziplining+&+Treetop+trekking+026+intermediate.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My son ran through this one. Nephew was just as fearless. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-faz3C1yLqGs/UHN1CKKukVI/AAAAAAAADCo/1Dm_sZjtNBU/s1600/2012-10-06+Ziplining+&+Treetop+trekking+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-faz3C1yLqGs/UHN1CKKukVI/AAAAAAAADCo/1Dm_sZjtNBU/s400/2012-10-06+Ziplining+&+Treetop+trekking+061.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last zip: My son on the highest platform, nephew partway up the rope ladder, BIL on the platform below<br />
I badly wanted to do this zip but couldn't face that rope ladder. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--SBdSgyv1PE/UHNiej_7rvI/AAAAAAAADBw/px_lk5ae6Ts/s1600/2012-10-06+Ziplining+&+Treetop+trekking+063+Callum+Big+Zip.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--SBdSgyv1PE/UHNiej_7rvI/AAAAAAAADBw/px_lk5ae6Ts/s400/2012-10-06+Ziplining+&+Treetop+trekking+063+Callum+Big+Zip.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My son zipping in to the finish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The verdict? There's a really strong chance that I won't be going treetop trekking again, although I'd love to go ziplining again. The kids, though - </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"We're coming back again, right?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Best birthday present ever, Auntie Jen!"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"We HAVE to bring [our younger siblings] next time - they should totally do the kids course!"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
...and with that, we grabbed hot chocolates and met the rest of the family at Grandma's for Thanksgiving dinner. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The rest of the weekend has been a nice mix of chores, relaxing and our own Thanksgiving dinner. Followed by a trip to the park down the street to run the dog, soak up some sun...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdpJFaQ_47kQKih57SZIO5xWD_svqeBKMeHnOtKbp14TwJmpPye8GyRyc87m_tsyJqGBWfGAch7h9YCo_6uw0YCSeTnGvTjSdcAKn3hlncO0q2BZnVD7WAjLIMCkJc6zRsuHFcPNeXLGZ/s1600/2012-10-08+Thanksgiving+-+Park+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdpJFaQ_47kQKih57SZIO5xWD_svqeBKMeHnOtKbp14TwJmpPye8GyRyc87m_tsyJqGBWfGAch7h9YCo_6uw0YCSeTnGvTjSdcAKn3hlncO0q2BZnVD7WAjLIMCkJc6zRsuHFcPNeXLGZ/s400/2012-10-08+Thanksgiving+-+Park+006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
...and shoot some hoops. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHra6t59pNVO2WOdMABTz_V-wZcgTi3bRby0vbITPto5RZY6KDV0vcSwKQC-zos5pFXSJFsZQbOYzmG8JLqEMapDfiZeiltilPA4Osg6xyCxfWhzF_1mavKTjQARuK4sq2cwuEE2rWUw8/s1600/2012-10-08+Thanksgiving+-+Park+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHra6t59pNVO2WOdMABTz_V-wZcgTi3bRby0vbITPto5RZY6KDV0vcSwKQC-zos5pFXSJFsZQbOYzmG8JLqEMapDfiZeiltilPA4Osg6xyCxfWhzF_1mavKTjQARuK4sq2cwuEE2rWUw8/s400/2012-10-08+Thanksgiving+-+Park+015.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She sank this one. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The stress from last week seems like a distant memory now. A lot of it is temporary, both at work and at home. It may be a few more days until things calm down, but here's hoping that this week is more manageable. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137409066872659859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736908094104672293.post-74439080163664693552012-09-30T17:51:00.000-04:002012-09-30T17:51:38.431-04:00A Cold? No Thanks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I had a few germs threatening to take over a couple of days before last week's Island Girl. Beginnings of a cold, hint of a sore throat, low grade fever. No thanks, not interested.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I have a few favourite ways to nip that stuff in the bud - lots of rest, lots of water, let the fever do the work of killing germs, and watch my nutrition. My absolutely favourite go-to foods when I'm feeling under the weather are Terminator smoothies from <a href="http://www.boosterjuice.com/" target="_blank">Booster Juice</a> (berries, bananas, orange juice, echinacea) and bowls of yellow dal from my favourite Indian place. It might be all in my head, but there's something about the comforting warmth of soft lentils stewed with turmeric, garlic and spicy peppers that does the trick every time. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
So by race day, I looked like this: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-88YzOnF7wZU/UGel8gv9n9I/AAAAAAAADAA/En-n4hTnB7c/s1600/2012-09-23+island+girl+official+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-88YzOnF7wZU/UGel8gv9n9I/AAAAAAAADAA/En-n4hTnB7c/s400/2012-09-23+island+girl+official+001.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5.5K and smiling. The lady in pink looks pretty happy too!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYiN4IfNuRm5HhHfq8spGT8avx-WRHCDbdjEFb1418w0CX6ea-zVA7T57GA_pe7auTa26XBb1nw0kNAXB0qEdURAYaXkZhJ9_GAlsU67JbItrJo7wKU7z0v8P586FADYGSf7wxjCU1R-Jw/s1600/2012-09-23+Island+girl+official+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYiN4IfNuRm5HhHfq8spGT8avx-WRHCDbdjEFb1418w0CX6ea-zVA7T57GA_pe7auTa26XBb1nw0kNAXB0qEdURAYaXkZhJ9_GAlsU67JbItrJo7wKU7z0v8P586FADYGSf7wxjCU1R-Jw/s400/2012-09-23+Island+girl+official+01.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thumbs up for my daughter (and my son, further back on the beach)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The germs threatened to make a come back the day after the race, but after a good night's sleep, a Terminator smoothie and a bowl of dal, I felt as good as new. Fingers crossed that I`m really over this!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<strong>What are your favourite tricks for warding off a cold?</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This week's recap - </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Took things easy at the beginning of the week - walked the dog a few times but that`s all that my tight calves and tender shins would allow. Time for new shoes! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Rest of the week - got the the gym for a circuit and abs workout, down to the track for a few slow laps, did a 3K run around the neighbourhood, and took the kids to the park a couple of times to shoot hoops. My son and I love to play one-on-one, and all of a sudden, my daughter is tall enough to sink shots herself! We had so much fun getting out sweat on - fabulous!</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FFjLz8zp-iA/UGeezaMgLdI/AAAAAAAAC_A/lWrpPj8nIH0/s1600/IMG01224-20120926-1833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FFjLz8zp-iA/UGeezaMgLdI/AAAAAAAAC_A/lWrpPj8nIH0/s400/IMG01224-20120926-1833.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WOOHOO!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5BOH3ojelVc/UGee39NmdXI/AAAAAAAAC_I/3LdSlk4d3Ng/s1600/IMG01228-20120926-1835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5BOH3ojelVc/UGee39NmdXI/AAAAAAAAC_I/3LdSlk4d3Ng/s400/IMG01228-20120926-1835.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love the after-dinner trips to the park at this time of year. Any time the weather is nice, actually.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137409066872659859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736908094104672293.post-10536918731002666412012-09-23T21:54:00.001-04:002012-09-23T21:54:44.751-04:00Island Girl Half Marathon Relay - Check!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f14BHZ5p1x0/UF-kTNqS7DI/AAAAAAAAC6U/AWx-I_FxlwI/s1600/2012-09-23+island+girl+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f14BHZ5p1x0/UF-kTNqS7DI/AAAAAAAAC6U/AWx-I_FxlwI/s640/2012-09-23+island+girl+banner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Ahem - I have an announcement to make. <br />
<br />
This race was my first 10K! <br />
<br />
10-point-5-K actually - it was a half-marathon relay!<br />
<br />
And finishing it means I can cross another Big, Scary Goal off the list :-)<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Island Girl has been on my wishlist since last year, when we happened to be on the Toronto Islands on the same day as the race. Beautiful spot, flat course, hula dancers, steel drums. It took me until this spring to work up the courage to sign up, and I'm oh, so glad that I did!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Convinced my co-worker Sarah to sign up as a relay partner with me...</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQuJc-uJwO0xbTkK_lSWFVoxZzzL4-3CDt3K2dABlXFv9bbXy1h97PELMImltNyG4Sv5VOL0oPkDyB5IJ8b3YhLHJgN94iQEtzsu1lG2iKJ4xAzHs2vAIcY1GuZ-zroIz1fe9YaIeTgjr/s1600/2012-09-23+Island+Girl+Half+Marathon+Relay+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQuJc-uJwO0xbTkK_lSWFVoxZzzL4-3CDt3K2dABlXFv9bbXy1h97PELMImltNyG4Sv5VOL0oPkDyB5IJ8b3YhLHJgN94iQEtzsu1lG2iKJ4xAzHs2vAIcY1GuZ-zroIz1fe9YaIeTgjr/s400/2012-09-23+Island+Girl+Half+Marathon+Relay+002.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for the ferry - with my daughter, Sarah and Stella. <br />
Yes, my daugher is wearing a rain hat on this bright, sunny day. That's the way she rolls.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div align="left">
</div>
<div align="left">
...and that made for 3 teams doing today's run. So fun to do these with a crowd. </div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HXRUI4dX1O8/UF-oVrn8z3I/AAAAAAAAC7k/ymi_HTukL4c/s1600/2012-09-23+Island+Girl+Half+Marathon+Relay+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HXRUI4dX1O8/UF-oVrn8z3I/AAAAAAAAC7k/ymi_HTukL4c/s400/2012-09-23+Island+Girl+Half+Marathon+Relay+003.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Laura, Rachel, another Sarah and Emma - you may recognise them from <a href="http://jengetsmoving.blogspot.ca/2012/03/around-bay-5k-check.html" target="_blank">Around the Bay</a> and a few other races. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Up early, into the car with my husband, kids, dog and a picnic breakfast, down to the lake and onto the ferry. Landed on the island, strolled around for a bit...ditched the extra layers...BRRRRRR....and Emma, blondeSarah and I headed to the start while everyone else headed for the relay exchange point. It's a T-shaped out and back course, and the exchange is at the 750m/5.5K/10.5K mark. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ffINP8IJ6wU/UF-mtE8LZVI/AAAAAAAAC6k/DX5BIEnr9nQ/s1600/2012-09-23+Island+Girl+Half+Marathon+Relay+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ffINP8IJ6wU/UF-mtE8LZVI/AAAAAAAAC6k/DX5BIEnr9nQ/s400/2012-09-23+Island+Girl+Half+Marathon+Relay+012.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passing my family @ 750m - my husband took this while holding Stella back from trying to join me. <br />
He had to hold her back again when I passed them at 5.5K My running partner was feeling left out!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I've run 7K once (the Spartan Race this summer) and 6.5K twice in training, but other than that have been covering 5.5K and shorter so I really didn't know how I'd be with this distance. Decided to take things slow and easy and made sure I didn't go out too fast. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
My 5K PR is roughly 39 minutes, and I had hopes of doing this race in 1.5 hours. But fully expected to take longer. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I hit the 5K mark at 39 minutes - dead on my PR - and was pleasantly surprised at how short 5K felt! </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div align="left">
</div>
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KQsHNg0bhgg/UF-t97Phc7I/AAAAAAAAC9Q/JqKApII5Rks/s1600/IMG01194-20120923-1030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KQsHNg0bhgg/UF-t97Phc7I/AAAAAAAAC9Q/JqKApII5Rks/s400/IMG01194-20120923-1030.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing into "I've never run this far before" territory<br />
This bouncy boardwalk did a number on my back...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wLnf3Nslvkw/UF-rnVKzMkI/AAAAAAAAC9A/hidL1lbVRbY/s1600/IMG01193-20120923-1027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wLnf3Nslvkw/UF-rnVKzMkI/AAAAAAAAC9A/hidL1lbVRbY/s400/IMG01193-20120923-1027.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...but check out the view! We had close to 2K of quiet, lovely lakeside running. <br />
Rest of the course was on the beautiful, tree-lined paths that make the island such a wonderful spot to spend a day. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Lots of 5s/1s and 4s/2s, lots of enjoying the lovely, scenic route, and all of a sudden I was almost done!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--EB7wz70gEA/UF-rrSa-W-I/AAAAAAAAC9I/9RYlEYSMlWY/s1600/IMG01197-20120923-1057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--EB7wz70gEA/UF-rrSa-W-I/AAAAAAAAC9I/9RYlEYSMlWY/s400/IMG01197-20120923-1057.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BowKfSwz-4w/UF-mvktuyeI/AAAAAAAAC6s/p2xmVVl70IQ/s1600/2012-09-23+Island+Girl+Half+Marathon+Relay+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="321" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BowKfSwz-4w/UF-mvktuyeI/AAAAAAAAC6s/p2xmVVl70IQ/s400/2012-09-23+Island+Girl+Half+Marathon+Relay+016.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Past the hula dances and into the relay exchange - two thumbs up and a big smile</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div align="left">
High 5s to Sarah at the exchange point, hugs from my family, and was nearly knocked off my feet by my overly excited dog. </div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1ctaochYndn5_btaEMpRdSHmxdZwC3uch47quW6t2SkXw6TXcBFY2xWu_EKLOX807jXu-cVRzPxfXrdjjuszeUdc6ulA0boAiTmLLBC-jrJy2_sXSZNXqVIamvWWFzn-a0xV-I3knZgc/s1600/2012-09-23+Island+Girl+Half+Marathon+Relay+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1ctaochYndn5_btaEMpRdSHmxdZwC3uch47quW6t2SkXw6TXcBFY2xWu_EKLOX807jXu-cVRzPxfXrdjjuszeUdc6ulA0boAiTmLLBC-jrJy2_sXSZNXqVIamvWWFzn-a0xV-I3knZgc/s400/2012-09-23+Island+Girl+Half+Marathon+Relay+043.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey Stella? I missed you during the run. Would have brought you if I could. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0xCeitVg5M/UF-ndDQdJXI/AAAAAAAAC60/nZUmx68OPlU/s1600/2012-09-23+Island+Girl+Half+Marathon+Relay+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0xCeitVg5M/UF-ndDQdJXI/AAAAAAAAC60/nZUmx68OPlU/s400/2012-09-23+Island+Girl+Half+Marathon+Relay+027.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speaking of hula dancers...my daughter getting into the spirit of things on the beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XgPAcSioGoM/UF-nyLEbxkI/AAAAAAAAC7E/pUHWYL_OO5E/s1600/2012-09-23+Island+Girl+Half+Marathon+Relay+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XgPAcSioGoM/UF-nyLEbxkI/AAAAAAAAC7E/pUHWYL_OO5E/s400/2012-09-23+Island+Girl+Half+Marathon+Relay+045.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey - here comes Sarah! 5.5K, she's over half done!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cPXBg8e_YEo/UF-n4A3EcdI/AAAAAAAAC7M/Ggl6vh3_0qI/s1600/2012-09-23+Island+Girl+Half+Marathon+Relay+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cPXBg8e_YEo/UF-n4A3EcdI/AAAAAAAAC7M/Ggl6vh3_0qI/s400/2012-09-23+Island+Girl+Half+Marathon+Relay+051.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stopping for some parkour on our way to the finish line</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Emma, blonde Sarah and I (with Stella) waited about 200m before the finish line to run our teammates in. Lots of cheering, then a sprint to the finish, medals, water and snacks. <br />
<br />
So much fun. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dOcNhwsiqA0/UF-oCegDyOI/AAAAAAAAC7c/5KUE9Bgg_74/s1600/IMG01201-20120923-1225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dOcNhwsiqA0/UF-oCegDyOI/AAAAAAAAC7c/5KUE9Bgg_74/s400/IMG01201-20120923-1225.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah and I. We are absolutely wearing our medals to work tomorrow. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1J0234f4huc/UF-oAO6k2jI/AAAAAAAAC7U/j7Kkq6SpNJY/s1600/2012-09-23+Island+Girl+Half+Marathon+Relay+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1J0234f4huc/UF-oAO6k2jI/AAAAAAAAC7U/j7Kkq6SpNJY/s400/2012-09-23+Island+Girl+Half+Marathon+Relay+058.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah, me, Sarah, Rachel, Laura and Emma</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My finish time? 1:29 and I'm delighted. I'm a slow runner and I walk a lot, but I did this 10.5K in just over twice my 5K PR time. That's a win!<br />
<br />
Next? I've been wanting to do the Women's Run at the end of October, but wasn't sure if I'd sign up for the 5K or the 8K. Figured I'd see how this race went before I decided. <br />
<br />
Since today went so well, it's a no-brainer. Got out my credit card tonight signed up for the 8K. Now, let's see who I can convince to run it with me...Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137409066872659859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736908094104672293.post-48171417494728884242012-09-16T22:59:00.000-04:002012-09-16T23:02:35.295-04:00I'm Back!I don't know about you, but back-to-school + homework and the restart of extra-curricular activities has made for a very busy two weeks around here. Blogging had to take a back seat while we readjusted and reaquainted ourselves with the fall routines. <br />
<br />
So - what have we been up to? <br />
<br />
Well, there was the CNE: <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BNXY2rUFig8/UFaDsaC8qNI/AAAAAAAAC4o/sg90sQyOLaY/s1600/2012-09-02+CNE+view+from+the+Ferris+Wheel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BNXY2rUFig8/UFaDsaC8qNI/AAAAAAAAC4o/sg90sQyOLaY/s400/2012-09-02+CNE+view+from+the+Ferris+Wheel.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the top of the Ferris Wheel, taken by my husband. My feet were firmly planted on the ground. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Gym twice a week for circuit + boot camp. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Lots of dog walks, and lots of after-dinner trips to the park. Something about being out in the evening air and seeing the sun start to go down brings me a lot of joy. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Running 3x a week. This was hard after taking a few weeks off during vacation and a heat wave. My first run back was an exceptionally miserable 2.7K fiasco, but Stella and I have done runs in the 4.5 to 6K range since then. I'm sticking to 5s/1s and 5s/2s at the moment and focusing on getting the distance up.... </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
...because the Island Girl run is coming up in a week! It's the last of my Big, Scary Goals for 2012. I'll be running a 10.5K as one leg of a half-marathon relay, and I'm feeling good about it. Don't get me wrong - this is going to be a tough one for me, but I'm no longer feeling sheer terror when I think about it. Something about running 5K+ in training has made 10K less intimidating. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Bulb planting in the recently-expanded front garden. 140 crocuses, tulips, daffodils and such are in, and I'm hoping for a colourful spring! NSV: I was expecting to be sore the next day, but my hands and back were A-OK. Core training for the win! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Aaand after my daughter had a rough day yesterday due to a bossy brother, a nasty spider bite, and lots of bumps and bruises (she's particularly clumsy right now...must be a growth spurt), we went on an Emergency Girls' Afternoon Out. I gave her the choice between a bike ride, a craft project or a trip to the salon for her first pedicure. Which one do you think she picked? Here's a hint: </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cxbHOrw6EfU/UFaJ9IbjzBI/AAAAAAAAC5c/WA9TVG-jHXI/s1600/2012-09-15+Pedicure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cxbHOrw6EfU/UFaJ9IbjzBI/AAAAAAAAC5c/WA9TVG-jHXI/s400/2012-09-15+Pedicure.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got her fingers done, too - in hot pink. The salon ladies made a fuss over her. Excellent cure for jangled nerves. <br />
And my feet got a badly-need tune-up following a year's worth of running. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Oh! I'm trying to get my kids more involved in meal-planning. Handed them each a cookbook recently and asked them to pick a few things that they'd like to try. My son picked a Curried Pumpkin Soup that was incredibly delicious, nutritious and EASY. Gotta share the recipe!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Curried Pumpkin Soup</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
1 small onion, chopped</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Splash of olive oil</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2-3 tbsp curry powder</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1 can pumpkin puree (~796mL)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1L vegetable stock </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2 tbsp maple syrup</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
salt & pepper to taste</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2 cans lite unsweetened coconut milk (~ 400mL/14oz each?)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1 small can chickpeas, rinsed</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In a large pot over medium heat, saute onion in olive oil and curry powder for several mins, until soft. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Reduce heat slightly; add pumpkin, then whisk in veg stock, salt and pepper, maple syrup. Simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Add coconut milk and chick peas; simmer 5 minutes or until heated through. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Puree with hand blender or in blender/food processor. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Top with toasted pecans or pumpkin seeds.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The verdict: My son kinda liked it, my daughter refused to try it, and I scarfed down two bowls after my run tonight. Will definitely be making this one again, for my sake at least. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>How have you been? </strong></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137409066872659859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736908094104672293.post-61744729395245310862012-09-01T23:52:00.001-04:002012-09-01T23:52:17.513-04:00Once in a Blue Moon...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sjaty0f6-B8/UELGejiMogI/AAAAAAAAC18/BMTQqjFz3U4/s1600/2012-09-01-00226+blue+moon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sjaty0f6-B8/UELGejiMogI/AAAAAAAAC18/BMTQqjFz3U4/s400/2012-09-01-00226+blue+moon.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue moon - calm and clear night down at Lake Ontario</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I had my first DNS (did not start) this week. Once in a blue moon, indeed. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was supposed to my second try-a-tri last Saturday. The night before, I had my bags all packed, bike in the car, coffee maker set up and the fixings for my favourite race morning breakfast on hand. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But when my alarm went off at 5am, I just couldn't get out of bed. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, what happened?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I think it was a combination of overtired and underprepared. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We got back from our camping trip on the Thursday and spent Friday relaxing + unpacking and doing laundry. But I was still pretty worn out. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was also very worried about the swim, which was going to be in Lake Ontario. We did a fair bit of open water swimming in Lake Huron during our camping trip, and I was quite rattled by how much wilder the water is in the Great Lakes than in the smaller lake where I did my first tri in July. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But I don't think it's fear that put me off this race, though that did contribute to it. It's more that I was having a hard time finding the will to push myself through the event. I was definitely lacking the mental toughness that I'd need to push myself through a difficult swim, and couldn't see how I'd be able to push myself through a bike and run as well. Particularly since I hadn't run in over two weeks. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Bottom line? I have to admit that there is no way that I wanted to finish DFL, but that was seeming pretty likely given my fatigue and my complete lack of drive. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So - the alarm went off and I stayed in bed. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And was pretty much at peace with it. Though I did keep a half-eye on the clock all morning, with thoughts of "people are picking up race kits now", "my wave is going out now" and so on. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Mind you, I was wearing my PJs and drinking coffee on my couch at the time. And was quite pleased to be relaxing rather than racing. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here's something strange - a few days later, I came down with my first ever UTI (TMI? sorry...). Just as well that I didn't race, I suppose, as this would have been brewing at the time.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So it's been a rather quiet week. Went on a family hike and I got to the gym twice, but then spent a couple of days feeling super tired with a low fever and other unpleasantness. I'm just about back to normal now, just in time to gear up for back to school...and I need to get back to running before that 10K in three weeks. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On a non-fitness-related note - here's something that makes me wildly happy:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8pjbCsLp5FA/UELV9VK6uOI/AAAAAAAAC3g/H4pUchpFy-c/s1600/2012-08-26+Seaton+Hiking+Trail+Pickering+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8pjbCsLp5FA/UELV9VK6uOI/AAAAAAAAC3g/H4pUchpFy-c/s400/2012-08-26+Seaton+Hiking+Trail+Pickering+026.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
That's Stella and my sister-in-law's dog playing in a creek during a hike last weekend. The big news is that Stella is offleash here and SHE DIDN'T RUN AWAY. The Husky in her compels her to run vast distances at high speeds - which makes her an excellent running partner, but we've had a couple of incidents where she's jumped the fence at the local dog park and ignored our calls to come. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFaKvsG5r2V2zmely2uvq06ONwvR2oUoefAijyjcGiFHLDolyBy6jmODWXeKAuX9nzPAxSPnbuAynssA-y-eAZO1V7BETnJQWFdZouiN-4CyhXyU-gYU9b8dSG1m_psXm497c-agTPlEYC/s1600/2012-08-26+Seaton+Hiking+Trail+Pickering+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFaKvsG5r2V2zmely2uvq06ONwvR2oUoefAijyjcGiFHLDolyBy6jmODWXeKAuX9nzPAxSPnbuAynssA-y-eAZO1V7BETnJQWFdZouiN-4CyhXyU-gYU9b8dSG1m_psXm497c-agTPlEYC/s400/2012-08-26+Seaton+Hiking+Trail+Pickering+025.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We've been working on this with her all year, and finally felt that we could take a chance on letting her offleash in an open area. She was so well behaved that we tried her again today (successfully) at a dog beach closer to home. She ran, she splashed around, she chased geese - and she came every time that she was called. Good girl!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HNIytgblpWs/UELTkKBLpWI/AAAAAAAAC2w/YOTYQg3HdgM/s1600/2012-09-01-00204+humber+bay+park+west.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HNIytgblpWs/UELTkKBLpWI/AAAAAAAAC2w/YOTYQg3HdgM/s400/2012-09-01-00204+humber+bay+park+west.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Didn't get a picture of Stella's offleash adventures this evening, but did get one of my son exploring. <br />
Was a beautiful late summer evening down by the lake. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137409066872659859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736908094104672293.post-61821732589568752742012-08-24T12:56:00.002-04:002012-08-24T13:14:16.656-04:00August Vacation!I've been on vacation with the kids for the past two weeks! My husband had to work, so we made plans to clear out and give him plenty of peace and quiet :-)<br />
<br />
But first, we watched the final hours of the Olympics - couldn't miss the men's marathon!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="270" src="http://img.bleacherreport.net/img/images/photos/001/836/884/hi-res-hi-res-150197769_crop_exact.jpg?w=650&h=440&q=75" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now, that's what I call finishing with a smile. <br />
Loved how Kiprotich was smiling non-stop for the last 1.5K when he knew he had the gold. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Speaking of smiling - my other favourite London 2012 moment was Tom Daley's team jumping in the pool with him after he won the bronze for diving. And how ecstatic he was to have won a medal. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="259" id="il_fi" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/08/11/article-2187152-1480BBE0000005DC-274_634x412.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="400" /></div>
<br />
Anyway - the Olympics was followed by family walk around High Park... <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MEO9RwWb-Yg/UChTGDsH3wI/AAAAAAAACwE/UKkZ94w-ki4/s1600/20120812-1659+grenadier+pond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MEO9RwWb-Yg/UChTGDsH3wI/AAAAAAAACwE/UKkZ94w-ki4/s400/20120812-1659+grenadier+pond.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Willow trees are her favourite. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
...and finally a run. Stella and I ran/walked 6.28K (my longest to date) in 5s and 1s/2s.<br />
<br />
The next day, we packed our bags and hit the road. A few highlights - <br />
<br />
We spent a relaxing day at the wonderful <a href="http://www.bowmanvillezoo.com/" target="_blank">Bowmanville Zoo</a> - <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fhh_u9POisM/UDepvihcm7I/AAAAAAAACyw/2kTSr79CW5c/s1600/2012-08-13+2012-08-13+Bowmanville+Zoo+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fhh_u9POisM/UDepvihcm7I/AAAAAAAACyw/2kTSr79CW5c/s400/2012-08-13+2012-08-13+Bowmanville+Zoo+050.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fGmM7eFu0W4/UDekSSbl_AI/AAAAAAAACw4/831j_PiJX90/s1600/2012-08-13+2012-08-13+Bowmanville+Zoo+011.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fGmM7eFu0W4/UDekSSbl_AI/AAAAAAAACw4/831j_PiJX90/s400/2012-08-13+2012-08-13+Bowmanville+Zoo+011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gGN3XIUa_k8/UDekTRr_-9I/AAAAAAAACxA/xbtwAvInKUw/s1600/2012-08-13+Bowmanville+Zoo+elephant+ride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gGN3XIUa_k8/UDekTRr_-9I/AAAAAAAACxA/xbtwAvInKUw/s400/2012-08-13+Bowmanville+Zoo+elephant+ride.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catching a ride from the lovely Limba. <br />
She gets to swim in the creek every morning before the zoo opens, one of the reasons why I love this place. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Back home for a serious workout enlarging and joining two corner gardens -<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r4ci7RPeOrc/UDelW_5GZHI/AAAAAAAACxY/OTmNEaQA7es/s1600/2012-08-16+2012-08-16+garden+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r4ci7RPeOrc/UDelW_5GZHI/AAAAAAAACxY/OTmNEaQA7es/s400/2012-08-16+2012-08-16+garden+003.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The butterfly garden <a href="http://jengetsmoving.blogspot.ca/2011/05/strength-training-through-gardening.html" target="_blank">we planted last year</a> grew bigger than we expected and needed more space!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
An IRL meetup at an amusement park with <a href="http://debtris.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Deb</a>, Spud and Sweetpea - on vacation following <a href="http://debtris.blogspot.ca/2012/08/calgary-703-race-report.html" target="_blank">her stellar half-Ironman</a>! <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ctnvM2ekOxU/UDekxkyTm5I/AAAAAAAACxI/StaJVVcWGWk/s1600/2012-08-15+2012-08-15+Storybook+Gardens+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ctnvM2ekOxU/UDekxkyTm5I/AAAAAAAACxI/StaJVVcWGWk/s400/2012-08-15+2012-08-15+Storybook+Gardens+014.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids begged us to be horses for a covered wagon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f5WYZt8qWuk/UDelQVZCJhI/AAAAAAAACxQ/qrg4wvdfISc/s1600/2012-08-15+2012-08-15+Storybook+Gardens+011.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f5WYZt8qWuk/UDelQVZCJhI/AAAAAAAACxQ/qrg4wvdfISc/s400/2012-08-15+2012-08-15+Storybook+Gardens+011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4AakYtiv9i3cD7agdU2rUb4VsP8NPeC0UAeOjgeqvPqOkD9YNsjr8F5xwxTCcmSmVQBZEFhF6qWp8Y_wLoPjr4tkJZ8OIHsfXdKFEVE1yMOcJed-Iy7bi-2KgB4G4-p53nj_MOAojUc0/s1600/2012-08-15+2012-08-15+Storybook+Gardens+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4AakYtiv9i3cD7agdU2rUb4VsP8NPeC0UAeOjgeqvPqOkD9YNsjr8F5xwxTCcmSmVQBZEFhF6qWp8Y_wLoPjr4tkJZ8OIHsfXdKFEVE1yMOcJed-Iy7bi-2KgB4G4-p53nj_MOAojUc0/s400/2012-08-15+2012-08-15+Storybook+Gardens+017.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An impressive web climber</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ovEFYoQcLyc/UDelohSjoaI/AAAAAAAACxo/0WA2zgQ_nPE/s1600/2012-08-15+2012-08-15+Storybook+Gardens+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ovEFYoQcLyc/UDelohSjoaI/AAAAAAAACxo/0WA2zgQ_nPE/s400/2012-08-15+2012-08-15+Storybook+Gardens+022.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a nice son I have - he's so pleased with how absolutely terrified I am. <br />
The ride operator laughed at me when I got off. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
An overnight trip to my mom's - <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HF0MqSkcpBc/UDemGTspzQI/AAAAAAAACxw/VfhJizFbDU8/s1600/2012-08-16+2012-08-16+Orillia+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HF0MqSkcpBc/UDemGTspzQI/AAAAAAAACxw/VfhJizFbDU8/s400/2012-08-16+2012-08-16+Orillia+005.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">STELLA WHAT ARE YOU ROLLING IN NOW??</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lIKjmPB4O8c/UDemQQM0C-I/AAAAAAAACx4/inQ6edjCBI8/s1600/2012-08-17+2012-08-17+Orillia+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lIKjmPB4O8c/UDemQQM0C-I/AAAAAAAACx4/inQ6edjCBI8/s400/2012-08-17+2012-08-17+Orillia+006.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sewing lesson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RvN_zWPM6AE/UDemU50LHPI/AAAAAAAACyA/ZipXs1Pr4Qk/s1600/2012-08-17+2012-08-17+Orillia+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RvN_zWPM6AE/UDemU50LHPI/AAAAAAAACyA/ZipXs1Pr4Qk/s400/2012-08-17+2012-08-17+Orillia+010.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And our annual camping week with my cousin and her kids - <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kc6SzNsxlis/UDes22IFHxI/AAAAAAAACzk/VY4G9oa4KwI/s1600/2012-08-19+Pinery+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kc6SzNsxlis/UDes22IFHxI/AAAAAAAACzk/VY4G9oa4KwI/s400/2012-08-19+Pinery+001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w_SHjnhEg2w/UDetClop8lI/AAAAAAAACzs/nWYIlSnGH2w/s1600/2012-08-19+Pinery+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w_SHjnhEg2w/UDetClop8lI/AAAAAAAACzs/nWYIlSnGH2w/s400/2012-08-19+Pinery+012.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QXKU0jMlrCU/UDetI4oPlmI/AAAAAAAACz0/OKfQYExTDRE/s1600/2012-08-20+Pinery+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QXKU0jMlrCU/UDetI4oPlmI/AAAAAAAACz0/OKfQYExTDRE/s400/2012-08-20+Pinery+019.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oUJLnzELe9g/UDetWb1_FgI/AAAAAAAACz8/KO_7lHlCvWg/s1600/2012-08-20+Pinery+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oUJLnzELe9g/UDetWb1_FgI/AAAAAAAACz8/KO_7lHlCvWg/s400/2012-08-20+Pinery+033.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yh9kviUmO5A/UDetcTkTRkI/AAAAAAAAC0E/VvvqOobKDtk/s1600/2012-08-20+Pinery+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yh9kviUmO5A/UDetcTkTRkI/AAAAAAAAC0E/VvvqOobKDtk/s400/2012-08-20+Pinery+041.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9pYIZ8fk5-tecUUE-i7ruGNyJoDF-ntZFgquGYEdAWHYdWd8vrQXdCx5y8CEoTyDLYzCkKb2D1SLw1FAiBxg2lIj4mNBRsitA2Z92yzWkOpc3ClW8u7vrwV5OODchtUBKP7h0XQkxTaw/s1600/2012-08-20+Pinery+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9pYIZ8fk5-tecUUE-i7ruGNyJoDF-ntZFgquGYEdAWHYdWd8vrQXdCx5y8CEoTyDLYzCkKb2D1SLw1FAiBxg2lIj4mNBRsitA2Z92yzWkOpc3ClW8u7vrwV5OODchtUBKP7h0XQkxTaw/s400/2012-08-20+Pinery+055.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rj5TETNog8g/UDetxo89ZyI/AAAAAAAAC0U/EYfItcY-oqM/s1600/2012-08-21+Pinery+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rj5TETNog8g/UDetxo89ZyI/AAAAAAAAC0U/EYfItcY-oqM/s400/2012-08-21+Pinery+001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPOYOet_UFY8b-HyHQ1C1Y79Smq1HDY5svwwrMVPslnbKooqJFwikEgHYS9whcXKcw6gzQXfL-9dP6ac00Xhg5APZgwyqTHYLDD6eopi_vcl63FE7n3Lpcb1UNKC1NjQfWTJWd1bi6Jgq/s1600/2012-08-22+Pinery+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPOYOet_UFY8b-HyHQ1C1Y79Smq1HDY5svwwrMVPslnbKooqJFwikEgHYS9whcXKcw6gzQXfL-9dP6ac00Xhg5APZgwyqTHYLDD6eopi_vcl63FE7n3Lpcb1UNKC1NjQfWTJWd1bi6Jgq/s400/2012-08-22+Pinery+007.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GPr6fRf6qL0/UDeumdPZ6LI/AAAAAAAAC0k/-DgHhiUo8GA/s1600/2012-08-22+Pinery+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GPr6fRf6qL0/UDeumdPZ6LI/AAAAAAAAC0k/-DgHhiUo8GA/s400/2012-08-22+Pinery+018.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6IKUpHh6Icc/UDevPPNq6eI/AAAAAAAAC0s/dbGCfED0dAo/s1600/2012-08-22+Pinery+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6IKUpHh6Icc/UDevPPNq6eI/AAAAAAAAC0s/dbGCfED0dAo/s400/2012-08-22+Pinery+062.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-caioAcpypTg/UDevVLI2eDI/AAAAAAAAC00/REiXpZWDq5M/s1600/2012-08-22+Pinery+104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-caioAcpypTg/UDevVLI2eDI/AAAAAAAAC00/REiXpZWDq5M/s400/2012-08-22+Pinery+104.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-spC5Qfv9i9s/UDevuV37AyI/AAAAAAAAC08/A1jYKBgdxns/s1600/2012-08-23+Pinery+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-spC5Qfv9i9s/UDevuV37AyI/AAAAAAAAC08/A1jYKBgdxns/s400/2012-08-23+Pinery+014.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pY8Da8ege9Q/UDev0qOqOmI/AAAAAAAAC1E/hS5glSfOjIs/s1600/2012-08-23+Pinery+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pY8Da8ege9Q/UDev0qOqOmI/AAAAAAAAC1E/hS5glSfOjIs/s400/2012-08-23+Pinery+018.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It's been a very busy and fun two weeks, but I'm feeling the effects of too much food and too little focused exercise. Better head out for a run...but first I need to tackle a mountain of laundry...<br />
<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137409066872659859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736908094104672293.post-90031559964979086172012-08-11T21:29:00.000-04:002012-08-12T20:39:00.163-04:00Getting back in the game<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last week's post-race blues have worn off and I'm not quite as alarmed as I was at the thought of the upcoming tri and this fall's 10.5K. That's not quite shout-it-from-the-rooftop news, but it's a start!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I took some time to rest (great idea, Julie - thanks!), but also made sure that I went for a few runs. Building my endurance back to where it was at the beginning of summer, and then working on increasing my distance is pretty critical to both my confidence and my training plan. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here's how the week went - </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sunday - Had planned on brick training first thing this morning but thunderclouds rolled in as I was about to get out of bed and the Women's Olympics marathon was streaming live. But as soon as the runners crossed the finish line (what a finish! Did you watch it??)...</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<img alt="Tiki Gelana of Ethiopia (2L) competes during the Women's Marathon on Day 9 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 5, 2012 in London, England. " height="291" src="http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_full_width_scaled/hash/d1/54/d154be2c371620a8dee3f18338529541.jpg" style="opacity: 1;" title="Tiki Gelana of Ethiopia (2L) competes during the Women's Marathon on Day 9 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 5, 2012 in London, England. " typeof="foaf:Image" width="400" /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
...the sky brightened up here and Stella told me she was desperate to go out. I bailed on the biking and went for what ended up being a short, sweaty run (2K of 2s and 1s)...</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xJU5E3-eHXU/UB6Aa1_NLWI/AAAAAAAACuA/zcz0rYIyeG4/s1600/2012-08-05-0918+sweaty+run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xJU5E3-eHXU/UB6Aa1_NLWI/AAAAAAAACuA/zcz0rYIyeG4/s400/2012-08-05-0918+sweaty+run.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stopped a few blocks from home to catch our breath. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
...followed by a trip out to my in-laws' for a BBQ. Went on a humid 2.5K family walk down to the lake and back. Stopped to climb up on the war memorial (it's shaped like the deck of a battleship, cool!) to check out the view: </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P79yLdIJ8BM/UCb9bGV5ElI/AAAAAAAACuw/FbzsdO9611U/s1600/2012-08-05-1712+memorial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P79yLdIJ8BM/UCb9bGV5ElI/AAAAAAAACuw/FbzsdO9611U/s400/2012-08-05-1712+memorial.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Monday - A holiday here in Ontario and a fabulous day. The temperature dropped a few degrees and the humidity broke! Hopped out of bed for some sorely needed brick training. 11K bike, then home to drop off bike/helmet, grab hat/leash and head out the door with Stella for a 2.5K run walk. Followed by a cold bath for my sore legs.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Tuesday - A combo Zumba/bootcamp/circuit training hour at Curves, followed by a 3K run. 4s and 1s. Short and sweet and the best run I've had in a while :-)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Wednesday - Back to Curves for a circuit and some strength training. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Thursday - Rest day. Walked the dog a slow 2.5K. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Friday - Another rest day. My shins and knees were tender - think it's time for new shoes. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Saturday - Lazy morning (Olympics) followed by chores, followed by a run with the dog. We did 4.6K of 5s and 1s, stopped at the dog park for 10 minutes or so, then 5 and 2 for the last 1K home. </div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l6X1jne0nTk/UCb-suv91HI/AAAAAAAACu4/-OMZAJomSBY/s1600/2012-08-11-2027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l6X1jne0nTk/UCb-suv91HI/AAAAAAAACu4/-OMZAJomSBY/s400/2012-08-11-2027.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post run. Tired dog. Blurry dog.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Total for the week: 11K bike, 4 runs (14.1K), 1 boot camp + Zumba, 1 circuit. <br />
<br />
<strong>How was your week? The humidity broke here towards the middle of the week and it's made a huge difference to me!</strong><br />
<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137409066872659859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736908094104672293.post-9066644015657439962012-08-04T23:53:00.000-04:002012-08-06T00:06:43.590-04:00Huh.<div style="text-align: justify;">
Post-race blues hit me hard this week. I was flying on a cloud for the first couple of days, what with the <strike>bragging rights</strike> sense of accomplishment and all, but then...I started get the blues. <br />
<br />
I'm already signed up for a few more races this year, so I know it's not for lack of having something to look forward to.<br />
<br />
It's more like I started to feel tired. And old. Too old for this nonsense. Old enough that I should retire to my couch. Certainly too old to muster the enthusiasm to head to another starting line. <br />
<br />
What the heck?<br />
<br />
I think it's the summer training wearing me down. Or lack of training, actually. Every run is a struggle, and very short. I think I'm worried about being underprepared for the next tri (3 weeks to go) and for the 10K I'm doing in late September. <br />
<br />
I was also a bit discouraged by just how hard the tri was, and just how unflattering some of my race pictures are. Clearly I need to get working on losing the rest of the extra weight that I'm carrying. <br />
<br />
So, I'm trying to keep things in perspective. Keep going to boot camp. And even short, slow runs in this weather will be better than nothing at all, right? Would love to put things on hold and just wait for this humidity to break...but...<br />
<br />
I guess that's what you get for signing up for summer and fall events. Will be planning next year's race calendar carefully, I can tell you that. <br />
<br />
Wait - next year's races?<br />
<br />
Guess I'm not ready to give up after all. <br />
<br />
Huh.<br />
<br />
So - let's keep this in mind: <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zKnkE7aIkU0/UB58v1nZEyI/AAAAAAAACtQ/jL3cHcKY-x8/s1600/555488_502969326399192_1819132643_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zKnkE7aIkU0/UB58v1nZEyI/AAAAAAAACtQ/jL3cHcKY-x8/s320/555488_502969326399192_1819132643_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Here's this week's recap -</strong> <br />
<br />
Monday - The day after the <a href="http://jengetsmoving.blogspot.ca/2012/07/orillia-try-tri-check.html" target="_blank">Orillia Try-a-Tri</a> and a Rest Day fail. Went to Curves for a light stretch out, but when I go there, the Zumba music was playing and I couldn't help myself. Did the second half of the class, smiled and sweated a lot and THEN stretched. Husband and I took the dog for a walk after. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Tuesday - Rest day. Took the dog for a long, slow stroll. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Wednesday - Curves boot camp. </div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nrXkXAVmbzY/UBsuxfxrx6I/AAAAAAAACro/1xlqnfT4pYA/s1600/2012-08-02-2029+boy+and+dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nrXkXAVmbzY/UBsuxfxrx6I/AAAAAAAACro/1xlqnfT4pYA/s400/2012-08-02-2029+boy+and+dog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blurry. Sorry. But this structure fascinates us. It's just randomly in the middle of the forest. Why? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Thursday - Family walk at High Park. Son, dog and I went on a trail run in the crazy humidity - we managed 15 minutes of 2s and 1s before we all had to give up. But wow - trail running. Uneven terrain, roots, rocks, low hills. That put a smile on my face: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3s4X7QMP1zM/UBsuy9P9MSI/AAAAAAAACrw/MvbvT8Oc2MQ/s1600/2012-08-02-2045+sweaty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3s4X7QMP1zM/UBsuy9P9MSI/AAAAAAAACrw/MvbvT8Oc2MQ/s400/2012-08-02-2045+sweaty.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweaty. Blurry. Smiling. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Guess a bit of variety is what's needed, eh?<br />
<br />
<br />
Friday - Errand day. Blah. <br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Saturday - back to High Park with the dog. More sweaty trail running with lots of walk breaks. I cannot tell you how much fun I am having running these trails, with my dog off leash running along side me. Great training for her, excellent fun for both of us. </div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gSLd_HlyKBA/UB55iJMeH6I/AAAAAAAACsg/qbI4tZpry2I/s1600/2012-08-04-0844+stella+post+trail+run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gSLd_HlyKBA/UB55iJMeH6I/AAAAAAAACsg/qbI4tZpry2I/s400/2012-08-04-0844+stella+post+trail+run.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Worn out but still smiling. She sets a great example. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137409066872659859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736908094104672293.post-74928444981399014792012-07-31T13:23:00.000-04:002012-08-24T17:17:22.652-04:00Orillia Try-A-Tri - Check!My first triathlon is in the books! <br />
<br />
350m swim + 10K bike + 2.5K run = 1:09:57<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ylTUFIaaqrs/UBdFadjz_MI/AAAAAAAACog/lpN3K6Ar75M/s1600/2012-07-29+orillia-main2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ylTUFIaaqrs/UBdFadjz_MI/AAAAAAAACog/lpN3K6Ar75M/s320/2012-07-29+orillia-main2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Let me just preface this by saying...I am a poor swimmer, I'm afraid of taking hills and corners too quickly on my bike, and I'm a slow runner. So why the heck would I sign up to try a tri?<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I really don't have an answer for that, aside from...it called to me. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
It called to me so loudly that I actually signed up for two this summer. So that if this one was dreadful, I'd have a second shot at tri in August, rather than having to wait until next season to redeem myself. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now, if you've been following along, you may have noticed that I didn't exactly train for this. I've been biking, I've taken up running, and I swim when I can. But I wouldn't call that focused training. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Each leg in the tri sounded very reasonable to me - but I really underestimated what a game changer it is to put 'em together in one event. Particularly when you add in 31C weather with blazing sun. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So you won't be surprised that this event was a challenge! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My goals for this race were modest, though: Learn the logistics of doing a tri. Finish. Not dead last if possible. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Done and done :-)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here's the details -</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>Before</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We stayed at my parent's the night before. The race had an 11am start time, so I had plenty of time to wake up, have breakfast and get ready. Said 'see you at the finish' to my family and rode my bike to the starting line - about 6 minutes away. Sweet. </div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aI-u47b2sb0/UBdFpP6YGZI/AAAAAAAACow/pw--7-bkEA0/s1600/2012-07-29+1032+bike+is+racked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aI-u47b2sb0/UBdFpP6YGZI/AAAAAAAACow/pw--7-bkEA0/s400/2012-07-29+1032+bike+is+racked.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My red bike is racked. Yes, it's a mountain bike.<br />
I'll invest in a road bike by next season, I promise. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Checked in about 45 minutes before the start, picked up my ankle chip, got marked, racked my bike, organized my gear, checked out the entry & exit points for each leg, then headed to the beach. <br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Was a bit of a long walk from transition to the swim start, but on soft grass and clean sand. Nice and easy on the bare feet. </div>
<br />
Hit the water for a quick swim. Lovely and warm. And all of a sudden, it was time to get started. <br />
<br />
First two waves went out...2 mintues to go before mine...tap on the shoulder...my mom and sister had come to the start to surprise me! Which helped take my mind off how nervous I was. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7EpqZEJjmSc/UBdFjjR8raI/AAAAAAAACoo/Qscn52DqtUM/s1600/2012-07-29+001+starting+line+on+the+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7EpqZEJjmSc/UBdFjjR8raI/AAAAAAAACoo/Qscn52DqtUM/s400/2012-07-29+001+starting+line+on+the+beach.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hamming it up for the camera with a gun show. Less than a minute to go. <br />
Yes, I'm wearing a swim suit. Will invest in tri suit and possibly wet suit for next season </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<strong>350m swim - 13:32 (includes time to exit the water, cross the beach and enter transition)</strong><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2KNM-xNuoXo/UBdFuxwEgLI/AAAAAAAACo4/jUBBEagktIo/s1600/2012-07-29+002+swim+start.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2KNM-xNuoXo/UBdFuxwEgLI/AAAAAAAACo4/jUBBEagktIo/s400/2012-07-29+002+swim+start.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honestly, there were more than a dozen of us in this wave - everyone is really spread out to the sides</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ran in as far as I could, started swimming, and immediately ran into trouble. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Between a mad rush of adreneline making me forget absolutely everything I knew about breathing and technique...and the water being much choppier than I had trained in...I got hit in the face with a wave, swallowed most of it and couldn't breath. Like I'd had the wind knocked out of me. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Forced myself not to panic and to tread water until I recovered. What really helped keep the panic away? The idea of having to give up 20 seconds into a race that I'd signed up for 8 months ago...well, that made me furious. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Recovered, started swimming and almost ran into trouble again with another wave. Decided to flip onto my back for most of the swim rather than keep fighting the waves. Had to swim a heck of a lot harder than I had planned to in order to made up for lost time. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Left the water breathing hard and headed to transition. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>T1 - 3:06</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Pleased with how I laid out my gear; everything went smoothly. Took a few moments but I was still having a hard time generally calming down. Headed out on the bike still breathing hard. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kGsBE7MMGkI/UBgRZ0Osp7I/AAAAAAAACqo/mAgO_HGjqeA/s1600/2012-07-29+leaving+T1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kGsBE7MMGkI/UBgRZ0Osp7I/AAAAAAAACqo/mAgO_HGjqeA/s400/2012-07-29+leaving+T1.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving T1. Wondering exactly when I'll be able to catch my breath, and how on earth I'm going to be able to run later. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>Bike - 34:53</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Bike started at the bottom of a steep hill. Said a few nasty words to myself about it and headed up. Reached the top without stopping to walk (woohoo!), and started up a long slope. Followed by another hill. Things levelled out around the 4K mark and I was finally able to get my breathing under control. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Got to the turnaround and - hey - isn't that my mom over there? Fabulous surprise. So great to see a familiar face on the course. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div align="justify">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-42plU-_E13U/UBdF1QVQX8I/AAAAAAAACpA/YekdA0aEs3o/s1600/2012-07-29+003+bike+past+turnaround.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-42plU-_E13U/UBdF1QVQX8I/AAAAAAAACpA/YekdA0aEs3o/s400/2012-07-29+003+bike+past+turnaround.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me in black beside the guy in red. <br />
Mom didn't get a pic of me approaching. Guess I was going too fast, haha. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Aside from being somewhat cautious on down slopes and corners, I love biking. I was really able to relax and enjoy this ride. <br />
<br />
Which was over far too quickly!<br />
<br />
<strong>T2 - 1:48</strong><br />
<br />
Got off the bike and was shocked at how tight my legs were. You know, I had *meant* to do some brick training this spring...better get on that before my next tri in a month...<br />
<br />
<strong>Run - 21:34</strong><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The late morning start to this race meant that it was getting close to noon - and very hot and sunny - when I headed out on the run. I knew going into the race that this would be a problem so decided just to have fun with it. Short runs, lots of walk breaks. Took my time at the water stations getting a drink and sprayed down. And guess who showed up at the turnaround? Mom!</div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfUE04JnY7AN7woIhDhbnGMuYu3SkRWpXhXaPXNvrrrgyJMIqav4tu082-HuKlv4ODeAptiXpex9O_yqxTaijtHwHhBFT4EXJVuVFqchZ4z4TGf-BMXxT4oREqnmSAvRaDsfK_ZQEeHKy/s1600/2012-07-29+004+run+turnaround.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfUE04JnY7AN7woIhDhbnGMuYu3SkRWpXhXaPXNvrrrgyJMIqav4tu082-HuKlv4ODeAptiXpex9O_yqxTaijtHwHhBFT4EXJVuVFqchZ4z4TGf-BMXxT4oREqnmSAvRaDsfK_ZQEeHKy/s400/2012-07-29+004+run+turnaround.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wasn't kidding when I said I'd decided to have fun on this run.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The best thing about a 2.5K run? It's over really fast. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_m_c8eNxLoo/UBgSJNK6UvI/AAAAAAAACqw/4VdhgGiEqsA/s1600/2012-07-29+heading+to+the+finishline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_m_c8eNxLoo/UBgSJNK6UvI/AAAAAAAACqw/4VdhgGiEqsA/s400/2012-07-29+heading+to+the+finishline.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About 50 feet to go and just spotted my husband, kids and dog. Lots of cheering for mom.<br />
And the dog dragged my son off his feet trying to get to me! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cOtWdv4q73I/UBgSLuNsrRI/AAAAAAAACq4/BJ79RgL2JfY/s1600/2012-07-29+finishline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cOtWdv4q73I/UBgSLuNsrRI/AAAAAAAACq4/BJ79RgL2JfY/s400/2012-07-29+finishline.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FINISHED!!!!! And with a smile. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After the race - kids played at the park, I walked the dog around a bit, picked up a goodie bag of snacks, picked up my gear and rode bck to my mom's. Lunch, then a 3-generation girl's trip to another beach (Orillia is full of beaches) to celebrate!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBDvyxX0rVBPqt0yUGD4cxbq3EVCQ8kweDohTHNhwODVQlDmQn3uYXycuS0hgPVJPyjhcjk-TzdwQooULS6M2n5g24YA940pzS0iTJFpP5D2Epa58ITs7tPdiP3W_OhiB7I1WetWUCkNQ/s1600/2012-07-29+1421+beach+later+that+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBDvyxX0rVBPqt0yUGD4cxbq3EVCQ8kweDohTHNhwODVQlDmQn3uYXycuS0hgPVJPyjhcjk-TzdwQooULS6M2n5g24YA940pzS0iTJFpP5D2Epa58ITs7tPdiP3W_OhiB7I1WetWUCkNQ/s400/2012-07-29+1421+beach+later+that+day.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The verdict? I learned a lot, including how undertrained I was for this. Have a plan for how I'm going to prepare for the next one in 4 weeks. And a goal to do this again next year :-)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
A HUGE thank you to my family for all of their support and encouragement. My younger sister for picking up my race kit and coming to the start, my mom for driving all around town to catch me on each leg, my kids for cheering me on at the finish, to my dog for coming on every training run with me!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
...and most of all my husband, for always helping out and NEVER complaining about being on sherpa and driving detail for all of the races I do. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
xoxoxoxox Jen</div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137409066872659859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736908094104672293.post-72672536959230166372012-07-23T23:45:00.001-04:002012-08-24T17:16:30.996-04:00Cabin Camping<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We spent last week on vacation!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We were fortunate to get a fantastic deal on a lakeside cabin a couple of hours north of the city, and had an absolutely wonderful time. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The cabin was rustic (no running water or electricity), tiny (maybe 350-square feet including a screened in porch), but came with a propane fridge and stove...it was a major step up from the tent camping that we usually do for our summer vacations! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We spent the week completely unplugged. Lots of swimming and canoing, cards, board games. Stayed at the cabin aside from a trip to the dump to look for bears. Oh, and one run into town for supplies and ice cream, then straight back to the lake. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Which we shared with a lot of wildlife - chipmunks, raccoons, frogs, mink, heron, blue jays, finches, beaver, loons. Countless dragonflies and butterflies. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Have a look - </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ryS-70zk2vs/UA4RIuhA6II/AAAAAAAACmk/2_i0tPnUrio/s1600/2012-07-18+Quinn+Lake+073+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ryS-70zk2vs/UA4RIuhA6II/AAAAAAAACmk/2_i0tPnUrio/s400/2012-07-18+Quinn+Lake+073+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's our dock in the right corner. Cabin is hiding behind the birch trees left of centre. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zw-Hu2zfNUU/UA4RCid5jiI/AAAAAAAACmc/V-dgXBHKJH4/s1600/2012-07-18+Quinn+Lake+067+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zw-Hu2zfNUU/UA4RCid5jiI/AAAAAAAACmc/V-dgXBHKJH4/s400/2012-07-18+Quinn+Lake+067+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's the cabin!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5xfWD5UhcYM/UA4SR3oRxfI/AAAAAAAACn0/7R5qa5k1Uxw/s1600/576022_10151708036700016_272077301_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5xfWD5UhcYM/UA4SR3oRxfI/AAAAAAAACn0/7R5qa5k1Uxw/s400/576022_10151708036700016_272077301_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the cabin - looking north</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rdok2khgvM4/UA4SRLL9SDI/AAAAAAAACns/QMCakOjhdQQ/s1600/523668_10151708036975016_862325520_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rdok2khgvM4/UA4SRLL9SDI/AAAAAAAACns/QMCakOjhdQQ/s400/523668_10151708036975016_862325520_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the same spot, looking east</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x2vm1nfagVQ/UA4Peds5oOI/AAAAAAAACk8/vtwBpk2nnxw/s1600/2012-07-13+Quinn+Lake+010+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x2vm1nfagVQ/UA4Peds5oOI/AAAAAAAACk8/vtwBpk2nnxw/s400/2012-07-13+Quinn+Lake+010+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We swam to the sandy beach across the way a couple of times every day - 1.3K round trip. <br />
Great open water swim practice!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mvFewo2SPfs/UA4P4oqEUaI/AAAAAAAAClU/lLy3TA0A_Fg/s1600/2012-07-16+Quinn+Lake+029+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mvFewo2SPfs/UA4P4oqEUaI/AAAAAAAAClU/lLy3TA0A_Fg/s400/2012-07-16+Quinn+Lake+029+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hleWb54nzcc/UA4P_JkDeCI/AAAAAAAAClc/5tna7CVzrdU/s1600/2012-07-16+Quinn+Lake+035+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hleWb54nzcc/UA4P_JkDeCI/AAAAAAAAClc/5tna7CVzrdU/s400/2012-07-16+Quinn+Lake+035+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X5p92_WO358/UA4Pw3-BusI/AAAAAAAAClM/HRxHiRJo388/s1600/2012-07-16+Quinn+Lake+001+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X5p92_WO358/UA4Pw3-BusI/AAAAAAAAClM/HRxHiRJo388/s400/2012-07-16+Quinn+Lake+001+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rcop6D4XRKw/UA4QF3LP5hI/AAAAAAAAClk/ekK72BseViM/s1600/2012-07-17+Quinn+Lake+021+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rcop6D4XRKw/UA4QF3LP5hI/AAAAAAAAClk/ekK72BseViM/s400/2012-07-17+Quinn+Lake+021+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whittlin'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_ZJuVbYr0U/UA4QR-Mf1FI/AAAAAAAACls/KszILAMJuk0/s1600/2012-07-18+Quinn+Lake+003+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_ZJuVbYr0U/UA4QR-Mf1FI/AAAAAAAACls/KszILAMJuk0/s400/2012-07-18+Quinn+Lake+003+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More OWS practice. My husband took this from the canoe. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m3f1kybumg8/UA4QgSlTpDI/AAAAAAAACl0/UU1lP00CtXY/s1600/2012-07-18+Quinn+Lake+007+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m3f1kybumg8/UA4QgSlTpDI/AAAAAAAACl0/UU1lP00CtXY/s400/2012-07-18+Quinn+Lake+007+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bo6CNBtNq5w/UA4QtVZ9ltI/AAAAAAAACmE/cGpbAU1Trq0/s1600/2012-07-18+Quinn+Lake+028+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bo6CNBtNq5w/UA4QtVZ9ltI/AAAAAAAACmE/cGpbAU1Trq0/s400/2012-07-18+Quinn+Lake+028+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sister came up for a day. We were unable to convince Stella to jump in.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XH7qlZ57ZjE/UA4Q1OzgqPI/AAAAAAAACmM/-K199OuWVEY/s1600/2012-07-18+Quinn+Lake+043+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XH7qlZ57ZjE/UA4Q1OzgqPI/AAAAAAAACmM/-K199OuWVEY/s400/2012-07-18+Quinn+Lake+043+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canoing with my sister. <br />
We had to flip a coin when my husband suggested that the more responsible one sit in the back. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-goC74lMbs5M/UA4Q8PoWHYI/AAAAAAAACmU/3Y-ILWiZbdE/s1600/2012-07-18+Quinn+Lake+065+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-goC74lMbs5M/UA4Q8PoWHYI/AAAAAAAACmU/3Y-ILWiZbdE/s400/2012-07-18+Quinn+Lake+065+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Tce5YjZA-k/UA4RRQJLwfI/AAAAAAAACms/xkQ9ONMN4ZY/s1600/2012-07-18+Quinn+Lake+079+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Tce5YjZA-k/UA4RRQJLwfI/AAAAAAAACms/xkQ9ONMN4ZY/s400/2012-07-18+Quinn+Lake+079+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0KlIvqorpc4/UA4Qm09WzUI/AAAAAAAACl8/hfMbWMvSgqg/s1600/2012-07-18+Quinn+Lake+018+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0KlIvqorpc4/UA4Qm09WzUI/AAAAAAAACl8/hfMbWMvSgqg/s400/2012-07-18+Quinn+Lake+018+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq5j8gBvSFLkpLpbZ4w1bBHCVn5DPfEbp9lA5iGBQSYmCwa-3_3kZRVSEMNUA_kLJgJAcNyCWNaQAhnBvGoCcwZ2DTd5Zec9giU7wEu1qoTlonZlF2s8pf9P2vsIMh4njofzJZhW2mh_0A/s1600/2012-07-19+Quinn+Lake+007+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq5j8gBvSFLkpLpbZ4w1bBHCVn5DPfEbp9lA5iGBQSYmCwa-3_3kZRVSEMNUA_kLJgJAcNyCWNaQAhnBvGoCcwZ2DTd5Zec9giU7wEu1qoTlonZlF2s8pf9P2vsIMh4njofzJZhW2mh_0A/s400/2012-07-19+Quinn+Lake+007+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hLWHZo89vWY/UA4SfX6UVOI/AAAAAAAACn8/ZGJCAvGu1kM/s1600/2012-07-19+Quinn+Lake+011+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hLWHZo89vWY/UA4SfX6UVOI/AAAAAAAACn8/ZGJCAvGu1kM/s400/2012-07-19+Quinn+Lake+011+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PI77_FoAoxU/UA4RpsauijI/AAAAAAAACnE/W3xo5HWqWFQ/s1600/2012-07-19+Quinn+Lake+043+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PI77_FoAoxU/UA4RpsauijI/AAAAAAAACnE/W3xo5HWqWFQ/s400/2012-07-19+Quinn+Lake+043+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5BhLaqy9HYo/UA4Rzuh4n1I/AAAAAAAACnM/7V-BkJ_mTuI/s1600/2012-07-19+Quinn+Lake+100+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5BhLaqy9HYo/UA4Rzuh4n1I/AAAAAAAACnM/7V-BkJ_mTuI/s400/2012-07-19+Quinn+Lake+100+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Five black bears that day. We watched for a minute or two then booked it out of there. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_aCMy7qhVmk/UA4R-XVKG-I/AAAAAAAACnU/_bUJer2mONo/s1600/2012-07-19+Quinn+Lake+130+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_aCMy7qhVmk/UA4R-XVKG-I/AAAAAAAACnU/_bUJer2mONo/s400/2012-07-19+Quinn+Lake+130+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qGGxJrRyZ0U/UA4SGfjc1rI/AAAAAAAACnc/8OfqBDZEn2k/s1600/2012-07-19+Quinn+Lake+141+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qGGxJrRyZ0U/UA4SGfjc1rI/AAAAAAAACnc/8OfqBDZEn2k/s400/2012-07-19+Quinn+Lake+141+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aKQQbPkQeVE/UA4SP8JT1aI/AAAAAAAACnk/Gz0tahE4Qjw/s1600/2012-07-20+Quinn+Lake+003+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aKQQbPkQeVE/UA4SP8JT1aI/AAAAAAAACnk/Gz0tahE4Qjw/s400/2012-07-20+Quinn+Lake+003+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was really, really hard to leave and come back to the city. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Reservations for 2013 open up in early December. I've marked my calendar. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>How are you spending your summer vacation?</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137409066872659859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736908094104672293.post-26335182343670067902012-07-14T11:13:00.002-04:002012-07-14T11:13:19.788-04:00Easing Back into Running<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last week's heat wave and humidity eased back a bit, and I started running again!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Perfect timing as I was starting to get worried about training for the 10.5K (it's a half-marathon relay) that I'm running in September. Also worried about the 2.5K that I'll be running at high noon at the end of the month as the end of the try-a-tri. I know that I need to get used to running in the heat, but 38C with 95% humidity was a bit much!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now - the break's over and I'm aiming for 3 runs a week as well as 2 boot camps and swimming. I was consistently running 10s and 1s for 4.5K before taking the last few weeks off, so have started working my way back to that. Will start increasing distance using the 10% per week rule. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In other news, I started running naked this week - no watch, no iPod. Not having music to match my pacing to is a big change. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
AND I added an additional running partner - a human! Stella is still my #1 running partner, but my up-the-street neighbour has started joining us. Like me, Melanie enjoys running in the evenings before bed. She has a big dog (who isn't trained for running yet so stays at home) so is super patient about taking doggy breaks when Stella needs them. Unlike me, she's super fit, but she is wonderfully nice about going at my slow pace with walk breaks as I need them. I've never run beside someone before and am amazed how much more quickly the run seems to fly by when there's good conversation to take your mind off of things. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
No pics this week, but some pretty decent exercise: </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Saturday - 3.1K of 5s and 1s, 5s and 2s. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />Sunday - Rest day. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />Monday - Bootcamp. Lots of sprints. Ugh. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Tuesday - 4.6K with neighbour. Roughly 5s &1s and 5s & 2s. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Wednesday - Bootcamp. More sprints. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Thursday - 4.6K with neighbour, this time in 31C with lots of humidity. More 5s &1s and 5s & 2s. Dripping wet and happy at the end. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Friday - Rest day. Lots of chores. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Check it out - I ran 3 times this week! The return to running is off to a good start. Hope your week was a good one. </div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137409066872659859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736908094104672293.post-76324391551711499052012-07-06T22:51:00.000-04:002012-07-06T22:51:54.492-04:00Heat Wave!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Soooooo...I was hoping to get back into regular running this week, but then the nasty weather showed up. Too hot to walk the dog most days, let alone go for a run. We did have a fairly active week though - </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Saturday - Summer cleaning frenzy - I tackled my bedroom. Fun times. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Later, 2K+ dog park walk at High Park. There were a few tense moments on this one - the trails wind around the amphitheatre where A Midsummer Night's Dream is staged every evening, and the cast had left a few gates open to come and go during the performance . Stella noticed...went through the gate...trotted over towards stage left...looked around...watched the audience for a bit...thought things over...and eventually tiptoed back to us without actually interrupting the performance. Phew!</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n_T2bM1BDjg/T_eQcYTt0BI/AAAAAAAACh8/TiuLfqY7RQQ/s1600/2012-06-30+high+park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n_T2bM1BDjg/T_eQcYTt0BI/AAAAAAAACh8/TiuLfqY7RQQ/s400/2012-06-30+high+park.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good girl. Don't do that again, K?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sunday - HAPPY CANADA DAY! We spent the day going for a long hike and some swimming at <a href="http://www.grandriver.ca/index/document.cfm?Sec=27&Sub1=130&Sub2=0" target="_blank">Rockwood Conservation Area</a>. Check it out: <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pZ_K93BqIEI/T_eQoDTSdAI/AAAAAAAACiU/7u8I43xk1Ak/s1600/2012-07-01+1548+Rockwood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pZ_K93BqIEI/T_eQoDTSdAI/AAAAAAAACiU/7u8I43xk1Ak/s400/2012-07-01+1548+Rockwood.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remains of an old mill, founded in 1867. Very fitting to be checking it out on Canada Day. <br />
If you're wondering - yes, my son did jump off from where he's standing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pB64vPmNuN0/T_eQl0O8M1I/AAAAAAAACiM/_tjqvyBwrak/s1600/2012-07-01+1529+Rockwood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pB64vPmNuN0/T_eQl0O8M1I/AAAAAAAACiM/_tjqvyBwrak/s400/2012-07-01+1529+Rockwood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C5JF-OuQT_I/T_eTkJW2zhI/AAAAAAAACjg/q3QJY_S1Ho8/s1600/2012-07-01+137+Rockwood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C5JF-OuQT_I/T_eTkJW2zhI/AAAAAAAACjg/q3QJY_S1Ho8/s400/2012-07-01+137+Rockwood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T1dtdx2c25I/T_eQyO-TunI/AAAAAAAACis/KzB0mN1Tvns/s1600/2012-07-01+1648+Rockwood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T1dtdx2c25I/T_eQyO-TunI/AAAAAAAACis/KzB0mN1Tvns/s400/2012-07-01+1648+Rockwood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSt_kcIfBWOrBjaosTmi7GCcm4mp0PoWG0TJOlgZ5OcwmgCwH1M2HZsTDC0Go26xkMKfzs5hK7tFbGL2XRR-hhHXQNcldTXOHH3S2zquqCouZiDlDW-PMstadTFEu_Yz0OVtz0VXxA9ZUo/s1600/2012-07-01+1610+Rockwood.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSt_kcIfBWOrBjaosTmi7GCcm4mp0PoWG0TJOlgZ5OcwmgCwH1M2HZsTDC0Go26xkMKfzs5hK7tFbGL2XRR-hhHXQNcldTXOHH3S2zquqCouZiDlDW-PMstadTFEu_Yz0OVtz0VXxA9ZUo/s400/2012-07-01+1610+Rockwood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qp0Ejok8nQw/T_eQuXhMAcI/AAAAAAAACik/ket7Ral4cmY/s1600/2012-07-01+1611+Rockwood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qp0Ejok8nQw/T_eQuXhMAcI/AAAAAAAACik/ket7Ral4cmY/s400/2012-07-01+1611+Rockwood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xrWszuCLBYA/T_eQkZPp4fI/AAAAAAAACiE/5tQcG3pxaDY/s1600/2012-07-01+168+Rockwood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xrWszuCLBYA/T_eQkZPp4fI/AAAAAAAACiE/5tQcG3pxaDY/s400/2012-07-01+168+Rockwood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VrweHRck3dg/T_eQzyYcvMI/AAAAAAAACi0/n1tmbOpmtzw/s1600/2012-07-01+1658+Rockwood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VrweHRck3dg/T_eQzyYcvMI/AAAAAAAACi0/n1tmbOpmtzw/s400/2012-07-01+1658+Rockwood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Monday - Holiday day off. Super hot. Took the kids swimming, then we all walked over to the school to play and shoot some hoops. Sweaty!<br />
<br />
Tuesday - 2.5K brisk dog walk after dark. Too hot to run. Ugh. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Wednesday - Went to the gym for a boot camp. Ana made us run laps around the gym to make up for the lack of outdoor running. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Thursday - Day off, but an NSV: I went shopping for a new hot-weather outfit to wear to work and found that I've gone down a size. WOOHOO!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Friday - Went to the gym for another sweaty boot camp. More laps. And sprints. Waited until after dark to walk the dog - was still very humid but we managed 1s and 1s for 2.1K. Felt oh, so good to run and I'm oh, so glad that we kept it short. I was drenched by the time we got back! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong>How did this week's weather impact your training plans?</strong></div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137409066872659859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736908094104672293.post-91230693052802293942012-06-29T23:59:00.000-04:002012-07-01T09:16:14.766-04:00Post-Spartan Recovery<div align="center" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YGUFJeqCp3s/T-_R961io0I/AAAAAAAACf8/KI5O9zCMX3Q/s1600/2012-0624+Spartan+Race+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YGUFJeqCp3s/T-_R961io0I/AAAAAAAACf8/KI5O9zCMX3Q/s640/2012-0624+Spartan+Race+banner.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't get bloody, but I did find a few small barbed-wire related holes in my pants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What do I have to recover from? Hmmm - <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aOP5DaZ0woA/T_BLDW4rnoI/AAAAAAAACgw/dRzKvFdmFdA/s1600/2012-06-24+Spartan+wheelbarrow2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aOP5DaZ0woA/T_BLDW4rnoI/AAAAAAAACgw/dRzKvFdmFdA/s400/2012-06-24+Spartan+wheelbarrow2.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're about 5-1/2K through the course at this point</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mYsFIvPTHn0/T_BLK04iYUI/AAAAAAAACg4/Kuvk9dQy1pk/s1600/2012-06-24+spartan+ice+pit2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mYsFIvPTHn0/T_BLK04iYUI/AAAAAAAACg4/Kuvk9dQy1pk/s400/2012-06-24+spartan+ice+pit2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice. Barbed Wire. Good times.<br />
Close to the end, but still more to come.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKX5z4m8yjz5POpl9ceXV_k6Hl_scwH6QzXFfEu42xGE6WlXiQUaFaEWzgTL7Xla2c_z7B6ey3SwdlwZeJ4CSJ7Vip2sCOpkhJ-lmopueoo7Ko_jBuYvYPdJFbhZfXqlC-QRjlfmImTrdn/s1600/2012-06-24+spartan+hay+cargo+nets2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKX5z4m8yjz5POpl9ceXV_k6Hl_scwH6QzXFfEu42xGE6WlXiQUaFaEWzgTL7Xla2c_z7B6ey3SwdlwZeJ4CSJ7Vip2sCOpkhJ-lmopueoo7Ko_jBuYvYPdJFbhZfXqlC-QRjlfmImTrdn/s400/2012-06-24+spartan+hay+cargo+nets2.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hay bales. So determined not to break an ankle today.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LmrLFxRVJOo/T_BLVNDUgyI/AAAAAAAAChI/a9l7xZuyRpY/s1600/2012-06-24+spartan+gladiator+dodge+w+Elissa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LmrLFxRVJOo/T_BLVNDUgyI/AAAAAAAAChI/a9l7xZuyRpY/s400/2012-06-24+spartan+gladiator+dodge+w+Elissa.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey Elissa, I'm right behind you. Thanks for distracting those gladiators. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UjZPvdL-Czs/T_BLZYNFE1I/AAAAAAAAChQ/DGeCC-XGKAU/s1600/2012-06-24+spartan+gladiator+dodge2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UjZPvdL-Czs/T_BLZYNFE1I/AAAAAAAAChQ/DGeCC-XGKAU/s400/2012-06-24+spartan+gladiator+dodge2.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got me some gladiators to dodge...and my eye on the finish line!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I've been having fun watching miscellaneous bruises pop up - mainly on my forearms (from the belly crawls), chest and knees (from going over the climbing wall). </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Hadn't realized exactly how much I had been dreading Spartan until now, when I'm so glad that it's over. At the same time, the realization of what an accomplishment this was is really sinking in. I keep looking at my medal and grinning. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tn3fLM3HMRk/T-_Q8z0PIrI/AAAAAAAACf0/g2RdlBbpbFE/s1600/2012-06-25+spartan+medal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tn3fLM3HMRk/T-_Q8z0PIrI/AAAAAAAACf0/g2RdlBbpbFE/s400/2012-06-25+spartan+medal.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's at home on my medal rack now, but the medal spent the first two days at work with me.<br />
Everytime I felt stiff and sore, I'd look at it and remember "Oh, riiiiight...."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<br />
And now that this is behind me, I can start looking forward to my first Try-a-Tri at the end of July!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Rest of the week went like this - </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xt9JAnrXmJo/T-_Sk5ncc5I/AAAAAAAACgE/hK51XuOBkOg/s1600/2012-06-24-1829+tired+boy,+tired+dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xt9JAnrXmJo/T-_Sk5ncc5I/AAAAAAAACgE/hK51XuOBkOg/s400/2012-06-24-1829+tired+boy,+tired+dog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Son and dog catching a nap on the ride home from Spartan.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Sunday - <a href="http://jengetsmoving.blogspot.ca/2012/06/spartan.html" target="_blank">Spartan Race,</a> drive back home, 3K dog walk. <br />
<br />
Monday - Rest day. 2K walk to the dog park and back. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Tuesday - Big Rest day - I caught a cold my husband was spreading around and it hit me like a ton of bricks. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Wednesday - Starting to feel better already. Went to the gym for a boot camp, focused on strength-training and stretching out. 3K dog walk before bed. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2SHbfT2jxUA/T-_TEKQJx6I/AAAAAAAACgM/mnLW4t-LXak/s1600/2012-06-28+high+park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2SHbfT2jxUA/T-_TEKQJx6I/AAAAAAAACgM/mnLW4t-LXak/s400/2012-06-28+high+park.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful evening for a walk!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Thursday - Last day of school for the kids! Report cards and celebratory pizza, then frantically cleaned the house and got them packed to go to my in-laws for the night. Trail walk with the dog after (2+K). </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Friday - Back to the gym for a boot camp, followed by an impromptu Zumba class. OMG - I had forgotten just how much I love Zumba!! Left the gym very, very sweaty and very, very happy. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>How was your week?</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137409066872659859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736908094104672293.post-29853803636087697462012-06-25T23:00:00.000-04:002012-06-27T12:56:48.235-04:00SPARTAN!!!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8H10FTPidNI/T-fDdmemWXI/AAAAAAAACc4/dR752q7aoUg/s1600/spartan+racer+evolution.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8H10FTPidNI/T-fDdmemWXI/AAAAAAAACc4/dR752q7aoUg/s640/spartan+racer+evolution.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah, I'd say that's about right</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This was much harder than <a href="http://jengetsmoving.blogspot.ca/2011/07/i-am-warrior.html" target="_blank">last year's Warrior Dash</a>. My god.<br />
<br />
I'd heard this was more challenging and have been kind of terrified since signing up - but tried to console myself with the fact that we finished Warrior and I'm a bit fitter than I was last summer. <br />
<br />
I was still pretty intimidated heading into this, though. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QVhBoO3qeeE/T-fDhi9xpbI/AAAAAAAACdA/cvUM6Xyabmk/s1600/2012-06-24-00088+spartan+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QVhBoO3qeeE/T-fDhi9xpbI/AAAAAAAACdA/cvUM6Xyabmk/s400/2012-06-24-00088+spartan+before.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Elissa, Laura, Rachel - waiting to start</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And with good reason, as it turns out!<br />
<br />
Warrior was 12 obstacles in 5K. We finished in 1:04. <br />
<br />
Spartan was 22 obstacles and feats of strength in 7K. <br />
<br />
We finished in 1:31, minus time spent waiting through a few significant bottlenecks at a couple of the stations - so let's say 1:15. <br />
<br />
On paper, it looks like we knocked it out of the park. But this race kicked my butt!<br />
<br />
<strong>What did we face on the course? Let's see...</strong><br />
<br />
7K trail run through a forest of rolling steep hills. Beautiful and shady, would have been great for a family hike!<br />
<br />
Belly crawl up a sandy hill under low nets.<br />
<br />
Crawl through a long narrow tube. I seriously would not have fit in this 80lbs ago. <br />
<br />
Climb up and over a high (wobbly) rope net.<br />
<br />
Belly crawl though about 30 feet of mud under low barbed wire. <br />
<br />
Wade through a mud pond - almost waist deep. <br />
<br />
Pull kettle bells 20 feet up in the air. <br />
<br />
Up and down a 20+ foot high twisty rope ladder (thanks to my girls for trying to steady it for me!!)<br />
<br />
Belly crawl 30 feet or so through dirt under low boards - think of a blackout pit. <br />
<br />
Up and over a 90-degree climbing wall. <br />
<br />
Carry a 20+-lb sand bag through the forest.<br />
<br />
Javelin throw. <br />
<br />
Push a wheelbarrow containing a big cement block through the forest - each handle weighed down by a 20-lb sandbag. <br />
<br />
Hold a dowel at chest height, parallel to the ground, and spin it to wind a rope (tied to a 20-lb sandbag) from the ground up. Twice. <br />
<br />
Balance beams.<br />
<br />
Run through tires. <br />
<br />
Jump over fire. <br />
<br />
20 reps on a rowing machine. <br />
<br />
Belly crawl through ICE CUBES under insanely low strung barbed wire. We had maybe 15" between the ice and the wire. Keep your head - and your butt - down!<br />
<br />
Run up 45-degree ramp and jump off the end. Twice. <br />
<br />
Up and over the hay bales. <br />
<br />
Dodge a trio of Spartans - they want to knock you off your feet. <br />
<br />
Up and over a long, slipperly ramp. I bailed on this one and took a 10-<a href="http://www.beexercise.com/modified-burpee/" target="_blank">burpee</a> penalty. <br />
<br />
FINISH. <br />
<br />
Just to give you an idea, here's a few pics from the course - none of these are of me: <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_xR5yCcKtXs/T-kkFFEnyVI/AAAAAAAACeg/QW38e6aT3-s/s1600/2012-06-24+spartan+course+-+balance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_xR5yCcKtXs/T-kkFFEnyVI/AAAAAAAACeg/QW38e6aT3-s/s320/2012-06-24+spartan+course+-+balance.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KxYAVtYdPAY/T-kkJBynE7I/AAAAAAAACeo/AUFcewHGG_g/s1600/2012-06-24+spartan+course+-+dodge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KxYAVtYdPAY/T-kkJBynE7I/AAAAAAAACeo/AUFcewHGG_g/s320/2012-06-24+spartan+course+-+dodge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lC4R9Jq0dlA/T-kkL4cZMfI/AAAAAAAACew/ujl2ZEjNVdM/s1600/2012-06-24+spartan+course+-+fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lC4R9Jq0dlA/T-kkL4cZMfI/AAAAAAAACew/ujl2ZEjNVdM/s320/2012-06-24+spartan+course+-+fire.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WI01S-ucNyo/T-kkOoHew6I/AAAAAAAACe4/uH612RTUUQM/s1600/2012-06-24+spartan+course+-+haybale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WI01S-ucNyo/T-kkOoHew6I/AAAAAAAACe4/uH612RTUUQM/s320/2012-06-24+spartan+course+-+haybale.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--7Yi8N6yLR4/T-kkTmMSbrI/AAAAAAAACfI/d3uNop_gNgk/s1600/2012-06-24+spartan+course+-+ramp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--7Yi8N6yLR4/T-kkTmMSbrI/AAAAAAAACfI/d3uNop_gNgk/s320/2012-06-24+spartan+course+-+ramp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hMOlaFwcl3c/T-kkRsKttoI/AAAAAAAACfA/-4MQLiDsh-o/s1600/2012-06-24+spartan+course+-+ice+pit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hMOlaFwcl3c/T-kkRsKttoI/AAAAAAAACfA/-4MQLiDsh-o/s320/2012-06-24+spartan+course+-+ice+pit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tfc41xLGlcg/T-kkWmMxAQI/AAAAAAAACfQ/TyzOxLEwd9k/s1600/2012-06-24+spartan+course+-+wheelbarrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tfc41xLGlcg/T-kkWmMxAQI/AAAAAAAACfQ/TyzOxLEwd9k/s320/2012-06-24+spartan+course+-+wheelbarrow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Medals, drink of water, photo op...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsunz5Mf00Oy4BOaRv5P2QXgwUIyAKzbXQghyphenhyphenQbGi6gHKOAY0iRwivWfGAJGUPDk6ZXgOweQPjgnwQE2C50l4wA9I9OoqnQYRXFQiRl_I4OMa9AlC6IlXjpnfLwybIrn1CLfCIvu5H8G_o/s1600/2012-06-24+spartan+after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsunz5Mf00Oy4BOaRv5P2QXgwUIyAKzbXQghyphenhyphenQbGi6gHKOAY0iRwivWfGAJGUPDk6ZXgOweQPjgnwQE2C50l4wA9I9OoqnQYRXFQiRl_I4OMa9AlC6IlXjpnfLwybIrn1CLfCIvu5H8G_o/s640/2012-06-24+spartan+after.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
...sprayed off with an icy cold blast from the fire hose, another photo op...</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDslV5eE1u4MEPfrgQSwykaOK9n3eNyASVmYk-jgSkAz30koerSQDEpBwJ-LkaDupU50faO7wuBPe30dH8PyHe2NyryMYPxKehGB3gsc5hAkTjDXUHve_ecJ6Hd5baEQMJI1mUmMzNE17/s1600/2012-06-24-00093+spartan+after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDslV5eE1u4MEPfrgQSwykaOK9n3eNyASVmYk-jgSkAz30koerSQDEpBwJ-LkaDupU50faO7wuBPe30dH8PyHe2NyryMYPxKehGB3gsc5hAkTjDXUHve_ecJ6Hd5baEQMJI1mUmMzNE17/s400/2012-06-24-00093+spartan+after.jpg" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't actually look much cleaner after the fire hose - just wetter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
...ordered a massive poutine to share with the family, then headed back to the car. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YVB0Ox6SLyo/T-kegqnACRI/AAAAAAAACd8/Z7SNcv4wSAU/s1600/2012-06-24-00094+after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YVB0Ox6SLyo/T-kegqnACRI/AAAAAAAACd8/Z7SNcv4wSAU/s400/2012-06-24-00094+after.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seems so calm and peaceful from over here. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Wrapped up in a tarp, headed back to my mother's for a shower and lunch. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ogis_NsRC5M/T-fDnH-iFrI/AAAAAAAACdQ/oyEmw7itKxA/s1600/2012-06-24-2125+shirt+&+medal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ogis_NsRC5M/T-fDnH-iFrI/AAAAAAAACdQ/oyEmw7itKxA/s400/2012-06-24-2125+shirt+&+medal.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet tech shirt, excellent medal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And a vow to never, ever do this race again. <br />
<br />
Warrior Dash? Mayyyybe....<br />
<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137409066872659859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736908094104672293.post-50727985124120808532012-06-23T00:38:00.003-04:002012-06-23T00:38:53.620-04:00Boston!Exercise took a bit of a back seat this week - I had a 4-day trip to Boson! <br />
<br />
I spent 1-1/2 days at a conference and the rest seeing the sights. Got to stay in a hotel right on the harbour, did some swimming in the hotel pool and walked for miles doing the tourist thing. Here's a few highlights: <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DegppKn0qB8/T-VAR7Bx9tI/AAAAAAAACa4/14RkNlEMeVA/s1600/IMG00935-20120616-1855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DegppKn0qB8/T-VAR7Bx9tI/AAAAAAAACa4/14RkNlEMeVA/s400/IMG00935-20120616-1855.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of COURSE I had to have dinner here</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSr8D9OOlCxTJfVJDsDK_iLNNcO0m5fiKwPr3A1vZU7EeNALY6-68d23W2q2DB6nlCRdVZAMmxubAU5gC1mKyX1Rs2Er45kJLqGCM8G-Gwzxi0RGd1S_bX55rX5nzTGJmvj2ULphoGgXAE/s1600/IMG00936-20120616-1948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSr8D9OOlCxTJfVJDsDK_iLNNcO0m5fiKwPr3A1vZU7EeNALY6-68d23W2q2DB6nlCRdVZAMmxubAU5gC1mKyX1Rs2Er45kJLqGCM8G-Gwzxi0RGd1S_bX55rX5nzTGJmvj2ULphoGgXAE/s400/IMG00936-20120616-1948.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, please!<br />
Very entertaining, lots of creepy stories, and saw more of Boston than I would have on foot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p6kz5hAbnwY/T-VBbVJBOFI/AAAAAAAACbw/6Y_z3-tniGU/s1600/IMG00951-20120617-1041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p6kz5hAbnwY/T-VBbVJBOFI/AAAAAAAACbw/6Y_z3-tniGU/s400/IMG00951-20120617-1041.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tried to go whale watching. <br />
Had to abort about an hour outside of Boston when over half of the 300-passengers (myself included) were horribly seasick. <br />
It was nasty. Ghastly. I'm done with oceans, thanks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6vXkyScrhTs/T-VAYIacRcI/AAAAAAAACbI/eLbrG23Jq-s/s1600/IMG01016-20120619-1603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6vXkyScrhTs/T-VAYIacRcI/AAAAAAAACbI/eLbrG23Jq-s/s400/IMG01016-20120619-1603.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About 1 minute from my hotel and an absolutely wonderful place to visit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ixZT2KWBOhI/T-VAahj8QTI/AAAAAAAACbQ/xw6Kx4qmXCQ/s1600/IMG00956-20120617-1425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ixZT2KWBOhI/T-VAahj8QTI/AAAAAAAACbQ/xw6Kx4qmXCQ/s400/IMG00956-20120617-1425.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots and lots of these guys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d20W7DOD_eA/T-VAeQkqIcI/AAAAAAAACbY/C8z9RQlsfd4/s1600/IMG00994-20120617-1551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d20W7DOD_eA/T-VAeQkqIcI/AAAAAAAACbY/C8z9RQlsfd4/s400/IMG00994-20120617-1551.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surprisingly slimy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFH4XtuESXk9ZFfiy1gd2y4jlQbdlDMYj0FqjC7Em5saKJ5fAjGhEbV2LtBV-SyzvecLnDtKojxNnJTifG-bI-3ctRqSzYY_nf8ux0kO8nDCHlEg1LnfYMFRwf_WufF_eV2dSMi2VjhTb4/s1600/IMG00963-20120617-1441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFH4XtuESXk9ZFfiy1gd2y4jlQbdlDMYj0FqjC7Em5saKJ5fAjGhEbV2LtBV-SyzvecLnDtKojxNnJTifG-bI-3ctRqSzYY_nf8ux0kO8nDCHlEg1LnfYMFRwf_WufF_eV2dSMi2VjhTb4/s400/IMG00963-20120617-1441.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Myrtle the Turtle - she's about 80 years old and over 500-lbs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PbHgrl1Po3o/T-VD_GGhUCI/AAAAAAAACcY/6ehzAXQ8f6Y/s1600/IMG01005-20120617-1639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PbHgrl1Po3o/T-VD_GGhUCI/AAAAAAAACcY/6ehzAXQ8f6Y/s400/IMG01005-20120617-1639.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harbour beside the hotel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XeudaeragdU/T-VBWt-AoPI/AAAAAAAACbo/4XqFuqJQ1d0/s1600/IMG01006-20120618-2346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XeudaeragdU/T-VBWt-AoPI/AAAAAAAACbo/4XqFuqJQ1d0/s400/IMG01006-20120618-2346.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My nephew was in town! He lives in England but is on a road trip across North America for the next few months. <br />
Absolute coincidence that we were in Boston at the same time...and on his birthday!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Also made it to Boston Common, Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market. Soaked up a lot of history, including seeing the graves of Paul Revere and John Hancock. <br />
<br />
Ran into some great people at the conference that I'd met before, which helped keep things fun.<br />
<br />
All in all, it was a great trip with easy travel and beautiful weather. A reasonably interesting conference, too.<br />
<br />
I got to the gym once since I've been home, for a power boot camp. Followed by a lovely evening at High Park - we walked the trails, hit the dog park, and generally goofed around.<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wojenfLOXXE/T-VBmM4oRAI/AAAAAAAACb4/f4ZJ0MZB1ew/s1600/2012-06-22+high+park+piggyback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wojenfLOXXE/T-VBmM4oRAI/AAAAAAAACb4/f4ZJ0MZB1ew/s400/2012-06-22+high+park+piggyback.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Missed these guys while I was away</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />Next up - Spartan Race on Sunday. I'm reasonably terrified. Wish me luck!<br />
<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137409066872659859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736908094104672293.post-80538141623879018982012-06-15T20:47:00.002-04:002012-06-15T20:47:51.538-04:00Excitingly Busy<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Huh - I missed making a post last week. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Things are starting to get back in balance, but it's been "excitingly busy" around here - which is <a href="http://www.aliontherunblog.com/" target="_blank">Ali-speak</a> for stressful. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My team at work is running super lean at the moment, so every day has been a hit-the-ground-running-don't-ever-stop kind of day. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm putting the finishing touches on one volunteer gig while also putting in the hours to help another one get off the ground. After seven years of producing the monthly newsletter for my daughter's school, I am more than ready to pass it off to someone else - which has involved documenting the processes for the incoming volunteer as well as putting together the June issue. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My new volunteer gig? My neighbours, husband and myself have started a "Friends of" community advocacy group for our local park. It's been a whirlwind two weeks of laying the foundation - research, park audits, maintenance grids, steering committees, social media strategies. Next steps - engage the City Councillor and Parks Supervisor and start with community consultations. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Have been booking summer vacation...day camps...overseeing school projects...supervising piano practice for the end of year recital...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And not sure what possessed me, but I spent the better part of a day cleaning my garage from top to bottom. It's been a couple of years and it was getting scary. Cobwebs, spiders, dirt and old leaves everywhere, as well as a few years' worth of clutter. Yuck. The kids got involved too - they finally realized that they have outgrown many of their old outdoor toys and got rid of about 75% of them. Filled my car to the brim with items to drop off at Goodwill, put a big pile of miscellanous stuff on the front lawn for people to help themselves to (all gone within 24 hours), took a pile of excess sand toys to the sandbox at the park, and filled my garbage can to the top with broken, non-recyclable junk. Swept everything out, hosed things down and then stood back to admire my work. Unbelievable how satisfying that was. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Excitingly busy, indeed!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We also squeezed in a trip out of town to my husband's aunt's new home for a day. That part was more exciting than busy. Especially because her backyard looks like this: </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PULEXUTeW14/T9lSUJSI2mI/AAAAAAAACaM/MsBYxfrvJ6Y/s1600/2012-06-02-00228+Trent+Hills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PULEXUTeW14/T9lSUJSI2mI/AAAAAAAACaM/MsBYxfrvJ6Y/s400/2012-06-02-00228+Trent+Hills.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tell me again why I live in the city?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ryzZtHC662o/T9lSYgDK2AI/AAAAAAAACaU/S_cQ8rnkIWk/s1600/2012-06-02-00240+Trent+Hills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ryzZtHC662o/T9lSYgDK2AI/AAAAAAAACaU/S_cQ8rnkIWk/s400/2012-06-02-00240+Trent+Hills.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very happy daughter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C4nprg_SYQ0/T9lScd5P4MI/AAAAAAAACac/NMciLVTS4Gs/s1600/2012-06-02-1747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C4nprg_SYQ0/T9lScd5P4MI/AAAAAAAACac/NMciLVTS4Gs/s400/2012-06-02-1747.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Son and my sister-in-law</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On the exercise front, there have been dog walks, a couple of trips to the gym/bootcamp each week, a run with the dog this week (4.1K), leisure swim and lots of whiffle ball with the kids. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQfO93kO_8w/T9ldq_Nvi2I/AAAAAAAACao/tYrLRK5_UwE/s1600/2012-06-10+high+park+early+morning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQfO93kO_8w/T9ldq_Nvi2I/AAAAAAAACao/tYrLRK5_UwE/s400/2012-06-10+high+park+early+morning.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early Sunday morning at High Park. There are new holes to investigate.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What's up next? Well, a trip to Boston for work for 4 days. Taking my running shoes and swim suit, you can bet on that. Followed by the Spartan Race on 6/24. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>How have you been? Aside from racing, is June a busy season for you?</strong></div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137409066872659859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736908094104672293.post-7635260001159098972012-06-04T23:25:00.000-04:002012-06-04T23:58:33.215-04:0050K Ride for Heart - Check!<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQeXXu0n8Rs/T81hpl7XrYI/AAAAAAAACZU/4Jhnctl2xIk/s1600/2011-0605+Becel+Ride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQeXXu0n8Rs/T81hpl7XrYI/AAAAAAAACZU/4Jhnctl2xIk/s640/2011-0605+Becel+Ride.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The <a href="http://www.rideforheart.ca/" target="_blank">Becel Ride for Heart</a> is an absolutely fantastic, 25-year-old event in Toronto. Two major highways are closed off to make this work - one running along the Lake Ontario waterfront, the other through the beautiful Don Valley. It's hard to really notice just how scenic these routes are from a speeding car - but it's lovely from a bike. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Equally spectacular is the opportunity to go for a ride along a perfectly smooth (no potholes!), 3-to-4-lane-wide highway that's closed to cars. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This event is capped at 13,000 riders and sells out every year. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I can see why. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It also raises over $5M for the <a href="http://www.heartandstroke.on.ca/" target="_blank">Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario</a> every year. It's a pretty big deal around here. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I rode the <a href="http://jengetsmoving.blogspot.ca/2011/06/25k-ride-for-heart-check.html" target="_blank">25K course last year</a> - the longest ride I'd ever done at that point - and came away so delighted from the experience that I knew I'd be back for the 50K this year. I actually made up my mind about that before I even hit the 10K mark last year - this ride IS that fun.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last year, I went out with the general 8am start - which meant starting in a chute with over 10,000 other riders. The first 5K or so looked something like this: </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOC4cse3tnVgU9KYfN9ngq5kTNnV_LajLYyHnMDCj28JhBQt5r82ike5sRp2ZIATIZgwV_GWEC_N18APlLzA7yl7RUcW5yvJnsnKK5Bdues03l7GGjgzp1qdU1fe1lrcmc92-0R2BTx5c3/s1600/579543_322361667838929_1041017220_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOC4cse3tnVgU9KYfN9ngq5kTNnV_LajLYyHnMDCj28JhBQt5r82ike5sRp2ZIATIZgwV_GWEC_N18APlLzA7yl7RUcW5yvJnsnKK5Bdues03l7GGjgzp1qdU1fe1lrcmc92-0R2BTx5c3/s400/579543_322361667838929_1041017220_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the 2012 Ride's Facebook page. You get the idea - that's a big crowd</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It took me a while to get through the pack and be able to ride at my own pace - about 5-6KMs actually. That part wasn't all that fun, come to think of it. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But this year, I got up a little earlier and went out in the early-bird start. Smart move. I didn't arrive at the start until 7.50am, but WOW. Was it ever fabulous to ride past the massive crowd in the starting chute, flash my green badge at the marshalls and head out in this crowd: </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B5b9kB5CLbA/T81f_KYlPWI/AAAAAAAACZI/DIw-b_fOTmo/s1600/2012-06-03-0754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B5b9kB5CLbA/T81f_KYlPWI/AAAAAAAACZI/DIw-b_fOTmo/s400/2012-06-03-0754.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Except for paramedics, I HAD THE HIGHWAY TO MYSELF! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
That sweet 10-minute head start meant that I was loooong gone when the crowd hit the course. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I started to catch up to other early starters around the 3K mark, but even by 10K the road was nice and open: </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRFvafR0-JFzssAm6AjI7agKfzMQioXlHH5ty7uj2H21Gend0Ewxmh6rwd_9BuUmN6IORHVfZ8-EiOVOktU7zYvAoQaLxES6coyMuhKBbC7DC9Re0gIxwFHbVeabAzO2t2erSST1u0kOS/s1600/2012-06-03-0820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRFvafR0-JFzssAm6AjI7agKfzMQioXlHH5ty7uj2H21Gend0Ewxmh6rwd_9BuUmN6IORHVfZ8-EiOVOktU7zYvAoQaLxES6coyMuhKBbC7DC9Re0gIxwFHbVeabAzO2t2erSST1u0kOS/s400/2012-06-03-0820.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early bird starts are the BEST. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now, the 25K course is very pleasant - lots of low, gradual rises and falls. I imagine the net elevation change is maybe...0 metres? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But what happens on the longer course? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In additon to being worried about the overall distance of the course - and freaked out by the <a href="http://jengetsmoving.blogspot.ca/2012/05/rookie-mistakes-galore.html" target="_blank">dismal experience in my one and only long training ride</a> - I've spent the last few months absolutely terrified of The Hill. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
A few 50K finishers from past years had warned me about The Hill. "Things change once you get north of the turnaround for the 25K route". </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Put all this together and you can see why this race was one of my Big, Scary Goals for 2012. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
I didn't had a chance to drive the route in the last 6+ months, and didn't think to map it out, so had to go by logic: Toronto is built on a long slope that leads down to Lake Ontario, so heading away from the lake means going uphill. I live on the west side of the city at the top of an escarpment, and there are some nasty hills over here, so I can imagine that things would be fairly similar a few KMs east. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've read about nasty hills - like <a href="http://youjusthavetotri.blogspot.ca/2011/06/old-stage-1-julie-0.html" target="_blank">this one</a> that has made <a href="http://youjusthavetotri.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Julie</a> swear off of all events that include it. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
With that in mind, I made a quick stop at the 15K spot (DVP/Eglinton) for a snack - 1/4 Luna bar, 1/4 banana, some water - and some stretching. Gotta get ready for that Hill. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But as I got further north, I noticed that I was going DOWNHILL. And that The Hill was on the other side of the highway - beside me - in the southbound part of the course. Not going to be fun tackling that in another 10KMs or so. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Except when I headed through the (dangerously crowded) turnaround (where are the race marshalls??), headed south and got over to The Hill - it was just another long, low rise. A little longer and a bit...rise-ier...than others, but nothing like I was worried about. It would have been a piece of cake with fresh legs, but even so, it really wasn't so bad. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Said a small prayer of thanks to the engineers who designed this highway. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Remembered that Julie lives in Colorado. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Promised myself that I'd be back next year for the 75K course. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Stopped for another quick snack (more Luna/water/banana/stretching) and kept going. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There WAS a nasty surprise later on - the course involves a short detour off the highway, around a cloverleaf and back on. It's short, but rather steep. It's part of the 25K turnaround and it almost killed me last year although I managed to keep going rather than walk up. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Surprise, surprise - it turns out that it's part of the 50K course as well, because it's a spot for those doing the 75K to loop around north again. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This year, that detour was much easier, even on tired legs. I have running and boot camp to thank for that. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have running and boot camp to thank for a lot of things, actually. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anyway - once I was past THAT and had only another 11K to go - my competitive nature showed up. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'd started this with "finish" as my goal. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now it became about time. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I finished 25K last year in 1H10mins - slowed down by the pack at first, but no breaks aside from a quick text to my husband. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Wonder how fast I can get to the finish this year? And wouldn't it be great to finish before the rain shows up?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mGK4YpaYSRA/T81wIb4ns-I/AAAAAAAACZ0/2Gow1cWppIU/s1600/2012-06-03-0947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mGK4YpaYSRA/T81wIb4ns-I/AAAAAAAACZ0/2Gow1cWppIU/s400/2012-06-03-0947.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only 5K or so to go. Starting to get crowded - lots of 25K and 50K finishers riding together at this point</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I did have to slow down a bit because of the gathering crowd..and to send a few quick texts to my family...be there soon...but soon rolled into the finish line with a smile and legs that could have gone for more. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>Finish time:</strong> 2 hours, 15minutes. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>Number of bugs swallowed: </strong>0</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm very pleased with BOTH of those numbers!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Loaded up on snacks, found my family, hugs and kisses all around, photo op...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MeqJCqQbbF0/T811498CdDI/AAAAAAAACaA/uALHMOPlBVE/s1600/2012-06-03-1034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MeqJCqQbbF0/T811498CdDI/AAAAAAAACaA/uALHMOPlBVE/s400/2012-06-03-1034.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just tackled one of my Big Scary Goals - and it wasn't so bad!<br />
That smile is mostly joy, but with a bit of relief mixed in :-)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
...stretched, and headed for the car. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The CAR! That's right! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What with the early bird start...and living somewhat close to the starting line...I actually rode my bike to the starting line. Left the family sleeping and the car at home. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Which means that I rode fifty-SIX kms today. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And had enough left over to walk down to the dog park after lunch. And again after dinner.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yep - I'm going back for 75K next year. <br />
<br />
That being said? <br />
<br />
Having ridden 50K, I can't EVEN IMAGINE doing 42K on foot. All the marathoners out there are made of IRON. Wow!</div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137409066872659859noreply@blogger.com2