tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14590708855029388392024-03-13T10:34:45.452-04:00Dash and WineHunnybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630919376668204980noreply@blogger.comBlogger248125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1459070885502938839.post-12396640714215871482013-11-12T13:00:00.001-05:002013-11-12T13:00:13.653-05:00New York - Before the Race
<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.21cm; }</style>
<br />
Friday to the Start Line<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Sorry I had to break this into sections because there were so many little things I didn't want to skip over.</i></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
To start we got into the city on Friday
night. We got into Newark and took the airport shuttle the New Jersey
train to Penn Station and then got slightly lost on the NYC subway
system. Thankfully once we got it figured out the station wasn't that
far from our hotel.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Saturday we hit the expo and even
though it sounded on FB that security would be crazy it wasn't bad at
all and took hardly any real effort to get in. I got my bib and start
bag. We then wandered around with first getting an official NY
t-shirt(because apparently the one they give us wasn't enough for me
LOL). While walking around we found the Garmin booth and found out
that they were selling the new Garmin that I was looking at for sale
before it hit stores! So that means Christmas came early for me and I
got my new FR220. We tried some yummy cheeses, chia seeds, and
yogurts. After that we dropped everything off at the hotel and
walked over to Central Park and checked out the finish line. I was
constantly giddy. We then went out for an early dinner of what else
but pasta and then settled in for the night.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
My alarm was set for 5am. I woke twice
once at 3:30 freaked out that my alarm didn't go off because of the
time change. For some reason I was convinced that it was clocks
forwards not back in my sleep. I went back to sleep and jumped awake
at 4:50 and decided to just stay awake. Hubs woke up with me and I got
dressed and he got me to the restaurant around the corner then he
went back to bed LOL. They were open earlier than normal for the
marathon runners, so I got some oatmeal and headed over to the
subway.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
While waiting for the train I started
talking to two ladies. One was Alabama and the other was from
Montana. We stuck together for the 20 min train ride until we got to
the ferry. Montana then left to meet up with friends and Alabama and
I stayed together. We hit the bathrooms and got on the next ferry
boat. (I should point out that there were tons of police there with
dogs and big guns. You were only allowed into the waiting area if you
showed your see through bag and if you had a regular bag they would
look through it.) Once we got our seats and moving, the nerves were
starting for both of us. Mostly when we noticed that the US Coast
Guard had a small boat on each side of the ferry the whole way. We
then got the line up for the bathroom again before heading to the
corrals since it was cold outside and it was better to wait in the
ferry terminal. LOL. After that crazy long line Alabama left since
she was in an earlier wave than me. Not wanting to go out into the
cold I stayed another 30 mins or so in the terminal and met some
people from Australia and Denmark and another couple from the States.
A race person came by and told us the last of the buses would be
leaving soon. So reluctantly we all said good bye and good luck.(Good
lesson for a very crowded race – unless you plan on staying with
someone you probably won't see them again so wish everyone luck) and
headed to the buses. In the crowd there I talked to two guys who were
from New York and got in with the 9+1 Road Runners thing. On the bus
I talked to a girl from San Francisco who was running her first
marathon. She was also bundled in a sleeping bag.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
After getting off the buses and heading
to the corrals. There was insane police presence there. You had to
walk down the street and go through metal detectors. Any electronics
had to go into your bags or in bins. More sniffing dogs were around
and even if any police couldn't see your bib on your person you would
get pulled over and scanned again. Thankfully I had no issues and got
into the Fort easily and I imagine it was the same for most people.
It was set up in the Colours so I went off to the blue section and
was happy to see that it wasn't just open space. They did have some
tents to protect from the wind. There were lots of bins for garbage
and clothing as people were shedding layers. I was tempted to grab a
coffee but since I'd never had Dunkin Donuts before I decided to skip
it. I wasn't there for more than 15 mins when the final call for the
Baggage trucks went. I decided to not use my baggage and just put my
clothes in the donation bins. The corrals were packed and you could
feel the nerves in the air. When we started moving the lady next to
me said “oh shit” she then apologized and I just laughed and told
her she said what we were all thinking. The Blue corral started with
the toll boothes on our right and buses on our left. You would have
heard the announcer over the speakers except for when the helicopters
were too close. We heard the National Anthem and then the canon went
off and there was no mistaking it. Everyone clapped and cheered. Then
the famous Frank Sinatra came over the speakers and as we were
walking to the actual start line you could hear sooo many people
singing along. I was totally one of them. I loved that they made each
wave important. We got almost everything that the leaders got I
imagine.
</div>
Hunnybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630919376668204980noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1459070885502938839.post-85779947843634343502013-07-31T22:42:00.000-04:002013-07-31T22:42:48.789-04:00OpppsIf you follow me on Twitter or Dailymile you'd see that today I ran 4 hills. My plan had me at 10k Tempo and I had got myself ready for an hour of pushing myself to keep a steady pace rather than go out too fast and burn out at the end. Well I got to the store and met up with everyone and snuck a look at the board where all the clinic post the night's plan.<br />
<br />
Marathon: 4 happier hills.<br />
<br />
Oops!<br />
I had totally forgotten that the clinic group that I run with sometimes is the training clinic for the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Which is on October 20th. Two weeks before my race. So they are two weeks ahead of me. And it meant that tonight was the start of hill training.<br />
<br />
We got a total of 7.75k in and ended up doing the hill behind the water plant down at the lake. I didn't even know there was a path/road behind it. It worked out really well because we managed to get a bit of a talk about hills and I don't get to go to the talks since I work the day they do those. There was some nice talk about posture and even a trick for doing your laces that work well for hills. It's called the Butterfly. I tried looking for pictures about it and am coming up short. In any case I'm guessing it helped since I didn't even register my shoes while powering up the hills. <br />
<br />
The only other big question I guess would be how to handle my training for hills and such. Since in training we start at 4 hills and go to 10 hill and then move on to speedwork. I'll have to think about whether I want to stay with my plan more or make some changes.Hunnybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630919376668204980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1459070885502938839.post-85803668529803141712013-07-24T16:25:00.002-04:002013-07-24T16:25:37.717-04:00Sadly we had to say GoodbyeI haven't been posting much this month.<br />
<br />
The main reason is that we had to put a lot of KMs on our car as we drove down to visit Dad(Hub's dad). This past winter he was diagnosed with Gastric Cancer and it was in the later stages when we finally knew what it was. We were taking every chance we could to drive down and visit with him and Mom. He was admitted to Hospice in mid May and he passed away July 16th at 63 years.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/334_27232236622_5335_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/334_27232236622_5335_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Him and Hubs at our wedding</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I knew him since high school. Dad was a teacher there, so I've known him for half my life. Actually when dating Hubs it took me almost a year to stop calling him Sir all the time. :)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/576429_10151186729356623_590879079_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/576429_10151186729356623_590879079_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mema and Grandad with the Grandchild just before it started.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
He was a truly wonderful man who clearly loved his family and his life. He taught us a lot about being a good parent and role model. I just hope to continue to make him proud.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Hunnybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630919376668204980noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1459070885502938839.post-14526751731051525642013-07-11T12:33:00.001-04:002013-07-11T12:33:05.933-04:00TiringAnd its only week 2 of training.<br />
<br />
I have another 18 weeks to go. I've always had lots of admiration for those that train for marathon in general. I mean its tiring and you're hungry a lot. and adding in training on top of a full time job. I mean that's why for my first Marathon I chose to do it before I went back into work. And now I'm doing it too.<br />
<br />
I'm sure the heat isn't helping but man I'm tired. This whole working full time on my feet then add the running and the family stuff....whew.. Its enough to make me want to crawl back into bed. <br />
<br />
Actually one of my biggest challenges is that since I'm feeling tired and run down a bit is that I first reach for a coffee. I need to make sure I'm grabbing a big cup of water first then the coffee because I notice that its really easy to miss out on getting enough water. Thankfully the work schedule is going to change a bit and I'll be doing more middle shifts where I won't be by myself for long stretches so it means I won't have to worry about having to close the store to hit the bathroom.<br />
<br />
Now if I could just get my chocolate addiction under wraps a bit....Hunnybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630919376668204980noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1459070885502938839.post-17044187530107872542013-07-03T22:12:00.002-04:002013-07-03T22:12:18.514-04:00Officially starting to TrainSo this week was the official start to my New York training. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Monday-rest!</div>
<div>
Tuesday- 6k Tempo</div>
<div>
Wednesday-10k Tempo</div>
<div>
Thursday- 6k Steady</div>
<div>
Friday- Rest!(It's also delivery day at work so I count it as cross training)</div>
<div>
Saturday- 6k Steady</div>
<div>
Sunday -10k LSD</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So far I'm doing good. Both my Tempo runs have me hitting my targets. Thought starting this week as well I'll be back at the Running Room with the Marathon clinic for Wednesdays and Sundays. I went tonight and it was great. I realized how much I missed everyone. I actually ran most of the route on my own, but I figured Sundays will be the day to be social during the runs and Wednesday its more for keeping on target. It kinda sucks how my schedule doesn't allow for me to do the full clinic with everyone but I did sign up for the online version and will bug the heck out of my instructor Steve. I'm pretty sure come November he'll be happy that the clinic and my questions will end. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was really hot and sadly not the hottest I've run in. I actually got panicked for a bit while running when I realized I wasn't sweaty as much as I had been earlier in the run. Of course I was running INTO the bit of wind at this point and as soon as I stopped at a light I felt it all come back but now I'm loading up on water and a bit of Gatorade just to make sure I'm hydrated enough. Don't want any bonking during tomorrow's run. It'll probably be a bit slow since I've been pushing it at the Tempo paces this round. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
P.S I have a new vintage of an awesome red to try this weekend!</div>
Hunnybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630919376668204980noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1459070885502938839.post-31524887908390381742013-06-10T22:25:00.001-04:002013-06-10T22:25:40.690-04:00Who said they could grow up?<div style="text-align: center;">
Bug had his First Communion two weeks ago. Things got busy(and distracted by some race) and I totally forgot to post about it here. Bad Mama. The church was a little crazy since 64 kids were partaking. But here are some pics of the day. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/p206x206/983987_10151458919416623_1956639170_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/p206x206/983987_10151458919416623_1956639170_n.jpg" /></a><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/485494_10151458919466623_189556762_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/485494_10151458919466623_189556762_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But really? Who told him he was allowed to grow looking so handsome? (clearly takes after his mother LOL)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/954654_10151458919776623_910284566_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/954654_10151458919776623_910284566_n.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;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Nice Family Pic</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/425256_10151458919206623_793583596_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/425256_10151458919206623_793583596_n.jpg" width="213" /></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;">
And the silly one!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/942903_10151458919326623_143279653_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/942903_10151458919326623_143279653_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
with Grandpa and cousin added in for fun.</div>
Hunnybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630919376668204980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1459070885502938839.post-48792200295147541132013-06-05T12:53:00.000-04:002013-06-05T12:53:09.125-04:00Getting in the moodfor running a marathon.<br />
<br />
Training hasn't even officially started(That'll come June 30) and I'm a bunch of nerves. I know I can complete the race. But I have heard that New York is hilly and definitely not PR course.<br />
<br />
Granted I've also heard its a once in a lifetime experience for some. I really needed to hear more about that side of it. So off I went looking for blog posts about it. In my searching I found out that Liz Robbins wrote a book about the 2007 NYC Marathon.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.marathonguide.com/news/exclusives/NewYorkCityMarathon2012/images/ARaceLikeNoOtherCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.marathonguide.com/news/exclusives/NewYorkCityMarathon2012/images/ARaceLikeNoOtherCover.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
<br />
The library near work even had a copy so I went and got it.<br />
You know what? Two thumbs up. It covers a lot of the background stuff that I would have had no clue on, but it also covered the journey on race day of a couple people. Of course it covers the top elites who placed 1st, 2nd, 3rd in that year's race.<br />
<br />
I loved how it covered parts of the race by chapter. Would you be surprise to learn there is 26 chapters in the book? It goes over the course mile by mile and the different parts of each mile. Like how in the 8th mile the Emmanuel Baptist Church comes out and sings because parishioners weren't making it to mass on Marathon Sunday? So they brought it to the race that passed by their church?<br />
Or in Mile 20 Pat Duffy snuck onto the Willis Avenue Bridge(spectators are not allowed on bridges) with his bagpipes to play starting in 2002 since he knew this is where it got hard?<br />
<br />
Definitely a recommended read. We all know how much of a sap I am and I was getting teary-eyed at points, and cheering on people in others. Never mind that this particular race was 6 years ago.<br />
<br />
I'm already getting excited for my chance to be on those streets and to experience the crowds and support from whole city because this book showed how amazing it is when the whole city embraces such an event.<br />
<br />
Dude! Go read it!Hunnybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630919376668204980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1459070885502938839.post-26538353935704602372013-06-03T21:25:00.000-04:002013-06-03T21:25:22.787-04:00Weekend Wine<div style="text-align: center;">
Inniskillin Pinot Grigio</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As I mentioned before I picked up this new wine that my store now carries.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a118/HandsomesMommy/DSCF0419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a118/HandsomesMommy/DSCF0419.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It a 2012 wine from the Niagara Region here in Ontario. What makes this Pinot special is that the Winemaker left the skins on before pressing allowing the colour of the skins to be in the final product. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ever seen what Pinot Grigio grapes look like? Most would assume that the grapes would be yellow or green like the grapes in the grocery store and they'd be wrong. This is the Pinot Grigio grape</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.lodiwine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pinot-Gris-Vino-Farms-113111--300x214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.lodiwine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pinot-Gris-Vino-Farms-113111--300x214.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Source <a href="http://www.lodiwine.com/">http://www.lodiwine.com</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So it makes perfect sense to see that there is a slightly pink-ish ting to the wine. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now this wine is said to be dry but I found it more off dry and it was nice and fruity and had a fantastic finish. Nice and crisp with a more tropical fruit taste. I was really worried with the dry rating and crisp description that it would be leaning towards a sauvignon blanc kind of taste but it wasn't and that made me incredibly happy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This one definitely it in my top picks from Inniskillin right now. Beating out even my beloved Late Autumn Riesling. </div>
Hunnybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630919376668204980noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1459070885502938839.post-46754055905382303572013-05-30T12:11:00.002-04:002013-05-30T12:11:31.173-04:00Why not?So everyone has things they do on a whim right?<br />
<br />
You know how hundreds of people pay the $11 fee(or donation as I like to call it) to the NYRR in the spring to apply for a lottery spot for the NYC Marathon?<br />
<br />
I did it last year, just in a why not kind of thing. I didn't get in. Thought nothing of it. I mean there was that moment when you get the email where you go "awwww", then "oh well" and continue on.<br />
<br />
So I decided to do it again this year. Mostly thinking that (and here comes another big news thing) that I was thinking of doing another Marathon next year(2014) and that more than likely I wouldn't get into New York but with that 3 tries and they let you in thing it could mean that I could be in New York for 2015. Right? Planning things out. Getting ahead of the game.<br />
<br />
Until I got this message yesterday<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/p480x480/945500_10151465327841623_1498887677_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/p480x480/945500_10151465327841623_1498887677_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Looks like I have a big fall race!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
November 3rd I'll be running the streets of New York!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Why not!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/935401_10151466053481623_1032615128_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/935401_10151466053481623_1032615128_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So get ready for at least 18 weeks of me training for a Marathon again!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now off to research anything and everything I can. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Hunnybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630919376668204980noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1459070885502938839.post-92123387675626506132013-05-29T11:54:00.001-04:002013-05-29T11:54:44.317-04:00Mid Week Mind RamblesThat's an awesome title huh?<br />
<br />
So my schedule keeps having to change. Its apparently really hard to keep things steady and consistent when you are the boss lady. Thankfully it doesn't mess up to much with my running plans.<br />
<br />
But in good news we got a new wine in store!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/p480x480/431900_10151456039186623_546945906_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/p480x480/431900_10151456039186623_546945906_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Its a Pinot Grigio from Inniskillin and yes it does have a slight pink-ish colour to it. The Winemaker, Bruce decided to keep the skins on before pressing and that's where the colour comes from. It looks interesting and of course I got a bottle and will be trying it out sometime this week (Review to come!)<br />
<br />
Today's 5k was good. I managed to keep a good pace. Thought to honest part of that was because I knew my ipod didn't have the best charge and then my garmin gave me a low battery sign. Nothing like the chance of losing your technology to make you keep up the pace when it gets hard.<br />
<br />
The weather is getting warmer and I'm debating how I plan to deal with the heat since I can't always do 5am runs this summer. Not getting home till after midnight and up at 5 doesn't sound like the funniest thing to do. The idea of a treadmill keeps looking better but I'm really trying to not give in.Hunnybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630919376668204980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1459070885502938839.post-10631771221695639252013-05-16T11:48:00.000-04:002013-05-16T11:48:08.747-04:00Sporting Life 10k ReportWell what can I say about a race I didn't train for?<br />
I ran a couple times a week but never over 6k. The week of the race I ran once.<br />
So at least this time I just had a goal of running the course and seeing what happened. I didn't expect anything other than a fun time since I always enjoy running this race.<br />
<br />
Though maybe not so much this year.<br />
<br />
This year they added more runners, and I'm not sure they were fully prepared for it. The race was crowded the whole way. Sure there was points where it was a bit less crowded but there was lots of having to weave throughout the whole course. The first water station had hardly any cups out and people were taking them as the water was pouring at some times(Though the gateroade one had a good amount of cups available). And everyone knows about this issues with the finish line.<br />
(Curious? Read <a href="http://yumkerun.blogspot.ca/2013/05/sporting-life-10k-and-another-race-fail.html">THIS</a> blog here)<br />
<br />
All that aside it was a good run. The start was cold and I found a great guy named Conor standing next to me in the corrals who was radiating heat. It took me everything I had to not just start cuddling him. Of course being a mid pack runner I didn't hear any of the start stuff and only noticed the race started because our corral moved up. But then we were off.<br />
<br />
The first couple of KMs were just about warming up and taking it easy.<br />
km1- 5:59<br />
km2- 5:55<br />
km3- 6:07<br />
km4- 6:04<br />
<br />
One of my favourite parts was that the bands for the first bit were classical bands (is that how you would describe them?) Nothing like seeing a Cello and a couple Violins playing what sounded like a top 40 song.<br />
<br />
I hit the first water station that was around 4k. The first two tables were a mess but if you went back a couple tables it was ok. And by this point all of me was warm. But there was still some gusts of wind that was crazy so I kept my homemade (knee socks from the dollarstore cut up) arm sleeves on.<br />
I was a bit worried about how I would feel in the last half of the race since I never went over 6km in the weeks prior.<br />
<br />
km5- 5:43<br />
km6- 5:39<br />
km7- 6:11<br />
<br />
Hit the second water station around Km7 and grabbed some Gatorade. Actually felt pretty good still and just starting to feel the race. Though I do expect most of that is because the race is net downhill to this point really. Now it got flat and required a bit more effort to keep it up. Took a bit more of walk break just after the water station so I could get rid of my arm warmers. They did a great job and I had them around my wrists but they felt tight so I tossed them next to a garbage bin. At some point I believe in this section I saw a camera<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/942737_10151440142231623_1746211186_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/942737_10151440142231623_1746211186_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hey!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/217339_10151440142251623_1031991485_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/217339_10151440142251623_1031991485_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Cheese!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
km8-5:33<br />
km9- 5:51<br />
km10- 5:34<br />
<br />
In the last two Kms it was great seeing lots of people on the side lines cheering. The worst was going along Richmond and all you could smell was bacon. I believe there were a couple of us moaning and drooling at this. Crossing that last bridge just before the last turn was great. Even though at this point my legs were tired I just pushed it and kept it up. Mostly thinking I'll see my boys and be done.<br />
<br />
I had told Hubs to be on the left side since its usually less crowded but I couldn't see them. They were on the right side and so we missed each other for the second year in a row.<br />
<br />
But of course that didn't matter since I had to come to halt even before the first timing mat. I also stopped my watch at this point. Packed in like sardines we had to walk over the finish line(I was very thankful I wasn't attempting a PB this year). I won't get into the mess of the finishing area, but there wasn't much directions on where to get medals or post race food. I did manage to get both and head back to find my family. Of course the little men stole my medal on the ride out of parking lot.<br />
<br />
All in all, I still like this race. Though I am tempted to jump over the Yonge st 10k next year I'll continue to see if they (Jay Glassman mostly) plan on addressing and doing what they can to fix the issues of this years race.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><u>Unofficial time (by my watch)</u> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">58:37</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><u>According to my bib</u></span><br />
<br />
<pre style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Gun Time: 1:05:51 </span></pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Chip time:1:00:26 </span></pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">SF30-34 1082/2099</span></pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Gender: 6406 </span><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span></pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
</pre>
Hunnybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630919376668204980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1459070885502938839.post-1238671254000591022013-05-01T11:08:00.001-04:002013-05-01T11:08:12.175-04:00Back to the Crazies!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.couriraquebec.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/logo_caq-en1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.couriraquebec.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/logo_caq-en1.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yeap! I'm joining the crazy again. You know not that I think any of you are crazy..... Well ok some of you I do but whatever I'm apparently crazy too.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will be running the Quebec City Half Marathon on August 25th. Hubs and I are making it a trip out of it for just us two! It was easy to decide that since our 5th Wedding Anniversary is the 23rd of August so what better way for us to celebrate our love than me running an half and him meeting me at the finish line? Oh and there will be a couple days of sight seeing and yummy foods afterwards.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thankfully Hubs knows way more french that I do. But hey I can introduce myself, ask where the bathroom is AND order french fries so its a start. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now why this particular race you ask?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I blame one of my best friends who I call Batman(long story) wanted to hit last years Scotia Marathon's expo. Not one to pass up deals I went with her. We got some great deals, Met John Stanton</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/319085_10151101215026623_380362033_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/319085_10151101215026623_380362033_n.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and fell in love with some blinking medals. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
That's right. The Quebec City race's medals have LED lights that blink. I went home and mentioned how cool the medal was and Hubs said that if I wanted to try for that race I could and we could turn the trip into our Anniversary trip. </div>
<br />
So sign up I did a while ago and today is the first official start of training for it. I need to post about it to keep accountable to myself because as cute as my children are they are not the best at pushing me out the door to get my runs in.<br />
<br />
Care to join me? Check out the website here :<a href="http://www.couriraquebec.com/en/">Run Quebec</a>Hunnybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630919376668204980noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1459070885502938839.post-66525124195858993462012-11-07T14:47:00.003-05:002012-11-07T14:47:38.123-05:00Busy busyLife gets busy when your boss takes two weeks holiday Did I mention that we had just hired a new girl AND one of the guys was leaving due to moving away(to Taiwan actually). It meant me doing lots of training the new girl and learning new things myself so I could take over some tasks that buddy did. <div>
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div>
While I still haven't been running much I did join in a group that's doing a 20 week fitness challenge. This is week 1. It's basically two mini boot camps 30 mins or so to do) and 3-4 other things. This week is 300 step-ups, 2 sets of double alphabet legs, and 350 jumping jacks, and 30 mins outside cardio. It doesn't matter when you do then as long as its all done before the end of the week. I like it so far. Enough to keep you going but it works better than some classes at the gym right now. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The boys had a fun Halloween. The weather wasn't the greatest so they only went out for about 30 mins or so. I loved it this year. Kid's didn't bring home to much sweets and trick or treaters were done just before 8 and the boys weren't that late getting to bed. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Bug was Anakin Skywalker (In the Clone Wars part-Very Important detail so I'm told</div>
<div>
Trouble was Short Round (Little Asian kid in Indiana Jones who tries to pick Indy's pocket and ends up joining him for a while) 1 lady even knew who he was so his night was made. I think it helped that Hubs dressed like Indy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/270443_10151129902011623_1235143796_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/270443_10151129902011623_1235143796_n.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/223598_10151129902221623_903768851_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/223598_10151129902221623_903768851_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I got to stay home and hand out candy. Win!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hope everyone else is having a great start to their November!</div>
Hunnybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630919376668204980noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1459070885502938839.post-61013792770500603682012-10-22T08:59:00.000-04:002012-10-22T08:59:19.918-04:00Weekend Wine!This weekend Hubs and I enjoyed a bottle of the Inniskillin Riesling Pinot Grigio. It was a 2011 vintage. (Anyone else feel weird to call a year vintage when it was last year? I get the why but it just feels weird)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.nataliemaclean.com/images/winepicks/97818940e828dd5dbce9834cc4a4ec6f/13728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.nataliemaclean.com/images/winepicks/97818940e828dd5dbce9834cc4a4ec6f/13728.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Yes I'm fully aware that the bottle in the picture is a 2008 but I totally forgot to take a picture before we finished the bottle and then it just looked sad without its wine.<br />
<br />
Anyways.<br />
<br />
I really liked this one because really how can you go wrong when you mix a dry Riesling with a Pinot Grigio. With 85% Riesling and 15% Pinot Grigio, its a great blend of crisp and light from the Pinot and the bit of nutty and weight from the Riesling. On the Sugar(or Sweetness) Code its a 1. Which means its a off dry, maybe a touch closer to dry. Now oddly enough this one I prefer to enjoy it not to chilled. I mean you shouldn't be drinking whites especially crisp ones to cold because then the cold will mask the flavours of the wine. I like my lighter wines to be just a touch chilled. It drives Hubs crazy since I'll pour a glass and if I can manage it I'll leave it be for a bit so that it can warm up a touch.<br />
<br />
Now this Inniskillan can be served with fish and maybe ham(that would be the Riesling coming out to play) or even a roast chicken but I like it on its own. It should be pointed out that is a VQA wine. Which means its from Ontario and <span style="font-family: inherit;">follows some strict wine making and labelling standards(we'll talk more about that some other time) Also this wine is unoaked so it was aged in a stainless steel barrel for 14 days.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So Stats</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Inniskillian Riesling Pinot Grigio</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">11.0% Alcohol/Vol</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Off dry to dry (SC-1)</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Light bodied</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">$13.95</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.inniskillin.com/">Winery </a></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px;"><br /></span>Hunnybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630919376668204980noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1459070885502938839.post-10380521480469845682012-10-16T14:37:00.000-04:002012-10-16T14:37:34.635-04:00Brought to you by the Letter BYes that's right today's run was all about the letter B. As in bra and brum brum.<br />
<br />
That would be a car revving.<br />
That probably makes no sense to you but well let me show you my Garmin.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kSspuZE8aKE/UH2m2euBb4I/AAAAAAAAAGE/ZI3l2kKlkDQ/s1600/watch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kSspuZE8aKE/UH2m2euBb4I/AAAAAAAAAGE/ZI3l2kKlkDQ/s200/watch.jpg" width="187" /></a></div>
See the stickers? Those are Sally and McQueen from Cars. My boys picked them out for me. It would make me faster they said. Well in my comeback so far its working! Today I got a run in where the only times I stopped was for a red light. So 3 maybe 30 second stops in that time. And I kept up the pace, thought I wasn't trying to. I was just running and hardly looked at my watch. I felt great and it was definitely a run that made you want to get out there again.<br />
<br />
Now for the other B<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Remember I went to that expo a couple days ago? Well when were there I picked up a new bra to try out. Considering I have been wearing the cheapest running bras for the past couple years(I know I know) I figured this was the best time to upgrade them.<br />
<br />
There was a Moving Comfort booth there and I got the try on their Juno bra.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://demandware.edgesuite.net/sits_pod21/dw/image/v2/aaev_prd/on/demandware.static/Sites-MovingComfort-Site/Sites-MovingComfortCatalog/default/v1350375041017/images/ProductImages/350025/350025_465_ZM.jpg?sh=550" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://demandware.edgesuite.net/sits_pod21/dw/image/v2/aaev_prd/on/demandware.static/Sites-MovingComfort-Site/Sites-MovingComfortCatalog/default/v1350375041017/images/ProductImages/350025/350025_465_ZM.jpg?sh=550" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Considering there was a bit of rubbing in the front bottom in one tiny spot, I think it passed the test. The straps and everything felt great and I didn't even need to think about it. That is what I call win win. I'm even excited that they have almost 10 different styles that I can fit in with my various requirements. It also shows how much of a dork I am. </div>
<br />Hunnybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630919376668204980noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1459070885502938839.post-88170110650666361942012-10-14T23:16:00.002-04:002012-10-14T23:16:41.245-04:00Dusting Off the Blog!I know I know!!!<br />
<br />
Things have been hard to keep up with. After I got over that latest bout of depression in the winter I started having IT issues on my left leg. I'm convinced its because I tried pushing too hard and wasn't listening to my body and I basically had to take myself out of the game.<br />
<br />
During that time though I got a job and I don't have conventional 9-5 hours my days are not the same each week so it was hard to even think about getting runs in. At the time my focus was finding a routine that worked considering for 7 years I was Stay at Home Mom it was easy to work everything in. Suddenly we had to adjust to me not getting home till bath time. Hubs making more dinners and helping out MUCH more around the house than he previously had to to. There were plenty of bumps in the road and major learning curves. But we are getting the hang of it.<br />
<br />
And I want to get back into the hang of running regularly. I have plenty of excuses as to why I haven't started up again yet and they are just excuses.<br />
<br />
This past weekend was Marathon Week here in Toronto! While I didn't race I have a friend who walks half marathons so together we decided to check out the expo. It was so moving to see all the people there getting ready to race. To see all the booths of different races from all over. Honestly it gave me an itch.<br />
<br />
Of course I'm sure getting to talk with John Stanton helped a bit with that.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/319085_10151101215026623_380362033_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/319085_10151101215026623_380362033_n.jpg" width="191" /></a><br />
<br />
It just made me really want to step back into the road and join them all. I miss the community and joy that the running world holds.<br />
<br />
I picked up this shirt at the expo and its my new mantra.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-82Him__hJBw/UHt_ywK_ZfI/AAAAAAAAAFI/b-WqhhaSwIQ/s1600/IMAG0531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-82Him__hJBw/UHt_ywK_ZfI/AAAAAAAAAFI/b-WqhhaSwIQ/s320/IMAG0531.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
P.S there will be changes going on here since I'm no longer just a Mommy Running Through.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Hunnybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630919376668204980noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1459070885502938839.post-67458991548816683002012-07-30T10:26:00.000-04:002012-07-30T10:26:05.593-04:00We are Spartans!<div>
So the weekend following Hub's first 5k race was the race he decided he needed to be able to run for.<br />
<br />
Thankfully we had Shorty over so she was able to stay home and watch the boys. Originally there was the though of her watching her brothers at the race site and Oh My God I am so happy we changed our minds. We were up and out the door for 9am. The website said that we should be there an hour before our heat started. We were in the 12pm heat so needed to be there for 11am. It was 1h 40m away so that gave us 20 of bank time. Score! Yeah didn't quite happen that easily. First we got coffee which was muchly needed then off we went. The ride up was uneventful. We <strike>enjoyed a child free car ride </strike> listened to the radio and talked. We got up to the race site parking (which was actually about 10k-ish from the race site) and that's when it got crazy. They had shuttle buses running from the parking lot to the site but it was so busy that there was still at least 1.5k of walking from our car to the shuttle buses. After a bit of a line up and wait we got on our bus and to the race site. It was actually quite crazy and somewhat disorganized. They had way more heats than originally planned so I assume they didn't realize how popular this event would be. But in any case we got our forms in and got numbered up, our bag dropped off and got our timing chips and to the start with maybe 10 mins to spare.<br />
<br />
While we waited they had a guy dressed as a gladiator and he was operating a fire hose. You can see where this is going can't you? Yeah we got sprayed down with icy cold water. It definitely explained why the start was so muddy. It was actually funny since some groups of girls kept shrieking and trying to avoid the mud as they were trying to avoid the water. I'll be honest and admit that I hid behind Hubs mostly because I hate getting stuff on my face. So finally the count down and off we went!<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Nothing was marked by the way. As the race shirt famously says "You'll know at the end". Up and down small ski hills and mountain bike trails which caused lots of bottlenecks but we were in it to have fun and not really race, since we had no clue what we were getting into. </span><span style="background-color: white;">We ran for about 2-ish k before we got to the first obstacle, going up hill while under a net so you were basically crawling. Then again more running for a while on the hills. I clearly did not train for so many hills I'll tell you that much. The next </span><span style="background-color: white;">obstacle was going through a plastic tube then going up and over a ladder style net stretched across the path(There was at least 6-7 people climbing and going over with you so that rope was swinging and you had to watch at the top that you didn't get hit by someone's leg/foot or that you didn't hit anyone with yours) . Which was immediately followed by rope climbing. Which was followed by??? You guessed it! More running. I'll be honest that since there was no real course map and we were going blind I didn't really keep track of much. Those ones stand out because it was before the crazy ones came up. There was also</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">- 3 foot wall to climb over</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">- carry a 20lb(i think) sand bag through a hilly short course </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">-1 chance to hit a high up hay bale with a javelin</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">-8 foot wall to climb over</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">-weighted wheel barrow</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/553751_10150866513797101_1526336141_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/553751_10150866513797101_1526336141_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">-rowing</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">-hay bale climbing</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/553751_10150866513832101_1038115548_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/553751_10150866513832101_1038115548_n.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/602353_10150866516787101_1793952395_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/602353_10150866516787101_1793952395_n.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">- balance beam</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">-army crawl under boards</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">- fire pit jumping</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/602353_10150866516782101_777437346_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/602353_10150866516782101_777437346_n.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">And the MUD! As you can clearly see.</span> It was crazy. I enjoyed that it was a blind course since I couldn't get nervous about the obstacles since I didn't know where they were or what they were! I also didn't train at all for this and it showed. Hubs was amazing and stayed with me the whole time even though I could see there was many moments he wanted to shoot off and kick some ass. I really didn't have much upper body strenght and that held me back in some obstacles. Finally at the finish you had to get through some Gladiators and luckly for me there was some guys around me so they went for the men and I managed to squeak past.<br />
<br />
We finished in 1:19 and found out that the course was actually 7k-ish.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/548002_413907015314380_759411145_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/548002_413907015314380_759411145_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Yeah this was us after getting a bit cleaned up. haha. </div>
<br />
<br />
But it did show me that I enjoy just running much more and Hubs enjoys the added fun (craziness on his part) of the
obstacles so I told him he should consider Tri's but hes not ready for the added distance when you combine 3 sports together. Though he is already planning on entering the <a href="http://runforyourlives.com/">Run for Your Lives</a> 5k this September with a friend. I'll go and be the cheerleader and pre/post race photographer.<br />
<br />
<i>Sorry for the lateness in posting this one, but I thought I had posted it and apparently hadn't. Clearly still need to work on my organizing skills</i></div>Hunnybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630919376668204980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1459070885502938839.post-79270163462534173062012-06-25T22:52:00.000-04:002012-10-16T11:07:18.174-04:00Father's Day 5kEarlier this year I found a Groupon deal for half off registration for the <a href="http://www.spartanrace.com/toronto-obstacle-racing-spartan-sprint-2012.html">Toronto Spartan Sprint</a> for two. So of course I asked the Hubs if he <strike>could pretty please </strike> wanted to do it with me. He agreed and I got us signed up. A while after he decided he should make sure he could run a 5k before attempting on with obstacles in it. He signed up for a Learn to Run program with his work gym. There was a race around the finish of the program but he didn't want to sign up for that one. I found out that a friend of ours was doing a race the day after in Waterloo, their <a href="http://www.runwaterloo.com/classic.html">Classic</a>. And it came with a medal! So we signed up.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
We spent the night before in Guelph, visiting my parents and it wasn't to much to get the kids up in morning.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/246478_10150893068751623_857409475_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/246478_10150893068751623_857409475_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We got to the race site and met up with some family and friends and got a spot in the bleachers right at the start/finish. We even met up with one of my cousins and uncle!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/285679_10150893070506623_969015376_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/285679_10150893070506623_969015376_n.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;">
It was a small race with 1200 total in 3 distances (10k, 5k, 3k). So after some photo ops we got on the track and waited to take off. The 5k course was pretty simple with 1 hill. By time we hit 2k though I knew it wasn't my race and decided to just get the run in. Hubs and C took off from the start and they both looked amazing when I saw them before I hit the turnaround. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After that I completely lost sight of Hubs and found out that he finished in an amazing 26:38! He blew my PR out of the water when he first goal was to match it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/575253_10150893072166623_439453345_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/575253_10150893072166623_439453345_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I came by a couple minutes later for a 29:20</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/576792_10150893072411623_2034066510_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/576792_10150893072411623_2034066510_n.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;">
We met up with everyone again after and shared some awesome high fives and race stories </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/282979_10150893074616623_916949171_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/282979_10150893074616623_916949171_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Uncle B, Hubs, Mike, Me, Abby, Chris</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Don't we all look awesome? It was my Uncle, Hubs, Mike, and Chris's first race! and they all did amazing! Even though my race didn't go as planned I was bouncing with excitement for them. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Results</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Me Hubs</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Chip Time 29:20 26:38</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Overall of 519 runners 239 162</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Gender 78 117</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Age Group (both in 30-34) 7/23 11/30</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Oh and Bug wins for best use for Mom's Marathon space blanket. A Cape</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/319778_10150893074771623_707367224_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/319778_10150893074771623_707367224_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Hunnybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630919376668204980noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1459070885502938839.post-320207779911004392012-05-20T00:12:00.002-04:002012-05-20T00:12:36.788-04:00I am in AWEHonestly<br />
<br />
I'm trying to figure out this whole being a mom and working thing. Its hard. I imagine some of my feelings are because I spent 7 years (almost literally my last of work before having Bug was Feb 25 2005 and my first day back this year was Feb 29 2012) being devoted to my children, husband and home. Having enough hours in the day with work and family and social stuff is hard to figure out. Let alone adding in me time (AKA running) in there as well. Some days it feels like I need at least another two hours added to my day. I will not sleep less since I have worked out a very happy and well working routine on that account. I'm sure those extra hours would just get filled up with stuff.<br />
<br />
I imagine it would easier if I had a steady shifts. I'm not an office person I don't do 9-5 type of shifts. Plus I only usually get my schedule 1 to 2 weeks in advance so I can't guarantee training days. I'm sure I could get a rough idea of what is needed each week and go from there.<br />
<br />
Sure I found time for myself and it was easy then, honestly. I deserved the Mom's Nights Out with friends, the time it took to train for PB in races. Now I feel guilty about not coming home straight from work because if I do so I'll miss bedtime. I feel guilty when I want to take time for me because I should being spending it with my family who I now see less of. My husband is fantastic in all of this btw. He's constantly reminding me that its ok to be more than just a mom and a worker. I can be me. I should be me and keep up my running and hobbies (After all those project half done around the house need to be finished)<br />
<br />
Is there ever a point when I will be ok with taking so much time away? I'm sure there will be and it won't be far off. After all the boys are growing up, I'm not their whole world anymore and someday they won't shout "Mommy!" when I walk in the door. I will take the time to cherish it while I can. I will try to remember that I am a better Mom when I take care of me first.<br />
<br />
and Yes I am fully aware that is is somewhat all over the place. All 3 of my boys and Shorty are camping this weekend (I couldn't go because of work) and I miss all of them. But I will definitely be getting a run in tomorrow since I'll be on my own, guilt free.Hunnybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630919376668204980noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1459070885502938839.post-52559345712023806082012-05-14T10:49:00.002-04:002012-05-14T10:49:14.671-04:00Why I Was Gone.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
What do you think when you hear depression?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had always pictured what I saw in commercials or on tv. A
person who can’t get out of bed, who does nothing but stare into space. They
can’t enjoy a book; they have no desire to meet with friends. They can’t cope
with life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well that is one degree of it. I’ve learnt that there are
many ways depression can affect a person. It’s not something anyone wants to
admit to. Hell I didn’t want to admit to it. For years I’ve had something. The blues, the
funks, the I don’t give a fuck, the <insert a="" depression="" name="" not="" that’s="">, whatever you want to call it. It couldn’t be depression. I was still able to live my life. I was able
to get up and out of bed in the morning. I was able to enjoy a funny show. I
was able to hold conversations. Clearly I wasn’t depressed. It didn’t matter
that I was exhausted all the time. It didn’t matter that I spent more time sad
and lost than happy. It didn’t matter that after talking on the phone I went
into a mindless mode and wanted to do nothing. It wasn’t depression. I would be
fine, I would get out of this funk or whatever it was and things would go back
to normal. I just had to ride out this period of time.</insert></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This last round I call the I don’t give a fucks. Unless it
affected me and I had to do something I didn’t give a fuck. It came crashing
down before Christmas. I should have realized that it was starting when I didn’t
want to and didn’t put the normal effort into the holidays. Then the New Year
came and it was all hard. I had to force myself to get my kids to school rather
than keeping them home so I didn’t have to put in any real effort. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had to change things. I didn't want to see where it was headed. With help I started
getting happy again. Funnily enough it took me asking for help and getting a job to really overcome
it this time. I think my biggest thing this time around was that I wasn’t where
I thought I would be when I was going to be turning 30. I was a stay at home
mom who’s life revolved around my children and my husband. I thought I would have
been more at this point. So I took the chance and got myself more. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Its part time work in retail right now, and its interesting
and always changing. I sell wine and there’s always so much to learn. But I’m
getting out there. I’m meeting new people. Life is definitely busier with now
having 4 schedules going on in our house but it works. Hubs has stepped up
wonderfully and I’m so thankful for him keeping up with my crazies as we call
it. It’s been a slow road and its improving bit by bit. My children can tell
Mommy is happier and is less moody. I’ve become more willing to try new things
(not a lot more but enough) I’m actually getting better at time management and organizing.
Mostly since I think I have to be in order to be at work for hours and then
still have most of the at home things that need to be done. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m now sad hardly ever and I’m smiling way more. I’m doing
more with my days. I’m not lost so much anymore and I have energy again. I’ve
even been slowly getting back into running and reading everyone’s blogs again.
Yeah I had given those up in my funk as well. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m putting one foot in front of the other again and moving
forward.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media-cache4.pinterest.com/upload/5699936998285075_qqHNBBOa_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache4.pinterest.com/upload/5699936998285075_qqHNBBOa_b.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Hunnybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630919376668204980noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1459070885502938839.post-48328729857428606632012-01-15T21:00:00.000-05:002012-01-15T21:00:03.418-05:00Been thinkingSo I've done some thinking over the past week. I'm going to drop out of the Marathon clinic at the store and go to the half clinic. I thought I wanted to do Around the Bay and that I was willing to put the training in for it. After some further thinking and realizing that having to do the distance was making me dread my runs I decided to scale back. I kept thinking it was because of the cold weather. That I run at all outside right now but I've done runs outside at a shorter distance and while it hasn't been always great there has been more enjoyment in shorter runs than the longer ones. <br />
<br />
It means having to see about selling my bib for Around the Bay and probably having to wait till it sells out to do so but I'm already happier. I'm already less worried about my runs and how they are going. I think I was getting to caught up in what I could do since I've met some of the distance goals but forgot to really plan and think it out and take the time to ask myself if I really wanted to do distance and the races that come with it because I did or because I proved that I could and honestly because my running friends were and I wanted to stay with them. Yeah it was the latter.<br />
<br />
Though today after some talking earlier this week I met up with some running friends. We normally talk online and haven't run together even though we all live in the same city (and I found out one is neighbours with a friend of mine! Small world!). We decided to meet up and run 5k so it was distance everyone could do. It was cold and I couldn't talk for too long since my face was getting numb but they were a great group to run with. We actually got one of the girls running a touch faster than she normally does on her own. We've already promised to do this again since the run and the coffee afterwards were such fun. Can't wait!Hunnybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630919376668204980noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1459070885502938839.post-68249582484431045012012-01-10T12:45:00.002-05:002012-01-10T12:45:23.664-05:00Is time for back to normal yet?So I missed the 10k long run this past weekend. <br />
<br />
My kids spent all of the two week Christmas break being some kind of sick. First Trouble and then Bug. You know what that means right? Then Mommy! I spent the weekend with a fever and miserable. <br />
<br />
For once my Hubs was colder than me. Usually hes the kind of guy that can walk around in a t shirt while I'm in two layers of long sleeves. He couldn't cuddle with me LOL I was just that hot. Oh and the corny jokes that got passed back and forth.<br />
<br />
But even better was that once the fever broke on Sunday, I woke up Monday with with Pink eye. Don't you wish you were me? I know its crazy exciting and fun over here. So got into the Doctors today and got some drops. On the plus side I was actually able to gross the boys out a bit when they saw my eye in the past two mornings. Usually its them grossing me out.<br />
<br />
I feel like I might see about a short run today after Hubs comes home from work. Its going to be interesting since I have to wear my glasses all week and I don't normally run in glasses, even sunglasses. I mean I was thinking of getting some for the spring/summer so it'll help with that whole practise makes perfect thing right? Sure why not. <br />
<br />
Now I'm just trying to catch up on things. <br />
Like laundry, meal planning, blogs, cleaning.....<br />
Oh and finalizing my race plans for 2012.<br />
<br />
Nothing like a bunch of sickness to throw off everything. Fingers crossed life gets boring again.Hunnybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630919376668204980noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1459070885502938839.post-38091337010437142332012-01-06T23:29:00.002-05:002012-01-06T23:29:34.174-05:00Sssooooo......*sneaks in, dusts off some cobwebs*<br />
<br />
Hey! What's up?<br />
<br />
I know I know I have some explaining to do. <br />
<br />
I apparently took a little running hiatus, which I hadn't really planned on taking but it happened. I fully admit it.<br />
<br />
I <br />
Got<br />
Lazy.<br />
<br />
Yeap. There were so many days that I woke up and thought I would run but found every excuse in the book and didn't. I will admit that I did enjoy the time off. Spent lots of time with the boys and did some thinking of heading back to work or heading back to school. It was maybe a small case of burn out. I'm not sure. <br />
<br />
But now I am back. I've started signing up for spring races and I even started the Marathon clinic again yesterday. Mostly to help get me to Around the Bay at the end of March. I'm still debating the half or the full for spring but I figure regardless this way leaves my options open since the races I'm deciding between usually don't fill up and since they are on the same weekend this year I'm sure I can get into my desired distance easily at either.<br />
<br />
So yeah Last night....<br />
<br />
That wasn't fun. I paid for my lazy ways. We did 8k. I thought we were only doing 6k. I know 2k more shouldn't be a big deal and I did do a bit of walking. I didn't want to risk injuring myself, since its been a while since I last ran. It did show me that I could keep up a bit with those that didn't quite the break I did and I will be back with them matching paces the whole time again after getting myself back into my rhythms.<br />
<br />
I promise a warning or something next time I decide to run away.Hunnybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630919376668204980noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1459070885502938839.post-5725389990065555212011-12-12T10:37:00.002-05:002011-12-12T10:37:20.776-05:00Santa Jingle 5k ReportOn Saturday a bunch of running friends and I ran the largest Santa race in all of Canada. There was just under 4000 people dressed as Santa running and walking this course.<br />
<br />
I had to get up at 6am to make sure I was up and ready to meet up with friends at 7am for the 1 hour drive to the race. Thankfully we met at Starbucks so I was able to grab a coffee and wake up. The drive over was super fun with lots of joking and running mishap stories. Once we found a parking spot we got into our Santa suits. We then went off and met up with the other car of friends to head to the start.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/387843_10150510087490199_648470198_11023116_640282641_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/387843_10150510087490199_648470198_11023116_640282641_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
Pre Race Group Pic I'm front and center</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Once we got the start line it felt like forever before we got going. Thankfully there was no winds but it was still -2C(28F) and we were dressed for running not standing out in the cold. The suit did ok at keeping warm but even with my wool socks on my feet were frozen. They didn't warm up till the race was practically done and by that point, my toes just hurt from stinging every time they touched the ground from the warming up, that is how cold I was.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Finally we got to take off and it was crowded. It was insane trying to get around people and of course there was so many people not seeded correctly but we were just doing this for fun so I tried to not let it get to me. A couple of us managed to stay near each other and we kept picking up speed to get away from the craziness. Around the 2.5k mark where there was a water station I realized that it was possible (if I was willing to hurt for the rest) I could get close to PB. Well of course I went for it.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1km:6:13</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
2km: 5:50</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
3km: 5:41</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
4km: 5:07</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
5km: 4:55 (no wonder it was hurting)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TiC9F5j3w6g/TuYb4VxzDbI/AAAAAAAAAEk/pNyOvuK1hDE/s1600/santa5k1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TiC9F5j3w6g/TuYb4VxzDbI/AAAAAAAAAEk/pNyOvuK1hDE/s320/santa5k1.png" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was hard to not slow down as it got closer to the end. I just kept having to tell myself that it just had to hurt for less than 10 minutes when I got to that last KM. Thankfully I ran (haha) into Bill and he helped pull me in. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eLRaqtfoTos/TuYcpoSb64I/AAAAAAAAAEs/jpeG4ONfdaQ/s1600/santa5k.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eLRaqtfoTos/TuYcpoSb64I/AAAAAAAAAEs/jpeG4ONfdaQ/s320/santa5k.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Us sprinting to the finish</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was a great race and the whole group has plans to come back and even fancy up our outfits for next year. It took a while for everyone to get back together again and we headed back to Toronto. Of course we had to hit up a coffee shop and refuel with warm goodness, dressed in our suits still. We got lots of smiles and compliments from others getting their coffees.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Gun Time: 28:53</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Chip Time:27.53 (52 seconds off PR)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Average Pace: 5:35</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Overall: 494/3054 </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
F25-20: 29/281</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Gender: 158/1930</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And check out my line!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tZ3LIX0l-5A/TuYeXZG6WAI/AAAAAAAAAE0/khCo8kPaC4U/s1600/line..png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="104" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tZ3LIX0l-5A/TuYeXZG6WAI/AAAAAAAAAE0/khCo8kPaC4U/s640/line..png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Look at how frigging flat my running was! Normally I'm all over the place. I was smooth and I'm totally impressed. It took me an hour after seeing this to realize it wasn't elevation of the course but me. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Seriously if your in the area next year, definitely come do this one with us. It was crazy fun.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>Hunnybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630919376668204980noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1459070885502938839.post-53291264483418855892011-12-07T10:37:00.000-05:002011-12-07T09:02:00.919-05:00Happy Birthday Trouble!<div style="text-align: center;">
Today my baby turned 5!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Guess hes not such a baby anymore huh?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dear Trouble</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
5 years ago you decided that you had to make a grand entrance and out do your older brother. He was early and little, well I'll be earlier and smaller! Coming into the world 6 weeks early and scaring the crap out of your parents with your 3lb 14oz little size and a hole in your heart, you've definitely proven that you are a tough one. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a118/HandsomesMommy/DSC04883Custom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a118/HandsomesMommy/DSC04883Custom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That you like to throw caution to the wind is an understatement. You're convinced that your older and bigger than you are and are always trying to push your limits. While I love this about you, I'm not loving the panic attacks and grey hair its giving me. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc281/Handsomes_mommy/rohanpro4Medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc281/Handsomes_mommy/rohanpro4Medium.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Your the only 5 year old that I know with more hospital bracelets than you are years. (I believe our tally is at 7) Yet you amaze me with all the things that go on in your little head. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You are determined and strong willed.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc281/Handsomes_mommy/DM2_6793Large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc281/Handsomes_mommy/DM2_6793Large.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You always know how the perfect time for hugs. Of course you know how to work that adorable face of yours and twist my arm.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You love trying new things even if I'm not ready for you to take those steps, so you help me grow and push my boundaries as well.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc281/Handsomes_mommy/IMG_0544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc281/Handsomes_mommy/IMG_0544.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So today is your day my little man.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Happy Birthday to my wonderful risk taking boy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Happy Birthday to my boy who's not a baby anymore.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Who's growing up to be a fantastic person and I can't wait to see what you accomplish with what you've been give.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/310346_10150311590621623_502886622_8339075_820033043_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/310346_10150311590621623_502886622_8339075_820033043_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In the words of Dr Seuss</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"<span style="font-size: medium;">Congratulations!<br />Today is your day,<br />You're off to Great Places!<br />You're
off and away!<br /><br />You have brains in your head.<br />You have feet in your
shoes.<br />You can steer yourself<br />any direction you choose.<br />You're on your
own. And you know what you know.<br />And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to
go."</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/308391_10150343860721623_502886622_8522584_1512991849_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/308391_10150343860721623_502886622_8522584_1512991849_n.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>Hunnybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630919376668204980noreply@blogger.com1