Recap of the week

Tuesday - 5.5km tempo completed with Baloo and Simon
Wednesday - 8 short Hills at Kanata tobogganing hill, completed with Toby and Simon, finished off a short lap around the park with Toby on his bike and Simon in the stroller, sore shins after this one
Thursday- 6km steady run completed with Baloo and Simon, in Amberwoods

12.5km on the Trail

I planned to run this morning on my own. I really enjoy running with the group, but today I was feeling a bit sluggish and I had a feeling I was going to need to run close to home. So, I set out at 8am having mapped my route the night before. I found a good steady pace and skipped my first walk. After roughly 20min I did my minute of walking and got back on pace. Feeling good despite the incline I focussed on my breathing and reducing my stride to save energy.
There were a lot of people out running, walking and biking on the trail this morning, so there were a lot of good distractions. When I met Kerry-Ann on the path, we decided to complete the remainder of the run together. Running with a friend definately makes the time pass. I continued with Karry-Ann until we parted ways at about 11km. Then a little further on, I had some stomach issues. I stopped, turned around and made a bee line for home. Luckily, it wasn't far.
Here is a helpful article I found on this issue. Thank goodness I am not alone.

http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/injury_archives/trots.html

 I finished the run adding another km with Baloo. I think Baloo dragged me for the last 2km until we managed to find our way home. Whew! Another long run done. Check!

Howe Lucky Maple Syrup

This week was March break for the kids and Ian was off from work. Apart from Ethan getting stitches in his chin, we had a great family holiday. We decided to go to Howe Island to help my dad with the second batch of maple syrup. It was the best he has produced to date. The weather was warm and sunny and we spent the majority of our days outside. The boys loved riding their bikes and collecting sap. Ian loved cooking on the BBQ, building a fort, and getting out on his bike for a few good rides.

Here are some pictures of the boys for those who don't get to see them every day.

The recap from the week:
Tuesday - 5km tempo, felt good
Wednesday - no hills on Howe Island, so eliptical 30min 3.8 miles
Thursday - 7km steady, really good run
Sunday - 10km, lonely, not well paced, but finished in about 53 or 54 min

Reflections:
 I think the run on Thursday was easy because the elliptical is not so hard on my body. It was a bit of a break from the jarring I would have had on the hills. Although, later in the day I did find some hills on the island.
Sundays run started out really strong. I was passed by some guy that may or may not have been with our group. He would have been running at about a 35min/10km pace. He was flying. It was humbling. Good for me. There was no way I could keep up to that guy. The three faster woman that I have run with in the past were not there today, so I was very very alone. No music, just listening to the birds and trying to focus on steady breathing.

Tip:
I tend to run like a chicken. My arm muscles feel like they need to be stretched after a good run because they are folded into my armpits for so long. I made an effort to use my arms more. It made me work harder, but it took some of the momentum from my legs and was especially good when going up hill.

I also need to find proper running tights that are long enough. We went to a few stores to look to day. No luck. Any ideas anyone?

Chilly 10

Forecast: +2, -4 with the wind chill, rain, very windy

Not the best weather for running!

This morning the clocks changed. We had to wake up an hour earlier than usual. I could hear the wind pushing the rain onto the bedroom window. The snow is melting, but if it gets any colder, we are in for more. It was enough to make me consider rolling over and snuggling back into my warm bed. I considered this for a while, but really I just needed to get this run done and over with. I am a fair weather runner. I don't like running in the cold. I prefer sunny days! So, reluctantly, I got out of bed, got dressed and tried to psych myself up for the group run.

I definitely felt sluggish. I took in a little oatmeal with raisins, half a cup of coffee and headed out the door.

It was a tough run! Cathy and I went out together, but she was much stronger than I was today. I really struggled with the wind, a caugh, runny nose, and sore ears. She had to wait for me a number of times before she finally decided to go on ahead. To be fair, we were not going at a bad pace. She is just faster. Finally it was over. I was soaked head to toe. I just wanted to go home and take a nice hot bath.

We finished in 55 minutes. I'm just fine with that!

Advice for the day:
- Wear more layers in the rain and dress for the cold.
- Once home, put newspaper in the shoes. It will help absorb the moisture and keep their shape.
- Give yourself a pat on the back when it is all over. Smile.

Olympic Fever

Watching the gold medal mens hockey game. 

With the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, we couldn't help being the spirit of the games. I have always been a huge fan of the Olympics. This year was memorable because the boys began to love the olympics as well. Ethan had to report on a Canadian athlete every day at school. The boys loved that they got to stay up late to watch various sports on TV and I often found them re-enacting the sports around the house. There were many memorable moments from the games. The opening day, a guy I used to babysit, Keith Martin was carrying the flag. His mom was interviewed on CTV and it brought tears to my eyes. Keith has Muscular Distrophy and has been through so much in his young life. Then there were the number of Canadian gold medals. 

What I hope lasts from the games is the sense of pride that seemed to warm all Canadians. It filled us up and made us shine. Well done Canada!

Half marathon training

I decided to join my cousins to run the Ottawa half Marathon on May 30th. As it turn out, my friend Sophie, brother-in-laws Scott and Mark will also be running with me!
The training has not been as difficult as I had expected. The Running Room group that I have joined in Kanata is not very fast. I think there are a number of people training for their first half. It's been a bit of a confidence builder.
At the same time, I have questioned a few of the Running Room methods for training. For example, I still can't figure out why practice runs are completed at a minute slower pace than you intend to complete the race. In other words, if you plan to run the race in a 5:55min/km pace, why train at a 6:55? The women I an running with don't really understand it either. None of us have completed the half marathon program through the Running Room, but the two other women have run a number of marathons and half-marathons. They seem to know what they are doing. They claim that if you want to run a half in 2 hours, then you need to train for that pace. Makes sense to me. All I am trying to do, is just keep up with these women each week. They are aiming for completing the half in under 2 hours. I don't think I can do that, but I would like to finish in 2:10.
Another question, why were some of the tempo runs at 4km and then on Wednesday we ran a 3km tempo? Is that all part of building speed and strength? I think the Running Room in Langley seemed to do things differently. Weren't we running further by this point in the schedule? Didn't we do hills by now?
My goal so far, is to enjoy the race and do my best in training. I am trying to watch what I eat before runs so that I don't have tummy problems half way through and I am very aware of how I am keeping myself hydrated.
My biggest frustration is trying to do my practice runs with Simon in the stroller and Baloo. Tonight, once Ian gets home from work, I plan to take a run by myself. 
I have been checking out a number of blogs from other runners and I realize that I will never be a serious about any sport as most other people. I will continue to run because I enjoy it, but I don't think I will ever find myself being competetive with anyone else other than me.

September???????

It's been a while since I've written. It isn't because I haven't had anything to say. In fact, it is quite the opposite. However, I have been wavering on what I want to do next year.
I have a few things on the go. I have decided to train for a half marathon. I also ordered materials so that I could potentially begin a small tutoring/reading program within our home. Then I began to think. With kindergarten going to full days in the next year or two, my target reading group would be in school full time. Why don't I just go back to teaching?
This week worked on my resume and put together a package. I even applied to a .5 teaching position, knowing full well that I wasn't likely to get the job, since I haven't gotten a recommendation for a principal within that school board. To get a recommendation, I need to volunteer in a classroom. To volunteer, I need to find child care for Toby and Simon. And so, I decided I had need to put the brakes on and think this through.
Simon has had a difficult time adjusting to being cared for anyone other than me. He will likely be more attached to me when he starts Jr Kindergarten in September. Is this a good time to go back to work? Not really. I think I would be rushing it.
So, what am I going to do with my 2.5 hours of freedom each day in September?
I need a plan.
To be continued....