Are you serious? 2008 Calgary Police Marathon Results

The weather---Perfect running weather. We started the day out at 6:15am. I jumped in the shower for a quick rinse in order to help me wake up. Trevor turned on the tv to check the weather channel and it was -1 degrees Celsius. It was supposed to warm up to 15 degrees today. I wasn't sure what to pack, so I ended up packing everything. By the time I left the house at 6:45am I was sure I would be running with my running room running jacket. However by the time we got to the event it had warmed up to about 2 degrees and it was getting warmer. Last minute decision...ditch the jacket and leave it inside. Probably one of the best decisions I made. We met up with one of Trevor's friends, Mark Duncan, who just did the Boston Marathon on Monday. He said he was planning on running a 2:00 hour half, so I thought great and said that I would run with him. One of his co-workers who had previously done the Hypothermic Half had decided to try for a 2:00 half after getting a 2:15 half back in February with cold and icy conditions...hey, that was okay with me...the more the merrier, right!! We lined up quite far back in the pack. The race for some unknown reason started about 10 minutes late. The first mile was fairly slow (I still have to get Trevor to download my Garmin) I am thinking it was about a 10:37, but with all the dodging we had to do I am not surprised. The second mile Mark had started to increase the pace and the second mile was closer to a 8:37 mile. I was okay as I knew that we would soon be into a good pace once we had caught up to where we should be. Somewhere between mile 2-3 I noticed that Mark's co-worker was struggling. I heard Mark ask quite a few times if she was okay. I made a decision to just run ahead. I knew the longer I stayed around the further I would trail. I really wanted this race to go well for me today. I didn't carry any water with me, but had taken a GU gel and carried that with me (ended up having that at the half way point). I knew there was enough water stations for me (three) that it wasn't necessary for me to carry the extra weight. Things were going okay. I new at the half way point that I was about 4-5 minute behind my 2:00 goal...that's okay...there was always a PB...So I continued on and pushed forward. Everything was going well. Just before Weaselhead (which is the biggest of many hills on the course) there was a fairly icy section. There was quite a few EMS on bikes cautioning every one to take it easy and watch for the ice. It was so slick, in fact, I saw one individual bite the dust after ignoring the EMS's instructions to "take it easy"...oh well...glad it was him and not me. I lost a bit of time there, but better safe than sorry. Weaselhead Hill was a killer, as it is every year. However, this year they had bagpipe players at the top of the hill for our enjoyment. It's just always nice to see all the people that come out to support us runners. The last 3 miles was tough. I thought that once I finished the killer hill and was running on a somewhat flat plain that I'd be able to pick up the pace and make up some lost time, but my legs were feeling the burn and I was just starting to tucker out. The last mile was a struggle. I saw many people walking and part of me was considering walking, but I thought...just a little bit further...finish line...rest...Well...I kept running...the crowd got louder and and got some much needed motivation. I saw Trevor in the crowd, which always brings a smile to my face.

2:07:55
138/358 female 30-30
1122/1892 overall

Okay...so here is the "are you serious" part of my title. My time of 2:07:55 was one second slower than my Personal Best time on the same course in 2006. I just missed getting a PB by 2 seconds. Oh well...so close, but no cigar : ) That's okay...I am still happy with the results.

It's looking up for Race Day

I can't believe I might be running in "good" weather on Sunday. They updated the weather and it looks like it'll actually be ideal weather. The forecast for Sundays run is:

Sunday

Sunny. Low minus 1 deg Celsius. High 15 deg Celsius

I had a pretty good workout today with 1:30 bike followed by a 0:30 run and I was able to run at 6.5 mph the last 10 minutes with not too much effort. I am still hoping for that sub 2:00 or a PB would work for me as well. I guess I should just focus on having fun, right? That's what it's all about : ) FUN!!!! Speaking of Fun...I know something that won't be fun..my 4:15 bike and 0:35 minute run...One word that comes to mind....OUCH....

Yesterday the kids and I headed over to the dentist. Unfortunately both of the kid-lings ended up with cavities. Kamden had 2 little ones and Simon had one little one. So in the next few weeks we'll be heading back to get those fixed. Other than that the dentist said that Kamden needs to see an orthodontist do to some overcrowding issues. He's afraid that it doesn't look like there will be enough room in her mouth for some of her new teeth. She has an appointment set for Jun 17th, so we'll keep our fingers crossed. I had to wear braces all the way through high school and it was kind of a low blow on the self esteem. I don't want her to go through that, but the dentist informed me that braces aren't as bad now a days as they were when I had them. I guess that is probably true, but I am sure that they do put a pretty good dent in the bank account.

K and S don't have school tomorrow so we are off to the gym first thing in the morning from my 2:10 bike with hill intervals (killer workout is what I like to call it). Then Mr get his hair cut at Beaners, which he is looking forward to.

Blah, Blah, Blah

That's how I've been feeling the last few day. I honestly think it's my body telling me that it no longer wants to deal with this crap weather we are having. It really is hard mentally to have super nice weather followed by cold weather with snow, snow and more snow. Trevor has been a Calgarian his entire 35 years and is always saying that he'd like to move. Since I am not one that like change I have never really welcomed the idea. However, I think if it came up where he'd have the opportunity to relocate to somewhere nice I'd be all over the idea. The poor kids have had their soccer practices canceled till next week. Hopefully the snow will be gone by then.

Our first half of the year is on Sunday and this is what we have to look forward to in the next few days and on race day (Temps are in Fahrenheit):

Today: Snow showers. Cold. High 31F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 50%.
Tonight: Occasional snow showers. Cold. Low 16F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 60%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.
Tomorrow: Occasional snow showers. Cold. High 36F. Winds ESE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 60%.
Tomorrow night: Snow showers. Low 21F. ESE winds shifting to N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 60%.
Friday: Rain mixed with snow. Highs in the upper 30s and lows in the upper teens.
Saturday: Sunny. Highs in the upper 40s and lows in the low 20s.
Sunday: Mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the low 50s and lows in the upper 20s.

I am thinking that at race time it'll still be chilly and the path will be fairly slick, but we are up for the challenge. The one thing you can never count on is Mother Nature. Despite the weather I am looking forward to racing---it'll be a lot of fun and I really love the course.

Yesterday Trevor came home with a package from Fed Ex, which he has been telling me about for some time. I've been trying to get him to tell me what it was for about a month, but he wouldn't budge. He walks in the door and I opened the package to take a look and this is what was inside...

Yes---It is he---"Jigsaw" from the SAW movies. Now the kids have never seen any of the movies, but Simon is scared of the puppet and starts crying when it comes near him. I think he's creepy just cause I saw the movies and well it's Jigsaw. As long as I don't wake up one night with Jigsaw staring at me then I think I'll be okay. I can't believe Trevor would get that---wait---"Boys and their Toys".

Winter is never going to go away, is it??

A week ago today we were basking in temperatures of over 20 degrees celsius and then five days later we welcomed another snow storm. So much for the kids and soccer. Looks like the games will for sure be cancelled for the week as they are saying that it'll be snowing on and off till Wednesday or Thursday. Honestly, I shouldn't be so surprised as this seems to happen every year. I think once it is June we are usually pretty safe and don't have to worry about snow storms till October or November if we are lucky. Friday I dropped the kids at Grandma's for an overnighter, so that Trevor and I could go out for our anniversary to Jubilations Dinner Theatre. We went and saw "Desperate Households" it was a musical with 60's music. Trevor and I managed to get on stage not once, but twice. The first time we each got pulled aside to play little parts in the the play (no singing, but some dancing). The second time they called on us as they knew it was our anniversary and while one of the characters sang "Put your head on my shoulder" (Paul Anka) Trevor and I were supposed to slow dance and recreate a music video for it. It was a fun night. I really enjoyed all of the 60's music. I was actually mentioning to Trevor if we had to do our wedding all over again I think it would be fun to have a 60's themed wedding. Wouldn't that be great fun?!!

Today we headed to the gym for a little brick workout, which consisted of 1:45 bike (31.5 miles) and a 0:45 min run (4.5 miles). I have recently started bring Gu gels to consume during my workouts as I find that if my workout is more than 2 hours long I start to feel pretty darn sick If I am not eating anything...really nauseous...it's not pretty. After the gym we headed home and ate, got ready and headed to the mall to book our vacation to Peurto Vallarta in 4 weeks. It's official...I can't wait...especially when I look out the window and see all the snow. After the mall we went to Trevor's parents for supper and to pick up the kids. Trevor's mom made his favorite teriyaki beef, rice, and mixed vegies...it was fabulous and I probably ate too much. Oh well...I'll just have to have a really good week to make up for it.

10 years

Click on Picture Below to enlarge

Susan & Trevor

Wedding Day

April 18th, 1998

(I was 23 yrs old and Trevor was 25 yrs old)

How time flies by. I can't believe that we made it to ten years. I can't wait to see what the next 10...20...30...40...50...60...years has in store for us. Love you lots, Trevor. I am so lucky that God has brought you in my life.

I sent Trevor to work with one of our wedding pictures, so that he could scan it. Digital Cameras were pretty new back then and quite expensive so all our pictures are on 35mm. Thank goodness for scanners. As soon as I can I will post it.

The kids are on a roll (no pun intended)

Seems as if the kids have started their own challenge. They have been rollerblading every day since we have bought them their skates. Today it was chilly at 4 degrees Celsius (not to mention the wind chill). I was trying to convince them it was too cold, but they didn't take the bait. Oh well...I suppose it's good for them to get out.

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Our Little Rollerbladers

I definitely think that we made a good purchase when we bought the kids Rollerblades. So far I have taken them around the block everyday with the exception of Sunday. On Saturday there was quite a bit of falling and getting back up quickly. I probably look like the mean parent as I refuse t6o help them when they fall and I don't allow them to hang on to me (with the exception of crossing the street). When they took inline skating at school a few weeks back the instructor told us, the volunteers, not to help them as they need to learn. If you are helping them get up and hang on to you for support they will end up relying on you too much. So that is the rule which I am sticking to. If one goes down I will just say they are doing good and it's okay to fall. They are doing super and I am proud of them.

Trevor just informed me of our crazy training week---Thurs and Friday are the crazy days---the other days are not too bad.

Tuesday:
1 hour and 30 mins-steady ride at moderate aerobic intensity
Wednesday:
50 min Fartlek Run -Foundation Run with 6x30 sec burst @ VO2 Max/speed intensity
Thursday:
1 hour and 45 mins-steady ride at moderate aerobic intensity followed by
1 hour steady run @moderate aerobic intensity
Friday:
2 hour 5 min steady ride with 11x1min 30 sec hill climbs @ VOx max/speed intensity w/3 min recoveries
Saturday:
1 hour 45 mins bike followed by 45 mins run both at moderate aerobic intensity
Sunday:
1 hour 5 mins long, steady-pace run @ moderate intenisty

On top of this I will hit the pool on Tuesday (2300m), Wednesday (2250m) and Thursday (2300m)

Just got a call from the head of the kids' outdoor soccer league. We were hoping that we would be able to work things out and get them on the same team, but due to some fairly strict rules---it's a "no can do". So I am definitely going to be a soccer mom now with Simon having practice on Mondays and games on Wednesdays and Kamden who is supposed to have practice on Tuesdays-- but has tap dance and can't make Tuesdays. She will, however, be able to make her games on Thursdays. Man...my head is just spinning just thinking about it. Thank goodness soccer season only goes till the end of June.

How did that happen???

This evening we headed out at around 6 pm across town to the bike shop to get Trevor's bike shoes repaired. Since we don't get over to that end of town that much we headed over to Market Mall. The initial plan was that we'd just walk around and maybe get a treat. I decided to check out Sport Check for some workout tops as the majority of my tech shirts are long sleeve and with the weather starting to look up (although you wouldn't know it after yesterday's blizzard with 23 cm of snow---today was 13 degrees, so it is melting..fast!!) I wanted to pick up some tank tops. I am over in the ladies area and Kamden comes running over to me "Mommy, you have to come quick", so of course I run over there and next thing you know the kids are trying on rollerblades. 25 minutes later we leave the store with rollerblades and padding for each of the children. $350 later....we are trying to teach them about money and they are now on a plan to pay us back for their skates.

Training is going good...I miss recovery week...it is so nice and easy. I managed to get to the pool 3 times this week, which I will try to stick with. I actually love doing the drills as the time seems to go by so much more quickly than when I am just doing laps. It is a little more entertaining. Yesterday I had an exam in the morning at 9 am. I dropped the kids off at the bus stop at 7:45 am and headed to school, but with the snowstorm the roads were insane and visibility was minimal. I made it to the school at 9:05 and started writing the exam at 9:10...not too bad. I can't believe that it took me almost 1.5 hours to get there when it's usually a fifteen minute drive. I had to pick up Simon after my test and that trip took forever as well. I actually didn't go to the gym yesterday because I just didn't want to be out on the streets anymore. I was going crazy. I just needed to get home. We got home to snow in the streets up to my knees. I had to run grab the shovel and dig out a spot for the van, which took about 10 minutes and then another 20 to dig a path to the house. Like I said before it was 13 degrees today, so everything is melting. Sunday we are supposed to reach a high of 20 degrees Celsius...just like summer. Where else can you get all four seasons in a day. I tell you it's bizarre!!!!

Today Simon and I had to go to Safeway after the gym to pick up some milk. Being the little helper that he is he offered to carry the milk out for me. Of course I said "sure you can help". So I lead the way out the store and then I turned around to see how he was managing as it was a 4L jug of milk and I thought it may have been a tad heavy for a five year old. I turn around to see Simon holding his milk like a waiter holds a drink tray (kind of like the picture below, but replace the beer for a jug of milk).Just as I am about to yell "Simon, carry it with both hands---you are going to drop it like that" it happened. The jug of milk fell---it was as if it was in slow motion---the jug hits the ground and breaks open and all I can see is milk everywhere. It's the kind of situation you would come across and say to yourself "man, I am glad that my kids don't do stuff like that". I was mortified...we notified someone of our mishap and grabbed another jug of milk and got out of there as fast as we could. Of course I had a few words about making "good decisions" when we got to the car.

Tomorrow 4 hour bike and 35 minute run.

I Love Hockey Playoffs

No, I am not a hockey fan, but I am definitely a fan of an empty pool in the evening. This evening I thought I'd get to the pool early as every once in awhile they open up a lane for lane swimming during the Aquasize class, it there are not too many people in attendance. As I was walking to the pool I noticed through the window that they had a lane open for us lane swimmers and it was 8:45 pm (lane swimming usually starts at 9 pm and goes till 10 pm). Can you believe I actually started to run cause I was so excited that I could get in the pool early. Today I felt really good in the water I think it was because I was just so happy to have a lane to myself the entire swim thanks to the Calgary Flames for being in the playoffs. I love it!!! I hope they are in the playoffs for a very long time : )

Today I had a busy day with 2 final exams, Applied Movement Mechanics and Exercise Physiology. Tomorrow I have my final exam for Anatomy and Physiology and then I am done till May 4Th. The good news is that next semester I am only taking 2 courses, so the workload won't be so crazy.

Today was my first fartlek run with a 45 minute run with 6 x30 seconds at VO2 max. It was tough...especially when I got to the 5Th and 6Th time. I had to take down the mph quite a bit just to be able to get my HR back down and actually be able to breathe. I completed the entire set of 6, so that was the goal----Yeah!!!

Today---Goals Achieved!!

Today was the usual Sunday activities starting out with me getting out of bed at 7am and getting ready and heading out the door to teach at 9am in Discoveryland at Church. After meeting up Trevor and the kids for the 11am service we headed over to my parents for lunch. Honestly a part of me didn't want to go over to my parent's place as my mom doesn't cook as healthy as me and it is hard for me to keep track of how many calories I am intaking, so it really just turns out to be a huge guessing game. At our house we don't use much sodium so after we've been over there both Trevor and I tend to retain a lot of water from all of the salt. Today for lunch we had yummy chicken kabobs, rice and some veggies...all in all it was a pretty good meal. We didn't just want to dine and dash and head over to the gym to do our 1 hr and 10 min run on the treadmill, so we brought our running clothes and headed down to Fish Creek. Jokingly I asked Trevor if he could PLEASE run with me today. I wasn't in anyway being serious as he is so much better of a runner than I am and I feel like I just slow him down. Surprisingly he said yes and we had a great run...well at least I did. I stayed in my "moderate intensity" with an average HR of 155. The best part is that I was able to stay in this zone and run an average of 6.30 mph and a total of 8 miles in 1:15:55. I was actually able to hold a conversation for most of the run (except for a big huge hill, which we have named "Lard Ass Hill"). One bad thing about the run was all of the little bugs that were flying in swarms. I ate a lot of bugs today and a lot of them lost their lives after getting stuck to my facial sweat.

Tomorrow I have to switch my Tuesday 1:30 foundation ride for Monday as I have a busy Tuesday planned and sometimes you just got to shuffle things around. Also, getting back to the swimming this week. Oh yeah---that just reminded me of another bad thing about today's run. It was about 9 degrees today, but rather windy and there were some nasty looking clouds so I wasn't sure what to wear. Originally I had a sports bra, long sleeved shirt, and my running jacket on but at the last minute I decided to ditch the long sleeved shirt. This ended up being a bad idea as once the run was over and I was in the shower I felt my skin burning on my side. It turns out I got chaffed from my sports bra...ouch that's going to hurt in the pool tomorrow.



glitter-graphics.com

I woke up this mornin'

Happy to report that I am feeling better than I was feeling a few days ago. I believe my ailments are mostly due to stress. Last December when I had my finals I remember dragging along a box of Kleenex to all my exams, so I guess my body's immune system kind of fails me when it is exam time. I have been taking some Neo-Citron, which has helped me get a good nights rest (and very weird dreams).

I can tell that I am better today as I was able to pull off a decent bike at the gym today. Since March 11th when IM training begin I have been having these incredible bikes, but this week on Thursday was bad and my Tuesday bike was actually despicable (as Daffy Duck would say). But I am back...now to get that swimming back on track...Monday I will be back on track with the swimming and will begin focusing on drills, drills and more drills. I think with swimming I put too much emphasis on how many meters I can get through in a certain period of time rather than focusing on how I can improve my stroke and swim more efficiently.

This is still recovery week, so I am so looking forward to a nice and easy brick tomorrow. Only a one hour and half bike followed by a half an hour run. It seems so easy that I actually can't wait to get to the gym tomorrow. Then Sunday is going to be a nice one hour 10 minute run in Fish Creek. The weather is supposed to be nice, so I am excited about that one.

++++Road to Six-Pack Ville Update++++I (and Christine) have decided that we are going to extend our 30 day challenge to a 60 day challenge (give or take a few days) as there was just a lot going on in the past 30 days and I know I didn't put in a very good effort. However, with our Mexican holiday approaching very quickly with the predicted date of departure being May 17th (We have decided to plan this holidays by the "seat of our trousers" and find a good deal in the paper a week before we want to go and just book it. It makes it a lot more fun as we don't know exactly where we are going). I have a lot of incentive to get that beach body. So I will post a picture of my "beach body" prior to that date.

Not feeling myself

I am thankful that it is a recovery week as I am not too sure if I would be able to handle a hard week of training. I think the kids have passed on their illness to me. They have been coughing and hacking for the past few weeks and continue to do so. I've been walking around with a sore throat and what I believe may be an ear infection, which explains the lack of meters in the pool. I am hoping to get back to the pool tonight just for some easy drills. Besides being sick I have been feeling the stress of studying for finals next week as well being very nervous about my first assessment at the ed clinic next Tuesday. I think once next week is over I will be a lot better. I will keep my fingers crossed that everything will go well.

Other than that---I better get back to studying