PEI's Golden Girl

The city of Summerside, which is about 25 minutes from here, is the hometown of Olympian Heather Moyse. Heather and her bobsleigh partner just became 2-time Olympic gold medalists; they won gold in Vancouver, and defended their spot at the top of the podium in Sochi.

Summerside and the Credit Union Place held a Welcome Home and Congratulations Heather event tonight, and I desperately wanted to go. I asked Red Fox earlier today if he wanted to go and shot down that idea pretty quickly. But then I decided to bribe him with supper at MacDonalds, and he relented.

PEI Potatoes were giving out 25,000 lbs of potatoes at this event. They had pallets full of 10-lb bags of potatoes. Of course, I made Blaine get a bag as soon as we got there and then carry it around until we left. I didn't want to miss out of the freebies! haha

We made our way into the arena where they had a stage set up, and a band playing. They were good entertainment while we waited for Heather to arrive. Those of you know know me in real life know that I am always early. And you know, not just a little early. REALLY early. So we got a good spot right beside the "red carpet". 

First to enter were the colour party and all the VIP's like the mayor and Heather's parents and family. 

Then the CBC show started and it was time for Heather to come in. 

I got some photos, and then jumped out like a crazy person reached out to shake her hand. I said congratulations, and she thanked me, grabbing my hand with both of hers, and grinned at the 3 of us. 

Thats me! On CBC! Little Fox is in front of me, and Red of is behind me.

Then of course it was time for the speeches and such. When she sat down, I heard her 2 huge gold medals clanking together, and my first thought was "Olympian Problems"! Heather was informed that she'll be awarded with the Order of PEI later this year, and that Summerside will be establishing a $1000 dollar scholarship in her honour, as well as naming a street Heather Moyse Drive (with gold lettering on the sign!). They gave her the PEI flag that flew over city hall during the games. Heather was very emotional, and I saw her wiping tears quite a few times! She answered some questions, and explained why she's so generous with her medals. Basically she said that to her, the medals represent the dreams of every Canadian, and she's seen people stand taller when holding the medal, and that people have been inspired to try the things they may not have tried otherwise. 

We left before it was over, but it all made me feel really proud of being Canadian and living in PEI. I might not be FROM PEI, but I feel like I am as much an Islander as I am Bluenoser. 

The whole thing can be seen on the CBC Compass website at:

http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Canada/PEI/Compass/ID/2439833418/ (it starts at about an hour and 2 minutes). Look for us in the video! 

Half Training Ver 2.0 - Week 4

Week 4 already? Really?

I think this must be the first week that I actually did ALL of the runs I was supposed to do!

We've had great weather this past week, so it was ideal for running. I had 5k scheduled for Tuesday. We had some snow on Monday, but it was all clear for a Tuesday run. The worst thing about running in the snow is using my ice spike things. The work amazingly well, but they squish up the front of my sneakers, which makes my toes bump on my sneakers and they get sore.

See the 2 dents in the toe of each shoe?

Anyway, the weather was beautiful! Not freezing, and not overly windy either. I planned to do the beach route twice, but after the first one, I wanted to keep going, so I did the River Rd route, which would bring my total up to 6 instead of 5. Needless to say, the run felt great, although I didn't take my garmin so I'm not sure of my time

My second run of the week was on Thursday, and I did 5k at lunch time. This was another post-snowstorm run, and it wasn't as pleasant as Tuesday's! I ran the beach route twice, and as I was heading down to the beach, I felt like I was flying, and I was like, aw, this is a great run! But then I turned around, and the wind BLASTED my face. The snowflakes were hitting my face so hard they were stinging my cheeks. But, because I'm badass and hardcare (Ha! riiiight) I stuck it out and finished the second lap. Again, no garmin, so no time.

For this weekend, I had 10k on the schedule. I checked the weather early Saturday morning, and the weather looked perfect for the whole weekend. Hovering around zero, sunny and not-hurricane-force winds, for a change. That morning, I started cleaning up the house and by noon I was exhausted. Like, all I wanted to do was nap. So, this morning (sunday) I woke up, and a leisurely breakfast of coffee and 2 eggs with a slice of ham in a tortilla. (Little Fox calls this a bree-tow). I sat down to watch the hockey game, and knew I wouldn't be able to sit there, agonizing over every play and goal. So, I went running instead.

The first 5k of my run (from home to the Anne museum) was about 45 minutes! LOL My friend was texting me, I was getting game updates, I was distracted by the scenery, I was tip-toeing around ice, and there was one heck of a headwind. I had to laugh when I checked the time, and texted my friend to tell him to only text me if something exciting happened in the game.

I took this about 3k into my run. Ice at the shore and on the horizon.

After a quick refueling snack of almonds and chocolate chips, I got my head in the game and ran for home. I got home in about 30 minutes, which is a typical 5k time for me, and was able to watch the last 10 minutes of the hockey game (YAY CANADA!).

I'm glad I have the routes mapped out here, so I can run without my garmin. For my long runs from this point on, I'll have to take it because I'm not sure of any distances beyond 10k. But it was nice to run today without a timer, and be able to really enjoy the weather.

Also, it FINALLY cleared up enough to allow me to try out my new runners... Brooks Ghost 6. I like them. Honestly, I didn't feel like I was running on a cloud or anything, but they felt light and comfortable enough.

I'm feeling pretty good about this week's runs. I am still MUCH slower than I used to be, but I'm also not pushing myself like I did last summer. I figure if I take it easy-ish during my training, I will be able to push myself a bit more during the race. 

Also, I was thinking about this summer's races. My goal half marathon will be the Blue Nose, which is early in the season, so I thought I'd choose a goal race for later in the season. I think I'm going to try the 10k trail race at Brookvale Park in August (Brookvale is the ski park here in PEI... I know, I was surprised we have a ski hill too!). I just have to find out if there are any good training trails around here so that I don't have to travel to Brookvale every week to train! 

catch-up via photos

I haven't posted anything "personal" lately, and my mom was asking, so here are some photos I took lately!

 Found a box of old "stuff" in my closet. Here are my grad photo and grade 12 ID photo from high school!

 Little Fox got this neat fish for christmas. It's battery powered and weighted to float a few inches below the surface, and it actually swims around!

 Little Fox made a volcano at school while learning the letter "V". 

 Molly Dog found a new comfy place to sleep during the day. I think she likes it becuase she can see out of the window.

 When Red Fox was offshore, Little Fox and I had a pizza and a movie night. We watched "the croods" which I actually really liked. That weekend, we also went to the theatre to see the Lego movie, and he loved it.

 I relaxed with the fire, my book, a drink and my dog.

 We went skating down by the beach with some neighbours.

 Little Fox addressed his valentines.

 Molly gets up on the bed during story time, and likes to squeeze right in the middle.

 Little Fox and I played with legos. He built a house and I built the Olympic ski park. (Note the flame in the back corner!)

 On Wednesday, I went to the elementary school to help coach the gymnastics team. I thought I'd be helping for a few weeks, but there was only one class left! Check out the old-school wooden beam, and that giant beat board!

 Little Fox had a fever, and still has a cough and runny nose. This photo was taken at about 6:15 pm... the first time in a LONG time that he's fallen asleep early.

 We had a few warm-ish days and some rain, and we had a river flowing through the yard again. 

 Little Fox has 2 loose teeth. The 2 bottom ones in the middle. When I was a kid, my mom made this tooth fairy pillow for me, and I thought it would be nice to re-build it for Little Fox. I took off the purple backing and pocket and pink trim, and replaced it with cars.

 We got a lot of snow this past weekend. Here's Molly, taking a break from chewing on a fallen branch to watch Red Fox shovel.

Half Training Ver 2.0 - Week 3

I should have posted this on Sunday, but... better late than never!

OK. Last weekend, I didn't get my long run done, so I ran 8k on monday morning. It was a tough run to get through, and by 3k I wanted to quit! But I stuck it out and got it done. I thought it was going to be really slow, but it was only about 2 minutes longer than the 8k race I ran last summer. Which is really surprising because I am MUCH slower than last summer.

I ran 5k on Thursday, and then I attempted my long run on Saturday, because of the storm that was forecast for Sunday. I had 10k on the schedule. My plan was that I would run at about lunch time, so I had a lazy morning and had a late-ish breakfast, and planned to have a second breakfast before running. But I really hate waiting around to do things, so of course after I ate, I ran. I shouldn't have because my body wasn't prepared properly. About 4k in, my legs suddenly felt like wet noodles, and I was lightheaded. I have enough experience with my blood sugar to know that I wans't going to make it to 10k! I finished 5k, and went back inside. I planned to have a glass of milk and a little snack, but it didn't seem to help. Frustrated, but I should have known better!

So I'm about a week behind in my long run distances, but I'm not concerned. I know I'll get there!

Half Training Ver 2.0 - Week 2

I'm pretty sure the universe is trying to tell me something. No half for you!

I honestly can't remember what I did previous to Wednesday this week. I'm 90% sure I ran on Monday or Tuesday. But I can't remember. 

Wednesday morning, Red Fox left home to meet the boat in Halifax. He's now Sea Fox for another few days. That meant I had to rethink my training schedule. I figured I'd do my long run on friday morning because I wouldn't have anyone to look after Little Fox while I ran if it was on a weekend.

So no run Wednesday morning. Thursday morning I didn't run, but I can't remember why not... Seriously, this week is just a complete blank for me! I think I didn't run because I knew my long run would be the next morning. 

So.... thursday night, the furnace broke. I knew it was actually BROKEN because Red Fox put oil in it the morning he left. So I called Silver Fox, who couldn't help, and then I called our friend Andy who basically jumped at the chance to stop making papers. He came prepared, with tool belt and head lamp. He hit the reset button (which mom tried to convince me to do on my own, but I chickend out) and the furnace puked smoke and exhaust fumes into my basement. It continued to do this for about 15 minutes while Andy tried to figure out what was wrong with it. I finally hit the emergency kill switch, and Andy left. I then spent the next hour crying trying to air out the house because I was worried we'd get carbon monoxide poisoning, and because it was REALLY stinky. I set my phone alarm for every 90 minutes so I could put wood in the fire so we'd at least be warm overnight. I checked on Little Fox a million times to be sure he was still breathing warm. 

Friday morning finally rolled around, and I was exhausted. I got Little Fox off to school, and then Silver Fox arrived to bring in some wood and to help with the furnace issue. I made what felt like a million calls and finally got a repair man to come. He was great, and had the furnace fixed by noon. By that time, of course, I was "late" for work (I made up some of the hours that evening), and then Little Fox would be home from school, so no run again!

Of course I couldn't run over the weekend, but Little Fox and I sure did have a good time! We went to the movies and skating. 

Tomorrow morning, I will do my long run of 8k. TOMORROW MORNING I WILL RUN. 

Sea Fox might be home mid-week, so hopefully I can get back on schedule. 

Half Training Ver 2.0 - Week 1

Last summer, I attempted to train for the half marathon at the PEI marathon. That plan fell through because my knee started to hurt on any run longer than 10k. I started physio and was told that I have weak hips. So i instead ran the 10k at the PEI marathon, and although I was disappointed I wasn't running the Half, I was really pleased with my just-over-55-minute time. 

This past week was Week 1 of Half Marathon Training, Version 2.0. New and improved. 

I have a totally different mindset about it this year. Almost lackadaisical. Well, maybe not, but just not as intense and serious as last time. Last time, I think I was too focused on running fast and working hard, and I think I ran too much for my body to handle, and therefore got hurt. This time, I'm just running. I don't care if I stop and walk. I don't care how long it takes me. I don't care if I miss a run or 2 (although I will try my best not to!). 

So, week one consisted of only 2 runs. It was supposed to be 3, but the 3rd on just didn't happen. The first run was on Wednesday, and was a 5k. I ran that one in about 32 minutes (last year, my fastest 5k was just over 26 minutes, so I'm quite a bit slower than I was!). Yesterday, I ran 6k. Ish. LOL Just before heading out the door I remembered that my Garmin died on my previous run, and I didn't charge it. So I ran from home to the beach and back, which is 2.5k, and then down River Rd and back which is just under 4k. I have to say, that was one great run! I really enjoyed it. The weather was not-freezing, the road wasn't completely icy, and I felt like I was running well. The best part is that I conquered that damn hill! I took a short walk break before the hill, then ran up, and took a short walk break at the top. I'm sure someone walking could have made it up faster than I did, but I did it!

"Cross training" was ballet class. Lots of jumps, spins, and muscle squeezing. The muscles around my hips and butt were REALLY sore the next day! The jumping is crazy. it's not like one jump and then stand around for a few minutes talking about. It's one jump on every count of music, for at least 16 counts. the rest for like 4 counts, then jumping again. All the while keeping every muscle squeezed. 

The plan for next week, ideally, includes 3 runs (8k long run), ballet (if Red Fox is still home), and to keep up with my strengthening and stretching. To go from 6 to 8 k for my long run seems like a big jump, but hopefully it will be ok. 

January in Review

January went by pretty quickly! I think I had a pretty sucessful month. I don't think I had any specific resolutions, but I had some things in mind that I hoped to do.

First, I did *something* everyday. Plank, run, ballet, stretching/rolling, physio exercises, etc. I did plank every day, and my record so far is 2:30.  I logged everything in this little calendar... it doesn't show in the photo, but it has a picture of Mater on it. LOL The only thing I had on hand to use was a Cars calendar.
Somedays it was ONLY a plank, but... hey, it was something. And something I'm kind of proud of myself for... doing something for a whole month is like 2 weeks longer than I usually last!

I didn't run as much as I hoped, but now that I'm into the beginning of training for a half, I will definately be running more! I'll be posting tomorrow about half marathon training version 2.0. 

One fun thing that happened was that I got the medal from the virtual 5k I ran back in November. It was a fundraiser for a Team in Training member who ran the half marathon at Disney. Her race recap can be found on her blog at mommy-miracles.com.

A few other things of note from january:

The ballet class is AWESOME. I love it. I can't believe how hard it is! My legs, butt, and shoulders are always sore the next day. I hope I'll be able to continue going, but Red Fox may become Sea Fox again soon, so I might have to miss it for a few weeks. 

My dad-in-law (Silver Fox) moved out a few weeks ago. He seems to really like his new place, and we're getting along ok without him here. Molly misses him very much though, and has spent some time moping about in his old room. 

I met with the jaw specialist, but I haven't been able to make any appointment with a chiro or massage therapist yet. I also haven't been into Summerside to fill the prescriptions, so my pain level is still annoyingly high. Hopefully I'll be able to get the ball rolling soon. 

That about sums up January. 

For February, I plan to follow my training plan, continue planking every day (maybe making it to 3 mins), continue with my physio exercises, and start getting my jaw fixed.