Monday, May 25, 2009

A run update.....

Finally registered for the full marathon, and as the weeks get closer, the more and more nervous I get. I still havent managed to run over 26km, it is freakin hard, let me tell you that much. Not hard in the sense of the distance, just hard in the sense of who has like 3 hours to spare in the day. Going at night is too dangerous (according to the folk) and going in the middle of day is asking for a heat stroke. None the less I have been keeping up with the running and have some lovely tan lines to prove it.

Last week!!
- Ran a 23km (wicked way to start off the week)
- Ran a 12km (a nighttime run...short, but decent)
- Ran a 25.43km (amazing run through the side streets and countryside)
- Ran a 6km (sooooo hot)
- Plus a few small bike rides to friends houses, and the library.

After an amazing weekend of gorgeous weather, and celebrating my friend's 21st birthday...yet another week of training began.


The Old Gandy Crew!!!

This week....(to start)
- Decided to take a break from running and do some cycling....biked 35.75km (AMAZING)
- Ran a small 10km before work training
- RAN FINALLY A 29.2km....I am still in shock.
- Ran 16km (a nice ease off of the 29.2 haha)

Friday, May 22, 2009

So true...

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. We’ve added years to life not life to years. We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We’ve done larger things, but not better things.

We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships.

These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete…

Remember, to spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn’t cost a cent.

Remember, to say, “I love you” to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person might not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

“— Bob Moorehead

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

“Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever."
Lance Armstrong

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Delayed runs and life

Running has been delayed, but all for a good cause....well sort of. I do miss it, but I will be back on training tomorrow morning. I haven't been out since last tuesday, almost a week:O, I have been busy with things, and hurt my ankle running on Concession 3 (stupid uneven ground). So until then, I shall fill you in on the exciting life of MOI!

Went downtown T.O to visit a friend, took the subway which was extremly cool. Walked around to a million and one places. And I can't wait to go back. We visited tones of neat shops, and wicked bike stores (also to help him find a new tire, stupid people who stole it. I love that fixed gear bike anyways neighbour...Do it up orange style!)

I headed back to school for a few days, was weird to be there and not actually do school work, but none the less had an amazing time. Went to BUFFALO, and to the lovely olive garden where I indulged in the most amazing meals. Saw some friends, and the new house, which I am very excited to move into..(yeaaaaa biggg windowsss).

I also drum roll please...Started driving school, and I'm almost finished. Tomorrow is the final day. And I can't believe I put it off for so long. It is soo easy, and to be honest kinda interesting. I can't wait to finally be finished and to be able to drive...Oh the freedom I hear it now!!!!

So as my long weekend slowly comes to an end, that is what has gone down. Also I've spent a large majority watching planet earth. I am almost through all the DVD's. Sure it's lame but whatever. I like it, and it's my life haha.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Thank you tax check!!

So thanks to the lovely government I have recieved the glorious tax check and I couldn't be happier. It has defintly given me new hope in life. Okay well just hope in the finanical department. With this incredible thing we call tax check I have bought a amazing new pair of running shorts. Yeah I know its lame, they are only shorts but you wouldn't believe the power these shorts have. They are water resistent, quick drying, and they have breathable sides. They also have underwear attachted inside. Okay well not underwear but you remember boys bathing shorts. That kind of stuff. To be honest though I like it. They are amazing. I will be sure to take a photo, just to show them off a bit more. I also bought some new headbands for running of course. They are non slip, and they are tiny that they are not so incredibly hot like my last one. They also have reflectors in them...Who knew???

Also with this tax check I finally have signed myself up for driving school. I am sooo excited. It is a 4 day course, so it happens this weekend. So I can get it done and over with and finally get that stupid G2 that I have been putting off for years. None the less I am excited, and have been driving alot lately, becoming pro of course.

The tax check has also allowed me to head back to the native school land. I just finished packing for the 2 nights 3 day adventure to see some friends and of course my friends mom in from Calgary. I am very excited should be a good couple of days. Tomorrow bright and early I head out, to then meet my friend downtown for some lunch or even some brewing touring haha. Then off to school until friday.

With money still to spare the possibilities are endless....Oh and I applied for yet another job, so heres hoping. If not I guess camp starts soon enough.

Week 4 running:
- Ran a 8km (recovery run)
- Ran a 20.39km
- Don't know about the rest yet, we'll see how it plays out..

Monday, May 11, 2009

Caught Candid

Oh the pictures taken on race day. Don't you love the closed eyes, open mouth look. I know it's by far the sexiest I think I have ever seen myself. At least I don't look like im dying of exhaustion. I guess thats good. Here's the photo's from www.zoomphoto.ca. Well a selection, I won't lie I picked the decent ones, there was some that lets just say.....we'll leave them hidden....

P.s: Try and find me in the first one..I'm there yellow coat and all!





Sunday, May 10, 2009

Mississauga 10km....a personal best

So the day finally arrived, when both myself and my mom would participate in the Mississauga 10km race event. First of its kind for my mom, and second for myself. The entire time I had just told myself I wanted to beat last years time from the Whitby 10km which was 50 minutes 52 seconds.....I didn't think that was too much to ask for.

As I awoke to a potential downpour, i slowly began to beleive that this race was not going to actually continue. As the day continued and the winds picked up, the temperature dropped alot and before I knew it I was wearing sweatpants, and a sweatshirt and seriously reconsidering this event. We went anyways. Showed up to the dark and cloudy start line and begin to warm up amongst the other runners. When the race offically started we headed out along one main street of mississauga. The first km was all pure hill. Defintly not a nice way to start off the race. But whatever. The course looped around the waterfront and threw various subdivisions. With people cheering you on the whole way. As I appraoched the 5km mark I noticed my time was at 24 minutes 7 seconds. And I knew I had to pick it up if I wanted to come in under my last years time. Slowly but surely I picked up the pace, ran past the 6km, 7km, and 8km mark. One spotting the 8km I began to really pick up the pace and before I knew it I was in the last stretch to the finish. I sprinted my life out, passing god knows how many people to the finish. To see a time that surely shocked me and my family.

The final results were posted shortly after, yet we awited for my mom to come into the finish. Still proud even though she was defitnyl tired she had the determination and will power to finish.

So how did I do you may ask. I can't even belive it myself. Here we go. Are you ready??

I placed 133 out of 1432 people in the entire race.
I placed 6 out of 102 in my age category for women aged 20-24.
I placed 20 out of 820 among all women in the race.

As for time......I ran it in 47:31!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I still can't believe it. I have never been so happy. I can't wait to see the photo's. So keep posted, the photo's should be up soon!

Today is a day of rest and to celebrate mothers day of course, but starting tomrrow back to the redicious training schedual for the full in June. Boy oh boy. I'm addicted.

Friday, May 8, 2009

The great outdoors

So being home has given me alot of free time. Of course this time is supposed to be spent job hunting, and helping do chores around the house etc..yet we all know how exciting that can be. So instead of doing all these items that my mom wants me to, instead I embraced my youthfullness and headed out on an adventure. Yet, lets make that 2 adventures.

Adventure 1:
Seaton Hiking Trail
The good kindergarton buddy and I packed out lunches, strapped on our helmets(which actually is a lie) and headed out on our bikes. Up through the hills of Ptown to the lovely Seaton Hiking trail. The weather was wonderful, and the limited amount of traffic aided in our ablility to ride on the road. Which was much better then riding on the sidewalk. Perfectly paved roads, some up's and down's and we were there. Once arriving we locked up our bikes and headed on foot. Amazing scenary, animals of all sorts, and even some neat looking flowers were all spotted. We stopped to take multiple photo's and a few breaks for some snacks, before pressing onward hoping our lovely trail would adventually loop back around to the starting point. As we conitnued to hike, we got further and further away, the time a ticking. We ended up totally the the opposite end of the trail. Who knows how actually far it was. But let's just say we looked soooo lost that some women came and to help us. Yeah, so much for hoping it would loop around. All in all, it was an excellent day, minus me falling in the water and having to walk and ride with a soaked foot. It was a great start to many more adventures to come:)

Adventure 2:
Rouge Valley Conservation
So even though rain was in the forcast we decided we would head out anyways. I lended the goose to KWallace and I rode the new and improved Grandpa bicycle (which since been fixed, runs superbly....thank you internet sources). We road down past mr. dressup's house and locked up our bikes to a tree. Headed out on foot to a path we have never explored before. We got some awesome pictures, saw some weird shit (like cars, in the middle of the river) STRANGE. but yet again this is Ptown. and of course added in some clumsy steph movements. We found a wicked place to play pond hockey once winter season comes. This venture felt like we had been walking forever, yet when we reached a turnaround point and headed back following the trail EXCATLY, it took no time at all. Stupid us and our, lets make our own adventure attitude. None the less the rain held off, and we got in a good days worth of adventuring. The bike ride home was ooh so tiring, but sooo worth it.

Check out some of our pictures from the adventures...just click here:

As for running...What a week!!!!
Week 3:
Sunday ran a 16.57km, nice way to get back into the swing of things after being away.
Monday ran a 18.7km run...Such a nice run, up through the backfield of Ptown.
Tuesday: No run but the hike and bike ride. (so I took it easy)
Wednesday: Finally beat 20km....and ran a 21.34km.....it was pouring rain, but I just kept going and was so glad I did. So happy with the results
Thursday No run but, the hike and bike ride kept me occupied
Friday....just an easy 8km as saturday is race day. Keep your eye out to see how I do in the Mississauga 10km race.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

A little bit of everything!

So what an amazing 2 weeks these have been. I Love being home, although i'm sure at times my parents think the opposite. Either way, it has been nice to just forget about school, and the stressors that tag along. Although the anticipation of getting into honours for fourth year has increased the amount of stress that occurs. Anyways here's the low down:

Running:
- Week two of training went quiet well. I pushed myself to an end which I wasn't sure I'd meet. Ran though vicious winds, rainstorms, and late nights. I was able to get in a 16km, a 18km, and two 10km. Found some new routes, through the country of pickering which has been sooo worth it. Week three is going to be difficult, so I might have to take it easy because I have a 10km run on saturday. Yeah MISSISSAUGA 10km. Oooooh also my mom's first. Lets wish her luck:)

Friends:
- Spent time with some highschool buddies, who I had missed so much during the year and reuniting with some people who I had been distant from. It's been great catching up on the past. Yet I still miss those who are away, or are now located elsewhere because of Brock Ending. Keep in touch.

Camping:
Since I have been home, I have had two incredible camping experiences. First one, heathers backyard in a tunderstrom. Perhaps not the best idea but so worth it. I think I hadn't laughed that hard in ages. Sorry to everyone who recieved our Racoon calls, We can't help but share the canadian wilderness with fellow friends. The second was up at Mel's house in the middle of nowhere. Well not really, she claim's she lives in a town but we like to think otherwise. This was a fun weekend. Full of frog hunting, huge bonfires, wilderness walks, and sleeping in a tent. What more could someone want???

Random:
- I entered a photo contest for future shop. I know I won't win but it's was neat to try. And I was proud of my photo.
- I fixed a bike:), looked up stuff online, read some books, and went to the bike store in pickering to get the necessary parts. I love how it turned out, and has made the local rides fantastic:)
- The trip plannning, has become more underway, as I have now TONES more information. Headed to the library signed out some books and became more familiar with the provinces and trails etc.
- Oh and of course watching the playoffs. GO VANCOUVER!!!!!!
- The worst though.........still jobless :(