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.

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.

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 :(

The Bicycle.

I don't know if it was you who inspired me, of if I had it in me all along, either way the passion couldn't be stronger.

A Video by Danny MacAskill: Inspired Bicycles *Watch it*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z19zFlPah-o






[all pictures via itsonlythewind]

Trainings Begun......8 weeks to go!

So, Its become offical. I have registered for my frist EVER FULL MARATHON!, and I won't lie. I am scared to pieces. Outlined in my running book it says that most programs are 18 weeks that help you balance yourself towards your future final goal of running a full. Not trying to squeeze it into 8 weeks. But it's all I got so I need to work with it.

Heres how my own minature formated version of John Stanton's Marathon Completion Workout Schedual will go:

Week 1: Run between 12 to 16km
Week 2: Run between 16 to 20km
Week 3: Run between 20 to 24km
Week 4: Run between 24 to 28km
Week 5: Run between 28 to 32km
Week 6: Run between 32 to 34km
Week 7: Run between 28 to 32km
Week 8: Run between 12 to 16km

So as I run. I need to tackle the lowest amount listed, as well as the hightest and maybe a run or two inbetween the amount as well. I hope this will give me a good basis, and keep me in good running shape to complete the race. I am sure this weekly plan will change depending on weather, how I am feeling, work etc. But it's better then nothing. And one can only hope for the best.

Week 1:- Ran 12km in the pouring rain, yet surprisingly an amazing run:)
- Ran 19.7km....okay a little out of the oridanry yet didn't realize I went this far until I came home and mapped it...BUT SHIT SON 19.7KM...it was georgeous too...ran down to the waterfront, and all along the water...BEAUTIFUL!
- Hopefully get in another 13km and maybe a 16km in the next 3 days.

I decided to start yoga, my mom has a plethra of video's lying around, and decided to try them out. It has been almost a week and I love them. I do one every morning, or evening. Whenever I have time really. The guy is incredible his name is Rodney Yee. Check him out.

goodbye third year :(

Woah, so it finally happened. Third year came to a close and I still can't believe it is now officially over. It seems like just yesterday I was arriving back at school, unpacking my stuff, and ready to begin another long and adventurous year. As I now have become aware my third year is over. I have officially handed in all assignments, completed all tests, and done teacher evaluations.

I began the HECTIC exam week, never have I ever had such a week of exams. It started off Thursday the 9th with my learning disabilities class. This exam went amazingly, or at least I felt it did. Then after the exam was completed head home for a good relaxing Easter weekend. Monday the 13th wrote yet another exam. This one parenting, I think it went pretty well, and I also finished early which allowed me to head to our final farewell soccer game. Which sadly ended in a loss, but a great season none the less. Wednesday the 15th exam number 3 was written. Behavioural Challenges this time, and again went very well. I defiantly knew my stuff, or felt like it. I can only hope my feelings and belief about my marks are an actual representation of the mark I get. Friday the 17th went in to Ian Beddis for the last time of third year. Wrote my dramatic arts literature exam, 3 hours of torture. The exam was really long, and I felt my wrist slowly dying as the clock ticked on. But all in all I think all these exams went really well, and can’t wait to see my marks. Sadly was unable to get any runs in, I mean I guess I could have, but I really needed to use the time, and might I add I DID!!!

On my way home, you would assume the average student to be completely excited yet I found myself with sadness. I began to realize that this is it, this will be the final day I ride the 4 home for my third year. I realize it was my final day with my drama classmates, and soon then clued in even more and realized that this might be the final goodbye for many of my friends.

So as this week draws to a close, and my third year ends. As I begin to slowly pack up my life for yet another summer, and do some last minute visits, I remember all the good times this year, and all the memories made. I will miss you all, and can only hope we do not forget each other. Good luck to everyone graduating, transferring, and not returning. I will never forget the laughter shared, the memories made, and the shenanagains we got ourselves into.

Alone I sit and the mind wanders

“ I understand feeling as small and as insignificant as humanly possible. And how it can actually ache in places you didn’t know you had inside you. And it doesn’t matter how many new haircuts you get, or gyms you join, or how many glasses of chardonnay you drink with your girlfriends… you still go to bed every night going over every detail and wonder what you did wrong or how you could have misunderstood. And how in the hell for that brief moment you could think that you were that happy. And sometimes you can even convince yourself that he’ll see the light and show up at your door. And after all that, however long all that may be, you’ll go somewhere new. And you’ll meet people who make you feel worthwhile again. And little pieces of your soul will finally come back. And all that fuzzy stuff, those years of your life that you wasted, that will eventually begin to fade.

— Kate Winslet, “The Holiday”