Ottawa Running Weekend

It is that time of year again - the annual Ottawa Running Weekend http://www.ncm.ca/index.php/en/home. In an effort to continue my goal of becoming a running god - or at least be able to run without wishing for death - I ran the 10 km race with my dear long legged friend Rhonda. In order to get a glimpse into this great atheletes mind (AHAHAHAHAHA) I have decided to summarize the experience.

Pre Race Line Up: It wouldnt be right if we were on time. So we werent. With much panic, we tried to get through the thousands upon thousands of runners to get to the 1hr plus section.

The Race Begins!: Um. Sort of. The gun is shot and all the elite runners start. Due to us being far back in the "fat and decrepit" group it took us a good ten minutes to actually cross the start line.

Km 1: The first kilometre went well. Lots of cheering folks including my hubby, my sister and two nieces.

KM 2: Running pace was good. We were averaging 5-7 minutes per kilometre which, for me, is pretty darn EXCELLENT!

Km 3: Saw our first victim of the "if I run really really fast it wont hurt as much" mentality. Poor girl was on the side of the road being attended to by EMTs. Also saw the first victim of the "if I wear a cute outfit I will run better" mentality. She wore running skorts. Chafed legs ensued. Wasnt pretty.

Km 4: Feeling good, feeling strong.

Km 5: Water station! Excellent! And oh look, there are some folks handing out energy jell on a stick. Got some of that...but oh my it didnt taste very good. Compensated by drinking two cups of water. At which point I faced my enemy....the hill. Pant pant pant curse curse curse curse and TA DA! Finished the hill and the 5 km section at about 40 minutes. A new record for me!

Km 6: Well that was good. Can I go home now? FIVEMOREKILOMETRESWHATWASIHINKINGWASIONDRUGS?!?!?!?!



Km 7: Rhonda sprinted off to find a port-o-johnny. At which point I realized two important things. One, if there is sun in my eyes I run slower. Two, if Rhonda isnt around, I walk.

Km 7.5: Saw another 'energy jell' stop. Damnit, I ate vaseline. Explains the questionable taste.

Km 8: I cant dooooooooooooo thissssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss. No yes I can, just think of the dessert I can have afterwards. Think of Jann Arden, she was chunky and ran. Right, left, right, left, right left....

Km 9: Seriously...did they move the finish line 'cause I dont think this is 10 km. No I think this is more like 15 and this is a big joke on all us keeners.

750 metres to go: Walking is good. Im okay with walking.

500 metres to go: Maybe I should run. Charlotte will be watching my big finish and I dont want her to see me giving up;.

1 metre to go: Screw it ... I am going to show Rhonda. Im gonna sprint past her at the end...

Finish Line: Na na na boo boo I won!

Now for the big question - my time. I have no idea. Will keep you posted though!

Oh, and remind me next year not to engage in such stupid activities.

Trying to Walk the Dog

Rob is having problems with walking the dog lately...



Me? Not so much....

How to deal with long flights and jet lag....words of wisdom from moi!!

As some of you may know, I just returned from a trip to Bali, Indonesia. Total flying time = 21 hours. Time difference = 12 hours. Although I didnt make it AROUND the world, we did fly over the world as routing was over the North Pole and down to South East Asia. Party on. So here is some wisdom I have gained over this, and many other, long flights as well as combatting the evil jet lag....

1. Get an aisle seat. I dont care if you are short or tall, fat or thin. Get an aisle seat! You can stretch out your legs more, you wont feel claustrophobic and most importantly, you can ask the attendent for water and bevies every time she walks by.

2. Get the pressure socks: I have heard they work. And I really should invest as my ankles ended up looking like this by the time I arrived in Hong Kong. Thats right folks, complete lack of ankle bone.

3. Pee early and often: After about five hours the bathroom will be disgusting and, Im sure, disease ridden. Plus, you can guarantee that there will be some man who wont put the toilet seat down and wont flush the damn toilet either!!

4. Get up and stretch: I recommend the bulk head area unless there is a screaming child, in which case, back near the kitchenette. You can talk up the attendents and get more bevies.

5. Get a nice soft travel pillow: This is the only way to sleep semi-comfortably I have learned. First, take a sleeping pill. Second, place the travel pillow on the back of the seat in front of you. Then lean forward. If you have an a**hole whom insists on putting his or her seat all the way back so that their head is in your lap, this technique just wont work. As for airline attendent intervention.

6. Master the heavy sigh: It will let people know of your irritation without leading to violence.

Toe Update

Its been a week. The toe is coming along nicely - I can walk without a limp! But dancing on pointe is just out.

Below, toe after six days...Nilla was very sympathetic...either that or she was contemplating eating my feet.

Clumsy? Moi??

Oh I am a talented, talented soul....

I hurt my back at the gym last week. Just some muscular tightness - nothing major thank goodness - and in response finally invested in a heating pad. Ahhhh, heating pads....wonderful wonderful things.

Monday, as I was still suffering from the sore back, I decided to use the heating pad while working. Downstairs I went, got said heating pad and a cup of coffee and the, proceeded up the stairs. Not thinking too clearly (hey, I was CARRYING coffee, I hadnt DRANK the coffee), I did not make sure to lift the cord clear of my feet. You can probably guess what happened next....I tripped. At which point I kicked out my left foot to prevent a face plant into the stairs. And I stubbed my toe....uh....bad.

This is my toe after about 8 hours....

And after 24 hours...


The good news is that I saved my coffee in the fall. The bad news is that my running training is now on hold....:(

Big Promotion

So I got a big promotion at the part time job. Cashier manager. Oh yeah baby! The power may go to my head.

So what does this mean? This means that now I have some room to tell customers EXACTLY what I think i.e. customer comes into the store at 10 after 9. Store closes at 9. Tell customer "Im sorry ma'm we are closed," "customer says "what are you going to do ...kick me out?". NOW I can say, YES, YES I AM! GET THE HELL OUT!!!

Oh the power....