I've been kinda busy

Ok ok... This one person with too many computers is a bit much. My husband's moved the iMac into his office so I only have 2 laptops to work with! I only played music on the iMac anyway. Yah, so, sorry for the lack of posts.

I have to admit though, I haven't been running as much as I'd like. But I have included yoga and spin into my training.

I also spent 10 days up on the Sunshine Coast running and swimming almost everyday. Three of the 10 days I was able to spend in silence. Yoga, meditation and silence. Perfect way to re-center myself. My husband and our friends came up later to join me for some fun in the sun.

Look! I even have proof of me swimming!

Smoothie Kick

It’s summer. It’s hot. And I’ve been on a smoothie kick.

Here are some recipes I’ve adapted from recipes found online and made up myself.


Breakfast Buzz!
4oz chocolate almond milk
4oz cold coffee (I add a little bit of the coffee grounds too)
1 tbsp crunchy almond butter
1 frozen banana (I slice up and freeze over-ripe bananas)
Blend!

Green
3/4 cup loosely packed kale (just the leaves)
6oz almond milk
1 tbsp crunchy almond butter
some frozen banana slices
Blend!

Sunday long-run treat
frozen mango
some frozen banana slices
coconut water
Blend!

I think some people call this a sunrise
frozen strawberries
frozen mango
frozen banana slices
6 oz orange juice
2 tbsp yoghurt
Blend!

Running and bears

Every year my husband and I spend some time on the Sunshine Coast at his family cabin. This summer there have been several reports of bears on the property and in the general area.

We’ve been advised to take more care with ourselves, garbage disposal, etc...

So I shot off an email asking my husband advice on what I should be doing for my long and lonely runs.

Here’s his reply:
“we should avoid having anything on our property that will attract them.”

So I guess I should take this poster down?

Do you have any advice on running and bear safety?

Some days, things just don't go your way.

Here's an email I sent a co-worker that sums up my race.

Half marathon totally sucked. I was so sick. So sick. It was such a mental battle and all I wanted was to go home but my body wouldn't let me run faster to get home faster. At the end I was so frustrated I wanted to cry and I hurt so much.

I couldn't do anything. Totally sucked.

Some days, things just don't go your way, and this day was one of those days. I had one of my worst races ever. EVER! Don't get me wrong. It wasn't the Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon, it was me.

I'll post more later. I promise!

I jumped right in

Yup. I did it. I got married. We went to our favourite island and got Maui'd.

Nike Women's Marathon 2011

I got in!!!! I’m in, baby!
I am running the 2011 Nike Women's Marathon San Francisco!!!
Race day: October 16, 2011

I am up to the challenge of running 26.2 miles.
I can’t wait to hit the streets of San Francisco.
I am fiercely motivated by the thought of 20,000 women doing this together.
I want that Tiffany’s finisher’s necklace so bad I can taste it.

Last year I left my heart in San Francisco and on October 16, 2011 I’m running to get it back!

BMO Vancouver Marathon quicky post

This will be a quick, short post. I'm just a bit tired. I ran the BMO Vancouver Marathon today.

Today I PB'd my half marathon time 2:01:36 - shaved almost 7 minutes!!
I also PB'd my full marathon time!!! 4:23:15 - chip time: 4:21:13!!! Over an hour my first marathon time was 5:32:19.

No 4:15 pace bunny showed up. I believe one was pulled from the half marathon bunny group at the last minute.

Seeing the 4:15 pace bunny gave me false hope. He was late. I found out when he called out that he was at 4:20 so I tried to jet. :-( I need to get a watch that works.

In running sometimes you have to make sacrifices. Today, I sacrificed my little pinky toenail. Wow! Never had that happen ever. What do I do?

Somewhere around Stanley Park they played one of my favourite song, "Kids" by MGMT. Made me think of skiing, snow, powder, air and lots of speed.

Along the run some water stations ran out of cups I skipped most of them except for one where I asked the lady to pour the water from the jug into my mouth.

Brought 4 gels, ate them all and one more from the Gu gel stations. Wanted to try the chocolate mint out. It was pretty good!

Great DJ around the 33km mark.

Edit: Strangest site during run: I passed a guy running in a robe holding out a cross while running in Stanley Park. I passed him again later on the way back towards the finish too.