November 30th, 2010 - 3km at 6:30am

Good Morning!!! I gotta say the god aweful music on the radio station does its work in the morning. It gets me out of bed and out the door. The bouncing dog also does that too! Justin Timberlake really does sound like a cat in heat... who should be put in a bag and thrown into a pool!

So today was rather a warm morning and I was feeling pretty good! Kept a good pace for sure!

View from the path:
Me and Darty!!!

The Music - it's a Glee morning!!!
Marry You
Just The Way You Are
Forget You - who knew Gwyneth could sing so well???
Teenage Dream - so much better than the original
River Deep, Mountain High
Don't Go Breaking My Heart
Losing My Religion

November 28, 2010 - 12km

So if you've read, my running experience has been interesting what with me getting lost, falling etc. This run...nothing! Other than the beautiful scenery and the rare other runner, it was great. I ran over to Lake Johnson, which I now know is less than a km away!

View from the path:
12kms today, which is far less than the intended 18km taper run, but since everyone told me to take it easy after last weeks fall, I did. So with a little trepidation on the down hills, I took to the paths around the lake. GOD DAMN HILLS! But I got it done and I only walked one of them.

The Music:
Take is for Granted - Ill Scarlett
Take a Look Around - Limp Bizkit
Armageddon It - Def Leppard
Paparazzi - Lady GaGa
Oh, The Boss Is Coming - ARkells
In the End - Linkin Park
Stronger - Glee
Wake Up - Arcade Fire
Bad - U2
How You Remind Me - Nickelback
Something Beautiful - Robbie Williams
Done All Wrong - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
One - Glee
This Ain't A Scene, It's an Arms Race - Fallout Boy
John Lennon - Arkells
With You - Linkin Park
Strong - Robbie Williams
We Are Broken - Paramore

November 27, 2010 - 3k

Took a couple of days off to rest the ankle. So I ran the 3km block loop with Darty this morning. It's still tender and I'm still taking it easy but it felt good. The calf muscle is a bit tight but nothing a good stretch didn't fix.

View from the path:
The Black Friday rush to the malls are still on, so even before the shops were open the parking lots were full. The leaves are on full fall mode!!!

The Music:
Castles in the Sand - Philospher Kings
Friends - Band of Skulls
Talk Talk - Talk Talk
Feel - Robbie Williams
Beautiful - Glee
Supermassive Black Hole - Muse

November 23rd - my 100th post!!!

Well today I was a little timid, at least that's how I felt about going out to run on my ankle. The only thing that prevented me from bailing on it was the horrific music on the local station here in Cary. I hate most top 40 music and the crap that was on this morning, got me out of bed. I ran the 3k loop around the block. My ankle was ok, a bit stiff and sore by the end, but I should be ok for my 10k on Thursday.

View from the path:
Not much at 6:30am, just me and Darty who was thrilled to be out there! It was also 15 degrees out and I had too many layers.

The music:
Rock DJ - Robbie Williams
Possibility - Lykke Li
The Strength to Go On - Rise Against
Breathe - Nickelback
Can You Feel It - The Jacksons
No You Girls - Franz Ferdinand
Forget You - Glee
Proud - Heather Small

November 21, 2010 - not quite 26kms...at least I didn't break anything!

First off, I hate hills!!! So much so, I avoid them like the plague. Anyone who has run with me knows this. But what is with this city???? every where I go there are freaking hills. My hamstrings don't just talk back after a run, they scream at me!

So today's run, well where to start. Today was my first long run on my own. I got up, got ready and Rob and the girls dropped me off at my starting point, which is a running store in Raleigh. What's weird is that they weren't open at 9am? I miss the Running Room for that b/c I couldn't find my gels this morning while getting ready and so I wanted to buy some before I took off. At least the Whole Foods next store had some. They only had the mocha with caffeine, so I had to use them sparingly. Hate to have an allergic reaction out on a run. All was good and off I went!

View from the path:
Well I was feeling pretty good, no issues at first. I got to the Museum of Art and went right instread of left on the path and got a little turned around but before I freaked out too much I remembered I had my phone. I did a little "where's me???" and found the route again. The path was gorgeous, took some pics again. Passed a horse farm and finally found Umstead park. OMG hills and more hills. Rob and the girls met up with me at around 13km to refuel me. Got some more water and gels and a couple "GO MOMMY GO" from Abby and Rowan and off I went again. The run was an out and back. As I got back to the Museum of Art I was feeling pretty good. I was at 20km when I stepped on a pebble and went "ass over tea cup" as my mother would say. If it was anyone else, they'd have broken their ankle. Mine just rolled and with a couple nasty scraped hands, I picked myself up, dusted myself off and ever so gingerly continued on my way. Next up, about 2kms further, I almost got run over by a bike. A kid about 10 wasn't paying attention and thank god his father was paying attention and stopped him before he rode right into me. Keep going and with a little side step to make the 25km I got back to the running store to meet my cheering squad! Feeling great and accomplised...right up until I realized my cell phone was missing. Rob kept his wits about him, since mine were toast, called my cell and the wonderful person who found my phone told us where we could pick it up. It had a couple scratches from the fall from my holster but that was about it.

The worst part of a run, for those who have run these distances, is the after. I mean, the shower is truly an experience with the game "where's the chaffing???" Always exciting!!! It's now an hour or so after my shower and my ankle is a bit sore and a little more flexible than it should be and my hands have fantastic bruises but all in all, a very exciting run.

It may not have been 26km as planned, but I'll take it!!!

The Music:
51 songs total, so I'll just hit a couple of the highlights
Viva La Vida - Coldplay
Long Forgotten Sons - Rise Against
I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas
oh, The Boss is coming - Arkells
O...Saya - A.R. Rahman
Take Me Out - Franz Ferdinand
Wake Me Up Before you Go Go - Wham!
Rock DJ - Robbie Williams
Hearing Damage - Thom Yorke
Uprising - Muse
The Catalyst - Linkin Park
Teenage Dream - Glee - loved it, so played it twice!
Speechless - Lady GaGa
Ulysses - Franz Ferdinand
Bleed it Out - Linkin Park
Pullin Punches - Arkells
Only Girl - Rihanna
Bad Romance - Glee
and my favourite because of the run itself...Long Road to Ruin - The Foo Fighters (makes me laugh now!!!)

Next week - 18km, it's a taper week!!!







they have these grooving paintings along the route!


through the Museum of Art






Reedy Creek Trail in Umstead Park

A couple of Spectators!

November 19, 2010 - 9km Lake Johnson trail run gone askew!

Yesterday I found an awesome little spot on my journey's that has a wonderful running path around a small lake. Lake Johnson. Rowan and I walked a bit of the trail. Today I decided I would run the trail. Just before I left for the run, I took a piece of my thumb off whilst cutting vegetables for lunch. I nearly didn't go at all but once the nausea subsided I decided to go. All the way around is 6.5km, so I thought not a bad distance for my second run. So I drove over and parked in the lot and took off. First ten minutes was so hilly I almost turned back. My heart was racing in my head so hard, I thought I was going to be hill. So much for avoiding hill training, I think every run will be hill training :)

View from the path:

It was a beautiful run. I took some pics as I went along. I was having a great run once I got past all the hills. The sun was shining, the temperature was about 15 degrees. I was actually smiling...until I missed my path and go so wickedly lost. I tried to back track and got totally turned around. Nothing like being in a city I don't know but even worse is being in a park I know even less. This nice guy on a bike came upon me in tears and offered his help. He pulled out his cell phone to use his GPS. I had my garmin on and didn't know it had a map feature on it (Rob told me about it after) and I also didn't even think about my new phone either. So not use to having a smartphone with me. I finally made it back onto the trail and continued on my run. So what should have been around 6.5 km turned about to be over 9km. Althought a great run in theory, the experience not so much! Seeing my car almost had me in tears again. Now I know, stick to the paved path, don't try to assume it's as easy as they say.

The Music:

Have to say, the music was the only thing that kept me sane!

The Catalyst - Linkin Park

Hate on Me - Glee

Tremble for My Beloved - Collective Soul

For a Pessimist, I'm Pretty Optimistic - Paramore

Jump - Pointer Sisters

Eyes on Fire - Blue Foundation

Take a Look Around - Limp Bizkit

You Gotta Be - Des'ree

In The End - Linkin Park

Mr. Jones - Counting Crows

Love the Way you Lie - Eminem

No Sound but the Wind - Editors

Lean on Me - Glee

Stronger - Glee

Hallelujah - Paramore

Let Love Be Your Energy - Robbie Williams

Rock DJ - Robbie Williams

Let's Get Lost - Beck and Bat for Lashes

November 17, 2010 - 3km

First run in a new town...how weird is that. Also that it was about 15 degrees out this morning. I did, I think, 3km. Rob sent me out on his route, but he sent me to a mall and then I got lost. I continued to walk/run a bit until I got reoriented and found my way back. I actually was sweating like crazy, something different than the 3 degrees I have been running in. I have to run at least one more time before my 26km this weekend. That should be fun, since I have no idea where to go. I may try to look for a running store tomorrow.

It's Abby's first day at school tomorrow too...lots going on but the run did make me feel much more at ease!

View from the path:
There are leaves on the trees and they are just starting to change colour. I feel like I had travelled back in time to September when it started in Ottawa!

No music. Two reasons. One, I didn't know where I was and didn't want to block out the unfamiliar sounds and two, I didn't know where my earphones were. Definately next time.

November 13th, 2010 - 23kms

So why am I doing this????? In the the truly magnificent words of my dear friend Cindy, I have more balls than brains! Today was the longest I've ever run ever. 23kms. Lisa and I ran from my house to her house. That's from Kanata to downtown Ottawa along the NCC paths by the Ottawa River. It was a spectacular day for our last run together, perfect temperature and sunny. We both forgot our sun glasses, thank god they sun was behind us most of the time. The chatting was great, it made the the first 15 just cruise on by. I did at one point need a distraction so I asked a question which I knew would warrent a long description. It got me through my frist wall.



View from the path:

At about 12kms we got a nice little honk from a passing car, which would normally be a cause for concern except it was Rob and the girls doing a drive by cheer! Next at about 17kms we ran into Cindy who was on her run as well. Not quite as long as ours but equally as hard! Another great rah rah and off we went again. We both ran out of water and decided to stop at the WAr Museum for a refill and then the final 3km is straight up Parliament Hill. Not a lot of talking at that point. As we made the final push we passed Albert and Lyon and heard the greatest sound. That of two little girls squeeling GO MOMMY GO!!! It was a great finish to a tough run.



Thanks to Lisa, my running partner, for sticking with me and for joining me on this journey! The next few without you will be tough for sure but will use me as my guru to keep me going!!!



Next week: 26kms!!

November 10th, 2010 - 10kms

So I'm officially a long distance runner. I say this because today I did something that only a diehard would do and that's pee in a bush! I so had to go and there was no one around and no where to go and a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do!

It was beautiful out! A lovely 2 degrees but sunny. I wore my toque to start but should have just worn my running hat as my head got too warm. I took it off and then it was too sunny so I ducked my head, then my glasses kept fogging up and so had to run without them too. only thing that sucked about the run.

View from the path:
lots and lots of deer and geese! Other than that, it was just me and the path.

Music:
Thanks for the Memories - Fall Out Boy
A White Demon Love Song - The Killers
It's My Life - Talk Talk
Lean On me - Glee
Take Me Out - Franz Ferdinand
From Heads Unworthy - Rise Against
Wake Me Up Before You Go Go - Wham!
Monsters - Hurricane Bells
Hallelujah - Paramore
Can You Feel It - The Jacksons
Uprising - Muse
Only Girls - Rihanna
Deadlines - Arkells
Fences - Paramore
Bad - U2
Proud - Heather Small
Hot Fudge - Robbie Williams
Entertainment - Rise Against

November 8, 2010 - 3k

ugly ugly ugly is all I can say. nothing good about it except that I got it done. tomorrow I am planning 10k.

View from the path:
Deer!

No Music - which probably didn't help my cause!

November 5th, 2010 - 20k whoop whoop!!!

Well first off I did run yesterday too! I ran 4km around the golf course. It's now closed and so I ran the paths. Just me as Darty was still not 100%. I think his running days may be numbered.

Today Lisa and I met at her place down town and ran basically the same route as last week but by running from her house it added on the necessary extra 3km. I'm not going to lie, it wasn't the easiest run in the world. I felt great going out. My hip was sore, but that I think was more due to the craptastic sleep I had. The first half was ok but once the rain started to come down harder and the temperature started to drop, my love of the run was diminishing. We got to the Canal Ritz and all I really wanted to do was stop, whereas Lisa "was getting into her stride". Considering she swam again prior to her run, I really wanted to curl up into a little ball. Mental note - stop your whining, suck it up princess and get it done. So although we'd chatted the entire time until that point, the last 5 was done mostly in silence. It was all I had to finish. I went landmark to landmark, short little runs all tagged together. Once we got into downtown again and had to bob and weave the foot traffic, for some reason we both picked up the pace and were sub 6min kms, crazy!

We finished in 2:15 and once we stopped I felt great. It's amazing how that happens :)

View from the path:
There are a lot more cars out during the week! Freaking hate the rain!

No music! but I did get to follow up my run with a quick breakfast chez Lisa and then off to an hour massage provided by Bruce at Ability Massage (http://www.abilityrmt.com/) in Kanata. I highly recommend that after every long run, so I booked for next Saturday after our 23km.

Next week is 23km, the longest I've ever run! Send good vibes my way please!!!!

November 2nd, 2010 - almost 5km

It was freaking cold out this morning. Frost on the ground, steam from breathing, felt awesome! After the 17km my legs didn't feel too bad, so also a positive. Darty and I dropped the kids of at respective daycares and headed out for 3km. At the 3km turn around I felt great so decided to do 5km, but didn't quite make it as Darty started to limp, so I turned around and headed home. It was more like 4.5km.

View from the path:
Me, Darty and about 30 wild turkeys. Made for an exciting time for Dartagnan, as he tried to catch them all. All of the bushes and trees were covered in frost and with the bright sunlight, glimmered beautifully. It was a great morning, crisp run. I'll miss these!

The Music:
Don't Go Breaking My Heart - Glee
You Make My Dream - Hall & Oates
Closer - Nine Inch Nails
Speechless - Lady GaGa
It's My Life/Confessions - Glee
Dashboard - Modest Mouse
Keep the Car Running - Arcade Fire
Defying Gravity - Glee (stretch)