December 29, 2010 - 5km

Woke up to the face of the saddest puppy on the planet who only wanted to go for a run. So up I got and went for a run. We did the mid-loop which is about 5km. It was just above freezing, the sun was shining and a light layer of frost on the ground. All in All not a bad morning for running!

View from the path:
Deer! Darty got to chase a few deer and therefore was in his glee!

The Music:
Wake Up - Arcade Fire
Telephone - Lady GaGa
The Catalyst - Linkin Park
How You Remind Me - Nickelback
Hot Fudge - Robbie Williams
Sex on Fire - Kings of Leon
Uprising - Muse
Can You Feel It - The Jacksons

December 27, 2010 - 10km

The last time I was in Florida was when I started this insanity to run a marathon. And now with just two weeks left and over a hundred posts, I finally feel ready to do this. Here's hoping the weather cooperates as, although it's nicer than at home, it's still chilly. I ran 10km this morning. I took Darty out for 2.5km and then dropped him back at home (it was a small loop) and then headed back out and did the full loop all the way around my parents gated community. It actually felt weird not having hills. I didn't miss them, I just ended up running faster than normal and therefore felt it more in the end. My legs are sore now, a couple hours later.

View from the path:
Big houses followed by bigger houses. It's crazy here, but beautiful too! I met two french bulldogs who were about 6months old, sooooo cute. That was about it for other people. That's the one thing about running here, no cars and well, no people either. Some of the houses are still decked out in their Christmas best and are very impressive for sure. It started out quite cold and wished I had my gloves, but as the sun came out it got warmer for sure. Not warm enough to warrent taking my jacket off, but comfortable. The last two runs at Disney, both halves, were frigid and unseasonably cold. Much like this year is turning out to be, so fingers crossed for a colder run. Not sure I could run the 42.2km in 70 degrees. Much more walking for sure!

The Music: iPod all charged up and the first song spoke volumes:
Long Road to Ruin - Foo Fighters!!! made me smile
Crawling - Linkin Park
Alejandro - Lady GaGa
Hold Me Now - Thompson Twins
Halo/Walking on Sunshine - Glee
Eyes on Fire - Blue Foundation
So Happy I Could Die - Lady GaGa
SOS - Rihanna
Defying Gravity - Glee
Misery Business - Paramore
Take a Look Around - Limp Bizkit
Ulysses - Franz Ferdinand
Drops of Jupiter - Train
Savior - Rise Against
Stronger - Britney Spears (I know but for running it's a good song)
Teeth - Lady GaGa
Entertainment - Rise Against
To Sir with Love - Glee
Meet Me on the Equinox - Death Cab for Cutie

December 25th, 2010 - Merry Christmas

What a better way to celebrate Christmas than with a 3km run???? I'll tell you, anything! Let's do a little math shall we, two days in a car plus christmas eve dinner with a little less than a bottle of red wine plus getting up to the wild and crazy that is Chrismas morning with two little girls plus greasy pizza for lunch then add in a 3km run in (not so use to) 70 degree weather equals a very slow, very clunkly, slighly nauseated run. Aw good times!

View from the path:
Well not alot because most are spending it indoors with family. Rob went to play golf with my father, so I went for this ever so graceful run :) The girls are enthralled with their new toys! I did see a couple kids out on their new toys, a little girl was out driving her mini vespa that was completely pink! I also saw an Osprey bird perched on a mailbox, took me a minute to realize it was real. Holy crap they are big birds.

I also ran on Weds of last week but forgot to post about it.

The Music:
iPod dead, so no music and oh how it would have helped!

Merry Christmas everyone, hope you all have an awesome time with family and friends.!~

December 21, 2010 - hardest 3km ever

Today was the run after the 32km and lets just say my legs screamed the entire time. I went to the gym like a good little running soldier and got on the treadmill. OMG it hurt. I ran nice and slow and for 2 miles!!!! Never thought 3km/2miles would be so hard. Have I mentioned how much it hurt.

View from the treadmill:
OMG it hurt@!

The Music:
GLEE!

December 19, 2010 - 32km YES I CAN

I'm a firm believer in positive vibes and I got that in spades from so many of my awesome friends. Along with this blog, I've been using Facebook to keep myself motivated. With the belief that if I announce my runs than I've made my commitment! Even though I'm never really sure I can do what I say I'm attempting, the responses and the encouragments makes me more determined and focused. Yesterday was no exception. Thank you to my friends and family who believe in what I'm attempting to do. Today's run of 32km or 20miles was my longest training run ever and when I had doubt on my run I remembered all of the positive comments made to me that I kept on going. Especially the last 10km. It became a series of small 100m runs linked together.

View from the path:
Today I ran to Umstead Park from the running store. I ran the Reedy Creek trail from east gate to the west gate. So 16km in the park and 16km outside the park. There was a bit more walking of hills than I would have wanted and a fantastic 16km whoop whoop rally by the best three faces in the world! The path in the park was a bit mucky but still runnable and there were fewer people out on the trail. Some parts were still frozen and the sun was out. It was great.

The Music:
As I said on the last long run, the first song sets the tone. It was Just the Way You Are from the Glee soundtrack. Nothing like Finn singing "to me" that I'm amazing to start off my run. At one point I was cursing an uphill and the Black Eyed Peas - Tonights Gonna to Be a Good Night gave me the push I needed at the 20km mark to make it up the hill. And as I finished my run, U2's Bad "If I could, yes I would ,If I could, I would ,Let it go" rang in my ears. Truly one of the best songs of my generation!!! Plus the almost 4 hours of other songs that kept me motivated!!!

Aside:
Philipiddes may have started this psychotic passtime and I'm sure millions have run before me, but this has definately been an unforgettable journey that I'm so greatful to have shared with my friends and family. Three weeks to the Disney Marathon and I'm starting to believe that I can do this!!! Thank you for all of your support.

Next week: another 32km/20miles training run, this time it'll be in Sarasota!!! a little warmer for sure, at least I hope so!

December 16, 2010 - 5km

Today was the day after the "snow" day, so they started 2 hours later and instead of running outdoors I took Abby with me to the gym. She played in the awesome playpark with all the other kids who had to wait for school to start. I ran on the treadmill and felt great. The first 20minutes went really well, the next 10minutes I didn't feel so great. I guess with having survived two weeks of a cold, not so great sleeping and being OTR took me down. Yup, I almost fell off the treadmill! It was a really good indication to stop.

View from the treadmill:
Well almost the treadmill belt, but I made it off before I went ass over teacup!

The Music:
I don't remember!

This weekend - 32kms/20miles - OMG

December 15, 2010 - 5mile/8km

One month anniversary of living in the new digs and to celebrate a 5 mile/8km run on the treadmill...ok well not really. But it has been a month and I did run this morning. It wasn't bad, my lungs still hurt! This weekends attempt at 32km will be hard for sure, but a couple more 5-10km runs this week should help.

View from the treadmill:
Really nice looking chiropractor works out of the gym, today I guess he didn't have clients so he just hung out by his office, nice perk!

The Music:
Wake Up - Arcade Fire
Monster - Lady GaGa
In The End - Linkin Park
Safety Dance - Glee
To Sir With Love - Glee
Forget You - Glee
Little Lion Man - Mumford and Sons
Don't Stop Believing - Glee
No You Girls - Franz Ferdinand
River Deep Mountain High - Glee
I Caught Myself - Paramore
Hot N Cold - Katy Perry
Marry You - Glee
Strong - Robbie Williams
Halo/Walking on Sunshine - Glee
Bad Romance - Glee
Just Dance - Lady GaGa
Gimme Sympathy - Metric

(wow didn't realize how much glee I listened to today)

December 11, 2010 - 6.5kms treadmill

Sorry, I did run yesterday but when sharing the computer with two kids who are all about movies, I didn't have a chance to blog about my run. I took the girls to the gym where they played in the awesome playpark and I ran 6.5km on the treadmill. It was easier than the day before but still not great.

View from the treadmill:
Well the gym is much busier on a weekend than during the week but still no where near as busy as to the Goodlife in Ottawa. Body Pump was going on and it wasn't packed, lots of room if I had wanted to join but I felt since I won't be getting in my 32km this week, I should probably at least attempt to run.

The Music
There was music, but the iPod is now dead so I can't recount. It wasn't a great mix, there was a lot of fast forwards to keep the motivation up!

Tomorrow (Monday) my plan is to run 20km. I don't have a lot of time in the mornings even with Rowan in daycare, so it's better than nothing, I will run my 32km this weekend. Wish me luck!

December 10th, 2010 - 3km treadmill

So apparently you do need lungs to run LOL or not! I still feel crappy and there was no way I was running 32kms today and I almost didn't even go to the gym. I brought my stuff with me to drop the girls off at school and on my way back it was a very strong internal battle to go or not to go to the gym. But I was good and went. It was lack luster for sure plus my iPod died. So I used my fancy cell phone and streamed Slacker Radio with their alternative station to run to. It wasn't half bad, except for the commercials.

View from the treadmill:
my lungs hurt and there wasn't much to see!

The Music: Didn't remember them all, but these are the songs I remembered and may now add them to my playlist!
Rage against the machine - Guerilla Radio
Modest Mouse - Float On
Weezer - If You're Wondering If I Want You to) I Want You to
Dirty Heads - Lay me down

December 8th, 2010 - 5km treadmill

I feel like crap, can't swallow but ran anyway. It wasn't the prettiest, but who is on a treadmill? All I can say is that I got it done!

And that's all I can say about that.

December 5th, 2010 - 29kms

Today was a mental battle...it's snowed last night (something which I moved south to avoid!) and I had to run 29kms. I really don't like running by myself, I miss my running partner. The music definately helps, but at some points, not even that has what I need. Running a path I remember helped though. I had visual markers that told me how far I was even if I didn't know exactly the distances. I ran the path from Fleet Feet Sports to Umstead Park and back. Within the park I was to run a loop, but I got washed out and had to turn around and backtrack. Which in the end was what I needed to make the 29km.

Holy crap there was wind today and of course was in my face for the first 10km. Now I wasn't optimistic that it would push me home, because usually it switches and is in your face on the way back too (at least in Ottawa). But today, things were in my favour! Not only did I get the little push, I didn't fall, I didn't get lost and I didn't lose my phone!

View from the path:

Entering Umstead Park was beautiful. The snow was still up in the tall trees and with all the wind was falling down. So it looked like it was snowing while there was bright sunshine, it was just amazing. There were fewer people out today in the park, but the diehards. It's nice to run alone amongst the trees right up until the path is completely washed out. I came to this point at the same time as another runner coming the other direction. He decided to hop the stones across. I decided with 15kms to go that I didn't want to run with wet feet, as my blister on my right foot was already talking to me. I stayed while he crossed for fear if he fell he'd need help. It took a bit, but he made it across. I decided to turn around and back track to where I came from, the only issue at that point was that I was at the bottom of a wicked hill that was all gravel.

Seeing the girls at 21kms for my food break was also great timing. Getting the Go Mommy Go cheer really does lighten the spirits when all I wanted to do was quit. I know why I'm doing this craziness, I'm just not sure I want to anymore when it hurts so much. At the end of the run, I knew why again, however, I'm still not sure if I can do it. But I'm going to give it my best effort. Today 29km in 3hrs 35mins. Have I mentioned how much I HATE HILLS!!! I'm not going to lie, I walked a few of them near the end.

The Music:

I've come to believe that the first song says alot! Is It Any Wonder by Keane, kind of fit the bill today, because that's all it is, A Wonder!

When I met up with the girls, I thought it was funny that their favourite song was playing on my iPod was kismit! Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire along with my cheers gave me the last boost for the run.

Next week 32km!

December 4th, 2010 - 3km...well kind of

So I wanted to have a short run before I tackle the 29km this weekend. Darty and I took off first thing and we got half way when I realized that Darty's paw was bleeding. So I took a detour and headed back to the apartment. It was a chilly morning, I had to wear mits! It probably ended up being almost 3km.

View from the path:
Not much on a Saturday morning that early. Later in the day we had snow!!! Who knew I'd move to Raleigh, NC and we'd get snow and about 2inches. Which puts this city to a grinding halt. They are bad drivers to begin with, adding snow to the mix is deadly.

No music today as I actually realized after I left that I'd forgotten it!

December 2nd, 2010 - 5km at the gym

Today I took Rowan to the gym and as I ran on the treadmill for the first time in months, she got to play in the awesome play park. I've forgotten how boring the treadmill is, her play park was way more exciting. The reason for the gym, I actually didn't have warm enough clothes for a 6:30am run. It was -8 this morning. Who'd a thought I would have needed long pants ???

View from the treadmill:
I hate it I hate it, but it needed to be done. My legs from yesterday's pump class were so sore. You also don't realize that you're sweating quite so much when you are outside, let alone having to deal with the smell of two other runners on either side of you. Nothing to really look at in the people watching department, but still got it done!



The Music:
Telephone - Glee
To Sir With Love - Glee
Footloose - Kenny Loggins
Jump - The Pointer Sisters
SOS - Rihanna
With You - Linkin Park
Talk Talk - Talk Talk
Losing My Religion - Glee
Faithfully - Glee
Little Lion Man - Mumford & Sons
Bad Romance - Lady GaGa

December 1st, 2010 - 25 days to Santa and a Body Pump class!

Today I checked out my new gym. It's weird not being at Goodlife but the Golds Gym by Rowan's preschool will do just fine. It has all the basics including the Les Mills group exercise programs. Today I did Body Pump for the first time in months. I'm going to be so sore. I liked the instructor, she was great. It wasn't busy, it was a nice re-introduction and my muscles were screaming at me when I left. Tomorrow's run will suck!

View from the mat:
Well since it's been a while I felt a little like a newbie. Also since it's all in pounds and not kilo's too! I was staring at the weights doing the conversion in my head and just assummed the big, middle and small plates were close and of course they are, maybe slightly more. One thing I did notice was that I was the only one wearing Lululemon, not the fashion must have as it was in Ottawa that is for sure.

Tomorrow I run...if I can walk! :)