What was I thinking!?!

Today was cold!!! -9 in Vancouver! I’m sure that’s a record. I’ve been living here for seven and a half years and I don’t think I’ve experienced cold like this before…here anyway. This is why I made the executive decision to run inside tonight on the treadmill. Which I hate!!! After 30 minutes of mundane running I threw in the towel (Or would have, if I had a towel to throw!)

Now I’ve just gotten off the phone with Brad, who is in Dubai, where it is has a high of 29 degrees all week and am thinking to myself….why oh why did I not go with him!?! We felt that it was too much for the flight. Seriously, isn’t 29 degrees in November priceless?!?

He will be attending a party tomorrow at Atlantis the Palms…wowie wow!!!  It looks incredible. Instead I am googling articles related to running in cold weather. I’ve found the following articles which may actually be helpful:

1.Cold weather running tips 2.Is Cold-Weather Running Bad For You?

I’ll leave you with a picture of the palms … which leaves me asking .. What was I thinking?!?! SB

Atlantis!?! Yes please!

The addiction continues…

I wish I could say that the addiction was to running, sadly it’s not. After another 5km run on my lunch on Wednesday I was unable to pass up a very generous offer from my boss on Thursday. Can you guess what it was? I’ll give you a hint…starts with egg nog … ends with latte. Yes, she offered to treat us to a starbucks “treat” I held the whip, which made me feel slightly better and only drank half of the grande goodness. Only due to the fact that it was ice cold after a serious session of scaling and root planing.

No running since then … but only because I wanted to spend some last moments of QT with my hubby who just left for Dubai tonight. He’s only gone for a week but I’m already missing his goofy mustache.

Brad and his fabulous mo.

Thankfully he’s only growing it for a few more weeks and has been raising money for prostate cancer while doing so. You can help him raise some mo-money by donating to the “distinguished dusters” It’s for a great cause that two of our family members beat this year! So, now I’m off to bed to sleep off this popcorn coma that I’ve put myself into. Maybe I’ll run tomorrow..depends on the weather. I’m still finding it hard to believe that Vancouver is getting snow!! We could have used more of this white stuff back in Feburary! SB

Lunchtime and Lattes.

It was easy to run today. I was feeling guilty about sleeping 12 hours last night!! Wow, that may just be a new record for me. That helped, as well as continuously chanting in my head while running … Gwyn-eth Pal-trow, Gwyn-eth Pal-trow. Seriously, did you see her legs at the CMA’s?!?

Apparently, she's country strong. Don't know what that means, but I want to be it.

I think I’m going to try to run a few days a week on my lunch hour. It allows me to do shorter runs and work on my speed. Today was my personal best 5km…28:40. It also forces me to eat what I’ve brought for lunch (which is usually healthy leftovers from whatever Brad has made the night before) and no time to consider a starbucks “treat.” Which is really going to help the waistline considering the egg nog lattes are here!!! SB

Joy to the World!!! Egg Nog lattes are here!!

It must be Voodoo witchcraft!!

I don’t know how she does it?!?! I spent my entire run today thinking about the New York Marathon in 2011. Last night Trish let me know that she had applied for the marathon, which is completely chosen by lottery. She also suggested that I do the same. I have always said that I have no interest in doing a full marathon…none at all!!!!! Somehow, some way … she manages to magically get my mind thinking that it may actually be a great idea! Much like she did with the Disneyland 1/2.

At what angle does this look like a great idea?!?!

I’m serious….the whole run. Which I was happy about. 10km in just under an hour, in the pouring rain. I thought about this marathon. It wasn’t until I got home that I realized it is the same weekend as the Immortal Tour/Cirque du Soliel that Brad and I just got tickets for!!! The New York Marathon happens every year! MJ and Cirque…once in a lifetime!!! Oh no, what to do. There are no guarantees I’ll even get in, but should I take the chance? In the words of “skinnyrunner” “It was magical!” Which makes the decision even harder!!! So, I’ll do what I always do. I’ll sleep on it. I’m really good at that!  SB

.

Happy Birthday to a mini pirate!!

Happy Birthday to Kayson who turned 3 yesterday!!!

Now that's one cute pirate!!!

No running today … tomorrow … 10km? SB

Just like riding a bike.

Confession: Today was my first time running in over a week! I finally got my lazy butt in gear and ventured out into the rain on my lunch hour. Finished 5km in 28:55. A nice short run to ease myself back into it. I swear it’s been the shorter days that I have made it hard for me to get out and run. When it’s dark my body thinks, bed!!!  Really though … who am I kidding …any time of day my body says, bed!!! So, I like sleeping … but, I also like running, which means I have to stop with the excuses and simply, run.

Much like this toddler ... I could sleep anywhere...anytime!

Well, I had better get back to work…I have fifteen minutes to fill my face. Brad’s homemade borscht and a hard boiled egg. The lunch of a true athlete…don’t ya think? SB

Bring on the balls.

The runs have been dwindling since it’s now dark when I get up and dark when I finish work. I do have a late start tomorrow for work so hopefully I’ll get my lazy butt out for a run. In the meantime I have been keeping myself busy in the kitchen. Last week my girlfriend Erin was over and we took over the kitchen and made ourselves some balls…Arvinda’s orange-almond chai running balls that is. I found the recipe in Canadian Running magazine and decided to give them a try as the recipe claims that they “pack a powerful combo of protein, fibre and carbs.”

Holy ingrediants Batman!!

The mag also claims that “They’re perfect as a long run treat or post-workout recovery snack.

"They taste...healthy" - Erin

I know that Erin was disappointed that the balls weren’t a tasty dessert type treat, but I do know that she enjoyed the “ball” jokes that took place throughout the process of making them. This video may have been our inspiration, classic. SB

Around the Bay Road Race

Well I did it! I signed up for the oldest road race in North America. Can you believe it is older than the Boston Marathon? It is a 30km race around Hamilton harbour on March 27th. Hmmmm, I think this would make an excellent birthday present for Sarah Mr. Bodnarchuk! So yes March in Ontario can be a wee bit unpredictable but hell so is Florida in January!

Oh, what is that you asked? Is that snow, hail and rain covering you in sub-zero temperature in the Sunshine State? Well yes, yes it is. The difference with this race is I will believe the weatherman when he tells me I will freeze my buns off if I attempt to run only in a thin lululemon hoodie and tights. A big thanks to Aunt Deb who was kind enough to give me her Dollar Store  gloves! So Cathy who just did a fabulous job on the Detroit Half Marathon will be running the Around the Bay. Cathy hopefully will start blogging about her journey too. I have no idea where to start with the training for this one. The last 10km are supposedly crazy rolling hills. I will keep you posted! TI

A big thanks to Gisele.

Today’s run: 10km time: 57:50 … and all thanks to the following celebrity beach body. (Zach just didn’t do it for me.)

All this and a cute baby too! Her husband’s not so bad either.

I had a pretty big break in my day at work and instead of filling my face with the seasonal  mini chocolate bars, I decided to head out for a run. It is a beautiful day and I was long past due for one! I also wanted to test out my new socks that we were given at the turkey trot. New Balance something or other socks. Is there really anything better than putting on a pair of brand new socks??!  They are even convieniently labelled left and right. Idiot proof!! I love it!

Brilliant! Labelled socks!

Now back to work to day dream about looking like Gisele, while wearing new socks and filling my face with mini coffee crisps. Life is good! SB

Calling all Piraterunners!!!

I need your help!! I haven’t been out for a run since the turkey trot and I really need some encouragement and inspiration!! Is anyone else in a running lull? Misery does love company   I should really sign up for a race, as I really think that would help me or I could just continue to check out celeb beach bodies… if this doesn’t inspire me, wait … this doesn’t inspire at all!

Zach rockin out his red one piece, yikes!

Other than the celebrity blogs I’ve also been following some other great blogs about running/fitness etc. I feel as though I’ve at least been running vicariously through these two lovely ladies:

http://skinnyrunner.com/

http://www.pbfingers.com/

Hopefully by weeks end I will have made the move from cyber runner to real life sprinter! SB