Well it's nearly been a week since the big move! Last wednesday was a busy day for us. I went to see the doctor and found out that my foot is in fact fractured. So I've got another 3-5 weeks on crutches and in the cam cast. The nice thing with the cam cast is that it's removable for showering, sleeping, and when I was at the beach yesterday and sat with my legs in the water. Then I had my last final exam, Ben and I went to our favorite wing place for cheap wednesday night wings, and went shopping for last minute necessities. By 11 pm the place was more or less packed and we slept our last night in out little bachelor apartment. Which was a terrible sleep because of a mixture of excitement and the lumpy futon we were sleeping on because our bed was packed.
Thursday morning we were up bright and early packing what was left and ben brought all the stuff outside while I guarded it from the bums on 17th ave. If they came close I would have scared them away with my crutches haha, but not to worry they left us alone I guess I was just THAT intimidating. Dad and AJ came with their trucks at 8:30 and by 9:15 we were all loaded up and driving away. But the traffic was INSANE! there was a steady stream until past banff, and it was actually stopping! So it took us a little longer to get here, but we made it and while I held baby Jack since I'm not much help on crutches everyone brought in the boxes. Jenny, AJ, Olivia, and Dad were all a HUGE help. Since we only had one big airmatress Olivia and Dad wound up on Ben and My little backpacking sleeping pads in the living room while Jenny, Jack and AJ got the queen airmatress. Normally when we sleep on those pads we're exhausted from a day of backpacking, I guess they're not as comfortable when you're not dead tired. But Olivia and Dad made due until Jenny and AJ left and we picked up a couch from Salmon Arm.
Dad brought up his boat, unfortuneately it wasn't really nice weather. But we drove down to the shushswaps and followed some sunny patches. It was nice having them around for a bit. Ironically the day after they left the sun came out and it's been sunny and hot ever since!
Job wise, I had 2 interviews last week and an interview yesterday. So hopefully I get one of these jobs. I also had a job for a total of 2o minutes! It's kind of a funny story, I had given the enchanted forest and skytrek my resume months ago and they randomly called me about a receptionist position on monday. The funny thing was is that they didn't want an interview and wanted me to start that day (it was already 2 pm). I told the lady that I had a broken foot and she said it didn't matter. Well my the time we got there I realized that the position was not really reception as you'd be in a cramped, cluttered gift shop and the girl I was supposed to meet saw I was on crutches and we both thought that this wasn't going to work. I thought that was pretty funny. Ben still hasn't found a job but he's digging, it seems like there is alot of construction but there is also alot of tradesmen. I'm sure once people know him he'll get a job.
So since we have jobs we've just been trying not to worry and enjoy the time off. Ben's been training really hard for the death race. The training here is endless and there are HUGE hills. We're going to be so strong! Other than that we drove down to upper arrow lake yesterday. We took the ferry across the lake (and it's even free!) and we found a little place to get down to the water and hang out. Now i did have to crutch down to it which was pretty scary/funny but I made it without falling. There were big rocks to use as seats and we brought our cooler and had a fantastic afternoon/evening. When we started getting hungry and realized that we had just missed the ferry back and the other one wouldn't come for an hour we drove down to nakusp for a pizza and caught the ferry home. It was a great day.
Anyways, needless to say we are enjoying it here. Hopefully the jobs come together pretty quickly because this is definitely where we want to be. We LOVE it here, it's so beaufitul. And the winter will be even better!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
The End of a Chapter
Well I can hardly believe it, in 3 days we're moving to Revelstoke. We have been talking and dreaming about this for nearly 3 years. Every time we drove home from one of our adventures in the mountains we'd say "one day we won't have to leave." It's amazing and we're so excited, and at the same time it is the end of a chapter of our lives. It has been 3 years since Ben and I met at COP and alot has happened in those three years here in Calgary. I've finished my universtiy, Ben started his plumbing apprenticeship, my parents split up, Aj and Jenny had beautiful baby Jack, and we've made a home in our little, no bedroom, bachelor apartment. I have no idea what we're going to do with all the space in our new place, we joke that we'll always be in the same room. But, on to the next chapter and living the dream in Revelstoke. When we visited there a few weeks ago looking for a place to live, any apprehension that I had about moving went away. It's where we're meant to be, and we're finally going to be there on thursday. Although we're excited it has been stressful too. Ben was in school until last week, I still have 2 finals to write before we go, my foot and inability to carry anything cause i'm on crutches, packing, and the crazy realtor that is trying to sell the place has made the last couple of weeks stressful. But we're on the homestretch now, only 3 days and we'll be on our way!
The foot is still really sore, which is my own fault because every time it starts feeling better I decide to try and walk on it. And while I can put weight on it within an hour my foot swells and I'm back on T3s. Yesterday was a particularly bad day. Ben went out to canmore and climbed ha-ling peak and Lady Macdonald, and I was very upset i couldn't go. So being upset and stubborn I decided to walk from the bathroom to my bed. Big mistake, I could do it with a limp but within a couple of hours my foot was hurting almost more than when it first happened.. which seemed to put me in a worse mood. Poor ben got home from a beautiful day of hiking to a hysterical jennifer. But he did a good job of cheering me up. We went out and got my hair cut, spent some time oustide and went to dad's for some dinner which was awesome. Dad made homemade burgers which I must say are the best. After dinner I packed up all my treasure from my room. Ben thought it was pretty cool seeing a glimpse of me as a kid through old pictures and keepsakes. I, however, was mortified when he found my medal from the science olympics.
Anyways, I should stop procrastinating and get on studying for my two finals this week. I'll keep posted on what the Doc says on wednesday about my foot. And Congratulations to Sammy who is graduating high school today.
The foot is still really sore, which is my own fault because every time it starts feeling better I decide to try and walk on it. And while I can put weight on it within an hour my foot swells and I'm back on T3s. Yesterday was a particularly bad day. Ben went out to canmore and climbed ha-ling peak and Lady Macdonald, and I was very upset i couldn't go. So being upset and stubborn I decided to walk from the bathroom to my bed. Big mistake, I could do it with a limp but within a couple of hours my foot was hurting almost more than when it first happened.. which seemed to put me in a worse mood. Poor ben got home from a beautiful day of hiking to a hysterical jennifer. But he did a good job of cheering me up. We went out and got my hair cut, spent some time oustide and went to dad's for some dinner which was awesome. Dad made homemade burgers which I must say are the best. After dinner I packed up all my treasure from my room. Ben thought it was pretty cool seeing a glimpse of me as a kid through old pictures and keepsakes. I, however, was mortified when he found my medal from the science olympics.
Anyways, I should stop procrastinating and get on studying for my two finals this week. I'll keep posted on what the Doc says on wednesday about my foot. And Congratulations to Sammy who is graduating high school today.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Devastated.
6 months of training and a $300 race fee may now be down the drain, after I slipped getting out of the pool yesterday. It had been one of those mornings, where I hadn't given myself quite enough time to get ready. When the alarm went off at 6:15 am my bed felt just to comfortable and I was extra slow to get up. Because of that I had to rush out of the door. I got to the university by 7:15 and had 15 minutes to get across campus to the pool in order to have enough time to get my workout in and get to class. Of course, the university is going through major construction and it took me half an hour of walking outside in the rain, almost getting hit by a car, before I got to the pool. Feeling rushed I almost decided skip the workout and do it after work that night. But, I figured if I swam a little bit faster I would get the full 2500 meters in, I mean I had 45 minutes right. I quickly changed and jumped right into my 1000 meter set. I swam hard, and only made 2200 meters before the time ran out. Feeling pretty exhausted I tried to pull myself out of the pool, only to slip and bash my foot on the side of the pool on the way back into the water. It hurt, I swore, and I hobbled back to the change room. Little did I know that the pain I felt was only going to multiply exponentially throughout the day.
From the time I got up in the morning I was rushing through my day. I made it to class a couple of minutes late, then had to leave early to rush to work. By the time I got to work my foot really hurt to stand on, but I didn't have time to think much about it. I popped some Advil and worked my shift till 4. At which point I had to rush back to the university to meet Ben and get some homework done. Walking from the car to the school every step started hurting more and more, but I had convinced myself I was fine. I had to be fine, I mean how can you hurt yourself getting out of a pool. And my race was only 25 days away, I was fine. I had to be.
I finally got to the library, met Ben, ate dinner, and started on my last essay of my university career. As I sat there my foot started throbbing and aching more and more. I thought maybe it was just the Advil waring off. When we decided to leave the university, we started walking back to the car and every step turned into an enormous task. The shooting pain eventually became unbearable and I broke down crying hysterically scared and sore in the middle of the university campus.
Scared because my foot couldn't be injured with my race so close. But with the amount of pain that I was feeling I knew something was wrong.
We drove to Strathmore to go to the hospital to avoid the lines. Got an x-ray and the doctor didn't find any major breaks. Since I couldn't walk and was in alot of pain at this point he gave me some crutches and tylonal 3s and sent me on my way. I was beside myself. I didn't understand why he didn't examine my foot and figure out what was hurting so much. I was inconsolable, but Ben did what he could to calm me down. Last night was rough, my foot hurt despite the tylonal 3s and I didn't sleep more than 3 hours. I decided that I had to see someone else and figure out what was wrong. I have had alot of injuries in my lifetime, and I know the difference between a bruise and when something is serious. I was scared that if I didn't see anyone it would heal badly since it wasn't immobilized and I would forever have trouble with my foot. I was petrified because I was unable to walk with 3 weeks to my race and I needed to know if whatever was wrong was going to be feeling better in time. I found the calgary foot clinic and got into see a podiatrist this morning. Good thing I did. He thinks I have a Cuboid Fracture that wouldn't turn up on a x-ray. So I have to go get a bone scan done. Hopefully it's not that because that takes around 6 weeks to heal. If it's not that with the amount of swelling and pain he said I could have torn some ligaments in my foot when it hyperextended. Even so, I would still be on crutches in a walking cast for 3 weeks. So, he crushed the plan of the Oosoyos Half Ironman. He put me into a walking cast with crutches, booked a bone scan, and an appointment to see him in 2 weeks. I go back the day before we're supposed to be moving, and the day that I have my last final exam. Talk about stress.
I have been trying to deal with the fact that I am going to be unable to do the desert half ironman all day. It has been the focus of all those long painful training sessions and early mornings for so long, and I am feeling quite lost. On top of that, Ben and I are moving in 2 weeks. It is going to be quite the task trying to pack while on crutches. But that is life. No matter how much I wish I could turn back to 7:15 yesterday morning, and instead of rushing my swim waiting until I had more time in the eventing.. i can't. I have to deal with yet another injury. I have to focus on healing this thing properly and training for the ironman next year, and maybe a couple of races later in the season. My hockey coach from NSA in highschool always used to tell me that the only thing that will limit my ability is my injuries... and yet here is more proof of that statement. Frustration is an understatement to what I am feeling right now. But I know there are alot of people that are going through this. I remember when Linda hurt her back and was unable to do the half marathon she was training for earlier this year. Injuries are just a part of the life of an athlete I guess.
Anyways, sorry if this post is so melancholy. Like my dad says, don't sweat the small stuff. The foot will heal, and there will be more races. Until then I'll have more time to study and pack since I won't be training or doing many adventures for the next little bit.
From the time I got up in the morning I was rushing through my day. I made it to class a couple of minutes late, then had to leave early to rush to work. By the time I got to work my foot really hurt to stand on, but I didn't have time to think much about it. I popped some Advil and worked my shift till 4. At which point I had to rush back to the university to meet Ben and get some homework done. Walking from the car to the school every step started hurting more and more, but I had convinced myself I was fine. I had to be fine, I mean how can you hurt yourself getting out of a pool. And my race was only 25 days away, I was fine. I had to be.
I finally got to the library, met Ben, ate dinner, and started on my last essay of my university career. As I sat there my foot started throbbing and aching more and more. I thought maybe it was just the Advil waring off. When we decided to leave the university, we started walking back to the car and every step turned into an enormous task. The shooting pain eventually became unbearable and I broke down crying hysterically scared and sore in the middle of the university campus.
Scared because my foot couldn't be injured with my race so close. But with the amount of pain that I was feeling I knew something was wrong.
We drove to Strathmore to go to the hospital to avoid the lines. Got an x-ray and the doctor didn't find any major breaks. Since I couldn't walk and was in alot of pain at this point he gave me some crutches and tylonal 3s and sent me on my way. I was beside myself. I didn't understand why he didn't examine my foot and figure out what was hurting so much. I was inconsolable, but Ben did what he could to calm me down. Last night was rough, my foot hurt despite the tylonal 3s and I didn't sleep more than 3 hours. I decided that I had to see someone else and figure out what was wrong. I have had alot of injuries in my lifetime, and I know the difference between a bruise and when something is serious. I was scared that if I didn't see anyone it would heal badly since it wasn't immobilized and I would forever have trouble with my foot. I was petrified because I was unable to walk with 3 weeks to my race and I needed to know if whatever was wrong was going to be feeling better in time. I found the calgary foot clinic and got into see a podiatrist this morning. Good thing I did. He thinks I have a Cuboid Fracture that wouldn't turn up on a x-ray. So I have to go get a bone scan done. Hopefully it's not that because that takes around 6 weeks to heal. If it's not that with the amount of swelling and pain he said I could have torn some ligaments in my foot when it hyperextended. Even so, I would still be on crutches in a walking cast for 3 weeks. So, he crushed the plan of the Oosoyos Half Ironman. He put me into a walking cast with crutches, booked a bone scan, and an appointment to see him in 2 weeks. I go back the day before we're supposed to be moving, and the day that I have my last final exam. Talk about stress.
I have been trying to deal with the fact that I am going to be unable to do the desert half ironman all day. It has been the focus of all those long painful training sessions and early mornings for so long, and I am feeling quite lost. On top of that, Ben and I are moving in 2 weeks. It is going to be quite the task trying to pack while on crutches. But that is life. No matter how much I wish I could turn back to 7:15 yesterday morning, and instead of rushing my swim waiting until I had more time in the eventing.. i can't. I have to deal with yet another injury. I have to focus on healing this thing properly and training for the ironman next year, and maybe a couple of races later in the season. My hockey coach from NSA in highschool always used to tell me that the only thing that will limit my ability is my injuries... and yet here is more proof of that statement. Frustration is an understatement to what I am feeling right now. But I know there are alot of people that are going through this. I remember when Linda hurt her back and was unable to do the half marathon she was training for earlier this year. Injuries are just a part of the life of an athlete I guess.
Anyways, sorry if this post is so melancholy. Like my dad says, don't sweat the small stuff. The foot will heal, and there will be more races. Until then I'll have more time to study and pack since I won't be training or doing many adventures for the next little bit.
Friday, June 11, 2010
3, 2, 1...... Goodbye Calgary
Well, since the running meltdown, training has been going well. I ran the Calgary half marathon at the end of may and did a personal best and hit my goal of under 2 hours. Ben did the full marathon, but he also ran TO the race. Yes, he added an extra 4miles (8kms) to his run. Training has hit its peak for me the last couple of weeks since I am now 4 weeks out of my race, so I have been getting pretty tired. The point is to almost burn yourself out so that you can taper and recover for 2 weeks and be ready to go for the big day! My Big day is July 11th in Oosoyos. Pretty nervous but excited. I have never done this distance before and I dont really know what to expect but as long as I stay healthy and injury free it'll be awesome.
Other than training, Ben and I have been pretty busy. Ben is in school right now getting his 3rd year of his plumbing schooling down. It's amazing how much the school throws at these students in 8 weeks of school and the most minute numbers and details they have to remember. But he's getting through it and will be done in 2 weeks. I'm in my last class of my degree and have finished an online class, in between working and training. I have found it pretty hard to keep my motivation up this close to the end of school and with only one class. But in 2 weeks I'll be done and I'll only have 2 finals (one in my online class), then Ben and I are getting out of this city... we're moving to revelstoke!!
We have kinda been up and down with when we were going to move, and in the couple of weeks all the signs have been pointing to leaving. So we drove down last weekend to find a place to live, and we found a great place! A freshly renovated 2 bedroom basement suite (but it's a split level so the basement is mostly above ground and is nice and bright) with a nice landlord who lives on the top floor. We're even allowed to get a dog if we want! That is awesome, because we really want one.. not right away but eventually. We camped in the rain all weekend, but after finding that place nothing could get our spirits down. It was a pretty jam packed weekend: We went for a trail run, hiked partway up the skihill, checked out the town and surrounding area, and went for another "hike" (more of a walk by our standards) before dinner, found a great pizza place and had a pre-celebration for my birthday. We even checked out the pool and gym for training. Everything was so amazing! I absolutely love it there, I was so relaxed and knew that this is exactly where I am supposed to be. The mountains are huge and beautiful. The people are super friendly. I felt inspired.
Sunday morning we got up early and hit the road to come home. It was a pretty whirlwind weekend leaving after work on friday and coming home sunday. But it is only 4 hours away and with the time difference you gain an hour on friday night. We got home mid afternoon and went to my dad's for a BBQ since it was mine, my dad's and my Oma from Ontario's birthday. Aj and Jenny did the cooking and it was delicious!
Anyways, now that we have a place to live and we're officially moving in 3 weeks. We have been pretty busy this week looking for jobs, trying to find stuff that we'll need for moving (since the place we rent is furnished we don't have much), training, and finishing school. Needless to say I have been a little stressed, but I have a feeling the next 3 weeks are going to fly by! And it's crazy but as soon as you drive out of the city and into the mountains the stress always seems to dissappear! So we've just got to hang on and before we know it we'll be living the dream!
Other than training, Ben and I have been pretty busy. Ben is in school right now getting his 3rd year of his plumbing schooling down. It's amazing how much the school throws at these students in 8 weeks of school and the most minute numbers and details they have to remember. But he's getting through it and will be done in 2 weeks. I'm in my last class of my degree and have finished an online class, in between working and training. I have found it pretty hard to keep my motivation up this close to the end of school and with only one class. But in 2 weeks I'll be done and I'll only have 2 finals (one in my online class), then Ben and I are getting out of this city... we're moving to revelstoke!!
We have kinda been up and down with when we were going to move, and in the couple of weeks all the signs have been pointing to leaving. So we drove down last weekend to find a place to live, and we found a great place! A freshly renovated 2 bedroom basement suite (but it's a split level so the basement is mostly above ground and is nice and bright) with a nice landlord who lives on the top floor. We're even allowed to get a dog if we want! That is awesome, because we really want one.. not right away but eventually. We camped in the rain all weekend, but after finding that place nothing could get our spirits down. It was a pretty jam packed weekend: We went for a trail run, hiked partway up the skihill, checked out the town and surrounding area, and went for another "hike" (more of a walk by our standards) before dinner, found a great pizza place and had a pre-celebration for my birthday. We even checked out the pool and gym for training. Everything was so amazing! I absolutely love it there, I was so relaxed and knew that this is exactly where I am supposed to be. The mountains are huge and beautiful. The people are super friendly. I felt inspired.
Sunday morning we got up early and hit the road to come home. It was a pretty whirlwind weekend leaving after work on friday and coming home sunday. But it is only 4 hours away and with the time difference you gain an hour on friday night. We got home mid afternoon and went to my dad's for a BBQ since it was mine, my dad's and my Oma from Ontario's birthday. Aj and Jenny did the cooking and it was delicious!
Anyways, now that we have a place to live and we're officially moving in 3 weeks. We have been pretty busy this week looking for jobs, trying to find stuff that we'll need for moving (since the place we rent is furnished we don't have much), training, and finishing school. Needless to say I have been a little stressed, but I have a feeling the next 3 weeks are going to fly by! And it's crazy but as soon as you drive out of the city and into the mountains the stress always seems to dissappear! So we've just got to hang on and before we know it we'll be living the dream!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
The 8 mile melt down and an epiphany
Running and I have no always gotten along. Some times there is nothing better for my mood than a nice run, then other times I feel like a smoker with lung cancer trying to run. In January I decided that I was going to run the calgary marathon again (with a goal of under 4 hours) and then the sylvan lake half ironman 8 weeks later. Training was going well, I was getting my long runs in on sundays. Then I was thrown for a loop a couple of weeks ago, when the sylvan lake for canceled. Thankfully my registration was transferred to another race in Oosoyos, but it is 2 weeks earlier.
Since then my long runs have been a struggle. I have been trying to decide if doing the marathon was still a good idea with the half ironman that much sooner. Since Ben and I are not yet signed up for it, I do not have to do it. Well this indecision has shown up in my training for the marathon. Last weekend I was supposed to run 2o miles (32 kms).. well I got 1/4 of the way and got frustrated with people passing me and threw in the towel (it was one of those running days where I felt like an out of shape smoker). I sat down on the pathway by the reservoir contemplating the thought of continuing my run or turning back. After an hour passed, i decided it was probabaly a good idea to turn around and run home. Well after running 5 miles and sitting for an hour my legs had seized so the way home turned into a run/walk. The next day I was determined to finish that 20 mile run, so I went out with Ben on Sunday and we ran 14 miles. Since combined in those 2 days I got the distance in I wasn't too discouraged.... that was until this weekend.
This weekend I was supposed to run at least 20 miles again , with the calgary marathon 35 days away. Yesterday was pretty crumby out so ben went for a long run and I did a run bike day. I ran a personal best time for a 10k run, then hit the gym for an hour of pounding the bike (since the roads still have gravel on them for the bike). I felt good and had lots of energy. I felt very confident in my running ability. That all changed on Sunday. Ben and I went out for that 20 mile run at 9am. I didn't feel too bad and got past the 1/4 mark that taunted me last weekend. Then we hit the 8 mile mark, only 2 more miles and we were going to turn around and head home! That is, until my legs started aching, and I started wondering why I was running this far since in my triathlon I only have to run a half marathon, and I'm not even signed up for the calgary marathon. Also, I was 3 minutes off the pace that I wanted, too slow. Suddenly those 2 miles seemed like 10000 miles. I spoke up and we turned around. As we started running back I got mad and frustrated at myself. Why did I turn around, it was only 2 miles, that's not that far. Then thinking about how slow I am, and how I'm brutal at running. As i got more and more worked up about turning around and being slow, my asthma started acting up and then the tears came. I stopped on the path, crying. Poor ben didn't know what to do, except keep up the encouragement, trying to at least get me walking again. Being stubborn as I am I wouldn't budge. Eventually I decided to start running again, this time fueled with anger and frustration. I was running much faster than i should have been, but I didn't care, I was determined to be a fast, good runner. I only made it about 2.5 more miles. My legs and lungs were screaming. I was frustrated that I didn't run the 2 extra miles, that I was running slower than my pace. So, of course being the awesome girlfriend that I am, I took my frustration out on Ben. Poor Guy. We wound up walking the 5.5 miles home, and during those 5.5 miles I had an epiphany. If I signed up for the calgary marathon, I could of course finish it. Maybe not in the 4 hours that I would want to, but I would finish it. But I have been expecting too much from my running performance considering I am training primarily for a triathlon. Instead of running 6 days a week, I'm running, biking and swimming. How can I expect to excel at running when I am not concentrating only on running. My goal right from january is the half ironman, and the calgary marathon more of just an after thought. Therefore, do I want to just run the marathon to do it, cause if I do then I shouldn't be worried about my time.
In the end, I have decided that I am going to focus on speed and strength for my triathlon, and cheer everyone on at the calgary marathon. I need to focus on training for one or the other. If they were more spread out than I could do both, but they're not and I can't. I have been trying to spread my self to thin, and my performance in both might suffer. I can always do the edmonton or the okanagan marathon later in the season. Cause then I can focus on just running, instead of trying to squeeze in a long run for the marathon in between my triathlon training, and doing both within 6 weeks of eachother.
Other than my training crisis, life has been pretty good. I am officially going to be finished my economcis degree in June, and Ben will be starting his school in May and will be done in June. Since we're both going to be done, we're looking into moving to revelstoke this summer instead of waiting until January. So as soon as we find jobs and a place to live we're getting out of this city and getting our life started in the mountains, where we both belong.
Since then my long runs have been a struggle. I have been trying to decide if doing the marathon was still a good idea with the half ironman that much sooner. Since Ben and I are not yet signed up for it, I do not have to do it. Well this indecision has shown up in my training for the marathon. Last weekend I was supposed to run 2o miles (32 kms).. well I got 1/4 of the way and got frustrated with people passing me and threw in the towel (it was one of those running days where I felt like an out of shape smoker). I sat down on the pathway by the reservoir contemplating the thought of continuing my run or turning back. After an hour passed, i decided it was probabaly a good idea to turn around and run home. Well after running 5 miles and sitting for an hour my legs had seized so the way home turned into a run/walk. The next day I was determined to finish that 20 mile run, so I went out with Ben on Sunday and we ran 14 miles. Since combined in those 2 days I got the distance in I wasn't too discouraged.... that was until this weekend.
This weekend I was supposed to run at least 20 miles again , with the calgary marathon 35 days away. Yesterday was pretty crumby out so ben went for a long run and I did a run bike day. I ran a personal best time for a 10k run, then hit the gym for an hour of pounding the bike (since the roads still have gravel on them for the bike). I felt good and had lots of energy. I felt very confident in my running ability. That all changed on Sunday. Ben and I went out for that 20 mile run at 9am. I didn't feel too bad and got past the 1/4 mark that taunted me last weekend. Then we hit the 8 mile mark, only 2 more miles and we were going to turn around and head home! That is, until my legs started aching, and I started wondering why I was running this far since in my triathlon I only have to run a half marathon, and I'm not even signed up for the calgary marathon. Also, I was 3 minutes off the pace that I wanted, too slow. Suddenly those 2 miles seemed like 10000 miles. I spoke up and we turned around. As we started running back I got mad and frustrated at myself. Why did I turn around, it was only 2 miles, that's not that far. Then thinking about how slow I am, and how I'm brutal at running. As i got more and more worked up about turning around and being slow, my asthma started acting up and then the tears came. I stopped on the path, crying. Poor ben didn't know what to do, except keep up the encouragement, trying to at least get me walking again. Being stubborn as I am I wouldn't budge. Eventually I decided to start running again, this time fueled with anger and frustration. I was running much faster than i should have been, but I didn't care, I was determined to be a fast, good runner. I only made it about 2.5 more miles. My legs and lungs were screaming. I was frustrated that I didn't run the 2 extra miles, that I was running slower than my pace. So, of course being the awesome girlfriend that I am, I took my frustration out on Ben. Poor Guy. We wound up walking the 5.5 miles home, and during those 5.5 miles I had an epiphany. If I signed up for the calgary marathon, I could of course finish it. Maybe not in the 4 hours that I would want to, but I would finish it. But I have been expecting too much from my running performance considering I am training primarily for a triathlon. Instead of running 6 days a week, I'm running, biking and swimming. How can I expect to excel at running when I am not concentrating only on running. My goal right from january is the half ironman, and the calgary marathon more of just an after thought. Therefore, do I want to just run the marathon to do it, cause if I do then I shouldn't be worried about my time.
In the end, I have decided that I am going to focus on speed and strength for my triathlon, and cheer everyone on at the calgary marathon. I need to focus on training for one or the other. If they were more spread out than I could do both, but they're not and I can't. I have been trying to spread my self to thin, and my performance in both might suffer. I can always do the edmonton or the okanagan marathon later in the season. Cause then I can focus on just running, instead of trying to squeeze in a long run for the marathon in between my triathlon training, and doing both within 6 weeks of eachother.
Other than my training crisis, life has been pretty good. I am officially going to be finished my economcis degree in June, and Ben will be starting his school in May and will be done in June. Since we're both going to be done, we're looking into moving to revelstoke this summer instead of waiting until January. So as soon as we find jobs and a place to live we're getting out of this city and getting our life started in the mountains, where we both belong.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
From camping to skiing!
Well the weather has been all over the place the last few weeks here. At the beginning of march, the weather warmed up and Ben and I decided to test out all the new gear that we got for Christmas. So we packed up our packs and decided to climb up to our favorite spot in kananaskis where you can see the lights of Calgary and the mountains, so beautiful. Well we were quickly reminded that it was only the beginning of March when the road was closed for the winter. We turned around and drove to a campsite that was open close to Calgary, Mclean Creek. We were surprised how many people were out camping with the same camping/summer bug that we had, most in nice and cozy trailers mind you. We had a great time by the fire and stayed warm and cozy all night despite it dipping down to -10! It was really tough getting out of bed in the morning!
The following weekend we visited my mom and murray at their cabin by rocky mountain house. We love going out there, it's so nice and relaxing and you can never get enough of mom's cooking. It's funny how you really do not appreciate it growing up, but once you're cooking every night yourself (and it never quite tastes as good as mom's) Ben and I always look forward for it. It was a great night relaxing by the fire and playing games. The next day we went for a walk finally saw the river. We even got Wilson into the water.
This past weekend was easter weekend, and Ben and I went down to Fernie to visit Ben's mom. We had a fantastic time! Ben's brother and sister and his sister's husband flew out from Ontario, and I guess it's been a long time since they were all together at once. It had been so nice in calgary that Ben and I were debating whether or not to bring our skis. But we were definitely glad we did! We skied on Saturday and it was snowing all day, and we had some amazing runs. But the real treat came on sunday when it snowed 12 cms over night. Even tho it was only 12 cms tehre were places where the snow accumulated it felt like 20-30! If you're not a skier, it is impossible to understand the pleasure of skiing untouched, knee deep, soft and fluffy powder! Well to say the least there was lots of YAAHOOOOS from the group.
In between these weekend adventures we still are training really hard. Some weeks we're at it 5 days and others 6 days, we've just been listening to what our bodies are saying. Ben mainly runs and does hills/stairs which fits his death race this summer. I have gotten to switch it up with typically 1-2 times per week swimming, 2-3 time biking and 2-3 times running (one of which is a looong, slooow run). I quite enjoy not having to run every single time I train. Last weekend for our long runs ben ran a marathon distance (i think this is his third time he's ran that in the last couple of months) and I ran 30kms. Often Ben gets up and runs before I get out of bed, but I always see him when he's on his way home and it gives me motivation to keep going! The calgary marathon is coming up and we should be all set for it! Mind you my summer event was canceled this past weekend, so I am desperately trying to find another half ironman that is close by. I'm leaning towards the one in Oosoyos, but it is an 8 hour drive and 2 weeks earlier. But the only other option really is the calgary half ironman and that's august long weekend, which is also when Ben's race is. So if anyone knows of any others I could consider I would definitely appreciate it!
Finally, little Jack Alexander Bailey-Van Dongen was born on March 7, 2010! He is quite the adorable little guy, mind you I would love to see how they'll fit that name on the back of a hockey jersey. He has totally captured ben and my heart and we absolutely love having a little nephew!
The following weekend we visited my mom and murray at their cabin by rocky mountain house. We love going out there, it's so nice and relaxing and you can never get enough of mom's cooking. It's funny how you really do not appreciate it growing up, but once you're cooking every night yourself (and it never quite tastes as good as mom's) Ben and I always look forward for it. It was a great night relaxing by the fire and playing games. The next day we went for a walk finally saw the river. We even got Wilson into the water.
This past weekend was easter weekend, and Ben and I went down to Fernie to visit Ben's mom. We had a fantastic time! Ben's brother and sister and his sister's husband flew out from Ontario, and I guess it's been a long time since they were all together at once. It had been so nice in calgary that Ben and I were debating whether or not to bring our skis. But we were definitely glad we did! We skied on Saturday and it was snowing all day, and we had some amazing runs. But the real treat came on sunday when it snowed 12 cms over night. Even tho it was only 12 cms tehre were places where the snow accumulated it felt like 20-30! If you're not a skier, it is impossible to understand the pleasure of skiing untouched, knee deep, soft and fluffy powder! Well to say the least there was lots of YAAHOOOOS from the group.
In between these weekend adventures we still are training really hard. Some weeks we're at it 5 days and others 6 days, we've just been listening to what our bodies are saying. Ben mainly runs and does hills/stairs which fits his death race this summer. I have gotten to switch it up with typically 1-2 times per week swimming, 2-3 time biking and 2-3 times running (one of which is a looong, slooow run). I quite enjoy not having to run every single time I train. Last weekend for our long runs ben ran a marathon distance (i think this is his third time he's ran that in the last couple of months) and I ran 30kms. Often Ben gets up and runs before I get out of bed, but I always see him when he's on his way home and it gives me motivation to keep going! The calgary marathon is coming up and we should be all set for it! Mind you my summer event was canceled this past weekend, so I am desperately trying to find another half ironman that is close by. I'm leaning towards the one in Oosoyos, but it is an 8 hour drive and 2 weeks earlier. But the only other option really is the calgary half ironman and that's august long weekend, which is also when Ben's race is. So if anyone knows of any others I could consider I would definitely appreciate it!
Finally, little Jack Alexander Bailey-Van Dongen was born on March 7, 2010! He is quite the adorable little guy, mind you I would love to see how they'll fit that name on the back of a hockey jersey. He has totally captured ben and my heart and we absolutely love having a little nephew!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Where as the time gone!
All right, I am the first to admit I have definitely fallen off the blogging train. This was supposed to be a record of the adventures that Ben and I have been undertaking; and ribbon creek falls has definitely not been the last adventure that we went on. In fact after I got home from Peru, the summer was full of adventures. We did our first olympic distance triathlon, and despite some setbacks like cracking my elbow in 2 places 2 weeks before the race, Ben and I did great. Ben as usual completed and came in 5th place! I managed to get across the line 22 minutes faster than I thought I had trained for, broken elbow and all. We also went camping and hiking and I finally took Ben to goodsoil, the place the defined summer and family when I was little. But I think the trip of the summer was when we did Northover Ridge. It was a three day trek, and we saw sights that we thought rivaled the view at the top of Mount Robson (a couple pictures at the bottom). Well, Before we both knew it summer was over and I was jumping back into school. We backed off the training, indulged in eating and drinking whatever we pleased, and enjoyed the little time we had together. While waiting for the snow to fly, and the ice to form so we could partake in our favorite winter activities of skating and skiing, we started planning our great escape from Calgary to the mountains.
The semester flew by, my class schedule and work schedule was hectic and stressful at times but before I knew it it was mid December and I was finishing up exams. Christmas came and we got totally spoiled on stuff that we needed for our future adventures, including wetsuits for our triathlons, and necessities for our backpacking. As 2009 came to a close I reminisced aboutthe year from Peru, to northover ridge and other mountain tops, our first triathlons, and countless other adventures. All in all it was a fantastic year. However we have big plans for the coming year. For 2010 I am going to try and update this blog more. I think i'll have alot to write about: it's our last year in Calgary before we move to the mountains, I am going to be finishing my Economics Degree, Ben will be finishing the schooling for his plumbing apprenticeship, We're going to be having a nephew since AJ is having a baby.
Athletic wise we have lots on the go. With January 1st training season officially started, we have our training calender for the next 7 months taped to the wall and that is what keeps us going one day at a time even when our legs are sore and it's cold outside. Ben's big event is the Canadian Death Race, I'll be doing the sylvan lake half ironman, we're both planning on doing the calgary marathon and probably the alberta challenge tri again. And inbetween training 5-6 days a week we'll squeeze in a trip or two to the tops of mountains! In the meantime hopefully we'll keep skiing and skating until spring comes and the snow and ice melts!
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