Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Day 31: Happy Birthday Harry Potter Virtual 5k

James and I registered for a virtual race a few weeks back.  It's through a group called NerdHerd.  They sponsor 3 virtual runs all with nerdy themes.  This one was for Harry Potter's birthday.  It's really a cool thing for geeks like us.

They emailed us race bibs and we send in our times and the send us finishers medals.  James if very excited about that part.  He can't wait to see what it will look like.

We took River with us to keep us moving.  She loves to run so she should get to participate as well.  Here we are before the run.  We're casting a spell and catching the snitch.



James was  bit grumpy to start out.  He complained about everything even though he's the one that wanted to run with me.  I coaxed him along and as we got into the run he got better.



He ran a pretty good time.  48 minutes was the final time.  He was excited when he finished.



It was a bit warmer then when I normally run, but I didn't want to get him up that early.  We are going to get him new running shoes today because he's outgrown his old ones.  We run our next 5k in 2 weeks.  I'll get him out in his new shoes before then so he can break them in.

Tomorrow is a cross training and weights day for me.  I know I need those days, but I am really enjoying the runs lately.  Friday is another 5 mile run and I'm really excited for that.  Have a great day!

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Day 30: I REALLY Didn't Want To Run

But I did it anyway.  It felt really good once I got going.  I had problems falling asleep last night and just didn't want to get up at all.  When I got up to feed the dogs I was still talking myself into the run.  River started dancing around me after she ate and I knew she had to go out for a walk anyway so I should just run.  I was slow getting dressed and getting the water together for her.  I really had to talk myself into this run, but once I got out there I felt pretty good.

At one point when I just started I tried to talk myself into cutting my run short.  I didn't let myself though!  I ran the whole 5 miles that was scheduled.  Like I said once I got about 5 minutes into the run it felt really good.  I felt nice and relaxed and just enjoyed the run.

River was all smiles the whole run.  She got grumpy with me when I made her stop for water.  She doesn't like to stop, but she has too.  I can't let her run that far without stopping for water.  She would quickly drink and then bark at me to hurry up so she could run again.

The last half mile of the run River developed a severe case of ADHD.  She started barking and trying to chase cars no matter what direction they were going.  When we passed the trash and recycling trucks, she started pulling and trying to get to them to chase them.  I got a good resistance workout in trying to get her to go forward and not run backwards while trying to watch the trucks.  She's such a silly girl.  I guess since she didn't see any rabbits she had to chase something else.

Right now I'm enjoying my post run smoothie and all three dogs are resting beside me.  I'm trying to decide if I'm going to the farmer's market today or not.  We'll have to see.  First up is a shower though.  Have a great day!

Monday, July 29, 2013

Day 29: Speed Work and Weights

Whew...my legs are toast today!  After yesterday's long run I woke up stiff.  Once I got moving I felt better.  I switched speed work from Wednesday to today.  It was tough, but I did it.  I started with a  10 minute warm-up at a 12:00 pace.  Then I did 10 rounds of 30 seconds at a 7:30 pace and 1:30 at a 14:00 pace recovery.  Then I did a 10 minute cool down at a 12:00 pace.  It felt good.  The sprint was tough.  After the first round my legs were not happy, but as I got into it they got better.

After my work on the treadmill, I did a full body circuit.  I increased the weight on some exercise from Saturday and next week I'll be increasing some more.  The leg weights were tough.  I thought I was ready to increase weight on some of those, but after today I think it may be next week. 

When I got home I took River for her long walk.  We got about 10 minutes into the walk and it started raining.  We swung back by the house and picked up an umbrella and finished our walk.  She was looking for rabbits the whole walk.  There haven't been too many out lately and she looks so sad when she doesn't find any.

Tomorrow River and I are up early for a 5 mile run.  I really hope this weather holds as it has been GREAT running weather.  Only 83 more days until I run my half marathon!  It will be here before I know it!

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Days 26-28: Track Meets, Cross Training and Long Run

Wow it's been a busy 3 days!  I moved my rest day from Saturday to Friday as James had a mini meet to end his week at track and field camp.  I went to watch him compete.  He chose to do the long jump, high jump, 100 meter dash and he was on a relay.  He did well in all those events for doing them for the first time.

Here he is long jumping.



His 100 meter dash was next.  He came in 4th.  Here he is crossing the finish  line.


He did high jump, but his form still isn't quite there.  They did teach them the flop, but most of the younger kids just ran at the bar and jumped.  He was taking off of one foot though.  He said he really likes high jump.




The relay was at the end and everyone ran it.  They had divided the kids up into 4 countries and they were competing for their assigned countries all meet.  James was on the Russian team.  They ended up coming in 2nd in the relay.  Here he is passing the baton to the next runner.



He had a great time and says he wants to go back again next year.  The camp staff did a wonderful job teaching them about track and field.  We'll be signing him up for a week next summer!

Yesterday was my cross training day.  I got up early and took River for a 3.5 mile walk before I went to the gym.  It was a gorgeous morning and we really enjoyed our walk. 

Once I got to the gym, I got on the recumbent bike and did that for 35 minutes.  It didn't feel super good and it was a "just get through it" workout.  I didn't feel horrible, but I just wasn't that into it yesterday.  Then I did upper body weights.  Next week I'll be increasing the weight on a few exercises and I'm very close to increasing on a few more.  The weights felt good.

Today was my long run.  When the dogs got me up to feed them, I got ready to head out for an 8 mile run.  8 miles is the longest I've run ever.  When I was doing some training last spring, I went for an 8 mile run and twisted my knee.  That was on trails and I don't know how I did it.  So it's been awhile since I've run this far.

The route I take is very hilly which I need to do.  It's a beautiful route through the country.  There is no one out on the roads yet.  It is always peaceful.  I love running by farmer's fields and watching the cows as I run by.  I also run by River's daycare and I can hear all the dogs barking at me as I go by as the doors to the runs were open.

Today was the day I tried the Honey Stingers as I ran.  I know I have to keep my energy up and I have to have fuel for my body to draw on when I run these longer runs.  I can't do the gels because the texture makes me gag.  Someone told me to try these.  They are like fruit snacks so I can chew them.  I ate 6 of them every 40 minutes on the run.  I really liked them and I did notice a difference after eating them.  I just need to keep using them to find what will work for my on race day and what flavors I like. 

So today, I ran for 40 minutes then walked a few minutes to get the stingers and some Gatorade in me.  Then I ran for another 40 minutes and did the same thing.  I felt really good on my run and only had to walk the 2 times so eat and drink.  I just can't do that while running.  I've tried and it is never successful.  I'll keep trying though.

Like I said before this route is really hilly.  There are low rolling his and long steep ones.  I ran up every one of them!  There is even an intersection that no matter what direction you are going, you will be going up hill both ways.  That was towards the end of my run and it was not fun.  I was cursing it in my head as I was running.  But once I got up both of those hills, it was downhill and flat the rest of the way home.

I love running in the early mornings and in this cooler weather.  I just wish I could have taken River with me.  She's a great running partner and she just loves to run.  8 miles is just too long for her.  The most I'll let her run with me is a 10k.  That's pretty much her limit.

Tomorrow I'm switching things around.  I'm doing speed work and weights and Wednesday, James and I are running a virtual 5k race.  He's excited to see how his running has improved and the fact that the race is Harry Potter themed.  Our race bibs were emailed to us last week and they look cool.  It will be a good time.

Now I'm off to cross stitch the rest of the day.  Enjoy your Sunday!

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Day 25: Another Beautiful Day!

I know it's July and this should be fall weather, but I'm loving running in this stuff!  It was about 48 degrees when I got up this morning.  It made for another great morning of running.

Today was supposed to be a 5 mile run, but last night I found out that James was getting dropped off at our house at 6:15 so I had to cut my run short.  I ended up doing a 5k.  I took River with me though.  We both really enjoyed the run as it was another sunrise run.  There is just something about watching the sun come up as you are running.  It's just amazing.  I love the quiet and the calm of that time of day.  No one is up.  There aren't many cars.  Nature is out and the air smells so clean.  It's probably my favorite time of day to run.

The 5k route we take starts with and uphill and ends with an uphill.  At the start it's a nice slow uphill, but at the end it's a short steeper one.  We live in just the right spot that it is uphill both ways to get to our house.

Tomorrow is James' last day of track and field camp.  They are having a little mini-meet and he's very excited.  He's decided to do the long jump, high jump, 100 meter dash, and a relay.  He wasn't sure if anyone could come watch him, but I told him this morning I was coming and he was really excited.  I'm taking my camera so there will be lots of pictures.  He has really enjoyed this camp.  It's been good for him to step out of his comfort zone and do this.  He likes running and this was a way for him to see the other events and to learn how to do them.  He's come home every day excited and happy and that's what counts.

So tomorrow I'm up really early again to hit the gym for a cross training day and weights.  Saturday is my rest day and I'm kind of looking forward to it.  I won't get to sleep any later, because River will still need her morning walk, but it will be an easy walk with my coffee in tow.

I'm off to start the rest of my day!  It's going to be a day at home so hopefully I can get some stuff done.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Day 24: What a great day to run!

I woke up at 4:30 this morning ready to run!  The temperature was about 50 degrees and there was a light breeze.  Perfect running weather!  River was ready to go and when she realized we were running she was doubly happy.

I did a 5 mile loop and for the first time doing this loop, I felt nice and relaxed.  The run felt so good from start to finish!  We got past the dog park and to the base of the sledding hill when River needed to stop for a drink.  While she was drinking her water, I snapped this picture of the sun rising.


It was so nice to watch the sun rise while on our run.

This route has some hills both steep and rolling.  Normally there are 2 small, but steep hills that kick my butt.  Not today!  We ran up those hills without a problem.  It just felt great!  In fact, I ran an almost 10 minute best time on this training run.  Not to shabby!

Tomorrow is supposed to be a cross training and weights, but Mike has to go out of town and I may have to pick James up from his mother's house to take him to camp.  I'm switching my Thursday and Friday around so tomorrow I'm off for another 5 mile run.  I think the weather is supposed to be just as cool as today so River will join me.  Friday I'll hit the gym and do my cross training and weights.

Enjoy your Wednesday everyone!

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Day 23: I switched things up today

I was supposed to do a 5 mile run this morning, but I was feeling speedy today.  I went to the gym and did speed work instead.  Normally speed work is done on Wednesdays, but I'm flexible with my training schedule.  Plus tomorrow morning is supposed to be even cooler than this morning so River will love the run even more.

I warmed up on the treadmill for a half mile at a nice easy pace.  Then I did 10 rounds of 30 seconds really fast and really hard with 1:00 recover time.  After 5 rounds I got a bonus 1 minute recovery.  Then I did a half mile cool down at a nice easy pace.

I have to admit that this workout felt amazing!!!!!!!  It felt great to push myself and not have any pain and just feel the speed.  I have not had a speed workout feel this great in a long time. 

After that I did leg weights.  I'm just about ready to increase weight on a few machines. 

So tomorrow I'm up early for a 5 mile run with River.  She will love that as this morning she thought she was going running with me and was disappointed when I left her at home.  I'm excited for the run since these past 2 days have felt really good.  I'm hoping this carries on through the rest of the week.

Monday, July 22, 2013

Day 22: I've Got Some Catching Up To Do!

Yikes!!!!!  Last week just slipped away from me.  My parents were up here visiting and we
going everyday.  I didn't train like I should have, but I did do a lot of walking.  We all had a good time.

Saturday I ran the Warrior Dash for the 3rd year in a row.  I really enjoy running this race.  It breaks up the road races and I can just have a good time.  They switched the course up from the past 2 years.  We started out "running" up one of the ski hills and then it just seemed to be all uphill from there.  Yeah, I train hills, but not ski hills so I didn't do much running up them.

There was also a lot more climbing and ropes this year.  I did have to go around 2 of the obstacles due to the fact that once you got over them, there was at least a 6 foot drop.  I did not want to hurt my ankle while training for this half marathon. 

Here are a few pictures from the race.















This morning I got up and took River on my run.  Today was a short run so we did almost 2.5 miles.  It felt really good.  It was one of those runs that I felt like I could run forever.  Tomorrow is a 5 mile run so I hope that it feels the same as today.  Since it's cooler, I'll take River tomorrow too.  I'll be up and out the door by 5:30 since I have to get James to camp and I'm working at the office all day.  River will like running that early and she gets to go to daycare afterwards.

Off to finish my day!  Enjoy yours!

Monday, July 15, 2013

Day 15: I'm BACK!!!!!!!

Finally feel back to 100%!  Today's workout felt so good!  I had an easy 2 mile run and weights scheduled for today.  I hit the gym on the way home from Masters practice.  I did a nice easy 2 miles.  I didn't push it at all.  Afterwards I did leg weights.  After running the Dirty Dash yesterday, this workout felt good.  I did forget my water bottle in the car though.  That was rough.  Thank goodness for water fountains.

When I got home I had to get River out for her walk.  It is super hot and humid today!  Wow!  Even at 9am it was almost unbearable.  River only lasted about 35 minutes and she was ready to come home.  She never wants to come home much before 45 minutes of walking.  She's now wiped and stretched out on the vent in James' room.  Poor girl.

Tomorrow I'm up early for 5 miles.  River won't run with me as the humidity is supposed to up there again.  I'll get up at 5:30 and be out by 6am.  After I cool down with a shower, I'll take River out for a walk.  It's going to be brutal, but I'm hoping that if I get out early enough it won't be as bad.

It feels so good to be over whatever stomach thing I had.  I'm glad to be back and running!

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Days 12-14: Ran the Dirty Dash!

Friday I had planned to run, but I overslept and my stomach was still not up to 100%.  I took River for her walk and got  shower.  James had a piano competition that Mike and I took him to.  He was very excited, but also very nervous.  He played really well, but for that session we didn't get to find out how he placed.  There were announcing it today.  He cleans up well though.

 
 
Saturday was a rest day and I was at a swim meet all day.  I left very early and got home for dinner.  I was beat by the time I got home.
 
Today was the Dirty Dash.  This race is always one of my favorite races of the summer.  It's my 3rd year running it and every year I love playing in the mud!  I was concerned how I would do since I haven't run in a week.  I took it out nice and easy and just didn't push it.  The first 2k was nice and felt good.  At the first river crossing there was a bottle-neck and things slowed way down.  I knew that was coming and every year it's hard to get my momentum back.  I did the 2nd river crossing and was starting to feel the lack of running all week.  Then the muddy hill caused me to slip, but I still got up it.  The mud pit was deep and thick.  It was so much fun trying to get through it!  I was covered!
 
I did start out nice and clean though.
 

 
 
After crawling through the mud and was still smiling and just a little less clean.
 




 


My time was okay, but I don't do this one for time, I do this one for the mud!  Next weekend I run the Warrior Dash so I'll get all muddy again!

Tomorrow I'm back on my training schedule so after the morning swim practice, I'm stopping by the gym for a 2 mile run on the treadmill and weights.  I'll be getting up early most mornings next week since mom and dad will be here.  I still have to get my runs in!

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Days 9-11: Some Ups and Downs

Tuesday and Wednesday were not good days at all.  I still hadn't eaten Tuesday and most of Wednesday.  I just couldn't do any exercise without the calories to sustain me through the workout.  By Wednesday evening, I was feeling better so I tried to eat some dinner.  Success!!!!!!!!!  I felt so much better after eating dinner last night! 

Since I was able to eat, I decided to get back to the gym this morning after I coached the Masters practice.  I ate half of a protein bar for breakfast and had some orange juice.  I wasn't going to push it and since it was a cross training day, I thought I would be a good day to start back.

I did the bike like I always do.  After about 5 minutes it started to feel really good.  I alternated 1 mile really fast and hard and 1 mile easy for 8 miles.  It really did feel good to get some exercise.  I then did upper body weights.  I just felt amazing the whole time!  Such a huge change from even Saturday morning's run.

I did weigh myself at the gym and I've lost almost 8 pounds.  I knew I lost some weight due to being sick, but I didn't think it was that much.  I guess it gave me a jump start towards my ultimate goal.

When I got home I had to walk River.  Since Mike was out of town last night, the dogs had to be put in their playpens/crates when I left at 4:15.  Normally Mike feeds them when I have morning practice, but they had to wait until I got home.  When I got home at 9:30 they were hungry and River was ready for her walk.

It was a beautiful morning!  No humidity and the wind was blowing.  We did just over 5k in about an hour.  She is tired now.  That's good because I have to go back to the University for a meeting and practice so she won't get her lunchtime walk.  I'm hoping that since her morning walk was over 2 hours later that the timing will work out.

Tomorrow morning I'm getting up and doing an easy 5k run.  Just to get back into the swing of things.  Saturday I won't be running as it's my rest day and I'm at a swim meet all day.  Sunday I runt he Dirty Dash so that's my run for the day.  By Monday I should be back on my training schedule with just a few tweaks.

I'm so glad I'm feeling better!

Monday, July 8, 2013

Day 8: No Go

Today I spent recovering from yesterday.  I knew I probably wouldn't get a run in, but I was still hopeful that I would be feeling well enough to sneak in a mile or two.  No such luck.  While I couldn't run, I did get 4 miles of walking in with the River. 

I did eat some dinner tonight so maybe tomorrow I can get a short run in early in the morning.  I'm really hoping to at least get 2 miles in to see how I feel.

I can't decide if this hitting me at the beginning of my training is better than it hitting me at the end or not.  I guess I'll find out.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Day 7: Not what I planned

Today was supposed to be my long run, but my body had other plans.

Around 2:30, I woke up feeling funny.  I went downstairs and drew a warm bath.  I wasn't in long when the vomiting started.  I threw up 3 times and thought that was it.  Nope.  My stomach decided to wage a full on exocirist type war.  I ended up with 5 hours of worshipping the porcelain gods.  I finally called the telehealth nurse so I could go to the ER.

Once there, I threw up again.  They hooked my up to an IV and gave me anti-nausea medicine.  After several hours of getting rehydrated, the doctor said it was probably food poisoning or something along those lines.

I've spent the rest of the day in bed drinking clear liquids and taking Gravol. Right now I'm just achy from being in bed all day.  I am feeling better though, but probably won't run tomorrow.  I don't want to push it.  Tuesday we'll have to play by ear.

I never want to go through that again.

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Day 6: Not a Good Run

Ugh...I know I'm going to have runs like this, but I hate it when I do have them.  This morning I woke up at 3:00 with a migraine.  I took some medicine and went back to bed knowing the dogs would get me up around 5:30 for breakfast.  They got me up and my head still hurt, but not as bad.  I waited a bit and then decided that if I was going to run I had better do it.

I took River with me as she gives me the motivation to keep going.  Every step of this run just hurt.  My head pounded, my legs ached, my stomach was revolting against the medicine.  Halfway in to the 4 mile run I decided to call it quits.  It's just not worth it to feel miserable the rest of the day. 

I did get 2 miles in and that's at least something.  I hate when runs feel like this.  It's going to happen, but I still don't have to like it.  Maybe this evening I'll see if I can get another short run in if the humidity drops as the sun goes down.  Right now I'm going to have some breakfast and a cool shower and maybe go back to bed for a bit.

Tomorrow is my long run and I hope it goes better than today.

Friday, July 5, 2013

Day 5: A Day of Rest

I switched my rest day from tomorrow to today since I didn't sleep well last night.  I just tossed and turned all night long.  When my alarm went off, I just couldn't get up.  So I took my rest day today.

I did get River out for her morning walk.  It was raining and very humid.  I am ready for the humidity to be gone, but I don't think that's happening anytime soon.  I was glad to get home and enjoy the AC and a my morning smoothie.

Tomorrow I'll be up for 4 miles before I walk River.  I should get a better night's sleep tonight.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Day 4: Cross Training and Weights

This week just keeps getting busier and busier.  I think I have a handle on it and then I realize that I really don't.

This morning I had to get up at 3:45 to go in to coach a Masters practice.  Thank goodness for coffee!  After coaching until 7:00 I drove back to Kitchener to hit the gym for some cross training and weights.  I enjoy my cross training days as I do the recumbent bike and get to read while I exercise.  Some days I go for 35 minutes and some days 45.  It depends on my weight circuit and time constraints.  Today I only did 35 minutes since I was doing a full body circuit and had to get home to walk River and give Anya her eye medicine.  I still did 8.5 miles at a fairly good pace.  The time really flew by! The reading helps most days.

I haven't really lifted weights since May so I was expecting to see some regression today.  I really didn't see all that much.  I was at the weight I left off on in May on every machine.  I was pretty happy with that session.

When I got home, I had to get River out for her walk.  The poor thing was about 3 hours past when she normally goes out.  She was ready to go, but it was humid.  We only walked about 2 miles as she was the one pulling me towards home.  Right now she's crashed on the on the floor next the AC vent.

While I was walking I was trying to get everything straight in my mind for the next few days.  I thought my schedule was going to lighten up, but it really isn't for at least another week.  I may need a vacation after summer is over! 

Right now I just need to focus on what needs to be done today.  With that, I'm off and running again!

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Day 3: Speed Work and I Had Some Great Company

Today was a speed work/core day.  I normally do speed work on the treadmill, but James wanted to run with me so we did it in a huge open field near us.  I mapped out and figured the field was a tenth of a mile from one of the paths to the sidewalk on the other side.  That was where we sprinted.

We walked over to the field as our warm up and of course River was in tow.  We would sprint the tenth of the mile and walk back to recover.  Once we got back to our water bottles we did some exercises for our core.  It gave us a short rest and got us ready for the next sprint.  We did 4 sprints that were the tenth of a mile and 2 that were about .08 of a mile.  River sprinted right along with us and drank her water while we did our exercises.  On the last sprint, James beat River.  River was dragging after her last sprint.

My legs were still a bit sore from my run yesterday, but it was nice to get out and get some good sprint work in.  The plyometric exercises felt good, but were hard.  I have to do more of them.

We got some stretching in and then used our walk home as our cool down.  River is now crashed on the bed and James is vegging out to cartoons.  We won't be sitting for long though.

James said that he had a really good time and gave River a big hug to thank her for helping him sprint faster.


He's excited for next week and the training we will be doing then.

Tomorrow it's a cross training day for me.  I'll be doing the bike and weights after I coach the morning Masters practice.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Day 2: Whoops...Poor River

Today I was up and ready for a nice easy 4 mile run and then some core work.  It has been cool in the mornings so I decided to take River.  She loves to run and makes a great partner.  Running with her causes my posture and foot strike to be different and she helps me vary my speed.  She was excited to go.  I got her water bottle and travel bowl ready and we headed out.

She was ready to go and didn't want to wait for her picture to be taken.


 
We started out at a pretty good pace.  She always starts out fast and hard.  I have to get her to slow down a lot of times because I just can't keep up.  We held a good pace for about 2.5 miles.  Then she needed some water.  It was a good resting point for her.  I figured that it wasn't that much longer and we were really making good time.

Then the run seemed to be going longer and I couldn't figure out why our time was so slow.  When I run with her, I usually do right on my best times.  Today it was just really slow.  We made our way back home with 2 more water stops for her.

When we got home and I double checked the route I found out that it was my 5 mile loop not my 4 mile loop that we just did.  For some reason I had it in my head that it was only 4.  No wonder River was beat and really slow at the end.  I made her run an extra 1 mile.

She was tired when we got home.


She's now sleeping on the couch.  She did get on the floor with me when I did my core and stretching.  I think I wore her out for the morning.  Poor girl.

Tomorrow it's speed and some core work.  James wants to do this with me, so we'll walk to the field by Sobey's and do some sprinting there with core work in between sets.  River will go with us to keep us on track.

Day 2 is in the books and I'm off to have a late breakfast.  I only had a protein bar before I ran and I'm hungry!

Monday, July 1, 2013

Happy Canada Day! AKA...The Start of My Half-Marathon Journey

I have been very lax in writing in this blog and I apologize.  Everything got crazy and I just let it slide.  I'm back now and I'm going to be sharing my journey to my first half marathon.  I'll be running the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon.  Today was my first official training day.  Race day is October 20th.

Being Canada Day, I kicked off my training with the Green Germann Sakaran Canada Day 5K in Burlington.  The past 2 weeks I've been taking it easy to make sure all nagging injuries and soreness was healed up and ready to hit the training this week.  I was expecting anything great, so I was surprised with my time.  I guess all the miles I've been putting in walking the dogs helped me maintain some level of fitness.  The course was flat and along the lake.  It was a cool day and I had a good run.

Here are a few pictures from the race.







After the race, Mike and I came home and took River to the dog park.  She loves going and running around and barking.  It wore her out for the rest of the afternoon.

We went to the University of Waterloo for their Canada Day activities.  It wasn't what I was expecting, but we had a great time and there were some cool kites.







Then we went for a walk in Waterloo Park. We hadn't been there in quite awhile.  It was fun to see the animals and walk along the water.







When we got home, I took River out for a long walk so she could sleep through the fireworks.  It's been a great day and I'm gearing up for tomorrow.  I have a 4 mile run in the morning and since it's been cool, I can take River with me. 

I'm nervous about running my first half-marathon, but I'm also excited.  One of the reasons I'm doing this is to show James that even when things scare you, you can still get out there and try them.  He's been shying away from things that scare him or things he's afraid he won't be good at right away.  I keep telling him that this half scares me and my time won't be super fast, but I'm still going to train and put the work in to do my best and be proud of what I accomplished.  Plus all these training miles will add money to the Disney jar. 

James wants to train with me so we will be doing some running and speed work.  I'm also adding weights and a couple of core classes to my workout.  Wednesdays we will go to the big field by our house and do some speed work and core work.  We'll take River so that will make her tired as well.  Two other days I'll be doing some interval distance running with him after my training run.  He wants to do well in our 5k in August.  I told him he has to train to do that.  I think if he sees me working hard, he will as well.

So I'm off to bed so I can get up early for a run.  Tomorrow will be Day 2 of my journey.  I'm excited, nervous, scared, and ready for the challenge.