Holiday Weekend Fun: Oktoberfest, Thanksgiving, Onkel Hans Fun Run and New Training Program

Wow...such a long title today.  It was a busy weekend though.

I still can't get used to Thanksgiving being in October.  Especially this Thanksgiving.  It hit 80 degrees and we were wearing shorts.  Just not used to that, but I'm not complaining.  Plus living up here gets me two Thanksgivings.  Yummy!!!!!

Saturday, Mike and I went uptown to check out everything going on at Oktoberfest.  We wandered up and down King Street checking everything out.  I had some chicken schnitzel that was pretty good.  We watched a bit of the Strongman Competition.  Man, are those guys ever big!!!!!!  It's crazy!

Afterwards we went to Victoria Park.  It was such a nice day that we didn't want to waste it.  We walked along the lake and watched the swans and the ducks.  We sat on a bench and just enjoyed the quiet and the beautiful day.  Here are a few pictures from our day.

Watching everything downtown.

Victora Park



Yesterday I ran the Onkel Hans Fun Run.  It wasn't my best run and it wasn't my worst run.  The route is pretty hilly, but I ran all of the hills without to much trouble.  I was about 3k into the run when I felt something pop and had some pain.  I had to walk about 3/4 of the next kilometer, but I did finish running the last one.  I was just off my best time.  I guess that's what makes me upset. I was on pace to run a best time, but I didn't want to risk hurting myself even more.  I don't know what caused it, but it hurt a bit.

Here I am crossing the finish line.

Yesterday afternoon we decided to take the dogs to Huron Park near us.  It's a great natural area with lots of trails.  We love this park.  It was so pretty out!  There were a lot of people out enjoying the day.  Anya and Mulder had so much fun.  We stopped at the pond to see if the beavers were out and Anya tried to jump in.

We enjoyed all the fall colors and the wonderful air.  We ended up hiking about 4k with the dogs.

This morning I started a new training program.  I really want to get my 5k down to sub-30.  I'm kind of stuck in a rut.  I am starting a new training program to help that.  Today I went for a 4 mile run.  The longest run I've done in ages.  It felt pretty good.  I got out nice and early.  It was dark, but I have my bright running clothes and a light that I wear.  I'm on the sidewalk for most of it too.  Although I have to run by a Tim Horton's and people trying to get their coffee are pretty dangerous drivers.

Tomorrow is a rest day and that's good since I'm at the University all day long.  Thursday it's a shorter run, 3 miles, but its interval training.  Friday I do another 2-4 mile run.  Saturday I'm off on a 3 mile run.  What's nice is there are varying intervals and speeds that you do on each of these runs.  Saturday will be kind of tricky since I'm at Buffalo for a meet.  I should be able to sneak an early morning run in though.  I have to check the address on the hotel to see if I can get out and run or if I have to use the horrible treadmill.

I am going to run my first 10k in April so this is a good start.  I'm thinking of doing an 8k in January to see where I'm at with my training.  I haven't decided yet though.

The week is off and running and it feels good to have nice fall days.  I hope they stick around for awhile before the first snow.



Hiking and Rock Climbing

Yesterday was so much fun!!!!!!  We got a picnic lunch and set out on a hike.  James was so excited!  He loves to take walks with us and the picnic was an added bonus.

We started out hiking up a ski hill.

When we got to the top the view was so pretty.  James was impressed with how high we were, but Mike said just wait!  We started on our hike.  This involved a lot of rock climbing.  We all I loved it!!!!!!!

When we got to a trail we found lots and lots of wild blueberries!!!!!  They were so tasty!  We all had to eat our fill.

The we continued on.  It started to rain a bit, but we were protected by the trees so we didn't get too wet.  James finally asked if we could climb up on a high rock for our picnic.  We found a good one and had our lunch.

After that we started to head back to the car.  The wind was starting to get chilly and we had awhile to hike back.  So off we went!

Then it was back down the ski hill.

We walked along a path near the car and found wild raspberries.  Once again we all had to eat our fill.

James picked me a lovely bouquet of wildflowers along our hike.  We brought them back to the room and put them in water.  It brightened up the hotel room and created a wonderful memory for me.

Today we are going to have lunch with Mike's grandmother then we have to head back home.  Our visit to Sudbury was fun and we will be coming back again.  James said he loves it here and he has decided that he wants to be a miner when he grows up because you get to find all sorts of rocks and maybe even gold.  Its been a wonderful family vacation.