Dynamic Earth AKA The Big Nickel

We went to the Dynamic Earth museum here in Sudbury.  It was really cool!  Mike grew up here and his dad worked for Inco so he was really excited to be back.

First thing we saw was the world's largest smokestack and the Big Nickel.

Next was a really neat tour of a mine.  It started with mining at the turn of the 20th century and went through today.  It was interesting and James really liked it.

After the mining tour we went to the rock lab.  It was really cool because they had all these different experiments for kids to try with the different rocks.  It was really hands on.

After we got done in the museum we took a walk on a trail that was behind the museum.  We found all sorts of cool rocks and some core samples.  By the end of the walk my backpack was a bit heavier.

After we left Dynamic Earth we went for a walk on the boardwalk.  It was so pretty and we hoped it would help get some of the energy out of James.

We all had a great day today!

Erica's Wish 5k and the start of our vacation

Today we ran Erica's Wish.  James ran the kid's run.  It was a little under 1K and he did an awesome job!  At the last minute he wanted Mike to run with him so Mike did.  He was a sport.  It poured off and on all morning.  James did a warm up in the rain, but he got to run when it wasn't raining.  Here are a few pics from his race.

Here we are before our races.

Stretching in the rain.

At the starting line.

At the finish line and with his medal.

Then it was time for my race.  I knew it wasn't going to be pretty because I haven't been motivated to train at all these past few weeks.  It went better than I expected.  It was rainy and there were mud puddles, but I really did love the course.  I love running in the mud!  I know I'm weird, but I love running in mud and rain.  One thing that came out of this race was I am not motivated to rev up my training.  Tomorrow I will get up and go for a recovery run.  We are in Sudbury for a few days so I will be exploring around the hotel.  I'll tell Mike to watch for the bat signal in case I get lost.  LOL.

Here's me before the race.

Coming in to the finish.

James and I after my race.

After the race, we piled in the car and headed for Sudbury.  It was about a 5 hour trip from Toronto where the race was.  James was wound up on the ride there.  Even the DVD player didn't help.  We stopped just outside Sudbury at a tourist spot calle French River Trading Post.  It gave James a chance to get the squirmies out and to see a few things.

Once we got to Sudbury it was time for a late lunch at Deluxe and the famous chicken on a bun.  I have been hearing about this place for awhile now and it was really good!

Tomorrow we will be hitting Science North.  James is excited about that.  Right now, I'm ready to crash!  I'm sure I'll have lots to say tomorrow!

I can't believe that its Wednesday already

Where did the week go??????  I am thinking that because we had friends over Saturday, a holiday Monday and the start of swim camp yesterday that it just made everything go by quickly.

Last night I finished up the dolphins I was stitching for James.  It turned out pretty good.

Today I got up and ran.  I have to get on a schedule for that.  It seems like I just can't get it together.  I took 4 days off and today was not pretty.  I love doing it, but I have a day like today, get discouraged and make an excuse to take a day off.  I have to get in a better frame of mind.  I just can't seem to get it together.  I think I'm going to have to just write it down everyday and make myself do it.  My plan for the rest of the week is to run tomorrow and Friday, rest Saturday, and race Sunday.  Next week we are in Sudbury so I want to run at least on the treadmill in the hotel Tuesday and Wednesday.  I hate treadmills, but I want to get 2 runs in next week while we're gone.  If I don't get to it I won't reach my goal.

More swim camp today.  Yesterday went well, but I was so tired.  I hate feeling that way.  I'm a bit tired today, but my run usually helps me feel good the rest of the day.  Hopefully that holds true today.

Well, I made it to Wednesday so it's all downhill from here!

Pushing through

Mike is home and I told him that he had to kick me out of bed to get my run in this morning.  I have been feeling lazy lately so I had to force myself to get out and run.  I'm not gonna lie, it was not my best run feeling wise.

At the start I just hurt.  My legs were sore and it took me a bit longer to get into the run.  Once I settled in I felt pretty good for awhile.  Then my stomach started hurting.  It's been a long long long time since my stomach hurt like that when I ran.  I pushed through and got home.  I cut my run short by about 10 minutes though.  I really wanted to get a longer run in this morning.  I was able to get just over 2 miles, but still I wanted to do more.

I'm just not feeling it this week.  I'm not sure why though.  I just have to keep going and keep running so I can push to reach my goal.  I have 2 months until the zoo run and I want to hit that 30 minute mark.  I think I can do it if I keep up with my training.  I have a race on August 7th and then one on August 28th.  I may run one on September 10th or 11th as well.  Those should be able to tell me where I'm at as far as time.  September 24th is the zoo run and then the 25th is the island run I'm doing.  After that I have the Race for the Cure and the Onkel Hans Thanksgiving run.  That pretty much wraps up my racing season for 2011.  I am doing the Resolution Run on January 1st, but with swimming that's pretty much all I can do through the fall and winter.

This winter I will start training for my first 10k.  I want it to be the zoo run next September.  I may try to do a few 8k runs in there as well.  I'm nervous about this, but I know I will be fine.  I just have to set my little goals and I can do it!  I'll be using 10k101 to help me train.  It's an interval training program that I just have to listen to what it tells me to do and I don't have to think.  It's a Running Mate program so I know it's a great one.

Off to recover from the run and to get some work done.  Tomorrow morning I'll try to get my full run in and I think I may try to get some speed work in as some point.  We'll see how it goes.

Finally got out this week

Monday and Tuesday I was just beat!  I couldn't seem to get out of bed.  I think I really needed the sleep.  Plus I did some work around the house.  Today I finally got out for a very quick run.

Since Mike is out of town James is with his mom this week.  He has had to stay with grandma and grandpa during the day because daycare is also closed.  Last night he stayed with me so I couldn't get up and run early like I love to do.  I delayed my run and that really didn't help my motivation at all.  I love running in the mornings.  I love the peace and quiet. I love counting the rabbits I see along the way.  I love the coolness of the air.  I love everything about running in the early morning.

James got up around 8am and got ready to go.  I decided that since I was fast losing my motivation we would walk to grandma's house.  James wanted to ride his skateboard.  He is still learning to ride and balance on it so riding his skateboard involves me holding his hand and pulling him.  He is getting better at balance though.  I didn't feel him pulling on me as much.  He is also getting the hang of steering and shifting his weight.  It did take awhile to walk there though.

By this time I really only had time for a quick run.  I hate that I had to cut it short.  I have so much to get done today that I really needed to get home.  We have people coming on Saturday and I need to get the house organized and cleaned.  Plus I had to feed the animals.

I did enjoy pushing myself on this run though.  I felt good to get my legs moving even for a short quick run. 

It's also getting hot again.  I'm glad I remembered my Bondi Band!  If you haven't tried these I highly recommend that you do.  I love them!!!!!  Saturday when the humidity was so bad during the race, my Bondi Band kept all the sweat from my eyes and face.  They really rock!!!!  You can get them here http://www.bondiband.com/  Today they once again kept the sweat out of my eyes and face.  I love these things!!!!!!  In fact I am going to order a few more before the end of the summer.

Now I'm off to hit the showers and eat some breakfast.  I'm really busy today so better get started!

Lake Festival Fun

This past weekend we went to Celina, Ohio for their Lake Festival.  We got to see my family. It was a lot of fun.  My neices and nephews were there as well as our friends from Detroit.  We had a blast!  The kids got to play together.  We went to the pool, ran a 5k, rode rides and the kids had a slumber party.  James is already talking about next year.

First stop was the Neil Armstrong Space Museum.  I always liked this little museum and wanted James to see it.  He had a good time.

Then it was off to Celina for more fun and excitement.  The kids played out in the backyard of the villas we stayed in.

Friday evening it was fireworks time!

The next day was the 5k.  After the race we all hit the pool to cool off.

After cooling off, we braved the heat to hit the downtown area.  The kids got to ride rides and James got to use the gift certificate he won at the 5k.

Saturday night was the slumber party.  Although everyone crashed pretty quickly.

Sunday morning it was pizza for breakfast and cartoons.

Then it was time to head home.

It was a fun weekend and like I said before, James is already talking about going back next year.  He loves Lake Festival weekend.