A Busy Little Day

September 30th, 2006

T and Haley were in no hurry to get up this morning, I had to go in a few times to get them moving so that we could meet the Fisher's at Molè for breakfast.  After breakfast we all wandered around downtown for awhile before dropping Haley off at her gymnastics class.

T spent part of the afternoon with her Big Sister, they did some cooking, crafting and even got around to doing T's nails.  I spent part of the afternoon at Beacon Hill Park watching the New Balance XC races and the other part catching back up to all the laundry.

Took a ton of pictures at the races here are a few of them.

Start of the Women's race:


Lucy S. takes the lead early with Diva not too far behind:


Coming in from the 1st Lap.  Lucy S, Natashia F, and Diva are 1-2-3:


Natashia F and Diva battling:


Lucy has a good lead:


Natashia is starting to break away from Diva:


Diva pushing up the last hill:


Start of the Men's race:


Going out hard:


Ased pushing on the 2nd lap:


The cheering squad; Hugh T, Deby, Jennie S, Coach Boob and Matty:


Jennie's favorite racers


The top three Senior Men and Women:
Men
1. Jerry Ziak
2. Jeff Martinson
3. Graham Cocksedge

Women
1. Lucy Smith
2. Natashia Filliol
3. Marilyn Arseneault

T got dropped off at home early this evening and we relaxed for a bit before walking down to Ferris' Oyster Bar to meet up with Pan-Pan, Linds, Diva and Squinch for some dinner, Maestro was able to join us a little later after his rehearsal.  We had a wonderful dinner and a great visit with everyone.  Squinch and Pan-Pan are hilarious when they get together, there is no letting up with them

Woohoo for Friday's – 48:08

September 29th, 2006

Other then it being the end of the month at work the day was pretty slow but I did have to work a bit late to run the month end stuff.

I made it out at lunch for a wonderful run to the Breakwater.  There were a ton of buses lined up in the cruise ship terminal waiting for the next ship to pull in, probably about twenty of them.

T came to work after school and hung out for awhile and then we walked home together.  We stopped by Scooter's work on the way to drop off some stuff for her and then made one more stop on the way.  We picked up my race backpack at Valhalla.  Very pumped about the bag, it is sooo light!

Tonight was pizza night at the Youth Centre, I snagged one piece and then bailed to go hang with Fish for an hour before heading back and picking up T and Haley.  We picked up a movie and some snacks before coming home and now those two are snuggled on the couch and watching “Sleepover”.

Plans for a Molè breakfast in the morning with the Fishers and then probably a wander downtown to waste some time before T goes to hang with her Big Sister for part of the afternoon.

The March for the Cure Slideshow

September 28th, 2006

It is over...  looking back at it now I am not sure how to feel.  Scooter and Packman were great, they are amazing speakers.  I felt very nervous and when Rob started to introduce me all I could think was “Crap!!!  Is it my turn to speak already???”.  I was able to muddle my way through it and hopefully did not mangle it too much, can't really remember what I said   Will definitely need much more practice with that before I feel even slightly comfortable with the public speaking - at least I didn't faint or anything.

For those of you that do read this and were there tonight, I need to set the record straight – I do not sing along to Hillary Duff songs, I don't even know who that is

We did have a great turnout, lots of friends and family and many others.  I think we had 90 to 100 people in the audience.  It was great to see so many familiar faces and even better to see the ones we didn't recognize.  We also had a great crew helping us out, Packman's wife Michelle and a friend of hers plus Jules and T.  We couldn't of done it without them!  T was running up a storm at the end trying to keep up to all the draw prize handouts.

We also owe a huge-huge-huge thank you to the Managers and all the staff at SilverCity for such a great venue!!!!!!

I am still a bit wound up from the evening but will hopefully calm down some after a nice shower and be able to get to bed at a decent time.

Back at the running tomorrow, will get out for a lunch run and then after work I think we have Haley H joining us for a sleepover and possibly another “High School Musical Dance Along” evening.

Here are a couple of my favorite pictures from the Gobi Slides:

The Night Before – 52:30

September 27th, 2006

There is a lot running through the head at the moment but with the presentation tomorrow and there not really being anymore practice time available I will just have to go with what I have.  I know I will be nervous I am just hoping that I won't be too nervous...

No lunch run today, too busy at work.  I did get out for one tonight - a nice cruise along Dallas Road.  I quickly got cleaned up after the run, had some dinner and then went for a wander to get out of the house for awhile.  While wandering I was running through my part of the presentation over and over again – must of looked the fool walking and talking to myself

More Prep – 49:52

September 26th, 2006

Got in a nice relaxing run at lunch, to the Breakwater and back.  My right quad is still feeling a bit tender but seemed fine while running.  It only seems to be bothering me when I am getting in or out of my chair at work???

After work T and I met the club at Beacon Hill for a quick visit and to get some stuff back to Doc C.  He had left some of his gear in the car from our Sunday run.  Later we went to Packman's place for our final meeting before the show on Thursday.  I will do a couple more runs through my stuff just to get more comfortable with it and then should be ready.

Will see how tomorrow goes but hope to get out for another run at lunch.

Big Pictures

September 25th, 2006

After work T and I came home for a quick dinner and then back out again to meet Packman (and his girls) and Scooter at SilverCity to work through some of the technical stuff for the presentation and make sure that the hook ups would all work.  The slides looked absolutely amazing up on the big screen, I can't wait for everyone to see them!  Have a few more days to prepare myself for being up on stage, and with a few more practices think I'll be ready.

No running today, couldn't quite fit one in and probably a good idea to take the day off anyway.  The right quad is still feeling tender from yesterday.  Will try and get out for a run at lunch tomorrow.

Firefighter's Elk/Beaver Lake 10k Trail Run – 53:36 – (3:51:27)

September 24th, 2006

An early morning, up and out to make it to Beaver Lake for a 6am meet with Doc C and Mark.  We carpooled from there to Caleb Pike for the start of our run.  I was pack running today, pack weight was somewhere around 13-15lbs.  We ran from Caleb Pike down to MacKenzie Bight, then up along the side of Mount Work to Hartland.  We took a pit stop there and then continued on, running down Hartland Road and getting onto the Interurban Connector and finally finishing at Beaver Lake just in time for the start of the Firefighter's run.

We had about a 5 minute break before the start, just enough time to refill my waterbottle and pin my number on.  At the sound of the siren I went out pretty hard – too hard – and by the time I got to the Rowing Centre my right quad was starting to cramp up.  I slowed down and got my breathing back in line and it relaxed, I was able to continue on at a slightly slower pace.  In the last 3km I slowed some more, I think between the pack and last weeks run the legs have had enough.  I did finish at a nice steady pace if somewhat slower and was very happy with my run.  Mark had a rough go on the last 10km, his calves started cramping on him right off the start and he just pushed through it to finish.  Doc C kicked some butt today, he passed me at about the 7km marker and finished strong.

A couple pictures from the run:

Doc C and Mark


Me and Mark (kinda dark – sorry)


Me and Doc C (kinda dark too – sorry)


I was feeling quite famished after driving Doc C back out to his truck so on the way home stopped and treated myself to another wonderful breakfast at Molè.  Then it was time to get home, clean up and relax – am actually in a state of pajamaness now and am feeling quite wonderful!  May throw some clothes on later and go for a wander but will wait and see how the afternoon goes

Fall is Here - The Fall Classic Workout that is...

September 23rd, 2006

Got up in time to make it to the Oak Bay track and watch the 1st Annual Fall Classic “workout”.  It was a low key but very high calibre track workout.  There were three “runs”, 3000m, 2000m and 1000m and with people like Lucy S, Oz, Hugh T, Gwyn W and Diva (just to name a few) doing the workout it was amazing to watch, I think Oz has learned how to fly!

Here are a few pictures from the Fall Classic:

The Fastees getting ready


Oz flying!!


Diva, Brad C, Patrick D, and Judith L


Hugh T looking very strong


John C and Gwyn W


Striking a “Diva” pose


Ased's little one with the best smile of the day


After the “workout” Deby and I followed Diva down to Willows to hang with her while she soaked her legs in the ocean for a few minutes and then the three of us went to Molè for some eats.  After breakfast I came home and relaxed for awhile before meeting up with Diva again downtown to wander, window shop (I saw the backpack I want to get for the Gobi, a Salomon Raid Revo 30) and get some very yummy gelato (I had the white chocolate raspberry flavour) – thanks again for the ice cream Diva!!!!!!!!!!!!

The evening has been spent at home catching up on a few chores and just lounging.  Will try to get to bed fairly early as I have plans to meet Doc C in the morning for a run.

No Wandering Today – 49:34

September 22nd, 2006

Nothing too exciting today...

I did make up for yesterdays mental lapse while running and today did make it out to the Breakwater for my run.  Took it nice and easy, a very cruisey day.

Had a couple of errands to run after work - a quick MEC visit and then into Frontrunner's to register for the Firefighters Trail Run.  I really enjoyed doing them on the bike - I have been able to cut down my driving to work to one day a week for the past couple of weeks since T has been busing it to school.

Did a bit more grocery shopping tonight and rented a movie.  The night will be spent at home lounging.

Another Dry Run – 46:41

September 21st, 2006

Scooter and Packman came by work early again this morning and we did a walk thru' on the slide show.  I think we will be able to get two more in together and I will get a couple more in just for me.  Out of the three of us I am the one that has the least amount of public speaking experience and definitely need the practice.

I did make it out for a run at lunch and while I had planned to run to the Breakwater, my mind was totally wandering and was not paying attention at all when I started out and by the time I realize that I was not going the direction I had intended I was already half way to Switch Bridge

T and I didn't get up to much tonight, did a quick grocery shop before dinner, then lounged for awhile before doing some tidying in T's room.

A Coach Boob Work Cruise – 45:32

September 20th, 2006

A slow rainy day at work today followed with a great run with Coach Boob, Doc C, Wayne and Diva.  I felt very good tonight, the legs are recovering very well.  Running with the Wednesday night gang was a treat, I have really missed this run!  Will try for a lunch run tomorrow, hope to get out to the Breakwater.

We are going to do another dry run of the slide show tomorrow morning – I need all the practice I can get

Slide Show Dry Run

September 19th, 2006

Had an early meeting at my work this morning with Packman and Scooter.  We used the meeting room to do our first dry run of the slide show.  Things went well and I think with a couple more and some practice on my own I should not be quite so nervous with it (hopefully).

No running today, a rest day after yesterdays test on the legs

It's a Mom night for T tomorrow so I will try and get out with the club for an easy run after work.

This evening was spent at home, T and I both did some homework and just lounged for a bit.

The Youth Centre is Open – 59:14

September 18th, 2006

I was able to get a nice easy run along the Songhees and a bit into West Bay while T was at the Youth Centre tonight.  Took it pretty easy at first feeling the legs out to see if there was any pain in them.  They actually felt quite good so after 15 minutes or so picked it up a bit to stretch them out some and kept the pace there for the rest of the way.

T was really excited about getting back to the Youth Centre, she got to hang with Jacob, Marie and a few of her friends from her old school.  I am sure this will become a regular Monday night event for T again.

Molè and Laundry Day

September 17th, 2006

I had thought that after yesterdays event falling asleep last night would have been easy but I think the short nap may of messed me up.   I had a hard time falling asleep and the last I looked the clock read 1:47am.  Waking up again at 7:45 surprised me, I was really looking forward to sleeping in

I made the best of it and after getting out of bed did some homework this morning.  I lounged in the house for awhile before heading downtown to treat myself to some breakfast at Molè .  I had a great breakfast, the ladies there always treat me very well!

After breakfast it was laundry time, I am still in shock at how many clothes T can go through in a week, ended up spending a few hours at the laundry mat.  When the laundry was finished I dropped by Scooter's place to see how she was feeling and to pick up a flute that she is lending to T.

Came home after all that and relaxed some then went for a wander down to Dallas Road and a cruise along the beach.

Will just lounge for the rest of the night.

Team Gobi's Great Lakes 56K Ultra – 9:02:48

September 16th, 2006

Waking up at 1:50am this morning was not so bad.  I had ended up going to bed just before 9pm last night and fell asleep fairly quickly – I was surprised it was that easy.

After getting a quick breakfast and walking out the door I made my way through downtown heading towards Packman's place.  It was just after 2am, closing time for the nightclubs and bars, and the streets were filled with people heading home for the night.  Only a few years ago, I would have been amongst the crowd heading home after a night at the club not the one who had just got up and was looking forward to running for a few hours

Picked up Packman and Scooter and we made our way upisland.  A quick stop at Timmy's in Duncan for a coffee and then on to Youbou.  Made it there around 4am and had a hour to check-in and get ready.

The race started at 5am and it was dark.  Of course not one of us brought a head lamp but it was not too bad, there was enough moonlight to see okay and tons of people around us did have headlamps.  We decided early on to do this as a team and run together the whole way.  Scooter set the pace for us and we ran a 10 and 1 (10 minutes of running then a 1 minute walk).  Once it got light enough to see well we realized how beautiful a course it is, on the logging road right along Lake Cowichan.

There were about 12 aid stations and each one had a different theme and volunteer team.  There was a competition going on to see which aid station could be the loudest and all the volunteers looked like they were having a great time.  It was amazing to get so much support!

We cruised pretty good for the first 35km, sang a couple of songs, played some games, and shared some stories along the way trying to keep ourselves entertained.  Packman has some good stories!

Both Packman and I were very impressed with Scooter - before today her longest run was around 2:30 and she totally demolished that.  She did get a couple of blisters but Packman taped her up.

The last 10km were hard but she pushed on

and finished with a smile on her face.

We streched out some and Scooter got her blisters taken care of then caught the shuttle back to Youbou to get the car.


Scooter wasted no time in getting into recovery mode falling asleep in the shuttle

After dropping Scooter and Packman off I came home got cleaned up and took a nap.  This evening I went to a movie with Squinch and his roommate Scott.

I Think I am Ready – 30:38

September 15th, 2006

Butterfly's...

I got in a nice easy jog this afternoon, an out and back along the Songhees to the Gazebo.  Just long enough to warm and loosen up the legs.

I came home right after work and had some dinner then spent a little time in front of the TV before getting all my stuff together for the morning.  I have got it all laid out by the front door so all I will need to do in the morning is get up, get some clothes on, eat, and head out the door – grabbing the stuff on my way by

The plan is to pick up Packman at 2:30am, head to Scooter's to pick her up and then we are on our way to Youbou.

It is just after 8pm now and I will be heading to my bed fairly soon to lay down and read.  Hopefully I will be able to fall asleep a wee bit early tonight.

Jazzercize it Away – 43:31

September 14th, 2006

T spent a few hours with her Big tonight.  They went to jazzercize and then for some eats after.  I spent the evening at home with a quick run along Dallas Road to warm the legs up and stretch them out some.

Will head to bed early tonight and try to get some extra sleep as it looks like tomorrows sleep is going to be a short one.  Need to be up extra early on Saturday to make it to Youbou for a 5am race start

Goodnight

And here is a shot of T's bruise:

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies are my Favorite! - 45:59

September 13th, 2006

It was another shorter mileage day, was able to fit in a lunch run an out and back to the Breakwater.  Downtown is much easier to run threw' now with far less bodies and vehicles to dodge.

After work T and I hung out at home some, getting dinner and chores done, then treated ourselves with a walk up to Starbucks tonight for a beverage and a couple of cookies - I love white chocolate and macadamia nut cookies!!!

We had a Team Gobi meeting tonight at Packman's work, T and I picked Scooter up on the way and the four of us spent a couple hours in Packman's office getting some stuff organized.  T was amazing, she is always sooo patient with me!

When we were picking Scooter up T took a bit of a tumble.  While helping out with Scooter's bike T kinda lost control and crashed, T now has a nice bit of road rash on her leg and it looks like she will get a good bruise too – will get a couple of pictures tomorrow to post so that all can see

Bad Dreams make for a Small Bed

September 12th, 2006

It turned out to be a very early morning.  T had some scary dreams last night and ended up crawling in my bed at 2am this morning.  She fell right back to sleep but is a huge bed hog so did not leave much room for me to get comfortable again

I bailed on another run today, had a meeting at lunch and no time for one after work.  The last couple of weeks have been pretty low on the mileage and I am feeling slightly guilty about it but it is probably a good break for the body.  Will get out for a lunch run tomorrow, then hopefully another on Thursday and one more really easy one on Friday before the race on Saturday.

Monday Madness – 49:35

September 11th, 2006

A cruise around Macaulay at lunch followed up with a couple T activities this evening.  She had a dentist appointment and then a 1st year Band meeting at the school.

Only a few days left until the Great Lake Ultra – feeling a bit nervous already...

Super Lazy Sunday

September 10th, 2006

The only real activity today was heading out to pick up T from Haley's place this afternoon.  I am feeling very tired today and spent most of the time laying on the couch napping.

T spent part of the day with her Big Sister, they went for a hike around Thetis Lake and made some plans for another outing later this week.

Even after laying around all day I am still feeling wiped out and will be heading to bed soon

Molé Breaky and Ryan's Grad

September 9th, 2006

T and I met James R at Molé  for breakfast and then wandered around downtown for awhile with him.  He is getting ready to take off again, traveling to India, France and Switzerland over the next few months.  T got an invite for a sleepover this evening and she jumped all over it, she spent the night at Haley's place...

Tonight was Ryan M's grad celebration!  Scott and Paul were the hosts and it was a formal theme.  Of course I did not know that so showed up in jeans, flipflops and a t-shirt only to turn around right away, head home and get changed.  I tried to talk Scooter into joining me but she had spent the day at the lake and was beat.

Here are a few pictures of the night:














And one of my favorites

A Repeat of the Breakwater – 47:46

September 8th, 2006

I made it out for another great lunch run, another out and back to the end of the Breakwater

It was no where near as foggy today but there was a very nice cool breeze coming off the water and it was really refreshing as I cruised out on the Breakwater.

We had a Team Gobi meeting this morning and got some plans laid and some issues sorted out   Scooter  had our tickets and posters for our slideshow printed and picked up today – they look amazing!  Scooter's friend Kim (whom Scooter referred to as “Camel Face”??) did all the graphic work for us and we owe her huge!!

T and I spent part of the evening delivering the tickets and posters to a couple of running stores around town and then home for the rest of the night only to find out that there is a special showing of “High School Musical” tonight, the dance along version.  Needless to say our furniture has been cleared out of the living room

Breakwater Blues – 47:34

September 7th, 2006

T's second day of self sufficiency with the school travel – very exciting!!

I made it out for a great lunch run, an out and back to the end of the Breakwater.  It was gorgeous downtown, much less foot traffic down there now with school back on and less tourists in town.  As I was running towards the Breakwater I had not been paying much attention but when I turned the corner by the Ogden Pointe Cafe all I could see was fog, it was low and heavy, you could not see the end of the Breakwater.  As I ran out on it there came a point when all you could see was Breakwater and ocean, kinda eerie...

No doubles for the past couple of weeks, with T not having any after school activities yet it has been hard to fit them in.  Things will start rolling next week, the Youth Centre drop-ins will be back on and T is going to look into some activities at the local Community Centre, might find one that interests her.

Bikes and Buses – 49:51

September 6th, 2006

She made it!  T's first full day of school and all on her own...  Took the bus to school in the morning and then a couple on the way home after school.  I was pretty nervous this morning and I did have her make a couple of check-in phone calls this afternoon but she did great and I had no reason to worry

Got out for a lunch run this afternoon, a loop around Macaulay.

I did ride my bike to work and really enjoyed the escape from the car.  Will continue with the bike transport and leave the car parked as often as I can.

1st Day of School

September 5th, 2006

T was very nervous this morning, she didn't know what to expect going to a brand new school and not having many friends there.  It was a very short day of school for her, only a couple of hours but by the end of it she had met a few “cool” people and ran into Mr. Ross who is a friend of ours so her whole attitude has changed and she is really excited about going tomorrow.  It will be her first day of doing it all on her own, riding the bus both ways and having a little home alone time until I get off work.

I think I am more nervous about tomorrow than she is

There was no training for me today, with all the running around for school and just some good hang time this evening it was a great day to take a break.

With T starting to take the bus tomorrow I will start riding my bike to work, no need to drive the car anymore since I am not needing to drop T off.  Will have to pack all my running and work gear up tonight so the morning won't be rushed.

Laundry Day – 1:16:12

September 4th, 2006

T and I both slept in some this morning - it felt wonderful!  After getting up we made a big breakfast and then headed to the laundry mat to get our massive pile of laundry done.  T was with me for most of the laundry expedition but then went with her mom to spend the afternoon hanging with her Aunt and Uncle.

After laundry I came home and relaxed for a bit before heading out for a run.  Cruised down Dallas road up to Trafalgar Park and back, it was a great day to be out running.  I love this late summer weather!

T got dropped off early this evening, we wandered up to Thrifty's and grabbed some food for dinner and then spent the rest of the night geeking.

Feeling Tired

September 3rd, 2006

I had got up early with the thought of heading out to the Lakes and get in a run but felt like crap this morning so instead laid back down.  I spent most of the morning resting, might be fighting some sort of bug?  I headed out this afternoon to pick up T from Shawna's, we came home for some lunch and then T went out with her Big Sister for a few hours, they went mini-golfing and for ice cream – T had a blast and is really looking forward to their next outing.

I spent the afternoon resting some more, hopefully whatever is making me so tired will be all cleared up tomorrow

When T got home we wandered up to Thrifty's for some grocery's then picked up a movie on the way home.

Got T's hair finished tonight, here are the final pictures:

A Back to School Prep Day

September 2nd, 2006

It has been a busy day!  We started the morning off with breakfast at Molè with Scooter and her friend Lexi then a quick visit in MEC before T's hair appointment at "Wiink" with Nikki.  I took off while T was getting her hair cut and wandered for a bit downtown.  Came back to a brand new girl!  Nikki even did some make up for T, made her look much older (thanks for that Nikki ), you can see the before and after pictures below.

After the hair we braved Wal Mart for some school supply shopping – uugghh! - then some lunch and a stop in at Mayfair for some more browsing and school prep shopping.

I dropped T off at Shawna's this afternoon for a sleepover and then came home to relax and made it another movie night.

Here are the before pictures:




And the after shots:




Unfortunately it was kinda windy when we took the after pictures but we still have one more step to go before T's hair is finished...  along with the schools supplies we picked up some hair colour - “Intense Auburn” - that we will put in tomorrow night.  We will take a few more pictures then, indoors, and have the final after shots

Beer, Pizza and Movie Night – 49:22

September 1st, 2006

Went for an amazing run at lunch, the weather was great and the traffic not too bad to wade through downtown on my way to the Breakwater.  A good cruise on the way out and then slowed up some on the way back in.

Tonight T and I are having a beer, pizza and movie night – no explanation needed for that one