Ice. It sucks when you're trying to run on it, but it's beautiful in the woods!

I tried to do another Around the Bay training run.  Actually I did two.  Saturday wasn't too bad, but Sunday was downright awful.  I literally could not run on the sidewalk.  I could barely walk on the sidewalk!  It was more like a shuffling, sliding, gingerly picking my way across treacherous ice kind of approach.  Finally I thought, I am training for a race and to do that I actually need to run.  So I ran on the road.  Oh, I know what lots of you smug car drivers thought.  Why is that crazy woman running on the road? Does she want to get killed?! I admit I have thought the same myself.  But if you tried to run on the sidewalks you would understand.  So, please, drivers - cut us crazy runners some slack!

But on another note altogether, the ice, while seriously annoying on sidewalks, is amazingly beautiful elsewhere.

Elton John Live!

Recently I saw Elton John in Hamilton, Ontario.  I really haven't listened to his music in a long time, but I thought it would be a great opportunity to see a music icon.  He didn't disappoint me.  It was a great show visually and acoustically.  He is an unbelievably talented piano player; I am amazed by what he can do on a keyboard.  And the hits!  I forgot so many of the songs he has written.  Going to the concert, I had in my mind 'Crocodile Rock', 'Tiny Dancer', and 'Benny and the Jets'.  I had completely forgotten about one of my all-time favourites: 'Your Song'!  I love Ewan McGregor singing this in Moulin Rouge.  But there was also 'Leave On', 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road', 'I'm Still Standing' and 'The One' among many others.  Great concert!

Scenes from a Winter Run

If I had to sum up this winter in one word it would be: icy.  It has been very hard to train for Around the Bay outside.  Tonight I did a training run.  It had to be a long, slow run due to the ice.  But I felt good.  Possibly because I couldn't run fast, but let's not think about that.  My friend and I also ran the dreaded Valley Inn Road hill on the weekend.  We were pleasantly surprised to find out that it wasn't near as steep or as long as many of the hills we run in our usual trail routes. I realize that after 27 K of running, we will still be cursing the hill just as much as I cursed Martin Rd hill after the third time I had to run it during my ultra marathon.  Still...it's nice to dream.

 

'Diagnosis: Children' - Baby Blues Comic Strip

I love this comic!  I can relate to it in so many ways, and it makes me laugh.  It's by Rick Kirkman and Jerry Scott.

I can't find the one I just read in today's Hamilton Spectator (that darn competency issue), so I'm going to have to quote it.

The mom is at the doctor's office, and she's saying: "I've noticed that I'm cranky more often than I used to be.  I'm not eating very well, I'm sure I don't get enough sleep...plus, I'm anxious, disorganized, and I can't seem to get anything done!"

"Diagnosis: children."

Thank goodness it's not just me!

Indie Music: Portugal.The Man.

Strange name for a band.  GREAT song.

 

Running, Wonderful Running!

This is why I love running.  Against all expectations, I just had a great run.  It is -11 degrees but it feels like -17 degrees.  Still, I am training for a 30K race in March, and time is ticking.  (And by 'training', I mean hoping to run enough so I can finish the race without injuring myself and taking twenty-four hours to do it.  I work full-time and I have three kids, and my kids each have lots of activities.  Lots.) 

Anyway, every time I start training for a race, I download a training schedule and insist that THIS time, I am going to follow it to the letter.  Except that I don't.  Something always gets in the way.  I have been diligently cross-training, but it has been hard to get outside to run with all the ice.  And the cold temperatures. 

But tonight, I decided that nothing was going to stop me.  I decided to bundle up and hope for the best.  I wore two layers on my legs, four layers on my top, two pairs of gloves, an ear band, a hat, and a face cover.  And I felt warm (once I started running).  Even though I prefer trail running, I ran on the road tonight.  For some reason, it felt great and I even felt what to me is the 'runner's high'.  I am running along, and it just feels easy and good, and suddenly I can see a long way in front of me and I just want to sprint it.  I focus on a point way ahead, and run steadily and quickly toward it.  It's a great feeling.  I've heard a 'rule of thumb' is not to run if it's colder than -10 degrees.  I am Canadian though, and it was all good!

Bring on the race.

Is This The Stupidest Video Game that Ever Lived?

My sons love this game.  It's very complex.  You just click on the cookie.  That's it.  You get points for how many times you click it!  There is nothing else to it.  They say it's addictive.  I have obviously done something very, very wrong.  This is a completely mindless game.  Could it be the stupidest video game that ever lived?  Unless you look at it as an extremely challenging thumb exercise...  I'm going to go download Scrabble or Boggle. Right now.