Song of the day!

I just discovered Jessie Ware the other day and am loving this song!

http://youtu.be/u03f5Wnwff0

Bulletproof Executive and chocolate covered strawberries!

I'm currently on day 33 of the bulletproof executive diet. One of my coworkers turned me onto it. Interesting. No grains or dairy for 33 days, I've had sugar but only here or there (mostly in my chocolate! You're allowed 85% or higher chocolate!!) Its been working out so far. I've been PBing a lot with my running, once or twice with swimming and am lifting heavier with some things. Although, after having a great weekend of lifting at the gym I had my ass seriously kicked by my trainer on Tuesday. He reminded me bad lifting days are only around the corner :)

I will be having a few bourbons for the first time though on Friday night. I've not had a drink for almost two months, but, allowed to have spirits if they aren't mixed. Perfect! I love double bourbons on ice. And I shouldn't say "allowed". I'm enjoying this diet (not diet, lifestyle). Its making my more energetic, I'm no longer bloated, I find that I have better workouts, PBing my runs. Its worth continuing to see what else I can do with it.

 I've been riding a lot on weekends. Its been unbelievable weather in Vancouver the last couple months! A lot of extra fall mileage has been put on both my bikes. My cyclocross was "injured" but is back in action! I've no idea how but I completely bent my back wheel, the expensive one! It rides much better now that its fixed, and my chain is repaired and my front tire is tightened. I have a feeling I should take a course in bike maintenance and repair! Luckily I have someone on retainer that can fix my bike for me :)

 I've also been trying my hand at some yummy, and quite interesting, desserts. The cookies are simple recipe, honey, almond butter, pumpkin and spices, dropped onto a cookie sheet and baked. We've decided they'd be delicious frozen with coconut gelato between it!

I also informed of a super easy recipe for making chocolate, I thought, hmmmm, you could totally make chocolate covered strawberries with it! Yum, delicious. You have to leave in the fridge after it hardens but so delicious! I decided to make my own healthy pops, bananas with almond butter between, then dipped in chocolate! Delicious. Bonus picture, my cat's demon eyes. I was eating something, he wanted to know what and tried to make me share!

The chocolate was easy, double broiler (I used a small pot and small bowl), coconut oil, raw cocoa, honey. Boom! That's it! You need to play with it for thicker or thinner consistency. But its pretty basic and very easy. Have I mentioned how delicious too? Very!!

Whistler 50 - 2013

Once again my friend Thomasina, Anna and I took a couple teams to Whistler for the run and it didn't disappoint! Year two and my team (Get Ready for My Sweetness) took off 30 minutes from the previous year. Thomasina and Anna's team (Taste the Rainbow) took off 50 minutes. We had fun hanging out, it was WARM!!The morning started off as 0 degrees, yes, some frost but it was clear and by the time the last person was coming across the finish line it was 18 degrees. Did I mention this was October 19? Yes!! After I was mocked all week talking about Pure Bread non-stop, just about the entire team fell in love with the place (if you haven't been, go! Delicious!) I can't wait for Whistler 50 - 2014!

Vegas 2014!!

I'm currently on my couch watching the finish line of Florida Ironman. A girl I follow on facebook (A Fat Girl's Ironman Journey) is still out there with 2 minutes left to cross. Its inspiring watching the last few minutes, those last few people coming across that finish line, knowing they've been out there, on their own for almost 17 hours. Can you imagine? 17 hours swim, bike, run. Trying to hit each of the cut offs within time. Amazing!!!

2015 Whistler Ironman is still on my radar. For now, I'm registered for 2014 70.3 Half Ironman in Vegas, and, because so many of my friends have FOMO, I've a group of them coming down to do it as a relay! Woot! Very exciting. Although scary, never been to Vegas, must not wander Vegas while trying to focus on race, will get distracted!

Currently training for my first race of the year, UBC Tri-du (love that race!!). Actually, thinking of a run in West Vancouver the weekend before as my first official race but I guess my first triathlon will be the UBC Tri-du. I might have convinced people to do that one with me as well :) yes, I'm evil!

And yes, my injuries from the summer are starting to heal. I did a metric century last weekend on the bike, slow pace but felt great! I'm currently trying the Bulletproof Executive diet (lifestyle, its' not a diet) to see if this can help with weight loss and improve speed. So far so good but second time around trying it and currently on day six. No sugar, no grains, no dairy (I miss cheese) and no alcohol (I miss dairy more than my scotch and bourbon). Headaches are mostly gone :)  Doing my first brick tomorrow so we'll see how much its helping so far!

My non-athletic experiences of Ironman Whistler (what a fantastically fun day!)

As someone who took up racing two years ago, its amazing to think, I've never watched a race, not even when I tried to run a few years ago, I've never really watched a race from start to finish and since I withdrew from Ironman 2013 I wanted to still experience it. I've watched Ironman on TV since the early 80's and always thought, wow, one day I would need to try this, so it went on my imaginary bucket list. It was a wish but I never thought it would happen. Even watching an Ironman was on my bucket list and I was not disappointed!

I volunteered for beach assistance. I got up at 3am on Sunday morning, you could feel the excitement and nervousness in the air. I'm sure very few people who were doing Ironman slept the night before. I wandered out from my hotel about 4am, to my delight Starbucks was open! Grabbed a coffee and headed to the free shuttles. There were already a lot of athletes there getting marked (marking was happening near the T2 section), a full bus took off to the water and my bus was full when it left, it was barely 430am.

The mood on the bus was mostly up, nervous, the guy beside me was quiet, understandable! Then two Australians got on the bus, with sort of a Fuck yah mother fucker we're doing Ironman today attitude! I got there early and not surprisingly a lot of athletes were there already, I'd say about 1/3 of those participating in the day. When you looked at the lake it was calm like a bath-tub, steam was rising. It looked absolutely perfect for a morning swim!

My assignment that morning was helping the athletes out of the wetsuits as they came out of the water (strippers!) We didn't really have much to do until the athletes starting coming out of the water so we helped them until their wetsuits. I know its hard to get into one on my own so if we saw someone struggling we just went and start helping them. The elite men were to start at 650am, the women at 653am then everyone else in a mass start at 7am, no matter if they were in the water or not. They had to swim out 200 metres and tread water until the start.

One of the best parts of the morning (before the swim started) was the man who just saw his wife and daughter into the water for their first Ironman, then, the announced said broke the surprise, he was going to Ironman with them! This was probably the third time I cried that morning. It was pretty cool, he had secretly checked in his bike, gotten marked, brought his wetsuit. He had his trisuit on under street clothes, quickly changed and got into the water to a rounding applause from those that were on the water watching and all of the volunteers!! So exciting!!!

About 740 the first elite man was out of the water (HOLY SHIT!). The elites don`t want our help, the people that want our help are the newbies! Just before 8am the athletes started out of the water and our job started. Man was it fun! We were told if we hadn`t `stripped` wetsuits before we should watch a couple rounds and then jump it. It`s not overly difficult to do, just need to help them out when they come out of the water. Some were funny. After saying to one guy `don`t worry, we`ll have to stripped out in a matter of seconds` his response was, where have you been all of my life. Another older athlete said as were helping him out `please don`t lose my speedo`. One girl from Manitoba was so bad ass that she swam the entire thing in her bathing suit!!! She got serious props from all of us on the beach! Total badass.

I was mentally cheering on all of the athletes still in the water. They were starting the count down for when everyone had to be out of the water. Probably 20 people didn`t make it. Some because of medical reasons when they got out of the water. most because they were still in the water. At the cut off there were people just right there but weren`t allowed to continue (like, a second or two late). Ron Zalko (founder of Ironman Canada) said that if they wanted to try again next year he would pay for their entry fees!

We did some clean up and then I walked back up to the village. I watched some of the bikers pass and, wow, hams! As they passed people they would put their hands to their ears or wave their hand up in the air...wanting us to cheer them on. There were some impressive bikes (its like bike porn to me), amazing riders! I went and joined up with my friends that were there. My friend Erika bought me a cowbell! Woot! Now I could be really loud and annoying while cheering!

We wandered over to T2, watched some runners take off, then wandered over to the farmers market for a break, tea and turnovers then back to watch the action. We were hanging out for a bit watching the runners around the 4 or 5km point. We saw a few people with good sense of humor! A buy in a tuxedo t-shirt (actual bike shirt), one dressed up like a school boy, another as spider man and someone with a plaid shirt (again, an actual bike shirt!).

Then it was finish line time!! We were there early so we got to see the top men and women cross. Trevor Wurtele was the male and  Uli Bromme the top female. I know she spent the last few hours at the finish line as well! So very cool.

I got to watch a couple people finish their very first (don`t know if last) Ironman. Both were over 40, both had sub 12 hour 30 minute Ironman times! Impressive! I spent most of the next 5 hours at the finish line. Yacked to people from all over the world, some were there to cheer on random strangers (like me!) and some were there watch their family or friends come over the finish. Got to mock an American because he was complaining he couldn`t stop saying Eh! I told him it`ll never go away and he`s now officially a Canadian! There were also some French people who seemed to be violently cheering on their friends. Was pretty funny to hear and watch!

The last two hours of the finish line were the most moving, and tons of fun! About 10-1030 the finish line was 4 to 5 deep in spots, one to two deep in others. Runners came down the finisher chute high-fiving on both sides, one runner stopped and proposed to his girlfriend (she said yes). A mom came down and was greeted by her son (about four) dressed as Ironman. Another dad was joined by his five kids (all under the age of 7).

The last runner came across at 11:57 and some seconds. Then the countdown and the course was officially closed.

There are so many emotions that I felt that I haven`t shared, and might not. There are other stories I experienced that I haven`t shared yet. I also have pictures that I`ll share once I download them. It was a long day for me, not NEARLY as long as the athletes. Everyone, whether an 8 hour 40 minute finisher or 16 hour 57 minute finisher deserves as much admiration as possible! I do lean a little more towards the 16 hour 57 minute finisher though. Most were struggling, sweating, hoping to make each cut off. There`s a reason the crowds are bigger from the 14.5 hour marker and on. Random strangers cheering on random strangers. Seems like a perfect way to spend a lovely Whistler evening to me.

I feel so inspired to pick up the training and I`m going to make it to 2015. I`ll be in line Monday, July 28, 2014 to sign up! And PS, my hotel is already booked for 2014 to volunteer again!

Song of the moment

More like song obsessed with right now! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-7lUTFuutU

I know, I do like my house music. This song reminds me of hot summer nights, after hours location so sweaty that the walls and ceilings were dripping, music pumping until 6am. Walking home at 7-8am with a smile on my face from dancing and hanging with my friends.

UBC Triathlon, less training, extra 12lbs

Two weeks after Subaru Triathlon I did the Point Grey UBC Triathlon. What can I say, I'm addicted to racing. Because this one was a qualifier for the 2014 Worlds Sprint and Duathlon there were a lot of Olympic caliber athletes plus it was probably less "snoby" than the Subaru Triathlon. The short triathletes (what I did) were cheering each other on. I think there was about 60-68 in the short. Most were really chatty, gabbing on the pool deck waiting to start. Over half were probably doing their first triathlon, or at least it sounded like that from the nervous discussions happening. The swim was great! 3rd overall in my age group, then 3rd over all in bike, dropped to 5th in run (slow!) dropping me to 4th overall in my age group. I was ecstatic to hear that! I'm getting better but still haven't decided what I might do after I do all of the different lengths, distance or sprint?

I've been doing less training over the last few weeks, which shows when I get my BMI done. Oops, Might have put on a couple (12) pounds. Yes, I probably was eating my kitchen but when I trainer asks, its water weight.

First open water swim completed

Just before my swim

I took part in the Subaru Triathlon mid-July. I was to do the half Ironman distance but with my sore joints and issues with my knee I dropped down to the Sprint. Thank god I did!

Just out of T1

The open swim was terrifying! It was my first one I've done and I should have taken my friend's advice and counted to ten before I started into the water. Something is blocking me from being able to put my head underwater like normal to swim. I had to do this half frightened, half normal swim to make it through! One woman actually stopped to ask me if I was ok. I made it around to the last bend and was passing other swimmers that weren't as strong, not going that straight and swimming on their backs. Since I've done all pool triathlons before this, needless to say I was thrown off a little bit! When I made it out of the water and I start stripping the wetsuit off (it has a fantastic up and tear release instead of pulling the zipper back down to release) and had no desire to run, was pretty exhausted from the swim, not the swim itself but the nerves that overtook me. That's when I saw a number of my friends on the beach, one of which made a sign for me! WHAT?!?! First time someone's every made a sign for me at a race! Yah, I felt kind of awesome and at that point started to run for my bike!

Heading to the finish line!

I'm still pretty slow with T1 but felt pretty good when I got on my bike. It was the first time Spanish Banks hill didn't feel much like a hill! The bike route was nice, easy (ish) and well marked. When I got to the end of Camosun and at the turn around the point  couple of my friends where there cheering me on! The ride felt great, was one of my quickest 20kms I've done even with training. Coming down Spanish Banks I just let go. I knew there'd be no one on the road besides other bikes and it could have been the quickest I've come down that hill! My friends waiting for me at the transition point said I came back in before people who had left before me. My T2 was much quicker, although the joints were getting sore now!

And I'm done!

I didn't  think my run was that fast. The run is what I need to work on the most if I want to place top three in my age group, ok, top ten! Run ended up being one of my quicker 5km runs in general!

I did the race in 1 hour 44 minutes, about 8 minutes faster than my last sprint race! Woot! that's with a very slow swim.

Night before my first open swim!

So, when asked today if I've been in the open water yet with my triathlon, my response was no. my first freak out in my wetsuit will be tomorrow morning, while I'm doing my first open swim DURING AN EVENT! I'm not the smartest person in the world when it comes to these things. Unluckily I'm injured, luckily I was able to switch from the Half Ironman to the Sprint (big drop) but it was that or not do it at all. I contemplated doing the Olympic but the advantage for me of doing the Sprint, much shorter swim! Since this is my first open swim, means much less panic!

My baby is checked in and ready to go. I shined her up a bit before I left today (she's number 1015 and her name is Pearl!)

I'm looking forward to the race, its a tough sprint then I've done before (tough due to the open swim and Spanish Banks hill) but I'm really looking forward to it! I'll take it easy because of my injury (right now I say that, who knows what'll happen tomorrow morning!) and I look forward to attempting a finish of 1 hour 45-50 minutes!

My decision to withdraw from Ironman....for this year only!

I'm withdrawing from Ironman, but I'm not down and out. I'm injured and for once I'm listening to my body because I know how much I could damage it if I continued with the high volume of training you need to do for Ironman. I'm currently trying to go from the Half Ironman to Olympic for what could be my last race of the year (road, bike and triathlons). I'm going to rest for a week and then do light workouts. Will judge how my body feels because there are so many road races I want to do before the end of the year! Three pop to mind right now. Don't want to miss the Whistler 50 especially, such a fun weekend!

I still plan on going up there that weekend with a couple of good friends. I want to volunteer, watch the finish line, cheer on a co-worker who's also going through his mid-life crisis and has decided to do the Ironman this year. Hell, maybe I'll get to be one of the people that either strips off people's wetsuits or lathers them up with lotion...I mean suntan lotion!

I didn't go into Ironman training thinking maybe or that it might be too much for me...I went into it thinking, fuck yah! Even though I have to withdraw I'm stronger than I've ever been, I've done things this year I never thought I would be doing three years ago! Hell, my endurance is at levels I never thought possible for where I was in my life three years ago!!

I don't want anyone thing, awww, poor Jen! You were so close. No, I'm closer, closer than I've been! I did a marathon this year. Holy crap! That in itself is enough for me to think, wow, what an amazing year! A went through hell and back and that took me only 4 months to do. I think an extra year or two to do Ironman, well, its par for the course. Its something I've always wanted to do, ever since I was a kid watching it in the 80's on TV. I thought, what the hell is this crazy thing? I must do it sometime! Yes, I might even go to Kona one year (you can fundraise you way into the race! I know someone else that wants to do and a few of my friends that want me to do it, Mr. Manager(s)!)

And yes, I'm still expecting to trick many of you into training with me, or continuing to train with me. I'm like the borg collective, resistance is futile!! Here's to August 30, 2015! I'll be MORE ready, hopefully less injured and stronger than ever! Not only will I do Ironman, I'll own it!

Fuck yah!

Summer anthem!

I didn't know Kylie had come put with a new song, hot!!!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsKBuR11Cvw

Friday started with PB and ended with chickens!

No really! Yesterday was a fantastic day. I was going to bike to the base of Grouse Mountain before doing the Grouse Grind but took the bus with my bike instead.  I wanted to try for a PB. I managed it but it sure didn't feel like it was going to happen. A lot of tourists on the Grind, as well as kids (but very well behaved kids!) and even a couple 20 somethings that thought they could do the grind in flip flops and tight jeans. Really? It even says at the bottom its hard! I was happy I took a little over one minute off my last PB! 

I had my cyclocross bike instead of my road bike (was starting my search - finally - for my wetsuit) and was utterly shocked that I was so fast coming down Grouse Grind!! I was Queen of the Mountain!! He he, never sure when it's going to happen again so I had to take screenshot! Yes, I was super happy about it. I also did the Lion's Gate Bridge ON MY OWN! If you know me you know how terrified that bridge makes me. I started going fast on the downslope on the other side and started repeating "too fast too fast too fast". I wasn't going that fast.

After I calmed down a bit I headed over to Pacific Multisport. The owner was funny. As he handed me a wetsuit he thought might work he said "welcome to your first traumatic experience trying on a wetsuit". Didn't help that I was sweaty from the Grind and it was humid out. I walked out of the change room swearing because I couldn't get it up all the way. It fit but not properly around the neck and he didn't want to sell it to me. I might end up having to settle as they don't really make girls wetsuits for larger women. Maybe large women don't do triathlons?

My day ended with chickens so it was pretty good! I went for a run after dinner in my neighbourhood and was stopped in my tracks when I saw the chickens in the lawn! I've been on that street running a couple times, never saw the chickens! The neighbour saw me stop to take the photos and was giggling, probably happens a lot.

All and all, was a pretty good day off work! Who says you can't have fun exercising?

Who said Monday's were bad?

Had today off so got in 4125 metres of Kits Pool, in the pouring rain (outdoor heated), followed by one loop of the UBC Hill then a 10km run. To be fair, I had an hour break between the bike and run. Was overly hungry when I got home! Realized I hadn`t eatten much since lunch the day before.

I`ve been running to my heartrate and it seems to be finally working! My heartrate is remaining steady and my pace is getting (every so slightly) faster! This training to my heartrate is for one purpose, to be able to run a less than 5 hour marathon for....the Medoc!!!  You need to be able to finish a marathon in 6.5 hours, and this one is with wine, so, I better be able to finish it in 5 hours because I have a feeling I might be a little (lot) drunk by the end of it!!

Yes, I know there are other benefits as well to running a faster marathon, but, for now, this is the goal!! I`m only sad the theme for this year isn`t for next. Le sigh!

Newly discovered song of the day!

I need to get off the Hed Kandi channels on youtube. I didn`t realize Kelly Rowland was featured in this song a couple years ago, I`ve a new hill training song! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3skLy7fngs

Song of the day

I'm loving this song right now! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IJELRVYVMA

Panic attacks, cramps, and long weekend!

I know, maybe too much information in that title, but its true! I took a long weekend and it was fantastic to be able to train and rest all at the same time. Today, different story, but only because, well, cramps! I was balled up on my couch for most of the day, off for a much needed massage and then back to being balled up on the couch :) I did make some delicious roasted almonds tonight though! Raw/organic almonds tossed in MCT oil, a bit of local/raw honey and raw/organic cocoa. Yummy!!!

I'm still off tomorrow so its long swim, short bike, long run, find wetsuit day! Should be fun!!

The closer I get to Ironman the more panic attacks I have. Funny though, I'm having more panic attacks about the half ironman in July (three weeks away) then I am for Ironman. I do need to start running long again. I've been lazy, doing the Grind in place of my runs. I need to get back into running. There are times I want to just totally quit all of the training and then I found this video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhsDOiDEXzc  I can't help but tear up (cry a lot) every time I watch this video. So moving and impressive. I want to go to Kona one year to watch, but I want to watch the last four hours of people coming across. What's really moving? When the oldest man in the race comes across the finish line and he looks as fresh as if he just did a 5km run!!!! Amazing what the body can do when you train year after year.

Training is going...well....

Depending on the day you talk to me, either fantastic or absolutely horrible. Some days I want to just give up and quit, other days I think, FUCK YAH, its amazing what I can do! And then I have a bad day again. This past week was a horrible training week, except for one thing, the Grouse Grind. For some reason I started off really slow and ended up doing really well (did it three times this week between everything else). I've gotten really lazy with my running and have replaced my 10km runs with doing the Grouse Grind. I know, I'm doing the Grouse Grind because I'm too lazy to do my 10km runs, but, in my brain it makes sense!

Anyway, the week of training started off on Sunday (Saturday my body decided it just want to sleep ALL DAY LONG). I biked to the top of Grouse Mountain with Jamie, then did the Grouse Grind with Andrea. The bike down was certainly more enjoyable then the ride up. The scariest part, coming across the Lion's Gate Bridge! I hate that bridge, with a passion. I was shaking when I came across, then the "fun" of the climb came up. I maybe wanted to die when I got to the base of Grouse, but I still did the grind and my friend Andrea had a big bottle of water waiting for me at the top!

Wednesday, while biking around Stanley Park, 4kms into the park I heard a giant POP like a firecracker. Blew out a tire, not just the tube but the actual tire as well! Good times. I had to carry it back to my work to deal with the next day. Annoying but I did feel a bit like a bad-ass walking out of Stanley Park carrying my bike on my shoulder. Have I ever mentioned it doesn't take much to amuse me? No? Well, its true! I was also blown away by someone offering me a lift of the park! Faith in humanity, restored!

I've a four day weekend that I'm using for extra training and sleeping, with probably a lot of eating. Here's to a great run this weekend, I will not do the Grouse Grind, well, I might on Monday but I won't do it as my 10km run!

Peanut butter on the Grind!

Big PB on the Grouse Grind today. It was pouring rain,a little chilly and surprisingly full of tourists wearing jeans and fuzzy cotton pants. I went with my friend Andrea who beat me up the grind but was quite shocked when she say me come over the top because I wasn't that far behind her.

1.07.06!!!! That's about five minutes faster than my peanut butter from last year! Felt good. I only stopped long enough to take a gel at the halfway point so that in itself it's another PB!!! One stop all the way. First time over done that so pretty exciting!!!

Break from training today

Saw the new Star Trek movie Into Darkness. Amazing!!! Can't say anything due to twists but amazing!!

Mini brick done tonight!

Did my first brick for a while. Since it was my first run since the marathon I kept the whole thing short. Felt pretty good! Will go for another run in the morning. It's almost the end of the second week after the marathon right?

Song of the day!

So, this past weekend I decided I was going to cycle around Vancouver Island. I ended up having a serious self doubt moment. right when I did, this song came on my iPod. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvO6XnDYmR4

First Grouse Grind of the year

And luckily the rain held off! It poured while biking downtown on my easy to meet the girls. Erica was doing her first grind as well. Andrea, she's one of those crazy bastards that's wanted to do to in one day so she was doing her second one of the day with us.

After we renewed our annual passes we took to the hill. Wasn't raining but pretty muggy and warm. Long sleeve shirt came off at the quarter marker. did pretty well for my first one. Just decided to take it slow, no rushing. I've lord of time to work on my PB this year.

The trail looked great. Some running water in the last quarter but otherwise the trail was pretty good! Can't wait bb do it again on the weekend!

Ride to Victoria!

So I decided to celebrate my marathon I world ride to Victoria! Well....I got the bus to the ferry and then rode to Victoria. Except for getting lost a few times it was pretty amazing!

Just some of the pictures. More to follow!!

First marathon done!!!

It was quite the ride to the start line and a journey to the finish. 

I started the morning about 430am. Tried to eat my oatmeal but nothing was going down. Managed to have my normal coffee, stretch, foam roll, and packed a smoothie for the road. I tried to keep my pre-run routine as normal as possible. It was just another run, right?

I got to the event about 630am to cheer on my friends doing the half marathon, some for the very first time! I was proud of each and everyone one of them for doing the half and the full, even in the heat! My friends were off about 720am (10,000 people to get through the start line, takes a while!) and I was off for a pottie break. I was nervous. Everything I had been working for and towards for the last 4 months was to come to light. Would I be ready or not, even if not, I was doing it.

I found my friends I had been running with the last four months. We nervously lined up. I checked facebook about 745am to find out that the leader of the half marathon was already in Stanley Park and likely to finish shortly after we were to start (turns out, he set a course record of 1 hour 4 minutes. I don`t even run a 10km that fast! Holy that`s fast). The gun went off and we were off. Wow! It still hadnt`t hit me that I was actually running a marathon but I was going with it.

We turned onto Cambie down to 49th. While on 49th Chef Tojo was out cheering us on! I also saw the best sign on this stretch "You have great endurance, call me!" Made me laugh about the 7km marker. Everything was going great then Camusen (sp) Hill. Halfway up the hill there was a "dry shower" to the left, "wet shower" to the right. kids were out with a hose hosing anyone of the runners off that wanted to cool off.

I was feeling really great until about 16 or 18km then the heat and boredom hit. Its really boring around the back of UBC and in around the Southlands area. Not much in the way of crowds (random people were out cheering), not much in the way of bands, no cheer groups. Then at 20km I had to start walking. The heat was getting to me, my foot was getting a little sore and for the next 10km I had to talk myself into continuing the marathon. I was feeling heatstroke, delirious, moments of self-doubt. There were two other girls that kept passing me and then I would catch up and pass them. I decided about the 26km marker that I would make sure they were always in my sight.

Two km before the Burrard Bridge and the 30km point my heatstroke was worse. I was trying to not be sick, although I thought, if I could just be sick then I won't need to continue. Once I got over the bridge back into downtown I started feeling ok again. The crowds were thin at this point as I was the back end of the marathon runners, but there were still people out cheering on the runners. Once we hit the seawall runners going opposite way were high-fiving me. I had people stand up from benches cheering me on, I started to feel a surge of energy. I was tracking my race on my Nike app on my phone and around the 21 mile marker, I actually started to go faster! I think that was the motivational mile around the Seawall. There were quotes up from around BC from random people to keep you. These were great although I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw the Gandalf quote! Dead in my tracks and cracked up! Really! A Gandalf quote!

I came around the last corner of Stanley Park and saw downtown, close, so close. I was 2km away at this point. Marathoners who had finished before me were at the last corner before I came to Pender Street (and the finish line) and cheering me and the others who were yet to finish. At the coral to the finish line three of my friends were waiting for me, two up ran up one side, one the other. I had another group of friends cheering me on about 50 metre from the finish line and then three of my friends were waiting for me on the other end of the finish. It was great!

I had just finished my first marathon and what did I do before I even got my medal, fell to the ground, might have kissed it too. I had a first aid guy come running over to make sure I was ok or if I wanted a wheelchair. To be honest, I wanted to sit in the wheelchair and have my friends take my picture of me getting my medal that way, would have been pretty funny. As soon as that medal was round me I was drinking the fireball, yummy! Re-hydrating like a boss.

I felt reborn after I did the marathon, like I had died at the 28km marker and came out the other side, changed, victorious. This was a special moment for me, it wasn`t just finishing the marathon, it was conquering something in myself to continue, to finish no matter the time it took me to do it. Will I do one again (not attached to Ironman that is)...hell yes!!! I plan on doing it next year with my friends Selina and Erica. Both were to do it this year with me but unfortunately got injured (one broke her foot rushing the stage at the VSO!). I have a good feeling both are going to be in great shape for the marathon and I`ll be there to cheer them both across the finish line!

My first BMO Marathon pictures!

First full and halfs!

Emily and me!

Me and the pink and blue girls!

OH MY GOD! ITS ABOUT TO START!

DONE!

Like a boss

A gift from Andrea for finishing my first marathon

Wait! One more album for the playlist on Sunday!

I MUST have my favorite album from 1987 (I'm old, what of it!). I love the Tango in the Night album by Fleetwood Mac. I actually wore out that record I played it so much. this was one of my favorite songs from the album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOYIGntnS7o

I'm going to be that really annoying girl running the 5-5 and a half hour marathon belting out tunes at the top of her lungs! Another reason I love having Great Big Sea on my running playlist, especially for races! Like this one, hehe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_LEBZHP2OA

This one especially had gotten me up the Grouse Grind a few times last year (that and the thought of the delicious California Salad and Raspberry beer at the pub!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVTsoOO581w If you heard someone belting Great Big Sea out at the top of their lungs, yes, that was probably me!! As well as this one (had enough yet?) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kqz6mLRYHj4 Oh me or my I think I'm going to die! I wish I'd never taken this excursion around the bay! HEY!

OK, there is another one, but I won't post it, go look up Old Black Rum! the Old Black Rum's got a hold on me like a dog wrapped around my leg, and the old black rum's got a hold on me, while I live for another day....hey!! while I live for another day! IIIIIIIIIIIIII drank 16 doubles for the price of one trying to get the courage to talk to one....(you can see why I like belting these songs at the top of my lungs??)

Really, I'm just playing on youtube procrastinating. If I don't go to sleep the week will stretch out and Sunday will come later rather than sooner, right? (no, I've not been into my scotch, that's being save for Sunday night!)

Working on my marathon playlist

For those that know me know that music is very important to me. Probably comes from the fact I was born in Cape Breton, love and feel of music is in my blood. Music has gotten me through many hardships, helped me celebrate joy, this time, it's going to help me run!

My playlist so far contains some ACDC, Hed  Kandi, Great Big Sea, bellydance music (that is for when I'm bored and need to create a new choreography to keep the brain distracted) and for sure the entire Book of Mormon Musical soundtrack! You only don't know what that is if you live under a rock and are not fans of South Park. Never heard of it? Check this out! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhRwxCm7bV8 Hasa Diga Eebowai!! Or this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ltwEJgqXQw Turn it off! Like a light switch, just go click, it's a cool little Mormon trick!

One week to go!

Last long run today before the marathon. If you said to me even a year ago I'd be running the marathon I'd say you were nuts!! It's also been on my bucket list to do but I never realized that I'd love it so much! Who knew this sort of endurance running would be satisfying and even liberating! Using the word liberating might seem strange to you but liberating as in I really feel like I can do anything. Getting to the start line it's the biggest thing I've ever done. Finishing it will be the second biggest.

Song of the day

Daft Punk is back! Love their new song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NV6Rdv1a3I

Got my bib number!

Excited. Got my bib number today for BMO Marathon! Terrified and excited about it. Terrified because I always feel that way before a race and excited because it's my very first marathon! I've not even done it yet and I'm contemplating doing a 50km race next year. What the hell is wrong with me! Well. I know what's wrong with me. Mid life crisis! Well. It's too late now to get the little red sports car!

One more reason I don't like the medals

Well, two, they're gender specific, why I don't know. The man looks happy to have crossed the finish line and just completed either a half or full. The woman looks like she could care less! I'm probably going to ask for a man's medal!

Don't really like the medals for my first ever Marathon

Alright, I'll be honest here, when I got the sneak peak of the medals last night for the BMO Marathon I thought, wow, that's ugly. I don't like the distinction between male and female runners (I can't remember if it was the same last year for the half) and I don't like that the male runner looks happy to cross the finish line and the female runner could care less. Maybe its the way they were photographed but I think they look on the cheapish side.

Maybe I'll feel differently when I cross the finish line and the medal is (universe willing) placed around my neck but for now, I'm not impressed.

Don't even get me started on the shirts......

Vancouver Sun Run....harder than I wanted to let on.....

My run today proved to me how much harder the Sun Run was for me than I first thought. I'm not saying the Sun Run is a very difficult race for me now with my Marathon training, just that after almost two weeks off and only running one 3km before the Sun Run, I could feel the 10km in mu run this evening. My legs were like wood for the first 4kms of my run then I was able to relax into it. It was a beautiful night tonight, first run with just a tank top on! 15 degrees and gloriously sunny! Along with cherry blossoms, as you can see behind me on this street in my 'hood!

Vancouver Sun Run fun!

The Sun Run was a blast today. I managed to run the entire thing without on break (injured/weak toe), didn't PB but did extremely well! They got going slowly with letting everyone across the start line but all and all, very fun day!

Hurrah! Running is back

I FINALLY went to get my for checked and now I'm kicking myself for not going earlier. I need to strengthen my foot. Nothing broken or fractured! Woohoo! I went for a run last night and it was fantastic. My foot is currently taped to hold it in proper position and I have a few exercises I need to do but....back to running! BMO marathon back on track! Frick....two weeks to go.

I can run!

At least I was told to try a short run and then try the Vancouver Sun Run! Weak muscles are the culptet. If I can strengthen them I might be on track again. Amazing.

I went for a celebration coffee after my physio appointment and was told I was glowing......that's how happy I am! Here's hoping my short run tomorrow is ok! I have a feeling it will be. I guess that means no more sulking and no more junk food to make me feel better!

V02MAX test done.......

This time on the bike. My ass hurts! It was pretty interesting though. Can't wait for the results on Saturday!