And the Race is On...

Snow, Snow, Snow. I am getting tired of all the snow and like most Canadians we start dreaming of warmer weather. In five weeks we will be heading to Texas where it is currently in the low 20's (80's if y'all are Fahrenheit), for a visit with my sister's family and our first race of 2014. 

Rhythm & Blues Race Feb 9, 2014

Part of me thought of waiting and get back at it on New Year's Day but why wait? Why not start today. I would love to have braved the roads with Grant today but it is too slippery (Ice Storm 2013) for me and too much risk. (I hear the warnings of the doctors in my head and for once I will listen); so the treadmill and I have a date later today.

Grant Running 12/28/2013

Since I haven't really been running in the last 3 months I am going to have to kick it into gear. Only 5 weeks to race day. At least I was able to switch my registration from the half to a 5k. I am a little disappointed as it would have been my first half but I will be thrilled to just to cross the finish line at this point and thrilled the organizers allowed me the switch. 

Registration for popular races are starting to open up: The Run or Dye race opened yesterday for the those who preregistered and the Tartan Twosome opens on New Year's Day. 

Tartan Twosome 2013

So I'm thinking, why not run a race every month of 2014? After all, it is starting to shape up that way. What a great way to help keep me motivated, especially through these long winters months.  I don't want it to feel like all work and no play so I plan on doing a couple fun runs, a new race or two and the ones that got me hooked in the first place. Will I do a Half this year?Probably not now. I think I will save that one for 2015.

Well, that's my plan now to get working on it. Here's to a fit and fun new year.

I May Be Slow, but I'm Faster Than a Couch Potatoe

A Slow Runner - that's what I am.
Although that does not mean I forever and always want to be labeled as such. My goal is to run a 5k race under 30 minutes. My first 5k race was last summer and I was one of the final 3 to cross the line, clocking 38:58 min. I have been working hard, but lately, most days it feels like I am getting no where in my progress. My friends had signed up for a fun run/ charity race and I didn't ...until the last minute. I hesitated for weeks because I was nervous that I would not do well. Days before the race something clicked in my brain and I realized I was approaching my running in all the wrong ways. With all the motivation posts/ blogs/ memes floating around how could I ever doubt my abilities? and yet I did. 

Mr & Mrs. before the race.

The race was crazy fun. Tropical Storm Andrea was hitting the Atlantic provinces on the day of the race. I could have backed out but a true runner goes out rain or shine. So I psyched myself up for it, had my coffee, banana and bagel breakfast and piled in the car with my two comrades and head for the PEI Runway Run. 

Comrades: L to R Grant and David

A damp Day: 10C, 70km/hr winds/ heavy rain. Approx. 300 runners line the runway waiting for the signal. We were soaked before the gun went off. I stayed at the back of the pack while the boys went ahead. Many people were passing me but I kept a good steady pace. I had my tunes playing and miCoach guiding me, I was in the zone. By the first km I started inching on some of those who raced out of the starting line. That felt good. To be able to pass people was something I never imagined, especially in those weather conditions. I reached the 4km mark ahead of my anticipated time and realized if I push it just a bit more I can shave a minute of my 5k record. 


36:17 mins. That's what my finish time was. I was riding a high for the rest of the weekend. A new PB. 2 1/2 min faster than my last race. I couldn't be happier. Chilled and Soaked but over the moon with excitement. I may not do a sub 30min 5k this year but I am well on my way and not giving up on the possibility. 

drying off and all smiles. 

The Mayonnaise Jar

I heard this story earlier today. I always enjoy a little perspective.

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day is not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and two cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.  

When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and fills it with golf balls.  He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.  The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured it into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.  He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.  He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “YES”.  The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

“Now,” said the professor, as the laughter subsided, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - God, family,
children, health, friends, and favorite passions. Things, that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the things that matter like your job, house, and car. The sand is everything else -- the small stuff.” he said.

“If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “There is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you...” he told them.

“So... pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Worship with your family. Play with your children. Take your partner out to dinner. Spend time with good friends. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the dripping tap. Take care of the golf balls first -- the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.
The professor smiled and said, “I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.”

So glad I called a friend up and encouraged her to come over and have coffee with me last night. 

I don't care how poor a man is; if he has family, he's rich.

We went home for the Christmas. While some things change over the years many things stay the same. Our family is big, loud and leaning very close to crazy.

Family lingering over coffee after a yummy feast

It's a whole different world back in Hartland. With a language all it's own. You have to pay close attention or you will get lost in translation. I am sure my family is no different than yours. The parents are now the grandparents. The siblings are all grown up: The successful engineers who travel all over the world; the working moms who do it all; the ones who think they have it all; and the ones who really do have it all. Note to self, I want to pick up a book on birth order.And the kids of all ages running amuck.

The food was plentiful and so was the laughter. Did I say it got loud? Oh yeah, everyone needs to be heard at these gatherings (I included). Even when everyone is listening they sometimes don't feel they are being heard so a bit of exaggeration is thrown in to spice the story up.
As crazy as this family is they have taught me a few things:
1) Time does not stand still, so make time for family. One day you will wake up and they will be old and not able to remember your name.
2) Always make time for game night. There is something about sitting around a table having a bit of fun over a game to bring everyone together.

Mom cheating and Amanda literally up in arms about it. LOL

3)Success means nothing if you don't have a family to share it with. You can have all the riches in the world but what good is it if you are all alone. I think Ebeneezer Scrooge found this out one Christmas Night.

 Each one of us is so unique and special, clever, intelligent and little on the witty side but what my parents have tried to instill in us that trumps all of that is love. I have said many times over the years "We never had much growing up but I have always known I am loved". I may complain about the craziness sometimes but this family has made me who I am today and that I am grateful for.

Dinner with the Girls

We have the most amazing team of women working for us at the Girls. All so unique and interesting in their own right. I decided to invite them all over for dinner. We decided to go with a Mediterranean theme and bring our favorite wines to share. The food was a amazing (must get the recipes), the wines where bold and smooth, the conversations were full of laughter and yet full of substance, well okay may the bra flashings were not too full of substance but it wouldn't be a gathering of the girls without a flashing or too. Ha.
I tidied up the house a bit. It was nice knowing I only had to prepare the salad. The Girls were each bringing a part of the meal. I had the table all set when everyone arrived. Candles lit, wine in the decanter, my good china, charger plates, and Norah Jones playing the background. The food was so good. From Tammy's Spanokipita and chicken brochettes and Teresa's roasted garlic, brie and baguettes, to my ceasar salad and Susanne's Lasagna and the final touch was Katherine's dessert which I couldn't begin to pronounce or spell. Teresa described it best when she took a bite and said "ummmm, tastes like warm sugar." After everyone left, Tammy - my business partner and I enjoyed the quiet and cleaned up before our men returned. Did I mention, the evening was just for us girls? The men were not invited. I so appreciate each of the women we have working for us. They are such incredible individuals and yet such a great team.
I think Tammy summed it up best while we were cleaning up, when she said "this dinner wouldn't have been the same with any other women or friends. We hired women we like and would actually hang out with."