Fall Harvest and Running for the Cure!

Another jam-packed weekend!

Friday night I picked up our tees and numbers at the Running Room on Broadway for the Sunday run and since we were already in the 'hood, we decided to revisit one of our favourite restaurants, The Red Door on Granville Street. Seven Flavour Beef, Red Door Sweet Chili Chicken, Sichuan Beans=delicious.

Saturday morning the sun gods prevailed and let us enjoy a great game of golf at Musqueum with our friends, Lorraine and Greg. I GOT A BIRDY!!! The downpour came as soon as we got to the sponsoring Cheshire Cheese Inn/bar. These guys put on a great tournament with fantastic goody bags, lunch and prizes for everyone. So much fun!

Sunday morning came early and once again we were blessed with another dry day. George drove Sandy and I down to Concord Pacific Place to join about 13,000 others who were going to run/walk/roll/raise cash for the cure. I have to say, 5 km is so much easier than 10. That sounds obvious but...I really like the 5k. Not that it was easy by any means, but we met our goal of running 4/walking 1 for the whole time and came in just under 40 minutes. Considering that this was the longest I've run this year, not too bad! What an amazing event to be a part of. So many stories of survival, so many others honoring ones who didn't make it. My favourite moments? Getting hugs from the "free hugs" sign holders, the amazing choir at the start/finish line, seeing my friends cheering me on from the side line, the bands along the way, the male sprinter wearing the fushia prom dress (a great distraction at the 3 km mark!), crossing the finish line strong, and getting to know a new friend! Our hearty brunch was well-earned. Thanks to all of you who supported me with good wishes, donations and cheers at the start line! So much appreciated:)
Now...off to bootcamp. OMG - my legs are tired!

I'm Running for the Cure!

In just over one week, I'll be joining thousands of others in a collective run/walk/roll/believe for the cure of breast cancer. I'd just like to say, "Enough Already!" If it's money or a collective conscience or a lot of both, maybe we can make a difference. If I didn't email you but you'd like to contribute to the cause, here's the link. If, however, you'd prefer to support me mentally/spiritually/emotionally - YAY. Please just think of me running strong at or around 9:30 next Sunday morning and crossing the finish line with style and a smile:)

Things I Love...Happy Love Thursday!

1. fresh cut flowers
2. clean, fresh sheets off the clothesline
3. lazing on a sunday afternoon...
4. watching people meet up or say good-bye at airports
5. a good, crazy night of dancing
6. the satisfied feeling after a run or a long walk in the fresh air
7. the smell of dirt in the summer
8. my mom's home-made buns and borscht
9. shoes, shoes, shoes
10. sailing with my george on a sunny afternoon (and napping on the boat when we're done)
    
11. giggle-y days
12. talking "like we have company" (I'm stealing that one from my grandma)
13. new magazines (a bit of an addiction)
14. those quiet moments when you realize how noisy your life gets
15. hearing stories about love and compassion (it renews my faith in humankind)
16. soweto gospel choir (how can you not be blown over by this powerful music?!)

What do you Love??? I'd love to know...

My day is an open book...

I got these beautiful peonies from my friend the other day (from her garden). Aren't they loverly?

The crows are going absolutely crazy outside this morning. In the past, it's meant there's a raccoon around but I haven't gone out to check what the kafuffle is about. I do try to love crows equally to all birds but sometimes they push my buttons:) They don't have the prettiest "caw" in the world and just seem to hang around and get mad at everyone. Last spring I had one make a b-line for my head when I was running. I know it was protecting its' nest but hey! After that incident, I always ran by that spot with my hands waving in the air trying to look much bigger and more dangerous than my wimpy self. I'm sure the families at the nearby park got some good giggles out of that!
Today is an open book. I'm not going in to the store and had made plans to get together with a friend but her kidlets are home with colds so...hmmm...should I go see Sex and the City??? What do you think? It would feel so naughty to go to a movie in the middle of the afternoon. Not sure why. It's not like I haven't done all sorts of other crazy things of an afternoon. Any suggestions?

tryin' to get back on track

I thought I had become one of those people. You know the ones. They get up effortlessly every morning and go for a run or climb a mountain or swim 50 laps. I'd convinced myself by the end of last year that that was me. I was running pretty regularly, had completed some long running events and was feeling pretty damn good about myself. And then...poof - it was all over. It feels like I just missed a week or two but in reality it was probably a month or two - and I looked down at my body and was surprised by the change - back to where I'd started. I know, I know...I'm the first one to say, 'love your body right now, as it is' and I'm usually pretty good at that but I was feeling so HEALTHY and my clothes were fitting me differently. I don't think I even changed much in size but everything just felt 'right-er'. Anyway, I'm back at it. I want to feel that ease again. Not begrudging the stairs or choosing to stay home on the couch instead of going for a walk or bike ride. I've run/walked twice this week and I have to say it's easier this time than starting all over. I guess I had more in reserve than I thought. I already feel better - getting oxygen into the lungs is always a good thing! I'm choosing for it to not be a chore - my mantra when I'm running is, "with ease" and it makes such a difference than saying, "this is so hard!".
So...here's a picture of me completing a 10k last year just to show myself that it can be done.
And now I'm going to eat some yummy oatmeal with blueberries! Enjoy your day and take the time to smell those beautiful spring flowers:)