5 Peaks Horseshoe Valley TRAIL Half Marathon.

On my agenda for this past weekend was the possibility of three different races. I would have loved to do all three but that wasn't physically possible, it would have been possible to two, but the reality is, financially I can barely do one. Sooo after much weighing of the pros and cons of all the races I decided on doing the 5 peaks trail series half marathon at horseshoe valley.

Went to Barrie ALL BY MYSELF the night prior to sleep at the ever welcoming Vanderkooy residence. Could not sleep as a result of nights/ wanting to finish my book, but never less I rose rested had my usual oatmeal/flax/almonds/blueberries/maple syrup, and stopped for Coffee on the way to race site. Got there a little later than I would have liked, called Luke to say good morning and realised I could not find my socks. Managed to get a XL new wigwam trail pair from the race director- guess it was a handout from another race. Gave me a blister- but the blisters I would have gotten from running without socks would have been way worse. Lined up and was ready to go!

Started mid pack second wave...when will I EVER learn. Should have started back of first wave. Now passing in a road race is easy- single track trail run-not so easy. Luckily most everybody moved over as soon as they realised I wanted past. Love, loved, LOVED the course- when I got to 15k was so disappointed it was almost over. Great single track that I excel at. On the open flats I would slow down- but the technical single track I gave all I had. IN fact after the race a woman I had passed came up to me and said her friend and her nicknamed me billy goat girl. I was flying! Serious good fun. As it was a trail, and I expected to be running around 2.15hrs I wanted to gel up twice. Around the 45min mark an aid station was offering gels. I carry my own and thought that I was starting to get a little clumsy so I would gel up with my GU, I reach into my bra..and there was one ONE. Due to extra space in my sports bra one must have fallen out through the bottom?!?! So I held off and waited until the one hour mark. Ended up running with a few racers- chatted a fair bit with a fellow from Timmins who drove 7hrs for the race. He was having it rough with the hills. Was really surprised how fast the km kept going by, just the right mix of flats and technical. Was really surprised how fast I went. I honestly expected around 2:15- 2:30, somehow I managed to do it in 1:59:42, a 6:00pace which I am thrilled with. Good enough for third woman overall.

After the race I savored the post race food without children hounding me, chatted with a guy about races, and as an afterthought looked at the results- I had just thought I had age grouped not overall- was very surprised when my name was called. For my efforts I won a bag of kicking horse coffee.

And the day just got better, on the drive home I stopped at Haisai, Michael Stadtländer’s new restaurant. Spent more on lunch then I usually would- but wonderful. Although the wooden log, stone table isn't a good combination. Tippy, and I could not get close to the table.

And then when I got home, Ever was napping- SO i got to have rest- unheard of!!

Great Day!

Back To School

At the end of the school year in June Maya came home with a list of supplies she would require in grade one. Of course we promptly forgot about it until I realized perhaps she should send her back with more then a smile.

The list included such gems as a water bottle, and pencil sharpers (2). In MY day we went to the water fountain for a drink, and every classroom had a sharpener. Now I know schools can't provide everything, but come on water? A sharpener? So I called the school to enquire, perhaps I could donate a sharpener for the classroom I thought. No, the rationale for water bottles and sharpeners?? So the kids didn't have to get up!!!!! Umm perhaps this is why ADD is sky rocketing, perhaps this is why kids are getting fatter and fatter, and soon they will have DVTs from immobility. Seriously I'm surprised all the children do not sores on their bums from sitting.

On another note, she was also requested to have two plastic pencil boxes- in fact was given specific measures of said boxes required. Can we say dictatorship? Thus I did not spend my $2 at the dollar store for a plastic box produced in china that is sure to have broken hinges by Christmas. The pencil crayon roll contains coloured pencils from MY school years. The pencil case- three pencils, a pair of sizzers, a glue stick, and a eraser. That's it. That's all. I made the cases from scraps- cost $o.

Chocolate Half Marathon

Today.. well I guess it is yesterday now, I did the Chocolate half Marathon in Port Dauilhouse. This was the inogernal year for the race, it sounded like a fun idea so I thought why not and signed up four days before the race. Thank goodness I signed up when I did because it actually sold out.

We made a weekend of the event. Rode the five cent carousal several times, saw the lift locks, and stayed in a hotel. Major fun for a 2 and 5 year olds.

Weather was great, under 20 degrees, overcast sky's. Not to hot, but warm enough to dump water on my head at the water stations. My plan was to go out and see where my fitness was at BUT also have fun. If I felt like walking I would, and if I felt like eating chocolate along the way I would. I started off the race dry, I had forgotten to bring some water to the race site and the only water to be had was in the BR. The BR with insane long female lines, so I got men a few times to go into the men's and fill up my empty coffee cup. Overall I was relaxed, I pushed, but took the time to eat a chocolate covered strawberry, chatted with some guys, and had a good time running. Now I usually have a bit of a iron stomach. I can take a gel without water- I hate carrying it. Drink water or Gatorade and be merry. Today, as the website said gels would be provided,so I didn't worry about bring one. Trouble was it wasn't until 13-15k. To late to make any difference. So I started taking in E- load at the stations. Uggg I am still in mild GI upset. I broke rule #1 nothing new on race day. I managed to beat the one person I wanted to. Far from a personal best at 1:42:42. But I felt good about it. I feel great now, not at all stiff. Solid effort but not over taxing. Funny thing was when I finished I felt I could definitely go longer.
I was disappointed at the finish.

For it being a big to do about chocolate, there wasn't a whole lot. Sure there was some on the course, but everybody I was running with missed out on it due to not being able to eat and run. We thought there would be oodles at the finish. Nope. There was ice cream, bagels, bananas, and little bags of chips. and a coupon for a free drink after 12pm at one of the bars in town. I gave my ticket away. I wanted to stick around for the awards, and possible draw prices but I finished around 1020, and the awards were not until 1230. I wonder if anybody waited. As well the big prise was for a years membership to the local gym. I would be giving that away to. My other minor complaint about the race was stupid but the tee- shirt was given in a little reusable bag, smaller then a gift bag. What am I to do with it now. It has no use. ......and don't get me started on the chocolate metal.

Orillia Kids of Steel

Adventures in DQ

This past w/e I did the Orillia try a tri. Yes I do know I try a tris are for people who have never done triathlons before... but really my training volume is so low I feel like I couldn't cope with a sprint distance. went into the race with the expectation of just having fun. I saw 2008s results were fairly slow, but really didn't over analyze them- as per my usual habit. I didn't even have a goal time.

Spent the night prior with Annie in Barrie, had done registration the day before after Maya did her race, so all I had to do was pick up my chip and get marked. Dumped Maya right away with Annie and got set up in transition. Had lots of fun just listening in on conversations, jumping in here and there to answers people questions. I really felt out of place- like I shouldn't be there as there was no mystery. The water was a warm 74, so not alot of wetsuits, but I was for sure wearing mine! Took my usual gel and went down to the water for a warm up- just as they were calling people out of the water, I thought I had 10min- but so much for that.

I went in the second wave, I didn't drown, got into a bit of a rhythm, but had to stop a few times just to calm down. Felt ok, only mild open water panic- mild waves. I also expereinced a triathlon first of having somebody swim overtop of me. I overtook a few in the wave before me, could see lots of my wave behind me- but did see lots in my wave ahead. I knew I would have some ground to cover. 81/321 OA. 375 metres at 10:71 or 2:45/ 100metre.

Into T1- got the suit off in record time- tons of body guide. I wore my new tri top and my bike shorts under, so all I had to do was put on my belt, helmet, and shoes and off I went. I found the course to be really rough. The people on mountain bikes with suspension at least had the advantage of not being bumped all over the place. The course was rather curvy and open to cars, thus my speed wasn't as I would like it but still I only did the passing- and alot of it. As it was a out and back I was able to pick out how many females I had to chase down. Fun! I rode ok, but i didn't work it too hard out there. My dismount was terrible. Really need to work on it. So slow, in fact two guys went pass me while I was slowly dismounting. Painful. The photo above shows me all alone in transition- no other bikes there- great feeling. 19/321 OA, 10k in 22:51 or 26.3km/hr.

On to the run, Lots of fun, felt good, not really a effort. Had fun passing the women ahead. During the bike I decided that I could probably make top 10. Then on the out and back run, I was sure there was like 10 ahead of me so whatever just do my best and picked off people on by one. There was one fit looking 35 year old in front of me that I passed just after the turn around who had the most amazing legs. So amazing in fact I spoke with her after the race, and she isn't even a runner- she is a master swimmer! On the run: 16/321 2.5k in 12:52 or 4:52km- which is rather slow actually. I really need to get brink workouts in.

After the race, I collected Maya from the Vanderkooys, got some food, cleaned up my transition, got changed, put away my bike- Then looked at the results. I knew I had most likely podiumed but was still surprised to see my time of 45:16. 22/321 overall. 5th female and 1/60 in my age group. The guys around me looking at the results were very pleased for me. Me.. well I had guilt about doing the whole tri a try thing when well maybe it is been done. Problem is I never get enough swim/ bike to feel not overwhelmed to do much else. Swimming once a week- although I'm sure I'm up to more than a km- just does not cut it. Bike well I usually get one 50- 60k bike a week in lately. But that is it. I knew this summer would not be for good training but still it sucks. I usually make a effort to get runs in.. but really between work and other stuff I have ran twice in the past seven days- and one day was this race. But back to not belonging.. I happen to see a blog post by the winner of the tri a tri- oh and he is a sponsored trek rider!!! And the woman who came third in my age cat orgy has quite the resume on sports stat.

After the race Maya and I had our picnic on the lawn waiting for the awards with some other tri club members who had done the sprint. I honestly think they were more excited for me than I was. But they were honest and said- just enjoy it- it only gets more competitive after this. We went out of our way to have burgers at Weber's then drove home.

I was really happy with my race until Luke said congratulations, he had looked at the results but I was disqualified!!! Sunday was absolute agony, I went from bliss to being frustrated, angry and everything in between. It wasn't easy either with Luke teasing me saying I had cheated. Over and over I went over the possible reasons why I could have been DQ.

• The course was open, thus a bit of traffic weaving- I did always go to the right, but did a couple of times make eye contact and hold up my arm asking them to wait while I passed.
• I passed a guy on the right- but to be fair he was in the middle of the road, and I yelled right to warn him. - I did ALOT of passing on the bike - drafting, but really I'm sure I didn't
• In T2 a man in the sides was yelling to his friend to beat the girl in green ( that would have been me) and I yelled back something like " oh no she does not'. I actually talked to the guy after the race saying I loved a bit of that friendly trash talk.
• At the beginning of the run course a man literally walked in front of me- I yelled watch out but still made contact. I kept on going while saying sorry, and the man said sorry repeatedly. I can't be responsible for his actions can I? Or was I to provide a written letter at that point?
• I may have possibly gone the incorrect way around the bikes in transition after the swim- a bit dazed- gone right instead of left. BUT nobody stopped me, I didn't hear anything- I only noticed due to friends photo's.

Anyways, I emailed the race directors, and OAT, and by Monday afternoon I had an answer and a promise that sports stat would remove the offensive DQ. Those DQ'd did the swim on water noodles and their timing chips were taken after the swim. There were 2 sets of timing chips used, some with stickered numbers on them to match the bib numbers - these were on red bands, the rest on black bands. Your chip number may not have recorded correctly.

And that is why I almost decided never to do another triathlon in my life. Now onto sprint distance...maybe.

Speech

 

Most irritaing habit of this 5 year old???
Ending every word with "ie".

I want to be this guy..

Edited by Luke to embed the video

Brew Vanderkooy

The the most hansome dog... according to all the random strangers who just have to tell me how wonderful he is.
He who wants to sleep under the covers with me.

Luke: Why is Brew scared of me?
Anne: Maybe cause you threw him from a bridge.

Brew is a Dog. He is missing his Mommy.

Collen Lantz Run for Youth- A tale of THREE races

Today was the big day, for more then a year I have been waiting for Luke to run a race with me! Well not quite together, nor the same race- but was the same event.

I participated in the 10k race, Last year I got third, this year I got third. Different course so I can't really compare times. Actually rather difficult as it is hilly, and many turns keep you thinking you are close to the finish line, only to have you turn again. There was a section with fresh stone and chip that bothered me for some reason. I was in second place for half of the race, then started trading with another runner for third ( female), and I think I could have held onto to her for another few K's but then I had to stop and tie my shoe so I lost my groove. As well my knees were on the rather painful side, thus thinking it is physio for me... or I could lose 8 pounds. I thought there would wayyy more competition this year as the shore to shore and sauble was cancelled. Oh and I wore my tri tank for the first time in a race......short but somewhat cute i think. The green saugeen tri club members were all very cool.

Maya did the 1k fun run... and it was a real 1k. When asked about her race all she had to say was she didn't warm up. She ran a consistently even pace, and didn't want to sprint to the end so she 'wouldn't be too tired.' I don't think she was out of breath at the end.

Luke didn't want to write a race report. BUT I am insanely proud of him for WINNING the 5k stroller roll pushing Ever with a time of 27:20. As we were all putting on our race bibs, Ever was sad cause he didn't have one so I made him #1 little boy. Next Luke goal....half marathon????? Don't tell him that.

Big Girl

On Friday we picked Maya up from Silver Lake Camp. She went for the scamper week- four days and three nights of intense under 8 fun!!! She had a cook- out, went swimming, ate $4 worth of junk food, got mail, slept on the top bunk, and I think held onto her councillors hand for the entire time. She loved everything except the games- unfortunately Silver lake is game heavy, but overall a good time. She did brush her teeth and change her under ware but did not comb her hair, or have her hair put up.... but all of the kids looked rather dirty... but that is what camp is for.
Maya has been attending Silver lake since she was inutero, either as my nurses helper, or Stephanie's nurses helper.
Maya says THANK YOU GRAMMY FOR CAMP.

On Camping

I am not sure I like camping.

I should like camping, I can be dirty, I can go many days without bathing, I like challenges. I am a friend of the wild.

Sure you get out into the semi- wilderness, it is a cheap night away from home, but it is work.. Like at home but worse cause you are 'camping'.

I don't know if it is worth it.

I mean it took us THREE hours to pack up everything we needed for two nights away. Then we spend TWO hours setting up the tent, blowing up the air mattress, getting the bedding in place, putting up the eating tent, and then secure a tarp to the trees. Then walk a km for water, then run two to go the the bathroom, then cook dinner on the campstove that is older then me, then heat water to wash dishes. Meanwhile, am constantly looking at the weather wondering if it will rain, spraying on bug spray, watching the kids to ensure they do not fall in the fire, oh and try to stay cheerful and enjoy this family time while battling to maintain life.

Maybe when I do not have a toddler, maybe when I can go and be guaranteed it will not be damp, rain, or be cold.

I think I was just meant to be a cottage person. Wish I was meant to be a cottage person with the financial resources to be a cottage person.

Ouch

60k on the bike - and that isn't really that long = Numb yet incredibly painful vagina.
Next purchase new bike seat.

Streaker

Keady Market Today.

-Cookebook- $3
- Samoas - $5
- Jar of relish cause I really do not know when I would make it myself- $5
- Cherries- grown just outside of Paisley- $15 I think
- Granola Bars homemade- $1
- Whole wheat bread- $3
- Spinich- $4
- Glass of wheatgrass juice, which is apparently very close to human blood. I took him he should market it to vampires- $3
- Special caking treat- $6
-Veggies- all the rest- $15.50

Not shown- pony ride for Ever- $3

Come back soon Hins Family!

Tee hee I made Ang go for a run with me. In my clothes so we would look like twins. Ang is the brown indian nad I am the fat legged one.

My race outfit.

I'm in love with my wetsuit.

I'm in the far corner.. Luke was taking a pic of the girl taking off her goggles. He didn't see me exit the water nor did he see me getting off the bike so basically he though I drowned or crashed on the bike. So on our anniversary he was sure he had to plan my funeral. Sad eh.

All done, and sitting on a beach for the first time this year.

Kincardine Womans Triathlon

First triathlon of the year... all in all.. overall pleased with some sprinkling with sadness due to a non metal finish, I didn't think one was really possible but I was hopeful.

Coming into the event I was concerned about the temperature of the water., as it has been a rather chilly summer thus far. I had heard that if the water was 65 or below they would make it into a Du... and I really wanted to do a tri. However the temperature of Lake Huron was 63ish and it still went ahead. While doing a warm up in the water I realised why I had to have the wetsuit... it was cold, like hands and feet numb cold. Felt very sorry for anybody just going out in a swim suit. My swim went ok, like swimming for my life and hoping not to die auto pilot mode with little breaks of gasping for air and thanking God for the manufacturing of wetsuits so I could take a little rest and not drown. My goal was 10ish min for 375m. Did it 10:09- or 45th overall.

T1 went smooth- off wet the wetsuit with minimal fighting, opted out of socks, the only problem was putting my race belt on upside down, but I just went on. Bike went fine, perhaps I could have went faster except I was shaking from the swim. Was only passed once, didn't really feel like there were alot of people on the course, so didn't have that competitive rush to hammer it. T2- Easy- just had to switch shoes, as I have not mastered to taking of bike shoes while still riding and jumping off the bike thing yet. ( The practice of which has been of great delight to our neighbours) Got some elastic laces which rock. Where have they been all my life??. Time for T1, T2, and 12k bike 26:48 or 18th overall.

The run was what I was waiting for this entire race. Again with the calf pain of the bike issues. Didn't have to stop and stretch it out but I didn't hammer it like I would have liked cause I didn't want it to go into spasms. Time was 13:40 for 3k. 2nd overall.



So overall I was 16/154. Age cataogy 7/44. Total time 50:35.

The goal was to do something new and start getting into tri's but it frustrating to know that I would have metaled in the duel.

Excitted

So insanely excitted about triathlon tommorrow... trying to prevent myself from going out and overdoing it today.

Oh and it is L and mine 11th big years married tommorrow.

Vampries

In the last few months I have read the Twilight series, am reading the House of Night series, and watched the episodes thus far of True Blood. It can be rather confusing keeping different vampire lore straight but overall good times. So I have been thinking of the undead lately, and to that respect I asked Luke if he thought Vampires actually existed. His answer involved a discussion on evil, demons, and theology. I didn't want to hear it.

To me, Vampires are like Santa Clause. Children come to realise that he is not real, but you still really want to believe in that mythical creature. Sure Santa brings brings presents and happiness, and Vampires bring death and destruction... but really quite similar.

On that note.. any other good vampire novels out there? Of the fun variety. Not Like Anne rice... I want happy funny vampires.

As Maya is a big fan of bagpipe music, we went to the Kincardine Scottish festival today. Sadness was Maya was feeling kinda sickie. The picture was taking waiting for the parade to pass. Yes, that is my child, dressed inappropriately ( it was cold), on the street, beside the gutter. A parents hopes and dreams doesn't get any better than this.

Strawberries

Strawberry season in Ontario Yum YUM.... except I think i'm 'intolerant' to them. Every time I eat like a bowl full, in normal digestion time later, intense stomach cramps.
How sad is that?
Pathetic. i feel like I'm falling apart, i'm not to have allergies, i'm healthly and live in a dirty home.

Camp Mishewah

Last year we went as a family to Camp Mishewah for family camp, we did have a good time- but knew it was possible to have a better time. We both felt with Ever being so young, cooking out of doors, and my constant need for training, going this year would not be for the best. We will go again but will eat 50% of our meals in the cafeteria, divide up the duties of preparing to go better so it is not just an Anne show, get a cabin, and buy stock in a bug repellent company. We felt good about not going, but did feel a little sad when everybody was preparing to go while we are doing nothing.
However I am reading the weather report for this week and it is all good for us to be at home in our warm, dry house.
Sorry!!

Fighting

Some of the big issues couples fight about include money, the children, and time.
US?? We fight about... how to load the dishwasher. Constantly.

Whole Family Fun

We are in definite need of one of these- 4 seater.

One day, Two races.

As I am a sucker for any race where I do not have to drive more then a hour, and would hate to miss out on one.. hence I end up doing crazy things like three big races in six days or two in one day. Lucky for me, both were low key events, and I didn't really plan to race either hard.

8am
New Heights 5k Run 4 Health. Run by the local gym- of which I am not a member to benefit the new recreation centre in town. Very informal race- in fact I wonder if the organizers had ever actually been to, or run in a race before. I understand it is the participants responsibly to know the route but, honestly usually I have somebody in front of me, or quite frankly I'm not thinking and do need marshals, little arrows or marks on the pavement telling me where to go. Yah so there was none of that. Hence I made two wrong turns. There was somebody in front of me, but I lost him after the first wrong turn. There was a little matter of there being no water at one of the water stations, and the station that did have water, gave it to me in a unopened bottle- hmm little hard to untwist it while you are actually running., not to mention the waste from all those water bottles, which I had to throw on somebodies yard when I was done with it cause there was no collection for said bottles. I franky have no idea of my time or the distance I did cause it really didn't seem like 5k- even with the extra distance I did. I was second overall, first female- but really whatever. Post race food was yummy, just a little unconventional. Generally communal bowls of strawberries, blueberries, and almonds with everybody reaching in the bowls with their dirty hands isn't something you see at races, but whatever. After all it is of charity. ( This is me making a gaging motion as you can do something for charity, cheaply and still put on a quality event.) All this fun for $25 and a I got a 'free' water bottle. No bling for my efforts though.

11am
Glammis Gallop Duathlon. This guy decided he wanted to have a race at his house.. so he did. Awesomeness. 4k, 20k, 4k. My plan was to do easy 5mink for the first 4k, hammer the bike with a really high cadence, and do whatever I felt like for the last 4k. I predicted I would finish in around 1:30.... and I did it in 1:31. There was only around 15 people there, mostly teachers, and even one pro showed up. Fun crowd. No prises, only door prices- of which everybody got one. Post race BBQ, and pornographic photo opportunity with the pro taking a shower under the water hose. I did not take part in photo taking but did eat a hamburger. Tremandous fun for $10.

Last Day of School

The big excitment last week was Maya's SK graduation. An evening affair with CAKE!! MY goodness you would think these children are fed a diet of groul the way they carried on about the cake. So now onto Summer and grade one.
Minor concern about the summer, as in no plans, none. Maya didn't want to do soccer, baseball, and apparently never even as an adult wants to play tennis. Will have to look into swimming leasons. But seriuously what are we going to do all day, everyday???

Story Book Park

Ever was all into the park, more so then Maya ever was. He is less then two and did all the kiddie rides- Maya still has not done the airplanes. His outfit would have been cuter- except for a minor vomit incident on the way there. Oh and thanks for my 'friends' wondering why I was on the side of the ride.. and not stopping.

On food

Love this

Minor obsession with Larabars. Yumist Yum Yum. Somebody find me some recipes they are too expensive to buy all the time and to yummy to miss.

Guelph Lake Sprint Duathlon

Second Multi sport event of the year was a tad better than the first... no podium finish, but solid efforts.

Great 1pm start meant we didn't have to rush this morning and actually left our house until around 9:45. The day was not so much wet as it was wet, with a bit of mud thrown in. Got into the race site with a good amount of time to set up- in the rain, stand in a long line for registration- in the rain, and warm up- in the rain. I really tried to warm up before the race- even did a few sprints, A's and B's- but no matter what I do I am just not ready when the gun goes off. Really I think I might need to run a few k's just to get going. Or maybe jump rope. HMmmm. For this race I had a gel prior to the race start and I could have washed it down with more water, but I think it went well.
First run was good- 4:19/k. T1 was wet, and I had a knot in my shoe- thus had a hard time getting it off.

Bike: Due to the MUD was sure I wouldn't be able to clip in.. but did after a few try's. Went really smooth. Felt there was alot more space on the course the Milton- even with more people. Only had a few females pass me which I am happy about. Followed the rules and stuck to the right which frustrates me cause nobody else does- I even passed people on the right cause they were riding close to the centre line. I can understand why you would want to.. the pavement being all smooth and all, but the rules do mention the importance of staying right. Speaking of which- didn't see a single OAT official on the bike course. Saw a man ridding in a speedo. Had a little trouble with my calf tightening and going into spasm. Had to change the way I pedaled for a bit and actually coasted to try to stretch it out. Managed to ride at 28km/hr. Which again needs work. Work= more time on the bike. Specifically hill work. T2 saw me fighting with the knot again, and me repeating reminding the competor beside me to take off his helmet before going out onto the run course.

Run Again: I actually had to stop and stretch my calf before I could get very far. Did alot of passing but was actually passed a few times by men. At one point I heard a man breathing behind me and thought he was having a asthma attack- but he just zoomed right past. He was 62. I tried a new strategy to help me de- stress on the run- I didn't look behind me.. Worked well- only focused on what was ahead and not behind. Run 2 was 4:48km- would have liked it under 4:30.

Overall am very pleased with today. My goal was 1:15 and I completed it in 1:16, which is good enough as far as i'm concerned. Fourth in my age group- but six minutes off third I am not getting the training in I need to make podium, so I am working on little things, learning little lessons along the way. Today I realised my transitions need to more focused, and how to mount and dismount quicker. It was a happy race. The highlight of the day for Maya was a little kids fun run with Luke. She was great- not nervous, and actually a little disappointed it was only a run and not a swim/bike/run. She worn a dress but she can wear wear her birthday suit for all I care as long as she is running.

I also saw a man run/bike/running with his teen daughter. Much like Rick and Dick Hoyt-warning- you will cry. I did today.

Actual Conversation

Me: Mrs. B was incontinent of stool????
Other nurse: Well when the elevator doesn't go all the way to the top, it will fall out the bottom.
Me: Laughing so hard I fall off the chair.

Maya's Favorite Expressions. Circa. Age 5

"I have a good idea!"

"Easy Peasy"

"I tricked you!"

"I don't want to walk"

Wet!

After battling with myself about buying one, dreaming about the consequences of not having one, being preached to against purchasing one, I BOUGHT one.

From the proceeds of our garage sale I was able to get a 2008 Orca Equip wetsuit. This is an entry level wetsuit. The tipping point was hearing the price.. 30% for new could not be beat, especially locally. Amazingly the last in my size, fits great, not uncomfortable at all. Amazing how it feels in the water. Impossible to drown. Gives me a whole new level of confidence. However open water is definitely different from the pool. I have come to depend on the wall for that split second break, so the continuously swimming is going to need some work.

So why do I need a wetsuit? This duel athlete would eventually like to become the occasional triathlete. In fact my long term goal is to complete an ironman. Long term...as in four years before I can even think about training. I'm in a building stage at present, just having fun, learning.

It is really a relief to have that last big purchase out of the way...except for new shoes in July, maybe some tri shorts that fit, oh.. and a treadmill.

Sadness

Today while running I took a short cut through the cemetery that I do not usually take. In doing so I found myself in the infant section. Here, there are small grave stones flush with the ground commemorating the short but meaningful lives of babes taken. Some of the parents names I recognized. At that moment I felt intense pain for those people who had gone through so much.

On the weekend I had a mother bring her babe to the emerg. The babe had multiple malformations, was not expected to live long and the parents had accepted it, they had not chosen to do everything they could, but allow it to live its short life dignified. The mother even chose to give the babe pumped breast milk. In the other room at the same time I had a retired Catholic priest who had given his entire life to serving God and now was in such pain. I cried that night driving home, both would soon be meeting their reward. One a short life, the other long. Both affected all they met. Both soon they both would be with our heavenly father.

Gone

Pictured is our beloved Mango. Last seen Sunday evening. He followed the children and I to the main road and when I made motions for him him to go home, he turned around and I assumed we would be seeing him later. We have not. I have made all the calls, to the town to local vets, animal shelters to no avail. Talked to many neighbours to no avail. And missed him....
He has been our fourth orange kitty to leave our home, preceding him were Kitty, George, and Carrots.
We will miss him following us as we walk down town, then waiting for us at the corner for us to come home; Coming when called; his un- dieing need for attention; and his tolerance for all things Ever- including his full body hug.
We knew this day had to come, what with his liking of strangers and taking naps in the middle of the street.
I think it may be time for a cat break.