....and I hit a tree.

So I was just riding along, minding my own business, not really paying attention..and that was the problem, I wasn't paying attention...and hit a tree.

There was a fork in the road, go left or go right, made the decision a split second too late and I'm not sure if it was me or my bike that hit the tree. End result was falling directly backwards off my bike onto my right shoulder.
I recall just lying on the ground. Eventually i took off my helmet to get more comfortable assessing the damage. Trying to decide if it was bad enough to skip my planned run. Cause I couldn't stop crying and whimpering I decided to call it day. Problem was I couldn't move my right arm, oh and was dangling a bit, and it was rather distracting due to somebody who would not stop moaning.
Thankfully I wasn't far from the car and I was able to get my bike on the rack using my left arm and a few curse words.
I was sure something was dislocated or fractured, mostly due to the fact my right shoulder was dangling...but here's the thing.. once I was at the hospital i relaxed enough and 'things' just settled back into their proper location.
Fast forward 12days and I remain very stiff. I do have complete ROM with pain and limited strength. Have had a massage which helped alot. Waiting for a physio appointment- six weeks wait. Ultra sound shows something nonspecific could be something new or something chronic.
I can do my ADLS except dealing with my bra- thankfully my personal attendant deals with that. What I can't do is swim. One arm swimming is so stupid and I mostly look like i am drowning so I don't see the point.

At one point in my crash I must have hit my head cause i found a crack in my helmet.This is a good thing cause I had decided I hated my helmet but I really didn't need a new one. Now I needed a new helmet. Spent a ridiculous amount but it matches both bikes and it whispers to me to go super fast.

The photo is the offending tree- the missing bark is from my crash. The blue paint is my efforts to increase the markings at Allan park for my trail group. Ever helped- thus the lower paint mark.

Sponsored Athlete!!

I am proud to say that I am now honoured to be a sponsored athlete of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. It is quite simple really, while running I make an effort to pick up empty liquor bottles/cans and in turn The Beer Store gives me 10cents a item. For my spring efforts I received $8.80.

Thanks to my exhaustive research I have noted that the residents of Bruce/ Grey  County seem to have a fondness for drinking Busch Lager on back country roads and throwing the bottles out windows into ditches.

The photo above represents a single hour long run on the Mary Rutherford Road. 

Read, Watch, Listen

 

Read

Recently read two great books about persons who live with an Autism spectrum disorder. Carly's Voice. A teen in Toronto who after years of intensive therapy makes a break through and starts communicating with those around her.  Also, The Journal of Best Practices. About how a relationship can change and grow once somebody starts to try- regardless of how that simply isn't them and never will be.

Watch

Thanks to Netfix, night shift and my non functioning brain, and our lack of TV , I can get slightly obsessed with television series. I go through all available ones and then stop. I simply can't  just watch a show on a weekly basis. I would rather wait until there is a whole series or at least a season to watch at a time. Might be something about my generation and the need for instant gratification... or is that Maya's?? Anyways, I am currently on series one of Glee. I kinda want be Sue Sylvester. I am serious. This is my excuse for why I refuse to be involved with other people's children, and why I maybe would not make a nice coach, and maybe why people think I push hard.

Listen

As a child I spent endless hours hold up in the back of my parents car getting lung cancer while my father smoked and listening to country music while  they embarked on a Sunday drive somewhere so we could have a picnic-  my mothers obsession. My father also had a minor obsession with movies involving the transportation industry, as in transport trucking. Thus, quite often while flipping the radio I pause at country and western stations and listen to old 'favorites'. Yep, I spent .99cents on Convoy.  I am not really a good person who doesn't steal music, couldn't find it for free anywhere.




My Issues with the Hanover Pool/ First World Problems

The inequality in the lane swim times.

The pool is available for lane swim six days a week in the morning. (Or as I like to call it the time when only crazy people are awake.) (On another note I also say that a key to a happy marriage is both parties are either morning or night people. The two should not mix) Oh yah my point- Noon lane swim is five days a week, and night lane swim is three nights a week. To review:

6am- 6xweekly

12pm- 5x weekly

8pm- 3x weekly

I would like to point out that there is also a senior swim four times weekly. For parents of children who work there is only one option. Night swims, but it is only offered  three times weekly. In the winter if I have a choice I will chose a swim over a run cause it is cold and this is Canada.

The lack of leadership exhibited by the lifeguards during lane swim.
During lane swim there are three options slow/ leisure, medium continuous, and fast continuous. At night all swimmers are very courteous and aware of where one belongs and if you are in the wrong lane people realise it and  move as not to disrupt others. People make a careful assessment prior to entering lane as not upset the flow of the lane. The focus is everybody having the best possible lane swim workout.
Lane swims at noon are a whole other kettle of fish. Old ladies who do a eight minute 100metre are suddenly considered medium continues. (They are moving continuous to be fair.) They are offended if offered the suggestion that they can't keep up with a lane. The former minister who flaps her arm and hits people cause she can't stay in her lane. People who don't get the hint you are on their toes and will not let you pass. And my personal favorite; people who enter the fast lane only to do two laps and leave. I make no assessment on the morning swim as I have never been there- possibly never will.

When people come to the ER it is not decided amongst themselves who gets to been cared for first, a professional looks at each individual situation and decides the severity of illness and who needs to be seen in order of priority. Likewise, lane swim is like the ER. The lifeguards are professionals who can assess quickly who needs to be assigned to which lane. They can make quick decisions and move people based on who is there.   My question is why don't they??

PYP

PYP- Pick your Poison... and for me it was patience.

This was a training run. A practice in pacing and eating and logistics.
50k in four 12.5k loops. Very similar to the four 20k loops at sulphur.

Had a good time just moving along for the first three loops, except for a parachute on my back reminding me by its sure presence to slow down and not race. By the fourth loop I was soo ready to go. Not sure what the splits are as this point. But I ran most of what I had walked on the other loops. Finished with the sure knowledge I could have done another lap and that I can race it faster. The course had changed over last year. Somebody described it as tough but fair and I can certainly agree. In the entire race there was over 5000metres vertical gain. Only two really tough uphill sections though. Only one section of mud and a small river crossing made for a good day. Stayed mostly on top of eating. Only one episode of nausea but it resolved with time and a ginger candy. Had handful of chips, handful of m&m's, two gels, two energy bars, and a sandwich. If I had been racing it most certainly would have been more.  
One amazing upset that didn't happen was feet blisters. I always get blisters in races regardless of types shoes and socks Wore toe socks and at this point I want to buy stock.

Very happy to have beat somebody who has beaten me several times... even if he got me to the finish.

Next comes a 2-3  longer days, and I think I am good for Sulphur. Just waiting for the post race amnesia to set in prior to signing up.
Work today, and aside from the weariness and chafing- which is nothing new. Feel pretty good. Will be running tomorrow. 
Pictures...I am wearing green and am seen in two. http://www.flickr.com/photos/vertical-pierre/6979554762/in/photostream

Spring

As in what happened to ours??

A cure for bad language.....

Is a new sewing machine!!!!

My Kenmore went to the parts department as its ability to actually do the work as a sewing machine has come to an end. Thus today at a local- as in really the only store I had two choices and picked this one.
I am yet to use it as my Thursday night combo of run/swim/ sauna/drink and randomly surf the Internet comes first.

Luke is excited I will fix his pants.... oh funny story. When I left Luke for three months and went to Churchill his pants all fell apart. When I returned he complained to me about this turn of event... never once realising that he could have just bought new pants ....all by himself. Another interesting fact, Luke had never bought himself underwear. Oh how I love him.

Impressions

When I was a teenager I seemed to care a lot about about what other people thought, thank goodness I have out grown that stage. One of my many irrational fears was that while being alone with my niece and nephew out in public I would be mistaken for their mother. It would have  meant I was a teen mother. It would have meant I had  sexual relations with a man of whom I had  not been joined in marriage, it would have meant I was a female of loosened petticoats.... hence I was reluctant to be alone with those darling children in public and be left to face the shame of others.

Move it forward college age level years and....

Somebody at work was saying that any adult she sees riding a beater bike in town is automatically assumed to have received a DUI and is basically on the lowest rungs of the socially acceptable ladder.

Guess I should just hand in my productive member of society card now eh.

Danger

 

There is a saying in our family...

All cars want to kill you.

A simple way of expressing the sure danger that is an automobile to a cyclist- especially a cyclist that is the height of a bumper. My kids do not get it. They simply are not afraid. They do not see see the danger and I really do not know what it will take for them to fear cars.

I think I developed my fear growing up on a large farming operation, where large farm machinery by all means got the right of way. I was always on my own and didn't have another cyclist to mimic so I developed a healthy view of the rules of the road.

On the other hand, my kids have always rode in town. They mimic Luke and I who to them are fearless in traffic. People see Little Ever popping wheelies and give him a wide berth. When they fall on the ground crowds of people rush to their aid. So basically they think they are the centre of the universe.

Thus, I now see my job as a parent to make them realise they are but a speck. They need to realise that when they go down on a curb onto the road, crying needs to come second to.... GET OFF THE ROAD.

I am not the mean parent who will not  give my child comfort. I am yelling at them to get up off the road NOW cause I really don't care about the scraped elbows and the bruised knees. I am trying to prevent a car that didn't see them from hitting them.

I am trying to save a life.

Blossom Time

Well it isn't even May and the blossom tree is just about done..but not before the annual photo. 

Traditions

Maya did a unit on family traditions at school. Thus we had to have big discussion on what ours were growing up....it was rather a short discussion. I'm not big sameness- I like change. However, one tradition remains. My mothers enthusiasm for holidays and her making of the traditional Easter bunny cake.

Basically it is a boxed cake and canned icing decorated with candy, but she really enjoys making it and labours over the exact placing of the candy. At family gatherings there was always great fuss over the reveal of decorated cake.

My Easter offering was Cinnamon buns. I have wanted to make them for years... but had never gotten around to it. Quite simple- however time consuming with the endless rounds of dough rising.  I didn't use the glaze that goes this the recipe. I made one up with orange juice.

34 on 34

 

For my annual run my age in kilometres.. I actually felt quit guilty.. perhaps I should be running it in miles.... but that didn't happen.

I ran from east to west around Owen Sound on the Bruce Trail. From the Sydenham Forest East to Jones falls. This was a reasonable selection to do except I have done around Harrison Park/ Inglis Falls countless times so the enthusiasm dripped quite low there. I saw exactly two other hikers, which is rather alot for a spring day. Awkward how the one gentleman caught me singing Single ladies. 

 

The route was surprising in the fact there were not alot of dramatic uphills- a few minor blips that I had to remind myself to hike. I mainly did my walking on the rocky- unrunable sections. I did manage to twist my ankle, the same one, twice and took a couple of falls.

 

Notice the birthday wrickles - of which Maya reminds me of on a daily basis. Due to her dislike of them I am sure she has a strong future in cosmetic surgery.

This section was really cool- in fact I wish I had more time just to explore around the trail. Really cool how the trail was directed between two rock faces- I think at km 77 of the Sydenham club.

 

This is on the east rocks where I realised I was making horrible time taking pictures and doing a ton of walking on rocks. Also, spring has felt sooo long this year. There has been such a long pause between snow on the ground and trees budding. Last year on my birthday the only trail I could do was exposed trail as the Bruce trail was still completely covered. However it was a slightly warmer day last year. When I finished this year I was cold- and come to think of it I was wearing more layers this year. Part of the problem is I now run with a pack and the sweat/ wetness just accumulates on my back which in turn makes me colder.

 

This is on the West Rocks on Owen Sound. The escarpment sits above West Hill High School. It is again another section that needs further exploring. Tons of cool flat sections which are a local party hangout. This area local ripe for animal sacrifice- thus warranted a picture.

 

You know at the bottom of the escarpment you see rocks on the ground and think they had to have fallen sometime. Always slightly worry that in cases like this my weight will be the straw that broke the camels back.

Good training day. I learned I need to wear easy up and down shorts for peeing vs. compression shorts, and I best take in food frequent small quantities and chocolate milk during perhaps isn't a good idea.

I still want to get a 50k in and maybe a eight hour day on my feet sometime before the 50miler. I should let my ankle heal as well.

Bruce Trail Tuesday

Ahead of my potential attempt to run 80k at Sulphur Springs at the end of May, I was thinking perhaps I should do some training. Parked here and ran for a while out then came back. Did take a short cut route on the way back as the main trail took soo much time. In the end I spent three hours on my feet. Not going to say how many km cause I still don't understand how time on your feet is equal to km. You still need to run 80k in the end of the day. As a hint... 3k in 30min. Ouch!

This area is is in the general vicinity of Kolpole Uplands which I have spent a bit of time running and biking at previously.  Nothing like looking up and going "oh no I am going to have to get up there, on that cliff."

 

I have always wanted a lawn jockey- instead we have gargoyles on our porch cause Luke says NO. The first time I saw this fellow last year I think I screamed. Today, it was like seeing a old friend.

 

 

This is the medcalfe crevice side trail. It was funny as the sign said some climbing required. Like it was nothing.

 

You can't tell with this photo but in the centre is a skunk... on the trail. Thus, i ventured of the trail and didn't follow the white blazes as instructed but in this case I think I was justified.

 

Some times you see odd things on the trail.. like a random shoe. I call it trail magic. IN the past I have fown neglected and forgotten  sweaters and made them mine.

Wearing my Montrail shoes which I LOVE. Except the end of my toes are getting bruised. I want the local running store to carry the brand but the owner has said he has no room.

 

My borrowed pack. I am trying to buy a particular one but there is no Canadian distribution apparently... and then today I got the great idea to have it shipped to Kathie then when I go to actually buy it.. it is out of stock. I am losing my patience, I just want that one. :(

Wheat Grass Guy

One of the vendors I am fond of at the Keady market is the wheat grass guy. I usual buy something from him- interesting little article about him.

This dinner is from June- spinach season. As an added note I am amazed how many people have no idea how to eat seasonally cause they have no idea when Ontario fruits and vegetables are in season.

I think this is bok choy, spinach, mushrooms, and brown rice noodles  which I'm sure is cooked with sesame seed oil.

Oh just so we all clear. I am posting food pictures to inspire!!!

Ever

Tell me five things you like Ever......




-I like going on bike rides and walks.
-I like playing games with daddy.
-I wish a super hero.
-I just like comic books.
-I only like pie and pizza and carrots.

Oh and for the record... is name is EVER not Everitt. I never correct people, I just wait for people to come to the realization that they have been saying his name wrong for four years.

Twinsies!!

Well except for the fact I think we look nothing alike. In fact, when Maya was younger I wondered if people thought she was adopted.

Easy Street -Around the Bay!!

Last year I said never again... but plans change. All winter, no races, have not got out of town since January.... so I bought a bib of Kijiji.

The plan was a easy training 30K mixed in with some back to back longer days.
Thursday- 15k- Done
Friday- 15-20k- Back aches + four hour Evening shift- NOT DONE
Saturday- 15k- Done
Sunday 30k Done
Monday- Somebody please put me out of my misery now. NOTHING DONE

Truth be told I have not been feeling well for a week or two. I think when I get too fat I loss my appetite and I lose weight. Got forbid my weight changes from 132. Honestly I have been that weight since high school.  Although after each kid at around 15months postpartum I dip down to 125 and everybody thinks I have cancer. Today I feel slightly better but I have to work tonight so I have to be better or else the  mortgage does not get paid.


Anyways, I decided a friend of mine was going to go sub- three hours and I was going to take her there. Long story short- we did. It was interesting, at one point I looked back at her and knew she had just switched from having a good time to the point where it hurt and she did not want to do this anymore. AND the thing is if she had been running with her usual running partner they would have shut it down. She ended up with a 20min PB.... and hated me until the finish line. All good after that.

For myself as I have raced this distance a half hour faster, it was a fun day. I wore my caveman costume and lapped up all the attention like the middle child I am. I felt like Chrissie Wellington out there- smiled the entire race. You would think I could find a picture, or a news report of my awesomeness?!? I kinda want to wear a costume at all races now. I think I am a attention whore.
It was a different experience being further back. So much more congestion then I am used to. Garbage was everywhere, and the women made up half the field. Honestly, it usually feels like it is just me and the boys. As I wasn't racing I didn't really have to worry about calories so I only took a single gel and drank all the water I wanted as I knew I had time to pee if I had to, and  the bacon. I partook in the bacon station... drizzled with maple syrup. Yum yum.

Next year will be the year of the bike...maybe.... cause really all it would take for me to have a gold metal is a 4;28 pace for 30k... umm next year is the year of the bike.

Funny

Told with Permission....

Some of the Mennonites in our community have health cards and some don't. Thus they pay cash when seen by the doctor. At the hospital there is a hospital fee, and a physician fee. The hospital rate is around $350 and on top of that there is a fee the doctor sets on an individual basis. If a patient is seen at the medical clinic all the patient has to pay is the physician fee. Thus when an un insured person comes to the hospital we know they are quite ill.

However this story isn't about money but what the doctor accepts in place of cold hard cash.

We have a new doctor who is the softest fellow you ever met. Recently for a in- patient physician fee he asked four pies to be baked for the hospital staff. Apparently he has some summer sausage in his fridge and just the other day he noticed his belt needed a new hole.
Thus when payment was being discussed for a clinic visit he removed his belt and since he has no hammer or nails his fee is air.

Which is why there is a doctor at work with his pants being held up by gauze- well at least until they can pay.

Daylight Savings Time

I guess the clocks changed this weekend as I spent a good hour changing every single clock at work and any equipment that does not do it automatically.

I also noticed alot of people complaining about how DST messes everybody up cause they lose sleep.

I regularly stay up 24hours.

I heard on the radio that as we become tired we loss the ability to self regulate our behavior.

It has been decided that I really shouldn't talk to people while I am working nights.

All those points are not connected are they???

Shazam!

One of the apps on my phone I use the most is SHAZAM.

Ever been in a store, riding in a car, ( Insert something suitably creative and funny here) and hear a song and think   "Gee I like that song, I should download it. ". Sometimes you even get the name, but of course you completely forget about it so then you never download it then you are stuck listening to the same 500 songs on your ipod shuffle and you know all the words and then finally one day you snap.  It could happen.

Shazam eliminates a nasty trip to the psych  ward on a Form 1.

You download the app, press the icon and it figures out what song it is and tags it so you can download it later. Sometimes it has no clue what the song is but over all it is better than writing it down on a scrap of paper while driving.

Sewing

 

As mentioned I really am a beginner sewer. Thus I complete my volunteer hours with the Dance school Maya attends by sewing. This is my fourth year doing so and really I have been given appropriate tasks up to this point.

My job this year was to make stretchy body suits short suits via a new leg hems and sew white circles out of spandex to the centres of the suits. My point:

Sewing with stretchy spandex is NOT a beginner skill.

Maya had to ask me to watch my language. 

Bulk Barn

 

This is what $80 spent at Bulk Barn look like.

Cashews, walnuts, pecans, peanuts, hazel nuts, chia seeds, and hemp hearts.

I recently read on somebodies blog about a 3lbs bag of almonds for $7.99 at Costco in the states and it made me a tad angry. Next time I go state side I'm not buying shoes but NUTS!!!

Dinner Time

 

I admit it.

We don't communicate at meals.

We each get a book/newspaper/ iphone and catch up/ look at pictures and read. It was one of things I was unwilling to change when we had kids. Some people refuse to give up smoking... and I will not give up silent meals.

Pictured is one of our favorite easy meals. Fried eggs and CSA potatoes boiled and broiled. 

Dogs

What I hate... DOGS. ( Disclaimer- in my life I have liked Popcorn and Brew.)

What I really hate... little dogs.

What I can't stand... owners of little dogs.

I am sorry, but owning a little dog does not give you an allowance to bring it into the bank, the store, or the library. Some people may think a dog is cute. Yes some people may think children are cute. Some not.
The difference is, children are not allowed to jump on you with out severe punishments.

People of Hanover leave your stupid little dogs at home OR carry them in a carrier like the baby you think they are.


The picture is of the Mennonite church outside of Chelsey. Maya took it out of the window of the car. She now likes photography. Her technique might need a little work.

Beans, Beans , the Magical Fruit

With our CSA we have gotten several pounds of dried beans. Honestly though it is a bit of a pain trying to remember to soak them before hand sooo they are an infrequently seen item on the menu.
However I did remember one day last week to do so and thus made a really big pot to enjoy.
Beans are best served at dinner to avoid uncomfortable workplace environments.