Bruce County Hip

Thanks to Grammy, Maya is sporting skinny jeans and a Bench sweater.
She is decidedly hipper than I.

I will be going to the grocery store shortly in my jogging pants just to make it official.

More Posts for Andrea

As Andrea is nursing and sitting and generally bored and has been asking for posts, heres one for her!
Kyle Owen Vanderkooy- to be called Kie.
Just for the record I am slightly bitter she didn't name him any of the names I suggested. I really want to know what was so wrong with Archie or Aloysius??

Done and Done!

 

In November of 2010 somebody asked me what my plans were for 2011- in reference to sport/ races and impulsively I said, " Oh I think I might just stick to the trails next year."
And it seems for me the best decisions I make are the ones made on the fly with no thought nor insight. I am really fun to go shopping with.
I decided I would do the OUSER trail series with the aim to win it. It is a nine races series, your best five races count towards the Brian Hutson Award. For the reccord I do not know who Mr Hutson is. The distances are 25-32k which I knew I could handle with out falling apart and manage to keep my distance where it needed to be. I ended up doing six of the races that counted towards points. I did have competition from another girl who did four of the races and if she would have done the 25k at Vulture bait instead of the 50k she would have won..... and thats OK cause she is the faster runner. But she didn't and I am so blissfully happy. I knew there was a trophy for the other series in OUSER but I had no idea I would have a trophy to take home on Saturday. I was super happy that the man who shall remained unnamed and his wonderful wife hung around to see me get my trophy and act as official photographers. Thanks !!!! Now the trophy is on my sideboard and anybody who comes to my house has to see it. I even took it to work the day after I got it.

There is something to be said about setting a goal ans working towards it that gives a tremendous sense of accomplishment. Even when my ADD brain was thinking about a ton of other events I focused and did it. The only one I planed to do but backed out of was the ITT, for the simple reason I didn't want to drive to Burlington.

So now onto next year. I have been giving more thought to Boston qualifying and as I find it easier to train in the winter I could get a ton of mileage and do a 100miler...but I think I better think on  that for bit.

Vulture Bait

ahhhhh Last OUSER race of the year. At last a rainy day. I waited all frickin year to run a trail race in the cold and rain. I would have really preferred it in July, even September but I will take what I can get.
Got to London in good time and spent about 40min in my car trying to decide what to wear. In the end I went with the two layer combo of short and long sheves. And in the end of the race I was too hot, should have had a long sleeve and pulled up the arms as needed.
Met some Owen Sound peeps prior to the race, then at the start line asked all the girls who knew me where I should be and that's where I found the man who shall be unnamed. Wore my garmin just so I could keep track of my kilometres. The one fault of most trail races is you could be at km 5 or 15 or 18 and really have no clue. I also find it helpful to coordinate my numbers with the courses just so I know I am on course correctly.

Really liked this course, perfect fall location. Minor complaint being a long road section with a bridge where the wind wiped from all directions. I tucked in behind a fellow who was over dressed and rode it out. Major complaint (Not really) was the water crossing. Seriously I thought? In October? Am I really on course? My choices were try to skip along the rocks that were submerged or barrow though. In any event both choices would result in completely wet feet. Seems simple enough, but strangely I must have lost at least a minute making this decision.

Really was done about 20k in. Nagging left leg injury that I swore on the course I WILL be seeing physio about was causing serious issues. Should have taken more calories in, and perked up after getting some at the last aid station. The funny thing about this course is its lack of hills. In most trail races I usually don't run up alot of hills I just get low and walk. The benefit of this is conserving energy and actually getting a bit of rest and recovery from running. I found my self twice walking for the count of ten just to get a break. All that got me through the last bit was thinking about the line for massage and I had to run fast to beat the line. I was super smart and stashed a dry sweater at the building so as soon as I was done I got rid of my wet top and jumped right on the table.

Very happy to see the finish line in 2:09:58. Was quietly hoping for sub 2:15- but with this bum leg was thinking maybe 2:30. I think this might be a PB for this distance actually.  Good enough for third place and a free pair of Montrail shoes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OK  one more thing to say. Whats with all those girls who look really fast but in reality are not?

Tobermory Turkey Trail Run

Very pleased with this first year event. Two EMS based there used this event to fill the down time planning it. Benefiting a planned local fitness park. Incorporating a track with a play structure in the middle. Quite frankly at times in my own life I would have drove there to use. Progressive.

I did the 10miler, a mix of gravel roads, snowmobile trails, long lane ways, Bruce trail and a golf course. The only thing I have to complain about is the heat. Hot for October. Sure there was course marking questions, but what trail race doesn't have them?

At the start line I had my usual freak outs- one female I know is faster so that's ok. LOTS- (ok like 5)-  of skinny looking, LuLu girls who I figured were holidaying in the area. I figured i could pull off a top 5. Right away Joan pulls ahead- which is fine- she is faster, and surprisingly she stays in my sight for a large portion of the race. When you could see further than five feet for the trees. I was motivated by three things:

• There was a woman with a dog running behind me, I hate dogs, I especially hate dogs I do not know.
• The winners got chocolate apples. I like chocolate apples.
• Luke gets mad at me if he does not think I tried my best. 

In the end I was 1:25ish for 16k. 2nd female, and I beat the male 39and under male. I usually am not competitive with the runners who have testicles but he seemed upset I passed him.

Great chili meal post- with the option to buy for the family. most people stuck around for the endless door prises. I got a $50 gift certificate for a local gift shop that was having a 50% off sale. I didn't buy the bongs.

Helmet Heads

On Saturday we rode our bikes from Meaford to Thornberry. A distance easily covered by the kids.....unless you forget the first 3k is uphill. Many tears for that section by Ever , resolved shortly there after.

Mental note- when riding with the kids go east to west on the Georgian trail.



Cross Country

Ahhhh my favorite, so excited this year to have my baby girl participate.
Problem is I don't know who's little girl she is.
The thing is she is as non- competitive as they come. There was intense discussions about running just for fun vs. running to win. We settled on trying our best and feeling like you left it all on the course when you cross the line.

The school elected to not really push the kids to fulfill their potential. I strongly feel if you want to see any result you need to run five times a week. The kids would be amazed at the progress they make. However my suggestion was ignored and they ran three times a week. Repeatedly the teacher would give the kids misinformation and Maya would repeat it back to me and repeatedly I had to inform her that no, as her teacher is not a runner she is wrong. Now it is not as if I am complaining and didn't try to do anything about it. I volunteered to come everyday I wasn't working/sleeping to run/coach the kids. I wasn't wanted. It is not as if I am the only one though, other runner parents have asked to help and they were turned away as well.

I am very proud of Maya, I think she gave as much as a person who hates competition can. And team sports isn't really her thing either as evidenced by her intense dislike of the team shirt. I don't think she dislikes running, but I do think she doesn't like races. However, this is one of the activities this family does for physical activity so she is doing it.

Need New Underwear

I kinda want these. How much of a run geek am i???

Congratulations!!!!

I am so happy and proud of Andrea for having a vaginal birth post cesarean with midwives.

Baby Boy Vanderkooy was born at around 4pm, weighting 7'14.

Can't wait to meet him! Name to follow.


(This photo was taken on her way into the operating room with her first child)

Jesus Christ goes Stratford

And guess who has tickets for next week.

All of a sudden I'm cultured.

FOUR!!!!!

Sweetness

My wonderful friend/sister Andrea,
Where ever we go we are mistaken for sisters , I don't think it is because we look alike but because we share such an emotional connection.

And tonight when I think she is about to break I will take her frustrations and run them out, and pray.


And here is to baby Archie coming soon.

Run4health- Walkerton.

Interesting fact- this is the second race of the year I have done going by the title run 4/for  health and they were both timed by the same company.

June 10k- 47:20
Sept 10k- 47:53

Apparently I am getting slower as the year goes on.It was hot, and I am losing the weight loss battle. Why do I do these things?

Really they were both bad days. The entire race I hated as it was on road. Road that I actually train on all the time- read BORING and sick of. OK enough negativity.

First year event put on for the Walkerton Hospital foundation. I actually made an effort and raised money -$303.00 worth. Excellent organization. By far the best first year event I have ever been to. Long sleeve tec t-shirt. Chocolate finishers metal. No door prises which is sad cause I love door prices and really who doesn't?

Maya did the 1k family fun run. My only beef with the day was there was a one size fits all cotton t-shirt for her. Well we didn't take it. She doesn't want it, it doesn't fit me. Frankly just a waste. I am sure they will be filling the racks of the local thrift store in the next month. She made me run it with her. So she moaned and complained the entire thing that I was running to fast and her legs hurt. Misery loves company so I'm thinking this has got to stop and I can not run with her. I didn't want to, I wanted to cut the apron strings but she almost had a panic attack thinking she would have to go by herself and all the other children. She got a kinder egg at the finish line- best prise ever. Oh and  a ribbon. She cared way more about the egg.

Happy Day

It is official, now that Ever is in school Luke and I can have 'date' days. I hate when couples who are long married using the term 'date" but anyways for  lack of a better word- and suggestions are welcome- we spent the day together.
Spent a very challenging four hours MTN biking at Kolopore. It is rather depressing to say how many kilometres we covered in that amount of time so just know I could run it faster than I biked it today. Wow biking over rocky, rooty and hilly terrain is challenging.

Then we stoped at the bakery and the Lestleville chesse shop.  Happiness all round.

What makes me happy on night shift...

From the Toronto Star...

"Pack 20,000 men into a confined space and no good will come of it — either it’ll end in a brawl or, worse, the creation of the Promise Keepers."




From Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
 
"I had just come to accept that my life would be ordinary when extraordinary things begin to happen."
 
And here's to hoping my superpower will manifest itself or a great windfall of currency of epic proportions will occur.

Halibution Forest 26k

This picture is for a man who does not want to be named but requested specifically to have his picture on the dink site.



Well from the photos one kinda guesses that if I am in possession of a Haliburtion stool, I must have won the race, and indeed I did. I just kinda feel like I am not worthy of it.

This was my second running for the forest. A little anti climatic over last year when it was all a big unknown. The mystical Haliburtion which a raced on two weeks notice. This year I have had some strong training, earlier in the summer, however,  for the past month I have been working tons, have had a injury and just have not made fitness a priority. Thus just wasn't sure about Haliburton. I took a quick glance at the start list for the 26k and didn't see any obvious fast names, the thing is you just never know who you don't know. At the start line the man who shall be unnamed looked around and said 'ohh there is a lots of fast girls here'. In particular I was eying up a skinny girl with a iron man Canada visor and a woman who looked muscular fit- and had a matching lulu lemon shorts and bra. As well two friends from Hanover had travelled up with me- and if the one trained regularly she could definitely beat me.  I knew that course was the driest anybody could remember but.....

I lead the race from the start to the finish. I like to go out hard, which I know isn't the best practice- that's why loops and out and backs are hard for me. I just stop pushing for some reason. Ran with the same guys I always do at ouser races. All though the first half I was looking for Grant who was running the 50k. I was praying that he stayed on course cause ummm he has a little problem with that. Not so effective as he did go off for 2k BUT that is far better than another guy I talked to who was 10k off. When I did see him I gave him a quick hug and kiss and then I got in trouble for wasting time. Last year I was so focused on the mud I just didn't notice the hills but this year they were overwhelming. I didn't feel like I walked alot, but I must have. At the the turn around I was 2-3minites up on second.  As I didn't want a repeat of last year so there was alot of glancing over my shoulder for a female presence. Didn't really care about the men, they have testosterone and I don't. It is a really pretty course and I focused on that and the stool waiting for me. Spent some time feeling sorry for myself and my hamstring. Lots of emotion knowing that I was leading this race again, and how it was mine to lose like last year. Knowing that if I could pull it off it would be my first win EVER in a race.

When it felt like I was dragging too much I took a gel. Four in fact. Last year I remember just searching my fuel belt for anything cause I was so done. Don't know if I physically need them but mentally they do give me a boost. Glad I had my fuel belt cause those aid stations just feel so far apart. I found it to be a warm day.

When I came into aid station two the volunteers I don't think really realised I was in the 26k and didn't understand my haste just to dump water my my head and go. I had a strong finish, the gate was open but I went around the edge just as the course was marked just so I know I did the right thing. Felt good knowing I was the winner but I was feeling pretty loserish about my time. ON the insane muddy course last year I was five minutes faster!!!

I think last year the stars lined up ( not that I care about astrology but I think it is a good saying) and it was my day. Even though I came second last year I feel better about that race.

This year I was struggling with an injury and stress knowing that I needed a strong finish to get back on top of the OUSER points. I have felt like I am buying my time all summer until the magic of cooler fall temperatures and Ever going to school happens. I know I should be blissed about my win but if I look back at other years and see winners times of  2:50, 2:45, 2:47, 2:31 and I feel lousy about my 2:59.

I think I have an inferiority complex. 

Re- Fashioned

Maya, my fashion obsessed little girl. The little girl who aspires to be a fashion show organizer. She has never seen a fashion show.

This little girl came to me and asked if we could cut short this long skirt. Of course I did for her. However as this is the child who grows it is actually to small to begin with, before she even made it to school she split it up the back. So I sewed in a panel. Really she needs side panels but I just don't think it is worth it. She got her short skirt for the first day of school and that is going to have to be enough.

To School!!!

It has finally happened- Ever has started school! He met his teacher last week, then today was the most anticipated day.  We made his lunch, picked out an outfit and then he went to school and we left him there! The day was not without some drama. I had gotten him some shoes and he kept on wearing them so I hid them and now they remain hidden. Can't find them.
Maya reminded us he needed a blanket for quiet time and we don't have a surplus on little blankets, kindly, Maya offered one of her doll blankets. I have some superman fabric I will make a blanket out of.
AND when we got there it was discovered he wasn't going to his classroom but had gym, luckily it was with a teacher who is in the tri club but still,  just don't understand.

Luke went in with him and made sure he was mildly sedated. This was after the crying stopped.

Here's our big grade three girlie. Again in a split class. 2/3 this time. I think next year I will insist she be a straight grade as this the THIRD year she has been in a split. I think she spends to much time focusing on the younger kids. Well at least she isn't in a portable.  She got a new backpack for this year and a new shirt from me, otherwise I did no back to school shopping as Grammy is mildly obsessed with shopping for her :)

A Dairy Beverage

Went to get Anne some chocolate milk (great recovery drink) tonight as it was on special a Mac's. 99/c per L
But it turns out it wasn't chocolate milk it was chocolate dairy beverage, which is disgusting (yes we taste the difference).
Seriously, its not milk, its manufactured modified milk ingredients. Its getting hard to find real chocolate milk  and I thought in this day and age were were tryng to move away from man-made food like substances.
Oh well, there is always regular milk and chocolate powder, but I know I will be looking at the labels on those closely too.

Dead

For the official record at my funeral I would like some people to sing I'll Fly Away and I would like Tracy Chapman's song Say Hallelujah played please. I really like her voice so just play it. Maybe with a slide show or something like that in the year 2061.