Mommy got some new gear

I treated myself yesterday.
I was due for some new shoes, so I went & talks to the folks at the running room. They set me up with a pair of New Balance- the only shoe I've ever used & a Garmin Forerunner 210 SE. The Forerunner was a splurge, but they had it on sale for Mother's Day and said they were selling like hot cakes. I was originally looking at the Forerunner 10, but they said you couldn't connect that one online to get your splits, so I went with the 210. I'm hoping it will keep me motivates for the half at the end of June, and who knows maybe even improve my pace?!
Happy Mother's Day everyone, be sure to treat yourselves.

Overdue Race Reports

I have been remiss in reporting on the 2 races I have run.

I ran a 10K back in April (the 13th to be exact).  I had been back home less than 24h when we hit the pavement for the MEC Calgary Race #2
I ran an 'okay' race, especially for not having run for 10 days prior. I cam in 109/126 with a time of 1:08:42.
5 minutes off my PR, but again battling jet lag & a huge temperature differential I can't complain.  Though I will complain about the hill just before the turn around point.  While it was fine running downhill to the turnaround I conceded and walked up the hill as I figured it would be easier for all interested parties.

This past Saturday was the MEC Calgary Race #3.  This one was a big deal for me as I signed up to run 15K.  I've never run more than 10K in a race.  So between the 10K race in April and this race the first weekend of May I ran 12.5K and then 10K to prep.  My goals for this race were to not come in last and to try and beat a time of 1:45. I'm pleased to say I accomplished both.  I was 70/75 with a time of 1:40:43.75
But the big surprise was I acquired 4 black toenails. Lovely.

Now I am toying with running a half-marathon at MEC Calgary Race #4  What 21.1K? I think I've lost my mind. While I haven't signed up for the race yet, but I have started an 8 week training program.  I am following this training program (courtesy of Runner's World Magazine).  One modification is I will try to run my 'long' runs on Saturday's rather than Sundays as our race day is a Saturday.

Upcoming races

Trying to add 2 races I signed up for to my upcoming races box over there on the right, but seems like blogger is having issues, so I'll put them here until I can add them over there.

MEC (Mountain Equipment Coop)- similar to REI in the states- is hosting a series of  7 races throughout Calgary "Exploring Calgary's Pathways, Once race at a time".

I've signed up for a 10K on April 13 and a 15K on May 4th. 

Only $15/race!!   Come join the fun.

Honey Cowl

I completed my Madeleinetosh Honey Cowl appropriately on the first day of spring.

I used a heavier weight yarn than the pattern called for (worsted vs. dk) and I haven't blocked it (I've never blocked anything) yet, so it's difficult to discern the pattern.  Plus there are some goofs that  I didn't catch until I was too far along (too lazy to rip out) so it is uniquely mine.
I'm not a huge fan of purling, so I'm not sure if I will make another.  But this should get good use by me and my daughters who are coveting it.

Books, books & more books

I had the great pleasure of participating in the Valentine's Day 20 Author book give away.

And much to my surprise and delight, I was chosen as one of the winners!

Now one of the requirements for the contest was you needed to like the author pages on Facebook. For each author page you liked, you would win a copy of one of their books, up to 20.

I liked 8 author pages, and I received the following assortment of books over the past 3 weeks

Some are inscribed.  Others sent notes. Such an awesome contest.  I can't wait to start reading!

Many thanks to all the authors for participating: Allie Larkin, Cathy Marie Buchanan, Juliette Fay, Meg Waite Clayton, Judy Merrill Larsen, Jessica Maria Tuccelli, Randy Susan Myers & Shilpi Somaya Gowda.

March and spring is in the air

The hope of Spring just around the corner adds a bounce to my step. It also makes me feel like I can accomplish anything & everything because I am a superhero. Well not exactly, but you know that feeling- at least I hope you do.


Each month ShrinkingJeans.net puts out these great monthly workout calendars.

Six-Pack March courtesy of ShrinkingJeans.Net

I've done this workout calendar before but this time I'm doing real push-ups. Last year I was doing modified push-ups against the kitchen counter. This time it's the real deal. Day 1 is complete.
Here's to an awesome March!

A-ha moment

An aha moment while running?
How can that be? I don't consider myself a real runner. I consider myself a wanna be runner.

When do you become a real runner?

Is it when you finish your first official race?
Is it when you finish your first race without having to walk some parts?
I'm not sure. I've done a few 5k's and a few 10k's, both official and unofficial/virtual.

But back to my aha moment on the treadmill. While jogging (per the LifeFitness treadmill, 4mph is jogging 6mph is running) I could hear my track coach's voice in my head (I threw the shotput & discus. I was not a runner by any stretch of the imagination) talking about increasing your leg turnover rate- huh? Where the heck did that come from? I haven't been on a track & field team in 24years-yes I'm that old, but what a wow moment.
This is the FIRST time since I started running to jump start my lifestyle change where I ever thought about how fast my legs were turning over.
This was the first time I also pondered about what kind of running strike I have- I have no idea but guess I am a hard heel striker.

Maybe I am becoming a runner after all?.