First time for Everything - Part Deux

Hello again!

For those of you who have been eagerly awaiting the second installment of this blog entry, wait no longer...It has arrived and in full technicolour!

So, lets pick up where we left off. My month of many firsts.

3rd First

Certainly the event that reigned supreme this past month way my trip to Vancouver to run my first event with my dad. For those of you whom I have had the pleasure of running with over the years, you will know there is no greater joy for me than sharing a run with someone.  I have logged countless miles with old friends,  new friends and total strangers, but rarely have I had the opportunity to run with family.

My dad is much more likely to dance his way through the streets than jog (click here for proof), but this was not the case last Saturday when we tackled the St. Patrick's Day 5K around Vancouver's picturesque Stanley Park.  We soaked in the late start and enjoyed a relaxing morning drinking our smoothies, planning our attire and pining on our race numbers; then headed down to the event with a good friend of dad's who was also running with us. The race sold out at 1500 entrants and of those, probably 1350 were in costume! 

The sun was shining and the only thing bigger than my smile was my sunglasses. I loved every minute of it. Turns out, not only was this dads first 5K, but mine too. I rarely run this length - because it feels more like a 20 minute sprint. We had a great time and I think dad surprised himself with his pace. We crossed the finish line together (although I should mention that dad's official time was faster than mine) arms raised!

Getting ready for our first 5K

After our run, the three of us enjoyed a wonderful brunch at Sharmaina's house; then the two of them drove me to the ferry...on my way towards another first. 

Don't be fooled by the costumes.This is serious business!

Post race picture

 

4th First 

My final first of this installment was my first double event weekend and in two separate cities at that!  It was also, my first time running the Comox Half Marathon and my first road trip with my training partner, Jani!  I am starting to realize that most days are filled with a first 'something' we just have to choose to look at it this way.  

Pictured below is the terminal at Horseshoe Bay. The ferry to Nanaimo is so spectacular - I fall in love every time I am on it.

Jani met me in Nanaimo and we headed up to Nanoose Bay for a sleep-over with my aunt and uncle. We were were treated to a wonderful dinner, 'Top Secret' dessert and even foamy coffee in the morning. 

We hit the road and arrived in sunny Comox at 9am. Jani had a wonderful race and honestly, barely looked like she broke a sweat.  I on the other hand, had a bit of an 'off' day...Rarely do I struggle to find enjoyment in a half marathon, but Sunday was not my day. I came up with a thousand reasons why (which poor Jani had to listen to on our drive home), but the gist of it is...it just wasn't my day, and in running, the sooner you accept that these days are inevitable (once in a while) the easier this love affair will be. 

The long rural roads that stretched out for miles made the run feel more like a marathon. The minute you find yourself counting down the kilometer markers you know you are in for a long haul and on Sunday I started counting down at the 6K mark...yeah it was a long haul!

Nonetheless, I still finished a respectable 3rd in my age category and Jani beat her goal time!  We were treated to a wonderful feast and to top it off I won a new Timex watch. wootwoot. 

There you have it, a wild month filled with an abundance of firsts! 
Thanks for reading. Happy Trails. :-)

Crossing the finish line...thank Gawd!

Jani and I relaxing at the wrap up

CLICK HERE TO DONATE to LaceUp4 Lupus TODAY!

First time for Everything - Part 1

This seemed like an appropriate title for this entry, since the past two weeks has been filled with lots of firsts for me.

But before we go down this road, I have to take a minute to pass on the most exciting news of all (click here for drum roll please...) 

LaceUp4Lupus has met and exceeded our fundraising goal!

As of today we have raised over $4700. I have been hesitant to post this as I was worried that the support would slow so, I decided to do what any athlete would do when they reach a goal...I set a new one! $5000, here we come.

If you haven't donated yet, now is your chance to help push us over another
big milestone.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW!

My 1st First

Tuesday nights are usually my 'club' runs.  I have been training with the Prairie Inn Harriers for the past two years and have really felt like I have found a club that fits me perfectly. Generally speaking, these guys and gals are NUTZ, which suits me just fine because the more I hang out with them the saner I feel. I have made some great friends here and have felt totally supported on this running/fundraising journey; which is why it came as no surprise that they allowed me to speak about LU4L at their club meeting two weeks ago.

I was pretty nervous about this...I speak in front of groups quite often, but rarely about myself, and certainly never about Lupus. So this was a big step -my 'coming-out' if you will. I put in a lot of hours on my presentation. I wanted it to be engaging, informative and of course needed it to motivate people to donate. Well, I think I accomplished all of the above. My intimate presentation was well received and I managed to walk out of there feeling like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I was nervous about flashing up huge pictures of myself with my rash and swollen hands and feet (I don't like to look at these pictures myself) but felt it was necessary to 'show' what the disease looks like and in the end it was all worth it b/c the donations came rollin' in that night.

I am happy to share this presentation with you. If you would like to view it simply follow the link below and press the "Play" button to scroll through each slide.

LaceUp4Lupus Prezi

My 2nd First

Hot on the tails of my presentation night was another first for me. My first full magazine article! Which once again, put me and Lupus right out there for the world to see.  The article was written by a close friend of mine which made it even more meaningful.

My mom and dad are my biggest supporters and have literally stashed away piles of the issue! Reminds me of Jr. High a little, when your sports team got featured in the local paper. Mom and dad would have it cut out and on the fridge in lightning speed. love it. xo

You can read the full article here, or pick up a copy of IMPACT at most local running stores.

I have lots more 'firsts' to cover but wanted to give you a taste of what has been keeping me busy these days. 

Training has been going pretty well...feels a little little like the dog days lately though. I am going to channel Florence and the Machine in the coming weeks and hopefully they pass soon. More on training to come in Part 2.

Pleasant St.

Last week was a high mileage week which I was really happy with, but I would be lying if I said running never feels like a chore. It doesn’t feel like that often, but as soon as my training becomes more prescriptive, I become a little more resistant.  What I love most about running is that for the most part I do it, when I want, where I want and for how long I want.

However, the prescriptive part is somewhat necessary in order to meet a specific goal, like qualifying for Boston. So I embrace it...

This acknowledgment does not imply that sometimes I don't have to trick myself with little mind games just to get out the door!

CASE in POINT

Perfect street crossing on my run home

Wednesdays are scheduled as my easy run days. I have struggled to get this run in consistently. I am conflicted - My body is saying “you just had a workout last night and you’re gonna have another one tomorrow…easy runs can just as easily be replaced by no run!”  My mind on the other hand knows that any run is worthwhile and sometimes the ones on tired legs can often be some of the best for marathon training.  With this Battle Royale going on between my body and mind I compromised and decided to strap on my pack and cruise home. 

I run home pretty regularly - it is a quick little jaunt that gets me from downtown to my doorstep in 22 minutes.  Not this day, as I decided to tuck my watch away and take out my smart phone to capture some of the sights I blindly cruise by so often.

There is beauty in the most ordinary things and sometimes all it takes is a different perspective to appreciate it. I found a new organic café and deli, a rugged graffiti wall and a picture perfect trestle all while being treated to the crisp, sweet smell of dusk. 

I stopped whenever I wanted to look back upon the path I had just traveled. I am still amazed at the distance we can cover by foot. Looking back provided plenty of opportunity for reflection. And as I climbed up over the Gorge Waterway and turned to head home I stopped one last time, took out my camera and was ready to snap a photo of a gorgeous runner heading out for her own adventure when I realized it was one of my dearest running partners, Jani!   What a perfect way to end my run…had I not taken the time to slow down and look back I would have missed her completely. We chatted for a minute, she posed for a picture and then we headed off into the setting sun.

Running will feed your soul for life if you let it.  

FUNDRAISING UPDATE 

TO DATE: $3524.00

WEEKS TO GO: 8

CLICK HERE TO SPONSOR OUR TEAM AND HELP US REACH OUR GOAL