Hatley

Yesterday was the Hatley Castle 8K.

After talking with Paulie the night before, he convinced me I should race... and I'm glad I did! I keep forgetting what the 'runner's high' is like, and I'm reminded with every race I enter.

The course is notorious for showing no mercy on the steep climbs and rolling hills. Heading for the start line, I was beginning to question myself if this was a smart decision... but it was a little late to be backing out then --too many people have already seen me.

Hoping to run under 40 minutes, I crossed the finish line at 41:04 - which isn't a bad time for me. I was thinking sub 40 was a little unrealistic. But, on the plus side, I got a calf massage at the end!! And total bonus: my masseuse was pretty dang cute.

Today, my body feels pretty good! I'm pumped.... I have no aches, no pains! Perhaps I wasn't pushing hard enough.. !? I must say, I gave it a pretty hard effort on the last 500 m stretch. There was a fleeting 2-3 seconds at the finish line where I thought it was possible I could have met my '09 goal, and puked. Sigh... It vanished pretty quick, though.

I'm hoping to get into a regular running routine to get myself into better running shape. I'm looking into joining a running team. A little ambitious, I know... but all those runners from PIH, Westshore, or Running Room are so fit and look so damn ripped. I'm hoping I can hold off from my regular junk food binge - wish me luck!!

I've also given some serious consideration to running some longer running races. The Merville 15k is coming up... and maybe even a 1/2 sometime this season.. ? I suppose that would mean that I have to be doing some longer training runs... I'll keep you posted on how/if those go!

Meanwhile, here's a picture of me from the race:


Keep fit and have fun!

J

ah, simply marvelous...

These past three days have been my saving grace.

It all started Wednesday. I woke up early. Ran at 10:30, swam at noon. Came home, had lunch then napped for two hours. The rest of the afternoon was dedicated to creeping on facebook, organizing my room, lazing around. Thursday was much of the same. Swam at 9:45, home for lunch at noon, then had a nap. I cut it to 30 minutes to avoid the groggyness I experienced the day before. It worked - I woke up feeling rather refreshed. My afternoon consisted of lots of wasting time, facebook, and writing emails. Then at 5:30, it was off to spin. I don't know if it's possible, but I bet I lost around five pounds through my sweat. That was the first night I did the run off the bike. Just a ten minute steady jog, but it felt great! I'm hoping it's getting my body prepped for UBC, which is only 2 weeks away!!

Today, I'm hoping to be slightly productive and get a start on some papers due next week :-(

The last few weeks have been hellish to say the least. The copious amounts of work and stress have been wrecking havoc on my body; mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. I couldn't even begin to explain how low I've been feeling, so reading week couldn't have come at a better time. The last few days have been reminding me of my hawaii days...

...riding to the hot ponds...
...running along shower drive...
...swimming in the pahoa pool because it's warmer than the hilo one...
...talking with the hippies at the pahoa market...
...going into town for random fun events...
...ecstatic dance...
...sunday markets...
...safeway sandwiches...
...the 'be cool' loop...
...richardson's beach..
...being serenaded to sleep by the coqui frogs...
...talking with Chad at Safeway...

ah, simply marvelous...


J

Tuh - aw - muss

Two years ago today, Tom was riding his bike down Elk Lake Drive when he got hit by an astro van. In celebration of this anniversary, his recovery, his amazing positive attitude, motivation, devotion to a better lifestyle and making life as awesome as possible... this blog entry is dedicated to him.

Tom is nothing short of amazing. No more than a month after his accident, he was back riding on the roads again!

Today, Tom is still dealing with side-effects of his accident, but still continues to train as hard as he can and keep a positive mentality.

He's taken a horrible situation, and gives it a positive light; making other cyclists aware of dangers on the road, reminding drivers to be more cautious when they're driving, and generally helping others grasp a greater appreciation for life and striving to achieve all the wonders that comes out of it.

Tom is one of the most amazing people I know. I look up to him as a big brother, an athlete, a person, a friend. I'm very glad he didn't get completely crushed by that astro van!

Got 5 minutes? Check this link!

Keep fit and have fun!

J

Cobble Hill 10K

This past Sunday, I ran the cobble hill 10k. As per usual, it was very last minute... I only found out about the race the day before. I decided that I was going to run the night before when I saw online that there was day-of registration.

When I got out to Mill Bay, I wasn't feeling too keen on the run - I must have sat in my car for a solid 10 minutes trying to coax myself out of it...telling myself I didn't have to run. Finally, I pushed myself to get out of my car and onto the scene - and I'm glad I did!


I started out feeling pretty good. I kept trying to relax as much as possible, which I noticed helped considerably for maintaining a regular breathing rhythm. The course was fabulous, too; beautiful, rolling, winding roads. It was pretty chilly out - when I was about halfway, it started to snow! I definitely should have worn gloves! I thought I was being courageous wearing capris, that is until I saw the real runners in their shorty shorts and tee's.


For the last 6-7 kilometers, I had a guy run right on my hip. Oddly enough, every race I've entered, I've had someone pace off of me for almost the entire race. They usually thank me for it at the finish line or through internet correspondence. At 100m from the finish line, he sprinted me... and unfortunately, won. He did shake my hand afterwards and told me how good of a pacer I was.

I ended up running a 48:40 10k - my best time, yet!

Most of my regular circle of friends are mainly elite athletes. Sometimes I get very discouraged with my training because they are always better, faster, stronger, or the excitement about my finishing times get overshadowed by their times because they blow mine out of the water. I've decided that I'm going to focus more on my progress than on theirs, and try to keep in mind that I am a beginner athlete. I need to remember that I've been in sport, coming up on 2 years now. Comparisons between them and I are not relevant because most have them have been training for more than a decade, if not for their whole. This also led into more thought about my goals for this season. Taking a cue from Tom, I've decided to make some serious goals for 2009. They include:

1. Running so hard I puke
2. Running a sub 46 minute 10 km
3. Sub 2:45 time at UBC - March 8th
4. Sub 3:40 10k swim in July
5. Completing a week long cycling trip up the coast of California in mid-April



Pictures from the race aren't online yet. I am going to get a new camera soon, so I wont be picture-less for long. I'll be sure to upload race pictures when they're up.

Also, with all this school-work procrastination, perhaps another goal should be to pass all my classes..!? haha! ...Next September, please remind me never to take a full course load again. It really wreaks havoc on all other parts of my life.

Keep fit and have fun,

JS

Don't you ever wonder what your appendix was ever used for a million years ago?

Well.... don't you?


JS

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Merry Christmas! The past couple days in Salmon Arm have been a nice change of pace. We've been going on some nice hikes, eating some delicious food, and chillin to the max. I would have taken some pictures, but Tom soaked it when he was raped by ocean waves during his Juan de Fuca hike. Instead, I made my own picture to illustrate the awesome-ness. Enjoy!


Stay fit and have fun!

JS

Love Your Mother

The only good thing that came out of the bio class I took this semester: www.storyofstuff.com

Yes, Reading articles, listening to lectures, and getting engaged in debates/discussions might be a little overwhelming at first, but here are a couple suggestions to get the ball rolling:

Political action: participate in rallies/protests - uvic is really good for supporting all sorts of crazy things. Keep an eye out around campus and read the signs they have posted up. Sign petitions and join activist groups. Ask questions. Most importantly - contact elected officials! Gary Lunn of the Conservatives is the MP for the Saanich area. Not living in Saanich? You can find your MP here. Write them letters, give them a call, or drop by there office on the way to the ferries.

Consumer Action: Buy organic and locally produced products. Support your local farmers and tradesworkers. Check the labels to see where something was made. China? Indonesia? Thailand? Put it back.

Personal Action: Get informed about our world and its production. Let friends and families know about this, too. Spread the word. Shun them when they want to go to WalMart to buy knock-off items that 9 year old girl just got paid 2 cents a day for making in mass amounts. Also, walk, bike, or take the bus to work/school as much as possible.

Don't forget to smile,

JS