Run to the Water

Well Easter weekend is over for me, I think I thought that since I was in school I would get Monday off, turns out that doesn't apply to College or University students. Oh well, at least I'm not just realizing this this morning, that would be even worse.

This weekend was full of soaking up the sun, running (alone and with the boyfriend), finally finishing our travel book from our trip to London and Paris (which was in July and August 2009), and visiting family. This weekend did not involve any school work at all, even though it kind of should have seeing as I have a presentation tomorrow.

The Running  

I went running alone on Friday afternoon and boy was it ever warm out. Of course anything above 0C (freezing) is warm to me right now so when it got to above 20C I was in heaven. Normally I am the one to melt in warm weather, but Friday was just perfect. I set out along the waterfront and ran past a ton of university students soaking up the sun. I stayed along the water the whole time because my run was an out and back, it was wonderful! 

On Saturday the boyfriend and I set out around the same time (3:30pm, I love running in the morning, but at the same time I will run when I can!) but this time we set out in the opposite direction that I went the day before. It took us down to the harbour and along the waterfront, then we had to cut across a park to get back to the street to run home. It was a little cooler on Saturday and I finally wore shorts....I am a little self conscious when it comes to my legs (I don't know why, I just am) so wearing shorts for the first time this year at first had me thinking, "maybe I should go and put my crops back on"...but then I started thinking differently after some kind words from someone wise (the boyfriend), "it is warm out, I want to wear shorts, and no one else cares"! Take that negative thoughts, BAM!

Of course what naturally happens after a run? That's right I went skulking around my parents' backyard to look for pretty flowers and such. 

Turns out there is only one kind of flower out around the whole neighbourhood, I thought that was kind of funny. My parents also have some nice decorations around the backyard....turns out they like suns. I must agree they are very pretty!

This sun was found on the little shed in the backyard, I think I need to find a better place for it because it is really pretty and is kind of hiding where it currently is.

This sun is from my grandparents' backyard but had to be moved to my parents' when they decided to move into an apartment building. I think it is a nice addition to the collection of decorations in the backyard. 

I must say I had a wonderful Easter weekend full of yummy food, and of course candy, yum! This morning I got up at 6:30am to go for a run and was greeted with the sun almost up, it is nice to not be waking up in the dark again. Of course come Wednesday when I wake up at 5:30am it will be pitch black again, but then that just gives me something to look forward to later! 

My run was a speedy 5 miles along my favourite route, I just went a little further along the water than I did on Friday's run. It was so beautiful out and I cannot wait to get back out there for my walk to school! 

I hope you all had happy and healthy Easter weekends!

Happy Running!

An Irish Blessing

Happy Wednesday!! The only thing keeping me from my long weekend is the accounting test that I have this afternoon and a full day of classes tomorrow, but I bet I'll get out of my Office Procedures class early (it's the one that goes until 3:30pm).


I wanted to share this quote with you. I have read it many times, and it sits on my desk so I can read it when I'm doing school work. 

My 8:30am class was cancelled this morning, YAY!! I got to sleep in a little bit and with the time I was given I ran an amazing and blissful 5 miles rather than the 3 miles I normally run on Wednesday mornings because I'm short on time. When I look at the difference between the distance I normally run and the distance I ran this morning it isn't too much, BUT to me being able to add those miles to my day makes me feel more alive. Maybe I'm crazy, but I just love running!


I also wanted to let you guys know what I thought of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. Well I have to say that I loved it, I just love love loved it!! My boyfriend and I woke up on Saturday morning made yummy banana and peanut butter oats and sat down ready to watch Food Revolution. Well I must say we were inspired by everything that Jamie has been doing, but at the same time we couldn't help but look at each other with these shocked faces when Jamie made those "chicken nuggets" and the kids still wanted to eat them. I must say we are already looking forward to Friday night's show.


Question: Have you been watching Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution? What do you guys think of it? Are you looking forward to Friday's episode?


I hope that you all have a great day and that you are having beautiful sunny weather so you can go outside and soak up the sun! 


Go to Healthy Ashley's blog to enter a contest to win a Bondi Band! They come in wicked colours, cool patterns and awesome sayings! They are so cute! I always need to wear a headband of sorts to keep my hair off my face, I am always finicky about making sure my hair is not in my face while I'm running. These look like the perfect product!


Happy Running!

What Have I Been Reading?

Here are some links to blog posts and a video that I have been loving this week! From this I think you can figure out that I want to do some more core exercises and stretching after running.

- A different hamstring stretch from FitSugar, I know I need to do this more than I do often so I am not unintentionally shortening my stride due to tight hamstrings

-Jill wrote a great post last week, Get Stronger Run Better, about the importance of strength training in addition to running, she uses body weight exercises: push-ups, squats, lunges, alternating Ts, and planks (repeat 2-3 times). I love push-ups and planks, but reading this post reminded me that I need to do a little more

-Caitlin addressed the idea of how trying to be perfect is an addiction and the guilt we feel when we cannot achieve said perfection in this post. I know I took a lot away from this post, I think it really sank in when a teacher asked me if I am a perfectionist and I immediately answered "Yes!"...I think I need to re-read the post

-Crunchless Ab Exercises count me in! I love the FitSugar and have been reading their stuff for many years now

- I love these post run stretches! Thanks Flexible Warrior!

Happy Running!

(Food) Revolution

Happy Friday to all!! 


Tonight is the night I have been waiting for because Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution is on! (I know it was on on Sunday but 10pm was too late for me, haha!) We will be watching the repeat of the premier and the new episode, I am very interested in this show and am excited to see it!

[Source]


I remember when this cookbook came into the bookstore, and I have to say that Jamie Oliver has to be one of the most popular chefs and has great cookbooks (I read cookbooks for fun!).


Running and thinking...


So this past week I have been thinking a lot during my runs. You know how it goes, sometimes on a run you zone out and sometimes all you can do is think about things. I had a very busy week at school: a presentation, tests, lots of homework...and so on.


Of course I made it out alive, but sometimes I have to remind myself that I am the one who wanted to go back to school and that I am doing so so that I can better my skills and build a kick ass life for myself!


The funny thing is is that I always used to think that the best runs I had were the ones where I completely zoned out and was listening to my body and everything around me. Thursday's run showed me something different. I went out for a quick 3 mile run at 6am before my 8:30am class. All I could think about was the presentation I had to give later that day, I kept repeating what I going to say, sounds boring...and I must say it kind of was. On the other hand it powered me through my run and I felt amazing! When time came to turn around and go home I was surprised how fast everything was going. I finished happy, strong, and ready to present.


In the end the presentation went very well and I felt very confident in what I was saying because I had spent my run going over my content. Oh the interesting things that happen when you run!


I am happy it's the weekend and I am looking forward to next week's runs when I will be going over accounting in my head. I'll be thinking about adjusting entries and closing accounts, ok that doesn't sound anywhere near as cool as my presentation. 


I hope that you all have a great Friday night!!


Happy Running!

Sharing the Love!

I found this card in my Dad's study:

He got it from my Mum for Valentine's Day this year. I think it is just the cutest card I have ever seen, and it totally sounds like my family. My parents are one of the reasons I am so healthy. My Dad started doing Triathlons and Half Marathons in his mid 40s and my Mum jumped on the healthy bandwagon at that point too. 

When I got a little too lazy after my first year of university my Mum asked me, in a nice way that made it sound cool, if I wanted to go see her personal trainer with her. At that point a love for cardio and weights was born. I remember coming home after my second year of university and asking my Dad to go for a run with me, he was so happy that I was taking up something he loved. 

After I completed my first half marathon I remember my Dad being convinced his half time was faster than mine....turns out I was faster. The thing is he couldn't have been more proud of me.

My parents have always been so positive and have dared me to try new things like lifting lifting weights, running further than I thought I could, trying new foods and being positive when I thought I couldn't. 


Question: What are you doing to challenge yourself? 


I am trying to get all my school work done ahead of time, set up a placement for May-July (only on Fridays), run and be happy while doing so 5 days a week, eat balanced meals on a daily basis, try new things (new foods, new mantras while running), and add in some kind of strength training 2-3 times a week.


Happy Running!