Eight Days before 08-08-08

Twenty years ago, on August the 8th, my husband and I moved into our new home, which is now our 20 year old home, in need of updating. Do I really care, when I prefer to spend it outdoors gardening, or attending my son's soccer games, or running. I just picked my first fresh tomato from the garden. I think my tired looking bathrooms can wait another few years.

This August the 8th 2008, like the rest of the world, I am anticipating with much enthusiasm. Watching the BEST compete in their respective sports is one of life's gifts. They are all winners,in my eyes. Some happen to be better than others, by.01

This separates gold from silver. Somehow, this separation almost takes away
from the beauty of sport.,sometimes the clock is more important than the grace, the strenght, the flexibility, the skill, the talent you are watching. Regretably, we have to have a winner and a loser. I have trouble with this concept. Ideally I would love to see gold for all three of them on the podium.

Because .01 is significant, I have trouble living in the real world of gold, silver and bronze. For some of the athletes, they are going for gold, nothing less. It is a mindset. Nothing else matters, they are the best and they will show the world what it takes. I, will be watching,humbled by the display, and bursting with pride, when it is a Canadian. Go Canada!!

Why run 50K when you can run 53K instead?

On July 18th, I accomplished something I had thought of doing, when I was in my late forties. I wanted to commemorate my 50 yrs on this planet by running 50K. At one point my husband did not think I would make it.Sometimes stopping when you do not feel like stopping, to eat or drink, or simply to walk is not helpful, sometimes it is best not to stop.

I lost my rhythm by stopping. I also did not have a watch on, as my Garmin simply went blank 3 minutes into my run....go figure, I took it as a sign that I was not suppose to wear a watch that day....Not knowing how far you have run and how long you have been running can wear you down. You need that instant feedback sometimes.

I lost the running ability around the 40K mark or so...I wouldn't really know, I just know that when I was told I had run 45K, I was mentally fueled. I would be OK.

Tammy, a friend of Shannon Loutit, thought she would run 40K today. I convince her to join me & run 50K with me, later, she would not only reach 50, she would find it in herself to go to 60K.

At one point, she ran along side me and kept me focused. I would reach my goal and choose to go beyond, simply because I found the strenght within me to go on. Running farther became easy, once I had made up my mind to do it. The body simply followed, strongly, one foot in front of the other, under an amazing blue sky. I would stop at the checkpoint for Shannon's Event. I am strong, today July 18th, I ran 53K. Not a bad day for this 51 yr old.

Hydrate,eat, sleep, rest like a marathonner

I find it difficult to stay still. I enjoy resting, reading the paper, reading a book, watching television. I don`t do much of this, I prefer to work in the garden, catch up on house work, work at my computer whenever I can, promote my book, my charities, whenever I can, make a living, whenever I can, tend to our children's activities.

Life makes it difficult for most of us to stay still, to rest, to sleep.

Sometimes, eating properly gets in the way of being the best marathoner I can be.,forgeting to eat all I should eat, take my vitamins, drink my Xango juice.
On Saturday, in the interest of "resting" I rented a movie, bought food I normally never eat, and settled with the kids in front of the television. The junk I ate, literally made me ill. I am sensitive to the wrong food. What a wake-up call.I can't eat just anything, I am a marathoner. Lessons learned. I like making all the mistakes I can, and learn from others. Move forward, closer to the destination, eat properly, sleep, rest, drink H2O, like a good marathoner.

Last of the LONG runs

I like the simplicity of running. When I first started to run, for the most part, I had but one speed. I did not race events, I ran them. On Sat., I was to run the pace I think I can sustain on Race Day. I chose a double loop near our home. It has an endearing name: my 8K Industrial Route, along Conroy,Walkley,Hawthorne Rd's, & ends on a quiet bike path.

My first 8K teaches me this is a 10K race pace. Not the right one for the marathon.
My second 8K teaches me that having my kids, pedaling along side me, is more fun. It slows me down a bit, more like the type of pace I need to start the race with. Kids are great at teaching you things.Often more capable than we give them credit for. They enjoy the challenge of the hill on Hawthorne, it empowers them. I watch proudly, as any mother would.

Yesterday, on Sunday, my 6K run is a walk in the park, at the Conroy Pit. Am I ready for this marathon? No question about it. Let the games begin!

Mother's Day and Running

Recently, in the Sudbury Newspaper, a story was published, honouring my mother's 88th year. It also honoured her as having the traits of a marathoner and how her traits, contributed to the marathon runner I have become. A mother's gifts have a far reaching effect., in a miraculous sort of way.

Eight years ago, I ran my very first 5K, on Mother's Day. One year later, Phil Marsh, Regional Manager of the Running Rooms of Ottawa coached me to the start line of a half marathon, or 21.1K race. He ran it for his mother & ME, as I spent it recuperating at home from surgery to remove an obstruction in my abdomen. A minor yet depressing setback. To be in such great shape, due to my training, would be the blessing. This would serve to quicken my recovery.

"It will take you 6 mths to get back to where you were," he said to me. At Thanksgiving,with my mother with us that weekend, I ran my first 21.1K
The medal around my neck came 5 mths, 3 weeks later.....

Never being one to suffer from headaches, I found myself in bed Friday night and all day and evening on Saturday. Even the liquid blue gel Advil had no effect.
Could it be, that I would not be able to run on Mother's Day, on this beautiful, Spring day? I would drag myself out, even put lipstick on, and see if I had 5K in me.
I would try to commemorate Mother's Day, of 8 years ago, when I learned to run, to keep up with my then 2 & 5 yr old. On this fine Sunday morning, much like that day 8 years ago, I ran my 5K, and added another 21, along with my fellow marathon runners. I am ready for May 25th, the mind does indeed lead the body.

When Too Much is Simply Too MUCH

On Sunday, I had my worst marathon training run.

It was NOT because I went from the Kanata Running Room Store to the Bank St Running Room Store., a distance of 32K. It was NOT because I barely slept on Friday night, ate too much for dinner on Saturday night. It was NOT because I did not have my music to help me the last part of any long run. It was NOT because other parts of my life don't make sense to me right now. It was NOT because my self imposed physical training schedule is telling me to rest more, sleep more and eat better, and don't forget your vitamins.

It is synergistic. It is simply too much right now. Period. This happens, to all of us. Best that it happens now, and not in 3 weeks, on race day. Learn your lessons now. Recovery is happening, daily. Let those long distances be a part of my past, let them count by shelving them. Less is more. Heck, I even skipped boot camp on Monday morning. I felt like I had missed out on something, and then, I rolled over, greatful the liquid blue gel Advil did the trick. Next time I take it earlier than midnight.... It's Tuesday, I will run 6 K later, with the Marathon group., greatful for the lessons of not great runs. Greater ones are ahead. They always surface.

Doing what it takes to BE Strong

In December, I was planning my "Boot Camp" sessions in my mind. I have completed week 3 of a 6 wk program which has me show up at 5:30AM and work harder than I have ever worked in my life, with a bunch of women who, simply put, pay to get stronger, even if it means we sometimes get yelled at. Inevitably, it is the fastest hour of my day.

Their t-shirt reads "It's Hard, It's Fun, it Works"

It is complementing what I am attempting to do. Run my 5th marathon in 3 weeks. It is also advancing what I will be accomplishing on July 18th. My one and only 50K run in my Alberta.

I am building a stronger body, and hoping the mind will follow. It is the mind that will take me places I never dreamed of.

I strongly recommend http://www.ottawaadventurebootcamp.com

Rob Harris is the COACH! He and his wife run the camps and they are filled with amazing women from all walks of life, size and shape. Sign up for one of his camps, usually one month at a time, or drop in and do one of his Kettle Bell classes, open to men on Saturdays only. My Carl, with a Kettle Bell.... :)

DO what you don`t want to DO!!

I am looking forward to doing a workshop on teaching young girls how to run. It will be given to about 30 woman who work closely with young girls, it will be an opportunity for these woman to impart my knowledge and hopefully inspire the girls to learn something new. First, I have to inspire the women, then, in turn, they will inspire the girls. Not an easy task.

These women are professional volonteers, who work directly with young girls, our future leaders. They embrace the great outdoors. This weekend, it will be pouring rain, and cold. I am going to drive out on Friday night, spend the night and give my workshop in the morning and return to my warm bed on Saturday night. Sunday, I get to run my last long training run before the marathon....32K. This I look forward to., the run that is.

The camping gig I do not. I had visions of driving up for the 10AM workshop and returning asap! Then, I came to my senses. Many of these women may not want to learn to run, any more than I want to go camping in the rain. It is all in the way one presents it. This is my challenge, and I am embracing it. My goal, is to get them so fired up, they won't know what hit them. First, I have to feel the pain of cold wet camping, make it work for me, and then, only then, can I inspire others to consider learning to run. It is indeed a reality check. Looking at life, like a beginner might give me a chance to be a good teacher.

The Heart of the Long distance stuff

On Sunday, there were times I wanted to fly. I was stronger than I thought capable. I ran on adrenaline, not sleep, not rest, not at my physical best, but strong, for some strange reason.



My endurance was my gift. A fellow runner, was not as lucky. She developed what looked like "I T" band trouble, with shin pain. Not good, she walked the rest of the way.

When it came to my running on Sunday, I felt lucky.
When it came to the rest of my life, I was NOT lucky.


Later, when I saw her, she expressed disappointment. Her body hurt. It told her she had to listen, do less and re-adjust. She would be fine on Race Day, this was just life's way of showing her that sometimes, you don`t get what you want. You start off with a run, you end up with what you did not expect.

Lately, I have certainly not expected what I have had to deal with. I have had to adjust my sails, in order to keep sailing thru this unbelievable set of circumstances. My ability to run, has given me perspective. It has been my therapy, my balance, my calm in the storm. It has been a troubling couple of weeks. I knew I was in trouble a few weeks ago, when running 29K one Sunday, was the easiest part of my day. Yikes, time to do less, take a break, let it go, give it up, and pray the nightmare is replaced by normal.

My soon to be marathoner friend and I will both make it. Less is more, for both of us.

Less than a month

May 26th,the party is over. In one month, over 30,000 participants, will have participated in Ottawa's Race Weekend, much money will have been raised, for the regional charity, Ottawa Hospital Foundation, and for the national charity, The Canadian Athletes Now a non profit, dedicated to raising funds for our underfunded Canadian Amateur Athletes.

We are all so much more capable of great things, or of doing something new, like the young child who will do the Kid's marathon, and the 80 yr old who will cross the finish of a marathon, the memories created on Race Weekend will last forever.

Consider this, we all have it in us.

I don`t wear Nike's, nothing personal, just never have, maybe one day I will, however I am a big believer in this. Simply, naturally, purely, add much fear and enthusiasm in the following: "Just DO IT!"

The test of LIFE

"Whenever you become empowered, you will be tested" Carolyne Myss

I received this quote this morning from a woman who offers up "Gina's QUOTE of the Day"

The Runners in Boston on Monday, did just that, they were tested. Last night, I attended a slide show, put on by photographer Phil Marsh, also the Area Manager of the Running Rooms in Ottawa. Several local marathoners were featured. It was inspiring, simply being in that room, sometimes my back to the screen.

I have always been scared by the marathon, which is why I sometimes run one. Scared to death. I know, however, that I can run one, and if I can, anyone can. I have empowered myself to do this, and so, "Just DO IT" rings in my head.

It's not all about the running, it's about all aspects of one's life, when we are empowered, we are certainly tested. Make sure you are properly trained, and surround yourself with your support systems, and just do it. Know also, when to step back. Less is more. Later, the finish will simply show up. Never soon enough, never soon enough.

Counting DOWN Ottawa Race Weekend Fever

With all of the amazing Boston Marathon Energy flowing it is time to write and share the ENERGY!!!

I am a living, breathing example that we all have it in us to make change. Some of us believe this to the core, some of us have trouble with the concept, others, simply give up. Most of us are a little bit of all of these. One thing is sure, as Oprah would say, "This I know is true"


It is when you surround yourself with people who believe in you, especially when you doubt yourself & want to give up, it is then, and only then that DREAMS come true.

Pick your cheering section wisely, embrace setbacks, they will only make you stronger. There is a reason for everything that is on your path, respect it, and it will reward you in ways you never thougth possible.