The gift that keeps on giving

Using my handy new Paul Ryan Time Calculator I just qualified for Boston! Awesome! This might just be my new favourite thing!

http://www.paulryantimecalculator.com/

GOP marathon time

Anyone who knows me will have an idea about the direction of my political leanings. But this isn't about that. It's about the obsessiveness of runners, especially those who run long distances, and their competitive natures as a whole. This is one of those things I love most about the running community: we are a fact checking, stats collecting, competitive bunch. While our political leanings may be as diverse as our personal bests, we are united in our commitment to one thing: not letting others lie about their accomplishments. You're only as good as your last run. And if this habit happens to bite the GOP vice presidential candidate on the ass, so be it.

In his political life Paul Ryan (the aforementioned GOP vice presidential candidate)  has made a number of claims about a variety of topics. He's not someone I'd vote for but then, to be honest, the whole GOP platform exhausts me. I can no longer tell crazy misogynists from Birthers from those that believe the earth is flat and global warming doesn't exist. Occasionally I try to read stuff and it makes me depressed. Even all the crazy rape stuff doesn't make me angry anymore - just really sad.

But back to Mr. Ryan - some media outlets have commented that he has a tendency to stretch the truth (or lie). But, by and large, there hasn't been a lot of comment on the mistruths. Until now. Because Ryan lied about something that really counts. That's right - his marathon time.

For those who haven't heard, Ryan made a claim that he'd run "marathons" and his best time was "under three hours". And, runners being runners, this was checked out. And it turned out to be false. He ran one marathon and did it in well over 3 hours. (JUST LIKE ME!!!!! WOOOHOOO!!!!! WE have so much in common).

It's pretty basic. Anyone who's every done a 10K Fun Run knows you don't make this stuff up. It's too easy to find out the truth. And someone always finds out the truth. I knew a guy who would DNF on races. He'd always find a shortcut and cheat. He'd cross the line, get the medal but, once it was discovered he hadn't actually run the race he'd get the disqualified. It was just so pointless on his part, and weird and kinda embarrassing for everybody else. BECAUSE EVERYBODY KNEW. Runners are like that, we read the stats and check up. Here's the link to the Runner's World article.

http://news.runnersworld.com/2012/08/31/paul-ryan-says-hes-run-sub-300-marathon/

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Yes, it's been awhile since I posted. I have photos and a bunch of other cool stuff to share about my adventures this summer once I have returned to the dark, damp and dour of Edinburgh. This story seemed too good and timely to pass on ...

Queensland, Nova Scotia

We had such great summer weather during our stay in Queensland, Nova Scotia. Nova Scotian weather can be as variable as regular Scotian weather, especially during the summer. So when we agreed to a week (in July!) on the South Shore with my parents I did have my doubts. But it was a fantastic week. Only one day of rain, with another day of meh weather - not meh enough not to go swimming.

The summer weather lent to some of the most amazing, and familiar, of smells: the boggy smell of the ocean combining with the sunny smell of wild rose and chamomile. And the scenery along the coast was fantastic. It was glorious running.

Halifax

I'm in Canada for the the rest of July until the middle of September: visiting Nova Scotia for over a week, Prince Edward Island for a couple days, then off to Ottawa for the rest of the time.

Right now I'm in Nova Scotia right now, by the beach and loving it. The kids are loving the water and fresh air. We arrived in Halifax and hung around there for a few days: it was fun seeing the city with my family in tow. I always think of Halifax as the city I grew up in. I moved there when I was 18 and left when I was 25 - formative years for me And that was a place and time that informed who I am.

It's weird returning 15 years later. Even though so much has changed, and almost everyone I knew has moved away. I keep expecting to run into people. I keep looking, thinking "hey! is that...?" then I remember that the person I'm looking for is older. Like me! Somehow I expect Halifax to have stayed the same while I did all the changing.

I ran twice in Halifax. Since it was so hot while we were there I ran early to avoid the heat / humidity / pollution combination. The first run was around the Spring Garden - Quinpool area. It's so lovely with its tree lined streets and big wooden houses. I spent so much time in that neighbourhood as a student, it was a good way to reminisce.

My second run was in an area I didn't know on foot: over the MacDonald Bridge and into Dartmouth. That was a bit rough. I kept forgetting the layout of the city and would need to run a block or so out of the way to get on the right street. I love running over bridges and this was no different. I had a great view of the city and all the Tall Ships which were visiting the port. Once in Dartmouth, I ran through the Dartmouth Commons (which I didn't know existed) and through St. Peter's cemetery before heading back to the bridge. I finished my run at the Cabin Coffee
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cabin-Coffee/158288467523021 . I had a French Roast. It was so good.

I'll keep posting through out our time away from Scotland.Due to the frenetic nature of packing, I've left the USB port that allows me to download photos. I'll post pictures once I've got that sorted.

This month

June is o-v-e-r. The Summer Solstice has been and gone - it feels like

what should be a proper summer has started.

new boots

However, as I've complained before June has been wild! Tons of rain, soggy, and generally yucky weather. I have fallen in love with my hot water bottle and don't care who knows it. I finally caved and bought myself some wellingtons. They don't have the same feel as my running shoes and aren't as comfortable. But my feet are dry and that's all that counts sometimes.

decoration on canal

And I didn't get to run as much as I wanted to for the usual reasons - turns out chasing an active preschool while breast feeding 

really makes it difficult to get out of bed at 6 am. The weather has out and out sucked, leaving me with very little will to run. I hate making excuses, but sometimes they seem really valid, y'know?

sidewalk art

Another factor has been that Thomas hasn't been the healthiest of little people. He's been in and out of the hospital a number of times over the past month and I've had a difficult time organizing myself and my runs around hospital stays. T seems to be over the worst of it, he's such a happy little guy. We've had a bunch of drs appointments and have a couple more over the next couple of weeks. Hopefully everything checks out and we can head to Canada on a high note.

ain't she sweet?

For my last two runs, I ran with Emma. I realized how much I missed  running with someone the other evening when I went out with Emma (8.5 miles, thankyouverymuch) Not usually a fan of running at night - mostly because I can never quite get the whole what to east before hand right -  but Emma was going and I tagged along. Tagged being the operative word. I knew she was a powerhouse but sweet jasper! That woman can run.  I had fun and she asked me along for a second run this morning (10.5 miles). Running with someone is such great motivation - thanks, Emma! (On a side note, as we chatted about the news of the Tom Cruise / Katie Holmes divorce I realized that I remembered discussing this while running in Ottawa, summer of 2005. I obviously need a better quality of talking points.)

One change that I've made recently is cutting out the dairy products. I came to the conclusion that one of the reasons always feel so crap is that I eat a lot of dairy. So, that's gone and I'm eating a "mostly" vegan diet (occasionally eating some fish). It feels great. I find I have a lot more energy and my stomach isn't bothering me as much. Will I be able to give up seafood? I have no idea but I am seriously debating this. 

Lastly, I'm waiting for Scott Jurek's Eat and Run to show up on my door step. He's really inspiring and seems like a down to earth, nice guy. Compared to Dean Karnazes who comes across like a raging frat boy (have I ranted about Karno yet? If I haven't, I must ...). Anyhoodle, I hope to have the book in my grubby little hands by Tuesday and I am excited.

June's wrapped. 

the best awful

running in the rain

It's been a slog lately. The motivation hasn't been high. I don't have any races planned until October, the weather sucks, I've been cold, tired, miserable and my running has suffered.

This morning was pretty much the same. I struggled to get out of bed, couldn't find my buff to cover my head from the elements, and really didn't want to go. I even started running in the wrong direction!

But, somewhere along the way all the wrong things became funny. And fun. I felt strong, fast, and free; like a kid playing in the rain. A really great, awful run.

Olympic torch

Olympic relay support trucks I passed while running, sponsored by Coke (do serious athletes drink Coke? really?)

Some running

Here are a couple of photos from some less then stellar runs that I've done in the past couple of weeks.

    

Unhappy with my time last month, I am not really that motivated. It's like, I want to run - I spend extraordinary amounts of time reading, thinking, planning and dreaming about routes, training plans and races. But ... while I want to do them the idea of training isn't that appealing. Which sucks.

I'm usually ok in this. I can talk myself around by simply starting to run and it comes back like a memory. Maybe it's the weather and being fed up with being sick and cold and tired. Dunno. I hope it comes back soon.

Anyhoodle, I've signed up for a couple of races: The Bupa 10K around the downtown. Bupa also has a kid's event which I'm thinking of enroll Calum in.


Fun Fact recipes from runners world magazine are fantastic. I've been making two of the soup recipes from their March issue and they have become fast favourites.

Ignis Women's 10K 2012

crap picture of the purple corral

Well, I did it. My time wasn't great (1.05), certainly not what I'd hoped. The weather was terrible, at one point it was hailing. I lost my hat. And the post race organization left a lot to be desired (helpful hint: signs, with arrows, are a good thing). But the race? was great.

One of the wonderful things about running is the people you meet. The fabulously made up women who let you tag along with them as they find the shuttles. Lorna who encourages you while running. The older couple who set up their own water stop outside their home - with their Ikea cups! Muhammad Farooq a volunteer from the Islamic Dawa Foundation
(http://islamicdawahfoundation.com/) who ran with us: whipping up the crowds with his cries of "Insha'allah! for the ladies ..."

So, yeah. I'll be there next year. It'll probably be raining. The baggage check will remain unfindable (but I have a plan!), and I'm sure I'll get lost in the field again. But it'll be a great day. Besides, I need the T shirt.

Oh no!

I bashed my knee this afternoon. Really stupid - not paying attention and banged it on the side of the bed. I did not drop the baby so that was good. But if knees have funny bones that cause searing pain that ain't funny, this was it. But not funny. It's quite stiff and I'm having some problems bending it. I'll be heating it tonight and hoping for the best. Probably not a long run tomorrow but maybe a couple of 3 - 4 milers in the next couple of days to prepare for the race (http://www.runglasgow.org/10k-2012/) next week.

Whaaaa???

If I could make a Scooby Doo sound here I would ... huuh?

I really love the poster boards they have here in Scotland. The headlines are often hilarious and over the top.

I'm not really sure what this means or what they're warning against. Gays? Or weddings? And how are schools involved? What about the children?

Make Way For Ducklings

Ducklings swimming

I had a great run on Saturday am along the canal. It was my longest post baby run and ended up being about a mile longer than I anticipated, but it was a beautiful day and it felt good. Spring has happened while all the rain and gloom were going on. And these ducklings just made the run that much sweeter.

Route: along the canal, to bridge 7 (9 miles total)

Best Song: Dare Me - The Pointer Sisters

Sunshine

Sunshine on the canal.

It's been a cold spring. After a glorious March, the gloom has hit. So cold and wet and miserable, it feels like it has settled into my bones. The kind of weather that makes one want to eat a lot of soup. And bread.

Leaving for this run, I kept hoping that I'd warm up. I always dress a little on the cool side because I sweat a lot and usually end up quite hot. But with the wind I couldn't warm up. When I turned onto the canal the sun was shining - it felt like the first time in a while. The sun on my face felt great. It was so pretty that I had to take the photo.