Another run down....the tube...

Today was the Canada Army Run, this was going to be a great fun run with friends and a get together afterwards.

This leads up to race day.

I had contacted the race director earlier in the month to see if I could change from my over zealous thoughts of the Half Marathon down to the 5K (they only offer those two events). Race director said, he couldn't do anything, the bibs had gone to print. HUH??? Later in the week, I receive a notification from the Running Room, I'd been entered into the 5K, then a further notice, ooopsss sorry, from Race Director's assistant....stating that they hadn't realised that the bibs had gone to print, sorry, no can do the change (again), maybe change it over at the sports expo....okay, sounds reasonable.

Friday after work I head downtown to the Armories and pick up my kit, yup, still the half marathon....go over to the "Correction" area, wait for ever and then it's my turn to talk to the young man about making the changes....errrrr, could you, would you mind coming back, the person who looks after this is on break....okay, when should I come back? Maybe Twenty minutes....?? *insert cricket noise here*

Now, if I'd been thinking (*insert cricket noise here*), I would have just gone over to the chip activation area and hand the chip in....the signs were there that this was not going to be a good weekend.

I had been watching the weather report for the up coming week, it was going to be a nice weekend, but then the rain and cold were going to arrive Monday or Tuesday. So this was the weekend that major outdoor yard work had to get done, mainly bring in my indoor house plants and put away the patio furniture, cut the lawns (one last time), well you know the deal when you own a house.

Saturday was busy, busy (but I got a 15k bike ride in), but still had a lot to finish up on Sunday.

Sunday morning arrives way too early, I woke up at the butt crack of dawn, fuel up and head out. It was still dark and the fog was so thick I could hardly see, but once I got out to the main road about 10K down, the fog lifted, but I was now running behind, because I don't like driving too fast in fog....call me a geezer, I've got big shoulders and I've been called worse this weekend.

I make it downtown with maybe 10 minutes to spare, not a problem...until I get to the intersection just before the World Exchange Plaza where there is free underground parking....

I'm greeted with construction, blocked roads and a very wise tourist bus operator who decides to turn right, ~ across two lanes of traffic (from the left hand turn lane) and the police stop him. So, okay, tour bus is now blocking all of Metcalfe Street and no one can get by....due to construction.

I sit and wait, wait and wait some more, now people are honking their horns, what that proves I'm not too sure but it was very annoying to say the least. Traffic is still ground to a halt when I hear KABOOM!!!! The 5K race cannon has gone off, the race has begun and I'm sitting in my car. You just know when things aren't meant to be, don't you?

So, finally the police lift their barricade and the tour bus goes through, unblocking the traffic, it was a free for all, people trying to get their cars parked so they could get to the race venue. I finally found a parking spot, walked over to the race tent, took off my race chip, handed it in to the young man who couldn't help me on Friday and I walked to the finish line to take photo's of my friends who were running their race.

So, the Wooo Hooo's are celebrating with a post race lunch and I'm home moving indoor plants indoors and putting away patio furniture....

When life hands you lemons go to your blog and b*tch about it.....

excuse me, I'm going to make lemonade....care to join me?

Life's fun if you don't weaken,

Lily

* or get up earlier and leave more time to get to the race....LOL

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see good things DO happen,

Marlene over at Mission to a(nother) Marathon, had a very cool giveaway from Halo Headbands, and I won...along with "Tall Mom on the Run"....how awesome is that? Congrat's Tall Mom.

I'm hoping to be able to choose the red headband to match Ruby....but if I have to thumb wrestle I will....LOL!

Thanks to Halo and to you Marlene, You made my weekend! xoxoxox

Wordless Wednesday

My first weekend not running...

...since January 2008!

What a great weekend it was not to have to answer to an alarm clock. It felt great to be able to sleep-in until 8am, then sit in my jammies and read the newspaper (well, really other blogs, yes, that is like the newspaper, it is SO!!!).

I finally got to shovel out weeks worth of newspaper, magazines and yes dirt. Laundry has now been caught up and there is food in the refrigerator. People who thought I'd run off the face of the earth heard from me and I even set up a thingy on Face Book.


But what I really want to know is how did I ever accumulate so many pair of Saucony's over this running season. I now have a pair to cut the lawn with, a pair for working in the unfinished basement, my running pair and I just put three pair into the trunk of my car for donation to the local running store, who collects them and sends them to needy people. Poor person who gets my hand-me-downs. I don't have any weird nor wonderful things growing on my feet but still, after all the miles and miles and kilometers I have on those things, well, let's just say I wouldn't wear them if they were given to me!

Weather wise it was a gorgeous weekend, although a little cold and windy for my liking. The fall colours will be at their peak for next weekend's Canadian Thanksgiving.

To get ready for next season's triathlons (why didn't I start doing them when I was younger?), I start my swimming programme tomorrow night. My calendar is taking shape and looking something like this:

Monday & Wednesday ~ Swimming 5:30 - 7:00pm

Tuesday & Thursday ~ biking at the gym right after work

Saturday & Sunday ~ running...(well just enough to keep me going for a Half Marathon in January called the Hypothermic Half, Half Marathon, Ottawa)

(if any of you really, real triathletes have a better plan, please let me know!).

In the middle of all that I'll be busy with my new Silpada Jewellery business and of course work work.

So, there you go, all is quiet on the home front, Lily and I relaxed, played cat games and generally tidied up....

BORING!!!!

Life's fun if you don't weaken

Lily