Almost the weekend

Our fall like weather is disappearing again, begone dark, rainy cool days and bring on the heat!  This weekend is looking great with temperatures in the mid to high 80F's or as we say in Celsius 29C +.   Bring it ON!

It will be a busy weekend what with getting my half marathon training runs in, as well as some social summer beach parties.  Have I mentioned I love summer?!!!

Sunday will be spent "Sharing the Road".   The Share The Road Cycling Coalition. 2010 will mark the 5th year for Greg’s Ride in Milton, Ontario, but this is the first year it is being held in Ottawa.  I'm just cycling 60K with some friends and hopefully there will be a huge turn out for this awareness ride.  

Share the Road for Greg Ride includes:

• Routes - well marked, with ride marshals. 
• Water Stations along routes
• A custom designed Share the Road Cycling jersey (Adults)
• Organic cotton T-Shirts (Children)
• SAR - Global 1 (First Aid Assistance)
• Kunstadt (Roadside assistance for bikes on the 60K and 100K routes)
• Post Ride BBQ
• "Goodies" in each rider's bag
• A chance to buy tickets to win a $500.00 gift certificate from Bushtukah.
  

It is looking like it should be a great day and weekend!!  Enjoy what ever you are doing and stay safe.

Life's fun if you don't weaken,

Lily

Three Things Thursday

• It is now Thursday and my last productive run was on Sunday, where does the week go?  It was a nice 10K at a 7 minute pace.  I'm trying to up my running pace on my long slow distances because I have found over the past several years my slow pace is way too slow.  So, we will see how it all works out.  I'm no gazelle but I don't have to poke along either.
  
  
• My back is finally starting to feel a little better since I've been seeing the chiropractor regularly and I'm waiting to hear about my spine xray, hopefully it will shed some light on my pain.  I'm also being more diligent with stretching and doing some yoga in the morning.  Now, if I could just remember to get up, move about and stretch more often while at work things would be even better.
  
  
• The days are beginning to get shorter (or as Ken said, the evenings are getting longer), I can already feel my slip into SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), so I'm trying VERY hard to stay motivated.  I've begun taking Vitamin D, Vitamin C, and B12.  If I start early enough I'm hoping I'll be able to ward off this slide into winter depression.  Oh and planning a winter get away to somewhere warm and sunny with a fellow blogger, turned real life friend is being planned, that will definitely keep my mood bright and sunny too!!!
  

Life's fun if you don't weaken,

Lily

Wordless Wednesday

It feels a little like fall

Canada Army Run 2008

When I was out running yesterday I noticed some leaves on the trees already starting to turn colour...say it ain't so!!!  They aren't quiet as far along as this leaf picture that I took in September of 2008, but getting close.  Mother Nature it is only August!!
Today will be a nice 10K.  I'm going to stay around the neighbourhood instead of driving in to town to run at the Running Room.  I live is such a beautiful area, so I'd sooner see the forest, Ottawa River, Gatineau Hills and of course snoop at what everyone is doing to their gardens and home reno's.   (just call me Gladys Kravitz).


My back is still very stiff and sore, this damp cooler weather isn't helping much, but I'm going to keep moving.  I've increased my stretches before and but mostly after my running and I'm doing yoga for 20 minutes every morning right after I get out of bed.  Tomorrow I'm having x-rays taken just to see what is going on and to see how far along the arthritis is progressing.  I'm not keen on taking any pain relief but if I have to I will.


Life's fun if you don't weaken,


Lily

In Lieu of the Du

The past few years the Wooo Hooo's have "competed" in the Wooo Hooo Du.  A rock'n little event held at my place complete with Bling, swag bags and certificates of completion.  Hey, we're not cheap and don't spare the expense!!  This year however, due to family commitments and other such noteworthy happenings we won't be "doing the Du"

A few us will however get together for a nice cycle and mandatory adult BEvERages afterwards with a potluck lunch...hey, it's all about having fun!

bling and swag bags, nothing but the best

it's all about the bling

Life's fun if you don't weaken,

Lily

Three Things Thursday

• I'm back running, yes, I've had the bike seat removed from my butt and I'm training for two races this fall. A sweet little 10K, Melissa's Road Race in Banff, Alberta, home of the legendary Canadian Runner Girl, Runner Leana, who by the way is in throws of beginning tamper madness before her Subaru Ironman Canada.   Hop over and wish her good luck, because I just know she is going to ROCK it.  Good Luck and Best Wishes Leana, I'm really looking forward to meeting you in September.
  
  
• In October we have a brand new race in the area by the name of 9 Run Run.  It is in benefit of supporting the services that support us by ways of the Ottawa Police, Fire Department and Paramedics.  I can hardly wait, this will be my first long race since tearing my meniscus almost a year and a half ago.
  
  
• They say things come in three's so I'm hoping it is over with.  Three things that have happened to me in the last two weeks;

1.  Mother Nature showed her strength and blew my patio furniture off my back deck and strew various items all over the backyard, luckily the only thing damaged was my lovely teak patio umbrella.  

2.  Mother Nature showed her strength again this past Sunday causing a large limb to snap from an oak tree which crashed through my metal slingback lawn chair, slicing right through the seat and impaling itself into the ground.

3.  My car was hit in the parking lot at work, luckily it wasn't damaged but I had to listen to the guy who hit me rant on about the scratch on his BMW and ranting "did I not see him?"  What?  You hit me!!!

Life's fun if you don't weaken,

Lily

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday's Tidbits

The weekend after my epic bike tour in Up State New York was the Rona MS Bike Tour to raise funds and awareness for this incurable complex disease.  It was fully supported with so many fantastic volunteers, sag wagon's, Ottawa Police and food.  Have I mentioned the food?  I think this has been the only cycle tour I've ever been on where I've most likely gained weight!

We left Carleton University for our 175 km two day bike tour to cheers, music, throngs of well-wishers and luckily great weather.  The route was so scenic and flat, compared to the weekend before it was beautiful!!!  There were "pit stops" along the way with tables laden with fresh fruit, cold drinks and clean port-potties (always a bonus).  Half way to Kemptville we were guided into Rideau River Provincial Park where we stopped for an incredible barbecue picnic, complete with burgers, (veggie burger's for me), salad's, tabbouleh, hummus, pita breads, chips, cold drinks, and jelly beans!!!  It was fantastic to get off the bike's and sit by the River and relax before we carried on our journey.  Once we left the park we were on a stretch of rough road and yes, I had another flat tire.  (six flats since March I might add).  Luckily a very nice fellow stopped to see if I needed a hand and he helped fix the tire, then he sped off but not before I got his name.

As we continued our ride we were on beautiful, peaceful  flat roads that took us through small villages were people were out at the end of their driveways, clapping and cheering and encouraging us along the way.  We finally made it to Kemptville College.  As we made our way up to this beautiful college there was music, cheers, a very helpful group at the sign in table.  I could go on and on about this ride, it was incredible!  Between the silent auction, the 50 / 50 draw, the bonfire, the food, have I mentioned the food??  Leaving on Sunday was a faster, different route than on the way down, which was wonderful as we were trying to beat the rain storm that was creeping up behind us. It was a most memorable ride and certainly one I would do again.  I'd just like to say a GREAT BIG THANK YOU to all of you who donated to this worthy cause and supported me on my ride, THANK YOU!!!  (unfortunately I do not have any photo's of the trip, silly me).


On a different note, this past weekend was just crazy weather.  Saturday was beautiful, hot and sunny and Sunday the wrath of the weather gods were upon us.  The storm started just after 4am and lasted over nine hours overhead.  The lightening and thunder were relentless and the deluge of water unbelievable.  So much so it washed out the main road where I live.  Yesterday afternoon I was finally able to wade my way into my backyard to see what damage had occurred due to the heavy rains and strong winds.  Luckily my new back lawn did not wash away, however,

Life's fun if you don't weaken,

Lily

So.........

So, yesterday I spent quite a bit of company time creating my Three Things Thursday, just as I was getting ready to publish it an error came up on the page and kicked me out....Thanks Blogger! 

So, I go to read some of the comments left on Wordless Wednesday and my good friend Judi had written, "whatssup with this once a week post shit? :0) "  LMAO, I can ALWAYS count of Judi to keep me accountable!!!!  I *heart* you Judi!

So, what I had almost posted was my adventure through Up State New York a couple of weekends ago which was Hot, HILLY and Humid.  Three days of 280K full of fun, humility, learning and friendships. 

So, instead of describing every little detail and have you nod off at your computer I'll just say it was Awesome, exhilarating, humbling and a huge epic experience for me....I just get crazier as I get older....

So, I'll leave you with some photo's;

Leaving Kingston Habour

Wolfe Island Ferry to Wolfe Island

Crossing Wolfe Island

Wolfe Island Bakery

Arriving in Sacket's Harbour

Half way up the hill coming out of Watertown

Unsupported, carry your own for 280K

A great time was had by all

Things I learned;

• carry snacks, trail mix or something to give you energy, gum works too (luckily I had all of this with me).
• carry powdered Hammer Heed, or something similar, you can generally find water from somewhere, but you can't find PowerAid.
• SPF 30 sunscreen doesn't cut it when you are on the road for hours on end.
• don't try to keep up with the speedy speedster's, cycle your own speed, even if you arrive 15 minutes later than the rest, you still get there! (believe me!).
• know how to change your own tires, carry spares and tools, and if some one offers to help ~ take their help (yes, I got a rear tire flat 50K into the ride).
• it's a tour not a race, stop and take photo's (which I will do more of next time).
• practice, practice, practice riding with weighted panniers before attempting such a journey, thanks goodness I did...
• there isn't a hill I can't walk.  The hill coming out of Watertown was 2km long with an 800 foot elevation.
• just like marathon training, you don't know yourself until you have to dig deep!!!
• would I do it again?  YOU BET....

Life's fun if you don't weaken,

Lily

Wordless Wednesday

Three Things Thursday

• We have been having some crazy summer weather here.  It has been hot, hot, hot and humid.  My kind of summer!  For the past few days we have been having major thunderstorms in the afternoon and they are calling for another Boomer today.  Yesterday I came home to find that my patio furniture had been blown right off the deck.  Patio table, cast-iron umbrella stand, chairs, plants all scattered in various locations in my backyard.  The umbrella was over the cedar hedge and broken.  The wind even blew over my birdbaths!   Ahhhhh, you've got to love Mother Nature.

• Last weekend was the longest consecutive cycle I have ever done in my life.  An unsupported 250K through Up State New York.  We left from Kingston, Ontario taking a ferry across to Wolfe Island, cycled across the island to catch another ferry that would take us to the States.  We cycled from Cape Vincent to Sacket's Harbour, around the peninsula then off to Watertown where we stayed over night.  The next day was Watertown to Alexandria Bay.  Day three brought us back to the ferry to cross out of the United States back to Wolfe Island and then to Kingston.   Was I prepared for it?  Kinda, sorta.  What I wasn't prepared for was the speed of the other cyclists, the HILLS and not stopping for breaks every 20K, (that's for wimps).  What had been advertised as a 21 - 24K tour pace, turned into the other cyclists averaging 28 - 34+Km per hour.  Needless to say I was left in the dust, but what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.  I did it and I'm very proud of myself for digging deep and mustering through it.  (report to follow).

• This coming weekend is the ride for the MS Society of Canada.  It is a fully supported 175K cycle tour and a cause which is close to my heart.  A former work colleague who became a great friend has MS and I'm cycling for her.    Having multiple sclerosis means that you may suddenly have blurry vision. Or that your memory will fail you for no apparent reason. Or that you may not always be able to walk, let alone ride a bike. The symptoms of MS are different, and devastating, for everyone - the only certainty is that it will affect yet another person every hour of every day. 
  If you find it in your heart to make a donation towards the MS Society of Canada, you can find my donation page here.   I THANK YOU in advance.

Life's fun if you don't weaken,

Lily

Wordless Wednesday