AROUND THE BAY 2009 EDITION

The race that makes me all warm and fuzzy inside =) I am happy to have been able to participate in this event this year. 2007 holds my PB for this distance (3:21 while marathon training!) and 2008 was done while suffering with PF and finishing my thesis (3:40). Although I was in no shape to do the 30K this year, the relay was a great way to participate in my favorite race. Our team "Footlose and Fancy Feet" did really well, I ran with my friend Pat who smoked the hills (1:35 for the last 15K).

I was convinced it would magically stop raining for the race but when I got up on Sunday and I realised it was going to be pouring rain.... I had a mini panic attack LOL

Once I walked to the starting line and got all excited to start runing I forgot about the rain (well at this point it was just light rain). Then 15 mins in the race it was torrential downpour!! Soaked totally soaked... but smiling =) I always get emotional at the beginning of races, like I'm here doing this! It just feels awesome to be running with 7000 of my best friends!

My target goal pace was 12 min/mile. Splits:

Mile 1: 11:17 min/mile (I thought WAY TOO FAST, SLOW DOWN!)
Mile 2: 11:43 min/mile (better but still too fast!)
Mile 3: 11:36 min/mile (You're going to pay for this later on!)
Mile 4: 11:54 min/mile (now that' better!)
Mile 5: 11:58 min/mile (right on)
Mile 6: 11:36 min/mile (burst of energy!)
Mile 7: 11:18 min/mile (I'm freaking doing this)
Mile 8: 11:10 min/mile (OMFG!)
Mile 9: 11:18 min/mile (I can't freakin believe it =)
Mile 0.47: 10:29 min/mile (KICK BUTT FINISH!)

Average: 11:30 min/mile

I am so happy with my race!! I never thought I could pull that pace for 15K! The chip time is higher considering that around 5.5 miles, I was stopped for more than 2 mins as a train passed.... I had been able to avoid it the last 2 years but there is always a train on race day and it stops a lot of people. Pretty frustrating but nothing you can change about it! I'm not hurting too bad today. Foot is sore and knee too but I'll survive this. I'm bummed I didn't see many bloggers. I got the chance to chat with Francis before the race (it was good to see you again!).

Rain or shine this race is the best!!

MY FIRST HIKE!

In preparation for my Easter hiking trip to Vermont, I got invited to hike Mont St-Hilaire with a friend who has done many hiking trips and and his friends.

My first mountain at Réserve Naturalle Gault

We did the Rocky trail, which was 4.7 K and we were 0.1K away from the top when this picture was taken
Took us 1h30 to get to the top. It was an easy hike for Steve but I was working hard lol

View from the other side of the moutain

On our way down, I had more time to enjoy the view:
I lost one of my yaktrax at some point but we back tracked and anothe hiker had found it. The boys got a little excited after we reached the top and brought me on an off path adventure.... but we were not lost ;-) We made it back to the summit one more time after going abruptly down...

I stopped my garmin at some point and forgot to start it back for 30 mins but according to Steve we did 9.8K in 2h50. The elevation of the mountain was 407 meters or 1335 feet.

Great company, great day! It was a LOT of fun! Looking forward to Vermont even more now.

(Running related: I did a LSD of 9 miles 2 weeks ago, last week I had visit from Windsor so I only did 3 miles, and today was 5 miles. The ATB relay is next week, I'm pretty excited to go!)

BLOG N' MUSIC!


I surprised myself, it only took me 20 mins to figure out how to add the playlist to my blog. I'm getting better at this whole nerd computer thing =) I always spend 2-3 h on Katie's blog listening to her playlist so I thought it was about time I did my own.

Great week training wise so far for me.
Monday: Long strenght training
Tuesday: 2.5 miles run with Rocky
Wednesday: 35 mins on the bike (10 at 30s easy:30s hard)
Today: 1.25K swim in 26 mins (1K in 21 mins! I'm getting faster without training :o)
Tomorrow: Tae-Box at lunch time (a trial, let's hope I don't hurt anyone!)

I figured out a way to make it to the pool! I leave work early and can make it to the 4PM lane swimming. Gotta love my flexible schedule. It was great to be back in the pool after more than a month and half without going. I missed the water except the temperature today would have been more appropriate in a hot tub... I wanted to do 2K but I had to stop when I felt like I was going to faint!!

Is anyone still watching Grey's Anatomy, it's one of the only show I am still following (with 24!) and it's starting to really bug me the whole re-run thing.... end of rant ;-)

MANAGING IT ALL

So........ I haven't posted in 2 weeks? Wow that flew right by!! My job is keeping me really busy and guess what? I got my first paycheque!! I still can't believe that the government is taking almost half of it but eh c'est la vie!

I had my longest run of the year yesterday. I wanted to do it outside but it was -StupidCold/-28°C in the morning so I waited... 2h later it was only down 2°C...... so I dragged my ass downstair to suffer on the dreadmill. What a shock to realize that it wasn't THAT bad afterall. And I actually wasn't wanting to die the whole time =)

8 miles/13K in 1:35 with overall pace of 11:47 min/mile (!!!!) which is SPEED LIGHTING FAST for me these days .

The treadmill came to a brutal stop... so I had to re-start it and I still had lots of energy left so I decided to try for negative splits.

9.45K @12:16 min/mile (when it stopped....)
3.55K @ 11:22min/mile

I feel like a survivor, coming to a stop so suddently is not recommended... especially when you have wonky ankles, foot, legs etc like me ;-)

Anyhow, I hope you're all doing well and I'll try to catch up with you guys this week!

SHOUT OUT TO THE BEST VIRTUAL RACE DIRECTOR!

I ran 3 miles with my Dad yesterday, it was pretty slow (his knee is bugging him) but we got it done for you! 41:40 at 13:53 min/mile. I love the company too much to complain about the speed of the run! LOL

A friend and I are going to the Bicycle Show on Friday, I really hope they have the saddle I want to buy there! It's the first time I am going to this so hopefully it is worth the 10$ cover to get in.

Also, I signed up for another race (someone stops me please!!) but this is one is VERY COOL!! It's called Not Since Moses and we run at the "bottom of the sea after it parts, right where 15 meters of water packed with flounder and bass flow a couple of hours before and after the event." It's in Nova Scotia, my adopted province (Andra you should come for this!).

Have a good rest of week Peeps!

SO MUCH TO WRITE ABOUT SO LITTLE TIME TO DO IT!

I'm beat, the new job+commute is kicking my ass!! No time/motivation for anything computer related once I come back home on week nights and week-ends concist of trying to prepare all the meals, laundry etc. for the week to come.

The new job is great so far. I'm enjoying the projects I've been assigned to. Since there is no lab work involved I do not feel like a 'real' chemist right now but I think it's more an adaptation period to go through. I'm looking forward to my first pay cheque this week!! My first big purchase will be a new saddle for my bike. I want to get an ISM Adamo Women's saddle as recommended by my friend Jordan.

Training is going really well. I hit all my training last week. This week was harder, missed both strenght workouts (insert shameful expression) and the swim. I have a really hard time getting to the pool ay 9PM. I get up pretty early to avoid traffic and 9PM is almost my bed time. Not sure I'll do lots of swimming in the next few weeks.

Running is going well, my LSD is up to 6.25 miles (the Race is 15K or 9.4miles), train ticket is bought so I am going! PF is not back but I've been suffering from achilles tendonitis... which is NOT cool. Sometimes, I just feel like I should give up and get back to my old 'Couch potato' self... but gotta keep on trucking... right?

At least, there is my bike trainer which I still love, it's a blessing to be able to do intense workouts since running is not more than 2 times a week for me...

That's most news from me. I'm going to try and read all (gulp 156) messages you guys have written while I was sleeping LOL

BTW Happy Single Awareness Day! (aka Valentine's Day)

WORKING LADY!

Yep that's me! Survived my first week of work (well it was only 3 days but that was a good thing). Commuting is insane... I never hated more living in the 'suburb' more than now. Think big snowstorm on my first day and 2h45 commute to get back home (should take 1h15!) The job is very interesting so far. I'm working on a project that is getting lots of media attention and that's quite exciting! On my first day, the Director of my Section was interviewed for CBC news. As I take up on projects that will be me =)

It's been rough to keep up with the training as I am totally wiped when I get back home. It will take some time to get use to the new routine.

Here's last week in Review (Week 6)

Monday: off, resting the ankle
Tuesday: Swim 2K in 43 mins
Wednesday: 45 mins shoveling
Thursday: 45 mins shoveling
Friday: off
Saturday: 45 mins long ride (10 W-U, 10 mins 15s out of saddle every 2 mins, 10 mins 30s out of saddle every 2 mins, 10 mins 30s out of saddle every 1 min, 5 mins CD)
Sunday: LSD 4.5 miles at 11:59 min/mile pace. On the treadmill, hated every minute of it but that's pretty fast for a LSD for me so that made me happy!

Here's the Review from the week before that I forgot to report... (Week 5)

Monday: off
Tuesday: Bike trainer speed session (10 W-U, 15 mins 30/30 hard/easy, 10 CD) +short strenght
Wednesday: 2.5 miles at race pace (11:47 min/mile)
Thursday: 10 mins bike warm-up + Long strenght training, 1K swim 23:30 (fastest time so far!)
Friday: off
Saturday: 60 mins long ride (30 W-U, 10 mins 15s out of saddle every 2 mins, 10 mins 15s out of saddle every 1 min, 10 mins CD)
Sunday: 4.1 miles at 12:30 min/mile pace. Outside and hard!

Hoping to do a little better this week!!! Imagine that, we're expecting more snow on Tuesday/Wednesday.... yay.....

STUPID WINTER

Almost twisted my ankle at the end of my LSD today.... trying to avoid a stupid jerk driving his car way too close to me.

Ankle is now bruised...

Knee hurts A LOT...

Icing both.... stupid stupid winter.

Pity party line: WHY ME?!

ETA: My Dad ran his 2nd race yesterday, the tropical 5K in Miami. He had a PB with a time of 41:05, a little faster than in Montreal and considering he had a bronchitis for the last 2 weeks, a great performance! I am so proud of my Dad! I cannot wait till the day he's going to say, let's run a marathon together =)

TRAINING WITH A STUPID FOOT ~ WEEK 4~

I went back to the Doc today. I went shopping with my Mom on Friday (for 9h!!!) and my foot was really sore at the end of the day. I thought this was a very bad sign and wanted to get it checked before I start the new job (Date is set! January 28 is my first day at my REAL job!).

Anyhow, I have no pain where the PF usually was. I can now stand on my heels and walk (which I hadn't been able to do for the past 15 months... ). It's a slow process, it is normal for my foot to be sore and feel 'weird' as I changed my way of walking to not feel too much pain when the PF was there.

Since the pain is not constant and it comes after a long day of walking or an intense run in the snow. She suggests RICE and not pushing it. Which is what I am going to do. Overall a positive meeting. I am still on the waiting list for the MRI but she thinks nothing will come out of it.

Here's last week in Review

Monday: Long strenght training following the lovely Carrie's program

Tuesday: Bike speed session . I ramped-up the 'speed' intervals this week from 10 mins to 15 mins. So includind warm up and cool down 35 mins on the bike

Wednesday: 25 mins run in Minus Mental (-34°C/29F)

Thursday: Short strength training and the first swim since November! 1.25K in a very respectable 29 mins I wasn't as rusty as I thought!

Friday: Rest = 9h of shoping!!

Saturday: Long ride on the trainer with some 'hills'.

30 mins @ Ride easy

10 mins @ 15 sec climbing out of the saddle every 2 mins (hard)

10 mins @ 30 sec climbing out of the saddle every 2 mins (really hard)

10 mins @ 45 sec climbing out of the saddle every 2 mins (holy f'ck hard!!)

10 mins @ cool down

Sunday: The worst run in the history of runs. 3.9 miles outside, streets and sidewalks were not plowed. I couldn't find my yak trax so this was like torture would feel. It was the worst run ever. Slow and bad footing. I hate winter.

Today I took a rest day, the mix of intense spin on Saturday and the bad footing of yesterday's run made my legs very tired and sore. Back to regular programming tomorrow. As much as I am excited to start the new job, I am also super scared of the real world. Hopefully, I won't suck too much LOL

Have a good week everyone!

TAG, I HAVE IT!

One of my favorite blogger peep, Laurel, tagged me the other day.

4 favorite memories from 2008
1. Quebec City Half-marathon
2. Miami Half-marathon
3. Trip to Aruba with my Dad
4. Finishing my Ph.D.

4 favorite movies watched in 2008
1. Borderline (Quebec movie)
2. Spirit of the Marathon
3. James Bond Quantum
4. 27 dresses

4 of my favorite foods in 2008
1. Chips (Doritos and Miss Vickies)
2. Big Mac
3. Nachos/Salsa/Guacamole
4. Swiss Chalet (ordered from them a lot while I was writing my Ph.D. thesis!)

4 places i loved in 2008
1. Oranjestad, Aruba
2. Burlington, Vermont
3. Miami, Florida
4. Rediscovering Montreal after living away for 5 years

4 events i loved in 2008
1. Quebec City Half-marathon
2. Around the Bay 30K
3. Miami Half Marathon
4. Cheering my best friend while she was finishing her first half in Detroit

4 things i liked in 2008
1. Time for myself
2. Reconnecting with old friends
3. Blogging
4. Red wine

4 things i am looking forward to in 2009
1. Starting my new job
2. Losing weight
3. Moving to a new apartment or condo
4. Settling in the real world

4 people I tag
1. Leana
2. Katie
3. Alexandra
4. Brian


I went for a run yesterday, I couldn't feel my feet for the first 10 mins. I turned around to go back home then the wind was at my back and my toes came back to life so I kept running. One women at the bus stop asked me if I was alright... guess she's not an adept of winter sports lol

So 2 miles in 25 mins, -34°C/-29F. Good enough in those conditions.....

50/50 DRAW, who is going to be next?

I got it mid-December from Marci in Whitby Ontario, so the book came from the province next mine (Québec). I just finished it and it's time for me to pass it on and let it travel some more miles. This awesome idea was piloted by Ted, and has a few simple rules:

1. Respond to my post in order to be the next in line to read the book.
2. I will mail the book to you.
3. Read the book.
4. After reading the book, create a post in your blog and find out who wants to be next in line to read the book.
5. Ship the book to the next blogger.
6. You must take a picture of yourself with the book.
7. Write a small comment of what you think of the book in it.
8. Ship the book to the next blogger.
9. Lastly, you must use any form of human power (i.e, walk, run, skateboarding, bike) in order to take the book to the post office. Exception: If you live very far to the Post Office, use car.
HAVE FUN !!!!

I will run the book to the post office which is conveniently only about a mile away. I really enjoyed the book, it made me cry, it made me laugh. Dean is such an amazing person, definitely physically but he came across as a very down to earth runner in his book having normal self doubt about finishing his adventure. I felt close to him while reading the book. Lots of great tips on running and nutrition throughout too.

I read most of it while cycling on the trainer so it's only appropriate to have a picture while doing that! Very small space for me in the garage but it's kinda cozy at the same time.

TRAINING WITH A STUPID FOOT ~ WEEK 3~

Training is going well but I've been asked if my foot hurts... no it does not hurt BUT it doesn't feel quite right... sigh... is that a BIG problem?? It is really tight and it goes up my calf too, so I am stretching a lot and massaging too...

Otherwise it's been a great week. Nutrition is back to a normal level and I lost a couple of pounds this week.

Here's last week in Review
Monday: 40 mins run with my Dad

Tuesday: Bike speed session . Same as last week but a lot easier so I am ready to ramp-up the 'speed intervals this week.

10 mins warm-up

10 mins speed session (30 sec hard/30 sec easy)

10 mins cool down

Wednesday: We got hit with 30 cm/12 inches of snow. My parents left for a trip so I was in charge of all the shoveling by myself.... 2h30 of shoveling later I was too exhausted to run!

Thursday: 2h of shoveling, 25 mins run on the treadmill and I wanted to die the whole time (shoes were great though!). Finished it off with a long strenght training... I was sore from shoveling so this wasn't my smartest idea LOL

Friday: 1h shoveling (and totally done!)

Saturday: Long ride on the trainer; riding easy for 55 mins then 15-30 sec pick up climbing out

of the saddle (hard!)

Today: 'Long' run well if you can call 3 miles like that which was totally AWESOME!

Most of the streets where plowed and I wanted to test how fast I could go, still comfortably hard.

Mile 1: 11:27 min/mile

Mile 2: 11:34 min/mile

Mile 3: 11:26 min/mile

I am so very happy with this run. =) I was afraid I didn't have it in me cause I am running with my Dad often and the pace is really slow (for me, not for him). I want to run 12 min/mile at ATB so better get started. I did a 20 mins cool down on the trainer when I came back home. I'm really liking the indoor trainer.

Have a good week everyone!

AROUND THE BAY HERE I COME!

I started my new training schedule 2 weeks ago. I'm hoping the amount of cross training will keep me away from more injuries....

Everything is going well so far. The runs are great but my foot/ankle is sore the day after I run. I am doing tons of stretching exercices and using Icy/Hot to massage it. So far so good. I don't think I could up the runs to 3 times a week right now....

I am still on the quest for the perfect shoe.. after spending 1h and trying about 10 pair of shoes I ended up buying the most expensive ones at the Running Room... The Brooks Trance 8 that I paid a big fortune: 225$ CDN, they better be worth it! I tried them last and they fit perfectly, tomorrow will be my first run with them. I'm hoping not to lose any toenails with those.. the Asics were a killer for me.

I am starting my new job next week!! I decide to take a chance on the City of Montreal one. I am super excited and pumped! In the meantime I am enjoying these last few days of freedom =)

Have a good week everyone!

AU REVOIR, GOODBYE, AUF WIEDERSEHEN 2008

Very happy to see this one go.... It has been a very hard year for me both physically & mentally.

I was hyper stressed from January to April working on finishing my Ph.D. in Environmental Chemistry. This is my proudest life accomplishment so far and something that was really hard to do. I was very hopeful for a great year after my thesis defense but it only went downward from there.

I moved back home, I struggeled to find a job, I was injured and could barely run (just enough to keep my sanity). Then 2 months and a half ago I had to stop running completely, became really depressed and started packing on the pounds (again! I had lost 60 lbs in 2006)...

I had envisoned something different for my life once I graduated from grad shool.

Now, with 2 job possibilities in front of me and a foot that is not so f*cked anymore, I am looking at 2009 with a more positive eye. Good things happen to those who wait they say... I waited long enough, it is my turn, 2009 be kind with me!

Thanks you all for always coming back to read my posts. I appreciate your support through my 'stupid foot' injury!

Happy New Year everyone!

p-s I've just started a new training plan, I'll talk about it in another post! =)

A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE!

I just came back from my first run in 2 months 15 days and 4 hours!

It was totally BLISSFUL!!! I would go as far as saying ORGASMIC!! LOL

We had a lot of rain yesterday and there is ice all over Montreal today but it is mainly concentrated on the sidewalks. So my Dad and I went out in a mild and sunny -10°C (14 F). My foot/ankle was feeling rusty but great, I had a stupid grin on my face the whole time. =) We ran a very slow 1.6 miles in 20:21. It was my Dad first outside run since November 4th, he was being a winter wuss and doing all his runs on the treadmill. Today's run convinced him to get back outside and enjoy winter!

I feel like the old me is back, running makes me so happy. I'm hoping this is the end of my injuries. I'll be reasonable and only run 2 times 20-30 mins for a few weeks and see how it goes.

As far as yesterday's training on the bike.... I ended being unable to sleep from 3-6AM the night before (hence me posting at 4:46AM!). I went on the trainer with a 30 mins goal in mind.

-10 mins warm-up (went well)
-10 mins speed session with 30 sec hard/30 sec easy (awful!)
-10 mins cool-down (didn't get to do it)

After 5 mins of the speed session, I felt like I was going to faint or puke or both. I guess the lack of sleep and skipping breakfast wasn't working for me.... So, I decided to stop after 20 mins. Back on the bike tomorrow!

HAVE A GOOD CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

JOYEUX NOËL ~ MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

I've been a bad blogger and haven't updated my blog since I came back from Windsor on Sunday. I haven't been doing much exercice wise so I felt I had nothing to report...

But I FINALLY fixed my bike trainer (well my Dad fixed it!) so I will be able to hop back on tomorrow! I will be doing one of Leana short speed training from her coach's training schedule as she kindly sent me the info.

I will be doing my first run in 2 months tomorrow to celebrate Christmas and see where my foot is at. I don't have any plantar fasciitis pain anymore. I do feel my ankle is weird but as the doctor told me this is a normal healing process after suffering from PF for more than a year and changing my walking to put less pressure on my heel.

I won't be starting back full force, I learned my lesson with the first cortisone injection. I have a plan.... I will get back to running with 2 easy runs per week maximum, the rest will be done on the bike and back in the pool (which is close for Christmas right now).

My goal is to participate in my favorite event of the year as a relay participant (I'm not that insane, 30K is way too much coming back from an injury!). I will be doing the first 15K while my friend Pat will be doing the last 15K. I am thinking that even if I am not at a 15K long run by the end of March, I can still run as far as I can and walk the rest. This will be my comeback race!! WOOHOO!! =) Our team name will be "Footloose and fancy feet" as she also had a foot problem (stress fracture).

I've also had some great news on the job front!!! The interview where I thought I did so horribly.... well I GOT THE JOB!!!!!! I couldn't believe it when the women from the City of Montreal called me yesterday! I went to meet some of the people I would work with this morning and everyone was really nice and welcoming to me. I did tell them, I had another job offer on the table so I needed time to decide. And she told me I have until January 12 to make a decision. This is a totally different job than the post-doc in Ottawa. I would not be in the laboratory doing research, I would be working on analysing atmospheric and aquatic pollutants and changing laws accordingly. Seems very interesting but also very different than what I know (change is scary!) while the post-doc would be lab research which I have done for the last 5 years.

The position at the City of Montreal is a unionized position as a chemist at the City of Montreal. It is well paid, very flexible hours and a permanent position.... it will be very hard to decide. Very thankful this is Christmas time and I have more time to think about it.... Anyhow, I will stop here, it is 5AM and I'Ve been up since 3AM. Thinking about my job dilemma LOL Time to go back to bed!!

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas, enjoy the time with your families, they are what Holidays are all about =)

I'M SO EXCITED!

1- I was able to embed a video here!! YIPPEE!!!
2- I'm going back to Windsor on Monday, it is my best friend 30th Birthday and I want to be there to celebrate with her!
3- Season 7 of 24 is coming up real soon, oh Jack I love you!! ;-)

YOU & ME GIRLFRIEND!!

I actually feel like I have something in common with Oprah now... and it is not her fortune or kick ass marathon time!!




p-s I don't know how to add a video properly so this is my lame attempt! (FIXED!!!)

I went on the trainer today, a big 20 mins, it feels weird. The chain is weird. I dunno if I set it up right. It seems very hard to pedal and mechanical... hard to explain. I need a man to take care of this shiz!

I'M ALIVE ....

Survived the whole stomach bug, now feeling like a cold is coming my way. One day I will train again, I swear ;-)

I went to my local bike shop to get my bike tube fixes, now I know the proper way and will not let my Dad touch that again! I still have no clue how to clean my chain though... but I will go on the trainer this week-end, clean chain or not!

A while ago, I had a post where I was talking about my running 10 years ago. I mention that I participated in a few races when I was 13 and 14 years old.

I finally found the picture of the 5K I did in 1994 at the Quebec cross country on Ile Ste-Helene. And yes, you see right, I was wearing a cotton pink floyd t-shirt with thick cotton shorts to run this event LOL Now that is running in s-t-y-l-e .... let's just say coolmax wasn't common then!

I'm going to be pretty busy this week-end. My good friends from Halifax are coming to Montreal fot a 15h layover tomorrow (well today!) and we're going to hang out until I drive them to the airport at 4AM on Sunday.

Then on Sunday night, I am preparing my Dad a surprise birthday dinner! Lots, lots of yummy food to make!

Have a good week-end everybody =)

SICK SICK SICK.........

Urgh... my niece was sick over the week-end (stomach bug). We came back yesterday from Ste-Luce and I didn't feel super great in the evening. Turns out I was sick all night and I'm the only one of the family who caught the bug... yeah my immune system sucks!!

My Dad will bring my tire to the local bike shop this afternoon but I do not think I am going to do anything today. Just 'living' is hard.....