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.

SMART... ME? YEAH NOT SO MUCH....

So, I went to Quebec City conviced I would ran the 10K with Lisa but we finally went for the half-marathon.... decision made after having too many beers! Maybe not my smartest decision but time will tell... the good news: I survived. I ran with a good friend and thank god she was there or I would have given up as I was in a lot of pain starting at mile 10. Let's just say those easy 5Ks with my Dad are NOT the best training for a half... and I knew that. We just decided to be silly and do it for fun and fun we had as you can see in our 'costumes'....


We got lots of cheering because of what we were wearing and the fact that Quebec City is celebrating is 400th year. It was a great boost of energy. It was a PWed for both of us but it was HOT (ask Leana....) and we were there to have fun. =) Couldn't have asked for a better racing partner! So glad I did it and my foot is not so bad today.

I spent an afternoon with Leana and her Mom and it was very nice to meet her, she's a lot taller than I expected ;-) Sorry, you didn't have the race you were hoping for but the weather is so unpredictable... Monday would have been a GREAT day for a race!!!

FOR MARCY!!!!

That totally reminded me of you and your pregnant pic!!! LOL


What an amazing performance by Tomescu-Dita in the women's marathon! And the sprint for the silver by Ndereba! WOW! Simply amazing =) Kudos to Radcliffe who had been hurting for a while for finishing. When she stopped to stretch and seem to want to cry, I knew exactly how she was feeling! Well except I've never run a 2h30 marathon lol

SORENESS!

Today is the first day that I'm finally not sore. Wow that hadn't happen to me since last marathon training... maybe I'm pushing it a little! ;-)

Tuesday 3.1 miles @ 11:57 min/mile (with Flashy)
Wednesday 3.1 miles @ 10:52 min/mile (with Rocky)

I wasn't suppose to run today since I'm tapering but it was so gorgeous: 10°C and sunny that I didn't want to let this go. Also, a friend from runningmania.com who has cancer asked that we dedicate our run to her today so I wanted to do that for her.

I'm still suffering from plantar fascitis but its been less painful since I've been back to the chiropractor for 2 appts. I'm really hoping I won't have any issues on sunday. Anyhow, I'm running the 30K with 3 friends, taking it easy and not worrying with time! I'm sure its going to be lots of fun. I'm looking forward to it =)

Have a good rest of week! I'm only going to blog again for the race report on Monday!

Special Request
MARTY IF YOU'RE READING THIS, PLEASE LEAVE ME A COMMENT AND TELL ME HOW YOU ARE, AND THE MONSTERS, AND THE WIFE, AND THE RUNNING! WE MISS YOU IN BLOG LAND!!!!!!!!

PREOCCUPIED

As some of you noticed, I haven't blogged in a while. I've been very busy with school, writing my second scientific article at the moment. And I've been in a sort post-marathon running blues all over again (even though the marathon was back in May!). The fact that I will not race all summer is also affecting my motivation to get out the door. Hi, my name is Sonia and I'm addicted to racing.... With no perspective of racing, my spirit is down! I'm not remotely joking!

So, I hadn't run for 10 days after the Nissan 10 miler in Toronto (finished in 1:46:03) when I finally was so crabby and so depressed that I knew a run would be the only thing to cheer me up. I did a slow 3.5 miles on Wednesday in Windsor heat. I have to say that what really pumped me to return to running was the 2 posts below by some fellow bloggers!

Michelle tagged me as a Rocking Blog Girl
Here is what she wrote: "This girl runs A LOT! I mean, I've read about her doing 20-mile training runs like it was nothing. Seriously, I am impressed!! "

And then Laurel also tagged me and said: "Like a true Canadian, this girl is as friendly as they come no matter how many miles she is running. Her laid back attitude is contagious and makes for feel-good reading. She is the kind of person you feel like you have known forever I always leave her blog with a smile on my face."

These comments made me get out of my lethargic state of mind (and body!). And there again I was this running machine. =) So, thanks to you both lovely ladies for making me smile!

Here is my turn to tag some other Super-Awesome-Blogger-Running-Girls
Jelly-Pepper: Who always makes me smile with her running stories
Amanda: Who never gives up on running
Shelley: Who inspires me the most with her 7th Ironman in 7 years!

Next week is Week 1 (out of 12) of my Detroit Half-marathon training! I've decided to go back to Hal Higdon's training schedule. It helped me get 12 mins PB when I followed it last Winter and I'm hoping it will work again this Fall.

Happy Running everyone =) And thanks for reading!

BACK FROM BEAUTIFUL NEWFOUNDLAND

This is truly a gorgeous part of our country, if you have a chance to visit do not hesitate. There is lots to do and people are really very friendly. It is definitiely not the warmest spot in Canada but you can't have everything. I was very unlucky weather wise, it was pouring rain the whole time (5/7 days). I ran once, 3.5 miles in pouring rain at 6:30 AM after a night of drinking on George Street.... so not my best run. Did I mention it is hilly there? Well, even on what they consider "flat" ground felt like a hill to me! I think this city must be full of strong runners as they are doing hill workout whether they want it or not.

I'm going over to Toronto this week-end to race the Nissan 10 miler. I was happy to see that Yumke, Fran, Amanda and Jelly will also be there and we'll try to meet for brunch after the race. I'm just hoping to run this race at a comfortable pace (10-10:30 min/mile) and enjoy myself.

This is probably my last race of the summer =( Money is so thight now that I will have to cancel some races I really wanted to do but hadn't registered (Run from Cancer organized by Shelley and Crim Road Race). Oh what kind of sacrifices you would do to travel half the country to see your BF...

SPRING THAW????

Spring has come and gone here! After our wonderful heat wave last week, the weather cool down just in time for the race. It was really chilly on Sunday morning!! And the race started 30 mins late, I was completely frozen after 5 minutes and even if I was cheering the kids at the dash and 1K, I could barely feel my feet by the beginning of the race!!! Once the gun went off (I didn't even heard it, just followed people who started running!), cold feet and hands didn't matter anymore!! I didn't want to stat too crazy, as this is my biggest issue with races. So, I tried a 8:20 min/mile pace which is a pace that I think I could have maintained if I had been running on fresh legs (I ran 11 miles the day before). When I realised the legs were not cooperating as much as I wanted, I just tried to keep my pace around 9 min/mile for the whole time. The race went by fast!! I had completely forgotten how short a 5K race is after running all these longer distances!! I did it in 27:33 which is a PR for me, improving my time by almost 2 minutes!!! My last 5K was on Canada Day with 29:29. The best thing about this: a sub 9 min/mile pace!!!! 8:52 min/mile is so sexy =) Also, I finally made out of the "Back of the pack", I'm not a proud "Middle of the pack" (12/24 in my AG)!! Yay, I'm so happy with my improvements this year so far!

I noticed Shelley's Ironman hat when she made the U-turn, she had been running right in front of me! =) I had a chance to talk to her after the race and it is very nice to meet a fellow blogger, especially someone who is such an inspiration to me! She never stops, has more energy than the energizer bunny!! I mean she is training for her 7th Ironman this year!!

Today was a rest day, tomorrow back to our normal running schedule (5 miles). Have a good week everyone!

MARTY????!!!!

Marty has been on blog hiatus for a while now but I still frequently check his blog....in case he updates it! And big shock today his page is gone...... =( It's been replaced by some viagra pills add... Well, I hope the running is still going well and everything is alright with the monsters and the rest of the family!!