BACK IN THE HOOD!!

I am back in Windsor for a week and it feels like I have never left. Everything is still the same, my old 'Boss', the people at the Institute where I worked, the waterfront and the city in general. I really missed my old Boss! I was so happy to see him and work on this last thing with him. He's one of my favorite people in the world =)

One good news, is that there is another professor at my Institute that likes me a lot. I was looking at one of his old scientific articles and told him I'd like to read it. I said: "you co-wrote this article with Mister So-and-so, do you know him well?". Well, it turns out this is the guy I've been in contact with for the job at Environment Canada in Burlington that I REALLY WANT. He told me that Mister So-and-so is his old Ph.D. advisor! He talks to him OFTEN and will give him a call to tell him how awesome-greatest-researcher I am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAHOO! How freakin great is this!!??!! I was so happy, my career goal is to be a big researcher in the government and this is my chance! I really hope it gets me an interview at least =) What a great trip so far!!

My best friend, Flashy, is running her first half-marathon tomorrow. I am so disappointed I can't run it with her =( I really wanted to be there for her but I am being reasonable with my foot now and going to let it rest for a full month. I didn't even bring my running gear so I wouldn't be temted to do it! I am pretty excited about cheering her and brought my cowbell, I'll be making some noise!

We went to pick-up our race kits for the Detroit half tomorrow. Altough I am not running, I did actually pay for race registration and I got my shirt. Not sure I will actually end up wearing it since I will not have run the race...

I got a great shirt for myself and something for my 2 year old niece. How cute is that?

Have a good week-end everybody!

I FINISHED! I'M A TRIATHLETE =)

Swim/Bike/Run got done! 1:01:21 and very happy of my day! More to come later, after a nap and this nagging headache is gone!! Thanks for all the support guys!

I'M IN LOVE!!!!

With Miami!!! I love the beach!! The race was great, the course is breathtaking. I loved it. Finished in 2:21:44 and had to give a big effort from Mile 9-13.1. But finished strong. I only had one mile with a pace of 11 min /mile. All the rest was 10:XX min/mile!

I also meet with Laurel! She's so great! I will put more details once I am back in Canada!

Hope you are all doing well

MY FAVORITE PLACE: THE BEACH

So, I'm off to Miami tonight! I cannot wait to be in the warm weather and sitting on the beach!! =) I think I brought all I need (sunblock, sunglasses, sundresses... etc. ;-) hahaha)

Today the weather is highly disgusting (-23 oC with windchill) sooooo I'm loving this little escape from winter! I ran 2.5 miles on Tuesday and kinda hurt my foot... it was like my ankle froze and then when I took the next step, I kinda heard a crack and it hurt. After running for a little bit it got better but not back to normal... After icing it that night and the next day, it felt a little better so I wanted to test it for a short run (3.1 miles) on Thursday. The ankle did not hurt but it didn't feel "normal" or like usual. sigh... I'm just hoping it won't bother me during the half-marathon. Anyhow! I'm leaving soon and I'll catch up with all of you bloggers when I come back!! Except for Laurel who I will meet during my Miami stay!!! =)

Happy Running!

UNSTOPPABLE...

I am on vacation! It's great! I even forgot that I am stressed about finishing my Ph.D. and that I have no clue what I'm going to do and where I'm going to go after that! Life is a bliss ;-)

I've run 8 times since the 21st December for a total of 26.4 miles. I'm pretty happy with my mileage and the runs I did, I sure hope it prevented me from putting on a bazillion pounds from all the food and wine I had.

I'm doing the 5K Resolution Run in Montreal tomorrow. I was pretty excited to set a PR but it's been snowing (and still hasn't stopped) all morning so I'm not sure about that anymore! I forgot my Get-A-Grip for my shoes in Windsor... Oh well, a fun run will be great anyway!

I got my foot fitted at the Westmount Running Room yesterday, I should have done that 2 years ago... been running in Saucony's wide shoes while my feet are very narrow (AA).... The girl was not impressed and told me to throw my old shoes in the garbage! Well, at least I know =)

I hope everyone will have an amazing running 2008 year!

Thanks for always coming back to read my blog and leaving me comments =)

NEW 2008 GOAL....

Flight -Booked
Hotel -Booked
Race -Registered

"Congratulations! You are now registered for the 2008 ING Miami Marathon"

I wanted to have a goal over the winter, I knew that without one I would get lazy... it's so hot and cosy inside! And I also wanted to make sure I would make time to train during my last few months of thesis writing. So, there we go, it's all booked and I got a cheap flight out of Detroit for 200$ I just need a dog-sitter and we're golden!!

What convinced me is that my parents will be in Miami that week-end prior to leaving for a cruise. So, I will have my cheerleading team with me again and I know that will make a whole lot difference!!! =)

See you in Florida Laurel!!

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...

I'M A BAD BLOGGER!

Well sorry folks for not being the best blogger around.... with the marathon training over, I just don't have much of a structured training schedule right now. I ran only 2 times last week..... Wednesday (4 miles) and Sunday (7 miles) but I biked 20K again on Saturday. I can tell you that I feel pretty sore today!!

I'm going to race another 10K on Sunday, the HBC Canada Day Run. The weather is very humid here so I am not getting my hopes up on a personal best, you cannot PB at every race (although I'd love to do a sub 1h)!

A while back I was tagged by Michelle to post 6 weird facts about me.... so here we go:

1) I love perfume, I own at least 3 dozens bottles of them. I put perfume even before I go to bed.

2) Before I run, I love to eat my banana with maple syrup

3) My dad and I have been doing these unconventional Dad-Daughter activities together since I am a kid and we usually go fishing or see a hockey or a football game

4) I am not a girly girl but I will never leave the house without at least putting on some make-up

5) Before I go to bed, I have to check if my door is locked and the alarm is on, at least 3 times... sort of a compulsive thing

6) I talk to my dog in French and in English, there are commands he knows in French (assis, reste, viens ici) and other commands he knows in English (stop, let's go, NO!!, be nice, good boy)

Not sure its all "weird" but at least entertaining for you guys!! I'm hoping Yumke, Fran and Shelley will play along too! =)

Happy Running everyone!

AROUND THE BAY, HERE I COME!

I am leaving tomorrow morning for Hamilton and I'm very excited to be racing the oldest road race in North America which was established in 1894!!! =) It even started 3 years before Boston! This will be very fun! I'm not going to race it, I will be running it as a LSD (targeting 11-11:30 min/mile). I don't really have a goal time in mind anything around 3h30 will be fine with me. I think this is a great way to get a 19 miles run in while getting out of Windsor and seeing some Maniacs.

As far as this week's recap:
Tuesday: 5 miles at 11:14 min/mile
Wednesday: 8 miles at 10:52 min/mile
Thursday: 5 miles at 11:05 min/mile

Have a good week-end everyone!

FREEZING RAIN, ICY GROUND.....

I hate this weather!!! I ran 12 miles in pouring rain (11:25 min/ mile)... I was soaked, socks included, within 10 mins and it was cold.... thanks for my spiky things to put on my shoes... Do I have to specify that it was not fun at all? I wish I did my LSD yesterday! The only reason why I kept going is in case that next week-end in Burlington has that same weather, at least I will be prepared! The good news: shin splints on my leg left is minimal! It's tapering week now for me =)

Have a good one!

BIG DECISION

Now, that I have so much free time on my hands, I've decided to register for the Forest City Marathon in May. I think this will be the best way to focus my energy while going through this break-up. All these emotions can keep going towards something positive like running =) YAY! I am very excited to run another marathon!