Christmas Math

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I'm gonna need earplugs

A Perfect 10

Look What We Did!

Check out what we did at work. It was so much fun and I am so honored to have managed this project. I wish projects were like these all the time...and it's for a great cause!

Hope you enjoy playing with the website, order a copy, and help spread the word!


Santy Claws and the Toe-nenbaum from McMillan on Vimeo.


www.santyclaws.com

What My Job is Like

http://view.break.com/542649 - Watch more free videos

Something to Say

I haven't had much time to blog lately because my life has been pretty boring, yet busy, in the last month. However, I do have something to say now.

I went into the grocery store last night and noticed they were playing Christmas music. Now I have nothing against Christmas. I love the feeling of giving and love that comes with the season. I like singing Christmas music.However, I don't think it's fair to put your employees through over a month of Christmas music! I'm not a Grinch. I don't mind that that the stores put up their Christmas decorations and merchandise the second Halloween is done but come on now, are you trying to drive your employees to drink? Christmas music should not be played until December 1 and until then, there should NOT be a bell jingling or a red-nose glowing.

That's all I have to say about that.

PS
As I'm blogging about this, Sheldon is searching for a Christmas CD to listen to in the car. No joke.

Sigh

Official Results

The official timing chip results are in.

2:16 BABY!!!

[insert SUPER happy dance here]

21km later...

[insert happy dance here]

I did it!
Oh yeah!
I beat my own record!
Oh yeah!

Here are some highlights from my first half marathon:

• The weather could not have been more perfect for running
  
• I was so nervous during the drive to the race grounds. I think I butterflies for breakfast
• PANIC! I couldn't find the half marathon start line when the race started (I wasn't the only one)
• The adrenaline from frantically trying to find the start line gave me a good boost of energy (in hindsight)
  
• I wrestled with my tangled headphones and mp3 player for the first couple of km which was a blessing in disguise as it kept me well distracted
• The scenery was beautiful with all the fall colours
• It was quite a hilly course
  
• Did I mention the weather was perfect for running?
  
• I ran at a really good pace throughout the whole race and didn't feel out of breath or tired
• I was running so strong that I always passed the people around me when going up hills (boy was that a great motivator)
  
• Did I mention it was a hilly course?
• Here's the best part...I finished in 2:18 which is about 10 minutes faster than I expected to finish in !!!! (still to be confirmed once my timing chip result is up)
  
• Remember my 20km training run time (2:21) and compare it with my race finish time

[insert happy dance here]

I did it!
Oh yeah!
I beat my own record!
Oh yeah!

*more pictures on Facebook

Bring it on!

Yesterday I ran my last long run before the race. How far did I run, you ask?

Oh, just 20km.

That's right, folks. I ran 20 km yesterday. Do you know what that means? I only had 1 more km to run to finish a half marathon distance! My time was 2 hours 21 min. 22 sec. but I hope to shave off a minute or two during the race because yesterday I got stopped at a couple of lights.

How am I feeling?

My legs are utterly exhausted and my muscles are sore in some places, but I did it!

From now until the race, I only have to run short runs in order to keep my muscles loose.

21 km on October 12...bring it on!

A do-run-run-run, a do-run-run

I hit another milestone!! I decided to run home from work. I mapped the route and it would be a 15km run, the furthest I've run yet. Here's the best part...I ran it in 1 hour 39 min. 32 sec. To put that in perspective, I ran 14 km in 1 hour 44 min. last month but keep in mind, it was stinky hot when I ran the 14km so that slowed me down a lot. But still, I am so surprised because there are a couple of hills on my 15km route so I expected to run it in 1 hour 50 min. I even told myself to take my time and so what if I take 2 hours.

To put it in another perspective, I usually run 10km in about 1 hour 8 min. to 1 hour 10 min. I usually run 5km in 33 min. so technically my 15 km run should have taken over 1 hour 41 min. at least. But to come in under 1 hour 40 min....wow is all I can say!

I used two energy gels for the first time throughout my run. I think that definitely helped me out because my running was still very strong and steady during the final 5km. I think I had enough energy to tack on the remaining 6km to make it a half marathon distance. That really boosts my confidence.

In the running world, I'm considered a slow runner but for me, this is a huge accomplishment. I had a lot of people pass me while I was running along the canal but I tried not to let that bother me. I kept telling myself that I'm just a beginner runner and I've only been running for 8 months. Plus I kept checking to see if I was tired or not and I still feeling great so that helped motivate me to keep going. I think I even tackled the last hill at a good pace. I'm so happy. I'm on top of the world right now!

Proud of my Connor

Some of you don't know that Connor worked really hard earlier in the year studying to take an entrance exam to Ashbury College and was accepted. He's had a couple weeks of school and absolutely loves it. I absolutely love the small class sizes (I counted about 16 in his English class).

On Friday, he auditioned for the strings ensemble at school and was accepted! He is playing 2nd violin (the group of violins playing the harmony).

Oh, and in music class, he picked the oboe.

Proud of my Aidan

I am so proud of my Aidan that he deserves a post of his own. Today was the first day he ever sat in sacrament and listened to all the talks! He didn't pull out his doodle book to draw, he didn't try to lay on my lap to sleep. He actually listened to the talks and asked me some questions during them so he could understand what the speakers were saying.

This wasn't preluded by a lecture from us about being reverent and listening to the talks either. He just decided all on his own to listen like a grown up today.

I am so proud of my Aidan. He is such a good boy. I hope he does it again and again!!

Hot and Tired

It was hot. I was tired. I ran out of water. I stopped at a bagel shop to get a water refill. I ran really slow. It was really hard. But I did it. I ran 14km. But I did it in 1 hour 44 min. It was the heat. My body was hot. My body was tired.

I'm dreading next week when I have to do it again. I'm dreading the thought of having another 7km to run when it's time to run the half marathon.

I'm tired. I'm a little cranky. I don't want to run in the heat anymore.

I think it was past the 10km mark when I kept thinking I could call Sheldon up and he can come pick me up. It was a really hard run physically and mentally.

If I quit earlier, I didn't want it hanging over my head that I still hadn't accomplished 14km. That would have really put me in a bad place mentally. The thought of having to try the 14km again if I quit was the only thing that kept me going. I didn't want that hanging over my head.

So I struggled. Boy did I struggle.

But I did it.

And when I finished, I had Connor watching out for me at the window and Aidan getting me a cold glass of water with ice and a bowl of strawberries; waiting for me when I came in.

Thanks boys. You are my cheerleaders. You made me smile after a long and hard run.

Now I'm going to eat and pass out for a bit. Oh and I'm going to drink lots of water too!

PS...Aidan wanted me to edit this post to add that I also have a blister on my baby toe. What a goof!

It's Official

I've registered for the half-marathon on October 12. It's now or never to reach my goal to run a half-marathon this year. I pray for no injuries during training, and that I can run and not be weary.

Feelin' Wicked!

Wednesday evening, I took my little boy to the opening night of Wicked. It was such a wonderful mommy-Aidan date night. My boss won tickets at work and passed them to me since he would be out of town and it was a gift for working soooo many ridiculously LONG hours lately. I feel so lucky to be able to see it again. It's my favourite musical by far. Aidan laughed so hard when they sang "Popular." The actress who played Glinda stole the show. Glinda's character is very shallow and ditzy and her body movements just topped it all off. The way she tried to teach Elphaba how to toss her hair...priceless!

I feel so blessed. I was so excited to take Aidan to his very first musical. Now if I could only persuade Sheldon to let me take Connor to see Spamalot in the fall...

Another running milestone

Yesterday I ran 12km, the furthest I've ever run! I decided to run home from church so I wouldn't chicken out or procrastinate if I waited until later during the day to do it. The direct route home from church was only 8km so I ran one major intersection further and came around the back of the neighbourhood in order to make up for the extra 4km.

About 5km into it, I had to go to the bathroom. There was no way I could hold it for another 7km. I went into the McDonalds along my route when the thought crossed my mind, "How ironic is it to see somebody running and then going into a McDonalds?"

It was really hard to get back into the groove again afterwards. About 3-4km after, it wasn't so bad. However, during the last couple of km, I noticed I was paying attention to my legs and feet more. They weren't hurting or anything...they were just starting to feel a little uncomfortable. One runner has advised me that if you don't feel uncomfortable each time you run longer, you're running to slow. So I guess that means I was doing alright.

I haven't been able to do my runs during the weekdays, which I know is not good for my overall training. At least I've been keeping my long runs and have been able to finish them. Next week, I'll be tackling 14km. I'll probably run home from church again although I'm not sure how and where I'll adjust my route to accomodate the distance. Stay tuned...

Running Update

With my mom visiting, I've done a lot of eating and not so much running. I did run a steady 5km for the first time last Tuesday. That's no walking whatsoever!

Today I ran 10km. I don't recommend doing it in 30 degree heat. It was only 25 when I left but it quickly rose 5 extra degrees during my run. Boy, was it hard. I ran it in just under 1 hour 12 min. which is about 4 min. slower than my last 10km run. I guess the heat will do that to you.

I haven't officially started my hill training however my 10km route has 3 hills in it. At least I'm not totally hopeless there.

This last weekend we took my mom to Montreal for her first time. Lots of stories to tell as we had quite the adventure. I'll save that for my next post though. I have more eating to do now.

Week 7, Sunday

I did it! I ran 10 km today. It felt really good too. I had to psych myself up to it all day and when I was running I told myself to take my time and just to enjoy it. And I actually did enjoy it. I really took my time and was expecting to finish in an hour and twenty minutes or something. I was shocked to see that I finished in 1 hr. 8 min! I'm so excited about that!! My legs were tired here and there but my breathing was great since I was taking my time and running slowly. There was even a couple of hills on my route. Not to bad if I say so myself!

Now I just have to psych myself enough to do it again next Sunday.

Week 6, Wednesday

Yesterday I ran 5km at 7pm. It was still about 25 degrees outside and I found myself running slower than usually due to the heat. I was about a minute longer than usual (34 min.). I don't like running in the heat so much.

I feel like I have a lot of catching up to do in my training. I haven't been following it as closely as I should be. It's tough when I've been working so many late nights and I feel guilty if I spend what little free time I have running instead of spending time with the family or catching up on chores.

They hired somebody new at work and he starts at the end of the month. That will give me some reprieve since I get to unload some of my workload onto him. Thank goodness! I'll have a life again.

Next week I start my hill training. I'll have to really work hard at this because the race route in October is not flat like the National Capital Race I originally wanted to run in May. I'm intimidated but I've read that it will make me a stronger runner. That's a good thing . Hopefully I will see (and feel) the results in a few weeks. I need a "pick me up".

I know I can run 5km no problem so now I have to aim for 10km. Hopefully I can do that in within a month's time. My goal before the summer ends is to be able to run 10km easily, if not more.

I pray to run and not be weary...literally!

Hope Volleyball Tournament

July 12, 2008

Corporate Challenge Division

The McMillitants

We won our pool and went to the playoffs!

Connor's First Temple Trip

Montreal Temple

July 5, 2008

Week 5, Wednesday

I missed yesterday's scheduled 4km run so I did it today. It was a short run but it was tough because I was fighting the wind. My body felt pretty heavy too; like it was harder to move my legs to carry myself along. Completed it in about 25 min. though. I've noticed my steps while running are really loud. Maybe that has something to do with being heavy. D, is there something about gravity or something changing that makes you feel heavier?

I know, I know...I'm not heavy. Geez, can't you take a joke!

Last Saturday, I took Connor to the temple for his first time. The youth went to the Montreal Temple to do baptisms for the dead. What a wonderful experience it was to see your child help do the Lord's work. Even the evening before the temple trip was wonderful. Aidan, Connor, and I sat on my bed and read from a children's book about what temples are and what kinds of ordinances happen inside the temple. I was pleasantly surprised at the conversation we had on it. It's moments like those that I want to cherish forever.

I'll post pictures of the temple trip as soon as I get a chance to get them off my camera.

A shocking discovery

Ok so I was fooling around with gmap-pedometer.com a little to find out the distance between certain landmarks. I was shocked to find that the distance I ran today is the same distance from my home to church! That means today I could have run all the way to church! Holy crap!!! Here's another kicker. Today's 7.8km run was done in 52 min. That means I could run to church in about an hour. Now that makes me feel on top of the world! Mind you I'm a little shocked that church is only 8km away. I thought it would be a little farther than that.

Week 5, Sunday

Today's route was changed up a bit. I ran to Centrepointe (the next neighbourhood), ran to a path that cut through back to my neighbourhood, then ran around my whole neighbourhood. Sheldon and Connor rode their bikes along side. I was planning on running only 7.5 km. I planned out my route on gmap-pedometer.com. But since I was playing around with different routes, I couldn't remember if I had to run past my house and come around the back or not to finish the 7.5km. I thought, better safe than sorry and ran through the back route just in case. Turns out I didn't have to. I could have gone straight home. So I double checked on the online tool and the total distance today...drum roll please...7.8 km! (shoot, I was so close to 8km too)

I have to tell you the truth. It was a hard and crappy run. I was fine the first 10 min. but after that I felt like puking. Word to the wise...don't eat anything garlicky an hour and a half before you run. Everytime I felt a burp coming up I thought I was going to hurl. Plus when I did burb, it was disgustingly filled with garlic. Blegh!

On my training schedule I was supposed to run 9km but since the rain and long work hours got me off schedule, I thought it better to ease back into it.

Anyways, I did it!

Now I'm hitting the showers because boy do I stink!

Week 4, Friday

It's been a week and a half since my last run. This time my lack of running was due working long hours, not rain. I had the boys ride their bikes while I ran. We went to the library, eager to get the book I put on hold. We got there and realized it was closed. The boys were really disappointed. I was too. Anyways, I ran 4km today and there was some slight inclines to my route. I'll have to start proper hill training in a few weeks, I think. The Thanksgiving weekend run is not flat like the May race weekend. Overall this run was ok. I was struggling during the 3rd km though.

Happy Birthday, Canada!

Blue Rodeo

Oreo Lick Race

A "pioneer-like" amusement ride

Lee-Wen's Play to Win

2008 Father Son Priesthood Camp at Lac Phillipe, Gatineau Park

The Great Cardboard Boat Race

So Long, Elementary School

Connor's Gr. 6 graduation

The Tandemoniums

McMillan's Heart and Stroke Big Bike experience. We raised over $2200. Thanks to everyone who pledged me.

Obstacle course for bonus "spirit" points

A YMCA warmup

The Tandemoniums

My Deacon

Connor was ordained to the office of deacon in the Aaronic priesthood yesterday! What a wonderful milestone for him. We celebrated by having are very dear friends come over for a little get-together. I am so proud of him because I know he realizes what a big responsibility it is to have priesthood authority. I can't wait until next week to see him pass the sacrament.

And because of all the festivities yesterday, plus there was a youth fireside in the evening, I didn't get a chance to run. However, today I ran 6.8 km in 43 min. and when I reached the 5km mark, I beat my regular time by 2 min!

Also today, our office took part in the Heart and Stroke Big Bike event. We rode a bike that seats 30 and peddled around city hall. Our office raised over $2,000. Thanks to everyone who pledged me! I beat my personal pledges goal. I'll try and get some pictures from it and post them soon.

Dear Mother Nature

Dear Mother Nature,

I just wanted to drop you a line to say thank you for not raining this evening. I was able to have a wonderful run. I think what made this 5km run so pleasant was because I had Connor with me the whole time. He rode his bike and kept me company. I've never had such a nicer run. Thank you again for the nice weather. I hope tomorrow will be the same because the lawn really needs to be mowed.

Sincerely,
Jessica

Dear Mother Nature

Dear Mother Nature,

Why are you making it rain so much? Were we not punished enough with the amount of snow you gave us last winter? Why must you be so cruel?

Do you not know that it is supposed to be summer? Do you not know that your rain and storms have been interupting my training?

I couldn't run on Sunday, Tuesday, or Wednesday due to the rain. I do thank you for keeping the rain long enough as I ran 5km on Monday. I do appreciate that. Today I was planning to run in between your raining phases, but just as I was about to change you start to pour again.

Yes I realize I have a treadmill at home but do you not know how much I enjoy what the great outdoors offers?

Mother Nature, I ask you to please make it stop raining.

Sincerely,
Jessica

$$$$$

How in the world did I spend $400 in groceries today?

Three-quarters of the damage was done at Costco, that's how. However, we should have enough meat to last us for a couple of weeks (I hope). Groceries in general aren't cheap anymore either. Stupid gas prices.

I didn't get to run today either. I was supposed to do another 3km but Saturday got in the way.

Saturday = laundry, groceries, kids' music lessons, etc.

On an exciting note (more exciting for my mom when she visits), they're building a T&T about a 10 min. drive from my house. For those of you who don't know, T&T is basically the Asian version of Loblaws minus the clothes and furniture.

Today's run

Today's 3km run was a lot easier than yesterday's. I did screw up my breathing patterns a little bit and started panicking for a few seconds because I couldn't regulate it. I think I was listening to my breathing too much.

The kids and Sheldon left at the same time I did to do their run 1 min. and walk 2 min. cycles. I was able to do my run and make it back home the same time they did.

I have a little ways to go to work back up to where I left off a month or so ago (11km) but I know I can do it! I'm looking forward to the cool fall run in October with the beautiful leaves changing colours.

Yesterday's run

I'm back in training and yesterday was my first run. A little tough on the breathing but I managed to keep about the same speed as I was running a month or so ago. I'm using a different training schedule now and this one's in km so it will make more sense to us Canadians.

Total distance: 3km
Total time to complete: 19:09 min.
Run 10 min., walk 1 min. intervals

Back in the saddle again

When I got off the bus today, I ran home even though I had an umbrella to protect me from the rain. Why? Because I just wanted to run.

So tonight, I tried out running. Sheldon was my running partner. Since this is his first time, we followed his training schedule I found for running his first 5km.

Today we ran for 1 min., walk for 2 min., and repeated this cycle 6 times.

I'm so proud of Sheldon! And it felt SO good to run again.

Criminal Intent

Yesterday Sheldon took the day off to get our credit affairs in order. He went to the Motor Vehicle branch to get new papers, he called various credit bureaus to get alerts put on our accounts, bought a paper shredder and a file cabinet. Later that afternoon, the doorbell rang and Sheldon answered it to find our vehicle manual, insurance papers, and vehicle license and registration papers on our front step! A neighbour boy found it hiding underneath a wooden flat in another neighbour's yard and found our name in the book so he returned it.

We went through ALL that worry and trouble and for what?!?!

Sheldon thinks that some punks probably broke in with the intent of finding some money and when they didn't, they decided to create some mischief and hide things on us.

Yeah...not impressed at all.

Do criminals take weekends off?

As we were getting into our car this morning to go to church, I noticed our glove compartment box was open and the vehicle manual (that has our insurance papers and licence and registration papers inside) missing. There were some odd receipts and papers scattered on the driver seat as well. We forgot to lock the door yesterday when we returned from the movies so it wasn't a forced entry (thank goodness, I don't think I could deal with broken glass and stuff). He/they didn't take any CD's or anything else. Just the manual with the papers in it.

Since Connor was giving his first talk in church and were already running late, we drove to the chapel and called the police on the way. Before Connor's talk, Sheldon stayed in the foyer to make the appropriate calls. During the intermediate hymn, we left to go home so we could call the appropriate credit bureaus the police gave us numbers for.

The credit bureaus are closed over the weekend.

Not only are the credit bureaus closed over the weekend, but all over their websites say we need to be members. How do you become a member? You need to purchase one of their credit security products.

Only after an hour of searching TransUnion and Equifax's website (that's right, I'm calling them out by name), Sheldon stumbled upon something that can be done over the phone. For $5 a person (that's right, we still need to pay) we can have an alert put on our credit for 6 years so if anybody tries to apply for credit under our name (even if it's us), we will get a phone call asking for confirmation and authorization. The trick is to remember to let them know if you ever change your phone number.

My big beef about this whole situation is that they don't have anybody even manning the phones over the weekend! When you're worried about something as serious as identity theft, you want to speak to a human and ask them questions. You don't want to be searching a website and pushing buttons as the teleprompter instructs. We're stressed enough as it is. I admit we are partly at fault for forgetting to lock our car doors, but seriously, some human contact on the other line would be nice!

Criminals don't take weekends off so why should credit bureaus?

On a brighter note, Connor did a wonderful job delivering his talk on the 13th Article of Faith. I'm proud of him.

My Young Man

Here are some photos that capture Connor turning 12...my young man.

What a great father & son moment. Time to learn how to tie a REAL tie. No more zipper ties, Connor. You're a young man now.

11218

That's my bib number...or what would have been my bib number. The race organizers emailed it to me today. But hey, Martin my physiotherapist says I can run for 5 whole minutes this weekend to see how that feels! It's a far cry from the 2.5 hours I was planning on running though.

I will be cheering on 68 year old Bro. Carlos Velazquez and thinking about him on Sunday while he runs the FULL marathon. That's right. The full marathon! AND his goal is to run it within 4 hours so he can qualify for the Boston Marathon!

Just to put that time into perspective, I was planning on running a HALF marathon in 2.5 hours. He's planning on running the FULL marathon in 4 hours.

Now THAT's inspiring.

GO BRO. VELAZQUEZ GO!

My Decision

My dilemna was solved this morning. I've made a decision.

I choose Plan B. I will run in the October race. What pushed me to make that final decision was hearing at church that Stake Conference would be a Canada-wide broadcast with President Thomas S. Monson speaking to us. The race is on the same day as Stake Conference. If I run the race, I would miss what he has to say to us. I figure if there was something important to say if the prophet would be speaking to all Canadian members. I should probably be there.

I had a ton of reasons to race in two weeks and just as many reasons not to. I had a lot of people advising me to go for it; to run in two weeks. And I had a lot of people cautioning me to heal properly first and run in October. Hearing about Stake Conference just made that decision a whole lot easier. I do want to thank everyone for supporting me. I hope you continue to do so because you are my cheerleaders. When I'm struggling with long runs during my training, I think about you guys cheering me on. Your pom poms are in the mail. I don't want to disappoint you so I will reach my goal to run a half marathon and I will do it this year. It just won't be in two weeks.

What's even more exciting about running in the Thanksgiving weekend race is that Connor and Aidan have expressed interest in running with me too! Aidan wants to do the Turkey Trot (the 1km race). Connor wants to run the 5km race. I'm so proud of my boys. This is something we can work on together. I'm looking forward to and so excited to train with them.

Now how do I convince Sheldon to run too.

Two Plans

Plan A

• Try Martin's plan and see how I'm feeling at the end of the first week.
• If I'm feeling good, I'll keep going and run the race in two weeks.
• If i'm not feeling good at the end of the first week, I go to Plan B.

Plan B

• Take my time at healing and run in the Ottawa Fall Colours Race. That's right! I Googled "Ottawa marathons" and found out there's another race Thanksgiving weekend!
• In a way, I'm leaning more towards Plan B but should I give Plan A a chance anyways?

Your thoughts?

The verdict is in...

...and it doesn't look good. I went to my physio appointment this morning. Martin, the physiotherapist, said there is some swelling in my calf muscle due to fluid build up. I've injured my gastrocnemius muscle. I am not allowed to run on the ground until it heals some more which totally screws up my last two weeks of training. However, he says I could be able to run in the race if I train via pool running or biking, and go to physio every day, Monday to Friday, until the race.

However, the flu put me out of commission for a week already. My calf muscle has put my out of commission for an additional week and a half. I haven't ran 10km in weeks. By now, I should be running 15-18km. The half marathon is 21.1km. I feel like I'm so behind but then a part of me thinks maybe I can beat all odds. Martin thinks it can be done. It may be physically and mentally hard on race day, but maybe I can still do it. I imagine the joy I would feel if I ran the race and finished, beating all the odds. It would feel so good!

But am I just kidding myself?

I can't even run a few steps to catch the bus right now without pain. Will I be able to heal and train enough in two weeks?

I've spent the rest of the day in despair. I don't know what to do. I want to run a half marathon. That's my goal for this year. I want to do it so badlly. I know I won't be able to go to Toronto or New York to run in the fall because of the costs (plus I won't have any vacation time left). I'm upset. This must be only a fraction of the emotions pro-athletes go through when they're injured right before the Olympics or something.

Should I just go for it? What if I can't finish?

I don't want to fail. I don't want to quit.

What do I do?

Lots to catch up on

So I've been pretty delinquent at posting lately. It's been busy at work and home life is busy too. Here's the skinny on my training:

• Last Wednesday I ran 5 km in just over 30 min. Body felt good but breathing was tough. I did a long cool down walk afterwards and my legs weren't too sore.
• Last Thursday I ran just over 8km. I took my time and finished in an hour. I was mentally bored during the run so I started counting by two's. I didn't do a proper cool down and that became my downfall.
• Ever since the last run, my left calf muscle has been hurting. It hurts enough that I have to limp.
• On Sunday, I was really struggling on whether to run and hope my muscle loosens up or whether to take more time off. There's less than 3 weeks left for the run and I need to build myself back up to where I was before I got sick. This may not have been a tough decision for you but I was sure struggling. I was even psyched to do 15 km. Then I went up and down the stairs and decided against it. My calf muscle was really sore.
• Monday I started making phone calls and made a massage appointment for Wednesday (today) and a physio appointment for Friday. I'm not going to run but I'm sure putting the money into recuperating as quick as possible so I can start resuming my training as soon as possible!
• Today was my massage and I can actually walk normally now! I can feel myself still favouring my left leg but the massage definitely helped worked some kinks out. I'm going back Friday after work...just in case.
• Now my plan is to run on Saturday and Sunday. This will leave me only two weeks to catch up on training. I don't think I can totally catch up now so as long as I've run 15km (or more) before the race, I'm confident I can finish the rest on my own. I may have to sacrifice doing it within 2 hrs. 30 min. but I have to remind myself that this whole goal started as a "just to finish the race" goal; it's not a "time to finish the race in" goal.

This last couple of weeks, I've been reading up a lot on the priesthood since Connor will be turning 12 on May 14. (in our church, 12 year old boys can be eligable to receive the "first level" of priesthood authority). I have a greater respect and awe for those brethren who hold the priesthood now. They have the responsibility to try and always be worthy of exercising their priesthood power because they never know when they'll be called upon to use it. For example, if your child becomes very sick in the middle of the night, you better be ready to give a blessing if the situation calls for it. Anyways, to all those who hold the priesthood and honor it, I am in awe and am grateful to you.

Can you believe Connor will be a deacon soon? My heart is filled with joy when I think about it. He's been working hard at memorizing his Articles of Faith too in order to "graduate" from Primary (the children's Sunday school). Before you know it, he'll be leaving on a mission!

Speaking about missions, we just said farewell to a very special young woman who just left for her mission in Argentina. I can't believe it! When we first moved to Ottawa, I was her Beehive advisor (teacher for the 12-13 year olds). Now she's old enough to go on her mission!! I am so proud of her. She has always made good, solid decisions.

Hmmm, what else is going on? Oh yeah, last night I took Sheldon to see his favourite comedian, Russell Peters. It was my 12th anniversary gift to him. It was such a fun night. I laughed so much my cheeks hurt. He does a lot of cultural jokes. He is famous for his parenting bit but if you're sensitve to that kind of topic (ie don't believe in spanking or similar), don't watch this video. Oh and there's some language too so you've been warned. His understanding of all cultures and the accents he uses are spot on. So funny!

Getting back into the swing of things

So I ran 5km yesterday; my first run since getting the flu. It was tough but I got through it. I'm going to work hard this week to get back to where I was...running at least 11km. Then I'll be back on track with my training schedule. I can't believe there's less than a month left. I'm so excited that I will be able to accomplish this goal in less than a month.

A minor glitch in training...

I came down with the flu on Sunday and it's really wiped me out. Fever, chills, aches and pains, shortness of breath, the whole nine yards. I don't know how long it will be before I get my energy back and I don't know how this will affect my training. Do I jump right back into the schedule or will I have to ease back into running? I'm too weak to worry about it now. Blegh....

Week 8, Wednesday

• Ran 5 km along the Canal during lunch with a co-worker
• I forgot to set my timer but it's safe to say we did it in about 30 min.
• Need to do something about sore calf muscles after running though...stretching doesn't do too much to prevent it from being sore.

The best friends a girl could ask for

(the title includes my husband because he's my very best friend)

Yesterday was my official 30th birthday party. I think it may have begun as a surprise birthday party but I ended up finding out because a person-who-will-remain-nameless in her exhausted stupor accidentally spilled the beans.

Regardless, Sheldon, Angelina, Jennifer and Nina did a great job preparing for it. From inviting people, to cleaning Nina's house, making sushi from scratch (that was the guys' job), and to preparing a slide show of my life, I thank you all for loving me enough to go to such great lengths to give me the best birthday party ever. We ate sushi galore and laughed all night.

Nina may have scared off Jon's new girlfriend within the first few moments they met though when she turns to her and says in the Nina-on-meds way "You're a really nice person." And for some reason, I'm still smiling from Eric's casual reply to Angelina when she was frustrated with hunters when we were talking about one story of a hunter who kills lions for sport "You go ahead and talk to him about that." You had to be there. Or when Barb tried sushi that had fish in it AND an actual piece of tuna sashimi for the first time! Oh I got pictures of that, my friends. But best of all (and I'm going to crack up every time when I see the picture) is when Sheldon was lying down on the floor and Paul sitting nearby lifts up his shirt and actually blows on his tummy! It happened so fast that I wasn't sure what the picture I took would look like, but it turned out good. The picture could leave a lot to the imagination too. I'll be nice for now and not post the picture until I need a really good bargaining chip.

The chocolate birthday cake that Jon made was delicious. However, when Jon asked Sheldon during the week what my favorite cake was, Sheldon didn't know. You think he would know after being together for over a dozen years because almost every birthday we have in this family is celebrated with an ice-cream cake from Dairy Queen. I'll have to hold that one over Sheldon's head for something good.

When I get a moment, I'll post some pictures up from the party. So many good friends came to share it with me and a few couldn't make it, which was too bad. I'm glad Sharlene and her new baby boy could make it. It's sad that she lives so far away now. Thanks to the guys who made sushi all night in the kitchen. It was SO yummy. Thanks to Angelina for taking the lead on organizing, especially when she's short a husband and pregnant too! Thanks to Jen for putting together that slide show of my life (that was a really good pic of Colin Firth, by the way). And thanks to Nina for letting us mess up her house after it took her a couple of days to clean it.

I love you all! Here's to our next milestone birthday which Angelina says we'll celebrate by taking a fabulous girls-only vacation! But if it's a road trip, Angelina, you are NOT driving ;)

Week 7, Sunday

• Ran 7 miles (just over 11 km)
• Total time to complete: 1 hr. 7 min. 56 sec

I couldn't believe the time I ran today. I know that on the treadmill, I ran 6 miles in 1 hr. 15 min. so this is a BIG difference in time; an extra mile in even less time! I find when I'm running outside now that I can go a little faster. The route I took was two laps around the perimeter of my neighborhood. The second time around, I took to running faster and it felt good. My hands and arms were freezing though. Before I went out, I looked at the thermometer just outside my kitchen window and it read just under 10 degrees. I thought I would be fine in my t-shirt and long pants. Boy was I wrong. There was a cold wind and it even started blowing a few snowflakes during my run at one point. When I got inside, my hands and arms started killing me because they were starting to thaw out. I think I need to invest in a long-sleeved shirt to run in.

Anyways, I'm ecstatic at my run today. I've now run over half of a half marathon now and after today's run, I really believe I can do it and somewhat comfortably as well...as long as my arms and hands aren't freezing.

I took my time stretching after my run today but found the my calf muscles on the inner side of my legs were aching. How the heck do you stretch the calf muscles there? If anybody knows, please enlighten me. I soaked my legs in a hot Epsom salt bath because I didn't want them to get worse. Seriously though, if you know how to stretch out that part of the calf muscle, let me know. And maybe if you know what I'm doing wrong that it's making it sore in the first place, let me know.

Half marathon is just over a month away and I'm going to be totally ready for it. Maybe I'll see some of you running too ;)

Week 7, Wednesday

• Ran 5km along the Canal during lunch time with a co-worker.
• Total time to complete: approx. 33 min.

Week 7, Tuesday

• Ran 4 miles
• Total time to complete: 42 min.

This is a huge jump in my time to complete. I think the last time I ran 4 miles it was in almost 50 min. I know I did push myself a little harder to run a little faster. It wasn't too bad. And I can listen to music while I run now. I find I can do it comfortably if it's not really loud and it's just there for background noise; I'm not really listening to the music.

Week 6, Sunday

• 5 km race
• Total time to complete: 33 min. 07 sec.

OK so today I didn't actually participate in a 5 km race like the training schedule said I should but I did run 5 km and did it outside for the first time! What a beautiful couple of days we have had. Friday it snowed but on Saturday and Sunday it was over 10 degrees! I even went out without a coat on. It was marvellous!

The run was good too. I had a nice cool wind blowing on me. It was a little harder the last half because I was running into the wind; but at least I know what it feels like to run outside now. I was worried that it would be too hard. Let's see what the long 7 mile run will feel like outside next week (if weather permits).

I used a running calculator online to see what my projected time to finish the half marathon is: 2 hrs. 32 min. 04 sec. My goal is to run it in 2 hr. 30 min. so I have a couple minutes to shave off. Considering this was my first time running outside though, I'd say I didn't do too bad. I still have about a month and a half left of training. I can do it!

Here comes a new decade!

So I've finally joined the 30-year old club. The "baby" of the group has finally arrived. The company I work for lets you take your birthday off but since this was the last weekend before a HUGE project is due, I knew there was no way I could take the day off and totally enjoy it. It's a good thing I did too because I ended up having to stay an extra hour because something came up that if it wasn't caught, it would have totally screwed the project up and made us totally miss the due date. I did celebrate by having Sheldon join me for a sushi lunch and then the family, Jen and her boys joined me for a sushi dinner. That's right folks, I had sushi for lunch AND dinner! YUM!!

For some reason, people get teased about turning 30. I know I defintely bugged Sheldon about it. Actually I still bug Sheldon every year. But me, I'm embracing 30. I'm really excited about it because it's like a new chapter in my life. I've entered 30 in good physical shape (especially with all this running I've been doing) I am spritually on the right track, I'm working on improving some areas of my life, and I have a wonderful family and great friends who love me. How can I complain about turning 30 when it can only get better! Well, maybe tickets for the whole family to see all 3 musicals coming to town this year would top it off, but I'm not going to push my luck ;)

Anyways, my mother says I'm entering the "summer" of my life. I think that's what makes me so excited about what's to come because I LOVE the summer. However, I have observed that for the last 5 years, it has snowed near or on my birthday. Yesterday was not an exception to that rule. I don't know what it is? We could be having spring-like tempurtures and then BAM! it snows on April 4. Go figure. Like I've said before, Mother Nature has a cruel sense of humour. Look at all the snow we got this year. I don't think it will melt until May!

Anyways, I will take my birthday day off from work on Mon. Apr. 21. My friend at work was really smart and suggested I take a Monday off and not a Friday because knowing me, I would spend my Friday running errands and not actually relaxing and enjoying the day off. What a smart girl she is!

Well, I just want to end by saying I had a wonderful birthday and totally felt the love from everyone. Thank you for all the birthday wishes and cards. I'm going to go enjoy the new Sarah Slean CD Sheldon gave me for my birthday now. That was just one of the things he bought me...none of the other gifts were musical tickets though. Darn!

**Sheldon, I'm just being silly about the musical tickets. I know we can't afford them so don't go running out to buy them please or else I'll feel guilty. Yes, I know. Me and my guilt.

Week 6, Thursday

• Ran 4 miles
• Treadmill speed: 5 miles/hr
• Total time to complete: 49 min.

A call interupted my run with only 1/4 mile to go but instead of walking away after my call, I finished the last bit of my run. However, I upped my speed to get it over and done with and I think I pulled a calf muscle. Darn it!

On another note, what do you do when you really like your clients but absolutely hate their process in getting things to you late? I'm trying to break them of that habit, explaining what the process should be in order to get these projects done, but it doesn't seem to be working all the time. Any advice?

Week 6, Wednesday

• Ran 2 miles
• Treadmill speed: 5.5 miles/hr
• Total time to complete: just over 22 min.

Why has running 10 min. intervals become so hard?

Week 6, Tuesday

• Ran 4 miles
• Treadmill speed: 5.2 miles/hr; last 1/4 mile upped it to 6.5 miles/hr
• Total time to complete: just over 47 min.

My mp3 player battery died with over 1.5 miles to go. It wasn't too bad running without distraction but I definitely don't want that to happen again. I started to look at the time every minute which was torture. I'm looking forward to my 2 mile run tomorrow though. That won't take up so much of my evening.

A new milestone!

• Ran 6 miles (almost 10 km)
• Total time to complete: 1 hr. 15 min.

This run was really really hard. For the first time, my chest and abdomen was hurting a bit from trying to breathe. I don't know why it was so hard breathing today. I sucked at running. I really had to force myself to keep going. Even during my last 0.5 mile, I was considering walking the rest or quitting but then I had to talk myself out of it because it would just be stupid to stop running with only 0.5 mile to go. Man, was it hard running. I'm totally in shock right now. I'm elated that I accomplished this but it was at a cost. My mind is full of thoughts like "This is only half of a half marathon. How in the world am I going to finish on race day!" I guess I should counteract these thoughts with "Look how far I've come!" At least I know that at this time to complete almost half the half marathon that I'll come in around my time goal which is 2 hr. 30 min. I might try and increase my speed a little during the last couple months of training in order to ensure I come in at 2 hr. 30 min. Oh and if you're wondering what I did to beat the boredom since the laptop I use on the treadmill is broken, I downloaded some Podcasts (i.e. one about The Office, and some brain strengthening exercise thing). Maybe this is why it was hard to run today; it was a change in my distraction. Well, we'll see how I do during next week's long run. Mind you on Tue. and Thur., it will seem like a long run anyways because I think I do 5 miles now on those days. Sigh.

Week 5, Thursday

• Ran 4 miles
• Total time to complete: approx. 49 min. 30 sec.
• Laptop isn't working anymore. I don't know what I'm going to do while running now!
  

Week 5, Wednesday

• Today I ran 2 miles straight at 5.2 miles/hour.
• Time to complete: 23 min.
• It was a little tiring but not bad altogether.
  

My 8km Milestone!

• Total time to complete: 1 hour, 2 min.
• Treadmill speed: 5 miles/hour; 3 miles/hr walking
• Run 10 min., Walk 1 min. cycles
• It felt GREAT!!!!! It was a little bit hard getting into the first couple miles but afterwards I got into the groove and it was easy peasey!
  

Training Update

Some of you may be wondering why I haven't posted anything about running lately. It's because I've decided not to do it. It was taking up so much of my time and I was going to bed so late in order to stick to the training schedule.

Just kidding. I am still training for the half marathon. The only reason why I haven't posted is because I haven't been running this week. I was so sore over the weekend that it was better for me to take a few days off than to force myself to run risking further injury.

I'm planning on strapping on my running shoes again this weekend though. I need to do my first 5 mile run which is 8km which is the same distance as running along the canal. What a milestone that will be for me!

I don't know how much I'll struggle getting back into it though because I've eaten a lot of Easter candy (from work) and cookies (at Barb's) these last couple of days. Yikes!

Week 3, Sunday

• I was supposed to run 5 miles today but my body hurt from volleyball yesterday, my abdomen is hurting (I think I have a bladder infection), plus I slipped on the ice just before running. So I only ran 3.5 miles in just over 46 min. My shins were starting to really ache so I figure I should stop instead of pushing myself the whole 5 miles. I didn't want to make things worse.
  

Week 3, Saturday

• I played in a volleyball tournament.
  

Food Court Musical

People should bust out into song more often!

Week 3, Friday

• Today was supposed to be a rest day but I got up early and ran the 3.5 miles I was supposed to run yesterday.
• Total time to complete: just under 44 min.
• Treadmill speed: 5 miles/hr
• Run 10 min., Walk 1 min. intervals
• I was more tired than usual...probably because my body is wondering what the heck I was doing so early in the morning.
  

Week 3, Thursday

• I was supposed to run 3.5 miles but my stomach wasn't feeling well all evening.
  

Week 3, Wednesday

• Today I ran 2 miles straight! That's right, folks, no walking inbetween. I even did it at my new speed 5 miles/hr. Ladies and gentlemen, Jessica is a running machine!
  
• Total time to complete: 24 min.
• It felt good physically. In order for me to do this on the road though, I really need something to entertain me or else I'm going to get bored really easily. I can't wait until this snow melts so I can take it to the road.
  

Banana Wireless - Part 2

Banana Wireless - Part 1

Week 3, Tuesday

• 3 mile run
• Total time to complete: just over 37 min. Hurray, I shaved off over a minute!!!
• Treadmill speed: 5 miles/hour
• This wasn't too hard actually. I think I'm ready to up the speed slowly as I increase my endurance. I'm still ecstatic to shave over a minute off my total time to date. YES!
  

Week 3, Monday

• Stretch and Strengthen
• Ummmm, I skipped today's training. The whole family went to see a movie after I got home from work.
  

Week 2, Sunday

• Today was supposed to be a 3 mile long run. However after shoveling for almost 2 hours, my body was too sore to do much. Plus we had to go to the Jakobs for dinner so I only put in 1 mile but I ran much quicker than usual...6 miles/hour for the whole mile.
  

Week 2, Saturday

• Cross train for 30 min.
• I think shoveling counts.
  

Week 2, Friday

• Rest day
  

What to do when you have way too much snow in the backyard...

Week 2, Thursday

• Run 3 miles
• Run 9 min., Walk 1 min. cycles
• Total time to complete: 38 min.
• Treadmill speed: 5 miles/hr on the first 2 and the last cycle; 4.8 miles/hr during the middle two cycles
• Since I missed running for two days, my legs were tired in the beginning but I got back into the groove of things. It was harder when I was doing the 5 miles/hr cycles though.
  

Week 2, Wednesday

• I was supposed to run 2 miles today but my neck and upper back was still hurting.

Things you can't do when you've hurt your neck:

• have the laptop on your lap and type
  
• shovel after a snowstorm
  
• untie a knot in your pyjama pants when you're trying to go to the bathroom
  

Week 2, Tuesday

• I was supposed to run 3 miles today but with my neck hurting and working overtime, I took the day off.
  

Week 2, Monday

• Strength and Strengthen day
• I played volleyball instead. The kids came out too watch. Somehow I pulled something in my neck and upper back but it was all worth it...we won.
  

Week 1, Sunday

• The long run day - 4 miles
• Treadmill speed: 4.8 miles/hr; the last 1/4 mile a sped up to 5.3 miles/hr
• Time to complete: 52 min.
• This wasn't too bad. It wasn't like my last run but it wasn't like last Sunday's dreadful run. I ate lunch over 3 hours prior but I don't think I had digested everything yet because halfway through I felt like I was still full. Or maybe it's because I gulped so much water during the run that the water made me full.
  
• I know I said I was going to reward myself with a massage but I'm going to do a little more than that. A client of mine gave me a gift certificate for a spa to thank me for some recent hard work, late nights, and weekends I spent on their projects. So I'm going to use that to get a hot stone massage. For my little reward for reaching 5km though, I bought a new shirt and pants to run in and a running watch that will keep time during my interval training. What should I plan on getting for my 10km milestone? Sheldon if you're reading this, perhaps musical tickets for the year? - wink, wink.
  

Week 1, Saturday

• Cross-train
• I think shoveling the driveway and helping the neighbour shovel her driveway counts as cross-training. You?
  

Week 1, Friday

• 3 miles
• Treadmill speed: 4.8 miles/hr but on my last cycle I jumped it back up to my normal 5 miles/hr because I was feeling really good still.
• Time to complete: just under 39 min.
• Today it felt great. I didn't have any bad thoughts, my legs weren't tired. I think I'm used to running 3 miles now! Hurray!!!!
• Now let's hope I don't get sick because I drank twice out of Sheldon's cup by accident in the last couple days and he's got a cold. Yikes!
  

Week 1, Thursday

• I was supposed to do 3 miles today but I was so exhausted that I'll do it tomorrow. Tomorrow is supposed to be a day off anyways.

Week 1, Wednesday

• Run 2 miles
• Treadmill speed: 4.8 miles/hr.
• Run 9 min., Walk 1 min.
• Time to complete: approx. 28 min.
  

Official Half-Marathon Training Starts

It's official, I've moved to the 12-week half marathon training schedule.

Week 1, Tuesday: 3 mile run

• Run 9 min., Walk 1 min.
• Completed in approx. 40 min.
• I bought better earphones to run with (the ones that wrap around your ears), ran a little slower than usual (4.8 miles/hour rather than 5 miles/hour) and ate Swedish Berries while periodically in order to keep my energy up.
• Today I did SOOOO much better. My mind was in a better place. I decided a few days ago to celebrate my 5km milestone. I ?hink that made a difference. As a reward, I think I'm going to get a massage. I wonder what my next milestone and reward should be? Any suggestions.
  

Week 1, Monday: Stretch and Strengthen

• I'm replacing these days with volleyball and last night we kicked some volleyball butt. Sheri joined us as a spare player...thanks Sheri. You were great!
  

Week 7, Day 6

• Run 8 min., Walk 1 min., Repeat 4 more times
• Treadmill speed: 5 miles/hour
• Distance: 3.57 miles
• This was really tough. When I was done, my legs were jelly and my head was dizzy. Discouraging thoughts were going through my mind during the last 2 cycles. Can do I a half marathon? I'm struggling at 5 km. Well, I think I have about a dozen weeks left of training. I hope I will get some major breakthroughs in the coming weeks because this is getting really, really hard.
  

Week 7, Day 5

• Exercise for 20 min.
• I took the boys skating on the canal for over an hour.
  

Week 7, Day 4

• Run 7 min., Walk 1 min., Repeated 4 times
  
• Again it didn't say how many times I would have to repeat it so I ran the cycles until I hit 3 miles.
• Treadmill speed: 5 miles/hour
• Distance: 3.16 miles

Week 7, Day 3

• I was supposed to run today but Sheldon decided to spray paint Aidan's cub car in the basement. Thirty seconds around the fumes started to make me feel nauseated. So no running today.
  

Week 7, Day 2

• Day off