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January 31, 2007
ideal job ...
while drinking with an accountant the other night I asked the question ....
what would be your ideal job ...
the answer
to solve calculus problems for 8 hours
hmmm ... really?
I think I would like to be a artist/painter, or an architect.
What would you be?
Posted by Ali at 4:13 PM | Comments (2)
committed
Having known myself for quite sometime now, one of the realities of me is I am indecisive and non committal. Every year I say I am going to support our local marathon. I talk about doing it. I think about doing it. I haven't done it. This year that is going to change. This year I am registered for our local marathon. So on May 13, I can roll out of my own bed, eat my own cereal, drive my car to the start line and run a marathon in the town where I live.
2007 is my year to commit or be committed! I have registered for Around the Bay, Forest City and Chicago!
In other semi-non-running-related news, our local running store has a pub run every year before Christmas. At this year's, after participating in two chugging contests and downing numerous shots I had a conversation with a guy I've had a crush on for a year.
Yip ... I'm drunk ... he's sober ... I spoke
I asked if I was on the list? What list? The replacement list ... you know when he dumps his girlfriend where is my position for new girlfriend.
Seriously? Next morning complete and utter mortification ... 3 week later ... still mortified ... 5 weeks later ... haven't spoken unable to look at him ... yes I am in grade 8.
So on Friday night I go out after work for drinks, I walk into the bar and he is sat at the table ... the only empty seat is beside him.
Oh big hole where are you when I need you?
Posted by Ali at 3:16 PM | Comments (3)
January 28, 2007
14 miler
We had a cold and windy run on Sunday morning. Another hilly route in prep for Around the Bay.
I really want to keep the same pace for each long run even though I am adding distance. The first half of the run was slow and difficult, my legs are feeling really heavy. At the 9 mile mark I started to better ... maybe the thought of being done was more realistic. At mile 10 I glanced at my watch, about the same time as last weeks 12 miler .. .perfect.
In the end I had a great run and really pleased with my pace.
14.64 miles ... 2.31 minutes, including all our water stops
Posted by Ali at 3:58 PM | Comments (0)
January 24, 2007
listen and learn
I've been participating (use this term loosely) in speedwork for a couple of years now, once a week at the track or mile repeats in the park. I haven't really felt any benefit from it, I certainly don't run faster, maybe some PB in races now and then, but I put that down more to weather than my time on the track.
We had our third session on the indoor track last night, 5 x 800m. For weeks, months the coach has told me to run with someone. Find someone around my pace and alternate leading. Have I listened ... no ... of course not. Not because I don't believe him, but I don't really plan it. I guess I think someone will just appear in front of me and it will happen naturally. Except, I go out way too fast in the first lap, so I can't keep up with the person ahead of me on the second lap. I look around for someone to run with, and think they are running a little slower than me, by the third lap they overtake me.
So last night I decided to listen. B was there, we are about the same pace in a 10k give or take a few minutes. She lead, I followed. First lap she completely controlled my pace got me in a little slower than I would of run it. Second, and third she picked it up, slowed it slightly on the fourth and had our fastest lap at the end. This is completely unheard of in my world. The last is something like a cool down lap because I have nothing left ... nothing ... nada.
I think that is the most I ever enjoyed speedwork. I really felt the benefit of it last night, I got why people do it.
Posted by Ali at 9:48 AM | Comments (1)
January 23, 2007
negativity sux ...
I feel like I am surrounded by bad vibes. Maybe it's that time of year, mid January and everyone is feeling blah. It just seems like everyone I talk to, work with, bump into is in a bad mood. It's beginning to rub off on me, and I don't want to be in a bad mood.
I have a friend who is going through some stuff, they call me, four nights in a row, which is fine except any advice I give they don't want I think they just want to talk about it. I understand they need to vent, but it's beginning to creep into my head, my pores, my life.
Then I came into work this morning, I smile and say a cheery hello. What do I get back? Grunts, frowns, scrowls. Only one good morning with a smile from one person, in an office of 9 people those aren't very happy odds.
I just want to say, if it's so bad do something about it, find one positive thing about today and hang on to that for dear life ... or maybe just maybe for one second ask about me.
I know the next person who starts to whinge to me is going to make me lose it. I am going to crack. Then all the negative unhappy people will be like ... what's her problem? She's crazy!
Posted by Ali at 9:46 AM | Comments (2)
January 21, 2007
a little long run before breakfast
I think I need to find a marathon in sub zero temperatures. That seems to be the perfect conditions for me. We had a 12.5 mile run this morning, it was -16 (3) degrees out, clouds a bit of wind but no snow.
I ran the first 5 miles with S and V, who are normally a little faster than me. I figured they were taking it slow today. After they turned off I headed up North Street feeling good. Coming back down the hill I still felt good ... surprisingly since I was running by myself. I tend to focus on all my twitchs and twings to help the time go by when I run alone. Nothing to occupy my anxiety ridden head today.
At the second waterstop around mile 7 I caught up with J who's my age and qualified for Boston last year. I decided to set myself a little challenge to entertain me through the next 5 miles. See how long I could keep her in my sights. My initial guess was about 2 miles ... if I squinted! They left the waterstop, so I quickly gulped down my gel and water and followed. I felt like a spy. I could still see them after 2 miles, they weren't that far ahead at 3, then came the last hill of the day. They lost me there, I thought they were gone for good, we only had 1.5 miles to go so I had hung in way longer than I thought. Rather proud of my superhuman running today, I was determined not to slow down just because they were gone.
I kept going. My legs were frozen, numb from the waist down, everything except my left very tight hamstring. Then I glanced at my garmin, wow, that can't be right. I had run the first 10 miles of todays run 12 faster than my entire long run last week. As I praised myself, stroking my ego during the last mile, I came around the corner and looked ahead ... there they were no more than 100m in front of me, I ran the last 1/2 mile as fast as my weary, cold, tired legs would allow. I finished about 10 seconds after them.
When we went inside to stretch, I asked J if she had had a good run, I was secretly hoping she would say it was the best run she had ever had ... but it wasn't it was okay, not bad. So I figured even I could almost keep up on her bad day, that's probably still a super great day for me!
Final mileage for the run 12.98 miles in 2.09 which is supersonic fast for me that includes the two waterstops, considering my PB for a half is 2.10.14 I am happy happy happy
After the run we headed out for breakfast. It took over an hour for our food to arrive. I thought I was going to pass out, I ate my western sandwich so fast I don't even remember what it tasted like!
Posted by Ali at 3:56 PM | Comments (1)
January 20, 2007
not that weird?
I read this over at JustJuneBugs and am blantantly stealing it. You have to list 6 weird things about yourself ...
When I use public washrooms I wipe the countertop area with paper towel, not for hygenic reason, just to make it look nicer.
I always have at least 2 types of shampoo in my shower, I don't like to use the same shampoo 2 days in a row.
I have a deep rooted fear of dairy products, it's only in the last few years I've started eating cheese if it's melted, so all the bacteria is dead. Before that I used to pick all the cheese off pizza.
When I was 10 I heard on the radio that if the first words you say on the first day of the month are 'rabbit rabbit rabbit' you will have a lucky month. I still do it, I don't know why, everytime I do it I think what are you doing?
Lip balm ... can't get enough, I have at least 4 tubes and 2 pots. If I'm out and find myself without, I'll go buy more
My shoulders are double jointed, I can put the backs of my hands on my stomach and touch my elbows together.
Posted by Ali at 6:25 PM | Comments (3)
January 19, 2007
loss of appetite
Never happens to me especially when running five times a week ... unless ... I am getting sick. I felt fine when I woke up this morning, then around 10am I got really thirsty, like drink 2 litres of water thirsty. Then lunchtime approach and I have no appetite. None whatsoever. So I went for a walk, bought more water and thought about getting soup for lunch, except I would have to go to the food court to buy the soup and see all the other food types is making me feel sick.
One of the girls in the office went home with a stomach bug, I don't know if I caught it or I'm just mental?
I'm thinking of eating chocolate all afternoon, cause if I have a stomach bug then it won't count! There is a great line in the movie Devil wear Prada ... I am just one stomach flu away from my ideal weight ... love it
Oh, almost forgot this is a running blog. Last night I ran. I ran 7 miles. All uphill. How can a route be all uphill?
Posted by Ali at 1:53 PM | Comments (1)
January 17, 2007
strange movie
Winter is still here, it snowed again last night, which made me actually want to go to speedwork! Let see running in -10, ice, wind and snow or indoor track ... hmmmm
The workout was 6 x 600m with 200m rest lap between each. I did the first one way to fast, I get sucked out with everyone, I need those blinders that horses wear. The fourth one, I wanted to go home.
600.00 Meters 0:03:12 5:20 / k
600.00 Meters 0:03:21 5:35 / k
600.00 Meters 0:03:19 5:31 / k
600.00 Meters 0:03:23 5:38 / k
600.00 Meters 0:03:19 5:31 / k
600.00 Meters 0:03:15 5:25 / k
After the workout I watched The Illusionist with Edward Norton. I really like Ed Norton and most of his movies, especially Fight Club, but this movie was weird/strange/not really sure. So I did a search this morning for it and found this review ...
"Mesmerizing; the Illusionist casts an exquisitely bewitching spell with its dreamy atmosphere and persuasive sense of suspense. Neil Burger has fashioned a beautifully shot mystery, with precise and elegant attention to period detail, which heightens the sense of intrigue in this romantic thriller. The well crafted tale is bolstered by the powerful performance of Edward Norton. Just as strong are Paul Giamatti and Rufus Sewell. This suspenseful and stylish film has a welcome sense of originality. The story is rendered fluidly, with gorgeous production design, and the haunting score by Philip Glass adds to the spellbinding quality. It is a pleasure to see Edward Norton deliver yet another remarkable performance."
Hmmm ... maybe speedwork dulled my senses?
Posted by Ali at 12:11 PM | Comments (1)
January 15, 2007
winter ....
has arrived.
I have been living in a deluded state for the past two months. Actually believing that global warming had eliminated winter in Canada. We had warmer than normal temperatures throughout December and the first few weeks of January. So warm I was able to wear shorts! Plus I had my tropical trip to Vegas leaving me with no interest what so ever of participating in winter.
Winter crept in yesterday during our long run. It seemed mild when we were leaving, so I took off one of my layers but kept my jacket on, figuring I could tie it round my waist when I got to hot. There even seemed like a point where that might happen, around mile 3 I was warm and comfortable ... wouldn't be long before the jacket came off. Then it started. Ice rain and wind, by the time we got to mile 6 I was soaking wet, by mile 8 I was frozen and when we finished our 10 miler the front of my jacket was a solid sheet of ice.
I was hoping it was fluke. Then while eating breakfast after the run, it snowed and this morning I woke up to an ice storm complete with bus cancellations ... damn it!
I can feel the anxiety and excuses brewing.
Posted by Ali at 11:05 AM | Comments (1)
January 13, 2007
ya ya sisterhood
A new relay race is being organized in our area this May. The Strickler is the captain/chief of our 8 women and 4 man team.
Our first challenge was a team name. The Strickler and I coined the term Project Terry during our Vegas training. It stuck ... with us at least. So it became the unoffical team name. That was until we learned that 8 women and 4 men, do not make a coed team, 8 women and 4 men do not make a male team, what we make is a female team. The four men don't seem terrible impressed with being on a female team, our name definitely had to be changed.
But to what?
What would make 4 men, labeled as female feel more masculine, we needed a strong rugged oozing with testosterone name.
We found it
The Ya-Ya Sisterhood!
The four men weren't totally convinced, they even suggested brining back Project Terry ... that was until they saw the artwork for our race t-shirts ...
Posted by Ali at 10:31 AM | Comments (2)
January 12, 2007
hair
So the other night I made the mistake of asking a friend if I should keep my hair short or let it grown.
He said let it grow.
I don't know why I ask these questions? I don't really want an answer. In fact I had made up my mind to let it grow, but when someone else says it ...
Really??? Let it grow? Why? Why do you say that? What's wrong with my hair?
You see more questions, more questions I don't want the answers to!
I like your hair short, it really suits you, but I've never liked the back.
The back? What's wrong with the back?
I looks like Dorothy Hamil.
Dorothy Hamil the 70's ice skater, Dorothy Hamil?
Yeah. her.
Silence .......
Now I have a complex ... I should be looking like Sienna Miller NOT Dorothy Hamil
Me |
So Not Me |
 |
 |
click here for a pic of me
Posted by Ali at 11:51 AM | Comments (3)
January 8, 2007
pranksters
Someone just pulled the fire alarm in my building.
I've sat through 15 minutes of deafening alarm bells.
Tallula, my cat is freaked out under the bed.
I'm in my PJs and couldn't be bothered to change and go downstairs.
Then a knock came to the door, a super cute fireman making sure I'm okay.
I contemplated fainting to induce a little CPR ... is that wrong?
Posted by Ali at 9:50 PM | Comments (0)
January 7, 2007
first winter training week ... done
Four days in and I've done all the workouts thus far in the training program ... yeah me!
I had Friday off as a rest day, between having the cold, getting back to work and finishing off a project I was exhausted and in desperate need of a day off and a hot bubble bath. After an hour of soaking in lavendar and epsom salts, a friend came over, we ordered pizza and watched Little Miss Sunshine. A perfect evening and I loved the movie.
Saturday morning met up with the group at the market for a run on a very drizzle morning ... I did get to wear my shorts again ... it's still January! After a coffee I met up with Mary for a weight workout at the gym. I lost my membership card to the gym about 8 months ago .. they want $35 to replace it ... seriously it a 10 cent piece of plastic. I have a similar looking point card to a local store so I've been running it through the scanner ... so far no one has caught on ... he he he.
When I got home my running shoes were really wet from the run, so in my infinite wisdom I decided to take out the insoles and place them on the heater to dry out. I don't if I was born with this knowledge or read it somewhere, I'm hoping I read it somewhere. If this is the case I have someone else, albeit I don't know who, to blame. This is an ongoing theme with me, I like to think things aren't my fault. When I went to put my shoes back together this morning, the left insole had melted! It's all shrived and two inches smaller than the right!
Today was the first long run of the program, I got 8.5 miles in with D. It's my first run with D in a while, he didn't disappoint and supplied me with kleenex for my endlessly running nose.
No running tomorrow, going to try a pilates class.
Posted by Ali at 7:59 PM | Comments (0)
January 5, 2007
bestest run ever
Last night was the first night of our winter training group. I wasn't expecting a good run, or even an okay run, my head cold is still clogging up my sinuses - so breathing is difficult.
My 4 miler wasn't good, it definitely wasn't okay, it was bloody brillant!
It was one of those runs that makes you understand why you run in the first place. I could breath, neither of my feet hurt, I haven't been pain free in the feet department since September.
Can I just say, no pain is bliss!
I also got to wear shorts ... I was warm ... it's January ... it's Canada ... I know ... I know .... I watched Al's powerpoint presentation "Inconvenient Truth" ... but last night I was happy about global warmning, damit!
Even this morning my feet are fine .... fingers crossed all the ouch is over and done with!
Posted by Ali at 2:27 PM | Comments (2)
2007 races
Races ....
Really Chilly 10k - Feb 18
Around the Bay 30k - Mar 25
Downtown 5k - Apr 6
Springbank 10k - Apr 28
Forest CIty Marathon - May 13 ?????
Chicago Marathon - Oct 7 ... I'm 99.9% sure I'm doing it again this year!
Posted by Ali at 10:14 AM | Comments (0)
January 4, 2007
Winter training begins today
I can't believe winter training starts today!
I packed my shorts. It's January. It's Canada. and I am wearing shorts to run in tonight!
I've been busy helping a friend out with a project all last week. One of those projects you volunteer for thinking it will be about 4-5 hours work, a couple beers and some laughs, but it ends up being 50+ hours and a true test of your friendship. Plus I've had a cold, that's got worse and worse since last Wednesday and a small mental break down on New Year's Eve.
I need a holiday people!
While working on said project on New Year's Day, we watched 6 straight hours of Da Ali G show. I love it!
Posted by Ali at 9:30 AM | Comments (0)