Leaving Canada once again

Thanks for all the get-well wishes. Fortunately I woke up feeling better on Saturday morning after 48 long and miserable hours. Between going to Cuba, craptastic weather back at home and getting sick, this has turned out to be much more of a taper than planned, but I'll make it to the finish line(s) one way or another.

We're driving to Buffalo tonight and flying to Orlando tomorrow morning. I'm looking forward to a week of exploring the parks, riding every ride, spending time with some amazing people (16 of us are going), meeting a certain Redhead, checking out a massive expo.... and running a little half and full marathon next weekend. I will be coming home with some serious bling.

I'll try to check in once or twice while we're away. Have a great week and GOOD LUCK to my fellow Goofs!

Disney World, here we come!

HBBC Update

Sunday: run 3 mi = 3 pts
Monday: run 4.5mi = 4.5 pts

Year-End Mish Mash

We've been slowly but surely getting back into the swing of things here at home. I've even managed to get out for a few runs including a particularly blustery 5-miler on Tuesday in -25C/-13F conditions - quite a shock from 20C/86F runs last week.

Unfortunately, I woke up this morning with a brutal stomach flu and am completely laid up between the bed and the bathroom. It's awful. This is the first time I have been able to sit up long enough to throw some words together. It's been a puke-tastic day with no signs of improvement. Looks like I am ringing in the new year from my bed. As much as it sucks, I'm just grateful that this didn't happen yesterday and force me to miss my sister's torch relay.

Speaking of which, a few of you asked if April was able to keep her torch. Each torch bearer was given the option to purchase theirs for $400 and she certainly did. She bought a display case as well, which is back-ordered at the moment, but I will post an update once she has it set up and on display at home.

Given how chaotic this week has been, I haven't had a chance to write up an official year-end review and I am in no condition to stay on the computer much longer at the moment. I'll try to throw something together before we leave for Florida (8 days til Goofy!), in addition to some goals and plans for 2010. I've also enjoyed reading many of your decade-in-review posts, so I may take advantage of this opportunity to reflect on the last 10 years.

I will mention that my 2009 mileage totals 2289 kilometres (1422 miles), a pretty big jump over 1614 kilometres (1003 miles) in 2008. I'm definitely pleased, especially given that I did not run at all in February due to my shoulder separation.

That's it for now. Catch ya in 2010!

Happy New Year!

HBBC Update

Monday 28 - run 5mi = 5 pts
Tuesday 29 - run 5mi = 5 pts
Wednesday 30 - run 3 mi = 3 pts

My Sister's Olympic Torch Relay Segment

Several months ago, my youngest sister April was selected as one of 12000 Torch Bearers in the 45000 KM Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay.



Today was the big day. We bundled up and headed north to Bracebridge, Ontario.



After dropping April off at the official event bus, we headed to her connection point to wait for the fun to begin.



She was dropped off right on time and we had the opportunity to snap some photos and wish her good luck one last time. Quite a crowd had gathered and many people were asking to take photos with April and hold or touch the torch. The support was incredible as many people drove by honking and complete strangers were shouting 'I love you April!'



Before long, another official vehicle came along followed by the Torch Bearer.



Transferring the flame:



And there she goes!



Hubby and I were able to run alongside her on the sidewalk snapping photos and cheering her on. She did awesome and made us all proud.



April had the last run segment of this leg of the relay so at the end she transferred the flame to a lantern, which was then transported by bus to the next location.




What a truly memorable and exciting day for all of us.

Way to go, April!

Vacation Recap in Pictures

Warning: Photo Overload Ahead

First stop: lobby bar for the hotel's signature drink, Club Coco

Overlooking the main pool from the lobby



Beach shot during a morning run



Beach running



Followed immediately by a dip in the ocean, running gear and all



Snapped during a beach run



Frolicking



Tennis time



Reading by the pool



Heading out on the catamaran



Snorkeling



Hubs and I at the beach gazebo



The "kids" - my brother, me, hubs, sister, sister's BF, other sister



Another shot of hubs and I



Christmas in the ocean



Christmas with a palm tree



Group shot Christmas Day



Farewell Cuba!

Vacation HBBC Points

Sunday = 0
Monday = 3 (run, swim)
Tuesday = 5 (run, swim, tennis)
Wednesday = 3 (swim, tennis)
Thursday = 3 (run, swim)
Friday = 1 (swim)
Saturday = 3 (run, swim)
Sunday = 0

I'm ba-ack!

Ahhh, what a glorious week of sun, sand and strawberry daiquiris. But as always, it's good to be home.

Thanks for all of your comments while I was away. I hope everyone has been having a wonderful holiday. Can't wait to catch up with all of you soon. Fortunately, I am off work til we return from Florida so I should have plenty of time to do so in the coming days.

I'll be back soon with a full recap, but for now...



I wouldn't miss RunningLaur's latest Virtual Race, the Winter Misery One Miler. I was happy to participate with a morning run along the beach. Without any means to measure time or distance, I don't have any "official" results to submit, however I do have this photo:

Signing off.....

We had a great time last night. I stayed out of the booze, but left with a fancy food processor, mall gift card and hefty bonus. Definitely a positive way to end the 2009 work year!

I also chopped off my hair!

Before:



After:




The Run

I have just one word for this morning's 30K/18-miler: cold. It was -16C/3F from start to finish and I didn't warm up at all. I was underdressed and suffered for it for three hours. And my water froze! So much for "thermal", Nathan! The water was slushy and the nozzle was completely frozen closed after an hour and a half. Not cool. Fortunately I had plenty of good company to keep me distracted - and warm thoughts of daiquiris on the beach...

It's taper time! 3 weeks til Goofy and less than 24 hours until we are on our way to Cuba!

***

HBBC Update

Friday:
Zilch

Saturday:
run 18 mi = 18 pts


***

And with that, I'd love to wish everyone a wonderful holiday and a Merry Christmas! Catch you in a week!

Five Things Friday

Five Things Friday borrowed from The Happy Runner.



1. Thanks for all of your awesome suggestions yesterday for Beach Bootcamp. I'm sure my family will just love you for it.

2. On Wednesday evening I headed out for a 10K with my training group. It was a beautiful evening with gently falling snow the entire time. We ran through a local park where the annual Christmas light display has been set up. I felt like I was in a movie, prancing along the path lined lit by festive decorations, surrounded by families out enjoying the evening. Last night's 5K on the treadmill wasn't nearly as inspiring.

3. Tonight is my annual company Christmas party. It's quite the affair where we all get dressed up to enjoy a delicious meal and open bar. For the first time in eight years, I will not be taking advantage of the free-flowing booze and courtesy cab ride home - I have a 30K run tomorrow morning (last big one before taper).

4. 1.5 sleeps til Cuba! (0.5 because we will be leaving for the airport at 3AM Sunday.)

5. Today is another round of Cans for Comments! 5 comments = 1 food donation. Comment, comment, comment!



HBBC Update

Wednesday:
run 6 mi = 6 pts
F/V = 1 pt

Thursday:
run 3 mi = 3 pts
F/V = 1 pt

TGIF!