Its Good to be Back

So this past weekend I ran 5km in a race here in Sudbury. It was the first time I have run 5km since sustaining an injury in February of this year, so I went into the race with a few nerves and a lot of caution. I was so excited to be running again!

The best part of this race though, was that two of my students from the Learn To Run class that I taught were also running it. This was a big accomplishment for them. The class, over 10 weeks, takes you from not being a runner at all, to gradually increasing your running time to 20 minutes with a 1 minute walk break after 10 minutes. The average first time runner usually runs their first race between 35 to 40 minutes, so this was going to be a stretch for them.

Both the runners came in with excellent times of 31:07 and 31:48. My intent was to follow them the entire race and finish after or alongside of them. I really wanted them to not be "chasing" me the whole time. They did a great job and I was very proud of them.

My race did not go as well as I had hoped. I made some mistakes, which means I learned a few lessons. In my opinion the fact that I can take away a few "lessons learned" makes it a successful run. After all, if you never have a bad run, how can you truly appreciate the good ones? One factor out of my control was that it was HOT! We haven't had many hot days, so the bulk of my training since coming back to running has been in some pretty cool, and rainy conditions. What was in my control is how I handled the weather; I didn't do this part very well at all.

1) I really shouldn't wear a full hat when running, especially in the heat we experienced Sunday. By the 9am start time, temperatures were about 25 degrees with a high level of humidity. I have a very thick head of hair and I overheated quickly. Even though the hat is designed for runners, it was a big detriment to me. In retrospect, I should have just taken the hat off and thrown it somewhere, but hats are expensive! Next time: Either wear a visor, or no hat at all.

2) Wearing all black was stupid;I don't care how moisture wicking the fabric is, black clothing and hot sun together are a bad mix. I knew better. Now I REALLY know better. Next time: Light-coloured clothing. Its there for a reason.

3) Somewhere around the 2 km mark, I was struggling pretty badly from being overheated so I briskly walked for about .5 km, in an attempt to catch my breath. This was a smart thing to do, I caught my breath and carried on to have a bit easier of a time. Next time: Try not to get to this point, but if you gotta walk, go ahead and walk. Its better than not doing either!

4) The water station. Ah yes, a fine display of Jessica's inherent and well-documented lack of co-ordination. I was so excited to see that water station. I even had a plan; take the water from the first person, throw it back like a shooter. Then I was going to grab water from the second person and thrown it over my head to cool me off. Instead, this is what happened.

I grabbed the water from the first person, and threw the entire cup, contents and all over my shoulder, missing my mouth entirely, splashing just a few drops on myself, as I heard the cup hit the sidewalk.

Yep. I am just that graceful! Next time I will slow down at the water station, no matter how badly I want to make up time!

My goal was to finish the race in under 32 minutes, which I felt was reasonable considering that I have not done any of my own training other than teaching the class. I did not make that goal, but I came close with a time of 32:36. Considering I walked about .5km to .75km, and the problems I had regulating my temperature and breathing--not to mention the humorous water station incident--I can accept that time as a good return to a sport that I enjoy.

I am now focused on running for myself, and working towards my goal for the Army Run being held in Ottawa on September 20th. I will not print my goal just yet. I have to do a few training runs to see if it is reasonable and attainable, but once I decide, I will post my goal time here! Someone has to hold me accountable!

Most importantly though....Congratulations to Phil and Wendy. You guys kicked my butt! Well done!


Here is a picture of me rounding the corner from Bancroft to Bellevue, just over 1km into the race! This picture was shamelessly taken from the Sudbury ROCKS! website. Make sure to click on that link to check out their site. They are amazing supporters of running and other related events in the Sudbury Area, which is greatly needed!

You can see full race results here and more pictures here

Happy Running!

Jessica

A rainy rainy summer.....

Wow, is it ever raining a lot! I refuse to complain too much because at least it isn't snow!

I was lucky enough to get a weekend off, so we packed up the kids, sent Mischa to the "doggy hotel", and drove on over to Manitoulin Island. The parents of my great friend Tracy, have a beautiful home on Lake Kagawong and once a year all the friends gather there for a weekend. Unfortunately we have missed the past couple of years because of Jordan's work schedule, so it was great to be able to go.

It rained a fair amount, but that didn't ruin our plans.

The kids had a blast, we ate an enormous amount of food, played some cards, went for a canoe ride (after Tracy fell in the lake fully clothed).

I can't wait until next year!



T and A playing soccer!



If you were there, you know why this was so funny!



Corbett found his potty outside and decided it was time to use it. I thought this looked exactly like one of those weird garden statues!



Miss A blowin' bubbles!



Corbett touching a real, live fish. I am not sure he knew what to make of it!



Zachary came to join us for a day, even though he was having a great time Aunt Leanna's



E lost her stuffed puppy the first night. After a crazy rain storm early Saturday morning, the puppy was finally found, outside, nestled in a hosta in the garden. This is what puppy looked like after he got dried off a little!



Michael giving me "the look"



Tuckered out after a long, busy weekend.

Jes

No more school, no more books....

We have reached the end of the school year! Phew....

Zachary did well at school and we saw a lot of improvement in the areas he struggled early in the year.

At the year end awards ceremony, he received an award for perfect attendance! He was so proud, especially since he was the only student to achieve that this year.
We were extremely proud, especially after all the health difficulties Zachary experienced in the last school year! Unfortunately, we don't have any pictures, because we weren't told he was getting an award, so we never brought a camera!

Corbett's potty training is thankfully, coming along a lot better than it was.

On Canada Day, we headed over in the evening to participate in the 1km kids race at the Walden Firecracker Run. Both Corbett and Zachary ran 1km and even got a medal at the finish line. Corbett was so proud he wore it to daycare the next day and Zachary got to go show his at karate class. My parents came by to get some pictures which we really appreciated because we ran with the kids!


Running together. I got such a thrill out of running with Zachary, kids have endless energy!


Almost at the finish line. I think Zachary loved hearing all the cheers and clapping as we approached.




After we were done, we went back to get Corbett. Once Corbett and Daddy rounded the corner and Corbett saw us, he took off fast to meet us. Very cute!




Showing off the hardware!

Finally, on July 5th we saw some good friends of ours off on an adventure. Cynthia, Marc and their two children are off to live in Australia for a year! Their son and Zachary are very good friends who have known each other since they were born, so Zachary misses his buddy, as do we. Jordan left the house on his motorcycle to see them off on their early, 6am flight.

Bye guys! Have fun,...we miss you already!

Jessica

MMMMM-Marshmallow

P-P-P-Poker Face

Corbett has a new favorite song that he loves to dance to.

Is it wrong that my 3 year old loves Poker Face by Lady GaGa?

Why silent auctions are evil.

So when Jordan's employer is removing floor samples or has stock that can not be sold anymore, they allow the employees to bid on it at a silent auction.

For reasons I have yet to understand, that Jordan doesn't understand, heck that NO ONE seems to understand, Jordan decided to bid on doorknobs. 21 door knobs. 21 unmatching doorknobs. I dont even have 21 doors. I do however now have 22 doorknobs. For the last couple of days, I have been calling Jordan #22.

Now, I admit wholeheartedly the fact that they are very nice, good quality doorknobs. I even admit that he got a great deal. But the fact remains that I do not NEED these doorknobs.

On the surface, some might even say "Well, lots of women buy several pairs of black shoes/pants/skirts". This may be true, however I submit that at least these women likely WEAR their several pairs of shoes/pants/skirts.

This is the kind of thing that could spark an intense battle between a husband and wife. So what did I do when Jordan told me that he had successfully bid on 21 doorknobs?

I blinked. I blinked. I blinked again. Then I turned away and went to work. I would be mad at him if I could just stop laughing. I keep thinking this is like a Seinfeld episode. Can't you just picture Kramer coming home with 21 doorknobs? I evne said to him later that afternoon after he called to tell me that he had picked them up, "Dont let the fact that I am laughing at you betray the fact that I am actually upset with you"

WHAT THE HECK AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH TWENTY-ONE DOORKNOBS?

Jordan has placed them for sale on facebook. So go take a look if you are interested. He bought a rug too. It is a very nive, high quality, so soft under your feet rug. But it just doesnt match my decor. Sigh.

At least I get to keep the windchimes. I am serious. He wont on a shopping spree.

So if you see a tall man stading on the street, saying "psst...wanna by a doorknob?" Don't panic, he is obviously crazy, but completely harmless.

Jes

Wacky Hair, Being Crafty, Kickin Butt and a Swimming Sunday

It has been one crazy week!

(I say that a lot don't I?)

On Tuesday, Zachary's school celebrated "Wacky Hair Day!" We were happy that Zachary could actually participate this year. Usually by this time of year, he has asked to shave his head, so there isn't much we can do that is wacky!

Zachary was blessed with the same thick, coarse, can't decide if it is curly, straight or wavy hair that I have, so using an unspeakable amount of hair product, I was able to fashion Zachary his very own faux-hawk!




Zachary liked it so much that he wanted to wear his hair the same way the next day, but I had to say no. I don't even like doing my own hair!

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday I began working at Job #3, the Running Room. I have worked there on and off for the last year, but will be on the schedule much more regularly now. It takes away from some of the time I get to spend with the kids, but will hopefully help us weather this layoff a little better.

My dear friend Tracy came over Friday night. Jordan was on night shift, so we took the opportunity to watch a movie together while eating massive amounts of salty food. We watched Mamma Mia!. It was very enjoyable, and Meryl Streep is fabulous!

The kids and I spent some time at Science North on Saturday so that Daddy could get a little bit of sleep, then after the kids went to bed, Jordan helped me make some posters to help cheer on some friends that were running a marathon on the Sunday. I knew Jordan was the guy to help me. He is so much better than that than me!





Sunday was an extremely busy day. Zachary had belt testing for karate in the morning at 9am, and my friends marathon started at 8am, so we left the house shortly after 8am to hang up 2 of the 3 signs we had made (the 3rd was for right at the finish line). Then we went to Zachary's belt testing. We are so proud of him. He has worked very hard and is quite proud of his new belt.

Zachary right before his testing.


Showing off one of his blocks!


Bowing to Sensai Dave


The proud boy with his belt!


After that, we headed back home so I could drop Jordan off. He had the lovely task of taking off the back of the dryer and searching the cause of "the smell". He didn't believe me when I screeched that I saw a mouse in the dryer 2 weeks ago. Well, the 2 dead mice in the dryer are my proof. Ugh!
Meanwhile the kids and I tried to find my marathon running friends. The first drive of the course we didn't see them, but after stopping to get mouse hunter, I mean Jordan, we found them on the second round. We beeped and cheered, got ahead of them, stopped and got out and cheered then raced ahead to the finish line. Josee did a fantastic job! I am so proud of her!
Here is a picture of my friend Josee and her husband Drew crossing the finish line after 4 hours and 9 minutes!! Way to go Josee! Her husband ran it with her and I know that she was thrilled to do that with him. Drew is an experienced marathon runner and has even completed an Ironman Triathlon! He usually runs a marathon a good hour faster than this one, so it was extremely kind of him to run with her as moral support.



After that, we headed to a swimming birthday party at the YMCA for a friend of Zachary and Corbett's. Both boys love to swim, especially Corbett, who has yet to learn a healthy respect of the water. He jumps in with reckless abandon and doesn't much care if you are ready to catch him. He will swim his way back to the surface and then turn and head back to jump again. I always have my hands close by, but rarely actually catch him. What the heck, he is having fun!



Zachary is becoming quite a good swimmer and has moved up to a swimming level that involves 45 minute classes in the "big pool". It is nice to know that I only have to "keep an eye out" for him and he can just putter around the pool doing his own thing!



After a crazy day like that it was nice to head to my parents house for dinner! I am not sure I had the energy to cook after a day like that!

So there you have it. A week in the life of Jessica, Jordan and the increasingly amazing Zachary and Corbett!

Jessica