2 Kms to go!

Christina and I did a 19 km route today. I really took it easy this week as my hip was quite sore after last week's run (I walked did the stationary bike instead of running). It paid off as it didn't hurt at all today. I was kind of dreading today's run as it was all along the highway, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be- cars were all well behaved, or drivers that is! I added 1 km from last week but it only took 2 more minutes so that felt good. Mind you, it was a different route, so who knows? We keep saying though that the runs we're doing are probably more hilly than the actual race itself; I hope we're not misleading ourselves! We only have 1 more big run together until I'll be running in Hawaii. We are so excited to go on a family vacation. Report cards are done.... the countdown is on! Sedona marks an "X" on her calendar every day too and is also counting down! Aja looks at items I've already started putting aside for the trip and says "Awaii."

Another Precious Moment brought to you by...

 

Disney Princess Songs (and Valentines dresses from Nana).

Is Winter Over?

 

Nope! It sure is pretty though when you've had a break from it! Such a contrast from last weekend when Sedona was doing her hopscotch in a long sleeved shirt!

Serious Hopscotchin' Fun!

 

 

Training Progress

Christina and I did 18 kms today and it felt really good. I forgot to post about my 17 km run last weekend- it was probably because I wasn't too inspired as I had to run alone with Christina out of town. My music ran out 7 kms into it too. Today, on the other hand, felt like a great run. I had this weird pain in my hips most of the run but I got used to it and tuned it out. Now that I'm not moving, it feels fine- I hope it doesn't turn into anything. Besides that though, I felt really good today- I had energy, my legs weren't tired and I felt generally inspired. The route was quite hilly today too which is a good thing because our race route won't be that hilly, so it can only get better, right? Only 3 more kms to add on! I've never been one of those people who get a high off or running- for me it's always just been a quick form of exercise. However, I have to say doing this training has made me enjoy it more. I don't know if I'll be ready to give all the training up once the race is over. But, then of course, it will be mountain bike season!

Happy Birthday to...

 

us! The girls decided they wanted to eat dinner with birthday decor last night, so we dug out old hats, princess napkins and plates, and sang happy birthday!

These are a few of my favorite things....

 

Books, babies, play-dough, painting, baths,the swimming pool,dancing and my big sister!!!

Valentine's Morning

 

The girls opening a little gift in bed on Valentine's morning.... books (we can't get enough in this house- that goes for all four of us) and some chocolate and candies, of course!

Greenway Falls

 

We hiked out to a new area today called Greenway Falls. It was about an hour round trip and Sedona, our intrepid outdoorsgirl, hiked the entire way. Since she is too heavy for the backpack now, it's been a while since we've done a real family hike. Toddler hikes consist of stopping every few metres to check things out or asking to be carried part of the way. Well today may have been a breaking point as she kept up at a good pace and kept trucking along happily. As Sedona has a shoe fetish, it may be time to start looking for her first pair of hiking shoes to keep motivating her! Our hike took us to these falls located off Brooks Road. On our way back we searched for and found a hidden geocache and came up with all of our own geocache names (under strict guidance from Chris, I am not allowed to divulge these names- sorry!!!)Sedona took the picture of Chris and I- that's why his head's a bit cut off. (Remember to click to view the larger image).

Good Morning!

 

This picture doesn't do it justice, but you get the idea. We've been waking up to the most amazing sunrises this week. One of the peaks in the background is Mount.Baker in Washington. Anyone know the other one?

7 More Weeks, 5 More Kms

Today Christina and I did a 16km run and it felt great! I would have to say the training is paying off as the hills definitely seem easier than they did a month ago when we first started. Our route was quite hilly today but it didn't seem too daunting. So we have 7 more weeks of training and 5 more kms to add. Having a training partner (especially a good friend) makes it so much nicer too. Usually we go out together to do our Fartleks (speed bursts) but Christina couldn't this week, so I had to go on my own. Once I got out there to do it, I was fine, but I was much less motivated going knowing I didn't have Christina to chat to the whole time. "I think I can, I think I can...."

Dancing Partners

 

Sedona was giving Aja dance lessons today. We had the Disney Princess music blaring for half an hour and the girls just danced!

A Wet 15 Km

 

To my surprise, we woke up to snow this morning! Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day and would have been perfect for running a long distance, but it wasn't in the cards. So Christina and I ran our first 10 kms on the back roads in quite a bit of snow. At 10 kms we had to stop and investigate a car that went off the road (not too long before we got there because there were fresh tire tracks). Another man was already there and had checked it out- there was no one in the car,no footprints but the key was in the ignition and the door was open. We left when the police got there- perhaps a stolen car? Our last 5 kms was in the slush and wet rain. The weather definitely slowed us down but we stuck to our plan and did the 15 kms anyway. I'm just warming my bones with a cup of tea while Chris and the girls are at Nana's eating pancakes. Enjoy the weather?!?