I began trail running a couple of months ago and LOVE it, to the point that I don't think I can go back to running on the road (besides a quick run here and there). It all started in the summer when Maude asked me if I wanted to do another half marathon in the fall. I didn't have to think about it for long before saying no. Upon reflection, I realized it was the training that turned me off. After training for 3 half marathons, I was really sick of the tedious schedule and same running routes. When I told another friend this, she suggested I try trail running. I have run on trails before but nothing too challenging. When she mentioned this, I thought about it and realized it was probably something I'd really enjoy. Maude was keen to start running on the trails too. So in August, I started looking up trail races on the North Shore. At first we thought we'd do a 20 km run because afterall, a half marathon is 21 km. When I looked at the fastest times though, they were the same time as it takes us to do a half marathon because you gain so much elevation on the trails, so I knew we'd be closer to 2 1/2-3 hours which was a lot of training. So we decided to do the 12 km option instead. The best part was that we didn't seriosly train like I did for my half marathons. We went out for a long run every Saturday, and I might have done 1 or 2 short runs after school on the trails by my school. There were no hill repeats or FARTLEKS (speed bursts) in preparing for this which was sooo nice. We had no idea how long it would take us because we never measured our runs. We had been running for up to 1 hour and 45 minutes though on the trails, and it felt fabulous, whereas after doing that on the road, my body would feel it for the rest of the day. So, we were feeling very inspired and like we could totally do it and really enjoying running for the sport, rather than feeling like we had to go out and put more miles on our legs as part of training.
And today, we completed our first trail race called The Phantom Run as part of the Mountain Madness series. As I said, we had no idea realistically how long it would take, but we were thinking it would be around 2 hours. So after a night at a friends' house (thanks Erin and Andrew), we woke up this morning to a cool, but light drizzle. I didn't have those pre-race jitters like usual. It just felt like I was going for another fun trail run with one of my closest friends, which is always fun. And it was FANTASTIC!!! The scenery was beautiful. For those of you that know the North Shore, it was in the lower Seymour Conservation area with beautiful creeks, canyons, big trees... There were some really steep ascents and descents, but overall it was a nice course. And, we completed it in 1 hour and 34 minutes! So much for the 2 hour marker!!!! For those of you who run on the road and haven't spent a lot of time on the trails, try it... it will likely change your view of running! And a big thanks to Chris and the girls for letting me get out every Saturday morning for my big runs- something I need in my life. (I have no pics to post as our camera broke last weekend, but I bought a new one on my way home, so we'll tae some pictures soon)!
P.S. Maude and I are thining we might try an Adventure Race next- anyone know any good ones?
Tonight, Sedona went for a short ski around the neighborhood.
Chris and I got out for a great cross country ski this morning on some trails and the golf course. It's such a treat when it snows enough that we can go right from our front door. Last year we only had one snowfall and it lasted all of one hour. This year is supposed to be very snowy because of La Nina- we'll enjoy it when we can!
Remember when you were younger and how excited you got when you had a snow day? Well, today was the girls' first snow day (hopefully more to come). We had fun building snowmen, sledding, jumping on the trampoline and playing with friends. Chris and I are just as excited when this happens.... okay, the truth is, we are even MORE excited!
Sedona has been asking for 2 weeks to put up our Christmas decorations. I have this rule that I don't like to put things up generally until December 1st so I've been putting it off. Well, today we woe up to a snow day, so I thought I'd give in and get the Christmas cheer started!
Last weekend when we got our new camera, Sedona asked right away if we could go for a walk in the woods so she could take some pictures. Here are some of her shots.
The other day I was pretending to be "Miss. Christina" (Aja's ballet teacher) and showing her some moves. Sedona documented it.
Yesterday we woke up to the first snow of the season. There wasn't a lot, but enough to go for a walk all decked out in our snow gear and make some snowballs. Today we went up the mountain with the cousins to do some sledding.
Now with Chris and I both working full time, and the girls being in full time preschool/school, our weekends are a lot more relaxing than they have ever been. The girls and I have always enjoyed getting out and about and doing a hundred and one things on the weekend, but we're learning the fine art of staying home at more and enjoying it, much to Chris' chagrin. I start every Saturday morning at 8:00 with a long run with my friend Maude and come home some days at 10:00 to the girls still in their jammies, which is unheard of! By the weekend when the girls have been apart from each other all week for the most part, they play so well together on the weekends. We are really embracing these family days together! Today, we got out mid day to go look for some salmon spawning. We only saw 1 Chum(Sedona went on a field trip with her class yesterday somewhere else and saw quite a few), but enjoyed a walk to this little Gnome House.
Chris had the idea of having a fire and roasting marshmallows tonight. Aja prefers to sit as far back as she can from the fire and eat raw marshmallows (she's never liked fires). It was a beauftiful crisp night with lots of stars and we had fun by the fire, jumping on the trampoline and playing on the swings. 
As usual, we gave the girls the option of trading in their Halloween candy. Actually, it wasn't me who even suggested it this year. About a month ago, Sedona declared that she wanted to trade in her candy for some new shoes like her babysitter... skater shoes. So, today we went to purchase the shoes, which ended up being a very expensive trade! But hey, a girls gotta have the right shoes right? And another pair, and another pair, and another pair... I can already see we're in big trouble with these two fashionistas! It's a good thing I'm working full time! Aja wanted to keep her candy, but at the last minute decided she too would do a trade. We got Sedona's shoes at one store and went to another place to look for her trade. She looked at every piece of clothing in the store which she turned her nose up at and I said "It's time to go now," to which she declared "I want shoes." Heather, in the store, showed her this funkalicious little pair with which she instantly fell in love. And she can put them on herself!
