Olympic Baby

Well, The Lunchie and I are really enjoying the Olympics at the Whistler Venue. The B is working hard at the alpine events. So far I've managed to squeeze in four glorious days of skiing under sunny, blue skies and mild temperatures. It really doesn't get much better than this.

Much like running, when I ski, I enjoy the wind against my face and the feel of the snow under my skis. While I love running, I must confess downhill skiing is my passion. I fell in love with the sport on a grade six field trip to Glen Eden in Milton, Ontario. After that day, I was hooked. I still remember how much I didn't want to part with my rental skis that afternoon. I begged my mom to sign me up for ski lessons. Thankfully she did and I managed to learn how to do more than just a snowplow! (Also, I'm fortunate enough to have married a former ski racer.) On one of the days of skiing here at Whistler, I recall how at peace I felt. Being here in the mountains gives me a sense of inner calm. I feel so connected with the snow, the mountains and myself when I'm going down those mountains on two wooden planks. It's strange, I know, but I'm sure many others can relate. There is a similar feeling when I run. And I do a lot of these sports to connect to inner self.

What is it about downhill skiing? Well, first of all, it's exhilarating. I mean, really...looking down from one of the bumpy steeps really gets your heart going. And once you've committed to a run, it's so much fun -- and sometimes scary to get down. Watching some of the downhill events live at Whistler Creekside this past week is proof that skiing at such fast speeds is truly death-defying! I mean, some of those athletes are whizzing by on snow injected with water at dizzying speeds. As CTV's "Skiing Cameraman," The B has had an amazing opportunity to actually ski and "inspect" the race course runs with the athletes. He reports that those runs are like skating rinks on an incline! I'm truly amazed at these athletes' amazing skills and strength.

Along with the skiing, I've also managed to get in some running. It's tough though because I have to go and workout when The B gets home from his day on the hill. (We hired a babysitter for the days I went skiing, but I have to rely on The B to get in some other physical activity sans bebe.) I've done a couple of fast 5Ks and have also done some light core work at a cool Whistler gym called, "The Core."

When I travel, I like to search out cool gyms to work out in. I found this one in Whistler and I was impressed by its laid back atmosphere. It's a climbing gym, cardio, spinning and weight room all rolled into one. I highly recommend it. Since The B gets back when the sun is sometimes setting, I have to do most of my runs indoors on a treadmill. (Which is really sad because the scenery is spectacular and the temperature has been quite mild for this time of year.) To save my legs (skiing is so hard on my muscles!) I only run on the days I don't ski.

We've enjoyed the Olympic spirit at the village and taken in a lot of the sights and sounds of the Games. (I will post some video and pics when we get home.) I'm so happy that The Lunchie got to experience his first Olympics. I know he probably won't remember much of these Games, but he's having a great time never-the-less. (And laughed for the first time last Friday night.)

No skiing for today - or running for that matter. After four days of skiing, my legs need a much-deserved break. We're going to head out in the afternoon and catch some of the bobsledding at the Whistler Sliding Park.

I'm so proud of our Canadian athletes. They're doing so well under so much pressure. And like most Canadians these days, I'm extremely proud to be from the True North Strong and Free.

Yay! RW Challenge comes to Canada!

Reading the March edition of Runner's World, I was excited to learn that the Runner's World Challenge is coming to the True North Strong and Free; land of the Polar bears; land of the buck toothed beavers; and land of maple syrup--- Canada! Yay! Pretty good, eh?

I checked out RW's website and though there isn't a lot of information up yet, the Challenge training plan starts on June 27. It targets the Goodlife Toronto Marathon & Half Marathon that's set to hit Toronto streets on October 17. It's the only Canadian destination.

Yay! Yay! Yay!

As I posted in my "upcoming races" section, I'm planning to run the Mississauga Half in May. One of my other goals is to run a marathon before Baby Max turns one (November 12). The Toronto Marathon is scheduled at the perfect time. In the past I ran the Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon two weeks earlier, but this year I don't think I'll be quite ready that soon.

I'm still in recovery mode from my pregnancy and I want to give myself as much time as possible before running my first marathon postpartum. I also don't want to rush the training. A few Runner's World issues ago - before I began running postpartum- I read about how successful the challenge went. My favourite running mag profiled some of the runners and finishers. I was very inspired. Many of them completed a PB. I'm not going for a PB this time around. For me, the thought of finishing all the training and ultimately the 26.2 mile distance (healthy) is all that matters.

My current training regime is going well. Since I've become somewhat "afraid" of the cold (haha) I'm alternating running indoors and out. I've now added some short tempo runs and my LSD runs are now about 6.5-7 milers. So...it's slow, but sure. I think this is my best strategy. For, the tortoise also followed it and ended up actually beating the hare!

Hey RW, Yes! I'm up for the challenge!

Oh God, Here We Go Again...

I can't believe that Baby Max is now approaching three months. Everyday I'm grateful that I've been blessed with such a beautiful, healthy baby. Second to these feelings of gratitude, I feel what perhaps most other mamas feel too: guilt.

As I type this, my boy is in the room next door, crying his face off. Literally. And I'm here, cowering, separated only by drywall and feeling absolutely guilty. He's just eaten; he's got a fresh diaper on his tush; but, goshdarnit, he just doesn't want to go for his afternoon "noo-noo" or nap as we call them at Chez Weatharro. We're trying to teach him how to self-soothe and after speaking to so many other moms, letting him cry (a bit) is effective. (Granted, I don't let him go on forever and always will attend to him if the crying intensifies.)

Guilt. Guilt. Guilt. I thought it was bad when I was pregnant, but now, it's reaching its zenith.

I feel guilty for taking that extra 20 minutes stretching outside after a run while The B tries to placate a hungry Max;

I feel guilty for taking that extra run down a ski hill when I know Baby Max is waiting for me down below and on the verge of a mini-meltdown in the chalet;

And I feel guilty for eating that extra bit of chocolate and less vegetables when I know Max is still "eating" what I'm eating.

Guilt, be gone I say.

I justify some of my morsels of extra "me time" as ways that make me happy and content. A happy mom is a happy baby. I've heard this phrase time and time again and for me, it's true. After those few extra minutes of stretching and collecting my thoughts following a great, fast run, I'm ready to face the firestorm of dirty, poo poo diapers, hourly feedings (especially when he's in a growth spurt) and meltdowns over afternoon noo noos.

Still, I can't help it sometimes. I think parents are hardwired to feel guilt.

Sometimes, I also feel plain guilty for leaving Max in the very capable hands of my gym's babysitters to go on a fast, treadmill run. However, as Kristina Pinto writes in the Life & Times column of the March issue of Runner's World, she runs to "get away from home for an hour,"and if she gets injured and is unable to run, "the whole family pays."

I know myself. I need my hobbies; my activities to keep me sane. I've had to reduce the time I've spent on them (which is a given with a new baby) but that's okay, at least I get to still do them.

A happy mother is a happy baby.

I have to tell myself that over and over, many times on my runs.

Again, guilt, be gone I say.

True North Strong and Free

With less than a week to go before Opening Ceremonies, the excitement is building toward the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games. This will be the second time in my life that Canada welcomes the world in this most prestigious athletic event. The last time the Games were held in the Great North, I was a pimply, pre-pubescent lass.

These Olympics will be very special because I will share them with my son for the first time. Doing so reminds me of the first time I remember sharing the Games with my dad. Those Games were in 1984, in Los Angeles. I remember watching track and gymnastics with him. For me, it was very special.

These Games will be more special because we will make the trip to Vancouver - actually Whistler - where all the alpine skiing events will be held. The B who works for a Canadian broadcaster will be helping to cover the Games. He's been assigned the downhill ski events which is great because both of us are avid skiers. (Last year at this time we were actually skiing on the Swiss Alps.)

I'm so excited. And I even went out and bought Olympic finery that matches that of my young son! (I know, so nerdy! But hey, very patriotic!)

In addition to my skis, I will pack my running shoes. I'm very hopeful that I will be able to do a few LSD runs among the mountains - one of my most favourite places to be. (I told The B that when we retire, I want to live in the mountains and ski every day!) During the weekend of our engagement, I brought my runners and did a few long runs along Lake Simcoe and during my honeymoon a few years ago, between rounds of golf, I ran through Palm Desert, California. For the last few vacations, running has been important. I find it relaxing and besides, running is also a great way to see your vacation spot.

Anyhoo, the countdown to the Games begins with the Opening Ceremonies set to hit the stage at Vancouver Place on Friday.

Yell It Out Now!

This spring, I'm going to do the Mississauga Half Marathon on Sunday, May 16th.

There.

I've said it out loud.

I've made it public. Now I must commit.

When it comes to goal setting, the wise ones always say to vocalize your goal and tell people what you want to accomplish. Since my loud ex-cheerleader voice doesn't translate onto the screen, I'll do the second best thing:

I'M GOING TO RUN A HALF MARATHON IN MAY!!!

That's not bad, eh?

Vocalizing and publicizing your goal is a good way to help keep you on track to accomplish it. So there it is and in all its "nakedness" onscreen, it seems a bit daunting, given my current state.

These days, I'm slowly making my way through 5-6 mile runs. I found this great program online called MapMyRun.com that allows me to plan route maps anywhere and to also chart goals. It's a pretty good site. And I'm following the 10 per cent rule: add only 10 per cent of my previous mileage to the next week's long run. Right now, I need all the tools to help me get to that half marathon running state by May.

Other tools that are helping to keep me on track are:

1. My Garmin 405
2. My Asics DS-Trainers
3. My super duper, ultra-fashionable new spring running jacket I recently bought at Lululemon. (With a little help from my sister-in-law Sandy who gave me a fabulous Lulu gift cert for Christmas.) It's called the "Leader of the Track Jacket" and hopefully it'll make me run fast. (And maybe if I'm lucky it'll carry me to the finish line! Hahaha. Wishful thinking.)

When it comes to getting motivated, nothing beats new workout clothes. And when I want a fitness pick-me-upper, I always head to my fave place: Lululemon. Oh Lulu, I love you so...For it is here in Lululand that I can feel fabulous and fit again. Though I've been back at the gym for six weeks and running for the last four weeks postpartum, I'm still carrying some baggage from the pregnancy.

Ah, yes...I know it takes time.

Tic-toc.
Tic-toc.
Tic-toc.

In the meantime, while my body slowly morphs back into its old shape, I'm having fun getting back into the groove and finding gear to help me along the way. If you have any other cool suggestions, let me know.