dreaming over the ocean

and, i have 3 whole days of nothing really super duper scheduled... and, you know what that means?!!? it means i can work from home, decide any time during the day I want to work out, and get a little extra sleep. And, that makes me HAPPY! this week has been a recovery week, and it came just in time. It's kinda funny, because as someone who has a degree in exercise physiology, and have spent some time learning about periodization, i know a decent amount about it. I also know that periodization occurs at different levels, and that sometimes, it is nice give yourself an extra little push~ allow your body to go through a bit of an overload. But, This week was not it. So, when I looked at my training week, when it was posted on sunday, and saw that my three week block was extended into a 4 week block, I had a little freak out. Not that I would mind having another heavier week, just that i was mentally (and, physically, it seemed) ready to have a recovery. I emailed coach, she ...

Hello friends and Sponsors! Yesterday afternoon, I finished off the successful first year as a nursing student, and got excited about my upcoming summer break, which will be such a welcome time! This afternoon, my plane from Minneapolis touched down in the beautiful state of AK, with the other members of the Leukemia and Lymphoma's Team in Training. the time has come, and the money has been counted, and we are all here, ready to race: ready to remember all the people that we are running for. Today, during dinner with friends, I was able to really reflect upon the time I have had leading up to this race. I am so excited for it, for a number of different reasons. First off, with your help, I have been able to raise 5800$ A-fricken-Mazing. I just heard the other day that the 3 2009-2010 Montreal teams (Summer, Winter, and Spring) has (for the first time) raised more than 1 million dollars. Thank you for your support, encouragement, and donations. Without you, this journey ...

and right. I only have 500$ left to raise for Team in Training. but, this is due by Monday. Please help out, if you can . Even if it is just 10$, every little bit helps. click here: My fundraising page!

So. What an incredible weekend. actually... two incredible weekends in a row. and, next weekend will be incredible as well. This past weekend, on saturday, I rode my bike from Montreal to ottawa. and, it was beautiful. It was really fricken long. I went with a friend, Ben, and props to him, because he rode the whole thing on a 10 speed, steel frame oldschool bike with an awful saddle, and a milk crate strapped to the back. and, it is not like he trains for things like this. I know it was challenging for him. FOr me, I felt amazing. i got to have a few more breaks than ben did, due to the fact that I would ride, and then turn around and not be able to see him. so, I would stop and wait. but, here are the highlights and lowlights: cows. deer. horses. open fields, and long rivers. stopping for french fries. finally crossing the ottawa river. our final 50km into ottawa, the rolling hills, the sunset. stopping for pizza dinner. stories of lost love. picture taking and video shooting...

so, tomorrow, to get ready to cheer my friends Beth and Leanna on at at the Ottawa 1/2 marathon , I am going to be going on an epic bike ride. I am so excited that they have reached their goals, and that this weekend, they will see how they will actually be able to succeed in running. Their perseverance, and attainment of goals has encouraged me. I am going to be riding with my friend, Ben, from Montreal to Ottawa. It is about 200km, and will take. well. the whole day. All I gotta say, is that those crazy ironpeople (aka... look at my teammate blog roll list) who are going to ride 180km, and then run a fricken marathon. crazy I say. See our bike route here. My 1/2 marathon for Team in Training is still about a month away. I am so priviledged to be able to go out and do something I love, and meet so many people who have some sort of story with this battle. CLICK HERE TO DONATE Once again, I am going to tell you about where I am with my fundraising. I know that th...

hey all, so, this is the email that I am shooting out to people throughout the day. your help as well, would be appreciated! I am writing you today, in order to ask you for your help. As you probably know, I am in the process of training for a 1/2 Marathon dedicated to raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada. I have been training, and believing in this cause for the past few months. I have met people who have inspired me in the journeys that they have walked. Not only in training for endurance events, but mostly with the stories of loved ones who have been living with blood Cancers. In June, I am very excited to be running with Team in Training. However, I need your help. I am currently at (just under) 50% of my minimum amount needed to run (5800$). My fundraising deadline is June 7th. If I have not raised my amount, I get into a truly tight spot. I am asking for your help in 2 ways. The first is to donate directly towards my run, and the society. 75% t...

yikes. with a title like that. you would think that with a title like the one above, there is going to be a super long post that will follow. this might be so... Race, well, it was interesting. You can see the breakdown of my run (in time, placement, etc) HERE. Some people don't like to write times on a public place. but, with sites such as THIS ONE they are pretty easy to find. and, i kinda like that. You can stalk opponents, and catch up with your friend's results. so, back to the run. After a training week that did not go as planned last week, I was rested, and my legs feeling ready to go. I was in low anticipation of the predicted crappy weather. and, i was sandwiching the run inbetween sessions of a Rowing Canada Coaching clinic. I ran into more people than I would've expected, prior to the race. Got a good little warm up in. the last minute pee. debated about if I was keeping my long sleeves on, or going lighter (glad I kept the long sleeves!). and,...

SO, this morning, I was out for an endurance run. In the rain, and just above freezing. It was one of those runs where you think "if it is like this on race day, i will be trained. repeat to self. if it is like this on race day, I will be prepared. oh.... what the hell! it is not going to be like this on race day! what am I doing out here?" it was dark. cold. my feet were wet. and, the only thing that seemingly got me through it was the fact that misery loves company. there were other runners out this morning. at least I am not the only crazy one. it brought great comfort to see others out there, doing the things that we love to do. to have the chance to do the things we love to do. I have been a little stressed out, and very tired in the last days. I had no weekend. I have papers to write, and lectures to give, and labs to teach, and deadlines to achieve. right. that deadline. when I run, I think. Unlike when I am on the bike, or when I am swimming. Running,...

so, with this whole team in training business, I have spent quite a bit of time just thinking about what I am doing, and why. For instance, this whole thing is a little bit of a stretch for me to say "My life is affected by blood cancer." I don't know anyone who has lymphoma, or leukemia, or hodgkins. I don't even know people who have died due to it. I know people who know people, but that is not super close to home. But, that is okay. Beth's dad is living with leukemia. Leanna's aunt died from it. We all carry eachother. in every aspect of life. but, in reality, what is the point!? I guess the point is that swimming, biking, running, traveling, etc. those are all things that i love. I love doing them, and I do them frequently, and i get all the pleasure out of doing them. So, why should I do those things, only to benefit myself. I mean, we can do things in our life, that we love to do AND use those things to benefit others. I can travel to see th...

Hello Friends! It was so nice to hear from so many of you, following my christmas newsletter! As you read this next little letter, you might not be surprised that I am about to tell you something that involves raising money. I am very excited about it, and I would like to tell you about it. As my mum would say (and, as you may know) I love participating in "ridiculously long races." This spring, I have decided to take that passion, and do something where other people than I can be benefitted by my participation in these races. Some people think that my doing endurance races are inspirational. Families living with members who have blood cancer, make my participating look like a walk in the park. I recently signed up for "Team in Training." You might have heard of it... It is an organization that has people participate in an endurance to raise awareness and money for research for leukemia and lymphoma. Did you know, that this spring, I am going to be running a ...

So sad to hear about the death of the olympic luger. Anyone who makes "fun" of "tobogganing" being an olympic sport needs to be quiet just about now. and remember that this was a life. and a life from a country that probably does not do a lot for high class athletes. a life of a son, a citizen and a world class athlete. May light perpetual shine upon him, and may he rest in peace . other news: sooooo busy this week. pathology exam, presentation on Tuberculosis, clinicals . Bahamas with my mum in one week! woooOOOOoooo got my splish grab bag suits today. 2 for 40$ I was worried that they might be ugly, but I got these beautiful hawaii themed suits!!! :D started my fundraising for TEAM IN TRAINING! and, also training with the group. it is so nice to go running with other people! check out our McGill Nurses Run a Race blog. I am trying to raise 7000$ by april 1st. Do you, or anyone you know, what to help out? what about the company you work for? do they ...