It's Beginning to Feel Like Fall

This week the mornings have started to be a little crisper and just a bit darker. I LOVE Fall, sorry to all of you whom are sun worshipers, but "sweater" weather is my favourite time of year!

This week I did my first interval training on the treadmill to help build on my speed.  I am not a huge fan of the treadmill, but I am still debating between a Garmin or Nike + for Ipod I needed to have some technical intervention for tracking the time. I did enjoy the run, especially since Rooster was in the chair beside me watching Mickey Mouse, but  I think the best part was hearing him yell  "Go Mommy Go". It is not easy running on the treadmill with him around, luckily Cst. Hubby was home and helped keep him at bay.

Today was my 'long'run for the week, on the training schedule it was set for 4.8 km ( Rooster & I ended up running 5.3km-but that was due to a detour through a different subdivision) I really wanted to push my distance again to day, as last Sunday I ran 8km and felt pretty decent afterwards. However when I looked at my schedule I saw why the distance was reduced, because next week it is my first 10km. Now I have run 10km before, but not in a VERY long time. We shall see what comes of this. I think I am going to run 10 km in one direction and have Cst Hubby and Rooster meet me. That way I know when I am done, I am done.

So I have nicknamed my son Rooster due to the fact that he is up with the sun. Well once again, he has gone and reminded me to be on my toes...his nickname this week has been Wolfy- because not only does he want to stay up late- he actually howls like he is a wolf. For any of you who are worried, no need, we have been talking about different animals and this is just the latest one he has held on to (this is normal right? ;) However, at the grocery store yesterday he started to purse his lips, throw his head back and bay like it was a full moon....so loudly that another child across the store heard him and started to do it as well. He thought he was quite clever, and this morning on our nice quiet early run he started again in a very quiet neighbourhood...until a few dogs started barking back. So if you live in our neck of the woods, I apologize if you were awoken by the sound of wolves howling...it really was just a very goofy Rooster xo

Smiles,
Lisa

A Running Mate

I am happy to say that this week I was able to keep on track with my training schedule despite the weather. It has been a very hot summer and I was not feeling encouraged by the idea of running in the midday heat. What has been working is running before I go to work... which is not a big stretch or change in routine as we are already up due to our own personal Rooster. He has always been an early riser...and that is no exaggeration as he is typically up by 5, and ready to start his day after a cup of milk and a cuddle. Usually I can drag this out until 5:30am...I long for the days of sleeping past 6am! However, it has worked to my advantage as I have now found myself a pretty good running mate. He loves the jogging stroller so it is a nice way of incorporating spending time with someone I love, with something I do not love as much....at most I can say that I am starting to appreciate running, at most.

Our morning runs have consisted of me loading up the stroller with our gear, and heading out- usually with Rooster still in his PJ's,snack in hand. There is usually a lot of talk about all of the cars, trucks and city buses that we see. We have been very lucky this week as there has been a fair amount of road/house construction which produces MANY "Tractors!!! Diggs!!". I have really enjoyed spending this time with him in the morning, out in the fresh air listening to him label every thing, and I mean EVERYthing. I have been finding that it has helped me add two things to my training- one is my pace, because I am talking to him I have to be conscious of my breathing and if I feel like I am not able to 'talk'to him I slow down a bit. The second is that it has added perseverance and meaning to my routine. Because he is with me I have to finish...I have to get him home and for some reason that has really helped (the momma bear instinct is a very amazing thing), as well as just spending quality time with him.

Today was my long run day, and we did pretty well...it was my first 7 km in a very long time and I felt pretty good throughout it...hell I made it home, that was good for me! Just when I needed a pick me up, he started being very silly, taking of his sweater and shoes and singing at the top of his lungs. I was quite thankful that he wasn't able to get the rest of his gear off. I look forward to getting a Garmin as I am sure I add many more steps to my runs with him, including having to run back and pick up his clothes ;)

Lisa