wild!

Stats
Time: 41:49
Length: 7.1 km
Training plan: 5 km. oops
Weather: foggy and warm!
Feeling: a little lazy

Another morning run? And going out for lunch at work? Looking like a good day!

I did a lot of soul searching yesterday and combined with reading a lot of this blog (Kelle Hampton is a genius), I have come to a conclusion. Long story short, I've been feeling a little lost in this adult world of bills, jobs, responsibilities, people getting married and having babies.. and I was starting to become a cynical adult.. while still not feeling quite ready for all of it. I don't WANT to be a cranky old person!!

So I'm not. I've decided I'm living in a pixie-dusted fairy Peter Pan world where dreams are like Disney movies (and animals can sing). I will be a broadway star (in my car on road trips) because music makes me feel alive. I will be an an Olympic athlete (blazing down hills way too fast!) because running makes me feel like nothing can touch me. I will cry at inappropriate times because that is how I express joy and excitement and sadness and frustration. I will find joy in the everyday. I will not get mad when people cut me off in traffic.. and through all of this I will STILL pay my bills on time.

I could go on and on about how Kelle is brilliant and how she changes so many lives through her blog.. but I will leave you with this quote:

"What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" (quote)

bliss.

TGIF!

Ice! You know what that means...

Stats
Time: 1:07.31
Length: 10.7 km
Training plan: see below
Weather: cool! I half expected to see red leaves on the trees (BLASPHEMY)
Feeling: surprisingly good for having an empty tummy

I stepped out of the door around 6:25am, and it was like the whole world decided to go for a run. As I opened my door three running MACHINES zoomed by me - men, mid 20s to mid 40s, no fat on them, no fanny packs, no headphones or water bottles to be had... you know they are serious when they have none of that to distract them! - and I thought, okay, this is a good sign!

I am seriously not very good at sticking to my training plan for this half marathon in 2.5 weeks (!!!). I don't have a time goal, can you tell?! I keep telling myself it's alright, I can learn from this experience, I will run it and see what it teaches me (and maybe train with a group next summer!). I was supposed to do 1 x 8km, 2 x 6.5km , and 1 x 14.5 km this week, and instead I did 1 x 7ish km and 1x 10ish km. I sort of feel like a failure for not being more consistent, especially because I'm posting all of this online for all the world to see, but I'm going to try to shake off that attitude and enjoy these last few weeks. At the very least, I have a record of all my runs and can refer back to this as a baseline.. nowhere to go but up, right?

Strawberry Overnight Oats. Adapted from Easy Vegan Overnight Oats @ OhSheGlows.com.

Strawberry Overnight Oats

1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup strawberries, cleaned and sliced
1/2 cup Unsweetened Regular Almond Breeze
1 tsp ground flaxseed

Mix together, cover and leave in fridge overnight. Enjoy post run as a cool breakfast!

P.S. I'm pretty sure I have more than that in the bowl shown above. I'm bad at measuring.. portion control FAIL.

I was listening to a podcast this morning on my run and apparently you're supposed to keep ground flaxseed in the fridge. Who knew?

Now I have to shower and finish packing.. I'm going camping this weekend! :)

playing with fire.

Last night after work I zoomed home, changed into my running clothes, and zoomed back out the door.

Stats
Time: 46:32
Length: 7.1 km
Training plan: 6.5 km (scheduled for Monday)
Weather: 25-26C and hhuuummiddd
Feeling: great parts, tough parts

I ran back in the door, showered, and headed to the waterfront to catch some of the Buskers action.

After finding a program and snagging a Beaver Tail, I meandered through the surprisingly large crowd (for a Tuesday!) and checked out some of the acts.

Mmm. Deep fried cinnamon and sugar...

I found this lovely lady who must have been sweating her balls off all day in this sexy get up (you know, if she had balls):

Kate Mior, everyone.

She was sweet, she winked at an older gentleman (wife in tow) as he walked by and when he didn't respond, she mouthed, "Call me!" and held her hand up to her ear like a phone. Cute.

I found an act I wanted to see at one specific stage, so I headed there for 9pm. While trying to weasel my way in to see what the current act was all about (heels were a GREAT decision!), I totally took a picture of a couple in front of me. I was going to post it on the blog but I didn't think that was quite right. You know the couples that can't keep their hands off each other in public? Yeah this was them. He had his chubby hand like 2 inches from being smack on her derriere, and literally pushed her forward with his sweaty palm when space in front of them cleared. Eww. Give the girl some space.

ANYWAY.

I caught the end of a performance by the Hectic Brothers (from Australia). It didn't seem like much of an act - well, except for their leotards. A bit of smack talk, some tumbling, and a little peek at what Australia was packin' down under.... (I'm sorry, I had to!).

I know this is dark. I apologize. I know you really wanted a close up.

The group I really wanted to see were Flame Oz, who were the Viewer's Choice winners from last year. They are a fire dancing group from Australia (apparently Australian Buskers like Halifax) and they were spectacular! Here the girls are balancing giant Q-tips on their heads.. which doesn't seem so hard.. except the giant Q-tips are on FIRE.

Their outfits lit up when I used my flash! Coooool.

And I shot a quick video. So worth it!

On another note, I'm headed to PEI this weekend for some camping. Hooray!

Ode to My First Apartment.

This fantastic place has been my home for a year;
a sweet little apartment, that I hold so dear

I searched long and hard for you, I saw some nasty locations!
Once I found you, "Thank goodess," I thought, "that I have a vocation!"

Only bar stools, no table, are found in this pad,
but the lack of a dining room really isn't so bad

A full sized stove, it's beautiful, bright shiny white;
when the smoke alarm sounds, it gives such a fright!

A large empty fridge didn't take long to fill,
not surprising, as I enjoy being stuffed to the gills!

"Dishwasher? Please..", said a naive young girl...
...famous last words once she gave it a whirl.

"Large drawers in the kitchen! How wonderful!" said I,
the lack of a linen closet was the main reason why.

A vessel sink in the bathroom, how modern, how sweet!

But most inconvenient for washing one's feet..

Many bubble baths were had, here in this:

a jacuzzi bath tub.. oh, what lovely bliss!

A cute little closet to house all my stuff,
learning to iron.. now that will be tough!

"I'll love you forever," she said, with sad eyes
"But alas, the lack of parking will make us cut ties."

"You've been so great while I've found my wings;
here's hoping the next place shares a few of these things!"

still dreaming..

I had the chance to visit with this lovely lady on Sunday evening.

Rosie and I have been friends since high school, and now that we live 2.5 hours away we don't see each other nearly enough. Our visit was short but long enough to smash in a lot of girl talk, which is absolutely necessary whenever we get together!

Remember this post when I decided I wanted a puppy? It was the new addition to her life that inspired it..

Say "Hi!" to Bear. I was overwhelmed with cuteness!!

I mean, if I was small enough to crawl into that basket, I probably would too.

Getting saucy with momma.

Whaddya think, do I look ready to be a fur-mommy?

papa, paparazzi.

I put together all the clips from the Natal Day 6 Miler last Monday, and here is the 30 second result :)

When I transferred the files I think the quality decreased somehow (I'm not good with media if it's anything but iTunes music files.. ha), so keep it small to view and it will be less blurry.