The dog days are over

This week I will officially start my taper period before the half marathon race on May 6th.  Taper is when the training "tapers" off towards the end so that I can rest up and save my strength for the race.  Running my recovery after the last long run (13 miles) of the training program, this song came on my ipod and I totally rocked out to it:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGrx6etMl0w

The Dog Days Are Over (Florence and the Machine).  I've always likened this song to the taper period because it feels like the dog days of the training are done and all that's left is the coast into the race.

 "Happiness hit her like a bullet in the back" is so similar to the ambivalence I feel at taper.  It's so great to finally be done the tough runs, no more long slogs, no more gutting it out when you don't feel like it.  However, the lack of confidence creeps up; have I trained hard enough?  Is my goal realistic for me?  Will I get sick or injured in the next week?  But like the song says, I have no choice but to let it come as it may; what's done is done. 

"Run fast for your mother and fast for your father
run for your children, for your sisters and brothers
Leave all your love and your longing behind 
you can't carry it with you if you want to survive"
I feel like this embodies the race itself.  Run as fast as you can, do it for all the people who have put up with your miserable self during the training period and who are cheering and encouraging you from the sidelines.  They are proud of you no matter what, give them what they deserve - the best you have.

"The dog days are ove-er, the dog days are done
The horses are coming so you better run"
I have no analogy for horses, but the race is coming.  The entrants are ready and you'd better be ready too.  Now that the preparation is over the only thing left is to run. 

Easter

I know, I promised pictures of spring break.  Well, they are delayed, but I really do have a reason. 

In the meantime, a brief overview of Easter.  We had a long 4-day week.  I cleaned up and unpacked from our trip and prepared for the feast this weekend.  We were graced by the presence of both Kent's parents and my Mom and Ken so we had a mostly full table on Saturday.  We stuffed ourselves so full that we had to lounge on the couch the rest of the evening. 

Sunday  morning the kids got up rarin' to get at the easter goodies hiding all over the house.  Poor Revy had to wait in his kennel until the chocolate had all been snatched up.  Brimming baskets out of reach of the dog, and the kids are enjoying their new puzzles (thanks, Nana and Grumpa!).  A nice, lazy Sunday was definitely in order. 

Monday will hopefully have warm weather and a successful run for me, and a restful day for Kent before back to school.  Hope all is well for all of you, Happy Easter to everyone!

Poor weather

Spring break is over.  It was fun while it lasted despite the horrendous weather we endured the second week.  It seems to have flown by and now we're back to school and routine.  Back to running again (today was windy and cold), and starting up soccer this week.  Between soccer and tae kwon do we'll be having a very busy schedule for the next few months, but the kids are looking forward to their activities. 

Revy enjoyed his stay in a kennel while we were away over part of spring break.  He boarded in a private home on a luxurious hobby farm with several other dogs to play with.  The hostess took him for walks in the country and laughed at his antics.  He was nevertheless very happy to see us upon our return and has been lavishing attention over us and the children ever since we picked him up. 

The first week of spring break was spent enjoying some downtime while the children attended a morning day camp with some of their friends.  They had a blast, and Kent and I got to do a few errands and solitary runs.  Next we made the trek to Vancouver for some visiting and appointments, as well as managing to squeeze in a visit to Science World.  Afterwards we drove to Seattle for a couple of days as tourists, and then back to Vancouver for a TKD tournament... pics of these marvels to follow.

Sugar!

52 Things about me #8

I don't have a sweet tooth.  Every tooth in my head is a sweet one.  I love treats.  My favourite is chocolate, but I also hear noisy name calling from cookies, candies, cakes, pies....

Lately I have been noticing that my sugar threshold has been steadily increasing and I  need larger and larger servings to be satisfied.  I always feel guilty, stuffed, and depressed after a sugar binge, but that doesn't stop me from eating more the next day (or later that same day if we're being honest).

So here goes with another sugar purge.  No treats for a couple of weeks to dampen the cravings and lower the threshold, then I can start all over again as usual.  I'm afraid it's never a lifetime habit because I enjoy my chocolate too much to give it up forever (at least right now).

When the craving hits, here is what I will be doing:
Crafting - when my hands are busy they can't be stuffing my mouth
Tea - it's a nice diversion and I can drink sweet herbal teas without adding any calories
Gum - sugar-free and it gives my jaws something to do

What are your craving avoidance strategies?

52 Things about me # 5

I am a cat person.  I love cats; their cute, soft, cuddly, playful, clean, and charismatic nature.  I have almost always lived with cats throughout my life.  Now, however, I live with a dog.  He can be cute (sort of).  He is soft and fluffy, though he's much nicer after a bath.  He is VERY playful.  He is mostly dingy and stinky except for after said bath.  He is a troublemaker, though, and I miss the easy going, independent, maintenance-free cat ownership.  We have committed to being a dog family, and I am doing my best to be a good "dog mommy" even though it is a struggle now and then. The children do love him very much and have lots of fun playing with him, so he seems to make them happy!

52 Things about me #6

I love to plan parties!  Kids' birthday parties, wedding and baby showers, themed dinner parties, you name it.  I am currently blissfully planning three upcoming events:  Madison's birthday (beginning of May), the school's Spring Carnival (late May), and Caylie's birthday party (late June).  Each of these fun events have to be organized ahead of time, activities and materials gathered, timelines worked, guests listed.   But the kids have so much fun and are so proud when the day finally comes, it's all worth it!

Finally a sunny day

Queen of the castle

Goofing on the slide

And a handsome stick it is, too!

After him!

Cavorting

Wavering

My motivation to complete the training program is faltering.  I have managed to keep up with most of the runs so far, but this weekend I hit a wall.  The long run was supposed to be 15 miles and I went out with my teeth set against the cold wind.  The sun was shining, I wasn't sick or injured, the kids were all being taken care of; there was no reason not to keep running until it was over.  But I could not stomach the entire run.  I came  home defeated and ready to quit on the whole deal.  Why am I running all these miles?  What do I need to run a marathon for anyway?  I have two full months left of the training plan, and the runs are only going to get harder and longer. 

Kent was disappointed in me at first, but he must have had second thoughts because he did his best to bolster my spirits.  He promised to run as many of the long ones with me as possible so I wouldn't be alone out there, and he assured me that it would all be worth it in the end.  What a man! 

I have chosen to stay on the plan a little longer and see where it leads.  For now, I am still trying, still keeping my feet in the tracks, still slogging endlessly toward the possible goal.