March 30 - April 6 Weekly mileage: 34
3/30 Sun- 30k around the bay 2:18:09
3/31 Mon -rest day
4/1 Tue - rest day
4/2 Wed -recovery run 5 miles
4/3 Thur -strength train
4/4 Fri -
4/5 Sat -10 miles
Sunday - Today was the 30k around the Bay! Before I go any further, I have to thank my dear friend Paula for letting me drag her all the way to Hamilton at 6:00 a.m. this morning to watch the baby while I ran. A true friend indeed!
















For the race, this was to be my longest run since before getting pregnant last January, so I had no idea how to pace this distance, especially since I heard multiple warnings about the hilly stretch toward the end. I had a chat with Dan from the Runners Den in Hamilton at the race expo and he was kind enough to give me the great advice of making sure I felt good at the halfway point. The first 10k is flat and fast so it is very tempting to go out fast, but he warned me that this is usually the downfall of first-timers. He said he's run many times where people passed him in the first 10k and he ended up passing by them as they were walking in the hilly stretch. This was a great tip and I tried to remember it after the gun went off. Here are my splits: 7:14, 7:17, 7:16, 7:16, 7:20, 7:15, 7:17, 7:17, 7:16, 7:17, 7:18, 7:18, 7:28, 7:46, 7:28, 7:23, 7:38, 7:21, 5:38 the last .72. Gold, Silver and Bronze medals are awarded depending on your finish time. I just missed gold by 2-3 minutes, bummer! If only I hadn't walked those water stations to drink and stopped to adjust my socks....Next year! This is the oldest road race in North America (as they race shirts said on the back "Older than Boston!"). I give it two thumbs up. Very well organized event, beautiful rolling hills course (until that beast at 24-25k). I will definitely be back next year!

Happy Easter!























March 23 - March 29 Weekly mileage: 22
3/23 Sun- last long run before 30k next sun 13 miles
3/24 Mon -rest day
3/25 Tue -strength train
3/26 Wed -4 miles easy & strength train
3/27 Thur -5 miles moderate pace
3/28 Fri - rest day
3/29 Sat -rest day (30k around the bay tomorrow!)
I procrastinated on doing my last long training run before next weekends 30k around the bay race until today. I found myself unable to relax and fully enjoy Easter morning while heading over to the Sunday morning family brunch knowing I had that long run today......it was hanging over my head like a lead balloon. It didn't make it any more enticing that it was 14 below outside with wind chill of -17. After a fabulous brunch prepared by my father in law, I was feeling more motivated and quite fueled up and ready to go. I got the little guy fed and settled with his daddy, bundled myself up in the multiple layers I have begrudgingly learned to bond with during winter months in Canada (wool socks, tights, running skirt, under armour top, wind resistant running coat, ear warmer headband, wool toque (that's a beanie, my fellow american folk), & wool gloves). I always feel like the little kid from "A Christmas Story" all bundled up to the point of not being able to move when I come down the stairs dressed for these sub zero runs. I filled up my water bottle with warm water & ultima mix, grabbbed my ipod & garmin and out the door I went. (I know...ew warm ultima...but it keeps my hand warm as I start at the beginning of the run and in almost no time it is freezing and slushy, which also reminds me - have you have had a "gu-sicle"? It is also quite interesting. My plan was to get in a few warmup miles and then run 8-10 miles at race pace. 8:10, 8:09, 7:25, 7:22, 7:24, 7:13, 7:29, 7:28, 7:19, 7:11, 7:20, 7:04, 7:36 (with a few stretch breaks in between). I felt pretty good, but it was definitely more of a tempo effort. I am a little nervous about the 30k next weekend. I've never run this distance (just under 19 miles) and have no idea how to pace it.
Any suggestions?

Happy St. Patrick's Day!














March 16 - March 22 Weekly mileage:22
3/16 Sun- Rest Day
3/17 Mon - treadmill run 7.5 miles
3/18 Tue - strength train
3/19 Wed - 7.5 miles
3/20 Thur -strength train
3/21 Fri - 7 miles 6x800 (yassos)
3/22 Sat - strength train

Future Running Star - babys first speed workout!
Sorry, I couldn't figure out how to rotate it!

March 10-March 16 Weekly mileage: 44.64
3/10 Sun- New York Road Runners
Colon Cancer Challenge 15k 9.5 miles (10.5 w/warmup)
3/11 Mon - rest day
3/12 Tue - treadmill run 11.14 miles
3/13 Wed-cross train
3/14 Thur -mile repeats (2 mi. w/u 4 x mile 2 mi. c/d) 8 miles
3/15 Fri - strength train
3/16 Sat - long run 15 miles 1:58

Saturday while planning my long run in NYC for the following day, I discovered that there was a 4 mile and a 15k (9.3 mile) race scheduled in Central Park. I committed to getting up extra early so I'd have time to register on race morning. The weather forecast was calling for chilly and very windy conditions. Unfortunately I didn't pack my sub zero running gear, so I had to make to with a lightweight pairs of tights, my long sleeved winter top and running jacket, and of course a running skirt (which undoubtedly provided extra warmth for the derrière). Luckily I had a lightweight pair of gloves in my luggage and a beanie borrowed from my hubby to top it all off. We were sure to spring forward all the clocks on Saturday night so that we'd be up in plenty of time too (separate story).

I woke up to a very sunny, yet crisp and breezy nyc morning. I would be lying if I didn't tell you I had second and third thoughts about rolling over and going back to sleep. The lure of running a NYRR event in Central Park overcame me, I coudn't pass it up. It was about 30f with wind chill of 18f! By the time the race started I was pretty much a Popsicle. The extra hour of waiting before the gun went off didn't help either. (Again - side story) By the time the race started I was so excited to get running so that I could finally thaw out and get warm. The course was a double loop through/around central park. It was a beautiful course with rolling hills and a few good climbs too. My race plan was to start out nice and slow and tempo the run. I've never run a 9.3 mile race before so I had no idea how to pace it. Here are my splits: 7:55, 7:10, 7:01, 7:01, 7:08, 7:08, 7:09, 6:50, 7:01, 3:00. At the finish line my Garmin read 9.5 miles and 1:07:27. I felt strong at the finish with no major aches and pains (I think everything was comfortably numb from the cold). It was a great event - very well organized, I give it two thumbs up! I can't wait to run the marathon next fall.

Saturday in NYC
I recently had a big realization while hitting my favorite 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue shops. Shopping with a baby is VERY different. As soon as we arrived this week and I had a little down time, baby and I headed straight for my favorite store Henri Bendel on 5th Ave. After wrestling the bugaboo through the heavy front door, we managed to work our way into the ground level of the boutique store aka cosmetics heaven. If any of you have ever been in this store you will know that this area of the store is laden with cosmetic sales "sharks". I usually dart through this department quickly and head up the stairs to peruse the many multiple levels of fabulous merchandising displays. When you are ascending the multiple levels of Henri Bendel it seems like the store keeps going and going. It is nice because it isn't like your typical department store with racks and racks, it is merchandise very nicely with several mini - department "rooms" and beautiful displays. Anyhow - I found myself standing at the bottom of the store in the "shark tank" at the bottom of the first grouping of stairs. I realized oh yeah - I've got a baby stroller, I'm gonna be needing an elevator. In the 12 seconds it took for this realization to sink in, I was surrounded by the cosmetic sales team demanding they make me over, spray me with the latest eu de parfum, or demonstrate the latest MUST HAVE accessory. These sales people are great- or not so great ( depending on whether you are me or Henri Bendel). One perfume, 2 lip glosses and a huge fragrant candle later, I was shown my way to the Elevator which wisked me in a cold dark enclosure to the 2nd floor of the store. Gone are the days of leisurely ascending escalators or steps while shopping, the elevator is my new mode of shopping transportation. On a positive note, it was great to be able to get out with baby, he was quite a patient trooper while mommy shopped and walked and he also even managed to side track the aggressive sales sharks with his dashing good looks and flirty smiles.
All jokes aside, the trip has been amazing - it's great to get to milder temperatures. I'm looking forward to another run in Central Park later today. Happy Running!

Thursday - we were getting in a little Tourism and decided to check out the Top of the Rock - the revamped cityscape tour at the top of the Rockefeller Center. We decided to go straight up to the highest outdoor observation deck. It was a beautiful sunny day and the view was amazing. I immediately started trying to point out the marathon route starting from staten island over the multiple bridges and ending up in Central Park. I was pretty impressed at the distance we actually ran when seeing it from a birds eye view. I am so excited to run nyc again this year with Christy! OK - back to the topic. We noticed there was a "photo shoot" or something going on on the deck below us. My hubby pointed out - "look they're doing a bridal photo shoot or something". I took a peak and realized it wasn't simply a formal photo shoot, but Sarah Jessica Parker and "Mr. Big" doing shoot for their new movie. She was wearing a beautiful full length black dress with Louboutin pumps - she looked so pretty. "Mr. Big" was wearing a black tuxedo, handsome as always. I'll get some photos up as soon as I get them downloaded - it was pretty cool.

We are headed to the Big Apple this week! Baby and I are tagging along on a trip with Daddy. I am looking forward to running ice & snow free! Anyone know of any great long run routes in Manhattan? I am hoping to get in a 13-15 miler this weekend and a few leisurely runs through the park.

March 2 - March 8 Weekly mileage: 39
3/2 Sun- Chilly Half or Long run
3/3 Mon -Easy run 8.8 miles
3/4 Tue - Intervals 6 miles
3/5 Wed-Travel NYC
3/6 Thur - cross trail
3/7 Fri - easy run 4 miles
3/8 Sat - rest day (race tomorrow)

Had to sit out the Chilly Half Marathon - Having some issues with my right leg/hip/pelvic area still after the last speed workout and I didn't want to push the envelope. I need to continue doing my Strengthening Exercises and Stretches that the trainer assigned to me. I have been a bit lazy about doing them during the Hawaii holiday and all the travel lately. Since I'm on the subject, I'll give you a little recap of his diagnosis & recommendations (in laymen terms). After returning to running, I was having extreme quad pain and alternating IT Band flare ups, pirioformis pain, etc. I felt like my stride was all wrong and clumsy. After suffering through the entire Carlsbad half marathon Christy pointed out that my quads were flaming red. During the race they became really sore (sorer than the day after Boston Marathon) and I've never experienced pain like that during any race).

I visited Chris Maund at his CHEK studio in Encinitas, California. He took tons of measurements in strength, flexibility, etc. In my own words, the reason for the pain was that I was running with a really odd posture. I had an extreme arch in my lower back (as if I was still carrying the baby in my womb) and my arms/elbows were still flaring out at the sides. My lower abdominal and core muscles are so weak after the pregnancy & delivery, so I was using my quads, hip flexors and other muscles and overcompensating for my weak lower core & hamstrings. The exercises and stretches he assigned to me are geared toward getting my body back into its pre-pregnancy alignment and flexibility. I need to correct the extreme arch in my lower spine and get the curvature in my spine back where it should be. Everything needs to be tightened and pulled in and up. I didn't realize how week my lower abs muscles were until I tried to do those hanging crunches at the gym. I couldn't even do one! This was a huge wake up call for me. I realized that I had some real work to do before I was going to just bounce back to my prepregnancy fitness & running strength.

I am happy to report that my next half marathon (surf city marathon) felt much better. I didn't have ANY quad pain this time. I have to make a mental effort to pull in my lower abs and almost tuck my rear under as I run and pull in my arms. I still like I am a bit out of whack, but I am grateful that I understand the problem and how to correct it.

Yesterday was baby's first play date. He was a little overwhelmed (see video) I can't help but hear the old sesame street tune playing in my head "which one of these kids is doing his own thing, doing his own thing?......"

- don't worry - he always sleeps like that - he loves to pull his "woobie" over his head when he sleeps.














February 24 - March 1 Weekly mileage:
2/24 Sun- rest day
2/25 Mon -travel day
2/26 Tue - extra travel day (long story)
2/27 Wed- 7 miles intervals
2/28 Thur - cross train
2/29 Fri - 7.25 miles
3/ 1 Sat - cross train

Back to Reality. After what was supposed to be a 4.5 hour nonstop flight home from San Diego on Monday turned into a 40 hour travel adventure, we are happy to report that we are finally home sweet home. We were welcomed with subzero temperatures here (wind chill -26c) and piles and piles of snow. My next few workouts are going to be on the treadmill again.

Baby got his 4 month immunizations yesterday and isn't a very happy boy today. It's been a challenge trying to get in a workout. I am starting to realize how challenging it can be to train for a marathon with an infant. I am really looking forward to spring up here and the great races we will be running!

This weekeend is the LA Marathon. Unfortunately I won't be running this one. I am doing the 30k around the bay at the end of March, right now my goal will be increasing my mileage for that event. Hopefully I'll have a marathon event in sight for the late spring too. Maybe Mississauga Marathon or Ottawa Marathon...we'll see how the training goes.

February 17 - February 23 Weekly mileage: 31
2/17 Sun- rest day
2/18 Mon -7 miles
2/19 Tue - cross train
2/20 Wed- 7 miles intervals
2/21 Thur - travel day
2/22 Fri - 7 miles
2/23 Sat - 10 miles

pipeline surfers, north shore - oahu
February 10 - February 16 Weekly mileage:
2/10 Sun- 7 miles
2/11 Mon -6 miles
2/12 Tue -7.25 miles easy
2/13 Wed- rest day
2/14 Thur - cross train
2/15 Fri - hills 7 miles
2/16 Sat -long run 10.25 miles

Thursday - Aloha from Waikiki!

















We arrived yesterday for our annual family holiday. Christy and I ran our tempo run from downtown Waikiki beach up Diamond Head road and back down. It was humid and warm already at 6:00 a.m. but the scenery was breathtaking! We are staying at the Westin Surfrider which is a relatively health and fitness conscious resort. (They even have complimentary propel water at the front podium for runners as they depart the hotel). The weather is perfect - partly sunny and about 80 degrees f.

We spent the day realaxing beach side with the fam. Christy's hubby is an amazing surfer and she eventually talked me into going out with him tandem-surfing. Here's how it worked - I took the front of the longboard on my belly and he was on the rear of the board. As we paddled our way out, I realized just how much work surfing is as I found myself panting and my shoulders afire. I tried to keep paddling but eventually I just lay there with my hands folded under my chin soaking up the sun while Dave did the rest of the paddling. Before I knew it we were out among the other surfers waiting for our wave. I simply followed his orders "paddle" "turn" "get up! get up!". I got up on the first wave......for about 3.2 seconds. I can't believe how fast you move on the board....it's an amazing feeling as the wave moves up under you and carries you away. It was great fun....but very exhausting. Jamie has been out there at it since we checked in. He's determined to become an expert surfer before we leave for the north shore this weekend and face the real surf!

The town is abuzz with the upcoming Holiday Bowl on Sunday. We have already spotted a lot of the players around town. We have been lucky to have great weather with the occasional quick shower, it definitely beats the sub zero temps and feet of snow we are getting back at home in Canada!

February 3 - February 9 Weekly mileage:
2/3 Sun- Sunday - Surf City Half Marathon Huntington Beach 1:44
2/4 Mon -cross train
2/5 Tue -7.25 miles easy
2/6 Wed- travel day Aloha!
2/7 Thur - tempo run 7.5 miles
2/8 Fri - cross train
2/9 Sat -long run 10.25 miles

Sunday - Surf City Marathon - formerly known as the Pacific Shoreline Marathon
Rain and Wind was in the forecast, but we were hopefully optimistic that the storm would blow over quickly or dissipate before the gun went off today. No such luck! The starting line was a sea of rain ponchos, makeshift glad bag coats, and "Runners Wraps". Christy and I were lucky enough to be neighbors of the Runners Wrap booth and took this great new running product for a test drive on Sunday. They are a lot like an oversized white doctors' coat made out of a weightless polypropylene gauzy fabric, complete with a snapping front closure. They actually kept us warmer and were very resistant to the downpour of rain. Not only do these little garments help with those pre-race shivers, the owners of the company place collection bins along the marathon course and donate them to homeless shelters post marathon. How cool is that?!

The marathon course was nice and flat and ran along the pacific coast. It seemed like it would be the perfect scenic and easy course for a p.r.....on a nice typical sunny day in the OC. As we toed the line, and went over our race plan (the plan was that there wouldn't be any plan in this awful weather). Our only goal today was to cross that finish line and get the cool little surf board medal......and keep our borrowed hats (thanks annie) from flying far far away. We cruised the course at a relaxed page and picked up the pace on the last half. Aside from the sideways wind and rain coming off the coast, we had a blast splish splashing our way through Huntington Beach. If you can believe it, this was the first time Christy has ever run in the rain (she's spoiled with San Diego weather). AND SHE DIDN'T MELT! I am thrilled to report that I am feeling my old running stride coming back (thanks to the training/therapy of Chris! - see CHEK blog from last week.) - no more quad pain! I still have some work to do on getting my body back to pre-pregnancy posture and gait, but It is so much better already.

All in all I give this half marathon my vote of approval and plan to do it again next year!

January 27 - February 3 Weekly mileage: 35.85
1/27 Sun- rest day
1/28 Mon - treadmill workout 7.75 miles
1/29 Tue - easy run 8 miles
1/30 Wed- strength train
1/31 Thur - 6.9 miles zones 1 & 3
2/1 Fri - Surf City Marathon Expo
2/2 Sat - Surf City Marathon Expo
Sunday - Surf City Half Marathon Huntington Beach

Carlsbad Half
Go Chargers! Watch Video


January 20 - January Weekly mileage: 36.25
1/20 Sun- Carlsbad Half Marathon 13.1
1/21 Mon -rest day
1/22 Tue -4 miles easy
1/23 Wed-cross train
1/24 Thur -4 miles easy
1/25 Fri -7 miles intervals
1/26 Sat - 8.25 miles



















Sunday - today was the Carlsbad Marathon & Half Marathon. It was a little chilly at the start, but sunny. The half marathon started with a bit of a hill climb (the entire course traverses rolling hills along the coastline in Carlsbad) so we warmed up quickly. Christy and I ran together and had a great time. We were representin' the Chargers before the big playoff game in our navy yellow skirts. We made a point to do a double fist pump along with a "woohoo" everytime someone from the crowd yelled "go chargers!". It was a great run - lots of fun!

January 13 - January 20 Weekly mileage: 25
1/13 Sun- Long Run 10.5 miles
1/14 Mon - Hill Repeats (chiro/physio)
1/15 Tue - Rest day
1/16 Wed- Cross Train / easy run 5.25
1/17 Thur -Treadmill Workout - Intervals 5.00
1/18 Fri - Carlsbad Marathon Expo
1/19 Sat - Keebler Marathon Mile & Carlsbad Marathon Expo - 1 mile

Saturday a.m.- Today was the Keebler Marathon Mile at Legoland in Carlsbad. We had a team of "mini skirts" little girls running the mile race in their skirt gear. This is a huge running event for kids and families. There were several different heats for each year age & the mile course ran in around and out of legoland. Christy & I pushed the boys in the strollers, and it was pretty tough! I have a whole new respect for all those moms and dads that marathon with strollers. (Of course it probably helps to be properly equipped. I was pushing the bugaboo, not a jog stroller.

Monday a.m. - woke up to about 6" of the white stuff....It's baaaaack! I will not be doing my hill repeats today. Bummer! After yesterdays long run, my quads are just as sore as they were the day after Boston Marathon. Something's just not right! I honestly thought returning marathon training after childbirth would go so much smoother. I was gun-ho & ready to join the starting line of any boston qualifier this winter.....unfortunately my hips, pelvis and legs have really been slow at joining the rest of me. As for today's hills, I think I'll save that workout for when I arrive in San Diego (temp yesterday 73 degrees).

On a optimistic note, I have arranged a consultation with a CHEK Institute Trainer (Corrective Holistic Exercise Kinesiology) in Carlsbad. He has been helping Christy get her running back on track and more importantly stay injury free along the way! After my telephone consultation and initial interview with the trainer about my health, goals & current challenges, I immediately received a follow up email along with a comprehensive 7 page health questionnaire and 7 day food and sleep diary to be completed before my initial evaluation. Wow! This guy means business - I'm so excited to get his advice & assessment!

It's been a long time coming. Running Skirts new website is live! Check out our running bride pictures from the Las Vegas Marathon! We are also introducing our new Maternity Fitness skirt for spring the "fit momma skirt" .Still more videos and features to come.

January 6 - January Weekly mileage: 25
1/ 6 Sun- Rest
1/ 7 Mon - Extra rest day
1/ 8 Tue - Sprint workout (6.75 miles)
1/ 9 Wed- cross train (chiroprator day) easy run
1/10Thur -Treadmill Workout - Intervals 7.25 miles
1/11 Fri - Rest
1/12 Sat - Long Run (sunday)

Tuesday - It was significantly warmer today - the snow is melting! I was hoping to jog over to the local high school track for a REAL track workout. After slogging my way through the slush and mud I arrived at the track to find it was no longer covered in snow, but now completely under water. I forgot to consider where the multiple feet of snow would actually go when it melted in a matter of hours....the ground is totally saturated. I had to do my sprint intervals in the roundabout parking lot driveway of the high school. I think the janitor lady thought I was nuts. I also "christened" my shiny new white wave riders with about 4" of mud on my way to the track. I don't know what I'm going to do with them at this point - I left them on the front doorstep in hopes that the running fairy will come tonight and make them sparkly and clean for me again. How do you clean running shoes? I've never muddied them quite this bad before. I've heard mixed opinions about whether or not it's ok to wash them....I will deal with it in the morning!

I just added this photo of the last race I ran hard before getting pregnant (in hopes that it would inspire me to stick with the training regimen and hopefully overcome these little injuries that keep popping up) in hopes that I can get back to where I was speed-wise as quickly as possible. After physical therapy/chiro visit last week, I realize I have been suffering from an inflamed SI joint (sacroiliac joint) and a bit of water on the right knee cap (from ice fall on driveway about a month ago). After some sports massage (aka torture) on Thursday and a rest day on Friday, I was able to complete the long run on Saturday with minimal discomfort. My lower left back/hip area is still aggravated though and I'm getting frustrated. I really don't want to take a lot of rest time off now that I am planning to run the Carlsbad half marathon with Christy on the 20th. We'll see how things feel after today's workout.

Here's the route I've been running that is mostly snow free! There are a few icy patches and secondary residential areas that aren't plowed completely, but for the most part it's as good as it gets in Barrie in January! Gonna have to get creative as my mileage starts to increase!

Pictures truly are worth a thousand words.....
the hubby snapped this one on New Years day.

Note "the stick" and tennis ball in the background above my head (my IT Band and pirioformis) therapy tools along with the baby jungle gym play thingy that he hates! It was one of those baby items I was told is a "must have" but every time I lay him down on it he revolts!

Baby is sleeping longer stretches at night now (we had a 4.5 hour stretch last night) I'm hoping this will continue...who would of thought I'd think 4 hours of sleep was a heavenly amount!