Sunny and Cold

I actually love bright sunny cold days. I had some errands to do, so decided to do them first and let the sun come out and warm things up before I got my run in. Coming home I saw it was 2°C. I was thinking of Laurel's heroic race in -26°C temperatures and thinking I was pretty lucky - compared to the conditions in Canada, Belgium is nearly tropical! I still bundled up, very grateful for the cute fleece running hat Katy gave me for Christmas. I have been wearing it not just running, but walking and biking too, since we got back.

I did a big loop around the neighborhood, 7.6 km in 55 minutes. I bumped into my neighbor Kristel, who was walking to pick up her son from school for lunch. Well, actually, I caught up to her! We walked together for a minute or two til our paths split up again.

When I got home I discovered while mapping my run on Map My Run that they have some workout calculator features, where you can figure out your pace, your calories burned, your BMI, etc for any run you map. Kind of like a Garmin, except you don't have to wear it! Pretty cool.

Then it was time to wash the windows - because the only downside to when it is bright and sunny, is that unfortunately you can see ALL THE DIRT on the windows, can't you?

14 years ago...

14 years ago today, I became a mother! Hard to believe he is so old, so tall, so independent...I can still remember those chubby toddler hands and the funny things he said. So many memories! Also unforgettable: our trip to London, just the two of us, when he was five - what an adventure on the Eurostar (see pic!)

Happy Birthday, Florian!

Just a little recap on the running front (only 5 1/2 weeks til the half marathon!): we ran 10 km out at the lake on Sunday, we were lucky with cold but very sunny weather and it went well, taking us 65 minutes to finish. This morning, I went to the gym, did 4 km on the treadmill in 31 minutes and then took my Bodyvive class, which was fun. I actually think I am starting to catch on to some of the choreography - yay!

Senseless Tragedy

Thanks to everyone who got in touch on Friday about the stabbings at a daycare center here in Belgium. Nobody we knew personally was affected, but my heart goes out to the babies, parents, brothers and sisters, grandparents, and the women who devoted their days to taking care of small children there. Everyone here is devastated.

A Day Early

Got my mid-week longish run in a day early since I have to be home tomorrow for workmen. My left glute was tight the whole way, probably from yesterday's exercise class. But I got 6.5 km in in 50 minutes. Not as fast as I am accustomed to, but at least I got out there and got it done.

Now I am thinking of making falafel with the chickpeas I cooked from scratch last Friday, before I have to give up and throw them out!

Just briefly...

Hop, skipped and jumped to the gym this morning, did 3.2 on the treadmill (2 miles easy on the Runner's World plan) in 22 minutes and then headed for the Bodyvive class, which is still an hour of pure concentration to keep up with but very enjoyable! And sweaty...

Have a great day!

Tag!

Alex of Making Waves tagged me with some questions that recap 2008....here it goes!

My favourite memory of 2008: crossing the finish line at my first half marathon and being overwhelmed by emotions as they put the medal around my neck

My favourite movie of 2008: Into The Wild. I read the book many years ago and the story still has a hold on me. Just the whole idea of giving up everything, including most material possessions and relying solely on yourself is incredibly intriguing. The movie was tragic and beautiful, even though the end is hard to watch. Sean Penn is a talented director, and I really liked Emile Hirsch's portrayal of Chris.

My favourite food of 2008: This year I learned to love tofu! My favorite way to eat it is cut into cubes and simply stirfried in a bit of oil until golden brown, and then add some stir fried veggies and garlic and maybe some soy sauce - yum!

My favourite place in 2008: London with Stefaan and the boys, especially the day we spent in Greenwich

My favourite event in 2008: The Disney Half Marathon

What I am looking forward to most in 2009: so many things! Felix's first badminton tournaments, running another half with Mom and Jenny, redecorating our bedroom and getting our plumbing problem downstairs sorted, more workshops with Linda, lunches out with good friends, a possible London trip for Stefaan and me, Florian's big ski adventure, Mom and Dad's visit for Gillis' holy communion, and Gillis starting secondary school in September. That's about as far as I have thought at this point!

I suppose it's my turn now to tag someone else.... Mom, you're it!

Good Decision

The weather forecast said rain and strong winds for this morning, so I decided last night that I would get up on time, see how it looked outside, and if it indeed looked pretty bad, I would get to the gym when it opens at 9 and do my run there. I had to do 6 lake loops which translates to 8.4 km, which is still reasonable on a treadmill.

Well, it wasn't raining when I got up, but it sure was windy - if there is one thing I dislike worse than running in rain, it is running in gusting winds - so I headed to the gym. Did 8.7 km in 63 minutes, stretched a little and headed home - in the pouring rain! So I was glad I had made the decision to run on the treadmill inside where it was dry and warm.

I was a bit worried my knee was going to bother me, because we were moving some furniture downstairs yesterday and it wasn't easy on my knees! But it was fine. Now we've had lunch and are going to tackle the rest of the furniture!

Good luck to Mark, who is running a half marathon today - I can't wait to see how fast he runs!
Go Mark go!