Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Bunny Hill or Ski Bunny?!?

Last week on what was 'Family Day' we all went skiing.

It was my first time.

Never really thought of skiing as being my thing. I have always been strong in sports just never really liked the idea of doing something that you can fall at. Fail, I do not have a problem with, fall...totally different story.

Same thing with skating. Although I can do it, and took lessons as a child. I remember not really enjoying it, I was timid because I was always afraid of falling.

Thing is we have a trip coming up, a ski trip, for March Break. We all know that Geordie can ski, remember?!? Well, we figured that I should learn so that Callum could have some time to do the trickier hills and Geordie would not have to stay off the hills at that time.

So, last Monday up to Martock we went...

Both Geordie and I had a lesson. Different instructors, of course. Geordie's lesson was on the big hill. Mine started on a very small hill; far away from the bunny hill. While Geordie was learning French fry turns and hockey stops I was learning pizza turns and snowplow stops.

So, here is Geordie. This is now our retirement plan...



Notice the backwards skiing, first time doing that. Wish we had filmed him by the end of the day. He could go front to back and back to front again and again in the blink of an eye.

Then there is me. Well, I do not have the NO FEAR of Geordie but I was much better than I thought I would be. When I put on the boots, I thought that I would hate it! Those are the most uncomfortable things to wear!

So I have my lesson, I do okay. I fell once...and you know what?! I didn't get hurt. Once I had the fall behind me I was fearless! Okay, maybe I wasn't but it makes for such a better story!

After my lesson Callum and Geordie joined me on the bunny hill and we all went down together. Well, Callum stayed by me, Geordie went down, back up and down again in the one time it took us to go down.

Finally, my third time going down after my lesson went great, or so I thought...

Here are the thoughts that were going through my head as I go down the bunny hill ;

- I'm AWESOME!
- I can't believe I'm going this fast...ALREADY!!!
- I'm a natural!!
- Why is this the first time I'm trying this?!?
- I'm too awesome to start so late!
- Sure, not as good as Jenn Heil but I'm sure she was just like me!
- The possibilities that I threw away by not skiing until now?!
- I could have been an Olympian!!
- The speed I am going is unreal!
- The hill is going to use me as an example to all

yes, all these thoughts, and more...

Now, of course I prefer to show my Princessy, gorgeous, totally put together side but here, for one time only, I will show my, well, spazzy side. Very few people see this...and yes, I am sharing it with y'all!!

When watching, please remember all the thoughts that were going through my head while this is taking place...and that the camera adds 10lbs! ;)



I have a problem with staring at my feet as I go making me look even more spazzy...
The next time I went down, again, the same thoughts were going through my head until Geordie passes me going much, much faster; does a hockey stop in front of me; turns around and starts skiing backwards saying, "Mummy!! You're doing great!! Come on!! You Can Do It!! Just follow me!!"

Bubble burst!
Then I see the video...now I question EVERYTHING I have ever done where I thought I did a great job and looked cool!! :(


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Monday, February 8, 2010

So! I Ran a 1/2 Marathon...

...and lived!!! Although, let me tell you, it was very shaky towards the end!

The morning started out great. I was psyched that it was at 9AM! We usually have runs at 8:30AM and I am NOT a morning person. Could not do it to save my life! I'm totally one of those '5 minutes makes so much of a difference in the morning' type so having a whole half hour?!? Pure Heaven!

Anyway... it was said that it was -10C (14F). Although it felt cold, I did not think that it was THAT cold! The gals that I have latched on to all met up and then we went to the starting post.

You see us? We're in the back!
Doing something I like to call 'penguining' (see Happy Feet if unsure of that one!)
So...now do you see us?


Don't worry...neither do I! This is just here to give you an idea.
On to the run;


Started out great, there wasn't as much talk as there usually is but all was good!
It was a little annoying when the wind was against you. Then you think, great it will be behind us when we come back! Think again...this is Nova Scotia! The wind changes in the blink of an eye! Therefore, the wind seemed to almost always be against us!

Half way through I had to stop to un-stuff my socks that were bunching up under my toes. Let me tell you, THAT HURTS! Lesson learned; do not wear socks that you have only worn on shorter runs.

Then we're on the last bit... 0.6K left to be exact (0.372822 mi). Almost to the top of the steep hill that is at the end. I start to feel nauseous. I try to ignore it. It's getting worse. I mention it to my amazingly super understanding great running friend. Next thing I know I'm finding it hard to focus and all I'm hearing is, "Helen! Helen! Look at me!" over and over.

At this point here is what is running through my head;

1) I'm going to faint! Why am I going to faint?!? There's only .6 left!!

2) Kelly needs to leave me! I'm close I will be fine! She needs to go! I can't ruin this for her!

3) OH NO!!! I'm not going to make it!! I have come this far.

4) Okay...how am I going to finish it?!? Do you think I can crawl?

My friend squirts Gatorade in my mouth. I sit down, she stuffs jelly beans in my mouth. Seriously! She holds my face and stuffs them in! At this point I remember her saying, "they fell on white snow, it's okay!". In her haste to get the beans out for me they all fell out of her pocket. Would love to see how the dog acts who finds those.

A minute or two later we were walking out of the park and then running the rest of the way. At that point I felt great! We were at the end and what makes it even better is having the rest of the crew at the end yelling for you...and bacon!


THE END!

You don't seriously think that I got away with it that easily do you?!?

Finished the Half, gave out hugs, put in my popsicle stick number, went on about the 'about to faint' situation. Then, walking to the car, in the parking lot... slip on some ice and WHAM!, down on the ground!

Best feeling in the world! That cold ice and snow on my back and legs...well, I highly recommend it to anyone after a half marathon! :)


Here's to my first half and great running mates!


Next one is in May! :oP


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