Banff

I heart Melissa's Road Race...it is, without a doubt, my most favourite race EVER.  I love the mountains, I love this time of year, I love Banff.  Period.

 

 

I actually look like I'm having fun!!  Drove out Friday night, after another incredible dinner at NOtaBLE in Calgary.  Started with a seafood hot pot for appetizer - oh, so freaking good - and moved on to the grilled tuna for supper.  Finish with roasted peach pound cake and huckleberry ice cream.  I had to run 20+ km on Saturday, to work off that feast!!!!

 

Saturday in the mountains was beyond perfection...weather was warm, but not too hot, sunny but not too bright.  Very little breeze.  In fact, this was the first time in years that I didn't get sandblasted on the golf course.  Of course, this means the wrinkles on the right side of my face will now stay! Sad!

 

After the race (2:41 - I am pleased), we ended up at the Rose & Crown in Banff, where copious pints of Guinness were raised and drained.  Then, after a quick soak/shower, it was dinner at Magpie & Stump (TexMex) before collapsing back at the hotel at 11.  Solid 10+ hours sleep (okay, not so solid, but only two episodes of night sweats), a 5.5km wander around Banff, coffee and then home and back to reality.  One day, Banff will be my reality.  Yes it will!!

 

Donated blood tonight - after all, I did my best to up my iron intake on the weekend! - and after finished, and heading over for my cookie, I was reaching for my OJ when one of the volunteers was like "oh, you're dripping"...guess that sounds better than "GUSHER!!!"...I bled everywhere!!!  Weird, because it had stopped...both the nurse and I checked it and I had clotted.  Wrapped the arm tight, cleaned up the mess (I cleaned me, they cleaned everything else), finally had my cookie and OJ, and then after another 5 minutes and confirming no more leaking, I picked up H-woman and took off for Indian buffet.  I am FULL.  Indian buffet good, but too tempting. 

 

Getting ready to hit the hay...trying to get more sleep, as I'm hopeful it makes this whole menopause thing go smoother.  I'm tired of being tired.  I'm tired of waking up soaking wet and I'm very tired of bursting into flames at the drop of a hat!  But it's not new and it won't kill me (gosh, I hope it won't!) so this too shall pass.  Right???  Right!

 

Today I am grateful for Banff...elk trumpeting, deer, coyotes casually watching runners, Guinness, good food, awesome friends, inspirational cancer survivors who make me run better just to keep up, Guinness (needs to be mentioned twice!), fresh mountain air, clear blue streams, BIG rocks, blue skies, warm sunshine...

 

Gratitude, 



Mud!

Before...

After!!!

My third obstacle race of the year...it's becoming my favourite thing to do.  I don't do them fast by any stretch (scared of water and respectful of heights!), but I go in trying my best and succeeding at most.  Yesterday's was run with a group of great friends, and we ran it as a team, helping each other up and over when needed:

  - straw mountains - imagine the big straw rolls, on their side, with others piled on top...up and over everyone.

  - walls...no toe or hand holds on these bad boys.  So, whoever gets up first, lean over and help the rest of us.

  - loads of mud...ponds, trenches, slides, rope swings, army crawls.  There was a lot of mud!

  - slanty walls with ropes...short ropes...but made it over!

  - cattle fences (easy-peasy compared to everything else)

We laughed, we ran, we laughed some more, we walked, we swam (okay, others swam...I survived) and we even had a team-member go down (twisted ankle) but no one was left behind.  We just went slower.  A perfect hot, sunny day and most fun had by all.  Can't wait for next year.

Decided that I should actually do some running today, since I have not one but 3 Half marathons in the next 3 weeks, followed by the Nike San Fran marathon in October.  Since this is not the year of the PB for me, I'm not fretting or stressing about it all.  My races will be what they will be.  I just plan on having fun...that has become my mantra this year.  However, met up with a friend, and we did a lovely 10k at a 7:40 pace.  It was overcast and the perfect temperature for a run this morning, and I finished feeling great.  After a morning of coffee and catching up with my fellow runners, I took Mom for her weekly burger and Purdy's supplies.  Can't believe the weekend is over already.  Sad for me.

Not sure which is going to be more painful in the morning...6am bootcamp, my dentist appointment or having to drive to the NE again....I'm going with the drive.  First world problems, huh?  I know...suck it up, buttercup!

Today (and this weekend) I am grateful for my friends that don't care how fast or slow we run, as long as we run together.  Hugs to you all!

Gratitude,