See you in June!
Monday, May 5, 2014
I'm off to Thailand!
As you're reading this, I am most likely on my way to Thailand! So I won't be posting anything until the end of May, and now you know why!
See you in June!
See you in June!
Sunday, May 4, 2014
My first half marathon: Success! ...Sort of.
I mean, I finished it...!
Last night, I was too excited to sleep (which is understandable, a half marathon is a big deal!), so I only got 3 hours of sleep. Normally, that's not really a big deal, since I can act completely rational and function properly with 0 minutes of sleep, but again, this is a half marathon we're talking about!
So, my mom and I headed to Assiniboine Park, where the start and finish lines were and tried to keep our nerves in check. I didn't feel too nervous; I felt good. My legs didn't hurt, I had been able to keep my breakfast down (I've been having some stomach problems lately), and I was excited to do this!
As soon as we started, things took a turn for the worst. My legs felt weaker than weak, as if I had actually run the half yesterday, and my old injuries came back in a flash. All of a sudden, my calves were on fire, my knees ached and I was started to freak out. I wasn't even one mile down, and my legs were already done.
I managed to run the first mile without really stopping. I had some good music and people everywhere around me. But I started to feel worse and worse, to the point that by mile 4, I thought I was either going to puke or pass out, or both at the same time! I was ready to quit. I could barely walk anymore, much less run, and I just wanted it to be over.
I persisted. I wanted to finish this so bad, that despite it all, I kept going. I told my mom that I couldn't run anymore, and we would have to walk it. She insisted on running as much as possible, so we ran at very small intervals (like, 30 seconds-a minute of running and 3-4 minutes of walking) until about mile 7, when I officially quit. No. More. Running.
I was running on 3 hours of sleep and an empty stomach, and my calves felt like there was a knife stuck in them. We were halfway, and I was wanted to finish this, but it would have to be by walking, and that's what we did!
My mom walked a little faster than me, and even though I kept telling her she could run ahead and I would meet her at the finish line, she stayed with me the whole time. I honestly wouldn't have been able to do it without her. Merci maman. Je n'aurais jamais pu le faire sans toi.
The miles seemed to drag on forever, never ending and I felt like I wouldn't survive, but finally, mile 12 rolled around and before I knew it (actually, a lot after I knew it), we were a few hundred feet from the finish line. I decided to run. I needed to finish this running, so I went off, and almost tripped because my legs were too weak, and cross the finish line!
I took us three and a half hours to complete this half marathon, but we finished it. And even if right now, my body is saying NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS WILL I DO THIS EVER AGAIN, my mind is even more determined to run another, and actually run it this time.
I finished the race, I got my medal, and I am so proud of myself for doing this, even if I am a little disappointed that I couldn't do better, there will always be another race, and next time, I will kick ass!
EDIT: The 2014 WPS Half Marathon has raised over 1 million dollars in support of Manitobans fighting cancer!!!
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| 1. This guy ran the entire half marathon in a Stormtrooper costume because it's Star Wars Day! 2. Pre-race mom and me 3. Elvis was cheering us on at mile 11! |
Last night, I was too excited to sleep (which is understandable, a half marathon is a big deal!), so I only got 3 hours of sleep. Normally, that's not really a big deal, since I can act completely rational and function properly with 0 minutes of sleep, but again, this is a half marathon we're talking about!
So, my mom and I headed to Assiniboine Park, where the start and finish lines were and tried to keep our nerves in check. I didn't feel too nervous; I felt good. My legs didn't hurt, I had been able to keep my breakfast down (I've been having some stomach problems lately), and I was excited to do this!
As soon as we started, things took a turn for the worst. My legs felt weaker than weak, as if I had actually run the half yesterday, and my old injuries came back in a flash. All of a sudden, my calves were on fire, my knees ached and I was started to freak out. I wasn't even one mile down, and my legs were already done.
I managed to run the first mile without really stopping. I had some good music and people everywhere around me. But I started to feel worse and worse, to the point that by mile 4, I thought I was either going to puke or pass out, or both at the same time! I was ready to quit. I could barely walk anymore, much less run, and I just wanted it to be over.
I persisted. I wanted to finish this so bad, that despite it all, I kept going. I told my mom that I couldn't run anymore, and we would have to walk it. She insisted on running as much as possible, so we ran at very small intervals (like, 30 seconds-a minute of running and 3-4 minutes of walking) until about mile 7, when I officially quit. No. More. Running.
I was running on 3 hours of sleep and an empty stomach, and my calves felt like there was a knife stuck in them. We were halfway, and I was wanted to finish this, but it would have to be by walking, and that's what we did!
My mom walked a little faster than me, and even though I kept telling her she could run ahead and I would meet her at the finish line, she stayed with me the whole time. I honestly wouldn't have been able to do it without her. Merci maman. Je n'aurais jamais pu le faire sans toi.
The miles seemed to drag on forever, never ending and I felt like I wouldn't survive, but finally, mile 12 rolled around and before I knew it (actually, a lot after I knew it), we were a few hundred feet from the finish line. I decided to run. I needed to finish this running, so I went off, and almost tripped because my legs were too weak, and cross the finish line!
 |
| Waving at dad by the finish line. |
 |
| That's us crossing the finish line! |
I. Got. My. Medal!!!
I took us three and a half hours to complete this half marathon, but we finished it. And even if right now, my body is saying NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS WILL I DO THIS EVER AGAIN, my mind is even more determined to run another, and actually run it this time.
 |
| Can you tell I was tired?! |
I finished the race, I got my medal, and I am so proud of myself for doing this, even if I am a little disappointed that I couldn't do better, there will always be another race, and next time, I will kick ass!
EDIT: The 2014 WPS Half Marathon has raised over 1 million dollars in support of Manitobans fighting cancer!!!
Saturday, May 3, 2014
This is it!
After 12 weeks of training and over 160 miles run, I am finally running this half marathon tomorrow!
I went from not doing any exercise whatsoever to running an average of 14 miles a week. I have lost almost 15 pounds, my energy has gone up, I have found a new confidence and I feel great! I can't believe how far I've come these past 12 weeks.
Yesterday I went to pick up my race kit: I got my bib (that's runner-talk for that number-thing that you put on your shirt) and my half-marathon shirt! I'm getting very nervous as I ice my legs, hoping they'll be in top shape for tomorrow!
Here's more info about the half-marathon: WPSHalfMarathon
I went from not doing any exercise whatsoever to running an average of 14 miles a week. I have lost almost 15 pounds, my energy has gone up, I have found a new confidence and I feel great! I can't believe how far I've come these past 12 weeks.
Yesterday I went to pick up my race kit: I got my bib (that's runner-talk for that number-thing that you put on your shirt) and my half-marathon shirt! I'm getting very nervous as I ice my legs, hoping they'll be in top shape for tomorrow!
Here's more info about the half-marathon: WPSHalfMarathon
Wish me luck!
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
How to Pack Light Like a Pro
I'm quite proud of my skill when it comes to packing for a trip. Whether it's for a weekend camping trip or six weeks in Germany, I can fit it all in my bag/suitcase and I pack light, so I thought I would share a few of my secrets.
The first, is this interactive packing list I found on IndependentTraveler.com. It gives you a lengthy list of almost anything you might need on any kind of trip, then you select the ones you want and it puts all the items in a neat little printable list for you! I always use this when I go on a longer vacation, just to make sure I don't forget anything.
Personally, though, I like writing my lists by hand, so I can check off what I have, and colour-code the rest (laundry, to buy, last minute), and then when it gets too crowded, I can compile the leftover items into a new list!
As I check off items, I put them in different piles: Pants and shorts, Tops, Dresses, PJs and bigger items (Jacket, bathing suit bag, towel). Keep in mind, all of this is for almost a month of travelling with no laundry stops... (Minus the underwear, but who really wants to see that?)
Then, there's toiletries. I tend to always go a little overboard with those. I'm not a fan of travel-sized bottles, simply because I find that one shampoo bottle lasts about 4 days if I try really hard. And it's not always guaranteed there will be shampoo and soap in hostels, so I just bring Dollorama stuff that I can leave behind at the end of the trip. That way, I'm sure not to run out, and it's extra room I can use for souvenirs! 
And that orange bag at the back? That's a waterproof bag that I will be using to carry my toiletries in my bag so they don't leak, and also my valuables when I go take a shower!In case you were wondering, the Eucerin bottle is an after-sun lotion that I bought in Germany. It does miracles, and I will definitely need this in Thailand! Also, I always bring a Swiss Army knife with me. Those little guys are always useful! As are band-aids.. Especially with my track record of injuries...Of course, there are a few things missing in this pile, but those are just the last minute things I need to add the night before (i.e. Toothbrush) Question is, how do you keep your shampoo bottle that's too big for a Ziploc bag from leaking? Here's the answer! Just put a plastic bag between the cap and the bottle, then wrap the bag around the bottle!
One thing I also do, is that from the clothes I plan on bringing, I take out a comfortable outfit that I will wear on the plane, that way I'm not bringing any extra clothes, and it leaves more room in my bag (always bring a sweater, even in a tropical country. Airplanes are evil for their air conditioning and some nights can be pretty chilly).The last thing I do, is I stuff everything in my bag WITHOUT folding it. If it all fits without being properly folded, that means there will be lots of room on the way back when it will be neatly rolled and tucked in every tiny little empty space.
And voila! That's how you pack light like a pro!
The first, is this interactive packing list I found on IndependentTraveler.com. It gives you a lengthy list of almost anything you might need on any kind of trip, then you select the ones you want and it puts all the items in a neat little printable list for you! I always use this when I go on a longer vacation, just to make sure I don't forget anything.
Personally, though, I like writing my lists by hand, so I can check off what I have, and colour-code the rest (laundry, to buy, last minute), and then when it gets too crowded, I can compile the leftover items into a new list!
As I check off items, I put them in different piles: Pants and shorts, Tops, Dresses, PJs and bigger items (Jacket, bathing suit bag, towel). Keep in mind, all of this is for almost a month of travelling with no laundry stops... (Minus the underwear, but who really wants to see that?)
Then, there's toiletries. I tend to always go a little overboard with those. I'm not a fan of travel-sized bottles, simply because I find that one shampoo bottle lasts about 4 days if I try really hard. And it's not always guaranteed there will be shampoo and soap in hostels, so I just bring Dollorama stuff that I can leave behind at the end of the trip. That way, I'm sure not to run out, and it's extra room I can use for souvenirs! And that orange bag at the back? That's a waterproof bag that I will be using to carry my toiletries in my bag so they don't leak, and also my valuables when I go take a shower!In case you were wondering, the Eucerin bottle is an after-sun lotion that I bought in Germany. It does miracles, and I will definitely need this in Thailand! Also, I always bring a Swiss Army knife with me. Those little guys are always useful! As are band-aids.. Especially with my track record of injuries...Of course, there are a few things missing in this pile, but those are just the last minute things I need to add the night before (i.e. Toothbrush) Question is, how do you keep your shampoo bottle that's too big for a Ziploc bag from leaking? Here's the answer! Just put a plastic bag between the cap and the bottle, then wrap the bag around the bottle!Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Life Lately
I've been really absent lately... And for that I apologize. I've had no motivation to write at all, and it's not like there has been anything interesting going on in the past couple of weeks. Regardless, here's what I've been up to.
Also, probably the thing I'm most proud of: My documentary got in the University of Winnipeg Film Festival! It will be on the big screen tomorrow night and I can't wait to see it! On top of that, the Rockland Youth Film Festival contacted me via Twitter and want me to enter my film in their film festival!
I can't believe that I got in on my first try! I promise an update on this very soon.
- I finished my last exam of the year on the 19th and I've been doing virtually nothing ever since, and it feels awesome. (I managed to watch all eight seasons of How I Met Your Mother on Netflix in a week, because that's how much time to waste I have!)
- I haven't run in a week, due mostly to laziness and because I'm sick, so I feel terrible about this upcoming half-marathon.
- I'm running my first half-marathon in 5 days!!!!
- My knee is very slowly getting better...
- I've been sick - It started off as violent nausea after every time I ate, to actual pain in my abdomen, so I went to see the doctor and it could either be some kind of bug/infection or an ulcer... Yay me!
- I just got my grade back for an essay I did on Quinoa... A+! Probably my only A this term...
- Today I started packing for my trip to Thailand! For those of you who didn't know, I'm leaving for Thailand on Monday, so in 6 days! (And yes, it's the day after the half-marathon)
- The snow is pretty much all gone!!
- Oh... and I may have also given up on this month's 30 Day Challenge... Oops!
Also, probably the thing I'm most proud of: My documentary got in the University of Winnipeg Film Festival! It will be on the big screen tomorrow night and I can't wait to see it! On top of that, the Rockland Youth Film Festival contacted me via Twitter and want me to enter my film in their film festival!
I can't believe that I got in on my first try! I promise an update on this very soon.
