tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66432370480318756392024-02-20T03:18:06.951-07:00Fabulosi-TLife's too short NOT to be fabulousAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09257239139661686540noreply@blogger.comBlogger337125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643237048031875639.post-74170381314939600002016-07-01T11:41:00.005-06:002016-07-01T11:41:55.132-06:00Happy Birthday Canada<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Happy 149th Birthday Canada!! </div>
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I am taking it easy today, as I have a killer mountain halfmarathon tomorrow! </div>
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Hurrah for #mountainsforbreakfast</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuCkT_MQd7D6PvuGuoZ1BMrwsBpzNVCpoigF8_WEpehU06eHic5G8ooyeYwnTiM9z1r2vJpbOa7XeeNgLwJGYbKf37FQXjO24UJlUfzFtlNn9m0i51V14mEytmUUTvly8coTyLm21SxH3/s1600/CanadaDay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuCkT_MQd7D6PvuGuoZ1BMrwsBpzNVCpoigF8_WEpehU06eHic5G8ooyeYwnTiM9z1r2vJpbOa7XeeNgLwJGYbKf37FQXjO24UJlUfzFtlNn9m0i51V14mEytmUUTvly8coTyLm21SxH3/s400/CanadaDay.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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#alltheFAB</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09257239139661686540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643237048031875639.post-33752383956728738322016-05-27T06:23:00.000-06:002016-05-27T06:23:05.548-06:00FABFriday: Race Weekend is HERE<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: magenta;">whoohooo!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">It's #FABFriday</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">AND ITS A RACE WEEKEND!</span></b></div>
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It is an ultra fab week of running! </div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">What's up for you? </span></b><br />
It's been a week of running really....<br />
Last weekend there was a halfmarathon in Red Deer (never mind the miserable rain and sleet).<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This weekend, I have a 10km race at the <b><a href="http://www.rmswomensrun.com/">Rocky Mountain Soap Run</a></b> followed immediately by a plunge in some glacial waters, then a date with Mr Foamie. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Sunday is my 45th HALFMARA</b></span><b style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> at the <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2px; text-align: start;"><a href="http://calgarymarathon.com/" style="color: #ac27ff; text-decoration: none;">Calgary Marathon</a>.</span> </b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am running for <b><span style="color: red;">MS Canada</span></b> - go <b><a href="http://fabulosi-t.blogspot.ca/2016/04/who-do-you-run-for-make-choosing.html">#teamCara</a></b>! </span><br />
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The plan is to run steady. And, for the 5k, not get swarmed or tripped by children.<br />
Shake those tired legs...and remember to run for those who cannot.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: small;"><i>Just a little hint that I shall be laser focused in muh superhero costume....</i></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have another goal ----> Cross the finishline smiling. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcS6lNIi1eUqm6w8CxKsS-wrGscAs8xs6qJzMuUeojHdxMFfnLFBTuBcYb0Y_oCOnikstD7uBAF4XJBSOGhD82dzVHuM902MJjiza_9Vtg30vus6ANYd5FhZ-S9NNibag5tQT5lcdmGLlT/s1600/calgarymara_Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcS6lNIi1eUqm6w8CxKsS-wrGscAs8xs6qJzMuUeojHdxMFfnLFBTuBcYb0Y_oCOnikstD7uBAF4XJBSOGhD82dzVHuM902MJjiza_9Vtg30vus6ANYd5FhZ-S9NNibag5tQT5lcdmGLlT/s400/calgarymara_Collage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Given I have done this the past SIX years, I think that is totally doable! </div>
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I do intend to push myself in the half, but given all the miles happening...it won't be a FAST run.</div>
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But it WILL be FABULOUS! </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I MAY be also running the 5k a few hours later ...haha...</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Not to mention some volunteering for package pick up or stuffing AND working at the run expo...it's going to be busy!</span>!<br />
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Let's hope I am not looking like THIS on Monday! <br />
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<span class="st" style="color: magenta;"><b style="font-size: x-large;">Life. It's Fabulous.</b></span><br />
<span class="st"><strong><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong></span><span class="st" style="color: #f1c232;"><strong>Embrace it. Love it.</strong></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">FAB it up!</span></b></div>
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<span class="st"><strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><strike>Laugh</strike> Run yer arse off.</span></strong></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09257239139661686540noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643237048031875639.post-35168543105264731042016-05-26T09:00:00.000-06:002016-05-26T09:00:01.192-06:00Race Day Water: Calgary Marathon<b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">YAHOOO!! It's race weekend! Are you ready?</b><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">I have got most of my miles in and my aim is to finish with a smile! </b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;"><i>And thank all the awesome folks out there cheering us on! Thank YOU vollys!</i></span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">We runners love volunteers. </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">We Hi-5 em at races! We shout that we couldn't do it without them. We give and get hugs on course. We even let them dump water on us on those super hot days!</span><br />
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But have you wondered what happens to get the WATER on course? Or about the logistics that happen to ensure everything runs smoothly on race day?</div>
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Planning for a race like the <a href="http://www.calgarymarathon.com/" style="color: #ac27ff; text-decoration: none;">Calgary Marathon</a> begins as soon as the course has been finalized and approved by the City. It takes months of work! Flexibility is key -- because this time of year can also mean construction! Once planning is done..then come the runners. And with more than 10,000 of us, you have got to give kudos to the teams who 'make it happen'! </div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">In honour of of FAB volunteers who work so hard to put on a road race ... here are a few factoids about Calgary Mara's water logistics!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEc01fs9qf-tD1ICP-ewc7deABjV-LYRy9J5nvX-nPR5DgZ0Zex-bgeC6fyQW0phTY5AGM-MfwWJX4g8rumu5a4yep2zklri7qDETr6K2hpzdiSM2Ak_thhdwUJI_AE7ipNTg9Q_9cqP-P/s1600/tinawater2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEc01fs9qf-tD1ICP-ewc7deABjV-LYRy9J5nvX-nPR5DgZ0Zex-bgeC6fyQW0phTY5AGM-MfwWJX4g8rumu5a4yep2zklri7qDETr6K2hpzdiSM2Ak_thhdwUJI_AE7ipNTg9Q_9cqP-P/s400/tinawater2016.jpg" width="253" /></a>
<li style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.4;"><span style="line-height: 1.4;">The logistics team makes a plan, then maps the route, then </span><span style="line-height: 1.4;">drives the route and takes photos of areas where each water station is planned.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.4;">A route report (driving instructions, photos) is created and then given to aid station captains, port-a-pottie delivery guys, and water, equipment truck drivers. This detailed description ensures equipment, water and people all show up in the correct spot!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.4;">The logistics team calculates how many run through each aid station - resulting in a spreadsheet detailing equipment needed at each location – cups, tables, garbage cans, rakes, jugs, water, or gels! This year there are 10,000 (or so) runners! </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.4;">The night before the race, it takes about 5 hours to load trucks to be ready for race day set up. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.4;">Starting at 430am on race day, volunteers drop off the equipment and do set up. Other vollys make their way to each station as assigned. And then more volunteers take it all down. There are a whole lot of folks out there but SOME are not finished until 6 pm. That is a long day!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.4;">While YOU might see 3 or 4 volunteers at an aid station, there are several shifts. </span><span style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.4;">On race day every aid station has had between 12-40 people working there to ‘make it happen’.</span></li>
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<b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This year Calgary Marathon has 13 aid stations </span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">with 2 bonus “water only” stations</span></b></div>
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<b><b><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">THAT means marathoners get 17 aid stops and 50k-ers get 19!</span></b></b></div>
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<i style="line-height: 18.2px;"><b><span style="color: #93c47d;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: small;">*M</span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: small;">arathoners get water twice at aid station 11 and 12 along Memorial Drive*</span></span></b></i><br />
<i style="line-height: 18.2px;"><b><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: small;">**The 50k-ers pass by 4 times!**</span></b></i><br />
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<i><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">How much water is that? </span></b></i></div>
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Not including finish line or the water bottles you get with food<br />
<span style="line-height: 18.2px;">Calgary Marathon uses about 550 5-gallon water bottles!</span></div>
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That means well over 100,000 paper cups for the course alone! </div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">No wonder it’s a great idea to GO GREEN and bring your refillable water bottle!</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>MUCH THANKS & SHOUTOUTS to</b></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Michelle Simonin, Logistics Coordinator </b></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Barrie Griffiths and Bina Wade, Aid Station Coordinators</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">on the Calgary Marathon Committee!</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18.2px;"><b>Their work keeps us runners hydrated and happy. </b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>Hi5 (or hug) a volunteer when you see one on race day! </b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09257239139661686540noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643237048031875639.post-12847611323700634832016-05-11T14:24:00.000-06:002016-05-11T19:40:28.542-06:00Run, Bling, Reset!It's no secret I have been feeling<a href="http://fabulosi-t.blogspot.ca/2016/02/ive-been-away.html"> off and rather down</a> for sometime. So I have made conscious choices to incorporate FUN into the run. And look for inspiration on the paths and trails for the past few months.This past weekend was no exception! I had some fun on the paths and park on Saturday then headed out to the trails and to do a little volunteering Sunday. Perfect - training and laughs rolled into one.<br />
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<b><i>Good for the soul and the head and heart.</i></b><br />
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This past Saturday was the inaugural St. Patrick's Island Fun Run. As part of my role as a ForeRunner (ambassador) for the <a href="http://www.calgarymarathon.com/">Calgary Marathon</a> I was given
two complimentary entries. I asked my pal Tara to come along, since we have been having terrible time hooking up with our crazy work schedules. It would give us some time to catch up and chat about all kinds of things and get planning on something special that is coming up soon (shhh it's a secret tho) so don't tell anyone. </div>
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Early Saturday morning, this hot mess got up, walked to Starbucks, then took the train downtown to go get to the race. I had intentions of doing a quick run first, but then i started running into people who were also at the race - and that plan sort of flew out the window. </div>
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The start was about a kilometre from the finish...so after Tara arrived I popped my stuff (including my water bottle - DOH) into her car. We forerunners were trying to snap a pic pre-race, but it was too crowded so we decided to meet up at the finish area - with the snacks and drinks! </div>
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The race started with all of us on the bridge and went for a couple kilometers on an out-and-back section
along the river, then back into St Patrick's Island. As we headed back for a loop around the island, we were serenaded by a fab woman with a ukelele! Oh wait, I forgot to say it was a aloha island theme! </div>
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St Pat's is a fav spot of mine and the repairs and upgrades since the flood a few years ago have it looking downright amazing. It's one of my favourite pathways but also there is playground, amphitheater, art...and really all around great views!<br />
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The run wasn't chip timed but Tara and I came in around the 28 minute mark. </div>
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Tara is much faster than me, so she really kept me going today and it was sort of funny we talked the whole way...sometimes it got a bit breathy tho! It was a good effort. Man, was it hot...should have brought water along - I know better!<br />
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As we crossed the finish line we were given leis, then grabbed some water and a banana.</div>
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The Calgary Mara forerunners posed for a few quick snaps - nice to meet a few new people I only see on social media and spend some time chatting!<br />
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<b>Check out My fellow ForeRunners <a href="http://www.calgarymarathon.com/forerunners.html">HERE</a>! </b></div>
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Immediately after that we made a beeline to the food -<a href="http://janebondgrill.com/bbq/"> Jane Bond BBQ</a> food truck served up some mean pulled pork sandwiches which were DIVINE!!<br />
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The food lineup was a little long, but it gave me the opportunity for me to catch up with a whole bunch of runners I hadn't seen in ages...plus chat with Tara about wine options, dress shopping and event logistics. And laugh. A lot. It was bloody warm out - close to 30C - so we took some turns dashing for some water.</div>
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About an hour after the run started, Calgary marathon revealed its 2016 medals!! This year, there is a Super hero theme (I LOVE those ribbons) -- eek my 45th half marathon is in less than 3 weeks! And in keeping with the superhero theme I am dressing up. HINT: my outfit will be <b><span style="color: red;">SUPER</span></b><br />
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I spent the rest of the day fiddling around and getting ready to hit the trails in Canmore. My fab pal Melisa picked me up and we tore off for coffee then hit the road for the 45 min drive to the mountains. GORGEOUS!!<br />
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We then met Lisa - who had recently moved to Canmore - lucky duck!! And off we went.</div>
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Seriously the trails out here are the BEST! </div>
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Essentially we got in 10k or so on the mountain trails (ummm can yo say hill work??) before Lisa had to go to work and we hit the showers!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trails = Get Dirty!</td></tr>
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We then jetted off to before heading off to <a href="http://www.rockymountainsoap.com/"><b>Rocky Mountain Soap Company HQ</b></a> to volunteer for goodie bag stuffing (their <b><a href="http://www.rmswomensrun.com/">RACE</a></b> is at the end of the month and it really is an amazing one too). I will be running the 10k at that race Saturday and the Calgary HAlfmarathon on sunday! woot!<br />
There were a dozen or so of us and we packed something over 2000 bags in under 2.5 hours. And boxed them and put them on pallets! A workout that smelled great - haha.<br />
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What a great weekend, nice to reset that way. </div>
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Just before we left, I snapped this beauty of the Three Sisters! One is clearly hiding.... </div>
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Mountain air is the BEST!</div>
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This weekend is more trails and pathway running...so I cannot wait! </div>
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Yes to double runs to get those legs happy for the back-to-back awesome that awaits.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09257239139661686540noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643237048031875639.post-32395195907431338672016-05-09T13:08:00.003-06:002016-05-10T12:14:51.909-06:00FAB Water Station Tips! <span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Summer is Coming!!
</b>That means for many of us runners race season is upon us. For some of you, you might be wanting to also
do a little volunteering.
I have run a FEW races, and I have to say one of the most important jobs is the WATER STATION. After more than a couple races over the years that lacked water, I wanted to say ...OMG this is soooo important! And take the opportunity to provide a few tips on HOW to rock that water station</span>.
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><b>In any race, hydration is important. No matter how big or small a race is, water stations can
be a little intense. </b></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">In the past several years, I have manned stations
where no one else had even run a race let alone handed out water. I mean,
really, how hard could it be? </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Actually...it can be tougher than you think.</i> But if
you have only a few folks handing out water to a few hundred runners in a very
short time, it can be a fast and furious experience. Don't get me wrong, it may be intense but is also
super FUN!! </span></span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So, in case you or someone you know is manning a
station...I came up with some tips to help you be the most FAB aid
station volunteer EVER! This is (of course) my opinion but comes from running
races where aid stations were really awesome or really sucky. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Just wanna say this is <b>MY opinion</b> on helping at a water station. </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: inherit; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><i><b>Check with your Race Director or Volunteer Coordinator to know what their procedures are. </b></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: inherit; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><i><b>Big Races have procedures for a reason - cause they have thousands of runners!! </b></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: inherit; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><i><b>And prep is so very important! </b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">ARRIVE EARLY</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Be at your aid-station at least 30
minutes before the lead runners hit your aid-station. Depending on the size of
the event and the amount of stuff (gels, pretzels, water, electrolytes,
etc) you may even want to arrive 60+ minutes before the start. ASK your
volunteer coordinator or Race Director what they recommend - as every race has
different needs!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"> </span><i style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><b><span style="color: #333333;">Why so early? </span><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></b></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">There is a prep work to be done
BEFORE any runners arrive. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">You want to have it all done and be ready and
waiting before runners arrive. Tasks include setting up the table,
preparing and filling the water/nutrition coolers, filling hundreds of cups,
organizing the stuff (you might have gels or snacks depending on the race),
and setting up garbage cans. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">This stuff takes time to do and there is nothing
worse than a hundred runners descending upon you like a herd of velociraptors </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">and you do not have water even
poured or ready to go</span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">Trust me, that is stressful for you and the your fellow
volunteers. And it is confusing for runners too. Prep work ensures smooth
processes!</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Organize the Gel/Food/Water <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">When organizing your tables, position
the calorie items as the first thing the runners arrive to so they can wash the food down with some additional water before leaving the aid station. It is no
fun to have a gel (or pretzels or any food) in your mouth and no water to wash it down. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">In larger events, I have seen stations be organized with LOOONG tables -- water first, calories in the middle, and water again at the end of
the aid station area. This is an awesome way to go! </span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Spread Out </span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">On prep for runners arriving at the aid station, it is so important for spread out from one another. You want to give runners ample opportunity to grab water. And, if you have a ton coming all at once it is NOT a good idea to have all of the runners trying grab a cup within a squooshed up area. That way more folks can grab and go! </span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Let Runners Come To You<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Depending on how many volunteers and the size of the race, I prefer when vollys position alongside the road
inline with the tables.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"> </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVkM73W38vLE0S03fhBO4shRTHElN9oTGI6O1FL38kMEsj4U3U5-6FZbxxcsXNRVlfpkRELscxF9lLV2AWOTsuFLxoXtOe598xKjQC02OLQbjqJBdG5pHlqzs7wCbMLWd9RxQGkJZBFSGC/s1600/waterstationCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVkM73W38vLE0S03fhBO4shRTHElN9oTGI6O1FL38kMEsj4U3U5-6FZbxxcsXNRVlfpkRELscxF9lLV2AWOTsuFLxoXtOe598xKjQC02OLQbjqJBdG5pHlqzs7wCbMLWd9RxQGkJZBFSGC/s320/waterstationCollage.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">At trail events...the is often more stoppage and more food...but often less congestion too. Regardless, you want to allow those who want water to
move to you. This allows those runners who want to fly by to do so. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">It can get a bit confusing and
frustrating for runners if there are people handing out water in the middle of
the road. Standing in front of water table is good. Standing in middle of pathway so runners have to go around you is NOT good.</span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwob2AXGGOhw19QfcPcudYgIM1cn39P47Y7NzeHo5WuxObJpJruZYri2KILkRSeIkFKZxlgHSkv35sQ3JoOC2foRpmLm7WjpXpSTQCyhDx8WJfwOjAJxuRdW1kjpnFTscR1pKPHUhzc5dS/s1600/2015-10-26+13.06.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwob2AXGGOhw19QfcPcudYgIM1cn39P47Y7NzeHo5WuxObJpJruZYri2KILkRSeIkFKZxlgHSkv35sQ3JoOC2foRpmLm7WjpXpSTQCyhDx8WJfwOjAJxuRdW1kjpnFTscR1pKPHUhzc5dS/s320/2015-10-26+13.06.24.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">YES, we carried our cups with us for the full race!! 10km of FAB! </span></b></td></tr>
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<i><b><span style="color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Many runners bring their own hydration. </span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;">Have a JUG and someone handy who can help refill the bladder in someone's backpack or handheld. THAT is so very helpful! </span></b></i></div>
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<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Place Garbage Cans Far Far Away<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Many races provide garbage cans to toss in your cups or garbage. Often, I pass the bin before I am ready to dump my cup. I think placing the garbage cans in a staggered fashion twice as far away from your aid station as you would think. That distance comes a lot quicker when you are running. This should hopefully help more runners toss their garbage in the cans and require less cleanup on your part. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Another bonus to having the garbage cans away is that it keeps people moving through the aid station. Also, make sure you have folks who are checking up along that route to clean up so that nothing is left behind! </span><b style="color: #333333;"><i>As a runner I keep the empty gel packet on me unless there is a bin right there- I try not to litter. I also try to carry a small handheld and do not take a cup - less waste!!! </i></b></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">The Art Of The Hand-off<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">I decided to SHOW how I think the best way to pass off water to folks instead of trying to explain. After a run one night, I asked several people to demonstrate "if you were at a water station how would you hold the cup" ...the resounding majority showed me THIS: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDh9JK3c0WtJbpmr4vwPwDr4JSDAoLqbA0V3HM2u_DhIP7xsRJpd3ZnepLcfrJwlaH8rUQkTEvw9lLkkHoGaGvDU5uEkUAOitrqTCzfJdfVYa1Kpo9wT4qH2begAnVqIHV-pRe_UYZ122F/s1600/water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDh9JK3c0WtJbpmr4vwPwDr4JSDAoLqbA0V3HM2u_DhIP7xsRJpd3ZnepLcfrJwlaH8rUQkTEvw9lLkkHoGaGvDU5uEkUAOitrqTCzfJdfVYa1Kpo9wT4qH2begAnVqIHV-pRe_UYZ122F/s200/water.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifE0oy3KmFidV6HjQdUWQysJXnbR312trXXZ44RAxqxJlDXcoRa6nUHg7osU4s6eRkhpKulPnRUlyLfsnHlX6Xzduxseo4Vag0e2CrLS-49Ty5Gl4ESOUYj5h18ol3f88njMCQZ-hNtAca/s1600/water2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifE0oy3KmFidV6HjQdUWQysJXnbR312trXXZ44RAxqxJlDXcoRa6nUHg7osU4s6eRkhpKulPnRUlyLfsnHlX6Xzduxseo4Vag0e2CrLS-49Ty5Gl4ESOUYj5h18ol3f88njMCQZ-hNtAca/s200/water2.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">See holding at that bottom ensures an easy grab and go. some people say you could hold on the top rim...but i say nooo cause it makes me think of germy hands (i am sure YOURS are clean but...) on the rim where i will be drinking from!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Another helpful hint for passing off water is to h</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">old the cup at waist level - it is WAY easier for us runners to grab the cup while running. And, have someone who's job it is to keep an eye out on the table. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">You have had a rush of runners and then </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">y</span>ou look and your table of filled cups are gone due to the flurry of runners. <i>What do you do? </i>Line up those empty cups on the table in rows and start filling them using some hand-held pitchers. The cups will fill much quicker than using the tap on the coolers.And do not fill them to the top! Whew! Panic moment over. </span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And finally… </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Have fun out there! </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">You are so important to us runners. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: lime; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">You give us hydration AND support! </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: lime; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">(and sometimes laughs and a dance party) </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And from the bottom of our runner hearts THANK YOU!
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09257239139661686540noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643237048031875639.post-79257802258514608572016-05-05T13:57:00.004-06:002016-05-05T13:57:59.625-06:00Wordless Wednesday: Be BadASS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYW2anxvSETZ12KVCEhFBZz1GzN4VaRn92hfoAYTE-NcGt82NmMsyaahKxSYO-FOk33zIzrcWZ88kLtUbrqubgucrbdKLcNErUZdFPI-h5KYxErsJKfZYxemTYQu8c2Sa2AC6rmtYD26C/s1600/beBADASS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYW2anxvSETZ12KVCEhFBZz1GzN4VaRn92hfoAYTE-NcGt82NmMsyaahKxSYO-FOk33zIzrcWZ88kLtUbrqubgucrbdKLcNErUZdFPI-h5KYxErsJKfZYxemTYQu8c2Sa2AC6rmtYD26C/s640/beBADASS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09257239139661686540noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643237048031875639.post-69001839992360749112016-04-28T00:27:00.000-06:002016-04-28T12:08:55.127-06:00Who Do YOU run for? Make Choosing a Charity COUNT! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you run for a charity in an upcoming race, make it meaningful. <span style="color: purple;">Make it Count!</span> </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It needs to be matter to you. Focus your passion and follow your heart! </span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2IzfWUsNGwKcAogE3eqUhs-RlAZ7Cr_Hz5d97xiMAe20g6BKMDABd_lTWuqPgF1gmYGE6jBxKjNf3tKqjB8tW4xKMcXDsriiCOSzcJvbEb2W8AcJdjrAtfV-mZAtOEVGfKIO23DzJnSV/s1600/2015_SCM_Fundraising.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2IzfWUsNGwKcAogE3eqUhs-RlAZ7Cr_Hz5d97xiMAe20g6BKMDABd_lTWuqPgF1gmYGE6jBxKjNf3tKqjB8tW4xKMcXDsriiCOSzcJvbEb2W8AcJdjrAtfV-mZAtOEVGfKIO23DzJnSV/s200/2015_SCM_Fundraising.jpg" width="199" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>This post is my story on my <a href="http://calgarymarathon.com/">Calgary Marathon</a> charity choice ...</b></span></div>
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<b>We all have a friend we have known forever. </b>That special someone who is a kindred spirit - or even maybe even your spirit animal! If you are lucky, you have that friend who GETS you. And you, in turn, get them. And, who knows so many crazy things about you. I am damn lucky to have someone like that in my life - she and I can tell each other ANYTHING and let er rip and laugh our asses off. <i>*insert blessed and grateful hashtags here* </i></div>
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<b>But seriously...</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYK0OSXW3XcRoj9cUBuKMvgaCjJKbLjEkjbI4r2FUWUmUetVLfJE7tbZpjVvv2-clA8jaD9vt35bY1aJ6pAe-yM3x24Wv1EEquwYenTrO8aZw6_V8z3p8Q6ZtbfugbyvmMLhvr-WdKMO1S/s1600/ChoirCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYK0OSXW3XcRoj9cUBuKMvgaCjJKbLjEkjbI4r2FUWUmUetVLfJE7tbZpjVvv2-clA8jaD9vt35bY1aJ6pAe-yM3x24Wv1EEquwYenTrO8aZw6_V8z3p8Q6ZtbfugbyvmMLhvr-WdKMO1S/s400/ChoirCollage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I have had that crazy friend in my life for 36 years. We met at music camp in 1980! YES...truestory!</div>
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Her name is Cara and she is the absolutely one of my favourite people. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjol9ZQb31IiudhZR9VoGYRm2zDcQfUR963K5R-12kZ-LvtjNpc0trRJhZNjkT91k8GTF84N2gFG8NL37dmxw2u9b4z6P-L7HIHUWmkVFkFD8xBMuUHjr6Y2hgmlKsDkfvtVM_JUGmYmDM4/s1600/1985_beach_A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjol9ZQb31IiudhZR9VoGYRm2zDcQfUR963K5R-12kZ-LvtjNpc0trRJhZNjkT91k8GTF84N2gFG8NL37dmxw2u9b4z6P-L7HIHUWmkVFkFD8xBMuUHjr6Y2hgmlKsDkfvtVM_JUGmYmDM4/s200/1985_beach_A.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Over the years we have come and gone, drifted apart for a bit, but sort of never ever been far from one another. If that makes sense. We have gone through good and bad times...happy and sad, breakups divorce...you name it. She's had babies and raised them into young men. We are loud and silly and obnoxious and hilarious together. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKqozN_LCwtxf-gc0ymCAG7cvi4v2DYkcAWC71IG0Slj0aB4_MwQ5GH7bmGfP_FlErhVEo543Dqu8WBhJuHDcr5p4wGOOjj_chRLihpbotyU6j9WX9PX-Dpy_rNf1A0IQQfURaOGv3zIq/s1600/caraCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKqozN_LCwtxf-gc0ymCAG7cvi4v2DYkcAWC71IG0Slj0aB4_MwQ5GH7bmGfP_FlErhVEo543Dqu8WBhJuHDcr5p4wGOOjj_chRLihpbotyU6j9WX9PX-Dpy_rNf1A0IQQfURaOGv3zIq/s400/caraCollage.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>The past 10 years ...</b></i></td></tr>
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This is a slice of some of our fun...I will say that some pics from the mid 90s and early 2000s might not be included. Some of those photos are...erm...blurry. Or might be lacking sobriety. Maybe. And, yes, we can even be quiet when together. Rare, but it happens! And highly unlikely captured in recent photographic evidence. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jL3vCm2QiWKst1y57_yNqOq3lcDk8osx-Vq7f_-XvVZ0_41EyBmiyQjl-KhHCWzbX3XmO3KM1h5IJc1UwEDzn23qNURJwjluXOZ5i8Y_k4bdfQ19dSR_E17eAMAfIvl9NOLhGU2hQjWa/s1600/2016_dragshow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jL3vCm2QiWKst1y57_yNqOq3lcDk8osx-Vq7f_-XvVZ0_41EyBmiyQjl-KhHCWzbX3XmO3KM1h5IJc1UwEDzn23qNURJwjluXOZ5i8Y_k4bdfQ19dSR_E17eAMAfIvl9NOLhGU2hQjWa/s320/2016_dragshow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Certainly the quiet and sedate nature of our friendship was NOT captured last month! </span></div>
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So this year when I was choosing a charity to run for at this year's <b><a href="http://calgarymarathon.com/">Calgary Marathon</a></b>, I had a fleeting thought. Why not the MS Society? How on earth had I not done this before?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYemZJdcOrktR2Nkt7AzYwpJa81XV9itpANGm54WLfYV5YFTN1Qd-Q0eoOl3iPfdcNQLlqXDAhxuCFXUGkj4H0OGNXoux9KLZWn7dYZPi8aOUb48LobNenLjXtTUREhzOBAo3_lfXwT6Z/s1600/Calgary+%2526+Area+Chapter_COLOUR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYemZJdcOrktR2Nkt7AzYwpJa81XV9itpANGm54WLfYV5YFTN1Qd-Q0eoOl3iPfdcNQLlqXDAhxuCFXUGkj4H0OGNXoux9KLZWn7dYZPi8aOUb48LobNenLjXtTUREhzOBAo3_lfXwT6Z/s200/Calgary+%2526+Area+Chapter_COLOUR.jpg" width="200" /></a><b style="font-style: italic;">Why MS, you ask? </b>There are a few reasons...<br />
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<b>Cara has MS. </b>She was diagnosed in 1998. So if I was gonna run for someone...why not her? She has mostly been in remission, but it is not a disease that (in my opinion) is fair or cool or is easy to explain or understand. MS Sucks!<br />
So it was clear that it was high time I put some miles in for MS.<br />
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I have always said I love to run because I CAN. So, I dedicate my 21.1 kilometres to a very special crazy lady who gets me like no other, Who never judges and always has a quick witted response at the ready. We were <a href="http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/252125.html">mutt and jeff </a>in 1980 and 36 years later we still are. Sort of a beautiful disaster together. Oh, and we ARE funny. We definitely think so.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/FundraisingPage.aspx?registrationID=3302171&langPref=en-CA&Referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fadmin.e2rm.com%2FEventSummary.aspx#&panel1-1">DONATE TO <span style="color: red;">#TEAMCARA</span> HERE</a>! </span></b></div>
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I wanted to share some info about MS with you ... so I started to research.</div>
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I found CANADA has the highest incidence of Multiple Sclerosis in the WORLD! </div>
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WHAT? Well then, another reason to run for this charity. We need to find out WHY!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-22ay7sIKEhbV9JCk3J6_-4wOUKfQh_SkBNNG-e6Yp50FQIzcZcHlmQWEQHGyVk1mWH7V3Xz41nbaRs5zuGZ3lipEB3vmXEvVrzkHVL46DHVlePR2txoCxj_VIZix0-O3BmknI9qYwru/s1600/ms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-22ay7sIKEhbV9JCk3J6_-4wOUKfQh_SkBNNG-e6Yp50FQIzcZcHlmQWEQHGyVk1mWH7V3Xz41nbaRs5zuGZ3lipEB3vmXEvVrzkHVL46DHVlePR2txoCxj_VIZix0-O3BmknI9qYwru/s400/ms.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>So WHAT IS MS? </b><i>*From MS Society of Canada</i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhnir2Q8cA6O10Fhb6MNxYSwezGEYZZUx3X1h_CJx6-5yS39QNG_e4UG_IFR8AteKgmTLqtKTzIqwidYv9hPr3EkQjFgelvme2HA8zKA-LjDwK_7d-2AO2e43HjoPpxreawhzqCWDba-G/s1600/Facts-about-MS.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhnir2Q8cA6O10Fhb6MNxYSwezGEYZZUx3X1h_CJx6-5yS39QNG_e4UG_IFR8AteKgmTLqtKTzIqwidYv9hPr3EkQjFgelvme2HA8zKA-LjDwK_7d-2AO2e43HjoPpxreawhzqCWDba-G/s320/Facts-about-MS.png" width="320" /></a>Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is thought to be an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord). The disease attacks myelin, the protective covering of the nerves, causing inflammation and can damage the myelin. Myelin is necessary for the transmission of nerve impulses through nerve fibres. If damage to myelin is slight, nerve impulses travel with minor interruptions; however, if damage is heavy and if scar tissue replaces the myelin, nerve impulses may be completely disrupted, and the nerve fibres themselves can be damaged.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1CMHjB9ezUekp1aNlxxlkwlhM1xMsx7uB2sQ_PTfNtHJOOtxuUu7WWIMXEUxF8Ba4Zcw1luv1XgLMxS0Y0VilnogBuI1epdxc7nfAz1XANQsGnC17sbAgEaC0aR0AFSa3lOym-mB-XOXd/s1600/Facts-about-MS-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="95" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1CMHjB9ezUekp1aNlxxlkwlhM1xMsx7uB2sQ_PTfNtHJOOtxuUu7WWIMXEUxF8Ba4Zcw1luv1XgLMxS0Y0VilnogBuI1epdxc7nfAz1XANQsGnC17sbAgEaC0aR0AFSa3lOym-mB-XOXd/s200/Facts-about-MS-2.png" width="200" /></a><b><i><a href="https://mssociety.ca/">Learn More about MS here</a></i></b><br />
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Trying to understand a disease that affects the central nervous system is complicated. You <a href="https://mssociety.ca/about-ms/what-is-ms">read up </a>and are still overwhelmed. It affects everyone in so many different ways. After so many years of research, we still do not have answers. And we need answers.<br />
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<b>And THAT is just a little glipse into WHY I am running for MS CANADA and #teamCARA! </b><br />
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<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>Those miles are not just for me now...</i></span></b></div>
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<b>I will be lacing up and running my <span style="text-align: center;">45th halfmarathon, and bringing Cara along for her first! </span></b></div>
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<b>I cannot WAIT to show you HOW she is coming along with me ( it is still in the mail).</b></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/OpKaYsRUIt8/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OpKaYsRUIt8?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="line-height: 26px;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;">If there is a cure to be found for MS, it will come from Canada. </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 26px;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;">#endMS #teamfight</span></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcI1ZVArcj2ZuPR7UcmonNRMYvrlCO3_4-GhJ22AHJmvB0XID4xtpdmbIczbE5XYJG9itpn6yq4XERjLT0lpwTdq7MG_gLlBbBWmM1DhHhzGPeggIZikGM-A0dtEoIlVuBOm0Rk_qw6LL/s1600/fb-profilepic1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcI1ZVArcj2ZuPR7UcmonNRMYvrlCO3_4-GhJ22AHJmvB0XID4xtpdmbIczbE5XYJG9itpn6yq4XERjLT0lpwTdq7MG_gLlBbBWmM1DhHhzGPeggIZikGM-A0dtEoIlVuBOm0Rk_qw6LL/s200/fb-profilepic1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>For More Info on MS visit <a href="https://endms.ca/">ENDMS </a></b></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09257239139661686540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643237048031875639.post-70340931757466387562016-04-27T09:20:00.002-06:002016-04-27T09:27:38.045-06:00Wordless Wednesday: Wake UP! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfclFc-OzXkksVMHFZ3VRL_vdlbJhP8a50Vmq3Ru1RdFr86NzM7SbGvmDc77_KBvvGLAESuuX3tXPCx7lSN1lU6AXDnW67u-ZmYWUeWIM35VYVB7sz2rMCeA5oezqAqs_iellaDrStcpz/s1600/WakeUpKickAss.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfclFc-OzXkksVMHFZ3VRL_vdlbJhP8a50Vmq3Ru1RdFr86NzM7SbGvmDc77_KBvvGLAESuuX3tXPCx7lSN1lU6AXDnW67u-ZmYWUeWIM35VYVB7sz2rMCeA5oezqAqs_iellaDrStcpz/s640/WakeUpKickAss.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Good Morning, all! </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Now Go Kick Some ASS!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">❤ </span></b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09257239139661686540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643237048031875639.post-7553422117131150632016-04-20T09:32:00.000-06:002016-04-20T12:05:04.813-06:00Can't Run? Volunteer!! <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; line-height: 18.2px;">I do love to run. I love the race atmosphere. But sometimes, you just cannot do</span><a class="ot-hashtag aaTEdf" href="https://plus.google.com/s/%23alltheraces" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #427fed; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18.2px; text-decoration: none; transition: 0.218s;">#alltheraces</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; line-height: 18.2px;"> due to not having </span><a class="ot-hashtag aaTEdf" href="https://plus.google.com/s/%23allthemoney" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #427fed; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18.2px; text-decoration: none; transition: 0.218s;">#allthemoney</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; line-height: 18.2px;">. So one of the things I love to do is VOLUNTEER! </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Pom Poms & Cowbell are NECESSARY for #alltheFAB</b><span style="color: orange; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Volunteering means giving all the encouragement to runners!! woohoo!! </span>We runners love and need that race day encouragement! It really can make a race.It most certainly has for me. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3eAHWINdW4TeuYdnxgO_20i_fsX172xZwfN6InOuKBytfWnejoLr_VQjsEORk8EXx0jHHtp63V-8-HTnyxRfwj5YvOip0NThpsQ7_9ChfpRWaad94RVrrDUi86VOwvmON3HBqOSkae2OQ/s1600/2015-05-02+11.59.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3eAHWINdW4TeuYdnxgO_20i_fsX172xZwfN6InOuKBytfWnejoLr_VQjsEORk8EXx0jHHtp63V-8-HTnyxRfwj5YvOip0NThpsQ7_9ChfpRWaad94RVrrDUi86VOwvmON3HBqOSkae2OQ/s200/2015-05-02+11.59.42.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmoybAj9cZhiOtTBRuhS-gpehSfI12-AbrR7nAg2TT_q_chDr8ycWFe-646akSP41dV-21UuZvqD3kYzOK2rnDHRF_fHLaBSHcxvYylcRqraIKHeYHqlKxERRqShmrxAloM2kmPHNT5Lad/s1600/2015-06-01+09.05.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmoybAj9cZhiOtTBRuhS-gpehSfI12-AbrR7nAg2TT_q_chDr8ycWFe-646akSP41dV-21UuZvqD3kYzOK2rnDHRF_fHLaBSHcxvYylcRqraIKHeYHqlKxERRqShmrxAloM2kmPHNT5Lad/s200/2015-06-01+09.05.50.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I mean ... how can you not smile when you see </span>friends<span style="font-family: inherit;"> at an aid station. </span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: small;"><span style="text-align: center;">Or when you run into a banana and superman on the home stretch of a long hot race?</span></span></span> </b></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; line-height: 18.2px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: orange;">Wanna volunteer but not sure what to do?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1. If you are working as a </span><b style="font-family: inherit;">course marshal</b><span style="font-family: inherit;">, you need to have fun. GET your cheer on and do not stand there like a lump. When you see a runner cheer, clap and ENCOURAGE! You are there to give </span>support<span style="font-family: inherit;"> and direction. If you are not the sort who likes to cheer, be loud and get your cowbell on...then chose another job! You also need to give directions, so know WHERE runners are supposed to be and let them know Point, gesture, yell! Bring cowbell, signs and pompoms with you!! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8q2XVnU25xfy5bmlg-vOQmq-HSkVW06pozmLthhv7PMVWJUl42S8cUnR-y0RvDf1MsV5cJWwrt4mu0viuoLc8vMRoZ82CB40JgRpQyKdIPy58dz-b7TwOMIbN41CqSTMVC49xIgho2_Q/s1600/wowSuperhero1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8q2XVnU25xfy5bmlg-vOQmq-HSkVW06pozmLthhv7PMVWJUl42S8cUnR-y0RvDf1MsV5cJWwrt4mu0viuoLc8vMRoZ82CB40JgRpQyKdIPy58dz-b7TwOMIbN41CqSTMVC49xIgho2_Q/s200/wowSuperhero1.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdvon3gdT15bC97s1WQOV-Hv74pEC77Hd0UVmgv4fUFcf0NwVn-YtILthkrkRqVl952jpXZcEtobUe9mEDNcF_LCHxRmz1nOD0woItpwBlV3NOBI6auwgyUvlgDp4TADXTZ8JnJMp3u1c/s1600/2015-10-17+11.06.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdvon3gdT15bC97s1WQOV-Hv74pEC77Hd0UVmgv4fUFcf0NwVn-YtILthkrkRqVl952jpXZcEtobUe9mEDNcF_LCHxRmz1nOD0woItpwBlV3NOBI6auwgyUvlgDp4TADXTZ8JnJMp3u1c/s200/2015-10-17+11.06.28.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oQuFMH9NuKiC4GOVtyOAgWqAU6kg2boj2rfTCFsaKqOHpxPG2TEEBRWwrQlMkEl9BRQsKQYnf3N1sQRP7Rdm2nLsNmVKX5bYZWeZRe0ajgVdXcCjPA3m2DrJr2o6es4HNA_ul8U1MXcZ/s1600/2015-06-21+11.13.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oQuFMH9NuKiC4GOVtyOAgWqAU6kg2boj2rfTCFsaKqOHpxPG2TEEBRWwrQlMkEl9BRQsKQYnf3N1sQRP7Rdm2nLsNmVKX5bYZWeZRe0ajgVdXcCjPA3m2DrJr2o6es4HNA_ul8U1MXcZ/s200/2015-06-21+11.13.02.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
2. If you are not cowbell crazy, <b>waterstations</b> are also an awesome gig. You are there to hand water to a runner. Tips for success (as in having everything ready before runners descend upon you include) setting up the table, preparing and filling the water/nutrition coolers, filling hundreds of cups, organizing the stuff on the table, and setting up garbage cans. Set up those garbage cans even a ways away from the table. If everything is set up beforehand you won't run out of water, and you can cheer too! And everyone has a job. At races with hundreds (or thousands) of runners, you need to be ready for the waves of runners. This is a fun job but one of the most important EVER! We runners need water. And, are ever grateful for it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqszwz_6Th0T26vVbuSODj5QQwbmKI_MQlqqWWA3zrP8y5AK7c_l3CuvjskIAxITNFMIgkfttz3lD0UK-mQsZVSH5b6tRLngte-gqF1J4jWzH5-4wc6N42aHD__LikPGyJCTuotQ70Vlx6/s1600/waterstationCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqszwz_6Th0T26vVbuSODj5QQwbmKI_MQlqqWWA3zrP8y5AK7c_l3CuvjskIAxITNFMIgkfttz3lD0UK-mQsZVSH5b6tRLngte-gqF1J4jWzH5-4wc6N42aHD__LikPGyJCTuotQ70Vlx6/s320/waterstationCollage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
3. If you are more behind the scenes kind of person, <b>Package Stuffing</b> can be fun. Assembly lines work well in my experience to fill up the runner goodie bags. You might be behind the scenes on this, but I love the social aspect of this too. It is a smaller setting and you are not dealing with runners on course. I often do this job and then can run on race day!<br />
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4. If not package stuffing, then <b>Package Pickup </b>or <b>Race Registration</b>! You get to chat with folks, hand out bibs or race packets and, in general, have fun in a more laid back way. It is not quite as hectic as race day. If you have done this before know that at times there will be lines for the bibs. And, so folks are a little type A and get impatient with standing in lines. Smile, thank people for coming, wish them luck on race day and everything will run a whole lot smoother.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">4. If you like feeling busy and do not need to chat too much on your volunteer gig...try out <b>Race Set Up </b>or <b>Tear Down</b>. This isn't all heavy lifting, but it can be. Usually its about getting it done quickly and unloading or loading equipment. This is not usually something to do with kids. <span style="text-align: center;">Races need help here - and you get a heck of a physical workout! Behind the scenes is very important and really is appreciated! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">5. If you want to run, you could be a <b>PACER </b>or <b>Pace Bunny. </b>This is a REALLY important job. this is not an "Oh goodie I am gonna run this race for free"....This is all about leading other runners and help them keep a certain pace. <i><b>Check your ego.</b> You are here to help runners achieve a goal time.</i> You need to be confident about running a specific time with consistent splits. A good pacer should lead a group at least 45 minutes slower than their Personal Best and you should practice running at that pace several times before the race.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Any Race. Any Time. Big or Small Needs Volunteers. Consider giving back a little. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">You will have SO MUCH FUN! </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is awesome and </span>inspiring<span style="font-family: inherit;"> all rolled into one! </span></span></div>
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<b>Volunteers are the heart of every single running event! </b>Over 1,500 volunteers are needed for the 52th Scotiabank Calgary Marathon Race Weekend. Volunteering for the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon is a great way to give back to the community, support healthy lifestyles and active living and be part of Canada's longest running marathon. <b>We HEART Volunteers.</b> </div>
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I have had heaps of fun volunteering for Calgary Marathon...there are a TON of opportunities. I run the race, but I stuff packages or help with package pickup. It is fun and a great way to meet other peeps (or see runners you know). </div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">Check out Calgary Marathons volunteer opportunities <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.calgarymarathon.com/volunteers.html?lang=EN">HERE</a></span> and sign up! </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">This runner thanks you!!</span></b></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*As a ForeRunner I was given a race entry for 2016, however all opinions, thoughts and feelings are entirely my own.</span></i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09257239139661686540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643237048031875639.post-44464940762526329322016-04-18T01:20:00.004-06:002016-04-18T09:30:51.877-06:00Fab HalfMary Tips<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">6 weeks til raceday!!! </span></b></div>
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<b>This year's Calgary Marathon will be my 45th half marathon! </b></div>
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And, I know a few folks who are running their first.
And they are freaking out </div>
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Rightly so. A half is not easy peasy! </div>
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I once read that 'some runners would describe a half marathon as: not really easy, but not that hard.' UMMMM that description is <strike>so vague </strike>bull! I hate that.<br />
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Yes. I think a half is hard work. But, since I have done this distance more than a few times, I must like it! I really do. I have learned from every race - even if it wasn't my fastest, or prettiest effort.<br />
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I like the half because it is challenging. I'm not a sprinter..and feel more comfortable in a longer event. Plus, I sort of feel I get my money's worth out of a few hours out there! <b>Running my 45th half is just a big a challenge as the first! </b>I have doubts and worries and anxieties and niggling fears. But experience tells me that I got this.<br />
<b><span style="color: orange;">I HAVE. I CAN. I WILL! </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Whatever your motivation, here are my FAB halfmary tips to help alleviate your fears and (I hope) help you feel prepared for your first time out there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>1. Stick to the PLAN!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have been trying to as best as I can follow a 12 week plan. At 6 weeks out, you should be halfway through that plan. If you haven't ... or life got in the way, or you missed a few runs or are starting to feel like OMG I just feel so behind...and you might be slightly freaking out. The first thing to do is BREATHE. Just relax...get the rest of those runs in. Rain or Shine. Get er Done! And make sure you have a rest day, too! I have been using a modified version of the Calgary Marathon plan found <a href="http://calgarymarathon.com/resources.html?link=Training-Programs-and-Tips">here</a>. Setting up a realistic training plan and sticking to it will help keep you focused! </span><br />
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<b>2. Get MENTAL!</b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">You might also have just finished a long run and think I will NEVER be able to finish a half marathon. You need to mentally prepare! Yes, this is a gruelling process. But so much of the challenge is upstairs in your noggin! Sure, soak those sore feet. Stretch those muscles. Get a massage. But <i>- this is important - </i>practice positive thinking. Take <i>can't</i> and <i>just </i>outta your vocabulary. Celebrating all your accomplishments to date (yes, getting out there to train is a victory) helps reduce negativity which is great mental training!</span><br />
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<b>3. MIX it up!</b></span><br />
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Don’t get stuck in a running rut. Mix up your runs. Do not run the same route over and over on repeat. Don't run everything on the treadmill. GET OUTSIDE! Switch up the surfaces and the routes you run on. Grass or trails are great for recovery runs since the impact is less on your body, and the uneven surface helps strengthen feet and legs. I think varying where you run is also good for the mind!<br />
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<b>4. TEST that gear!</b><br />
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Do you run with a water bottle or belt? Start doing it NOW if you plan to on race day. Your shoes and socks are important. So are your shorts, or tights. Your bra. EVERYTHING!!! Test <strike>drive </strike>run it NOW! You do not want to feel uncomfortable on race day. Your training runs will determine your race outfits - your shirt, shoes, socks, bra, undies...arm sleeves...you get the picture. Oh and <b><a href="https://www.bodyglide.com/shop/">BODY GLIDE</a></b>. <b>Get some now. </b>You can thank me for that later. Yes. Chafe and blisters can happen. Make sure they do not occur by lubing up your bod! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>5. </b><b> </b></span><b style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">FUEL up!</span></b></div>
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This one is sorta related to gear and training but it is sooo very important to experiment with and then know your </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">fueling and hydration strategies prior to race day. The last thing you want is to have an upset stomach after you take off from the starting line. Know which sports drink and gels will be on </span><br />
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the race course Practice using those products if you don’t plan on carrying supplies with you then you can know how to help fuel better. I go with a gel or <b style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.energybits.com/">energybits </a></b><span style="font-family: inherit;">every 45 mins - but you gotta try it out for yourself!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>6. </b><b> BUDDY Plan!</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Run with a friend - or a group. If you can make run dates do it! Unless you are a lone wolf and love running alone. If that is you...well ignore this point! HA! But training (be it long runs or certain says when you know you need a butt kicking) with a pal helps keep you motivated and is a great social support.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>7. Run for a REASON!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ask yourself: “Why am I doing this?”
Whatever your reason, Use THAT to help you focus. Running is personal. DO IT FOR YOU and no one else. Each of us have </span>our own reasons for lacing up -- from trying something new to dropping a few pounds (training for a half never did that for me FYI) to running in memory of a loved one, raising money for a cause or setting a personal best. <i>The list is endless</i>. Whatever your reason --- remind yourself of it and do NOT lose sight of what crossing that finish line means to you. THAT is some great motivation! </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">aaaaand let's not forget these RACE DAY TIPS </span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>8. Do your BUSINESS!</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Seriously. Get up EARLY on race day. Drink some water. Eat, go to the potty. Get dressed. Do this all in whatever order you like to do. THEN when you get to the race (get there early) go use the portapotties. Trust me. Go pee. Or whatever. Even if you just sit in that small enclosed space and gather your thoughts...and get zen. (Don't take too long the lineups for the loo are LONG! haha) Getting your stuff together will help keep you calm! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>9. PACE yourself !</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">OK. Its race day. And there is hundred of peeps all around you. The nerves start to get to you. When that gun goes off do not blow outta the gate fast like flash (unless you are at the very front and well running with the elites). You will feel like you are going slow, but you have 13 more miles to go, so don't blow your wad in the first few. Save some of the nervous energy and stay strong and steady!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>10. FINISH with a smile!! </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ummmm. There are cameras. Smile. Enjoy your moment and your most FAB accomplishment! </span></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Now get out there and have FUN! </span></b></span><b style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: inherit;">You got SIX WEEKS - make em count! </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>ooooh AND one more thing....</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What kind of superGEEK would I be if I forgot to mention that this years Calgary Marathon theme is all about all t<b><i>hings SUPERhero! Bust our your alter ego, cape and special powers on May 29th. </i></b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">There is a superhero theme medal and PRIZES for those who dress up!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">I won't tell you my outfit just yet...</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">but it will be <span style="color: red;">SUPER</span> in theme! </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*As a ForeRunner I was given a race entry for 2016, however all opinions, thoughts and feelings are entirely my own.</span></i></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09257239139661686540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643237048031875639.post-78111685220782724942016-04-13T17:31:00.001-06:002016-04-13T17:55:23.531-06:00almost Wordless Wednesday:Keep Trying!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Lately it has not been so easy to run. </b></div>
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<i>Part of it physical. Part of it mental</i></div>
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<b>No, I am not injured. </b></div>
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<i><b>But my body hasn't responded well to working </b><b>50-60 hours a week.</b></i></div>
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<i>Nor has it "liked" the standing for 10hrs a day. </i></div>
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">BUT</span></b></div>
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<b> I am trying move relentlessly forward. </b></div>
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<b>EVERY. DAMN. DAY. </b></div>
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Slowly, I am finding my happy in shorter runs, or on the trail. </div>
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It's getting better. And, I will get there. </div>
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">#runhappy my friends</span></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09257239139661686540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643237048031875639.post-72683735205794510662016-04-09T22:53:00.004-06:002016-04-09T22:53:52.851-06:00GorpTASTIC news: #notsoplainjane<div style="text-align: center;">
A couple weeks ago, I woke up to this announcement from <b><a href="http://gorpworld.com/">Gorp Clean Energy Bars</a></b> ....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbtb9nftKUm_Xv7JXm777a6xg2d9Y4kLBclqBTMDBv5cKUaCtuARQc1_oW-_bOfHFu-XmBXyDwc77SX-z8c_3g1HautyXn3W1ivUdqJQZ6_gXC2qpUWgZMQesQcQbwlZwLul5sWd5VgNq/s1600/GORP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbtb9nftKUm_Xv7JXm777a6xg2d9Y4kLBclqBTMDBv5cKUaCtuARQc1_oW-_bOfHFu-XmBXyDwc77SX-z8c_3g1HautyXn3W1ivUdqJQZ6_gXC2qpUWgZMQesQcQbwlZwLul5sWd5VgNq/s640/GORP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I knew it was coming....but it is strange to see it out in the interwebs now! I am flattered, happy, and feeling really great to be affiliated with a company who asked me to be a part of this! They contacted me and asked if I would be a <b>#notsoplainjane</b> and boy was I flattered. Check out <b><a href="http://gorpworld.com/pages/not-so-average">Gorp World here</a></b>! (yeh...start with my profile - HAHA)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So HOW did this all start? Lets start at the beginning....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVMGkqjLG3Q1jXy3WdK7Ze2lvYDJTJ0Pvk4UKLDP3R6QSRW8s4yr2cve4aR7fa0d-q4hwmLs5LqFpY024JvMSw457092F_KC5fCKP1r4q-AtRilNm5wU0oYMYCR8upUPRfA6W7jXLV8Rb/s1600/2015-04-05+19.22.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVMGkqjLG3Q1jXy3WdK7Ze2lvYDJTJ0Pvk4UKLDP3R6QSRW8s4yr2cve4aR7fa0d-q4hwmLs5LqFpY024JvMSw457092F_KC5fCKP1r4q-AtRilNm5wU0oYMYCR8upUPRfA6W7jXLV8Rb/s200/2015-04-05+19.22.13.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">First off...I wanna thank my sister for introducing me to Gorp! She found it in her local health food shop. It was perfect for her boys - with nothing "extra" in it! She asked I I had tried it...since you like these things for your crazy long runs. A few months later after trying a few bars, I bought a box at the Calgary Outdoor Show. YUM!! I got a mixed box.LOVED IT!!!! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bxoJ4um_fVnOfCiva9EpQdfxLT9Pqnn5khxd1h2w_2bHiV6NHfnO6DB2lVgEOpVVKwGJk5DUbd66oEH3P9THU4mfW8Xfcd7pUOzasxwCEj8i0zN4QM2kuwQ_LbsgEpX7sN5hw_HCSsrN/s1600/whatisgorp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bxoJ4um_fVnOfCiva9EpQdfxLT9Pqnn5khxd1h2w_2bHiV6NHfnO6DB2lVgEOpVVKwGJk5DUbd66oEH3P9THU4mfW8Xfcd7pUOzasxwCEj8i0zN4QM2kuwQ_LbsgEpX7sN5hw_HCSsrN/s200/whatisgorp.jpg" width="152" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gorpworld.com/pages/what-is-gorp">What is Gorp?</a></td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><b>Sooooo..WHAT is in a Gorp Bar? </b></span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">I like to say a whole lotta goodness and not very much STUFF. No additives. No added sugar. But I think Gorp says it better. "</span>Each bar contains protein for power, fiber and Omega-3 for health, and antioxidants for recovery. We only source the best ingredients for GORP bars…no junk, no fake sugars, soy, or preservatives. They’re always made in small batches by hand". Yup break em open and you can see the nuts and ingreds right there. That for me was a winner. I need real food for fuel. AND THEY TASTE GREAT.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">A few boxes later - and a few months later I lucked out and won a box of Gorp from a IG contest! I posted a post trail run pic and they sent me a great little care package. </span><span style="text-align: center;">What made me love Gorp even more was the hand written note! Gotta love a small biz!! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72YvS4VbXmYxD_4dfxTc6r3mQYdihZyVEsoqek9pyirLvGynP1DI6umeR_VlndEbQ8mmMbmbcBevjPA51tD6uK7vozxWo-SI4QHdLWfF_dKaKn4IlTrCqOf1S7Qx8kyeUzL2T7MkOFmZm/s1600/2015-07-26+11.30.03-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72YvS4VbXmYxD_4dfxTc6r3mQYdihZyVEsoqek9pyirLvGynP1DI6umeR_VlndEbQ8mmMbmbcBevjPA51tD6uK7vozxWo-SI4QHdLWfF_dKaKn4IlTrCqOf1S7Qx8kyeUzL2T7MkOFmZm/s200/2015-07-26+11.30.03-1.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4TE-akCrqzuXEH72OdYqG55N37btwffa1FXrmmVJUWePJlM0qCm2nE3fS-ObngFQhZfLp1cwtjwPzsE2GTRiSDcvg1-WJ0RgVC_90qxIkDj7k3huAaWNxv9MxbaYhFeDih_7W8OEzs4W/s1600/2015-08-10+17.02.05-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4TE-akCrqzuXEH72OdYqG55N37btwffa1FXrmmVJUWePJlM0qCm2nE3fS-ObngFQhZfLp1cwtjwPzsE2GTRiSDcvg1-WJ0RgVC_90qxIkDj7k3huAaWNxv9MxbaYhFeDih_7W8OEzs4W/s200/2015-08-10+17.02.05-2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
So YES. I do share the GorpLOVE for sure! And, I mean it. ...<br />
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I take Gorp to work. It has been a saviour when I needed fuel!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-iz-OpQhZO8QT1bhFXIm05px3XEkVlYxZdUJN3jPFpx4c8Aqf0wsGB1Apd_aou5hDmJLrhJ38EkbR3WfNqDkyzXP9kZvHc_SedsNsVDD7a1_imew18JB6vsJJNtq8nzgDRcfwDFs1LDH0/s1600/2015-04-13+11.17.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-iz-OpQhZO8QT1bhFXIm05px3XEkVlYxZdUJN3jPFpx4c8Aqf0wsGB1Apd_aou5hDmJLrhJ38EkbR3WfNqDkyzXP9kZvHc_SedsNsVDD7a1_imew18JB6vsJJNtq8nzgDRcfwDFs1LDH0/s200/2015-04-13+11.17.11.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleYK-cLnRtnqy6LD8J5_51SnX5iqcW8vvVx4hH535LxCfeNeQTCAHXgmmPjXWPilibfUeC-EFUhNvAe7N6ET6UXhJ1VDz0B5lltoppKwTWNHlww3Wb36HyfzFtpozXWT4mGlkTCdIcGpA/s1600/051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleYK-cLnRtnqy6LD8J5_51SnX5iqcW8vvVx4hH535LxCfeNeQTCAHXgmmPjXWPilibfUeC-EFUhNvAe7N6ET6UXhJ1VDz0B5lltoppKwTWNHlww3Wb36HyfzFtpozXWT4mGlkTCdIcGpA/s200/051.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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Definitely it's in my car for on the run...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLc0inSklveSNv194G9QrkWdKT9yQ0quYZGD3knkYN_2FwtC5U9fd1ROpZnOFpXPJo5tPrhNPYUm-P4_XTfw-lye6y6hxTf0Ml6_l90dU_LzBXChqf7qFu2VBTzvxCYzsJ0NlMKj4xZTS/s1600/088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLc0inSklveSNv194G9QrkWdKT9yQ0quYZGD3knkYN_2FwtC5U9fd1ROpZnOFpXPJo5tPrhNPYUm-P4_XTfw-lye6y6hxTf0Ml6_l90dU_LzBXChqf7qFu2VBTzvxCYzsJ0NlMKj4xZTS/s200/088.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uo3jUzglbUV7pZAquqDqpr_8wMuwa97fNw6eiFnWiXYsbFvVznOBxkaortsJoyptPGoCWsbybCDENhosKJqZKcSuopCGqOQRJYJa4iUFWonwzpI81fn6cLPKxueSIiPyKd27Ldd4BP87/s1600/2015-04-06+15.21.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uo3jUzglbUV7pZAquqDqpr_8wMuwa97fNw6eiFnWiXYsbFvVznOBxkaortsJoyptPGoCWsbybCDENhosKJqZKcSuopCGqOQRJYJa4iUFWonwzpI81fn6cLPKxueSIiPyKd27Ldd4BP87/s200/2015-04-06+15.21.49.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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And I do love to SHARE on the trail!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHC8u6qXfq4eR8OI3alNON1LJnXwPReKAZCMGEHGmRJt-L4cY0lvz19Rfbc2NoZdfIrUwWng2hsqVOPcRL0ofvkRaQGYMzWIla9buYRnrd77n-o2m-WF_N4JZK4qDyVaVZg6DKpLVCRWgl/s1600/2015-10-16+12.37.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHC8u6qXfq4eR8OI3alNON1LJnXwPReKAZCMGEHGmRJt-L4cY0lvz19Rfbc2NoZdfIrUwWng2hsqVOPcRL0ofvkRaQGYMzWIla9buYRnrd77n-o2m-WF_N4JZK4qDyVaVZg6DKpLVCRWgl/s200/2015-10-16+12.37.38.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bIFvgseaF_tnsUZO8gD8RkHrPD0eSkGtwTUlVu23cOLlCB23EVvnpFYYD0XiC7xubk0GG7O8XwlnC75Yyj1Qw5P9o2thGEjns-BWI1a3aZPsNHTeAcHpY3kCuOwUakVrskx3whebwp_5/s1600/2015-07-01+13.25.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bIFvgseaF_tnsUZO8gD8RkHrPD0eSkGtwTUlVu23cOLlCB23EVvnpFYYD0XiC7xubk0GG7O8XwlnC75Yyj1Qw5P9o2thGEjns-BWI1a3aZPsNHTeAcHpY3kCuOwUakVrskx3whebwp_5/s200/2015-07-01+13.25.16.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQthCHcAxCg_wl9NKvO3MwP3XvzQDIPFbxqIbDxnzH3V0RHEtpSOhil_9xa0-1iCwaRVdYhEavXUuWDu0yxEl61swR6WAKFy_5rEzrMjze_-WR6bw-UxYypSbdI7hDoxyv47WJh1oUQq1U/s1600/2015-10-16+12.34.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQthCHcAxCg_wl9NKvO3MwP3XvzQDIPFbxqIbDxnzH3V0RHEtpSOhil_9xa0-1iCwaRVdYhEavXUuWDu0yxEl61swR6WAKFy_5rEzrMjze_-WR6bw-UxYypSbdI7hDoxyv47WJh1oUQq1U/s200/2015-10-16+12.34.45.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
Thing is, most of my pals I have shared with are vegetarian and were suitably impressed by the awesomeness of Gorp!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRxXlWNNnwdsyB9A5ONWajeSgVvCC9921vLDKF-sVI_ozZfm5rupvSHAToJgADDEoC-fm1EPGYbb5TEwILy8eLBmhEzV4f4B2sqE0TkM8rEMfmxevadP0WWY7JeUKVlkx9jkdvIW5HfFN/s1600/2015-07-26+10.44.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRxXlWNNnwdsyB9A5ONWajeSgVvCC9921vLDKF-sVI_ozZfm5rupvSHAToJgADDEoC-fm1EPGYbb5TEwILy8eLBmhEzV4f4B2sqE0TkM8rEMfmxevadP0WWY7JeUKVlkx9jkdvIW5HfFN/s200/2015-07-26+10.44.52.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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These bars are kind of big - I rarely eat a whole one at a time (except <a href="http://fabulosi-t.blogspot.ca/2015/07/canada-day-moose-mountain-adventure-in.html">that time</a> with Crystal when we climbed Moose Mountain and ate 3 bars before descending! Man, were they a lifesaver!!) But they have a super awesome sticker on the packaging that allows you to seal em up and save for later! So no crumbs or junk in your pack.</div>
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About a week after the announcement. I actually helped out at the Gorp Booth at the Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show in Calgary! Fun Times. Chatting with folks, sampling and selling Gorp. Essentially I had a whole lotta fun sharing all the Gorpy goodness to a whole lotta folks.</div>
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It meant a very long week for me. 10 hours at one job, 40 at another. And then another 16 at the expo. And it was refreshing and fun. And, I am pooped! But kinda of feeling inspired and full of happy thoughts. So, Thank YOU Gorp for giving me a whole lot of awesome!!<br />
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: large;">Have you tried Gorp?</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: purple;">You can order <a href="http://gorpworld.com/collections/clean-energy-bars">HERE </a>or Check for local retailers <a href="http://gorpworld.com/pages/where-to-buy">HERE</a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Do you have a FAV small biz you think is awesome? </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: lime;">What is most important to you in nutrition or energy bars?</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">And lastly....Do you know someone who is totally FAB? </span></b><br />
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<i>Check out how Gorp got started</i></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oh-MebXfn1k/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Oh-MebXfn1k?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09257239139661686540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643237048031875639.post-84809278725388775712016-03-10T12:38:00.001-07:002016-03-18T09:40:41.979-06:002016 Rock n Roll Discount!<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.48px;">In 2015 as part of the Rock n Blog team I ran the 5k and Half in Phoenix, the Half in Montreal, the 10k and Half in Vancouver and the 5k and Half in Vegas! So much fun...so much awesome bling! AND FUN! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK68GtRipwmTviEMO4se_AZ093V8d5cYs62sklBX6XVNBsh2hqndMfvHhETg0W5ZC_IhXg2phCQhCztvstdSTj5aUI5daQADID8s-ysOYRmtzpEvR5QTK3ZAZ1Irgpnx7IpQkER7Ns4xbd/s1600/RNRCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK68GtRipwmTviEMO4se_AZ093V8d5cYs62sklBX6XVNBsh2hqndMfvHhETg0W5ZC_IhXg2phCQhCztvstdSTj5aUI5daQADID8s-ysOYRmtzpEvR5QTK3ZAZ1Irgpnx7IpQkER7Ns4xbd/s400/RNRCollage.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>And the BLING! Did I mention the BLING?? </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6kARcVzZcXZbFafap4Kt5rpJnyJeC_oiyXbg4FFN3g6oNp8i4eQUm3crq9VrrqdWERjKr3ZVauv_4Njjo7c6mumSv3A13Sefc1Qynn5FO2e3r5DN3ya3aTsFTsYB25yLCKni8lW12jGN/s1600/2015rnrmedals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6kARcVzZcXZbFafap4Kt5rpJnyJeC_oiyXbg4FFN3g6oNp8i4eQUm3crq9VrrqdWERjKr3ZVauv_4Njjo7c6mumSv3A13Sefc1Qynn5FO2e3r5DN3ya3aTsFTsYB25yLCKni8lW12jGN/s320/2015rnrmedals.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The medals from these 4 races are so awesome! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0__cz3-gYEdqPekHyq-Qd_hIKJkw4cW3hpWzpG-4lorA7ofyRlMSgB5IQOesfuaINUukVPhYyYVihYod1V4yiRT_c92fkw2eJA7jAwL7_A_1bjzzTRZcpGu5bW0HDk-cooU7p71mn8xq/s1600/2015heavymedals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0__cz3-gYEdqPekHyq-Qd_hIKJkw4cW3hpWzpG-4lorA7ofyRlMSgB5IQOesfuaINUukVPhYyYVihYod1V4yiRT_c92fkw2eJA7jAwL7_A_1bjzzTRZcpGu5bW0HDk-cooU7p71mn8xq/s200/2015heavymedals.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQElfWJKOU6Qnhwf6shu2x0g_HE7mBI3ZUjuTNp-pg8oOe6d1BpbylI1qt-gIAxTn_0AP1t6qCl7zg5snhDmxEIugsNQYO_P7dJ1R0Uk-cc0Qrf0aOQ1kxesiCj1E2EtqH7Bv-TkT9BBk/s1600/2015RNRvirtual.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQElfWJKOU6Qnhwf6shu2x0g_HE7mBI3ZUjuTNp-pg8oOe6d1BpbylI1qt-gIAxTn_0AP1t6qCl7zg5snhDmxEIugsNQYO_P7dJ1R0Uk-cc0Qrf0aOQ1kxesiCj1E2EtqH7Bv-TkT9BBk/s200/2015RNRvirtual.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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As are the <b><a href="http://www.runrocknroll.com/medals/?section=heavy-medals">HEAVY MEDALS</a></b> and the Virtual Run Medal! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBFKisr4VmbkpejM5o2_er7ztcpXlzLh1tkJ8N-EKvMJiyaqT9U0bNSuEkssp1CHOds6ryToL3HKtKucm9uxUKfficp558jXpaTxoLfBfd1PDycB8Bnqwq2wkh4EzXkOBozxM_X2TtbUB/s1600/rnb2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBFKisr4VmbkpejM5o2_er7ztcpXlzLh1tkJ8N-EKvMJiyaqT9U0bNSuEkssp1CHOds6ryToL3HKtKucm9uxUKfficp558jXpaTxoLfBfd1PDycB8Bnqwq2wkh4EzXkOBozxM_X2TtbUB/s200/rnb2016.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">Rock n Blog gave me such an amazing opportunity to meet so many, many amazing peeps. People from all over I call friends and in my good and bad times they have lifted me! </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;">So even though I was feeling terribly down I applied for RnB for 2016. And, am super happy to say that I am in. HUZZAH! </span></span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.48px;">Soooo, what's up for 2016?</b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;">This year, members of the RocknBlog team recieve a Global Tour Pass so I could run <b>unlimited</b> Rock n Roll races anywhere ALL YEAR! <i>I have never been so excited and so heartbroken at the same time. </i></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.48px;">Check out <u>ALL</u> the </span><b style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="color: orange;"><a href="http://www.runrocknroll.com/#findrace" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Rock N Roll Tour Stops</a> </span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6abd3PiaGo5CfWPwbfZsHo0kqMX1ujwTkgico-NQuxvb7DGXdkyz23IY2mYt_AbBKJe1ivLyRXKguuO6w9Og2rWbFo1nHgtg12sboKvwzWX5mB0XlkO0Hb_DgQtXSEK3GxadFTDIztDN/s1600/cepLV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6abd3PiaGo5CfWPwbfZsHo0kqMX1ujwTkgico-NQuxvb7DGXdkyz23IY2mYt_AbBKJe1ivLyRXKguuO6w9Og2rWbFo1nHgtg12sboKvwzWX5mB0XlkO0Hb_DgQtXSEK3GxadFTDIztDN/s320/cepLV.jpg" width="272" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #545454; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Even though I REALLY wanna run a European race, there is no way I can get there this year! </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Clearly I have to win the lotto </b><b>OR make some choices. </b></span><b style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.48px;">My current DREAM LIST is ... </b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;">San Diego - June 4/5 5k & Marathon</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;">Seattle - </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;">June 18 Half Marathon</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;">Montreal - August 25 </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;">Half Marathon</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;">San Jose - </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;">Oct 1/2 5k & Marathon</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.48px;">Vancouver - Oct 22/23 10k & Half</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">Los Angeles - Oct 30 </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;">Half Marathon</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.48px;">Las Vegas - Nov 12/13 5k & Half</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Use Discount Code: CRANTINA </span></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYx2lFIqA9oOPmCA8aJfjpCex6CZuR4pOSantg3T8FK-pnKe5CpBiwGIp4awx3uPOuzIrhaXYsO-OAjGskgbutJTVo933KBm7bpzf8_NyxQQnlQZqnG8ak-AsqnyekxxDqVTn5mKuata1D/s1600/122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYx2lFIqA9oOPmCA8aJfjpCex6CZuR4pOSantg3T8FK-pnKe5CpBiwGIp4awx3uPOuzIrhaXYsO-OAjGskgbutJTVo933KBm7bpzf8_NyxQQnlQZqnG8ak-AsqnyekxxDqVTn5mKuata1D/s320/122.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<b style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">Here's the Deal? </b></h2>
<span style="color: #222222;">In North America: Get </span><span style="color: red;"><b>$15 off</b> <b>any Half or Full Maratho</b></span><span style="color: red; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><b>n</b></span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"> (*except LA, Savannah, Chicago, Las Vegas, Queretaro, San Antonio (I shall keep ya posted if I get a code nearer these races!)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;">In Europe: Get </span><b><span style="color: red;">£3 off any Half or Full Marathon</span></b></div>
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<b style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Join in on ALL the fun!! </span></b></h3>
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<b style="text-decoration: none;">You know you WANNA</b></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/y_0VDGs86kQ/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y_0VDGs86kQ?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>#rocknblog</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>#allthefab</b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09257239139661686540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643237048031875639.post-58028580667393132016-03-09T16:20:00.001-07:002016-03-09T23:10:57.239-07:00The notso Hypothermic Half<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: normal;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So a while ago, I decided to go to Red Deer and run a halfmarathon. I have been feeling rather MEH of late so I didn't post it ALL OVER social media. I didn't really even tell anyone I was going - only a couple of girlfriends knew.<br /><br />A couple weeks prior to the run, I was out with my pal Melissa - and mentioned I was waffling over the race. Partly as I didn't want to get up at the crack of dawn and drive. As we ran, she said OK it n's settled. I will drive. ROADTRIP!!!SO really why i didnt want to drive alone was due to the fact that I would not get home on Friday til midnight from work. Getting up at 530am and driving almost 2 hours, running the half, eating then driving home to </span>change and be back to work by 3 ... sounds SUPER awesome. And not so appealing on one's own. SO was stoked for the company.</div>
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Let me start by saying Saturday came damn early (t<span style="text-align: center;">hose friday night shifts are killin me!)</span> ...but we had coffee and smoothies for breakie. So that was a bonus -- as was the glorious sunrise! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJh3QGy-YVwnaF45EqbfI5q6EeD7Ye4S_cf0AeQ4viNQplz7dYqM43fueoG0YidDsoHDFPtFjwWcy4bgjYPb-5iMuQOg7kGNY_WQF6zoTrmBBvm-RPrhBaowlPUNvkDivgCih_rwxKy4fs/s1600/104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJh3QGy-YVwnaF45EqbfI5q6EeD7Ye4S_cf0AeQ4viNQplz7dYqM43fueoG0YidDsoHDFPtFjwWcy4bgjYPb-5iMuQOg7kGNY_WQF6zoTrmBBvm-RPrhBaowlPUNvkDivgCih_rwxKy4fs/s320/104.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We arrived about an hour before the race, which was great. Time to stretch, lollygag before race, get <span style="font-family: inherit;">everything </span>organized<span style="font-family: inherit;">, debate on what to wear...and how much it would warm up. It was </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">cool (but seriously unseasonable warm for this time of year) AND would warm up about 10 degrees during the run, so I wore a long sleeve icebreaker and stuck with the awesome inknburn flower motif! Springy weather calls for flowers! </span><br />
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Before I knew it it was go time! It was a small race - less than 120 people. The RD let us know in the pre-race briefing that the trails were mostly clear. About 17k of the trail was clear, but there were large ice puddles and some snow.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrb8G-C1qA0BZRBA4_KVx3kIrrwn44dW9bdJ9FB3umhZ-IKxW4NfMgRJw9ZjuIG4thx2NpiOleMe3vu1-yEZXk6IVS09I_CXtJmJ3XWGJIKayD50pSRTLhB8fU-sRBux9PoX6tmMLCR_W/s1600/117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrb8G-C1qA0BZRBA4_KVx3kIrrwn44dW9bdJ9FB3umhZ-IKxW4NfMgRJw9ZjuIG4thx2NpiOleMe3vu1-yEZXk6IVS09I_CXtJmJ3XWGJIKayD50pSRTLhB8fU-sRBux9PoX6tmMLCR_W/s200/117.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHJ0tEUxy3y2wtQBd6y6EMI2XVFfQ5DijNwIWlOVcjp5VFa1HwIkAfAuobMxZziI_aoAdGgDPzRgCFNhaA5Z80UHVTLSVnschC8aJsLZIs_8YzsL5F2w4j4e-s1aUGyvQsSltxwLvo31y/s1600/118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHJ0tEUxy3y2wtQBd6y6EMI2XVFfQ5DijNwIWlOVcjp5VFa1HwIkAfAuobMxZziI_aoAdGgDPzRgCFNhaA5Z80UHVTLSVnschC8aJsLZIs_8YzsL5F2w4j4e-s1aUGyvQsSltxwLvo31y/s200/118.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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Whew...and so Melissa gives me the high5 and sends me off to the start area.<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent;">Considering we ARE in Central Alberta (cooler with more snow) the RD's description is positive. And, besides, we have had the warmest </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit;">weather on record...so this is great! I tell Melissa I will come in at 245 if there is some snow. My pace will be off a bit as I am not as high in mileage and speedwork as I would like. But it'</span><span style="background-color: transparent;">s all good. This run is a run. Not racing, just getting my damn mojo back. I have been dreading for months that for some reason i can no longer run a halfmarathon. And dammit, my stupid anxious brain is NOT winning that silly argument. </span></div>
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And so we are off. Within a minute we all stop to single file get on a snowy path (haha this has happened on some trail races, no big whoop) .Within 1km, I realize the mostly clear path statement at the start of the race is NOT so accurate. But I have hope it is clearing up. Right Away. ummmm. nooooo. Within 4 km I turn around and snap a shot ...of the pathway. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMg_q0qNxs2VAKafslGnpgSmJA3LJ4lq_DjXKnEmJGtiqVHI8QcG3GDF0bNaQ-6qj1O6sSWte6r6mXvRgTRSteEDHH-F20NZw14XMyRdiDOYy3-VZJKu7sxvMwBV31sBbx07cyzDjoS8Gk/s1600/105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMg_q0qNxs2VAKafslGnpgSmJA3LJ4lq_DjXKnEmJGtiqVHI8QcG3GDF0bNaQ-6qj1O6sSWte6r6mXvRgTRSteEDHH-F20NZw14XMyRdiDOYy3-VZJKu7sxvMwBV31sBbx07cyzDjoS8Gk/s320/105.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Mostly I snapped it for Melissa- cause she said - h<span style="text-align: center;">ope its not too icy! Be careful out there. FACK. 4km of this makes a mind drift into WHO'S IDEA WAS THIS territory. And I wanted proof. Because I knew my Calgary pals would not believe me - since we are running on perfectly awesome clear paths. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">I want to make this CLEAR. Its a winter run. There is snow. There is ice. Given our warmer temps over the past month...there is bound to be ice. BUT CRAP. This sort of blows. In that first third of the course we also run through an area where folks have dogs off leash. Not so bad (but sort of scary if you are like me and afraid of dogs). I make it through unscathed and hit a clear(er) area with some great views. </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Yes...Back to this is lovely and I love winter running! </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">I finally hit a groove - am mostly running alone with about 6 gals in front of me and 6 behind. At the 10k sign I am sooo over it. That might have been due to a snow and ice covered hill and incline section that seemed to go on for a few kilometres just prior. But I vow to plow through. I make up some awesome time in the bit before the turnaround and the 4k back downhill. And, of course have to capture the encouraging art #seenonmyrun!</span></div>
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So...I have 5k left. I have seen two gals bite it hard. Past two limping and dejected. Stopped to talk one into not quitting, and had a positive uplifting effect, I hope. Listen, this race is not what I had wanted...but in terms of it helping my mojo? HELLS TO THE YES it is working. The wearther is fantastatic (the ice parts blow chunks - but I am pushing and trying to compartementalize each segment into awesome, strong, and f*ckit bucket). At this point I about to hit to DOG area again - though have already be jumped on by a few larger pups. I think I mostly remained calm over this - they were friendly sorts. But I do not respond well to large animals bounding towards me. I vow to get er done. A couple quick shots of the snow and a smile...and off I go!<br />
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In terms of how the icyness affected me? The last 4k took the same amount of time as 6k usually does. (piss moan whinge). I had a moment of this is utter failure. And then it was NO WAY. This hoor is almost done. And YOU will smile at the end and be ok. The time of this race does not define you. The effort and smiles do. Dammit, that last k was all grit and smiles and sweat, not to mention some slick sticky snow! I was happy to be done, happy I pushed through. I may have laughed and said as I crossed the finish - I may have accomplished my personal worst but what a great day for a run!!<br />
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A couple steps later I as smiling laughing stretching a bit and Melissa snaps this. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seriously! That. Feeling. After a Half.</td></tr>
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I just knew I could not be "disappointed" in the effort or the result. Sure, I didn't run it in under 245. And its not close to my times in the 230s a scant few months ago. BAH!!! But I finished. I was not bleeding or limping like some finishers. My training runs just got a renewed re-boot. The only way is UP. Let the asswhooping and training begin - 11 weeks til Calgary Mara!<br />
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And of course eggs bennie was on the brunch menu. I scarfed down breakie and didn't take a photo! HA ... it was yummy! Eggs, pancakes lots of toppings,coffee, and laughing about the race. It was great.<br />
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Driving back to Calgary we chatted about the race, upcoming runs, and high5'd over the fact that something VERY significant happened. It was, indeed, a GREAT day!<br />
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<b>oh YAS! <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=barWV7RWkq0">This. Is. Big. News. </a></b><br />
#alltheFAB</div>
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And let me tell you when I got home from work at midnight I fell asleep as soon as I hit the bed! </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09257239139661686540noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643237048031875639.post-72777389065767970072016-02-26T14:57:00.001-07:002016-02-27T00:01:47.584-07:00FABFRIDAY: Get the FUNK out! Getting a hitch in your giddyup sucks. Sometimes a run funk happens with injury or sickness or life change or weather.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6n0SQXJG4F1_QSuNPQSUoQb6es8FPz8Sa74RgaK4ZG_W74xpJd3YLO92_vQKulAEotUWVWxc_jgXv1axmG-5aobcNOxO094_diAr2Q2tEWa1-GhHsDid7nEFYCjI6E6Ug1WdgU5PeCA-/s1600/friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6n0SQXJG4F1_QSuNPQSUoQb6es8FPz8Sa74RgaK4ZG_W74xpJd3YLO92_vQKulAEotUWVWxc_jgXv1axmG-5aobcNOxO094_diAr2Q2tEWa1-GhHsDid7nEFYCjI6E6Ug1WdgU5PeCA-/s320/friends.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I have had a wee bit of trouble with winter funk. Perhaps my job loss plays a part...but I just cannot be pooped all the time and am tired of feeling like a sad sack. So, thank you to my pals who have taken time out in the last few weeks to encourage me and keep me accountable in my running.<br />
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It is the kindness of friends (and even the smile from a stranger) that has been so meaningful in the past few months. I have had a brutal schedule for work making me miss most run groups I could join in on. Luckily, I have had a few major meetups that have been life savers!<br />
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Just hanging out and laughing and being silly helps. A LOT! </div>
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And, well, so does running!! DOH! </div>
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Never underestimate the power of laughter</div>
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Hydrating with pals also helps! It does a body good (and the mind too)....</div>
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All that in combination has made MY runs a little smoother. </div>
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Or made it easier to get OUT the door!<br />
I am not running as well as I was 6 months ago, but i am still running. I am struggling with constant hip and back and leg pain from standing on concrete for 8+ hours at a time...time to bust out compression socks for the win, you think?? I am running. I just need to continue to battle the constant exhaustion and get my mileage back up and keep on keepin on! All together it will lead to a heap of #runhappy! I know it. One Step at a Time. </div>
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Friends make it all better! </div>
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It is friends who send you a hello...hihowareya that help! </div>
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Make sure you smile and say hello to someone today</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09257239139661686540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643237048031875639.post-42762245983269234602016-02-25T02:17:00.003-07:002016-02-25T02:25:06.636-07:00Running is Mental<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #767676; line-height: 22.75px;">As a Calgary Marathon ForeRunner, I have been given an entry to participate in the 2016 race.</em></div>
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #767676; line-height: 22.75px;">However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.</em></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8BKHBqOKvsTqor-kbsIV7DKGbcPB33KFN8LX2vGtV0LaNB-2xBYyaoQCX6P-DCZcoFtNgkaTfQ_qVTNLJVpR0SENEzyj7UUSMGII2tjnD46-UzTM5pUG5mtpSEB2nFSU-z7RLqo31wH6/s1600/oatmeal-running.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8BKHBqOKvsTqor-kbsIV7DKGbcPB33KFN8LX2vGtV0LaNB-2xBYyaoQCX6P-DCZcoFtNgkaTfQ_qVTNLJVpR0SENEzyj7UUSMGII2tjnD46-UzTM5pUG5mtpSEB2nFSU-z7RLqo31wH6/s400/oatmeal-running.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small homage to <a href="http://theoatmeal.com/comics/running">The Oatmeal </a>- his musings on running are the BEST! </td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mental Toughness and Running. </span></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">They go together like<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;"> rama lamma lamma ka dinga da dinga dong!!!</span></span></i></b><br />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">And let me tell you...sometimes it's lacking. Not the mental part - I have that part down quite well. The toughie part, which I am working on. But the last couple months have been tough being tough! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have stopped many a time to tie my shoe, stretch out my calf, or go to the loo. Or cry. That has happened mid run or post run. I let it go for a moment, then wipe my face and carry on. The little cry may be due to an ungodly amount of stress and not the fact that running is seemingly SO HARD right now. </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20.79px;">But I persevere. My goal is to relentlessly move forward. To keep moving. If nothing else it </span></span><span style="line-height: 20.79px;">propels</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20.79px;"> me to a different place I was when I started. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20.79px;">Sometimes I sing. OUT LOUD. Thank goodness I can hold a tune. Sometimes I kick my own butt mentally and yell out loud "one more mile!!! Or whisper as I run YES, you got this. </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">I have also pulled out #allthemantras.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSAe5RrmJj_rhRJW0l1LiKTWRfyn0WW6gFR3j3_kifFVUCpJ3Y_rh2y5Mt2nGySg7dg5xQ1wcKRt-ysT6vyrvHV4L0c-paiMnrdKp1nlY2SlaFzCm_sMYJ-5Ri4BRbIVvPAe6HWdC70V1/s1600/nevergiveup1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSAe5RrmJj_rhRJW0l1LiKTWRfyn0WW6gFR3j3_kifFVUCpJ3Y_rh2y5Mt2nGySg7dg5xQ1wcKRt-ysT6vyrvHV4L0c-paiMnrdKp1nlY2SlaFzCm_sMYJ-5Ri4BRbIVvPAe6HWdC70V1/s320/nevergiveup1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sometimes when I am feeling the blahs, I take a photo and make it into a motivational meme thingy ... good to reflect on later. Or remind me of alltheFAB. WHATEVER gets you through. </span>You may have seen a few of these on my blog...or even on someone else`s blog (but not attributed to me, but that is another story - haha), Hey that means they work right???<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGodqOFco5MdMjbaldg3i7pxyIUOg4gRD54XJNZXCXXbILsEXo1iiKfpVkRJ5NyCHnh745Dbaf9hIA8VZNTN4FkIofvTKutZp5St0BCqsmOeJl5eeq_ijGyOkd_gLc2bRIfvzj1gJQYGe/s1600/IMG_6993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGodqOFco5MdMjbaldg3i7pxyIUOg4gRD54XJNZXCXXbILsEXo1iiKfpVkRJ5NyCHnh745Dbaf9hIA8VZNTN4FkIofvTKutZp5St0BCqsmOeJl5eeq_ijGyOkd_gLc2bRIfvzj1gJQYGe/s200/IMG_6993.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-XVtjyySUSBZ8ke8yBLdEYKjwBS3Gdl67D3aEZjsl-ISaDxOJAopxHhf_Ms1fkZxg3rrN1i0qfYrVVtJ8FVvJIj0Wl6UckwJNHYQbYHIVpa4JqIGLnroEe0lYNXweBZP4vt_H1hNsl5u/s1600/NY+resolution.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-XVtjyySUSBZ8ke8yBLdEYKjwBS3Gdl67D3aEZjsl-ISaDxOJAopxHhf_Ms1fkZxg3rrN1i0qfYrVVtJ8FVvJIj0Wl6UckwJNHYQbYHIVpa4JqIGLnroEe0lYNXweBZP4vt_H1hNsl5u/s200/NY+resolution.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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So...what to do when you are lacking that toughness...and you HAVE to get out and train because your bit race is say...90 sleeps away (Hello!!! <b><a href="http://calgarymarathon.com/">Calgary Marathon</a></b>! 94 days away!!! ) and the weather isn't cooperating? Or it`s nice out but too icy. Or you feel you need something cause the runs are lacking and its just damn hard to get er done.... </div>
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No matter what the race or where you are in training, we all have those times where its sorta BLAH! </div>
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Here are a few tactics that have helped me on the run </div>
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<b style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When you feel like quitting, remember why you started. </span></b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20.79px;">Why are you running? Right now...or you next race. What is the REASON. Is it for someone? or For yourself? Whatever the reason, make sure you remember to keep your </span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20.79px;">eye on the prize and </span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20.79px;">remind yourself why you are out there. Little goals turn into big goals. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20.79px;">I never believed that I could run a marathon. But I did. 3 times. A halfmarathon is sooo far. Well now I have run 42 halfmarathons. Sure, I wanted to quit a few times. Some runs have been pretty sucky. I won't lie. I have wanted to stay in bed OR even go back to bed once I started. BUT I keep going. And never regretted it.</span></span></span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Never judge a run by the first mile. Or two. </span></b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20.79px;">Sometimes it takes a while for you to settle into the run. KEEP MOVING!!! And, on occasion, sometimes the entire run sucks. For whatever reason - sometimes its easy to pinpoint, sometimes it just feels the world is conspiring. Well, this is where your suck it up and get it done and count those miles. Or...there is no "or". Those miles count - slow or fast. They happened. Sometimes on a shorter run, I pack it in and tell myself tomorrow will be better. And, it most always is. Don't beat yourself up. Move on. It is done. And, as trite as it sounds, tough runs ARE </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20.79px;">a good thing. They force you to deal with issues that may come up in a race. Plowing through a hard run will </span></span><span style="line-height: 20.79px;">undoubtedly</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20.79px;"> help pull you through a race at </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">mile 12 or mile 20 or even 30.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px;"> </span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Be Mindful. </span></b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20.79px;">I run to keep sane and to regain my mindfulness. </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20.79px;">I'm so lucky that I CAN run. Celebrate that. Celebrate every damn mile. THEY all count. Do not denigrate a run. Do not say you suck. It goes along with the move along now. Sometimes </span></span><span style="line-height: 20.79px;">just</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20.79px;"> giving thanks is a cool thing. If I have a run partner, I always say THANK YOU for the run. They bring you through so much - good and bad times. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20.79px;"><b>Smile! </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">This sort of goes with celebrating every damn mile. But out on the paths or trails, I find </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 20.79px;">good juju. Smile and wave at your fellow runners out there! I love that many of my running friends tell me that they love to run into me on the path as I am always smiling. I firmly believe </span><span style="line-height: 20.79px;">that</span><span style="line-height: 20.79px;"> s</span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">miling lightens your step. You know when you are feeling blah and you see someone and then you put that pep in yer step again? Yes. Do that!! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We are all getting to the point of ramping up those miles. Do whatever it takes to get you through your long runs. Plan a post run meal. Think about how good a beer/cider/glass of wine will taste while you take a hot shower or bath. Think about how you have got to the very spot you are in at this very moment. Think - "OMG i love this song". Whateverrrrrrrr. Long runs (depending on the distance you are training for) can be long. And, you will think about all kinds of stuff on those runs. Make the most of it. And if you get bogged down try switching topics in your brain (or is that just me?) ...or songs if you listen to music. Push through and I promise it gets better. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20.79px;"> Do your homework. Stretch, Make Mr. Foamie Roller your bestie! Strength train or cross-train. If you keep at it you ARE doing the work. And that will keep you on course and your head in the game. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20.79px;"><b>See you out there on the trails and paths!! </b></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>CHILL! TAKE A DEEP BREATH</b><br />
You. Got. This. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cXEuyROuJB7XigTGXmqsozqxK_9Z_Ld4yMAWM9tjDPOqFQfBCn4vAWPoB_RywiR0KV0RwMjvAok0Vpr5CqqQjzBZIe-9sBsuTB1dpOh6jztsUWGFD6zzKELZk9_D14F8kjIuUUL1wVXq/s1600/whybenormal2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cXEuyROuJB7XigTGXmqsozqxK_9Z_Ld4yMAWM9tjDPOqFQfBCn4vAWPoB_RywiR0KV0RwMjvAok0Vpr5CqqQjzBZIe-9sBsuTB1dpOh6jztsUWGFD6zzKELZk9_D14F8kjIuUUL1wVXq/s400/whybenormal2.jpg" width="286" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>CELEBRATE YOUR CRAZY, AMAZING FAB SELF! </b><br />
You Rock! </td></tr>
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<b style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">How do YOU stay focused and positive during a tough run? </span></b></div>
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<b style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.79px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Got a favourite mantra?</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09257239139661686540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643237048031875639.post-87912290433970906102016-02-21T23:24:00.000-07:002016-03-18T23:27:29.607-06:00Will Run for Cupcakes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's no secret I love cupcakes! So when some of my favourite people put on an amazingly fun spring run (ummm with cupcakes at the finish) you KNOW I am gonna be there. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtT94PfgqG6ZITNUO8DBUBx39LQfvxxztjgcAVlnGJH75zH0yXyWaL5ckO_pjDCcII-gB6VojfURkiq9ABjfrpGUgPvPHphEVKg1bmhNBhtTqHu13Tp7ol-Sz-V5awSM7cpMZJ3i6EDPx2/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtT94PfgqG6ZITNUO8DBUBx39LQfvxxztjgcAVlnGJH75zH0yXyWaL5ckO_pjDCcII-gB6VojfURkiq9ABjfrpGUgPvPHphEVKg1bmhNBhtTqHu13Tp7ol-Sz-V5awSM7cpMZJ3i6EDPx2/s320/026.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
I actually signed up last minute for the race...and went into <b><a href="http://www.tri-it.ca/">Tri-It </a></b>to do it the day before the race. Long story...but essentially I tried to register online a few times and (thank you computer gremlins) my computer crashed. Then my credit card was hacked. The world was conspiring. So I went in in person to fill up with some runlove and kombucha (Tri-It has it on tap -- yaaaaas) and register for the race. They had the store decorated and even VD-grinchy Tina got in the sappy mooasd!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHq8GsnTeousMCod86niE8e-VOIKS5WfmGlHkrS6zCKlS112dYxV7HFwpnFPbaVs5RfENNWAquveXZGiH5aXxTuVG5zZXSmz-qepSXhBAIRBO3kk1Z4F4dwc-_8l3xec3PamWdoKFOjMtL/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHq8GsnTeousMCod86niE8e-VOIKS5WfmGlHkrS6zCKlS112dYxV7HFwpnFPbaVs5RfENNWAquveXZGiH5aXxTuVG5zZXSmz-qepSXhBAIRBO3kk1Z4F4dwc-_8l3xec3PamWdoKFOjMtL/s200/015.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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I immediately went home with a spring in my step and picked out the outfit. </div>
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Which had cupcakes and running theme. WHODA THUNK. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCW2bBJdqRg4kq8dUPxkZlCkQttSnqhhiC8r9cws4Aidm3lnjJ2Ta3nmxB-YlE199fhuS3kwpiDRM8Sv8g7hJiEnNQ2aF0pj7HRjyw_Ha0uM2D080_A1JUv7GXITT3hNt7dX5uav6ehkO/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCW2bBJdqRg4kq8dUPxkZlCkQttSnqhhiC8r9cws4Aidm3lnjJ2Ta3nmxB-YlE199fhuS3kwpiDRM8Sv8g7hJiEnNQ2aF0pj7HRjyw_Ha0uM2D080_A1JUv7GXITT3hNt7dX5uav6ehkO/s200/018.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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I had to work work my regular late shift, but the race didn't start til later, so that meant i didn't have to get up too early when I wouldn't even arrive home until midnight. WHEW. </div>
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I set 3 alarms and then fell asleep. I woke up and thought I had plenty of time. Then realized i was sauntering and the race started an hour earlier than I thought. Now, I live less than a 15 minute drive from the store, so thankfully I still arrived 35 minutes before the gun went off. Oh boy....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQO3uT_6X0-er2z7VaMbybEDmKRHNZ72TZ35Wo6lNzMl8yA9js85n7pttpVH35jxTHDE9DH_wv-hHqWdFyH1HZCyvt3_qhhE0U-ASQHv9TWLaiAgiRLqFfIK_dZowK4bowPy_72nKXyLAU/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQO3uT_6X0-er2z7VaMbybEDmKRHNZ72TZ35Wo6lNzMl8yA9js85n7pttpVH35jxTHDE9DH_wv-hHqWdFyH1HZCyvt3_qhhE0U-ASQHv9TWLaiAgiRLqFfIK_dZowK4bowPy_72nKXyLAU/s320/019.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I sat in my car. Gave myself a peptalk, Drank some Nuun and tossed back some Energybits. I did some deep breathing and just reminded myself that I was there to have FUN. Not race. and to just relax. I have been so tired and so physically spent from working 2-1130 that I am just sort of not functioning properly. Yes it is a job. Yes, I am grateful. But I have not been happy happy happy. I have been <b><a href="http://fabulosi-t.blogspot.ca/2016/02/ive-been-away.html">overwhelmed</a></b> with anxiety and doubts. And, a whole lotta meh</div>
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SO today i put on an outfit i love. went to run with peeps who i adore, who adore me.<br />
Surround myself with love and use that to move! I ran, had a couple of walk breaks. I had a couple of moments where doubt crept in, but I stayed focused enought to say to myself YOU CAN....get moving!!! Essentially did what I wanted to do. Got my sweat on and got er done.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSu7dUvHUrzRKzZiVdIQwmb8OEQYOJPHIUxgSVVhe-mLlYrOdouC2bo3sGu-lti5IFgfOzpU6xtsNDofdyWvKEcgH4SSQEteXw3kNRNuNgL8mhAymWaE25dLTnwavavlwjnS9KdSi0xv-Q/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSu7dUvHUrzRKzZiVdIQwmb8OEQYOJPHIUxgSVVhe-mLlYrOdouC2bo3sGu-lti5IFgfOzpU6xtsNDofdyWvKEcgH4SSQEteXw3kNRNuNgL8mhAymWaE25dLTnwavavlwjnS9KdSi0xv-Q/s320/025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
It was nice to see some of my wonderful friends at the finish, and my fab friend Dawn snapped this pic. As you can see it was brisk...chilly but still above average temps for this time of year. I felt so happy finishing. <span style="text-align: center;">And then realized I really was only 4 minutes off my personal best in the 5mile distance. </span><span style="text-align: center;">Even more smiles. Because I needed this. I really, really needed the run, the fun and some laughs as I got inside the store to enjoy the Valentine treats! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWUWb2ZHRdC98L78s65zFIEEwQ1_bv3z-dzqPCsFmxCtoRp6Q6H5StUNXASdmBs38NQPPGV74VKYDybDVbUj9kMOc7klB7mGRXGYsmGDnr32ddXeKLolZT4uc4ityvbQQeFx60xoz_kNv/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWUWb2ZHRdC98L78s65zFIEEwQ1_bv3z-dzqPCsFmxCtoRp6Q6H5StUNXASdmBs38NQPPGV74VKYDybDVbUj9kMOc7klB7mGRXGYsmGDnr32ddXeKLolZT4uc4ityvbQQeFx60xoz_kNv/s200/021.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">And the treats?? Oh my! so delish</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeg-2pPTZSzQXBqZqxq32J1POwjidcdt8jatG5lGfj6V4cfPAJ7C0g89J2JANCVkswu2jUhl7WA54ao0tphMjfwM6lntJjQAVlBSo2opGY9hgXXC0zNFq4OLoSmljFOyo6_pUA0z5ssA1s/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeg-2pPTZSzQXBqZqxq32J1POwjidcdt8jatG5lGfj6V4cfPAJ7C0g89J2JANCVkswu2jUhl7WA54ao0tphMjfwM6lntJjQAVlBSo2opGY9hgXXC0zNFq4OLoSmljFOyo6_pUA0z5ssA1s/s200/027.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2G5hBacMeHVwF9wKgvQoibgBnNn4KbB7YvK2IgmdgAacxvbg4iVb8eUIcuxUih1-QQ0Q609p86iEnx9V1pb5dvz7xjXYUE9IvUHGpQMjojwBZE0l6-DPQcK3QvcMnuURLQ1CYs7tlwlK/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2G5hBacMeHVwF9wKgvQoibgBnNn4KbB7YvK2IgmdgAacxvbg4iVb8eUIcuxUih1-QQ0Q609p86iEnx9V1pb5dvz7xjXYUE9IvUHGpQMjojwBZE0l6-DPQcK3QvcMnuURLQ1CYs7tlwlK/s200/022.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rucZr5fXqiN_MF3qw850qncbA2DbDmRDwEvW9hr6ylbsO62e0mdY9XBEWZgFntj06oQ2wxZ9LC450ieGNbmkXGyWHHOnIceB_XH6MlDL1U3FKO9dTr4CC6GOKzbwRAKK0mDhZgajTN0c/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rucZr5fXqiN_MF3qw850qncbA2DbDmRDwEvW9hr6ylbsO62e0mdY9XBEWZgFntj06oQ2wxZ9LC450ieGNbmkXGyWHHOnIceB_XH6MlDL1U3FKO9dTr4CC6GOKzbwRAKK0mDhZgajTN0c/s200/024.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><i><b>Vegan cupcakes....who knew! They were amazing! </b></i></span></div>
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One of the best parts of the day was running into <b><a href="http://www.runnerleana.com/">Leana</a></b>! </div>
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We had a great little chat and it capped of a great morning of remembering why I run, the great people I have met and to never ever forget that all that is really #allthefab, Because for me is all about the experience and the feeling of accomplishment - not really a time. </div>
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For now, I just needed to know YES I CAN! </div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09257239139661686540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643237048031875639.post-76325140281880294612016-02-10T23:59:00.000-07:002016-02-11T00:00:20.323-07:00Giveaway: Win some Premier Protein®<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUM2UX07TyHQA76cByTm-LcuCa6ZkiIdMZC0F0CXaX2oOgTLkvumdkSQjbz6_PWpG5Tr9hGWAxBBqz9qdzi6byAMIuwUMDv5qDYQJQIr5OexOIau8UTzOSzHRQyHrwXEqxcsnZjw41W_g/s1600/giveaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUM2UX07TyHQA76cByTm-LcuCa6ZkiIdMZC0F0CXaX2oOgTLkvumdkSQjbz6_PWpG5Tr9hGWAxBBqz9qdzi6byAMIuwUMDv5qDYQJQIr5OexOIau8UTzOSzHRQyHrwXEqxcsnZjw41W_g/s640/giveaway.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>I received some free product from <a href="https://twitter.com/premierprotein">Premier Protein </a>and the opportunity to provide this giveaway. </i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>The opinions are my own. </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">I am not a vegetarian, but I sometimes feel I do not have enough protein in my diet. Especially after I run. I do love me a smoothie, but sometimes bringing one with you isn't all the easy or convenient. so enter the offer to try a (new to me) protein shake product - from Premier Protein! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">Why is protein so important? We kind of all know the scoop here! In short, protein </span>boosts your energy, helps repair muscles after a workout and can help curb hunger by making you feel fuller for longer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was asked to try Premier Protein shakes. To be honest, I kind of felt really hesitant after I said I would try em. I mean...I hate some protein powders, and I am sort of super picky. But, I said I would try, share my opinion. So I needed to have an open mind. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was told Premier Protein shakes are ideal for breakfast on the go, a snack, or a post-workout boost. Sooooo, the other morning after receiving my package of shakes I thought...OK today is a perfect day to try this product. I am off to meet a friend at the gym - he is going to show me how the heck he runs all the miles on the treadmill. So, since I wont get home for at least an hour after the workout, I should have some portable protein. </span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWr2C57TW-ySdIMcP0w_eJLAtMW_g9Ol98kl9bycVslOXqG_Ngo0NE2myfDC4lmSWFk0dbREFMXfHxsjZJQwy3U74fqBvpXFdcRfbKcETRKe_feBFH5owHEmcCbJuVuV-SVy4pghPvA6-/s1600/120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWr2C57TW-ySdIMcP0w_eJLAtMW_g9Ol98kl9bycVslOXqG_Ngo0NE2myfDC4lmSWFk0dbREFMXfHxsjZJQwy3U74fqBvpXFdcRfbKcETRKe_feBFH5owHEmcCbJuVuV-SVy4pghPvA6-/s200/120.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"><i>So I packed up my bag and off I went....</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My pal Ryan is amping up his mileage while trying to lose weight. He was concerned about the calories. I maintain that after an hour of running, this little fella isn't at all bad for you. As a newbie runner to longer distance, he is jsut learning to balance what he eats. And, it can be hard sometimes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So the shake deets: Each Premier Protein shake is low fat, with 30g of protein, and contains 160 calories with only 1g of sugar. They are gluten free, have 24 vitamins and minerals with no artificial colours. Honestly after over an hour of some hard slogging on the treaddy...I was deff, I o ready to try it. And, I asked Ryan to drink up, too! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPhs2d8feXBW0taislO_HV1iL6URIVsMJJinJ-XzT24nUZYdTU0eLx7yi09R86xgLbaI0uJMjsvdH6tpICmesUIHBlPiL3FpUB35oQ-fAeiGHNVnRlmEbSSJb7w8-UcVwvjgIBRM-ebpk/s1600/121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPhs2d8feXBW0taislO_HV1iL6URIVsMJJinJ-XzT24nUZYdTU0eLx7yi09R86xgLbaI0uJMjsvdH6tpICmesUIHBlPiL3FpUB35oQ-fAeiGHNVnRlmEbSSJb7w8-UcVwvjgIBRM-ebpk/s320/121.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A<span style="font-family: inherit;">nd</span> then ..... we looked at each other and said...holy cow! These taste GREAT. Honestly, I didn't expect that. The new vanilla ones taste quite yummy. And...you can get em at Costco stores in Canada. Right now they are only available until April 3rd. But the other two flavours - Chocolate and Strawberries & Cream have been available for quite some time at Costco.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Premier Protein also provided me with a recipe to try, which is delish. It does taste rather like a muffin - handy with only 4 ingredients, too. I also recommend making it with a frozen banana and leaving out the ice cubes. If you are like me, experiment with your fruit! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhX0bKwXXd4t7ztxkM47sarpK3eAEk_4DD8GC1S9XrYDEa4HzWuQFeScCGO1yFSUb2JejnhivGyEXbgVR8f0ST0gXS37xxwLAeYPmd2U7mSPmdDQq7SHqAv3_14ASXPZ1hlkCxsTn-V_X5/s1600/Blueberry-Muffin-Smoothie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhX0bKwXXd4t7ztxkM47sarpK3eAEk_4DD8GC1S9XrYDEa4HzWuQFeScCGO1yFSUb2JejnhivGyEXbgVR8f0ST0gXS37xxwLAeYPmd2U7mSPmdDQq7SHqAv3_14ASXPZ1hlkCxsTn-V_X5/s320/Blueberry-Muffin-Smoothie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I must also admit that in having a post workout coffee, I decided to try out the <span style="text-align: center;">vanilla shake in my coffee instead of cream or milk. I mean...If was trying the drink anyways....hmmmm. And it made my boring iced coffee very latte-ish!! Score!!! Truthfully - I am glad I tried this. It tasted great and is perfect for road trips or taking it with you if you are in a bit of a rush for a quick boost. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2PWnin40MSepHJ_qOcy2g_bySwSwCdsY83wclmKuvPGfPZ-KfBeJt2Yu9UQqydq8d9M4EntDHFcRZkKMqEFRHKm8Zqy7V6sYD6UrQUXXLanRh4VZveX19FB3UUBro-UpJZgrRDDrusY5V/s1600/124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2PWnin40MSepHJ_qOcy2g_bySwSwCdsY83wclmKuvPGfPZ-KfBeJt2Yu9UQqydq8d9M4EntDHFcRZkKMqEFRHKm8Zqy7V6sYD6UrQUXXLanRh4VZveX19FB3UUBro-UpJZgrRDDrusY5V/s200/124.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJ4pUFjqxA1IVPIqerVt6oZk0RPgMjs9AM4st3Gu6m-ntp5IjBgXYMBvLkxKha9ydc0k0Pmd4qWAQeiWPWQ7iJh9wtmrVwvR6ll0zqgPDCUGgxJGiu6HAbiF6Dfr5ENeMTcwZ0_renWYP/s1600/123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJ4pUFjqxA1IVPIqerVt6oZk0RPgMjs9AM4st3Gu6m-ntp5IjBgXYMBvLkxKha9ydc0k0Pmd4qWAQeiWPWQ7iJh9wtmrVwvR6ll0zqgPDCUGgxJGiu6HAbiF6Dfr5ENeMTcwZ0_renWYP/s200/123.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>So wanna try some Premier Protein?? </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Win an 18-pack of Premier Protein® shakes! </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">5 winners. Canada only. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/ODQzODNjNmU4MzAwNmRjNTJjODc2MGFlODJlY2MyOjc=/?">ENTER HERE</a></span></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09257239139661686540noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643237048031875639.post-31372440860237028512016-02-10T11:41:00.001-07:002016-02-10T12:04:27.722-07:00I've been away....<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Where did you go? </span></i></b><br />
<br />
I went away for a while. I was still hanging on the <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/crantina/">IG</a></b> and <b><a href="https://twitter.com/crantina">Twitter</a></b> but not here.<br />
<br />
Not sure where I went,but it really wasn't a vacay. It wasn't pretty. It was sort of like a dark tunnel with no end. It started right after the most fantastic weekend EVER (hello LAS VEGAS!) I lost my job, there was no work, I started working somewhere part time - making a quarter of my usual salary. But yes I had a job. But I didn't feel grateful. More like this.<br />
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And reading some blogs made it worse. Everyone was constantly happy, Having personal bests. Running all the races. All the miles. Looking great. Being successful. Being Sofa King Awesome. All the things I wasn't. It got to the point that I would read and see everything as #humblebragging: "Oh look I just ran a gazillion miles, fed the homeless, picked up all my free stuff from my sponsors and i am so #grateful". YIKES.<br />
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<b>But no matter what I did it wasn't enough. I wasn't enough. </b><br />
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I just got tired. So. Tired. All the freaking time. And couldn't write anything. And could feel like I anything to say. Because I was kind of a failure over in my world. And I was feeling like I was Debbie Downer. And despite battling the flu and still managing a December streak, I still felt like shit all the GD time. Even awesome news was meh.<br />
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And finally I had to stop. Baby steps. I got out. Called some peeps. Made some dates. Saw the sights. I didn't "choose happy". I mean, In a a way I did..but for those of us who know anxiety or depression...sometimes choosing ain't all that easy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZN66vB1jkRwfWf_WFbhXVSVwbEXq0oc_nGp4DMBvlVlYn4wyk6_NmktQ1kXz8SYCAeX7dMm4OrU43hX7LagU6-w60yB8HtlX2gTJBhxVdjdIk4WGt3m3fs_L0iVpS1tpX89H0YNDFD04/s1600/jancollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZN66vB1jkRwfWf_WFbhXVSVwbEXq0oc_nGp4DMBvlVlYn4wyk6_NmktQ1kXz8SYCAeX7dMm4OrU43hX7LagU6-w60yB8HtlX2gTJBhxVdjdIk4WGt3m3fs_L0iVpS1tpX89H0YNDFD04/s400/jancollage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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But each day in January I chose something. Something to change the overwhelming 'not enough'. Something to ensure I got out. even if it was "only" a walk. I picked up a phone. I called people. I tweeted. It's the dates that made the difference. I even went a few places on my own. Because if I didnt get my arse out there, I would miss out. And, dammit, I was tired of missing out.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>I also had some wine. That helped. Grape is a fruit, FYI. </i></span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Mostly <span style="text-align: right;">I stopped <i>not</i> talking to people. And then, I stopped crying and feeling so damn awful. </span>I finally got to the point where I reached out and said...hey...whatcha doin? <span style="text-align: right;">I even got brave with a couple wonderful folks who I know, love and trust. Because I needed help, hugs and a boost. </span>I had stopped asking some people for coffee or a run or a visit...because they are always "too busy". And then I thought...maybe they feel like this too? </div>
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<b><i>Thank you Cara, Susan, Renee, Cori, Ashley, Melisa and Richelle. </i></b></div>
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<i>for listening. for being there. for knowing me and helping. </i></div>
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And they didn't mind (I don't think) when I just burst into tears in midsentence. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPd-9bd0aDUHyzdUmN8LXbUtMWkaR-CUGmlsNW5zJYgSOAuBUOjziAUVrfIwu1OmBhBsNiYsco56MbR-nBgKMaeZWW4NRG516bgp9rAMuzRj-jrX6ZG95hAfwKDQZ4FmgBrtYUZ4NoL0A6/s1600/109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPd-9bd0aDUHyzdUmN8LXbUtMWkaR-CUGmlsNW5zJYgSOAuBUOjziAUVrfIwu1OmBhBsNiYsco56MbR-nBgKMaeZWW4NRG516bgp9rAMuzRj-jrX6ZG95hAfwKDQZ4FmgBrtYUZ4NoL0A6/s320/109.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">And suddenly my tunnel got brighter. </span></b></div>
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So...am I better. Um no. But I am working on it. Looking for my daily signs. Doing affirmations. Trying my damn dog best to get my training runs done in addition to walking minimum of 5k every day. </div>
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So what does this mean? It means HIHOWAREYOUIMBACK. Little by little. </div>
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It mean DO THIS EVERYDAMNDAY! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87YG__yhJ4DgES7o_Q-0knu7C4maIsVyIT4zbXAiW7fjm2KwnxbECicCuNLEPWiM-Lz1xNwfH69xrh6jQecZi20B4ertZwrmEk-kHVslyszYmjYWoEOL7gLO0GNh3nsMy0H_7zaguHYUX/s1600/be-silly-be-honet-be-kind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87YG__yhJ4DgES7o_Q-0knu7C4maIsVyIT4zbXAiW7fjm2KwnxbECicCuNLEPWiM-Lz1xNwfH69xrh6jQecZi20B4ertZwrmEk-kHVslyszYmjYWoEOL7gLO0GNh3nsMy0H_7zaguHYUX/s200/be-silly-be-honet-be-kind.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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It means I take a breath and start over. I take one step which leads to 10,000 (if your into counting).</div>
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I run. And be grateful I CAN run. And be brave. In every day. In small or big things. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDZJcUHSgXRnHAeONETWJ90z8p2_WzNE3ukrQl9u0N7oTBbxS00XipSYcrL8aHoH55ZtB8tptT5jhQjwu9TBdJNCJauO3UpnLp79cWcF8fxXF0zR_pLP7HrWE7TfR88pL-m_CSrDa6Yz0/s1600/TRY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDZJcUHSgXRnHAeONETWJ90z8p2_WzNE3ukrQl9u0N7oTBbxS00XipSYcrL8aHoH55ZtB8tptT5jhQjwu9TBdJNCJauO3UpnLp79cWcF8fxXF0zR_pLP7HrWE7TfR88pL-m_CSrDa6Yz0/s320/TRY.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I work on being OK with my situation and making the most of it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0U9_-Hx-wJ-_dseSOSV-aHWAMsgw2mEZ5c1OEbTNayzYrjnlBThQHB_2i2svoGLv-I4BN6sAUpHQvDk__B07pK1-UclEA5VLSfQTIFu04w5dH1dyu1byLZAbIpdlYkXUljmiOvoYODg1/s1600/beFAB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0U9_-Hx-wJ-_dseSOSV-aHWAMsgw2mEZ5c1OEbTNayzYrjnlBThQHB_2i2svoGLv-I4BN6sAUpHQvDk__B07pK1-UclEA5VLSfQTIFu04w5dH1dyu1byLZAbIpdlYkXUljmiOvoYODg1/s200/beFAB.jpg" width="172" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09257239139661686540noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643237048031875639.post-43259568742498101102015-11-06T13:54:00.001-07:002015-11-06T14:06:28.088-07:00ABFAB does Rock n Roll Vancouver 10kSo last week , <a href="http://www.dothingsalways.com/2015/11/rock-n-roll-n-ab-fab-vancouver-10k-oct.html">Susan</a> and I (and many many others were in Vancouver for #RnRVAN! There was a 10k, a halfmarathon and a whole lotta laughs in between. <br />
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This post is ALL ABOUT the 10k race. The one where Susan and I dressed up as PAtsy Stone and Edina Monsoon from BBC series ABFAB. <br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;">So before I go any further, I need to say if you do are saying 'what is ABFAB?', then you need to go watch some episodes of </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolutely_Fabulous" style="background-color: white; color: #888888; line-height: 18.48px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: purple;">Absolutely Fabulous</span></strong></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;"> RIGHT NOW. As Susan says, You simply must. It needs to be in your life.</span></span><br />
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<strong>So yes. The story of the wig:</strong> I get to Vancouver and text Susan - yes anxiety reins in my world and I know my wig has not been done by my cousin...who I would have normally stayed with - but he was super busy with a last minute call to work and another house guest. We were trying to go back and forth on Thursday about when to meet and I finally said gotta pick the HAIR up Friday morning! I was freaking that it would not be done. BUT he says nah...go to the salon (the one he and his fab partner run) and pick it up there....So when I was at a nearby place for lunch whipped by and THIS GREETED ME! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQaSJUxmqz37fYS1s2LYzy5ThYzF5INBEhbwSD9367-1i-JrRaCsupI-0fmF-TcA_G-vd2EPDOPwT1JfUmExJ8F3iNfod9BHCcCq1v_C3q0uSy8lrfBwXchDtyw6-YTeud1V_baYo9aTU4/s1600/2015-10-23+11.58.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQaSJUxmqz37fYS1s2LYzy5ThYzF5INBEhbwSD9367-1i-JrRaCsupI-0fmF-TcA_G-vd2EPDOPwT1JfUmExJ8F3iNfod9BHCcCq1v_C3q0uSy8lrfBwXchDtyw6-YTeud1V_baYo9aTU4/s200/2015-10-23+11.58.02.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="color: purple;">I sort of freaked out at the awesomeness!</span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><strong><em><span style="color: blue;">Sweetie, Size Matters!</span></em></strong> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;">And so I whipped out the long candy ciggie (stowed in my purse in case a pic needed to happen) and snapped this. I did not post to IG - as Sue and I wanted to ensure a FULL outfit prior to posting. FOR FULL EFFECT. But I swear I heard her squeal across the city when I sent the photo. (and, well her text pretty much told me what I knew. The HAIR was freaking monumental). So the hair and I went for lunch (with the fab <strong><a href="http://www.readbakerunrepeat.com/">Krista</a></strong> to the most awesome Heirloom - one of my fav Van spots) and then off to the expo. Ad the hair was truly kept under wraps until race day. </span></span></div>
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<b>Race Day Morning: </b>I woke up a full hour earlier than I would normal JUST to pin the HAIR into my hair. And put on makeup. Sweet Jesus! Who runs in makeup. I had the beset lippie tho - stain that does not move or wear...and waterproof eyeshadow and mascara. I put on all the layers, the jewelry and then the hair. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71LcIFaMpeG1Jf2ih6WMgXSqFltllRsY_KEimRPitk-1KjGfu5bYXAha4TmGek2AGrpaWYsjXlL03-2d-61KAAGX_OTJ23jaIwB2FnrgmNUnpA8JOHXqUE2CxR2bl-zhapdhNc91KKj0O/s1600/2015-10-24+07.53.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71LcIFaMpeG1Jf2ih6WMgXSqFltllRsY_KEimRPitk-1KjGfu5bYXAha4TmGek2AGrpaWYsjXlL03-2d-61KAAGX_OTJ23jaIwB2FnrgmNUnpA8JOHXqUE2CxR2bl-zhapdhNc91KKj0O/s200/2015-10-24+07.53.14.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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THEN I HAD COFFEE and a piece of toast and a hard boiled egg.</div>
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One needed some serious coffee after getting all that hair in place. 40 bobby pins later and a GOOD MORNING BITCH text was sent to <a href="http://www.dothingsalways.com/">Sue</a> and <a href="http://truenorthrunner.com/">Rachel</a> so they would recognize me in a few when I arrived. (They really did know who ABFAB was - most folks didn't)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljrQRiGSA802w_WM_3yumQnH0T4fslXcQSSgk4cju8CvzsY3-SCJ2JpWeS7FR2VtYbtrbwqeXQp8zLXX3vYdmPOc7DLnx2GXOnVkdtIxxbKf8yET2xvWv5WfytP8k2O-KGnvfJ69gYPae/s1600/2015-10-24+08.08.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljrQRiGSA802w_WM_3yumQnH0T4fslXcQSSgk4cju8CvzsY3-SCJ2JpWeS7FR2VtYbtrbwqeXQp8zLXX3vYdmPOc7DLnx2GXOnVkdtIxxbKf8yET2xvWv5WfytP8k2O-KGnvfJ69gYPae/s200/2015-10-24+08.08.55.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjha31qksZ78Ry7WfTOWIq-RUyl_Z5GAKfjQs9amRXmDtUgxZKAiMFDiVF0eNSTRzIjmWpC9uBsSQZRyT0wapA9L0UQnTC7QoHFWSwTLE8MbQMY_HMglioS4FPFCupv73p-LZ_VIr_s3Rab/s1600/2015-10-24+09.18.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjha31qksZ78Ry7WfTOWIq-RUyl_Z5GAKfjQs9amRXmDtUgxZKAiMFDiVF0eNSTRzIjmWpC9uBsSQZRyT0wapA9L0UQnTC7QoHFWSwTLE8MbQMY_HMglioS4FPFCupv73p-LZ_VIr_s3Rab/s200/2015-10-24+09.18.52.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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Then I walked to the bus...Trying to snap a few more pics but was cracking up at my reflection....</div>
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And then Sue sent THIS!!!! And I KNEW this would be the MOST epic thing EVER!!! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMevks8PSi_vAUeFs4OU_WJTW1TB-8nnGUCkz3iOXPxjd8IY9i0KBiTW79ug6YRe9p5hx50tNUphcX1NadnKF3ZUWmoSdF9Ov1bu_Ro2RRAbwWQ-qJxo747FpxHklCKrcYawNodscM7_mj/s1600/2015-10-24+08.18.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMevks8PSi_vAUeFs4OU_WJTW1TB-8nnGUCkz3iOXPxjd8IY9i0KBiTW79ug6YRe9p5hx50tNUphcX1NadnKF3ZUWmoSdF9Ov1bu_Ro2RRAbwWQ-qJxo747FpxHklCKrcYawNodscM7_mj/s200/2015-10-24+08.18.09.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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And then when I arrived I knew to go to bag check to meet Susan. Immediately there was OMG!!! And people yelling at us! ABFAB RULES!!!! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzleLB3RjeRcYNFDyIKHHz15x_kQxQVPQoYv8P7R7N43Lg4gZSHvK16r7exbksi3AP35qjHPHOgLKbqvF_v7siPcpQK7OdCVf4Ip0IkZjEDh8q7K0w7RRPLva_ZXEzsnyZ7g0Vf7HSWtX5/s1600/2015-10-24+09.17.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzleLB3RjeRcYNFDyIKHHz15x_kQxQVPQoYv8P7R7N43Lg4gZSHvK16r7exbksi3AP35qjHPHOgLKbqvF_v7siPcpQK7OdCVf4Ip0IkZjEDh8q7K0w7RRPLva_ZXEzsnyZ7g0Vf7HSWtX5/s320/2015-10-24+09.17.17.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Seriously this was so awesomely epic!</div>
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Because the wigs sort of gave us alter egos - DARLING!!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8hd7E7V9tScv5neTj1zMeQvODYgG2mFit_-NJGkyDmmttZ2mtxR_vWJoR7JjvIQPMzPhqFEwUBj6qJM2zIUL03DMiar1xc6btL3QEl2LdchWoN4sZNCevs68F4Vs1-rKYpZbpry2PF58/s1600/2015-10-24+09.14.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8hd7E7V9tScv5neTj1zMeQvODYgG2mFit_-NJGkyDmmttZ2mtxR_vWJoR7JjvIQPMzPhqFEwUBj6qJM2zIUL03DMiar1xc6btL3QEl2LdchWoN4sZNCevs68F4Vs1-rKYpZbpry2PF58/s200/2015-10-24+09.14.53.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8W-gY8LW4fMnXCZyeaTGqFf7R-N5LEQum0kcHsQHaLfnuqng4JY7FLPtQeTaVOyIjCzViuz69SBSqMfXvgGXkbtvy6biy58Bp3cGQEMgUhbm4yzIIlusWbKu7DpoKtS65cEmyZOYSDbE/s1600/2015-10-26+16.48.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8W-gY8LW4fMnXCZyeaTGqFf7R-N5LEQum0kcHsQHaLfnuqng4JY7FLPtQeTaVOyIjCzViuz69SBSqMfXvgGXkbtvy6biy58Bp3cGQEMgUhbm4yzIIlusWbKu7DpoKtS65cEmyZOYSDbE/s200/2015-10-26+16.48.57.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3b2uWTstalbeyfA_ePCO08-igyfz_dkNhGSkrjhcHlGqiK92JmY5YTN1OzIVBKjrcPW3IjC6hDMXCrCd1t4ygNk9CvkIuSiy1EsEr4ZxG5TpxjQ3nOp16N-NaJak1rf6dO6HDn5yZDoU/s1600/2015-10-26+16.51.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3b2uWTstalbeyfA_ePCO08-igyfz_dkNhGSkrjhcHlGqiK92JmY5YTN1OzIVBKjrcPW3IjC6hDMXCrCd1t4ygNk9CvkIuSiy1EsEr4ZxG5TpxjQ3nOp16N-NaJak1rf6dO6HDn5yZDoU/s200/2015-10-26+16.51.24.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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And there were pics to be HAD! </div>
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<strong><em>Startline shenanigans then ensured.</em></strong> </div>
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Most definitely occurred with a whole lotta photos. I mean...there are no words. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiqyOOLvOTRvZzBfO3NTnEIyiYdxNnx0DY6KMIDCa2SBKp0gYCpiuXNloDb3LlRSAwoV7Ja0nsMChyphenhyphenKSqNDS9TAWlhY12FO7L68Bk7dXTIbh2u9SQaa5ZJuLewEXiN8vwPAYOwxv1VHsgS/s1600/366328_209514327_XLarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiqyOOLvOTRvZzBfO3NTnEIyiYdxNnx0DY6KMIDCa2SBKp0gYCpiuXNloDb3LlRSAwoV7Ja0nsMChyphenhyphenKSqNDS9TAWlhY12FO7L68Bk7dXTIbh2u9SQaa5ZJuLewEXiN8vwPAYOwxv1VHsgS/s320/366328_209514327_XLarge.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgv-nYiAqvBa3LwQr2ktmG7q_-LgsUfwmk6yNrcWPKvhB7aFc8bruJ9HORxAN5p4HkA37Ieso-UvOiIInBdVqVVtc9ltalxDJK8-NUsz1pSKSHj7iP5EJW3ftzMlzWRvgfYOasfqfDy0EY/s1600/2015-10-24+10.22.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgv-nYiAqvBa3LwQr2ktmG7q_-LgsUfwmk6yNrcWPKvhB7aFc8bruJ9HORxAN5p4HkA37Ieso-UvOiIInBdVqVVtc9ltalxDJK8-NUsz1pSKSHj7iP5EJW3ftzMlzWRvgfYOasfqfDy0EY/s320/2015-10-24+10.22.18.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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But there ARE pics. A lotta epic pics. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0S0m50t4rHEMiInpoLYZ9vMe2UJAfUoQynrjHHOgCQv9TlbcVM5sKWkOvUQ-_YwRDHRa_VF3SZRQXZwzK6Bb9ca25hjfUFAQrjTYmkYWcA1pjxcZY4LcczW8M7Fp4U1oyGCogEJTXwt-N/s1600/2015-10-26+16.49.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0S0m50t4rHEMiInpoLYZ9vMe2UJAfUoQynrjHHOgCQv9TlbcVM5sKWkOvUQ-_YwRDHRa_VF3SZRQXZwzK6Bb9ca25hjfUFAQrjTYmkYWcA1pjxcZY4LcczW8M7Fp4U1oyGCogEJTXwt-N/s200/2015-10-26+16.49.07.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKnrnI03DAsOUXZoCBgCGtf0ndGNp120-q6iY93DFk9ft4hxDZJUsaMkcwceume5E7iM-ok2qwhnXN1GIsws2NG_sQayVZQ3zb4eQjlzvkZcoIpB_z7kWdSQWVS5VL7jVQqBp3SNt3XpA/s1600/2015-10-26+16.49.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKnrnI03DAsOUXZoCBgCGtf0ndGNp120-q6iY93DFk9ft4hxDZJUsaMkcwceume5E7iM-ok2qwhnXN1GIsws2NG_sQayVZQ3zb4eQjlzvkZcoIpB_z7kWdSQWVS5VL7jVQqBp3SNt3XpA/s200/2015-10-26+16.49.13.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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WE met all kinds of adoring fans.... hammed for the paparazzi</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJG_-OcjW8G6FuXYOT46ymcW30GiioQyRqcHz-ygg__ivCOLrCFsMjghuVX7d0Mq6kW2DxycrbP4eVXZMnpwyZ9gi0wfY_mXK8bCCHhmLttg5hyj2Js0R2R4bx4C2_6J1LkKFn_Gvwp4E8/s1600/2015-10-26+16.51.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJG_-OcjW8G6FuXYOT46ymcW30GiioQyRqcHz-ygg__ivCOLrCFsMjghuVX7d0Mq6kW2DxycrbP4eVXZMnpwyZ9gi0wfY_mXK8bCCHhmLttg5hyj2Js0R2R4bx4C2_6J1LkKFn_Gvwp4E8/s200/2015-10-26+16.51.39.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwukUzMbLbl_yPb3TMb9gRbzk4MUmJHZ0arryjNOGbvod6AVvjCCD7XazweG6m4zpzsZArOnIvLAHLV7gj0vc31QcPMu2lW9X3nA7UBFM3J35ZDFm5FMSrJB0mOV2wMrl7EcaLSVCsa5Yy/s1600/2015-10-26+16.50.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwukUzMbLbl_yPb3TMb9gRbzk4MUmJHZ0arryjNOGbvod6AVvjCCD7XazweG6m4zpzsZArOnIvLAHLV7gj0vc31QcPMu2lW9X3nA7UBFM3J35ZDFm5FMSrJB0mOV2wMrl7EcaLSVCsa5Yy/s200/2015-10-26+16.50.59.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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And ensured our FAB pal <a href="https://twitter.com/smartwatermelon">Andrew</a> HE would win it all! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM20GaBjW7i1jQFPqbxqFdC8ZLj8ZfW7wenS_U7PYRTkKIHPdwlDz6MzMIWOm9wkXU7aEIogQI0co1uo5o6d83ogA-1j38lzvoJ2MG-5TqYSYdBOwLKC2-K7PV-cHX8gghXU0PR1yTENLa/s1600/2015-10-26+16.47.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM20GaBjW7i1jQFPqbxqFdC8ZLj8ZfW7wenS_U7PYRTkKIHPdwlDz6MzMIWOm9wkXU7aEIogQI0co1uo5o6d83ogA-1j38lzvoJ2MG-5TqYSYdBOwLKC2-K7PV-cHX8gghXU0PR1yTENLa/s200/2015-10-26+16.47.39.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
And then it was time to run! We positioned ourselves to start at the very front of our corral... I mean...Darling...do you KNOW who we are? And the EPIC grew from there. YES Patsy and Edina were on our bibs, too! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLKF5t83l_ZDxfhPPX1gtDZH_P8P5X0l31Q8L6JsUsPiR-WtDv5DiaRz2Ceh-sIyxt19xaTc-88GEEGPakQ9WgD3EEIk2xSqIwLFf0QPBa3hk2tVIlOTKeZdYOM_Vb9htr6etuSEn5Id2/s1600/2015-10-25+05.46.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLKF5t83l_ZDxfhPPX1gtDZH_P8P5X0l31Q8L6JsUsPiR-WtDv5DiaRz2Ceh-sIyxt19xaTc-88GEEGPakQ9WgD3EEIk2xSqIwLFf0QPBa3hk2tVIlOTKeZdYOM_Vb9htr6etuSEn5Id2/s320/2015-10-25+05.46.25.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>
Umm...less than a kilometer and we were holy eff is it hard to run in this wig! That may have been uttered simultaneously! But we were cheered and high5'd the whole way. People yelling out to us how much they loved our outfits. People saying I hate to bother you, can we have a photo...I mean, it wasn't like we didn't stop and take a few on route anyways...it was a hoot to pose with people...and then even see some online later! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7sqYdnPDuY6TajXObCf8IBB67xg1fup4wlF7bPD4vN8p-MBXNMC82XO22JEBYChPoULZGvupNXvkzkvXGjLjOz65uWOd1PfB0-c5k8f4pJw3mwftZqsNX7WjQIQILQktOyb9orFhLyaSM/s1600/2015-10-24+10.16.50-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7sqYdnPDuY6TajXObCf8IBB67xg1fup4wlF7bPD4vN8p-MBXNMC82XO22JEBYChPoULZGvupNXvkzkvXGjLjOz65uWOd1PfB0-c5k8f4pJw3mwftZqsNX7WjQIQILQktOyb9orFhLyaSM/s200/2015-10-24+10.16.50-1.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfctmSlbm97wx7lKPuSrwbLjcEjeS8t5bIR88jyaYR3JbiKi7YGv15HcR5ClzJY6aAgnz5F9FtsJat6UZuxp48j1vfGZZ73d5mFqmXWpyrMitn5tnXPQ6u-2X9swRhQj9QeVXofnrC_CnM/s1600/2015-10-24+10.16.50-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfctmSlbm97wx7lKPuSrwbLjcEjeS8t5bIR88jyaYR3JbiKi7YGv15HcR5ClzJY6aAgnz5F9FtsJat6UZuxp48j1vfGZZ73d5mFqmXWpyrMitn5tnXPQ6u-2X9swRhQj9QeVXofnrC_CnM/s200/2015-10-24+10.16.50-2.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexTFCb74Gdf6hyphenhyphenEiBn3z_QfdEYDRrIjD_bPF9FQ-NNIri5SM6D0M7MjpM5iuyWLm9IfQtFVnlHXXs2q2kfQqTSOj-N7RvhOXSmXoyQL5Vm_h1Ah-kpkQJakr6ZPtw55kJ4LBD9i5zlPTe/s1600/2015-10-24+10.16.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexTFCb74Gdf6hyphenhyphenEiBn3z_QfdEYDRrIjD_bPF9FQ-NNIri5SM6D0M7MjpM5iuyWLm9IfQtFVnlHXXs2q2kfQqTSOj-N7RvhOXSmXoyQL5Vm_h1Ah-kpkQJakr6ZPtw55kJ4LBD9i5zlPTe/s200/2015-10-24+10.16.59.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Z0U9zom86wBxUSrIImT-8LJ241JIowppNP9ADSC79FtYhnlvG7mRb90CbfSJlTvPh2p2lHNjyInmrr2r6DZaWYD1SSL683l1etI25jaAZPouPLsgbA86qUsXq5hCiZ5s3VK8nPAtWSO2/s1600/2015-10-24+10.21.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Z0U9zom86wBxUSrIImT-8LJ241JIowppNP9ADSC79FtYhnlvG7mRb90CbfSJlTvPh2p2lHNjyInmrr2r6DZaWYD1SSL683l1etI25jaAZPouPLsgbA86qUsXq5hCiZ5s3VK8nPAtWSO2/s200/2015-10-24+10.21.43.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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Then we ran into <strong><a href="http://www.trainwithbain.com/">Elizabeth</a></strong>! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Y9dggQFuo5b7H-45ZYcFZuwbRp7drcEx7OnqxpwAEkrKE_RP_JuwpJnJYueNuwJcJ6mYQdJeGiVZVJUl1b0iT0UfUHW_ddq9uxScZg3SdfZqTU1W3REfSNEZ1aSZNdLmgqTmQ67Xgu4C/s1600/2015-10-26+16.47.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Y9dggQFuo5b7H-45ZYcFZuwbRp7drcEx7OnqxpwAEkrKE_RP_JuwpJnJYueNuwJcJ6mYQdJeGiVZVJUl1b0iT0UfUHW_ddq9uxScZg3SdfZqTU1W3REfSNEZ1aSZNdLmgqTmQ67Xgu4C/s200/2015-10-26+16.47.32.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Who snapped these gems! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66KlTLTSGyPd44XirZS9fGDbTBsI9O5c_wNPHqX1VLn_WHVgEplwJkccdyU6wFpZjGLOhR4i1sEk1sS2cPi2s035Zy-Iq4vAIBtLEaOhf8BO6ok0eIn3OG8S5gEbgAtWNAQI10hSvQ1Zk/s1600/2015-10-24+19.29.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66KlTLTSGyPd44XirZS9fGDbTBsI9O5c_wNPHqX1VLn_WHVgEplwJkccdyU6wFpZjGLOhR4i1sEk1sS2cPi2s035Zy-Iq4vAIBtLEaOhf8BO6ok0eIn3OG8S5gEbgAtWNAQI10hSvQ1Zk/s200/2015-10-24+19.29.47.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLbGApqyla46j_FOW-5qpEWoz89DafcLEzseDIF1iNNMtuKBE_nCfJEIdHe6w6Qde5GIRqyoAv6lMFXoNIRn7AD71zmHVvlGw0TQGAheFWtp1gSKkFwfER427MQi_2bWOKQcBRbDTfuwO9/s1600/2015-10-24+20.02.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLbGApqyla46j_FOW-5qpEWoz89DafcLEzseDIF1iNNMtuKBE_nCfJEIdHe6w6Qde5GIRqyoAv6lMFXoNIRn7AD71zmHVvlGw0TQGAheFWtp1gSKkFwfER427MQi_2bWOKQcBRbDTfuwO9/s200/2015-10-24+20.02.41.jpg" width="181" /></a></div>
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The water stations were also FABULOUS along the route! We made sure to stop and hydrate...and I am sre we confused the hell out of some the poor volunteers! They played gamely along "topping up" our glasses! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIKOLnBpsVh7Ll_IDBKqk46ndXX5P2U1l2Ecnp6ZHmGp9mI_ewtiE2iii4QeQ51GuznOow7ysAeZpZ7IXAs8bWQquXUniUPS7PQlSftOlFtDhm7J3fOFCuHUptZXF1ob_5jMoCPUxAUn1/s1600/2015-10-26+13.12.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIKOLnBpsVh7Ll_IDBKqk46ndXX5P2U1l2Ecnp6ZHmGp9mI_ewtiE2iii4QeQ51GuznOow7ysAeZpZ7IXAs8bWQquXUniUPS7PQlSftOlFtDhm7J3fOFCuHUptZXF1ob_5jMoCPUxAUn1/s200/2015-10-26+13.12.56.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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And we had an Elvis sighting! FABULOUS DARLING!!! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYyjtTllNk64_O55Jj0hvJd3hYCqVkoODbLji8qgO-HiDmcYPMpVV4MUmucBLQJYVGnYbz1XKJM4PAenA5DuJha8O6aW8FRsNdhiZlu58666b3T6NFxdhn3ZGdKo6HT8vPrLFBItg1m6VG/s1600/2015-10-26+16.48.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYyjtTllNk64_O55Jj0hvJd3hYCqVkoODbLji8qgO-HiDmcYPMpVV4MUmucBLQJYVGnYbz1XKJM4PAenA5DuJha8O6aW8FRsNdhiZlu58666b3T6NFxdhn3ZGdKo6HT8vPrLFBItg1m6VG/s200/2015-10-26+16.48.00.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwq4tW-e2UiHG7AW4XQwTPoeaFHzlwXtK6_UtySkysJvxygBzNeyiyi9IimwmiESkbS-O6cLyWTSul-1-l1K29Ho8EqakT9fek7jRcz9rzuOyhXYWYTSBeEghXPyFYgqHzgXRsHf_w4J-g/s1600/366328_209492223_XLarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwq4tW-e2UiHG7AW4XQwTPoeaFHzlwXtK6_UtySkysJvxygBzNeyiyi9IimwmiESkbS-O6cLyWTSul-1-l1K29Ho8EqakT9fek7jRcz9rzuOyhXYWYTSBeEghXPyFYgqHzgXRsHf_w4J-g/s320/366328_209492223_XLarge.jpg" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWky6GpkOG59JvxP8VQTQJCpJMMX2B2z4ZNsbP64CqKgUYcw4xHtlP8puOdkck8eMh7Q8Id7iLyMAZAR5_jEfzJS6UJ2TL8id-jDkxxoOUlb2Jq98YNRxTtvCCzRf4CYOViQ0hQGU9UKC/s1600/366328_209512614_XLarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWky6GpkOG59JvxP8VQTQJCpJMMX2B2z4ZNsbP64CqKgUYcw4xHtlP8puOdkck8eMh7Q8Id7iLyMAZAR5_jEfzJS6UJ2TL8id-jDkxxoOUlb2Jq98YNRxTtvCCzRf4CYOViQ0hQGU9UKC/s320/366328_209512614_XLarge.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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Approaching the finish was awesome...we did slow down a tad as we didn't want to completely ruin a few folks who would finish near us. I mean...some people might not appreciate a FABULOUS photobomb! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgph-bGOtcjTa_tiAMNBEspea9K1zEIgRQzv3nbqumCC-VLSxp974jp2Wz_UGT5_7if8g0AvanhW776rBZ0Y27uP01wQh-NLhE_WyfuSbQrpnFHg8Sr2_qaZw5GfBHFOt3uJWBh3MYRso-3/s1600/366328_209496085_XLarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgph-bGOtcjTa_tiAMNBEspea9K1zEIgRQzv3nbqumCC-VLSxp974jp2Wz_UGT5_7if8g0AvanhW776rBZ0Y27uP01wQh-NLhE_WyfuSbQrpnFHg8Sr2_qaZw5GfBHFOt3uJWBh3MYRso-3/s400/366328_209496085_XLarge.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<strong>THE Finish Line was bloody EPIC!</strong></div>
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Seriously I certainly have never has such a good time. WE did not have a PB - but I tell you we got a workout - were drenched (those wigs were hot) and yet we finished with the best feeling ever...it was the MOST fun you could have! And to share that epic-ness with a partner in crime was the BEST! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYgfb0ikn-UW88IOAihDOIS-h5CXmXDpp1Jt15kii18KnBDjyiPH9alGCjl_5aDSZOwOCP9CrALZnhKvmmMvD4gGDcm-SoWOpvYC9mBEYskbo7Usg0sZPokLQfdiaH5qNQOIY0cFPSz39/s1600/2015-10-24+11.27.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYgfb0ikn-UW88IOAihDOIS-h5CXmXDpp1Jt15kii18KnBDjyiPH9alGCjl_5aDSZOwOCP9CrALZnhKvmmMvD4gGDcm-SoWOpvYC9mBEYskbo7Usg0sZPokLQfdiaH5qNQOIY0cFPSz39/s200/2015-10-24+11.27.41.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIEJqeYn6ewQk08WxxfEQWoZWZkYfp5saNXlH2OTmg5P96rWKX-kbrgQycaFBogEtCGSTfC-lTOvtDRbgu08P2EFZx_wNt0FDnKPDH3U6dlLJwsmKereUQK8wi_RP2LgQnp9GaqFK7asp/s1600/2015-10-24+11.27.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIEJqeYn6ewQk08WxxfEQWoZWZkYfp5saNXlH2OTmg5P96rWKX-kbrgQycaFBogEtCGSTfC-lTOvtDRbgu08P2EFZx_wNt0FDnKPDH3U6dlLJwsmKereUQK8wi_RP2LgQnp9GaqFK7asp/s200/2015-10-24+11.27.44.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
AT this point all kinds of people were asking for photos with us. The funniest part was a group of folks from Calgary (where WE LIVE) asked us to snap some shots. They did not recognize me - some of them who I have run with before! ha! <br />
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Ummm...I had to have help getting my medal on! </div>
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And more pics ensued with our friends - these ones recognized us!</div>
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<strong>Honestly...the BEST PARTY EVER</strong></div>
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I also think what might be the funniest part of the whole costume - is that Rock n Roll cannot use any of our pics - the CIGGIES are verboten. </div>
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AND THAT MAKES OUR OUTFITS THAT MUCH MORE BRILLIANT!!!</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><strong>Darling, Sweetie, lets do this again!!!</strong></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;"><br /></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09257239139661686540noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643237048031875639.post-76736851074648598692015-11-04T13:37:00.001-07:002015-11-06T12:53:54.297-07:00Hemp Hearts: GIVEAWAY<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by </em></span><a href="http://manitobaharvest.com/"><span style="color: #cc3300; font-family: inherit;"><em><strong>Manitoba Harvest</strong></em></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em> and the Sweat Pink community in exchange for a review of </em></span><a href="http://manitobaharvest.com/category/13/Hemp+Hearts.html"><span style="color: #cc3300; font-family: inherit;"><em><strong>Hemp Hearts</strong></em></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>. All opinions are my own.</em></span></span></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></em> </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yay I love to try new (to me) products, especially if they're edible. I mean, hello! FOOD!!! So was very happy when </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://manitobaharvest.com/category/13/Hemp-Hearts.html" target="_blank"><u><span style="color: #20b6ad;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Manitoba Harvest </strong></span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">send me some Hemp Hearts to try out. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have reviewed them before, but this time instead of making <strong><a href="http://fabulosi-t.blogspot.com/2015/03/kitchen-fun-nobake-energybites.html">energy bites</a></strong>, I tried a few more different dishes with the #hemphearts. </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I was lucky that I had a few extra packs from a few races I had done over the summer (I was hoarding the small travel size packs) so that I could take them to work or away on a few run weekends. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hemp Hearts have some texture and flavour (sort of a nutty flavour??) but the taste is not strong at all. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you need nutritional info...they have 10g of plant protein and 10g of omegas per 30g serving. And, less carbs than the same serving of chia or flax (but hey I used Hemp Hearts with flax too - just for some extra zing).</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The easiest way (I think) is to use em for breakfast. Fast and easy - just sprinkle on yogurt or oatmeal. I add fruit to both oatmeal and yoghurt for extra taste. I stewed some rhubarb (just chop up the rhubarb, drop in a pot with a little water and a few tablespoons of sugar - or agave - and cook till its soft).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEk6pZbaQwdfgqkxtp-qnrF2SnCksb8hLSCxELBynPUnEQqpF32rPIUoYx9CE8BZB0C8HIUKILmofzDPpcwgoTLo4k_j19dS0fB0xhPVeZTyzpZWipfc7u4q1WqiRfxXvnJMnciyfZeLp/s1600/2015-10-12+12.14.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEk6pZbaQwdfgqkxtp-qnrF2SnCksb8hLSCxELBynPUnEQqpF32rPIUoYx9CE8BZB0C8HIUKILmofzDPpcwgoTLo4k_j19dS0fB0xhPVeZTyzpZWipfc7u4q1WqiRfxXvnJMnciyfZeLp/s200/2015-10-12+12.14.34.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7UJvdiB6Mv1wSw2R8lxqxsexs2KOe841LHnNVqnbf2xxJK10gPgaD1mBsR35AaEwSKMK_zvVUkIEbrqLKQL7jbHBCIQitm0M9XHujnKRZNKe018K1IW6speRvd2ViSmD88rMYXQAqiENK/s1600/2015-10-12+11.56.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7UJvdiB6Mv1wSw2R8lxqxsexs2KOe841LHnNVqnbf2xxJK10gPgaD1mBsR35AaEwSKMK_zvVUkIEbrqLKQL7jbHBCIQitm0M9XHujnKRZNKe018K1IW6speRvd2ViSmD88rMYXQAqiENK/s200/2015-10-12+11.56.25.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">I took my #hemplove to work to add to my meals. On a bowl of fuit, in with fruit and yogurt or in stews at lunch. Whatever suits. I say its a great way to add a little extra to your meals. </span></span><br />
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I also tried a yoghurt parfait - layering some homemade granola my sister gave me with some local honey (the unpasteurized is the BEST) with the hemp hearts and plain greek yoghurt. It was a perfect after dinner treat (could easily work as breakfast too). And, of course...add it to smoothies. Easy Peasy. And, I find that #hemphearts don't get super thick and clumpy if you add them in (unlike if you add too much ground flax -- oops)!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4i_LkpNK5AvJvZxgIv4Cm176Ma8gv6ERrg7DGmxPyJAO5Hi0xsrlE-9UWjDbu20uukT4A13fwCYLYkeNZCyWWej_ib4ooT0Ed8hnQ8fQPeMhecmAvLIm1Wt0knxk6r86CfrDCWnF9unl/s1600/2015-03-04+18.07.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4i_LkpNK5AvJvZxgIv4Cm176Ma8gv6ERrg7DGmxPyJAO5Hi0xsrlE-9UWjDbu20uukT4A13fwCYLYkeNZCyWWej_ib4ooT0Ed8hnQ8fQPeMhecmAvLIm1Wt0knxk6r86CfrDCWnF9unl/s200/2015-03-04+18.07.00.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHvMU1V8RoWuA7zG4Xj0LZemfnL3WenhWng6Ia8Cq9IRMelZwAlkXZF1xnsdaEqFkgfcy-xaCvR-qlHHmj1Wmrn3bduqm1vUtXjG75x12WMZZHzDecPcDY_17pOcs4Q8jOvvIJt8e0MYI/s1600/2015-03-06+10.33.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHvMU1V8RoWuA7zG4Xj0LZemfnL3WenhWng6Ia8Cq9IRMelZwAlkXZF1xnsdaEqFkgfcy-xaCvR-qlHHmj1Wmrn3bduqm1vUtXjG75x12WMZZHzDecPcDY_17pOcs4Q8jOvvIJt8e0MYI/s200/2015-03-06+10.33.40.jpg" width="150" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you want some FAB recipe ideas, then check out Manitoba Harvest's <a href="http://blog.manitobaharvest.com/category/hemp-recipes/" target="_blank"><u><span style="color: #20b6ad;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">recipe section</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> in their blog. There are all kinds of great ideas - not just smoothie recipes. Muffins, guacamole, banana bread! Great ideas. Especially cause I am allergic to walnuts - so I am thinking I could use these as a nut substitute. Hmmm, what about on brownies?</span> </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Wanna try some Hemp Hearts? I have a package to give away. The giveaway is open to anyone in Canada or the US. </span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><em><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: x-small; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Giveaway restrictions: </span></em></strong></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>One prize per winner. If you already one from another #Sweatpink review in the past couple weeks, </em></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>please advise so I can choose another winner.</em></span> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="84383c6e6" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/84383c6e6/" id="rcwidget_taq3iidq" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09257239139661686540noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643237048031875639.post-72619023542385027282015-10-26T06:00:00.000-06:002015-10-26T06:00:00.989-06:00#FallIntoFitness: The FAB edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOBXKnQ4O1UwnwxGuHJWQW8C1Q7gTUq3npQrjuFpR_FKw3AFuMt706CB5N-jVLiducvKeZGC7swKd8zAF04tfdgSTmcFQeAXRVg1VYh8geUZqI2ceB3aXU0niKKGXHGE6csaYeE365Mv5/s1600/Fall+into+FitGear+Exchange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOBXKnQ4O1UwnwxGuHJWQW8C1Q7gTUq3npQrjuFpR_FKw3AFuMt706CB5N-jVLiducvKeZGC7swKd8zAF04tfdgSTmcFQeAXRVg1VYh8geUZqI2ceB3aXU0niKKGXHGE6csaYeE365Mv5/s320/Fall+into+FitGear+Exchange.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">After the fun we gals has for the <strong>Summer Fit Gear Exchange</strong>, Brittany from <a href="http://runningmamajourney.com/">My Mama Journey</a>, asked if we would be interested in doing another blogger exchange! YES!!! I loved the last one... so of course I said I would participate. <br />
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In case you are curious...it all started as part of being a Sweat Pink Ambassador. And hanging out on a FB page for us Canadian SPA gals. IT's a fun way to connect with other bloggers - and to send and receive goodies in the mail. I mean, who doesn't like a pressie in the mail?<br />
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So about a month ago I started stalking my gal (Leanne) on social media.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0J45SQjb4Ufw2zBy3KfnIJ_ReG6giwJHLUZAFOKSeL9KzRVvX2vuPF6nQzo26QDornThJv2y3XkRFSz_A24FzGvlNxo4BOYxMxUBnLHp5hgmTIug0MsGJlo12dfyuy_SQK7cpP2pGhkgP/s1600/IMG_1671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0J45SQjb4Ufw2zBy3KfnIJ_ReG6giwJHLUZAFOKSeL9KzRVvX2vuPF6nQzo26QDornThJv2y3XkRFSz_A24FzGvlNxo4BOYxMxUBnLHp5hgmTIug0MsGJlo12dfyuy_SQK7cpP2pGhkgP/s200/IMG_1671.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was a little easier - since she and I are also <strong><a href="https://www.bondiband.com/">Bondi Band</a></strong> Ambassadors - I chatted with her a bit about what she liked and put together a package. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I picked out a great pair of gloves from North Face, then added in few other things (I like to share some of my fav gear!): </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A Bondi Band (with Butterflies - she loves those), </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A Buff from a fav run of mine - as Leanne does longer runs and hits the trail. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Some fun paper clips an</span>d some <span style="font-family: inherit;">Mizuno 'race buttons' - great cause you don't pin your bib to a shirt and damage it! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">You can check out her post HERE.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span>Janelle had my name....due to my trip to Vancouver I haven't received my package....that's OK ...I will totally report when I get mine! Which should be when I get home tonight! In the meantime...check out the other bloggers!<br />
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<i>Thank you so much Brittany for putting this together! </i></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: purple;">To check out who participated, check out the other blogger participants!</span> </span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Leanne @<span style="color: magenta;"></span> </span><a href="http://leannerichardson.ca/"><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">http://leannerichardson.ca/</span></a></span></strong></span></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: magenta;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></span><span style="font-size: large;">Brittany @<span style="color: magenta;"> </span><span style="color: magenta;"><a href="http://www.runningmamajourney.com/" style="color: magenta;">www.runningmamajourney.com</a></span><br />Janelle @ <span style="color: magenta;"><a href="http://www.whollyhealthyblog.com/" style="color: magenta;">www.whollyhealthyblog.com</a> </span></span></span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Rebecca @<span style="color: magenta;"></span> </span></strong><a href="http://runningfoodbaby.com/"><strong><span style="color: magenta; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">http://runningfoodbaby.com/</span></strong></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Anna @<span style="color: magenta;"></span> </span></strong><a href="http://pipersrun.com/"><strong><span style="color: magenta; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">http://pipersrun.com/</span></strong></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tracey @ <span style="color: magenta;"></span></span></span></strong><a href="http://www.fortheloveoffamily.net/"><strong><span style="color: magenta; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">http://www.fortheloveoffamily.net/</span></strong></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Leanne @<span style="color: magenta;"></span> <span style="color: magenta;">http://leannerichardson.ca/<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></strong></span></span></div>
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<strong><em>Have you ever done a gift exchange?</em></strong></div>
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<strong><em>What is the one piece of GEAR you CANNOT be without?</em></strong></div>
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<strong><em>What’s the ONE thing you totally WANT?</em></strong></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09257239139661686540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643237048031875639.post-27269417531914238422015-10-23T00:30:00.000-06:002015-10-23T00:30:01.825-06:00FABFriday: Pats & Eddie do RnRVAN!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
HUZZZAH! it is indeed <a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/absolutely-fabulous-joanna-lumley-jennifer-saunders-7XSbxxsNrROIE/tile">THAT</a> time again...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYwYvcoHgcIMQ3uyYxljYGyvKXSHLMxqwD81d50YE2CgdPuAFw515v2cHII7rBIufmrw8iC_3FiHZrK8lLUQBRQhKBuMYh86uFtNudfSkdm0wjKMJUol6IGPK_ZtmtAkZGY30k5aHbwlr/s1600/2015-05-15+06.03.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYwYvcoHgcIMQ3uyYxljYGyvKXSHLMxqwD81d50YE2CgdPuAFw515v2cHII7rBIufmrw8iC_3FiHZrK8lLUQBRQhKBuMYh86uFtNudfSkdm0wjKMJUol6IGPK_ZtmtAkZGY30k5aHbwlr/s200/2015-05-15+06.03.15.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit;">In honour of #FABFriday, </span></strong><strong><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit;">I am reposting a post that my awesome friend and fellow </span></strong></div>
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<a href="http://www.runrocknroll.com/rocknblog/"><strong><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit;">Rock ‘n’ Blog</span></strong></a><strong><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit;"> ambassador </span></strong><a href="http://www.dothingsalways.com/"><strong><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit;">Susan</span></strong></a><strong><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit;"> and I wrote for the </span></strong><a href="http://www.runrocknroll.com/rock-blog/"><strong><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit;">Rock Blog</span></strong></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjC8wTlKCDOcEb3XJX96hfAVFMg9Xu6ohqAEr1HWm3S9mAvOrrjb7leSSP3qqXJm8wfdqNHbstfsDckU9Sb13wOA25vswJOOIUgWqPtDe2yvJ8DuTPKHuFq995ff60wOjPwhT3RvS9Uu1m/s1600/IMG_0693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjC8wTlKCDOcEb3XJX96hfAVFMg9Xu6ohqAEr1HWm3S9mAvOrrjb7leSSP3qqXJm8wfdqNHbstfsDckU9Sb13wOA25vswJOOIUgWqPtDe2yvJ8DuTPKHuFq995ff60wOjPwhT3RvS9Uu1m/s320/IMG_0693.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">How to look Absolutely Fabulous on Race day!</span></b></div>
Can you believe that <b><a href="http://www.runrocknroll.com/vancouver/">Rock ‘n’ Roll Vancouver</a></b> is this weekend?? We are so excited as we just got word that our idols the incomparable Patsy Stone and Edina Monsoon (from ABFAB) will be crossing the pond to run the <a href="http://www.runrocknroll.com/vancouver/the-races/distances/"><b>RnRVAN 10k</b></a> on Saturday! <strong><em>ACTUALLY Tina and Sue have channelled their very best Pats and Ed and will be in full FAB costume out on the course.</em></strong> We sat down to ask them a few questions about planning a perfect race day!<br />
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<b>What kind of outfit are you planning to wear on race day?</b><br />
P - Well heels are out unfortunately, but chic sexy black is IN darling! It’s always slimming even when one is huffing and puffing around a 10k. How far is 10k again?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0L4lJhggjObdKE0HnC32jAn2BWpTw2UL3JkNufPU8XoidoIDOqFqE5zkxyfvMZiXaYTLSBoDb1_YlHPrsuenmV77aqwD6_ZrRXSu1U6wzxjYB92Y1VVdf78bWjxxdmkA0gO17cX5Iyan/s1600/IMG_0692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0L4lJhggjObdKE0HnC32jAn2BWpTw2UL3JkNufPU8XoidoIDOqFqE5zkxyfvMZiXaYTLSBoDb1_YlHPrsuenmV77aqwD6_ZrRXSu1U6wzxjYB92Y1VVdf78bWjxxdmkA0gO17cX5Iyan/s200/IMG_0692.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>Now, how will you keep hydrated on the course?</b><br />
E - It’s very important to keep drinking fluids out there - BYOB sweetie!<br />
P - Run fast darling Stanley Park Brewery will be waiting at the finish!<br />
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<b>Can you give us a sneak preview of your race accessories?</b><br />
P - LaCroix sweetie!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqXcybx7JJmx1E9MNrYuAzCseQWJizMSb_qi2ugSFlUBEq8kw5tp3UvL7HmyU_ZXWLCj7AsiualBVHmiC2RbJHkzdWq3jz4iYmq7pIaIDvjvlPR-Uc6xp-WZmQHLZVG_GUOzkCx-p1_xY/s1600/IMG_0680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqXcybx7JJmx1E9MNrYuAzCseQWJizMSb_qi2ugSFlUBEq8kw5tp3UvL7HmyU_ZXWLCj7AsiualBVHmiC2RbJHkzdWq3jz4iYmq7pIaIDvjvlPR-Uc6xp-WZmQHLZVG_GUOzkCx-p1_xY/s200/IMG_0680.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>Are you ready for the photographers en route?</b><br />
P - Paparazzi? Ugh, make sure your lippie is magnificent and don’t hang around long enough for questions, suck it in and run past those cameras!<br />
E - Oh no no sweetie, always strike a pose.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsdDbS9MhgdWPSuU764dIT8EBZy_wWDBUPYalpD2BHBst_wehNHDBZmldcMJRAcm-iRbcktzNsSCj2qA7uQGsp_HMx0bw11PserDK9qFNgci01LnoCLw83ec-WolVSG003OZzU76GNDiI/s1600/IMG_0691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsdDbS9MhgdWPSuU764dIT8EBZy_wWDBUPYalpD2BHBst_wehNHDBZmldcMJRAcm-iRbcktzNsSCj2qA7uQGsp_HMx0bw11PserDK9qFNgci01LnoCLw83ec-WolVSG003OZzU76GNDiI/s200/IMG_0691.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>What are you looking forward to most about running in Vancouver?</b><br />
P - The sea air darling! It’s good for my youthful complexion. Post race bubbles, shopping and all the mod cons the west coast has to offer.<br />
E - Wait a minute – there’s extra bling for the remix? Is remix a cocktail? SIGN ME UP! How far is a Half Marathon?<br />
P - All the photo ops along the way, darling...starting with the Inuksuk at English Bay and I hear there is a whole lot of eye candy along the seawall!<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: magenta;">What fun! </span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: magenta;">T</span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: magenta;">hese ladies have #allthefab tips for raceday. </span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #3d85c6;">We cannot wait to see Pats and Eds race debut on Saturday!</span></i></b></div>
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We would also like to issue a challenge to all you FAB runners out there in Rock ‘n’ Roll land. Get your costume on! Vancouver has a 10k on Saturday Oct 24, and a half marathon on October 25th (same day as <b><a href="http://www.runrocknroll.com/los-angeles/">Rock ‘n’ Roll Los Angeles</a></b>) – which is awfully close to Halloween. Is there a better reason to plan on a little dress up?? Who can give the best costume? Let’s show the Rock ‘n’ Roll peeps out there who can have the best time!<br />
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">For #alltheFAB pics on Patsy an<span style="text-align: start;">d</span> E<span style="text-align: right;">dina's adventure, </span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: orange;">follow along on </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Twitter</span><span style="color: orange;">: </span><a href="https://twitter.com/crantina" style="color: orange;">T</a></span><a href="https://twitter.com/crantina" style="color: orange;">ina</a><span style="color: orange;"> / </span><a href="https://twitter.com/dothingsalways" style="color: orange;">Susan</a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: orange;">or on </span><span style="color: #990000;">InstaGram</span><span style="color: orange;">: </span></span></b><b style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://instagram.com/crantina"><span style="text-align: right;">T</span>ina</a> / <a href="https://instagram.com/sue_dothingsalways/">Susan</a></span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTSB8xUwM6453qNRXRYuV74T5lamp4OnxwVleDxHh4eElnElUesVIXy0G2u-PC97n3k4rAfzxjV9SlXn4LN_yctYOQA_4IQ4n1TJTEUlcDnF64MSX_uzFOCzlCc80i64jyWRusjk095Ua/s1600/ab-fab-hero2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTSB8xUwM6453qNRXRYuV74T5lamp4OnxwVleDxHh4eElnElUesVIXy0G2u-PC97n3k4rAfzxjV9SlXn4LN_yctYOQA_4IQ4n1TJTEUlcDnF64MSX_uzFOCzlCc80i64jyWRusjk095Ua/s640/ab-fab-hero2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><b><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">ps - if you need some MORE laughs check out some of my FAV ABFAB moments that inspired us to channel Pats and Edie to run and have #alltheab fun</span></b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> (that is if you have never noticed any of my FABfriday posts before)</span></div>
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Or these amazing fitness clips <strong><a href="https://media.giphy.com/media/9M8kueX15zR9C/giphy.gif">HERE</a></strong> or <strong><a href="https://31.media.tumblr.com/a3bcb55cdc590547ed39e7046e5ff19f/tumblr_mybx7sbbQv1qgcra2o1_500.gif">HERE</a></strong></div>
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Need a quick episode fix? </div>
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<strong></strong><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09257239139661686540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643237048031875639.post-66737189508784142242015-10-21T07:30:00.000-06:002015-10-21T08:34:44.582-06:00October: A whole lotta FAB<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange; font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">WHERE has this month gone?</span></i></b> </span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: inherit;"><i>The past few weeks I have ha<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.48px;">d a whole lotta running going on! </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.48px;">Since the beginning of the month, ran a halfmarathon. In pissing freezing rain (ugh). </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.48px;">More on that race <b><a href="http://fabulosi-t.blogspot.com/2015/10/half-mara-40-harvest-half.html">HERE</a></b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBvEghxb7YIUDfL8Gt8UDFNQqnNq1O6HJ7fsHOMiZwi-LBg_n3P6UL6E4khFKuLsGHhHVp9oQ8CMioy6mN3LphKv1ZglYw6PQ6VDnyfP8CEXFtbj201A3WDllrUe_xCWwHT5Nt4uH8XkM/s1600/2015-10-03+07.51.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBvEghxb7YIUDfL8Gt8UDFNQqnNq1O6HJ7fsHOMiZwi-LBg_n3P6UL6E4khFKuLsGHhHVp9oQ8CMioy6mN3LphKv1ZglYw6PQ6VDnyfP8CEXFtbj201A3WDllrUe_xCWwHT5Nt4uH8XkM/s320/2015-10-03+07.51.17.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.48px;">Then I ran the Grizzly Ultra in Canmore. - where Tara an</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;">d I split a 50k an</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;">d enjoye</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">d the trails!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">Gorgeous </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">day an</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">d so</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;"> much fun. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYGNmVPhUfcAVob_qRL9zOykbmcHZ42Fz7Jr2HRiGI14U6qrCNxnHcfsfwrIVlYsHo-vaQXBgfRYxENt46bz_rUu28zvtyVGN7wKA-CHOSnA_YyDKc9iYZ0wCe1VbPR-f00Gf1ngYAuYF/s1600/griz+team.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYGNmVPhUfcAVob_qRL9zOykbmcHZ42Fz7Jr2HRiGI14U6qrCNxnHcfsfwrIVlYsHo-vaQXBgfRYxENt46bz_rUu28zvtyVGN7wKA-CHOSnA_YyDKc9iYZ0wCe1VbPR-f00Gf1ngYAuYF/s320/griz+team.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkkjzj4le-PYGReCtCzsgBGfx5mKoLos9XWDEvDmWtENb2a02yTDYdntGCUcqTjRX0HFHq_Om53eC_NAqk4XH0Y6nhJSfqnI6-CFlG2-tdyi_DbK7qfqakoGIOdDTox8Qq66GUz_Hnvhb/s1600/griz+Fun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkkjzj4le-PYGReCtCzsgBGfx5mKoLos9XWDEvDmWtENb2a02yTDYdntGCUcqTjRX0HFHq_Om53eC_NAqk4XH0Y6nhJSfqnI6-CFlG2-tdyi_DbK7qfqakoGIOdDTox8Qq66GUz_Hnvhb/s400/griz+Fun.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">Then</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"> a whole lotta work an</span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">d a few short runs were tossed in...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAde-vpmQ7yoS8J7GkURjTninDIRXRsUSuaRDZh1zf7wTMmbS4PqK8iAoI-vKmHx2hc7rNgfcMkLGA8_rEMsJA_FvYGOTA0HF_5mJrYIzLhB4Wo9zVWg7o7bpPnErLiq0J5kswt6plq1F/s1600/2015-09-26+13.29.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAde-vpmQ7yoS8J7GkURjTninDIRXRsUSuaRDZh1zf7wTMmbS4PqK8iAoI-vKmHx2hc7rNgfcMkLGA8_rEMsJA_FvYGOTA0HF_5mJrYIzLhB4Wo9zVWg7o7bpPnErLiq0J5kswt6plq1F/s200/2015-09-26+13.29.25.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdC2oZ5ETBGfF44uneHmlrTg8vaOR1GkgFnSAnooB9mT0ZUJNKgNwwNTEAJLfape3Vza_goNL9NeUY-pbUjqL9NEvAdMAZLMQ7QZpY_XkYQmiC4U8X6YkICw6iuROup6gluv0UZWNm7eE/s1600/2015-09-26+14.45.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdC2oZ5ETBGfF44uneHmlrTg8vaOR1GkgFnSAnooB9mT0ZUJNKgNwwNTEAJLfape3Vza_goNL9NeUY-pbUjqL9NEvAdMAZLMQ7QZpY_XkYQmiC4U8X6YkICw6iuROup6gluv0UZWNm7eE/s200/2015-09-26+14.45.06.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZDcc64CKmU4cQ2gnzBbZSc68sIdVLzStGY6QgGzuSCKThwnwfnlARSXP0bDuP1d5Jo4bzs6c5QyuCLo5KoVpNVig86gpOtKxUJbL-dhAROpxcxaBg4PGPiv6hXZ_cxWTJ9GRZ3M9UDS0/s1600/2015-09-27+09.34.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZDcc64CKmU4cQ2gnzBbZSc68sIdVLzStGY6QgGzuSCKThwnwfnlARSXP0bDuP1d5Jo4bzs6c5QyuCLo5KoVpNVig86gpOtKxUJbL-dhAROpxcxaBg4PGPiv6hXZ_cxWTJ9GRZ3M9UDS0/s200/2015-09-27+09.34.33.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.48px;">I followe</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">d up with a gorgeous trail run this past Fri</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.48px;">day. I hit the trails with some gals an</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.48px;">d </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.48px;">we put </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.48px;">22k in. It was hilly, hiking, some great </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.48px;">downhill running...an</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.48px;">d some great laughs. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXuM-b2E3t0B6Yg2Av3x1L6OrQseUaYc2Vvg-XwoPKQpLdLi8mY_lcfHHl74WTIwbbt2BE0gzefhfuATfDDdd2jg6MzKZJbf_OGIttqrpdcgLlLl4vC7hbcpGevDM3z5hTTtQMJLuf8pHQ/s1600/MooseMtnCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXuM-b2E3t0B6Yg2Av3x1L6OrQseUaYc2Vvg-XwoPKQpLdLi8mY_lcfHHl74WTIwbbt2BE0gzefhfuATfDDdd2jg6MzKZJbf_OGIttqrpdcgLlLl4vC7hbcpGevDM3z5hTTtQMJLuf8pHQ/s400/MooseMtnCollage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;">Satur</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;">day was s</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;">ome volunteering an</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;">d a whole lotta cowbell!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsd1fo7Vw49V3dHpGD_eu7VAiMZKUsxcURpAU-2ntGkp_hPrVJyuTXEqNC57FiXXGDhPxRaCXqx35N2SUYUC4K_fh3CkGwvC9MVgX93Vq96kBvxJMYhLb-GvV83zHF2aIzYkcVi19v_Ig/s1600/2015-10-17+10.55.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsd1fo7Vw49V3dHpGD_eu7VAiMZKUsxcURpAU-2ntGkp_hPrVJyuTXEqNC57FiXXGDhPxRaCXqx35N2SUYUC4K_fh3CkGwvC9MVgX93Vq96kBvxJMYhLb-GvV83zHF2aIzYkcVi19v_Ig/s200/2015-10-17+10.55.00.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcboUV6CSRHVcIUkCLHC5Qfqv9400LrjglD8aF32AxCf8j1fe_4FfIF1l3nYxOE8MMHAJMN4JX2UWSe7PyQrJrHtf0T2RXoFLYqcWYZsQK1GP91jqW1cY1hv_FA7qemh39TyvfNn1bGk_G/s1600/2015-10-17+11.00.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcboUV6CSRHVcIUkCLHC5Qfqv9400LrjglD8aF32AxCf8j1fe_4FfIF1l3nYxOE8MMHAJMN4JX2UWSe7PyQrJrHtf0T2RXoFLYqcWYZsQK1GP91jqW1cY1hv_FA7qemh39TyvfNn1bGk_G/s200/2015-10-17+11.00.34.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdvon3gdT15bC97s1WQOV-Hv74pEC77Hd0UVmgv4fUFcf0NwVn-YtILthkrkRqVl952jpXZcEtobUe9mEDNcF_LCHxRmz1nOD0woItpwBlV3NOBI6auwgyUvlgDp4TADXTZ8JnJMp3u1c/s1600/2015-10-17+11.06.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdvon3gdT15bC97s1WQOV-Hv74pEC77Hd0UVmgv4fUFcf0NwVn-YtILthkrkRqVl952jpXZcEtobUe9mEDNcF_LCHxRmz1nOD0woItpwBlV3NOBI6auwgyUvlgDp4TADXTZ8JnJMp3u1c/s200/2015-10-17+11.06.28.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;">Sun</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;">day was a t</span>he <strong><a href="http://runlikeagirl.ca/">Run Like A Girl</a></strong> virtual 10k in honour of my fabulous friend Wanda who is just finishe</span>d chemo and radiation treatments. She is one <span style="font-family: inherit;">badass la</span>dy! G<span style="font-family: inherit;">o read a little about her on my <b><a href="http://fabulosi-t.blogspot.ca/2015/10/runlikeagirl-miles-for-wanda.html">blog post HERE</a></b>.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhxZE2TniffDZ0KxVXtIuIqO0JRnoKhbrW9SpeqWSRKoSjgscQvl67dDFLTAZD-b6evp09yoEhyw_CXRcaOKjgFoSqzBe59WbsuEDakMD_OiILa-otjhjcptaEM9SeL4p1Q-AoxY-LhJhP/s1600/rlagCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhxZE2TniffDZ0KxVXtIuIqO0JRnoKhbrW9SpeqWSRKoSjgscQvl67dDFLTAZD-b6evp09yoEhyw_CXRcaOKjgFoSqzBe59WbsuEDakMD_OiILa-otjhjcptaEM9SeL4p1Q-AoxY-LhJhP/s400/rlagCollage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;">An</span>d...holy crap! I am off for <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;">Vancouver on Thursday. I nee</span>d to pack. Hell! I need to do laundry! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;">I am so stoke</span>d to be going!!! Seeing friends and family will be so awesome. BUT what will be very FAB will be the weekend plan:</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><b style="font-family: inherit;">Friday 2pm - RnR Expo Fun </b><i style="font-family: inherit;">(come see me at CEP and get some Compression!)</i></li>
<li><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.48px;">Saturday 9am - 10k</b></li>
<li><b style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.48px;">Sunday 8:15am - Half Marathon</b></li>
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THIS!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmO4jkuVw8QSTWUMFnadw90Naxp_Gp1ZFZwfUaQwXy49yr0DB31hbSSziPm-XbSK7tE0vm3wO4SqXTooqCNYat4iQ-QO1H080McXYrttviA8pCSPjwG3DuX9lRgJrqiQq-SLTh0zS5h5c/s1600/Van+Medals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #888888; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmO4jkuVw8QSTWUMFnadw90Naxp_Gp1ZFZwfUaQwXy49yr0DB31hbSSziPm-XbSK7tE0vm3wO4SqXTooqCNYat4iQ-QO1H080McXYrttviA8pCSPjwG3DuX9lRgJrqiQq-SLTh0zS5h5c/s400/Van+Medals.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div>
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THIS BLING WILL HAPPEN! </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;">I never write out my race goals - but this time aroun</span>d....voila! Here they are:</b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.48px;">10km: Laugh, take pics an</span>d ensure that I do not lose my FAB hair. Yes I am wearing a <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.48px;">wig! This costumed event shoul</span>d be a showstopper. WAIT until all is revealed! I think it is awesome. My partner in crime <b><a href="http://www.dothingsalways.com/">Susan</a></b> also agrees. </li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.48px;">Half marathon: I wont be spee</span>dy. But I want to come close to my best time this year....I also have quite the supervillan outfit planned! It will be an awesome day to run. And have a beer after. OBVS!!</li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.48px;">Watch the IG an</span></span>d twitter for #allthefab goin on in VAN!<br />
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I can't wait!! Yes. Bring on the fun!!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09257239139661686540noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643237048031875639.post-64425797886610517492015-10-20T11:43:00.002-06:002015-10-20T15:45:46.080-06:00Half Mara 40: some thoughts<em><strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*I have had this written for a few weeks...just haven't published...</span></strong></em><br />
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This past year (if I am to be honest it has been a FEW years) of struggling and feeling frustrated with myself seized by the thought I am not 'good enough' or 'fast enough' (not just in terms of running either). <br />
<br />
I have ebbs and flows of anxious moments. I am trying to get out of the grips of anxiety. Heck, I avoid reading peoples stuff (on social media) about "I hope I run decently" or "that run was crap" because it sends me down the rabbit hole. Because more often than not the people writing that stuff are WAY faster and fitter or more accomplished than I am. And, reading that puts you in the <strike>I SUCK</strike> comparison trap. <br />
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And so fighting that off I decided to do a small local race as my 40th Half. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZBi-wAlVo16axhO9jtlueDpuLtuLKowV0N-nbKDzaLqtuL27n95X8idTEdB1W7GtsWan1TMknnVxZGqy9-iNgEUJNjcPfH7FAcYfRlzlAtrcXL5321tL0CBG8f8fuurw_W1gP4PUi3ND/s1600/2015-10-03+06.57.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZBi-wAlVo16axhO9jtlueDpuLtuLKowV0N-nbKDzaLqtuL27n95X8idTEdB1W7GtsWan1TMknnVxZGqy9-iNgEUJNjcPfH7FAcYfRlzlAtrcXL5321tL0CBG8f8fuurw_W1gP4PUi3ND/s200/2015-10-03+06.57.17.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-Race Bad Assery</td></tr>
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I thought <strong>numba 40</strong> would be unicorns and rainbows. <br />
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Instead it was pissing sleet and rain. And the runs. Literally. <br />
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Um yeh. This race showed me that a PB was NOT happening. <br />
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But respect, love, admiration and persistence DID HAPPEN. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKokt3wBaQJXUjcthLAm_a8xVp7oGJRr7EH1j7COpo8XipDurdvIsDH8uzJdkYMctS_1z4cqiiwnK-y5BbT703k-jz17irydLB62k8oyv8aWHBMPjrVzHrq4heZ_N_1ijIzHNa7gOzPZM1/s1600/2015-10-03+07.39.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKokt3wBaQJXUjcthLAm_a8xVp7oGJRr7EH1j7COpo8XipDurdvIsDH8uzJdkYMctS_1z4cqiiwnK-y5BbT703k-jz17irydLB62k8oyv8aWHBMPjrVzHrq4heZ_N_1ijIzHNa7gOzPZM1/s200/2015-10-03+07.39.16.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1UIhZce5-bP8MvNOwiSCZvVkzoLATL33eRg8R0XyqHEhbGJ8WiFLjhgVDcKmF3Bp0VStVLZFIHyF8HetA_tTrtZY7QQGcBLGNcgJ52My9II9cHLWtHa0c7hLdwOQSu_nEzTSY-g-iAYrl/s1600/2015-10-03+07.41.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1UIhZce5-bP8MvNOwiSCZvVkzoLATL33eRg8R0XyqHEhbGJ8WiFLjhgVDcKmF3Bp0VStVLZFIHyF8HetA_tTrtZY7QQGcBLGNcgJ52My9II9cHLWtHa0c7hLdwOQSu_nEzTSY-g-iAYrl/s200/2015-10-03+07.41.41.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Pre Run laughs with <strong><a href="http://www.readwriterunmom.com/">Cori</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.runnerleana.com/">Leana</a></strong>! THIS is why race day is awesome - seeing friends! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhDdZ9PM9Vj24CJ5RwxoSo17p5CsXYFS0NIu5q8BSvtFsn6iWhHxU1x3Jr_Lsu3BaKE5Y2249YtD7kxNLUostR7kUd_w6t8T8O44pQAlZdp2eY1_4A-hejhmccmzlXfDIBxdlkLerEsQE/s1600/2015-10-03+07.51.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhDdZ9PM9Vj24CJ5RwxoSo17p5CsXYFS0NIu5q8BSvtFsn6iWhHxU1x3Jr_Lsu3BaKE5Y2249YtD7kxNLUostR7kUd_w6t8T8O44pQAlZdp2eY1_4A-hejhmccmzlXfDIBxdlkLerEsQE/s320/2015-10-03+07.51.17.jpg" width="240" /></a>This pre race - OMG we are freezing - Someone get a photo of the insanity - pic sums it up - you can't see everyone in this pic - a few peeps are hiding or got cut off. BUT it shows the happy in the run community. The friends I have made. It just doesn't tell you all the back story to each face there. But I know that story. Each person in this photo represents something to me. A funny story, a laugh along the way. And that my friends is running for me. It saves me. It leads me out of darkness. It makes me laugh. Each of these ladies (and many more not pictured) have helped me be where I am at today. I love photos like this. Except I prefer it when its actually a better photo. HAHA<br />
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In spite of this year bein a 'hard one', I have got some solid runs in. I have yet to even come close to PB. But in this year (even more than other years) I truly learned PERSEVERANCE. And, that it, and friendships and encouragement on a run means WAY more than any PB. I didn't have a single running injury. AND HAD FUN! And, I like to think the pics in this post (and many on my blog) show that I did it lookin' pretty good. (with the exception of race photos)<br />
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I have been upset about not having had 'a year of improvement'. But the thing is I have improved. Just the last couple races fell off my consistency train. Maybe (as one person I know thru running told me) I am too complacent with being average and I need to get a trainer and go for it. I can use advice they gave me in order to push on...but I don't have a full time job (and that makes me feel - well bloody anxious). And, most certainly not able to afford a trainer or gym membership. But I have had a year of immense learning. I tried new things. Hey, I came in 3rd last a few times. And came in in the top third too. I learned (over and over again) that all I need to do is keep on. Train, relax and laugh my arse off. And I keep on running! Because how I FEEL when I run needs to trump what I place. OR how fast. I have eliminated the people in my life who constantly ask 'how fast do you run?'. I do not need to justify my pace. I also know how to sidestep the few who say talking a walk break isn't really running. Or those who have never done trail or mountain races and then say 'wow that is a slow time.' Go ahead. Look up my time. I don't care. But take off the judgy pants. They aren't a flattering fit.And how bout trying to be encouraging, not bitchy or say something about a race you know nothing about. Oh you haven't run a halfmara? Then STFU. (oh was I ranting there??)<br />
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So right back to that halfmara...so well...I ran. stopped to go to the bathroom THREE times. So when I say GI distress - I really mean it. I don't mean rumbly tummy. UGH. just UGH. I also 'lost a glove' on that run. If ya catch my drift. There were no unicorns or rainbows. Nope. Just 13 miles of slogging. And digging deep knowing this race sucked. <br />
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This was me finishing halfmara number 40. 3 bathroom breaks and giving er hell at the finish. The last 4 kilometres rocked. I pushed. I swore. I finished. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_aRPg4DnnV5FWpjon18DpcGeSdzbVfBuAcw-giPWBnuL6B3wASz3ztPIzUJksu6-uZ864lrFQd1wuQqoY8DRwrobyWTT3KLsBiIAt5A6AEJ7lWG2gzHz_lsjbEObXPaWU1YLzxeuLAa71/s1600/2015-10-03+10.45.32-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_aRPg4DnnV5FWpjon18DpcGeSdzbVfBuAcw-giPWBnuL6B3wASz3ztPIzUJksu6-uZ864lrFQd1wuQqoY8DRwrobyWTT3KLsBiIAt5A6AEJ7lWG2gzHz_lsjbEObXPaWU1YLzxeuLAa71/s200/2015-10-03+10.45.32-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZ0sojR71I_IQyYDr51kLj9Y2DuxOQRh-qfLU8zI8FHFKmq0CPJIV4526TGTfyJZelUfgG57PAxZewnPuqeXdWdPydfd7Pu-eXaQwmjzuwQRd8GcRmfJ48gAhYMPNnFjlDzn63SxttnkI/s1600/2015-10-03+10.44.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZ0sojR71I_IQyYDr51kLj9Y2DuxOQRh-qfLU8zI8FHFKmq0CPJIV4526TGTfyJZelUfgG57PAxZewnPuqeXdWdPydfd7Pu-eXaQwmjzuwQRd8GcRmfJ48gAhYMPNnFjlDzn63SxttnkI/s200/2015-10-03+10.44.58.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTGjq0-oIwoP-GWoyvQUKwuVPUdAF35mDHUOK_JgF-55c04OSOMyidup5b1ycexbaxOgkGnWut0uw7cyiQF2oDxonFVvQSn_F9pDjrkZ-hNIl6qDRvUmHndQ0CNoh0dUBwlBZSy-wM5lH/s1600/2015-10-03+10.44.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTGjq0-oIwoP-GWoyvQUKwuVPUdAF35mDHUOK_JgF-55c04OSOMyidup5b1ycexbaxOgkGnWut0uw7cyiQF2oDxonFVvQSn_F9pDjrkZ-hNIl6qDRvUmHndQ0CNoh0dUBwlBZSy-wM5lH/s200/2015-10-03+10.44.51.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtlVa7cWBwTfxXr3Hkr7Nj_cc1Fmvj4eI19wuOm8FT8zQrXNJkAiYheSqJdCnoEqFGWwq9Ql7-4IfMOyqIFBTSkKDHWfBDuR2oC83qpIIeOmPaB3SBxMXkFfQWACnMqq_4xJkA_8kZmZj/s1600/2015-10-03+11.04.15-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtlVa7cWBwTfxXr3Hkr7Nj_cc1Fmvj4eI19wuOm8FT8zQrXNJkAiYheSqJdCnoEqFGWwq9Ql7-4IfMOyqIFBTSkKDHWfBDuR2oC83qpIIeOmPaB3SBxMXkFfQWACnMqq_4xJkA_8kZmZj/s200/2015-10-03+11.04.15-1.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Do you see those damn red legs? I was bloody freezing!!!</strong></div>
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BUT. I. FINISHED. </div>
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I was super upset at first. AT the time and how it all went. OR didn't go. </div>
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Then I thought. NO WAY. I finished. </div>
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<strong>I do not believe in 'junk miles'. I believe all these SOBs count.</strong> </div>
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A few times this year I crossed a finish line thinking I had failed due to the TIME on the clock. Thankfully, I had some wonderful friends and family who kicked my arse and said something to me. I hate to even write this...but I have really struggled the past few months with feeling poorly (and feeling like I was not successful in attaining my goals). I appreciate being told, "You pushed on and FINISHED. NO POUTING!" My friends who love and support me and who are my fav bitches are right. My struggles and perseverance and determination has given me 40 half marathons since 2011. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="color: magenta;">Funny...in a post from over a year ago I found these "lessons":</span></strong></div>
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<b><span style="color: #674ea7;">*finishing a hard fought race can teach you a LOT about yourself. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #674ea7;">*having the courage to continue is more meaningful than a PB.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #674ea7;">*good friends will kick you in the arse when you say crap about not being 'good enough'</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #674ea7;">*celebrate the successes, every damn one. the small ones may turn out to be the big ones.</span></b></div>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta;">THEY ARE STILL TRUE. </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta;"></span></strong> </div>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta;">Keep running my friends. </span></strong></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09257239139661686540noreply@blogger.com3