NOT Running....makes for a little Crazy

So my last week has been a bit crazy. AS IN INSANE.

Last Tuesday got in a short runch date with Susan. Holy crap it was windy. I think I whinged about my sore throat. And maybe even coughed a bit. But Sue whinged WAY more about how damn cold she was. Honestly it might have been a tie. Sometimes, we just try to outcurse each other.

Friday we finally went for a run after freaking out at work unable to watch our Canadian men play the Americans in the semifinals. I was feeling a tad under the weather. Nagging cough that has been around for a week. But I needed a run. Was chilly and windy but we had fun!

After all our boys were enroute to GOLD! Race to the pub at 5am on Sunday to watch...woohoo!

Near the end of the 5km, I had a bit of a coughing fit. Or two. Crap. But I can fight it. Vitamin C and D...on overdrive. The doc said it was a virus. No fluid in my lungs, so where. Not bronchitis. But at midnight I woke up and felt like a truck had hit me. HARD. 

Awesome, really. NOT. 

Because that meant that I wasn't running in the morning. FRACK. 

I slept most of the day, thinking maybe I just need some rest. But no. 

5 pots of rooiboos later and countless peebreaks, I was a gonner.

I got it. I got something. BAH!!!!!

Haven't figured it out. But it is the cooties. And I feel sad and pathetic. 

Couch to Bed. More Tea.

Sunday came. I woke up at 3am. Crawled to the bathroom. Drank some more water. 

My alarm did ring at 5am. Up I got, turned on some lights. Boiled water for tea. Telly on. 

Assumed the position to watch the boys get 'er done. 

And then promptly fell asleep to wake up just after the second period started. Good lord!! 

 

I tried valiantly to go get a brewski from the fridge. Nope. Just no way. So carrot juice with chia seeds. I know how to party. Game finished...slept a few more hours.  

(Don't judge me and my bad black toenails!)

Then decided to do a load of laundry. After all, I had to work Monday. (haha)

And see THIS in the laundry room. A pile o' barbies. A barbie cemetery. Tell me this isn't creepy. 

Or is it my sickness and codeine cough meds talking? 

After shaking the sight of THIS off. I decided I needed to lie down. 

STILL NO RUNNING OMG. 

I may have texted a few of my running girls at this point 

declaring defeat at my marathon that is 15 weeks away. EEEK. 

And then a sense of calm came over me. 

DOWNTON ABBEY FEST on PBS. 

YES! 

So the rest of my Sunday is spent napping drinking pots of tea and watching Season 4. 

And then bed. BAH. 

Monday more of the same. 

Except at this time runners psychosis has set in fully. 

FREAKING OUT about no long run. No run...in the near future....aaaack! 

sigh...and then someone (not sure,maybe Codeine the imaginary pillow friend) says

...oh yes you HAVE been working out. 

waaaaah. 

At this point, I am about to TRY ANYTHING...and move on to green tea and more lemon water. I'm out of rooibos. 

Trying not to flip out. Pretty Much I sleep away Tuesday, too. Now I am out of lemons. Frick. 

Finally I wake up Wednesday and feel human. YESSSSSSS. 

I try to finish writing a communications plan but it isn't coming together. 

I do another load of laundry and avoid the pile o barbies. Still creepy. 

And I REJOICE that I am feeling better because I have a VIP event for the Calgary Marathon. And, if I don't go to this i really might lose it. 

- yes I realize we may have already gone FAR PAST that point -

So funnily enough late in the mid week feels like the start of my week. 

It was fun night...Thanks to my fellow #SCM Forerunners!

Fun with Lindsay, Terry, Michelle! 

OMG! OK I am looking forward to Calgary Marathon. 

Yay. Psychosis is OVER.

I am not 100%, but I think the batshitcrazies are at bay...

How you YOU fare when you get sick??

Wordless Wednesday: on perseverance

Run Pretty Far: One of My Favs!

This is NOT a sponsored post. This is me gushing about one of my FAV brands! 
I do hope you will indulge me for a moment ...

A few years ago when I began running in earnest (as in more than once a week or when it was nice out), a friend told me about this small American company she discovered. She showed me a couple shirts she had ordered. They were sooo cute. So I tried her tops on for size and promptly ordered a couple for myself.

And when my first shipment came from Run Pretty Far was wrapped perfectly in tissue with the cutest tag... I recall it was some of the text from 'somewhere over the rainbow' on a beautiful card. Wow!  "A thoughtful company", I said to myself. "This woman is doing something she loves". And from that point I was hooked.

I guess a little about Run Pretty Far  is in order. It is a fab brand from Washington State that sells women's apparel and accessories. Creator Jennifer Hughes is an ultra runner and the brainchild behind the company. It is her baby. And, once you receive an order from her, or speak to her, you KNOW that this is her PASSION. I like that. A Lot.

RPF has some fitted and some relaxed fits. Whatever shirt you're looking for, Jenn has. They are BRIGHT, SASSY. I fell in love with the vibrancy and the fun words (and fonts) that really speak to me. I actually find the clothing to be super motivational!

'Love the Run' was one of my first purchases...and is no longer available. Maybe if enough of us ask nice, she would re-visit the design. I love the fit, feel and colour. I have worn it for several halfmaras and a marathon. No chafe. EVER.  

I have to say that whenever I wear a RPF shirt, I am almost always asked where did you get that from. I think the record is 10 asks in one half mara last summer!  It gives me a lift when I hear a shout out on the trail or path: "love your shirt"!  

'Run' and 'Eat More Cake' are also oldies but goodies! 

And last year's limited St Paddy's edition I wear to run or to drink! 

The only warning I have for you is if you see something and love it...ORDER IT.

 If you wait...it usually sells out. Being a smaller company, she doesn't  always have a TON of stock. So you need to act fast. I missed out on this year's St Paddy shirt cause I was snoozin! She sold out of my size in the colour i want! lol - That's ok cause next month she will prob introduce something else I will covet! 

Speaking of drinking - RPF just came out with an homage to wine - I had to snatch it right up. 

Since wine and running kind of go together for me! (oh...they have one for BEER, too!)

For me the devil is in the details. 

I think that in the couple years I have had this shirt....no one notices the moustache.
Until I point it out! And. I love the words that are the pattern.

It's those little words that you might miss if you don't look closely. 

Like those that are on the 'Sun Rise n Run ' shirt or the 'Mountains for Breakfast trail scarf (buff).

Most of all I find RPF gear fun to wear. It makes me feel good and smile.

 

 I know I do go on...but I think it's fabulous that there's always a story behind a collection. 

For example, the 'Winter Blossom' long sleeve takes its inspiration from a Georgia O'Keeffe quote:

“I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life – 

and I’ve never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do.” 

That quote speaks volumes. THAT is what keeps bringing me back to RPF over and over. I like wearing something meaningful. Another cool thing Jenn is doing this year is bringing back old favs...like this 'Dark before Dawn' shirt. I have not run in it but wear it after a workout...and when watching football apparently (notice my homage to Seattle, Washington - eh)! It is butter soft and so comfy.

I like to think that Jenn designs for herself 

and just shares with the rest of the world. 

And the great thing is it means something different for everyone: Suck It Up Buttercup!

Thanks for letting me go on (and on) about this small independent company. The look and feel of the products combined with amazing customer service really makes it a favourite brand. I would have way more stuff if I could afford it! And, as some of my run pals will tell you, I do tug their ear about Run Pretty Far!

Got a question about fit? Ask! Jenn will answer. Best of all the prices are affordable (even if you are on a budget) and shipping is also a great deal.  Go and check em out for yourself. And maybe one day I will get my butt down to her neck of the woods and be able to meet her! 

Fun Stuff 

Run Pretty Far can be found on twitter, facebook and the web! 

Check them out! It's one FAB company! 

Get a little inspiration for FREE! 

Download a FREE Run Pretty Far Calendar here! 

Olympic Nostalgia

Wow ... four years ago I was winding own and getting ready to come home after nearly three weeks away at one of the most awesome experiences ever! I won't say I had forgot my Vancouver 2010 experiences, but with all the Sochi 2014-ness we have had the past little while, I have been getting a wee bit sentimental with some awesome memories.

I wasn't working full time and when the offer of going to Vancouver to work at the BC International Media Centre (BCMC) for the entire Olympics it was a golden opportunity. I jumped at it!

While there I helped media out with whatever they needed. Basically I was there to help with guest relations services and ensured outdoor tents and broadcasting areas were properly equipped and set up. Sometimes that meant for some extra coordinating with the main control room and outside broadcasting stations.  Sometimes it meant phoning New York (in the middle of the night) to ensure the folks on the other end had 'flipped a switch' to ensure the the morning show would hit the air smoothly. And sometimes it meant fetching coffee at 5am for some folks. Or strapping on skates to help with a segment when volunteers didn't show up! And, once my  volunteer coordinator found out my media background, I was asked to uploaded media releases and advisories to BCMC website as needed.

(Now 4 years ago I was a little heavier than I am now - about 50lbs - and wasn't gonna post the pics, 

but then realized they were kinda marvy and some of you might like them!) 

Forgive some of the bad quality of pics - mostly iPhone. Sadly I have misplaced most of the press conf pics. grrrr

Really, it didn't feel a lot like work. There was a ton of Olympic spirit every day...

... like checking out past torches -- Beijing, Torino and Salt Lake City! 

 Or helping out with Olympic Mascot shows on the ice ...

Or having FUN at work ... sometimes at all hours of the day or night!

One of the most awesome highlights were the press conferences. 

Basically, this media centre housed all media that were not 'official' or sponsored. 

So there were a ton of Canadian athletes present! It was awesome!

If there was a story to be told, it often happened at the BCMC. 

Which made for a lot of celebrity sightings! Recognise anyone? 

I learned a ton by watching events unfold. Some of our athletes, like Clara Hughes, Alex Bilodeau, Jon Montgomery,  the Canadian Women's Hockey team, some of the men's hockey team, many of our speed skaters, were a pleasure to meet and watch. They created a LOT of buzz and mini crowd crushes when they came out to greet the fans gathered in the spectator areas of Robson Centre. I not sure if there is anyone in the world more charming than Clara Hughes. she is one amazing ambassador. Alex Bilodeau, after winning our first gold medal of the games, created a near riot. The media scum was awesome. There were several hundred interview requests. But he stayed for every one!

Johnny Weir, the American figure skater, was a special highlight for me. He had a presser to talk about himself, his reality TV show and some negative comments that had been made about him by some sportscasters. I expected to dislike him. But he came across as genuine, funny, and won the hearts of EVERYONE. Plus I met Jeanne Beker, been a fan for a VERY long time ... she's fashion and entertainment icon! 

Worst public speaker award goes to Arnold Schwarzenegger. He needs elocution lessons. And a hairdresser. the man had BAD hair! WTH, really. REALLY BAD. 

When I wasn't working, I had a ton of fun connecting friends and family...

And checking out the awesome sights around town...

I even got to meet NEW friends...

 ...and people watch

And cheering my head off! 

 I was even lucky enough to go to some porting events...(alas...no photos of a few of those).

But two awesome highlights were curling and hanging at Molson Canadian Hockey House.

The night we were there, there was a nice surprise. 

The Triple Gold Club awards were given out and we were practically in the front row! Killer awesome. We watched the Canadian take gold in Women's Hockey, then Ice Dance...then watched hockey legends.  

So. Much. Fun. 

You might have seen one pic that looks a lot like me being interviewed! I was. At the curling venue. CBC did a story on how loud and crazy fans were. (Apparently some nerdy people complained!) Let me tell you: Olympic Curling is AWESOME Fun. Insanely loud cheering crowds and nutty fans. I highly recommend it! 

So why not share that nutty little story? 

I hate how I  look and sound, but it is totally all about Olympic spirit! 

#GoCanadaGo

What is your favourite Olympic sport to watch? 

Do you watch sports during the Olympics that you normally do not watch?

Have you been a part of the Olympics - as a spectator, volunteer?