Sunday, June 6, 2010

Recovery week and more plans...


Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes... but no plans."
Peter Drucker.
 
Another commitment has been made, with the intention of helping us reach our goal. Today, I registered uber H and I for the Montréal Half-Marathon in early september. It's on home soil and the finish line is in the Olympic stadium, which should definitely be cool! We figured it would be nice to run a race as part of our marathon training. The half in Montréal is quite hilly, so the goal is just to use this as a training run. 
Beautiful Montréal
 
There were some really good official photos taken by the Ottawa half-marathon photographers and I decided to buy the digital download of mine. However, I ordered them on Friday and still haven't received the link, so here is a glimpse. I feel justified is showing you these, even though I took them from the website, considering I paid good money for mine. Here are two of my favorites...(full-size photos to come soon). 

On the left, celebrating how good I felt (my cheerleaders were in the stands).
On the right, serious about kicking butt in the last few Ks.

This week, we have taken it easy. We went for a slow run on Thursday and the plan was to do about 6.5K. The first 4Ks went pretty smoothly and I was feeling good, but then I totally wilted. A little ache here, a little tightness there...and so I walked quite a bit the last 2.5K. Then Friday morning was my yoga class, the tough one, and it certainly helped me stretch even those muscles I didn't know I'd used. I then did my strength and core work. Friday afternoon, I treated myself and my daughter to the spa-aaaaaaahhhhh. It was so nice. That was it for the week...next week, we'll get back to it a little more regularly, but the official program only starts on June 20th.

Today...my son K is moving in with his girlfriend (they had temporarily been living with us the last few months). So, we have officially reached the empty nest phase. I know we're supposed to be sad and not know what to do with ourselves now that the kids are gone...not happening. They are amazing adults and they are enjoying life and doing well. I can only be happy for them. Plus, uber H and I are a healthy and busy couple and we enjoy spending time with each other...and we're training for our first marathon this year :) ...how can we be sad!
 
K and his girlfriend posing for the camera...love you guys :)

28 comments:

Momma Twitch said...

Nice race photos!! The Montréal Half-Marathon looks like it'll be a fun run. You're so lucky to be able to run with your hubby. :)

MomRunningFromCancer said...

Great photo's. I love that you are able to run and train with your hubby. Enjoy having the house back. He is a handsome young man.
After the 5 K yesterday and 32 mile bike ride I did get out this morning for my 5 miler - but only did 4 miles at a pretty slow pace. As I always say - you have to listne to your body.

Have a great week.

momof3 said...

SUPER FIERCE photo! I thought of you today when I went to my first day of Marathon Training Team. Doesn't it seem like SO long ago that you wrote up that post about your first day of training? And, at the same time, it feels like it was last Tuesday. And here I am, at my first day of training team. I hope that in November when I run Richmond that I think it seems like "last Tuesday" too.

Oh, and Congrats on making the decision to go for the Full. I'm proud of you, but then, you're so courageous.

Laura said...

Nice race pics! Your son and his girlfriend look like a cute couple :-)

ajh said...

Can't wait to see the rest of the photos. Hope that half in Montreal is fun. I have looked at that too. I love it when a half works into marathon training. I'll let you know once I decide on mine. I talked to my husband today to see if he was interested in going to Maine with me. He might be but doesn't want to commit as it depends on many things! I have to say I like the empty nest too as long as I can see my kids! It was hard when Emily moved to DC as we are very close but she is great about calling and I have managed to see her some. Jameson is close by and he is also very good about keeping in touch! Some of my work friends seem surprised by how my kids keep in touch even for small stuff. I love it!

Jennifer said...

Looking forward to the BIG photos! Great picture of the 'kids ', enjoy the empty nest, I know it never held my folks back, I am pretty sure they had a big party when the last of us finally moved out! Good for you getting back on the run this week. I always find the week after hard but important for me to get back on my feet. Where oh where is Sven when you need him!

Janine said...

Youpi! from now on I can transmit a comment with my Google account. Love Mom!

Marlene said...

I love running a half as part of marathon training. Friends of mine ran the Mtl full lasy September... it was a hot day, but they liked the event.

Hope you had a great weekend!

Kelly said...

Half as part of your marathon training sounds like a great idea, and how fantastic that your husband will be running with you. Love the race pictures, they turned out fantastic. I always look like I'm on deaths door in mine!!

Heather said...

Running into the Olympic stadium would be so cool! Great race pics!

Amy said...

Montreal would be a great city to run a half in - and you are going to do great! Sounds like you had a good recovery week...enjoy it while you can - once your marathon training begins it will be back to discipline and hard work!

Claude said...

I can't help myself to comment the super picture of K and is girlfriend. It is a great picture. When these two will get married, they will have the most original photo album. I love you K. my god child. Sis you look son good running, and you seamed to have a great time cheering. I love you greatly.

Johann said...

Really nice photos. Love the Montreal one as well. You have come such a long way with the whole running thing. It's very exciting!

Leelee said...

Love, love your running photos! I now need to get someone to take a picture of me running at the beach...so inspiring!! Today it was much warmer than usually for June and I had to "hot foot" it back across the boardwalk....a great five mile pedicure though!!

kilax said...

I love the race photos!

Your son is so handsome!

Steel Springs said...

Great race photos! The Montreal Half sounds wonderful!

Julie said...

Way to sign up for another half marathon! The Montreal half sounds like a solid choice and being able to run into the Olympic stadium....priceless:) You look great in your pictures too!

Sherri said...

Loved loved loved the photos!
Running with hubby's makes Good...GReat!
Thanks for your wonderful comments!

wendy said...

Hi Anne! thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting! I am looking forward to following your training! Btw~ I was a La Leche League Leader as well : )

Anne said...

Sounds like you definitely have the race fever. And, like you, we were none too sad when we finally became empty-nesters. It was time.

Tricia said...

great pics!

Jill said...

The half will be excellent training for the full! Welcome to empty-nest land, your son is a cutie and looks very happy :).

Alma said...

I've always wanted to go to Montreal! What a great way to see the city - and Sept should be a good month, no?
Congratulations on the race & good fortune to have nice photos. I have yet to get a decent picture from a race :)

Jamie said...

Great race pics! The full sounds fun! Enjoy empty-nestness. I know my parents loved it!

Giorgio said...

Did you take that beautiful photo of Montreal by night? It's a great idea to run a race as part of your marathon training. Nice image of your son and his girlfriend :)

Molly said...

I was catching up on your posts, very cool that you registered for the Niagra Falls Marathon! It's funny, I have a magnet of that logo on my fridge, got it at a race expo last year and have thought of running it myself!

Julie D. said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog!! I look forward to following yours. I admire your strength and commitment to running even with asthma. amazing. I hope when it comes time for an empty nest for me (which is YEARS away) that I feel the same you do. Congratulations!

Teamarcia said...

Love the pics! Sounds like the empty nest will suit you two just fine. Enjoy it!