New season is here

So my running is going well. I missed my long run on Sunday because of work. Then I missed another run last night because.. you guessed it work.

But I still pretty good. I'm scheduled to run 55 minutes tomorrow with the rest of the training group. Sometimes I don't suck as much as I think I do, which is comforting. Having a group and someone leading us along really helps. Amber even sends nice little encouraging emails during the week. I like that.

Our long run this Sunday is 12K. I should be fun provided I eat and drink well over the next few days. I stretched for about an hour tonight and did some ab work on my ball. I feel strong.

The fall/winter weather has really set in. No more shorts for me. It's way too cold.

I got my car fixed - finally. It looks all nice and shiny again. Knock on wood, it stays that way.

There is no remedy for love but to love more. - Thoreau

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass,

it's about learning to dance in the rain.

You know, I have ben so out of it lately, the last thing I want to do is write on my blog. As usual, I am bogged down with work. It will only get worse when one of our reporters leaves next week.

I don't want to write about work because most of it is negative. Morale is low. I don't want to get sucked in any further so I don't want to even think about it. I am off now for four glorious days. I've got somewhat of a cold so I'll be laying low.

My week took a turn since my last post. It changed so much on Friday I could barely keep my eyes open at 4 p.m. But I am not going to go on and on about how busy I am. That would be so done already.

I'm getting myself psyched up to go for our long run this morning. My training is going well so far. I am worried this coming week I may miss a running session with the group. I work next weekend so Sunday's long run is not looking good. And it's the long run I need support to do. Who knows. Maybe I'll run with the police scanner.

on starting the week on the right foot

I had a great start to the week. No stress here. I hope the rest of the week follows the same way.

I went for a lovely walk in Muskoseepi Park right after work. I was happy to get done at 5:15 p.m. That's got to be some record for me. I was excited to try out my new Asics Gel-Trail Sensor 3 runners. I didn't run as I am trying to keep to my schedule. But I did have a nice walk. I could definitely feel a difference with my new runners. I no longer feel like my sole was scrapping the bottom of the trail.

My Asics are pink and grey. They are a change from my New Balance baby blues. I'm looking forward to a long relationship with the newbies.

A pretty flower

Guess what?

In a daze, I signed up for a half-marathon in Las Vegas in December early last week. It was all a blur. And now here I begin the training with Amber Hunter, a local marathon runner/trainer/fitness company owner/all around cool person, and her Women of Strength team.

We ran our first long run this morning (8K). The distance and time will increase as we lead up to the race in December. I am pretty sure I can go the distance. I'm worried about getting all the training in because of my job. Hopefully I can stick to the schedule and finish in Vegas with a great time (or without collapsing).

And I am back

If you noticed I haven't updated my blog in a few days, then you'll know I am busy. Last week, I went back to work after my holidays. It was tough week. As the morale and energy level is at a constant low in the office, I always need to pull myself out of the doldrums. This upcoming week should be fine. I am back in the swing of things!

I bought new sneakers this morning. I am excited to try them out. They are pink.

I bailed on the Grande Cache hike this morning. I kept thinking about my week ahead. I needed to rest up. I know it's going to be busy! So I had a nice run with Terri. I finished the Pillars of the Earth and now I am doing some reading online. I'll top off my day with a Stamps victory over the Eskimos.

Lesser Slave Lake Boreal Centre

I'm not a fan of birds. They are cuddly. I stumbled upon the Boreal Centre in Slave Lake. The building is quite interesting. It was built three years ago. The building was designed to reflect bird flight by its overall shape and an inverted roofline. There's waterless and composting toilets. A geothermal heat pump system and sustainable building products including strawboard panels.


I learned quite a bit about birds in this area. I chatted with the director at length. She was not a "bird person" but a bird educator so she understood my ignorance when it comes to the winged ones. There weren't many birds around at this time of year and she said come spring time, it's a symphony of sounds in the forest.

I didn't explore the areas around the centre because I was pressed for time. As well, I was told they often spot a mama bear and her three cubs foraging through the trees. Hmm.... not so much.

Only two days left before I am back to work. I have to tell you, I have been enjoying my time away from the office. Don't get me wrong, I love my job but sometimes I need to breathe. I am hoping to get in a hike on Monday.
I wanted to run the 10K portion of the Don't Get Lost In the Woods tomorrow but I missed the registration. I know... I am a moron... leaving things to the last minute.
I even tried to sweet talk my way into the race. It didn't work. But I will be there to volunteer. That should be fun. Actually I will probably write about volunteering for this week's running column. See, everything happens for a reason.

I had a great run with Richard this morning at the trails. I am thankful Richard was patient with my slow pace. Those hills were killer! I needed to do it. My training has been slack over the summer.

There's a race coming up on Oct 4 in High Prairie. I am signing up. Then if I can work it out somehow I am considering trying to train again.. for an upcoming half marathon. Nothing beats fall running. I think that's the motivation I need right now.

The many faces of Damien

Sometimes I like to take pictures of random people. This afternoon, Damien was the random person.

Slave Lake

Some people like to spend the whole day at the beach. I'm not one of them. I like hanging out with a bunch of people and playing volleyball or football but I could not lie down all day and tan.... boring! I snapped a few pics while I was walking along the shoreline.


Beer bottles always wash up on the shore or are left by someone. I left it where it was. Come to think of it, I probably should have carried it out with me.

bears eat berries

Sometimes just walking on a rocky beach can be therapeutic. I got up early and walked along the beach for a few hours. There wasn't another soul within shouting distance. There were bears all around as they left evidence in my path. I talked to this woman at the Boreal Centre who said last year the road behind the beach had to be closed to the public because of the bears..