A weekend of forced rest days.

The last few days has been filled with leg pain. It hasn’t been severe but it’s enough to take a break from running. Hence, the lack of new postings.

On Friday night I went for a run on the t-mill and I had pain all up both of my shins, my ankles, and my knees. I had to come home and rest them with heat and ice. It was not fun. I don’t have a lot of pain when they are resting but every now and then they get a little sore.

So, I was really on a mission for a new pair of shoes during my forced rest days. I really wanted to get the New Balance 860’s because I loved my 760’s so much and everyone loves an upgrade! So, off to the New Balance store I went. When I got there to see the 860’s in green, pink, and blue I was so excited to have options! But it turned out none of them were a size 5! Wah! And none of the New Balance stores in TO had a size 5 and I would have to get them specially ordered! Waaaaaaah! Just my luck. I ended up having 2 options for new shoes. This was one of them:

You can tell by my attractive face that I was not impressed. I can’t even remember the style number of them. They were SO heavy and five year old boy coloured. Needless to say, they got put right back into their box. I want a sassy fun, and lightweight size 5! Is that so much to ask for?! When the next box came they ended up being a size 5 1/2. I put them on, took a test jog around the store and they won my heart.  

Which style did I choose?! You will have to read about it tomorrow when I test them out at boot camp tonight! Muahahahah! Hopefully they heal my knee pain!

For now you read about the playlist I used on my 8K the other night that hurt my legs quite a bit. Whoops!

The Bitter Sweet Playlist
Till the World Ends- Britney Spears
Lose Control/Let Me Down- Keri Hilson
Who’s That Chick? – David Guetta feat. Rihanna
Higher- Taio Cruz feat. Travie McCoy
What The Hell- Avril Lavigne
On The Floor- Jennifer Lopez feat. Pitbull
More (RedOne Jimmy Joker Remix)- Usher
Born This Way- Lady GaGa
Hello- Martin Sloveig & Dragonette

Cool Down/Stretching
Bitter Sweet Symphony- The Verve

Stats of the Run
Distance: 8.10 km
Pace: 4:19 min/km

Thank you for all the lovely messages saying that you have voted for me in
BEST HEALTH MAGAZINE’S BLOG AWARDS!
You can still vote for me once a day HERE!

Push for the Tush!

Remember when I told you a long time ago that I was going to sign up for Colon Cancer of Canada’s Push for the Tush run? Well, it finally happened! On May 29th, 2011 I will be running  for all those affected by Colon Cancer.

This is the first run ever that I am actually raising money for, and it’s a cause that has touch my life in the last year. Exactly one year ago from the run date, May 29th 2010, one of my mum’s best friends had surgery to remove colon cancer from her body. It was such a hard time for her and her loved ones. So what better way to celebrate being cancer free for an entire year than to run a 10K? Perfect, right?

If you would like to sponsor me you can do so by clicking on the link on the right hand side of my blog or here:

But- I think I would LOVE it more if you joined our team and ran with us!
You can find our team under Bums on the Run! We are really fun and nice– I promise! And I will feed you Peanut Butter Cups if you come!

Remember Princess Olivia who drew those fabulous portraits of me? She will be walking in support of her mum a long with her little sister Lacey!   


Olivia’s Portrait of Me



Lacey all tuckered out.
(This is also what I look like after a long run!)

Come join the fun on Saturday May 29th, 2011 in Toronto!
I really wanted to show you the new shoes I bought but that didn’t happen. Apparently the Running Room doesn’t carry size 5 shoes. It looks like I might just have to go to the New Balance store. Wah! Sorry leg pain, you might have to suffer through with the old shoes tonight! Or I could always try running barefoot. I don’t think the other people at the gym will think I am too crazy…

Ouch, you’re it!

I went to visit Mr. Treadmill and my muscles just weren’t feeling it. That is until the t-mill started moving. I was feeling pretty good and I started to get some shin pain in both of my legs. I know, I’m scared about it to. But after 2K I had this dopey smile on my face that just wouldn’t go away and I was feeling really good. I even kicked it in to high gear and did some speed intervals and ended up doing a nice 7K instead of the 5K I planned on doing. Unfortunately, there is a downside. My ankles are not loving me at the moment. I definitely have some pain in there.

During my last few workouts I have had pain in my knees, shins, ankles, and arches. I think it’s time for some new shoes. After a glorious 6 months with my New Balance 760’s, I’m ready to mingle with some new ones. Even though I just bought some beautiful Michael Kors shoes from Winners on the weekend for ridiculously cheap prices. Really, what’s another pair?! And plus, the MKors weren’t meant for running!  
New running shoes, here I come! Wahooo! I will keep you posted on which ones I fall in love with!
The Top 40 Run Playlist
*On jukebox shuffle
I Hate This Part- The Pussycat Dolls
Dead and Gone- T.I. feat. Justin Timberlake
3- Britney Spears
I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)- Pitbull
What Hurts The Most- Cascada
LoveGame- Lady GaGa
Knock You Down- Keri Hilson, Kanye West, & Ne-Yo
I Like It- Enrique Iglesias feat. Pitbull
Cool Down/Stretching
Battlefield- Jordin Sparks
Stats of the Run
Distance: 7.16 km
Pace: 4:14 min/km
Incline: 1%
The lovely Mamarunsbarefoot has tagged me in the 7 Facts Blog Awards!
The Rules:
  • Link the person who awarded you.
  • Post 7 random facts about yourself.
  • Pass the award on to 7 other bloggers.
1. I have a Specialized Honours Degree in Theatre from York University where I studied design, performing, and stage production.
2. I was born in Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day. In elementary school I’m pretty sure the other kids thought I was a leprechaun because if I did have school on my birthday (which didn’t always happen because of March break) they would chase me around the playground for my “pot of gold.”
3. I have one kidney that works at 25% and the other one works at 75%. Together they make one awesome kidney.
4. I LOVE coffee. The stronger the better. I’m pretty excited about the new Starbucks that is opening right around the corner from my office. Amazing!
5. When I was about 5 years old after gymnastics I would go to swimming lessons on a Saturday. I was in the Orange Level which was pretty basic. I failed it twice. I don’t think I will ever be a tri athlete. I’m OK with that.
6. When I was in grade 3 we had reading buddies with the grade eights. We went on a skating trip and my buddy told me that I wasn’t strong enough to push him on the ice. So, I obviously had to prove him wrong. I pushed him so hard that he lost control and went into a garbage can. How’s that for small and strong?
7. I LOVE Peanut Butter. I eat it by the tablespoon and right out of the jar. I’m classy like that. If one day I became allergic to PB, I will seriously cry a river. Yes Justin Timberlake I will do that for you!   
TAG, YOU’RE IT! I’m passing the 7 Facts Blog Awards on to these friends:
And you can still vote for me at the BEST HEALTH MAGAZINE’S BLOG AWARDS once a day HERE!

Hello, Sole Mate!

Friends, thank you for all of your lovely comments, e-mails, and messages. I LOVE them ALL and they make me smile!

I had one comment about my post Break the Ice and how it sounded like an ad for Lululemon. I am not advertising for them. I am just speaking my opinion on how I feel about my recent purchases. I love a lot of different products for running and Lulu just happens to be on the top of my list. Everyone has a company that they fall in love with because the company’s products are designed with all their favourite details and what they look for in a product. The mentioned products just happen to have my favourite details for those certain products.

I have also been asked to give my opinions on different types of running shoes. I find that the beauty of shoes is that there is a sole mate for everyone. Everyone has a different type of foot and therefore will need either more cushioning or stability depending on the way they run, how high their arches are, etc. My opinion on a shoe will probably be completely different from someone else.

I love my latest shoes, the “New Balance 760 Stability.” They are perfect– for me.

Yes, that is dirt on my leg that I got during my run.

I highly recommended going into a store like the Running Room, where they will take the time to assess your stride and foot type and direct you to the pair of shoes that just might be your perfect mate.

Runner’s World also has their own Spring 2011 Running Shoe Guide that you might find helpful!  

Also, this was the last song I heard at Boot Camp last night. Is it sad that I kind of consider it a power song? It just makes me SO happy!

My sole mates also love to vote for me everyday for the BEST HEALTH MAGAZINE’S BLOG AWARDS! You can join in the fun HERE!