Grind It

Today I finally get to do a “little” something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time, The Grouse Grind. It’s one of those outdoorsy things that I would daydream about while out on my long runs along with kayaking, yoga, cycling, rock climbing, skiing… all things I don’t have time for, things that I get slightly jealous about when I hear people casually mentioning what they did for the weekend (OK for the most part people sans children)- things that I feel guilty for not doing when I live in one of the most beautiful and perfect places in the world for most of those activities, and things that I just wasn’t into when I was young and had no children. I always enjoyed the outdoors but sort of limited myself to a bit of camping and many trips to the beach while most of my youth was spent in dark musty theatres or dingy rehearsal spaces- good times for sure, but I wish I would have taken advantage of my freedom to get out there and ski or hike or something.

One of the many positive side effects of marathon training for me was discovering the joy of getting outside and pushing my body in ways I never thought possible- and while I like to be careful not to place my expectations about new experiences too high I’m pretty darn stoked about the hike tonight. Even if the actual hike turns out to be not as much fun as I had hoped the drinks at the top with the ladies and the opportunity to get out of the house without the kids will surely do this body (and mind) some good.

…Ain’t No Cure For The Summertime Blues

As much as I love summer and the opportunity to break with the monotony of schedules, the racing from one activity to another, the juggling, the “lets GO! everyone in the van!!” I am certainly finding, in terms of ” getting things done,” I thrive in that atmosphere, when there are a billion things to get done and get to – including training for a marathon, I do much better in the chaos than in the slower summer pace. Let’s face it I’m not one to sit still, OK for 5 minutes maybe but then I need to go- go- go!  I’m not saying I’m not enjoying the break, because I am, it’s just I expect I should be able to get stuff done and it doesn’t get done- and that includes “extra” stuff like finally cleaning out the kitchen cupboards or sorting through the mound of papers collecting in the “home office” but somehow there isn’t the time. I’m still up at 5:15 am and I haven’t filled up the time with the pile of “summer reading” that I wanted to get to, I haven’t done my daily strengthening exercises I had planned on doing EVERYDAY and I haven’t taken the kids to the beach nearly as often as I would like- so where has all the time gone?!!

As far as I can figure it’s the lack of  “quiet time- that magic 2 hours when I could count on #’s 1,2,3 and 4 to be in school, #5 to play happily on her own and #6 to have his nap- that was my time- somehow I could pack more into those 2 hours than any other time of day- often running on the treadmill, paying the bills, doing the laundry, prepping dinner and STILL having 10 minutes or so to flip through a magazine whilst enjoying a cup of tea.

Now that everyone is under foot that does not happen- there is always something or someone who needs dealing with and as much as I hate making bag lunches during the school year- I now have lunch dishes to deal with! (did I mention I don’t have a dishwasher?!).

Ah well, the theme running through my life these days seems to be ” go with the flow” and not getting worked up about things not going exactly according to plan- after all, that’s what summers all about non?

1950s-tired-exhausted_~h2867

Who doesn’t love the dentist?

The only time I can get an appointment for all 5 kids to see the dentist at the same time (#6 doesn’t have to to see him yet but has to come along for the ride) is 8 o’clock in the morning… when booking the appointment it seems logical, because  making multiple trips downtown is just plain silly…

Doesn’t seem so silly at 6:51AM whilst I try to rally the troops to make it to said appointment.

She’s crafty… not.

I have always wanted to be a natural crafty kind of gal but it just ain’t happening. I came to terms with my non-crafty ways ages ago but every once in awhile I think maybe with the right amount of patience and a whole lot of heart I will overcome my awkwardness with a glue gun and Voila!  the girls (#’s 4 and 5) will start popping out homemade do-dads while spending some quality mother-daughter time.  Mostly I don’t try and leave the crafts to our very talented school teachers, as well,  another outlet for my crafty girls has been a subscription to Keri Zingle’s (a Mum from the ‘hood!) The Craft Caravan, a very nifty club of sorts where the child receives 2 craft projects monthly in the mail that are absolutely dummy-mummy proof for non-crafty Mums like myself- all the pieces are provided and ready to be assembled… the girls love it.

Anyhoo… I have had, in the last couple of weeks, while trying to keep the kids entertained on summer vacation,   2 tiny crafty victories with two projects. The first one is a great Play Dough recipe courtesy of Yoyo Mama- I have tried many different recipes in the past to limited success- they either go mouldy, dry up or just don’t have that right dough-like consistency.  This recipie by the way, is from Yoyo Mama’s website and credited to Sharon Selby who also is responsible for The Phonics Wizard a learn to read method that I have used with the 2 girls- to great success. See the recipe (and Yoyo Mama’s website )HERE

The second crafty endeavour that gave me hope was the home made finger paint I made. I have to say, the finger paint and play dough are of course things you can easily buy at any toy store but also 2 things that I find to be a huge rip off- they are expensive and I have found that especially with finger paint, you often only get one session out of it and it is gone. This recipe I found in The Busy Book by Trish Kuffner a great little book filled with very simple arts and crafts activities and ideas- not at all intimidating.

See above #5 and her very cute little buddy ready to dive into the finger paint… Cute!

On the running front I would say that tings are looking up- I had a very nice 5 k with the Mum’s in the ‘hood Friday and then another 5k on my own last night- both times I really did not feel like I had the energy to run and both times I felt SO much better after the run. Last night was a scheduled run with another Mum and when I knocked on her door she was dealing with major bedtime chaos and apologized profusely for bailing on me- but I gotta say I am so thankful she didn’t call to cancel because I was pretty pooped and probably would have used it as an excuse to not go out- but standing there in my running gear I pretty much had no choice but to go- a good thing.

The Slump

It’s official, I’m calling it, I am in a running slump… although it’s unclear as to whether I ever really hit my stride or got into any real groove after the marathon (2 months ago now- ooooo I’d hadn’t really thought about it being 2 months- a long time non?) I have just not been able to find my mojo, for lack of a better term. There have been many circumstances contributing to this lack of running enthusiasm and quite frankly I have felt quite motivated mentally much of the time but have just had so physical issues and family issues standing in my way. Having said that, I’ve always kind of made it my policy not to put the blame on anything except myself when it come to getting things  done. I find taking full responsibility and “owning” my responsibilities (whether they be to others or to myself) is the only way to get things done. Set some goals, and reach them- how you get there is your own business but it has to get done or what’s the point in setting a goal?

So I won’t whine about these antibiotics that are just wiping me of my energy, this unexplained knot in my lower back, these children that are home for summer vacation and need constant supervision/entertaining or my big toe which is bandaged and throbbing and which I can’t put any weight on after I stepped on a %&*@$ nail sticking out of the floor last night, because I don’t believe in excuses or whining, I believe in getting the job done.

So there.

Strep Throat

The weekend started off promising enough… Friday morning I went for an early morning 5 K- which was a treat as the Ol’ Man was home working on the house so I was able to slip out- and it went perfectly… NO knee pain- I was feeling very inspired and seeing as njb had just sent me a training programme that I really like the look of (Hal Higdon’s Novice 3 Marathon Training)  I was feeling pumped… I was finally going to get going on a programme.

By dinner time I had a scratchy throat… Oh-oh… my neighbour and the woman who looks after #6 once a week had had strep throat. I went to bed and woke up a 2 am unable to swallow.

Drats. I haven’t felt that sick for a long long time. I knew if I got antibiotics in me they would kick in right away as it has been years since I’ve taken any- but I would have to go through the whole Doctor’s office, swab, lab, waiting…

I called the Doctor first thing Saturday morning and of course they were not in but I did get the (very young sounding) Doctor on call. I explained my situation- making sure to include the fact that I had been in contact with 2 people who had strep throat AND that I have 6 kids. She promised to talk to her supervisor and get back to me… and what do you know? She did took the “unusual” step (her words) of just calling the prescription into the pharmacy of my choice- God Bless her. Playing the “I’ve got 6 kids have mercy on me” card sometimes works…

After 2 does of the penicillin of I was feeling sooooooo much better- although the antibiotics are zapping my energy somewhat I no longer feel deathly ill with a throat full of razor blades.

I even feel tempted to go for a wee run- although that may be pushing it today. Maybe channelling the bit of energy I have into some strengthening exercises and stretching would be the better choice.

To Sleep Perchance To Dream…

This is a typical night in our household… I try, for the most part not to think about how ridiculous it is because really my sleep pattern has been basically like this for 16+ years but here’s a sample…

10 pm- I am pooped and desperately want to go to bed.

11 pm- if it is a weeknight I am nagging #1 to get off the computer and get in bed, if it is a weekend I am wondering how I will stay a wake to greet #1 at his Midnight curfew

Midnight- either I have finally got Mr. Cranky-pants teenager off the computer and off to bed or he has just arrived home and I am telling him no computer and he must go straight to bed.

12:30 am- #6 gets into bed with the Ol’ Man and I.  He has just moved into a big boy bed so I no longer have to listen to him calling my name- he gets up and comes all by himself.

12:45 am- (a good night) #6 goes to sleep

12:45 am- (a not so good night) #6 tosses and turns and wants to sleep uner my arm so we basically wrestle until HE”S comfortable- this can sometimes take up to an hour

1:30 am- I finally fall back asleep

2 am- #5 shuffles in and squirms in between the Ol’ Man and her brother.

2:30 am- the Ol’ Man gets up and goes to #5’s bed

3:30 am- #6 wakes up and demands a “ba-ba” I try my best to ignore him, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. In the occasional very weak moment I get up to get him a drink of milk in hopes it will keep him quiet.

4:oo am- (on a particularly bad night such as was last night) #4 shows up and squeezes in.

5:00 am- somehow, even if I have dozed off I wake up and then lay in bed , knowing I have to get up but cursing these children who are all now, finally sleeping.

5:15 am- I get up and think that I now at least have a few minutes to myself- start the coffee and wake up Ol’ Man.

5;30 #6 gets up- so much for some time to myself.

And yes, even though this is Canada Day I was up because the Ol’ Man is working and I always get up with him to have a cup a coffee and sit together for 10 minutes before it’s “time to make the donuts”.

For the most part I can deal with this craziness- but every so often I wake up thinking there must be a better way. And yes, we have at different times, tried methods of trying to get the kids to sleep in their own beds and through the night, with not much luck, however, I do know that eventually they do figure it out- and (except for trying to convince a teenager to go to bed at night and then try to drag him out of bed in the mornings) they all sleep just fine.

And somehow I can get myself going and really am quite energetic, in fact, I sometimes think about how super-charged I will be once I do get proper sleep. I know the lack of sleep was a factor in my marathon training and I am also hoping that by the time I do the next one, next year I will at least be getting a smidge more sleep. My pal even like to rub it in- as if I didn’t know, by sending me articles such as this one   Thanks a lot njb 🙂 !!

So I will carry on as the sleep deprived zombie I am-  I plan to shuffle through 5 k today- perhaps if I run slow enough I can catch a few zzzz’s.

Are We There yet?

Next time I tell you that I’m looking forward to spending 4 days in a hotel room with 6 kids slap me ‘k?

 

No, really, I joke, a lovely time was had by all for the most part, except for the first night when I sliced open my hand on a wine glass that I had tried to stop from falling when #5 knocked it over at dinner… I probably needed a stitch or 2- but that would have been a HUGE inconvenience- thank God for waterproof band aids… Oh, and then there was my van breaking down on the way home… kind of a bummer when your vehicle just loses power and you are in it with 5 children! (The ol’ man was in the truck with #1 because we cannot all fit in one vehicle) The saving grace? we had made it all the way back into the city, like 10 minutes from our house, I was in the curb lane and was able to coast to the side to pull over, we have BCAA roadside assistance who were great and towed us to a garage (turns out it was the alternator- replaced for $350- not in the vacation budget but what can you do?!)

We really did nothing on vacation but swim and eat and watch Seinfeld reruns- but that was OK-  we all just needed to hang out together- so mission accomplished. There were almost no skirmishes (the last evening being the exception when choosing a movie became the issue) I didn’t run at all because I felt bad taking off and leaving everyone, but that’s OK too. We swam close to 4 hours a day- the pools there are gorgeous and warm and the little ones especially had a blast. Another big event was (and always is) trying to get all the kids in one photo smiling or at least looking at the camera- we could not quite pull this one off.DSC_0237

So when does school start?!

 

Kidding!

I’m actually looking forward to these slow start mornings (Look! It’s 7:16 am and I’m not running around like a mad-woman!) I’m planning on lots of beach time- hanging out in the backyard and taking everything at just a slightly slower pace (I know, I know… good luck with that one!)

Today is also my first official day of training for my next half which looks like will either be  Diva on The Run or The Fall Classic. My neighbour and several other friends ran The Scotia Bank Half  yesterday and I have to say I was a little envious, a good sign that I’m ready to get out there and train. The last few weeks have been very low key running wise- really it’s all been low key since the marathon- I had wanted to jump back in but should have known better that the end of the school year and all it’s craziness would take over. As well, my knee is still not cooperating fully. I went for a 5K yesterday and it was giving me trouble- I am far from panicking but it’s a concern all the same.

I’m still searching for the perfect programme- if anyone has any suggestions I’m open! Something challenging yet easy on my middle-aged mother of 6 body being preferred.

En Vacances

It’s here- summer officially starts for me today. School is done. Hip Hip Hooray. I’m usually enthusiastic about the whole thing for about 4 weeks- the last 4 weeks I spend dreaming of schedules and new school supplies (who doesn’t loooooove new school supplies?!) But for today I am happy not to be making lunches at 5:30 am.

Our plan was to leave on a camping trip today- I love camping, the whole family does but the ol’man hurt his back putting up new beams in our house and we had to figure something else out because sleeping on the ground wasn’t really an option for him right now, so, instead of camping we are staying at a… resort! Whoo-hoo! I do like camping but I DO like staying in nice hotels too!

We are going to Harrison Hot Springs. We actually had a free night given to us by the manager last year as the last time we attempted to stay there, there also happened to be a huge Molson Canadian Party booked into the hotel- we hadn’t even checked in when bus loads of 20 something year old’s starting pouring in and it was clear that they were arriving four sheets to the wind- we couldn’t imagine it getting any quieter- in fact, it looked like trouble. Ourselves and every other family lined up for our refunds which they graciously gave us as well as gift certificates for a return visit. 

I have to say, trying to book a hotel room is one of those times when I realize that we have a freakishly large family. It’s not until I try to book on line and it won’t let me because we are a “special -sized party” and I have to talk to someone, as in a real person to arrange 2 adjoining rooms- that I remember we are not average. Far from it. But hey, who wants to be average?!

I’m looking forward to just hanging out with the family. We don’t really get to do that much anymore- somehow when there are teenagers in the house, even though I’m quite strict about everybody being home for dinner 90% of the time someone is always rushing off somewhere. On vacation there will be no where to rush to.

Of course I’m packing my running shoes and hope to get a run or two in around the lake.

We’re on vacation baby.

More about B.J. McHugh

I really love this woman because she possess some key traits that I strive for (NOT easy!) and completely admire in other people; she’s upbeat and positive, humble, she doesn’t complain and not only does she believe in always having a goal  but she reaches them!! True beauty I say. I only hope I can have such optimism, strength and get up and go at 81.

 

Check out this article at iRun magazine (you can get a free subscription if you ran the BMO Vancouver Marathon btw.)