Monday, May 27, 2013

Dairy Capital 5K Race

Yesterday was the Dairy Capital 5K Race. 

I ran it in 35:05.  I am pretty happy with this time as it is a hilly course.  It was much cooler then last year, so that was nice.  At the beginning of the 5K it was pretty slow going as there were about 500 runners and a lot of them decided to walk early on. 
Before the race!

At the 3K mark



Coming up to the finish!



With my medal!  A nice surprise!


 

Saturday, May 25, 2013

6.56K, 6.4K and 4.18K Runs

On Tuesday I ran 6.56K in 54mins.
On Thursday I ran approximately 6.4K in 43mins with the running group.  It was the last night of our running group as the Ottawa Marathon is this Sunday.  There was only about 10 of us as most of the Marathoners were tapering, also it was cold and raining.  John our running coach actually ran with me.  I always feel bad when a fast runner runs much slower to run with me but it was nice to have some company!
Today I ran 4.18K in 31mins.  Tomorrow is the Dairy Capital 5K Race in Woodstock. 

I completed the 10K last year, but it is a really hilly course, so this year I decided to only run the 5K.

Monday, May 20, 2013

Happy Victoria Day!

Happy Victoria Day to all my fellow Canadians!  Today I completed 3.6miles on the stationary bike at the gym.  After the gym I was able to get some gardening done!

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Week in Review

On Wednesday I ran 5.3K in 42mins.  On Thursday I ran 6K in 46mins with the Running Group.  Yesterday I ran 4K in 33mins and today I ran 8K in 1hour and 4mins.  It was really hot today.  I didn't make it out until 11am and I am glad that I wasn't planning on running any longer then 8K.

Monday, May 13, 2013

Devoted: The Story of a Father's Love for His Son Book Review

Devoted: The Story of a Father's Love for His Son by Dick Hoyt with Don Yaeger. 

Synopsis:
The remarkable story of a father’s devotion to his wheelchair-bound son and how their bond inspired millions of people worldwide.

Born a spastic quadraplegic, Rick Hoyt was written off by numerous doctors. They advised his parents, Dick and Judy, to put their firstborn son in an institution. But Rick’s parents refused. Determined to give their son every opportunity that “normal” kids had, they made sure to include Rick in everything they did, especially with their other two sons, Rob and Russ.

But home was one thing, the world at large, another. Repeatedly rebuffed by school administrators who resisted their attempts to enroll Rick in school, Rick’s mother worked tirelessly to help pass a landmark bill, Chapter 766, the first special-education reform law in the country. As a result, Rick and other physically disabled kids were able to attend public school in Massachusetts.

But how would Rick communicate when he couldn’t talk? To overcome this daunting obstacle, Dick and Judy worked with Dr. William Crochetiere, then chairman of the engineering department at Tufts University, and several enterprising graduate students, including Rick Foulds, to create the Tufts Interactive Communication device (TCI). In the Hoyt household, it became known as the “Hope machine,” as it enabled Rick to create sentences by pressing his head against a metal bar. For the first time ever, Rick was able to communicate.
Then one day Rick asked his dad to enter a charity race, but there was a twist. Rick wanted to run too. Dick had never run a race before, but more challenging still, he would have to push his son’s wheelchair at the same time. But once again, the Hoyts were determined to overcome whatever obstacle was put in their way.

Now, over one thousand races later, including numerous marathons and triathlons, Dick Hoyt continues to push Rick’s wheelchair. Affectionately known worldwide as Team Hoyt, they are as devoted as ever, continuing to inspire millions and embodying their trademark motto of “Yes, you can.”
 
I enjoyed this book a lot more then I thought I would.  I ended up buying the book as it was not available at the library and the print price was very close to the Kobo price.  I look forward to sharing it with my coworkers for a read! 
 
What is something that you thought you weren't capable of doing, but then proved yourself wrong?
I think the best example of this would be running a half marathon and since then, continually beating my time!
Dick Hoyt was asked if he ever would have run a race without Rick, and he said no even though he probably would have run the races faster.  Would you have done the same, why or why not? 
I can see why Dick would feel this way. He started running to spend time with his son, not for any personal gain other then just being with his son and making him happy.   

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Around the Square 10K Race

Today was the Around the Square 10K Race.  I ran it in 01:09:34.  I am pretty happy with this time as I have finally been able to break 01:10!  Before the race it was hailing and during the race it was rainy, windy and snowing at times!  The temperature was -3 with the wind chill!  On May 12th!  Instead of a race shirt we were given blankets!  This was great as it was so cold and wet after my run that I curled up with the blanket for the ride home.  I was also able to talk my parents to come and see me finish since Goderich is about half way between London and Owen Sound. 
Before the race!
Just after the finish.  I think I was saying that I wasn't last!

Here is my schedule for next week:
Monday: Cross Train
Tuesday: 5K Run
Wednesday: Rest Day
Thursday: 6K Run
Friday: Rest Day
Saturday: 4K Run
Sunday: 8K Run

Saturday, May 11, 2013

8.2K and 5.2K Runs

On Thursday I ran 8.2K in 1hour and 6mins with the running group.  Today I ran 5.2K in 41mins.  It was much cooler today and I waited until 4pm to go out when it finally warmed up a bit.  Tomorrow is the Around the Square 10K Race in Goderich.  It is suppose to be cool and raining tomorrow.

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Week in Review

On Tuesday I ran 8K in 1hour and 4mins.  My legs were not very impressed to be running again so soon after the Forest City 1/2 Marathon, but they survived. 
On Thursday I ran 8.24 in 1hour and 6mins with the running group.  It was a pretty hot run! 
On Saturday I ran 5.26K in 42mins.  I didn't get out for my run until 1:30pm and it was really hot by then! 
Today I ran 11.51K in 1hour and 34mins.  I didn't make it out until 10am so it was pretty warm by the time I finished.  I also bought a new water belt today.

This is my schedule for the upcoming week:
Monday: Cross Train
Tuesday: 8K Run
Wednesday: Rest Day
Thursday: 10K Run
Friday: Rest Day
Saturday: 5K Run
Sunday: Around the Square 10K Race in Goderich