Oops

So I have neglected my blog in the last hmmm like 3 weeks!...I guess that is what happens when all of a sudden a bunch of stuff starts happening in my life; for that I apologize.

So I guess I will do a quick summary of what has been going on....

-almost 3 weeks ago I had 2 mid-terms and a test...yes I am only in high school but I still managed to stress myself out about it!

-there was 2 weeks ago where I got very sick (not swine flu tho!) but I felt like death and that whole week pretty much consisted of 2 swims and a run where I had no energy whatsoever.

-there was last weekend; I went to Vancouver with Matt and looked for a Christmas Grad dress (I am well aware of how silly that sounds). Anyways that was a great weekend.... full of store shopping, coffee breaks, breakfasts at Granville Island market and R&R with the bestest BF ever. If anyone cares I got a really nice silver silk dress from Banana Republic!

-this week...finally started full training again! Woot!! Even though it was regeneration until Friday. But oh man when Friday rolled around I think I speak for the whole group when I say “ouch”-morning swim had a main set of 8 best average 200’s within a 5.5km practice. Then the senior guys did an “epic” cross ride or so I heard and the training finished off with an hour run with steady state and tempo. However, the group went to a really good sushi restaurant last night to refuel which was a great way to finish off the day and relax.

-wear a helmet

The high school spikes are retired!

Well this past weekend was my last high school cross country provincials in White Rock, Vancouver. For starters I would have to say this race was hard; both mentally and physically. I was in a different position than I have been in previous races because I knew, going into it that I had not done everything I could in terms of training, I knew I wasn’t in top shape and I knew tons of people secretly thought I could win it due to last year’s results. Now I’m not saying that I didn’t go into the race just thinking “oh no way I can win this” or that winning was all that I was thinking about but I won’t lie, it did come across my mind more than once that morning...

Got a little boxed in at the beginning but the new course had it so we ran around the whole soccer field which gave me time to get out in front and control the lead pack. Stride felt effortless for all of 5min...With the gradual hill made the pace and then going on to the second lap I was at the back of second pack. That is where my turn-over started to fail....which I wasn’t surprised with. Managed to use things like the short downhill and corners to my advantage but just couldn’t stay tight with the front 3. Last ½ lap was me just giving it everything....worked my arms and legs and when I crossed the finish line there were no regrets.

After the race and at the awards I did realize maybe a little late that in sport there has to be sacrifices. I trained hard all summer and peaked at my last race in mid-sept (Worlds). I know my body needed a good rest and so xc training really was not the priority until late mid-October. I gave everything I could last summer in Triathlon and couldn’t be happier with my results. So I’ll take 4th at high school cross country provincials.

Wear a helmet

First Man and Woman Created By God

Halloween 09 at Kyla and Alex's.


Matt, the brains behind this Halloweens theme and I wore the Adam and Eve barely-there costume. People were giving us double takes all night to be sure we weren’t actually naked, which obviously we weren’t! Anyways, it was a great night! Everyone brought great food, wore great costumes and it was a good time!

Flashing back to this past week now.....

-high school cross country lower islands was on Wednesday. A very hard race with another “eye opening” realization that fitness isn’t there yet, but I am getting excited for provincials this weekend in Vancouver!

-first group Yoga Session was on Thursday! Summarized in one word- amazing! I feel more flexible already.

-everyone went over to Carolyn and Dean’s on Friday for appy’s/ watch the Olympic torch downtown/ meet their new puppy Winston/ welcome back Kirsten/ 2009 season wrap-up slide slow.

-Saturday, before the Halloween festivities that have already been discussed, on the way to practice Gaby and I got stopped in a road block for the Olympic Torch Relay. So what did we do?...parked at the bakery nearby, bought a coffee and watched a man carry the Torch with on hand... while riding a bike...while going down a hill that was slippery....without a helmet on! Minus the fact that the Torch Bearer was breaking the law, it was exciting to see. Because of this safety law that many people shrug their shoulders at I have decided my “signature parting line” is going to be “wear a helmet”...it seems appropriate...unlike my Halloween Costume!

-wear a helmet
Ali