Week of February 11 to 17

A few words from Shelley... Hope you guys had a great run this morning. I will give a little bit further of an update but not too much has changed. Chris is waiting for a pacemaker/defibrillator combination implant. The soonest that will happen is Tuesday, but more likely Wednesday or Thursday due to scheduling, and the fact that he is no longer in critical condition.  He could possibly get bumped back again if someone less stable than him should be in line. He is in good spirits and has been hearing tales of my wonderful and amazing running friends. Our phone, email inbox, and all lines of communication have been very busy. We are blessed to be so lucky on two counts; one, due to the perfect circumstances that helped save his life, and two, for all the love, kind words, support, meals, favours, offers of childcare that have poured in from our friends and family. Not the very least of which is from all my running friends. You are like family to us.

It was a huge shock to all of us and still is. The good news is that Chris will make a full recovery and it was not preventable. There is no family history and they still cannot find a thing wrong with his heart. All tests have been normal even after the trauma of the defibrillator! They are likely going to chalk it up to an "electrical short" and truly this could happen to anyone. His fitness level went a long way to helping him make the recovery that he is presently making. The lesson learned here is the life-saving benefit of CPR, and defibrillators. Had he been anywhere else (home, work, cycling, skating, etc) he would not have made it. Maybe the Running Room pace bunnies should be trained in CPR? Just food for thought. And yes, our group is AMAZING, but that doesn't surprise me in the least. The bonds that we have formed over the miles is something that I truly cherish and am incredibly grateful for.

I've known for a long ago that I was pounding the pavement with some pretty incredible people. I am so grateful that they have our family in their thoughts and prayers. You have no idea how this has helped us. I think in an urgent situation like this you go on adrenaline, or auto-pilot. The support I have received has been HUGE in helping me get through, and keeping things as normal as possible for the kids. They are coping amazingly well, and the disruption to their life and routine has been minimized because I have been able to focus on them. In turn, my focus on them has kept me sane... (insert comment here Murray! ;o).... or, as sane as one can be in this situation.When things calm down, I will be out there racking up the miles again. In the meantime I know how lucky I am to be in your thoughts and prayers. Once again, I cannot thank-you all enough. You guys are amazing!  Shelley

Shelley, Thank you for sharing. Our collective thoughts are best summarized by an email from Ted:   "We are holding you in our thoughts and prayers with tenderness, concern and affection. We'll talk to you soon."   Cheers to you Shelley and Chris.  Take comfort in the knowledge you are surrounded by love and friendships far and wide. Michael  

Wednesday: 5.76 miles, 10:26 pace -25 (-37 wind chill) Route 90/ Sterling Lyon Parkway/ forest/ Shaftsbury/ Corydon/ Park Boulevard/ Grant

We had every intention of logging the prescribed 7.5 miles but we got wailed by the drifts on Sterling Lyon Parkway and then took a wrong turn on the forest trail. Yes, it's terribly embarrassing admitting to a wrong turn on a trail we normally run auto-pilot. I'll blame it on Sandra. She had us engaged in a delicious "do-tell" conversation on teenage heart-throbs. Lori and Sandra admitted to a huge crush on one of the Bay City Roller boys and I confessed to a total infatuation with flower power pop star Melanie from Animal Crackers and Lay Down fame... groovy. To add to our confused state we stopped on Sterling Lyon Parkway to make three absolutely perfect snow angels.  Me thinks we're getting a wee bit touched, or perhaps a tad bushed, or maybe even a bit bonked, by these infernal frigid temperatures. As always, inspite of the cold, it was a most enjoyable run... just the three of us chattering away on the same page in unison. So, who's your teen age heart throb?Thanks Sandra, thanks Lori. It was a most pleasurable run... Cheers, M

Saturday: 3.5 miles 9:15 pace. -1 (-5 wind chill). Wolseley/ Wellington Crescent

It was a good quick pace with ideal conditions.  I was over dressed and had to stop after a mile to shed my outer shell. I bumped into Henry Klassen who was running home from his shift at the Kenaston Running Room.  Henry is the full marathon clinic instructor at the Kenaston Running Room.  Having attended his clinic last year, I highly recommend you take this clinic. Henry will teach thing about yourself that you never knew possible.  The clinic starts next week so run!, don't walk!  sign up for Henry's clinic, you won't be disappointed.  I'll be pacing a 4:15 group this year and I have a whole new collection of bad jokes to take your minds of those aches and pains.

Sunday part 1: 6.14 miles, 9:53 pace, (with walks), -10 (-21 wind chill), wind north 41 k/hr (gusts 60 k/ hr, heavy snowfall, low-grade blizzard conditions), Wellington Crescent

Twas one of those character building runs with which we've become all to familiar... strong winds, heavy snowfall, icy roadways and on and on.  Lisa, Vivian, Gwen, Bruce, Lori, Sandra, and I forged on... three miles up Wellington, three miles down.  Not a very exciting run, but it got the job done.  There was more discussion on teenaged heart throbs which whittled away a mile or more.  We also discussed the horrible shooting at the university north of Chicago.  It's odd that the media seems to be underplaying this tragedy.   Thank you Running Room Rachel for the home made chili after the run.  I don't know what other Running Rooms are like across the country, but by gosh, the Kenaston Running has got to be the most welcoming and caring staff in the country.  Thanks again, Rachel... not sure which I like more, your engaging smile or your wicked chili!

I had intended on joining everyone at Stella's but I forgot to bring a change of clothes.  I was soaked from perspiration head to foot (too much information?) and I was starting to chill off (was it Rachel's chili?) so I decide to beetle home to a hot shower and forgo the breakfast.

Sunday part 2: 9.88 miles (bike with Lucy), river trail/Forks/Whittier Park/return

My trainer and I went for a romp down the river trail to the Forks and then on to St. Boniface Festival headquarters, Fort Gibraltar.  I wanted to join the other voyageurs for a Fort Garry Dark Ale around the bonfire, but my task master trainer, Lucy would have none of that... she allowed me 5 minutes to warm my hands and then back-at-er.  This was one tough slog. Between the winds gusting to 60 k/ hr and the new wettish snow, I was dog tired.

A final tribute to our tireless leader Tom Cardinal for putting up with our whining and complaining.  Thank you for your planning,  your organizing, and most of all thank you for your remarkable dedication to the group.  I hope we haven't scared you off Tom.  Cheers and good luck on the Hypo!  Happy taper week.  M

Total week mileage = 25.28

And finally, part two of Gill's cookie recipes.  Enjoy!  

If you like more of a muesli bar, this is a fab recipe as well. 65g margarine 150ml honey 50g brown sugar (I put in less) 200g oats – large ones 100g sunflower seeds

160g chopped apricots 50g nuts 25g sesame seeds Handful of cranberries or raisins if you like. Melt marg, honey and sugar, heat and simmer for 5 mins. Combine other ingredients in bowl then add marg mixture, mixing to combine. Press into tin – shallow tin is better as if too thick the bars don’t stick together too well. Bake 350 for 25 mins or until turning a nice brown colour (sorry, a bit vague). Leave to cool for a bit but before cold, score into pieces but don’t break up until completely cold. These are delicious!