Correction!

It has been brought to my attention that I incorrectly reported Amanda's Grouse Grind result.

The actual result was 41:24, not 41:25.

Competitive much? It seems we have more in common than I had thought!

Thanksgiving Weekend

Training has been really light for me lately with tons of flexibility. I can go as hard or easy as I like, with an "as I feel" training theme. I actually ran pretty hard while in Fredericton with the UNB team but I don't think I've done a snitch of effort since then. I have actually enjoyed just running without a second thought about pace or distance, just loving being active on my own time. However, I think I can only be relaxed (and uncompetitive) for so long and this weekend I cracked.


Last night I had Thanksgiving Dinner #1 at my sister, Amanda and her husband, Rob's house. It was a fun evening with a lot of great food. I ended up staying overnight at their place and we were up early this morning for the Grouse Grind. After last year's very painful race, I had made a promise never to put myself through that again. But after hearing Amanda and Rob (lovingly) trash talk each other, I got really fired up. We each had our own pre-Grind breakfast strategies. Amanda and I stuck with what we know works; it was almond butter on toast for me and coffee with sweetner for Amanda. Rob took a holiday twist, grabbing a fistfull of leftover turkey as we were heading out the door.


Warm-up was practically non-existent with a gentle walk to the trail head. At this point I was having flashbacks of last year and was actually nervous! There was no time to really put to much thought into what I was about to do because as soon as we hit the starting post, Rob was gone! Amanda said he starts fast but I wasn't ready for this. Adam's tip to me was to "break their spirits early", but Rob was breaking mine! I didn't exactly have a spring in my step today, but I trudged by him after a few minutes, desperately trying to downplay my breathing. I kept saying to myself, "out of sight, out of mind" but I don't think Rob was too concerned with me. There was another battle going on behind that I didn't witness until the end. Amanda is strong and steady at the start and holds her pace. She caught Rob at the halfway mark and it was a close finish. Here are our unofficial Thanksgiving Grind results:


Lauren: 34:56


Amanda: 41: 25 (2 minute PB!)


Rob: 42:00



I think it might have been an even closer spousal race is we were to factor in Rob's breakfast choice. Turkey burps cannot feel good!

Dessert tonight!

My New Job

It's not a full-time job, or even a job with any kind of commitment. Instead, it's a one-day, mega-overtime stint with Elections Canada. My neighbour nominated me for this position because I "like to smile" and I thought it would be a great way to learn more about Canadian politics. I am always a little embarassed to admit that I don't follow politics as close as I should and I seem to know more about what goes on in the US than my own country. I spent a lot of time this week reading up on the parties and their platforms and I will be voting on Tuesday....as long as I can find a free moment in my day...

My job title is "Information Officer." I am the first person to see when walking into the Polling Station. I will be checking for adequate proof of identification, making sure the electors are at the correct Poll, opening and closing the doors at exactly 7am and 7pm, and making sure there is no partisan political activity within the vincinity of the building. So please, don't come to the James Bay poll with your flags, buttons and signs because I will have to lay down the law!!

I had my training the other day and it was a bit overwhelming. I came home to study my manual while it was still fresh in my mind, but I am still nervous about Tuesday. There is a lot I have to do and I don't even have a replacement if I need to go to the bathroom, have a snack, etc. My work day will be a minimum of 14 hours. We weren't told the maxiumum....I didn't want to ask. I am already planning what food I can bring that doesn't have to be refrigerated. And, FYI, I will kindly accept deliveries of Sally Bun's, Bubby's cinnamon buns, and any cookie, cake or pie that is yummy tasting. You will not be turned down at my poll!

I also found out something quite exciting... my Aussie friend, Rinny is COMING TO VISIT in November! She has been my training partner for the last couple of years, my partner in crime and is one of the funniest people I know.

ALWAYS a fun time with Rinny!

Quilting

I know this posting is going to get me in trouble with Rinny. She already calls me a "nana" because I wear floral Birkenstocks. Well, I might as well sign up for the retirement home now because quilting takes my old lady qualities to a whole new level. 

I have always been amazed at quilters and what they are able to create. My mom has always been a sewer so I grew up helping choose patterns and fabrics and I feel at home in a sewing store. I don't seem to have any interest in regular sewing these days but I sure have felt like returning to my fabric store roots and starting something new. 

I tried to talk my way into a quilting class while in Fredericton, but it was an intermediate class so in hindsight, it was probably good I wasn't allowed in. I made some calls when I got back to Victoria and found an amazing quilt shop downtown that had room in a beginners class. I met up with the instructor this morning to pick my fabrics. Oh my gosh, I was like a kid in a candy store! There were SO many fabrics. It took a good two hours to get everything sorted and now that I am home and looking at my fabrics, I still like my choices. It was such a tough decision picking the colour palette/pattern and I was worried I would regret my choices. So, I think it's a good sign that I still love them because there is no returns once the fabric is cut! The only problem is that I am dying to start cutting and sewing now but can't touch the fabrics until class next Friday!!

I know that time and energy won't be an issue when it comes to quilting. This next month is still light for training with a 'choose my own adventure' theme. I haven't yet struggled to find things to fill my days and there is still plenty to choose from on my off-season checklist. I've been doing plenty of adventure runs and a few short trainer rides every week, just to keep up the strength. The trainer isn't exactly the most fun (unless What Not To Wear is on tv), so I am looking forward to getting on my cross bike once my elbow heals up. I'm also now in the pool a few times a week for very short swims. I'm amazed at the improvement from week-to-week. I am now feeling like there is a little power behind my left arm which is a wonderful feeling. I was worried for awhile that I was going to return to my kick-dominated stroke from the old days (the pre-"gunz" days!) I have been secretly timing myself for 100m every time I'm in the pool. I don't swim hard because that's not really possible right now, but I just like to monitor my progression. When I got in the water at 5 weeks post-crash, I swam 1:35 for the 100m 'test' (which I think was almost entirely kick). At week 6, I swam 1:28. This was exciting for me, sub 1:30! This week, week 7, I swam 1:22! I should be back to good in the next few weeks, but will stick to my 'Nana' activities until then. 

Garage Sales = No Fun!

Today was the day I had been dreading for the past 5 years....
As mentioned in the previous post, my parents have been wonderfuly supportive. One example is the no-rent storage facility I have made out of their basement. I think I have moved every year since 1999 and every year, the "transition zone" is always the basement. There is lots of movement of stuff, but the trend seems to have been that more comes down that basement door than ever makes an exit. They have been so patient with me and my explosion of belongings (too patient), and I knew that there was no better time than now to get it cleared out.
This was also a great opportunity for my mom to clear out her closet and cupboards. Our family hasn't done a purge like this is in......probably ever! My parents sold this rather rustic log cabin a few years back so there were about a million nick-nacks and 1700 bird houses that had to go.
I was nervous no one would show as it is a typical Vancouver Fall day (dumping rain). I couldn't have been more wrong. The sale was scheduled to start at 8am, but that didn't stop some early birds from showing up very early. In other words, the night before!! The real sale started though at 6:45 this morning when I was lying in bed and heard a van rumbling outside the house. Yep, it was an eager shopper and he actually bought SO much stuff, including about 18 birdhouses. That really set the tone for the rest of the morning and at times there were at least 15 people in the garage at once. It's weird to watch others sorting through your stuff, but I didn't care, I just wanted it gone! And, of course I had to make this into somewhat of a bakesale, serving up coffee and muffins. I had intentions to try a new cookie recipe but I don't think it would have gone down well with my family if I postponed set-up last night to do some baking.

I spent the afternoon cleaning up and dropping off the remaining goods at the Salvation Army. I can't tell you how good it feels to finally be rid of all that junk. I am never going to buy another knick-knack again (I can almost hear Adam's laughter from 4,000 kilometres away...). Well, maybe one or two!

Now I am going to get on the trainer and try to 'flush' out this day.

Family

Yesterday's announcement and Kristina's speech got me thinking about my family and how they have made my Olympic dreams possible. From their unwavering belief in me, to the extremely selfless acts done year after year, I realize that I truly couldn't do this without them.

I came across these fun photos today from my parent's collection.

TV Stardom

Today I had the opportunity to take part in a VANOC (Vancouver Olympic Committee) function at the new Olympic area at UBC. Petro-Canada was making an official announcement that they wanted to share with local Olympians, the COC and the 2010 organizers. I excepted it to be a simple press conference, a meet-and-greet, and maybe some laughs with the 2010 mascots (I was secretly hoping to meet Quatchi today). After mingling in the lobby we were asked to take a seat in one particular section of the arena. As we walked around the rink I noticed a podium and a red carpet set up in the middle of the ice. Nothing unusual, just a press conference in the rink. I noticed there were a few cameras set up and they seemed a little more "pro" than those used for the nightly news. We were asked to grab a set, any seat, as long as it didn't have a name on it. Well, there were only two seats in the entire section with names. And they both said "GROVES". Uh-oh. What on earth is going on?! I turned to one of the organizers and said, "ummmm, is this seat for me? I didn't bring a guest..." She then says, "WHAT, your parents aren't here?!" To make a long story short, she thought I was Kristina Groves, the speed skater who turned out to be a key part of this "function". Phew!
Anyway, back to the story..
We are handed flags and random Canadian paraphanalia. The lights to out and man comes on the loudspeaker giving us instructions (on a side note, his voice was very familliar. It was one of the Hockey Night in Canada announcers). We are told that Kristina will be skating a few times around the rink and we are not to cheer until the third lap. It turns out that they are filming at Petro-Canada commercial and we are the "fans." It was a lot of fun, but I was so nervous for Kristina as there would only be one take for this commerical. Of course, she did a fantastic job and was actually a very good actress. I don't know how I would have done with acting the emotions of competition in that situation.
The actual annoucement was also special and rather unique. Petro-Canada is supporting the families of Canadian athletes competing in 2010. They will be covering the accomodation and event tickets for families who have to travel. Families are a huge part of our Olympic journeys so this level of support and recognition is wonderful. Sharing my race in Beijing with my family (despite the outcome) meant a lot to me and I know my experience wouldn't have been the same without them.