2012 wrap up

Well, it's been quite a year with lots of highs and lows.  I started the year with the best of intentions to go booze-free for the year.  That lasted until St. Patrick's Day, but on the plus side I dropped almost 20 pounds between January 1 and March 17.  I ran my personal best Half Marathon so far in April at the Wear Red Run (1:48:02), and I ran a full marathon with Jason and had my whole family there to support me at the end. 

Overall, I am feeling very healthy and in great shape as I approach my 40th birthday in February.  I have committed to going booze-free for January (much more realistic this year ;) and I am looking forward to heading to Jamaica in mid-February. 

Goals for 2013 include continuing to run regularly and to try to eat a little healthier. 

The kids seem to be doing ok.  Andrew has finished his 3rd Semester of University and is still debt-free.  Daniel's Marks remainin the mid-90's and he is extremely active with cadets, theatre, and improv.  Vicki is doing amazing in her swimming with a lot of personal bests in various races.  If she continues to work at it, she has a lot of potential to be really fast over the next few years.

Also looking forward to the 2 plays that Dan & I are involved in from Feb 7-9.  It's kind of neat to have that hobby in common with one of my kids.  Should be fun as both plays are modern takes on fairy tales.

So long 2012..... looking forward to another clean slate for 2013!

42.2K

I did it!!!!!!

Sunday was the PEI Marathon and I completed it in a time of 4:10:38.  What an overwhelming experience it was.  A few weeks prior to marathon I strained my calf muscle and had to take 10 days off.  and just 1 week before the marathon I wrenched my back.  Up until the morning of the marathon I was not sure whether I would be able to do it.  Looking back, I think the back pain was stress-related as I worried about the marathon and didn't sleep well because of it. 

Marathon day was picture perfect.  It was slightly cool starting out at only 2 degrees, but warmed up to 8 by the time I was finished.  It was so great to have family support there with Cheryl, Andrew and Daniel following our progress in 5 km increments and having water and gels available when needed.  It was funny to watch Andrew & Daniel forming a relay to ensure that drinks were ready by the time we arrived at the van. 

Vicki, Beth, Ryan and Alexa arrived later with motivational signs.  Finishing the marathon was such an overwhelming experience.  Doug and Jean came out to run with me for 200 metres, but then let me run it in myself at the end.  Dad was there, and so was my family, mark & cathy & kids, Rob & Andrea, and Beth and kids.  The whole thing was so overwhelming and happened so fast it was like a blur.  Mom couldn't make it because she was not well, but Dad had his phone out and I talked to her immediately after I finished the run.  It's all a blur, but I remember saying to Mom that one of the quotes that got me through some of the toughest points was "When it starts to hurt, I think of all the people that can't run and I run for them.".  The whole things was pretty emotional and very humbling. 

What an amazing day with friends and family as well as completing the major goal of my "year of reflection.".  I ran a marathon before I turn 40 in February.  While the marathon was an amazing experience, I think my next goal is to get better at the half marathon.  My current PB is around 1:48 and I would like to get that under 1:45.....   For now, though, I'm just pleased that I set a goal and attained it.  This is a lesson that I hope to pass to my kids through my own actions.  Anything is possible.

Back to School.....

Where to start.... We had a great summer with possibly the best weather I've ever seen.  There was hardly any rain this summer and almost every day was sunny.  We mowed the lawn in preparation for our Canada Day party on July 1, and then didn't have to mow it again until late August.  The kids were ecstatic. 

Dan had a great 3 weeks at Cadet camp and Vicki and Cheryl had some great bonding time this summer.  Vicki took swimming lessons from the Bluefins group and spent a week at camp Seggie for Survivor camp.  we got the beach a few times, but I really notice this summer how busy everyone was.  I remember the days when the kids all moved on our schedule.  I could call home and say "get ready, we're heading to the beach when I get home" and we could be ready on the beach by 4:30 with a picnic lunch for supper.  I really noticed this summer how busy it gets when everyone has their own agenda.  Dan worked at Cow's for the summer which was a great experience for him, both learning to handle money and dealing with customers and management.  Between Dan's job and Andrew's job it was difficult to get everyone together this summer.  Which, I guess, is typical as kids get older. 

We had a great time at Parlee Beach for our family reunion.  It was great seeing all of the family including cousins, aunts, uncles etc., but I have to say the best part for me was the 2 day lead-up to the reunion when it was mainly my immediate family together.  It was great not having to rush to be anywhere for those days.  We walked to the beach, had bonfires, and really connected with each other.  One of the highlights of the reunion was Dan's tub of Cow's ice cream that he bought with his own money and doled out to everyone. 

The play in Georgetown turned out alright, but it was tough being tied up every sunday all summer long.  Overall, the show went well and it reminded me how much I love using my creative side, something that is definitely lacking in my regular job.   As a side project, I have started working with Fox Henderson on his
Zombie movie project, even roping in Mark, Billy, Steve, Janice, and Rob as actors/zombies for the shoots.  It's been pretty cool being a part of something so creative. 

Once again, we had our "end of summer blowout".  This year, we travelled with Mark & Cathy, and Rob Murphy to beautiful Baddeck, NS.   I think this was our best end of summer trip yet.  The Cottage was perfect.  Large, but rustic with a pier leading out to the Bras D'or lakes.  From the deck of our cottage we could watch the kids jumping in the lake which they did non-stop for the entire week.  We had great weather and managed to make it to the Fortress of Louisbourg as well as the Alexander Graham Bell Museum.  Willy & Kelly, Karen & Rob, and Rob Murphy's family made it out to see us at the cottage.  One of the nicest parts of the week for me was watching Dan & Vicki get along so well.  We had a rule that no one was allowed to swim alone, so Dan & Vicki (and Gavin) spent a lot of time together jumping and swimming.  The best story of the week happened on our first day when we were on the raft.  Mark, Rob and I each had a beer and Vicki was there as well.  The raft was a little unsteady and when the weight shifted I realized that I was about to fall in.  In a last ditch attempt to save my half-full beer, I tossed it mid-fall towards the middle of the raft.  Rob swears it was in slow-motion as Vicki reached out and snagged my beer without spilling a drop.  As I surfaced from the water, she yelled, "Got your beer, Dad".  I knew at that moment it was going to be a good week.

A couple of final notes as this post is getting to be long.  I am still preparing for my first full marathon in 4 weeks. I ran 33k last week which is my longest to date and I have only one long run left before the marathon on October 14.  It has been a real challenge trying to squeeze in long runs over the past couple of months and, as such, I think this will be my only marathon.  After this, I am hoping to work harder at running faster half-marathons.  

Finally, I am taking an economics course from UPEI as part of my job which has been another unique experience.  It is different being back 17 years after having graduated, especially now that Cheryl teaches there and Andrew is also a full-time student.  On the plus side, it is nice to be in an environment that promotes free-thought.   

The next chapter

Well, it's been a busy couple of months around our house.  Daniel and Vicki have finished school for the year, Cheryl has been both teaching and working her regular job, Andrew has been working full time, we just hosted our annual Canada Day party, and last but not least I was recruited to fill in for a play that runs sunday nights all summer. 

So first things first, both Dan & Vicki did very well in school this year, with Daniel graduating from East Wiltshire with honours.  Dan will be heading to grade 10 at Bluefield in the fall while Vicki will be entering grade 8.  It's nce to know that, although all kids have their issues, at least academically, all 3 kids are strong.  We haven't had to push hard with school, as the kids seem to sense intrinsically that there is value there.  I am hopeful that this will help guide them in the years to come. 

Andrew has been working full-time at Advantage call centre doing Tech Support for Eastlink which is beneficial for him on several levels.  First, it's related to his current field of study and second it's helping him to work on his communication skills by dealing with frustrated customers.  Again, I hope these skills help guide him in the years to come. 

Our annual Canada Day party was a smashing success this year with over 60 people stopping by during the day.  The weather was beautiful all weekend and our neighbours opened up their pool which really helped keep some of the younger kids cool and happy.  Over the weekend, Jason Arsenault and I ran a half marathon in Montague which was very hilly and challenging.  It was also 24 degrees at 9:00 in the morning while we ran.  Here are some of the crew watching the fireworks:

So, after a 15 year absence, I am doing some acting again thanks to a call out of the blue from Keir Malone.  I was asked to jump in last minute to fill in a recurring role in the murder mystery "Hickory Dickory Dead" playing in Georgetown sunday nights all summer.  It's both exciting and terrifying as I remember how flighty and chaotic theatre (and theatre people) can be.  Overall, I'm enjoying it as it brings me back to something from the past that I used to love.

Dan leaves for Cadet camp on his birthday which I hope will be a great experience for him.  This is the first time he has been away from home for any length of time, but I think it will do him good.  It will also be good for Vicki & Cheryl to have some girl time this summer. 

I read a great quote on Robert Patterson's blog today which inspired me to write here again.  I have been very overwhelmed lately with lots of change both at home and at work and I have been trying to balance everything.  I have been complimented over the years on my ability to balance home life, kids, marriage, work, personal time etc.  I have prided myself on this, however lately I have been feeling thoroughly overwhelmed.  I am starting to realize that change is inevitable.  Kids grow up, workplaces change, and time moves on.  I read this quote and plan to do my best to adapt to the changes that are thrown at me.  I regularly tell my kids that we can't control others actions, we can only control our reactions to situations. 

Here is Robert Patterson's quote:

"I see my life as a series of chapters of a book that while it has a common theme, the essence of myself, requires me to put away strategies and concepts from each prior stage to enable me to see what is required for the next. At each juncture, and this is one, some of the behaviours and beliefs that enabled me in the previous part are now potentially disabling."

Jobs, Bluenose & Molly

The past few weeks have been pretty stressful and frustrating with a lot of cutbacks both in provincial & federal government, and some trying family issues, but it looks like the worst is behind us now.  While many jobs are being cut, I am still employed, albeit as an economist instead of a commerce officer.  It looks like I will have to upgrade some of my economics courses at UPEI over the coming years. 

The latest addition to our family is Molly, a 6 month old Lab mix that we obtained from a family in Summerside.  Molly has really perked up the morale of the family as we all watch the antics of an energetic puppy as she struggles to understand the new world around her.  It is particularly touching to watch as Molly stands at the front door to watch Vicki catch the bus each morning, 

I'm looking forward to running the Bluenose half marathon in Halifax this weekend with Jason.  Doug & Jean are also coming over to run the race, and Cheryl & Vicki are also coming to cheer me on.  It is supposed to be nice this weekend, so I'm hoping for a great run.  I ran the Wear Red Half Marathon a few weeks ago and finished with a personal best of 1:48:02.  I'm still feeling great and running better than I ever have.  Hoping this will continue this weekend. 

Still truckin...

Well, it's been a while since I've posted here.  It's been a very busy few months.  I am still not drinking, although I have taken a couplef of "mulligans".  When my coworker, Bruce, accepted a new position I had a couple of beer with him as it was our tradition to get together.  He was very much like a mentor to me and knowing that he was moving on was pretty significant for me.  I also chose to take St. Paddy's day as a Mulligan and had a beer with Francis at the Old Triangle and then several drinks on that same evening with the usual crew at Rob's to celebrate.

I have completed 2 half marathons so far this year finishing in 1:57 in Halifax, and then 2:03 in Stanhope under extreme wind conditions.  I am signed up for another half on April 21 and hope to run the bluenose half in Halifax with Jason in May.  Still on track to run the full marathon in October. 

Overall, I feel great.  I'm now under 170 lbs, trying to eat healthy and running a few days a week.  Saturdays are my long run days and I've been out with Jean, Heather & Doug on a regular basis. 

It's been very busy at home, but hoping things will slow down this summer.  Andrew is finishing up his first year of university and will be working full-time at Advantage call centre this summer.  Daniel starts his first job at Cows ice cream this summer.  Hopefully Cheryl's contract will be extended for the summer which will mean that she can be home with Vicki and they can do some fun stuff.

Really looking forward to our family reunion this summer, as well as our Canada Day party and our end of summer cottage in Cape Breton with Mark & Cathy.  There might be a couple more mulligans coming up...lol

Game on....

Well, my journey has started.  We had a great new year's party with good friends and great food.  Mark made a 4 course Thai dinner for a crew of us and then we spent the night with good friends.  About 30-35 people stopped by over the course of the night and we had a great night.  Billy & I were the last two people awake around 5:00 am and finished the night going back and forth playing youtube videos.  The last one I played was "If I ever leave this world alive" by the Floggin' Mollys.  Still one of my favorite tunes and seemed like an appropriate one to end such a great night on.  On January 1, Cheryl & I cracked a nice bottle of Champagne that was given to us by Stu & Esther and we toasted the New Year.  That was also my last alcoholic drink until New Year's 2012. 

So far, so good.  I have been out to dinner with friends, and gone to play guitar at Mark's place, and no real cravings for booze.  I drank water at Mark's and managed to drink 4 or 5 bottles which is a bonus since I also need to be drinking more water.  I have been to the gym everyday and am training to run the Hypothermic Half Marathon with Jason & Paul on February 5.   So far, I'm feeling great and looking forward to a year of "clean living". 

It has been a tough week in another area as Todd Lunn passed away due to complications with his liver and immune system.  He was 41.  It's too bad that it takes such a tragedy to make me realize that life is short and we shouldn't waste any of it.  It's so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day routine and assume that there will always be time for goals and dreams.  I have added this to my mental list of reasons to keep running when I feel the urge to stop.