Creative November Challenge Day #13: Running woes

It was an odd weekend. Since I had an extra day off (today being a holiday for us government workers), I thought there's be plenty of time to do all the things I wanted to do - cooking, running, yoga, reading, painting, writing, and photography. Instead, most of the weekend got eaten up walking and playing with Jackie, discussing renovation ideas with Husband and tackling various chores. As we prepared to return to the city tonight, I was feeling more than a little frustrated that the time had gone so quickly and I had so little to show for it.

It wasn't a total loss. I managed to do some reading yesterday - finishing Hillbilly Elegy and making my way about halfway through Fifteen Dogs - and this morning I did some baking so we had fresh cheese biscuits for breakfast, then spent most of the afternoon practicing yoga, writing and painting.

My frustration mostly stemmed from the fact that I didn't run all weekend. I headed out first thing Saturday morning intending to run 5k but only got about a hundred metres from the house before the cold, windy conditions prompted me to turn back. Since I hadn't remembered to bring warm gear with me, I thought I'd try again Sunday or today when I hoped the weather would be better. As it turned out, the weather was better but still not warm enough to run without the headband and gloves I'd left in the city.  

After skipping my run today, I have to say I felt pretty discouraged and disappointed with myself - until it occurred to me that maybe it's time to stop beating myself up just because my running's not going as well as I'd like it to. The reality is I've trained consistently most of this year, despite health and other issues - so not running for a week or two isn't really such a bit deal. In fact, it might even be a good thing if I use the break to rest and make plans for the winter season.

The trouble is I don't feel like a "real" runner if I'm not running 3-4 times a week, including a long weekend run - which is ridiculous when I stop to think about it. After all, I've run regularly for more than 15 years now and completed dozens of races - including 8 full marathons and a 50k ultra. Not a real runner? Clearly, I need a more sensible definition.

Given my age and how little time and energy I have for training these days, it's no surprise running feels harder than it used to but that doesn't mean my running days are over. It just means I may need to change things up a bit, set more realistic goals and be patient as I work towards getting back into shape this winter - hopefully, with Jackie along for company on at least some of my runs. We've only tackled short distances together so far but she really seems to enjoy it so I'm hopeful she'll be inspiring me to get out the door a lot more often when she's older. Until then, I'll try being a little more gentle and patient with myself and trust that my inner runner will feel more like hitting the road after a few weeks of rest.

Here's a video of Jackie on the beach last weekend. As you can tell, she loves to run. I hope I can teach her to run slowly enough to let me keep up!

Creative November Challenge Day #12: Men who cook

If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, you’ll know that Husband is an awesome cook and baker - always has been, though he’s gotten even better at it since he retired a few years ago. 

Yesterday’s dinner was a perfect example. We had friends over so the meal started with two appetizers (made by moi - cranberries and brie baked in phyllo, and roasted prosciutto-wrapped figs with blue cheese). Husband took over from there, dishing up an incredibly tender lamb roast, lemony roast potatoes, fresh mint chutney, and a green salad, followed by a lemon and white chocolate tart with a shortbread pastry. I know, sounds awesome, eh? And, in fact, it was! The lamb came from our friend Ruth’s farm and was wonderfully tender and flavourful, as well as perfectly prepared - a memorable meal for sure. 

Even before I met Husband, I knew I liked men who cook. My first serious boyfriend introduced me to crepes in lieu of pancakes when I was just 19. A man I dated in grad school impressed the pants off me (literally and figuratively) by cooking us marvellously simple suppers of grilled sausage, salads and fresh bread. For our first date, Husband made succulent chicken in an aromatic cream sauce - making a direct beeline to my heart through my stomach. 

I’ve never understood people who don’t care about food. I care - deeply. Not just about how it tastes but where it comes from, how it’s cooked and by whom. For me, the perfect meal is made with locally-sourced ingredients (from my own garden, where possible), thoughtfully and skillfully prepared. 

Speaking of which, it’s time to sign off. Dinner is served. And, in case you’re wondering, on the menu tonight is a favourite pasta dish - grilled Italian sausage and roasted red peppers dressed in marinara and cream sauce with sautéed mushrooms and peas. I know. Awful. ;-) 

P.S. if you’ve been following my Creative November Challenge, you may have noticed I missed posting anything yesterday. What can I say? I guess I’m more to tired than I realized. I simply didn’t have it in me to write. I did, however, manage to take a few photos while walking puppy last evening. Enjoy!

Creative November Challenge Day #10: Saying goodbye to Han Solo

When the first Star Wars movie came out, I was 15 and, like many girls my age, I was all about the "bad boys". Which is why, when some of my friends were swooning over Luke Skywalker, I was daydreaming about Han Solo.

Of course, that role was only one of a series of bad boys Harrison Ford played over the years, and I was a fan of all of them - until recently, that is.

A few weeks ago, Husband and I sat down to watch the original Blade Runner, in preparation for going to see Blade Runner 2049. It had been 20 years or more since I'd watched it and I found the film disturbing for many reasons - not least because I'd forgotten Deckard raped the female replicant, Rachael. I wondered how on earth I'd forgotten such a significant element of the plot.

I suppose I forgot it because I didn't think of it as rape the first time I saw the movie. Deckard likely seemed like just another "bad boy" overcoming a woman's false rejection of him - you know, like Han overcoming Princess Leia's rejection. Or Indian Jones overcoming the rejections of every female lead character in the Raiders of the Lost Ark series. Or Quinn overcoming Robin's rejection in Six Days Seven Nights.

Looked at that way, the pattern is disturbing.

Which is why the necklace in the photo above - made by a local jewelry designer from an old DVD cover - is on its way out the door soon. I bought with a happy sense of nostalgia at a local gallery about a year ago but looking at it now makes me slightly ill. Why was I ever attracted to such a violent and sexist character? How did I not see the pattern until now? What else have I been missing?

Creative November Challenge Day #9: Still life

As we get older, we define happiness less in terms of excitement and more in terms of peacefulness.
- Sheryl Sandberg, Plan B

I bought this small succulent a few days ago and set it on the table in my office to create a tiny oasis of stillness in the midst of work chaos. I enjoy pausing from to time to breathe deeply and admire it. The practice helps keep me calm and grounded, whatever's going on around me.

I think Sheryl Sandberg’s right when she says that, with age, peacefulness becomes more important than excitement. I still enjoy life's whirlwinds from time to time, but what I yearn for most these days is peace and quiet. I never seem able to get enough of them.

Which may be why I enjoy participating in running events much less than I used to. I register for a few races a year to motivate myself to train regularly but the truth is - except that it would mean missing out on the bling - I'd usually prefer to skip the events themselves. It's the training I enjoy most.

Given that, I've been wondering lately if it's time I gave up racing altogether and instead focused on treating running as a form of meditation - an opportunity to quiet my thoughts, listen to my body, notice the world around me, and find more of that peace and quiet I yearn for.  It's something to think about for sure.  

Creative November Challenge Day #8: Ikea date night

The new Ikea Restaurant

Recently, some friends told us that they go on "mall dates" every week or two - that is, that they head to their local mall and hang out together for a few hours, visiting favourite stores, observing fellow shoppers, and grabbing a meal in the food court. I have to admit the idea of a mall date doesn't hold much appeal for me - not least because I generally hate shopping.

Husband and I also schedule a night out every week or two but our "date nights" usually involve a meal at a local restaurant - sometimes followed by a visit to our favourite gallery. Tonight, we  opted to follow our friends' lead and head to the new Ikea store that's recently opened not far from our city house.

In the early years of our marriage, we visited Ikea often to pick up inexpensive housewares and furnishings but our visits have become much less frequent now that we have pretty much everything we need. Our visit tonight was inspired by two things - curiosity and an upcoming bathroom renovation.

The store near us is the first Ikea store in Atlantic Canada in several decades and there's been considerable excitement about its arrival so we were curious to see it, and I have to admit we were mostly impressed. The store struck us as bright, spacious and well-organized - though it's possible it only seemed that way because there were so few customers tonight.

The bathroom renovation we have in mind is a straightforward one. The plan is to repaint the walls, and replace an existing storage unit with something larger and more practical. We think we found a piece that will fill the bill nicely but want to do a few final measurements before taking the plunge.

As much as I hate shopping, I have to say I enjoyed our outing. Wandering through Ikea exchanging ideas reminded me of our early years together, when renovating was a major source of entertainment for both of us, and I enjoyed spending a few hours thinking about how we might better use our current space. I'll look forward to our next visit.