My THIRD Half Marathon

    Last Sunday, I ran my THIRD half marathon.   How did that happen?  How is it that I have done THREE half marathons?  I don't usually toot my own horn, but I am going to take a minute to do so.  I have been running for a little over two years now and I am proud to say that I may not be the fastest, but I am so happy with what I have accomplished.  Three half marathons, three 10k and a bunch a 5k races and I am still standing, I am still strong!
     This race went much better than then that I did in May.  My ankle was hurting a it, but not as much as it was in May.  I had new shoes and I really think that helped.  My only complaint was that I was cold.  I wore a short sleeved shirt because I knew that I would get warmer and I expected the weather to warm up.  The weather never warmed up and it was windy, since many parts of the race course was by the water.  I finished with a time of 2 hours and 42 minutes.  Not bad, not bad.  I have to admit that I did not train (I know bad girl) and in fact the last long run that I did was the last half marathon race I did in May (hangs head in shame).  I vow that I am going  to run the Half next May in Ottawa I am going to train like a mother and come out with a new personal best.  

Here are a few pics from the race:

The second and third pic crack me up. I did that when I say the finish line.

My legs are done, I am in so much pain.  When I laugh or cough it hurts also.  I guess that I really worked my core when I ran.  This week I am just walking on the treadmill on an incline to get back in the game.

You are suppose to rest for one day per mile ran.  But to rest for 13 days seems a bit much for me.  So I am just taking it easy.

Run club is going so well, I am doing some speed work and Bootcamp with the girls tomorrow.  We are having our first inter school race even next week, I will let you know how we do.

I am going to get back into racing.  I missed it so much.

Have a great day!

Thanks for your continued support

follow me on Twitter @misshaneefa

xoxo

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Friend Makin Mondays

Saw this on Miss White's page.  Yo know that I love me some FMM!

1. What is your favorite thing about this time of year?  I really love fall fashion, boots, sweaters.

2. What do you hope to do again before Summer is officially over?  Summer is officially over :(

3. When did you last go on a hay ride?  I don't think I have ever been on a hay ride.

4. What is your favorite pumpkin dish? I LOVE pumpkin soup.

5. Do you decorate your home for fall? Nope

6. Do you have any hobbies that are seasonally specific? If so, what are they? Running in the fall is the BEST.  

7. Apple cider or hot chocolate? Hot chocolate all the way!

8. Are you a fan of football? If so, who is your team?  Not really.

9. Share a fond Fall memory. When I was in Japan a big event is to go and watch the leaves change.  One weekend I went with an adult class on a little hike and enjoyed the leaves changing.

10. It’s not Fall until…the leaves start to change and fall!

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Sigh

     I ran with my running club yesterday in my new shoes and they were great.  Running Club is also going really well we did 3K yesterday and the girls are starting to feel better about themselves.
   As for me I am getting back on track after a few days of eating like crap.  I had so many events back to back that I DO NOT want to see another hamburger or french fry until Christmas.  I hate how I feel when I have not eaten well for a few days.
   I feel like I am lost, I know what I have to do, but I am not doing it.

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Friend Makin' Monday! On A Monday!

Hello!
   I hope that this finds you well.  I went on the scale for my monthly weigh in and it was a disaster, 225 I am up 8 pounds YIKES!!!  Gotta get back at it.  #FAIL.  I also had to return my Asics on Saturday.  I went on the treadmill and I was getting pain in the arches of my feet so I exchanged them for Nike Lunargilde 4's.

Hopefully these will be better.

Safire posted this on her page.

    


Have You Ever? 

 1. Jumped out of an airplane? No sorry.

 2. Lived alone? Yup. That is my current living situation and I love it!  I also lived alone when I was in Japan.

3. Met a celebrity? I met Lil John once as well as Rupee (singer of "Tempted to Touch").  When I was in Japan I also met the dancehall reggae artist Elephant Man.

4. Said something to someone that you immediately regret saying? Can't think of a specific incvident but I am sure that it has happened.

5. Had a manicure/pedicure? Yes! Last weekend was the last time.

6. Gotten a hickey? Yup

7. Owned a pet that was not a dog or a cat? No, I have never really owed a pet.

8. Been outside of your home country? Yes. I have been blessed to have been to quit a few places in the world. USA (I'm Canadian), Trinidad, Spain, Portugal, England, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Panama, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia  Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea.  Wow, I can't believe it!

9. Kissed your best friend? Nope.

10. Eaten food that fell on the floor? 5 second rule right!?

11. Met someone online? Yup, I have had some good and some bad experiences.

12. Been on TV? I was on TV a few times in Japan clapping in the audience of various shows.

13. Had braces? No.  I am lucky that I have pretty nice teeth. They are my prized possesion.

14. Gone skinny dipping? Yup once.

15. Been to the opera? Nope, not really interested.  I have been to see the Phantom of the Opera, does that count?

16. Been caught making out by a policeman? No, not a policeman.  park security.

17. Sung in public? Karaoke is the farthest I have goon.

18. Handed out candy on Halloween? Yes, but I haven't done it in years

19. Been snowed in? Not really, I have shovelled myself out.  I have had snow days at school though.

20. Fallen in front of other people? I am sure that I have.

21. Cheated on a test? Nope

22. Regretted saying “I love you” to someone? No.

23. Finished a meal in a restaurant and realized that you didn’t have your wallet? No.Thank God.

24. Shot a gun? Yes, when I was in Vietnam, I went to the shooting range and shot an AK 47.

25. Heard a song that was written for (or about) you? Nope.


After filling this out, I am having deja vu like I have done this before.....

Have a great week!

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New Shoes

  I am so excited I got new running shoes yesterday.  I decided to go back to Asics and got the GT 2000's they look like this:

  I am going to try them on the treadmill later today.  I went grocery shopping and I am getting back into the swing of things.

Have a great weekend!

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Running Club is a Hit!

Yesterday I had my first Running Club meeting with my students.  I was stunned by the number of students that I had.  About 30 girls came out, that is over 10% of our school population.  We went for a short 15 minute run just to get the girls accustomed, I also wanted to see which girls were stronger runners. Let me tell you that there are a few really fast girls.  A few had to walk for a bit, but that was no big deal.
I was really thankful to have another teacher with me to help with the group.  She stayed at the front and I stayed at the back.  It was really hot yesterday so the girls learned a few lessons right of the bat, they learned that you cannot dress to warmly, i.e. no pants (I explained to them that when you run it feels 10C warmer than the temperature is outside).  I also explained that they will have to bring water if it is going to be that hot again.

   We have a parent information night for the school last night and I saw a few parents of girls who had come to run and they said that their daughters were so happy with the club and they were super excited.  This made me feel like a million dollars.  I am elated to see young women getting active and having a good time.

It is almost the weekend!  Woot woot!

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Bye Bye Summer

   I have made it to Day 8 of the 30 Day Shred and all I can say is that I am anxious to get to Level 2.  I didn't make it to Sexy Dance but I heard that it is a pretty good workout so I am definitely going to try to get there next week.  I went to  http://alltheweigh.com/ found an old Friend Making Monday post and decided to answer the questions since this blog post was boring. Since summer is pretty much over I decided to reminisce on the good times.

Summertime 

1. What is your favorite thing about Summer? No work (one of the perks of being a teacher) and usually great weather. 

2. What is your favorite outdoor activity? Running or taking a walk.  I am also a fan of team sports.

3. If you had to choose, would you prefer to be too hot or too cold?  Too hot all the way.  I hate being cold.

4. Does your appetite increase or decrease during warmer months? I feel like it decreases, but there are so  many BBQs and birthdays that I end up eating more.

5. What is your favorite seasonal Summer fruit? Watermelon and strawberries.

6. Would you prefer to spend a hot summer day at the mall or at a swimming pool? Swimming pool all the way

7. Are you more likely to tan or sunburn? Tan I guess.

8. How does your routine change when Summer begins? I get to wake up later and go to bed later.  I also get to work out more. Read more and watch more TV.

9. What is the temperature outside where you are today? 27C or 81F

10.  What is your favorite Summer holiday? My birthday does that count????  I guess Canada Day.

Until I see you next year summer, bye bye!

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Gym Schedules and A Compliment

I hope that everyone had a great long weekend.  I went to a spa on Saturday and had a great time.  I had a mud wrap, a facial, a manicure and a pedicure.  I felt like a million dollars when I was done.  Funny how just a little bit of "me time" can make you feel like a new person.

I went to Bootcamp last night, it was killer (and I followed it up with Day 6 of the 30 Day Shred).  The gym has come out with their new schedule for the fall and I am not happy.  I am never happy when new schedules come out because they always make changes and there is always something that I do not like.  I get used to a certain teacher and when they change that I get upset.  They cancelled my Monday night Zumba and Monday night Bootcamp.  They added a class called "Sexy Dance" on Tuesday and you know that I am going to have to check that out.*sigh* so is life.

I was in the pharmacy the other day and an older woman walks up to me, "Is your name Haneefa?" 

"Yes."  I reply, meanwhile my mental Rolodex is working overtime.  Is this a parent of a students that I have taught? Is it a former co worker?  Is it a stalker?  I have a pretty good memory and she did not come up at all.

"I am Debbie B's mom."  Just to let you know that Debbie was my good friend in ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!  When I say that I look the same as I did when I was 10 I am not joking.  I have to find a pic of me when I was young and post it for you to see.

"I have seen you a few times and I was always tell Debbie that you are so pretty and tall and slim."   Woah, woah , woah pause. SLIM!  MOI!  WOW!  I find it so funny that people see you so different than you see yourself.  In a million years I would never call myself slim.

I am really trying to make a conscious effort to work on my hair.  I have been natural for a few years now, but I can never get any real length.  I am not a hairy person and I know that  I will never have long hair, but I am really going to try this month and get some growth.  I would like to have a big fro a la Measha Brueggergosman, a Canadian opera singer.

This is what I want!  Is that too much to ask for!

  I am very lackadaisical when it comes to my hair and I really need to pay more attention and take better care to get a bit more growth. 

I am also trying to go out more.  I would really like to be a happier person and part of that is going to be going out to new places and meeting more people.

I hope that everyone is having a great day!

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