OUCH!!!

My legs hurt a lot today! A lot of a lot in fact! The stairs in my house have become my worst enemy. My second worst enemy is now the stairs to catch the bus from work. My third worst enemy ... well, you probably get the point!

In all of my years in martial arts I have never felt such a full on toe to hip discomfort. The strangest part is that I am getting some sort of joy from the discomfort; like because I hurt so badly, I must have done a GREAT job!!! Very very strange. I feel that the more I run, the stranger it becomes!

I wonder though if I should also take this discomfort as a sign that I might not be ready yet for the trek back down Kilimanjaro. Most people focus on the trek up as being the hardest ... will I succumb to altitude sickness, will the last day up be too challenging etc. etc. etc. In my conversations not many people think about what happens after you summit. The answer: a long long long (40+ kms) walk down hill in 1 day. That doesn't really sound fun. In fact, for today it sounds completely impossible. I think I'd have no choice but to roll down! So, while I am beginning a new 1/2 marathon clinic immediately (tonight actually ... could prove interesting), I am also going to focus a lot more on cross-training in June. I have a new yoga class pass, can always do BodyRock and am discussing CrossFit with a good friend.

I'm also continuing with my mission to learn web design and had to pick a word editor. I've chosen Notepad++ for the sheer simplicity of it. While I did download Vim and have been playing with it on and off, I will focus for now with Notepad++ to move forward in my learning; Vim can be a later challenge!

Have a wonderful Tuesday and cherish your health! 

Complete a half marathon ... check!

Snazziest medal yet!

The list of Samantha's things to do once is one item shorter now as I checked off 'complete a half marathon' this morning.   

I'm not really sure yet what to type about this event ... except that I'm excited for the next 2 that I have already registered for (Army Run and Toronto Waterfront).   Running is a strange strange thing.  I finished today with a head that felt like it was going to explode (yay dehydration) and yet almost immediately started going through my game plan for the next one.  Strange.

Although, my next one is going to be very different in that I'm running it with Mum ... we are going to cross the finish line holding hands and share in the awesomeness of voluntarily inflicting harm on ourselves for 21.1kms.   

I had a few favorite moments today ... 1 being high-fiving a nun - how often can you do that?!?!   The second, for some reason, being the insane giggles I suffered after seeing a 'WORST.PARADE.EVER.' sign - genius! And my final collection of favorite moments all involved my brother bellowing at me as though he would murder me if I didn't 'GLUE YOURSELF TO THAT PACE BUNNY'.   

Oh, speaking of the pace bunny ... awesome ...I loved the pink tutu'd 6 ft tall male pace bunny that I ran behind while he casually sauntered.  Sigh.  One day ... one day.

So,yes,  an awesome day with a pretty great accomplishment (2:16:4).   I'm going to enjoy the Army Run with Mum and then push hard for the Toronto Waterfront Marathon ... I will get that sub 2:00 one day soon!

37 days to Kilimanjaro!!!!

I'd rather be running!

Today is one of those days where I want to do just about anything other than what I am supposed to be doing (aka working).  I have had a wonderful realization though in that, even though I am somewhat uncomfortable from a trial run of the ½ marathon route yesterday, my first thought was ‘I’d rather be running’. 

Kilimanjaro is coming sooo close around the corner (including today, 51 days until we leave and 55 until climb start day), but even closer is the upcoming Ottawa Race Weekend.   

I started running with my Mum with the Merivale Running Room Learn To Run program in August 2012 and have LOVED it ever since.   We’ve completed the LTR, 5k and 10k programs together and I’m now finishing off my first ½ marathon clinic in preparation for the ½ marathon on May 26^th.  

This used to seem like an insanely daunting task but now it just seems like what my training has gotten me ready for.

With this being said, I am sooo nervous.  More nervous, in fact, than I am for Kilimanjaro.  Although, I suppose that the more likely probability is that this event is currently stealing my nervous focus.   Or perhaps I figure that if I can kick tush at a ½ marathon than Kilimanjaro will be a breeze.   That sounds stupid though even as it comes off of my fingertips … probably not a good sign!

The reason why I am nervous is what amuses me though.  I know I can do the distance but I am nervous about letting myself down.  I like to set my bar very high and then get completely wrapped up in nerves about failing to meet that bar.  Isn’t that silly?!?!    Dear self, as long as I try my hardest, don’t be let down by whatever notions my hyper-competitive version of you has come up with!!!

I think I’m normal though (words that don’t often come out of this one), in this regard.

So anyway, the biggest part of my training for Kili has been my running and I think its serving many purposes: 

• it is building up my leg strength;
• it is building up my endurance;
• it is building up my mental strength to push through discomfort;
• and, currently above all, it is distracting me from the nerves that would otherwise be associated with all of the Kili final payments and details that are due this month!

It is all becoming very very real!!

Tanzania Visa Advice Needed

Today is a quick blog designed to ask a question ... has anyone had any good or bad experience with visas for Tanzania in either a) purchasing them prior to departure from the embassy or b) purchasing them at the airport on arrival?

I am getting many mixed messages on this one with 50% of people saying to absolutely get them before we go and others saying the airport is the way to go.

What thinks you?

Part 2 of this quick blog is my webcraft accomplishment for challenge 2 ... check it out:

Handwritten code to make sure we know the basics!

It took me a few tries to get the indents right for the tags but other than that was quite straight forward.   Oh, I also wrote uft-8 a bunch of times!!  I did like this exercise as I found that writing it out by hand definitely solidified it more for me than typing.  Otherwise though, I've reinforced that I still can not write in a straight line :)

Webcraft Here I Come!

Today’s post is a little bit of a different topic … but all leading towards the same goal: adventures in life before and after Kilimanjaro.

I have decided to join the School of Webcraft.  Yup, that is Webcraft and not Witchcraft … although, if anyone knows a great School of Witchcraft either online or in the Ottawa area I would probably be interested in that too!

One of my goals for the immediate future is to hone my web design skills.  I use hone in a very generous manner here as to hone would imply a certain base level of skill that I am not sure I have.   But anyway, it sounded much better than to just straight up learn!

Challenge #1 is my webizardry (no, that didn’t work … trying to be too clever too soon).  Challenge #1 in Webmaking 101 is to either create a blog or create an intro to Webmaking 101 on an existing blog.   Since I am not doing very well keeping this one as up-to-date as I should, I thought I would combine and use the fantastic skills I am going to acquire to make this blog that much more amazing.

As part of the challenge I am also supposed to introduce some interesting facts about myself for my Webmaking 101 peers.   I am/was/will be:

• A fan of bullet points for things like this
• Born in England and immigrated to Canada in 1989
• Continuously searching for what I should be when I grow up
• Blogging on here, specifically, about an upcoming trip to climb/hike/trek of Kilimanjaro
• Always on the hunt for new challenges
• Sharing more facts in upcoming blogs so will leave this list here.

So, for today, this is challenge #1 on its way to completion.

Oh, for regular blog-like information, training-wise I did an 18k yesterday.  It was very hot and I should have worn sunscreen.   Now I have a brilliant farmer’s tan that will look wonderful at May’s upcoming weddings.

I also did an amazingly difficult pure core hot yoga class on Saturday.  Thanks to this, yesterday’s run and the sunshine just about every part of me is uncomfortable today.  But it is an amazingly wonderful discomfort that can only come from actually accomplishing something physical; so well worth it!   Tonight I have a wonderful pure hips hot yoga class that I am immensely looking forward to.

Happy Monday :)

And The Winners Are ... The Mamut T Aenergy GTX ®

Wow, okay so this is well overdue!   I have been mighty distracted, but am going to continue the effort of making this a routine event.


After a long deliberation process, I have finally chosen and started wearing in my Kilimanjaro hiking boots.   The third time was a charm and I am now the proud new owner of some bright, albeit muddy, new blue Mamut T Aenergy GTX® (as seen in the photograph or here: http://www.mammut.ch/en/productDetail/302003830_v_5136_75/T-Aenergy-GTX%C2%AE-Women.html).


I thought I would write today's blog to put down a few of the tips and tricks I learnt during the selection process ... so ...

1) Know your booty needs


For us the decision was a day hiker.  This was based on the fact that we will have packs that are less than 50lbs (thanks to our team of porters) and do not have any ankle problems.  Waterproof is also a definite must for Kilimanjaro as we will have everything from rain forest to snow to trek through.  

2) Set aside plenty of time for the hunting process and get used to the returns process!

To select my boots required 3 attempts; each attempt costing at least a few hours in the shop.   Don't expect this to be a quick shop!  Apparently even seasoned hikers require a lot of time as models and technologies change and you are really cheating yourself if you don't try on a few different brands/models.   

Also, a great lesson learnt is to not hit up the outdoors shops expecting great (or any for that matter) service on the first nice day of spring.  This is guaranteed to result in crankiness (well, if shopping with persons of like personalities to myself).

And of course, keep those receipts!

3) A thumb's width is what you need

My first fail was buying boots that were snug.   This seemed like a great idea but upon research and the helpful advice of friends and coworkers this is a foolish plan.   Going up the mountain is one thing, but when coming down you want room for your toes so that they are not slamming into the front of the boot.   While I will not learn this lesson the hard way, apparently snug boots can equate to blackened toenails and pain.

I did, however, get a bit of an idea of this lesson this past week in San Francisco.  Even my running shoes became uncomfortable on the downhill portions of walks because I was too far into the front of them.

I feel like the downhill portion just may end up being one of our most challenging days!   At least my toes will be happy :)


4) Invest in a good quality technical sock

Invest in them and take them along for the boot shopping.   Outdoors shops (and running shops for that matter) have a wide array of cute smart wool and other technical fabrics designed to keep your feet dry and comfortable!

For Kilimanjaro we were aimed towards a mid-weight technical sock.  I can't comment on how correct this is ... but will hopefully be praising this guidance in July!


5) Take band-aids with you to the shop

For some reason, that I am not aware of, hiking boots have mean laces!!!  After doing up and undoing a few pairs you will start to get discomfort on the thumb side of your pointer fingers and thumbs.  After 6 or more pairs, bring on the blisters!  

Once this happens, once again, crankiness ensues.

6)  Regardless of style points (or lack thereof) wear them indoors a few times before heading into the great outdoors!!

I put up with friendly teasing and also received some great pointers by wearing each of the boots I tested in the office with my professional apparel.  This was a priceless plan as I eliminated 2 pairs of boots that I was completely in love with in the shop.  The best part of the office day was the stairs.  Nothing will tell you that the heel in the boot isn't right better than taking the stairs all day!   Also, in the office you can cover a lot more ground than you possibly can at home.

Plus, you get bragging rights that you are doing something cool in the near future!