Short Sunday run

I ran 3 miles late this afternoon (665.5 miles). I had hoped to run further but I noticed some lightening in the distance and dark clouds rolling in. I was also feeling more pain in my legs today than I did yesterday so I didn't want to risk making it worse. I finished my run with some stretches and my leg feels better now. I have been neglectful the past couple months of proper stretching because I am always rushing to get my run in so I can get to whatever work I have. 

Running Divas!

 

I ran 5 miles this AM (662.5 miles). I had the pleasure of running into a group of women from my Just Tri-it group who have continued to run together over the summer. They were having so much fun and I was very happy when they asked if I would like to run with them during the week. They are early morning runners, leaving at 6AM twice a week for a run. If I can drag myself out of bed I hope to join them at least once next week. 

My leg was still hurting today which means I need to take more time stretching before and after my runs and not overdue the distance. I would like to get rid of the pain before I run in Regina in mid-September. After my run today if felt like the pain had shifted towards my ankle. Maybe I just have a ball of pain that keeps moving around my legs, finding a home in one muscle or another for a few weeks and then moving on to the next area. 

So what am I reading these days? Reading has been slow over the summer because there are so many other things to do. I finished my second Andrew Pyper book, Lost Girls. It is a mystery set in Toronto and a small town north of Toronto. I didn't enjoy it as much as The Killing Circle, Pyper's most recent novel but nevertheless found it to be an interesting read. I am now reading Christopher Moore's novel, Fluke or, I know why the Winged Whale Sings. It is fun and I have no idea where the plot is going to go. All I know at this point is that a cryptic message "Bite Me" has been observed on the Fluke of a large male humpback whale by two members of the scientific team studying whales' singing. Would I expect a less bizarre plot from Christopher Moore? I don't think so. After reading Lamb, I know he might take the reader down any number of crazy story lines. I cannot wait to see where this one goes. 

Running in Edmonton

I ran 6.5 miles (657.5 miles) this AM. It wasn't a very nice area of Edmonton to run in, mostly commercial and under construction. I ran from our hotel to the West Edmonton Mall and then decided to run around the perimeter of the mall. It is huge!!!! The day before Kathy, the kids and I visited the mall and did a bit of shopping. This is the first time I have been to the West Edmonton Mall and found it very impressive, particularly the recreational areas. The water park has the most amazing water slides and Skender and Ethan went on every slide. They were so excited. 

We explored most of the mall including walking around the area where the roller coasters and other rides are. Skender had visited the West Edmonton Mall with his dad earlier in the summer and said he preferred the water park over the rides. At the end of the trip we had spent all of our money, the boys had put their fears aside and braved the swift ride down the big red water slide (Sken didn't try it during his visit earlier in the summer), and we all had fancy new clothes to begin September.  

The sun is back!

I ran 5 miles this AM (651 miles). It was a beautiful morning after a rainy weekend. I continue to have muscle pain, particularly shin splints. Much to my dismay and that of everyone else in Saskatoon, the leaves are starting to change. I first noticed a big yellow leaf on my lawn this morning, as sign that we are moving into the autumn. Where did summer go? 

Saturday Run

I ran 3 miles today (646 miles) because my leg was still sore.  I had the pleasure of having lunch with an old friend and colleague from McGill, Bruce Hill (terrible picture of us above). It was great to see Bruce and catch up. It feels like a life time ago that we worked together at Martlet House in Montreal. Bruce and I always had a great joking relationship and of course he was around for the '94 mini skirt protest! One of my best and most memorable protests if I do say so myself!

Visitors from Tunisia

I had a short 3 mile run today (643 miles). I was very tired and my right leg muscles were sore. I guess it was just one of those days. I decided not to run in Sunday's River Run because I have been so tired and stressed out about work. I think it would take too much energy and right now I need all my energy to get through the next six weeks. 

Skender's grandparents are visiting from Tunisia. Even though I am no longer their daughter in-law I love them very much. They are wonderful people and I have a special bond with Skender's grandmother because she was with me when I gave birth to Skender. While Adil was present too, it was very special to have another woman beside me during the delivery. Adil was the only male in the delivery room, with the doctor and nurses all being women. Skender was 10 lbs 3 oz making him a very BIG cute baby. A set of twins were born at the same time and Sken was bigger than both of them combined! After giving birth the hospital asked me what the name of my baby was. Adil was out of the room when they asked so I told them "Skender" (the name Adil wanted). I didn't know how to spell it so I told them it was spelt "S K E N D E R", exactly how it sounds. I found out later that it should be spelt iskander or iskender which means Alexander in english. I love the name, even if I did spell it wrong and the name Skender (just as it is spelt and sounds) suits our guy. He is truly a modern global child with Arabic, African, Metis and European heritage. In his childhood Skender has already traveled to Europe, Mexico, Belize, the Caribbean, United States, Africa and many parts of Canada. Quite a different childhood than mine!

Looking at the pictures above I can see how much Skender looks like his Tunisian family, especially his grandmother. Ben and Aziza are visiting Saskatchewan for three weeks, the last visit being a couple years ago in mid-winter, so I expect they will gain a much better impression of Saskatoon this visit. It is wonderful to hear Skender speak French to them, a credit to his dad's persistence to speak French at home even when Skender prefers not too and to our French emersion school system.

Skender finished his sports camp at the university today. He tried rugby this time and really enjoyed it. The camps are great for children his age because they give the kids a chance to develop their skills in their favorite sport or learn new sports that they may not learn at school. Skender still has his hopes set on learning how to play football, and tells me that when he grows up he wants to play football and ride a motorcycle. Every mother's wish for their child! I don't know whether it is hard wired in boys but he already blocks off play time to watch the Saskatchewan Roughriders' games and the other night stayed up after I went to bed so he could finish watching the game. He came into my room afterwards to let me know they had lost. I slept better knowing : )

The remaining photos are of the Indian and Metis Folk Fest pavilion at the Saskatoon Indian and Metis Friendship Center.  Sken and I did a small amount of volunteering last night at the SIMFC pavilion. It was great to see people I have not seen in awhile including Kathie and Dale (picture above), two of my favorite people. I don't think I"ll get to go to much more of Folk Fest this weekend because of the work I have to plow through over the weekend. I think the forecast is for rain which will help me to stay in door and keep writing.