We just received a coupon from Sears for a discount on any vacation package to Boston. What are the odds? The timing couldn't be better for us since I'll be running in the Boston Marathon while Jack cheers me on!

I can't believe it! I am on the ultimate runners high! Today I ran my heart out at the Toronto International Marathon to qualify for the next Boston Marathon!

I completed the 42km run in 4:10. This was 5 minutes under the qualification time for women ages 55 - 59. A whole summer worth of training - hills, sprints, fartleks and it all paid off. I have to thank Jack for all his support during it all.

I look forward to training for the 109th running of the BOSTON MARATHON on April 18, 2005. Wow - I am still amazed. Jack and I will look into booking flights through Sears Travel. But now, I will rest.

For years I only wore Saucony running shoes. This spring, I noticed I was experiencing pain in my arch. After speaking with professionals and trying on just about every make of runners I settled on the Adidas Supernova Cushion.



I love my new shoes. Not only are they lightweight - they also provide ample support for runners, who like me, have very high arches. The shoes are well conditioned, comfortable and supportive.

The shoes contain Adidas patented adiPRENE: a highly shock absorbant material used to cushion and protect the heel ipon impact and adiPRENE +: a highly resilient material used to cushion the forefoot and provide a responsive, dynamic toe-off.

After my long runs, I take advantage of a reward I bought for completing the Scotiabank Half Marathon. I went to Sears and purchased the Dr. Scholl's Foot Spa Plus with Infared Heat.



It is amazing. I switch between the two plates (foot rollers, accunodes) and after 15 minutes, I feel I could run again!

That is the best thing about running. As an avid traveler and runner, I get the best of both worlds. Why would I run when I am on vacation? There are several reasons:

- Time zone changes can tire your body. A quick run can provide a much-needed burst of energy. A longer run can slow you down and make it easier to rest and catch up with the time zone.
- If you love to eat and indulge in all kinds of local delicacies - adding a quick run provides you with guilt-free opportunity to indulge in Italian gelato, Spanish tapas, English fish and chips and Floridian key lime pie. Incorporating a quick run into your travel ensures that you will still be able to fit into your clothes when you return from vacation.
- Exhilarating tour of the local landscape. An early morning run provides the opportunity to meet locals and to expereince the landscape, roads, bridges, paths without other tourists and traffic.
- Enhanced performance. Enhance your performance by running in the sand along the beach, up and down rolling hills in Ireland, in higher and lower climates.
- Race all over the world. Google the city and dates you will be visiting and take the opportunity to register for a local run. Jack and I were recently in Florida and I had the chance to enter in an 8km evening road race for a local Cuban charity. The race was as incredible as the paella and music offered by the community members to the participants.

Still not convinced? Try visiting Runner's World and peruse their over 75 recommended runs in cities around the world - from Brussels, Belgium to Tokyo, Japan.

Jack and I were talking over dinner last night about how great it would be to have everyone up to the cottage before the summer was over. Of course I can’t resist a party! So consider this your official invite to Jack and Jane’s Housewarming!

When: Sunday, September 5, 2004
Where: Jack and Jane’s “New” Muskoka Home
Time: 11:30 for a big outdoor brunch!

Spend the day lounging by the water and then stay for dinner when Jack will be cooking one of his famous bbqs!

If you anticipate spending the night, let me know – there is plenty of space!

Oh – and don’t bring a thing!

Jane and Jack

Having had the house renovated we thought it would be a good time to get organized right from the get go!

I went to Sears.com and noticed that they had a storage tool rack on sale. (Even better!) Only $59.99 and now all my garden tools will be organized in my little shed. Here is the description:

Holds up to 20 large tools and 17 small tools. Side-access tool slots. Steel core support adds strength and durability. Wheels for portability. Accessories not included. 43" w. x 20" d. x 37" h.

I know a few of you have the same problem with storing and organizing your gardening tools, so here’s the link if you want to purchase one as well: Storage Tool Rack

So as many of you know, last year Jack and I decided it was time to renovate the cottage. Since we were retiring we decided to move in full time after we sold our home. I am happy to announce that it is finally ready and we’ve already started moving in. We should be completely settled by the end of August.

I know we’ve been behaving rather secretively as to how we planned change the place, so here’s a sneak peak of a couple of before and after shots:

  

We hired the company XYZ Home Improvements since they came so highly recommended from a few of you! They have done a wonderful job! I’ll post more pictures later. Promise!

Jane

  As I mentioned I have taken up golf so I invested in my first set of clubs. I opted for a set that wasn’t too pricey. Once my game improves I will purchase a better set.

I found them online on the Sears site again. The set includes:

#1, 3 woods and #3, 5, 7, 9 irons with oversized, titanium matrix heads for greater distance and accuracy, plus a cavity-back putter. All-weather tour-style grip. Lightweight steel shafts on all clubs. Made in Canada.

Watch out Jack! You’ll get getting some competition now!

I have just started to learn how to play. Jack of course has been playing for years. But I was thinking maybe of taking a mini golfing getaway.

At any rate, when we bought the Sears Travel membership, they supplied us with a slew of coupons to use. I went on their site and they have a whole area dedicated to golf vacations.

I am thinking this may be just what I am looking for:

Exclusive Taboo Golf Package

	TABOO RESORT GOLF CONFERENCE CENTRE – MUSKOKA May Golf/Spa Package $199.001 night/1 round of golf or Spa Credit The home course of Mike Weir and Ontario’s #1 golf Course, Taboo’s 7200 yards are meticulously carved from the majestic Canadian Shield. The Result is a beautiful and challenging course that is quickly becoming popular among discerning golfers worldwide. This is Golf. This is Taboo.
Package Includes:   3 nights accommodation (Lodge Room)  3 rounds of golf in 3 night package (Taboo)  Shared golf carts  Advance tee times  Compact rental car with unlimited mileage Not Included:  Fuel, tax and insurance for rental car

As a runner, you want to make sure that your feet are spending just enough time on the ground. Too long or too short and you can cause stress on your muscels.

Your goal: 45 steps by your left foot in 30 seconds.

What does this mean? Your left foot should ht the ground 45 times in 30 seconds. Start your stopwatch and begin to count. Stop your watch and look at how long it took you to reach 45 steps. It if is 30 seconds, you have an optimal stride.

To correct your stride, run with someone who meets the goal and try to mimic his or her stride rate. Some other great tips can be found here.

I have to credit Dr. John Definney with all his help and for this tip about correcting your stride rate.

I was asked recently what is the secret to my baking. I am convinced that I owe it all to my KitchenAid 10-Speed Stand Mixer. Since my daughter purchased it for me 3 years ago, baking truly has never been the same! The whites are fluffier and the batter smoother – nothing compares!

It comes in a variety of colours and it is very heavy so I suggest that you keep it in a handy location where you don’t have to pick it up and move it around too much! Some of you may gawk at the price, but it really is worth the investment. They last forever and are durable enough to even mix dough.

This recipe is courtesy of Amy and after baking them, I can I attest that they truly are the best brownies ever. Enjoy!

1 pound unsalted butter
1 pound plus 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
6 ounces bitter chocolate
6 extra-large eggs
3 tablespoons instant coffee granules
2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups chopped walnuts
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Butter and flour a 12 x 18 x 1-inch baking sheet.

Melt together the butter, 1 pound of the chocolate chips, and the bitter chocolate in a medium bowl over simmering water. Allow to cool slightly. In a large bowl, stir (do not beat) together the eggs, coffee granules, vanilla, and sugar. Stir the warm chocolate mixture into the egg mixture and allow to cool to room temperature.

In a medium bowl, sift together 1 cup of flour, the baking powder, and salt. Add to the cooled chocolate mixture. Toss the walnuts and 12 ounces of chocolate chips in a medium bowl with 1/4 cup flour, then add them to the chocolate batter. Pour onto the baking sheet.

Bake for 20 minutes, then rap the baking sheet against the oven self to force the air to escape from between the pan and the brownie dough. Bake for about 15 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Do not overbake! Allow to cool thoroughly, refrigerate, and cut into 20 large squares.

Notes: Flouring the chips and walnuts keeps them for sinking to the bottom. It is very important to allow the batter to cool well before adding the chocolate chips, or the chips will melt and ruin the brownies. This recipe can be baked up to a week in advance, wrapped in plastic, and refrigerated.

Jack and I went away last year to Australia. (If you haven’t seen the pics you will find a few posted in the photo album.) We booked the whole thing online – if you can imagine!

I have decided that I want to participate in the 2005 Boston Marathon. I need to achieve a qualifying time of 4:15 for 42km. I have four months to train (which is when the Toronto International Marathon happens).

Jack is forever my supportive cheerleader. Wish me luck!

I have just joined the Doubleday Book Club and convinced all the ladies in the Neighbourhood Book Club to join as well.

The first book we have ordered to read is The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom.  Here is their review:

“Once in a great while, the world is given a literary gift with profound transformative powers-a work of beauty and emotion that resonates in the hearts and souls of all who read it. Remarkably, Mitch Albom accomplished this with his debut book Tuesdays With Morrie, and the new author was also transformed-into a publishing phenomenon. Now, Albom does it again, following his runaway bestseller about life's greatest lessons, with a magical, poignant novel of a seemingly ordinary man, who discovers the extraordinariness of his life-in heaven.

At 83-years-old, Eddie believes he has lived an uninspired life. A widower, maintenance man at a seaside amusement park, and wounded war veteran, each new day seems a joyless repetition of the last. But when he is killed attempting to save a little girl from a falling cart on a ride, he discovers heaven is not the destination he imagined. Instead, he finds a place where the defining moments of his life are pieced together through encounters with five people-each of whom share with him a fateful and significant connection.”

We have our first discussion this weekend.