Canning

Ironman was AMAZING!!! So inspirational to watch all those people! (Not inspirational enough for me to sign up for 2008 though...)

I made the "mistake" of buying some peaches, apricots and tomatoes on our way home. I've just spent 4 days trying to can, make jam, and freeze everything. Alot of work... I hope it all tastes good when we eat it in the middle of winter. I have finally got it all cleaned up. Now I'm making a peach/pepper relish for our family get-together tomorrow. I've never made it before, so I hope it turns out okay... My aunt (my Mom's only sister) has invited all of us to their place on Thetis Island. Even with all of their family and all of our family, I think it'll be less than 20 people. That's a nice number - makes it easy to visit and catch up.

The slow lane

I'm finally losing the rush-rush-rush mentality of working life! I had so much going on in July, I didn't feel like I was taking a break at all. Things have slowed down in the last couple of weeks. Now I have days where I get up, take my book to the balcony, and only move in order to stay aligned with the sun (or shade - depends on how I feel). Sometimes there's a mad rush at the end of the day to get the dishes done, laundry washed, or some dinner made so Dan doesn't think I've been sitting on my butt all day... :)

We are heading to Penticton this weekend. We're going to be watching our friend Rainy participate in Ironman for the 9th time! Amazing person!! I watched the event 2 or 3 years ago. It is incredible what people will put their bodies through! I am in total awe of all the athletes who participate. The most inspiring part of Ironman is watching the regular people cross the finish line - the people with families and full-time jobs; people who don't have coaches, nutritionists, or physiotherapists following them around 24 hours a day; people who have more than 2% body fat and don't own the most technically advanced laces for their running shoes or the latest high-tech swim goggles. These people know they won't be winning the prize money, but they have something inside that is highly motivating for them. When you see what they put themselves through, you know there's definitely something else that keeps them moving their bodies forward no matter what.

Then there is the cutoff time... It is heart-breaking to watch someone who has put 110% of themselves into the event for 17 hours (not to mention a year or so of training) come in after the 12am cutoff. There is no finisher's medal or t-shirt if you cross the line 5, 10, 30 minutes past midnight. You are recorded as "DNF" - did not finish. I can't watch at that point. I have to leave at midnight.

Scuba gear

I'm selling all of my scuba gear. If you know anyone who's interested in all or some of the following, let me know. There is less than 20 dives on all of the gear and the regulator and BCD have been recently serviced.

• White's Nexus shell dry suit (valve on forearm) (med) with bag
• Evolution boots (size 7)
• Whites pro 1 piece fleece underwear (med)
• Aqualung wrist compass
• Seaquest Balance BCD (med)
• Apeks ATX 40 regulator with Mares Axis octopus & SPG
• Apeks Quantum wrist computer
• 34lbs weights
• Aqualung Redline 1600 gear bag
• Save a dive kit, slates, flashlights, books, etc.

Time flies

Phew. I can't believe it's been 10 days since I last posted something here. Time is just flying by. I was talking to a running friend this week - she's a teacher and will be back at work soon. It seems like the kids just got out of school and now they're already going back. I'm so glad I took a year off! Imagine if I had only taken the summer off - I would not be a happy camper right now knowing I had less than 3 weeks of freedom left! Speaking of time flying... I noticed that Costco is putting out their Christmas stuff already! That's pushing it a wee bit.

I've started reading through the Harry Potter series - I'm on the 4th book now. I've spend most of this week reading. We rode over to the Island again last weekend. Dan, my brother, his partner and I participated in the Bike For Your Life event in Parksville. Greg, Laura and I did the 70km route, Dan went for 120km. Greg was very kind and gave us a ride to the ferry afterwards (otherwise, it would've been an extra 30km...). This weekend, we'll be at the cabin in Birken. On Sunday, there is a Slow Food Cycle Sunday event in Pemberton. It's a nice easy bike ride through the Pemberton area to checkout the local farmers, buy produce right from the farm, and a chance to learn about where our food comes from. The authors of the 100 Mile Diet book will be giving a talk before the event! I just read it, so I'm looking forward to the presentation.

Next weekend is Dan's birthday! We'll be spending it in Penticton watching Ironman and supporting my friend as she completes her 9th Ironman!!

Near deer experiences on a bike

It's not the cars that cyclists need to worry about in Comox, it's the deer! I had one almost jump on me because I startled him. (Not as much as he startled me!) And another one ran out in front of my bike (glad my brakes work...) and hit the side of a car. He tumbled a bit, but got up and ran back into the bushes. I quit watching the traffic so much and started checking the bushes as I rode along after that!

Last Tuesday I rode from my place (north-east Burnaby) to Horseshoe Bay and then from Nanaimo to my brother's place in Nanoose. It was a pretty good ride, but riding through North and West Van at lunch time is quite an experience. Lots of traffic out there! Wednesday I rode from Nanoose to Courtenay. I took the old Island Highway - what a beautiful ride! I hung out with my sister in Courtenay, visited some friends, and went to my 20 year high school reunion. I really wasn't sure about this, but I ended up having a great time. It's amazing how things change but stay the same...

Dan rode up on Saturday to join me in Courtenay. My aunt and uncle and a cousin were also in town, so we had a visit. It's always fun to see family! I don't get to see them enough.

The big attraction for everyone this weekend was the Filberg Festival. Dan and I spent some time checking out the vendors and listening to music. The highlight was getting second row seats for Bruce Cockburn on Monday! Dan & I had to catch a ferry right afterwards, so we hopped on our bikes and peddled towards Nanaimo. My brother and his partner met us half way and rode with us back to Nanoose. Greg offered us a ride to the ferry from his place which we gladly accepted!! After riding more than 350km this week, my butt was happy to sit in a car!