Kiwi's Odyssey: The Birth of a Marathon Runner!

About Pierre

Aaahhhh, hubby! We met at university and just 'clicked' and the rest is, well, history ... in fact, not only did I get my BSc at university, but I also got my Mrs. after graduation ;) ... and Pierre is still as handsome as the day I met him !

Pierre has proven to be a wonderful man and wonderful provider to his family. Pierre is loyal, loving, kind, funny, warm hearted, and a 'trickster'!

Try this on: ‘Babe’, I’m seriously thinking that I can’t go back to work – I just can’t leave Cody … he took so long in the making and with 5 loses every day is a gift! What’s the point in having our son and not been able to watch him grow up and being there for him? Followed shortly thereafter by: Followed by – Oh and babe, I want to homeschool our son … I assure you I’m ‘normal’, but this just seems ‘right’ for our family.

I just want to confirm here just how amazing my husband is. And how much he has sacrificed to make this possible. And how he has given me the greatest gift - the gift of time to spend with my son.

Thank you babe!

About Cody

I just hate to put Cody is a ‘box’ when he’s growing, changing, accepting responsibility for his actions – or not - depending on his mood, and developing into a wonderful human being. Cody’s first passion is his love of nature, animals, insects, and reptiles … a true naturalist!

Cody is very sensitive and affectionate. For a seven year old Cody has a wicked cool sense of humor and has that twinkle in his eye when he cracks a funny. His belly laugh is contagious!

As for inquisitive – Cody truly must know. And in his mind, he already does know how to lay flooring, work the skill saw, install the sprinkler system, drive the minivan … he isn’t convinced he’s not old enough for a drivers license:) He has a wonderfully analytical mind! Keeps his mum and dad on their toes!!!!

Cody enjoys playing outdoor games/sports and is well coordinated. But Cody would give it up for the finding of a toad, snake, salamander, dragonfly, butterfly etc. I’m thoroughly enjoying spending time with him, learning hands-on with him, seeing life through his eyes, encouraged by this enthusiasm and passion for living. Right now we’re a ‘team’ and it works well for our family.

How we got started Homeschooling

Cody is my miracle Canuk! And I knew that homeschooling was right for our family when Cody was 3 months old. I sure didn’t have any of the details mapped out in my mind back then, but I decided the best way to figure it out was to dive right in head first. But first, I had to figure the ‘mum’ thing out! (I’m still trying to get that one right!)

I initially read any homeschooling books I could get my hands on and started to make contacts with local groups. My goal was to get involved with other homeschooling families and ask them a ton of questions while my son started slowly building friendships with other homeschooling children.

I knew I looked like an alien from the expressions that found their way to the many homeschooling parent due to the age at which I started Cody’s involvement, yet, even to my amazement – and thankfulness, there was a ‘niche’ for us. At 12 months old Cody and I were involved in three different homeschooling groups and activities, and regularly meeting some amazingly wonderful families with a wide range of homeschooling views and directions.

Cody really started connecting with the younger siblings of homeschooled children and just as we were getting settled and into a routine with our fellow homeschoolers, my hubby up and gets a job in the States.

So we had to start all over again. I must say I wasn’t looking forward to being the ‘three eyed monster’ once again, but still believed that finding a good support group was definitely beneficial in our homeschooling experience! So, when it came to house hunting it was important to me to research homeschooling groups that would be accepting of a 30 month old.

I could not believe my luck when I found a homeschooling group that actually catered for younger children – we hit the homeschooling jackpot!!. Our activities with the group include: recess, lesson days, library days, park days, field trips, monthly parent nights (which actually does discuss the forward growth of the group) which blends into what we are doing now.

Where we’re planning on going

One of the cool things about homeschooling is being able to look at what others are doing, asking tons of questions, sometimes being allowed into the ‘classroom’ at home, and often ‘touching and feeling’ projects that others already tried with their feedback.

It’s awesome when the ‘light bulb’ comes on and you think to yourself – that’s wicked cool and man I just have to do that. Knowing my son’s learning strengths and challenges, I can see what could work for us and maybe how we can change the resource/activity to be tailored to his needs.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

The Birth of a Marathon Runner!

I'm going to run a marathon! There ... I said it! And yes my friends are looking sideways at me - but that's ok!

Why you ask? How on earth did you get to that?

Well, while we were in London, England, the London Marathon took place - and it ran right by our hotel, so we were smack bang in the middle of it! We went out and cheered for about 5 hours - I lost my voice ... absolutely did not think it would be very interesting ... instead had a ball of a time!!

Cody turns to Daddy and says, 'Daddy, why don't you run in the Marathon so we can cheer you on?' Daddy replies ... 'oohhhh, Daddy couldn't do that, but Mummy can!' ... so there you have it ...

So, I ask you, why not? Yes, I'm starting out a little later in life, but some of those runners were in their 80's and I'm guessing they started somewhere!!! For those of you who know me, I'm very determined once I commit to a task. I'm not planning to WIN the marathon - although stranger things have happened - just to be in one and finish the line .... no pressure, running and walking when needing to!

I'm slow ... in fact you most likely can walk faster than I can run ... that's ok. I'm there for me, not to race.

There really are LOTS of benefits as I see it. They include:

Great roll model for my son
Getting fit
Losing some flab - I hope
Gaining energy
Acomplishing goals

Here's the downside as I see it:

Finding the time to fit the excercise in
Injuries
Paying to run in races (what's with that????)
Wear and tear on my body

So what have I done so far? I started on the treadmill and eliptical while I was in London - walking of course! Then slowing introducing the running. 20 mins on each. Once I got home I dusted off the treadmill and have been using that to build up.

When I started I ran at a 4 miles per hour pace to find my groove ... which by the way took 6 weeks of making myself so it. Once I found my groove, running became addictive. What I mean by finding my groove is when you push a tad and can keep on running without having to stop for a walk. My visual motivation that I watch on the treadmill is:

Distance
Calories burned

I'm not killing myself and constantly monitor my heart rate so as to manage my running. After I returned from Europe, I went for my first 5k run with a friend and we had a blast!!! She left in the dust and did a fabulous job! I think I did good to ... well, for me I did and I was running ... and I crossed the finish line ... more amazingly, I wasn't last!!!

I ran my first 5 k in 46 minutes and I didn't kill myself. I did however get a sore knee so now I'm on joint vitamins to help with the fluids in the knee. That was the first time off the treadmill so it was a little rougher on my body.

I still have a lot to learn - but I'm going to do it! It may take me a while to build up, but that's ok too. My hubby has helped me get decked with 'real shoes', some clothes and most exciting was my generation 2 ishuffle!!! Wouldn't mind the garmin type watch, but that can wait!!! So, I look the part!

My friend was very encouraging before my first 5k when she told me that I have a ready won. Standing at the start line when 99.9% of the worlds population wasn't ... all I had to do was finish the race.

So, that's it in a nutshell. I'm going to run a marathon!

4 comments:

The IdiotJune 15, 2010 at 9:42 AM
Kiwi, a few years ago a friend of mine did the London Marathon. He carried a ladder and had a bottle of beer at every mile post. It took him over 24 hours. They still gave him a medal. If he can do it, so can you.
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The MomJune 15, 2010 at 11:21 AM
You're doing so well! I can't wait to see you run the marathon. Someday, maybe I'll have the gumption to join you. For now I'll sit on my arse and talk about it.
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Fairly Odd MotherJune 16, 2010 at 3:31 AM
I'm still so impressed by this! And, yes, I think you can do it! Good for you!

and, I'm still doing a 5k in a couple of weeks if you want to join me again!
; )
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kiwi gomesJune 16, 2010 at 7:22 PM
IG - we had such a fabulous time in London! Cody wants to go back to visit ... and it helps that there is Legoland - of course! I just didn't know there were so many 'Mike's' to cheer for! I'm very impressed with your mate - an accomplishment to say the least - the beer alone without the ladder!!! I'm assuming he didn't take anyone out in the process either ;) But I just loved how the course progressed along all the pubs and the crowd was just so vibrant and encourageing ... it was just awesome! I'd really, really love to do the London Marathon .... ?????

Heather - I love that you talk about it ... and I'll pin you down yet! Now might not work for you, but I believe in you! And it doesn't have to be a marathon - I'd love your company for a 5k????

Christina - I'd run with you any day! It was sooooo fun to do the 5 k with you!!!! My schedule is so far wacked - but if I can fit it in ... I'd love to do it!
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