30km for 30 years!!

Sunday, July 23rd was Mike's 30th birthday. We started off our day with Mike opening a present & card from me then promptly got ready to hit the road. We left home at 7am! to head from Burnaby (Lougheed Mall area) to Maple Ridge (New Dewdney & 227th). Why you may ask? Well we needed to get in a 29km workout and we thought instead of going around Burnaby Lake 3 times (our usual Sunday morning workout venue) we decided we would do a road trip to get us ready for the big Marathon coming up. It's a different mental preparation for doing laps around a park and for going the distance on a long stretch of road, especially in the HEAT!! Have I mentioned yet that it was smokin hot out yesterday? It took us just over 5 hours to complete the 30.36km it took us door to door. We felt pretty good (tired but good) and we worked hard to stay hydrated along the way and protected from the sun. I also managed to run a bit yesterday (we did about 14 intervals of running 500 metre and walking 500 metres.) -- so out of the 30km I managed to run a total of 7km. I have been walking most of my training so this was a big accomplishment for me. My body is sore today and I do feel the effects of the run portion but it was awesome being able to run, even if only for a bit here and there. I'm hoping to do the same thing the day of the marathon. Walk/run the whole way. After cooling off under the hose in the driveway and having a bath to soak the muscles and a cold shower to cool off we continued to celebrate Mike's birthday with the arrival of many of our freinds and some family. Had a great BBQ at Sue & Graham's place (Mike's mom & stepdad). Sue put on a great spread and was busy at the BBQ -- what a trooper manning the grill in that heat! Especially while the rest of us "kids" were hanging out in the back yard occupying whatever shade we could find. Eventually the shade disappeared as the sun made its way arounnd and those of us left had to head back in doors. It was a GREAT day and a fun way to celebrate Mike's birthday. Great turnout and we thank everyone who came out to celebrate!

Stay tuned....we have only 24 days will we leave for Iceland and we are up just over $18,200 now. I wonder if we'll hit $20,000 before we go?????.....you never know.