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My Virtual Running Partner

When I got back into running just over a year ago and decided to tackle a 10k training program, I did it with a friend. Jen got injured before our big race, but we kept one another motivated during that clinic.

A few months later, my friend Heather convinced me to train for a half-marathon with her. Although Heather got a knee injury and couldn't compete in the May race, I know there's no way I would have made it through some of those longer winter runs without her.

This says a couple of things about me. First, I'm obviously very bad luck for my training partners. Second, I'm very weak-willed, and unlikely to maintain a regular running schedule all on my own.

A couple of months ago, a friend gave me a Nike+ SportBand and it has changed the way I run.

This amazing device lets me monitor my distance, pace, time and calories burned during my runs. With a sensor that I attach to my shoe and Nike+ SportBand on my wrist, I'm motivated to get out there and track my runs.

At the end of the run, I unplug the black part from the band and plug it into my computer, and it downloads all my data and keeps me honest. The Nike+ website is very cool if you like online motivation. There are all sorts of challenges you can join to push you out of the door and on August 31, I took part in a worldwide Nike+ only event. The sportband was a great way to gain entry to the event, and it's also got to be one of the least expensive speed and distance monitors on the market.

I miss the companionship and conversation of Jen and Heather on my longer runs, but at least I don't have to worry about my bad luck hurting my new running companion. It just needs to be recharged every once in a while!

Green Green Grass of Home

So, how's your lawn looking? I don't know about the rest of the country, but for those of us in Southern Ontario enduring the soggiest summer on record, the only silver lining is the state of our lawns. My backyard has never looked better! During a normal summer, around this time, my backyard looks very much like a baseball diamond; complete with pitcher's mound covered in mud, dirty baselines and dusty dugout. My front lawn's greener, but usually overrun by clover at this point in the season.

However, this year, my friends Dan and Sue are truly the envy of the neighbourhood. Back in May, they contracted a company to put down new turf in their back and front yards. Not so unusual, you say? Imagine never having to water, fertilize or mow your lawn again! If you're thinking of a low-maintenance backyard, you might want to explore the newest trend in landscaping...synthetic grass.

Synthetic grass is different from astroturf or indoor grass; it truly resembles the real thing. It looks and feels like natural grass. (I can attest to this...I climbed down in bare feet expecting prickly or plastic feel. This feels soft and grass-like!)

Synthetic grass drains directly from the top, and can withstand snow, ice, rain and intense sun and heat. Companies that install the synthetic grass can often incorporate a putting green into your lawn, and most reputable companies provide an 8-10 year warranty on your lawn. I've even heard about playgrounds and school yards that are exploring this option.

There is a downside to synthetic grass. While the rest of us are struggling with lawnmowers, weed whackers and whipper snippers, Dan's been out with his vacuum cleaner trying to pick up the little leaves and seedlings falling from the trees (the company suggests a leaf blower or push broom). When the gas company came by and spraypainted all of our lawns, the rest of us just have to wait for that grass to grown out. Sue talked about having to get out the turpentine to remove the paint marks.

When all is said and done, synthetic grass is not an inexpensive option, but once it's in you too could be the envy of your neighbourhood...if the rest of us ever dry out!!!

Fresh From the Garden

Today let me share with you one of my favourite seasonal trends...bringing food in fresh from my own garden. I’m not much of a gardener, but at this time of the year all sorts of natural instincts kick in and I find myself wandering through farmers’ markets admiring the tomato plants, checking out carrot seed packets and longing for my old neighbour’s rhubarb harvest.

Living on a rather small plot of downtown Toronto does not allow me to live out all my gardening dreams, but I make concessions and do what I can.Check out my herb pot. There’s oregano for my roast tomatoes, rosemary for my scrambled eggs and parsley for my salads. There’s more and I’m sure I’ll figure out what do with it once I identify it all (help? suggestions?)

No mixed herb pot could contain my love of basil, so that herb gets its own chance to shine. This goes in my paninis, in my Caprese salad, in my pesto and my bruschetta. Yum.

I encourage the kids to get in on the action, and I’m excited that my daughter’s growing carrots at daycare and my parents have planted a pumpkin seed for each grandchild at the cottage (above the septic system...we’re anticipating giant jack-o-lanterns this Halloween!!). One of the most exciting mornings this week was when I found this strawberry on our hanging basket...it may not have been huge, but it was big enough for each of the kids to get a bite!!