Twas christmas eve...already?

Well well well here we are again at the holly season.  It is Christmas eve and I am at the rents already starting to relax away from the city's hustle and bustle.  my pressies are wrapped, tied and bowed--although they look as though they were wrapped by a 5 year old...they ARE wrapped.  Tacky not lovely was the vings theme of the day.  I whistled and dance partied while I worked and somewhere at some moment I got excited about this here season.  It has been awhile since I was genuinely excited for Christmas.  Somewhere along the years it lost its spark for me.  I always try and pin point the exact reason but there is unfortunately a handful but this year they are not getting me down.  They range from Santa to loss to earth shattering pain.  Somehow this year I have bottled them up in a mason jar and put them to the side.  They are there, I can feel them, but the joy and love in my heart are winning.  Perhaps this year is one in a million or perhaps this season will be one I embrace forevermore, either way I am going to embrace and go with it and enjoy every itty bitty second.
Merry Christmas, My friends!  Go!  Now!  Eat, drink, Be merry and Be thankful.
Muah!
V. xo

My heart is heavy.

Today is just another day for you but not for me.  It is a day, years ago I lost someone I loved and still do love very much.  I miss him and think of him often.  Would I change one moment we shared back then?  Never.  We loved, we laughed, we cried, we shared.  He shall live on deep within the bowels of my heart and remain one breath away until that day we meet again.  As he sits up there looking down upon me with that mischievous smile of his, I look right back and give him a wink and thank my lucky stars for the time we had and the moments we shared.  
Friends, we cannot rewrite the past and only have the future but I will always and forever remember him and the impact he had on my life. Take a moment today and be thankful for everyone in your life.  Tell these peeps how you feel and what they mean to you...you just never know.  Life is just so damn precious and too damn short.  My heart is heavy but for the best possible reason, to love someone so much, is so damn incredible. He is always with me. Forevermore.
V. xo

Truth.

For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. This perspective has helped to see there is no way to happiness. happiness is the way. So treasure every moment you have and remember that time waits for no one. Happiness is a journey, not a destination. ~ Souza

Dear Best Friend,

My besties make my world the best place to be.  I am telling you.  I have so much love and heart for my gals.  Thanks for holding my hand through the dark and having my back.  Thanks for reminding me I am human and for taking great care of my heart and soothing my soul.  Man, the vings is one lucky girl.

V. xo

Autumn Valentine

V. xo

Tis November...well hello there.

And here we are...Tis November.  With fall almost fallen and winter in the wings... and I thought the summer came and went with fierceness!?  wow.
September slowed somewhat after days of summer revelry and fun but October felt, well, fast and hard.
With October came winds of change for all of those around me, billowing with bitter sweetness and at times some heartbreak hotel.  But alas change AWAYS brings fresh and new beginnings--all in time, my friends.
You cannot see the rainbows without any rains.
I have been twisting and turning, living and laughing each day and can feel the ole body preparing for hibernation.  The sweaters have been dawned and the running tights worn.  Leaving work at 6 or later, no longer in full bright of day, now in twilight on the verge of darkness.  I can smell the seed of winter, putting down its roots and waiting patiently in the wings.  it is only a matter of time.
October brought much needed and anticipated family time which ushered more appreciation and love for what I was born into and lucky enough to just have.  moments at the frac together, living and laughing life away on lobs.  gorgeous moments that I will remember and shall remain in my heart forever.  It allowed for many great times with glorious friends, some killer runs that believe it or not I will cherish in the dark, snowy days of winter.  This month with failure came knowledge and with success came defeat.  Funny how that can happen.  In an instant, October had me pushing personal boundaries I did not even know I had to domineer in a professional and intimate fashion.
Am I excited for all to come?  Of course.  It is the vings after all.  Am I am dreading winter?  perhaps a tad.  I pinky, I heart summer days more then the rest.  but hey, there is ALWAYS fun to be, lessons to be had and new moments to be cherished.  As always, I say bring it on.  The best is only yet to come.
V. xo

If I ever feel better...

Last night I went to see Phoenix, a band I truly adore.  Their lyrics speak to me and their music moves me.  I am not sure why as sometimes the words don't even make sense but alas such is life.  Not everything always has to make sense.  They opened with Lizstomania and I felt as though I might cry.  Their music represents so much for me...where I was when I first heard them is so far from where I am.  Their songs have got me through some tough days, some tough runs but they also remind me of so much joy and even silly fun.  Funny how that happens isn't.  
Their song "If I ever feel better" (lyrics below) speaks to me.  alas I share.  Maybe they speak to you too and bring you somewhere you never thought you could go or could have been.  Either way...Take a read and see.  


They say an end can be a start
Feels like I've been buried yet I'm still alive
It's like a bad day that never ends
I feel the chaos around me
A thing I don't try to deny
I'd better learn to accept that
There are things in my life that I can't control

They say love ain't nothing but a sore
I don't even know what love is
Too many tears have had to fall
Don't you know I'm so tired of it all
I have known terror dizzy spells
Finding out the secrets words won't tell
Whatever it is it can't be named
There's a part of my world that' s fading away

You know I don't want to be clever
To be brilliant or superior
True like ice, true like fire
Now I know that a breeze can blow me away
Now I know there's much more dignity
In defeat than in the brightest victory
I'm losing my balance on the tight rope
Tell me please, tell me please, tell me please...

If I ever feel better
Remind me to spend some good time with you
You can give me your number
When it's all over I'll let you know

Hang on to the good days
I can lean on my friends
They help me going through hard times
But I'm feeding the enemy
I'm in league with the foe
Blame me for what's happening
I can't try, I can't try, I can't try...

No one knows the hard times I went through
If happiness came I miss the call
The stormy days ain't over
I've tried and lost know I think that I pay the cost
Now I've watched all my castles fall
They were made of dust, after all
Someday all this mess will make me laugh
I can't ewait, I can't wait, I can't wait...

If I ever feel better
Remind me to spend some good time with you
You can give me your number
When it's all over I'll let you know
If I ever feel better
Remind me to spend some good time with you
You can give me your number
When it's all over I'll let you know

It's like somebody took my place
I ain't even playing my own game
The rules have changed well I didn't know
There are things in my life I can't control
I feel the chaos around me
A thing I don't try to deny
I'd better learn to accept that
There's a part of my life that will go away

Dark is the night, cold is the ground
In the circular solitude of my heart
As one who strives a hill to climb
I am sure I'll come through I don't know how
They say an end can be a start
Feels like I've been buried yet I'm still alive

I'm losing my balance on the tight rope
Tell me please, tell me please, tell me please...

If I ever feel better
Remind me to spend some good time with you
You can give me your number
When it's all over I'll let you know

If I ever feel better
Remind me to spend some good time with you
You can give me your number
When it's all over I'll let you know

If I ever feel better
Remind me to spend some good time with you
You can give me your number
When it's all over I'll let you know 

V. xo

I effing live for this Sh*t!

Yesterday I ran a race and it felt different.  Maybe because I ran the half marathon faster then I have ever ran that distance, maybe because I felt stronger then ever before, maybe because I ran it sans ipod and was so focused that the no tunage did not even phase me for one moment....It could be one of the above or a combination But yesterdays race was different.  The start was a cluster-eff...I literally was in a portapotty when the gun went off and sprinted through the start to start!  It was insanity but I forced myself to shake it off and not let it control my race.

I have been running with a coach since May and he has taught me more then I even realized, until yesterday.  When running a race pre coach I needed distractions and I created them.  music, pace bands, mantras...whatever I could dream up I put to use.  Coach has taught me that distractions waste significant energy.  so much valuable energy and time trying to be distracted instead of tuning in on the explicit and key task at hand, running the race.  Coach has also taught me not to worry about what everyone else is doing but to be only concerned with what I am doing.  Many Tuesday evenings at the track he would hammer this in to my brain, don't worry about so and so's mile repeats, focus on your own.  Or during strength, don't worry about how long so and so can hold their plank, concentrate on your own.  Yesterday when I was at 3K, everything and everyone in the race around me became peripheral.  My race was for me and against the clock.  My garmin was in fact my only competitor and I kept in pace and time with it my entire race.  Last week a fellow runner teased me about how I kept calling the Toronto Half Marathon MY race.  She kept saying we are all running it, why do you continuously call it your race?  Now I think she understands.  Yesterday I made it MY race. It was for me and no one else.
I thought if I did not hit my 1:32 goal I would be disappointed and need a day to wallow.  But I crossed that line and knew I ran a solid 1:35.  There was absolutely nothing to be despondent about.  I ran hard, fast and strong.  I ran a personal best--I knocked 3 mins off of my existing half time, I came 9th in my age group, 45th in my gender and 295th overall.  My legs felt limber and my body agile.  I wore a smile and felt a great deal of pride.  At the end of said day, I know there will be lots more races, lots more runs and lots more learning and for that I am the most grateful for.  I effing live for this shit.  Cannot wait til my next one...
V.

Passion.

I run because it's my passion, and not just a sport. Every time I walk out the door, I know why I'm going where I'm going and I'm already focused on that special place where I find my peace and solitude. Running, to me, is more than just a physical exercise...it's a consistent reward for victory! 

Sasha Azevedo, Model and runner 

Truth

Thank you Carrie Bradshaw...
"Some people are settling down, some people are settling and some people refuse to settle for anything less than butterflies."


V.

Ving-spired

V.

April 19th, 2010...one day I shall never forget.

When I am 70 years old the date April 19th 2010 will resonate with me deep in the bowels of my heart and deep in the depths of my soul.  Why you ask?  It was a day which represented so much.  It represented dreaming and believing to make things happen.  It represented that we can achieve anything if we put our minds to it.  It represented me believing in me, loving me and doing for me.  It was a day in which I left my past behind me and saw a new bright future.  Perhaps this all sounds so dramatic for when I tell you what that day represented you won't get it, you won't comprehend it but that is no matter because I shall and I will, forevermore.  

April 19th 2010 was the day I ran the 114th Boston Marathon.  It was a long tough road to there but I tread it hard, tough and with every ounce of hardiness, sturdiness and strength I had.  No one and nothing will ever take this experience away from me.  Qualifying was one thing...Working so damn hard towards a goal I wanted so damn bad. I remember weeks leading up to my qualifier I would find myself in tears of fear.  My psyche asking what if I didn't do it?  What if I couldn't do it?  But alas I did it.  I pushed through and made a dream come true.

Every single hard ass mile of Boston was a dream come true.  It lit my soul on fire.  Every instant leading up to the race was truly amazing.  Walking the streets with 40,000 runners was awe inspiring.  I wore my Boston jacket with great pride and continue to every chance I get.
I will never forget a phone call from my dad 10 days before Boston race day.  I had just come in from a run and was preparing my dinner.  I was starving and was in no mood for chatter.  My Dad gots straight to the point...Sar, he said.  I answered Yes, Dad.  He went on:  I need to tell you something.  I said sure ok come on out with it...He went on to explain to me how in our family no one had ever participated in something like the Boston Marathon and to him and to my mom The Boston Marathon was equivalent to the Olympics...and forevermore he would see me, his only daughter as an olympian.  I cried.  The great pride in his voice left my heart with a feeling of pure joy.  It was overwhelming in the best possible way.

I wish I could sit here and explain the Boston Marathon in every last detail but alas I cannot.  It has taken me months to even share this much.  It was one of the happiest moments of my life coming across the finish line.  It was a whole weekend of wonderful emotional moments that only make sense to moi.

Today was the Toronto Waterfront Marathon where I went to cheer all my friends and fellow runners on.  I wore my Boston jacket with pride.  When I wear it I am an approachable runner.  People ask me about it and I always get the Boston nod from fellow Boston runners.
My parents think I should frame the jacket..Helllsss no.  I will wear this bloody thing with so much pride until the day I die...When its tattered and faded and not as lustrous it shall remain one apple of my eye.
Thank you Boston Marathon for everything you gave me...I truly hope to see you again one day soon. Until then...
V. xo

pure happiness.

If this is not for you, then you are not for me.

It is weird how things go sometimes. It is strange how the world rattles along with us in tow. Moments passing so fast we cannot grasp or even realize what is happening. We can be so high on life but in an instant come crashing down from only a small but shameful blow, stubbing our heart and bruising our soul. Reminding us we are alive, so real and human. Confident in our own skin but yet instantly we are unable to recognize said skin. At such times all I can really do is find the rainbow and the lollypops...for friends, there has gots to be some. With the ego belittled and sore, a heart with a microscopic ache, I am reminded of the greatness that actually surrounds me, that being true is the key to success in every aspect. I also promise as always to never alter me for anyone or change my way of sunshine for one single soul. Staying true to what I stand for and everything in between. If this is not for you, then you are not for me.
V. xo

A Vingnation belief.

Thanks to http://unbrelievable.tumblr.com/ for sharing.
V. xo

Running Rocks my world.

As you all know running is a big part of my life. An integral part actually and today was one of those days where I was reminded of this. Sometimes my head reels and rolls around, thoughts protruding from my ears. Sometimes these thoughts are happy and sometimes they are confused and sometimes they are sad...but when out on the road, on the run, surrounded by the city, the trees, the world I am free and most importantly I am me. Simple, unknowing me. My thoughts fall with ease to the wayside, far from my heart and my hold. The runner in me reminds me I can do anything and be me. Whole hearted, real live me. I am confident, I am alive and sometimes I even forget I am actually running hard and a long amount of miles. It is the coolest feeling I have ever experienced. While out there, the wind in my hair, the sweat on my brow, my arms pumping and my legs rocking I could be 10 year old Vings or 60 year old Vings. Life is not so intense or complicated. I am alive, proving it and I am one with myself. It is a feeling I can hardly put into words or even rationalize but its so damn real and I feel so damn alive. I am so thankful for the simplicity of the run but even more so for what it does for me and my soul. My world is alive and free because of this elementary act. Tonight I am so damn thankful for this amazing unforgiving action. It rocks my world.
V.

Thank you.

These were the exact words I needed to read this fine morning:
Leo-
If you show a willingness to adapt and absorb a difficult lesson, you will never regret it. An open-minded attitude now will bring the kind of change you’ve been yearning for. Don’t be bamboozled by certain negative thoughts into believing that your current difficulties are permanent. The stars insist that you will defeat them. A magic moment soon will capture your imagination and inspire your heart with hope.

happy sigh.

V. xo

Like.

This is YOUR life.

V. xo

Promises

Today is my birthday. My favorite day of the year. I know how that sounds but it really is for many reasons. One of thems being that you get a fresh start, a new beginning. It also gives you a chance to sit back and reflect on the year that passed and all that you learned through the experiences you have had.
This past year I did and experienced a lot. So many awesome highs but of course a couple of lows too. For without the lows there would be no highs. The last few years I have learned a lot about myself, about love and about friendship. I learned that bumps in the road are challenging but they make us stronger, and better. They allow us growth. I have made mistakes and I have been so hard on myself for such errors. Too hard at times. I have learned this year who in fact my friends are and what makes a good friend a good friend. I have learned to trust myself and to love myself. By all my learnings I have also decided to make some promises to myself for this coming year.
I promise to give myself more credit and to not be so hard on myself when I in fact do something I am not exceptionally proud of. I promise to love myself when the going gets tough and the tough gets going.
I promise to honor my friends and be there for them no matter what, just as they are for me. To protect and love each one of them for who they are.
I promise to rid the social drama from my life and to keep out of others.
I promise to keep my thoughts to myself unless asked.
I promise to continue to give second chances but to an extent.
I promise to follow my heart and but listen to my head.
I promise to take care of my mind, my body and my soul.
I promise to enter everything with a wide open heart.
I promise to laugh loud and hard but to cry if need be too.
I promise to be true and honest to me.
I promise that inconsiderate people do not deserve any piece of me or my heart.
I promise to always cherish my family and make them a priority.
I promise to not sweat the little things.
I promise to stop saying yes all the time and say no because when I try and do everything I always end up letting not only someone else down but I let myself down.
I promise to continue to celebrate the little things and be thankful and gracious.
I promise to keep having fun and remembering that age is a matter of the mind.
I promise to be me. Real and always with an open heart!
I have a funny feeling about the year to come. And by funny, I mean AWESOME. I can hardly wait.
With that, Happy Birthday to moi!
V. xo

Today is THE day.

V. xo

Single fo life yo?

Well, y'all know I am an optimist. A real positive gal with positivity almost pouring out of every pour but sometimes my mama's realism pushes through. My mom is an awesome woman whom sees things for what they are. I appreciate her insight more then you might think. She is my mom after all so sometimes this realist attitude can take shape within me. I don't always love it but it happens. As of late I have come to terms with being alone...in the best possible way. I heart being independent, making choices pour moi. I don't mind time to myself and I love flying by the seat of my pants. It has been a long road to here. I have made mistakes, done things I am not especially proud of but learned a hell of a lot along the way. There has also been much funs and laughs. I wouldn't change my journey to here for anything. But as of late I am starting to wonder if there is anyone out there for me. I am trying not to lose hope but I mean am I to be single for life yos? I know what your sayin', giver time vings, it will happen when you least expect it. But will it? I mean I have met some great dudes. Dudes I would date and would love to get to know better but then it comes slowly but surely, the blow off. You know it, you have felt it, unfortunately we have all done it. I am just not sure how much more I can take. How much more I can endure. It deflates, defaults and hurts. Not only does it hurt the ego a tad, it hurts my heart. It hurts like a stubbed toe. A quick burst of pain shivers through one edge to the other. I do what we all do when we experience this type of pain, curse loudly, take a deep breath and carry on. But before the carry on bit I can get a little loopy. I don't deal well with grey. I need black and I need white. Grey is confusing. I am working on embracing it better but there is still a lot of work to be done. It is all frustrating and deflating.
I watch shows like the Bachelorette and the Bachelor Pad and wonder why the heck people set themselves up for rejection purposely on national TV. I mean there is a 1 in what 50 chance you won't get rejected? but still those odds are not so good. Well not good enough for me, anyway. I cannot stand anything about rejection. The word itself even gets me rattled.
I know I am ranting a tad and I apologize for that.
So where does this leave me? Exactly where I started at the top of this post. Perhaps you see this as me giving up--which is out of character for the vings--as much as I would love to say, I just don't give a damn, I won't and in all honesty I can't. As the optimist in me would say with each stubbed heart I become stronger and I learn...something, I am just not sure of what yet. And it gets me closer to my prince charming...I guess. Single fo life? Nahhhh Single fo now.
Thanks for listening ;)

V. xo

truth.

V. xo

You and Me=My K-star and Noj.

Well in less then 2 weeks I will finally get that sister I have always wanted and more! I can hardly wait! The below song is theirs and gives me chills with every listen...Yet more lyrics that speak directly to my little heart....Take a read/listen and you'll see what I mean! V. xo


Dave Matthews-You and Me. (click for a listen!)
Wanna pack your bags, Something small
Take what you need and we disappear
Without a trace we'll be gone, gone
The moon and the stars can follow the car
and then when we get to the ocean
We gonna take a boat to the end of the world
All the way to the end of the world

Oh, and when the kids are old enough
We're gonna teach them to fly

You and me together, we could do anything, Baby
You and me together yes, yes (x2)

You and I, we're not tied to the ground
Not falling but rising like rolling around
Eyes closed above the rooftops
Eyes closed, we're gonna spin through the stars
Our arms wide as the sky
We gonna ride the blue all the way to the end of the world
To the end of the world

Oh, and when the kids are old enough
We're gonna teach them to fly

You and me together, we could do anything, Baby
You and me together yes, yes

We can always look back at what we did
All these memories of you and me baby
But right now it's you and me forever girl
And you know we could do better than anything that we did
You know that you and me, we could do anything

You and me together, we could do anything, Baby
You and me together yeah, yeah
Two of us together, we could do anything, baby
You and me together yeah, yeah
Two of us together yeah, yeah
Two of us together, we could do anything, baby

truth.

V. xo

My Happy Place of 2010.

Sigh. BWA I love thee.

V. xo

Did ya miss moi?

Ok...so it has been awhile..like a looong while. My sincerest apologies, friends. I have been locked out. I know, tots sounds like just another excuse but I pinky its truth. Gmail locked me out which locked me out of everything I have access google styles. It was truly obnoxious. But let's not dwell on that...I am back! weeee!

Time is flying by...been laughing and loving this summer away! Meeting new friends, enjoying life to the fullest, running up a storm, feeling stronger, feeling better and feeling more real then ever before. It is magically awesome. I always thrive in the summer but this summer has proved better then ever. It is a whole whack of variables working together creating pure awesomeness. I am taking every inch of it in and embracing it with every ounce of me. For when the wind of Fall blows I can recall, recount and be back in the moments that are today.

Anyway, I have missed you yos! I can assure I will be posting more regs...I have missed sharing my life with y'all.

I can also assure you my boston experience will be up soon...promise.

sooo wonderous to be back. Happy sigh from my Vingnation...
V. xo

Deep thought from my Vingnation

Do you ever feel like you are caught in a movie or the latest new release? Sometimes life makes me laugh. I mean I throw on my ipod and I am in the theme song of my very own tv show and I get to make it whatever I want. we often forget life is actually what we put into it. Each and every day is ours for the taking so just go for it! giver!
V.

I believe.

Change: Let it take you where it may

Change is among us at every passing moment. The earth moves, the wind blows, life speeds along. Most often these changes go unnoticed as we move forward but at a moments notice big things can change to. Where we are, who we choose and what we want. The hardest thing I have had to come to terms with lately is the change of different relationships. Don't get me wrong sometimes the metamorphosis is incredible and actually life changing in the most positive way. But unfortunately it can go the other way. I am all heart and the loss of something has always and will always make me sad. There is no one or no thing to blame fully and sometimes there is no rhyme or reason. This is a part of life. My mom always reminds me that life is not easy or always fun its the choices we make that make it the way we want. The people we choose to surround ourselves with, the places we choose to put ourselves in and the things we spend our time doing. And sometimes our choices are different then someone elses choices. Hell I am glad they are because if not, this world would be one boring ass place.
Over the last 2 years I have recognized and lived through much change but as of late my heart feels the change in the relationships within my life. Perhaps I put my heart on hiatus for awhile due to its fragility but shes back and shes feeling it, alright. I will admit with no embarrassments, the change in said relationships has actually brought me to tears and left me quite sad and a little broken. I miss these peeps...I miss what was and what could be. I miss laughing about nothing and talking for hours. I miss sharing and I miss caring. No one and nothing is to blame but life itself. We all move in different paths and need to be in different places, at different times. Dr Seuss once said, Don't cry because its over, Smile because it happened.
I am confident that whatever happens I will love said individuals forever more and I will always smile when recounting our adventures together. but every once in awhile after smiling because it happened, a tear may slide down my cheek and my heart might pang for on simple instance for what was. As we are most certainly reminded quite often, change in inevitable and rather then holding it back we must swim with its current and take from it what we can. moving with grace and a full heart no matter what the moment or situation. Living and loving with all that we can muster. Everything happens for a reason, the wind of change will take us where it may so don't fight it, let it take you where it may.

Me. Right. Now

yep. you gots it. I have a terrible case of writers block. All I want to do is share my Boston Marathon experience. BUT everytime I try the words just don't come out right. I felt the weekend with every emotion and loved every single second but my words are not coming out on the page in the way I would like. It is irritating and frustrating. But only time will allow. Therefore I step away and...wait. knowing with every ounce that they will come, in time.
V.

dreams can come true

10 days ago a dream came true. yep thats right I finished the superbowl of running: THE boston marathon. It was a weekend I will never forget and an experience of a lifetime. I solo missioned about, met some incredible people and proved to myself if you work hard, believe in something enough it can be yours. I want to share with you every ounce of the weekend but I need time. I need space to swallow it all in. I am now a Boston marathoner. Something I will hold deep in the depths of my being forever. I want to share it all, take you along for the ride of the 26 miles through the rolling hills into Boston and all the moments before and after... but I am not ready. I need time to gather my emotions, my ideas and my thoughts about it all. Thank you for your patience and for staying tuned. I promise there will be thousands of words to come.
V. xo

CITGO I heart you

This logo will be etched in my minds eye forever more. It was a sign that I was almost there...that the FINISH Line of the Boston marathon was so close I could almost taste it. It made me dig deep and run it in like I stole something...
This ridiculous logo will remind me always that it is mind over matter, my friends.
More about my Boston marathoning experience to come...pinky.

V.

Beantown here I come...

well here I sit a bit emotional but lets be honest when am I not a bit emotional? ha. The Boston marathon is a mere days away. It is scary, exciting, invigorating all rolled up into one. Can you believe I, yep me, will be running the oldest marathon in North America? This mara is considered the superbowl for runners and I get to partake. I get to own it, live it and love it! And at the end of the day I really cannot wait. The butterflies are creeping into my gut and fluttering about this way and that but they are the best because if I were not a little bit anxious then I my friends would not be human. The next few days I will most likely be a ball of nerves and excitement. Tmo I will board a flight to Boston and begin the weekend where one of my dreams comes true. One of my aspirations becomes reality and if thats not cool well I don't know what is.

no rhyme or reason...

I loves. not sure why. I just do...


V. xo

Inline

WOW sometimes it is freaky how inline I am with the stars. Boston is a mere 6 sleeps away....and here is what the universe is saying:
Leo- Tuesday, April 13, 2010
To win the lottery, you need a lot of luck. But to succeed with a certain plan you have put so much work into, you don’t need an awful lot. Things are already heading in the right direction. Your efforts will soon all prove worthwhile as long as you maintain your current level of determination. Do not waiver from your sense of purpose. The time is now right to reach your destination.

If that doesn't put a skip in my step I am not sure what would!

Sunshine and lollies to you all!

V. xo

Born ready.

Am I nervous? A little. Am I excited? Hells ya! Am I ready? I was born ready. Bring it Boston!
V.

more on the little things...

The little things

The below horo has made my heart smile this Friday morning. Sometimes its the little things my friends...

Leo- Friday, April 9, 2010
Bold and stimulating celestial alignments are providing an opportunity to take a really big, brave step forward. You have been on the verge of doing so for months and now, at last, that moment has arrived. Your deep pool of enthusiasm and inspiration will be rewarded with positive developments. There is a solid chance to manifest what hitherto was merely a figment of your imagination. The future is about to deliver many pleasant surprises.


V. xo

2 shall become 1

In 2 short sleeps I will be boarding a plane to a luxurious locale to partake in one of my oldest and dearest friends weddings in the Bahamas. Easter 2010 will be one for the memory books this I am certain. Not only will the backdrop be stunning and the island vibe be intoxicating the love between the bride and groom is awe inspiring. Fate brought them together and together they are most certainly one. I cannot wait to be there to share in this weekend that will forever be theirs. Let the celebrating begin...
Congrats A&M!

V. xo

She does the city

Yesterday I rec'd a short note from the lovely Jen McNeely of She Does the City asking me if she could interview me about my running. I was immediately flattered! She of She does the City wants to interview moi? I yelled yes without a moment to spare. She promptly emailed me some questions. Therefore over lunch I took to it. Answering as honestly as possible in my own vingism way. It was fun, exciting and ever so motivating. Once posted I got busy spreading my excitement to my friendsies, colleagues and fam. The response was even more motivating. Friends wrote back with many comments. Some even told me I had brought them to tears with the excitement, passion and energy I hold so deeply for my running. Yet again I am overwhelmed by the love and support of the peeps in my life. How effing lucky am I? Honestly? I am utterly blessed. Truly. sigh.
Please take a read...


I eat my breakfast and Vingoe trains for the Boston Marathon
You may notice that the super star runner in the displayed photos is not, in fact, me. I wish.

Eating my daily bowl of Special K has become an easy ritual however introducing a regular running routine has proved to be a wee bit more difficult. The fickle weather hasn’t helped…but I’ll stop making excuses.

Instead of me detailing to you my advancements in mediocre lunging, or bumbling around Bellwoods, I have decided to interview Sarah Vingoe, a friend of mine who is training for the Boston marathon. I find Sarah to be very inspirational with her dedication to running and think you will too:

What tips do you have for women who are just starting to run?

If you are just taking up running and are trying to make it part of your weekly routine I suggest joining a beginners running group, a learn to run clinic or 5K running clinic at the Running Room. It helps to be accountable to something and feel like you are not alone. Also in said clinics you learn the basics about running on everything from what to wear, how to train to what to eat. Also don’t over do it! Stick to a schedule as you do not want to ramp up speed or distance too quickly or else you may be plagued by injury. Lastly I am big on goals. I think if you identify goals for yourself and your running you will find success and love for running.

How are you training for Boston?

My training regime is based on 3 solid runs a week intertwined with cross training such as spinning and swimming, weight workouts and yoga. I run a long run on Sundays-which range anywhere from 15-36KM, tempo runs on Tuesdays and Hills to start and then fartlek (sprinting exercises) on Wednesdays. I follow the Running Room Schedule and most of their philosophies with the exception to 10 and 1’s (running for 10 mins and walking for 1 min) and the running 5 times a week. My body just cannot take that amount of pounding the pavement. I also take an ice bath after every long run over 20km, I Epsom bath it up every chance I get, I use a foam roller to roll out any kinks or tightness and I wrap any aching joints with castor oil, hot towels and saran once a week. Lastly I try to run a couple of races during training to prepare myself for my goal race day. Starting from that starting line with thousands of people is overwhelming and exciting and very different from a solo 36K on Sunday morn.

Where is your favourite place to run in Toronto?

My favorite place to run in Toronto is up Mount Pleasant and in the Beach. I love running up Mount Pleasant between Bloor and St. Clair because the hill is invigorating and you are surrounded by what feels like Forest. I always feel like the city is all mine stuck in a moment in time with cars whizzing by.

I LOVE running in the Beach because that is where I was born and where I lived until I was 10 years old. I run by my old schools and down my old streets. Memories locked deep in my heart become free and remind me who I am and where I came from and for some reason it is sooo inspiring and motivating.

What music gets you pumped on the run?

Some of my favorite tracks are: Such Great Heights by The Postal Service, Start a War by The National, Eye of the Tiger, Paper Planes by MIA, Crystalized by XX, BOSTON by Agustana, Ali in the Jungle by The Hours, Drink to Moving on by Grand National, Lizstomania and Rome by Phoenix, I could go on and on and on…

What do you love most about running and how has it changed your life?

There is not in one thing in particular to be honest. When I am out there on the road for hours at a time I feel fierce, strong and more confident than in any other place in my life. The pump of adrenaline through my veins makes me so ecstatic I have been known to tear up. Running gives me the time I need to work through things that sometimes I am unable to figure out. Once I hit that 10 K mark I feel so free and so alive. I am a competitive person by nature, running races allows me to channel this competitiveness. Running has changed my life because it has made me realize that if you set goals and work hard that the pearl in the oyster can be yours. Running has also given me a strong sense of self and confidence.

For your Marathon in Boston, you are raising money for Joslin’s Team, tell us about this decision:

I qualified for the Boston Marathon in the Spring of 2009. I needed a time of 3 hours and 40 mins for my age and gender and I did it with 11 mins to spare! I came across the line at 3 hours and 29 minutes. It was one of the most happy moments of my life, and a feeling I will never forget. Unfortunately I am a tad suspicious and do not like signing up for any race until I start training. Alas by the time I started training for Boston, registration was sold out and closed! I was gutted. I am a big believer in where there is a will there’s a way. I started training and believing that something would give. I reached out to The Boston Athletic Association and there was nothing they could do. I tweeted and updated my FB status regularly. Lastly I began reaching out to the running community in Boston. Someone wrote me back and told me about Joslin’s team. Joslin’s team raises funds for The High Hopes fund, an affiliate of Harvard University raising money for diabetes research. Joslin’s team had ONE spot available for the Boston Marathon. I wrote them back for more information. At first I was not so sure…Training for a marathon AND raising $5,000 by April 30th plus work and life!? Sounded overwhelming…But a good friend gave me the push I needed and I went for it. At that particular moment I was sitting in my office at work and cried tears of joy. The thought actually gives me shivers down my spine.

I actually raised the $5000 in less then a week! The whole experience has been so inspiring and motivating.

When I am running the oldest marathon in North America on April 19th its no longer just for me! It is for Diabetes research and for each and every individual that has offered me his or her love and support. I am still accepting donations. To donate Please go to: https://events.joslin.org/bostonmarathon/pfp/?ID=VS0002

EVENT, EVENT, EVENT!

Also - I am holding a casual event at THE PADDOCK (178 Bathurst, @ Queen and Bathurst). Although I have hit my initial goal I thought it would be awesome to raise the bar and raise a little more for Joslin’s Team. It will be an eve filled with fun, laughs and good peeps!

Wow. See, I told you she was inspiring. Okay – so looks like my first move should be to call The Running Room, instead of the rogue self-training I’ve been not doing.

To read more about She Does the City's 2010 resolution to eat breakfast with Special K go to: My Special K Challenge

V. xo

A Society Cheese Dream Shout Out!

Loving the world of the blog. My good friends A & A of the society are writing a Cultural Column for FASHIONMAG.COM and in their latest diary mentioned a Vingoe Fam Fave. Kinda cooltown, non? Check it out mes amis! My Ma and Gran will get a super serious high kick out of this one. The Cheese dream is a fam fave, tradition and highly delish!
The Culture Club: Our top 6 spots for late-night grub
V.