Genevieve Latour

Age:   31

Lifestyle:  Being a Media & Community Affairs Manager for Canada Post,
each day is filled with surprises. My friends call me 'a tornado' because I always try to optimize my time and do multiple things at once. I come from Montreal and I have been living in Halifax for over a year now, and I really like it. I like to keep myself busy: life is just too short. These days, I am attending a wine introduction course. Last year,

I did some Spanish lessons. In 2008, I would like to learn American Sign Language. I also like to travel, at least once or twice a year. In 2007, I have participated to a rally in Bolivia, and in 2006, a rally in the desert of Morocco. Thank God, my husband is really supportive of all my different projects. You have guessed right: I don't have any children yet.

Goal:   To improve my eating habits (integrate more whole grain to my diet), and to complete the half marathon, no matter how long it will take !

• February 02, 2008
  It is Saturday night: after a nice dinner and a glass of wine, the cheesecake really (but really) looks interesting. Since I have started to train for the Blue Nose half marathon, I change my mind and decide to skip it: Tomorrow, I hit the road at 8:30 for a 10 K. And I am really looking forward to it. Since I have started to run on a more regular basis, I have realized how much I like being outside on a fresh morning, even with snow, and sometimes tears in my eyes because of the wind. Masochist??
  
  No. I simply like that feeling of accomplishment once the run is done, a feeling that even though my entire day could go wrong, I don't mind, I ran that morning, I did what I had to do to keep me living a bit longer at the end. I also like to run with doggy Cleo. She's been so nice to follow me and sometimes - I have to admit - she pulls me. But as good as Cleo (and I) can be, to keep the motivation high, I need to be committed to a 'real' event. And that's why I participate to the Blue Nose. In addition, it is for a good cause. Une pierre deux coups, why not?
  
  Since I also have to change my sleeping habit, that willl be it for now !
• February 11, 2008
  1 week later... J'ai fait toute une découverte la semaine dernière: the Heart Rate Monitor. Wow. I love it. And I have one now. I am planning to start using it on a regular basis TODAY. Since we woke up this morning with a lot of snow under our feet, I have decided to run a little 7K inside during my lunch time. Last week, I ran four times, which for me is a good number. Twice it was hard and twice it was just & perfect. At the end, I felt like I could start all over again. I still don't exactly understand why some runs are better than others: food intake, weather, sleep hours, hydratation, road conditions, time of the day, efforts? I am working on it.
  
  I am also working on my food habit: of course, first thing I changed was the whole grains intake. And guess what?? I love it. Whole wheat pasta is delicious: plus savoureux, plus crémeux comme goût, un peu plus épais en bouche aussi, donc on en consomme moins. L'essayer, c'est l'adopter.
  
  This week will be a challenge: I have multiple evening meetings and I still want to run at least 3 or 4 times since the following week, you'll excuse me, but I will be wearing my bikini on Puerto Rico's beaches. Well, who said we couldn't run under the sun?
• February 16, 2008
  This week, I have trained 3 times, using my heart rate monitor. I think it really helps. I am trying new things, different things, like going slower and surprisingly, I enjoy it... And I also got a great surprise on Tuesday night: a friend of a friend from Montreal was in town so I got to meet him on Wednesday morning, right before Halifax was hit by the storm, and we had a very nice run in Point Pleasant Park.
  
  I also got a chance to select my new pair of running shoes, and they are much bigger than the one I use now... I'll get used to it. I was told that your feet need a lot of room if you want to pile the miles! And that's exactly what I am planning to do.
  
  I have continued my effort in integrating more whole grain in my diet, but I couldn't resist the Rocky Mountain Chocolate ice cream on Thursday. For my defense, I got a kid size portion.
  
  Bottom line, I really feel motivated and I am looking forward to run on the beach this week. I have to fly ! See you next week.
• February 25, 2008
  Trip to Puerto Rico was fantastic but even more the fact that despite the beach, the pool and the great food, we (my husband and I) were successful in squeezing in a visit to the gym EVERY SINGLE DAY. And it felt great. Now I know it's feasible, but I have to admit: it helps when your partner also enjoy exercice.
  
  I have continued to use the heart rate monitor and now, I can start seeing a slight difference. Our fantastic coach Fred was right: you can actually TEACH your heart to calm down a bit.
  
  So training last week went well and I was up and running for a 10K with the Running Room 2 days after I was back in the cold & snow (welcome back!). Oui oui, bien sûr, j'ai (un peu) flanché durant les vacances : quelques desserts, un peu de vin, mais que voulez-vous, j'étais tout de même en vacances ! Maintenant, retour aux choses sérieuses : cette semaine, objectif FIBRES.
  
  This week, I am planning to run 3 times 10K, attend a series of meeting, eat more fibers especially at breakfast, which means I will actually have breakfast - which I didn't always in the past and try to go to bed before midnight ! That's it, that's all.
  
  
• March 02, 2008
  Ouf ! I am just back from a 10 K. This past week was a pretty good week: I have run 4 times. Each run was not as long as I would have liked but at least, I got moving. In between, I was able to squeeze the Savour Food & Wine event at the Westin, yummy! L'exercice est bien plus satisfaisant quand on sait qu'on peut aussi goûter aux autres plaisir de la vie...
  
  This week, I am planning to run 3 times: one 5K and two 10K. I will continue to focus on my heart rate, trying to keep it below 145 all the way. I bet I'll have to walk a couple of times, I guess I will also work on my patience at the same time!
  
  I continue to put great efforts in integrating the whole grain into my diet, but I still have my sugar tooth. It seems like I can't get rid of it, not that I haven't try, I did (peut-être pas assez?) so I have decided to add a natural vitamin to my diet... maybe it will help.
  
  Stay tuned to find out.
• March 08, 2008
  Well, I would rate this week at 5 out of a 10, not the best since I have started. This illustrates the importance of sleeping. For some reasons, I did not sleep well and it has impacted my training plan. Instead of doing 10k x 3 as I wanted to, I was able to do 5k only x 2.
  
  Well, yesterday though, I had a regain of energy and was able to complete a 3rd run: 11k with doggy, despite the rain and the wind. And I have started to change my stretching habit. With the help of our coach Fred, I now have a series of stretching that will really help me run better. So despite the low milage this week, at least, I have started to integrate the habit of good stretching.
  
  I have also started to take the vitamine... Capsules are HUGE. It's too early at this point to say if it has an impact or not. I'll know more in the next few days/weeks.
  
  This week: I hope to be able to complete 3 x 10k (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) + a run with our coach on Tuesday.
  
  Stay posted !
• March 15, 2008
  This past week, I have run 4 times, out of what two were over 10k so overall, a good week. I have continued my stretching exercices, and one is really different ... I feel like trying to do the bacon position on the floor, but that's the best exercice ever !
  
  I also have to confess ... While working late one night with other colleagues, I took 3 timbits out of the box brought by one of them, and Mr. B saw me... Now I have no choice but to write it in my blog ! Oh well, I ran 1 extra mile !
  
  This week (and I feel like I repeat myself over and over): I wish to complete 3 run of 10k or more. The challenge will be harder though since I have to go to PEI for work 3 days. But wine course is over, so the Wednesdays night are now free for running.
  
  See you next week!
  
  P.S. I don't know if it's the vitamin, but I start to feel more energized.
• March 23, 2008
  This past week, I have run 4 times, including one run of 14.5 km. And catching up from that run was fine as well. These days, I am really trying to analyse what I ate the night before a good/bad run, or what I did so maybe I will be able to replicate it on a regular basis and always feel good after a long run. But at this point, I am confident that I will succeed in the half marathon as long as I continue to run/train/eat well.
  
  I also realize that a 10 k run is not as long as it seemed before. It is amazing to see how our body quickly adapt to almost ... anything.
  
  I am still trying to cut the cheesecake out of the diet, but it's hard. I guess we have to choose our battle.
  
  This week: I am planning to run 4 times, 3 x 10 km and 1 x 15 km. I have already done one run this morning, so three mores left. I really love being outside on a bright and fresh (even cold) morning. It makes my idea clearer for the day.
• April 02, 2008
  Well, I finally got over a 15 k run... Last Sunday, I went out with the Running Room group for a 16 k and it went pretty well. We had snow at the beginning, walkways were quite icy, but the last part was bright and sunny. For the first time, I carried liquid - a mix of water and orange juice - and it was fine. I am not very hungry in the morning. I tried to eat, but I just couldn't. Of course, I made sure to eat something consistent the night before: whole wheat pasta with chicken, vegetables, and low fat cheese.
  
  A good friend of mine told me about the new SMART pasta from Catelli. They show more fibers per gram than the whole wheat one. I'll give it a try as soon as I can... Will provide feedback right here!
  
  I will also try those gel when I'm up to a 18 k. If I can't eat in the morning, I need to find the energy somewhere to help me with the last miles.
  
  The day after the 16 k, I did a 5 k with coach Fred followed by new stretching exercices. In bonus, I had a great blue & white rope that helps me do fantastic movements - and of course, doggy Cleo loves it as well. I have to keep an eye on her (the rope!). Today (Wednesday), I did 8 k. That's the best I could do given that I caught a bad flu. It started Tuesday. I can't breath well and I have headaches.
  
  Thursday a break: I have 2 evenings meeting and than Friday, another 8 k before a long run on Sunday. I am so motivated that I have register myself for the Ottawa half-marathon. Another good friend will come over to do the Blue Nose with me, and in exchange, I'll visit her in Ottawa and do a 2nd half. Running and training are more exciting than ever ! Cheers.
• April 14, 2008
  Well, well... I was not consistent last week with running and writing! At least, I was successful in doing another 16 k with the Running Room and I have run twice 11 k in the last week. I have maintained the focus on whole wheat pasta and bread, and I have reduced cheesecake consumption. In the next few days, I will work on diversifying the breakfast elements though. Any idea??
  
  My friend Karyne from Montreal came here over the week-end and, of course, weather was not consistent as well. We had rain, fog and sun! Welcome to Nova Scotia :-) but she really liked it, especially Peggy's Cove and our nice downtown pub, and people.
  
  My feet are really getting bigger, I have tried my previous running shoes yesterday: they don't fit anymore! I hope my HEAD won't get any bigger after the half marathon!
  
  Stretching is going well, it's hard to say if I have improved or not but I like to believe that I did! Coach Fred will tell me the next time I see him.
  
  This week: 3 x 12 k until next Sunday where I will tackle a 18 k (I still go to bed every night and repeat to myself: yes, you can do it, you can do it). Stay tuned to find out how it went, especially the next day or so. :-)
• April 29, 2008
  Ouf! Ca y est : mission accomplie. J'ai complété un 18 km, ma plus longue distance jamais parcourue. Last Sunday, I did 18 k with the Running Room. I have never run that distance before and I am very proud. At approximately 15 k, I could feel some pain in my right knee but other than that, it went well. During the first 15 k or so, I was able to keep an average of 145 heart beat but toward the end, with fatigue coming into the equation, I went up to 160-165. Upon my return, I did a good 15 minutes of stretching and the next day, no pain at all, I felt great.
  
  When I run with friends that didn't train for a specific event, I fully realize the improvements I have made during the last few months. And the best is that I really enjoy doing long distance. It's time consuming, but it's worth it and I like being outdoor. I am really looking forward to the half marathon, I think I am ready.
  
  This week, I am planning to run Wednesday and Friday, most probably 2 x 14 k. Next Sunday: I will actually run the half marathon route downtown. I'm really excited.
  
  19 dodos...
• May 08, 2008
  Ça y est : mes chaussures ne me font plus! J ai dû enfiler des bas de nylon ce matin pour éviter d avoir à porter mes « running shoe » avec mon tailleur ! Fallait s y attendre : à force d accumuler les kilomètres sur les routes néo-écossaises, mes pieds ont pris de l expansion et j ai des pieds de clown complètement disproportionnés. OK, j exagère un peu, beaucoup...
  
  Tout ça pour dire que j ai FINALEMENT parcouru mon premier demi-marathon non officiel (ce fut une pratique) dimanche matin 4 mai, sous un soleil flamboyant et très peu de vent, de sorte que j ai eu très, mais très chaud, notamment à grimper la fameuse (plutôt terrifiante) et unique grande montée du Point Pleasant Park, celle que les gens évitent par dessus tout... Ça s est bien passé et j ai même trouvé l énergie de « sprinter » le dernier kilomètre (je me suis fait avoir, encore une pente ascendante, j aurais dû y penser) mais honnêtement, je voulais surtout suivre la fille en avant de moi, toute en muscle comparée à ma forme spaghetti, et je me suis dit « qu elle ne m aurait pas », que les spaghettis aussi étaient capables de performer sur l asphalte.
  
  In English: just to mention that I have FINALLY accomplished a half marathon distance: 21 km downtown Halifax this past Sunday. Thanks to Coach Fred, I was able to reach that distance. I haven't seen him much lately, but his sound advices were always close by. During the week though, I haven't theoritically run much, but I have run a lot carrying boxes and boxes, climbing stairs, packing and depacking: that's what happen when you move! Different exercice. I will run Friday morning (10k) and Sunday again (6K with the Running Room).
  
  I do feel ready for the Blue Nose half marathon. I have energy, I eat better, I run better, my life is all better! Can I ask for more?? Stay posted for the last week of 'practice' before the "jour J."
• May 12, 2008
  Well, I have NOT run on Sunday: I was scared by the wind, the rain and the cold weather. BRAVO to everyone who ran yesterday! My parent would say "Tu n'es pas fait en chocolat". I know, but I just want to MAKE SURE I am at 200% on May 18. BUT, this morning, I have done a nice 10k and it feels great.
  
  Planning this week: more packing/unpacking, a meeting on the Island, a stop by Moncton and while I do that, I will try to run 2 x 10 k. No run on Friday or Saturday, to be ready on Sunday morning. My friend from Ottawa is coming with her daughter, so we'll also do a bit of tourism. I'll do one more update the day before the run. Stay tuned.
• May 15, 2008
  Well, I ran twice this week - short distance (9 k on Monday and 7 k this morning, Thursday) - and I will take a break on Friday and Saturday to be ready for Sunday morning. I received some comments from Mr. B about the fact that I haven't mentioned the nice run I had with my Canada Post colleagues last week. That was fun. We did a 9/10 k starting from Almon, taking the MacDonald bridge (that was VERY fun, especially on our way back wtih the wind...)! My fellow workers will repeat the experience this week but without me, and I'll certainly hear about it until the 2009 Blue Nose Marathon! :-)
  
  Well, I am definitely ready for Sunday, let's just hope for good weather...
• May 20, 2008
  Well, I did it : 21 km, and I actually ran a better time than expected, less than 2 hours. It was a beautiful day, and a beautiful experience. I am very happy, even though I wish I had not been sick after the race. I was completely exhausted and I had to go to bed. At 4 p.m., I started to recover. A full bowl of spaghetti bolognese and I was back on track!
  
  Thanks to the Blue Nose, I could experience a fantastic experience and I will definitely continue to run, and stretch, and improve my eating and I am actually planning in doing another half in the fall and then probably again the Blue Nose in 2009!
  
  I'll see you there!