Long may she reign

We interrupt today's Wordless Wednesday to celebrate Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II overtaking Queen Victoria as the longest reigning British monarch.

Queen Elizabeth II has been monarch for 63 years.

Still my favorite picture of Her Majesty

Long may she reign.

Gimli practices his royal wave

When's the party start?

I guess I'm a runner now

I haven't done a running update in quite some time, but big things have happened over the past couple months. I was starting to lose faith in running, it stopped being a challenge and became something to be dreaded.

1. I started looking for a training plan. The ones I had used previously, ramped up too quickly and even though I followed the plan and was out on the specified days, I soon started falling behind and suffering injuries.

I had heard of Jeff Galloway, he's the running coach for RunDisney, so I looked into his methods. He has pioneered the Jeff Galloway's Run-Walk method, so I decided I'd draw up a schedule and start.

2. Over the past year, I suffered the ups and downs of running, getting injured, taking time off to heal, losing whatever ground I had and then starting all over again.

Around the same time, I started researching shin splints and how to deal with them. It seemed like every running site I found all stated the same thing about shin splints, but none gave any recommendations about how to prevent them - other than get new shoes or take it slowly.

Well, my shoes are pretty new and I'd have a shin flare up if I tried running 1k, so I knew that wasn't the root cause.

Finally, I came across a website belonging to a sports medicine clinic. One of the causes listed was a lack of muscle strength in the feet and ankle. It went on to list a number of stretching and strength exercises that would help improve the muscles and help with the shin splints.

I figured, 'why not?' and made a list of the exercises. I started them the next day.

3. I shifted my mental game. I kept beating myself up because I'd been running for close to a year and was unable to run a 5k. I would push myself in training to achieve this fleeting "perfect run", which turned into an injury, which sidelined me, which made me upset, which made me want to push myself... and so it went.

I took stock of where I was over the course of my training. I never thought I'd take up running and I never thought I'd log 263 kilometers in the span of a year. But, I did. And I wanted to continue, I wanted to get better.

Runkeeper stats for July 2014 - June 2015

So, I decided I was a runner. A slow one who looks at the running motivation pins on Pinterest and convinces herself that she can do it, who wakes at 5 am three times a week and hits the pavement, (and dodges frogs, ewww!), but still runs because I'm stubborn and I'm better than my injuries, so help me! Who cares if I walk for part of it? Every runner started somewhere and in time, being able to run the full distance will come.

So, where am I now?

This all came together at the end of July. My injuries were at the point where I was ready to go to the doctor. I decided I'd do the strength tips in conjunction with Galloway's run/walk for the 5k and see how things were at the end of August. Well, at the end of August I'd logged 40k and I was mostly pain free. I had logged three 5ks with very little leg pain/soreness afterwards.

To say that I'm ecstatic is an understatement. I dread the runs less. Let's face it 5 am wake up times aren't fun, but the absence of pain makes it bearable.

I took a week off last week from running and this past Saturday, I started the next phase of my training - to move up to a 10k. I don't have any 10ks scheduled for the next 6 months or so, but I do have a vacation thrown into the mix. In addition, since I've been running outside, when the snow falls in December it will force me to move inside. Sorry, I'm not attempting to run in the snow!

We will see how things go once winter hits. We have an indoor track nearby, which is nice, but it's mind numbingly boring and I always lose track of the number of times I've done a loop. But, since we don't have a treadmill, then I'll have to head to the track. If it means sticking to a set distance and working on endurance all winter, then that's what it will be.

Case of the itchies

Gimli's been having a tough time with allergies this past week. We know he's allergic to some "weed", but we don't know which one. Sometimes he'll be affected just once in a season, multiple times, or none at all. As August came to a close, I hoped he had escaped the "itchies" for the second year in a row, but unfortunately, it hit him with a vengeance.

He's been on Benadryl pills 3 times a day for the past 6 days. He's finally starting to see some relief today, but I don't think he's out of the woods yet.

This morning when I let him out of his crate, his entire leg was wet because of his licking to alleviate the itching.  *sad face*

So, after our walk, they both got a turn in the tub to wash their feet.

Merida went first and with this heat, was quite happy to stand in cool water.

Gimli wanted to hang out with Mike, but begrudgingly headed into the bathroom when Mike asked... in a not so friendly voice.

Both dogs had a good frap after though, something about clean feet must do it :)

Wordless Wednesday - September

Air slivers

A couple weeks ago, we had a bit of a heatwave.

I found Gimli here one day, monopolizing the cold air coming from the bedroom.

Summertime Love-in

I've heard that if you're going to San Francisco, you ought to wear flowers in your hair.

This is us on the boat leaving Alcatraz and heading back to the port. 7 years ago.

One day, I'll go back to San Francisco.

Made in the shade

Sometimes, even heat loving Gimli has to take a rest in the shade.

Except for his nose.

Some of my favorite photographs

In honor of World Photography day, here are some of my favorites.

Schloss Waldeck, Germany

Schloss Waldeck, Germany

Gimli at home

Merida at home

The Disney Fantasy docked in Cozumel, Mexico

Did you say cookie?

You said cookie didn't you? I know you did.

I'll love you forever...

If you let me out of this prison.

Pleeeeaaseeeee? I'm such a good little puppy, I'd never eat those baseboards... (liar, she did)... or steal one of your running socks and eat a hole through the toe... (liar, she did that too).... or try to eat one of the snaps from your brand new cardigan sweater... (yup, thank God I caught her!)

A new birthday tradition

In honor of his birthday on Friday Gimli got to sit, (albeit perched on Mike's lap), at the island and patiently wait for his birthday treat.

Half a MarroBone covered in peanut butter wrapped in bacon. Merida got the other MarroBone piece.

He also received a new Kong Wubba, though the squeaker didn't last the day. I think they've changed the material because past Wubba squeakers have lasted for weeks.

44 or 7 in dog years

3 months old

7 years old

I'm told he's now classified as a "Senior" dog. He has a few gray whiskers and eye brow hairs. The red on his face is a little less red.

But, he keeps up with is little Sisfur. He loves to play fetch - indoors and out, and is always ready for a walk.

Here's to the next seven my boy, and may they go by slower than the first seven.

First bath

7 years ago, we bathed Gimli for the first time. Early one morning, he had gone digging in the backyard and he was a muddy mess. (This is why I'm still wearing pajamas!).

Clearly, he was not impressed.

He was so little back then, the towel completely wrapped him up. Now, he's lucky it goes around his butt.

Wordless Wednesday - Gimli curls

Year of the Corgi - August

Here is my Gimli with that big wide grin, and that deep red hair. So handsome!

Strange positions

That fluffy fellow Marcel suggested we post pictures of our corgis in strange, but comfortable sleeping positions. Thus, today's throwback Thursday takes you way back to when my two were puppies.

I found Gimli here one day. He used to like to sleep around the toilet - I guess it kept his belly cool. He doesn't hang around the bowl anymore, that's puppy stuff.

Here's Merida trying to escape. After a while, she never liked the xpen, much preferring to hang out with us and sneak away to chew on things like baseboards and corners of coffee tables.

Wordless Wednesday - Sideways

Flat Corgi Friday - Dog team drool

We ran across these bars of soap in the gift shop at Wilderness Lodge. I love the name!

Wordless Wednesday - Sneaky

Whatcha doin?

Merida has started following me around. If she's not stuck to me, she thinks something is wrong.

Sometimes, I run upstairs for something, grab it, turn around and there she is.

If I'm standing at the bed folding clothes, or making the bed, she's right next to me. She follows me around the yard when I'm pulling weeds, inspecting flowers, or avoiding my frog nemesis.

I'm quite blessed.

Merida and the crows

I've had this video for a while, promptly forgot about it, and then remembered to upload it.

As I've posted before, Merida dislikes birds.

In this video, the crows were scavenging in the farmer's field. Merida was upset because they were scavenging in the field behind her yard.

After this video ends, I sent her out and she barked barked barked at them. They flew away, then returned but over beside the neighbor's yard. She could still see them slightly, and was not impressed.

Saturday Smiler - Extra feathering

It's the first real humid day we've had so far, and it shows in Gimli's hair. I never thought my dog's hair would be more humid than mine.

It was worse this morning - we had fog and mist droplets in the air. So after our walk, his hair was a mess.

I wonder if there's a leave in dog conditioner that I could use to tame his locks? :)

Flat Corgi Friday - Magic and Monsters

Ever since Disney came out with Duffy the Bear, they've been selling little Duffy stuffed animals. And, what goes better with a Duffy stuffed animal, but costumes for him.

Interestingly enough, these costumes are just the right size for a couple of Flat Corgis.

Sorcerer Gimli

Merida the monster

I was so tempted to buy this for her, but I think it was a tad too small.

Throwback Thursday - Chase me!

Can I tell you how happy I am that the farmer isn't planting corn this year? Those rows always scared me. I was convinced something was going to come out and get us.

Wordless Wednesday - Rump Day

My spot

Everytime I take the corgis into the backyard to take pictures, Gimli has to pose in his spot. It's just under the tree and quite shady. He won't move to come inside until I take a picture. Then, he waddles in with the biggest grin on his face.

This was taken a couple months ago.

Here are some other ones.

The sights of Summer

GIMLI: Ah, it's so nice and warm outside. I love it!

MERIDA: Why am I out here? Let me in! Why are you taking a picture? Don't you know it's hot out here and I want to come in?

Wordless Wednesday - Strike a pose

Something hit me

I've often compared Gimli to a barbarian. He's a furry tank, with strong muscles, and an even stronger personality... except when it comes to me.

The other day, Mike was playing indoor fetch and he threw a spiky ball down the hallway - it looked like this one.

He missed completely and it bounced off the wall and onto Gimli's head. Mike checked on Gimli, who was fine, if not a little startled.

Gimli was ready to go chase the ball, but then I called him over.

He comes walking over, his eyes closed into little squints and his ears to the side. I kissed his head and off he went to play.

Such a diva!

Sliding doors

CANDY: Wait right there, Gimli.

GIMLI: Ok, you tell me when.

CANDY: Wait right there, Merida.

MERIDA: Oh, you meant me?

Happy Canada Day!