The Real Marathon

Yesterday and today were both exhausting days again!
Monday morning I went to the gym for my long run, and it was so good! 7 miles is a quarter of the full marathon, and it was a piece of cake. I felt like I could have easily gone further! The run was a really good one, and it was also very metaphorical of my time here. I know that sounds lame, but entertain me for a second: The first three miles are a warm up, stretching out your legs and getting them warmed up. For me, this is always the hardest part of the run, very much the same as my first couple of weeks here. I have been getting "warmed-up," getting familiar with my surroundings and testing the waters. The next couple of miles are the hard ones. You are not yet close enough to the end to have that burst of motivation, and your legs are working hard and getting tired. This is the part of the run where you gain the most. It is the longest, and mentally the hardest, but you get so much from it. I am just entering this phase of my "Quebec Marathon." I am warmed up, and now the run really starts. I need to build up my endurance, and put myself out there, because I know this part of the run will test me the most emotionally. I also know, that if I am willing, I will gain the most from this part of the run. Finally, the last 3 or 4 miles are a piece of cake. You are on an emotional high, and feel like you could run forever. This will be my last week or two here. That is too far away to think about right now, but I will let you know when I get there!
After my run yesterday, Julie, myself and my new mum and dad went to see the waterfall! I had pretty much forgotten everything I learned in grade eleven history, but yesterday sure brought it back! The waterfall is on the river where G. James Wolfe fought Montmoncery, and the french and english had that huge battle however many years ago. The history and the museum part were neat, but nothing compared to the waterfall. I am sure it would be beautiful in the summer, but in the winter it is phenomenal. Like nothing have ever seen before. We were standing at the top of the waterfall 300 feet above the river. The river is a huge sheet of snow covered ice that looks like it goes on forever, but the waterfall doesn't freeze. It plummets down, and makes a hug hole that goes under the ice. I can't even begin to guess how deep the hole was, but it was terrifying to look at, because if you fell, you would be toast so fast you wouldn't have time to ask for butter.

This morning I went to the gym again for a short run after I had yet another crappy sleep last night (still not slept through one night, and I am getting tired of it), and didn't really do much this afternoon. In one way it is nice to have so much time on my hands. I think my skin is the best it has ever been in my life, because after every run, I have nothing better to do than pamper the hell out of myself. I have also mastered the grilled sandwich. Today was also kind of lonely, and for the first time, I felt ready to go back to school. I think I have had all the time I need for myself, and I am starting to get bored. School will be a welcome change and a welcome challenge to my life next week.
This evening I went with Julie to cadet band. This band is different than the usual one, and we rehearsed for the big parade at the cadet games this weekend. I haven't decided yet if I am looking forward to this or not. I guess I have nothing else to do, and it is something new and fun. Speaking of looking forward to things, the day with the girls from winnipeg this week got cancelled. I am super disappointed. It would have been really nice to be able to talk with them. Oh well, I'm sure it will happen another time.
I think I have gotten into a bit of a rut this past week at home. I am feeling really discouraged about two things. Number one: I haven't made friends. Number two: I want my french to be improving faster.
I know I need to give myself more credit for number two, my french is acceptable, but I want it to be better. But I think I have been making things harder for myself. I need to be more mentally there. I typically don't listen to conversations unless they are directed, or apply to me. I need to change this. I will learn more about others, which I can use to make friends, and my french will improve if I actually listen. When I go back to school, I am going to make friends. I don't really know how, but I can do anything, and I am going to do it. I am more than capable of making friends, I have a lot to offer and I am going to give it. I am going to turn the treadmill up a couple of speeds, and take everything I can from the hard part of my run.

Warmed up and ready to go,
Carly