and on the seventh day...we rest

Sunday was supposed to be a rest day, but I managed to squeeze in a quick cycle (only 30 minutes).  It got the kinks out from the run on Saturday...then we sat in the hot tub and the steam room at the pool to sweat out any remnants from Saturday night's post cruise dinner (more the wine and the half a pound of brie than the supper). Mmm, was it good.

Tonight's work out was a 60 minute bike - it went by very quickly and I was glad I did the full hour, instead of the 30 minutes I planned.  I managed to find some decent tunes on the iPod and that helped me work in some hills and speed work.  Soon enough I will be outside and riding my new bike - then the real work will begin.  I also managed to swim for 20 minutes (was supposed to be 29) but after a 1000m of pull and kick drills, the steam room was calling my name.  And we all know how easily I am swayed by the temptation of evil...and the steam room.  It was well worth it. I managed to sweat out the rest of the weekend as well as the stress of today.

Tomorrow is a run - only 29 minutes - and I am also starting a learn to run clinic at work.  The annual spring kick off of accountant who think they want to run (more like lose the year-end pounds from ordering in). We'll start off simple and see how we do...I am very excited to have people to run with at work at lunch.  That will help me double up on some of the training for the tri - not to mention the half marathon which is only 4 weeks away.  I'll let you know how it goes.

Cheers!

The wind at my back...and then at my front.

Well today was the day...outside running began, again.  It was 18K with the girls and we managed to run into the wind both ways.  I don't recall any wind in Florida - more of a gentle breeze off the ocean that was refreshing if anything. Nothing like the brisk northeasterly we faced this morning - and yes we had it in our face going out and again coming home.  I think I must be a freak of nature.

Either way, we did it - all 18K and I felt great.  Ironically, we ran 7K outside in January and I complained the whole way thinking I was going to drop dead of exhaustion.  Not today, I finished strong and with my head up.  Made the 7K look like the cake walk it should've been - not sure what happened.  Oh wait, it was Christmas weight gain - now I remember.  The total time was 2:15 (which for a long slow run was decent), we are definitely on track for our training times. My knee was a little uncomfortable in the final legs but nothing like last year. Tonight I had some wine with dinner and a couple of Motrin, which numbed the pain temporarily.  I plan on topping up the Mortin tonight and an ice pack, to boot.  

The jury is still out on tomorrow morning's spin class.  I may settle for a short bike and a swim (given today was supposed to be the rest day and tomorrow the long run - anything I do tomorrow is a bonus). However, after tonight's post-cruise dinner, I think the rest will be after the work out.

Today's weigh in went as expected, I found 2 pounds on the cruise that I had lost before we left. No regrets - I enjoyed it.  And as the ladies said this morning, "easy on, easy off".  Sounds more like an ad for undergarments...

All for now.  

TGIF...

What a week...why do four day work weeks seem busier than five day work weeks? All I can say is I'm glad it's over.  Yesterday morning was another 6 a.m. spin class...usually Thursday morning's instructor is slightly older and a little less perky (although she works us just as hard); however this week I was blessed with a double dose of the twenty-something.  She worked my tail off...but it felt good when it was over.

Today we picked up the new car - the electric motor is so quiet you can't tell it's running.  It begs the question whether one can get a hybrid bike.  I'm not taking your typical moped - no this would have to look just like a bike and run so quiet no one could hear you coming (like the pedestrians in the parking lot today).  I will have to check that out.

Tonight's work out was a 45 min bike about 15 miles (although I never really looked) and a 1000 m swim (at an easy pace).  It felt good to get the "last chance" work out in before tomorrow's weigh in.  I;m sure I won't be the biggest loser this week.  

While I was down 3 lbs before the cruise, I think I was dehydrated and have managed to find most of what I lost.  Tonight at the gym I was exactly what I was the week before we left.  So I may be flat - I am not disappointed, as the cruise had it's own goal and now I can recommit for the half marathon (a similar weight goal as the cruise) and the triathlon (I'd like to be down another 10 before then and would be happy with 5).

Tomorrow I am running with the "girls" - who have been patiently awaiting my return.  I promised I'd run on Saturdays now that curling is over.  It's 18K and luckily it's a LSR (long slow run).  I anticipate an hour and 50 minutes...and will let you know how it goes.  I only hope the weather cooperates.  After Florida, I have decided I am a fair weather runner (like 80 degrees, no wind, an ocean/beach, etc.).

Cheers!  

Who gets up this early?

All I can say is why did the alarm clock go off so early...and who's idea was it to sign up for a 6 a.m. spin class.  What was I thinking?

Surely there are better things to do at 6 in the morning to get my blood flowing and my heart pumping - if you know what I mean.  I must admit that as tired as I was after yesterday's double work-out, I was glad I went. (And yes, I did make it back to the gym last night to squeeze in the 1000m swim and 20 mile bike).  

This morning, the perky 20 something year-old girl in the front of the room made me work much harder than I intended to (or thought I could), but I managed to hang in.  I miss Paul - the spin class instructor from the boat - now he was worth getting up for! On the brighter side, at least my work-out is done for the day.  I do enjoy that fact a lot!

Today was the first day back at work...and while my calendar has plenty of "desk time", I managed to have back to back meetings all day.  It's like holidays never happened - funny how fast things revert to their old ways.

I am looking forward to this weekend - I am shopping for my bike.  I haven't decided what to call it, I'll have to wait and see what it looks like and then come up with something clever. I must admit that Jane Hathaway is going to be hard to beat.

All for now...

Back on solid ground...I think!

We made it back from the cruise...although my body is still rocking and it feels like I'm still on the boat.  Here's an update on my training and diet while we sailed the Caribbean...I managed to eat Raisin Bran and Yogurt for breakfast almost every day.  Lunch was usually liquid...yes, I chose to drink my points most afternoons.  Then at dinner I chose the "Spa Selection" six of the eight nights (and skipped dessert most of those nights as well - except for the occasional lime sherbert and the disgusting diet pumpkin pie).  Two nights (the last two) were feasts and no holds barred - let's say the three pounds I gained were spread over those two meals.

Working out on the boat started off well.  We had 3 o'clock spin classes with Paul (from Australia) and he was well worth the effort of attending.  I misses one of the classes due to alcohol poisoning...OK, I was just drunk (remember the liquid lunch comment above).  I also managed to run 5K on the track - it was only 100m - so that meant 50 laps.  I was dizzy by the time I was finished.  Luckily, Alan and I squeezed in the long run on Thursday night in Ft Lauderdale or I would have been toast.

By Thursday, I was ready to come home and get back on the exercise routine - not to mention eat healthier again.  I never thought I would say i was looking forward to weight watchers and working out.  It must be a mid-life crisis...or perhaps it was the 10-15 foot swells we were sailing through that had us all feeling a little queezy.

We made it back late Saturday night (around 1:30 am) and yesterday was to be a 12K run.  I chose to rest/recover (OK - detox) and spent the day watching TV and napping, mostly the latter.

This morning we were greeted with a light dusting of the white stuff. Why don't we live in Florida?  I ran 12K run (from yesterday) at the gym this morning - I still can't figure out why the track kept swaying. Will the rocking motion ever stop?  Maybe it was my body getting back at me for having such a good time this past week.  Either way, I managed to stagger through the run and at times, was certain I was going to stumble from the imbalance.  Oh well, I'm sure it will get better soon...

We're heading back to the gym around 5 o'clock for a bike and swim. Then I will be back on track and fully caught up.

Cheers!

Training Florida style...

Up at 3:30 am, board a plane, arrive in Florida at 4:00 pm, settle into hotel, then hit the highway for 8 miles. Literally, hit the highway. It was a great way to start a vacation...and was down 3 lbs this mornings at WW (which was a $50 cab ride away).

The things this triathlon is having me do...wow!

Gotta run, the breakfast buffet is calling my name.

Will update post-cruise!

I love Morning Classes...Brier style.

Sorry I have missed the past few days, it's been a little busy.  My weigh in on Saturday morning showed me up 0.2 lbs. I did try a new eating program last week - where I added additional food for my workouts - and I wasn't hungry at all.  I may have added a little too much or at the wrong times, so I am going to play with it for a little while longer (I don't want to give up too soon).

I also went to Winnipeg this weekend for the Brier (I'm on the Committee for next year when it's in Calgary).  In addition to my two 12 hour shifts in the cash office, where I ran non-stop refilling token booths  I also managed to run 8.5 miles on the treadmill on Sunday morning.  I was so bored I wanted to stick a pencil in my eye... In the end, I was I glad I ran because the food was unhealthy and there were also a few beer consumed.  Not to mention "Morning Classes" where you drink gin, lemon juice, sugar, soda and ice - at 7:30 in the morning.  The best Brier tradition I have discovered so far.

I flew home this morning and tonight I was so tired I could hardly stay awake to watch Coronation Street (and it's only 30 minutes). So I took the night off.

Tomorrow I will be back at the gym full out - bike 53 minutes and swim 26 minutes. I need to get all my workouts in before we leave. Thursday night we are running from the hotel - 16 K - and then we found a weight watchers meeting a few miles from the hotel, so we can weigh in before we get on the boat. That way we will know exactly how we did on the cruise.

I will let you know how the week unfolds.

Can you hear me now?

I missed blogging yesterday and by the time I settled in for the night, I was too tired (or lazy) to come back downstairs and update my workout.

Yesterday was supposed to be run, but I switched it to a bike because for a brief moment Wednesday night I thought I might do the spin class.  The class happened - just without me. I have come to appreciate that I do not work out well at 6 a.m. So the bike was now an after work thing.  Then I remembered (was reminded) that family from out of town were spending the night and I had to be home to greet them.  Luckily they were going to call before they arrived at the house.  How was I going to make this work...don't you love call forwarding.

So there I sat in the gym pedaling my butt off, thinking the faster I pedaled, the closer I would get to the 80 minute mark.  I had my headphones on and I was set...just a few more songs and I would make the 60 minute mark - almost done. I knew if I finished 60 minutes before they arrived, I would be happy with that.

Too bad the phone wouldn't stop ringing...hopefully no one mistook my heavy breathing on the phone as some perverted old man.  Another thing about working out and answering the phone...you have to remove the headphones. Hello, can you hear me now? It only happened once.

Can I borrow your towel...?

Funny how things just happen sometimes.  Today I had to leave work early to pick up my "uniform" for the Brier, so I called Alan and offered to pick him up.  When I worked downtown, I always felt a ride was better than the bus...so now I try to return the favor to him.  

Alan was debating whether to go to the gym or not...and the way it was sounding, it was heavily weighted towards the not going side.  I knew I would have to get in a swim in order to stay on track with my program...and I had my stuff in the car.  So after a few minutes of chatting, we decided we would just stop at the gym on the way home - then we couldn't talk ourselves out of it.  

the swim was 2000 m, which wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.  We finished in about 45 minutes - give or take.  I did mostly pull drills, which was perfect because Alan was doing a recovery swim (slower than normal).  So were were able to keep a pretty even pace with each other.  It felt good to finish the swim and head into the steam room to rid my mind of some of the day's stress.  Then it was a quick shower, change clothes and head home for the night. 

Only thing was, in my gym bag was all my swimming stuff...except a towel.  Luckily, Alan was there.  

Another run...another tired puppy

Today was a long day at the office, with interviews consuming most of my day.  I was glad to be heading home at a decent time and although I wasn't looking forward to tonight run - I knew I had to stick to the plan if I was ever going to be successful in this triathlon thing I am pursuing.

I told Alan on the way home that I would take Angus for a walk and then decided he could join me on my run - as it was supposed to be a short one.  When Heather called me back, she said she e wanted to run indoors...but the thought of Angus' puppy dog eyes must have been enough to sway her.  So a half hour later, we headed out with Angus in tow (er rather with him towing us).  He loves to run and just like his father he has some trouble pacing himself.  He was really giving it for the first 10-15 minutes.  Then he was tuckered out by the time we made it up the first hill...lucky for me, as I was able to keep up to him in his tired state.  The run was only 4K and lasted just under 30 minutes...so it was a very comfortable pace.  Although, the time reflects all the pea breaks Angus had to take - like at every tree, curb and what's left of the snow banks on people's lawn.  If he hadn't tagged along, I suspect we would have been a few minutes faster - but I am not complaining.

Angus hasn't moved much since we got home...even at dinner, he didn't come to the table to see what we were having.  So I must have succeeded in tiring him out.  At least I didn't go so far as to need a ride back.

One down...137 more to go!

Today was day one of my 20 week training program for the Peach Classic this summer.  The whole day started on a good note, with an off-site (all day meeting out of the office).  It was my boss'  birthday today and that was definitely one of of the highlights - although the mini-chocolate pastries that came with dessert in his honor didn't really do much for my diet.  Oh well, we only live once.  I ate very healthy all day (except for the chocolate mousse).  Luckily, mine was sugar-free.

I managed to make it home early from the off-site (another bonus) and take Angus for a walk and go vote.  My public duty is now officially complete.  And while I have no strong political convictions - I really didn't want Ed Stalmach to win this one.  Anybody would have been better than the PCs. Oh well, my voting gives me the privilege of complaining about the government for the next four years.

My work-out tonight was a 48 minute bike followed by a 24 minute swim.  The bike was uneventful - although I used the spin class bike instead of the regular stationery bikes to change things up a bit.  It made a slight difference...in how sore my ass was.  Holy cow those seats hurt...I don't know how I am going to last two hours in the Peach Classic.  I didn't even have time for the numbness to wear off, when I had to drag my butt into the pool.  The swim was great - I felt comfortable all night (even with the 3 slower swimmers I had sharing the lane). They were very courteous and that makes a huge difference - when they get out of your way because they know you're faster than they are.  It made the 24 minutes go by so quick.  Then again, we've been swimming 45 to an hour, so this really was short.  After the work out, I managed to crawl into the steam room for some rest - that's the perfect way to end any work out.

Alan had to work late - and he made supper instead of going to the gym.  That was really nice of him.  I am very lucky to have him supporting me in this and supper waiting when I got home from a big work out (not to mention lunch for tomorrow as well) really does make me appreciate how lucky I am.

Only a few more days until the cruise...horray!

All for now!

Where did the weekend go?

Yesterday was a rest day for me...and was I thankful.  We had WW in the morning - I was down a pound, which is much better than I was expecting.  I am still 2 lbs away from my goal for the cruise, so we'll see where this week takes us.  Following WW, I had a meeting for the Brier - Alan and I are running the banking for the Brier Patch (alcohol and money - what a combination). Jocelyn had an eye appointment and I managed to squeeze in a store or two to find some shorts for the cruise...I think I am done (although my bathing suit is too big now, with the 22 lb weight loss).  I may need to resort to safety pins.  What a problem to have.  Ending off the day was curling - my last official game of the season, as I am off to Winnipeg next weekend for the Brier and the cruise the week after that. My team is now in the semi finals, so it would have been nice to be able to stay and finish off the season.  Oh well...next year.

Today was a long, slow run...and 14K.  We planned to run outside but the weather didn't cooperate.  It was minus 15 and both Heather and I have resigned to the fact that we are becoming fair weather runners.  I know, you'd think the Penguin would relish in the cold temperatures...but this penguin is quickly turning into a tropical species.  The first half of the run was good, I felt great going 'round the track (a total of 33 times for the whole run).  There were some beginner runners were we were able to encourage and they were really grateful to have the positive motivation from us (we must have appeared seasoned).  Alan was also doing a long run today - and every couple of minutes he would lap us.  We could hear the pounding of his feet and the music from his iPod, so it was quite humorous to both Heather and I.  The last half of the run was not so great...I got really tired about 9K in and was sure we were going to cut it short.  But Heather was my rock and she kept me going...that and the "cute guy" she kept wanting to look at every lap.  So at least there was something to look forward to every time 'round - at least for her.  Then the last 6 laps seemed to go by quite quickly...before we knew it we were done.  Our time was just under 90 minutes, which puts us well ahead of a 2:30 half marathon race pace.  We're shooting for 2:15 ish, so we were happy with the pace of this "long slow run".

Tomorrow is the official start of my 20 week training program for Penticton.  I am excited and nervous.  I have been training well ahead of the schedule so far, with the exception of the bike, where I am a little short on the suggested times.  I will work on that this week. Maybe a few new tunes on my iPod will help with those long evenings in the saddle.  

All for now, I am off to visit the folks and assist them with their income taxes.  Then a quite night tonight. All for now...