Just when I had my whole month of December mapped out....
....I got a call for a second interview!
The second interview last Tuesday turned out to be a job offer, and I started last Wednesday. I'm trying to keep my excitement in check because at the moment it is only a one month contract (but there is a possibility that it could extend for a full year depending on a few things). For now, I'm just trying to enjoy it, learn as much as I can, and hope for the best. The work is right up my alley and without giving too much away, I'm very excited about the project I'm working on.
As I get used to a new job, I'm also getting used to a new routine. Starting things off on the right foot, I ran Wednesday and Thursday morning last week and this morning before the sun was up. Today I also went for a post-work walk with the Cookie. I've been packing healthy lunches, planning ahead for dinner and getting to bed early. It is a big change from my old job where I worked from home and set my own schedule, but I'm a person that thrives on structure so I think it will work well for me if I can keep a positive attitude about it. It will get easier to get up when the alarm goes off in the dark, right?
Monday, December 10, 2012
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
The Barely Plan Plan
I know that when I don't have a plan at all, I don't run as much as I would like. I also know that when I have a very detailed plan, I lose my love for running, though an upcoming race keeps me motivated. Without a race on the horizon, still working with pretty short runs, snow on the ground making speed work a challenge, I've come up with a sorta-plan.
No set mileage, no set times, no set workouts, no days assigned. I know that each run will be at least 5K, and I know that I'll push myself harder on some runs to try to get faster. I know that I will do some kind of race in the spring, but I haven't decided on distance. For now, if I feel like doing more, I will, and snowshoeing and skiing are inter-changeable depending on what I feel like doing. As long as I do some strength training of some sort each week, I'll be happy. It's about building a habit this month, not getting a six pack.
How much do you plan when you're not training for a race?
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| (I gave up rotating this one!) |
No set mileage, no set times, no set workouts, no days assigned. I know that each run will be at least 5K, and I know that I'll push myself harder on some runs to try to get faster. I know that I will do some kind of race in the spring, but I haven't decided on distance. For now, if I feel like doing more, I will, and snowshoeing and skiing are inter-changeable depending on what I feel like doing. As long as I do some strength training of some sort each week, I'll be happy. It's about building a habit this month, not getting a six pack.
How much do you plan when you're not training for a race?
Monday, December 3, 2012
November In Review
Time is flying by! I really don't know where it goes, but I can't believe it's already December. This week I'm trying to figure out what happens to my day(s). I'm not working, so surely I should be done my Christmas shopping/have a sparkling clean house/be keeping up on correspondence, right?! Oh, if only that were true! Despite setting out to complete at least a project a day in order to feel somewhat productive, I'm behind on all of the above. More on this soon, as I am tracking my time this week to figure out how to get the most out of December!
Before we get to that, I need to take a look back at November. I started November with my longest no-rest streak ever. I didn't run every day, but I did SOMETHING active every day for 21 days. Usually, I went out for a full hour of walking or running and walking combined, though I did have to cut it short a couple of days due to some job prospects. This started at the end of October and took me into mid-November. Then I took a rest day, for no good reason, and then kinda lost my steam. I had an interview and was a pile of nerves that should have run, but didn't, and there was a day spent baking... After an off week I got back into things this week and finished off the month with three snowy 5K runs with Cookie. It is getting too cold to walk in the same clothes that I run in, so we're either going to have to run longer, or go out twice in two outfits if we're going to keep aiming for an hour a day.
Time spent running: 6 hours 32 minutes
Time spent walking: 14 hours 57 minutes
Time spent yoga-ing: 2 hours 50 minutes
Homemade Christmas gifts completed: 2
Homemade Christmas gifts completed: 2
Christmas cookies in the freezer: 102
Christmas cookies in my tummy: I've lost count.
What I'm looking forward to in December: Night-skiing and a weekend away with the girls!
What I'm looking forward to in December: Night-skiing and a weekend away with the girls!
Monday, November 19, 2012
Monday Bullets
A little catch up...
- 21 days. I did one hour of exercise (running, walking, yoga, or abs) every day for 21 days. I took a rest day on Saturday, and back on track on Sunday.
- Dressing for run-walk combos is getting trickier now that the weather is colder and the running part is getting longer. I find I'm freezing during the 30 minute walk, and roasting 5 minutes into the run.
- Cookie had an eye infection last week and I went for my first run without her in months. I felt like I was forgetting something! She is such a good running buddy.
- I've been on a smoothie kick lately.
- One of my good friends from my time in Bangkok ran her first half marathon on Sunday - in Thailand! She is training for a full marathon. I am so proud of her and impressed that she can run in that humidity. Way to go Miss Moon!
- Another friend ran her first marathon in Philadelphia on Sunday. Yay, Julie! All of these races have me itching for a new training plan...
- The job hunt continues... Speaking of which, I'm going to be making a few blog changes over the next few days, just to make sure I'm anonymous to potential employers. I don't think I've said anything offensive, but just to be safe.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Problem? Solution.
I have a problem. Whatever I bake, I end up eating it for breakfast. I usually justify it. "If you can't eat a cupcake for breakfast on Halloween, when can you?" or "If you can't eat shortbread cookies for breakfast at Christmas time, when can you?" or "If you can't eat cake for breakfast on your birthday, or on a Friday, or the day after you make it...." It's a serious problem. Despite my best intentions, I do it. EVERY. TIME. Making matters worse is that I'm currently unemployed. I have lots of time for lots of baking. I also find baking is a good stress reliever and keeps me calm when I get worried about the job hunt. I want to bake. I don't want to eat apple pie before noon.
Every problem has a solution, and I think I've found a good one:
Every problem has a solution, and I think I've found a good one:
The Breakfast Cookie! I did a search for a recipe and found one that called for ingredients that I had on hand here. These were quick, easy and tasty. They might not be quite as healthy as a non-baked good breakfast, but they sure beat a cupcake.
Come on, fess up. Do you ever eat baked goods for breakfast? Do you have a good healthy/healthy-ish baked good recipe?
Monday, November 5, 2012
DoYogaWithMe.Com
Happy Monday!
This morning I was in the mood for doing a little yoga. I normally save yoga in the winter for days when the roads are messy or it is too bitterly cold to be outside. Today was not one of those days, but I just felt like doing some yoga. I didn't feel like doing any of the DVDs in my own collection so I did a little search online and came up with a 60 minute Yoga for Athletes. This turned out to be not quite what I was expecting, but gave me a really good stretch which I apparently really needed after a lot of walking over the weekend. When I finished, I was clicking around some more and realized that this video was part of the treasure trove of all yoga videos on the internet! How have I never come across this before?!
The web’s best selection of high-quality, high-definition, 100% free, streaming yoga videos.
I will definitely be going back to try more videos.
Do you have any favourite online resources for yoga? Do you do yoga at home or in a class?
This morning I was in the mood for doing a little yoga. I normally save yoga in the winter for days when the roads are messy or it is too bitterly cold to be outside. Today was not one of those days, but I just felt like doing some yoga. I didn't feel like doing any of the DVDs in my own collection so I did a little search online and came up with a 60 minute Yoga for Athletes. This turned out to be not quite what I was expecting, but gave me a really good stretch which I apparently really needed after a lot of walking over the weekend. When I finished, I was clicking around some more and realized that this video was part of the treasure trove of all yoga videos on the internet! How have I never come across this before?!
I will definitely be going back to try more videos.
Do you have any favourite online resources for yoga? Do you do yoga at home or in a class?
Thursday, November 1, 2012
October Wrap Up
This month I finally feel like I'm back into some kind of exercise routine. I'm not running that many miles, but that will come in time. I am fairly consistently spending at least an hour a day being active. I missed 8 days in the month of October, and I think know I can do better in November.
Time spent running: 5 hours 28 minutes
Time spent walking: 20 hours 21 minutes
Time spent yoga-ing: 1 hour 50 minutes
I'm a week away from finishing the Pooch to 5K plan with Cookie. She has done really well with the plan and it has worked well for both of us. It built really slowly, and I think that's why it works so well. It's also based on time, rather than distance, which I think is better to focus on when you're not going that far! In the past, I know I would have been eager to get into longer distances as quickly as possible, but I don't want to run too far, too soon with the Cookie Monster. Also, in the long term, I want to get faster before I tackle another marathon. Instead, in November, I just want to add a 4th day of running to our routine, and keep aiming for 60 minutes of exercise every day, but with no more than 30 minutes of running/day. I like having some kind of plan to go from, so I'm working on putting something together, which might include some tempo runs toward the end of the month.
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| Can you believe this snow? |
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
The Waiting Game
I've put off posting (again) because I was hoping to have some good news to share. I had a job interview a few weeks ago. Originally I was to find out either way by the end of the following week. Then I got a call that Monday to say that it would be by the end of the next week. That brought us to last Friday, and still no word. I called yesterday to follow up, but there was no answer, and so far, no response to my message. Not a good sign, but I'm trying to remain optimistic. Maybe no news is good news? My more realistic guess is that they have offered the position to someone else, but that person hasn't accepted yet, so they haven't been able to respond one way or the other. Hrm...
In the meantime, I've had some some good runs and workouts.
Last Tuesday, Cookie and I walked across the highway, then ran for 25 minutes in one direction, then turned around and walked back. I tried to take a picture of us when we got back.
Wednesday, we went did 10 minutes of walking, run 10 minutes, walk 4 minutes, run 15 minutes, walk 4 minutes, run 10 minutes and walked home. It was pretty uneventful except that on the way home a pick up drove by and stunk of weed. At 11am. On a Wednesday. I've experienced a lot of different smells while out running at different times of day in different areas, but his was new.
On Thursday, we went for an hour long walk. I listened to this podcast:
Have you ever listened to it? You will learn endless pieces of interesting useless trivia.
On Friday, I was a bit of a wreck waiting for the phone call. I didn't want to leave my phone behind, and I didn't want to answer THE CALL out of breath and panting. I planned to go out after the call, but the call never came. Arg.
We had snow on Friday night, and it continued on Saturday morning but was mostly melting as it hit the ground. Cookie and I went out for a 10 minute walk, then ran (mostly uphill) for 18 minutes, walked 4 minutes then turned around and came back down the long, steady hill in 18 minutes and walked 10 minutes back to the car. Aside from Cookie's first run in the snow, it was also her first time seeing cows. She was fascinated!
Saturday night we got a huge DUMP of snow. (Apparently we also had an earthquake but we didn't feel it). We took the dogs out to a friend's place on Sunday and tromped around for a couple of hours. I can't believe this is October.
It kept snowing all day Sunday and on Monday the roads were a mess. I no longer have a gym membership, so settled for 50 minutes of yoga at home. Sorry Cookie.
Today, the roads have been plowed, the sun is shining and it is cold. -10C with windchill at -15C (5F) I bundled up and out we went. Walk 15 minutes, run 27 minutes, walk home. I took it really easy and felt great. The time went by quickly and I couldn't believe when the 27 minutes were up. We are on week 11 of our Pooch to 5K plan. It has been slow going, but I am still injury free and Cookie loves to run. She gets excited when we start running and always looks up with disappointment when I make her walk. I think this is a great plan for getting your dog to start running, and it was a great plan for me to get back into a routine without any pain in my foot.
In the meantime, I've had some some good runs and workouts.
Last Tuesday, Cookie and I walked across the highway, then ran for 25 minutes in one direction, then turned around and walked back. I tried to take a picture of us when we got back.
On Thursday, we went for an hour long walk. I listened to this podcast:
On Friday, I was a bit of a wreck waiting for the phone call. I didn't want to leave my phone behind, and I didn't want to answer THE CALL out of breath and panting. I planned to go out after the call, but the call never came. Arg.
We had snow on Friday night, and it continued on Saturday morning but was mostly melting as it hit the ground. Cookie and I went out for a 10 minute walk, then ran (mostly uphill) for 18 minutes, walked 4 minutes then turned around and came back down the long, steady hill in 18 minutes and walked 10 minutes back to the car. Aside from Cookie's first run in the snow, it was also her first time seeing cows. She was fascinated!
Saturday night we got a huge DUMP of snow. (Apparently we also had an earthquake but we didn't feel it). We took the dogs out to a friend's place on Sunday and tromped around for a couple of hours. I can't believe this is October.
It kept snowing all day Sunday and on Monday the roads were a mess. I no longer have a gym membership, so settled for 50 minutes of yoga at home. Sorry Cookie.
Today, the roads have been plowed, the sun is shining and it is cold. -10C with windchill at -15C (5F) I bundled up and out we went. Walk 15 minutes, run 27 minutes, walk home. I took it really easy and felt great. The time went by quickly and I couldn't believe when the 27 minutes were up. We are on week 11 of our Pooch to 5K plan. It has been slow going, but I am still injury free and Cookie loves to run. She gets excited when we start running and always looks up with disappointment when I make her walk. I think this is a great plan for getting your dog to start running, and it was a great plan for me to get back into a routine without any pain in my foot.
Friday, October 19, 2012
Forgetful me
Today was a beautiful fall day.
The weather network said it was only 7*C, and my phone said it was 5*C, but the sun was shining and it looked a lot warmer.
I got dressed in this, but lost the second shirt before I even set out, and had my sleeves rolled up on the other one not long after. They are calling for snow tomorrow.
I drove out to run along the lake, and it wasn't until I was parked that I realized I didn't have my watch or Garmin and even my cell battery was dead. I'm doing a Pooch to 5K plan, and today's run called for three sets of 10 minutes of running with 4 minutes of walking in between. Thank goodness for music. I made due by running for three songs then walking for one. It wasn't perfect, but it worked out ok.
Because I have some extra time on my hands, when I got home, I added up the song times:
Warm up:
3:48 + 3:29 = 7:17 walking
Run 1:
3:35 + 4:49 + 3:53 = 12:17 running (a little bonus)
3:58 walk break (almost perfect)
Run 2:
3:29 + 4:05 + 3:30 = 11:04 (just a tad extra)
3:25 walk break (long enough)
Run 3:
4:09 + 2:52 +2:58 = 9:59 (it actually felt too short)
3:33 walk break
Because that last one didn't feel quite long enough, after one more song of walking (3:14), I ran for one more song just to be safe (4:12)
Then I walked all the way back to the car (18:57) for a total of around 11km in 1:17:56.
Ever used your music to track your run? How did it work out?
The weather network said it was only 7*C, and my phone said it was 5*C, but the sun was shining and it looked a lot warmer.
I got dressed in this, but lost the second shirt before I even set out, and had my sleeves rolled up on the other one not long after. They are calling for snow tomorrow.
I drove out to run along the lake, and it wasn't until I was parked that I realized I didn't have my watch or Garmin and even my cell battery was dead. I'm doing a Pooch to 5K plan, and today's run called for three sets of 10 minutes of running with 4 minutes of walking in between. Thank goodness for music. I made due by running for three songs then walking for one. It wasn't perfect, but it worked out ok.
Because I have some extra time on my hands, when I got home, I added up the song times:
Warm up:
3:48 + 3:29 = 7:17 walking
Run 1:
3:35 + 4:49 + 3:53 = 12:17 running (a little bonus)
3:58 walk break (almost perfect)
Run 2:
3:29 + 4:05 + 3:30 = 11:04 (just a tad extra)
3:25 walk break (long enough)
Run 3:
4:09 + 2:52 +2:58 = 9:59 (it actually felt too short)
3:33 walk break
Because that last one didn't feel quite long enough, after one more song of walking (3:14), I ran for one more song just to be safe (4:12)
Then I walked all the way back to the car (18:57) for a total of around 11km in 1:17:56.
Ever used your music to track your run? How did it work out?
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Debbie Downer
Hmmm, so I said I was back and then promptly disappeared again. Oops! In truth, I just didn't know what I wanted to say about that really long absence.
Here it is:
In March, the government decided to stop funding the youth program that I worked for. Because they provided 95% of our funding, we had to close down our program. It was a program that ran for 6 months and the announcement came at roughly the mid-way mark for the last cohort of participants. They were able to finish their program, but that was it. All of the houses were shut down in June, and my job ended in July.
Wrapping up was a busy time, as well as stressful and emotional. I'd devoted almost 5 years to this organization and anyone who works in non-profit knows that you don't do it for the money. This is not a political blog so I won't go into my views on the Harper government. I will just say that I don't relate to their values. At all.
In the meantime, I hurt my foot. I had so much pain after a 10K run that I couldn't walk for 3 days. After several attempts to self-diagnose the issue, I discovered I have a bunion that I just irritated the heck out of. This meant lots of rest and then a very slow regimen of foot strengthening, and building slowly rather than jumping back in to running.
A combination of feeling low about not running, losing the program and the bleak employment outlook has meant that I've rarely had anything positive to say, so I've just been keeping to myself. Wah wah.
I'm still job hunting, but I decided to get over myself and put an end to the pity party back in September. We have had a beautiful fall and I get outside for at least an hour a day, for either a walk or a walk/run, usually with the pup. I'm up to 23 minutes of running without pain. There have been several setbacks along the way so when I say I'm taking it slow, I mean really, really slow.
This has been a bit of a downer post, so here's a pic to make ya smile. This is from last spring and she has grown a lot, but still has the floppy ear. Isn't she cute?
Here it is:
In March, the government decided to stop funding the youth program that I worked for. Because they provided 95% of our funding, we had to close down our program. It was a program that ran for 6 months and the announcement came at roughly the mid-way mark for the last cohort of participants. They were able to finish their program, but that was it. All of the houses were shut down in June, and my job ended in July.
Wrapping up was a busy time, as well as stressful and emotional. I'd devoted almost 5 years to this organization and anyone who works in non-profit knows that you don't do it for the money. This is not a political blog so I won't go into my views on the Harper government. I will just say that I don't relate to their values. At all.
In the meantime, I hurt my foot. I had so much pain after a 10K run that I couldn't walk for 3 days. After several attempts to self-diagnose the issue, I discovered I have a bunion that I just irritated the heck out of. This meant lots of rest and then a very slow regimen of foot strengthening, and building slowly rather than jumping back in to running.
A combination of feeling low about not running, losing the program and the bleak employment outlook has meant that I've rarely had anything positive to say, so I've just been keeping to myself. Wah wah.
I'm still job hunting, but I decided to get over myself and put an end to the pity party back in September. We have had a beautiful fall and I get outside for at least an hour a day, for either a walk or a walk/run, usually with the pup. I'm up to 23 minutes of running without pain. There have been several setbacks along the way so when I say I'm taking it slow, I mean really, really slow.
This has been a bit of a downer post, so here's a pic to make ya smile. This is from last spring and she has grown a lot, but still has the floppy ear. Isn't she cute?
Monday, September 24, 2012
I'm back!
Hi folks,
It's been a while. I just needed a break. I've been checking in on your blogs here and there, and will get all caught up soon. I'll fill you in on what's been going on for me too, but for now, I just wanted to let you know that I'm back.
I'm not training for anything, but I'm slowly working back up to running 5K, pain free. I'm doing a lot of walking (we have a new puppy), have started to get back into yoga, and of course, hiking whenever I can!
It's been a while. I just needed a break. I've been checking in on your blogs here and there, and will get all caught up soon. I'll fill you in on what's been going on for me too, but for now, I just wanted to let you know that I'm back.
I'm not training for anything, but I'm slowly working back up to running 5K, pain free. I'm doing a lot of walking (we have a new puppy), have started to get back into yoga, and of course, hiking whenever I can!
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| Out with Cookie |
Monday, February 20, 2012
1/2 Marathon Training: Week One
This was the first of 12 weeks of training for the BMO Vancouver 1/2 Marathon. I didn't exactly follow the plan, but I am very happy with how the first week went and excited to be working towards a goal again.
Monday:
5K
Done!
I headed out and ran around the neighbourhood in an improvised outfit after leaving my jacket behind when travelling for work the week before. It felt good to be back on a "plan"!
Tuesday:
5K 4 hours of snowshoeing
An afternoon spent snowshoeing up and down a mountain in the snow and sun is the best cross training a girl could ask for!
Wednesday:
Rest
Thursday:
5K 4.5K
I went out in the snow and without my Garmin and tried to invent a new route around my limited neighbourhood. It must have been a little slower going than I thought, trudging through the snow, because 29 minutes later, Google Maps told me I'd only gone 4.5K. At least I got out there!
Friday:
Rest
Saturday:
4 miles "Long" Run 9.8 K (6 miles)
Since I replaced one run with snowshoeing this week, I wanted to run a little farther this weekend. I was also in the mood for a challenge, so I headed to the Pinnacles. It is exactly what is sounds - a giant hill. 4.9km up, 4.9km down. There is one little respite about half way up, where you get to go down for about 30 seconds, only to reach the steepest section of the hill around the next bend. I've only tackled this hill once before, and I had to take a few walk breaks. On this attempt, I walked once, for 100 steps (would you believe I went out without my Garmin AND my watch?!), once I made it past the steepest section. Otherwise, I just took it easy, took it one bend at a time, listened to my music (until my iPod battery died on the way down) and took in the views through the trees as I went up and up and up.
Even though my weekly mileage is still low, this is the kind of run that makes you feel like you've accomplished something! Challenge complete.
Sunday:
Snowshoeing 70 minute walk/march in the snow.
The BF had to go out to a farm for work on Sunday, and so I tagged along and we went for a long walk in the snow on the property along the Fraser River. It was easy going for the first 40 minutes or so, while we walked on an existing snowmobile track, and so we left the snowshoes behind, but to get back to the car we had to cut across a field and then it was a workout! As always, it was nice to get out together to explore!
Monday:
5K
Done!
I headed out and ran around the neighbourhood in an improvised outfit after leaving my jacket behind when travelling for work the week before. It felt good to be back on a "plan"!
Tuesday:
An afternoon spent snowshoeing up and down a mountain in the snow and sun is the best cross training a girl could ask for!
Wednesday:
Rest
Thursday:
I went out in the snow and without my Garmin and tried to invent a new route around my limited neighbourhood. It must have been a little slower going than I thought, trudging through the snow, because 29 minutes later, Google Maps told me I'd only gone 4.5K. At least I got out there!
Friday:
Rest
Saturday:
Since I replaced one run with snowshoeing this week, I wanted to run a little farther this weekend. I was also in the mood for a challenge, so I headed to the Pinnacles. It is exactly what is sounds - a giant hill. 4.9km up, 4.9km down. There is one little respite about half way up, where you get to go down for about 30 seconds, only to reach the steepest section of the hill around the next bend. I've only tackled this hill once before, and I had to take a few walk breaks. On this attempt, I walked once, for 100 steps (would you believe I went out without my Garmin AND my watch?!), once I made it past the steepest section. Otherwise, I just took it easy, took it one bend at a time, listened to my music (until my iPod battery died on the way down) and took in the views through the trees as I went up and up and up.
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| See the town, way below! |
Even though my weekly mileage is still low, this is the kind of run that makes you feel like you've accomplished something! Challenge complete.
Sunday:
The BF had to go out to a farm for work on Sunday, and so I tagged along and we went for a long walk in the snow on the property along the Fraser River. It was easy going for the first 40 minutes or so, while we walked on an existing snowmobile track, and so we left the snowshoes behind, but to get back to the car we had to cut across a field and then it was a workout! As always, it was nice to get out together to explore!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Three Things Thursday: The Snowshoe Edition
1. I have discovered a new love this winter: SNOWSHOEING! Though I bought my trail pass for the cross-country trail network near town, I have not used it once because I've been too busy using my snowshoes.
2. A bit of careful planning and creativity in meeting design allowed for a work day spent snowshoeing on Tuesday. We headed towards Wells and then started going up, up and up.
There was a LOT of snow!
The trail markers were hard to find.
But we made it (almost) to the top! My iPhone camera does not do the view justice, but we had a view of a snow covered lake and snow capped mountains under a brilliant blue sky.
I wish I had a photo of us actually climbing up - it was ridiculously steep, and I had at least one moment of fear that I was going to cause an avalanche (I think there were too many trees, but I want to learn more about this before I climb another mountain in the snow).
3. Did you know that you can burn 420 - 1000 calories in an hour of snowshoeing? The extra effort of the snow, doubles the calories burned for walking the same distance. It is great cross-training because you are using all of your muscle groups in your legs, plus your core for balance. There are more good facts at http://tubbssnowshoes.com.
Have you tried snowshoeing? Did you wear the big, old style rackets, or the new streamlined ones? Did you love it or hate it?
2. A bit of careful planning and creativity in meeting design allowed for a work day spent snowshoeing on Tuesday. We headed towards Wells and then started going up, up and up.
But we made it (almost) to the top! My iPhone camera does not do the view justice, but we had a view of a snow covered lake and snow capped mountains under a brilliant blue sky.
I wish I had a photo of us actually climbing up - it was ridiculously steep, and I had at least one moment of fear that I was going to cause an avalanche (I think there were too many trees, but I want to learn more about this before I climb another mountain in the snow).
3. Did you know that you can burn 420 - 1000 calories in an hour of snowshoeing? The extra effort of the snow, doubles the calories burned for walking the same distance. It is great cross-training because you are using all of your muscle groups in your legs, plus your core for balance. There are more good facts at http://tubbssnowshoes.com.
Have you tried snowshoeing? Did you wear the big, old style rackets, or the new streamlined ones? Did you love it or hate it?
Monday, February 13, 2012
Monday Mindset
My 12 week training plan for the BMO Vancouver Marathon starts today! Though I try to start each week with a general idea of when I want to run and for how far, I'm excited to be back on a more long term plan with a goal at the end. This is the same race I was training for when I first started my blog two years ago, and I took some time out this morning to look back at my calendar from 2010.
I remember sitting down to write these monthly goals and putting them into my agenda:
In some ways, I feel like I'm back at square one with my new training plan. When I set these goals in February 2010, I was coming back after an extended break from running. In fact, I had not run at all since running my first half marathon in October 2009. I truly felt that I was starting from scratch and though it was my second half, it was my first time following a real plan. I also had my eye on a fall marathon. And here I am again. With this current training plan, I am again starting back at training after a rather erratic schedule with a heavy emphasis on easy, 5K runs. Remember when I called my most recent 5 mile run, "long"? Still, I know I've come a long way since then. I've run two marathons since 2010 and 3 more half marathons. I know I could build to longer runs faster if I wanted to, but will build slowly because I've learned a lot about injuries from reading your blogs and personal experience. I've also built up my wardrobe of running clothes and no longer use a day below 0*C as an excuse not to run. Reading my posts from February 2010, I have to laugh at myself, but in a good way.
I also have to laugh at myself for today's running ensemble:
I remember sitting down to write these monthly goals and putting them into my agenda:
I also have to laugh at myself for today's running ensemble:
One running jacket was badly in need of a wash, the other got left behind on my work travels last week. All other long sleeves were in the laundry, and so I ventured out in red and pink! Happy Valentine's Day!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Three Things Thursday
3 x 5K runs this week:
Run 1: Tuesday, I headed out to do a 5K loop. The iPhone said it was -10C, but I am sure it was colder. My body was warm, but my face was freezing! Luckily, I had on a neck warmer that I could pull up over my nose and a toque I could pull down over my ears. Unluckily, the sun came out literally as soon as I finished my run. :P
Run 2: Here's how I know I'm committed to getting back on track for realsies: I had a meeting 3.5 hours away at 11:00 am yesterday. Not wanting to go out in the dark and freezing cold at 6:30am, I showered and straightened my hair that night before, packed my bag, and went to my meeting with my running clothes sitting beside me on the car seat, changed immediately after the meeting and went for a run before getting lunch. It was a beautiful day in Vanderhoof, and I let myself get faster with each km.
Run 3: During Run 1 and Run 2, I was wearing trail shoes to give extra grip on the snow and ice and was feeling a weird ache in the ball of my foot during and after each run. Today, I tried running in my normal shoes on the treadmill at the gym. There's still a strange feeling there, but not as bad. It almost feels like it's bruised, so I'm going to take a rest day and then do my "long" run on the treadmill on Saturday because I think it might be a shoe issue.
Run 1: Tuesday, I headed out to do a 5K loop. The iPhone said it was -10C, but I am sure it was colder. My body was warm, but my face was freezing! Luckily, I had on a neck warmer that I could pull up over my nose and a toque I could pull down over my ears. Unluckily, the sun came out literally as soon as I finished my run. :P
Run 2: Here's how I know I'm committed to getting back on track for realsies: I had a meeting 3.5 hours away at 11:00 am yesterday. Not wanting to go out in the dark and freezing cold at 6:30am, I showered and straightened my hair that night before, packed my bag, and went to my meeting with my running clothes sitting beside me on the car seat, changed immediately after the meeting and went for a run before getting lunch. It was a beautiful day in Vanderhoof, and I let myself get faster with each km.
Run 3: During Run 1 and Run 2, I was wearing trail shoes to give extra grip on the snow and ice and was feeling a weird ache in the ball of my foot during and after each run. Today, I tried running in my normal shoes on the treadmill at the gym. There's still a strange feeling there, but not as bad. It almost feels like it's bruised, so I'm going to take a rest day and then do my "long" run on the treadmill on Saturday because I think it might be a shoe issue.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Food Journal Check In
In January, I signed up for Amanda's Food Journal Challenge.
I admit, I did not complete my journal every day. Still, I did become more aware of what I was eating and I made a big realization:
I have been completely kidding myself.
I was thinking that I was a fairly healthy eater. Yes, I know I enjoy a treat from time to time, but generally, I thought, I was doing pretty good. Then I started writing it all down and I realized that I'm eating far more convenience foods than I thought and not nearly as many fruits and veggies as I was giving myself credit for. Yes, I travelled for work in January, but I travel every month, so that is no excuse. I'm simply not eating as well as Ishould be want to be.
This month, I'm continuing my food journal, and there are a few things that I want to see:
I admit, I did not complete my journal every day. Still, I did become more aware of what I was eating and I made a big realization:
I have been completely kidding myself.
I was thinking that I was a fairly healthy eater. Yes, I know I enjoy a treat from time to time, but generally, I thought, I was doing pretty good. Then I started writing it all down and I realized that I'm eating far more convenience foods than I thought and not nearly as many fruits and veggies as I was giving myself credit for. Yes, I travelled for work in January, but I travel every month, so that is no excuse. I'm simply not eating as well as I
This month, I'm continuing my food journal, and there are a few things that I want to see:
- fruit every day
- at least 5 salads a week
- meat 3 days/week or less
- no repeated dinners for a month
- no more dinners from a box! (when did that become ok?)
- water, water, water.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Monday Mindset
I feel a lot better this Monday than I did last Monday. Last Monday, I was throwing up and feeling disgusting. I was feeling off my game from not enough working out and too much junk food. This Monday I'm feeling like I'm getting back on track.
After recouperating Tuesday and finally getting some solid food down on Wednesday, I got out for two runs last week, and capped off the weekend with some snowshoeing with the BF. The trails were pristine, the snow was light and powdery and there was some crunchy stuff a couple of inches down so it wasn't too hard going. The BF was tired from 6 days of work, so this was a shorter hike at just 90 minutes, but a beautiful day to be outside!
This week, I am feeling motivated and ready to run, but also tired and getting out of bed was tough this morning. I have (re)developed a nasty habit of staying up late watching tv, and this week am making it a goal to get to bed by 10:30 to get my sleep patterns back on track along with my running and eating. It all goes together...
After recouperating Tuesday and finally getting some solid food down on Wednesday, I got out for two runs last week, and capped off the weekend with some snowshoeing with the BF. The trails were pristine, the snow was light and powdery and there was some crunchy stuff a couple of inches down so it wasn't too hard going. The BF was tired from 6 days of work, so this was a shorter hike at just 90 minutes, but a beautiful day to be outside!
Saturday, February 4, 2012
"Long" Run and February Goals
Today's run was my longest run since July. Eek! Regardless of the fact that it wasn't all that long, it still felt good to go out and do something more than 5 K.
My plan was to run 8K or 50 minutes, whichever came first. I didn't wear my Garmin, but I was running a familiar route and didn't want to worry about pace.
The first couple of kms ticked by and before I knew it, I was half done. I was definitely over-dressed and warm, but I was suprised how good I was feeling at this point, and even more surprised when I looked at my watch at 5K and realized I was keeping a 6:00 min/km pace. I thought I was going much slower! After about the 6K point, my legs started getting tired, and I worked hard not to feel pathetic. I know runs of this distance will get easy again, and will no longer be considered "long" soon enough. I just slowed down, and kept moving, to the next tree, to the next driveway, to the next stop sign, to the end of the song. Before I knew it, I'd passed the 8K point and hit 52 minutes of running.
The run had been on and off of snow so I stretched out my calves really well when I got home, did some push ups to work towards the 100x challenge, and that was that!
This month, I just want more runs like that! I've made a training plan for the 1/2 in May, and I just want to stick to that this month.
Food wise, I have a goal to not repeat any dinners this month. I'm going to keep going with the food journal I started last month (post coming).
Mind-wise, I want to finish my current book and get onto another.
And finally, I just want to keep my work hours in check!
My plan was to run 8K or 50 minutes, whichever came first. I didn't wear my Garmin, but I was running a familiar route and didn't want to worry about pace.
The first couple of kms ticked by and before I knew it, I was half done. I was definitely over-dressed and warm, but I was suprised how good I was feeling at this point, and even more surprised when I looked at my watch at 5K and realized I was keeping a 6:00 min/km pace. I thought I was going much slower! After about the 6K point, my legs started getting tired, and I worked hard not to feel pathetic. I know runs of this distance will get easy again, and will no longer be considered "long" soon enough. I just slowed down, and kept moving, to the next tree, to the next driveway, to the next stop sign, to the end of the song. Before I knew it, I'd passed the 8K point and hit 52 minutes of running.
The run had been on and off of snow so I stretched out my calves really well when I got home, did some push ups to work towards the 100x challenge, and that was that!
This month, I just want more runs like that! I've made a training plan for the 1/2 in May, and I just want to stick to that this month.
Food wise, I have a goal to not repeat any dinners this month. I'm going to keep going with the food journal I started last month (post coming).
Mind-wise, I want to finish my current book and get onto another.
And finally, I just want to keep my work hours in check!
Thursday, February 2, 2012
January Recap
Number of running days: 6
Number of cross training days: 2 (snowshoeing!)
Number of yoga days: 0
Number of days below -35*C/-31*F: 3
Number of days below -20*C/-4*F: 2
Number of days I couldn't get my car out of the driveway due to snow: 2
Number of days I was sick and in bed: 2
Number of planned rest days: 6
Actual rest days: 23 (Did I turn into a sloth?)
Books read: 1
Number of training plans I screwed up because I read the calendar wrong: 1
So, January started off as a great month. I had a 4 day running streak to kick things off, and kept going into the second week, but then - nada.
There were 3 days where I just don't have the gear to run in temperatures that cold, and 2 more days where I could have run, but it would not have been comfortable, and 2 more days where I legitimately could not get out of the door because of snow, and 2 more days where I had my head in the toilet. That leaves 14 days where I could have been doing something, but did nothing. Even on those cold, cold days, I could have put on a DVD, or done some yoga, or something. Lame. I was lame in January.
I was signed up for 4 challenges, and that didn't even give me a kick in the pants. I fell far short of the 100km challenge, with a whopping 28K for the month. I came no where near working out every day (see above), and though I suppose my last few days of the HBBC challenge were a success since all of my running came at the beginning of the month, I stopped tracking points. I even slacked off in the food journal challenge. What the heck!?
Oh ya, and last week I noticed that there are fewer weeks to that half marathon than I thought. Somehow, when putting my training plan on my calendar, I missed 4 weeks. I thought I was building up to training and would get started in mid-February. I guess I'm doing a 12 week training plan instead of 16 weeks. So not only am I lame, and a challenge slacker, I've also lost my ability to do simple math. Poop.
Luckily, I was also working on a few other things this month to keep from feeling like a total failure:
Work/Life Balance
This is one area that I feel better about. I took 2 Fridays off this month and have another one tracked on my calendar to be taken soon to make up for time worked. I also made a hair appointment on a Tuesday morning to make up for a Thursday evening spent working, and ate my lunch away from my desk on several days for a mid-day break (since I wasn't running). This makes me feel better about work in general and I know I need to keep this up.
Mind:
I finished my book - Gold Diggers, by Charlotte Gray. It was a really interesting look at the Klondike Gold Rush told through the stories of 6 real life "characters" who made their way to Dawson City in 1896-98. As Canadians, we are often think our history is boring - but there are some hidden gems in the tales of our past! I finished it on my way home from Whitehorse, and am part way through my next book.
Earth:
I have to admit, I did not walk to the store from home once this month as I'd planned. I did get myself better organized and did not need to make multiple trips out, and when going into town, parked once and then walked to the down town grocery store when I did need extra items, so I feel like this counts!
Running and exercise-wise, I did not do well in January, but I'm not going to dwell on it. I got over the end of my flu yesterday and celebrated Groundhog Day with a run today. Goals for February are coming up!
Number of cross training days: 2 (snowshoeing!)
Number of yoga days: 0
Number of days below -35*C/-31*F: 3
Number of days below -20*C/-4*F: 2
Number of days I couldn't get my car out of the driveway due to snow: 2
Number of days I was sick and in bed: 2
Number of planned rest days: 6
Actual rest days: 23 (Did I turn into a sloth?)
Books read: 1
Number of training plans I screwed up because I read the calendar wrong: 1
So, January started off as a great month. I had a 4 day running streak to kick things off, and kept going into the second week, but then - nada.
There were 3 days where I just don't have the gear to run in temperatures that cold, and 2 more days where I could have run, but it would not have been comfortable, and 2 more days where I legitimately could not get out of the door because of snow, and 2 more days where I had my head in the toilet. That leaves 14 days where I could have been doing something, but did nothing. Even on those cold, cold days, I could have put on a DVD, or done some yoga, or something. Lame. I was lame in January.
I was signed up for 4 challenges, and that didn't even give me a kick in the pants. I fell far short of the 100km challenge, with a whopping 28K for the month. I came no where near working out every day (see above), and though I suppose my last few days of the HBBC challenge were a success since all of my running came at the beginning of the month, I stopped tracking points. I even slacked off in the food journal challenge. What the heck!?
Oh ya, and last week I noticed that there are fewer weeks to that half marathon than I thought. Somehow, when putting my training plan on my calendar, I missed 4 weeks. I thought I was building up to training and would get started in mid-February. I guess I'm doing a 12 week training plan instead of 16 weeks. So not only am I lame, and a challenge slacker, I've also lost my ability to do simple math. Poop.
Luckily, I was also working on a few other things this month to keep from feeling like a total failure:
Work/Life Balance
This is one area that I feel better about. I took 2 Fridays off this month and have another one tracked on my calendar to be taken soon to make up for time worked. I also made a hair appointment on a Tuesday morning to make up for a Thursday evening spent working, and ate my lunch away from my desk on several days for a mid-day break (since I wasn't running). This makes me feel better about work in general and I know I need to keep this up.
Mind:
I finished my book - Gold Diggers, by Charlotte Gray. It was a really interesting look at the Klondike Gold Rush told through the stories of 6 real life "characters" who made their way to Dawson City in 1896-98. As Canadians, we are often think our history is boring - but there are some hidden gems in the tales of our past! I finished it on my way home from Whitehorse, and am part way through my next book.
Earth:
I have to admit, I did not walk to the store from home once this month as I'd planned. I did get myself better organized and did not need to make multiple trips out, and when going into town, parked once and then walked to the down town grocery store when I did need extra items, so I feel like this counts!
Running and exercise-wise, I did not do well in January, but I'm not going to dwell on it. I got over the end of my flu yesterday and celebrated Groundhog Day with a run today. Goals for February are coming up!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Monday Mindset
Is it Monday? It feels like it should be the day after the day after the day after Friday, but not Saturday or Sunday.
That's because I've been working since last Monday, but without a weekend.
Remember when I said that I was going to get more work/life balance this year? Well don't worry - Iplan on working will work 4 day weeks for the next month to make this up to myself.
Despite the workload, I've managed to start the new year right by sticking to my running schedule for the month. It was a balmy -2C in Whitehorse yesterday and I took advantage of a break in my day to head out for a run. It took me some time to find a road with cleared sidewalks, so I was slow at the start and finish as I ran through deeper snow on the snowmobile trails that run along side the main roads here in the winter, but I was able to get out for 7K. I wish I'd taken a photo of the snow covered hills around town - it's beautiful here.
This morning the wind was a little more wicked, and I was not sure if I would have a break while the sun was up (10am - 4:30pm), so I went to the Canada Games Centre for 5K on the treadmill and a good stretch.
This week I want to keep checking those runs off of my schedule and focus on getting to bed at a decent hour. My sleep schedule is still out of whack from the holidays, but I'm getting back on track. :)
That's because I've been working since last Monday, but without a weekend.
Remember when I said that I was going to get more work/life balance this year? Well don't worry - I
Despite the workload, I've managed to start the new year right by sticking to my running schedule for the month. It was a balmy -2C in Whitehorse yesterday and I took advantage of a break in my day to head out for a run. It took me some time to find a road with cleared sidewalks, so I was slow at the start and finish as I ran through deeper snow on the snowmobile trails that run along side the main roads here in the winter, but I was able to get out for 7K. I wish I'd taken a photo of the snow covered hills around town - it's beautiful here.
This morning the wind was a little more wicked, and I was not sure if I would have a break while the sun was up (10am - 4:30pm), so I went to the Canada Games Centre for 5K on the treadmill and a good stretch.
This week I want to keep checking those runs off of my schedule and focus on getting to bed at a decent hour. My sleep schedule is still out of whack from the holidays, but I'm getting back on track. :)
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Food Journal - Week One
In university I took a course called, "Right to Food." For one assignment we had to write down everything we ate for 3 days and calculate all of the nutrients, calories, and costs for each item. It took me forever to get 3 consecutive days that I wasn't completely embarassed to hand in. Cookies for breakfast? Beer for lunch? 3 cans of coke in a day? It really made me think about what I was putting in my body, and what I was getting from it, and I made changes. I cut out pop completely, and it wasn't long after that that I became a vegetarian.
Over the years, some bad habits have crept back in, and it's never more apparent than over the holidays and other busy, stressful times. So with a stressful, busy week of work coming right after the holidays, I welcomed Amanda's suggestion to do a month long food journal in January.
Over the years, some bad habits have crept back in, and it's never more apparent than over the holidays and other busy, stressful times. So with a stressful, busy week of work coming right after the holidays, I welcomed Amanda's suggestion to do a month long food journal in January.
A look back at this week has drawn no surprises when it comes to food. I know that my holiday eating habits went from bad to worse, and this week I was just making my way through the leftovers. I also recorded my daily exercise (30 minutes+, 6 days out of 7), my hours spent working, and my wake up and bed times along with some notes on how I felt at different times throughout the day.
One thing that did surprise me is that I went to bed feeling hungry a couple of nights. I think that knowing that I was writing everything down (and appalled at what I saw on the page for the rest of the day) kept me from snacking on more sweets in the evening. So rather than not going for a bowl of ice cream while watching tv, I just didn't have anything, and then felt hungry. This week I'm going to try some post-dinner fruit to quash the sweet craving and stop the hunger.
Once I got rid of the leftovers in the kitchen, I headed out of town for work, so my food options have been different than normal and my sleep patterns have been wonky. I stay away until Wednesday of next week, so the sleeping thing has to get under control - soon! That is my focus for the coming week.
Monday, January 2, 2012
2012 Race Plan
After they ran out of Gu and water last year at the BMO Vancouver Marathon, and the gong show at bag drop off the year before, I swore I would not run another one of these events.
Well, never say never.
Back in December I was being inundated with emails from about the new course, and....
....I signed up! I know having something to train for keeps me motivated, and this race is good timing for me to work back up from practically no running through the fall, and will give me the base to make a fall marathon possible. Who knows, maybe third times a charm?!
I'm still looking for other races to put in my 2012 schedule, and still deciding if this will be another marathon year (Victoria?/Seattle?/Toronto?/Mississauga?), but so far I'm planning to run:
March 18 - The River Spring Run Off - 10K
May 6 - BMO Vancouver 1/2 Marathon
June 3 (?) - Prince George Family Y 1/2 Marathon
Other than that, I don't have anything planned for sure. If I'm going to run a fall marathon, I'll decide in May. For now, I'll just see how it goes and enjoy building my base back up. With 4 cannotwaittogetoutthedoor runs in 4 days, it's going pretty well so far.
Well, never say never.
Back in December I was being inundated with emails from about the new course, and....
....I signed up! I know having something to train for keeps me motivated, and this race is good timing for me to work back up from practically no running through the fall, and will give me the base to make a fall marathon possible. Who knows, maybe third times a charm?!
I'm still looking for other races to put in my 2012 schedule, and still deciding if this will be another marathon year (Victoria?/Seattle?/Toronto?/Mississauga?), but so far I'm planning to run:
March 18 - The River Spring Run Off - 10K
May 6 - BMO Vancouver 1/2 Marathon
June 3 (?) - Prince George Family Y 1/2 Marathon
Other than that, I don't have anything planned for sure. If I'm going to run a fall marathon, I'll decide in May. For now, I'll just see how it goes and enjoy building my base back up. With 4 cannotwaittogetoutthedoor runs in 4 days, it's going pretty well so far.
Monday Mindset
I'm starting this week feeling motivated and ready to go!
I couldn't wait to get out for my run this morning, and it's great to have that feeling back. In an attempt to keep myself from getting burnt out and unmotivated again, I'm trying to vary my running routes as much as possible, rather than waiting til I get bored to switch things up. I ran an out and back route and on the way out I felt like I could go forever. I'm also trying to prevent injury by not letting myself get too carried away, so I let myself run an extra .5K out and turned my 5K run into 6K. Nothing extreme, but it felt good to do just that little bit extra.
It was 4*C today and a nice treat to run without the bulky mittens and multiple layers and just go out in a long sleeve and run, carefully avoiding the ice that's still on the roads, of course.
I made a month long plan last week, taking into account when I'm travelling, when my workload will be heaviest, and where I want to be by the end of the month so that I can start 1/2 training in February (more on that soon). I got an unplanned run in yesterday, so I'm already ahead of the game!
I couldn't wait to get out for my run this morning, and it's great to have that feeling back. In an attempt to keep myself from getting burnt out and unmotivated again, I'm trying to vary my running routes as much as possible, rather than waiting til I get bored to switch things up. I ran an out and back route and on the way out I felt like I could go forever. I'm also trying to prevent injury by not letting myself get too carried away, so I let myself run an extra .5K out and turned my 5K run into 6K. Nothing extreme, but it felt good to do just that little bit extra.
It was 4*C today and a nice treat to run without the bulky mittens and multiple layers and just go out in a long sleeve and run, carefully avoiding the ice that's still on the roads, of course.
I made a month long plan last week, taking into account when I'm travelling, when my workload will be heaviest, and where I want to be by the end of the month so that I can start 1/2 training in February (more on that soon). I got an unplanned run in yesterday, so I'm already ahead of the game!
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