Overall, this was a pretty good week. I missed skiing, but the weather has warmed up and the conditions weren't great. Maybe we'll get another bout of winter and I'll get in some more skiing, or maybe we'll have an early spring. As long as winter sticks to the winter months, that's ok. I don't want winter weather in May, thank you very much.
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Group Run - 7.2K on trails
This was not my favourite group run. Our group is pretty small and we all run at a different pace. It was hard to keep together on the trail without a lot of starting and stopping. The trail was too narrow to circle back like we would on the road. Still, I got to check out some trails I had heard existed but never knew exactly where they were.
Wednesday: Morning run - 4.9km
This was a decent morning run. The sun was up before I started and for the first time this year I ran before work without my headlamp. I ran into a friend walking to work and cut this run a bit short to walk and catch up quickly. She told me about a cougar sighting in the area which made me alter my plans for Saturday.
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Rest
I should have done yoga, but just didn't.
Saturday: "Long" run - 8K
I know this isn't really long, but it is my longest run in a year, and Cookie's longest run ever. My legs were feeling like lead after one glass of wine too many at dinner on Friday, but I kept an even pace and finished strong.
Sunday: Snowshoe 1.5 hours
We took the dogs out of town to snowshoe this weekend. We have had a big melt in town, but an hour east and a bit higher in elevation, there was well over a metre of snow and it was still coming down. With each step we sunk a foot. Cookie plowed through with her whole body. After 50 minutes, the BF and the dogs were done, but we had only gone 700 m. I was determined to make it 800 m so that after turning around it would be a mile, so I went on that extra bit around the bend. That was the hardest, slowest mile ever. My quads were shaking! Can you believe people race in snowshoes?!
Running this week: 20.1 km
Cross training: 1.5 hours
Yogaing: nada.
Phone a friend: missed my phone date with Christine. :P
Highlight of the week: sunlight in the morning, taking time to read, giving up ice cream for lent, Songza
Monday, February 25, 2013
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Week in Review: February 11 - 17
This was a good week! I did more skiing and yoga than I did running, but I was active, and that's what counts! It was also a short work week, with BC having our first Family Day on Monday, and that never hurts!
Monday - Ski 15K
You can read about this in my post here.
Tuesday - Morning - 40 minutes of yoga; Evening - Group run 5.8K
This was a slower group run. The past couple of weeks, I've headed out in front of the group and really pushed at the end, but this week, I just didn't have it in me after skiing the day before. It was also just cold enough to be icy in unpredictable sections of the sidewalk/road/trail where we were running so I just ran at a comfortable pace and chatted with some of the other ladies.
Wednesday - 35 minutes of yoga
I got up early to run, but my foot was sore. Ok, it was actually in a fair amount of pain, similar to what I was dealing with last winter. I did yoga instead since I was already up, and packed my ice pack to bring with me to work, which seemed to do the trick.
Thursday - lunch time run 5.2K
I felt great on this run. I ran at a good pace and still felt comfortable. I think running at lunch once a week is going to become part of my routine - just as long as I have a day without any meetings in the afternoon!
Friday - rest
Saturday - Ski 9.2K
I took Cookie with me to the trails this time. There are only 2 loops that you are allowed to bring your dog on. One of them passed through the trail where the elementary school races were happening on Saturday morning. Having visions of Cookie excitedly joining in the race, I opted for the other loop, and went around twice. We only encountered a couple of other skiers, even though it was a beautiful day. It has been so warm this month, I don't know how much longer we will have snow.
Sunday - Walk 1.5 hours
The BF and I took the dogs and a friend's dog for a walk on her property. We go here often and it's just nice to walk around and let the dogs play in the snow. No pictures this week - I left my camera at home. :(
Running this week: 11K
Skiing this week: 24.2K
Time spent yoga-ing: 1 hour 15 minutes :)
Time spent cross training: 4 hours 30 minutes
Phone a friend: Schedules just didn't match up this week. I didn't even get my weekly call with my Grandma - I will make up for this before the end of the month.
Highlights of the week: Keeping up with healthy breakfasts every morning, finishing two books in one week, Valentine's Day, short week
Race on the Horizon: Prince George 1/2 marathon (June 2)
Monday - Ski 15K
You can read about this in my post here.
Tuesday - Morning - 40 minutes of yoga; Evening - Group run 5.8K
This was a slower group run. The past couple of weeks, I've headed out in front of the group and really pushed at the end, but this week, I just didn't have it in me after skiing the day before. It was also just cold enough to be icy in unpredictable sections of the sidewalk/road/trail where we were running so I just ran at a comfortable pace and chatted with some of the other ladies.
Wednesday - 35 minutes of yoga
I got up early to run, but my foot was sore. Ok, it was actually in a fair amount of pain, similar to what I was dealing with last winter. I did yoga instead since I was already up, and packed my ice pack to bring with me to work, which seemed to do the trick.
Thursday - lunch time run 5.2K
I felt great on this run. I ran at a good pace and still felt comfortable. I think running at lunch once a week is going to become part of my routine - just as long as I have a day without any meetings in the afternoon!
Friday - rest
Saturday - Ski 9.2K
I took Cookie with me to the trails this time. There are only 2 loops that you are allowed to bring your dog on. One of them passed through the trail where the elementary school races were happening on Saturday morning. Having visions of Cookie excitedly joining in the race, I opted for the other loop, and went around twice. We only encountered a couple of other skiers, even though it was a beautiful day. It has been so warm this month, I don't know how much longer we will have snow.
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| Cookie and the skis |
Sunday - Walk 1.5 hours
The BF and I took the dogs and a friend's dog for a walk on her property. We go here often and it's just nice to walk around and let the dogs play in the snow. No pictures this week - I left my camera at home. :(
Running this week: 11K
Skiing this week: 24.2K
Time spent yoga-ing: 1 hour 15 minutes :)
Time spent cross training: 4 hours 30 minutes
Phone a friend: Schedules just didn't match up this week. I didn't even get my weekly call with my Grandma - I will make up for this before the end of the month.
Highlights of the week: Keeping up with healthy breakfasts every morning, finishing two books in one week, Valentine's Day, short week
Race on the Horizon: Prince George 1/2 marathon (June 2)
Monday, February 11, 2013
Skiing the Marathon Loop
The Marathon Loop. Sounds a little intimidating, doesn't it? If you look at the loop on a map, it looks a lot longer than the 15K loop, which is the next longest loop at the ski trails. In 4 years with my ski pass, I've never attempted the marathon loop, but this year I wanted to conquer it.
We've had an unseasonably warm February, so on this long weekend, I decided to tackle it while there was still snow on the ground. The BF was working on Monday, and I wanted to spend the day outside. My weekly email from the ski club told me it was freshly groomed, and some research on the website told me that despite appearances on the map, the loop is only 16K (so marathon is a bit of an exaggeration). Still, a 16K ski is significantly longer than what I've been doing. My previous longest ski was 10K, but I really wanted to do it, and Monday was the day.
Before leaving home, I waxed up my skis and said goodbye to Cookie. I felt like a guilty dog mama for leaving her at home, but dogs are only allowed on a couple of trails, and this isn't one of them. I packed my fuel belt that I never wear for running, but turned out to be quite comfortable for skiing. It was -3C when I left the house and I had on two long sleeves plus a jacket, but lost one layer before even setting out.
I was surprised pulling into the parking lot that there were only about a dozen cars. It was such a nice day and a holdiay, but I didn't mind. It was nice to have the trails to myself. Between the second km and the last I didn't see any other skiers.
I had to tie my jacket around my waist and took off my gloves. Around the 7th km, I came to a field and it was open and windy. I'd lost the sun and the jacket went back on. For this section you could tell there had only been one other classic skier and two skate skiers since the trails were groomed that morning. I saw a few moose tracks as well, but none that were fresh since grooming, though I had my eyes peeled across that field.
By kilometer 9, my legs were pretty tired. I had the option of turning to make the route shorter, but I figured I'd come this far and the rest was on familiar trails. I knew I had a couple of big climbs, but some quick downhills that would make things go quickly.
In the end, Garmin said my ski was 15K (I started it a bit late, so I'm rounding up), rather than the 16 indicated on the website. Maybe Garmin couldn't quite keep up as I was zipping down those hills - it certainly has never seen speeds like that when I'm running! Either way, I was glad to be done! I had to sit for a couple of minutes in the car before I drove home to shake out my legs. This was my longest workout in a long time. Even though we will sometimes snowshoe for 2+ hours, we do a lot more starting and stopping and playing with the dogs. On Monday, I only stopped when I adjusted my jacket and every few kms for a sip of Gu Brew. Call me crazy, but it felt good to have tired legs again.
I'm really glad I sucked it up and went out on the marathon loop. There are still a few other trails in the network that I haven't been on yet, and I'm hoping I can get out a few more times before the end of winter. Who knows, this warm spell could be a tease - there may be a lot of winter left yet!
Week In Review: February 4 - 10
I'm a bit late with my weekly wrap up this week, mostly because last week kinda sucked, running wise. And yoga wise. And skiing wise. I really didn't do much. Poop. Here it is, for the record.
Monday - Run 5K
I started the week off well with a Monday morning 5K run. I felt good on this run and did a double loop around the street on the other side of the main road. I felt good on this run and always love starting the week with one run already down.
Tuesday - Group run 7.2 K
Another good group run. I stayed up near the front which meant some extra distance because we doubled back to pick up the slower runners at the back at a couple of intersections. It wasn't a super speedy run overall, but I really pushed at the end and my last kilometer was my fastest in a long time.
Wednesday - Yoga40 minutes 30 minutes 10 minutes
Ugh. This was when things sorta took a turn downhill. I just kept hitting that snooze button. Still, 10 minutes is better than nothing and it was nice to get a good stretch after the run the night before.
Thursday - Nothing.
Friday - Nada.
Saturday - 5K walk
Cookie and I met a friend and her 2 year old for a walk around the riverfront trail. It was a grey day, but not too cold and there were lots of puddles for splashing.
Sunday - 1.5 hour walk in the snow.
We took the dogs for a walk on a friend's property. Several people had been out snowshoeing previously and with no fresh snow in a few days, it was pretty packed down. We left our snowshoes in the truck and just walked in our boots. The trails took us to new areas we hadn't been before, and it was a beautiful day. The dogs loved it! We also saw some wildlife - a little rabbit and a mouse, as well as lots of evidence of moose and more rabbits.
Ok, so maybe this week wasn't a total bust. I started and ended well, with a few not so great days in the middle.
Running this week: 12.1K
Time spent yoga-ing: 10 minutes Boo!
Time spent cross training: 2 hours 30 minutes
Phone a friend: The Lizzaroo (again)
Highlights of the week: Another great run with the group on Tuesday, a healthy smoothie breakfast EVERY DAY, long weekend.
Race on the Horizon: Prince George 1/2 marathon (June 2)
Monday - Run 5K
I started the week off well with a Monday morning 5K run. I felt good on this run and did a double loop around the street on the other side of the main road. I felt good on this run and always love starting the week with one run already down.
Tuesday - Group run 7.2 K
Another good group run. I stayed up near the front which meant some extra distance because we doubled back to pick up the slower runners at the back at a couple of intersections. It wasn't a super speedy run overall, but I really pushed at the end and my last kilometer was my fastest in a long time.
Wednesday - Yoga
Ugh. This was when things sorta took a turn downhill. I just kept hitting that snooze button. Still, 10 minutes is better than nothing and it was nice to get a good stretch after the run the night before.
Thursday - Nothing.
Friday - Nada.
Saturday - 5K walk
Cookie and I met a friend and her 2 year old for a walk around the riverfront trail. It was a grey day, but not too cold and there were lots of puddles for splashing.
Sunday - 1.5 hour walk in the snow.
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| Moose tracks. |
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| Maybe not a great photo, but that big indentation is where a moose lied down for a nap. |
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| Wasscally Wabbits! |
Ok, so maybe this week wasn't a total bust. I started and ended well, with a few not so great days in the middle.
Time spent yoga-ing: 10 minutes Boo!
Time spent cross training: 2 hours 30 minutes
Phone a friend: The Lizzaroo (again)
Highlights of the week: Another great run with the group on Tuesday, a healthy smoothie breakfast EVERY DAY, long weekend.
Race on the Horizon: Prince George 1/2 marathon (June 2)
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Week in Review: January 28 - February 3
This was an ok week. As I mentioned in my last post, I was hitting the snooze button a bit too much this week. Still, I managed to get 5 workouts in, and went for my very first lunch time run this week!
Monday: Rest
This was the first of the snooze button mornings. My legs were tired from snow shoeing the day before, but I could have slogged out a run. I just didn't feel like it. Lame-o.
Tuesday: Group run ~7.8K
Maybe that rest wasn't such a bad thing. This week's group run was the best yet. You know when you have a run and you wish you could feel like that on race day, when you just feel like you're flying with no effort? That was Tuesday's run. It just felt good.
Wednesday: Morning run 5.16K
It's been a while since I ran twice in a 12 hour period, but the strong legs from Tuesday night were still with me on Wednesday morning. I did small loops around my neighbourhood and alternated faster and slower as I rounded each corner. This was my first morning run where I got my legs going fast enough in the snow to hit 5K in less than 30 minutes. Thank goodness!
Thursday:Yoga Rest
Yep, another snooze morning. I thought I might do yoga after work instead, but that didn't happen either. Poop.
Friday:Morning run Lunch time run ~4.3K
I did it again! Shucks. This time, I had a back up plan. On Thursday, I had a meeting in the afternoon that prevented this, but on Friday afternoon, there were only two of us in the office, and no scheduled appointments or meetings. It was the perfect opportunity to try out my very first, lunch time run. I have an hour for lunch, and for this first try at squeezing a run into that hour, wanted to make sure I gave myself lots of time to look normal afterwards so I cut it a bit short at 25 minutes, and walked the last two blocks back to the office to cool down before going in. In the end, I had 10 minutes to spare after getting changed back into office clothes, so next time I know I can do a full 5K run and make it back without worry. Here I am post run - a little pink in the cheeks, but I think I did ok "putting myself back together."
Saturday: X-Country Ski 6.6K
Cookie and I went out to ski. We made a friend in the parking lot. In fact, there were two other women out with their dogs on the same loop and we were all going about the same pace. There was no one else around so the dogs were all off leash and had a great time with each other. Here's little Coo-coo coming back to say hello!
We have had temperatures hovering just above 0C all week, so the conditions weren't great. Part of the loop was well groomed, but the second half was very crusty and I had one pretty bad fall. You know the kind where you don't want to get up right away because you're not sure if it's going to hurt? Luckily, I was ok, and it was still good to get out. The loop took about an hour, with lots of hills and a long climb in the second half.
Sunday Snowshoe - 1:40
It was a warm day, and we went to a different trail this weekend. We've done this trail before but thought it was longer. To be honest, we were only snowshoeing for about an hour, the rest of the time we were throwing snowballs for the dogs! There was a lot of snow. This is the top of a metal gate that closes a road (and the snow was packed down around here from others using the trail):
I love my snowshoes!
Running this week: 17.3K
Time spent yoga-ing: 0 Boo!
Time spent cross training: 2 hours 40 minutes
Phone a friend: The Lizzaroo (again)
Highlights of the week: A great run with the group on Tuesday.
Race on the Horizon: Prince George 1/2 marathon (June 2)
Monday: Rest
This was the first of the snooze button mornings. My legs were tired from snow shoeing the day before, but I could have slogged out a run. I just didn't feel like it. Lame-o.
Tuesday: Group run ~7.8K
Maybe that rest wasn't such a bad thing. This week's group run was the best yet. You know when you have a run and you wish you could feel like that on race day, when you just feel like you're flying with no effort? That was Tuesday's run. It just felt good.
Wednesday: Morning run 5.16K
It's been a while since I ran twice in a 12 hour period, but the strong legs from Tuesday night were still with me on Wednesday morning. I did small loops around my neighbourhood and alternated faster and slower as I rounded each corner. This was my first morning run where I got my legs going fast enough in the snow to hit 5K in less than 30 minutes. Thank goodness!
Thursday:
Yep, another snooze morning. I thought I might do yoga after work instead, but that didn't happen either. Poop.
Friday:
I did it again! Shucks. This time, I had a back up plan. On Thursday, I had a meeting in the afternoon that prevented this, but on Friday afternoon, there were only two of us in the office, and no scheduled appointments or meetings. It was the perfect opportunity to try out my very first, lunch time run. I have an hour for lunch, and for this first try at squeezing a run into that hour, wanted to make sure I gave myself lots of time to look normal afterwards so I cut it a bit short at 25 minutes, and walked the last two blocks back to the office to cool down before going in. In the end, I had 10 minutes to spare after getting changed back into office clothes, so next time I know I can do a full 5K run and make it back without worry. Here I am post run - a little pink in the cheeks, but I think I did ok "putting myself back together."
Saturday: X-Country Ski 6.6K
Cookie and I went out to ski. We made a friend in the parking lot. In fact, there were two other women out with their dogs on the same loop and we were all going about the same pace. There was no one else around so the dogs were all off leash and had a great time with each other. Here's little Coo-coo coming back to say hello!
Sunday Snowshoe - 1:40
It was a warm day, and we went to a different trail this weekend. We've done this trail before but thought it was longer. To be honest, we were only snowshoeing for about an hour, the rest of the time we were throwing snowballs for the dogs! There was a lot of snow. This is the top of a metal gate that closes a road (and the snow was packed down around here from others using the trail):
I love my snowshoes!
Running this week: 17.3K
Time spent yoga-ing: 0 Boo!
Time spent cross training: 2 hours 40 minutes
Phone a friend: The Lizzaroo (again)
Highlights of the week: A great run with the group on Tuesday.
Race on the Horizon: Prince George 1/2 marathon (June 2)
Saturday, February 2, 2013
January In Review
Happy Groundhog Day!
I can't believe January is over already. It flew by for me.
Here are my numbers:
Number of runs: 10
Distance ran: 54.42K (33.8 miles)
Time spent running: 5:35
Number of ski outings: 4
Distance skied: 30K (18.6 miles)
Time spent skiing: ???
# of Snowshoe Adventures: 2
Time spent snowshoeing: 3:50
Days of yoga: 5
Time spent yoga-ing: 2:20
Number of rest days: 11 - I would like to have 8 or fewer rest days in February.
In my old job, I worked with youth in a 6 month or 9 month program that involved rotating to a different community every 3 months, as a group of 11 youth from across Canada. In the middle of each 3 month rotation, I would meet with them to reflect on their progress, their dynamics, their challenges and obstacles and their successes. Each time, I would do a brainstorming activity with them and post it as a stop light to answer: What does the group need to stop doing? What is the group good at that it should continue to do? What does the group need to start doing to get even better. This year, I'm going to ask myself those same questions at the end of each month:
Regarding exercise, I feel: Good about where I'm at with running and my new routine with my new job. I'm aiming to be active 5-6 days each week, and generally succeeding 4-5 days. Towards the end of the month, I really started hitting the snooze button more in the mornings, especially on mornings I planned to do yoga. I really like doing yoga before work, so I'm going to work on this in February. At least once a week, I will get up to do at least 30 minutes of yoga before work. I know I can make this easier for myself by having my yoga gear laid out the night before, just like I do for running.
Regarding food, I feel: That I could be doing better. I got off to a great start with my new job, getting a healthy lunch ready the night before, making yummy smoothies for breakfast, packing healthy snacks, and planning ahead for nutritious dinners, but this definitely fizzled towards the end of this month. I've never been much of a breakfast person, but I do like a good smoothie when I get myself organized enough to have everything on hand. My goal in February is to have a healthy breakfast, including fruit and protein, at home EVERY DAY. No Timmies stops on the way to work. I'll track my breakfasts in my blog weekly updates to stay accountable.
Regarding sleep, I feel: Great! I have always been a night owl and have suffered from insomnia off and on my whole life, but starting this summer, I started giving myself a strict 10 pm bedtime. This started when I wasn't working, but I knew if I stayed up late, and then slept in all day, I would end up feeling like a complete waste of space and a giant mess. I tried to have a schedule as if I had a job, even when I didn't have one to go to. I should do a whole post about that, because I really think it helped me to keep my spirits up. Anyway, I've continued with the 10 pm bed time, and with this better sleep schedule, I'm getting a better night's sleep more often. If I'm in bed by 10, there's no reason not to be up when the alarm goes off at 6!
In general, I feel: Good. I have been sticking to my plan to connect with at least one old friend each week. I have a long list of others that I need to line up a phone date with, so this could go on for a while! In February, I want to make more time for reading. I've got a good book on the go, and another waiting to start that I got for Christmas.
Here's my plan for February:
Run 3x a week, build each week to run 10K by the end of the month
Ski 1x a week, ski the 15K loop at least once this month
Snowshoe 1x a week
30 minutes + of yoga, 1x a week
1 hour reading, every week
I can't believe January is over already. It flew by for me.
Here are my numbers:
Number of runs: 10
Distance ran: 54.42K (33.8 miles)
Time spent running: 5:35
Number of ski outings: 4
Distance skied: 30K (18.6 miles)
Time spent skiing: ???
# of Snowshoe Adventures: 2
Time spent snowshoeing: 3:50
Days of yoga: 5
Time spent yoga-ing: 2:20
Number of rest days: 11 - I would like to have 8 or fewer rest days in February.
In my old job, I worked with youth in a 6 month or 9 month program that involved rotating to a different community every 3 months, as a group of 11 youth from across Canada. In the middle of each 3 month rotation, I would meet with them to reflect on their progress, their dynamics, their challenges and obstacles and their successes. Each time, I would do a brainstorming activity with them and post it as a stop light to answer: What does the group need to stop doing? What is the group good at that it should continue to do? What does the group need to start doing to get even better. This year, I'm going to ask myself those same questions at the end of each month:
Regarding exercise, I feel: Good about where I'm at with running and my new routine with my new job. I'm aiming to be active 5-6 days each week, and generally succeeding 4-5 days. Towards the end of the month, I really started hitting the snooze button more in the mornings, especially on mornings I planned to do yoga. I really like doing yoga before work, so I'm going to work on this in February. At least once a week, I will get up to do at least 30 minutes of yoga before work. I know I can make this easier for myself by having my yoga gear laid out the night before, just like I do for running.
Regarding food, I feel: That I could be doing better. I got off to a great start with my new job, getting a healthy lunch ready the night before, making yummy smoothies for breakfast, packing healthy snacks, and planning ahead for nutritious dinners, but this definitely fizzled towards the end of this month. I've never been much of a breakfast person, but I do like a good smoothie when I get myself organized enough to have everything on hand. My goal in February is to have a healthy breakfast, including fruit and protein, at home EVERY DAY. No Timmies stops on the way to work. I'll track my breakfasts in my blog weekly updates to stay accountable.
Regarding sleep, I feel: Great! I have always been a night owl and have suffered from insomnia off and on my whole life, but starting this summer, I started giving myself a strict 10 pm bedtime. This started when I wasn't working, but I knew if I stayed up late, and then slept in all day, I would end up feeling like a complete waste of space and a giant mess. I tried to have a schedule as if I had a job, even when I didn't have one to go to. I should do a whole post about that, because I really think it helped me to keep my spirits up. Anyway, I've continued with the 10 pm bed time, and with this better sleep schedule, I'm getting a better night's sleep more often. If I'm in bed by 10, there's no reason not to be up when the alarm goes off at 6!
In general, I feel: Good. I have been sticking to my plan to connect with at least one old friend each week. I have a long list of others that I need to line up a phone date with, so this could go on for a while! In February, I want to make more time for reading. I've got a good book on the go, and another waiting to start that I got for Christmas.
Here's my plan for February:
Run 3x a week, build each week to run 10K by the end of the month
Ski 1x a week, ski the 15K loop at least once this month
Snowshoe 1x a week
30 minutes + of yoga, 1x a week
1 hour reading, every week
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