Wednesday, February 3, 2010

I Did It!!

Last night I ran up to SAIT! Well I probably ran 80% of the way there....on the way I got lost a few times, had a few meltdowns but it was still an amazing run!! Definitely makes me want to go again!! AND I made it all the way up the HUGE hill!! That was my goal for the run and I did it!! The whole trip took me an hour and 10 mins, I probably could have been faster but some parts I needed to walk....this is only day 2 back training! lol When I got to Phil I was completely soaked through my clothes!! That never happens! It felt so good! But I didnt have anything to change into and it was FREEZING cold!! So I stripped down to my pants and sports bra and he gave me his sweater and coat for the ride home! I love that boy! Then he fed the puppies so I could have a 20 min HOT HOT HOT shower to warm up! Did I mention I love him?!?!

Today I had to bump my workouts to Friday since we have a Flames Game right after work. Phil is on his way right now to get me and then we are rushing home to get the pups and taking them to the offleash for a run, then back home to feed them and put them back in their kennels and off to the game we go!

Today at lunch I wanted to go to the running room but I had my first Open Session with IIN at noon so I didnt have time, but I really wanted to get another outfit for winter runnign since I have had to wear the same thing two days in a row now and its too stinky to wear for a third and I dont have time to wash it everynight! Anyways....since it was too far I went to the Winners and Sportschek that are just down the street. I ended up getting a nice warm pair of running pants and an Adidas black long sleeve top, its one of the Olympic ones and has Canada down the side...guess how much!?? I got both for $44!! woohoo! The shirt was only $16!! I cant wait to wear it! I wish we didnt have the game tonight because im raring for a good run!

I stopped at Jugo Juice for lunch and grabbed a sample of the Honey Stingers pomegranate organic energy chews. HOLY YUM!! Those things are amazing!! I need to get some! I am going to grab some on Friday when I finally get out to the running room!! I cant wait! YUMMYUMMM YUMMMMMMY!

Other news, I decided I am going to do the Calgary Half Marathon! I registered this morning. Coincidently I had my running room book with me and the program is for 16 weeks and would technically start on Sunday!  Totally doable! It just means May and June are going to be BUSY! We get back from Mexico from our Honeymoon on the 10th, and go right back to work, the I have a weekend in Canmore with the girls and the 12 k run on the 16th, the next weekend is my try a tri, and the weekend after that is the half marathong. Then Im off to Jasper the next weekend for my Banff Jasper Relay, I have one weekend at home and the next weekend is the Chinook Half!!! Seriously....hope there is no laundry or errands to do! Ill say goodbye to Phil after the honeymoon! Thats all until the Ironman though.....so nothing else until August.

Ok Im off to the game! GO FLAMES GO!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

2010 Race Schedule

I have almost finalized my race plan, so to stay accountable, here it is!

March 6th - Fish Creek XC Race
April 24th - Getting MARRIED!!
May 16th - Rocky Mountain Soap Company 12K
May 23rd - U of C Try a Tri
May 30th - Calgary half marathon
June 4-6th - Banff Jasper Relay
June 19th - Chinook Half Ironman
August 29th - IRONMAN CANADA!!!!

SO I think it should all be good! I need to definitely work on my swimming and running lots. I plan on starting to bike to work as soon as it warms up enough too! I am still deciding on the Calgary half iron, this would be my fourth year doing it and I really enjoy that race. However, we are gone to Mexico from April 25th- March 9th so it just depends how much running time I get in!

Yes, I suck at posting!

I have a problem, I some up with blogs in my head but they never seem to leave my head and make it to the computer! But let me tell you, some are pretty darn entertaining!!

Well just a quick recap.....December was poor as I had swine, I got my training started on the 22nd but then January 2nd I was struck down with what I now know was Bronchitis. After being out for over a week I finally got a puffer and some antibiotics and started feeling human again.....until I pulled my chest and back muscles during a coughing fit....I couldnt even breath or walk with out bursting into tears....not good....long story short...It is now February first and I am finally able to start training. So I missed a full month but its still early enough that its not too big a deal. I am now struggling to get caught up and still taking it easy so I dont get hurt.

This weeks schedule looks like this:
Monday: B 65 mins, R 35mins
Tuesday: S 45 mins, strength
Wednesday: R 20 mins
Thursday: B 55 mins, S 45mins
Friday: S 45 mins, R 30 mins
Saturday B 105 mins

I have been doing really well on the raw vegan diet, however its too restrictive for me to do 100%. So I am going to be vegetarian for sure, hoping to be mostly vegan. I just got a new book called the Thrive Diet. Its by Brendan Brazier and he is a vegan triathlete!! This is almost unheard of!! I cant wait to learn more!

Back to catching up....I finished my diploma course with one day to spare so now I am anxiously waiting for my marks to make sure I passed everything!!! I started my new course with the Institue of Integrative Nutrition yesterday so that is exciting. I had been busy doing all my warmup courses and readings so I was able to start yesterday fully prepared. I also started getting my own business going!! My new company name is Fresh Fusion Wellness. My website is http://www.freshfusionwellness.com/ Check it out!!

Phil is still back in school so money it tight as we are down to just my salary right now. So...we are carpooling! And since I no longer have to lug all my school books around I am now walking the hour and a bit up to SAIT to meet him for my ride home. It actually works out quite perfectly and I figure a little extra exercise cant hurt this girl. I really need to lose weight but instead of doing the tried and true bodybuilding diet that I know works fast, I have been doing it slowly, healthily and I have decided I am ok with not being teeny tiny in my wedding photos. I am really working on self love instead.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Sick....again...

Well, as the title says, im sick again. What is going on??? Everything I am doing to boost my immunity is just NOT working!

So a quick recap, we went out to BC to see Phils family, it was a brutally long drive out there and an even longer one back. We left the puppies in a kennel in Strathmore and missed them so much! I took a 2.5 hour private ski lesson at Apex and made it UP the chair lift (I am terrified of heights) and down a huge run! So proud of myself.  I started feeling ill at Apex and have not  been better since :(

New Years Eve was nice, we just picked up the puppies and spent the night enjoying our little family. We watched movies and both hockey games and I STAYED AWAKE!! Wooohooo!!

On the 2nd we went to a Flames Game. My Dad had given us his tickets and they were AMAZING! In the lower bowl club seats! We were so close to the players and even had our own server! Phil quite enjoyed the experience.

The 3rd was pretty much spent sleeping...I felt like I had been hit by a bus, any amount of standing made me feel like I was going to pass out. Nothing got done but sleep. Oh well....obviously thats what my body needed.

Yesterday was our first day back to real life. Boy was it rough getting back into the swing of things! But the day got better and Phil even picked me up after so I didnt have to worry about the train :) Then I found out I had not one, but THREE parcels delivered!! WOOHOO! It was like Christmas all over at my house!!

The first box was from Integrative Nutrition and was my winter welcome package! AMAZING!! I got raw chocolate, vegan raw chocolate sauce, gluten free dairy free blueberry maple muffin mix, a shopping bag, two books (That were on my xmas wishlist!!) a workout dvd, calendar and so much more!

The next box was full of samples from Amazing Grass. I ordered them and cant wait to try them!! I am actually snacking on the chocolate peanut butter protein bar right now....delish!

The third box was also from Integrative Nutrition and was my textbooks and more gifts! A magnet, bookmark, stress ball in the shape of a heart, two tote bags, a bunch of textbooks, dvds and a hot water bottle!

Seriously! So much stuff! I was so excited!!!!! BEST DAY EVER!! I brought my new calendar to work today, its all mantras and good positive thoughts for everyday of the year.  Today's is "Today I just show up and flow through the day." Wow, that is how I feel today for sure! Unfortunately I missed my first swim lesson last night due to a massive coughing fit, and had no sleep since I was up coughing all night so flowing through the day is just what I need to do today!

I also want to make this year more positive, I know this post doesnt sound like it, but its something I want to work on, so this month I am going to eliminate "I dont want to, didnt want to, and wont" from my vocabulary. I want this year to be of joy and if I make the effort I know Life will match it.

Monday, December 28, 2009

We made it!

Sorry for the delay in postings. Things got pretty crazy! Lets take a look at the last few days:

Thursday - Christmas Eve
Got up at 6:30 and started baking. Lots to make to bring and I had to prep for our own christmas eve dinner. We had butternut squash ravioli with a browned butter sage sauce, vanilla carrot puree, roasted veggies (brusselsprouts, potatos, onion, sweet potatos, celery and carrots), I made Phils polish salad and then some chocolate brownies with white chocolate chips and white chocolate coconut drizzeled on top. YUMMY! We spent the night visiting family and family friends and got home around 8pm to start our own dinner. It was a relaxing night and we both helped cook.

Friday - Christmas Day
We went over to my families for xmas, it was so nice. We have a huge buffet table set up and people just eat all day. So many goodies. We headed home at about 6 and watched my new movie, Julie and Julia (OMG my new favorite) and then snuggled until I fell asleep. Then Phil got in his xbox time hahaha

Saturday - Boxing Day
Money is tight right now as Phil is now laid off and has gone back to school and the wedding is not far away so we skipped the boxing day sales. Instead we cleaned and cleaned and made the whole house and packed for our trip to BC. We had lots of guests come by so that was nice!

Sunday
We woke up bright and early, loaded up the rav and took the puppies to the Kennel. Unfortunately the kennel was an hour east of the city, so then we had to drive back to the city and still had another 8 hour drive to Summerland. I was so happy to get out of that car!! You dont stop as much when the dogs arent there...man my legs are stiff today! We got to summerland in time for dinner. It was nice to see Phils family. We played lots of games and then went to bed at almost 2am.

Which brings us to today...I am the only one up right now, so hopefully people start to stir soon....we are supposed to be headed up to his parents cabin up in Apex today for some skiing, snowshoeing, cross country skiing and tobagganing. My training for the next few days is strictly cross training stuff....should be fun!

Im not sure if we will have internet up there but if I do I will post about our adventures :)

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Last Day of Work!!!

YAY! Its finally here! The last day of work until January! WOOHOO!!

So last night my weight session got cancelled. I was so tired I couldnt form sentences so we just went to bed early...like really early, 8:30! Its ok, that session was optional and I can do it tomorrow as I am off all day.

This morning I was up at 4:30 again to run. It was HARD today...those 30 mins seemed to take forever. I can definitely tell my body is getting more and more tired! Tonight I have an hour swim, it will suck because kids are out of school and its holiday hours so the pool will be crowded!

I have been doing some precourse work and learning alot.
-It doesnt matter what it is I just need something sweet to stop the craving, a peice of fruit works just as good as chocolate....a real revelation for me!
-I have already found two trigger foods I cant have in the house, marshmallows and sprinkles. Its bad! I am making rice crispy squares tomorrow for christmas so whatever is left over after that is being TOSSED OUT! I feel bad about the waste but I cant have it in the house
- I love trying new foods and recipes, so I should do it more! I had a passionfruit last night...OMG! So amazing!

So still having trouble eating meat. I was making Phils ham sandwiches this morning and kept picturing the pigs....eeek....so tonight I am making quesadillas with black beans instead of chicken! You know I just looked at MyPlate and today is a completely vegetarian day! Go me!

For breakfast I decided to try some oats...I really want to like them and they are so nutritious and filling...but I dont! I tried pumpkin oats.....1/2 c oats, 1/2 c water, 1/2 c milk, 1/4 c pumpkin, sweetened with agave nectar and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice and brown sugar.....eewwwwwwwwwwwww!! I had seen a rave review and pictures and thought it sounded so good...maybe oats are just not for me! I will continue to try but I couldnt even choke these down!

OH did I mention I met my goal of drinking water yesterday? I actually drank 3 bottles! WOOHOO! And only had a sip of diet sprite before deciding the aspartame isnt worth it. I am making changes, they are slow, but atleast I am making them!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Im starting to feel it :)

Good morning!

So first my exciting news! My ipod is here!!! Its shiny and red and I have watched so many videos already! I should rephrase that, I have watched so many disturbing videos that I may have to become a vegetarian!! Ignorance is definitely bliss and my happy bubble was popped last night after watching some of the meat videos. I was supposed to bring chicken for lunch and couldnt bring myself to do it....

Last night I had to bike for an hour, it was hard mentally. Physically it was ok, it was just supposed to be an easy spin in the small chain ring, and i think that is why it was tough to stay focused. I tried watching a movie, watching tv, listening to a program, I just couldnt get it.

This morning I was up super early again and went for my 30 min swim. It was so hard! My body is definitely not used to this volume of training! I hopped in and sunk...my legs felt like lead and while swimming laps it felt like I was on a treadmill....going hard but getting no where fast! I finally realized my planned workout was not going to work today so I spent the remaining time working on arm drills. My arms have now been added the growing list of sore muscles! :) AND IT FEELS GREAT! I am so happy to be back at it!

I saw my friend Polly yesterday, she quit her job earlier this year and financially has the ability not to have to work so has instead spent her time working out everyday and changing her diet. She looks AMAZING!! She has lost 21.5lbs and I cant get over how much better she looks! Really makes me feel bad about my weight, there is no excuse...I need to get this weight off! I keep thinking of 20lbs weights and having to carry that extra stuff on every run and swim. Its a health thing now, not just looks. I am going to do it this time.

I am tracking everything in daily plate right now and trying to get a good mix of GOOD carbs (veggies, fruit, whole grains), fats and protein. Todays menu looks like this:

Breakfast - 4:45 am
Mini whole wheat bagel w/ T fat free cream cheese

Morning Snack - 7am
Sugar snap peas, herbal tea, protein shake

Lunch - 11:45am
Going out for Christmas lunch at Vietnamese place. Trying NOT to have bun, maybe a pho soup?

Afternoon Snack - 2pm
2 Turkey bites, Snap peas

Dinner - 5pm
Salad with fat free cesar dressing
Roasted Chickpeas

Evening Snack - 7pm
Pomogranate mmmmmmm

My goal today is also to get ATLEAST two bottles of WATER in (4 cups). Im struggling getting it in and drinking things like diet pepsi and crystal light when thirsty but not water...Today I am going to have a bottle of water with me at all times so I can make a better choice!