Saturday

I did not last long without deep fried goodness...majority ruled on Friday, as we ordered a platter that had wings and S&P dry ribs...of course, I didn't have to eat them, but they were good. Not totally worth the severly swollen feet I had by the time I got home (was a tad on the salty side) but I increased the water intake and walked today, so all is much better. That's the great thing about days...mess one up, there's another one coming along to take a crack at. At least I am journalling all of it.

Before coffee with the girls, we did get in a nice 3+ km walk - weather wasn't too bad: Calgary woke up to a light blanket of snow, so the path was a little slicker than we would like, and the wind had a bit of a bite to it. But all in all, a nice day. Then coffee, some breakfast (1/2 c oatmeal, 1 apple diced, 1/3 c all bran, 3/4 c vanilla/apple activia yogurt combined, 1 tbsp pecan pieces) and then H. and I went and bravely fought the Saturday mall crowds. After burning many calories fighting the crowds at Wal-mart and Home Depot, we sought sustinence at Open Sesame. After a stir-fry of wheat noodles, chicken, shrimp, brocolli, peppers, suey choy, bean sprouts, celery, baby corn and mushrooms in a Thai Coconut curry sauce, I did indulge in my absolute favourite - coconut ice cream wrapped around mango sorbet...OMG!!!!

Home, an attempt at a nap on the couch, and then a very healthy dinner of ww pasta, tomatoes, roasted red peppers (packed in water) and artichokes (also packed in water), and a grilled Tuscan chicken breast, I'm ready to head out to the movies and not be tempted by popcorn or chocolate...I think. I will be good, as I have 16k to push out tomorrow and I want to finish in a better time than last week's of 2:31.

Very sedate...

Maybe it was the 8k run at lunch (had a small fight with my Garmin, but we're getting along again), or the escargot in garlic butter and mushroom caps, the perfectly rare grilled tuna, rice pilaf, fresh aspargus and parmesan tomato or the light and delicate creme brulee...or the 2 Bombay Blue dirty martinis!! Not sure what, but I am sleepy now!!! I don't see any trouble going to bed before 10 tonight!

I allowed some indulgement (the escargot, which I have always loved at the Keg, and which I haven't had in probably 10 years) and some healthy choices (the tuna and pilaf...even the creme brulee was light and not too filling)...and I capped the night off by walking home from the restaurant (it's close by work, which I walk to and from every day) and besides the crazy street person singing in a dog voice, it was a lovely walk home. It's still +6, and the wind died down and it's just perfect outside.

Now I am going to flop on my couch and try to keep my eyes open through Hell's Kitchen.

Good day all around

It started after a decent night's sleep...still not quite making it to bed by 10, but it is getting earlier...I'm working on it. Had a good run at lunch - even with the headwind (at least it was much warmer today), I managed to do just under 8k (my map data says it's 8, but my Garmin says it's 7.56...not sure which one is right, as the Garmin always loses the signal when I cross under the Crowchild bridge) in 57 minutes, maintaining a good feeling pace the whole way, stopping to walk/rest only 4 times the whole loop. Lunch was quick, but good (ww pasta, tossed with evoo, a diced tomato and parm cheese, with a salad) and I finished the evening with shrimp salad rolls and chicken satay noodle soup! Our usual weigh-in night had to be moved up one day, as I have a dinner to go to tomorrow night to celebrate our Halloween victory. Check out Youtube "Accounting Zombies dance Thriller at Shaw Court Halloween" (I'm the doctor zombie on the far end) for a chuckle or two. So weighed in at Weight Watchers and happily am down another 2.2...really want to make it to my goal weight this year. I am a bit of a slow (albeit stubborn) learner, but I've been doing this for a very, very, very, very long time, and I want to go for free!

So our dinner tomorrow is at the Keg (a steakhouse, for those that don't know) and wanting to go in prepared, I checked out their menu & nutritional info online. Yikes...I am in for some scary choices. Granted, I'll probably have the Ahi Tuna with Rice Pilaf (no info on the tuna, but the pilaf looked all right at 9 pts), but one of the starters (crab parm dip) was a whopping 27 pts!!! Guess I won't be having that. Not sure what (if) I'll have a starter or a dessert, but I will partake in a glass or two of wine or Guinness (only if on tap), but what ever I end up doing, I will make sure that I actually enjoy the company and the night, and not focus on the food. I'll let you know how it goes.

Goodbye to deep fried goodness...

Till Vancouver, any way. After a rather unenthusiastic run on Sunday (sweet potato and regular fries Saturday night) and a very poor performance at lunch today (again...sweet potato fries last night), I determined that I must forego the deep fried goodness until after the marathon.

I'll blame Sunday's slow pace on the cold, but today...I had nothin'! Even with 80k winds at my back (wind warning in Calgary - almost knocked my over at one point, and I'm not a delicate little flower!), I couldn't get going today. Ended up walking about 4k (was to run 6), with the intention of getting it together tonight to reclaim the pathway tomorrow. So really...all I have to do is pass up chips, fries, battered, coated, breaded and other assorted temptations until the afternoon of May 3rd. I've done it before...last year I avoided all fried food for about 3-4 months. Don't even know why I went back - oh, that's right...IT'S SO GOOD!!! But what's more important to me right now? A plate of fries or finishing the marathon, upright and smiling and in what I hope will be a decent time for a first-timer.

Made my lunch/supper in the slow-cooker last night. Threw a can of diced tomatoes, chicken broth, some chick peas, lentils, celery, onion, carrots and assorted spices in the pot before I went to bed and let it simmer all night (man, the place sure smelled good at 3 am), and after I took some out for lunch, I added a bison sausage and another can of tomatoes to stew for the day. It was a lovely dinner, and a nice way to round out the day. Just going to tidy up and hit the sack, taking one of my new running nutrition books in to read for awhile...let's figure out what I've been missing all this time.

Long and slow run day

Slept in a bit this morning...my usual running partner H. had to work, so I was left alone to run the 16k LSD (long, slow distance) today. As I am NOT a morning person, I was more than happy to sleep in a bit and aim to start my run at 10. Okay, 11. Temp said -17C with a windchill of -25. Oh boy...just the way I like it!! Let the layering begin...

double layer, winter weight socks
boy shorts for running (they wick the moisture away - where to, no one really knows...)
nylon long johns
winter weight running pants
nylon second skin top (that's all I can call it...it is skin tight and covers me from my neck to my bottom)
long sleeve running top
nylon heavier weight jacket
outer shell
neck band (I can't wear a balaclava - hate things covering my mouth)
nylon moisture wicking head band
running toque
winter gloves.

Now I am over heated and exhausted, and I haven't even left my home!!!! Got down to Eau Claire (my starting point) and after a quick brekkie of 1 bagel with light cream cheese and raspberry jam and a half a latte (dang it...ran out of milk this morning) I was off. It was COLD in the shade and that didn't help my mood or motivation until I finally found some sunshine. At least when it is this cold in Calgary, the sun shines brightly. I think it's to trick us into going outside, but it works. Once I hit some sun, I did move a little faster, but my long slow was long and sssslllloooowwwww...I did stick to 10:1 (run 10 minutes, walk 1) which is good, because the last time I did that was Melissa's 22k in September! Ran along the south side of the Bow until Crowchild, crossed over and ran west until I hit the 8k mark (where Home Road meets the Bow River, in Bowness), turned around and sticking to the north (and sunny) side of the river, finished the 16k in 2:31. Not my best pace ever, but the second 8 went way better then the first. Stopped into the Running Room when I got back to Eau Claire and stocked up on some running goo. I definitely need it for the energy...that and don't have venison chili the night before a long run! It was delicious, but did not give me any energy this morning!

Am down in weight though, which I am also very happy about. Man...stick to program and it works. I hate it when all the experts are right!

Happy Sunday!

What the ?!?!?!

I've lived in Calgary my whole 45 years, so this shouldn't really surprise me, but a 17+ degree difference from one day to the next is a tad hard to take...especially when that 17 degrees includes a wind chill of -29!!!! Still, it was a run day, so off I went to do 8k, of course, a little more bundled up then for yesterday's gorgeous run. At least I didn't have to worry about fighting for space on the path. Nothing like a quick return to winter to chase everyone back into the gyms! There was me, Mike, the Gord's Running group (Snobby McSnobbersons, all of them) and a couple of other hardy souls out there, but we were few and far between. Did get to see a bald eagle searching the snow & river for some dinner (nature rocks!), and I really do love it when it snows softly and you hear the scrunch under your runners, and it's just you and the path. Okay...did I mention -29 windchill straight out of the East?! Not the most pleasant of runs, and I petered out at about the 4k mark, but I refused to give up. So while I walked the last 4, I did pretend my very fast friend H. was walking beside me, and that helped me stay within my time frame for this course, finishing at 66 minutes (64 last week, and 57 yesterday), so not too shabby.

Weigh-in tonight was a good one - love our leader and the group on Thursday night...we're all opinionated and none of us are afraid to speak up. Always walk out of there laughing, smiling and having learned something new. And of course, it's Thursday, so lost ourselves in a big bowl of chicken satay noodle soup with extra vegetables...mmmm, mmmm, good!

Came home from that, and decided to get just a little bit more exercise in for the day (over and above the walk to and from work and the run) and shovelled my sidewalks. Luckily it only takes about 30 minutes, and now I get to sleep in (skies were very clear above). Yay.

Going to bed now...really, I swear I will this time. Honest...lights out. Really, I'm not lying...really.
:)

Awesome Run, Part Deux

I had a decision to make. My training for today stated a 10k tempo run, but since I run at work and run slow (for now!), there's no way I can push out 10 over the lunch hour. So, I can:
a) get up really early, head to the office and run 10k before work
b) get up a wee bit earlier and do 5k, then the balance at lunch
c) run 5 at lunch and the balance after work
d) split the difference and run 8.

I went with d. It was another beautiful day (+1 when we started, but warmer by the time we were done (river shots to the east and west - will try to get better shots for markers) (bridge is 10th Street to the West and the bend goes to the East). Funny though...had a coworker decide to run with me, and after reaching the usual end point asked if she could join me for the full 8k...I don't care, but I also don't chatter the whole way (concentrating on breathing, quite frankly) and she is a faster runner than I am. In fact, when I walked across the Crowchild pedistrian bridge (past the 3k mark and a good spot for a quick rest), she asked if she could run ahead...again, don't care! That was the last I saw her though, till I returned to the office. I did take almost 7 minutes off my pace from just 6 days ago, which I am very happy with.











Came home and then had to run out to Purolater (Garmin heart monitor...this should be fun) and then FedEx (Epicure pick up) up by the airport before they both close, so by the time I got home I was famished! But I did a good job - chicken noodle soup. 1 deli roasted chicken breast (I buy them 3 or 4 at a time and keep them in the freezer), 1 celery stalk, 2 small carrots, egg (yolk free) noodles and 2 c Epicure chicken broth. It was fast, delicious and roughly 8 points for the whole thing!


Again, trying to get to bed early tonight (and for once, I mean it...I am bagged) so signing off. Till tomorrow...keep eating healthy and moving more. That's all we can do.

What an awesome run!

Man...talk about a beautiful day for a run. Temp was listed as zero (32 for you in south of the border - and way to throw a party, BTW!) but it was at least 6 or 7 in the sun. I felt good going in, and even managed to shave a full half minute off my average pace to date. I can only get faster! New motto: I know I run like a girl...try to keep up!

Lunch was great - made quick chicken tortillini (sp) soup: 1 can diced tomatoes and juice, 1 c chicken boullion (Epicure Selections), 1 celery stalk, 1 med carrot and some onion, diced and sauteed in 1 tsp evoo, 1/2 dozen dried Shitake mushrooms, rehydrated and sliced, and 1 c home-made (farmer's market) chicken shitake tortillini. Some spices (garlic, basil, etc) and I had a very large bowl of schtoup (not stew, not soup) for lunch for roughly 6 points. Sorry, no pics. I left my camera at home. Dinner was less inspired. After donating blood (total time there 1.5 hrs...total time bleeding...4 minutes! But it's in me to give, right?!), I was hungry but in a hurry, so it was turkey meatballs and roasted potatoes with low sodium gravy. I vegged out at lunch and with snack, so could get away with it at dinner. Besides, being down a pint is the same as losing a pound, isn't it?? Right???? LOL...

Need to try and get my full 10k in tomorrow, but I do have to go to FedEx (at the airport) before they close, so it may only be 5 - or if I get really inspired I'll churn out 8. I'll decide tomorrow upon waking up. Speaking of: if I'm going to get into the habit of going to bed early, I must shut down now.

Ta...

Monday night

My right shoulder is doing much better today...however, my left shoulder is now misbehavin! It's not as bad as the right was though, so we'll keep up the regimen of Advil and Glucosomine (sp) and do some light stretching.

Walked at lunch, as even though I didn't run yesterday, I still treated today like an off day. But managed to walk almost 5k, at a pretty steady clip. and it was a beautiful day here in Calgary (sorry East Coast...) at a balmy +9 (about 49 for you south of the border) with the sun shining. Had a new walker join us today, so not sure if she slowed us down, or we slowed down for her. Almost have cleaned up the 'exercise space' in my bedroom, and found a DVD with both pilates (which I like) and yoga (which I don't), which I will aim to do 3 times a week. Offset that with some basic weights (build those bones!), and the running, and I will be a lean, mean running machine by summer.

I am in awe of a Calgary woman who is attempting to run 7 ultra-marathons, in 7 countries in 7 months, setting a world record for being the first female to do so, all the while trying to raise money for blindness research, something her oldest child suffers from. If she can get out and train every day, in order to run 50 to 100+ miles in one race, surely to goodness I can get my sorry butt off my couch to train for mine! Go to http://www.normabastidas.com/ for more information.

Weigh-in...du-du-du...

And the verdict is...too much good food yesterday (on the salty side) but overall a good week, because we ran or walked every day we were scheduled to, and for the most part stayed within points (6 over the weekly flex points). What does that mean?? A gain of 2 over last week. Not great scale wise, but now I know what I need to do this week. Did not run today because of the sore shoulder, but I'll get out there tomorrow for a good power walk (if I don't end up running) and back on schedule. I will not beat myself up about this.

Owww

I have what my doctor likes to call "travelling tendanitis (sp)"...I think it's the beginning of arthritis and it likes to move from my wrists one day, to my shoulder the next, and I never seem to know why or when it's going to strike. Late last night, it was my right shoulder. I have some mobility, but the constant hum of pain from the joint is quite outstanding! Especially since I tend to sleep on my right side. I did not get a lot of sleep over night. It feels like it's been dislocated, which is weird, but it too shall pass. The long and short of it is, despite a round of Advil before bed, and more at 5 am, I did not make it up at 7 to go for a 13k run with H. I'm still waking up now (9:30), so hope to get actually moving soon and then will try for a shorter run later this afternoon. In the meantime, there is some serious need for caffeine in my immediate future!

Saturday mornings

There's a small core group of us, who are the Penny Lane Saturday meeting orphans, who still get together for coffee. Granted, it's at 9 am (I'm never going to get to sleep in again...ever...) and you all know by now how I feel about mornings. However, it's also supposed to be a training day, so we now walk first. Today started out brisk - H. bailed (jammies were comfy!) but E. and C. and I met up and headed out. Passed a very friendly group of runners, which was a treat, and managed to get in a nice 3.4km walk. So it's a tad shy of the 6km run, but I'm also walking later this evening, so will add that to my totals. I'm out and blood is flowing. Now it's nap time!

Later!

Ah...noodles...

Thursdays are an awesome day of the week. Okay, so it's my Weight Watchers weigh in night, which took some getting used to after weighing in on Saturday mornings for so long (shut down our meeting on Saturdays, and could not find a great replacement leader at another locale, so I went back to my original day, time and leader - who is outstanding!!), so that part may strike fear into some hearts. But, most importantly (okay, okay...weight watchers is important too!) is NOODLES at the best Vietnamese place in town. #4 and #28, extra veggies...standard order. Myself, Miss H and Miss B all enjoy our usuals, and the fact that everyone in the place knows us. So what is #4 and #28?? Shrimp Salad rolls (OMG...best EVER!) and Chicken Satay noodle soup, with extra vegs (they throw in brocolli, cauliflower, celery, carrots...all fresh). The broth for this soup is to die for...on a cold Calgary night, it is heaven in a bowl. I am full, but it's a gooooood full! I count each salad roll as 1, and 9 for the soup, and it's such a habit, the rest of my day's meals are worked around it. I am not giving up noodles for no one!

Training continues to go well...I have Oprah's time fixated on the brain, and while I didn't break any speed records today, my 8km average pace was an improvement over my others this week and last. I can only get faster. Beautiful day for a run as well, as the temps hit +7 by lunchtime, the paths were mainly clear (some snow and icy spots, where the shade still was), but the sun was shining and there were even boys in shorts to help improve on the scenery! The Bow River pathway system is right on the river, which looks like a lunar landscape with the ice flows and open water, and at times is far enough from the major roadways that it seems you are out running in the mountains...at least that's what I think as I continue to place one foot in front of the other.

Hump Day

I really am a good cook! Having eaten a few too many points today at lunch (1/2 frittata (5 pts), cottage cheese, whole wheat pita and salad), I decided that some zero point soup would be in order, and then I remembered I had lentils. Mmmm...lemony Lentil soup. So, base of carrot, celery, onion and garlic...saute, add 1 tin diced tomatoes with juice, 2 c chicken broth (Epicure Selections (which I sell) new low sodium Chicken Boullion is awesome and all natural), 1/2 c rinsed lentils, zest and juice of one lemon, cumin, Harissa (North African spice blend) and spinach. Oh mama!!!! I at least took a pic of it before I ate it all up!!!

Ran 5k in the snow today...flurries my butt!!! I was supposed to do 10, but since I was up and swept the walks before work, knowing I was coming home to shovel them again after work, I decided 5 was just fine for today. Besides, just trying to keep upright on the slick paths added to the run. Too bad the Garmin doesn't count those extra calories. But today's workout: sweep snow from 50'+ of sidewalks, run 5 k (43 minutes) and then shovel said 50' of sidewalk. Worked the legs, got in cardio and worked the core. I am done for the day!

I am a good cook!

And I wonder why I joined Weight Watchers!! All kidding aside, I had an awesome fry up of red onion, garlic, Greek oregano, grape tomatoes, roasted red peppers, squid rings, lemon and EVOO, all tossed with wilted spinach and orzo pasta. Top it with light feta and we have ourselves a winner!!! I would have taken a picure of it, but it was too darn tasty to let sit.

Marathon training is going well...just figured out the pace I have to acheive in order to beat Oprah's time of 4:29. I do need to work on my speed and cut it down a minute (or two) but I have 17 weeks and counting! Had another fight with my Garmin today (dang bezel...should have got the 305, not the 405) but am slowly starting to figure out the bugs...I need it and I to get along well on race day!

Belly is full and eyes are sleepy...time to start winding down.

Starting is Easy...Finishing is Hard.

Saw that sign besides someone's desk today, and like it! It's always easy to start a Monday, fresh 'tude and all. The key is figuring out how to keep that 'tude going for the whole week and into the next.

Side note...why do the makers of Cheerios feel that they need to dub over the accents of the couple in the Multigrain Cheerios commercial on American channels??? Intriguing.

It was a rest day today, as far as marathon training goes, so decided to go for leisurely walk at lunch...which turned into over 4K at a rather brisk clip...so much for resting! But I also realize that the alternative for me is that when I don't push myself to go out...the walk becomes a wander, usually to the nearest food court and THAT just turns into bad choices. Walking it is.

Had a fabulous dinner of lean steak, peppers, whole wheat tortilla, fresh salsa, guac and low fat sour cream. Round it out with brown spanish rice, and I am full! Not in pain...full just right.

Time to start winding down. I realize that I do not get enough sleep so that is my focus this week. Did well with last week's (pack lunchs & train every day I was scheduled to) so this week is to be in bed, lights out by 10pm. I know for some of you that sounds way too late, but I am a night owl, who truly hates mornings, so this is indeed a challenge for myself. I start to 'perk up' about 9:30 and next thing I know it, it's midnight and I'm looking at another 6 or so hours sleep.

So, that being said, nighty-night...and remember...starting is easy, finishing is hard.

Lazy Sundays

I used to sleep Sundays...maybe go for brunch somewhere...do laundry. All in all, a rather lazy day, in preparation for the work week ahead. Now I am up most mornings before 8, and running. Don't know when that happened, but it has. Take today for example: I, a actively single woman in a large city, was in bed (alone, thank you very much!) by 10 pm on a Saturday, knowing the alarm was going off at 7, so I could get up, get dressed and go for a quiet 10k run. And I did...the day started cool, but the glorious Chinook blew in at about the 3k mark, and the sun was shining, birds singing, etc. It was a beautiful day for a run. Now if only we could get some of the Snobby McSnobbersons out there to actually greet you with a good morning, it would be even better. H's and my usual route cuts through some rather pricey real estate in Calgary, and everyone, and I mean everyone, says morning, how are you, good run, looking good, etc. Run the Bow River pathway, and you wonder if you've somehow stumbled into some great race, like Boston or some such. It's still Calgary, it's still the morning and we are known for being polite...so start, dang it!!!! Hey, I've come out without coffee, and anyone who knows me well knows that's a scary prospect. Yet I can smile and wave a cheery morning to people as we pass...and again everyone, the pathway is a good 5-6' in width. If you cannot possibly pass me without pushing me into the snowbanks, there's something wrong with us all. Granted, I am in the Biggest Loser Edition 2, but my butt isn't THAT wide!!!!! Did get to see a cute little Boston Terrier this morning, so that makes up for everything. It's all about perspective.

So, run 10k, a trip to the Farmer's market for fresh veggies, a fantastically strong quad latte and the best moussaka you will ever taste, and home to try and do some laundry and enjoy a lazy Sunday afternoon. At least part of the day can be spent being lazy.

:)

Saturday afternoon...

I hate mornings...I think they should be banned the world over. I have enough trouble waking up to go to work every day (come on, Lottery Gods!) yet alone getting up on the weekends. I used to sleep in...I used to love sleeping in. Now I am up, usually at the same time that I am up during the week. So let's compare: sleep in = lazy day or Get up = go for a 6+km walk, meet the girls for coffee, have great laughs and share ideas, then pick up a package at the post office, then go meet a different group of girls for lunch, more laughing, no guilt about the fries I had due to earlier walk, and home. And it's still afternoon...and I can always have a nap!! Okay...so maybe this whole getting up thing isn't so bad. Of course, this is after 10 shots of espresso in me!!!

Breakfast consisted of yogurt, oatmeal, All Bran and peaches, with said espresso and milk. Add nice long walk in there, and lunch was a reasonable whole wheat ciabatta with roast chicken, brie, figs and apple. YUMMY!!!! A little high in points, but that's the whole point behind Weight Watchers, isn't it? Eat what you want, but be responsible for your choices. I know someone that signed up for Dr. Berstein's, and burns more calories discussing what they CAN'T have to eat and taking all the pills to replace said nutrients. I'm accepting my weight loss journay the way I run...slow but steady. I always get to the finish line, upright and smiling, and that's how I want to get to the end of this phase of my life as well.

Well, my couch is calling me...

My day...

Okay, I keep saying I'm going to bed early to get lots of sleep, and here I sit at 11:21pm, jotting in the blog. Oh well, I can work on the sleep thing next week.

By the way...Weight Watchers works when you follow program. I know...shocking. I think the whole key is following program. Investing yourself 100% and following program. I committed to running as per my marathon training schedule this week (25.6km so far since Sunday), as well as making and taking breakfast and lunch to work. I stuck with healthy dinners as well, journalled everything, and lo and behold I lost 2.2 pounds this week!! Who would have thunk it?? Somehow I mentally checked out of WW, while continuing to go each and every week, weighing in each and every week, just as I have done for 10+ years now. I am AWESOME at maintaining my weight. Now I need to focus on actually reaching goal! So, 2.2 down, several more to go. I will not fixate on the total number, but little goals along the way. This was a good week.

Ran today, and luckily managed to miss the storm by about 5 minutes! However, the "snog" from yesterday still left the pathways very slick, so in addition to a great butt workout, my time was a little off today. Legs felt like lead, but that has to do with the sleeping thing...see above! The other day I beaked off about those who take up the pathway, meandering along down the middle and refusing to move over for those trying to pass. Today, it's the other end of the spectrum...those runners who think they are trying out for the International Olympic Team of Most Awesome Runners Ever and rudely push their way past. One guy left about 1 mm between me and him, and I was as far over to the right as I could without actually going for a swim in the river!! Look dude, I get it...you're fast...you're in fantastic shape...you're a true runner...doesn't mean you have to be a total ass. There are many runners out there who are actually very nice people. You should try to be one of them!

Okay...it's now 11:29...I'm going. Lights are being shut off even as we type.
'Night.

Lunch time runs

First off, let me congratulate everyone who was out on the pathways today at lunch. Good for you for getting outside and getting the blood pumping. Now, if only you would all learn some simple path ettiquette! SLOWER TRAFFIC TO THE RIGHT! It's a simple rule that no one seems to know or how to follow. It's lovely that you are all out with your groups and the office gossip is awesome, however, when you hear someone coming up behind you, form a single file, so that we can pass you. Don't spread out further, because you don't want to get snow on your new Christmas boots or what have you!! Argh!!!

But managed to get in 6K today. Brief argument with the Garmin, again, but this too shall pass. Good thing I discovered the outstanding instructional videos on the Garmin website, so hopefully there's something about how to maintain data from two runs on the same day (don't ask). The guy in the video is kind of cute, which doesn't hurt!

There's nothing you can't accomplish now as long as you can visualize it clearly. So what's the hold up? Start picturing exactly how you'd like your life to be. Your only boundary is the reach of your imagination. Meditate,dream and fantasize.

Fittingly enough, my (and all Pisces' out there) horoscope for today. It's absolutely right...my only limitations for everything I try is me. Period.

Took a walk today at lunch. Decided to honour the "rest day" in the running schedule, but still needed the fresh air. So it was a nice little walk (tried not to break a sweat) around the Bow and Prince's Island. I love working as close to the river as I do, as there's no excuse for changing and heading out. Tomorrow is 6k, tempo run. Could be interesting as I can't get my heart rate monitor to pair with my new Garmin, but worst case dictates that I be a total dork and wear what amounts to two watches! But till I can get another monitor, such will be live on tempo days.

After all, my only boundary is me.

Getting started

Okay...I am very new to this. In fact, I have trouble writing in a regular journal with any regularity, let alone online. This could be interesting. Or totally boring...you decide.

The main reason for starting this is I want 2009 to be my year. I have goals to reach this year: weight, love life, financial and work, and I've got to start somewhere.

The first thing I did this year (well, technically last year, but it's for 2009) was register for the Vancouver Marathon. All 42.2k of it. Yikes...but I know this much about myself, and that is I need a goal in order to maintain training. So we'll see how this goes, and if I like it or don't die, then I hope to complete many more marathons and one day qualify for Boston.

I need to work on my weight goal. I've never given up on Weight Watchers, but I think I've been far too lax about the whole thing. I've been a member for a very, very, very long time (slow learner) and I want to reach goal this year. In fact, I WILL reach goal this year. Hell or high water, it will be done. There...now I have to! Some things I've discovered about myself while trying to find photos pre & post...a) I take an abnormally large amount of pictures of my cats, and b) I am usually behind the lens, and very rarely in front of it. And now that I managed to find some pre-shots, I have no idea how to use my scanner! Photos to come...

Financially - beyond praying to the Lottery Gods, I need to take control of my finances and set out some tangible goals for that as well. To be reviewed and revisited.

Work - I love my company and my job, but I do want to grow and advance within the company. I hope to be with them for a very long time (short of the lottery gods answering prayers, of course) but also don't wish to be in the same spot doing the same job. It's been over 8 years and it's time to move onward and upward.

Okay, that's it. My head hurts (mainly from the run this morning, but saying it's from learning something new like a blog is fun too).