Of course, the rain stopped last night and today dawned beautiful. I've had fellow runners remind me that I "picked the wrong race" as a bunch ran Betty's Run for ALS in sunshine and warmth! Betcha they didn't get shot at by someone with a pellet gun like we did though...that's gotta be a plus, right?! Oh, and I'm not kidding here...the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) were called out, as someone was actually hit and injured. Not sure when or where it happened, but I guess someone really doesn't like runners. Maybe it's the fact that we're healthy, or running on the pathway that in no way blocks traffic or maybe it was all the shuffling sound on the shale. That would have sent personally me over the edge!! Still not a reason to grab a gun. People are just weird.
Slept in this morning, and after coffee, reading blogs, a load of laundry and breakfast of eggs and slider buns (the only thing I had to dip with), I ran some errands. My usual Sunday visit with Mom, hauled her garbage out, tried to figure out what to do with her gardens, grabbed her some groceries and then home myself. Also picked up my last Epicure order, which I have to unpack and sort, and then deliver this week. Another order should be in Tuesday or Wednesday and then I've got another party on Friday. Wow...think I've done more this month than I did last year! LOL!
That's about it for me...the weekend is over and it's back to work in the morning. So I should get ready for bed...soon.
Later,
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
A little touch of rain
I've been so beat all week, that I haven't had the energy to blog. Wow...so, what have I been up to? Work, boot camp, work, boot camp...not so sure why I'm tired, but I am.
Good killer class on Wednesday, took Thursday to recover, followed by Tabata-Friday. After a little jaunt up Douglas Fir and back. Almost made it to the top (front runners "swept" all of us stragglers back) this time too...baby steps of improvement!
After class last night, I drove out to the small town of Cochrane, just outside Calgary, to pick up race package #9. I was running the Footstock Half today. It's actually a whole weekend of races, from a Tri for the kids (very encouraging to get the kids out and exercising) to he Half, 10k and a Duathlon...explained the very fit dudes running back with me when I returned! No way I beat them at all!!!!
Driving out, I hit rain storm #1. It was sunny in Calgary, then I hit the edge of the edge of the city and rain, rain, rain. Stopped in the town site, at the Expo (and where the start/finish was today). Whew... Went through the "Expo" - all 6 booths and picked up the cotton shirt (what the?!?!) and chip for your shoe. I've almost forgotten how to put those on, as so many races now use the chipped bibs but old school it is. Drove home, through yet another rain storm, which stopped in town.
Woke up this morning, donned my white cap and light coloured top (I was so not getting sunstroke again this race), slathered up with sunscreen (again, avoid a burn) and went out to the truck at 6:30am for the drive to Cochrane (38.9km door to door, in case you were wondering). Hmmmmm...it's dry, but those clouds to the west (over Cochrane) don't look so nice. Leave the city limits and the rain starts. And it was rain...not a mist, not a drizzle...sheets and sheets and sheets of rain!!! Good thing I keep a jacket in the truck for boot camp, because I was not dressed appropriately. Got to the rec centered and at 8am began what can only be described as the wettest run I have ever done!!! Two weekends ago I got sunstroke...today, hypothermia was more likely. It was a pretty, but interesting route...for starters we ran through a field. Not a path through a field, but a FIELD filled with knee high grasses, bushes, and mud. We then connected to the pathway system, which is lovely and extensive, but is red shale. There is something I hate...it is the sound of people who drag their feet. Makes me crazy...almost went insane in Hawaii listening to thousands of flip-flops shuffling along the sand covered sidewalks in Waikiki!! But I digress...there is only one sound I can make on red shale...shuffle, shuffle. ARGH! Okay, breathe... It switched up to paved asphalt at some points, but for the most part it was shale. And water...lots and lots of water! Half the time we were up in the side-brush, trying to avoid the ankle deep puddles everywhere. We ultimately ran through one of the neighbourhoods and then up the hill. Over 4km of hill...granted, it wasn't all up, but it was LONG. It lead us out of town, along the Morley reservation on a country dirt road. Want to know what a country dirt road is when it's been raining hard for the past 12+ hours?!?! It's mud...soft and muddy. But I pushed on, looking for the harder parts to run on (thankfully, very little traffic to deal with) and turned around and enjoyed the big run down! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE running downhill. Too bad it was only 4km worth! As an out and back, we returned the same way, but the puddles had grown and some you just couldn't avoid anymore. Okay...I'm already wet, my shoes are already squishing and are full of mud and rocks and such, so what the heck. I'm sure Caitlin, coming out of the lake portion of her triathlon today was dryer than I was!!!! I'm sure pictures would have been nice, as it was a pretty route, but there was no way I was risking my phone or camera in the rain. Lost an iPod that way...
Luckily we didn't have to cross the field again on the way back, and I tried to finish strong, but I was cold and wet and grumpy! 2:52 and change...thought I had made up time with the hill, but whatever. I finished. I always finish.
Finally came home (there were pancakes, but I munched on my cookies instead), where the rain STOPPED IN TOWN, about 5km from home....OMG, I almost burst into tears!! Stripped (my gear probably weighed 20lbs on it's own) and jumped in a HOT shower. Then into my warmest fleece and on the bed for a nap with the kids. Nothing like two purring, cuddly heaters to warm you to the bone again. Looks like the rain finally rolled it's way into Calgary, so guess I can't complain anymore.
Now I'm trying to decide what to eat for supper (don't want to get crazy, even though I did burn over 1800 calories this morning) and then I'm going to be a slug the rest of the evening.
Happy weekend, one and all.
Later,
Good killer class on Wednesday, took Thursday to recover, followed by Tabata-Friday. After a little jaunt up Douglas Fir and back. Almost made it to the top (front runners "swept" all of us stragglers back) this time too...baby steps of improvement!
After class last night, I drove out to the small town of Cochrane, just outside Calgary, to pick up race package #9. I was running the Footstock Half today. It's actually a whole weekend of races, from a Tri for the kids (very encouraging to get the kids out and exercising) to he Half, 10k and a Duathlon...explained the very fit dudes running back with me when I returned! No way I beat them at all!!!!
Driving out, I hit rain storm #1. It was sunny in Calgary, then I hit the edge of the edge of the city and rain, rain, rain. Stopped in the town site, at the Expo (and where the start/finish was today). Whew... Went through the "Expo" - all 6 booths and picked up the cotton shirt (what the?!?!) and chip for your shoe. I've almost forgotten how to put those on, as so many races now use the chipped bibs but old school it is. Drove home, through yet another rain storm, which stopped in town.
Woke up this morning, donned my white cap and light coloured top (I was so not getting sunstroke again this race), slathered up with sunscreen (again, avoid a burn) and went out to the truck at 6:30am for the drive to Cochrane (38.9km door to door, in case you were wondering). Hmmmmm...it's dry, but those clouds to the west (over Cochrane) don't look so nice. Leave the city limits and the rain starts. And it was rain...not a mist, not a drizzle...sheets and sheets and sheets of rain!!! Good thing I keep a jacket in the truck for boot camp, because I was not dressed appropriately. Got to the rec centered and at 8am began what can only be described as the wettest run I have ever done!!! Two weekends ago I got sunstroke...today, hypothermia was more likely. It was a pretty, but interesting route...for starters we ran through a field. Not a path through a field, but a FIELD filled with knee high grasses, bushes, and mud. We then connected to the pathway system, which is lovely and extensive, but is red shale. There is something I hate...it is the sound of people who drag their feet. Makes me crazy...almost went insane in Hawaii listening to thousands of flip-flops shuffling along the sand covered sidewalks in Waikiki!! But I digress...there is only one sound I can make on red shale...shuffle, shuffle. ARGH! Okay, breathe... It switched up to paved asphalt at some points, but for the most part it was shale. And water...lots and lots of water! Half the time we were up in the side-brush, trying to avoid the ankle deep puddles everywhere. We ultimately ran through one of the neighbourhoods and then up the hill. Over 4km of hill...granted, it wasn't all up, but it was LONG. It lead us out of town, along the Morley reservation on a country dirt road. Want to know what a country dirt road is when it's been raining hard for the past 12+ hours?!?! It's mud...soft and muddy. But I pushed on, looking for the harder parts to run on (thankfully, very little traffic to deal with) and turned around and enjoyed the big run down! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE running downhill. Too bad it was only 4km worth! As an out and back, we returned the same way, but the puddles had grown and some you just couldn't avoid anymore. Okay...I'm already wet, my shoes are already squishing and are full of mud and rocks and such, so what the heck. I'm sure Caitlin, coming out of the lake portion of her triathlon today was dryer than I was!!!! I'm sure pictures would have been nice, as it was a pretty route, but there was no way I was risking my phone or camera in the rain. Lost an iPod that way...
Luckily we didn't have to cross the field again on the way back, and I tried to finish strong, but I was cold and wet and grumpy! 2:52 and change...thought I had made up time with the hill, but whatever. I finished. I always finish.
Finally came home (there were pancakes, but I munched on my cookies instead), where the rain STOPPED IN TOWN, about 5km from home....OMG, I almost burst into tears!! Stripped (my gear probably weighed 20lbs on it's own) and jumped in a HOT shower. Then into my warmest fleece and on the bed for a nap with the kids. Nothing like two purring, cuddly heaters to warm you to the bone again. Looks like the rain finally rolled it's way into Calgary, so guess I can't complain anymore.
Now I'm trying to decide what to eat for supper (don't want to get crazy, even though I did burn over 1800 calories this morning) and then I'm going to be a slug the rest of the evening.
Happy weekend, one and all.
Later,
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Tuesday blah...
Normally I would be running tonight, but clinic is over and marathons are run. So, Tuesday is now a night off. I have really not moved from the couch since getting home, and it just feels...wrong.
I am still figuring out my new summer schedule, but I think it's going to look like this:
Monday - boot camp
Tuesday - a tempo run, probably after work, before I walk home. Means taking gear to the office. I could run from home, but I don't like the route as much - too much sidewalk running, meaning too many driveways and uneven pavement. I'll debate this with myself.
Wednesday - boot camp (but more importantly, meeting up with everyone afterwards at the pub!)
Thursday - off, but if Goodlife has drop in, maybe the occasional Zumba (Veronica teaches Thursday nights)
Friday - boot camp
Saturday - Zumba
Sunday - long, slow run or race, which is booked for the day.
I am focusing more on the boot camp this summer, as I need to get stronger and leaner to get faster. Fact of life...packing around 204.4 pounds for 42.2km is just plain hard work! There...I said it. That's what I weigh. I think the combination of the weights and cardio of boot camp is going to do far more for my weight loss efforts than just running. So amping it up. And I've already challenged Trainer Josh, who's ready for it. I believe his direct quote was "bring it"! It's on!
Still have the headache from Sunday, although slightly less intense today. I just wish if the weather were going to rain, it would rain already. This cloudy, hanging over greyness is wrecking havoc on my head and I need it to stop. It's painkiller time, and then off to bed.
Hoping everyone's day has been good. And a shout out to Amy for keeping it real.
Later,
I am still figuring out my new summer schedule, but I think it's going to look like this:
Monday - boot camp
Tuesday - a tempo run, probably after work, before I walk home. Means taking gear to the office. I could run from home, but I don't like the route as much - too much sidewalk running, meaning too many driveways and uneven pavement. I'll debate this with myself.
Wednesday - boot camp (but more importantly, meeting up with everyone afterwards at the pub!)
Thursday - off, but if Goodlife has drop in, maybe the occasional Zumba (Veronica teaches Thursday nights)
Friday - boot camp
Saturday - Zumba
Sunday - long, slow run or race, which is booked for the day.
I am focusing more on the boot camp this summer, as I need to get stronger and leaner to get faster. Fact of life...packing around 204.4 pounds for 42.2km is just plain hard work! There...I said it. That's what I weigh. I think the combination of the weights and cardio of boot camp is going to do far more for my weight loss efforts than just running. So amping it up. And I've already challenged Trainer Josh, who's ready for it. I believe his direct quote was "bring it"! It's on!
Still have the headache from Sunday, although slightly less intense today. I just wish if the weather were going to rain, it would rain already. This cloudy, hanging over greyness is wrecking havoc on my head and I need it to stop. It's painkiller time, and then off to bed.
Hoping everyone's day has been good. And a shout out to Amy for keeping it real.
Later,
Monday, June 6, 2011
Long day
I at least got to sleep in a little, as Mom's appointment wasn't till 9. Still, up at 7:30, to Mom's, to hospital, appointment for 90 minutes (they'll actually use the word dementia now, but not in a diagnosis...I swear it'd be faster if I quit work, went back to medical school and got my own doctorate!), drop her off and onwards to work by 11am. I did have to swing into a Starbucks though...yesterday's headache started to make a comeback when it realized I had gone way too many hours without the blessed caffeine. Yes, I am addicted. Six shots in my latte, thank you very much...not for amateurs!
Worked till 5pm and rushed home (I parked at the office) to change and get to boot camp just before the 6pm class. I knew I was in trouble with I. said something about feeling ill during the circuit...I. usually does 6-8 classes A.WEEK and is uber-fit!! This did not bode well!! I should have listened to my gut and backed away slowly. Instead, I warmed up with the rest by going up the B.A. hill, cross to the goat trail/stairs and back to the start. It was muddy but doable. Then we started new circuit...15's.
- Leg-drives and dips at the benches.
- drop-leg flies and push-ups at the mats.
- shoulder press, overhead extensions and curls at the bands.
- lunges and squats at the next station
- sprints up the "bitch", TWICE - wee, little hill that can slay even the hardiest of men!!!!
- return to start and resume count to 14. Repeat! Luckily, I was on my 6th pass of the bitch before Josh called us all back to the mats and water. We ended the hour with some solid abs work, with my new favourite (ask me tomorrow) of full sit up while laying with legs crossed . Ouch!
Picked up H-woman and the two of us headed to Vietnam Fortune for restorative pho and shrimp salad rolls. Oh, so good!!!
Now home, and trying to keep eyes open. Should hit the sack, since the alarm will be going off much earlier in the am than today. Sad.
Later,
Worked till 5pm and rushed home (I parked at the office) to change and get to boot camp just before the 6pm class. I knew I was in trouble with I. said something about feeling ill during the circuit...I. usually does 6-8 classes A.WEEK and is uber-fit!! This did not bode well!! I should have listened to my gut and backed away slowly. Instead, I warmed up with the rest by going up the B.A. hill, cross to the goat trail/stairs and back to the start. It was muddy but doable. Then we started new circuit...15's.
- Leg-drives and dips at the benches.
- drop-leg flies and push-ups at the mats.
- shoulder press, overhead extensions and curls at the bands.
- lunges and squats at the next station
- sprints up the "bitch", TWICE - wee, little hill that can slay even the hardiest of men!!!!
- return to start and resume count to 14. Repeat! Luckily, I was on my 6th pass of the bitch before Josh called us all back to the mats and water. We ended the hour with some solid abs work, with my new favourite (ask me tomorrow) of full sit up while laying with legs crossed . Ouch!
Picked up H-woman and the two of us headed to Vietnam Fortune for restorative pho and shrimp salad rolls. Oh, so good!!!
Now home, and trying to keep eyes open. Should hit the sack, since the alarm will be going off much earlier in the am than today. Sad.
Later,
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Where'd the weekend go?
One minute it was Thursday and then it's Sunday night...yikes.
Friday boot camp - yes, I made it three times this week and three times in a row. We didn't manage to do either the hill or Douglas Fir, due to the rain that arrived every evening about the same time. So after a quick 10 minute warm-up run, it was a tabata-thon (2.5 minute sessions of 20 seconds on/10 seconds off)! Upper body (curls, lats, dips, then cardio of ladder/push-ups), legs (1-legged squats (OMG - so hard!), swing lunges (same leg forward then back), squats & squat hold, cardio of hurdles and step-ups) and abs (overhead drop legs, toe touches, full body bike, cardio of bird-dog plank (lift opposite arm/leg while in plank) and sprints. That took up most of the hour, so we finished, in the rain, doing negatives. It was all I could do to walk to the car afterwards.
I spent most of Saturday in bed (glorious) or on the couch (also glorious). Yes, I could have done lots, but I didn't. Instead I enjoyed a lazy, lounging day, reading magazines and sipping coffee. Then I got dressed up and went to a friend's housewarming, south of Calgary, just outside Okotoks. Gorgeous house in the country set on 5 acres...view of the mountains, so quiet you could hear the frogs. Saw a deer, went for a walk with friends, met some new ones, and headed for home around 11:30. So, as a good girl, I only had a couple of beers over the course of the evening, knowing I had to get me and James home in one piece.
Set the alarm, intent on going on a slow run this morning, but my head had other ideas. Seriously looked for the axe sticking out of it, as that could be the only explanation for the pain!! Shut the alarm off and went back to sleep for a few more hours. Didn't work, so then shifted to the caffeine/Advil plan. Still hanging on even now, which is very annoying. Will take more Advil before I go back to bed and hopefully will shake this thing by tomorrow. I have to take Mom to the doctors again (follow-up appointment), but at least they listened when I asked for early morning. Okay, so technically I start work at 7 and their first appointment of the day is 9, but we're getting closer to actually meeting my schedule!
I did manage to get outside today, with a trip to Rona to pick up supplies for the building, and then to Mom's to haul garbage and take her for groceries. The maids were there on Friday, but I guess we all let things slide a little too far, as they have to come back another day to clean the main level...spent all day Friday upstairs, it seems. But it's getting clean and that's all the matters.
That's it for me...listening to Les Miserables on PBS, but the 20th Anniversary addition from London, which is not nearly as good the 10th Anniversary Dream Cast version. I mean, Nick Jonas as Marius?!?! Seriously, what were they thinking?! He just looks scared throughout the whole thing.
Later,
Friday boot camp - yes, I made it three times this week and three times in a row. We didn't manage to do either the hill or Douglas Fir, due to the rain that arrived every evening about the same time. So after a quick 10 minute warm-up run, it was a tabata-thon (2.5 minute sessions of 20 seconds on/10 seconds off)! Upper body (curls, lats, dips, then cardio of ladder/push-ups), legs (1-legged squats (OMG - so hard!), swing lunges (same leg forward then back), squats & squat hold, cardio of hurdles and step-ups) and abs (overhead drop legs, toe touches, full body bike, cardio of bird-dog plank (lift opposite arm/leg while in plank) and sprints. That took up most of the hour, so we finished, in the rain, doing negatives. It was all I could do to walk to the car afterwards.
I spent most of Saturday in bed (glorious) or on the couch (also glorious). Yes, I could have done lots, but I didn't. Instead I enjoyed a lazy, lounging day, reading magazines and sipping coffee. Then I got dressed up and went to a friend's housewarming, south of Calgary, just outside Okotoks. Gorgeous house in the country set on 5 acres...view of the mountains, so quiet you could hear the frogs. Saw a deer, went for a walk with friends, met some new ones, and headed for home around 11:30. So, as a good girl, I only had a couple of beers over the course of the evening, knowing I had to get me and James home in one piece.
Set the alarm, intent on going on a slow run this morning, but my head had other ideas. Seriously looked for the axe sticking out of it, as that could be the only explanation for the pain!! Shut the alarm off and went back to sleep for a few more hours. Didn't work, so then shifted to the caffeine/Advil plan. Still hanging on even now, which is very annoying. Will take more Advil before I go back to bed and hopefully will shake this thing by tomorrow. I have to take Mom to the doctors again (follow-up appointment), but at least they listened when I asked for early morning. Okay, so technically I start work at 7 and their first appointment of the day is 9, but we're getting closer to actually meeting my schedule!
I did manage to get outside today, with a trip to Rona to pick up supplies for the building, and then to Mom's to haul garbage and take her for groceries. The maids were there on Friday, but I guess we all let things slide a little too far, as they have to come back another day to clean the main level...spent all day Friday upstairs, it seems. But it's getting clean and that's all the matters.
That's it for me...listening to Les Miserables on PBS, but the 20th Anniversary addition from London, which is not nearly as good the 10th Anniversary Dream Cast version. I mean, Nick Jonas as Marius?!?! Seriously, what were they thinking?! He just looks scared throughout the whole thing.
Later,
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Please Sir, may I have more?
Yes, I returned to boot camp tonight, after pushing myself through the hour last night. What was I thinking??
I was totally limp free today, so all the marathon kinks have been worked out. So, when we ran Douglas Fir (whimper) I was ready...okay, but I did manage to sort of keep up with all the youngen's who didn't run a marathon on the weekend!! That's gotta count for something, right?? After running the Fir, we set up for circuit from hell. Which is odd, because I thought that's what we did yesterday!
We broke into two groups, and started at the same spot. On the mats, with drop-leg overheads and then squat press. Fifteen count for everything, by the way. Group A (mine) then ran to the benches and with the bands did curls and lat pulls. Run to the next cone and lunges, then run up the hill (the wee bitch of a hill), next cone, squats, run back up the hill and then return back to the start (lunges, curls, lats, drop-legs and squats). Now switch with group B - after said drops/squats, run to next cone and do push-ups. Then lunge walk to benches, where we do leg-lifts, dips and incline push-ups. Jump rope to count of 50, then squats. Repeat backwards. Die on mat!! But wait, there's more! Then we did one.complete.circle.of.everything...doubled!!! I pay for this, right?!
And how hard core are we? The wind, rain and hail blew in, soaked us all to the skin, and not one of us stopped what we were doing and sought shelter! Just kept working through it. In fact the rain felt kind of nice!! Finished the class with some mat work (on very wet mats) before calling it a night. Can't wait for tomorrow night.
Home, rented my last suite (to the young lady who looked at it yesterday) and had some dinner of alpha-getties. I know...don't judge. I was hungry, and they are fast and delicious. I had loads of veggies at lunch...oh, and the new Mocha Coconut Frappuccino thingy from Starbucks. That may have been a mistake! I can ignore it...really I can. At least, I think I can.
Later,
I was totally limp free today, so all the marathon kinks have been worked out. So, when we ran Douglas Fir (whimper) I was ready...okay, but I did manage to sort of keep up with all the youngen's who didn't run a marathon on the weekend!! That's gotta count for something, right?? After running the Fir, we set up for circuit from hell. Which is odd, because I thought that's what we did yesterday!
We broke into two groups, and started at the same spot. On the mats, with drop-leg overheads and then squat press. Fifteen count for everything, by the way. Group A (mine) then ran to the benches and with the bands did curls and lat pulls. Run to the next cone and lunges, then run up the hill (the wee bitch of a hill), next cone, squats, run back up the hill and then return back to the start (lunges, curls, lats, drop-legs and squats). Now switch with group B - after said drops/squats, run to next cone and do push-ups. Then lunge walk to benches, where we do leg-lifts, dips and incline push-ups. Jump rope to count of 50, then squats. Repeat backwards. Die on mat!! But wait, there's more! Then we did one.complete.circle.of.everything...doubled!!! I pay for this, right?!
And how hard core are we? The wind, rain and hail blew in, soaked us all to the skin, and not one of us stopped what we were doing and sought shelter! Just kept working through it. In fact the rain felt kind of nice!! Finished the class with some mat work (on very wet mats) before calling it a night. Can't wait for tomorrow night.
Home, rented my last suite (to the young lady who looked at it yesterday) and had some dinner of alpha-getties. I know...don't judge. I was hungry, and they are fast and delicious. I had loads of veggies at lunch...oh, and the new Mocha Coconut Frappuccino thingy from Starbucks. That may have been a mistake! I can ignore it...really I can. At least, I think I can.
Later,
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Recovery
It's been 3 days now since the marathon, and while the sunburn will be with me for a while, the body has actually recovered quite nicely. Quads and calves were intensely sore on Monday...walking down the stairs from my 3 floor walk-up to work in the morning was a sight to behold, as I gingerly went down one step at a time, but I made it! No boot camp for me Monday night, or yesterday even. By yesterday, the quads were much better, but my right calf was one giant knot. I finally figured out that it was from running on slanted roads (to let the water run off) for 42.2km, and the right leg was always the one taking all the pressure. D'er! Dr. Jay worked his magic (aka - made me cry like a little girl!) and managed to work out most of the knot yesterday. Today I was walking almost like a normal person. Some pain, but at least it was almost limp free. So I decided it was time to return to boot camp!
We went up the BA hill, which really helped stretch the calves (I swear it's a 50+ degree grade) and along the ridge to the west side, where the "stairs" are. Again, it's a trail begun years ago by goats, mountain goats to boot, that someone then came along and put slats of wood in at various places, some 6" rise, some 10" rise, 2' step, 3' step, and called them a staircase. We ran up and down it a few times, doing squats at each step, jumping from stair to stair (I was exempt from this activity) and doing all we could to not hurl all over each other. The humidity was building as a thunder storm was approaching, but we lucked out. Made our way back to the tables, and did a circuit of bicep curls, weighted burpees, step-ups, back to burpees and back to curls, adding each time. Add lat raises, plank rows, dips, sumo squats...back and forth, forth and back. Finally, we did a real torture circuit where we started with shoulder press to sumo squats to hold plank till 1 minute is up. However, we were counting down on the exercises, which made the plank hold that much longer each time! Oh, the pain!!! We did that for a total of 8 minutes (longest 8 minutes of my life) before ending with some v-sits to 45 degrees, sit-ups but with your legs spread wide (holy obliques!) and then good old negatives. Finished just as the skies opened up, so we all ran to our cars, chuckling at the poor souls that had shown up for the 6pm class.
After showing the apartment to a couple of prospects (one renter signed up, so only one suite to go), I met up with the gang at the Barley Mill for a post race victory beer. We had some first timers who did great, and some of us who took away a lesson for the next race! However, as fate would have it, the president of the Calgary marathon was there having dinner, noticed all the shirts and medals and asked for honest feedback about the race. He has no idea what he's in for! But I've talked to him before at another event, and he seems genuinely interested in making this an awesome race that everyone will want to come and run. Bring it, I say!
After only 1 pint, and a great visit with everyone, I am home and once again should be in bed, but am not. I must work on this sleep thing, so that I get more than 6 hours a night. Oh, one fix at a time, I guess.
Later,
We went up the BA hill, which really helped stretch the calves (I swear it's a 50+ degree grade) and along the ridge to the west side, where the "stairs" are. Again, it's a trail begun years ago by goats, mountain goats to boot, that someone then came along and put slats of wood in at various places, some 6" rise, some 10" rise, 2' step, 3' step, and called them a staircase. We ran up and down it a few times, doing squats at each step, jumping from stair to stair (I was exempt from this activity) and doing all we could to not hurl all over each other. The humidity was building as a thunder storm was approaching, but we lucked out. Made our way back to the tables, and did a circuit of bicep curls, weighted burpees, step-ups, back to burpees and back to curls, adding each time. Add lat raises, plank rows, dips, sumo squats...back and forth, forth and back. Finally, we did a real torture circuit where we started with shoulder press to sumo squats to hold plank till 1 minute is up. However, we were counting down on the exercises, which made the plank hold that much longer each time! Oh, the pain!!! We did that for a total of 8 minutes (longest 8 minutes of my life) before ending with some v-sits to 45 degrees, sit-ups but with your legs spread wide (holy obliques!) and then good old negatives. Finished just as the skies opened up, so we all ran to our cars, chuckling at the poor souls that had shown up for the 6pm class.
After showing the apartment to a couple of prospects (one renter signed up, so only one suite to go), I met up with the gang at the Barley Mill for a post race victory beer. We had some first timers who did great, and some of us who took away a lesson for the next race! However, as fate would have it, the president of the Calgary marathon was there having dinner, noticed all the shirts and medals and asked for honest feedback about the race. He has no idea what he's in for! But I've talked to him before at another event, and he seems genuinely interested in making this an awesome race that everyone will want to come and run. Bring it, I say!
After only 1 pint, and a great visit with everyone, I am home and once again should be in bed, but am not. I must work on this sleep thing, so that I get more than 6 hours a night. Oh, one fix at a time, I guess.
Later,
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