Boot Camp Bliss!

All day, it's all I could think about...Boot Camp starts tonight! Yay!!

Doesn't everyone look happy?! That's Trainer Josh in black! And yes...that is a big ol' pile of snow that we were working out in!!

Started the day late...furbabies woke me up at 4:15 hungry, so I got up and gave them both a nibble. Then I couldn't fall back asleep until, of course, just before the alarm went off at 5:30! Typical...exhausted, I hit snooze, and did such a successful job that I slept quite nicely till 6:20. Have I mentioned that I start work at 7?! I ended up getting in about 20 minutes late, but I have a very awesome boss. She knows I get my job done, and done right, so she doesn't freak out about start/finish times.

Breakfast was banana-nutella-coconut oatmeal, which is just what I needed. I was HUNGRY this morning.

Since Monday is an off day, I worked a bit through lunch (still felt guilty about coming in late) and then went for a quick little walk through the park. It's such a shame to waste a beautiful day in January, and the sun was shining and the temp about +7C.

Lunch was leftovers from last night. Whole wheat penne, marinara sauce, turkey meatloaf and some green salad (ate all the brussel sprouts last night).

Then I began to bounce...I was very excited and looking forward to returning to Boot Camp! Finally it was time to leave (I felt like a kid at school, waiting for that bell to ring), and I raced home, changed, grabbed my gear and headed out.

It turned out to be a big group, but mostly all regulars, although there were a couple of faces I didn't recognize. We started with a nice run to warm up (class starts at 5, so the sun is starting to set, with the temperature dropping), which I managed to run the whole time (roughly 2km). Then we grabbed our weights and reintroduced ourselves to lunges, squats, flies, curls, kick-backs, overhead extensions, push-ups, dips, crunches, obliques, etc. About halfway through, Josh had us sprinting, with "rest" periods of squats. I think the highlight was stamping out a patch in the snow (still about 8-10" deep) and laying down our mats to do the ab work! Already feeling body parts seizing. Yay!!!!!

Came home famished (and realized that I left my water bottle sitting out on the table in Edworthy park...crap), so I whipped up a very quick dinner of fresh canned salmon (caught and canned by our company owner - okay, professionally canned at the fishing lodge, but still) mixed with capers, green onions, celery and light Miracle Whip. I spread that on rye bread and toasted it with a slice of skim mozzarella, and served it beside a carrot and some cucumber. Quick and satisfying.

Must intake some more water, and then hit the sack. I've got 6km to run at lunch tomorrow, so hopefully all the muscles are cooperating.

Later,

Sunday recap

The tenth day of January already...wow. Unbelievable...
Dinner from last night: brown rice cooked with some wild rice (for even more fiber) and some Epicure Herb & Garlic dip mix. Roasted some spinach with grape tomatoes in evoo and balsamic vinegar, just till the tomatoes started to split. Lastly, a piece of salmon from M&M meats (herb & garlic, hence the rice), which was easy-peasy to cook (unwrap from package, place in oven). I was planning on making tonight's dinner last night, but didn't have one key ingredient and didn't feel like going out to get it! Hence reaching into the freezer and improvising.

Slept in today till 10, after a Medium marathon last night - I have the whole season on my PVR - made for odd dreams, I tell you. It was glorious though, even with the usual 5:30am wake-up to feed the furbabies. Puttered around, tried my new espresso maker (like my old one way better, although this one steams the milk, while my old one doesn't), had some kashi, banana and almond milk for breakfast, and after much debating and delaying, finally got my butt out the door for a run. Goal today - 10km. Walked to my usual starting point, which is about a klick from my house. Then, after walking the nasty, treacherous bridge, which the City hasn't shoveled in FOREVER, I started to run. Realized that the Garmin was set for the distance, and not for run/walk pacing, so I just kept my eye on the time, and tried to walk when 10 minutes had passed. It was a lovely day for a run, although I'm still happy I wore a light coat over my shirt...I would have chilled up quickly. Isn't perspective funny? I'm thinking it's almost too warm, at +6C (43F) while Caitlin ran her first marathon in the Disney Marathon in Orlando, thinking they were going to freeze to death in a chilly 19F or -7C. Wow, Calgary, Alberta was warmer than Orlando, Florida. Yikes!!!
I tried to maintain a good steady pace while running today, as this will have been the longest I've run since Melissa's on September 26th. Felt good...my butt hurt, but I think that had more to do with the X-weighted Fitness Challenge yesterday! This does not bode well for what Trainer Josh is going to do to me tomorrow! Uh-oh!! Ran 5km out, totally forgetting that in order to hit the magic 5 number, you have to run up a big-assed hill!!!! I walked it...really concentrated on pushing off on my toes, feeling the full flexibility through both feet and up the legs. Hit the 5 mark and turned around. Ran down the hill, but slowly, as it was still snow covered, and icy in some spots. Headed for home, this time challenging myself not to run for 10 minutes but to get to certain landmarks. In other words, from the hill to the foot bridge where you have to walk anyway, and then run until I hit the edge of the neighbourhood that surrounds the park. Which, by the way, if one can afford the $1mm+ homes in that area, surely to goodness one can afford snow removal!!! But I digress...after walking for a minute, I then ran to the next river crossing, walked a minute, ran to the next neighbourhood, and then ran to the end.
Garmin says:
1:32:41
9.16/km
603 calories
162 bpm or 93% of maximum. Need to focus on lowering this, as a good cardio burn is roughly 80%.
Stopped in at Safeway on the cool-down walk home (again, 1km) and picked up what I needed for tonight's supper. I also picked up something for lunch (sushi), 1% chocolate milk (recovery fuel) and other stuff...somehow I managed to spend $50 on cheese and brussel sprouts!!!
Came home, ate, checked in with the parents (they are still alive) and made supper. Italian meatloaf: ground turkey, eggs, breadcrumbs, milk, Epicure Pesto & Sun dried Tomato dip mix, marinara sauce (made with diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and Epicure Marinara sauce blend) and mozzarella cheese. I also shredded a carrot and added that, for extra veggie goodness. I did brown the top a little too much, but I LOVE chewy cheese, so it's not all bad. Rounded out dinner with some whole wheat penne pasta, and the marinara sauce and oven roasted brussel sprouts (just evoo & salt). I now sit here, extremely satisfied.

Lunch is ready for tomorrow (leftovers) and I'll whip breakfast up in the morning (oatmeal with banana, nutella & coconut).
Can't believe it's almost 9 pm already. Okay, must start shutting things down and heading for bed. I have to get my gear ready for boot camp tomorrow afternoon as well. I seriously can not wait!!
Later,

Calgary Chinooks

Said I would, and I did get a couple of shots of a said Chinook.

This is leaving weight watchers (yes...it's still dark outside well AFTER the meeting is done!)

This line is the sky is what all Calgarians desperately search for after a cold spell! This says it's going to be GORGEOUS outside. It can be windy, for sure, but it's a lovely warm wind.

The amazing part is how fast the snow disappears. The piles everywhere should be almost gone, if this hangs around as long as it's predicted to (into next week). Granted, we'll all go through gallons of windshield fluid during the week, but the break from -20's is well worth it!

Later,

X-weighted, Part II

Did the fitness test at home...I guess I could have gone down to Eau Claire, but thought with the challenge as well as the regular "oh, dear God, it's January and I've made resolutions to work out to the max every single day" crowd, it was going to be a zoo down there. I didn't have 10 lb weights, but Daddy raised a resourceful girl! I attached some 2 lb weights I had to the 8 lb weights I use for Boot Camp, and voila! My total time was 5:14:28. The lunges slowed me down (my left ankle still isn't totally happy doing them, but it didn't hurt nearly as bad as it has in the past), as well as the lay-downs (I call them burpees). And the jumping wasn't the prettiest, but I live in a 60+ year old building...I was more worried about going through the floor into the apartment below!!!

Before photos (not bad considering I live alone and don't have a tripod!).

199.9 - gag. ONE.NINETY.NINE.POINT.NINE!!!!! I vowed I wouldn't get over 200 again, but this is a little too close for comfort. The challenge didn't like my .9 though, so my start weight with them is the magic 2 number. Double gag!

Took the measurements at well, and I am square...okay, rectangular if we're going to knit-pic, but the bust, waist and hips are almost the same! Triple gag!!!

Weigh-in this morning wasn't great (I over-indulged in some cookies) but I didn't gain. Didn't lose either, but didn't gain. I'll take it. I've been doing this for so long now that I know to celebrate the small victories as vigorously as the big ones. We'll see changes next week, as Boot Camp starts on Monday. Blessed Boot Camp! Hey, just realized that my success story is posted! Yay me! Anyway, I have noticed a direct correlation between the endorphins from Boot Camp and sugar cravings. When I'm not getting said endorphins, said cravings sky-rocket through the roof!!!

I should go for a run, as it's glorious outside. Maybe a good brisk walk. I'll run 10km tomorrow, as the marathon training officially starts as well. So that'll be Boot Camp 3X a week and running 5X. Great mix of cardio and weight training. I also have a video, Yoga for Runners, which I'll try to do once or twice a week, mainly to help stretch out. I am not a yoga fan though, so it may not be my thing. We'll see.

Breakfast this morning was a Green Monster, and lunch was a couple of buffalo wieners with hot & spicy mustard. Going to make an Italian turkey meatloaf with marinara sauce for dinner (trying out the new stuff from Epicure), and a side salad.

Had to end this blog with a photo of my Coco Chanel...okay, so she's not exactly "model" material, but she always puts a smile on my face! She's my little Buddha kitty!

Peace be with you...

Later,

X-weighted Fitness Challenge

I'm in, baby! I'm registered and ready to rock n' roll. Didn't do the fitness challenge, mainly because it's 6:30 in the morning, and I don't think the neighbour will appreciate the jumping side-to-side part!! I'll do that later, and update the time.

Be sure to register: X-weighted National Challenge

Time to get ready to head to weight watchers.

Later,

Glory be...the warmth has arrived!

It was still a tad brisk walking in to work this morning, but today's -10C (+14F) was a heatwave compared to yesterday's -25C (-13F), and by noon it was +8C (46.4F!)...that's Calgary...30+ degree differences in less than 24 hours. Gotta love it! Sadly, it can (and has) go the other way too...

Today was an off day from training, and I'm trying to be very good about sticking to that, even though we won't be running Windemere this year. Happy for H-woman, but sad for us. Guess I could still go, but it's just no fun to go somewhere and run by yourself (I don't know anyone in Spokane to hook up with), especially someplace that requires a day or two travelling. I was getting used to running with H-woman and others, after being the solo runner for years. Will look at the marathon schedule and see what we can come up with. Even though Vancouver is trying to win me back by offering a $10 discount on this year, since they were my first. Too bad they're right at the beginning of the month, which sucks for me taking time off of work. I'll work on that for next year. Although I was also looking at the Bluenose site...maybe that'll be a goal for next year. I've always wanted to see the east coast, and we can hook up with the Halibloggers. They look like a ton of fun! It is something to mull about.

Anyway, back to today being an off day...I wanted to get some shots of the river. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the river this time of year. Mother Nature is one seriously scary, yet beautiful artist! The pictures don't demonstrate how fast the open water was still moving. It was white-water in some spots!

This is the south side of the river...normally there's a pathway that leads up and on, all the way to the far west side of the city. It is now under probably 3 feet of ice and water...yet the big signs and formidable pile of ice didn't deter these stupid - oops, sorry - "dedicated" runners. I mean really, people...would you go into the woods, grab a stick and poke the first bear you found?!? Mother Nature is a be-otch and will kick you in the a**!!! And laugh while she is doing it...all it would take is one wrong move. Normally this side doesn't flood over, so it's actually cut off a large loop for a lot of people.

This is the north side, which floods the same way, at the same time, every.single.year! At least no one is trying to push the boundaries on this side...guessing since there's only about a couple of feet head space now, it would slow down your time having to crawl on your hands & knees!!!

I did a little walk about (probably about 2km), just sucking in the sunshine and warm air. I was hoping for a good Chinook arch to show everyone, but today's warm spell came with clear skies. I'll be sure to carry my camera with me all weekend, in case of a good photo op.
Finished many reports at work, and then headed for home. Immediately jumped in the car and went to Walmart to pick up a few things that I refuse to buy at any other drug store (why pay more!) and then to the post office to pick up my latest Epicure order. Speaking of...I got talked into going to Conference, so I managed to book the time off. Now I just have to have some parties, to earn the bucks to pay for it! It better be worth it, is all I have to say!

Got home from my travels just before six, and whipped up a simple dinner ('twas the night before weigh-in, and all through the house, not a morsel was stirring, not even a mousse) of whole wheat bow-ties, roasted artichoke hearts (packed in water, drizzled with evoo and baked in a 400F oven till browned) and sun-dried tomatoes (dry, not the oil-packed variety). Crumbled on an ounce of goat cheese, a splash of lemon juice and a few more drops of evoo. It was quite grand! Snacked on some celery and Epicure dip, made with low fat mayo and sour cream. Now I'm making sure to get in my water for the day, and it'll be time for bed soon. I will have to be at meeting early tomorrow, to avoid the January rush.

Coco Chanel says it's time for bed, Mom. Put that damn camera down, already!

Later,

First Hump Day of the New Year

And not a bad one at that. Survived month end unscathed, and now it's my turn to shine. I get to play with a multitude of spreadsheets, pivot tables and charts, oh my! My co-worker, suffering from laryngitis the last two days (after returning from an 11-day vacation break) called in sick today, so it was also quiet in my corner. Just me and Excel...the way I like it!!
Went for a run at lunch, despite the -19C temperature and windchill. At least the sun was shining brightly. I must remember to take my camera to work and take some shots of the river in it's current state. I LOVE how the river turns into a lunar landscape in the winter, although it has made running the pathways challenging to say the least. Usually it just "eats" one set of path (normally the north side of the river) but this year it went BIG...both sides are under at least 2 feet of ice and water. Yet, despite all of the warning signs, danger tape and barriers, the stupid runners of Calgary just go around said protections and run over the ice. Sorry...not saving you when you fall in, and darn...I don't carry my cell phone when I run. Guess you're going to die. Sad for you. I waited patiently at both sets of lights to cross but decided that next week's runs will be east instead of west. I think the path has survived better in that direction. Anyway, ended up running about 3.5km (lungs really fought it today, which was odd) when it was all said and done. Once back in the office, I cleaned up and ate my lunch of lentil soup (Primo, the best) and a sort of Greek salad (cucumbers, tomatoes and green peppers in a Greek dressing...no feta or olives today). Breakfast was my usual nutella-coconut-banana oatmeal with milk.
Went to chiro after work, and my foot is getting better. This is the fourth run in a week, and the only complaint I had was the twisted ankle I got on the other foot, when I slipped off one section of the uncleaned path today! Good thing the City will send me a bill if I don't clean my walks, as that should pay for the upkeep of theirs...oh, wait...that snow WASN'T removed, hence the near tumble. Grrrrrr... Anyway, Super Dave gave me some exercises to start doing to strengthen my ankle, so that I can return to Boot Camp (MONDAY!!!!) and marathon training (THURSDAY!!!!!!) and avoid future issues (fingers crossed).
Got home, after a rather long and chilly walk (it was a two coat day) and after marinating a piece of chicken in the President's Choice Korean BBQ sauce, I grilled it, and ate it along side an Asian inspired salad (carrots, red & yellow peppers, broccoli, cauliflower and some chow mien noodles), served on a small plate, so it looked like more. Yummy in my tummy.

I was going to read some of my new magazines tonight,

but instead I basically stared off into space (aka "watched" TV) for a while, before I got motivated enough to clean the litter room and purge both my fridge and stand-up freezer. I really must start eating the food I purchase, rather than just store it for a while before tossing it out. I mean really...did I not want that money at all?!?! Just have to haul everything to the dumpster (good thing pick up is in the morning), then get ready for bed.
No run for tomorrow, as I will be attending the memorial for a dear friend's mother, who passed away on New Year's Eve. M. and I met on the first day of kindergarten and remained steadfast friends right through college! I stood up at her first wedding, attended many a bank function together (oh, did I mention that we also worked together for about 18 years as well?!?!), grad party, birth of children (hers, of course...you all know how I feel about those) and death of family members. She lost her father many years ago, and sadly lost her mother to Alzheimer's quite a long time ago too. While it is very sad that she's finally gone, it is a bit of a relief to everyone, as her mother was in a terrible state, not knowing anyone or anything, just trapped in a body she didn't know what to do with (even forgot how to walk...not the future I want for my mother!). So, long story short, I'll be taking the afternoon off to mourn with the family. Hugs all the way around.
Okay...that's it everyone. The day is about to end. Hug someone you love.
Later,