weekend repeat

I am having the same weekend over and over again. And loving it.

Usually involves brunch, grouse grind, some other activity, pool time, a long run, errands and a bit of housework. And a few bud light limes. My only complaint is I need to stay away from the computer. I can waste 4 hours looking at MLS listings, researching travel plans, reading Facebook, and pretty much getting nothing real down.

I was lamenting to Rachel that I have a better run in the afternoon but am worried because a half-marathon generally starts in the morning. Maybe I will need to get myself on a different sleep cycle so I make it through a half in October. Pretend I'm living on Europe for a while.

On that note, off to the library, then Costco (for fruit & veg - so much cheaper and higher quality than my IGA), so R&R (reading & relaxation) and then my longish run this afternoon. Fingers crossed it stays overcast and windy; these are perfect running conditions for me.

day on

While still cranky and tired I did manage to have a very productive day at both work and play.

Work: I worked from home and cranked out some stuff that I needed to get done. Felt good. Real good. Especially since I was dressed in workout clothes, able to make 2 lattes from my kick ass espresso machine and did not have to get on skytrain. I only got one panicked phone call from someone at work stating that the wheels might be falling off a project. Talked them down from ledge and was rewarded with an email late afternoon that the wheels were securely on and all was as it should be.

Play: After yesterday's day off I hit the gym feeling refreshed. Debated over the spin class but it didn't look like a good instructor so I chose to do 60' of cardio and 30' of running on the treadmill.

Met up with Rachel this evening and we tried on stuff at Banana Republic to prepare for Montreal Dave's offer to use his status to get us discounts tomorrow. Brunch with Grud, her Dave, Chach and Rachel at my place tomorrow morning. R and I are going to go for the later afternoon Grouse Grind. Legs are warmed up by then and we're ready to dodge tourists.

day off

I can't quite remember the last day I took a full day off from working out. But today will be one.

Tired and cranky. The weather has turned to grey skies. The microwave has been broken for over 3 months now and all I have to eat is delicious healthy FROZEN meals that I've been making. And I need to get these damn fake nails off ASAP.

Luckily I am working from home tomorrow so I think that will improve my mood and allow for 2 workouts given the 90 minutes of commuting time I save.

Need to get to bed early so I wake up feeling refreshed and rested for bootcamp tomorrow morning. The class is going to be a struggle because the usual instructor is on holiday and the replacement makes the workout painful by using bad music, not getting a good flow of exercises going and adding in random jumping for the cardio component. Wednesday morning she had us going random twisting jumps that looked like 'the twist' on speed. And I actually get less of a workout than I normally do because of the stilted flow of exercises.

Need to go sleep off this bad mood.

can't get my stretch on

For some reason I avoid yoga. Not sure why because I always feel great after going. I sleep better, don't wake up feeling like a truck ran over me, and my brain enjoys the 'quiet time'. It is a treat. A mini 1 hour vacation during the week. But yet I can't get myself there. Right now I would rather go down to the gym and do more cardio (I already did some at 6am).

I should try doing yoga in my living room and see if that works. I have the mat. I have a yoga DVD. I have the floor space since I never bought that coffee table. May try it out later.

Right now I am going to procrastinate by going to London Drugs to replenish cleaning supplies and then cook up a batch of turkey chili. I am on a cooking roll. My freezer is busting at the seams. May need to finally eat all of those frozen vegetables to make room.

Use of building pool is currently at 5 times this month. At $75 a month for membership I am keeping track. My threshold to make it worthwhile is 15 times. Need to step it up.

lazzzzzzzzzzzzzy Sunday

It is 3:46pm and so far I have; had breakfast, spent some time in the pool with R, ate too much of the delicious low-fat healthy baking R brought me (low-fat and healthy are negated when you eat too much of it BTW), read 7 of 14 ITQs for work (don't ask), laid in the sun while reading said ITQs, took a nap because the sun tired me out, and ate a healthy burrito from the stash of healthy burritos R and I made yesterday. With the microwave broken I had to revert to the dark ages and heat up the burrito in a frying pan. Made it nice and crispy. Feeling good about the fact that I have 10 of them in the freezer right now.

My one other activity was going to get the running belt from R before she left for the day. I've borrowed this belt from her for the rest of my running season as it holds water and other necessities while you run. There is nothing as disappointing right now as a run in the afternoon heat and 4k of no water fountains. With the new development in south False Creek there are water fountains aplenty, just none of them are hooked up to water yet. I've made the mistake of trying to use one, wanted to kick it when I realised it didn't work and I wasn't getting any water until Granville Island. They should really put up a sign.

Aiming to leave for my run by 4:30 since I sleep like crap if I don't finish my workout 4 hours before going to bed. It is going to be hot. Tarzan couldn't stand this heat.

i wish....

That Blogger was easier to post photos to. It seems whenever I have photos I want to share I have to post them to blogger, facebook and Picasa. I think I am going with just facebook for now so don't expect any pictures anytime soon. I was inspired by Chris' blog as he has good writing but no photos and I am still interested in reading it.

So I better step it up on the writing front. Now that I've worked out how to email and update my blog (and have a data device so I am not typing it out in 140 character bites in a text message) I should make more of an effort.

It has been an awesome couple of weeks here in Vancouver. The family visit has really put a different spin on living here. Weather is awesome and this is my first summer living downtown. The last two summers were different what with living in Burnaby and then last summer going to Asia for 3 weeks. Twice now I have met with the Grand Forks Dunnets at Kits beach to hang in the evening. Both times I walked home with a big grin thinking 'This is how it should always be'. Between that and the outdoor pool at my building (costing me $75 each month and currently have used it 3 times so far in July - must get a couple of dips in this weekend) I feel like I am on vacation when I am not at work. I know I should always feel that way but right now it seems to stand out in the day to day business. I think it is tough in the Vancouver rain and overcast season (aka fall, winter and spring) to really get the serotonin running through your brain. The snowshoeing was kind of good for that but not as easily accessible as strolling out my front door and down to the seawall.

On the workout front I have been lackadaisical this week. Early morning (8:30am) meetings and a late night with a few too many drinks, have conspired against me. But I am getting creative. As I nursed my hangover yesterday I managed to get the following workout in; 35' on the elliptical and a 90' walk. It is no 14k run + Grouse Grind but it was something. I seem to be off the spin classes these days but I think that is more due to the weather. Who wants to cram in an indoor class when it is nice out? I have a 12k run on the agenda for tomorrow as I start to build up my mileage to attempt a 1/2 marathon. I am like a science experiment; can you really run a half marathon on 2 runs a week? I am supplementing with 2 bootcamps, erg workout, min. 1 Grouse Grind and some other cardio but time will tell if it is enough.

I'm off to bootcamp followed by Grouse Grind with Rachel, Grud and Montreal Dave. Haven't been since last Monday and a bit nervous. It is going to be high noon by the time we start hiking. Must hydrate. Do not want to be one of those people passed out beside the trail looking like an out of shape slob. I predict Montreal Dave is going to kick our asses but Rachel, Grud and I will have fun slowly climbing up the side of Grouse Mountain.

Stampeding

It was great. Third year at Stampede and I probably drank a third of what I drank in my first year. At this rate, if I go next year, I'll have some Bailey's in my coffee the first morning and that is it.

 

Having been to Stampede twice before I no longer attend for the rodeo, pancake breakfasts and excessive drinking. Stampede is the excuse to visit with my 8 good friends from my national team rowing days. The first year it was just Clark and I hanging out with PVR and Rozzo. Then next year Sarah and Rachel joined in. This year Andie, Darcy and Jacqui made it out there and the 'team' was complete. We all descended on Calgary for our yearly meetup and Stampede happens to be at the same time.

 

While those new to Stampede were mildly disappointed at the lack of excessive partying, I was quite happy with seeing my friends and enjoying copious amounts of meat. We had burgers and steaks at every meal (or so it felt). I had a couple of coronas at 8:30am while we watched a parade. I wore a cowgirl hat for 3 days straight. And I caught up with all of my rowing friends. It was good times.

 

And the two newbies that complained about the lack of partying did manage to get a bunch of free drinks and taken to a restaurant for nachos (in a limo) by someone they think might have been a mobster. He also had a stripper from Vegas with him that had breast implants in size F. This was long after many of us had called it a night but I think they still have a great story even if nobody got totally out of control.

 

Not sure what next year's plan is but I am hoping for a lakeside cabin somewhere with wine.