Well, well, well, it has been quite a while now hasn't it. lol
I don't want to really give a long and drawn out novel about what happened to me the last while but I will summerize as much as I can. I don't want to give a bunch of excuses either because I must become accountable for what has happened. This is my third attempt at wt loss and I will make it this time. If running is not to happen any more then so be it I will find something else to or try tri's or something... that would really be a feat in itself! I just can't sit back and do nothing as I have always been active. So here it goes.
I was doing great, then bad and all over the place... Between family heart attacks (x2), strokes (x1), attempts of suicide (x1), cancer (x3), pancreatitis (x1), and many other general misfortunes... I let myself down and did not take care of myself. Simply said. Then whenever I had tried to, something else happened.
I tried to keep up my running and that even went to the wayside as my stupid knee just does not want to give up, more like it is prob the IT band but we have done pretty much everything besides surg and I am seeing the surgeon here at the end of the month. Right now I am off of work due to the fact that the pain is now up in to my lower back. Yes, have done the evil roller, stretches, ice, wrap, etc... you name it. I just can't be comfortable in any spot at the moment.
One good thing about this past year is that I am officially a non-smoker!!!! WOOOOO HOOOOO! I will admit that I slipped here and there but as of the end of March beginning of April. I don't have the exact date because I was not trying to focus on it which worked for me - not to mention the Champix! lol Which I will mention, that stuff is EVIL but it worked. I found that if I did not focus on how many days and stuff it was easier for me. Some people want the exact day and I am like what is the diff, I am not smoking now. :0)
So my weight... ah yes... not too pleaseant. I started of the year at 158.6!!!! my highest in such a long time. I gave in to old habits and used food too much as a comfort. So let's just say I did not handle the stress too well.
In other good news, I did take some trips this past summer. My son and I did a driving trip by ourselves in my new truck - yes you read right, a new truck. Not a huge thing, just a Ford Ranger but I LOVE it. It is my third one and my car finally had it... I do wish that I would have bought a 4x4 though... So, yes, my son and I did a mommy/son trip to Jasper and around BC, mainly Prince George and such. We had a great time together and I taught him how to gold pan which was in prep for my next trip that we did in August. Alaska!!!! The three of us, hubby, son and I, drove along with the two dogs (Denver had to be put down - another not fun thing last fall) and off we went. We originally were just going to drive to Anchorage, but we felt that since we were there we may as well see lots more! So we ended up going to Fairbanks, then took the Top of the World highway (not for the sqeemish) to Dawson City, Yukon. It was an amazing trip and I will fill in pics of some of this later.
So, my new plans? 1. get my life back 2. have better coping mechanisms 3. get healthy 4. fix knee so I can run again or start speed walking lol but mainly find cause and see what can be done 5. get physically active again with other things 6. lose wt back to healthy norms again
So there is a brief summary of what is up... oh and by the way - We got a new house and moving in 1 month. Lets see how I can do this... lol
Wii Active: 1:14 hrs (including day 3 of 30 day challenge)
New Year... New Life
Beautiful Sunny Monday
Yesterday it was quite nice here so I attempted going out and finally did some work around the yard and did not get to go for a run. I also tried my best at fixing our broken washing machine. :( No luck... I think it is finally time to replace the old thing.
Today, I am going to wash some clothes by hand and hang them up on the new clothes line I bought yesterday. I just love the smell of fresh clothes from the line... Also... have to finish working on the yard as it is time to put the garden in. Yeah! Not to mention my poor flower beds are still suffering with the left overs from last year. My perennials are trying their best to poke through... The one thing I am definitely working on though is setting up the hot tub! I soooo can not wait for that one. :)
Well, as I said before, I did not manage to go out and run as my leg really started to ache and swell up again while working in the yard. I do not want to give up the event next week end so I am not going to push it and as I said before, if I have to walk it... then that is what I will do.
Eating wise has been better, I just have to kick the habit of having tea all the time with cream and sugar with my chocolate covered digestive cookies that I was hooked on while overseas. :) Water is getting better but still not as good as it should be.
Well, better get moving as I have a tonne of things to get done here today and ready for the week.
Cheers!
LOVE it!!!
Check out the new template made by Chic & Sassy Designs that was just done! She did a wonderful job on it! I think it ties things together quite nicely... :) Check out her site!
Well, I think I have caught up with most of you and I must say there are some pretty hard working ladies out there! Way to go everyone! :) Myself on the other hand has to give myself a big kick in the arse to get moving... I wanted to try to try out my leg yesterday with a small run but my hubby thought it was too soon... he was right I might add... there was still some swelling that has not gone down yet. Maybe today..... :) One week left before the half marathon here and now I am getting nervous. I always get nervous before a race event - I have done this distance many times before, but it is always the 'what ifs' that make me nervous. lol I know I will do fine - I just won't set any personal best with it this time, that is all. But it will make it easier to beat this time that I get on my next one... lol
Food wise was a bit better yesterday but on the water front I have to get back in to it. I have been drinking nothing but tea, coffee, wine, and many other not so good things the past week and water was not one of them - thus with the food and lack of water... no wonder the scale went up! lol
It looks like a beautiful day out here today and I found my seedlings that I had started before I left and I think I may have lost all of them. :( I forgot to tell my sister and my husband where they were and to water if needed. They are quite wilted at the moment. Not too sure if they can be saved.
Tonight, my husband is taking my mom, Nanny, and I out to Red Lobster for mother's day for supper. I told him that I already had it with the OPA greek meal before I left and me going to England... He said that it wasn't the same. So eating wise tonight, I will try not to do too much damage and not gain anymore! lol That place sure is a weakness though for me... and financially I really don't think we can afford it...
I have not received a call back yet from the hospital where I applied before I left so I am going to drop off another application here in a couple of weeks. The school year is winding down and there really is never much time for subs to come in at this pt, so I have to get going on getting another job here. I was hoping to find something that I can either walk to or bike to... I told my husband that if I can't find anything and have to work at McDonald's, then that is where I will work. I won't be fussy picking the place - as long as I get a paycheck, it is all good. :)
My son is doing much better here and is still on the oral steroids at this pt trying to get things good and cleared up. I guess he only made it to the last couple of days at the end of the week for school - not the best time to miss it with all the studies winding down, but his health is more worth it.
The animals gave me quite the welcome when I got home and are following me everywhere! It is like a little heard going around the house. :)
So, the rest of today, I am maybe going to sneak out for a small run, pick up my one aunt at the airport since she could not get a flight with the rest of us from Toronto, and maybe get outside and do some yard work as I am sure the neighbours are wondering what has happened to me because I usually have things all nice by now. lol
Here are 2 links for a more over all look a our trip in pictures in facebook (don't need to be a member)
Cheers!
PS. - missed you all!
Back and a little groggy. :)
The trip went for the majority quite well and I am just going through my pics now doing some editing. Getting on the internet where we were proved to be a bit of a challenge for the most part so I hope to do some catching up today with everyone.
We had a great Irish send off for my grams at the pub and met relatives that I have never met before. For the first part of the trip, I met my Nanny's side and the last half I met my grampa's side. Some I have met before from going there but there were many new ones as last time I never went in to the country out of London. Ludgershall was by far my most favorite place there and we had to laugh that the place was so full of my Nanny's family. Everywhere we went there was a relative. :) We managed to spend a bit of time at Stonehenge, then went to Woodhenge and had hoped to go to Avebury but ran out of time. It was quite neat to see Stonehenge as a place that my mom and that used to use as a playground. I saw the old house that my mom and that grew up in and was fascinated by the thatched roofs and the history of the house built from some of the stones from the Ludgershall castle. I guess there are even old tunnels leading from the castle to the house still there. (just a note that that house is up for sale right now.... I sooooo wish I could afford it! )
Our first meal was a huge traditional take out of fish and chips served in the paper that would have been enough to feed 3 or more people! The next meals followed with pork pies, steak and kidney pie, trifle, mushy peas, yorkshire puddings, custard, traditional English breakfast (HUGE) and many more!!! I am just getting hungry thinking about all of it. lol
We spent a few hours at Erlestoke at my relative's pub and B&B and learned of the history (1400's) and about the two ghosts that inhabit there.
I was introduced to stinging nettles right away as I still have some marks from the more serious ones and the naturally wild holly plants. My aunt and I were continuously bugged about us and all the evil plants that were there. We also enjoyed a walk through the last bloomings of the blue bells in the forest.
From there we went to Motimer where my grampa's brother lives and went shopping in Reading and then to Windsor Castle where the queen was in residence at the time. It was neat going there again as I remembered pretty much most of it from going before. Then we went to spend some relaxing time at Henley at the Angel Pub :) as we sat by the River Thames.
We travelled up to Nottingham for the day for my gram's funeral, which was really neat as how they did the service and the progression which was led by foot by a lady in a top hat with a walking stick in front of all the cars. The pub after was filled of many great memories that we shared about her and laughed at all the stories. There were many relatives that I did not even know about and were just wonderful! We did a drive by pic shooting (jumping out of the car to take pics) of the Nottingham Castle and the statue of Robin Hood and saw the Sherwood forest.
After that we spent the evening at my cousin's house just on the north side outskirts of London for a BBQ and then back to Motimer. The next day we walked around the village there and then I went on my own out into the forest for a hike where I almost got lost. lol We went through a bunch of pictures of the family there and learned more about our history. Later on my other cousin came and took us to the Hamptons and we walked around there before heading to his place that was just by it. Then home.
I will be posting some pics here as I am just in the middle of going through the pics and making a CD for the family here that were unable to go. My husband and I are planning a trip out there hopefully in the next couple of years and some of the relatives are coming here next summer again (some have been here before and some haven't)
It was well worth the troubles to be able to go and send my grams off. Money wise the cost of food and such were taken care of by the family there and we always had a family member's house to stay at. All I can say is that I have a great collection of all the different road signs as they are quite literal on them - one for example was a sign on the motorway saying 'sorry for possible delays' lol - so polite. lol :)
Running wise I was still unable to but managed lots of walking and just as we were coming home, we were in Toronto where my uncle came to pick us up for lunch before the flight home and I had tripped on the sidewalk and jolted things again a bit. I can so see this half-marathon next weekend not going very well...
Wt wise... up to 130.6 this am.... :( but it was expected with flight, food and all.
Now... to catch up on everyone else and to see how you are all doing...
Pics coming soon. :)
I'm off!
Now everyone be good and play nice, and NO parties while I am gone! lol Well, maybe you can have a small one. :) Just make sure the house is still standing when I come home...
lol I just had to say that. :)
If I don't manage to get to everyone's blogs today, I hope all have a great day, week, and wi. :) I will try to get on a couple of times but not too sure if the relatives we are staying at have internet or not. I just may have to search for good ol' Starbucks with the laptop to get my fix - blogs that is. :) Ok... maybe a skinny latte in there too... lol
Take care everyone!
The Ticket is Bought...
... and I am officially going to England this Thursday (tomorrow). I will be flying in to London and then going to Salsbury for the weekend to visit some relatives then to Nottingham for the funeral. I guess it is going to be quite quick as my grandma wanted an Irish Wake and the relatives there would only settle for the last part of it - the send off from the pub. This should be interesting... I have managed to get on the same flights as some of my relatives for the long duration flights so I will not be alone.
During the weekend I will get to see where my mom grew up, relatives that I know and don't know, and Stonehenge. When we go up to Nottingham I will be going to the castle and seeing the Robin Hood stuff, step foot in Sherwood Forest, and see some other new relatives. We will be paying our respects for the other relative just before we go to grandma's service. I have already been to London before so I won't be doing any site seeing there.
I will be bringing my laptop and camera, so hopefully I will be able to check in here once and a while. I have to make sure that everyone is still being good! LOL :)
As for walking, I tried to move around a bit more yesterday and things were still not good, so today I am on the couch again planning what I need to pack and get to that later today.
My son tried to go to school here yesterday for the first time in a week and was sent back home by lunch, so he is going to stay home another full day with me here today. His asthma has kicked in full force here with the chest congestion and we are trying to get it back under control. I guess I am going to be pulling out the inibulizer (sp?) and put him on that a couple of times as needed. We are hoping that we get that in check before I go also... Not really the best time to go away... He is pretty good about everything though and is making sure that he is resting too. My mom and my sister can handle it though and know when to go to emergency if necessary so I know he is in good care.
Running... I am so missing right now... as with all this sitting around it is driving me bonkers and I stepped on the scale today and was not too happy about it. I was 3.6 lbs up, which is understandable... but depressing. I have been up more than this a few times during this journey and I have managed to get back on track, so I know I can do this. I just have to watch what I am eating while I can not move about. I am hoping that I will be able to walk here soon, especially with the trip here tomorrow. I guess that will be one good thing about the 7-8 hr flight... I won't be walking around. :)
New Hope Dog Rescue Fun Run
Tala was all set, excited and ready to go sporting her new bandana.
It wasn't that big of a turn out as they had hoped but it was a great socializing event for all dogs as everyone got along fine. :)
Tala met some new friends and was the usual social butterfly as usual. :) There were also 2 other sibe's there (one shown in pic above). The event was shorter than we have done previously as it was only 1.5k as we usually have done 5k in the past with this event. I am not sure I know why they have changed it... Tala and I started off walking and then decided we would run it nice and easy. We enjoyed all the doggie water stations as they were well organized. :) Tala also enjoyed her treats from the event afterwards and then went home for a good snooze.So... everything went well up until then... I then went out to finish the k's needed for my long run as I did not manage to get out before sunday to finish it. I took things nice and easy and made it to about 6.5k and then WHAM! IT band called it quits... WT*!?! I stopped, went on the grass, stretched out and had some of my sports drink and tried again... it wasn't going to happen. I had to stop at 7k and turn around and walk home - forgot my cell... Luckily it did not hurt while walking. So I finally get home and then decide to take the bike out for a spin to get a bit more cardio in. Well 5k in to that I had to turn around as this was not going to be my day. I went back over things that I did that day trying to figure out what happen as it was a bit purplexing to me as why it did. Shoes? Nope. Stretched? Yep. Overtrained? Nope, actually less here the last week and a bit. Terrain? Maybe... I alternated the part of the road that I was running on but there were a few spot that were quite slanted as there was no other place to run. I did slip a couple of times on the gravel part from the ruts... did not think it was that bad when it happened. I know now... :( So... I have been not able to walk after that as I could not bend my knee at all. Great... what more can happen... I should have never hopped on to the bike afterwards... but I did not realize at the time the severity of it. So, for the last couple of days here I have been best friends with RICE, ibuprofen, foam roller, stretches, strengthening supporting muscles, and some contrast treatment - alternating between heat and ice. I believe I have caught it fast enough here as today things are better and I can bend with little pain. So, no running as of yet but not too worried about the half coming up as I think it will be fine by then. I only have one more long distance run left and if I am unable to do it, that will be ok with me because I know I can run the distance already - it just won't be as fast as I wanted. There are many other races out there that I can aim for in succeeding in my goal. :) Injuries can sometimes just happen out of the blue even when following the best of plans - I just have to re-look at my journal and see if there are some possible causes besides the terrain.
Thank you again everyone for all your kind words as it was all very much appreciated. A few things have happened since I have been on here. My friend and my father-in-law have given me the money to cover the extra cost of the ticket to go to England. So... I now do not have to worry as much about it financially. The problem is that my 'great uncle' is being an a@@ about the whole thing and does not want a funeral!!!! Well, the family here says they won't go and spend the money to go unless there is one. If there is one thing that doesn't drive me absolutely insane is family fighting during a time of passing. Enough already and just let us say our goodbyes. So... am I going to be going to England? I am still so confused... It is nothing like coming to terms with everything and then basically having the ticket given to me to go. I know... worse things could happen...
Well, sorry I have not posted lately on anyone's blogs... I have read them just was not to much feeling like a cheerleader at the moment. So... be prepared cause I am on my way back. :)
Ok... I have heard about things happen in 3s and I am a bit of a believer in this one... My Nanny just called and my grandma's sister passes away last week also and the funerals will be on the SAME day!!! Both in England, BUT in different places! I wasn't close to her but she is in my thoughts and her family is in my prayers as my grandma will be taking priority. Now for the final decision with all of this and to see if a plane ticket will be purchased. The funeral is next week on Tuesday, May 13th at 12 pm.
Thanks everyone.
I have come to the financial conclusion that I will not be going to England to see my grandma. I have the airmiles for the flight, and we have figured out a way to get the rest of the money for taxes and surcharges and such (around $500), but it will be putting a strain on us here. Also, I can only rely on the family there for so much and will need some type of spending money. So, I have talked to the family and they are going to set up a web cam for all of us here to be there virtually when the time comes (at the funeral). It is not quite the same, but realistically this has to be the way it is.
I really appreciate all the comments yesterday. I really did not feel like posting anything until I found out more. I spent a good chunk of time on the phone and contemplating what would be the best to do.
My DH is also leaving for out of town here on Thursday and I am scheduled to work on Friday morning not Monday here as I thought. I have phoned work and they said it would be no problem but there are also the animals at this pt too. My sister can stay here and my son would be at my mom's, but the financial responsibilities that are looming for the rest of the month can not be ignored. So, I have thought long and hard about it and have decided this is the best thing for me to do with everything else going on here. The biggest reason that it is not in my best interest right now to go is that I am in the middle of getting a job for the summer and building a financial nest egg for if and when my husband goes to depot for training for about 6 months. There are many things to do around the house also for fixing and repairing if we have to sell it. My son also has a camp with the school that I also have to pay for.
I know my grandma would be happy on why I could not come to say good bye to her and she would understand. I guess I am just not meant to go to funerals... almost everyone that has come along in my family, something has happened that I could not go. I was once stranded on the highway with my old truck broken down in -40 weather dressed in black nice funeral attire. That was for my grampa, who was like my dad. The hardest ever that I had to go through.
For all who may have been a little confused on wether my grandma was a great grandma, she was my great grandma. I was raised like my mom and her siblings as my brother and sisters, and my Nanny (grandma) as my mom, and my great grandma as my grandma. This is because my mother was a single parent and I spent a good chunk of my younger life with my grand parents. I have always been treated this way also. My half-sisters that came about after my mom was married, never experienced the closeness that I have with the other generations.
Well, after eating my wt in food here the last bit, I am trying to get myself out the door here for a long run. I figure 18k should give me some good alone thinking time away from the house also. My father-in-law is going to take us out for Dim Sum after I get back.
She still is hanging on and my family that are going have now decided that they are for sure going when she passes. I will be fine and I have come to terms with my decision and know that this is for the best. I will have her in my memories. I do have to share one small story about this British lady though. We were once camping and my two sisters (at the time were about 2 and 5 yrs of age and my one sister told my youngest one to stop chewing like a cow. Well that was it! My grandma flipped. It was then that I learned that calling someone a cow is a HUGE insult in England. We still laugh about this today, especially the now 26 yr old (was 5 then). :)
I am lucky to have our five generation photo and that my son was able to meet her a good many times. I will miss her 1 tbsp of whiskey in her bedtime tea every night and her constant supply of pond's cream which is the only thing she would wash her face with. These were her fountains of youth. I will add here that she would be turning 100 this year, went out traveling until the last 6 yrs, bowling and dancing until the last 4, and had the best and smoothest skin on her face ever. :)
I am ok with this.
She has just passed away.
Sicky Thursday
Came across this this morning... it truly shows anyone can do anything! :)
I did not do any exercise at all yesterday as I just gave my body a bit of a break while it is sick. It may be the same today as I am only scheduled to do a smaller run with some speed tempos. This, if I do it will be later tonight after some rest.
Its cloudy out and still wet from the rain here but today it is supposed to go up to +14 and tomorrow is looking even better! My seeds that I started indoors (kept forgetting to start but finally did) are starting to sprout! Once things are settled here a bit more I have some major work to do outside. I have two fish ponds, a big one in the front and a med one in the back beside my garden, well last year when our tennant moved out in the spring (still a bit cool out) he was moving stuff in the back yard and dropped one of his things on my back yard pond! It ended up getting a crack in it and I tried to fix it (noticed AFTER I put fish in that it did not hold) and so here I was running from the back yard to the front yard a fish in a net to save them to the front yard pond. Back and forth I went until I caught the last one... so I have decided that I am just going to remove the back pond and extend my garden this year... :( which kinda sucks... So I am going to have to get some dirt halled in here to fill in the hole which at least isn't too big, but would need more than a couple of those bags of dirt you can buy at the store. I don't like having my big koi out in the front especially with the free roaming cats that like to sit by the pond and watch... hoping for their next meal! They have not been successful thus far though... :) The other thing is that there has been a few people with bigger koi in their front yard that have been stolen. My one is over 12 inches now and it would kill me to see him gone. :( But, unless I build something else here... they will have to be in the front unless they stay inside.
The best news though is that the weather is nicer again and so we are going to be setting up the hot tub!!! Yeah! I don't have one of those hard fancy ones, but a couple of yrs ago I saw one at my aunt's cabin and fell in love with it. It is a blow up one that has a heater and all and it is soooooo comfortable!!! I find it much more comfortable than the hard ones. We had it out going all year round the first year and spent the New Years out there but decided that this year I would pack it up for the winter. I so can't wait to have it going again... It feels so good after I have stretched out and iced after a good run. :) It's all my husband has been mentioning about in the yard - he misses it - but doesn't want to admit it was a good find. :) <-I bought it for myself for my birthday. If you are reading this sweetie... Luv you! lol :)
Well time to take some stuff again here so I can breath and check on my son. It's funny with him because he is either super hyper when he is sick (generally a chest problem) or he is really sleepy, which is a rare one in which he has a fever aches and pains and is just out of it. Last year when we came back from China when we were all sick, he slept for 4 days! He came out once in a while to eat a bit and then back to sleep. I have never seen him do that before!
Well, I guess I should end my book here. Spring fever has hit and I so want to get going outside again here. I am hoping that we are finally able to get the gazebo and patio furniture from my father in law this year so we can set things up nicely out. If this is going to be the last time we are living in this house, I want to enjoy it. :)
Have a great day! - OH! wi is tomorrow but I won't be watching too overly much with the sodium thing because chicken soup/sodium is kinda hand in hand and I don't really feel like making some homemade stuff at this pt. :) Ok... maybe later... but not right now. lol
Get to go to work!
Finally! I haven't been able to sub in a bit so this is nice. I am working at a lower priveledged (sp?) school (inner city school) here in toon town and in a lower grade class room. It's going to be a short day as their school day ends at 3. So, after work I will head out and do a small run of 3-5k with Tala around the neighborhood. We have to get her training in also with her own fun run this Sunday! :)
Well, I hope everyone's day went well yesterday. Its a short post today as I am a bit rushed this am. lol
Take care!
Actually double digit temp!
I am so surprised. :) +10, a little cloudy but beggars can't be choosers. lol I'll take it.
Thank you everyone for the big congrats! It was a milestone for me indeed and I already have my eyes on another new one. 60 mins for a 10k! Of course I am just going to get through my 1/2 marathon first. :) But come Canada Day in the HBC run here... I am going to shoot for it. I am not quite sure about making it then, but I know it is going to come in the near future. :)
So, today has been an easy day for me here so far, I headed out for a quick outing came back home and slowly getting some things done around the house. I just noticed the neighbors across the street mulching their grass... I guess it is time to get some of that stuff done now...
For the next two days here I am going to try to pick up some subbing and hopefully I can get it over on this side of the city so I am closer to home. Maybe even ride my bike there. :)
The rest of my day is not too exciting... probably more of the same as what I have been doing.
I am not sore at all from my run yesterday which is a really good thing as I thought that pushing myself the way I did I may have some kind of soreness. Pretty happy about that one. :)
Well, I hope all have had a good day!
Fun Run Sunday!!
Well, this is it... my first (kinda) race of the season. It is a so called 'fun' race, but I have the jitters already. lol The race is put on by the Saskatoon Roadrunner's Association here and we are to meet at Brainsport first before starting the race at the top of the Broadway bridge. Well, I have to describe this Brainsport store. I have always been a bit nervous going in there because it always seemed that just the faster runners, the true athletes go there. They have wonderful service and a wealth of knowledge... but I just felt intimidated. When I went their this time to get my new runners instead of the usual Running Room, I felt much more comfortable there. I still have my jitters though. :) I must add that this race will most probably be a fast one as everyone is seeing what time they can get in their 5 or 10 distance to base their training on... *double gulp* :) I will most probably be one of the back of the packers for sure... which is all good with me - cause that's MY spot! lol
The weather is 0 right now with a high of +9 for the afternoon and by the looks of it I will be running when it is +5-6 with a wind of 15km/hr. Race is at 1 pm. Ok... I can do this. The snow has pretty much cleared up in the main areas and depending if we are running on the trail or the road will determine if there will be any snow to contend with. They say that we are starting on the top of the Broadway Bridge which is a little scary because this may be the end of the race - going up the steepest bridge in the city... *gulp* But heh... I should be able to do this... I have trained on bigger hills. :)
Well, time to have my breakie. :) I will let you know later how things went. Later on today, my son and I are going to enjoy a nice bike ride around the neighborhood. :)
Snow... AGAIN!!!!!
:( Well yesterday I ended up heading out during lunch time which was a bit later than I intended to. I wish I would have looked at the weather station earlier and that would have got me going. You see I went out for my run during a weather snow storm advisory! Let's just say that there was heavy winds, rain, sleet and snow... It made it for a very cold hard run but I kicked it's butt anyways. :) My friend came half way through and let me warm up in her vehicle for 5 mins and filled up my water bottle. Gotta love friends like that. :) Yesterday during the run I also opened up my stride for a bit and instead of doing my usual shuffle, and did not look at what pace I was doing the whole time. I had my route all mapped out (which ended up being a little off - oops) and ran at what felt comfortable. I now know I can run this distance at a faster yet comfortable pace. So far I am still on track for hitting my goal of running my 1/2 in under 2.5 hrs!!! :) I so can not wait. :) The new drink I tried yesterday ELoad - worked out well and was quite mild on the stomach. I think I may have found a new winner to have besides my water on my long runs. :)
Well I ate every AP that I earned and only 5 extra FPs for the day so I did not go as overboard as I thought I would. I am debating about heading to hot yoga here this afternoon to get a good stretch out... but looking outside this morning... I am not too sure if I want to head out there. It is all white out there again. Really depressing... but I am not going to let it get me down. :( Will this ever quit! This stuff has to be gone by tomorrow... I seriously do not remember a spring storm hanging on for sooooo long! Well at least this much snow anyways in this many of times.
My plans for the day is to get a good stretch in even if I go to hot yoga or not, some laundry, house cleaning, and maybe a trip to the grocery store later. I should be having quite the healthy day food wise as it is all planned and ready to go. :) Other than that... some good ol' R&R. :)
Tomorrow... fun race! :) 5k baby and even though the course is going to be a tough one, it is going to be a good one. :)
Thanks everyone yesterday for all the congrats! It meant a lot to me... :)
Back to 100 lbs loss!
I am so doing a happy dance right now! It is official this morning that I am now back down to 100 lbs lost from my highest wt! :) The scale registered 124.4 lbs this morning and I was very happy that I had managed to get over the hump that I was feeling earlier this week. :) On this journey, my total wt loss is 22.2 lbs! It is so time to celebrate here.... :)
This morning I will be heading out for my long slow run of 18k and I am going to start from my house this time. I will be on my own so I have mapped my route and told my husband where I am going to be. For this run I will be introducing a new drink to try along with my water to see if this helps me with my sodium issues while running (I lose sodium fast). I normally do not worry about it but starting at this amount of km, I am going to give it a shot. I will be taking my normal power jelly beans (couple) and two small pcs of granola bar. That should tide me through as I am going to be running for about 2:15 hrs outside doing my 10:1's. I am feeling great this morning with no aches and pain, just a little tired from a restless sleep (someone was snoring heavily last night... and it wasn't me) ;)
After I am done my run, drink my chocolate milk, get all stretched up, ice if needed, and get all cleaned up, I am going to enjoy a good lunch. :) There will be about 13-14 APs to be eaten on top of my normal. lol ;)
The rest of today I am not quite sure of yet. There won't be too much done strenuous wise because I have to make sure that the rest of today and tomorrow I recover well from today's run with my 5k fun race on Sunday.
Yesterday, my son's Running Mania zippered hoodie arrived and he was really happy with it. I bought it for him to show how happy I was that he is getting outside and doing something like the biking and going to do a kids 1k race on Canada Day. :) The only person I do not have decked out yet is my husband... You see, when I do my 1/2 marathon here in the end of May, I would like to have a good orange cheering section for me. :) There is always a sea of Running Room clothing mostly with the odd Brainsport one on races and run/walk events here and I am going to break that monopoly up. :) There are hardly any Saskatchewan people involved with the Running Mania (a great running forum and support site for runners and such) and I am going to wear my colors with pride. So if any of the Sk people out there see any pics at the end of next month with a girl wearing an orange shirt or tank top, bright orange socks, and some fake tattoos, that's me! :) And hopefully I do not embarrass myself too much during the race. :)
I am starting to get really excited now about the half. There is only 3 long runs left including todays for this schedule and depending on how it goes, it will determine what races I for sure go in next.
Well, not much else here besides a happy wi, planned good food, and some good ol' R & R before Sunday.
run: 19.4 km/2:16:03 mins, avg 159 bpm 7:00 min/km, cold wet run and really windy, opened up my stride and ran at a comfortable pace with out looking at what pace I was doing. Good run though
It's warming up!
Woke up this morning and the sun is shining. The weather is looking like we are going to have some nicer days ahead. Today is a rest day for me besides biking to the movie store to return some movies. My long run of 18k is tomorrow and I should be nice and rested for that one. It is going to be done probably slower than usual as I just want the distance in and also because I have a a bit of a run race on Sunday.
I was just checking the Roadrunner's site and the time and location has changed from before. It looks like it may be a harder course with a nice hill on the end of it. :( So I am not sure if I am going to be able to beat my time on a 5k or not. :( :(
Scale wise, I peaked again and things are looking even better for me. I had a healthy day yesterday and I hope to continue today so that it stays at this wt or may be goes lower... only time will tell. :)
My one dog decided that she like to counter surf all of a sudden now. :( My almost 4 yr old, Cleo, has eaten a few meals on the counter the last couple of days. I have to make sure that everything is put way far back or she goes in there and helps herself. Last night I had to make an extra plate because she decided mine was hers. It's funny because she knows that she has done wrong and goes and hides after she has done it. I hope she is not revolting because we have not done agility this year yet... She loves her agility. :) So I have to work on that with her.
Tonight I have a meeting that is for all parents in the gr. 6-8 of my son's school for a camp that they are going to in the beginning of June. I will probably be gone all 3 days there since they always request that someone from our family is their because of my son's designation. So I will be volunteering for a couple of things. Just don't know what I want to do yet. The students love when I am the cabin mom because the girls love the stories at night. :)
My husband left yesterday morning for Regina to work and will be back later today. He is being sent out of town so much that anytime that I want to work, I can't because he is not home for my son in the morning. I think I may have to come up with some other alternatives now for these types of situations.
Boy I am just rambling this morning... this must be a little boring. :)
For the rest of today, I am going to be working on cleaning up the basement and clearing out and unplugging the fridge downstairs. We don't have anyone living down there and can't till repairs are done, so the area has been used for games, workout room, study room and such. I was putting some extra stuff in there, but we all keep forgetting about it. oops! :) So I am just going to unplug the old thing and be done with it.
Well, since wi is tomorrow, I am going to work extra hard to make sure that it is a core day, watch the sodium, and up the water. Let's see what tomorrow brings. :)
The streets are clear again :)
Sooooo happy here for two reasons:
1) the streets have managed to clear up
2) tonight is my last night of hill training for my schedule
As I usually do my hills by myself on a Thurs since this Running Room location's 1/2 marathon clinic voted to do them on Thurs night instead of Wed night, which I used to do before this schedule, I am going to go to my old Running Room location to see if they are doing theirs tonight and hopefully run them with them. My weekly schedule has been rearranged this week due to the small fun race, 5k, on Sunday here. I also prefer to do them on Wed. :) So hopefully....
Thanks to everyone with the virtual push yesterday to get my butt out the door and do something about things. :) You helped me more than you could know... It was a great run and felt really good! The soaked shirt was a good indicator... lol And yes Stacie :)... I may have the mojo back! Froggie... still waiting for your report....
I was just reading an email this morning from the Saskatchewan Marathon Association and there are some really cool prize draws for all runners. Included in one of these draws is a new treadmill!!!!! Very doubtful that I would win the draw though... but wouldn't that be SWEET!!! :) I think I would be happier with that then some trip at this pt (another prize in the draw). Ahhhh... to only dream..... :)
See, I told you I was in a better mood. :) Scale moved back down a bit this morning and I have today and tomorrow to straighten things back out - and no I am not starving myself. lol I make sure I eat quite enough. :)
As I read the ww boards and other forums, I have found a great number of people wanting to learn to run. There has been questions about at what wt they can start at, how fast to go when running, what programs are out there... etc. So, I am going to keep a list of learn to run programs for people who are interested and would like to try things on their own. Sometimes someone may feel intimidated by asking or feel nervous about it. That is why I am doing this.
*note: I am not an expert runner by any means, I am just passing on some information to others that may wish to have it.
A couple of hints:
-if you are not close to even running for 30 secs yet, just use the faster/run parts as a faster, brisk walk, and the other, the walk part as a normal walk. Things will get easier for you. If you are finding you are out of breath - SLOW DOWN!!!!
-make sure you have your doctor's approval before starting
-make it comfortable and don't push yourself too hard
-stay relaxed, no clenching of fists
-get some good quality running shoes, if you can go and get fitted for some (not sportchek or sportmart!), but if that is the only place you have a choice of going to, well, just make sure that you are comfortable in them and take your time choosing a pair. Take as long as you need to and do not feel rushed. The best time to go is in the afternoon or later.
-I know I said don't push yourself, but I can not say that enough. Injuries happen when you push yourself and your program should be enjoyable. Speed comes later (if you want to progress further)
-water, water, water - just do not drink too much so you hear a sloshing sound - then you have gone too far. The water will help in the recovery and less soreness of your muscles, and keep you hydrated. Most people do not need to worry about things like gatoraide unless you are running/walking for around an hr. There are exceptions to this though, and you will know who you are.
-when you are doing the run/walk program of choice, and you feel that you are too tired, slow it down and maybe just walk the remainder of your time. You can always stay at the week level you are on until you are ready to move to the next level
-make the program work for you. Arrange it so it can fit in to your lifestyle.
-make sure you do not forget to STRETCH!!!
Well, that covers a couple of things that I thought someone may be nervous or feel stupid about asking. I started a walk/run program back when I was 224 lbs and had to take it really slow. I have made many mistakes and paid for it with injuries, but it was a true learning experience for me as I wish to never repeat. :) Even though you may do everything right, taking it on the slower side for example, injuries still can happen. These are often caused by body mechanic issues or need new or different shoes.
Here is a list of some learn to run programs (I will locate more) and this list will also be located on the side with links.
-coolrunning.com (free) - popular, couch to 5k learn to run (there is also a podcast that goes with this from another site
-podrunner (free) - I found on itunes. Techno beat music, has a great warm up and cool down
-Running Room Learn to Run Program (fee) - if you have access to online or a store, great for meeting new people and good program (I did this one)
-Runner's World Magazine online - learn to run program, also very respectable
-(book) Runner's World Complete Book of Women's Running - all questions answered and covers all levels from start to finish.
-(book) Running for Mortals - funny, great program
-(book) The Beginning Runner's Handbook - great learn to run program
The are also many others out there, but this is what came to mind to me right now and there will probably be more later on the side. Doing a google search for learn to run programs is another way to find one that may suite you. Just accommodate where needed. :)
Well, I guess that was a bit long winded today... see what happens when I am in a funk for a few days... I come back and my mind is just a racing. :)
Food wise, the rest of the day is planned and looking quite healthy - in fact.. really healthy. :) I have already downed 1 L of water here and going for some more.
I guess I have wrote my limit for the day... don't want to bore you all too much longer with my enthusiasm. :)
Now to go check in on Froggie-George... lol :) *waves*
run: 9 x hills/1:40:00 mins, last hill workout - done! :) felt really good, and getting stronger
Mindless munching again...
Yesterday as I was watching the Boston Marathon, old habits kicked back in and I munched... and munched... So another day of mindless munching and it did not stop with the marathon. Last night I ended up getting the mentality of oh well, today is a write off anyways and went and took the family to an ice cream place and had a swiss dark chocolate gelato in a waffle cone and brought some baked old dutch chips to eat also... no water...
I am so close to being back to the original 100 lbs loss again and it seems like it is scaring me some how... I don't know how to describe it.
All I want to do is run this mood off but the roads are really slippery and my treadmill is broken. :( I think I am going to have to tuff it out and dress the part and boot my butt outside to get over this. I need to feel like I got a good run in and Sunday's fiasco with the treadmill did not give me that. It was more depressing than anything. I even felt like having a *gasp* smoke last night!!! (I didn't though - about my only nsv for the day) :(
Oh well... enough of my problems... life can be tough sometimes and I have to learn how to overcome them with out the use of food and have backups in place when things go wrong. EG. Treadmill breaking down.
The scale was not so nice to me this am as I took a peak at it and I think I am going to have to be really strict with myself here if I at least want to stay the same. I have gone over and beyond my FPs for the week which I think is the first for me this journey. OP no more...
So, my plan for the day is nothing but water (no coffee), get my 5k run in, eat clean and within my points (both DP and APs), and get out of this funky mood.
*Thanks to the virtual push from Froggie-George, I am going somewhere to use a treadmill and try to kick this mood away. I will post when I am done.
run: 5.44 km/40 mins, first 5 mins not in that time as I was walking to warm up, then 30 mins of 6:47 min/km run, then 10 mins of walking to make 5.44 km in total. I feel a bit better and more relaxed now - something that I have not felt since last Thursday. It was a bit tricky running on a different treadmill as it was showing in miles/hr for speed and I had absolutely no clue what I was set on. I just went by the Nike+ for distance and pace. I know if I had run outside it would have shown a really good run as I really pushed my self today to get all the cobwebs out. I may have to re-calibrate my Nike+ so it can be a bit more accurate. (Garmin would have been just around 6k and pace would have been about 6:20 min/km {for the run part})
Your turn Froggie-George... lol :)
Did I ever say that I hate the cold?
Well, I do! lol I woke up this morning to a wonderful site of a layer of frozen ice pellets on the ground. Temp wise it is not bad at -2 going to +4 this morning, BUT it is the wind that is bugging me a long with being way too slippery out. Temp I can handle - just dress right for it - but I am being a baby right now and don't really want to be cold. :( The wind is at 33 and with gusts up to 44. :( I think it may be a slippery repeat of what happened in the beginning of March and I do not want to live that again - taking upteen hours just to get my lips close to the proper color they should be...
So... I have bit the bullet here, not wanting to risk any injury by slipping, and I am going to run my 12k inside on the treadmill. I am just happy that this week is not the 18! :) So my computer is all charged up and I am going to find a movie to watch while running - one of the few perks on running on the treadmill. :)
I feel sorry for my friends that are running in some other places in Canada today... St. Albert has a race and there is a travel advisory out for it. So far in Vancouver, there is no snow for the Sun Run but it is cold... Montreal (I think) has one too - but the weather I heard is not too bad there. :) So, here's wishing everyone that is running an event today the best of luck and have FUN!!!! :)
I ended up not getting my other cross training day in at all this past week which is ok. I did take a nap yesterday morning and slept right till my husband and son came home at lunch! I must have needed it. :)
Food wise yesterday was not all that great and I found my self doing some mindless munching. I did well up until supper and then that was it... an no APs to help take care of it, so WPs... b'bye! :)
Well, everyone is sleeping here still and I should get going here on my run. I am feeling so so about it this am as I only got about 5.5 hrs of sleep... :( I guess that nap maybe was a little too long. :)
I think I may finish my post after... :)
OK... I think I should have ran outside anyways... My treadmill decided to be possessed this morning! My run was all over the place in speed as the belt was either slipping, sticking, belt suddenly going faster or slower, and me coming to abrupt halts trying to fix it as I went. By the end of the run I had it set at 12 km/hr which is a fairly good pace (fast in fact!) but the treadmill in actuality was only going as fast as about 6.4! I was so frustrated but determined that I had to finish it and get it done no longer how long it took me. :( The treadmill is only coming on 5 yrs old at this point but it has seen quite a bit of mileage... still no reason for it to be doing this. So, needless to say my stats for this run are all out of whack but I will post what I have from my Nike.
I also received my email about my inquiry in to the Team in Training to go to San Fransico in October to the Nike Women's Marathon. I found out that a person would need to raise about $4900 to go... I can't do that. I also can not believe that it is about the same amount as I had to raise to do the Hawaii Marathon, which I did not get to go to due to a surgery. So, I am sticking with doing the Nike Virtual Women's Marathon instead like I originally planned I guess.
run: 12.51 km/1:39:36 mins, avg 162 7:57 mins/km, on treadmill which decided it was going to have some fun with me. :(
snow... :(
Nice... woke up to a bit of snow this am and the roads are SLIPPERY!!! I have to laugh at the weather forecast though... It has been jumping back and forth about having 4-5 days of snow with cold temperatures. The latest is that it will be warming up to +6 today with rain and tomorrow was -1 and now it is going to +11 with rain... I wish it would make up it's mind... Oh well, I will just wake up tomorrow and see what I am wearing for my run outside. All I know is that if I wake up to the icy conditions that I woke up to today, I am doing my run on the treadmill. :) At least it is a cutback week and it will only be 12k. :) NOT the 18 which is next week. :)
Well, I did not manage to get my seeds started so today I will do that. I ended up doing some doggie yard cleanup and clearing some bushes from the front yard. The neighbors got a kick out of that one because I had my son's old plastic wagon out and was using it to haul everything. :)
I did not go really hog wild on the eating yesterday and did not get my cross training and wts in either. I am going to see about doing that today also. My son and I instead bbq'd some burgers, rented some movies and then sat and watched them with popcorn and diet root beer floats. :) (with fat free/no sugar ice cream) I never realized that my son has not had one before... He was in love with them. :)
Right now my husband is actually taking my son to space camp this morning to build his rocket that I picked up yesterday. This should be good for the both of them so they can spend some time together like my husband keeps on mentioning that he is going to do. When they get back, I am going to be driving my son to his friend's birthday party at the indoor pool. They do not have any lanes there or I would have taken the time available there and gone swimming myself... or at least attempt to swim. :) If it was not for the party I would be going to hot yoga to finish my last pass. That is going to be Monday night now.
Other than that, I am trying to figure out supper here. I would like to bbq but I am not too sure of what the weather is going to do. I think I am going to have to figure out something else. :)
Not too much else to report here today... I am still pretty tired here. I think now that everyone is gone... I may sneak a bit of a nap in... :)
Non-smoker! :)
Stationary Bike: 60 mins Did not do again...
wts: 30 mins Same here...
ww wi...
... and I am back down again. :) 125.2 lbs! Onwards and downwards! :) I ate literally every pt available to me this week as I earned 39 APs! My body really needed the fuel. :) My pts reset today so I am going to go and enjoy something here... haven't decided what yet. Maybe I may call my Nanny and see if she wants to go for breakie. :)
I also took my measurements this morning since I keep on forgetting and wowza! Body changes are a happening here! I am down 25 inches! Everything is moving proportionally except for my arms... well, I have always had arms on the bigger side and I just have to face that fact. :)
Well, I said I was going to take it easy last night at hot yoga and well... I did... it was just that the instructor came to me a couple of times to advance my moves in a few poses! Happy... but not happy as my shoulder's are again on the sorer side... :( My legs feel great after the hills though.... :)
Today is going to be some cross training on the stationary bike and some wts. I am NOT going to be pushing myself at all. In fact I think it may be on the more of a leisurely side today. :)
Not much planned for today outside as the weather is supposed to be turning for the worse here at some pt. :( I was looking forward to getting some things done outside but I don't think that is happening. I still have to manage to run to a few stores here as I did not manage to yesterday... I know what I am going to do though... I am going to start my seeds! Last year my son and I planted some Lunar pumpkins and they turned out really cool! So, I found some seeds last week and we are doing them again - had lots of complements last yr. :) I only have a 8 foot by 8 foot garden (super small) but I can pack quite a bit in there. The pumpkins did take over part of the yard outside of the garden though.... We are also going to try these things called Lemon cucumbers. My son thought that they looked pretty neat so they are going to be in there also besides some other regular stuff. Corn is also going to be in there this year instead of the sunflowers. - yes... my garden gets REALLY packed. lol I also do some container gardening with tomatoes and lettuce... I am going to see what else here that I can put into a container on the deck - which is also really small. :)
Other than that, life is pretty good today and I am looking forward to the weekend here. Tomorrow is going to be a really needed rest day and by the looks of things... with the snow coming... there will be no bike rides also. :(
Non-smoker! :)
