This is my Bammy

I learned I have a new body part -- my bammy. This is the muscle group that demarcates my ass from my hamstrings (or hammy; hence bammy!!) LOL!!! Tuesday's core workout with Charmaine concentrated on my armpits and my bammy. Alas, I was not to know these muscles would be targeted until the next day... We balanced a pole on the ground and squatted up/down and all around for a little awhile, then did lunges with
another heavier bar. More triceps work followed -- until me poor little arms were in quite a state. Charmaine told me in no uncertain terms that today I would move up to a 10lb weight instead of my usual 8 lb. I think this is why my armpits were so sore!! LOL!!!

I had a hill workout later that day and did it on my trainer as the weather was still crap. (Note to Keith-- Yes!! The tip about using the masking tape to label the wires really helped!!) I was feeling like a hero, so I stood up quite a bit during the hills. This probably compounded my bammy problem.

All was well until the next day when my bammy was throbbing. I had to keep touching it -- why do we do that? When a muscle hurts -- why do you just have to touch it?? LOL! I could go to the bathroom OK, but just walking around HURT in an altogether weird way.

Yesterday I decided to drive way the heck out of my way to do my 3.5 hour ride in K-country. I was pretty excited --I had talked to Gord about it - he said that you gain a significant amount of elevation. I parked at the Highwood River Inn and campground and then hopped on my bike. The sun was playing peek-a-boo with the clouds, and there were a few times I wished I had brought my arm warmers. I had a good warm up and then saw that the road was closed up ahead. The barriers were down, but there was another sign in the middle of the road saying "No Motorized Vehicles." I thought to myself, "Yay!! By default that means I'm in!!" I poked around the barrier and then continued to pedal into heaven. NO TRAFFIC and TONS OF WILDLIFE -- Susi you would have been in your glory. I pedaled on the road because there was so much deer poop on the shoulders -- and because there was no traffic.

The climb is steady, but not steep like Osoyoos. It actually catches you off guard -- the grade isn't significant but you are really climbing. I channeled Kelsey yesterday big time. Pushing,pushing, pushing up each hill and into the head wind. There were tons of deer and elk capering around, and the glaring brightness of the snow-covered mountains made me hit nirvana!! KAPOW!!!

I rode past a number of little campsites -- Mist Lake was the last one I rode by.I went a good measure beyond it and then decided to turn around. HOLY CARP!! I'm liking the holy carp as opposed to holy crap lately -- don't ask me why -- just one of those exhaustion-induced moments of private hilarity. LOL!!! Anyways, the Holy Carp was how freakin' fast the way back was. Downhill AND with the wind at my back --WHEEEEEEE!! There's nothing like it!

There were a bunch of cattle guards (Why do some signs say Texas Gate? It sort of sounds like a slur, eh? LOL!!) I was too chicken to try and line up the tires with the narrow strip of metal. I dismounted and hoofed it across each one. :):)Right before the road barricade, there was some type of animal that gum-booted across the highway and dashed up a near vertical bit of mountain. This sucker MOVED!!I was in aero and blasting down the hill and this thing just took off like a rocket. I don't know if it was a cougar or what -- dark reddish brown hair and moved like the wind. Pretty big, but didn't move like a canine? I dunno but it was awesome to see!! :) :)

Made it back to my car where I was really pooped but ecstatic!! I decided to stretch a bit and found a nice patch of grass where I did "The Frog" -- Kelsey showed me this move and it feels so good, but I'm sure if anyone was watching they would think "What the ...???" LOL!!!!!!



I am going to go back and do the whole climb up Kananaskis -- it was just so very awesome I can't wait!!!!

Today, I went swimming in the morning and the lil' devil just about killed me with his:

10 x 100 on 20 sec rest
16 x 50 on 15 sec rest
24 x 25 on 10 sec rest.

I just about frigging died!! Thanks Greg. LOL!!!

Next,I met up with Charmaine and we did a nice 2 hour mountain bike ride AND then went swimming again!!! She noticed straight away that I had reverted to my usual version of swimming sans legs. She had me kicking my brains out and I was gasping so hard for air I though I would pop a lung. LOL!!! Kicking with a kick board, kicking without, kicking butterfly, kicking, kicking, kicking!!!!! She had me do 50m slow, then 25 m fast. When she would tap me, I had to kick even faster. My arms and reach are much improved but my kicking is the pits.

I was so out of breath that I had to take a LONG break between these sets of 75m. Char swam underneath me and would hit my leg if I started getting lazy again -- Man, I SUCK!!!!! LOL!! Between my sucky kick and my poor bammys, it's a wonder I can even walk!! LOL!!!!!

Have a great weekend everyone!!!!! :) :):)

Like the flood of '95

I am in awe as to the amount of rain we have been getting. We've struggled since we moved into this house to get the desert-like tinder of the backyard to flourish, and this year -- WHOO Doggy!! It's like a jungle back there. While I was playing in Penticton last weekend, Mike had a visit from his best friend, and the lawn did not get mowed. Of course, it's been raining ever since and my backyard is like a lush tropical paradise. It's funny to see Diva "wade" through the grass trying to find the perfect spot to poop. LOL!!

I decided to wrestle my trainer tire back onto my bike too. I had a hell of a time trying to get the darn thing back on too. I was wearing a heavy sweater and had to take it off because I was working up a sweat! The tire irons saved me -- I wrestled with that sucker until I was pretty worked up and muttering to myself. Sorry to all the men out there -- But I did say, "You can tell this was invented by a guy. That's why its so bloody difficult." Sorry guys!! I love ya all, but when the sweater came off, the cranky pants came on!! LOL!!!!

I finally got the thing on, and decided that I was going to get a spare wheel for my trainer tire. I'd been thinking about this for a while now, and promptly decided yesterday. My peace of mind is worth it!! So, I trucked on down to Gord's and placed my order and picked up some spare tubes and other goodies.

Yesterday morning I had an awesome swim -- 10 sets of 200 on 30 sec rest. I felt great!! I tuckered out near the 7th set but I kept pushing myself. Core work at the gym followed, and then my trainer ride in the evening. Yesterday was the first time I biked with my ipod and I loved it!!! I was singing along to all these songs and because Peanut was watching me the entire time, I adapted the songs for her. Here are a couple of examples:

Justin Timberlake - Lovestoned:

She looks like a lion except she has a little more ass.
Don't even bother
Unless you've got a back that she likes
That's why she's sleeping on my head tonight

INXS - Devil Inside

Here comes the Peanut
With the look in her eye
Raised on cat food
With flesh on her mind
Claws are weapons, sharper than knives
Makes you wonder how all those little mice die

Peanut's outside
Peanut's outside
Every single summer day,the Peanut's outside

LOL!!!!

Conan Vs. Mike

First off,I have to give Kelly an answer about my aero position. The pic of Peanut and me is from my very first bike. My new bike is a Jamis and this was the one that Gord fitted me out millimeter by millimeter for about 6 hours. My new bike is AWESOME and the positioning is great. Girl, you are just going to have to make a road trip to see Gord!!! LOL!! :) :)

Onto the Conan vs. Mike smack down...

We have this fancy schmancy computer but have had a host of difficulties with it. Mike is the computer guy -- me and technology don't mix -- at all. I am one of those people who still does not have a cell phone (and never will) and previous readers know where I stand on the whole VHS versus DVD debate. LOL!! Okay, it's not a debate at all -- only to ME! LOL!!!

Poor Mike was gunning for the game and it just wouldn't work -- he spent all day on the phone to the place where he purchased the computer from, and realized that he was missing 9 updates. He then downloaded a new audio update and then there was no sound!! LOL!! Frigging computers eh?

Oh and Darryl -- World of Warcraft -- TOTAL CRACK!!!! It was so bad at some points --when people said that game was like crack-- they really did meant it!!! Mike would be like a slave to the computer --- But, I am curious,what is your new addiction? The "..." left me intrigued! LOL!

So -- Conan has eluded Mike so far ...

I swam yesterday in our outdoor pool -- it's quite something to swim in the rain. No one really goes in the morning,so I just tooled around. Afterwards,I went to the gym for some core work and got sassed by one of the gym rats: "Weather not nice enough for ya? Get outta here, Julie!" LOL!! I had been absent from the Pass gym for a month so it was nice to see the regulars again. :):):)

Did some stretching, and then later on headed back to the gym for a 30 minute treadmill run with strides. Cooled down and then I did some major stretching. I have to thank Kelsey for "The Frog" although I don't know what the rest of the gym rats thought of it!! LOL!!! Many of these guys don't know anything about yoga -- or they think it is a "sissy" thing. Remember folks - I live in the Pass! LOL!!!!!

Have a great weekend!!

:) :) :)

Still recovering ...

Here are a few pics from the Penticton training camp. I was so happy to be out riding in the heat AND in all my pink glory!!! LOL!!

Also -- Susi's infamous boob bug -- Don't ask me why I still think this is so funny -- I can't stop laughing about it!! LOL!!

WOW -- I'm still recovering from Penticton. The Crowsnest Pass pool has finally
opened!! Yay! I will now save a ton of gas not having to drive to Sparwood three times a week, but there is one major drawback ... I miss my Charmaine!! We had a really great swim thing going on in the mornings -- there were a number of us that call ourselves "The A Team." LOL!!!!

My first swim on Wednesday in the Pass was altogether uninspiring -- no laughing, chatting, no energy. I'm scoping out fellow lane swimmers for buddy potential -- lukewarm reception so far. LOL!!!

Thus, yesterday I drove down to Sparwood to do what I call "Charmaine's Power Arms and Core Workout." Holy Crap -- this women doesn't fart around. Our mission -- to strengthen our arms and core for swimming. Char has this awesome routine of weights and core exercises that had us burning up the ol' gym. When I work out with her, I really push myself, and she does too! We kept commenting how just having another person there motivates you to keep pushing. When Char deemed our heart rate was too low, we had to do walking lunges, and then this terrible slow-motion baby-step lunge thing that just burned up my poor quadzillas. (Nod to Susi!!)

At one point, I let out a half yawn. You know the kind that you think is going to be a big yawn but then abruptly ends partway through -- making you look like a weirdo standing there with your mouth open? Well, this yawn thing I did coupled with my grimace of concentration made Charmaine burst out laughing. She had to stop what she was doing because my face had said it all. LOL!!!

Afterwards, neither of us had to do anything so we ended up talking and drinking coffee until 1:30pm!! I had arrived in Sparwood at 7:45am. Hee-hee!!! I needed my Charmaine fix!! LOL!!!!!!

Our new plan is this: Tuesdays and Thursdays I'll go to Sparwood for Char's core workout --I still do my own regular core work on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. And, next Friday, Char is going to come up here: We will mountain bike and then do the noon hour swim. EEEEEEE!! I am so excited for the Pass to be inundated with Charmaine!! LOL! Those poor noon hour swimmers won't know what hit them once we get in the pool. LOL!!!

In other news, Mike has been anxiously awaiting the new Conan computer game. Apparently it was released or just came in or something yesterday so he just drove to Calgary to get it. Get this -- it's a 5 hour return trip and he had left and returned before I had come home from gabbing! Hee-hee!!

It was so cute -- when I came home after work, Mike had the whole soundtrack to Conan playing in the living room, while he was setting up his game. The game even comes with this treasure map that you had to actually unroll!! LOL! He was in seventh heaven!! It was so funny -- the map has a cloth-like texture and is even yellowed and antiqued like it were an ancient map. Needless to say, the computer was off-limits for me as Mike was in ecstasy over his new game. Hahahahahahaha!!

He was just like a little kid too -- All these computer games have this involved intro -- almost like a mini-movie where the story is introduced. He kept asking me, "Are you watching this?" or "Did you see that?" LOL!!!!!!!! :) :):) :)


If you don't hear from me for a while, blame it on Conan. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Back From Heaven!!!

Woohoo!! What an awesome time I had in Penticton -- meeting fellow bloggers, and others, AND biking my butt off!! :) :)

The weather was absolutely perfect -- over 30 degrees Celsius, so we could really get used to that kind of heat. I got a bad sunburn on my left arm and shoulder just driving to Penticton!! I was bunking with Kelsey, but due to car trouble, she didn't make it Thursday night. I woke up Friday morning, to see IG standing outside my room eating an apple.

I opened the door and made small talk until he nonchalantly said, "Well, we're thinking of biking the IMC course in reverse today, do you want to come?" I said, "Sure! When will we leave?" With the same nonchalance, IG casually looked at his watch and said, "Oh, I don't know, about 32 minutes." BAKAW!! 32 minutes to cram some breaky into my belly, and then gear up my bike with multiple water bottles, gels, etc.

I quickly got ready -- I was excited to just dive into a monster bike ride-- THEN I met Susi!!!! She is the sweetest, kindest, funniest chickie -- an all around cutie-pie. She has the biggest heart. :) :):) I also met Daryl -- awesome!!! IG, Mark (one of the dudes I drafted off for the Lethbridge race), Daryl, Susi, and I all set off. What a GREAT ride!!!!!!! I had so much fun, pushing myself continuously -- out of my comfort zone but not so far out that I would die of exhaustion. :) :)

We did an easy run afterwards just to the lake, where we quickly waded in and stood with our aching quads and hamstrings-- a natural ice bath!! :) :) This was to become my favourite ritual at the end of the day. :) :) Although,as each day passed, I waded deeper and deeper into the water as my nether regions and my ass got more and more sore. LOL!!!

Kelsey arrived Friday afternoon and cooked me a wonderful meal of salmon and pesto pasta. We made a deal that we would take turns cooking and cleaning. Some other people also arrived and once we met each other, I was off to bed.

Saturday morning, we all drove in a convoy to Oliver where we swam for a bit in the lake. We practiced running out of the water and then running back in. Kelsey did so awesome -- she had been a bit nervous about the lake, but totally overcame her fears and had a positive experience. I had an epiphany too -- while talking with everyone the night before, I decided to try swimming with my contacts in. Everyone told me they had never had a problem with it -- I was always under the impression that NO ONE swam with contacts. When one person after the other said, "I swim with them in", "I do too", I got my courage screwed up. And it worked! You have no idea what an ordeal it has been for me to not swim with my contacts. During Saturday's swim, suddenly, I could see!! :):)

Next we rode from Oliver, through Osoyoos, and to the top of the Osoyoos hill. A steady, steady climb under very hot oppressive conditions. At times,it was like an oven -- no wind just a quiet, intense heat. My nutrition was bang on!! :) :) This year, I have added electrolyte pills to my nutrition regimen and it's been the missing link for me. Working out in the heat has always been a challenge -- I am a very salty sweater. During the last three IMC's I have had lots of white powdery residue caking my shorts and my face. I would also pee like a demon too. Finally, this year, by cranking up my electrolyte intake I felt IMMENSELY better!! :) :)

Our group was strung out along the hill. I pedaled up to the eagle statue then turned around and blasted down!! YAHOOOO!!! Biked back to Oliver,where I had warned as many people as I could of my horrible sense of direction. Fortunately (for me!), Kelsey got a flat and decided to just take it easy until I caught up with her. All her stuff was in my car too -- heh-heh, almost like I ensured an escort into Oliver,eh? LOL!!

We waded into the lake to ease our muscles -- this time, I went up to my hips. LOL!!

Sunday was the day we biked the IMC course the right way. I was going to leave early with Susi and a couple of other gals. The plan was to leave at 7:00am -- until I wheeled my bike out and saw the rear tire was flat. It took me a while, but I did change it and felt mightily pleased with myself about that!! I felt bad that Susi and the girls were waiting for me -- I told them that they didn't have to wait. I didn't take the time to get all the grease and bike chain imprints off my legs from changing the tire -- we just set out.

Now here comes the truly embarrassing part -- the plan was to sort of stay together and wait at the corners or major turns for one another so we wouldn't get lost. Well, I went ahead to Okanagan Falls, and completely missed the turn --I started going in the wrong direction -- biked across a bridge and started going uphill. I quickly realized I was going in the wrong direction and pedaled back. LOL!! I had no idea where Susi and the girls were -- I had no idea what corner or where I would even perch to wait for them. So -- onto Osoyoos I went.

There were a bunch of other cyclists on the road at this point, and I must have cruised by another training group, because when I pulled into the Osoyoos Husky (THE place for the biking crowd's pit stop) I was greeted by this guy who waved me toward a nice tented Gatorade and water stand. I had to explain that I was with another group -- although I had no idea where any of them were!! LOL!!

I continued on, intending to bike the entire IMC course, out-and-back included. The only problem was, I didn't recognize any of the turn offs. I tried going up this one side road, Coulthard road -- it sounded familiar,but as I biked along (I went quite a ways), the road didn't strike me as familiar at all. So, I turned around again and headed out to the highway. I then pedaled until Keremeos -- I missed the road where we were supposed to turn off and ended up at this gas station. I bought two bananas, filled up my water bottles and asked two other cyclists to point me in the direction of Yellow Lake.

It was right after this that I met up with some of our group!! YAY!!! Andrea (An AMAZING cyclist) shouted "Julie!" I was so thrilled to see them!! LOL!!! They were wondering where the hell I had wandered off too -- I said, "Don't ask!!!" LOL!! Mark laughed that I was the one who had the most experience on the course and I still got lost!! LMAO!!! Hahahahahaha!

It had been pretty windy up top this point, but to me, it was just like a normal day of cycling in the Pass. The wind quieted down as we started the climb to Yellow Lake. What an awesome climb!! I felt strong and the climb was enjoyable -- that Osoyoos hill had boosted my confidence. Biking the IMC course on tired legs from all that previous riding added even more confidence!!

I biked back into town and then went for a quick run. I felt GREAT -- I could have kept going, but the lake was too tempting. I waded in and ooooohhhh did it ever feel good. I was really pooped afterwards - we all went out to eat afterwards, and I slept like a log that night.

Monday morning, a few of us decided to do a recovery ride. Poor Kelsey had gotten 4 flats(!!) the day before,and thinking the problem was solved, biked happily along. Her tire soon was leaking and we all stopped as IG inflated her tire. She then got another flat, and after changing it, we all decided to head back down. Everyone was leaving, but me. Hee-hee! I didn't want to fool around with all the traffic,so I was staying one more night.

Biking back down the hill my legs started to feel heavy. I started to feel really tired too. I planned on going for an easy run later that afternoon, but my body had other ideas. After everyone left, I crashed for over 2 hours!! Woke up, ate, then went back to bed!! LOL!!!

I am fatigued but elated!! :):) I had a great trip and am planning on going out to Penticton at the end of June. Jenna -- I still want to go with you in July,but that is the weekend of that huge festival in the Pass -- if I can wrangle it, I definitely will!!! :):)

Well, that is the abbreviated version of the training camp. I'll leave the more detailed reports to Susi, Kelsey, and Daryl. IG took a bunch of pics, so did Susi. :) :):)

Things I learned this weekend:

1. How to ride uphill while holding onto just my aero pads.
2. I have greatly improved my uphill biking ability! (YAY!)
3. I still get lost -- no matter what!!
4. Kelsey bikes like a mad demon.
5. Daryl can keep his composure even when his aero bar falls off going 75km/hr.
6. Susi loves all wildlife, and wildlife loves Susi -- Ask her about her Boob Bug!! LOL!!!
7. IG doesn't do mornings. LOL!!
8. Mark is a great cook!
9. I CAN'T wait to meet Jenna!! Ooh boy, I think me and you are going to hit it off, girl!! LOL!!!

Penticton Here I Come!

I've been super busy these past few days in preparation for the long glorious weekend of training in Penticton. Recovery from the race hasn't been too bad -- My muscles didn't kill, but Monday and Tuesday saw me dragging my feet around. It was fatigue, full-throttle. I had a good, solid sleep last night and felt much better today. Things were a bit crazy at work -- I got as much done as I possibly could before I leave for the weekend, and I had more than enough fuel in the tank to do my swim and easy run with strides later.

Looking at Greg's training itinerary for the weekend -- Yahoo!! I'm so pumped to do all that cycling!! Especially when we bike the IMC course. That's going to be so awesome!!

Have a great weekend everyone -- I'll have some serious blog reading to do when I return!!!

:) :) :) :) :):)

Pic from Lethbridge Oly -- Thanks IG!!!