I am making great strides in the completion of my history assignment -- I take Athabasca University courses, because I have finally decided what to do with my life!! Normally I chug right along, but these last two courses have had me turn into a major procrastinator. That is not my normal state -- so it has been a blow to my pride (mainly) that I have had to purchase an extension! Oh well --all things in good time, right?
Today I biked 90 minutes -- warm up, 3 x 1min one leg drills (1 min right leg, 1 min easy, etc), then cadence along the lines of: 3 min at 105rpm, then 3 min at 90rpm. Afterwards, I hopped off my bike and put my running clothes on my sweaty body and headed off for my 30 min. brick. It was very windy, so I was really happy that I ran 3.72 miles in that time.
A little fatigued today, so weights are out. I got dressed up -- means clothing other than workout gear, but no makeup though -- and smiled sweetly at my Mike to take me out for dinner. I really don't want to cook -- and he doesn't like to eat what I cook. I'm all about easy stir fry, yogurt with fruit in it, chicken breasts and broccoli -- poor guy just wants his Hamburger Helper. So, tomorrow HH is on the menu, and I'll be having stir fry!! Don't get me wrong, I'll eat HH too -- I don't enjoy cooking -- I like to eat NOW -- not dick around in the kitchen. We don't have a dishwasher so each pot or pan that dinner needs is another one I have to wash. I'd like to put a bumper sticker above the stove that says "I'd rather be training!" LOL!!!!! :) :) :)
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Breakfast of Champions ...
Thought I'd share my perfect breakfast with you... :) :) :) I used to eat oatmeal every morning, but found I would be really, really hungry around 90 minutes after. I also had trouble with being pretty dehydrated in the mornings - my fingers would already be on their way to prune-hood before I even got in the pool. All, this, my friends, was before we received a "Magic Bullet" for Christmas. (And yes, I totally pilfered that name for my bike!)
Every morning, I mix a smoothie that contains:
Yesterday, I ran out of IG schedule so I decided to have a swim drill day. The pool I swim in during the winter months is only 20m, so when I do sets of 50m, I do sets of 60m. I figure the extra swimming might actually help me! So, I did a good warm up, then sort of played around:
Brief aside -- Cath -- I can't wait to see you again!! I can't wait to take lessons from the "Swimming Master"!!!! I am really looking forward to your visit! :) :) Your swimming sounds like it is improving by leaps and bounds -- which is incredible because you are already so GOOD! :)
Later on, I did core work at the gym. Man, there is this one exercise that is surprisingly difficult --I thought the hiatus from plank work would be "easy" but Aye Carumba!! Here is the exercise: You lie down on a mat and hold a weight (I use 8lb) straight up in the air. Then, you stand up any way you can, all the while holding you arm straight up in the air by your ear. Then you lie back down, same thing with your arm. That is one rep. Do 5 on each side, break, then repeat 3 more times. Whoo baby -- dare I say I am looking forward to planks again!! :) :) :)
I tried my daily chin-up attempt, but my left arm was pretty sore from some new weights I did the day before. So, I decided to rest my muscles.
Afterwards, I ran 12. 12 miles -- the first two miles with Diva and Toby. They got absolutely filthy! The wind wasn't too bad, but the temps had dropped making it pretty crisp. Then, some good stretching.
Every morning, I mix a smoothie that contains:
- chocolate milk
- 2 scoops protein powder
- big spoonful wheat germ
- two big spoonfuls ground flax
- yogurt
- a small green banana (the green ones taste more like banana in a smoothie for some reason)
- 4-5 frozen strawberries
Yesterday, I ran out of IG schedule so I decided to have a swim drill day. The pool I swim in during the winter months is only 20m, so when I do sets of 50m, I do sets of 60m. I figure the extra swimming might actually help me! So, I did a good warm up, then sort of played around:
- 60m right arm only
- 60m swim
- 60m kick
- 60m left arm only
- 60m pull
- 60 kick
Brief aside -- Cath -- I can't wait to see you again!! I can't wait to take lessons from the "Swimming Master"!!!! I am really looking forward to your visit! :) :) Your swimming sounds like it is improving by leaps and bounds -- which is incredible because you are already so GOOD! :)
Later on, I did core work at the gym. Man, there is this one exercise that is surprisingly difficult --I thought the hiatus from plank work would be "easy" but Aye Carumba!! Here is the exercise: You lie down on a mat and hold a weight (I use 8lb) straight up in the air. Then, you stand up any way you can, all the while holding you arm straight up in the air by your ear. Then you lie back down, same thing with your arm. That is one rep. Do 5 on each side, break, then repeat 3 more times. Whoo baby -- dare I say I am looking forward to planks again!! :) :) :)
I tried my daily chin-up attempt, but my left arm was pretty sore from some new weights I did the day before. So, I decided to rest my muscles.
Afterwards, I ran 12. 12 miles -- the first two miles with Diva and Toby. They got absolutely filthy! The wind wasn't too bad, but the temps had dropped making it pretty crisp. Then, some good stretching.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Homeward Bound
Today I watched the classic Homeward Bound while on my bike. The DVD conked out again so it was back to the good ole VCR. I am such a sucker for pet/animal movies. I keep saying Awww! at the most predictable moments. There was this one part in the movie that almost made me hysterical. I have no idea why I found it so funny, but I couldn't stop laughing. I think it was the combo of knowing how my dogs act and pedaling my arse off. For those of you not familiar with movie, let me summarize... A family moves out of town for a while, leaving their beloved pets (two dogs and one cat) at a friend's place way out in the boonies. Said animals get worried about their missing family and decide to make their way home -- over hill, over dale, down a waterfall, crossing rivers, encountering grizzlies and cougars. Anyways, there is this one part where the goofy young puppy catches up with the older, wiser dog, and he says, "Whew! I am too pooped to even poop!" hahahahahahaahahahahahahh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Frig, I am still laughing at that -- Man,I don't think I've ever been that tired, eh? LOL!!!
I recently watched the movie "I Am Legend" and had to pause it when something occurred. I won't give it away for those who haven't watched the movie yet, but after I paused it, I went and pet and kissed Diva and Toby!!! I am such a sucker!!! And I know it! :) :)
Today was my last day of the IG workouts. I was to ride for 2 hours with the main set: 9 x 6 min at 140-150W/4 min at 100-110W. I felt great, so I kept on and put in a total 3 hour ride. Afterwards, I ran 3 miles, then weights, chinup attempts, and a bit of core. Oooh baby, my chinups are getting closer every day!!
Oh yeah - I was on the radio today! I called into the Dave Rutherford show to voice my opinion! HAHAHAHAHAAH!! I guess I have officially crossed the line over into "old farthood" -- I don't think anyone under 50 listens to it!! HAHAHAAHAH!!! :) :) (And I am NOT saying 50 means old fart by default!!)
I recently watched the movie "I Am Legend" and had to pause it when something occurred. I won't give it away for those who haven't watched the movie yet, but after I paused it, I went and pet and kissed Diva and Toby!!! I am such a sucker!!! And I know it! :) :)
Today was my last day of the IG workouts. I was to ride for 2 hours with the main set: 9 x 6 min at 140-150W/4 min at 100-110W. I felt great, so I kept on and put in a total 3 hour ride. Afterwards, I ran 3 miles, then weights, chinup attempts, and a bit of core. Oooh baby, my chinups are getting closer every day!!
Oh yeah - I was on the radio today! I called into the Dave Rutherford show to voice my opinion! HAHAHAHAHAAH!! I guess I have officially crossed the line over into "old farthood" -- I don't think anyone under 50 listens to it!! HAHAHAAHAH!!! :) :) (And I am NOT saying 50 means old fart by default!!)
Monday, March 3, 2008
Downward Dog x 2
There is a very good reason I do all my stretching at the gym. Our house is tiny and with two border collies and two cats running around, there is no room for me. The times I try to do pilates or yoga on the kitchen floor is interesting. It starts when I roll out the yoga mat ... Peanut (cat 1) thinks it's a game and will come running out of nowhere to attack the mat as it unfurls. She likes the feel of the sticky mat on her claws. Once I am in position, I have to watch or she will jump on my back. This is an endless thing with her. I'll be sitting on the toilet, and she jumps on my back; bending over to tie my shoes, she's on my back; getting ready to do a pushup, she's on my back!!! It is then my cue to walk her over to her food on the counter to drop her off. I call it the "Peanut Express."
Mandalay (cat 2) then will walk on by, meowing at me. I'll be lifting my legs or arms and she will be twining around any part of me that is off the floor. But -- the worst part is trying to stretch with Diva and Toby. They see me on the floor (well, Toby does and Diva follows suit) and they come at me like arrows. I do downward dog, they both do downward dog too. It's so weird! Toby gets right underneath my body and holds the position for as long as I do. When I come down it's doggy kisses all over. Diva just goes right for my face and leaves a pool of drool.
Well onto some explaining for Keith!! I use miles because (Ok I hope I don't lose you here!!) it's like a mind trick with me. 26 miles just sounds easier to me than 42 km. It's like when I go out running in the summer before the sun comes up -- the more miles I put in before it rises, it's like my workout hasn't started yet -- those were just easy warmup miles. I fool myself into not making a big deal out of the distance so I can go further. Also, 26 is easier to count to than 42 -- I have been known to lose track of laps quite easily in the pool! OK I know it is not too bloody likely I'd forget how many miles I ran, it's just 26 seems more innocuous to me. I don't know -- but it seems to be working for me!!! LOL!!! :) :)
As for my swim times -- I don't truly know. You know how Jenna's secret fear is of her crapping myself? (Sorry Jenna!!!! LOL!!) Well, my biggest fear is that every swim speed I swim is the same! Hahahahaha! I know it isn't true, but I will go out of my way to avoid the truth. I will "forget" my watch -- the clock is too far for me without contacts; or I will "forget" how many laps I swam and do a little extra. Swimming is for sure my big limiter -- this is the first year where I've been able to do swimming workouts and not be sacked for the rest of the day. So, I swim by how I feel, I guess -- what matters to me is how fast I swim on race day. Then, the number is important to me. hee-hee! Now you have insight into my weird-ball mind!!! Hahahahahaha!! Maybe, just for you, next time I will time it -- must overcome fear!! :) :): )
Well, I did go back to the gym and run 5.4 miles, then did some major stretching. I was feeling good so I decided to throw some plank work in. I already did my core work earlier, but what the hay! I beat both plank times!!!!!!!! 2 min 30 sec. for front plank, then 50 sec on each side plank!! Woohoo! After that I thought, frig I may as well try a couple more chinups --So, I tried it 2 more times, then I was toast!! LOL!! :) :)
Mandalay (cat 2) then will walk on by, meowing at me. I'll be lifting my legs or arms and she will be twining around any part of me that is off the floor. But -- the worst part is trying to stretch with Diva and Toby. They see me on the floor (well, Toby does and Diva follows suit) and they come at me like arrows. I do downward dog, they both do downward dog too. It's so weird! Toby gets right underneath my body and holds the position for as long as I do. When I come down it's doggy kisses all over. Diva just goes right for my face and leaves a pool of drool.
Well onto some explaining for Keith!! I use miles because (Ok I hope I don't lose you here!!) it's like a mind trick with me. 26 miles just sounds easier to me than 42 km. It's like when I go out running in the summer before the sun comes up -- the more miles I put in before it rises, it's like my workout hasn't started yet -- those were just easy warmup miles. I fool myself into not making a big deal out of the distance so I can go further. Also, 26 is easier to count to than 42 -- I have been known to lose track of laps quite easily in the pool! OK I know it is not too bloody likely I'd forget how many miles I ran, it's just 26 seems more innocuous to me. I don't know -- but it seems to be working for me!!! LOL!!! :) :)
As for my swim times -- I don't truly know. You know how Jenna's secret fear is of her crapping myself? (Sorry Jenna!!!! LOL!!) Well, my biggest fear is that every swim speed I swim is the same! Hahahahaha! I know it isn't true, but I will go out of my way to avoid the truth. I will "forget" my watch -- the clock is too far for me without contacts; or I will "forget" how many laps I swam and do a little extra. Swimming is for sure my big limiter -- this is the first year where I've been able to do swimming workouts and not be sacked for the rest of the day. So, I swim by how I feel, I guess -- what matters to me is how fast I swim on race day. Then, the number is important to me. hee-hee! Now you have insight into my weird-ball mind!!! Hahahahahaha!! Maybe, just for you, next time I will time it -- must overcome fear!! :) :): )
Well, I did go back to the gym and run 5.4 miles, then did some major stretching. I was feeling good so I decided to throw some plank work in. I already did my core work earlier, but what the hay! I beat both plank times!!!!!!!! 2 min 30 sec. for front plank, then 50 sec on each side plank!! Woohoo! After that I thought, frig I may as well try a couple more chinups --So, I tried it 2 more times, then I was toast!! LOL!! :) :)
Long runs, voting, and chinups
Yesterday I ran just over 15 miles bringing my total for this week to 41.26 miles. My schedule is running out -- poor IG is going to be inundated with schedule requests I imagine! I wonder who will get the first new schedule? Hmm?? Any wagers? :) :)
I had a 60 min. swim this morning-- main set was 2 x 1000 on 90 sec rest. I went to the gym afterwards for core and the daily chinup attempt. I am definitely getting stronger! Not there yet, but I am lifting my body up now and am doing this double lift thing as of today! It goes like this: I pull myself as much as possible, and then while holding this position, I do this grunting sort of residual-left-in-the-tank lift. Chuck -- I think it has to do with stretching my neck to get up a little higher!! Hahahahahaha!! I tried it 7 times, then called it a day.
Afterwards I went to vote -- it really bugs me how the media makes all these bloody suppositions, etc. How all you hear is how Albertan's don't know which way to vote so most will probably stay home, how the "undecided" factor is so massive, how "Albertan's want change." I wonder where all these radio stations and newspapers get their stories because it is the same one in every media source. Is there some King of Oz sitting somewhere just thinking what story to promote and every single radio station plays the exact same story? Gee it is such a good thing we don't have state run programming where all you hear is one story repeated over and over again -- Oh wait, we do -- the CBC. OK -- Enough of rant. But, if everyone did triathlon, the world would be a much better place! :)
The wind has picked up so I'll be doing my run on the treadmill later this afternoon. I'm going to throw in a few more chinup attempts while I'm there!
I've got some serious blog-reading to catch up on! :) :)
I had a 60 min. swim this morning-- main set was 2 x 1000 on 90 sec rest. I went to the gym afterwards for core and the daily chinup attempt. I am definitely getting stronger! Not there yet, but I am lifting my body up now and am doing this double lift thing as of today! It goes like this: I pull myself as much as possible, and then while holding this position, I do this grunting sort of residual-left-in-the-tank lift. Chuck -- I think it has to do with stretching my neck to get up a little higher!! Hahahahahaha!! I tried it 7 times, then called it a day.
Afterwards I went to vote -- it really bugs me how the media makes all these bloody suppositions, etc. How all you hear is how Albertan's don't know which way to vote so most will probably stay home, how the "undecided" factor is so massive, how "Albertan's want change." I wonder where all these radio stations and newspapers get their stories because it is the same one in every media source. Is there some King of Oz sitting somewhere just thinking what story to promote and every single radio station plays the exact same story? Gee it is such a good thing we don't have state run programming where all you hear is one story repeated over and over again -- Oh wait, we do -- the CBC. OK -- Enough of rant. But, if everyone did triathlon, the world would be a much better place! :)
The wind has picked up so I'll be doing my run on the treadmill later this afternoon. I'm going to throw in a few more chinup attempts while I'm there!
I've got some serious blog-reading to catch up on! :) :)
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Saturday, Jehovah Day
I live half a block away from our local "Kingdom Hall", but had not been the subject of the Saturday morning visit for quite some time now. I think it has been because Diva and Toby are usually outside and bark like mad fools when anyone walks by. Today however,the girls were inside and I heard this polite knock on my door. Here I am on a Saturday morning, the house is a mess, I am trying to work on my History (yes it is capitalized!) essay, and I am thinking -- Oh no! Who is it? My house is a pig sty! My hair is all over the place. ACK!!!!
Sure enough it was two nicely dressed gentlemen who handed me their little pamphlet. D and T go barking out there, Toby jumps up on one of them and suddenly . . . Diva pukes!!!!! She puked all over one man's trousers and all over Toby's back!!! I rushed to wet a paper towel, grabbed a roll, and hurried back to the two men. I felt so bad -- the poor guy was all dressed nicely and here Diva comes and pukes on him!! And the thing is SHE HAS NEVER DONE THAT BEFORE!! I mean she has puked, but never all over someone. The poor man, was just kind and nice, and then he complimented me for being so "hospitable"!!! Oh Man, just think how blown away he'd be if I invited him to a proper dinner party!!!! LOL!!! :) :) :)
I was trying so hard not to laugh at the situation. I mean, after 6 years of no visits, the first Jehovah that dares to venture beyond the front gate gets puked on. Classic! I felt terrible for the poor guy -- he was very polite and was not forcefully pushing his religious agenda, or anything. Ahhh well! And here I was worried about what I could possibly write about in my blog today!!!!!
Toby got a bath, and now I have to clean the pukey tub. Who says animals are not as much work as kids? :) :):) :) :)
Friday's workouts
Yesterday was still pretty windy, but I just kept thinking how good it feels when I turn around and fly on the return portion! I ran 8.11 miles -- feeling great. If I had my water bottle with me, I would have gone further. My body keeps telling me: Run, Julie, Run! :) :)
Had an easy bike of 45 minutes, then swam in the evening for 45 minutes: 3 sets of 10x50 on 10 sec rest, and 90 sec between sets. Popped to the gym afterwards to get my core workout in and a few more chinup attempts.
Had an easy bike of 45 minutes, then swam in the evening for 45 minutes: 3 sets of 10x50 on 10 sec rest, and 90 sec between sets. Popped to the gym afterwards to get my core workout in and a few more chinup attempts.
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