Here I Am

I have had a whole bunch of people asking me all week long where the blog has gone.  Well, kind of.  Actually one person mentioned it a few minutes ago.

The past week I ran 32kms and have started another half marathon program.  I did this a couple of years ago, then jumped up to the full marathon last year.  I enjoyed the adventure of the full marathon, but when the training got intense, it meant that I was doing 30-34km runs on Saturday and spending the rest of the weekend recovering.  The beauty of the half marathon is that the training never gets that time consuming.  The race is at the end of August and it is really nice to be back on some sort of "schedule."

In other sporting news, the Edmonton Oilers have hired another head coach.  Amazingly, he has no connection to the '84 Oilers, so they may actually win a few games this year.  Good luck.

Fun Run

Today was a Fun Run just down the road in Andrew.  As a school fundraiser, you find at least $50 worth of pledges, then enter a 10k run or a 4k run/walk.  Donna and Reese entered the 4k and I ran in the 10k  I used the Runkeeper app, so even though the event was non-competitive, I wanted to do a decent job anyway. I kept a good pace and my overall pace was slightly less than 6min/km which is very decent for me.

We finished the event with BBQd burgers and chips.  The staff members of Andrew School are all really friendly, and I know them through badminton. It's always nice to see them and tease them.  Good day.

Saturday Morning

I got to the gym this morning at 11:30am. I couldn't even find a mosquito on the way who wanted to come along ... Smoky Lake on a Saturday morning is about as busy as the Edmonton Oiler offices - nothing happening.  I ran a fairly quick 5k at different speeds because I plan on taking a few days off of running.  I'm not sure if "off of running" will get me full marks in the mechanics/grammar rubric, but you get the point.

After a run, I worked on arms and chest then finished with these lunge/arm curl things that my sister taught me.  My back is still a bit tender from my sofa accident a while back, so exercises like this really seem to help.  I just never seem to find the time or energy to actually do them.

I think tomorrow will be a bike ride or a run if the weather cooperates.  It is pretty rainy today, so it also looks like some golf is out of the question.

Perfect Weather

I went for a 10k at 7:30 this morning and when I finished it was +19 outside. Absolutely perfect.

There isn't much more to add to this post, other than to remind myself why I don't blog - the novelty wears off really quickly. My lack of blogging doesn't mean I haven't been exercising; it's been the usual - gym, spin, treadmill etc. I haven't done much outside because of the weather, but things are looking good. It's supposed to be +28 tomorrow.

Spring?

Yesterday was the first day I managed to run in shorts - only a month behind. By the sounds of things, tomorrow will be +20, so if I'm really, really lucky I will be able to run in short sleeves. We take summer for granted. The simplicity of putting on a pair of shoes to go run seems lost after 6 months of snow. I can't wait for some summer running. I'm starting the season with a nice, flat 10k just down the road at Andrew. It's a fundraiser for their school and they finish with a great BBQ - a neat way to counteract the 1000cal burn.

Yesterday I also went for a run with a colleague. Is so nice to run with someone. Tonight I headed to the gym and was the only one there. It was also the first time I have ever walked to the gym without a toque. It kind of feels like summer.

The plans for the weekend are some outdoor running and a trip to Servus Place on the weekend.

I'm back and so is my back.

You may be wondering where I have been. Maybe you haven't been wondering where I have been. If you (and the thousands of others) who follow this thing have noticed a "blip" in time, you are an attentive person. I'm guessing no one has noticed.

A week ago Thursday I came home from the gym, tried to get up off of the couch and as Lennon and McCartney sang, "Twist and Shout" came to life. I instantly felt pain shoot from the back of my knees, halfway up my back. Muscle stuff.

During the next week, things got progressively better; however, exercise was out of the question. In the mornings, I was really stiff and had to kind of swing my hips in order for my legs to move. By noon things were better and by supper time I had a bit of pain, but things weren't bad. I also had a really busy week that required me to be at school until 8 or 9 each night, so that meant a whole bunch of sitting.

Friday I headed into St Albert to see the Cowboy Junkies (really good show) and on Saturday I had meetings at Barnett House. Things were feeling pretty good, so I thought that Servus would be a good option. I headed over Saturday afternoon and did 20 laps on the track. It was a different run, because I was being extra careful, but it felt pretty good.

Today I went back to Servus, but I had no intention of working out - I plunked into the whirlpool after a visit to the steam room. Hopefully I can get back into a bit of a routine this week, but I'm also amazed at how a fairly long break makes you appreciate the times when you can exercise.

Gym Night

After 8 pieces of the neighbour's pizza last night, I thought that today probably shouldn't be a rest day. I head over to the gym at 6:15 or so - straight from school. I find that if I go directly to the gym, from school, my chance of a workout are greater. My morning routine hasn't been that much of a routine because we are still in the middle of winter.

At the gym I did a great 4 mile run, arms, chest and leg extensions to stretch nobody else was there and I didn't listen to any music. I just focused on breathing. It was a good night. Now I'm plunked in front of the TV watching X-Files - sometimes I miss the 90s.

Spin and Run

It was an early workout this morning - shortly after 6am and I had planned on a morning run but -17 changed my mind in a hurry. I headed to the basement (where it also felt like -17) and alternated between kilometers on the treadmill and the spin bike. On the bike I sat for a minute then did standing sprints for a minute. I had never attempted this workout before but judging by the sweat I burned a few calories. It was a good start to the day.

Winter Wonderland

Snow again. And again. And again. Last year, this time, I was running in shorts. I guess I could now as long as I buy shorts big enough to fit over my snowsuit. I have always found outdoor running to be much more enjoyable than indoor running; however, when road and sidewalk conditions are dangerous or frustrating I head indoors.

I had planned on running on the track at Servus Place, but when I awoke in St Albert, I decide that it was best to head home and figure out a workout when I got there. Day off? No day off? The gym in Smoky Lake isn't open on Sunday so my options were limited to the basement.

I started with a 1k run on the treadmill, then switched to Fartlek training. Get your Wikipedia fingers ready - "Fartlek" means "speed play" in Swedish. My version is intervals; however, "Fartlek" sounds much more exotic than "intervals." I ran/walked 8k and tried to switch up running speeds and walking speeds. It was a long workout but I enjoyed it and looked forward to the walking breaks.

Servus Again?

Back at Servus Place again.  Today was a really good run day, because I haven't run since Wednesday.  After 3 years of running, I still struggle with guilt if I take a day or two off; yet when I do workout after some time off, it's always a really good go.  Today was 5k on the treadmill in 28:32; which for me, is a really good time.  I try to run at 6 min/km, so whenever I can do better than that I'm really happy.  I'm also amazed at how hard you have to work to increase your pace just the slightest.

After a crack at the treadmill, I went to the track for a few stretch laps and it was crazy.  There were several teams that were training, and from what I could tell, their training consisted of wandering across the track without looking and/or stopping in the middle of the track to adjust water bottles.  Apparently, checking the level of water in your bottle is something that has to be done every 30 seconds or so, and a full stop in the middle of the track is the most efficient method of choice.

Tomorrow will be a longer run on the track, then we are heading back to the hills of Smoky Lake.

Back At Shiftt 360

In case anyone has noticed (which means someone other than me has to be reading this thing) I haven't contributed to the blog for 2 days. Monday was a day spent at Galaxyland and Servus Place. I suppose I got some exercise in Galaxyland, but that's only if you count people watching as a sport. It kind of is I guess. The dip at Servus Place was just that - a 30 minute circuit of pool, hot tub and steam room. I spent more time looking for a locker than I actually did in the pool. Yesterday turned into a rest day and that was fine with me too.

After a staff meeting this afternoon, and some more meeting stuff, I headed over to the gym - Shiftt 360. Two teachers from staff were there so we did our own things but managed to chat a bit at the same time. I'm constantly amazed at how quickly a workout can slip by when you chat with people. It's a bit more enjoyable than wishing away your time on the treadmill. That being said, I ran on the treadmill for a solid 30 minutes at a good speed and tried out the new shoes I bought on Sunday. They have more support than the regular shoes and are 1/2 size bigger. It was excellent.

After the treadmill, I did some arm curls, bench presses and butterfly things (I think that's the technical term). It was a great way to get back into things after 2 days off.

Easter Sunday Funday

Another day at Servus Place. There were fewer buckets on the track today, so that could mean two things - a) most of the snow melted off the roof yesterday or b) it's colder today so the buckets will come out later.

I did a combination of stretches and weights with my sister. Working out with her is a bit like playing street hockey with Wayne Gretzky in his day. I'm a better spectator. I tried for a bit, then did a few laps and some free weight stuff.

We hit the swimming pool and hot tub ; where we met Donna and Reese. I'm sure the hot tub could turn sugar into caramel today. I found it brutally hot but really refreshing. Everybody had a great time and I'm hoping to buy some new runners this afternoon. These ones feel like I have construction paper taped to my feet.

In The Big City

I wasn't quite sure how things were going to play out today - there were all sorts of possibilities. I ended up going to Servus Place in St Albert with my sister and her significant other.

When we got there we went our separate ways and I headed to the track. It's a really nice track with natural light all over the place. A bit too much natural stuff today. There were 3 buckets marked with pylons on the track. The reason for these (other than to catch people who weren't paying attention) was to collect the melting snow. It was hard to believe that a facility this nice has leaks in the roof. After dodging buckets for 30 minutes I hit the shower and wondered why people have to throw their wristbands on the shower floor rather than in the garbage can.

The workout finished with a medium bold Starbucks - room for milk and 3 Splendas. I've included a picture of the Starbucks with no lineup - something I've never witnessed.

Today's Excursion

I wasn't quite sure what to do today - it was pretty much open, and as far as "schedules" go ... I don't have one. Last year when I was training for the big runs, I religiously stuck to training schedules and then when the big runs were finished I actually went backwards really quickly. It was nice to have everything planned for you, but after months of routine, it was actually quite nice to do "whatever" - as they say. I guess right now, I am stuck between the two places - schedule purgatory.

After yesterday's sloshing on the gravel roads, I had sort of written off that idea. Thankfully the weather was so nice that it didn't really matter. The gym is closed today, so at one point I considered walking there, reading the sign, then pretending to be disappointed and walk home with my head down. I also considered the basement stuff - exercise ball, free weights, treadmill, spin bike or Netflix. Knowing that I'll chip away at Netflix later, I decided that I had better avoid the basement for a while. An outdoor run.

I started out with a bit of slushy gravel (picture included) then did a combination of dry pavement and icy/snowy stuff. It turned into a slow 8k, but it is finally starting to feel like winter is leaving. I probably shouldn't have said that.

The Very First Post

As you can tell from the clever title, things in this cyber world will be fairly simple. My luck with journaling is akin to the Oilers winning on the road ... or at home for that matter, so if you are a betting person, rather than betting on the witty quality of my posts, you might actually make some money betting on the length of time this lasts.

I wanted to keep a record of fitness activities that I could access; as well as friends, family, and likely a whole bunch of spam monitoring programs. This seems simple enough that I can monitor and turf unwanted comments. Feel free to add helpful or unhelpful comments as long as they are interesting and filled with humour and wit. I won't dock marks for American spelling.

Along with fitness thoughts, I am hoping to include tidbits regarding food, music (?), TV and anything else that crosses my mind when I am thinking about or participating in fitness related activities.