A Week Worth! Day 22 to 26 Monday to Friday Feb 03 to Feb 07, 2014

A Week Worth! Day 22 to 26 Monday to Friday Feb 03 to Feb 07, 2014

"Champions do not become champions when they win the event, but in the hours, weeks, months and years they spend preparing for it. The victorious performance itself is merely the demonstration of their championship character"

I cried when the Canadian Olympians came out on the Olympics today. Such a National Pride moment. It's hard not to think of the athletes that our Country produces for the winter Olympics :)

This week was so cold outside that it hurt to breathe during my walk on Sunday. As a  result I have spent a solid week at the gym. I'm not going to break down the week into days and activities, but give a general idea about how my week was spent.

January seemed all about getting that hour in, establishing routines, figuring out my plan and getting organized. February on the other hand seems, at least so far, about going hard. It's like I want to see how much I can get done in an hour. I'm lifting heavier, so my days are breaking down into leg day, back and biceps day, shoulders and abs, cardio day, arms and abs and the weekend for running. I don't have that same exhaustion that I was dealing with in January, so either I'm getting normalized with the activity or the supplements are working, or I'm eating better. All three I'm guessing. I also had a fairly easy week with work mostly working from home and no travel. That makes this much easier to manage.

I read an interesting article about an Olympian today and her journey to a gold. It is interesting to note that most successful athletes always talk about someone in their journey who was a better athlete and more talented. So how come they wouldn't be at the Olympics? Somewhere along the line the going gets boring. An Olympic athlete trains for an average of six hours a day. SIX HOURS! and it get boring. The mental tenacity it takes is huge. Some people don't have the mental goods to make it all the way. Talent and Athleticism is not enough. Dorothy Hamill mentioned that she constantly had to remind herself why she was doing what she was doing in those moments that become rote. She had a huge love of skating and that love of what she was doing kept her going. It is interesting to note that when athletes of Olympic caliber quit competing, they often quit training in their sport. They no longer enjoy the sport for fun.

So this month I am going to remember to have some fun! I do enjoy the company, surroundings, exercise and running that I am doing so I hope it never becomes "work", but don't confuse that with working hard!! I am having fun seeing how far I can go!!

New Month and 1/5th the way through my challenge! Day 20 (Friday, Jan 31) & 21 (Sat Feb 01)

LOL, yesterday was a challenge getting out of bed. I actually woke up when I was supposed to be leaving, I had to text my gym partner for a bye. I did go to the gym but much much later than I usually do. Then I had a funny experience>

I was very tired, so I didn't want to "think" about my workout too much, so I decided to do a full hour on the elliptical, picked a program, grabbed a few magazines, started working out. Have you ever watched that video on facebook about inappropriate gym goers? Well there is the "singer" and that is who I had beside me after about 10 minutes into my program. He was an older guy with the big Bluetooth headphones. It was kind of funny at first, and then I realized after about another 10 minutes he was doing a cardio day :( Most guys get on the elliptical for 15 minutes (if that) then go lift weights. This guy decided to camp in beside me. He started off "ooing" and singing out the occasional word, then amped it up into sing full verses. Full voice. It was really annoying. It was the only time I wished (badly) that I hadn't forgot my headphones. So note to self, buy a pair of headphones to leave in the gym bag. Besides he was a bad singer.

Today was my long run day, and I did 10km. I also need to remember on my run: Kleenex, and my bula. It looks sunny out there, but I need something to cover my ears, that wind was deadly today. I'm not sure what other things you need out there when you are running but I do need to plan a little when I get up in mileage. I drive my route and drop off water, (I HATE) carrying water, I make sure I wear my good smart wool socks and I have a great lotion I wear on my feet, ever hear of Mary Kay extra emollient lotion? it is like the best smelling lotion and I have used it on my feet for years and never get blisters. I also use coconut oil on my face, just keeps it from getting chafed by the wind and works as a mild sunscreen. I also put peppermint oil on the back of my hand, and I when I need a little boost I take a good whif, a little aromatherapy! Let me know your tricks and tips for running, we all have them :)

Day 18 & 19

Day 18 Skiing at Marmot. Wednesday January 29, 2014
Really as far as exercise this is almost a gimmie, it's right up there with cycling in Jasper, or hiking. I have such a good time it doesn't seem like a workout, until the next day.

I would never consider myself either athletic or an athlete, and I suck at most sports. However I am a good skier and actually have won medals and trophies, I have both (and pictures) to prove it. Of course that was when I was much, much younger, but is really the only sport I was ever very good at. After I broke my shoulder mountain biking in Hinton, I wasn't sure if I would ever ski again. I had two surgeries that year, and was in bad shape and so scared of falling, the first time I went skiing I only made it a couple times in the morning. I am glad I kept at it, because I feel like I'm skiing better than I have in a long time and it is still my favorite exercise. Now I'm talking about downhill skiing. My day goes something like this: get to the hill at 9ish, ski till noon. Take an hour recovering. Ski from 1-2:30ish, take a half hour coffee/beer break. Ski the last hour. I was in bed by about 8:30.

Day 19 back at the Gym (Thursday January 30, 2014)

did Abs and legs today :(
I was so tired from yesterday I was just a whiner. I was glad when I was done! We did lots of abs using your entire legs as weights. Whew. I'll feel all that later.

Day 17 Tuesday January 28, 2014

Still feels weird to write 2014. Tuesdays are still a little bittersweet, I've done the same workout class for almost 2 years, so now I see all the girls go in and I feel like I should be too. I am still very happy with the decision to shake things up, and my workout partner is solid, but change even when wanted can be a hard thing.

We did a mini boot camp "44" so reps of jumping jacks, squats, crunches and pushups. Then cardio on the elliptical for 30 minutes.

I love running, and can't wait to break out my bike, I have learned to love spin, but my favorite cardio machine is still the elliptical, but only when I use a program. There is no way I am ever going to jack up the tension unless it is being done for me!

My favorite form of cardio outside is still downhill skiing. Then cycling, then running. I actually have all my badges in swimming too and am a fish in the water.

My hair is in a dangerous cycle of being in a forever pony tail! I actually go three days without washing my hair. Gross right? I do use a dry shampoo, but my favorite is still a good baby powder brush through.

Yesterday I went through all my gym clothes, threw away a few stained, gross, ripped things and put everything else in a plastic drawer system sorted the drawers with socks/tanks/shirts/shorts & skorts/long pants, and a basket with bras on top. That way I am not fumbling for stuff in the morning, and its not mixed in with my regular clothes. I have tons of workout gear/clothes so I can go a whole week and just do a big load on the weekend, otherwise I am inundated with laundry all week. I have one drawer dedicated to ski stuff and running clothes.

This is me and my workout partner!! LOL

Day 14/15/16

Day 14
I started an early day in Edmonton, so I took advantage of the beautiful sunshine and went for a run after my meeting. I have been dealing with exhaustion, I am ready for bed at 9:00!! I have planned my meals and snacks as nutrient dense as possible! No empty calories for me. Hope it helps.

Day 15

Well today was one of those days that I didn't want to exercise. It happens. I'm tired, it's Friday and I just wasn't very motivated. I finally forced myself outside at 4:00 and went for a really nice walk for an hour. Felt good to stretch out my legs and my back. Still tired but at least I got that out of the way.

Day 16

Today was my first "long" run although 8 km doesn't se that long. But I paved myself, timed myself and was happy with my run. And I was COLD, that sun was deceiving in fact after the first 2 km I wasn't sure if I could make it, but I did warm up! Thank goodness! I've been walking and running lots   And usually don't get much except a few all blisters when I up my mileage. My favorite "blister treatment"
Is the first aid dr. OZ treatment. Always works for me. I've started supplementing with coconut oil in the hopes of a little more energy. The healthy eating is working great and I feel more energetic, back to the gym tomorrow( Monday).

Day 11/12/13 100/100

Day 11
I think I will send my blogs out every 3-4 days. That way I don't feel obligated to publish a blog every day. After all it is the exercise that is paramount. I do find the act of journaling my progress quite cathartic, and I can see the benefits of journaling as a daily practice. Although during this process I am only blogging about 1/10 of my day, it is still an interesting experience to look back and reflect on my exercise.

Today it was a relief to be back at the gym. I love the freedom of deciding what to do from day to day, but I like the familiarity of a place, program and workout partner. Some days it is just a challenge to get moving, and the gym cleans away the clutter, and reminds me that the only reason I am there is to workout. There are usually no distractions and most people there are fairly focused. I am glad we go early, our workout dragged on a little this morning and I noticed that it started to get busier, and my anxiety level went up!

Also on days I workout on my own I tend to do my exercise later in the day, and I love the early workouts that let me get on with my life. I always feel like I have at least accomplished that goal for the day and everything else seems to be easier.

I have a nagging back ache, so I am assuming my core needs work. Usually a back ache signals the fact that I need new shoes, but my shoes are good right now, so maybe just a lot of walking/running. Tommorow I am going to do a hardcore spin at the gym and see how that works, I have a video on my phone.

I am organizing my workout gear a little today, the travelling has left me with gear everywhere. I usually have a kit of workout stuff in my car (yoga pants, tshirt, socks and shoes) and that just stays there. It serves as an emergency "to go" bag if I am stranded in either Jasper or Edmonton which rarely happens, and also gives me an option if I want to work out on the fly.

I am organizing all my running gear in one space (by the front door) and put up a chain of clips that I can put my gloves, bula, hat, running lights, spikes etc.

I have a bag with all my swimming gear, bathing suit, towel, large toothed comb, swim pass hanging in the same area.

I am also going to keep my gym bag in the car. I bought some white towels that are (somewhere?) just for the gym, I have a glass bottle that I fill with tap water, and my inside shoes. I need to bring my ipad in so I can recharge, and I usually come home after so I don't worry about makeup/clothes/or toiletries. I think I'll pack some stuff for the steam room after, might be a nice treat on a day when I'm not so busy!

Day 12
Back to the gym, spin and arms today. Whew! I am exhausted currently supplementing with scads of caffeine.

Day 13
I am fluctuating between feeling tired and bursts of energy. I really think I have to eat better and drink more water! Today was a leg day, doubled our reps for legs, added in some squats and did about 100 crunches in between. Tomorrow I am in the city of Edmonton, so I am wearing my running stuff and get a run in before I leave the city. I just don't want to leave exercise till the end of an already long day. From the New Year I have been sporadically keeping track of my diet, but I will go back to a 1500 calorie eating plan, still allows me as much vegetables, tea, coffee, sugar free jello etc as I want. I think the combination of working out and eating right to be what I need! Oh and for the record I am actually down a couple of pounds......

Day 10 100/100

Thanks for all the kind words of encouragement yesterday. I forget what a support system is out there for me! Today was definitely one of those days that I would have forgone exercise if I wasn't up for the challenge so to speak. These are the pictures of my most faithful running partners. Missy has gone on lots of walks/runs with me over the years, but she is too old to keep up now. That doesn't stop her from thinking that she can still come, and most days I have to put her in the house. Today I forgot and we found her exhausted on the road halfway home from our 5km walk. We limped her back home.

Skip is my new running partner and he gets so excited it is funny. Since he has been fixed he has put on a pile of weight :( so the mileage is good for both of us)>

I was teaching a class in Jasper today so I got my hour in before I left this morning. It was a gorgeous day for a walk, and a drive. Back to the gym tomorrow, maybe they have the Jacob's ladder in??