OK...so today was the day the buyers of our house in Nova Scotia were to take possession. Between 9am - 10am AST (6am-7am MST) they were to do their final walk-through before getting the keys. Of course Mel and I woke up around 5am this morning just thinking about what possibly could go wrong and how we would react to the various scenarios. The process of selling our home has been extremely frustrating and stressful for several reasons. One of which is dealing with people who are either lazy, inept, or a combination of both. Anyways, it was what it was and really the main thing is that we sold the house.
So anyways...back to this morning we were both waiting for the phone to ring from our lawyer and/or realtor with the buyers complaining about something and having to do a hold back. I mean, Mel and patched every single nail hole and practically repainted the entire house. We left all the manuals, cleaned up both the back and front yards, and cleaned the house from top to bottom...you could practically eat off the floors. Honestly, the house was cleaner on Sunday when we left than when we first moved in. Lets not forget the extras we left behind for FREE and all the sticky labels we left next to any switches which may have not seem intuitive.
Part of the reason we went all out is because we were moving out of province and would not be able to take care of any issues in person. (Relying on our Realtor there was out of the question). But more importantly, we went the extra miles to make the new owners transition into their home a great experience...everyone deserves as much as that.
Now having said all that, experience has also taught both Mel and I that no matter how much you go out of your way in situations like this...people will find something to pick apart...not everyone is like that but in our experiences it has been that way.
So this leads me to this morning...I can't sit still in situations like this so I get up early and go swim. Sure enough, when I get out of the pool and up to my office I can see 4 missed calls from Mel. I call her to find out what is wrong...apparently the new owners said the gas fireplace is not working. Upon further inspection on their part, they discovered the propane tank is empty.
Both Mel and I are stunned because we had just recently filled up the tank before we left so it should have been at, or near, full. So there is a flurry of phone calls between Mel and our lawyer in Nova Scotia - and our lawyer in Nova Scotia and the Buyers.
[Aside: Our Lawyer in NS initially called our realtor there to ask them to go out and straighten things out at the house there. But our realtor said they could not commit to going until tomorrow or the next day! No surprise there because they are idiots...yeah that sounds harse but they were awful to deal with. We choose them because they are a flat rate so I guess you get what you pay for....but I digress...]
So we ask the buyers to check the gauge on the propane tank, which is a giant tank outside on one side of the house. But, apparently they can't find the gauge on the tank. WTF, it is right on the top of the tank!!!
It turns out they were looking in the wrong place...duh! I left a small BBQ propane tank in the basement for them...that is what they were looking at...ahahahahaha...imagine that!
So anyways...no hold back and the funds have transferred...good-bye, au revoir, adiós, auf wiedersehen, and αντίο! (the last is Greek by the way)
We take possession tomorrow...and I get to live like an adult again!
This mornings swim workout was pretty good...after yesterdays speed sesssion today's goal was to maintain an even pace during the main sets:
350m w/u
300 drill
6x 200m @ medium pace on 20 seconds rest
7x 100m @ medium pace on 10 seconds rest
350m cool down.
Did a tempo run at lunch on the treadmill and just about died...feels good to hurt like that again.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Space Cadet
It has been a crazy past four days. On Thursday at 11:35pm MST I caught the red-eye flight to Nova Scotia. Plane seats aren't made for anyone above 6ft I swear...or anyone with wide shoulders so you can imagine I wasn't at all comfortable for the 4.5hr journey home. I was not able to grab any sleep on the flight and when I stepped off the plane at 7:00 AST, I had a full day ahead of me with paper signing and last minute packing.
Saturday was another early start to finish up the boxing the computer, etc and to meet the movers. They loaded everything up fairly quickly as Mel had done a brilliant job of packing/labelling everything. We cleaned the house for the remainder of the day/night.
Sunday was spent finishing up the cleaning, patching nail holes, and touch up painting. We decided to stay out at a hotel close to the airport that night so it wasn't a mad rush in the morning.
Monday we were up super early again to get to the airport early so I could put together the kennel, our dog Jessie would be riding in for the flight. Both Mel and I were sick to our stomach having to put her on the plane...but we are both softies when it comes to our four-legged family members.
All three of us made it to Calgary safe and sound later in the morning. The rest of the day was spent signing stuff on this end, picking up our car, and running out to the house to show Mel as she hadn't seen it in person yet. By this time, I was pretty tired and irritable...we were both in bed by 8pm Monday night.
No matter how tired I was this morning I was bent & determined to get some sort of workout in - the last 4 days have been without any training - and rightfully so - but I get extremely anxious when I don't get at least one workout in a day. So I was up at 6am this morning to swim and had to terrific workout despite feeling tired and jet lagged...the format of the workout looked something like this:
400m w/u
300m drill
6x 100m @ medium pace on 10 seconds rest
8x 75m @ controlled sprints on 45 seconds rest
10x 25m @ all out sprint on 20 seconds rest
150m kick w/ flutterboard
150m paddles
400m cool down.
The next couple of weeks are going to be a little crazy as we take possession of our house, shop for some furniture pieces, paint, and unpack when our stuff arrives from Nova Scotia.
And the Space Cadet is with respect to me forgetting the names of several of my co-workers today...LOL. I am way behind on sleep and will probably sleep my weekend away.
Anyways, that is pretty much everything to date.
Happy Evacuation Day! (Libya)
Saturday was another early start to finish up the boxing the computer, etc and to meet the movers. They loaded everything up fairly quickly as Mel had done a brilliant job of packing/labelling everything. We cleaned the house for the remainder of the day/night.
Sunday was spent finishing up the cleaning, patching nail holes, and touch up painting. We decided to stay out at a hotel close to the airport that night so it wasn't a mad rush in the morning.
Monday we were up super early again to get to the airport early so I could put together the kennel, our dog Jessie would be riding in for the flight. Both Mel and I were sick to our stomach having to put her on the plane...but we are both softies when it comes to our four-legged family members.
All three of us made it to Calgary safe and sound later in the morning. The rest of the day was spent signing stuff on this end, picking up our car, and running out to the house to show Mel as she hadn't seen it in person yet. By this time, I was pretty tired and irritable...we were both in bed by 8pm Monday night.
No matter how tired I was this morning I was bent & determined to get some sort of workout in - the last 4 days have been without any training - and rightfully so - but I get extremely anxious when I don't get at least one workout in a day. So I was up at 6am this morning to swim and had to terrific workout despite feeling tired and jet lagged...the format of the workout looked something like this:
400m w/u
300m drill
6x 100m @ medium pace on 10 seconds rest
8x 75m @ controlled sprints on 45 seconds rest
10x 25m @ all out sprint on 20 seconds rest
150m kick w/ flutterboard
150m paddles
400m cool down.
The next couple of weeks are going to be a little crazy as we take possession of our house, shop for some furniture pieces, paint, and unpack when our stuff arrives from Nova Scotia.
And the Space Cadet is with respect to me forgetting the names of several of my co-workers today...LOL. I am way behind on sleep and will probably sleep my weekend away.
Anyways, that is pretty much everything to date.
Happy Evacuation Day! (Libya)
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Stark Contrast
WOW, what a difference a day can make...one day I am outside riding in t-shirt/shorts and the next I am trucking through snowdrifts on the sidewalks in my winter coat, winter boots, and a cap/mitts. In someways it is a shock, and in other ways it is not. This is Canada after all...
Knowing I was going to wake up at 4am again this morning I went to bed an hour earlier last night. Sleep came quick but like clockwork I woke up at 4am. Stayed awake until it was time to head for a swim at 6am. Thankfully the extra hour seemed to have helped somewhat so I only felt like half-an-ass this morning as opposed the complete one yesterday.
Swim workout today was about maintaining a medium/steady effort in sets with short rest-breaks. Right up my alley because I did not have the extra gears to do a speed workout this morning:
2800m
- 350m w/u
- 6x 200m w/ 20 seconds rest
- 6x 100m w/ 10 seconds rest
- 300 drill
- 350 c/d
During lunch today I hit the treadmill for a workout. Started aerobically and built into the run until I was in my tempo range for heart rate. I ran with my Asic Nimbus 9 running shoes...what a difference compared to my 10's. For a heavier person like who lands predominantly on their forefoot, I need extra cushioning at the front of the shoe. The 9's don't nearly enough compared to the 10's - which is why I used the 9's indoors and the 10's outside.
After work tonight I hope to get in a short bike/run before packing and catching the red-eye out to Halifax. I get in tomorrow morning around 7:00am AST and have a full day ahead of me with various appointments and packing the heavy stuff that Melinda could not do on her own. I plan on getting hopped up on caffiene to survive this day.
Saturday we are up early as the movers arrive to load our stuff and ship it to Alberta. Sunday is cleaning day and Monday the three of us (Shan, Mel, & Jessie) fly out to Calgary. I can't wait...finally this day as come! We have 3 days at the place I am renting and then we take possession of our house here in Calgary. We are having a huge blowout at some point in the early summer so stay tuned for invites!
Happy Peppercorn Day! (Bermuda)
Knowing I was going to wake up at 4am again this morning I went to bed an hour earlier last night. Sleep came quick but like clockwork I woke up at 4am. Stayed awake until it was time to head for a swim at 6am. Thankfully the extra hour seemed to have helped somewhat so I only felt like half-an-ass this morning as opposed the complete one yesterday.
Swim workout today was about maintaining a medium/steady effort in sets with short rest-breaks. Right up my alley because I did not have the extra gears to do a speed workout this morning:
2800m
- 350m w/u
- 6x 200m w/ 20 seconds rest
- 6x 100m w/ 10 seconds rest
- 300 drill
- 350 c/d
During lunch today I hit the treadmill for a workout. Started aerobically and built into the run until I was in my tempo range for heart rate. I ran with my Asic Nimbus 9 running shoes...what a difference compared to my 10's. For a heavier person like who lands predominantly on their forefoot, I need extra cushioning at the front of the shoe. The 9's don't nearly enough compared to the 10's - which is why I used the 9's indoors and the 10's outside.
After work tonight I hope to get in a short bike/run before packing and catching the red-eye out to Halifax. I get in tomorrow morning around 7:00am AST and have a full day ahead of me with various appointments and packing the heavy stuff that Melinda could not do on her own. I plan on getting hopped up on caffiene to survive this day.
Saturday we are up early as the movers arrive to load our stuff and ship it to Alberta. Sunday is cleaning day and Monday the three of us (Shan, Mel, & Jessie) fly out to Calgary. I can't wait...finally this day as come! We have 3 days at the place I am renting and then we take possession of our house here in Calgary. We are having a huge blowout at some point in the early summer so stay tuned for invites!
Happy Peppercorn Day! (Bermuda)
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Happy Earth Day!
If you are a coffee drinker, and bring your own mug to Starbucks you get a free dark roast coffee! Not sure if all Starbucks are participating but the one here on campus is.
Last night was a gorgeous evening for a ride...so much so I only wore shorts/t-shirt while riding. I rode out towards Cochrane again via the back roads. The wind was something fierce which made for an interesting trip on the way out. I didn't mind it until I had to cut across a couple of roads and was getting blown into traffic. However, once the wind was at my back, the ride into town was sweet and effortless!
I woke up at 4am this morning, just before the wind gusts started, and stayed awake until it was time to get up at 6am. Went to the pool feeling like ass...swam 900m into my workout before pulling the plug because I wasn't feeling well. I can count on one hand the number of times I have pulled out of a workout after starting it.
I got out of the pool feeling super nauseous - which reaffirmed to me that it was a good thing I decided to bail on the workout. After we finish with the move back here, I am going to visit our family doctor and see what is up with the nauseous episodes I have been having the past several weeks. First it started out with running and now has started to include swimming. The workouts aren't that difficult, I haven't changed my diet, and despite a couple of sleepless nights I have been averaging more sleep than ever before.
Thursday night I fly back to Nova Scotia to finish some last minute packing with Mel, help with move day, clean, and than we all fly back out on Monday morning. I have a feeling I won't be doing any training for those four days...and that is probably a good thing at the moment.
Anyways, I am have to SB for a cup of joe...
Have a good one.
Last night was a gorgeous evening for a ride...so much so I only wore shorts/t-shirt while riding. I rode out towards Cochrane again via the back roads. The wind was something fierce which made for an interesting trip on the way out. I didn't mind it until I had to cut across a couple of roads and was getting blown into traffic. However, once the wind was at my back, the ride into town was sweet and effortless!
I woke up at 4am this morning, just before the wind gusts started, and stayed awake until it was time to get up at 6am. Went to the pool feeling like ass...swam 900m into my workout before pulling the plug because I wasn't feeling well. I can count on one hand the number of times I have pulled out of a workout after starting it.
I got out of the pool feeling super nauseous - which reaffirmed to me that it was a good thing I decided to bail on the workout. After we finish with the move back here, I am going to visit our family doctor and see what is up with the nauseous episodes I have been having the past several weeks. First it started out with running and now has started to include swimming. The workouts aren't that difficult, I haven't changed my diet, and despite a couple of sleepless nights I have been averaging more sleep than ever before.
Thursday night I fly back to Nova Scotia to finish some last minute packing with Mel, help with move day, clean, and than we all fly back out on Monday morning. I have a feeling I won't be doing any training for those four days...and that is probably a good thing at the moment.
Anyways, I am have to SB for a cup of joe...
Have a good one.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
A little late getting on the go
I slept through my 6:15am alarm and didn't get up until 8:00am this morning. I could have sworn I set my alarm properly last night...must have turned it off in a sleepy stupor this morning. And with that I did not make my swim workout...all is not lost though as I have a free morning tomorrow so I'll just switch the workout to there.
Been having a bit of the insomnia bug the past few nights...probably in anticipation of the big move this weekend. Anyways, like clock-work I am up at 3-4am for an hour thinking about saving the world's problems...
But I did have a great relaxing ride last night when I got home from work...the weather was perfect...now only if the sun would stay out a little longer. Having cycled the Peggy's Cove Loop (Nova Scotia) for the past two years on a regular basis, I don't even mind pedaling into the wind anymore. Maybe it is acceptance, maybe its maturity, or maybe it is denial...either way it makes you a strong cyclist.
On tap for the rest of the day, after I get my bearings, are a short run at lunch followed by another bike ride tonight. I have a 20 minute time trial to do. It'll be my first one outside and without my power meter this year. I am going to base it off heart-rate...we'll see how that goes.
Happy National Tree Planting Day (Kenya)
Been having a bit of the insomnia bug the past few nights...probably in anticipation of the big move this weekend. Anyways, like clock-work I am up at 3-4am for an hour thinking about saving the world's problems...
But I did have a great relaxing ride last night when I got home from work...the weather was perfect...now only if the sun would stay out a little longer. Having cycled the Peggy's Cove Loop (Nova Scotia) for the past two years on a regular basis, I don't even mind pedaling into the wind anymore. Maybe it is acceptance, maybe its maturity, or maybe it is denial...either way it makes you a strong cyclist.
On tap for the rest of the day, after I get my bearings, are a short run at lunch followed by another bike ride tonight. I have a 20 minute time trial to do. It'll be my first one outside and without my power meter this year. I am going to base it off heart-rate...we'll see how that goes.
Happy National Tree Planting Day (Kenya)
Monday, April 20, 2009
Week 12
I had a pretty great weekend of training. Friday was a low key day as I wasn't feeling too energetic...so I ended up doing an hour long recovery run before calling it an early night.
Saturday I got outside for a 3 hour ride north of Calgary. I explored a bunch of back roads trying to get my bearings. I kept it aerobic for the most part but would throw in some tempo efforts from time-to-time. The sun was out but the wind was chilly as heck. I was averaging about 30km/h heading out and 40km/h coming back. Heading back with the wind was so much fun...at one point I was just coming down a hill and as I hit the bottom I dropped into my aerobars and stepped on the gas to reach 70km/h. I was ready to shit my pants...too much fun!
When I got home, I took a quick nap before heading down to campus to swim. Only when I got there, there was a swim meet taking place so no swim for me. I was quite pissed because I had been at the facility all week and no notice had been given about the meet. So I turned around and caught the train/bus back home. An hour later I was at the house and lacing up the runners for an medium-effort 30 minute rip around the hood.
Sunday I was up early and down to a different pool for a long and steady workout. Good swim. Later that afternoon it was out for a 15km run. First half was at marathon pace with second half picking up the pace to projected half-marathon pace ending the last two km at a pace between 10km and Half Mary. Solid run and I was pleased with how I felt at the end. Got sick again shortly after the workout...not sure what is happening there but I am in the process of trying to determine what it might be.
Overall, it was a pretty solid recovery week.
Today is a recovery day...did an easy cardio workout on the WaveRunners with a fellow co-worker during lunch. The sun looks like it is splitting the rocks outside so I am hoping to get outside for an easy ride.
Happy Monday!
Saturday I got outside for a 3 hour ride north of Calgary. I explored a bunch of back roads trying to get my bearings. I kept it aerobic for the most part but would throw in some tempo efforts from time-to-time. The sun was out but the wind was chilly as heck. I was averaging about 30km/h heading out and 40km/h coming back. Heading back with the wind was so much fun...at one point I was just coming down a hill and as I hit the bottom I dropped into my aerobars and stepped on the gas to reach 70km/h. I was ready to shit my pants...too much fun!
When I got home, I took a quick nap before heading down to campus to swim. Only when I got there, there was a swim meet taking place so no swim for me. I was quite pissed because I had been at the facility all week and no notice had been given about the meet. So I turned around and caught the train/bus back home. An hour later I was at the house and lacing up the runners for an medium-effort 30 minute rip around the hood.
Sunday I was up early and down to a different pool for a long and steady workout. Good swim. Later that afternoon it was out for a 15km run. First half was at marathon pace with second half picking up the pace to projected half-marathon pace ending the last two km at a pace between 10km and Half Mary. Solid run and I was pleased with how I felt at the end. Got sick again shortly after the workout...not sure what is happening there but I am in the process of trying to determine what it might be.
Overall, it was a pretty solid recovery week.
Today is a recovery day...did an easy cardio workout on the WaveRunners with a fellow co-worker during lunch. The sun looks like it is splitting the rocks outside so I am hoping to get outside for an easy ride.
Happy Monday!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Break-through!
After my noon hour workout Wednesday, things kinda got out of control. A work project flared up with some technical issues. I absolutely love, love, love open source software - but - at the same time it can be a pain when silly bugs get released in new patches and there is no official support for it anywhere.
Anyways, it was a stressful afternoon and I was unsuccessful in fixing my project issues. And of course this thing needs to be up yesterday. I worked a little late before having to jet off to the mall to try and get some new eye glasses picked out. Went to two different stores and was unsuccessful in picking something out. Not that there wasn't any to select but I am useless in this department without Mel...that is why we are a team!
During my second eye glasses store visit, I notice my left hand feels bare.
"Oh fu@k!"
My wedding band is missing...Mel is going to kill me if I lost that. Quickly retracing my steps I believe I took it off when I was using hand sanitizer and placed it on my desk at work. So then it is a trip back over to the office to retrieve it before catching the train/bus home. My run for tonight looks like it is slipping away.
I get home late, eat quickly then plunk down for 4hrs straight on my laptop to work on this project. 11:00pm rolls around, I am exhausted, missed my run, are super grumpy but at least have done everything within my ability to rectify most of the issues...the others are minor and I can deal with them on Thursday.
I wake up this morning for swim and are eagerly awaiting to get in the pool for a suffer-fest. So much pent up frustration from inconsistent workouts the past two weeks that I need to channel it somewhere..and soon!
Today is my day.
I stroll out onto the pool deck and survey the lanes...looks like the "fast" lane is empty today...I feel fast enough this morning to warrant hopping in there. I line up at one end of the lane and go through my shoulder/back stretches. Years of playing hockey have given me super inflexible shoulders - thanks in part to scar tissue.
So I am there stretching and humming away to some dance tune when a gentleman in an adjacent lane pulls up and says:
"Wow, you look extremely fast. I bet you are going to put on a show for us any minute now".
I wasn't expecting that from a stranger so I stuttered a bit until I could finally reply"
"I wish I was as fast as I looked..."
Then I think to myself, "dude that totally sounded conceited...you are an idiot."
To try and save face, I tell the guy I am not much of a swimmer - I am a triathlete who does a little bit of swimming, biking, and running. He tells me a bit about his past and how he just recently taken up swimming and are struggling with it. I tell him what I always remind myself on a daily basis:
"Everyone has to start at the beginning".
The past couple of workouts I have been doing a dive start into the pool...no reason other than I don't know how to dive properly and would like to learn. Most times I end up doing a belly-flop but today was my first time I dove in clean! And to add to a terrific start, I flipped-turn for the initial 400m in my warm-up! That is epic for someone who gets motion sickness on the kiddie rides or while riding in the back seat of a car.
Part of the main set of the workout was 5x 200m timed sets with 45 seconds rest in between each. These are one of my favorite workouts all week! So I started the first set at 3:16 and descended from there - 3:13, 3:09, 3:03. Last set is up and I thought I had reached my limit - but than I thought what if...so I fired out the last set...really pouring it on in the last 100m.
I ended up finishing with a 2:50 which is a new PB for me. I have never cracked the 3:00 minute mark on a time 200m so I was pretty pleased this morning! All the pent up energy waiting to explode out sure paid off today. It is one of those workouts where you walk away with a little badge of honor in your back pocket.
Happy Trails!
Anyways, it was a stressful afternoon and I was unsuccessful in fixing my project issues. And of course this thing needs to be up yesterday. I worked a little late before having to jet off to the mall to try and get some new eye glasses picked out. Went to two different stores and was unsuccessful in picking something out. Not that there wasn't any to select but I am useless in this department without Mel...that is why we are a team!
During my second eye glasses store visit, I notice my left hand feels bare.
"Oh fu@k!"
My wedding band is missing...Mel is going to kill me if I lost that. Quickly retracing my steps I believe I took it off when I was using hand sanitizer and placed it on my desk at work. So then it is a trip back over to the office to retrieve it before catching the train/bus home. My run for tonight looks like it is slipping away.
I get home late, eat quickly then plunk down for 4hrs straight on my laptop to work on this project. 11:00pm rolls around, I am exhausted, missed my run, are super grumpy but at least have done everything within my ability to rectify most of the issues...the others are minor and I can deal with them on Thursday.
I wake up this morning for swim and are eagerly awaiting to get in the pool for a suffer-fest. So much pent up frustration from inconsistent workouts the past two weeks that I need to channel it somewhere..and soon!
Today is my day.
I stroll out onto the pool deck and survey the lanes...looks like the "fast" lane is empty today...I feel fast enough this morning to warrant hopping in there. I line up at one end of the lane and go through my shoulder/back stretches. Years of playing hockey have given me super inflexible shoulders - thanks in part to scar tissue.
So I am there stretching and humming away to some dance tune when a gentleman in an adjacent lane pulls up and says:
"Wow, you look extremely fast. I bet you are going to put on a show for us any minute now".
I wasn't expecting that from a stranger so I stuttered a bit until I could finally reply"
"I wish I was as fast as I looked..."
Then I think to myself, "dude that totally sounded conceited...you are an idiot."
To try and save face, I tell the guy I am not much of a swimmer - I am a triathlete who does a little bit of swimming, biking, and running. He tells me a bit about his past and how he just recently taken up swimming and are struggling with it. I tell him what I always remind myself on a daily basis:
"Everyone has to start at the beginning".
The past couple of workouts I have been doing a dive start into the pool...no reason other than I don't know how to dive properly and would like to learn. Most times I end up doing a belly-flop but today was my first time I dove in clean! And to add to a terrific start, I flipped-turn for the initial 400m in my warm-up! That is epic for someone who gets motion sickness on the kiddie rides or while riding in the back seat of a car.
Part of the main set of the workout was 5x 200m timed sets with 45 seconds rest in between each. These are one of my favorite workouts all week! So I started the first set at 3:16 and descended from there - 3:13, 3:09, 3:03. Last set is up and I thought I had reached my limit - but than I thought what if...so I fired out the last set...really pouring it on in the last 100m.
I ended up finishing with a 2:50 which is a new PB for me. I have never cracked the 3:00 minute mark on a time 200m so I was pretty pleased this morning! All the pent up energy waiting to explode out sure paid off today. It is one of those workouts where you walk away with a little badge of honor in your back pocket.
Happy Trails!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Moment of weakness
Monday ended up being a recovery day...legs were spent from the long run the night before so I ended up just doing an hour long recovery spin on the bike/trainer. I am not into riding in extremely windy conditions on the highway so there was no way I was going outside for that one.
Tuesday I rearranged my schedule a bit to put my swim immediately after work followed by a trainer ride. So, I hit the spin bikes during lunch and did some core afterwards. Swam right after work then headed home and rode the trainer. The trainer ride included a 30 minute effort at tempo power levels. Didn't really have the legs but did the best I could with what I had at the moment.
After the ride it was a trip over to Safeway to pick up some much needed vasoline. Apparently the chaffing was so bad from the run that my inner thighs have scabbed over...it is absolutely disgusting and no I won't be posting pics. So anyways, I am at Safeway last night to pick up some vasoline and ended up leaving with some junkfood.
First up, I had a bad hankering for something sweet so it was a stop at the bulk candy bins to pick up several varieties. I mix them into the same bag afterwards - the Freak Lunchbox in Halifax allows you to mix your candy into the one bag at the same price (weight) but Safeway doesn't do that...minor detail.
After that it was a stop in the chip section...saw my roomate with plain, ruffled chips on the weekend so I was craving them...more for the salt. So I picked up a bag of that as well.
Just so I didn't feel too bad I stopped in the fruit section and picked up a bunch of ripe bananas and these vegetarian chicken strips which are great in stirfry's.
Of course, when I got home my sweet/salt craving passed but I am now stuck with this junkfood...I guess someone will have to eat it.
Today is kinda a laxed day in training...just a bike/core workout during lunch and a tempo run tonight. This week is kinda of a recovery week - but where I missed a couple of days last week I didn't schedule my workouts this week too deep in recovery mode.
Tuesday I rearranged my schedule a bit to put my swim immediately after work followed by a trainer ride. So, I hit the spin bikes during lunch and did some core afterwards. Swam right after work then headed home and rode the trainer. The trainer ride included a 30 minute effort at tempo power levels. Didn't really have the legs but did the best I could with what I had at the moment.
After the ride it was a trip over to Safeway to pick up some much needed vasoline. Apparently the chaffing was so bad from the run that my inner thighs have scabbed over...it is absolutely disgusting and no I won't be posting pics. So anyways, I am at Safeway last night to pick up some vasoline and ended up leaving with some junkfood.
First up, I had a bad hankering for something sweet so it was a stop at the bulk candy bins to pick up several varieties. I mix them into the same bag afterwards - the Freak Lunchbox in Halifax allows you to mix your candy into the one bag at the same price (weight) but Safeway doesn't do that...minor detail.
After that it was a stop in the chip section...saw my roomate with plain, ruffled chips on the weekend so I was craving them...more for the salt. So I picked up a bag of that as well.
Just so I didn't feel too bad I stopped in the fruit section and picked up a bunch of ripe bananas and these vegetarian chicken strips which are great in stirfry's.
Of course, when I got home my sweet/salt craving passed but I am now stuck with this junkfood...I guess someone will have to eat it.
Today is kinda a laxed day in training...just a bike/core workout during lunch and a tempo run tonight. This week is kinda of a recovery week - but where I missed a couple of days last week I didn't schedule my workouts this week too deep in recovery mode.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
The plan for today was to do a long run, take a bit of a break to eat and rest, then head out for a short ride. As I was heading out the door my roommate Mark said he was going to head out shortly for a ride himself. Not being too familiar with the area I am living in, with respect to bike routes, I thought it would be an opportune time to tag along and figure things out.
After a quick switch up of gear we were on our way. We made our way through Crowfoot, Scenic Acres, and Tuscany before hitting up some back roads leading out to Cochrane. This was Mark's first time on his bike in dogs ages so we kept it aerobic...although I did punch it a bit on the flats and hills to test out the legs. While it was sunny, the wind was something fierce. It was relentless heading outwards Cochrane - we thought it would be smooth sailing on the way back but it turned into a crosswind...crazy. Anyways it was a short 90 minute ride which was fine by me as I still had a long run to do later in the evening.
I was flying solo during my long run as my buddy Chris bailed on me for the week to do some riding in Hawaii. Yeah...I know...what a great friend eh?
It was about a 2.5km down Nosehill drive into Bow Valley to run along the path. Running down this hill I knew it was going to hurt coming back up it at the end of a run. This was my first run in shorts and unfortunately I didn't have any vasoline to apply to the inside of my legs. So within an hour of the run my inner thighs were on fire and I was ready to cry "UNCLE!".
Going back up Nosehill drive wasn't too bad but I was chaffing badly and really wanted this run to be over with. Got home about 1hr45minutes later and then hopped on the bike/trainer to spin out the legs. Within 5 minutes of the ride I started to get nauseous...lasted until the 15 minute mark before pulling the plug and curling up on the bed in the fetal position trying my best to not barf all over myself. An hour passed and everything was fine...weird stuff.
Anyways, the plan for tomorrow is to head out for a longer ride...we'll see how that goes.
After a quick switch up of gear we were on our way. We made our way through Crowfoot, Scenic Acres, and Tuscany before hitting up some back roads leading out to Cochrane. This was Mark's first time on his bike in dogs ages so we kept it aerobic...although I did punch it a bit on the flats and hills to test out the legs. While it was sunny, the wind was something fierce. It was relentless heading outwards Cochrane - we thought it would be smooth sailing on the way back but it turned into a crosswind...crazy. Anyways it was a short 90 minute ride which was fine by me as I still had a long run to do later in the evening.
I was flying solo during my long run as my buddy Chris bailed on me for the week to do some riding in Hawaii. Yeah...I know...what a great friend eh?
It was about a 2.5km down Nosehill drive into Bow Valley to run along the path. Running down this hill I knew it was going to hurt coming back up it at the end of a run. This was my first run in shorts and unfortunately I didn't have any vasoline to apply to the inside of my legs. So within an hour of the run my inner thighs were on fire and I was ready to cry "UNCLE!".
Going back up Nosehill drive wasn't too bad but I was chaffing badly and really wanted this run to be over with. Got home about 1hr45minutes later and then hopped on the bike/trainer to spin out the legs. Within 5 minutes of the ride I started to get nauseous...lasted until the 15 minute mark before pulling the plug and curling up on the bed in the fetal position trying my best to not barf all over myself. An hour passed and everything was fine...weird stuff.
Anyways, the plan for tomorrow is to head out for a longer ride...we'll see how that goes.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Foot Cramp 2 : Wicksie 0
It has been an interesting week of training with lots of distractions. Wednesday/Thursday were stressful days and complete write-offs in terms of any form of physical activity. Mel and I were rushing, on both ends, to get the paper work in order for the purchase of our home here in Calgary. Most of it was in order, awaiting the final sale of the house in Nova Scotia, but there are always minor details which requires some back and forth with various parties.
At the same time I am trying to get this take care of, a mini crisis arises with a project at work. Technology never works as it should ALL THE TIME...but I pulled out a few tricks and got things in order. That is a big deal for me because I can't stop until I figure things out - and I really didn't want to be thinking about it over the super long weekend!
Friday was back on the train with a run interval workout and a steady-state ride on the trainer. I debated about riding outside but decided against it until I could pick up a few supplies and clean up/inspect my bike.
I made the mistake of having coffee at 6pm on Friday night. As a result, I didn't fall asleep until 2:30am...rut ro! So my plans to get up early and run my errands were out the window.
By the time I got up on Saturday and out the door it was Noon. The plan was to hit MEC for some bike supplies, swim on campus, head up to Speed Theory for some nutrition, home for a bite to eat and then out the door for a run. Things didn't quite work out as planned....I got as far as the "home for a bite to eat" and that was it. The C-train was closed in the downtown core and so there was a bus service to/from...long story short, something that should have been an hours worth of commuting ended up being about 3.5hrs of commuting/walking. I am sure I walked my long run today with a 20lb backpack on.
It is what it is and I'll be glad to have my car up here in couple of weeks to be able to get around a little easier.
I spent the rest of the evening cleaning my bike and making sure everything is in working order. Trying to hold-off bringing it in for a tune-up, in part b/c I have no wheels, but mainly because I have a feeling I am going to need to replace a few components...something I want to wait until after the move is complete.
Tomorrow's plan is to get up early for my long run and do an easy ride outside in the afternoon.
Before I forget...I got my ass kicked by this wicked foot cramp in the pool today. I was in the middle of a long swim set and my left foot started to cramp. Thought I could push through it but the more I tried to "will" it away the fiercer it got. Stopped once to massage/stretch it out and then started swimming again. Immediately it returned with a vengeance - it was the worst cramp I have ever received! WTF! Anyways, had to stop for a few minutes to get rid of this one...I swore a few times which I am sure was disturbing to my lane mates who were all wondering to whom I was swearing at.
At the same time I am trying to get this take care of, a mini crisis arises with a project at work. Technology never works as it should ALL THE TIME...but I pulled out a few tricks and got things in order. That is a big deal for me because I can't stop until I figure things out - and I really didn't want to be thinking about it over the super long weekend!
Friday was back on the train with a run interval workout and a steady-state ride on the trainer. I debated about riding outside but decided against it until I could pick up a few supplies and clean up/inspect my bike.
I made the mistake of having coffee at 6pm on Friday night. As a result, I didn't fall asleep until 2:30am...rut ro! So my plans to get up early and run my errands were out the window.
By the time I got up on Saturday and out the door it was Noon. The plan was to hit MEC for some bike supplies, swim on campus, head up to Speed Theory for some nutrition, home for a bite to eat and then out the door for a run. Things didn't quite work out as planned....I got as far as the "home for a bite to eat" and that was it. The C-train was closed in the downtown core and so there was a bus service to/from...long story short, something that should have been an hours worth of commuting ended up being about 3.5hrs of commuting/walking. I am sure I walked my long run today with a 20lb backpack on.
It is what it is and I'll be glad to have my car up here in couple of weeks to be able to get around a little easier.
I spent the rest of the evening cleaning my bike and making sure everything is in working order. Trying to hold-off bringing it in for a tune-up, in part b/c I have no wheels, but mainly because I have a feeling I am going to need to replace a few components...something I want to wait until after the move is complete.
Tomorrow's plan is to get up early for my long run and do an easy ride outside in the afternoon.
Before I forget...I got my ass kicked by this wicked foot cramp in the pool today. I was in the middle of a long swim set and my left foot started to cramp. Thought I could push through it but the more I tried to "will" it away the fiercer it got. Stopped once to massage/stretch it out and then started swimming again. Immediately it returned with a vengeance - it was the worst cramp I have ever received! WTF! Anyways, had to stop for a few minutes to get rid of this one...I swore a few times which I am sure was disturbing to my lane mates who were all wondering to whom I was swearing at.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Finally...
Things are starting to come together and if all goes well Mel and J will be out in Calgary April 29th and we can finally get on with our lives. Today our house in Nova Scotia was officially sold and we are working towards finalizing the details on a new home in Calgary. Excitement is an understatement...I have been living apart from my wife, my dog, without a car and living out of a suitcase since the end of November 2008. There were a lot of mornings I would wake up at 4:00am and wonder WTF I am doing...what path should I/We be following?
If there is one lesson I have taken away from this experience is that nothing is forever while we still breath. The move to Nova Scotia was to be permanent...our house in Beaver Bank was our "forever home"...who would have known how things turned out.
Actually I went to see a lady, for a reading, a couple of months before we moved to Nova Scotia. She was highly recommended...I was a skeptic but open to trying new things...what the hell right? Thinking back to the session we had, I told her we were leaving Calgary and moving back east.
She flatly said "Oh, you will be back within two years...without a doubt I am sure of it."
I thought to myself "Lady, you have no idea but I'm NEVER coming back".
Well, I ended coming back to Calgary to begin work within 2 years (1 year and 10 months to be exact).
Another thing she mentioned to me was that she saw me working with an organization whose main colour was red. The organization I work with is drenched in red as it is the school's main colour.
I can't help but wonder if sometimes fate has plans for you?
Anyways, the similarities are uncanny...even if she was blowing smoke.
We all have choices to make...consequences to bear...but do we really control our fate or we along for the ride? I don't know the answer to that but frack, am I ever craving something sweet to eat right now....later gators!
If there is one lesson I have taken away from this experience is that nothing is forever while we still breath. The move to Nova Scotia was to be permanent...our house in Beaver Bank was our "forever home"...who would have known how things turned out.
Actually I went to see a lady, for a reading, a couple of months before we moved to Nova Scotia. She was highly recommended...I was a skeptic but open to trying new things...what the hell right? Thinking back to the session we had, I told her we were leaving Calgary and moving back east.
She flatly said "Oh, you will be back within two years...without a doubt I am sure of it."
I thought to myself "Lady, you have no idea but I'm NEVER coming back".
Well, I ended coming back to Calgary to begin work within 2 years (1 year and 10 months to be exact).
Another thing she mentioned to me was that she saw me working with an organization whose main colour was red. The organization I work with is drenched in red as it is the school's main colour.
I can't help but wonder if sometimes fate has plans for you?
Anyways, the similarities are uncanny...even if she was blowing smoke.
We all have choices to make...consequences to bear...but do we really control our fate or we along for the ride? I don't know the answer to that but frack, am I ever craving something sweet to eat right now....later gators!
Monday, April 6, 2009
Recovery day...
I decided to take the entire day off from training altogether. I am spent...my muscles are sore and I am tired and gosh darn it, I deserve it! Now, having said that, I am utterly bored out of my tree tonight not knowing what to do with all this extra time. Did my laundry over the weekend, room is clean, schedule is written up for the week...mmm...what to do, what to do?
After Skyping with Mel for a bit I decided to have some fun with the webcam on my laptop...and no, that is not a Peach colour on my bedroom walls...its Salmon...salmon is a masculine colour!!!
Anyways, I hope to have some blog worthy material over the next few days.
Stay healthy, stay active, and laugh lots along the way...
After Skyping with Mel for a bit I decided to have some fun with the webcam on my laptop...and no, that is not a Peach colour on my bedroom walls...its Salmon...salmon is a masculine colour!!!
Anyways, I hope to have some blog worthy material over the next few days.
Stay healthy, stay active, and laugh lots along the way...
Friday, April 3, 2009
Trucking along...
It has been a crazy and stressful week. Hopefully when the dust settles on Monday, we'll have a clear picture about which path we are taking. When I get stressed out I stop eating and hence dropped 4 lbs this week...at the same time I stop eating I tend to do more physical activity to work off the stress.
Thankfully today I had an EDO (earned day off) and was able to get a solid, and I mean solid 9.5hrs of sleep - unheard for me - especially when I have been averaging 5.5 - 6 all week. I took my time getting up, made some breaky, had some coffee and settled in to watch a movie for the remainder of the morning. Shortly after noon, I made my way down to campus to complete a swim followed by some intervals on the treadmill ending with an easy spin on the bike to flush the legs. Got home around supper time, skyped with Mel, and then did an aerobic workout on the bike/trainer. Tried to do some power intervals in there but the legs were feeling cooked so I backed it off. Not a good idea to do an interval run workout and interval bike workout back-to-back anyways.
Made a yummy supper consisting of a roasted red pepper pasta salad, stuffed steak, and red/green/orange peppers sauteed in olive oil with fresh mushrooms and onions...heaven! Afterwards, my Iranian roomate, his girlfriend, and I enjoyed some Newfie Screech whilst sampling several Iranian delicacies that his Mom sent over...life is pretty cool like that from time-to-time.
This weekend is jammed packed full of activity...long run, long swim, long bike followed by another run...good times.
Enjoy your weekend Tri-Nerds!
Thankfully today I had an EDO (earned day off) and was able to get a solid, and I mean solid 9.5hrs of sleep - unheard for me - especially when I have been averaging 5.5 - 6 all week. I took my time getting up, made some breaky, had some coffee and settled in to watch a movie for the remainder of the morning. Shortly after noon, I made my way down to campus to complete a swim followed by some intervals on the treadmill ending with an easy spin on the bike to flush the legs. Got home around supper time, skyped with Mel, and then did an aerobic workout on the bike/trainer. Tried to do some power intervals in there but the legs were feeling cooked so I backed it off. Not a good idea to do an interval run workout and interval bike workout back-to-back anyways.
Made a yummy supper consisting of a roasted red pepper pasta salad, stuffed steak, and red/green/orange peppers sauteed in olive oil with fresh mushrooms and onions...heaven! Afterwards, my Iranian roomate, his girlfriend, and I enjoyed some Newfie Screech whilst sampling several Iranian delicacies that his Mom sent over...life is pretty cool like that from time-to-time.
This weekend is jammed packed full of activity...long run, long swim, long bike followed by another run...good times.
Enjoy your weekend Tri-Nerds!
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