Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Post in Pictures

Hey!  It's been awhile.  Harvest is FINALLY done and my sanity is returning.  My training is still without a formal plan but I am able to consistently get a run or ride in now.  Can't wait to hit the pool in the next week.

Here has been the past month or so in picture format.

[caption id="attachment_732" align="aligncenter" width="150"]Watching soccer- needed the reinforcements (sleeping bag) to stay warm Watching soccer- needed the reinforcements (sleeping bag) to stay warm.  [/caption]

[caption id="attachment_733" align="aligncenter" width="150"]My boy just finishing his final game with a 1-0 win. My boy just finishing his final game with a 1-0 win.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_734" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Canadian Thanksgiving Oct 12.  Kids table- lots of laughing here. Canadian Thanksgiving Oct 12. Kids table- lots of laughing here.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_735" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Adults table was a bit more reserved. Adults table was a bit more reserved.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_736" align="aligncenter" width="300"]A few leftovers from the garden that were just right for fresh juice. A few leftovers from the garden that were just right for fresh juice.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_737" align="aligncenter" width="224"]Fall sunset Fall sunset[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_738" align="aligncenter" width="224"]Took awhile to wash part of my carrot crop.  Mini wheats were needed to keep up my strength. Took awhile to wash part of my carrot crop. Mini wheats were needed to keep up my strength.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_741" align="aligncenter" width="225"]Mackenzie and I enjoying the day getting some sun. Mackenzie and I enjoying the day getting some sun.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_742" align="aligncenter" width="224"]Mackenzie with the 2 new members of the gang. Mackenzie with the 2 new members of the gang.[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_740" align="aligncenter" width="225"]Pondering life. Pondering life.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_743" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Watching Denae play volleyball. Watching Denae play volleyball.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_744" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Saturday cross training. Saturday cross training.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_745" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Another beautiful fall sunset. Another beautiful fall sunset.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_746" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Great evening run. Great evening run.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_747" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Early morning run with roaring runner. We ran stairs. Early morning run with roaring runner. We ran stairs.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_748" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Opened my eyes, blinked, opened again, rubbed them, oh ya it's really there. Opened my eyes, blinked, opened again, rubbed them, oh ya it's really there.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_749" align="aligncenter" width="224"]Some pool fun on Sunday. Some pool fun on Sunday.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_750" align="aligncenter" width="300"]My feet officially are protesting the wearing of the same skates I have had since I was 16.  My feet officially are protesting the wearing of the same skates I have had since I was 16.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_752" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Trying out my son's sweet fat tire bike.  It's like floating! Trying out my son's sweet fat tire bike. It's like floating![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_751" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Can't beat this on a Monday morning! Can't beat this on a Monday morning![/caption]

Have a super week!

 

Sunday, October 5, 2014

The Feel-Good Run that Didn't

Hello

Hope the weekend is treating you well.  Sundays are such an anticipated day in our home.  A day to totally relax and recoup from the busy week.  Sometimes there is a movie, a nap, a hike, a bonfire.  Our past few Sundays have been a bit different.  There have been one particular exception to the "Sunday Rules."

Number 1 Sunday Rule- No Cooking anything more than a frozen pizza.  I have served rocking BIG meals for a few Sundays. This is not without a great reason though.

We have been so fortunate to have great friends from Switzerland come and visit and work with us on the farm.  The timing of things has been arrivals and departures on Sundays.  We have also had a family birthday party for 3 of my kids who had birthdays in September.  That day we had 30 for supper.   All good!

Anyway, I digress the true reason for this post.

Every runner sometimes (or often) has times when a run is just impossible to pass up.  The weather is amazing, your energy is great or it is just a good time in the day.  I have had a few such times in the past few weeks.  With my training having little consistency due to time and energy constraints, I really NEED the times when the sun is shining and the wind blowing gently and I FEEL like running.

With all training cycles, I execute the plan the best I can whether I feel like it or not.  This is important as I am committed to a goal, I have a plan and need to follow it. The mental toughness that comes with training even when I don't feel it is very crucial.  I can't always go by feel but need to keep emotions out of the equation sometimes. This is a hard line to balance.  This is my equation:

Success= goal + physical training + mental toughness  +/-  heart

So for me to find success at something I need to have a manageable goal that I want to accomplish, set a specific plan to train my body PHYSICALLY for this goal and commit to it entirely to gain some MENTALLY strength but here's the catch.  The goal has to have an emotional thread woven within it- meaning it has some significance for me to be pursuing. This is the plus heart.  However, there needs to be a pause button I hit to turn the emotional thinking OFF. And here in lies the trouble.  Where is that spot?

It is this emotional attachment that makes me dig deeper to reach my goals and potential PR's but it is the same emotions that make me quit and give up.

Oh my!  There is a line from a story that tells of two voices, one that encourages and inspires and one that lies and knocks down.  Which one do you hear?  Of course the one you feed!

So the run that wasn't planned happened.  It was a sunny, warm day where my shoes were really singing my name.  I had time, I had opportunity and most of all, I had the desire.  I could feel my ponytail gently swaying in the warm breeze, I anticipated the many miles and most importantly, I knew the feeling of deep satisfaction that was going to fill me at the conclusion of that run.

My ponytail slapped my neck in irritation, my gait was like that of a horse who has seen better days a LONG time ago, the many miles dream ended at 6 and the great feeling at the end was a bust.  I was discouraged with everything.  Reality was the complete opposite of my hope.  So the great run that could actually didn't. Any guesses as to which voice did the talking?  It is hard to move past the expectations I have when things don't go my way - to be grateful and appreciative of what I can do.

I read a blog post recently that hit a bit on this idea.  Maria called this the clicks and clunks.  It is my reality that I will have some clunks along the way but the clicks that happen can overshadow the clunks.  Maybe make me work harder.  When the clunks keep coming and the clicks are scarce, the discouragement sets in.  It is hard to get myself fired up about training when I start believing that all workouts are going to clunk.  So what do you do?
Being a math girl- I go back to my formula.  I guess this is the perfect time to take the heart OUT of the equation.  Not all runs will feel good and sometimes, maybe few runs will feel good but I continue to run/swim/bike/hike/ski/.... because I NEED TO!

For now, that is all that matters.

Friday, September 19, 2014

Overdoing it, The Anywhere Workout and Where Have They Gone?

 

So, I just need to tell you all how green with envy I am hearing about everyone's training and fall marathon or triathlon plans.  My race season always ends by the beginning of September because we farm and that means life mostly revolves around running to or from the field.  It's all hands on deck and I sneak in a workout whenever I can.  There is no routine or consistency.  It is kinda my "off season" for 2 months.  So though I am sad to not be training specifically for an event, I am very encouraged by those of you who are and wish you all the very best in your training and events! My season will resume late October with consistent rides, runs and swims.  I am trying to embrace this time of change.

While hauling grain, I try to be an opportunistic.  I utilize my few minutes of time to sneak a strength workout in.  It is actually very motivating to come up with new exercises and combinations that are quick and short.

Field Workout

1.Lunges- these can be done anywhere and 5 min (doing about 15 per leg) works well

2. Squats- once again, can be done anywhere (15)

3. Tricep Dip- the bottom step of our grain truck is about 18 inches -2 feet off the ground so it is a good height to do some dips (15)

4. Standing Pushups- just leaning against the truck and pushing myself back

5. Resistance band- I have just started tucking one of these in my bag and have done arm curls and should pull ups (15 each side)

[caption id="attachment_720" align="aligncenter" width="150"]tricep dip tricep dip[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_721" align="aligncenter" width="150"]standing pushups standing pushups[/caption]

Based on these 4 exercises, I have done a combination of them each time I am either waiting in the field or unloading grain.  If you think small things do not add up- my leg and arm muscles would suggest otherwise. If I get 5-10 loads in, it adds up pretty quickly.

Saturday was one of these days, where my legs got a great workout while I was hauling grain.  I then felt like a run that evening, hoping to get just a few easy miles in.  I had a killer of a headache and sometimes a nice run is just the thing needed.  Shortly after, my husband came home and saw me in the basement where I told him to hop on his bike beside me and we would have our version of Saturday night movie date.  Don't know if I was on autopilot, if Amazing Race Canada was super captivating or I had good company- probably all 3 but 10 miles later, 10:00 at night I figured maybe I should stop. Funny sometimes how you find those times that you could just keep going.  Tonight was one of those days!

The next day, hubby and I went for a 6 mile run in the early morning; a beautiful day with cooler temps but so great for running in.  I had a nap that afternoon and when I got up, my legs were screaming!!   I guess I might have just overdone it a bit.  I should have known better but oh well.  I wouldn't change a thing.  Lesson here is CONSISTENCY does work!

The sad news; brace yourself. I am out of Quest Bars.  GASP!!! I don't know how this happened (well I do, I was a pig) and I don't know how I will manage until some make their way to my door again.  I will certainly find myself in Quest depression.

It is almost embarrassing the way I am a lady out of control with them- notice I said almost. Even IF I could control my consumption of these bars- no way would I .  It is totally the company at fault.  If they didn't make such a darn good product, none of this would happen. I find empty wrappers in my vehicle, my purse, coat pockets, on my nightstand, in my backpack.

I could eat 2 a day if I had the means. My favourite flavour by far is chocolate chip cookie dough, then raspberry white chocolate in a close second followed by cookies and cream.  I ate the last 2 Sat night after my run and Sun again after my run.  They are amazing for helping my body recovery after exercise.  I can't say enough good things!  If you haven't tried them yet, I don't know what you are waiting for.

I was just thinking about when and how I tried my first Quest bar and I can't recall exactly when or why.  All I can think about is thank goodness for a nomad spirit that LOVES to try new things and doesn't mind rolling with changes.

Hope your week rocks!

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

A Whirlwind Day!

Well, big day today in our house.

I had the kitchen rocking, spitting out a ton of things to prepare us for the busy week ahead.  Needing to pack lunches for 5 and supper for 9 each night takes organization.

Breakfast choices:

Apple Pie Baked Oatmeal and Cookie Dough Baked Oatmeal from here

photo 2 (3)

Lunch choices:

Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad

photo

 

Broccoli Salad

photo 5 (1)

 

Snacks and dessert:

Peach Crisp from here

photo 4 (2)

Healthy Applesauce Carrot Muffins from here

photo 3 (1)

I also made some blazing beet juice for Day 1 of the 21 Day Juicing Challenge. A yummy juice of beets, greens, garlic, celery, ginger and green apple.  Hoping it will help roaring runner get rid of his cold.

photo 1 (2)

Today also marked the beginning of "harvest" as the combines hit the wheat field.  I drove truck for awhile after taking supper out as our son had soccer.  I try so hard to ensure the kids can be part of sports, etc. but it does mean spreading myself a bit thin at times.

photo (2)
It does feel like fall is in the air with the cooler temps here in the Canadian Prairies.  Sunset comes sooner than I would like.

And there is nothing that marks the beginning of fall better than the return to school.  Today is my last day of NO SCHEDULE.  I know routine is good, but I just feel overwhelmed when things are so busy.  School starts for me tomorrow.  The kids return Wed and Thurs.  It is something that NEVER get easier- I enjoy having my kids around.

Needed to say goodbye to our oldest who left for university this afternoon.  I am so thankful he is happy to return.  It is way better than the reluctant way I was.  I just miss him so darn much!  The 4 months he has been home seem to have flown by.

Hope your long weekend was wonderful.  Wish me luck tomorrow!

p.s. don't judge my picture taking too harshly- a girl can only do so much with an iphone and no creativity

 

Sunday, August 31, 2014

Color Run 5 Km Race Report

The girls and I got a bit "colorful" yesterday.  The run was held in Dauphin, MB, a 1 1/2 away and started at 10:00 am.  On the road at 7:15, girls slept most of the way.  So much for having some great quality time with them.

Picked up our bibs by 9 and decided to make a quick trip to Walmart to pick up a couple white hats as I overheard that the color doesn't wash out of your hair for a couple weeks.  Considering I start teaching again on Tues., I wasn't sure how crazy I was to show up with very colorful hair.  The color is very safe in case you were wondering. It is a colored cornstarch so you could run through the color station with your mouth or get it in your eyes with no consequence.  Was also told it is non-staining but because I have never done this before, I wasn't sure.

[caption id="attachment_676" align="aligncenter" width="300"]ready to go ready to go[/caption]

There was 500 participants all dressed in white ready to toe the line and get colored.  We got warmed up with some great Zumba from a local instructor.  Loved it!  Would have loved to have done more for awhile.

photo 3

Color was blasted from extinguisher like containers while we were warming up to get us in the spirit.

The 3 mile/ 5 km course took us through the town, spraying us with colors at different "stations".  First was red, green, yellow, blue then purple.

[caption id="attachment_680" align="aligncenter" width="150"]Enjoying some watermelon after one color station Enjoying some watermelon after one color station[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_686" align="aligncenter" width="169"]Mackenzie and I running to the finish Mackenzie and I running to the finish[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_687" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Mackenzie just blasted with purple Mackenzie just blasted with purple[/caption]

At the finish line we were handed individual bags of color. Then, anyone with a bag of color gathered in one spot and at the count of 3, send the color up.  Pretty neat.

photo 2 (2)

 

The weather was beautiful and sunny, 13 degrees C and no wind.  A perfect day.  We did a walk/run most of the time, just having fun and enjoying every moment.

photo 5

 

photo 2 (1)

There was a bbque after the run (we did have to pay) with hot dogs, hamburgers and drinks.  Though it wasn't far to run, we didn't have much to eat for breakfast and we were all ravenous.  Hamburgers at 10:45 isn't my usual, but so nice to color outside the lines.

photo 4 (1)

Options for ride home with our messy bodies:

a. cover the car seats with towels

b. get blasted with cold water outside

c. try to wash a bit off in the washroom

Option C won out.  Cleaned up pretty well.  Still got really crazy looks from people while we got gas and food.

Ended the adventure with these on the way home. Sounds like a good lunch right?  Don't drool.

[caption id="attachment_683" align="aligncenter" width="300"]frozen yogurt reeces peanut butter cup twister frozen yogurt reeces peanut butter cup twister[/caption]

In conclusion:

If you are looking to do a fun run with your family, a color run is the way to go.  Everyone will have a blast.  Tons of families there running and walking. I got each ticket for $25 plus my gas and food meant we spent just over $100 to attend this event with nothing to bring home except dirty laundry.  It was held as a fundraiser for the figure skating organization and was a nice change to donate than buying tickets or chocolates.

And oh, by the way, all the color was out after 1 shower.

 

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Riding Mountain Triathlon Race Report

Sat. Aug 16, 2014 at Clear Lake, Manitoba

Clear Lake is a beautiful National Park in the middle of Manitoba with great accommodations, picturesque scenery and all the amenities you could want.  It is the closest triathlon for us to go to; about a 3 hour drive so it is always on our "to do" list.  It is also the location of the largest triathlon in Manitoba with usually around 500 participants.  This is my second year as a triathlete but I have attended 3 times prior, participating in the duathlon.

Our adventure started on Friday with the hubby (roaring runner) and I and our 2 girls and niece leaving home and arriving at Clear Lake middle of the afternoon.  We took the camper and got things set up pretty quickly and started with supper.  Supper the night before a race usually consists of chicken with either pasta or sweet potatoes with a cooked vegetable.

We were heading into town (a 5 min walk or 2 min drive) by 6:00 to register and pick up our timing chips and packets.  Our loot this year was a great toque and a few samples of stuff.

We walked around town then for awhile.  And yes, much to my dismay, there was frozen yogurt.  Now not complaining cause I love frozen yogurt, but it isn't really in my night before nutrition plan.  Roaring runner and I decided to share a small.  Yum.  Good decision. Back at the camper, we spent time getting everything set out for the next day and went for a spin on the bikes to ensure everything was working to our satisfaction.  I lifted my saddle a bit and loosen the shoe clips.  My worst fear is trying to get my shoes unclipped and not being able to.  It has happened before- a good story for another day!  I have had a bike fitting and don't like to tinker too much but I am unsatisfied right now with my ride and am not sure how what to adjust so I am experimenting with small changes to see if they make a difference.

Race morning was sunny and warm.  Temp was 16 Celcius and water temp was 18 Celcius.  This tri has a late start time of 9:00 am so the alarm didn't ring until 6:30. Breakfast was gluten free cinnamon bread with almond butter, water and a part of a banana.  We rode our bikes with our bags to transition which opened at 6:30 and as usual I had enough pre-race jitters to light up the whole town.  Worried I would be late, the conditions would be tough, I would panic, I would get a flat, I would bonk.  GOSH!  It takes so much energy to keep me calm and focused without doubts creeping in.  I keep clinging to the hope that more practice will make it easier for me to be confident.
Because there are so many athletes, bags cannot stay in transition so we packed our gear in a reusable bag so we could just fold it up and stick it under our gear and not worry about where to put it.  Kinda defeats the whole idea of the tri bag I spent good money on a few months ago but better that than the worry.

Transition was pretty quiet.  We were both doing the Olympic distance and it was a mass start so it was so nice to park beside each other and get set up.  We went for body markings first before it got busy, then set things up.  I had 1 water bottle, 1 bottle of PhD battery, and though I filled up a bottle with Perpetuum; I decided to leave it at the camper.  It hasn't settled in my stomach well and I just didn't want to try my luck today.  I also cut up a coconut bonk breaker and had it in my bento box.  I also had half an almond butter sandwich in my box.  I planned to take a Hammer gel with me on the run.  So, I was set.  Next stop- the porta potty.  Not a big line here yet either.  The prerace meeting was at 8:30. We got our wetsuits on prior to that and lubbed up with lots of product.  I use triglide to make the on/off of the wetsuit easier.  I also use tons of body glide on my neck to stop the wetsuit burn.  And this year, I put on a zinc oxide product (basically baby diaper rash cream) on my neck because last year, both roaring runner and I got the itch from this swim.  He says it wasn't bad but I HATED it.  Don't know if this cream will work, but figured it was worth a shot.  Only drawback is that it makes your skin very pasty white.  When you research what swimmer itch is, pasty white is no big deal.

Swim warmup 8:50 and then we were marshaled into a coral so we could be accounted for; basically role call.  The coolest thing about this is they have bagpipes playing the whole time from when we get marshaled until the horn starts the race.  Roaring runner and I wished each other luck and fun, kissed and were off.photo 2 (6)

We had a 2 lap course in a clockwise route.  There is some maneuvering to swim around some boats that were anchored and a bit in the way but past that, I could get into a bit more of a rhythm.  I am still not very confident in my swimming and seem to always start myself too much to the back.  I do freak a bit with so many people around me in the water but hate that it is the only discipline where it is SOO hard to pass others.  So when you start in the back, it seems you stay in the back. I had no trouble rounding the buoys and next thing I knew, I was starting my second lap. The water was mostly calm the first lap but a bit rougher second lap for the going out part.  Coming out of the water, I could see the girls cheering and heard their bells ringing!  My swim time was 38:37.  Need to seriously work on my swimming.  Wished for around 35 min so close but no cigar.  Winter work cut out for me.photo 3 (5)

 

photo 4 (2)

Transition was quick- 3 min.  I don't have exact time as I messed up my laps on my watch.

photo 5 (1)

 





Didn't need any extra gear for the bike, temp was warm and I wasn't the least bit cold. I was happy to hammer on the bike up the hill to the main highway.  I took a long drink of water and a piece of bar within the first min.  I tried to keep my pace consistent but it is difficult with the set up I have going on.  My watch on my arm and I don't see the speed or cadence regularly so it is very hard to tell if I am on track.  There is a lot of rollers and hills on this bike course and the road is in pretty tough shape in quite a few areas.  It takes concentration at the best of times in an open bike course to keep yourself in the right area, going the right speed but you add in some nasty road conditions and my pace seemed to get the least attention.  My time was 1:36.  I was secretly hoping I could do the bike in 1 1/2 hours.  I know I should be confessing that I was pushing hard and had my Agressive face on- but my confession is that I was pushing and working hard but really enjoying myself and the adventure I was on.  I felt quite alone on the road until the turn around, passing a few people but then really pushing hard coming back and catching up to the sprint athletes.  Just before the turn around point, I met Terry heading back.  He told me to put the hammer down.  It then became my life's mission to attempt to catch him.  Wishful thinking on the bike but if I played my cards right, I could do some damage on the run.  My watch timer was set for every 15 min and I took in some calories each time with water whenever needed.  I drained my 2 bottles and ate all my cut up bonk breakers.  I ate 1 piece of my sandwich but not the other and wouldn't do that again as it was too dry.  Need to use a bagel or something less crumbly.  I also rode my bike with the Rudy helmet we gave my husband for his birthday which he says squeezes his head too much.  It was suggested that maybe this was all part of the plan for it to be "handed down" to me.  I haven't really tried it out and this seemed like the right time.  This is just another thing I tried new on race day that fortunately for me didn't backfire.

T2 time was around 3 min again and this was with a bathroom stop before starting the run.  I had my gel tucked into my back pocket of my tri shirt and I had a fleeting thought to ingest some of it before leave transition but just wanted to get going.  A minute after hitting the trail, my gel was MIA.  Obviously lost it in the potty.  Kinda defeats the purpose of the pockets in my tri shirt if I lose things anyway.  Sent me in a bit of a panic as I was counting on this to keep my energy up and momentum going.  Decided quickly to drink the gatorade at each station and I would be fine.  Sent all thought of doubt packing.  It was doing to work!  I had a guy to catch!  The run course is on the lake side path and is breathtaking!  There is a big hill to climb a mile and a half in and then the run resumes on an old paved road which parallels the lake and is in almost complete shade both ways.  And thank goodness as it was getting hot. The turnaround point is by the golf course and is the only spot in full sun.  I saw Terry just before the turn around point and immediately picked up my pace.  Some quick calculations and I guessed him to be about 3/4 of a mile ahead of me.  At the next aid station, the volunteers told me they were told to give me lots of fluid and to encourage me to take a walk break by a guy ahead of me in a white shirt.  Did I know him? Oh,fuel for the fire!!

The last 2 km of the run course has 1 big hill up and down followed by another small uphill which then takes you home!  It is always motivating to hear the music pumping and the announcer bellowing!  My pace increased from the big down hill and I kept it going as fast as I could.  How sweet the finish line was with the girls on one side cheering and my hubby waiting right across the line for me.  The announcer told me to give the guy a hug so I did.

photo 4 (3)

 

photo 5 (2)

 

photo 2 (8)

photo 3 (6)

Riding Mountain Tri has an awesome food spread; bagels with tons of toppings, dessert bars, fruit, yogurt and this amazing frozen fruit slush.  I grabbed 2 cupfuls and hit some shade. I went to transition and grabbed my shaker bottle with Vega Tropical recovery and filled it with water and ice.  I also had a Quest bar.

photo 3 (7)

We packed up, gave the girls some money for cinnamon buns and agreed to meet back at the camper in a few minutes.  The cinnamon buns are from a local bakery and they are almost the best reason to come to Clear Lake.  We bought 2 dozen the next day to take home.

I know I don't need to tell anyone how wonderful the shower feels.  Or how great the large soft serve frozen yogurt was a couple hours later.  Or the piece of pizza we shared an hour after that.  And then another round of frozen yogurt.  Or the awesome volleyball rally we had with the girls along the beach for a hour or so.  Or how great triathlon is!

Awesome time, great company, amazing adventure.

 

 

 

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

So Much to Catch Up On!

Hey

Wow, it has been awhile.  No I didn't disappear off the face of the earth.  Summer seems like the time we can catch up on more things and instead sometimes I find that I fall more behind.

It has been busy!  But, I will be pumping posts out by the droves in the next while; camping adventures, 2 race reports, a newspaper interview, family wedding excitement and much more.

This summer has also been a time of finding perspective, re-evaluating why I do the things I do and what I want out of life.  Mid-life crisis?  Hope not.  My youngest daughter asked the other day what menopause was and if I had gone through it already. Oh Lord help me!

Have a rocking day

photo (8)

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Last Week's Training

This is what went down last week.  It was recovery week so hopefully I am ready to go hard this week.

Mon- swim 0.6 mile(supposed to be a rest day but has become an early morning swim)

Tues- bike 13 miles

Wed- run 6.17 miles

Thurs- swim 0.93 (skipped the bike)

Fri- swim 0.93, run 5.06 miles

Sat- bike 50.28 miles

Sun- run 10.06 miles, swim 0.62 miles

Total: 88 miles in 9 workouts in a time of 9:44

Keep training hard and have fun!

 

Monday, June 2, 2014

Spring in Pictures

Hi

Thought I would just post a little bit of spring.  Enjoy!

photo 1

Hard to believe our dog and our cat used to HATE each other.

photo 5Finally, warm enough to ride without coats, toe warmers and pants!

photo 2

Oldest daughter doing her lifeguard certification at our new pool. Can't say "it's so wonderful to have a pool" enough times.

photo 4Youngest at the Sunburn Classic track and field meet.

photo 1 (2)

Cupcake making and testing in full force to prepare for my mom's upcoming July wedding.  This is lemon meringue pie.  It was a hit!

photo 4 (2)

Caramel apple cupcakes were also a keeper!

photo 3 (2)

Hubby loading up his seed tank for spring wheat seeding.

photo 5 (2)

The necessities of a long bike ride when on the trainer; Kind protein bars (almond coconut= yummy), pineapple and watermelon, a good book, water, ipod and my watch.

photo 2 (2)

My favourite chicken beet salad when I go out of town for a meeting.

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Early morning run.

photo 3 (3)Roaring runner cleaning out a section of the evestrough in a torrential downpour.  We enjoyed watching him!

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Spring at its finest, fresh rhubarb pie.  It was amazing!  We cleaned it up at one sitting.

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My part time job when I am not teaching- hauling seed or fertilizer.

Hope you are having a great spring!