I felt the need to title this blog with my numbers as I haven't been recording them on here as of late. I also haven't been as on top of this blog as I would like. That's ok though. I've actually really started to notice that my top half is toning up so I've been trying to push myself more... and that extra push has tired this poor lady out.
Which brings me to the theme of this entry.
Budgeting.
Not just for bank accounts people!
No. Budgeting is something I really want to work on in all aspects of my life. A little measure system to keep track of me, my progress, my energy, my food, my banking... my... life essentially.
Budgeting is something I need to do in my own brain space to divide it into sections so that I can make a little brain shaped pie chart into what matters - how much I need to worry about it... and so on. I need to budget fun, reality, work ethic... passion and love into there. I need to make sure I pick up a new play and read it and learn a monologue - JUST for fun to hone my craft and keep it up so that when I get an audition... it's already work that is budgeted into my life... so extra worry isn't exerted unnecessarily. If something throws off my little balance system now EVERYTHING seems to go out of wack. I get mad at CN (sorry love) I get grumpy at work.. and I feel like a failure - alllll because one measly little thing didn't fit into my life budget. I want to work on that and be more easy going.
If we're really talking numbers wise. I need to reel in my habits. Granted - that whole car situation did not treat my poor visa card well. It's racked up a fair amount of evil debt that really wears a poor girl down. I want to be able to be in control of my Visa by spring. I think that is a fair goal. To do this I need to put a fair chunk of change towards my good friend Visa every (little itty bitty) paycheck. I can't rely on the money I'm supposed to get back from my car insurance agency - as I have no idea if or when that's actually coming. Yes - my case was dropped and my license will be cleared. However... it's been 10 days and my license still has the ticket on it... so i'm still throwing money into my savings State Farm pot (479.00 people) until this all goes away. I've thrown over 2 grand into that stupid car... over this stupid ticket.. and I want it to die. I want it to go away and never come back. I want to have that money back... and get back in control of my life. Capishe? Rawr. Anyway... as I said... I don't know when that will come to me. Sooooooooooo here's to being responsible and hey - if and when that cheque arrives... hello Mexico.
Gym wise. I talked about head wars.. and those are still happening. It's natural for me to get a little rough on myself if I neglect the gym. So... i reckon if I aim for 3 gym sessions a week... then that's fair. I have been consistently hitting the gym 3-4 times a week since the end of October - so I know that that is a goal I can keep. I would like to gain some distance and run further in my hour runs. This is a better goal for me then trying to push for more gym time. It's not how many hours I rack up - it's how effectively I use those hours I have. Quality over quantity.
Love wise. Friend wise... Family... I'm happy. I'm happy to be spending Christmas in Toronto with my love. A part of me will be a little bummed Christmas morning knowing my fam is together without me... but you know what? Life involves changes... and changes are exciting! I'm making my own family. My Toronto family. My own roots. Those are just as important if not more so.
Laaa ddeeee daaa... sooo with that ladies and gents... I'm out! Hopefully not for long. I plan on budgeting more time into my life to blaaaaahhhhhg it out.
Happy ho ho!
A
Friday, December 17, 2010
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Head wars.
I got a little busy this week. So busy in fact that I only really got in three good workouts - Sunday run, Wednesday run and Thursday bootcamp class. I also did a pilates ball workout on my own at home on Monday. Anyway... today I work at 1 and I woke up at 10 with full intentions of hitting the gym. But I haven't gone yet and I realized that I'm getting a little maniacal about the gym and I have to start being reallllly careful about what headspace I get into. I can get into a pretty dark place where I start kicking my own butt in my head about not being good enough.
I've been in this place before.... I start working out... and then to get results I start eating less. During a run of Oklahoma a few years ago - I was working out, drinking one coffee in the morning... eat a handful of almonds - then not eating again till the show where I had an Ice Cap from Tim Hortons as a dinner... and whatever else. It was bad and I was getting pretty svelte - but not for good reasons. But the control I had felt good, it felt like if nothing else at least I could control something. I do understand this was not healthy. There was other emotional baggage going on during that show that fed into me becoming a little crazy... but regardless... I don't really ever want to be in that place again.
Yes - i do want to be svelte. Yes.. I am starting to tone up quite nicely. But now, I'm freaking out that if I take a day off that I'm going to lose all of the results I've starting having.
I have good reason to take the morning off today. Monday - my day off from Starbucks - has turned into a busy day. I have an audition, then I have some training for a Heart and Stroke gig I'm doing on the weekend.. and then I have my second court date for my awesome speeding ticket (for going 5km over the limit). It's a busy day. I jut got wind of the audition yesterday ... so I'd like to prepare for it. Prepare by going t staples and printing off some glossy new headshots and crisp new resumes ... maybe buying a stapler to staple it all together nicely... and Id like to photocopy my music too! I think that would be quite useful. But here I am beating myself up over NOT going to the gym.
My monsters and I.
That would be a decent name for a song.
Maybe I should write again.
Annnnyyyway... I'm not working out this morning as I have other things to do - and because I didn't work out yesterday... i'm kind of frustrated with myself... and because I realize I'm frustrated with myself over dumb reasons - I get even more frustrated with myself.
Lame right?
Anyway.
I'm still on track.. just a little under the weather.
I've been in this place before.... I start working out... and then to get results I start eating less. During a run of Oklahoma a few years ago - I was working out, drinking one coffee in the morning... eat a handful of almonds - then not eating again till the show where I had an Ice Cap from Tim Hortons as a dinner... and whatever else. It was bad and I was getting pretty svelte - but not for good reasons. But the control I had felt good, it felt like if nothing else at least I could control something. I do understand this was not healthy. There was other emotional baggage going on during that show that fed into me becoming a little crazy... but regardless... I don't really ever want to be in that place again.
Yes - i do want to be svelte. Yes.. I am starting to tone up quite nicely. But now, I'm freaking out that if I take a day off that I'm going to lose all of the results I've starting having.
I have good reason to take the morning off today. Monday - my day off from Starbucks - has turned into a busy day. I have an audition, then I have some training for a Heart and Stroke gig I'm doing on the weekend.. and then I have my second court date for my awesome speeding ticket (for going 5km over the limit). It's a busy day. I jut got wind of the audition yesterday ... so I'd like to prepare for it. Prepare by going t staples and printing off some glossy new headshots and crisp new resumes ... maybe buying a stapler to staple it all together nicely... and Id like to photocopy my music too! I think that would be quite useful. But here I am beating myself up over NOT going to the gym.
My monsters and I.
That would be a decent name for a song.
Maybe I should write again.
Annnnyyyway... I'm not working out this morning as I have other things to do - and because I didn't work out yesterday... i'm kind of frustrated with myself... and because I realize I'm frustrated with myself over dumb reasons - I get even more frustrated with myself.
Lame right?
Anyway.
I'm still on track.. just a little under the weather.
Monday, November 29, 2010
I'm a liar!
I said I would post a picture this week - but I didn't. I DID run every time I planned to - and I ran hard - but I am a cranky lady this week and so I feel like a picture shall wait until certain things pass.
....
I switched pills. (you may stop reading if you feel like this is a TMI).
I switched back to Yasmin from Yaz... and.. hello PMS.. i forgot what you were like.
I'm a bitch!!!!
And it is not delightful - ergo. No picture. Ok? Ok.
I'm glad we had this coversation.
Side note - I've racked up 20 more km - and 4 more hours of running this past week... and i now own a beautiful blue pilates ball. It is glorious and I used it in my living room tonight. CN can attest that I looked a bit like a fool rolling around doing all sorts of balancey things trying the ball out.
CIAO FOR NOW
....
I switched pills. (you may stop reading if you feel like this is a TMI).
I switched back to Yasmin from Yaz... and.. hello PMS.. i forgot what you were like.
I'm a bitch!!!!
And it is not delightful - ergo. No picture. Ok? Ok.
I'm glad we had this coversation.
Side note - I've racked up 20 more km - and 4 more hours of running this past week... and i now own a beautiful blue pilates ball. It is glorious and I used it in my living room tonight. CN can attest that I looked a bit like a fool rolling around doing all sorts of balancey things trying the ball out.
CIAO FOR NOW
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Sunday Night Football
It's funny how when you don't typically watch or care about certain things - like the CFL.... that all of a sudden you can get SUPER invested in one game.
Today - that game was the Stamps vs the Roughriders - the Western Final. The Stamps lost in the frozen wasteland of McMahon Stadium in Calgary - and I was choked. Absolutely choked. For the team, for the fans... and for the fact that they put their butts on that ice cube of a field and unfortunately - froze. So after that upset... we switch channels and watch the Flames take on the Redwings. 4-1 flames. THEN all of a sudden it's 4-2... 4-3... then with 3 seconds to go the Redwinds score and tie it forcing overtime and BAM the Flames lose too. What a poopy day for Calgary sports! C'est la vie.
Running wise, I'm doing well. I am running hard and consistently. 4 times a week with a pilates class at some point and my at home pilates dvd on non gym days. My mind isn't so great though. At this point I'm wanting to see results. I'm feeling a bit chunky... and I wanted to start feeling a little bit more slender at this point. I'm over a month in on this challenge - and granted - it isn't totally about the weight loss. I do want this for my body's own good. I want to be fit. I want to be able to push my own limits. I wanted to be able to run for an hour without stopping... and I can now! Now I want to be able to run for two hours without stopping... and hopefully fast enough so that I can complete a half marathon within the boundaries of 2 ish hours. I guess the tough part is keeping up my motivation to see the results.
Some things that may help...
Drinking more water. Keeping a water bottle on me in my purse at work so when I go to the back I can take a nice long swig of water... never fully letting myself get thirsty.
Eating less Starbuck food. I try to watch what I eat at work... but I'm bad every so often.. and frankly - i want to cut out work food all together. It's pre frozen... calorie packed... bombs that do not need to enter my system. Stupid delicious gingerbread biscotti. I shake my fist at you and your awesomeness.
Having my work beverages be of the coffee/tea variety and not of the milk based variety. I'm really enjoying matcha mixed with hot water. It gets me going and it tastes pretty good. Also... it's pretty good for me.. so I may rock that drink for awhile and see where it takes me.
Throwing my body off. I think my body is starting to get used to the running... so I need to challenge it and maybe throw in rowing for 10 minutes at it... or doing some hills... biking... maybe I'll put some spinning back into my schedule. One class a week won't bulk up my legs too too much. (BREANNA... get on that membership and let's be spinning buddies again!)
Anyway. I guess my morale is a bit low today. I have accomplished more than I already thought possible... and I think to see changes I will have to take it to the next level. Starting with a lovely gym sesh tomorrow night! Running and pilates anyone?!
Ta!
19 hours. (PIC COMING UP THIS WEEK!! AHH!!) 106 km! (.. whoa) ... and low team morale!
Today - that game was the Stamps vs the Roughriders - the Western Final. The Stamps lost in the frozen wasteland of McMahon Stadium in Calgary - and I was choked. Absolutely choked. For the team, for the fans... and for the fact that they put their butts on that ice cube of a field and unfortunately - froze. So after that upset... we switch channels and watch the Flames take on the Redwings. 4-1 flames. THEN all of a sudden it's 4-2... 4-3... then with 3 seconds to go the Redwinds score and tie it forcing overtime and BAM the Flames lose too. What a poopy day for Calgary sports! C'est la vie.
Running wise, I'm doing well. I am running hard and consistently. 4 times a week with a pilates class at some point and my at home pilates dvd on non gym days. My mind isn't so great though. At this point I'm wanting to see results. I'm feeling a bit chunky... and I wanted to start feeling a little bit more slender at this point. I'm over a month in on this challenge - and granted - it isn't totally about the weight loss. I do want this for my body's own good. I want to be fit. I want to be able to push my own limits. I wanted to be able to run for an hour without stopping... and I can now! Now I want to be able to run for two hours without stopping... and hopefully fast enough so that I can complete a half marathon within the boundaries of 2 ish hours. I guess the tough part is keeping up my motivation to see the results.
Some things that may help...
Drinking more water. Keeping a water bottle on me in my purse at work so when I go to the back I can take a nice long swig of water... never fully letting myself get thirsty.
Eating less Starbuck food. I try to watch what I eat at work... but I'm bad every so often.. and frankly - i want to cut out work food all together. It's pre frozen... calorie packed... bombs that do not need to enter my system. Stupid delicious gingerbread biscotti. I shake my fist at you and your awesomeness.
Having my work beverages be of the coffee/tea variety and not of the milk based variety. I'm really enjoying matcha mixed with hot water. It gets me going and it tastes pretty good. Also... it's pretty good for me.. so I may rock that drink for awhile and see where it takes me.
Throwing my body off. I think my body is starting to get used to the running... so I need to challenge it and maybe throw in rowing for 10 minutes at it... or doing some hills... biking... maybe I'll put some spinning back into my schedule. One class a week won't bulk up my legs too too much. (BREANNA... get on that membership and let's be spinning buddies again!)
Anyway. I guess my morale is a bit low today. I have accomplished more than I already thought possible... and I think to see changes I will have to take it to the next level. Starting with a lovely gym sesh tomorrow night! Running and pilates anyone?!
Ta!
19 hours. (PIC COMING UP THIS WEEK!! AHH!!) 106 km! (.. whoa) ... and low team morale!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Article.
http://jezebel.com/5689226/a-call-to-arms-and-abs-quads-calves-and-shoulders
I love this article. It got me all ready to kick some ass.
Ran today for an hour after being pretty much pooped. So in order to overdo it - I biked 20 mins after the run. Why not right? Tomorrow is Pilates and Yoga Night!!!
15 hours. 86 km. I'm sleepy.
I love this article. It got me all ready to kick some ass.
Ran today for an hour after being pretty much pooped. So in order to overdo it - I biked 20 mins after the run. Why not right? Tomorrow is Pilates and Yoga Night!!!
15 hours. 86 km. I'm sleepy.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Idol Love
Ok... so I have a crush on Carrie Underwood's voice AND Kelly Clarkson (KC i've loved since the original airing of 'Idol'.... including From Justin to Kelly.) It makes me miss singing. It makes me want to have a voice transplant - until I start singing and realize that I am quite capable of carrying a pretty tune. They inspire me. What other women inspire me? Ok... let's just debrief...
Kelly Clarkson.
I adore her because she stays true to herself, can sing the shit out of EVERYTHING, her belt.. Gah, she's gorgeous - no matter her size. She may not be a great actor (From Justin To Kelly... ouch). But she's definitely someone I look up to as a person and singer.
Carrie Underwood.
Just a little dumpling of blonde cuteness. How can one not love her? Physically - she is stupid inspiring... she works her ass off to stay in shape. Her legs make me want to do lunges from Toronto to Calgary and back. And her wedding pictures? If you haven't seen them - googles them NOW and enter the little girl fantasy grown up into this whimsical country love affair fairytale. She's who I wanted to be when i was little. Will we see a Carrie Underwood sex tape? No. She's a role model and I kinda like that.
Crystal Renn.
Straight size model who was in a whirlwind of eating disorders until she listened to her heart and body and ate - becoming the most successful plus size model EVER. She's hot! She makes me feel like buying a size Large isn't the end of the world! She is voluptuous (a word that actually I hate - but see its beauty in her). She makes all the nonsense in my head so relatable. Her book 'Hungry' saved me. It saved me from hating myself... I know that's a big thing to say - but it's true.
Marilyn Monroe.
Size 14. Sex icon. Real name? Norma Jean. My Granny on my Dad's size = Norma. Granny on Mom's side = Jean. Coincidence? I think not. Bwa ha!
And that folks are the people who are inspiring me today. There are so many other powerful, beautiful women out there.. but those are the ones on my mind today. I guess it's because I've been feeling tubby... and these women make me feel like I fit in. They make the things I don't really love about me really gorgeous.... they are my curvy club.
12 and a half hours. ......... I cant think of the km right now. AND I HAVE A CUT ON MY BABY TOE!!! Tragedy.
Thought of the day. Amount of minutes run - or distance covered. What is more important to losing weight?
A
Kelly Clarkson.
I adore her because she stays true to herself, can sing the shit out of EVERYTHING, her belt.. Gah, she's gorgeous - no matter her size. She may not be a great actor (From Justin To Kelly... ouch). But she's definitely someone I look up to as a person and singer.
Carrie Underwood.
Just a little dumpling of blonde cuteness. How can one not love her? Physically - she is stupid inspiring... she works her ass off to stay in shape. Her legs make me want to do lunges from Toronto to Calgary and back. And her wedding pictures? If you haven't seen them - googles them NOW and enter the little girl fantasy grown up into this whimsical country love affair fairytale. She's who I wanted to be when i was little. Will we see a Carrie Underwood sex tape? No. She's a role model and I kinda like that.
Crystal Renn.
Straight size model who was in a whirlwind of eating disorders until she listened to her heart and body and ate - becoming the most successful plus size model EVER. She's hot! She makes me feel like buying a size Large isn't the end of the world! She is voluptuous (a word that actually I hate - but see its beauty in her). She makes all the nonsense in my head so relatable. Her book 'Hungry' saved me. It saved me from hating myself... I know that's a big thing to say - but it's true.
Marilyn Monroe.
Size 14. Sex icon. Real name? Norma Jean. My Granny on my Dad's size = Norma. Granny on Mom's side = Jean. Coincidence? I think not. Bwa ha!
And that folks are the people who are inspiring me today. There are so many other powerful, beautiful women out there.. but those are the ones on my mind today. I guess it's because I've been feeling tubby... and these women make me feel like I fit in. They make the things I don't really love about me really gorgeous.... they are my curvy club.
12 and a half hours. ......... I cant think of the km right now. AND I HAVE A CUT ON MY BABY TOE!!! Tragedy.
Thought of the day. Amount of minutes run - or distance covered. What is more important to losing weight?
A
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
11 and a half hour picture update!
Well... here it is - a picture update of how I am doing. I don't see too many changes.. but running for an hour certainly has gotten easier. When I reach 20 hours I will post another picture!! O la la
11 and a half hours. 76 km. Homesick.
11 and a half hours. 76 km. Homesick.
Friday, November 5, 2010
A Little Off Topic
Let's start on topic. I have surpassed the 10 hour mark!!!!!! *applause* I have officially run 10 hours and 37 minutes which you know.. ain't too shabby and is leaving me a little less flabby (ha!). I'm impressed with myself. It has been a tough week motivation wise - but I cranked out 2 runs with one in the plans for tomorrow and one sunday afternoon. So by the end of the weekend I should hit 13 hours. I'm starting to get excited about the 100 km landmark.
Anyway. Tonight I went to a show. It's the first show I've been to in quite a while and it was so refreshing. I saw "Pricilla Queen of the Desert" at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto. It's a really touching story revolving around a drag queen's journey to meet his 6 year old son. There were sequins.. Madonna songs... as well as a lot of really heartfelt REAL moments that made me so proud to be in the audience and proud to be supportive and in love with the fact that this is what I want to do. Ahh. Go see it! It will be something that will light up your night from the minute the lights go down and the giant disco ball descends from the ceiling illuminating the entire theatre in sparkle. Delightful. Simply a surprising delight.
After the show ended I heading to the train and ran into someone from my schooling past. It's funny how you can be so happy in one moment and then feel like an insecure 15 year old who is being judged for everything and nothing all at the same time. It was an unreal transition of realization that I am SO happy to not be surrounded by Sheridan anymore. I can't deal with it... or the people. I love what the school gave me and what I have learned as a performer and person there - but I never realized until my heart started racing in this stupid anxiety at the train station... that I was really depressed and the catalyst of that was the way I was treated by a lot of peeps at school. Such a see-saw of highs and los tonight. THE BEST PART - is I got off the train at a station with my lovely evening company and switched to our other train and moved on with my life! And now I am home. With someone I love. Typing this out to digest it a bit... and then the sequined belt comes off and a new day starts tomorrow.
10 hours 37 minutes. 70km. Growing up a little at a time.
Anyway. Tonight I went to a show. It's the first show I've been to in quite a while and it was so refreshing. I saw "Pricilla Queen of the Desert" at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto. It's a really touching story revolving around a drag queen's journey to meet his 6 year old son. There were sequins.. Madonna songs... as well as a lot of really heartfelt REAL moments that made me so proud to be in the audience and proud to be supportive and in love with the fact that this is what I want to do. Ahh. Go see it! It will be something that will light up your night from the minute the lights go down and the giant disco ball descends from the ceiling illuminating the entire theatre in sparkle. Delightful. Simply a surprising delight.
After the show ended I heading to the train and ran into someone from my schooling past. It's funny how you can be so happy in one moment and then feel like an insecure 15 year old who is being judged for everything and nothing all at the same time. It was an unreal transition of realization that I am SO happy to not be surrounded by Sheridan anymore. I can't deal with it... or the people. I love what the school gave me and what I have learned as a performer and person there - but I never realized until my heart started racing in this stupid anxiety at the train station... that I was really depressed and the catalyst of that was the way I was treated by a lot of peeps at school. Such a see-saw of highs and los tonight. THE BEST PART - is I got off the train at a station with my lovely evening company and switched to our other train and moved on with my life! And now I am home. With someone I love. Typing this out to digest it a bit... and then the sequined belt comes off and a new day starts tomorrow.
10 hours 37 minutes. 70km. Growing up a little at a time.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Halloweenie
Today, instead of dressing up and parading through bars... or dressing like a Zombarista with my starbucks friends behind the bar - I will be celebrating a belated Oktoberfest with the boys and a 30L Keg tonight whilst clad in leiderhosen.
Don't even pretend like you're not jealous.
Needless to say, I will be resting up this weekend to prepare my body to up the anti next week as I hit the 10 hour mark.
What have I learned so far?
- Eating the right foods makes a difference. But eating the wrong foods makes for motivation.
- I have a really great support system!
- I will probably need better shoes that are built for running long distance
- Running with loose hands is awesome compared to running with fists... you can run faster!
- I don't need an ipod to run... although i want one
- Running with Chuck Norris is a challenge... not an impossible one
- Breathing is good
- PACE
- Focus really makes you run further - it's a mind game
- Running outside is more or a challenge than running inside
- Taking Green Tea pills is awesome... just don't take more than one in one sitting or else you get sick!!
And Finally...
- I'm pretty sure i can do this!
I don't want to sound cocky. But I think this a an obtainable goal! It's definitely a challenge. Sometimes I would rather sit around and do nothing (we all have those moments) than bound out the door to the boardwalk or the gym. It's the feeling afterwards that makes all the difference.
I want to work towards 4 runs a week (currently I'm at 3 long runs). I want to do a progressive build up throughout the week. 3 runs in the gym 5, 8, then 10 km. Then ending the week with a run outside.. long.. with Chuck. It can be my weekly check in to how it's all going. I'd love to be able to run his pace and feel like it's a workout for both of us and not just me. So let's see how that goes over this next month.
ON THAT NOTE.... Even though today is a day off from running - I will be popping in a pilates Dvd!
Happy Halloween to all!
8 hours. 60 km. No injuries.
Don't even pretend like you're not jealous.
Needless to say, I will be resting up this weekend to prepare my body to up the anti next week as I hit the 10 hour mark.
What have I learned so far?
- Eating the right foods makes a difference. But eating the wrong foods makes for motivation.
- I have a really great support system!
- I will probably need better shoes that are built for running long distance
- Running with loose hands is awesome compared to running with fists... you can run faster!
- I don't need an ipod to run... although i want one
- Running with Chuck Norris is a challenge... not an impossible one
- Breathing is good
- PACE
- Focus really makes you run further - it's a mind game
- Running outside is more or a challenge than running inside
- Taking Green Tea pills is awesome... just don't take more than one in one sitting or else you get sick!!
And Finally...
- I'm pretty sure i can do this!
I don't want to sound cocky. But I think this a an obtainable goal! It's definitely a challenge. Sometimes I would rather sit around and do nothing (we all have those moments) than bound out the door to the boardwalk or the gym. It's the feeling afterwards that makes all the difference.
I want to work towards 4 runs a week (currently I'm at 3 long runs). I want to do a progressive build up throughout the week. 3 runs in the gym 5, 8, then 10 km. Then ending the week with a run outside.. long.. with Chuck. It can be my weekly check in to how it's all going. I'd love to be able to run his pace and feel like it's a workout for both of us and not just me. So let's see how that goes over this next month.
ON THAT NOTE.... Even though today is a day off from running - I will be popping in a pilates Dvd!
Happy Halloween to all!
8 hours. 60 km. No injuries.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Taking it Outside
Today I learned about pace.
I've been training at the gym - logging all of my 'official' minutes and miles (my m 'n m's!!) on the treadmillian wonder. Today was a gorgeous day in Toronto, and with the leaves showing all of their beautiful colours and the sun shining... i really wanted to be outside instead of on my treadmill.
SO I joined Chuck Norris for his usual run. I figured I've been doing pretty well - so maybe I stand a chance of actually running his whole route instead of pussying out 3/4s through.
It started out great. I was going nice and slow and taking my time making sure I settled into a pace in which I could hold for an hour or so. I don't know what it is about running with my love... but I get so self conscious. I have previously mentioned... he's a runner. A good runner. Currently a slightly injured runner... and when I run with him I feel I need to keep up with him and prove myself. This proving myself typically ends up in getting overheated due to lack of breathing and getting over-emotional and over-all pretty frustrated with myself and sometimes him! So I stay away from those runs. They don't accomplish anything for me. But I've logged over 6 hours... so... I gave it a go today.
It was HARD. It was windy as all get out and I felt the nerves creeping in multiple times as I know he majorly slowed down his pace to stay with me. (Chuck Norris and his gazelle legs... pffffttt.....) But I kept telling myself I could do it! And I had the best run I have ever had with him today. My hip flexors are doing so much better than they have in the past... I only got outwardly frustrated once (when it was super super stupid windy and he slowed to a walk waiting for me to trot up to his).. and my feet only started to hurt at the end.
I think going forward I may need to invest in some better cushioney shoes. The shoes I have are more geared towards shorter distance running (5K) and now that I am running more than that everytime I'm out.... it's time to get something more suited to me.
I'm pretty proud of myself... today was a day I really didn't feel like doing anything at all!
STATS
7 hours 37 minutes. 52 km. Sore feeties.
I'm getting excited to hit the big 10 hours soon!!!!!!!
A
I've been training at the gym - logging all of my 'official' minutes and miles (my m 'n m's!!) on the treadmillian wonder. Today was a gorgeous day in Toronto, and with the leaves showing all of their beautiful colours and the sun shining... i really wanted to be outside instead of on my treadmill.
SO I joined Chuck Norris for his usual run. I figured I've been doing pretty well - so maybe I stand a chance of actually running his whole route instead of pussying out 3/4s through.
It started out great. I was going nice and slow and taking my time making sure I settled into a pace in which I could hold for an hour or so. I don't know what it is about running with my love... but I get so self conscious. I have previously mentioned... he's a runner. A good runner. Currently a slightly injured runner... and when I run with him I feel I need to keep up with him and prove myself. This proving myself typically ends up in getting overheated due to lack of breathing and getting over-emotional and over-all pretty frustrated with myself and sometimes him! So I stay away from those runs. They don't accomplish anything for me. But I've logged over 6 hours... so... I gave it a go today.
It was HARD. It was windy as all get out and I felt the nerves creeping in multiple times as I know he majorly slowed down his pace to stay with me. (Chuck Norris and his gazelle legs... pffffttt.....) But I kept telling myself I could do it! And I had the best run I have ever had with him today. My hip flexors are doing so much better than they have in the past... I only got outwardly frustrated once (when it was super super stupid windy and he slowed to a walk waiting for me to trot up to his).. and my feet only started to hurt at the end.
I think going forward I may need to invest in some better cushioney shoes. The shoes I have are more geared towards shorter distance running (5K) and now that I am running more than that everytime I'm out.... it's time to get something more suited to me.
I'm pretty proud of myself... today was a day I really didn't feel like doing anything at all!
STATS
7 hours 37 minutes. 52 km. Sore feeties.
I'm getting excited to hit the big 10 hours soon!!!!!!!
A
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
This Made me Feel Skinny
...... No explanation needed. This is want I don't want to ever ever be. On the flip side.. good for her for getting moving!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z-UxEZ6yA0&feature=grec_index
A
.. I think I may add a little pace to my run tomorrow after watching this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z-UxEZ6yA0&feature=grec_index
A
.. I think I may add a little pace to my run tomorrow after watching this.
Runlates and Stink.
I took the weekend off running and was back at it last night! It was really interesting to see that my body was wanting to push already... go faster... generally a quicker pace. So I ran at a little bit of a higher pace overall and sweated my FACE off at the gym. I got the treadmill right beside the water fountain at my gym... so I had a pretty constant stream of visitors taking a wee sip of water. Can I just say... I thought I was reeking. Seriously. I thought my BO was so bad because i kept smelling something. Then... the gym kind of cleared out while I was still running (not because of my stench) and I realized that it wasn't me. It was the burly men who kept getting water.
Dear burly men - it's not cool to stink like that! Go get some prescription deodorant! You made me run with my arms pressed down at my sides. Which was probably pretty amusing to look at but I was worrying about stinking up your space the whole time... and it was allll yooou burly burly stinky men. I feel better now.
So I ran for about 67 minutes only slowing the pace down to get water (not at the fountain beside me but from the water bottle i had with me.) I finished my gym night off with a pilates class! SO all in all a pretty awesome body loving day for this (not stinky) girly.
Today......... i have the day off with a meeting for work tonight. SO I am baking my tushy off. Lots and lots of baking goodness for my starbuckers tonight. Maybe laundry. We'll see how it goes. Based on the discussions of this blog... i should probably do my laundry as I am anti stink.
Side unrelated note - I LOVE 'The Last 10 Pounds Bootcamp' and 'Bulging Brides'. I want Tommy Europe to be my trainer. What a good background to my bake fest.
TIMES
6 hours 37 minutes. 44 km. Two healing blisters.... Calluses if you may.
-A
Friday, October 22, 2010
Date day
Today was date day. That is as exciting as it sounds as Chuck Norris and I generally don't have coinciding days off, so today we went out for brunch to this delicious place called Insomnia. If you haven't been - I highly recommend that you go. It is located in The Annex district of Toronto - on Bloor Street just East of Bathurst. This place has a great atmosphere - yummy food and to top it all off it has probably the best coffee that I have tasted in a long time. So go. You hopefully will not be disappointed.
Middle of date day involved me hitting the gym. This does not go without an Andrea having a moronic moment story. Ready?
SO I drove to the gym and did an absolutely gorgeous, smooth parallel park. This doesn't happen very often (if at all.. I usually end up in Austin Powers like situations). So rare does this beautiful park job happen in fact that I almost picked up my Blackberry and called CN to tell him how awesome i am. However... I ended up having to call anyway because of this...
You know how when you park you have an automatic put car into park turn car off take keys out routine? Well I did this routine pretty slick and maybe too quickly because my ignition thinger got jammed between the off section and the ACC section, meaning my car wouldn't turn on OR off. I freaked out. Called CN... he didn't know what to do. So I whipped out my AMA card (after trying to muscle the key onto the off position and probably looking quite manic whilst doing so..) and called AMA to tow/figure it out. The man shows up about 20 minutes later and hops into my drivers seat. He fiddles around with the ignition and... nothing happens. THEN he looks at me and he goes...
"Well... next time ma'am you should probably put your car into park before taking out the key."
................. insert Andrea feeling like a HUGE moron............
SO in my slick getting out of the carness I didn't fully put my car into park and it jammed up the ignition. Meaning nothing is wrong at all with my car.. I'm just borderline useless.
A little red in the face from embarrassment and the cold spell that is going on outside - I booted it to my destination - the gym.
I proudly beat my distance once again! So chalk up another hour for me!!!! Bringing my totals tooooo....
5 hours. 37km. Still 2 blisters, however popped blisters- they're pretty nasty actually... I should get moleskin. And a band-aid. Perhaps both.
Taking the weekend off running! Will be back at 'er Monday.
Andrea
Thursday, October 21, 2010
One Week. One Blog. Two Blisters.
I am a girl who generally doesn't tip toe into things. My style is more of a jump-as-gracefully-as-possible-off-cliff-eyes-closed-no-other-option-announce-to-the-world-cannonball-break-limb.... etc... To get a wee basis of my track record, let's make a list of my past 'little goals' shall we?
Quit Chocolate. Well I am a 24 year old girl. A chocoholic. Why I made this goal? To shed a few pounds (the basis behind too many of my goals I must admit). Why this goal failed? Two immediate reasons. 1. I am a girl. 2. The moment something becomes forbidden it becomes that much more desirable. Shocking really that this failed. I'll probably make this goal many more times in my future years. I think I now make this goal knowing that it will probably last a day or two then gradually come to a crash and burn once I sip on a tall non-fat hot chocolate at Starbucks. Tragic.
........... Well now this is embarrassing because now I really can't think of any silly little goals. I guess the freshest one is my little chocolate goal. The only other ones coming to mind involve the latest attempt to live up to my agencies wishes to shed a few... trim up.. and all that jazz. Regardless - I have set a goal. A thought out, seemingly big - yet obtainable goal.
I, Andrea O'Brien, will be running a half-marathon. This half marathon is set for either May or June of 2011.
... and I'm completely excited about it!!!!
How this came about? My lovely boyfriend and roommate Chuck Norris challenged me to push myself and stray from my usual 10 and 1 running method. I want to stop bulking up at the gym - my muscles are loud and proud and I want to tone them into beautiful long and lean muscles. Chuck Norris - being the Kinesiology Degree holder and avid runner that he is, suggested that I try running and sustaining a run that brought me to about 65% of my maximum heart rate and then run at that pace for 45 minutes or more. This doesn't sound that great - but it is because apparently you have two types of ways that your muscles work... slow ticking and fast ticking. This really makes minimal sense to me - but basically for short spurts and heavy living you use your fast ticking muscles - which in turn build bigger muscles. Your body uses fast ticking muscles (i almost typed musicals there.. oops) while running shorter distances. That distance barrier between long and short bridges somewhere in the 30-45 minute range. In that range - your body starts to get into a pace and your slow ticking muscles turn on. This muscles help you to maintain your pace and blah diddy technical blah blah resulting in LEAN MUSCLE MASS.
Basically I thought I could never run more than a half hour max. But being the stubborn butt that I am - I went to the gym that evening and hopped on a treadmill. I have never run longer than 25 minutes on a treadmill in my LIFE due to boredom and general wanting to get offness.
That night I ran for an hour straight without stopping... and when I finished... I wanted to go further.
I got off the treadmill filled with this giddyness that I can only describe as pride and hope all mixed together in this bubble of 'omg I did it'-ness.
That night was a week ago. I have since logged 4 and a half hours on the treadmill. I do plan to increase that time gradually as I start to run further in my current hour duration.
This is a picture of me basking in my feel good hour long glory. I will probably post a few more pics along the way. I really don't know what this journey will bring... and how I will change throughout it. I know that I am open to change - and ready for a lifestyle alteration. This is not only a challenge for my body - but for my heart (in all of it's flesh beating emotional glory).
I invite whoever would like to join me on this journey into my blog world. Your words - advice.. recipes.. running routes... anything - is a welcome suggestion.
4 1/2 hours. 30 Km. Two Blisters. Hope.
-Andrea
Quit Chocolate. Well I am a 24 year old girl. A chocoholic. Why I made this goal? To shed a few pounds (the basis behind too many of my goals I must admit). Why this goal failed? Two immediate reasons. 1. I am a girl. 2. The moment something becomes forbidden it becomes that much more desirable. Shocking really that this failed. I'll probably make this goal many more times in my future years. I think I now make this goal knowing that it will probably last a day or two then gradually come to a crash and burn once I sip on a tall non-fat hot chocolate at Starbucks. Tragic.
........... Well now this is embarrassing because now I really can't think of any silly little goals. I guess the freshest one is my little chocolate goal. The only other ones coming to mind involve the latest attempt to live up to my agencies wishes to shed a few... trim up.. and all that jazz. Regardless - I have set a goal. A thought out, seemingly big - yet obtainable goal.
I, Andrea O'Brien, will be running a half-marathon. This half marathon is set for either May or June of 2011.
... and I'm completely excited about it!!!!
How this came about? My lovely boyfriend and roommate Chuck Norris challenged me to push myself and stray from my usual 10 and 1 running method. I want to stop bulking up at the gym - my muscles are loud and proud and I want to tone them into beautiful long and lean muscles. Chuck Norris - being the Kinesiology Degree holder and avid runner that he is, suggested that I try running and sustaining a run that brought me to about 65% of my maximum heart rate and then run at that pace for 45 minutes or more. This doesn't sound that great - but it is because apparently you have two types of ways that your muscles work... slow ticking and fast ticking. This really makes minimal sense to me - but basically for short spurts and heavy living you use your fast ticking muscles - which in turn build bigger muscles. Your body uses fast ticking muscles (i almost typed musicals there.. oops) while running shorter distances. That distance barrier between long and short bridges somewhere in the 30-45 minute range. In that range - your body starts to get into a pace and your slow ticking muscles turn on. This muscles help you to maintain your pace and blah diddy technical blah blah resulting in LEAN MUSCLE MASS.
Basically I thought I could never run more than a half hour max. But being the stubborn butt that I am - I went to the gym that evening and hopped on a treadmill. I have never run longer than 25 minutes on a treadmill in my LIFE due to boredom and general wanting to get offness.
That night I ran for an hour straight without stopping... and when I finished... I wanted to go further.
I got off the treadmill filled with this giddyness that I can only describe as pride and hope all mixed together in this bubble of 'omg I did it'-ness.
That night was a week ago. I have since logged 4 and a half hours on the treadmill. I do plan to increase that time gradually as I start to run further in my current hour duration.
This is a picture of me basking in my feel good hour long glory. I will probably post a few more pics along the way. I really don't know what this journey will bring... and how I will change throughout it. I know that I am open to change - and ready for a lifestyle alteration. This is not only a challenge for my body - but for my heart (in all of it's flesh beating emotional glory).
I invite whoever would like to join me on this journey into my blog world. Your words - advice.. recipes.. running routes... anything - is a welcome suggestion.
4 1/2 hours. 30 Km. Two Blisters. Hope.
-Andrea
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