Exercise to stimulate...

not to annihilate. The world wasn't formed in a day, and neither were we. Set small goals and build upon them.

Lee Haney

I did the stairs today, as I did them Friday. I guess it's pretty much a thing now. Stairs on my off day. It's just so simple. It really gets my cardio going and I am also using it as a means to break in my hiking boots. After doing them last Wednesday my legs didn't feel it until Friday, while I accompanied a client to view a basement apartment. I tried not to grimace too much ascending and descending the staircase. I plod along still doing my 3 sets up and down the stairs. I'm thinking I'll add a new set come the new year.

Friday I went out with my partner in crime for our monthly date after doing the stairs (regardless of the sore legs). The plan was to go bowling but the lanes were booked until 9:30 so we spent some time in the arcade. We did some Dance Dance Revolution. You know, where you follow the dance steps on the screen. My little almost 10 year old friend complained that it was too hard. I admit, I did start sweating. I'd done it once before and it's tough. But fun!!

I did a run last night as well. I did it outside as the sidewalks were, for the most part, cleared. I'm still trying to find my stride. Literally. It's still not feeling right. I know it will. I'll get there. It's only been 3 runs. I really do enjoy that I am training by time. It keeps me focused and breaking it into segments makes it more manageable. 

I wanted to share a thing I like- Overnight Oats. They're SO GOOD. I am not a morning person so I was on the lookout for an easy breakfast. I was doing smoothies for a while. I still use them when I go do a morning gym workout to keep my blood sugar level and to prevent me from starving and eating everything in sight after a workout. For usual weekday breakfast though, I have turned to the glory that is overnight oats. The standard recipe I use is really simple: 

1/3 cup milk; 1/3 cup yogurt; 1/3 cup oats 1TBSP flax seed; Fruit. Mix it all together, leave it in your fridge overnight. 

I use the Liberte Mediterranean brand yogurt. It's not low fat but it IS gloriously tasty and oh so creamy. I prefer the large flake oats and I've just recently switched to Almond milk but was using cow's milk. I switched because my mom said she wasn't a fan of it and I read somewhere it has less calories. I haven't noticed a difference in flavour. I haven't really tried any recipes for it yet but here are some that look interesting:

Blueberry
http://blog.thatcleanlife.com/post/98307153038/blueberry-overnight-oats

PB & Chocolate
http://breakfastdramaqueen.com/2013/12/19/peanut-butter-and-chocolate-swirl-overnight-oats/

Pumpkin & Chocolate
http://breakfastdramaqueen.com/2014/11/26/pumpkin-and-chocolate-overnight-oats/

As I said, I haven't tried these particular recipes out myself but if you try them let me know how it goes!

Indoors

I actually did a treadmill run and didn't hate it. With the snow that we got today I decided I'd give the ole treadmill a whirl. I am still not sure what speed to run at but, it got my heart rate up. I managed the intervals with little difficulty and I still used my bobby pin technique transferring them from one cup holder to the other.

I watched Road to Avonlea, a childhood favourite, as I motored on. I also put the machine on ''speed bump' so it changed the elevation for me, I had enough to focus on with the time to keep me engaged. I normally find it super boring on the treadmill there was an adequate number of people to watch and knowing that I would only be at it for half an hour helped.

I think that I am afraid of treadmills. The internet really doesn't help matters. The sheer volume of videos of people falling off of them is obviously enough to strike fear into my runners. I think I go slower than I need to because I'm afraid if I go faster I won't be able to keep up and will subsequently end up a viral video. All said and done it was as terrible as I'd anticipated.

Up

All right, I'm feelin' fine after yesterday's run. I know you were thinking about it alllllll day. I was a little sore going to bed last night and that had me concerned as today was my Christmas party for my clients and I had cleared the day knowing there'd be lots to do there and I'd be on my feet the whole time. It was all good though. I slept well and woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed ready to tackle the day.

The Christmas party was wonderful. My team did a great job. The clients liked the photobooth. It's a little treat that they don't often get. Photos to show off. The food was fantastic and for the most part the event went off without a hitch (minus blowing fuses). Staff also did a cookie exchange and I left work with my coat feeling tighter. Additionally, we did a secret Santa and I got a wonderfully crafty, and cozy gift from my Santa. A great little handmade ornament which was obtained with a little Christmas magic of a photo of my gramma and I plus a hat, scarf and wintery headband.

After dinner I went and did some stairs. 3 sets, without stopping. At the beginning of the summer I couldn't get up one flight without a break never mind the 9 that I can now do. I figured I'd get some stairs in as we're expecting 10 cm of snow overnight. This has me debating about my run tomorrow. I was thinking treadmill (even though I hate it) because it will keep my pace up. BUT I love running in snow. It's going to be a game day decision, I think.

Misty Eyed

I got back at 'er today. Well, tonight. I WAS planning on a morning run. I forget now what my excuse was but, I didn't. Running tonight didn't feel right. My body's forgotten what running feels like. Bummer. It'll remember soon enough. It was a misty night but I donned my Mark's water resistant hoodie (acquired for my trip to Whitehorse and am thoroughly in love with) and headed out, in retrospect I could have used my contacts. I did mistake a mailbox for a human.

The new plan that I am following is a time interval dealie. 5 minutes walking warm up, 1 minute running 2 minutes walking for 8 intervals and a 5 minute walking cool down. I have trouble remembering how many intervals I've done and because I am a lazy runner I do not want to run more than I have to; so, right before I headed out I looked around my room for something that would help me keep track. My gaze fell on some bobby pins. The plan was to attach them to my hoodie with each interval that I completed. That turned out to be a bit annoying. Easier was unclipping them. Seemed to do the trick. So, there you go- running hack!

My foot seems to be ok. I am rolling it on a can right now to massage it. I DO NOT want to re-injure it. I'll see how it's feeling tomorrow. Right now I'm feeling good! WOO!!

WHOA!

So it's been a while...a LONG while. Heading into 2015 while. Reading that last post I see that I had just booked my trip to the Yukon. It was AMAZING. I do believe that I will head back again. I've had another fabulous year staying active(ish) I took up Nordic Walking (aka pole walking aka urban poling). As a result I learned more about the Hamilton trail system.

I have started another new job within the organization. I am how an intensive case manager for chronically homeless men. I am very happy there. The work is so interesting and rewarding. I keep up with professional development and I have obtained a personal trainer. I've also taken up horseback riding again. I did it in my youth and it's another way to be active.

The reason that I've taken to typing again is that I finally got the ok from my GP today to start running again!! YAY!I actually did a fist pump when I got in the car after my appointment I was so excited I didn't know which program I'm going to do, the possibilites were running (look at that pun) through my mind as I got home. I think I'll do a beginner, couch to 5K deal. I took to the internet and found one that I like at myrunningtips.com I enjoy plans based on time instead of distance. I am pretty excited to get going. It's my favourite time of year for running and motivation is high. The only thing is that my iPod was stolen so I won't have my tracker. Ah well...

New

I hadn't realized that it'd been almost a month since I'd last written anything. A few things have changed...or pretty much everything. I'm an entire year older and had a PERFECT 30th. My friends and family made me feel so special. I attended a friend of mine's BBQ and she bought me a cute little mini cake. My best friend created a scavenger hunt for me, then a surprise party. I did dinner with the fam at the restaurant that my brother is chef at and then drinks another night to round out the week. I was incredibly excited about my 30th, I started counting down as soon as I turned 29 and it's already been a pretty big year.

I also bought my first ever car. I did this because I required it for my new job! I started it a couple of weeks ago. I did not get the one where I was narrowed down to 2 for and received some really positive feedback for them. I actually got the job with my organization. It was really the position that I was most excited for. It's covering a mat leave for someone and is a great learning experience.

I always thought that if I had my own car then I would be more active. The sad reality is that this is true. What's sad about this is that if I really wanted to be active I would just do it regardless. I am happy that I'm hitting the gym a bit more. I still largely only do cardio. I'm on a real string though. Friday morning before work (I KNOW RIGHT! BEFORE WORK) I went swimming. Saturday I did some stairs, 759 to be exact. Sunday I did a cycle then today I did some rowing.

I liked swimming before work. I was just ill-prepared for it. The whole wet hair thing didn't go well for me. I knew that I would be going out Friday night and not have time to fit any activity in so I went in the AM. Saturday was slightly rainy so once it had paused I went to do some stairs near my house. I did 3 sets. My legs still hurt today. The going up got my heart pumping but the going down hurt my knees. Just like running downhill. The bracing is tough on the body. I went for a pretty easy ride yesterday. I was supposed to go with my brother but fate worked against us and he missed his bus and refused to ride his bike up the escarpment to meet me (I don't know what his issue was riding uphill to ride a bike with me, geeze! :) ) The rowing went well and I'm already feeling it in my arms, 2 hours later.

I am really enjoying the diversity of my activity. This is as a result of booking my Yukon trip. My brother and I have registered for a multi event 5 day excursion. Mountain biking, canoeing, hiking and a train ride into Alaska. It's a summer solstice trip and will take place at the end of June. It's going to be an amazing experience and I want to be able to enjoy it without the fear of death. So my new 'training' schedule is simply trying to replicate those activities. It's a bit different than training for a race but it's all activity at the end of the day and that's what is important.

You want me to do something...

tell me I can't do it.- Maya Angelou

This title doesn't really ring true for me. Others may find it relateable. I put it out there for you externally motivated folks.

I've been keepin' active this week. Monday night I went and played racquetball after work. Did a little solo session. I found myself smiling as I whacked away. I think I'm getting better. Or, I wasn't exhausted and actually felt like moving. I had planned on attending my first ever "latin funk" class (aka zumba the Y just doesn't own the rights to the name) but I'd read the schedule incorrectly and there was no class to be had. I figured I would do that and it'd be better than nothing and I enjoyed it.

On Tuesday I had a job interview over my lunch and I actually cried during it. I realized partway through the interview that I was in a serious interview for a grown up job that I really wanted. I normally LOVE interviews. The way I look at it is that the position is mine for the taking or else they wouldn't be interviewing me. Anyways, when this realization donned on me I got incredibly stressed plus I talked about a client who'd committed suicide. So the stress, excitement, passion and sadness I was feeling started leaking out of my eyes and I started crying. I got back to work knowing that I bombed what, to date- was the greatest employment opportunity in my life and feeling pretty downcast. I valued the experience though. They called an hour later to tell me that I had a second interview! It's a good thing it was a voicemail or else I would have started crying all over again. This time, I had to do a 10 minute presentation for them. Well this was Tues and they wanted to see me Thurs. I did some juggling and arranged it to do the interview over my lunch. That night, instead of working on my powerpoint and feeling emotionally taxed, I decided that I would go to do some yoga and rowing. Tuesday nights at the Burlington Y are my favourite. It was a decent class and i was happy to have something else to focus on other than job interviews. Rowing was all right. I did intervals on there so it was good for getting the ole heart rate up before Yoga.

I worked Wednesday and when I logged in to my work e-mail there was a message waiting for me about an interview for a couple of positions. Yup, another interview. Also on Thursday. 2 interviews, 3 positions. I normally go out with my best friend on Wednesday and cancelled in order to work on the powerpoint. I knew there was no way Tuesday that I would get anything done and so went to the gym instead. This left only the one night to work on a 10 minute presentation on a topic that I had very little knowledge of. It took a few hours but I completed it. This left no time to fit a theoretical run in (I thought maybe, just mayyyyyyyyyyybe I'd feel like going for one in this cool weather. I was wrong)

Last night I looked it up and  confirmed my suspicions. It takes 10 minutes less to ride my bike to work. that is what I did. hopped on my bike this morning and rode to work. I work down the escarpment so it's not a bad ride. I just have to remember that my morning smoothie doesn't cut it for breakfast in this situation. I went to the interviews and made it through tear free. They both went really well. I appreciated getting to talk to some people about other programs at my current job. The presentation went well, or I think so... I found out that I am competing against one other person for the position. I am top two out of the 40 applicants which alone made me feel good. Whatever happens happens. I'm feeling much better now that this is over. I only have one more interview next week.

I am pretty content that I am able to squeeze in activity here and there. Including after the interview when I made a mad dash back to work so I got a 15 minute run in today as well (wearing a back pack in so business casual attire)