Haha. So anyways. :)
I walked to work again this morning. I took the 7.1km route from Keele/Bloor down Dundas St. W., across to College (although I almost missed the turnoff to College in the process of almost getting hit by a streetcar!). Then straight down College.
At the brilliant (no sarcasm, it seemed like a great idea at the time!) suggestion of Michael I had downloaded some Learn Korean podcasts to listen to. Boring! So I listened to some CBC Comedy instead. I had downloaded a couple podcasts before and they weren't so good (bad comedy is so painful to listen to btw), but these were SO FUNNY! I must have looked positively ridiculous walking down the sidewalk laughing to myself. I kept pretending I was coughing.
I love funny!
I still felt it in my legs about a third of the way into the trip, but I felt good! I wore warmer pants and less layers on top so my overall temperature was good. My legs were a wee bit sore from the 14+km I walked yesterday plus the double header of dodgeball, but it wasn't terrible.
On the way to work I passed a YMCA. From what I can recall, memberships are not cheap (although I hear that if I lie about my income, they might be able to give me a reduced rate?), but I figure if it's reasonable, I can walk to the Y, go for a swim in the mornings, then either walk or take the streetcar the rest of the way to work! I have decided that after work activities that are optional are not for me. It's very hard to find the motivation to go after work. It's slightly easier to find motivation to get up earlier. Slightly.
So even though it's been a whopping two days I actually feel a bit stronger. I'm sure it's all in my head, but I don't care. Although, I have to say, my thighs aren't loving that I decided to wear heels at work today (not to work, I'm not crazy like Olessia <3 ).
I look forward to doing this regularly. We'll see what happens when the snow hits; however, I am determined to buy boots that are warm and waterproof! This will be the first time in many, many years. I can't actually remember the last pair of boots that I bought that were warm and waterproof. I look forward to warm and dry toes this winter!
Tomorrow morning is a spin class, which I hope to make it to. And I will try to round out the week by walking to work every day.
And I am probably jinxing myself by saying this, but now that the super crazy busy has almost passed, I should have more time to breathe and maybe post a bit more often. I'll work on being funnier!
I should also add that we played some kickass dodgeball last night!! We were seriously on fire! I don't know when we got so good, but that was the best we've ever played! It was very fun! Ok, that is all!
Showing posts with label swimming. Show all posts
Showing posts with label swimming. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
the importance of being earnest
So the last time I went running (other than this morning) was Friday morning. Then I went up to a cottage (a fancy one! :) and ate and drank way too much! But, hey, I was on vacation. And while on vacation - anything goes! :) There was bacon. Mmm bacon.
Tomato carbonara sauces are really quite tasty! So there was much food and alcohol with sweet juices. However, on the Sunday we finally made it out to the swimming pool. It was a humid day, which made it perfect for the pool! It was rather small, but luckily not terribly busy. We tried to swim laps when there were gaps in the crowds. I love swimming and being in the water! :) Have I said that enough?
Along with that and my issues with feeling self-conscious and all that, which I mentioned in my last post, I have decided to just suck it up (literally and figuratively ;p ) and get over it. If strangers are judging me - who cares? If my friends are judging me, well, then maybe we're not really friends and in which case - who cares? So there.
So anyways, I got home late on Sunday night and just wasn't feeling it Monday morning. I now regret not having gone for a run, but there's nothing to be done about it now. So this morning I did finally go out for my run.
During the running bits I was trying to focus on the song I was listening to. I have decided to try to take this time and learn the lyrics! I figure that will get my mind off the running. I had some success with it. I am seriously considering books on tape, though. I worry that it won't really give me energy as music might, but maybe it'll work for me. Now I just have to figure out how to do the audiobook thing. :P And soon because I will be doing 8-minute running
So. The reason for my title is that I had to give myself some serious pep talks during this run. Especially the last 5-minute run. I had almost convinced myself to walk the rest of the way home. I was too tired. I was too much of a sloth this weekend to recover so quickly. I couldn't do it. Etc.
But! I forced myself to again suck it up and man up! I told myself not to be such a sissy and just do it. I told myself if I wanted to make a lifestyle change I couldn't just keep quitting. Did I want to be 40 and still a lazy bum? Did I want to continue to feel self-conscious about myself (even though I'm supposed to be over this, too :D ). If I didn't do it, how was I going to run the 5k and continue to progress. Etc. I pretty much berated myself into submission.
I just realized I sound crazy :P But whatever works, right?
Lessons Learned:
Tomato carbonara sauces are really quite tasty! So there was much food and alcohol with sweet juices. However, on the Sunday we finally made it out to the swimming pool. It was a humid day, which made it perfect for the pool! It was rather small, but luckily not terribly busy. We tried to swim laps when there were gaps in the crowds. I love swimming and being in the water! :) Have I said that enough?
Along with that and my issues with feeling self-conscious and all that, which I mentioned in my last post, I have decided to just suck it up (literally and figuratively ;p ) and get over it. If strangers are judging me - who cares? If my friends are judging me, well, then maybe we're not really friends and in which case - who cares? So there.
So anyways, I got home late on Sunday night and just wasn't feeling it Monday morning. I now regret not having gone for a run, but there's nothing to be done about it now. So this morning I did finally go out for my run.
During the running bits I was trying to focus on the song I was listening to. I have decided to try to take this time and learn the lyrics! I figure that will get my mind off the running. I had some success with it. I am seriously considering books on tape, though. I worry that it won't really give me energy as music might, but maybe it'll work for me. Now I just have to figure out how to do the audiobook thing. :P And soon because I will be doing 8-minute running
So. The reason for my title is that I had to give myself some serious pep talks during this run. Especially the last 5-minute run. I had almost convinced myself to walk the rest of the way home. I was too tired. I was too much of a sloth this weekend to recover so quickly. I couldn't do it. Etc.
But! I forced myself to again suck it up and man up! I told myself not to be such a sissy and just do it. I told myself if I wanted to make a lifestyle change I couldn't just keep quitting. Did I want to be 40 and still a lazy bum? Did I want to continue to feel self-conscious about myself (even though I'm supposed to be over this, too :D ). If I didn't do it, how was I going to run the 5k and continue to progress. Etc. I pretty much berated myself into submission.
I just realized I sound crazy :P But whatever works, right?
Lessons Learned:
- Scolding works.
- I need to figure out audiobooks. Free ones preferably. I have a blackberry, an ipod, and an itouch. One or more of these things must be amenable to audiobooks :P Oh, I suppose this isn't so much as a lesson I learned as it is something I need. :)
- I need a part-time job. This isn't so much a lesson I learned during running, but well, I am quickly learning I need one. Anyone know of a place I can work a few hours a week and make hundreds of dollars? I'm pretty sure we can leave stripping/escorting out of the brainstorming process, though.
- Running early in the morning is really the best way to go. I need to go and be back before the sun starts cresting the houses, which is usually around 7am.
I have also been rather remiss in going out on alternate mornings for a blade or bike ride. And doing my lunges/squats/dips. So I am going to start being more regular about my workouts/runs again. I was so good for a while! I will try to be again! :)
Friday, August 7, 2009
..and boredom hits..
I have to admit - now that I am running 5-minute stretches, it's getting rather boring. I listen to music, but my brain is so unstimulated! I'm going to have to start doing multiplication tables or something.
Ah well. I will keep putting along!
I did not go out for a bike ride last night because I'm a lazy mofo :( I got home late, had dinner, and then watched Hell's Kitchen for the rest of the night. :D In my defense, I was at work for almost 10 hours! I was sleepy.
But I did run this morning extra early! Since I'm leaving work early today I figured I would come in to work early to make up some time. Went out around 6:30am this morning. It was c-c-c-cold! I was shivering! Although the running definitely helped and I really appreciated the cooler temperatures! Running early in the morning really is the best (as for as running at any time goes). At that time there were very very few other runners about. A few dog walkers, but not many runners. Usually I see a bunch in the morning. I liked it this morning! Nice and quiet.
So my shin splints are not so bad anymore, which is wonderful. I try to remember to stretch them before I go running or I will stretch them during the run when they start to hurt and they have vastly improved! However, now I have a new problem. My lower calves are starting to hurt now when I run. I stretched them during and after the run so hopefully they will be ok, but that's a good sign, right? That my shin muscles aren't doing all the work now and it's starting to even out? Does that make sense?
So here's possibly too much information for my dear readers. But it is about bathing suits and swimming. Now, I love water as we all know, but I think the reason I am only starting to rediscover my love for it is because of the whole bathing suit issue. I haven't been comfortable enough in many many years to wear one. And I'm still not really, but I'm trying not to care because if I go somewhere with a pool or a body of water I really want to swim in it! And I realize the only way to truly get over this is to become comfortable enough with myself and the only way I can see my way to doing this is to keep doing what I'm doing. But it's such a slow process and I want to swim now. So I don't really know what the point of this over-sharing was except maybe I'm hoping that by saying it "out loud" it will help me to overcome my issues. I try not to be too insecure because no one likes to be around that, but like the fear of floating body parts, I get twinges. Otherwise, I know I'm fabulous :D You don't need to comment on this part, by the way - I'm just sharing. :)
Questions!
Ah well. I will keep putting along!
I did not go out for a bike ride last night because I'm a lazy mofo :( I got home late, had dinner, and then watched Hell's Kitchen for the rest of the night. :D In my defense, I was at work for almost 10 hours! I was sleepy.
But I did run this morning extra early! Since I'm leaving work early today I figured I would come in to work early to make up some time. Went out around 6:30am this morning. It was c-c-c-cold! I was shivering! Although the running definitely helped and I really appreciated the cooler temperatures! Running early in the morning really is the best (as for as running at any time goes). At that time there were very very few other runners about. A few dog walkers, but not many runners. Usually I see a bunch in the morning. I liked it this morning! Nice and quiet.
So my shin splints are not so bad anymore, which is wonderful. I try to remember to stretch them before I go running or I will stretch them during the run when they start to hurt and they have vastly improved! However, now I have a new problem. My lower calves are starting to hurt now when I run. I stretched them during and after the run so hopefully they will be ok, but that's a good sign, right? That my shin muscles aren't doing all the work now and it's starting to even out? Does that make sense?
So here's possibly too much information for my dear readers. But it is about bathing suits and swimming. Now, I love water as we all know, but I think the reason I am only starting to rediscover my love for it is because of the whole bathing suit issue. I haven't been comfortable enough in many many years to wear one. And I'm still not really, but I'm trying not to care because if I go somewhere with a pool or a body of water I really want to swim in it! And I realize the only way to truly get over this is to become comfortable enough with myself and the only way I can see my way to doing this is to keep doing what I'm doing. But it's such a slow process and I want to swim now. So I don't really know what the point of this over-sharing was except maybe I'm hoping that by saying it "out loud" it will help me to overcome my issues. I try not to be too insecure because no one likes to be around that, but like the fear of floating body parts, I get twinges. Otherwise, I know I'm fabulous :D You don't need to comment on this part, by the way - I'm just sharing. :)
Questions!
- How do you occupy your mind while running? Or do you? I assume some people just go blank and just focus on the running?
- Oh. I can't think of another question. Oh! Who wants to do a triathlon with me next year?? That involves swimming!! :)
- Speaking of swimming. I'd like to go swimming more on a regular basis. What are my options? Get a stupid gym membership? Icky public pools? Someone needs to move downtown and get a condo with a pool :) Especially in the winter when I feel I will be lazier.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
go big or go home!
Welcome back!
So instead of making one incredibly long blog, I think I will probably split up the news about my weekend into a couple of blogs so stay tuned!
Friday we got up at the crack of dawn to drive to Ottawa/Quebec so there was no running. In fact, it might have even been before the crack of dawn! It was damn early.
However, there was much swimming to be had!! I have discovered that I love love love the water. I think I was a fish in another life. Or maybe a mermaid. Yes, a mermaid.
The cottage is on a secluded bay with clear water. A wee bit cold, though!
So let me tell you what else I learned about myself. I'm kind of a sissy. My whole childhood was spent watching horror movies and I was very rarely affected (unlike Charles who got nightmares - haha). But this is how it chooses to manifest itself! I'm kind of afraid of bodies of water. Every time I think about going in I picture creepy zombie hands reaching up from the depths trying to grab my feet and pull me down. Or I picture happily swimming along and discovering a dead body. Or killer monster fish trying to eat me. Or random body parts floating up from the bottom. Really, I could go on. Needless to say, at first, it took me a little while to actually go in. And the first time I went swimming in the lake on my own was an ordeal. And no matter how often I went into that lake I would still get twinges of panic that I would have to quell so as not to flail about and drown myself. :P
Otherwise though - it was great! So for exercise I would swim across and tread water. Really felt it in my arms! Did I mention I love swimming?
Speaking of things I love - remember how I love boats? Well, there was a motor boat and I love just zipping around in it! I'm constantly marveling at my newfound love of boats, the beach, water, etc.
I think I need to move closer to an ocean or something. Or at least a swimmable lake (Lake Ontario is the ew).
There was also some kind of party on the Saturday going on and they lit fireworks that night, which we saw from a boat. Olessia - I now fully appreciate your love for fireworks and boats. Love it.
It makes me want to live on a boat. A big luxurious boat.
Ah, screw it. I will just write about all my adventures in this one big long post.
On Saturday we decided to go climb a mountain. I should attach pictures but they are at home. :(
We took the boat across the lake to the start of the "trail".
There was no trail.
We hiked and pushed our way through this muddy, steep, bug-infested wilderness until we finally reached the top. It was not easy, my friends!! Although I had a walking stick - that helped :)
It was worth it, though. Absolutely beautiful view from the top. The pictures will eventually be posted on Facebook when I get my computer back (in 3-4 weeks!!!!!). We rested a bit, took some pictures. It was no boat, but it was lovely. Then the hike back down. Just as bad - maybe slightly easier. But there was definitely more falling! Did I mention the mud? It was hot and I was sweaty and gross, but then when we got back - more swimming! It was glorious.
I think I could have spent the entire weekend in the water.
So Sunday evening we headed back to Ottawa. We went to a swimming pool on Monday and I got to swim some more! Pools are nice, too! That was, admittedly, the last of my exercise until I got back.
I was supposed to go to ultimate frisbee Tuesday evening, but after the ordeal with the car breaking down on the highway (!) and trying to get home, it just didn't happen. Then I realized the warranty on my laptop was up that night (not Wednesday night as I had thought) and I had to back everything up so I could get it to the Future Shop before it closed because my DVD-ROM has been broken for 2 years! So I finally get there at like 8:10pm and drop it off. Now I'm *twitch* without my laptop *twitch* for 3-4 weeks *twitch*. But at least I have my Blackberry!
So, back to the topic at hand.
First, I apologize for the lack of blog yesterday! It was my first day back after a 5 day weekend and I just didn't have a chance.
But I did go running! I entered week 4 of the training session. I had briefly debated doing week 3 again since I only did it twice at the beginning of last week, but I decided screw it! I will just keep moving forward. Go big or go home!
This set consisted of:
5-minute warmup
3-minute jog
90-second walk
5-minute jog
2.5-minute walk
3-minute jog
90-second walk
5-minute jog
and scene.
So I jogged for a total of 16 minutes. That's pretty good, eh? I seem to be progressing along quite nicely! This is a 9-week program so I will be done with 2 weeks left to practice and improve my speed. I'm very excited! I think this may actually be possible after all!
After the run I did some pushups. I was way too tired to do anything more than that, though. I actually thought I was going to throw up :P But I didn't :D
So ok - that is the long and short of the past week or so. Not terribly exciting, but there you have it.
Oh, I didn't do anything this morning :( But I think I'll go for a bike ride this evening into High Park! I'll keep you posted :D
So instead of making one incredibly long blog, I think I will probably split up the news about my weekend into a couple of blogs so stay tuned!
Friday we got up at the crack of dawn to drive to Ottawa/Quebec so there was no running. In fact, it might have even been before the crack of dawn! It was damn early.
However, there was much swimming to be had!! I have discovered that I love love love the water. I think I was a fish in another life. Or maybe a mermaid. Yes, a mermaid.
The cottage is on a secluded bay with clear water. A wee bit cold, though!
So let me tell you what else I learned about myself. I'm kind of a sissy. My whole childhood was spent watching horror movies and I was very rarely affected (unlike Charles who got nightmares - haha). But this is how it chooses to manifest itself! I'm kind of afraid of bodies of water. Every time I think about going in I picture creepy zombie hands reaching up from the depths trying to grab my feet and pull me down. Or I picture happily swimming along and discovering a dead body. Or killer monster fish trying to eat me. Or random body parts floating up from the bottom. Really, I could go on. Needless to say, at first, it took me a little while to actually go in. And the first time I went swimming in the lake on my own was an ordeal. And no matter how often I went into that lake I would still get twinges of panic that I would have to quell so as not to flail about and drown myself. :P
Otherwise though - it was great! So for exercise I would swim across and tread water. Really felt it in my arms! Did I mention I love swimming?
Speaking of things I love - remember how I love boats? Well, there was a motor boat and I love just zipping around in it! I'm constantly marveling at my newfound love of boats, the beach, water, etc.
I think I need to move closer to an ocean or something. Or at least a swimmable lake (Lake Ontario is the ew).
There was also some kind of party on the Saturday going on and they lit fireworks that night, which we saw from a boat. Olessia - I now fully appreciate your love for fireworks and boats. Love it.
It makes me want to live on a boat. A big luxurious boat.
Ah, screw it. I will just write about all my adventures in this one big long post.
On Saturday we decided to go climb a mountain. I should attach pictures but they are at home. :(
We took the boat across the lake to the start of the "trail".
There was no trail.
We hiked and pushed our way through this muddy, steep, bug-infested wilderness until we finally reached the top. It was not easy, my friends!! Although I had a walking stick - that helped :)
It was worth it, though. Absolutely beautiful view from the top. The pictures will eventually be posted on Facebook when I get my computer back (in 3-4 weeks!!!!!). We rested a bit, took some pictures. It was no boat, but it was lovely. Then the hike back down. Just as bad - maybe slightly easier. But there was definitely more falling! Did I mention the mud? It was hot and I was sweaty and gross, but then when we got back - more swimming! It was glorious.
I think I could have spent the entire weekend in the water.
So Sunday evening we headed back to Ottawa. We went to a swimming pool on Monday and I got to swim some more! Pools are nice, too! That was, admittedly, the last of my exercise until I got back.
I was supposed to go to ultimate frisbee Tuesday evening, but after the ordeal with the car breaking down on the highway (!) and trying to get home, it just didn't happen. Then I realized the warranty on my laptop was up that night (not Wednesday night as I had thought) and I had to back everything up so I could get it to the Future Shop before it closed because my DVD-ROM has been broken for 2 years! So I finally get there at like 8:10pm and drop it off. Now I'm *twitch* without my laptop *twitch* for 3-4 weeks *twitch*. But at least I have my Blackberry!
So, back to the topic at hand.
First, I apologize for the lack of blog yesterday! It was my first day back after a 5 day weekend and I just didn't have a chance.
But I did go running! I entered week 4 of the training session. I had briefly debated doing week 3 again since I only did it twice at the beginning of last week, but I decided screw it! I will just keep moving forward. Go big or go home!
This set consisted of:
5-minute warmup
3-minute jog
90-second walk
5-minute jog
2.5-minute walk
3-minute jog
90-second walk
5-minute jog
and scene.
So I jogged for a total of 16 minutes. That's pretty good, eh? I seem to be progressing along quite nicely! This is a 9-week program so I will be done with 2 weeks left to practice and improve my speed. I'm very excited! I think this may actually be possible after all!
After the run I did some pushups. I was way too tired to do anything more than that, though. I actually thought I was going to throw up :P But I didn't :D
So ok - that is the long and short of the past week or so. Not terribly exciting, but there you have it.
Oh, I didn't do anything this morning :( But I think I'll go for a bike ride this evening into High Park! I'll keep you posted :D
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