I’ve been putting off this post for 3 weeks now, because I’ve been trying to get to the end of April before my lead is completely eaten way by my husband’s miraculous biological predisposition to fluctuate his weight.
Tag: Exercise
The Daily EO: January 14th, 2014
It’s a miracle.
Yesterday when I sat up in bed, I lost my lunch. Well, I guess that would be the previous night’s dinner. But nonetheless, you get the picture. I felt bad lying down, but it got much worse when I was not prone.
I had the flu, and in moments like this I think my stark refusal to have a flu shot may not be a well founded as I think it is. But this was much much worse.
You see, I signed up for 3 race that are pending imminently – the 8k Spring Run Off, the 10K Vancouver Sun Run and the 10K Eastside run. (well, that’s not until September). Anyways, I then decided to start at the beginning of a training regimen because I have been lazy and focused on other things. So, I downloaded a free app – because why pay – and started a 10K training plan. Saturday was Week 1, Run 2. Sunday was Week 1, Run 3. At this point, you are running a little and walking a lot. So much walking that I thought doing some extra ab work and some squats were warranted. Sunday I was a bit stiff, but hey, not too bad.
But then the dreaded day 2 hit. You know – when you can’t move 2 days after working out. And this was in conjunction with the flu – an aching body flu. I managed to stand up and shuffle off to the bathroom with a mind to get into the bathtub to soothe my combined flu aches and day 2 stiffness. As I managed to get the water running, I stood in the tub and realized that I could not sit down.
I could not sit down in the tub. What am I going to do?
I managed to awkwardly get myself on to one knee by hanging weakly on the edge of the tub, and trusting that I couldn’t hurt myself more than I already did. At that point, when I put one knee on the bottom of the tub, I found that my feet hadn’t appropriately warned my knees about the temperature of the water. But there was no going back.
I hoped for the best and threw myself into the tub with the hope the water would break my fall – and it did. It broke it. And splashed the whole bathroom.
And here I am unable to even pick up a towel. I thought these baths were supposed to be relaxing! Now I don’t even know how I am going to get out of this tub. I’ll just laid there a long while.
Fortunately, the hot water soothed my muscles enough that I could bend, and I dragged myself to bed with 3 Advil and went to sleep.
And my day was a repeat of that (just sometimes it was Nyquil instead of Advil).
January 14th, 2014 Extra-Ordinary: Today, it’s like I wasn’t even sick. And I can walk again. Maybe it is really Monday today and it was just a bad dream.
The Daily EO: September 6th, 2013
Running with my husband is a gift and a burden. I decided to go for a run today, and Emile said, “Hey, I’ll come with you because I haven’t gone. . . well, I can’t remember when I last went.” And so we get out there, I my husband just skips by me – arms aflailing while he plays the drums along with what music he is listening to (trust me, it Is pre-2000 whatever it is). And that gives me a smile every time. And runs ahead. . . stopping only when he is just checking on me pulling up the rear.
What the hell? Why is it that he has this ridiculous natural stamina and endurance? Do I just drop into a walk much easier than him? Not as mentally tough? I don’t know. But suppose I like spending the time with him. Even if it is with his back.
September 6th, 2013 Extra-Ordinary: Who runs to Rage Against the Machine anyways?
The Daily EO: September 5th, 2013
I have been doing a fitness DVD off and on recently. Well, actually not a DVD, because with my husband, such things like physical DVDs and Blu-Rays are deemed archaic. Instead we use files from our server that links our ridiculous number of computers and other electronic devices. But that is not the story.
This particular fitness “video” is rather short actually. . .
. .. . ahem. . . slight interruption here to let you know that my neighbours up here on this high floor are smoking marijuana. Nobody call the police please because it doesn’t really bother me. But the aroma is wrapping around my apartment. Perhaps I should shut the door. Perhaps I should go over make some new friends.
Anyhoo, back to the story…..
This particular “video” is rather short, but seems effective because I tend to have problems sitting on the toilet the next day. I actually have to use my arms to lower myself down (which are pretty wiggly as well). Because my thighs and butt refuse to comply. My only other option is to stand straddling the toilet and pee like the an English butler pours tea. Or stop consuming food and water.
Is this too much information?
September 5th, 2013 Extra-Ordinary: Today I was able to sit on the toilet.
The Daily EO: September 2nd, 2013
Getting ready for a run at my house is a long process.
First I put on running shorts, then a sports bra. Then a loose shirt overtop. Then I settle in to do something else. Like work. Or read. Clean. Eat. Or whatever. I eventually will then change into a running tank or shirt. And go back to whatever else I was working on.
Then I add socks and shoes.
Then later, headphones and iPhone.
Then I make sure I haven’t eaten recently. If I have, I have to wait a while.
So today for example, I started getting ready for a run at 7:30 am and came back to the house at 3:45 pm. You see – I have to mentally prepare myself to go outside and make my lungs hurt.
There is a process, people, and you’ve got to follow it.
Today, when I finally got out, I ran through Strathcona and I ran by the Hendrix house – which is a protected historic house that was owned by Jimi Hendrix’ grandparents. No, it is not a historic house because of Jimi Hendrix, but instead because his grandparents established part of the vaudeville scene long before Jimi was born or he even thought about playing a guitar.
I eked out 4.8 kilometres and came back to the building red-faced, sweating and feeling somewhat accomplished that my long preparation resulted in an actual run. (you can imagine that such a long process can often be thwarted by opposing forces). As I got back to the elevators, I was wondering why I hadn’t found the strength to go the last 200 metres when I ran into the same guy I rode down with when I left.
He congratulated me on my “long run”. I insisted it was not long, but rather slow instead. He told me he used to run ultra marathons – I then understood that I was dealing with a crazy person so I used my calm voice. I again stated that my accomplishment was paltry today, but he wouldn’t hear of it.
“You’re building and that’s all that matters”.
September 2nd, 2013 Extra-Ordinary: Fresh view from a stranger on the elevator.
The Daily EO: September 1st, 2013
I’ve told you before, September is the beginning of the new year for me. Time to move from the languid days of Summer into the more focused Fall. And time to sharpen my dedication to The Daily EO. Yes, I’ve been a bit spotty in my updates. Well, spotty is even a stretch.
But my mother told me “If you have to write, you’d better get paid for it”. So, since I don’t get paid, I write when I want to. And in August, I wanted to lay on lounge chairs, be outside, or doing things I actually do get paid for. So, you wondered! You checked your email often. When or When will she post today’s update!!?? I CAN’T STAND IT!
I am excited to move from August into September because somehow I gained 5 pounds this summer and I’d like it to go away. I say “Somehow” like it is a big mystery. Hmmm. Wine, Jelly Bellys, hamburgers, hotdogs, early mornings and late nights with reduced exercise? What could have happened?! This is so strange.
Well, to start me off right, I went shopping yesterday to get new running shoes. An aside here: I don’t call running shoes “sneakers”. That seems like such weird phrasing to me. Like saying “garment”s or something. It just feels like sneakers are what people wore back in the 1970s to play tennis. I don’t know what sneakers are. I just don’t say it so I don’t get caught in calling a non-sneaker a sneaker. How Embarassing.
Anyways, I need all sorts of stability and support in my shoes, so generally I can’t get the sleek cute, wonderfully coloured modern “sneakers”. (eep, is that the right usage) I asked the guy at the Running Room if I could get some really cute yellow & blue nikes, and he said “No.” Just “No.” So, I get left with the old style ones – from the 2000s. Sooo Yesterday.
So, I tried on shoes I needed – with some weird metallic blue with teal blue trim and laces – and frankly didn’t even like looking at my feet. And usually, I love looking at my feet. I do it all day long. What an awful colour! (the shoes, not my feet) Those laces! I hate them! We were going to try some others styles, when in the backroom, he found a different styling of the same shoe. In my size!
September 1st, 2013 Extra Ordinary: If you are going to turn over a new leaf, you have to look the part.
The Daily EO: July 9th, 2013
So, doing laundry tonight and I forgot to remove a couple of “hang to dry/lay flat to dry” stuff. That is always so annoying. Why do I buy these things? Oh, right – man-made materials for moisture wicking, etc. Damn.
July 9th, 2013 Extra-Ordinary: So, if I shrink my workout gear, how to I lose weight fit into it again?
So weird. .. what happened to the first week of July? Oh well.
The Daily EO: June 23rd, 2013
Emile and I went to the ScotiaBank 5K this weekend. And it hurt me. My butt is sore, my legs are sore, my shoulders. My pride a little. What seemed like something I should easily do, was really difficult. But I did it.
June 23rd, 2013 Extra-Ordinary:
Scotiabank Vancouver 5K: Vancouver, British Columbia, June 23, 2013 (5K)
Emile Results:
Time: 26:14
Overall Finish: 99th
Gender Finish: 75th
Category Finish: 9th
Susan Results:
Time: 34:25 (weirdly tied with Chocolate Race Results)
Overall Finish: 517th
Gender Finish: 294th
Category Finish: 34th
The Daily EO: June 19th, 2013
On Monday, Emile asked me if I wanted to do a 5K this weekend – his company would pay the entrance fee. On Monday – as you’ll recall – I was being audited and feeling guilty about not answering my grandfather’s call. So, I said, “What the hell? Sign me up”.
June 19th, 2013 Extra-Ordinary: This doesn’t seem like the best idea today.
The Daily EO: May 10th, 2013
Recently I attended an Operations Off Site Strategic Planning meeting. This is a meeting where you go off site to plan your strategic direction – just in case you hadn’t figured that out from the name. These meetings can be painful, are usually hot (hotels, please get your thermostat adjusted for goodness sakes) and usually involve a team building function of some sort. Ours was not so bad – and I am not just saying that because my boss follows my blog.
During our meeting, our boss presented us each with headbands with a saying on it that she thought represented each of us on the team. We had some laughs and posed for pictures. Mine was to reflect my commitment to getting it done – and my challenge to the rest of my peers to move beyond obstacles.
Recently, I challenged myself to run/walk 130kms this month and I must tell you I am sorely off target. As of late, I am satisfied when I eat celery instead of chocolate. Which is surprisingly often because I really like celery. There is something about it so crunchy and yummy. Anyways, off topic.
What I am trying to tell you is that I aimed high and I am missing the mark so far. Phew. I feel better already, confessing is always helpful. But it is time to brush off excuses and get moving. I promise myself I will pull myself together and get moving. I am taking a couple of days off next week and I am going to run. I am going to hike, I am going to eat celery despite the temptations of endless tapas.
May 10th, 2013 Extra-Ordinary: I’m going to do it. Though part of me is thinking “What’s with the daffodil?”?
Cumulative May Total = 26.8 kms
The Daily EO 