Last weekend two of our children attended a homeschool Makers conference in Vancouver, so Chris and I decided to take the opportunity to cycle in Stanley Park.
We loaded up the bikes and headed down to the coast from our home north of Kamloops. On Sunday morning we got the kids loaded onto the Sea Bus and headed for Stanley Park.
Turns out that we should've done a bit of maintenance on the bikes before we left. Chris was pumping up one of his tires and blew the valve. Because I needed to get the last 3-1 run in I offered to let him get my bike adjusted so he could do a bit while I ran. After spending 30 minutes trying to get the lock unlocked (we were putting veggie oil in it to loosen it) and then 20 minutes adjusting the seat and other parts, he decided the bike WAS too small for him after all. I am 5'4" and Chris is 6'. So he took my front tire and stuck it on his bike and finally took off about 90 minutes after we arrived.
We had parked at Second Beach so I walked to the Sea Wall and started my run.
There are a LOT of runners in Stanley Park. It was also a charity organization's fun run and the wall was pretty busy.
But I'm not fast and I'm pretty good hugging the right hand side of the lane, so off I went.
After about 30 seconds I realized there was something going on with my underlayers...I was wearing underwear, a pair of capri jogging pants, a running shirt and hoodie and a cross country ski jacket with vents.
Jeepers. My knickers were falling down! I tried to unobtrusively hitch them up but that darn sea wall was pretty busy and I just couldn't bring myself to go digging in plain view of so many people.
I don't know if I'd just never worn this underlayer before or if the combination of fabrics made them slide down. Or, optimistically, maybe I'd shed enough weight to make them slide? I kept running, figuring at some point they'd stop the downward creeping and I coud evaluate the seriousness of the situation.
By then I was doing a funky side step and twist to see if I could manouver them up again without any hands on action. After another 10 seconds or so I had to give up! My knickers were totally twisted!!!
I ran up to the road above the sea wall and re-adjusted matters when traffic had eased up. But obviously I was only up for walking for the rest of the day.
Note to self: Get big girl underwear for Tough Mudder.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Friday, March 22, 2013
Not sure about this running...
I'm just finishing week #4 of my running program. Three minutes running, one walking, five sets. I can't say I'm loving it. I find it very jarring on my joints and I don't ever feel graceful. Although the girls are well secured, I feel as though they are reluctant participants in this venture.
Today I am headed to Vancouver and stopped in Kamloops to run and use the weight room, since it was minus seven when we woke up. For the first time I used a treadmill to run. It was SO MUCH easier than running on a road. Less joint pain by far. I felt easily able to keep the pace, too. There's a lot of spring in those units that Hwy 5 doesn't have. I'm pretty sure the Tough Mudder trails will be even more unforgiving than Hwy 5. So I'm not moving to treadmill work any time yet.
I'm not finding I'm getting a really good workout with the running. Sure, I'm huffing and puffing when I run...but I'm trying to stick to a schedule and 20 minutes of walking/running isnt doing it.
So with the warmer weather I'm going to get my bike, wear warm clothes and start riding like crazy. I can go hours on a bicycle and only 20 minutes running. I have to ask myself which will prepare me for Tough Mudder better in the long run.
I will still stay on the running schedule, but I'm going to time my route so I'm back at the van at 23 minutes, rather than halfway across town. I take another 20 minute to walk back to the van when I'd rather spend that time on the bicycle.
My bike is attached to the back of the van right now. I'm hoping the weather in Vancouver holds and I can get a long ride in before we return on Sunday. I'll even run once, too!
Today I am headed to Vancouver and stopped in Kamloops to run and use the weight room, since it was minus seven when we woke up. For the first time I used a treadmill to run. It was SO MUCH easier than running on a road. Less joint pain by far. I felt easily able to keep the pace, too. There's a lot of spring in those units that Hwy 5 doesn't have. I'm pretty sure the Tough Mudder trails will be even more unforgiving than Hwy 5. So I'm not moving to treadmill work any time yet.
I'm not finding I'm getting a really good workout with the running. Sure, I'm huffing and puffing when I run...but I'm trying to stick to a schedule and 20 minutes of walking/running isnt doing it.
So with the warmer weather I'm going to get my bike, wear warm clothes and start riding like crazy. I can go hours on a bicycle and only 20 minutes running. I have to ask myself which will prepare me for Tough Mudder better in the long run.
I will still stay on the running schedule, but I'm going to time my route so I'm back at the van at 23 minutes, rather than halfway across town. I take another 20 minute to walk back to the van when I'd rather spend that time on the bicycle.
My bike is attached to the back of the van right now. I'm hoping the weather in Vancouver holds and I can get a long ride in before we return on Sunday. I'll even run once, too!
Friday, March 15, 2013
Husbandly support
When I ran a few days ago Chris was headed into Barriere to help a friend with her computer. He waved to me on his way by in the van.
When he got home:
Me: How did I look when I was running (unfair wife question).
Him: I never thought I'd ever see you run. (Bad husband)
Him: You looked good. (Ah, good husband.)
:)
I also ran today; my last day on Week #. On Sunday I increase my running to three minutes with a one minute walk. It was really warm today and I wore my running shirt and jacket, dispensing with my long sleeve (pink) hoodie running shirt. I debated whether I should leave the jacket but decided to keep it on. Bad decision...remember, "be bold, start cold".
Chris supplied me with some tunes on an old ipod. I'm listening to Billy Joel, Po Girls, Barenaked Ladies...but I'm thinking I'd like some running songs. Any suggestions?
When he got home:
Me: How did I look when I was running (unfair wife question).
Him: I never thought I'd ever see you run. (Bad husband)
Him: You looked good. (Ah, good husband.)
:)
I also ran today; my last day on Week #. On Sunday I increase my running to three minutes with a one minute walk. It was really warm today and I wore my running shirt and jacket, dispensing with my long sleeve (pink) hoodie running shirt. I debated whether I should leave the jacket but decided to keep it on. Bad decision...remember, "be bold, start cold".
Chris supplied me with some tunes on an old ipod. I'm listening to Billy Joel, Po Girls, Barenaked Ladies...but I'm thinking I'd like some running songs. Any suggestions?
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
It's the thought that counts...or doesn't!
What I'm thinking when I'm running.
0:00 - 5:00 mins - Gotta start the timer right now, when I start to walk my earbud starts to fall out turn down the volume so when I'm on the highway I can still hear traffic ouch my left calf hurts maybe I should just start the running part now who needs to warm up anyway? Damn, why did this song just skip did my finger hit the screen? Did that person just wave who is it now my other leg hurts is it 5 minutes yet dang just 3.5 maybe I should've worn my coat it's a bit chilly there's the hill ahead and right before that I start running ok. time to look at the stopwatch I really could use a sports watch that just beeps I look like a dork with my phone/stopwatch in one hand and my 2nd generation inherited ipod in the other especially when I run because it looks like I've got two controls one to admininster morphine and one to administer music so I don't have to think about running, Billy Joel's Piano Man I like that one oh 5:01 START RUNNING. I feel like a 50 pound bag of potatoes on the back of a horse. I wonder how I know that? Remember to pull out the earbuds when I cross onto the highway. Wow the bridge sure shakes when those big trucks go over it I remember when the logging trucks would sound the horns when we used to watch at the bustop, 200, 201, 202 maybe I'm faster than I think, surely that's 320 steps...only 1:15....glad I didn't wear my jacket what is that ticking noise is somebody behind me, no what is it, is it the song, oh my keys in my pocket thank GOD I can walk now. Breathe in and breathe out I only get a minute oh DRAT, RUN....why does the walking time go faster than the running time, who's coming out of Dee Jay road who owns a blue truck, that truck sure does look familiar they're looking nope don't recognize them, oh the DELICA I recognize, wave to Chris straighten up a bit wouldn't want him to think his wife is flagging during the second set dang I forgot to count what is the time only 56 seconds? Yeesh. Back across the highway geez walking would be nice right now it's not like Corinna's going to know I'm cheating if I start walking 10 seconds early is it? I wonder what they are going to do with those goats they sure beat the weeds down, the highschool sure is a long ways down this road I hope the highschool kids aren't on lunch I hate gasping and wheezing around the more fit youth of today damn they are there if I stop when I'm supposed to I'll be walking right past them..run an extra 10 seconds around the corner and die when I'm out of sight whew 25:00 minutes now it's walking the rest of the way so much for my resolve to walk fast the rest of the way...I'm way too tired and I only ever clock the same time anyway...how am I ever going to get between these obstacles with so many gazelles on the team, has there ever been a time when I felt like a gazelle...hmmmm. Nope. Oh, I did feel like a princess on my wedding day...HAHAHAH that would make a few people laugh if I said it out loud!....oh great stepped right in the mudpuddle these Po Girls are pretty good ah there's the truck...should I run the last 50 feet....um...nope.
What I post: Upped my run time from one minute at a time to two minutes. Went easier than I expected. So far so good! I'm a RUNNER!!!!
:)
0:00 - 5:00 mins - Gotta start the timer right now, when I start to walk my earbud starts to fall out turn down the volume so when I'm on the highway I can still hear traffic ouch my left calf hurts maybe I should just start the running part now who needs to warm up anyway? Damn, why did this song just skip did my finger hit the screen? Did that person just wave who is it now my other leg hurts is it 5 minutes yet dang just 3.5 maybe I should've worn my coat it's a bit chilly there's the hill ahead and right before that I start running ok. time to look at the stopwatch I really could use a sports watch that just beeps I look like a dork with my phone/stopwatch in one hand and my 2nd generation inherited ipod in the other especially when I run because it looks like I've got two controls one to admininster morphine and one to administer music so I don't have to think about running, Billy Joel's Piano Man I like that one oh 5:01 START RUNNING. I feel like a 50 pound bag of potatoes on the back of a horse. I wonder how I know that? Remember to pull out the earbuds when I cross onto the highway. Wow the bridge sure shakes when those big trucks go over it I remember when the logging trucks would sound the horns when we used to watch at the bustop, 200, 201, 202 maybe I'm faster than I think, surely that's 320 steps...only 1:15....glad I didn't wear my jacket what is that ticking noise is somebody behind me, no what is it, is it the song, oh my keys in my pocket thank GOD I can walk now. Breathe in and breathe out I only get a minute oh DRAT, RUN....why does the walking time go faster than the running time, who's coming out of Dee Jay road who owns a blue truck, that truck sure does look familiar they're looking nope don't recognize them, oh the DELICA I recognize, wave to Chris straighten up a bit wouldn't want him to think his wife is flagging during the second set dang I forgot to count what is the time only 56 seconds? Yeesh. Back across the highway geez walking would be nice right now it's not like Corinna's going to know I'm cheating if I start walking 10 seconds early is it? I wonder what they are going to do with those goats they sure beat the weeds down, the highschool sure is a long ways down this road I hope the highschool kids aren't on lunch I hate gasping and wheezing around the more fit youth of today damn they are there if I stop when I'm supposed to I'll be walking right past them..run an extra 10 seconds around the corner and die when I'm out of sight whew 25:00 minutes now it's walking the rest of the way so much for my resolve to walk fast the rest of the way...I'm way too tired and I only ever clock the same time anyway...how am I ever going to get between these obstacles with so many gazelles on the team, has there ever been a time when I felt like a gazelle...hmmmm. Nope. Oh, I did feel like a princess on my wedding day...HAHAHAH that would make a few people laugh if I said it out loud!....oh great stepped right in the mudpuddle these Po Girls are pretty good ah there's the truck...should I run the last 50 feet....um...nope.
What I post: Upped my run time from one minute at a time to two minutes. Went easier than I expected. So far so good! I'm a RUNNER!!!!
:)
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Into the routine
I just ran day #3 of week #2's running schedule.
Week two is run a minute and walk a minute. Repeat 10 times. I will probaby do this one more time on Friday.
This last week I have not seen additional weight loss. I've been pretty steadily going at the fitness part, though. I'm either running/walking or working out at the gym on the weights. I did take one day off last weekend.
I was starting to notice a few days ago while I was running that my legs were protesting quite a bit. The last time I was at the gym (yesterday) I laid off weights for my legs and concentrated on my upper body. When I ran today my legs felt great. I was taking longer strides (so going further) and I could add another 2-3 strides per minute (I'm timing and counting).
I felt pretty good, too. I felt like I had enough energy to do a few more sets but based on M.'s advice I am sticking to the schedule. I really do not want to have to miss June 23rd because I'm injured!
I'm going to get back to leg weights tomorrow if possible and will probably monitor things a bit so I don't overdo it.
I could stand a bit more modification in my diet, but that is also going in the right direction.
So, all in all, a pretty boring update! But personally I find it kind of exciting. I am a runner, albeit a slow, beginner one!
I thought it might be neat to have a before and after picture, assuming that I'll have an after picture that is substantially different! This is me after run #3, week #2. Just to answer what has become a frequent question: the barrel next to me is our rocket mass heater in our earthship. (You can even see one tire in the background that we didn't completely plaster over!)
Week two is run a minute and walk a minute. Repeat 10 times. I will probaby do this one more time on Friday.
This last week I have not seen additional weight loss. I've been pretty steadily going at the fitness part, though. I'm either running/walking or working out at the gym on the weights. I did take one day off last weekend.
I was starting to notice a few days ago while I was running that my legs were protesting quite a bit. The last time I was at the gym (yesterday) I laid off weights for my legs and concentrated on my upper body. When I ran today my legs felt great. I was taking longer strides (so going further) and I could add another 2-3 strides per minute (I'm timing and counting).
I felt pretty good, too. I felt like I had enough energy to do a few more sets but based on M.'s advice I am sticking to the schedule. I really do not want to have to miss June 23rd because I'm injured!
I'm going to get back to leg weights tomorrow if possible and will probably monitor things a bit so I don't overdo it.
I could stand a bit more modification in my diet, but that is also going in the right direction.
So, all in all, a pretty boring update! But personally I find it kind of exciting. I am a runner, albeit a slow, beginner one!
I thought it might be neat to have a before and after picture, assuming that I'll have an after picture that is substantially different! This is me after run #3, week #2. Just to answer what has become a frequent question: the barrel next to me is our rocket mass heater in our earthship. (You can even see one tire in the background that we didn't completely plaster over!)
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