Friday, July 30, 2010

Nancy Drew in the hood, boi.

When I moved a year ago, I had to switch cell phone numbers. Since then, I have gotten some sweet texts intended for a guy named, "Jasper", who must have a number eerily similar to mine. I have since determined that Jasper is a gangsta, and may be into drugs and easy women, just from the texts I've been sent accidentally. This latest text gives me an additional piece of information: Jasper is an athlete. Behold:

"In my bast Randy with 8 A's impression "the jerseys have arrived, the jersseys have arrived" and they are nastyyyyyy numbers on the shorts an err thing, get at me"

This is verbatim. Fun fact: Despite having a booty that would rival the ghetto-est of girls in the hood, I am the whitest girl on the block. By a LOT. However, a little piece of me has always wanted to be a translator, so here goes: So far I understand that Randy has joyously retrieved the jerseys (8 of them perhaps?), and they are FANTASTIC because they even have numbers on the shorts. Also, the texter would like Jasper to respond promptly.

My sleuthing skills have therefore deduced that Jasper plays basketball, yo.

I responded with, "Wrong number boi".

IT'S FRIDAY BIZNATCH

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

totally worth it!

Stats
Time: 48:47
Length: 8.0 km
Training plan: 8 km
Weather: gorgeous!
Feeling: I AM A CHEETAH

Tonight was one of those nights where I wish EVERYONE IN THE WORLD could feel exactly what I was feeling!!!

..oops. Wrong Nirvana.

At the beginning of my run, a medi-helicopter landed on top of the IWK when I was running past. This is the second time I've seen one, ever, and this gave me a boost right from the beginning. Some days when I don't want to run, I think about people who physically can't.. and then even though I might not be thrilled to run, I run because I CAN. God gave me these legs and I'm gonna use 'em!

I've finally reached the point where I can listen to spoken words when I run and not just music, without it drastically decreasing my time (I use music as my boost!). I was listening to some comedy podcasts on my iPod shuffle, and I think I'm a fan of this because I smile and sometime laugh at what I'm listening to. Then I think about people driving by and looking at me smiling, and maybe that will want to make them run. Is that silly? Maybe. I'm just trying to share the love!!! Seriously. For all the times I don't have a great run, or I'm over tired and underfueled, all of it is worth it for these absolutely perfect moments of endorphin rushes, the feeling at the end of a run when you just feel so powerful and alive and you never want it to end. I literally felt like I was flying!! I couldn't bear the thought of heading indoors just yet, so I did some extra sprints at the end. It was wonderful!

It kind of felt like this. But not a BAD explosion. More like ridiculously LARGE beams of light busting my heart open. With JOY!

P.S. Congrats to two special people in my life. You know who you are :)

P.P.S. I totally spent 100 bones on groceries tonight. Organic produce is nasty expensive!

Monday, July 26, 2010

beating the Monday blues.

Stats
Time: 41:51
Length: 6.5 km
Training plan: 6.5 km
Weather: Sunny! Beautiful!
Feeling: Underfueled and tired.. to bed early tonight!

I discovered podcasts, which are a fantastic way to get some free tunes or listen to some interesting things. I spent this run listening to tips from the "Nutrition Diva". What a neat tool!

Sunday, July 25, 2010

vegans, yoga, and Chinese.. oh my!

Yesterday afternoon and evening I had the opportunity to spend with my good friend Jill, visiting from Calgary. She and I tore up the stores and did some shopping, and then when our tummies were decidedly grumbly, we found this vegetarian restaurant called Heartwood that she had looked up. There were lots of vegan options, which we indulged in. Jill is vegan, and I've become more open to the idea from reading so many food blogs (notably Peas and Thank You and Oh She Glows). I used to think that all vegans ate was rabbit food, but both of the women responsible for their respective blogs post relatively easy and delicious looking recipes. It makes veganism less scary.. although I'm not completely there yet!


I ordered a marinated portobello sandwich with sprouts, tomato, cucumber, and house Caeser (vegan!) dressing. As well I ordered Just Us Fair Trade green tea. I went through a green tea phase in university, and I think I've been missing it in my life.. I might have to scrounge out my tea bags from the far recesses of my cupboard!

So delicious!

Pretty tea pot :)

Tonight I headed out to Ashtanga Yoga Shala for their Karma Yoga class. It's from 7-8:30 pm on Sunday nights, and it's a minimum $5 donation. I love these classes because: 1. it beats paying $16 for the regular classes; 2. there are a variety of levels and ages represented; and 3. the classes are usually huge, which means lots of energy in the room! I used to hate that the classes were so big, but I've since decided that it's a neat experience to practice with so many people.

Doesn't this lounge look inviting?

The studio space.

The class was a lot of fun. Ashtanga yoga follows a specific series of poses, and back in university I practiced for a year or two on and off, so I have a good handle on what's going on. However, both full and new moon days are observed as holidays in the Ashtanga yoga tradition, and as today is a full moon, we didn't do the full sequence. The instructor took the opportunity to mix it up a bit with some different poses. I think I'm going to be sore tomorrow, because it's been a long time since I've done Ashtanga, which consists of a faster flowing series and more poses that require strength elements. It was a great way to stretch out after my long run yesterday!

P.S. Confession. I totally ate food court Chinese today. Apparently three months is enough time for me to forget what a bad idea this is (click here for last time this happened). I totally regretted it immediately afterwards. Save yourself! Don't do it!!

acro yoga.



What an incredible video! It might make me actually get off my butt and go to yoga tonight...

Saturday, July 24, 2010

solo long run!

I was originally intending to do 16 km, but I got lost in Dartmouth and took a little detour.

Stats
Time: 2:01.42
Length: 17 km
Training plan: 16 km
Weather: Overcast and breezy
Feeling: Mental battle!

After an ice bath, hot shower (does that negate the effects of an ice bath??), nap and food, now I'm hanging out with one of my best friends EVER. Plus it's pride weekend and BEP in Halifax. WOO!

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

not what it seems.

I didn't run twice today. But I did run Monday and forgot to blog about it. So the first run was from Monday!

Stats
Time: 31:55
Length: ~5 km
Training plan: 5 km
Weather: Sunny!
Feeling: 5km?! No problem!!!

Stats
Time: 49:01
Length: ~8km
Training plan: 8km
Weather: high 20s, and humid!
Feeling: Bad leg cramps towards the end.. dehydrated?

I took a break around 14 mins, when I met up with some people I knew. This time though, I stopped my watch when I stopped to talk (and at crosswalks), so this is a legit time.

My legs cramped up really bad towards the end, so when I got home I took an "ice" bath (cold water, 12 ice cubes and 3 ice packs). It went much better than last time, this time I just jumped in and got it over with. I ran some errands afterwards, and they were still cramping. Hopefully sleep will fix it!

It occurred to me the other day that I don't remember the last time I was sick. The green monsters must be working! It's a sneaky way to get in 2-3 servings of fruits and veggies that I otherwise would struggle to eat (and most definitely not at breakfast!).

Monday, July 19, 2010

Step One.

At some point, I hope to have children. To most people that know me, this is no suprise.

Also, I read a lot of "Mommy blogs". Therefore, it has come to my attention that someday, my world will no longer revolve around me, but my child(ren?!). And I realize that I will probably think, "What did I do with all my free time?!" And I don't want the only things to be.. I worked late. I ran. I blogged. And hung out naked in my apartment. JUDGE ME. You would too if you lived by yourself.

The honest truth is, my life is kind of boring. So, Step One in my the Live in the Moment project is this:

1. Try something new.

(Step One might also be Steps Two through Seven Hundred and Thirty Six. I will keep you posted.)

So, Sunday afternoon, I went river rafting!

A few people at work invited me to go out, so I stomped down my gas pedal and gassed it to the urban center of Maitland (..the urban part was a joke) to Shubenacadie River Adventure Tours Ltd.

Cabin/office/washrooms/kitchen/storage. It was a high tech operation.

Back view of the main (..only) building.

The Bay of Fundy is home to the world's highest recorded tides, which makes for some fun on the Shubenacadie river because the tides move so fast. The highest recorded tide was something like 53 feet. HUGE. River rafting is an activity that this area is known for, but something that I have never done. It's a common thing for tourists to do (although I'm sort of curious what they would have thought, driving out into the middle of boonhick nowhere to find this place).

Our guide's name was Jeff (I think.. he is Jeff from here on in), and he'd been working as a guide for 7 years (someone asked him what he did in the winter, and his response? "Nothing." HELLO MAITLAND). There were 8 people to a boat, and by "boat" I mean hard rubber dinghy with an outboard motor on the back. He had a steering wheel though, so it was legit. Our "seats" consisted of perching on the edge of this hard rubber dinghy and holding on for dear life to the ropes attached to the side of the boat. We cruised out to the middle of the river, puttered around on a sandbar (that was literally covered with 20 feet of water in 15 mins!) and chatted while we waited for the tide to come in, and then hopped back in the boat when Jeff decided it was time. He must have been psychic because I literally couldn't see any change in the water.

When the tidal bore finally started coming through, I have to say I was underwhelmed. It was this little weeny 1 foot wave that steadily worked its way down the river. I thought, "Is this IT?!" But thankfully, no. Apparently because the tide comes in so fast, it creates this "backwash" effect that makes big standing waves (4-10 feet high). THAT is what we drove through.

This isn't my group, but it's a video someone took of a trip with the same company (we went to the same spots):



Yes, our boat did go mudsliding, and hellll nawww I didn't go. I realize you only live once, but no part of me wanted to get that filthy muddy, thank you! I had fun watching and squishing mud between my toes though. And I got to go swimming in the river :)

I was terrified I was going to fall out (like the girl in the video!) and be "that girl that fell out of the boat".. and I was a little frightened when our boat filled up with water from all of the waves (like in the video). I wasn't scared of drowning, but more like, "What happens when we all fall in and the other 24 boats that are out here (that's not an exaggeration) don't see us and we get run over and get CHOPPED UP BY THE MOTORS AAAAHHHH!" At some points the waves were so choppy I think it would be possible for that to happen. But thankfully neither of those things actually happened. Phewf. And I think I redeemed myself for playing the "diva" card with the mud when we jumped in to go swimming.. and I was the only one who could get back in the boat on my own. These spaghetti arms mean business.

I wish I could have taken photos, but there was no way in heck that (even if they let me bring my non-waterproof camera) I was letting go of the side of the boat to try and take a photo. No sir.

View from the pool.

Our boat was the first to get back, so I scrambled up the hill, tossed my life jacket, and was the first (out of 25 people) to shower and get changed. A girl has to have time to pull herself together. And then there was a barbeque. Yum!

And then I ate 2 hot dogs and a hamburger. I AM DUTCH AND I WILL GET MY MONEY'S WORTH.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

just call me Gretel.

*Edit* Real life photos are now added!

Today I set a new personal distance record! This half marathon training is fun because every long run is a new PDR!

Stats
Time: 1:35.49
Length: 15.5 km
Training plan: 13 km
Weather: SUNNY!!
Feeling: Started hurting around 5k. Happy it was sunny. Glad to have water!

Josh and I headed up to Truro this morning to check out the Cobequid Trail, which is where our half marathon is going to be at the end of August. Josh suggested it might be a good idea to check out the terrain to get a good idea of what the running surface is like. I thought this was a good idea (even though I wasn't thrilled about the idea of a trail run.. what kind of runner doesn't like trail runs?!), so we managed to find it without too much trouble, and started out around 9am.

The trail was crushed gravel and mostly flat, and it was a gorgeous day. I had stopped by the Running Room last night and picked up some new running gear, namely a skirt (below) and a hand held water bottle (also below). My current pair of running shorts is the only pair I own, and I've been eyeing running skirts for a while. They're just so cute and girly! And athletic at the same time! I am happy to report that both were a brilliant idea, as at least half of my water wound up down my shirt because it was freaking hot.

So cute! It's like I'm going to play tennis or something!

This was a very good idea.

At the "halfway" mark, Josh checked his iPod (he has one of those cool chips in his shoe that "talks" to his iPod), he did an abrupt about-face and said, "7 and a bit". 14 km was our goal, so we pivoted and headed back, which was awesome because running back (even as much as I hurt) means you're more than halfway done. What I didn't know is "a bit" meant 7.75km, which he was wise not to tell me because I would have been mad at him. Running Rachael is volatile! :)

Along with the skirt and water bottle, I had picked up some "Sport Beans", which are Jelly Belly's way of attempting to weasel their way into the running market, because supposedly their recommended purpose is, "Supports electrolyte and energy replenishment during exercise." Which I sort of think is a load of hooey, but I figured if I can justify eating candy on a long run, then by George, I'm gonna do it! They tasted like freezies. Well, the 7 I actually ate. This is where the "Gretel" part comes in - I had dumped them loose into my little fanny pack, and around the 8k mark when I wanted more, I realized they had made a break for it and jumped ship. I will have to keep a closer eye on this fanny pack. My fanny likes to bump-bump-bump when I run and this makes the zipper sneak open when I'm not paying attention.


Really just candy.

My favorite part of a long run is the end. Okay, maybe that's not entirely true, but I really do enjoy winding down. For me, involved sitting on a blanket in the unpaved parking lot, icing my knees, stuffing my face with watermelon and giggling watching my legs twitch, while Josh did the sensible thing and stretched out.


The aftermath.

Then we promptly replaced our sugar stores with - what else - slushies!!! Which was amazing. Minus the brain freeze.

My slushie looks like he got punched in the face. This is what happens when you mix blue raspberry, lime, and cherry.

Another awesome part about long runs is that I have to replace all the calories I burned (approximately 1000!! HOLY COW), which means EATING! I LOVE food. I was excited when I got home to raid mom's fridge (thanks mom!) and stuffed my face with a chocolate chip cookie, a boiled egg, and more watermelon with whipped cream. Odd choices, but delicious nonetheless :)

Whipped cream? Unnecessary. But DELICIOUS.

I've showered and had an epsom salt bath (with my Runner's World magazine.. try playing, "I Spy" with John Stanton.. I'm sure he's in there like 70 times), and am currently enjoying a homemade iced coffee. I have nothing more to do today except EAT and rest. Hooray!

Supper (the tinfoil contains onions). YUM!

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

nobody hates rain more than me.

After the 11k on Monday, I was absolutely wiped when I got home from work on Tuesday. I don't think my body was ready to go that far. It was a weird feeling, because it's been a while since I've pushed myself that hard in terms of endurance. I rested yesterday and then attempted 8k today (yes, in the rain, mark it on the calendar, I ran in the rain. I also gave the sky the finger. It helped a little bit.). My legs gave out at around 49 minutes and I ended up walking home.

Stats
Time: 1:00.37
Length: 8.2 km
Training plan: 8 km
Weather: Raining. FML
Feeling: there is officially no more gas in the tank. She is emmpppttyyy.

Thursday: 4-5 km
Friday: Rest.
Saturday: 13 km (+??!) with Josh

aaaand
SLEEP.

dreary.

HOW is a DIVA supposed to get her RUN ON when the WEATHER looks like THIS:


This is a load of crap. I did not order this. What happened to my July? :(

Monday, July 12, 2010

back at er.

Stats
Time: 1:13.15 (this includes all the times I stopped for streetlights, to check my phone, and a few 30 sec-1 min walking breaks)
Length: 11.2 km
Training plan: irrelevant
Weather: 23C. Foggy. Sticky.
Feeling: HOT. and sweattyyy

Random thought: Hills are way less scary than when I first started running.

Josh and I are supposed to do a 13k run on Saturday, and I've been slacking lately, partly because I'm a diva and refuse to run in the rain, and it seems that's all we've had lately. But I figured I should at least get one long run in somewhat close to our scheduled distance before Saturday just to make sure I can do it! Phewf.

You know you're hardcore when:

You exercise with a sunburn and wind up looking like an alien.

No joke. When I was running, my burn on my neck blistered because the sweat couldn't get out, so I wound up with these little bubbles on my neck. I had greased up with Vaseline before I left (hoping to ease the chafing from my sports bra), so at first I thought it was that, but when I poked them they didn't move. So glamorous. I thought about uploading a photo... but no. Thankfully, I had read KP's blog earlier in the day and the same thing happened to her, so I didn't freak out too much.

Now, to BED. My bed truly is one of my favorite places in the whole world.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

..orrr not.

Welcome to the East Coast. Less than 24 hours after I posted that last forecast, here is what it looks like now:

Friday, July 9, 2010

unbelievable.


WHAT IS THIS. How can I even out my tan (burn) with this?

I should start a "How-to" blog.

And it would be all pictures.

How To Soothe A Sunburn


If a day in the sun has left you feeling like this..


..and sporting a FANTASTIC combination of sunburn lines, then here is your solution.

1. Make a giant bowl of oatmeal. Place in freezer, while you..


2. ..go to Starbucks for an Iced Chai Latte. Yum!

3. Make up a bowl of frozen yogurt (because it is cold), chocolate, and blueberries (for their antioxidant properties, of course!).

4. Make up a pitcher of lemon/lime ice water. Must rehydrate!

5. Toss your aloe in the fridge to cool.

6. Now generously smear the cooled oatmeal all over yourself (preferably while standing in the tub), which is exactly as glamorous as it sounds, but you will thank me later. No really, it's supposed to help. I read it on the internet. Soak in the (lukewarm!) tub until your fro-yo bowl is licked clean, your iced latte is gone, your pitcher of water is empty, and your toes look like California Raisins.

Omg, so sexy.

7. Retrieve your cooled aloe and apply to sunburnt areas. Resist the urge to scream like a little girl when it touches your ridiculously hot skin.

8. Now go the heck to bed. Who cares if it's 9pm. Your body needs to heal, baby!

Thursday, July 8, 2010

workout clothing fairy.

If I had one wish granted today, it would be to make myself in to the "workout clothing fairy". Upon being bestowed with this (albeit awkward) incredible title, I would run around with my magic wand, and every time I saw someone working out in a crappy outfit, they would be magicked into an attractive, spandex-in-the-right-places, flattering, brightly colored outfit that would make them feel good about themselves. It would be like Lululemon vinyasaed its way into a Lane Bryant and they all made sweet, sweaty passionate love. Because I don't think that when you're doing something that is so good for yourself like working out, that you should be subjected to only wearing huge gray t-shirts and baggy navy blue shorts.


+

+

=

Buddhists all over the world are cringing at my flippant use of images of the Buddha.

This coming from someone who's only pair of running shorts is three years old. If I keep running races and posting photos they're going to all start looking the same!

Perhaps a little shopping is in my future?

Last night's run:

Stats
Time: 45ish mins
Length: 6.5 km
Training plan: 6.5 km
Weather: 20C and huuumid
Feeling: powerful, and sticky!
I ran from my mom's last night, and she lives on the top of a big hill. I ran all the way back up the hill on the way home, without stopping! So proud! :)

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

it's warm and the creatures are out.

Or, IN. As in, IN my apartment.

Sometimes I hang my clothes up to dry. This morning, when I went to put on a bra that had been hanging on my clothes rack, it was exactly three inches from my boobs when I spotted the little peeping tom, firmly attached to my bra.

I SHRIEKED and threw it on the ground. The little bugger must have thought he was on cloud nine (literally) because he would not let go of the padding. I scrambled to the kitchen and grabbed a water glass, and weaseled him off of the fabric and onto the floor.

Waving for the camera. This is the frat boy of spiders.

I'm tempted to leave him on the floor as an example to his fellow frat boys, but I think I might put him back outside..

On another note, I dreamt I was in a car crash and killed SIX people, but had amnesia about the whole thing. Thus, no guilt. Bizarre. I guess this is a sign I should stop texting and driving...

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

junior high crush alert.



Love this. Also, Ke$ha is a mess. But I love her. And I think a toddler applied all their lipstick.

back at it.

My training plan sort of fell by the wayside these last few weeks. Work got really busy and then I went on a little mini vacation on the Canada Day long weekend (well, I made it a long weekend!). Needless to say, I wasn't really feeling the running business. I am eager to reach a point in time when I will have no qualms about waking early while on vacation to lace up my sneakers and run... but for now, when I only see Donnie a few days every month, I am spending as much time as I can with him when we're together :)

Last night I crawled out of my cozy spot on the couch and attempted a run. I wasn't feeling so hot (probably from a carb-overload this weekend!) so I did an easy 4k. It was supposed to be longer, but I ran out of steam, so I waka-waka'd my way up Citadel Hill and basked in the sunlight before running some errands.

Stats
Time: 25ish mins
Length: 4 km + 2km walking
Training plan: what training plan?
Weather: 20C and sticky
Feeling: wiped.

I got some groceries as well and filled my produce drawers to the brim! I'll add a photo in later :)

Edit: Yummm... you know, minus the chlorox wipes.

Have a great Tuesday!

Monday, July 5, 2010

equations for a fantastic long weekend:

2 BFFs

+ lotsa drinks

= scandalous dancing!

1 ridiculously large tent

+ 1 trusty Vibe

+ 1 hunky driver

= some fabulous sight seeing!

Tourist alert!

20 toes and cool seawater

+ the right ingredients

+ 1 excellent fire starter

= a very relaxing weekend!

..well, minus the bug bites :)