Fall beginings...

So I have officially quite the Insanity program AGAIN, for the 4th time now... I had forgotten to bring the dvds to Hawaii and it's pretty hard to get back into it after 2 weeks off.  But I am glad I tried it out, I lost that pesky last 5 lbs, just because it was such a different form of working out, my body was shocked.  I am back to being my lightest weight and feeling pretty happy about it.  It took a lot longer than I thought, 10mos, but it was just as a friend of mine suggested that with breastfeeding my body is holding onto a survival 5lbs, so now that nursing is pretty minimal, only mornings and evenings, (except the days I don't work... then it's also before 2 naps) I guess I have dropped that little extra! 

And to be honest, I haven't really done much exercise period in about a month, very sporadic, very whatever.  Which is fine, because I have been trying to find my groove as I start back working.  It's pretty tough though... morning workouts are kinda out, because it's too dark and trecherous outside to run (we snow and ice covering all sidewalks and pathways... it's only October... yuck) and when I get home from school I want to spend the evening with Reed, all the time I can, and after bedtime it's dark again! 

Now I promised myself I would never use the excuse of "It's too hard to exercise with work and being a mom."  I just don't think it's a valid one, what could more important than the health and happiness (and sanity!) of a mother and wife?  Nothing. 

So November is upon us (Happy Halloween btw!) and it's time to get serious.  Set a goal, make a plan, and execute! 

I have a goal = Spring marathon (most like Calgary, maybe Vancouver or Ottawa...).  Time goal, around 3hours would be great.

I have a plan = start back running consistently next week (45min is now a bit of a struggle!! it's true fitness drops rapidly after 2 weeks!) build up to comfortable 2hours by January with 4-5 runs a week (other runs ranging 1-1.5 hours), with possible xtraining options (I checked the local masters swim club last week, it was fine, but it starts at 9pm!!  That is near impossible for me!).  Then add speed and tempos and build to 20miles long run, with only 3-5 runs a week, quality focus.

Execute = get a treadmill and get going! 

As soon as I set this all down, I immediately felt better about myself. 

Happy Running!

Hawaii!

Two week holiday.  I don't think I have ever gone on a two week holiday!  It was a fantastic trip.  I could do a long post, but I won't, I just don't have the time, or maybe it's the energy to describe every day filled with sun, beaches, tropical flowers, pool relaxing, wonderful dinners, wine sipping, chip eating, followed by hot runs, hanging with friends and family... oh the hardships of my life!!

Oh and Colin did an Ironman ... the Ironman. 

The story will unfold with some pics...

Here is the famous swim start.  I am standing on the pier, looking at the small section where thousands of athletes will enter for the swim start.  It is pretty amazing how small this area is, the transition zone etc.  Every morning, and then through the day also, athletes are there doing their swims.  We went atleast every second day, the place we stayed at was well out from main Kona, further north about 40min drive.  It was a real treat to be in a more relaxed space, nice to go down and take it all in, but then equally nice to getaway from it all.  Otherwise we would just swim from the beaches near us.  It turns out I'm quite a chicken swimming in the ocean... maybe not a chicken, I felt more like giant shark bait... I practically swam directly ontop of Colin.

Here is happy baby.  And for the most part, Reed was a seasoned traveller.  He did well flying, mostly slept.  He did well time adjusting, just a few very early morning wakeups.  He did well being pushed around in the stroller, just hung out in his diaper mostly to battle the heat.  He did well at the beach, as long as he had someone to take walking (he is obsessed with walking). 

 A couple of sleeping baby.  There is really nothing like a sleeping baby... Reed was such a trooper during the trip, catching catnaps on the go (not ideal, but essential when traveling).

 

Colin with an under-rated inspiring Canadian athlete.  Colin at one time fretted that people would think we named our son after Peter Reid... really?  I like triathlon and all, but I'm not that much of a tri-geek!  I have not resorted to using FB as a training log (I use my blog for that...!), and I do enjoy doing other sports and talking about other interests, ... I don't even have a TT bike!  And I don't use a heart rate monitor!!  GASP!  I actually saw the name in the newspaper one day... CEO or something of Netflicks... so maybe it would be a nicer story afterall to tell Reed he was named after a national athlete hero.... 



 

 

Race morning, down at the swim start with Colin's parents. 

 

 

 Spectating is exciting business!

 

Cheering for daddy!

 

 

 After the race, we are trying to get a smile from Reed... but poor little babe, had a very long day, with no real naps, he wasn't having that lei around his neck!  Unfortunately Dolly and I didn't see Colin cross the line, which was a bummer, but there was no way I could bring our huge Bob stroller down through those crazy crowds, it was packed.  We stayed up the way, where we had a patch of grass in the shade and saw him run into town, which worked out great, the rest of the fam and friends were cheering him at the finish line.  He finished in a time 9:54.36, which is just amazing, it was considered to be a tough day, with bad surf and big crosswinds and of course the heat!  He again biked conservatively, but again was able to run well, a 3:18 marathon in that crazy heat! 

 Here we are at the banquet, left Reed home asleep with the grandparents and enjoyed a night out, by ourselves.  Which surprisingly was a awesome time.  I really enjoyed the show, then the awards, and speeches ... I even found myself thinking about doing another Ironman... maybe before I turn 40...

Colin actually had more than one beer!  He had 4! I had to document it.  Maybe it had something to do with the fact that they were free....

So we are now home, and as is always the case I was happy to be home.  However, went out for a run the next day and suddenly it started to snow!  And now we are stuck with almost 15cm of the stuff!  It's only October!!  I think it will be a long winter....