Up Up and AWAY!

Vacation starts at 4:31 today! I am very much looking forward to the much needed break. Going to a concert tonight then heading to Vancouver/Whistler on Sunday to go snowboarding for a couple days. Afterwards, I am meeting up with my childhood friend who lives in Victoria and staying with her for a couple days. I can't wait to see her, it has been 2 years since the last time I say her.

Still training, however I have been doing a deload program this month to give my knees a bit of a break. I did manage to get in with a massage therapist and have another appointment tomorrow. It helped a bit, but I know I need to do more work on my end.

I also signed up for the Sport Chek Mother's Day 10KM Run. I am also thinking of signing up for a half marathon. I think I can do it. After the Mother's Day run, I will have done 1 8km and 2 10km races, I think I could probably tackle the challenge or a half marathon.

She's ALIVE!

Yes, I am alive! Things have been pretty crazy busy lately and I have so much to say. A few weeks ago, the company I work for announced that they are splitting into two separate companies. We were all told that this was an opportunity for growth, a good thing, and we were all guaranteed to keep our jobs. The only change would be that some departments that currently serve both units, will have to be split. So, in the end the only change to our jobs would be; which company we work for and where our desks were located. Because I work in Accounts Payable, I am in one of the departments that will be greatly affected by this split. Our team will be divided into two groups; one group per company. We were told that we would know which company we would be working for within a weeks time. A week passed and then we were told that we would not know until the end of June. I suppose I should also add that this split is to be effect July 2nd. Talk about giving us notice! At this time we were informed that there was a possibility that some positions may be cut. That didn't really sit all too well with me. But so be it, nothing I can do. In the meantime, there was a lot of work to do to get ready for the split, so overtime had been approved. I have been working as much overtime as I can get in and banking all the hours. Once July comes around and if I still have a job, then I will end up with extra days off. If I find myself unemployed, then I will be paid out the banked overtime which would help pay cover some bills. I was also just informed this week that the holidays that I had booked for the beginning of July have been cancelled. I expected it. The timing on my holidays is not exactly ideal considering the split is to happen on July 2nd. In any event, I have been spending more time at work and less time in the gym.

As I mentioned I have not been to the gym much lately, nor have I been training for my 10km run as much as I should be either. I did manage to get a great deal on a used treadmill which arrived this past Tuesday. However, I have yet to try the thing out. I really need to get my act together on this, but with all the overtime I have been working I have been so tired by the time I get home, the thought of going for a run is not as appealing. Speaking of the race, I have almost met my target of raising $500! I am expecting a few more pledges so I am positive I will make it. In case anyone needs a refresher of what this race is for, it is to raise money for cancers below the waist. This is something that I feel fairly strongly about since Wes's mom and her boyfriend have both been diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Both have been treated, and so far his mom has been cleared. Unfortunately, we recently found out her boyfriend has not been so lucky. So if anyone would like to donate to a great cause, you can sponsor me here! http://ed09.uncoverthecure.org/goto/Danielle.Chabot

Switching gears here, 'summer' is on its way and that means gardening! I use the term 'summer' loosely as the weather has not been exactly stellar. This is only my second year planting a vegetable garden so I am still learning. I had always heard that you should have everything planted by May long weekend; so this is what I did. Two days later this is what I woke up to....

I covered all my plants with coffee cans in an attempt to prevent them from freezing. However the forecast for the following days was near freezing, so I left them covered. Once the temperatures turned around I removed the cans and was happy to see everything had made it. The plants were a little wilted as they needed watering, so I watered them. Within the following two days, they went downhill. Turns out keeping them covered from the frost and snow was one thing, however plants also need light! My tomatoes ended up looking like dead sticks, the basil was toast and my lettuce looked pretty pathetic. I refused to pull the plants without at least TRYING to get them to come back. The basil is gone, the lettuce has recovered and I see new growth on the tomatoes. Hopefully, they will actually produce something! If all goes well, I should have a nice crop of tomatoes, lettuce, swiss chard, zucchini, cucumbers, carrots, parsnips, potatoes, peas, dill, thyme and cilantro. As long as I can keep Mister Diamond from using my garden as his personal litter box, all should go well!

Well, my little darling Taylor has been hounding me to use the computer, so I will sign off for now and I promise not to wait so long for my next post!

MIA

I have been MIA for a bit, not much to say aside from posting my workouts, which can get a little boring. I trained yesterday and it sucked. I felt weak and shaky and just wasn't into it. So, I think I need to take a bit of a break. I may try to go sometime this weekend, but if that doesn't happen I will hold off until next week. In the meantime, I am going to try to get more running in. I did manage to borrow a treadmill, so that will help especially on the nights that Wes works and I cannot get out of the house to go for a run. I used to run in the mornings and I loved it, but I just cannot seem to drag my butt out of bed any earlier then I already do.

Oh, it is the middle of May and it snowed last night. I just love living here.

Head in the Sand

Not much to say. Sometimes it is easier to keep your head in the sand...

Workout for Wednesday

Hip mobility and glute activation

RDL 115/125/135/145/165lbs x 5 (Definitely a personal record here)
Leg Press 270 lbs x 10 x 3
Split Squat 75 lbs x 12 x 2 - need to up my weight next time
Standing Cable Crunches 70/80/80lbs x 10


Cardio has been a complete joke this week, so has the diet end too. I am looking at buying a treadmill because I cannot seem to get the time to get out and run. If I don't pull up my socks I am going to fall flat on my face at the 4 km mark.

Ketchup

Or I suppose I could say, Catch Up. I have missed posting a couple workouts, so here they are...

Workout of Tuesday, April 28

Hip Mobility and Glute Activation Stuff

Full Squat 115/125/135/145/155lbs x 5 (I think this is a personal record for me)

Barbell High Step Ups 65 lbs x 8 x 3

Leg Press 270lbs x 10 x 2

Med Ball Crunch 15 x 3

Workout for Sunday, May 3

Bent over Flyes 10lbs x 12 x 3

Lying 1-Arm DB Protractions 20 lbs x 20 x 2

Pull down 75 lbs x 12 x 2

Scap Push Up 20 x 2

Military Press 45/55/60/65/70 lbs x 5

I think I used up all my energy on my presses, because everything else sucked.

Chin Up BW x 5 x 4 (Was supposed to do 5 sets, but couldn't get the last set out)

Seated Cable Row 90 lbs x 8 x 3

Incline DB Press 2o lbs x 12 x 2

Shoulder Roll 10 x 3

I finally made it outside to run. My friend came over on Saturday and we went for a run after dinner. Bad idea. We did about 30 minutes and I am going to guess around 2km. My Nike+iPod sensor said 3.36km, but I have not calibrated it to my stride yet. I could have gone further, but I was getting such bad acid reflux every time we would start running, I had to stop. I knew running after eating was not the best idea. Anyway, aside from the reflux, the run went pretty good. My friend and I run well together, since we both have short legs, but dang do my calves hurt. I have been stretching and massaging them for the past two days. I even found myself massaging them in my sleep. My massage therapist has started massaging my calves and let me tell you, that hurts like nothing else! I thought getting your glutes worked on was bad, but I think this just about takes the cake, for me at least. I have never really had my calves massaged, and I never really liked it, but I can see that I am going to have to get past that because they are pretty tight and tender.

Overall, I had a great weekend. On Friday, a friend and I went for dinner then to see a play. We had both seen the playbill for this play last fall and commented that we would really like to see it. So for her birthday in February, I bought us tickets. It was a great play. Afterwards, we met up with a bunch of our friends at a bar for a few drinks. The weather this weekend was great too. We were able to spent most of the weekend in the yard. Yesterday, I did yard work from 9:00AM to 3:30 PM, Wes stayed out longer. The yard looks really good and I got a bit of color too.

My Christmas Wish List....

I figured with all the snow and beatiful winter weather we have been having, I should get my Christmas wish list together. That was sarcasm, in case you didn't recognize it.

Well I did it. I ran on the treadmill at lunch, and I didn't die. Ok, so I only managed 25 minutes (due to time constraints), but it felt good. I bought some new running shoes yesterday and they are so comfy. I also bought a Nike+iPod Sensor. I haven't had a chance to check it out in depth, but from what I can tell you stick one part in the sole of your shoe and the other end plugs into your iPod. It will track your distance, pace and calories burned. Pretty cool hey? I am stoked about running again. Hopefully I can keep that enthusiasm.

I went for a massage last night after the gym. My therapist focuses mostly on my legs, and has been working on my knees. Since I started seeing her, I have noticed the pain in my knees has been diminishing. She massaged the crap out of my calves and butt. It actually feels like I did a leg workout yesterday instead of an upper body workout. Today is lower body, and I am already sore.

Workout
Face Pulls 70lbs x 12 x 3
Scap Pushups 20 x 2
Pulldown Scap Depression 70lbs x 12 x 2
Tricep Pressdown 70lbs x 12 x 2

Bench Press 45/55/65/85/90 lbs x 5
Bentover BB Row 65/75/80/85/90 lbs x 5
Standing DB Shoulder Press 25lbs x 8 x 3
Pulldown 90lbs x 12 x 2
Poorboy Shoulder Horn 10lbs x 15 x 2

Searching for my Marbles

I think I have lost a few of them. I agreed to run a 10 km race with my friend on June 20th. The race is called Underwear Affair and we will run the race in our skivvies. I have to raise $300 in order to qualify to race, that alone frightens me, because I hate asking for pledges. The race is to raise funds for cancers below the waist, hence the underwear theme. I used to run, years ago before Taylor. I loved running, I loved the runner's high. I did an 8km road race about 6 years ago and have not really run since. I also ended up with pain in my IT band, which is what prevented me from continuing. Hopefully, this time around I can be a little more diligent in stretching and massaging my IT band, and be able to ward off any knee injuries. I am scared and excited for this. Scared that I am going to fall flat on my ass around the 2 km mark (or really any time during the race), and I am afraid I will not be able to raise enough money for the run (although, I could top it up if I had to, I just don't really want to). But I am excited at the challenge and at the prospect of getting back into running again, and to be able to do this with a really close friend. Now, I just have to figure out how I am going to try to squeeze in the training for this, into the rest of my schedule. I will likely have to cut out some of my strength training sessions and do running instead. Oh well, nice change. Actually, before my friend even asked me about it, I had been toying with the idea to attempt a triathalon. I think the 10km race is a better option, since I really don't know how to swim.

Workout for Sunday
Glute activation and Hip Mobility stuff

RDL 95/105/115/135/145lbs x 5
Leg Press 270lbs x 10 x 3
Split Squat 75lbs 12 x 2
Cable cross chop 30lbs x 15 x 2 (I really have no idea what the name for this exercise is, so this is what I have called it. I know what I am talking about)