October 30, 2008
Day 2...
Yesterday was our second evening of run walking. It's pretty clear that the goal is either going to have to be run the entire 3km or run/walk the 7km-not just 'do' the 3km. Hehe, I suspected as much, but sometimes it's better to let people figure it out on their own...right Likalia? ;)
October 29, 2008
Touque
Even though it's raining the giant maple tree outside my window is still reflecting golden light into my room; it's almost enough to trick me into thinking there is sun outside. Every so often movement catches my eye outside my window and I look over in time to see another golden (and now rather soggy) leaf falling to the ground :(
So far it's not actually all that cold outside and I hope the 'Brrrrr' holds off - at least for a couple of weeks so Likalia and I can get ourselves firmly ensconced in our walk/run routine. Not that we will stop if it's cold, just that it would be nice not to have the after dinner darkness, and rain, and cold ganging up on us all at once. Neither of us do mornings so I guess technically speaking the evening dark isn't all that dissuading; however, the desire to go outside seems to decrease exponentially everytime you add a wind or rain or cold in with darkness.
Right, walk/run routine...what is this you ask? Well, I havn't been running. Quite frankly I'm disappointed in myself for that as I was almost beginning to consistently enjoy it...I don't consider myself a runner but more of a 'person who runs'. That's not to say I couldn't ever be a runner, just that I have not hit that point yet; when I get as 'high' from a good run as I do from a good two hours of Friday night dance practice then I will consider myself a runner. I run (er, did run) because I was tired of being inactive and mostly because dancing had become an exercise in frustration instead of an enjoyable and rewarding obsession. I'm even more disappointed in myself because Sarah's ELM Need for Speed clinic is starting next week and I'm not at a fitness level where I feel I can take part. Why would I want to do that clinic if I don't even consider myself a runner? For something to do? To get out and run with people? To see improvement (if I'm going to do something active for the sake of being active then I ought to push myself)? Just because I am (should be) capable of it? Because despite what my lack of commitment to running might imply I don't want to be in the middle of the pack? Because my secret wish is not to run a marathon or even a 1/2 marathon but to do the likes of MOMAR and not just finish but feel good about the effort I put in and I think that any sort of strength and speed training would be helpful for that? Maybe some other reason that I havn't covered here or even thought of yet?
Whoa, tangent...ok, back to the walk/run. Right, so like me, Likalia is also tired of being inactive. We often talk about things and got as far as registering for a bootcamp, which was unfortunately cancelled due to lack of participants (and that, I think, is very cruel of Fate - you would think Fate would support attempts to get fit instead of thwart them. Mind you I'm getting used to Fate's cruel sense of humour-though I won't bore you with the details about trying to take ballet or the outcome of a kayaking trip to the Broken Group. All I will say is "Grrr at you fate-I bite my thumb at thee!). So instead of talking about this that and the other we decided to go for a run. That, of course, started some research into how exactly one starts to run safely, and from there we settled on starting with a week of 30 min outings of 4 mins of walking to 1 min of running. Better to start to easy than too hard. And then....we actually went out and did it. Lol, this is good. This is very good. Oh, and we even have a goal; the CVRR Jingle Bell run in December. I think it's a good goal to start with because it's only 6wks away and has a nice 3km option and is more of a fun event than a race. And I know that if we don't actually keep this up we won't go and do that (even though we are both perfectly capable of getting through 3km in a reasonable amount of time by walking).
Er, that's a lot of rambling isn't it?
Funny what comes of looking at the rain outside and hoping Likalia has a touque.
So far it's not actually all that cold outside and I hope the 'Brrrrr' holds off - at least for a couple of weeks so Likalia and I can get ourselves firmly ensconced in our walk/run routine. Not that we will stop if it's cold, just that it would be nice not to have the after dinner darkness, and rain, and cold ganging up on us all at once. Neither of us do mornings so I guess technically speaking the evening dark isn't all that dissuading; however, the desire to go outside seems to decrease exponentially everytime you add a wind or rain or cold in with darkness.
Right, walk/run routine...what is this you ask? Well, I havn't been running. Quite frankly I'm disappointed in myself for that as I was almost beginning to consistently enjoy it...I don't consider myself a runner but more of a 'person who runs'. That's not to say I couldn't ever be a runner, just that I have not hit that point yet; when I get as 'high' from a good run as I do from a good two hours of Friday night dance practice then I will consider myself a runner. I run (er, did run) because I was tired of being inactive and mostly because dancing had become an exercise in frustration instead of an enjoyable and rewarding obsession. I'm even more disappointed in myself because Sarah's ELM Need for Speed clinic is starting next week and I'm not at a fitness level where I feel I can take part. Why would I want to do that clinic if I don't even consider myself a runner? For something to do? To get out and run with people? To see improvement (if I'm going to do something active for the sake of being active then I ought to push myself)? Just because I am (should be) capable of it? Because despite what my lack of commitment to running might imply I don't want to be in the middle of the pack? Because my secret wish is not to run a marathon or even a 1/2 marathon but to do the likes of MOMAR and not just finish but feel good about the effort I put in and I think that any sort of strength and speed training would be helpful for that? Maybe some other reason that I havn't covered here or even thought of yet?
Whoa, tangent...ok, back to the walk/run. Right, so like me, Likalia is also tired of being inactive. We often talk about things and got as far as registering for a bootcamp, which was unfortunately cancelled due to lack of participants (and that, I think, is very cruel of Fate - you would think Fate would support attempts to get fit instead of thwart them. Mind you I'm getting used to Fate's cruel sense of humour-though I won't bore you with the details about trying to take ballet or the outcome of a kayaking trip to the Broken Group. All I will say is "Grrr at you fate-I bite my thumb at thee!). So instead of talking about this that and the other we decided to go for a run. That, of course, started some research into how exactly one starts to run safely, and from there we settled on starting with a week of 30 min outings of 4 mins of walking to 1 min of running. Better to start to easy than too hard. And then....we actually went out and did it. Lol, this is good. This is very good. Oh, and we even have a goal; the CVRR Jingle Bell run in December. I think it's a good goal to start with because it's only 6wks away and has a nice 3km option and is more of a fun event than a race. And I know that if we don't actually keep this up we won't go and do that (even though we are both perfectly capable of getting through 3km in a reasonable amount of time by walking).
Er, that's a lot of rambling isn't it?
Funny what comes of looking at the rain outside and hoping Likalia has a touque.
October 14, 2008
October 10, 2008
Hmmm... Hallowe'en...
My Hallowe'en costumes of late have been rather half-hearted affairs. I feel like making a bit more of an effort this year and am currently trying to decide between two options:
1. Puss in Boots. I have a great pair of knee high brown suede boots that are the inspiration for this idea. Imagine a medieval hunter-esque sort of costume; robin hood like hat (with furry ears), peasant top, tunic, belt and hunting knife or small sword, breeches, and of course, a furry tail.
or
2. A Figment of My Imagination. This one is prolly going to entail answering the "what are you?" question all night long but that downfall would made up for by its fun-to-dance-in aspects. I'm not sure exactly what the costume would be comprised of, but it would be rather glitzy-gypsy; definitely a long black flowing skirt, over-skirt, some sort of top (haven't figured out what yet), and a bustier-like over-vest, maybe a shawl, makeup, mask and head covering also to be determined... It would be random, but a figment of my imagination in the truest sense of the words.
I really like the Puss in Boots idea, I think it's cute, but not too cutesy. I also like the idea of "dressing-up", as well as saying nuts to the aspect of my personality that forces me to try and be historically accurate about every aspect of every costume I start to make...does it really matter if Puss's hat looks like a pirate hat, a three muskateers' hat, or a hat in the style of robin hood? Of course not - and to take that one step further why do I even have to be "something"? Why not just make something up - I'm sure I can scare off & confuse evil spirits just as well by being something recognizable as by being an un-something...
I'm going to stop rambling now :) And ask what everyone else thinks; vote for one or the other, comments, suggestions...
What are you going as?
1. Puss in Boots. I have a great pair of knee high brown suede boots that are the inspiration for this idea. Imagine a medieval hunter-esque sort of costume; robin hood like hat (with furry ears), peasant top, tunic, belt and hunting knife or small sword, breeches, and of course, a furry tail.
or
2. A Figment of My Imagination. This one is prolly going to entail answering the "what are you?" question all night long but that downfall would made up for by its fun-to-dance-in aspects. I'm not sure exactly what the costume would be comprised of, but it would be rather glitzy-gypsy; definitely a long black flowing skirt, over-skirt, some sort of top (haven't figured out what yet), and a bustier-like over-vest, maybe a shawl, makeup, mask and head covering also to be determined... It would be random, but a figment of my imagination in the truest sense of the words.
I really like the Puss in Boots idea, I think it's cute, but not too cutesy. I also like the idea of "dressing-up", as well as saying nuts to the aspect of my personality that forces me to try and be historically accurate about every aspect of every costume I start to make...does it really matter if Puss's hat looks like a pirate hat, a three muskateers' hat, or a hat in the style of robin hood? Of course not - and to take that one step further why do I even have to be "something"? Why not just make something up - I'm sure I can scare off & confuse evil spirits just as well by being something recognizable as by being an un-something...
I'm going to stop rambling now :) And ask what everyone else thinks; vote for one or the other, comments, suggestions...
What are you going as?
October 4, 2008
Bike!
Mine, alllllll mine :D
I have been riding [and I use that term loosely as of late] a '96 Kona Fire Mountain for 12 years. It has served me very well; it is the energizer bike that just kept going and going and going and never breaking [-and I didn't exactly beat on it]. Aside from new brakes, all her upgrades (incl forks and a nice riser bar) were hand-me-down bits and pieces from the boys I rode with who grew out of them or coveted something beefier or 'better' and always more expensive. Suited me well. But it is time to move on...poor girl, I cracked her forks earlier this spring and have realized since then that I either have to start putting considerable money into her or consider a whole new bike.
As I alluded to above, I haven't been riding much of late and I miss it. Watching Evil Monkey race in MOMAR this past weekend set my paddling and biking muscles twitching. I decided it was time to find some new biking buddies [all the originals have since departed for greener pastures :( ] and start thinking about what to do or not do with my trusty steed.
So I did the 2 things any student does when they want something they really shouldn't be thinking about affording:
1. go window shopping - covetting the new expensive toy is half the fun obviously :)
2. return to reality and start browsing the 'for sale' ads hoping to find that really awesome deal that means you get what you want and don't have to settle for what you can afford...
Pinkbike, craigslist, the newspapers, cvmtb, usednanaimo, and the local bike stores later [where a pretty Trek Fuel-woman's model, just my size, and $400 off its regular price almost got the better of my better judgment] I had found one possibility...
A barely ridden, 2003 Rocky Mountain Stratos which is a light, well spec'd, XC bike that was also a Really nice price!
So Likalia and I went to Nanaimo to inspect her and Bike came home with me today; I'm looking forward to taking her out on trails really soon :)
Woot!
October 3, 2008
Redecorating
Since I can't redecorate my house I redid my blog instead. I'm not 100% sure that it will stay exactly as it is at the moment but I'm really liking the simple clean look and the fact that I can customize the header :)
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