<p>MOWC, I am so sorry about your mom’s passing. My thoughts are with you. Hugs from afar.</p>
<p>On the workout front, it has been the usual for me. Gym,treadmill, weights, walking miles outside. We have had a hint of the cooldown to come–our highs are only in the upper 80s. Woohoo. H and I did dri e across the state to hike in a huge natural area and explore some beautiful caves. I greatly appreciated the core strengthening and leg work I’ve done ove the last half year. Climbing down, up, around in caves takes some muscle power. Even so, H and I both had achy calves after our adventure. The hiking was beautiful. Lots of Sandhills, pine forest, sinkholes, and that rarity in this state: rocks! We also saw some gorgeous flowers, gopher tortoises, and perhaps a rare indigo snake. Much fun, and a welcome diversion from the routine workouts. My neck and hands got their camera lugging/shooting miles as well.</p>
<p>IDad, as always your hiking sounds lovely.</p>
<p>Thinking about you and your family, MOfWC. More hugs. </p>
<p>I was able to get home early enough to be able to run 3.5 miles on my treadmill. At first, I felt awful, since my legs became rusty because I have sat on my butt all weekend long… I did not really wanted to go for a run, but I am glad I did it! My energy is back, I made dinner, fed Mr B and am now resting, surfing CC…</p>
<p>People seem to think I’m still losing weight even though the scale is just making a circuitous route around the same 3 pounds over and over again so I’m guessing it must be the planks/core work kicking in a little in terms of appearance 
To that end, as crazy as it sounds, I’m still finishing my morning workouts with a swim this week. I just don’t want to close tat darn pool…but I’ll be sorry once that maple tree starts to shed!</p>
<p>MOWC, I’m sorry to hear about your mom. Take good care of yourself.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>That still sounds good to me!</p>
<p>Walked 3 miles–looking forward to first session with my trainer after being sidelined with ankle injury.</p>
<p>Love the Woodstock Inn, Idad. Happy hiking today. New England weather is great right now.</p>
<p>Since we are all concerned with our health here, I just found a great tip:
“If you can’t afford a doctor, go to an airport - you’ll get a free x-ray and a breast exam, and; if you mention A Qaeda, you’ll get a free colonoscopy”</p>
<p>And if you are into your brain functions, let’s hope that you have not “finally discovered that there is nothing right on the left side and there is nothing left on the right side” </p>
<p>Lighten up, have fun!</p>
<p>I have been sick for couple days, but whiskey has worked wonders. The best medicine! I hope to swim off the constant couph (and walk it off too!). Chlorine and fresh air are other 2 ingredients that should make me feel better.</p>
<p>MiamiDAP please do not spread your germs in a public pool.</p>
<p>
Which brand of whiskey has the most medicinal value?</p>
<p>I don’t know if I’ve ever tasted whiskey. Of course, when consuming whiskey, would you actually taste it? Does brandy work as well? I do think I had a sip of that once. As I recall it was probably enough to raise body temperature a couple of degrees. </p>
<p>The plan is for a home workout with stability ball, Bodylastics, and dbs today. Maybe I’ll fit in a trot in the rain as well. We’ll see.</p>
<p>5 tough, humid miles this morning. Had to take a few rest breaks. My weight is really low, but I think I was a little dehydrated. Good to have weight a little down heading into Vancouver trip with great meals, receptions, drinks etc. </p>
<p>Pacific NW folks- anyone done a run in the dark in Stanley Park? I’m afraid I’m going to have to be out there really early in the morning. Will have my headlamp, but is it safe?</p>
<p>Vancouver is just a bit north of us, so it might get completely dark there at around 7 pm. The path along the seawall or some parts of it should be lit. </p>
<p>[Stanley</a> Park Recreation: The Seawall](<a href=“http://www.tourismvancouver.com/do/explore/stanley-park-complete-guide/seawall/]Stanley”>Stanley Park Recreation: The Seawall)</p>
<p>I have not personally ran there in the dark, but this is what I would do: go there with my headlamp and check out the path along the seawall. If it looks like there are others doing the same thing, I would run. If it looks like a deserted island, I’d go running in the city (just avoid the sketchy areas where drunks and druggies hang out all day long). I would stay away from the wooded areas inside the park. The seawall path is about 5 miles, as I recall, but I could be wrong. Please be careful!</p>
<p>Here is one tip: if you like dining with views, make a reservation at the Obsevatory - it is the restaurant on the top of Grouse Mountain overlooking the city. The food is surprisingly good, and the restaurant guests get to ride the tram for free.</p>
<p>"MiamiDAP please do not spread your germs in a public pool. "
-Highly unlikely, chlorine is a huge ingredient. But I am at work and have many around me, not much I can do about that. Besides, it has been many more than 24 hours. Let’s face it, spreading cold is inevitable. I do breathe.
One more thing. Apparently, you do not have anybody swimming competitevly. Try to tell your coach that you have cold and cannot come to practice. That would be a scene to witness. And we are talking about 6/7 in the lane vs maybe another swimmer in the whole pool swimming with me. My kid swam accidently (we did not know about her condition) with the chicken pox. Surprise, no single little kiddie got sick from her, it was probably close to 25-30 of them in a pool at swim practice.</p>
<p>" don’t know if I’ve ever tasted whiskey."
-here is how you drink it and love it. Splash a bit of cherry juice into it, do not overdo it. Then, put 2 -3 frozen cherries and let it stand for few minutes. Yummmm!!! I imagine that any brandy will work the same. I intend to try vodka this way but vodka has huge taste of medical alcohol, I do not care much for it. But I do not drink my Bud Light without juice, pomegranate, grape or cherry will do just fine as long as you add a just a bit. Try! Everybody who tried in my house, loved it, even those regular beer drinkers (I am not one of them)</p>
<p>Another thing. Brandy is great adding to deserts. Ice cream, any cake / browny, even cookies. Drip few drops and let it soak up.</p>
<p>Ouch! The Lulu outlet in Burnaby is closed. 
I hope the one in Burlington (closer to my neck of the woods) is still open!</p>
<p>“Which brand of whiskey has the most medicinal value?”</p>
<p>The one with the highest alcohol content?</p>
<p>^I do not know about medicinal value of whiskey. I made me feel better in pretty short time. And it tasted very good with that cherry juice and frozen cherries.</p>
<p>^I’ll have to try that some time.</p>
<p>After years of going to the gym and doing the same routine (elliptical, treadmills, weights) and then not going after a couple of weeks because I was so bored, I have finally figured out a mix of activity that keeps me exercising 3-4x/week – running outside where the route includes some hills; yoga; and a gym class that focuses on one or more lazy areas of my body. I’d like to add swimming, but my gym doesn’t have that.</p>
<p>^Many complain that swimming is boring. I have no idea how swimming could be boring. It is something that I am looking forward to every day. I cherish the time in a pool. Being in a water creates issusion of being ligher. this alone elevates you mood. I do not remember when I was in a bad mood after swimming. It is not possible. Besides, it gives you energy, while all other exercises (well maybe not rollerblading that I quit and miss a lot) makes me tired. I would not join a gym that does not have a pool. I belong to 2, both with the pool, one outside with many location that have inside pool but they are at least 20 min. from my house. So joined another that is about 5 min. away with inside pool. It has great machines also. I do weights when I am in a mood for them after swimming.</p>
<p>Bunsen- boo on the lulu outlet closing! I’m going to the Vancouver Lulu as soon as I hit town! My running will be very early am- I think the seawall path is 10K around, which is more than I’ll need, probably, but would be great if I had time. I’ll do an out and back from the hotel on part of the seawall. I will avoid the wooded trails. Last time I was there WildChild took off running on the trails and it took us awhile to find him! Our dinners are part of the meeting, but one (Thurs night) is at a top restaurant- Hawkworth. The next night the function is at the Commodore Ballroom, which I guess is a famous music venue. Final night is a big shindig at the Convention Center. We also get to do a bike ride (cruisers) in Stanley Park and some sort of boat cruise on the two afternoons. H gets to do a cooking class at the farmer’s market and a breakfast at the aquarium while I am in meetings.</p>