Good morning all! I’m ready to attack those few pounds that have crept up. Thanks to my new pressure cooker toy, I’m eating steel-cut oats & homemade yogurt for breakfast each day - yum. Then a salad with some protein for lunch. So far so good. Then I do my daily walk to the candy bowl which usually results in a milky way or twix bar (mini). So I am hearby committing to stop visiting the candy bowl at least through the remainder of August - you all heard me say it!
Hopefully surprised in a good way. It has just been a very tough month, emotionally and physically. I’d rather be headed to Hawaii to drink pina coladas or whatever normal people do on vacation!
Sabaray, hoping that just being in a different part of the country with different weather and different terrain brings about a renewed energy for your race - I think it will! And hope that there is a LITTLE time before or after that race for you to sit back and enjoy the surroundings!
BTW, I think I had that same bike - purple, basket, sparkly!
Sabaray, you will be fine! It is supposed to be gorgeous here in the PNW. Even though I am not going to be there, I will be rooting for you! I suppose I could walk the distance, but I decided that it was not a smart way of spending a couple of grand (hotels were crazily expensive!). Plus, I would be worried about my niece all the time. I feel miserable about this whole thing.
Good to have you back Gertrude! I am struggling with sleep - I am falling asleep around 10 pm normally, then waking up at 2 or 3 am and feeling wide awake, staying awake for a few hours, then falling back asleep and then feeling exhausted when I do get up. This morning I had weights 7-8 and fluid running after that, but I was so groggy that my trainer went easy on me and I blew off the fluid running. This is clearly hormonal (IMO) and I’m on medication to help but I’m not happy about this sleep pattern. Seriously, thank god I’m retired. I don’t know how I’d handle it if I were still working/traveling.
Hotels are expensive - we wanted to try and extend our stay an extra night and the price had more than doubled so we said no thanks. I made a reservation last September at one of the partner hotels. I think it will be fun. I’ve been busy scouting out places to eat. We all know what’s important, right? Food and the runner’s shop!
I am SO jealous of you getting to go to the runner’s shop! I’ve run in Vancouver several times (including Stanley Park) and love it. Never raced there! My one international race was Toronto in 2014.
Your mileage varies of course depending on intensity, etc. but a handy “guide” (not a bible!) for calories burned during leisure and routine activities - everything from chopping and splitting wood to planting seeds to running to bathing a child!
http://www.health.harvard.edu/diet-and-weight-loss/calories-burned-in-30-minutes-of-leisure-and-routine-activities?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialmedia&utm_campaign=080716kr&utm_content=p
Stanley Park is gorgeous, and the route is simply amazing. Sabaray, you WILL be flying. 
Bring a ton of sunscreen - the sun in the PNW is crazy.
(If I could just erase this summer out of my life, things would be a bit easier here).
Hopefully this summer will be just a blip on your radar Bunsen. Helpful chart, abasket - I will be sharing that with Mr. Sabaray.
Sabaray - Focus on the external. Don’t think internally. Believe that anything is achievable. Gratitude in knowing that you are in the top 1% that can even do what you are doing. Consider marking a “B” on one hand and a “G” on the other or whatever motivates you. I use a Sharpie every race with something different. People are always interested in my “tattoos”
I have access to really, really good lemon drops (in a bag) through my company. Of course, they are basically lemon flavored sugar. I have found, unfortunately, that they are addictive and “just one more” results in half a bag consumed and a definite over-sugared feeling.
If they are a tart, sour lemon, I’m in - pass the bag. (hard candy or gumdrop like?? I want to know what I"m getting myself into…)
I am in a bit of a mental funk a the moment. I cut my run last night short to 5 miles instead of the planned 7 and I don’t want to run tonight. But I know I’ll go since it is running club and fortunately those are slower and shorter runs so it will be OK.
PG - I empathize with your sleep issues. Hot flashes wake me up in the night and then I have a terrible time falling back asleep. I’m on HRT now so it isn’t as bad as it was, but it definitely impacts the quality of my sleep. And I am dragging in the morning at the office many days. Early morning conference calls don’t help! I hope you’re able to work your way out of your current situation. The usual recommendation of getting more exercise to help you sleep better definitely doesn’t apply to you since you take so many classes!
abasket- tart, sour hard candy. They are made by Claeys “Old Fashioned Hard Candy”. I buy them for car trips and then bring them into my office.
C3B- Sorry you are in a mental funk. I’m sure you will come out of it quickly. Maybe the running club will re-energize you!
We have a meet-up Saturday morning with a bunch of the Oiselle Ambassadors for a run and breakfast. Since my daughter has finished her goal race, she is going to run with ME!!! Should be fun.
I needed a reset today so got a massage and a facial. The guy pounded me. It was just what I needed!
Did my weights and pushups and felt a little better tonight. Watching the Olympic swimming was therapeutic, too.
I thought this was a great piece.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/10/opinion/the-olympics-make-a-grown-man-cry.html?smid=fb-share
3 miles this morning, Pilates with lots of stretching. 70 degrees and 100% humidity. Blech!
Great article Sabaray. It constantly amazes me that for so many of these athletes their heart, soul and EVERYTHING goes on the line for often a performance that doesn’t last much more than a minute or two.
And this:
“Just watch Phelps kick or Biles vault heavenward, a force of will seemingly bound for the stars. Just think about what it means to aim that high, commit that much and invite the eyes of the world to see it all come together or all fall apart.”
Because often it does come together, but also, sometimes it all just falls apart - in that short minute or two.
My DH gets very emotional about great sports stories & champions. He’s been barely holding it together watching these amazing gymnasts! Such strong & composed young women. Beautiful too - Laurie Hernandez has million-dollar eyes. We’re predicting she gets a Maybelline contract or similar after the games.