Canadian Winter Olympic Torch relay

As most of you know Canada is hosting the 2010 winter Olympics in Vancouver BC, and part of the Olympics is the running of the Olympic torch (flame) to light the Olympic cauldron to start the Olympics whether it be summer or winter Olympics. And to celebrate Canada's Olympic's the Olympic torch is being run across Canada as a relay until it's final destination in Vancouver to light the Olympic cauldron to start the games.

Today the the torch is coming to Barrie where it will finish it's journey for today at Barrie city hall with a celebration of the Olympic torch coming to town with a ceremonial lighting of miniature cauldron symbolizing the lighting of the Olympic flame in Barrie as it's host for the night until the Olympic flame continues on it's journey tomorrow morning to North bay as it makes it's way to Vancouver.

Earlier today I went up to Elmvale, a town north of Barrie where the torch relay was running through on route to it's final destination for today in Barrie later tonight. The torch was scheduled to pass though Elmvale at 11:45am and I wanted a chance to see it up close as to when it reaches Barrie tonight at 7pm at city hall there will be thousands of people around and I didn't want to miss my chance to get up close and maybe a chance to touch the torch. Plus I'll be volunteering at Barrie city hall tonight for the celebrations and ceremony and I don't know if I will get a chance to get up close?

I'm so glad I went up to Elmvale! It was exciting to see, touch and run along with the Olympic torch and here is a video clip.

:)

My family Tradition

I have been reading this story to my kids since they were born, carrying on the tradition of Joannes father who read the same story to her since she was a baby.

Merry Christmas

***********MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE***********

-House is all cleaned up, Turkey is ready to be cooked in the morning and beer is in the fridge ready to be drank! I'm ready for Christmas! Woo Hoo!!

Training is stalled

I'm not getting much training in this week. I may try to get out to the running room with the running club tonight for a run, but it's cold out and I don't like running in the cold. I know I'm a wimp!

In other news! I renewed my family rec pass. I had a dilemma with Joanne having a single pass that runs into the end of January and I couldn't renew the family pass until that was up. So what they did instead was credited the difference of what was left on Joannes pass onto the new Family pass canceling out Joannes pass, Simple! Now I can get back to the rec center to do some diving if I want, plus the rest of the family can now use the rec pass to, all for about the same payment that Joanne was paying on her single pass, give or take $30.00 for 4 extra people using the pass.

I'll still be training at LA/Fitness though. I like it there and it have everything I need, plus it has better machines at my disposal, as well as having a open swim lane to myself every time I swim. :)

I'm also picking up a minoura bike trainer from a friend tomorrow who sold it to me for only $30.00 retail it sell for $200.00 I'm planing on using it at work over the winter during my dinner breaks as I ramp up my training come January using my old Raleigh Smiley bike on it.

My Christmas shopping is all done and presents wrapped. All I have to do is wait for the old jolly guy to come down the chimney Christmas night and come Christmas morning watch all the happy shining faces open presents, then cook Christmas dinner.

:)

Christmas came early!

Christmas came early, I have a new 2002 Chev Malibu in mint condition with only 65,000 km on it! Woo Hoo!

How and where?

Well My grandfather who is in long term care in Toronto is to sick to Drive anymore. NO he's not dieing or anything. He has emphysema and can't go out in the cold air anymore without having trouble breathing, plus the fact he is turning 80 years and has to re-write his driving exam, he decided he doesn't need to drive anymore. So he gave me his car which is in mint condition.

Too funny like in one of those old sales pitches with the used car dealer telling a buyer the old story that? " This car was driven and cared for by an old lady who only drove it to church on Sunday's. " Well the case is true with my grandfathers car! lol He only drove it to church once a week to go to church and run errands to the store over the years since he bought it new. The car is almost 8 years old and only has 65,000 km on it! He took great care in his car, there isn't a scratch on it!

My new 2008 cobalt that I just bought this past summer has almost as many km's as my grandpa's Malibu! My 2008 cobalt has 58,000 km's on it. I almost feel guilty driving my grandpa's Malibu it's in such great shape.

So I am passing off my 2008 red cobalt in this pictured here..And giving it to my daughters to share in driving, and I'm going to ride in class in my new Malibu. Woo Hoo!


Thanks Grandpa!!


Here it is my new 2002 Malibu ...

:)

Christmas Vacation

Woo Hoo! I'm on vacation for the next 2 weeks!!  Well, soon as I finish my shift tonight. ;)  I won't be back to work until the new year.  It looks like I'll have to go to the rec center over the holidays to workout, because I'm not going to drive 100 km to workout at LA Fitness in Brampton.  

Speaking of Brampton the Olympic torch relay came through this way today as it makes it's way across Canada to Vancouver BC  for the winter Olympics in Feb 2010.  I  missed seeing it  today as i was working out at the Club, Actually  it's a good thing I went in early to do my workout today as the Olympic torch relay was making it's way along part of my commute into work and would have made me late for work if I left at my normal time.  Anyway I'll get my chance to see the Olympic torch relay on the Dec 29TH as it will be making it's way into Barrie that day.  I originally  applied  to be a Torch barer but was not selected. :(  But I will get my chance to be up close to the torch as I volunteered with the city to help out that day for the big celebration Barrie will put on.  I'm still not sure what i'll be doing as a volunteer yet? But I was told it will be a chance in a lifetime.  

Today's Training ...

Run .....30 min.

Swim ...5 min....Just a cool down swim.

10 min sauna. 

:)

Here comes the snow

We got our dumping of snow last night and today and more tonight with snow squalls. It started yesterday as i was going into work and has been going steady since. My son Snow blew the driveway once and when I got home from work i had to do it again. When i woke up today and looked out it was still coming down and i blew the driveway again before coming into work today. I would say we have around 2 feet so far. Thank god for my new snow blower, it's so much easier and is even fun! :)

Last nights drive home was bad once i got to the outer edge of Barrie, but today's drive in to work from Barrie was really bad until about 35 km south of Barrie toward Toronto where it wasn't snowing. you can see here on this video clip i made on the way in to work today. I have driven though worse on the way home though, as last night drive home wasn't to bad.

Only swam 1000 m straight set, I had to cut it short to go out and do some X-Mas shopping.

:)

Happy Anniversary

Today is Joanne's and my 30Th Wedding Anniversary. Wow! where did the time go? We're not doing any celebrating as i don't see her during the week. I left her a bouquet of flowers to see when she got up in the morning before work and while I'm sleeping, and I left a gift for her to see when she gets home from work and I'm at work.

I bought her a five diamond heart on heart necklace in yellow gold.( symbolizing two hearts connect ) It's worth millions! but I got a good deal on it and paid a lot less. ;).... ( it's OK to post her gift because she has already opened it before I posted this.)

Edit; when I got home I checked out the necklace, as I haven't seen it since I bought it last month for this day. Well it seems it's not five diamonds in the heart, but is diamond in crusted on the hearts, making it sparkle brightly. My bad, my memory isn't as good as it used to be. But it's still worth millions!! ;)

I know I don't say it enough, I love you Joanne. See you on the weekend. WOW! 30 YEARS!!!


:)

Swim is feeling good

Today I went to LA Fitness and swam a straight 2000m set free in 36:12. My swimming is feeling good, now I need to work on speed. ;) ....Tomorrow will be a run day.


:)

Christmas Tradition

This past weekend we went out for our traditional Christmas tree hunt to cut our own Christmas tree at Drysdales tree farm with our family and friends. We have been doing this every year for over 15 years. The pictures below are from previous trips to Drysdales tree farm, as I forgot to bring my camera with us this year to our traditional tree cutting trip.

This is the Christmas store where Joanne ends up every year to buy some sort of x-mass trinket.

What the store looks like inside.

Some of the grounds.

Finding my tree

Dragging my tree to the wagon

Tree all wrapped up and ready to take home set up in our front living room, then go over to our friends for food and drinks.

Only Swam today

Today i swam 2000 meters at LA Fitness in Brampton before work. -First 1000 m in 17:47..... my normal warm up if not my normal whole work out in my less is more training plan. ;) ....Then a 100 m breast cool down in 2:00.... Then 3 sets of 100 m free .... 1ST 100 m in 1:28:30..... 2ND 100 m in 1:29:28..... 3rd 100 m in 1:29:97..... Whew! that was tiring... -100 m breast to catch my breath in 2:00 -Last 500 m easy free in 9:25.... Total time in the pool 40 min give or take a few seconds.

I can't believe how lucky We've been with the snow. The streamers coming off the lake are missing Barrie but not by much. The heavy snow squalls are hitting just north of us in Bracebridge and Muskoka area's and are getting walloped with up to 3 feet of snow since yesterday in some places, and it's still coming down. I'm glad the winds aren't blowing down my way it would suck to have to use my new snow blower. ;)

:)

Cool weather.

We didn't get much snow, only about half a foot, but now the wind is blowing hard with gusts up to 70kph with still more weather coming with snow squalls as the temperature dips down even colder. Driving down to work was a little hectic driving through a few white outs, and I imagine the drive home won't be any different.

I hit the LA Fitness club today before work but didn't have any energy to do a full work out with back to back runs and this being my third day running in a row, so I took it easy running the treadmill at 5.5 mph for 5km then went down to the pool and did a easy 300m cool down swim and hit the sauna for a bit.


:)

Snow day

I took a snow day today as the weather is pretty bad with high winds and snow over night. But the worst part is yet to come as the temperature drops tonight and with the high winds, we are expecting major snow squalls which would make my drive home from work (if I went) even worse then going into work. So no swim today, I'll bike later tonight while watching TV and I'll just double up tomorrow with my run and a swim after.

The good news is I got my first chance in using my snow blower! yeah! it works great! :)



Edit; No bike ride, I went with Joanne to the running room for the Wed night run instead since I was home tonight. I don't get much chance going on runs during the week with the running club because I work evenings. It was nice to see some of my friends who I normally only see during the summer months. Our group went 6km, it was suppose to be a 5.5 k but we got lost.lol I can't say it was fun on the slushy sidewalks and roads from today's snow, I almost turned my ankle but didn't. whew! I think I'll stick with treadmill runs over the winter months. Anyways it was fun.

:)

Ran and Big snow coming

I ran the treadmill today doing 5km @ 6mph in 30 min. My legs were feeling tired from my Sunday's run, but loosened up after the first kilometer. After the mill run, I went down to the pool for a 500m easy cool down swim working on form. My triceps were tight from my Monday's swim sets, but that's the price you pay for a "less is more" training program. ;)


There is a big snow storm heading our way and depending when it hits?( suppose to be late tonight and all day tomorrow, Wed.) I might not make it to LA Fitness for my planned swim, or work for that matter. I will have to play it by ear I guess, and watch the weather. If it's to bad out and driving my commute being hazardous, I'll take a snow day from work. Toronto is only expecting 5 cm but up in Barrie we are expecting around 20-30 cm but could be more with snow squalls? ...and I finally get to use my snow blower!! Yeah!


:)

Swam hard today.

Sunday I ran my first 10 k since last May when I did the Ottawa Marathon. I ran slow and easy finishing in 1:02:37

Today I swam 2000m today.

I Swam 1000m free warm up in 17:36 then I swam 3 sprint 100's 1st 100m in 1:30 2nd 100m in 1:32 and the 3rd 100m in 1:34 then I swam 200m breast warm down, and finished off with a 500m easy free.


:)

Slacking off today

No workout today, I had to go in to work early. Tomorrow I work on the basement, finish framing and do some wiring.

:)

Todays workout.

30 min treadmill run at 6 mph, and swam a straight 1000m in 17:49 

Went easyier today

Today's workout was not as hard. 30min on the treadmill @ 5.5 mph working in some 2 min sprints at 7.5 mph in the last 10 min and a 15 min easy swim.


I just did a few sets of 25m sprints working on my stroke, and breast back catching my breath for a total of 500m


:)

Good workout.

I had a good 2 hour workout today. I started with a 15 min spin warm up, then went on the treadmill for 45 min at 5.5 mph, then I went to the pool and swam 10 X 100's on 1:40's with :15 sec rest in between. I felt really slow, my arms felt like lead to as they tired out easy.


:)

Working on the basement

I spent some time Sunday working on my basement framing up some walls to the recreation area using up most of what I have left of my lumber. I have just enough 2x4s to frame one more wall, but that will have to wait until I finish up the main area of the rec room I'm working on. I have a few sheets of drywall I can put up after I do the electrical work, but I can't do that until I buy the electrical boxes switches, plugs and wiring, so things are at a stand still for now. I also spent time re-organizing the basement to make more room for the treadmill and bikes. The place is starting to shape up.

I didn't do any training this weekend, and today was another right off because Joanne's car broke down last night. The key to the ignition wouldn't turn on. Joannes had this problem before, but it started before, this time it wouldn't start, so it was towed to the dealers service department. Joanne took my car to work and i had to wait around today until Mr Goodwrench called from the GM dealer for me to pick up the car, which i did around 1pm. It turns out they had to replace the whole ignition chamber and re key it. By the time i got back home it was to late for me to get ready to go to LA Fitness, even for a short workout. I'll just go in earlier tomorrow for a longer workout.

Less is more Movie.

As you can see on the side of the blog is a new movie I scripted for a website I found "Extra Normal Text a movie "where you can make your own movies. Pretty cool I think and lots of fun! So I made a comic version of my less is more training parity of my less is more mentality. I think it is funny. Joanne couldn't hold in the laughter when she saw it. what do you think?

Yesterday I had to be Joe plumber again and missed my training day. My brother called me in the morning to see if I could come over to his place before I went to work to install some water stop valves under the vanity sink he is ripping out. My brother is remodeling his main floor washroom, so my brother took a few days off work so he can rip and gut out his main floor washroom so he can tile the floor, and he needed me to take the sink and vanity out and put in stop valves on the hot and cold water lines under the sink as there were none there. The job of tiling and remodeling would take a few days and he couldn't have his main water line turned off for that long. So I went to help him instead of going to my planned LA Fitness training.

Joanne's Birthday today.

Happy Birthday Joanne. I hope you have a great day. I love you. :)

I don't see Joanne during the week so i left her some flowers and truffles on the kitchen table for her to see first thing in the morning and I made her a lunch of fresh salad and a couple of slices of spinach pizza and a couple of slices of cheese cake i bought to take to work.


I had another good workout at LA Fitness today. I started with weights for about 20 min then I hit the treadmill for some interval running for 45 min and went down to the pool for a 20 min swim. I'm beat!

I'm liking this fitness center, It's not very busy at the time I'm there, maybe 50-75 people, but the place is so big and has so many cardio and weight machines the place looks empty. And the pool!! I'm the only one using the pool, It's mine, all mine I'll tell you, mine! mine! mine!Boowahaha!!


:)

Perfect Pool

I was off work Monday and Tuesday so I haven't had a chance to do any training at La Fitness. As you know La Fitness is in Brampton where I work.

Today I went to work so I went to La Fitness first. I ran the treadmill for 45 min and then I dreaded going down to the pool. Well, to my surprise I jumped in, the almost jumped back out!! Brrrrrr! it was cool!! Then I thought? Yeah! I had some influence in getting the pool temperature brought down. I had a good swim, albeit doing a 1000m strait set, I was easily tired since I haven't done any hard swimming in months. Woo Hoo!

After my swim as I was leaving, I stopped at the front counter and told the receptionist the pool was perfect! She then told me after I said the pool was to warm on Friday they checked it out and found the pool temp was 90F and re-adjusted it down to 82F-84F ....YESSSS! Perfect for swim training! :)

:)

I'M IN!

Arizona Ironman came and went. I had a fun time watching the on line video coverage on Ironman.com Sunday, which BTW was really good this time covering the pros while out on the course for their race, and later the age groupers. And to all my friends who were racing, I like to say congrats to you all who finished, you are all Ironman!

Monday morning I was eager to get on line to sign up for next years race. Registration wasn't being held until 11am PT so I had to wait until 2pm to sign up. At 1:50pm I got on line and logged on to my active account and kept hitting refresh. Then BAM! I'm on the registration page, woo hoo, most of my fields where already filled as I am Active.com member and my info was already imputed from my previous races, so I just had to fill in a few fields including my credit card field and submit! Soon as I filled all required fields I hit submit and ...WTF! I got a error on submitting?? Doh! I didn't fill in my mailing address field. I resubmit and...WTF! I got another error, invalid credit card? I go back and realize I can't have spaces with the credit card number, so I re-input with no spaces and submit and....BAM! I'M IN!! I'm in the Ford Ironman Arizona 2010 Race.

Now for the hard part! The training. Wooooooo!


:)

To sore to swim.

I woke up this morning with sore muscles. I guess I over did my weights yesterday, but I don't mind the soreness, as it's a good soreness. My traps, Deltoids, triceps, biceps and pecs are all to sore for me to work out, so I bagged my planned swim workout for today and didn't go to LA Fitness before work. I could have ran today, it was nice enough outside to go for a run but tomorrow is suppose to be nicer, so I'm planning another 7.5km run and maybe some biking in the afternoon if it gets warm enough. Then tomorrow night I'm off to my Brothers in Orangeville for his birthday. Actually his birthday is today, So happy birthday Mike!


:)

First day at LA Fitness

I got up this morning, started wondering around the house, looked at my watch, watched some TV, waiting, waiting, ate some breakfast, looked at my watch, watched more TV, looked outside, looked at my watch, sat and watched more TV, looked at my watch and Finally! time to go to LA Fitness and work!!

I left my house at 1pm knowing it takes me an hour to get to the fitness center by 2pm for a easy workout for an hour or so until I had to leave to go across the street and down the block to work.

When I got there I asked if I could take some pictures inside so I can show Joanne and post on my blog, but I was denied. So I only took a picture of the building from the outside as I went back to my car to put my camera away. I then went back inside to change.

After changing I wondered around the main floor where all the weight machines were checking them out. There are so many and all for specific muscle groups. I choose to work on upper body and core today and pushed a few hundred pounds around doing bench press shoulder press, lat pulls and crunches. After 20 min I went upstairs to the treadmills, I picked out a mill. In front are TV to watch as I run or I can watch the people down below doing weights as the mills are placed in front of the balcony rails over looking the whole lower floor to the entrance.

I only ran 1 mile but was really impressed with the treadmill. It was called a Matrix and running on it was like really running on the road. There was no bounce to it and it was so smooth. It actually felt like your pushing yourself forward to run, or like there is resistance on your run, like running on a uphill grade. I kept checking and turning the incline switch down to make sure I was running level, and I was. It really gave me a good workout as I ran at a 5.5 mph pace bringing my HR up to 170

After my run I went to the pool and did some laps. I jumped in and the pool is like a sauna, wtf! I can't swim in this heat! I did a few lengths and I can feel the heat sap my strength and spike my HR. Plus the fact I was so out of shape swimming, but with the heat of the pool I surely felt like I was dragging. I ended up doing 500m before calling it quits. When I went to go get changed and I couldn't stop sweating to get my cloths on.

After I changed I went out to the front desk and asked if something can be done with the temp to the pool? The lady said it is usually maintained at a temp of 84-86F I said WHAT! that's not good to swim in, it should be cooler and no higher then 82F max. The lady then went on to tell me that they keep it warmer because the aqua fit class was complaining it was to cold. I side then maybe if the aqua class worked harder they wouldn't be cold. I said I swim long and with the pool so warm I would dehydrate in 5Min's of swimming, which I did today! I was still sweating bullets standing there talking with her and even showed her my soaking shirt. She said she will check the temp to make sure it's within there limits. I asked if she could maintain the limits to the low end of there limits..........Looks like I will have to carry a water bottle in the pool with me.

Then I went off to work, which took me 2 mins to get to. :)

:)

New Member

Today was another perfect day, I hope all winter stays like this, but it won't.

I stretched out my run today and did 7.5 km today. The first 5 I did in 30min ending at my house, then took a min to stretch out my calf and quads and went back out for another 2.5 out and back. Total time of 44:53. I had some lower back pain the whole way, but like I said until I lose some weight and do more core work it will happen.

Well I took the plunge and bought myself a membership, but not with the rec centre. 2 blocks from my work there is a LA Fitness that opened earlier this year. So today I decided to go in and check it out and see how much a membership would cost. I walk in and the first thing I see through a glass window is a 25m 4 lane lap pool to the left of the entrance. I asked at the front desk for some help and prices and before you know it I signed up. This place has everything! It's huge, it has two floors with the second floor filled with all the cardio stuff like treadmills, bikes, elliptical thingy's you name it they have it and lots of it! the main floor has all the weight training stuff like free weight's and machines, pull weights etc! there is a gym for Basket ball, fitness rooms for yoga, palates or dance class's. The pool is nice, like I said, it's a 4 lane 25m pool perfect for my swim training over the winter, and of course a nice sauna. All this for $29. a month! which works out to a lot less then the rec center which has a lot less to offer and $200 more a year.

This is so great being so close to my work. I will now be able to do all my training for my up coming Ironmans including swimming, Yeah! So it looks like I will be leaving work early every day from now on! Wooo!

But you are asking what about my Diving? Well I'll tell you I only dove twice a week last year, usually Tues, and Thurs, So seeing as how much a saving I'm getting with the new membership at LA Fitness i can still go to the rec center pool for diving and pay as I go, only costing me $5 a pop.


Today's Menu....

Breakfast, bacon, eggs, toast and a yogurt....Lunch, a ham and bologna cheeze wrap......Dinner, vegetable beef soup, a beef borito and a mixed salad, and for my snack another Ham and bologna cheeze wrap.


:)

The weather has been great, another sunny warm ( for November) day with the temp hovering around 13C. I got outside for another run yesterday. woo! Today is looking just as good but a little cooler, to cool for me to ride outside, although I would ride if I have the proper clothing for riding in cool weather, but I don't :( ....I could ride the trainer today? but I'm feeling lazy, so instead I'm not doing any training today. :)


Ironman Arizona is just around the corner. This Sunday a few of my friends are racing IMAZ and I'd like to wish them all luck. I hope they all meet or exceed their personal goals and have a great time and race. I'm very excited for them all and wish I could be there in person to take in the excitement, I'll just have to wait until next year when I race there.

So To Karen and Steve Anderson, Valerie Rottmon, Tim Weedman, Jackie Riley, MikeVas, William Vaz, and everyone else Safe travels and good luck race day.


ON the Menu today. For breakfast, yogurt. For lunch a hamburger, For dinner, Vegetable beef soup, left over ribs and garlic mashed potato's and a mixed Salad.


:)

Another Nice November Day

Zoe was looking to comfortable on her new favorite spot to sleep, Joannes Teddy bear in our bedroom.

Today's Menu.... For breackfast, bacon and eggs and toast, nothing for lunch. Ribs and mashed potato's for dinner, no salad as I was to full from the ribs. Burrrrp! :) Total Cals for today 1500, topped up with a few beers to put me over 2000Cals for today. But I burned 1500 Cals with todays training, so I'm good. :)

,,,,

Today I spent most of the day cooking. I baked up some pork ribs in the oven to BBQ them for dinner tonight. I also made a big pot of Beef Vegetable soup to freeze in containers for pre made dinners that I can take to work. After that I went out for a ride and run. When i got back form my run I fired up the BBQ and put the ribs on. I boiled up some potato's and make garlic mashed potato's for a side. Mmmm.

Today's rib fest! Mmmmmmmm! The 2 burgers on the side are veggie burgers for Victoria. She won't eat meat.?

Training Totals.......

Swim 0

Bike 3 hours

Run 15 km

Another Great November Day!

To start out with, the Foster Grant Ironman 70.3 world championships were on Ironman.com . So after a few short hours of sleep after getting home from work last night and watching some of the programs on TV that I PVR'd until 3am, I got up just as the first of the pro swimmers were coming out of the water. Yes I missed the start of the race, but I stayed with it until the pros finished! It was a good broadcast today. I don't understand why they can't do all the broadcast like today's, following the pros on there bike and run with the commentary?? Any way it was good.

After I watched the pro men and woman come in off the swim, I went to my moms and installed her new toilet. took me a total of 15 min to do. After that I went back home to catch some splits of my friends doing the race. Damn! still no splits after the swim? I then went out for my bike ride. When I got back from my bike ride and showered I check out on all my friends. By this time they had all finished, so I got all there splits.

Willem who is in the men 65_69 age group and from the Netherlands did great as usual with a 44:04 swim 2:47 bike and 2:28 run for a total fo 6:11:58! coming in 19 in his AG! Great racing Iron Machine! as I call him as he has done over 30 Ironmans and countless half Ironmans!

Fanny from Montreal Quebec who is in the 30 - 34 AG had and awesome race with a 35:12 swim, 2:34:27 bike, and a 1:43:47 run to finish with 4:58:46 ! coming in 45Th in her AG. Great job Fanny!

Louise who is in the women 65-69 AG and is friend and a neighbour of mine living in the next town just north of Barrie, had a great race coming in first in her AG with a swim of 42: 02, 2:29:30 bike and a 2:17:05 run for a finish of 5:38. Awesome job Louise!

Dave Who is Louise's husband and is in the 70- 74 Ag came in 3rd in his AG with a swim of 42:46, 2:33:13 bike and a 2:26:38 run to finish in 5:52:13! I think he was drafting off of Louise!;) Great job Dave!

I watched the rest of the broadcast to the end, then fired up the BBQ and cooked some Penguin steaks for dinner. The rest of the evening I will chill, go for a hot tub and have a few beers. :)

Congrats to all the racers!!

Today menu....

Breakfast, the usual, bacon and eggs with toast and strawberry jam, Lunch nothing, Dinner, one penguin steak and probably a few beers tonight. 3000 total Cal's if you include the beers! :)




:)

Friday the 13TH

I like Friday the 13Th. For me it's a lucky day, for most it's not! but I'm not like most! ;) Actually my daughter was born on a Friday 13Th March 13 1987 and so was my Dad Dec 13 1933. So I consider 13 a lucky number for me. :)



Today's menu....

Starting the day off right with my Bacon and eggs with strawberry jam toast.
Lunch was a ham and bologna sandwich and dinner was my pre made frozen home made chicken soup, 2 beef burritos and a honking serving of mixed salad. My late snack is another ham and Bologna sandwich.

The weekend looks promising weather wise, sunny and in the mid teens. If it hits 15C I will ride

The Clearwater 70.3 championships are on Tomorrow morning on Ironman.com I hope they have a live video feed? I have a few friends in the race and I plan on watching and tracking them. Good luck Willem Boon, Fanny Brodeur, Louise MCGonigal and Dave Watts! I hope you both have good races. I also learned they are changing the swim venue over from the gulf to the harbor for safety reasons, as there is a tropical depression in the gulf causing some ruff water. The pros will go off in there waves and the rest of the age groupers will go off in Time trial style in groups of 20 every 2-3min I think until everyone is out in the swim. The bike and run will be the same.


After the Clearwater race I plan on going on my bike ride if it's warm enough, around 2 ish in the heat of the day. Then I have to go to my moms to install her new toilet, which btw she called me today to tell me she bought it and it will be delivered some time tomorrow, So I told her good, call me when it comes and I'll be over to install it after I finish my ride. :)

:)

Maintenance Salads, Sardines and Soup!

It's a pain when your good at maintenance, this time I'm Joe the plumber! but I'm always glad to help.

When I got home last night Joanne left me a note that my mom wanted me to replace her broken toilet bowl so it could be put out for Fridays heavy garbage pick up. Originally I was to go over on Saturday to do the work for her as I don't have all that much time in the weekday's before going to work, specially if I'm going to do some training. So I put aside my training for today and go over to my moms to take out and replace the toilet. I look around and ask where is the new toilet? My mom said she hasn't got it yet? I said why did I come out here for? She said to take out the old toilet, to put it out on the street for the heavy garbage pickup on Friday so it doesn't sit on the street for 2 weeks until they come around again for heavy garbage pick up. So now I have to go back on Saturday to install the new toilet. Oi!

Today's menu consists of, a can of Sardines for breakfast, Mmmm yum! When I got back home from my moms I didn't have much time to cook up my Bacon and eggs and toast and sit down to enjoy it before heading off to work, so I grabbed the next best thing with protein I could find in the pantry, a can of sardines in tomato sauce Mmmmm Yum! almost as good as bacon and eggs, and finitely healthier!! then for lunch I had a ham and bologna Sandwich. And for Supper at work I brought one of my pre-made frozen home made chicken soups and a pre-made frozen chicken paprika pasta dinner and a heaping side of mixed salad. My snack for later at night during work, another ham and bologna sandwich 2000 approx Cals or less total for today. :)


:)

Three Salads

Three day's and I've eaten three salads. If I keep this up I will shrivel down into nothing! {{Kidding,}}....

I'm not on a crash diet of only eating Salads. I'm just eating less portions of my regular meals with a huge helping of salad to keep me full. The weight will come off gradual and with every workout I should lose some weight.


To achieve my goal in losing weight I will eat like this....

Today cuisine consisted of eggs, bacon and toast with strawberry jam for breakfast. One ham and Bologna sandwich for lunch. One of my pre made frozen Chicken ala' King dinners with one chicken breast and my huge mixed Salad for dinner. And for a snack another ham and bologna sandwich later in the evening at work. In between I drink as much water as I like.

Every day's menu will be altered in some way with different entrees or I will just get board of eating the same thing, except for bacon and eggs! I love bacon and eggs, plus I need that for my training as great Protein fuel and recover food after my morning workouts, and actually helps me lose weight as it holds me content so I'm not hungy and I'm not looking to eat before it's time for my next meal.

Today's Total estimated Cal's for the day = 2000 Cal's. To maintain my weight now I need to consume 2600cal. So that is a deficit of 600Cal's or 1 fifth of a pound. unless I cheat. ;) this will work out to approx 1 pound per week weight loss without exercise. Simple!

And with the added exercise/training I will do? Look out momma! wheeze be going shape shifting! and the pounds will melt off. Simple!

But if it's so simple why is it so hard to do? In my case it's hard because of my OCD. When I do something I can't stop. Like being a food addict! or drinking? which I think goes hand in hand with OCD? So i have to really focus to stay on goal, to re focus my OCD from wanting to eat and drink to wanting to train and shrink! Simple! : )


: )

Getting Motivation Back

What a great day today was! Sunny warm and hardly any wind. You don't see many day's like this in November in a lifetime up here, so I took advantage, and I went out for a longish bike ride, riding 40 km and averaging 31 km/hr Woo it was sweet!



I guess with watching Ironman Florida on line all day yesterday to the near end?? (I say near end because they cut the broadcast short by an hour so I didn't get to see the last finishers.) Watching the last hour is usually the best part of the day at an Ironman event. Watching and cheering on the last competitors before the 17 hour cut off with lots of noise and partying routing on those last people is what it's all about! Even if watching on line you get some sort of exuberance with what is going on, specially when Mike Riley ( the voice of Ironman) works up all the fans. I have to say my spirits are back up after watching IMFL all day and specially after today's ride!

This is a picture of my computer screen of how I was watching IMFL and chatting on mile 141 posting updates and getting updates on my Face book friends as well, Plus other links like Ironman lives web page where I was getting updates as the pro race progressed. Multi tasking I call it. Hey! and speaking of Face Book! If you want to be a Face Book friend with me just put my name in search box in your FB and request me to be a friend! I'm always glad to have more friends.


I have to say congrats to all my friends who competed in both IMFL and B2B they were awesome even if everyone didn't finish. Which goes to show you even the most seasoned Ironman can have bad day's as on of my friends did who is a multiple Ironman and he dnf'd on the run because of stomach issues. Congrats everyone.


Tomorrow I start eating salad! Yes, it's time to diet! I'll be quiting booze again to start shedding the pounds, specially with x-Mass around the corner when I tend to over indulge. ;)


Totals this week...

Swim 000

Bike 3 hours

run 15 km

:)

Ironman Florida

IMFL is on today and I'll be watching most of the on line coverage at Ironman.com like this with my face book page on as well as my Mile 141 chat page on and Ironman tracker stats update page on...

I have a bunch of friends from Mile 141 chat page doing the race today that I will be checking stats on all day. So far they all made it in from the swim portion as I write this, and now are on their bike for the long 180 km bike ride before heading out for the full 42 km marathon.

Kevin, Mitch, Marty,Clarence, Andrew, Lisa, Shelley Tim. I wish them all well and to have a fun and speedy day.

At the same time I'd like to wish some other friends doing another Iron distance race in North Carolina, The Beach to Battleship Iron distance race. Good luck my friends, Donnie, Lisa and Sue.

:)

Food Fit for a King!

When I don't feel like training I can always cook!


I took my training time this morning to cook a meal fit for ala king! Yes! Here is my version of Chicken Ala' King , without the king? lol

I'm taking today off training, ha ha? what training?

Tomorrow is the big show!! Ironman Florida, which starts at 8am eastern time. (Panama City beach is just over the time line and is one hour ahead of us.) and you can and I will catch the action at Ironman.com

As most know the winter Olympics are being held in Vancouver BC Canada this comming Feburary, and with news of this I was hoping to become a torch relay runner when the Olympic flame comes through Barrie. So last summer when I found out about being a Olympic torch relay runner I signed up in hopes to get the chance. Well rbc.com announced thier relay runners and I'm not on thier list. But there still is a chance I my become a torch relay runner!

The city of Barrie is having a big celebration with the torch coming through, and the City of Barrie has a committee to choose torch runners to carry the torch through the City for when it gets here Dec 29Th. and I may still have a chance to get picked for that. Here's hoping!

On the training front!!.....The weather is looking promising for this weekend so I might get out on the bike for a few hours, if not tomorrow, for sure Sunday.

:)

I Need motivation

With my wife back to work temporarily, the kids off to work, the house is quiet, and I'm all set to do more training but I can't seem to get motivated to train. Sure I ran 5 km yesterday on the treadmill and today biked 30min on the trainer, but I just have this blah feeling about me. It could be the weather? It's cool outside with the temperature hovering around 1C with intermittent rain and snow showers keeping me inside. It could be because the days are getting shorter? All I know is my next race the florida 70.3 at walt Disney world is 6 months away and I have to lose 50lbs by then. I need to get motivated! But How?

This Saturday is the Florida Ironman, I was hoping I could go down PC to visit and see some of my friends doing the race, but without a pass port I couldn't go down. Maybe that's my motivation problem? I'm sad I couldn't go down to PC Seeing a live event like Ironman would definitely pump me up an give me back my mojo to train! Hopefully watching it on line with do the same? I always enjoy watching the Ironman events on line.

I also have a few friends doing the Beach to Battle ship Iron distance race this Saturday. Maybe I lost my motivation knowing I couldn't go down to do that race this year? I talked earlier this year with Joanne about doing the race, but it fell though when Joanne lost her job.

I see a pattern here. I see a lot of let downs. Things I wished for, but could not have or do? No wonder I have no motivation to train now.

Lets hope after this weekends races I get inspired by my friends endeavors with following them though their day.

Lets hope I get pumped watching on line to get me raring to go and get out of this rut to train harder for a reason!

Lets hope I get the will to move forward to set out and achieve my goals for my Ironman Florida 70.3 race Next May being 50lbs lighter and to have the best Half Ironman race with the PR I'm looking for!

Lets just say we will see.

:)

New snowblower For Halloween

I had a busy day Saturday, first went to my moms for a visit and then received a surprise! My mom when back to Hungary a few weeks back to settle my grandma's estate, as my mom is the executor of my grandpa and grandma's will, but my grandpa is to sick to deal with the estate so my mom has to do all things dealing with the estate, things like paying there bills etc... Well my grandpa being to sick to go back to Hungary to pick up my grandma's pension asked my mom to go in his place, that and since my mom is executor for there estate and Grandma was my moms mom it's only right she go. Long story short, my Grandpa wanted the money divided up between the grand kids being my brother my sister and I and the rest for my mom.

So my surprise was an envelope with some money in it from my Grandma cutesy of my grandpa. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa. :)


Which brings me to my new toy! After our visit to my mom Joanne and I went to Canadian tire store. Canadian tire is a nation wide auto tire and hardware store. We were planing on buying a snow blower this year for some time now and with this extra cash we decided to make the purchase since they had snow blowers on sale this week. Yippee! no more shoveling!! Thanks Grandma, Grandpa.

So we get to the store and make the purchase for a 308cc 24inch auger with 6 forward gears and 2 reverse. a really nice machine, it even has a headlight! Well we had the sales guy put it on a cart and roll it down to cash, I then paid for it and started wheeling out to the car as if I was going to load it into my car? I knew It wouldn't fit, and when the cashier said if there is any problem loading it into my car just bring it back and we will hold it for you, and made a copy of the bill to use to hold it. I just nodded and said yes, good idea! all the while I knew I had a plan to get it home on my own!

I pushed the cart with the 200lb snow blower in the huge box out to the parking lot towards my car and told Joanne put the shovel we also bought in the car and drive home, I will push the snow blower home on the cart. ( which I wasn't really allowed to do as the cart is the stores property, but I planed on bring it back )

My house is approx 2.5 km away and most of the way home is up hill. So I pushed and pushed, sometimes running and jumping on the cart like a skate board and gliding. Some spots were ruff along the side walk, specially at street corners crossing the road, and on top of that it was really windy and I even got rained on a bit with some snow showers. But I finally made it home.

Just before getting home, I called Joanne on her cell phone she lent me in case I needed help on the way home to let her know I'm down the street so she can get some pictures on me.lol So here they are.....


Here I am rounding the corner to my house.


Here is the beast after un-creating and assembling.

Side view...

The first thing I did when I set the box in my garage was to get the cart back to the store. I took the handle off the cart and slipped both parts of the cart into my red car and drove back to the store. I reassembled the cart when I got to the store and wheeled it back into the store to the sales guy and said; Here you go thanks! and he said, did you really push the box home on the cart? and started laughing. I said yep! and he thanked me for bring the cart back.

When I got back home I unpacked the snow blower and tested her out. I filled her with gas and with one draw of the pull cord she started up!! I Can't wait for the first snow fall!! :)

After I put her away in the corner of the garage I had to cut the grass and did.

Next was to get ready for Halloween! I put Joanne's car in the garage out of the way of the kids coming to our front door. Joanne had candy at the ready in the front hall entrance and we were set!

5:30pm...Nothing, 5:45 still no one ? 6:00pm Whats' going on? 6:30pm just starting to get dark but still no kids? ..Finally 6:35pm our first kid! Whoot! and a cutie to boot, I would say he was 4yrs old and dressed like spider man. Then more started showing up slowly. We might have had 50 kids all night come to are door in total all night. I guess the neighbourhood is getting older now, I remember years ago where we would shell out over 400 candy bars? this year 50? It was still fun seeing the little ones and now I have tons of candy and chocolate left over for me! :)

Training totals.....

Swim...00000

Bike 2hours

run 17km

:)

I shot the kittens

I shot some pictures of the kittens when I got home last night after work.


This is Mocha. She was waiting outside my bedroom door wanting to get in to see our new family menbers when I came home. I had to scoot her away from the door so I could get into my bedroom.

When I walked into the room with my camera the kittens scooted under the bed. The kittens were frightened by me as they are not people oriented yet.

But I got them curious and out playing in no time.

The girls can't decide on what to call this guy? they originally wanted to call him the wizard of OZ, or OZ for short? but now they don't know? I like the name OZ so I'm going with that!

And this is ZOE. The girls had no problem with naming her.

I'm still not happy, even thou they are cute.

:)

Oh No! What a Catastrophe!!!

Well my knee's feel better today but still hurt, not enough to stop me from training today. Today I rode the trainer for a half hour followed by a 5 km run on the treadmill. I was no worse for wear and my knees held up.

Next....My daughters have been bothering me with getting some kittens. I told them I don't want any kittens. I said we already have Mocha our Siamese and our dog Amber which nobody looks after! why would we bring in more pets?

Roll back.......Victoria has a friend who's has an outdoor cat who is a slut. She has had lots of litters, and I think this is the second litter this year? Well Victoria's been going over almost every day looking after the kittens with her girlfriend, and last week Victoria's friend and family went away and Victoria was baby sitting them while the family was away. Through the week Victoria would take Joanne and Melissa over to see them, and when they come back they keep asking me if they could have a pair.

Present....This morning when I got up, my wife Joanne came home from shopping and has a bunch of kitten food a litter box and other supplies, then she "tells me" is it OK to bring home 2 kittens? As if I had a choice?! I'm not happy!

Now because of Mocha, Joanne tell me we have to keep the kittens in our room and their litter box in our on suite bathroom and keep our bedroom door closed all the time until we can slowly get the new kittens acquainted with Mocha so Mocha doesn't kill them......Hmmmm?? what if I leave the door open by accident? lol

Joanne tells me when I get home tonight it's ok to play with the kitten for a while if I want? As if!! ....I said to her, I can't guarantee that I won't step and squish one under my foot when I go to clean up in the bathroom! lol ..jokes I tell you! jokes! Grrrrrrrrrr!!!!

Oh did I mention I'm allergic to cats? Yes over the years, and I mean since we've been married which is 30 years come December, we have had cats in our home and I have had to put up with our animals with being stuffed up all the time and not being able to breath at night with the hopes that as soon as Mocha goes I would be free!!! don't get me wrong I love animals I'm just not so fond of cats, but I will tolerate them.

So tonight when I get home I will have to watch out for these 2 new members of the family when I walk into my bedroom, and when I see them, I will shoot them if I can!..... I mean shoot some pictures of them if I can, to post up on my blog. lol

Knee pain

I could barely walk this morning from the pain in my knees, so i passed on my run today.  Here's hoping tomorrow will be a better day.

Not much happening

Not much doing this week. I ran 5 km yesterday and today did a half hour steady spin on  the trainer with a 2 km brick run after on the mill.  

A run for fun and marriage

Pictures from yesterdays "Hatches run to the Altar"

At the coffee shop after the run.
Tim in the middle who is getting married today.

Tim and Mark started chatting with this 85 year old lady who was out for a walk and mentioned how Tim is getting married. Also asking her opinion on marrage. She was funny! she said after her divorce she was happy.lol But went on to say she wishes Tim the best.

Tim and Mark posing with the 85 year old lady.

Tim clowning around with Mark.

Some of the group coming in from the run.

Mark came prepared for a fun run.

chatting before the start of the run.

The story...

A friend of mine Tim Hatch is getting married today, he is one of my many tri friends from my tri club http://www.kempenfelttriclub.com/ So earlier in the week he decided to organized a run for Saturday morning and call it "Hatch's run to the Altar" for fun. So yesterday morning I set out to meet him and others at centennial beach down by the water front for 10:15, and as usual Tim was late, but that didn't faze us as we all know Tim and Tim is notorious for be late every where he goes.

There were about ten of us that showed up and we chatted until Tim finally arrived. It was a nice morning with warm temperatures for fall in around 14C so we stood around chatting and figuring out how far everyone want to run. Well Tim's time was limited in preparation of his wedding tomorrow so he said it will only be a short run around 45min. So off we went. Well I'm well out of my league with this group of runners as they are all good runners and I'm the fat slow guy who tags behind. They started off slowly and I kept up with them as we chatted as we ran. It seemed like I was the only one huffing and puffing but I kept up the trail, which is the same running route for the Barrie Triathlon. When we got to the turn around I turned around because I felt I was slowing down the group and they went on forward as I headed back to the parking lot where we started.

When I got back my knees were killing me and I had to wait around for the group so I decided to go into the cold waters of Kempenfelt Bay. I took off my shoes and socks and waded into the water up to my navel. The water was cool but the cool water felt great on my legs and sore knees. I stood there for about 5 min then came out and dried off and saw the group was coming back down the path. I quickly went back to my car and grabbed my camera to get pictures. After we chatted a bit in the parking lot Tim suggested we go for coffee's which we did before heading home.

It was a fun morning. I ran ruffly 5km the group ran probably 7km and the coffee was good! :)

The day continues....

One of Tim's friends Jamie who couldn't make the run in the morning had a plan for later Saturday Night where we were all to meet at a local bar to have sort of but not really a bachelor party. Jamie arranged reservation at the bar where we would meet and called it PICK ON TIM NITE. rather then call it a bachelor party. As usual I was the first one to arrive, because the meeting was set for 7:30 I was there 7:45 thinking others would be there already, but weren't. So I sat and ordered a pitcher of beer so when other arrived they would help themselves. people and friends started arriving as my waitress arrived with my pitcher of beer. Within the next half hour the table was full of friends and the fun was starting, but still no Tim? but we knew he would be late as usual.

Tim finally arrived at 8:30 right on time in his world.lol he was running late all day because of commitments in prep of his wedding the next day. Well we chatted, drank, watched the leafs hockey game which they lost again! drank more and chatted. It was a good time had by all with at least 20 or so of family and friends around the reserved corner of the Sports bar.

By the end of the night there were only 5 of us left including Tim and his best man and a couple of other friends and I. It was around 1am and we were ready to leave but Tim and his best man had no ride home, so I drove him and his best man home to Tim's house, and one of Tim's teacher friends home before I headed home myself.

I had a fun day, and I wish Tim and his bride a happy Wedding day and Married life. Good luck to them both.

Totals this week...

Swim..000

Bike 2hour

run 20km

:)

Joanne is back to work

Yes! I was right, the company offered Joanne a job site unseen and only by her resume and by a few good contacts giving her a great recommendation, but with a catch.

Again it will be an executive assistant starting on the November 2, but only for 6 to 8 weeks or until the end of December with a Government medical health and long term care organization as they are in the midst of reorganization, BUT! there is a good chance there will be a permanent position available come the new year or earlier for her. Lets hope! This couldn't come at a better time as Joanne's severance from her last job just ran out. Sweeeet.

Now I can plan on registering for Ironman Arizona for next year after this years race November 22. Come November 23 at noon AZ time, I will be at the ready to register on line. Woot!




:)

Running on Crappy knee's and Good news maybe.

I ran inside on the treadmill again because it's STILL RAINING!! which is OK I guess because it's warmer inside and it's freezing outside with the thermometer reaching for 4C and strong winds blowing today. I ran at a 10k/hour pace for a 30 min with no stopping. Yippee! But my left knee was hurting from the start and hurting worse when I finished. Boo! After I showered I packed my knee with ice for a while before heading off to work.

Good news, My wife may be getting offered a job! Yippee! There was a message left on our phone for Joanne to call back about a job and the way the message was addressed it sounded very promising!! I had to leave for work before Joanne could get back to the caller so i don't know whats going on yet? That! and just before I was leaving for work our TV cable line went dead, and our phone is hooked to the cable company lines now so it was dead to, as we are not connected with the mother Bell phone company anymore! So I don't know if Joanne was able to get back to the caller. I'll know more tomorrow.


:)

BAM!

TA DA! Good as new. : )

Mirror Mirror On my Red Car.....

Who has the coolest looking replacement red mirrored car?.........BAM! Just like that, my car mirror is fixed and it looks good as new! Wooo Hoooo! .....

Yesterday during my break at work I took off my broken mirror and mounted my new used mirror minus the plastic cap that was being painted to match my car. I decided to mount the used mirror to make sure the power controls work, and they did! I can see behind me again while driving! Yea Haw ! Everything was coming to plan! now all I needed was the painted cap and I'll be all set!

Joanne had left a message on a post it note on the kitchen table for me for when I got home from work. It said that the auto collision called and said my mirror cap was painted and ready for pick up.

So on my way to work today I went over to the auto collision place and picked up the newly painted cap. Checking it out for workmanship first. I was satisfied, so I slapped down my $113.00 got my receipt and ran out to my car to snap the piece into place right there and then! Woo! Hoo! now my car is complete again!! ....I am happy!! : )


No training today.

: )

Running and Raining

I ran my 5k today while it rained cats and dogs outside! ...Good thing I was in my basement on the treadmill. hee hee hee.

My knees were really hurting this morning, I guess because of the weather my arthritis is acting up more. So I was debating whether to run or not.

I finally drummed up the courage and got my run gear on and went outside to start my stretch. Then It happened! It started to rain. Well there is no way I'm starting my run in the rain. So I go inside and tell Joanne my run has been canceled. she asked why? i said because it's raining. She said why don't you go down stairs and use the treadmill like I do? I said why don't I? I didn't think of it?!? Duh! :0

So I went down to run. What a difference it is running the mill. I ran non stop for the full 5k with no knee or back pain. I ran longer time wise putting in 34min running the 5km, but at a slower pace, but what a difference! I could have run longer to as my legs were feeling fine. I guess the difference is the give and bounced on the mill, as opposed to out door running along the sidewalk not giving way, where all my weight is being forced down on my knees and back. Maybe i should do more mill work until my weight comes down?


:)

Nice day for a bike ride

I took advantage of another nice day with the sun shining and little wind. The temperature was hovering around 15C So I went out and rode an hour today with an average of 30kph.

After my ride I went out to a local Auto collision place before heading to work to get an estimate on what it would cost to paint my mirror. The guy I talked with quoted me $100.00 $60 for labor the rest for paint and materials, so I said deal! He took down my info and car info to colour match the piece and said it should be done no later then Thursday, but maybe as early as tomorrow. I said great! :)



: )

New used Mirror

Here is what my mirror looks like on my new red Cobalt.

Here is my new used mirror I picked up yesterday at the wreckers. You see how the gray doesn't match my red car.


And of course the new used mirror has a mirror that works! can you see me now?

All I have to do is get it painted then I can install it.

: )

I ran 5k this morning, still having back issues. I did some core to help the back issues.  Running sucks! 

In other news....

My driver side mirror was broken a few weeks ago while I was at a friends party and I finally went to the dealer to see what it would cost to replace it. The parts service guy looked up the part and quoted me $350.00 for the mirror, $130.00 to paint it the colour  to match my car, (As all mirrors come in black from the factory and my mirror was black and red.) and about $100.00 labour to install. I said thanks and left.

So on my way to work today I decided to stop off at the car wreckers to see if they have a replacement mirror for my red cobalt, they had one but it was black and gray. I said fine how much? he said $85.00 I said thanks I'll take it. I figure I can replace the mirror easy enough myself, but first I'll have to paint it, so tomorrow I'll go back to the dealer and tell them I need to touch up some spots on my car and see if they can give me a sample of red paint to match my car.

So for one fifth of the price to pay to the dealer, I'll fix my own mirror. And if all goes well, I'll have saved myself over $400.00 fixing my car myself.  :)


:)

Another busy Sunday

I basically was just puttering around all day doing this and that. I put new brake pads on my sons car. I put up two new shower heads in two of our bathrooms. Melissa's water bed sprung a leak so she went out to buy a new bladder for her bed, so I drained the bed and refilled the new bladder. After all my work I went for a bike ride and got more brain freeze from the cold wind. After all was said and done I BBQ's some burgers and relaxed the rest of the evening.


Weekly totals...

Swim...0000

Bike...60k

Run...15k

Carpet cleaning , Biking and moving!

So much happened today! and I am beat! Where to start?

First I cleaned the carpets upstairs in Chris's old room, ( Chris move down to the new basement apartment) ...The I cleaned the carpet in the foyer. then I cleaned the carpet downstairs living room, hall and den. My back is more sore then after running my Chi 5k!! After that I went for a quick 1hour ride outside as it was gorgeous outside! (But only if you were standing around!) It was sunny and no wind and felt great! So I go in my riding shorts and long sleeve shirt. I went out and it felt great until I peddled up some speed! Dame!! It was cold!! By the time I got back my knees were numb from cold and I had a brain freeze between the eyes, like when you eat Ice cream to fast! ( I wasn't wearing a hat)

Earlier in the day I went shopping and picked up some pork rib that were on sale. I baked them in the oven first while I went on my bike ride, and when i came back I threw them on the BBQ. Like I said I had some brain freeze going on! and as I was BBQ'ing I realized I hadn't changed yet! Yes I was still in my bike shorts and T- shirt BBq'ing! ( took off my long sleeve shirt that I had on over top) Oh well !!

Well the BBQ ribs were done perfect! and I finally changed.

Then came the hard work! Once the carpets were dry, ( I had fans blowing on them to dry them fasts) I moved the furniture from the basement up into Chris's old room and moved other furniture back into our living room and other furniture here and there! Whew!! What a day!!

Tomorrow still more work!

:)

Another Chi run

Another 30:00min 5k Chi run today, and my back isn't happy. My legs/quads were fine this time, but I had to back off my run and stop many times to loosen my back. I see it's going to take some time and maybe some weight loss in my mid section before my back issue subsides. I did do some core work last night but I think I need to do more ? ;)


: )

Running chi waa waa

Yesterday I tried something different. I read about chi running and mid foot running, running more efficiently, etc. ...So I thought I would give it a try to see if I can do it, or if it's any easier. Well all I can say is I now know why it's called "chi running?" because after you run! you say; Chi that was hard on my quads!!

All kidding aside, I can see how in time this method of running will suit me. It's just a matter of time and getting used to the leaning forward and running more on the mid foot. I had to stop about 5 times along the way because my back was hurting and my quads were burning from not being used to this running style. My quads are stiff today because of of it, but like all new workouts, you are always stiff the next couple of days after using new muscle groups.

I was also using a Heart rate monitor to keep track of my bpm. I kept my hr at or around 140-150bpm the whole way, as the chi method is supposed to be a more relaxed run with less effort. And to my surprise even with all the stopping, I managed 30:00min on my 5k run.

I will give this chi running a few more tries to see if it really works.

So with less effort, running more efficiently and running on my mid foot? Who knows? My running may get better. .....Only time will tell.

Oh! and I may have to do more core workouts to help out my back on my runs. ;)

You can find out more about Chi Running here... http://www.chirunning.com/shop/home.php


:)

Happy Birthday Chris

Chris, my son turned 21 today!!

Happy Birthday, I hope you have a great day, and I love you, you're a good son. :)

First indoor bike ride

I did my first indoor bike ride on my trainer today. Boy! was it boring! and i only did it for 30 min!! I only did 30 min to test out the waters so to speak? and build up my time and effort on the bike gradually before doing a full workout. For now it's just keeping up my base. My real bike training will start in the new year and I'm dreading the long winter sitting on my bike and spinning away for hours in preparation for my Ironman Florida 70.3 race in May.



:)

Turkey Time

Just enjoying the day with the family, food and drink!

I had a busy day cooking, but it was all worth it! :)



Here I am with a nice glass of red wine. Ya I know it's suppose to be white wine with fowl, but both Joanne and I like red wine better, and it's better for you. :) The turkey was cooked to perfection!

There is nothing like Penguin on the BBQ! lol...Really it's a honey glazed ham. Yum!
A little of everything on my plate. ( Sweet potato, candied carrots, cream peas, hash brown Au gratin, stuffing white and dark meat turkey, and honey glazed ham......Yum!!

The family waiting for me to take a picture so we can eat!

Chris decided he wanted whipped cream in his wine.lol

Chris toasting his whipped cream wine drink.....yes he drank it and said it was good! ...Blah!

Back to training tomorrow,..........Burrrrrp!!


:)

Happy Thanksgiving.

The basement bedroom is finished!! I cut in and laid the new carpet down, and before the glue was dry Chris started moving in, hehe.

View of his entertainment center..... Opposite view of the room and Chris getting his bedding together....

View from his bed. The carpet looks good and smells fresh! not like the old stinky one I had down before....

And around the corner of his room where I'll be building the rec room is Joanne working out on the treadmill, and looking good!! Look at the flat stomach and those abs!!

And having a good time running

Today I will be, or I should say, I am cooking the Turkey. I also have a ham that I will cook out on the BBQ and preparing all the fixings of Hash brown Au gratin, sweet potatos, (yams) veggies, cream peas and salad. And for desert pumpkin pie with whip cream. Mmmmmm Mmmm Mmmmm.