Yogalates and Steamy Fartleks = 1 GREAT Wednesday!

Today at lunch, on my mission to up my cross training beyond that of just yoga, I started a weekly yogalates class.  I know, it is still quite yoga-esque but, what can I say, I love yoga and the feeling of wonderful self-absorbed happiness that follows a great practice. 

Anyway ... yogalates, or Yoga Fusion as the class I am taking is called, is more 'lates' and less 'yoga'.   My shoulders are unexpectedly sore and my abs are quietly humming now in what I expect will turn into a yell later today.  We used weights and resistance bands and I learnt that yoga blocks can be used for torment as well as assistance: think V Sit Ups perched on a block.  All things considered, I think I am going to love yogalates!

Traffic Light by grendelkhan on Flickr

Also on the books for this afternoon is a 7km fartlek experience.  A steamy 7km fartlek experience. The humidity in Ottawa today is something ridiculous like 38 degrees. It looks like the sky is bursting at the seams trying not to rain.  Gross.   But AWESOME as it will make our effort count so much more!  I used to dislike fartleks until, as is common I find in most things hard about running, I had a euphoric moment of insanity last week while chasing a 20-something fast boy.  I felt like I was a child again chasing a playmate down the road.  Pedestrians, accurately, looked at us like we were nuts.  Cars swerved out of the way as we barreled full tilt towards them and I just didn't care, I wanted to beat that boy to the next corner so badly!  Or the traffic light on the next block.  Or wherever the next place was that we had yelled to race to.  I never did beat him but I know he had fun too, staying just out of reach, it was uber fun!  I'm really looking forward to tonight :)

So far, my first week of focused 20lb killing is going great ...

Take that 20lbs ... you gotta go!!!

Sears Great Canadian Run - The Relay to End Kids Cancer - 100KM

On October 5th, I will be participating in the Sears Great Canadian Run - The Relay to End Kids Cancer.  

My team, 'Dylan's Divas' has chosen to run the 100km route.  While I don't know anyone on the team, I am excited for the day.  We are all runners and we are all there to support a very important cause.  I only know how it feels to watch a parent die of cancer; I can not even begin to comprehend the horror of watching your own child fighting cancer.

In my time working at CHEO, I was often heart broken watching the children who were obviously impacted by cancer playing in the yard.   Their bodies were under such attack and yet they played with the glee that only children can muster under such circumstances.  It really isn't fair.

If you are free on October 5th, consider coming out and cheering us on, volunteering, or, if you are able, supporting our team (or, you could even join us) ... no amount of assistance is too little.  The link below gives all the details and will also introduce you to our team's number 1 reason for running, Dylan.

Samantha's Personal Page

Blogger Fail ... but let the marathon training begin

Well ... I know ... I stopped writing in here for much too long.   I'm having an adventure crisis though as we can't decide what to do next!  The world is, quite simply, too rich with adventure possibility.
On our must-do list at the moment we have: scuba diving live-aboard in the Galapagos, diving trip to Little Cayman, get our ice diving cert. somewhere and also, pre-Galapagos & Little Cayman, get our nitrox cert.  Clearly our adventure planning has really taken a focus on scuba diving!

Beyond scuba diving, my running continues.  In fact, I have registered for my first ever marathon at the Ottawa Race Weekend in May, 2014!  Eek.  I had a training plan in mind that would put me at this point in about 3 years from now ... but, like most other things that I feel challenged to do (someone said I wouldn't run a marathon 1 year and change ago and that was when and why I started running in the first place), I've grabbed this one by the horns and jumped right in.  

This has created an interesting reduction in fear that I was experiencing for the 30km Around The Bay Road Race that I am also registered for in March, 2014.  This race has been creating anxiety since I registered months and months ago.  The tales of the final hill have created many a nightmare.   But now, with a 42.2 in the plans, the 30k has moved into a happier part of my mind.  I wonder if this could be a fear-management strategy - always register for something scarier!!!

Anyway, my reason for starting this train of thought was to ask how people manage to run 5 times a week AND cross train?  I do know the answer though - scheduling - but I felt like asking it anyway!

Another thought, I can see this blog becoming a mush of adventure travel and running training which might break the #1 rule of blogging - stick to one topic.  But then, what if my ultimate goal for running training is to be able to comfortably complete marathons in amazing tropical destinations.   I think I answered my own question - new goal identified.

And last but not least ... I have a new goal to always look better in finishing photos than this one from my first 1/2 marathon this spring!  I don't know why I am sharing it, but it is the best pic I have from that race.

(& I am working on sorting through the 100GB of photos we have from Kili and will eventually post a link and a lessons learnt post on here ... I am sorry for the delay)