A Return to Fitness Ridge ....

Well, I returned yesterday to Utah for two full weeks and have just finished my first hike.
I'm glad I'm back and have entered into this particular session with veteran eyes and less anxiety.  Though my weight has not changed much, my fitness level is vastly improved and that showed today on the hike.
We did the Black Brush hike and the incline was steep and rocky.  I will post pictures later tonight.
Right now I have to get going to the next class.
Glad to be back.

Well...it's not even a trot actually!

I can't believe that a month has passed since I lastwrote. I guess I am guilty of writing in my mind and therefore neglect putting fingers to keyboard.  **heavy sigh**

So...the June half marathon is coming quickly and I feel ill prepared to do it.
I'm wondering really if anyone who is a first timer actually feels ready and fully trained. I imagine that regular skilled runners do, but I'm such a non-runner!

Today I did 9.8 KM (6.08 miles) but it took me forever!!  I only have four hours to complete 20km/13 miles or they take you off the course. That would be my saddest moment let me tell you....
So...my total run/walk today took me 1 hour 45 mins. I really need to speed it up or risk not finishing.
I was thinking about what I said about "trotting" and decided that I actually "shuffle"...a trot is too fast. lol

I know that I have 5 weeks to continue training and I'm actually confident that I will complete it as I feed off the other runners energy and the excitement of the day.

So...to help me with my training I'm in the process of making an appt with a sports guy. It's kinda funny actually because I won the free consultation so I see this as a sign that a little professional advise would be helpful.  I'll let you know how it goes.

My main issues with running is the discomfort (pain?) I feel in my hips and glutes. You'd think that I have the tightest ass in town from the muscle tightness that I feel, but alas it's just a residual affect from my running form.
Glutes are relatively easy to stretch out after you run but its during that bothers me! and hips...yeah...same thing.  I'll let you know what the pro says. Maybe I'm not stretching enough or warming up properly. Again...I'll let you know what happens.

It is funny how life just goes on.  I was supposed to be at Fitness Ridge starting next week but had to cancel and rebook....the timing just wasn't there. I will be going for two full weeks in October and am very much looking forward to it (and the break away from my reality). 
Since being at FR last Nov/Dec, I feel like I haven't been at home much. Lots of vacations, travel and thousands of excuses to not to eat well or excercise diligently!!
There's always a Monday coming so I could start then...right?
Well...it is now always Monday and while I continue my training and learning I'm actually excited and hope that I do OK at this half-marathon so that I can sign up for another.
Believe me...I wouldn't be running (shuffle walking:-D) if I hadn't signed up and made this commitment to complete this run. 
Alas, I think I'm beginning to whine. I shall write more later.

Half Marathon Training

So I am currently training for the Half Marathon that is taking place in June in Seattle Washington.
I signed up with my Fitness Ridge roomie Eve. She is an experienced runner and this will be my first run over 10km...and I'm a bit nervous.

So a half marathon is a bit of an insane task I'm thinking.  But...the training has kept me on task for fitness.

I have not regained the weight that I lost at Fitness Ridge but neither have I dropped any more.

My eating habits are simply atrocious! Not so my exercise...that is the main thing that keeps me going.

For my half marathon I am running (well--trotting really--no long stretched out run for this girl--not yet anyways) three days per week and trying to cross train three days per week.  The only thing that keeps me going is the commitment to the race and knowing that if I don't train that I'll be in real trouble.
I don't want to totally embarass myself come race day and I can back out becuz I've commited to another person, paid my fee and booked a hotel!  Gotta do it now!!

I have run 10km distances before with my fastest time being just over one hour.
(I should also say that I don't necessarily "run" the whole distance but usually do 10 min jog then one minute walk).
Becuz it's been such a long time since I blogged about Fitness Ridge I thought I'd start blogging about my run.
I am returning to FR in October of this year for two weeks and with 50 pounds still to lose, I gotta get 'er in gear.
Will write more later.

$100 Discount...I got one!

I'm so stoked that I rec'd a $100 discount because someone mentioned my name when they made a reservation at Fitness Ridge.
I know that may not sound very exciting to many but alas in my small world it is simply awesome and I know that I helped someone save $100!!
How awesome is that?!

So if you're in the process of booking you too can save $100 just by mentioning my name as a referral...
Faye Arcand!
Thanks and Enjoy your day.

The Walker Wave....

On most mornings you can find me either walking or jogging along the Eastside of Skaha Lake.  I've gotten into the habit of waving at all the cars/drivers that come towards me.  I just raise my hand and give a little friendly wave.  I would say that 95% wave back...

The main reason for doing this is to be seen and so to have a recognizable sign from the driver is great.  Some are going so fast that when they catch my hand movement...it slows them down. YAY! and/or it gives them pause to take a little wider berth around me.

But...if you see me and I wave don't expect me to actually know who you are because I don't acutally "look" to see if you wave:-) 

Lesson of the Day: if you see someone walking/running/biking along the side of the road...give them a little wave and let them know that you see them.

Back to Reality....

Well, I'm now home and back to the reality of laundry, school, work and whatever other responsibility that falls at my feet.
I had the best vacation and really relaxed and enjoyed myself.
It is interesting though because I find it very difficult to exercise while on vacation.
I took my shoes and work out clothes and had a wee chat with myself about working out....I even took my Polar and was set to monitor where I was calorie wise.
Well....I didn't do anything. Even when I had plenty of time and opporutnity I couldn't force myself to go. Tomorrow morning I as so looking forward to strapping on the shoes and hitting the pavement.
I guess my brain basically says that while on vacation it is total downtime...I would really like to change this though because it doesn't seem very healthy and I really don't want to have that "all or nothing" attitude that can be so destructive.
I gained six pounds over the last two weeks by sitting around (actually lazing around) and eating what ever the heck I felt like eating. I feel crappy...bloated and fat.
Why do I do that to myself.  I have no answers and can only chose to make better choices for tomorrow.
See...now that I'm home I won't have any trouble exercising or eating better...I really seem to get a sense of entitlement while on vacation and really binge for the whole time.
Not good.
Not Healthy.
I guess the one difference this time is that I did (once in a while) make some wiser choices and also just the fact that after the vacation I can actually acknowlege the behaviour.  Who is it that says..."you can't change what you don't acknowlege..."??  Cuz that is very, very true and I really do need to look at that and do my best to change it.
So tomorrow is another fresh day and one I'm looking forward to.
Gotta love home.

So...did the wheels fall off????

A simple answer is YES.
Dang. Being on vacation is difficult. It was my intention to work out everyday and eat "smart"...well...It definately has been a challenge and sometimes just a total disaster.
On this trip I figured out the trick to a perfect pina colada...add vanilla ice cream! OMG...then try and have just one. Not gonna happen.
You'll be glad to know tho that I did drink my rum and coke with diet coke and of course added a healthy dose of really super duper fresh lime (that counts as a fruit serving--doesn't it??)
And then today...for breakfast no less...I ate a whole bag of Doritos.
It's like a run away train!!
I have to laugh tho because I don't feel out of control at all. I feel very relaxed (and the pina coladas and rum and coke can't take all the credit!) and I also feel like in some cases I've totally let things go (as above), but in others I've made very good choices. Like the other day when we were driving to the South of the island, we stopped at a convenience store to use the restroom.  When I came out I grabbed a bottle of water and when I was waiting in line I saw a woman ahead of me sucking on a slurpee....oooohhhhh it looked so good. I almost put the water back and replaced it with a slurpee and then actually gave my head a shake and stuck with the water.  Later I sort of patted myself on the back for making that better choice.
You know, we have to live life and life is not lived in a gym or by totally denying thing/food in your life.
We are here in Hawaii for such a short time and I'm not the least bit worried about getting back on track when I get home.
 Routine is a wonderful thing for weight loss and I'll fall back into mine when I get home.
Just so you know....we've also kept fairly busy during this vacation.
Spending all day splashing in the waves with a boogie board is not only fun but also great exercise and then yesterday we went snorkling all day....awesome!  So while I may have strayed from my exercise and diet regime, it's all good and I'm sure that a day or two after getting home, I'll get rid of this full/bloated feeling and get back on track.
Aloha.