Monday, February 24, 2014

Need Me Some Vitamin D!

Winter is a fact of life in many parts of the world, and here it feels like it lasts longer every time it comes around.

To be honest, I dread January through March. Everyone seems to be getting ready to go to some warm destination, or is coming back with a vacation tan. While I am happy for them, there is a small, petty part of me that is so jealous. I find I can muster no sympathy for their vacation preparation stress, nor can I empathize with their post-vacation blues.

The sun is shining bright here today. Too bad the windchill is sitting around -40*C. Not exactly comfortable to go out and get a little vitamin D.....I'm just not that hardcore.

Casual employee life is also not all I thought it would be. I love the job, when I'm there. I was so excited to be working for the entire month. That didn't happen. Had a couple weeks part-time, then things changed (the gal that was away came back from her trip early). I do work some hours this week, so I'm glad. *sigh* I must remind myself this is an investment in the future. I worry that I'll never become proficient in my position at this rate though. (Patience,patience.....must be patient.)

On the brightside, all this free time I've got, I'll be able to train for the races we have coming up. Need to start working on my mileage for the Seawheeze Half, and it looks like we'll be "Trying a Tri" at a nearby triathlon in the spring. Fingers crossed the snow is gone by June!


Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Jumping off the Bandwagon, I'd Rather Walk

Nearly half-way through February. Did you make a resolution for 2014? Have you fallen (or jumped) off the proverbial bandwagon?
I gave up on making hard (impossible) resolutions a long time ago. Promising to change things that have been a part of me since forever, it's just an invitation for feeling like a failure and self-flagellation.
Let's take the usual resolutions: Lose weight and exercise.
Both are great, right? Then, why is it, most folks have thrown in the towel by this point?
I have a couple of ideas (don't I always?)
*Biggest Loser Mentality:  love it or hate it, you've seen the show. The contestants lose ridiculous amounts of weight on a public stage.  Unattainable for the real world. I think that logically, a lot of people know that.  Still, somehow, we expect that exercising a few times a week and eating some salad will net us the same results.

*All or Nothing:  guilty here. If I make a "bad choice" then why bother grabbing those veggies or drinking that water?  Didn't exercise on Tuesday, might as well wait until Monday to start again. All food is good food (it's all about the quantity), and even 15 minutes of movement  is beneficial (not every workout needs to be an hour long, all out "beast-mode"  session).

Is it really that simple? Perhaps. I hate to think that to live as a strong and healthy individual I need to wrap myself up in a web of rules set out by a new fad diet every month.
So, while I may not be a size envied by most, I'm working on loving the skin I'm in while I'm focusing on my goals. Getting strong, being healthy, and training for the Seawheeze Half Marathon Baby!

Ultimately, I want my kids to remember their mom as someone who worked hard and smiled....not a woman who continually chased an idea that was unhealthy, and never meant to be. 

Why I'm Not Attending my High School Reunion

(I copied this from my other blog site, not loving it over there.)

I’m not sure what happened, but, somehow, we  have come round to the 20th anniversary of my high school graduation.
When I was in school, waiting to turn 20 seemed like an eternity. Now, I find, 20 years has blown by. And,folks…..I do not feel nearly old enough to be marking this milestone.
My denial of years passing has nothing to do with not going back for the reunion.
When I first heard that some old classmates were organizing  a little something  to commemorate our high school days, I thought: “Well, that’s nice. Maybe I’ll make the trip”
In the back of my mind, I also knew that my Fabulous Running Buddy and I were hoping to get in to the #Seawheeze Half Marathon in Vancouver.
2 reasons to travel this summer.  I was pretty sure I couldn’t manage both.
So. I chose the race.
Some background:
I only went to my high  school for 2 years. I only lived in that town for 3 years of school before I graduated. I got married and left town 2 years after graduation.  (5 years all told,if anyone was adding it up)
I don’t really have roots there. My  parents moved away over  5 years ago. (Although my sister is living there again).
While it would be fun to visit, and there are some people I’d really like to see, one trip is the limit. If I could manage going twice, I probably would.
I have some good memories of my time there, and some not-so-good memories (As  I’m sure most people do about those years). I was hardly someone that would be well remembered by the majority.
I hope everyone who goes has a wonderful time. I hope they all laugh and reminisce about those “Good old days”.
Me, I’m really looking forward to making the trip in August. I can’t wait to see the mountains again, the water (both ocean and lake). I’m so excited to see my sister, her mister and their Littles (I haven’t met the kiddos yet). Taking the kids there after so many years (7) will be fantastic for them as well. And the race of course! Our second Half Marathon! It’s going to be a good trip, if all goes according to plan.
There are some troubles that might be brewing, but, we’ll sort it out. Things have a way of coming together if you want it bad enough.
And hey, it’s 2014….an even number. My favourite kind.