I Wanna Run...

OMG - I actually want to run!  This just came up over me.  My foot is not ready yet though.  I caught the tram to work today so I have walked 2 kms this morning and I will walk that again tonight.  The foot is okay, as in it is not hurting but I can 'feel' it if that makes sense.  My legs are greatly improved from yesterdays garden soreness, and this mornings walk was great.  I haven't done that in weeks and gee I can feel the difference.

But I want to run again.  I need to let this heal though.  Our hike is in 2 months (a bit less actually) and this injury has seriously gotten in the way of training.  I need to walk as much as possible in the next couple of weeks so I can hit some hill training in the lead up.  Otherwise we won't be going until next year.  :o(

So the goal for the next 7 days is to walk every day.  Even if it is just 2 kms in the morning and 2 at night.  I have to walk.  Butt kicking is required if i don't do it.  :o)

xox

It's Friday!

No Running Group again last night.  My Achilles is still sore.  Not painful agony kinda sore, more annoying.  But it gets worse when I run.  So I skipped last night.  This morning it is really tight.  If it is okay next week I'll go back.  If not I might wait another term before rejoining the group, but will run on my own when the pain has gone.  I am too slow to jump back in part way through the term.  I can't afford a doctor/physio/podiatrist or whatever the hell I need, so I am going to let it heal the old fashioned way.  Time and rest.

So instead last night I plugged in the laptop and got stuck into some writing.  I have finished the first draft of another children's book.  I am not sure about this one.  I will keep working on it, but it may not get to the publishers.  I love the concept I have come up with, but am really unsure about the way I have put it together.  I might need to put it aside and come back to it fresh in 6 months or so.

I have also done a couple more chapters of the novel.  I am now working on chapter 6.  It is interesting, my writing tutor said once that as soon as you get to about 7000 words, you start revising in your head and wanting to go back and change things.  I am up to about 10,000 words and that is exactly what I want to do. but she also said not to.  She said if you get bogged down in editing the first few chapters you will never finish the first draft.  So I am just plowing ahead and trying to get everything down.  I am actually a little stunned I am as far through as that.  I didn't expect to get there so quickly.  But it is going well and I am enjoying the process.

Tomorrow I have another Tarot workshop.  I am really looking forward to it.  I haven't done as much practice as I should have to prepare for it, but that's life.

Nothing else planned for the weekend.  Hope you all have a good one.

xox

No Running Group

I skipped Running Group last night.  David wasn't going to be there, I was tired, I was still head-achey from Wednesday (had the day off work, was feeling sick), and I had a bubbly tummy that I felt sure was going to turn into 'toilet runs' (which it did).

So I decided to drive to Ross's work and surprise him for dinner.  He was stunned to see me walk through the door, and very happy.  I got to meet some more of his work mates and we headed off to have dinner together.  I miss him a lot now that he works Thursday nights and weekends, so it was really nice to spend that half hour with him.

I have a busy day at work today.  I have next Monday & Tuesday off so I have to get a lot of next weeks stuff done today.  Thankfully I got all of Wednesdays stuff caught up yesterday (we are slow at the moment so it isn't too hard to catch up).  I don't have any plans for my days off.  Ross is working Saturday, Sunday and Monday, but we will try and do something on Tuesday.  I'll go for a couple of runs, some rides, I need to go to the library, plus I have Book Club on Sunday.

I am really looking forward to Book Club, mainly because I did not like the book we read at all (Lunch in Paris by Elizabeth Bard), so it should create some interesting discussion.  Last month we all really enjoyed the chosen book (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson) so while the discussion was lively it was all positive.  I am kinda thinking the men may not have enjoyed this book so much either so I am really hoping for a good juicy morning.  :o)

Nothing else happening here.  Thanks everyone for getting involved with Question Day again yesterday.  It is great to see everyones answers.

xox

I did it

I did it.  I actually followed through on what I said I was going to do and went for a run last night.  I walked to the start of my 2km stretch then shuffle-ran most of the first km.  I turned and took turns doing proper-running and walking.  I think I only ran about 400m of that km, but I tried to really stride out and do it properly.  The new shoes felt great.  I need new socks though.  My ankle socks rolled down a bit and got uncomfortable.  I have some better ones somewhere, I'll have to dig them out.

Although it still was not a great run, I have decided to stop being so angry at myself over the break and losing the fitness.  I can't change it, all I can do is work hard to fix it.

I have also sent myself back to Calorie King to start tracking food again.  Last time I lost all the weight I got super-obsessed and I am determined not to go back to that again.  But I do need to track the food.  At least for a while until I get myself back into some sort of control again.

That's it from me today - nothing too earth shattering.  Hope you're having a great hump-day!

xox

Dinner with Mel

Last night Ross & I were lucky enough to have dinner with the amazing Mel from Tri Hard to Triathlete.  We went to Montezumas.  Vego options for me and Ross and meat for Mel.  :o)  It was such a fun evening.  It was so amazing to hear Mel talk about her HIM training and events, as well as her preparation for the full IM next year.  If you think she's inspiring to read, you should talk to her!

I did get a minor butt kicking.  She was very gentle about it, but the butt kicking was there, nonetheless.  I have a lot to think about.  I know that everything she said was spot on, but I need to absorb and integrate it.  Mel, I will take a lot of it on board, I just need to do it in my time.  :o)

Tonight I am off for my 2nd run.  I promised the coach of the Start Running Group that I would do 2 runs between each Thursday session.  I have my new sneakers here - look, I have 'pinked' them up.

And I will head off from here before going home.  The plan is - walk to my 2km start point, shuffle-run the first km, turn around and alternate proper running with walking on the way back.  I'll report in tomorrow.

This weekend the plan is to do the detox I was talking about last month.  It is a 7-day detox and is based on eating whole unprocessed foods for a week.  It's dairy-free (no cheese :o( ), caffeine-free, alcohol-free, meat-free, gluten-free, processed-foods-free.  I will sit down over the next couple of days and plan what I will eat, then start either Thursday or Friday.

xox

Muffins and Sneakers

Friday night I bought new sneakers.

I spent way more than I could afford, so hopefully they are good strong solid sneakers.  I went to Athletes Foot and got measured.  I was quite prepared to walk out if they did not listen to me, being a fat person claiming to be a runner you would be amazed at how people refuse to listen, but the girl was great.  She measured me for womens and mens shoes (I have very wide feet) and did the fit print thingy.  I told her I did not want anything with arches in hem as my feet are half a size different so the arch always sits in the wrong spot in one foot.  Rather than telling me "You need arch support" like I usually get she said "fine".

We picked a few pairs to try on, all different brands.  I picked the Asics - the most expensive of all the pairs I tried unfortunately.  But they felt really good.  I got a mens 9 1/2.  The last pair I was sold were a mens 11 - no wonder my feet have been flopping around for the last 6 months!

Note to self - don't shop at Rebel Sport again, stick with Athletes Foot.

After shopping I met up with Ross, Em, and Bryan for a wander and some dinner.  Ross and I both got a vegie focaccia.  We have this same thing most times in the city, but for some reason Friday night it was gross.  Neither of us finished it.  And we both ended up with diorreah Saturday and part of Sunday.... 

Note to self - never get that again.

So the weekend plans of yoga and a long ride got swept away with tummy pains and trips to the loo.  I did some baking though (when the diorreah subsided obviously) and made my famous Honey Oat Cookies and a new Muffin recipe.

Marbled Choc Chip Muffins.  Vanilla muffin mix with choc chips and choc muffin mix all combined.  Delish!

This afternoon I took the sneakers out for a run.  The sneakers did great - I did shit.  I am still really mad at myself for losing so much running fitness that I worked so hard to build up.  I struggled.  I alternated between walking, and my usual shuffle-run, and actual running.  I felt horrid.  Uncoordinated, and heavy footed, and breathless, and just bleh.  The sneakers did great.  My feet were a bit sore towards the end because these shoes are so much firmer than my old ones, but I am guessing they will get used to it.  But I could not get into a rhythm.  I struggled with my breathing.  And I felt awful.  Definitely no runners high today.  Hopefully Tuesdays run will be better,

Tomorrow night I am catching up with Mel for dinner.  I am sure she will kick my self-pitying butt.  :o)

xox

Back to Start Running

Thanks so much for everyone for participating in my Question Day yesterday.  It was a lot of fun for me to read everyone's replies.  I'm going to do it every Thursday.

Now, I don't really like to gripe and be negative on here.  I am trying to create a positive uplifting place.  But I have to have a gripe today...

If you are an accomplished runner, one who can already run 5kms at a decent pace, or who runs several times a week for an hour at a time - DON'T JOIN A START RUNNING GROUP AND MAKE EVERYONE ELSE FEEL LIKE CRAP!

Ok, I feel better now.  10 people turned up for the start of Term 3 of Start Running.  2 of us had been there before but not completed the 10 week block due to injury/illness.  Three were new to running but already had a reasonable amount of fitness.  One had been a runner but had had a year off.  And 4 were good runners and I want them to leave...  There is an intermediate running group going at the same time - these people should be in that.  But it's not up to me.

Anyway, as it was the first week we just did some laps of the path near the YMCA where we meet.  The path is a 1.3km there and back loop.  The group did it 3 times, I did it 2.5 times.  I have lost SO much running fitness.  I really thought the increases I have made on the bike would offset the lack of running, but no such luck.  I tried keeping up with the group on the first lap as we started "slow" (or David's definition of slow anyway).  I managed about 300 metres before my lungs felt like they were going to explode.  As a group we alternated between walking and running, but I just couldn't keep up - again.

I am really angry at myself for stopping and letting myself lose so much fitness.  I have not really had an excuse.  A few little injuries but nothing that should have kept me away for this long.  I am so disappointed in myself.  I had a chat with David - the leader of the group - and he said that I have improved before and I can do it again, I just have to be willing to put the work in.  Which is 2 runs in the week, plus Start Running on Thursday nights.  I need to get myself a pair of sneakers that actually fit.  And I need to just suck it up and get out there, even if it is 4 degrees and raining.

So I am going to take this anger and disappointment and turn it into something positive.  I am going to run twice a week in between the Group.  I am going to ride.  I am going to find a yoga class to join to work on my flexibility.  And above all - I am going to STOP EATING SO MUCH CRAP!!!!!

There, I said it.  No more crap.  I am not as fit as I thought I was, and I am not as healthy as I thought I was.  And the time to change things is now.

xox

Don't forget, just a few days left in the Photo Card Give Away.  Make sure you tell me your favourites.

xox

Night Hike

Last night Ross & I went on a night hike through Shepherds Hill Recreation Park.  Ross picked me up from work and we headed from here.  When we were about 10 minutes away from the park, it started to absolutely bucket down.  But we decided to do at least a 20 minute hike no matter what.  Unfortunately (or fortunately) we missed the turn off to the entrance and had to do a big loop (in peak hour traffic) to get back to it.  By the time we got back there the rain had stopped.  :o)

I was really nervous.  I have never done a night hike before and have never been confident even in the day.  But I had my new shoes and my head lamp and I had Ross with me.  He has walked the paths of Shepherds Hill many times at night and assured me we would be fine. 

Off we went.  Straight up the first big hill.  It took a while, but it was so worth it when we got to the top.

What an incredible view!  The paths were wet and slippery, but my shoes proved their worth and I did not slip once.  They were muddy and saturated, but my feet were perfectly dry.  I LOVE my new shoes!  LOL

We did a big loop.  We couldn't go to the far side of the park as the creek was seriously gushing and there was nowhere to cross.  But we wandered, and climbed, and talked, and had an awesome time.

I was stunned when we got back to the car, it felt like we had only been walking for 30-40 minutes and I knew the park was bigger than that.  We got back in the car and I was quite amazed to see we had been walking for an hour and a half.  It truly did not feel like that long!  It was sensational. 

Because Ross usually works on weekends we are going to try and do this once a week for our training for Heyson.  I am actually not worried anymore.  We would have easily covered 4 or 5 kms last night - probably more.  If we take 5 days to do heyson it is only 12 kms a day.  I am no longer worried that we won't be able to do it.  We have heaps of time to start taking heavier and heavier packs with us and I know we will be fine.

The other cool thing last night was I got to test out my She-Wee.  It was easy to use and mess-free.  And it was VERY cool being able to pee standing up!

Yesterday I went to the bookshop to get a running book I have wanted for a few months.  Unfortunately they were out and I had to order it, but I ended up getting a copy of "The Ultimate Runner: Stories & Advice to Keep You Moving" by Tom Green & Amy Hunold-VanGundy.

It looks pretty good and I will try and start reading it in the next week or so (although I have about 12 or 13 books out from the library, plus the next Book Club selection I need to get through as well). 

Tonight I am going for a walk and I will do a few little runs in there.  Start Running starts Thursday.  My heel/achilles is still slightly tender so I don't want to push it too much, but I do want to have done something before Thursday.

xox

Achilles

I seem to have done something to my Achilles.  It has been twinging a little bit for a couple of days, but last night it really began to ache.  It is very tight and a little bit swollen.  This has happened before and it took about a week to settle down.  I am hoping that if I rest it, it will only take a few days this time as the Start Running Group starts again next Thursday.  Fingers crossed!

On other news I got my cards finished for my big order last night.  I will deliver them on Saturday and hopefully she is happy with them.  I finally got into a rhythm with them last night and the last 60 did not take anywhere near as long as the first 60.

Grandad is getting more and more frustrating.  He is just being so naughty.  I am not sure if he is just completely oblivious or if he is doing it for attention.  I like to think it's oblivion, except for the fact that he is capable of conversation and he tries to hide some of what he does, which to me shows intent, or at least knowledge that he shouldn't be doing what he is doing.  All of us are so ready for a break - I can not WAIT until we at least get some respite.

Before I go, have a look at my ticker.  I have finally broken the 1000km mark for the year!  WOOOHOOOOO!!!!!!!  Only 2000 to go!  LOL

xox

Anniversary Dinner

Thanks for the offers of being my running buddy.  I only wish at least one of you lived in SA!  LOL  I will find someone, I am sure of it.  It will just take some time.

Last night Ross & I went out for our 3rd Wedding Anniversary.  We went to Cafe Mondiali on Unley Road.  They had an awesome vegetarian selection.  Ross had a vegetarian Calzone and I had Fettuccine with vegetables in napoli sauce.  I wish I had taken my camera because the desserts were to die for.  We had gelati desserts.  Min had peppermint gelati, surrounding with a thick layer of chocolate gelati, then rolled in chocolate and mint chips.  It was devine.

However we got some bad news when we got home.  One of Di's (MIL) oldest friends passed away last night.  He had a stroke a couple of weeks ago and never regained consciousness.  Unfortunately he is over in country Victoria so at this point Di can't go tot he funeral because Grandad's paperwork won't be through by then to get him into respite.  Ross and I are going to talk to our bosses and see if we can each get a day and half off so that she can take 3 days and go over there.  I am not sure if we will be able to swing it, but I hope we can.

This weekend will include a bike ride, a run, and my first book Club Meeting.  As well as some writing hopefully.  Plus I have an order for 120 of my cards, and as long as the last of the supplies arrive today I will also be making them.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

xox

I Need A Running Buddy

Someone I can meet at a set time each week and go for a run with. Not necessarily to run together, but to start together, meet after, then maybe go for a coffee or something. The question is, how do I find this elusive person???? I am thinking Sunday mornings is probably the best time for me, but I need to find someone I can meet up with hopefully somewhere I can easily access by bike or public transport, that I will get along with, and who will encourage me to keep running.

My Start Running Group – take 2 – starts in 2 weeks. I know it is a start running group but I really wanted some decent running under my belt before starting as I am really slow and don’t want to hold everyone back. This weekend – NO EXCUSES!

Today is my Wedding Anniversary. I can’t believe three years have gone by so quickly. And I still like him! That probably sounds weird, but by the time I was married for 3 years the first time around I was looking desperately for an escape.

We are going out to dinner tonight which will be nice. We haven’t had a date night since Grandad moved in so this will be great. I can’t wait!

Speaking of Grandad, we had the Geriatric Assessment Team come in this morning, finally. He has been assessed as High Care which will make finding a spot for him easier, and also as High Priority for Respite, which means as soon as the paperwork comes through we can book him in for a week so we can all have a rest. Although we still don’t know timeframes, it is such a relief to know where we stand and to know that things are finally moving forward. The end may not be in sight yet, but we know it is coming. We have chosen the Aged Facility we want to get him into and already have him on the list. Now it is just wait and see.

One more day till the weekend! WOOHOO!

xox

New Respect for Working Mothers

Don’t get me wrong, I have always had respect for working Mums, however the last month has amplified that significantly. Last night – as with most nights - I was up 3 times with Grandad. He is now having trouble getting out of bed on his own so lays on his bed and grunts until one of us gets up. I am the only one who hears him. MIL and Ross have both said to wake them up, but if I am already awake I don’t see the point in interrupting someone else’s sleep, they are exhausted as well.

This has only been going on for a month. How these women do it year after year, then still maintain full time jobs and social lives and keep a clean house amazes me. I am sure I will get more used to it as time goes on, but right know I am just tired beyond belief.

As such my exercise is suffering. Last night I got a lift home with my boss. The main reason for that is it was 10 degrees out and my clothes were still wet from the morning ride. So he dropped me off then picked me up again this morning. Which was lovely. I want to go for a run, but I am just so exhausted. And when I get home (tonight is Di’s craft night, the only time she gets out of the house all week) I have to get dinner and get Grandad organised and up, then cleaned up, and back to bed.

sigh…

Tomorrow night I am thinking of riding to the library after work which will at least give me a 15km ride. And on the weekend I will make sure I get out for a run. And hopefully a yoga class as well.

Other than that nothing is happening in my part of the world. Still reading lots which is good. And knitting a bit when I get the chance. I have sold a few of my cards as well which is exciting. For those of you on Facebook check out the fan page called ‘photo cards by kylie ann’.

OK. Enough grumbling. Back to work now. :o)
xox

Book Club

I think I may have found a book club to join.  I have wanted to join one for the longest time, but the only ones I have found in the past are run by 80 years olds and they meet at 10am on a weekday - not conducive to a full time worker.  Anyway, this is a fairly new club that I found online.  The book they are reading this month is one I have wanted to read for ages - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson - so I thought I would go along when they meet in a couple of weeks and see what it is like.  I bought the book on Monday and am already about 1/5th of the way through.  It is nothing like what I expected, but it is really good so far.  They meet every 4 or 5 weeks and try to read a different type of book each month.  I am really looking forward to it and I hope it goes well.

I did a 2km run last night to set my starting point for that part of my winter challenge.  It took my 20 minutes (or thereabouts - I did not have my stopwatch so went off the time on my phone).  So that gives me 10.5 weeks to shave off 5 minutes.  I don't know if that is possible, but I will try my hardest!

I have also decided I want to do a Detox.  Not one of those fruit only or juice only ones where you have to buy hundreds of dollars worth of supplements.  Just a 7 day clean eating detox.  I got the info from Detox Australia.  These are the rules of the detox, I would love to know what you think.

Rules Of The 7-day Detox

- No caffeine or alcohol allowed. Substitute herbal teas, dandelion root coffee and fresh juices.
- No dairy foods are permitted on the 7-day detox. Milk and cheese increase mucus production and are difficult to digest. Lactose is a common food intolerance. You can replace milk with almond milk, rice milk, oat milk or soya milk. Sheep's and goat's products are easier to digest if you really cannot do without dairy.
- No wheat or gluten-containing grains, such as rye, which have an acid effect on the digestion. This means no bread, pasta or white rice. Choose oats, brown rice, millet and quinoa instead.
- No meat or poultry, because of the antibiotics and food additives they contain. For protein, choose plant sources, organic eggs, tofu or oily fish from organic (non-farmed) sources.
- No processed or ready-made foods whatsoever. Everything should be fresh and cooked without salt, sugar or sweeteners. Use fresh herbs for seasoning.
- Eat three meals and two snacks every day, making sure that you have something to eat every three hours. Most of your food will be vegetables and fruit, whole grains and plant proteins. Within the [What To Eat And Drink] category there are sample menu choices for a 7-day detox.
- Do make sure you get at least 20 minutes of exercise every day.
- Drink 2 litres (3 ½ pints) of water a day and have cups of herbal (non-caffeine-containing) teas whenever you feel like them.

Basically it is just 7 days of no dairy, no wheat or gluten, and nothing processed.  I would still be eating good whole foods.  I am thinking of doing it in a couple of weeks.  I need some time to get some recipes together so I am not just having steamed veg and brown rice every day.  But I would love to hear your thoughts on it.
 
xox

Fitness Goals

It is time to focus and set some winter goals for myself. As always I have been inspired by Mel over at Tri Hard to Triathlete. She is an incredible force and I have decided to take a leaf out of her book, get off my ass, and do something.

So I have decided that by the end of winter (10 weeks and 5 days away) I want to have achieved 5 things. They are:

1) Run 2kms in under 15 minutes – still slow, but significantly faster than I am doing now.
2) Run 5kms without stopping – any speed
3) Ride 1000kms – seems like a lot but is less than 100 kms per week
4) Lose 10 kgs – I will take this Mondays weigh in as my starting point
5) Attended 5 x beginner Yoga classes

Rather than checking in in the main part of my blog, I have set up a goal checklist in the sidebar. I will update it as things happen and report when major milestones are reached. It is a massive undertaking, but to be honest I need something to focus my energy on with everything that has been happening.

I will do a 2km run in the next few days to get my baseline. I will get back on the bike as of Friday. Yoga starts this Saturday. Junk food going in the bin.

My time is NOW!

xox

The Weekend So Far

Well, we are heading toward the end of the second day of the long weekend. It has been an interesting couple of days, some good, some challenging.

It started Friday night. My MIL got a call that her Dad (Grandad) has been in a car crash. Only a minor one thankfully, however at 92 years old a minor crash can jiggle things around. By the time she got up there the paramedics had been called. They got to the hospital and my MIL finds out this is the 2nd crash in the last couple of weeks and also that he has had 2 falls in his house in the last week that he has not told us about.

Grandad lives a good 45 minute drive away if there is no traffic. He lives alone and until recently has been doing fine. MIL saw him last Sunday and all was well. However when she got to his house to pick up a few things for him things were different. A week of Meals on Wheels dinners were lined up on the counter unopened. The cat had been locked inside with no kitty litter. The cat food was dried up and had been there for days. We don't think he had eaten for a week or had he fed Blondie (the cat). He was in the same clothes he had been in the previous week and no PJ's had been used. He had burned his pillow so he is smoking in bed again.

The hospital in their infinite wisdom wanted to send him home after 2 hours. MIL managed to talk them into keeping him overnight. However considering he can't get up or down on his own, can't shower, can't go to the toilet unassisted I am truly disappointed that he was sent home the next day. We explained that he lives alone. They pretty much said take him home. MIL said he would be sleeping on the couch as we have 3 adults living in a small house and they said that will be fine. Not happy.

So Grandad has been here since yesterday. Thankfully he is eating now but he still needs a great deal of assistance. He sleeps about 18 hours a day. I am not sure if he is going to be able to go home. We talked about me and Ross moving up there but the logistics are too hard. I would have to leave for work at about 5.30am and would not get home until after 7.30pm including a 30 minute walk at night through a very unsafe neighbourhood. Plus there is the fact that with both of us working and with the extended travelling time we would not be there enough to take care of him anyway.

I am not sure what is going to happen but for now he is here and a neighbour is taking care of Blondie. The poor old thing is so frail. None of us are sleeping as we are all listening out for if he gets up in the night as we are so afraid he will fall. Hopefully we can get him into care fairly quickly.

OK, so on to the good parts of the weekend so far, and there have been some.

Yesterday morning I decided to skip yoga and go for a run. I haven't been out for 3 or 4 weeks. I didn't realise it was that long, but geez the time goes by quickly. I decided no more shuffling, I am going to run! I lasted 3 minutes. My legs hurt, my lungs hurt. So I started walking, I did a few more spurts - running, not shuffling - and got home sore.

After some breakfast and a clean up I hopped on the tram, switched to a train, and took myself out to visit my Grandma, who has been in a Nursing Home for a while. We never really got along, so I have been a bad Granddaughter and not visited for a long time. But she was really friendly and we had a wonderful visit.

I came home and helped MIL with Grandad and helped with dinner. We had an early night.

This morning I got up early to help Grandad get up and get him some breaky so MIL could have a sleep in. I got all the animals fed and got cuppas ready for Ross & MIL. Then I got myself ready and headed in to the city to go to the Botanic Gardens to meet my Mum for a walk and to take photos. We spent a few hours and had a really good time. She also bought me this wonderful book from the Botanic Shop.

Ross and I have had several attempts at starting veggie gardens, that have had varying degrees of success. This book was written by a South Aussie, so all the planting times and everything are very specific to where we live. I am going to start getting a garden bed ready tomorrow so we can put some spinach in, which is one of the only things we can plant at this time of year. Hopefully this one is successful.

Tonight I am going to make some parsnip soup for us all for dinner. Ross is working early tomorrow on the other side of town so he will have an early night. I will be here all day so I am going to try and get MIL to go out for a while, at least for a walk with the dog or something, just to get out for a while. Ross is staying at Mums tomorrow night as he is working just a few kms from her place tomorrow and Tuesday.

That's it from me. I'll leave you all with a few pics from this mornings wander....

xox

Oh Dear...

But before we get to that....  I had a really good day yesterday.  I got to sleep in and got up at 7.30.  Now for most, that doesn't sound like a sleep in, but for me, that is bliss.  I went for a walk to get my morning Iced Coffee then came home and realised I had a whole day ahead of me with absolutely no plans.  Oh, what to do...

I spent some time with my Tarot Cards.  I drew a 3 card spread, studied the cards that came out, then once I had them right in my head did a reading of the cards.  It was fun. 

Then I made a little pillow, watched some TV, had some lunch, surfed the Net, did some shopping, and saw this amazing double rainbow.  It was so beautiful.

Now for the Oh Dear...

Over the weekend, I caught a glimpse of myself in a mirror, sitting down.  It's back.  It's nearly all back.  All that weight I worked so had to move, it looks like it's nearly all back.  Time to get on the scales.  The scales were not as high as I expected, but they were too high.  And I look terrible....  It is not my highest weight - thankfully - and it is not back to where I was at the beginning of the year..  But it is way way way too high.

The problem is, I can't count calories again.  I hate it.  It sucks.  But it works.  Plus I love cooking lots of different things, and my MIL cooks a few nights a week, it is too hard.

So I have come to a compromise for myself.  I will count calories until 5pm.  I will allow myself half of my daily allowance until then.  After that I can eat whatever I want for dinner.  There will be no chocolate afterwards, no desserts (most of the time), no junk food.  But whatever I eat for dinner is allowed and free. 

I am going to up my exercise.  Back to the running.  Riding to work.  Taking the long way home.  I'm going to start yoga next weekend.  Even thinking about going back to the - gulp - gym....

I will give this a month.  If I don't shift anything I will reassess, but I HAVE to do something.  As much as I hate it, my body is becoming uncomfortable again.  I need my body to be healthy so that I can be healthy in all aspects of myself.

xox

It's Winter

I am one of those rare people who love winter.  I love the crisp cold air in the mornings, the rain, the sound of the wind in the trees.  It has its drawbacks - less light before and after work, riding to work when it's freezing.  But mostly, I love it.

So, where was I?  Monday was the last post.  Monday night I went to an amazing meditation session.  I took Ross along with me as well.  It was a Guided Meditation to discover your Power Animal and Totem Animals.  I already knew what my power animal was, but not my totems.  It was really interesting.  The meditation itself was great.  I always come out of a good meditation feeling a little fuzzy.  Then we talked through the animals we met along the way and their meanings.  It was great.

Tuesday I woke up not feeling the best.  I had a stabbing pain in my lower rib cage and was really short of breath.  The exact same symptoms Ross had last week that saw him take a trip to the hospital.  So I was guessing I had picked up his virus.  I ended up having to cancel my Reiki appointment as there was not way I could channel Reiki energy when I was feeling so blah.  So I went home and straight to bed.

Yesterday I felt a little better.  After work I decided to stop at a nearby park and just sit for a while in the cool evening air.  I had my warm clothes with me.  What I didn't know was that the park I picked plays host to a boot camp.  It started 15 minutes after I got there, so I packed up and left.  But I still got 15 minutes of quiet and fresh air, so that is better than nothing.  It really felt great to just sit before heading home so I am thinking this is something I will do more often.  But perhaps in a different park...  ;o)

Before bed I closed myself in my room and did another meditation.  One of my goals is to make meditation part of my routine.  I always feel calmer and more centred after.  It helps me get all the craziness in my head to calm down and stop, even for just a few minutes.

This morning I am actually feeling good.  Which is a very good thing as I am itching for a run!  Tonight I have my rescheduled Reiki session, so can't do it then. but sometime over the next couple of days I will be getting out there and I can't wait!

This weekend I am working at the Body, Mind & Psychic Expo.  I am helping a friend out at the Animal Dreaming stand.  If anyone is in Adelaide, please come by and say hello.  I'll be there all day Saturday.

Daily Goals
1)  Drink 1.5L of water
2)  Get through my To-Do list
3)  Eat healthy
4)  Meditate before bed
5)  Do some tarot study

Oh, I forgot to mention, I have registered to become a volunteer with the Free The Bears charity.  So expect to hear more about them in coming posts. 

xox

TGIF

This has been a looooong week.  Thankfully it is Friday!  YAY!  Thank you for all your kind wishes regarding Ross.  He is completely fine.  It looks like it was a virus and it is clearing up and everyone is doing well.  It is so scary when this happens though.  He feels like he wasted hospital time, however with his history he HAS to be vigilant and be wary of any pain.  I am glad we got it checked out and that all is okay.

Tomorrow I am doing a Learn Tarot class at the WEA.  I am really excited about it.  I have several sets of Tarot cards that I have collected over the years, but I have never really learned how to use them.  I feel like now is the time so off I go to class!  I have several other things like this on the go right now as well.  I am feeling more and more drawn to all things spiritual and new-age-y.  I have had a very keen interest in these areas for well over 15 years, but this year I am moving from someone with an interest, to someone who is active in this area.  It is exciting, and scary, and exhilarating all at the same time.

Next week I am doing my first Reiki session on someone outside of my immediate family.  Em has kindly donated her body to science and is allowing me to practice on her.  I hope it goes well.

Other than that I am relaxing and focusing on me.  The cooler it gets the more I tend to withdraw into myself.  Not in a negative way, in an introspective recharging way.  I love winter for that element, and I am actually looking forward to camping this winter as I am feeling more and more drawn to nature right now as well.  For a born and bred city girl, being drawn to nature is slightly obscure.  But I am trusting in my own intuition, and if nature is where I need to be, then that is where I'll be.

Other than that I am hoping to get out for a run on Sunday.  It has been 2 weeks.  I am not feeling bad about that, I just needed a break.  I have altered my planned runs to enter (in sidebar) to compensate for the fact that I need to rest and recharge.  I am looking forward to getting out there again though.

Hope everyone has an amazing Friday.  Catch you all on the weekend!

xox

Running Group

I did it.  I was a very brave little girl and I went to the Running Group.  I was so scared.  I even told the coach I was terrified.  He thought that was funny. 

So we started with a little chat.  He talks abut a different topic at the beginning each week.  This week was shoes and gear.  Then he told us where we were going, and we were off. 

Right away it was clear I was the slowest.  There was another lady just a teensy bit faster than me, but yes, I was the slowest.  David, the coach, ran with me for quite a while and we chatted the whole time.  I don't normally talk and run, so this was new to me.  I coped pretty well which just shows that my fitness is improving.  We stopped twice to gather everyone together and have mini chats.  The first one was about 3 mins and the second one only about 2 mins.  All up I ran for around 40 minutes (not sure exactly) and I did somewhere around the 4km mark.  The others went further than me.  Several parts of the run were out and back, and when the leaders caught me up going the other way I turned around with them.  But I ran the whole way.  Most of the others walked several times.  So even though I am painfully slow still, even David remarked on the fact that not once did I stop for a walk break. 

The we all stretched (I learnt a few new ones that felt good) had another quick chat and it was time to head home.  David has suggested that I do 2 actual runs during the week and skip the sprints for now.  Happy with that! :o)  I know I can't do 2 long runs though so here is the plan.

Tuesday night - 2km run and work on doing it faster than my normal shuffle
Thursday night - running group
Weekend - 5km run

I am so glad I went.  Everyone was so nice.  The regular running group came past us at one point and the ladies were so encouraging and made me feel really good.  I am now looking forward to next week.

Weekly Personal Challenge Update
Cycling - 59.7/80kms
Running - 40/60 mins
Other - 1/2

Daily Goals
1)  Drink lots of water
2)  Don't buy any crap food
3)  Ride home the longer way
4)  Finish my daily to-do list (putting that on here really seems to help me get through it)
5)  Chillax with Ross tonight

Have a great day everyone!

xox

Winter is here...

OMG - it was FREEZING this morning on my way to work!  All my long trackie pants (all 2 pairs of them) are in the wash so I had to wear my 3/4 ones.  I forgot my gloves.  There were no clouds in the sky.  And it was COLD!  I think now that I am riding to work just about every day I need to invest in some more long trackies.

I am not as sore today as I was yesterday, but there is still one spot, back of my leg, just above my knees, that is really tight.  Should be alright for the Running Group tonight though.

Speaking of that.  I am terrified.  I don't want to go.  I want to hide in the corner and cross my arms and stomp my feet and say NO!  Luckily I am no long 2 years old and can move past that and will make myself go.  But I am terrified.  I have warned the coach how slow I am and he said I will be fine.  Yet terror prevails...

Quick update on my weekly goals I set for myself.

Cycling - 41.16/80 kms
Running - 0/60 mins
Other - 1/2 sessions

Not too bad so far.  I should hit all the goals by Sunday night I think.

Daily Goals
1)  Drink lots of water
2)  Don't buy any crap food
3)  Go to running group
4)  Get through my To Do List
5)  Have an early night

xox