Holy crap

Hello everyone, happy hump day.  I woke up this morning with ease.  I didn't want to stay in bed.  That is a change for Wednesday.  Let's see if I can get through the day without needing a nap, that will be the true test.

Today's run was something else.  Marc came out with me which sometimes I find distracting because I pay attention to him and question my pace.  I had thought it may be helpful because there will be someone there watching me and I don't like failing in front of others.  There was an added two minutes of running today, bringing me to 16 minutes in total.  It was run 3 minutes, walk 2 minutes, run 5, 3 minutes twice and run 3 minutes, walk 2 minutes.  Holy crap.  When I put on my shoes my hamstrings were tight and all day yesterday my knee was bothering me.  I was not feeling overly confident as I started.  Not to mention there was a strong cross wind was strong at the bottom and head on wind along the first long straight.  The first 5 minutes went well until the last 20-30 seconds which was when I started noticing my hamstrings.  I preserved and felt so accomplished.  I was worried for the second stint but I found my stride and repeated the mantra "I can do it" on each exhale and it was easy.  For the final stint I was in the head on wind but I told myself  "I am stronger than any element, stronger than I believe, I can do anything".  Before I knew it time was up and it was time to walk home.  The whole workout was 36 minutes.  Friday it is 34 minutes, I will still run the same amount of time but on the 5 minute stints there will only be 2 minutes for recovery walk.

Today I will be heading out to teach Aquafit from 9:05 - 9:55 am, quick shower, then to Exquisite Taste in Wine to grab Girl Guide cookie money and make a batch of summer white wine.  Next to Kinstruct Health for a chiropractic exam and possible adjustment for 11 am.  Then home to polish and put together a birth story, work on my run/walk course and whatever else comes my way.  Tonight I will be going to a meditation circle at 7 pm and that will conclude my day.  But now it is time to stretch.  Ahhhhh

Disappointed but not discouraged

Yesterday was a decent day.  On top of my 75 minute workout in the morning Elizabeth and I went for a 30 minute bike ride, she played at the park for 10 minutes, I spent 3 minutes on the swing swinging side to side to engage my obliques and after dinner we went bowling.  I got a little frustrated during the day, Marc massage helped to relax me as did the glass of wine that followed.

This morning I woke up with a bit of a headache.  I am hoping between the green tea and headache balm and more hydration that it will be gone soon though I am at the computer all morning and afternoon, then driving and appointments all evening.

This morning I was so eager to come and do my meditation that I almost forgot to weigh in, maybe secretly I knew it was not going to be good although I would be surprised if I lost another two pounds I still thought I would have lost something.  I guess two days straight of Chinese food and dessert in a row was too much and literally tipped the scales.

I was back up to 182 lbs, that is 4 lbs up : (
The measurements held the same with the exception of my thighs.  Last week they were down 1.5" which I think may have been an incorrect measurement because this week they measured the same as the week before that.

Facts are facts.  I am confident with the added running load and the strength training this week that next week there will be more changes.  I do plan on having the last bit of Chinese leftovers we did not freeze for lunch or early dinner but then back to cleaner eating.  In regards to running with the exception of the warm-up and cooldown walk I am now running longer than I am walking which is wonderful.  We will see what next week's measurements look like.  I am not discouraged just disappointed, I can understand why the weight was increased, I know I do not have to work harder but just return to what I was doing.  I am confident I am on the correct path and feel good about this coming week.

Marvellous Monday

I was sleeping so soundly when my alarm went off this morning.  It was the sleep where it takes you a little bit to figure out what the sound is, then you realize it is your alarm and you wonder why it is going off, what day it is and if you really need to get out of bed.  So refreshing.  Marc chose not to get up but I did.

Wow what a run.  The most I have run was 10 minutes in total, today was 14 minutes and after the first 4 minute stint I felt incredible.  This was the second time since I started running that during my walk home my legs felt a little jello-y.  Not bad, just noticeable that I had worked them.

Once I got home I went to an upper body strength training routine.  All in with run, strength training and stretch it was 75 minutes.  The strength training felt great.  I forgot how much I love doing it.  Tomorrow my upper body will be tender but in a good way but for today I feel strong and very proud.  I would love to get a massage today.  Maybe I can convince Marc to practice the massage techniques we learned from the lovely Lara Stewart-Panko.

Today is all about hanging out with the girls.  I have absolutely nothing planned.  What a marvellous Monday!

What a profound experience

As I woke this morning I decided after driving Juliet to work I would take a coffee down to Paletta park and sit by the lake on the rocks and do my meditation.  Marc woke up as I was getting dressed and said he had a really weird dream.  He dreamed I was going to church this morning which made us both laugh but for me because in a way I was.  I was going to the park to sit and connect with the universal powers (wind, sun, water and personal).  To make it even more profound I had fallen behind on my meditations so the meditation I listened to today was on power and strength.  Seriously?!?!

In the passed at least 10 years I have known I am powerful beyond my beliefs.  I know there is unlimited power within me if I come to it from a place of trust and love with openness to learn.  As soon as I heard what the mediation was about I was a little put off, thinking I don't need to hear what I already know.  But I stuck it out knowing meditation is good for me.  There came an incredible point in my meditation when I closed my eyes and connected to the raw power, just then the wind picked up blowing a strong cold breeze, the waves became more intense and loudly lapped against the rocks, the sun seemed to beam even brighter.  It was an amazing culmination of energy and it was radiating so strong.  I felt so connected with everything in that moment, I allowed the energy to expand and the feeling was incredible.  Connected with everything and everyone, a truth and power from within and also external.  Raw matter, force, energy, love, hope in everything I saw and felt.  It was my "ta da" moment for the day.  What a great start to a sunny Sunday morning.

A day so full of potential

Marc and Juliet both had to go into work this morning so Elizabeth decided she would come into my bed and snuggle for a bit.  Wow did that ever bring back flashbacks.  I feel her legs against mine and her feet did not stop at my thighs but continued down passed my knees and to my shins.  She is still my baby but not my baby.  It wasn't long before she said "You know Mom, I don't normally sleep in this long." she was ready to move on with her day, as was I, I was just enjoying the closeness.  I guess I needed that because even the cat slept not only in our room but either beside my face, on my belly or by my feet all night long.

Today we have no commitments, no plans, just potential.  I am so excited and curious to see where it takes us.

I am feeling the need to be very active.  I am looking forward to not only increasing my load in running but also adding in two days of strength training.  It is something I have really missed doing and have managed to slot it in in a manner that will be manageable not overloading while still respecting my off days.

Now it is time to start my day. no more time in front of the computer.  Wishing you a strong Saturday.

My mantra

Sorry I did not post yesterday.  What started out as a shitty morning literally turned in to a really good day and high anxiety night.  I woke up yesterday morning to prepare for a very busy, lots of driving and sitting kind of day.  I finally put away the laundry I started last Friday, cleaned up my sheets and reflexology room from Monday to then have Elizabeth announce the upstairs toilet was clogged.  Marc bought a new plunger which he loves.  I was not so lucky with it.  After struggling with it for 20 minutes, sweating, with my clothes and the floor covered in poop coloured water I finally got it flushing.  Elizabeth had to pack her own lunch so likely not the best choices.   I got redressed, did a few more things and had to run out the door without breakfast.  Luckily I was meeting up with a friend at Starbucks (Trafalagar and Dundas).  That meant an expensive and not overly healthy breakfast of yougart and granola with a black coffee as I figured it would not be a good idea to get anything with milk or flavour shots.  From there I stopped off at Joe Fresh and did a bit of business casual clothes shopping although I ended up purchasing two cotton t-shirts, red solo cups, shampoo and underwear for Juliet and two bottles of white wine for Easter dinner on Sunday.  I then went to Payless Shoes stores and bought some super cute shoes (business casual) so overall I met my goal.  Down to Lakeshore and Trafalgar for a laser hair removal treatment and walked seven minutes (or so Google maps predicted) to The Green Bean Coffee Company to meet with a Holistic Nutritionist/RMT who wants to start networking.  Had an amazing lunch and London Fog, yummy.  Walked back to the car.  Stopped off at Dollarama because my cat litter scoop broke that morning and then home.  I received a text from a client while I was driving.  She was getting some prelabour signs.  Now this is my client I have already supported through two births and her labours are fast.  Now I didn't know what to do because I had class one of a prenatal class series starting at 7 pm.  It was 3:35 pm.  Do I go ahead with class knowing she will not need me until 9:30 - 10 pm once class is over, or do I postpone for one week?  I called my back up and another doula for advise and both said postpone it, ever just for the peace of mind and energy preservation.  In the end that is what I decided to do.  I had to stop several times and remind myself to breathe, I felt like I was just buzzing with anxiety of the hyper alert of being on call.  At 6:47 pm she texted to say everything settled down.  Crap, I should have gone ahead with class.  So that was yesterday.

Today is a new day.  I didn't realize but my run was 2 minute run, 2 minute walk, then two 3 MINUTE RUN, 3 minute walk, ending again with a 2 minute run, 2 minute walk.  It was tough, there was a lot of self talk going on that I adopted the mantra "I am stronger than my hormones" and that helped me overcome the negative self talk.  It did not help however with the menstrual cramps which got me wondering in women are endorphins and oxytocin constantly linked?  Because I seem to start getting menstrual cramps while walking after my second long stint of running, they cease while running and come back excessive strong on my final and cooldown walk.  I almost wanted to double over today they were so strong but "I am stronger than my hormones."

I will have an easy day today.  I am on high alert not only for my client but also tonight as a back up for a second time mama who was having early labour symptoms last night as well.  It could be a busy weekend.  Also Monday I took a sneak peak I have 3 minute run, 2 minute walk, two stints of 4 minute run, 3 minute walk, ending again with the 3 minute run, 2 minute walk.  Wow, it is amazing how far I have come.  Now time for breakfast.  Have a spectacular weekend.

I love Burlington

I live in such a protected bubble here in Burlington.  There was barely a dusting of snow scattered here and there.  The grass was quite crunchy but totally clear to run on.  The run went well however just before my last running stint I started to get menstrual cramps.  I was hoping the endorphins would kick in to ease them but not in the moment  which made the last run a challenge but still doable.  I was amazed that in two minutes I almost ran the whole soccer field.  I was not doing that before.  It was awesome.

I realized this morning that I did not get any yoga or feet elevation happening.  Court went extremely well for my friend (a happy surprise for her) that I did not even get a lot of work done.  I didn't drink as much water as I would have liked but I can get back on track today.  Juliet also had her first chiropractic assessment and adjustment and she was very pleased.

Today I have Aquafit at 9 am, a date with a friend at 11 am and then need to get some work done as the rest of the week is busy with appointments and family time.  But for now it is time to drink a tea.  Happy Wednesday.