A moustache for me...in permanent marker!

Full steam ahead! I'm only just barely keeping some injuries at bay - quads and calves are totally acting up, I think due to my poor/inefficient pedal stroke as I hammer away on my road bike. Foam roller torture sessions and a few fascia "massage" sessions that had my toes curling and me just barely containing screams of pain are the only thing keeping these muscles just barely on the right side of injury. Once weekly yoga is better than nothing but it's probably not quite enough to help combat the abuse I'm putting my body through.

Sunday evening yoga, is there a better way to wrap up the weekend? I think not. What a restorative thing to do at the end of a weekend, I'm really, really enjoying it. Funny, I always really enjoy yoga whenever I do it, it's just so bloody expensive I've been priced out of it. As long as I'm running and biking though I think it's something I should continue with in order to balance things out and ensure I remain injury free. Stretching at home helps, of course, but an hour of dedicated stretching is ideal and the only way that's happening is at a scheduled session. It's also very relaxing. I feel like I float out of the yoga studio on a quiet, happy cloud on Sunday evenings. Precisely the opposite of sweating and grunting up a hill perched atop an aluminium contraption. Balance.

Last weekend I did a 12k race as part of an 8 member crew of women for the Whistler 50. I think my time was 1:09 and change. It hurt a lot and at the time I felt like I was running 22k not 12k. I was not prepared. Doesn't matter, it was just for fun, I had no goal other than to drink beer after the race and I did that. This year is the first time the race was held in Whistler, it was formerly called Haney to Harrison and was based out of Harrison. I think I'll probably give this race a pass next year in favour of STORMY - in my opinion a much more fun event, largely due to the Summer weather we get to enjoy in August when STORMY is held. I enjoy trail running more than road running, so STORMY is ideal for me.

I'm keeping myself busy with some strength and endurance classes, spin classes, CompuTrainer sessions, running, swimming and yoga. My schedule is jam packed, I'm sore most of the time, and I'm enjoying all of it. I just registered for a 1/2 marathon in February to ensure I keep up with running, my weakest sport in terms of triathlon. 

It's that time of year again, time to give some thought to 2012 goals and consider what I'd like to work towards and achieve in terms of sport. I've got some ideas hatching, nothing set in stone quite yet. The First Half in February will be a good kick off and my first race of the year.

I plan to get out and enjoy some xc skiing and snow shoeing this Winter too. You've got to make time to play in the snow, otherwise you just end up despising it...so I have to work at having fun outside in the snow or I'll face a Winter of misery. There's snow all over the place now so I guess there's no time like the present to get out there!

As part of Movember I have agreed to draw a permanent marker moustache on my face and keep it on all day for November 30th. I'm a tool, I know. But it's for good and not evil so why not? I've been testing out permanent marker removal methods and so far nail polish remover works best. Why do I get myself into these things?!

I was sprawled on the couch

I did another fun ride on Sunday, around 80k along the Sea to Sky highway between Vancouver and Squamish with a group of 5 others. A lovely day for a ride, we even saw a little blue sky which was a nice break from the clouds and rain we've been having. The beginning of the ride was stop start stop start, we had 3 flats to deal with in the first 45 minutes. Things went smoothly after that and we enjoyed lunch and coffee at Delaney's in Park Royal Village, a perfect pit stop. Even though this ride was about 30km shorter than last weekend's ride I found it more of a challenge. My legs were still sore from Friday's session, eeek!

Monday I spent the entire day sprawled on the couch with a monster of a headache, I didn't go to work, didn't go to CompuTrainer and missed a meeting, it was that bad. My guess is I effed up my liquid/electrolyte/h20 intake the day before and I paid for it Monday. Nasty business and I've got to get that sorted out, don't want to be suffering like that after every long ride. On a positive note, I had the nutrition side of things dialed! Real food all day (bananas, eggs, ham, cheese, whole wheat bread, peanut butter, coconut, plus 1 package of Honey Stinger (Orange Blossom) blocks doled out at regular intervals on the return trip home kept me fueled and feeling feisty.

After work yesterday I went for a lovely trail run with 2 lovely gals. We hit up the Sea to Sky trail starting near Cheakamus (across from Function) and made our way towards the Calcheak bridge. We estimate it was about 10k, and there were some hills thrown in to keep us honest. The terrain was awesome, lovely gravel that's been packed down and doesn't feel loose and sketchy. An A+ for that trail, a perfect running trail. We had a few peek a boo spots where we could see snow capped mountains, the rest was trees and and rivers and creeks. Whistler at its best!

Looking ahead and excited for Winter!

I had my ass handed to me this morning by way of a personal training session with a coach. One on one there's no ducking out, skipping a lap, or hiding in the forest while you catch your breath. I wasn't doing anything overly strenuous, I'm just really weak! Like a newborn baby weak. My arms felt like jello and my quads were on fire, as they have been for about 3 weeks now. I've no core strength at all and my lunges and squats are pathetic. I think the coach was trying not to laugh at me.  

This Summer more than any other I've become very aware of how physically active a community Squamish is. I suppose I'm moving more in those circles and nothing's changed other than me and who I hang out with. I love this about Squamish and I appreciate it every. single. day. There are people in Squamish who inspire me with what they've achieved. The athletic accomplishments in our little town are astounding. I won't list them, I couldn't possibly do it justice. Suffice to say it's a town full of athletes of all levels with varied interests. A sporty partner to go out and play outside with is just a phone call away, it's pretty great. I love my town so much!



After this morning's one on one coached "skill class" I'm now set to start Strength/Endurance classes and Spin classes for the next 3 months. These on top of the usual swimming, running and Compu Trainer should keep me out of trouble until Christmas. And these classes will be a fun and social way to maintain a regular exercise routine in the dreary Winter months, something that's essential to my well being. Guess I'll squeeze in xc skiing and showshoeing on the weekends? I'm already looking forward to the snow flying as I know many others here are too. There's already all kinds of talk of Callaghan and skate skiing/classic skiing and some co workers and I have plans for some evening snowshoe adventures with headlamps on our favourite running trail near the office.

So much to look forward to, let the snow fly.