guitar hero anthems

Went to a 1-hr spin class yesterday evening, and was mildly disappointed. I went to the same time slot several weeks ago and there was a different instructor. The one last night was older, and I didn't really feel challenged, even though a spin class is typically only as hard as you make it for yourself. I think the intervals just weren't long enough. Also, there wasn't enough hill-climbing, which I prefer over sprinting. Anyhow, he kept calling his hard work songs "energy songs", which was kind of amusing. Also, his choice of music tended towards guitar hero anthems, which I don't find pump me up too much. Tom Petty, Heart ("Barracuda"), AC/DC, and Bruce Springsteen just don't give me the right lift.

Anyway, I still broke a decent sweat and I rode my bike there and back, which was nice.

Oh, yeah, on Wednesday I ran 5kms in 26 minutes. That was decent for me.

had a baby

Right, so I stopped posting because that very week of my last post, I got pregnant. I stayed pretty active and fit all the way through the pregnancy (my swim time for 800 metres was the same before, during, and after), and even went to the gym 6 days before giving birth. I had to stop going for long walks once the baby's head started pushing down on my bladder to the point where I couldn't walk more than 10 minutes without the irresistible urge to pee - luckily, Vancouver is in the midst of a construction boom and I was able to use a variety of disgusting port-o-potties across the city. Anyway, I had the baby seven months ago, and have ramped up the fitness regimen again. Also, breastfeeding made me skinnier than before I got pregnant. They should tell that to all those women who unnecessarily switch their babies to formula and then complain about not taking the weight off. Anyhow, maybe I'll start a new blog about the fitness stuff, but don't hold your breath. I'm going to do that sprint triathlon in March to start off. And I rode to the top of the SFU hill today for the first time in a couple years. That went well.

weekly update

Saturday, October 21
37 minutes run around the seawall. A muscle in Scott's leg went kaput when we got to Science World so we ended up walking back in the cold. It was a beautiful sunny day but when we were not running, it was chilly. In the afternoon, we went to the climbing gym. I conquered my nemesis again (!!), and I found a new one.

Sunday, October 22
Blessed sweet nothing

Monday, October 23
45 minutes stairmill, level 7 steady. It was painful getting to the gym though. I woke up just after 6am, and didn't get to the gym until almost 7am, which is quite frankly ridiculous.

Tuesday, October 24
Run clinic - 7.5 km run. I like how running in a group pushes me to run faster than I normally would. It was cold and clear last night, and the city looked amazing from the North Shore. I also rode to and from the seabus, so I got a few clicks in on the bike. It was crazy windy last night so, although I was pushed by the wind quickly over the bridge, it was hard work coming back into the headwind. It was harrowing trying to keep myself from curving further into the lane in front of fast-moving cars.

Wednesday, October 25
45 mins, ellptical, reverse intervals, then ab work
Tonight, I head to the climbing gym, which is why I didn't do strength training this morning. This climbing thing has thrown me off of my regular strength training schedule because I don't want to tire my arms out before climbing, and then I'm usually sore the next day. I'm probably down to two strength workouts a week, plus climbing so I'm sure it balances out.

ouch ouch

I took Wednesday off because my body was tired and aching.

Thursday, October 19: Elliptical, 60 mins, level 8 (reading Macleans). In the evening, I headed to the climbing gym with a few people. It was a lot of fun, and I defeated my nemesis, a 5.9 climb that switches walls halfway up, then leans backwards. I cranked my shoulder a bit on it, but I made it to the top. I have to say, I was pretty exhilarated when I made it. My upper body is very sore today though.

Friday, October 20: Strength training. My heart wasn't in it today, and I'm not so excited about this set of workouts from Kristina. I think its time to ask her for a change and a new set of exercises.

everything is tired

Thursday, Oct 12: 45 minute bike ride

Friday, Oct 13: strength training day

Sunday, Oct 15: iCycle, 40 mins, stationary bike - very hard work

Monday, Oct 16: Climbing at the gym for a couple of hours. I let myself fall a few times, trying to get up a 5.9. I can't believe how much trouble I have with a 5.9! How do people ever get good enough to do 5.11 and up? I had trouble opening doors later on in the evening.

Tuesday, Oct 17: Strength training at the gym this morning. Tonight, I went to the run clinic and we did six hill repeats up a very steep hill, with a walk back down. The idea was to train anaerobically so that we were completely out of breath at the top. It was a hard workout. I rode my bike there (over the Granville Bridge through downtown to the seabus, then on the other side up the hill to North Shore Athletics). It was a good warm-up to ride straight up Chesterfield Drive to the store. The North Shore is steep! After the run was over, I raced down to the seabus terminal, only to watch the departure clock turn over to 30 minutes, so I decided to ride home, which entailed a long ride to the Lions Gate, over it, and then back through downtown and the Granville Street Bridge. It worked out to still be faster than waiting the half hour for the next seabus.

Needless to say, my legs are very tired now. My whole body is tired and sore from climbing, the gym, and tonight. But it feels good. It means my muscles are working.

running and climbing

I took Tuesday off because of this cold I have been fighting. It didn't make a difference though - I got neither better or worse, although I suppose I might have taken a turn for the worse if I did go to the run clinic. I still have a scratchy throat today.

Anyway, yesterday:
40 mins treadmill run
1.5 hrs climbing at the indoor climbing gym

I used iTread for the run. It was definitely a good workout, although the woman who does the coaching is a bit cheezy with her "woos!" and "I am sooo there with ya" statements. The music is lame as well, but I suppose its because they create their own electronic crap rather than license better music. Overall, however, the workout is amazing and it definitely helped push me harder than I might otherwise have done on the treadmill.

Climbing was good too, as I climbed a couple of 5.9s with ease. It's great - and addictive - to see such a rapid improvement. That first climb of the day is really weird though because I always feel nervous that the rope won't catch me. I'm much more comfortable by the second and third climbs.

turkey weekend

Wednesday, Oct 4, 2006: Day off. Felt good
Thursday, Oct 5, 2006: 60 mins, stairmill (30 mins @ level 6, 30 mins intervals up to level 10); climbing clinic in the evening
Friday, Oct 6, 2006: Strength training day, then 20 minute run, my legs were very sore the next day
Saturday, Oct 7, 2006: bike to/fro climbing gym, 2 hrs climbing (level 5.9, but I cheated near the end)
Sunday, Oct 8, 2006: 35 mins bike ride to Burnaby
Monday, Oct 9, 2006: 40 mins spin workout, bike to/fro gym, 2.5 hr leisurely walk

My run on Friday and today's spin workout were from iTrain, and were awesome. I was absolutely soaked in sweat at the end of the spin workout this morning. I wish the workouts were free, as I want to try them all.

I have a sore throat this afternoon, and am concerned that I am going to be sick again. This will be my second cold in less than two months! Why, why, why?!