The ABC's of ME

I saw this idea on a couple other blogs (here and here) and decided to steal it. I’ve always been a sucker for these kinds of things, so well, without further ado, my ABC’s!

Age: 30-34 [for 4-5 more race seasons, depending on the race]

Bed size: Double

Chore you hate: Cleaning the bathroom is definitely not my favourite, although, laundry kinda sucks too, oh, and vacuuming… yeah, I guess I don’t really love any chore.

Dogs: The Colonel. aka. RUSTY! aka. Tamgar’s Pure Cane Sugar. Russell the Muscle. The Rustinator. The Face of the Future.


Essential start of your day: Coffee… sometimes post-workout, sometimes pre-workout, always with some sort of cereal or yogurt and fruit.

Fave colour: Yellow!

Gold or silver: I prefer the look of silver or white gold. Don’t love yellow gold really (which is a bit odd considering my favourite colour is yellow, non?)

Height: 5’7” ish (I think)

Instruments I play: None. I have a great singing voice when I am alone in the car though ;)

Job title: Interim Systems Administrator (new title and job is yet to be determined, but I’m sure it will have a catchy ring to it)

Kids: Fur-babies = 1, Human babies = 0

Live: Up on the ‘hat. Vancouver Island. Canada.

Mom’s name: I call her Mom. Some people call her Sharon.

Nicknames: Dibbs.

Overnight hospital stays: I don’t think I’ve ever stayed overnight, but I definitely spent my fair share of time there.

Pet Peeve: The use of the word “hubby” ~ blech!

Quote from a movie: “I just don't think that Brooke could've done this. Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands, they just don't.” – Elle Woods, Legally Blonde.

Right or left handed: Right

Siblings: 1 amazing sister (and yes, I am the baby, although no one really ever believes Kirsten is older).


Time you wake up: It varies. Anywhere from 5:15ish to 6:30ish on the weekdays, often 8ish on the weekends.

Underwear: Never on the bike. Otherwise, most of the time.

Veggie you dislike: Olives! [hmmm, just realized olives are actually a fruit] so ummm, well, I don’t really like mushrooms.

What makes you run late: Kirsten or Shane, just joking, haha… umm, traffic and a lack of willingness to leave earlier than I think I should have to.

X-rays you have had done: Teeth, wrists, fingers, ankles, chest, abdomen…

Yummy food you make: Lettuce wraps. Mmmmm.

Zoo, favourite animal: Giraffe! (I’m not actually sure this is my absolute favourtite zoo animal, but it is the first that came to mind, and well, they're pretty cool creatures).

So, there you have it… my ABC’s.


Other than that, heading over to Vancouver this weekend to cheer my guts out for Kirsten as she attempts to qualify for Boston at the Vancouver Marathon. I will be running the 8k and have my sights set on a new PB. So if everyone can please send positive vibes in the direction of the mainland, that would be awesome!

Happy Friday!!!

Quarter-Year Resolutions

When the New Year rolls around, I can often be heard saying "I don't really do resolutions." Mainly because I find I set small goals throughout the year for my athletic endeavours and am generally pretty happy with my life. That said, I was thinking back to 2007 when I set the goal to get in shape, and my resolution was to exercise for at least 30mins a day. When I think about the resolution now, it really changed everything about me. That one small and achievable step of exercising just a bit each day lead me to my first tri clinic and my subsequent love affair with the sport of triathlon.

Fast forward to the present… Recently, with my "no sweets at work" goal, I've been thinking more and more about resolutions and how such seemingly small changes can have such a huge impact. Because of that, I've decided to set some "Quarter-Year Resolutions" (most of which I've actually already started, but I figure if I put them on paper – aka. the intraweb – I may stick with them longer).

So, here they are in all their "resolution-y" glory...

1) Limiting my sugar intake at work is going to remain high on my list. I’m hoping to continue this at work and also expand this level of restraint into my home life (and more importantly, my weekend life, as that seems to be the times I slip up the most). I’ve said it before, and will say it again – I’m not cutting junk out completely, but definitely hoping to limit my candy and sugar consumption and make healthier snack choices.

2) I've been experimenting with cooking a bit more lately. I'm not a great cook - more because I tend to lack the patience and creativity to craft something incredible - but, I have been trying out a few new recipes lately (two of which are posted below) and I think it would be a good resolution to continue to experiment in the kitchen. I've [unofficially] already sort of started this, but perhaps my goal will be to try a new recipe at least once a week (or every other week - so as not to get overwhelmed). I did come across a good blog recently (My New Roots ) with all sorts of delicious and healthy looking ideas, so that should help with my experimentation.

3) Lastly, at the beginning of the year, I wrote a note to myself that I wanted to "stretch more, maybe try some yoga, and work on strength and core a little more consistently." While I didn't start right at the onset of 2011, I have been attending yoga classes fairly regularly as of late, and have been really enjoying it. I find that yoga helps me accomplish all these things at one time (a little stretch, a little core and a little strength) while also helping me to relax and focus. In fact, I've been enjoying it so much, that I have signed up to do my 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training. I'm hoping this will help deepen and expand my own practice, but also perhaps give me the opportunity to teach like-minded people and to do a job (even if just on the side) that I enjoy. Only time will tell I suppose.

Anyway, all rambling aside, I want to leave off with this quote that I saw recently. It really struck me. I like it, although I'm not sure I have the answer to it quite yet.

"Who did you want to be? And why aren't you?"


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Recipe 1 - Jewel Cookies
From Lauren Campbell's Blog. Super easy, yummy and vegan to boot! I’ve made these a couple times now, once with cashews instead of almonds, both times with raspberry jam. They are delish!

Recipe 2 - Rice Salad for the Trail
From Canadian Running Magazine. I have only made this once, and not for the trail, but I quite enjoyed it. It is fairly sweet, so I would say that it is better in small doses or as a side rather than as the main portion of your meal. Super tasty though and quite filling too.

Battle of the Sweets

When we last left off I was on a “no sweets at work” kick – and I’m happy to report, I’ve been going strong on this lack of workplace indulgence for two weeks now (10 business days to be exact).

I must admit my sins though… I had one minor slip up yesterday when I just couldn’t resist the lure of the Girl Guide cookie. Oh the chocolate and vanilla-y goodness. So I cracked. I had one chocolate and one vanilla (I couldn’t decide, so I had one of each). I didn’t beat myself up about this because, well, it’s a Girl Guide cookie – how often do I get the chance to have a Girl Guide cookie? I figured I’d just get back on the horse and not worry about it.

Unfortunately, my lack of will power carried over into the evening and after yoga class I hungrily made the mistake of stopping at the grocery store for milk and a few other essentials. Two wonderfully delicious (and totally non-essential) Panda “soft licorice” sticks later and I was home. (Those things are the best!!!)

The downward spiral continued at home. Apparently I needed to eat two of everything yesterday and after “dinner” I scarfed back not one, but two – count ‘em, TWO – cupcakes (one chocolate, one vanilla… I sense a theme here). Oh, and for the record, they were freaking awesome.

Anyway, a sugar crash soon followed and it was off to bed. Today I woke up feeling pretty good and tackled a nice 60min fartlek before work with Kirsten. Tonight is more yoga and a spin on the ol’ bike. Hopefully that will help burn off some of yesterday's indulgence.

On the “sweets” front, I have behaved much better today and I would say I’m officially back on the “no sweets at work” wagon.