Back in the Gym

Life is good. This weekend we got back to some training-like activity.
Hit the gym Saturday for a great spin on the bike and my first session of my off season strength training program. I woke up some muscles that haven't been worked in a while and am feeling it. I am glad for it though, I have missed this..
Today we were back to the pool for a our first post tattoo swim. After 3+ weeks out of the water, I am not as smooth as I was to say the least. I was having some trouble getting my breathing comfortable and I swallowed more water than usual, overall not too bad and it felt great just to get back in the water.

This weekend was also the ATA awards, and my boy just happened to be chosen for the Age Group Athlete of the Year. It was a most deserved award after a year of hard training and great results.
D has been a huge inspiration and motivation for me all year, and I am very proud of his accomplishments. Trying to keep up with him has been the best training strategy I've found!

Gravity

Thought I should post a quick update, thigs have been kinda crazy in the Hunter/Morris household/world!
Big changes coming our way. No formal announcements until things are signed, sealed and delivered, but that should be late next week. Living in mystery has never been my strong suit. But I am exercising patience...

Saturday was a great hike up Ha ling peak. We power hiked our way up in an hour, had a break at the top and took in the spectacular view, and then began our speedy descent. Unfortunately, about 2/3rds of the way down, I was attacked by a trail frog. It came out of nowhere and although I can usually recover from these incidents without eating dirt, the pitch was too steep and I took a hard fall. The pain was so intense I had visions of things being broken. But it turned out to be some nasty frog bites to the knee and a lot of bruising. We took the rest of the trail down very slowly, every step was painful and it took everything in me not to cry. As a seasoned trail runner I know better- you must never let the trail frogs see weakness- otherwise you are marked for life...
Several days later now, I am still tender. This makes post Ironman seem like nothing. Today I am finally able to walk down the stairs facing forward, and I feel like I am definitely on the mend.

In other news, I started leading Survivor Bootcamp Classes this week with my good buddy Clinton. So far I have little more than my voice to offer, but as soon as I am fully mobile again it will be no mercy. I can't wait, I forgot how much I enjoyed teaching fitness classes.

In D related news, my boy is officially complete all the requirements of his Bachelor of Commerce degree. The final marks are still trickling in, but with the high 80's and 90's he has been pulling off it looks like he will be graduating with distinction.
I know- he's gorgeous, athletic, intelligent, and kind hearted... all that PLUS he is handy around the house, a financial wizard, and when I am working late there is almost always a home cooked dinner waiting for me. Don't worry, I know I am the luckiest woman alive and I give big thanks everyday for the blessings I have...

Speaking of blessings, D and I became Auntie and Uncle to a new Nephew last week. Christie, D's sister gave birth to a tiny little angel named Jacob. He is an itty bitty spark of perfection and we are both head over heels in love with the little goober.

I also had the privilege of meeting D's grandparents this weekend. At 91 and 92 years old, they are an amazing example of what till death do us part should look like. His grandpa has had some health issues, but his grandma is a little spitfire, full of energy and fully dedicated to taking care of her beloved husband. It was really heartwarming to see.

That about wraps up the news for the week. I am looking forward to feeling better so i can get into the strength training program Syl drew up for me. I miss training...

The life of a normal person...?

Post IM is a strange time- taking a break is good for the body and I am sure it is good for the mind, but I will be happy to get back at it in October. I met with Syl on Monday and set up a 2008 training strategy. She is putting together an off season strength program for me and reiterated the importance of this time off and waiting to get back into the training. So I will wait.
Last night was fun, we went out and had dinner with Colin and Nichole and met their new little guy, Daymond. They are adapting really well to family life, Nichole looks fantastic and they seem very happy. We enjoyed playing with the baby, and although we both want to do the baby thing eventually, we also agreed that we are happy with just the 2 of us for a while...
We have more socializing happing this weekend, it seems like we are making up for months of social isolation haha.
We are also going on a hike on Saturday- making an effort to do some activities outside of triathlon. I am looking forward to it, it will be beautiful out there with the fall colors, and I haven't done a non trail running hike in ages!
I am also shopping for a new car which is fun. Going to look at one on Sunday that I am excited about. It has heated seats- the clincher for me hehe.
I have been so busy at work this week that I have not done anything other than a long walk Monday night. I feel like a bum. I am going out for a short run today, for sure, before heading to Red Deer for a book signing with my boss.

Plans they are a changin'

The plan has always been to take 2008 off Ironman. We were going to travel to France and watch the Tour, do some biking and get hitched. After doing some research into it we found out that we would not be able to get legally married in France, but would have to travel to Spain.

After this year's race, however, both D and I were silently feeling a bit bummed about not doing IM next year. We both had fantastic results this year and personally, I was hoping to continue to build on my fitness and have another go at it next year. I didn't day anything as going the the Tour has been D's dream trip. As it turns out, D was the one who finally suggested the change in plans. He is smart, and he knows me... He says "Hey babe, what would you think of getting married in Hawaii next year". Gee, that sounds terrible. LOL
Needless to say I was on board in a heart beat, and the next thing we knew we were registered for IM Louisville in Aug/ 08! We were deciding between Wisconsin and Louisville, and decided on the latter since it is a new race, and a smaller race. I also read some race reports and it sounds like a very challenging and beautiful bike course.

So needless to say, my post IMC blues have been replaced with excitement.

Now we just have to continue saving up and make sure we can get the time off at work! the good news is we have been saving for France for a year already, and have already purchased our Boston flights and the race, as well as paid for our IM entries. We have enough for both of those trips, but also want to have 2-3 weeks in Hawaii- so now we must save for that!!

On another note, today was an absolutely gorgeous day in Calgary. We had a fantastic ride out to Bragg Creek for lunch, and really enjoyed the sun, blue skies and the beautiful fall colors of changing leaves on the trees.

I love fall, even though it leads to winter... it is just so beautiful...sigh. If only we could bypass winter and go straight to spring ;-)

D's Version of the Day

My race report is still not done, but D has posted his, check out his story of his perfect day...
http://darin-hunter@blogspot.com/

Back to work

We had theeee most amazing vacation in BC. A whole week after ironman of camping 3 feet from Skaha lake. We ate, drank, played in the water, relaxed and enjoyed the last days of summer heat.
Other highlights included mini golf and serenading by a mariachi at the mexican restaurant, trip to the museum to see the 25th anniversary exhibit, getting inked!, reading a 600 page novel, riding the waves in the floaters, drinking beer (lol), sunrises and sunsets on the lake...
I have been back at work this week and have been going full tilt. Lots to do after 2 weeks away- never mind the months leading up to IMC where my brain was only slightly focused on anything other than training ;-)
I have done a few rides these past 2 weeks and a run yesterday, my body is feeling good and recovering well. I am looking forward to getting back to the gym and hitting the weights. It has been a long time since I've done strength training and I am really excited to get back to it.