Life Changes

Hi there Everyone! I hope you are all staying warm this week with the cold front that has hit us here in Alberta! I have managed to log more than a few miles on my treadmill and on the running track at the the local gym as temperatures have hit -45C with the windchill Much too cold for this previously  fair-weather running girl :)
I am looking forward to this coming weekend very much! I will be heading to the mountains to visit my parents with my 2 boys.
I got to thinking how different life is after having kids, and it is definitely not a bad thing! In previous years (prior to kids) I would have been home to visit my parents to go skiing in the mountains of Fernie at least 5 times by now, but this is my first trip home this season, and I won't be bringing my skis! I will bring a couple of pairs of running shoes and my passport.
My plan is to make the 4 1/2 hour drive on Friday afternoon and to relax once we get there. Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday will involve my running shoes in some way. I am not actually sure if I am more excited to go running in the mountains or to drive the 1 hour past Sparwood, across the border, to pick up my new running shoes and INKnBURN that I have waiting for me. I guess both. I will get to try my new shoes and gear out in the mountains! Sounds pretty much perfect to me!
I will try to take a lot of picture while I am out on the trails of Beautiful British Columbia! I look forward to sharing them with you on here!
Cheers!

I am INKnBURN ambassador! Hooray!

What an exciting weekend and amazing weekend we have had so far!
I hope that you are also enjoying your weekend, whether working or playing :)
My Friday began with a great Guts and Butts workout followed by a 5K run on the indoor track. After that it was a no brainer to go to the pool with the kids (to squeeze in some hot tub time).
At about 4:30 in the afternoon I received an email confirming that I have been chosen to represent INKnBURN as an ambassador! I could not be more excited to be part of an amazing company that provides amazing gear to workout, run and just lounge in! I am also looking forward to working along side with some amazing athletes and ambassadors :)
We finished our night with an awesome glass of celebratory wine! This bottle of Ciclos Malbec/Merlot blend from the Michael Torino estates winery in Argentina is a wonderful wine that we drank on its own, but would pair well with cheese, chocolate or beef! We received it as a gift, but it retails for about $25/bottle.
This morning after the kids hockey and skating I managed to squeeze in just about 8 km and I am now trying to mentally prepare myself for the cold 18Km run I will face at 8am tomorrow.
Enjoy your activities this weekend, whatever they may be!

Running on Ice

What a great weekend of running to work! It proved to be challenging in many ways, but it was so great to finish my running early enough to hang out with my family! Running to work frees up time as I get the kilometres under my belt in a functional way, rather than squeezing in even less of them after my shift. Both days I was home earlier than I would have normally been if I had run after work. Perfect! :)
On Saturday I ran 5 Km each way in icy conditions, but a little warmer at only -7C. On Sunday I chose to wake up early and add an extra 5K to total 10K to get work and 6K home. I needed to run 15Km to keep up with my marathon training group, so 16K felt great!
The run to work on Sunday was very cold (-17 with the windchill) and also icy, but when running on ice I wear my trail shoes (because I have found the ice grips don't work well for me), and I just need to remember it is not about speed in these conditions. I just enjoy being out running, so playing it safe and taking small easy strides while carefully watching my footing is best.
The run home was in the sun the entire way and much colder at -17 without the windchill and -22 with the wind. It was also much more slippery as the sun was creating the nice little bit of sheen on top of the already rutted and frozen trails. Slow, easy steps :) I also saw just how windy it had been in the morning as there was an enormous tree in my path on the journey home. Perfect Deathrace training!
I am finding this is one of my toughest challenges of winter running. I am normally kind of a speed demon, so slowing my down :30-1:30/km was hard on my mental state at first. Once I released that stress I am just free and happy to be outside.
Run safe everyone! Have a  great week!

Deathrace

And so Begins My Journey....

I have officially registered (as of 0957 this morning) as a soloist in the Canadian Deathrace. I am both excited and nervous to start down this trail. I will be running 125km in the mountains of Grande Cache, AB August Long weekend, 2014.
I am looking forward to my training and sharing my experiences with you all on here :)

Spin Into the Night

I have signed up for my annual winter spin class. I find that this 8 week session of 2 days/week is perfect to keep me going over the winter.

Not only do I love spin because it is an amazing cardio workout, but also because you sweat, and so does everybody else!!! If your neighbour is not sweating, they are not working hard enough ;)

After this session I will be focusing more on running, but I will definitely be squeezing in at least one spin class per week. I find it is excellent cross training.  I also believe it has made me a better, faster runner.

I highly recommend spin to everyone wanting to get in shape, stay in shape and that just wants to feel good. 

Happy Spinning All!

Waves

"There is no secret to balance. You just need to feel the waves." - Frank Herbert

Today I did something that I don't think I have ever done! An hour + of just strength training. No extra cardio at all.
It was definitely a different experience for me, and although I enjoyed it (and will likely be sore tomorrow), I feel like I need that little bit of cardio.
Our workout consisted of a full tabata class (something I also love!). I tried to do active rest on our breaks and I found I pushed myself a little bit harder because I was not getting the cardio workout that I am used to.
Cheers to living life, trying new things and for stepping out of the box :)
Tomorrow begins my marathon training journey. This also marks the very beginning of Deathrace training. Solo registration open on Thursday....

INKnBURN, Pinot Grigio and Paleo Salmon

Friday started with a great workout in my leaf tank, dragonfly shorts and my green compression socks that brought many compliments (which always makes me feel great). Our Guts and Butts workout involved lots (and lots) of sprints and a wide variety of squats, lunges, abs and more.
When I got home I discovered that they had ploughed my street, which meant more exercise (shovelling). It was the warmest it had been all month so I was quite happy and comfortable to stay in my shorts and tank and sweat a little more.
After all that exercise I definitely earned a couple glasses of wine with dinner. We chose a pinot grigio from the Okanagan to pair with our  paleo herb crusted salmon and broccolini. The wine made in Ogopogo's Lair by Prospect Winery was full-bodied, fresh and crisp and paired nicely with the spices of the salmon. At about $15/bottle it is also a nice price point for an everyday wine.

Simple Paleo Herb Crusted Salmon

2 Salmon fillets or salmon steaks (I prefer steaks, but both work nicely)
1 heaping Tbsp coconut flour
2 Tbsp fresh or dried parsley
1 Tbsp Olive oil
1 Tbsp Organic Dijon mustard
Salt and Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 450F. Place salmon on parchment paper or foil lined baking sheet. Tope salmon with olive oil and mustard. Rub into salmon.
In a small bowl, mix together coconut flour, parsley, salt and pepper. Using a spoon sprinkle on the salmon and pat down. Place in oven for 10-15 minutes or until salmon is cooked to your preference.

The salmon is so simple and delicious! It is one of our family favourites :)
Hope you all enjoy as well!