super stoked when I was contacted by the one and only Carole Sharpless and asked to be a sponsored athlete for TRISLIDE, FOGGLE and TRISWIM products

not going to pass up this awesome opportunity

asking you not to mention how I’m really just a pretend triathlete, don’t let Carole find out the truth!!

telling you, if you haven’t read her blog, OMG you have to!!

happy that I was able to add the product info to my sidebar (look over there) but still need help making the pics clickable.. anyone??

scared to death, my trainer is coming to my new basement gym for an hour strength training session tonight, cause that’s how us sponsored athletes roll

that’s all I got..

ok, so I told a fibber.. anyway, I’m getting more info on where we locals can buy these products but for now you can buy direct from SBR sports online store

or you can order via Podium Import, they are Canadian, based out of BC. 

As I get more info on this I’ll keep you in the loop.

Beth has set up a virtual run in Sherry’s honour on Saturday Feb 11.  You can find out more about it here.

 “GO. Run as far and as long as you want. Walk, hike, cycle, rollerblade if you don’t want to or can’t run.”

I will change my long run from Sunday to Saturday but I’m not sure about this MST.. what time is that here?  I might be a bit late but I’ll run for Sherry on February 11, I’ll even run outside if it’s nice out. 

Sending all my love out to everyone that knew, loved or was touched by Sherry.   

that’s all I got..

Beth has included a link to print the bib on her post

one of my fav places to run in summer

I was tagged by Jason at CookTrainEatRace to post 11 random facts about me.  I love his post, go check it out.

There are strict rules to this little game of tag and unlike Jason, I only had to read them once.  I’m not ascared of  Blogger Purgatory.

Here are the rules:

1. Post these rules
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself
3. Answer the questions set for you in their post
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer
5. Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them
6. No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this. You legitimately have to tag 11 people!

11 Random things about me:

1. I’m not a jewelry / flowers kind of girl.  I don’t wear any jewelry and flowers die and then I just have to throw them out.  I like flowers, don’t get me wrong, it’s just they are usually still sitting on the table long after they are dead.

2. If I could have a super power, it would be to be showered, hair done and makeup on with a snap of my fingers.  It’s such a drag doing that every day.

3. I played piano as a kid, even competed in a competition, maybe two.  I have a piano in my house and I haven’t touched it for 30 years.

4. I always get lost.. always.

5. I suck at all things decorating. My friend Gwen decorated my house for me, thank god. I can’t imagine what it would look like if not for her.  And if not for Patty I would have picked a super ugly floor for my basement.

6. I love all kinds of music, all kinds.

7. I hate don’t like bugs but if I see a spider in my house I’ll usually just leave it.  If there is a big fat cricket on me I will do a dance to get it off me.  If I have to kill a bug in my house I have to put on my bug killing shoes.  If I have to kill one of those bugs with a zillion legs I get out my Vanity Fair magazine…  splat!

8. I hate don’t really like having to work. My job is ok, there are parts I like but I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. But my job pays enough to support my triathlon habit so I won’t complain.

9. I hate dread race day.  I HATE (yes, hate it, more than bugs or working) race day.  I don’t like the pressure.  I’m not competitive at all.

10. Most of the foods I eat now are foods I hated as a kid except for peas, I’ll never ever like peas.

11. My favourite place to be is where our cottage was growing up. Since I can’t get there anymore just let me sit on a dock on a sunny day and watch the water.  Yes I’ll have a beer please.

Jason’s questions and my answers:

1. Which do you prefer: Vanilla or Chocolate Cake? Vanilla.  Not that I don’t like chocolate cause I do but I can easily say ‘no thanks’ to chocolate cake, not so with yummy vanilla.

2. Which would you do:  Jump out of a plane or Bungee jump off a bridge?  I did bungee jump, there is video of it, I screamed.

3. One week, all expense paid vacation:  Where do you go?  That’s a tough one, I don’t like travelling much.  I mean I like going places but I hate the getting ready, packing, lugging all your shit around etc.  But if expenses include someone to lug my stuff and fill out paperwork on my behalf then England or Ireland.

4. Favorite Celebrity?  Another tough one..  maybe Kate Winslet, because she seems imperfect like the rest of us.

5. What did you eat for breakfast today? so far?  Large coffee.

6. Do you pass gas in front of your significant other?  It doesn’t count if you are sleeping!!

7. Nickname? If you pay attention on Facebook you’ll know what my sister calls me.  If you don’t, you’re out of luck.  Maybe one day I’ll blog about it.. or maybe not.

8. Favorite Vegetable?  oh nooo just one?  If I have to choose, it would be peppers, no wait, mushrooms.. no hang on, brussel sprouts.. is avocado a fruit or vegetable?

9. Favorite Commercial Of All Time? The one with the British guy sitting in the car in the garage eating the oatmeal crisp..

10. Do you still write checks?  Why?  Rarely, and honestly I can’t remember the last time I wrote one but I did just order some.  Also side note to Jason.. it’s spelled cheques!!!

11. Are you working in the field in which you obtained your college degree in? I didn’t go to college.  I did some night school after I started working full time.

My questions to those that are tagged:

1. What is your favourite ‘weird’ food to eat?

2. If you could have any job/career at all, what would it be?

3. Do you know how I can get my safari address bar back permanently?

4. What is your best race memory?

5. What is your favourite song right now?

6. What is your favourite training/racing gadget?

7. Do you prefer to train with a team, or alone?  Why?

8. What is in your fridge right now?

9. Favourite TV show? (if you watch TV)

10. Favourite book?

11. Do you have any pets?  If so what, name, age.

And now..  tagging 11 people

even tho he won’t do it… John at Lord of the Chainrings

and of course if I have John we also have to tag the Mrs.

Let’s see if Rodney, the barefoot triathlete will play along

And Matty O and the Mrs. (that’s 2)

of course I want to hear about Julie at You Just Have to Tri!!

and Peter at Yadda Yadda Yadda

Then there’s And So It Burns, I’ve just started reading and would love to know more about this guy

Can’t forget Detroit Runner

and my favourite Cool Kid

and finally Craig, he’s lost over 100lbs and still going!!

before

Well after outlet installation and reno dicussions and seeing my nephew, I got home last night and put together the treadmill.  I tried the night before but my brain forgot to attend the meeting so I gave up.  Last night it took an hour or so to put the 4 parts together.  I have to say when I plugged it in I half expected the thing to blow up or to blow a breaker or something like that.  But as luck would have it, I plugged it in and tested it out and everything worked!  I checked incline and speed, yup working, the fan, yup working, the iPod plugin, yup working.  The one thing that screwed me up was you are supposed to lubricate the belt so I had to loosen it and then try to correctly tighten it and then align it so the belt was rolling smoothly in the centre.  It took over 90 minutes of tightening and testing and loosening and testing.  At one point I thought I had it, got on, at 1mph worked great, 2, good, then increased the speed to a run…  this is NOT the time to find out the belt is MUCH looser than it needs to be.  I gave in about 8:30, it seemed good enough and tonight I’ll really test it out. 

I’m really excited to try out some of the programs as well.   Hey are you supposed to name a treadmill, like you name your bike?

that’s all I got…

proof that it works

ready to go

laughing, I told Jason about a messaging app called “Whatsapp”, it works between iPhone, BB and Android phones.   The next morning I thought I’d send him a note.  Then later I was messaging my friend Tanya or so I thought..  it should be noted that was the third time I messaged the wrong person that morning

happy that the treadmill was unpacked and got moved to the basement on the weekend, extra thank you to my helper pals!!!

bummed to discover that aside from the laundry and hot water heater I didn’t have a single outlet to plug the treadmill into

relieved when Aidan agreed to come by and take a look and voila, within 3o minutes he had two new outlets up and running.  Aidan is my friend’s son’s best friend, sadly he’s too young for me, like WAY too young

delivered

excited, when we started chatting about things I wanted to done to the basement such as finishing the drywall and putting in a new floor etc.  He has some time on his hands and will do this for me next week

grateful to Sick Kids Hospital for providing my nephew with tickets to a Leaf game in Dion Phaneuf’s box.  He was introduced and everyone saw him on the jumbotron

worried to hear that along with a bad heart infection he also has one in his lungs, but he’s looking and feeling pretty good

finishing set up of the treadmill tonight, no lie

that’s all I got…

my friend tried to help me move it, no luck, we needed 2 more guys

Bacon Jam unopened

not smart and opened the jar of Bacon Jam I got from my friend last week. OMG it’s gooooood!! 

excited to get my new treadmill delivered on Saturday

wondering how to christen it.  Matt had the perfect idea, to run one mile per dollar spent however I am Canadian and it was Canadian funds spent so I’ll be running 1km per dollar.  So that’s 959 kms.  I will  post treadmill kms completed on the blog.  For you Americans that 595.9 miles.

also wondering how long it will take me to complete that goal

happy my friend Craig registered for the same half marathon I’m doing in May

surprised when he stated on his blog that I ‘cajoled him into registering until he couldn’t take it anymore’.  Sheesh, some people!

and always am, motivated by Craig, he’s lost over 100lbs, is looking great and on track!  Craig is awesome

counting the number of people I’m ‘cajoling’ (is that a word) into doing this with me, I’m at two so far, Craig and Tanya (right Tanya, you better have registered!)

getting in rides on the trainer but I’ve learned NOT to mention it because someone always tries to get me to go longer than my schedule says

keeping my mouth shut about that

cooking on Sunday

 feeling good now that I’m back off wheat and sugar, until my co-worker showed up with Godiva, dark chocolate covered pretzels. 

happy to report I only ate 4, I could have eaten the entire canister

not going near his desk until they are gone

that’s all I got…

sorry, one more thing. I know we all like to get our runs and cycling in but please, especially you ladies, please please please don’t run alone.  This story is breaking my heart.  Be safe, I need all of you

www.apple.com/ca

I went shopping with a pal over the Christmas break and we ended up at the Apple store and I bought a new commuter bag.  Yes it was more expensive than I probably could have found elsewhere but it has everything I need.  Pockets to store all my cords, fits my iPad perfectly and my new Starbucks travel mug, which itself is signficantly lighter than my last one.  I love these purchases!

www.starbucks.com

I also bought a Mohpie Juice Pack Air which extends the battery life of my iPhone.  Yes it makes the phone heavier but I love that I don’t have to bring chargers etc everywhere I  go.  

www.livestrongfitness.com

and today, I made the purchase of all purchases.   When I got to work my co-worker told me that Canadian Tire was having a 60% off sale on Livestrong treadmills.   I am a self admited fair weather pretend athlete and I know even driving to the gym to get a run in is going to be iffy, I also know that since I registered for the Mississauga half marathon and with less than 68 scheduled runs left I NEED to make sure I get my runs in so with that I took the plunge.   I am having success getting my cycling workouts in with the trainer being at the house and while treadmill running is not optimal I like having the option.  I need to christen it somehow, a mile a day for a month?

Now please, someone take my credit card away from me!!

that’s all I got…

And no, you can’t come watch me, well I guess technically you could but if you are my friend you won’t.  Feel free to register and run way ahead of me tho.

I already have one friend talked into it.

17 weeks away

and now I’m skerred

no.matter.what

that’s all I got…

I  am back to work and finally catching up on blogs.  Why is it that it’s so much easier to read them here than at home? 

So new year, new start no.matter.what remember.  Yes I remember.  I took my fun til the last possible day but today we start again.  I have my January training plan all set up in Training Peaks.  I got the annual membership because I said I would if they made Rodney an ambassador and I am really liking it so far.  Training is an easy start this month, just to get into the habit getting all my sessions in. 

As far as food, I’m tracking that as well in TP and am back to no wheat, limited dairy (low fat) and limited sugar.  I felt so great before Christmas and I’m not worried about this at all.  I know after a day or two my hunger will be fully in check and I won’t be craving any crap.  I am limiting alcohol as well, I do this every January.  I’m not saying I’m off completely but I’ll stick to the 90% clean rule.

I was stumped when I was getting groceries as to what I wanted to make for lunches.  My issue is that while I love salads, I don’t like them in the winter, my toes get cold just thinking about it.  I had great success making chili and my favourite chicken/veg recipe before the holidays but I also wanted to change it up.  THEN it struck me.  One of my favourite lunches is a Bliss Bowl from Freshii.  It has brown rice, roasted red peppers, raw mushrooms, double avocado (hello), diced tomatoes, goat cheese, olive oil and balsamic.  I love this but I usually add chicken for protein and could do without the raw mushrooms, I only like them cooked.  Does anyone like raw mushrooms?   Then the light bulb went off, make your own damned Bliss Bowl.  So for lunches this week I have set up two kinds, one like the above with chicken, cooked mushrooms and onions, extra veggies, half the rice and avocado of the restaurant portion, 1/2 oz of goat cheese until the fridge supply runs out and balsamic, no oil cause I don’t really need it with the avocado.  The other is a spicy tuna version, with rice, raw orange peppers, spicy tuna, celery, avocado, chopped tomatoes and anything else that looks yummy.

I love being excited about having a lunch that I made rather than dreading a half wilted salad.

On another note, I just wanted to share some advice.  If you decide you are going to purge all your underwear and socks and buy new you should probably buy the new stuff FIRST, then throw out the old.   just sayin’

that’s all I got…

I could write a round up of 2011 but on looking back I realize that while I haven’t been doing much to speak of, it’s really been trying to mend a broken heart.  Seriously broken.  I have done nothing and then I have done some extremely stupid things, things I’m so not proud of and that is not who I want to be.  Then in the aftermath of that trying to forgive myself for what I’ve done and didn’t do and things I said and didn’t say, an impossible task really. And yet through it all I have the absolute best people in my life, people that love me and support me, no matter what.  Seriously NO MATTER WHAT.  I have always thought that love is conditional but so many (and especially a few of you) have proven me wrong time and time again this year.  To not move on and put the past behind me would be a slap in the face to those that have picked up the pieces of me and tried to help put me back together over and over again.  I had a thought that I could list everyone here but that in itself is an impossible task.  You know who you are and if you don’t think you are on that list, you are and if you are reading this (and those that don’t), you are there too and in my heart.

So today I’m going to let it go.

Just let it all fucking go.

2011 is done, finished and I can’t change a thing, and I’m going to stop wishing I could.  There are lessons to be learned so the best I can do is honour it, learn from it and start 2012 fresh.

Clean slate.

Hello 2012, I am going to make me proud for a change.

no.matter.what

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

that’s all I got…