Back in June I spent 30 days trying to develop new eating habits which basically involved cutting out grains and processed foods. I did well and have more or less stuck with the concept since. I'm not perfect - nor do I want to be. Those 30 days did create a habit that has served me well through what I've decided to call the Summer of the Blerch.
Recently I broke through my mental haze on both the bike and on foot. So on Sunday, after Canadian Thanksgiving on Saturday - where all nutrition bets are always off - I embarked on a 55 day attempt at strict (er) adherence to better eating. Why 55? Why not 8 full weeks or 56 days? Because December 6th-7th is annual family cookie bake weekend and December 7th (which would have been day 56 or the end of 8 full weeks) involves breakfast at Shady Maple. Enough said? :)
In addition to strengthening my seat on the better nutrition bandwagon I am also going to take advantage of the haze breakthrough and get back into a fitness routine. It will be neat to see how the two work together. I'm not going to write a "must stick to it" fitness plan. I'm not up for that. Instead I'm going to do my best to balance trail running and biking from week to week. I will add hiking and at home body weight exercise to keep things interesting.
Weekdays will be tough with sunlight waning but I am getting a new headlamp that I can switch onto my bike helmet so I can get in some miles or minutes on foot or bike a few days a during each week. I am not the only one who likes night running and I know others who will join in which is a great for accountability.
For motivation, on November 1st I will sign up for the Tyler 10K Trail Run. It's scheduled for April 5, 2014. It's run at Tyler (duh) Arboretum right here in Media. It will be my first trail race. For cycling motivation through the winter, I have set my sights on joining at least one local cycling club for group rides starting in April.
So 2014 is shaping up to be the year of trail running and biking. I have been fearful of both in a group setting. I have to remember that very few of my fitness buddies care if I (or anyone) is slow or awkward or whatever. And I'm cyclists are the same. There is a time and a place for everyone. I used to be the first to tell everyone that.... time to start taking my own advice.
Stay tuned. Oh and I've already been tested. The hardest thing for me is controlling my sweet tooth. If I can resist I'm good but once I give in... it's a fast downhill spiral. Today at work someone dumped a humongous bowl of Halloween candy on us. It's loaded with Reese's Peanut Butter cups. I did not touch them. 2 days down; 53 to go. :)
Monday, October 14, 2013
Sunday, October 13, 2013
And Then There Is Fred
Saturday (October 12) was the family's celebration of Canadian Thanksgiving. I am always asked what's the difference between Canadian and US Thanksgiving. The food is the same and the reason for celebrating is basically the same as well. The differences lie in two distinct areas.
1. Canadian Thanksgiving is in October. We originally celebrated it here in 1999 when I surprised Dave with a visit from his daughter, husband and their infant son, Cole (from Canada as is Dave originally). It was such a hit with everyone including my side of the family that we now have as many of them as can make it in October; leaving everyone free to visit other family sides in November.
2. Canadians however need lessons in making long weekends. US Thanksgiving is on a Thursday and most people (except retail of course) have off for four days. Canadian Thanksgiving is on a Monday (it's actually tomorrow). I don't get it.
CanThan 2013 was celebrated by the return of "Hats" otherwise known as "Four on a couch". We haven't played it at CanThan for several years. However, given Uncle Dave's supply of baseball hats we do have a good setup for it.
The rules: Each player dons a hat or does not don a hat. You sit around the room alternating hat wearer, no hat wearer, hat wearer, no hat wearer. Get the idea? If you don't you will likely get picked last to be on someone's team. (Fortunately we don't use playground rules so you're good).
By the way, there is one more chair/seat than people in the room. That's n+1 seats with n being the number of people in the room. If you didn't get alternating hats don't bother trying to get that one. Just stick with me I'll get you through.
Next, the names of everyone in the room are written on separate pieces of paper and placed in a... well this year it was the salad bowl. ( Yes, the salad was gone and the bowl cleaned. ) Each player then picks a name from the hat. You may get your own name or someone else's. We used to play you couldn't get your own name but then it took way too long to even get started.
The person sitting to the left of the empty chair/seat goes first and calls from someone to sit in it. If I went first for example I might say "I want Dave to come sit next to me". The person who has Dave's name on their paper comes and sits next to me. It might be Dave or it more likely (and for more fun) will be someone else. Now you have to remember who is "Dave". The person to the left of the now vacated seat calls another person. And so on.
The object is to move people around the room to negotiate four members of your own team (hat or no hat) onto the couch.
Now if it weren't difficult enough to remember who is who when they aren't who they 'appear' to be we have to deal with knowing and remembering which names were put in the hat and who calls who by what name. An easy example is that my dad's name in Paul. But in the hat he is "Gumpop" because that's what the majority of the people in the room call him. But there were at least three people in the room who would call him Dad and one who would call him Paul - outside of hats of course. And then there is Fred. Fred's birth name is Erin Claire and - as I learned just this weekend - may also be known as squeegee. Now of course all of this is easy to figure out if you are part of the family or part of our 'extended friends of family'** plan and have attended at least one game of hats before.
This year we had a newbie. Meet Sara, part of the friends of family plan by way of Fred.
Newbies get a cheat sheet. This lets her know which names are in the game since most of us she had just met that morning. Sara gets big high fives though. She played sportingly well for a newbie and was - in my humble opinion - a key player in at least two of the no-hat team's three wins.
1. Canadian Thanksgiving is in October. We originally celebrated it here in 1999 when I surprised Dave with a visit from his daughter, husband and their infant son, Cole (from Canada as is Dave originally). It was such a hit with everyone including my side of the family that we now have as many of them as can make it in October; leaving everyone free to visit other family sides in November.
2. Canadians however need lessons in making long weekends. US Thanksgiving is on a Thursday and most people (except retail of course) have off for four days. Canadian Thanksgiving is on a Monday (it's actually tomorrow). I don't get it.
CanThan 2013 was celebrated by the return of "Hats" otherwise known as "Four on a couch". We haven't played it at CanThan for several years. However, given Uncle Dave's supply of baseball hats we do have a good setup for it.
The rules: Each player dons a hat or does not don a hat. You sit around the room alternating hat wearer, no hat wearer, hat wearer, no hat wearer. Get the idea? If you don't you will likely get picked last to be on someone's team. (Fortunately we don't use playground rules so you're good).
By the way, there is one more chair/seat than people in the room. That's n+1 seats with n being the number of people in the room. If you didn't get alternating hats don't bother trying to get that one. Just stick with me I'll get you through.
Next, the names of everyone in the room are written on separate pieces of paper and placed in a... well this year it was the salad bowl. ( Yes, the salad was gone and the bowl cleaned. ) Each player then picks a name from the hat. You may get your own name or someone else's. We used to play you couldn't get your own name but then it took way too long to even get started.
The person sitting to the left of the empty chair/seat goes first and calls from someone to sit in it. If I went first for example I might say "I want Dave to come sit next to me". The person who has Dave's name on their paper comes and sits next to me. It might be Dave or it more likely (and for more fun) will be someone else. Now you have to remember who is "Dave". The person to the left of the now vacated seat calls another person. And so on.
The object is to move people around the room to negotiate four members of your own team (hat or no hat) onto the couch.
Now if it weren't difficult enough to remember who is who when they aren't who they 'appear' to be we have to deal with knowing and remembering which names were put in the hat and who calls who by what name. An easy example is that my dad's name in Paul. But in the hat he is "Gumpop" because that's what the majority of the people in the room call him. But there were at least three people in the room who would call him Dad and one who would call him Paul - outside of hats of course. And then there is Fred. Fred's birth name is Erin Claire and - as I learned just this weekend - may also be known as squeegee. Now of course all of this is easy to figure out if you are part of the family or part of our 'extended friends of family'** plan and have attended at least one game of hats before.
This year we had a newbie. Meet Sara, part of the friends of family plan by way of Fred.
Here are the requisite (although forgotten of late) group photos.
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| Kids (it's all relative... well except for friends of family plan members but you know what I mean) |
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| Adults |
** The friends of family plan is easy to join. No fees, no secret handshakes. You just have to know one of us and get yourself invited. On that note, I will leave with a story that I meant to but neglected to share with the family yesterday. When sending an email confirmation to everyone about Thanksgiving advising of the totals and who was bringing what, I mis-entered Jimmy's gmail address and it went to a different J Pollum. I received a very nice reply from a Ms. Pollum who lives on the west coast informing me that my message did not reach the intended recipient. I thanked her and let her know she was welcome to join us if it weren't for the distance. Maybe next year :)
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
It Wasn't JUST 2 miles
It's easy to say it was 'just' 2 miles because well that's what how far it was. Actually I think Mike said it was 2.3 but we won't quibble.
I broke through my sluggish haze on Saturday with the bike ride and tonight was my chance to prove I could still do more than walk on two feet. Of course I know I can but I was starting to question whether I wanted to. So I jumped at the chance to meet Maggi, Naomi and Mike at Haverford College tonight. We had thought we were doing 4 but didn't take the extra loop (probably talking too much to notice the cut off) and ended up back at our cars after 2. It was getting dark and no one had any headlamps so it was likely just as well. Here's how it went for me....
We had plans to meet at 6. I get off work at 4 and I did have to resist thoughts of just going home. I was determined to get over this hump though and I knew this was the group to do that with. They would not judge if I didn't finish or lagged behind. They would be very supportive and their presence would carry me I knew. I had also been on parts of this trail before so I could easily find my way back to my car alone if needed.
I arrived at the parking lot and figured I'd read a book while I waited. That made me a little sleepy so with 10 minutes to go I decided to get out of the car and walk around; stretch just a little and perk myself up again. As soon as I stepped out of the car I was hit with a gust of wind.
ME: Really? THIS is how it's gonna be?
MYSELF: Well duh. There's a Noreaster coming up the coast bringing heavy rain for tomorrow what did you expect?
ME: Grrrrrr
I grabbed my headband and windbreak shell out my bag. So here was the first cool thing about tonight. The shell which was quite tight to zip over my waist and tummy in the Spring just rolled right up smooth as can be tonight! Yay for better nutrition and portion control!
We took off shortly after 6 and it was awesome. I wanted to dance a happy dance. We were not doing anything speedy, rather a nice comfortable - passed the talk test - run. And nothing hurt or twinged. My brain didn't find any excuses to stop. It felt awesome. If you've never done this trail and you are local you really should try it. It's pretty and peaceful. It's mostly dirt, a little grave, some asphalt, some open space and some trees. Just enough tree roots and uneven ground to make it interesting and for the most part flat.
We were doing 3 minute run/1 minute walk intervals. On one of our walk intervals I had a run-in with another runner. Well he was running I was walking like I said. Good thing too or we both would have gone down I'm sure. We were travelling two across more or less and the trail was not very wide. When one of my group yelled "Runner Back" I should have looked back first to see how FAR back. I didn't think though and just moved to the right figuring he would pass on the left. And he likely would have if there had been time. But he was too close and had already (I think) eyeballed a path between us and so my step to get out of his way actually put me right in his path. I really should have paid more attention. No real harm done. I can feel a bruise growing on my right thigh where his knee plowed into it when his momentum swung him around but that will heal quickly enough. We saw him again in the parking lot and he kindly checked on my again. His name is Mitch.
So on we went and all of a sudden we were back at our cars. I said to Mike, "I feel too good for that to be 4 miles". And as I said earlier it was only 2. But it was the best 2 miles I've run since March. I've busted through the mental haze and I'm ready to take on the fun that is winter and night time running! First I have to get a new headlamp though. The one from last year - which wasn't bright enough anyway - died.
Keep smiling and keep moving all!
I broke through my sluggish haze on Saturday with the bike ride and tonight was my chance to prove I could still do more than walk on two feet. Of course I know I can but I was starting to question whether I wanted to. So I jumped at the chance to meet Maggi, Naomi and Mike at Haverford College tonight. We had thought we were doing 4 but didn't take the extra loop (probably talking too much to notice the cut off) and ended up back at our cars after 2. It was getting dark and no one had any headlamps so it was likely just as well. Here's how it went for me....
We had plans to meet at 6. I get off work at 4 and I did have to resist thoughts of just going home. I was determined to get over this hump though and I knew this was the group to do that with. They would not judge if I didn't finish or lagged behind. They would be very supportive and their presence would carry me I knew. I had also been on parts of this trail before so I could easily find my way back to my car alone if needed.
I arrived at the parking lot and figured I'd read a book while I waited. That made me a little sleepy so with 10 minutes to go I decided to get out of the car and walk around; stretch just a little and perk myself up again. As soon as I stepped out of the car I was hit with a gust of wind.
ME: Really? THIS is how it's gonna be?
MYSELF: Well duh. There's a Noreaster coming up the coast bringing heavy rain for tomorrow what did you expect?
ME: Grrrrrr
I grabbed my headband and windbreak shell out my bag. So here was the first cool thing about tonight. The shell which was quite tight to zip over my waist and tummy in the Spring just rolled right up smooth as can be tonight! Yay for better nutrition and portion control!
We took off shortly after 6 and it was awesome. I wanted to dance a happy dance. We were not doing anything speedy, rather a nice comfortable - passed the talk test - run. And nothing hurt or twinged. My brain didn't find any excuses to stop. It felt awesome. If you've never done this trail and you are local you really should try it. It's pretty and peaceful. It's mostly dirt, a little grave, some asphalt, some open space and some trees. Just enough tree roots and uneven ground to make it interesting and for the most part flat.
We were doing 3 minute run/1 minute walk intervals. On one of our walk intervals I had a run-in with another runner. Well he was running I was walking like I said. Good thing too or we both would have gone down I'm sure. We were travelling two across more or less and the trail was not very wide. When one of my group yelled "Runner Back" I should have looked back first to see how FAR back. I didn't think though and just moved to the right figuring he would pass on the left. And he likely would have if there had been time. But he was too close and had already (I think) eyeballed a path between us and so my step to get out of his way actually put me right in his path. I really should have paid more attention. No real harm done. I can feel a bruise growing on my right thigh where his knee plowed into it when his momentum swung him around but that will heal quickly enough. We saw him again in the parking lot and he kindly checked on my again. His name is Mitch.
So on we went and all of a sudden we were back at our cars. I said to Mike, "I feel too good for that to be 4 miles". And as I said earlier it was only 2. But it was the best 2 miles I've run since March. I've busted through the mental haze and I'm ready to take on the fun that is winter and night time running! First I have to get a new headlamp though. The one from last year - which wasn't bright enough anyway - died.
Keep smiling and keep moving all!
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Back in the Saddle?
Well sort of. I was never in it for very long in the first place so it is weird to say 'back'... but it makes for a good title.
Today I rode to see sister Chris and her soccer team the Upper Darby Royals. Here is the route I took.
I've been planning this ride all week yet when I woke up this morning I was all but ready to write it off. I decided I was going to stay home and get some serious house cleaning done in anticipation of next weekend's Canadian Thanksgiving feast and the company that brings. I made myself some breakfast and settled in with a cup of coffee to catch up on some blogs, email and Facebook before starting to clean.
I went to Mike's Bike for Sight blog first. I learned about Mike Allen's journey to raise money for the blind and visually impaired through Dave's Lions club. The club will be hosting a bike for sight event next June to raise money for the same group. (Stay tuned for more on that) Mike left this morning (Saturday 10-5) to fly to Portland Oregon. In a day or two he will begin a 4000+ journey alone on a bike across the USA back Pennsylvania. Alone. Did you get that part? I've been following his blog and him on Facebook since I learned about the trip. It has been a dream of his to do this and it's finally happening. I'm in awe and captivated by what he is going to do.
I'm not sure exactly what it was about his simple post this morning that motivated me to get my butt back on the bike but it did. I'm tired, I don't feel 100% but I had to do it. Mike is going to have days like that in the next two months and doesn't have the luxury of skipping it. Well I guess he could but I'm pretty sure he won't. I have dreams (perhaps delusions) of doing a multi day bike ride of my own some day. Mine will be more like three days not two months but still a person has to start somewhere and I decided to start by riding to the soccer game.
It's a little embarrassing now looking at the elevation and comparing it to how tired I was at the end. I'm shaking that off though and focusing on the fact that I did it. Since my last post (two weeks ago) I've done almost nothing as far as exercise goes. I've been feeling like crap and as we know it's a vicious circle. I don't feel good so I don't go out but if I did I'd probably feel better and not going out makes me feel worse. Now I have to stick with it - keep smiling and keep moving right?
Stay tuned.
Today I rode to see sister Chris and her soccer team the Upper Darby Royals. Here is the route I took.
I've been planning this ride all week yet when I woke up this morning I was all but ready to write it off. I decided I was going to stay home and get some serious house cleaning done in anticipation of next weekend's Canadian Thanksgiving feast and the company that brings. I made myself some breakfast and settled in with a cup of coffee to catch up on some blogs, email and Facebook before starting to clean.
I went to Mike's Bike for Sight blog first. I learned about Mike Allen's journey to raise money for the blind and visually impaired through Dave's Lions club. The club will be hosting a bike for sight event next June to raise money for the same group. (Stay tuned for more on that) Mike left this morning (Saturday 10-5) to fly to Portland Oregon. In a day or two he will begin a 4000+ journey alone on a bike across the USA back Pennsylvania. Alone. Did you get that part? I've been following his blog and him on Facebook since I learned about the trip. It has been a dream of his to do this and it's finally happening. I'm in awe and captivated by what he is going to do.
I'm not sure exactly what it was about his simple post this morning that motivated me to get my butt back on the bike but it did. I'm tired, I don't feel 100% but I had to do it. Mike is going to have days like that in the next two months and doesn't have the luxury of skipping it. Well I guess he could but I'm pretty sure he won't. I have dreams (perhaps delusions) of doing a multi day bike ride of my own some day. Mine will be more like three days not two months but still a person has to start somewhere and I decided to start by riding to the soccer game.
It's a little embarrassing now looking at the elevation and comparing it to how tired I was at the end. I'm shaking that off though and focusing on the fact that I did it. Since my last post (two weeks ago) I've done almost nothing as far as exercise goes. I've been feeling like crap and as we know it's a vicious circle. I don't feel good so I don't go out but if I did I'd probably feel better and not going out makes me feel worse. Now I have to stick with it - keep smiling and keep moving right?
Stay tuned.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Oh What a Beautiful Morning, Oh What A Beautiful Day ....
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| At Laurel Hill Cemetery overlooking Kelly Drive and the Schuykill River. It was a gorgeous day! |
The Cycles and Cemeteries ride is organized by the Schuylkill River National and State Heritage Area. And very well organized at that. For a very modest fee we were well fed, hydrated and cared for the entire day. I was alerted to this event by my friend Kristi Y and she and her fiancé Tom and I did the event together.
We arrived shortly after 8 am at Montgomery Cemetery in West Norriton (not to be confused but often is with Norristown). After checking in we were treated to a tour of the cemetery. Our guides gave us the history of Winfield Scott Hancock, Samuel Zook, and nurse Elizabeth Brower who was a Norristown native.
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| You knew I would take this one:) |
I enjoyed seeing how all the trails connect. Previously, I've only ever gone east as far as Conshohocken from Valley Forge on the SRT. I've come west from Manayunk along the tow path as far as the old abandoned train station with Pete and the trail group but usually turned around there. Today I saw the piece in between. I also made the connection from Lock Street at the start of the towpath to where the trail comes down off Forbidden Drive. It all makes sense now!
At Laurel Hill we were fed a very nice lunch. Salads, sandwiches and cookies as well as iced tea, water and Gatorade. We spent some time walking around the cemetery before taking the return trip back to Montgomery Cemetery. For the return trip the trail was much less congested.
I had a great time and have set my thoughts on the next year's ride. They announced today that they are planning a 3 day ride from Hopewell Furnace to Valley Forge to Independence Hall. The trip includes a tour of Independence Hall. It would be very cool to take that ride and get the tour from Tom who is a National Park Ranger at Independence Historical Park.
I had a great time today. I'm very glad the 28 miles was broken in two parts. If I want to do longer rides (like next year) I must get bike gloves and padded shorts!
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| Here we are with Major General George Meade |
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