Update for January 2006
Christmas and New Year’s have come and gone, and thankfully, most of the stress associated with that crazy time of year. Enjoyed myself at many different events this year but hate the stress that comes with the holidays. Attended Oma’s memorial in Thunder Bay, and despite the circumstances it was really nice to spend a little time with my close and extended family, saw cousins I hadn’t seen in years and years.
I had been really good through all of December to get my workouts in at the gym 3 to 5 times a week, alternating between cardio and strength training, but have slacked off since. I did get a couple of outdoor runs done during the week off work, and did a workout and an outdoor run last week, but still not up to where I was. It’s a little more tricky since I’m trying to incorporate x-country skiing and snowshoeing into my routine, which makes my weekend activities go from nil to an activity each day. But I’m also getting back to running with a work buddy outside once a week, lunchtime workouts are easier than I expected, and I’m even going to try running on an indoor track with another work chum tomorrow. 10K races this summer, here I come!
After a significant snowfall last week I managed to get in a 5½km XC ski on
Saturday - saw many dear and rabbit tracks, and was awe struck by a flock of cedar waxwings at one point, whose surprise appearance and striking colours were something to behold. Did some snowshoe trekking with Obi on Sunday breaking in our new snowshoes. My first recent experience snowshoeing had been only a few weeks ago using a pair of rentals and doing a challenging 2½ hour hike on Wolf trail in Gatineau park - I fell in love immediately! (Snowshoes are so cool, you can even run in them!) Yesterday Obi and I went out to the Jack Pine trail to feed the birds, which was wonderful. We saw nuthatches and several male and female downy woodpeckers at the feeders, red squirrels, and of course a great many of the adorable chickadees that will fly to your hand and take the seeds right from your outstretched palm. The cutest thing happened at one point: while Obi and I were standing near one of the feeders watching a little girl feeding the birds a chickadee landed right on top of Obi’s hat looking for seeds. Upon realizing none was to be had on Obi’s hat, the chickadee left a “blessing” and promptly departed. We figure he is now a member of the tribe *grin* Needless to say, I am looking forward to many more outings with Obi this season! And I’m sure, so are the chickadees :-)
I had been really good through all of December to get my workouts in at the gym 3 to 5 times a week, alternating between cardio and strength training, but have slacked off since. I did get a couple of outdoor runs done during the week off work, and did a workout and an outdoor run last week, but still not up to where I was. It’s a little more tricky since I’m trying to incorporate x-country skiing and snowshoeing into my routine, which makes my weekend activities go from nil to an activity each day. But I’m also getting back to running with a work buddy outside once a week, lunchtime workouts are easier than I expected, and I’m even going to try running on an indoor track with another work chum tomorrow. 10K races this summer, here I come!
After a significant snowfall last week I managed to get in a 5½km XC ski on
Saturday - saw many dear and rabbit tracks, and was awe struck by a flock of cedar waxwings at one point, whose surprise appearance and striking colours were something to behold. Did some snowshoe trekking with Obi on Sunday breaking in our new snowshoes. My first recent experience snowshoeing had been only a few weeks ago using a pair of rentals and doing a challenging 2½ hour hike on Wolf trail in Gatineau park - I fell in love immediately! (Snowshoes are so cool, you can even run in them!) Yesterday Obi and I went out to the Jack Pine trail to feed the birds, which was wonderful. We saw nuthatches and several male and female downy woodpeckers at the feeders, red squirrels, and of course a great many of the adorable chickadees that will fly to your hand and take the seeds right from your outstretched palm. The cutest thing happened at one point: while Obi and I were standing near one of the feeders watching a little girl feeding the birds a chickadee landed right on top of Obi’s hat looking for seeds. Upon realizing none was to be had on Obi’s hat, the chickadee left a “blessing” and promptly departed. We figure he is now a member of the tribe *grin* Needless to say, I am looking forward to many more outings with Obi this season! And I’m sure, so are the chickadees :-)