dreaming over the ocean

The last hour of work on a Friday afternoon is generally the toughest, right?  That’s what they say? I certainly am finding that true today. I also guess that the summer hold that much more anticipation! This weekend, Sean and I are off for a short two day trip to Penticton .  We would leave tonight, but, the heat is going to be sweltering, and we have to make accommodations for the dog. We are heading up there to Participate in the GranFondo: 180Km of cycling in 37 Degree heat.  YIKES!!!  I’m very excited though, and it seems like it is going to be a great event.  I just hope we can finish. Three weekends ago, I had just gotten back from Malawi .  I saw super sick.  That was not fun.  Two weekends ago, I spent it up in Whistler, with 5 other triathlon girls, doing a training weekend.  IT was amazing, and it really reminded me about how much joy it is to have “nothing but training” to do for a few days in a row.  Especially ...

  I am about to do a shameless plug, for a GREAT cause.  Two years ago, I joined my uncle (and two cousins) on a day during his ride from Victoria to Thunder Bay to raise money for YMCA Strongkids Campaign.  here we are eating doughnut's at Tim Hortons.   Here we are, working the doughnuts off. My uncle don is our family's athletic inspiration.  He did Ironman Canada in the 80's, and has been racing triathlon ever since.  He generally enters, sometimes doesn't run (as his knees are a bit worn out now...), and had fun the whole way.  He goes to the YMCA at least 2x a day, and Tim Hortons at least once.  He is a lawyer in Mississauga, ON.  His 3 kids have done triathlons, I do triathlon, my neice used to go out and visit him every summer, and he made her do triathlons, and he has inspired my cousin Rob (the younger fellow in these photos) to do Ironman Canada this year. And he believes in the fight against childhood obesity. ...

In nursing, when we learning about assessing a client, there is one step which is entitled Inspection. Inspection includes just looking at the patient, determining their "State."  what do they look like? What is the level of conciousness?  Do they appear to be in distress?  Are they breathing with difficulty?  are they reaching out in pain?  are they appropriately answering questions?  etc.  So.  If you think your nurse is looking at you with "shifty" when you first meet her... well, she is.  but, they are only shifty, because they are "inspecting" your body.  (HA!   another  bad nursing joke just came into my head.... "I'm not checking you out... I'm just doing my inspection.") also included in this inspection, especially for psychiatric clients, is if they are appropriately dressed for the situation. I have had my last month of clinical rotation in the Emergency Dept at Royal Victoria hospital.  I have learnt a lo...

So, two things I have been gearing up for this week. 1) my healthy eating challenge with boy i like (BIL? HA!). 2) winter commuting on my bike. therefore, I will comment on them both. and, i write first to say. don't. judge. (yes, leanna, I am looking at you ;) ) I may be a little strange. I may be a little obsessive. I may be a little off the rocker. But, I am what I am. And, there are always reasons for what I do. so, don't. judge. That is my soap box for the day. healthy eating challenge. as we all can agree on, the things we put into our bodies are what make us able to function day to day. we love food. Sometimes I talk a lot about it, other times i don't. One thing, though, for me, which is certain, is I react to the food I eat. Unfortunently, much like many other girls, if i eat to much crap, I feel guilty about it. And, when i feel like crap, sometimes I default to eating crap. for me, it is *Easy* to eat like crap. but, on the other hand: i LOVE healt...

This is a on going series that is posted on thursday's, to answer the question: "What helps you to thrive in your environment?" The series is written by myself, and a variety of guest Contributors. This week, I want to comment on the joy of a commute Today, it is simple. I wasn't sure what to write. i certainly have not felt like I have been thriving as of late. but, on my way back from work at the hospital today, I realized for the first time in quite a while, something that I have not talked about for a long time. Mostly because, to me, it is so simple. it is something that I love. Something that sustains me. Something that makes me thrive. I remember what it felt like to get back on my bike, way back in 2007, after I had spent the summer recovering from a crash that broke both my arms. It was my new baby blue brodie, I was scared, but, it felt like freedom. biking around the city, too and from work, too and from school, felt like freedom. Commuting by bike al...

Not much to say today. except... HURRAY for taper week! one week to go before the big race :) got to watch the Grand Prix Cycliste Protour today, riding around our city. Not great quality photos, (mmm, yep cell phone photos aren't great..) but amazing to know that some of the top riders in the world were flying by me. "Home town hero" Ryder Hesjedal was 3rd.

so, today, i had a good little laugh. These past few days, I have been the queen of riding inappropriate bikes . --> the bixi bike, last week, for a training ride. and, today, after having picked up my flying machine from the shop, and post real training ride, I went to take the flying machine back via metro. however, it was during "les heures de point." and, for all you anglos out there (heh): "peak hours." meaning no bikes on metro. so, i commuted... on my P3 . picture me, with my chacos, a crappy "messenger bag," a cotton tee-shirt, cruising the bike lanes at a rapid speed of oh, say 15km/hr, and making stops at a coffee shop, and the bank. allowing commuter mc joe to pass when they want, and weaving through the traffic. (now, if this is not a funny story for you, well, you clearly don't know how inappropriate a cervelo P3 is for commuting. believe me. it's funny.) oh, and, i was also priviledged to see, on my commute home, a black ma...

So, it has been a while since I have posted. Not necessarily because I have not wanted, but just cause this past week has flown by. the last few days in edmonton were busy. busier than desired. the beginning of last week consisted of me being a recluse. My exams, on wednesday and thursday, were a large source of stress. I spent sunday-monday-tuesday at a friend's place, and at coffee shops. Filled my time with cramming, and with researching other nursing programs that might take me if I totally flunk out of mcgill. Exams cause you to do strange things, that is for sure. and, after I was done, it was like a big breath of fresh air. all of a sudden, there was going to be 10 days of non-stress, book reading, bike riding, late sleeping. however, that has only somewhat been true. I have been missing my bikes. They were shipped from edmonton, on greyhound, last monday. THey arrived yesterday (yesssss!), but I had to make due with what I had here in Montreal. I have mentioned,...

so, this week comes with a pretty surprise. As you may know, I love my bike . i love the colour scheme, I love the fact that it can be a three in one bike. it is my commuter, my racer and my very long ride bike. it is a reminder of breaking my arms 3 years ago in a bike crash, and the recovery from that, and getting back onto a bike. it was a new bike, one with disc brakes, pink cable housing, and a baby blue body. that bike taught me to love triathlon, and was a great deal, since I got it on a pro-deal. 999$ for a 1850$ bike. It reminds me of vancouver and commercial drive, and everywhere I bring it, people have a nice little look-see. in fact, *you* can have a look-see in the photo below, on the ride from Montreal to Ottawa, that I did in May. it has had a great 3 years. And, it is not going anywhere. in fact, it is not being replaced, despite the large amounts of money that I have spent this spring to have repairs and fixes done to it (all to find out that I had crappy mech...

so, I love pink. i like the new layout. still going to be working on it, though. Off to Fernie for the weekend. Boy and brother are racing in a silly, ridiculous mountain bike race, called the "Lost Boys Lungbuster." People think I am strange for doing long races that involve 3 sports in one. Try climbing up a ski hill on a Mountain bike. Now that is strange. i will take the chair lift up, and meet them at the top. :) a [not.very.quality] photo from yesterday's ride with my two cousins and uncle (who is taking the photos) through the central alberta roads. Beautiful day, slight tail wind, draft line, and 90km at 30+ Km/hr at a percieved exhertion of probably around 4/10. Beautiful, if I do say so myself. Love the grain elevator. Such a typical alberta scene. More photos to come, when i get my hands on them. I may have sounded a little cynical of Edmonton, in my last post. For those of you who are not really familiar with Canada geography, the province ...

So, what memories do I have of edmonton, from the last time I spent more than 4 days here. I think the best memories were from when I was a kid, and I was a "Royal Glenora Gator." Many days were spent under the summer sun at the outdoor pool, with friends who lasted for years. Every summer, we would come together, we would train together, laugh together, travel together, and race together. From the time I was 7 until I was about 14. then... I went to boarding school. The other day, I went to the Glenora club, and I looked at what is their new pool. It is beautiful. It is indoors, but under a glass structure, so it feels like it is outdoors. The lap pool is detached from the kids pool, and there is a little jacuzzi tub. The guarding office is not sketchy, but a wide open, spacious area. but. it doesn't have the memories attached. it is a vague recollection of the past. I have, of course, other memories of Edmonton. like Edmonton Folk music festival. And the riv...

so, i guess, this week should've been expected to be a little abnormal. not weird , but just a little abnormal. and, why is that?! well, it has been because it is *recovery week!* . and, I am thankful that it has been. I mean, we are looking at friday now. I am feeling ready to get "back in the game," but Mary still gave me a day off tomorrow. How many hours did I have this week? well... something like 4.5. amazing. so, what does that mean? I guess it means that I have been able to use this week to re-focus. After a long training block, and a big race, this recovery time is essential for not only your body to let out a deep breath, but also your mind. to say: "okay, what is on the plate next?" to look at race schedule. To look at school schedule, and life schedule. see what is going to happen. So, with that said, it is no wonder that recovery week as been a little a-typical. it has consisted of: late nights , because I don't have to get up rid...

So. What an incredible weekend. actually... two incredible weekends in a row. and, next weekend will be incredible as well. This past weekend, on saturday, I rode my bike from Montreal to ottawa. and, it was beautiful. It was really fricken long. I went with a friend, Ben, and props to him, because he rode the whole thing on a 10 speed, steel frame oldschool bike with an awful saddle, and a milk crate strapped to the back. and, it is not like he trains for things like this. I know it was challenging for him. FOr me, I felt amazing. i got to have a few more breaks than ben did, due to the fact that I would ride, and then turn around and not be able to see him. so, I would stop and wait. but, here are the highlights and lowlights: cows. deer. horses. open fields, and long rivers. stopping for french fries. finally crossing the ottawa river. our final 50km into ottawa, the rolling hills, the sunset. stopping for pizza dinner. stories of lost love. picture taking and video shooting...

So, started off my weekend not by my usual routine. That should have been my first hint that something is going a little strange. no. wait. loosing my running shoes should've been my first hint. anyway, i biked on saturday, instead of going for my usual long-run with my team in training co-members. Since i didn't have my shoes, i knew it was quite silly to go running. and, yes, i know that barefoot running is all the rage right now, but not for me at this moment in time. And, I knew that it was quite windy out (45km/hr at times), but it was sunny-ish, and I had no desire to do a 3hr ride on the trainer. So, once again, I went out in search of somewhere outside of the city. but, alas, again I was trumped. the bridge was closed and I was not allowed to go on the bike bridge. the car bridges out of the city are crazy, and there is no way I will ride my bikes onto them, so, I turned around and followed the bike path. Wasn't all together bad, since I think most people ...

remember what it is like to ride your bike outside?!? cause, I was almost forgetting. Yesterday, I had the great opportunity to get onto my bike at about 5:30 in the evening, and bomb around town with a new friend. it was soooooo enjoyable, but also sooooooo cold. I mis-interpreted how cold it would be. but. frigid. not quite spring time yet. but, also not quite winter anymore, either. strange place to be. but, it was so amazing to ride and feel my bike move, and have the alternating power needs, and having to be aware of traffic, and biking beside someone and having a conversation, and exploring new places in the city that I have never been too. those are the types of things i love. and those are the types of things that make me long for the summer, when I am able to ride outside all the time. sigh. i understand what people mean when they say montreal has long winters. and, this is long, even though it has not been a harsh winter. it has been quite mild, and yet... i long f...

so, I finally have been able to bring my bike to a shop. sigh. so excited to get it worked on, and to not be afraid to ride it, with fear of hurting it.... but, it is also a little scary to bring it to a shop that i know nothing about, except for the fact that online, it seems pretty good. but, i left feeling like I was going to feel slightly violated once I get the invoice. sigh. We'll see. today includes: going to gym, going and visiting a client in the community, and eating yummy meals with my rowing team, and my mum's close friend. sounds pretty good to me. so much going on in life right now, that i will follow up with a big long post in a day or two. Heading down to Saratoga, NY, this weekend, to go to a regatta.... Ahhhh, Fall in New York state. Beautiful .... i suppose. as long as it is not freezing. and raining.

so, I am sitting in Toronto (well, a suburb of..) at my uncle's place, and will be here for the next few days (it is a long weekend~ thanksgiving!), and i am soooo happy to be away from montreal for the weekend. everything has just been a little overwhelming the last little while, and i am due for a break. my uncle has been doing triathlon and long distance running for a long time. he is a IM completer, and a current sprint tri affectiano... (is that a word?!) at any rate, we have good talks about swim.bike.run. and, sitting outside of the room i am staying in is a indoor trainer, and a nice light set of zipps. His kids, my cousins, are also very athletic, working in bike shops, loving cross country ski racing, and running... i have another cousin on this side of my family (my mom's side) who is a 2:59 marathon runner. so, at any rate... there is at least there are a few of my family members who appreciates my little obsession. talking about that... new set of running shoes...

... i biked my first ever 100km ride. I went out to pitt meadows and beyond. Flat, farmland riding, in aero. it was amazing. I didn't know I was going to go that far, but alas. but, it was hard on the way back, cause a decent amount of climbing was involved. I also realized I didn't have enough nutrition/hydration. and, at one point, an aerobar fell off. ha ha! but, none-the-less, it was great during the times it felt great. everything else was just learning things for the race!!! ... i dropped my bike off for a tune up, and a box up. I am going to have my dad ship it down, when he goes back to the states after my thesis defense on tuesday. ... i walked into a wall, and cracked my head open. yup, that's right. I now have a harry potter sized injury, but it unfortunently does not make me have any magical powers. but, do not fret. I am not hurt (except for my pride... who walks into the corner of a wall in their friend's apartment!?!??!), but there was *a lo...

so, the other day (wednesday, the day that i had no motivation to do anything), while I was out riding, something happened that kills me every time. Now, I am (by no means) the world's fastest cyclist . (any irony that it is a recumbent? the ultimate aero?) but, i would also like to think that I am not the world's slowest cyclist, either. I like to think I can hold my own... So, on a day where I have having a hard time finding motivation to do anything, I finally got out for my 1.5 hour ride. I decided I would head up to the university, around marine drive, and back home. riding up king ed, just before granville street, is enough of a hill to reach a RPE of 7-8, at least. so, I am heading along, and all of a sudden, i hear: "on your left, on your left." this caught me as a bit of a surprise, especially when the person passing me was on a commuter-mobile, panier bag carrying, fender porting, lights flashing, weird sticker rocking, 26" wheeling mtn bike. i t...

so, apparently I was featured in Momentum Magazine's article on the November Bike to Work Week. I stopped at a commuter station to get some free food/coffee/goodness. And, I had the guy adjust my brakes. they took a picture, and here I am :) ha! my friends told me about it this morning, while out for breakfast. I thought it was quite hilarious!