Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Dr. Harris

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I think this post is probably more interesting for what I had planned to write. I was going to talk about my friend and training partner Aaron.

I was going to talk about how I actually met Aaron through his then girlfriend (now wife) Heather, whom I went to Business School with. I don't remember the first time I actually met him, but I remember having trouble trying to spot his facial features because of all that hair.

I was going to talk about how much trouble I have had over the years getting the motivation to try and go to the gym, become more active, and try to lose a few a pounds. But then Aaron started calling on a regular basis trying to get me to go with him, first swimming every Wednesday at the Y, and then to the gym on a (semi) regular basis. If you struggle to consistently get out for some exercise, may I strongly suggest trying to get a workout partner. You would be surprised how much more fun it is to do, and how more often you will do it.

I was going to talk about how supportive Aaron was when I suggested we do this ride together, that I would help him with the fundraising, and he would help me with the training, and how excited he was to do it. He even got me a subscription to Bicycle Magazine for my birthday.

I was going to talk about what good friends he and Heather have been to Corrie and I over the last few years, and how Aaron was the first one to visit us in our hospital room after my daughter was born, how they both changed their plans that weekend to entertain Sofia and I while Corrie had to go back to the hospital for a few more tests, and how the following week they came over with a huge dinner with leftovers, as we barely had time to eat those first few weeks, let along cook.

I was going to talk about what a good friend Aaron is. That has all changed now.

It appears Mr. I-don't-think-I-can-raise-$2500, in fact CAN raise $2500. In fact, just two weeks after he began his fundraising campaign, he is ALREADY UP OVER $1600 while I have just gotten to $1000 after two months.

So let me get this straight. Not only is this punk in peak physical condition and can do this ride with two gears tied behind his back, he is also raising WAY more money than me. AND, he is going to be a Doctor.

Its all gone straight to his head. As you can tell from the photo above, he is taking a stab at a part-time career in modelling (Sears catalogue) and acting (auditioning apparently for the role of a malnourished lumberjack). He won't even take my calls.

It appears I am on my own for this adventure. Not only must I ensure I can finish this ride without throwing up from fatigue, but I must now also pick up the fundraising campaign to at least match Mr. Look-at-me-I-am-super-awesome-at-fundraising-and-saving-lives-aren't-I-cool?

Please, consider supporting my ride to conquer cancer by clicking on the link at the top left of the screen. Let me maintain some dignity against this monster.

XOXO.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Training Update

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So, apparently, having a new born child in the house can sometimes create scheduling difficulties.

Who knew?


It has been nearly three weeks since my last post. I was told that having a child would consume all available time. No kidding. I stayed home after Sofia was born for about two weeks, and struggled to have any semblance of productivity. For example - on the Wednesday before I went back to work, I had planned to get into the basement for a ride on my trainer for just half an hour. Instead, our day consisted of waking up, getting out of bed (because trust me they are two different tasks), had lunch, entertained one visitor, and going for a 15 minute walk. By then, it was 7:00 pm. We had dinner, fed Sofia, and went to bed. What a full day. I was hoping that by going to work, being on more of a set schedule would help my do more. Unfortunately, catch up week at work is a busy one, and I wasn't home before 7 all week.

Thus, my training has been limited over the last three weeks, but it is starting to really feel good when I do get a session in. I have now been to three spin classes since my first, and I think I am getting into them. The one I went to this past Sunday felt good - I was able to keep up with the degree of tension on the bike the whole hour, and kept up the pace about 80% of the time. I find I hit a couple of walls during the class, but overcoming them is getting easier. I have been able to get on the trainer just a few times over the same period. But while Sofia's mood tends to change more often than I hear that stupid CTV olympic theme each day, we are settling more and more into a routine, which should make things easier going forward.

I can say that my body is starting to feel better. I feel more and more refreshed everytime I exercise, albeit pretty sore, and I am starting to feel more and more confident that I can get myself prepared for this adventure. Having lost a few pounds over the last month doesn't hurt either.

Now if only I could work on being on a MOVING bike, I may get somewhere.

Aaron is putting together a training schedule for us, and I plan to post each week's itinerary so you can follow along.

Fundraising is going well. Aaron and I are both about a third of the way to our goals, and we are just putting the final touches on prizes for a raffle, which means I will be hitting up each and everyone of you to buy tickets. I will share more details when I have them.

I promise it won't be another three weeks. I missed you all too much.