Rainy River

What a great place......here you see my daughter on the 4 wheeler with her Uncle, if it isn't my bike (which is now sold, as of today so I am in mourning), it's someone elses. Then we got the gang, my daugther with her cousins Maggie and Andrew on the dock, with Kelly, the beautiful golden lab in the background and finally, in the water we go.....that's me with Maggie.
It is such a peaceful place, you don't hear any traffic, no city pollution of any kind, and the skies are crystal clear especially when you see the moon reflect on the river....amazing.
I had a chance to buy a place not long ago about 35 minutes from where I live but missed out on it. It was just like Rainy River....small place but on another river, same concept......now I am just looking for another place to mirror Rainy River and when I find it.......I ain't telling......

Peace

Here we go again......

I never thought I would be wearing the tights again but here I am, starting to take a fancy to them. At least now I have a practice pair, these black ones that are torn a bit all over, and a fairly new pair in the Greek colours that I got from the bobsled team.....those will be my race ones, if we ever get to that point.
I enrolled in a skating camp in Calgary in July and am really looking forward to that. I believe that will put the realism in whether I achieve my goal or not.
The time for a 500m is sub .36 secs, for 1,000m is sub 1.11.5, for 1,500m is sub 1.49.5, for 5,000m is 6.39, and for 10,000m is 13.35 with a split at 5,000m of 6.33.
I hope to at least attempt all of the distances when I am there and be somewhat close to the times to have an approximate idea if I am in the ballpark or if I should just be watching the game.
I skated today, hence the crappy pics, but my skates were starting to fade in sharpness so I will attempt to sharpen my own skates for the first time since I bought a jig and all.
I had a few days off and the whole family went to my wife's Uncle's place in a small remote town called Rainy River........we fly to Winnipeg, rent a car and drive south into the States, hug the border for about 30 mins and then re-enter Ontario and then don't blink, cause you'll miss it. We go at least once a year and it is just beautiful and relaxing, right on the river that divides Canada and U.S.A......I am definately a different person when I am there.....we all are. I'll post some pics soon.
'Till then,

Peace to all

Ahhh, weekends mean work......

When I say my daughter helps me do everything, I mean everything, that includes moving about 3 cords of wood from the back, to the side of the house for next winter use. She is such a good help and all she asks for in return is a ride in the wheel barrel, full and empty.....that's cool, cause I get my workout too. She has been helping me haul wood since she was 3 years old.
Speaking of workouts, Saturday I introduced a buddy of mine Joel, to the hills.....I believe he is still feeling them. I then biked back home and hit the sled. Usually my sprints are 30m blast offs but I am starting to increase the distance. This week I went for 60m......2 with no weight, 2 with 50lbs, 2 with 100lbs, then 2 more with 50lbs, and finish with 2 more no weight......after biking and running the hills.
Today, I hauled wood, biked, played 2 on 2 volleyball, biked back home and hauled another 2 cords of wood.
Needless to say, 2 full days in the sun, I am cooked.....no fake n' bake here!!
Good news is, this week I start on the ice so I am looking forward to that.
The bad news is, the indoor 400m track did not work out so now I am looking for a paved outdoor track.
Things are going well but my real test will be the one week long camp I am planning to do in Calgary at the Olympic oval in July.....I just need to make sure I get the time off.
Well, gonna be an early night tonight.....can still feel my skin frying.....
Peace.

Heavier and heavier......

Well, I am feeling it today but that's cause I pushed my self to new highs yesterday.
First, I went for a warm up skate and some 200m starts and sprints. The skates are definatetly different than actual skates in terms of grip and give....a blade really sinks in the ice while while wheels tend to slide a bit on asphalt, nevertheless, a good warm up workout.
Then, I did some weighted sled pulling with the skates on......well that was different and anyone watching might have thought I was a bit spastic while taking off....skates going in every direction, off balance, etc......this because of the grip again especially with added weight (50lbs).
So off come the skates and on come the running shoes and more weight. I started with 70lbs, then went to 90lbs, then went to 115lbs, and finished with 140lbs pull....add an extra 10-20lbs for the sled and what a workout again.
I am glad to say that even though I could feel it today in a good way, my lower ab tendonitis is not that bad so I think it may be subsiding.
I gotta say, a workout like that sure slows traffic down on the street from rubber neckers and brings the neighbours out.
This week sometime, I will try the indoor 400m rubber track and see if that could be a good training venue for me.
Today, a day of rest, maybe some relaxing basketball or a couple of rounds on the bag......I just need a little more coffee.
Peace.