Triathlon training: Week 3

Well, I believe the habit of going gym almost every day has FINALLY set in! I actually look forward to going to the gym each day after work, which makes training so much easier. Maybe that 21 day habit rule is actually true!

Here is where I am at with each category so far:

- Running 3km

- Biking 10km

- Swimming 800m

Lets start with the running. 

I've haven't made much improvement at all in that category and I'm not sure if I'm just not running enough or what. I also play soccer twice a week which is great, but that is anaerobic cardio not aerobic which is what I need to train. You want to run sprints? I'm your gal. But you make me run consistent speed long distance? heck to the no. Will have to try and kick that up a notch here soon.

The biking has been a bit easier for me. Not sure if I'm just not working hard enough but I swear I could go longer than 10km. The problem is, my fiance and I are trying to do the biking and running while keep our heart rates low. That has been the most difficult part, trying to train our body not to freak out and make our heart rate sky rocket. I believe that 10km I did was in about half an hour and I kept my heart rate under 125. Could still use a ton of improvement, but I feel a lot better than when I started.

The swimming has actually been my favourite so far. But let me tell you, before we started this training, I hated swimming with every fiber in my being. I would swim 20m and feel like I'm dying. However, this has been my most improved area of training by far. I still can only swim 50m without stopping for a few seconds, but my biggest workout so far has been 800m and I am darn proud of that! Swimming is such a full body workout and I love the low resistance on my body. 

Overall,  I'm pretty impressed with how we are doing on only week 3. Tomorrow is a rest day, we are hanging with some friends and I will probably have a glass of wine. Oh how I've missed you!

Fall day in Edmonton

Well, fall is officially here and it's nothing but gorgeous!

I had the day to myself today and I definitely took advantage of it.

Not to get to girlie on you, but I painted my nails did a hair wrap and just relaxed for the most part. I also threw in a little bike ride in our lovely river valley, which is always my favourite thing to do. With it being only 4 degrees today, it definitely got the lungs burning and my cheeks rosy.

We all need that from time to time. Sometimes I get lost of the hustle and bustle of life, running from work to soccer, to errands to the gym; I think you get my gist.

My fiancé and I have tried to get the wedding planning started and let me tell you, thank goodness for small weddings. I really don't know how people handle the stress of large weddings!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend everyone and remember, life is good!

Taking advantage of nature

Yet again I've had a lapse in posting on here. I swear I need to figure out a better way to work it into my routine. Summer is always so busy that writing seems to be the last thing I want to do after a long day.

Nevertheless, I took advantage of the gorgeous day we had in Edmonton today.  It reached +29 and nothing but sun all day.  I tend to forget the beautiful river valley we have in this city. I get so caught up in work and life that I don't take time to appreciate what is around me. Plus, it is free! Woot! 

Well, tonight I decided to go on a solo bike ride. Enjoy the sun, de-stress from my day and get some fresh air.  It was definitely worth it and I got a great workout in to boot!

5 reasons to be excited about summer

With the spring weather lately, I am getting excited for summer to roll around. There are so many reasons why I prefer summer, and now that I'm starting on this money journey, I love even more.

1) Allows you to clean house -  In the summer, for me at least, it allows me to go through my apartment, my stuff, my work and organize and throw things out. Everything needs to be lighter in the summer including your possessions. With the warm weather, it's the perfect opportunity to reorganize and simplify things. I have a lot more motivation to throw stuff away when I'm nice and warm instead of when I freeze being outside for one minute.

2) More cost effective activities - In the summer, there are so many more things to do outside.  I actually save a ton of money in the summer, because instead of snowboarding, going for dinner and going to movies;  I go for walks, enjoy festivals, go biking and pretty much all outdoor activities that cost little to nothing. One of my favourite things to do is get a camera and go for a walk. Photography is a little passion of mine, and you'd be surprised what you can catch on film while enjoying the outdoors and fresh air.

3) Less energy - If you own a house or rent a place, you know that especially in Canada, your power bills sky rocket in the winter. Obviously because we have to deal with -30 degree weather.  Power and gas bills go down a ton in the summer, and I love it!

4) Gardening - There are so many great herbs and vegetables that you can grow, that will cut down your groceries bill in half! I currently live in an apartment, SO I'm not really taking my own advice. But one thing I'm so excited for when I own a house, is my garden.  I can't stand plants indoors, but love plants outdoors! Bring on the healthy veggies!

5) Air travel - It's well known, especially in Canada, that flights are more expensive in winter because that is when everyone is trying to go away on a tropical vacation. Yes, winter is when people want to go away more, but in you choose to go in the summer, you will get more bang for your buck in terms of air flights and accommodations.

Summer brings so many wonderful things, and I can't wait for summer 2013! It's not long for us, so we have to enjoy it while we can!


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