running

(Daniel Glasser has granted me permission to post some of his FKO photos; please see bottom of the page for credits -- thanks, Daniel!)

It was so gorgeous out late yesterday afternoon that I decided to do some running outdoors around 5 pm. I enjoyed the experience so much more than running on a treadmill that I think I just might have to do it again.

I ran along the harbourfront, as close to the lake as I could get without falling in, the breeze off the water kept me from getting too hot (I should have brought sunscreen!). I chose a look-out point near Queen's Quay Terminal as my turn-around spot, and I rested for several minutes, watching the waves on the lake and listening to the seagulls call to each other.

Definitely better than the sound of treadmills and exercise machines. :-)

I'm not a seasoned runner like Andrea Dale and Dave Weingart, doing most of my cardio workout on elliptical trainers and rowing machines in the gym, and have only recently started running on the treadmill. My "routine" is generally warming up with a fast walk, then running until I get tired. At that point I do more fast walking, then run again. And so on. Eventually I'd like to get to the point where I can run the entire time, with no walking breaks. I'm ramping up very gradually; I pushed myself too hard when I tried running about five or six years ago, and developed some knee problems. We'll see how it goes this time.





Anyway, it was a great walk/run, and helped a lot with my current bout of post-con blues (which are hitting me harder than usual). There weren't many people along the harbourfront; I'm sure that will change as the weather warms up. I passed a few cyclists, other joggers, couples walking arm in arm.

I might take out my bicycle again, but I find it's not nearly as relaxing as walking or running. Mainly because I have to constantly fight the tendency to enjoy my surroundings; riding a bike in downtown Toronto tends to require more sustained focus and coordination because of the busy traffic.

I used to hate exercising. I remember the first time I tried out a stationery bike; I was exhausted after only five minutes (and that was on the lowest resistance level on the bike!). Now it feels good to be able to push myself pretty hard for an hour without feeling like dying. :-) I've gotten hooked on the endorphins; I actually like working up a sweat, to feel somewhat sore the next day.





I'm proud of the fact that I've lost the twenty pounds I put on during my corporate stress experience. It took me over a year, but I can now fit into my pre-Xlibris clothes again. :-) I know I'm not as fit as some others my age, but I feel pretty good these days. I don't deprive myself of my favourite treats (like CHOCOLATE!) but I'm more aware of what I'm eating and drinking, and cook at home more often.

For me, the main key has been consistency. Even if I'm running super-short on time, I try to carve out a bit every day to do something physical. If I don't have time for a full workout, I go for a walk. Or take the stairs, or do some stretches between bouts at the computer, or ab exercises or lift hand weights I keep at home.

I've found that the toughest part is in the beginning, when I have to establish a new habit. My tendency is to go overboard ("I'll get up at 4 am and do a 2 hour workout everyday! Yeah, that's it!!") rather than start with realistic goals from the start, and then gradually ramp up. Too easy to fail, and then it becomes easy to just give up.





Blatherings Follow-up

I recently got an e-mail from Judith Hayman re: questions that came up early in Blatherings or Blatherchat about FKO.

She says that "the Interfilk item went for $700 CDN, which is a 'number' record and a Canadian dollar record, but, given the CDN-US exchange, not an absolute record. The item was won by Zev Sero, a NYC area filker. The auction total was a Canadian record but not an absolute record. Both of these belong to GaFilk, 2001."

She also says that she wishes she could post Tanya Huff's letter of thanks to the con for her wonderful time. "She was totally sincere. We may even see her back <g>."

Judith says she hasn't answered these questions in Blatherchat because she's "not much on web-based e-mail", but invites people who want to discuss FKO-related issues to participate in her FKO mailing list.

---

Today's Blatherpics:

	The sign on the construction site in front our building. I'm *highly* tempted to write something interesting on a sign and tape it just underneath. If you have any suggestions, please post them in Blatherchat. :-)
	Daniel and Melissa Glasser kindly gave me permission to re-post any of their FKO photos on my Blatherings, so I've decided to post some of my faves. See here for other Glasser photos from FKO 12. I love this one of Ingrid and Steve (who are laughing because of something Dave Weingart is saying, I believe).
	Judith and Dave Hayman at FKO. I really like the lighting in this picture. Photo by Daniel Glasser.
	Kathleen was trying to convince me to buy her beaded Christmas penguin necklace at the Interfilk auction (she's sitting in my lap in the photo). I was sad because the price had gone above my limit! Kathleen is pretending to be sad for me. :-D Photo by Daniel Glasser.
	I like this picture of Terence boxed in by Seanan, Erica and Melissa. Terence claims they were huddled around a heating vent, trying to draw out as much heat as possible. Photo by Daniel Glasser. (By the way, did you hear that Terence might be moving to Toronto?)