rickohikes

A Step to the Loppet

In general, I like races. Running races, obstacle courses, and distances with a goal in mind. So it’s no surprise that I added “Complete a loppet race” to my list… before I really knew what a loppet race was! Think of marathoning, but with cross-country skis. In order to complete a loppet, I guess I should learn to XC ski. And not just learn, but learn well. The course last year was great instruction for practicing the basics of form, stride and technique, and now it’s all about just getting out there and perfecting them.

For two weekends now, I’ve been able to go XC skiing at the Canmore Nordic Centre. The first time at the nordic centre was with Robbie, and it was the first time we had XC skied since taking the course. I’d like to think we were in fine form, but I know there’s much practice to be done. I realized after that session how great of an aerobic workout this sport is! Like, a full body workout. It even manages to work the core quite well! I also learned that one does not simply become a pro overnight! This past Saturday was with my friend Adriane, and after completing the Banff Loop, we decided to take a less-travelled track which was ‘lovely’, as Adriane would say. Full disclosure, I did fall 3 times. I suppose that’s okay for being a beginner, but unacceptable by loppet standards.

So, I have it in my mind that I will get XC ski equipment at some point and train for the loppet next year. I have to be realistic with my injury situation and will need to cut back on my running goals due to the impact they would have on my foot. Instead, I’ve been thinking of low-impact alternatives. XC skiing definitely fits the bill… :).

Goodbye Dell :(

Today was a big day. Well, not really, but I got rid of two significant pieces of electronics. The first was my Dell Inspiron laptop that died around the same time as my Mac. Now fair enough, I had bought the Dell in August 2006 before starting my Master’s degree at UBC, so it’s been 6.5 years or so. But there’s nostalgia with it: All those late nights coding in R sigh. Alas, it died, and now it’s in laptop heaven (aka, a random area in Staples). The second item was my Canon Rebel. I took my first (and only!) photography class with it, as well as many photos over the years until it died a sudden death when it was drenched by a Hawaiian wave. Sad sad camera. But on a positive note, these things have been taking up unnecessary space in my place for quite some time. I’m all about cleansing unused items… out with the old!

Day 45: Mid-P90X Progress :S

Insanity: Thank you for helping me stay somewhat on track! (Photo courtesy of www.beachbody.com) — Insanity: Thank you for helping me stay somewhat on track! (Photo courtesy of http://www.beachbody.com)

Ugh.

That’s pretty much how I feel about reaching the midpoint of my P90X fitness schedule. Today is Day 45, and I can say that even though I started strong, I have dropped the ball in the last few weeks. Phase 1 of the program was awesome. Then I flew home for a weekend, and I’ve never fully recovered since. I do put a lot of pressure on myself, so in my mind, the last 45 days have been a disaster/failure. However, I know this isn’t the case. I’m still doing regular exercise, and this is a good thing. I really want to pick it up for the next 45 days, but I have to keep in mind the following:

1) Work within the injury. I feel like a broken record with my injured left foot and consistent pain on my right arm, but it really does impede the performance of certain workouts. There’s no sense making the injuries worse… so I need to alter my program. Thank goodness for “Steam Engine”, my go-to abdominal workout when I’m substituting an exercise.

2) I enjoy cardio more than strength training. Well, right now I do. Since my genetics make it quite difficult to bulk-up and maintain muscle mass, my focus has been on general fitness, cardio, and trying to stay lean. Which brings me to the next point…

3) I will incorporate more Insanity. I enjoy Beachbody’s Insanity. And even though I’m exhausted by the end of the workout, I really feel like my cardio strength is improving. This will be good for running season when it starts up for me :). Hmm… maybe I should…

4) Do more fun cardio. Maybe I should try this cold-weather-running thing that people do. Or try to do more cross-country skiing. These are great, enjoyable aerobic activities that will get me outside. And with the days becoming longer, there’s no better time than now to push myself a little more and just get out there!

5) Life happens. There was a time when I did a solid P90X program. This is no longer too realistic for me. It’s not that I can’t do it (because I already did!), but sometimes more than one rest day in a week is okay. It may seem ludicrous, but I really do have to tell myself this from time to time, else the result is not a happy Rick. It’s okay to rest a little more once in a while.

So my harsh self-assessment will give myself a C+. It just means that there’s definitely room to improve over the next 45 days. Time to bring it even more!

Typical Nishal…

This post is for my friend Divya, who is leaving for Adelaide, Australia tomorrow to begin the epic journey that is medical school. And of course, I have no doubt she’ll rock it! Super smart, keen, and really short. I’m sure that last quality will be beneficial somehow. My memories of Divya include taking an introductory snowboarding class with her, talking about the state of things really loudly in the TRW hallway, and kicking her out of my office when she’d stop by to say hello. Good times, really. Of course, there’s always the random chats and jokes that I won’t forget :).

And this isn’t really a goodbye, since she’ll be back to do placements at the Foothills I’m sure. So enough with the sentiments.

And the only reason I’m writing this post is because she demanded that I do.

Divya: Just kidding… I suppose you are blog-worthy even without the demand. Which is why I expect you to write your own blog and keep up with it during your extremely busy medical school schedule. Remember, it’s all about priorities. But in seriousness, congratulations again and all the best to you! You and your typical hipster ways will be missed, but this is going to be an amazing new adventure for you :).

Car Crash on Crowchild. ARGH!

This was the other guy's car. Apparently my bumper didn't appreciate the hit too much. — This was the other guy’s car. Apparently my bumper didn’t appreciate the hit too much.

“NOOOOOOOOOOO!!”

That’s what I yelled this morning in the car.

As I was driving to work, heading south on Crowchild, there was a lot of stop and go traffic. I always find that weird, since it’s pretty much an uncomplicated drive. Alas, the morning commute, as I’m beginning to realize, is dreadful. So I was driving along, I switched lanes, and then I noticed a car tailing me a bit closely. I thought, “Why is he following me so closely??”. The temperature was rising; the snow was melting, and the roads were wet. Then suddenly, people ahead of me were stopping fairly abruptly. So I slowed quickly and stopped. And the guy behind me stepped on his brakes, and apparently slid a bit, but he had it under control (so he said). Then the girl behind him smashed into his car… and he smashed into me… and I hit the car in front of me. ARGH! Once I heard the hit, I yelled “NOOOOOO!”. It seems like the appropriate reaction at the time.

Thank goodness everyone was completely unharmed. And I very much appreciated that everyone’s first concern was whether or not everyone else was okay! The four of us were a bit rattled as expected. And for the two cars behind me, the damage looked like it could cost a bit. But we all walked away unscathed, and that’s the main thing. I’ve never been in an accident before, and this was definitely an interesting first experience, with getting information, calling the insurance company, and filing a police report. Hopefully I don’t have to do this again!

Events like this do remind me that anything can happen in an instant. When you least expect it. The outcome of this accident was good, since everyone was okay, but it could have easily been a lot worse. I try to live my life like each day is my last, and though that’s difficult, I’m reminded once again to try that much more.