Journal Entry:

From this point on all my new journal entries can be viewed on my new blog at:

http://susanoseen.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, October 10, 2006 (8:45am)

Good Morning! Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Ours was really good filled with a lot of yummy food and some Pumpkin Pie (my favorite). Last year I was dieting on Thanksgiving and was allowed to have a "special diet pumpkin pie", so as you can imagine the real thing was so much tastier:). I am happy to say that I've actually managed to not gain weight this weekend. I maintained--yeah!!

We didn't get family pictures done yesterday. Simon woke up with the Chicken Pox...Yikes. They are everywhere. They have multiplied overnight and today he just is covered with them...poor little guy. Trevor has never had them, so hopefully he is immune to them or else we are in big trouble.

Workout motivattion has been lacking this weekend. I had an awesome bike/run on Saturday. However, Sunday was suposed to be our long run and I convinced Trevor that we should go on Monday instead and then Simon got sick. Now we didn't go running at all. I guess that should be a lesson on why Trevor and I should not procrastinate as we don't know what tomorrow may bring. I am super disappointed as it looks like I may not be able to get to the gym all week. Trevor said I can go when he gets home from work at nights, but he has to work real late and may not get home till 8pm or later. I will just get my stuff together and go no matter what. I can do it!!!

Have a great week---at least it'll be a short work week!!

Thursday, October 5, 2006 (8:18am)

Today Kamden has her very first field trip to a place called "Safety City". The kids learn the proper procedure on crossing the street and how to obey sign. Trevor remembers going there when he was little. I am volunteering, so I get to meet Kamden's class there at 9:00am. It'll be fun.

Wow do my abs ever hurt. I have been working out really hard at the gym since Monday. I've been doing 300 sit-ups per day and boy can I feel it. I told Trevor that it feels like I have been kicked in the ribs...OUCH!! Good news is that since Monday I have lost 4.2lbs, so I am happy with that. I know the weight loss will start slowing down and I'll probably be looking at 1-2lbs per week, which is ok. I would like to reach my goal by December 31st.

Well this will be the last JE I write before the weekend. So I hope you all have a fabulous Thanksgiving and enjoy the your dinner. I know I will. We are off to Trevor's parent's place on Sunday. I know there will be a lot of good food. I have decided already that I will NOT have seconds and only a small piece of dessert. I will then push myself away from the table.

On Monday we are finally having our family picture taken. It has been over 2 years since we have done one. Hopefully it won't be too cold.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Monday, October 2, 2006 (8:49am)

October has arrived. Bad News...I skipped my 10 mile run yesterday. Why?? I really don't know...laziness...it was raining and a little chilly yesterday, so I didn't want to go. Trevor said the only reason I can skip the run is if I give him $5 and I said fine...that's bad. Today I feel guilty about missing...ok no more missing the long runs...Trevor, you better make me go next time:)

On Saturday, we took the kids to Chuck E. Cheese. It has been a while since we have been there last. The food really isn't that great, but the kids sure had a great time. Somehow Kamden, who ended up with only 31 tickets was given a prize that was 750 tickets....lucky kid!....Poor little Simon only got a plastic little top. He only had 18 tickets and the little top was actually a 25 ticket prize:(

Well I must go to the gym everyday this week. Trevor said since I missed yesterday I have to go now for 2 weeks straight...slave driver!!! Oh Yeah...I must give Trevor a shout out for getting his butt out of bed this morning at 4:30 and heading to the gym. He thinks this may be only the 2nd time this year that he has gone on a Monday...I am proud of you Honey Bunch....Go, Trevor! Go, Trevor!

Have a Fabulous Day!!

Thursday, September 28, 2006 (7:42am)

Happy 33rd Birthday, Brian!!

Its your birthday once again

Another year has come and gone,
And it's your birthday once again.
So I'm sending you these wishes
Happy Birthday, my dear brother.

I am so glad you're in my life,
All the moments we have shared,
And even through the rough times,
We knew the other cared.

So, my dear brother, I'm sending now,
Birthday wishes to you today,
I am hoping that you will have,
The best birthday in every way.

ALL THE BEST IN THE UPCOMING YEAR!!

With Love,

Susan, Trevor, Kamden and Simon

September 27, 2006 (10:42am)

Hey everyone, hope everyone is having a wonderful fall so far. It sure is nice to see all the leaves changing colors. It is one of my favorite times of the year. When seasons change it always reminds me that change in our own lives is a good thing. I've signed up for that Belly Dance class. I am so excited. It starts on October 13th and goes for 8 weeks. I usually am not the one to do group classes, but It'll be great. I think I am finally back on schedule with working out. I really needed to get back into long distance running on Sunday's. I realized how much I've lost since I've done a long run...not good, but I'll get back...stay positive...self talk always get me through:)

I am always searching the internet for things on motivation and things that may inspire me and I came across this:

Seven Rules of Motivation

#1 Set a major goal, but follow a path. The path has mini goals that go in many directions. When you learn to succeed at mini goals, you will be motivated to challenge grand goals.

#2 Finish what you start. A half finished project is of no use to anyone. Quitting is a habit. Develop the habit of finishing self-motivated projects.

#3 Socialize with others of similar interest. Mutual support is motivating. We will develop the attitudes of our five best friends. If they are losers, we will be a loser. If they are winners, we will be a winner. To be a cowboy we must associate with cowboys.

#4 Learn how to learn. Dependency on others for knowledge supports the habit of procrastination. Man has the ability to learn without instructors. In fact, when we learn the art of self-education we will find, if not create, opportunity to find success beyond our wildest dreams.

#5 Harmonize natural talent with interest that motivates. Natural talent creates motivation, motivation creates persistence and persistence gets the job done.

#6 Increase knowledge of subjects that inspires. The more we know about a subject, the more we want to learn about it. A self-propelled upward spiral develops.

#7 Take risk. Failure and bouncing back are elements of motivation. Failure is a learning tool. No one has ever succeeded at anything worthwhile without a string of failures.

Sunday, September 24, 2006 (10:05am)

Good Morning! It is a beautiful day here in Calgary, which is nice considering the last couple of weeks. This afternoon I am going for a long run---through Fish Creek---it's been awhile since I've gone. Trevor said that I have no choice. It's actually not going to be that long, only 8 miles. Hopefully Trevor (Trainer Trevor) won't hurt me too much out there:)

Yesterday Trevor and his brother went on a long bike ride from Edworthy Park to Chestermere and back. I think it was a little hard for Jason, Trevor's brother, who is not quite as conditioned as Trevor is. Oh well...he'll be a wee bit sore today.

Trevor and Kamden went to a football game yesterday. They had a lot of fun together. While they were enjoying the football game, Simon and I went to see a movie together. We saw "Everyone's Hero" an animated movie that Christopher Reeves directed before he passed away. It was a really great story. The moral of the story was no matter what people say about you...if they tell you that you can't do something or that you are no good...you must "keep swinging" (it's a baseball movie). Simon enjoyed it, but his favorite movie is still "Cars".

Well have a fantastic day!!!

Thursday, September 21,2006 (12:01am)

Happy Birthday Susan we all love you very much!!

Have a great day and an amazing year.

Wednesday, September 20, 2006 (3:22pm)

My very last day that I'll ever be 31 years old. I am actually quite excited to be having yet another birthday. I am happy with my 30's. I wish I felt this way about myself when I was going through my 20's. I guess I'll take what I can get, right?

Didn't go to the gym today. My nephew came over at 10am and I have been watching him today...right now he is having a great time upstairs playing with Simon's Hot Wheels. The boys play together so well:) I might be going swimming tonight at 9 o'clock. We'll see how tired I am. Trevor wanted to go to the mall for a bit tonight---the kids love going to Chinook Centre---they love the merry-go-round. I think Trevor still has to get my present:)

So far this week I have stuck to my diet 100%. I have also drank my 4L of water per day. I can't say I like being in the bathroom so much, but I do like that my skin looks a million times better. I also like the fact that since I've started eating clean ---just this past Monday, Sept 18th---I've lost five pounds:)...I feel much better about myself...I will reach my goals!!

Friday, September 15, 2006 (8:45am)

It's true...once your kids start school time flys by. I can't believe how quickly this week went. Kamden had her first full week. So far she is really loving school. I guess on Fridays they have time to play at diffent play stations (crafts, painting, sand box...etc). She was looking forward to going today.

I've been feeling pretty blah about myself lately. I think it is partially to do with the holiday pounds that I gained on our California trip...I just kind of feel all pudgy all over and yucky. I have tried to eat clean, but by the time evening hits I find myself snacking on things I shouldn't eat. It's time to get with the Program and start eating properly and feeling good about myself again. I keep telling Trevor "I need to regain my happiness".

Yesterday night Trevor and I signed up for Ironman Canada. We had till today to decide if we wanted to do it. I am excited about it and nervous at the same time. Wow...two Ironmans in one year...that's going to be crazy. That's another reason why I'll have to start eating properly as I need to be 125lbs before I start getting into the full IM training in January.

Here are my goals effective September 18th, 2006 - December 31st, 2006

1. Follow Proper Eating Program
2. Drink at least 4L of water per day
3. Go to gym (or outdoor exercise) 6 times per week
4. Learn something new...just for me --- my gym is going to be starting an 8 week
belly dance class starting next month...that sounds like fun to me

LONG TERM:

1. Improve on my IM Coeur d'Alene time from last year
2. Get sub 2 half marathon
3. Get a sub 4 marathon
4. Finish IM Canada
5. Have a fun race season next year....give 100%
6. Have the best 32nd year of my life---stay positive...my B'day is on Sept 21st

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

"Go with it"
Life can be great when you simply go with it. Instead of excessive worrying or endless analyzing, just make your choice and then move forward with it.
Your first instinct is often your best one, because it comes from your authentic self. When you start taking a lot of other conflicting opinions and perspectives into account, your options quickly shrink.

Certainly it pays to think things through, and to consider the advice of others. Just don't let it all dilute the passion that can energize your life.

Trying to make the perfect decision can often lead to no decision at all. Trying to avoid every mistake can be the biggest mistake, because you also avoid getting anything done.

Though you can plan for the future, you cannot precisely predict it. So go ahead with the best you have, and you'll be completely able to deal with whatever may happen.

Even though it has no guarantees, this day is an incredible opportunity. So step confidently, enthusiastically forward with a smile on your face and go with it.

-- Ralph Marston"

Monday, September 11, 2006 (1:30pm)

Just wanted to wish my parents a Happy 35th Anniversary! It makes me very proud that I am able to have parents that are still together, especially in the world today where people seem to separate not too long after they have married, you are a good example for us to follow?Thanks!!

Kamden seems to be enjoying school. She is adjusting to her daily schedule quite well. Me, on the other hand, miss being able to sleep till 7:30am. I now get to wake up bright and early at 6:15am and I am honestly ready to take a nap at 9am. Oh well,I've said it before and I'll say it again, it takes 21 days to create a habit.

This year for training I've decided that I will be taking Monday's off,no gym unless I have to make up some missed workout. I might just do Monday Yoga classes every now and again, but that's it. I need the time to recuperate. Trevor said that I can pick a day and that's the one, Well that's it for now.

Thursday, Sept 7, 2006 (10:28am)

Happy 39th Birthday, Shauna!! Wishing my wonderful sister-in-law a wonderful day. I am now sure if I should mention your age, but like I said before you don't look a day older than 20:)

Oh Boy! Our little girl is growing up so fast. Today she started school. It was an early start for me as well at 6:15am. I had to make sure I was all ready for the kids when they got up at 6:45am. Kamden got her uniform on (she looked great---took a picture---will post soon) and then we ate breakfast and out the door at 7:45am to the bus stop. She got on the bus at 8:00 and yes I did get all teary eyed:(

Well training is going well. I am really enjoying having Trevor as a trainer. I have a contract, which I had to sign. That'll keep me in line. It's been 2 days so far at the gym and I am sore. I've started back on weights and am enjoying it very much. Well that's about it for now. I promise I'll get those pics up soon.

Feel free to drop me an email...I enjoy hearing from you all:)

Monday, September 4, 2006 (3:34pm)

OOPS!! I forgot to mention anything about Trevor's Ironman Canada (Penticton, BC) event on August 27th...shame on me:)
Trevor had a really good race. His swim was around the time that he usually gets...1 hour and 26 minutes and he had a great bike (one of his best so far). Unfortunately, his run didn't go as well as he was hoping for. He did have a lot of stomach issues and had to run with pain for a long 4 hours and 40 minutes...but he did it!!! Oh yes...I guess I should mention that I waited for 1.5 hours on Monday, August 28th to sign up for next year's race (it'll be the 25th anniversary of IM Canada)...that will make it two Ironmans in 2007 for both Trevor and myself:)

Trevor's Results
TIME 11:54:38
OVERALL PLACE TOTAL 560
DIVISION PLACE: 84/239

Monday, September 4, 2006 (12:56pm)

It sure feels good to sleep in my own bed again. As much as I love going away for vacation, this time it felt like we were gone an awfully long time. Last week was a bit of an emotional whirlwind with Grandma Alexander's Funeral. I guess that is the one thing in life that is guaranteed...everthing that lives must also die...

Well Kamden is going for her Kindergarden orientation tomorrow. She is pretty excited about it. Then Thursday will be the big day. Her very first day of school:( She actually has to take the school bus. On Saturday I lost some sleep thinking about her and school.

It will also be the first time in an entire month that I'll be working out. I had planned on working out while on vacation, but the fitness room was stuffy and not very big. It wouldn't have been much fun exercising...so I ate lots and didn't exercise...now I am paying for it. I started back on a diet just to get back down to where I feel comfortable...hopefully it won't take too long.

Well I better get outside...it's a beautiful day out there...enjoy the rest of your long weekend.

I will have some holiday pictures up very soon.

Saturday, August 26, 2006 (8:57pm)

Good Evening! Well we are still on holidays...sort of. We have finished the actual vacation part of the trip and are now working on the work part of the trip (for Trevor). Tomorrow we (the kids, Trevor and myself) are scheduled to wake up at 4:30am and then we should be out the door at around 5am. Then Trevor will have a big day with Ironman Canada. This will be the first time Kamden and Simon will watch him race and they are so excited. We bought them clappers and cow bells so they will be able to make a lot of noise cheering.

Disneyland was a blast we left last week on Tuesday the 15th at 6pm and arrived on Wednesday at our hotel at 6:10pm ---25 hours of driving. Trevor drove straight through the night till 8am and then I took over for about an hour and then he was back at the wheel...crazy guy. Yes, Disneyland is still one of my favorite vacation spots...Kids loved it...by the end of the trip we turned them into coaster junkies:)

We left Disneyland on Wednesday the 23rd and stayed in Oregon then carried on and arrived in Penticton on Thursday the 24th. We did the usual IM stuff and went and hung out at athlete's village on Friday and Trev registered and today after finding out some bad news...Trevor's Grandmother passed away... he got his bike and other gear checked in....now all we have to do is wait for tomorrow:) Trevor is running this race for Grandma Alexander!!!!

Sunday, August 6, 2006 (9:16pm)

What a beautiful day for a race. Finally it wasn't a scorching hot day. The temperature reached 28 degrees, but when we first got to Heritage Pointe at 6:30am it was 5 degrees according to the car temperature guage. Got all set up in the transition area with a lot of time to spare. Trevor and I went to the car to warm up and then 30 mins prior to the race we go to get our wetsuits on. BAD NEWS...as I was getting my "seal suit" on my zipper broke...what luck. I couldn't use my wet suit. This mentally affected my swim. In my head the entire time through the swim I was thinking if only I had my wetsuit. Unbelievable...I had the worst swim of my life...37 minutes for 1500 meters....that just sucks...I am really disappointed with that time. On a more positive note I had my best bike at 1 hour and 20 minutes for 40 km and my best run. Can you believe that I ran 6.22 miles in 53 minutes and 21 seconds...that's 6.95 miles per hour. I can't believe how much I've improved
since last year.

Now my focus for this month is going to be on spending good quality time with the kids and enjoy our time together. We (the kids and I) are off to the lake tomorrow to enjoy a week of relaxation. I plan on taking a week off of exercise...it'll be a well needed break. Just plan on going for a walk after every meal. The lake is a great place to just enjoy nature...can't wait:)

Congrats to Trevor who got a time of 2:23:09 on his olympic half....Yeah!!!!

Wednesday, August 2, 2006 (5:02pm)

I can't believe the summer is half over...it sure is going quickly. Only four more days till I do my very first Olympic Distance Triathlon at Heritage Pointe. I am pretty excited about this one. For the first time it looks like I won't have to race in exteme heat. So far it looks like it might be in the low 20's.

On Monday the kids and I are off to Pigeon Lake where my parents have a cabin. I wish Trevor could come with us, but unfortunately he must work. I plan on running everyday since I won't be able to get to a gym. Trevor is going to lend me his Garmin watch, which keeps track of the miles I'll be covering.

Well training for me has been going well. Although I find myself spending more and more time on the Elliptical Machine as it burns a lot of calories without doing a number on my knees or hips. For some reason today I feel completely drained of energy...want to make sure I don't burn out before the race on the weekend---better take her easy:)

On a serious note...Trevor and I had the priveledge of meeting a wonderful guy named Hector Mellino. We first met Hector at the Chinook Half in April and ate brunch with him that day. He also did the Vancouver Marathon and most recently the Calgary Marathon. His goal was to qualify for Boston...unfortuately Hector passed away on Sunday, July 29th at Mackenzie Lake...ONE MORE ANGEL IN HEAVEN...our thoughts and prayers go out to the Mellino Family.

Thursday, July 27, 2006 (3:28pm)

+++++Sylvan Lake Half Ironman Pictures are up+++++

Ok one more triathlon this summer and that's it. I will be doing the Heritage Pointe Olympic Distance triathlon on Sunday, August 6th. I was conisdering doing the Lake Chapperal Sprint triathlon the following weekend, but decided to opt out as it is $70...racing is not cheap. I will do the Innisfail Sprint May 2007 that way I'll get to know how to transition from a swimming pool rather than a lake.

The kids and I have been getting ready for Simon's Birthday party on Saturday. We are having only family over---looks like it'll be a nice day...in the 20's...YES!! Simon has requested Sloppy Joes and a "Guitar" birthday cake. He is so excited that he is four. I think I hear him say every day "I am a big boy, I am four".

Well it is almost vacation time again...only 19 more sleeps till we hit the road. The kids are so excited about going to Disneyland again (and so are Trevor and myself). I am hoping that the heat wave that is going on there right now will subside---100 degrees Fahrenheit...yikes!

Trevor has been training hard for his IM Canada. Hey, Trevor, only 31 more sleeps...you are going to do great...I know the kids are excited to watch you race...you are KAMDEN & SIMON'S HERO

Monday, July 24, 2006 (8:22am)

Happy 4th Birthday to our little guy...Simon...We love you very much and are so proud of you. You are the happiest little boy ever!!

Happy Anniversary...Mom and Dad Oseen!!

Well another race done. The Sylvan Lake Half Ironman. Why does it have to be sooooo hot when I do my races. I think it reached 35 degrees. A good part of the run was done in the woods....very humid. Oh Well. I managed to finish in 6:48:36. I am happy with the time. I had a really good bike. I definitely would've like to do better on the run, but that's where training will come in. Now I will spend the next year training...training...training!!!! The next race will hopefully be the Portland, Oregon Marathon on October 1st, 2006...that one is a flat course...yeah!!

Thanks, Trevor, for coming with me to the race and cheering me on...I love having you there to support me:)

Keep watching gallery for upcoming race pictures.

Tuesday, July 18, 2006 (1:25pm)

5 more days until my Half Ironman at Sylvan Lake. I am looking forward to it. Now that I kind of know what to expect as far as triathlons go. I am hoping for a time somewhere between 6:30 and 6:45...hopefully that is not setting my goals up too high, but I am going to work my butt off...that's the plan. Today due to a very sore right side (oblique muscle) I did not go to the gym. Every time I get up or do anything it really hurts. I've been putting lots of muscle relaxer cream on that side in hopes that it'll be all better before the race. I do, however, still plan on hitting the pool tonight---as it has been sometime since I've gone. I'll just take it easy.

Well not much else to report...things are the same old...training, sleeping and having fun with the family...that's basically my life (and I wouldn't change it for a second). Simon is looking forward to his 4th birthday next week (July 24th). In fact, he keeps asking us how many sleeps till he turns four...funny. Oma and Opa bought him a bike for his birthday...no more trikes...they gave it to him yesterday. He loves it:)

Hoping to get some family pictures done soon by Absolute Photography...better book an appointment:)

Tuesday, July 11, 2005 (8:12pm)

Yahoo...It's Calgary Stampede here in town. I took the kids to their very first Stampede with the help of Oma. I must say that I am one of those parents that gets paranoid about losing the kids in big crowds. They had a super time. They actually got to compete in the Kids Tractor Pull and even though they didn't win they were able to leave with a ribbon. Didn't take them on any rides. The average ride was 4 tokens, which at $1 per token is quite the price tag. I convinced them that when we go to Disneyland in a month that they can go on as many rides as they want...they were happy with that.

Tomorrow I am starting a new diet/exercise program. I would like to get back down to 125lbs...I know it's just a number, but I feel good at around that weight. I am not going on a bodybuilding diet, but rather just counting calories with 55% carbs, 20% fat, and 25% protein. My new trainer's name is Trevor Oseen...that's right, I will be using Trevor, my wonderful husband, for assistance...may as well...he is a great athlete:)

Well...only 11 days till my half IM in Sylvan Lake...I really want to go hard. On Sunday's Half Marathon I got a time of 2:10:17.6, which isn't my best...I seem to get around that time always. I know I needed to push myself harder, but for some reason I fear that...WHY???? I really need to work on the mental aspect of this sport...I know I can do I just have to TRY!!!!!

Thursday, July 6, 2006 (6:00pm)

How in the world did I manage to fit my workout in at Workout World where I was only allowed to keep the kids in for 2 hours in the childcare. I know that I was never able to take a shower at the gym---no time. Now at Gold's I am allowed to have the kids in the daycare for 3 hours (how lucky am I) and I still feel rushed for time. Take today for example, I had a 1 hour and 15 minute bike and then a 50 minute run. Since Ironman I've decided that I was going to do weights 4 times a week...Mondays, Tuesday, Thursdays and Fridays. Today I had Quads and Calves...I managed all the quad exercises but had to drop one of the calf exercises...ran out of time. By the time I showered and got ready I had only 2 minutes to spare...I usually go into the tanning salon for 10 minutes (yes, I know it's bad for you:))...Oh well...I know there is a lot of people that would love to hit the gym for the amount of time as I do...I am very lucky:)

Kids and I went to the zoo today. I wore jeans and a t-shirt. When we left this morning it looked like it was going to rain, but when we left the gym for the zoo it was hot and 26 degrees. Ended up just rolling up the jeans and tried to keep cool that way. Went to a little talk on the Gorillas today...very interesting animals. They had three Gorillas that they were in the process of moving to the Quebec Zoo, so we got to see one that was just a few feet away...very cool...of course I left the camera at home.

Half Marathon on Sunday...looking forward to it. I have a good feeling that I am going to get a PR at this one. I have my fingers crossed XXXXXX

Here's a little something to think about---it's lyrics from a song titled:

PRESS ON
by Todd Hornby

Press on...Press on toward the goal
Don't look back...Don't let go

I had a life that defined me
But it doesn't mean a thing anymore...
So I'll forget what's behind me
Straining on toward the goal...What I'm here for

I'll run the race that is before me
I'll keep my eyes on the prize - up ahead
Throw off the things that would slow me
And keep my focus on You...and everything you said
Every word You said...

Sometimes you feel like giving up 'cause this life just
seems so difficult
You wanna toss it in at every turn
So when this life has you feeling low - and you've
simply lost the will to go
Hold on - with a grip that's firm

Tuesday, July 4, 2006 (10:10pm)

Happy Independence day to all of my American friends!!

Well I am back in the swing of things with the workout routine. Trevor just bought a new book called "Essential week-by-week Training Guide" by Mark Fitzgerald it has training schedules for different distances of triathlons for different levels. Today I did a one hour and 50 minutes bike with 36 minutes of Zone 4 Heart Rate in there...it was tough, but it felt good. I've decided that I will be working on the abs everyday. I've heard that you shouldn't do abs everyday, but I used to and that was when they looked the best---so I'll do what works.

Trevor and I signed up for the Calgary Marathon. Well I am doing the half marathon and Trevor is doing the full. This race I am going to push myself really hard and see what happens. I usually stop pushing myself when I feel uncomfortable, but I realize that to get better I need to be at that uncomfortable stage...sounds fun, doesn't it?

Only 18 days till the Sylvan Lake Half Ironman...Oh yeah...we are signing up for Ironman Coeur d'Alene...If any of you are up for the challenge be sure to sign up soon as the spots are filling up very quickly.

Thursday, June 27, 2006 (8:30pm)

Had a great day with the kids today. We went to the gym right after breakfast_like we always do (I haven't had too many issues with sore muscles since the IM on Sunday---my left knee was bugging me a bit, but I find the sooner I "get back on the saddle" the better). After the gym the kids and I went to the zoo to get our annual passes. I had such a great time with them today. I don't like having to leave them for out of town races, but I notice that when we see them again they just seem that they've grown up so much and are just these fabulous little people---I love them a ton. We packed our lunches for the zoo earlier, so we ended up having a picnic. Then we spent a lot of time in the Canadian Rockies section of the zoo (Moose, Caribou, Black & Brown Bears...) and then the rest of the time at the playground. Sun was shining...we SMILED lots:) The kids were so super today that we went for an ice cream cone from McDonalds afterwards...I forgot how yummy those are!

Ok...So I've been thinking for the past five days what I've learned from the Ironman and here is my list:

* You CAN keep going long after you can't
* Either you control your attitude or it contols you
* Two people can look at the same thing and see something totally different
* Life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you
* It's not what you have in life, but who you have in your life that counts
* Great works are performed not by strength, but by perserverance

Trevor and I were talking about Ironman Triathlons---how the whole experience is such a defining moment that it would be great if everyone coulf do it. Although I know this is not possible, I think it is very important to Dream Big and turn your dreams into goals and go for it!!! I am just so excited that I completed that race. A year ago I'd never would've thought that I'd be an Ironman. There were definitely times along my journey to reach my goal where I thought that I had dreamed too big. I've learned that negative thoughts can not be part of your life...think positive...all the time. You can absolutely do what ever you put your heart and mind into...If you have God by your side life is just that much easier:)

I have a couple of races schedule for the month of July:

Sunday, July 9, 2006
Calgary Burnco
Half Marathon-13.1 mile

Saturday, July 22, 2006
Sylvan Lake
Half Ironman
1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and 13.1 mile run

****Keep Checking back for June 25, 2006 Ironman (Coeur d'Alene) Pictures****

Keep Smiling,

Wednesday, June 28, 2006 (3:00pm)

Hello everyone...hope all is well...I finally have a chance to sit down
and write down my thoughts on my very first Ironman.

We arrived in Couer d'Alene, Idaho at around 1:30 pm. By the time we
got to the Athlete's Village it was closer to 2 pm. We headed straight
for the registration tent where we filled in all of our emergency
contact information, our hotel info and then proceeded to the scales
where you get weighed. After that it was off to the table to get our
race package which conisisted of our race band, swim cap, all of our
transistion and special needs bags, and our stickers for our bikes and
bags with our bib number on it...oh yeah...and our bib number. Before
leaving the tent we had to make sure our timing chips worked and after
that was all done Trevor and I headed for the Ironman Expo. The Expo is
always great since you get a ton of free samples of GU, Breakfast
Cookies, Cliff Bars and a ton of other stuff. After we got tired of that
we headed to check into our hotel in Liberty Lake, Washington. Once we
got settled in it was time for a quick 40 minute bike and 25 minute run
and t hen we cleaned up and headed for supper at Azteca's (awesome
Mexican Food) and then we went to see Break-Up with Jennifer Anistion
and Vince Vaughn.

Thursday night I didn't sleep to well...I was so tired, but I just
couldn't sleep. On Friday morning after breakfast we headed to the
Gatorade Swim. It takes place in Coeur d'Alene, Lake where the 2.4 mile
swim takes place. We got on our wetsuits and headed to the water. Then
it was time to run in and start swimming. After a few second in the
water I just started to panic...yes me...the experienced swimmer. It
was just really choppy and everytime I went to take a breath I'd get a
face full of water instead. My lungs felt like the were getting
compressed...I was scared...How am I supossed to to a 2.4 mile swim when
I can't even swim for 3 minutes without a panic attack. Trevor said
that we'll go to the shallow end and just practice there for
awhile...after a while of that things got a better and I started to feel
more confident. That evening we went to Iron Prayer, which was held by
a local church, we sang some songs and prayed and Women's Pro, Heather
Gollick, was a guest speaker there...very inspiring and one piece of
advice that she gave was "KEEP SMILING" through the whole race...it'll
make you feel better. She has a 9 year old with Cerebral Palsy who just
started using crutches to walk even though doctor's told her she'd never
walk. Heather said think of my daughter when you are running and others
can't.

Saturday off for another Gatorade Swim and then for a quick run. After
lunch it was time to check in our bikes and our transition bags. Now
there was nothing that we could really do except wait for Sunday. It
was Trevor's pick for a movie so off we went to Nacho Libre---Funny!!
Then I think we were both sleeping before 9pm.

Temperature for race day 33-35 degrees Celsius---it's a hot one---

The alarm went off at 3am and then I at a bagel and a half, a banana,
and I drank a can on Ensure...sounds yummy doesn't it?! Then back to
sleep till 4:30 am...took a quick shower and got dressed. Grabbed some
last minute stuff for our transition bags and off we went. Things were
buzzing with excitment when we got to the village. I was nervous,
scared, excited...every emotion. Went to the body marking area where
our number are written on both our arms and our age is written on the
back of one leg. Put some last minute stuff in our bags and then it was
time to change in our wetsuits and just wait, relax, and say a few
prayer.

After waiting by the water and just trying to calm my nerves (as best I
can) then I can hear the American Anthem. There are a ton of Kayakers
in the water as well as 8 scuba divers. I just think that everything
will be ok. I have a lot of people praying for my safety and God will
not let me down. I've trained since November for this day. 7:00am the
Canon sounds off and over 2200 athletes start running for the water. I
too am running to the water. As I jump in I can feel anothe panic
attack hitting. Water is hitting my face. I feel like I am doing the
doggy paddle. I keep thinking to myself...this is just a really big
swimming pool. Do the stroke that you have been working on for so
long...It took about 10 minutes to finally relax and get a good strok
going...Ok things are going good now. Finally reach the turn around.
Everyone seems to be trying hard to take the corner as short as
possible. Everyone is crawling all over everyone this is crazy. I get
elbowed in the face...that hurt...hope it's not bleeding...feels
swollen for sure. Keep Swimming...Keep Swimming. After another good
kick in the head I am finally working on the second loop. Now I am
feeling good. I know the swim is finally over...Yeah...I manage to get
kicked one more time and someone grabs my leg and holds on for a
second...that's ok...I made it...I did the swim 1:29...not the time I
wanted, but I am ok with it. Transistion area...I feel too tired to
run, so I decide to walk. Everyone was great. Lots of help. The only
thing that I was concerned with was the sunscreen...I wanted way more
on...oh well. Quickly head to the bathroom then grab my bike and then
time to go 11 minutes in transition...ok I'll have to work on that.

The Bike: Wow what can I say about that. Trevor tried to let me know
about the hills, but I thought he was just exaggerating. Apparently he
underexaggerates sometimes. Thoses were some crazy hills. Thank
goodness I've trained for that. Along the bike I seen about 7 people at
the side changing tires and 3 people waiting for medical assistance
after some wipe outs. I try to take in one gatorade and one water every
hour as well as eight salt pills...I need it. Wasn't able to eat too
much solid food...stuck with GU. I tried a banana once---had trouble
peeling it...was messy. The one thing I think I'll have to work on is
just trying to ride outside more instead of on the cross trainer...Long
Story short...7:19 later. I am ready to run.

The Run. I can't believe I have to go 26.2 miles...that's crazy. Ok-I
decide that I am going to run and then walk through every aidstation.
This seems to work the best for me. I feel really good for the run...Of
course I am running 13:47 minute miles...oh well...I am thankful for
every sprinkler I see. Every child that is hold a super soaker that
asks if you want to be srayed. I am also thankful for the spectators
that are yelling my name saying I am doing great...thanks!! I am
running by the lake when I hear some crazy person yelling
"Nacho"...wait...it's Trevor. He is on his 2nd loop of the run when he
runs with me for a bit...I loved that. Then it was time for the big run
hill. I remember what Trevor said "Don't let the hill get ya" I say
this to myself over and over again as I run up the hills. I am on the
turnaround now...Plenty of time. What feels like forever...I am finally
on my 2nd loop. I decide to get my special needs bag. I made myself a
PB&J sandw
ich...It was yummy but dry...eat half and toss the rest. I keep looking
at my watch to make sure I'll make it before the 17 hour cutoff...Plenty
of time. Ok...Keep running. I continue to run and walk through aid
stations. On the turn around...I get a bit emotional and have to wipe
away a tear...I am going to be an IM finisher. 4 miles to go and one of
the voluteers hands me a "shaka" necklace and says "here this will help
you through the next four miles...That was the longest four miles every.
As I get down to 1 mile to go I can hear the loud speaker...they are
announcing everyone that is coming through. I decide to walk a bit just
so I can look strong at the end. There are so many people the last half
of a mile. I hear "Way to go, Susan" and "Go...you are almost there".
The crowd is so loud...I just want to run as fast as I can...Then there
is Trevor with the camera right in fron to me. He is yelling GO! I
pass him and just take off running I run run run...I cro ss the finish
line. I am an Ironman!!!! One of my proudest moments!!!

Monday, June 26, 2006 (8:30am)

I am an Ironman...14:54:11...more details to follow coming soon:)

Wednesday, June 21, 2006 (11:20am)

Well it is finally here. We are off tomorrow bright and early to begin our Journey to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho for our even bigger journey...the IronMan. Didn't sleep too well yesterday as all I can think about is Sunday. My stomach is definitely feeling most of the nerves as I seem to be in the bathroom every five minutes...should be a fun drive:) We will be packing everything tonight. Kamden and Simon will be staying at Grandma and Grandpa's. They get to go to Calaway Park on Sunday (the local amusement park) and I know they will have a blast.

Update on the weather for Sunday...89 degrees Fahrenheit and a somewhat of a windy day. Yes it is a little hot, but I am happy that it won't be raining. I'll take it! Well not much else to say except...THIS IS IT! I will be checking email at our hotel, so if you want to drop me a line I'd really appreciate it...Thanks!!

Till Next Week...

Sunday, June 18, 2006 (4:48pm)

Happy Father's Day to all the guys in my life. To my darlin' husband, Trevor. I know I tell you all the time how lucky the kids and I are to have you in our lives, but I don't think I can every say it enough...We Love You!
To my dad...thanks for just being you. I really appreciate all the hard work you do for us...especially helping us with any "Handyman" stuff. We appreciate you very much...Thanks!!
Dad Oseen...we wish you a very happy Father's day as well:)
Only 6 more days till IM...everything we need for the race has been purchased...including my wetsuit. I am so nervous...I know it seems that every Journal Entry I write now-a-days I am saying how nervous I am getting.
Kamden had her soccer tournament this weekend and the kids all played great. Kamden did really well this weekend. ALl the kids today received medals...how exciting.
We are just waiting for Simon to wake from his nap and then we are off to see "Cars", the movie...YEAH!!

*****NEW***** PICTURE IN GALLERY OF KAMDEN'S SOCCER TOURNAMENT

Thursday, June 15, 2006 (4:28pm)

Bib #2018---Yup---that's going to be what I am wearing in 10 days. (Trevor will be wearing bib #479). I have some good news...according to the 14 day weather forecast for the Coeur d'Alene, ID area it looks like we are going to have great weather for race day. Right now they have 26 degrees Celsius forcasted for that day with a 5 mph wind...not bad at all.

Training is winding down. Went swimming yesterday afternoon and was working on swim drills. After this season is over I am really going to work on swim drills and improving my swim time as well as interval training for running. We have some good sized "tobaggoning" hills in our neighborhood, which I plan on using for hill training. I haven't even done an IronMan yet and Trevor and I are already talking about next year's race schedule...thinking about IronMan Florida:)

Kamden has a soccer tournament this weekend. Two games on Saturday and one game on Sunday...the weather is supposed to clear up sometime tomorrow. It's been raining on and off since Sunday...oh well!!

Happy 4th Anniversary to my brother, Brian, and Sister-in-Law, Jodie!!!
May the best day in your past be the worst day in your future.

Tuesday, June 13, 2006 (5:53pm)

Happy 3rd Birthday, Tanner!

Our nephew has finally turned the BIG 3 and we wish him a very happy birthday. You are a great young man, Tanner. We wish you all the best in your 3rd year of life:)

Only 12 more days left till IM. We are starting to get all the check lists ready. Don't want to come all this way with training and then end up forgetting something very important at home. Well I guess if we do forget something we can always buy it in Coeur d'Alene.

On Sunday I opted out of doing any of my training. I missed my hour bike and 90 minute run. That's ok. I actually ended up doing it on Monday instead. Today I was supposed to go swimming, but felt that I was drained---no energy---after lunch. Still took the kids to Oma's as I had to go to Superstore. Tomorrow is a new day and I plan on going swimming. I would also like to go on Thursday. Since we are just tapering down with the training I don't feel so bad. Today at the gym I had a scheduled 45 minute run and that was it. I couldn't possibly just spend 45 minutes at the gym, so I ended up doing an additional 60 minutes on the CrossTrainer---felt good.

Ok---better get going---told the kids if they take a nap we'd be able to watch Fear Factor tonight in bed. Hopefully Trevor will be able to join us...Poor Guy has been putting a lot of hours in at work. It seems like every 2 steps he takes forward he gets shoved back about 8 steps...Frustrating...Maybe we'll win Lotto 6/49 tomorrow.

Sunday, June 11, 2006 (8:33am)

Saturday, June 10, 2006 (9:41pm)

First I'd just like to wish my Sister-in-Law, Erica Oseen, a very Happy Birthday!
She just had a baby in March and I know she has been busy with the kids. Wishing you all the best in the upcoming year and hopefully you be able to take some time off for yourself...you are worth it!

Finished our last long distance bike today. It was 4.5 hours followed by a 24 minute run. I am so glad that it is over, but anticipation for race day is definitely getting the best of me. Everytime I think about the race I just get so nervous. I think this is normal. Next Saturday we just have a 2.5 hour ride and a 10-15 min run...sounds easy:)

Tomorrow we are going over to celebrate our nephew's birthday. Tanner is turning three years old on June 13th and they are having his party tomorrow. Hopefully the weather will be a bit better. The kids are looking forward to it.

Well...it's almost time for me to hit the sack. I have to get up first to do my 1 hour bike ride tomorrow...7am...nothing too early. Then it's off to church followed by lunch at my parents followed by a 90 minute run. Then we have to pick up my wet suit tomorrow before we head to Tanner's Party...yeah...I plan on trying the wetsuit out in Mackenzie Lake sometime next week.

Hope the rest of your weekend is GREAT!

Thursday, June 8, 2006 (3:48pm)

She did it! Kamden scored he very first goal yesterday at her soccer game. Way to go, Girl! We are very proud of you!!
I've had a busy week...unfortunately not with going to the gym. On Monday night we went to Kamden's Piano Recital and she did a really great job. I can't wait to see how much she will improve over the years with piano.
On Tuesday in the evening the kids and I worked on planting all the flowers in the yard...it looks really super.
Yesterday morning I had to go to the Dermatologist just to check on my moles and make sure that none of them were "dangerous". Good News...I had a clean bill of health and everything looked good. The Doctor obviously didn't like the idea of me using the tanning salon. She said that if I would spend a day with her I'd never use the tanning salon again. Yes...I know indoor tanning is bad:(...The appointment was in the late morning...since Simon still takes afternoon naps I missed my workout.
Well this morning I was really sore. In fact, I had a terrible night...could not get any sleep because my left shoulder really hurt. I think it's from the gardening that we did, but Trevor insists that it is because I used the rowing maching at the gym on Monday for 1 hour and 10 minutes. I decided that it would be best if I take another day off of the gym and not irritate the injury.
I will do my best to get back on track...time is running out...

Monday, June 5, 2006 (1:59pm)

Only 19 day...16 hours...56 minutes left till IronMan Coeur D'Alene. I am getting very excited. I feel that I am ready to race. My goal is to get 14 hours and 30 minutes-anything better would be great...anything less...Well...it is my first time. As long as I come home with my finisher's medal then everything that I've been training for will be worth it.
Last night for the first time I took my bike for a spin outside with the clip on shoes. Man does that bike ever go fast. The wind blows through your hair. It was great. I was a little wobbly with the aero bars, but nothing that can't be resolved. Just as I was getting off the bike to end my riding session I unclipped my left foot but starting leaning to the right and could not get that foot unclipped in time to get it on the ground, so now I have my very first bike injury...nothing major...just a bruised leg and a scraped left knee...and a bit of a bruised ego...ha ha.I will be riding a little everyday outside until race day. At the same time we are trying to get Kamden on two wheels. I know that this requires a lot of patience as one does not learn to ride overnight. I know she'll get it. She is our little SUPERSTAR. Speaking of Kamden she has her year end Piano Recital tonight. I get to play a duet with her for two songs...very cute. She is such a great kid. I know she'll do awesome.
Well we have our holidays planned for the summer...off on a big road trip with the kids to Disneyland in mid August. Super excited. Will be ending the vacation in Pentiction BC where Trevor will be doing his 2nd IronMan of the year. The kids and I will be cheering LOUD AND PROUD.
Oh Yeah...Got my hair chopped. It's the shortest I've ever had it. I also got in color copper underneath...very cool. My dad hates it, so that means it looks really good:)
OK...better get going...making some munchies for Kamden's recital...mmmm.

Wednesday, May 31, 2006 (1:15 pm)

Wow...I think this may be the longest I've ever gone without writing a Journal Entry. I must admit that I feel a wee bit guilty. I know what it is like to go to other people's sites who don't update on a regular basis...it's not that great.
We got back from our well deserved vacation last Friday. It was a really great trip. We couldn't have asked for better weather. It did rain the 2nd day we were there, which was ok 'cause we took that opportunity to go and walk around at different hotels.
We stayed at the Luxor---great hotel---we each got a spa (fitness club) pass for $45 (american) for 3 days---a bit expensive but we took our showers at the spa and sat in the steam room. They had unlimited amount of fresh fruit that you could have as well as cappucino/latte/coffee and a huge assortment of teas and juices. We did take advantage of that and pretty much had our breakfast there. We got to wear these fancy robes while we were at the spa as well.
I got selected to participate in The Price is Right Live Show...can you believe it! I was so excited when they called my name...well not as excited as some people that tripped while they were running up---one guy even tripped on stage and almost took out the host. I ended having to bid on a telescope and I bid $149 but the actual price was $249...oh well I got a crystal 3 in 1 Chess/Checkers/Backgammon gameboard as a consulation price...Trevor ended up dragging that thing around for the rest of the day...thanks:)
Well the rest of the trip was great...seen lots...walked lots...What can I say...Vegas is Vegas...always a good time. Too bad we didn't stay one more night as Madonna was performing at MGM on Saturday...that would've been cool.
I finally got Kamden's room all finished and painted. Took off Monday and Tuesday from the gym to make sure that I'd finish it. Didn't want to make anymore excuses. She now is in a big girl. The walls were painted this cool lavendar color...very "Kamden" lots of bright colors in there with pillows/bedding/curtains the only thing left is to put up the canopy and mirrors on her wall...she loves it!
Oh Yeah...didn't end up doing the sprint triathlon in innisfail cause we were just too tired from our holiday...good thing since the weather was crappy---raining---on Sunday.
Ok---must go and check on Kamden. She is actually feeling sick today. Ended up throwing up all of her lunch...not good. She has a Soccer Game tonight, so hopefully she'll be better.

Wednesday, May 17, 2006 (5:15pm)

I am not to sure why, but it totally feels like it is Friday. I had a really great day at the gym today. I had a "quick-change" day, so one hour on the bike and then straight over to the treadmill for half an hour. Went for an hour swim this afternoon. Unfortunately was a bit slower than usual...oh well. I am slowly---but surely---recovering from my blood donation last week. I definitely don't remember it taking that much out of me the last time I gave in January.
On Friday night Trevor and I are both off to Rejuve! That's the place I went to twice before my bodybuilding competition to try to lose some extra weight. It is very relaxing:) What happens at Rejuve is this:

1. Your measurements, weight and body fat are taken as a point of reference. Your measurements are taken again at the end of the treatment to show your results.
2. A lymphatic drainage massage is performed using all natural rejuve compounds.
3. After massage you are place in a special heating bed for 45 mins at 43 degrees celsius.
4. After treatment you are provided with a special lotion to keep your treatment working for the rest of the day.

www.rejuveyourbody.com

Tonight Kamden has another soccer game...Go, Kamden! She has improved a lot since her very first practice. She really has so much fun out there and that is what is the most important thing. On Monday's practice Simon somehow made his little way into the entire practice. He had so much fun playing with the 4 and 5 year olds...he's a really good runner...must've got that from Daddy!!

Only 4 more sleeps till Las Vegas!!!!!!

Monday, May 15, 2006 (1::35pm)

Hello, Everyone!

+++++Check out new Marathon Picture in Gallery+++++

Well Mother's Day has come and gone and I am so thankful that I am blessed to be the mommy of two beautiful kids. Being a mom is definitely one of the biggest challenges, but the most rewarding at the same time. There is nothing like having you kids cuddle with you and say "I Love You, Mommy"...they really are a treat---Love you guys.

On Saturday---2 hours and 45 minutes into my 6 hour bike ride my bike broke AGAIN....what is wrong with that crazy bike. Trevor has had his bike for 3 years and has never had to take it to the shop even once...Me...I've had mine for 4 months and this is the third time it has been in the there. They are going to replace the entire crank this time around. They actually wanted to keep the bike and send it to Specialized, but then I wouldn't have it for a month...I can't go a month without it...I can't even go a week without it. Needless to say I had to go to the gym to ride for the remainder of the time (actually only did 2.25 hours---as 5 hours was the minimum ride on Sat). Then for a 30 minute run on the treadmill. I gave blood last Thursday, so I've been having a hard time with energy since then. Me and my low iron levels:(

Yesterday we had a 2.25 hour run, but the energy levels were so low for me and I didn't feel too great, so I just ended up going for 1.75 hours and I actually ended up walking most of it. That's ok...it was a beautiful day. Took the time to smell the roses...ok there were no roses but I did enjoy the scenery.

The dinner I cooked for my mom turned out great. Everyone seemed to enjoy the meal. My mom made dessert...Ice Cream Cake...YUMMY!!! I had two pieces:) Ice Cream is one of my favorite things in the whole world. Trevor and I have ice cream and two golden oreo cookies everynight. I think we've done this probably everday since January. We do get the light ice cream from Safeway...Fudge Mocha Almond is my fave!! See you can have ice cream everyday and not gain weight...as long as it fits within our caloric intake for the day.

Only 6 more days till we go to Vegas...can't wait...I have been trying to get that bikini body for the trip...it is definitely coming along...I can actually see a six pack again. I have leaned out quite a bit in the last few months with IM training. I just love to see the changes. Well it is a gorgeous day, so I better get my butt outside. I cut Trevor's hair at lunch---he looks like an army boy now---it is short-short-He's such a HOTTIE:)

Sunday, May 14, 2006

So when was the first Mother's Day?

In 1907 Anna persuaded her mother's church in Grafton, West Virginia to celebrate Mother's Day on the second anniversary of her mother's death, the 2nd Sunday of May. By the next year, 1908, Mother's Day was also celebrated in Philadelphia.

In 1910 the first Mother's Day proclamation was issued by the governor of West Virginia. Oklahoma celebrated Mother's Day that year also. By 1911 every state observed Mother's Day. The Mother's Day International Association was incorporated on December 12, 1912, with the purpose of furthering meaningful observations of Mother's Day.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!!! (that means you too Mom "O")

---Wishing you both a very wonderful Mother's Day! You are both very special and I know you'd do anything for me and I really appreciate having you in my life---

xoxo
Susan, Trevor, Kamden & Simon

Wednesday, May 10, 2006 (4:31pm)

Just got home from swimming about half an hour ago. I have my very first triathlon in a few weeks (it's a short one---just a sprint). I thought I'd practice doing flip turns today. I actually shaved off a bit of time by doing them. I am hoping to get 10 mins for my 500 meter swim for the race...anything better than that would be great...anything less means I need more practice.
Amazingly enough the kids are in bed sleeping. I think Grandma and Grandpa really tired them out this weekend. Kamden, who is 5 years old, usually doesn't take naps, but every once in awhile she needs one.
The new gym has been so wonderful. I love going there and being able to take my time. I had enough time to actually take a shower there this morning...Yeah! I might actually check out some of their group fitness classes next Monday. At 9am they have a spinning class called "Storm" and at 10am they have an Ashtanga Yoga class (which I've always wanted to try)---I am looking forward to trying those out.
This weekend it is a 6 hour bike and a 30-40 min run on Saturday. Sunday we have a 1.5 hour bike in the am and then a 2 hour and 15 minute run in the pm.
This coming Sunday is Mother's Day. I will be making supper for my mom on Sunday evening at my parents house....Lemon Chicken with Rice and Ginger-Sesame Asparagus is on the menu. My mom will be making ice cream cake for dessert...sounds yummy. Don't forget to get something for your moms (or at least give them a call to say "hello")

Monday, May 8, 2006 (1:22pm)

Well the weekend is over---A Successful Marathon. Surprisingly I am not that sore. My ankles do hurt quite a bit, but it is definitely manageable. In fact, today I went to check out our new gym, Gold's. It is so beautiful. I did a very light 90 minutes on elliptical. There is so much space and all the equipment is brand new....LOVE IT!! The locker rooms are absolutely Huge and Gorgeous. Everything is over the top there. I can't wait to take the kids there tomorrow. They are looking forward to it:)
Ok Ok...I'll tell you about the Marathon. I finished it in 4:25:23. I tried really hard to stick with the 4:15 pace bunny, but at around 6 miles I really had to go to the bathroom...I couldn't hold it any longer. I ended up having to wait in line to use a porta-potty...waited for a good 8 minutes. As soon as I got out I had to sprint for about 20 minutes to catch up to "my bunny" expended a lot of energy during that time---not good. Surprisingly after that I was able to stick with him till around mile 21 and then after that I just couldn't keep up. The pace bunny does not walk through the water stations, but I thought it would be beneficial for me to have a drink of water/ultima whenever I could. Never-the-less I ended up playing catch up and finally I just couldn't catch up anymore. After I lost him my goal was to beat 4:30 and I did it!! I am happy with my time---being my first one and all. Now I can only improve. By the way (not that I am making excuses) the weather was really crappy. It was raining the entire morning. I was very wet, but didn't feel too cold. I really enjoyed the experience and I look forward to my next Marathon:)---I will not be running probably till next Saturday...I will take it easy this week.

Thursday, May 4, 2006 (1:06pm)

I have been waiting for this day to come for a very long time. Today was my very last workout at Workout World in Calgary. Next week we will be going to the new Gold's Gym in the NE and we can't wait. We have been waiting for sometime for a new gym to open that was close to us. Workout World must have the highest turn around rate for employees. Just when you get to know one they are gone. Poor Trevor---there was quite a few times where he'd get up at 4:30am to get to the gym at 5am and nobody was there to open it. The worst part is when you complain to management they threaten to take your membership away---unbelievable!! Oh Well---on to a new chapter:) I usually can only exercise for 1 hour and 40 minutes because the kids are only allowed in the daycare for 2 hours, so by the time I get them in, get dressed, exercise, get changed again and go and get them ---I usually am cutting it close with time. Since they are clock watchers there I always had to cut my workouts short. Today I dropped the kids off and did 2 hours of elliptical, so I ended up being 10 minutes over with time. I honestly didn't care since it was my last day:)
This afternoon I am off to go swimming for an hour. My parents will look after the munchkins for 1.5 hours and then tonight we drop them off at Grandma and Grandpa's. Tomorrow we leave for Vancouver and then we have a couple of days to enjoy the city and Sunday is the marathon---I am actually looking forward to it. It'll be fun!!
Kamden had her first soccer game yesterday. She did super! It is funny watching the kiddies just chase after the ball. I am not sure what the score was. I don't even think they really keep track. I did take some pictures, so as soon as I download from the camera then I will post them....Till Sunday...Wish me luck for the "big run"

Sunday, April 30, 2006 (9:22pm)

I did it again...I beat my personal best time for a half marathon. My official time (chip time) for today was 2:07:54, which is 15 seconds faster than the Chinook Half Marathon two weeks ago. But after the race we found out that there was a problem with the chip timing at the beginning of the race and instead of our time starting when we crossed the start it started as soon as the gun went off. Unfortunately Trevor and I were at the back of the crowd and didn't even pass the start mat for a good minute or so. Long story short our time should've been under 2:07 (somewhere between 2:07 and 2:06---but I guess we'll never know). I have to talk about the weather. No where else in the world can we have a beautiful 23 degree day on Saturday and then wake up the next morning to a very cold and wet day. When we left the house at 7:15am this morning it was only 2 degrees and raining. I must admit I didn't want to run. We haven't done much training in the rain and we don't even have any waterproof clothes. While we were running it actually started to snow...unbelievable...oh well...it's done...only one week till the BIG Marathon:)**********TREVOR-THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR RUNNING WITH ME AND PUSHING ME TO GIVE 100%---I LOVE YOU**********

Friday, April 28, 2006 (7:01am)

Ok I got the extra motivation I needed to make it through all of my training. The WebCast with Desiree Ficker was excellent. Even though there was a lot of information that I already knew---just from reading and surfing the internet, it is always nice to hear it straight from the Pros...THANKS!!
I got all my three swims in this week. I ended up going Tues., Weds., and yesterday. It was wonderful to be able to go in the middle of the afternoon and get it over with. Besides my skin feeling really dry, I felt great!
Since I've started taking Iron Pills (doctor's orders) I have had way more energy. I can even stay up till 11 pm now and am usually up shortly after 6am. I guess I really didn't need 10 hours of sleep like I thought. I don't feel so tired anymore all day. Why didn't I go to the doctor earlier for this problem---next time I'll know better.
I think I may need help---everytime I go into SWIMCO (swimwear retailer) I end up buying a bikini---what's wrong with me. Yesterday night I just went in to see what new colors they had and I seen an awesome blue bikini---tried it on---loved it---bought it. I think that brings the count up to nine...oh well. I needed one for Las Vegas---only 3.5 weeks away:)
Well another beautiful day in Calgary 23 degrees. Have to go to the gym this morning, but will definitely be playing outside with the kids!!

Wednesday, April 26, 2006 (1:07pm)

Let's see...what is new with me...on Monday I signed up for a Live Web cast featuring Desiree Ficker and Marcel Vifian, who are Professional IronMan Triathletes, and I got chosen to participate....YEAH!! There is only a few people that will be participating in the webcast, so I feel very honored. I've been spending the last few days thinking of questions I'd like to ask. The Web cast will be happening tomorrow night...I am so excited. I am interested in what training/recovery tips that Desiree has to share. She is very inspiring and I think this may give me the motivation I need to make it through the Marathon-May 7th and through all of my remaining training for IM. Check out her website, if you have a chance

www.desireeficker.com

I got the results from my physical last week. Turns out my Iron levels are extremely low and my doctor wants me to start taking Iron pills everyday and go for blood work again in 3 months to see if my levels improved. She also said that I should donate blood every 70 days instead of the usual 56 days. I am hoping that once my Iron levels go up my performance will improve as well. Now it all makes sense why I have been exhausted by the time 8:30 pm roles around:)
I tried out a different swimming pool yesterday afternoon...Acadia Pool...it was pretty good. Only 3 people in there while I was there. I am going again this afternoon I am looking forward to it...I'll tell you what I am definitely not looking forward to...5.5 hours on the bike on Saturday followed by a 40-50 minute run...nope...definitely not looking forward to that:(
Sunday is the Police Half Marathon...Yes I am going to try to get that 2:00 time...Hopefully the weather will be great!! Trevor is just taking it easy on that run as he wants to do his best ever in the Vancouver Marathon...hopefully he'll run with me and help me get my 2:00...I'd love that!!!

Sunday, April 23, 2006 (9:05pm)

Ok that's it...I think my bike doesn't like me. Yesterday 2 hours and 42 minutes into my three hour bike ride something didn't feel right. My left foot felt like it was slipping. I looked down on the ground and there was a piece of my bike lying right under my pedal. Turns out that part was for my crank arm. I was doing so good on my ride as well...ahead of the goal I set out for myself that day. After my short 2.51 mile run and lunch we headed to the bike shop to go and get my bike fixed. Turns out that the LBS didn't double check that everything was in tip top shape when they got the bike from the factory before they gave it to me. I did ride for an hour this morning and it seemed to be working fine today. I guess it's better for things like this to happen during training than in a race...that would suck.
Decided not to go for my 14.5 mile run today for three reasons 1) my left foot pain seems to still be lingering around 2) next week we are supposed to be running 3 miles, but we have the Police Half Marathon---so that is 10.1 miles more 3) Vancouver Marathon is in 2 weeks from today and I want to make sure I am injury free.
So tomorrow I am off to the gym just to do some work on the cross trainer and get my HR up for 1.5-2 hours.
My mom made awesome Chinese food for supper today. You could tell that she put a lot of work into it. We are definitely lucky to have her...thanks, Mom!!

Thursday, April 20, 2006 (6:06 pm )

What a beautiful day. Who needs to go to Hawaii to enjoy hot weather when you can stay right here in Calgary. Can you believe that we reached a high of 23 degrees Celsius today.
I went for my annual physical today. Everything seems to be A-OK. I had some blood work done, so I won't know everything for a few days, but I am sure it is all good. I do, however, have to see a dermatologist as I do have a lot of freckles and moles. My doctor isn't too concerned, but just wants to be sure that all is good. So I have an appointment set up for June 7th.
Training has been going well. Yesterday I did have a kind of blah day as my left foot was hurting, as it always does after long runs. Today it was totally fine, so I had a good bike interval training day. I rode for 1:30 and at 0:15 in inserted 4 x 7 min (Zone 4) at 4 min recovery spin. I really tried hard and felt great after I was done. Boy do I sweat a lot at the gym. I always have to bring a towel along and wipe my face every few minutes or else there would be a pool beneath me when I am done.
Looking forward to this weekend since it is just a recovery bike on Saturday, which means only 3 hours followed by a 20 minute run. Sunday, however, we are scheduled for a 14.5 mile run. I guess that is better than last weeks 21 miler....Well better go...the gang is waiting for me...of to Superstore to get some milk and fruit...later

Tuesday, April 18, 2006 (8:00am)

Happy 8th Anniversary, Trevor! It has been a great 8 years and I can't wait for 70 more. You are my best friend and I am lucky that I have you in my life.

For Better Or Worse

When we said our wedding vows
special promises we did make
Promised for better or worse
our love we would not forsake

The vows we made that day
are imprinted here in my heart
Love couldn't get any better
then from the very start

On this our anniversary
we'll celebrate a special day
Sending you a message of love
and sweet roses along the way

©2005 Mary E. Carpio

Sunday, April 16, 2006 (8:48pm)

Well I hope the Easter Bunny was good to all of you:) He did end up coming to our house and the kids had a blast searching for the Easter Eggs...Fun, Fun, Fun!! He brought them chocolate, sidewalk chalk, skipping rope, and some money...why can't I be 5 years old????
I DID IT...I beat my Personal Best time on the Chinook half marathon today. Even though I did not break 2:00 (this time...I will one day) I did get 2:08:30 (that's the unofficial time). I guess I should be happy about beating my PB time by almost 5 minutes. Trevor did awesome...he came in 6th out of 400 people...he's amazing!! His time was 1:28:30 (unofficial). I wish I could run even half as good as him.
Today was supposed to be our final 20 mile long run. Since the half is only 13.1 miles we still had 7 miles to go. After the run we ate brunch and then we went to Oma and Opa's. We got there at about 1:30pm and then about 25 minutes later we were out the door to go for another run...Yep we are crazy!! We ended up doing 8 miles, but it took me longer than I would've liked as I had a sore left foot from the half marathon race...oh well...everything is done:)

Friday, April 14th, 2006 (9:36am)

The True meaning of Easter:

The Resurrection of Jesus
The story of Jesus tells us of Jesus's greatest miracle. He rose form the dead. Read the story to the children and have them follow along with the actions.

Some men in power hated Jesus (Children shake fists in anger.)

He was arrested. They placed a crown, made from thorns, on his head. (Children place hands on top of head, cupped like a crown.)

They placed Him on a cross to die. Friends took His body and placed it in a tomb. (Children stretch out arms and look towards sky.)

A large stone was placed over the opening of the tomb. (Children sit on floor quietly.)

On Easter morning some women went to the tomb. The heavy stone was gone. An angel was there and said, "Jesus has gone! He is alive! Go and tell His disciples He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him." (Children jump up smiling, filled with joy.)

Jesus stayed on Earth for several days so His disciples could see Him and know God was really His Father. Then one day while He was talking to the disciples, He disappeared into the clouds. God took Him back to heaven.

That is how we know Jesus was God's Son. That is why we love and worship Jesus on Easter morning and on every day of our lives. Jesus lived on Earth to tell people about His Father in heaven.

Wednesday, April 12, 2006 (8:35am)

Ok. I am very frustrated. I have been trying to lose just a few pounds for the marathon, which is on May 7th (would like to get to 130lbs) and have been counting calories since April 1st. I have been weighing all of my food and have been very good (honest) with it. The only problem is in the last few days my weight has been creeping up for no apparent reason. Trevor keeps saying to be patient and it will come off. He is convinced that I am retaining water. I suppose he may be right, but just like any other girl I hate those words "retaining water". WHY???? I just don't get it...boys don't have any of these problems. Trevor can gain 5 lbs on the weekend and then lose it in 2 days. He does follow calories quite strictly as well, but I've been hearing him say that he is "way over" and then he still ends up having ice cream in the evening...then there is me...I work my butt off at the gym (Trevor does as well) and follow calories to a tee---actually I usually have quite a few calories left over at the end of the day---and I even get my 5L of water in everyday and then I gain weight....FRUSTRATING. Poor Trevor has to hear me complain about this on a daily basis. I will try to stay optimistic and just focus on the big picture. I figure my efforts will eventually pay off.

According to the weather man the temperature for Sunday (Chinook Half Marathon 13.1 miles) will be a high of 11 degrees Celsius (possibly with showers). Oh well after this past Sunday's run I know I can run in the rain, so whatever the weather is then we'll have to deal with it. I am excited for the run. It is always a lot of fun just to be around a race atmosphere. There is just so much excitement in the air. I can't wait. I am hoping for a time of 2:00, but if I beat my personal best of 2:13:20 then I'll be happy with that as well:)
Today at the gym I have a 45 min bike and a 30 min run. I'll most likely do some elliptical just to burn off a few extra calories, so I can eat more. Then tonight I must go swimming...missed going yesterday. I was too tired...no more excuses...I think I've said that before.

Sunday, April 9, 2006 (8:49pm)

Another weekend of intense working out is over and I am thrilled beyond belief.
On Friday night Trevor and I got to see a "chick flick". We went to see "Failure to Launch" with Sarah Jessica Parker. It was really funny. I even heard Trevor laugh out loud quite a few times. Had to go to the earlier show 'cause now-a-days I am only able to stay up no later than 10pm. I am so exhausted and ready to sleep anywhere after 9pm. Isn't that crazy! I think my body needs at least 8 hours of sleep, but I perform best with 9 hours.
Saturday I had a 4 hour bike ride. It was pretty tough, but I felt that I did good. After the run I was suposed to do a 30-40 minute run. Part way through the run I was feeling light headed and decided that I would only go for the 30 minutes, so I took the shorter root. Guess What? I think it was meant to be because I found $20 laying on the side walk. I was so excited...how often does one find that much money on the ground? I couldn't wait to get home to tell Trevor. Then the weirdest thing happend...I found another $20 bill laying on the street...Ok...craziness---$40 found in the matter of 2 minutes...4 houses apart...I must admit that after that I was looking everywhere for money...must've been my lucky day:)
Today after church we went to my parents place for our usual pre-run lunch of soup and buns. Today's soup was Pea Soup with Ham...Yummy! It was an 18 mile run today. The weather was not the greatest. We actually did get rained on and it was a bit cold with the rain and the wind. I ran the whole way...I can't believe I did it! I am pretty proud of myself for pushing myself and not giving up...Yeah for me!!
Ok...well that's all I have to tell you guys. Race begins in 7 days...next Sunday is the Chinook half marathon.
I hope you all have a fabulous upcoming week.
"The big secret in life is that there is no big secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you're willing to work." __Oprah Winfrey

Tuesday, April 4, 2006 (2:17pm)

A dream becomes a goal when action is taken toward its achievement.
-Bo Bennett

Ok I can't believe that I am still sick. I am definitely better than I was last week, but am still feeling very congested (especially at night time). It looks like I'll have to miss my swim tonight. I am hoping by tomorrow I'll be able to hit the pool once again.
I ended up going to the gym on Monday (my usual day off). I was still feeling guilty for missing my 3 hour bike on Saturday, so I ended up doing an hour and a half on the elliptical machine and burned off 1500 calories (which would've been about the same amount I would have spent working out on the bike on Saturday). Today's workout went ok---1 hour run, weights, and 20 minutes on the elliptical. I am doing extra work on the elliptical since our Las Vegas trip is only 47 days away and I want to get bikini ready...hee hee.
On Sunday Trevor and I ran around Fish Creek. It was a really nice day. Lots of people on the paths enjoying the nice spring weather. It was just a 14.5 mile run. I managed to go the full distance, but had to walk for about a mile 'cause I was just too congested...oh well. Next Sunday we are doing 18 miles and are going to be back at Fish Creek. So far the weather looks like it is going to be great.
Almost forgot to tell you that I got my bike helmet on Saturday...it is black and silver. Also got a outfit for my races...now I'll for sure be stylin'. Ended up getting a pair of running shorts and capri pants from LuLu Lemon...very cool. The capri pants are reversable.
Well not much else to say...I am just going to take it easy and hopefully this crazy cold will soon be gone:)

Saturday, April 1, 2006 (9:23am)
(April Fool's Day)

Well Kamden did end up making me sick:( Yesterday I had a 40 minute run with intervals to do (5x1 minute Pick Up with 1 minute recovery). At 10 minutes in I was really not feeling that well, but pushed through the workout anyways I've heard somewhere along the way that if you are not feeling well it is good to exercise so you can sweat it all out and feel better. I don't know where I heard that, but such was not the case yesterday. After my run I did weights for a short period of time. I was definitely dragging my butt while I was strength training...Oh well...I made it through. Shortly after I got home from the gym I started to feel miserable. I ended up taking a nap yesterday and in the evening I watched a movie with the family and then I was in be by 8:30pm. Unfortunately, I had one of the worst nights ever...my head felt like it was going to explode and my ears...boy oh boy, did they hurt last night. For the first time since I've started my IronMan training on November 28, 2005 I've decided not to do my long bike today so I can take the time to recoup and get better. I feel if I do my bike I'll never get better and in the long run I'll suffer. Good thing is that this week is a recovery week, which means I am only missing a 3 hour bike...I feel really guilty though:(
Trevor is on the bike right now, which makes me feel more guilty knowing that he's doing the ride and I am not. I know he would do the ride no matter how sick he is. In a way I feel that I am always trying to compete with Trevor...isn't that awful. I wish I could just realize that Trevor is Trevor and I should just be happy being me, right?!
Today we have to go to the Bike Shop to pick up my helmet for the bike and then we are off to Market Mall...I desperately need some new workout clothes...LuLu Lemon, here we come.
Have a great day---enjoy the sun!
Remember----You can visualize anything you choose!!!

Thursday, March 30, 2006 (9:04pm)

Good evening, everyone. I am sure if you are like me you are probably
getting ready to watch "Survivor". Sometimes I think what it would be
like to be a participant on that show, wouldn't that be great! There is
something that is just so appealing to me to put your body and mind to
the ultimate test and see how far you can push yourself. I think the
harder you push yourself the more you realize that you can not rely on
your own strength.
Well Kamden has been coughing and feeling a little sick the past few
days and I think she passed something on to me. After my swim this
afternoon my throat has been really sore. I am going to have to make
sure that it doesn't turn into anything more. There is only 2.5 weeks
left till racing season starts. Our first half marathon is scheduled for
April 16th. I am really hoping to get a time of 2:00...we'll see what
happens:)

Funky Factoid:
Dying for a cheeseburger, fries, and a chocolate shake? In 2004, an
Indiana coffin manufacturer reported selling four or five triple-wide
caskets per month compared with only one per year in the late 1980's.
Remember the old proverb: Don't dig your grave with a knife and fork.
__Eat, Shrink & Be Merry! (Janet & Greta Podleski)

Monday, March 27, 2006 (8:22am)

I am so happy that the weekend is over...Yeah!! As usual it was a really tough workout weekend. Had the 20 mile run scheduled yesterday. I managed to run just over 18 miles before my legs started to seize up. I didn't drink enough water the day before...bad!! Running long distances definitely comes down to a science...I have to plan it out perfectly. Trevor has a whole bunch of books on marathon running...I will be spending my day off reading them...maybe that'll help.

We got our new MP3 players on Friday...this time we got Sony. It's 2GB, so it holds about 500 songs. I love running to music. It makes the time pass much quicker. They are the size of a cigarette lighter and are Violet/Blue in color...Love it!
On Friday night we seen "V for Vendetta" (with Natalie Portman). It really wasn't my kind of movie. My favorite movies will always be romantic comedies. Oh well...it was ok...Trevor liked it. Well better get the day started.
Have a Super Day

Friday, March 24, 2006 (2:30pm)

I realized something today...how very lucky I am to have such a supportive/encouraging family. Kamden and Simon are at oma and opa's place (sleepover) so I thought I'd do my long bike ride today. I started at 8:30am and I quickly realized how much I miss when Trevor comes downstairs to check on me and just say hi or the kids coming downstairs all excited to dance to some of the music that's playing on the tv. Today it was just me and me alone. Let me tell you it was a very long and difficult 5 hours for me. However, I am definitely more appreciative of what I have.

Following my 5 hour bike was a quick 30 minute run...I am thrilled to be done....Today was tough for me:(
Tomorrow I plan on going swimming in the morning and then going to the gym for the workout I missed today. I will be well-rested for the 20 mile run on Sunday. We are getting (hopefully) an MP3 player each to make the run a little more enjoyable:)

Thursday, March 23, 2006 (9:01am)

I know this is how I feel sometimes...

Monday, March 20, 2006 (8:03am)

Good News or Bad News?
Good news is that Kamden did really great at her very first piano class (recital). I wish I could've been there, but unfortunately I had to ride my bike for 4.5 hours and run for 30 minutes. Trevor got up at 5:00am to get all his exercise done in time to take her (and Simon). Good Job, Kamden! As usual...you make us proud:)
Bad news is that yesterday we had our 18 mile run and when we run around a track Trevor keeps track of the laps with his Polar watch__well just when I thought we were almost done he said that he messed up on keeping track with the laps and we still have 12 more laps to go. I was so frustrated by the news that I ended up throwing in the towel and only went for 16 miles....I am disappointed in myself. I was on track to have a better 18 mile run than the week before, if only I would've hung in there....Sorry, Trevor, I know I disappointed you:( Next week is 20 miles---my goal is to have a positive attitude through the entire run.

Saturday, March 18, 2006

Happy 92nd Birthday, Grandma Ellen!

Wishing you all the best today and for many years to come!
You are an inspiration to us all.

To Grandma on your Birthday!

We sure hope this birthday is your very best by far,

Extra nice and extra fun the way you always are.

Times are fun when you’re around, no nicer person could ever be found!

You’re the greatest grandma anyone has ever had….

LOVE YOU LOTS...Trevor, Susan, Kamden & Simon

Friday, March 17, 2006 (7:17am)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!
(don't forget to wear green)

Yesterday I ended up taking the day off of the gym. I just wanted to re-focus and be able to start fresh today with a positive attitude.
Yesterday I went to go and give blood, but unfortunately my iron levels were too low. Oh well...in 56 days I can try again.
Today I have a busy day at the gym with an hour bike and an hour run. Then later on this afternoon my parents are coming over to watch Kamden and Simon so that I can go swimming...hopefully everything will go ok. I have to drink a lot of water today since tomorrow is a 4.5 hour bike and I find if I have a good day before then things go much better.
Kamden has her first piano class tomorrow at her piano teacher's house (a practice recital), should be fun...Trevor is taking her:)

Wednesday, March 15, 2006 (1:39pm)

I had a horrible workout at the gym today. Actually I am surprised that I made it to the gym at all. I don't really know what my problem was since I actually had a really good sleep last night. For some reason or another I woke up all rested, but with a feeling of sadness and kind of just BLAH for no apparent reason(this happens to me every once in awhile...Trevor will let you know it's true). I am pretty sure that this doesn't just happen to me, but it would be nice to have some reassurance from others (just to know I am not crazy). I managed to ride the bike for 45 minutes and run for 15 mins. I was suposed to do 30 mins of running, but I really didn't want to be there.
It is now the middle of the afternoon and unfortunately my mood has not changed much:(
It feels like just one of those days where you wish you could just go to bed and wake up tomorrow.

Tomorrow will be a better day!!

I found a quote which I thought is a great quote for everyone's life:

"...results in the future are based on the things I do today."

Tuesday, March 14, 2006 (7:54am)

Had a pretty good day off yesterday. We finally went to pick out Kamden's new bed spread, pillows and other accessories for her room. Lots of pink and purple. We still need to get paint, curtains and a lamp. She has these "Bratz" beads hanging in front of her door...looks very cool...very Kamden:) We are hoping to have it all painted by the end of this month.
Surprisingly, the only thing that hurt yesterday from my 18 mile run on Sunday was my ankles. But other than that I felt like a million bucks. I thought that my leg muscles would be really sore. Today I have an hour run with interval training (sprints) and then after that I will do some weights.
Only 68 more days till we go to Vegas. We are staying at the Luxor. It looks so cool there. We just have to find a pool that will be suitable for our training. Unfortunately, the hotel pools just don't cut it as lap pools...oh well...I am not complaining:) We are going Sunday to Friday, so we don't have to worry about any of our long training sessions.

Sunday, March 12, 2006 (8:51pm)

I survived my first 18 mile run. My new shoes worked great!! It doesn't look like I have any newly bruised toe nails. I certainly wish I would have went to the foot clinic a lot sooner. I must admit that my muscles in my legs are pretty sore, but I guess that is what should be expected. Trevor thought that I'd be able to finish in 3:20...well I managed to finish it in 3:15...yeah for me!
First thing this morning I had an hour bike ride as well. This is the 2nd day in a row that I managed to go over 20 mph. Yesterday I had a three hour bike and I managed to hold on to that speed. I think I did 60.45 miles yesterday in three hours, so just a little faster.
Well I can tell you that I will definitely be taking the day off tomorrow. I need the break to help my aching body get better:)

On a different note...we went to see our new neice, Reanna, yesterday. I am not just saying this 'cause I am her aunt, but boy is she ever cute. No...I am not thinking of having anymore...Jason and Erica are very lucky and so is little Tanner...what a sweet family!!

Thursday, March 9, 2006 (5:51pm)

I had the best training swim ever today...I managed to go 3000 meters in 1 hour. Up until now the most I've been able to do was 2500 meters...must be the new swimsuit. I went to the pool at 4:00pm till 5:00pm. I had an entire lane to myself...it was fabulous! Anyways...I just had to share because I am so excited about my achievement today...YEAH!!

***** Jason & Erica have decided on a name for their daughter *****

***** Reanna Kaitlyn Oseen *****

Thursday, March 9, 2006 (7:00am)

******Congratulations to my brother and sister-in-law, Jason and Erica, on their new bundle of joy. They delivered a healthy baby girl yesterday morning (March 8, 2006)******
(they were not sure what to name her when we last heard...we'll let you know when we find out )


Brand New Little Daughter

~ by Linda Lee Elrod ~

She´s your brand new little daughter,

so enchanted, sweet and smart.

With a coo, she´ll have you smiling

With a laugh, she´ll own your heart.

It´s the time for hugs and kisses,

Reassurance when she cries.

It´s the time for making moments

Full of love and Lullabies.

For these golden days of childhood

come and go so very fast -

Hold her tight and love her dearly.

Make these precious moments last.

Wednesday, March 8, 2006 (8:05am)

Hello, Hello...How are things? I was able to try out my new runners yesterday. They seem to give me a lot more support. It was only a hour run so it is hard to say how my toenails would do in a long run. I guess I'll find out on Sunday when we go for our 18 mile run. I am hoping that the shoes make me run better and faster...yeah right...they aren't magic shoes:)
Trevor and I are going to Las Vegas on the May long weekend (he just got the ok from his boss-yeah!). We were thinking of going for our 8th wedding
anniversary (April 18th), but unfortunately the date did not work well with Trevor's work schedule. So hopefully May 21st will be our first Vegas trip without the kids. Just think by then I will have run my very first marathon...weird! So my goal is to get the six pack back that I had a few years ago...that means clean eating for 75 days...I can do it! It'll be worth the sacrifice of having treats. I think I'll take a before and after picture.
Today Kamden and Simon get to go to the dentist for their annual check-up...hopefully no cavities!

"Avoiding the phrase “I don’t have time...”, will soon help you to realize that you do have the time needed for just about anything you choose to accomplish in life."
-Bo Bennett

Sunday, March 5, 2006 (9:46am)

Good Morning!! Yesterday was another CRAZY cardio day. Did 4.5 hours on the bike and then a quick run around the neighborhood...a total of 4 hours and 56 minutes of exercise. I managed to bike 88.79 miles...another 24 miles and that would've been the distance for the IronMan. I am hoping that by the time race day comes I'll be able to do the 112 mile bike in 6 hours...well I'll shoot for 6.5 and anything better would be great...I guess I have to take into consideration hills.
I went to the Foothills Foot Clinic yesterday to figure out why my toe nails keep getting bruised and why I am losing some of them. Turns out that I've been wearing one size too small...I got a new pair of runners (that fit). I will test them out this week on the treadmill at the gym.
Today it is -26 degrees Celsius with the wind chill so we will be doing our 12 mile run indoors at Mount Royal College. I am looking forward to it...I'll let you know how it goes!

Thursday, March 2, 2006 (8:44am)

The month of March..."In like a lion and out like a lamb"...well it is definitely the case so far. We have had a lot of snow. I wish we had the time to go skiing or the time to learn how to snowboard. Actually that is one thing I'd love to learn how to do...snowboard...winter still is far from being over so maybe in the next couple of months I can get out on the local ski hill...that would be great!
I finally made it to the pool last night. I am embarrassed to say how long it has been since I've gone...oh well...can't change the past! I managed to go for a 30 minute swim. I am still feeling under-the-weather ever since Sunday. I am feeling very weak and tired. Yesterday's workout at the gym wasn't that great either. I wasn't able to give 100%, which I should be doing all the time. I guess I should just focus on getting better so that my workouts won't suffer. Today I have an hour bike...I will do the best I can...then I get to do weights....yeah!
Well not much else to say...only 6.5 weeks left till my first race of the year....Chinook Half (Half Marathon/Goal: 2:00)....oh speaking of running...I am going to go to a foot specialist on Saturday to see why I keep getting really bruised toe nails from running. Hopefully they can suggest some proper running shoes so that I can avoid the losing of toenails in the future...I know that sounds pretty yucky. "No Pain, No Gain", right?!

++++++++++Good Luck, Debbie Leung (the wonderful trainer I used for Muscle Beach), who will be competing in the Arnold Classic this upcoming weekend!!!++++++++++


"In this moment, the world is the way it is, so decide to concentrate on how good it can be. Choose to invest your focus in making the very best of now" ----Ralph Marsten

Tuesday, February 28, 2006 (7:55am)

Happy 33rd Birthday, Trevor!!
You have sure come along way. Can you believe that 4.5 years ago we were both overweight and didn't even workout that much...look at us now!
I am proud of you and so are the kids. You are the best husband and the greatest dad in the world we are so lucky to have you in our lives.
Wishing you MANY more.

LOTS OF LOVE AND HUGS AND KISSES
Susan, Kamden & Simon

*****

Picture This....Yesterday before went to bed I put out 4 (18.5L) empty water bottles on our front door step for the Culligan man to pick up today. Just after 1:00am this morning the wind was blowing like crazy. I was woken up by the sound of Culligan water bottles hitting the ground and being blown away by the wind. Since there is a $10 deposit for every bottle and I didn't want them blowing away, I quickly ran downstairs and ran outside in my pajamas...barefoot....chasing down the street to retrieve the bottles. I am sure if someone was watching they would've been laughing so hard. Good news...I managed to get all the bottles back in the house and I was back in bed by 1:15am.

Monday, February 27, 2006 (10:29am)

Yesterday was a really tough day for me. We had a 16 mile run. Since it was fairly cold outside we decided to go to Mount Royal College and use their running track, which is only 200 m. So 130 laps later we were finally done. I was doing awesome for the first 10 miles. My heart rate was probably 10 beats higher than I should have been keeping it. I put out way too much effort right off the bat. Next time I'll keep my heart rate in the proper zone (the entire time) and things should be a lot better. We went to my parents place for lunch before our run and had stir fry, which pretty much sat in my stomach the whole time I was running...didn't feel too hot. After the run I was sick...I am not sure if I just got a stomach flew, but today I am down 5 lbs from yesterday...so you can just imagine what was going on with me yesterday.
Kamden's party on Saturday was a lot of fun. Of course she got a lot of nice stuff. She got this Princess outfit which she wears all the time. She just loves it. I still can't believe she's five or that I've also aged 5 years since I've had her:)
Well today I am taking the day off of the gym and hopefully by tomorrow I'll be 100% better and all ready to go hard for my training for this week. Next week we have to run 12 miles on Sunday, which actually doesn't seem to bad. Saturday is a 4.5 hour bike...I don't mind that...it's all good!

Saturday, February 25, 2006 (11:00am)

HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY, KAMDEN!!!
We love you and are very proud of you.
You are such a special little girl.
Daddy and I know that you are going to accomplish great things you are precious to us!!

Thursday, February 23, 2006 (3:53pm)

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...we are definitely making up for our brown Christmas now. We've received more snow in the last 2 days then we have since the start of winter. Oh well I don't mind the snow at all. It's when it gets really cold out (below -20 degrees) that I start wishing we lived somewhere nice and warm...Trevor and I always dream about moving to Scottsdale, Arizona if we ever win the "big one". It would be awesome to be able to do all our training outdoors 365 days a year. Yesterday we (Trevor, myself, and the kids) went to Kindergarten information night at Kamden's new school. She is looking so forward to starting school. I've heard from many parents that once your child starts school the years will just fly by. I guess it'll be a happy/sad time. Happy 'cause she's starting school but sad 'cause she is growing up so very fast. My parents get back tonight from Hawaii...YEAH!!! We are looking forward to having them back...it has been a long six weeks. Saturday is Kamden's 5th birthday. We are having her party at Oma and Opa's place...should be fun..the only thing she ever asks for is anything BRATZ...funny!!!

Monday, February 20, 2006 (8:41am)

***Look out for some new pictures in Gallery SOON****

Happy Family Day! Unfortunately, Trevor had to go into work today (for the whole day) on a statutory holiday...Family Day!!! I guess it won't seem much like a holiday for us...oh well! Things could always be worse.
I had my longest run to date yesterday. It was 14.5 miles...I am pretty sore today. The run took 2 hours and 38 mins. I was hoping to do it in 2 hours and 30 minutes, but my legs just hurt too much and I ended up walking a bit at the end. I wish I was a better runner, but I guess the only way I will improve is by running more. Next week we have a 16 mile run...not looking forward to that.
Last night for dinner we went to Boston Pizza and Trevor and I shared a Californian Pizza. I think that may be my favorite pizza. It was so yummy. It had sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, onions and parmesan cheese on it. I will definitely have to have that again.
Speaking of yummy food...I am not sure if I mentioned in one of my earlier journals that Trevor has been making lunch for the family every Saturday...This is our agenda on Saturday's...He's up at 5am and does his long bike ride and run and then it is my turn. While I am riding Trevor and the kids go to Safeway and purchase the ingredients for the lunch and then he comes home and starts cooking. This weekend he made a meal called "A Penne Yearned" from the Looney Spoons Cookbook...It was a delicious Penne Casserole...I am definitely lucky to have Trevor...I wonder what he'll be cooking for next week??
Today I am thrilled to have the day off of training. I have a whole bunch of errands to run with Kamden's birthday coming up on Saturday. I am making her a bubble gum machine birthday cake...should be fun. I also have to get her some dress shoes...she has grown out of her "church" shoes.

Thursday, February 16, 2006 (9:01am)

WOW today's high is -24 degrees celsius....yes...it is very cold. I think with the wind chill today it will feel like -36 degrees. When it is this cold I definitely do not feel like going to the gym, but I can't let something like the weather stop me from training...especially when it comes to my bike/run...that is where I need the most work. With my swimming I've been slacking a bit in the last few weeks. I am suposed to be going 3 times a week and the past couple of weeks I've only gone once a week. Now I know why Trevor used to say it would be nice to have a pool right in our house. It would be so nice just to go get changed and swim for an hour without having to drive back and forth to the pool....just imagine...that reminds me I'd better check the lottery ticket that I bought yesterday...you never know...

Monday, February 13, 2006 (11:36am)

A Big Happy Birthday to my father-in-law, Charles. Wishing you a very Happy Birthday:)
Right now I am sitting in the living room and I finally have a moment to write a journal entry. This morning I am lucky enough to be able to watch my 2 year old nephew, Jack. We have done a craft and played lots already...lots of fun with 3 kids around the house (it's a bit more busy than I am use to).
Yesterday we (Trevor and I) went on our long run...12 miles...I did it in 2:01:50...I wanted to get it in 2 hours, so I wasn't that far off. We ran around the reservoir. There is this one pretty steep hill just past the 10 mile mark and boy, did that take a lot of energy out of me. We wear heart monitors while running just to monitor our heart rates and just to let you know how hard it was for me up that hill...187 bpm maxed out on that hill...that's crazy...next week is 14 miles and by the sounds of it winter will be arriving on Thursday with a high of -21 degrees and a low of -30 degress...yucky!!!
On Saturday I biked for 3.5 hours on the computrainer and then ran for 23 minutes after. I am thankful that I do these long workouts in the morning that way I have the rest of the day to enjoy.
I am just going to enjoy my day off today and rest my feet...my heels are a bit sore for the run yesterday:(

Thursday, February 9, 2006 (3:50pm)

Recently I just picked up a new cookbook with a bunch of side notes regarding healthy eating and weightloss. I came accross one section "Return To Slender" which was very interesting. Since the most common question I get asked is regarding weightloss I thought I'd share with you what this book said...

"Losing weight is a lot like driving a car. In order to get results, you need to concentrate on where you want to go. Focusing on what you don't want--"I don't want to be fat"--isn't going to work. That's like staring intently at the curb and saying, "I don't want to drive there." Next thing you know, your fender's wrapped around a light post. To get what you want, focus on what you want! Picture it vividly, as if you've already achieved it. Say it out loud. Write it down. Be positive, be specific, and speak in terms of "now," not in terms of some vague hope for the future. "I'm too fat. I need to lose weight," isn't nearly as effective as saying, "I'm in the process of losing five pounds of fat this month. I'm a svelte, sexy, sculpted hottie!" (Well, that's a little over the top, but you get our drift.) This positive affirmation gives your goal clarity, focus, and a deadline--the quickest and surest way to get from point A to point B." (from Eat, Shrink & be
Merry---Janet & Greta Podleski)

Wednesday, February 8, 2006 (11:46am)

Oh No! My little boy, Simon, is too sick to take to the gym today. He just has a bit of a cold and a really runny nose...nothing that a vaporizer and some over-the-counter medications won't fix. Kids come first. I'll just have to do my workout tonight. I have a 45 min bike and a 30 minute run. The weather here is unbelievable...It definitely does not feel like winter. This coming Sunday the temperature is forecasted at 15 degrees. We have a 12 mile run...I am actually looking forward to it. My heels hurt from my 10 mile run last Sunday...they are getting better as each day passes. Trevor has pulled something in his back, so he is planning on seeing a chiropractor this weekend. I feel so bad for the guy. He has been so busy with work that he has missed quite a few workouts due to being so fatigued...I wish I could make everything better for him.
So does everyone have plans in place for next Tuesday? Don't forget it is Valentine's Day!! February 14th. We are going out for dinner and then to a play at Vertigo Theatre. Grandma is coming over to watch the kids, so we (the kids and I) are going to make a special Valentine's dinner for them and Grandma...that'll be fun. They love helping in the kitchen.
Well I better get going Trevor comes home for lunch and I have got to get it ready

Monday, February 6, 2006 (3:48pm)

Hey everyone...today is my day off of the gym and boy do I feel antsy....I just want to get out and do something. My day seems to run much smoother if I have a good workout. Yesterday Trevor and I did our Sunday long run. It was only 10.19 miles....1:43:29. I must admit that I tried to get out of it. There was a really cold wind yesterday morning and I did not want to run. I kept telling Trevor that I'd make it up on Monday at the gym, but he said NO. I definitely have my ups and downs during all of my long distance runs. Trevor is such a good runner and when he runs with me I feel that I slowing him down and I get frustrated. Probably two miles into the run I told him to run ahead and just sit in the car and wait for me, but the nice guy that he is...he said "We came together and we are running together". That's what I need...someone that stays with me even when I get cranky...Trevor, Thanks for staying with me and pushing me to run the entire time!
I am now on my "Build Phase" of my IM training....I am looking forward to the new challenges that await me. I will be doing lots of speed work now and after my long bike rides on Saturdays I get to go for a short jog right after. Sundays will now consist of a short bike followed by our long run. Speaking of bikes...I rode my new bike on Saturday on the CompuTrainer and it was tough...I definitely have to work on increasing my speed....It doesn't help that my gears on the bike are not working properly and I have to take it in to be repaired...Can you believe it?! Hopefully they can fix it right away...Sometimes I can't believe my luck. Oh Well. Trevor keeps telling my not to be such a pessimist...things will be ok! Funny thing is that I feel that I can motivate others, but when it comes to motivating myself I seem to be lacking in that area...138 days till IronMan Coeur D'Alene...Yikes!!!!

Thursday, February 2, 2006 (8:11am)

Well Goodbye January 2006...this year is already flying by. Kamden, our daughter, is tuning 5 years old at the end of the month, which means she is starting Kindergarten in the fall. It just feels like yesterday that we had her. I tell you she 5 going on 15...the attitude is starting to come out already.
Today at the gym I have 1 hour 15 mins bike ride and then weights. I've started reading while I am on the bike. At our gym the upright bikes are the only equipment that is not hooked up to the CardioTheatre, so I can't listen to music or watch TV. I am not too sure why it's not...oh well...I guess reading is better. Besides it passes the time. I am just reading a book called "Something Blue" by Emily Giffin...it is the follow-up book to "Something borrowed". It's just a book about a character who's struggling to be thirty and single. Tonight I have to go swimming...I was supposed to go on Saturday, but was too tired...I know---bad excuse----no more excuses...I am going swimming when I am scheduled to. It's just so nice to get into my pajamas at 8:30pm (right after I tuck the kids in) and then relax and watch TV for an hour and then lights out at 10pm...that's what the schedule usually is around here. When I go swimming I get to the pool at 8:55 and then I don't get home till 10:20. By the time I get to bed and fall asleep it's after 11pm...I need at least 8 hours of sleep.

Tuesday, January 31, 2006 (9:03am)

We finally got some snow...yeah...it's so nice to look out of the window and see some white. As much as I am not a huge fan of winter I do like to see snow once in awhile. The kids are super excited since we get to try out the sled that Santa left for them on Christmas...should be fun. I think I'll get my snow pants on and join them on a few runs down the hill.
On Sunday Trevor and I ran 10.19 miles (around the reservoir). Some of the spots along the pathway were pretty icy. My time was 1:42:37...last time I did it my time was 1:49 and that was when it was summer time. Next Sunday we are going to run it again, so hopefully the pathway will be a bit better. Sunday's is our long run...I am trying to accommodate Marathon training in with IronMan training...it's hectic...oh well. My marathon is coming up pretty quickly...May 7th in Vancouver...everytime I think about it I get really nervous...there is a teeny tiny part of me that thinks I can't do it....I must change that way of thinking and stay positive...I absolutely can do it!!!
This coming up Saturday I have a 3 hour bike ride on my new bike in the basement...I will be using the computrainer. I am going to pick up Season one of Desperate Housewives tonight, so I can watch a few episodes while biking...that'll pass the time.
Ok...I better get going to the gym...I have an hour run and then some weights.
Have a fabulous day and stay focused on your goals...they are in arms reach:)

Friday, January 27, 2006 (8:25 am)

Yesterday I spent the afternoon baking like a mad woman or as Trevor called me "Betty Crocker". Tonight it is "Boys Night/Poker" at our house, so I thought I'd try out a few recipes on them. I made bar-b-que meatballs, brownies with protein kick and Peanut Butter Banana, Oatmeal-Raisin Protein Squares (I got the last 2 recipes from my favorite magazine Oxygen). We actually tried the PB Banana...Squares yesterday and they weren't bad...a little dry. This morning I also made some cornmeal muffins...they smell good. I am not much of a baker, but when I get on a roll...watch out!
Picked up my bike last night. I got all sized up and got pedals, shoes (I have those shoes that clip on the pedals...that'll take sometime to get used to), gloves, tool kit, and some riding shorts and a couple of shirts. Of course when I got home I had to try it out on the computrainer...it is so awesome...Trevor says that the novelty will wear off pretty quickly after I have to sit on that seat for hours and hours....I will take a picture this weekend of me and the bike and show it to you guys next week:)
Have an awesome weekend!!!

Wednesday, January 25, 2006 (4:55pm)

I have the best news....The Bike Shop called on Monday and my bike is in....YEAH!!!! Tomorrow they are open late, so we are going to pick it up then. I am so excited. I'll be sure to take a picture of it and post it on my website.
On Monday I took the day off of the gym. I am actually starting to get used to not going to the gym on Mondays and it is nice. I look forward to Mondays!!
I got my hair cut, so now it is just above the shoulders. I figured that I always had it in a pony tail at the gym anyways, so I may as well just have short hair. It is so easy to manage. I've had brown hair since the beginning of December, but would like to change it back to blonde....we'll see....blondes really do have more fun....just kidding!!!
I only have a week and a half left of my Base training and then February 7th (for 10 weeks) is the Build Phase...I am a little nervous about that 'cause the training gets a lot more intense. The Build Phase begins with 12 hours of training per week and concludes with 16 hours per week (averaging about 13 hours per week). The Base Phase, which I am doing now, begun with 6 hours per week and concludes with 11 hours per week (averaging 8.5 hours per week)...why am I doing IronMan again????? I must be crazy!!!!!

Sunday, January 22, 2006 (9:07 pm)

The weekend is almost over:( Had an excellent week of training. Managed to accomplish everything which I was supposed to do. This past week was a recovery week, so the hours of training were slightly lower than the week before. Saturday I went swimming for one hour and biked for 2 hours. Funny how after I've biked for 3 hours the week before this weeks 2 hours didn't seem so bad. The upcoming week is another building (intense week), so I better take tomorrow off of the gym.
I have some bad news...my iPod broke on Thursday. Yes that means on Saturday I had no music to listen to while biking...wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I called Apple to check about repairs..$319...unbelievable...I can get a new MP3 player for that much...well I guess I better start saving...I am hoping by the end of February I'll maybe get a new one.
Well nothing else new...went for an hour run today just in our neighborhood. Man do I miss not having my parents around...we were so spoiled to be able to go to their house every Sunday and run in Fish Creek while they looked after the kids. Now we have to take turns running around the neighborhood. Oh well...they'll be back soon enough...

Thursday, January 19, 2006 (8:15am)

****BIO UPDATE****

Good Morning! Things are going well with me. After having 2 days off in a row (Sunday and Monday) I must say that I was finding it difficult to get to the gym on Tuesday. In the back of my mind I was looking for an excuse not to go. But I knew that I didn't have a choice, I had to get to the gym. Once I got there I felt fine. I ended up having a pretty good workout on Tuesday and as well yesterday. So I think I am back on track...yeah. It's funny that even after 2 days of missing the gym my mind tries to make me think taking it easy lifestyle is much better than daily exercise.
Today at the gym I have to do an hour bike at 100+ rpm. This is one of my favorite days. My other favorite was yesterday where I rode the bike for 45 mins (HeartRate between 131-151 bpm) and then did a quick change over to the treadmill for a 15 minute run (HeartRate between 141-161 bpm). My goal by the end of training is to be able to go 22 mph on the bike...we'll see what happens...right now I can manage 20 mph.
Trevor has been working a lot lately and I must admit that when he is not home I get a little bit lonely even when the kids are around. Since I am an emotional eater I have been doing too much snacking in the evenings lately...not good...I am going to try to get this habit under control...I guess I'll have to just keep myself busy...thank goodness I haven't put on any weight...still staying around 135 lbs. I am sure if it wasn't for the snacking i'd be at least 5 lbs lighter...Okay...GOAL #1...NO MORE EATING AFTER 6:30 PM....Trevor, you can hold me to this:)

Monday, January 16, 2006 (8:02am)

Hello!! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. We had a pretty fun weekend without the kids. On Friday night we dropped Kamden and Simon off at Grandma and Grandpa's and then it was off to Booster Juice for dinner and then we seen "Rumor Has It". I really liked that movie...Shirley Maclean's character has the best lines...really funny. Saturday, as usual, was our crazy exercise day. We went swimming from 8am -9am and then by 9:30 am we were on the stationary bikes at the gym for 3 hours...my back started to hurt half an hour into the ride. At 12:30 it was straight to the treadmill for a quick 20 minute run. The only good thing with doing so much exercise is that you can eat so much since you've burnt off so many calories:)
We went to this restaurant called "Open Sesame". You pick out your meat and rice or noodles and then they give you a bowl and you dish out your own veggies and sauces and then they cook it up for you...I still have left overs in the fridge.
Sunday we were supposed to go swimming and running, but unfortunately laziness kicked in and plus it was snowing like crazy when we got up. I decided that I'd take Sunday off and do Sunday's exercises today.
I still have no bike...where is my bike? I am so frustrated...It's already the middle of January and I really need it. I really wanted a specialized bike, but if they can't get their 2006 models out for people to buy, then I might just have to get something else...ok...enough about that!
Hope you have a great day!!!

Wednesday, January 11, 2005 (3:53pm)

Yesterday Trevor and I started our WildRose 12 day deTox. We thought it would be a good idea to do this just before our IM training starts to get really intense. The DeTox isn't that bad...there is a pretty good list of food that you can eat. Although there is minimal food that is on the Most Recommended list...basically only Brown Rice, Fish, Garlic and Onions. Originally I planned on sticking with the Most Recommended foods, but this idea quickly went out the window. My parents are off to Hawaii for 6 weeks. I will be driving them to the airport tomorrow at 5:30am. It sure will be strange not having them around. We have been getting used to going to their place every Sunday for lunch and then for a run around Fish Creek. This weekend we already have the kids going to Trevor's Parents, so we can get our workout in. We will be swimming on Saturday and then to the gym for a 3 hour bike ride. Then I told Trevor that we are going to go see "Rumor Has it..." with Jennifer Aniston. On Sunday we are scheduled for a morning swim and then and 8-10 mile run...fun, fun, fun. Oh yeah...it snowed last night. Unfortunately, not enough snow to go sledding. I can see grass poking through on all the good sledding hills. The kids want to go so bad...maybe tomorrow.

Sunday, January 8, 2006 (7:55 pm)

Well Happy 2006 to all of you and a Huge Happy Birthday wish to my little nephew, Jack, who turned the BIG 2 today:) We went to his birthday party, which was a ton of fun. He got a lot of toys and clothes. You should have seen his amazing birthday cake. Jodie and Brian have a neighbor that's a pastry chef and he made the coolest Thomas The Train Cake ever!!
The Resolution Run on December 31st, 2005 was a blast. My goal was to get in at 45 minutes...well I managed to get a time of 43:58...I am definitely becoming the little runner. (That same morning I did a 2 hour bike ride at the gym). It didn't hurt that the weather was fantastic. I think when we ran it was only -5 degrees, which is unbelievable for this time of year...we have been so very spoiled. After the race we went to my parents and ate treats and watched TV...it was a nice quiet evening. Although I must admit that I almost fell asleep before midnight. As soon as the clock struck midnight I said "Happy New Year" gave kisses and went to bed...yeah I know...I am a party pooper...LOL. We stayed at my parents place that night, instead of having to wake up the kids and drive home.
January 1st right after breakfast Trevor and I went for a nice 8 mile run, which was a pretty easy run in 1 hr and 19 minutes. My training that following week went pretty good. I am definitely improving on everything. I am looking forward to all of my races this year.
Yesterday I had a 2 hour bike ride at the gym...next Saturday is 2 and a half hours. After the gym we went to check The Bike Store to see if my bike was in yet...no such luck. They have a big shipment coming in on Wednesday, so I have my fingers crossed...I really want my bike:(...PATIENCE!!!
Today first thing in the morning we dropped the kids off at Oma and Opa's and ran through Fish Creek...8 miles (same as last week)...Can you believe that I did it in 1:12:30...I am impressed with myself. 9.04 minute miles. My right knee is very sore from yesterday's bike and today's run...oh well...I am taking tomorrow off from the gym.....
Have a great week you guys!!

Wednesday, December 28, 2005 (8:10am)

Good Morning! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I had a wonderful Christmas and I was spoiled, as usual. I wasn't suposed to get anything 'cause my triathlon bike is suposed to be my Christmas gift (even though it'll be a few more weeks till I get it). Christmas is one of my favorite holidays, even though it is the time of year where you tend to eat the most. It felt good to get to the gym yesterday after just sitting around and eating for the last few days. We did end up going for a run on Christmas day...just around the block...I went first at 7am and then Trevor went at 8am...We have to take turns since we can't take the kids running with us:) I took my 2nd Monday off in a row:) Looks like it will be a nice day on Saturday for our Resolution Run (8km). It is suposed to be 4 degrees. I am hoping for around 45 minutes for my time. We'll see what happens. Then after the run we are going to my parents place to celebrate my mom's birthday...should be fun...I am going to be making dinner:)...Roast Beef, Potatoes and Carrots...haven't decided on Dessert yet. My brother and his wife are leaving on their 1st cruise on Saturday. I hope you guys have a blast:) Since my brother is my website administator I won't have any new journal entries till after Jan 7/06. So I'd like to wish you all...

HAPPY NEW YEAR....TOGETHER WE'LL MAKE 2006 A YEAR TO REMEMBER!!!

Thursday, December 22, 2005 (8:20am)

Three more sleeps till Santa comes. Actually only two more for us. Since I am German we (my family) celebrates on Christmas Eve, so Santa will be making an early stop at our house on Saturday. This year, since my parents now live in Calgary, we will be going to spend Christmas Eve at Mom and Dad's place. In the past they have stayed at our house for the holiday---which was nice too. Since Trevor grew up celebrating on Christmas Day he makes me wait to open all of my gifts till the 25th...he can be so mean:). I guess the gifts are not the real meaning of Christmas...we are actually celebrating Jesus' birthday...never forget the true meaning of Christmas!!. On Saturday at 4pm we are off to First Alliance Church for a big Christmas Celebration....I love singing Christmas Songs:) I am very excited since we have recently changed churches, so this will be our 1st Christmas at First Alliance.
My brother was giving me trouble since we are planning on going to the gym on Christmas Eve ...I have to go swimming in the morning (2500 meters) and then it's off to the gym for 1.5 hour bike ride...it's just never ending. Then on Christmas Day...yes...you heard me right...we are just going to go for a quick jog by Trevor's parents house...only for an hour...nothing too intense...I don't know about you, but I tend to eat more at Christmas and the only way to keep off the weight is to make sure I get those workouts in:) Then on Monday (the day I am suposed to take off) I will most likely be going in to work off those extra Christmas snacks...the scrifices that must be made.
We would like to wish you all a very blessed Christmas to you and your families
from all of us...Susan, Trevor, Kamden & Simon Oseen!!

Tuesday, December 20, 2005 (8:46am)

*****NEW***** PICTURE IN GALLERY OF TREVOR & ME:)

Monday, December 19, 2005 (10:33am)

I can't believe I didn't go to the gym today. I guess it is a well deserved day off. Had a good weekend as far as the workouts go. On Saturday I was on the Stationary Bike for 1 hour and 45 minutes (as crazy as that sounds...it's only gonna get worse). I think the thought of riding for 1 hour and 45 minutes kind of scared me, but it actually wasn't too bad. I just listened to my music the whole entire time and Trevor was right on the bike next to me:) One bad thing about IronMan Coeur D'Alene is that you are not allowed to listen to any music (no head phones) or else you get disqualified. So eventually I am going to have to get used to riding without music. Yesterday we went to my parents place for lunch and had the best hamurger soup I have ever had...mmm mmm...thanks, mom!! At 2:00pm we went for an hour run. I ran 6.35 miles in one hour...that is my record for outside...now I am looking forward to the Resolution Run on Dec 31st, because I might actually get a good time...we'll see...as long as it isn't too cold.
Finally finished organizing our basement. It looks great! We watched a movie down there on the big screen (Bruce Almighty...funny!) on Saturday and it was just so nice...It always feels like some place new after you re-arranged all the furniture. We have a spot for our bikes...hopefully I'll get mine soon...they told me early January...can't wait...I am getting a Specialized Transition Elite 2006...everytime I say (write) the name it feels like I am taling about some fancy sports car:)
Well I am going to go and enjoy my day of no exercising. I hope you all have a great day as well. My little munchkins are sick. Kamden had a fever last night and has been coughing a lot...I better go and take care of her...after all...that's what mommy's are for.

Thursday, December 15, 2005 (3:49 pm)

Another beautiful and sunny day. I should be feeling really good, but I think I've been overtraining. Today isn't actually too bad, but Monday and Tuesday were not very good for me...energy wise. I log all of my workouts on a computer program called CrossTrainer and I was looking back and I've been going to the gym everyday since November 20th. The only reason I didn't end up going that day is 'cause that was the day we flew back from Fort Lauderdale to Calgary from our cruise. With IronMan training I am allowed to completely avoid all workout activities every Monday (and I really should be doing that), but to be honest I think I'd feel bad if I missed a day of working out. I am seriously considering taking next Monday off though...Really I am! I had to get sick right now:(
Took the kids to "Tinsel Time" at the Library yesterday...they loved it. I didn't have to stay with them in the room while they were having their stories read, so I was able to look around at books...it was great!!
The only big task I still have to do before Christmas is wrap all of the presents...not much of a gift wrapper...actually, I am such a perfectionist that it takes me forever to wrap things...not like my brother who used to wrap all of my presents in newspaper when I was younger....very funny!

Monday, December 12, 2005 (1:57 pm)

Hello, Hello....Another weekend passed and all of our Christmas shopping is finished. What a great feeling...now we can relax:)
We had Trevor's work Christmas Party on Friday night at the Oh Canada Restaurant. It was pretty fun. I only had two drinks...can't seem to drink as much as I used to. As soon as I have any drinks I feel so tired. The more I have the more I just want to go to bed...oh well. I suppose that is probably a good thing that I don't drink that much:)
Saturday for my IronMan training I had to ride the bike for 90 minutes straight--while keeping my heart rate over 132 BPM...it was tough, but I did it! After that I did the elliptical for an hour. With this Christmas season I seem to be snacking on stuff that I probably shouldn't be eating. So I have to exercise more just so I won't gain weight. I have been able to maintain my weight for the past few weeks, which is always better than a gain, right?! Saturday we went to a friends 40th Birthday Party...lots of fun...didn't get home till after midnight...that's a really late night for me:)
Sunday was another crazy workout day. Trevor and I went swimming from 8am - 9:10 am (the kids spent the weekend at grandma/grandpa's) then we went to the gym where we ran for an hour on the treadmill and then did a light elliptical workout for an additional hour...Yes...we are crazy.
Monday's are supposed to be my day off from IM training, but I went to the gym anyways:( Decided to do some strength training and my favorite...you guessed it...Elliptical for an hour:)
Nothing too exciting planned for the week. I am going to take the kids to the library on Wednesday from 2:15pm-2:45pm for "Tinsel Time" Christmas Stories...they'll like that:)
OK....have a great week everyone....enjoy the Christmas season, don't get too stressed out...It should be a happy time:) OH....ALMOST FORGOT...I NOW HAVE DARK BROWN HAIR...I colored my hair on Friday....it looks good...it's a nice change:)

Thursday, December 8, 2005 (8:20am)

*****NEW*****PICTURES IN GALLERY FROM NOVEMBER PHOTO SHOOT & MUSCLE BEACH 2005
(SCROLL DOWN)

Hello, Everyone!! Be sure to check out the new pictures in the gallery:) Thanks, Brian, for putting them up on my site for me.
I thought I'd just write in my journal today as tomorrow might be a pretty crazy day with having to go to the gym, pack up the kids for Grandma and Grandpa's for the weekend and drop them off, getting ready for Trevor's Christmas Party....busy, busy, busy!
This weekend---on Saturday---we are planning on re-arranging our basement and making our spare bedroom into our new office. Since my parents now live in Calgary we don't really get any overnight visitors:( We are going to set up the Computrainer as well...even though I am still waiting for my bike from The Bike Shop...hopefully soon...I really want to try it out.
Today is a pretty easy training day at the gym, I only have to do a 30 minute 100+ RPM bike ride...I actually like doing that!
Trevor has to work late tonight, so the kids and I might actually out to do some more Christmas shopping...sounds crazy...oh well...it'll tire them out:)

December 6, 2005 (9:05am)

Another very chilly morning here in Calgary...minus 25 degrees Celsius...Yikes!! It makes leaving the house to go to the gym not much fun. It is definitely tempting just to stay home in the nice warm house. The sacrifices one must make to stay fit and healthy:) Tomorrow it is going to warm up a lot. It will be on the plus side again...it'll almost feel like summer...almost!
We had a fun filled weekend. Dinner for my dad went great. I made Tortilla soup, Mexican Lasagna and Fiesta Salad...everyone enjoyed it, which is great since I don't usually entertain at my our house....not that I don't want to...we just need a bigger house (oh well...it was nice and cozy!). On Sunday we went to my parents place for lunch and in the afternoon we went for a little 45 minute jog in the cold weather. It actually wasn't too bad since we didn't go to far. We layered pretty good so we were not cold. We stayed for dinner at my parents place and had Jodie's birthday dinner. My mom is a wonderful cook, so of course it tasted great! I gained 5 lbs of eating badly this weekend...yikes....I exercised very hard yesterday and still have another couple of pounds to lose and then I'll be back to where I started before the weekend...130lbs!!
Yesterday I baked some cookies with the kids. I realize how little patience I have when I am doing things in the kitchen with them. Seems like I expect them to be perfect. Sometimes I have a hard time realizing they are only 3 and 4 years old and they are just learning how to do things, where I already have 31 years of experience...Patience...I need some more:( Today we get to decorate our sugar cookies...should be fun!
Okay...time to warm up the car and get ready for the gym...I only have to run for 30 minutes and then do weights. If I have time after I am going to do elliptical for an hour...we'll see:)

Friday, December 3, 2005 (3:37pm)

Oh my goodness...Christmas season is sure in full swing, isn't it? Have you got any of your shopping done? Surprisingly, I have actually started to do some of the shopping already. We basically know what we are getting the kids and we pick names on both sides of the family (as far as presents for the adults go) so it really isn't too bad:) Next weekend we have Trevor's Work Christmas Party on Friday and then Saturday we are going to a friends 40th birthday party, so the kids are spending the entire weekend at Grandma and Grandpa's. This will be perfect for getting all of their shopping done next Saturday afternoon. I know the malls will be crazy, but it seems whenever the kids are not in the stores with us we don't feel so rushed to get out...way more relaxing:)

Training has been going well. I am happy to say that I am still at around 130lbs. I would like to get back to 125-123lbs, but not with any crazy diet. I will stick with the exercise and eating sensibly thing. The best part is that I still fit into all of the clothes that I wore around Muscle Beach Fall Classic, doesn't get any better than that! An even bigger bonus is that I am still have my 6 pack...it is coming in more now that I've been doing abs every day...4x25 crunches on the ball, 4x25 side crunches (for the oblique) on the ball and 4x25 leg lift....300 hundred all together...oh well it's definitely worth the pain:) I feel like a million bucks...lots of energy...life is great!!

Well...good luck to those of you who will be hitting the malls for some holiday shopping this weekend. Wish me luck as well as I will be cooking dinner for my parents and my brother, Brian, and his wife, Jodie, and our nephew tomorrow evening. We will be celebrating my dad's 66th birthday. Happy Birthday, Dad!! On Sunday we are going to my mom and dad's for dinner to celebrate Jodie's 32nd birthday...lots of good food this weekend...oh oh:) Happy Birthday, Jodie!!! Love you guys...hugs and kisses!!

Thursday, December 1, 2005 (7:48 am)

****NEW PICTURE IN GALLERY---SCROLL DOWN---MORE TO COME****

Wednesday, November 30, 2005 (9:17 pm)

Just got home from my first official swim for my IronMan training....it was super intense. I used to be a competitive swimmer back in my NAIT days, but man...what have I gotten myself into. The workout went something like this:

300 meter warm-up
8 X 50 meter swim drills
12 X 100 meter with 20 second rest in between
8 X 50 meter swim drills and finally
200 meter cool down

It took me an hour to finish everything. It wasn't really hard, but it just felt really long...next time I will bring some water to drink. I didn't think I get so dehydrated...silly me:)

This morning I had 30 mins on the bike with my heart rate in Zone 2 (132-151 bpm). I had to keep the level at 13 in order to keep my heart rate so high...I had a nice sweat puddle at the bottom of the bike when I was done. Then as soon as my 30 mins was up on the bike I had to quickly change to running, so I jumped on the treadmill for 15 mins at Zone 2 (for running zone 2 is 142 to 161). I just did
6.0 mph, which is fine with me. As if all this wasn't good enough I thought I'd just do the elliptical for an additional 30 mins just for some fun and so I can burn off some more calories and get to eat more:) Isn't life fun!

Thought since my day was so just so much fun that I'd treat myself to a couple of CD's. I bought Joss Stone - Mind, Body and Soul and Rhianna's CD. Something new to download on my iPod...what was life like before my iPod came along?? I have no idea:)

Monday, November 28, 2005 (7:57 pm)

Hello, Everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and hopefully you were able to catch those Edmonton Eskimos (my hometown) win the Grey Cup...Go Esks!! Ok...I am not really into football, so I'll just move on to something else.
Yesterday Trevor and I dropped off the kids and went for a 12 mile run around Fish Creek. It was my first run in below 0 degrees Celsius weather (I think it was -2). The first part of the run wasn't too bad, but the further we got the harder it got. I had to start walking just past the 9 mile mark and then once I started walking it got really cold...oh well...I can only get better...hopefully.
On Saturday we took the kids to their very first play at Stage West called "Candy Cane Bear" it was pretty good and so was the brunch:) After that we went to Canmore, AB to pick up our new CompuTrainer for our bikes, so we can train indoors during the winter....should be fun riding on the trainer for hours and hours and...
I start my IronMan training tomorrow. I get to do a weights and then a short 30 minute run with my heart rate in zone 2 (142-161 bpm) and then in the evening I get to go for a swim workout. My swim workout consists of a warm-up, swim drills, main set and a cool down. I am looking forward to tomorrow...should be fun. Although I do find it difficult to go to the pool at 8:45 pm...oh well...if I finish my swim early maybe I'll reward myself and sit in the sauna for a bit:)
Ever since we got back from our cruise vacation Trevor and I have been having ice cream everyday...it's a hard habit to break:) I have been pretty good with sticking in my calorie range (weekends is a bit tougher). We weigh out everything we eat. Yes we are weirdos, but it's the only way to really keep track of our daily caloric intake...definitely do not want to balloon up. All of my clothes that I wore around Muscle Beach Fall Classic still fit me...thank goodness...time to give the kids their goodnight kisses...later.

Wednesday, November 23, 2005 (7:00 am)

Those of you who know me well know that I am a HUGE Madonna fan. Well I just got her new album, Confessions on a dance floor (by the way...awesome cd to listen to while doing some of that cardio...only fast songs) and one of my favorite songs on there is called PUSH. It perfectly describes how I feel about my best friend and husband...Trevor.

So this is for you, Trevor...here are the lyrics...

PUSH (Madonna)

You push me to go the extra mile
You push me when it’s difficult to smile
You push me, a better version of myself
You push me, only you and no one else
You push me to see the other point of view
You push me when there’s nothing else to do
You push me when I think I know it all
You push me when I stumble and I fall

Keep on pushin’ like nobody

Every race I win, every mood I’m in
Everything I do, I owe it all to you
Every move I make, every step I take
Every thing I know, it’s all because you push me

You push me when I don’t appreciate
You push me not to lie and not to hate
You push me when I want it all to end
You push me when I really need a friend
You push me, all I wanna do is cry
You push me when it’s time for me to try
You push me when I do it for myself
You push me, only you and no one else

Keep on pushin’ like nobody

Every race I win, every mood I’m in
Everything I do, I owe it all to you
Every move I make, every step I take
Every thing I do, it’s all because you push me

You push me

Keep on pushin’ like nobody
Keep on, keep on

Every race I win (to go the extra mile)
Every mood I’m in (when it’s difficult to smile)
Everything I do (a better version of myself)
only you and only you and only you
Every move I make (to see the other point of view)
Every step I take (when there’s nothing else to do)
Every thing I do (I think I know it all)
only you and only you and only you

Every race I win (to go the extra mile)
Every mood I’m in (when it’s difficult to smile)
Everything I do (a better version of myself)
I owe it all to you (only you and only you and only you)
Every move I make (to see the other point of view)
Every step I take (when there’s nothing else to do)
Every thing I do (I think I know it all)
It’s all because you push me

You push me

Monday, November 21, 2005 (4:48 pm)

Good Afternoon, Y'all!! Well we are back from our holidays. We got in late last night-just before midnite. My parents brought the kids over earlier, so when we got home they were there. It was awesome to see them again and there little smiley faces...I think being away from them for that long makes you appreciate them more:) We actually went to the gym today (me and the kids). They had fun seeing their little friends again.

OK this was by far the best holiday I have ever had---even though our cruise was mostly an older crowd, it was great!! We were up everyday at 5:40 am and then it was to the gym at 6 am. I think all of the crew members thought we were nuts but you gotta do what you gotta do. We stayed at the gym any where from 90 mins to 120 minutes in the am and then we would do whatever we had to do during the day either tanning or go explore a new island. Our favorite Island was Tortola...it was BEAUTIFUL...if we ever move it'll be there:)
We always went to the gym again in the afternoon usually for only 80 minutes...I burnt off at least 2000 calories on the elliptical machine everyday...did I like doing that? Not really...do I like eating more on the cruise? Absolutely....Can you believe they had a chocolate buffet one day...I didn't know you could make so much with chocolate. Well I gained 10 pounds, but I've already lost 5:) I will try to get some pictures on as soon as I can.

I start my training from IronMan next Tuesday...It is the "Building Base Phase" training, so it won't be too difficult yet...this phase is only 10 weeks long. I am looking forward to it. I hope you will all still read my journal even though I am no longer doing Bodybuilding (that reminds me I got my David Ford Pictures in the mail from Muscle Beach....I'll get Brian to put some up on the site as well...they look good!!). I promise my life will still be interesting and I will motivate you as best I can:)

Thursday, November 17, 2005 (8:00 am)

I am writing from Tortola. The weather outside is beautiful. We are just in our cabin getting ready to go outside on our "Long Island Beach & Lunch" excursion. We leave in half an hour. We are taking a tour of the island and then going to a 4 star resort beach where we will have lunch and then back in 6 hours….looks like it'll be an awesome tanning day…yeah!!!
So far on the cruise we have not taken the elevator yet. We are on the bottom floor and everything is on level 9 and up….are we crazy…yes! We have been going to the gym a lot…we usually are there at least 2 hours and 20 minutes a day (2 session of cardio). I think yesterday was the most gym time we had…2 hours and 58 minutes….ok we are crazy. I have gained weight (according to the scale), but with all the exercise I am assuming that it is just water retention, so it'll be gone within a week of our return.
So far we've seen San Juan. We had supper there and Ben and Jerry's ice cream, actually we had the diet frozen yogurt, but it was yummy. On Tuesday we went to St Thomas. We had a tour of that island and we went to "Black Beards Castle"…that was fun. We found a Cold Stones Creamery (ice cream story) and shard the "Gotta have it" size of the "Founders Favorite" (sweet vanilla cream with a brownie, caramel and chocolate…I am smiling while writing this just remembering how good it was). Yesterday we were in Antigua…didn't do to much besides look at the little stores our "Adventure Hike" was cancelled due to lack of interest…this cruise has a much older crowd than the last one we took…oh well!!
Ok…This will take you forever to read, so I better get going….I'll write more on Saturday:
Have a great day…I know we will.

Tuesday, November 8, 2005 (9:00 am)

It Over!!! I am still not sure what the results are from the competition. There was 9 girls in my category (middle-weight...I weighed in at 122lbs). There was a lot of Muscle at this competition. Unfortunately, this competition was not drug tested, so I think a few individuals may have taken some stuff to help them out, which is fine...their decision...right!? I did get called out with the first 4 and the last 4, which leads me to believe that I most likely have come in 6th place. I will let you know for sure when I find out....6 out of 9 is ok with me. All the participants did receive a medal, so I did have something to take home. I did get some pictures taken by David Ford...I will be sure to post those as soon as I get them:)

After the competition we went to Red Robins and I had a very yummy Taco Salad. Unfortunately, I could not finish it all (I had to save room for dessert) and Trevor helped me out. Then it was off to Wendy's for a Frosty. I had the Butterfinger Fix 'n Mix Frosty....it was soooo good.

You'll never guess what was waiting for me on the bed in our hotel room when we got back. It was a trophy. Trevor had a bodybuilding trophy specially made for me and the plaque says Muscle Beach Fall Classic along with my name and the date and then the card he gave me said..."no matter what place you come in you'll always be our #1". Do I have the best husband in the world or what:)

On Sunday we went for a 7.47 mile walk in Edmonton and I was back on track with eating. I started counting the calories...seems to be working out well. I have only gained 5lbs since the competition, which is probably just water retention...it'll go away.

3 more sleeps till our holidays....I am looking very forward to it....I will post in my journal while I am away...so keep checking back every once in awhile. Hopefully we can get some fun vacation pictures taken to post in the gallery while we are away. My IronMan Training starts Tuesday, November 29th....I am excited and nervous about that....Remember... you can do whatever you put your heart and soul into...NEVER GIVE UP ON YOURSELF...YOU'LL BE SURPRISED WHAT LIES WITHIN YOU:)

Thursday, November 3rd, 2005 (8:18 am)

***New Pictures from Photo Shoot (Nov. 2/05) in Gallery (scroll all the way down).

My final Journal Entry before I leave for Edmonton tomorrow...kind of exciting!

I would just like to give a big Thank You to everyone that has taken the time to e-mail me this past week to wish me luck. I really do appreciate all of the support.
Thanks to my family for supporting me through this entire ordeal...especially to Trevor for putting up with my extreme moodiness...you are the best!

I had the photo shoot yesterday evening and it went extremely well. I felt really confident and I think it shows in the pictures. I hope you enjoy them! Keep checking back at gallery for more pictures to come.

Well as you can imagine I have a million things to do including grocery shopping. I get to have 4 oz of steak tomorrow and some more steak on Satruday...lucky me:)

Talk to you all on Monday.

Monday, October 31, 2005 (8:00 am)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!! This year for the first time we are going to take the kids trick or treating door to door...they are so excited. I am actually pretty excited for them. Today they are dressing up for the gym. Simon in his Winnie-the-Pooh outfit and Kamden in her Dinosaur outfit. They have a whole bunch of fun things planned for them at the daycare...I think they are doing some face painting and a whole bunch of other games. Last week the had cookie decorating all week and the week before that was pumpkin carving. Of Course there will be lots of candy. I am so glad that my competition is only 5 days away 'cause if it was still 4 weeks away I might just be tempted to have one of those little candies...yikes!!! Even though our house is filled with treats for the kids (throughout my whole diet) I do not get tempted to have any...I don't know why...maybe I am strong willed:)

I know this week is going to go super fast. Last night I couldn't sleep at all. I just kept thinking about everything I have to remember to bring to Edmonton and everything I still have to do before the competition...I wouldn't say I am worried ...I just couldn't stop thinking about it.

On the weekend we ordered a Triathlon Bike for me...yeah!!!! It's a 2006 Specialized Elite...it is so wicked. I can't wait till I get it:) I also got a pair of clip on shoes for my bike they are white and black...super easy to get on and off...I love them!!! Thanks, Trevor!!!

I hope you all have a super fun evening and don't dip into the kids candy bags and pull out treats for yourselves...ok...maybe a couple (I'll wait till next week;)).

Monday, October 24, 2005 (8:50 am)

Hope everyone one had a fantastic weekend...I know I did. Trevor and I went for a long 8 mile run yesterday (run/walk) by my parents place. They live right by Fish Creek (Calgary) and it was so beautiful yesterday. The weatherman said that it actually got up to 20 degrees. I even have some new tan lines:)

Things with me are going well. I haven't been able to sleep as well as I normally would. It seems that as soon as I put my head down on the pillow to sleep all I can think about is the competition and if I am ready or not and then I just start feeling extremely anxious. I don't really remember if I had these feeling last time I competed, but I sure don't like it...oh well. Only 12 more days left...I can do it.

I am meeting with my trainer this week on Tuesday and Thursday to go over posing and the routine. It has been awhile since I met with her last, so I am looking forward to it...Talk to you all soon...Have a great week!!!

Friday, October 21, 2005 (8:09 am)

Hello Again...I hope you are not getting sick of my journal entries...hopefully they are just as entertaining to read as they are to write. On Wednesday night I injured myself...I slipped down the stairs and when I tried to regain balance I smacked my are on the railing. My left elbow is bruised and sore, but nothing too major. I guess I better start being careful 'cause I don't want to be up on stage for Muscle Beach looking all bruised:)

Next week I am getting a new weight training program...not too sure what she is going to do different, but since I have been doing the same thing for almost 4 months I am looking forward to the changes. There has also been some changes to my diet...starting Saturday I can only have fresh chicken and low sodium tuna and protein shakes. I can believe that I only have 15 days to go....it actually doesn't seem so bad.

Anyways...I better get going...have a great day...this weekend I am going to take Kamden to "Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit" ...heard some good reviews. Should be fun!!

Monday, October 17, 2005 (8:05 am)

You want to know what my favorite TV channel has been for the past for weeks...The Food Network. I don't know if I like self torture, but everything just looks so good that they make...yummy:)

When I am not dieting for a competition I usually don't really venture out and try new recipes, but a while back Trevor got a new cookbook for me called "Healthy Cooking" and it has a ton of "good for you" recipes. I can't wait to try some of them. The plan is that once I have finished with the competition I am just going to start counting calories...I would like to stay around 120 lbs, which means that my total caloric intake will be 1441 and if I exercise I get to eat more...a little incentive to exercise everyday...yeah...as far as our holiday goes Carnival Cruise Lines offer a special menu call "SPA Carnival" which is a Low Cal, Low Fat and Low Sodium selection. I've heard they also have a sushi bar on board (one of my favorites)...too much sushi adds up in the calorie department as well.

The routine is coming along good...I think everyone will like it. I am hoping that my abs will be super defined by the time competition his. The only spots that I have some "stuff" to lose is around my butt and a little bit around my lower abdominals. I am confident that it'll all come off.

My trainer, Debbie Leung, did Ms Olympia this weekend. I know she didn't do as well as she wanted, but I am so proud of her. Not everyone get to compete at Ms Olympia and I know it was a dream of hers....besides there is always next year:) WAY TO GO, DEBBIE!!!

Friday, October 14, 2005 (8:09 am)

Can you believe I actually got to have pumpkin pie this past Thanksgiving...well...it was diet pumpkin pie and it really wasn't that great. My trainer gave me a recipe for it and said I could have half the pie, which I thought was so cool. However, when I actually started eating eat it, really didn't taste as good as I thought it would. I had to cut 6 egg whites and 1/2 oz of oats and 1/2 grapefruit and 1 TBSP wheat germ for that day. So, I don't think the whole experience was worth it:(

Trevor and I had our get-a-way weekend to Kelowna over the Thanksgiving holiday. We had a lot of fun. Trevor finished his marathon in 3 hours and 58 minutes. He was disappointed with his time, since his Personal Best is 3 hours and 42 minutes. That's ok...he'll have another chance to redeem himself as he signed up for another marathon in Fort Lauderdale on November 12th (the same day we leave for our cruise). I am signed up for the half marathon. The race starts at 6:30 am and we don't have to be at the ship terminal till 1 pm....lots of time. When we found out there was a marathon/half marathon pretty much right outside our hotel, we just had to sign up:)

Only 22 days till my competition.

Friday, October 7, 2005 (8:20 am)

Hello everyone...looks like we are in for a super weekend. I believe that on Sunday it is supposed to be 17 degrees Celsius...isn't that great!! Trevor and I are off today to go to Kelowna. Trevor might be able to get off work at 3 pm, so that we can go early. I know I've mentioned this before, but he is running the Okanogan Marathon on Sunday and I'll be volunteering on the course somewhere. His back has been bothering him for a while now, but hopefully it will be ok during the race....GO TREVOR!!

Thanks to encouraging emails I've been receiving from individuals I am feeling a lot more optimistic about my competition. I can't believe how close it is. I've come so far. It's hard to imagine that I have been dieting since the beginning of July. The one thing that I have been craving a lot lately is pizza. Funny thing is that every time I watch television they have that Panago Pizza commercial on (you know...the one advertising kid's size pizza's for $4). It would taste so good...I can almost smell it:) Actually I am probably craving it since I see those commercials all the time.

Today I have a lot of running around to do. I think I may even go to the mall and do some clothes shopping, since I don't have the kids (they are at oma and opa's till Monday). I haven't gone clothes shopping for some time. That'll make me happy and take my mind off food:)

Ok everyone...have a terrific and happy weekend!!!!

Monday, October 3, 2005 (8:55 am)

October is here and it looks like we are going to get some snow today:( Oh well I guess it has to come sooner or later. The kids are looking forward to it. This weekend I was able to work a little more on my routine. I am going to work on it some more today and try it out with the music...see how it goes. I am looking forward to getting this competition over with. I am at the point where it seems like I have been dieting for forever and a day. I am so sad that I have to miss the big "Turkey Dinner" next weekend. Trevor is doing a marathon in Kelowna on Sunday, so I am going with him...I was supposed to volunteer, but I haven't heard back from the organizer...oh well.

Nothing too exciting to tell you...I am just grumpy and tired from this diet and due to the lack of carbs I can't even think of anything else to write, so I will talk to you all later...Have a great day!!!

Friday, September 30, 2005 (3:00 pm)

September just flew by...didn't it? The kids are going to be staying at Grandma and Grandpa's for the weekend. I have to go to Edmonton (again) to work (Fifth Avenue Collection Jewellery). I have a show on Saturday night, so I will be leaving tomorrow in the afternoon and then staying at my parents cabin from Saturday night to Sunday. Trevor is going to the Stamps football game tomorrow...fun!!

I finally got all the moves from my routine memorized. It actually didn't take as long as I thought it would. I have yet to do it with my music. The music I have chosen is pretty quick so I am thinking that by Monday I'll be able to put my routine with the music and the whole thing will be mastered in a week...yeah!!

Carnival cancelled the cruise which we were supposed to go on. They are using the Carnival Conquest for Hurricane Victims. We got a full refund for the vacation and 50% off the next cruise we booked. We decided to take the full refund and just book our own holiday instead of going through a travel agent. We booked the Carnival Liberty (8 day cruise) leaving from Ft. Lauderdale, FL on November 12-20...it goes to 5 different ports...San Juan, St. Thomas, Antigua, Tortola and Nassau....we are going to be busy. We did ask our travel agent to check on pricing for the cruise and she quoted me $480 more than I ended up paying, by booking it directly with carnival.com....crazy, isn't it?! Anyways...it is finally all straightened out...hopefully no more Hurricanes.

36 more days left till Muscle Beach...I am getting Nervous...

Wednesday, September 28, 2005 (8:18 am)

Happy Birthday, Brian!!! Thanks for being such a great brother, brother-in-law and uncle. We are very lucky to have you part of our family...lots of hugs and kisses from the gang:)

Monday, September 26, 2005 (2:56 pm)

Good Afternoon, everyone! Yesterday I had a great day. I pretty much spent the entire day with my 3 year old son, Simon. I took him to the Bridal Expo...yeah I know...I am already married, but it's always fun to go and look at all those things. My brother actually had a booth set up for "Absolute Photography", so he gave me one of his passes-otherwise it would've cost me $15....thanks, Brian! They had so many neat things there including chocolate...don't worry I didn't have any. Simon was my little tester boy. He also tried some wedding cake and a lollipop and lots of candy. The sugar rush hit him a few hours later when I took him for lunch. He had Subway and I had diet Pepsi...how fun!!!

Trevor said that he would take a picture of me today, so that I can put it in the stat area...I'll ask him when he get home from work...Only 40 more days to go....

Be sure to get your tickets from Citadel Theatre (Edmonton)...they are now on sale...TOLL FREE 1-888-425-1820...the show is called "Muscle Beach Fall Classic" and is on Saturday, November 5th. There is a morning show at 9am, which is the prejudging. The evening show is at 6pm...that is the one you'd want to go to....please come and SUPPORT ME and all of the other athletes...THANKS!!!!!

Friday, September 23, 2005 (8:30 am)

Now the morning temperatures are getting rather chilly...I really need to go and buy some running gear for cold weather. I didn't end up going running this morning 'cause it was a cold -2 degrees Celsius. Trevor, my hubby, said that I shouldn't use that as an excuse and he'll get me some clothes so I can't say I don't have any outdoor running clothes anymore.

Yesterday I didn't go to the gym. Simon had a pretty runny nose early in the morning, so we ended up going to the mall instead. South Centre Mall had some special "Calling all Engines" a Thomas the Train show going on. The kids really liked that. I know they spend a lot of time at the gym...most of the time they really like it, but other times they tell me they don't want to go:( Every once in awhile I'll skip the gym and we'll just go and do something they want to do.

Oh yeah...I almost forgot to mention...I am finally in the 120's. On Wednesday I weighed 129.2 lbs...I am getting closer to my goal weight...I am very excited about that. So that made my birthday that much more enjoyable. On Wednesday the kids and I had to take the Mini Van in for service, so since it was my cardio day I just ended up going for a 4.61 mile run first thing in the morning. When we got the van back in the afternoon we went over to my mom's (my dad was at the lake) and had dinner there (well...I brought my own food). Then after we stopped off at my brother's and sister-in-laws for a bit. Tonight we going to oma and opa's for my birthday dinner (well everyone gets to eat the food but me...how sad!!)....should be fun!!..I hope I get to blow out some candles at least.

Monday, September 19, 2005 (8:26 am)

****NEW PICTURES IN GALLERY----SCROLL DOWN TO THE BOTTOM****

Happy Birthday, Doreen!! (aka Grandma/Mom).

Well I did it! I did my 10 km (World Airlines Road Race) in under an hour. My official time was 56:50. I can 't believe how much I've improved with the running. Half way through the race I started to get cramps (from eating oatmeal right before the race). I really wanted to stop, but I knew if I did I wouldn't beat the the time I wanted. Luckily the cramps eventually went away:) Out of the women I came in 60/135, which isn't too bad considering I am usually in the lower half.

Things are starting to move with the diet again...I definitely think that by Wednesday I will be in the 120's...no more 130's:)...since it is my 31st birthday on Wednesday that'll be the gift I give to myself:) I haven't done as much work on my routine as I should have so starting today that is going to be my main focus...I am going to have this routine perfected by the end of the week...no question about it!!

Our holiday plans are all in order. We are going on the same cruise that we originally had planned on, Carnival Conquest. We are leaving from Galveston, TX. We will be leaving November 11th and staying in Galveston till November 13th and then we board the ship. Our ports are Montego Bay, Grand Cayman Island, and Cozumel. I am looking so forward to the holiday....it'll be a blast!

Friday, September 16, 2005 (7:10 am)

Okay...I have a little story....Last night Trevor and I were running around doing some errands and I had to quickly pop into the bank and get some money at the bank machine. The bank was at the mall so Trevor just dropped me off as I ran inside. I went in got the money and ran back out and then went over to the mini van, which was parked in the 5 minute loading zone. I open the door got in and looked over at Trevor...Well...Trevor is not there...it is some other lady...In fact...the van doesn't even have leather interior like ours...I got into the wrong van...as I realize this horrible thing is happening to me I see our mini van, with Trevor in it, pull up beside the mini van I am in...How can you tell I am dieting and am very carb depleted....ok...stop laughing...

I had the photo shoot with my brother yesterday evening. I wasn't even sure if I wanted to do the shoot yesterday. I felt that being 7.5 weeks out I really didn't look that good to do a shoot. I still went and I think he got some really good shots. I am definitely going to schedule one more shoot for the end of October when I am really "ripped". I know he is working on the pictures now and I told him to pick some of his favorites and put them up in the "Gallery".

As far as training is going...for some reason my weight is just not coming off...I am so frustrated...I am hoping that my body is just retaining water for some reason and it'll quick in soon...I don't want to stay at this weight for too much longer...time is running out.

Monday, September 12, 2005 (9:00 am)

Well I think that is it for summer here in Calgary. I don't think I will be wearing shorts when I go for my early morning runs...it is just too cool outside...only 5 degrees Celsius this morning. Although I must say that I really enjoyed seeing the sunrise...it was really beautiful.

This weekend I had to go to Edmonton. As some of you know I sell Fifth Avenue Collection Jewellery (www.fifthavenue.ca/soseen) and it seems that I am going back and forth between Edmonton and Calgary to do shows. Luckily I had a really good show, so it made the drive all worth it. I actually stayed at my parents cabin at Pigeon Lake on Saturday night....it was so quiet...it was very nice.

I have been stuck around the 131 lb mark for a while and my trainer sent me a new diet yesterday. I am excited about it 'cause I get to have potatoes and rice and egg whites...it's something different and different is good. I am hoping to be in the 120's very soon.

I know I haven't had any new pictures put in my "Stats" for a few weeks. I haven't forgotten. I will get Trevor to take some pictures of me next Monday and I will get them up. My Absolute Photography photo shoot is on Thursday, so hopefully I will have some new pictures in the Gallery next week as well. I am sure you are getting tired of looking at the old ones...they have been there for awhile...anyways...have a good Monday...keep smiling:)

Friday, September 9, 2005 (8:51 am)

Good Morning, Happy People!! Well it's a wet day in Calgary today. I didn't do any of my morning runs outside this week...shame on me! But I did work hard at the gym all week and made sure I got my full 80 minutes of cardio in. I am amazed at how much my running has improved since July. I can actually run 6.5 mph without hyperventilating...lol.

Well my parents are officially Calgarians now. They moved here yesterday and spent the night over here. They left this morning to their new house to start unpacking. The kids and I have a few things to do this morning and then we will head over there to help them get settled in.

Trevor and I have signed up for a race next weekend on September 17th---it is the World Airlines Road Race. The race is only 10 km---so nothing too major. I am hoping for around 60 minutes---anything better than that will be a bonus. I will definitely keep you posted.

Only 8 weeks and 1 more day till competition...

Tuesday, September 6th, 2005 (8:03 am)

Good Morning!! We took the kids to their very first professional baseball game on Sunday. We have a new team in Calgary called The Vipers. It was the last game of the year and on Sundays kids under 12 get in for free. Luckily it was a really nice day and we actually made it through most of the game. We ended up leaving at the top of the 8th inning, which isn't too bad considering it was already past 4 pm and almost 3 hours past Simon's nap time.

My training is going well...I now have 8 weeks and 5 days left till the competition. I am getting nervous. It feels like time is just flying by...I am getting anxious. I meet with my trainer tonight. She said that she has my routine all done, so I get to start working on that...I am relieved! If I work on that everyday, I should have it mastered in no time. Posing is coming along well. I usually practice my posing everyday after my shower...seems to work for me. I must admit I feel a little bit silly flexing in front of the mirror, but I like what I see:)

Yesterday I got a book called "Be Iron Fit" by Don Fink. The book includes a 30-week training program for the IronMan. I can't wait to start training for the IronMan. 30 weeks out...I will start training on Monday, November 28th...a week after we get back from holidays. It is definitely going to be strenuous, but I am up for the challenge:)

Speaking of holidays...we obviously are no longer going to New Orleans. We are going to try to see if we can switch cruises altogether and go on one that leaves from Ft Lauderdale. We were thinking of The Carnival-Liberty. It goes to San Juan, St. Thomas/St. John, Antigua, Tortola/Virgin Gorda and Nassau...this cruise is an extra day, but Trevor called Carnival and they wouldn't charge us the extra to switch cruises...He is going to call the travel agent today and see if we can work everything out. So whatever happens we are still going to be going on holidays somewhere in November.

I am still planning on doing a photo shoot with Absolute Photography this month. I just talked to Brian and he said that September 15th might be a good day for a shoot...can't wait!!

September 2, 2005 (8:22 am)

Happy September! Can you believe it's already September. I can't believe how fast the summer has gone by. This time next week my parents will be living in Calgary...very excited about that. It'll be nice to have them close by. No more driving to Edmonton, which is great considering gas just went up to $1.14 per liter. Good thing I just filled up yesterday.

My workouts have been going great. I have been working super hard at the gym. I've been hanging out in the women's only area of the gym 'cause it is a lot more quieter up there (usually I am the only one) and I can really focus on my workouts. I really love chatting with people, but when it gets closer to competition time I tend to become more anti social. I definitely find that I push myself a lot harder if I workout by myself...I guess I am self motivated...that's a good thing!!

Only 9 weeks left till competition from tomorrow. I really hope my trainer has my routine done very soon. I am getting anxious about that. I know a lot of other girls that are competing have been working on their routines for weeks already...I guess I'll just trust Debbie...she knows what she is doing.

Well the situation in New Orleans doesn't look good. As you are well aware, things are out of control there. We haven't heard anything in regards to our travels in November from the travel agent, but I hope things get changed around...I really don't want to go there when there is all this anarchy taking place...it is scary....

Well...hope you all have a fabulous weekend...talk to you Monday or Tuesday:)

Monday, August 29, 2005 (8:09 am)

Oh My...I've been slacking...I can't believe it's been a week since I've done an entry...oh well...time to catch up:)

Last week was a really bad week for me as far as training went. The kids were both sick for the majority of the week, so I was unable to take them to the gym. I probably should have gone in the evening when Trevor got home, but I must admit that by the time Trevor comes home from work all I want to do is hang out with him and stay home...the last thing I want to do is go to the gym in the evening. We did manage to get to the gym last Thursday. On Friday I decided to take the kids to the zoo, since it was a gorgeous day and we haven't been there all summer...the kids had a blast...we even saw some relatives Uncle Jason, Auntie Erica and Cousin Tanner, as well as Erin Oseen and her husband, daughter Olivia and nephew...small world!!

On Saturday we all went to the gym together. Again Trevor and I just did cardio---so much fun. Then after that we went to "Way Past Fast" bike shop way in the NW, but it was closed (The owner was competing in IronMan Canada in Penticton on Sunday). We decided to stop in at Market Mall and let the kids play in the kids area for awhile and tire them out...then it was back home where we had our family night of movie watching.

Yesterday (Sunday) we had an awesome day at Calaway Park (the local amusement park). I think the temperature was around 30 degrees:) We got there at 10 am and stayed till 3:30 am. We didn't bring any strollers so the kids did a ton of walking. They got to go on lots of rides. They went on a few rides that were a bit scary...Kamden went on the big boat which swings really high---she was with daddy---she didn't like it too much and started crying:(

Today we are off to the gym...I will be on a normal schedule this week with the training. I had a slow weight loss week this past week....was retaining water...I am feeling way better now, so I am sure by Wednesday I will be down again...

Oh Yeah...I suppose you all know about the big Hurricane "Katrina" that is going to be hitting New Orleans sometime today...Isn't that awful! We are going to be going to New Orleans in 10 weeks and 5 days (hopefully)...that's where our Cruise Ship is leaving from...I am praying that the storm won't be as bad as they say...right now they are predicting that 80% of the city will be damaged...not good:(

Monday, August 21, 2005 (8:47 am)

***New Picture in "Stats"***

I bet you all want to know how I did on my half marathon...well...I finished it in a time of 2:13:42, which isn't bad considering I am in the middle of dieting for a bodybuilding competition and am carb depleted. My best time in a half marathon so far is 2:13:01, so I wasn't too far off. Just after the 10 mile mark I pretty much ran out of energy. I was exhausted. I can't wait to do another half next year when dieting won't be an issue and I'll have plenty of energy throughout the entire race. Who knows maybe I'll get under the 2 hour mark:)

As you can see by the new photo in "Stats" the diet is coming along great. I lost 6.2 lbs in the last 2 weeks. The changes my trainer made two weeks ago sure made a huge difference. I feel like I am way ahead of where I was last time I was dieting at 6 weeks in. This diet seems to be working very well for me.

It looks like it is going to be a pretty good week here in Calgary...nice and warm...I have to go to the gym today and work on calves/shoulders and some cardio. My right foot hurts a bit from the run yesterday, so I'll take it a little easy.

Have a wonderful day

Friday, August 19, 2005 (2:46 pm)

Looks like it is going to be a great day for my half marathon and Trevor's full marathon on Sunday in Edmonton. We had pretty wet weather the last week, so I was a little worried that I'd be doing the run in the rain...thank goodness that is not the case. Things have been going well with us. We had one on one time with Simon 'cause Kamden spent the night at Grandma and Grandpa's on Tuesday and Wednesday...boy is it quiet around here without her. My parents actually ended up coming to Calgary (last minute plans) and stayed with us Tuesday and Wednesday, which worked out great. On Wednesday morning I got up at 4:30 am so that I could go to the gym with Trevor. We did the elliptical for 95 minutes (a little more cardio than I am supposed to be doing...oops!!) and then on Wednesday we went swimming together for an hour (a total of 2 hours and 35 minutes of cardio---I had a really good sleep on Weds night). I can still swim pretty good. I think it won't take me long to get right back into things once I go on a daily basis and really concentrate on my strokes.

I am just in the middle of packing for Edmonton. It really sucks having to pack all of my food. Two days worth of food...I have a big box---just for me. I am going to be happy once this diet is over. I am thinking that this might be my last bodybuilding or figure competition. The diet is just so expensive and it is really hard to justify spending so much money on food....we'll see....that could be diet brain talking.

Well I still have to jump in the shower---both of the kids are taking a nap now, so I better go now. Have a great weekend and wish me luck on my half marathon...I'll let you know how it goes:):)

Monday, August 15, 2005 (8:20 am)

I have some BIG news. Last week I made a huge decision. I decided that I am going to do an IronMan next year. It'll be the same one that Trevor did this past June in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho. Trevor and I both signed up last Monday...crazy. I knew I wanted to do one, but wasn't sure if I did it next year if that would give me enough time to prepare....I guess time will tell. I've been doing great with the running, which would be my weakest of the 3 sports. I swam competively when I went to NAIT and with the biking I just have to work on my endurance. I can't really start training for it as it conflicts with my bodybuilding competition and I am putting 100 percent of what I got into that right now. As soon as I finish with the competition on November 5th and get back from our cruise on November 20th then it'll be time to train for IronMan---full force:) This weekend we actually went tri bike shopping. We went to 6 different bike shops to try to find the best deal. We think we have found one that will be good for me at The Bike Shop. We won't have to order it for a few months. I can't wait:)

Yesterday I got an outfit for my photo shoot, which is coming up in a few weeks. It is very cute. It is a lot of fun to shop for stuff like that. I think I might have to go and get another top and then I will be all set for shoot,

Well...talk to you later:)

Friday, August 12, 2005 (9:20 am)

I finally did it...I went jogging in the rain. It actually wasn't as bad as I though it would be. It was a little bit chilly, but nothing that I couldn't handle. On Monday I had mentioned that there was a few adjustments made to my diet...good news...I lost 1.4 lbs from my Saturday's weight to my Wednesday's weight. I am finally in the 130's. I am so excited about that!!!

Training has been going well. I can definately see that my body fat is decreasing and my muscles are becoming more defined...It is so nice. The diet is also going well. However, I am extremely hungry at night time and have been having problems falling asleep...'cause I'm so hungry. The good thing is that when I do fall asleep all of my dreams tend to involve food. It's either me indulging in some huge dessert or going through a drive thru...funny!! At least it's only in my dreams...my trainer would kill me if I ever cheated.

Nothing too exciting planned for the weekend...renting movies as usual...fun!!

I have a photoshoot scheduled with Absolute Photography (www.abosulutephotography.ca ) in early September. I am looking forward to that. Today after the gym the kids and I are off to the mall to see if we can find any cute outfits for the shoot...that's always fun!!

Talk to you next week:)

Tuesday, August 9, 2005 (8:13 am)

***New Photos on "Stats" page***

As you can tell from my update on the stats page my weight has been coming off very slowly in the past two weeks. My trainer made a few adjustments and as of yesterday I have do 45 minutes of cardio first thing in the morning and 35 minutes later on in the day. I know it seems like a lot, but actually she only increased the morning session by 10 minutes for a total of 80 minutes of cardio a day. I've just continued with the jogging, but increased the distance. I ran 4.61 miles every morning now. She also cut my calories back. I used to be allowed two 2 oz servings of oatmeal but that has changed to two 1.5 oz servings. One of my servings of chicken was cut back two 4 ounces (instead of 5). I guess I'll be able to tell on Wednesday if the changes are working.

Trevor and I did our 2nd jog around the reservoir in less than a week. I have great news...I shaved off 17 minutes from my last time. Can you believe it? I did it in 1 hour 49 minutes. This time I started off at a slower pace and I wore a heart monitor so I could slow down when I needed to...I tried to keep my heart beat at around 158 bpm. I actually ran the whole entire way. There is this one crazy big hill...luckily it was at the very end of our run 'cause I used a lot of my energy going up that thing...didn't have much left after that.

I met with my trainer again last night to go over some posing. I think I am getting better, but I definitely will start practicing on a daily basis at home. I have been practicing every few days, but feel I could use more. Some of the poses are hard to do...you have to think about a lot of different things when you are doing them. I'll get it... Debbie, my trainer, has the music for my routine so she will start working on that soon...yeah!!

Well enough blabbing for me...have a good day!!

Friday, August 5, 2005 (7:56 am)

I decided that I am not going to go on my early morning run today. Trevor and I are going to run around the reservoir again... tomorrow (see if I can beat that time of 2 hours and 6 minutes). I thought it would be best if I took one day of running off to give my legs a break. So today at the gym I have to do 70 minutes of cardio...yuck!!! Oh well...I guess I have to do what I have to do. As well, I am going to be training my chest...my least favorite and my triceps...one of my favorites.

I am meeting with my trainer on Monday again to go over posing. I am hoping she will have my routine done soon so I can start working on that. Thirteen weeks left till the competition. Time is flying by this time. I am enjoying this whole process a lot more this time. I think it is because I kind of know what to expect:)

I just got 2 new J LO bikinis---an early birthday present---from Trevor. My birthday isn't until September. I actually ordered them last month and just got them the other day. I love them...they look really cute. Who knew that I'd love wearing bikinis when I am 30 years old...not me.---that for sure!!

Well the kids need a bath before we go to the gym...talk to ya soon!!

Tuesday, August 2, 2005 (8:02 am)

What an awesome weekend it was. The weather was amazing. That rarely happens on long weekends. Trevor and I had a really great weekend together. On Saturday we took the kids to the gym with us and we worked on chest and triceps. In the evening we watched some movies and had a fun family night together. On Sunday we gave the kids to Grandma and Grandpa at 9:15 am and then it was off for a 10.15 mile run around the reservoir. I am not used to running when it is so hot. It was 27 degrees when we started and 31 degrees when we ended. It was more of a run/walk for me. I did it in 2 hours 6 min and 41 seconds...well at least now I have a time to beat the next time I run around the reservoir. Then in the afternoon we cleaned our bedroom really good and rearranged the furniture. 4 hours later...our bedroom looks great...it's like sleeping in a whole new room. Sunday evening we went to see "Wedding Crashers"...it is so funny...if you love funny movies...this is a must see!!!
On Monday morning we ran for 45 minutes (just over 4 miles) and then we were off to the gym for my intense leg workout, that Trevor did with me...that was fun. We were only at the gym for 40 minutes. After coming home and eating we were off on our mountain bikes for a 2 hour bike ride on our beautiful paths in the city. I did put sunscreen on, but still managed to burn my back. Then at three o'clock I got my hair cut and after that it was time to go to Grandma and Grandpa's for dinner and pick up the kids. We all went to bed pretty early last night...I was very tired. I think that is the most exercise I have ever done over two days.

On Saturday I was down another 1.4 lbs since last Wednesday. Things are going great with the diet. I love that I am fitting into my cute clothes again. I feel a lot better when I am dieting. When I am not dieting I tend to go a little crazy with sweets and stuff I really shouldn't be eating a lot of (just cause I was deprived from it for so long) and then I gain more weight than I want and feel yucky. After my competition in November I definitely plan on staying within 10 lbs of my competition weight. Since we are going on vacation 6 days after and I have to be in a bikini., I definitely want to stay nice and lean. Trevor has our exercise schedule already planned for our holiday (cruise). Apparently we are going to jog for an hour first thing in the morning and then do an hour of weights. In the evening we are going to do another hour of exercise...three hours a day...makes me tired just thinking about it. At least we can eat the yummy food, which the cruise will have:):)

Friday, July 29, 2005 (1:41 pm)

I just put the kids down for a nap, so hopefully they will both sleep. Yesterday we were playing outside a lot in the sandbox and then I took them to the Blood Donor Clinic with me and so they didn't even have a nap at all. Kamden usually doesn't need one since she is 4 years old. However, around 7 pm Simon had a big melt down. I got his pajamas on and he went straight to bed. He was sleeping by 7:30 pm.

My training is going great. I have been feeling really good lately...lots of energy and just feeling really motivated to get out there and train. The morning jogs are going well. I am definitely seeing improvements with my times. I try to focus on my breathing and form while running, to try to get the most out of it. Trevor and I are going to be dropping the kids off at Grandma and Grandpa's house on Sunday, so we can go jogging around the Glenmore Reservoir...it's about 10 miles. I only have 3 weeks till I do the half marathon in Edmonton, so I better work up to it. Sunday will be a challenge, but I am up for it:)

We are planning on going to see the movie "Wedding Crashers" on Sunday evening, have you seen it? I've heard it is supposed to be hilarious. I love funny movies that make me burst out laughing. When we used to go to movies while I was dieting I'd always get a large diet pop and sip on it the entire movie. This time around with the competition diet I have decided not to have any diet pop. I also have maybe 3 pieces of sugar free gum per day. I do go to bed hungry, but I notice better results if I stay away from diet pop...it makes me feel really bloated.

Well I get to weigh myself tomorrow...hopefully I'll have good news for you on Monday...until then...have a fabulous weekend. The weather is going to be awesome:)

Monday, July 25, 2005

NEW....Pictures and measurement in "Stats" after two weeks of dieting...check it out!!!

We had a really great weekend. Simon's 3rd birthday went by without any big mishaps. He got so many toys...it's great to be a kid!!
I missed going to the gym yesterday because of last minute things I had to do for the party. I did manage to go jogging once in the am and again in the evening (with Trevor). My evening run went well. I ran 2.5 miles in 23mins and 40 sec. I think I was just trying to push myself since Trevor was with me:)

Today at the gym one of the members who hadn't seen me in 2 weeks mentioned that he can already notice a drastic change in my appearance...I love that! Sometimes I am not sure if people say things just to be nice or if there is a noticeable change....I will just take it as a compliment:)

I went to see my trainer tonight. We went over a lot of posing. It's actually a lot of hard work to get the pose perfected. I think this will be where I need the most practice. I think my back my even be sore tomorrow:)

Saturday, July 23, 2005 (7:25 am)

NEW!!!!! Check out Stats section on website for my progress for my upcoming competition. Pictures and measurements every 2 weeks.

Friday, July 22, 2005 (1:51 pm)

Well the guests have started arriving for Simon's 3rd birthday...ok...just my parents, but they are here for the weekend. Things are going well with the diet. I am really liking this diet so far. Even though I have been eating the exact same thing for two weeks I am still enjoying it. Wednesday when I got to weigh myself I was actually the same as last Saturday....hopefully when I weigh myself tomorrow I will be down a bit. So far I am still at -5.6lbs. My trainer said that if I don't lose by Saturday we will have to do something with the diet...I am guessing that means take away some
calories:(

I did my new training program for legs on Wednesday. It really wasn't too bad. I wasn't even that sore on Thursday, but today is a different story. My legs are in pain...ouch!!! I still managed to go jogging this morning. For some reason, while I am running I can't feel the pain...that's a good thing. I've improved on my jogging time. I can do 2.5 miles in 24 minutes...I am going to have to start increasing the distance I run.

I ordered my bodybuilding suit. I really love the color I am getting. I think it'll look great. I'd tell you what color it is, but it's a secret:) I guess you just have to come to the show to see what color my suit is and what music I have chosen for the posing routine...it is cool!! November 5th in Edmonton...remember that date, ok?!

This weekend I am going to work on my posing as I am meeting with Debbie, my trainer, on Monday evening:)

Have a great Weekend!!

Tuesday, July 19, 2005 (1:32 pm)

I finally get a chance to sit down...it feels good! This weekend Trevor and I went to The Stampede on Saturday. As you know, I am dieting so I wasn't able to enjoy any of the food that I really wanted to, instead I was eating asparagus and chicken while everyone around me was having corn dogs and mini donuts (my personal favorite). We didn't stay there too long---only 4 hours---somehow we still managed to spend $80...it sure goes fast:(

Today I didn't have to do weights at the gym, which was awesome. I am supposed to do two session (35 mins each of cardio) a day, but had an awful sleep last night so I decided to skip my morning run. Instead I ended up doing 60 minutes on the elliptical and 10 minutes on the treadmill. After all of that cardio I worked my abs. It has actually been awhile (over a week) since I've done them last. I am sure I will be feeling it tomorrow. Tomorrow I have a big workout day...Legs. My trainer gave me a new legs training program...I think there is probably 8 different exercises with super setting...It is super intense....hopefully I'll be able to walk after that.

On Sunday it is Simon's 3rd birthday. We are having a little party for him...just family. Yesterday we took him to Toys R Us to pick whatever he wanted and he ended up picking everything he has already...silly boy!! We just ended up getting him some Legos...can't go wrong with that. I don't even think he know we bought them even though he was with us. My mom is making a birthday cake for him, so that I don't have to go through the torture of baking a cake a decorating it while dieting...my mom is the best!!

Well I am happy to let you know that I have my music picked and cut (into 60 seconds) for my bodybuilding routine. My trainer is going to choreograph the routine for me and I should be able to start practicing it in a few weeks....things are coming together and I still have a lot of time:)

Friday, July 15, 2005 (7:53 am)

Good Morning!! This week sure flew by quickly. I can't believe it is Friday.

Training is going great! I have been keeping up with my morning jogs and doing exactly what my trainer is telling me to do. I am seeing improvements in my body already. I lost 5 lbs since starting the diet from Monday - Wednesday...I am only allowed to weigh myself on Weds and Sats. so I am not sure what I weigh now. I really love this diet, however, 15 minutes after I eat I am so hungry. Yesterday my parents and Trevor had an evening snack of Turtle ice cream while I ate cucumber and tuna. Boy, did that ice cream look good. Oh well! I can eat some ice cream in November:) That just seems so far away right now.

Kamden and Simon are staying with Grandma tonight and tomorrow night. She is going to take them to another reunion...The Alexander Reunion. We would go but Trevor is still dealing with his back that he injured at last weekend's reunion. He went to Physio yesterday and that helped a bit. He is supposed to be doing a Half IronMan next weekend, so hopefully he'll be better by then.

Other than that...nothing new to say...

Have a good weekend!!

Wednesday, July 13, 2005 (7:45 am)

Hello all!! I've got great news...I am down 5 lbs since starting the diet on Monday. Things are coming along nicely. My workout have been good and I have been sore from working hard. Usually about 15 minutes after I eat a meal I am hungry again, but that just means my metabolism is kicking in...thank goodness for gum:)

a few weeks ago I mentioned a holiday that we may be taking (cruise)...well it is official. We have actually booked our vacation. We are leaving on November 11th, which will be only 6 days following my competition. I am so excited about it. I will be in awesome shape for the trip. Trevor has already said that we are getting up early everyday on the cruise to do 3 hours of exercise just so we don't gain weight...funny thing is that I don't think he is kidding.

Today I am taking the kids to my brother community, Mackenzie Town, for some stampede activities...it'll be a lot cheaper than The Stampede and they'll have fun. So we are going to the gym a bit early...today is just a cardio and abs day...nothing major... and then I'll eat and then off we go:)

Have a great day!!!

Monday, July 11, 2005 (7:51 am)

Here we go again....I started my diet today...so far so go, but of course I have only had one meal. My diet this time around is completely different than the last one I was on. I actually get to eat fruit this time and protein shakes. The best part is that I only have to eat 5 oz of chicken a day...very excited about that. I did my morning jog...it was very nice out today. I could've easily kept going. It sure makes a difference when you get to run in warm weather...I love it!

Tenting this weekend at the Oseen Family Reunion was a lot of fun. Who knows maybe we'll have to do it again sometime. It was fun seeing everyone again. The reunion is every three years, so it is a lot of catching up to do. The kids had a super time...they were in desperate need of a bath when we got home yesterday. I don't think I have ever seen them so dirty...it was funny.

My parents are coming down today. They are going house hunting. We are thrilled that they will be living closer to us. I better get cleaning up a bit and making my meals for the rest of the day. I will try to get some pictures up of how I look today and then I'll take pictures every 2 weeks so you'll see my progress from dieting:)

Have a Happy Monday!!!

Friday, July 8, 2005 (8:00 am)

I can't believe I am going to be sleeping in a tent tonight and tomorrow night. I used to go camping all the time when I was younger with my family, but now we always stay in hotels, so this will be interesting. We actually got a tent as a wedding gift 7.5 years ago and just yesterday I went and took it out of the shed and took it out of the box for the very first time:) The kids are definitely looking forward to sleeping outside they think it is going to be "cool".

I have decided that I am going to start my diet on Monday, July 11th instead of the 16th. I thought it'll be good to get an early start on the whole process. I get my diet sent to me this weekend. I am sure it won't be much different than the last one I was on. I've heard that the 2nd time around (dieting) your body responds quicker, so I'll have to wait and see.

The last few days at the gym I've trained very hard...I can definitely feel it in my muscles...it's the good hurt. Today I am off to the gym at 9:30 for Hamstring/Shoulders day and then some cardio...then I have to go and pack everything for the weekend.

Tuesday, July 5, 2005 (9:14 am)

Last night I had my first meeting with my new trainer, Debbie Leung. It went very well. We went over some exercises, the diet and we also managed to do some posing. I have even decided on my music selection for my bodybuilding routine...it is going to be really cool...I am looking forward to it. Only 11 more days until I start the diet. I can't wait! I wouldn't mind starting it early, but with The Oseen Family Reunion coming up this weekend it is tough to be on a diet and go to these types of events, so I'll wait until the 16th to start.

Not much else to say...training has been good. My abs have been pretty sore the last few days. Trevor took me through his abs program on Saturday...man, that guy works hard!!

Anyways...I am off to the gym and then this afternoon I have to go to the dentist...fun stuff...it's just for a cleaning. I am going to see if the dentist will check out Simon's teeth, it looks like he may have a cavity...yuck!!

Tuesday, June 28, 2005 (10:58 am)

I have had a busy this morning unpacking all of our stuff from the weekend. Trevor is back at work today. He is doing great. He said that he is not any sorer than he is after just doing a marathon. Watching all the athletes on Sunday definitely inspired me. I am even considering an IronMan possibly in 2007. We'll see...I have seen how hard Trevor trained for this event and I know that it is very difficult. I'm just going to focus on my bodybuilding right now.

Speaking of bodybuilding...I am very excited that I am going to be having Debbie Leung (IFBB Professional - www.debleung.com ) train me for this competition. We are having our first meeting next Monday, July 4th. At that time I will be getting my diet (starts July 16th) and a new training program. I am looking forward to starting the competition preparation again....it'll be nice to fit into my cute clothes again.

After lunch today I am off to Edmonton to see the kids. I will be staying there till Friday or Saturday and then we are coming home. I called them this morning and they are having a great time. I'll talk to you all next week:)

Sunday, June 26, 2005 (10:30 pm)

Just a quick entry to inform you of Trevor's IronMan results. He finished it in 11 hours 21 minutes and 9 seconds. He came in 358th position. Way to go, Trevor!! You have so much determination in you. I couldn't be any more proud of you than I am today...you are the best!!! I love you very much...did I say how proud I am of you:)

Wednesday, June 22, 2005 (7:28 am)

Good Morning! Only 4 more sleeps till Trevor's IronMan. We are leaving for Idaho bright and early tomorrow morning. If you want to personally wish Trevor luck, please e-mail him
at trevor.oseen@dynetek.com . I know he'd really appreciate it. He is definitely getting nervous about it, although he won't admit it. Yesterday I finished up two posters, which I made for the race. One is to cheer Trevor on and the other is for all the other athletes. I am going to be volunteering on the Bike Course. My job is to direct the athletes, so they stay on course....should be fun. It looks like the weather will be good for his race...thanks goodness!

Speaking of weather...we have a water ban going on in Calgary due to the flood that occurred. My flowers outside our looking pretty sad. They really need water. The forecast is calling for some rain tonight, so I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Today I am off to the gym to work on my back and to do some cardio. While we are in Idaho I will hopefully have the chance to run everyday. Trevor said that our hotel has a gym, but some gyms at hotels really are in sad condition. Hopefully this one will be good!!

I will keep you posted on how Trevor does on Sunday, but till then enjoy summer!!

Monday, June 20, 2005 (8:07 am)

I can't believe we had a sunny and absolutely beautiful day yesterday for Father's Day. We spent most of the day outside enjoying the sunshine. The kids rode their bikes and played on the grass, which they love to do.

Today Oma and Opa are going to be taking Kamden and Simon home with them. They are actually going out to the cottage today...nice!! I have quite a few things to do before Trevor and I leave for Idaho Thursday early morning for his IronMan competition on Sunday. I have decided to volunteer and I will be working on the bike course. I am going to make a couple of signs to cheer on Trevor and the other athletes when they pass by me. I am excited and nervous for Trevor. You should see how lean he is...it is crazy. I don't know if any of you have seen "The Machinist", but we saw it on the weekend and I now call him The Machinist...don't worry...he isn't that skinny:) I also have to plant a whole bunch of flowers, which my parents brought down for me...the yard will look awesome. I have to fit in the gym in my schedule sometimes today as well and I have my very last piano lesson tonight...so sad!

Well I better get going...lots to do...

Friday, June 17, 2005 (8:44 am)

To all of you Fathers out there...that means you Charlie (aka Grandpa) and Alwin (aka Opa) I just want to wish all of you a Happy Father's Day. Father's Day is coming up on Sunday, so just a quick reminder to get that someone special something nice:)

Poor little Kamden has been coughing all morning since she got up, so we will not be able to go to the gym this morning. I will go this evening instead. I really do not want to miss any day, if possible!! My legs are pretty sore from my quad/calf day on Tuesday. At least I know I worked them good:) Today is hamstrings/shoulders day..one of my favorite workout days:)

My parents are coming down for the weekend. They should be here in the late afternoon. They are staying for the weekend and then on Monday they will be taking the kids with them to Edmonton so Trevor and I could get ready for our trip to Idaho for his IronMan...I am getting nervous for him, but I know he'll do great. He is awesome shape...I know he is ready. We leave on Thursday and his race is on Sunday, June 26th.

Well since it is another rainy day the kids and I are off to Michael's to look around. I just love looking in crafts stores. I don't really consider myself a very crafty person, but it's fun to pretend I am.

Be sure to check out some new pictures in my Gallery. They were taken by Red Deer Photographer, David Ford, at the Monica Brant FEM Camp. It was a lot of fun to do that shoot.

Wednesday, June 15, 2005 (3:10 am)

I hope nobody's getting tired of my journal entries...I just like to keep everyone updated on things:)
Happy 3rd Anniversary to my brother Brian and his wife, Jodie. I remember at their wedding I was 7 months pregnant with Simon. It's is funny how time seems to fly by. I get to go and baby-sit, Jack, their son, so they can have a nice evening out together. I am sure they'll have a lot of fun!!
My piano recital on Monday went pretty well. I was a little bit nervous, but managed to make it through both of my songs. I am glad that Trevor and the kids were able to come. It is always nice to have someone you know come and watch...thanks, guys!!
Only 4.5 weeks until I start my competition diet. I am happy that I get to start again...it's always exciting watching how your body responds to the diet. It's really amazing. I was thinking of possibly putting a new section on my website "competition preparation" where I'd be able to keep everyone updated on my diet with pictures and maybe even measurements every two weeks...what do you think? I think it would be kind of neat for everyone to see how quickly your body responds to diet and exercise...maybe it'll be motivational:)
The kids had a pretty busy day. We went to the gym in the morning and then we came home and made lunch (Trevor comes home everyday for lunch...we are so lucky!!) and then it was off to the playground. On the way home from the playground we were walking/running on the sidewalk and Simon (almost 3yrs old) was running and looking backwards at me and ran into a sign and hurt his head. I ended up carrying him home the rest of the way...poor little guy. Hopefully he learned something! As soon as we got home both of them were ready for a nap...I love nap time...it's always so quiet around here.

Monday, June 13, 2005 (1:07 pm)

Congratulations to all the athletes that competed this weekend in Southern AB Bodybuilding and Provincial Fitness Show. It was a really good show. A big congratulations to my trainer, Bernadine Wallace, who came in 2nd in Fitness Short. She had an awesome routine and she just looked fantastic. This was her 11th show...it's tough always coming in 2nd. One day...you will be the overall winner...I know it!!

Happy Birthday to our nephew, Tanner, who is turning the big TWO today. We hope you have a fabulous day. You are really turning into a wonderful little boy:)

I finally went to the gym again after taking a needed break. I worked on chest and biceps today. I am going to really focus on my weight training and try to lift as heavy as I can. After seeing that show on Saturday I am even more motivated to do as much as I can to be the best that I can be for my next competition. I am really going to focus on my training and when it comes time to diet---July 16th, I am not going to have any cheat meals---not even one. I think the end result will be better than my last show. That's all I can really try to do is improve from show to show and learn from past shows.

Tonight I have my last piano recital of the year. I have been practicing my pieces a lot all week and am more than ready for it. I have decided not to continue with piano next fall as we would like Kamden to start with lessons and it is just too expensive to have the two of us taking them at the same time. I will definitely continue to play. I really do enjoy it. I find it relaxing!!

I better go out and enjoy the sun, since it is out there for a little while:)

Friday, June 10, 2005 (8:27 am)

I usually don't write in the journal 2 days in a row, but today I just felt like it:)
I am looking forward to starting my next 16 week competition diet on Saturday, July 16th. It is going to be very difficult as it was last time. However, this time I have a huge reward at the end of all of this. This is not written in stone yet, but Trevor and I are looking into a cruise that leaves on November 13th, 2005 (eight days after my competition) from New Orleans and stops in Montego Bay, Grand Cayman Island and Cozumel. We'd be going to New Orleans a few days early to spend some time there:) After dieting for 16 weeks you really do need a break just to get back to your normal self. I am so excited about this holiday, so I hope all of are plans come together. The only thing I hate is having to leave the kids:( Soon they will be old enough to come with us on all of our holidays. We hope to one day take them on the Disney Cruise...wouldn't that be great!!
I've decided that I am just going to take the whole week off of the gym. I will start back on Monday at the usual time and get back into my regular schedule. Sometimes it is good to take a break. Apparently it shocks the system. I will also do my morning jogs again...since my last competition April 30th I have put on more weight than I wanted to, but that ok...I will get back to where I feel comfortable...I am sure it won't take long at all. I don't feel like I've lost any muscle mass, so that is a good thing.
Today is going to be another busy day. I have to take the kids to Costco to buy some produce (we go through that stuff like crazy) and then I have to pack for the kids for their trip to Grandma and Grandpa's. Then I promised the kids that (if they were good) we'd go to the park. Then as soon as Trev gets home from work it off to drop the kids off. Thank goodness I got the grass cut yesterday or else I would've had to do that today as well.
Well I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend. GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE GIRLS COMPETING THIS WEEKEND!!

Thursday, June 9, 2005 (7:56 am)

It looks like the rain is finally going to clear up. I think it is supposed to be a high of 18 degrees and sunny (something we haven't seen in awhile).
On Tuesday I decided to take the kids out for some fun instead of taking them to the gym. By then it had been about a week since they've been to the playground. First I took them to the public library...we have just been going through so many books with the weather being not so great. We picked up twenty new books. They just love to hear stories. After that we did a bit of grocery shopping and then I took them to "Let's Play", a huge indoor playground. They just loved it there. It was similar to "Kid's Thyme" the park we took them to in Las Vegas, but at this one the parent can not leave, so I just brought a book while they played...it was great!!
Tuesday night Trevor and I went to see a play...actually it was a double header...they had two plays in one evening. The plays were actually quite good. Unfortunately, I was not feeling well at all during the plays. The Flu seemed to kick in right in the middle of the play. Isn't that awful:( My mother-in-law who was looking after the kids at home was also under the weather. By the time we got home she wasn't looking good at all...I felt so bad. I know how I am when I have to take care of them and I don't feel good.
Yesterday I wasn't feeling so hot in the morning so I didn't go to the gym again. So I did a few errands with the kids and read lots of books for them...not a very entertaining day, but it was relaxing. I did end up making a roast for dinner for us. It was a big treat...I don't cook like that very often.
Well I hope Grandma is feeling better now as the kids are going to be going to Grandma and Grandpa's from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon so that Trevor and I can go watch The Southern Alberta Bodybuilding & Provincial Fitness, which is all day Saturday. My trainer, Bernadine Wallace, is competing in fitness...should be a great show. Kamden is looking forward to riding her "new" bike that Grandma & Grandpa got her. That is all she has been talking about.
I haven't decided if I should go to the gym today as I have to mow the lawn...it is really long and I am not sure if I'll get a chance later. It isn't exactly like going to the gym, but at least it is some sort of exercise..I am feeling a bit guilty for not going to the gym for the past few days so we'll see.

Monday, June 6, 2005 (8:00 am)

Another rainy day, what a surprise...it has been raining here for a week now. It's funny how something like the weather can determine how you feel. I don't know about all of you, but whenever it is raining I am just not as happy as I usually am...I have been feeling kind of blah lately...oh well. I think there might be a break from the rain by the end of the week.
On Saturday, Kamden and I had a girls night out. We went to see "Madagascar", it is so cute to see her laugh out loud. She loves going to movies. She is at that age where she loves to talk, so everyone couple of minutes I have to remind her to be quiet during the movie. Simon got to watch Scooby Doo with daddy at home...they always have fun together...they are good buddies!
Other than going out to the movie, the weekend wasn't too exciting. I did go to the gym on Saturday and really had a great workout. Did lot of cardio and really felt energized after. Well hopefully I'll have more to say in the middle of the week...till then...take care!!

Wednesday, June 1, 2005 (8:01 am)

Wow, can you believe it is already June? It looks like I will not be doing the Crape Geomatics Half Marathon after all. It was scheduled for Sunday, July 10th, 2005. I thought we had The Oseen Family Reunion the following weekend, but as it turns out it is on the weekend of the race...oh well. I guess my first half marathon will have to be the one in Edmonton in the month of August (more time to train).

This morning I did not go for my run. I was just too sore from doing Legs at the gym yesterday. I was working on my hamstrings, so I did a lot of lying hamstring curls and walking lunges. I guess I will have to work extra hard at the gym this morning. Today is just a cardio day at the gym. I plan on doing 65 minutes on Elliptical and 30 minutes on the Stairmaster...should be fun...thank goodness for my iPod. I don't know what I would do without it!

Well the weather here is taking a turn for the worse, it looks like we are in for a few days of rain. I guess we can always use the rain, right?!

Monday, May 30, 2005 (1:10 pm)

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend. It was gorgeous here. I ended up doing a lot of yard work while the kids played in the sprinkler (remember those days?).

I just wanted to share a recipe with you all that I got from one of my favorite websites (www.abba.ab.ca). I found it in the chat board under recipes. I thought I'd give it a try on the weekend and have made it everyday for breakfast since:)

Strawberry Pancakes:

In a bowl, mix together:

2 oz of ground oatmeal or cream of wheat
150 ml egg whites
brown sugar twin (to taste)
vanilla extract
approx 1-2 tsp of Strawberry Jell-O Light!

*Variation- peach or any other Jell-O Light flavors....

Now, pour mixture into already heated, non-stick frying pan...cook, flip cook.....and there you are!
it is extra good with a bit of Sugar-free pancake syrup.
_________________

I tried this recipe with raspberry and with strawberry Jell-O Light...loved it!!!

Congratulations to Trevor, my favorite guy in the world, who completed the Sprint of Chinook's Edge Triathlon (Innisfail). He placed 50th out of 157 with a time of 1:19:39. He is happy with his time and we are proud of him. The race was a 750m swim, 20 km bike, and 5 km run...who knows maybe I'll do this race next year.

I had a question for everyone...is there anything that you would like me to include on my website that I don't already have (training schedule/diet). This website is for you to enjoy and I want to make sure that you are getting what you want. So please e-mail me soseen@shaw.ca with any comments regarding my site...thanks!!

Friday, May 27, 2005 (6:50 am)

Well as you can see by "Up and Coming" and "News" on my website I have made a few decisions/changes. I have decided not to compete on June 25th (Provincials) or on July 9th (World Qualifier). Since Trevor's competition (IronMan) in Coeur D' Alene in on June 26th I would have missed it if I were to compete at Provincials. He has been so supportive of me during my last show and I think it is important that I am there to cheer him on as he competes in one of the most difficult races. I just don't want to miss his first IronMan. As well, dieting since January 8th has made me a little bonkers and I really needed a break (longer than 4 days). I will be competing in a bodybuilding competition in Edmonton (I think my body type may be more suited for bodybuilding rather than figure), November 5th, 2005---Muscle Beach Fall Classic. I would not have to start dieting till late August or September. It'll be awesome to have the summer off. I am gong to be running a few races, which I have listed. I have done a three half marathons already and would like to do one under 2 hours, so I will be working on that during the summer:). Trevor has also convinced me to try doing a triathlon (half IronMan). I will see what I can do...I'll have to see how training goes.

Since I made this decision not to diet any longer at the beginning of our vacation, I was able to enjoy a lot of yummy meals at some great restaurants (that means a lot of desserts). Unfortunately, that means coming home with a few extra pounds. I am back eating clean again trying to get rid of the weight I put on while vacationing:) I had a really good workout at the gym yesterday even though my weights were way down. I guess that's what happens when you don't do weights for 2 weeks. I just did cardio while we were on vacation...anywhere between 1-2 hours per day (that doesn't include walking in the shopping malls). Oh well, I am sure it won't take long to look hard and lean just for summer...we'll see.

Time for my morning jog to get my metabolism kicking in for the day. I got a new pair of running shoes in Arizona (Asics-Gel Kayano X1)...they rock!! I can't wait to run with them...it'll be like running on clouds:)

Oh Ya...I have sent some pictures of our vacation to my brother to put in "Gallery", so they should be up very soon.

Monday, May 23, 2005 (9:31 pm)

Hello Everyone!! I can't believe our holiday is almost over. I also can't believe this is the first chance I've had the entire vacation to write in my journal...oh well...better late than never. We had a great time visiting The Grand Canyon last week. It really is a site to see. I can't believe how big it is. We took a lot of pictures. I'll have to make sure that I get them on my website very soon. For the majority of our vacation we stayed in Scottsdale, Arizona...it is such a beautiful place. Trevor and I both decided that it would be the ideal place to live. The weather was awesome...VERY HOT...It was usually around 42 degrees. During the days we usually ended up in an air conditioned mall (that means lots of shopping). In the evenings we'd hit the pool...it was a rough life:) After a week in Scottsdale we left on Saturday (May 21st) to Las Vegas and stayed in The Orleans. It was a pretty fun hotel. The kids had a great time. There was this huge play area we took them to called Kids Tyme...they stayed there for 2 hours while Mommy and Daddy were able to look around. We left Las Vegas this morning at 11:00 am and made it to Salt Lake City, Utah...should be in Montana tomorrow and then back to Calgary on Wednesday.

Wednesday, May 11, 2005 (7:31 am)

Yeah!!! It's holiday time. Just have to eat breakfast and pack up the van and then it's off on holidays...well almost....first we have to watch my cute little nephew, Jack, for a few hours and then we are off:) We are hoping to get to Great Falls, Montana sometime this evening. I think it'll be about a 6.5-7 hour drive.
Last night I was making all my meals for the entire day today and I burnt my hand on the frying pan (making tuna patties). I have 3 blisters on my left hand. It was so painful last night. I don't think I feel asleep until 2 am. Luckily it feels better today, but it still hurts...ouch!!!
I am just going to keep this entry short and sweet. I'll let you all know how we are doing on our holidays. Hopefully I'll get some pictures posted on the website of our vacation while we are on vacation...isn't technology the greatest thing in the world!!!

Sunday, May 8, 2005 (6:33 am)

Happy Mother's Day! To all of you moms out there (and of course to my wonderful mom). So what do you all have planned today? Since I am four days into my diet there will be no mother's day brunch for me...oh well...maybe next year:) We are just going to spend some "family time" together. Since Trevor and I are both very busy with our training and his work "family time" is fairly hard to come by. That is why all of us are really looking forward to our upcoming holiday. Two weeks with each other...it'll be fantastic.
Yesterday I discovered that putting salsa on my grilled chicken taste so yummy. It is funny how when you can't have foods that you crave... like sweets... you start to experiment with everything. I am actually going to try to put salsa on my tuna today and see how that goes. I've even tried putting brown sugar (Twin) on my chicken before...surprisingly it didn't taste too bad.
Ok...have a great day...enjoy your day!!

Friday, May 6, 2005 (6:58 am)

Good Morning!! It feels great to be back on the diet. As much as I liked eating all of those treats and yummy food, I did feel somewhat out of control. I also got back to the gym yesterday. It was the first time back since last Wednesday. I can't believe how much heavier I can lift with an extra few pounds. For example...I used to only do 75 lbs for the seated row and yesterday I was able to do 120 lbs...isn't that crazy! Today is Chest (my least favorite body part to train) and Triceps day.
In the afternoon I will be taking the kids to the zoo. We haven't been there since last season. They love going there and running around. They especially love the playground they have there. It is supposed to be a pretty decent day. Although we might be getting thunderstorms this evening (that'll be good for the grass).
I have to start making a list for what to pack for our family vacation. We are off to Scottsdale, Arizona next Wednesday (May 11th). We will be driving, which is always fun to do. This will be the first road trip we take with the kids when they are both potty trained:) We are planning to get to Scottsdale on Saturday---Stay a week---then we are going to Las Vegas for a few days. Then we drive back home...I can't wait. I am taking Kamden to her very first concert while we are in Arizona. We are going to see Kelly Clarkson...she just love Kelly...it'll be super cute to watch her sing and dance along to all the songs.
Hope you all have a great weekend...it's a great weekend to get some bike riding in!!

Wednesday, May 4, 2005 (6:52 am)

I have definitely been enjoying the last few day of eating all of the foods that I have missed over the past 16 weeks. Last night Trevor and I went to Caesar's Steak House here in Calgary. I had cheese bread, filet mignon and a stuffed potato. I couldn't pass up dessert, so I had hot apple pie with vanilla ice cream....It was so good. Some of my other meals in the past few days have included ice cream in a waffle cone, lots of milk and fruit...cookies:) Tomorrow I am back on my competition diet in preparation for June 25th (Provincials). My trainer wants me to come in leaner than this past show, so I have a lot of work in front of me. The diet starts off at 2530 cal with 1000 calories of oats, 1470 calories of protein (chicken, egg whites or tuna---I can have different kinds of fish, but I usually stick with tuna) and 60 calories of fibrous vegetables. So today I will enjoy my very last day of eating non-diet food. I have decided that I am going to have a Booster Juice today for lunch and for supper I'll have a sub from this little Vietnamese Shop right by our house (they have the best chicken subs ever!!)
I also start back at the gym tomorrow morning. I will be lifting heavy, heavy weights trying to lean up the legs and work on the upper body. Yesterday I started doing 2 cardio sessions. I went jogging (2.5 miles) twice yesterday just in the neighborhood. I am going to be going jogging first thing in the morning and pretty much right before I go to bed. Unfortunately, for my last competition the judges thought that my legs were "over-developed" so I have to really try to lean down. The other girls that were in my class didn't have very much lower body development, so when I was standing on stage beside them my legs definitely stood out...oh well...it's in the past now...I can only work hard and hope for the best for the next show.
I better get my running shoes on it's almost time to go:)

Monday, May 2, 2005 (7:14 am)

Well we are back from Kelowna. The competition was a lot of fun to do. Unfortunately, I did not do as well as I expected I would do. At this time, I still do not know where I placed (not in the top 5---I know that). Being from Alberta was a definate disadvantage in this competition. I asked one of the judges after the show what I could do to improve for next time and he said that I could lean out a lot more especially in my lower half. He mentioned that it would be a good idea if next time I start my diet at the weight I am (124 lbs) and then lean out from there. I don't know about you guys, but I really don't think I'd look that great at 105 lbs...uugh!!
Well it's done, it's over with...after the show we went to Ric's Steak House. I had a very good Top Sirloin, Potatoes and Vegies and of course I had to save room for cappucino pie...yummy. Yesterday I had a bunch of yummy food as well. I am going to be starting my diet for the next show (June 25th in Edmonton) on Wednesday, so I have another 2 days of eating kind of whatever I want...I am not going to go out of control though!
My brother is working on getting some competition pictures on the website...hopefully they will be there soon:)
Everyone, thanks for being so suppurtive...it's great to have family and friends like you.
A Big thanks to Trevor, who helped me put on my ProTan/Dream Tan----you definately are my biggest fan. I could not have made it through this weekend without you....I love you forever!!

Wednesday, April 27, 2005 (11:20 pm)

I am usually in bed sleeping already at this time, but I am just too excited about the competition. There has been a slight change in plans. The original plan was that we were leaving on Friday at 7:30 am. Now we have decided to leave tomorrow night after my hair appointment (I am getting hi/lo lites put in my hair). We will be leaving around 8:30 pm and staying in Golden, BC. Then on Friday morning after putting on my first coat of ProTan it is off to Vernon to visit Trevor's grandparents. We are anticipating getting to the host hotel in Kelowna, BC at around 3:00 pm. That'll leave us plenty of time to get 2 more coats of ProTan on before Weigh-ins at 6:00 pm. Then when we get back to the hotel I have to put 2 coats of DreamTan on. I am going to look pretty scary!!
Tonight I had my final meeting with my trainer, Bernie. She thinks that I am ready for this competition. I think she is more excited than I am about this show (well maybe equally as excited). I wish that she could be at the show, but unfortunately it doesn't look like she'll be able to make it...oh well...she'll be there in spirit.
I guess I better get to bed. I have a big day tomorrow with packing everything up that I have to bring to Kelowna. I will be sure to let you all know how I did as soon as we get back on Sunday night. I will have some competition pictures posted on the site next week...till then...take care! Wish me luck:)

Monday, April 25, 2005 (10:43 am)

Hope you all had a great weekend. My parents came over on Saturday evening and stayed till this morning. We had a pretty good visit. They brought the kids back home. It seems like everyone had a really good time. It is nice to have them back:)
I trained my legs pretty hard this weekend, since I am not training them anymore before my competition. My quads were pretty sore this morning. Definitely feeling it when I am walking up and down the stairs. I went to the gym bright and early so I could get my weights and first cardio session over with.
Today I get to do a lot of girly things:) I am going to get acrylic nails put on and have a pedicure done. Also, I am going for my make-up consultation (stage make-up) at MAC....I am pretty excited about today...should be a lot of fun.
The kids are waiting for me to finish up this entry...they want to play a couple of computer games.
Congratulations, Trevor! on your time for the Calgary Half Marathon (64 of 1669 in 1:32:18). We are proud of you. I know you'll come in first place one day:)
Happy Monday, everyone!!

Friday, April 22, 2005 (8:09 am)

One more sleep till we get to see our little angels again. The week has actually gone by pretty quickly. I've been running around trying to get everything done, which I usually can not do when I have them. The house has been very quiet...too quiet. I can't wait till they get back and I can hear them laugh and play. The weather has been fantastic here. It'll be nice to be able to take them to the park. My mom said that Kamden has mastered her tricycle while she has been away:)
Can you believe I only have 6 days of going to the gym left (next Tuesday and Wednesday I only do cardio and light upper body weights). I am definitely feeling the pressure. I notice that I'll look in the mirror and think that I am not ready for this competition. Last Wednesday I met with my trainer and she said that she was impressed with me...I guess that's a good thing! I know she thinks I am ready. She cut out another 100 calories from my diet (just till Sunday). I have been feeling rather tired and grumpy. Starting Monday I get to carb load again. I am excited that I will be able to eat potatoes and oatmeal again. I will be eating a lot of calories next week, just to fill me out. I am looking a little flat right now, but that's ok...that's how I should look right now.
I still have this cold. My sinus' are bothering me a little as well...I really hope I am feeling 100% by next week. I just hate feeling like this.
I am off to the gym for a quick cardio/abs session and then I have to go return bottles...anything for some extra cash:). I am also going to go a get a movie for Trevor and I to watch tonight. After all, it is our last night without the kids. In the afternoon I have a physiotherapy appointment...when I went to my massage appointment she suggested that I get some physio done on my back...My upper back is extremely tight from doing weights. I guess that goes along with the territory.
Have a great weekend...I'll talk to you all next week:)

Wednesday, April 20th, 2005 (9:09 am)

Good Morning! I know it has only been 2 days since my last journal entry, but since I had the time I thought I'd do another update.
Yesterday was a pretty busy day. I went to the gym first thing in the morning to do some weights and cardio and then I had to go grocery shopping for a few little items at Safeway and then head to Costco to get some more items (mostly cereal for Trevor...he eats that stuff like crazy). Then it was off home to clean up the house a bit and wait for Trevor to come home for lunch. Then I went to the gym again in the afternoon (2nd cardio session). Last night Trevor and I went to see a movie...Sin City...it wasn't too bad...I liked how it was black and white but still had some color in it. The storyline itself was quite violent...more of Trevor's type of movie. My favorite movies are still the "chick flicks".
I still have my cold...it seems to be getting better slowly. I think with me going to the gym and not having very many carbs in my current diet, it is taking longer than usual to get rid of. I constantly have a runny nose, which is quite annoying...hopefully soon I will be back to my regular healthy self:)
I was supposed to go for a massage yesterday, but I completely forgot about it. I even had it written down on the calendar. Thank goodness the massage clinic called and I was able to re-book my appointment for today. So I am off to the gym to meet my trainer in a bit and practice posing/walking and going over my next weeks diet. Bernie, my trainer, is off to Winnipeg tonight to watch the Canadian Fitness and Figures Championships (nationals), which is happening on Saturday....Good Luck to all the girls who are competing. I won't see my trainer again till next week:(
This afternoon I am going for my massage....this time I won't forget!!!

Monday, April 18, 2005 (7:12 am)

First off I would just like to say Happy 7th Anniversary to my beautiful husband, Trevor. Can you believe we have made it this far? I am very proud to have you for my husband. You have accomplished so much since we have been together. I am proud to be your wife...you are my inspiration!!
I got back from Edmonton last night. The good news is that I made it home safely the bad news is that I came back with a cold. I possibly had the worst night sleep ever:( At least the kids are staying with Oma and Opa this week, so I will be able to try to recoup as quickly as possible. I took some vitamin C and Cold FX last night...hopefully that will help. I plan on still getting to the gym today. I am supposed to do Quads and Calves today, but we'll see if my body will be able to handle it. I will definitely do some light cardio today.
I picked up my competition suits from Mackenzie yesterday. They are awesome. I don't think I could possibly be more excited about them. My one piece is green and silver and my two piece is orange. I absolutely love them!!To everyone that has been checking out my website I just wanted to say thank you...I really appreciate all the e-mails of encouragement that I have been getting from all of you. I will try to e-mail you all back as soon as life calms down a little:) I better get started with the day. I am going to the doctor this morning for my annual physical...fun!
Have a fabulous day!!

Thursday, April 14, 2005 (8:10 am)

I didn't have a very good night last night. I was so hungry that I had a lot of trouble sleeping.
Today is going to be a very busy day. The kids and I are off to Edmonton tomorrow. So today I have to pack for Kamden, Simon and myself. Then it's off to the gym with the kids. It's Back & Biceps...then the usual...cardio. I am meeting my trainer tonight to work on some posing and take some measurements. Today the kids and I have to get to the supplement store...It's going to be a wild day!!
On Saturday I get to pick up my suits from Mackenzie Keating. It'll be nice to actually have them in my hands.
My parents offered to keep the kids till next weekend, which will be great. I will be able to get some good training in next week and posing/walking practice. Also, my trainer told me that the last 2 weeks of the diet is the toughest, so it's probably best that the kids are not around, as I have been taking all of my frustrations out on them lately. I feel really bad. I know that's not really the way I am, but it is the diet. It is really tough to be carb depleted and not to be a moody person. I think the kids will have a good time with Oma and Opa (they always do). I am sure Trevor and I will enjoy the time together alone as well. We will be celebrating our 7th wedding anniversary next week. Unfortunately, we will not be able to go out to a romantic restaurant. We were thinking of going to a movie on Tuesday. I've told Trevor already that there is absolutely no way he's allowed to have popcorn, nibs or pop (since I can't).
I guess I better get going...lot's to do.

Monday, April 11, 2005 (9:42 am)

Welcome to my website!! I am very excited to finally have my very own site.
My brother, Brian, has put a lot of work into designing it and I think he has done a great job...Thanks!!
Well...only 19 days left till my very first competition in Kelowna. I am very excited (and nervous). The diet has been going well. I am stuck with my weight right now, but am hoping to get it moving again. I just have to drink more water, which I find extremely difficult since I really don't like it:(
I had my final competition suit fitting yesterday. It went well. I love the colors of my suits...I can't wait till I am standing on stage in these beautiful suits. I know I will feel amazing on stage when I am wearing them. They will be ready for me to pick up next weekend when I go to Edmonton.
It's time to go eat some chicken again...nothing new!!!