Oh dear little dog! She with the filed down teeth and the case of whipworm, she has also tested positive for heartworm!
Long story short - Dogs that come from the Southern states should be tested 6 months after you get them, as heartworm can take a while to show up on tests. If you have a negative test and then get pet insurance, and test positive after, it's like the expensive (2000$) treatment will be covered. She's not showing symptoms but I am still sad for her. Poor lady. But, vet assures me she'll be OK, so I'm trying not to stress about it.
Running news! I hit 150 km (93 miles) for September! I wonder if I can get this up to 100 miles...I have 2 days. I think it's close to do-able. I'm in the lead for my "cumulative group distance challenge" by about 50 km, which is great.
Leisure news! I'm off to OKTOBERFEST this weekend! Not the world's second-largest in Kitchener-Waterloo, because I'm not an undergrad anymore and don't want to party with the 20 years old, but the Oktoberfest put on by a small brewery between Ottawa and Montreal! Husby says he will not enter the spouse-carrying contest with me.
I'm starting to look for some cool-weather running crops - does anyone have any reco's that aren't Lululemon and are cute, have at least a key pocket, and something reflective so I am moderately visible?
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
Lululemon/Ivivva fit comparison - Rhythmic crop II *gym
Hey you know how I'm really cheap? It's true! I wanted new inspire crops from Lulu, but 86$? Do not like. So, I checked out the Ivivva sizing and in theory, I am a bang on size 14. So, I got some crops to try.
I got the Rhythmic crop II *gym (48$, + less tax on kid's clothes). They're made of power luxtreme and have a waistband pocket in the back. They're plain black.
I find in Lulu I'm usually *right* between a 4 and a 6, and get indecisive, and end up disliking both sizes, so hope this would be my solution.
When I opened the package, my first thought was "Good god these look small." My second was "In theory they should fit really well calm down." Also to note is that they're not hemmed. They have bar tacks up the leg, so oyu could cut them to your desired size. Lululemon will hem Ivivva stuff, so they might hem these.
So, here are the pictures. Yes I am currently awaiting my fine arts awards. They are terrible and I am aware of that. I'm wearing size 6 inspire crops from Lulu, the Ivivva rhythmic crops in 14, and speed shorts in a size 4.
- The Inspires give me a little bit of muffinage, and feel pretty tight in the calves. They're great for running and this size never slips down or anything when I'm running.
- The Ivivvas feel about the same. Holding them up together, there's maybe a half-inch difference in the waistband. They also feel snug and supportive, in a good way.
- Speeds also poke in right at my back bacon area, but feel really comfy.
- The Ivivva crops seem to be a little bit longer. It's negligible. This might be an issue if I decide to hem them. For reference, I take a 34" inseam. If you normally get stuff hemmed at Lulu, you're good to go for sure.
- Yeah that's my *ss. Looks not too bad, so this definitely is a point in the "keep them" column.
SUMMARY
- If you're a solid 4, you can definitely swing Ivivva size 14. If you're a 2, you could probably size down. If you're a 6 in speed shorts, it might be tight.
- I find power luxtreme fits a little small, so other things might be OK if you're a 6.
- I am curious if these give me too much muffin top. Please let me know if they do.
- They feel really supportive. I think they'd be good for running. No drawstring but they're tight enough without it for me.
- I think the shirts would fit me OK, except I have freakishly long arms. If you've got a short torso, you could definitely swing their tanks.
- I'll probably keep them if Lulu can hem them without taking too much length off.
I got the Rhythmic crop II *gym (48$, + less tax on kid's clothes). They're made of power luxtreme and have a waistband pocket in the back. They're plain black.
I find in Lulu I'm usually *right* between a 4 and a 6, and get indecisive, and end up disliking both sizes, so hope this would be my solution.
When I opened the package, my first thought was "Good god these look small." My second was "In theory they should fit really well calm down." Also to note is that they're not hemmed. They have bar tacks up the leg, so oyu could cut them to your desired size. Lululemon will hem Ivivva stuff, so they might hem these.
So, here are the pictures. Yes I am currently awaiting my fine arts awards. They are terrible and I am aware of that. I'm wearing size 6 inspire crops from Lulu, the Ivivva rhythmic crops in 14, and speed shorts in a size 4.
- The Inspires give me a little bit of muffinage, and feel pretty tight in the calves. They're great for running and this size never slips down or anything when I'm running.
- The Ivivvas feel about the same. Holding them up together, there's maybe a half-inch difference in the waistband. They also feel snug and supportive, in a good way.
- Speeds also poke in right at my back bacon area, but feel really comfy.
SUMMARY
- If you're a solid 4, you can definitely swing Ivivva size 14. If you're a 2, you could probably size down. If you're a 6 in speed shorts, it might be tight.
- I find power luxtreme fits a little small, so other things might be OK if you're a 6.
- I am curious if these give me too much muffin top. Please let me know if they do.
- They feel really supportive. I think they'd be good for running. No drawstring but they're tight enough without it for me.
- I think the shirts would fit me OK, except I have freakishly long arms. If you've got a short torso, you could definitely swing their tanks.
- I'll probably keep them if Lulu can hem them without taking too much length off.
Monday, September 12, 2011
I ran 25km and I'm never doing it again. And a gear review.
Yes, that was my Saturday afternoon. Running 25km, then lying on the couch feeling nauseous and heatstrokey/dehydrated, despite drinking over a litre of water on my run. It passed after a few hours and I am actually not sore at all, so I guess it wasn't a total disaster. But, I realized that I am not a long long distance runner, and I think I enjoy 12-15km best at this point in my life.
I've never carried water on a run before. This was my first time testing out mine - I would provide a link but it's not even on the MEC website anymore. Anyway, it's a bottle with a neoprene hand-hold, with a zippy pocket built in. Basically the same as this one.
REVIEW!
- I hate carrying things while running and the neoprene made my hand really sweaty
- The pocket was great because I didn't have to try and get my key off my keychain, but in hindsight I should have stuffed that dang pocket with electrolytes and not keys. This does not affect my review because this is my own fault and not the pocket's fault.
- I did not like the valve. Trying to suck water out was horrible. I am a thirsty sweaty girl I need water quickly. I ended up stopping and screwing the lid off and guzzling the water.
- On second thought, the neoprene might be good because my sweaty paws would possibly drop a plain plastic water bottle.
Overall: 3/5.
**Disclaimer: Please be aware that no one gave me this bottle for free to try. This is not that kind of blog. No one gives me anything free because I only have 4 followers. I don't have another one to give away, but you can all have my love and affection!**
Anyway, the rest of the weekend was great because it involved brunch, which involved waffles and mimosas.
ALSO, I suffered through the run with a terrible audiobook. The horrible writing and bad plot are made worse by the narrator, who sounds like a ditzy 11 year old. Please send me any audiobook recommendations you have. I don't know if I can even finish this one.
This post sounds really cranky. But, please be aware that I am not always an angry person and am actually moderately pleased with myself for running 25km. It's just a Monday, that's all, so I am out of sorts.
I've never carried water on a run before. This was my first time testing out mine - I would provide a link but it's not even on the MEC website anymore. Anyway, it's a bottle with a neoprene hand-hold, with a zippy pocket built in. Basically the same as this one.
REVIEW!
- I hate carrying things while running and the neoprene made my hand really sweaty
- The pocket was great because I didn't have to try and get my key off my keychain, but in hindsight I should have stuffed that dang pocket with electrolytes and not keys. This does not affect my review because this is my own fault and not the pocket's fault.
- I did not like the valve. Trying to suck water out was horrible. I am a thirsty sweaty girl I need water quickly. I ended up stopping and screwing the lid off and guzzling the water.
- On second thought, the neoprene might be good because my sweaty paws would possibly drop a plain plastic water bottle.
Overall: 3/5.
**Disclaimer: Please be aware that no one gave me this bottle for free to try. This is not that kind of blog. No one gives me anything free because I only have 4 followers. I don't have another one to give away, but you can all have my love and affection!**
Anyway, the rest of the weekend was great because it involved brunch, which involved waffles and mimosas.
ALSO, I suffered through the run with a terrible audiobook. The horrible writing and bad plot are made worse by the narrator, who sounds like a ditzy 11 year old. Please send me any audiobook recommendations you have. I don't know if I can even finish this one.
This post sounds really cranky. But, please be aware that I am not always an angry person and am actually moderately pleased with myself for running 25km. It's just a Monday, that's all, so I am out of sorts.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
It's not a race, it's a "cumulative group distance challenge."
And my group is winning, possibly partly due to the fact that we have more than twice as many people as the other team. AND partly due to the fact that I ran 17km the other day. SNAPS!
Ran home, chugged some G2, patted the dog and told her I'd be back soon to take her out, and went out to do a few more km along the boardwalk.
My goal for this week is to remember to bring my camera along for the run to show you all how lovely Toronto can be along the water!
I also logged 20km this weekend - Sunday was hot and muggy and sucked really hard, but Monday, after sitting in the car for 6 hours, I had an amazing, cool, fast 8k.
Oh I also ate like twice as much food as normal this weekend - going between Husby's parents and my parents means dessert with every meal, real food with every meal, and beer/wine/both with every meal. Um, I'm adding some padding to keep me warm this winter.
Ran home, chugged some G2, patted the dog and told her I'd be back soon to take her out, and went out to do a few more km along the boardwalk.
My goal for this week is to remember to bring my camera along for the run to show you all how lovely Toronto can be along the water!
I also logged 20km this weekend - Sunday was hot and muggy and sucked really hard, but Monday, after sitting in the car for 6 hours, I had an amazing, cool, fast 8k.
Oh I also ate like twice as much food as normal this weekend - going between Husby's parents and my parents means dessert with every meal, real food with every meal, and beer/wine/both with every meal. Um, I'm adding some padding to keep me warm this winter.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
A wedding, a hurricane, a road trip
Well, the road trip was for the wedding, which was in New Jersey, in the hurricane!
We definitely got some weird looks from people on our way whem we said we were headed straight towards it. I'm sure they think Canadians are crazy now.
Highlights of the trip! Stopping at 2 places from Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and getting new stuff for running at an outlet mall in PA.
If you're near Edison, NJ, I MUST IMPLORE you to stop at the Skylark Diner! I had a 'thanksgiving sandwich' with stuffing and turkey and cranberries. Om noms.
Got new shoes and a tee at the Adidas outlet. There is an Adidas store about 3 minutes walk from my work (also a Lululemon...dangerous), but it has NO running stuff - just track suits and street shoes. LAME.
Anyway, wedding was lovely and went off without a hitch or loss of power, we almost got stuck in Edison township after getting off the NJ Parkway, because 4 lanes were flooded out and the little Versa was not up to crossing the giant lake. Driving the wrong way on an empty parkway is an interesting experience!
In Edison township, it seemed like every road we tried to take was a) flooded with a giant lake, b) crossed by a river of fast flowing water, or c) had a tree across it. Would have been helpful if a) we had a map, or b) anywhere that sold maps was open.
Drove the sister and brother in law back, they couldn't get a flight out from Newark, but they could from TO. It was great because it meant that we got to bring back more craft beer than we had anticipated as they had only carryon luggage and couldn't take any! What can I say.....we only get Sam Adams lager here, so this is all "fancy beer!" (Yes even the Michelob Ultra don't judge me I like light beer.)
We definitely got some weird looks from people on our way whem we said we were headed straight towards it. I'm sure they think Canadians are crazy now.
Highlights of the trip! Stopping at 2 places from Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and getting new stuff for running at an outlet mall in PA.
If you're near Edison, NJ, I MUST IMPLORE you to stop at the Skylark Diner! I had a 'thanksgiving sandwich' with stuffing and turkey and cranberries. Om noms.
Got new shoes and a tee at the Adidas outlet. There is an Adidas store about 3 minutes walk from my work (also a Lululemon...dangerous), but it has NO running stuff - just track suits and street shoes. LAME.
Anyway, wedding was lovely and went off without a hitch or loss of power, we almost got stuck in Edison township after getting off the NJ Parkway, because 4 lanes were flooded out and the little Versa was not up to crossing the giant lake. Driving the wrong way on an empty parkway is an interesting experience!
In Edison township, it seemed like every road we tried to take was a) flooded with a giant lake, b) crossed by a river of fast flowing water, or c) had a tree across it. Would have been helpful if a) we had a map, or b) anywhere that sold maps was open.
Drove the sister and brother in law back, they couldn't get a flight out from Newark, but they could from TO. It was great because it meant that we got to bring back more craft beer than we had anticipated as they had only carryon luggage and couldn't take any! What can I say.....we only get Sam Adams lager here, so this is all "fancy beer!" (Yes even the Michelob Ultra don't judge me I like light beer.)
Thursday, August 25, 2011
ramping it up and a competition : \
Ramping it up! I've been making my long runs slightly longer each week, Sunday was a 16km run while listening to Mockingjay. I'll be sad when the book is done, but I think I'll try Harry Potter audiobooks next.
The 16km was not terrible, but my usual route is not built for that distance - it's more of a good 12 to 14km route, so doing 16km involved a lot of looping around, which was kind of lame. I've got my sights on another route for longer distances - along the Don River, on a recreational trail. There should be fewer pedestrians, which will be nice.
Competition! There's a Nike+ competition at work, it's basically the design company vs. the advertising copany. COMPETITIONS REALLY STRESS ME OUT. I don't know why. It's a "collective group distance challenge," so it's not like I am personally responsible for the success/failure of my team, but I really worry that I will be judged if I suck (I know in my head I won't actually be judged). But, I spent the afternoon after clicking "accept" stressing out and I think I had hypertension and high blood pressure and mild panic. I realize that I am crazy.
This weekend there will be no long run, I'm off to New Jersey! Route has been planned around hitting Yogurtland, a Trader Joe's, some outlets, breweries, and a spot that was on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives! So, I will be sad to not run, but fresh legs to start the competition!
The 16km was not terrible, but my usual route is not built for that distance - it's more of a good 12 to 14km route, so doing 16km involved a lot of looping around, which was kind of lame. I've got my sights on another route for longer distances - along the Don River, on a recreational trail. There should be fewer pedestrians, which will be nice.
Competition! There's a Nike+ competition at work, it's basically the design company vs. the advertising copany. COMPETITIONS REALLY STRESS ME OUT. I don't know why. It's a "collective group distance challenge," so it's not like I am personally responsible for the success/failure of my team, but I really worry that I will be judged if I suck (I know in my head I won't actually be judged). But, I spent the afternoon after clicking "accept" stressing out and I think I had hypertension and high blood pressure and mild panic. I realize that I am crazy.
This weekend there will be no long run, I'm off to New Jersey! Route has been planned around hitting Yogurtland, a Trader Joe's, some outlets, breweries, and a spot that was on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives! So, I will be sad to not run, but fresh legs to start the competition!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
I am a bad dog mom.
Pretext - when I am sick/injured, I either assume that a) it is absolutely nothing, or b) it is life-threatening, i.e., this headache is an aneurysm! When people I care about are sick, it's ALWAYS case b. Husband (Husby!) has sore shins after running the other day and I was stressed out that he might have bone cancer. Ridiculous, I know.
So, when we realized last night that our little dog had been drinking out of the toilet, I worried that our toilet cleaner might cause her to stop breathing in the middle of the night and she would die. She's also been really itchy, which we thought might be from toilet water.
Anyway, she breathed all night, in fact she SNORED and trotted around and was in general highly annoying. Husby gave up at 5am, and took her out (he's working nights, so he figured he could go back to sleep all morning, while I had to go to work. When he got back, he said "she's got hives." I have never had hives or really seen hives, and was all "How do you know?" and he said "LOOK at her."
Have you ever seen a dog with hives? IT IS TERRIBLE!!! Google image it if you want to be freaked out a little. It looks like alien nodules all over their body. : (
Which would explain why she was fussy and weird last night. We've already started switching her food, which we think might be the cause of the itch, to something more hypoallergenic - kangaroo. Yes, our dog is eating kangaroo kibble. This supposedly a very hypoallergenic source of protein, and should rule out our chicken/fish based food as the cause of her itch. Husby also ran to get her some benadryl (antihistamine) which he said took the hives away pretty quickly.
All in all she is not hive-y anymore, but I feel like a bad person for wanting her to shut up last night while she was having hivey agony!
Oh, also, the hives could be from either of the 2 new types of treats we gave her last night. : \ One is a chicken-based treat and the other is lamb lung. Lamb lung and kangaroo, this dog's got some expensive tastes. Husby sure does know how to pick high-maintenance ladies.
I'll go back to talking about running and stuff in the next post, probably.
So, when we realized last night that our little dog had been drinking out of the toilet, I worried that our toilet cleaner might cause her to stop breathing in the middle of the night and she would die. She's also been really itchy, which we thought might be from toilet water.
Anyway, she breathed all night, in fact she SNORED and trotted around and was in general highly annoying. Husby gave up at 5am, and took her out (he's working nights, so he figured he could go back to sleep all morning, while I had to go to work. When he got back, he said "she's got hives." I have never had hives or really seen hives, and was all "How do you know?" and he said "LOOK at her."
Have you ever seen a dog with hives? IT IS TERRIBLE!!! Google image it if you want to be freaked out a little. It looks like alien nodules all over their body. : (
Which would explain why she was fussy and weird last night. We've already started switching her food, which we think might be the cause of the itch, to something more hypoallergenic - kangaroo. Yes, our dog is eating kangaroo kibble. This supposedly a very hypoallergenic source of protein, and should rule out our chicken/fish based food as the cause of her itch. Husby also ran to get her some benadryl (antihistamine) which he said took the hives away pretty quickly.
All in all she is not hive-y anymore, but I feel like a bad person for wanting her to shut up last night while she was having hivey agony!
Oh, also, the hives could be from either of the 2 new types of treats we gave her last night. : \ One is a chicken-based treat and the other is lamb lung. Lamb lung and kangaroo, this dog's got some expensive tastes. Husby sure does know how to pick high-maintenance ladies.
I'll go back to talking about running and stuff in the next post, probably.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)