Bucket list Updated!

I started my Bucket List back in 2010 and thought I'd update it a bit. A select few are specifically on my 30 things to complete before/during my 30th year. I'll highlight those in orange.


Note: The newly completed items on my list are marked with a date without being crossed off.

• Cycle across Canada for something I believe in
• Find a starfish in the Ocean (Completed in the Bahamas, April 2010)
• Take a father-daughter trip to soak in some European architecture :)
• Take a mother-daughter trip
• Travel to:
• Tokyo (to visit my brother and see his life over there) Planned for March 2012!
• Italy
• Ireland
• Switzerland (my mum's favourite European country)
• Newfoundland
• California (Completed Dec 2009)
• Romania (Completed Summer 2003)
• London (Completed August 2003)
• Austria
• Papua New Guinea (to see my cousin and get a glimpse of her life)
• BC (Completed when I was little, but revisited as an adult June 2009)
• NYC (Completed for the first time on a grade 12 drama trip)
• Texas
• Boston (Completed October 2010)
• Africa & go on a safari
• Arizona
• The Wave, Utah (and photograph it!)
• Greece
• The peak of Mount Sinai (Completed August 2010)
• Spain
• Tanzania
• Argentina
• Chile
• Nepal
• Bora Bora or Fiji
• Barcelona
• The Galapagos Islands
• Use nothing but a bike for transportation for an entire month (aside from cross-Canada tour)
• Become a published author
• Couch-surf (Completed May 2011, in Memramcook, New Brunswick)
• Have my artwork displayed in an art gallery
• Participate in a worship service at Westminster Abbey in London (Completed August 2003)
• Own a dog  (:
• Photograph the International AIDS conference
• Take a train trip! (Completed May & June 2011 from New Brunswick to Montreal, and then on to Toronto)
• Photograph a destination wedding (The Bahamas! Completed May 2010)
• Volunteer in Africa doing something related to the AIDS epidemic
• Fall in love
• Have some babies
• See a Shakespearean play in the Globe Theatre in London (Completed August 2003)
• Go an entire year without buying anything new (shoes, furniture, clothes, etc.)!
• Spend up to one month living on reserves learning about the history of Canada's Aboriginal peoples
• Publish a photography book (going to print Dec 2011!!)
• Sell my photography book in a book store
• Go SCUBA diving or snorkeling in tropical waters (Completed in Dahab, Egypt. August 2010)
• Live debt free
• Learn to speak/understand
• Arabic
• Hebrew
• Publish a coffee table book showing the similarities between Israelis and Palestinians
• Ride a camel in Egypt
• Grow a vegetable garden
• Pierce my nose :) (Completed February 2011)
• Read 30 books
• See Rod Stewart in concert
• See Stuart McLean's Vinyl Cafe Crhistmas show
• Launch a business branding company (I have my first clients. The official launch is planned for Dec 2011)
• Move & make my new place a creative and inspiring space (moving date Jan 1st, 2012!)
• Buy a really great piece of used furniture and re-furbish it
• Upgrade my photography equipment to Nikon's professional line
• Re-brand Red Umbrella & launch new website and business cards
• Host a potluck for local professional photographers
• Enter a photograph in one of the WPPI photography competitions
• Learn to read lips
• Go to bed before midnight every night for a month! (As I write this post at 1:30 a.m.)
• Join a choir (Completed December 2010)
• Take a train trip with Erin Leis!
• Tithe consistently
• Go on a hot air balloon ride (preferably in Petra but anywhere will do to complete this in my 30th year)
• Learn to surf (Completed May 2011 in Monterey Bay, California)
• Swim in 5+ oceans or seas (Completed: Pacific, Atlantic, Red Sea, Dead Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Sea of Galilee)
• Learn to cook a Thai dish and an Indian dish
• Open an Etsy store
• Visit the Toronto Zoo
• Present about Israel-Palestine in 100 Cities
1. Kitchener (Grandview Baptist Church, September 2009)
2. Puslinch (Crieff Hills, October 2009)
3. Waterloo (University of Waterloo, March 2010)
4. New Hamburg (Private event, 2010)
5. Jerusalem (August 2010)
6. Toronto (Morningside-High Park Presbyterian Church, February 2011)
• Present about Israel-Palestine in each Province in 2011
1. BC
2. Alberta
3. Saskatchewan
4. Manitoba
5. Ontario
6. Quebec
7. New Brunswick
8. Nova Scotia
9. PEI
10. Newfoundland and Labrador

What's on YOUR bucket list??  I'd love to hear it. Maybe I'll add some of your ideas to my list!  (:

Twelve Days!?

I can't believe it's been twelve days since my last training post! Talk about slacking!! I'm glad to report that I have been working out even though I haven't been blogging about it. Okay- so maybe I haven't worked out every day but I am trying to keep at it. I'm not going to lie, it's super difficult to keep motivated at it while I'm stuck here in cold Canada while Carolyn (BWC's blogger) is in Jerusalem and Julia (BWC cyclist) is in Bolivia! To be perfectly honest, I was on Trip Advisor today looking up flights to Cali...oh how I wish I could spend my birthday weekend there -I'd bike every day and eat avocados!

Here's the truth of the matter. Coach Chris :) directed me to move from the elliptical to either running, swimming or cycling. This was fine for the first week or two because I was staying at a hotel and they had a decent gym which allowed me to get my full cardio workouts in using the treadmill and pool. Once I got home though I had a choice between my elliptical and my bike (or running too I guess...but I don't want my runners to get all slushy). I opted for my bike. It was one of those freezing cold days out and my chain fell off while still in my driveway. Unable to handle the freezing temperatures on my bare fingers, I gave in and didn't do my cardio that day...or the few following that.

Nearing the end of last week I figured doing a workout on my elliptical would be better than nothing so I started up on that again. I also added in some hot yoga and have been doing that two or three times a week (which I love and fully attribute to my lack of blogging - I'm wiped by the end of the day).

Peace :)

Hann

Training: Feb 10, 2011

Exciting announcement!!

I'm adding a new segment to my blog. In addition to physical training for our cross-country tour we're also busy with our "brain" training (aka learning more about Israel-Palestine). So, when you pop by to read the physical training blog posts make sure you also check out my updates about books I've read, conversations I've had or documentaries I've watched. :) I'll start this tomorrow (Friday)...so keep an eye open for it!

Onto my physical training journal...

Feb 10, 201

Coach's challenges:

60-90 minutes of cardio maintaining a heart rate of 160-180 - either swimming, biking or running. No elliptical.

Muscular workout should target quads, abductors, and core

Measurements:

Weight: 132

Todays goals:

Complete 60 minutes of cardio and maintain a heart rate of 175-180

100 Plank "side rotations" (so 50 per side)

End with the three yoga moves (shown below!)

Achievements:

Treadmill

Setting: Cardio

Time: 30 minutes

Distance: 1.72 miles

Calories: 224

Heart rate: 174

Plank side rotation things: 75/side (25 more than my goal!)

Swimming

30 minutes of laps

Thoughts:

Today went well! It's been nice having access to a pool & treadmill - Saturday will be my last day with access to them unless someone has any suggestions :)

I'm not breaking as much of a sweat on the treadmill as I did on the elliptical although I feel it a lot more in my legs. My body is nice and sore today (and yesterday, and the day before haha). I love the swimming too because I can feel it in my arms and i've always loved the water...it's amazing.

In case anyone's interested, these are the three yoga moves I end with. They were suggested in a cycling magazine I've been reading.

The Bridge

The Butterfly

Thread The Needle

Training: Feb 9, 2011

Feb 9, 2011

Coach's challenges:

60-90 minutes of cardio maintaining a heart rate of 160-180 - either swimming, biking or running. No elliptical.

Muscular workout should target quads, abductors, and core

Measurements:

Weight: 131.6 lbs

Todays goals:

Complete 60 minutes on the treadmill and maintain a heart rate of 175-180

100 Plank "side rotations" (so 50 per side)

End with the three yoga moves

Achievements:

I accidently reset the treadmill twice (I know, right?! So irritating). I always watch my heart rate and randomly check the time and distance so I can report those.

Setting: Cardio

Time: 45 minutes

Distance: 4 Miles

Calories: not sure

Strides: no idea

Heart rate: 175-177

Plank side rotation things: 75/side (25 more than my goal!)

Thoughts:

This wasn't very challenging at all. I had to stop at 45 because of my knee so I did 30 minutes of laps in the pool to make up for it.

I was happy with my core exercise today and pushed myself beyond my original goal. It always comes down to pushing as far as a possibly can so I was happy to do that extra little bit. I can still feel it in my arms haha.

Training: Feb 04, 2011

Where have I been?!

I've been away from my elliptical this week. I was pulled out of town for most of the week due to a family emergency. While away I was able to continue with my muscular workouts and pushed those a bit harder since I couldn't do my 60 mins of cardio. 

Feb 5, 2011

Coach's challenges:

60 minutes of cardio maintaining a heart rate of 160-180

Muscular workout should target quads, abductors, and core

Measurements:

Weight: 133.6 lbs

Todays goals:

Complete 60 minutes on my elliptical and maintain a heart rate of 165-170

100 Plank "side rotations" (so 50 per side)

End with the three yoga moves

Achievements:

Setting: Cross-training

Time: 55 minutes

Distance: 4 something (note book isn't here)

Calories: 400 something

Strides: ?

Heart rate: 167-172 for most of it. last 15 minutes were between 161 and 167

Thoughts:

After being away from my cardio for a few days I definitely felt it. Although, I also didn't eat before working out and I know that made a difference too. I pushed myself pretty hard today though, and by the end I was done (cut it 5 minutes short for the first time ever...boo). While I was away this week I focused on my quads and core as requested by the coach so while I was doing cardio today my quads were begging me to stop haha. I pushed through though and did the best I could.

My main thought WHILE I'm working out is "could I go any harder right now?" and usually the answer is "yes" so I push my self as hard as I can for that time. I know that near the end I won't be able to push as hard as at the beginning but if I'm always pushing my hardest I know I'll see the results I'm looking for.

Jan 26, 2011

Coach's challenges:

60 minutes of cardio maintaining a heart rate of 160-180

Target quads, abductors, and core

Measurements:

Weight: 133 lbs

Todays goals:

Complete 60 minutes on my elliptical and maintain a heart rate of 170 or higher

Plank for one minute

End with the three main yoga moves that are good for keeping hips and thigh muscles loose

Achievements:

Setting: Cross-training

Time: 60 minutes

Distance: 5.09

Calories: 502.3

Strides: 6926

Heart rate: 171 and I maintained that for the entire workout :)

Thoughts:

I had to keep it a bit quick today (didn't do as much muscular). I was on a tight schedule because I went to Toronto to see the taping of George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight & pitch the idea of having him interview the Because We Can team at the end of April, but I digress. The workout went well. I was happy about being able to maintain my target heart rate of 170 though I definitely pushed my absolute hardest to do so.

Training: Jan 25, 2011

Jan 24, 2011

I have a confession to make. I didn't do any training yesterday. In fact, I did the opposite and ate a bunch of stuff I shouldn't have (cake, brownies, cookies, etc.) haha. Whoopsie!

I'm happy to say, though, that I'm back on track!

Jan 25, 2011

Coach's challenges:

60 minutes of cardio maintaining a heart rate of 160-180

Look into workouts that can target quads, abductors, and core

Measurements:

Weight: 133 lbs (nearly two pounds lower than Jan 21!)

Todays goals:

Complete 60 minutes on my elliptical and maintain a heart rate of 170 or higher

50 sit-ups

50 side sit-ups on each side

50 sit-ups with legs up

50 push-ups (even if I can't get down the whole way haha)

Plank for one minute

End with three yoga moves good for keeping hips and thigh muscles loose

Achievements:

Setting: Cross-training

Time: 60 minutes

Distance: 5.13

Calories: 514.3

Strides: 7038

Heart rate: 173 for first 45 minutes, 169/170 for last 15 minutes

Thoughts:

I almost reached all my goals. I pushed hard to maintain a heart rate above 170. At 45 minutes I felt faint so I stopped for about 5 minutes and grabbed a banana, graham crackers and extra water. I started back up again and was able to get my hr back up to 170, though it floated around a bit above and a bit below for that last 15 minutes.

The muscular stuff was fine, though I didn't really feel challenged by it. I did 5 reps of 10 for each target area and allowed about 10 seconds between each rep. I only did 40 push-ups though.

I've been looking into other exercises to incorporate as Chris requested. I'll put those in tomorrow!

I'm feeling really great tonight and my knee hasn't bothered me much at all.

Training: Jan 23, 2011

Jan 23, 2011

It's SUNDAY!! I've decided to designate Sundays as a break day from the usual workout (for now - this will likely change as our big bike ride approaches). I'll be going to an hour-long hot yoga class every Sunday afternoons.

Also, as a side note, I've started stretching for at least 10 minutes in the morning and again before bed.

Todays goals:

Participate in my first ever hot yoga class (60 minutes long)

When given the option of multiple levels difficulty, do the most difficult one

Be aware of the muscles being used

Achievements:

I completed the class & all goals :)

Thoughts:

I felt amazing after this class - just purely and completely healthy and refreshed. I'm not sure how else I can really describe it. During the class there were a few times I was challenged to hold the pose for the full length but I did! I appreciated this as a workout because it worked my entire body.

I'm looking forward to really pushing myself this coming week to work up to a consistent heart rate of 180 on the elliptical. Let's see how I do!

Peace.

Training: Jan 22, 2011

Jan 22, 2011

Coach's challenge:

I didn't get a chance to read his response to yesterday's progress until just now...so I just applied what he'd said last time.

 

Measurements:

Weight: 134.3 lbs (nearly two pounds lower than Jan 21!)

Todays goals:

Complete 60 minutes on my elliptical

Maintain a heart rate of no lower than 160

Achievements:

Setting: Cross-training

Time: 60 minutes

Distance: 4.68

Calories: 444.3

Strides: 5962

Heart rate: 168

Thoughts:

I reached all my goals (though they weren't tough today haha)!! My main goal was to take it as easy as I could while still maintaining a heart rate above 160. I didn't want to push my knee too hard today. My heart rate hovered 168 and 169 the whole time. My leg  muscles were sore before I even started haha and knowing I'd be biking right after this workout I tried to take it a bit easy. My knee was fine today :)

Training: Jan 21, 2011

Jan 21, 2011

Coach's challenge:

Coach Chris (haha...you love that don't you! This might be the only time you'll hear/read that) challenged me to get my heart rate above 160 for the duration of my workout while still keeping a close watch on my knee to prevent further injury.

Measurements:

Weight: 136 lbs (two pounds lower than Jan 19th!)

Todays goals:

Complete 60 minutes on my elliptical

Maintain a heart rate of no lower than 160

Go 5 (I don't know if it measures in KM or miles...haha I should probably figure that out)

Begin muscular work as well

Achievements:

Setting: Cross-training

Time: 60 minutes and a 5 minute cool-down

Distance: 5.16

Calories: 505.2

Strides: 6860

Heart rate: 171

Muscular:

20 sit-ups

20 right side sit-ups

20 left side sit-ups

20 sit-ups with legs raised

20 push-ups

Thoughts:
I reached all my goals!! I'm pretty happy about that :)

I pushed myself harder today which you can see in the numbers. I maintained a heart rate of between 168 and 175 the whole time - mostly near 171. My leg muscles started to feel the burn around 25 minutes. I was able to keep my knee under control.

As for the muscular work out I didn't really push myself but really just wanted to shower haha. The push ups I did full out but only made it about half-way down each time. I figure that's better than straining my muscle by going all the way down (which would happen). I'll keep up with the push-ups and hopefully get a bit lower each day :)