Wed June 29

Woke up late today ... late for me is 6:15am.

Got to work, did some stuff. Made the boss happy. Which is always what I want from work. Felt like death, however.

Picked up some chimichurri sauce for the weekend today. Made it home and just went to town on it. It's awesome stuff, man. Good on steak (or meat) and pretty good on bread, too.

Ate this today:

Breakfast: steak and eggs with coffee

Lunch: half a bagel with cream cheese, water to drink.

Dinner: pizza and chimichurri sauce, a beer to drink. I just didn't want any. SOmething's wrong ... ;)

Did some mobility work, but my legs are still really stiff from workouts of late. Ugh, rugby is taking a toll on my body. Can't wait for this weekend and a lot of MovNat and recovery type of stuff. Something different.

Tuesday June 28

It's all winding down for my kids - but I still have a few miles to go until vacation.

I ate this today:

Breakfast: steak and eggs, coffee on the way in

Lunch: steak wraps; steak, lots of salad/veggies and hot goo in a wrap. Water to drink

Snack: water, salad

After training meal: beer.

I got to rugby training and they played a killy kicking game after warming up. That was their workout for the day. Meh, me ... I don't kick. So, I got out my training tools and cranked the tunes. By the end of my lifting session, I had four or five guys lifting and socializing along with me. I was ok with them learning how to lift, watching me use the Indian Clubs, but some of them actually tried to stop me from finishing my workout. Which was odd.

Did this four rounds:

10 ab roll outs
30 BW squats
20 KB two handed swings / flips (20 kilo bell used)
10 KB snatches (each side)
20 Indian club swings around the head.
10 IC casts each side

after I did that four rounds, I wanted to keep going, so I did three rounds of this:
5 over the head KB tosses for time
10 push ups

After this, I went inside had a beer then went home. Mah, not a bad day.

Sunday June 26, Monday June 27

Sunday was a cool day. We got up early and got to the beach, but left after only a few minutes. Seems one of my children forgot to go to the bathroom before leaving the house, and we had to go home right away.

After church, the magic happened:

then I cleaned my new log, tidied up around my garage and got the house in working order. I even did some work for work, too.

I did this for four rounds after the kids went to bed, in the park across the street from my house:

10 Kb two handed swings to flips
10 KB snatches each side
10 Kb cleans
40 feet of Kb waiter Kb farmer walks (each side)
30 BW squats

After that I got a chance to have a beer in my pool.

I ate this:

Breakfast: coffee and fruit

Snack: fresh fruit, water

Dinner: steak, veggies and rice. Beer to drink

After workout: beer

Monday was pretty cool, too

Ate this:

Breakfast - steak and eggs, coffee on the way in

Lunch: veggie wraps with hot goo and a little steak included. Water to drink

Dinner: ham and pastry at my parents' place. Beer and water to drink.

After work actually got into the now much warmer pool with my youngest two. That was kind of fun. Had some work getting the kids into bed after getting back from my parents' place, and so, no workout for the day, except for the stretching in the pool.

Tuesday is a rugby day.

Saturday June 25

Saturday is a rugby day ... I actually got to sing that song today.

I spent the day in anticipation of playing, only to be let down by my teammates; we played with 11 players, while they had 15. With subs. We lost, of course. But I'm pretty sure they won't forget us. We stole ball from them at line outs, at scrums (6 v 8 scrums and we won .... I was hooking, too. I felt powerful, but let down at the same time).

But we lost the game. Meh, I had fun at the beer up. We won the chugging contest.



I got home, hung out with my family and got things cleaned up around the house. A good day. Ate this:

Breakfast: oatmeal, fresh fruit

Snack before the game: more fresh fruit

Lunch: Pizza and beer.

Dinner: steak, veggies and water to drink

Friday June 24

It's been a day and a half - at least I'm getting this post done ahead of time.

My diet today was not bad:

Breakfast: OJ, almonds, fresh fruit. Coffee on the way in.

Snack: water

Lunch: chicken with carrots and hummus. Water.

Dinner: burger with salad. Beer to drink.

I did some rolling on my legs and especially my ITB bands tonight. Ugh, feels like iron. I don't know what else to say about today - I'm so very tired. It has been a rather rough week this week, and I'm hoping to be able to take it easy, play some rugby and enjoy being a part of a family this weekend.

Thursday June 24

OK, this one started out well, finished the hard way.

Breakfast: BELT and a coffee - 500 calories of yumminess.

Snack: water

Lunch: tuna sandwich, veggies. Water.

Dinner: left over pizza with hotsauce. Then I went to training

After training: beer. And pizza. Not a shining moment in my life.

I got a chance to share my difficulties with keeping up so much training while playing rugby this summer with another player (actually a sometimes reader of this blog, too) after training. He, too, is finding it difficult to keep up lifting and training for rugby. On off days, he focuses on sport skills - passing, kicking and the like- rather than more fitness.

I'm a prop, however. I'm required to hit people. A lot. It'd be nice if I was 20 pounds lighter and a bit more fleet of foot. I'm thinking I have to work on that, and I'm pretty sure that if I work on my endurance more, I will be able to overcome this "ennui" as I call it. My legs are really sore, and I'm thinking the stretching in my gym on Wednesdays and Sundays are helping - I'm just really upset with my diet at the moment. Seriously, I need all the tricks in the book to get through this season and I'm just shooting myself in the foot with my diet.

Tomorrow is another day.

I did get a few comments about what I'm doing after training. Seems people think I'm crazy. In a good way.

Did this three rounds after training last night:

10 two handed Indian Club swings around the head (I need to learn the terminology)
10 Indian club one arm casts (both sides)
10 KB two handed swings (then catch and release)
10 Kb cleans (each side)
10 KB snatches (each side)

then did some ab work - bot very much, though. Was really sore after Tuesday's game and tonight's training. Hamstrings and ITB band really really sore. My shoulders feel good, though.

Wed June 22

So ... things, yeah. Haven't been going as well, even if it is the end of the school year and I have extra work for myself for July.

In spite of the things I should show gratitude, I'm turning myself into a whiny wuss of late.

I read an article today from the Blog of Strong men, or something like that, taking about resiliency. I need some of that right now. Something needs to goad me on.

I did get a family friendly workout in today, though. A nice hour long walk along the same path as Monday. I brought my middle child for a walk, then the rest of the family for a second walk later. Pics were sweet.



Ate this:

breakfast: oatmeal, fresh fruit

Snack: water

Lunch: roast chicken on a bun. Went to the bank to figure them out. Got it done, will be saving some money later on this month, thanks to the over-friendly lady behind the counter.

Dinner: pizza and hotsauce. My bad.

Late night snack: beer. I felt entitled, but I'm beginning to think my "ennui" is thanks to the alcohol I'm consuming these days

Monday and Tuesday June 20 and 21

I dunno ... got me some case of the "Idunwannas" right now. There's a lot of stuff that is being pushed aside for no real good reasons, really.

What ever.

Monday, I was sore. A rugby game and a 5k obstacle course will do that to a set of legs. Work is leveling off at the moment in terms of stress, for which I am eternally grateful. I am getting through the days with grace and humour.

I ate this:

Breakfast: fresh fruit, oatmeal. Coffee on the way in

Snack: water

Lunch: salmon sandwich, veggies and water

Dinner: steak with veggies and salad. Beer to drink.

Recovery walk for about 3k's through a local park. I promised myself I'd do it after the winter had gone. Interesting space to work out in; some steep hills, too.

Tuesday I was really sore. Legs, back were just out of whack. Quads especially.

I ate this:

Breakfast: oatmeal with coffee

Snack: water

Lunch: tuna sandwich, veggies. Water. (I peed the rest of the day every 20 minutes)

Dinner: steak sandwich, hot sauce. Water to drink.

After rugby meal: hummus with crackers and veggies.

I played most of a game of rugby tonight at training. Lots of guys were trying to be selected for the first team. Myself, I played the way I normally do: with heart and a quiet burning intensity. That is what a prop is supposed to do. At the half time break, I heard a lot of yelling from the other team. Later, I was told that the front row of the first team were fighting about how old I was and how I should be easy to beat. And yet, I wasn't letting them treat me like a bitch.

Made me feel good, in a way.

I did get kicked and stepped on the leg with the scrape from that friggin Spartan dude who tripped me. A lot of guys were interested in going next year. I'm hoping they do, 'cuz it was a blast by myself. I can't wait to train with people... ;)

After this game, I did three rounds of this:

80 lb punching bag shoulders x5 each side
10 ab roll outs
25 feet up push ups
30 bw squats.

I had a few beers watching the game I had just finished playing. I can't say I was impressed with my own play; perhaps some others might be. I got home and was sent out for a 18 l thing of water. My wife uses it to make baby formula. So, on the way home, I grabbed the 6 foot section of telephone pole that I have been eying since the snows went away in April. It's friggin' heavy. Seriously. More than 200 lbs, I'm sure. It now is drying out in my garage, waiting for me, taunting me to come and lift it.

Pics later. 12 inch diameter, six feet long of awesome.

Saturday and Sunday June 18 and 19

OK, this was a cool weekend, man.

Saturday I spent most of the afternoon watching a synchronized swimming show that my eldest daughter was a part of. Pretty cool, I must admit. Not my cup of tea to participate in, but as long as my daughter is happy doing it, I'm more than happy to come and bear witness to her long hours in the pool, training. I lasted from noon until 2:30 ... and as soon as the last kid was out of the water, I was on my way to my rugby game, kicking off at 3pm.

No, didn't get there for the kick off, but made it on for just under a half. We were already losing at the time, and so I don't think my participation altered the outcome very much, but I think I did some good work. I got about 35 minutes on the pitch, under very humid and physically demanding situations. I did some stalking of my opposite number (made waaay easier via Facebook).. .and he's played for the local university rugby team for several years, there's even a pic of him holding the championship trophy a few years back. In any case, I think I help hold the set pieces together, spoiled a few of their put ins and generally made myself known on the pitch.

I heard no one laughing when they put me in, either.

I ate ok :

Breakfast: fresh fruit, coffee

Snack while at the show: fresh fruit, water. Lots of water

After the game: beer. Burger.

Snack later: pop corn, beer.

Sunday morning was a real early one. Got up at about 5:30am to get my kit together for the day. Cleaned out the rugby bag, making room for a few items needed for the Spartan Race.

Literally I was there for 20 minutes and I ran into a guy I used to coach in rugby. We hung out for a bit. Made things a bit more fun, really. I also taunted a few of my rugby friends about it after the game on Saturday. Seems they all want to do it next year ... if I remind them of it.

I had a pretty good time. As of right now, the results aren't online. I will get them and post them here.

Man, a really good time. I did take a few pics of the place, but this in merely one.

Friday June 17

Something is up with my laptop. I'm using my iPhone as a backup track pad for my Macbook. Again. I like the fact that I can do this, but I'm bothered by the fact that I have to.

Ugh, credit card bills are mounting, my wife is getting stressed about money ... and life goes on. I'm working for a living, making a lot of money doing a job I love and with an ability to keep fit. My kids are happy, my life, overall, is pretty damn good. What else can I ask for?

In any case, I ate this today:

Breakfast: fresh fruit at work, coffee on the way in. Leftovers from a meeting yesterday. Melon, strawberries and other fruit goodies.

Lunch: samosa, ice cream cake (a thin slice, relax) Nibbled on some other food, just to make people feel good. Nothing seriously calorically important. OJ. Lots of OJ. A small get together/pot luck at work. Some weird stuff coming out of my body after this.

Dinner: Salmon and rice. Water to drink.

I got home and my youngest daughter wanted into the gym again. We worked on push ups, wall assisted hand stands and planks today. I stretched while she did her stuff. I'm finding that Fridays and Wednesdays are getting really tough to do anything "hard core" as I am just too sore from Rugby. Instead of doing nothing, however, I am finding that I can fit some gentle Yoga and/or stretching into such situations. Seriously, it's helping.

I should have taken pictures today, but forgot. It's a rather slick set up I got there. Can hardly wait until I get all three of my kids working out in the gym together. The mats I purchased last fall are working out wonderfully.

Thursday June 16

Ok, I'm trying to get back into a good habit by writing the first part of this post while I'm at work, on a break. Later, after rugby, I will finish this post and hopefully, get back into my positive habits of writing and just keeping myself updated.

I've been reading 1984 again. Just finished it. Now, reading Hamlet. Man, what awesome pieces of literature. Good stuff. Doing lots of writing and thinking about that these days.

My six year old asked me to promise her that we'd get a workout in as soon as I got home from work. How's that for motivation? We're going to be working on her gymnastics routines and skills over the summer. Thursday, technically, isn't her day ... but as long as I have a willing child, I'll help her out. Who wouldn't?


I ate this:

Breakfast: oatmeal and fresh fruit, coffee

Lunch: tuna from the can, prunes, samosa and a sliver of blueberry pie (awesome). Water to drink.

Dinner: a bit of roast beef, hummus with carrots

Post workout meal: beer. Calsberg girls were at the club. Awesome.

Did a 90 - 120 minutes of rugby training tonight. After that, did four rounds of this:

10 KB snatches, 20 kilo bell used
10 KB cleans
10 Zercher squats with 60 lb sandbag
20 feet up push ups

after that, I was pretty beat, so I went in to meet the girls. That was awesome. No pictures, as I like being married .... ;) Just kidding, I sat and had a pint and watched the rather clumsy young ladies teeter on 5 inch spike heels in my clubhouse. Kinda funny, really. Got a chance to talk S and C with a new guy, too. Seems I'm going to get some company in my after training training.

Wednesday June 16

OK, this post ... I dunno. I'm just absent minded I guess. I mean, I should be keeping this updated every day - it's a daily journal, for goodness' sake. But ...I dunno. Just going through something at the moment, something that is taking me away from this blog.

I did train, however briefly, today.

I did two rounds of this before I was puked on by my son:

20 lunges
20 KB snatches both sides 30 lb KB used
6 chin ups
20 push ups
20 BW squats

Yeah, not the most hardcore workout, but I got something done. I had my two younger children in the gym with me, and the older one wouldn't sit with the younger one while I did my sets ... kinda disheartening, to be honest. The six year old got a pretty good time in, climbing and learning stuff; I guess mine comes tomorrow.

Meh, I'm not available to play this weekend. Might have to see if something else is on.

I ate this:

Breakfast: fresh fruit, coffee.

Snack: water

Lunch: tuna on salad, hummus with veggies, water to drink.

Dinner: roast beef on a bun, veggies with hummus. Water.

Watching the Canucks lose: beer.

Mon and Tues une 13 and 14

I'm thinking this didn't happen, as the Canucks depressed the heck out of me.

Monday, ate this:

oatmeal, coffee on the way in

Lunch was salad with tuna, hummus with veggies, water to drink

Dinner was roast beef with a salad with beer to drink

My body was hurting, so I stretched and had a few moments in the gym.

I woke up Tuesday feeling awesome. Seriously.

Ate this:

Breakfast oatmeal and a banana. Coffee on the way in

Snack water

Lunch; the same: tuna, salad, hummus, veggies

Played at least 90 minutes of rugby. Then did three rounds of this:

Farmers walks with KB and 50 lb dumbbell, 50 feet x 3
30 push ups
20 two handed KB swings (20 kilo bell used)
10 ab roll outs

after this, I did 10 full body over the head/back arch throws of the 30 lb KB.

Whoa, I'm getting kinda frunstrated with this Macbook - the touch pad is all gunked up. Needs some TLC, I guess.

Sunday June 12

I needed some recovery work done today. I wanted to get up early and do something, unlike weeks previous where I just lay in bed. This time, I used my children to guilt myself into getting out of bed and getting some work done.

I woke them up about 6:30 am, got ready myself and took my van to the beach. Of course, my van just happens to have a kettlebell in the back ... and so I got to the beach and got this done for four rounds:

warm up : constant movement for ten minutes: skipping, sprinting, leg lunges, arm circles, squats, literally anything.

four rounds of this:

30 two handed KB swings
20 KB jerks each side
30 feet farmers walk/suitcase walk/waiter walk
30 BW squats

I should have included some of Mark deGrasse's "Beach Animal Movements", as ther was no one on the beach at that hour... but I forgot. Still it was cool to get back to my house, have a shower, then go to church.

Way cool.

Ate this:

Before workout: water

After church: eggs, strawberries, melon, coffee to drink

snack: almonds and banana

Dinner: two slices of pizza, beer to drink.

the last meal of the day was a result of poor planning, but at least I got a chance to sit with my kids and eat as a family. I'm serious, that is this week's top priority: eating with my family forces me to eat better, and so that is what I will work on.

Sat June 10

Like the song says ... "Saturday is a rugby day" ... and so ... I played rugby. I played at hooker, wore the number 2 jersey and felt pretty good for the game. It was pretty freaking warm by the end of the game. We won, by the way. With some help from a rather odd referee and fitness.

I tried to work on specific things in this game, most notably my tackling. I did not miss any big tackles, I made one rather important one on our five meter line, stopping a try coming from their line out. We won our scrums and won a few of theirs, thanks to me being a lot stronger in the second half of the game than their hooker. However, I was disappointed in my throwing in the line out. Everything else was decent.

90 minutes of that was enough. I did some stretching after the game, got to a local gas station for a 1.5l bottle of chilled water and got my butt home to get to my brother's place for a family thing. I didn't pee until much much later.

Which is kinda scary when you think about it.

Anyway, I promised my kids to get them up early Sunday to go to the beach.

Friday June 10

I think the word of the week was "ennui" - just stuff isn't working for me and I'm feeling more than just a little let down by my own actions, the actions of others and stuff that is just going on around me.

Some days I just have to look around at the mess in my house and recall that there are an awful lot of people who would love to trade spots with me. I love the messes my children make because they are with me to make them ... that usually does the trick, but this week was a tough sell for that stuff, man. Seriously.

I'm looking forward to next week, as I am going to go back to habits that work for me, not against me. At least my children will be around more for prepared dinners that we can enjoy together. Man, the last few weeks, I can't count the number of times I've eaten alone!

Ate this:

Breakfast: bagel and coffee on the way in.

Lunch lasagna and veggies with hummus, water to drink

Snack: ham sandwich. Beer to drink

Dinner ... no real dinner. Shameful.

Snack: chips and beer while watching the hockey game

Yeah, the diet is sucking this week. Tomorrow is a rugby day, followed by a family function then on to Sunday.

Blink...It's almost Monday again...

Thurs June 9

ok, Thursday is a rugby day ... and so... I got into it.

I ate this:

Breakfast: oatmeal, banana and coffee on the way in to work

Snack: was water - lots of it

Lunch was lasagna with hot sauce ... seriously delicious.

snack was more lasagna. almonds and water

after training was beer, lasagna and... feeling the chill of the wind.

Did this:

90 minutes of rugby training in the heat. It was all right - still need to work on my tackling in an open area. Up close to the ruck, I'm pretty confidant. Taking the ball into contact is also good for me - but seriously, my tackling in an open area, I jsut suck at.

After rugby training, did this for four rounds:

10 shoulderings of a 70 lb training bag
20 feet up push ups
10 ab roll outs

I got to slam that training bag to the earth like there was no tomorrow. Thta was good.

On to friggin Friday...

Wed June 8

whoa, that was a long day.

Ate this:

Breakfast tim horton's belt with a coffee

snack: water

lunch: nothing

snack: small bag of Mrs Vikie's salt and vingegar chips

Dinner: small section of lasagna, water to drink.

After workout recovery: beer and watching Hangover2 online with my wife.

S'all good, got this done five rounds:

30-45 seconds of battling ropes
20 two handed KB swings
10 KB cleans each side
10 KB rows each side
80 feet farmers walks with 50 lb each side
20 BW squats
30 push ups

That was good. Then got home, set up the laptop to watch the movie with my wife. We're good.

Tuesday June 7

Yeah, something is up with me. Just not "into" stuff at the moment. I don't know if it's the not sleeping well, perhaps a little burn out or something else. Just not sure.

I ate this:

Breakfast: steak and eggs, coffee and water on the way in.

Lunch: tuna sandwich, veggies and hummus. water to drink

Snack: water, water and some more water.

Dinner: I nibbled/grazed until about 5pm. Cheese and crackers (not many), ham sandwich. Water to drink.

Went to rugby training, but there was a u20 side playing against my club team. I just didn't want to get in there for an exhibition game. Not this year. I shook some hands, then went home. I did some mobility and stretching on my own in my garage. After that, did the weekly grocery run.

Just feeling miserable. Low. Crappy.

Monday June 6

Ugh, I really don't like Mondays. Seriously.

I ate this:

breakfast: sausage bagel belt from Tim hortons, Coffee on the way in

snack: water

Lunch: tuna sandwich, lots of veggies, water to drink

Dinner: roast beef sandwich, water to drink. Yeah, I know. Too much meat. I get it.

I did this three rounds before being interrupted so my wife could get her walk in:

20 BW squats
20 feet up push ups
20 KB two handed swings (40 lb bell used)
10 KB cleans (40 lb bell used)
10 step ups with 10 lb weights in each hand
7 chin ups

Did a long warm up, too. took the weight of the dead lift bar and worked it as an overhead squat, did some wall stands, tumbling... oh, it felt good after. Still my right arm is nagging me to rest it. Meh, whatever.

Sunday June 5

Because of the late start to the rugby game, I went to church this morning. I don't hate getting out of bed to go to church, but I prefer to go Saturday afternoon. It's just me, I guess.

Ate this:

Breakfast: eggs and toast, coffee to drink

Lunch: tuna, veggies. Water to drink

Dinner: roast beef, fresh from the pot. A little overdone, but that was because someone turned the slow cooker back on after I turned it off. Veggies, salad. Water to drink

Did a recovery workout today - my shoulders are really sore. Right bicep is just feeling funny, as is the triceps. I think I've pulled something there.

Did this four rounds:

10 BW squats
6 chin ups
20 two handed KB swings
10 KB cleans, each side
stretches

Felt good to get something done today.

Saturday June 4

Still am not getting what is going on with my blog.

Hmmm...

Saturday is a rugby day ... and I played. I played hooker for a team that should have kept the ball tight - that is, with the forwards. A lot. Instead, the ball kept getting kicked away; which is bad. It is at that point you have to go and tackle the other team. Personally, I'd rather the backs knock the ball on so I can have another scrum.

I won all my scrums and stole a few, too. Lots of tackles, lots of carries...and we lost because the ball kept being kicked away. Seriously. Injuries didn't help, either.

It was a long game.

Ate this:

Breakfast: oatmeal with water to drink

snack: apple before game time

Dinner: burger with salad. Beer to drink.

Friday June 3

hmm ... can't understand what's happening.

Friday, ate this:

Breakfast: fruit and coffee

Lunch - tuna, no salad. Prunes and dates. Carrots and hummus, water to drink

Dinner: Burger, lots of veggies, salad. Beer to drink

I did get a short workout in, low volume, low intensity. Lots of mobility and stretching, as tomorrow is a rugby day.

Thursday June 2

Again, the post was deleted before I got published.

Again, ugh.

I ate this:

Breakfast: oatmeal, fresh fruit, coffee to drink

Snack: coffee to drink

Lunch: tuna (no salad, was pretty gross) hummus, prunes and some dates. Water to drink

Dinner: roast beef and veggie wraps. They were good.

After rugby snack: beer with cheese on cracker with some peppers on top. I know this was not good, but I had it just the same. Delish! And ... I'll make up for it Friday and this weekend.

After a 90 minute rugby training session I did this for four rounds:

60 lb bag shoulders each side
20 feet up push ups
10 one leg lunges

in the middle of this, worked on 25 greco roman wrestling lift with hte 60 lb punching bag. That felt good. Still, there are some that were making fun of my training as they walked back to the bar. Meh, whatever...

Wed June 1

Good day, doing this late, as I just noticed that I had not clicked on Publish now ... and instead deleted the post.

Ugh.

I ate this:

Breakfast: oatmeal, banana, coffee to drink

Lunch: salad and tuna, hummus and veggies. Water to drink.

Dinner: roast beef with veggies. Water to drink.

Went for a 5k run tonight. Felt good, used the iPhone with the Nike+ app. Worked pretty well.