2014 YEAR IN REVIEW

As this is the last day of December 2014 it’s the perfect time to reflect on the past year.  Pretty much every month had some highlights.  

January:

We both signed up for the Sole Sisters 5k in June and Twin 2 signed up her bff Flo to run it as well.  This would be Flo's first race.

March:

For years we had been talking about signing up for the Army Run.  We were hoping they would finally have a 10k option but they did not.  5k or ½ marathon were our only options.  We decided that since we were traveling to Ottawa we would go big or stay home.  We knew we weren't staying home so we signed ourselves up for the Army Run ½ marathon. 

April:

Let the ½ marathon training begin.  It certainly was a loooooong summer.  April was also when we started our blog.

Many kms were spent in this trail

May:

MEXICO - Both of us, along with Twin 2’s husband and a friend went to Mexico.  We turned brown and the world was made right.

 

ONYX TURNS 1 – Onyx is now 1 years old...time for a new puppy!? 

Onyx with her birthday cookie

 June:

SOLE SISTERS 5K WITH FLO - This month was the first run/race for Flo and she seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed it.  It’s the best ‘race’ to run for a beginner.  We had a lot of fun and we were so proud of her. 

BSB ROAD TRIP - In May the Backstreet Boys came to Hali for a concert but they were playing here the night we arrived back from Mexico.  That being the case Twin 2 didn’t get tickets as she didn’t know if the plane would arrive on time.  Twin 2 found out that one of her co-workers was a BSB fan and agreed to do a BSB/shopping trip with her.  The biggest highlight was the Bronze VIP package with the Boys.  It’s VIP platinum next time for this twin. 

July:

Year 35!  Big plans for this year!  Twin 2 changed positions in the gov’t (same position/same department but a slightly different section).  We also went over to PEI to run another 5k with Flo, the Cox & Palmer run.  Flo must really enjoy running :) 

September:

ARMY RUN ½ MARATHON.  This is what all the training was for all summer when we ended up with a runners tan.  It feels like quite the accomplishment to have one under our belt.  It wasn't the most ideal weather/circumstances during the run but it is starting to make us feel like we need to run another ½ and prove to ourselves that we are capable and can do better. 

NEW PUPPY – Now that Onyx is 1 why not get a new puppy?  PEARL was a new addition to Twin 1’s home.  Things are going great so far.  In January we plan to train Onyx and Pearl to run with us.  We’ll keep you posted on how that goes :) 

 

October:

BLT 5k FUN RUN WITH CC & CF.  This run marked the first race for two co-workers/friends of ours.  We were both extremely proud of both of them as they have gotten their 5k PB so far during this run.  CF even went on to sign up for another 5k in December with her fam.  Hope to run with these two ladies in the new year. 

 

That about sums it up for the highlights of the year.  It was fun to look back at each month and remember what happened as we tend to forget so quickly as time passes.  

Now on to making goals for 2015.  

 

Tip Tuesday

Stress can be distracting.  When stressed out, run on a flat, well-lit surface, and try to pick a scenic route you find calming.  Run in a place that will help you be present in the moment.  Another option: Hop on the treadmill and crank your iPod.

Motivational Monday

Motivational Monday

Friday Funny

Workout Wednesday

Wednesday, Dec 10^th – Both Twins took a rest day today

Thursday, Dec 11^th –  Twin 1 did scheduled Video

Friday, Dec 12^th – Twin 1 did scheduled Video

Saturday, Dec 13^th – Twin 1 did 2 hour walk at Ashburn

Sunday, Dec 14^th –  Twin 1 did 1 hour walk at Point Pleasant

Monday, Dec 15^th –  Twin 1 did scheduled video.  Twin 2 did a 30 min walk on the treadmill.

Tuesday, Dec 16^th - Twin 1 did scheduled video.

Twin 2 sucks!

9 More days till Christmas!!

Tip Tuesday

Stay motivated by making a date to meet someone for a run.  There's no wimping out when someone is waiting.  Winter group runs are another way to make a commitment through the colder months.

Motivational Monday

Friday Funny

Lazy Blog Post

Someone is an Adidas sports bra fan

Festive Special - Twin 1 made a special delivery for Twin 2 and her hubby on Saturday (this is half eaten). 

Along with the Festive Special comes temptation.

Twin 1 has a Reindeer Tree....Twin 2 has a Fern Tree

Packaged PB Cups all ready for delivery (we still have 100 more in the freezer)

Workout Wednesday

We did better this week!! We should have Advent Calendars every month. May we can stock up after Xmas.

Wednesday, Dec 3 -  Both Twins did video even though it was dark and rainy when we got home and we just felt like getting in our jammies and watching TV.

Thursday, Dec 4 - Both Twins did video.  Twin 2 almost didn't do it but at 8:30 p.m. she decided to do laundry so why not work out while she's waiting.

Friday, Dec 5 -Both Twins did video again .... it's Friday night so they were done right after work or else it would not have gotten done.  That is a guarantee.

Saturday, Dec 6 -Today is rest day.  Twin 1 took the dogs for a run at Ashburn.

Sunday, Dec 7 -  Today is a video day but it's our last night of Zumba so we opted out of the video for this week.

Monday, Dec 8 -Twin 1 did video.  Twin 2 not so much. She picked today as her 'rest' day as opposed to Saturday.

Tuesday, Dec 9 - Twin 1 did video. Twin 2 took another rest day (tee hee). She had a little Christmas supper get together with some of her peeps from work and after the three course turkey dinner she was too full to do one and went to bed. 

Tip Tuesday

Doing fast sit-ups recruits more muscles than slow ones do, and that translates overall ab strength - and speed.

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Motivational Monday & Other Things

Is anyone as colour/patterned un-coordinated as Twin 2.  This is what she's been throwing on in the evenings after work.  She thought it would be better than pjs.  Sometimes she'll leave the house like this but at least puts a jacket on to partially hide the outfit. 

Twin 2 doesn't usually go out for coffee with her work peeps because they hit up Starbucks and she finds it very hard to not give in to temptation and ends up buying a treat.  Mr. Snowman was calling her name.  Twin 1 told her to take a pic for the blog and lucky this is how much was left when the pic was taken.  A few minutes later it disappeared.

And last but certainly not least .... here is a pic of CF's Santa Shuffle medal.  Makes us kinda regret not signing up.  Good for her.  SHE is our motivation! 

Friday Funnies & Shout Out to CF

Shout out to CF who is running the Santa Shuffle tomorrow with her fam jam. Good luck! You will do great! We want a pic of medal #2!

Now onto the funnies:

What have we been up to?

Last Thursday we had to go pick up a parcel from the Post office which is now located in the Guardian.  They conveniently placed the parcel pick up in the back of the store which means we could not walk by without passing and buying these.  The first (of many) CHOCOLATE BALLS of the season.

Every night after work and on weekends Twin 1 has to take her pups out to release their energy and the goal is to make them look like this at the end of it.

On Saturday morning Twin 1 went with our friend to start his Christmas Shopping.  He bought a few things along with A & W for lunch. TEEN BURGER!!

After Twin 1 finished Christmas shopping with him she went home and then picked up Twin 2 and they went out to Tantallon Canadian Tire and walked in and saw this lovely creature.

It makes you want to buy a white tree doesn't it?

As you know Twin 2 is packing up her house so while Twin 1 was over on Sunday Twin 2 pulled out some Candy Cane coffee that Twin 1 gave her last year and didn't end up drinking so Twin 1 took it home and had a cup.

On Dec 1 Twin 1 always puts up her tree but she talked to her husband and he suggested not as we won't be home for Christmas so she will have to settle for her "Reindeer Tree"

And as she does not get a Christmas tree she told her husband that he will have to put up the "light show".  So bright and early Monday morning said husband dug it out of the shed and put it up.  He absolutely hates it and had her believing that he threw it out last year as it never did go up but she found it over the summer and now it is Christmas once again.

Twin 2 had originally planned to go to PEI this weekend to spend time with the BFF and kiddies but this whole house purchase got things off track.   Instead she had some last minute details to piece together and stayed home.  Packing was on the agenda for the weekend.  It has officially started.  For anyone who thought her house was a mess before (anyone?) it's in quite the state right now. 

Workout Wednesday

Is it even worth writing a Workout Wednesday? Let's see....

Wednesday, Nov 26th - Twin 1 took the dogs for a 60min walk around Ashburn

Thursday, Nov 27th - Nada

Friday, Nov 28th - Twin 1 did the 10 min trainer video (and was very sore the next day).

Saturday, Nov 29th -  Twin 1 went shopping :-)  Twin 2 started packing.

Sunday, Nov 30th - Twin 1 did an 80 min walk around Ashburn with the dogs, and both Twin 1 and 2 did our regularly scheduled Zumba.  This week was step Zumba which may be a little bit more fun as we get better but there is only 1 more class before years end.  Should we sign up again?

Monday, Dec 1st -  New month, new beginnings.  Twin 1 & Twin 2 both did video (started the Turbo Jam video series for the month of December).  Hopefully this advent calender will keep us motivated.

Tuesday, Dec 2nd - Both Twin's did scheduled video....2 days in a row! Yay us :-)

Tip Tuesday

Be seen!  With limited daylight, chances are you'll be running in the dark.  Tall snowbanks on plowed streets make you even harder to see.  Wear reflective, fluorescent gear, and don't be shy about lighting yourself up like a Christmas tree.

 

Motivational Monday (for the Twins)

December 1. 

Advent Calander. 

One chocolate a day.

We only get our chocolate if we work out (and it's the good chocolate too).

Let's see if this motivation works because so far nothing else has :(

Friday Funny

SOLD!!

I (Twin 2) have sold my house.  This has been consuming my life for what feels like the past year (3 months really).  Between selling my house and purchasing a new one I haven't felt like I had time for much in the evenings/weekends.  And the JM videos I've 'misplaced' has been packed up and shipped off for storage at a friend's house since August (I packed them thinking by the time the 1/2 marathon was over in September the house would be sold). 

Our sale is firm.  However, we are still working on meeting the conditions of the new house purchase which is required to be done by Monday, December 1.  Fingers crossed that on December 1 I can get back into living a life and starting to work out again. 

Moving time is in January.  A perfect way to start off the new year and into a new workout routine.

Workout Wednesday

Wednesday, Nov 19th - Nothing

Thursday, Nov 20th - Twin 1 did video as she thought she better do one to have something to write on workout Wednesday post.  Twin 2 didn't care about post :)

Friday, Nov 21st - Twin 1 did a 45 min walk at Long Lake with the dogs, Twin 2 nothing

Saturday, Nov 22nd - Twin 1 did an hour walk at Ashburn with the dogs, Twin 2 nothing

Sunday, Nov 23rd - Twin 1 did a 80 min walk at Ashburn with the dogs, Twin 2 nothing

Monday, Nov 24th - Twin 1 did a 30 min walk at Ashburn with the dogs, Twin 2 nothing

Tuesday, Nov 25th -... Twin 1 did a 60min walk at Ashburn with the dog, Twin 2 nothing

Good thing for those dogs! 

As you can tell Twin 2 has been slack but she has some things going on which she will share in tomorrow's post.  Stay tuned!

Tip Tuesday

Just start.  If the thought of running your full workout is too much to bear, just suit up to run around the block.  Chances are, once you're outside, you'll start to feel better and put in at least a few miles.

Updates

Parade

The Holiday Parade of Lights was on Saturday Nov 16^th at 6:00 p.m.  It was a rather chilly day and so the texts of “what are you wearing” began.  We decided on Long John’s under the clothes and our winter boots, hats, mitts and jackets. We met some friends at Mumford Road and traveled downtown together at 3:30 p.m.   We parked at the Casino (we used to park at Scotia Square but it used to take FOREVER to get out of there) and the Casino parking has been our go to parking for the parade since then.  It is a bit more expensive but worth the smooth sail home.

We arrived downtown and went to the Middle Spoon for some desserts.  The hard core Paraders were already setting up.

We all had the brownie pie which was delish!

After the eats around 5:30 p.m we started walking down the sidewalks and they were full of spectators.   We debated on getting a Starbucks and that won as usual.  We all got the Peppermint Mocha and got it at the Ferry Terminal as that Starbucks seemed to have the shortest lines, was super fast and there we had our last pee stop before the Parade.  FYI – the bathrooms are pretty nice for a Ferry Terminal.  (Excuse the quality of pictures for some of these).

I was trying to take this one quick before the lady in the blue walked in front of me completely oblivious the picture was being taken.

 

 

On the way to Starbucks there was a family of 3 in front of us who stopped someone on the street and asked where the parade was….DUH. HOW ABOUT THE STREET THAT EVERYONE IS LINED UP ON.

At 6:00 p.m we made it to our viewing spot just outside Barrington Street Shops across from Scotia Square.  We used to stand outside Scotia Square but through the years we moved across the street because after the Parade we can just go in the Barrington Street Shops and scoot to the Casino.

Here are a few pictures of the Parade.

And last but not least this is the whole reason we go:

SANTA!!!

This years Parade was ok.  The floats weren't the best we've ever seen but we were happy there were no repeats.  In previous years we’ve seen about 10 of the same themed floats which is B.O.R.I.N.G.

 

Peanut Butter Cups

We’ve also been making our Peanut Butter Cups.  We skipped a weekend of making them and are trying to catch up.  We only have 3 more batches to make and as Twin 2 is possibly going to PEI for their parade this weekend coming hopefully we will get them done this week.

Dog Lovers

For you dog lovers Ashburn is now closed for Golf and the doggies can go out there and play.   Twin 1 took the dogs there this past weekend and they ran flat out for an hour each day and slept the rest of the weekend.

Santa Shuffle

We have decided to NOT sign up for the Santa Shuffle this year as we haven’t been running and with winter you never know what the weather will be like on run day.  We can check all we want in the days leading up to it but its winter so there is always a chance of SNOW and being a run at Shubie park this could get dangerous underfoot (however, we do not want to discourage anyone who has signed up - GOOD FOR YOU!!!  You are better than us!).

Christmas

As December is approaching its time to DECORATE!!