Come... and Gone

Well these last 2 weeks have probably gone by faster than any 2 weeks in my entire life.

Week #1- I can make it through!

I was still in school and I happened to have two lovely teachers who put exams on the last Thursday and Friday before Christmas break. So that week was spent studying... a lot. We were also training pretty hard because the following week was oyo training so Patrick wanted to get in a good block before the rest. I believe the one Saturday of training consisted of 3 workouts and I started at 6 on deck for a swim- half hour break- strength/weights-15minute break-3 hour ride= 6 hours of basically non-stop work! It was good though! Having the feeling that your body is just so unbelievably tired and every muscle is sore in the "I've worked extremely hard" way is a perfect feeling to start some time off; it feels more deserved.

Week #2- Oyo training and xmas!!

Started the week off with a day of no training, watching movies and eating a lot of popcorn...really cannot complain!! The days leading up to the 23rd consisted of last minute shopping for everyone and a single workout of some kind (no running!). Went to Vancouver for Christmas Eve and had yummy sushi! Christmas morning was slow and relaxed. I believe my family (10) finished opening presents around 1pm and had brekky around 2pm! That's what I call a lazy day!!
*Best Present- A beautiful necklace from Matt. It has a little pink world and binoculars, so when I’m travelling ill always have good luck from him- very thoughtful!

Wear a helmet.

Calling All Chocoholics!

So this past week has been busy with school and some great training! We have managed to do road rides the last two weekends which has been great because I am not the biggest cross fan!:) The weather is starting to get pretty chilly, but I guess compared to the rest of Canada I can’t complain. We have the NTC Christmas dinner party tomorrow night at Kirsten’s house. It’s a formal, turkey dinner where everyone is going to pitch in and bring family dishes and desserts and come dressed in their best! (Pictures will follow in the next post!) Last year our team party landed on the Saturday night of the first snowfall...and according to the weatherman history could repeat itself! Looking forward to a great night! I am contributing tomorrow with a dessert of the bestest chocolate cookies ever....and anyone who knows me well is aware that when I am talking about chocolate it’s serious! This is not the healthiest recipe, actually far from, but we’ll work it off later! I thought I would share the recipe that Gaby so generously shared with me!

Super Gooey Chocolate Drops

Ingredients: •
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
-4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped (4 Baker’s Chocolate squares)
-4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped (4 Baker’s Chocolate squares)
-1 cup packed light brown sugar
-1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
-1 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
-4 large eggs
-2 tablespoons buttermilk ( I used regular milk)
-1 cup all-purpose flour
-1/2 cup natural cocoa powder
-1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (I personally put in a little extra)
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-11 ounces semisweet chocolate chunks (1 bag) (I do ½ bought chunks and ½ regular chocolate chips)

Directions:


1. Preheat to 325 degrees F. Line 3 baking sheets with parchment or silicon mats.

2. Put the butter and the unsweetened and semisweet chocolates in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Melt for about 45 seconds. Stir and heat again until melted.

3. Stir the light brown and granulated sugars, and vanilla into the chocolate mixture with a wooden spoon. Add the eggs and buttermilk and beat vigorously until thick and glossy.

4. In another bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa, cinnamon, and salt together. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir until just mixed. Stir in chocolate chunks. (Try not to eat half the batter before it goes onto the sheets)!

5. Drop the batter in heaping tablespoons onto baking sheets--a small ice cream scoop is ideal for this. Space the cookies about 2 inches apart. Bake until the cookies set but are soft and fudgy on the inside, 12 to 15 minutes.

6. Cool cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes; then transfer to a rack to cool completely. Serve. Or wait about 2 minutes and pull one apart and see the melted chocolate chunks and then eat it!!

-wear a helmet

Oops

So I have neglected my blog in the last hmmm like 3 weeks!...I guess that is what happens when all of a sudden a bunch of stuff starts happening in my life; for that I apologize.

So I guess I will do a quick summary of what has been going on....

-almost 3 weeks ago I had 2 mid-terms and a test...yes I am only in high school but I still managed to stress myself out about it!

-there was 2 weeks ago where I got very sick (not swine flu tho!) but I felt like death and that whole week pretty much consisted of 2 swims and a run where I had no energy whatsoever.

-there was last weekend; I went to Vancouver with Matt and looked for a Christmas Grad dress (I am well aware of how silly that sounds). Anyways that was a great weekend.... full of store shopping, coffee breaks, breakfasts at Granville Island market and R&R with the bestest BF ever. If anyone cares I got a really nice silver silk dress from Banana Republic!

-this week...finally started full training again! Woot!! Even though it was regeneration until Friday. But oh man when Friday rolled around I think I speak for the whole group when I say “ouch”-morning swim had a main set of 8 best average 200’s within a 5.5km practice. Then the senior guys did an “epic” cross ride or so I heard and the training finished off with an hour run with steady state and tempo. However, the group went to a really good sushi restaurant last night to refuel which was a great way to finish off the day and relax.

-wear a helmet

The high school spikes are retired!

Well this past weekend was my last high school cross country provincials in White Rock, Vancouver. For starters I would have to say this race was hard; both mentally and physically. I was in a different position than I have been in previous races because I knew, going into it that I had not done everything I could in terms of training, I knew I wasn’t in top shape and I knew tons of people secretly thought I could win it due to last year’s results. Now I’m not saying that I didn’t go into the race just thinking “oh no way I can win this” or that winning was all that I was thinking about but I won’t lie, it did come across my mind more than once that morning...

Got a little boxed in at the beginning but the new course had it so we ran around the whole soccer field which gave me time to get out in front and control the lead pack. Stride felt effortless for all of 5min...With the gradual hill made the pace and then going on to the second lap I was at the back of second pack. That is where my turn-over started to fail....which I wasn’t surprised with. Managed to use things like the short downhill and corners to my advantage but just couldn’t stay tight with the front 3. Last ½ lap was me just giving it everything....worked my arms and legs and when I crossed the finish line there were no regrets.

After the race and at the awards I did realize maybe a little late that in sport there has to be sacrifices. I trained hard all summer and peaked at my last race in mid-sept (Worlds). I know my body needed a good rest and so xc training really was not the priority until late mid-October. I gave everything I could last summer in Triathlon and couldn’t be happier with my results. So I’ll take 4th at high school cross country provincials.

Wear a helmet

First Man and Woman Created By God

Halloween 09 at Kyla and Alex's.


Matt, the brains behind this Halloweens theme and I wore the Adam and Eve barely-there costume. People were giving us double takes all night to be sure we weren’t actually naked, which obviously we weren’t! Anyways, it was a great night! Everyone brought great food, wore great costumes and it was a good time!

Flashing back to this past week now.....

-high school cross country lower islands was on Wednesday. A very hard race with another “eye opening” realization that fitness isn’t there yet, but I am getting excited for provincials this weekend in Vancouver!

-first group Yoga Session was on Thursday! Summarized in one word- amazing! I feel more flexible already.

-everyone went over to Carolyn and Dean’s on Friday for appy’s/ watch the Olympic torch downtown/ meet their new puppy Winston/ welcome back Kirsten/ 2009 season wrap-up slide slow.

-Saturday, before the Halloween festivities that have already been discussed, on the way to practice Gaby and I got stopped in a road block for the Olympic Torch Relay. So what did we do?...parked at the bakery nearby, bought a coffee and watched a man carry the Torch with on hand... while riding a bike...while going down a hill that was slippery....without a helmet on! Minus the fact that the Torch Bearer was breaking the law, it was exciting to see. Because of this safety law that many people shrug their shoulders at I have decided my “signature parting line” is going to be “wear a helmet”...it seems appropriate...unlike my Halloween Costume!

-wear a helmet
Ali

Main road near our hotel.
Somewhere in this picture is the "Espresso Cafe" -soy latte bought by the bestest boy in the world. Sitting and enjoying the 1 hour we had before workout #2 in a sunroom with the cowichan locals is a great way to start any day.

Cow Bay "Training Camp"

So the group went up to Cowichan Bay for a 2 day training/ team bonding camp this weekend. Luckily the rain held out and we managed to get some good training in! A group run and hard swim yesterday morning with the season’s first “eye opener” set of sort rest 100’s....let’s just say my eyes have officially been opened! We also watched the hometown Cowichan Junior B Capitals play a very exciting? hockey game against Penticton...I think Austin was into it enough to compensate for the half of the group that wasn’t paying attention. And for our last night in C-Town Christine was brave enough to have the 15+ group over to her house for a great dinner...would’ve been better if someone had remembered the hamburger buns! oops! Including 3 amazing desserts all with fresh fruit from her backyard! 2 board games! ( who was the operation champ?) and a lot of laughing!
I believe fun was had by all!
Ali

Real First Post!

Some team-mates have been helping me set up this blog, so apologies for the previous post! I was at Kyla's because Gaby and I were making Pad Thai for a few people. I left my account unattended and my HILARIOUS friends opted to make my first post a memorable one.

And for anyone who is wondering "why the hell does this [chick] have a blog, here is my resume..."

- Completed my first triathlon!!!

- Crash Queen of NTC

- Record holder: Most consecutive days without helping with the lane ropes.

- Pacific Coast Swimming 10 and under 50m Breast-stroke record holder (short course)

- 2009 Junior National Champion

- Canada Games Champion (individual and relay)

- 6th place at Junior World Championships.

haha seriously though with this blog I hope to keep friends, family and potential sponsors up to date with what's happening in my life.

Before I go I need your input! What should my signature parting line be?
These are my options:
1. Stay Cool
2. Wear a helmet
3. Stay Cool, Wear a helmet
4. Be True
5. Stay the course!

Thanks!
Ali

Season Rap-Up

The Lonely Island: Like a Boss


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