Week in Review (September 16 - September 22)

Tuesday (15,404 steps) - I about had a stroke when Ana came to wake me up. Right as she said my name a car alarm started to go off in the parking lot. Anyway, I got dressed pretty quickly and we met up with CJ to drive to CP13 to see Paul and to drop CJ off for pacing. I was glad that I had Gaia with me as the map CJ was using to drive there wanted him to take something that was not even a road?? It was about a half hour drive to get there. Once we were parked we headed into the aid station. We decided to walk to meet Paul since we figured he couldn't be that far out. We were probably a half mile out when SAR stopped to let us know that he was 1-2 kilometers back. We did find Paul and boy, was he moving well! I actually had a bit of a tough time keeping up with him! We got back to the aid station and got him prepped for a power nap and clothes change, and Ana and I got food prepared for him. After we got them out of the aid station I drove us back to the hostel. We weren't sure when Andrea would be finishing, but I set an alarm so I could walk up and see her. I snoozed through it a few times, I was suddenly exhausted. Headed up to the finish line around 7:30 maybe and watched a few people finish before she came in. 

I think I probably headed back down to the hostel to shower (?) and retrieve Ana. We were at the finish line for a long time waiting for the final finishers. Paul was DFL and came in a little over 20 minutes under cutoff. Talk about stressful!! We all got something to eat and sat around talking. We all decided to go back to the hostel to rest and get all our things packed up. I got bored at some point and went back up to the finisher area just to find people to talk to. The post-race dinner and awards started at 5. Sat at a table with all the usual suspects and the addition of Lee, Karmell, Marc (Ana's crew) and Lance, the volunteer that got me and Ana both back to the start/finish after our respective DNFs. The food was ok, I was glad to get a beer, and the awards were fun. 

CJ wanted to get us all back to Calgary in the evening since they all had early flights. Somehow, FIVE of us (CJ, Paul, Ana, Andrea and me) managed to fit in a Ford Bronco AND all our gear. It was definitely a tight squeeze. 

I got dropped off at the hotel that Ben had booked for me and was pleasantly surprised with room service showing up about 5 minutes after I got into my room.

I stayed up long enough to eat 90% of the pizza and drink the beer before I passed out. I slept absolutely wonderfully.

Wednesday (11,225 steps) - I had scheduled a seat on the shuttle at 9:45 and my alarm was set for 8:30. Took a quick shower and then re-packed all my stuff. Don't even ask how I was able to condense into just Big Red and my tiny backpack, especially since I bought gear!! The bag weighed at least a thousand pounds.

The shuttle was super quick and efficient. I could not WAIT to get rid of Big Red. Dropped the bag off and then went through security - getting flagged again. Batteries and weirdly the cargo pants I wore on outbound flights with no issues were suddenly suspicious. I had some time to kill and needed to get my steps in. I picked up a delicious smoothie for breakfast.

The flight, like last time, was super quick. We were on the small plane and no one sitting next to me. I watched an episode of Gossip Girl. Was told I would not have to get my bag prior to going through customs - yay!! Headed towards my gate only to realize that I had to go all the way back past the gate I was at before. Picked for random screening and was told I had to take the case of my iPad and the guy went through all my things. Then I went through customs, which I wasn't expecting to do until the states. The guy asked why I was in Canada. I told him about the race. He asked how it went, I mentioned the bear and that I quit and he said he didn't blame me. By now I am feeling rushed since we are supposed to be departing soon. I ordered a beer and mac and cheese to go from a place right across from my gate.

We boarded on time. Taxied. And then sat and sat and sat. Some part apparently broke off when we were taxiing and maintenance is not on site? (Which seems odd). All in all I think we were delayed over 90 minutes - most of which was spent on the plane. Once we finally left, the flight was fine. Once again, I lucked out not having anyone next to me. Watched multiple Gossip Girl episodes. Upon arrival my bag was there and Ben picked me up without incident. We stopped at Parry's on the way home. Took Olive for a short walk - boy was she happy to see me!

Thursday  (10,497 steps) - Thankfully, a work from home day. Got all my things unpacked and put away, did laundry. Took Olive for a long walk at lunch and then another walk after we went to Torchy's for dinner. Finished up Bosch... sad.

Friday (10,719 steps) - Took Olive for a walk before going to work in the office. Per the usual, she was bored at work, but got lots of treats.

After work we headed up to 4 Noses to meet Ben for happy hour. We decided to check out a "new to us" restaurant on the way home,  G's. Food wasn't too expensive and it was pretty good! I actually ate this entire burrito.

Ben and I took Olive for a short walk when we got home since I still needed to get my steps in.

Saturday (11,636 steps) - Really nice to not have to get up early! Did a Peloton ride so that I wouldn't break my streak. Ben picked up Dutch Bros for us and then we took Olive to the dog park. Ben had to go to a work function, so I went out and did a few deliveries. 

Also - it is Robin's 15th birthday! We adopted her ten years ago, and although the shelter didn't know how old she was exactly, they guessed around 5. Happy birthday! Took Olive for another walked and watched multiple episodes of Gossip Girl waiting for Ben to get home.

Sunday (12,343 steps) - After coffee Ben and I went for a "recovery" run. He picked the route to run along the dam. I didn't feel too horrible and took just a couple walk breaks when I didn't really feel  like running.

I took Olive for a walk, and then we went to Torchy's for brunch while we were waiting for an Amazon Fresh order to be delivered. 

Headed to the Alamo to see "The Longest Walk." It was a pretty good movie and reminded me a LOT of most ultras. I would not have made it was far as they did, that's for sure. Ben grilled chicken and vegetables for dinner and we started the newest Mission Impossible movie. Since it is THREE HOURS LONG, we did not finish it. WHY ARE MOVIES SO LONG?!?

Monday (10,543 steps) - Work from home. Took Olive for a quick walk in the morning and then another long walk at lunch. A really nice day!

I had a dentist appointment in the afternoon - why did I schedule a 4 pm appointment??? It started raining on the way home. Ben picked up pho for dinner - perfect for a chilly evening.

Took Olive for a quick walk around the block when we had a window of no rain. Finished up Mission Impossible and then onto Wednesday. 

Stats:

• 82,367 Steps
• 3.65 miles run
• 17.26 miles walked
• 20 minutes of cardio
• 0 minutes of strength