Bits & Bobs ...

Random thought for today: I think I should have had more dinner last night. Or my body is sympathizing with Andra Sue's. I am positively ravenous today!

On the Nationals front: Coach Duane has sent out a pre-meet email presenting the most important message we can hear. Everyone who is going is an essential member of the team, and each person striving to improve will yield results. Every Technosport swimmer can score points. But the Aurora Mighty Ducks are fielding a team of 104 swimmers while we have a roster of 74. Duane would like us all to aim to better our placings from the psych sheets, so our club can carry a substantial individual points lead before the relays come into play, because the numbers give the Ducks more relays by far, and relays count double points. Bring On The Taper!!!

In other Nationals news (and the most heartening piece of information I gleaned from the pysch sheets): Mr. Jaring Timmerman is entered in the 100 free on Sunday the 17th — having aged up to 100-104!! I can guarantee you, the stands will go wild when he touches, whether he beats his seed time of 3:40.0 or not!!!

Bring on The Taper!!!

Working our way up the steps after practice last night, I looked at Fiona and said, "Bring ON the TAPER!!!" Snap!! We were hurtin' puppies. Just a few more days of hard training left ... Last night's main set strokes were individually assigned so we could work on what we'll be swimming at Nationals. Hard work is good for us, right?

Oh, and the psych sheets are up here.

Tuesday Tidbits!

"Oh my G-d, people walk around NAKED in here!!" This, out of the mouth of a teenager sitting across the counter, feet resting on it (shoes on) in the pool locker room.

"You two got one of my staff interested in TECHNIQUE!" My best guess is that in general, butterfly fascinates people. Comment from one of the head guards to Chris & I last night.

"Wendy, you look gorgeous!" One of the lifeguards I met on the street on the way to the pool last evening. I was wearing a dress. I think street clothes surprise 'em! ;-)

And yes, I could still swim last night, even after sawing. But there's a little DOMS going on here this morning.

On a completely different note, here's a semi-edgy tote that is capturing my interest ... I'm liking the zipper accent details as edging top and bottom!

Holy Toledo!

While we have, I believe, topped out at around 30°C (86°F) today — and it is GLORIOUS — by Wednesday morning we are expected to be sitting at freezing. Because nothing says spring like wild temperature swings! Hopefully the winds of change won't be as strong as Saturday's!

I can also report that there are only about 10" of trunk left of the magnolia. It developed a vascular problem several years ago, and I think the damage to the root system of the water main replacement program hastened its demise. We will also see if the cross-training (sawing) helps or hinders my swim this evening! I am considering moving some Forsythia suckers out there as a temporary feature as I decide what I'd like there over the longer term (and what might triumph over the verticillium wilt in the neighbourhood).

Oh, and for the record, The Boarder would like to point out that his sneezing has NOTHING to do with swine flu! People should NOT avoid patting or brushing him. Also, if I would like to make nachos it is preferable if I put chicken on them ... And yesterday he did "Onyx come" and "Onyx sit" for Roy! Yes, he still works for food, but apparently not just for me!

Sunday Snippets!

Today I bring you an Ottawa Race Weekend bit from Mr. Sutcliffe.

Our hot humid day yesterday was followed by some wicked winds (100 kilometres an hour) and rain. As Fiona, KD and I made our way into Scotiabank Place, I was having trouble making forward progress — it was that breezy! But at ice level on the rink for Stars on Ice, we were well protected! Sadly Jessica Dubé & Bryce Davison did not appear, but we were treated to some fine displays of skating up close and personal from the likes of Kurt Browning, Jeff Buttle, Shawn Sawyer, Joannie Rochette, Jennifer Robinson, Salé & Pelletier, Dubreuil & Lauzon, and Sasha Cohen.

I am planning an easier swim this evening ... 14,300 metres last week plus hours of sitting in chairs with no back support call for a bit of a break today. In fact I had a bit of a lie-in this morning, as did The Boarder, who was endearingly curled up in a ball on the foot of the bed.

No Nemo ...

But a nice anemone! Click to get a little closer.



On an aquatic note: "Who me?" was the somewhat incredulous response Duane got this morning when after 600 metres he asked me to move up a lane.

It took me a long time to really warm up, but thankfully the main set (5 x 400) came with the instruction "long, slow distance". After I finally settle into a groove, I can go a good long way comfortably at that kind of pace. Once practice was over there were 4100 metres under my belt — the last as 5 x 100 (lcm) whip kick. Incidentally, Ottawa U has some new kickboards similar to these (available at Swim 2000), and I am finding them a comfortable alternative to the traditional board. In fact, it is one of the few swim toys I would consider owning myself.

The Bees Knees!

Time to stock up on sunscreen — the UV rating is high and the early taste of summer is to last the weekend. Conveniently, it is Clinique Bonus Time at Sears. After a quick trip downtown this morning, I am now armed with powder & lip gloss (both SPF 15, I might add), my now hemmed yoga pants (black Lululemon Dig My Pant in high rise), and a replacement bus pass ID photo (as mine cracked in half). Of course I don't need quite as much sunscreen as those swimming in the sea! The Boarder is currently enjoying 11°C (just over 50°F) weather with the window in the favoured Up position. With 20° the forecast high for today, and 25° tomorrow there will be cats across the region enjoying the weather! Right now there are insects taking full advantage of it. A click will get you closer.



Tomorrow morning we have a 2 ½ hour practice — the last hour is a special add-on with a focus on starts, turns and relay take-overs. As I have a limited number of starts in me, I'll be coaching that hour!

Sunshine Cleaning ...

I continued breaking in the new oven with a batch of peanut butter cookies yesterday (because, as my facebook update noted, nothing says rest day like empty calories!). I almost got the finishing touches put on my taxes. Really it was a fairly productive day.

Last night two of the three movieteers saw Sunshine Cleaning. It's a charming, off-beat film well worth a look.

A warm front is supposed to sweep in this afternoon, bringing us summery temperatures and sunshine from tomorrow till Monday. The Boarder will enjoy the wide open windows, I am sure! I'll head over to the pool while the sunnier weather moves in ... then stand on the deck for skills and drills tonight.

On Tolerance ...

This week I've been following Dr. Chow's advice. I know. Go figure!

Some time ago he suggested I try doing some training in a racing suit for the added back and pelvic support. The thing is, it's not an inexpensive proposition, because nothing kills lycra like chlorine. The Speedo Fastskin I race in is generally a $300 suit. Not long ago, though, I decided to give it a shot, and ordered a lower end Speedo Aquablade knee suit (which was still $117 CAD before taxes), and have been working on fly tolerance. It seems to be working. Who knew? Three days in a row I got between 300-400 metres of fly in. Last night, it allowed me to do almost 400 metres of breaststroke. And kick. After swimming breaststroke. At the end of practice. Which went something like this:

♦ 600 free
♦ 7 x 50 free descend 1-2 (8 assigned, but Duane stopped us)
♦ 15 x 100 on 1:45 as 75 free, 25 not free (I did breast)*
♦ 4 x 100 kick (I did almost all whip, with the occasional length of flutter kick thrown in)

Now, first of all, I haven't done 400 metres of kick since I got back in the pool, let alone at the end of practice! And the likelihood of actually walking afterwards would have otherwise been very low. It wasn't fast, I took it fairly easy on the kick, but again I say, "Who knew?" Well, okay, maybe the orthopaedist who is also team doctor for our NHL team. But other than him? Am I a little on the sore side today? Sure. And it is remotely possible moving the microwave didn't help a great deal. Conveniently, though, it's a recovery day!

* I missed one 50 free on account of inhaling some water, and Margaret & I took an extra 15 seconds on one due to lane confusion (we were the only ones making the intervals).

Tuesday Tidbits ...

Well, it's a rainy spring day here in the Nation's Capital, with impending traffic tie ups expected, so what better to bring you than another nice Boston Marathon story?

I spent an inordinate amount of time shopping for undergarments yesterday. You gals know how it goes — if the girls fit, the back doesn't. Repeat. Over and over and over and over! I came away with one bra. Ugh! However, I did also invest in moisture wicking reversible cropped tights and a pair of yoga pants.

The Boarder has a giant new box this morning — in an unforeseen happenstance the oven that was supposed to arrive between 8:00 and 1:00 arrived on the early side of with window! So in an ideal world I will be testing it in short order! But first, a little clean-up organization is in order ...

What Do I Want?

I have high hopes that as The Boarder continues to adapt to life as a House Cat, at some point I will be able to once again add a reptile to the list of inhabitants at 123. I think that a crested gecko would be just ideal. Cute as a button, omnivorous not insectivorous, smallish (5" snout to vent), nocturnal (so not requiring UV supplementation), forgiving of temperature gradients, potentially fairly long-lived — and the big bonus of soft little gecko feet!!! Also some of the most beautiful reptilian eyes on the planet. Or a beardie ... I will have to discuss the options with Daren. Who, incidentally, laughed out loud when I informed him that The Boarder was "peeing up a storm post shot*", and was pleased to hear that Onyx's cough hasn't been heard since he had his injection. Now we have to see how long this will last!

For your viewing pleasure this morning, I bring you another look at the Chionodoxa bulbs. Click for detail.



* for those who may be interested, his output has since normalized!

Sunday Snippets!

A very nice Sutcliffe this morning, for your reading pleasure!

I braved the noon swim at Plant yesterday (a high of 10 people in the fast lane!), and I'm feeling it today. With one month till nationals, fly tolerance is still at the top of my priority list.* I managed to get six 50's in, with lots of very random rest, but I am very pleased with that. I think it is the most consecutive fly fifties I've done in a practice, and despite the busy-ness I didn't have a problem not breaking stroke. Although sometimes it was like open water butterfly! Instead of switching to one arm, when a clash of arms looked likely, I left my hands outstretched, paused until it was safe to continue, and carried on. You lose the rhythm, but it takes some good strength to get going again! At least that's what my lats and teres muscles are telling me this morning. And ... since the beginning of September I have now logged 251,572 metres (the number is funny because of some underwater widths at Ottawa U)!

I did not hear a cough from The Boarder yesterday, although he was clearly feeling the effects of his adventures on Friday. He did more speedwork this morning than he has done in awhile, so I am hopeful we are on right track.

My daffodils began opening on Friday, but I have been remiss with the camera, so this is a quick shot from this morning. As always, a click gets you closer!



* At nationals the 4 x 100 medley relay is the last event (of six consecutive relays, plus two individual events in the morning) on Sunday. The likelihood of me drawing the fly leg is high, so I am in full drowning avoidance mode!

Boarder Update ...

Courtney commented on last Saturday's post, "Look how much his coat gleams now - it gleams!" Scroll down for the after shot. And in fact, that is pretty much what Dr. Daren had to say about the state of The Boarder's lush and glossy coat. So that's a nice indicator of overall health.

Again his lungs were clear, his heart was strong and murmur free, his weight .03 kilo different from his last visit to the scales. So that's all good. But he has tracheitis. Daren was able to replicate his cough, and once it started Daren said sympathetically to him, "Poor you!" Which, of course, is exactly what I say when he coughs. So we opted to give him a shot of depo-medrol (no sense trying to pill him, especially when he has a sore throat, and there are other options). In an ideal world within a week, Onyx will be cough-free. If not ... we know where to find Daren! In fact you can find him tomorrow at the Reptile Expo if you like!

In other news, there was no lifeguard to open the pool this morning. :-( I wonder if I can successfully go back to bed?

A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood!

Yesterday was a glorious day, as these Chionodoxa flowers will attest, and today is shaping up to be even better — a brief taste of summerlike temperatures. More seasonal temperatures will be in our very near future, though. Today may not be a better day for The Boarder, as it will include a trip to see Dr. Daren shortly. Onyx is not too fussy on car trips! And there will be medications involved ...

I had intended to take today off the pool, but that may change, as it looks like I'll be coaching instead of swimming tomorrow morning. And I only need 125 metres to be up at that 250,000 metre mark since September. Had I known that yesterday, I likely would have swum a little longer! Saturday is generally busy over at Plant, while Friday afernoons are often blissfully quiet. We'll see how things play out.

Last night I had a lovely visit with Louis the Havanese and his people Bruce & Fiona. It was pizza night at their place, so that's where we headed after practice. And as I won't be making pizza tonight, that worked out tremendously well! The Boarder was much less irritated when I came home smelling like dog, than he was when I came in from the front step after petting another cat, I can tell you!

Still More Snippets ...

Well, a replacement oven is expected to arrive Tuesday morning. Well, before 1:00. So that's an unexpected budget hit.

The Boarder's cough is back, so we'll be making another appointment to lug him out to see Dr. Daren. Thanks Lise! Best to get this done now, so in an ideal world a course of meds will be history by nationals. He's currently at one of his posts surveying activities on the property. And it is a nice sunny day, so he will have some Open Window Moments this afternoon. His situation is not Dire, but he doesn't feel his typical Rambunctious Self.

Today's featured front garden plant is Puschkinia scilloides. A click will get you even closer.

Little Bits ...

♦ Cupcake confection + sparkly things!
♦ muffins are in the oven, although the carousel is feeling poorly — action must be taken!
♦ another sunny day today — yesterday was warm enough to wear my light leather jacket (pictured here) to practice! And these shoes ...
♦ note to young lady on the bus on the way to practice — the cobbler can replace heel caps (tips) and you won't be wandering around on steel pegs!
♦ practice itself went well — I have definitely earned today's rest day (although it may be spent oven shopping!)

Tuesday Tidbits ...

The muffin batter is in the fridge. This evening's tenderloin is in the crockpot. And what am I eating? No fat yogurt + seeds, grain & berries (also known as granola). Mostly because I am going to swim shortly after 1:00. I'll be swimming tonight's workout, because Coach Duane is unavailable so I am the practice delivery system from 6:00 - 7:00! And I really feel better about doling out a hard set if I've already done it myself.

♦ 800 free
♦ 6 x 50 kick, :10 RI
♦ 10 x (4 x 50 as 25 free, 25 choice very hard on :45), :30 set rest*
♦ swim easy

* Of course, this is the repeat time for the fast lane. The coach on deck adjusts the interval time and number of repeats for each lane. You can rest assured I won't be going on :45!

The Weekend of Not Cooking Dinner ...

Well, if you're a stickler, I did make pizza Friday night. But ... Saturday it was Chez AD & M, last night I enjoyed a last minute inviation to a casual pot luck with Fiona and Bruce, and this evening Miss Emma extended an invitation to join her family for dinner. So, three nights in row, no cooking at 123! I will have to make something nice in the crockpot tomorrow that will suit The Boarder's sensibilities or he will truly think I am falling down on the job!

I also squeezed swims in three days in a row in spite of the unclebiotics, so we will hope that I am burning a few of those calories off! And it was very nice to have Fiona's company for those swims, too. Today I secured provisions for The Boarder, and a few for myself as well. Tomorrow evening I have coaching detail, so I'll pop over to Plant and make it a four day streak. It is my practice to swim the workout I give to others. We are now four and a half weeks away from Nationals (!!), so a little over two weeks of hard training and then ... taper begins.

Oh, and within the next few days I expect to hit the 250,000 metre mark since the beginning of September ...

Hoppy Easter!

Last night some friends gathered for a wonderful Easter dinner. Chef Michael & Pastry Chef AD put together a fabulous meal in their lovely home — there was much laughter and camaraderie. So much so that Toonces the cat was in home avoidance mode until after we all left! I didn't swim nearly enough to burn off the decadence, but I'll give it a shot again this evening.

Speaking of caloric burn, here's an extreme race covered in The Globe and Mail. I think I'll stick to swimming, thanks!

Cookie credit: AD

Baby Steps ...

The Boarder and I have known each other a little more than two years. When our relationship began he was awfully skittish, and pretty much terrified of me. Trust building happened gradually. The inside of the house, instead of a place to be feared, became a place of safety. Tremendously underweight, here he found food, a quiet place to recover from his exploits in the outside world, and someone who would let him conclude (in his own time) it was a place he could come to enjoy. Although after five months of three tins a day, he was still awfully thin. And not quite ready to consider ours a long-term relationship.



We've made very big gains in very little steps. We're still making them. I've gradually been allowed to do things like rub his belly (in standing only), and play with his ear flaps. This morning, for the first time in recorded history, while he was lying on his side enjoying a grooming session, he let me comb his tummy! Which is a little more substantial than it used to be.

Good Friday

Except that Blogger won't currently let me load this iris picture in the correct orientation. On the up side, they're not covered in snow today!

Ups + Downs ...

For the first time in his tenure here, The Boarder has coughed up a hairball. Well, to be honest, it took a few tries. And let me assure you, there is no sense coughing up a hairball before you've eaten, or on a surface other than carpet or upholstery. None whatsoever! This philosophy also applies to all preliminary unsuccessful attempts. And in addition to still being under the weather, I can assure you that this peri-mental-pause nonsense is no fun at all (she says, drying the sheets again). So we're a fine pair. Oh, and the part where the washer blew a plug and flooded the floor? Not such a good time either!

But on the up side, it's NOT snowing! The sun is even trying to come out. And that's a very good thing ...

More Miscellany ...

We got caught in traffic tied up by this on the way to practice last night. So we were a little late. And I am a little under the weather. Dr. Susan said it was okay to swim (but sent me home with some nice antibiotics), and Coach Duane gave me the instruction to swim easy. It is always an interesting exercise in pacing to "swim easy" for a whole workout, especially as I naturally get stronger after the first 800-1,000 metres.

It is highly unlikely that I am contagious, so I will also not let this curtail the fun The Three Movieteers will have at dinner out instead of a film tonight. Plus for mere money someone will cook food and bring it to me, and I will have no dishes to do. There is great merit in that! I'll head downtown prior to dinner and get some errands done, and ideally avoid today's protest.

And although it is just small flakes in the air today, I say, "Enough with the snow!" I believe The Boarder does too, as for the second day in a row he has retired to my bed.

Tuesday Tidbits!

The pool was unusually crowded at lane swim last night, although mercifully the fast lane wasn't. We did have a special guest swimmer, though, as Fiona joined Monday night regular Chris & I for a structured dip! The water was a touch on the warm side, but we had a good swim. Especially considering I was back at Good Companions in the afternoon getting a new calligraphy class underway, and fortified with a decongestant to facilitate the whole breathing business.

Today there will be some general (but careful) rushing around in the inclement weather (at the moment snowy, but later predicted to be rain/snow mix), including a visit with Dr. Susan and a stop at the post office, followed by practice tonight.

Speaking of swimming, Technosport really had a record setting Provincials! Tabulated by Pat N., these figures landed in my inbox last night:

♦ 1 individual World Record (Alex's 200 IM)
♦ 5 individual Canadian Records, 11 relay records
♦ 3 individual Ontario Records, 5 relay records
♦ 70 individual club records (the relay records are not yet tabulated)

I'm very proud to have been on teams that accounted for three of those records (1 national, 2 provincial), and to have set 2 club records. We really rocked!

Monday Miscellany ...

Big fat flakes are currently falling leaving a blanket of white on most everything outside, but they are expected to give way to rain this afternoon. In fact, that's pretty much what the forecast holds for the next few days. And it brings with it the usual wardrobe conundrums. That and I have a cold, making the conundrums harder to think through. I think to teach this afternoon it will be jeans with a dark wash, a turtleneck & blazer, with stomping boots for footwear. And my Burberry trench (lining zipped in) to protect me from the elements. I had thought I might pop out on an errand this morning, but a half hour of searching for the aforementioned turtleneck led me to believe this was a Bad Plan. On the up side, I also found one of The Boarder's errant toys.

Speaking of The Boarder it was pointed out to me last night that there have been few pictures of him featured on OTDE of late. I will certainly endeavour to rectify that situation.

Neil Gaiman noted on Thursday that "apparently if you just write BEAVER! people's minds head straight for the gutter." Therefore, I bring you a beaver meets parliamentarians story.

Sunday Miscellany ...

Cool (at or near freezing overnight) and damp spring weather is not sparking great enthusiasm across our fair city. While it is, indeed, early April, those double digit days were a tremendous tease. On the up side, it is appropriate weather for stomping boots. Photo from Frye.



On the less than up side, I seem to have developed a bit of a spring cold. Note to self: put Fisherman's Friend on the grocery list. It may be an easier swim tonight than I had originally planned ...

I managed to scoot out yesterday and start my Christmas shopping (and I got Easter eggs). No, really! It's true. AD's present is in the gift drawer! I also brought home a Nanette Lepore red cotton Bay jacket on markdown that will be a go-to piece for some time to come. I am suspicious that the model has the collar up and her shoulders that far back because the jacket is not a perfect fit on her. The ladies at Holts were in agreement that this particular blazer needs to hit the body correctly or it does odd things with proportions. It is a fine addition to my wardrobe as I really need to retire my woven blazer from years past. Although it has survived weight fluctuations and alterations, not only is it showing signs of wear but it is become unwilling to accommodate my "guns"! And that, sadly, is an alteration it just will not survive.

April Showers!

Well, after another night of interrupted sleep, I decided against dragging my butt to practice this morning. Although I told Coach Duane in advance that might be the case. However, the numbers are telling me it's no cause for concern; and in this case it is better to listen to my body than my desire to train! And The Boarder enjoyed a lazy cuddle before heading downstairs for grub. Last week I logged 10,300 metres, March was 400 shy of 40,000, and since the beginning of September I'm over 233,000 metres. This week I started adding a little whip kick to my lane swims, just 200 metres, but it should be enough to build a little bit of strength for the 100 at Nationals, without causing my back and bottom to be too out of sorts. Also key.

Speaking of the pool, when I got ready to coach Thursday evening, I couldn't find my lock. Either I left it at the pool or didn't close it and it fell off the loop on my bag I religiously clip it to. It meant I had to carry my clothes onto the deck Thursday evening, as I really don't trust an unlocked locker. I told Fiona I knew I needed a back-up, but simply hadn't organized myself to get one. Yesterday, armed with a quarter (as Plant has both options, pay lockers or bring your own lock), I checked at the lost and found. Sadly no lock. Disappointed I wandered into the locker room, put my gear down, looked up, and there was my lock, hanging right where I'd left it!

There were some dry moments yesterday morning, but we are definitely in the throes of April showers. The species crocuses are almost done, but the low growing bulbous irises put in their first appearance! A click will get you really close.

Swim Bit!

Lifted from my teammate Louis-David's facebook page (Louis-David is the Technosport member closer to the bottom of the screen pushing Alex all the way), I bring you excellent quality video of Alex's 200 IM at Provincials. You'll also find his 100 breaststroke and a terrific interview at the bottom of the page, so be sure to click on them all. A very nice piece of work by Sila Creations!

Another Rainy Day ...

We're back into a spring rain weather pattern today, so I bring you a glimpse of the goings on out front yesterday. Click to get really close!



And, here's an exhibit that would be right up my alley!

Le Spectacle!

The well acted and beautifully staged multi-media performance that is Robert Lepage's The Blue Dragon plays at the National Arts Centre until April 11th. The clear highlight of the English Theatre season to date (frankly I doubt that it can be topped) I would urge you, if at all possible, to go!!! This video highlight captures only a bit of the flavour of the production — a must see in my book.

First of the Fourth ...

As expected today brings April showers. At least they're in the forecast. They haven't started just yet.

In the news the possible move of the Parole Office to 1010 Somerset Street has been scuttled!

In the blogosphere, Joel made an announcement!

In the pool last night I swam my first true practice since Provincials. That last bit of fly was not a picnic. But it'll make us stronger.

In the theatre of the NAC tonight, the sequel to The Dragon's Trilogy!