Sugarfly

November 27, 2012
by Cory
1 Comment

Running Through Fall Colours

So, I’ve recently started running again. It’s been years since my feet have seen the inside of a pair of running shoes (at least three years, maybe four). It isn’t that I hate running, I don’t. It’s just that I fell out of the habit, and the part of running that I do dislike is the initial part – the part where running a mere block sucks. Actually, I don’t really mind that part even, but I hate running that dreaded stage alone. It’s SO HARD and SO BORING in the beginning, and at least running with someone else is a distraction and often, a source of encouragement and motivation. I’m not a person who has a hard time motivating myself to step into the shoes, I have a hard time doing it alone, when I suck.

Once I reach a level of cardiovascular fitness which allows me to actually count my kilometres rather than mere gasping blocks, I don’t mind running alone. I have never been much of an iPod runner. I run with open ears, listening to my breath, the wind, the world. I actually enjoy that part, and don’t need company. Once I get to a level of fitness where I can run and daydream, or think, or pay attention to scenery, I’m golden. When running (albeit slowly) is like walking, I’m a gal in love with the world.

So, for quite some time now I have wanted to step back into the shoes. Besides the obvious physical perks (I’ll be honest, if I had to come to a screeching halt for some reason, it would be nice if MOST of my body would stop at the same time, ya know?) I am really most attracted to the mental health benefits. Running for me, is a time to think, if need be, or a time to blank out, also, if need be. And, who can deny how happy one feels after a good, hard run, especially if you’ve reached a goal or milestone, or you start the run dreading it, or it’s rainy, or any number of other complaints.

So, are you wondering what I have done about the running alone thing? I don’t yet know many people in Port Moody, never mind any runners. I had considered joining a running clinic, but whenever one was starting, I was traveling for work. I knew I had to suck it up and just do it, already! So, one day I had a thought! I downloaded an app! Yup, I did. There are quite a few, and I think they are pretty much all the same. You can choose a 5k or 10k, for example, and it sorts out your walk-run intervals and manages your increases for you. Yippee!

I turned on the app to the first session, slipped my iPhone into my pocket, leashed the dog, and …on your marks… get set… GO!

I prepared myself to hate it. I had decided to suffer yet conquer, but…it was great! In fact I loved it! The app managed my sessions (3x a week) into super easy walk-run intervals, and weirdly I really liked the chime and voice telling me when to run, walk, and cool down. I didn’t have to pay attention to a watch. Also, it turned out that Cooper is a great running partner! He may not be human, but strangely, he’s good company. I may not be able to complain to him as I run, whining about how out of breath I am, or how tired I feel or the weather, yadda yadda yadda (well, I could, but I’d look like a weirdo) but he is somehow able to fill that “partner” role for me. Best of all, his schedule is wide open! I don’t have to arrange a run with ahead of time, I can do it on a whim. Morning, afternoon, evening…all I have to do is hold up the leash and he is happy to come along! Win-Win!

I’m not far off 5k. I actually suspect I could quite easily do it, but I am following my “program.” I’m nearing the end, which will see me running that distance fairly comfortably. What next? I signed up for a 10k clinic that starts in the new year. Might be nice to know a few “human” runners as well!

I don’t have a photo of me in my running glory, but I’ll include a couple I’ve snapped along the way. I feel that running has allowed me to be an active participant in the changing of the seasons. Yes, we’ve seen a freakin’ ton of rain, but man, the colours this year have been an absolute joy.

September 29, 2012
by Cory
3 Comments

The Conservatory of Flowers

This summer, while in San Francisco for work, I managed to fit in an unplanned visit to the Golden Gate Park. I had finished my work day a bit early, had the rest of the afternoon off, and wanted to do something I hadn’t done before. On a whim, I grabbed my camera, and headed to the park. I had only a vague idea of what I might find. I knew the De Young Museum and the California Academy of Sciences were both in the park, but other than that, I was clueless. It was nice to have no clue, no plan, no expectations, and no time pressure. I was completely free to roam and discover. I like that. Whenever I travel, I try to include chunks of time for “random experiences.” I owe some of this thinking to Steven. He is a master of the “unplanned” and as such, he has had all kinds of odd and interesting experiences. I’ve learned that if you plan a trip too much, schedule every waking second in order to “see it all,” you end up missing soooo much! Some of my best memories of trips and adventures, occurred during “free time.”

So, on this particular day, I made my way into the park and arrived first at the De Young Museum. It is a gorgeous, world class art museum, but once inside, I knew that I could get lost inside it’s walls for hours. I decided to table my visit for my next trip when I could be in the right frame of mind to take in all the amazing artwork. Instead, I headed upstairs to an unbelievable, all-glass viewing room, which overlooked the park and that area of the city. It was a slightly foggy day, as you can see, but it didn’t diminish the prettiness of the hilly city on the bay.

Next, I decided to wander through the park. It’s no secret that I enjoy taking photos of flowers (Ha!) and I had noticed all kinds of them throughout the walkways and trails. I set off, meandering into the park, happy as can be, not knowing that I was wandering directly up to….wait for it…The Conservatory Of Flowers! Can you imagine?! Me, at the Conservatory of FLOWERS! I was, of course, in heaven, and I will NOT tell you how long I spent there. Actually, I have no idea, but it was probably longer than you might have stayed. Seriously, though, even if you aren’t a flower freak like me, I definitely recommend it. The conservatory, as I understand, is the oldest remaining municipal wooden conservatory in the USA. It houses all kinds of tropical blooms from around the world. As you walk from room to room, you can feel the air change…cooler, warmer, damper… Each space is kept optimal for particular species of flowers. It was so, so pretty, and such a, well… happy place to visit.

When I finally emerged back outside, feeling slightly sad that it was over, I got another big, happy surprise…a HUGE garden of dahlias! I circled around and around (and around and around) the garden and decided right then and there that if I ever have to be reincarnated as a flower, I am coming back as a dahlia! No doubt about it. I LOVE the dahlia folks! In fact, an older gentlemen (busker) was sitting on a bench, and on my third or fourth trip around the garden, he piped up, “Lady, you sure love them flowers!” Yep.

So, for all you flower buffs out there, here are some pics of my visit to the Conservatory of Flowers. Hope you enjoy!

The California Poppy is one of my favourite flowers. It is such a simple, humble, flower, but perhaps that is why I love it.

I don’t know what kind of cactus/plant this is. I came across it outside and had never seen orange-tipped leaves like this. Pretty.

This photo, and all the ones following, is of a dahlia. Their varieties and beauty astound me.

August 20, 2012
by Cory
0 comments

New York City Fire Escapes

There’s just something about fire escapes, eh?

I am on a work trip in New York City, and although I have been to this great city many times, I still love seeing all the fire escapes! Maybe it’s because I grew up in a small, coastal town in northern British Columbia (Fire escapes? Huh? Most buildings were a story or two), or maybe it’s because of Hollywood. You know…all the cool people lived in old buildings with pull-down fire escapes (which enabled them to come and go on a whim – who needs front entrances? – visit neighbours by popping in through their windows, have sweet mini-gardens in pots, and even escape bad guys with guns! Awesome!)

Thought I’d share a photo from a random building down the street from my hotel (in the Hell’s Kitchen/Clinton neighborhood).

Love.