Wooden Shoes to Fur Boots

Run: 2 km

Grand Total: 1,229 km

Bonus Activity: Ashtanga

This past week we had our international sales meetings.  All of our sector sales managers from around the world came to Manitoba to discuss high level sales strategies for a couple of days, and then break-out into their specific product groups. I am proud to say that our weather system put on a helluva show for these gentlemen - it did not disappoint!

If you look at this picture compared to the previous, you will note there is an additional 4 FEET of snow piled up on our window sill! Even the locals didn’t know what hit them!

I have not been to this type of session before and my nerdy side was super enjoying it. I met a lot of people face-to-face, whom I had been working with over the past couple of months. It really helps the relationship, when you put a face behind the blackberry.

Despite my best intentions to exercise every morning, it just wasn’t in the cards. The meetings took place downtown, everyday at 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM. We would then roll into the evening plan, whether it was Sales Awards Dinner, straight-up dinner, or a pool hall. There was a lot of networking opportunities, so I channeled Corina’s social-butterfly skills to make the rounds and introduce myself. Since they are all in “sales” in some shape or form, they were all incredibly easy to talk to – great practice!

Very long days. I didn’t have my car with me on the Sales Awards dinner night, and my wine glass “magically” didn’t get empty. I learned my lesson and drove my car to the rest of the events. It was much better balance. I loved interacting with all the different cultures – the Americans, the Europeans, the Asians, the Canadians – and the single Latin and English/Aussie represents. They are different, but somehow the same with that “special” salesperson gene.

Thursday hit and some big decision were made. There is a big story leading up to it, but it was decided that myself and two of my co-workers would go to our Netherlands facility. The catch is we would leave THIS week-end. I know, right?! The plan is to leave Sunday, arrive in Amsterdam Monday morning, take a train to Tilburg and check into the office. Sleep that night, get calibrated, and have four more solid days of training. It’ll be a major test of my endurance! We will go to Amsterdam Saturday morning, check out the city, and head back to Canada on Sunday. (Cheaper to leave Sunday, rather then Saturday.) Very whirlwind and I’m madly trying to get my packing in order!

A picture of the hotel we’ll be staying at in the Netherlands. It is very central to the action. Lovely!

I will be back for a week and then fly up to Alaska for work again – trade-showing and customer visits. It’s all very, very cool.

A picture of the hotel we’ll be staying at in Alaska. It’s central too and looks like some excellent scenery!

On an important final note, I’m thinking of my peeps continuously: Little Nixon, Little Lepp – how are you doing?! XOX

Baby, It’s Cold Outside

Run: 2 km

Grand Total: 1,227 km

Bonus Activity: Ashtanga and Kripalu

First, shouts out to Nixon Dennis – The adorable baby #3 addition to the Klassen Family! I cannot WAIT to meet him!

Second, it’s winter. I know. I have such a firm grasp of the obvious. When the temperature drops to -30′C with a -45′C wind chill, Pamela usually slips into hibernation mode. As you can see, the kilometer count is reflective of this. However, the indoor “warm” yoga continues. This bonus activity is leaps and bounds ahead of what I would normally be doing at this time of year. As a result, I’m celebrating!

I took this iPhone picture out our apartment window. Eep it’s cold, dark, and dreary. I think it was 4:00 PM, too?

However, in the light of day – it’s not too shabby! We must acknowledge the fact that the sun shines, the days are getting longer, and the snow is pretty. This is out street that leads up to the park and gives us access to the river.

In other fun news, I’m going to Alaska! Work is sending me there in the middle of February to attend a trade show. Although the schedule is pretty intense, I am very excited to check out Anchorage and Fairbanks. I looked at my hotel online and it appears that I’ll have a view of the mountains or the water. I also checked on the daylight hours – sun rises around 8:30 AM and sets around 5:00 PM. I can handle that!

Stay warm!

MissFit Birthday Celebration

MissFit herself celebrated her 26th birthday. Congrats, Lisa!

We had a delicious meal at Bellissimo, the finest Italian cuisine in town. We had appetizers, entrees, vino, and even the creme brulee made an appearance.

Fantastic Food + Lovely company + Awesome laughter made for a wonderful evening. Not to mention, Lisa was stunning. All the best MissFit! I send big thanks for being apart of the 8 thousand kilometer journey.

In keeping with the Outdoors Theme, here’s Lisa and I doing a skating waltz on the Lake. (Don’t ask)

 

Hockey ProStars

Run: 1 km

Grand Total: 1,225 km

Bonus Activity: Kripalu Yoga and Ultimate Frisbee

I was going through some old pictures and these ones made me smile. It’s the Crazy Freeman Christmas from 2009! There is a definite outdoors, physical activity theme to it, so I figured, “why not write about it?” Plus, it’s my blog. I’ll post what I want.

The lake froze smoothly in 2009. See us “building” the hockey rink.

Jeremy and I face off. I can’t remember for sure, but I’m sure I won!

 

Ma and Pa. I’m sure Ma won against the old timey Shamrock.

The Women ruled the Lake that day.

Who am I kidding? The Women always rule the lake!

Such a fun, outdoorsy day!

Plus, we burned mucho calories and you know what that means: More Christmas Dinner for Us!

 

River Action

Snowshoe: 2 + 3 km

Grand Total: 1,224 km

Bonus Activity: Yoga

Jeremy and I had a blast these last five weeks, spending our week-ends at our “lake houses” in Killarney, Kenora, and Seven Sister Falls. Such a sweet Christmas and New Years!

Now, how to spend our first Saturday back in the city… First, I hit the yoga studio for a session of Ashtanga with Alison. After, Jeremy joined us for at the Falafel House for a lovely brunch. We regrouped at home, which included apartment clean-up and  fueling the laundry train. (Our laundry pile was such a glorious site – a mountain as far the eye can see… Daunting!)

I called Mother F, as it’s her birthday today. Happy Birthday, Mom! (She’s thee best!)

I guess I come by love of adventure honestly!

Here’s Mom on a bridge near Kakabeka Falls, Ontario.

As it was a nice sunny day, with low wind conditions, we decided to hit the snowshoes. We live in an incredibly convenient area for such activities, as walk literally one minute to a little park that opens to the Assinboine River. We threw on our equipment and headed out.

There was some activity out on the river – a couple with a homemade rink and kids sliding – but, for the most part we had it to ourselves. We did see Lucille the Goose, the queen of the river, basking in the last of the day’s sun. She looked straight out of the Ice Age Movie, as she appeared to have missed the migration.

Check out the pictures!

Snowshoe Ready – Standing on the Assinboine River

Jeremy Chillin’ – The “Road” Ahead. Doesn’t it look like we’re in the middle of nowhere?

Lucille The Goose (AKA Lucy Goosey) – Hanging out in the Sun. We’re pretty sure her Winter Home is a blue house just outside of the shot.

Eating some Hiker Truffles, Compliments of Santa Shauna. Fabulous!

Jeremy says, “Gawd Yes” to Chocolate.

Snowshoeing into the Sunset. Sigghhhh.

We ended the day with Heather’s gift of pasta, which was all levels of deliciousness. We watched Inception and crashed for the night. All and all, a good Saturday back to start the New Year!

 

Winter Morning at the Airport

I felt the need to snap a pic from my work parking lot this morning. The stars are still in the sky, but it’s misty and
difficult to see them.

It’s kinda cool that I (practically) go to the airport everyday – even if not to travel. Such a fascinating place, even in the dead of winter.

New Years Revolution

Well, well, well. Betcha thought you wouldn’t hear from me again, hey? So much to catch up on!

First, a quick summary of the kilometers, since October 25, 2010 – eep!:

Ran: 12 km – Ski: 7 km – Snowshoe: 8 km – Walk: 15 km

Bonus Activity: 20 Yoga Classes

Grand Total: 1,219 km!

There may be a few kilometers that I have forgotten, but that’s the price I pay for not staying on the blogging train. What might be most notable is sneakers are being accompanied by skis and shoe shoes. And, where did these yoga points come from??

First, the snow equipment is easily explained. It’s winter, people.

Second, the yoga practice snuck into my life. A girlfriend on mine invited me to join her for a drop-in class at the Yoga Centre. I quite enjoyed it and found myself buying a 20 pack – even though at the time I was playing ultimate frisbee twice a week and rocking the bike daily. I sat on my pass for over a month before I began to attend a variety of classes: Beginner, Ashtanga, Kripalu, Vinyasa, Yin – you name it!

Such a sweet variety and I fell in love with the stretching, the strengthening, and even the cardio in some classes. Unfortunately, I experienced what many rookie yogis experience in the beginning. I discovered that my hips are TIGHT, yo. Toight like a Tiger, one could say. Apparently years of being a student and office worker, combo-packed with running sports can shorten your hip flexors like you wouldn’t believe. As a result, I spent weeks with ice packs on my knees, hips and back – all from yoga. Weird, hey?

All is well and I’m feeling much better. I think it’ll be a brilliant winter activity, when the cold hits and I just want to be inside. It’s all about Plan B.

Now for some pictures!

iPhone pic. Shauna, Jeremy and I showing off the snowshoes. Christmas in Kenora!

Rang in the New Year on Killarney Lake – Literally!

The Parents fireside with some adult beverages. Yup, that’s the boat lift in the background.

How cool is that?!