VegFest, zombies and competition prep confessions... oh my!

Exciting things have happened since my last post!

Last weekend was the Halifax VegFest. I arrived about an hour and a half after it started and the hall was packed with people. I was not expecting that many people. The organizers weren't expecting that many people. There were 3 000 tickets printed and they ran out which is great because proceeds were donated to Hope for Wildlife and North Mountain Animal Sanctuary.

The vendors weren't expecting that many people so most of the food ran out pretty quickly. I made the mistake of walking around the venue before deciding on what I wanted to eat. Because of that, I missed out on the Korean-inspired K-Dog and the other goodies at The Food Wolf food truck and EnVie was out of chickpea wraps when I scrambled to get one. So, I didn't get to eat as much as I would have liked. I ended up having a few random things, my favourite being the quinoa apple crisp from All Good Things Bakery. I am relieved that I couldn't get my hands on what I wanted. My coach told me that there will be time for cupcakes after my competition.

Alright, I may have had
a tiny cupcake from the
Foggy Goggle...

When I walked in to the venue, I was expecting to the same businesses and the same food that I see all of the time. It wasn't like that at all. Cocoa & Honey had vegan organic fair-trade chocolate and truffles. My fitness coach, Krissy, was beside the new supplement company she is endorsing, Verda. There were even animal rights groups that I have never ever heard of! And I thought I knew every single business and group in the area that supports veganism.

My favourite part of VegFest was seeing my friends. I spent half of my time talking to people, running into people that I have only ever known online and I was even hunted down by a woman that I haven't seen since junior high.

Oh yeah. I got the opportunity to talk to Gene Baur, co-founder of Farm Sanctuary. I was interested in knowing if he was planning on doing another run or Ironman and he seemed pretty interested in what I was doing as a bikini competitor. I had to thank him for being such an inspiration to me and for what he has done for the animals. He was one of the speakers this year and he gave an amazing talk that catered to vegans and non-vegans.

I've heard rumors that it will be in a bigger venue next year and it might be held over 2 days instead of one. Also, the vendors will know to bring more food. So if you missed it this year, you have to check it out next year!

Yesterday, Devin and I participated in the Zombie Trail Run. I was expecting the whole thing to be pretty cheesy but the zombies were pretty scary and the organizers got very creative with it. While we were walking up to the park, we passed zombies playing football with a severed head and zombies where limping along while we waited for the race to start. You were given a belt with 3 flags that the zombies are trying to grab. They had obstacles set up in the woods where zombies would pop out at you or chase you. My favourite obstable was near the beginning of the trail. There were 3 doors in the middle of the woods. You had to choose a door and run through it but there were zombies waiting on the other side. There were also zombies playing the banjo and hanging from trees along the trail. It was intense.

You think that's bad? At the end of the race, you hit an open field and where it is a zombie blood bath. Those football players were COMING AT YOU. There were gravel hills you had to run up and down and hale bales you had to jump onto. It was crazy. I lost my remaining 2 flags and Devin lost all of his during that leg.

Oh yeah, we accidentally had to do an extra kilometer because they sent our group down the wrong trail when we started. We also ended up walking 20 minutes back to our car. We parked at an elementary school and took a shuttle over to the trail. We had to leave immediately after the race was over but the there was no mention that the shuttle wouldn't start running again until 1pm. So I was exhausted!

And finally, I am 7 weeks out from the ECC. How is my prep going?

If I can describe it in one word: exhausting. A couple of weeks ago, I received a new workout plan. I have to workout 6 days a week. My workouts consist of weight lifting and pylometrics in supersets. I have to do 30 minutes of cardio on top of that. Some days are fairly quick but my last leg day took me 3 hours to complete. I do have an optional rest day. I haven't taken one yet.

Working full time and hitting the gym is bad enough. Doing the Maritime Race Weekend and the Zombie Trail Run was too much for my body. Running destroys my body. Today, I woke up with sore legs, incredibly sore obliques, a sore back and a bit of a sprained ankle and what did I do? I hit up the gym and did arms, 30 minutes on the ARC trainer and posing. This is also my second day with a killer headache. I'm staying with my parents this weekend and just being here has thrown off my routine. I had a soy latte after the run to get me through the trip home and my driving lesson yesterday.I thought I was dehydrated but maybe the caffiene is causing this headache. Water and painkillers helped last night but they are not helping me tonight. Also, I've been having digestive issues on top of that. Oy. I could hibernate right now.

Sticking to my meal plan has been pretty easy. In the spring, I had the opposite problem that I do now. Working out was fun but I could not get my fingers out of the chocolate chips.

Other than that, I am getting pretty excited. I am seeing huge changes in body. I love my suit. I can't wait to see myself on competition day.

After this show, I am considering taking a lengthy break from competing. There is a drug-free show I would like to do next September. Or I could do this show and decide to never compete again. Roller Derby is on my bucket list. I couldn't commit this year because of the cost and it interferes with competition prep. I might consider joining their orientation next October if I can scrap together some money for the gear.

I hope everyone had a great week. Remember, keep fit and have fun :D

Why everyone should participate in a fun run

Last weekend, I participated in the Maritime Race Weekend, a pirate themed race that supports various non-profit groups, running groups and local businesses. I ran the 5K Sunset race on Friday evening and the 5K Sunrise race the next morning, which earned me triple the epic pirate swag. I'm not a runner. In fact, I despise running and most forms of cardio. I would rather listen to a Nickelback album on repeat for a day than do a half hour of cardio. I find it boring. So why the heck did I do this race, as well as the Run or Dye and the Sole Sisters run if I HATE running?

They're not really competitive.

This race is the first one I have participated in that allows you to track your time. They place a chip in the bib that registers when you leave the starting line and again when you cross it. Placing first, second or last doesn't matter though because the people who cross the finish line the first don't get money or huge trophies (although the first place winners got jam at this race). Everyone gets the same awesome medals and the chance to win great prizes. Even though the race is timed, you don't have to run to participate. There were sprinters, runners and joggers but you could walk the entire course if you chose to do so.

My goal was to run (without stopping to walk) for an entire 5K. I achieved that on Friday evening, which made me super happy! Saturday morning, I wound up walking a little bit (darn you sore legs and stitches in my side!) but it didn't throw my time off by much. I was only in competition with myself and I achieved what I set out to do. To get me through both races, I said encouraging phrases to myself. It has been proven that motivating yourself increases your performance. I kept saying phrases like "You can do it!", "Just a little bit further!" and "You're almost there, keep going!" in my head. I do that during tough workouts and I find it really helps!

I finished the sunset 5k at 29:53 (572 out of 1952 runners) and 31:16 the next morning (109 of 553). I kept up with the first quarter of runners. I am happy with that.

They are for a good cause.

A lot of these fun runs benefit charities, non-profits, schools and athletic clubs. Some runs require you to fundraise while others give part of the fees you pay to the organizations that they are supporting. Either way, participating makes your heart happy!

Do it for the swag.

Some of the swag you get for these fun runs are awesome! I've gotten food samples, coupons, bracelets, t-shirts and some epic medals. Yeah. I can't complain about the swag.

Did you know that the word SWAG stands for Stuff We All Get?

You feel part of something big.

When I arrived at the stage for the Sole Sisters 5K, I was looking down upon a giant sea of purple shirts. Everyone was happy and excited for the race. There were people who took their creative energy and made some elaborate costumes. Being surrounded by so many powerful women helped ease my anxiety about the race to come. The energy that participants give off at these races are contagious. You can't help but feel excited and motivated.

During road races, on-lookers will often gather on the streets and cheer you on as you run (or walk) by. On Saturday morning, I received hi-fives from onlookers and strangers were reading my name off of my bib and cheering me on. I felt like a superstar!

Look at all of that purple at the Sole Sisters Women's Race!

It's FUN!!!
At the Run or Dye race, I got colourful dye thrown all over me. At the Sole Sisters 5K, they had a "Hug Station" where you got to hug some hot firemen. Martime Race Weekend had me running down a road that wove along the ocean. The views were breath-taking! There is a race for everyone.

My boyfriend and I are participating in the Zombie Trail Run at the end of the month where we will be chased by zombies. I have to admit, I am a little afraid for this one!

They coloured me rainbow at the Run or Dye!

And finally...
You never know if you're going to like something until you go out and do it. I tried running and it's not for me. Maybe one day I'll change my mind and decide to train for a marathon or something, but right now, I'm content with lifting.

I didn't do any training for this race because it can interfere with my competition prep. I already know how to run so I wasn't too worried about injuring myself or pushing myself too far. If you're new to running, I highly recommend that you join a local Learn to Run clinic or do a program like Coach to 5K. I have to admit, it would have benefited me to train first. For instance, I realized this weekend that my belly cannot handle tomato sauce, even when eaten 2 hours before my first race. I felt so nauseous when I started and the tomato burps weren't helping. I had runner's cramps both days as well. Training would have given me the opportunity to experiment with my diet and water intake before the race so I could feel my best.

Overall, I had a lot of fun at the Maritime Race Weekend.

I'll see you at the races next year!

Banana phone.......

I lift and cycle so I can gorge on black brier berries... and other news.

The past two weeks have been full of ups and downs. I will try stick with the positives. I have many of them.

First off, Halifax VegFest is fast approaching! It is being held on September 20th at the Olympic Community Centre from 10am until 6pm. Gene Bauer, co-founder of Farm Sanctuary, will be giving a lecture. There will also be cooking demonstrations, booths by organizations and local businesses and lots of food. Even if you're not vegetarian or vegan, check it out because the food is going to be amazing! Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at EnVie, Wild Leek and Fruition or at the door. All proceeds go towards North Mountain Animal Sanctuary and Hope For Wildlife. I personally can't wait. I have heard Gene Bauer speak before and attended the sanctuary. He is inspirational.

http://www.hfxvegfest.com

Also, there will be a free screening of Speciesism: The Movie on September 30th. It starts at 7pm and is being held at the Museum of Natural History. Speciesism: The Movie is one of my favourite documentaries. It asks some really tough questions and tries so desperately and hilariously hard to prove that humans are meant to use animals. If you're free, come and expand your mind. Check out the Facebook event for more information.

For those of you who don't know me, I am 25 years old and I still don't have my drivers license. I am on my 4th learners permit. My boyfriend who I live with, Devin, is going away for work in October. If I don't get my license, it is going to be a pretty tough fall for me because my commute to and from work will increase by 2 hours. Last weekend, I went back to my hometown on the South Shore to take some driving lessons with a friend, who happens to be one of the people who inspired me to go vegan. He told me that with a few more lessons, I should be able to go for my road test. I am excited about that but also scared. Halifax driving is not fun. I have this fear of being rear-ended by impatient people in rush hour. If I do get my license, I may start getting up earlier and going to the gym near my work so I don't have to deal with as much traffic.

While I was home, my parents took Devin and I to visit the LaHave Islands.They had a cool museum filled with the artifacts and history of the people that lived on the islands. The best part was the berries. To my dad, finding berries is like finding gold. There is an abundance of black brier berries on the islands and I gorged myself on the berries I could find. They are so delicious! I am not ashamed because they were worth it.

Mmm free berries!

On the way back to Halifax, Devin and I stopped into Mahone Bay to check out Sweet Ride Cycling. Dev surprised me with a new old road bike the other week and I was very uncomfortable on it. We stopped in to pick up a stem. The man who helped us got me to bring in my bike and peddle on it using a trainer. He made a few recommendations on what we could do to make it more comfortable. I left with a new stem, shorter handlebars and some awesome purple grip tape. It turns out the man who helped us is a Master Fitter (which means he is an expert at fitting bikes? My bike knowledge is limited). The service we received was great. Check it out next time you're in the area. Even if you don't have a bike, they have retro candy.

My awesome new road bike. It's both badass
and terrifying to ride.

Lastly, I attended a barbecue Sunday night. Someone asked me what I must do to prepare for my next competition. So here's the quick version of what you have to do to be a bikini competitor:

I have a fitness coach. I am a client of Krissy Adams of Fit Starts Here. When I decided I wanted to compete, I had no idea how to do it. I chose Krissy because she's a registered dietitian and knows about vegan diets (she is a vegan too!). It is recommended that you hire a coach if you're thinking of competing. Krissy provides me with a workout plan and meal plan that is unique to me and my needs. She arranges posing practices and is there for help and support. If you're in pretty good shape, you can start prep about 3 months before the competition, but I recommend finding a coach before that. If you start prep earlier, it's less stressful on your body and you likely don't have to go to extremes like some competitors do like cutting calories and doing hours of cardio.

I lift heavy 4 times a week. Right now, I have a heavy leg day, high repetition leg day with abs, shoulders & triceps and back & biceps. The amount of cardio I do varies. Right now, I am expected to do at least 30 minutes a day because Krissy wants me to come in leaner for competition. I also attend posing practice once a week. Practices become more frequent as the show date gets closer and I am expected to practice at home. At posing practice, we work on our front and back poses, stage presence and walking in our heels.

For competition, I have already purchased a suit and heels as well as booked my hair, make-up and spray tan.When the competition date arrives, I will be dehydrated and cranky. My tan is booked the evening before. I will likely be up at the wee hours of the morning getting hair and make-up done. I have to strut my stuff sometime after 9am and again at 7pm. Then I will drink a liter of coconut water, eat my heart out and cry at the fact that it's all over.

That's all for this post. I realized that I have a lot to talk about. I'm hoping to talk about some more serious issues later on. Last week, I was told by an old friend of mine that I am "holier-than-thou" and because I am on a moral high ground, I shouldn't talk about veganism. That hurt me a lot. I am still pretty emotional and I am trying my hardest to understand what this person said and what he really meant by it. It's a sensitive topic for sure and I would like to address it more in depth at some point.

Have a great weekend!