Phoneix + PechaKucha vol. 13

Do you live in Vancouver? Have you tried Cafe Medina?

Please go. I am an avid supporter of breakfast all day or at the very least enjoying brunch as often as possible. My standards for my favourite meal of the day are high; and this ranks on top of my list for brunch spots in Vancouver.  

I started Sunday (recovery day) with a trip to Cafe Medina where I enjoyed breakfast that can only be described as perfection. I should note that Reese Witherspoon was spotted at the restaurant later that day -  that sayin'. 

I took a couple food shots but got too excited when my actual brunch came and forgot to snap one.

My non-fat macha latte

Best Belgian Waffles in the city served w/freshly melted warm dark chocolate.

Sunday night I was lucky to get given a ticket to the nearly sold out Phoenix concert - big thanks GR. They played a fabulous set at the PNE Forum - having seen them at the Orpheum earlier this year I was worried the sound wouldn't be as good. I stand corrected they filled the PNE forum with their upbeat sounds and had a majour Sunday night dance party in full effect.

I love that they switched up their set list and added in a bunch of their older songs including some in French - they are from Versailles, France after all.  If you haven't explored their sound I definitely recommend it.

Last night (Thursday) I attended another fabulous night of PechaKucha vol. 13 at the Vogue Theatre. Steven and Jane Cox (Cause + Affect) put on this unique event every few months which gives guest speakers seven minutes to talk about their passion, inspiration and things they are doing to better the world. While they speak photos they’ve select fill the screen behind them and change every 20 seconds.

I love attending these events; I find them so inspiring, full of motivation to do good + they show you that you can be successful doing your own thing - being your own boss. To look for solutions, creatively.

They normally post videos of all the speakers on their website so if you have a few minutes I recommend you check out; Grant McDonagh of Zulu Records, Michael Lyons from Smallworks, Connely Farr Mississippi Live and Robert Caulder from Boompa.

Back in May I posted this video of my friend Stephanie who spoke at PechaKucha Vol. 10 - check it out if you missed it that time - Steph on stage at PechaKucha



I haven't done much training this week because I've been very sore following my accident. Thursday is by the far the best I've felt all week - so all the RICE and positive thoughts are helping.  I'm hoping to be back running this weekend:)

Hope you are getting to enjoy this fantastic fall weather. I'm referring to it as summer in disguise in late September - only better then summer because you can wear your fab knee high boots;) and I'm lovin' it!!

Lisztomania.

Last week was a busy one for me it was the first heavy training week I've had in a while. Here is the full recap.

monday
5 AM - stair climber 30 minutes speed intervals zone 3 intensity, targeted leg strength training and long stretch
PM - 40 minutes on the treadmill alternating incline and speed in zone 3 followed up with 4 sets of:
20 sit-ups, 30 jumping jacks, 20 burpees (with push ups) and 15 push ups (totally exhausted after this workout)

tuesday
PM - Grouse Grind after work - first time up in 2010

wednesday
5 AM - 46 minutes on treadmill zone 3 training; 2 mins at low end 1 min at high end and 1 min walk recovery in between
PM - 60 minute spin class with Tim and then 30 minute ab class

thursday
6 AM - stair climber 27 minutes interval training followed by a 17 minute circuit training session and long stretch

friday

6:30 AM - 60 minute spin class with Bob

PM - Grouse Grind followed by long stretch at gym

Post workout I went to the Phoenix concert (presented by Bell) which was absolutely brilliant, the sound filled the Orpheum. The crowd was on their feet the entire time. And they allowed the crowd on stage for the encore -

saturday
AM - 10 km bike ride and 50 minute run on treadmill in zone 1
After my workout I went for my MRI (where I fell asleep) and then I headed out to visit my very pregnant friend Ashlee.  She gave birth to a beautiful and healthy baby girl this morning named Colbee!  Can't wait to meet her this coming weekend.  After that I went with Nicole squared (the napster and smeigel) and my Muss to a soccer fundraiser for dinner and then home to bed.

sunday
AM - 10 km bike ride and 1 hour 33 minutes in zone 1 on the treadmill for a total milage of 10 miles (longest run since my 50 km!! times of pain but for the most part felt good)
Afternoon/PM - Tourist in my city with my dad we walked around Vancouver for 3 hours taking photos of all the Olympic sites that are set up so far.

Today I'm feeling not bad but taking a well deserved rest day.  Hope to post some pics from my father daughter day shortly.

Cultural Olympiad.

Concert two of my Cultural Olympiad is tomorrow night!!  Rolling stone recently named Phoenix's "Wolfgang Amadeus" album one of the best albums of the decade.  I scored last minute tickets for their show which I'm super excited for.

This week has been a good training week for me I'll recap it and the concert over the weekend.  But I plan on finishing it off with spin class tomorrow AM and the Grouse Grind après work as a pre-concert warmup.

21 sleeps until the Vancouver Olympics!  Happy Friday.

Photo taken a few weeks ago in North Vancouver while mountain biking.