It's a rest day today...That's what I said yesterday until I was lured out by a warm blue bird day and the prospect of a food truck selling fish and chips at the bottom of a ski run. So I braved the crowd, got in line and ate lunch in the sunshine on a snow bank. Glorious.
D said that I was adapting well to this "ski bum" lifestyle and I think I would agree. It's been real healthy to live in a beautiful fresh air environment where I'm drawn to spending my days outside doing whatever activity comes to mind. Getting slimmer and fitter is a gradual byproduct.
Part of the challenge with getting used to being here and having a full time active lifestyle has to do with meals. At home, I don't eat breakfast and fast until almost noon.
It has been a transition, making sure I now eat a proper meal first thing to have enough fuel to go out for a few hours in the cold. A vegan protein bar and half a banana hasn't cut it. I've had to organize my cooking to have things on the ready.
My energy and recovery suffered until I realized I needed more calories. My ferritin level has dipped below 50 again so I need to be extra mindful.
Another area I'm working on are gear upgrades. Skiing is not a high output activity for me so I need windproof and increased insulation or else I freeze on the chairlift and while skiing. I'm wearing 3 layers plus jacket along with 2 layers of tights under ski pants, plus mitts or gore gloves. It's ridiculous.
Whereas I can go out on the same minus 17C day without windchill with just a breathable shell and 1 heavier gauge merino layer, single layer tights plus wool insulating skirt on extra cold days, go snowshoeing for a couple of hours and have to take off my hat, neck warmer and gloves because I'm sweating. They are completely opposite activities for me. It's going to take more time to dial in the gear changes.
It's another bright and sunny day today but even when it isn't, the moodiness of a grey day is still beautiful.
