Secret Santa Struggles

I am going to be honest with you; I am starting to get a little sour about spending Christmas alone here in the Kootenays. It is my first Christmas away from home this year and I thought I would be able to combat my case of the lonelies on the 25^th with indulgences that include (but definitely are not limited to) Chinese food and Christmas movies. The fact is I started to realize just how bummed I am to be missing out on adult beverages with old friend

s, getting out skated by a bunch of kids that were in elementary school when I played hockey at the Annual MRHS Grad hockey day and watching the kids in my family exhibit all the magic of Christmas with crying (yes, I mean tears) and shrieks of joy.

One of the ways I am combating this lonesome Christmas is by taking part in the World’s largest Secret Santa. Now I am at a loss for picking out my gift. I have no idea what to buy my nerdy/athletic/gamer male match. I want something unique, but I am starting to struggle. John Helm and I have contemplated what to buy for our significant others on Morning Rocks, so it makes sense that I am struggling with buying something for a complete stranger. What the hell am I to buy? Here is a little about 'That Canadian Bacon'

I could go with the listener’s idea from this morning’s show, he suggested picking up a ‘Clapper’ for the person who you don’t know how to shop for. What do you think I should send my Secret Santa buddy? Let me know your thoughts by email at kate@mountainfm.net!

UPDATE: I totally ended up finding the perfect gift for my match, something he can use Sunday afternoons while cooking his girlfriend lunch that compliments his neediness with a great Game of Thrones pun!

I will keep you updated about what I end up getting in exchange!  

For more on my Reddit Secret Santa experience click here.

Learning to Run (Again?)

Please feel free to sing the title of this blog in the style of the Foo Fighters, I sure am. 

Midday host Jenny Fines and I want to start running.

Okay, well Jenny Fines wants to start running. I want to just do a 5k and cross it off my bucket list. Before moving to the Kootenays I was in amazing shape. I went to the gym everyday and worked my butt off. Seriously, I was weight training 5 days a week (with minor cardio) and doing full cardio blasts twice a week. I was in training to get that 5k off my summer to do list.

But then I moved to BC and became a slight work addict, nixing my plans to run a 5k by the end of summer 2013. In the battle between spending half an hour working on my show prep or running, show prep will win every time. 

So, I am looking for you suggestions on getting into running. I am athletic, should I just run it and set the bar for myself that way or should I start a training regiment? To be clear, this is not about weight loss (I love my body) this is about putting one foot in front of the other foot over a distance that has been pre-determined and doing it in a timely fashion.

I have no desire to be a runner; I want to be able to say that I did it and wipe it clear off my bucket list. 

So what are your tips for breaking into the running scene? How much is too much to pay to run your first race? How much water should we bring? What is a good first finishing time? What is the best local 5k to run? Do I load up on carbs or cut them carbs before my first 5k?

I am a pretty healthy individual. I eat well; I live on a low carb diet (20g ish a day). I think I can run this cold without training, but I am still open to all suggestions and would consider giving it a few weeks of practice.

Here are some infographics I fully intend to read for advice: 

by hightable.
Explore more infographics like this one on the web's largest information design community - Visually.