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Week 3 is done – do you know what that
means?  Our little challenge is  half over – my how time flies right?
 
Stephanie’s 12 year old son Nico has joined our  fun. His 206 points this week are all in the level 3 category –just proving that 12 year old boys have endless  energy. Why doesn’t Stephanie look more tired?

Nico knocked someone out of the top ten by coming in second.  Now don’t all
get angry – have you ever met him?  He is delightful.  

You can find this week's scores here.
  
Week 3’s top ten are: Gene C, Nico D, Jean W, Katie J, Sue W., Roula A, Karl S., Kaytlin M, Terry D., and Carissa P.  The Caroline/Carolyn  duo is just waiting to catch someone on an off day.   Caroline E even inquired about some extra points because she played  volleyball in the rain – sorry you’d have to play in a blizzard for extra points.
 
This week – let’s give props out to those in the  middle of the pack.  What a great
group, making that extra effort to add physical activity to our daily  routine. Here’s hoping it will turn into a habit like the fabulous fanatics/people at the top. 
  
We are down to 12 people who seem to have the energy to increase their activity each week – very impressive.  Gene C in first place is one  - can he improve on FIRST PLACE?
 
It seems that Manny could not take others  grabbing his “Most Punctual” title and his form was in first this week – all is right with the world again.
 
Minh went up the stairs 5 times in one day!  How many coffee breaks does this man
take? 
 
Things that make you say “hmmmm?” ....Last week Dave requested injury points…yet this  week he seems to have been able to play baseball.  Interesting, yes? (See my last week’s comment on the cardio activity level of  baseball.)

Another week of many points in the yard work category – even with our rainy weather. 
I think a SA Committee road trip is in order to view these apparently impeccably groomed yards. 
 
Carissa edged out Kaytlin by one to win the most variety award with 10 different
activities.
 
Nick completed the half marathon on Sunday – big  congrats to him.  Did anyone else
participate in Ottawa Race Day?
 
We had a few people drop out, some join and some  who I am not sure if they are still in to the end or not, so our total number is  currently sitting at 53 – will probably be less next week.   But the number of players who got their form in on time (you people rock!)  was 29 – a slight improvement from last  week.

Let’s do the math again…
 
55%
 
Still not  stellar.
 
A passing grade if you were in school…but this is  not rocket science…a 60% should be easy…maybe next  week.

Anyway this week’s winners of the Starbucks gift  card or the privilege of wearing jeans for a week (plus you get a lovely poster for your office/cubicle)….are Vanessa Ogg and Alyssa Pelletier… congrats  ladies. Prizes are given out on a
first come / first pick basis.   Vanessa may have the edge here, as I am not sure Alyssa even knows where I sit. 
 
Still some forms being sent in with no name…how can we fix this?  Shall I begin docking points on forms with no name?  No, that doesn’t seem fair does it…how about a published list of shame in next week’s blog..yes that’s it!  So  beware…I will be taking notes.


Week 4 forms to me by end of day June 3 - Thanks

Have a great weekend.


 
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Here we are reflecting on week 2  already….
 
The long weekend sure put a lot of points in the
newly approved yard work category.  You’re welcome everyone. 

Roula takes the lead this week.  I think being a mom to 4 kids keeps her active – lots of biking and walking happening with her brood. 
Liz – take notes!


 Top 10 for week 2: 
Roula  A, Gene C, Jean W, Katie J, Sue W., Karl S., Kaytlin M, Terry D., Caroline E,  Carissa P., and Chantal  HN
 
Chantal  is only 0.23 points behind Carissa – so I count her in too!
 
You can find this week's results here.
 
It goes without saying that just being in the game is a good thing –  top ten or bottom ten.  If we are all out there making an effort to be physically active it doesn’t really matter where you are in the challenge.  But I must admit I do admire the commitment of those very active people  near the top – it sort of motivates me to get out and do a bit more…
 
19 of us did more this week than last week – who will keep this up until the end?

On the heels of Sue’s new word “canyoneering” of last week – she has now created a new high intensity sport of “mountain hiking”.  Her pitch included the phrase, “hiked up to 6200 ft about sea level in 100 degree heat”.  I say doing anything is 100 degree heat is high intensity.  Well done.
 
Dave is requesting sympathy points this season because he is injured…but really it’s not like if he wasn’t injured he’d be out there running with Karl, …so  the panel says NO.

Marketa logged 4 hours of walking everyday while on vacation in Prague – is Prague truly THAT interesting?  Or is she confusing “walking” with “sitting a pub”?
 
Carolyn  is the Queen of  Variety – with 8 different activities last week, she had the usual suspects but added kayaking to put her over the top.
 
We have a couple of people playing baseball – yes  that good ol’ summer pastime. Every time I see someone get 10 points for playing I really want to watch these games and see if their heart rate is  raised…if they actually move around for a few consecutive minutes.  I know what I am talking about; my son has played baseball for years.   I have had to sit through HOURS of watching this game and have yet to see
a player (who is not pitcher or catcher) break a sweat…but I'm sure lots of fun is happening which is important as well...so...play on.

Kaytlin seems to be the only one playing tennis – and I was close to removing this
category.
 
All Nick’s points this week were in the high intensity level – just as there are some whose points are all in the low intensity level…I won’t single them out…
 
We had a few more Sunday night submissions – Manny’s better half Jen  got hers in before him..what is happening here?….he is slipping. 
  
We now have 51 people participating – a few were on vacation or sick last week and wanted to join the fun.    So, out of 51 players only 27 had their form in on time.
 
Shall we do the math people?  
  
53%.   
  
Pitiful.  
 
Perhaps people were still in long weekend mode and just not back to the high efficiency manner of last week.  Oh well, on the up side this increases the odds for the weekly draws… and  the two people who benefit from this are Dominique Mongeon and
  Chris Gray.  I know these two enjoy their coffee – it  will be a race to see who gets here first for that Starbucks card.   “Jeans for a week” is a good prize too – a little visual bragging around  the office.
  
Friendly reminder still needs to go out about  names on forms…
 
Week 3 forms to me by 4:00pm, Monday May 27th please.  Thank you.
 
Have a great active  weekend.
 
This week’s words of wisdom……
 
We  do not stop exercising because we grow old - we grow old because we stop
exercising. 
Dr.  Kenneth Cooper, Cooper Institute.


 
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The summer- like weather (at least in Ottawa)
last week certainly helped to kick start our SummerActive challenge – lots of  walking, running and biking logged.  
 
We have 49 players this year (so  far, we usually we get some stragglers who join in week 2).   We even have a few of our remote national staff participating this year, as well as some family members.   Welcome ALL!

Results from week one can be found here.
 
This week’s highlights/observations...
 
Well, we have a new Sheriff in town...
Chris  G has taken down Manny for the
“Most Punctual “ player.  Manny has held this elusive honour for years...but his new hire has just taken over...yes, Chris’s form was emailed in Sunday night, a few hours before Manny. Other 
Sunday evening submissions were Mark B and Sandra Z so they get an honourable mention.

You would think our long distance submission would have come from our colleagues in BC (
Gene, Stacey, Julie) but no, Caroline E. sent hers in from CALIFORNIA while she was on vacation!  And it made it in on time!   Sue, do you see where she wins here?

Rick  B added quitting smoking to his form, which gives him a million points (that don’t count) but does get him our ultimate respect, and support (which is worth more right?) and a call out – CONGRATS  RICK!  
 
Is it possible that Aaron is being strategic this year – setting the bar so low in week one, making it  easy to improve each week to win the Most Improved Player Award?  

A few of the
CCS ladies went to Yoga on the Hill last week (every Wed. at noon for those  interested) – I am sure they returned to the office feeling centred, calmed, and
all Zen like. Maybe they could bring Dave with them next time….?

Liz  was hoping to somehow add the 20lb baby she is carrying as weight lifting but
that would be unfair as her extra weight is only temporary and some of us carry
extra weight ALL the time… nice try though.

Sue added canyoneering to her activity sheet – not even sure that is a word (spell check doesn’t think so) but she claims it is very hard – like an extreme sport – that is how hip/cool she is.

Minh, Carolyn P and Roula
  (probably in heels!)  seem to be  the only ones tackling the stairs going up here at our office.  Gene in BC is doing some  stairs too – what floor are you on?  Chris G went up ONCE early last week, and then it looks like he figured the 2 points was just not worth it.  On the flip side Manny  went down once and seems to have had the same thought...not worth it!

Jean is our leader once again this year...and brisk walking is her thing.  She did 1100 minutes of walking last week. I’m kinda thinking maybe she is part of some research study?

Kaytlin
does weight training every day– I wouldn’t want to get on her bad side – she could  probably take me out in a second.

Chantal is  making good use of her gym membership – exercise classes every day – what a commitment!

Odette!  You are playing??? And look at all the walking everyday – yeah!

Top ten to watch for week one are J
ean W, Katie J, Sue W., Gene C, Roula A, Caroline E, Kaytlin M, Chantal HN, Karl S., and Terry D. I’d watch out for Carolyn
P
only one point behind Terry  and Julie D., only 5 points out and  the long weekend ahead – she’ll be out  dancing!

Variety point leaders this week are GillianAlyssa, Julie D and Minh  – all had 7 different activities logged – variety keeps it fun.

So for week one, we had 41 players get their forms to me by 4:00pm on Monday making them eligible for the weekly draw.   Don’t worry people; the odds get better as the weeks go on…This week’s winners are: 
Colin Sell and Marie Claude Mallet. 
First one to find me gets to choose their prize - $10 Starbucks gift card or the fabulous "Jeans for a Week" poster to hang on your door/cubicle.
On your mark, get set, GO
 
Some housekeeping issues:

Please put your name on the form – I do print them out to read and if there is no name I may steal some of your points.
     
Please use the updated form attached here. There was a formula glitch on the yard work sections (corrected on those who had time inputted last week – don’t worry) and you can now input your activity on the “other” line. 

Due to the holiday on Monday May 20th...forms need to be in by Tuesday end of day (4:00pm end of MY day).

Thanks all for playing...unit next week...