"Just a Coach"

I am a coach. Plain and simple that is what I do. I have been coaching swimming for more years than I can remember, working with triathletes and runners for 10 years and teaching Yoga for almost 9 years. (wow, seriously where has time gone?). I have had the pleasure of working with all ability levels, from very beginner to top elite athletes and every single day I am grateful to be able to do what I do. However, there was a time in my life when I let a few people make me feel that being "just a coach" was insignificant, that it wasn't a "real" job or something to be proud of. True, I will never cure cancer or solve world hunger or make the Forbes 500 list, but being a coach is a worthwhile and satisfying career. I get to go to work every day helping people. I get to watch as people get fitter, build healthier relationships with their families. I get to encourage them to make life changing goals and become role models to their friends and families. I get the joy of watching people discover that they are stronger than they think they are. I get to be the cheerleader, the ass kicker and the shoulder to lean on when they are struggling. I have helped countless people cross finish lines they never thought they would reach(Ironman/Half-Ironman, Try-a-Tri, marathons/half-marathons,5kms, etc). Anyone who has ever crossed that finish line, knows what a magical place it can be and I get to be a part of all of those magical moments. Honestly, I get goosebumps thinking of these accomplishments that I have had the honour to be involved in. Watching my athletes conquer their fears, discover new depths to their strength and determination, seeing the excitement on their faces as they do something for the first time (touching their toes, doing a handstand, reaching the top of Mt. Lemmon, run a PB, swim farther) means more to me than any benefits package that other jobs may provide. Over the years I have come to realize that while there may be people out there who think of me as "just a coach" they aren't the ones that matter...it is people that call me "their coach" that matter because they are the ones who make my job worthwhile and there is nothing on this earth that I would rather do than help people make their dreams come true!

Hi!

Hi, how have you been? Me...busy busy! Life has been in full swing since the summer and to be honest I love it. UltraPossible athletes are working hard in the "off season" and I am finding myself getting pretty excited for the 2014 season! So many things happening and events on the horizon that I am excited beyond belief. I have found myself reflecting on last season...not exactly the year that SV and I had planned on, both of us dealing with injuries and mechanical failures but overall a fun summer, just not a lot of race goals realized. So as we approach the end of 2013, I am thinking about my goals for 2014 and realizing that I really want to push and challenge myself this year!! So what should I do?? AND more importantly, what are YOU planning for 2014??

Big Steps

Labour Day weekend...unbelievable that the summer is drawing to an end...hardly feels like summer was here!  The triathlon season is almost over (here in Muskoka, anyways) and although I didn't get to do as many races as I would have liked, I think I may have figured out what was causing the issues in my quad muscle and I am excited to build my strength back up on the bike and even more excited that I am back to running and running pain free, Woo Hoo!
This month marks a big step for UltraPossible... We have found and are opening our new home for our athletes. A space to call ours!  So freaking scary and exciting all at once!  Looking forward to expanding our class schedule and being based out of one location...although we will continue our Yoga in the Park next June...can't leave our Yoga tree behind!!
I just want to take a quick second to thank everyone who made this big step possible...SV, you are the  reason all of this is happening...you're encouragement/kicks in the butt/patience/faith in me have gotten me to where I am!  XOXO
Brent...such a great partner and friend...you have helped make UltraPossible such a complete company and I love taking on this adventure with you... It's going to be busy, it's going to be challenging, but I know we will do this with smile on our faces and have a tonne of laughs along the way!
All the UltraPossible athletes, families and friends. It's been a fun ride and its about to get more interesting!  I thank you for your support, your strength and your commitment to us and our goals. I love the passion and friendship that IS this group!

4 years...Really?!

It's hard to believe how fast time can pass....4 years ago I began one of the most challenging athletic events of my life, Ultraman Canada (10km open water swim, 420km bike, 84.4km run).  As the athletes prepare to step into Skaha Lake tomorrow... I can't help but think back to all the fun and crazy times we had making our way around Penticton, Princeton and Summerland...We had laughs and tears and a few shots of tequila!   I want to thank the best crew UMC has ever seen; Peggy, Susan and Steve...you got me to every start line and finish line and made the event entertaining for me and other athletes out there...while I have no plans to do UMC again, it holds a very special place in my heart!

Day #1

Team BB car

A little "ice" bath

SV enjoying the super soaker!

Peggy, Susan and I before Day #3

The devil made run course!

Running stride for stride through 84.4km

Happy to be done!

Best Crew EVER!!

Cheers!

SV was a little sore the next day!!

Inspiration

I love my job...honestly the joy it brings to my life makes me the wealthiest woman in the world!
I have had an interesting 6 months or so.  It started with breaking my foot and has included; some random tailbone infection, my sister being in the Boston Marathon and the stress of not knowing if she and her husband were ok, getting knocked down at the start of a race,  and having lingering injury issues that have me unsure of what this race season will bring.  It can be difficult to stay focused/motivated to get out there and work hard.  This is where all my athletes come in... and how much they motivate me.  Day in and day out they push themselves to new heights they didn't know they could achieve.  They doubt themselves and worry... but in the end they push and do the hard work because I have given them the reassurance that they are capable... and that they are stronger than they think.
 Today, I was to run a half marathon, (which at the time of registering I was planning on running a sub-1:30), however over the last month I have not been running because of a lingering injury that has forced me to pay attention to it.  The worst part was I was planning on running with my sister and get her to a new PB.  I was disappointed and decided I would run 10km just so I was still able to start the race with her and I could test the leg to see if the rest and treatment was helping.  However, once I was out there something interesting happened..on an out and back section other ladies running the race (athletes that were 2 or 3km behind me) started cheering for me and telling me I looked awesome.  Now at this point I was running a pace that for me is fairly easy and was planning to stop at 10km. Then I realized that although I was having some pain, I was still running... and running fairly well.  I began thinking of my athletes... one was running in the same race as myself, and three athletes were running a marathon/half marathon in Ottawa.  I knew they would be hurting but none of these athletes would quit, not for anything...so why should I??  I used their hard work and determination to keep me going forward.  I had a huge smile on my face...I thanked every person who cheered me on...I chatted with the Firemen who were working the aid stations.... and I waved at the little girls who were cheering for me because my name was Barbi.
Was it my fastest half marathon?  Not even close...but I was able to finish something I started with my sister.  I didn't give up, just as none of my athletes would ever give up.  AND... I got some of the best news ever...my athletes ALL reached their goals today...so damn proud right now!!  Thanks for the motivation and inspiration UltraPossible athletes! You make me soar!!

Some pics of some of the greatest athletes around that make my life so full!!

P.S.  Did I mention that I love my Job??

Chin Up

Sometimes it is better to just focus on the positive and the beautiful things in life.  Don't waste time stressing about the things you can't control or change.  In the words of my big sis "Don't be afraid to take a beat"....so this is me stopping to enjoy the smell of a beautiful flower and letting go of some of the stress I have been carrying around this past week and a half!

Environment Change

...Coach brings in a 2x4 and puts it on the mat, asks the fighters to walk across it heel to toe.  They all get up walk across the 2x4 like it's no big thing.  The coach brings in 2 tall step ladders, hangs the 2x4 across them and asks who's ready to walk across the 2x4.  No one raises their hand.  The environment changed....the Act doesn't.  It's the same thing..the same 2x4....(Chael Sonnen)
This really hit home with me.  I have seen it so many times in the athletes I coach or am friends with.   What is it about race day that makes people forget the task at hand/ the goal they have trained for?  Is it the start/finish line, is it the clock, the crowds of people, the new racing outfit?
In triathlon and running the environment is always changing, every day brings a new route, a new bump in the road but in reality it is still just forward motion, one stroke, pedal or stride after another.  Where you are and who is around you shouldn't distract from the task that you are doing.  
I tell my athletes that Race day is just another day...except this time you have tonnes of other people around who will motivate you to push a little harder (you know that guy that passed you in the grey sweat pants...NO way are you going to let him beat you!!).  There will be people to hand out nutrition that you might have forgotten to pack, port a potties just in case, crowds of people cheering you on and telling you that you look strong (that NEVER happens in training) and someone is going to place a medal around your neck when you finish.  So much better than a regular training day!!
 The hard work and action that you put into every day of your life is what gets you to race day.  You CAN do this,  you do it every day in training.  The ACT is still the same!  Rather than letting the environment change of race day bring emotions of doubt/fear, embrace the actions that you have done to get there.   Keep the forward motion and enjoy every moment!

Refocus

It is easy to get frustrated when things don't go the way you want, to not have control or have a definite end point.  I've been doing my best to be patient and reminding myself that my body will be ready, but with my first half ironman 19 weeks away, the continued foot discomfort has been starting to plant doubts in my brain.  I see the numbers on the treadmill and want to push harder, to try to "keep up" with SV but I have to listen to the body and that is the source of my frustration.  My brain and my body aren't agreeing.   I've decided to trick my brain.  Time to refocus..rather than let myself get down about what I am not able to do (run fast) I am challenging myself to do things I normally wouldn't do.  I am practicing Yoga daily and letting my brain focus on the great things I can do.  All the extra Yoga is helping those sad running muscles feel better, totally win-win!!  So for the next 6 weeks I will be refocusing on the positive...can't wait to see what I can get into!

Better

I had an injury.  It's healing...but not as fast as I would like.  This past week I hit the ground running,  and it hurt.  I tried to cut myself some slack... these were the first outdoor runs I have done since October and the most mileage I have done in 14 weeks.  However, that irrational part of my brain, quickly went to the what if's, you know, the: what if I can't run pain free again, what if I am not as fast as I used to be, what if I can't run long... what if, what if, what if.

We all go through "stuff" (an injury, a loss, a break up, a bad spell...whatever it is) and the focus tends to be on getting back to where we used to be, being as good/happy as we once were but that isn't the right way to look at it.  I realized this week, that I have to be kinder to myself.  My body is doing the best it can and that is all I ever ask from myself.  I shouldn't be pushing myself to go harder or farther right now, because I am not ready and that is ok.  I am the only one who expects more, yes SV may have helped point this out to me :)  So my focus right now isn't on trying to be as strong or as fast as I "used" to be, instead I am going to focus on doing the right things and getting stronger and that is a process which has no finish line and no matter what I will be better than I once was!

Let's go for a ride!

I know many people have many opinions with regards to LA and what is front and center in the news...and that is the beauty of opinion,  we are all entitled to our own!  

I am not going to go on and on about what he should or shouldn't have done...not my place...all I know is that if  he ever wants to go for a ride, I would jump at that chance....especially if he wears his "kit" below ;)  What a perfect day, riding with SV and LA.   I would be a VERY happy lady!