I get knocked down...but I get up again!!

Life always finds a way to throw us curve balls...maybe it's to check to see if we are staying focused,  in the now, maybe they are meant as wake up calls or maybe they are just a way to test our inner strength, determination and resolve....whatever their true purpose, I know that it is the reaction to the situations, not the falling, that is the test, how quickly you get back up, dust yourself off and start moving towards the goal again!

Training towards my half ironman goal has shifted things in me slightly (I am excited to train, not skipping workouts, drinking more water,  sleeping more and I have more energy) I am beginning to dig deeper, pushing harder and flirting with efforts levels as I haven't in years.  I am finally running with my favourite again, something I have missed terribly.  It's great to run side by side with someone who pushes me, and rather than back off and make an excuse when he starts to pick up the pace, I push back, I dig deep, I feel my legs scream but my brain encourages me to try to match his stride and stay at his side.  I am hitting paces that I wasn't sure I would ever run again and I'm loving it!

However, life threw me a curve ball...or in this case a cracked, broken sidewalk while on vacation.  I went down pretty hard (I took a chapter out of my older sisters book and actually hit the pavement). Yes, I cried and yes, I had a few moments of worry that maybe I had re-broken my right foot but I forced myself up and started moving back towards the hotel...no use wishing I hadn't fallen...no use worrying about July.  I kept my focus on the now and taking care of what I was able to control.  I decided to not let a sprained ankle ruin my vacation.  I enjoyed a fun/scary moped ride through Playa de Carmen with a sweet little Mexican man.  I kept my ankle iced and elevated while holding down my beach chair with a drink in my hand.  We went for slow walks along the beach drinking in all the sights along the way.  I took advantage of the beautiful pool and allowed my long lost love of swimming to rekindle itself while SV headed out for his runs solo.  I refused to feel sorry for myself, it's a small injury compared to what could have happened, I have been focused on doing what I can and letting my body recover (minimizing any further injuries by pushing too hard too soon).  I'm doing all the things that I can control and not allowing myself to worry about things that I have no control over what so ever.  Truly, for the first time in my life I am 100% able to let go of that worry... maybe that is what this latest curve ball was meant to do, show me that I have truly gotten mentally stronger and I am not going to be knocked down long by anything...So bring it on!!!!

Finding my tools

Hi there!
It sure has been awhile.  I would like to say that I have had a great reason for my absence but honestly all I have for you is a bunch of excuses and none are the real reason that I haven't been keeping you up to date.  The truth is I didn't know what it was I wanted to do on this part of my journey.   I have been doing a bunch of reflecting the last few weeks, maybe it's the time  of year but I finally made a few decisions and I am happy to say that I am back!!
Since breaking my foot in 2012, I have been dealing with what has felt like endless injuries.  I didn't allow myself to plan ahead, I didn't set goals because I wasn't sure that I would be able to achieve them so rather than use my injuries to motivate myself to get better and stronger, I became comfortable with just going through the motions with no purpose.  I started looking at the training as just the balance to eating a breakfast cookie!
We all have certain "tools" in our tool box, you know those "tools" that make us who we are, the ones that help us create our path to reach our goals, the ones that make you feel strong and motivated --hard work, determination, dedication, goal setting, time management, strength in body and mind, perseverance, courage, focus, positivity, self love, etc.  I used to be great at keeping my "toolbox" tidy and uncluttered, everything in it's place and ready to use but over that last two years I have gotten careless and allowed my toolbox to become chaotic and cluttered.  I allowed self doubt, lack of focus, limited strength/injury, poor time management, poor goal setting, worry that my racing days might be over and of lack of desire, to keep me from prioritizing and found that it was becoming easier  and easier to make excuses (excuses are always easier than hard work) to not race or train.  I began feeling like I should close the lid on my toolbox rather than take the time to clean out all the useless crap and keep things tidy.  Luckily, I  talked to SV and he encouraged me to set a new challenge for myself because he knows that I will work hard towards my goals…all I have to do is take out the crap that is cluttering my toolbox!
I realized how much I miss some of my favourite "tools"…I've missed setting goals that make my butterflies take flight, I've missed working/training hard, I've missed challenging myself.  I miss the excitement of being out there on race day with the other athletes who are pushing themselves to their limits and I miss the excitement of crossing a finish line!
I have always been an athlete and I am excited to be one again…the goal has been set…I WILL complete my first Half Ironman triathlon this summer (can you believe I haven't done a half Ironman yet…two full Ironman's and Ultraman but this will be my first half!!).  I am motivated to get to the start line injury free, I am excited to race on my home course and I am pumped to be out there competing with several of my athletes.  I will do my best and I know I am going to have a blast!!!  I hope you will join me for this journey…it might not always be a smooth road but I know I have the right tools to get me through any rough patches!!!

New Challenge

I haven't done a blog post in over 6 months...how is that even possible??  Wow, time has a way of speeding by!
Things are in full swing here in Muskoka.  Triathlon season has begun and I sadly won't be doing much racing.  I have been dealing with injury for what seems like forever and although I am able to swim, bike and run...putting them together isn't going well for me.  I am doing all the steps to help the healing process and I look forward to cheering at the great local races.  However, I needed a focus... something to make me less disappointed about not racing...so I made one up myself.  I'm calling it the "Tour de France Challenge".... a test to my body and mind for the next three weeks.  The goal....to try to ride when the Tour de France bike racers ride(on the same days..not time of day...that would just be too crazy given the time zone) ...and to do 50% of their daily distance (1831.75km total).  I know it won't be easy and I know I will probably have moments of wondering why I decided to do this challenge...but those of you who know me know that I love that crazy stuff. It's my idea of fun!!
I am hoping by making this challenge public that I will stay motivated to reach my goal. I expect you all to kick me out the door (figuratively) when I don't want to go for another ride... and say "awe muffin" when I start to whine about being sore/tired. I hope that many of you will join me out on the roads during the challenge...especially any big men who would like to ride in front of me blocking all the wind!!!
I am excited to test my body and mind and hopefully all this mileage will help me in the later summer and fall for some possible racing....fingers crossed!

TdF Challenge...3 days done!

"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!!