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!!

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??