It's been awhile...

Wow, I have neglected this blog lately. What's been happening?? I have been busy working on Fit Element (www.thefitelement.com) and have been loving it. Why did it take me so long to find the perfect job for me? I guess it was obvious to everyone else besides me. I spend all my free time working now, and it's been great!! I am beyond excited about this. What a joy and a pleasure it is to enjoy my job. I have boot camp classes starting up in Didsbury and Carstairs in just over two weeks and I can't wait to get started.

In training news, I ran the St. Patty's Day 10km two weeks ago and had a great race, 42:19, which is not a personal best for me, but I it's the fastest 10km I have done since switching to triathlon training as opposed to just racing 10kms. I am very excited about this, it's early in the season and my run fitness is good, I am swimming faster than ever, and I know I am making gains on the bike, I just haven't had a chance to test it out yet. At this point I will try not to put too much pressure on myself, but my subconscious is whispering, you can go sub 2:20 this year, and maybe, if the conditions are perfect, just maybe 2:15??? What pressure????

The Joy of Exercise (aka the inner workings of my mind??)

Joy?? A lot of people find exercise a chore, something they dread, something they do because they "have" to. But what are the joys of exercise?

For me, one of the big reasons I exercise is competition. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to compete, so I work hard to get faster and stronger. When I am in those really hard workouts, when I feel like I can't do another interval, when my legs are burning, my heart is racing and I can barely catch my breath, I think of race day -- and I keep on pushing.

But I also exercise for other reasons. I exercise because I love the way it makes my body feel. Firm and muscular feels good in my favorite jeans. I love feeling fit and healthy. But I also love the way it makes me "feel". I have more energy and feel more vibrant when I am exercising. During rest periods where I might take a few days off in a row I feel sluggish and tired. Plus, you can't forget about those great endorphins after really hard workouts. Although I think my husband could probably do without those moods, because I talk nonstop when I am on a "runner's high".

I also exercise because I purely enjoy it. To me there is nothing like getting outside on a country road (in good weather) and heading out for an easy run. I let my steps go without looking at my wristwatch, and my mind wanders... And I usually come home and say to my hubby, "you know what I was thinking..." and he just laughs at me. My best thinking happens on my long runs.

Exercise is also family time. When the kids were little I would load them up in the chariot and we'd head out along country roads and take notice of horses, cows, wildflowers (weeds), a variety of native four legged furry creatures, birds, and even the circle of life by witnessing decomposition over time (how road kill can be interesting to kids...). They would pet ponies, pick flowers in the ditches and get out for the last bit and run home. They sometimes still talk about those rides. Now that they are older we exercise together. Sure, it's not the hard stuff that makes for personal bests, but it's quality time (and calories burned!), out riding bikes, walking (and now running with my soccer girl!), roller blading, skating, and cross country skiing. Exercise has become a family affair. And the best part is knowing the example I am setting for my kids. They know that exercise is just another normal part of life, like brushing their teeth. Being fit and eating healthy is the norm in our house (I will save the fast food frequency for another post).

And some days? Well, yes, even some days I exercise because I feel like I "have" to. But that's okay. Because there are so many reasons to get out the door, on the bike, in the pool, on the treadmill, to the gym, that the days when I don't feel like it, I can dig deep and get 'er done.

We all exercise for different reasons, but the very best, is when we find the JOY in exercising!

Crazy Soccer Weekend

Chasing two kids around at one tournament is a challenge...thank goodness for friends and Grandma!! Both kids had a blast and Grandma and I survived (when I say Grandma, I am indeed referring to my MIL extrodinaire!) I am tired, and missed my long run this weekend, but wouldn't trade it for the world. We did the rides at Galaxy land, shopped the mall, swam, ate out and had lots of team bonding time! Oh and attended some soccer games too!! Ayden had some great moments on the field, including a great goal from the "blue line". A couple unlucky goals kept them out of the medals, but all in all a great weekend of soccer for the girls. Liam's team went undefeated and won the gold medal!! Super exciting for these little guys!! And Marty was able to get back from his sledding trip to catch the kids in both Sunday games.
My soccer mom sydrome muscles are wore out from leaning and phantom kicking, the bags are half unpacked, the dog is still at the kennel, but the kids are in bed...time for me to follow!!

The Mean, Mean Coach is True to Form

I attended my first ever spin class with my mean, mean coach Angie Anderson. She's not really mean, that's just me teasing...she's actually really great, motivational, inspirational, etc.... Was the spin class tough? Heck yes!! Did I work harder on my bike than I do at home in front of the TV?? For sure!! So, the verdict?? Spin class with Angie is going to be awesome!! I went straight from spin class to the nearest gas station to buy a 1L jug of chocolate milk. I drank the whole thing on the way home...next time, I think I will bring some sharkies to eat on the bike. Wow, was I exhausted!!

p.s. sorry for the excessive use of exclamation points on this post.

Twisty Ankle...

Seriously, I am cursed....Stepping out of a big truck and landing on a crack in the pavement wouldn't equal a twisted ankle for most people, but for me, it does. So I twisted my right ankle, (this one has only been sprained once before) and felt the "crunchie, crunchie" on both the inside and outside". I hollered and screeched (yes, screeched) and the kids both hopped out of the truck and ran to my side to see if I had seriously wounded myself somehow. Nope, just me doing my thing, twisting my ankle on nearly flat ground (wearing sneakers too-not running shoes with an elevated heel, but skater type shoes, flat as can be)!!!

The good news is this morning there is not a lot swelling, some general soreness, but what concerns me is the spot that is the most sore is right on the ankle bone. So I am thinking, what? Did the tendons try and pull off the bone avulsion like? Hopefully it's nothing...I won't be doing my tempo run this am, but I am still planning on going to my very first ever spin class (with my mean, mean coach)!!!!! Can't wait!!!! Should be barf-o-rama fun!!!