A bunch of training

Life is moving along nicely, and so too is the training. Last week got out running at least 3 times, biking once and swimming once. So, things are getting back on track. The big events are quickly approaching, so no more excuses, training is simply a must.

The question is, what motivates you to keep training...

SUGOI Brand Champion!!

Earlier this year, I applied to be part of the SUGOI Brand Champion program. I have always loved SUGOI and one of my favourite jackets of all times come from them many years ago. And over the years, I've acquired more and more of their amazing product. So, it seemed only fitting to apply to their program. But then something incredible happened... I actually go picked to be a brand champion. Just plain me.

I'm not a professional athlete, I am not an age group winner. I am a middle of the packer. Sometimes closer to back of the pack, depends on the day really. In fact, I sometimes struggle to find the motivation to work out. I eat cause I love food, and sometimes that is reflected in my waistline. But I sign up for races, and I finish. I race so my children know that being active should be a part of every day life. I race so friends and family can see me being active, and hopefully inspire them as well. I race simply because I can, there are many people out there who get sidelined by illness and disease so I race in honour of them, making sure that I use my health to raise money for causes that help those who are sidelined. I race for the feeling you get at the finish, hearing my boys cheer and tell me they are proud of their mama.

So, now that I am actually a Brand Champion, I feel the need to represent SUGOI to the best of my abilities. That means following my goals, and sticking to my program. I have a lofty goal this year. As a full-time working mom of two young boys, I am training for my first ever Ironman, this August at Ironman Canada in Penticton. It's a big goal, but I know it can be achieved. I just need to stick to the program. Stop with the excuses, stay focused and stay committed. There are a few other events planned for the year as well. The Ride to Conquer Cancer Alberta edition, please, feel free to donate to this wonderful cause helping the Alberta Cancer Foundation fund cutting edge research (I still have a bit to raise!!). And one of my favourite half marathons, The Calgary Police Half Marathon. We also signed up for the Melissa's 10km Road Race in September (a nice relaxing post ironman race??). So there are lots of things to train for and account for.  Part of that means, I intend to be a bit more regular with my blogging. For some reason, this has been a struggle in the past year. Finding time to sit at the computer isn't always easy with my little guys wanting so much of my time. But I will work at it, even if the entries are just short!! After all, I am sure many of us sometimes go through the same struggles, and better to share those and find support to continue marching on.

I'm excited. I'm inspired. This year is going to be a lot of fun!! So please, follow along... and share your goals for the year... I would love to hear them!!

Here we go again...

I have a little under eight months until Ironman Canada. It's not a lot of time. Yet, it is. But, my first goal is to trim down this body a bit again (sigh!), since I put back on 20 of the 30 pounds I lost last year. So, for the next four months, I will concentrate on that. Building my fitness base and trimming the pounds. After all, if I have 20 less pounds to get up the big hills, it will be that much easier. Then, I have four months to build my endurance and put in the time for the distance stuff.

I know where I strayed. Truly. When I was on track, I was very disciplined. I exercised every single day. Some days were tough runs, others were easy walks. I incorporated weight training, biking, swimming, sometimes the elliptical or stair machine, sometimes a bootcamp style workout. I was willing to do anything to simply keep my body moving, following Newton's law of an object in motion stays in motion. And really, you almost crave exercise after doing it every day.

The other big stray, my eating. When I was on track, I used the Livestrong, MyPlate to track my eating and exercise. It's fantastic. The app on the iPhone is only $2.99 and literally, since my phone is practically an appendage these days, it's never far from me, and so it is easy to track the eating. And, the database of products is so immense that it includes breads from my local bakery even!! And, if something is not in there, you can add it! And you can add your own recipes that you make at home. It really made me accountable for what I was putting in my mouth. I mean, still I would eat things like ice cream or special treats, but I really planned for them, to make sure it worked into my program. And I was successful. I lost 30 pounds. It was pretty great. And then, I slowly stopped tracking, and then I slowly added more and more treats, and then I slowly started putting the weight back on... grrrrrrr... I saw it happening literally, right before my eyes (sigh), I knew it, and yet I did nothing to stop it.

So, here I am again. It's a new year, and my big goal is in August. I want to be successful. I know I can be. I just need to be disciplined again. So, I start again. Today's weighin, starting weight (insert sad faced kicking myself in the pants for this expression) is 192.0. Ugh. Why oh why must I be here again. It's saying I am 40.1% body fat. I am disappointed in myself. However, today is a new starting point. And today I begin again. Today is the first day. Today I can make good decisions. Will I stumble? I'm sure. But will I succeed? Of course. So, back to tracking what I eat. Trying to include more fruits and vegetables and holding myself accountable for what I put in my mouth and for putting my body in motion.

Enjoying December...

So my streak continues along. It's not a lot, but it's something every day. Even on days when I don't want to do anything, I still get in, at the absolute very least, one mile. Next up we shall attack the eating a bit, but who are we kidding, we are going into the toughest time of year to stay disciplined and on a program. So, rather than start today and fail, I will concentrate on portion size and including all the food groups, with an emphasis on veggies. And keeping up my liquids, mostly water or tea.

My best find lately, is from the Edelweiss Village in Calgary. They have Strawberry Raspberry tea. This takes me back to Germany. My former roommate even sent me this tea once. Mmmmmmm. And it's really just a fruit infusion. There's no actual tea in it. It's just a super awesome way to spiff up your water. I highly recommend it. It's the best way to have a nice hot drink without adding on empty calories. It doesn't need milk. It doesn't need sugar. It's just plain awesome the way it is. So, if you have a little European store to shop at, specifically with German teas, try and see if they stock something similar. You will not be disappointed!!

Next up will be finding myself a program for ironman. It's about that time. I need to have a plan, because without a plan, I will likely not get the workouts in, and I need a strong base to carry me into my long days starting in the spring!! And I may need to pick a race or two as well... just to keep myself on task...

How is your December treating you??

Life is busy. But, I truly believe Newton had it nailed. An object in motion stays in motion, an object at rest stays at rest. So, far, December is starting to prove that once again, I can be in motion!! A friend told me about Strides Running Store December Streak challenge, to go one mile every day in December. Minimum. Every single day. You can do more than that, but you can't count anything above the mile as miles for the next day. To make it a streak, it has to be a mile every day. Including Christmas. No excuses. No exceptions. Find the time, to go one mile.

Well, today is December 13th, and so far, I am 13/13 for going a mile a day. Most days I go more than a mile. But every day, without fail so far, I have gone a minimum 1.6km. And funny enough, when you make it a priority, it fits in. An object in motion, stays in motion.

It's not too late to start. I mean really, there is no set date to start a streak. Today can be your day one. No excuses, just do it!! You'll be set and in a routine before the new year even hits!!