i feel a challenge...

10:12:10

i'm looking for a new adventure...

since i finished the gunner shaw i have been taking it easy. a little bit of running in vancouver and some strength training at the ymca-ywca of greater victoria. but i haven't committed to much.

i would like to return to some of my group training sessions. i have explored the classes at body dynamics headquarters and crossfit zone and i find both studios to be a welcoming community of like minded, fitness enthusiasts....my kinda people :) .

i am also taking off to tofino for a few days this month for a winter surfing trip with some family and friends.

so i'll keep my training simple and fun to give my body and mind a rest until january.

then i'll ramp it up again for something new, something inspiring. i feel a challenge is on the horizon...

27.11.10: gunner shaw: race day

Strength: The quality or state of being strong; ability to do or to bear; capacity for exertion or endurance, whether physical, intellectual, or moral; force; vigor; power; a, strength of body or of the arm; strength of mind, of memory, or of judgement.

i wrote the letters on my arm in permanent black ink. i asked for the strength to keep running. i asked for the strength to push through when i wanted to stop. the strength to run fast, to give it my best effort, and to greet my family and friends with a smile no matter what the outcome.

race day.

was i ready? it didn't matter now. i woke up feeling nervous, but something else too...giddy? excited? after all this time, i was finally looking forward to this race! the weather was stunning: beautiful sunshine and warmer than i had expected. i ate a breakfast of oatmeal, fruit, and water and packed an after race care bag, complete with a towel, food, and a spare set of clothes.

there were 398 people at the starting line making it the largest mass start they had ever seen at the gunner shaw. my race partner, SB, and i started slow as we shuffled between the other racers, everyone jostling for their position. I pushed myself right from the beginning. i knew this was going to be tough for me and i wanted to hold nothing back so i locked my eyes onto the person ahead of me and chased them down the trail.

the course was amazing! it was every bit as slippery, icy, hilly, and beautiful as people said it would be. the route was changed slightly to divert racers around the swamp instead of through it, on account of the ice this year. but i was ok with that!! the race marshal told us there was three inches of ice on the swamp and if we race through it the ice would cut our shins.

every time i wanted to stop i would look at the word strength written on my arm and think of why i was here. this was a strategy borrowed from JU, my good friend and competitive ultra racer. as part of her race prep routine she often finds an inspirational quote and writes it on her arm so when the body wants to stop, the mind can find inspiration and push through. i have to say, it is a beautifully simple and extremely effective strategy. it made me think of my goals for this race, think of who i was running for, and it brought me all the way back to the purpose of MOVEment. i wanted to inspire others. i wanted to show people what it meant to take control of your health and fitness and challenge yourself. i wanted to show anyone who would watch me, 'look! if i can do this, you can too'! wearing my MOVEment t-shirt also reminded me that i was part of a team. this team consists of everyone who supports MOVEment and who strives to live an active lifestyle.

completing the race was thrilling! i ran out of the trees, into the lake, and across the finish line to my waiting family and friends. my time was 01:01:01 which placed me 308 out of 398 racers. what amazed me was that i shaved off nearly 10minutes from my most recent 10km training runs and this was by far, the hardest terrain i have ever run on! that is a great personal record for me!

i can't thank enough the people who supported me and came to watch me race. and my race partner, i don't know if i could have done it without you! the support means so much to me.

my 'runners high' lasted well over five hours that day...and when i think about it, i still can't wipe the silly grin off my face!

so would i do it again?

you bet! SB and i were already talking about the race next year. and i will look for other races too. this showed me that i am capable of entering the trail running world, capable of achieving a goal, and pushing myself through something that scared me a little.

that evening in the shower, i scrubbed at the black letters on my arm but strength refused to wash away. and i was just fine with that.

25.11.10: race prep

this cold weather has thrown me off a bit.

what should i wear for my race?

how wet will i get?

will it be icy?

will they change the route due to safety concerns?

i have settled on a mix of lululemon and mountain equipment co-op gear, with frontrunner socks and my favorite la sportiva trail runners. this should do fine. i have run in this gear before.

so many thoughts swirling around in my head tonight.

i am getting excited...a little bit. this sounds silly but sometimes i actually get running cravings. really. my body (and my mind) will start to crave running if i have not done it in a while. and i have not run all week.

will i have eaten what i should?

will i have enough energy?

why am i even concerned about all this?! the run is meant to be for fun, right? my training partner SB and i have our matching MOVEment t-shirts and we are out there to have fun!

so relax....

let go of expectations...

just run.

what is holding me back?

16.11.10


what is holding me back?

i have never truly achieved the fitness level i have wanted to achieve. i have not yet seen my goals through. why don't i push myself harder? what is holding me back?

sometimes we get stuck in other people's perception of ourselves. we act a certain way because that is how we believe other people see us and how we believe others want us to act.

sometimes we also get stuck in our own perceptions of ourselves. we cease to move forward because we become rooted to the only 'us' we have ever known, the one who is still trying to achieve their goals. still trying is great but that's exactly all it is.


still trying.


i want to be more than that. i want to be the one who actually achieves her goals and accomplishes her dreams. then i want to dream bigger and do it all again. i want to be fearless and realize that i can not fail. i can only learn and achieve more than i ever thought i could. instead of thinking of myself as the person i once was, i need to think of myself as the person i desire to become, because somewhere deep inside, she already exists. i just have to bring her out a little more.

i want to train harder for my race in two weeks. not just 'i need to' but 'i want to'. i want to because it is who i want to be and what i want to achieve.

what else do i want to achieve....

• have a garden.
• write a novel.
• sell my paintings.
• publish a book of poetry.
• roll my kayak.
• live in tofino for a year.
• own a house.
• have a family.
• graduate university with my recreation and health education degree.
• compete in more trail races.
• create my own personal training company.
• be a source of positive energy.
• teach a yoga class.
• laugh more.

what do you want to do?

and what is holding you back?

the next adventure...

i have exactly 23 more days until i run in the gunner shaw 2010 race.
http://pih.bc.ca/gunner-shaw-info.html

my training:

• three runs a week:
• one long distance (10km), one 30min (or 5km) focused on speed training, and one run 30 min (or 5km) focused on strength training such as hills and stairs.

my goal:

• run this race in 1hour.

my motivation:

• trail running is one of the most exhilarating ways to explore the forest! i love the physical and mental challenge of the technical terrain. this type of running is completely different form road running and although some might consider it a bit more dangerous, i highly recommend it!! i am so excited to prove to myself that i can accomplish something like this.

i am motivated by others who have also done physical challenges:

• my friend SB ran her first sprint triathlon this past summer!
• my friend JU has become a force to be reckoned with in the world of competitive ultra trail running!
• my mother is about to complete her 100 days of MOVEment and has been hiking every week!

...these (and many more) are the things that inspire me.

my fears:

• i won't have trained enough.
• i won't achieve my goal.
• i will embarrass myself in front of the family and friends who are coming to watch me.
• i will injure myself.

i must remeber:

"impossible is not a fact...it's an opinion"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOlAmhsdr6o

the afterparty

28.10.10

the afterparty...



"are you going to exercise tomorrow?"

"well...what do you guys think? do you think i should stop?"

"no!"



thank you to all my dear friends and family who were able to come out and share some MOVEment stories last night as i celebrated my 100th day. it truly meant the world to me!



reflection:

i started this project for three reasons:
to share my fitness journey, to dispel several common myths about fitness, and to hopefully inspire others to take control of their own fitness and health goals.

the myths i wanted to dispel were:

myth 1: exercise is boring.
truth 1: i did not find my time exercising to be boring at all. the activities i used for my MOVEment included walking, group yoga classes, hiking, trail running, hot yoga, group fitness classes at BDHQ, crossfit, running, outdoor bootcamp with my friends, and weight lifting (and maybe some others...). i also found the exercise session changed drastically depending on who else was there with me. it could go from a solo run to a hike with my family or trying a new class with a girlfriend. i really relied on the support from my family and friends to make my MOVEment interesting everyday.

myth 2: i don't have time for exercise.
truth 2: if exercise is a priority in your life, you will make time for it. i did struggle with this concept but it definitely rings true. during my challenge i attended three weddings, took a month long family vacation, attended school, and started a new job. some days were more difficult than others but there is time for exercise if it becomes a priority! we all lead busy lives but discovering what is meaningful in your life and making it a priority is absolutely essential to being successful and happy.

myth 3: exercising for too many days in a row will hurt you.
truth 3: variety is the key!! i had to vary the intensity of my MOVEment from gentle to moderate to hard depending on how my body (and mind) were feeling that day. some days i was ready for something extreme and other days...a simple walk did just fine. but the goal of MOVement was simply that: MOVE.

i believe this challenge was a complete success. what i find most meaningful, however, is not that i completed 100 days of MOVEment, but that other people joined me! i am so grateful and amazed at the support i have around me. i know i can choose a goal and have the people i care about (and maybe even complete strangers!) support and believe in me and what ever cause i choose to take on.

does this mean MOVEment is over?
NO! absolutely not! it can't be. there are still people starting this challenge everyday and we need to be there to support them just as they have supported us. i will continue to post information, photos, questions, and advice on the community facebook site and i encourage you to do the same. this site will also remain active. after all, there are countless more challenges out there!

the next challenge that i will be focusing on and training for is the gunner shaw 2010 trail race. this race is 10km through the trails of thetis lake and claims to be a real fall classic, complete with giant mud puddles, hills, and fallen trees. i will be updating you on my training schedule, the gear i will use, and my physical and mental challenges as i go through the race experience.

until then...
What moves you?

27.10.10: DAY 100

DAY 100

i began my day with a jog to the water, two of my most favorite things (jogging and water, that is). i was feeling strong, powerful, and inspired. this is the last day of my challenge. but what should i make of that?

as i was sitting at the water i reflected on how excited i was to get out and run today because today felt like a very special day to me. it was my day 100 after all! and then i realized that in reality this day was no different than any other day. i had chosen today to be special at random. it could have been another day. and i realized today, the present moment, is all we really have. there is no more yesterday and no such thing as tomorrow yet. we only have today. and if i could make today special just by choosing it to be, than i could do this with any other day as well. and if i could be excited about exercising today, than i could be excited about it any other day too!

as i completed my run and looked out over the ocean, my most prominent feeling was that of being ALIVE. simply ALIVE. my body has allowed me to appreciate the beauty that is all around me, not just in this fall morning, but around me every single day. i did not feel concern for the projects i had to accomplish, the exams, the clients at work, or the dishes in my sink. i only felt grateful to be alive. and i held onto this peace and gratitude and took it with me into the rest of my day.

now if i could do this today, i could do it everyday.

i think we should all take the time to find out what brings us true joy and true peace and commit to incorporating it (whatever it is) into our lives. we owe it to ourselves and the community around us.

for me, it is MOVEment. adding MOVEment into my life everyday brings me so much more than just physical benefits. i think (i hope) anyone who has committed to this challenge will discover this for themselves...i don't have to tell you.

so moving forward....

reflection?

new goals?

another direction?

we shall see....

26.10.10: day 99 knowing your limits

26.01.10: day 99



knowing your limits is absolutely necessary.....and extremely humbling.



this morning i participated in a workout that was more intense than i was used to. and two thirds of the way in...i started to feel dizzy. now, i know my limits, but to admit to them is very difficult. i knew i had two choices: to sit out for the remainder of the workout (with my head below my heart) until i felt better or i could continue, and likely faint. this second option was obviously not the option to go with (plus it might have really freaked out my coach!). so, ever so humbled, i sat out and watched while the rest of the group pushed on.



knowing your limits is relevant is ever exercise, in every scenario because knowing when your body has had enough or when it it time to rest is crucial to optimal performance. this doesn't mean you can use your own linits as an excuse however. knowing your limits gives you a place to start challenging yourself and a place to start pushing those limits. and pushing your limits or your comfort zone can only lead to two options: you suceed or your try again next time. this was my 'try again next time'. i feel frustrated, yes, but i know it takes courage to try something new and challenge your limits. i see that courage all the time when i hear of people trying an exercise for the very first time, entering competitions, or simply striving to make their life better in any way they can.



at the risk of sounding too philosophical, there is no such thing as failure. we challenge, we learn, and we try again next time. thats all there is to it. those are our options.

days 91-97 the end is so close

24.10.10: day 97
walking

the end is so close.
i can't believe how far this journey has taken me. my last two weeks have been very gentle in terms of MOVEment, however, an i can't say that i am proud of that. sometimes i feel like my activity comes and goes in cycles, like an unintentional periodization program. the last two weeks have definitely been a resting and recovery phase. i don't know exactly why, but for some reason my body needed to take it easy. i encourage you to listen to your body as well and during this long journey, if you need that rest, take a few gentle movement days. walking, yoga, or easy cycling can be rehabilitation for the body, mind, and spirit.

i am trying to come to terms with how to end this adventure.
should i celebrate?
will it the adventure ever truly end?
what are my next challenges?

23.10.10: day 96
yoga
walking

22.10.10: day 95
walking

21.10.10: day 94
yoga at home again. my form and endurance are improving.

20.10.10: day 93
walking

19.10.10: day 92
walking

18.10.10: day 91
cardio day
walked / ran 10km (a little more walking than running today. i was a bit sore from my crossfit yesterday).

days 81-90

17.10.10: day 90
crossfit seminar today!! it was like a crossfit 101 class, teaching us all the basic moves to ensure safe technique during the classes.
it was very interesting and actually very challenging.
The class went over the following exercises:
1. Back Squat
2. Front Squat
3. Overhead Squat
4. Shoulder Press
5. Push Press
6. Push Jerk
7. Deadlift / Sumo Deadlift High Pull
8. Clean

Wall ball
Kettlebell swings
Kipping pull ups

again i discovered how i struggle at learning new concepts. not because i am not able to do them but because i really enjoy being good at something and when i am not so good at it...my ego gets in the way. this was a great learning experience with amazing coaching and support. i really want to thank the coaches there for their patience and direction.

and i was assured that improvements will come....

16.10.10: day 89
walked and yoga.

15. 10.10: day 88
walked.
feeling uninspired.

14.10.10: day 87
walked

13.10.10: day 86
yoga at home
very gentle movement (and somewhat comical).
i went through several rounds of sun and moon salutations and practiced several hatha yoga postures.

12.10.10: day 85
walking

11.10.10: day 84
another hike up horth hill
walking / some jogging
1 hr total
involved members of my family which turns this time into family time instead of simply exercise time.

10.10.10: day 83
35 min, horth hill hike
fast pace

09.10.10: day 82
walking

08.10.10: day 81
walking

day 72-80

07.10.10: day 80

crossfit zone this morning.
it was a technique class so i learned some components of olympic lifting. it was really interesting because i have never done that type of lifting before. it was a small class resulting in an exceptional learning environment with one on one instruction. the class ended with some 'wall balls' and elastic supported pull ups!
i can't wait until i can do some un-supported pull ups!

06.10.10: day 79

walking. lazy day. minimal exercise...just enough to count ;)

05.10.10: day 78

run 5km around thetis lake with SB and CI. stunning views of the water and forest. the trail felt soft under my feet. i forgot how much i adore running among the trees.

04.10.10: day 77

walk and stretch. recover from running.

03.10.10: day 76

today was another truly inspiring day. i participated in world walk day and joined millions of others around the world who walked to support active healthy lifestyles. this year was canada's first time participating in the event and i hope it becomes a yearly activity.

more information can be found at:

http://sportforallcanada.com/

http://www.piseworld.com/

afterwards i went running to clear my head. i ran my usual 10km route along the waterfront. my time was 1:09. not too slow but not too fast either. mmm, need to speed things up just a little. i did feel strong though!


02.10.10: day 75

boot camp in the morning with some wonderful women. some old friends and some new :)
i lead a playground workout and a jog including stairs and lunges. i found the stairs really difficult! my lack of power is really frustrating me. but the morning was so perfect and i couldn't have asked for better people to share it with.

afterwards i watched the crossfit zone games! i almost lost my voice cheering on some incredible athletes. i was so impressed how these individuals pushed themselves and challenged themselves.

and i couldn't help but wonder, do i have it in me to compete?

01.10.10: day 74

simple jog.

30.09.10: day 73

1 hour of hot moksha flow yoga.
wonderfully sweaty.

29.09.10: day 72

walking.
still low energy.

day 69-71: the journey

28.09.10: day 71

i struggled today.

my energy has been low (sick? weather? sleep?) and all day i felt like crawling back into bed. i finally took myself to the ymca in the evening and did a 30 min jog on the treadmill and 3 sets of 500 meter rowing sprints (crossfit anyone?). my best time on the rowing sprints was 2:04.

i found it really hard to push myself beyond that 'difficult' point. i guess i like to stop when i get too tired or when the activity becomes 'too hard'. i started to question myself. what does this say about how i deal with challenges in my life?

that is one reason why i really enjoy my outdoor rec pursuits. there is often a breaking point. a point where you want to go home. you want to cry. to want to stop. but when you are out in the wilderness with a team depending on you, you are forced to find a way to keep going. and sometimes that means breaking down, showing that vulnerability, and with the support and compassion from your team you do move on. these challenges really show me a deeper level of myself and looking back on these memories, i can see how strong i have become.

but how does this translate into the gym or into my daily workouts? or maybe more importantly, why am i not learning from these similar situations?


i feel worn down. i am so close to finishing this incredible challenge but i'm questioning what i have accomplished. what have i accomplished? what have i proven? what is this really about?


my wise friend JU would say "it's about the journey. it has always been about the journey".







27.09.10: day 70

walking.
no motivation.
feeling overwhelmed by other areas of my life.


26.09.10: day 69

yoga today.
i'm generally really enjoying the sunday yoga class i've been attending but each class definitely challenges me in ways i never thought yoga would.
class today was difficult. we did a lot of forward bends and i find i have tight hamstrings and very little flexibility in these postures. but i did hold a wonderful tree pose for longer than i thought i could. that is a point of pride :)
yogi wisdom: "we do not use our bodies to get into the poses, but the poses to get into our bodies".

day 65: check your ego at the door

25.09.10: day 65

"check your ego at the door"

our crossfit trainer wrote definitions of force and distance on the whiteboard as we sat on giant medicine balls, excited as children. he explained the theories behind the crossfit style using descriptions such as "continuously varied exercise" and "functional movements". then he told us what our workout was going to look like that morning.

500 meter row
40 squats (no weight)
30 sit ups
20 push ups
10 pull ups (with resistance elastic, if needed)

after teaching us all the movements and going through a warm up, we were ready, all lined up on the ergs. i looked over at CI and SB.
"i feel like i'm racing you guys!" i said nervously.
"but you're not", SB assured me. "you are only racing yourself".
i was able to complete the workout in 6 minutes and 44 seconds, which was a good time for a newbie, i was told. i was surprised at what exercise in the workout i found difficult. doing 40 squats after a rowing sprint was really exhausting for me. where as the sit ups didn't seem like too much of a problem. each member at the workout had a different strength and a different weakness; what was easy for some was hard for others and vise versa. i am starting to understand this is part of crossfit.
we are not specialists here, our trainer said. we may never be the best at any one thing but we strive to be pretty darn good at everything. that matches my training philosophy. i don't want to be a specialist in one thing if it compromises my performance too much in another. i want to train for...life in general. all and any adventure that comes my way.

learning to check my ego at the door will be a process, however. i am not necessarily competitive, just insecure about how i perform next to others. i am always comparing myself. it is the same problem i have in yoga.

so i decided to get a crossfit punch card and i am planning on attending one workout a week. i'll continue up dating on how this process is going for me. its something different, something new.
it seems like an incredibly supportive community and that is something i really enjoy.

more information can be found at:
http://crossfitzone.ca/

day 64-67

24.09.10: day 67
5 km run with SB, one of my running partners. beautiful late afternoon jog. feeling good about our pace.

23.09.10: day 66
full body strength
1.5 mile run on treadmill in 13 minutes and 30 seconds.

22.09.10: day 65
walking. "rest day"

21.09.10: day 64
a cardio day!
10 minutes rowing
25 minutes running on the treadmill. i am able to run faster than i used to and this is encouraging to me. my endurance has always been much better than my speed or power and i would like to balance this out somewhat.

20.09.10: day 63
full body strength workout

day 60-62

19.09.10: day 62
So i was back at yoga today and i really tried to embrace the practice with an open mind. the teacher lead us through a lot of postures where we really focused on our breath and i felt like that helped me stay more present, more in the moment, than i had felt last week. i think my practice was better because of it. more relaxed. more enjoyable. less judgemental of what i should achieve.
afterwards, CI and i jogged around thetis lake during a break in the rain. it was absolutely beautiful and i was reminded how much i love running among the trees. the thetis trails are definitely worth checking out if you are looking for somewhere not too far out of the city to explore.

http://www.crd.bc.ca/parks/thetis/index.htm

18.09.10: day 61
25 min jog on treadmill and then a full body strength workout.
trained with my good friend, SB, and we were really able to push each other.
feeling good.

17.09.10: day 60
walking

day 56 - 59

16.09.10: day 59
today i woke up feeling tired. i don't actually mind the rain all that much but sometimes the grey skies just zap my motivation away. all i did was 30 minutes of walking and i don't feel very good about it. i feel lazy and uninspired.

time to shake things up a bit....

15.09.10: day 58
i did another upper body strength workout. it was actually a lot of fun because i had the pleasure of guiding my good friend, CI, through a program! she was able to spot me in some of my exercises and coach me through my last few repititions. having a workout buddy is so inspirational. we're planning on getting together on a somewhat regular basis to go over exercises and motivate each other.

14.09.10: day 57
lower body strength training.
my lower body workout changes as well but a typical workout includes:

• warm up
• squats
• step ups
• bent leg dead lifts
• calf raises
• back extensions
• as many abdominal exercises as i can do!
• cardio component
• stretch

13.09.10: day 56
upper body strength training at the downtown YMCA-YWCA.
my upper body workout often changes but might include:

• warm up
• bench press
• seated row
• lat pull down
• shoulder press
• bicep curls
• tricep extensions
• side shoulder raises
• front shoulder raises
• cardio component
• stretching

day 51-55: yoga practice

12.09.10: day 55

yoga for 1.5hrs.



i have a funny relationship with yoga. i absolutely love it. i am a complete advocate of this incredible exercise that incorporates strength, endurance, cardiovascular fitness, balance, and mindfulness among other things. i think it is ideal for beginners and athletes alike and can offer something to everyone, provided you are able to find the yoga style and path that suites you.



my problem with yoga is that i'm not very good at it...and this annoys me. one of the fundamental principles of yoga is being non-judgemental of others, yourself, and where you are in your practice at that moment. but i struggle so much at accepting my lack of skill in yoga. i find it so fascinating how i thoroughly enjoy encouraging others and supporting them but when it comes to myself, i expect so much perfection right away. my expectations are often so high that i disappoint myself if i am not successful at something, even if i am relatively new at it, like yoga. because of this disappointment, my yoga sessions remain few and far between, even though few feelings compare to the after glow of a yoga session.



my yoga practice today remind me of how far i have actually come in my practice. i have noticed little improvements! i also have a really far way to go...but it is a journey, right? achieving ultimate perfection at something would actually be kind of sad, because then you would cease to learn from that activity. there are always going to be ways you can learn from an activity. so how do i conclude this...

by realizing i should continue my yoga practice. i will continue it with love and acceptance for where i am in my practice because yoga is about just that. now inhale deeply....




today i practiced yoga at the downtown victoria ymca-ywca. check out their drop in classes: http://www.victoriay.com/


11.09.10: day 54

walking today.

relaxing fitness. a day to let my legs recover.



10.09.10: day 53

i completed my 10km waterfront run!

i felt amazing today. it is so neat to see how weight training impacts my other areas of sport and recreation. today i felt powerful and strong. i was able to incorporate several sprints and tackle the hills with more confidence. hills are not my speciality!



09.09.10: day 52

walk 30min to the water and back.

i didn't go to the gym this morning. i was feeling tired and sore from my workout yesterday. low energy for some reason.



08.09.10: day 51

upper body gym workout.

rowing hard for 10 min on the erg.

felt really strong today.

day 50: half way mark!

07.08.10: day 50

day 50! this is my half way mark and i feel like i should have something profound to say....

what have i learned?

• the value of setting goals and keeping them SMART (lets think back to school now: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely). with out a frame work for my goals i quickly become lost and fail to achieve them. this is the simplest goal setting framework i have learned but it is so effective!



• the value of asking for support. i am convinced i could not have done this without the support and encouragement i have had from family, friends and even people who i don't know but who have believed in my cause! a long time ago i thought that i would be considered successful in life if i could achieve everything i needed to achieve on my own, without the aid of others. then a very wise friend asked me "what if the secret to success was not accomplishing your goals in isolation, but through using the support, resources, encouragement, and joy of those around you? what if we all shared in the work and we all shared in the success?"



• how much being active truly adds to my life. i don't really even want to go a day with out MOVEment.



• the power of setting priorities and acting with intention. moving for 100 days seems like a huge goal (and it is!!) but when it is broken down into such small daily requirements, it really does become quite manageable. this concept in itself can be applied to all areas of my life.



• the power of a small, committed group of people. so much energy can be, and has been, created through one positive idea. i am amazed everyday.

the past two days i have resumed my weight training workout at the downtown YMCA-YWCA and i am sore and exhilarated! strength training has so many functional benefits and i can't wait to see how it will impact my hiking, trail running and paddling.

so far, my motivation remains fairly constant and i am excited to progress into the second half of my challenge!

what's your MOVE?

day 48: vacation aftermath

05.09.10: day 48


even though i have not blogged recently, i can proudly say i have still been moving everyday. these last 3 weeks i have been involved in 3 weddings with 2 of them taking place in prince edward island. so needless to say it has been a busy month.



i discovered several challenges to being active while on vacation. one of these challenges centered around time. there was at least one day in the last few weeks where i was so busy helping the wedding party run errands around town that my movement consisted of exactly that: walking around town, running errands. on those days i didn't feel particularly thrilled about my style of exercise but i had to remind myself that for today, this was all i could do and it was good enough. i also had to remind myself about my priorities. there were days that i knew i would be busy so in order to get my movement in, i woke up extra early and went for a run. keeping my movement as a true priority for my day allowed me to structure my time to allow for exercise.



another challenge was feeling feeling a little isolated at times. while staying out in the countryside of pei, i was at a loss of what exercise i could do. i wonderful cure for this was enlisting the help of the family members i was staying with. i consider my father to be a role model of active living and i was so grateful for his encouraging spirit these last few weeks. in the evening we would plan out our movement for the next day and set up 'fitness dates'. using a workout partner has tremendous benefits, both psychological and physical. i found that i was more excited and positive about my workouts when i knew my father was going to be with me. we challenged each other to run farther and faster and taught each other new body weight exercises using the equipment we found in near by parks or even our backyard (picnic tables, tiny benches, bleachers). i was also grateful for the enthusiasm of my brother and my pei cousins. together, we swam in the atlantic and played games of beach volleyball and horseshoes, which are things i may not have done on my own. i plan to continue to ask for the support of others when i need help with my own fitness and develop more workout relationships with people around me in victoria.





i thoroughly enjoyed my time on the east coast of canada but i am thankful to be home and looking forward to getting back into a more strict fitness routine. i am also going to look for more ways to try activities i have not tried before. part of the point of this challenge is to try and push my boundaries, just a little, and discover that movement can include a wider variety of activities than i originally thought.



with new inspiration i continue.

for those of you following my blog, i'm going to be travelling for the next two weeks and my posts might be few and far between (if any at all). but don't worry, i'm still doing my MOVEment everyday. i'll be sure to update you when i return.

days 10-16: crossfit

04.08.10: day 16

today i attempted my first crossfit workout and i was impressed!

the facility was basic with a 'lets get down to business' attitude that reminded me why i was there: to work hard. my favorite part about the facility was the rubber floor where i was encouraged to chart my workout progress in coloured sidewalk chalk! it was actually incredibly motivating to see what i had done during the workout and compare my numbers to others as well.

the movements in the workout were simple full body movements with olympic style lifts and minimal equipment. i started with a dynamic full body warm-up, encompassing sit-ups, squats, push-ups, assisted tri-dips, assisted pull-ups, and lunges before our small morning group began the workout together. the entire workout took only 9.5 minutes and i must say it was the hardest 9.5 minute workout i have ever done. i alternated between 30 seconds of 'thrusts' (think squats and shoulder press type lift), 30 sec rest, 30 sec burpees (think push-ups and jumps together), 30 sec rest, and repeat for five sets! i impressed myself, not because of the weight or numbers i was able to do (neither weight or numbers were very impressive :) ) but because i was able to remain consistent throughout the workout. i pushed myself and this explosive style training is not something my body is used to.

my instructor/ coach/ trainer was amazing. she took me through the entire warm up and all the exercises. she encouraged me, pushed me, and made me feel welcome in the seemingly tight-knit crossfit group. thanks so much deanna. you have inspired me to incorporate some new exercises into my workouts. i will definitely return.

check the crossfit community at:
http://crossfitzone.ca/



03.08.10: day 15
walk the waterfront in the late afternoon sun.

02.08.10: day 14
run waterfront. it was hotter than i anticipated.

01.08.10: day 13
walking

31.07.10: day 12
jog from johnson st. bridge to west bay esquimalt and back.
i felt like i was running faster than usual. the skinner path encouraged me to sprint, the hills were interesting, and the view was a welcome change from my usual route.

30.07.10: day 11
jog to willows beach.
rest, read, suntan.
actually used my running as transportation today. i packed my mini trail pack with a book, water, and food.

29.07.10: day 10
walk

day 09: bdhq

28.07.10:day 09

Body Dynamics Headquarters is a training studio in downtown victoria offering personal training, indoor and outdoor bootcamp classes and a variety of special events and programs. i decided to try out their new class "the burnout" to see what it was all about.
for one solid hour i became best friends with a tire. yes, a car tire. trainer and bootcamp instructor lovisa made sure i took my new friend everywhere. when we did lunges down the alley way we held our tires over our heads, when we did squats we held our tires, when we did wall sits we held our tires in our laps, and when we did push ups, planks, and agility training, we were always in contact with our tire. i was exhausted by the end of the hour. i have not done a lot of explosive or speed training in my routines and my power is definitely something i want to work on. this class is ideal for anyone looking for a fun, interesting and new way to train. and lovisa pushed us to our limits while maintaining the friendly and supportive environment. a great way to spend an hour of my day.
http://www.bdhq.ca/

days 7-8

27.07.10: day 8

another walk to the water.
sit.
contemplate life and the beauty of the ocean.
walk home briskly.
wanted to make sure i had enough recovery. i'm not as sore today.

26.07.10: day 7

a walk and stretch.
my knees were feeling pretty sore after the hike.
this was a much needed 'rest day'.

the lions

25.07.10: day 6


sunday morning started at 6am and there was no time to hit the snooze button. today i had planned to hike the lions, an 8 hour hike to the summit of one of the most notable peaks on the vancouver skyline. my group was a combination of experienced mountaineers, firefighters, friends, and fellow adventurists. i had completed this same hike several years ago and i felt a mixture of excitement, awe, and nerves at the opportunity to summit this incredible mountain again.


my family is known in our circle for being somewhat adventurous and hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, or trail running may be a part of any given day. this mountain however, holds a special significance for me and my family. growing up, my brother and i were in awe of a specific photograph depicting my grandfather holding onto a tree at the peak of the western lion. he had a air of complete confidence and strength. this single photo eventually sparked a series of photographs of each of his sons holding on to the same tree, and striking the same pose, and the tree became affectionately titled 'our family tree'. the day i had my photo added to this collection was monumental. for our family, this hike is a rite of passage.


we started on the trail at 8:30am and progressed from the residential lions bay community into the forest at a moderate pace. everyone was excited and the energy of our group was intense. we hiked through beautiful douglas fir and western red cedar forests, past waterfalls and over harvey creek, stopping for water and to admire the views of howe sound that were beginning to poke through the trees. about 2.5 hours in, we broke through the tree line and confronted the steep trek towards the ridge. this section was still covered in winter's snow and challenged us to find an appropriate route and steady footing. by this time the view of the western peak loomed above us, inspiring me to push on and reminding me of what was to come. we stopped at the ledge where peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, an apple and more water made for a much needed lunch break. our group happily took 20 minutes to recharge and contemplate the route to the summit.


traditionally, the ledge marks the end of the hike, but with our experienced guide (my father), we had the opportunity to continue to the absolute summit of the western lion. this involves navigating a 15 foot drop (also known as 'the gap'), a very precarious ledge, and a scramble up the side of the mountain. i feel the absolute need to caution anyone even thinking about attempting this route. the only way i was able to complete this section was with the incredible guidance, support and skill of my father and the rest of our team. if your team is the least bit inexperienced, i can not recommend this option.


needless to say reaching the summit was unbelievable. it was invigorating, terrifying, and breathtaking. the views of howe sound, greater vancouver, and the seemingly endless ranges to the north of the lions were indescribable. even though i had completed this hike before, the experience left me in awe of the incredible landscape we are so fortunate to live in. my admiration for the land and space around me was strengthened and my relationship with myself was changed as well. i feel stronger and somehow more prepared to tackle my life. one reason i participate in outdoor recreation is because of the life lessons and metaphors i come across. climbing this mountain is clearly metaphorical for going through life. at times i feel terrified but when i can look back and recognize the incredible challenges i have been through, i become inspired. this hike reminded me that i am exactly where i am supposed to be in my life because life is simply the ultimate journey.




i want to send a sincere thank you to my team on this hike. your support was vital. i also want to send out my prayers and best wishes to the young women who was rescued from a fall off the western lion sunday afternoon. i hope your recovery is quick and as painless as possible. also notable are the men and women who put their own lives at risk to participate in the search and rescue team. you are admirable individuals.






Hike: The Lions Trail
Region: Howe Sound
Time: 8 hours
Distance: 16km
Elevation Gain: 1280 meters

days 1-5

24.07.10: day 5
morning walk and stretch along the fraser river dike. i was alone and ever thing seemed particularly fresh and inviting. i found this to be a very invigorating way to start my day.
‎
23.07.10: day 4
a beautiful sunset walk with my fairy-god mother ;)

‎22.07.10: day 3
jog and playground workout! playground workouts are actually one of my new favorites. they constitute finding an empty playground and using the equipment to do a bootcamp style strength and cardio circuit. some of my favorite moves include bench tri-dips, planks, and ab work using the swings.

‎‎21.07.10: day 2
beautiful walk to oak bay and home...in the sunshine.

20.07.10: day 1
today i completed a 10km road run and it was beautiful. i am feeling strong and ready to tackle this challenge.

the beginning...

MOVEment X 100 days is both a challenge and a community of fitness and recreation enthusiasts. i created MOVEment X 100 days for 3 reasons: to share my fitness journey, to dispel several common myths about fitness, and to hopefully inspire others to take control of their own fitness and health goals. this blog is so that i can share the highs and lows of my fitness challenge with you. MOVEment X 100 days also has a facebook page dedicated to creating the community of support myself and anyone who takes on this challenge may need.

the myths i want to dispel are:

myth 1: exercise is boring.

truth 1: exercise is not boring if you try different things! i am using this challenge to explore a variety of fitness options and i plan to report on how much i enjoy these new activities.

myth 2: i don't have time for exercise.

truth 2: if exercise is a priority in your life, you will make time for it. i wanted to create a 100 day challenge because yes, it is a really long time! i will struggle with this but i firmly believe i can make exercise a priority. if it takes 30 days to create a habit, 100 days ...will create a lifestyle.

myth 3: exercising for too many days in a row will hurt you.

truth 3: an extreme workout for too many days in a row will most definitely hurt you. as a personal trainer i know i must advocate for a rest day but this challenge is called MOVEment X 100 days, not extreme workout for 100 days! if you take on this challenge,... be absolutely sure to incorporate days of gentle movement in between your moderate and heavy movement days. your gentle movement days may encompass going for a walk, partaking in hatha yoga or even throwing a Frisbee around the park with some friends.

now for the challenge:

the goal is to complete 30min of movement for 100 consecutive days. there should be a variety of gentle, moderate, and heavy movement days, always keeping one's own limitations and goals in mind. if you believe the world needs more MOVEment and you are willing to be a positive role model, then you are welcome to join the facebook group. i hope you will be interested in following my personal journey to discover how more MOVEment can make a difference in my life.