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/
Friday, July 30, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
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'.
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'.
Monday, July 26, 2010
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
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.
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.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
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.
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