Wednesday, March 31, 2010

POWERED BY NOIE

So I have very exciting news today. My best friend Kierstie and I have decided to take part in this years Ride To Conquer Cancer as a way to both honour and remember my Mom together.

The Ride is a two-day epic cycling journey covering 262km's from Vancouver to Seattle June 19-20. This is an annual fundraising event benefitting the BC Cancer Foundation.

Our team, POWERED BY NOIE has committed to raising $5,000 for this worthy cause and this is where you, my friends, family and supporters come into play. We can't do this without you, so please check out our team page or my personal page and make a donation.

Check out this video from last years ride.



My favourite part of this video is the sign on the front lawn that reads "Survivor Lives Here. Thanks". Just another reminder that cancer is everywhere and not everyone is able to participate in something like this. But by participating we are impacting those that are still fighting. By being involved, we can bring hope and inspiration to those still struggling.

"Why do we ride?
Because our sweat is nothing compared to their tears.
Because our challenge is nothing compared to their fight.
Because we are all on one journey.
To conquer cancer."

We can do this. Please make a donation today. Click on the logo below to see my personal fundraising page.





Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Another strange reality

Today is my Mom's birthday. I was never any good at sending birthday cards, I ALWAYS forgot. I would leave it until the day before and have to send my $3.75 card by priority overnight delivery and it would cost me $17.85 to get it there on time. I gave up on cards a few years back and started sending flowers instead. Sure they were more expensive, but I could call the day before and have them arrive on time for sure. Plus, she loved flowers.

I would give anything to call my Mom today. To wish her a Happy Birthday and spend an entire day making sure she felt as special as possible. Making sure that she got everything that she deserved on her birthday and truly celebrate her being here in this world. We never do that when we have the chance. We never make a big deal out of things like birthdays anymore. A card, a phone call, another year gone by.

I couldn't call her today, I couldn't wish her a happy birthday and I didn't have to worry about sending a card on time. I got flowers delivered to me instead with a card that read "In memory of Mum" and an email from my sister saying that she would take flowers to Mom's grave today.

Another strange reality.

Sorry for dark post today. Some days are better than others.


Sunday, March 28, 2010

la nouvelle bicyclette

That's right, my big year this year offers the opportunity to upgrade from the Giant TCR that I've been riding for four years now. This week I found a great deal with my club and bought a 2008 Orbea Ora.
  • Full carbon monocoque construction
  • Truvativ Rouleur carbon crank arms
  • Ultegra components with Profile Time Trial bars & bar-end shifters
  • Brand new Mavic Aksium training wheels
I feel faster already. I took it for it's first spin outside on Friday and I can't wait to ride, and ride some'mor and keep on ridin'.... and when I'm done, I'll ride a little more. I heart my Orbea.



This week was my first full week back in training. If feels so good to be back I can't say it enough. I love training. I never feel better than I do right after a good hard workout. I got back into my training plan easy this week with just one workout a day. Next week, it's back full time with two - three workouts every day. Only 5 months to Ironman you know. I did time trials in the pool this morning and went out for my long run with the club afterwards. I'm not gonna lie, it hurt like hell, but I was really happy with the swim results, and I got in my longest run of the year so far. Can't complain about that. I got to come home, eat and crawl back into bed on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Life is good.

OH - I've got some really exciting news coming soon... I can't say what it is just yet... but stay tuned!

S.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

The strength to endure

I have a white board/cork board in my apartment beside the front door. I pin things to it or write things on it that motivate me or resonate with me in a way that remind me not only to continue pursuing my dreams but also to live my life in a way I can be proud of. I just walked by it again this morning (as I do many many times everyday) and for one reason or another I stopped to read something that I had pinned up from a magazine article. Its become a relevant point in my life again as I suppose it was back when I posted it. I good reminder of why I love this sport.

"Triathlon, with its demands for mental, physical and emotional stamina and its ability to show athletes who they are and what they are made of, gives us the opportunity to learn how to endure - how to endure not just in our training, but in our work and in our lives. With its requirement for endurance through discipline, commitment and courage, (no matter the distance), triathlon builds strength, breeds success and sustains faith - faith that we as human beings have a profound and amazing capacity to overcome."

I hope you have something that encourages you to endure and to go out and get what you want and to do what brings you joy. We are all deserving and we are all capable, we all just need a little motivation sometimes.

S.

Friday, March 19, 2010

The end is near...

It's three days until I'm officially let loose of my Olympic and Paralymic responsibilities. I have my last shift in the Sport Command Center today then I'm on call for Saturday and Sunday. By 3pm on Sunday March 21st, the Paralympic competition will be over, a bottle of champagne will be popped to celebrate and I will officially be unemployed.

Because the Paralympics have been so slow (in the need for urgency sense), I've had some time to get life sorted out a little bit and start getting back on track and ready to move forward post-games. I've been able to shake the terrible cold I had (thank god!) and I'm feeling back to normal. Thanks to the summer-like spring weather, I've been out for a few bike rides and even out to enjoy a few trail runs in the last week. It's been amazing. Although, I have come to accept that getting back into shape is really going to hurt. I did a 6km trail run yesterday that burned like 1mile repeats on the track. It's annoying to have what used to be so easy, hurt so badly. Anthony and I have also started this new routine of working out together. A little trail run here, a quick ride on the mountain bikes there.... it's awesome not only to be getting back into shape, but to do it with him.

Plans for the summer are starting to take shape. I've got some great ideas for training, adventures, volunteering, racing, new hobbies... While it's all in my head still, once I'm free from the confines of employment responsibility, I will really start to put planning into action.

I can't say enough how great it feels to be getting in some workouts. It's really been tough not being able to release physically the stresses and pressures of the last three months. I am bursting at the seems to get out there and enjoy the last hull towards achieving my Ironman dreams. Its' so close now I can taste it. Finally, after a long, long 4 and a half years, the final stretch is here.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

No Mans Land

So the Games are over. I can't say it was everything I expected it would be. In fact - it was nothing I expected... but I sort of expected that. Having just been through my first Games, I know now that there is nothing I could have done to prepare for it. With all the planning and preparing that happens, it really is a matter of dealing with one thing at a time as it all comes at you (rapid fire). There are no "hours of operation", there are no days off, no weekends and no plans to make "after work". It's on - ALL THE TIME. Sometimes were busier than others, but basically, you have to be ready for anything at anytime.

The people that worked these Games really gave it everything they had. I saw people work day and night and sometimes day right through the night without rest. They dealt with things they could have never prepared for and pulled it all off with grace and as professionals. Through tragedy and an unforgiving Mother Nature, our team pulled off a Games that Vancouver, British Columbia and Canada can be proud of.

I've had a week to rest, although a terrible cold didn't make it much of a rest at all. I was out of commission all week. The Paralympics start tomorrow and then in 10 days... it's all over.

To be completely honest, I'm ready for it all to be over. It's been an incredible experience - there's no doubt about that, but I'm ready for my next adventure and I'm chomping at the bit to get going.

I haven't been able to train at all. I'm dying to get into shape. I miss training with the club, I'm craving a good hard workout, and I am really REALLY excited about getting focus on Ironman. I'm trying to get rid of this cold for good it's been a kick in the pants having a bit of a quiet week and not being able to get in at least a few good workouts. I just keep reminding myself how great it will be in 10 days when I have all day everyday to dedicate to healthy eating, proper rest and serious workouts.

I'm also looking forward to planning the rest of the summer. A little travelling, a few weekends away, a trip to California maybe? A bike trip down the Oregon coast? I've been waiting to plan all this when I can focus again.. that hasn't happened yet.

Here are a few photos from the last half of the Games.