A Work In Progress

Moving On

2011-01-31T16:43:00.000-08:00

Some things just weren't meant to last. "A Work in Progress" was exactly that, a work in progress and a place for me to gather my thoughts while preparing for the launch of Go.BeAwesome.

If you've been a loyal reader, then your going to love Go.BeAwesome. If you're a new follower, thanks for checking me out, and I hope you stay with me!

Go.BeAwesome is my new site, I will no longer be posting at this address.

www.gobeawesome.ca

Finding Your Voice and Removing The Darkness

2011-01-23T17:57:00.000-08:00

Have you ever met one of those people that by no one thing specifically, but with a general broad stroke bring you down, make you feel inferior or small? Maybe they shoot down your ideas, or present an alternative to your idea in such a way that instead of helping just makes you feel stupid? Maybe it’s their sarcasm or the blank stare as you speak to them that makes you feel incredibly judged or that what your saying is irrelevant.

How is it that some people have this kind of influence on us? How is it that as confident and secure people we can be impacted so negatively by these occasional (hopefully) interactions? Even more concerning is this; why is it that these are always the people we try the hardest to impress?

With varying degree, we are all seeking approval. We need people to agree with us to validate our choices, decisions or opinions. The worlds a scary place and we need some endorsements now and then to make sure we’re doing ok (no one is completely immune to this). On some level, when we seek approval, what we are actually doing is asking for permission to think, feel or do things a certain way.

Usually that encouragement/permission comes from those within our own tribe, who are people that share our way of thinking or have similar values and maybe even similar goals.

We can accept that there will be some that don’t see eye to eye with us. But it’s easy(ier) to defend your choices to someone “on the outside” of your tribe because push come to shove, you can agree to disagree. Your perspectives may be so different that arguing may just be moot, or perhaps entertaining at the very least.

But what do you do when someone on the “inside” of your tribe makes you feel like an idiot? Our tribes should be a circle of influence, but what do we do when that influence turns into intimidation?

You have to find your voice. Your voice is what’s inside you speaking on behalf of your internal compass. It’s your core. It’s what’s important to you and what you value most. It's the piece of you that still believes you are valid without someone else's approval. You are legitimate without having someone else's authorization. Your voice will remind you of how capable and deserving you are. Find it. Hold onto it.

People that walk around with negativity, judgment and use intimidation to control others have their own problems and impressing them isn’t worth the trouble or the stress it will cause you. Plus, changing your opinion or making choices only to please them will only make them look down on your further and their (negative) influence on you stronger.

I call these people the darkness.

I am convinced that I have a light to shine (as does everyone), something to say and something to share and I sometimes struggle with how to go about doing it. The last thing I need/want in my life is darkness taking over. No one needs that, or deserves that.

So I’ve learned to (and sometimes it’s worth re-learning) to recognize and then shut out the darkness when it shows up. Whether this person is within your tribe / circle of influence or not, if they are not adding value to your life, they are taking value away from it.

Find your voice. Ditch the darkness.

Creating A Small World After All; Without the Figurines or Roundelay

2011-01-19T13:37:00.000-08:00

This week I've been in Toronto visiting friends and family in a big city that I used to call home. Arriving at Pearson International it isn't as much a giant international terminal as a familiar place where I catch a ride with my Dad back to my old neighbourhood where even though it's all very different now, nothing much has changed. The airport pick up is something so practiced that we don't even have to discuss a meeting point anymore. We've perfected timing the de-planing text message and the 'post A' pick up. It's as normal to my Dad and I now as it was when I knew exactly where he'd be to pick me up from school as a kid.

I don't create schedules and I rarely know where I'll be sleeping, but between 3 sisters, extended family and a city of friends, it all seems to work out in the end. Sometimes I forget I have to make sleeping arrangements and end up crashing on someones couch because it's too late to drive back to where I stayed the night previous.

When I hang out with friends, we pick up right where we left off 5-8 months ago and when we're done we say 'see ya later' like I'll be around again tomorrow. My family loves seeing me as I do them, I never over stay my welcome and leave before we have enough time to drive each other nuts.

When I'm in The Beach, I stop in at old favourites to catch up on email or do some writing. I walk the neighbourhood streets knowing exactly where the service is good, and who always burns their bagels. I know who charges for wi-fi and where it's offered for free but with a two hour limit.

While I was in town this time, I took the opportunity to go see an author I like speak. While I was there, I overheard a couple talking about their house in White Rock which is a sub-burb of Vancouver. They went into great detail to explain exactly where White Rock was and I was surprised for a moment that the person they were talking to had never heard of it. It took a second to register that I was in Toronto (not Vancouver) before the persons confusion made more sense to me.

The author we were listening to had a few photos on stage with him of his recent trip to Thailand where he did a photo shoot with some giant cats (not the house kept kind). I smiled at the familiarity of having just been to that part of the world and knowing exactly where that photo was taken.

Leaving the book store, I made a phone call to confirm having dinner with a friend of mine that was in town from Montreal. We tossed some restaurant ideas around and I loved that we both could have an opinion despite neither of us living here.

I've been very lucky to have had some of the opportunities that I have. I had parents that enjoyed travel and so I caught the bug early. I've lived in four major cities across Canada and got to explore some of it for the first time as a teenager road tripping with other teenagers when competing with my horses. This of course gave me some foundation applying for a job with professional riders that took me on the road to and from Florida every year. Following that, I had a corporate job that required extensive travel throughout the United States and as such, was able to see as much of the US as I could handle (and all on the company dime).

Even though the world is a very big place to explore, by exploring it, my world actually starts to get smaller. By exploring the big city, the whole city become my home. Then, new big cities became just as comfortable to me. I spread my wings to explore another end of my country, and after living in four major cities over the years, the traveling in between them has made an entire country feel as small as my backyard. The professional experiences I've had, be it driving a truck full of horses south on I-75 or picking up the tab for a magazine publisher after our lunch meeting in Dallas, have provided me with a sense of comfort and ability to adapt - wherever I am.

After experiencing the familiar feeling of knowing the place in Thailand where the authors photo was taken, I have found that as an adult, I have the same sense about the world as I did as a kid when I realized how much further my street goes after it curves at the end of my block.

My life so far has allowed my "world" in Canada to become a small place where I run into friends and family from coast to coast. I hope my world continues to get smaller and some day I can talk about my friends in Africa with the same fondness and familiarity as my next door neighbours. I hope that I concur any fear and anxiety of exploring new places by understanding that at one time, the street beyond my driveway was once overwhelming and to uncertain to venture upon.

The Sherman brothers had a catchy way of saying it...

There is just one moon, and one golden sun
And a smile means friendship to ev’ryone
Though the mountains divide, and the oceans are wide
It’s a small world after all

Following Our Internal Compass

2011-01-14T12:14:00.003-08:00

I was reminded recently of the necessity one needs to rely on the “internal compass” we all have. You know what that is, it's what's responsible for gut feelings and it's what gives us courage to head into the unknown. Too often we ignore the internal compass and get caught up in expectations or social standards, norms and status quo. A while ago, my mind's eye created a somewhat interesting depiction of the "path of life" in one of my regular attempts to make sense of my approach to life/goals/dreams etc. What I came up with was a bit of a cross between an episode of The Amazing Race and a game of Snakes’n’Ladders.

*Disclaimer: (it’s never good when you have to add a disclaimer) I want to point out that while I take one view on what path I want to take, I don’t by any means think the “Path of Life” path is wrong. I think many people are able to find happiness and be fulfilled on this path, but the truth is, many are not. My objective here is only to illustrate my belief in an alternative.

Path of Life theory:
Point A is the beginning, Point B being “Success”

I consider the beginning to be high school. Before that, our choices and ability to make choices are limited. At the beginning we stand (relatively clueless) at a trail head. There is a clear path well-marked and well-travelled. It’s a trail with clear signs, lots of other people on it and outhouses along the way ‘just in case’. There stands a sign that reads “This way to Success”.

The trail starts fairly easy but there are some ups and downs along the way. The good news is that they are the same ups and downs that everyone else will face so there’s bound to be lots of support and lots of people who understand your predicament. You’ll be perfectly safe.

Don’t worry about getting lost. There are milestones along the way for you to measure your rate of success, like little check points with envelopes that provide clues about the next destination. First you find your high school diploma. Yey! That one was easy, not far from the start, some rough terrain, you were overwhelmed by it at the beginning, but looking back, it wasn’t so bad. Right away, before we get to comfortable on the path, we’re given our first choice. You can either venture off the path towards adventure and a little bit of travel, or you can keep your eye on the ball and fast track to “Career”. Some of us that will chose a little travel and adventure here will get caught up in exploration forever deviating from the path, but most of us fall right back in line after a short stint in the unknown woods. For those that didn’t choose the adventure and fast track, we’re headed uphill to University. A few tough climbs, some life lessons later and you reach "University Degree". We spend a moment here wondering about that option back at the "High School Diploma" check point and wonder what it would have been like had we taken that chance for adventure. But we’re drawn back to the well-worn path for a few reasons: first, we’ve been told that this is the only route to reach our beloved “Success”, second, because chances are we would have gotten scared out in the woods without someone leading us and telling us exactly where to walk.

Back "on track”, we arrive at our first obstacle in a series of “Career” challenges. We work hard, apply what we learned in school, follow instruction and we are rewarded along the way with income, benefits and the security of our new “Career Path”. We truck along gathering bonus points and finding level warping tunnels in the form of holiday bonuses and promotions.

Whether your right in the middle of your career path, or maybe at varying cross roads, you come across “Marriage”. You collect that flag and move right on to take the “Family” route.

Many of these paths run parallel and close to one another, so many of us are able to jump across paths scoring a promotion on one path, take on the challenges the family trail has presented all while enjoying the brief mini-adventures of running free in the woods between paths.

With each passing year (sometimes faster, sometimes longer) you collect the flags as you approach the mile markers on the road to "Success".

Eventually, you get there. Congratulations, you’ve made through high school, spent X amount of years in University, got to see a bit of the world and had a little adventure while you got a job, and then another job. You got married, bought a house, had babies and managed to save enough money to retire happily. You’re here. Enjoy your success. All your friends are here, you all get to enjoy the same success since you’ve all travelled the same path. Way to go. Enjoy the party. (queue popped champagne and streamer cannons)

If that doesn’t sound right to you, you’re not the only one. What if you arrive at said “Success” and it’s not what you had envisioned? You followed the signs, went where you were supposed to.. but what the heck!? This isn’t what you had in mind at all. You never got to [INSERT ADVENTURE HERE] and you never went to [INSERT DREAM DESTINATION HERE] and you never got to [INSERT BUCKET LIST ITEM HERE]. Too late. You're at the end of your path. This game has no reset button.

Here’s my alternative. But buyer beware: the route to your own success is not easy. You can not follow the paths. You must hold a machete and bush whack your way through life. It’s a helluva lot more work and most of the time you feel lost. While you may come across the same milestones (Career, Love/Marriage, Family etc) you can not use these as mile markers to judge where you are on your route. There will be times when you fear you will never find success, but you must rely on your internal compass to guide you. Temptation to take the well-worn path will be great, but if it is your own custom designed success you crave, you must continue trailblazing.

Undoubtedly, your vision, dedication, perseverance and hard work will pay off and you will arrive at your destination. Be prepared though, there will be no party waiting for you. You will be the only one that knows you’ve attained what you so desired. The only reward you will have is that you did it.

People will not always agree with your choice to make your own path. They will not understand why you choose to in some cases, take the long way, or, in almost every case, the hard way. But you have to trust that the reward you seek is far greater than the criticism you face along the way.

That internal compass of ours is hard-wired to our destinies, but it alone will not get us there. We have only to follow it to our own success. When challenges arise, decisions need to be made, or you simply just feel lost, pay attention to your internal compass. It may not always be easy, but it will always point you in the right direction.

As per my disclaimer, I don't think that those following the "Path of Life" are miserable or unhappy and just don't know it. What I do think, is that there are too many people settling for being passengers in their lives because they either don't realize they have choices, or they are simply afraid of making them. Maybe question the path your on today...

Are you making your own choices? Or are you following the well-worn path?

A Legacy She'd Be Proud Of

2011-01-10T19:51:00.002-08:00

One year ago yesterday, my relationship with my Mother changed forever. She died in Ontario surrounded by her family and the people she loved. I sat beside her and held her hand for hours until eventually, her time with us here, ended.

In the past few weeks, I've been thinking about this day and how exactly it would go, or more so, how it was supposed to go. Would I spend all day locked inside and weeping? Should I go somewhere private to remember her? I remember her every single day. I think of her every single day. January 9th would be no different in that sense, but I wasn't sure what I should prepare for.

A few strange realities over the holidays caught me off guard; her name kept being added to my mental list of gifts to buy and each time I had to remind myself that I didn't need to send a gift this year. I also panicked at the end of Christmas Day that amongst my focus and all the chaos of having 13 guests over for dinner, I had forgotten to call my Mom to say Merry Christmas. But hardest of all was the moment driving home on New Years Eve when I realized that one year ago that day, I had hugged my Mom, saw her smile and heard her say goodbye for the very last time.

The days in between Christmas and the anniversary of her passing, I can recall every move. It continues today as I remember the first morning I woke up beginning the experience of living a life without the woman who gave me mine. I struggled as January 9th crept closer and closer and I wasn't sure what I would be faced with or what I should be doing that day. I started writing a blog post about it a few days ago and it was very, very sad. I wrote about what my Mom meant to me, how close we were and how much I miss her. I wanted to write about her legacy and what she left behind. I was pages into the post before I had to stop. Partly because I could no longer see my work through my tears, and also because I just couldn't nail how to express just how special her legacy is. I left it unfinished and decided I would come back to it later when I was able to better articulate.

So January 9th arrived on schedule and I had made no "special" plans other than to meet up with a girlfriend for brunch. Without getting into details, I can say this friend is in a bad situation and really needs to find a way out. Trouble is, fear is controlling her right now and she's stuck. She's scared to move forward and scared to stay where she is, but if she doesn't act now, her situation will undoubtedly go from really bad to overwhelmingly worse. Part of the problem is that she's been convinced that she's powerless and she wouldn't be able to make a change even if she tried. We spent hours in that cafe talking about solutions and in the end, she left with a plan. More importantly, I think she has the courage to implement the plan.

Later that evening I met up with my BFF Kierstie (who I knew I would magnetically and universally be drawn to on this day). She asked how I was feeling and I honestly and truthfully told her I was feeling awesome! I was tingling with energy, I was jazzed from the inside out, I was smiling ear to ear, I was sunshine and rainbows! For no reason at all, a surge of emotion came over me and I was in the greatest of great mods. She just smiled and and non-chalantly with a bit of smirk said "yeah.. it's your mom."

I went on to explain what had happened earlier that day (in much more detail than I will divulge here). Knowing the details of the situation herself, she was surprised at our friends positive response and said "You may have changed her life today".

Now, I'm not sure about that, it'll be her own actions that change her life. But I did spend a good chunk of the day reminding her that she was beautiful, strong, capable, smart, that she had choices, that she was supported and that she was able make things better for herself.

Somewhere during our conversation back at that coffee shop my friend asked me "How did you get so smart?" and I told her "It's not smarts, it's what I believe. It's what my Mom made me believe".

In the end, I think she began to believe me and I hope she makes the choice to take action very soon. If it was in fact my advice or encouragement that made a difference, than I will have spent January 9th exactly the way I was supposed to.

My Mom was my biggest fan, my number one supporter and made darn sure that I new how loved I was. Yesterday, I made sure that someone else knows how strong she is, how beautiful she is, how in control she is of her own life and how brave she can be.

That's a legacy I think my Mom would be proud of having.

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A great friend of mine lost someone very close to her many years ago and every year she posts the eulogy she gave at the service. I always thought this was a nice way to share a very special day with people that care about you, and about the person you lost that day. Below is what I wrote and read at my Mother's funeral.

One of my Mom’s greatest gifts to me was that she taught me how to dream. She taught me how to let my mind go to places where ANYTHING is possible. To be a pilot, an explorer, a CEO or to run away and join the circus, there were no limits on where your mind could go when you dream.

As early back as I can remember, we would talk about dreams and how important it was to have them. From her I’ve leaned the value in being quiet, because it’s during these times of solitude you let your mind go and explore a universe of possibilities. Sometimes when my mind came back, it would bring all these crazy ideas with it… I would always call her and say “Mom.. I got an idea…”. She never laughed at the absurdness of where my imagination went, or shut down even the stupidest of ideas. She never once told me that they wouldn’t happen, no matter how impossible or ridiculous they seemed. She just simply listened.

Once I learned to dream, it seemed to be her life’s purpose to teach me everything I needed to make those dreams come true. Perseverance, dedication, patience, a little planning and lot of hard work, and I KNOW that there isn’t anything that I can’t do.

She told me once that the most significant piece of wisdom she could share is that I, and no one else is the master of my own destiny. That my life is what I determine it will be. She said that every time I make a choice, I am laying another stone in the pathway of my journey. At anytime I didn’t like where that path was headed, I just had to make another choice, and change the direction.

There is no other way I’ve ever known then to know this.

It’s only been in recent years that I’ve discovered that some people can’t make their own choices. Fear controls so much in our lives. Fear of failure, of making the wrong choice, or fear of what others will think/say of the choices we make for ourselves. It’s because of my Mom that I do not live in fear. I am not afraid of anything. I know whatever “life’s little challenges” (she would call them) comes my way, I can face them with confidence, certainty and without fear of the unknown.

It was Mom’s gift to all of us, to have faith and believe in us, and give us the courage to become the people we have the potential to be. Everything I am, I owe to her.

Because of her patience, understanding, acceptance of peoples differences, calmness and empathy for others, I understand the meaning of being kind.

Because of every package I received, intricately wrapped and prepared with care, every card, letter or note she sent for absolutely no reason at all, I understand what it means to be thoughtful.

Because of every example she set, and her ability to see a lesson in every challenge, I understand the meaning of a mentor.

It was because of her unwavering optimism, that I have faith in the good in the world.

Because of your beauty, grace, strength, ability to comfort, console, love and be loved, that I appreciate and enjoy the gifts in being a woman.

Because of you, I know the value of a day, the power in laughter and magic of a smile.

Taking Stock

2011-01-07T16:51:00.001-08:00

The past year for me has been about self-reflection and discovery. I've read a number of fantastic books and started following some incredible blogs written by people that inspire, motivate and provoke.

In "The Happiness Project" (Gretchen Ruben) I learned that it's ok to just Be Sarah. To make no apologies for the way I feel and to stop feeling guilty about not being someone that I think sometimes I should be. For example, I've stopped feeling like a loser for not wanting to go out (dancing, dinners, clubs, parties), and have embraced the happiness that a good book and a cozy blanket brings me. I honed in on some very simple things in life that make me very happy and have learned to amplify those elements in my life, like early mornings and routine. I love them both. I love having structure in my life and have built a routine around getting up early to enjoy my most favourite part of the day.

Outliers (Malcom Gladwell) showed me behind every great success is a series of great opportunity (plus 10,000 hours of hard work). He illustrates how small opportunities are available everyday, everywhere you look, but you must be willing to take action when you find them.

Smart Women Finish Rich (David Bach) gave me an understanding of personal finances plus the confidence and know-how to continue on my path to financial freedom.

Some of my favourite reading though is with the blogs I follow. Generally they are written by people with similar lifestyle goals and they write about their experiences on the path to achieving them. Alternatively , they are written by people who have already made an incredible life for themselves by unconventional means and write from more of a "how-to" perspective.

With all these resources, I've been able to paint a very clear picture of what I envision my life to be like and I have re-defined what I consider "success" . However, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all at the moment. I've got the knowledge, direction and permission (from myself) to live the life I want, but I still feel like something key is missing.

I have learned that I have the freedom to make my own choices. The freedom to set my own standard. The freedom to be as successful as I want to be.

I have all the tools, but I don't know what to build. Can you have too much of a good thing?

Many of the blogs and books I read are about how to live an unconventional life. This is a life without the confines of a conventional job and making your own rules to live your very own life. A life where you question your beliefs (to make sure they are truly yours) and challenge the status quo. A life refusing to be average.

I believe in all these things and I am working everyday towards creating a remarkable life for myself, but within all this advice, support, motivation and "ra-ra-screw-conventionalisum " I've found some conflict internally.

Looking for work: There are millions of people happy being employed by major corporations and are happy to leave their work at the office when they punch out at 5pm everyday, I don't believe I will be one of them. I don't want to become someone that works 40+ hours a week for 10 hours of productivity all for the benefit of someone else. I don't want my hard work and valuable time to get lost inside a corporate machine that doesn't appreciate either. So where does that leave me? Self-employment? What if I don't have a business plan? Or even a business idea? What if I haven't thought of a concept for my book yet? Is being a problogger something I should consider? And what if deep down I don't really want the responsibility of working for myself?

After much turmoil I realized I had just answered my own question. I don't really want the responsibility of working for myself. I finally came to that conclusion last night and immediately I applied my Happiness Project lessons and accepted that this is how I feel, and I need not apologize or feel guilty about it. There must be a middle ground.

With the relief that that decision brought, I took stock of a few other realities.

While I include traveling as an important part of my life, I have no interest in becoming location independent or escaping to a year long trip around the world. I will continue to explore the world in small savoury bites. I love where I live and will concentrating on making my life here something I don't need to escape from.

I also appreciate and understand the concept of minimalist living, but I have no intention of limiting my possessions to under 100 things, or selling all the furniture in my house except for a chair and yoga mat that I use for meditation. I have sold, given away or donated what I don't need or use regularly. I have de-cluttered and downsized and have seen how those actions can translate into taking control of what else you invite or dismiss from your life. Mass consumerism disappoints me and I think we all could benefit from a lesson in minimalism, especially when it comes to spending time on each other instead of money. However, with that said, I still look forward to buying a home and with an income secured, one of the first things I want is to upgrade my 1998 Honda with a newer more comfortable model (that's within my budget and is more fuel efficient). I won't win any points with the minimalist out there with that one... but hey, you can't please everyone.

Taking stock of how we really feel about something can bring real relief. Sometimes we get stuck and lose our forward momentum because something we think we want isn't really what we want.

Maybe John was onto something when he said "..and the truth shall set you free".

Have you ever come to terms about something you thought you wanted but were really just following a trend?

With small actions comes great reward

2011-01-05T11:27:00.000-08:00

I'm a self-described city girl. I have always lived downtown or close to downtown on a main street in a vibrant area. I like the energy, diversity, culture and people watching that comes with a busy neighbourhood. I always found some form of motivation or inspiration in the changing scenery of my downtown corner coffee shop by the seawall. I could hang out there for hours just letting my mind wonder as runners ran, cyclist cycled and before I finished my first latte, I'd hear conversation in three different languages pass by. The noise from beeping crosswalks, trucks backing up, buses stopping, sirens or the inevitable "disagreement" between an otherwise (I'm sure) lovely couple outside my window at 3am was never something I considered changing. It was all part-and-parcle.

I also started riding horses around the age of 9 and since then have spent many days, nights and weekends in a barn in the country. I clean stalls, scrub buckets, toss hay bales, fix fencing, lift heavy equipment and haul hoses. And oh yeah, I can drive a pick up truck towing a horse trailer and park it anywhere you need it.

I love having that kind of diversity a part of me.

But I hung up my chaps in 2003 after a couple of years working with members of the Canadian Equestrian Team. I travelled with them all over eastern Canada in the summer and spent the winters showing/training in south Florida. It was the first job I ever had that I really loved. We worked like dogs everyday of the week, and even though my gas and rent (or hotel when on the road) was covered, I think I only made $350 a week. Good thing I never had any time to spend it.

At some point, I got worn out and run down. Even though this was a job I loved entirely, eventually I decided that it was time for me to leave Montreal and "get a real job".

Fast forward eight years.

I recently brought horses back into my life. After Ironman and six weeks of travel, I found myself a bit passionless (momentarily). I thought about riding again but didn't know where to start. I didn't know anyone in the horse world anymore, I had no contacts or horse network to get me started. And without an income, I certainly didn't have a budget to just buy a horse of my own.

I googled "horse riding, Langley".

That's all it took to get me started. After that, I found the barn that had what I was looking for and as it turned out, the barn was looking for me too. I took a lesson with a woman who coincidentally was looking for someone to ride her horse over the winter while she's in California. I turned out to be that someone and now I'm riding a few times a week.

Having left the barn in 2003 and not really being back in the saddle since, I had no idea how much I had been missing it. I look forward to my time at the barn every week. I love the quiet of the country and smell of winter air. I love the paddocks filled with horses and how my horse whinnies when he recognizes my voice. I love the cold air and the freezing finger tips. I love the warm blankets I pile on my horse to make sure he's well kept when I'm gone. I love dumping the dirty water buckets and hauling the refilled fresh ones down the aisles (even when I end up wearing most of it). I love the sound of opening grain bags. I love coming home still smelling like hay and wood shavings.

Bringing horses back into my life very well could have been something that stayed on my "someday" list for a very long time had I not done a simple Google search. It was that tiny step that lead me to such great reward.

I don't think that the riding I'm doing now is going to be life changing (but who knows), but it got me thinking about small decisions I've made in the past that lead to huge monumental events.

Looking back, I can point out a few significant events that ended up being momentous turning points in my life. For me, leaving the horses and getting my first office job in Toronto was one. Deciding to move across Canada to Vancouver on my own was another. Quitting my job with a booming young software company without a new job secured. My experience with the Olympic games. Completing the Ironman. My first marathon in Honolulu HI. All these things brought new opportunity and change the course of my life. Each one was incredibly difficult, scary or seemingly impossible at the time, but how different my life would be if I hadn't had the courage to make these decisions.

*Leaving the horses to come back to Toronto was the first huge decision I made on my own. I remember crying over it as I told my bosses that I was leaving. I had always loved that job and the people I worked for so I was sad to say goodbye, but that's not why I was so upset. The truth was that I was terrified that I didn't know what was coming next or that I was making the right move.*

What I love about these events, is that for the most part, I can remember the day, even the moment, I decided to make them happen. These are defining moments that in a blink, can change your life. The thing about defining moments is that they themselves are not the monumental event. They are tiny. They are daydreams and small actions.

It was a morning in Florida and I was cleaning a stall when I decided I'd had enough of the horse life. I was exhausted and I was standing ankle high in horse s*#t.

My Mom told me about her friend Rudy who was running his 4th half marathon in Iceland and I decided then that if he (at the age of 50) could do it, so could I. Shortly after, (with zero running experience) I registered for the Honolulu marathon.

I was on a bus going to Mt. Tremblant in Quebec for a ski weekend with friends, and the girl behind me was reading Triathlon Magazine. I spoke with her about my marathon and she told me she was training for the Ironman. I thought only professional athletes did the Ironman, but she was just a normal girl. Before I got off that bus, I had decided that I too, would complete the Ironman.

Every huge milestone or event in our lives starts with a defining moment. It's just a tiny little moment. But it must be followed with a small action that seals the deal. A phone call, a conversation with a stranger, a (course or race) registration or just a google search... It all starts somewhere.

If your goals or dreams or passions seem overwhelming and too big to digest today, that's ok. You don't have to run the marathon tomorrow, or pack your bags to move to Italy by the weekend, or be the CEO of your own company right now. But you must take action.

Everyday daydreams about the impossible fill our thoughts and opportunities cross our paths in droves. All we need to do is reach out and grab one!

What were some of the monumental events in your life?
Do you remember the defining moment that started it all?

Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do - John Wooden

Looking ahead at 2011: The year of ACTION

2010-12-30T22:41:00.000-08:00

I did a lot of reflecting in 2010, a lot of planning, reading, realizing, visioning and that's what made it the year of discovery for me. Looking ahead at 2011, I want to take all that discovery and turn in into action.

As the second part of my annual review, I set out some goals which will help define where I'm headed in the next 365 days. The trick to setting goals is to be very specific. None of this "I'm going to start exercising more" wishy-washy stuff. If your goal is to exercise "more" be specific about it. If you want to make "more" money, get specific about how much money you want to be earning next year.

I will get 30min of exercise 4 times a week.
I will earn $xxx in 2011

That's just the first step. Then you have to identify at least one action you can do right now to take a step towards your goal. It might look like this:

I will look online for my local running groups schedule and find out when the next session is.
I will gather my facts and prepare for a meeting with my boss to discuss a pay raise.
I will create a plan for my small business that will earn $xxx a month to supplement my income.

The final step is to set a deadline. Do this so that you can check in on your progress on a monthly or quarterly basis depending on how quickly you want to achieve this goal. Be realistic. If your goal is to loose 20 lbs, don't set your deadline for Feb 1. You likely will not meet that target (it wouldn't be healthy to) and you will get frustrated and feel unsuccessful. Same thing with any goal. If you want to save for a downpayment on a home, set your target at something your budget will allow. Check in every quarter and see your progress all the way through the year.

I will loose 3lbs a month and keep it off. - Deadline: July 1/11
I will put $250 a month into my "home fund" - Deadline: April 15, August 15, December 15/11
I will create a career path with my boss that will include increased pay and have me reach my income targets by November 1/11

If you're new to goal setting it can be an uncomfortable process to go through. It seems that whatever your new goal is, immediately there are obstacles that stop you. You don't have gym clothes, or running shoes. You can't afford a gym membership. Your boss is a big jerk. You have no extra money to put away to save etc. etc. etc.

You tell me your goal, and I will find 10 reasons why you CAN'T do it. That's the easy part. There are a hundred reasons why you can't, shouldn't, or why you should just do it later. Your job is to find how you CAN do it and how you can start today. The brickwalls (obstacles) remind me of a Randy Pausch quote:

"Brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out, they are there to show how badly we want something. The brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want something badly enough. They are there to keep out the other people"

I mentioned in my Annual Review post that this year I've taken my goal setting to a whole new level. This year, I've created categories to help become very specific about each one. If you want to get serious about your goals this year too, I suggest breaking them down in a similar fashion. You can use the same categories I did, or create your own.

Career:
I've looked at a few different possible directions for my career path over the last nine months. I've painted the perfect picture of my ideal work day and gotten specific about what I want and don't want my days to include. I've discovered that I don't want a "job". I don't like the idea of going to and from a cubical everyday and working inside a forever churning machine where the work has no end and where the only reward I get is my paycheque, two weeks of vacation and a benefits package. Some may think that security sounds appealing, but it makes me quiver. What I want is work. A project. I want something I can watch come together, something that is created out of my efforts, dedication and long hours. I want something that once it's built, I can be proud of it.

I gave great consideration to self-employment this year as well. I thought about seizing the opportunity of unemployment to start taking writing seriously. Start thinking about writing my book or putting in the effort into making my small business grow into something sustainable that I might be able to live off. While all of that came with many pros and cons, I weighed my fears against my goals and I've decided two things; one, I'm not quiet ready for that type of commitment to independence, and two, to achieve some of my other goals (home ownership and travel) I will need a regular income that I can rely on. And so, I came to my first goal of 2011.

In 2011 I will find meaningful and rewarding work that I enjoy, challenges me and provides me with new opportunity while helping me achieve my goals.

Friends and Family
This year was particularly difficult in this category and I relied heavily on my friends and family many times throughout the year. I was surprised (although I don't know why) at how my family united and came together so closely during such hard times. They were incredible. I realized how much love surrounds me and how lucky I am to have such great examples of what family really means.

I consider my closest friends family as well. Since my Dad, sisters, aunts and uncles live so far away, it's my friends that I have close to me during holidays, special occasions and they are who I turn to when days are tough and I need someone to talk to. They mean the world to me and I am so grateful for them.

In 2011 I will be a better friend and be closer to my family. I will call often, I will not wait until I need something, I will not miss birthdays or special occasions (I'll at least send a card). I will tell them I love them and how much I appreciate them. I will remember to put them first, because I know, that they were there when I needed them and they always will be.

Health
I have ongoing issues with my back. Issues that take me out of the game and immobilize me until I rest enough to get back on my feet. Every time this happens (which used to be few and far between but happened twice this year), I'm like a teenager who's just removed the entire contents of her stomach praying to the porcelain God and mumbling "I will..never.. drink.. again..".

I lay on the couch, or on the hardwood floor, or bent over the kitchen counter in mind numbing, eyeball twitching pain and swear to whatever God will listen "If you make this pain go away, I will go to yoga everyday. I will see whatever therapist you want. I will make that appointment with the specialist. I will learn to walk on my hands if that's what it takes... anything... PLEASE!"

And in a week or so, the pain subsides so I can walk and I do a few stretches and take it easy for a few days. Then when all is well, I completely forget about the pleas and promises I made just a few days earlier. And so, I have chronic back pain. Everyday. And I do nothing about it. I live with it. I walk around like an 80 year old woman who can't stand up straight, pick up anything heavy or do any kind of impact activity like tobogganing or tubing (on snow or water). I can't risk falling or taking any kind of jolt where my spine might just give up and hate me forever. Alright, I'm overemphasizing the last bit, but you get the point.

In 2011 I will take care of my back. I will strengthen my core and stretch my back, hamstrings and glutes through regular yoga classes. I will make an appointment with my family doctor and get a referral to a physical therapist who will work with me over the long-term care and pre-habilitation of my spine.

Travel
I set a five year goal in 2010 to see the world. I said I would visit one new continent a year and over the next five years, I will have been to all 7 continents. I realized this isn't exactly seeing all of the world, but it's a good start.

This year I crossed Asia off my list when I spent 6 weeks in Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. I haven't made up my mind about 2011 but it will either be Australia or Africa. Destination to be determined.

In 2011 I will see a country I have not been to. I will visit another of the 4 continents I have not been on. I will start researching the costs of different destinations what I would want to see while I was there.

Community
I really like the idea of volunteering. I did quite a bit this summer either with committees or events and it's a great way to gain experience, give back to your community and add value to your skill set (without having to get a new job or go back to school).

This year I have already committed to being on a committee with a local triathlon organization. Triathlon gave me so much over the years that I really enjoy when I am able to give back.

I will also be leading the 2011 Powered By Noie team for The Ride To Conquer Cancer. This year we want to be at least 10 riders strong and we're already 8. We also have a team in Ontario and the interest for a team in Alberta. Together, we can raise over $40,000 for the fight against cancer.

Click here if you want to join our team! Just ask me for the password

In 2011 I will be a leader for the Powered By Noie team. I will stay focused on our goal of raising $30,000 (BC). I will stay motivated and inspire others to achieve their goals. I will stay organized and host one group destination ride for the whole team every month.

Writing
I really enjoy blogging. I find writing to be therapeutic and I love the feedback I get from my readers / followers. I also enjoy what I get from the blogging community. I have found a few great blogs that I follow regularly and each of them present a perspective that I find refreshing or inspiring. Chris and his Non-Conformist approach, Katy and her minimalist life, Leo and his Zen-ness and all the interesting links / articles those point me to.

In 2011 I will update the look of my blog and find it a new home on another hosting site (don't worry, I'll leave a forwarding address). I'll create a community of readers that post comments and share their own insight on the post of the day. I will write two posts a week and aim to inspire, entertain, give perspective and share my experiences on my approach to being remarkable. To achieve all this - I will have to live a life worth writing about.

Not included in this post are a goals in the categories of Finance, Personal Development and Relationship. These are quite personal and I will keep for myself, but I mention it so that you might consider your goals in those areas of your own life.

Good luck with your goal setting for 2011. Remember to make them SMART.

Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic
Time associated (deadline)

What are your biggest goals for 2011?

Annual Review: 2010 the year of discovery

2010-12-28T12:15:00.000-08:00

I love New Years, and it has nothing to do with champagne popping and kissing at midnight. In fact, to be honest, I've missed the last couple of midnight countdowns passing up the hang over and opting to start the first day of the new year fresh with an early morning and exercise outdoors with friends.

There is one New Years tradition that I don't pass up however and that's setting goals for the year to come. I started writing out my goals in 2006 in what's become known to me as "The List". This was a very simple list I scratched out on a piece of paper and kept tucked into the front of my training journal. It became an important part of my motivation to complete the Honolulu marathon as I wrote it on my hand to remind me of all the things to come in my life after I finished those 42.2 kilometres.

Simple, it worked and it started my belief in writing out my goals.

Since then, my goal setting has become a bit more refined. Last year, I set another 5 Year Goal seeing that my 2005 five year goal was expiring (and realizing) this year. Throughout the year I use my dreamboard and other sources for motivation, but I have figured out the best way to realize your goals is to write them out.

This year, I've taken my goal setting a step further and created something more tangible to refer back to throughout the year. Over the last week or so, I've been conducting my own personal annual review. The process is not original, but it's something that made sense to me and because I am dedicated to a life of purpose and intent, there seems to be no better way than to be direct and specific about your goals.

The details of the review are somewhat personal so there are pieces I've kept private, but I'd like to share some of the process that I found helpful.

I started with asking two simple questions:

What went well in 2010?
What didn't go so well in 2010?

What went well:
2010 was a very big year with a lot to review, but what stands out immediately is that I had Anthony to stand by me through all of it. He's been a warm addition to my life and I am thankful to have him in it. We celebrated our first anniversary in October, although I was somewhere in Thailand and he was at home worried about me. I sent a nice "happy anniversary" email to put his mind at ease :)

Being unemployed for the better part of the year was also a special experience. I used the time wisely to commit to myself and to serve as time of self-reflection. During this time I discovered a lot about myself, what motivates me, what makes me happy, what makes me proud, what fulfills me, what I envision my future to be like (and got into a detail painting that picture). I also came to terms with aspects of what makes me, me, and accepted the good with the bad (or what I think others will perceive as "bad"). I've discovered that inspiring others to achieve their goals is what makes me happy. I'm also learning to not be so hard on myself and accept the best that I can do as being AWESOME and I am still celebrating everyday successes.

In June, my best friend Kierstie and I completed The Ride To Conquer Cancer. We raised over $6,300 in just 11 weeks. Our team, Powered By Noie has grown to 9 riders in BC, 2 in Ontario and the interest of 2 in Alberta for the 2011 ride. This was definitely something that I am proud of and something that went well in 2010.

A highlight of 2010 for me of course was becoming an Ironman. This closed a chapter for me but also served as the beginning of something new. For me, Ironman was about the journey and through the years of training I faced some of the most challenging obstacles and learned incredible lessons about the strength to endure. I also found motivation in this quote from Muhammad Ali.

“I hated every minute of training, but I said, ''Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion."

It's not true about hating the training, but it does speak to my Ironman purpose.

After Ironman I took 6 weeks to travel through South East Asia (Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia). This was not only a great reward for my huge accomplishment, but was also a part of my new 5 year goal to see the world.

Late in 2010 I started a small business with Anthony called MANBASKET. The concept came to us only weeks before Christmas so where it stands today is very much a work in progress. However, it's already taught me some valuable lessons and generated a small income. I plan to continue developing that business into 2011.

Finally, I took a great interest in my financial future this year and am reaping the rewards of that. This was not something that came easily, I had to put forth an effort to get that part of my life organized, and it wasn't all fun and games, but in the end, the reward is confidence, security and empowerment.

What didn't go so well:

2010 had a pretty rough and unpredicted start for me. But I didn't let that set the tone for the year. I converted my sadness into energy and let that propel me forward. I was more determined than ever to live a life full of love, intent and purpose.

The annual review however should not include things that I could neither control or avoid so I can't really add this to my "what didn't go well" list.

Thankfully, what didn't go well is a much shorter list that what did go well.

Technically I had only three months of employment in 2010. One of which was for the most part spent addressing the passing of mother in January and February/March were some of the most stressful, odd, chaotic and blurred weeks I'd had in my 1.5 years with the Olympic Games. I'd love to have put my Olympic experience on the "went well" list, but if I'm being honest, it wasn't. If this were the 2009 review, it would have been number 1 - a job I loved and a hundred reasons for loving it. But the two months that made up my "Olympic experience" were somewhat tainted. I learned some invaluable lessons from that time, but I'll leave it at that.

My health was an ongoing issue in 2010 aswell. I have various back injuries ranging from a broken tailbone, a spinal cyst and a herniated disc that date back over ten years now. I've learned to manage the chronic pain, but occasionally I re-injure myself and can find myself immobilized or hospitalized. With proper care, it rarely gets to that point, but this year I found myself down and out twice. It's the most painful and scary situation to find yourself in and each time I swear I will do whatever it takes to avoid this ever happening again. When the pain is gone, I carry on as usual. What I need to do is prioritize my ongoing back health an take care of it even when I'm not in major trouble.

There are a few other things that did not go well in 2010, but as I mentioned earlier, they are a bit personal and I'm not here to air any dirty laundry. What I will say is that with everything that did not go well this year, there are great lessons to be learned.

For me, 2010 was a year of discovery. I tried to keep my eyes wide open and learn the lesson in every challenge. Most importantly, I learn celebrate every success that I had.

The annual review doesn't end here. There are goals to set and obstacles to plan to overcome, but that's for the next post.

What were some of your highlights of 2010?
What were some of your challenges?

My HUGE Financial Reward

2010-12-24T13:53:00.000-08:00

It's not what you think. I didn't win the lottery, win big in Vegas or return someone's lost precious puppy. I took an interest in my financial future, got serious about my budget and in return am reaping the rewards.

I have been unemployed since April of 2010. Thankfully, this wasn't a surprise and I had over a year and a half to prepare for living on a fixed income. I saved my pennies vigilantly since knowing that once my contract ended I would be taking the summer off to train for Ironman, enjoy some downtime and reward myself with some long awaited overseas traveling. In order to have this plan come to fruition I needed to have a plan. More importantly, I needed to have a plan I could stick to. Enter Gail Van-Oxlade.

You know who she is. She's the doctor of debt who makes house calls on Slices' Til Debt Do Us Part. Since I had a lot of time on my hands to watch daytime TV, I decided I would give her famous "money jars" a go. I went to her website and downloaded the super simple Interactive Budget Worksheet. Starting here, I plugged in all my co-ordinates and set out to the bank to fill each of my 5 money jars.

For three months straight I spent only cash, using my credit card only for reservations or purchases only available online (like airline tickets - and I immediately paid for them after buying), I wrote everything down in my "budget binder" and did weekly reconciliation's to see where I was overspending and where I could save.

I STRONGLY recommend anyone looking to get out of debt, save money or get their spending under control do this even if just for one month. It was such a strong tool that my spending habits changed dramatically and immediately. If you have ever done a 'food diary' for the purposes of losing a few pounds, this works exactly the same way. Writing down everything you spend makes you accountable for where your money goes. At the end of a week, when you notice that $35 went to Starbucks latte's, cinnamon sticks and the occasional chocolate chip banana bread, it's a great reality check. Similar to the food diary, you begin to change your habits simply because you don't want the shame of having to write it in your budget binder. When I saw a sale on shoes or (more difficult) another awesome cycling jersey, I knew exactly what I would tell myself in a few days when reviewing the week's spending. "Seriously? You spent $80 on yet another [INSERT VARIOUS ITEMS HERE]. That $80 could buy you three days of travelling in Asia." That was relevant to me at the time, but I'm sure you have something that could relate.

It's not to say I never went over budget or bought things I didn't need. But at least I was VERY aware of how much over budget I was, and was doing so willingly. When you don't know how much money you have to spend to begin with, you don't know when you've spent it all.

I've stopped using the money jars, but the principles and lessons are still with me. I've been debt free and saving money consistently even as I'm unemployed and on a very fixed income.

My curiosity in my finances didn't stop there. I figured that if I could be in this much control of my spending, I must be capable of more. So I continued to be interested in my financial future and made an appointment with my banks financial advisor to talk about my RSP's and some other savings that I had. He was happy to talk to me about all kinds of securities, registered and non-registered accounts, tax deductions and high interest something rathers.... it was all too much for me at the time, I didn't really get much out of it except that now I know that there's a lot I don't know.

Fast forward a few months and my "living within my means" lifestyle is still keeping me debt free and I no longer miss the expensive take-out sushi and I haven't even noticed that I haven't bought new shoes or pair of jeans in months. I'm much happier not receiving a visa bill. I do however, continue my interest in a financially responsible future by reading books like "Smart Women Finish Rich" and even though it's not as exciting and the last edition in the Twilight saga ( I read that too), it's been exciting in it's own right. More than ever, I'm confident and feel prepared to ask the right questions when it comes time to address where my money is and what it should be doing to work for me. Half way through the book I made another appointment with that same financial advisor that confused me months ago and after spending two hours talking to him about all the same things that I now understand, I have a sense of independence and empowerment that only came by me taking a genuine interest in myself and my future.

I've finished the book now and because I found it so valuable, I wanted to skim through it again and highlight some of the key lessons that stood out for me. I figured I would share them here since I'm in also the midst of conducting my own annual review and this might just add to it.

Chapter One: The facts and myths about your money
- You do not need to make more money. You need to better manage the money you have.
- Know WHERE your money is. Debt? Assets? Mutual Funds? RSP's? Cash? Bonds?

Chapter Two: Put your money where your values are
- Ask yourself "What is important about money to you?"
My answers were:
- Money gives me the ability to make my own choices. It gives me options.
- Having my own money gives me control over my life
- Money gives me the ability to fill my live with my own ambitions
- Having money gives me peace of mind

Understanding why money is important to you helps your decisions on where you spend it.

Chapter Three: Figure out where you are and where you want to go
- Find your "stuff" and get organized. Tax returns, retirement account statements, checking and savings accounts, other investments, credit card statements, mortgage material, major liabilities (car loans), insurance documents (home owners, renters, life insurance etc) and will's and life trusts.
- Online banking makes gathering this information very easy, but it's important to at minimum review where all this material (as applies to you) is and keep it organized.

WRITE OUT YOUR FINANCIAL GOALS. And add to that something you can do NOW to take steps toward that goal.

Again and again I see this tool being promoted/suggested and I (too) swear by it. It works. Do it.

*at this point in the book one of my goals that I wrote down was to be more educated in investments (mutual funds, RSP's etc). Before the end of the book, I had re-visited my FA and (as mentioned above) am reaping the rewards of that meeting). Until this review, I had forgotten that it was one of the goals I had written down. It's s powerful tool. Do it.

Chapter four: Getting real about what you spend.
- Helpful review of the budgeting lessons I learned earlier this year with the money jars.

Chapter five: Not putting all your eggs in one basket
- The super boring but necessary educating part about preparing for emergencies, retirement and other very grown up stuff. This is where I went back to see my FA and what was previously "pre-tax/ rate-of-return/ moderately aggressive vs conservative" mumbo-jumbo investment stuff finally made sense. Repetition works well with me.

Chapter six: Following the 12 Commandments to attracting greater wealth
- Getting paid what your worth and knowing what that is.
This book ending with these commandments was the perfect segway into my next read which has been patiently waiting on my nightstand. Linchpin by Seth Godin.

There were so many lessons I learned financially this year, but it all started by TAKING AN INTEREST in myself and my financial responsibility. You can hear the same thing over and over or get advice from the best and brightest advisors on the planet, but if you're not interested in yourself, it's not worth a damn.

It was really helpful for me to re-write some of these lessons, so thanks for taking the time to read them if you made it all the way through.

Stay tuned for my annual review which takes into account lessons learned beyond my finances.

Operation Re-Connect

2010-12-14T17:36:00.000-08:00

I have 261 friends. At least that's what Facebook tells me. Somehow that's hard to believe. If I have that many friends, how come when I throw a party I'm always scared no one will show up? I have 261 friends!

Now, I also have friends that have upwards of 500, 600, 700+ friends. Where does that put me on the popularity scale? I think 261 would fill a room nicely should I die and they all show up to pay their respects, however, it makes me a hermit compared to the guy that has 976 friends. Should I feel bad about this? Is this an indication that my years of focused Ironman training and declined RSVP'ing to dinners, bars, parties, weekends away (and on and on) have resulted in social suicide? Considering that of my 261 friends, I have maybe three that I speak to regularly (one of which I live with), I think having 261 friends is quite the success.

I wonder about those that have say 700+ friends. What do you do with them all? I have maybe a night or two out a week visiting various friends in varying social groups and I still haven't seen (I'd say) a majority of my friends in a dogs age. I'm a bad friend maybe? How do you keep up with 700 or more friends?

Then I started thinking, as with my recent efforts to de-clutter my life, it's time I started choosing quality over quantity when it comes to my relationships as well. It always struck me as odd when people would make a friend request via Facebook and then never follow up with as much as a "Hey.. How've ya been the last 10 years?" Sure it's fun to Facebook creep through their photos, but after the initial peruse through, you never really go back. I just think it's weird that even though we had enough interest in each other to connect, the effort / interest stops there.

Enter Operation: Re-Connect.

I've decided that I'm going to attempt to befriend (or re-friend) all my 261 friends. Some times I see their photos up in the side bars so I click on it, see what they've been up to, then send a message saying hello, or congratulations or "what's that all about?"or "do you know of a good real estate agent" or in one case "how do you get your body to twist like that?"... whatever might strike a conversation and result in at least one return message.

It's a very simple concept, although there are a few rules and qualification clarities to make:

- If you haven't spoken to them in more than two months, they qualify for Op: ReCon. Send them a message.
- Family must be contacted by phone. They're family. Seriously, pick up the phone.
- If you don't recognize them or have any idea how you know them, remove them from your friends list.
- If after much thought and several message drafts you can't think of one thing you would say to this person. Remove them.

So far, I've re-connected with a friend that finished the New York City marathon this year. A friend whom I haven't spoken to since grade 8 who just moved into the house across the street from the house I lived in at that time. Her new house in which I use to babysit the kids that lived there. I had a three or four time return convo going with someone now living in India and how life is so different for him now. I got an invite to stay with friends in England should I ever be on that side of the pond, plus some awesome advice about trails and new adventures to seek right here in my own BC backyard.

So far I've re-connected with 17 of my 261 friends. That only includes those that I have initiated conversation with (of people haven't spoken to in more than two months) and I am going to try and re-connect with all 261 of my friends before my birthday in March. There's no particular reason for that date, it's just that every goal needs a deadline and that one seems to be reasonable and one that I won't forget.

I'll try to send 3 messages a day (on average) which should get me to my goal on March 6th (depending on how my total number of friends fluctuates up or down). So either by randomly clicking on some one's status via the news feed, photos that appear in the sidebar or just working alphabetically through my friends list, I hope to re-friend my friends one by one taking pride in my quality 261 friends.

Never again will I introduce myself to someone at a party only to hear the response "uh.. yeah, I'm *Becky... we're friends on Facebook.."

*Some names may have been changed to protect individuals involved.

Knowing What Your Looking For

2010-12-06T15:40:00.001-08:00

Today I read a blog post on ANOC that reminded me to always be thinking about a few very important things. While the list wasn't long, it was significant. Check it out if you have a minute.

Things like dreams, influences, relationships and passions are all things I think of regularly and I try to nurture them, re-visit and rejuvenate them as often as necessary. But there was something else that resonated with me today and that was "destinations".

"Because you need to know where are you going, whether it’s a real destination or a representative one. (If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll probably end up somewhere else.)"

So I started to think about where it was that I was going and it brought me back to a Work / Life career workshop that I participated in while I was working for the Games. Not having any clue what it was all about at the time, I can say it was one of the best thing I ever did for myself. I ruffled through some filing and found the workshop booklet that we used. I kept it because I found the exercises that the hosting life-coach had us do were THAT valuable.

We started with some simple exercises that included writing out your strengths and skill sets, identifying where you've succeed in your current or past roles and what it is about your position that you really like or dislike.

We also were asked to think about a "pivotal" moment in our lives, or more simply, a time when we were the most happy, felt alive and were excited. Remembering that time, we wrote out all things associated with it.

What was the experience?
What were you doing?
Who was there?
Why did it make you feel so alive?

Identifying the contributing 'good-time' elements helped us move forward to what, in my opinion, was the most valuable exercise of the day.

We identified, and wrote in detail, our vision of an ideal working environment. We listed everything from what time you start in the morning, how you get to work, where you are, who you work with, what are you wearing and so on. We tried to be as specific as possible.

Here's what my list looked like:

- I start early in the morning when there are only a few people around.
- My day is full and requires some logistical planning and scheduling to make sure my time is used efficiently
- I have an office to go to, but I am not there all the time (work from home or various work sites)
- I dress professionally, but casually
- I work with people I respect
- I work on time sensitive projects
- My projects have a beginning and an end
- I am responsible for my own schedule
- I work long hours and I am dedicated to my projects
- I am passionate about what I am doing, I believe in it's purpose
- I take work home with me, but have good work / life balance

So there it is, my perfect day. I still haven't found a 'job' that meets these requirements, but at least I know what I'm looking for and that is a HUGE relief. I'm also comfortable with the idea of not finding a "job" to fulfill these needs, but I might have to create the opportunity myself. But I know that by identifying these things, I am taking the first steps towards my ideal life and being at my happiest.

However, if you know what this job is that I'm describing..... email me! Kidding.... (sort of).

Not having found a way to make a living with these prerequisites yet doesn't worry me, and I'll tell you why.

Further into the booklet I found some questions and answers that made me grin ear to ear. Below are some examples. Keep in mind this workshop was completed in summer of 2009.

Q: What do you want more of? What gives you energy? What do you want to say "yes" to?
A: Travel, new opportunity, relationships, exploring of new possibilities

Q: What do I really want? Who do I want to be? What will I achieve? What impact will I have?
A: I want to inspire others to be their greatest, I want to work on something I am proud of, I want to love someone and be loved by them back

Q: Identify one goal:
A: I'd like to do 3-5 weeks of traveling after the Games in 2010

Q: Identify steps you can take to achieve this goal:
A: Research Thailand and Cambodia (what to do there? How much? Where to go while there)

During this session, the life coach did a great job of getting our creative juices flowing. We were really dreaming and writing down things that we weren't completely sure we could do, but in a perfect world, we could have.

Fast forward to winter 2010 and here's an update:

- I completed the Ironman (a five year goal) and had an overwhelming response from friends, family and new acquaintances about how inspiring my story was. Because of that, and my own experience, I'm working on a project that will help others achieve their extraordinary goals. The project will launch in January.. so stay tuned :)

- I moved in with my boyfriend whom I love dearly (and who loves me back:)

- Together we are building the foundations of a FANTASTIC new business

- I returned home from 6 weeks of traveling through South East Asia (Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam)

This wasn't meant to be an opportunity to brag about my life, these where just a few highlights selected to make a point. The point is how valuable it can be to really make time and think about where it is you are going. Life isn't perfect and things come up, challenges surface and set backs occur, but like Randy Pausch said "you can always change the plan, but only if you have one."

I use my DreamBoard now as a way to keep updating new things I want in my life. As life evolves, so do my priorities, my circumstances and my opinions. But if I want to keep defining my own success, I have to at least know what it will look like once I find it.

Change: The Groundwork for Opportunity

2010-11-28T23:32:00.000-08:00

As a part of my effort to re-build momentum, there are a few blogs that I read regularly. Typically they are written by people that share my perspective on a meaningful, fulfilled life and in sharing their point-of-view they inspire and encourage me to continue pursuing the kind of life I want to live.

Katy, of The Single Supplement wrote a post about being "an agent for change" and the term really resinated with me. Katy and her sister Rachel, of The Minimalist Mom, are advocates in the world of minimalism and recently she wrote a post about presenting minimalism to the masses by "living a better life through small change". She wrote about how extreme changes can be overwhelming or to intimidating for most and instead called for action of small changes to the everyday. She called the effort "..change people can get behind".

I'm not quite on board with the whole minimalist movement, but the approach did get me thinking about my perspective on "change that people can get behind". I am a huge fan of change. We've become great friends over the years and I strongly believe that, while change can be the unapproachable, confrontational and awkward one in a room full of comfortable habits, routine and predictability, you really ought to give change a chance.

First of all, I understand that change is not easy. It makes us step outside our comfort zone and makes us uncomfortable for a while. It calls for an adaptation of our routine and a reshuffling of the things we're used to. When we change, it sometimes also creates the need for the people around us to change and, well, no one wants to create confusion or inconvenience for anyone else.

But like it or not, change is necessary. Earlier this week while driving around running errands a thought about change and it's relationship with opportunity came to me. This happens a lot while I drive, and I end up having to take voice notes so I don't lose my train of thought. Anyhow, here is the transcript of the message I left for myself:

"We must embrace change. We know that doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is the very definition of insanity. Our environment, our social circles, what we do for entertainment, our habits and routine. Doing the same thing day in and day out and expecting that something extraordinary will happen to us is insane. We have to accept change in our life and get used to adapting to it. I'm talking about little changes. Start with where you get your morning coffee, the route or the method you take to get to work, once a week change up your working environment. Take your night out with friends to a place/restaurant/bar you've never been to. Make an effort to meet new friends or maybe re-connect with some old ones you haven't seen or spoke to in a while. I am not implying that these small changes will change your life or cause extraordinary things to happen to you, but it starts to break the mould of ordinary. Here's the thing, when opportunity comes knocking, it will ask you to change. It will ask you to make a decision that will likely create some kind of change in your life. If we are hesitant or resistant to change, opportunity will move on."

Back to minimalism for a moment. My favourite theme in the sphere of minimalism is the movement behind de-cluttering. This is a hot topic for me right now as I am still unpacking boxes from my move in August as me and my redhead attempt to merge our lives together. This has me constantly asking myself "where did I get all this stuff?!" and even more puzzling, "why do I still have it?!" It's incredible the things I've kept over the years and even more amazing that I've moved it from apartment to apartment (not to mention across the country). So it's time to de-clutter. I'm keeping only what I need and what I use, otherwise, EVERYTHING GOES. Well, this is the rule 90% of the time. I still make exceptions, but I'm trying hard to stick with the rule "if I haven't used it, worn it or needed it in the last year - gone-zo".

This is a great exercise to go through because de-cluttering is not about just getting rid of your things. It's about taking control of what you have in your life. It's living with less and making room for the things in your life that matter. Starting with the old t-shirts and college hoodies in your closet and moving to the CD's you haven't listened to since high school and the books that you never read (and likely never will). Eventually it'll be your budget you re-organize and attack your consumer debt. Then it's the wasted energy on other things that just take up space in your life, but really don't matter.

There are endless reasons why de-cluttering is a healthy exercise and just as many resources to guide you, but I won't get into it now. However, if you're like me and want to profit from lessening your life's load, sell your crap on ebay, list it on craigslist or send it to a consignment shop. You'd be surprised at the cash your crap will bring in. Seriously.

Anyhow, the point of all this was that welcoming change into our lives, even the small changes, helps us to become agile in a world where we can get used to the ordinary. We can get so stuck in our routines that change becomes so unattractive and uncomfortable that we avoid it at any cost. Author and poet Francis Bacon once said "a wise man will make more opportunities than he finds." I say, start by creating some change, see what kinds of opportunities come next.

I realize that I just wrote a post about routine and my need to involve that in my life as well, but there is room for both. You can welcome change in your life without completing disrupting your routine. Again, this is about small change. Change that everyone can get behind. Change even you can find room for.

Building a Customary or Regular Course of Procedure

2010-11-24T14:27:00.001-08:00

rou·tine: A regular, unvarying, habitual, unimaginative and constantly repeated formula resulting in a convenient or predictable response.

Even though the very definition of routine makes my skin crawl, I know the benefits that come with this "unimaginative" and "habitual" daily act. I mentioned in my last post that having a reliable routine (including work and training schedule) left room for inspiration to find it's way into my mind and make itself welcome. When I don't have to think about what will fill my days I free up some bandwidth in my brain making room for inspiration and motivation to do their thing.

Now don't get me wrong, thinking about doing an hour of yoga, maybe going for a hike, reading recent posts on the various blogs I follow or catching up with friends doesn't exactly push me to my creative limits or anything. But I refuse to sit on the couch and watch TV all day and there is simply nothing worse than coming to the end of the day and realizing you actually and literally did nothing. I just don't let that happen. So, even though it's not life changing productivity I'm filling my days with, it still takes some planning and I have to put effort into what I want to do every day.

Actually... re-read that last sentence. "it's not life changing productivity I'm filling my days with" On the contrary!!!!!

I could fill my days with job hunting. I could send out 10 resumes a day looking for a job that provides a steady pay cheque, good benefits and an RSP matching program. If I put my mind to it, I could have a job in no time and my "day filling" problem would just go away.

Instead, what I'm doing is searching for passion, questioning what makes me happy, looking for new personal challenges and ways to realize my dreams. In doing so, I'm dedicating myself to finding meaningful work at something I will enjoy, bring a sense of fulfilment to my life and that I will ultimately be successful at. So... sorry.. I lost track of why filling my days was a problem......

Right! As a part of my search for meaningful work and unconventional success, I will add routine back in my life so that inspiration has room to get warm and cozy in my once again busy brain.

Back to basics.

Exercise: I have to include exercise in everyday. That sounds so slight coming from an Ironman triathlete who used to have a "training regime". No training here. Just exercise. Yoga in my living room (budget conscious alternative to classes), short runs or evening swims will do. As of late, I just pack up my computer and walk the 25min to the furthest Starbucks where I spend a few hours (as opposed to spending it in my home office).

Schedule: Putting things in my calendar help create routine. I'm riding on Tuesday's and Friday's plus one other flexible day of the week. I'd like to swim on Tuesday's and Thursday's so that in a few weeks (of getting my water wings back) I can start to swim with my local Masters swim club (who practice on the same nights). I enjoy Yoga and start my day with it twice a week.

I also would like to write on my blog three times a week, so I will dedicate some time to that in a schedule. There's also time to commit to career search and research on the same topic. Similarly, there are business ideas that require massaging and nurturing in order to develop.

Finally, being unemployed provides great opportunity to do things that you normally don't get to do, like play tourist in your own city. I'm also adding to my schedule "something new" which will encourage me to look for something new to do each week. "Broaden my horizons" if you will.

Well, that didn't take long. Now my schedule is full and by the end of the day, I will have earned the right to relax. This is an interesting time in my life and I intend to take full advantage of it. This is the time to create opportunity and make change.

Now that I've outlined specifically what my new routine will include, I wonder where I will find the time! It also helped me realize that my time is valuable and what I do with it really matters. This is my life I'm talking about, I will only get out what I put in.

You look different... did you cut your hair?

2010-11-23T17:04:00.003-08:00

Eat. Sleep. Swim. Bike. Run has had a facelift! Welcome to A Work In Progress.

After years of documenting my journey to Ironman (and my six weeks of celebratory travel that followed), I've been pondering on what to do with my blog. I really enjoy blogging so I didn't want to give it up. I find it therapeutic to write my thoughts and it also keeps me motivated when I feel accountable for what I say I am going to do.

It's been an interesting few weeks since I've returned home from Asia. I've found myself in a situation that I haven't been in for sometime now. I've got no training schedule, no work projects, no work, no upcoming races and generally, nothing to focus on. Some tell me that this could be a good thing - time to just be and not be focused on something, but I have a problem with that. For the first time in a long time, I feel directionless. I have spent years building momentum (which is beautifully explained in an article on How to Harness the Power of Momentum) and I fear that somehow by not being busy, I am losing that momentum which I have worked so hard to maintain.

I also have a busy mind. That, coupled with my aforementioned momentum makes creating new ideas and finding the motivation to make them happen come easily to me. I am also a creature of habit and because I have always had a very reliable routine (Eat. Sleep. Swim. Bike. Run), it left a lot of room for inspiration to come into my mind and make itself welcome.

These days, I'm finding it hard to find inspiration. I have been keeping myself busy hoping that all that steam that kept me moving from one project to another pre-travel will catch up with me and move me forward to my "next big thing", but just "filling my days" has left me bored and looking for more (duh...)

I revert back to basics.

Passion: Ironman / triathlon was a passion that consumed me for years. Loving the sport, loving the challenge, loving what it gave back to my life was what kept me going. Now, while I still appreciate the sport, I've decided to put it on the back burner while I try new things. Ironman is a tough act to follow so finding new a passion hasn't been easy.

Throughout my process of finding ways to return passion to my life, I was reminded how many experts will suggests that you think back to what you did for fun as a kid and that may help determine where your true passions lie.

When I was a kid (maybe age 9+) I started riding horses. Horses became my life and something I feel influenced strongly who I became as an adult. I still have trunks full of old riding gear and equipment that I couldn't get rid of for both sentimental reasons, and because I secretly hope that some day I'll win the lottery and can afford to own a horse of my own again. Of course, owning your own horse isn't the only way to have them in your life. In the past, I've looked for work at a stable as a groom or a rider, used my contacts to find some free lance riding, or just hooked up with friends that have horses and may take you up on your offer to ride their horse when they're out of town. None of these options where proving to lead anywhere this time around, so I went the ultimately obvious although somewhat of a hit to the ego route - riding lessons.

As someone who spent (at one point) most of her life on a horse and working professionally with members of the Canadian Equestrian Team, going back to taking lessons on a school horse is a tough pill to swallow. Fortunately I have a bigger picture in mind and I'm more reasonable with myself now-a-days. The one hour a week of pressure free, no responsibility, commitment free riding at a cost my unemployed budget could handle was looking pretty attractive. So that's what I did.

As the universe would have it, before the end of my first lesson, my new instructior asked me if I was interested in doing some riding for her. She has a horse that she half-leases out to a young girl who is advancing quickly and her horse could use a little tuning so that he aid's in her progression and not hindering it. Now I'm riding three times a week and still have my one hour lesson.

I hope you like my new blog. I aim to make it enjoyable and inspirational for anyone that stumbles upon it. Take it or leave it, it's just how I see it :)

Koh Phangan - Oct 25-27

2010-11-15T09:04:00.003-08:00

I left Koh Samui in search of a few days of luxury retreat before heading home on Saturday. While I was no longer interested in "exploring" or adventuring, there were enough notable recommendations about Koh Phangan, the middle child of the three famous Gulf Islands, that made it worth the trip.

On the ferry over I met a few people with roughly the same plan as me. They were looking for a semi-luxury place to spend a few days, but had no idea where they would find it. We were all hooked by a guy on the boat pushing a resort on the west side. It was a free taxi out there so we all decided to take a look. When we got there, three of the 6 of us were sold on it, but the other couple and I were unsure. It was fine, but we wanted more than just fine. Plus flushing toilets, we wanted flushing toilets.

They said they would likely head back to a place they had just spent two weeks. They ventured off the island for a week or so, but decided to come back to their favorite spot (even though temporarily distracted by giving this new place a chance). The place they described sounded fantastic, but it was on the east coast and secluded requiring a water taxi to get there. Up for the trek if it meant getting a toilet I understood, I decided to go along.

We shared a taxi around to the east side and got off at Haad Rin. This little row of shacks on a beach is famous for the full moon parties which I had apparently just missed a few days earlier. Shux. The town didn't look like much during the day, but I was told not to let its sleepy appearance mislead me, I had to keep in mind it was before noon still and no one here has had breakfast before noon in some time.

With not much to see here, we jumped in a water taxi and uttered the words Barcelona, which thankfully the kid driving the boat understood because I still had no idea where we were headed.

It was just 10 minutes out into the sea and around a point into a hidden cove and paradise unveiled itself to me. Just like a postcard, wood bungalows lined the white sandy beach. The water was acqua green and the tranquility vibrated out onto the water to us. With a smirk and a giggle I laughed at the discovery. Places like this do exist.

I walked up to the bar (read: shack on beach with blender on the counter) and asked if they had a bungalow. He said he only had the expensive ones, but tomorrow night a big group was leaving and a cheaper one would be available. Figures. So I asked how much the expensive one was and decided I might take a hit one night seeing as I've come all this way. "$500 baht" he says. That's approximately $16 a night. "Sold" I told him.

He gave me the rusty key to the padlock which secured my bungalow and I took myself into my new accommodations. Well, some things are true no matter where you go and this much I know: you get what you pay for (and $16 doesn't get you very much).

It was basic. A roof over my head, running water (but not hot water mind you) and a flushing toilet. Apparently you don't really come here for the luxury, the beauty is on the beach. So that's where I went.

The secluded beach was home to four different "hotels" but everyone mingled and socialized like one big community. The last place on the end was a bit bigger and had a much nicer bar/restaurant and played movies every night. Just about everyone on the beach came to watch. A neat experience.

I stayed a few nights here and even moved into a cheaper cottage which didn't have much less other than having to walk further up some steps to get to it, and it even had a hammock on the front porch. Being higher gave it an incredible view and it poured rain most of the day my second day here so I spent the majority of it making use of that hammock.

After the initial shock of the beauty wore off, I was back in the same place I had been for the past few days. Tired of traveling, missing the comforts of home and missing Anthony. I had some incredible experiences and great opportunity to create even more had I been up for it, but I was just feeling lonely without him. Nothing was as fun, even if it was fun I wished too much that he was there with me and I just wanted to leave so that we could come back and experience it together.

It was an interesting few days and I had met some interesting people. Many of them had been on that beach for months. One guy for 6 years! Most of them had the same story. They needed to get away. They quit their jobs, rented out or sold their homes so they could afford to get away for a while. A long while. While I listened to some of them, I couldn't judge them in one way or another. I heard myself in their stories, wanting to travel but never knowing how to do it. Wanting desperately to escape the mundane and routine of work, home, work, home. The pressures of societies norms and expectations... Rah rah rah. I had heard it all before, unfortunately it was out of my own mouth! I couldn't agree or disagree with any of them. We were just in different places in our lives and for them, right now being on a secluded beach with absolutely nothing to do everyday was what they were searching for. It was what they needed.

This beach also brought me some clarity. I on the other hand figured out that this was exactly where I did not want to be. 2010 has been a major year for me with some significant milestones, closing of chapters, achievements and devastation. And to get through most of it I had to commit. I had to commit to those things I knew wanted for myself and trust that if I stayed focused on what I wanted to achieve, I could only move forward and my life would continue to unveil the great things I know are in store.

One of my life's "to do" list items includes "see the world". While I haven't quite seen all of it, I feel I saw a good chunk in the last 45 days and a certain curiosity has been satisfied. There is still lots to see and I have still some traveling to do, but unlike my comrades on the beach, I can't help but be excited about what's waiting for me at home.

This year started pretty badly, but being sad everyday will not change what's happened. And just because I'm not sad everyday doesn't mean I do not hurt. But I have so many things to celebrate in my life that overlooking them would be an injustice to the things she taught me.

Life is so wonderful. Swinging in my hammock, I began thinking of all the things I've experienced this year.

- I had an experience of a lifetime with the Olympic Games.

- I completed an Ironman after 5 years of dreaming.

- I celebrated the first anniversary of finding a man who loves me unconditionally and has been my rock through it all and even agreed to come on this wild adventure with me.

- I satisfied a dream of traveling. Starting to see the world.

And now, I have more dreams. I have a new chapter to start and I can hardly wait to get the hell off this beautiful beach and go home to start making them happen.

Life is so good to me. I'm so excited to move on.

More photos of Thailand here:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=15722931&l=360755ec10&id=641950343

Koh Samui - Oct 23-24

2010-11-15T08:56:00.003-08:00

I flew direct to Koh Samui from Chiang Mai. At $225 it was by far the most expensive purchase I've made. I knew my time in Thailand is limited now and I didn't want to spend any of it on buses or overnight trains. The flight was quick and easy and I arrived in sunny tropical Koh Samui in just an hour and a half.

I had selected a hotel at Big Buddha beach before leaving Chiang Mai but when I arrived, there wasn't any access to the beach which apparently across the street. I hadn't paid for a reservation, so I just moved on. Someone suggested a place called Fishermans Village which was about 10min up the road so I figured I would start heading that way. After a few minutes of walking and no taxi's I was worried 10mins might not really mean 10mins and in the heat of the afternoon sun, I was thankful for the girl on a scooter who pulled over and offered me a ride into the town. Seeing how far my walk would have been, I was very appreciative of her offer.

I found gem in the midst of the overpriced luxury boutique hotels and stayed in a fantastic guesthouse run by a German who lived on the second floor. The rooms were like apartments with big clean bathrooms, a/c, tv, full kitchen and private balcony. It was right on the main street and over looked the "action". I use that term loosely since its a pretty sleepy town despite the lounges, restaurants and all the shops. This perfect find came at a lofty 800 baht a night (about $26).

The next morning, I rented a motorbike for the day and went out to explore the other beaches and towns. I made it to Chewng, a party center and tourist magnet. Full of shops, cafes, market style vendors, bars, lounges and energy, this was the perfect contrast to where I was staying.

I took advantage of the beautiful beach and found myself a beach bar and lounger to set up camp for a few hours. I drank smoothies and dipped in the ocean all day. Fantastic. When it came time to move on and see more than just the beach, I strolled up and down the street (there's just one main street) but being completely shopped out, I wasn't finding anything that caught my interest. Changing my intention to finding food, all I found was Irish Pubs and American bars that served hamburgers and pizza. There was usually some Thai food on the menu, but it was 3x the price it should be.

I decided I would find somewhere else. Back on my scooter it wasn't 2min before I found a group of real Thai food shops which are nothing more than street stalls and plastic chairs. These are perfectly acceptable (ie; clean) places as they are very busy serving locals. I stopped in and had a drink, an appy, a main and a side of rice for 130 baht (less than $5). Best of all, they were super friendly and loved to have me. Not something you get in a Thai impression of an American bar.

I went back to my end of the island but not without using up every ounce of gasoline I put into my scooter. Riding around was so fun, I drove up island until I thought I was out of gas than turned around and made it back to my guesthouse putt-putt-puttering my way in and turning over the keys.

I had seen enough of Samui in the day and a half I was there and decided to leave in the morning for Koh Phangan in search of somewhere to hang my hat for the remainder of the trip. I am all traveled out now. I no longer have an interest in planning day trips to explore, being adventurous or searching for excitement. I'm homesick, miss my red head and just want to sit on a beach somewhere until its time to catch my flight home on Saturday. Tomorrow I'll catch a ferry and hopefully stay put for a few days.

Chiang Mai - Oct 18-22

2010-11-14T08:32:00.006-08:00

Chiang Mai is a charming little place. The city buzzes with energy and a pulse, but its size keeps it welcoming and warm. The most touristy spots are contained in the "Old City" which is a section defined by a river that makes a complete square in the heart of Chiang Mai. Its not all that big, but either is Chiang Mai.

Following my own advice, I set out first thing in the morning on a bicycle which I've already said is the best way to see the most of your new city, get your barrings and get a little bit of exercise. I rode around for a few hours stopping at a couple different tour booking places to check out some options for the next few days. With enough info gathered to make a decision, I stopped for lunch and made a plan.

First up - Baan Chen Elephant Park. What a great day this was. The park is run by a man who loves his elephants (he has 12) and wanted a place to teach people about them, give them an incredible experience by being able to interact with them and do it all without exploiting the animals or using them for "entertainment".

Throughout the day we fed them, learned what it meant to be a "mahout" and develop a relationship with them, what it takes to take care of them and a few basic elephant commands. We did get to ride them, but it was bareback without a nasty iron seat most commonly used for tourist elephant rides. The owner of the park who was with us most of the day explained the riding was short and just long enough to give them some decent exercise. We rode about 25 mins up to a clearing in the jungle were we got off and talked more about elephants with our guide while the big guys rested and the babies rolled around in the dirt. It was really fun to watch and see so close up. When we were ready to go back, we jumped back on their necks and backs and rode back to camp and directly into the watering hole where we were required to scrub down our new friends as a way to say "thank you" for their work with us.

I was reluctant at first to jump into the pond. It wasn't being with the elephants that caused concern, it was the dung and elephant piss I wasn't interested in swimming with. However, I wasn't given much of a choice and in I went.

This probably ranked up there as one of the most memorable parts of my traveling. Swimming around, up, over and on top of a giant elephant, scrubbing them down and seeing how they enjoyed it as much as we did was pretty cool. The baby elephants swam over and played with us. They sprayed us with water from their trunks and jumped over mum, head butting and pawing at her as we all played together. Pretty amazing, even with the dung.

One of the other most memorable experiences was a visit to see the Karen tribe or "long necks". Unfortunately this was memorable for all the wrong reasons.

Having done some hill tribe treks and visiting villages in Sapa I made the assumption that this was going to be similar. I booked it through my hotel and as it was explained, we would be visiting a large village which was home to 5 different tribes including the "long necks". This was actually the only village where you could see the long necks unless you went way far north to the boarder of Burma where their main village is. So this sounds perfect to me, a trek, 5 villages/tribes, the long necks. Perfect.

Well, when we arrived to this village there was no need to trek anywhere. This village of 5 tribes was more like a zoo. It was a make shift village built for the purpose of tourism. Ethnic tribes (or members of) come from their homelands to live in this living museum to sit on display for tourist. They have homes here, but many of them probably drive in everyday from the looks of all the pick up trucks in the parking lot. They make a living off what we purchase of their crafts and possibly a small salary from the larger operation.

Feeling pretty cheated by my hotel on this crap tour, things went from bad to worse.

We approached a gated village (as opposed to the wide open ones we just walked through) and read the sign at the entrance. This was the long neck village. The sign explained that the occupants of this village were granted a "work" visa by Thai immigration, but are not granted citizenship and are considered aliens by the Thai government. 16 woman and their husbands (and some have had children here) were allowed entry to the country for the purpose of working in this village but were not allowed to leave unless applying for, and being granted permission by immigration officials.

Basically, these people were brought here to this make shift village to sit on their door steps and have tourist take photos of them. The village is about 50 meters long and as wide as a one car width road with huts lining each side. They will be arrested and deported back to Burma if they leave this area.

Burma is a horrible place and many of the Karen tribe escape Burma and take refuge in a camp on the Thai side of the boarder (which explains the "main village near the boarder" explained to me earlier). In short, we were walking around a concentration camp for women seeking escape from either a corrupt and violent Burma, or refugee camp alternative.

The feeling of being cheated on a crap tour quickly turned to a dirty greasy, guilty feeling of being a part of this. The feeling was mutual throughout the 5 of us in the group and we silently hung our heads while we walked away. We felt like like terrible tourist. We made some purchases of their crafts hoping that the money would eventually help them out of this situation, but I could only take a few photos before it just wasn't right and I couldn't take anymore. Not knowing what to do or say, we just left.

That pretty much put a damper on the rest of the day and it never really got much better.

Besides the strange long neck experience, Chiang Mai has been amazing. I did a Thai cooking class, went to the night bazaar, had a facial, foot massages, Thai massage and endless great Pad Tai. I know that sounds like a lot of massages, but at $6 an hour, it would be a crime not to. Last night, although I think she made a mistake, I had a 1 hour foot massage followed by a 1 hour Thai massage for a total of 170 baht. That's just about $6.

Speaking of which, last night walking home from my massage, it was about 10pm, and although much of the shops and things had closed up for the night, there was still action in the streets. I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me and I cursed myself swearing I would never leave the house without my glasses ever again, but they weren't playing tricks, there actually was an elephant walking down the sidewalk towards me. He was following a boy. Of course. I seemed to be the only one who cared or even looked up.

Today I leave for Koh Samui and in one week I head home. I'm ready for home now. I miss Anthony and think I would just have more fun if he was here with me. We'll have to come back again next year. Two weeks isn't long enough anyhow.

More photos of Chiang Mai here:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=15704274&l=be5d61c933&id=641950343

Cambodia/Thailand - Oct 17

2010-11-12T06:39:00.003-08:00

The bus trip from Siem Reap was an interesting one. When I purchased my $11 ticket for the 8 hour journey I was diligent in my question asking because as I've discovered, and as I continuously read about, bus trips are easy scams for agencies. Foreigners buying one way tickets who are usually on a schedule to catch a connection or move onto another country are very unlikely to come back and complain. Plus, you don't have to impress them for repeat business. And at $11, you get what you pay for.

Anyhow, I asked a bunch of questions and made sure I knew the kind of bus I would be getting on was one of the cleaner, newer, less likely to breakdown on the road in rural Cambodia types. I was assured it was just like the one in the shiny new red one in the photo and went ahead with my booking. Sure enough when the tuk tuk dropped me off, there was a group of foreigners looking just as unimpressed with the heap of junk parked in front of the pick up spot with a Cambodia/Thailand boarder sign in its window as I was. Oh well, at least this time there are people that speak English with me on the bus. I'm just hoping it has air con.

When we finally pulled away at 8:25 for our 8:00 departure, with no apparent reason for the delay, we spent the next 45 minutes driving around Siem Reap picking up and dropping off people that were probably someones friend or cousin that just needed a ride to work, then we stopped roadside for a good 10 minutes waiting for someone who later turned out to have just needed a lift to the next town, we were on our way. After 35 minutes of finally being on the road, we stopped at our first pit stop to use the toilet and get a snack. This was a shack on the road and obviously run by friends of the driver. All of us on the bus just rolled our eyes, no one really got off the bus and 10 minutes later we were FINALLY on the road to the boarder.

The scenery though rural Cambodia is breathtaking. The rice paddies were as far as the eye can see and the population exists in small shacks on stilts with only dirt as a front yard. I've learned that to grow rice the terrace needs to be flooded (although the frequency or level of flooding I never sorted out) so it was normal to see water levels in the fields reaching up to and sometimes over the roadway. People working in the fields were often wading through at waist height and I'm certain many of them spent the majority of their day like this.

What I couldn't figure out was if the flooding around their homes was intentional because of the surrounding rice terraces, or if living in devastation like conditions was in part contributed by the wet season. Homes were flooded to the door fronts and beyond. Children stood barefoot in front of homes looking around with no where dry to walk. Those that had homes on stilts often hung hammocks below the house and an entire family would swing there keeping dry. After hours of the same thing, it was difficult to keep looking out the window.

When we finally arrived at the boarder after two additional unnecessary pit stops, we were told that we'd be changing buses on the other side (small detail skipped by my tour agent, and an overlooked question on my part). We were all given small pieces of tape - either red or yellow - to stick to our shirts, some had initials on them, others were blank, but none of us new what any of it meant. We unloaded, grabbed our bags and headed to the line up of people leaving Cambodia.

Not knowing what to expect, just the surroundings of the boarder gave me the willy's. With no questions asked, actually not even a glance up at me, he stamped by passport and waived me through. After a long walk through no mans land I stood in line at the Thai immigration office with my fingers crossed they would not ask anything about me leaving Thailand. Technically, Canadians do not require a Visa to enter Thailand, they only need proof of onward travel. I got caught in Miami with this, they wouldn't issue us a boarding pass until we showed proof of leaving Thailand. Thankfully I had a printed itinerary of our flight to Vietnam on me, otherwise it would have been a much bigger hassle. It seems though that the lady at the US Airways information counter was more concerned with following the Thai customs regulations than the Thai officials were. There were no questions asked, not even a glance up at me. This was what I was told was going to happen (when I asked around before planning my trip), but I was just hoping that I wasn't standing in the line of the officer going for the "Customs Agent of the year award" and would throw the book at me. Phew. I kept $50 US on me just in case...

On the other side, a guy making sense of all our red, yellow and encrypted stickers was corralling us into groups. I was hoping it wasn't the "looks vulnerable", "looks rich" and "looks gullible" groups and more the "Bangkok", "Pattaya" and "Surat Thani" groups. Thankfully it was the later.

We followed our new "guide" to our next mode of transport which ended up being a mini-bus. We jammed our bags in this thing to the gills and crammed our bodies in the 12 pax van. I made the unfortunate mistake of getting in first and put myself in a window seat near the back. Being claustrophobic, this was a worse idea than "chancing it" at the Thai/Cambodia boarder without meeting entry requirements. As soon as the doors closed I had uncontrollable flashes of vomiting, being trapped, crawling viciously over the unsuspecting and innocent people in front of me and all of a sudden I couldn't breath and I was shaking. I yelled "stop! I have to get out!" Followed by "OUT OUT OUT OUT" repeatedly until the confused guy at the door opened it and I leaped out (I'm sure) kicking people along the way. Apologizing profusely, the kind soul sitting in the front changed seats with me. He was probably 6 foot 4 and sat like a pretzel while I stretched out in the front with a nice view and the A/C directly on me. I did feel bad, but like I explained later at a pit stop, he would have probably chosen sitting like a pretzel over the smell of sweat and vomit for the 3:30 hour trip. He agreed.

We finally arrived in Bangkok without further incident and I killed time on Kao Sun road before getting to the airport to catch my flight to Chiang Mai. That trip was uneventful and I arrived at my Guesthouse ready for a nights rest.

Siem Reap - Oct 13-17

2010-11-11T08:48:00.006-08:00

I loved this place and I'm sad to see it go, but its time to move on. When I arrived here the mini-bus dropped me off at a small travel outlet where the hotel sent a tuk-tuk to get me. My first impression of the city was not a good one. Even more poor than Phnom Phen, but not nearly as busy, the streets are less packed with stalls and more bare and spread out. I wasn't sure about it all until I arrived at my hotel which could be considered luxury at this point. Brand new, high ceilings in its beautiful lobby, swimming pool and clean spacious rooms. What does luxury cost you in this town? A whopping $15 a night. Nice.

My tuk-tuk driver also turned out to be my driver for the next few days touring the temples. Right away he took me out to buy my 3 day pass and into the temples to watch the sunset (this wasn't a romantic trip... He stayed with the tuk-tuk and I joined the 100 or so other tourist:). Once you buy your pass, its free to enter after 5pm. The sunset wasn't great because of the clouds, but the view of the rain storm heading our way was fantastic.

The next day Nit my driver took me around from temple to temple. He's not a "tour guide", but at least he knew what temples were what so I could read about them in my book. I was ready to head back to the hotel after 6 hours of exploring. The next day we did the outter loop, less temples, but further away and it took the same time. I wasn't yet "templed out" as they say, but they were all starting to look the same. For my third and final visit, I saved the best for last. I rented a bicycle (despite the morning rain and threats of a storm) and rode into Ankor Wat. This is by far the largest temple and holds the greatest religious significance. I've never really been interested in the whole mythology and religious history, but its sheer size and beauty was impressive enough. I sort of regretting not hiring a guide for a few hours which probably would have been really interesting, but instead, I just wandered around marveling at the beauty. On my way out, I stopped in one of the library buildings situated on either side of the long pathway to the temple. The view was great, it was quiet and provided relief from the sun. Not long after sitting down in an empty window sill, it started to rain. While I watched the others flea, I decided to open my book and wait it out. So there I sat, with a great book, in a quiet Ankorian library with an unobstructed view of Ankor Wat. Pretty cool.

Back in town, Siem Reap has so much to offer. The "Old Market" area is bustling with foreigners and caters to them with chic restaurants, lively pubs and spa services galore. I tried the fish massage by sticking my finger in, but there's no way I could bring myself to do the full foot massage/pedicure. They do seem to be popular though.

I could have stayed in Siem Reap longer. Right up until the last night I was discovering new cool parts of the market and loved killing time on many one of the many patios during the day. I stumbled upon the night market which after the first wonder around didn't seem any different than any other market until I just about tripped over someone getting a foot massage practically in the middle of the laneway. When I looked up, I saw the sign reading "Seeing Hands massage by the blind", then the best part - 30 min for $2! Without skipping a beat I was reclined in a chair enjoying the best foot massage ever. Seriously. This massage out classed any massage I've ever had. It was so good that I asked if she could another 30 min on my back and shoulders. Right there in the market! Such a cool experience.

Siem Reap created some pretty cool memories. I met great people and had a wonderful few days. Sunday morning I was off on the bus to Bangkok where I would catch my flight to Chiang Mai.

Lots of pictures of Ankor here:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=15663238&l=bd6ebcd864&id=641950343

Phnom Phen cont'- Oct 12

2010-11-10T19:46:00.003-08:00

My second day in Phnom Phen was less eventful. I started the day up at Wat Phnom, a temple in the center of town with an interesting story. Its atop a hill (a small one) and houses 4 Buddha statutes that a woman named Phen found floating in the Mekong. The word "Phenom" translates to hill, so this city was literally named after "Phen's Hill". The story was more interesting than the temple, but a visit here is supposed to bring good luck.

I moved on to see the Central Market which was supposed to be spectacular, and even though I was not interested in shopping, especially at another market, Phenom Phen was running out of attractions for me. I was able to walk there and was glad that I did. The walk killed some time as the market wasn't nearly as busy as others I've been to, a fraction actually. Still fresh with consumer senses overload from Vietnam, I didn't stay here long. The product was of really poor quality anyhow.

Walking around I saw another girl on her own who seemed to be doing the same thing as me. We crossed paths a few times and eventually we ended up chatting. We stopped for lunch at a restaurant called "Friends". Its a training facility for disadvantaged youth and helps keep them off the street. It teaches them service skills, hygiene, food prep and cooking. Once completing the program at Friends, many go on getting jobs at hotels or upscale restaurants. The whole place is run by the kids and their teachers. Pretty cool.

I had the whole afternoon still and on advice of my lunch date, I decided to check out the Russian market. I didn't really want to do yet another market, but as she confirmed (what I was thinking), there really isn't much else to do here.

The market was another bust. Dark, dirty and garage sale quality goods.

Phenom Phen was an interesting place to visit. Its extremely poor and still recovering from an inconceivable past, but a place I'm glad I had the chance to see. Despite an uncomfortable feeling right from the boarder, no one actually did anything that gave me reason to feel unsafe. It was the images, the poverty, the living conditions that you see these people in that you associate with crime and danger. In fact, the people here have been friendly and helpful. I wouldn't call this a "warm" place, I was still on edge and had my wits about me at all times, but I think it was more a matter of me feeling out of my element and in an uncomfortable environment more than there was a issue of concern for my safety.

Nonetheless, two full days was enough and I booked my mini-bus ticket to move on to Siem Reap and Ankor. This is something I have really been looking forward to.

Phnom Phen - Oct 10

2010-11-10T08:08:00.004-08:00

I finally arrived in Phnom Phen after my 6 hour bus ride lasted just over 12 hours. Turns out it was a National holiday and as my barely english speaking seat mate put it - an "unlucky" day to travel. We sat pretty much at a stand still for over 5 hours waiting for a ferry that I didn't know we were waiting for. Apparently you have to take a boat over the river to get into Phnom Phen. You can imagine my surprise in the dark of night when I asked the guy next to me - "are we on a boat?!". It gave him a good chuckle but as the only foreigner on the bus and even the host only speaking broken English, it made for an uneasy journey.

Arriving at night meant that the bus stopped right on the river in hotel/guesthouse central rather than a little more into town at the market. This was good news for me as it was now 9pm, dark and pouring rain and now I didn't have far to trek to find a hotel. In fact I found the one I was hoping for (as recommended by my Frommers guide) just a block or two from where I got off the bus.

This morning I got up and made my way to breakfast in the pouring rain and tonight, I made my way to dinner in the same condition. The weather broke briefly during the day, but not for long. To keep occupied and dry, I checked out the National museum first. I tried making it there by foot since I knew it wasn't far, but since the rain was so thick I could barely see down the road, I opted for a $2 tuk-tuk instead of wandering lost and getting soaked. The museum wasn't great, but for the $2 admittance it was the perfect dry attraction.

After a quick wander around the streets during the first brief period of dry, I caught some lunch and ended up meeting a couple from Edmonton. They were headed to Vietnam doing the south to north route with a few of the same stops we did. I offered some advice, raised caution about shoe makers in Hoi An and we said goodbye.

I did a visit to the Royal Palace as well since it was across the street and the rain was still on hold. It wasn't worth the $6 entrance fee, plus, I think I got hit on by a monk.

With still a few daylight hours left, I decided that I would check out the Tuol Sleng Genocide museum and former prison. This was something I had previously decided to avoid completely given the reading I've been doing about the Khmer Rouge. This is something I've just learned of recently and is likely responsible for my uneasy feeling in Cambodia. I've been reminding myself that the people have moved forward and the Pol Pot reign is now a part of their history. However, this gruesome past being only 31 years ago gave me no comfort. Looking around, I was always trying to estimate the ages of the local faces and realized soberly that if they were between the ages of 31-36, they were likely born in a concentration camp. If they looked 36 or older, it's very possibly may have lived through the nightmare of what was called the Cambodian holocaust. It was very rare to see old people. They simply did not survive the genocide of 1/4 of Cambodia's population from 1975 - 1979.

I thought that visiting this old high school converted into a detention facility used for interrogation and brutal torture before prisoners where shipped out to the killing fields would be similar to most museums. I assumed it would hold some original artifacts, provide information but mostly be a preservation of the past for the purposes for learning for the future, but more so a tourist trap. I was quickly corrected.

The actual sight came on me quickly since it originally was a middle school. Its in the middle of a busy neighborhood with not much foreground like you might expect a national exhibit to have. The excess in barbed wire over the enclosing walls garnered my attention and a double take, but it was pissing rain so hard that I practically ran through the gates, grabbed my ticket and straight into the first building on the left side of the "U" shaped compound.

Looking up for the first time, I was inside a barren classroom that had been used for torture. It had only a bed frame with rusted shackles on it. There was no electricity in this particular building and the dark rain clouds made it even harder to see. I could tell however that there was a large picture on the wall but needed to take a picture of it (with flash) to make out what it was. Only after viewing the playback on my camera could I see it was a very clear, very graphic and very real picture of a recently brutally tortured dead body, likely from in that very room. Immediately I was second guessing my decision to visit this place.

The entire first floor of this building was the same. Room after room of torture facility each displaying large graphic and (again) very real photos of what took place. Glad to have made it through those halls and eager to move onto the next building (which I could see had electricity) I darted out and moved on. The next set of rooms displayed what was described as the "nazi-like" documentation of prisoners. Every prisoner that was brought here was photographed upon arrival. Every one of the photos (originals) where displayed in the next few rooms. Starting in 1975, the photos looked like most mugs shots do. Deadpan expression, passport quality smile. As the years progressed, and the devastation of Pol Pots reign plagued the country, people knew more and more about S-21 (its official name) and what went on there. The photos slowly turned from deadpan to unimaginable fear. It was difficult to even look at some.

From what I understand, Khmer people (Cambodians) think its important to preserve the S-21 Tuol Sleng Genocide museum as a reminder of a life/country they will never return to. They think that by showing, in grave detail, the horrific nightmare that once was, people will never allow that sort of revolution again and that people will learn never to be that brutal and inhumane.

After passing through the final room, which housed floor to ceiling glass casings full of human skulls, I'm not sure how I feel. I'm certain that the images I saw today were things I wish I didn't. But at the same time, I'm not sure my generation, and especially those from the western world, could ever understand, comprehend or even take seriously something like this. I say "take seriously" because to us (well, speaking for myself), war is something found in textbooks or on TV on the other side of the world. Our parents may have (or may not have) had a related experience with, but mostly, nightmares are things found in good Hollywood films. We have nothing that makes this sort of thing a reality for us. Genocide, torture, random arrests and daily killings, evacuations and complete fear. We just can't relate.

Despite the nightmares I'm sure to have tonight, I'm glad to have seen and felt a part of history. I gained a little perspective today, a little appreciation and a lot of gratitude for the world in which I live. Wow, that doesn't seem to scratch the surface of it.

More pictures of Phnom Phen and the genocide museum here:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=15651335&l=fca5942cc2&id=641950343

Ho Chi Minh City - Oct 9

2010-11-09T17:22:00.003-08:00

There are a few reasons I like flying in between destinations. The obvious is the speed and convenience of it all and here its also the affordability. The flight from Nha Trang to HCMC (Saigon) cost us $38 each. But the real reason I like fly is the reliability of airport coffee. I've really enjoyed Vietnamese coffee but its just not the same as my trusty latte with sweetner. Goodluck finding that anywhere. But airports always have coffee. All kinds of fantastic coffee. I swear its a subconscious reason I chose to fly.

Anyhow, after enjoying our airport latte, we were off to Ho Chi Minh City where Anthony would be flying home from later that night and I would be catching a bus in the morning to move on to Cambodia.

We had been warned a few times about the chaos of HCMC. Its bigger, noisier and more crowded than Bangkok and Hanoi. Having been completely overwhelmed in those cities, we knew one afternoon would be plenty of time to spend here.

I was presently surprised to discover it wasn't all that bad. It certainly was busy and crowded that's for sure, but it was no different than any other major city. In fact, I found it to be much more comfortable than the two previous cities. HCMC was a commerce center, had schools, shopping, cinemas, restaurants (not just for travelers) and all the other "normalcies" of a regular city. This was a place that I could make sense off. Hanoi and Bangkok (especially Hanoi) was a complete gong show of cars, motorbikes, vendor stalls, narrow streets and shoulder to shoulder people non stop. It was loud and fast and chaos. HCMC, while very busy, was civilized, organized and modern. It was a Vietnamese New York City.

We found a perfectly located hotel for the night right inside backpacker central. Everything we needed was within a few blocks - cheap food, shops for last minute souvenirs, travel agents galore and cheap cold beer. After booking my bus ticket for the morning, we were quick to enjoy the later.

Anthony and I said goodbye at 9pm so he could get back to the airport in time. He would be stopping in Tokyo for about 6 hours and I hope he ventures out on his own to explore. Depends on how much I've rubbed off on him I guess.

Right now, I'm catching up on my postings as I ride the bus into Cambodia and so far traveling solo has had some unexpected emotions.

I consider myself an adventurous and independent woman, I never hesitated at the idea of traveling on my own for a few reasons. First, being on my own was never a good enough reason to stop me from doing anything. Secondly, I've actually always preferred to be on my own, I enjoy it and quite often find myself in search of solitude. The last year I've spent with Anthony seems to have had an influence on that however. As I progress thru my years, I've come to know myself pretty well and understand that I just am someone that always needs "me" time. Even from my best of friends, I always need a little break for some time to be alone. This trip has revealed a little something about myself that's really surprised me. I much prefer being with Anthony, anytime.

Everything is more fun when he's there, I am happier with him than alone, he makes me feel safe and I never need a break from his company. Saying goodbye last night, for the first time in a very long time I felt nervous being alone. I didn't like it and even today, my nerves are not settled. I know I will be fine, I will travel smart and safe and I'm sure it won't be long before I met some other travelers to keep me company.

For now, I miss my redhead and am just pouting because I want him to be here with me and not back in the real world (of work and responsibility).

So, from a bus stop somewhere on the Cambodian boarder, I'm searching for my "temporarily misplaced" sense of adventure and independence to make the most of the incredible experiences that lie ahead.

Nha Trang - Oct 7-8

2010-11-09T05:30:00.004-08:00

The sleeper bus to Nha Trang wasn't bad. We weren't expecting luxury for the 11 hour trip and we didn't get it, but aside from a super sketchy pit stop at midnight and a pretty bumpy ride, it was a good experience and a cheap convenient way to travel.

We almost skipped Nha Trang on our itinerary because its simply known for being a beach town. Water sports, resorts, surfing etc. Its not exactly the prime season for that right now and all of my guide books said if we're traveling in the off season, its best to skip Nha Trang altogether. Maybe we just lucked out, but we were super happy we went despite the suggestion not too. When we arrived it was a beautiful morning and we rolled into town at sunrise with the streets full of joggers, walkers, people doing tai-chi (or something) on the beaches and generally just out getting some exercise.

We had no problem finding a "nice" hotel. In fact, that's the name of the hotel - Nice Hotel :) Our standards are pretty basic at this point. It has to be clean, friendly, have air con and not smell (seriously). This place measured up and came with the price tag of $15USD a night. We'll take it! We did have a run in with a cockroach the size of a mouse one night, but we just named him, posed for photos with him then showed him the door (and the descending view from the balcony).

We figured out in Hoi An that the best way to get around town was by bicycle so after breakfast on the beach at the sailing club we trolled around town on a few beat up bikes. You really do get to see a lot this way and its at your leisure and its cheap! $1 for the whole day. We went from one end of town to the other stopping to visit a temple but mostly just cruise.

It was a beautiful day, the first blue sky day we have seen actually. It was nice, but it was hot. Really hot. We found a group of cabanas on the beach and it ended up being the Louiseanne. A resort I had read about where for using the bar and cabana services you were welcome to the pool, restaurant etc. So we decided to make the day a beach day. We drank cocktails, swam in the ocean, laid out in the sun, enjoyed a nap in the shade of the cabana, used the pool and just enjoyed the relaxation of it all. Towards the end of the day I was getting a little nervous with the tab we were running. My experience with beach resorts is that the cost of the cabana, towels, drinks, lunch etc can add up pretty quickly. However, I was pleasantly surprised when the bill came and the damage was in the proportion of $32 (for two of us combined). Nice.

We inquired about an island not far from the beach which we could see had a gondola cable car running over the ocean to get to it. It was called Vinpearl and apparently was an amusement park of sorts. So we decided that's what we would do the next day.

We rode our bikes the 30min trip and parked them for the day. Renting the bikes for another whole day even though we were just parking them was cheaper then taking a taxi to and from. The gondola ride across was pretty cool. Just like going up Whistler mountain except going straight across ocean. The view was amazing. Vinperal land was just like any other amusement park except for one small detail. All the rides, games, water park and the aquarium was all included in the $19 ticket price that got you over there. Since it was a weekday and off season, it was like having our own personal amusement park! Water slides, wave pool, lazy river, the coolest aquarium I've ever been to (with a tunnel going through the main tank so that the fish/sharks etc swim all around you), rollercoasters, carousel, and all the games in the two story arcade were all free. We spent all day there like kids and again, the price tag was a staggering $19 plus the $2 we spent on lunch.

We weren't surprised when the rain started, like I said before, we've come to expect it now. However, this time it came just as we were wanting to leave. Getting a little wet wasn't the problem, it was the combination of torrential downpour and the bicycles on the other end that we needed to ride back to the hotel.

We tried waiting it out at the gondola station, but an hour later the sheets of rain hadn't slowed and the water level in the streets was steadily climbing. Having a good laugh about it, we found a couple of garbage bags and thanks to Anthonys cadets training fashioned ponchos with fitted hoods and all. All wrapped in plastic we were ready for the storm. We rode our rusty old broken bikes through the heaviest rain I have ever seen, through streets flooded to our knees, we kicked fish off our feet and laughed and giggled the whole way. While some locals were laughing it up with us, others seemed appropriately annoyed but the inconvenience and others obviously worried about the damage being done to homes and businesses. We had to keep our fun to a minimum in some areas and keep things in perspective.

Back at the hotel, the neighboring locals we rented the bikes from had a good laugh at us and our garbage bag rain protection but their mocking quickly turned to intrigued when we took them off and they saw we were bone dry. Was quite funny actually.

We were amazed at the level of water in the streets. It was easy for us to have so much fun knowing all our belongings were sitting safely on the 6th floor, but it was clear that for some, this was going to be devastating. We wanted to get a few good photos to share the experience, especially of people catching fish in the streets, but by the time we had a shower and headed out again, the street drains that we had previously seen as overzealous and ridiculously large, now made perfect sense. The water drained out like the streets where a bath tub and someone had pulled the plug. Within 30min of arriving back to the hotel, the abandoned cars that were up to the doors (and further) were on solid ground and had been moved, we could cross the street on pavement and even the hawkers selling us sunglasses and deep fried dumplings were back in business. We were speechless. In our room just moments ago we were comprising "plan b" if we couldn't get to the airport in the morning or if we were flooded in for a few days, and here we are back in the streets as if nothing but a little shower had past. Amazing.

Knowing that we wanted to get up with the sun for breakfast on the beach before catching our flight to Ho Chi Minh City we called it an early night. Anthony would be flying home in 24hours and I would be carrying on solo.

More pictures of Nha Trang here:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=15638072&l=f06094ad43&id=641950343

Hoi An - Oct 3-6

2010-11-08T09:38:00.003-08:00

We flew into Danang which is only about 35 min north of Hoi An. When we arrived it was pouring rain (in sheets) and around 11pm. While buses are readily available and cost around $5 for the quick trip into Hoi An, we shared a private taxi for $20 with a Welsh friend we met on the plane.

Our trusty Frommers guide came through for us again finding us a beautiful hotel right close to the Old Town for $20 a night. The rooms were large, clean, air conditioned, had TV, a balcony and the rate included free internet in the lobby and even breakfast in the morning. I love banana pancakes. I've had them everyday.

Hoi An was the perfect change in pace we were looking for. After a week of shuffling from one spot to another never staying more than just one night anywhere we went, and for the most part spending more time than we wanted to in busy, noisy, crowded, exhausting Hanoi, Hoi An was the quiet retreat we needed.

The first day we got swept up in the shopping. Hoi An is one shop of tailor made clothing after another. Custom suits, dress shirts, lovely jackets in corduroy or tweed, everything lined in silk. There were linen pants, silk dresses and summer skirts and of course its all made to measure and fits you just right. We spent almost the entire day wandering from one shop to another looking and doing some buying, but mostly looking. By early afternoon we wondered why we were so worn out and we chalked it up to consumer senses overload. We needed to get away from the shopping.

We did end up buying a few custom pieces. A couple of pari of shoes, a pair of linen trousers for me and some leather sandals for Anthony. We went back to the hotel to take some bikes out on town until the pieces were ready for their fitting. It ended up pouring rain so we "rain checked" the bike riding for the next day.

The next day we decided to avoid the Old Town and market altogether and take the bikes we rented (2 for $1 for the day) out to the beach which was a lovely 4km ride away. It was quiet, limited traffic and because its off season, very few tourist. The beach itself was impressive, but the weather was cloudy and it took away from the experience. Nonetheless, it was easy to see what a huge attraction it would be during the high season. We had past a very cute restaurant on the river on our way out and decided to stop there for lunch on our way back into town. You could see the modern design influence with the white furniture and decorative pillows. That plus the tapas style lunch made for a very fashionable meal. This was by far the best food we had so far. Fresh spring rolls and lotus salad was an amazing Vietnamese treat. It wasn't just the food that made this spot memorable. The restaurant was literally on the river, hoisted 6ft above the river on stilts. The water was brown, but it didn't take away from the view. Shortly after stopping here the rain came. Its wet season in Vietnam so we have come to expect it now. When the rain comes, it comes in droves. We considered ourselves lucky to have stopped for a bite in good time and just sat back and enjoyed the downpour from our comfortable bench table while snacking and sampling some of their specialty fruit smoothies. Somehow we've managed to make good with the weather gods because when we were done eating the clouds dried up and we peddled our way back to the hotel with nothing more than wet feet (in flipflops).

We were having such a great time here we planned to stay a day longer than planned. We still wanted to rent motorbikes and drive out to My Son (mee-sun) to see what was supposed to be a must-see. So that's what we did the next day. In the end, it wasn't the temples that made this trip memorable. It was the hour and a half both ways on a motorbike through small towns, countryside and smaller villages that made the trip worth while. So much fun.

We had to catch our overnight bus to Nha Trang that night so we only spent a half day touring on the bikes. When we got back to the hotel, a shower and freshening up, then out for a late lunch and a final fitting for some clothes before we said goodbye to Hoi An. With the exception of an unfortunate incident with a fraud shoe maker, our experience here matched all of what we've come to know of Vietnam. The people were friendly, we felt welcomed to explore their cities and towns, they were happy to share their culture and eager to make your experience a wonderful one. Two thumbs up for Hoi An.

More pictures of Hoi An here:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=15623737&l=c9fe7c9ec0&id=641950343

Halong Bay - Oct 2-3

2010-11-07T05:57:00.003-08:00

We booked another tour for Halong Bay. We knew that doing it ourselves would be completely possible, but for the convenience of the travel logistics, junk boat, all meals and admittance to the site, the price was right.

Timing worked out well too. Our overnight train back from Sapa arrived back at 830am and the mini bus would be leaving for Halong at 1030am. Just enough time to get back to our home base hotel Fortune have a shower and freshen up for the 4 hour leg.

The bus (big mini van) wasn't so bad. Anytime your driving with a local its edge of your seat entertainment and the further out of town we got, the more "exciting" the drive. I mentioned before, there are no road rules here. So even with a mini-bus full of tourist you can drive on the "wrong" side of the road, pass on the shoulder, make a two lane highway three lanes just by driving on the yellow line and staying there and of course, do this all at speeds you would consider appropriate for the 401 (for my Toronto peeps). Scary as hell, but somehow these guys make it all work and its simply entertaining.

Booking a tour did end up being a good move again (for the most part). When we arrived, the junk was ready and we got through the chaos of booking tickets on the docks. We also think that our boat was far nicer than some of the off-the-rack junks you would get if you just bought your ticket there. The only downside this time was that we were stuck on a tour grouped with a big family vacationing for a long weekend from Hong Kong. They were very friendly and the kids were great fun, but for the most part, we felt like we were on their holiday and not our own.

Halong Bay was beautiful and well worth the trip. The junk we stayed on was probably the nicest accommodation we've had so far and the people, as we've seen with Vietnamese people in general, were super friendly, warm and welcoming. We did stop at one attraction. A huge cave (and I mean enormous) on a single island. It was pretty incredible but unfortunately, due to the size of the crowds and popularity of this sight on the tourist circuit, we felt a little like herded cattle.

All in all, Halong Bay was fantastic. I would go back on my next trip to Vietnam and stay more than the one night / two days. I'd still book it all through a tour because for the convenience, it was great.

Back to Hanoi for a few hours before we catch a flight to Hoi An for a few days of quiet and retreat from the hustle of the city and the shuffling around of our first week in Vietnam.

More pictures of Halong Bay here:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=15597073&l=9465c96e14&id=641950343

Sapa - Sept 30-Oct 2

2010-11-06T11:30:00.006-07:00

The overnight train was interesting. We didn't know what to expect since neither of us had ever taken a sleeper train before, and in hindsight, it wasn't so bad. Its not luxury travel or anything, but its practical, affordable and does the job. We left at 9pm and after the long day wandering Hanoi we were ready for some shut eye. The train wasn't quiet or smooth and at one point I actually thought it was going to make me sick, but it didn't take long to adjust and we both made it through the night.

We booked this trip through a tour organizer since we didn't know what the logistics would be like between the train, the bus, accommodation in Sapa or how rural and complex the trekking would be considering all the villages we wanted to see. Getting off the train all groggy from the night of unrest, we were happy to see someone with a Mr. Anthony sign amongst the chaos of taxis and buses. The mini-bus took us and a few other travelers up into the mountains for the 2 hour trip to Sapa. It dropped us right at our hotel where they were expecting us. We checked in, had breakfast and were ready for a day of trekking by 9am.

Sapa is a hub for the minorities that live in the surrounding villages. They come here to sell their crafts in the markets, trade goods and hit up the tourists for overpriced handmade bracelets, purses and other jewelry. They are dressed in traditional tribal clothing complete with head dress and baskets on their backs. They spoke surprising good English and are incredibly persistent. We made a few friends in a group of them right away and they walked and talked with us as we wandered the town. We traded Canada pins for friendship bracelets and we became "sisters". Zoe was her name, she had two children and lived with her husband in the village. Most days she came 15km into Sapa to trade goods and sell things to tourists before returning in the afternoon to work in the rice fields. She couldn't tell me how old she was because her mother never remembered her birthday. She was happy to explain that because she had children, that made her older than me. My guess is that she was 21.

The group of girls were of the Black H'Moung minority and when they learned we were trekking out to their village they invited themselves along on our trek. No problem with us, we had great conversations with them, laughed and learned about each other. They taught me how to make a horse from a blade of grass and a heart shaped love fern from some leafy plant to give to Anthony.

Their village was pretty amazing. The rice terraces, the houses, the limited resources. What an eye opener. If the surrounding scenery hadn't been so beautiful, it would have been a much harder place to visit. It was the most difficult to see the children. By age 7 or so, they are tasked with taking care of their younger siblings (mostly the girls) and with the infants strapped to their backs, they followed us around asking "buy from me?" And holding out their crafts. Heartbreaking but a good sales tactic.

The youngest kids between 2 and 6 were not yet old enough to sell things or work so they were the only ones walking free around the village. Walking free - literally. No shoes, dirty head to toe and under no supervision. We asked our guide about it and he simply told us there was no one to watch them. Everyone was working. They knew where to get food when they were hungry and generally never left their hut or shack. They (2-6 year olds) would just hang out and occupy themselves until someone came back. Unreal.

Overall it was pretty heartbreaking to see. To call them poor would mean they had little, these people have nothing. However, although they frozen in time by tradition and culture and completely poverty stricken, they are not without common sense. Every village we went through had at least one gift shop and souvenir station. They know where the money comes from and they modernized accordingly.

After two days of trekking and wondering the markets we were beat. As we waited out the last few hours before heading back on the bus to catch our night train back to Hanoi, we took advantage of the many massage parlors and had a hour long head, shoulder, hands and foot massage. Anthony was in heaven but pretty disappointed when I told him that the same service in Vancouver might cost more than the $5 we paid here.

Back on the night train we met a great french couple that was finishing their two week journey through Vietnam by doing the south to north version of what we were doing north to south. They had great advice and tips as they had just been to the places we will visit in the next week.

In the morning, once we arrive in Hanoi, we only have a couple of hours until we leave for Halong Bay for two days. We'll go back to the hotel we stayed at and booked the tour from. They've been happy to let us use them as a home base for the few hours of layover we've had.

More pictures of Sapa here:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=15585453&l=fbe755515b&id=641950343

Hanoi Sept 28-29

2010-11-05T06:59:00.005-07:00

We finally arrived in Bangkok and spent the day doing the tourist stuff like visiting the Emerald Buddha, Reclining Buddha etc. We also hung out on Khao San Road and checked out the Patpong night market. More or less it was just another big city, but the culture was altogether a bit shocking. We only had one night before making our way to Hanoi to start the Vietnam adventure. We flew direct to Hanoi and over the next two weeks would work our way south down the coast.

Bangkok:

Hanoi surprised us. Bangkok was big and noisy but Hanoi was chaos. There are far less cars but there are triple the motorbikes and scooters. Three and a half million scooters actually (to their six and a half million people). There are no streetlights, no stop signs and even which side of the street you drive on is more just a suggestion. Everything literally never stops moving. At first it was downright scary. We were on the edge of our seats in the taxi cringing and squinting sure that we were about to witness something horrific. Two, three and some times more on a scooter. Babies, children, no helmets, no road rules. Bicycles, pedestrians, fruit carts and other, everything on the road going every which way. The first time we had to cross the road we were pretty nervous. I'm not kidding when I tell you there are no lights, stop signs or pedestrian crossings. The only way this works is because no one ever stops moving. Traffic is constantly in motion. Everyone moves slow enough to maneuver around everyone else and some how it all works. To cross the street, you simply just go. Don't bother looking or waiting for a break in traffic, it won't happen. Just start walking and what ever you do - don't stop. Keep a steady pace and they will go around you.

A little wandering around and we were primed for a nap. A quick little lay down went a bit long and we woke up starving. Out we went in search of food and a little more exploring of Hanoi. I really wanted to find something local, I didn't want to come all this way to eat my meals in the Americanized restaurants. I would be perfectly happy with a noodle soup or some fried rice. Since it was a little late now, everything began to close, but we kept walking around beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake and the city kept buzzing even as the hours past. We learned that the people were preparing for a three day celebration of Hanoi being 1000 years old. The Vietnamese take great pride in their culture so this was a pretty big deal. The lake was surrounded by lights and music playing, it was pretty cool.

We did eventually find food. It was noodle soup served straight out of the pot street side. We pulled up a seat basically in an ally and joined a handful of others for a midnight snack. Doesn't get more local than that.

The next day we were also spending in Hanoi, but this time we were more so killing time until we caught our overnight sleeper train to Sapa.

In the morning we found a great bakery for breakfast, fresh banana bread, croissants and all things yummy. Of course, this is simply a counter roadside and there is no place to stop to eat. You practically get run over while bagging your goods. Nonetheless, you can't beat fresh baked pastry for breakfast. We ate while we walked to this enormous three story market that is described as a tourist sight on its own. And it was. This place was huge and sold everything you could imagine. Consumer sensory overload. We didn't stay long.

We left one market for another and went to check out the "shoe market". It was probably six blocks long of one shoe "store" after another. Nothing of great quality, but kept us looking for a few hours actually.

After that we wandered around in search of lunch and a nap in the park. We found lunch, but when I laid down in the park it didn't take long for the police to come over blowing his whistle and yelling at me. Apparently parks are for "looking" and "sitting", there is no napping allowed, not even lying down. So much for that.

We left the park and went to see the old POW prison now dubbed the "Hanoi Hilton". Pretty creepy stuff. After that we took a cyclo (little cart on the front of a bicycle that you sit in and a driver pushes you around in) to the water puppet theatre. This was highly recommend in my guide book but turned out not to live up to its reputation. At least I got that nap I was looking for.

Back to the hotel for a shower and a change then our taxi was to pick us up and take us to the night train. When we woke up we'd be in Lao Chai which is a 2 hour bus ride to Sapa where we'd be doing some incredible trekking.

More pictures of Hanoi here:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=15571098&l=0855d1c725&id=641950343

British Virgin Islands - Sept 20-25

2010-11-04T05:47:00.008-07:00

After a quick trip to Toronto to visit family and to attend the Comrie wedding we were off to spend 5 amazing days in the British Virgin Islands. Originally this was a trip planned to spend time with my Dad down there, but unfortunately he wasn't able to travel due to a nasty broken ankle. Thanks to the inflated airline tickets, and the equally inflated penalties for changing/cancelling flights, we were locked into the trip - Dad or no Dad.

Even without him there, Dad turned out to be a great tour guide. He told us all the places to visit with details like best restaurants, best views and little known, out of the way beaches that would be great for swimming/snorkelling or just hanging out.

I kept a daily journal with the details of the trip and kept them on my blackberry for uploading to my blog when I got home. Unfortunately I found out the hard way that my blackberry only stores items for 30 days before deleting them. Even drafts. So all my entries up until arriving in Vietnam will have to be summarized by my best memory. Probably best anyhow.

We arrived in Tortola without any trouble and got checked into the resort we'd be calling home for the next few days. We even got upgraded to an ocean suite because is was low season. We were happy to take it, but didn't realize until dinner time exactly what "low" season meant.

In the islands there are three seasons - high season, low season and no season. The islands are 100% dependant on tourism and even local holidays function around it. During high and low season, all operations run at either full or half speed respectively making the most out the tourist that are still visiting come July and August. But come September, the locals take the only time during the year that they have to take a holiday themselves, get off the island or close down shop completely for renovations, repairs etc. All of this in preparation for the season that will start up again come mid October. This short period in between seasons is called "no season" and we arrived right in the middle of it.

We were grateful for the upgrade but soon realized that is wasn't luck or just good karma we had. In fact all of the 6 guests (us included) were given rooms close together and ocean side. The resort was huge, probably 2-300 rooms, and there were no more than 6 of us there. Sounds ok right? No rush for poolside seats, no waiting for a table at dinner, taxi's at our beck and call for where ever we wanted to go? Not quite.

The restaurants operated at minimum capacity - limited menu, limited hours. The poolside bar was open only for a few hours during the day and we had to make a point to tell the front desk that we would be up there. And with no one else at the resort, there wasn't much in the way of night-life to entertain us after 8pm. It wasn't just our resort that was operating this way, the entire island (and as we discovered as the days past) and all the other islands, were all in the same position. Restaurants, if they were open at all, served only a limited menu and usually opened the kitchen just for us. Ferry's from island to island operated as they wished which made day trips a little sketchy because we were never sure that a boat would still be running later in the day to take us home, plus, everywhere we went we were (practically) the only ones there.

To add insult to injury, none of the cost of things deflate with the season. Everything here is very expensive and it being "no season" made no difference. The taxi's all run on a per person flat rate meaning that the 5 min ride from the ferry dock to our resort was $15. PER PERSON. One day we ventured over to another beach on the other side of the island - a 15 minute ride that cost us $20 EACH. Thankfully we caught a ride home with a guy that lived close to our resort and recognized us.

The costs of things were a bit of a downer, but it wasn't all bad. We spent some good time at a beautiful beach called Smugglers Cove where the sea was calm, the water turquoise and a local opportunist named Steve set up camp using a few plastic chairs, coolers and ran his blender off his car battery. Steve made a mean rum punch and we kept him company as long as the ice was cold.

We weren't the only ones that discovered Steve. There were two other couples that arrived sometime in the afternoon. We befriended them as it turned out they were also Canadians and were from the Kingston Ontario area. Funnily enough, one our new friends was actually a member of our beloved Tragically Hip. Small world. :)

Besides our sharing cocktails with Canadian Rock Royalty, the trip was pretty uneventful. We did venture out to the Bomba Shack which is the proud host of the islands infamous Full Moon parties. In regular season thousands would flock to this collection of floorboards for the cheap drinks and mushroom tea, unfortunately this time it was us and the other 6 tourist from our resort plus the 5 or 6 locals it takes to run the show. We had one drink and took our second to go.

At the end of 4 days, we decided to take a ferry to St Thomas a day early so that we wouldn't miss our morning flight. We were worried we might get stuck on Tortola because the captain of the ferry would haphazardly cancel the sailing or just sleep in not expecting anyone to catch the early morning ferry during "no season" (actually happened to us while trying to visit one of the other islands earlier in the week).

So while we were sad to see the Caribbean islands go, we were happy to say goodbye to the $40 ferry trips, the $20 five minute taxi's and $25 cheeseburgers. We were on our way to Vietnam where the real adventure would begin.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

In transit: 40 hours to Bangkok

The trip was a long one. We left St. Thomas at 8:15 on Saturday morning and connected in Miami where we had a six hour layover. We then flew to Los Angeles were we spent a few hours in the airport before one last connection through Hong Kong before arriving in Bangkok. By the time we got there, we had no idea what day it was, what time it was or if we wanted to eat breakfast, dinner or lie down for a good nights sleep.

The lay over in Miami was actually planned. I've been to South Beach a few times now and it's a great place to spend a few hours. We checked our bags right through to Bangkok so we headed into South Beach for a few hours of sun and checking out the beach.

When we got there, it took only a few minutes before I knew exactly how we'd be killing time. Segways. That's right - cruising around Dr. Evil style (or mall cop, but I prefer to think of them as Dr. Evils transportation of choice).

These things were so much fun. We got to see way more of South Beach than had we been stuck walking around. Plus we got to have Segway races on the boardwalk. I highly recommend this if you get the chance. So. Much. Fun.

All the photos of the BVI's and Miami can be viewed here:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=15558033&l=44129ac26f&id=641950343

Blogging in Thailand time

2010-10-20T01:40:00.002-07:00

It's been some time since my last bolg update, and for those using my blog to make sure that all is well in my travels and that I'm getting around safely - sorry for the delay.

I'm currently in Chiang Mai which is in the northern part of Thailand. I've been here a few days now after moving through Cambodia visiting Phnom Phen and Siem Reap. All was very exciting and an interesting experience. Some I would do again, others I was glad to see go.

While I'm not at the need of my journey yet, I feel it coming soon. I'm starting to miss the comforts of home and especially Anthony. Nothing is as much fun when he's not around. There is still plenty that I want to see in Thailand, but it would take at least another month to see it all so I think I will save some of it when we can come back together another time.

Also, I find myself thinking alot about what's coming next for me. I find my mind is busy with thoughts of Powered By Noie and The Ride to Conquer Caner. I have projects at home I have been looking forward to starting since completing Ironman and of course, a job. While I'm not excited about the thought of going back to work, I'm excited about the possibilities that lie ahead and I'm eager to put some wheels in motion.

If you've been watching CNN and are concerned about the flooding that has been reeking havoc on Thailand, worry not, I've stayed clear of Central Thailand where the sever damage is done, and I'm flying from the far north to the mid south (Ko Samui) on Saturday. The weather in the south has been fine and the forecast looks good.

My posts have been a bit bleak, and that's because all the details are going into my daily postings that I do on my blackberry. All those stories and accompanying photos will be posted when I get home.

Travelling safely from Thailand,
Sarah

Travelling solo

2010-10-09T17:50:00.002-07:00

We had a great time in Nha Trang, the day we arrived was perfect beach weather and we took the oppotunity to hire a cabana on the beach at a resort where for the exchange of using the services of their bar, we got to use the swimming pool as well. Not a bad deal. We had a private cabana on a beautiful beach, a server bringing us drinks and lunch and use the swimming pool all day. I was a little nervous seeing that we just started a tab for the day, but when the bill came, the damage was in perportions of $32 USD.

We spent a few days there and enjoyed them all. We got stuck riding our bicycles through a torential downpour with water up to our knees and kicking fish off our feet, but it ended up being one of the most memorable parts of the trip so far.

We flew to Ho Chi Minh City yesterday and spent the afternoon roaming around. Very cool city, not as bad (busy, noisy, chaotic) as expected. Its quite nice actually.

I said goodbye to Anthony last night. He caught a midnight flight and we said good bye from the hotel. This morning I'm killing time in a cafe before catching my bus to Phenom Phen. About a 6 hour ride for $10 :)

I'm getting used to the price of things, it might be hard to re-adjust when I get home. What do you mean I can't eat breakfast for $1.10?

All is well. More updates coming from Cambodia!

Happy Trails

2010-10-04T07:59:00.006-07:00

I know I promised to update often to both keep a paper trail of my adventure and to keep worrying minds at home at rest. But the truth is that I'm having too much fun to be looking for internet cafes and sitting infront of a computer.

Vietnam has been amazing. We used Hanoi as a base for coming to and from 2-3 day excursions. We went north to Sapa for a couple days of trekking in the hills (close to the Chinese boarder), then out to Halong Bay for a 2 day cruise on a 'junk'. Now we're in Hoi An and loving this quiet central Vietnam town. We arrived here yesterday and are trying to figure out how to spend a few more days before moving on. It's been great.

I have been keeping up with the daily blogs, but until I'm back in Canada where I can afford to upload them, on my Blackberry is where they'll stay. Writting about my adventures is much easier (and a great time killer) while on night trains, mini-buses long taxi's and even in the back of a tuk-tuk.

Lots of stories and pictures to come when I get home. Until then, I'll try to posts as often as possible, but otherwise, just know we're having a great time, the people are incredible, the country is beautiful and I'm having an unbelivable experience.

Travelling safe,
Sarah

3 major cities, 2 continents and 1 confused biological clock

2010-09-26T15:40:00.002-07:00

We woke up this morning at 6am in St Thomas US Virgin Islands to catch our flight at 8:15. We connected in Miami and had a 6 hour layover so we decided to spend the afternoon exploring a little bit of South Beach. We siezed the opportunity to rent a couple of Segways and motored our way up and down Ocean Drive, the Boardwalk and even had time for lunch on a patio on Esplanada Way (historic spanish part of the city). We got back to the airport just in time to get our 6 pm flight to Los Angeles were we had another 3 hours to kill. Not enough time to get out of the airport, but just enough time to enjoy some of LAX's finest food court dining and learn a few new card games at the gate waiting for our 11:50pm flight. Fourteen hours later we've arrived in Hong Kong and we've completely lost track of what day or time it is. We know technically it's 6:45am on Monday Sept 27, although we did wake up this morning when it was only Saturday Sept 25th.

I'm not sure if I want lunch, dinner or to pass out for a good (nights?) rest. I will however go with the flow and take any opportunity to get a morning coffee and bagel.. it is before 7am technically right?

Ok - well, one more connection and we're finally in Bangkok. All is well and can't wait to post some great pictures of our adventures so far.

Ciao.

Great trip! Bad blogging!

2010-09-24T16:51:00.002-07:00

Just a quick update for anyone who thinks we've gone missing...

I intended to post to my blog everyday since I had figured out how to do so from my blackberry, but turns out that I couldn't afford to eat or have anywhere to sleep after paying for the data uploading and roaming charges in both the Carribean and Asia. So... instead I will have to rely on hotel internet cafe's for posting updates.

We're having a great time and enjoying our last night in St Thomas US Virgins Islands. The BVI's were amazing, but we have an early flight to catch in the morning so we're here tonight to make things easier on us. Tomorrow starts 40+ hours of travelling and my next update will be from somewhere in Southeast Asia.

Don't worry, I'm keeping blog posts prepared daily for posting as soon as I get the chance and a bit more time.

All is well.

Ciao.

Toronto

2010-09-20T02:59:00.001-07:00

Anthony and I had a great visit in Toronto. The wedding on Saturday was incredible and it was so nice to see old friends again. Those Comries sure know how to throw a party.

Sunday we visited with family and ate way too much food at my sisters place...some things will never change.

Now we're finally at the airport waiting for the first of many flights today anticipating the warm sun and ocean air of Tortola.

Ciao for now.
Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.
Envoyé sans fil par mon terminal mobile BlackBerry sur le réseau de Bell.

Here we go!

2010-09-17T13:12:00.003-07:00

I'm taking out the garbage, turning off the lights and triple checking that I have my passport. In just a few hours Anthony and I are leaving for the airport and our adventure begins.

The journey starts with a whirlwind trip through Toronto to see two of my favourite Big City peeps tie the knot on Saturday and visit with family on Sunday. Then with not a moments rest, we're off to the British Virgin Islands for some island hopping and R&R Caribbean style.

From there, we start the trek to Asia and then the worlds our oyster!

This is my last post from home also serving as a test to make sure I can upload photos along with my mobile posts.

Ciao for now.

Mobile Me!

2010-09-11T08:28:00.001-07:00

This is my first mobile post! In just a few days Anthony and I are leaving on our whirl-wind trip to Toronto, the Bristish Virgin Islands and Southeast Asia. I've set up this mobile setting so I can blog on the go (complete with photos and all!)

7 days to go!

Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.
Envoyé sans fil par mon terminal mobile BlackBerry sur le réseau de Bell.

Ironman - Pre race report

2010-09-03T14:14:00.004-07:00

This is my ridiculously long race report. I want to remember everything when I come back to read it years from now. It's broken up into separate posts for readability. Enjoy.

I woke up as scheduled at 4am that morning with a feeling that truly only compares to being a child again. It was like Christmas morning, or like going on vacation and knowing that you were going to ride an airplane that day. It's pure honest excitement that as adults we rarely get to experience anymore. Today was going to be a big day.

The nervous energy in the air downtown was amazing. Hundreds of athletes in varying degrees of focus strolled down Main Street dropping of their special needs bags and lining up for body marking. Triple and quadruple checking that they had everything they would need 14 or more hours from then and using the sharpies from body marking to write their own message of inspiration or motivation on their hands and forearms. Watching this was pretty cool, but I also wondered why so many people wanted to put a smiley face on the backs of their calves. Later in the day out on course, I smiled every time I saw one and found my answer.

In transition there wasn't much to do. Since all our gear and bikes were dropped off the day before, a little air in my tires was all I needed. Then, off to stand in the port-o-potty line up. I didn't have to go then, but I figured I would by the time I got to the front and waiting until you have to go is a bad time to get in line. My forethought proved a perfect strategy.

Timing was perfect to get into my wetsuit and onto the beach in time to find all my supporters before the pros start. Jen my sister from Toronto, Anthony, Robyn and Dave and even Robyn's mom was there to wish me luck, send me love and take some pictures. After all the business of the morning was done, all was calm on the beach as athletes started to fill the waters. A few good luck hugs and well wishes, but other than that, things were mostly quiet. Although it's entirely possible that it wasn't like that at all, but I was completely zen and didn't notice anything else that was going on.

In the week(s) leading up to Ironman I did a lot of thinking about what this day would mean to me. I started reading over old blog posts that started recording this journey in February of 2006. That was when I registered and started training for my very first marathon in Honolulu, HI. I followed my journey though running my first 10km race, my inaugural half marathon, the epic training days of my first 3 hour runs and the challenges and triumphs leading me through the finish line in Hawaii.

I also read race reports from "Try-a-Tri's" done on my mountain bike in 2006 and giggled as I read through the trial and error of navigating the "noodle legs" of transition for the first time in sprint distance races in 2007. I grinned fondly remembering pre-race nerves as I relived my first Olympic distance swim in Kelowna 2008 and smiled quietly at the memory of actually shaking before the Osoyoos Half Iron in 2009. I revisited the days when I started swimming Saturday mornings instead of sleeping in, when Sundays started being reserved for long runs and when biking to and from work just wasn't going to cut it anymore. Wow, what a road it's been.

My little trip down memory lane served two purposes. First, I was so thankful for the internet and the ability to record my journey in a way that not only could I revisit these days of past, but I recycled the words of encouragement left as comments on each one of those posts. Second, it really highlighted exactly what the Ironman was about for me. This was not a race, this was about a journey. It was about the same thing August 2010 as it was in February 2006. Learning about limits and how to push them, about who you are and what your capable of, about believing in yourself and that with a little dedication, commitment and a lot hard work, there isn't anything you can't do. I've come a long way.

Ironman - The Swim

2010-09-03T14:13:00.003-07:00

Standing knee high in water as we all sang O Canada together I teared up in my googles just as I was told I would. I wasn't thinking about strategy or about anything else that would come my way in the hours ahead. Instead, I stuck true to my only Ironman goal - be present. The target was to finish, but the goal was to stay present and experience every moment of the day. I deserved that.

The cannon shot and away we went. I stayed back and took my time, I figured that it was going to be messy anywhere I went (left, right or middle) so I just hung back. I got into the mess of things and a mess it was. Arms, legs, bodies flailing, this could have very easily been panic inducing and again I found myself thanking whatever swimming god it was that gave me calm nerves in water. I never seem to panic in the chaos of race starts and I was particularly thankful for that again on this morning. It took a while to actually start swimming, and when we did, it was very, very slow. There were just too many people to get around. Eventually though, I was able to find some sort of rhythm. I looked a few different places for a good draft but every pair of feet I found were moving entirely too slow (even for me). I did eventually find a nice pair of feet moving at a perfect pace. He was cruising along and cutting a path, dodging and weaving through swimmers so that I didn't have to. I affectionately dubbed him "Captain Okanagan" and as long as I stayed on those toes, it was easy sailing for the Captain and I.

I lost the Captain at the first buoy and right turn (the buoys are actually houseboats - no way you can miss these suckers). We got caught up in the bottle neck and I was all by myself on the other side. Oh well - it was nice while it lasted. I did a quick time check just after the turn and the clock read 33 min, or maybe 36min, I don't remember. All I remember was feeling stoked that I was still feeling great and that the pace was perfect.

The next 400m I swam almost alone. Just chillin', swimmin', staying calm and carrying on.

Rounding the next buoy pointed us in the direction of home and the final 1800m. Things started to get fairly rough here again. I think at this point people start to get a little tired and start to swim a little less straight and a little more curvy and swruvey. I know I do when I'm tired, so maybe it was just me bumping into more people… Anyhow, I couldn't find another good draft again, I looked in a few different places, but I was either getting bumped off by someone else or we just weren't jiving in pace. I decided to just stay focused on my own swim and stopped wasting mental energy looking around for a draft. It almost felt unnecessary anyway because the entire body of water was moving in one direction. If you've ever swam in a lake or ocean and let the waves take you into shore, it was like constantly swimming in that kind of moving water. I think if I stopped swimming, I'd probably keep moving anyway :)

I was happily swimming by myself watching the two tall condos on the beach get closer and closer with every sighting. It never did get calmer and in fact, I took a big thump to the abdomen when I got too close to another guy. I must have zigged when he zagged and somehow I was over his feet and took a nice hard kick in the guts. I wasn't shaken, it just kept me happier to be swimming alone and not fight for a draft or positioning. The end was near anyhow.

Coming out of the water I stood up and walked in through knee high water with a big stupid smile on my face and announced to the entire crowd "that was AWWESOMMME!" They must have liked it cause it got them cheering. Standing on sand again I heard Rudy (my Mom's good friend) yell too me from the side lines. So good to see faces you know cheering you on.

SWIM: 1:21min

Ironman - The Bike

2010-09-03T14:12:00.002-07:00

Transition was pretty calm for me, although it didn't seem that way for everyone. People were running this way and that way, sitting on the grass putting on their shoes, into change tents and out again.. it was crazy!. I took my time and even stopped at the port-o-potty again. I had a few hands helping me get my jersey on and slather on some sunscreen, then I was out onto the bike course in no time.

Riding down Main Street was pretty incredible. The people cheering are six deep and lined the streets for 20 blocks. Anthony and Jen went way down to the other end of Main where it wasn't so crowded which was great because I couldn't have missed them as I rode by. A big smile and a wave and I was on my way.

Thanks to my training, I knew the bike course inside and out. I had mentally broken it down into 5 parts. From transition out Skaha Lake, up McLean Creek Dr and down the highway through Oliver and into Osoyoos was considered "The Warm Up". This section is fairly easy with a small climb up McLean Creek, but mostly descending with a tailwind. I make it a point to enjoy this 60km or so because after that, it only gets tougher.

The second part of the course I break into Richter Pass and the Rollers. Once you get into Osoyoos Ironman really begins. By now your nicely warmed up and mentally prepared for the challenges to come. Climbing Richter Pass has always been a trademark part of the Ironman course, but now that I've ridden this section of the course almost a dozen times, it's lost it's intimidation factor on me. Now, I just settle in for the climb and find it no where as daunting as it was the first time. Of course, today was a little different than any other ride I've done. The line of riders was as far up the mountain as my eyes could see and at some places three riders wide. At the first look out, the spectators were in full force with music blaring and cowbells ringing. Still smiling ear to ear, their cheers just pushed me up the hill near effortlessly. The reception at the top of Richter was no different. A guy standing on top of his pick up truck with a mic and two amps yelled out your number, your name and welcomed you to the top. Of all the times I've done that climb, this certainly was the most exciting.

I mentally include the rollers on the backside of Richter in this section of the course. That means that once I get to the top of that climb, I know it's not over. A quick (and I mean quick - 69km/hr the last time I looked) descend down the backside provides a decent recovery but it's not long before those hills come at you fast and furious. You've got to work hard here to keep your momentum otherwise you end up doing a lot more climbing than you have to. The faster you descend, the less you have to climb up the next hill. Easy when your alone, not so easy when there's a hundred other riders doing the same thing in front, beside and behind you. Was a little scary, but all went by smoothly.

The next section is the Out & Back. But before you get there, you have a long stretch of flat road to get over which also tends to come with a nasty headwind. This day was no exception and the wind was definitely blowing. I hate headwind. It just sucks. I was just about to get settled in when I see three fans up on the side of the highway cheering like madmen. As I get closer I recognize one of them… hey! I know that redhead… that's my boyfriend!!! And he's got Kierstie and Adam with him!!! Yelling! Screaming! Cheering! Cowbells ringing they jumped up and down for me. I smiled bigger than I had been all day and suddenly forgot all about that headwind.

They caught up with me again down the road and drove beside me in the car for a minute or two. Despite being 120km in the course, having climbed Richter Pass, been up and over the rollers and facing a nasty headwind.. I was having SO MUCH FUN! I was riding the Ironman bike course and three of the most amazing people were out there with me making me feel like a champ. This was what this day was about.

Onto the out & back. One last cheer from the three amigos on the side of the road and I was again on my own for the next challenge. The out & back section of the course isn't all that demanding, it's a semi-flat farm road with some undulating hills but nothing like the rollers behind me now. The challenge here is that you backtrack where you've just come from for 10km or so, turn around and head back the same way to get back on the highway. This is mentally exhausting. To backtrack at this point is just taxing. Add to this that your well into your day now, you've just been riding into headwind for probably 45 minutes and you know that after you backtrack, you're in for more, stronger headwind than before. Worst of all, you know that after all this, you head out to Yellow Lake. The only good part of this section is that at the turn around point is the special needs bag pick up. This is where I have stashed my secret weapon. Mini-potatoes.

Boiled, slathered in butter and salt and frozen over night these little carb cannons are going to be the best part of my day (so far). Sure enough, I picked them up at the end of Barcello Road and they were still chilled but perfectly defrosted. Helllllloooo taters! Five powerbars into my day, you can't imagine how good real food taste. I washed those down with a salt tablet and a couple of Ibuprofen and I was (almost) good as new.

Back on track and feeling revitalized I headed back towards the highway. Despite the new energy found in food, mentally it's getting tough out there. I'm really, really getting tired of headwind and it's an unseasonably cold day in the interior. Thankfully I have my arm warmers with me and I put them back on just in time for the rain. Headwind, rain, this day isn't getting any easier no matter how many people ring their bells and honk their horns as you pass. Good news is that now that I'm cold and tired I have Yellow Lake to look forward to (that was serious sarcasm).

Part four: Yellow Lake. This section isn't just the notorious climb itself. It starts 17km away where the out & back spits you back onto the highway. Some where on a training ride we discovered that someone has spray painted mile markers on the road every 100m from the out & back to the top of Yellow Lake. It's exactly 17km and you get to watch how close your getting 100m at a time. 0.0km, 0.1km, 0.2km, ….1.0km, 1.1km…. all the way to the top. Some find it distracting, I LOVE IT. This part of the course had me close to tears and feeling defeated the first time I rode it. Now, out of spite, I ride this section with vengeance. Like it stole something from me that day and every time I ride over that pavement I ride it harder and faster like I'm earning it back.

I got to Yellow Lake smiling. It's raining. Not hard, but it's raining. The start of the hill is lined with fans and as you get closer you ride through them with them so close on either side it's like your riding the Tour de France. People dressed in costume, banners, noisemakers, signs (my favourite read "ride it like you stole it!") and traffic is stopped and lined from the top to the bottom. People sitting in chairs that have obviously been there all day still have the enthusiasm like your the first rider to come through. I rode up the whole way with a smile ear to ear (they really like it when you smile) and made sure to look at each fan and soak up the energy. 4km to the top. What hill?

The final section: The Descend. Once you defeat Yellow Lake mentally you've completed the course. There is still a climb or two left, but nothing compared to what you've accomplished. For the most part, it's all downhill from here. Pouring rain now I'm laughing out loud that I'm at the top of Yellow Lake and beginning the descend into Penticton to complete the Ironman bike course. Down one of the long winding downhill parts (thankful the roads are now dry from the hail storm earlier and thankful for my wool arm warmers and my forethought to wear them) I let out a "WWWEEEEEEEEE" and a "YIPPPEEEE" for good measure. I'm loving every minute of this ride no matter what Mother Nature had in mind.

The end of this ride generally ends the same way everytime, with one single thought pushing you to the end "it's time to get off this bike". Very quickly your mind can make itself up and just decide it's having no more of this and your butt needs to get off this bike. Once that happens, funs over.

I passed Anthony, Jen, Robyn, and Dave right where I left them 7 hours ago and as I rolled into Transition 2, Rudy was there once again shouting over crowds to get my attention and make sure I heard him "Go Sarah! You're doing great!". Next to my butt, it's the checks on my face that hurt the most from smiling all day long.

BIKE: 7:10min

Ironman - The Run

2010-09-03T14:11:00.004-07:00

I handed my bike off to a volunteer that will take it back to it's home on the rack and by the time I get to the long rows of run gear bags, another volunteer has already seen me coming and grabbed my bag for me. What service! Seeing as I just rode 180km on my bike and was about to run a full marathon, I was in no hurry to get out of that change tent. I sat myself down on a chair and took my sweet time. One more stop for a pee break and I was back out through those run course arches and away I went.

Let me start by saying that I had very little expectations for my run. I'm not a strong runner and in training all my runs off the bike have been torturous and pushed me to my limits (and they were usually no longer than 30min long). So, my plan was just to run from aid station to aid station stopping to drink at each one and eat every second one. However, I wasn't going to be hard on myself if that didn't work out because I had eight and a half hours to complete that marathon and I figured even if I was walking backwards or on my hands and knees, I could do it.

Out I went. Not surprisingly the crowds of people (still there and as thick as they were 7 hours ago) gave me a huge boost. As the day has proved, my "awesome" training, and never forgetting to smile was by far the most important training I ever did. With my smile back on from ear to ear, looking fans in the eye as they encourage me forward, I am light on my feet and breeze through town looking for my personal cheering section which I know is just up the road.

As I get there, I take a few seconds to walk, hug them, kiss them and hear them tell me they love me, then I wave again and say "see ya at the finish line!". Anthony did ask how I was feeling and for the first time I did a mental scan over my body to figure that out. It was a little hard to breathe but I chalked that up to the layers of gear around my chest. My heart rate monitor, sports bra, jersey.. plus a little exhaustion made things a little tighter in the chest than normal. But I'm fine.

I was feeling great. Surprised, I did a double check as I got further and further out on course, and yup, I was feeling great. Stopping at the first few aid stations seemed unnecessary, but I stuck with the plan and it probably was the reason for my continued success throughout. With the exception of some serious bloating from the Gatorade and likely some other side effects of 10hours of exercise, I couldn't have been better.

The cool thing about the out & back run is that you get to see the entire race ahead of you as they make their way home (or at least you do when your me). Searching through faces kept me occupied as I shuffled along and I saw all the familiar faces - Suzanne (housemate for the weekend), Esther (LETC), Jeff Savage (who had a brutal day including a spill off the bike), Scotty Jones, Gabby, Amanda (LETC), Dave Pool, Connell (housemate for the weekend) each one of them waving and sending "good luck" as they get back into their own race.

I lucked out on the run as the wind was at my back heading out. Slowly but surely I made my way out walking through the aid stations, drinking, eating and walking up the hills but keeping a decent pace otherwise. With every mile marker I was shocked that I was still on pace for my 5 hour marathon. I made it to the turn around in 2:31 hours but starting to feel the day wear on me. Amazed again at the size of the crowd and the commitment of some familiar faces that I've seen throughout the day at various places on course. Particularly the couple of guys in wigs, coconut bras, grass skirts and doing the hula. They made me laugh every time.

Out of no where I teared up as I rounded the half way point. I was headed home. I was on the last half of the Ironman marathon. Then I had a very sobering thought, I was really far from home. Not feeling defeated or struggling, just a simple "sigh… I have a long way to go".

I had given myself full permission to walk all the way home if I had needed to. I had no time goals, simply finishing was all I wanted and that was not going to be an issue today. Feeling overwhelmed by the support and by my entire day, my legs continued to give me more and more. I walked up hills and through aid stations, but without question or hesitation, my body continued to give me what I asked for. I just kept running.

With 12km to go I did some simple math and it looked like I could make it home posting 13 hours and change on the clock. Feeling the weight of the day, it was going to be tough, but I thought for sure it was within reach. I dug deep and kept running at pace and as planned, but about 30mins later, everything started to really hurt and I cared less and less about breaking 14 hours.

The mean thing about the Ironman Canada run is that the last half of the marathon is generally uphill. Mean right? Once I got onto South Main, within sighting distance of downtown, the uphill slant, in the dark, in the cold and 13 hours and 30 mins into my day, I was walking, things were hurting and there wasn't anything that was going to change that. This is Ironman, it hurts.

The hurt got worse and as I tried to adjust the gear around my chest to help with that ongoing discomfort since the beginning of the run, I finally clued in that the thump I took in the swim earlier likely had a lot to do with the aching ribs and bruising skin. Duh.

Needless to say, my legs, hips, calves, blistered feet, bruised abdomen, aching shoulders and general hurting skin was less a hinderance and more a motivator to, as I said to myself many times in the last 30 minutes, "get this over with already". I knew as soon as I peaked the small incline onto Main Street, the crowds of people would bring me home. And I was not disappointed.

I kept running. I heard people cheer me on by name (it's on your race bib). I turned down Westminister and turned the corner down Winnipeg St. The streets are gated to keep the crowds from piling onto the course and the people are screaming encouragment. The lights are bright but I can barely see anything, I'm zoned out now. I know I'm so close, but i'm just not there yet, 2 km to go. I pass the grandstands and head out for one last pass on Lakeshore before turning around to run the final glory mile. Natasha, Jen, Rudy, Anthony - they are all there yelling so loud but in my head it plays back like a movie where you know they're screaming, but you don't hear any sound. Their arms reach out and I high five them. My smile is gone, there is no energy left to make anything else happen except put one foot in front of the other. Still running.

Anthony ran with me for a little, but I think he stopped because I wasn't looking at him anymore. Just get me to that finish line, that's all I could think.

I finally reached the turn around. I stopped running, I looked ahead and started smiling. I walked for a minute looking at the spectators, thinking about what I was doing. I let it soak in for a second and then I started running again. This time, the hurt was gone and it was like I had wings. Angel wings to be exact.

In no time at all I was running in the night sun of the finish shoot and right ahead just a few feet from the finish I see Anthony yelling and cheering and on que, he holds out Mom's t-shirt with my picture on it that says "Go Sarah Go".

I crossed the finish line with Tash on the other side to catch me. She's crying as much as I am.

After 5 years, 14 hours and seven minutes. I am an Ironman.

Ironman- Post race report

2010-09-03T14:09:00.005-07:00

Now that I've reached my goal and completed the Ironman, everyone wants to know - will I do it again? The answer is - probably not.

I learned a lot on my road to Ironman, and I found new passion in swimming, biking and running and I certainly plan to continue enjoying those at a recreational level. I'm looking forward to joining a swim club this winter to keep me in shape and running has become a favourite past time of mine. Of course, Powered By Noie is coming back strong in 2011 with The Ride to Conquer Cancer and I'm really excited about training with the team (now 6 riders strong in BC and growing). But completing the Ironman has not left me with the feeling of "the end" of my triathlon pursuits, it's left me feeling that a chapter in my life is now complete. I have the feeling that something is now "whole".

I've said so many times over the last few years that triathlon adds so much to my life beyond physical fitness and health. It's a sport that lends itself to your entire life and changes who you are as a person. It has made me stronger and more capable of doing anything I set my sights on. But that trip I took down memory lane, rereading blog posts of the years past also made me realize how long its been that Ironman and triathlon has been a main focus of my life. The training, the goal setting, the schedule and routine. The race planning, the finances, the energy and the commitment. I'm thankful for it all, but I'm looking forward to the next chapter in my life and excited about what it will bring.

While swimming, biking and running will still be present in my life, come January it's not likely that I'll be putting together a 2011 race calendar.

If I was to do another Ironman there is probably only one thing I would do differently. I would find a solid training group that I stuck with and trained with. I opted to do most of my training this year solo which worked out for me in the end, but there were many long lonely days where having someone to share the experience with would have made it all that much better.

For now, I'm enjoying some well deserved time off as I expect many other Ironmen are as well. So until the next adventure, I leave you with this:

May your next swim be with a water noodle and a floating beer cozy.
May your bikes be only on a mountain and going downhill.
And should you find yourself running, may it only be to a puddle if your ass is on fire.

Enjoy your recovery Ironmen. We deserve it.

More pictures to come, but for now here are a few that I posted on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=483390&id=641950343&l=a6ac5fe99f

T'was the night before Ironman

2010-08-28T19:47:00.004-07:00

Here it is. The night before Ironman. The gear bags are checked, the bags have been packed, the carbs have been loaded. My nerves are in full flight, my stomach upside down, but I'm ready. Not really one clear thought going through my head. Maybe there's so many that I can't focused on just one, or maybe I'm just done thinking about this day, and just ready for it to be here.

Nothing more can be done, a quiet night is all I can control now. Tomorrow morning I will wake up and the first thought through my head will be "Today is the best day of my life". Whatever comes my way tomorrow I will roll with it, go with it, and soak up every moment of it. In the end, my pain and doubt and fear will have all disappeared and I will have accomplished something that 5 years ago was a silly, unrealistic, highly unlikely dream.

Tomorrow, I will be an Ironman.

Because your brain doesn't know what your body already does..

2010-08-27T21:52:00.004-07:00

With just two sleeps to go, I got this great email from a friend that included a note posted on Slowtwitch (a popular triathlon forum) by member Hurricane Bob. An incredible account of what to expect on Sunday and keeping it all in perspective.

Right now you've all entered the taper. Perhaps you've been at this a few months, perhaps you've been at this a few years. For some of you this is your first IM, for others, a long-overdue welcome back to a race that few can match.

You've been following your schedule to the letter. You've been piling on the mileage, piling up the laundry, and getting a set of tan lines that will take until November to erase. Long rides were followed by long runs, which both were preceeded by long swims, all of which were followed by recovery naps that were longer than you slept for any given night during college.

You ran in the snow.
You rode in the rain.
You ran in the heat.
You ran in the cold.

You went out when others stayed home.
You rode the trainer when others pulled the covers over their heads.

You have survived the Darwinian progression that is an Ironman summer, and now the hardest days are behind you. Like a climber in the Tour de France coming over the summit of the penultimate climb on an alpine stage, you've already covered so much ground...there's just one more climb to go. You shift up, you take a drink, you zip up the jersey; the descent lays before you...and it will be a fast one.

Time that used to be filled with never-ending work will now be filling with silent muscles, taking their final, well-earned rest. While this taper is something your body desperately needs, Your mind, cast off to the background for so very long, will start to speak to you.

It won't be pretty.

It will bring up thoughts of doubt, pain, hunger, thirst, failure, and loss. It will give you reasons why you aren't ready. It will try and make one last stand to stop you, because your brain doesn't know what the body already does. Your body knows the truth:

You are ready.

Your brain won't believe it. It will use the taper to convince you that this is foolish - that there is too much that can go wrong.

You are ready.

Finishing an Ironman is never an accident. It's the result of dedication, focus, hard work, and belief that all the long runs in January, long rides in April, and long swims every damn weekend will be worth it. It comes from getting on the bike, day in, day out. It comes from long, solo runs. From that first long run where you wondered, "How will I ever be ready?" to the last long run where you smiled to yourself with one mile to go...knowing that you'd found the answer.

It is worth it. Now that you're at the taper, you know it will be worth it. The workload becomes less. The body winds up and prepares, and you just need to quiet your worried mind. Not easy, but you can do it.

You are ready.

You will walk onto the beach on August 29th with 2800 other wide-open sets of eyes. You will look upon the sea of humanity, and know that you belong. You'll feel the chill of the water crawl into your wetsuit, and shiver like everyone else, but smile because the day you have waited for for so VERY long is finally here.

The bagpipers will walk across the beach. Steve King will ask you to sing along. You will.

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!

From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

You will tear up in your goggles. Everyone does.

The helicopters will roar overhead.
Maranatha will roar. The splashing will surround you.

You'll stop thinking about Ironman, because you're now racing one.

The swim will be long - it's long for everyone, but you'll make it. You'll watch as the Penticton Lakeside Hotel grows and grows, and soon you'll hear the end. You'll come up the beach and head for the wetsuit strippers. Three people will get that sucker off before you know what's happening, then you'll head for the bike.

In the shadows on Main Street you'll spin out of town - the voices, the cowbells, and the curb-to-curb chalk giving you a hero's sendoff.

You'll spin up McLean Creak Road. You'll roll down towards Osoyoos, past the vineyards glowing in the morning sun. You'll settle down to your race. The crowds will spread out on the road. You'll soon be on your bike, eating your food on your schedule, controlling your Ironman.

Richter Pass will come. Everyone talks about it, but it's really nothing. You'll know this halfway up, as you're breathing easy and climbing smoothly. Look to your right. Look how high you're climbing. Look at all the bikes below, still making their way there. You're ahead of them. All of them.

You'll put the rollers behind you and put on your game face.

By now it'll be hot. You'll be tired. Doubts will fight for your focus. Everyone struggles here. You've been on that bike for a few hours, and stopping would be nice, but you won't - not here. Not today. You'll ride on leaving Cawston behind you and head for the final showdown at Yellow Lake.

You'll grind the false flats to the climb. You'll know you're almost there. You'll fight for every inch of road. You'll make the turn towards the summit as the valley walls close in for the kill, and put your head down. The crowd will come back to you here - the cars are always waiting to cross the summit, and you'll soon be surrounded in the glorious noise that is the final climb of Ironman Canada. Let their energy push you. Let them see your eyes. Smile when they cheer for you - your body will get just that little bit lighter.

Grind.
Fight.
Suffer.
Persevere.
Summit.

Just like that, you'll be descending. 12 miles to go, and no climbing left.

You'll roll into transition. 100 volunteers will fight for your bike. You'll give it up and not look back. You'll have your bag handed to you, and into the tent you'll go. You'll change. You'll load up your pockets, and open the door to the last long run of your Ironman summer - the one that counts.

You'll take that first step of a thousand...and you'll smile. You'll know that the bike won't let you down now - the race is down to your own two feet. The same crowd that cheered for you in the shadows of the morning will cheer for you in the brilliant sunshine of a Penticton summer Sunday. High-five people on the way out. Smile. Enjoy it. This is what you've worked for all year long.

That first mile will feel great. So will the second.
By mile 3, you probably won't feel so good.

That's okay. You knew it couldn't all be that easy. You'll settle down just like you did on the bike, and get down to your pace. You'll see the leaders coming back the other way. Some will look great - some won't. You might feel great, you might not. No matter how you feel, don't panic - this is the part of the day where whatever you're feeling, you can be sure it won't last.

You'll keep moving. You'll keep drinking. You'll keep eating. Maybe you'll be right on plan - maybe you won't. If you're ahead of schedule, don't worry - believe. If you're behind, don't panic - roll with it.

How you react to the changes in your plan will dictate your day. Don't waste energy worrying about things - just do what you have to when you have to, and keep moving. Keep eating. Keep drinking. Just don't sit down - don't EVER sit down.

You'll make it to halfway at OK Falls. You'll load up on special needs. Some of what you packed will look good, some won't. Eat what looks good, toss the rest. Keep moving. Start looking for people you know. Cheer for people you don't. You're headed in - they're not. They want to be where you are, just like you wanted to be when you saw all those people headed into town. Share some energy - you'll get it right back.

Run if you can.
Walk if you have to.
Just keep moving.

The miles will drag on. The brilliant Penticton sunshine will yawn, and head for the mountains behind the bike course. You'll be coming up to those aid stations you passed when you started the bike...now fully alive with people, music, and chicken soup. TAKE THE SOUP. Keep moving.

You'll soon only have a few miles to go. You'll start to believe that you're going to make it. You'll start to imagine how good it's going to feel when you get there. Let those feelings drive you on. When your legs just don't want to move anymore, think about what it's going to be like when someone catches you...puts a medal over your head...

...all you have to do is get there.

You'll start to hear town. People you can't see in the twilight will cheer for you. They'll call out your name. Smile and thank them. They were there when you left on the bike, and when you came back, when you left on the run, and now when you've come back.

You'll enter town. You'll start to realize that the day is almost over. You'll be exhausted, wiped out, barely able to run a 10-minute mile (if you're lucky), but you'll ask yourself, "Where did the whole day go?" You'll be standing on the edge of two feelings - the desire to finally stop, and the desire to take these last moments and make them last as long as possible.

You'll hit mile 25. You'll turn onto Lakeside Drive. Your Ironman Canada will have 1.2 miles - just 2KM left in it.

You'll run. You'll find your legs. You'll fly. You won't know how, but you will run. You'll make the turn in front of the Sicamous in the dark, and head for home. The lights will grow brighter, brighter, and brighter. Soon you'll be able to hear the music again. This time, it'll be for keeps.

You'll listen for Steve King. Soon he'll see you. Soon, everyone will see you. You'll run towards the lights, between the fences, and into the nightsun made just for you.

They'll say your name.
You'll keep running.
Nothing will hurt.

The moment will be yours - for one moment, the entire world will be looking at you and only you.

You'll break the tape. The flash will go off.

You'll stop. You'll finally stop. Your legs will wobble their last, and suddenly...be capable of nothing more.

Someone will catch you.
You'll lean into them.

It will suddenly hit you.
You will be an Ironman.

You are ready.

Three more sleeps

2010-08-26T21:52:00.005-07:00

Another awesome day closer to race day. This morning a bunch of us met for an early(ish) swim and unlike the few days before, the water was packed with athletes. The conversion of Penticton from small mountain town into Ironman City has begun - in a BIG way.

After our swim it was over to the Expo to register, get our athlete wrist bands and race kits with all the race day necessities like race numbers and timing chips. To add to the 'funnness' of that, the real excitement began - the merch tent opened!!! All the Ironman merchandise you can imagine. The tent opened officially at 9am and at 11am when we were there (and I'm sure much earlier than that), the line up was wrapped in and around the tent. Coffee mugs, visors, jackets, hoodies, t-shirts, race gear, bathing suits, gear bags, stickers, jerseys, shorts, powerbars... you name it.. it was there..with a giant Mdot (Ironman logo) front and centre. We also went to the local coffee/bistro triathlete hang out and signed the annual poster which has been done for every year since, well.. for a long time. It's official! I'm a part of history :)

Back at the merch tent, I forced myself to hold back for the moment, reminding myself that everything I wanted would be available Monday morning after the race except it would have "FINISHER" included on the logo. Tres-cool. Very much worth the wait, although I will be stopping by tomorrow morning to buy some stuff that I don't necessarily need as "finishers" gear. I'm just a sucker for race expo's.

My sister arrives tomorrow! I'm pretty stoked on that. Unfortunately though, due to a broken ankle and the untimely required surgery to fix it, my Dad is not able to travel and will not be making the trip out. BUT - I'm not letting that get me down. I know he would do anything to be out here and really, health first, and that's all there is to it. He'll take care of himself and be back on his feet (literally) in no time.

Just three more sleeps....

I love riding bikes

2010-08-25T22:12:00.003-07:00

This week is going great. We couldn't have asked for more with regard to the house we're staying in. It's far enough away from downtown to enjoy the peace and quiet, but only a few minutes away from the action. It's cool (temperature wise), has everything we need and there is plenty of room for all 5 of us.

Everyone has arrived now. Two athletes from Calgary, a fellow LETC'er from Vancouver and her sister from Ottawa. All great people. This evening we all headed out for a nice easy ride along the run course. It was so hot during the day we opted for the 6-6:30pm start and it was perfect timing. The breeze had slowed, the heat was gone and we were home just in time to BBQ some salmon for dinner and call it a day.

I love riding bikes. It's so much fun. Especially when your riding with 3 or 4 or 5 people. Pace lines are so fun. It's cool riding faster than you would on your own, it's fun to feel in sync with your friends as you cruise down a windy road. It's less work, more fun! I love it!

This week has been perfect so far. I've been resting, eating, napping, working out, napping and more eating. I love it. Here's a little pic I took of lunch yesterday. With nothing but time, all my meals have been similar. Fresh, clean and lean! Fantastic.

Things are getting started in town. A few of the tents have started to go up. The transition area is taking shape and there are a lot more athletes riding around on some pretty kick-ass bikes.

Tomorrow morning a bunch of us are meeting for a swim before coffee and a little breaky. Then, it's off to register and pick up the race kits! That will make things so very real. I'm excited.

Until tomorrow,

Ironman Week

2010-08-23T15:39:00.002-07:00

I'm here. I'm in Penticton just 6 days from Ironman.

In my effort to stay present, and make sure that I'm not focusing on anything beyond race day and staying completely in the moment this week, I've been analyzing my every thought and feeling since I woke up this morning. "I'm leaving for Ironman today... how do I feel about that?", I'm getting on the highway heading out to Penticton for real this time... is that making me nervous? Emotional?" "What's going on in my head today?". With all this questioning and analyzing going on, I was disappointed with myself when I just came up with... nothing. It just felt like another normal day.

Cut to 3 hours later though, somewhere on Highway 3 around Headly, it hit me. I had been driving in silence for a while, not thinking of anything particular, just enjoying the drive and zoning out a bit. Then, out of nowhere, I smile from ear to ear and announce to myself "I'm on my way to Penticton to do Ironman".

That's it. Now I'm excited. It's really real and here I am. I've arrived at the AWESOME house that we rented (me and 4 other athletes from Vancouver and Calgary) and I'm blogging my updates from a swinging hammock in a shady backyard.

The next few days will be nothing but relaxing, eating, sleeping, swinging, and more eating and sleeping. Some short easy workouts in the mornings to get out some nervous energy but nothing more than an hour. All the excitement starts Thursday when the registration/kit pick up opens and the expo starts downtown.

I'm looking forward to experiencing Penticton not just as a triathlete and Ironman enthusiast as I have the past two years, but this year, I'm an athlete. An Ironman athlete :)

This year I've gotten a plethora of different advice from all kinds of people. Training advice, nutritional advice ect, but it's the kind of advice I received last week that is making this whole experience seem that much more real.

Thanks to Alison for this noteworthy and practical Ironman advice:

"Lists - you need to make lists! Whatever you forget you can get at the Bike Barn, Peach City Runners or the expo, they're set for everything...."

"Buy bananas the day you arrive. By Wednesday Safeway will be low on bananas, turkey and skinless chicken. It will, however, be full of men with shaved legs wearing their meanest, toughest race finisher's gear - worth picking up a litre of milk to see."

"If you decide to put your race number on everything you will be or might be using on race day try remember that in 3 years time having "2257" on your sports bra may be a little dorky. (Nerves + sharpy = bad combination.)"

Thanks for keepin' it real Alison.

My lucky numbers!?

2010-08-18T11:21:00.003-07:00

Ironman Canada has released the bib numbers for 2010. Look for me!

Number 2250

You can also follow along on race day at www.ironman.com there will be live web coverage.

It's normal... phew!

2010-08-16T22:23:00.003-07:00

Tapering has been sweet. Well - bitter sweet. At this point, I'm tired. I'm tired of training, I'm tired of being hungry all the time, I'm tired of trying to stay focused, I'm tired of always having an agenda that the rest of life has to operate around, I'm tired of being cranky, but most of all - I'm tired of being tired.

The taper is bitter sweet because although I'm grateful that the hard work is all done and the workouts have decreased in volume dramatically, now, I just don't want to do anything. It's great that the long bike rides are now 2-3 hours instead of 5-6, but really, I don't even want to do that anymore.

It's a bit confusing and a bit concerning because I have to wonder how I'm gonna turn myself around with just two weeks left until Ironman. Just as if the universe was looking out for me, tonight at the VOWSA (Vancouver Open Water Swim Assoc.) swim at Kits beach I ran into Dave. Dave is another Ironman in training that trains with my club. He snuck up on me in the water as I was wading around trying to convince myself to do another loop of the open ocean course because really, 30min is a little lame for an Ironman (taper or not). Thankful for the distraction I asked "So? How are you feeling?" and perfectly timed Dave replies "I'm tired. I'm so very tired of training. I don't even want to do anything anymore." THANK GOD! I'm not the only one! I was so relieved when he goes on to say that it's not just him and me feeling this way, but another of our training buddies are in the same head space. Totally uninterested anymore and just wanting to do anything as long as it's not related to swimming, biking or running. Seems that after months on end of mental focus, intense training and commitment, it's just natural that we're worn out.

Hearing that we're both feeling the same way gave us the motivation for another 15mins of swimming.... but that was it.

After my timely chat with Dave, I'm not so worried anymore, but now I'm doing a little mental prep to get re-focused and re-motivated before I leave for Penticton next week (a week today - holy moly!). I'm going to go back through my old blog posts of the last year or so, and even my CityGirl Marathon blog that followed my journey to the Honolulu Marathon in 2006 and find old stories of challenges and triumphs that I've faced in the last 5 years. It's been a long road and in these final weeks, it's time to re-visit the journey and plan for the home stretch.

Should be a great walk down memory lane and one that gets me revved up and turned around. Coming up in the next 7 days is the final count down to the most anticipated day of my life so far. I want to make sure I'm present and soaking in every minute of it.

It's all about the tapering....

2010-08-10T14:19:00.002-07:00

Shortly after my last post (the next day I think), when I was worried that I was only "ready-ish" I packed my bags and headed out to Penticton yet again for one last ride of the Ironman bike course. This time was different though. This was not just another training day, this was my LAST big ride.

Do you ever get that feeling at the end of summer when you start running out of weekends to do those things that you said back in March that you wanted to do this summer? It usually starts around the second weekend in August and you try to make plans with a friend that you haven't seen enough of. It goes something like this: you say "Let's get together this weekend!" and they say "Sorry - I have plans. But how about next weekend?" and you say "Sorry - I'm out of town. The weekend after?" and they say "We've got a wedding to go to. Plans for Labor Day?" And just like that it's September and the summer is over.

So there I was on Friday night, stuffing my belly full of garlic bread and lasagna in preparation for the ride and all I can think is "I soooo don't want to do another 6:30 hour ride tomorrow". There's the truth, I am so done with training that I could not get myself excited about another training ride. I would have rathered Ironman be the next morning than go out for another long, lonely, boring, leg burning, mind numbing training ride. I think the worst of it was that I couldn't stand the thought of another day passing by where 80% of my food would come from a processed power bar, gel or be in a liquid form.

But here it is! I'm all out of weekends! There's no time to make this one up, I can't come back and do it another time when I'm more motivated. This is the LAST big ride and then I start my taper for the big day.

So 8am the next day, out I went. Of course, I made sure I had a smile on my face because if this year has taught me anything, it's that a smile is my most important piece of equipment and I never leave it behind (that's by far been the most valuable training I've ever done by-the-way). Without a smile, I just don't feel AWESOME.

Just over 6 hours later I came rolling back in and (you guessed it), was feeling awesome. I was SO GLAD that I went out and did that final ride. The day was really focused around one portion of the course, that 17km section from the end of the out and back to the top of Yellow Lake. This is where last time I almost stopped to cry on the side of the road. Not today. Today everything I had was for that section. It wasn't going to get me this time like it had the last. I stopped at a convenient store just a few miles before so that I could refill my water, have a snack (delicious mini-potatoes covered in butter and salt that I cooked the night before, froze, then had in my bento box on my bike. By the time I needed them they were defrosted but still cool and a yummy treat and much needed boost about 5 hours in) and prepare for the next 20 some kilometres.

With my little carb boost and a smile I hammered up that hill singing and feeling amazing. I rode through a little rain, some headwind and even had to change a flat tire, but I got to the top feeling like an Ironman. From that point on, I sailed home happy and feeling 110% ready. No more of this "ready-ish" garbage. Let's race.

So now I'm two weeks and a day away from Ironman Canada and soaking up my taper. Workout volumes have dropped dramatically to give my mind and body the chance to recover from the last 6 months of hard work (or five years... whatever). My workouts are still everyday, twice a day, but after my 30min swim and 40 min run or a 1:30 bike ride like yesterday, I'll be spending far more time reading my book and napping on the beach.

It's a little hard to believe that it's just a few weeks away. I really don't think I realize that yet. The work is done, and that I'm proud of, so I guess I just sit tight and wait for the big day to arrive.

My summer ritual this year has been to get up and go grab a coffee and enjoy it down at the beach while I read my book. I love mornings and enjoying the quietness, watching the runners and starring out at the ocean is a perfect way to start my day. I haven't been doing that recently because my workouts either start early, or I have to get things done before the workout, or I'm just to tired/crabby to go enjoy my new ritual before my workout. Tapering isn't just a relief from the workouts, it's time back in my day where I can enjoy these types of things. I love you taper.

Coffee's ready...

24 days to go..

2010-08-05T14:32:00.002-07:00

24 days to go before Ironman. How am I feeling? Ready. Ok "ready-ish". I've started to question my months of preparation, wondering if I worked hard enough and if I did everything that I could have. I've listened to others stories of training days and weeks gone by and wonder if my days and weeks were comparable. It always sounds like they've worked SO hard with their huge rides and monster runs. I know that I've worked hard, I know that what I've put in is an incredible amount of work - but I think it's human nature to feel like we just don't compare. However, I do get some peace of mind from seasoned Ironmen who assure me that my panic is right on schedule.

The last few weeks have been tough ones. As the amount of hours dedicated to training in a week rose steadily, the decline of everything else in life was just as apparent. Over the years I've gotten use to going to bed early and running out of energy not only by the end of the day, but also by the end of the week. I also learned a valuable lesson last year in what my capacity for training vs. life really is. Last year with a full time job and an intense focus on triathlon, I found that eventually - something had to give. In a job where multi-tasking was as essential as the english language, I was a (single) task oriented zombi. If I wasn't given clear direction on what to do and how to do it, it likely wasn't getting done. And heaven forbid there was a snag in the plan - o boy - my problem solving skills went from a noteworthy asset to not only could I not fix the problem, but I couldn't even figure out who to call who could rescue me from the troubling issue. Thank God this was a short period and my season came to an early end saving not only my passion for triathlon, but also my job.

Thankfully I was prepared enough to take the summer off and enjoy the final preparations for Ironman this year. I may not have a job, but I still notice the changes that training brings. Fortunately I have the time to nap it off, or to change up my training plans to suit my needs for the day/week. Unfortunately, it's my boyfriend that has to deal with my short-comings and zombi-like personality of the last few weeks. Thankfully he's a sharp cookie and has already learned to get me home and in bed no later than 10pm because by 10:15 I WILL fall asleep wherever I am and that includes falling asleep mid sentence even if I am talking to you.

There have been only a few emergency situations that we've found ourselves in where for one reason or another (probably my zombi-quality planning that day) that we are still up or out somewhere come midnight and, my word, let me just say, when my blood sugar is that low and my brain has turned in for the night HOURS ago.... it is not pretty. I've never seen anyone move so quickly to get another adult to bed. Also, he once caught me in the elevator when I fell asleep standing up.

Ok, so it's not always like that. But I must show some appreciation for those that take on Ironman without the luxury of the time off. People do what I'm doing everyday all the while working full time jobs, being husbands or wives, moms and dads. They are incredible. I've taken the easy route.

I think all I'm getting at today is that "IronCrew" - friends, family and supporters of Ironmen in training deserve a helluva thank-you for everything that they put up with. We couldn't do it without you.

Now, I'm packing my bags yet again for one last trip to Penticton to ride the bike course as my very last long training ride. After this, the next time I head to the Okanagan will be to finish the Ironman Canada race.

Hanging in there....

Those days

2010-07-24T07:57:00.005-07:00

Ever had one of "those" days? The days where nothing in particular goes wrong but somehow you get worn out, it's grinds you down, chips away at you one test of will at a time? Maybe you were exhausted, you burnt your toast, you spilt the milk, you couldn't find your car keys, your hair was frizzy, you hit your head on the car getting in, you got to work and realized that spilt milk left a huge stain on your shirt and so on and so forth your day never gets any better. Nothing catastrophic happened but the only thing you want to do is to lock yourself in a room and cry?

Ha! I've been there.

In fact, yesterday around 150km into my ride, I was there. The day had gone really well. I was feeling great, legs were turning, I had lots of water/hydration, sun was shining but not scorching and there must have been a hundred smiling faces on the course throughout the day. All was well! Until I hit the wall. I was tired. I was keeping it together but slowly losing pace for about 7km's. The next 20km or so are a false flat (appears to be flat but your actually going uphill at a 1-2% grade - ie; mental torture). My back was hurting, my hips were on fire, my toe was asleep and numb plus I would have robbed someone for a pizza had I seen one.

Just as I was starting to give in mentally, I was feeling down, I look ahead and it's the start of Yellow Lake Road. This is a hill earning a reputation for taking victims of heat and exhaustion and just doing them in. The last big climb toward the end.

Honestly, I wanted to cry. I just wanted to stop. and cry. I did stop, I shook out my legs, I stretched out my back I had another (6th) power bar and just took a second to regroup (no crying though). I got back on my bike and kept going, it wasn't like I had a fresh pair of legs or anything, but at least I was able to pull myself together. I was slowly but surely making my way up and (as if perfectly timed by the universe trying to makes it's point that much clearer), I got a flat tire.

Time to laugh this off. The first thought through my head was - "sweet! another break and I have an excuse to be standing and drinking". A nice man who was out as a support vehicle for another group of riders, whom I now refer to as Saint Al, came to my rescue and helped me change my tire. He even topped up my bottles with ice cold water.

With a new tire and my head on straight I was ready to finish this ride. Thankfully (with a few small exceptions) the rest of the ride into Penticton is downhill. I finally got moving again and had sometime to consider my day. First and absolutely foremost, I was proud of myself for finishing. All my practising being "awesome" this year has paid off in excess. Before I look at my pace, my time or anything, I automatically think to myself "you kicked ass today" because no matter how you look at it - that course is killer and getting through it for the first time is a major win. Then I looked back at my brief period of struggle and I realized - brief is exactly what it was. While your in it, it seems like there is no end. You are never going to stop feeling like crap and your whole day can be summed up by that crappy period where you were sure you sucked at this and that giving up and crying on the side of the road was probably the best solution. But in hindsight, that was maybe 10km of the day. The other 170km was awesome!

I still have a hard time figuring out exactly what I thought of the day. It was long, hard and I was tired. But, that's exactly that's exactly what I had expected. I didn't expect it to be easy and that I would breeze through it. I guess it was just another learning experience. I chose to see it this way:

The course is long, but it's not too long.

The course is hard, but it's not too hard.

Life lesson for the day: stopping and crying may sometimes seem like your only and best solution, but all you have to do is keep going and that [moment] too shall pass. When you sometimes get kicked when your down, laugh it off, smile and take advantage of the extra downtime that additional setback provided. When it's all over, you'll look back and realize what a small moment in time that struggle was and that really, overall you had a pretty awesome experience.

Big swim today and then heading back to the city.

After a nights' rest...

2010-07-23T06:29:00.001-07:00

There is one thing I've figured out...

The only thing I can change now is my attitude.

It's going to be a great day.

Busy is as busy does

2010-07-22T21:57:00.002-07:00

Without spending 3 full days at home, I picked up a last minute opportunity to come to Penticton again this weekend to ride the full Ironman bike course tomorrow. One of the clubs coaches has been here all week running a gruelling training camp and I found someone that was coming to meet up with them for just the weekend portion. I've been looking for the chance to ride the course in full (and sooner rather than later) so I jumped on the chance to catch a ride out here and join the group so I have a little company out there.

With less than 12 hours notice, I find myself this evening sitting around a pot-luck, carb loading/fat loading/protein packing dinner discussing hydration, nutrition, support vehicle locations, grinding climbs and killer descends, potential bonks and safety precautions when it hits me... Holy s#*t! Tomorrow morning I'm going to ride 180km (no lunch breaks, rest stops or entertainment stages as per Ride to Conquer Cancer). There's no faking it - I've got to actually pull out a 7-7:30 hour bike ride up hills, over mountain passes, through head winds and down into valleys and still have the legs and will to run a full marathon when its all over (not tomorrow, but in 37 days).

Who's idea was this anyway!?!?!?!

Well, I'm not gonna lie. I'm a little nervous tonight. Thank goodness I came when I did because I wouldn't want to do this alone. Coach Drew is here and will be out on course all day in his van with water and food and helping us out should something go wrong with our bikes. Plus there are at least two other training camps that I know of that are also riding the full course tomorrow so it's actually going to be a busy day out there. It's comforting knowing I won't be alone.

I have no "words of wisdom" or anything motivating/inspiring to write tonight... honestly, I'm a little freaked out right now and just hoping that my post-ride blog tomorrow will be a happy report on a great day. Less than two hours ago I was finishing dinner so stuffed that I couldn't possibly eat another bite and now... the more I think about tomorrow, I'm afraid that I just might lose it all :(

I better get some rest.

Race Report - Osoyoos Half Iron

2010-07-19T14:30:00.002-07:00

It's been a crazy week and after a long hot race, the arriving of houseguest, a wedding on the island and 4 days in Tofino, I finally have a moment to do the race report from last weekend.

I'll start out by prefacing that this was not a great race for me. I went up to Osoyoos to camp, train and prepare for the race in the heat of the desert. Unfortunately the plan backfired on me. After a day or so of 40+ degrees and no escape to air conditioning I half heartedly knew my plan could take a turn for the worse but kept positive. Between not sleeping well at night, no napping during the day, no escape from the oven like heat and not eating well because of all of the above, come race day I didn't have what it took to get through the day as I had hoped.

The morning started off badly with my bikes computer crapping out on me. A stretched wire or something stopped it from calculating my speed, distance, cadence and time. All of which I rely on while out on course. Mind you, things could have been much worse, at least it wasn't a mechanical issue and I could still ride. Despite the malfunction, I was in good spirits and laughing with a fellow Ironman trainee about how different this year was for me compared to last year. This race last year was my very first half iron and at that very point, I was shaking like a leaf wondering if I was going to make it through the day. This morning though, I was all smiles, feeling good and ready to go through the motions. Of course this year my motivators were slightly different. Last year I was hoping that with a good race, I might qualify for the 2010 Long Course World Championships where on this morning a year later, I was just using it as a training day in preparation for my big day in August.

The swim went quickly and without much thought. I picked up a draft on my first loop and stayed right on her toes throughout the second loop of the course. I came out of the water in 41:51 which is slower than my regular pace, but not by much and could have easily been corrected with better sighting and swimming straighter lines. Nonetheless, I was fine with it - this is just supposed to be a training day so it was more important that I felt good and swam smart by finding that draft.

I was really looking forward to the bike course because I remembered how I struggled last year. I was looking forward to seeing how my advanced education, better training and new attitude would fare well for me in a racing environment. Without the use of my computer to measure my cadence I would have to go on feel for how fast I was spinning my legs. Without the speedometer, I would be guessing my pace and without the odometer I would be guessing where on course I actually was. The worst of all though was I had no time clock. I did have my watch on, but it wasn't as helpful as the timer on my bike computer. So, out I went with the purpose of staying positive, keeping my pace in mind best I could and following my hydration and nutrition planning. All went well and on my way back (approx 3/4 way through the course) I was remembering last year where at that point I was being dropped by my pack and losing ground/motivation/energy very quickly. Today however was the complete opposite. I was passing the pack I was hanging with, I was feeling 100% and still smiling at the supporters on the side of the road. Even going up the backside of Richter I was remembering the struggle of that very climb last year and how torturous it was. Every stroke was a grinding test in will and I hated every second. Today, I smiled to the top, passed other athletes and gave supportive cheers as best I could. At that point I was thankful for all my long rides and trips up Cypress Mountain in the last year.

As good as it felt to have such a positive ride, when I got to the bottom of the course my time calculations from my watch were sketchy and I wasn't sure that I had actually done any better than last year. Turns out I didn't and I came in at 3:40h which was about 4min slower than last year.

Onto the run. This was going to be the test for me. Last year I lost it on the run giving into the heat and my lack of nutrition throughout the course. This year I was much more prepared and was excited to see how it would unfold. I tried experimenting a little by running with my fuel belt and carrying my own hydration/nutrition with the intention of sticking to my 2:1 drinking and eating plan every fifteen minutes. Normally I wouldn't do this in a race, and you don't see many athletes who do (you just rely on the aid stations on course), but since I had found a plan that had been working so well for me in training, I was eager to test it in a race.

Well, turns out that no amount of hydration, nutrition or planning was helping me on this day. Long before the end of the 21km run course I gave into the heat and just hoped to make it to the finish line. I tried sticking with my plan of drinking and eating but it quickly turned into just running/walking from aid station to aid station anyway. It was nice to have the extra hydration in the heat when I needed it, but I don't think I would have been any worse off without it. By 2:20 I officially gave up and just walked/shuffled my way over the finish line with at 2:38h run. Pretty disappointing.

At first I chalked up my poor performance to the pre-race heat. The camping plan most likely played a role in my exhaustion and I learned a valuable lesson about the necessity of air conditioning, napping and good quality sleep. However, after having a few days to reflect I think I found another factor playing into my 7:07h dreadful finish on Sunday.

Last year, although nervous, slightly unprepared and unknowing of what I was in for, I had something then that I didn't this year. Motivation. I knew that the top 10 in my age group were going to be given spots in the 2010 World Championships that would be held in Germany. I knew it was a total long shot, but throughout the race, I had that motivation that kept me going. Mind you, I finished last year barely standing, dehydrated and nauseous, but I left everything that I had on course. This year, my intentions were just to go through the motions, use this as a long training day in preparation for Ironman. Did I get what I aimed for? Yes. Was I satisfied with my effort? Not so much. I'm glad that I felt much more positive throughout the race, especially on the bike. But I think I lost focus and went too far into the "training day" mentality. I doddled out there, was daydreaming where I should have been focusing and lost my motivation to be in the "race" even if only racing myself. I've learned that having some results based goals are good just to keep you pushing. Had I been more aware of the time/pace, I may have pushed a little harder to keep going. Instead, I went in thinking that just finishing was what I wanted and that's what I got. Just finishing.

I'm not letting my "just finished" result weight to heavy on me. While I'd hope at this point the bar would be raised a little higher for myself, this IS my Ironman year and goals are completely different. Just finishing is my goal for Ironman and so if I look at last weekends race as a foresight into August, I'm right on track and Osoyoos was a big win for me.

That said, next years goals are starting to take a little more of a competitive shape. No more doddling and daydreaming - it's too friggin' hot out there to spend any more time than necessary on that pavement.

6 weeks and counting to the big day. I just finished a nice recovery week in Tofino and today I start the last 3 week cycle of training before I tapper into Ironman. I can't believe it. After 5 years, I have three weeks of training left. Unreal.

Speaking of which, I'm planning my last trip out to Penticton next week for training. Stay tuned :)

Lessons in Triathlon

2010-07-10T19:27:00.004-07:00

I've learned a lot over the years training in Triathlon. I started doing the most basic research on my own looking up suggested pre and post race meals, hydration planning, heart rate monitor training, found marathon training plans, swim workouts, learned about hill repeats and time trials. There are as many different ways to approach your training as there are opinions from those you ask.

When it comes to nutrition and hydration there always seemed to be some sort of mathematical equation to formulate what I should eat/drink, when and how much. If your like me, you gave up trying to figure that confluent mess of numbers out after reading something like "consume 225-400 calories per hour per 1kg of body weight divided by the amount of Ml you sweat and multiplied by the current temperature of the region in which your training". Or perhaps your hydration advice looked something like "0.5 - 0.6 ounces of water per pound of body weight, or 240-280 liquid calories per hour of exercise, or 16-28 ounces per hour." Huh?

I gave up trying to understand those hydration articles a long time ago. I now stick with the trusty age old method - trial and error. Yes, this method does take a bit more time to figure out and it does involve quiet a bit more "error" than what the scientist guys behind formula X=y, but eventually, you find a plan that works perfectly just for you because... it was made by you!

The good thing about this 'made for you' plan is also that it's as flexible as you need it to be. If you need more water or a boost of energy long before your formula guy says that you should - by all means - drink away!

After much trial and just as much error, here are a few things I've learned this year (that seem to be working so far)

Food and Fuel First: Everyone knows you need to hydrate. Not just the day before your big workout or race, you need to be hydrating heavily at least a few days out. You should be drinking a ton of water everyday anyhow, but pre workout and pre race you should add in a sports drink or some kind of hydration booster. Being hydrated on your long run or ride will make all the difference in the world. I have know idea how many ounces or ml I drink or what that ratio is to my body weight in Kg, but I think it's fair to say - it's alot. I keep an eye on my watch and drink two or three giant gulps every 15min. I never wait until I'm thirsty, if I'm parched, I'm in trouble. I've just this year found a calorie intake plan that works for me too. All the hype out there is geared towards gels and boosters. I found last year that gels for the most part just make me feel sick. They don't sit in my stomach well. I found PowerGel Blasts last year that I really liked, but found they weren't holding their own and I had to eat far to many of them to get the results I needed. So, while not very many articles and trends lean towards eating solids during your long run, I've found great success with the good ol' Cliff bar (Power Bar seems to be an ok substitute as well). Yup, nothing fancy, just a cliff bar and every 30min I walk for about 45 seconds - 1min and eat 2-3 bites. That's all. I make sure to stop and eat/drink on schedule. If your keeping track, that's an intake every 15min, so in one hour I drink four times and eat twice. That's just a template. On longer runs if I feel I'm dragging a bit. I just eat a bit more (always bring extra food).

This simple plan has kept me running and riding at 110% this year. This most certainly could change as my needs change, but for now... that's the plan.

Quality over Quantity: My second lesson has a working subtitle of "Under cooked vs Over done". My triathlon clubs training plan has three workouts a day on it. A primary workout, a secondary workout and a strength/stretching workout. I assumed that I should be and needed to be following this plan if I wanted to be a fit triathlete. Everyone else in the club must be following it and I don't even have a job right now to keep me from being able to do it. Well, it took about two weeks (if that) of following this plan before I was overtrained and burnt out. Trouble sleeping, no appetite, cranky, heart rate that won't settle, a mind that won't settle and worst of all - crappy workouts. So I must just not be fit enough. I must just have to work harder. Orrrr - I could just do what's right for me and get in one quality workout every day and if I'm feeling good, do the second one. I found that if I promised myself that I would never skimp on the long workouts (one long swim, long ride and long run) every week, and that the rest will depend on how I'm feeling. I just about always get in two workouts of each discipline a week plus two P90X home strength training videos (just upper body). However, my training plans is no longer a bible, but rather a template of suggestions. I make sure that I'm mentally prepped for that tempo (fast) run, or that Cypress Mountain hill climb and if not, I move it to another day and do something I can do with better quality that day. Most importantly, this year I returned to running with my heart rate monitor. I found that making sure I stay in my LSD zone (long slow distance) I finished my runs with energy to spare and feeling 110%. No more dying at the end of my runs. Always finish on a positive note.

Well, I'm packing up camp tonight so that in the morning I can just zip outta here to get to the race early. Think of me tomorrow and send your best thoughts of air conditioning and mint chocolate chip gelato.

Principles of Training

2010-07-09T11:24:00.008-07:00

I'm here in Osoyoos preparing for the Desert Half Iron on Sunday. I came up on Wednesday morning planning to camp, train, rest and get acclimatized for the race. Thank goodness I came as early as I did. Wednesday just happened to be the first of a string of days where the mercury has continually risen to 40 degrees with no sign of slowing down before Sunday. The Desert Half Iron race in Osoyoos is easily standing up to it's reputation as Canada's toughest half. The swim is long (2000m compared to the normally 1900m for a half), the out and back bike course climbs up and over Richter Pass both leaving and coming in, plus it covers the rolling hills on the backside. Essentially, this course it the toughest section of the Ironman bike route and because it's an out and back, you get to do it twice. Thankfully the run course is flat with one short incline, however, because Osoyoos is Canada's only desert, the heat has no mercy. By the time you get the swim and bike out of the way, the sun is high in the sky and the heat is on.

Despite it's challenges, there are a few reasons I really like this race. The scenery is incredible, I know that seems like a silly thing to appreciate considering what you have to go through for it, but it's true. Also, the heat is a really good preparation for Ironman. It's a great lesson in fuel, hydration, rest, mental readiness and physical challenge because without great attention to each one of these... this race will take you down.

I'm having a great time so far. Anthony couldn't make it this weekend because a friend of his is getting married on Saturday. Feels like somethings missing, but nonetheless, it's still great to be here. I love camping and training. It's so simple because it's so basic. Train early before the heat hits, eat, sit in the shade and read a book, nap and basically wait out the heat while eating and recovering. Oh, and of course I found campsite with Wi-Fi for obvious reasons. You can take the girl out of the city, but....

Speaking of which, I'm reading a great new book. I'm completely captivated by it because, while there are small differences between myself and the author (she's a married mother of two), it seems this woman IS me. If you haven't picked up The Happiness Project, it's really worth the read.

Motivated after my early morning read over a sunrise by the lake, I had an amazing run. I did one loop of the two loop run course, plus the run too and from camp, so it ended up being about 15km. When my mind is relaxed, great things start to come to me. I've had such a fantastic year and I owe it to my three principles of training that I've applied and continue to stick to.

1. Train happy. I had a rather rough start to the year this year, and somewhere around the beginning of April panic struck. My plans for this year where starting to fall apart. I wasn't where I had hope to be fitness wise, I was starting from scratch recovering from a back injury and the workouts on the clubs training plan where a constant reminder of how far behind in my training I actually was. Luckily, I have great friends that allow me to vent my fears and insecurities because in doing so, I find answers. Thankfully, I was able to remind myself why I was doing all of this training and work, and it wasn't to win any championships. It was to accomplish a goal. To finish what I started and to do the impossible. It's about celebrating everyday successes, about acknowledging accomplishments and about a journey of a thousands steps that will take me towards realizing my dreams. These everyday things, tiny triumphs and lessons along the way make me happy, and THAT is my Ironman purpose.

2. Train Healthy/Safe. Reasons and motivations for completing the Ironman are a dime a dozen. Every Ironstruck athlete has one or many things that drive them and they are immeasurable to track. My reason, amongst other things, is that Ironman is a symbol of what's too come. When I said to myself in 2006 "I'm going to complete and Ironman someday", I might as well have said "I'm going to fly to the moon". It was unrealistic, an overwhelming thought and simply impossible. BUT - it wasn't impossible to train for a "try-a-tri" and then running my first 10km seemed to go over well and then my first half marathon, and a sprint distance triathlon and so on and so forth. When I complete the Ironman, it means to me that anything I can/will ever dream of can come true. That said, this isn't going to be the last/only dream that I chase. Training for an Ironman is tough. Tough on the mind and tough on the body, and in the end, I'm not going to win any awards or make a living at this triathlon business, so if I want to continue chasing dreams after this is all over, I have to keep my mind, body and soul safe. I have to stay positive in my mind, listen to my body, and constantly remind myself what my purpose is.

3. Have fun. Ok - you might think this is the same as principle 1, but having fun and being happy are two completely different things. For the most part, training is fun. It's what I enjoy, it's where many of my social circles run and when I'm celebrating everyday successes, I feel like a champ after every workout! But as I'm discovering now, Ironman training starts to get a little lonely. The number of friends willing to join you for a bike ride starts to dwindle after the 3 hour mark. Finding someone to accompany you for a 2 hour run is just as difficult. So now, I spend many, many hours training alone. I'm riding 5 to 6 or more hours on my long rides and they usually include a trip up a local mountain or to keep things interesting, a weekend trip to the Okanagan. The trick is (and this is easier said than done) to keep having fun. I think I've lucked out in that I honestly and truly LOVE riding bikes. Mountain bikes, road bikes, cruiser bikes with the baskets on the front, all of them. I love riding bikes. And although you may not believe me, I love to run. It's not as "fun" as bikes, but long runs are relaxing, they allow me to clear my mind and think quietly to myself and usually it's 1:30 - 2:00 into a run where I get my best ideas! Point is, if your dreading having to workout today, cursing your training plan the entire way up that mountain climb or looking for every and any excuse not to get into the pool today- just don't do it. Why? Nothing good will come of forcing yourself to do something you don't want to do. Rest today, go do something you really like to do and go back to that workout (or any other task your dodging) tomorrow.

Those are my thoughts of the day today (courtesy of this mornings run :). I'm really looking forward to this weekend and will post a race report soon after.

From the heat of the Okanagan... train happy, train healthy, have fun!

Canada Day 4KM swim

2010-07-03T16:37:00.003-07:00

Happy Birthday Canada! Lookin' good for your age....

I celebrated Canada's birthday with a 4 km open water swim out at Sasamat Lake. The idea was not to race, but to swim that distance (further than the Ironman swim distance) in open water, with other swimmers and in a competitive environment. My goals were simple. I wanted to finish with gas left in the tank, to swim smart and conserve energy by swimming in a draft and to stay on pace for my Ironman goal. Check, check and check. Mission accomplished.

I swam the first 2000M loop strong but for the most part alone. So on the second loop when two swimmers caught up to me, I slowed my pace and fell in line. It was slightly frustrating as they were swimming exactly the same pace as me so I didn't feel like I was making up time as much as I was just conserving energy by swimming (what felt like) uber slow. Turns out it worked for me in the end because coming out of the last marker, I felt strong and left them all behind finishing 50M ahead of them with excess fuel in the tank and just about exactly on pace. Yey me!

It was a great week of training, lots of miles both on the road and in the pool and a climb up Cypress Mountain for good measure. Next week I'm heading out to Osoyoos to prepare for the Half Iron on July 10th which should be a hot one.

Eat, sleep, swim, bike, run. That's about all that's happening around here these days. 8 weeks and counting to the big day.

Training happy and training healthy.

It's working

2010-06-21T17:45:00.017-07:00

Patrick Sullivan, captain of Team Finn and father of Finn Sullivan who died in 2008 made a pledge at last years ride that in 2010 he would be back with his team (of then 12) and they would be 100 riders strong. This year, the pink jersey's of Team Finn were 152 riders strong and together they raised over $500,000 for the BC Cancer Foundation. As such an incredible ambassador, Patrick was given the privilege and opportunity to tour hospitals and speak directly with researchers and doctors working to find a cure for cancer. He addressed the crowd at camp Saturday night with one message. It's working.

This years Ride to Conquer Cancer was 2,252 riders large and the funds raised totalled 9.2 million dollars. The clear and constant message is that we're making progress. Every dollar raised goes directly into the fight against cancer and while this road is long, this battle is tough, this task seems overwhelming, this is clear - Cancer. Will. Not. Win.

What an incredible weekend. We couldn't have asked for better weather Saturday. It was a beautiful day in Vancouver and spirits were high at the opening ceremonies. Riding out the start gates and through city blocks of supporters cheering and holding signs that read "Thank You All" it became overwhelming as it was suddenly very clear how much support there was out there. Not just for me obviously, but how many others had stories and reasons of their own for being there. Family and friends, just like mine out to support and do something in the name of those they have loved and maybe lost. It was heartwarming and heartbreaking in the same moment.

This weekend was not just about me and my loss. I wasn't the only one who lost someone this year. My sisters lost their stepmom, my aunt and uncles lost their sister and countless people lost a friend. To keep those people with me and recognize their loss and their support in fighting this fight too, attached to the back of my bike were the ribbons from some of the flower arrangements at Mom's service in January. There was one from my sister's that reads "Grandma Noie" one from her best friend Barb that says "Dearest Friend" and the ribbon from my flowers that says "Mom".

This really was an epic event. While the distances were somewhat daunting and we weren't sure "how fast" we going going to be able to go, we were quickly humbled by the variety of riders we saw. We saw mountain bikes, touring bikes (saddle bags and all), tandem bikes and believe it or not... there was even a unicycle.

Young and old, lean and round, they were all out there. The numbers of "cyclist" in full spandex and sponsor jersey's were far out numbered by average joe/jane who took this on as a challenge. The route was designed specifically for the non-cyclist taking every easy option avoiding large hills and high traffic areas. Scenery and entertainment were paramount on this ride. The pit stops were perfectly distanced apart and each one was stocked with food and water from the first peloton passing through to the last group of ladies and their flashy green wigs creatively fastened to their helmets whom arrived many hours later.

Camp on day 1 was incredibly organized. We arrived, racked our bikes and walked strategically and with great purpose first to the massage tent to book our free 15min rub down, then directly to the beer tent for our complimentary cold beverage. Once we took care of our parched pouters we picked up our bags at the truck we left it with in Vancouver and then over to our pre-assigned and already set up tent. Brilliant. We laid out our sleeping bags and grabbed our shower kits and fresh clothes and headed to the shower trailers. Expecting a soggy, dribble of luke warm (if we were lucky) water we were pleasantly surprised to find luxury mobile shower units complete with enough hot water for all, clean cozy carpeted change rooms and complimentary toiletries from foot scrub to hair gel, q-tips and face cleanser. 5 star all the way.

Day two we were not so lucky with the weather and our hot breakfast was about the only thing we enjoyed warm and dry. As if on que, the rain began as soon as we sat on our bike seats. And rain was what it did - all day. Nonetheless, we made it through. We made it to the finish line together and smiling (ok maybe a little crying). My boyfriend and Kierstie's husband drove down to meet us there and they even surprised us on the route on the side of the road cheering and yelling with support. They lugged our bikes and all our gear back to the cars and drove us home.

Looking back, this was not just another event. This event changes lives. It helps those that need it. It supports those that need a little reminder not to give up fighting, that we are all in this together. 1 in 4 people in Canada will hear the words "you have cancer". Nearly everyone you know will have been touched by this disease be it directly or indirectly, and while I see that the dollars raised go directly to the cause (all riders and even the volunteers have to pay a fee to register to cover the costs of the event) and that we're making difference, the more rewarding difference we are making for me is that we are giving hope. Families are still struggling, people are still fighting and still winning battles every day. Witnessing a mass of people this large, all in it for the same cause generates the feeling of power, inspires hope and gives strength for another day. There is strength in numbers and together, we are making a difference.

Now that its all over, the question is not "would I do it again?" the question is - who's doing it with me in 2011? I've already registered. Anthony has already joined the team and as an incredible surprise on my ride home last night, I found out that two of my amazing, incredible and awesome sisters have registered and created a Powered By Noie team in Ontario for next year.

My goal for 2011 is to have a Powered By Noie team in BC, Ontario and Alberta, each province where Mom lived, loved and had an impact on peoples lives. I want to have at least 10 riders on the BC team and raise a minimum of $25,000. If you want to ride next year, PLEASE join our team, everyone is welcome no matter what your riding experience (Anthony's already signed up and the only bikes he rides are on a mountain and going downhill). If you live in Ontario - register and join Powered By Noie. You don't have to know my sisters... just join the team! Alberta - I'm coming after you next!

Finally, I promised that I would keep all my contributors in mind this weekend and I did. I have only two very simple, but very true and heartfelt words for you. Thank you.

POWERED BY NOIE - READY

2010-06-18T09:22:00.013-07:00

So here we are. It was just a few short months ago when Kierstie and I decided to participate in this incredible event and join the fight against cancer. The fundraising was daunting and the training was going to be long, but we did it, here we are, ready to go.

First and foremost, we are so incredibly touched by the generosity of those that made contributions to our team. We set out with a goal of raising $5000 and in just 11 weeks, we've raised $6,307. We are so grateful for each gift, without you, we couldn't have done this.

So the training is done, the funds are raised and tomorrow the journey begins. The ride may only last for two days, but the Powered By Noie team is only starting to gain momentum. We've very quietly started telling people that we'll be coming back next year and already, our team has grown to 9 riders strong in BC. A friend of Mom's in Alberta has expressed interest and I know the support is in Ontario when I start looking for a team there. In 2011, Powered By Noie will span across Canada in each of the provinces where Mom had family, friends and an impact on peoples lives.

Our jerseys arrived on time and looking incredible. They are such a perfect expression and salute to Mom and what her lessons to us were.

The inspiration started with a "dream catcher". These native aboriginal pieces resemble spider webs and are are hung above or near your bed and are said to catch your dreams as you sleep. Mom had a few of these and believed in their powers. While the focal point of the jersey appears to be a flower at first glance, it's actually a closely cropped image of the center of a larger dream catcher.

Surrounding the dream catcher on either side are "power words" or words we used to both describe my Mom and what we learned from her. Repeated throughout the jersey (front and back) are the words inspire, reach, dream, conquer, perservere, laugh, love, live, happy, believe, influence, spirit, beautiful, confidence, independent,friendships, sisterhood, patience, smile, listen, kindness, fearless, miracles, family, angels.

There are two yellow panels on each side of the jersey and written length wise in white is "REACH" on the left and "INSPIRE" on the right. These are easily readable while we're riding to anyone looking at us and this way we remind others to reach for their dreams and by doing so, continue inspiring others to do the same.

Finally, my most favourite part. What you can't see is inside the collar, tightly hugged around our necks, the word "DREAM" is woven in amongst a vine of Forget Me Nots, one of Mom's favourite flowers and a perfectly appropriate symbol of why we're here.

Tomorrow morning Kierstie and I and 2000 other riders leave Vancouver at 7am to cover 262km's on our bikes. We are riding to remember those that we lost. We ride to support those that are still fighting. We ride so that some day, we won't have to ride anymore.

Becoming real

2010-06-12T20:19:00.004-07:00

By last Wednesday I had had enough of the grey and rain in Vancouver and with very little planning, packed my things and headed to Penticton in search of heat, training and sun. I've found all three.

Thanks to a great friend that lives here, I've got super stellar accommodations right in Penticton. I arrived Thursday by noon and by 12:35 I was in the lake for my first swim in OK Lake. The water was a bit cold and I got the heebie-jeebies swimming alone once I couldn't see the bottom of the lake. I normally do fine in open water, but something spooks me about being out there alone. I guess I figure if OgoPogo or the OK Lake Creepy Crawlies are going to swoop in and have me for brunch, if I was with a group of people, then being a part of a sea monster buffet was just my fate. However, swimming alone is just setting yourself up for disaster - far less selection. Plus, my Mom told me never to swim alone.

Anyhow, after lunch I headed out for a nice and easy 1:35min run. Since I had never actually seen the Ironman run course after it leaves downtown Penticton, I was SO excited to finally be running it (or part of it anyway).

This whole "awesome" approach to training has been incredible. Since redirecting my focus from performance to attitude, my entire experience has changed. I feel better, I train better and even though I haven't done any number crunching, I wouldn't be surprised to see that I'm getting faster.

Being here in Penticton has a completely different feeling for me this year. It's really real now and in a few short months I'll be running these streets and calling myself an Ironman. Unbelievable. I was thinking about that as I ran along side beautiful Skaha Lake and the smile on my face was ear to ear. Anyone passing me must have thought I was crazy. For approximately 16km's I was grinning so huge that at some points I was laughing. I'm just so proud and happy to be here.

Today I went out for an epic bike ride in the valley. Last year I was so impressed with British Columbia when I rode out in Osoyoos for the first time. The desert and mountains and lakes are amazing. Today though, I rode some of the most beautiful landscape I have ever seen. Not just in BC or in Canada - ever, anywhere. I left from Pentiction and past Skaha Lake into OK Falls and took a somewhat backroad (paved obviously) and rode up and over the mountain pass into the valley. Wineries, ranches, desert and beautiful, incredible, postcard perfect emerald green and turquoise lakes. The day was perfect - blue bird sky and 28 degrees. Awesome.

While it was a pretty ride scenery wise, I certainly worked for it. There are very little flats in the Okanagan. Seems your almost always either going up or coming down. After 4 hours of riding, I was toast. I definitely deserved that funky-monkey booster juice and the nap on the beach afterwards.

Tomorrow, another swim and an equally epic 2:30 run coming my way. Can't wait.

I brought my camera but it died before I could take the first photo. This shot from my blackberry as I cruised down a mountain road will have to do for now. It does no justice.

The Book of Awesome

2010-06-08T15:16:00.004-07:00

What an amazing week. Following last weeks stellar training performances, I spent a bit of time crusin' through a bunch of different blogs that I like to follow. Through one of these, I found a link to an inspiring post-race, race report from an obviously talented long course triathlete. Seeing as my theme of the day was "feeling awesome" this guys report was both timely and relevant.

He mentions early in his post that when it came to his training, choosing his mental state was not enough, he was going to have to practice it. This made a whole lot of sense too me, especially after my promise to celebrate every success with myself. So that's what I did this week - I practiced feeling awesome.

It started with simple things, like keeping a big hardy grin on my face as I walk to and from the pool. Then it turned into a skip in my step and a bounce during my run, but on Thursday, my practising awesomeness kicked into high gear.

It's been raining and basically crap weather in Vancouver for God knows how long now and although Kierstie and I had planned a rain-or-shine training ride, we still bailed out due to the torrential downpour we were experiencing downtown. I mean, it was raining puddles. So instead we opted for the much dryer (and far more rare) trip to the gym. Gasp! I know... the gym (I hate the gym). I took advantage of the machines and free weights that were available on this one time guest pass opportunity I was granted and we worked our upper bodies like there would never be another chance to do another Lat Pull Down... ever. Well wouldn't you know it, but before our workout was over, the rain stopped. So, not missing any opportunity, I ditched the free weights and ran home to jump on my bike. I was headed out for the 60km ride I had originally planned for.

Ok - so after 45km's of hills on the North Shore, I was starting to feel that gym workout. Plus, in all my excitement of clear skies I forgot to eat after the gym. Time to start practising awesome. Ever heard that phrase "fake it 'till ya make it"?

I was riding like I was dragging a spare tire behind me. I had almost made it home but there was still one very large obstacle in my way. That damn Lions Gate Bridge is my nemesis. It's always a bitch to get over, especially at the end of a hard (or what feels like hard) ride. Any how, up I went. Head down I imagined a giant magnet on the back of the guy who was in front of me. I pictured my legs attached to a pulley system that with each spin of my pedals, pulled me closer to the top. And finally, my mind was roaring. Screaming! BOOMING like a machine - I FEEL AWWWWWESOMMMME!

Well it worked. The guy in front of me never dropped me and I moved up and over that stupid bridge 3km's /hr faster than on my best of days.

So maybe practise will make perfect. I figure if I want to race feeling awesome, I should train that way to.

If that wasn't enough, this weekend while shopping around my fav wholesale membership club chain warehouse for a years supply of toilet paper and toothpaste, from out of the corner of my eye I see a book staring me down. I kid you not - The Book of AWESOME.

A totally different kind of awesome. Like high-fiving babies, putting on underwear right out of the dryer and remembering that movie that that guy is from. That kind of awesome. Any how, since it was my theme of the week, I figured I can't pass up such an obvious sign from the universe and I made my whole sale purchase. Now have an book to bring to the beach and something new to share with all of you. See side bar for Sarah's Fav Awesome Things.

Finally, I'll end on letting everyone know that Powered By Noie has raised over $6,100 for this years Ride To Conquer Cancer. That's so incredible. Kierstie and I are so ready for this ride and we are so grateful for all the support we've received. Thank you all so very much. The ride is in less than two weeks and we can't wait.

Happy training everyone! Train happy, train healthy!

What makes you awesome?

2010-05-31T12:04:00.007-07:00

So remember my post about celebrating successes? How I decided that I needed to get back to a place where every little achievement should be celebrated for the success that it is? People have shared their successes with me since then and I LOVE hearing them. From throwing punches in the air at the top of a hill or using the Rocky theme song as your own, people are celebrating what makes them awesome and yesterday I did the samething.

Despite the crapola weather that is sticking around in Vancouver I still got to the pool for a swim with the club and the last technical workout in the pool before we hit the open water next week. It was a killer workout complete with lots of high intensity speed work. An hour and a half later, I considered my butt kicked.

As per the Sunday tradition, I got myself out of the pool, changed and headed out for my long run. My back injury has me a bit behind schedule as far as the long runs are concerned but I'm ok with that because I'm still injury free, feeling strong and on a solid road to recovery.

However, running with a couple of girls that are a bit faster than me made me work that much harder. I was looking forward to a nice easy long (and flat) run along the seawall but my running mates had something else in mind. "We'll just run along the seawall, back up to UBC and along 16th back to the pool". Sounds good to me, a nice easy 1:45 loop. But wait.... seawall to UBC?? There's only one way to get up to UBC from the seawall at Spanish Banks... DAMN IT! For those not familiar with Vancouver landscape - I'm talking about a loooong, giant hill. It's big. Anyhow, standing at the bottom of the hill is too late to change the plan. Plus, I wasn't whimping out while my girls and the rest of the gang have already started up.

Head down, grinding away and ignoring all the convincing reasons why I needed a break, deserved to stop, or should just walk for a minute, I trucked all the way up without stopping. I certainly wasn't the first one to the top, dead last actually. But I made it, I never stopped and that's what makes me awesome. Although I didn't do my "649 Happy Dance" right then and there... believe me, I was celebrating :)

It feels good to acknowledge when you've done something your proud of even if it's just to yourself. In fact, most importantly if it's just to yourself. Big or small, everyday we can find something thats worth celebrating. My focus right now is training so a lot of my successes are found there but not everyone's are. What's important to you right now? Where are your little achievements everyday? What makes you awesome?

An uninspiring mood

2010-05-29T15:00:00.004-07:00

Well, it's been 7 days straight (maybe even more) of grey, cloud and pissing rain. I've been looking for something inspiring to post on my blog as a few have been asking for updates, but to be honest, I've really got nothing all that exciting to tell.

Despite the weather, training has been going well. After a day of rest and yoga following last weekends race, I was back on my bike Wednesday morning. I had great plans for a nice ride over to the North Shore to Honey's in Deep Cove (one of my fave destination rides for coffee and yummies) but instead, because of the threat of down pour, I circled Stanley Park for an hour and forty-five minutes so that if/when the rain came, I wasn't to far from home. Good workout... but booorrrrring. I need a rain bike.

I hit the pool for an awesome workout Wednesday morning. Not just any pool either - the Kitsalano Beach outdoor, saltwater, 137M (longest outdoor pool in Canada) pool. I got into my wetsuit for the first time since last summer and had a helluva time getting into it. I swear those things shrink over the winter. Good thing there were a few other ladies struggling just the same so I didn't feel so bad. I swam 55min constant. Nice and slow, nice and easy.

Later that afternoon I headed out to Anthony's place and we geared up for a run. We wanted to head out to a favourite trial of ours around Buntzen Lake, although we were a bit lazy and by the time we got our butts in gear rush hour traffic had changed our minds and we opted for a high intensity hill workout closer to home. Good on Anthony for workin' out with me :)

Today I faced the ultimate test in training boredom. It's long ride day and of course, I woke up to pissing rain and wet roads. Not wanting to pass up my long ride this week, I pulled out my trainer and jumped on with the TV remote in hand. Two and a half hours and 5 Do-It-Yourself home reno shows on HGTV later and I was bored out of my brain. It wasn't the 3:15 I was hoping to get in, but I couldn't do it anymore. I was looking at the clock every 3 minutes hoping that 15min had passed. At least I got a good sweat in. Plus, I popped in P90X Ab Ripper video immediately after the ride (which was 30min) so I figure I got in the workout I needed.

I hate the rain. I used to love it. Coming from Toronto where you can count on the nice weather in the summer - always sunny and HOT HOT HOT - one rainy day was a nice relief and excuse to stay inside and watch movies. In Vancouver, the novelty of the rain has worn off, and my patience for rainy days is wearing thin (not to mention my levels of Vitamin D reserves). Now that I've decided to take all this time off to enjoy the summer and play in BC, all this rain is putting a serious damper on my big summer plans.

Sigh....

Well, there is some good news to share. Powered By Noie, has now raised $5,505 for the Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting the BC Cancer Foundation. That's incredible! If you're still looking to pledge your support, please visit Kierstie's page and contribute through her. We still need your support!

Also - my sister Jen has decided to do the Orillia Triathlon in Ontario! Congratulations Jen!!! You should be proud of yourself just for signing up - that's usually the toughest part. Now that your committed to it - your training will come with more motivation than ever. I'm so proud of you! I wish I could be there to cheer you on. This will be Jen's first Sprint distance Triathlon since doing her first Try-a-Tri a few years ago. I love it! Way to go Jen.
That's all for today. Rumour has it the sun is going to make a short appearance tomorrow. I'm so excited I can't contain myself (said with rainy, cloudy,droopy sarcasm).

I hope where ever your training your doing it happy and healthy.

North Shore Triathlon report

2010-05-24T15:17:00.007-07:00

Today was the first race of the season. The North Shore Triathlon is always a great start to the year, it's a short race, fun and always well organized. This was also a special event because after three years of training together and supporting one another, this was the first time my fellow TriHard Tash and I were actually racing against each other. We've travelled to races and raced the same race, but always different distances. Today we went head-to-head.

I had a few goals for this race, but really only one important one. Have fun. Because of my recent revelation in my approach to training, this was a true test of my progress. I decided not to train with the club all the time because I found that it created too much of a window for negativity for me. Comparing myself to others in the club left me feeling frustrated and unsatisfied with my progress. I've been feeling fantastic the last few weeks and taking it slow(er) coming out of my back injury. I've scheduled training sessions around when I feel my best and when I can workout with friends (especially Kierstie as we train for The Ride).

Today, my time goals set aside, I focused on having a great day, staying positive throughout and keeping my intentions internal. This was a race for me.

Turns out that it wasn't a bad way to approach it. I had an an incredible day. It was fun to race against Tash even though she beat me by 3 minutes in the end. We started our swims in different lanes and slightly staggered so she was a bit behind me to start. Although I felt a little "hunted" the entire race, it was great motivation. Tash is a really strong runner and all I wanted was to finish the run still ahead of her. I held her off until the last 200M or so through the trails when even though I couldn't see her.... I had an eary sense (probably like how prey feels when their being stalked in the woods.... ) then just as expected about 50M from the finish I hear her yell out at me. I turned up the heat and we sprinted to the finish. I physically crossed the finish line before her, and technically she didn't pass me, but individually her run time was 2 minutes faster and she did beat me. But, I had a ton of fun, it was great being out there with her and I can't wait to race again.

Results:

Swim - 14:56

Bike - 39:20

Run - 25:02

Overall - 1:19:16 (8th in my age group)

In the end I had an incredible day. All goals achieved and huge smiles all around. Mission accomplished.

Next up: The Ride to Conquer Cancer - June 19-20.

POWERED BY NOIE - UPDATE

2010-05-10T16:48:00.007-07:00

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to my Ride To Conquer Cancer campaign. I am so happy to tell you that I have reached my goal of raising $2,500 for the BC Cancer Foundation and continue to receive support.

Today I have received a total of $2,845 in donations.

Kierstie and I have great ideas for POWERED BY NOIE starting with trying to get at least 10 riders on the team for next year. With 10 riders, we can raise $25,000 to help the fight against cancer.

To keep us looking sharp and to encourage others to join us, Kierstie hooked us up with a designer friend of hers who graciously donated her creative talent and industry hook ups to create custom cycling jerseys that we think represent Mom well and are a reflection of why we started to do this. They will be here in just a few weeks.

POWERED BY NOIE is at 87% of our goal this year of raising $5,000. If you are still looking to lend us your support, we still need your help. Please use the link below to make your donation via Kierstie's page. All the support goes to the same place so it doesn't matter if you donate through my page or hers (because I've reached my goal, I'd like to help her reach hers).

Click HERE to support POWERED BY NOIE.

Both Kierstie and I have been overwhelmed by your support. We've received so many well wishes and are inspired and motivated more than ever. Thank you.

A story of successes

2010-05-05T14:51:00.009-07:00

Comfort and confidence. Two things I'd like a little more of these days. I'm inside of 4 months to Ironman and with the unpredictability of the last 5 months, I'm doing everything possible not to let the unruliness of my life lately accidentally hit the panic button on my Ironman dreams.

I started this post recapping exactly how tough the last 5 months have been, but I've just deleted it all and decided to continue with a different perspective. Here's something that I read in a Tea Shop (of all places) this morning.

"Writing our goals and intentions down on paper is a powerful act. By simply naming and visualizing our dreams and desires, we move closer to realizing them. As we discover what it is we really want, we attain the power to create our own destinies and change our lives."

---
"Change isn't easy. Readjusting patterns that we have had for years takes work. Don't waste time blaming yourself or anyone else - neither will get you closer to your goal. Remember to take time to celebrate every one of your successes, something too few of us do, in order to stay motivated and positive. Be sure to recognize when circumstances change and shift direction accordingly."

These two montra's of "intention" hit home for me. The first one because it's something SO SIMPLE and has such a huge impact. I have a board in my front hallway that has random clippings of magazine articles, photos of places I'd like to go, things I'd like to do and most importantly, things that inspire me to keep going. When I say "things" they are just that. I printed a comment that both my Mom and Dad posted on my blog a long time ago where both of them say how proud they are of me. I have that pinned up there front and center. I have inspirational quotes/articles from magazines, and of course, I have my Ironman registration confirmation page pinned right up at the top.

I don't stop and read these things everyday, I rarely re-read them after I post them. But there they are, a part of my every day life just as much as anything else in my home.

Stumbling upon that second quote was the universes way of telling me that I'm on the right track. Being on the slow road to recovery with this back injury, I've reconsidered my approach to training moving ahead with my Ironman preparation.

I train with a group of triathletes through a club here in Vancouver. The athletes in the club all vary in abilities and experience, but for the most part, these are fairly accomplished athletes with serious fitness and racing goals. Where their triathlon goals and successes lack, they usually make up in many years of running/cycling/swimming experience which still makes them contending athletes all around. This can make this a daunting group to train with on my best of days.

I've always struggled with the conflict between being highly competitive and lacking natural athletic talent. This has gotten particularly worse since I've started training harder, and taking my triathlon goals more seriously. I can't seem to shake off the negativity when I get lapped, passed or dropped in the workouts. The screaming thoughts of "you've been doing this for how long?? and you still can't keep up with the pack?" "Why is this so hard? Everyone else is breezing through this workout and I'm dropping back" "I put so much effort in.... how come I'm still so far behind?"

I know and understand the concept of "run your own race" "train for you, not for them" and that everyone is at different levels. But it's still really devastating to me not to be the athlete that I wish so badly I was. I've tried, I can't seem to shake it.

So... Here's my point. I've been starting to panic about my progress training this year and when I look at my clubs training program seeing that I should be going out for a 3.30h bike ride on Saturday and after a swim workout Sunday morning, I should be heading out for my 2.00h easy run, I'm already disappointed that today I am only back running 45 minutes after my injury.

Ok, ok, before you remind me that I'm recovering and that I should take it easy... I know. But it just doesn't help to keep me positive and motivated when I'm reminded exactly where I'm supposed to be... and where I'm not.

Here's where the change comes in. I've decided that I won't likely be training with the club much more. I need to get back to a place in my mind where Ironman isn't about a race or a sport, but what it's always been about to me - a crazy dream and the journey getting there. I'm setting myself free of the self destruction of mile repeats on the track or keeping up with a pace line. I'm going back to celebrating every little success in a way I deserve (and need).

When I started this journey I could barely run a mile. I did my first triathlon on a mountain bike and breaststroked my way through the 750M swim. Now, when I climb up Cypress Mountain I'm disappointed because (usually) I'm the last one to the top. WHAT THE HELL?? I just climbed a mountain... that's worth celebrating!

The last thing I want is to cross the finish line at Ironman and look back and think "I could have been faster. I should have made up more time. Everyone I trained with finished hours ago." Like hell I'm gonna let that happen. From this day forward, mine is a story of successes.

I ran 45 minutes today. I'm on my way baby. See you at the finish line.

Ironman accommodation

2010-04-29T10:43:00.010-07:00

Attention Ironman supporters, friends, family and cheerleaders alike! If you are planning to come support me during Ironman you need to book your accommodation now. I know it's months away... actually 4 months to the day... but this event takes over the Okanagan this week and trying to find a bed to sleep in just for the weekend is near impossible.

Luckily, I stumbled upon this great B&B that just opened and their reservations are WIDE open. It's a beautiful luxury home on a 10 acre lot with incredible views and incredible rooms. They serve a gourmet breakfast every morning. Get this... not only will they rent just for the weekend, but they are offering 20% off their already reasonable rates because they've just re-opened after renovations.

I've already booked the private suite for my Dad and sister that are coming out from Toronto, but there is still the two private bedrooms in the upper portion of the house. If you are thinking about coming out, please let me know. I'm not posting the name/website of the place in fear that someone I don't know will swoop in and book it :)

If your interested, send me an email and I'll give you the details. I'd love to have you out there and I'd hate you to miss out on coming because accommodation has been so hard to find.

CLICK HERE TO EMAIL ME!

Happy training all!

Sarah

POWERED BY NOIE

2010-03-31T09:51:00.018-07:00

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.

Another strange reality

2010-03-30T20:34:00.010-07:00

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.

la nouvelle bicyclette

2010-03-28T18:15:00.004-07:00

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!

The strength to endure

2010-03-24T09:16:00.003-07:00

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.

The end is near...

2010-03-19T07:58:00.002-07:00

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.