"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent van Gogh

Wow - sorry, it's been almost a whole month between posts. It has been a crazy month. In the past few weeks, I managed to loose my job, and get a new one. That was an emotional roller-coaster, and for a time there the prospects of running an adventure race seemed bleak. It's taught me a lot about stability, and always being prepared. It's time to start investing in myself and my family.

The benefit of the new gig is more motivation to get in shape. The race plans are still on, with the added motivation that I am now working as a Firefighter. It will be more and more important for me to get in shape now - as it's important to be in shape for my own safety on the job.

I am hoping over the next few weeks to develop an actual workout plan. I find one of the hardest things about motivating myself is a lack of a plan. It's difficult to visualize what you are doing, and what you are working towards. I also tend to feel lost once at the gym, since you don't really know what to work on. So step 1 will be to begin formulating a workout schedule/plan.

Step 2 will be nutrition. This can be a touchy subject. It seems everyone has their own opinions about what works, and usually they are at odds with each other. This will take more time and research. Of course, the obvious "eat less ice cream, etc." can be immediately applied.

"Anytime you suffer a setback or disappointment, put your head down and plow ahead" - Les Brown

The last couple of weeks have been rather sedentary, to say the least. I worked 17 days straight at work and managed to do great getting to the gym during the first 8 days. But the second half I think I went only twice. It was difficult once I passed the day I would normally have gone home. After that I was just generally tired, and went right back to my room after supper. I am not planning on doing a long stint like that again, and will make sure this coming 8 days I am in the gym for all of them.

I have been home for a long 12 days, in which we have moved into our new house. I love our new house. And have been busy unpacking and moving. Not much physical work though... unless you count building Ikea bookcases and exercise.

The two other team members we were hoping to talk into joining us on the race (as you need a co-ed team of 4) weren't able to commit. This is a bit of a big setback. Our plan is to follow a few leads on two other team members, and continue planning to do the entire event. If unable to find any teammates, we will enter the Half Moon in August race instead. This is a one day event - a sprint race, that will still be a huge challenge for me. People continue to tell me this is what we should be doing anyway to start... but I still think if your gonna do it... go big.

I have had the opportunity to meet some marathoners, and triathletes. And it has me a bit worried. These are people who have trainers. And get up at 5a.m. to run, bike and swim. Who eat, breath and sleep this stuff. Who eat specialty foods and workout religiously. I wish I could be that person... well, I wish I could be determined like that person. I am not sure if I have it in me... we'll just have to see.

A Quick Update

So last week at work I was successful in my goal of using the elliptical for 30mins each day. This time I am up for a LONG 16 days, so it's been harder already to motivate myself to work out. I just keep doing more and more research about Adventure Racing, and it gets me out the door and into the gym. I am being fairly successful on eating healthier as well, although still have a long way to go.

I am hoping that sometime when I am back home I will hike up to the summit of Mount Yamnuska, and can get out on the bike a few times. I have found some courses that may be worthwhile: a bike repair course, a wilderness navigation course, and a adventure race training weekend.

Gotta hit the book store as well! So much to do! I was going to take tonight off from working out. But now I feel guilty - so off to the gym...

"Ordinarily he was insane, but he had lucid moments when he was merely stupid." - Heinrich Heine

START:

Weight: 230lbs
Chest: 45.5 inches
Abdomen: 44.5 inches
Hip: 46 inches

This weeks goal:
- 30 mins elliptical everyday while at work. Just to get into the habit of going, and ease into working out again.
- make healthier food choices.

Beginnings...

Two of the Paramedics I am working with this week have seen the Full Moon In June race - 1 as a participant, and 1 as the medical staff. Their descriptions are less than comforting, yet still exciting. This is not going to be an easy challenge. It's not an easy challenge for most athletes. And I am no athlete. But rewards seem to be directly proportional to the amount of effort put in. Something that is easy to accomplish will never provide the same feelings with accomplishment as something much more difficult. Or so I hope!

Back at work this week, my main challenge will be to eat healthier and work out regularly. For anyone that has been to a worksite camp, you know that healthy eating can be a HUGE issue. Not that the food here is not fantastic, because it is at this camp, but it's comfort food. And they have amazing goodies available 24/7. Donuts. Rice Krispies Squares. Cookies. Ice Cream. I could go on. And on. Drinks are pop or juice (with more sugar than the pop). You can eat bacon, sausage, eggs, pancakes and frenchtoast every morning for breakfast. There are lots of temptations. The good news is there is fresh fruit, salads, water, yogurt and healthy cereals - so it's just a matter of making the right choice. Gee... that sounds so easy.

Making sure I get to the gym everyday can be a challenge as well. I am working 12.5hr nights at the moment, and it throws your rhythms off. Getting there is the biggest battle and I figure making it a habit will lead to the best success. I am happy to say that today I made it, and spent 30 mins on the elliptical. A small start, but a start none-the-less.

I've also been researching the race (training, gear, etc.) and trying to get a plan in place. The team needs to be finalized, and there's lots of other things to think about. I really enjoy this part of the process. Planning is nearly as much fun as the execution!


"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." - Martin Luther King Jr.


INSIGHT #1: buy your footwear soon. Don't attempt to race in new footwear that hasn't been broken in.

"Life is either a great adventure or nothing" - Hellen Keller

I just turned 30 the other month. Granted that's not old, but it was tougher than I thought. Even though I have accomplished lots, I always wanted to get in shape. Motivation isn't exactly my strong point. I like lazy. It's easy. We all know the health benefits of an active lifestyle. And now that I have my 3 boys, you start to realize that not only do you want to live long to be with them, you want to be a good role model for them too. So lazy has to go.

In order to get myself in shape (finally) I have decided to enter into a 36 hour adventure race - The Full Moon in June. Mountain biking, paddling, hiking... it will be CRAZY! And the most difficult thing I have ever done - at least physically. I will have to begin training now in order to be even somewhat prepared.

So I decided to start this blog, because I figure my biggest hurdle will be my laziness, and I hope that by making this public I will feel obligated to see this through to the end. I am really looking forward to the adventure, and I am really excited that I managed to talk my best friend into joining the team. I new I could count on him getting in over his head as well.