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.