Its hard to believe I've been in the Oshawa area for 10 years this year. Barry and I went home to Almonte on the weekend to celebrate his birthday at the Sens vs. Leafs game. We visited my good friend Patty in Pakenham and spent the afternoon in Almonte. I always get excited about going home but I'm so disappointed afterward. I guess I'm homesick for what was there but I have been away for so long the community has changed. No longer can I walk up street and see people I know. My heart will always long for Almonte and my childhood memories but Oshawa is home now.
Oshawa has opened so many doors, doors that I would never have considered. This crazy world of triathlon being one. It was only when I moved this way that I decided to take that leap and become physically active. Actually Barry helped make that happen. I have met so many great people through this sport.
Elaine is one of those people. Elaine has decided to move with her job out west. I'm so excited for the new memories and new possibilities this change with bring for her. Elaine was one of the first people to speak to me in bike class and ask what race am I training for. This was before I considered this crazy sport. Always cheerful, encouraging and a teacher who shared a wealth of knowledge with a newbie. It won't the be same without Elaine but I wish her happiness and all her dreams come true.
Liz
Training for a race requires a lot of time and I use this time to help raise funds for others.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Sunday, February 17, 2013
ups and downs
It might be cold but it is sunny. There really isn't anything like a cold winter day with the sun shinning off the snow and a crisp blue sky. It seems to me the sky is more blue in the winter then the summer.
Yesterday morning I ventured out to IronMotivation's Monster Spin for 2 hours of bliss. It has been at least three Saturdays since I have gone due to the tiredness left behind by the flu. Coach Paul wrote a new program called spring is in the air. It is close but I have yet to smell my first real spring smell. Coming from the country, living next to a farm and spending much time on my cousin's farm you know it is spring when they are preparing the fields and all you smell going past is manure. Yep, that is a real scent of spring. Back to spin. The class had lots of ups and downs (hills) to work our fitness. Maybe it was being rested, or having a good amount of protein powder in my oatmeal, or maybe it was being in the right frame of mind but it was an awesome ride. It has been a long time since I have been in the zone and yesterday it was there. It was a huge success and something I really needed mentally.
That brings me to what I have been struggling with - the swim. I have been so discouraged (down) as of late as I feel I am not getting any faster and actually feel I am getting slower. Considering where I came from I guess I'm still further ahead but its so frustrating as it seems any improvement has stalled. SwimSmooth is a web site decidated to helping the freestyle swimmer improve their technique. Coach Paul mentioned it some time back so I have been looking at it recently. They divide swimmers into six swim types of which today I would consider myself as the overglider. The overglider is serious and thoughtful about improving their swim. In other words I over think. Sometimes its good but when it comes to swimming it can get in the way of just enjoying the swim. Today its off to the pool for 2600m with my pool-bouys (working on my body position) and hopefully a brain that is not over thinking. Then afterwards it might be off to Ajax to check out a treadmill. It is time to think about running again in very small doses and a treadmill will be a good addition to the elliptical.
Enjoy family day weekend. Get out and enjoy the sun. Just bundle up and you'll be fine.
Liz
Yesterday morning I ventured out to IronMotivation's Monster Spin for 2 hours of bliss. It has been at least three Saturdays since I have gone due to the tiredness left behind by the flu. Coach Paul wrote a new program called spring is in the air. It is close but I have yet to smell my first real spring smell. Coming from the country, living next to a farm and spending much time on my cousin's farm you know it is spring when they are preparing the fields and all you smell going past is manure. Yep, that is a real scent of spring. Back to spin. The class had lots of ups and downs (hills) to work our fitness. Maybe it was being rested, or having a good amount of protein powder in my oatmeal, or maybe it was being in the right frame of mind but it was an awesome ride. It has been a long time since I have been in the zone and yesterday it was there. It was a huge success and something I really needed mentally.
That brings me to what I have been struggling with - the swim. I have been so discouraged (down) as of late as I feel I am not getting any faster and actually feel I am getting slower. Considering where I came from I guess I'm still further ahead but its so frustrating as it seems any improvement has stalled. SwimSmooth is a web site decidated to helping the freestyle swimmer improve their technique. Coach Paul mentioned it some time back so I have been looking at it recently. They divide swimmers into six swim types of which today I would consider myself as the overglider. The overglider is serious and thoughtful about improving their swim. In other words I over think. Sometimes its good but when it comes to swimming it can get in the way of just enjoying the swim. Today its off to the pool for 2600m with my pool-bouys (working on my body position) and hopefully a brain that is not over thinking. Then afterwards it might be off to Ajax to check out a treadmill. It is time to think about running again in very small doses and a treadmill will be a good addition to the elliptical.
Enjoy family day weekend. Get out and enjoy the sun. Just bundle up and you'll be fine.
Liz