A quick update

Oh, I know I'm a lucky lady. My family is healthy, happy and wonderfully entertaining. My husband is my hero and my mentor-he is the glue that holds us all together. Steve just finished his first Half Iron (and only his 3rd tri) and did it well. Next up for Steve-Penticton and Ironman Canada in August. It will be epic!

Running is going well-I've finished 2 marathons since my last post and am looking ahead to two exciting events:
North Face Canadian Death Race, August 4/5 in Grand Cache, Alberta
Bank of America Chicago Marathon, October 7

                                                    Lindsay, myself, Jeanette and Shawna


I'm having a blast running the trails around Colwood with Jeanette and Shawna, two of my Death Race teammates. They are showing me the ropes and converting me to the call of the wild, no question.  We are 6 weeks out from the 125km relay with everyone healthy and looking forward to Grand Cache.

                                                               Spring 2012 Photos

Made the B corral for Chicago with a 3:29:52 at BMO Vancouver Marathon (F45-49) on May 6, 2012

Brutal Half at the Goddess Run

Fun before the race-at the Goddess Run, Langford, BC

Sue, Karen, Marcela, Lori, Kate, Jeanette, myself, Lindsay, Shawna

                                              

Being Introspective

Its been a month since I completed the 30 Day Challenge.  My intention was set to begin running again and for the first two weeks I stayed true to my word. Then came week 3.


After traveling to Vancouver for work, I returned to Victoria inspired and excited for work and training. My body, however was not cooperating with me and my energy level was bottoming out. Diagnosis: Influenza B and bronchitis. 


Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I decided to be introspective and came up with Lesson #1 for March: patience. I'm sure Lesson #2 is just around the bend.


Back to bed now. Its almost time for my second dose of Tamiflu :-)

28 Classes in 27 Days

Day 26
Friday 9 Lemons met at Bikram Victoria to propose to instructor Ken Mayes. We have such a great relationship with Ken and his studio and were excited about the possibility of Ken being associated with the lululemon Victoria Ambassador program again. Guess what? He said YES!! Welcome Ken as lululemon Victoria's newest Yoga Ambassador!


To celebrate, we all sweated it out in Ken's 4pm class (and I do mean sweat). Ken is such an inspirational teacher; making class interesting and fun, while motivating each yogi to have a great practice. Thank you Paula, Jess, Sheryl, Scott, Courtney, Steph, Alycia, Lauren and Steve for amazing celebration! This group was composed of experienced yogis and newbies. I was so proud of Alycia and Steph for sticking it out in the hot room. Way to go!


Day 27
In late December 2010, my uncle John passed away from Leukemia in California. His passing has left a hole that can never been filled. His laugh, presence, beautiful photos that he took so often and love will always be remember and cherished. John's life has inspired Steve and I to raise awareness and funds for Leukemia research. Later on this year we plan to use our running to do this, but the first opportunity came up Saturday, February 5.


Jacqueline and John Ellis, studio owners of Bikram Yoga Westshore, put on an incredible event-a Yogathon. All funds raised went to the B.C. Children's Hospital Foundation in the name of Baby Molly Campbell (a local girl receiving treatment in Vancouver). Bikram Yoga Westshore provided the venue, yoga teachers and general support for the event. Steve got sponsors from the Dive Unit and practiced 4.5 hours in 105F heat at Bikram Yoga Westshore. That means 3 consecutive classes in a row. I only did a double and was exhausted. Steve, you and the other yogis there that day were awesome!


For more information about Baby Molly and to donate directly to her family, please visit  http://molly-campbell.com/

Today is Superbowl Sunday and that means a day off from yoga. My first in 28 days. Now I only have two days to go and my 30 Day Challenge is complete. 


What is next?

2/3 Through-Who Knew?

Well, its official~I've made it 2/3 through the Bikram 30 Day Challenge. Only 10 more days of practice (in a row) and then its back to, well, I'm not sure what...

You see, I kind of like this working out each and every day. Its stimulating mentally, physically and I am feeling fantastic through this great adventure. 

The other day, I learned that in cobra, I'm supposed to raise my quads off the floor, while keeping my feet on the ground. Who knew?

I learned to hold on to my heels completely with my hands (not just pinch the heels) in camel. Funny I never EVER made that connection before.

The more I practice, the more it is making sense to me what is possibly possible in my yoga practice. 

Friday Steve and I went out for Indian Food at Amrikko's, and discussed what it would be like to travel to India and practice yoga. How silly was that? I mean, it IS the other side of the world...

And I want to go.

Day 14 (A.K.A. Now I know what they were talking about)

Yesterday I had a nice 30 minute mrp run in mild temperatures, to some great Dub Step music, and felt absolutely amazing. An hour later I went to practice with Steph (Steve's sister) and left feeling invigorated and ready for the world. 


I'm serious-the day was fantastic!! Grand Opening of Lindsay Knazan's Fierce Studio in Victoria,  a visit to Hatley Castle with the kids and my niece Amanda, a great dinner and excellent evening company.  The fact that Day 14 of the Challenge was looming ahead wasn't even on my mind. 


However, this morning reality hit. Hard. NOW I KNOW WHAT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT. It was the dreaded "almost halfway point" of the Challenge and it reared its ugly head at the beginning of my practice. I took a knee. I took another knee. Head spinning, sweating like mad, and my inner conversations with myself on high, I somehow made it through the class. 


Thank you Jo for being in there with me!!


I also want to thank my incredible husband Steve who has stood by me, all the while holding down the fort. He has made the dinners, arranged the kid activities and made this all possible for me. Every once in awhile, he even takes a class :-)


Tomorrow is Day 15, the Halfway Point. Motivational Monday.  "Downhill from here on out".


If only I could get motivated to do a run before my bedtime calls me..

I Made it to DAY 11!

I'm a third of the way finished with my 30 Day Hot Yoga Challenge at Bikram Westshore in Langford! Here's a snapshot of how its going so far:

Day 1: So excited!! This was great!!

Day 2:  Tough practice, sore from the day before, but OK.

Day 3 and 4: No big deal-I got this.

Day 5: I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE.
Several people asked me what I was taking for electrolytes. I mumbled something about not using electrolytes back at them. How did I think I was going to sweat buckets and feel fantastic with just water as a replenisher? This should of been a no-brainer. I mean, when I run long, I am sure to take in both water and electrolytes so I feel and perform my best. My life shifted to wonderful after several glasses of electrolyte drink.

Day 6-9: With electrolytes on board and closer attention to hydration I started to feel like a million bucks. Well, maybe $100, but at least it wasn't like the tortuous previous practice.

On Saturday, I was lucky enough to be in Lynn Whitfield's class that she offered before her seminar~what an amazing 90 minutes! Seriously, I heard instructions I've never heard before that helped me through postures. This included the part where she stood next to me during Cobra and yelled "Up, up, up? Geez girl, I'm going to have a heart attack if you don't lift up more!".

There are 53 people enrolled in the Challenge at Bikram Westshore. My teachers, Yelena, Laurel, Jax, Steve, Lynn have been so supportive during my practices and it's truly made a difference in the way I feel mentally and physically. Now I'm feeling more flexible, I hear more in the instructions, I work harder in class with their guidance, and most excitingly, savasana has become my good friend. Now to stop thinking about that sweat that keeps going up my nose during Camel Pose. Am I the only one this happens to?

Day 10: Niki Hatter and Jo Rosen were there to spur me on in Yelena's class. Its so great to have a network of support and encouragement. Jo is doing the Challenge with a sprained ankle-that's dedication.

At the end of Day 10 practice, several of us were talking about the kinds of stickers we put up next to our name on the 30 Day Challenge board. I proudly declared mine to be a turtle. One of the women turned and asked what the turtle meant to me. My answer: "It was the one that goes after the whale in my sea life sticker pattern".

Today, Day 11, I  chose the sparkly tiger sticker. Why? Because I wanted a bit of sparkle in my day. After my 6am practice was over, I knew I had gotten it.

Here I am...

     Tonight I am sitting at my computer excited about my newest adventure-the Bikram Hot Yoga 30 Day Challenge. Never in a million years would I imagine myself embarking on this journey (yeah, yeah, I know, everyone says that). 

     The thing of it is, I was pretty much only interested in running and racing with my training partner Steve, when BAM the dreaded happened: injury. Yoga has since taken priority in healing me both physically and mentally. Guess what? It's working!

When does this crazy challenge start? January 10 baby. January 10. Anyone willing to try it with me?