she said I need a goal

My favourite picture of Hunter

Happy Birthday Hunter, Cheech, titi…  Today you would have been 18 years old and we miss you every single day. We will celebrate all the years we got to have you in our lives.  I always said if I was offered to have you for a short time but have to endure the pain of losing you or not having you at all I’d choose having you every single time.  I feel so lucky that I got to have you in my life and luckier still that I got to be your aunt.

Love Aunt Deenie

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxinfinity

ever.. to anyone.. and not like this..

The Boston Marathon is supposed to be about triumph and hard work. I listen to so many of my friends talking about wanting to qualify, working HARD to qualify. For all you non-runners, Boston is the Stanley Cup, the Superbowl, or at least it is to me. Each time I heard that someone I knew qualified I could barely contain my excitement, you have to be badass to get there. What happened today was such a tragedy for those that got injured, or worse killed. I know those that made it to the finish line before the bombs went off experienced some joy before they had it ripped from them and their thoughts must have turned to their family and friends. For those that trained for months, some years to get there and not finish because of this tragedy, yes the carnage is horrific and I can’t imagine how I would feel being stopped before the finish line to find out what was happening. Your dream day turns into the most horrific day of your life.

I know of fewer things more fun in my world than standing at or near the finish line of a race screaming your head off for your friends and strangers as they go by, running their race, the payoff for all that hard work. And for those standing there cheering their friends, families and strangers on when those bombs went off..

I

Have

No

Words

I’m thinking of everyone in Boston today. I’m so grateful to say that everyone I know that was racing/running/cheering there are all physically fine, I think the emotional scars will last a lifetime. I am absolutely gutted for those that were killed or injured and for their friends and families.

it’s not supposed to happen, it’s supposed to be one of the best days..

if you’ve got some time tomorrow, put on some blue and yellow and if you can, run.. that’s what I’m gonna do

#BostonMarathon2013

source unknown

Yes I did.. I said FREE PRODUCTS!!!!

Joel is having a contest on his blog. I have linked to Joel before, as you know I love his blog and I stalk him regularly on twitter. Very cool dude. I sent him a quick note telling him I was going to post a link to the contest and asked him if he had a few tips for beginners that I could share.  I may not be a beginner anymore and I have watched many people move past the beginner stage but it’s important not to forget those that are just starting out or starting over. He sent me some really great stuff:

One Step At A Time:  Starting out in triathlon – or any activity in general – is all about getting started.  It’s so much easier to say than do, though.  Don’t expect to be able to run a 5 minute mile (or kilometer if you’re reading this from Canada), or ride a bike 30 miles an hour or swim 1500 meters when you’re just starting out. It doesn’t work that way.  Run a mile.  Just one.  If you have to, walk half of that.  Just keep adding a little time or distance or effort and things will get easier. One day. One step. One swim at a time. Build upon each day.

Make it a Habit:  It is so easy to fall into a trap of really loving to do something.  I think we’ve all been there.  For example, we read The Hunger Games, and immediately go out and look for the next two books because they are so awesome.  Exercise and endurance sports can be like a new toy.  We love on it, play with it, sleep with it…and then suddenly, the toy is old and we stop.  The key, in my opinion, to longevity in this sport – and ultimately enhanced enjoyment – is make swimbikerun a habit.  Do something every day.  Or every other day.  Work it into your life plan.  Make it a point to try to get your workouts done at the same time each day.  For some, it’s zero-dark-thirty in the morning.  For others, it’s after work.  Whatever.  Just be consistent in doing it.  Very quickly (I’ve read that it takes about 3 weeks), you’ll become so used to your scheduled workout time that you’ll feel off kilter if you miss a workout.

Be accountable:  I’ve found that this is perhaps the most important thing that I can do for myself to keep me in the flow and marching onward.  It’s critically important that you have someone who will take you out to the woodshed if you start slacking in your workouts or your effort or motivation.  I have a couple of ways….first, I blog.  Secondly, I have a network of friends that I’m constantly talking with.  They hold me accountable.  If you have a coach – your coach will keep you accountable.  Your spouse.  The postal carrier.  Your co-worker.  The random employee at your local Starbucks.  Any of these would be good.  Or….hold yourself accountable.  Put your training plan on your refrigerator so that you can look at it each and every day.

Have a goal:  OK, this may be trite, but it’s really critical to have a goal and work towards that goal.  Your goal could be to do a 5k.  It could be to do an Ironman.  Whatever it is, have a goal, and march doggedly towards that goal.  Then apply the three principles above to that goal.  Using that approach, you’re sure to reach whatever it is you’re after.  Personally, my goal this year is to break 6 hours for a half iron triathlon.  For some folks, doing that is a walk-in-the-park.  For me, it’d be a huge accomplishment.  My entire year is focused on getting myself to a position where I can do that.  You’ve got a goal.  I’m sure of it.  Put that goal out there.  Tell someone about it.  Make them hold you accountable not just for reaching that goal, but for the steps it takes to get there. (I especially loved this one)

Now for the FREE STUFF!!!

This isn’t just any contest, it’s a tournament that relates to all things TRI.  THIS is gonna be fun. And yes Canadians can play too. The prize is a stash of amazing products from SBR Sports – TRISWIM, TRISLIDE and FOGGLE. I wasn’t going to enter because I am sponsored by SBRSports products BUT I want to play even if I can’t win. Honestly I want to play so I could finally be a part of a real team, a team of my peers, my people.

TEAM ROADRASH!!!

If you have used these products before you’ll want to play along for a chance to win.  If you’ve never tried them then here’s a great chance for you to get some free samples.  Do it!! I’ll wait.

Not convinced? (tough crowd)  In addition to the SBR products the prize pack ALSO includes about $100 of PowerBar products including the new Energy Blend. I have never tried their products so I can’t comment on that but I do hear really good things about them.

Hey where’d ya go??

that’s all I got…

please ignore the following:

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I love my Vitamix. When I bought it I had visions of yummy morning shakes to start my day. I even have an awesome shake travel cup to go with it.

But it’s freezing cold in the morning and the last thing I want is a cold shake. plus..

COFFEE HELLO!

So I was wondering if any of you have a recipe for a coffee flavored shake, maybe one with actual coffee in it?

Yes I could google but I’m asking you so I don’t have to try a bajillion crappy recipes.

30day challenge is going well. Not perfect but it’s a challenge, not perfection so those of u that said yes don’t fear if you slip, keep moving forward.

that’s all I got…