Inspiration

When I was a teenager, I spent my spare time at the rink. I figure skated. Not competitively but for the sheer love of it. I did go through the Canadian Figure Skating Testing System and having those test to prepare for drove me.

To work harder. To practice more. To land just one more jump.

I always had the next level to work towards.

I am still a goal orientated person.

About 3 years ago, I was a year and half post Kamden. My body was a much larger and jiggly shadow of it's former self. I was, to put it mildly, out of shape.

As a kid not only did I skate, I had lightening fast metabolism, and trust me, I used that to it's fullest advantage. Can you say heart attack city?

Obviously the habits I had built up had finally come back to haunt me. That and the fact that I felt the need to eat for 3 while pregnant and shockingly breastfeeding did not make those rolls disappear. That's a bold faced lie, people, I am living proof.

It was time. I had a brief sojourn in university with the gym. But once I started working full time and we got married that sojourn ended rather abruptly. I had no wedding dress to fit into and consequently no goal.

Then the boys came along and what was the point in being in shape while pregnant, I thought?

I have since learned that the point is about a million fold but hindsight is like that.

So a year and half after birthing my dear Kamo, I decided to get active again with the goal of not only getting a little bit smaller but to get back into shape.

It worked. For a while.

Then I began eating more because I was exercising. I was entitled wasn't I? The good news is that I stuck to it. I have now been active for the last 3 years. Straight. No falling of the proverbial treadmill so to speak. It's no longer a goal but a part of my life.

Fast forward two years to a little over a year ago. We were preparing for our trip to the Bahamas. The same trip that I may or may not have given Jay incentive to take by promising that I would wear a bikini.

People, we had to kick it up about 10 notches. I cut way back on portions and snacking. I lost some weight and that coupled with the fact that there was no one on the beach, I wore the bikini.

When we got home, I contacted a trainer. My friend worked with a trainer and it sounded perfect. Someone else pushing me harder than I have ever pushed myself? Sign me up.

The cost, in my opinion, is well worth it. Jay agrees whole heartedly, I assure you. It is not for everyone but for me it has been fabulous. She has shaped and sculpted this body of mine into something I sometimes barely recognize. And I like it.

I am feel so strong. So fit.

This June, I embarked on a journey to meet another goal of mine. That goal was to be able to run. More than 5 steps consecutively. I began a learn to run 10 k program that started out really slow. A program that a really good friend gave me. That program was the kick start to this whole thing.

At first I just was running to be able to run, just for cardio fitness.

Then another friend ran her third half marathon.

I never in my wildest dreams would have though that I would even fathom doing that.

But I finished the learn to run program by running 10 km. And I lived to tell about it. And it was kind of fun. And the feeling of accomplishment? That was the absolute best part.

And let me tell you, the endorphins from running, they are the BEST kind. Trust me on this. I never got running in the past. I thought, why? Why torture yourself like that? It just seems wrong.

I get it now.

And after I did 10k, I realized running is easy. All you have to do is train. All you have to do is follow a schedule that works you up to your target distance.

A half marathon is 21.1 k. A little over double the 10k. If I could do 10K, why not 21?

And this goal, it is driving me forward. To keep at it. To stay fit. To eat right.

On April 26, 2009 I will attempt to run 21.1k.

Today, I did the 8k on my training schedule. It hurt. When I reached the 8k finish, I was done. In a little over 3 months, will I be able to go 13.1 more kilometers?

I go back and forth, from I can do this, no worries, to holy cow what was I thinking!

Follow me on my journey, and if you are so inclined either cheer me on or mock me, I might be just a little bit crazy but good crazy. I think?