Just One Pound

It means a lot to me to receive donations from people I have never met.

Less then eight weeks now to the 320km cycling Challenge. The Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer.

Training has been my mantra. Time now to spin my wheels on reaching my minimum donation goal so I can ride.

I’ve struggled with reaching out.

Initially I heard the event company that organizes the ride takes 70% of the funds raised. That has since been clarified. It's 30%.

The stigma attached to a cycling event sponsored by an oil company wrenched my moral code for the longest time too. Yet, they are helping to raise funds for a painful and heart wrenching disease that has swept through communities and ravaged families for decades. Even mine.

Time to heal the wounds. To help. To do something.
I do know now the BC Cancer Foundation helps and the funds stay here.

When I began this journey there were two things I knew I had to do to get there. Firstly, set up a training regime that would jam into my full-time school/part-time work schedule. Secondly, peel off some pounds to make it all easier.

Thursday’s is my weekly weigh in. I reached a bit of a plateau in the last month. One pound up or no pounds lost. Well, until this week.

Yesterday when I weighed in I was down 1.2 pounds. To date I’ve lost 15.6 pounds. Thanks to the training and the focus to shred some with the help of Weight Watchers on-line.

Even though I’m not at my weight loss goal. I am getting there.
By setting these goals for myself, I am helping myself so I can help others.

My energy is better. I can wear my skinny jeans. My gate is like a thoroughbred. I feel so much lighter on my feet.

Especially this week. 

Even though it was just one pound.


If you'd like to donate to the BC Cancer Foundation through my ride please go here and thank you in advance for helping to find a way to heal the World from Cancer.

Training Ups

Signed up for the Victoria Goddess Run. A half marathon. Yup, call me crazy.

It’s two weeks before the 320km Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer.

Which is three weeks before I do the 140km Tour de Victoria.

I know. I'm asking for a bit much out of this 40 almost 50 year-old body.

But hey, if you don’t take the leap you’ll never know how far you can jump.

Saw an interesting anecdote on Twitter today. Someone wrote they’d done a workout, then realized the “pros” would be doing another one, so they’d better get out there and up it.

Anotherwards, instead of doing what you should do or what you think you can. Do more.

Enough said.

So I’m telling my riding pal this morning, as we huff and puff up some hills on our bikes, that I signed up for a half.

“So how much running are you doing now?” she asks.

“About 40 minutes. Once, sometimes twice a week,” I reply.

“How far is a half marathon?” comes next.

Me in a mumbo jumbo said something like, “Over 20kms.”

Then, the lightning bolt.

“How far do you run in 40 minutes?” she smartly inquired.

“About 6.5 kms,” I reply meekly.

“So I guess you need to start running more,” she concludes.

Silence.

Seven weeks till the half. That’s the challenge.

It’s something I’ve always wanted to do.

Now fit that in with school, work, living and training for a 320km cycling ride.

Thinking I might need a new pair of running shoes.

To Think in Thirds

Notched up some lofty goals for myself last week. Proceeded to plunge into some serious time traps. Instead of beating myself up I’ve resolved to contemplate the week ahead in thirds.

I’ve read it and heard it before. When you’re running a race, for example a marathon - you set yourself incremental goals. The first third, the second, and then to the finish line.

Me, I tend to zoom straight to the finish. In my mind and in my theorizing at the start.

So I set myself up for failure if I’m not conceptualizing my reality.

This week is going to be about daily affirmations and a week in thirds.

Training, school (with homework) and work here I come.

Goal Triggers

Can life get boring?

Suppose so, if you make it.

Life can also change without notice.

There’s nothing like saying you’re going to do something. And then doing it.

Call it a goal. A focus or a change of scene.

What makes that happen?
Somebody or something points you in a new direction, perhaps. The realization it’s time to do something different. Maybe, because your heart told you so.

But so often, we don’t listen to our hearts.

I live in la la land a lot. It’s true.

I hold out visions of epic adventures. Hurtling explorations into the divine depths of humanity. Bringing people together.

Explaining one’s dream often swells and pairs up with reality and the word, “HOW and with what?”

Does it really matter?

Not the how, it’s the why. The WHY NOT!

Set some goals, dreams or purposes. Hold on to them.

Never let them go.

Sooner or later, you may come an inch closer to what holds you dear.

Goal triggers.

They can do that.

Ringing in 2012

Not the end – a new beginning

For some it’s time to start over.
Not me. It’s an excuse to celebrate.

I’ve been single for years and often spend New Year’s Eve with family or alone. This year I chose to be amongst strangers.

Multi-media is my new game. So I headed down to the W2 Media Cafe for some strolling.

A large dance floor in the basement, another upstairs. I melted into the crowd. Sussing out the eye candy. I warped my eyes into the charismatic colours all over the screens.

Cruising from one floor to the next I found the views of the faces interesting.

I wasn’t the only fourty plus er in attendance!

Lots of times on New Year’s Eve people talk on self-reflection. Personally, family wise, community and globally.

When I look back I think relevance. Everything that happened had it’s place.

And it’s OK I said to myself to be alone. I accept that.

I also accept and am grateful for everything I’ve done in my life and especially where I am today. I look forward to the future. In my own way, making a difference to the world as best as I can – by being me.

Then this line popped into my head as I danced my way into the New Year.

Be who YOU are and LIVE your dreams.

Then all around you will be fine.

Happy 2012.