Swim, bike, run - How Bad ASS can I be?

Dogmatic: 1. characterized by or given to the expression of opinions very strongly or positively as if they were facts 2. Of or pertaining to or characteristic of a doctrine or code of beliefs accepted as authoritative 3. based on assumption rather than empirical observation 4. tending to force one's opinions on other people So why would I list all of these different definitions for dogmatic you ask? I lead half marathon clinics out of one of the biggest stores in the lower mainland. When I originally started doing these 5 years ago we had about 70 - 80 people that would register. This current clinic as an official registration of 113, in actuality there are about 121 committed to the training program for Sunday long runs and then there are the drop-ins - folks that want the group run and the distance but feel they don't need the structure of the clinic - this makes up about 30 - 60 other runners that join us on Sunday runs. You can see that the groups now become mass...

I was asked the question and so I went on to the internet and googled it.  Well as you can guess I received 22,000,000 hits.  Now being a person with self professed ADD I quickly reviewed the first 10 hits and came to the conclusion that they all said similar things - Dedicated, knows thier sport, continues to educate themselves, ability to encourage athletes to strive to be better, encourages fair play, the list went on but you get the gist of it.  So then I thought about my coaches - I have 2 - my athletic/cycling coach and my life coach. Both amazing women in their own right. I hired Barb because of her street creed - she came highly recommended to me.  I did a lot of research when I was looking for a cycling coach and her name came up every time.  What I liked about her was she had a great resume and that encouraged me to approach her. I was intimidated by it and was honest that I might be too novice for  her but after sharing emails with her...

Well I am not going to lie - I have the doldrums.  The olympics and the paralympics are gone and I am sad.  For those that were not here it was truly one of the most amazing experiences.  I loved and cherished every moment - literally every moment and am so grateful that I live in Vancouver/lower mainland.  The energy was amazing and it was so incredible for people here to not only embrace both events but to embrace being Canadian.  I am a fanatic about being Canadian for those that looked at my photos from Ireland, Joe and myself are both wearing Canada memorabilia not because we thought people would be nicer to us - I mean we were in Ireland -  they are nice to everyone, but because we were proud to be Canadians.  I remember my stepdaughter saying to me - you can't wear that hat - people will know you are a tourist and mug you.  We both looked at her and said we understood the risk but were willing to take it - trust me - my husband ...

Hey all  I hope you are enjoying the olympics as much as I am - it is such an amazing atmosphere here in Vancouver.  Honestly I am totally loving the summer olympics (just kidding).  My gloves and I spend everyday downtown just soaking up the atmosphere.  I have come up with a little project to keep me occupied while waiting in line ups and such - GLOVE LOVE and have a little photo album on facebook of me and my gloves around the Olympics.  http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=145718&id=734672966&l=1af7562397 Here is the link - I hope you enjoy.  Go Canada Go Shaun

I know, I know I promised that I would check in more often but a lot of things have happened over the last few weeks.  I am now a certified community triathlon coach.  I have registered a domain - tryhardcoaching.com and I was laid off.  Oh and you might have heard about a small event happening here  - the Olympics.  The job - it is a blessing - I was very unhappy there and am relieved I do not ever have to go back there.  Being laid off is a total blessing plus it means I get to enjoy the olympics thoroughly.  And trust me I have been - I had 2 friends actually run with the torch which was amazing - they are rock stars - a chill went down my spine when they had their torches lit and were running - absolutely breathtaking - and I was only watching.  I also had a chance to go to the Opening Ceremonies rehearsals and was enthralled and so proud to be Canadian.  Lastly I am going to go to a hockey game next week so am super excited about tha...

I may have mentioned that I lead/coach half marathon clinics out of the local Running room.  The big race in Vancouver each year is the BMO Vancouver International Half marathon, which is run in May and this particular clinic tends to be the largest.  Currently there is 106 registered and counting. Special K is helping me lead the clinic because of the size of it.  I am also at the same time wrapping up the Fort Langly Historic Half clinic - their race is in February so there is some juggling for the next few weeks.  One of the first things I tell people is to focus on themselves and to not worry about what the person beside, in front or behind them is doing.  I tell them this is their journey not the person beside them, it does not matter if they are faster or slower what matters is what they do.  That the only person that will hold them back is themselves.  I have a young lady in the Fort Langley clinic who is the classic person that is wo...

Sorry for not checking in for a while - no excuse really just busy getting back into it. Today was absolutely gorgeous - one of the reasons I love living in Vancouver.  I can ride pretty much all year but the last few weeks the rides have been WET.  Today clear skys, sun and just gorgeous. I had an amazing ride and loved every moment of it.  This is a good thing as I registered for the Whistler Gran Fondo bike race in September.  Race plans have changed a bit - I sat down with Coach Barb and based on that I changed somethings up.  The first being registering for the Bike race. It will be the inaugural year - the race goes from Downtown Vancouver to Whistler along the Sea-to-sky highway.  The organizers have said they will be closing one lane - which if they actually do will be amazing.  I am super excited to do this race - beautiful course - challenging and only 120kms..... Next up I threw my hat in to the NY Marathon Lotto - cross your fingers -...