Conquering My Fears With My Daughter By My Side

I am continuing to evolve in my own little world of fitness.  My main goal was to compete as a figure competitor, which I have a achieved and continue to work towards improving on.

The best part of this has been finding new loves within fitness, pushing myself in different ways and including our daughter as I go along.  Each time I believe I have a limit I find myself pushing past it with my daughter cheering me on each and every time.

My running has finally become consistent again.  I am using a Nike Running training program for my next half marathon.  It challenges me and rather than running for say 3 miles, it will have me run two at an easy pace and really push myself for the last mile.  My speed is slowly increasing and my stamina is better than it has been.  I may miss a run here or there due to life and the craziness that comes along with it.  The heat and humidity are causing me to only be able to run early in the morning, some mornings my husband has to be to the gym to teach class by 5am and my father-in-law has to be to work by 4:30am which means I can't run because Bella can't be home by herself.  There are nights I plan on heading to the gym for a treadmill run (ICK) but something comes up like last night, an unexpected case of head lice for our daughter (again ICK).  So I just move my runs and use those days for my scheduled rest day instead.

I haven't been making it to Kosama as much as I would like to.  Bella has dance, soccer and now horse riding lessons during the week.  She is my number one priority and watching her do what she loves makes my heart soar, just like achieving my fitness goals.  I watched her face her fear of getting on a very tall horse, walked by her side as she took her first lesson and saw her ride alone all within an hour.  Our little girl is so determined and her perseverance astounds me.

On Sunday we did go to Kosama and Bella joined in for part of it.  We were doing squats outside in between tire flips, Bella decided to do some squats with me and we got some video.  Now I know her outfit isn't particularly practical for working out but next time she said she wants to wear shorts ;)  She knows she can do these things, she watches me and she learns, I love that she chooses to join in.

There is a plyo box at Kosama, I don't really have any issue with it until the highest level.  I hadn't attempted it but Kyle believed I could do it because level two was so easy for me.  It was intimidating standing there in front of the box that was pretty much waist high on me.  Knowing I wanted to jump on it without a running start.  It took me a little while but Bella was cheering me on and telling me I could do it along with Kyle, so I did it!  It was a great feeling and I did it more than once.  

Finding yourself achieve your goals is so empowering, no matter how small they may be.  My little cheerleader really pushes me, I love being on this journey of life with her and my husband.  I look forward to crushing more goals with them by my side!

Tire Flips, Chicago and Volleyball

I've been doing some fun things lately, I love having a variety of activities to challenge my body and mind!

Kosama is very challenging, I truly wish I was able to go there every day but with half marathon training and weight training I am happy to make it there about twice a week.  There is a big summer challenge going on, I can't participate for prizes since my husband is the GM but I still love the big challenge days.  Sundays have been the extra workouts, I LOVE the members and the support they show one another.  Their enthusiasm, respect and encouragement help each and every one of them KILL their workouts!

Tire flipping is something I've been wanting to do for a long time.  It really works every part of your body but really gets the shoulders and core working.  My form was not the best my first time, I let my back get a bit too rounded and ended up using my leg to help flip the tire, although it was the bigger tire and after a long workout :)  My husband got some video, I promised I would start posting videos and believe me there will be many more!  Here we go with my first video :)

Last week I was able to go to Chicago for a visit with my soul sister and her mom.  Her mom goes every June for work and she got a suite at the Ritz Carlton with two beds and invited me to join them.  I was so grateful, it had been four years since I had last spent time with Stephanie.  We met when we were 19 and both of us were living in Seattle.  We immediately became the best of friends, so many things in common it is scary and we are connected in a way that is so extremely rare.

During the trip we did some workouts at the hotel gym, which was very well equipped!  We also went for a run on the Lake Shore trail, it was so beautiful!  It rained when we were there but we still really enjoyed ourselves.  My run was a good one and I start my next round of half marathon training this week.  

We enjoyed some amazing food while we were there as well, I could not pass up the eggs benedict, WOW.  We truly felt like spoiled princesses at the Ritz Carlton, everything we ate was delicious and the coffee was so good.  We did go out one night for dinner at Mia Francesca's, some of the best food I have ever eaten.  It was a wonderful trip!

When I returned I had a double's tournament to play in Friday night.  Chris and I did fairly well, we could have played better but things don't always go as planned.  My brother and sister were on a team as well it was fun getting to play them.

After four hours of doubles on Friday and my regular doubles and four's Sunday night my back was really feeling it yesterday.  So I decided to take Monday off but I am looking forward to a 3 mile run on my lunch hour today :)

My next half marathon is in just 11 weeks, I plan on getting all of my training in now that my abs are finally feeling better.   My chiropractor is truly amazing and after adjusting my legs which led to adjusting my pelvis I am having no issues.

I feel like my goals are kind of scattered all over the place at the moment so I am taking things one day at a time.  Running and volleyball are at the top of my list for priorities but I will get some lifting in too, 2016 competition season will come up quickly!