Celebrating my family!

As we sat around the table with family celebrating an early Christmas, I was most impressed with the fact that during the night, every single one of my children sat with me and we had fun together. We talked and joked around.

This last week I have seen my boys stick up for their sister when she was having some social problems. I seen the others support Simon when he was having an anxiety problems.

As parents, we have worked hard to build relationships and foundations with friends and family. Nothing feels better than witnessing it first hand, knowing that something has sunken in.

I am assuming this is the same feeling our instructors have when they see something has finally taken root in their students. Seeing students grow and become confident. That was the reason we walked into the kwoon so many years ago. We wanted our children to have self confidence and I have observed this and so much more in each one of them. I know that we have done our part in this but there have been so many who have also been involved in molding them.  These are the things that I am grateful for this holiday season. 

My family, my friends, my community!

Until we are back on the mats!

Sustainability

This last few weeks have been really tough as work and home life have been off balance.  When one is in balance, you can usually compensate the other but when both are off, it does not take long to bring you to a breaking point.  In fact, this week I had to take Thursday and Friday off as vacation so I could regroup and settle myself back down.

I know that my work life will be very busy for the next 5 years as we are implementing a new healthcare software system throughout the province and my teams have two new integrated software systems that need to be up and running within the next 12 months, rolling out to the province throughout the next 5 years.

My home life has been busy with children graduating, getting ready for college, participating in clubs, helping Simon learn to cope and deal with his anxiety, trying to makes sure no one is left out, my commitments to I Ho Chuan, getting ready for Christmas, and the list goes on.

It was these thoughts that had me really contemplating if I would join another year of I Ho Chuan.  Don't get me wrong, I have loved this year and everything that I have learnt along the way, but in my mind, I just couldn't see how I could keep up this pace. I knew that I could not do everything that I am currently doing and I did not want to let down the I Ho Chuan team.

Sifu Brinker had talked with Mike and I regarding the above (Mike's work life is also crazy busy) and we talked about sustainability.  I need to make sure that my Kung Fu works for me and that if we focus more on the individual aspects that the team will benefit as well.

With four Kohuts joining the I Ho Chuan Pig year it will be busy, but it does not mean that we have to sacrifice our family time.  There should not be anything that feels like it is a sacrifice for this will not be sustainable.  I want to have Kung Fu as a part of my life forever and I want my children to have it throughout their lives as well so its all about learning how to balance, create priorities, and ensure your actions are sustainable.

See you on the mats!

Super Saturdays

Saturdays have become my time.  I look forward to getting up and heading into town. I look forward to changing into my workout clothes and hitting the mats.

It starts with Tai Chi class, which helps end the busy week and allows me to reset for the next.  It makes me focus on "where am I and what am I doing".  It allows me to listen to my body.  I find that I really need to "Focus my eyes, focus my mind, focus my body" when I am in class.  It is moving meditation.  It is building micro muscles. Tai Chi also allows for quality time with my son as I love practicing the moves during the week with him and having our time together.  I wish I would have joined this sooner but I am happy I am doing it now.

Next is Lion Dance practise during open training.  This is the ultimate exercise in focus and endurance.  Never anything the same twice, making changes on the fly, organized chaos.  I have noticed that there are finally times that I can "be the Lion".  Times where I am not always thinking about how to do the next unicorn step.  If you have not done a Lion Dance, you are missing out.  If you are a person who over thinks everything in Kung Fu (like I am), Lion Dance will help with that.  There is so much going on that initially I was overwhelmed and confused so I had to let go and just do it. This has been spilling over to other areas of my Kung Fu and improving that as well. The  Lion Dance is great exercise and you are having so much fun that you don't realize it until its over.  By the end of practise, the head feels like 50lbs, my face is red, and my legs are burning but everyone is always smiling when they pop out of their Lion.  

I know that these two activities have been helping me get through each week as my work stress continues to rise.  There are many times during the week when I start feeling overwhelmed and anxious but I can bring it back by using the tools that I have learnt in Kung Fu.  I just started exercising at work (I still struggle with finding the time but I am making it a priority),  do deep breathing,  ask myself "where am I, what am I doing",  do yoga or Tai Chi.  

So thank you Sifu Dennis and Sifu Brinker for taking the time during your weekend to instruct these two events, please know that it is greatly appreciated.  Thank you to the other Sifus who are always there to help and guide us and thank you to my teammates for your dedication and commitment.  I can't imagine where I would be without you.

See you next Saturday!

Community Engagement

This weekend we did the Salvation Army Adopt a Kettle and even though many of the Sifus and Candidates were busy grading, all shifts were filled and it went smooth with only a couple of minor bumps.  This couldn't have been accomplished without everyone not only coming to help, but going above and beyond as well, some staying late and others doing double shifts.  I was prepared to fill in wherever was needed but the few times that I stopped to check in, all I received was a "don't worry, we got this". What an awesome group!

So what did we accomplish?  We pulled together to raise money for a good cause.  We worked together to support the local Salvation Army, for people who will be needing help especially during the holiday season.  Not bad for only an hour (or two) commitment.  As part of Silent River Kung Fu, giving back to the community is an important part of our training and engagement. This is something that I can improve on because doing community work should not be something I just fit into my schedule.  The more I understand how I can help, the easier it is to flex my schedule to ensure I can make these things happen.

Another community event that we also participate in is the Adopt a Driveway program.  We go and shovel the walks and driveway for a an elderly couple who are so appreciative of our efforts.  If you would like to help with this, please contact someone from the I Ho Chuan team or a Sifu. Many shovels make light work.

Thank you to everyone who takes time to support our community.  For all those that helped at the Salvation Army Adopt a Kettle, a huge thank you as well!  

The Road to Recovery

I can't believe its been 4 weeks since I injured my ribs.  I really thought it was more than that because it has felt like it occurred so long ago.  This last week has been the first time where I have been able to do some (and only some) activities but I have lost so much that it feels like I have taken 10 steps back, actually it feels like 50 steps back.  As I have been down this road a couple of times, I knew that the road to recovery is more of a mental game than a physical one.  Its easy to make excuses and to not even try.  Its easy to get discouraged and wonder why are you putting yourself through this.  Its easy to say I'm too old for this.


What I learnt from previous injuries is that my body does not heal the way it did when I was younger and that I do need to slowly build things back up again so I don't reinjure it.  My brain knows that it will take time, that it will come back faster than before, that this is only a minor set back.  Funny how your brain can say all these thing but you really don't believe them and its easier to not do anything about it.  So why do we go on?  Well, I didn't start this journey to stop it now.


There have been a number of things this week that have helped me get back on track. 
1) reading and memorizing Mastery - one part talks about how everyone is ordinary but its our actions that help us on the road to mastery. 
2) Tai Chi classes - these classes are great alone, but when you have an injury, they help you move and slowly work those areas, gradually building strength and flexibility.  I have also found myself relaxing and allowing myself to be "in the moment".
3) Morning workouts with Mr. Sollinger and Sifu Robinson - I HATE HAVING TO GET UP THAT EARLY but my best days are when we do our workouts together so after, I love that we do this.  Everyday I am able to do a bit more.
4) My Instructors - I can't thank you all enough for letting me work on a backwards shoulder roll and some shrimping and then when I hit my limit, you have only supported me. This allows me to progress at my own pace.
5) My successes - I had to stop looking back to before the injury occurred and measuring myself.  For now, I look back a week and measure from there. This way I can measure my improvements, even if they are small, and right now they are VERY small but they are still going in the right direction.


Now don't get me wrong, I am constantly needing to evaluate myself and ask "Is this just an excuse so I don't need to do something OR is it truly legitimate".  I can always find an excuse, but once I realize its an excuse, it is easier to get up and do something.


This is my road from an injury that has actually improved greatly in 4 weeks.  For those of you that have been struggling from more significant injuries, my heart goes out to you as I can imagine how hard and dark this road can be but please do not quit. Only when we quit are we truly beaten. 


See you on the mats!

The Struggle with Anxiety

As many of you have read on my sons blog, he has struggles with anxiety.  As he posts about his path, there are many people who have stated they have the same or similar struggles.  It feels to me that anxiety is more common than it was when I was young.  Why is that?  Is it because people are more apt to talk about it or is it because there are more environmental pressures that cause it? Why does it affect one person and not the other?

My husband and I spoke at great lengths regarding this.  I discussed this with colleagues and friends.  There was consensus that there is now the ability to talk more openly of things that were taboo previously.  Mental health issues, anxiety, addictions,  all of these are no longer things that are left in a closet with hopes that no one will ever discover.  These are not easy conversations to have but they can be voiced and support is available.

But we also talked about the pressures that are facing people today that were never there previously.  Social media - the most likes, the most followed, the ability to have negative comments delivered anonymously, friended, unfriended, cyber bullying, 24 hour messaging and availability, pictures that will never go away, lack of privacy, videos that never go away, instant gratification.  Then there are the pressures that have been around for generations - get a job, get good grades, be the best person on the team, know what you want to do with the rest of your life, contribute to your community, and be an active member of society.

I know I have struggled with trying to find a balance with my children, teaching them proper use and self confidence but knowing that if I completely banned something, they would never know how to cope with it as a part of everyday life.  We are able to openly talk about mental health, anxiety, addictions but as a society, there is no indication of the want, or need, to decrease these external pressures so we are left to build better coping mechanisms and support structures.   Where does that leave our friends and loved ones that will be impacted by all of this?  Struggling, until we can get these pressures decreased, until we can get the right support, until we are able to find a coping stategy.  If you are struggling, never stop talking and seeking help.  You are not alone.

On the Right Path

I had a number of things going through my head this week but nothing would come to fruition.  So I went back to my earlier blogs and reread them.  Isn't funny how the things that you were concerned about years ago are either still around or just the opposite, they are so irrelevant that you wondered why you worried about them at all.  I noticed that it was the items that were in my control that were okay now.  I continue to focus on personal growth.  I have started taking Tai Chi and it has really helped me mentally. As well as feeling the way my body moves, I am starting to feel flow more frequently.  I sparred very quickly with Sifu Csillag and there was no fear, initially a lot of thinking, but even after a few minutes it felt more natural.  I know I can push harder, I know I can do more, I know that I am making my mind stronger as well as my body.


I took a look at the items that were still sticking around and started to wonder why are they were still there.  Many of the things that are out of my control, continue to be a struggle but it's recognizing that these are out of my control and that I can only be responsible for what I can control.  I worry about my children but I can only support them, guide them, set good examples, and be there when they need me. 


I noticed that when I am having a good day/week/month with Kung Fu, it is also when I am excelling in other areas of my life.  It is really good to take the time to review where you have come from and where you are going.  I was able to remember how far I have really come and that I am on the right path.


See you on the mats.

Coming Together!

WOW! Tonight Master McDonald came and taught our class with his daughter.  To me it was a very humbling experience and when I talked with my kids after, their comments were how they found the class relaxed and how approachable they both were.  To watch a master and know that I am learning from someone who has probably lost more knowledge than I will ever gain but is so humble and approachable that the young kids had no issues asking many questions was amazing.
Tonight we were taught more on how to get and stay grounded. I really felt grounded tonight and I just love when those experiences happen.  That grounded feeling lasted most of the class and I noticed in Tai Chi On Saturday, I could feel the Chi flow.  It really is awesome when things start to come together.

See you on the mats!

Taking A Hit Part 2!

I wanted to start by saying thank you to everyone that's been supportive after my last blog.  It was a really hard blog to write as I was on an emotional rollercoaster, fluxing from self-doubt to being proud of myself every few minutes.

One of the things that really bothered me was knowing that I lost control during my sparring match. 
I reacted blindly - sure I recognized it and reset but it was the fact that I lost control in a controlled environment.  It made me wonder what would happen if it wasn't a controlled environment.
I lost control of my emotions - I wasn't upset that I lost, I was upset that I let emotions control me immediately after and the days following my sparring round.  I kept focusing on the negatives.
I had periods where I doubted my training, doubted my abilities, doubted my path.

So what did I do?  I talked to Sifu Freitag and Sifu Brinker.  I listened when others were giving me their experiences but the biggest thing that helped was knowing that it was okay to feel these things.  It did not make me weak, it did not mean I shouldn't have a brown belt, its just something that happened.  Now I can see that my emotional swings were the aftermath of an adrenaline dump.  The negative thoughts were part of the process, but if we leave these thoughts to fester inside, they become a disease which will continue to eat at all the positive things around them.  It was not easy to take that first into the office but it was the best step I could have made.

When Sifu Brinker and I spoke, he told me how his job as a center ring judge was to ensure the competitors are safe, especially mentally.  We talked about what had occurred and what could have been done differently.  It was then that I told him if I was to do it all over again, I would do the exact same thing.  I wouldn't have taken a knee, I wouldn't have backed down, I wouldn't have wanted him to halt the match, and I meant every word. I am actually glad that things turned out the way that they did.  Because now I have the tools to deal with those emotions if/when they should ever rise again.  Now I know that I can take a hit (it doesn't mean I have to like it) and I know that I went over my comfort zone and did just fine.  I am not afraid to get back in the ring because I know that I have Sifus and sparring partners that I trust to continue to push my comfort zones.

See you on the mats (with gear on!)

Taking a hit!

This weekend we had our Tiger Challenge competition, a safe and friendly environment where you are able to stretch your comfort zones and face your fears.  I am still riding the emotional roller coaster with this years event.

Somehow I must have made the computer randomizer mad at me as I drew both gold medal winning opponents for point and continuous sparring.  Want to know the difference between point and continuous?  Point can be over very quickly but 1 minute of continuous is a LONG time in the ring.

This was the first year that I did continuous sparring and this is the event that continues to cause my emotions to swing.  Funny thing is that the last few months I’ve been thinking of talking with Sifu Brinker about learning to take a hit.  I’ve only had a few hits in sparring that were decent but didn’t really ring my bell.  That all changed on Saturday.  During the match, I clearly remember thinking “you need to use technique” as I was flailing about; receiving two good head shots; I almost took a knee twice when I got the wind knocked out of me but then I thought “it’s only 1 minute, you can hang on” ; and once when I knew I lost total control and needed to reset. Who knew a minute could last so long but it feels like forever when you are getting the stuffing kicked out of you, literally.  I left the ring with emotions swirling, glad I made it out but also wanting to cry because I hurt but the adrenaline wasn’t able to let my brain know where.

Afterwards, I had a lot of support and tips on how to improve which I am grateful for but as I sit here typing I know I have lost confidence and that bothers me more than I can express as I have always loved sparring. My ribs hurt so much I am not able to sneeze, my quad is so tight that I’m not able to bend my leg completely, and my abdomen is sore (but at least there are bruises o show for that AND my face does not hurt at all 😂).  I know the bruises will fade, the muscles will heal, and life will go on but if this wasn’t an example of being able to take a hit, then I wonder if this is really for me and that makes me the saddest of all. The competition is about creating calluses but this one felt like it created a blister (see my last blog if this does not make sense) so I need to figure out what to do next.

See you on the mats!

Calluses Verses Blisters

This weekend, Nate was in a Business Case Competition in Calgary and I had the privilege of being able to see their presentations.  The head speaker made a comment that you work hard to create calluses that are sustainable instead of blisters which are painful and can deter you.  Each kid participating in the competition gained a layer of skin to add to their calluses. Hearing this, I immediately thought of my current year in Kung Fu and the I Ho Chuan.

What is a blister and how does it form?  It's your bodies way of protecting itself when undue stress or friction is applied.  It is a pocket of fluid that is meant to buffer the stress or friction from your body.  Eventually, if you do not remove the stress or friction the blister will break, leaving a raw and open sore that is painful and if left untreated, can become infected and cause serious issues.  So how does this relate to Kung Fu and our normal lives?  Doing activities that cause great pain and stress will make the activity unsustainable and can even cause temporary or permanent damage.  This does not make the activity enjoyable and can make you want to quit.  As I look back, I see personal examples when I was training for my 10K run and wanted to skip a few weeks to get ahead.  Or when I tried to do the entire grading day excercises on my first attempt and could not get through the first third.  At work, I was finding myself working 3-4 hours at home just to stay caught up.  This is only a couple examples of many times this has occurred this year and the years prior.

What is a calluse and how does that form?  A calluse is a layer of hardened skin that occurs after periods of hard work.  This hard skin allows for increased stress or friction to occur without damaging the underlying tissues.  It builds up over time and allows you to do more and more each time.  I compare this to when I had to go back a week on my running program to regroup and then continue on.  For the black belt grading, I am timing how long it takes to do 30 kicks and then I will increase my numbers in a few months.  For work, it is now a balance of delegation, prioritization, and clear communication with senior management.  This blisters verses calluses analogy was just another way to make me be more aware of what I am doing and how I am getting there.

So now I ask you, is your approach to training or work or life causing you blisters?  If you answer yes, figure out what you need to modify so you can create calluses and sustainability instead.  If you need help, never hesitate to reach out.

See you on the mats!

Thank You Sifu Robinson!

I hate that my legs still ache

I hate that my shoulders are always sore

I hate that my stomach feels like I had the flu

I hate that I can't sit without feeling it

BUT....

I love that I want to push harder than ever

I love that my aches tell me I'm getting stronger

I love having teammates to work with

I love that our Sifus continue to help us grow

I love 5:30 morning workouts (at least this week LOL)

Thank you Sifu Robinson!

Being Thankful!

This weekend is Thanksgiving and we have celebrated it with family and friends.  It used to be the time to celebrate harvest but as snow covers most of Alberta and crops are lying on the fields, this would not be the year to celebrate that.  As a society in whole, we have removed ourselves from the struggles of others especially when it does not directly affect us individually.  Was I thinking of the farmers who are currently struggling?  We talked about it a bit but I was in my little bubble celebrating the family and friends that I have been surrounded with.   As we sat and chatted around the table (because Thanksgiving is all about food LOL) I tried to step back and really look at all the things that I was thankful for.


Now, taking this step back really gave me the chance to look at the things that I am thankful for around me.  I have been raised with loving parents, a father that has wrapped his arms around me and made me his little girl even though I am not his biological child.  A husband who has supported and loved me through good times and bad, and helped raise children who are confident, caring, and supportive as well.  Friends and family that have always been by my side.  As I sat back and thought of these things, it changed how I thought of situations around me.  I was not annoyed by the bickering of siblings, I was trying to help my sister in the kitchen instead of taking over, comments that use to bug me no longer did.  My attitude not only changed how I interacted with others, it changed how others interacted as well. 


While I was thinking of things that I am thankful for, Kung Fu came easily to my mind.  I could never have imagined that walking into the Kwoon years ago, trying to find an activity that would help my children with self confidence, has allowed our family to bond in ways that we have.  It has brought new and dear friends into our lives and training partners that I cherish both in and out of the Kwoon.  Kung Fu has opened my eyes to the struggles of those around me and helped give me the skills to be able to help. It has helped me REALLY look at my attitude and realize that there is so much more I can improve on and I guess that is another thing I can be thankful for.  The ability to live life and the ability to want to be better every day.


See you on the mats!

Tiny Moments

Today, as I prepared supper, I decided to call my parents to see if they wanted to join us.  As a last minute call, I was really expecting them to have other plans but to my surprise they sounded excited and accepted the offer.  A few hours later they pulled up and sat down to a family meal with us.  I truly appreciated the effort that they made to drive the hour just to come for supper and after a few hours they headed home.  It was during the time that my mom and I were working together to make supper that made me appreciate the tiny moments that we get to spend together.  The tiny moments that are occurring with my children as they grow up and become more independent.  The tiny moments where we laughed as we told stories about when I was a kid.  It was so very great to have those tiny moments.

Not only did I reflect on these moments, I reflected on the opportunity to make these moments occur.  All it took was one call.  One call, even though there was a large chance that they couldn't come.  If I had not called, this would not have happened.  It reiterated to me, that if I never take the chance, I will miss out on opportunities that may create these tiny moments.  I'm glad I took the time and made the call.  It was a great way to end the weekend!

See you on the mats!

The Merry-Go-Round

Do you remember riding the merry-go-round at  the park when you were young?  Starting to run around the outside and then the big jump onto the platform, hanging onto the bar.  The merry-go-round gathering speed, soon going so fast that you are hanging on for dear life, not able to let go and afraid to jump off.  Everything around you becomes a blur.  Something that started off fun but now you wonder why you got on in the first place.  Do you remember those days?

I have been thinking of this analogy many times as the last few months of work have been very busy and the last few weeks even busier.  I know that this will be continuing for the next few years and there is really no end in site.  I feel that I am holding on for dear life onto that merry-go-round while my days are blurring around me.  Afraid to take the leap off of it.  Knowing that it is a risk to jump off.

Eleven years ago, a couple of big medical events occurred that allowed me to stop that merry-go-round and look around.  Maybe that is why I am aware of being on that merry-go-round and that I want more.  Can I stop it?  Probably not, but eventually I will make the leap off trying to gauge the safest place to jump.  So what am I doing now?  This week was a blur with so many things out of my control, so I had to take control of the things that I could.  It took me a few days to get things back to some order and even as I drove into yoga classes on Saturday, I was still on the edge.  Now after a wonderful class of yoga that helped to ground me and then a great workout with Mr. Sollinger at open training, I am standing up on that merry-go-round, letting the wind whip through my hair and enjoying it.  Sometimes you just need a little help finding your balance so you're able to enjoy that ride again.

See you on the mats!

Mayne Island

This week Mike and I went to Mayne Island.  This is one of the Gulf Islands in B.C. and it is very beautiful.  The island has many options for hikes and we tried to do them all but 3 days was just not enough time.  There were many times when I felt like we were the only people on the island.  This was especially true when we visited the Japanese Gardens which are a tribute to the Japanese who were initially on the island before WWII when they were displaced.  Here was the first time that I really felt reenergized and started to relax.

The one thing that Mike and I noticed was that there were a number of encounters with local people where our friendly hello's were not welcomingly received.  My first thought was that they did not like tourists and was a little taken back.  We also noticed that frequently on our hikes, there were many signs that said PRIVATE or KEEP OUT along the paths.  Yet the trails were absolutely clean and well maintained.  It was then that I started to wonder if the responses we received were because the locals had just endured another summer of being overrun by tourists who may not have always been respectful of others properties.  So instead of letting this deter us, we made more of an effort to talk to locals and make sure we were cheerful and respectful.   We talked to our host who did validate our assumptions on the summer season and how that impacts some of the locals.  We met some great people there and saw many neat things that made the trip very memorable.

It was a great reminder that just because you don't get the response you are expecting initially, it should not make you stop trying as you never know what is happening in that other persons life. Stay true to yourself and be the person you imagine you can be.   The only thing you can be responsible for are your own actions so make each of those actions count.

See you on the mats!

Setbacks, Bumps, and Waves

 I had a great day yesterday both at home and with getting my KungFu numbers started again.  It was embarrassing not being able to put my hand up to say I was on track with my numbers but honestly, I am not.  Darn that's hard to admit.  Some parts have been exceptionally good and other parts are not going very well lately.  I could list the excuses I have running through my head, but honestly, there is no excuse except that I found an excuse when I didn't do them.  I am struggling with that darn shoulder but I really haven't put in the work needed for it so its just another excuse. 


So yesterday, I went home and did pushups and situps and it felt good.  Did I get all my numbers in, no I didn't so I did some more before bed but it was still not enough.  I made myself a promise to get up early and start again. Great intentions until you wake up at 5:30 and wonder why your water pump is running and step into a hallway of water in the basement.  Today was a very busy day of helping Mike replace the pressure tank and pump, rewiring and replumbing it.  But finally at 21:00 WE HAVE WATER!  Man do you take the small things for granted!


By 17:00 (or 5 p.m. for those not subjected to that darn 24 hour clock for work LOL) I was starting to get so upset that I had not even gotten in ANY SU/PU so after 3 huge breaths I went and did some PUs so I did get some in today.  Now this was before I found that water had gotten underneath our stairs and we had to pull out all the bins before we could clean that up.  There were many times I drew upon my KungFu frequently these last few hours while hitting my breaking point.  But I would take a deep breath, ground myself and start again.  Always thinking this could be worse.  You may wonder why I would think that, well if this happened tomorrow it would be with my Mom and Dad as Mike and I are off for a week.  That would have been much worse.


So was this another setback, a bump in the road? I am worried that I have this occur only 1 day after restarting but if didn't happen today, it would just occur another day so I will deal with it.  Now I am off to do laundry, run the dishwasher, and start to pack.  See you all next week!


Have fun on the mats!

The Magic Bullet?

For the last few weeks I have been obsessed with watching sailing videos.  Not sure why as I have never sailed before but something has caught my interest.  Now is the time to laugh as I also find the absolute irony and humour that a land locked Albertan who has no sailing experience has become obsessed with sailing. One video talked about assessing a boat and how if you see one thing wrong, you keep tracing it back to find the real reason for the problem or root cause.  For example, you could clearly see an issue with the propeller, tracing that back further they could see where the drive shaft (if that's the correct terminology) was rubbing on the boat, tracing that back further they found that the motor had lost some of its bolts to secure it.  You could stop there but when they traced that back further, it was because the wood the motor sat on was rotting due to leak not properly patched.  So how does this relate to our everyday life?

These last few days my shoulder has been sorer than usual.  This is a very frustrating feeling and it makes me wonder why now?  What has aggravated more than usual?  What did I do and how long will it take to recover?  But instead of looking for the specific activity that caused this, I need to look deeper to find the root cause.  If I look at my recent activities, I could stop there but if I go back deeper, its because I haven't been doing my physio exercises to build those muscles back up.  Why did I stop doing them?  Maybe that is the real root cause.  I just need to keep digging and in the meantime pick up my physio bands and start doing the exercises while I wonder why I stopped them in the first place.

Root cause analysis and accountability are two things that I pride myself in at work but if I look at my KungFu training, those are two areas that I need to work harder at.  What I have found is that it is much easier to do these when you are on the outside looking in, but when you are personally involved it is harder to be objective and disciplined.  It is easier to try to find the quick fix, the smoother path, the magic bullet.  We live in a society where we want the magic bullet or instant gratification.  KungFu is teaching me that it really is just hard work that will carry me forward in all aspects of my life and that there is no magic bullet.

See you on the mats!

Where did the summer go?

The leaves are turning, the weather is getting colder.  Where did the summer go?  Why does time fly so fast when you blink.  Before we know it, the year will be over.  Its very hard to keep in the moment but we must take that deep breath and focus or we will miss everything that is happening around us.  It was busy last week and another one up and coming. I find these busy weeks easy to slip away but I want to appreciate each and every minute of them.  So enjoy the cool evenings and the changing colors of the leaves.  Soon we will be heavy into dragon practice and getting ready for that time of year.  At least I haven't seen any geese fly south yet!
See you on the mats!

Helping too much?

How much do we help and when?  A number of things recently have come up at work and at home that has me looking at this.  Sometimes there is a very fine line between helping someone and helping someone too much,  so how do we find that balance.

Helping someone too much does not allow that person to grow.  It does not give them the opportunity to make mistakes that they need to make.  It does not let them make choices for themselves and live through the consequences.  So why are we tempted to help someone too much?  For me, its because I don't want someone to get so discouraged that they quit.  I don't want to see them hurting, I don't want to see them fail.  But does this really help?  The hardest thing as a manager, a friend, and as a parent is sitting back and letting them scrape their knees, letting them fall down but then being there to give them a hand back up.  I have to constantly work at taking that step back, knowing it is for their own good but it is so very difficult.

I am very thankful that these incidents have come up recently because it has made me reflect on being the teacher and the student.  Nothing helps clarify things when you are able to put yourself in both roles.  How do I become a better student so I am not putting someone in the spot where they are helping me too much?  When do I ask for help and when do I take the risk and be okay if I fall down.  When I am in the teacher role, does someone really need my help or just the confirmation that I will be there to support their decision?  Am I supplying the correct type of help?  Do I need to find someone else to assist?

Will I stop helping others?  Absolutely not!  I need to look at each situation, each moment, to try to determine if my actions are truly helping.  There are many ways to help each other, we just need to find the right one.

See you on the mats!

Its all about me!

How am I doing?  That was a question raised at Saturday's meeting.  With poor cell reception, I was able to say that this has been a great year but does that mean I am 100% successful?  Absolutely not! So why has it been such a great year?

This year things are starting to click.  I have started to feel a forward progression even though there are ALWAYS things to improve on.  But the most important change has been the focus on me.  I have taken accountability and responsibility for ME.  My training, my attitude, my goals, my attendance.  Being a mother, its been MANY years since I could say "It's all about me!".  This does not mean that I am ignoring my family, or putting them second.  It means I am making sure that I am making choices that will help me meet my goals.

But I think the greatest rewards of this year are the benefits that Kung Fu has given me in every day activities.  My work is very, very busy and there has been many times that I have been on the brink of being overwhelmed but by taking responsibility (and a deep breath) I have developed plans to get back on track.  I find that I have less excuses at home or at work.  I have more energy to do things, not just think about doing them.

This weekend I was at Dillberry Lake for a family get together, hence the poor reception.  Dillberry is a provincial park on the Alberta/Saskatchewan border that I lived at for 6 years of my life.  (Yes, I grew up in Provincial Parks and had the BEST childhood adventures but that is for another blog).  As I drove into the park, I noticed a hiking path that was across the highway.  Why had I not taken this trail before?  I could not answer that question, so yesterday  I grabbed one of the willing kids and off we went.  We were gone for 1.5 hours and did over 6 km and we had a blast, talking the entire way.  These are the types of activities that I never did before but am enjoying so much now.

I know that I am only half way through the year and that things can change in a heartbeat especially if I do not pay attention to them.  So I will continue to work on improving my stances, my flow, my kicks, my numbers, my fitness and my shoulder.  This way I hope I can improve on an already great year.  Moment by moment, step by step, moving forward.  Who knows what tomorrow will bring!

See you on the mats!

Qualities of a Blackbelt

This week in class, Sifu Brinker asked us what are 3 qualities of a black belt that we have and 3 that we need to improve on.  Initially my list was
Qualities I have: 1) determination 2) perseverance 3) leadership and caring
Areas I need to improve on: 1) fitness 2) kicks 3) attention to detail


The more that I thought about this, the more that I had to really look at my choices.  If I am saying that I am good at perseverance, than my numbers should be bang on and they are not.  If I am great at determination, than my fitness and kicks should not be an issue but they are.  Sifu said that sometimes you think you are good at something, but in reality you need improvement. 


There was a couple of ways I could have processed this information.  I could have let it set me back and started the excuses but I did not.  I started my running program again and have been increasing my numbers each time.  Today I ran (ran/walk) 5.7 km in 47 min and have ran 17K in the last 10 days.  Its constantly improving but there is far to go.  I have been working hard on my Kempo form and have been really starting to feel when I am pulling my shoulder during a punch or transferring my weight back instead of dropping my center and moving forward when transitioning from stances.


I also noticed that my cardio in class was not hitting the range I wanted it to.  I realized that during warm-up, I have been holding back, wanting to make sure I had energy for my class.  I decided that if I need energy later in class, I will deal with it then so I better give it 110% now.  Funny thing, there has not been a class that I needed to slow down in.  There have been hard classes but they always felt good after.


After a lot of self reflection, I would say that my list is still the same but I would change the wording to "Qualities that I have - but still need work" because the more that I work on these qualities, the more they will assist me improving the others. 


See you on the mats!

Sanshou Seminar

Yesterday was the last day of Sanshou class 😢.  It was a great seminar! This seminar has brought sparring to another level.  One of my best rounds yesterday was with Sifu Lindstrom.  He had put some pressure on me and I retreated (it was more like running around the ring).  I was trying so hard to do a technique that I lost out on the moment that was presented to me.  As soon as you are out of the ring, you think "I should have done that differently".  So why was this the best round and not the one I won?  It was because there was so much that I learned from that one minute.  It was the time where mind and body was not yet connecting but I felt like it was just within reach.  It made me want to do more, want to get better.

So what did I learn from this seminar?

1) I have mental blocks - Although I like to spar, when I have an opponent that is better than me, I become timid and defensive.  These are the times that I feel like I have lost all my training and I know that there is a lot of work to do before my actions become reactive.  Why am I timid? Fear and lack of confidence.  How do I get over this? As Sifu Brinker has told me before, exposure.  Not only do I need to keep practising, I need to practise with partners that are out of my comfort zone.

2) I need to increase my speed during sparring and that will improve my techniques - Just when I thought I had some solid techniques for sparring, the Sanshou class showed that I have good techniques when I go slow.  You can not go slow in Sanshou so it was a little humbling to see poor techniques arise when pressed.  It has made me look on how my sparring hours will need to change so I can work on speed AND technique.

3) There is so much to learn out there!  Every experience opens a new door which opens more doors.  Don't hesitate to open that first door and step through it.  You never know what you will find.

Thanks again for a great seminar!

See you on the mats!

Reality Checks

For the last few months I have been researching the West Coast Trail. It is a very difficult 77K trail and there have been lots of posts about how this trail can be both mentally and physically challenging.  It takes 6-7 days and the risks include hypothermia, sprains, falls and lots of rain.  So when the weather forecast for our Jacques Lake trail showed 2 days of rain, we figured why not try it.  It was only for one night, so the four kids and I headed out early Friday morning, leaving Mike behind as he was still recovering from his injury.


We had a few bumps along the way, but once we found the trailhead and backtracked to get on the right trail, everything was going well until we were hit with a lightening and hail storm at about the 10K mark.  After removing our stuff and waiting out the storm, we were then back on the trail but that was when the rain started.  It rained constantly for the next 4.4K and the temperature dropped.  We were cold and wet but we set up camp and had a hot supper. We were the only ones at the campground so it was just us on the mountain.  It rained constantly from that point onward and was still not letting up as we headed out the next morning.  We made it back wearing all the clothes we packed, shivering, wet and with cold hands but we did it. As much as I thought that I was prepared for this, I was not.  It was only one night and there were times that I severely doubted my decision and sanity. I wondered why I would even want to try something more challenging than this.


So was this a failure or a success?  There are a few of my kids that will probably say a failure but I think it was a huge reality check and therefore a success.  There were two main things that were obvious that I needed to work on:


1) Mental Preparedness -  Recognizing that I was starting to succumb mentally on this hike was the first step to stop it and reverse it but I admit I was at the point of tears when that happened.  I have had some mental challenges in Kung Fu class but nothing that really hit me like this. Using the tools that we have gained in class did help me overcome this and has made me acutely aware of the mental challenges I still have.  I am not sure how I can improve on this area but I know that I must work on it.  I will start with meditation but any other suggestions are greatly welcomed.


2) Physical Preparedness - Yes I am in better shape than I was but I am not anywhere close to where I need to be.  This is evident in the muscle fatigue in my legs, arms, and back.  Yes we walked 30K with at 25lb pack and then added another 10K over the two days but that is a start, not where I need to be at.  This is easy to fix and that is by just doing the numbers for I Ho Chuan.  It made me look back at my numbers and realize that I am no where near what I need to be at for my PU/SU.  Tomorrow morning is a new day to get them back on track.


Although this was a tough two days, it showed me where I need to improve in my Kung Fu if I ever want to be prepared to tackle my bucket list goal of doing the West Coast Trail and more importantly, what I need to work on for my black belt.  Reality checks are really a good thing if you can learn from them.


See you on the mats!

Seven Challenges Smart People Overcome

There was a link that was sent at work.  It was very interesting describing the seven challenges that smart people overcome.  It was by the fourth point that I found so many things that related to Kung Fu.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/seven-challenges-smart-people-overcome-dr-travis-bradberry/


1) Age - 'Kung Fu martial artists' don’t let their age define who they are and what they are capable of.   Before Kung Fu, I would never have imagined being excited about sparring or grappling on the floor.  Pushing limits that I have not done since my late teens.  Age really is irrelevant.


2) Negativity - 'Kung Fu martial artists' make their time count. Instead of complaining about how things could have been or should have been, they reflect on everything they have to be grateful for. Then they find the best solution available, tackle the problem, and move on.
As I reflected on this, my shoulder injuries came to mind.  There were times that I wanted to quit, that the constant pain would have been a good reason but I watched others deal with injuries around me. No complaining, just moving forward. So I found the things that I was able to do and worked on my shoulder problems and today it gets stronger day by day.


3) Toxic People - 'Kung Fu martial artists' believe in a simple notion: you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.
When our family first started Kung Fu, we came to class and we left. As time went on, we found many people who had the same goals and ideas as ours, and they were in the kwoon.  We have developed many friendships in our Kung Fu family, relationships with people who I find are strong, reliable, honest, caring, and supportive.



4) What Other People Think - 'Kung Fu martial artists' know that caring about what other people think is a waste of time and energy.
You are never judged when you walk in the kwoon.  If I was worried about what others thought, I probably would have never walked onto the mats. 


5) Fear - 'Kung Fu martial artists'  know fear is a choice better than anyone does, so they flip fear on its head.
There are many things in Kung Fu that can install fear but Kung Fu also helps us deal with fear.  My biggest fear before I started Kung Fu was pain.  I never wanted to feel pain, I was afraid of being in a car accident, I was afraid of slipping on the steps.  But Kung Fu has helped cure that fear and now I spar knowing that I will get hit but I learn from each of those hits.  I wear my bruises with a smile knowing that I earned them. The quote attached to this point was my favourite as well.
The worst thing that can happen to you is allowing yourself to die inside while you’re still alive.




6) The Past or the Future - No amount of guilt can change the past, and no amount of anxiety can change the future.  'Kung Fu martial artists' know this, and they focus on living in the present moment.
Where am I and what am I doing? Be in the Moment.  This is something that we are always taught in Kung Fu.  Learn from the past and prepare for the future but stay in the present.  That is where we make the change. 


7) The State of the World - 'Kung Fu martial artists' don’t worry about getting caught up in things they can’t control. Instead, they focus their energy on directing the two things that are completely within their power—their attention and their effort. They focus their attention on all the things they’re grateful for, and they look for the good that’s happening in the world. They focus their effort on doing what they can every single day to improve their own lives and the world around them, because these small steps are all it takes to make the world a better place.
This is I Ho Chuan! 


Guess this just proves that Kung Fu makes us smart people. 


See you on the mats!

Listen for the whispers!

As the world rushes around us, we have forgotten to take the time to sit back and listen.  We don't take the time to listen to the sounds around us, listen to what the earth is saying, listen to our bodies. 


If you saw me in class at the end of the week, it looked like I was on the receiving end of a good punch but it was not that cool.  I have a cold sore.  I don't get them very often and it usually is a result of high stress.  I couldn't think of any unusual stress level that would cause it this time.  My friend told me that she gets them from the sun.  Bingo, Canada Day was lots of sun so that must be the reason.  My body was telling me something and I was still not listening because another one came last night, there was no sun exposure for this one so I had to look back on my week.  There were three nights of disrupted sleep, early mornings and late days at work.  My body was trying to tell me things but I could not hear until it until too late.


When I started KungFu, my body spoke to me right away.  There were sore muscles, lots of sweat, aching shoulders and knees, but now I realize that was my body screaming at me so it was easy to hear it.  As my journey continues, I am trying to hear the quieter noises like when a move feels right or when it doesn't.  


This week I have felt a coolness at my fingertips while doing Awakening The Dragon.  It has happened a few times now, is it chi? Maybe, but similar to a whisper in the breeze, I am only catching fragments.  I haven't been able to feel flow yet so tonight I walked barefoot on my grass and tried to focus on feeling the earth.  Just absorbing the sounds around me and feeling the strength of the earth in my feet.  It was truly amazing. 


I will continue to stand in the breeze and listen for the whispers, absorbing what is given to me.  I realize that I am starting a phase of my training where if I focus on one thing too much, the rest will just slip away.  I need to let myself be open to absorbing that which is around me, even if its tiny fragments for one day it will all come together.


See you on the mats!

In the moment.

Last year we were on Parliament Hill experiencing Canada Day's 150th birthday which was pretty cool but it definitely was not as much fun as today's celebration.  This year was windy and cool but it added to the experience.  The dragon was similar to a HUGE kite and at some times we were hanging on for dear life.  We did demos on a hill, we did dragon dances in the wind, we did lion dances around a group of kids, we had a blast.  It was about being in the moment.  There were times that we had some bumps but we got over them.  It was a great opportunity and we had a very memorable Canada Day. Can't wait to see what next year brings.

See you on the mats!  

Record your numbers!

Usually my posts are upbeat and I try to put a positive spin on them but not this one.  There is one thing that I have been failing to do.  Record my numbers consistently and because I am missing out on my numbers, they are falling behind. 

I can look back and see where this downward slide started.  I missed 1 or 2 days a week, than it was every other day, next thing it was an entire week of missing recording my numbers. 


I try to remember the AOKs, the SU/PU, the number of forms and rounds of sparring, but I am missing so many by not recording them daily (minimum daily). 


So please take a look at your frequency of recording and if you are missing a day here or there, catch yourself now.  If you have let a week slide, start recording daily.  If you have missed a month, start today.  I have to address this now otherwise it will be Chinease New Year and I will be at these same numbers.


Record your numbers and see you on the mats!

Busy week!

This week began with a road trip for work.  It started on Sunday with an awful drive to Calgary (wind and rain), and by Wednesday I had drove to Brooks, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Calgary and Red Deer.  I met my new staff and clients face to face, and even though there was a lot of driving, these meetings are so vital in creating relationships that changes the way you interact with each other.  I was worried that I was going to miss out on my KungFu but because I was aware of that, I got in my pushups/situps/hand form reps/a run and a walk.  

I was back home for Wednesday's class where Mike, Nate, Mr and Ms Bjorkquist, Ms Burke and I all received our brown belts.  Woohoo! This group (which Nate just joined) has been together for our green, blue, and brown belts.  Ms. Sollinger was with us for awhile but he has now leapt ahead (its so great to watch his progression).  Its been such an experience to work with these great people.  We push and pull each other, learning along the way and enjoying each minute (even the gruelling ones).

We just finished a wonderful weekend with family and friends.  As most already know, it was Nathan and Eagles Grade 9 grad on Friday night, went to Sanshou class, then my entire family was over Saturday, watched Nate at his first every ball game (could only watch for a bit but got to see him score a run).  Sunday morning was Katie's confirmation where we added more family and friends for Father's Day lunch at our place after the confirmation.  It was busy, chaotic, cramped but so very awesome.

During a class, Sifu Freitag had reminded us to acknowledge and cherish the family and friends and the good things that we have in our lives.  It was a great reminder and I tried very hard to look at things differently this weekend.  I went to the ball game instead of worrying about what I had to do back home.  I let my family and friends help me and enjoyed the time while we worked together.  I just took time to relax and enjoyed the people around me.

You have heard this from me before, we are all busy!  Make sure that you are busy doing the things that enrich your life and surround yourself with people who bring you joy.  I am lucky to have these at home, at work, and in Kung Fu!  Thank you for the reminder Sifu, its easy to take these for granted.

What does I Ho Chuan mean to me?

What does I Ho Chuan mean to me? 


This was a question that was asked at our last team meeting.  I have been a part of the I Ho Chuan team for 3 years now, so this should be easy to define but it is not.  The I Ho Chuan program and the Ultimate Black Belt requirements are designed to allow students to reach mastery. 


So after 3 years am I a master at anything? 
I know that each year I am able to accomplish more physically and mentally than the year prior, but is this mastery? 
I know that each year I have removed more and more mediocrity from my life, but is this mastery?
I know that I have made and continue to make changes in my personal life that would not have been done without this journey, but is this mastery?
I am no where near being able to say that I have mastered even one element of my I Ho Chuan requirements, but I am closer than I was last year and more than the year before that.


I Ho Chuan has taught me to never give up, to reset and start again when needed, to identify and eliminate mediocrity, to know that I am only accountable to me but I also have a team to help me along the way.


So...What does I Ho Chuan mean to me? 


The I Ho Chuan program is my journey to mastery and I am grateful that it is a hard but attainable journey.  I would not appreciate the changes occurring to me along this journey if it was easy.  These changes are transforming yet sustainable and for that I am most grateful. 


See you on the mats!

Opportunities taken

This year we have been given a variety of opportunities through seminars offered.  I missed out on the first one hosted by Sifu Beckett and regretted it.  I didn't want to miss out on an opportunity again so I joined the Lion Dance and fitness seminars.  The experiences of both have added to my day to day Kung Fu, both mentally and physically.


Saturday was the Farmer's Day parade and I was able to be in a lion during the parade.  Hearing the kids oooh and awe when you passed by made me smile.  It made me want to be the lion.  Not a person under the lion.  I wanted to bring smiles to the people watching.  The young and the old. It makes me want to work harder so I can do the dance longer and better.  It was a great day but this would have not been possible without the Lion Dance seminar.


While we did the lion seminar, it also solidified that Kung Fu is not just an individual journey.  From Lion Dancing, Dragon team, Pandamonium, Chinese New Y ear,  I Ho Chuan team, open training, etc we are a part of a team.  Each person's journey is unique but it is never done alone. 


See you on the mats!  (And I can't wait for the next seminar!)

Pandamonium!

What a great weekend!  Pandamonium was such an awesome day.  I thought the idea of the Certificate of Awesomeness was very well done.  The amount of engagement of the participants was so great to see.  It was nice seeing everyone going to the charities and really learning from them.

I was so grateful for being able to take part of the lion dance (twice).  There were a few hickups like when Sifu Lindstrom showed me how to do a quick fix when your strap breaks on your lion, when I had a bit of issues throwing the lettuce, AND I stepped on more people than the prior 7 weeks combined but it still felt great.

The demo went well but after three years in I Ho Chuan, you would think that stage fright would be less.  Apparently not, since I was performing my form and the next thing I knew I was heading into a school form.  Well at least I have the "just make it look like you were supposed to do that and bow" down to a science.   So for anyone who is worrying about making a mistake, come talk to me or for that fact, anyone on the team that has done this before.  

Thanks to everyone for a great Pandamonium!

Everyday is a gift!

We all will have times when we need to re-evaluate our priorities.  I have been through this a number of times now and unfortunately it happens under times of crisis.

Ten years ago, in a very short period of time, I was diagnosed with a blood disorder which needed to be under control so I could have my thyroid removed for abnormal cells.  I had my thyroid surgery and 5 weeks later I had an emergency surgery because my Crohn's had perforated an artery and I needed a small bowel resection because of a GI bleed.  While in the hospital after the GI surgery, they told me my thyroid was actually cancerous and I needed to start treatment shortly.  Although it was I that was sick, it was as hard on Mike who needed to care for our three children who were very young, and care for me as well.  That was the first major re-evaluation of priorities that occurred for me.  I have always tried to have a positive attitude but this made me realize that everyday is a gift.

The reason I bring up the past is a few weeks ago I started having the same symptoms I had before my GI bleed.  My first instinct was to worry but than I decided to take action and be proactive. It was only a few days before I had appointments with my specialists and luckily everything has turned out okay.

So how does this relate to KungFu?  Ten years ago changed our families path.  That was when we started making changes.  The kids started KungFu and a few years later Mike and I joined as well.  It also had made me become more proactive and deal with fears instead of letting them rule me.  Its knowing that everyday is a gift and KungFu helps me ensure that those days are treated like the gift that they are.

See you on the mats!

Should AOKs be Effortless Effort?

These last few weeks we have been really focused on our acts of kindness (AOK).  These are things we do all the time, things that take no effort, right? At first I found it hard to document things that I thought I did all the time but by documenting them, I actually became more aware of the actions that I was doing and tried to even improve on them.  Instead of opening a door for a colleague, I open the door, make sure I make eye contact, smile and give a greeting.  I am opening the door FOR someone, I am no longer just opening a door.


These last few weeks, I have initiated conversations with people at my work that I do not really know.  I even embarrassed myself because there was a lady that has sat on my side of the building for years and I didn't know her name.  Actually, I thought she was new and it was when we started talking that I realized my mistake.  Even though I was embarrassed, I owned up to that and said I was really sorry and we both laughed, and not the awkward laugh that could have easily occurred in this situation.  We both just ran in our own little circles and those circles never really intercepted.  Without the AOK activity, our circles may never have touched, but now they have and who knows where that will lead.  The activity of AOKs made me realize that I need to pay more attention to things around me, those types of details do not come easy to me so I have to work really hard on them.  AOKs make you work even harder.


The other thing that I have noticed with AOKs is the "pay it forward" action.  Many times I have opened a door for someone, and then when we get to the next door, they hold it for me.  Looking them in the eyes, smiling, and giving a heart felt "Thank you" results in them smiling back at you more times than not.  I think the biggest reward at work was when a colleague who I just recently began to interact with, gave me a kindness card and said "I know you will appreciate this".  I was very fortunate that he was comfortable he could give me something like this and that took that he was willing to take that risk.


I always wanted to have AOKs as effortless effort, but now I think if it becomes effortless effort they may lose my full awareness and intent that they deserve.  AOKs deserve the effort.


See you at the kwoon!

The Kung Fu Community

Spring has sprung, today the leaves have started to show after remaining dormant for so long.  

Spring is a time for a flurry of activity, everyone trying to get everything done in a short period of time.  

We have seen this at Kung Fu with the rotary park cleanup, and now the upcoming Pandamonium.  Lots to do, everyone is working hard. Working together to get things done.

I remember as a child, our community would get together for times of work and times of fun.  Spring and Fall makes me remember those days and I miss that part of a small community.  It makes me really glad for our Kung Fu community, where everyone pitches in to make a large task small, whether for work or fun.  

See you at the kwoon!

Vancouver Sun Run

Last Sunday I completed the 10K Vancouver Sun Run.  It was an awesome time and I learnt so much. I have to first start with a great thank you to Sifu Csillag.  She was the best partner to have on this journey.

I had packed my running items, taped up my knees (did a couple of practise taping to make sure I was doing them right), had a small breakfast and headed off to the starting line. We even had our own cheering/support team. The boys got up early to pick up my registration package at 0700 so I didn't need to add 2K before I even started the race. It was us and over 40,000 of our closest friends.

The first thing happened before we even passed the starting line.  I had bought a running belt to hold water and my phone.  I thought I was prepared but I had never used it before.  It felt good while we were walking to the line and waiting for start but as we started running, the belt made my pants slide down.  This was going to be a very long and potentially embarrassing run.  Sifu Csillag took my belt and away we went. 
Lesson 1:  Don't try ANYTHING new on run day.

It was at the 3K mark when Sifu Csillag said to me "You need to breathe!".  I was not focusing on my breathing and so it was fast and shallow.  Not good when you have just barely started.  She tried to help me focus on pacing my breaths with my strides but it was very evident that I didn't know how to breathe.  I thought that just because my endurance was getting better that it will make breathing easier, wrong.
Lesson 2:  You have to learn how to BREATHE!

Around the 5K mark I found my groove.  The 5 to 7K mark went by quite well.  Everything was going pretty good until the part where I thought that because they gave you a full cup of water, it meant you needed to drink it.  All of a sudden at 7K I hit the bridge and started gagging, now I was trying to figure out how to throw up through the barricades without it showing up all over the internet.  We walked until the sensation passed and then headed back off.
Lesson 3:  Listen to your body!


The last 3K was slow but steady.   I ran 10K but Sifu Csillag must have ran over 15 as I kept finding things for her to take pictures of (funny how the more tired I was, the more cool things there were to take pictures of).  We finished the race in 1hour 27 min.  We did it!
Lesson 4: You CAN do this!


We ended the day walking to Stanley Park and taking a boat ride around the harbour.  We did 22K that day but I think all that walking must have been the main reason I was not sore after the run.

I am still pumped about completing this personal goal.  I have never run before but now I want to finish my training program, I want to do another run in the fall, and I know I will do it even better.  I think these are the true measures of success.