So, at 6 months pregnant (and counting), I’ve finally come to the conclusion that, equipped with an added 20 lbs packed on and an increasingly temperamental bladder, I needed an alternative to running (sigh). While I can still mount an elliptical and break into the odd jog, with mini-giraffe sitting so darn low in my belly, the bouncing – more often than not – quickly ushers me into a brisk-paced walk and, after weeks of denial, I’ve admitted defeat. Nay, not defeat, more the need to stretch my horizons and explore the world of… power walking. Continue reading “Power walking: Not just for the geriatric”→
It’s not often adults get to get all dressed up and roll around in the mud; well, here’s your chance. On Saturday, a group of friends and I rolled in to what is essentially a playground for adults; welcome to the Warrior Dash.
The Warrior Dash is a 5Km race complete with obstacles that are designed for those who want a challenge unlike anything they’ve seen before. With prizes offered for best costume and beard, the atmosphere took on a very Spartan meets Fred Flinstone type feel; it made me want to kill the person next to me and eat food like a caveman, the latter of which would happen about an hour after the starting pistol went off. The race, which took place just outside of Barrie, was largely uphill, and by largely, I mean mostly, and by uphill, I mean up ski-hill; trust me, there’s a difference.
Right out of the gate, the organizers welcomed you with a pit of mud that engulfed your feet. In an effort to outsmart the system, I aimed to step on the side of the pit, which unfortunately only proved deeper than the centre. Consequently, I got sucked in about half way up my calf, but on the upside, I kept my shoes, on. Others, weren’t so lucky and many either bid farewell to their shoes as they moved on to the next leg of the race or dumped their sneakers in the shoe pit seen below.: let us take a moment for these fallen feet of warriors.
One of the hardest parts of working out is finding time in the day to cram it all in. Gone are the days where, as children, we had countless afternoons that melted seamlessly into evenings where we played carefree until the sun went down; or as college/university students, we could pack things up and squeeze in a work out before, after, or in-between classes (who am I kidding: even skipping a class wasn’t entirely off the table in those days); or, as high level athletes we could depend on strict schedules that included extreme fitness training, practices and matches to keep us in shape. After the joyride is over and the reality of responsibilities start to kick in – you know, jobs, partners, children – it’s a lot harder to keep in shape and a lot less motivating to put in the extra push.
Staying in shape; what does that even mean? Does it mean being able to run as far and as fast as you did as a teenager? Does it mean fitting into the jeans you’ve held onto since college? Such unrealistic expectations are a great way to give up on a healthy lifestyle altogether; why put in the effort if you aren’t seeing results?
First things first; adjust your expectations. Now that you’re all grown up, it’s time to admit that maybe, just maybe, the dream if over. Today’s workout isn’t about bringing you one step closer to being an NHL all-star, it’s a commitment to establishing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Don’t get me wrong; setting smaller targets within that goal is a great way to keep motivated. Do sign up for races, lessons, social leagues and competitions, but do not dissuade yourself from living a healthy lifestyle because you’ve set unrealistic and unobtainable goals. Whether you’re an amateur, an experienced athlete or a has-been looking for that extra push, it’s never been more important to start small and work your way back up.
