...and so the affirmation that if you are strong in body you will have what you need to accomplish the physical tasks you set for yourself. Even the ones that you tell yourself 'this could be sketchy' or that make you anxious to try or need someone to convince you to do it.

That was me last week on my seven summits ride in Rossland. I had no idea what to expect and I had no expectations of myself. All I knew was that I could be spending as long as 7 hours 'out there'.

I've been working on my mountain bike skills and my endurance on the saddle without question. I have to say that I used it all and then some. There were moments on this ride that I had no idea who was pushing the pedals or being hammered on descents. At times I hardly recognized myself.

After the first 45 minutes of an uphill gruel it was all I could do to keep my breakfast down. I would have preferred not to as I thought I would have been better off. The climb felt never ending and continued for another 30 minutes before summiting. This is when my leg power, lower back and core strength kept me on pace. Nothing was easy. Even stopping to rest was work! It was not just the incline but the technical trail that had me use every ounce I had most times.

Long and short of it.....the worst of the climb was over. We still climbed LOTS, but the grade was easier. My technical skills improved on the climb, due in part that I wasn't having to ride completely in the anaerobic threshold and I was able to call on all those skills I had been working on in the past weeks.

At one point in the climb I actually thought how enjoyable riding uphill was. I know! How sick am I. Well, when we got to the long 'who knows what comes next' decent, I had a blast. Yep it was fun, fast and freeky at times but my bike was magical underneath me and I let it do as much work for me as I had learned how.

I was going over every imaginable terrain at a decent grade with a good push on pace. I impressed myself! Strength! It saved my derriere on more than one occasion. Muscle, join integrity and stabilization all came from having a strong body and confidence that it would work to take on what lay ahead.

After descending for close to an hour (CHECK OUT SOME OF THE DESCENT AND THE VIEW) we managed a 10 minute stop to catch up with some fellow riders. The last 20 minutes of trail lay before us. Little did I know that this would be the true test of ’strength’ inner discipline and shear guts.

the first five minutes where a hoot. Then fatigue set in as this trail was steep, technical and I was dang tired. I’de been over my bike close to five hours by this time. The trail was relentless. My traps were screaming. Being that there was really know place to pull out and thinking its almost over I pushed on still screaming ’somebody stop the ride I wanna get off!’ To the very last 100 yards it was work, hard work and then in an instant I pulled into a clearing and there was my pilot signifying this here ride is over!

So thankful it had ended, within seconds thinking, oh too bad it’s only 2:00 we could have been out there a little longer! Yeah well I got over that real quick when the fatigue overcame the ‘ego’ and I surrendered to the fact that I was ‘done’

Elated, proud and grateful for all that had been tackled and now safely at the end without injury, mishap or disappointment.

“If it’s going to be, it’s up to me” sure, but it will be much more fun and successful if you put the time into building a body that will take you the distance in life that allows you to do ‘the fun stuff better!’

It was and will remain the ‘epic’ ride of the summer. The rides from here on in will likely pale in comparison, but hey i’m good with that!

I don’t get to share much in the day to day lives of my young men these days as they both reside in Victoria. Fortunately, close to my family so they still get the odd scolding and warm fuzzy hugs. My son’s just finished their season of Jr. A Lacrosse for the Victoria Shamrocks. They made their way to the semi-finals however, New West managed to punt them and so the title is no longer within their reach. That said, they had a great season and hold their heads high and move on to the next endeavor till the new season begins.

Erik will no longer be eligible for Jr. A. He turns 21 in September, (I know!) and now he looks to pursuing his childhood dream of playing for a pro team in the NLL…kind of like the NHL only the income sadly is …well sad. He is featured this week as a potential draft pick CHECK IT OUT HERE

Erik has had this goal for as long as I can remember and had set many sub goals along the way. He is a testiment to Goals not written down ‘are dreams’. He speaks of his aspiration often and in the years past it was frequently a topic of conversation. He loves the game. He puts it ahead of most things. He works hard on his technical game and I recall years gone by a coach telling him “don’t let that stick out of your hand, play with it, eat with it heck sleep with it.” and he did. I would tuck my lads in at the age of 12 and there beside them no longer was the stuffed friend we named ‘hermie’ and ‘puffy’ but the head of lacrosse stick on their pillows. Erik is in the best physical shape I’ve seen him in and a speciman of sinew. I would like to say that I had something to do with it. But, the credit belongs to him alone. He came back from a year of travel last January and I hardly recognized the man boy. He schooled himself via web from the laptop of cyber university.

The conversations we engaged in on his return were more compehensive on health, fitness and nutrition than I have had with many who work the industry. I was impressed and so happy that his passion had driven him to learning and learning to growing and growing in all aspects he did that he is that much closer to his next goal in life. Proud I am of my man boy and so grateful to all that has come before this from all the people that were involved; family, friends, teammates, coaches, teachers, mentors and my clients who have helped me become the parent that has helped me guide the child to make some good decisions that allow him to make choices that find him in this place today.

Whatever the outcome of the pro play, these lessons in sport and life, along with the physical talents and health that you have gained from all your hard work are the stepping stone to anything you set your mind to. Good luck Erik! A lesson for us all to ‘focus’ on whats important and put goals into action!

Game Score: Won 2-0 against Rebels
Team Scorers: Lisa-2

It was a scorcher this wednesday night. We had limited subs with many players being away and injuried. We ended the half with only 1 sub for the rest of the game. The ball was in our half most the game. Many long shots were taken the first half, but missing the net by inches. The Rebels had few shots on net, but our keeper Tammy Williams made some amazing leaping saves and runs beating their forwards to the ball on breakaways. Our first goal scored by Lisa Thorsteinson, beat the goalie to the ball chipping it over her head. Lisa also finished our second goal by deeking our the Rebels defenders and placing the ball in the corner of the net. Our third goal by Kate McKenzie rica shaded off the inside post shot by Shannon O’Gorman. A hand ball was unfortunately called on Kate’s body ball rebound. A yellow card was awarded to the Rebels mouthy keeper when she misread the referees call on the goal. It was a hard game fought by both teams. Two more league games to go. Next weeks game is at Beasley Park in Lakecountry against I-Sight Lakers

I found this stone shaped like a heart last weekend on the trails! It was so appropriate as it sums up how much I love hiking!

Since I moved to Kelowna about 1.5 years ago I have tried some trails in the Okanagan, and there are so many more out there to try. If you have one that you recommend I would love to hear about it. I am up for giving it a try!

Last weekend I tried out Pincushion Summit that Nicki suggested! It was a great hike. I want everyone else to enjoy it too! We have organized a group hike and picnic on August 30th. More info CLICK HERE.

This trailhead started out at a low grade and wide trail. It moved into some rocky patches, a little steep terrain and some great views only about 20 minutes in on the trails.

If you keep up with the hike there was more great views of the Okanagan Lake and Peachland. The best part is always finishing up the trail & heading to the Lake for a dip.

Keep me posted on any great hike recommendations. Thx!

Happy Trails!

Saturday we saw the most fantastic storm of the year, but it held till after our fabulous Kayak lesson and excursion followed by a gourmet picnic lunch.

The lake was a welcome calm which made for a great experience for our first timers. A most enjoyable cruise to paul’s tomb, a brief rest, snack and swim for some. Feeling energetic we paddled further to check out Nadia and Michael’s new digs…awesome on the hillside! The current and wind picked up to challenge our strength on the journey home, however, we were all up for it and had no trouble back to shore. Great food awaited us ‘thanks to QUALITY GREENS

It wasn’t till we were home safe and sound that the storm presented itself. By then we had done all the work, got a good dose of VD and sense of accomplishment.

We couldn’t have planned it any better! Thank you all for your participation, enthusiasm and great company on another awesome adventure with your Team Fitness Family! We so appreciate having you along!

A quick warm up to Knox Mountain lookout and our guru Christine Bennett brought our attention inward for practise.

The spectacular views of the Okanagan Lake and the City of Kelowna confirmed our magnificent setting for our Sunset Yoga class. A perfect 28 degrees with a light breeze on the Mountain top made for a most enjoyable session.

What a great group that came out for our event - all levels were comfortable, challenged and fulfilled.

A tranquil class it was, as a young deer watched us for a good length of the program from another ledge of Knox Mountain.

As the sun set behind the mountains champagne in hand, a toast was made TO SUMMER! Thank you for your company, enthusiasm and commitment to our event, we greatly appreciate it!

See you next time for more learning and loving life.

I tested out the Grouse Grind Hike that everyone has talked about since I moved out West!

It was a crowded hike but everyone needed from time to time to stop for a short break, catch their breath and drink lots of water before carrying on up the hike.

Ok, next time I want to beat my time (however I was under the estimated 1.5 hours that was on the sign at the start of the hike).

It was a great challenge! There were all ages up there. It is for everyone as long as you take it at your own pace!

Game Score: Won 3-0 against Mario Towing Wreckers
Team Scorers: Lisa-1, Kim-1, Brenda-1

Team Euro started their new pre-game warm up this week which they learnt on the weekend at practice. Shannon O’Gorman lead a soccer sports conditioning bootcamp during practice focusing on quickness, power, speed, agility and balance. More to come at future practices.
It was a sizzling hot night on the artifical turf. Mario’s Towing came out strong in the first 10 minutes with some scoring chances from their quick forwards. Team Euro quickly put that to rest and controlled the majority of the game. Lisa Thorsteinson placed our first goal in the the back of the net with the goalie misreading her positioning and leaving 80% of the goal wide open. Brenda Dickie scored a “hole-in-one” through the goals legs making the score 2-0. Kim Darling plowed the last one in the net from a cross to give us a 3-0 win. Tammy Williams gave us another great shut out and was looking pretty bored in the net this game.
Next weeks game we play the Rebels at Mission#73. We have 3 league games left till playoffs August 22nd weekend.

Great cruisin night gals, thanks for turning out to face the elements. Welcome Dawn our first out of town visitor to Venture with the chicks.

Chick of the week definitely goes to lisa for the soil sample testing. Great job with the pick up recovery and brilliant attitude! See you at Venture Gear to ride the Glenmore Highlands next week!

Welcome Allie, Kate and Heather to your first Crawford ride with ‘the chicks’ A humid still night didn’t keep the chicks from the climb! Although Lost Lake was lost they travelled their furthest pitch yet. We earned the breaks after some tough climbs to look around and take it all in.

Kudos to Maria for swapping out her light cross country Marin for a heavy downhill bike to help out a fellow chick keep pace with the group. we tip our helmets to you.


LOOK HERE you’re on YOUTUBE

great fun as usual gals, thanks Cory for leading a strong pitch so I could taper for the Big Sunday Ride. This made for a fun and long downhill.

See you all next week–remember to get those training rides in between! Back to Crawford, maybe we’ll find the lake this time!