Why is it that every time I find myself in the woods, I feel like a kid. I must have loved to climb things in my childhood. For sure I was the tomboy, but I haven’t thought about what I was like as a kid till just this year. The more time I spend in the woods on my mountain bike and in the trails hiking, the more enjoyment I am having while gaining some great health benefits.

What a cool place to be, and I don’t just mean The Okanagan Valley. I mean in life. To have found that this place right now is such a great space to be in. It has occurred to me that the more opportunities I introduce my clients to, the more I realize how much I am personally rewarded. Not just in seeing ‘them’ excel in new endeavors but the enhancement of my own well being.

So who instigates ‘the doing’ in your life? And do you find balance with all that there is that consumes your time? What I mean is, are you ‘time’ one sided? Is your balance scale weighing heavy on sedentary activities of overindulgence or over doing downright lazy? Do you go too far the other end where all you do is physical activity? Perhaps you are doing everything so that your children have all their balance but in the process you lose the way? Or, all you do is work?

Sure balance is the answer. But what’s the question(s)? Ah……..good one. I say it is: Do you want balance? Do you value balance and all that it offers? Will you ’stop’ or wake up long enough to take a look at your ’space’ and determine if you need to tip the scales in any given direction? Simple questions, tough reality check for some.

Take it on and see what you come up with. Write it down. Look at an average calendar month. Have you given time accordingly to health/family/self/career….etc.? Not only given it time but used the time in that component to nurture what you want it to look and feel like?

For example: I value time with friends. I like feeling accepted, validated, respected, supported and loved. I get a great deal of enjoyment out of being a friend and so time with friends is included in my time budget. Above all, I value my health. Partnering valued components of health and friends, helps free up my time budget. I now have more available time in my time sensitive life. Today’s hike supported three components. Health, friends and career and I had fun!

List the components of your life that take up your time. Ask yourself what feelings come from time spent in that component. You’ll discover very quickly if you value ‘it’. You may realize you are giving time to something that you clearly don’t value or there is little enjoyment during that time. This new perspective may inspire a renewed allocation of your time that leads to a more balanced lifestyle.

Or you may just get that confirmation that ‘yes’ I have ‘it’. This is what Liz is talking about. No wonder I feel great and happy and content. Good on you! Welcome to the second act!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR TRI CHICK on her first sprint distance in last weekends Apple Triathlon! Clearly she has been training hard as this week’s ride seemed like a piece of cake for her. Way to go Laura!
So ends the summer session of ‘Chicks in the Sticks’. Didn’t we have a blast. We’ll end in fashion next weekend on the ride to Naramata via the KVR trail. Scroll down for last weeks blog for all the details. Still waiting for your comments to your beverage of choice for happy hour?

TIPS FOR CHICKS
Well, the days their getting shorter. That doesn’t mean we give up the rides. Some of the best riding is still ahead. Cooler temperatures and slick roads are left behind when you head to the trails. The trees in the trails will provide shelter from wind and riding speeds are much slower. You know if you dress right and pick the right trails you’ll be toasty in no time. Only factor in the way is ‘light’. Take advantage of your time on weekends and think of investing in a high quality riding light to shine on your trail on short days.

We’re looking to ride long past Thanksgiving, so if you are inclined to stick with the chicks evening rides will start earlier. We’ll conquer on the Naramata trail and come up with a plan. Remember bag drop off is Friday September 4th between 7am and 2pm and final payment in cash or cheque.

Thanks for supporting the program and a big shout out to our Sponsors and my Co-Coach Cory and special mention to Heather and Kimberley for stepping in here and there. There is no ‘I’ in team and I greatly appreciate all the help to keep this program ‘moving’ forward.

Gals enjoy some good food and drink after summer’s end ride. Happy Chicks.
To view chicks photo gallery of 2009 CLICK HERE

Well, that was a cool ride last night! Not the weather mind you...it was hot! Good lessons were had by all on some key hot weather tips:

-Heat leaves the head to keep you cool! Thats why helmets have venting!
-Hydrate often. A few ounces every 15 minutes on the ride.
-Keep pre-ride meals to a minimum. Best to eat too little and have to snack on the ride than eat too much and lose your lunch.
-Dress for the existing temperature then take a layer off and pack it for the downhill home.
-Eliminate the 'stinkin thinkin' If you think you can or think you can't..you're right!
-Climbing in the heat can be a gruel. Remind yourself you are up for it, have done it before and what goes up comes down.
-When you think you are done, go six more feet, then six more, you are building fitness for the next ride when that hill will be an easier task to overcome.

Way fun downhill with some spooky bridge crossing and deep grass blind ride! You all handled it so well chicks. Nice to see your confidence build to take on the challenge.

CHICKS JUST GET IN BEFORE DARK

NEXT WEEK Wednesday August 26th: Final Summer Ride/BBQ Social
YOU’RE INVITED

NARAMATA TREK UPDATE:
$110+gst Chicks/Clients $125+gst Guests

* Overnight Bag Delivery
* transport you to KVR trail head: meet Venture Gear 8am
* Guide you through the full day's ride (no shortcuts),
* Carry light pack to include:
-water/snacks:lunch/camera-yes we will stop for goofy shots
-appropriate layering of clothing, expect cooler temperatures for the am so dress in layers to peel as the day and you warm up
-a cheery disposition and go for the day attitude, no 'wineing' allowed until 5pm
-portion of the ride includes a single track route, pack gear if you feel more comfortable having it along
-remember what you bring you are carrying for 5+ hours think light!

* Safe delivery to Penticton Lakeside Hotel
* Invite you to Chick's Chatter Happy Hour or 3
* Dinner Lakeside Hooded Merganser or Earls
-comment on the blog as to your choice majority rules

* Chick's in the sticks original T if you have not one already
* Monday morning return transport from Penticton to Venture Gear: Departure 9am
* rise early if you want to eat before leaving

Only 3 spots left Register Here

Aug 12th was our last game of the season against Michael Brook Blast. We won the game 4-1. Our team scorers were Lisa-2, Kate-1, Veronica-1.
Blast scored the first goal putting us back on our toes for slacking off. Lisa came back to tie it up before half time. We started the second half scoring two goals back to back and causing frustration between the Blast defenders. Many chances were missed inches from the goal. It was a well faught game from both sides to the end.
It was our coach’s birthday as well so he gave us much motivation by wearing a birthday sash and tiara for us on the side lines. Happy Birthday Graeme! Thanks for the homemade birthday cupcakes Nicole Dobranski.
We ended the season by being undefeated and winning the Women’s Division 2 league. Congrats! to all our Teamfitness Euro players who have worked so hard on and off the the field to improve their skill and conditioning this year. Thanks for your commitment to attending practices and to our coach Graeme Jenkins for driving us to where we are as a team today.
Playoffs are held August 22-23rd at Beasley field in Lakecountry. We are unfortunately missing some key players, our goalie, sweeper, and others due to vacation plans previous made.
Our First game is 8am saturday morning. If we win, we play at 4pm, if we loss we are out of playoffs.
Wish us luck!
Our indoor soccer league will be staring in September. Watch for our new updates through till to March 2010.

Another great ride at Smith Creek. Great to hear of the log practise. Sounds like lots of lessons were had. Cornering improvements and an overall enjoyable ride, smoke free with cooler temperatures. Looks like I missed a good one.

A slow and steady ride up & down saw the group improving at the technical maneuvering between trees and over obstacles. A needed break lent itself well for discussions on supplements, vitamins and the benefits of a healthy diet! Wisdom in the woods thanks Cory.

Looks like Sarah found her mojo and all chicks made the grade. With Cory in the lead she watched Heather sweep the chicks and got a chance to watch her come down, “she is looking like a true mountain bike chick”.

Ride August 19th in Crawford 6 from Venture Gear or on the trail at Crawford 6:30! See you there.

What a place I live: Kelowna BC. It amazes me each and every time I hop on my bike, which I love! My son drove us 20 minutes up the Gillard Forest Road, a quick jaunt down the Kettle Valley Railway just past Chute Lake we scurfed onto the Woodwacker trail followed by a sprint to the blocked tressel and not knowingly took a downward descent to Naramata on who knows what ruined road! and BANG we’re in another community of God’s Country! whew!
Well it was planned to be a full route on the KVR, however, Kim and I were both virgin trekers for this trail and we just didn’t figure it out until we got to the bottom of the KVR start from Naramata. The cool thing was that this was a great discovery of a short cut that dropped a huge part of the KVR off for us to get our butts back to Ktown and we still had a fantastic few hours!

Our only expectation today was to arrive in Naramata and get back to Kelowna by 5pm having discovered a trail that I will take my chicks in the sticks riders on September Long.

HOWEVER;
We caught up on life
We found a piece of history
We daydreamed about being in that history
We road in the rain and sun no sleet or hail
We found some challenge on single track
We were amused by ’steep trail’ signs
We cruised on the Kettle Rail
We talked to some people who we knew, really out there in no where
We let her ripp down the road
We sang
We laughed
We were happy
We were there
We found Naramata albeit not as we had intended
….and we were home by 4:45

What is in your backyard or on the outskirts of town. Go there. Don’t think about it. Drop something and take someone and just go. Walk, hike, run, bike, kayak, canoe. Just get there on your own power. Be just there, where you are. Cells and personal devices even ipod’s left behind. Get out of your way and go make it work. It could be ‘right’ now or tonight or this weekend. But get on it. It will do wonders for you if you let it.

I think I do my fair share of it, but everytime it happens I think “this is what it’s about” the now, the moment, find yours!

In as little as THREE MONTHS of training with Team Fitness, Brandon Kane has lost over 20lbs and his chronic knee pain has disappeared too! He plans to meet one short term goal at a time! Setting goals has helped him with his accountability and has motivated him to keep up the hard work of eating right & training!

Great Job Brandon!!!

A small pack lends itself well to a steady pace, infrequent stops and push on pace. Most popular line this week’s ride “not on my game”… News flash chicks. It wasn’t the same game. Let me remind you the last time you did that ride was a month ago, nearly to the day! You covered DOUBLE the distance, at twice the pace with half the stops!

So the game was completely different! It taxed you more physically, technically and mentally and thats why things were not as comfortable as you have become accustomed to. So pat yourselves on the back for what you DID accomplish, not on what you DID NOT accomplish.

Getting into the groove on tough rides will come when you stay at the tough rides till you become back in the groove and on your game. Oh! and don’t forget to ride a trail that you have conquered time and time again this week and you’ll have that game back in a heart beat!

See you in two!

…If you didn’t see the article in Sunday’s Courier, our ‘Chicks’ program was picked up and given some great exposure. Hopeufully that will encourage others to join us for the rest of the summer!

Different dynamics having the ‘boys’ along on this weeks ride! I think we’ll follow our instincts next round and keep the route planned rather than being ‘influenced to go the ‘fun! way’. That said, how impressive were you diehard chicks, facing the elements of a 32 degree ride uphill a long way, eating dust and ash! Now thats committment.

Nice decent in the glenmore trails weaving through the skinny’s! Good to see Lindsay on the new ride with an air vented helmet. Nice going! Just a note that alternate rides are a necessary evil to allow us to progress to new heights…literally, so keep up those between rides gals. We know the heat can be an issue. Try to ride early or after sundown, hydrate well and ride in the trees. Every ride doesn’t have to hammer you, just get out there!

Off to Smith Creek on the Westside this week so Ktown side meet at Venture Gear to shuttle sharp @ 6pm and Westsiders we’ll meet you there to depart @ 6:30 from the lower parking lot.

Thanks ‘chicks’ for keeping the momentum going! We’re glad you are lovin the dirt!