Since it's Friday I'm linking up with the DC Trifecta ladies for the Friday Five. This weeks theme? Five things you love about.....anything.
I don't know about you but sometimes I get so caught up in life that I don't take the time to appreciate just how lucky I am. Some things in life didn't go my way but I think those things just opened up other doors for myself and G. Spending this past week relaxing and not really thinking or worrying about anything has given me time to reflect on things. So without further ado, let's take a look at five things that I love.
1. Coaching. If you had asked me 5 years ago if I'd end up coaching people, I would have laughed and said no way. I've always considered myself an introvert with a few extrovert tendencies but when you get me talking about triathlon and running, I turn into a different person. The passion I have for those sports far outweighs any shyness or awkwardness I may feel. Add to that the ability to use my knowledge to help people and it's like hitting the jackpot. I truly enjoy being able to help people realize their goals and their potential.
2. "G" - officially known as Gary. Also known as G-Man. We've been together for 13 years, married for almost 11. I don't know know where the time has gone. I do know there's no one else I'd rather spend my life with. He supports me and my crazy plans - and hatches some crazy plans of his own - almost always revolving around a race. Last years European adventure was his idea. As was our last European adventure when we raced in Switzerland. He likes to go big. I'm truly lucky to have a partner that enjoys racing and training as much as I do and is always up for a big adventure.
3. Racing: Had G and I actually been able to have kids I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be the athlete I am today. Our unsuccessful attempts at starting a family were what spurred me to change my diet and eventually the way I trained. That resulted in a 20lb weight loss and the gain of a whole bunch of speed. I started racing regularly to keep me motivated and eventually found that I loved it. I love the adrenaline, I love pushing myself outside my comfort zone and most of all I love the preparation. Setting a goal race and preparing for it. I know if we had kids, we wouldn't have raced in Europe. I wouldn't have gone back to Boston. I think racing really helped me deal with the fact that my body failed me in one of its most basic functions - reproduction- I raced the pain away and found something incredibly satisfying in the process.
4. Our House & Neighbourhood: When we bought our house 13 years ago it was a tiny little story and a half that was built in 1935. It was cute and didn't need too much work which is why we jumped on it. We didn't want to have to deal with any renovations other than maybe some painting. The location was great, you could see Lake Ontario from the bottom of our driveway and the Martin Goodman trail ran just along the bottom of our street. The area itself still needed a fair bit of "work" in terms of restaurants and other amenities but over the last few years that has definitely improved. We love the area and our neighbours so much that instead of moving, we opted to rip down our old house and build a new one - exactly the way we wanted it. That was almost 4 years ago. We moved in Christmas Eve and I woke up Christmas Day in a brand new house. G turned to me that morning and said I was never going to get a Christmas present that good again,haha.
5. The Westside Crew: I don't really chat about my job on this blog much other than the fact that I sometimes work crazy hours or that it can be extremely stressful. For those of you that have wondered exactly what I do, let me fill you in. I'm a producer at a commercial photography studio - Westside Studio. I am the holder of the purse strings, the keeper of schedules and the budget master. Essentially what I do boils down to project management. I work in advertising and it's no secret that it's a bit of dirty cutthroat business. I don't like that part of the job but the fact that I work with some pretty amazing people makes it worthwhile. The Westside crew is like my second family. I've been there for almost 15 years. I find it difficult to imagine myself doing anything different. Other than maybe coaching haha.
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4 comments:
I loved your comment about your body "failing you" after trying to get pregnant. My husband and I were married for 9 years before I gave birth to my oldest son. He was conceived through IVF, as was his brother. Running got me through all those years and treatments, and it was the one thing that made me feel like I wasn't defective. I totally get it. I'm so glad you found your strength through fitness--I knew why liked you so much.
Keep inspiring me! :)
Isn't it amazing how something you start as a hobby - like running or triathlon - can help you through some tough times. I know that running and triathlon has helped me enormously as I went through some very difficult family situations.
Glad you can share your knowledge and love of the sport through coaching!
<3 How awesome that you opened yourself to us and let us in your life outside races. I would have never guessed you were an introvert. Girl, you can talk a storm, but I love that about you.
thanks Wendy! We went through 3 rounds of IVF all of which failed. It was definitely a dark period in my life. Running helped me heal afterwards that's for sure!
Liz - it just goes to show you the power of sport, right?
Irina - MWAH. It's true, I'm always a bit shy at first but once you get me talking it's hard to get me to stop haha.
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