Elbow Valley Cyclists come to Penticton

Well, it’s hump day – Wednesday.  And with that – we rode over the Apex hump.

We have had a terrific 3 days of riding so far.  The rain is coming tomorrow so we’ll take our day off/optional ride day as scheduled.  The weather has cooperated so far and no one is too heartbroken that we might have a sleep-in and rest day tomorrow.  We’ve covered a lot of ground and it’s been wonderful.  We’ve explored the benches in Naramata, the tranquility of Willowbrook, the ice cream of Tickleberry’s and the spectacular beauty of Apex Continue reading

June 7, 2017

Graduation day.

Yesterday, the Princesses went home after a full week of riding.  They came, the rode, they conquered.

Friday they took on the challenge of their last long ride and sailed through with flying colours. Almost everyone clocked and rocked more kms this week than they ever have.

The Lipstick Princess attended her third camp and had the strongest week yet.  She was never at a loss stories to keep us entertained and successfully rode all of the routes with a degree of ease that she hadn’t before, thus proving that patience and sweat equity certainly pay.

The Ironhorse Continue reading

June 4, 2017

So, there were these two Black Bears sitting on the lawn when one said…

Yesterday the ride began a little late because of an unexpected ‘gear’ malfunction but Princess Heather managed to have her tire changed in no time at all and we were on our way.  She listened carefully to earlier instruction and embodied Princess Pedal independence.  Well, except for the water bottle thing, and the get the gear out of the gear pouch thing… but mostly it was done with great efficiency.

All of my warnings of 20km of ‘up’ to start the day didn’t seem to faze the group.  All agreed that it was tough, but worth the Continue reading

June 1, 2017

Where do I begin?

The past two days has been a bit of a blur.  So much so that I sat down to write after our first day and couldn’t remember a single thing from the day – other than the obvious.  We have spent a fair amount of time laughing about a variety of things from Princesses with ‘issues’ and ‘special needs’ to the benefits and drawbacks of lipstick and V-control (whatever THAT is, Sugoi).

     

On the meal front, I really thought that the Piranha Princesses of 2014 might never be challenged, but I have been proven Continue reading

May 31, 2017

And heeeeere we go!

On the eve of our 4th  annual trek to the Okanagan Valley and Princess Pedal/LiveSplendidly cycling camps – I can actually – and  finally say – that I’m excited.  There is a lot of planning and coordinating when it comes to these camps so I tend to get caught up in the details – until we’re ready to hit the road or more accurately the rubber hits the road.

However, every minute that we spend with the riders is worth every minute spent on those preparatory details.  In the week ahead of their arrival, we Continue reading

May 19, 2017

It’s never too late to try something new.

In 2008 I decided that I needed to try something new every year.  Since then, I’ve learned to SCUBA Dive and ride a motorcycle.  I’ve taken up downhill & cross country skiing and golfing, again.  I’ve started my own business in earnest and have learned how to use social media in the process.  I’ve challenged myself with travel and have been to countries quite outside of my comfort zone and even tried red hair for a spell.

This year, I’m going to Camp.  Yep.  As a kid I never went to go to Camp Continue reading

April 2, 2017

Friends don’t let friends do stupid things… alone.

I received a tee shirt with this phrase on it for Christmas from a good friend who is never in need of finding friends to do stupid things with.  I’m not sure if it prompted me to do something a little ‘nuts’ myself, or not – but if you call registering for an 11.8km ultraswim nuts – then I guess I did.  I of course thought of another couple of nut-bars that might like to join me so forwarded the info. and succeeded in recruiting two more swimmers.

The journey has begun.  We are all three Continue reading

February 8, 2017

The Princess wears cleats

I first met Wendy at a local running store where I was giving a presentation on nutrition for long distance running.  The group was preparing for a variety of distances, but mostly half and full marathons.  Wendy approached me afterward with some questions and ultimately followed up with me to help her with her training.

Unfortunately, due to some structural issues, she was at the end of her ‘run’ with running.  Not to be told “no” – she wanted very badly to keep fit for cross country skiing, so we changed gears a bit and made the Continue reading

December 21, 2016

Bob

It was spring, 1999.  Bob had already experienced a pretty terrific life.  Husband, father and successful business leader.  Life was good.

He was on the couch reading the newspaper one morning when he happened across an advertisement for a marathon program at the University of Calgary.  He’d noticed many times from the comfort of his favorite chair in his warm comfy home – people running on the pathway along the Bow River pathway – just outside his window.

His thoughts went to this.  How hard could a marathon be?

Until that moment – Bob Continue reading

December 8, 2016

Getting started – as per Dr. Seuss

dr-seuss-quotes-copy

Deciding to get started – with whatever endeavor – just requires you to take that first step.

Just begin.

Don’t wait for Monday, the New Year, when you… are thinner, richer, have the right outfit or have someone to do it with.

Just begin.

LiveSplendidly!

 

November 24, 2016