Birthdays are a great time to reflect on where you are and where you want to be. I challenged you all (oh, and, yes, I'm sure there are hundreds of people reading our blog) just two short weeks to a squat challenge. Little did I know how much it would help me! I am a firm believer in strength training --- I have always been a runner and would choose the runner's high over any other activity (well, *almost* any activity... Snowboarding and hiking definitely win in this contest). Strength training often got neglected in the crunch for my time. But after doing those relatively few squats for a very short time, I'm happy to report that I already noticed a huge difference. I had the privilege of going snowboarding on Saturday with a dear friend; I have not felt that strong and stable on a board since the days I went every weekend. So, here's some virtual encouragement to keep squatting. I once got side tracked on the square potty. Look it up, it's good for a laugh. And your quads. And your colon, apparently. But, I digress. Birthdays. Change. Growth. Seasons. Twenty four short hours after I rode down the ski-out at sunshine, a man (an experienced snowboarder) hit a tree and died. With that sober reminder, here is my challenge for you--and I--to live life to the fullest this spring. Enjoy the mud your kids track in, the crisp wind that smells of the warming earth, the loud, squeaky sounds they make... Enjoy the distractions they bring, and the fact that they tie you down ... All these things have annoyed me in the past. Sometimes a lot more than I'd like to admit. But they are reminders of life -- this precious life that we get just one shot at. So, go live it well. Sorry for the soap box, but, it is my birthday and I can climb up if it want 😝. Go and have an awesome day; you never know when your "last run will be". So pro I don't need a go-pro. Lol So. Keep squatting. Charge hard and then recharge. I read that somewhere else on social media, but love it. And, if you're still reading, bless you! 😄
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Driving up Highway 40 into Kananaskis, it was brown. Brown, brown brown. It wasn't even worth taking a photo of. Some of you were there! You saw it! We were past the point of no return, too far away to turn back. Then, the light rain/snow turned into snow. Upon reaching the trailhead, there was well, slush. At the trailhead we found another group of veteran snowshoers that had just finished up and were packing up as we geared up. Everyone got set up with a set of snowshoes and some of us even had poles. They were the most useful things on the trail. As the beautiful snow fell, it also began to attach itself to our snowshoes and poles were the perfect thing to remove it with. Dinner at Original Joe's in Cochrane after slushy roads out of Kananaskis. Ladies, if you didn't make it out snowhoeing this year, we'd love you to strap on a pair next year!
Winter is finally over and spring is ... (Wait for it)... Just around the corner!! I love how often I can throw that little gem in! :) This post is all about hiking season prep. Spring is that awkward time of year when the weather isn't sure if it's going to be naughty or nice - kind of like Mother Nature's version of puberty. With the variability in temperature, it's hard to plan consistent hikes-- especially those at higher elevations. So, to make the most of this unpredictability, I'm going to talk spring training. Specifically, quad strengthening! Who wants to run down a mountain, only to find they can't actually walk - or, heaven forbid - go down a flight of stairs ((this happened to me. And I speak from a very excruciatingly, painful memory! I assure you, that you do not -REPEAT: DO NOT! - want the ability to sympathize with me!!)) On Monday, Cory and I are going to start a 30 day quad challenge... And in invite you to join in. This challenge actually seems reasonable to me (I once did 1000 squats in 45 minutes... And you guessed it-- I couldn't walk the rest of the week). We are thinking to start off somewhat milder and work our way up! It should be fun, and build our lower body strength at the same time! And everytime we feel the burn, we will visualize those glorious mountain peaks. Well, at least I will be. I guess I can't technically speak for her. :) So, with that in mind, here is a short photo essay of what we are planning to do! If greta can squat, so can you! So, who is in for the squat challenge? I'll post the link as soon as I figure it how! http://www.popsugar.com/fitness/30-Day-Squat-Challenge-30806625. Let me know if the link doesn't work! Also- reminder! Our snowshoe is this Sunday!! Penstock loop in kananaskis. Registration is now closed, but talk to us if you're interested in coming along in the future. Have a happy, spring-like, day! S |
AuthorSarah and Cory have a passion for hiking and being out in nature. There is no feeling quite the same as standing on the top of a mountain, sitting by a hidden lake, the jelly legs at the bottom of a steep descent, the sun on your face or the wind in your hair. Even our children have come to love it! Archives
September 2015
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