Hi, So from March 10, 2012 to April 8, 2012 I participated in the Moksha Yoga London (and London West) 30 day Yoga Challenge. I have been going to this Hot Yoga Studio for a few years off and on and have always enjoyed myself and found it beneficial. I attended 31 days of Yoga in a row (I went to the night before the challenge started so I actually did 31 days). There were days that it was tough...I mean on Thursdays it was my 4th workout of the day! But I did love every minute of it... Here is a little letter I did on my experience... Although I run and am currently training for a full marathon and a half-ironman I often neglect other parts of my training that are crucial to optimal performance. While attending a Friday night class at Moksha Yoga London West I was speaking with D. and amazing instructor. We had a short but powerful conversation about the benefits of daily yoga and bringing that practice into our every day lives. She encouraged me to sign up for the 30 day challenge. I laughed a little, as I the runner, who loves to come to 1 yoga class a week and struggles in that class I thought there is "no way I could ever do that!". I looked at D. again and I realized she was serious. I thought about all the reasons why I continue to come back to Moksha; I feel safe, comfortable, challenged and encouraged. I knew that like Marathon Training this 30 day challenge would be about the process and not the end result. I took that leap and signed up on the spot. I never thought that doing this challenge would have such an impact on my life. I find I do not react as quickly. I take that minute to pause, reflect and appreciate the silence. I am way more efficient in my training as a result of focusing on my breathing. This has helped with tough workouts while swimming, running and cycling. My body has completely changed. In those 30 days I lost 9.2lbs. I ran a very challenging 30km race and last year when I completed it I thought I was in the best shape of my life. It took me 3h12min, this year I went in with no expectations but to trust my training focus on my breathing and enjoy the run. I completed in 2h56mins. I often struggle with knee injuries including the week before the challenge started. I have not had a single issue. For those 30 days "I trusted my Gut" and listened to my body and not what my training scheduled said. I challenged or eased off when my body needed. In the past I would follow that piece of paper and listen to it to tell me how I had to perform. This lead to burnout and injury. Yoga has really taught me to listen to my body. I feel like I am so much more self aware these days. Hot Yoga is not for everyone. I tried many different classes but due to the training schedule I usually did a 60min standard class. Moksha Yoga is a green, clean, hot yoga series that stretches, strengthens and tones the muscles while detoxifying the body and calming the mind. While all classes are rooted in the Moksha Yoga series, teachers are encouraged to bring their own unique knowledge and experience every time they enter the room to teach. From their Website: For your bod Moksha Yoga builds upper and lower body strength, balance and flexibility, and cardiovascular health. The series also focuses on treating and preventing commonly cranky areas of the body like the lower back, knees and bellybutton lint. The cool part is that every body is welcome and everybody will benefit. For your brain A regular Moksha practice gives us the rare opportunity to slow it all down. The stress reduction associated with yoga helps to calm and balance the nervous system, increase blood flow to the brain, and help you remember where you left your keys. For your breath The average person takes 900 breaths an hour. Moksha Yoga encourages you to make each and every one of them count, on and off the mat. For your being The word Moksha means Freedom. A regular Moksha practice gives us the chance to explore what this means for each of us; whether it's finding freedom from chronic pain, freedom from self judgement, or freedom from playing Angry Bird marathons I am continuing to attend at least one weekly class. I am trying for 2 one 60min Moksha Class and then one 75 or 90min Yin class after my Sunday Long Runs. Check out the Moksha Website for locations near you and more info on the classes! ~Namaste :)

Around the Bay Race Recap

Last Sunday I ran the Around the Bay Race in Hamilton...30km... Muncie 70.3 training is going well but basically consuming my life...I am also participating in an amazing and life changing Moksha Yoga 30 Day Challenge...once it is finished I will do a post about my experience there... I had no plans to RACE Around the Bay...In fact the race was workout #17 for me that week. I did not taper or do anything differently. I went to my niece's 2nd bday party the night before and had lots of yummy pizza and multiple cupcakes. Slept in a hotel...had a brutal sleep because people were loud and stupid but I got up with plenty of time to eat a piece of toast with PB and some Gatorade, shower and feel pretty good..

•  Race: I lined up with the 3:00:00 10:1 pace bunny 
• Clock starts:  Bunny goes flying and I think "I'll never catch him"
• 0-5km...Super easy...legs feel VERY fresh...I am chatting with random people.  It is still congested...I ate a Rocket

• 5km-10km: I ran that in under an hour...still feeling quite amazing...just going with it.... 
•  15km: Take a GU...now this is where the hills start...still feeling good...but slow the pace just a little because of hills
• 20km:  Wow I ran that under 2hours...this won't last...I should be really tired...I trained all week...this is workout #17...hey look at that cute dog...I like that shirt....Ahh the sun is great...
• My mind was so positive and RELAXED...I have NEVER been this relaxed
• 25km:  Took more rockets which are my go to running treat now...I knew the BIG hill was coming up...pace was still great...
• Get to big hill...power up 97% of it...take a small walk break...start running at top...
• 27km...WOW 3km left...IF I keep this pace I might get under 3 hours...
• 28km...wow I am passing a lot of people...still really crowded...hmmm...I might actually get a PB but I can't do math while running...getting confused...
• 29km...I see my BFF Lindsay who couldn't run because of nasty stomach flu...she surprised me and took photos!!!!!  She rocks....I see her...she tells me to Keep going...I think...Oh right race!
• 30km:  2:56:38 PB!!!!!!!

I am still in shock...and just so happy...I have never felt that relaxed...I didn't put pressure on myself...the weather helped as I could wear shorts and a t-shirt....It was a GREAT day and everything just came together...It was challenging don't get me wrong but also very natural and zen like...no inner battles...I am so happy and this has given me some confidence for my next marathon and the half ironman...

All in all..good race...sorry I haven't been blogging...training is going well but so time consuming...once 30 day Yoga challenge is complete I'll write a review...I basically think it has made ALL the difference...I am injury free and doing awesome...

Now the big PB also has to do with Weight Loss....Since January 1, 2012 I have lost 24.4lbs.  I still have another 10lbs to go before I get to an ideal racing weight...I am in no rush and am taking my time (I have until July 7th, 20212)...but man...I get it...I get why there is such thing as racing weight....for the first time in my adult life I am in the healthy BMI range (even though I do that that BMI range is mostly complete crap and not a good definition at all...but nonethe less it feels good).  I feel lighter on my toes and my knees have been behaving...

All in all...I am in a good place and need to just continue to make all these things a habit....bike is still on trainer...swimming is slowly improving...yoga is inspiring and life changing....

ME jumping...I got some pretty decent air for after 30km :)

Sweaty, Done and HAPPY!

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Greetings from the Island of St. Vincent! St. Vincent is located west of Barbados (45mins by air) and it is South of St. Lucia and north of Grenada. St. Vincent and the Grenadines has a population of about 104,000 and approximately 100,000 people live on the Island of St. Vincent.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a parliamentary democracy and a member of the Commonwealth. The Queen is head of state...like Canada they have a prime minister and a governor general. It is a volcanic island and it is non-touristy. There are no large hotels or shopping areas. The main industry is agriculture-banana and exotic flowers also it is the largest grower of marijuana in the Eastern Carribean. Tourism is related to sailing and scuba diving.

The Flag

The colours represent the blue of the ocean, the green of the land, the yellow of the sun and the diamonds represent the multiple islands that make up the country.

This is my 4th time visiting the island. My dad teaches at the Medical School and has been coming here for 2-3weeks twice a year since 1988. This has become a very special place for my dad and the family. The Island is wonderful and although it is not touristy there are a lot of places to explore :) Yesterday we went on a hike with another professor from the school. I am not doing any training this week so this hike was wonderful cross training. St. Vincent is EXTREMELY hilly. It is a very green island because it is a Volcanic Island. The highest peak of the island is the volcano-La Soufriere-which last erupted in 1979.

Here are some pics from the hike and where I am staying...

I hope to post more pictures this week....but for now I need to go and get some Vitamin D and catch up on some reading and resting :)

LONG WEEKEND :)

Here in Ontario it is a LONG weekend! Wooohooo....love it...Even though I did take Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday off this week..hehe...Vacay 3 days, work 2 days then only a 4 day work week this week...I am spoiled...plus I am on vacation the following week...really spoiled...

Anyway...Week in Review...

Last Sunday after my 20km run in the middle of a blizzard the weather cleared up nicely and the Hubby and I headed to Muskoka for a few days...It was wonderful...

Monday: We went Downhill Skiing...I love downhill skiing (I used to be a Certified Instructor and also worked with the Track 3 program...It teaches kids with different abilities to ski...I loved it and miss is a lot...

Tuesday: 6km Tempo

Wednesday: 10km Tempo

Thursday: Hot Yoga

Friday: 8km Steady/Hot Yoga

Saturday: 1 hour Trainer ride on the bike

Sunday 23km LSD (Long Slow Distance)

I did my usual weigh in on Sat. and after all of the cottage feasting I was worried but I did loose another 1.8 lbs for a Total Loss of 15.2 lbs since January...

I must say that I am doing a great job of eating clean, having a well balanced diet...I have no eliminated a single thing...Everything in moderation, I am watching my portion sizes and WOW what a difference when you eat healthy...I have so much energy and I also feeling like I am eating a lot and often...I do try and get my 8 glasses of water in each day and more if I have a tough workout...I tend to drink a lot of Nuun on workout days....


I found this picture on my Camera that I had TOTALLY forgot about...On December 31, 2011 my mum and I participated in the Resolution Run...I was so proud of her as this fall she completed the 10km Walking Program at the Running Room...I ran the 10km and she walked it that night...Beyond proud of her!!

Anyway this week is technically my first week of 70.3 training...there is NO turning back now :)

Pure Fit Nutrition Bar Review

Like some other bloggers out there I was contacted by PureFit Nutrition Bars to do a review of their gluten-free sports nutrition bars...

I going to start off by saying that I am NOT a bar person...I have tried almost every bar out there and almost every GU/GEL/BEAN/Chew etc...I have a very sensitive stomach and have trouble eating anything before a run/ride/swim...

I was pretty hesitant about these bars and I find that most bars actually taste plastic like and have a weird shiny glaze on them...totally not natural..

Anyway...

PureFit Nutrition Bars

• NO Hydrogenated Oils
• NO Animal Products - Vegan
• NO Cholesterol or Trans Fatty Acids
• NO Wheat or Gluten
• NO Artificial Sweeteners
• NO Hidden Carbohydrates
• NO Sugar Alcohol

PureFit Nutrition Bars are specifically designed to give you sustained energy and help stabilize blood sugar.

I immediately liked the packaging...All the information I needed was right there, easy to ready and I did not feel like they were hiding anything...also one neat thing is on the back of the bar...

Hard to read in that picture but is says "Adopt Your Next Dog or Cat" with a little blurb....love that and there are so many animals out there in need of a home!

On to the taste: 30mins prior to my 6km Tempo Run on Tuesday I took half of the Almond Crunch Bar...I love how it was easy to break in half as usually I cannot tolerate a full bar, it was soft, not too dry and there was no plastic taste or "sheen".  They were full of flavour..it really tasted pretty amazing... I was pleasantly surprised. It was DELICIOUS...The best part was when I did my run and had ZERO digestive issues...BIG BONUS!!!  When I got home I immediately ate the rest of the bar...I found the bars to be filling as well.

They sent me 5 bars and here is the order in which I liked them best:

1.  Peanut Butter Crunch
2.  Chocolate Brownie
3.  Almond Crunch
4.  Granola Crunch
5.  Berry Almond Crunch 


The Purefit website is great...There is a lot of info there including a local retail finder.  I am lucky that a health food store here in London sells them...I definitely plan on using these in my Half-Ironman training!


Pure Fit Nutrition Bars has provided me with a coupon code that will save you 25% off your first order. Enter code PROMO25 at checkout to receive the discount.
Follow PureFit Bars on Twitter -> @PureFitBars
Follow PureFit Bars on Facebook -> PureFit Nutrition Bars
*PureFit Nutrition Bars provided me five nutrition bars to taste   and review. I was not compensated for this review otherwise. All opinions expressed here are my own.*

Character Building Run

Yesterday was a tough run BUT I am happy I finished...it was slow...not pretty and I had to take some walk breaks but it is done....now I am rewarding myself with a few days vacation with the Hubby in beautiful Muskoka :). Today we are going to go skiing..hoping to post a video later...Happy Monday!

Here We Go

I can't believe that it is already February 2012! It feels like yesterday that I was injured...not running and starting to think about training plans for Muncie 70.3. Well the time is here and although my 20 week training plan doesn't officially start for another 2 weeks I am trying my best to ramp up my training...

The next two weeks are a challenge as I am away for the first few days...wrapping up things in my current job in order to start a new job after a week away in the sun with my dad...haha 2nd week of training and I am going away where I will have no access to a bike or be able to run...BUT there is a pool so I plan on doing some intensive pool training and will probably bring a couple work out DVD's and do core work...so I will be happy come March 6, 2012 when my life will go back to somewhat of a routine...

My big goal is to get down to a better racing weight...I think that for the past two years I have justified my overeating with the fact that I was marathon training...this lead to an 18lb weight gain...boo urns...Starting January 4, 2012 I have a good weight loss plan in place and am looking forward to getting down to a BMI that is within a healthy weight range...Like this season on the Biggest Loser...2012 is the year of NO EXCUSES!

To date I have lost 13.4lbs. (9.6lbs to go for my min goal but will most likely try for more) I am happy with that so far and continue on my journey. I have a great and supportive husband who is totally on the ball...we've been making lunches and eating out WAY less for the past month and a half...also another person that is so motivating is my dad....since October he has lost 50lbs!!! 50lbs! Just amazing...and I am so proud of him.


This Past Week:

Sunday: 18km Run
Monday: 30mins on bike trainer and 1000m Swim
Tuesday: 6km Tempo
Wednesday: REST
Thursday: 10km Tempo
Friday: 8km Steady
Saturday: 1h on the bike trainer

Tomorrow I will head out for a 20km run...

Happy Training!