Not sure about you, but whenever I see any of these three commercials. My mind just goes a mile a minute with

- Boy do I feel out of shape just watching those people (and I’m not out of shape)
- Have I, Did I workout today, If not then I’m heading back to the gym
- My bad shoulder starts to ache

This July LARD will be racing in four different divisions at the Club Crew World Championships in Hong Kong representing their club as well the USA. In addition, with it being LARD’s 15 season, the club designed new practice jerseys and used it as a fundraiser for any non-LARD members. Instead of a posing in the new shirt, I leave you with this amazing action shot from one of their recent practices.

Source: Scott

“L.A.R.D, L.A.R.D, L.A.R.D go team L.A.R.D”

Thank you mom for being there for my brother and I over the years, by teaching us how to swim, driving me to and from dragonboat and outrigger practices (until I knew how to drive), being at every local regatta. I may not always say it, but thank you for everything.

Instead of the typical Mother’s day bunch my brother and I decided to take our mom out to the movies this evening.

Happy Mothers Day to all you moms out there.

What do you have planned for Mother’s Day?

What IF I did not go on my trip, I would be closer to/at my goal weight
IF I was not recovering from a shoulder injury, where would I be in my fitness goal
What IF I was paddling on another team, would that help me get closer to my goals
IF only I was that much closer to my goal weight
I cannot let stress run my life

Sure, I was hoping to be a lot closer to my goal weight by now but at least I can see it in sight and I know I am a lot stronger then I was and my endurance level has improved. But at the same time I’m happy that my shoulder is allowing me to do more with it, ex. I am able to increasing the weights at the gym and even being able to paddle on both sides (of the boat) which has made me very happy, I hated being only able to paddle on one side .

The plan is now to get more focused and use yesterday’s weight in as a benchmark for how far I’ve gotten and how close I am to my goal weight. Now to make sure I don’t fall off that diet like I did last week (thanks to a ex)

It’s been a busy last few days, I was hoping to have this post up on Monday but got busy.

Since I was the one buying the chocolate easter eggs this year, I was the one who was controlling how much chocolate was coming into the house. So I gave my mom and her dragonboat team the bag of chocolate that I had and I used what was left over. Why should I go overboard on chocolate when I barely eat the stuff?

The kidlet got a good mix of toys, books and of course chocolate, even my cats got spoiled they got some more treats and the youngest one got a new collar and of course I got myself a bag of mini eggs(yum) and some more sunscreen.

The wine I got in South Africa

Easter dinner was great not just cause the great company but the food was amazing and the wine I brought, had great reviews from everyone who had a glass.

How was your easter/long weekend?

The lake was just amazing yesterday morning, the water was like glass and it really felt like it was summer (a few of us brave souls wore shorts to practice). I was planning on wearing just a t-shirt but the wind picked up a bit (paddling in a thick hoodie, isn’t really smart but at least I was warm) After practice we had a paddling intro for anyone who wanted to learn how to paddle. One of my teammates was helping me take pictures when I was on the water.

Yesterday was a lot of fun, now only if this nice weather would stay around. I’d LOVE to start working on my paddlers (farmers) tan.

It didn’t hit me until yesterday when I was booking my next massage into my calendar, that my team’s first race of the season is truly in a month time (April 28). This regatta is a great one for the beginning of the season as the race course is only 200 meters long, as not everyone is able to do a 500 meter race just like that.

I do have to say it’s been a slow start to our 2012 season as mother nature hasn’t being playing nice and it hasn’t help that a few people are away over the spring break, which means we haven’t had a lot of on the water practices. Though a lot of us have been cross training in outrigger so we can get at least some water time, but it’s not the same as practicing in a dragon boat that your gonna be racing in. Outrigger is a lot higher up off the water and has a different stroke. Plus I’m also at the gym/on the treadmill at home every day I’m not on the water.

Source: pinterest.com

I just heart that quote!

Do you modified your training because of the weather?

With the weather being so nice, I decided that after practice I’d go to a local high school track to work on some sprints but when I got there the place was placed. Came home and bought out some cones to do some sprint drills. I hope I didn’t damage the grass

Fast forward to Sunday, I spent the afternoon in Whistler as I was taking part in Whistlers Sliding Centre’s public bobsleigh ride. It was something I have always wanted to try/do but wasn’t willing to spend money and fly to Calgary to do it. We all sign in and get weighted with our shoes/jackets and try on helmets. After a quick intro we get dropped off at the novice start (curve 7) meet our drivers and climb into the sleds. I’m not sure who got the fastest time/speed but all I know that the sled I was in, got up to 127.8KM/Hr and it took us 43 seconds to get from the novice start to the finish line (9 curves later). I’d definitely do it again but maybe next time as a push athlete/brakeman were I don’t have to see where I’m going ..

I didn’t do to much, went to practice to find out it was cancelled due to the wind chill and snow which was a disappointment. So the team and I had a great brunch at our favourite “after practice” restaurant where everything is handmade or locally bought and very organic. It’s a great way to do some team bonding with some of our new teammates.

The one time, I forgot to bring my gym gear with me, the practice didn’t happen. Grr! I normally over pack my paddling bag for all weather conditions as I don’t know what the weather is really gonna be like and living an hour out doesn’t always help. So this way if practice gets cancelled for some reason, I’d be able to go straight to the gym instead of going home first. As I got home yesterday, the gym was put on hold.

I did feel a bit guilty that I didn’t workout yesterday, so this morning I jumped onto the treadmill and did a light 60 minute cardio workout before I headed out to a very good friend of mine’s birthday tweet up and than dropped by my best friends folks as I haven’t seen them in a while.

How was your weekend?
Do you find yourself feeling guilty if you miss a workout?