The Grind

I have a confession....

  I must admit I have never really thought of myself as an "Athlete" more so a "Show Pony", I like looking pretty, and occasionally I kinda prance. I have had no desire to Climb Mountains, Spartan Dash,Warrior Race, Bike Race, Marathon or do any activities that would get me "dirty".

I like my LuLu Lemon's clean, my Reeboks with no mud in the tracks, I love the smell of the gym, the shine of weights, mirrors to look into and newly cleaned cardio equipment with tv's that I can watch as I exercise.

Now I know many have found that surprising over the years, thinking I look like the outdoors type only to be dismayed when I looked back in shock and disgust when I was asked to go hiking. I preferred to be timed, usually by a tv program as to when my gym session was over.

Until recently....

 I have discovered the "Grind".....

Now I had made myself do this gruelling mountain climb when I first moved here 5 years ago as kinda an initiation to being a new Vancouverite. After that first torturous climb I confirmed my belief in why I don't do outdoor activities. I hated it.....I did go one other time with friends in which I must admit I complained and wined the whole climb.

But 2 weeks ago I attempted this climb again and timed myself, and I noticed such a difference in my body then next day. This workout kicked my butt literally,  the next day I was tighter and felt fantastic. I am far more aware of my body this time and the effect that this intense workout had on it.

So I did it again this week in which I must say I did it in 46 min (from what I have heard that is pretty good) I also bought a heart monitor (getting serious) in which to see where I am at. The climb is non stop and the only one I was challenging was myself.

As I climbed whenever I wanted to stop I began to think of all the obstacles I have worked through to get to where I am today, and that if I can get through those then I can get my butt in gear and work hard to get up that mountain.

In reflection, climbing that mountain is kinda like my life, sometimes I fall and trip but I get up, at times I want to quit but there is no choice but to work through it, no one is going to carry me up to the top except myself,  this is about my journey, my time and pushing through any thoughts of self defeat....

So my new goal is to do the Grind every week until the snow falls, to push myself to work harder, beat my personal best, and become best I can be......kinda like my life....

You never know......you might see me at a Spartan/Warrior Dash Race in the future...even if I am just in the beer tent afterwards cheering everyone else on.....