Spring in Canada

I love living in Canada and enjoy almost every season. The few weeks where it is no longer fall and not quiet winter are not my overall favourite. I usually avoid outdoor activities at that time. 

Give me snow, give me a warm spring rain, give a hot summer day but rainy cold weather that seeps into your bones... not my idea of fun.

But right now it is SPRING! It is so invigorating to see everything starting to grow, new life, all the green returning and the smell of the trees unthawing.

I haven't written a new blog in a while because I have been loving the outdoors too much.

Not only do I go for daily walks with my dogs and my little one in the hiker pack.

I also made myself a new goal this year. I want to become a runner. But not just running down the road or regular path. I want to be able to run all the trails I love to hike so much. Now I have never been a good long distance runner. So this is going to be a great challenge for me.

My spouse and I are planning to have one more baby hopefully next year. We want them somewhat close in age but before I go and get big and awkward I have pledged to be in the best shape of my life. I gave birth 100% natural and let me tell you if there is anything you ever need to be in shape for, labour is it! I can honestly say there is nothing that can prepare you for the pain or euphoria that follows.

So here I am 30 years old working out 4-5 times a week at home and running 4 times a week. Once I get stronger I hope to be able to run everyday. I do hike every day even if I don't run but my muscles and lungs are still adjusting.

I learned a long time ago I need something to keep me accountable so that I don't lose interest or get bored. I am not always a good self motivator. So I joined a website called Tribesport.com. I like it because everyone is very encouraging and you can take short or long term challenges where people will encourage your activity. You can also join conversation if you want. It has been great to help me stay motivated.

For running I decided to try the Vibram Five Finger shoes.

I wanted them for hiking anyways (nothing like losing a shoe in a muck hole to make the hike a little longer lol). I have to say I love the Vibram shoes. I was able to run my whole 2k hike the first time with only stopping 3 times for about 30 seconds each to catch my breath. Granted I wasn't going to break and speed records but my goal was to go from point A to point B with the least amount of stops possible. And man was I happy with myself lol. I never thought I could do that much so I was stoked. 

Keeping your expectations of yourself small and your goals a little bigger sometimes has the advantage of making you very happy when you go above and beyond what you expected. 

Right now my goal is distance. When I can run my 2k regular hiking trail with out feeling winded or my legs burning the next day I will speed it up and start to make it longer. 

I have become addicted to the feeling of running. I never expected that. I use to hate it in highschool but whether it is the change in my diet or just my new determination it feels completely different than it use to and I am loving it.

Don't let anyone tell you, "You can't". That is the biggest lie. They probably don't want you to because that would rub in how they didn't do it or didn't go for what they wanted. Because YES YOU CAN. YES YOU CAN. Look in the mirror every morning and tell yourself that. Don't let your fears stop you. Because YES YOU CAN.