Alaska! & Popsicles

I'm back from my first visit to Alaska -- amazing!! My parents took several of us on a cruise out of Seattle to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. We had an incredible trip, tons of sunshine and memorable experiences. Thanks Mom & Dad!!


Some pictures (taken by me):
(left) Glacier Bay, Alaska




We cruised on the Norwegian Pearl, my first time cruising on Norwegian Cruise Line. We flew into Seattle and stopped in Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan and Victoria.



We all enjoyed a whale-watching tour and were fortunate to find a frisky Humpback whale splashing around!



My oldest son & I panned for gold. He brought home more gold than I did, it was hard. Twice we stopped to watch different groups of Salmon run (very cool.)



On the ship we tried bowling, my son climbed the rock wall and we learned how to juggle. A group from The Second City & comedian David Naster entertained us throughout the week.




pictures: My son & I at the Mendenhall Glacier. right - My sister & I on dress-up night.


Again, THANKS Mom & Dad! The trip was fantastic!!!

I also want to thank my hard-working Village Bootcampers! We're a crazy fun group. Keep up the good work Bootcampers!!!

picture: We enjoyed Popsicles after this summer-hot workout.

Get in the Game: #5 Village Bootcamp

I lead a free one-hour bootcamp-style workout Tuesday nights at Highland Oaks Park in McFarland, Wis. If you're in the neighborhood, please join us.

Welcome new campers! What a great time tonight in the park!! Thanks for coming. I'm proud of you all. Don't forget to respond below & get in for next week's prize drawing.

Yes, I take pictures. And yes, you all look great. For several years, in my post baby-blues phase, I avoided being in pictures. So I understand some of your comments. I think we're taught to act that way too.

Here's the thing. We might not get another chance to be in a picture. Each day is a GIFT. There's nothing certain about life! One of my former teammates from UW-Madison was diagnosed with breast cancer this summer. She's 35, an IM triathlete & extremely fit and strong. You just don't know.

So, even when I'm puffy, bloated, crabby, breaking-out and having a bad hair day, I'm trying to get in the picture. I want to be in the game. I want to live. I want to capture moments now.

I did a series on excuses, common reasons why people say they can't do a triathlon/exercise/etc. Read it here. And, since I'm not in this week's picture, you'll find many photos of me in different training stages here.

On a lighter note, here's something that makes me smile. For those of you who don't know me well, I've had major FEAR issues with my bike. That's kind of a big problem when you train for an Ironman... I enjoyed reading this article.

You can do anything you want. First you have to decide what it is you want! Then, go get it. I hope I can help you do that.
Enjoy!

Drawing: What is your favorite excuse when you don't want to exercise? Respond here & I'll put your name in the drawing for next week's Village Bootcamp prize. Mine? I'll work out tomorrow instead.

Resources:
Village Bootcamp #4- Letting Go of Perfect & Totally Awesome ABs
Village Bootcamp #3 - Meet Mary, the 90-year-old Triathlete!
Village Bootcamp #2 - The power of intervals, music to boost your workout
Village Bootcamp #1 - Why intervals work, exercise ideas from active.com, pre- and post-workout nutrition ideas

Next Time: Tuesday August 4th 6:30-7:30 at Highland Oaks Park in McFarland. *Rain date Thursday August 6th at 6:30. *Bring water, mat/blanket, small weights (5-20 pounds)/bands & wear good shoes.

Village Bootcamp #4: Letting Go of Perfect... & Totally Awesome Abs

I lead a free one-hour bootcamp-style workout Tuesday nights at Highland Oaks Park in McFarland, Wis. If you're in the neighborhood, please join us.

Welcome to our new Village Bootcampers! Thanks for coming Diane, Helena & Cathy! And, thanks to everyone for being flexible with the rain tonight! Fortunately the shelter helped us get in some great compact moves!

Why I Love Village Bootcamp: Sara (me)
I created VB because I felt it was a great fit for our Village. Bootcamp could help us:
- know our neighbors better and in different ways
- exercise, laugh and have fun
- feel better about ourselves, and
- build stronger families.
Thanks for your willingness to grow with me! I love working out with you.

Initially I wanted to wait until I was: thinner, lighter, stronger, faster, to put this together. As a leader I felt I should look a certain way in order to lead. It took some time for me to say, "no, it's OK, let's do this now." The same thing happens with happiness. I don't want to be happy 5-15 pounds from now, I want to be happy now. I hope you've already made that connection.

Know this, you are wonderfully made. And only you can offer you to the world. If there's something you want--go get it.

Here's some inspiration & some super abs from active.com! (I volunteer within active's triathlon community.)
- Breast-cancer Survivor Puts Heart & Soul in Danskin Triathlon
- ABSolutely Effective Abdominal Exercises - I love the reverse crunch.
- If you haven't yet watched the trailer for Mary and Bill, do so now. You'll be inspired & entertained!



p.s. I'd like to feature bootcampers each week.

Resources:
Village Bootcamp #3 - Meet Mary, the 90-year-old Triathlete!
Village Bootcamp #2 - The power of intervals, music to boost your workout
Village Bootcamp #1 - Why intervals work, exercise ideas from active.com, pre- and post-workout nutrition ideas



Next Time:
Tuesday July 28th 6:30-7:30 at Highland Oaks Park in McFarland. *Rain date Thursday July 30th at 6:30. *Bring water, mat/blanket, small weights (5-20 pounds)/bands & wear good shoes.

Village Bootcamp #3: Meet Mary a 90-year-old Triathlete

I lead a free one-hour bootcamp-style workout Tuesday nights at Highland Oaks Park in McFarland, Wis. If you're in the neighborhood, please join us.

Meet Mary, my former Madison neighbor & a 90-year-old triathlete! Mary stars in Mary and Bill, a documentary by Andrew Napier. View the trailer & watch Mary flex!!! in my post here. You'll be inspired & entertained! http://ironmakeover.blogspot.com/2009/07/mary-and-bill-film-meet-my-friend-mary.html

If you've been thinking of coming to Village Bootcamp, but weren't sure or were a little nervous, zoom in on our pictures--we're having fun!! Come join us. There's plenty of great summer nights to swing by the park & participate.

Bootcamp Question: What do the feet/ankles do during the Swimming pilates exercise. Here's more information and tips on this exercise that strengthens the butt, thighs and back muscles:
http://www.ehow.com/video_2260421_do-pilates-swimming-exercise.html
*great detail in this short video
http://pilates.about.com/od/pilatesmat/ss/Swimming.htm
http://www.ehow.com/video_2365468_do-pilates-swimming-exercise.html

Next Time: Tuesday July 21st 6:30-7:30 at Highland Oaks Park in McFarland. *Rain date Thursday July 23rd at 6:30. *Bring water, mat/blanket, small weights (5-15 pounds)/bands & wear good shoes.

Resources:
Village Bootcamp #2 - The power of intervals, music to boost your workout
Village Bootcamp #1 - Why intervals work, exercise ideas from active.com, pre- and post-workout nutrition ideas

photo credit: My hubby Ken & I took pictures of last week's group. I hope seeing this group in action will encourage you to join us.