A Bag Full of Headlamps & Bear Spray

Only 6 more sleeps and we are back up in Grande Cache for the annual Canadian Death Race.  A huge thanks to Sifu Lietz for filling in as a replacement runner at such short notice!  Those other runners on his leg aren’t going to know what just blew by them with so much energy!

This year I’m tackling leg 5, 24km and mostly, if not totally in the dark.  This go around I’ve had to adjust my pack a little and I have to say it’s getting pretty heavy.  Besides the mandatory list of equipment required, I have my additional gear just in case (toilet paper should so be mandatory).  Majority of my weight consists of 3 headlamps (batteries may be burnt out from me checking them repeatedly), extra batteries and a couple of cans of bear spray (not sure if I would have my marbles together enough to pull the pin and point in the right direction but I’m sure hoping).  I figure with 3 very bright lights that can be made to flash if necessary; even helicopters flying by are going to see me if I should wander off the path.  My back up plan is to sing along with my ipod.  I’m very confident that this will keep just about every living thing with ears away from my vicinity, plants may even wilt (just ask anyone who has ever heard me sing)! 

This year we just so happen to have a great team consisting entirely of Silent River students.  I have to say that there is a huge difference running with a group of people who are not only there to challenge themselves, but to also have fun and support one another; not every team has that.  It’s going to be an awesome time!

 

This year challenging the dark and boogie man, next year maybe Hammel!

Alana Regier

http://alanaregier.blogspot.ca

 

A Little R & R

  After a crazy 2 weeks working long hours it was time for a break.  Our family took off west of Nordegg this past week to do some quading and hiking.  Nothing like fresh mountain air to rejuvenate the body and a view that lifts the soul.  I got a lot of km’s in, which is good for the death race training and made some miles on the quads to some absolutely awesome destinations.  As great as it would be to hike to some of these places, the time we have for holidays would never allow us to get too far, and our boys like something that goes vroom vroom! 

So now it’s back to the grind.  This week is the start of what potentially could turn into a fairly big project for work.  Although it’s close to home, it’s looking like it could still be some long days.  It seems bitter sweet; good to have the work but hard on the training. 

Well back to getting things cleaned up and laundry done.  I think it may be multiplying!

Alana Regier

http://alanaregier.blogspot.ca

 

Purpose

Purpose.  It gives meaning and motivation.  It gives direction.  It helps one persist and persevere. 

I recently finished a book simply about purpose.  It reinforced the value of having a purpose in everything we do and how it can change how we live.  What changes us, also changes those around us.  Having a positive and meaningful purpose can better our mental state and our feeling of worth and direction. It helps us accomplish great feats.  In short, it can be extremely powerful. 

 A great thing to consider in every choice I make.

Alana Regier

http://alanaregier.blogspot.ca

 

Long Week

This last week and a half has been a crazy busy one with limited internet access.   Other than Canada Day, I have been working long hours and haven’t been able to make it to classes.  I have to say I get a little grouchy when I have to miss classes and or meetings (my family would agree with me whole heartedly on this one).  Unfortunately, need to pay the bills.  I seem to be getting a little taste of what some of the guys working out of town feel like, you definitely have an extra challenge.

Missing church on Sundays and missing classes throughout the week can make a person feel pretty blah.  At times like these, I sure am glad for my log book.  It definitely helps keep me engaged and motivated when I least feel like it and just can’t be at the kwoon.

Off to bed, another busy day tomorrow.

Alana Regier

http://alanaregier.blogspot.ca

Happy Canada Day!

Ahhh… finally inside where it is a little cooler!    After spending the morning and early afternoon at the Canada celebrations and battling junipers all afternoon (it was close but I won in the end), it is time to get out of the sun.  Maybe next time I can pick a hotter day to burn the dead branches. 

I’d like to say a big congrats to everyone who participated in today’s demo.  Great job getting lots of oo’s and ah’s from the spectators.  This is the first July long weekend I have actually been anywhere near Stony Plain.  We usually sneak our kids out of school a few days early and take off for the first holiday of the summer.  It was really nice being here this go around.  I’ve had a tough time getting into this year.  I have been guilty of spending too much time missing last year instead of embracing this one.   The past week preparing and today are exactly what I needed to refocus and get excited about this year. 

As we were waiting for the demo today, I couldn’t help but notice the relationships that have and are developing among the I Ho Chuan team.  Being a part of this team has given us all a chance to get to know each other outside of regular classes and is one of the coolest benefits of the I Ho Chuan.  It only makes sense that likeminded people would get along and like hanging out with one another J

Alana Regier

http://alanaregier.blogspot.ca