BLOG.MYFITNESSYEAR.COM

Beating Limitations


As you may know, My Year of Fitness has ended.  In fact, it was always going to be more than a year, but the challenge - of getting my overall fitness and strength to a level sufficient enough to complete, without injury and with confidence, an Olympic distance triathlon - well, I did it!

I recently said that, for me, triathlon (like a pet) is not just for Christmas - it is for life.  So although "MyFitnessYear" has ended, my journey continues.

In early 2010 my friend Josie remarked that I have a knack for beating limitations.  And my friend Ron asked me if I would be renaming my website, since the "year" would actually be "years" of fitness.

And thus, the genesis for change.

I celebrated my birthday last week, and at the same time I relaunched my website.  As of yesterday, MyFitnessYear has now become BeatingLimitations.

I invite you to continue to follow my journey at my new site - www.beatinglimitations.com

And I invite you to renew your subscription to my blog there too - either via email or via RSS.  You can access the new subscribe buttons on my new blog page .

I have already started to blog on the new site - my collaborative "40 Things to Do before 17 November 2011" List  (thanks to all who contributed) is the first post.  Check it out - it looks like the next year will be busy for me!

I want to thank you for all of your support, feedback, comments and encouragement over the past years.  And I look forward to continuing my journey with you for the years to come!

LCD Soundsystem...

What can I say? I live with a fanboy. DH is a complete LCD Soundsystem fanboy. I think he first introduced me to LCD Soundsystem in late 2006, possibly early 2007. The beats, tunes, lyrics... LCD Soundsystem has been a constant soundtrack in our house... So this year, when we heard that they would not release another album again, well Fanboy #1 (aka DH) decided that we should go to every gig we could get to in London... << MORE >>

Cooking with Carrots

Monday is a rest day for me from training. It is also the day of the week that I tend to cook for the rest of the week, using up ingredients in the fridge and getting meals planned for the week (incorporating the latest yummy ingredients from the weekly food box delivery). I got home yesterday with a slew of food to make - my idea of relaxation. I had a chicken to turn into stock, a risotto to whip up for dinner, I was making a Tuesday night easy meal (e.g. reheat and serve) for after swimming... And I had A LOT of carrots to use up. A LOT...<< MORE >>

Random Thoughts as I Approach the Big 4-0

So, the big date is fast approaching. The big 4-0... And with it, a new look, a re-think, pause for celebrations, some big goals, and more triathlons...<< MORE >>

Cooking with Kale

Autumn is the time of the year when deep leafy green vegetables hit my weekly fruit and vegetable delivery. I love leafy vegetables. Probably because my mother was a big fan and grew her own. There is nothing that beats fresh chard, steamed with just a little butter. The perfect side for a warming meal. This week's food box included some wonderful fresh kale. I posted on Twitter that I was on the lookout for some ideas on how to use the kale, and got some great replies...<< MORE >>

Fitting in Fitness - On the Road Edition

Last week I set off on a quick business trip to Asia. Two autumn views of Asia - Japan and red leaves; China in golden light. I used to travel all the time for work - like three continents in 10 days all the time - but thankfully over the last year my travel requirements have scaled back. More time at home has really benefitted my life outside of work, and in particular my fitness. When I was gone, one of my friends tweeted me a quick question: "How do you manage to train with all your travel?" It got me to thinking that perhaps some of my tips might be helpful...<< MORE >>

Wu Wei: My reflections on being a dead fish...

A few weeks ago I had a Twitter exchange with Alexsandar (aka @trishaman). It all started with one of his Random Thoughts of the Day: Only dead fish go with the current. To which I glibly replied: "Well, what about going with the flow or Wu Wei..." << MORE >>

Let them eat cake! Apple Spice Cake!

Recently my weekly fruit and veg boxes have included apples. Lots of apples. I eat apples for snacks, I have made applesauce to have with pork chops, and I have experimented with red cabbage and apples (served with duck breast, this was delicious!). With autumn and the apple season, I have been on the look out for recipes that use apples. I came across a recipe for apple spice cake in WholeLiving and thought it would be a great way to use up the apples I had. It virtually identical to one my mom used to make (applesauce cake). Another fantastic American classic... << MORE >>

Making Strides: An Interview with Sue (Think Pink)

As many of you know, I am completely passionate about charity fundraising. I do it. And I am constantly seeking out people who also fundraise, to try to learn a little bit of their secrets, their magic. Via Twitter last year I was introduced to Sue Harmon. Sue is an amazing woman - two time survivor of breast cancer. Top fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Completely committed to living a good clean life, enjoying each moment. Her tweets keep me motivated, her photos are amazing. I am fortunate enough to share with you an interview with Sue... << MORE >>

Exposed: Out of the Shadows

Tuesday is the one year anniversary of the "Exposed" series of blog posts. After one year and with 60 blog posts from around the world, Exposed celebrates people showing and sharing their journeys for all to see. I did my Exposed post in January 2010 - to kick off 2010 and to document where I wanted to go, with all the challenges that my body has to offer. My aim? To complete an Olympic distance triathlon, while smiling. I am an extremely determined person. In my head, I knew that I would work hard. I never questioned that I would be able to do an Oly Tri. But, no matter how much determination I had, I lacked confidence and trust in my body... << MORE >>