I am so ready for the New Year detox. Freak, I am stuggling with my buttons AGAIN! I have tried to find something to blame my 15 pound Holiday gain on, but haven't come up with a good enough concept. I could say that the grocery store has ran out of fruits and vegetables and left us buying just sweets and yummy chocolates. I could also say that the local bakery ran out of home made wheat bread and had a super sale on jelly filled donuts. No matter how I say it, - "it's a really good time for detox"!
Have you made your New Year's resolutions yet? Just so you know - I failed on 98% of last years goals. Now, why is it so hard to stick to your New Year's goals? I think for me it's called lack of planning and preparation. I found this cute little video that makes life for 2011 seem a little more enjoyable.
Goals for 2011 coming soon!
December 28, 2010
December 13, 2010
Doing What You LOVE, With Those You Love - featured writer Amy Boehme
I haven't known Amy for long, but have realized what a talented young mother and athlete she is. It's amazing to see how far she has come in the sport of cycling. Thank you for sharing your story with us.
DOING WHAT YOU LOVE, WITH THOSE YOU LOVE - Featured Writer Amy Boehme
My husband Matt got me into riding three years ago, and I enjoyed it as just a recreational pass time. My second year of riding (2009) I was invited by a cousin to do the “Little Red Ride” in Logan, Utah. Little Red is a “charity” ride benefitting Breast Cancer, and is held in the (mostly) flat Cache Valley on the Utah/Idaho border. The first year I did 64 miles, and the last ten just about killed me. I was barely able to pedal into the finish line, and every part of my body hurt and I felt SO sick. I was able to do more riding in 2009, but I was bummed that I felt I did so bad on that ride. I shouldn't have been so hard on myself, as that was my first ride of any significant distance. Later in the summer Matt and I rode in the Heber City Century. We only did 50 miles, so I could get back for a job (I’m a face/body painter).
The hills were many and often! Riding up back side of Jordanelle was a monster, and I did it at only 4 mph. But I did it! After that I realized: “I may be slow but I can do it!” Even if it is only 4 mph... This has become a sort of mantra for my approach to hills. I rode the trainer through the winter (not my favorite pass time) and then did the Little Red again in the Spring of 2010. This time I did the full 100, and when I looked at my time at the 64 mile mark it was 2 hours faster than last year! That was it, I had caught the bug. I love this sport where my biggest competition is against myself!
I love doing a work out that doesn't feel like a work out. I was never interested in sports but biking changed that. I can truly say that my health and musculature have never been better. The part I like best about cycling is being able to do it with my husband. It is so nice to share something you like so much with someone you love. And he is the best wind break ever! I can follow him up a hill at 15 mph instead of my now 6 mph. I like that I can see improvement in my rides, and in a very real manner; Less time for identical rides is usually better! This fall before the snow I was able to do 30 miles in 2 hours and that is an accomplishment I am proud of. I look forward to many, many years of pursuing even better times on my bike!
December 11, 2010
Positive Response - Featured Writer Jennica Hirrlinger
POSITIVE RESPONSE - Featured Writer Jennica Hirrlinger
My son, Lincoln, is obsessed with golf. He walks the course for an average of 7 hours a day in the summer. He wears collared shirts instead of t-shirts because that’s how golfers dress and when I do the laundry I find golf balls and tees, ball marks and tiny pencils. The kid is obsessed, for sure.
In a weird way, he kind of reminds me of myself. When the race season kicks over and I pick the next seasons races, I eat , sleep, and obsess those races. I check previous years’ race times and then I figure out my training according to those winning times. I visualize courses and transitions in my head and I see myself crossing the finish line and doing well.
Then, I do the race and I find that it’s hard to know what to say when people ask me how it went. If I did well, I don’t want to sound like I’m bragging. If I did poorly, I can’t say much because anyone who tries is a winner, right? And because most people don’t have the same race expectations that I do, it can feel a little strange when I can tell they don’t understand why I would tell them all the things I could have done better when I just won the race.
The coach taught Lincoln a new phrase. “Positive response nets positive outcomes.”
And, I intend to be more like him this time.
My son, Lincoln, is obsessed with golf. He walks the course for an average of 7 hours a day in the summer. He wears collared shirts instead of t-shirts because that’s how golfers dress and when I do the laundry I find golf balls and tees, ball marks and tiny pencils. The kid is obsessed, for sure.
He asked to get a private coach to help him improve because he wants to play in the PGA when he gets older. He works incredibly hard and he practices like crazy. His work ethic for golf is very inspiring.
In a weird way, he kind of reminds me of myself. When the race season kicks over and I pick the next seasons races, I eat , sleep, and obsess those races. I check previous years’ race times and then I figure out my training according to those winning times. I visualize courses and transitions in my head and I see myself crossing the finish line and doing well.
Then, I do the race and I find that it’s hard to know what to say when people ask me how it went. If I did well, I don’t want to sound like I’m bragging. If I did poorly, I can’t say much because anyone who tries is a winner, right? And because most people don’t have the same race expectations that I do, it can feel a little strange when I can tell they don’t understand why I would tell them all the things I could have done better when I just won the race.
Yesterday, Lincolns’ new coach came to meet us and to give Lincoln some things to work on in the off season. First though, she asked him to tell her about his 2010 season. He listed several different tournaments and talked about how he putted poorly at this one, it was raining at that one, he played the wrong ball . . . all these negative things.
The reality is that he won all but one of the district tourneys!
Then, she pointed out to him and us about how he focused on the negative and had to be pushed to say anything positive about those tournaments. I realized, that this was another way he reminds me of me and this made me sad. It was sad to think that of all the great “athletic” things I could teach my kid and he is emulating my negativity . . . or, at least, my unwillingness to be satisfied with my efforts.
This is his new motto. He knows what he needs to work on and he will but he will do it in a more positive way. He will learn to love the distractions and the journey. And, he will learn a lot about life.
And, I intend to be more like him this time.
December 07, 2010
Being Human(e) - Featured Writer Stephanie Hancock
Being Human(e) - Featured Writer Stephanie Hancock
So, thinking of Christmas, I decided that grumpy athletes remind me of Scrooge (before his metamorphosis). They think only of themselves and find no joy in the success of others.
Thankfully, I don’t know a lot of grumpy athletes. Most people I know are really, truly wonderful. I loved the idea in the book, “Born to Run” that the best athletes were also the best people – the most loving and inspiring. They excelled, but not at the expense of compromising their humanity. They didn’t squash people to get ahead, but pulled others along with them to the top.
I like that. I like that a goal doesn’t have to be about beating everyone else but about everyone cheering each other on to meet their own goal. I like the idea of sharing the experience, of everyone doing their best and everyone pleased with each other’s performance.
The potential problem with being the Scrooge athlete is that being better than everyone becomes his identity. He haughtily pulls inside himself, too worried about his performance to even consider cheering anyone else on. And then the inevitable happens: one day, he fails and finds himself all alone. It is devastating because he has lost – not only the race, but all the wasted time focusing on something fleeting instead of something lasting.
Something lasting…like what? Like being the best person you can. Like finding as much satisfaction in your successes as in other’s successes. Like being comfortable, adaptable, and flexible to the curve balls coming your way, bouncing back with a smile and a good heart.
Speaking of curve balls and a good heart, three weeks ago my son was teaching my five-year-old daughter to play baseball. She stood too close behind him when he swung a big, heavy metal bat…right into her nose. It moved the bridge of her nose off center, breaking the bone and breaking the skin. I ran her into the bathroom where she bent over the sink, gushing out sobs and blood. When she caught her breath long enough to speak, the first thing she said was, “It’s okay, Mom, it was an accident. He didn’t mean to. He feels really bad.”
I was floored. Her first thoughts were for her brother. After her surgery a week later (they had to wait for the swelling to subside before they could do the surgery), she woke from the anesthesia, looked at me groggily, and asked, “Am I okay?” I assured her she was. She then immediately asked if she could please call her brother at home to let him know she was okay. Again, her first thoughts were of him.
I didn’t teach her that, she came that way. She’s a loving, happy and joyful person. She’s also an incredible runner. I kid you not, that girl can run. Sometimes I’ll take my kids to the local university indoor track for some exercise when we’ve been cooped up in winter weather too long. My daughter always picks one of the college kids out and joins them in their run. She keeps up for a couple of laps, takes a breather, then finds a new running partner, bouncing from new friend to friend. And the way she runs, you’d think she was in Disneyland having the time of her life. She grins when she runs. She loves it.
She loves everything. She cares deeply for people. Her loving energy translates to beautiful running. I look at her and think of the hypothesis in “Born to Run” and I see the possibility that it is true.
I’d like to be like her. Sometimes I’m nowhere near, but sometimes I get close. I run two kinds of marathons – first, the marathon for me when I try to get my fastest time yet. When I’m running for me, it is thrilling, a real test of my stamina, a time to see what I am capable of. But it’s all about me. The fun is there, but it’s passing, sometimes followed by post-race let-down (although not as often as it used to happen). I don’t even remember what my times were or what the courses were like. For those “me” marathons, I mostly remember who was there to meet me at the finish.
Then there’s the marathon I run with my brothers. We run to simply share the journey. Two of my brothers and I take turns pushing our oldest brother, who is quadriplegic, in his racing chair. We switch every two miles, take care of each other’s needs during the 26.2 miles, and spend at least the first half laughing and talking. The second half we all kind of clam up, except for our oldest brother. He says really inspiring things like, “Think you could go any faster?” or “I don’t think we’ll get a good time, maybe we should go back to the beginning and try again,” or “Are we there yet?” He has this really evil laugh that follows such statements. He makes us not take things so seriously, and he obviously enjoys the heckling. In fact, he enjoys the whole race, while those of us pushing enjoy a lot of it…and then we enjoy the finish. My brothers are good people. To spend hours on our feet or in a wheelchair together is maybe not the most exciting thing, but it’s definitely satisfying and memorable, something we can do together, and a way to include our oldest brother in the joy of moving. And when we run, our oldest brother grins – he grins like my daughter when she runs. Good, loving people, the both of them. And good at loving the run just for the sake of the run.
I am delighted that I met my personal running goal during one of those “me” marathons. But the second kind of marathon – the “us” marathon - is the one I’m most proud of. It’s not easy pushing a grown man that long (and it takes us a l-o-n-g time), but it is so so so much fun to race together. It is quite the experience to see the delight on our big brother’s face as the crowd cheers him on and fellow racers give him the thumbs up. He becomes a part of some really great people – or perhaps they become a part of him, a really great person. Racing together does that - makes you a part of each other.
Maybe we are all part of each other, and maybe when we include each other we all become better people. Maybe we can all find joy in the journey together. Maybe we all were “born to run” (or ride or ski or swim or just move), one way or another. Hopefully we will all be out there with silly grins and wicked laughs, pulling or pushing each other along to success.
So, thinking of Christmas, I decided that grumpy athletes remind me of Scrooge (before his metamorphosis). They think only of themselves and find no joy in the success of others.
Thankfully, I don’t know a lot of grumpy athletes. Most people I know are really, truly wonderful. I loved the idea in the book, “Born to Run” that the best athletes were also the best people – the most loving and inspiring. They excelled, but not at the expense of compromising their humanity. They didn’t squash people to get ahead, but pulled others along with them to the top.
I like that. I like that a goal doesn’t have to be about beating everyone else but about everyone cheering each other on to meet their own goal. I like the idea of sharing the experience, of everyone doing their best and everyone pleased with each other’s performance.
The potential problem with being the Scrooge athlete is that being better than everyone becomes his identity. He haughtily pulls inside himself, too worried about his performance to even consider cheering anyone else on. And then the inevitable happens: one day, he fails and finds himself all alone. It is devastating because he has lost – not only the race, but all the wasted time focusing on something fleeting instead of something lasting.
Something lasting…like what? Like being the best person you can. Like finding as much satisfaction in your successes as in other’s successes. Like being comfortable, adaptable, and flexible to the curve balls coming your way, bouncing back with a smile and a good heart.
Speaking of curve balls and a good heart, three weeks ago my son was teaching my five-year-old daughter to play baseball. She stood too close behind him when he swung a big, heavy metal bat…right into her nose. It moved the bridge of her nose off center, breaking the bone and breaking the skin. I ran her into the bathroom where she bent over the sink, gushing out sobs and blood. When she caught her breath long enough to speak, the first thing she said was, “It’s okay, Mom, it was an accident. He didn’t mean to. He feels really bad.”
I didn’t teach her that, she came that way. She’s a loving, happy and joyful person. She’s also an incredible runner. I kid you not, that girl can run. Sometimes I’ll take my kids to the local university indoor track for some exercise when we’ve been cooped up in winter weather too long. My daughter always picks one of the college kids out and joins them in their run. She keeps up for a couple of laps, takes a breather, then finds a new running partner, bouncing from new friend to friend. And the way she runs, you’d think she was in Disneyland having the time of her life. She grins when she runs. She loves it.
She loves everything. She cares deeply for people. Her loving energy translates to beautiful running. I look at her and think of the hypothesis in “Born to Run” and I see the possibility that it is true.
I’d like to be like her. Sometimes I’m nowhere near, but sometimes I get close. I run two kinds of marathons – first, the marathon for me when I try to get my fastest time yet. When I’m running for me, it is thrilling, a real test of my stamina, a time to see what I am capable of. But it’s all about me. The fun is there, but it’s passing, sometimes followed by post-race let-down (although not as often as it used to happen). I don’t even remember what my times were or what the courses were like. For those “me” marathons, I mostly remember who was there to meet me at the finish.
I am delighted that I met my personal running goal during one of those “me” marathons. But the second kind of marathon – the “us” marathon - is the one I’m most proud of. It’s not easy pushing a grown man that long (and it takes us a l-o-n-g time), but it is so so so much fun to race together. It is quite the experience to see the delight on our big brother’s face as the crowd cheers him on and fellow racers give him the thumbs up. He becomes a part of some really great people – or perhaps they become a part of him, a really great person. Racing together does that - makes you a part of each other.
December 06, 2010
Jersey LOVE
It was so fun to see all you girls riding with your Bella Rosa jersey's this past cycling season. You all ROCKED! Just a shout out to let you know I have a few jersey's left, and will be selling them at discount. $50.00 bones for this sweet piece of art. If you are interested I have size M and size L left. Just zip me an email if you would like one shipped out. Heading out to play in the snow. Good times.
December 02, 2010
New Build - Kyle
Boys are funny when it comes to taking their photos. I was able to snap a few pics of Kyle and his new ride. This was right before we got three feet of fresh new white pow. Check it.
December 01, 2010
Gifts that make you go ahhh!
Thanks to the advice of several of my good Bella buddies, I have decided to quite my day job at the Hospital. Stability? Who the heck need stability? It looks like I will be able to spend more time working in the bike department, which makes me smile. I have also ordered a bunch of photog equipment, which makes me really want to cry. I will be working until I die before this stuff gets paid for. BELLA UPDATE:
- I have been putting together a bicycle package called the "bluebird special". This package will be available January 1, 2010 and is seriously going to make you freak out. It will be a custom bicycle package for a few special buyers. I have a designer working on the paint scheme and I think it's gonna be a jaw dropper.
- Do you do century bike rides? What about do triathlons? Bella Rosa Bikes will be offering gift packages for you to give to your fellow athletes. Coming January 2010
I am sure many of you have not had time to get out and get your Holiday shopping done. Well, I love waiting until the very last moment possible to do mine. If you still need gifts to buy for those spoiled brats - here are a couple of ideas.
What a great way to say I ride bikes. Super cute ring idea. Go here to check out her cute Etsy site.
This is one of my favs. One year for Christmas, Brian and I made these up for our fellow cyclists. Super cute idea that you can purchase here. Good luck with your Holiday shopping. I will keep hunting for a few more special finds.
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