Good morning Spartan!

This is the email my sister sent me yesterday morning. It made me laugh so hard that I nearly spit out my morning protein smoothie.

"Good morning Spartan! Are you in full training mode? Only 1 week til race day is it?

How many sit-ups or pull-ups or whatever do you do every day? Do you have to run every day too?"

The funny part here is that I was laughing at the perception she had of me as this fitness person who trains like crazy. I'm not that nuts! Then I look at the smoothie in my hand... then I look at my sticker reward calendar... then I realize I have worked out hard for the last 7 days in a row. Who knew? I have turned into a fitness person! Cool. Yay for me!

Only 4 more sleeps until my first Spartan race. I am so excited!!!! The past 15 weeks have been spent preparing for this weekend. I learned how to run 5km, do more than 5 push-ups and conquered my fear of the dreaded burpee. I was not so secretly hoping to grow a pair of sick pythons and tree-trunk solid thighs and buns of steel, the six pack would have been nice too. I'm not there yet. What I have accomplished in the last few months is still definitely something to be proud of. Because I am extra proud of doing this as a mom of two active boys and one baby girl, I will forgive myself of the current lack of visible buffness. It's what's under the hood that counts on the field anyways.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this goal with kind words and encouragement. I could fill many buckets with the positive energy you have given me. There were probably only a couple of people who looked at me like I was doomed to fail. I don't even remember who they were. Although, there was one lady who looked at me like I was 15 year old glitter-puppy and said "you know what that race is don't you"? I just shot her a big grin and replied with "yup! looks like fun!".

Wish me luck! As a past coach of mine used to say on behalf of any team mate stepping into the ring: "Say a pray, send positive vibes, raise a drink, whatever fits your beliefs".
I will be racing at the Rideau Carleton Raceway at noon on Saturday.

If you don't know what the Spartan Race is  take a peek! http://www.spartanrace.com/ottawa-obstacle-racing-spartan-sprint-2012.html

Bonus Post - A pep-talk is always a good idea.

I am feeling a little down on myself today after eating all those brownies, not being fun enough to the kids, not being able to instantly heal the little infection on baby-girl's finger and not magically transforming this house into a clean, tidy sanctuary-ish oasis.

This is a little pep-talk dedicated to me, from me. You are welcome to share it if you need a pep talk too. I think everyone deserves a little pep talk. On second thought, I dedicate it to you instead of me. (its still a little bit for me though, ok.)

-You have lots of good things going for you. You just need to open up your mind to the positive things around you.
-Your house is not perfect because it is not a show-home, it is a family home. So what if there is a little pee on the floor in the bathroom, that's what four year old's do.
-So, you didn't fit in breakfast or lunch, you ate some junk instead. You did make a big salad that included all four food groups for a snack. You can make some more good choices for the rest of the day because there is no junk in the house left to eat.
-That little baby that is crying, again, still loves you and doesn't care that your hair is a mess, the house is a mess, your clothes are a mess and that you really would rather be sleeping right now. She just cares that you are there to hold her. You can do that.

....baby crying. yup. She doesn't care about pep talks either. I can go hold her though. I've got this.

Good luck everyone. Positive thoughts, positive life, positive results.
YOU CAN DO IT!