Cheers to Someone I Love to Pieces...

This weekend I was reminded of what it means to have a dream and to continue to strive towards it no matter what it takes or how long.

Marcus has been pushing himself for years to reach a level higher each time he steps into the octagon (formerly ring), and continues to find the next hardest fight/challenge and takes his fitness to the next level (which if you know how fit Marcus is, seems impossible to do...)

He has an incredible means for discipline, all the way from his routine, eating habits and most importantly the daily sacrafices he makes to get there. I wish I had an ounce of his discipline.

He has renewed my spirit at a time when I have let a current work situation take away something very important to me, and that I have allowed to be an excuse for the past few months, as always Marcus finds a way to impact my life positively, without even knowing... well okay I make sure I tell him!!

I love you to pieces MPD!!

I often get so wrapped up in my own sport that I forget to look oustide of it for role models and for people to look up to or to use as inspiration. Luckily, I have someone like Marcus in my life that reminds me every 3 or 4 months that anything is possible!!

Now just hoping that Natalie and I can carry that with us into our challenge in 2009 to complete the Triple Bypass Bike Ride... I'll have to make sure the UFC schedules Marcus for another fight this spring, ha! ha!

New Motivation Ideas

So with every new year, you read articles about how to stick to a new plan, or you see postings at the gym enticing old and new members to join the latest trend that will ensure they stick to their workout resolutions this year...

Well this year I am trying to come up with my own....

1. The more time I spend trying to understand what Marcus does to prepare for his fights, the more it makes me want to become a UFC Fighter myself... okay, kidding, but the discipline it takes to be in that type of shape is inspiring... so Motivation Idea #1 is to take a boxing/kickboxing class again after many many years being away that type of workout... Does anyone remember Boxer Joey DeGrandis from Boston? I took a class with him at the Boston Athletic Club for about 9 months and I was in sick shape then... I LOVED that stuff!!!

2&3. As I wrap up this project and am quickly reminded of two more Motivational Ideas #2 & #3 - The 4mo of gym fees gone to waste and the exercise Carter has been robbed of. When I get back to Boulder in a month, my gym will be happy to see me every day again and Carter will be happy to be reaquainted with his leash.

4. Last but not least, my favorite number 4, so this has to be a good one... Motivation Idea #4 is travel, this seems like a good year to visit friends I haven't seen in a while and find races near them to have motivation to keep in shape and see special friends at the same time... Running and Triathlons have always given me a reason to continue my jet setting, so now I'm pairing it up with dear friends.... perfect mixture!!

Would love to hear what your Motivation Ideas are for 2009!!

Cheers

Joni

3yr Hiatus Comes to an End - Time to Blog

Well with friends getting into being clever bloggers, I remembered that I had this blog out there and since it is the start of a new year and some new challenges, I thought this would be a great time to start back up!

I have officially withdrawn from Ironman Canada, I signed up knowing I had a couple of months to make up my mind, and with the project that I have been assigned to for the past few months and the diminishing time available to workout, I realized that I would be starting from scratch training again, rather than building on Ironman Wisconsin as I had hoped to. As much as it tugged at my heart to withdraw, I knew that it was the right thing to do for me right now.

The project will hopefully be wrapping up the end of January and I can get back into the swing of things. I am not a happy camper when I am not working out, and to add to that sitting in my car at a freezing cold job site for about 10hrs a day, this chiquita gets cranky... I guess that makes it a good thing I'm not around my friends during the week, ha ha!!

Regardless, I am excited for the new year, I am excited for the new challenges that I have decided to take on! And more importantly the challenges that some of my closest friends have opted in for... First Marathons, First Triathlons, soooo Exciting!!!

Personally, the first challenge is the Boston Marathon in April.

As most of you know Allison & I have been given the opportunity to give back to Dana Farber in memory of Eddie and to help bring awareness to and raise funds for the Fight against Cancer.
To date I am happy to announce that we are more than 2/3 to our fundraising goal, with our training just starting we will focus on completing the final fundraising efforts and hopefully shoot right past our goal set of $3000ea for a Grand Total of $6000.

For donations go to www.rundfmc.org/jonif2009

I am also starting the year with a nasty cold, but as I start to feel a little better today, it makes me feel brand new and craving that great feeling of being out in the fresh crisp air for a nice run. Hopefully I can keep that loving feeling as I get 100%

I am guessing that hanging out with Amy this weekend in Florida will spark that last bit of energy I need to get back on track. She always has such a positive impact on my mental health and my passion for being fit!! If I want her to continue to use me as a reference for www.bodiesbybadger.com I better fit the part :-)

Cheers and I look forward to getting back up to speed... I won't try to bore you with all that has happened the past 3yrs since my last blog... since you all know anyways...

Joni