Quarry Turkey- 11.26.11

The Turkey! We caught him before the race!

We found a new tradition in Power Fitness PDX...A turkey trot for only the adults to do.  While it is family friendly, we decided to go sans partners or kids and have a fun run with each other.  The idea was presented a few months ago, and the race was picked to motivate the masses.  Those who were motivated....Annie Chan, Sonia Urzua and me- Erin Kreitz Shirey.  Everyone was motivated for the fun challenge for various reasons. Annie wanted to have a fun race to push towards after completing the San Jose Rock N Roll Half Marathon in October. Sonia did her first 5K with Power Fitness PDX in June and was ready to go for the 10K- 6.2 mile race.  I was motivated to have a fun race before my scheduled knee surgery on December 19th.  One thing we were all motivated to do was have fun and cheer on each other!

To say I am proud of Annie and Sonia is an understatement. They both cheered on one another before, during and after the race.  Sonia was a bit nervous about her body doing 6.2 miles, and Annie encouraged her with positive words.  Annie laughed about her pace and running a 10K since she hadn't for a while.  I was similar to Annie; I hadn't raced a 10K for 4 years and was curious what my presurgery body would do.  

Smiling as always, Annie looking strong at the end!

To say it was a gorgeous morning is an understatement. The day was perfect, Fall crispness, and clear skies.  The route fantastic along a resevoir and on a nice path that was just for runners.  The horn blew, we were off!  When running and coming upon the turn around, I was excited to find and high five Annie and Sonia. Both were running strong and SMILING!!  That says a lot about their cardiovascular abilities...cheers to their hard work running and in Power Fitness PDX.  I came to the finish line and felt good; knees were good and while I could have pushed it even harder I truly felt perfect.  I cheered for Annie and could see her smile as she turned up the shute to finish.  She ran by happily jaunting!  She ran to where I was standing and we saw Sonia bopping along. She looked fantastic and was also...smiling!!!

Sonia running towards the end! Her goal- 10K - completed!

When we got together we all marveled at what a beautiful spot the course was and how Fremont had some hidden gems. Brazen Racing did a great job, and all of us enjoyed the race.  We felt energized and ready to take on the rest of the weekend.  Upon seeing results, Annie found out she placed 6th in her age group and dropped her PR!  Sonia found out she ran faster than her goal by 3 minutes.  I found out that with placing the third female the women who beat me were....girls ages 17 and 23! How did 35 suddenly feel old, but at least it proved athletic performance enhances with age.  What could happen with knew bionic knees, right? As I say to my clients, Power Fitness PDX'ers and everyone...you can get faster as you get older since you are more equipped to juggle time, work, stress, and kiddos all at the same time.  Our bodies are like fine wines...the get stronger and better as we mature.  I toast all of you!

Thus, HUGE CHEERS to the always maturing ladies of Power Fitness PDX.  Annie and Sonia, you inspired others and did incredible! I look forward to running the race again next year, and watching the group grow and mature each year!

Look at these rockstars- Annie and Sonia you are INCREDIBLE!! Go Mamas Go!

* Thank you Brazen Racing-  we had a blast!!

Determination

Determination     I associate one's determination with their spirit and courage. You need to have some sense of focus and gusto to keep you moving forward when determined to reach any goal.  In order to do that, there are many days that you need a healthy dose of positive self talk too.  September is here and for many it is the month of evolving, growth, and taking a step forward to change.        Change can be hard  and letting ourselves go outside our comfort zone can be scary.  When working with various clients, encouraging them to try new activities and exercises, I have heard every fear verbalized.  It is our automatic wall that surrounds us, protecting us from failure. We build a moat of fear and words that are not always the healthiest. Thoughts flowing through the moat ranging from "What if I am not good enough?", "I can't do this right now", and "I am not strong enough".    Guess what friends, you are strong enough!  This Fall I encourage you to change the words you use to speak to yourself.  When riding on the river of nerves, shift it, grab a paddle and pull yourself up out of water. Embrace the physical challenge and start by saying a simple phrase "You can do this. It is not impossible.  I'm Possible!".  The phrase "I'm Possible" I picked up when a Walker Coach with Pallotta Teamworks 12 years ago and have carried it around since.  I invite you to carry it around with you too.    Fall is a time to grow and evolve, just like students do every school year.  It is your time to evolve into a stronger, more determined, focused and appreciative athlete. Your body can do wonders, believe in it every step of the way, and know even if you do fall YOU have the determination to get right back up.       Fall is also a time that signifies big steps of DETERMINATION in our family.  September 23rd, 2010, is the date Makenzie was rushed to the ER. Almost one year since her medical journey began, and to say she has "grown, evolved, and has taken a step forward to change" is an understatement.  She has shown more determination and courage this past year than many adults I know.  I am constantly in awe with Makenzie since she doesn't back down or think anything is impossible.  She faced her body's organs breaking down, regained her ability to breath on her own, strengthened her body to walk again and adjusted to a life full of doctors, nurses and needles. She grew to know about life's real hardships involving blood transfusions, surgeries, not living at home with her family, missing half the school year and the big unknown ... if the life she knew before September 23rd would ever be the same.    Throughout it all, she never faltered thinking it wasn't possible to conquer each test figuring what was going on with her pancreas.  She didn't back down to fighting with doctors and nurses, at the age of 6.5, when she didn't want more pokes and needles. She didn't stop pushing herself to walk the hallways to keep her legs stronger.  She never stopped laughing each day to try and "feel" like a normal kid. She showed me what the real human spirit is all about and how to never give up.    And that she didn't. Makenzie has been determined and ready to start gymnastics since the day of her last surgery before Christmas.  She asked her medical team at UCSF every post surgery visit if she could start gymnastics again, to a bummer answer of "not yet Makenzie ".  She wouldn't take the answer, and got stronger. Over Summer she swam every day, and learned how to ride a 2-wheeler. When learning, she fell and got scared, but without prodding by us (her parents) she dusted off and got right back on her bike.  Before school started, she even rode her bike all over San Francisco with fierce determination.  For a kid told she wouldn't make it out of the ICU last year, she is now in 2nd grade and just got the green light to start gymnastics again. She had her first class on Thursday, September 15th.  She still doesn't have the green light to do the uneven bars, but it doesn't matter because she was back in action grinning ear to ear, the entire class.  She is the epitomy of determination and focus.  She never said out loud "This is Impossible Mom!!".  But instead, repeated daily, "I'm possible", and has continued to get stronger and move forward each day.     Happy Fall to you.  Garner your determination, inner athlete and make every challenge possible.  You are stronger than you ever thought possible; believe it!      Challenge the POWER of YOU!   ----Erin Kreitz Shirey Owner & Lead Trainer of Power Fitness PDX LLC

9.1.2011- My one month- LIFE IS GOOD- LIVE ALOHA- Challenge Begins

Life is good, yep it truly is!  We have all been given one life to live fully, and from which to breath every ounce of adventure, memories, and challenge.  But often we become complacent with our lives and don't live them as fully and richly as possible.  

I know for myself I always want to feel GOOD- inside and outside.  That means taking time to focus on feeling good; thus everything around you seems richer, better, and more vibrant. You FEEL incredible and have the Aloha feeling all the time...the easy going, at peace, relaxed bliss.  At least I do and the way for me to get there personally is through exercise, training, fresh foods, family time, date nights, doing things for others, and just "being".

Hood to Coast 2011- Jazz Hands

For some it may sound silly coming from me that I want more of a challenge living richly since I talk about taking advantage of each moment far to much for some.  I try to live what I preach- I exercise daily, teach fitness, play with my kids and family, eat well, bike everywhere, and attempt to get enough sleep.  But while doing so, I have become a bit complacent with my own fitness levels and goals, even while training for Hood to Coast(8.26-27.11) and Pacific Grove Tri(9.10.11).  After our Hawaii trip in August, I shifted a few of my workouts and was a bit bummed I wasn't training in warm waters. Boo hoo- I know- woa is me (sarcasm). But I was incredibly inspired hourly in Kauai to swim farther, run faster and do even more burpees before sunrise.  Anytime I hopped in the water to play, I swam laps in the water.  I felt comfortable to run around in my 2 piece from dawn until dusk, and was taking time to breath in every aroma that surrounded me.  It sounds weird, but I literally did. Stopped on my runs to smell the flowers, snuggled by my girls taking in their saltwater heads, enjoyed the rum scent of Dad's Mai Tai's, and the smell of rain after it pounded the cement mid runs.  That feeling is what inspired me to this challenge. 

Aloha Challenge- to train, eat, feel, and live the inspired LIFE IS GOOD way!  

 September 2nd- October 2nd, 2011  

It is my personal Challenge that may motivate you to do a similar version on your own.  Join in if you want and do part or do all of it.  Focus on one goal for yourself in regards to Fitness, Nutrition, Life or focus on all goals.  I will keep you posted weekly on goals, and post about how life is good in little ways. My only request- let me know how you are doing with your goals via the blog, facebook page, or emails. 

Life is all about taking time to Challenge the Power of YOU....

Life is GOOD Challenge

FOOD : 
Eat CLEAN!
No processed foods, produce only organic and preferably from Farmers' Markets
Grilled fish 2-3x/week
5 Veggies/day
Avoid: Gluten, Sugar(forms that are not cane juice/root), alcohol, most milk products (Greek yogurt and goat cheese are ok)
Write everything down & HOW I feel when eating it
Take at least 15 minutes to sit and eat at each meal, not just dinner

Trail Running in Kauai 2011

FITNESS: 
Max Push Ups & Pull Ups
Do 111 push ups every other day. Max out on push ups 9/30- see how many can do
Pull ups- 3x/week do at least 30 reps (do 20 now)
Minimum of 60 minutes cardio/daily

TRAINING CHALLENGE:  
Train at 120% daily 
Meet 2 workouts/day - 4x/week
Swim at least 2000 yards 3x/week, and 4th swim workout with brick work
Meet Meredith for Brickwork 1x/week. 9/7, 9/14, 9/21, 9/28
Track workouts with Pac West Athletics Tuesday Nights- 6:30 pm & Saturday Long Date-Runs 2x/month at 8:30 w/Jack

FOCUS ON LIFE'S ELEMENTS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY: 

Makenzie's photo of Jack & I living Aloha

Write notes in Makenzie's school lunch daily
Pictures- copy the wonderful photos on my computer and hang them in our home, in addition to sending them to friends of the memories together
Family Adventure Days- 1x/weekend - Jack's Saturday work days adventure in afternoon in park
Sleep an extra hour in the early mornings now- new Personal Training Hours- cuddle with kidlets
Emerson bike ride to Farmer's Market on Tuesdays
Chalk drawing out front with girls daily - messages for friends and family who walk by
Meet Otis Moms at 6:45 am on Saturday mornings for girl time 2x/month
Throw paper/mail out after touched once
Bike to 9:25 am Ferry with E and visit Jack at work on Tuesdays or Thursdays
Read to girls outside in backyard after dinner
Write letters to friends and family - 1 letter/day
Date Night with Jack- 2x/month
Bring girls to visit Grandma Betty weekly with cards, and mail cards to Grammer, Grandpa Jack and Great Aunt Blanche with photos weekly

LIFE IS GOOD GOALS: 
Feel peaceful every morning as day begins and content when going to bed
Be present at every moment with Makenzie, Emerson and Jack

Family- Tyler, Robbie, Me, Mom, Dad

Truly appreciate my own families relationships and how dynamic they are- not take for granted their incredible selves- Mom, Dad, Sister, Brother
Stand TALL (heck 5'1" means I need all my height!)
Break my current PR for the half marathon of 1:32 on October 2nd- RnR San Jose
Write 2 fitness health/articles that get published in monthlies
here
Taste food and the rich flavors at each meal
Challenge my body and see how lean it can get in 30 days....while not depriving it of the nourishment and incredible foods it loves and thrives on
Feel STRONG and the aloha feeling as the season changes to Fall...


I know that I have big lists under each section, but it is good to focus.  For each week the emphasis will be different:
September 2-8:Acceptance
September 9-15: Adventure
September 16-22:Courage
September 23-2: Compassion

3 Fun Days to enjoy what my body pleases in food/wine:
Sunday, September 4th- Moms' birthday celebration
Saturday, September 10th- Post Pacific Grove Triathlon & at Octoberfest
Saturday, September  24th- Kari's Celebration

 Cheers!!!  I look forward to a fun month of challenges, loves, adventures and tasting each moment!!

---Erin Kreitz Shirey
Power Fitness PDX Owner, Lead Trainer and Coach
BS Kinesiology, ACE, NASM, Fit to Deliver and Stott Pilates
e- powerfitnesspdx@gmail.com  w- www.powerfitnesspdx.com  b-Blog  f- Facebook  t- Twitter

*A bit ago I wrote about the Happiness Project I'm doing my own Happiness Journey December 2011-December 2012. My birthday is in December and a year's journey is perfect to coincide with a birthday.

Where you been??

Hello body, curious where you have been? Oh wait, I know, you have been evolving and changing each day and year like I ask you to!  

Many of you have shared comments about wanting to be "back in my skinny jeans", "want to be as strong as I used to be before kids/before work/before I was 40". But why focus on where you used to be, why not focus on moving forward and getting to be your strongest and most dynamic self now?  Why look back, when looking forward is the only way to go?? You don't know what you've yet to become??  

Last year I started working with a Power Fitness PDX'er who ran 3 miles a couple times each week, but never raced. She was active, but never really pushed herself.  Then she started coming to classes. She said she'd sign up for Summer and then go back to her routine at the gym after.  It has now been one year in July 2011 and she still comes to Power Fitness PDX 3x/week. But she comes because she has learned that getting older doesn't mean getting weaker, but getting stronger. It means pushing her body to see what it can do next.  Thus, her running...  She registered for a half marathon to do after her 40th birthday.  She'd never run one before and guess what...she did incredible and now runs regularly 5-7 miles on her own ALL THE TIME!  She does push ups and is focused in class to engage her muscles with each movement, attempting to get lower with each rep.  Her biceps are stronger, legs faster and energy increased.   

Why look back, when looking forward with unending potential and dedication 

can make your body the best yet? 

I want you to mull over this idea.  While you may have been dancing on a bar at age 24, in a dress that was shorter than a 60's miniskirt, your legs hadn't worked as hard as they do now.  They most likely didn't have had the definition that 100's of squats give them.  Your core may have been smaller, but might not have been leaner or full of the dynamic scars of birthing little miracles. But your core now is stronger from countless planks and froggers; it has definition that makes younger gals swoon.  Be confident and keep looking forward!  

Our bodies are incredible and can do so many dynamic things.  When utilizing and challenging them, they respond. When nurturing them with good food consisting of lean proteins, fruits, vegetables and clean carbs, they show the hard work.  Be proud of where you ARE and what lies ahead.  Run around in your swimsuit at the pool and not a big cover-up.  While you may have a few laugh lines to go with the triceps of steel, who cares because the laugh lines are from belly laughs and great memories and your triceps of steel from hard work and focus. Next month could be when your strong self completes a triathlon...something your 20 year old self would be to nervous to do. You are just discovering your potential....keep discovering, evolving, and expanding on what you can do and how strong you can get.  

I ask again...where you been?  The answer...I've been working hard to sweat and grow to love who I am and what I can be each day! 

Take some time to Challenge the Power of YOU! 

Cheers-

Coach Erin, Age 35, now getting more running PR's than when racing in college 

Challenge Winner- Annie Chan!!!

Last Week we toasted the Power Fitness PDX Power of YOU New Year NEW You Fitness Challenge. Many women entered, did incredible and found phenomenal results. It wasn't all about the weight loss and numbers, but about the journey along the way.  When you work on the inner challenges, it helps face the "physical" challenges as well. 

Congrats to Annie Chan, the incredible and dynamic winner!  Anne won for many reasons which were decided by dedication in class/workshops/towards teammates/towards participation in the challenge, weight loss and inches lost goal achievement, personal goal achievement, and mental/spiritual goals achieved. Annie kicked booty and did it all! She is a new person now, and it shines in her face and her gait.  Watch out world, Annie Chan is glowing and growing in so many phenomenal ways!

Thus, I asked Annie a few questions and the following is how she answered: 
What was it that made you :
1. take time for yourself
2. feel that this time you could really reach your goals
3. get outside your comfort zone
4. learned from doing the Challenge
5. noticed about how you felt when you did the Challenge

Lucy Shopping Trip Outfit #1

I was in a rut.  My husband, the exercise fanatic, had lost 20 pounds.  I ran two half marathons and lost nothing.  The more he lost, the more agitated I became.  "How is that possible," I ranted to myself.  The answer came in my Inbox, "[APN] Free Power Fitness PDX Class."  I went to one class and I was hooked.  I signed up for the Power of YOU NEW YEAR-NEW YOU Fitness Challenge and learned the error of my ways.

 

Error #1 - Heart rate.  I always thought I was a 10 min/mile runner (until my husband gave me a Garmin Forerunner which showed I was more of an 11 min/mi runner).  I admit I ran at a leisurely pace.  That was error #1.  The Challenge taught me to work with my maximum heart rate.  I have to challenge myself in a tougher heart rate zone to get results.

 

Error #2 - Nutrition.  Before, I would run for 3 miles and come home to a breakfast of egg and cheese on english muffin and coffee with condensed milk.  I craved comfort foods especially on those cold winter days.  That was error #2.  The Challenge taught me to think about food as fuel.  If you put junk in your body, you are bound to feel sluggish.  I learned to make healthier choices.  I drink more water, eat more whole grains, fruits and vegetables.  Thanks to Shay's Cafe, I discovered my love for quinoa salads!

 

PFPDX Challenge Winner - LUCY Workout Outfit!

Error #3 - No excuses.  I used to let days go by before getting a workout in.  I would blame the weather, work, family schedules and even my husband.  That was error #3.  The Challenge taught me to make myself a priority.  Once I began to make time for myself, my family started to join in.  My daughters would join in exercise routines including jumping jacks, burpees, planks, pushups, etc.  During springbreak on the Disney Cruise, my 6 year old would insist we take the stairs (9 flights!) to burn more calories.  A fit lifestyle is contagious and impacts all around you.

 

The Challenge has been a transformational experience.  The team was so supportive and full of energy and laughter.  It was amazing to hear the stories of why each woman was participating and the impact it was having on their lives.  We all learned to break the cycle of bad habits, take on a lifestyle of clean eating, appreciate the ones we love, and make time for ourselves.

 

At the end of the Challenge, I increased my running pace to a 9:22 min/mile, lost 10 pounds, lost 2-3 inches across waist, hips, thighs, increased my strength and rocked a 10 minute wall sit.  I feel stronger, healthier and happier than I have in years.

 

Thanks to Erin and Power Fitness PDX for an incredible journey and I'll see you all at 5:45am at Crown Beach!