Five More Reps

“Five more reps”.

Three small words, but with so much significance.

It was October 24, Day 2 of the IKSFA USA Elite Kettlebell Workshop in Los Angeles, CA, taught by the most highly decorated Russian coaches in the world. We had just endured four – or was it five? – hours of snatch technique, and learned some assistance exercises that I would employ for these last five reps I was determined to complete.

I came into this workshop feeling like the redheaded stepchild of the Kettlebell community – out of place, and prepared to be ridiculed. The ginger waiting to be kicked. This was a workshop for Kettlebells, yes, and I am a qualified practitioner as such. But my training has been focused on “Hardstyle”; as an RKC (Russian Kettlebell Challenge Instructor), I have earned respect amongst my peers as having completed one of the most grueling fitness certifications in the industry. I am proud of my achievement, and happy to call many of my esteemed colleagues my friends. But this workshop in LA was focused on Girevoy Sport – the Kettlebell Competition lifts of Long Cycle (Clean & Jerk) and Snatch, a traditional sport in Russia still in its relative infancy here in North America. I wanted to be well-rounded in Kettlebells, because there is too much infighting in the sport with ongoing debates as to which style is better, who started what, and general bickering that I decided I did not want to take sides but to decide for myself. It’s a lot like riding motorcycles – sport bikes vs. cruisers, and sometimes riders of the two don’t quite understand the other. I have ridden both, but I embrace the whole two-wheeled community. It’s about the ride, and really, it doesn’t matter who rides what, but there is a bond between the two groups that cannot be explained to “outsiders” that don’t ride. If you’re not into it, you just won’t “get“ it. Kettlebells are the same. Those who use them know what I am talking about.

This was supposed to be a “finishing” exercise for snatch technique the Russian coaches had us do. After hours of teaching and practicing, they had us wear cotton gloves to solidify what we’d learned. We were to use a lighter bell; boys were recommended to use a 16 or 12kg bell, and girls an 8kg. There weren’t enough 8s, so I grabbed a 12kg. I’d been practicing with a 16kg most of the workshop anyways, so I didn’t mind. We were supposed to snatch as long as we could before our grip gave way… and our grip was now severely compromised by wearing the cotton gloves. The coaches knew we were tired; we were less energetic than in Day 1, and I knew I wasn’t the only one trying to save my hands for Long Cycle, which was yet to come. So I didn’t think too much when I did a couple of tentative practice snatches with my left hand; I was being careful because I could feel the skin was sensitive and sore to the touch, and I could feel a very small blister forming in the middle of my palm but it hadn’t actually surfaced. So I was chalking religiously, and thankful for the glove that was supposed to help in these kinds of situations.

I had decided on a whim to go to this workshop. I really couldn’t afford to go, as I had been to two other Kettlebell workshop events the previous month – the Association of Tactical Strength & Conditioning Instructors (ATSCI) Kettlebell Specialist Certification in Kent, WA, and to be an Assistant Instructor at the RKC Philly in Exton, PA. But as I thought about how being involved in the kettlebell community – as an instructor and a student -– has literally changed my life, I knew I would be a fool to pass on the opportunity to learn from these legends of Girevoy Sport. So I decided to invest and register. I was on my way to LA.

Practicing on my own during this snatch exercise, I was comfortable. Sometimes I’d wait for a coach to watch and check my form but everyone was busy, so I just started. I was facing the mirror so I could see my technique; I wasn’t trying to beat a time nor was I even counting my reps. I was just trying to concentrate on good snatch technique within the confines of the cotton glove, and go until I could go no more. I don’t even know at what point I noticed Coach Rudnev at my side; I know I did have to tell some people to move from my line of fire because I could feel the fatigue setting in. I also had to turn 90º away from the mirror so the mats lined up forward-back, not side to side, as the possibility of me inadvertently losing my grip and launching the bell was very real. So I focused visually on the white folding chair ahead of me in the distance, hearing Dolby in my head telling me “Don’t look down!”, and dug in.


The coaching staff of the IKSFA is the proverbial real deal. Regardless of the number of trophies, titles and medals they have accumulated, the most striking thing I noticed about them was their humility. It’s a character trait I have observed over the years amongst top athletes, and it has remained a constant trait that all of my personal role models possess. The International Kettlebell Sport & Fitness Academy (IKSFA) is founded by one of the world-renowned athletes in Kettlebell Sport – Sergey Rachinskiy, Honored Master of Sport, Master of Sport World Class, Honored Coach of Russia, 9-time World Champion, 12-time Champion of Russia, and Guinness Book Record Holder. Coach Sergey Rudnev is an Honored Master of Sport, Master of Sport World Class, Honored Coach of Russia, 4-time World Champion, and 5-time Champion of Russia. Who cares if their command of the English language is not so great, and charades is part of the learning process? I did understand that “ooohh… horror show” meant that my technique was not very good, and that praise was not given freely…

The longer I snatched, slowly and steadily, the more I realized that everyone else was done with their glove sets. More people were shouting out words of encouragement, and I could see Nazo had me in her DSLR sights. I even heard her comment about me still keeping going with the 12! But I was in the zone. Actually, it was a whole world of hurt, because I had already done some practice on my left before Rudnev saw me, and so as I slogged away on my right under his watchful eye, Rudnev counted down the last few reps and then said, “SWITCH!” “Oh shit,” was all I could think – I had already done some on my left, and that tender spot in the middle of my palm was surely going to pretty much blow up. But this was one of those lifetime moments, the kind of guidance I’d been seeking, even if for a brief moment of time in this workshop. Rudnev told me to switch hands, so I did.

We all get into ruts. Sometimes potholes. For me, literally, earlier this year, it was accidentally stepping into the hole from a removable security bollard – those metal posts that are installed in pathways to deter vehicular intrusion. Small hole, little step, big hurt. I almost snapped my tibia, but thankfully, I only sustained a soft-tissue injury. I was still unable to run, barely able to dance, for the 2 months following. That was in March. April, I was T-boned in a motor vehicle accident that left me with lateral whiplash. Already unable to run, now I couldn’t do heavy pulls, an essential task in training for the strenuous firefighter physicals. So I figured some relaxation time with the family in Hawaii to celebrate my cousin’s wedding was just what the doctor ordered. I could still swim, and I love the open ocean. Being in the sea, calm, alive, swimming with life… ahh. Until I kicked a prickly sea urchin. Yes, seriously. I actually thought it was a rock, until I got out and saw the two dozen little purple spots on my left foot, each one bearing a piece of the sharp spine of that dreaded creature. It couldn’t get any worse after that! Summer was spend trying to balance healing with training, and neither was optimal. The whole point of me writing all this is to give some background of how I found myself in a training rut. Unable to train to the best of my abilities and limited by my capabilities, I found myself being in need of motivation, instead of always being the motivator. But in the world of training, Vancouver is a small town and good training partners are hard to find. So that’s why I’ve trained by myself for the most part. And at that workshop, I realized that GS was what I needed to become my own motivator.

Sweat was pouring down my face. My gloved hands were trying desperately to find a comfort zone in and around the bell’s handle, and the glove itself was bunching up because it was too big. Tom would try to straighten it out in the lockout position, but it was a futile attempt as the glove would just bunch up again on the downswing. My forearms were screaming; the burning sensationof fatigue was radiating higher the longer I continued. But I felt strangely calm, even though I was struggling for form at the end. Here, it all came together – Rudnev’s voice, my colleagues shouting encouragement, people clapping, the groove of the snatch movements, and more importantly, my mental focus and clarity. I can’t remember feeling more invincible; even if the world crumbled around me, even if my body collapsed, I knew without a doubt I could and would finish strong. So when I heard those three words – “Five more reps” – I knew I would nail it. It was by no means easy, because by now the 12kg bell felt like it weighed 24kg and it wanted to rip my arm from the socket. “FIVE”. Breathe. “FOUR”. Cast it out, lean back. “THREE”. Don’t look down. “TWO”. Lift the heel and absorb with the torso. “ONE”. Park it. I was done. I raised and shook my arms not in victory, but to try to lessen the pain pulsating throughout my limbs. Rudnev came over to shake my hand, and I hugged him. He broke away and called for a translator; Misha came to tell me what he was saying. “You have it all,” said Rudnev. “Technique, athleticism… and the character to become a champion.” It was a truly humbling moment, one I will treasure, one I will never forget.


This post has gone on much longer than I had originally planned (since I started it at the end of Oct!). But I am still reveling in that moment, even as I write today. I realize I’ve missed writing, so I’m going to try to capture all the things I’ve been thinking about after that a-ha moment. Welcome to my blog!

Up in Smoke

No need to be creative or witty for this next post. After endless months of preparation, countless hours of training, and unlimited optimism for a fairytale ending, yet another goal of mine has come crashing down in a cruel slap of reality. Once again, my best was just not good enough. I was unsuccessful in the Vancouver Fire Rescue Panel interview, and will not be moving forward in the selection process.

No chance to wow 'em with a fantastic medical, nor for my references to (hopefully) speak words of praise. And after doing everything humanly possible to ensure I would kick ass on the Combat Challenge, I won't be given the chance to redeem myself from past failures and prove myself physically capable of rising to the challenge. Heartbroken doesn't even come close. I felt in my SOUL I was meant to be with Vancouver. But my heart's been fickle to me this past year, so don't ask me what's next. There are no words of solace left, because I wrote the book on bouncing back from hard times and overcoming obstacles. I'm a living cliche. Fuck. $2, I know. Fuck it. $4. Shitballs. Make it $6, Puta madre, a la verga, mierda, hijo de puta, cabron, gillipollas, JODER. Put it on my tab.

No more writing for today. I'm empty.

But I'm not done.

It's not over.

I. will. not. quit.

Devastation on the North Shore

2009/12/30

In writing this entry, I wasn’t too worried that too much time will have passed after the North Shore Fire physical, because that was one of those days that I will remember in explicit detail for the rest of my life. I keep reliving snippets of it, second-guessing that maybe I could have done things different/ better/ faster/ stronger, questioning if I had the right mind-set going in, wondering if I really gave it my all. And I keep getting the same answer – I don’t know. So much has happened since then, but I feel a sense of duty in recording the happenings of that day, and to never forget the feelings I had before, during, and after.

I was still spiritually bruised from my Surrey debacle, and still had that cloud of self-doubt hanging heavy over me. I was not exactly confident going in, as a number of my well-meaning FF friends reminded me that this test would be difficult at best. For the first time, the three North Shore departments (West Vancouver, North Van City, and District of North Van) were doing a joint application process, and an amalgamated 2-stage physical.

The first stage was to do the Fit-Tech Assessment at the JI in Maple Ridge. It’s a baseline standard test comprised of nine separate components:

1) Resting heart rate and blood pressure
2) Body composition
3) Hand grip
4) Flexibility
5) Push-ups (1 minute)
6) Sit-ups (1 minute)
7) Upright row (65 lb barbell)
8) Equipment shuttle run
9) 1.5 mile run

I did this test last year and scored an 87% overall, with the upright row and shuttle run bringing down what would have been a consistent score in the high 90’s. Basically, the hiring department wants to know you won’t DIE on the Skills and Abilities testing session. This time around, August 16th, I improved in each component so I felt pretty good about going into the North Shore S & A.

Well, they tested 92 guys and 3 girls over 2 days, Sept 12-13, and I got news down the grapevine that Day One was brutal. Quitting, puking, collapsing in the tower and going to the hospital… I knew this North Shore physical was going to be the toughest yet, even harder than Surrey’s, but holy crap, this was not a good confidence-booster! But the only thing I could do was give it my all.

September 13. My turn. The North Shore Skills and Abilities testing is a series of tasks that are typical to the position of Firefighter. Tasks for the first test include a tower climb and hose raise, coupling exercise, hose drag and discharge, ladder raise, ladder extension and victim drag. Confined space room search and 100’ aerial ladder climb are separate components done after the first test. Sounded simple enough. I’ve done those elements numerous times, except the 35’ ladder raise. 24’ yes, but the whole 35’ is another story. That MF is big and heavy, and even in training at Fire Academy and Abbotsford I never had to raise the whole thing, just to the required height of the building we were to ladder. And even as a trainer, nothing can really simulate that in the gym, even odd object training, so I couldn’t get good practice for it. But, no time like the present! HA!

The Tower Climb was special. Yes we were in full PPE minus SCBA, yes we had an apartment pack to carry up, but that was standard. No, for North Shore, we had to carry an EXTRA 40lb duffle bag. Awkward, yes. Easy, no. Needless to say, I could not run up those stairs, so I took a step at a time. My proctor was very encouraging and said I was going at a good pace. At the top, I dump everything in the designated area, then proceed to the hose raise. A 40lb roll of large diameter hose suspended by rope, and I just pulled it up with a reverse grip as I had practiced many times. I think I surprised them at how smoothly I did it. Then hustle back down the stairs, touching every step of the way to the…

… Hose Coupling station. Connect, disconnect at a standpipe, connect, disconnect 2.5” hose couplings, connect & disconnect a 2.5” hose to a nozzle. That was easy; again, I had practiced and so just tried to keep focus and regulate my breathing for the ass-kicking I was about to get, but not before the…

… Charged hose drag. Throw a charged (full of water) 1.5” hose over the shoulder, run and drag it towards a target about 75’ away, open the nozzle (set from a fog pattern to a straight stream) and squirt away. Dragging the last few feet, I think I was nearly horizontal leaning forward, the friction from the entire length of charged hose stretched out was incredible. But mission accomplished.

Next was the 24’ ladder raise. I’ve done this in virtually every physical test I’ve taken, so it was pretty easy – a ladder is lying on the ground, and I just have to walk it up against the building, rung by rung. Awkward because the helmet puts my head at an angle and limits my vision, but it’s a straightforward task.

Then the ass-kicking begins. The 35’ ladder extension. Basically, you have to pull the halyard (rope) of this 3-section ladder (anchored to the wall), in a downward motion, which raises up each section of the ladder one by one. The evil part about this is that the first section is the lightest, so it goes up fairly easy. Then it picks up the second section, and now it’s not fun anymore. In fact, it hurts. The grip weakens, you’re breathing hard, your body is screaming, and if you are 5’4” and 130lbs like me, you are really thinking another 10” in height and 75lbs would sure come in handy about now. But I didn’t magically grow, and the ladder wasn’t going to raise itself, so I just had to dig in and keep pulling. I had to lock the dogs off near the top, just to take a breather, lest the whole thing slide back down faster than you can say “gravity”. Once I hit the top, I lowered it back down, and was on to the final station – the victim drag.

By now I’m unbelievably fatigued, but there’s still a 175lb dude named Randy wearing full turnout gear I need to rescue. But apparently Randy is in a difficult-to-get-to, difficult-to-egress from spot, because instead of a straightforward, out-and-back course, I must drag him zigzag around cones, 50’ and 50’ back. Moving any cones would be a 5 sec penalty. I know I wasted a lot of time on the 35’ ladder, A LOT, so I knew I had to hustle like nobody’s business if I was going to pass. I had no idea at the time WHAT time standard I had to meet, but I knew I was pushing it. While the dummy is no stranger to me, and we have this love-hate relationship, he doesn’t complain about me manhandling him. So I got as best a grip I could, and dragged away. Uh oh. This was going to be a bitch. I was so slow, the serpentine pattern I had to follow was hard to do, and my grip was slipping. It usually does, because I can’t reach all the way around him like most guys can, so I always end up doing isometric bicep curls with him trying to stay upright. It’s so hard navigating around those damn cones! I have to change my grip a few times, until finally I toppled backwards and Randy landed on top of me. Not kinda off to the side, no, he was square on top of me. Body, arms, legs, everything. Thank goodness I have years of judo under my belt, because I did a classic escape move, pushed him away from me, and got myself back up. I even vaguely heard a guy cheer me on, calling my name. (Thanks Burnsie!) I’m pretty sure I was out of time by then, but I was not going to stop until the proctors made me. Actually, I don’t think they thought I was going to get up after he fell on me. But I am the embodiment of “indomitable spirit”, and I refused to quit. They didn’t stop me, I didn’t hear any whistler or alarms, so I dug deep and kept on going. One ugly backwards step at a time. Visualizing a round, red, angry face screaming at me. Finally, with about 20 feet to go (I think), they stopped me. Time was up.

I failed.

Again.

No Confined Space Course to navigate.

No Aerial Ladder to climb.

I was done.

And completely devastated.

That was the end of another unfinished journey.

I peeled off the layers and made my way to the cooling tent to be monitored. Well hey, at least I didn’t puke, pass out, or need to get transported by EHS. But I knew that there were only 3 girls that made it this far, and the 2 others had already failed. I knew the proctors, and my acquaintances, were really pulling for me to pass this. I felt like someone had yanked out my heart, not from the physical stress, but from the emotional upheaval of another failure. I stayed to watch the guy behind me, as long as I could. They had to break for lunch, so I went back to the truck in a zombie-like state. Only then did I start sobbing, wow, even Surrey didn’t hit me this hard. I just couldn’t let it go. I still can’t.

I have since been told that there was about a 30% fail rate for this new testing standard, which is apparently pretty high. It makes me feel a little better knowing that I wasn’t the only one who got their ass handed to them that day. I also heard I made it farther than the other girls, and although I’ll admit being the first to try to erase gender lines, I did feel a bit proud. I do know that this failure did not deter me in any way, and I will learn from my weaknesses and do better next time.

And “next time” could be here soon. As 2009 draws to a close, and I think about all of the hardships I’ve overcome this past year, I can’t wait to get a kickstart on 2010. New direct, new vision, new goals, and a new determination for victory… On Jan 22, I have an interview with Vancouver Fire Rescue. I made it past the online application, the 4 hours of written exams, the resume screening, and now the Panel Interview. Wish me luck! More blogging, more frequently, to come… I promise!

Happy New Year to all!

Better Late Than Never - the Surrey Fire Rescue Test narrative

I started this entry in July, sat on it, and completed it today. I thought might forget some things, but as I started to write again, the memories came flooding back in agonizing detail. For those of you who have supported me in my quest for fire, thank you, and I look forward to your input!

2009/07/19

The last three months have been one long rollercoaster ride, and I don’t mean the high-tech, smooth-riding, space-aged coasters with the 5 point-harnesses and cushioned seats, I’m talking about the rickety wooden, whiplash-inducing, brain-bruising antiques from yesteryear where only the stupid or the daring let go of the handrails as they scream into oblivion. Yes, that has been my life, and while I am always “too busy” for a number of things, I was actively avoiding the blogoshphere (is that a word?) because, well, I didn’t know what to say.

My blogging hiatus started off on a good note with even better reason – a brand-new relationship with a special someone that looked promising. The connection was instant; the family introductions came quickly, and all our free time was spent gazing into each other’s eyes and making the rest of the world gag at our newfound happiness. Not to go on, but the relationship was not meant to be and we parted amicably. What it was, however, was a blow to the ego, and caused me to doubt who I WAS, who I wanted to BE, and what I thought I WANTED. During this time, I was actively pursuing a coveted spot in the Surrey Fire Department and taking each agonizing step towards that elusive goal mine – that of becoming a career firefighter, once again.

So for a while, I was unfocused when I needed to be laser-like; my thoughts floating on clouds of self-doubt when I needed to be on solid ground, and I shrouded myself with a cloak of negativity when I needed to be positive. But with the support of a very patient network around me, I got back in the game and gave Surrey my best shot.

I made it past the initial resume screening and was invited to write the entrance exam; I passed that and was scheduled to participate in Stage One (of Two) of the fitness testing on my birthday, July 5. What a present to give myself! Since my mother died six years ago on July 2, every birthday since then has been tortuous. What was supposed to have been a fun family occasion turned into heartbreak as we planned her funeral and tried to pick up the pieces of our shattered lives. This time of the year has always been emotionally trying since then, but, as with all obstacles and challenges that have come my way, I dealt with it the best I could. So I harnessed all my nervous energy and showed Surrey that this old broad could keep up with kids 15 years her junior.

It was a pretty straightforward day; standard fitness testing which included height/ weight/ measurements, sit & reach, grip strength, pushups (no time limit), situps (2 min), and 1.5 mile run. I killed it! It was one of those tests they make you do to make sure you won’t die during the practical fitness test wearing all the gear, etc. I was pretty proud, and confident I would move on to the next stage the following week. I did, and waited one tortuous week for the fateful day.

I knew what the tasks were, and thought I had trained appropriately. I also knew Surrey’s Skills physical was notoriously difficult, but all I could do was give it my best shot. There were 3 skills at 3 different stations, 9 total tasks to complete. There was a time frame, but they were not disclosing what the limits were. That’s what throws me. For CPAT, I know I have 10:20 to hustle before the countdown alarm beeps that the test is over. The first time I did CPAT, I didn’t know how to pace, and timed out. The second and third times, I knew exactly and was successful. But for the Surrey test, I had no idea how to pace myself.

The first stage consisted of the aerial ladder climb, dummy drag, and confined space maze. Aerial is not a problem for me; I love the rush and the view at the top is oh-so-cool! Next I did the dummy drag; it was different than any that I’d done before because we had to go under barricades and in serpentine fashion, but it wasn’t so bad, probably because it was so close to the beginning. Next was the confined space with blackout mask. Basically they test for claustrophobia, and see where your confidence level is at. Again, not a problem for me.

Then the Tower Station. Oh, the Tower Station. This is where I knew I would be challenged. Not impossible, because I can DO the tasks, but in a timely manner was another story. First, we had to simulate an extension ladder raise by hoisting an LDH (large diameter hose) roll up the tower via pulley, lower, then repeat. Well, the first time was ok, not easy, but doable. The second time was harder. I got it up, but once the hose roll hit the pulley, it bounced and pulled the rope out of my hands! So I had to do it a third time, which, well, took everything I had to complete. It was not at all pretty. I fact, the proctor told me I was allowed to bypass one station, and I could move on if I chose. Well, there’s no way I was going to quit and move on. Maybe that was a dumb move on my part, but I couldn’t leave a task undone. So I finally completed my third set, then up the tower I went. We had to carry a hi-rise bundle of hose, about 40lbs, up the stairs, switch shoulders, down the stairs, and repeat. Then go up the stairs with nothing for the final 3rd. I’m ok with stairs and hose; I chose not to run up and down but tried to keep a steady pace, so I had some energy for the last drill. The part I was MOST worried about, because it’s difficult to train for. From the top of the tower, we had to raise a roll of LDH hose to the top of the railing, lower, then repeat. Most departments make their candidates do this once, but Surrey was twice. Great! Given that my grip was already shot from my 3 hose raises, I knew this was going to be a huge task for me. And it proved to be. I tried many different techniques; I was even allowed to step on the rope to take an active “rest”, but for the first time, a negative thought flashed through my mind – “Oh my. I may actually NOT be able to complete this task!” I was stunned that I actually considered this, but the mind does funny things under stress. Well, tick tick tick, it took everything I had, I could hear the guys down below cheering me on, so I summoned up all of my strength and got ‘er done. But it was uuuuugggglllyyy!!

And it was only 2/3 over. We still had another station of 3 drills to go. I actually thought it wouldn’t be so bad – drag 190lbs of hose on a sled out and back; ladder balance walk, and 100lb LDH hose carry. I know I can do all of THAT because I had trained for it… I thought.

I have this big tire at the Y, and I would load it with extra weight, fix a makeshift harness around it, throw on my 50lb weight vest, and drag it behind me. Not easy, but I trained. So the actual test was good, because the weight was lighter, and the harness was cushier. I didn’t sprint since I was almost already horizontal trying to leverage that sled properly, but completed the task. Next, I had to carry a hydrant kit across a 14’ roof ladder horizontally, raised about 6” off the ground. Done. Finally, the LDH carry. I have sandbags, KBs, sloshpipe and other awkward pieces of equipment I used in my training for this, but nothing prepared me for the sheer immensity and awkwardness of 2 x 50’ lengths of 4” LDH in an unsecured straight roll that is approximately 3’ in diameter, weighing in at 100lbs. This was the LAST station. And I would be done. 50’ out, 50’ back. On paper I thought it would be pretty straightforward, as 100lbs is and easy weight for me. But after the supreme ass-kicking I got at the Tower Station, I was running on empty with nothing left in my reserve line. But I gave it my best. The roll was lying inconspicuously on its side on the tailboard of a fire truck parked in the bay. Deep squat, try to find a comfy (-ish) hold around the roll, deadlift up, turnaround and walk. The secret to lifting heavy stuff is to have it close to the body. Well, being 5’4”, that roll covered up my face and vision, so I had to lower it so I could see where I was going. I made it all the way to the halfway point, but at the turnaround, my arms gave way and the roll slipped from my grasp. Great. Now I had a 100lb roll of unsecured hose on the ground that I had to pick up. Awkward, awkward, awkward. I kicked myself for dropping it, but my forearms were shot. I managed to get it back up off the ground, made it about 15 more feet, and down she went for a second time. I knew I wasn’t allowed to drag it, but I did know I still had some juice left in my legs. So I tipped it upright, shoved my hands through the folds, loaded my hips, and gave it an explosive swing forwards, Kettlebell hard-style. I did that the rest of the way, put it back on the tailboard, and hung my head in shame at my pathetic performance.

I knew in my heart it wasn’t good enough to pass, but I didn’t receive confirmation until a few days later. Thanks but no thanks, and there went one more opportunity for me to fulfill a dream two years in the making. I wasn't crushed, but disappointed that again, I let myself down.

So that is my Surrey Fire story. I’m working on the blog entry for my North Shore application, which will come shortly. I’ll leave more narration for that entry, but right now, it’s time for me to get back to training.

Until next time,

TD

Why do people look at me funny when I train in the gym....?

I tend to go to the gym during the off-peak hours, when there aren't a lot of members around or classes in session. Although I rarely use the weight equipment, I sometimes use a few things like the squat rack, barbells, or cable station. But I do like an empty studio, either to practice hula or to lay out some nutbar circuit. I also use the hallway so I don't, uh, damage the studio floors with my KBs, tractor tire, sandbag slams, etc. Today was no exception - here's what I set up:

Tire station: Flips, pulls; drags
Medium Sandbag 65lbs): Shoulder cleans; Zercher Squats
Light Sandbag (37 lbs): Burpee snatches
Vertical Hose Pull (using squat rack): various rope handling techniques
6', 3" Sloshpipe: Ladder cleans & O/H walks; forward walking lunges; walking presses

Basically, I just did SOMETHING at each station. I didn't have a set routine, just a general idea of what I wanted to do as I moved through each station, but I kept the flow. I certainly did get a lot of strange looks, but as we say, f**k 'em! Yeah, I know my stuff is more fun than curls. My workout was short, intense, and functional, not to mention entertaining!

Questions? Comments? Hit me up!

trish

Training Tidbits

Wow, time flies when you ignore your blog. My apologies for another lengthy delay in scribing! I've just been pondering different options I have for training as I hurry up and wait for fire dept recruitment and application processes to move along. As such, it has been difficult to plan my sports and training - so many choices! Yes, we're entering volleyball pre-season, and I wanted to be able to hold my own before embarrassing myself on court #4 at Kits Beach! I was also looking at returning to the mats and getting back into judo... not to mention kayaking, climbing, and hiking. Too much pondering, not enough action. Ever happened to you? Sometime you just gotta say f**k it, and do something. So here's what I did over the last 3 days:

Wed April 8: Kits Beach Blast

With minimal equipment, I mosied on down to Kits Beach for a quick session on a cool, overcast day. I grabbed a my 10lb sledgehammer & fire gloves, a 16kg kettlebell, and my TRX Force Trainer. I set up a simple 3-station circuit, and came up with a flexible program.

• 10 L / 10 R: Sledgehammer swings (Overhead OR horizontal forcible entry style OR
• 10 L / 10 R: Kettlebell Snatches OR Thrusters OR Diagonal Cleans
• 10 L / 10 R: TRX 1-arm pushups; 1-arm side rows; contra-lateral & ipsilateral pistols

I ended up doing mostly overhead sledgehammer swings since there was a homeless person sleeping beside my "usual" log for horizontal sledgehammer swings and Kaiser smashes. Then I cycled through various exercises for about 5 rounds. Here's the setup:

Thursday April 9: Quick & Dirty Double KB sequence

I decided to go to the gym because I wanted to warm up with an hour of hula practice before digging in to a Q&D (quick & dirty) KB workout. So after I danced, I brought out 2 x 12kg KBs and took over the floor outside the studio:

• 10 closed-stance double front squats
• Bear crawl 15 - 20 paces
• 10 Renegade Rows
• Bear Crawl 15 - 20 paces
• - opposite direction -
• Double Burpee Cleans
• Walking alternating presses
• 10 Alternating cleans
• Walking alternating presses

I only had time to do that sequence twice, but it was still a fun time!

Friday April 10: Cambie Bridge Stairs (10 sets)

• This one is too simple: Run from my condo in Yaletown, around the False Creek Seawall to the south side of the Cambie Street Bridge stairs, and do 10 sets non-stop. Continue over the Cambie Bridge to the north side, then run home. Even better when done with a friend for motivation... thanks Boo:-)!

I'm off to Vancouver Island this weekend, for some R&R with family and friends. Standard in my truck fitness toolbox:

• One each of 8-12-16 kg kettlebells
• 10lb sledgehammer & fire gloves
• TRX Force Training Kit
• Lebert Buddy System
• Various resistance Ripcords tubing
• Beach Volleyball
• 2 x footballs (mini & reg size)
• Basketball
• Baseball & Glove
• Skipping Rope

I'm sure there's other stuff I've forgotten about that are at the bottom of the box, and I have no idea what kind of workouts I'll be getting in, but I have no excuses! Have a Happy Easter!

Kauai Getaway

I seem to have lost my focus for my blog, but I’m trying to get back on track. A week of forced rest in Hawaii has helped, albeit not at all in the ways that I was anticipating!

What I was hoping for in Kauai was some kind of emotional release from the demons that have followed me for the better part of a decade. From the deaths of friends, my mother, my marriage, my careers, my sense of self… I put DEALING WITH IT aside in favour of keeping busy, taking on multiple projects, pushing myself physically, mentally, and emotionally to higher limits, yet never reaching the finish line. Like there ever IS a finish line. At any rate, I hoped to find some solitude and time to reflect while on vacation, but, well, I guess it wasn’t meant to be this time around.

My trip to Kauai was shared with friends and family. My aunt, uncle, cousin, brother, and I in one resort, and 2 VPD buddies staying at another resort close by. It was fun sharing new sights and sounds with these familiar faces, and a great chance to know each other in circumstances other than “the usual”, but I really needed to put myself in solitary confinement. Things didn’t start out great, not because of the company, but for the food poisoning I got the first day. I spent the next 36 hours alternately barfing my guts in the toilet, hobbling from furniture to wall trying not to fall over, or crashed in bed, oblivious to the world. Or at least the tropical paradise beckoning outside my door.

An endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal, lounging around on Po'ipu Beach.
This was pretty much ME the first two and a half days in Kauai...
minus the beach, ocean, and sun.

I had never been so sick in my life. I’ve never slept so much, or eaten so little. But for the greatest ab exercises, look no further than the humble heaving puke. I was so dehydrated I actually had eyelids. And I’m not even trying to be funny! I was so weak, I couldn’t sit up long enough to have an MSN conversation without laying my head down on the table. Everything ached, and when I finally had enough strength to stand up on my own, I knew I couldn’t do the stuff I had planned. I brought my TRX Force Kit and had hoped to film some cool vids on the beach; had my portable iPod speakers ready to rock the hula, and couldn’t wait to body surf in the open ocean. I LOVE ocean swimming. But the few times I got to the beach, I knew I could have very easily overestimated my strength in the water and the last thing I wanted was to have to be rescued. How embarrassing would THAT be?















So I appreciated the little things, met some great people, schmoozed at the firehouse and fire/rescue lifeguard stations (got a couple of shirts ;-)! and relaxed as much as I could. I didn’t feel the same connection to Kauai as I do Maui; I am drawn to Maui like I belong there. But Kauai has it’s own energy, and one day I’ll go back under healthier circumstances to really appreciate its beauty.

Wailua Falls

So here I am, back in Van, rested and more relaxed to live life at a normal pace. Although I didn’t have the epiphany I was looking for, what I did get was the realization that my search for a personal “moment of clarity”, like happiness, is a journey, not a destination (to quote that eye-rolling cliché, sorry but true). Those emotional a-ha moments are spread throughout my life, but I guess along the way I’ve kept myself too busy to notice them – or I’ve blatantly eschewed them. Not anymore. I’ll leave those big Hollywood-style moments where they belong – in the movies.

A pocket of sun in between bouts of pouring rain, gusty wind, flying sand, fluffy clouds...
all within 10 minutes!