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The Pool or the Ocean?

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When was the last time you did something for the first time?

The start of a new year is often a time set new goals.  One of the most common goals is to ‘learn something new’.  We love the positiveness of this goal. It is not about quitting something (removing from our lives) – instead, it’s about adding a sense of value to our lives.

Why do we  encourage you to learn something new – here’s our top 5 reasons:

  • It’s fun!
  • It offers you a sense of accomplishment and pride
  • It adds more time in your day – you value time more and use it better
  • It enables you to meet new people and form friendships
  • It builds your self-esteem and confidence

Lastly & importantly (which really makes it 6 reasons) – it makes you HAPPY! A core need for psychological well-being.

 

If you’re looking for a positive, self-growth goal – we’d love to invite you to join one of our newest Learn-to-Programs. These flagship programs are what we are all about – passion in sharing our skills, and enabling others to grow and flourish. There’s no greater investment.

In signing off – we’d like to leave you with a beautiful quote from the amazing Christopher Reeve:

“Either you decide to stay in the shallow end of the pool, or you go out in the ocean.” 

 

Yours in community,
~ Debbie & Team BEXI

 

Learn-to-Cycle:  starts Sat 1 Feb, 2-3.30pm

Learn-to-Run:  starts Sat 8 Feb, 8-9am

Learn-to-Ocean Swim:  starts Sun 9 Feb, 8-9am

Learn-to-Trail Run:  starts Sat 15 Feb, 10-11am (new dates/time!)

 

Embrace all the good in your life

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I had the privilege of cheering a friend at the recent Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Mooloolaba a couple of weekends ago.  The atmosphere was amazing! There were athletes from all walks of life, from countries all around the world.

As a world championship race, these age-group athletes would have had to earn a slot at a qualifying event. It’s a huge achievement just making it to the world champs! The key thing that really struck me about this event, was the variety of athletes. There were young & old athletes, small & large athletes, able-bodied & paraplegic athletes. It was truly inspiring watching all these athletes pursue their dream.

One of the biggest inspiration for me that weekend was watching a paraplegic athlete embrace his goal. This guy rolled his wheelchair to the beach, where the race officials carried him to the start and placed him in the water. When he finished his swim, the race officials carried him to his bike (see above pic), where he focused on getting on his bike and continuing with the bike course, followed by the run course in his wheelchair.

It was truly very humbling. He never complained.  He just embraced the atmosphere and all the support from those along the course. At the end of the race, a supporter walked up to him, patted him on the shoulder and said, “Well done mate, you were truly awesome!”

As able-bodied athletes, we often take our situation for granted. We complain about the mundane — “I’m injured, I can’t train… I’m overweight, I can’t run… I can’t cycle, I’m too scared… I am busy, I can’t commit.”

We are all guilty of taking things for granted — however, it just requires a little reminder from time-to-time, to appreciate what we have. Just watch the Paralympics at Rio – swimmers with no limbs, runners with no eyesight, table-tennis players with no arms. It is truly very humbling.

So my message today – pause for a moment to appreciate all the good in your life. Your health, your family, your environment, the opportunities you have, the choices you have… the support you have.

Learn to appreciate what you have… before time makes you appreciate what you had.

A huge congratulations to all those athletes who competed in Mooloolaba — the oldest being 87years old! Truly amazing!

Also a massive ‘Good Luck’ shout to all our BEXI athletes taking part in the Blackmores Running Festival this weekend.  Embrace all the good in your life and make the most of it.

 

Debbie Solms
Feeling Grateful

My top 5’s of becoming 50

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I came across a video clip earlier this week which got me thinking about age.  I’m close to 50 – which is a pretty big deal. Or is it?!  For me, it’s just another year wiser. Of course there are many things to celebrate by reaching a half-century – but there are also many more things to look forward to in the second half of our lives. I felt inspired to share with you my positives and not-so-positives of approaching 50:

Top-5-positives
  • I feel more confident about life in general
  • I have learnt many value lessons in life (let’s say, there’s been many storms endured)
  • I am a better athlete than when I was in my 30’s – my mind is much stronger
  • I am able to reinvent myself by learning new things – there’s so much to learn in life
  • I am inspired and motivated to chase new dreams (#ComradesMarathon – it’s out there now!)
Top-5-not-so-positives
  • Sleeping late is a thing of the past  – try as I may!
  • 2 glasses of wine is my limit – that, or I suffer the worse hangover the next day
  • I have to work out doubly-hard to maintain the results that didn’t seem so hard to obtain in my 30s
  • Hot flushes, once reserved for secret crushes, are now a frequent occurrence – clearly I now have many secret crushes
  • Week night socials are limited to 9pm – or there’s a high risk of turning into a pumpkin!

On the whole, the positives definitely outweigh the not-so-positives.  So why am I sharing this with you? Well… I want you to know that getting older doesn’t mean that we need to slow down; it doesn’t mean that we must stop dreaming; and it certainly doesn’t mean that we should stop setting new goals.

It DOES mean that we should look forward to the second half of our lives – embrace every new opportunity. 

As soon as we feel too old to do a thing – we must do it! 

 

Good life

Kids ‘Learn to Run’ Workshop

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I am continually asked about offering run technique workshops for kids. Having been one of those kids first starting out with running, I constantly reflect on the skills that I have learnt now, wishing I had know them then. Which is why I have I am particularly motivated and inspired to share what I have learnt over the years, so that our younger generation can benefit as they grow up.

Thrilled to announce that I have finally compiled a holiday workshop targeting kids who are looking to improve their running. The workshop will be 2.5hr in duration and will focus on the following:

  • What good technique looks like
  • Drills to engage the correct running muscles
  • Agility and games to practice good movement patterns
  • Exercises to improve strength, stability and speed
  • Team-based games and activities to build self-esteem
  • Tips on how to make running fun 🙂

The workshop will target kids over the age of 6yrs, who are looking to improve their running. We are offering 2 x workshops during the school holidays, from 9am-11.30am (max 6 children p/workshop):

  • Weds 23 Sept (rescheduled due to rain)
  • Weds 30 Sept (FULLY BOOKED!)
  • Thurs 01 Oct

The cost for the 2.5hr workshop is $30 per child.  If this is something that interests you, then please visit our Family-FIT program for more details.

Mums/Dads – you are welcome to observe the training session, so that you can obtain tips and tricks to further support your child’s development.

Really look forward to nurturing the passion for running in our younger generation!

Click here to register a place for your child.

Debbie Solms
Run Coach
Beauty of Exercise