In preparation for heading to Italy for the Club Crew World Dragon Boat Championships, we've been told to "Cut out the distractions and focus on your goals!"  These words hit home the other week when Tom Arnold, our head coach at the Vancouver Island Paddling Club, told us that in a huddle just before we went out on the water for a practice.  I immediately thought of this acronym for the word "focus"  -  F.O.C.U.S - Forget Obstacles - Concentrate on Unbelievable Success.

Distractions only take away from the real reason we're on the water paddling and working so hard.  In his humour, Tom said, "It's not the time to worry about how  many bikinis you need to pack for Italy or what tour you want to take while there."  He told us we need to eliminate (as much as possible) not only the excitement of travelling to a great destination like Italy (a place I've never been and I'm REALLY looking forward to visiting!), but other distractions too, like our work or home life.  Of course, to a large degree, life must go on.  But, if we plan and adjust, we can make our lives simpler and easier and focus on what's truly important.

With that in mind, I made the tough decision to stop working my Alter Ego Fitness Experience boot camps (which run 5 to 6 times a week) and I'm not taking on any new personal training clients from now until after Italy. This has given me lots of free time to focus on the team's goals and time, as Tom says, "to recover and rest." More time to focus and prepare.  Because I'm so passionate about my role in helping my clients to be fitter and healthier, this is extremely tough.  I feel like I'm neglecting them.  But, I also know they all understand my reasons and I can already feel that my body is enjoying the reprieve.  So, for now, I can truly focus on doing my absolute best in Italy!

I've been a newer addition to the crews of the Gorging Dragons, but for most of my teammates it's been a 3 year journey and the races in Italy are the next logical step for all of us.  As a team, we know that our bodies are more than ready.  The paddlers have all been doing gym and cardio training, as well as on the water training in small boats, over and above the dragon boat practices.

At this point in our training, we're entering into the "mind zone" and pushing ourselves at every practice, so that we can mentally KNOW that we can do it!  I think of it as "boot camp training for the mind".  Tom, Mallorie and Andree (our coaches) keep reminding us that now we work the minds.  We know the body can do it - we just need to believe, beyond a doubt!  And, from the sounds of last night's cheer "Credere" (which is "believe" in Italian), we're ready!

I've been running race plans and scenarios in my head for over a week now.  The good, the bad and the ugly and, step-by-step, I conquered the bad and the ugly.  I haven't woke up in the night lately with what I would simply call, "paddling terrors".  But when I did, I'd go over the scenario, solve it, and then roll over and go back to sleep.

This weekend, all four crews are racing in the 20th Annual Victoria Dragon Boat Festival, where I'm sure there will be a few fears and pre-race jitters popping up.  However, I'm confident that we'll conquer those fears and race jitters and, as a team, we'll . . . Credere!

Another great addition to our training!

Paddles UP!