Is there anything more synonymous with the start of a new year than hangovers and resolutions?  For me, the hangover wasn’t too bad and I’m working off the same resolution list as in years past. On the top of the list continues to be “Achieve work/life balance…”  and sure I’m one of a billion people with this same goal.

Trying to balance my time producing two MOMAR events and the Big Chop Summer Paddle Series with my demand of my day job and my family life is nothing short of challenging.  And add to that, my need to get outside for some fun on the trails puts even more pressure on that delicate balance.

Back in March 2011, I signed up for Challenge by Choice’s Virtual Coaching Program. I was excited but skeptical that I could find consistancy long term.  However, here I am, nine months later and, wow, what an impact the program has made on my life.

How it works?  Simple.  Adventure athlete and professional trainer, Jen Segger, set me up with daily workouts via the Training Peaks website. I would log in and see my workouts for the next few weeks. The workouts would always vary depending on my training goals but most of the training was running based with different types of workouts (e.g., fartleks, hills, tempo) on different terrain. She also included bike and strength workouts with different objectives for each.

The results have been awesome. Since March, I averaged over five hours a week of training, dropped 10+lbs and feel fitter than I have in a very long time.  I attribute  my success to the simple fact that I feel accountable not only to myself, but also to program and especially to Coach Jen.  It’s a great feeling to get home from a hard workout and log the results into the program, get an email from Jen saying something along the lines of “Good work, B!”

I will admit that fitting the training time into my already busy schedule continues to be my biggest challenge.  However, I’ve made it a priority and the delicate balancing act seems to be adjusting just fine.

Thanks Jen!

Thanks to everyone who signed up for the Mind Over Mountain Adventure Race duing the month of December.  The winners of the early bird prize packages as determined through a random draw using Excel’s =RAND() formula are: 

• Marc Leblanc – $25 Gift Certificate from Frontrunners
• Carmel Ecker – Double Kayak Rental for Burnaby MOMAR
• Roger Morgan – Free Entry to the Yeti XC
• James Hiebert – Free Entry to the MOMAR
• Brandy Hughes – MOMAR Bike Jersey
• Katherine Nicholson-Acorn – $50 Gift Certificate from Surface Collective

I will email all the winners with details on how to claim your prize.

Thanks to Frontrunners, Surface Collective, Big Chop Summer Paddle Series and The Yeti for contibuting prizing!

To coincide with the most popular day set one’s goals for the year, registration for the Mind Over Mountain Adventure Racing Series will open at 10:00am on January 1st.

If you are reading this blog entry then you probably have the MOMAR on your list of race goals for the year. Great! I promise you will have an amazing experience at Squamish and Cumberland.  For those of you that have never taken part in the MOMAR, we do offer training clinics to teach you how to navigate, rappel, and mountain bike (the schedule will be updated in a few weeks).  And if you need to learn how to paddle or just need an opportunity to train, I suggest the MEC Big Chop Summer Paddle Series that I also organize in Vancouver

Finally, I found this short article that details the S.M.A.R.T. Principle for motivation and goal setting.  Enjoy!

The new issue of the MOMAR eNewsletter for June just went out.  If you didn’t get a copy, then you can click here to view it online.  In this issue, we touch on everything from the upcoming MOMAR in Shawnigan Lake, to the past MOMAR in Squamish, to the Big Chop, Volunteers, BC Bike Race, and Training Clinics.

If you would like to be on the mailing list, you can sign up by entering your email in the form to the left.

Even I know that there’s more to racing than the MOMAR.  As we head into the summer months, there are lots of events to get involved with either by racing or volunteering.  Here are some that I personally recommend:

Sunday, June 8th — GutBuster Trail Run in Nanaimo
The third race in my old race series takes place in Nanaimo, BC.  This course features an 8km and Half Marathon course through the trails around Westwood Lake and into the Abyss.  Go to www.gutbustertrailrun.com for more info.

Sunday, June 8th — Edge to Edge Marathon in Tofino/Ucluelet
I was the event director for this race in ’06 and ’07.  In that time we added the half marathon and increased registration numbers by 110%.   I’m not organizing it anymore due to my new job with the City of Surrey but Danielle Stothers, the new event director, has a good handle on things and things should hopefully be as smooth as ever.  A few spots are left for this race. Go to www.edgetoedgemarathon.com for more info.

Sunday, June 8th — ALS Adventure Challenge in Deep Cove
This is probably where I’ll be on Sunday.   This is a sprint adventure race with mountain biking, kayaking, and trekking.  Total distance is 20km and 175 people will be on the start line in Deep Cove.  Lisa Richardson and her team have raised over $445,000 in the past four years for ALS and they hope to have another big year of fundraising.  You must raise at least $350 to race.  For more info, go to www.alsadventure.com

Wednesday, June 11th — Greater Vancouver Orienteering Club in the Delta Watershed
Who wants to join me for some orienteering training?  The GVOC’s WET series comes to the Delta Watershed on Wednesday night and I’ll be there. The session starts at 6:30pm.  AND if you want to meet for a XC mountain bike ride before the race, send me an email and we can meet up at 4:30pm. For more info, go  to www.orienteeringbc.ca/gvoc/

Thursday, June 12th – MEC Big Chop Summer Paddle Series presented by Helly Hansen
The 4th race in the 10 race series takes place off the shores of Vanier Park.  Come out and experience the fun of the Big Chop by paddling the 4km or 8km course. This is awesome training for the MOMAR and one of the best ways to spend a Thursday night.  The prize table is LOADED with schwag and you even get a free smokie and lemonade with your $8 entry fee — It’s the best deal in town.  Boat rentals are available.  Go to www.bigchop.ca for more details.

That’s all for now. I hope to see you out there, somewhere…

Cheers, Bryan Tasaka

Every weather report is calling for sunny skies and mid 20 temperatures for the next three days so you better get out there and take advantage of it.  The MEC Big Chop Summer Paddle Series runs on Thursday night down at Vanier Park and there is no better way to enjoy the sun than on the water.  The Big Chop is a 10 race series that features both a long course (7-10km) and a Little Chop (~4km).

It only costs $8 to register and your entry includes a free smokie, lemonade, and a chance to win a ton of great draw prizes.  All abilities are welcome!  Check it out at www.bigchop.ca.

The MEC Big Chop Summer Paddle Series start this Thursday! After a very successful inaugural season, we are excited to head back onto the water for paddle races that pits kayaks against outriggers and canoes. Paddlers can enter in either the 7-10km ‘Big’ Chop or the 4-5km ‘Little’ Chop.

Race registration is only $8 and include a post race smokie and drinks! We also give out a TON of great draw prizes. The season ends with a big party and we are giving away two kayaks (one Think Evo surfski and one Seaward Infiniti TX kayak) to two lucky winners.

When: Thursday, May 1st (and then every two weeks after that)
Time: 6:00pm registration, 7pm start, 8:00 Smokies, 8:30 Awards
Where: Vanier Park, Vancouver, BC (under the Burrard Street Bridge)
Kayak Rentals Available

This is a great way to get ready for the final two MOMAR races that have a kayaking stage. The race is owned and operated by the MOMAR and Vancouver Ocean Sports. For more info, go to www.bigchop.ca.