52NEW ~ Barefoot Water Skiing and a family connection realized.

It’s funny the things we think of when it comes to Mom and Dad. My parents met and spent some very good times in what’s known as cottage country in Ontario. My sister and I grew up on stories of good times at the lake! Some of those stories we didn’t get to hear till we were older, as they would of been horrified if we did some of the things they did! 

It left an impression on me that I didn’t realize untill I lived somewhere that I to could have a “good time at the lake” on a regular bases! 

Waterskiing, wakesurfing, life on the dock, are all part of who I am not because of what I have done, but because it has been passed down from Mom and Dad. Sometimes I think it was infused into my DNA. My Mom was actually water skiing while pregnant with me ~ at the time she didn’t know she was!

When I am on the water I feel closer to my parents than when I lived in the same town with them. The stories I grew up on run through my subconscious on a continuous loop it is an undeniable connection with my Mom and Dad and a gift from them to me.  

Hopefully this will help you understand why I was motivated to try “Barefoot” Water Skiing. I’m pretty good in the water, I can usually master just about anything or at the very least “fake it till I make it” My husband had already done it once and gotten up, plus I had EXCELLENT coaches who are also personal friends.

Yup. I’ve got this.

Two things.

1. You have to wear a special wet suit so you don’t get an unexpected enema.
2. Basically it is the equivalent to stepping out of a car going 70 KM/hr and trying to remain standing. 

Somewhere in both these points I should of found a warning. 

So.. all in all.. that didn’t go so well, but what I don’t have in that recording is the call to my Dad afterwards telling him what I had tried, and my Dad’s story about how he tried barefoot water skiing (boats where different when he tried so it was a different technique) and a moment that I could feel connected to my family who live far too many provinces away.

 

It’s blurry.. but here is a picture of me on the “Zip Board” as a kid!

 

Tags: 52 New, barefoot water skiing, barefoot waterskiing, family, SUN FM, Susan Knight

52NEW ~ Learn to pitch!

Perhaps “learn to pitch” might be a bit more than what I learned to do, but I did learn to throw a ball from a pitcher’s mound to the plate.  The question is could I do it in front of 2 ball teams and an audience.

Total distance = 60 feet 6 inches!

Here’s the deal. I am NOT a team sports kind of gal. The thought of a whole team depending on me to get the job done, or worse me depending on other people to get something done makes my skin crawl. That obviously is a conversation for physciatrist at a later date, but what it does mean is I have never really participated in some of the more traditional sports.. basketball.. soccer.. baseball! I have had limited experience with these sports because of gym class as a kid.. but that’s about it. So when the oppurtunity arose to throw out the first pitch at a Falcons game I knew it would be perfect for 52NEW!

Sometimes we forget how close an “expert” is in anything we might want to do.  I pondered who I knew that not only could teach me how to pitch the distance required but who I would also be comfortable with. There was only one answer: Joni Frei! Not only is Joni a blast and one ofthe most positive people I know but she also happens to be an owner of “Beyond the White Lines” and “Okanagan Elite Softball” If you have a girl/women in your life that plays ball make sure to check out what they have to offer.

Here is Joni’s bio:

Joni graduated with a degree in Kinesiology and a minor in Health Sciences with Teacher Certification from Georgia College & State  University.  There she helped lead her team to a 2nd place finish at the  NCAA National Tournament. Joni broke a number of school  records at Georgia College & State University including homeruns,  walks, RBI’s and runs scored.  She was the recipient of many prestigious  academic and athletic accolades including NCAA National Tournament Team,  All Conference Player Awards, University Athlete of the Year and  Department of Health Sciences Student of The Year, her senior year.  After graduation Joni moved to Europe to play in the Dutch Hoofdklasse.  

Upon the end of her competitive playing career she returned to the  United States to pursue a career in coaching as an assistant with  Kennesaw State University under Hall Of Fame Coach, Scott Whitlock. At  Kennesaw State University Joni earned a Master’s degree in Political  Science with a concentration in Public Administration. Joni has coached  at all levels of softball including serving as the head coach of the  Austrian National Team, Assistant Coach for Division I Kennesaw State  University, Assistant Coach for Division I Mercer University, Assistant  Coach for NAIA Reinhardt College and Assistant Coach for Georgia  Military College.

Currently Joni is serving as the Owner/Technical Director of Beyond The White Lines Softball Academy in Kelowna, British  Columbia, Canada, Head Coach of  The Okanagan Elite Softball Association,  CANPitch Regional Pitching Instructor for Softball Canada as well as  Softball B.C. Learning Facilitator and Assistant Softball Coach for Team  BC.

Impressive? YES! She is an amazing teacher. By the time we were done (and we only had about 45 minutes to get this done) Jenn who was doing the camera work felt like she could throw the ball properly just from listening! (Butterfly… Hips… Arm. Elbow UP!) Joni’s wonderful spirit translates into her girls; polite, beautiful, talented and supportive!! What a great organization!

My first team picture!

Sorry Joni, I never did master the scowl and spit..

I also turned to my former coworker Ryan “Two T’s” Watters! I worked with Ryan years ago at SUN FM where he was one of Kelowna’s favourite personalities! He has since moved on to work with  UBC Okanagan and The Kelowna Falcons, he also takes care of some sport’s duties on our sister station AM1150.

Here’s a little chat we had on SUN FM:   Susan and Ryan talk Baseball!

I am MORE intimidated than at the Powerlifting competition!! All those guys out there in matching uniforms and people in the stands.. the chatter in the back of my head is a constant loop of “What were you thinking? “Don’t mess up!” “DO NOT cry if you do!”

Good news was the amazing cheering section that came with me, Jenn, Anthony, Debbie, Lynda, Dan and my wonderful Steve! Debbie even took some time with me so I could practice a few pitches before hand! (side note: we learned I can NOT pace out 60 feet, my practise pitches were more like 120 feet!) They gave a great cheer as my name was called! I was thrilled to see some other familiar faces as well including, fans of the station, a friends parents, Randy from The Gospel Mission and even some of my friends kids!

What an awesome cheering section!

Interesting.. The crowd didn’t intimated me as much as the very polite, nice and patient (did I mention cute) ball players did!

Check out my journey top learn how to throw a ball… and find out if I managed to make it over the plate!

Tags: 52 New, baseball, Kelowna Falcons, pitch, SUN FM, Susan Knight

52NEW ~ Powerlifting. Who would think I could pick up 270lbs?

On July 9th I participated in my very first Powerlifting Competition, it took place during the Okanagan Strength weekend being put on by Naturally Fit and Predator Barbell. I met some very nice and very strong people! Must of us are unaware that we have world, national and regional champions right here in the Okanagan.  I had the privilege to meet a few of them and they are super supportive and very kind. 

My morning started pretty tough. I tend to get nervous tummy and the butterflies were doing a messy two step in my stomach. Nutrition is important and of all mornings to be on target this should of been it. I could barely hold water down! Steve was being wonderful and keeping me as even keeled as he could I was getting tons of encouragement via Facebook and Twitter.  My bbm and text messaging was a buzz with support! Special mention to Melissa who not only reminded me to breath and that I was awesome, but recommended some ginger ale to settle the tummy. 

By the time I had met up with Sheila and Kevin who I was doing the competition with and weighed in I was feeling better and you could no longer see “the whites of my eyes”  we all went for breakfast and I managed to get in some food. Not much, but enough that my body has some fuel to use. By the time we get back my trainer Ryan Brown and his wife Jenn have arrived on the scene and we start to warm up. 

Here is how my day broke down: 

Squat:

1. 181.9 lbs  I am afraid. Due to the terror Ryan see’s in my eyes my first lift is one that I can do plenty of reps of. The idea behind the squat is you have to get the squat to 90 degrees or below for it to qualify basically your butt has to get below your knees. I am worried that I won’t get down low enough. I do! First lift a success.

2. 220.5 lbs In the gym this still feels like a LOT of weight when I do this squat. My goal is to make sure I am low enough and I get it back up using the muscles I am supposed to. While I don’t want to say it was easy, it was far smoother than I thought it was going to be! 

3.  248 lbs This will be a personal best. I have NEVER even tried to get up this weight! Part of me is pretty sure Ryan is crazy, part of me is sure I can nail it after getting up that 220 so comfortably. Can I do it? YES!! Success!! 

Squats can be tough for me. I always feel just a bit “off” I have visions of being squashed like a bug!! I guess I gave people a bit of a fright because I went down SO low (to make sure I didn’t get disqualified) plus I stayed down longer than most, for some reason I almost need to reset my mind so I can get back up. Odd, but it works for me.

Bench Press:

1. 165.3 lbs. I can do this. I lift this all the time and can usually do a solid 4 repeats. Down on the bench I go, shoulders set, feet planted.. and FAIL! Yikes.. the judge said press and once it came down it did NOT go back up! Must of been nerves. Happy I have another shot. Too bad I can’t drop the weight for my second attempt but that isn’t allowed. No worries, I’ve got this.

2.  165.3 lbs. Here we go again, shoulders set.. and CRAP came down way too fast and NOPE, once again, it didn’t even come off my chest. I’m upset now and quickly exit the competition area for a little cry. Steve comes back, lets me cry it out, and once my eyes are not as red I head back out, just in time for them to call my name to try it again.

3.  165.3 lbs. Ryan comes out to spot for me. Helps me make sure I am in the proper position and …. NOPE. This time I get it off my chest but not high enough for it to count or be able to rack it. Say it with me. DISQUALIFIED. I am VERY frustrated. 

At this point I promptly go back into the training area.. and actually DO THE FREAKIN’ LIFT!! Aw well.. I will think about what went wrong and try to fix it for next time. Happily they will let me go on and do my dead lifts even though technically I am disqualified. 

Dead Lift:

#1 220.5 lbs. Coming off the disaster that was the bench press we dropped my opening dead lift weight. I had planned to start at 255 lbs, but my confidence was more than a bit shaken. 220 proved to be no problem. 

#2 259 lbs. After picking up that 220 with what felt like ease the butterflies in my stomach seemed to be marching in formation now. It was only weeks ago that I was struggling with this weight and today I picked it up with a smile. 

#3 270.1 The 255 was solid, but I had NEVER picked up, or even tried to pick up over 270 lbs!! My confidence was high as I quietly said to the bar “Hello 270, nice to meet you, I’m just going to pick you up now…” and I did. I practically skipped off that platform when all the white flags went up signifying that I had successfully completed my final lift. 

Dead lifting has always been my strength, it is for most the easiest of the 3 events and I think the most satisfying, partly because of the loud crashing noise as you guide the weight back to the floor without releasing the bar, but with no strength behind it. 

Will I continue with my powerlifting training with Idol Fit? YES!  Part of that reason is that I want to do a meet and complete all 3 events without being disqualified.  I also really enjoy the brief moment when my mind shuts out everything else in the world and all the attention in my body is simply on performing one function be it push, pull or press. 

Special mention to Sheila Sutton a wonderful friend who also was competing on Saturday. She nailed ALL her lifts and looked fabulous doing it! She has also listened to me panic in the days leading up to this and has been VERY patient

and.. you may have noticed I had fabulous hair, Amanda at Roxi’s Salon took the time on short notice because she knows a girl with good hair is always more confident!  

Tags: 52NEW, back squat, bench press, dead lift, ladies, powerlifting, SUN FM, Susan Knight

52NEW ~ Susan vs the rowing machine!

Here’s the deal. I KNOW cardio is an important part of anyones work out plan no matter what the over all goal is. Let’s face it a strong heart is a good thing. Plus good cardio just comes in handy, walking the stairs at work, joining girls for a walk up Knox mountain, touring around Paris on foot, and running away from a crazed ex girl friend of your current boy friend are all great examples of when good cardio can make a difference in day to day life.

Over the years I have tried a variety of cardio pursuits, good grief I did TRIATHLONS! That’s about as cardio as it gets with the whole swim, bike, run thing! I truly loved doing triathlons because I always feel great in the water, I enjoyed an independent sport that is done within a group of people with common goals, and I liked the gear. I REALLY liked the gear, from the wetsuits to the running shoes, the bike stuff to the backpack to carry it all in, the gear is just fun. Expensive but fun. My point here is that while I truly loved doing triathlon and hope to do it again someday what I didn’t enjoy was the cardio. The swim was my favourite, the bike was OK but there was no “runner’s high” for me. While some people talk about an almost meditative state, or getting into the “zone” while doing these activities I fought through every single moment. I actually walk faster than I run! While I go in with all the positive self talk I can muster it’s not long before a steady stream of obscenities is running in my head, or I am totally distracted and almost slowing to a complete halt because I spotted a pretty bird in the backyard of a house I was “running” by. 

It has never been better in the gym. I tried an elliptical machine, actually I have tried it many many times, I am fairly confident that machine was invented by the devil, who has something against people with short strides. There is always the tread mill, which I don’t  hate … as much.

Working out with Ryan has found me on a rowing machine more than once and I must admit I haven’t hated it. My friend Sheila is a rower and I had mentioned to her once or twice that this rowing thing wasn’t so bad! She knows that cardio is a struggle for me and I needed some help.. lo and behold she had an extra rowing machine at her disposal! That rowing machine now lives in my spare bedroom. 

Here’s how my first row broke down: 

Steve is heading out for a run with his friend Jimi. I figure I have a solid 35 to 40 minutes before they come back in the door, so I climb aboard my new (to me) rowing machine. 

Ipod on and up.

Feet Strapped in.

Handle in hands.

Tension set.

ROW! 

Within 2 minutes I was sweating, within 10 minutes I was REALLY sweating, 15 minutes in I was hurting a little but still singing along with my Ipod. 20 minutes along it occurs to me that as much as my eyes are stinging from sweat and I had a slight twinge in my side I was having more fun on a cardio machine than I ever have. 

At this point I almost smiled. I did keep singing. 

Steve and Jimi come home. 

Did I know they had come in the door? No. Steve figured it would be a good idea to let me know they had arrived.. I was singing rather exuberantly, rather off key and rather loudly. 

The rowing machine was set up in such a way that it was facing the window and my back was to the door. Remember my feet are strapped in and locked on to the machine and I am sitting on a seat that slides back and forth at a good clip while you are rowing.

Steve politely tapes me on the shoulder to alert me that he is home. I do what anyone would do in this situation. 

All in one I.

Stop singing.

Start screaming.

Jump about a foot off the seat.

Again. Feet are LOCKED in and seat is SLIDING. Therefore when I come down from my startled leap, I land on…. THE BAR THE SEAT WAS SLIDING ON. 

I am. Still locked into the machine half on the ground, Ipod still on and in my ears, husband by my side trying to determine if I am OK, while laughing his butt off.

The good news. I have stopped singing and plan on rowing again.

Tags: 52NEW, ROWING, Susan Knight

52NEW ~ Behind the curtain with Cirque!

It was a dream come true.. I ran away and joined the circus!

Tags: 52NEW, Cirque, SUN FM, Susan Knight, Trampoline

52NEW ~ I did the dangle!!

WOW! What a great experience!! I learned I could fly!

Tags: 52NEW, Okanagan, SUN FM, Susan Knight, Upside down, Zip Line

52NEW: Tu Tu Hot For You!

I managed to scratch a few things of my 52NEW list in one day! This weekend I participated in the “City Chase” which involved a series of challenges all over the city and the only way you could get to them was on foot or by transit.

I raced with Ian Mackinnon. Ian. Is. Awesome.  I have always wanted to do one of this events, but have always been so self conscious about my lack of physical fitness that I always declined because the last thing I wanted to do was let someone down due to my inability to keep up.

Lesson: I am still super self conscious about not doing “well” and putting the “but I had fun” smile on my face”

I warned Ian.   He said he was OK with my lack of ability and just wanted to have fun. So we signed up as a team and prepared to take the city by storm!

I figured if perhaps we wouldn’t be moving as fast as the other teams, we should at least look good.. or look… fun! Time to break out the Tu Tu’s!! (Calowna Costumes rock) We met some great ladies right off the top that helped us come up with our team name: Tu Tu Hot 4 U!!

Lesson: I have gained some confidence with my new strong body and didn’t feel “fat” even in this get up!

Ian doing a little dance and a great job as MC

Getting warmed up!

Lindsay and Christina ready to go!

Once that was done the race was on… Ian and I raced to the first check point at Flashbacks to get our list of “clues” we had some challenges we “had” to do and others we could choose between. It appeared the first thing we had to do was race up Knox Mountain.

This is the moment when I should be writing this: WOW. I knew that it would be tough because I try to go up Knox with my bootcamp a couple times a week, even if I would be embarrassed because I would be so slow we went for it and got it done!

Instead I write this: Aw Crap. NO WAY. I was unnerved enough no way was I going to start by heading up Knox with all these fit people and show just how slow I am!

Lesson: I really don’t like going uphill on foot fast.

Instead we made the biggest mistake of the race which set us back.. wayyyyy back from the get go. We walked all the way to the Sandman Hotel to do the repel.

Why didn’t we take the bus? I figured it would be faster to walk it (About 8K) then wait for a bus.  I was wrong, but along the way Ian and I had a chance to learn more about each other and share fun stories about the past and hopes for the future. It really was interested to get to know Ian a bit better!

Lesson: I REALLY don’t like relying on other people aka: the bus. I will always default to “just doing it myself”

Only one of us got to repel so we played “rock, paper, scissors” and I WON!! Time for me to take the elevator up to the penthouse.. and come down the OUTSIDE of the building!

Lesson: You know that saying “The first step is the hardest?” It’s true. There was a very brief moment when this ran threw my mind; “our you out of your mind they can’t hold you up you are too heavy and the rope will break and you will fall to your death and most likely land on Ian and kill him as well”

but that voice was silences I took a deep breath and did it!

Next up, we went to Mitsubishi dealership.  Where we had to pull a car!  One of us had to steer, the other pull. Everyone seemed to think that Ian would be pulling and I would be steering.  Think again!!

Thanks To Ryan at Idol fit I knew that I had this. It was fun to listen to everyones exclamations of surprise as I put on that harness and started moving that car without hesitation!

Lesson: I might not be able to run more than 30 feet with any speed but I am freakin’ STRONG!

Next up we got over to Orchard Park to get on the bus and head to the CNC. The clue indicated that we needed to “Dare to Bare!” We both laughed figuring someone would be stripped down to their undies for something…

On this bus we met up with many many many other teams.. who had completed far more tasks than us. I felt REALLY bad.

So we get to the CNC and take on the challenge in which someone had to WHAT?????!!!???? One person had to strip down to NOTHING, and the other had to draw a picture of them.

Here is our picture:

Lesson: While I can talk the talk about not being shy or a prude I could of done without seeing Ian’s man parts, and that I have a husband with an excellent sense of humor. BTW: Ian wears a size 111/2 shoe.

The following challenges involved us donning flak jackets and helmets for some boot camp activities, putting with a banana while tied together, riding “striders” having balls thrown at my head, and discovering my blood type.

Lessons: I will never be in the military and army rations aren’t half bad, putting with a banana is fun, I will never own a strider and should really listen to my inner voice screaming, YOU HAVE GONE TOO FAR TURN AROUND, I can hold a squat for a long time, and my blood type is A+.

If you are counting you will see we are only at 8 of the 10 tasks. Due to the mistake off the top, a missed turn on the striders and my inability to move faster than a brisk walk we crossed the finish line in the allotted time but 2 challenges short.

Lesson: I will focus on running this fall and winter. I know dropping the weight will play a big role which will make it not as discouraging come fall.

It was really a fun day, mostly because Ian was such a good partner and while encouraging me to move faster rarely used guilt as a motivator! The other racers (outside of one typical grouch competitive no fun dude) were all fun and encouraging.  Kelowna is a great city for an urban race like this, YOU should do it next year for sure! Not only will you learn something new about yourself by pushing personal boundaries but you will have some old school fun!

Lesson: Compete in City Chase 2012

Tags: 52 New, City Chase, Lessons, SUN FM, Susan Knight, Tu Tu