As a test of my endurance...

... I took a short trip to Blue Mountain with my Dad and sister. I hadn't been snowboarding all season (thanks to work; economics courses; grad school applications; funding applications) so I was really excited to see if my 3 spin classes and 2 nights a week of gymming really paid off! *note sarcasm here*

Our first day on the slopes was a bit of a write-off since we spent most of the afternoon waiting in line so that my Dad and sister could pick up their rentals. But on day two, I really got to push myself and see how physically fit I was!

The conditions were perfect - just cold enough that the snow didn't turn to sticky slush, but not so cold that the days were unbearable. In fact, it was snowing the entire time we were there, so the conditions were ideal!

I felt pretty confident in my abilities, so when I wasn't coaching my sister on her snowboard, I decided to stick to the harder hills and test my endurance and strength. All in all, it was a really great (and much-needed) vacation away, but it was also a great chance for me to get active again and really see where I stand.

Now, after it is all said and done, I definitely feel pretty sore, but on the whole, I think I'm on the right track! Of course, cycling for thousands of kilometers really doesn't compare to a few short days of snowboarding, but at least I know I'm not a total sloth that can barely lift her arms and legs. I know now that I need to keep at it, and in time I think I will be where I want to be so that I can "walk the talk" and pedal myself across Western Canada and reach out to our Canadian youth about issues I really feel strongly in!

Speaking of the tour; I just want to say a big thank you to those of you who have donated to my journey so far - it is thanks to generous people like you that I will be able to do this!

Cheers and bicycle gears,

Sarah

And so it begins!

Hey all!

Welcome to my blog. This will be where I will post my triumphs, my setbacks, my frustrations, my hurdles, and my adventures as I prepare for the journey of a lifetime. I hope you enjoy my ramblings!

To get you all up to speed: My fundraising campaign is in full swing, and I have begun to step up my gym attendance in the hopes of preparing my out-of-shape frame for the daunting task of pedaling 2,000 km in a couple of months.

Essentially, I hope to rake in millions in donations and become ripped in the span of 60 days! (No, not really, but one can dream!)

In a nutshell, I have been to a total of 3 spin classes, and I think I upped my gym attendance from 1 day a week to 2. Hmm... I think I need to get a little more serious about that part.

In terms of the fundraising - it's coming along! I've already got the moral support of so many great people - it's convincing them to part with their hard-earned dollars during an economic downturn that's the hard part. Wish me luck!

I'll try to keep this blog as up-to-date as I can, and I will be sure to add photos and links as I continue in my preparations. In the meantime, if you are yearning for some more info, check out http://www.otesha.ca. If you're rearing to donate and can't wait to plunk down your plastic, then head on over to my personal fundraising page at http://www.canadahelps.org/GivingPages/GivingPage.aspx?gpID=2950!

As they say at Otesha,

Peace and bicycle grease :)

Sarah