Happiness.

I sometimes wonder why it can become so hard for so many people to be unhappy. Everyone has days were their moods are down and spirits are bleak, but no matter what your story is - well, its just that, a story. Pity, sorrow, sympathy could be appreciated but are they really necessary when you could simply take a step back and celebrate what is good in your life instead of the things you want to change? How will a frown or a bad attitude help anything at all?

Unhappiness can be derived from so many factors, but it is personal choice to remain unhappy. Most simple pleasure go unnoticed and many things that make us happy aren't realized until they are taken away. If you are ever feeling down, worried or stressed out, just sit back and open your eyes up to how wonderfully lucky you are to be blessed with so many great things. Here are some ideas to consider and help you out along the way:

• You live in Canada. Enough said. Land of the strong and free. You are blessed to be living in this incredibly beautiful, kind and prosperous first rate nation with free health care, a decent government structure, healthy human rights and a diverse mix of cultures composed on top one of the world's finest landscapes.
  
• Listening to Lifehouse's 'Everything', Jason Wade sings "how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?" Every time I hear it, I can't help but smiling at the idea of being completely in love and moved by someone. Its fascinating that another human can have such a profound influence on another human being. Regardless of who this is in your life, surround yourself with people who move and inspire you. Do not settle for acquaintances, appreciate your most sincere friendships and relationships.


• Your health. Sure you might not run well or you might have extra weight you'd like to lose but if you can breathe without pain, walk up the stairs, twist, turn, jump and throw with relative ease - you've got it all. A healthy and functioning body is an incredible blessing. You can always improve it, but be thankful you've still got it and it selflessly carries you through your day!


• And finally, some completely random things in life which just plain and simply great which assure a smile: Sunshine, great music, hugs and high fives, a good sweat, the smell of cooking/baking, free gifts, hot water, compliments, smiles, animals (not the slimy or aggressive ones though, unless your into that), fireplaces, letters in the mail, the ocean and the beach beside it...and the list goes on. Make your own list of things that make you happy!

Yours in health,
Jenna

Just do it.

Just do it.


Strap on your shoes, start to run. Call up a friend, meet them for a coffee. Knock on your boss' door, provide them that feedback. Shut your eyes, and jump into the cold lake. Pretty simple eh?


If my years working at Lululemon taught me anything, it was to do one thing a day that scares you. They encouraged the 'just do it' attitude where the results you see in life are based on a confident can-do attitude. When you aspire to do something, believe you will do it and you will. Nothing can be done by sitting around and thinking about what you want to do. Get your mind and body moving and commit to seeing it through.


Just do it!


Your challenge for today: Do one thing the scares you. Try it!


Yours in health,
Jenna


Me atop Carrick-a-rede rope bridge.



Guess Who!

Get ready to be blown away. Read the following and guess 'Who Am I??'

I have…

• Married the woman of my dreams and become a father
• Embraced healthy lifestyle changes that allowed me to lose 80 lbs. and complete multiple Ironman triathlons (swim 2.4 miles , bike 112 miles, run 26.2 miles)
• Realized my ongoing dream to travel the world by visiting, living and working in over 35 countries
• Helped raise over 10 million dollars for charity
• Taken control of my finances, eliminated my debt and become financially independent
• Physically and mentally overcome a debilitating back injury that resulted in major surgery, a spinal fusion and six months of bed rest
• Followed my passions and enjoyed success working as a writer, actor, entrepreneur, banker, comedian, event planner, filmmaker, fundraiser and juggler (yes, I said juggler)
• Overcome fears, allowing me to skydive solo from over 12,000 ft. (50+ times) and dive unaided to over 150 ft. below the ocean on a single breath of air
• Received funding to write four feature length screenplays, two of which were award winning scripts that were optioned by notable producers or directors
• Found a balance in life by cultivating a regular yoga and meditation practice
• Experienced a very hurtful divorce and then learned how to trust again
• Been on an ongoing journey to free myself from a material life of excess
• Experienced the thrill and excitement of performing live on stage in front of tens of thousands of people
• Embraced a simpler, more clutter free and minimalist approach to life
• Discovered ways in which one can eliminate or reduce their need for a vehicle with relative ease

Impressed? Thought so. I read this an was taken aback at how incredibly inspiring this person is - and I don't even know them. Introducing: Jason Billows. Husband to Tracy (new mother and co-owner  of Moksha Yoga Ottawa), Jason leads an inspiring website dedicated to health and wellness in the simplest of forms.

If you are already impressed, read on friends and be prepared to have your socks knocked off! Please enjoy: http://stopandbreathe.com/ .

Yours in health,
Jenna

Spirit.

What does it mean to have spirit as a runner? To me having spirit reflects one's inherent compassion, dedication, vigour and enthusiasm toward a particular idea, person, place or thing. For a runner, that spirit might be reflected before, during or after a run but regardless it is an incredible force which is vital to the success and happiness of the runner.

My friends, Jane and Brent from Team in Training Ottawa were recently featured on Roger's Daytime TV to discuss their love of running and about the film 'The Spirit of the Marathon' coming to Ottawa May 8th (http://www.rogerstv.com/page.aspx?lid=237&rid=4&sid=68&gid=79319). While watching their video, I began thinking about the concept of spirit and started doing a bit of research. I stumbled another inspiring story by an American writer which defines the runner's spirit.

Similarly to what Brent and Jane describe in their video, Mark Kuba describes the runner's spirit in great detail and how you not only run for yourselves, but to appreciate everything else around you.

Please enjoy :)

Yours in health,
Jenna

The Running Spirit
 

Down the road, into the woods and onto the snowy trail they went.  They ran up and down hills, around stumps, over and through streams. The boys huffed, puffed, laughed, and sweated their way through the chilly morning air and their personal histories.  Deer tracks, turkey tracks, and runner tracks were the morning’s evidence of God’s creatures.

Effort was followed by effortlessness.  Free flowing mind was followed by focused concentration.  Laughter was followed by silence except for the rhythm of the pace and the woodpecker’s distant tapping.  They were on the move not to get anywhere, but because moving is living.  As singer and songwriter Harry Chapin wrote, " It's got to be the going not the getting there that’s good.”

The boys are having a great time by any measure.   By numbers they probably average 10, 52, 9.  That’s shoe size, age, and minutes per mile. Now you know, they are not boys, but you couldn’t convince them of that as they surge down the trail.  You see, the activity of running releases them from time.  Their bodies periodically remember the physical and mental flexibility of youth and re-enact it.  This is one of the gifts that keep the “old boys” running down the road and into the woods.  They have no delusions.  They are not trying to be young.  They just know what they can do to give themselves the gift of feeling and being more alive. It helps them journey down life’s road.   And like life they usually end up where they start, except when they enter new territory.  Then they are never really lost, just temporarily misplaced.  It’s the spirit of running that keeps them going and gets them home again.  Tired and refreshed.

Too often, people run to lose weight and get in better shape.  Those are certainly valuable outcomes, but they are not good reasons to run.  Run because your bodymind needs movement.  Run because it helps you get in touch with your internal rhythms.  Run because you can focus on the beauty of Nature. Run because you can spend time with a friend or loved one.  Run with your children because together you’ll learn about each other.  Run because it helps you remember you are alive in ways other than your job or your roles in life.  Run because it can be a prayerful, life-affirming activity.   

Run, so you can more intimately know life’s wisdom.
It takes effort to experience effortlessness.
It takes concentration to allow your mind to go free.
It takes movement to have your world stand still.
It takes breathlessness to improve your breathing.
It takes patience to quicken your pace. 

Mike Kuba
West Virginia Wesleyan College

Getting Involved!

Have you noticed with the change in weather that there are about a million runners, walkers and cyclists hitting the pavement? Some have been at it all winter but most are seasonal outdoor athletes and are eager to train along our canals and rivers as soon as the snow melts and sun comes out. Regardless, I'm so glad to see the city come alive again with activity!

Race season unofficially kicked off with Around the Bay for many runners but what about those who prefer a little warmer and less hilly opportunities to be part of a new challenge? What if those people who have reintroduced their legs to the pavement want a chance to push themselves and experience a race for the first time, or the hundreth time?

I remember my first road race and still today I experience the same sort of nerves and excitement before every race as I did on that first day. Even as I type this, my stomach twists into knots and the hairs on my arms start to prick up as the pre-race jitters sink in just by thinking about it.

Today, I've listed below for you some of the local, national and international opportunities for you to challenge your legs and run with thousands of others who are as eager as you to get your brow wet and shoes muddy over the next few months. Good luck and run hard!

Local Events    

Sunday April 17^th 2011

The 2011 Ottawa Physio Race

10k,5k,2k Walk or Run

Friday April 29 2011

Law Day Run 

Saturday April 30 2011

Run to End MS Cornwall, On

Kids 1k, 5k, 10k and 21.1km

(The Kids 1k race is free to Register)  It’s a great race to get the kids ready for Ottawa race weekend

Saturday May 7^th 2011-01-11

Innovapost Share the Power of a Wish Walk/Run 2011

10k and 5k run or walk and a 1k kids race

Saturday May 7^th 2011-01-11

CBI Health Hustle for Hunger

3km Walk

5/10km Run

Saturday May 7^th

^“Where’s Franktown”

10k Run

15km Run

1km run

5km Run/Walk

Sunday May 8^th

Kanata to Bank St. Run

32km Training Run (with the running room)

Ottawa Race Weekend (WOOO HOO!)

Saturday and Sunday May 28^th and 29^th 2011

SOLD OUT!

Run with JOHN STANTON (and JENNA!) at the Friendship Run!!

He will lead the Free Friendship Run for National Capital Race Weekend.

Meet him at City Hall (110 Laurier) at 9:00am. A fun 3km run/walk with free refreshments, race pace wristband and a great photo opportunity! And I will be running with you as you in my pace bunny gear to get your pumped!!

Saturday June 4^th 2011

The 3^rd Annual Redemption Run

11km and 5km run

Sunday June 5^th

Ottawa Spring Sprint

2.5km and 5km

Saturday July 2^nd 2011

Perth Ont.

Lanark Mutual Kilt Run (5Mile)

*You MUST wear a kilt while running this race, actually.*

Saturday July 23^rd  2011

2011 Mitsubishi City Chase-Ottawa

Wednesday July 20^th 6pm

The Running Room 20min Challenge

*Registration is Free*

Sunday September 18^th 2011

Canada Army Run 2011

5k and 1/2 Half Marathon run or walk

Sunday October 29^th

Beat Beethoven 2011

21km Run

4km Run/Walk

8km Run

*Check out this one online - the race's concept is hilarious!*

National Events

May 1, 2011 – BMO Vancouver Marathon

May 15, 2011 – Mississauga Marathon

May 15, 2011 – Goodlife Fitness Toronto Marathon

May 16-28, 2011 – Great Wall of China Race & Tour

May 22,2011 – Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon

May 29 2011 –Scotiabank Calgary Marathon

May 29, 2011 –Ottawa Race Weekend

June 12, 2011 –The Weight Watchers Walk-It 5K Event 

July 20, 2011  –20 Minute Challenge 2011

August 13, 2011 –Energizer^® Night Race™ - Calgary

August 21, 2011 –Intact Canadian Derby Edmonton Marathon

August 27, 2011 –Mitsubishi City Chase Powered by BlackBerry

September 10 2011 –Energizer^® Night Race™ - Toronto

September 11 2011 –Credit Union Queen City Marathon 2011- Regina, SK

September 18, 2011 –Canada Army Run 2011- Ottawa, ON

September  24, 2011 –Melissa's Road Race 2011 Banff, AB

October 9, 2011 –BMO Okanagan Marathon 2011 Kelowna, BC

October 16, 2011 –Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

October 23 2011 –Niagara Falls International Marathon – 2011 Niagara Falls, ON

November 6, 2011 –ING New York City Marathon

Yours in health,

Jenna



Me,  pre-race before my first ever Marathon in 2008 in Edinburgh, Scotland.
I sat in my hostel room and read a book for a few hours after picking my kit up at the race expo.



Cupcakes!

I'm a runner. An artist. A Personal trainer. A Fitness instructor. And now to add to my resume...a baker!!

I've always been a bit obsessed with baking and although I love the sweet smell of caramelized sugar, melting butter and chocolate chips melting in the warm oven, I try to keep most of my baking relatively healthy. I love when my toughest critics swoon over a cookie that has been constructed with wholesome organic ingredients which supports a healthy lifestyle.

To challenge myself further and to invest more time in baking, I've entered a Cupcake Contest at Ottawa's 2011 Veg Fest on May 1st. In support of the Ottawa Vegetarian Society, the festival annually hosts a cupcake contest and this year I am a contestant. However, there is a catch. Here it is:

1. 1. You will be required to bring 12 cupcakes from an original recipe to the judging.
2. 2. You will be judged on 4 aspects: Cake Flavour (5 points), Icing Flavour (5 points), Appearance (3 points) and Creativity (2 points).
3. 3. We ask that you submit your ingredients and a brief description of your cupcake for the judges.
4. 4. Finally, the cupcakes must be 100% VEGAN!!

Challenge accepted. So what makes a good vegan cupcake? My goal is to make delicious cupcakes that don't taste 'vegan'. I am searching to use all local organic ingredients, find a unique but cost effective flavour, and create a presentation which will impress the judges. Can it do it? You bet. I'm on the hunt for flavours and designs, but could use your help!

What is your favourite cupcakes flavour or what would be the ultimate cupcake? What flavours are unique to Ottawa or define Ottawa as a city?

My baking adventure will continue and don't worry, I'll continue to log many miles so that all that bowl licking and batter sampling will stay off my hips!

Yours in health,

Jenna

Ottawa Veg Fest 2011

 Date: Sunday, May 1, 2011 from 10 am-5 pm (cupcake judging from 11am - 1pm)

Location: The Glebe Community Centre, 175 Third Ave, Ottawa


Mmm...can you taste it??



No pain..all gain :)

A week later after my race, I ran 10km with Adrian relatively pain free. Success! This week, my Ottawa Race Weekend half Marathon training will begin. With a 6 days a week run schedule with x-training, Moksha Yoga and strength training sprinkled in, it will be a lovely couple of weeks until race day. I will be running race weekend as a 1:50(continuous) minute Pace Bunny with the Running Room and representing Lululemon throughout the course!

Over the next month, I will monitor my body closely for any twinges, aches, pains or tightness and report to my doctor with any concerns. My diet will stay healthy and supported by plenty of water and I will make sure that I commit to stretching and warming up/cooling down properly before and after a run.

I'm excited for race week and to eventually start training for Chicago once my Pace Bunny duties are over. Until then, thank you everyone for your support over the past week! It's driven me to really rest and pay attention to my body and my doctor's advice, and the work has paid off :)

Here's a recap of the doc's findings:

Diagnosis: Thrombophlebitis (deep vain inflammation from a possible previous clot). Caused stress and strain on surrounding ligaments, tendons and muscle = severe pain.

Possible cause: Hormone, stress, awkward or unnatural position for an extended period of time.

Treatment: Water and go about life as usual. Pain is close to gone and may resume activity as normal! Carefully monitor any similar pain. Keep pumping those legs - they are ready to go!

Yours in health,
Jenna