Joe and Heidi White

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Picture my day: they made us bleed our own blood

Monday, March 5, 2012

Triathlon Training - First race, this Sunday!

Did you know I'm training for an Ironman triathlon?
It's a...Swim 2.4 mi / 3.8 km | Bike 112 mi / 180 km | run 26.2 mi | 42.2 km race

It's been a goal of mine since I was a kid. So, in 2011 I decided that 2012 would be triathlon specific training (swim/bike/run) with about 4 triathlons of shorter distance (olympic and half iron) as training prep for a 2013 full ironman. So that's the journey I'm on...and will be on for a while.

Since October of 2011, I've done various variations of this to get my base level tri-fitness up:

Monday: Rest
Tuesday: 45-minute aerobic run and 30 minute (H.I.T - High Intensity Training) cycling session
Wednesday: 45-minute swim (2000-2500 meters) and 20 minutes of strength training
Thursday: 45-minute aerobic bike
Friday: 45-minute swim (2000 meters), 20 minutes of strength training, and a 30 minute HIT cycling session.
Saturday: 90-minute aerobic bike
Sunday: 60-minute aerobic run

In 5 months I lost 31 pounds and watched my body perform better and better.

Before @ 231lbs & After at 200lbs

Now, I've ran road races (marathon, etc.), cycled seriously for 6 years, but swam very inconsistently over the course of 4 years or so. So I've been really pleased to have increased in speed due to better technique.

So, this Saturday is my first triathlon. It's the UBC REC Triathlon. This week will be my taper week where I'll eat really clean and cut my training down and focus more on maintaining fitness, rather than building it. To prep, I've bought some tri-specific clothing and washed my bike with E.

Here are some things I have learned about myself through this process:

1. The bigger the goal(s), the better I do

2. The longer the distance, the better I preform

3. Family support is ESSENTIAL to training (we mostly run together, and bike on the trainer together)

4. Using a very thought out training plan (from a book or expert) is very helpful for many reasons (keeps you on track, keeps you motivated, can help keep you injury free).

5. Doing my workouts in the morning (especially before people get up) give me the best chance of not missing a workout. The longer the day goes on...the more likely I'll skip a training session

6. Most people don't give a "flyin'-hoot" about triathlons or triathlon training. Which I'm sure will make this blog post...a snoozer.

7. I really miss training for rock-snow-ice climbing but I am confident this season of tri-training is a good distraction.

8. I have had many disappointments in training (I've quit training sessions, felt sluggish, sabotaged my eating plan, and had very disappointing runs/swims/and bike sessions)....but the MOST IMPORTANT thing I have done in EVERY ONE OF THOSE CASES...has been to try again the next day. This...I think, must be, a secret of success.

Since I really have no idea how this Saturday will go....I'm simply planning to:

Use it as an opportunity to learn about triathlon

Use it as an opportunity to stay positive under pressure

Use it as an opportunity to trust the work I've put into training

Thanks for the support, friends

good days now and ahead...

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Sunday, March 4, 2012

Picture my day: celebrating this gift....

because she makes me smile.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

I have a tough question for you....

How do you talk to your friends about Jesus without being pushy?
Here's an answer.
...maybe.

If you like this idea....would love you to consider clicking "LIKE" on the right hand side of the page. Thanks for your support!

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Monday, February 27, 2012

Do EVERYTHING in one weekend

As we walked onto an elevator...we saw this:

that smiley face....it's so life-like. So.....real. As if it's staring at me...telling me something.

Yes. it is telling me something. Anyway....

Sometimes, on one weekend....you need to do everything. Everything you want to do....in one weekend. DO IT. We did.

Ice skating as a family in downtown Vancouver.

5-pin bowling (Canadians understand this) in a vancouver LANDMARK uber-classic bowling alley

and when you've got family visiting....take these kinds of pictures. LOTS of them. Yes...it matters. At every special meal....at every outing....do it.

And then....a SPECTACULAR day at Whistler (sorry Whistler friends for not visiting....we were crunched for time. Next time!)

Perfect weather....Sunny, windless, crisp cold, great conditions...perfect.

When the sun starts to set....take some pictures and ski the 4000 foot descent and SMILE WIDE

finish the day with celebratory Guinness and nachos

and take pictures of your beautiful family. And yes....Elizabeth was having....shall we say....a moment. But no worries, she got happier when I gave her my Guinness (just kidding).

Great weekend! Woot woot!

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Saturday, February 25, 2012

Skiing is misery....when....

Yes. This first photo has nothing to do with the rest. Sorry....I just had to include it. Forgive me, please? It just make me chuckle....for some reason.

Some of my students took me skiing a few days ago....love those boys. They rip.

Taking me down the double blacks was fun....in the sense that eating raw vegetables is fun (you do it because it's good for you)

But not so fun for my ski. It broke. My poor Silvretta Pure bindings....They are toast. Dang. So after a long walk down the mountain....and a snowmobile ride to the chalet.....I am forced to dream of a new pair of skis (read: I "like" having no cash in the bank). Shall I get another touring binding and/or just get a new pair of dedicated downhill ski?

These are good days folks...

don't miss them....broken bindings and all

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Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Picture my day: memories are made with snow

Proud of the man of God this student of mine has become. Great day in za hills!

Monday, February 20, 2012

Loads of skiing with Vancouver's best

First....a date with Heidi. Yes....she ski.I ski.We all ski.HipHipHooray

good day on the mountain with my girl. She rocks it

blacks and everything...even after a year break.

Then it was off to Manning Park with some of my students

Can you sense my excitement?

Love these guys....they board hard. I like that. I always feel like I get better the more I spend time with those Vancouver local lads who grew up like 30 minutes from 3 ski hills.

Manning park was beautiful. It had a wild feel that I appreciated and the snow was excellent.

He looks happy

She looks tired

Good chats on the chair lifts with my guys....good times all around.

These are good days....

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Friday, February 17, 2012

Picture my day: breakfast with daddy

I whisked her away
While she still was half asleep
So she'd wake up in the coffee shop
And SEE me making her
my sole (or soul) priority

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Skiing @ Grouse Mountain

It was a FREE day at Grouse. Members could bring a friend. So two of my students, brought me! ahhhh...thank's guys!

We wanted a little of this:

So Jonathan dawned his ripper named, Mr. Board...and gave 'er:

And James....goes so fast...snow doesn't have a chance to get out of the way

....and wowzers, at a place like this...with guys like these...makes it WORTH IT.

good days...past-present-and future

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Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Family Snowshoeing @ Mount Seymour

What is a tradition?

It's simple, really. A tradition is "something that is handed down"

...and traditions come in all shapes and sizes

....and, shall we say, sweat levels.

Our tradition, in the white clan (ahem...our last name is White)

is family snowshoeing

We want our kids to understand all the great lessons of being out in the woods together, on adventures, playing in mysterious places, smelling trees, tasting snow, sweating for summits, and learning to delight in a good creation.

So, with Joe's family visiting....we headed to the hills in a borrowed van so we all could travel together! Thanks Jungs!