Jan's first gymnastics "competition"

My little cute Jan, did his very first gymnastics competition at the beginning of Feb in the nearby town of Sant Gregory. He did a heck of a job and was very pleased with himself, which is most important :D

First one is of his "team" and the coaches. He's the one on the left <3. The ones after are a few of the floor exercise he did!

Duathlon

Today I did my very first duathlon (and likely last) ever. It was 6km running followed by 18kms on the bike followed by 3 more running :o What the heck was I thinking of? I haven't trained properly or done anything. And it was a disaster. Mind you, I did it and it take a lot of gutts to do that but I found it very very very hard.

Paula and I went, as she was doing the children's event. So we left at 7am. Got there, it was all rush, put the bike in and got ready. I started out last and finished last... On the way I talked to Paula (yet again) about never quitting cause you never know how close you are to your goal and such. Well... I finish the running segment and the triathlon judge asks me if I want to continue... OF COURSE I want to continue... I haven't driven close to 2 hours to not continue, duh! So she said I was going at my own risk. To be honest (and I know this is PATHETIC) when I left with the bike, I had to wait because the first were coming back from the ride already :o and :( I set off to do it for ME and to set an example for Paula. Everyone was really nice along the way. I managed, I did it. Got off the bike... couldn't walk... that transition is always a killer for me. Plus my calves were so hard I couln't walk properly... so I walked most of the last running segment. A guy for the organization, Oscar, who has just become a dad 3 weeks ago, to Adrià, accompanied me on both running segments... what a blessing he was! A police rode his motorbike along me while biking for a while. He was very very sweet and encouraging :p

Anyway... crossed the finish line. The carpet was gone, noone was there :( So I'm not on any list but read my lips... I DID IT. I did not quit, and believe you me, it would have been so easy, specially with the invitation from the judge but no... I stuck to my guns and did it. I've got mixed feeling now though... I am extremely tired and can't really say I'm proud, then again... I hadn't trained and I had the gutts to get out there and get it done... don't know how many would have, had they been in my shoes...

So I guess I am a (poor) duathlete now... there's only room for improvement. By the way... the place was beautiful, very far away, but really priceless views.

I got sunburnt, BTW... not fun at all.

Then Paula did her bit with all her enthusiasm and all smiles... love my little girl! <3

Eva was there too and did a heck of a race. She's such a champ! Wish I could be like her, even if only a tiny tiny tiny little bit :p Two of her kids came too and did absolutely amazing in the race... so proud! They're so cute and so good! They make great friends :D

So, off to do some serious thinking. Things need to be done right, if not... there's no point really... so... onto the thinking game it is!

Angry

I know this has nothing to do in finding me but I am angry and need to get it out. Boy do I need to!!!!

It's about my darling daughter Paula. Ever since she was born she's been a fighter. She had to fight to live to begin with and since then she's always fought and she never gives up.

Well, she did her competition and did great but at the gym, a coach is being very mean to her, very mean (it's happened before) and she left anguished again today :( There really isn't any need to suffer and struggle this way, no need whatsoever. She loves her gymnastics and puts all the effort into it. And yes... she's a sufferer and struggles cause she's scared of some exercises, yet she works and works until she gets them. The one coach told her yesteday she didn't work and noone was going to help her. She didn't tell me until she (wasn't) got changed today. I just don't know how much more of this I can take. This was meant to be a simple after school activity. Noone deserves to be told nasty things. Whatever happened to positive reinforcement? Why must they be so nasty? Not because she's my girl... there are many many others... not fair. She's only 9. And she suffers cause she loves gymnastics and wants to achieve it all. She won't quit but I don't know if I'm ready to put up with it much longer... I actually told her off. I'm tired of this, yet she wants to keep going. She wants to overcome her fears and move along. I so admire that attitude. It says so much about her. Anyone else (and I know of quite a few) would have quit, wouldn't have bothered, yet, she doesn't quit, she works.

I love gymnastics, and I love my Paula more than I can say. I don't like seeing her suffer and I abstolutely can't stand someone being nasty to her when she's really trying. If she needs the reasurance, what's wrong in giving it her? Don't I pay for her to train?

So difficult. In a way I don't want her to stop doing gymnastics, as I love it and she's got good qualities but in another way... where is it going to lead her anyway? It's not like she's going to make a living out of it, is she?

Oh well... I've rambled enough and I'm also feeling better, LOL! One thing's for sure. I'll always be there for her, no matter what she decides to do :D

Paula's first competition of the season

Last Saturday, Feb. 18th we headed to Mataró. Paula had her first gymnastics competition of the season. Only 5 girls in her level were signed up so it was sort of an "intimate" competition, but nice nonetheless, seeing the effort and willpower she puts in it, her enthusiasm and her liveliness :D

We got there and they started to warm up. The competition started. They did international order so they started with the vault. She did a good exercise :D

The much dreaded uneven bars, followed.... but she did it. It wasn't perfect, but... she got it done ;)

After the uneven bars, they went onto the balance beam. Always uncertain about it, as I think it's sort of a traitor and no matter how much you practice, you can always make a tiny mistake. But she did a great job with it, looked confident and happy :D

And last but not least, the floor, where she did a great routine. I was so proud of her, for putting it all, giving it all she had... what a star my girl is!

She turned 9 just 2 days before the competition and when it was over whe wanted more, LOL! Next one will be March 10-11 in Vic. We'll see what happens :D As long as she had the same entushiasm and drive I'm more than happy. I love you Paula!

Running for Sherry

Late, yes, but finally got out there to run with and for Sherry :D She's helped me get out the door and pushed me all the way. I felt great and could tell whe was there with me. It was a nice little run, along my regular route. My calf is still not 100% but, good enough!

So, I got out there. It was a perfectly normal day until I took the kids to gymnastics. The head coach made a comment that hurt me. All of the sudden all changed and I felt tired and lethargic. I came home and ate bread and nutella (bad girl) and then, when Toni said he'd pick Paula up from gym, I said they could have dinner, I was going out for a run. Said and done.

So Sherry and I got out there and run together. It was bliss... I hadn't run since Feb. 5th and it felt sooooooooooo good, so easy... I was happy my body rememberd I could run without stopping for a while and I was even happier to have Sherry running with me. :D

Thanks for coming along Sherry. Hope you liked it as much as I did :D

What I've been up to...

A month and 3 days ago, I still don't know how, but I managed to stop binging and eating absolutely out of control. Since then, just by eating 3 meals and 2 snacks a day plus drinking my water and doing a little exercise (not as much as I wanted to) I have lost a total of 2.3kg so far. I am happy and motivated :D

On Thursday, my princess turned 9. That means that on Thursday it was 9 years since I became a mom for the first time... such lovely memories! She's competing tomorrow and is really looking forward to it, feeling confident and eager to go. Gotta love her <3. She participated in her first duathlon ever last Sunday and she did great! Here are a few pics:

We're both signed up for another one in Igualada on Feb. 26th!

I am impressed at myself at how I am able to pass on chocolate and sweets.... yesterday at school there were soooooooo many available, yet, I didn't have any at all. So proud in a way :D Hope it all pays off. I do have to admit it's no effort right now, so I'm guessing that all the planets and all the starts are in synch, LOL!

We've met a lot with Eva and family and have a great time together. The kids really get along and it's nice to see them all together :D

Pol and Jan are my boys forever... they're so cute. Pol can be a handful but he's such the biggest sweetheart ever. Jan's still our sweet teddy, such a bright and lovely little boy. I feel so blessed! Both boys will be staying at their uncle's tomorrow as we take Paula to the competition.

Passed my exams at uni, so happy about that too :D Started second term full blast, reading notes and doing exercises :D Hope to get a lot more workouts in too. Let's see if I can get that weight melting away!

Work's still great and I'm very thankful for the opportunity I've been given. I like my job and I think everyone's happy with me. I do try my best!

Here's to finding Jacky... can see her way back there, but she's coming closer everyday!!!!!

Quart de Mitja ;)

It is Sunday. It is my half marathon anniversary today, my fist anniversary. Yet, because of my demotivation and because of little training, I didn't run the half today but only the quart, a 5k. And I had a great time. It was mighty cold. I drove down, getting a ride from Xevi and Cati. Got there, had a coffee and got ready. We set out nice and slowly. Midway I met Xavi and went sort of together. He pushed me so I am really thankful for that! I crossed the finish line in 33:57, my best in a while, so I am very happy. I do have to say I am extremely tired now but it was all worth it!

Feb. 2nd... snow and running!

Yay! After a long while, I got out for a run today. I hopped on the stationary bike last night as I studied my notes for my upcoming exams and today, as school was out due to the fallen snow, and my kids had school (at theirs) until 3, I got out there. It was cold and the air was crispy but it was lovely and amazing. Not a single bit left right now but got to step on it and enjoy it just like a child :D

Here's proof!!!

Appreciation month :D

It is appreciation month (it should always be like that). Time to remember to thank ourselves and others for just anything, sometimes, things we take for granted.

Yesterday was the first day of the month. I took time to thank my daughter for being herself, being the way she is cause that makes her super special and unique. No need to change. Love her just the way she is :D