Eileen Swanson's Tales

This last week was mixed with some really cool opportunities.   Somedays I feel like I am all over the place with so many new ideas and exciting things that I want to dive right into.   I guess that is way better than not knowing what to do and not being super busy!!  On top of my “want to try” list was coaching gymnastics.  Don’t get my wrong,  I do LOVE coaching triathlon, but gymnastics is also so near and dear to my heart.   It was my life for 16 years!  I lived in the gym, starting with 20 hours a week for years to 40 hours a week for the last 6 years.   And back then I LOVED it.   Now, you wouldn’t catch me ever trying that many hours for triathlon again.  That spells injury!   for me at least!  Been there done that!

I had a unique opportunity to coach at a gym where my ex coach’s wife is the head coach.   I also have some friends who have  daughters that attend this gym and they have been trying to get me to coach for years.  I finally gave in and made my way over to the gym and had a long chat with my friend, the head coach.   I started that day and shadowed with her through an entire practice.  It was during that practice where I saw myself all over again as a little girl aspiring to become an Olympian.  It brought chills and tears to my eyes.  At that moment I just knew I needed to be there to help these young girls achieve their dreams.   It was an amazing feeling to go back to that place in my mind and remember exactly what went through my mind at least at one point during every grueling practice.   I coached three days last week and loved every second.  The girls are so sweet and so willing to learn.  They soak in every piece of information I give them and I see the desire to succeed in their eyes.

I was lucky that not only did coaching gymnastics make me smile all week long, I was invited by TRX to take an 8 hour long certification class yesterday in San Francisco.  I was so excited for the invitation.  We actually practiced on the TRX suspension training systems all day long.  It was amazing, I learned so much and even got to demonstrate for the class, some fun and super tough gymnastics moves using the TRX   So now I am officially a TRX trainer.  Woohoo…..Can’t wait to help others discover the most amazing total body workout system.  I am a huge believer.   I think everyone should own a TRX.  Click on this link or copy and paste AND start today, you will see results so quick!!  Have fun!

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TRX helps sculpt your back

Get with the Movement.  Refuse to take your training sitting down.  Take a stand with TRX,  a total body training system to improve your strength, balance, core and flexibility.  With TRX suspension training, anyone can get fast, effective, total body workouts.  TRX has worked wonders for me.  Just 15 mins using a TRX and you can get in an amazing core workout!  Thank you TRX!  Click on the link and get a jump start to a new body

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Molly's hubbie, Jeff and I and the dogs ahead

Cujo, Stanley, Max, and Belle

Family photo!! all smiles

Reid, Belle, and I drove up to Pinecrest with our friends Molly, Jeff and their 3 dogs (Max, Cujo, and Stanley).   We planned on spending a couple of hours snow shoeing and letting our dogs lead the way while frolicking in the snow!   It takes a little over 2 hours to get up to the snow.   Surprisingly it was in the 50s as we neared the trailhead.  But within a couple of miles the temps dropped into the mid 40s.  Still super warm for a play day in the snow.

All the dogs were so excited as soon as we pulled up to the trailhead.   Belle was so happy to see her friends and even more excited to romp in the snow  Her favorite friend is Stanley.  They all get along so great, but Stanley especially loves to follow Belle around wherever she goes, up in the woods, off the trails or just way up ahead of us.  Wherever Belle goes, Stanley must follow  They are super cute together!!

Belle and Stanley leading the way

Two fun hours of snow shoeing, taking tons of pics, having a mock running race, and just having a blast was all we needed to be all smiles on the drive back home!!  Oh and the stop to have some awesome pizza on the way home was a bonus!  And Starbucks too, YUM!

If you haven’t tried it, you should definitely check out snow shoeing.  It is an awesome workout and you can go as hard or as easy as you want and you still get in a great workout!  Your quads and hammies get in some really great work…oh yeah and so do your lungs at 6000 ft of elevation.  We are already planning another trip to the snow very soon!!

Great cross training makes for a great season to come…..Get out there and try it out

Leading the way

The guys and the pups

fun times

Beautiful Belle

Jeff, Molly and I

Belle, Stanley, and Max