My Summer Vacation....

Over the Summer break we had here at the office, Mark and I went to Vegas. I had never been and am so glad I went because we had such a great time. Knowing our destination, we knew that we would see some not cool things and some really awesome things. (I thought I was going home alone when Mark saw the M&M store)



My favorite hotel was Caesar's Palace. The size of it was insane. I have never seen anything like that in my life!! We saw the Volcano at the Mirage erupt twice. We saw the Treasure Island Pirate show (only once as it seemed that the main content was a lot of lip syncing, sassy standing and some serious hair flipping - from both the women AND the men). The fountains at the Bellagio hotel were amazing and we felt VERY Ocean's Eleven-ish standing there watching them and planning our massive M&M heist. The wax museum was an adventure in which we met several new friends......




But, hands down my favorite experience was the Vegas Motor Speedway.

Now...let me explain. I LOVE to drive. I LOVE to drive fast. I LOVE to drive fast in a fast car that was meant to go fast. Knowing this...for my birthday Mark gave me the opportunity to choose a car and head out for 5 blistering laps around the Nascar track in Las Vegas!! I had the choice of a Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche or the Astin Martin Vantage(shown here).

I chose the Astin Martin because c'mon....when am I ever again going to get the chance to drive the same car as James Bond?

I had the most amazing instructor- Roddy - who encouraged me to "floor it". The track was pretty curvy and as I entered in to the corners at about 90/mph, I felt like a rock star. It was SO awesome!!!! But, before I knew it, it was over. Let me tell you, 5 laps at 100/mph?....they go by pretty quick. Still...it was the coolest thing I've ever done. So, ya... Vegas was pretty amazing.

Back home, as I went over some entries in my journal and I noticed a "Dream List" I had written over 3 years ago. Right near the top, in bright pink pen is drive a race car.

(please know that writing it in pink doesn't make it any less cool).


So, the feeling of driving a race car is amazing, but the coolest part is putting a big, fat check beside that particular entry in my journal.

I must also say a HUGE thank you to my handsome husband, who after 7 years this September continues to make my dreams come true.

My hero....

This is my handsome husband coming out of the water doing his first triathlon. I could not have been more proud. Wanting to know a little more about triathlons, I googled it. (side note...who knew that googled would eventually become a verb) The website beginnertriathlete.com came up and I perused the site. It led me to a Q&A on triathlons and this is the story written by a gentleman with the profile name, "McFuzz". I've included it here because, this is EXACTLY what happened in our house. Like...EXACTLY. Enjoy!


What is a Sprint Triathlon?

"This is a question that shows up frequently here at beginnertriathlete.com. Usually, the question comes from someone who wants to know how long each leg of the event is, and the answer to that is, “It depends on the race.” I’m here to tell you differently.

A sprint triathlon is a siren! Step back into Greek mythology and the story of Jason and the Argonauts. The sirens were creatures whose irresistible song lured unsuspecting sailors into treacherous waters.

It will start innocently enough, maybe as a challenge from a friend or a flyer about a local event. You begin to think, “Yeah, I can swim 600 yards (or at least I could when I was a kid), I can bike 12—15 miles, and I can run a 5K (or at least run/walk...).” Add it all up, and figure on an hour or two...no big deal! So you go splash around in the pool a few times, drag your ancient Schwinn out of the basement, and start jogging (but only at night, when nobody can see you run...)

You then register, and on that fateful day, you bring all of your gear to the race site where you find...

* Some competitors have already swum a 600 yard “warm-up.”
* Others are more scared of the swim than you are.
* Some will have “You paid HOW MUCH for that?!?” bikes.
* Others will ride bikes older and rustier than yours.
* Some will look like they haven’t eaten in weeks.
* Others will look like they could go weeks without eating.

So you fumble around setting up your gear while trying hard to not show how nervous you are. You get final race instructions and head down to the start. Maybe now you realize that everyone is anxious rather than nervous. The gun goes off and the details of the race get blurry (don’t worry, your goggles won’t get knocked off EVERY race), but you realize that the race volunteers are cheering for you, and that makes you feel good! The other competitors are cheering for you, too! What? Yeah, these triathletes give you a reassuring smile, or maybe a few encouraging words, even though they’ve never met you before. That makes you feel GREAT!

You’ll realize that some of the people that you thought would surely be fast—aren’t. Some of the people will be surprisingly fast. Pretty much everyone will have a smile on their face at the end! Even more amazing is that many finishers are crowded around the finish line, cheering for you as you reach the end of your first race! You are now a TRIATHLETE

You start talking to the other competitors and spectators and they are as friendly as they were during the race. They will try to answer your questions, and probably show you their really cool gear if you ask. You start looking at training plans, heart-rate-monitors, a spiffy tri-suit, and a “faster” (more expensive) bike so you can do another race. Maybe an Olympic distance race? You start looking for excuses to travel to triathlons. All of a sudden, you’re scheming about HIM’s and dreaming about Hawaii and logging your training including important notes about how you react to various sports drinks or gels.

So what are you waiting for? You know it’s going to happen, and you won’t be able to stop it…You might as well get started!

Postscript: This is my story. My first triathlon was 7/29/2005 (I’d registered about two weeks earlier) and had 66 participants. I’d seen Ironman highlights on television and knew those people were dedicated, but I didn’t expect any of them to show up at this little race...but they were there with their best race gear!

I remember the encouragement of other riders as I was lugging up the hills on my mountain bike and the cheers from volunteers at every turn on the bike and run. I remember everyone cheering and clapping at my middle-to-back-of-pack finish and how everyone stayed to cheer the last finisher!

I conned - convinced a buddy to join me for another sprint six weeks later. My wife and I spent that fall discussing which Half-Ironman (HIM) to do and how to build some family vacations around a race schedule. I completed my HIM on 8/5/2006. Kona? Who knows what my future holds..."

Nerd Alert!!

Okay, so in case you didn't know... I love weather. And last night's storm was pretty incredible to watch! I think anything like that is super cool and that's why I'm SO excited for this weekend!!! The Perseid Meteor Shower is currently taking place and continues all week with the big show happening this Friday August 12th.

I'm kinda nerdy about these things, I love them and I didn't want to wait. So, I dragged my husband and our friends Conrad and Joanne up to the top of Munson Mountain in Penticton last Saturday night at about 11pm. This is how I know they all really love me...there was not one complaint as we changed from our comfy, movie-watchin' Ghostbusters pajamas into something a little more appropriate for climbing a mountain in the middle of the night. Jo might have muttered something about not wanting to leave the wine at home but because I can't be sure, I'm just going to assume everyone was on board.

As we were walking away from the city lights, I turned my eyes towards the Heavens started pleading my case. "OK God, I just want to see one. Please. Just one really cool meteor would be great. Thanks".

It was amazingly peaceful and breathtakingly beautiful on the top of that mountain (please know that when I say mountain- I realize it's not Everest, but at 11 o'clock at night, anything I have to walk "up" will always be referred to as mountainous).

We were able to see 4 meteors as they flew across the sky, which was extremely cool, but after 40 minutes of looking straight up we were all getting a little dizzy (coulda been the wine) and were ready to start the trek back down.

On the way, I whispered "just one more" and after a moment, shook my head. Thankfully no one was watching me because I was having a full on conversation with myself and it would have looked like I'd brought my invisible friend along for the adventures of the evening. My inner dialogue went like this: ..."just one more"...(head shake)..."no, Cara"...(furrowed brow as I chastise myself)...."you asked for one and you saw 4"..."you -quite literally- got 4 times more than what you asked for"...."Be grateful"...(pause...look up)..."Thank you."

It was then that the biggest and brightest meteor of the night flew by and the four of were stopped in our tracks as 10 seconds later one even bigger and brighter blazed across the sky!!

It was an amazing sight and I'm grateful for the reminder to always be grateful.

I'm Running away to Join the Cirque-us!

O.K. I'm not actually running away to join Cirque du Soleil but I want to. I had the pleasure of seeing them on the Canada Day long weekend and I loved every minute of it. Now because it is Cirque du Soleil, I can't say I understood every minute of it but I walked away in awe of what these people actually do. All without nets or cables.

This wonderful woman who hung high above the ground was the cause of my almost cardiac event in section E, Row 11, seat 22 of the South Okanagan Events Centre.

I watched her through half closed eyes, as she spun so fast it seriously looked like she didn't have a head! And don't even get me started on the trampoline guys who after walking up the 36' wall fell BACKWARDS onto a trampoline that appeared to be the same size as a large bathmat.

What's really impressive though is what happens behind the scenes. I found this on the website... "Since its dawn in 1984, Cirque du Soleil has constantly sought to evoke the imagination, invoke the senses and provoke the emotion of people around the world.
The company was built on values and deep convictions which rest on a foundation of Audacity, Creativity and Imagination. To explore the unknown, break through barriers and go where others have not; this is how Cirque du Soleil approaches and applies itself to, each new project."

How cool is that?

I know some of the people that helped set up for the time Cirque was here. The company travels with their own gym and they have their own chef. The meals are prepared every 3-4 hours with amazing, organic-as-it-can-be, natural food. Each person with the show received from head office, a small book on inspiration and creativity. All this for no other reason besides the big guys in Montreal know what it takes to maintain the vision they originally saw for Cirque du Soleil: Training.

They know that in order for everyone involved to give the best performance they can every night, they will have to do what it takes every day.

Same with you and me. Although we may not want to hang upside down by our left big toe 30' in the air, we all have an picture in our head of our perfect life. And without that picture in front of us every day, there are way too many things in this world that WILL distract us from it. For example-the new program "101 Ways to Leave a Game Show" where we get to see people scream their face off as they drop 100 feet because they guessed "Gone With the Wind" instead of "Casablanca" (which I knew the answer to BTW). I know that I don't do what it takes every day. I find it incredibly difficult to stay focused in Summer, and I know that I'm not alone on this. BUT...I also know we all want to get better.

And so, for the next couple months I wish us all an amazing summer filled with joy, laughter, friends and family. And may each step we take find us closer and closer to our completely obtainable dreams!

the spider and the sage

Have you heard of the story of the Spider and the Sage? It's the story about a man who would pray by the Ganges river every morning. One day after praying, he saw a poisonous spider struggling in the water. He cupped his hands and carried the spider ashore. As he placed the spider on the ground, it stung him. Unknowingly, his prayers for the world diluted the poison. The next day the same thing happened. On the third day, once again the man saw the spider frantic in the water. As he went again to carry the creature to the shore, the spider asked, "can't you see I will sting you every time because that is what I do? Why do you keep saving me?" As the kind man cupped his hands around the spider he replied, "because this is what I do".

I loved this story immediately even though I hate spiders (No, you don't understand and I really need you to hear me when I say I seriously HATE them. I cannot be in the same room as one and will flip out if one gets even remotely close to me. Like straight up bananas- it's not pretty).

But there are so many gentle reminders in this little tale besides the fact the spiders are just plain mean.

To be consistent. I'm getting better at this and I know that whether it's physical, mental or spiritual, the outcome for me is always a direct result of how well I maintain my training in a continuous effort to reach my goals. (FYI- the blog falls into this particular category and I promise I will do my very best to not let another 2 months go by before another post)

To be kind. How often have I been in a hurry, too involved in my own little world and end up missing an opportunity to lend a hand?

And, once again... I was gently reminded of the power of prayer.

Have a wonderful Long Weekend

Seriously?....Again?

For those of you who are keeping track of the on/off/on/off/off/OFF situation I have with running, it's on. Again. This will be the easily the 4th or 5th time I have set out with determination to finally love running. I've signed up for a Women's Learn to Run Clinic, not at all wanting to because I do NOT enjoy starting over again. When I arrived last night there was about 15 us and of course we had to do the "tell us your name and why you're here" thing. I introduced myself, "hi my name's Cara, I have a love/hate relationship with running but I want a love/LOVE relationship with running and I'd like to accomplish a 10k without the use of a vehicle". As we went down the line, I was SO surprised to find that, I'm not alone in this. There were at least 2 others that also stated their distaste for running. One woman held no punches.. "I hate it. Like, really. HATE. it."
I think I found my new best friend.

What I loved most about last night, is we were all there. Many had never run before and were scared, some were like me, starting over and others were just trying to gain a different outlook. But we all showed up. We overcame our nerves, fears and previous discouragements.

So although last night I felt a little like this:...

I believe that by June 12 (the annual Women's 10k race) I will feel like this:....

Life Lessons from Tetris and America's Next Top Model - Part I

Yesterday was an day of unexpected revelations (although I'm not sure there are expected revelations). It started with my second favorite game in the world, the Russian building block game of Tetris.

*my first favorite game in the world is Dr. Mario and I will challenge anyone, anywhere, anytime. But beware- Mark has had to take this game away from me as I am an incredibly sore loser and an even worse winner.

If you've played Tetris before you know how it works. You try to fit all the pieces together perfectly so that they all line up and disappear. You can play with many different options but the one I NEVER mess with is the option to see the piece that's coming next. Take a look at the picture. Do you see the long orange piece in the middle of the left screen? That's the piece in play. Now notice the small, funky green piece in the top right screen. That's what's next. Being able to see what's next allows me to work, make few mistakes and secure the best possible outcome.
Here's how it went down yesterday. I'm playing my little fingers off, trying to beat my personal best of 25 lines in 1 minute and 28 seconds when all of a sudden the small box that tells me my Tetris future is empty. EMPTY!! What?! When?? How?!? The next 15 seconds were filled with rather frantic fingers and some grown-up words as I tried like mad to get my Russian crystal ball back. I later realized...That's exactly how I am with almost everything. I need to know what is about to happen before I can make a move now. I can sometimes (most times) get so focused on what's gonna happen that I miss the opportunity to enjoy what is happening. So I'm challenging myself (and you, if this is sounding a little too familiar) to have a day planned out where we're aware of nothing and have no clue about what's next. My husband, I'm sure will love this and I shall do my very best to take in everything that comes my way with joy and anticipation not caution and anxiety. I just need to know what to wear first.

Who am I?

Have you ever had to define yourself? How do you do it? By your likes and dislikes, where you work, who you married?. If I asked you to describe yourself, what would you say? For me, it would go something like this..

you- "Cara, how would describe yourself?"

me- "oh that's easy. I'm short, have brown hair, blue eyes and my favorite movie is Ghostbusters". I love Starbucks and really love popcorn. Like REALLY love it.

If you've been visiting the blog over the last few days and weeks, you've seen it change colour, font, picture, template, background and layout. Not once, not twice but, like, a hundred times. The last concept had a look similar to the bedroom of a 13 year-old-girl who loves puppies and butterflies. The one before showed evidence of being thrown together by someone with multiple personalities and WAY too much coffee. I've tried so many different looks in the last 5 days that I can no longer remember what I've already tried. I have worn out my computer keys trying to find something -ANYTHING-I loved and thought represented me.

And now I have. This is the new look of Maintaining Alignment.

I look at this and it screams Cara Simpson Symonds Simpson Reinelt. everything I enjoy: water, the beach, the outdoors, relaxing with friends. Eating popcorn while drinking Starbucks on this dock...well. That's a perfect day right there.

Enjoy this new look, I know I do.

Duh, Winning?

OK. Unless you've been residing in a cave or are in complete media blackout these past weeks, you've heard about the recent escapades of Charlie Sheen. I try so hard to not pay attention to the gossip and the ever-so-quick-to-judge rumours that fly around, but thanks to TV, magazines, Facebook, and the internet in general, it's becoming harder and harder. I have to admit, my first words were something along the lines of "o.k. So. He's crazy."

I realize that what's being shown is NOT the real story. The real story is so much more complicated. This might be a carefully thought out plan for extra press. It might not be. If not, then clearly this is a man traveling a very dark path and I can only imagine how many people are wanting to step in and help.

During a TV special yesterday, I listened as Charlie Sheen made obscure, bizarre sentences that usually ended with the word "winning". I also very carefully watched the people with him. If (and I do mean if) this downward spiral of a fellow human being is actually happening and it's not some publicity stunt, then I question his so called "friends". It appears that they are all having a great time enjoying their 15 minutes of fame while someone they claim to care about is slipping further and further away. Charlie Sheen has been fired from his very popular TV show and who knows what his future holds.

So this is where I call out to all friends, family and acquaintances:

O.K. people,
If there is ever a time that I am referring to people as trolls, calling myself a warlock and stating that I have tiger blood in my veins (which I'm sure is completely illegal), you have my FULL permission to step in and take action. I may not like it, and I may even fight it, but suck it up. I'm only 5'2" and although I pretend to know martial arts, I can probably be taken down quite easily. This is how I know you love me. By not just sitting by and supporting my new completely delusional lifestyle, you are showing me that I matter to you and that you want me around for a while.

Thank you in advance.

P.S. you could probably lure me anywhere with popcorn. Just a tip.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!!

I wish for you to all have an amazing day filled with Joy and Love. If you are married, single or somewhere in between...enjoy today with all it has to offer.
(especially the chocolates)

To my dear husband...I love you with all my heart and everyday (yes, everyday) I know I am blessed to be your wife. Thank you- for you.

HAPPY OLD YEAR!

Happy New Year!!

I know, I know. I'm about 27 days too late. But out of curiosity, how's it goin' so far? Has the first month of 2011 been all you thought it would be? Are you making amazing progress on all those resolutions? OR....

Is it entirely the same?

Same problems?
Same issues?
Same worries?

I think (know rather) that I have some pretty ridiculous expectations regarding the new year. I believe that all it's gonna take for me to actually want to go to the gym, love broccoli and spontaneously wake up at 4:30am, is the flip of a calendar page. Everything will be easy and will (of course) just start happening January 1.

I know it's completely unrealistic, but it's almost universal. It's why gym memberships always go up in January and gym attendance goes down in February. It's why coffee consumption goes down at the start of the year and in 3 weeks Cara finds herself at Starbucks with no recollection of how she got there.

It's so hard to live up to the high expectations that I set for myself that when I fail (and I do) it's so much worse.

A good friend of ours is also struggling with the change of date. On top of the pressures the new year brings, his birthday is also in January- so there's the year in review thought process. I could care less about my age. (It's not something you concern yourself with as you build a fort out of couch cushions so you and your husband can watch "Pirates of the Caribbean" in your super-secret hideout). But our dear friend is someone who does focus on the passing of time, does not like that he is getting older and believes he's not where he should be at this point in his life.

It is SO hard to escape the "If-I-could-just-get-more money/my dream job/car/ house/dog/boyfriend/ then-I'll-be-happy" way of thinking. We're all guilty of it. I know I am. I am so busy focusing on what I don't have, I don't see what I DO have. Besides the messy house and the fact that no one can actually sit on the furniture until I put all the cushions back, I have a pretty great life. So does my friend. He just can't see it right now.

I hope that 2011 is an amazing year for each and everyone of us. But as I look around at my friends and family and the life I have, I must admit "Happy Old Year" sounds pretty accurate.