My Competition: A Day in the Life Sunday

"There's nothing like a little healthy competition," someone says. Outwardly, everyone in hearing range casts a knowing grin and nods their head in agreement. Yet, how many of you stop in your tracks and want to run the other way at any hint of a competition?

I don't run away from competition but I am not the first to routinely throw my hat in the ring. I know myself well enough to know when I am playing it too safe and get the urge to shake things up a bit. There are times, however, when the ever-present voice echoing "CAN'T"  does get in my way.

When I let it.

That voice has been a life-long companion of mine and I've learned how to silence it. At the top of the list of ways is to surround myself with right people. I was commenting to the husband the other night that I have the perfect friends for me right now - fearless, strong, and accepting.

I've been doing CrossFit for almost nine months now. Have you tried working out with young(er) and/or very strong athletes and not feel a tinch of dismay at your own age and/or physical condition? How'd that go for you?

Welcome to my world. I have to remember to keep my "mirror" handy and appreciate  my gains each week.

This week, I actually had a big gain. I did a kipping pull up.  Mine is more of a muscle up than a smooth glide like the instructor in this video but I got my chin above the bar and set myself up for a second one. It's a combination of mind and muscle and it's been a long time coming.

And you know what? I like the view.

By: Lisa Rosendahl

Deck Pass: A Day in the Life Sunday

The kid has discovered her passion - swimming.

She has competed in 2 swim meets since joining a swim club in December. After spending about 10 hours of sitting knee-to-back on hard metal bleachers, observing usually quiet moms screaming at the tops of their lungs <it's always the quiet ones> and being enveloped in air too warm for comfort I have one thing to say:

She absolutely has to continue.

She has to continue not because my pride overflows each time I see her quell her fears, step on the starting block and channel her years of swimming in the river into a smooth, solid stroke to compete with a handshake and a smile.

She has to continue not because it is a life long sport, because this is where friendships are made, or because she is growing stronger, sleeker and faster with each practice.

She has to continue because my new found identity as a swim mom is firmly attached to it.

Hanging with the other parents, cheering the kids on down the lanes <faster, faster, breathe, smooth turn, way to go!> and comparing individual times against standards at the final stretch of each race, I am getting my swim on.

For this group of parents, it's about each kid doing their best and getting better. No intimidating jeers only roof-raising cheers and encouragement.

And, swim moms have apps, too. Want to maintain your kid's races and times at your fingertips for all eternity? Turns out there's a USA Swimming Deck Pass app for that.

My daughter is much stronger across the board than I ever was at her age. How lucky am I to get to enjoy each and every day with this beautiful little girl I am blessed to have as my daughter.

All that aside, in my 2-meet swim mom opinion, she could turn those arms over just a little faster.

Photo credit iStockphoto