Hi Friends! Eloise Here

Dear Friends! Sorry it has taken me so long to write! I am in Portland training with a group of athletes who are also trying to make the Olympic team for their respective countries. There are 4 Americans, one Ugandan and one Aussie (me!). Since Portland is the home of Nike, we are well looked after as far as facilities are concerned. I am living in a house that simulates 12,000feet of altitude and the trails and running surfaces (manicured grass!) to run on at the Nike campus are a distance runner geeks dream! And I am a proud self confessed distance running geek. My coach is not here (I will meet up with him in Europe next month when it's time to race) but I am being advised by the great American runner Alberto Salazar... for the non running geeks,back in the 70's Alberto won the Boston marathon 3 times and New York marathon twice, competed at the Los Angeles Olympics, American record holder for 5000m, 10,000m and marathon.... he was an incredible runner and I am blessed that he wants to help me. There are not many coaches around who are willing to help athletes that are not "their athletes" but I guess he just likes me :) A typical day for me would be wake up from my altitude tent (set at 12,000 feet) at 7am, breakfast, stretch then 2-3hours of training which consists of either or all or combination of running on alter gravity treadmill, deep water running, running on land, core exercises, weights. Then after this I will get treatment of physio or massage/rest/ sleep/ recover. Then in the afternoon and evening we will do some more training on the underwater treadmill, on the bike and on the elliptical trainer. It all depends what day it is as to how hard we go each day. Of course like any training you need your hard days and your easier days and your rest days. I am really looking forward to racing in Europe, it's where all the hard work pays off. To be honest it has taken me a while to get to this point mentally, sometimes I can find the "big goal" of china a bit overwhelming. But I'm blessed to have a few good friends around to remind me how it really is. I had a few "flat" days (only way to describe it) last week and was knocked back into line by a good friend when they said "you are taking yourself way too seriously!, you are making it more stressful than it should be by the way that you are thinking about it" of course it's a big goal and a big dream and a big year but I have learned and continue to learn that the more I worry about the things out of my control or even in my control the less my body wants to co-operate in training. Let me explain further, the more uptight I am about reaching "the goal" the more difficult it is to physically train, my body feels rigid and so do my thoughts. I have found that stress and worry also is a joy robber, and almost paralyzes any creativity that I have. Also, and most importantly, destructive thinking and stress will also inhibit my ability to change when the need calls for change. I'm sure some can relate. So, on a practical side I have just been really trying to enjoy the journey more, laugh more, (especially at myself), dance a little bit, sing a little bit, laugh a little bit more at my dancing and singing, do bombs and pencils in the pool after a pool session and just be thankful for where I am right now no matter what the circumstance and even if things aren't going to MY PLANS but believing that the plans and the future is still good regardless. I hope that this encourages any of you with your goals in fitness or weight loss and in any other area, I am well qualified to speak on this :) Write me your goals, and what your training focus is for the next 2 months. I like to hear it, it inspires me! Also, don't forget to bring your mates to Liveit! They will love you for it! There are not many fitness studios out there offering a NO OBLIGATION 2 weeks FREE! Or 4 PT sessions for $99! It's also an awesome opportunity for you to win these prizes below. So if you enjoy what your doing at Liveit, keep remembering us to your friends! - Bring 5 friends along to Liveit, all 5 sign up for 12 months or 10 Personal Training sessions and YOU RECEIVE 12 MONTHS FOR FREE!!! - First 2 people to sign up 2 people for 12 Months or 10 Personal Training Sessions receive a $50 voucher for Southside Runners - First person to sign up 3 people for 12 Months or 10 Personal Training Sessions receives a WEEKEND AWAY DOWN AT BEAUTIFUL CURRAONG BEACH HOUSE. God Bless, Eloise

Elzy