Family Fitness

As parents we sometimes forget that we have a responsibility to set a great example for our children with regard to fitness. They watch everything that we do from our eating habits to our exercise regime. It is important that they see us taking risks and trying new things.

One of the great ways to bring everyone onto the same page is to set a goal together.  When they see you put yourself out there they will be inclined to do the same thing.  I find that once they are engaged they inspire me right back.

A fun way to do this is to sign up for Joe’s Team on June 16^th and sign your child up for the Kids of Steel event the next day (June 17^th).  They can cheer for you on Saturday and you can cheer for them on Sunday!  If your child is over sixteen they can participate in a relay with you on the 16^th.

Make Joe’s Team your annual family goal.  Celebrate your success together!

Katie McLean

Finding Motivation

It always amazed me that Joe Finley could exercise while he was going through treatment for cancer.  He continued to cycle and play squash for years as he was receiving his chemotherapy. He completed the first Joe’s team in 2006, came in last but he never said anything about the level of effort except that he found the swim to be pretty tough.  His daughter Megan and son Mike as well as his close friends would finish the whole triathlon and when he got off the bike we would run with him. He joked and ran and mostly walked the 5km run but he would always finish.

I asked him one day how he did it and he said that he would schedule a squash game with a friend and then wake up in the morning and he wouldn’t feel that great. He would decide to just get out of bed and put his clothes on. Then he would think to himself “I’ll just go to the club and get on the court” (because his friend was waiting) and then he’d decide.  He would get on the court, racket in hand and he would look at his friend and think that he would just play and if he didn’t feel good he would stop. Then he would start playing and glance over at his friend and think to himself “I could win”! and he would finish the game.  He taught us all how to win.

Katie McLean

Build with Me

"The Michael Phelps" exercise by Llew Edwards, Calgary Trainer

I have always avoided core work like the plague; I think a lot of people do.  Yet, core strength, we hear over and over again is the key to avoiding injury, looking good and achieving great results for sports and our general well being.

Because my body has broken down on me I have had to revert to rebuilding my fitness from the ground up. I can’t do much aerobic stuff so I have focused on strength and core.

It has allowed me to work harder and get stronger.  I now hold my body much differently than I did four months ago. My newest mantra is patience and discipline.

Join me on my on my new well paced journey back to fitness and a healthy body.  Start a routine that begins with strength so that your body can be strong for swimming, cycling and running at Joe’s Team on June 16^th , 2012 in Calgary and/or Joe’s Team Muskoka on July 7, 2012.

Katie McLean

Joe Finley (1951-2010)

It has been over a year since we said goodbye to our dear friend Joe Finley. I only knew Joe in the
six years that he had cancer. When I learned that he was creating “Joe’s Team”
I wanted to know him, I wanted to help, so I called him and I got involved.

This man had an impact on me that is difficult to put into words… He lived his
life in such a way that he inspired others to live theirs better. He made me
want to be better.

He created an atmosphere in Joe’s team that helped hundreds of people take a
chance and try their first triathlon and give back by raising money for cancer
research at the same time.

 

I found it charming the way that he drove by our house one day, stopped his car
when he saw the lemonade stand with the big “Joe’s Team” sign on our front lawn
and sat down behind the table to help the little kids serve.

When my daughter did her first triathlon she put her shoulder out in the swim,
put it back and then insisted that she would finish the race. She learned this
from Joe. Fight hard to finish strong with a smile on your face.

Joe was never one to complain. He spent the last six years of his life making
other peoples lives better when he was sick and enduring perpetual chemo.

I won’t forget the things that he taught me. Joe’s Team will get bigger and it
more people will get involved every single year. Those of us who were touched
by him all have a part to play in that.

Katie McLean

 

 

Getting Started

Congratulations on signing up for the Joe’s Team triathlon in Calgary, Muskoka
or both!  Having a goal is, in my opinion, the most important  factor in determining whether you can stay fit for the long term.
Finding an atmosphere such as Joe’s Team where there is lots of fun and camaraderie makes a big difference in whether you keep up your program.  You will look forward to this event and others each year and you are on your way to being fit for life and perhaps taking on bigger and bigger challenges.

Some of you are trying your first triathlon this year.  Let’s start by taking a look at the equipment that you may need.

Question:  What equipment do I need to get started?

For Swimming:
A Bathing suit, swim cap, goggles that fit you well, towel, swim bag

For Biking:
Any bike (safety checked), a helmet that fits properly, bike tool kit and spare
tube,  water bottle and holder for your bike, cycling shirt, cycling shorts,
jacket, bike pump or co2 cartridges.

For Running:
Shorts. Running tights for winter running, technical t shirt, running shoes

Now you are ready to train.   Have fun and stay tuned for more questions
answered on training for Joe’s Team 2011. Please send any questions that you
would like answered to Katie McLean

Jon Bird

Meet Jon Bird

The official Coach and Pro Triathlete of Joe’s Team

Jon Bird is a Professional Triathlete and member of the Canadian Elite World Cup Triathlon Team and one of the top five triathletes in Canada.  In January Jon will be moving to Victoria to train with Simon Whitfield Canada’s Gold and Silver medalist from the Olympics.

Jon will be writing a regular blog to help Joe’s Team members prepare themselves for the Joe’s Team triathlon events in Ontario and Alberta.

Jon’s Roots

The journey into high performance sport began early. The preoccupation began at the age of three; a combination of high energy and a fascination with the water prompted the Bird family to enroll Jon in the University of Calgary Tiny Olympic Prospects swim program. During the next 18 years, Jon traveled and competed at the National and Varsity levels for swimming.  During this time, Jon used triathlon in the off-season to calm the competitive nerves and stay in excellent shape.  Ready for a new challenge, in 2005 he walked on to the University of Calgary Track & Field team, and competed at CIS National championships finishing 3rd on the team.  The very same year, upon return from a four month long bike trip across Europe, Jon witnessed Elite National Triathlon in Kelowna. The high level of performance and the combination of his three favorite sports sparked a fire to push his personal limits and compete with the professionals. Jon joined Canada’s premier cycling coach Jack VanDyk at the Talisman Centre in Calgary to develop his cycling engine and work towards the ability to climb the ladder to become a triathlon professional. In 2010 Jon immersed himself in Triathlon, continuing to build and coach the Talisman Centre Triathlon Club while training 18-25 hours a week. Jon recently qualified for the Canadian Elite World Cup Team with strong performances at his international races.