There are weekends of gum drops and roses and then there are weekends where it’s all about putting the work in. The last two weekends have been a bit of a struggle-fest.

Disclaimer: I don’t wanna blog when i’m in the dumps. I am confident, more than confident in fact, that you can receive enough crappy news in this world. I want you to know that I struggle. I struggle often. And I’m committed to blogging about my journey. Until I can share from a place of possibility (ie. I’ve turned the struggle corner…doesn’t mean i’m outta struggle-land!), I won’t share. Cool? Cool.

So here it goes….

I started off 2012 on a cleanse and kicked gluten, dairy, sugar + caffeine from my daily consumption of goodness. I felt great (like grrrrreat!), yet missed coffee big time. So I started drinking coffee again…and then when the cleanse was over brought back dairy…and then gluten. Sugar naturally crept back in somewhere post cleanse as well. And lone behold, my long runs went from feeling like I was dancing on my running shoes to sloggin’ it on concrete blocks attached to my legs. Somethin’ had to change….Gluten. She’s gone. (Dairy seems okay and sugar, well, she needs to be kept on a short leash! Caffeine will never be removed, ever, again.) Alas, struggle corner turned, and I’m back to feeling fresh + light on my feet. Check - the lesson of January! Stomach problems while running definitely top my least favorite things in this world; stomach problems while I’m not running make me look 4months pregnant and right now, that too might top my least favorite ideas of this world.

Eating clean is easy; eating clean also requires preparation and love with fresh food. After both morning workouts this weekend, I slammed back the Mud Slide (because it looked like mud!) and I thought you might care to have a party in your vitamix too…

1 frozen banana (frozen is my fav)
Heaps of spinach/kale
1 hunka natural pb or almond butter
Splash of E3Live Brain On
Splash of almond milk
A bodum of coffee! (ahhh YES, the bodum!)
A few ice cubes (because I was going for cold not hot in the vitamix!)
Flax oil
3 dates
..i think that was it…

It was like breakfast meets dessert meets more-than-just-a-cup-of-coffee. I’ve known this all along…yet I always wait for my body to erupt to remind me: we are what we eat.

There is nothing that tastes as good as feeling fit!

Peace out, Gluten.

“A life without love, why that’s terrible.” ….is almost how i feel about a life without FroYo! I’ve been known to go on long missions, road trips and adventures all in the name of a Fro Yo Shoppe. Or let’s be honest, I sit on my trainer so that when the roads are dry I can ride faster (speed = mo’calories burned!)outside…cause after an outside ride is when FroYo is the best recovery food!

Point. Consider this your friendly Public Service Announcement that the best FroYo i’ve come across in North America has landed in Vancouver. Cambie + 6th. Doors broke open 2weeks ago. I got a “smileage” card like they needed to get any punnier!

this is a $4 example

As soon as I’m in the saddle for 4hrs+, sweet Menchie’s will be a new post-ride-requirement. Find the Menchie’s nearest you - let’s compare combos!

Because this journey is about living a life big enough for stories to be told and the ability to laugh, laugh alot, along the way….

I went into Chip’s office as his belonging were getting packed and asked if he’d sign the $100 bill that he + his beautiful wife Shannon handed out at the Christmas party. I am going to frame it for many reasons: it was the last Christmas party with Chip, it was a most generous gift to receive, it is the reminder to never be late for a party(don’t wanna miss out on cash at the door, eh!) and there is something to be said about showing up with $60,000 to give away. #seriouslygenerous

He chuckled at me and proceeded to sign it….

apparently there is no "i" in Chip

And then  he looked up and said to me: “I’m sorry to hear you are going thru a divorce. Did I hear you have a girlfriend now? Someone said there is a new lesbian in HR.” So to clear that one up, no, I’m not dating girls.  #sh*tchipsays #onlyatlululemon (But for the record, we do have the world’s raddest Sistah on the recruiting team so if he is getting me confused with her, right on!)

Gotta love Chip!

Today is Chip’s last day as Chief Chip at lululemon. He will remain Chairman of the Board, but his office will become a meeting room and we won’t see his 6’5″, long armed self roaming the halls like we used to (though I wouldn’t be surprised if we still see him on the grouse grind!).

The man created a space – a product – a company for us to live our dreams. He is obsessed with hiring cool athletes, creating amazing product and doing business the right way. He doesn’t hold back, in anything, ever. He doesn’t need it to be fair, he needs it to be right. He doesn’t play the political game, he wants to change the game. And above all, he taught all of us the power of goal setting, powerful language + landmark. I will forever be grateful.

At the last hurrah, I gave Chip a hug good bye and he said to me…”I hear about you all over town; I want to hear about you all around the world. Hire the best, hire bigger, hire faster. And please Steph, play really really big.”

Got it. Going BIG!

Sometimes I wake up and need to be frankly reminded that the best version of myself is also awake; just covered in the sheets. I need a swift check-up-from-the-neck-up and a giggle to keep things light. This morning I wrote a note to her…

Dear the Highest Version of Steph Corker –

May you never forget that life is a choice. That every morsel of food you consume, heart beat you expend, conversation you engage in, hug you give and compliment you receive…it’s a choice. My wish is that you hold your head high with pride for being the best version of yourself today and your heart big with gratitude for everything, absolutely everything that comes your way; the pain and the sorrow, the fresh friendships and old ones gone wrong, the love and the joy.

May you never forget that you have the honor of spending your days at lululemon. The place where people will spend 6hrs in a line up waiting for product at a mere slight discount; where 1000’s send their resumes daily, the place that you signed on the dotted line that YES, I will work there….never ever take that for granted.

May you be sweet enough with yourself that sleep may beat a swim one morning, and that is okay. And strong enough with yourself, that rain won’t stop you from a tempo run.

May you be bold enough to ask for what you really want and strong enough to stand tall when you don’t get it. You made the choice to ask and that is what really counts.

May you be swiftly reminded with a kick in the patoot that when you complain, about anything, you are trying to give responsibility over to someone else…but really, it is your opportunity to find the bliss in the mess, always. Complaint is a choice – and not one worth making.

May you never forget that every single morning, you can make a difference. And sometimes, just by showing up, your world will expand and your universe will be impacted. You don’t want to miss out…so make today count!

Big Love,
xo

Often I pause and think…I’d love to blog about that, but who would care to read it? I then remind myself that you beautiful readers don’t need to read it….and if you don’t like what I’m serving up, you can simply click away. And on the flip side, I’m really dumb founded when people reach out to say they’ve found an iota of inspiration…or shared it with a friend at work…or best of all, have come back for a second serving (seconds are usually dessert in my world and I think those are the best!) As I said before, I wanted you to be able to join my journey and here my friends, is the journey unfolding…beyond my wildest dreams, cause side-cracking-laughter or fetal-position-tears. This reality of mine is really somethin’ else!

Let me paint the picture….the last couple of months of 2011 I couldn’t find my underwear, let alone put an outfit together. My entire closet was shoved in the back of a car. Thank goodness for working at lululemon where quite frankly some days I’d walk in to buy an outfit to run in that night and wear it for 3days straight. I had a vitamix and a bodum, a dog and 4wheels, 2 bikes and pair of snowshoes…and an honest heart. I found a place to live that I affectionately refer to as the Camp Site; cell coverage sucks, internet access doesn’t exist, i have a few bowls + laundry; it’s not forever, just for now.

Fast forward 3months later…and as I’m about to crawl into bed on a Sunday evening, I’m wide awake in awe with the week that has passed…

I was in Santa Monica earlier this week and struck with the inspiration of LA; business plans are being drawn on the back of napkins and people from all over the world are landing with only a dream in their pocket. It vibrates on a different level here.  

After 3 sweet nights in town, I had an invite to Café Gratitude’s retreat in Maui, a new bywhen to purchase a one way ticket to said destination AND proceeded to ask my cab driver to pull over to the right en route to the airport to get my nose pierced! (sooo LA! sooo not gonna impress my Dad!) By the time I landed back in Vancouver, the ground was covered in snow and the dream of moving to the land of aloha was quickly becoming my new reality.

My favorite restaurant in the wholewideworld.

Saturday evening yoga classes are my new girlfriend date nights; 10pm Chinese Reflexology dates are the new dance parties; Snowshoe Adventures with blizzards included are my rainy day prefered way to sweat.  And to think all of that was a wrap in one week…bring on an Epic2012!

I remain totally committed, with no expectations, to do whatever makes my heart pound. #thisisyourlife #whatareyouwaitingfor?

Domain names have changed and homes have moved. Life happens and life changes. I’ve heard from many of you that you’ve been waiting for me to be authentic; I’ve also heard thru many grape vines that you want to know “what’s going on” and “if everything is okay”. I appreciate that you care.

Splitting isn’t easy; it’s fresh + it’s raw; there are good days and there are tough days and lots of tears in between. And there are more beautiful people in this world than I even knew existed. People care and they genuinely only want the very best for all of us; the Universe listens to us and only wants what we want….happyness.

While at first i thought it might be strange to blog about my new reality, i feel more moved to be real with you because it is what is real with me…and by being real now, means you can join me in the journey that lies ahead! I want you to know that I’m embarking upon unknown territory with only a heart as a compass. My wish is that when we bump into each other on the street or at a coffee shop, it doesn’t need to be wierd – we don’t need to pause in awkward silence but instead embrace for the sweet love of today. Afterall, I hope your heart is your compass too!

What has kept me moving forward during this time…

+ Family is love; my Bro is my backbeat.
+ Green juice fuels my soul + my body. I’m drinkin’ lots of it.
+ Endorphins are my temple and my crack.  I’m addicted.
+ YogaYogaYoga. Gettin’ my downdog on is keeping me grounded.
+ LoveLoveLove. I’m pourin’ it out + pourin’ it on, always.
+ My Girlfriends make my world go ’round. Never ever ever underestimate the power in being a remarkable girlfriend. I’ve learned a lifetime of friendship lessons in 2months.
+ Crying is the new norm because I’m learning about being emotionally aware enough to want to release tears from my heart. Note: i have been known to break down on my mat as well. Location doesn’t matter!

Life will go on….my love for him will never dwindle; he is an amazing man who i simply was not meant to be with for the rest of my life and who will do great things with his life. He knows I have a lifetime of adoration + respect for him. Your questions/concerns/love can be poured onto new seeds of fresh possibility.

LoveLove,
xo

I started running (read: waddling perhaps?) when I weighed at least 30lbs more than I do now. I couldn’t run far and I certainly couldn’t run fast, but I liked the idea of one day being able to run a marathon…one day….

My first half marathon was a staggering 2:22 and I’m pretty certain that my first full marathon was slower than my Ironman marathon time. I joined run groups that would circle back to find me because I was just that slow. And week after week, I just kept running.

It’s been a few years now… and it hit me on Tuesday morning while Sus + I were prancing around the track trying to run slow enough to hold coaches orders of 7min/miles. Our casual canter has increased, significantly. What used to be our tempo runs have become our long run speed and speed work that used to be really hard has become more of a prance. Our long runs have become “just a Tuesday morning run” and best times seem slightly irrelevant …mostly because every long run is faster than my best 10km time!

Why does this matter? And why am i sharing this? Because on the brink of a new year when people are ferociously setting goals, my wish is that you have a coach/lover/dreamer on your shoulder telling you that you are capable of way more than you think you can! This year, it’s our crazy coach, affectionately known as Dr. Intensity. He has lofty expectations of how fast we should be able to run….and whether or not we run that fast, the mere fact that the seed of possibility has been planted most likely implies we don’t have a choice but to run, faster. Day after day, lofty doesn’t feel so lofty anymore. All it took was someone with more belief in our dream than our own to send our hearts pounding faster.

So dare I call myself a “runner”…that still feels ambitious. Yet what I know for sure is that I am a Dreamer of Big Dreams….and running fast might just be one of them!

Last week I told you about how 2012 was kicking off to a blazing sweaty start! And it is only getting sweatier…

What i didn’t share were these pics, taken from the pain train during a DougGiles special trainer fest:

This would be a TeamS sandwich - Smiling Susie chatting with two especially ripped dudes, while I'm taking pictures. #classic

And then things got serious.

I took these pictures because something tells me that as this beautiful RainCouver winter goes on, there will be many hours logged on the trainer. The trainer makes us stronger; girlfriends make the time pass quickly; boys bring great playlists!

Until one week later, a ride outside in the “drizzle” didn’t sound like that big of a deal when Tom says “let’s ride bikes!”. The first two hours weren’t, but every minute thereafter, was frigidity. The truth of the matter is that it was actually completely exhilarating to be riding in the brisk wind with massive trucks spraying road dirt all over us. For a brief moment in time i felt “hard core”. Briefly. Thankfully, these rad (read: smokin’ fast!) dudes pulled me home + agreed to stop for a pic before we parted ways…

Chuck i-don't-believe-in-fenders Cosman + The legendary Tom Skinner!

And i came home with cramping toes and frozen fingers and a filthy bike. I was too cold to stand in the shower for longer than 2min and proceeded to flop into bed with 4 layers on in a weak attempt to get warm.

As i rolled out of bed at 4pm, with still frozen toes, i was reminded that these are the Saturdays I have ahead of me….and i wouldn’t have it any other way.

PS – Who is racing the spring series? While this beautiful cat has convinced me to race with her, i’m pretty certain i couldn’t be more petrified…

And the new year has begun! As day 3 of 2012 comes to a close, I look back and think this year is already rad and it really, like really, is just getting started. I notice a trend…Team SusieDianeSteph (aka Team IM CdA) are tough as nails + real food fuels our machine! 

New Years eve we rocked out 3hrs of sweat-dripping-trainer-hammering before scurrying off to our evening plans. January 1st was rung in with delicious friends by the ocean (+a crab fest don’tchaknow!) and was followed by an afternoon nap + a double yoga class next to my most favorite human being on the planet (B-RO), from our most favorite yoga teacher. The 2nd was the annual 100×100′s in the pool, where proudly TeamSDS were the last ones standing. And tonight in the darkrainydarkevening skies, (Susie)^2 proceeded a tempo run thru puddles leaving blistered bloody heels and smiles as evidence.

Powered by this green stuff, because something tells me that this is the stuff that might make those last 6miles just a lil bit smoother….

In case you are wondering: The Garden Juice is also called my fridge thrown into a vitamix. Quite literally. Kale, celery, apple, pear, lemon, ginger, yellow pepper, water for lubricant. (Apparently my Bro appreciates knowing what I’m eating!)

And i share all of this with you from no place of kilometer checking or green juice slammin’, but rather the baby steps….the daily steps….to chasing the dream. The power of writing goals and sharing bucket lists. The beauty in declaring what makes your heart pound and marinating in the juiciest feelings of your most sweetest self. Dive in!

(Disclaimer: there might be many a km sharing in the next 6months…many km’s will be hammered! #justsayin’)