when it all comes together…
- on: March 12, 2016
- By Gabi
- theme: self care, sport | triathlon
0
for the love of photography
- on: September 11, 2015
- By Gabi
- theme: everyday life, photography, sport | triathlon
- 0
There is no secret that our family is very active in sports. We love to be outside and enjoy the beautiful nature which surrounds us. We are so lucky that our kids share the same love for outdoors as us, parents.
Katrin is now old enough to be a part of the same cycling team as Patrik has been for the last two years. She has joined him for a cyclocross program this fall and loves it. The team is lead by the best coaches, professional athletes and even some Olympic champions so we know they are in the best hands. The kids give it everything during their practices and are having fun even through the sweat and pain. Cyclocross is quite challenging and one has to be in a pretty good shape to ride the bike on the hills and carrying it over obstacles.
I took few photos with my phone during their practice yesterday and I love how these turned out. The silhouettes on the hill in a sunset just make me happy.
This is Katrin following her coach on the course.
And Patrik’s first practice of the season.
Sometimes in the rush of our daily lives we almost forget how important it is to nurture our own souls with things we love. For me it is photography. I love to look at life through the lens and freeze the special moments.
Whatever it is what makes you happy, I hope you will find at least a few minutes this weekend to focus on it.
Leave a comment...take it all in
- on: July 01, 2015
- By Gabi
- theme: focus on everyday, photography, sport | triathlon
- 0
I was watching my son (in the middle) getting ready for a swim during his triathlon race. It’s always a rush of various feelings for him before the race starts.
The excitement. The nerves. The competitiveness. The “will I be the fastest one?” sort of questions.
I was taking all of this above in – the excitement, the mama worries, the proud feeling of being his mom… Go, buddy, GO!
This post is a part of a weekly theme over at Focus on Everyday blog. Head over there to see Harmony’s take on this week’s prompt.
Leave a comment...well, hello there
- on: April 30, 2015
- By Gabi
- theme: family life, sport | triathlon
- 0
1, 2, 3… 1, 2, 3….
Is this thing still on?
It seems like ages since my last post… So what’s happening around here? Life. Life is happening, my friends. Simply just the everyday ordinary life.
The alarm clock goes off at 5.25am and then the everyday rush starts. It’s go, go, go till the evening hours. Since Ivo has changed his job and is forced to commute, our daily routine has changed a lot. But we are coping quite well, I think. I miss some “me” time though; I have a lot of things on my “want to do” list but I’ve learned to prioritize and put those things on a side burner until things will slow down.
Will they ever?!
The one thing I miss the most is probably photography. Since I got my iPhone, I’ve been taking pictures using the phone but it’s not the same as with the big camera. I’ve started using instagram so at least I can be still in the loop with this hobby of mine and get inspired by some amazing photos from others.
Well, so what’s new around here since my last post in March?
The sport season has started and is in a full gear. Ivo ran his first ultra marathon two weeks ago. It was a 50 km trail run race and he gave it everything. Unfortunately due to the course I wasn’t able to take any photos while he was racing. At least I have him captured before the race. The area around Sasamat Lake is really magical!
Smiling as usual just a few minutes before the start.
And the race is on!
He finished strong and placed 4th overall with time 5:19:11!!
Ivo also ran the Sun Run 10k race for the first time and was part of his company’s team.
As I mentioned above, I’ve been using my iPhone a lot for taking pictures lately. Even though the quality isn’t the best comparing to my big camera, I love all the random snapshots me or kids take with the phone. I am happy to have these little everyday moments captured. Like this one when we were waiting for Patrik to finish his cycling practice.
Or Ace jumping in our backyard.
Or just a random shot I took while biking. The outcome is totally worth the nerves that I would fall down from the bike while taking this photo.
Among all the sport activities, we were also able to squeeze some “together time” at home. Kids decided to make a dinner for Ivo and myself, they came up with the idea of a restaurant where both of them took care of everything. They prepared the menu, took our orders and then served the meals. Fun times!
Patrik has started his cycling season in March once again. He was doing track cycling during winter and now the road season is on which means weekend races as well. Two weeks ago he raced in the first race of the season, a 20 km ride which took a place on dikes and road. He finished strong and placed 2nd overall. The kids totally lucked out with the weather for this race, once they finished, the heavy rain started falling down together with hails.
Last weekend both kids raced in the first triathlon of the season – The Kids of Steel.
Oh my, these kids!! They were biking and running in a cold weather, still wet from the pool but still pushing hard. They are fighters, that’s for sure! I don’t have to tell you how very proud of them we are!!
And then there is the not-so-little anymore Ace. He just turned 9 months this week. He is a fun, happy, wild puppy who does his shaky butt dance every time he sees someone he likes. He jumps on our fence every time he spots our neighbor’s dog. He LOVES running on dikes and gives kisses when opportunity arrives.
Our life is full but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Until the next time, have a good one, my friends!
Leave a comment...the big ride
- on: July 19, 2014
- By Gabi
- theme: family life, sport | triathlon
- 0
Tomorrow is THE day I’ve been training for for the last couple of months. Tomorrow Patrik, Ivo and I will participate in a bike ride/race. Ivo will accompany Patrik on the PrestoFondo which is 50 km long. Mine is going to be 160km. It will be the longest ride for Patrik and for myself as well.
Am I ready? I’m not sure. I’m nervous already. It will be a great adventure and definitely a great experience for sure. I know it will be tough but once it’s done, it will be worth it.
I can’t wait to prove to myself that I can do it.
Leave a comment...this little man
- on: July 07, 2014
- By Gabi
- theme: family life, sport | triathlon
- 0
Patrik is attending three races in a stretch of four days and today was his race number two. The temperatures went above 30 deg of Celsius and I really admired all the youngsters for their strength to race on such a hot day.
This little man has the same determination as his dad; when he wants something, he goes for it. He is definitely a strong competitor.
Today he raced his heart out in the extreme hot weather and we couldn’t be more proud of him!
Way to go, Patrik!! Way to go!
Leave a comment...second on second
- on: May 20, 2014
- By Gabi
- theme: sport | triathlon
- 2
Usually on stat holidays people sleep in. But not us. The alarm clock was set up to 5.15am yesterday morning and by 6 am we were leaving the house and headed to North Vancouver for Patrik’s second triathlon race of the season. It was a rainy morning but hundreds of athletes didn’t mind and started the day with a huge excitement anyway.
I love this photo Ivo took of Patrik just a few seconds before he jumped into the water for his swim. He looks so grown up on this photo. The volunteer was explaining the swim rules to the athletes.
I was waiting outside to catch him on his transition to bike.
He did this race last year as well (75m swim, 5km bike and 1 km run) and we could see such a huge improvement. His time this year was 19:45 comparing to 23:23 from 2013 and he took 2nd place this time!!
Congratulation, buddy! We are all so very proud of you! Love you!
the first one of the season | 2014
- on: April 26, 2014
- By Gabi
- theme: sport | triathlon
- 4
Today the triathlon season has been opened with its first race of 2014. Patrik was the only one racing, the rest of the family was his cheering squad. He was very excited for the last couple of weeks and couldn’t wait for the race day to come. He raced in the kids category: 8-11 years and this race was his first one riding a road bike. The distance for this category was:
- swim – 100 m
- bike – 3.75 km
- run – 1 km
It was quite cold in the morning even though the sun was shining.
Unfortunately I missed his swim because the athletes swam in a swimming pool and there was no way for me to run from there and still be able to catch him on the run out. The swimming pool is sort of disadvantage for taking photos during triathlons. Ivo was watching him and Katrin and I were waiting outside ready with my camera to catch him on his way from the swim to a transition for his bike ride.
Getting ready for this bike ride. He had a little bit of trouble to put his cycling shoes on because of his wet feet but at the end he was able to manage to put the gear on and to head off to the ride.
He was flying on the bike! We could see right away that his practices with the cycling club, he is in, are paying off big times.
And off to the last discipline.
Finishing strong with an amazing pace.
This kid will be well known one day, I can feel it! He definitely has it in his genes!
He finished 4th in his category: boys 8-11 years with a time of 17:42 (it’s a huge improvement from last year where his time was 22:00).
We are so very proud of him! GO, PATRIK, GO!!
