Inspired

On Saturday I finally fulfilled a desire that I have had for about 5 years. I have been wanting to learn to mountain bike. The first time I had this idea I was at a massage course at Blue Mountain resort in Collingwood. This particular weekend was in the spring and it was one of the training weekends for the local "Fly Gurlzz". It looked like so much fun seeing this group of strong, fearless women bomb down the side of a ski hill on bicycles. At the time I was pregnant with my second child, so that year was out of the question. Every year since then I have struggled with the idea of taking time way from my kids and my family on weekends to go mountain biking by myself. So needless to say this was a dream that went unfulfilled. Then suddenly this year the idea popped into my head again. The difference this year is that I do have "free" time. I have every other weekend that I can spend doing things that I want without the guilt that I am abandoning my familial responsibilities. So, a month ago I signed up for a beginner class for this past weekend. I am so glad that I did. I am also so glad that this opportunity came at this challenging time in my life. I am also so glad that I chose the instructor that I did.
My course was taken through LaRocca XC Mountain Bike School, at the Creative Wheel Centre. The owner and instructor is Dominique Larocque. She is one of the most inspiring women I have ever met and we hit it off instantly. She has built this centre literally with her bare hands out of dream that she had to have a safe haven for many types of therapy. She has created a bike trail system that is designed specifically for technical training. After 3 hours of one-on-one training with Dominique I had made it through a mere 4 trails, and I progressed faster than most beginners. This is not meant to be discouraging, only meant to demonstrate the time and effort that Dominique puts into providing high quality technical training even at a beginner level.

Now this is where the "inspiration" comes in. Dominique, this wonderful and caring woman, has built the centre from a dream. It continues to grow, and evolve as needs change and finances are available. It has been emotionally and physically challenging, but she has stuck it out. She is creating a place that makes her feel inspired and recharged in the hopes that others will find it that way too.

So what does that mean for me? I almost have too much buzzing around in me to even be able to figure that out. I'm a thinker, and a planner, not so much a "do-er".

Things I have Learned from Dominique

- Guilt is a waste of energy
- I do not start out "perfect"
- Dreams take time, and that's ok
- I am a STRONG woman
- I am "not normal"
- Dreams are organic, they move and grow, and adapt


Like I said, I'm not sure where all this inspiration will take me, but right now I'm excited and energized. I feel like I have moved many steps closer to living the life I dream of, the life that I can feel comfortable calling my own.