Fitness is considered a hobby by some, a lifestyle by others, and a necessity of a healthy life by almost everyone. Long recognized that ANY form of fitness is good for both body and soul, it naturally reasons that we opt to do those fitness activities that we enjoy the most. Arguably, the Grouse Grind is synonymous with West Coast Lifestyle, but for many of us (me especially) it’s a love / hate relationship.

The Grouse Grind, arguably one of Vancouver’s best known outdoor landmarks, steers hikers up a windy 2.9 kilometer path carved out of fallen trees, mud, dirt and rocks… and did I mention it is virtually straight up? The summit’s elevation peaks out at 1,127 meters (3,700 feet) and consists of 2,830 stairs! Holy smokes, when they eloquently coined the Grind as “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster”, they weren’t kidding!

Knowing that the Grinding season is almost upon us, what can we do to prepare ourselves both physically and mentally for the demands the Grouse Grind asks of us? Well to answer that, I’ve pieced together a top-5 list of training tips to help you make your 2012 Grouse Grind season both memorable and rewarding (and honestly, a whole ton of fun).

Here’s tip #1: Set a goal

The goal(s) you set must be “SMART”. They must be “Specific”, “Measurable”, “Attainable”, “Realistic”, and “Time-based”. For example, to prepare oneself for hiking the Grouse Grind this season, here’s how you can use SMART training:

· Specific: Name your goal and keep it front of mind and always in sight. Share it with your networks – speak it out loud – and ask them to hold you accountable to reaching your goal. Accountability is a powerful motivator and if used properly can propel you forward even on those days when you find yourself wishing you If your goal is to complete the Grind in 45 minutes, then make it so and work towards hitting that goal.

· Measurable: How are you measuring your progress? Can your goal be measured? The Grind is a perfect example of a measurable, time-based goal. Pick yourself up a handy Grind Timer and measure your ascent times each and every time your complete the Grind. If you find your times are improving, then you know you are progressing in the right direction and getting closer to reaching (and exceeding) your goal of 45 minutes.

· Attainable: I’m all about setting your sights high when it comes to goal setting, but If you are currently hiking the grind in 90 minutes, it might be overambitious to hope to cut your time in half within one season. The last thing you want to do is set a goal that isn’t within reach. Make the goal attainable and celebrate when you achieve it, then set a new goal. I’d recommend setting goals that you know you can hit with a little bit of hard work. It will motivate you that much more knowing that you are just around the corner of reaching a milestone in your training.

· Realistic: Are you goals realistic? Let’s take the previous example and suggest it takes me 90 minutes to complete the Grind. It would be unrealistic of me to think training one day per week would provide me with the endurance needed to hit my goal of a 45 minute ascent. Our goals should be realistically based on our commitment to our program. Set yourself up to win!

· Time-based: When do you plan to hit your goal? Set a date and put a timeline on your training and most importantly be consistent. Block your calendar and commit to your reaching your goal.

Find tips #2 & #3! here!

Let us know how many Grouse Grinds you’re aiming to make count for BC Children’s Hospital by leaving a comment below. Stay tuned for the rest of my training tips coming later this month!

By Dai “The Moose” Manuel, Grind For Kids Ambassador & Fitness Town COO

SIGN UP FOR GRIND FOR KIDS AS AN INDIVIDUAL OR JOIN DAI’S FITNESS TOWN SUMMIT SEEKERS TEAM! MAKE EVERY GROUSE GRIND COUNT THIS SEASON!

There may still be snow on the Grouse Grind, but don’t let that stop you from setting your goal & raising a mountain of money for BC Children’s Hospital!
SIGN UP NOW and be ready to make every Grouse Grind count when the trail opens!

Register early and you will have an opportunity to attend the Grind For Kids launch event and tour at BC Children’s Hospital (date TBA). There is no better way to motivate yourself then witnessing firsthand the urgent needs of BC Children’s Hospital. It’s also a great opportunity to network with your fellow grinders…another friendly face to see on the Grouse Grind this summer.

New T-Shirt Design
Stay tuned to learn how you can get your hands on a coveted Grind For Kids T-shirt, then wear it proudly as you Grind this summer and help spread the word!

New Prizes
This year we will be rewarding participants with great fundraising prizes from our wonderful sponsors. The more money you raise the more prizes you win.

Grouse Grind Opening
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for updates on the opening of the Grouse Grind. As opening is determined by Metro Vancouver we can’t predict when it will open, but as soon as conditions are safe we’ll get the green light.

SIGN UP NOW!

Are you ready to make every Grouse Grind count for BC Children’s Hospital? Early registration will soon be open!

Over the past two years nearly 10,000 Grouse Grinds have raised over $300,000 for BC’s sick kids.

Watch the video below to see how you’re helping sick kids every 2830 steps of the way.

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter so you’re ready to go on opening day!

With early registration just around the corner for year three of Grind For Kids we wanted to recap some impressive stats our participants have racked up by making every Grouse Grind count for BC’s sick kids.

Number of Grind Grinds completed: Nearly 10,000
Money raised for BC Children’s Hospital Foundation: Over $300,000

Thanks for your amazing support and we look forward to seeing you on the Grouse Grind on opening day!

Watch the latest BC Children’s Hospital Foundation PSA:

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from the Grind For Kids team! Thanks for your tremendous support & we hope you make every Grouse Grind count again in 2012!

IMPORTANT REMINDER: In an effort to collect every dollar for BC’s sick kids, please log into your personal fundraising page and remind your supporters to fulfill their pledges. Donations processed before Dec 31st will receive a 2011 tax receipt!

Grind For Kids participants were invited to BC Children’s Hospital for a thank you party!

Click here to see more photos.

Please keep the donations/ pledges coming to help raise a mountain of money & see you in 2012!

The second year of Grind For Kids has wrapped up which means we have our grand prize winners to announce!

Most Money Raised:
Weekend getaway packages for 2 to Nita Lake Lodge in Whistler
• Terry Byrne ($10,800+ raised)
• Ken Seethram ($9400+ raised)

All Participants Draw:
5 Grouse Mountain Zipline for 2 packages:

• Che Robbertze
• Clint Dawson
• Daljeet Nanara
• Ivan Chiu
• Joanie Maynard

5 Grouse Mountain Eye of the Wind tours:

• Karen Craig
• Kyle Stadnyk
• Lynda Honing
• Nadia Javed
• Raymond Liang

5 Grouse Mountain Memberships:

• Robert Melling
• Sergio Magro
• Warren Nipp
• Yvonne Seiler
• Andrea Malo

It’s time to collect those hard earned pledges! Please log into your personal fundraising page and click on the “email” tab. This will allow you to send an email to those people who have pledged you.

Thank you for making every Grouse Grind count & helping BC’s sick kids.

We chatted with Yvonne Seiler last week to find out more about why she makes every Grouse Grind count!

1. Why did you sign-up for Grind For Kids?

I found the concept rather exciting: improve your own fitness whilst helping the children of BC… a WIN WIN in my opinion!

2. Why do you do the Grouse Grind?

I enjoy the challenge of the Grouse Grind, both mentally and physically.

3. What motivates you to get to the top?

Some days to beat my personal best time or some days just to make it to the top for a sense of accomplishment!

4. How many Grouse Grinds are aiming to do?

I aimed to complete 10 Grinds this year as I started in the middle of July and was only able to get the Grind on Saturdays.

5. Why are you raising money for Grind For Kids?

I am thankful to have my health and only wish to help others who encounter health issues, especially those of children.

6. Other then soliciting pledges from family and friends are you planning on doing any other fundraising activity?

Not at this time.

7. What would you tell somebody who does Grouse Grind and hasn’t signed up yet for Grind For Kids?

Just from posting about Grind For Kids and my Grind experience on my facebook page, I have received many posts from friends who look forward to participating next year!

Click here to help Yvonne raise a mountain of money for BC Children’s Hospital!

Week 14 of Grind For Kids is over which means we have our last group of weekly winners to announce! Find out if you’ve won an awesome prize pack from Oakley or Quiksilver:

Most Grinds Completed Over 10

WINNER: Jason Chong

Most Grinds Completed Under 10

WINNER: Frederique Cameron

Most Money Raised

WINNER: Yvonne Seiler

Winners will be contacted by email. Congrats to all of this seasons weekly winners!

We’ve extended the program until October 31 so you have more time to make the Grouse Grind count & help raise a mountain of money for BC Children’s Hospital Foundation!