I think that without sushi there would be no David Hasselhoff, because sushi is like the perfect way of describing the insides of David Hasselhoff. He is like a protein, clean and easy. That's how I feel about myself. -- David Hasselhoff
Make sure that when you look at your plate, it's a beautiful blank canvas to start with, and you wants lots of color on there. You want to make sure you have whole grains and protein. It should not be beige in color; it should be green and bright red, and orange and yellow. -- Summer Sanders
Some people have asked me how I get the quotes for my blog. I'm not terribly clever, so I just type whatever my topic is into Google, along with the word "quote"...and voila. The best source is usually BrainyQuote, but there are some other good repositories of quotes out there. I like quotes - I feel like they provide context and a hook...not just for blog readers, but also for me as the blogger.
But there are times when I go looking for a quote for this blog that I happen upon unexpected things. Most wonderful and ponderously unexpected things. Magical things. Like David Hasselhoff and sushi (or David Hasselhoff is sushi?)...anyway. So much love for things that tickle my sense of humor, especially when all I'm thinking about are boring things like protein and vegetables.
Why am I thinking about protein and veg? Because it's time to take another step forward in building ATHLETE 2.0. A few weeks ago (well, 10 days, but who's counting...oh, wait - me, I'm counting because I'm trying to methodically make changes in my life...) Anyway, a few weeks ago, I explained how I'm trying to improve my body composition and health to avoid any sorts of "hiccups" during my 2017 race season. Rather than a wholesale overhaul, I've decided to make small, sustainable changes, focusing on something small for 10-14 days until it sticks or not, and then making adjustments as needed or adding a new small change.
My first two changes, let's call them shifts...because they were small...my first two shifts were to start logging my food again and to limit my liquids to wine, water, and coffee. (Yes. Wine is listed first. There are priorities here.)
LOGGING: I've logged my food, every day, for 15 days so far. Even when it was utterly painful...like Saturday night, when we had date night with another couple and I enjoyed so much good food. And so much good wine. And MyFitnessPal told me that if I ate like Saturday every day, I'd gain about 20 pounds. But that's OK. The other days have been better and more importantly, it does seem like there are some days I may not eat enough. Useful data, which is the whole point.
LIQUIDS: Yep - I'm working this one. Plenty of wine, but also only coffee and water otherwise, and the strangest thing - I'm actually enjoying water. Weird what happens when you stop drinking other crap. I did have a glass of Skratch after my "long" run yesterday, because it was hot for October and I was sweating a lot...but otherwise, on track. As my sessions get longer/harder, I'll definitely be adding something back in - probably Skratch for now...but more on that another time.
Both of these shifts are working well for me - and I think they have stuck and I plan to continue with them, so it's time to add another shift or two into the mix.
PROTEIN: So I've been reading the Roar book, like I told you, and apparently I do not get enough protein. Like ever. (I also don't eat enough carbs, or enough generally...but that's a bigger change and I'm not ready for it yet.) But protein - this seems like something I can really work on. I'm adding a protein recovery drink after my workouts - better recovery and more protein generally in my diet. One of the nice things about having already tracked my food for two weeks is realizing that I'm totally not even close. So for my new shift, my plan is to intentionally up my protein intake, with a goal of hitting 145g/day. (According to the book, this is somewhere at the high end of my resting day goal and low end of my endurance goal, and no where in the ball park of my strength goal - but baby steps, little shifts, at a time.)
VEG: I know I don't eat enough veg. I just don't. I've been adding more in and sneaking them into my menu here and there, but it's time to methodically add them in. I'm actually starting to like how they taste - it's not that. It's just that I don't really think about veg as being something that I want. Ever. So my new shift, my goal, is to try to eat a veg at every meal. At least one. At least a little bit.
So...what does any of this have to do with David Hasselhoff? Pretty much nothing, but there is that horrible video of the drunk Hoff vegging and eating a cheeseburger, so that's kind of like protein and veg. Oh, and also, Hasselhoff - he's like sushi. So. Well. There's that.
Monday, October 31, 2016
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Planning out 2017...or trying to...GRRR!
Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now. -- Alan Lakein
Men plan, God laughs. -- Yiddish Proverb
We're planners, IronSherpa and me. We plan things out way in advance - because that's what planners do. In fact, even before we went to IMLOU, we were contemplating our plans for 2017. It's not really a bad idea - because balancing two kids, three triathletes, and one competitive year-round soccer player...not to mention our jobs and our kids' school...is not an easy feat. (I love my children and I will miss them when we are empty nesters...but sometimes I'm super envious of my no-kids-at-home friends for whom race planning is SO MUCH EASIER.)
So anyway, the IM race of 2017 was supposed to be IM North Carolina - or the old B2B. In fact, it was supposed to be the IM race of 2016 for our household, but then IM bought it (not a problem) and then IM Maryland was postponed and then because I couldn't do the postpone I got 50% off a 2016 race...but IMNC hadn't opened for registration yet for me to use my discount code...and I had wanted to go back and actually finish IMLOU at some point, so it made sense (financial and otherwise) to pick IMLOU as the race of 2016. And IMNC would be 2017.
But earlier this fall, the rumors started to fly...would there even be an IMNC 2017? All of our favorite Internet gossip sites were aflutter (yeah, there are triathlon Internet gossip sites...). It would be cancelled, it would be on but a different weekend, it would be cancelled a year and then reincarnate as a spring IM on the east coast, it would be gone forever in favor of a later season 70.3, and so on. WTH. So the grand plan we came up with for 2017 was now in utter chaos.
We can roll with it, though. IronSherpa is better at rolling with stuff than me, but we can roll. We pick an alternate IM (Chattanooga). Not ideal, because it's a little earlier, it's a little hillier, and it's in September which isn't ideal for the IronGrandparents who come to watch the girls. (The girls, who of course can't come with us...because school...and soccer.) OK. If we do that, what happens to our summer race plan - I check with the Coach, she says go with it.
So we get our mind all set for this year - and here's what I was thinking:
March - marathon (already registered)
Spring - oly
July - 70.3 Williamsburg
August - 70.3 Steelhead
September - IMChoo
See...Steelhead is on IronSherpa's bucketlist since that's near where he grew up and it would have been such a convenient roadtrip - because as planners, we were going to turn this into a midwest thing with USAT Youth Nationals - because remember, we have a third triathlete in our house.
But then even planB went to hell-ina-handbasket. First, Steelhead wouldn't provide info or open for registration, and now that Steelhead is open, we're not sure of the dates for USAT Youth Nationals (because it seems they are moving back a week from previous years), and this screws up EVERYTHING. Everything. Seriously, I'm not kidding. Man plans. God laughs. And boy, is He laughing at us. What was a super-sweet, well put together, solid & built for success race plan for 2017 is now just a mess. (Oh, and the spring oly I was counting on - not on the schedule this year because the race location is closed. Damnit. One more thing.)
Oh, and did I mention sometime in the last 24 hours, it became less clear than IMNC was truly off the table? Because now the website says 2017 IMNC "opening soon"...which makes it look less like they're cancelling the whole shebang, but doesn't really say anything else. Jeez Louise, people. Cut me some slack. I just want to get a race schedule on the books so I can start looking forward, not back.
Men plan, God laughs. -- Yiddish Proverb
We're planners, IronSherpa and me. We plan things out way in advance - because that's what planners do. In fact, even before we went to IMLOU, we were contemplating our plans for 2017. It's not really a bad idea - because balancing two kids, three triathletes, and one competitive year-round soccer player...not to mention our jobs and our kids' school...is not an easy feat. (I love my children and I will miss them when we are empty nesters...but sometimes I'm super envious of my no-kids-at-home friends for whom race planning is SO MUCH EASIER.)
So anyway, the IM race of 2017 was supposed to be IM North Carolina - or the old B2B. In fact, it was supposed to be the IM race of 2016 for our household, but then IM bought it (not a problem) and then IM Maryland was postponed and then because I couldn't do the postpone I got 50% off a 2016 race...but IMNC hadn't opened for registration yet for me to use my discount code...and I had wanted to go back and actually finish IMLOU at some point, so it made sense (financial and otherwise) to pick IMLOU as the race of 2016. And IMNC would be 2017.
But earlier this fall, the rumors started to fly...would there even be an IMNC 2017? All of our favorite Internet gossip sites were aflutter (yeah, there are triathlon Internet gossip sites...). It would be cancelled, it would be on but a different weekend, it would be cancelled a year and then reincarnate as a spring IM on the east coast, it would be gone forever in favor of a later season 70.3, and so on. WTH. So the grand plan we came up with for 2017 was now in utter chaos.
We can roll with it, though. IronSherpa is better at rolling with stuff than me, but we can roll. We pick an alternate IM (Chattanooga). Not ideal, because it's a little earlier, it's a little hillier, and it's in September which isn't ideal for the IronGrandparents who come to watch the girls. (The girls, who of course can't come with us...because school...and soccer.) OK. If we do that, what happens to our summer race plan - I check with the Coach, she says go with it.
So we get our mind all set for this year - and here's what I was thinking:
March - marathon (already registered)
Spring - oly
July - 70.3 Williamsburg
August - 70.3 Steelhead
September - IMChoo
See...Steelhead is on IronSherpa's bucketlist since that's near where he grew up and it would have been such a convenient roadtrip - because as planners, we were going to turn this into a midwest thing with USAT Youth Nationals - because remember, we have a third triathlete in our house.
But then even planB went to hell-ina-handbasket. First, Steelhead wouldn't provide info or open for registration, and now that Steelhead is open, we're not sure of the dates for USAT Youth Nationals (because it seems they are moving back a week from previous years), and this screws up EVERYTHING. Everything. Seriously, I'm not kidding. Man plans. God laughs. And boy, is He laughing at us. What was a super-sweet, well put together, solid & built for success race plan for 2017 is now just a mess. (Oh, and the spring oly I was counting on - not on the schedule this year because the race location is closed. Damnit. One more thing.)
Oh, and did I mention sometime in the last 24 hours, it became less clear than IMNC was truly off the table? Because now the website says 2017 IMNC "opening soon"...which makes it look less like they're cancelling the whole shebang, but doesn't really say anything else. Jeez Louise, people. Cut me some slack. I just want to get a race schedule on the books so I can start looking forward, not back.
Friday, October 21, 2016
Athlete 2.0
Super-ambitious goals tend to be unifying and energizing to people, but only if they believe there's a chance of success. -- Peter Diamandis
Optimism with some experience behind it is much more energizing than plain old experience with a certain degree of cynicism. -- Twyla Tharp
There are a couple of directions a person can go after a disappointing race - they can be upset, devastated even, and continue looking backward...or they can be energized, enthusiastic, and start looking forward again. I am happy to report that I fall into the latter category. I'm ready to embark on ATHLETE 2.0 - the quest for a better me, ready to nail my 2017 season. I'm optimistic, excited, and blessed with some experience that tells me what I need to do to improve...and most of all, I'm ready to take on super-ambitious goals.
Now, there are a few monkey wrenches that have been thrown into planning those super-ambitious goals, but that's a story for another post. The point of this post is to let you know I'm here and I'm ready to rock.
So what has experience told me and what am I doing about it? Well - I need to fix some things about myself. A smaller and healthier body would suit me better than the body I have right now. Also, I need to make sure I'm eating properly to fuel my training - I had some problems with this towards the end of summer...and in a couple of ways, if I'm being honest. I did not hesitate to eat junk, because I was training. But I also didn't eat nearly enough, because I wasn't hungry. So the first step of Athlete 2.0 is to work on eating and drinking myself to a more healthy place.
I have about 5 months to my first big race of 2017 (Tobacco Road Marathon) and about a year until Ironman 2017 (whichever one that will be - TBD)...so plenty of time to get my body (and mind) into a good place so all the training I have done doesn't go to waste. Because I have a long time and because small changes stick, I've decided to make gradual, small changes at regular intervals until I get things straight.
So what's first? Well, first my coach sent me a copy of this book, which I'm reading.
Second, I've started keeping track of my food (again). I have a love/hate relationship with food logging. It's boring. And irritating. And since I cook at least 4 nights a week, a lot of work. But when I do it, I learn things and see patterns that aren't working, etc.
Finally, my last small change is to stop drinking anything other than water, coffee, and wine. No diet pop. No crystal lite. This will change again when I get back into longer training (like many hours) and need some gatorade. But for now, in the "off season" I need to get back to simple.
Stay tuned to see what changes are coming next...and where IM 2017 for me is going to be!
Optimism with some experience behind it is much more energizing than plain old experience with a certain degree of cynicism. -- Twyla Tharp
There are a couple of directions a person can go after a disappointing race - they can be upset, devastated even, and continue looking backward...or they can be energized, enthusiastic, and start looking forward again. I am happy to report that I fall into the latter category. I'm ready to embark on ATHLETE 2.0 - the quest for a better me, ready to nail my 2017 season. I'm optimistic, excited, and blessed with some experience that tells me what I need to do to improve...and most of all, I'm ready to take on super-ambitious goals.
Now, there are a few monkey wrenches that have been thrown into planning those super-ambitious goals, but that's a story for another post. The point of this post is to let you know I'm here and I'm ready to rock.
So what has experience told me and what am I doing about it? Well - I need to fix some things about myself. A smaller and healthier body would suit me better than the body I have right now. Also, I need to make sure I'm eating properly to fuel my training - I had some problems with this towards the end of summer...and in a couple of ways, if I'm being honest. I did not hesitate to eat junk, because I was training. But I also didn't eat nearly enough, because I wasn't hungry. So the first step of Athlete 2.0 is to work on eating and drinking myself to a more healthy place.
I have about 5 months to my first big race of 2017 (Tobacco Road Marathon) and about a year until Ironman 2017 (whichever one that will be - TBD)...so plenty of time to get my body (and mind) into a good place so all the training I have done doesn't go to waste. Because I have a long time and because small changes stick, I've decided to make gradual, small changes at regular intervals until I get things straight.
So what's first? Well, first my coach sent me a copy of this book, which I'm reading.
Second, I've started keeping track of my food (again). I have a love/hate relationship with food logging. It's boring. And irritating. And since I cook at least 4 nights a week, a lot of work. But when I do it, I learn things and see patterns that aren't working, etc.
Finally, my last small change is to stop drinking anything other than water, coffee, and wine. No diet pop. No crystal lite. This will change again when I get back into longer training (like many hours) and need some gatorade. But for now, in the "off season" I need to get back to simple.
Stay tuned to see what changes are coming next...and where IM 2017 for me is going to be!
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Fall Down Seven. Get Up Eight.
Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. -- Thomas Edison
Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent. -- Marilyn Vos Savant
ICYMI - I was a DNF at IM Louisville. Not because I wasn't properly trained. Not because I didn't want it bad enough. But because of another fluke incident, yes another one of those things that seem to plague me. Stress fracture? Hurricane? Kicked in the head? WTH. I'm like a bad luck magnet.
This time, it was hypothermia...again. Apparently, as near as I can tell, I have the metabolism of a lizard or some other cold-blooded animal. It was chilly on the bike (especially being wet from the swim), but it wasn't that cold. For some reason (probably my whacked-out metabolism), I am susceptible to hypothermia. Nice, huh? Usually it's old people or babies or people with dementia or people on drugs. Or people with whacked-out metabolism. That's me.
I made it through about 13 miles of the bike course at IMLOU before I found myself off the road, suffering from dizziness. The dizziness earned me a trip to the back of an ambulance, where I started to shiver. And continued to shiver for an hour...at which point the EMTs decided that a hospital would be a better decision. After another hour of shivering there...and at some point, the efforts to warm me went too well, so I was actually shivering from fever at the end of the fun, I finally got back to normal functioning. And after a couple hours of monitoring me, I was released back into the wild - still running a few degrees cold, but in no danger.
So. After you register for 3 Ironman races, start 2, and finish 0...what do you do? Give up? No. I'm not nearly sane enough to stop now. I want my IM finish. I want my IM Finisher Jacket, and M-dot necklace, and ALL.THE.STUFF. Oh, and my IM tattoo. I want it all. And I'm not going to give up.
The way I see it - none of these were my fault. None of them were 100% preventable if I had done something different - although there are a number of things I plan to do differently...these shouldn't really be viewed as "failures" but "false starts." So there's no reason not to give it another go, especially if I can make a few tweaks here and there to make things better. Giving up would be defeat. Getting back up, one more time, is the way to succeed.
Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent. -- Marilyn Vos Savant
ICYMI - I was a DNF at IM Louisville. Not because I wasn't properly trained. Not because I didn't want it bad enough. But because of another fluke incident, yes another one of those things that seem to plague me. Stress fracture? Hurricane? Kicked in the head? WTH. I'm like a bad luck magnet.
This time, it was hypothermia...again. Apparently, as near as I can tell, I have the metabolism of a lizard or some other cold-blooded animal. It was chilly on the bike (especially being wet from the swim), but it wasn't that cold. For some reason (probably my whacked-out metabolism), I am susceptible to hypothermia. Nice, huh? Usually it's old people or babies or people with dementia or people on drugs. Or people with whacked-out metabolism. That's me.
I made it through about 13 miles of the bike course at IMLOU before I found myself off the road, suffering from dizziness. The dizziness earned me a trip to the back of an ambulance, where I started to shiver. And continued to shiver for an hour...at which point the EMTs decided that a hospital would be a better decision. After another hour of shivering there...and at some point, the efforts to warm me went too well, so I was actually shivering from fever at the end of the fun, I finally got back to normal functioning. And after a couple hours of monitoring me, I was released back into the wild - still running a few degrees cold, but in no danger.
So. After you register for 3 Ironman races, start 2, and finish 0...what do you do? Give up? No. I'm not nearly sane enough to stop now. I want my IM finish. I want my IM Finisher Jacket, and M-dot necklace, and ALL.THE.STUFF. Oh, and my IM tattoo. I want it all. And I'm not going to give up.
The way I see it - none of these were my fault. None of them were 100% preventable if I had done something different - although there are a number of things I plan to do differently...these shouldn't really be viewed as "failures" but "false starts." So there's no reason not to give it another go, especially if I can make a few tweaks here and there to make things better. Giving up would be defeat. Getting back up, one more time, is the way to succeed.
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
140.6 miles of gratitude...
Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than you current situation. -- Brian Tracy
Heading into IM Louisville - I'm still not certain I will make the time cutoffs or finish, but I know that if I have any chance at all of doing so, I need to be in the right mental place. And I've been figuring out over the last couple years that the best mindset comes from a place of happiness and gratitude. So to foster that spirit of gratitude and get into the proper place for this weekend, I decided to write up 140.6 miles of gratitude. Yeah, I know, a lot of people do this after the race, but I am grateful now - for all the people who got me here, for all the people I will keep in my thoughts during the race, and for all the people I know will love me and encourage me, no matter what Sunday brings. This one's for you all:
Miles
SWIM 2.4 miles
0-2.4 Peluso Open Water
Yeah, it feels wrong to not thank IronSherpa first and foremost. Don't worry, his is coming. But I have to think that while I'm swimming, my gratitude will be squarely placed on POW. Swimming has been a struggle for me and I could not make it to the start line without the coaching I've gotten from them over the last few years. Seriously - it wasn't that long ago that I absolutely feared the open water and would do anything I could to avoid it. Now - meh - still not my favorite but I'm not afraid.
BIKE 112 miles
2.4-5 IronSherpa
My husband, IronSherpa, is also racing at IM Lou...so I guess he's not much of a sherpa after all, but he still should get the lion's share of the thanks. He is my support system, my cheerleader, my partner in crime, and makes this possible by helping split all the other stuff, like making sure that Elder and Younger get to where they need to be, etc. He has supported me since before I even started triathlons and now that he does them too, he is even better at it.
5-15 Elder Child
Elder Child is amazing. She puts her all into everything she does, even when she doesn't want to do it. There is no one who will outwork her, and I admire her for this. She has been unreasonably supportive of this crazy triathlon stuff, because that's not even her sport. She's awesome.
15-25 Younger Child
Younger Child is amazing in other ways. No one will accuse her of working too hard, but what I admire about her is that she has an attitude of awesome. (Of course, sometimes this rises to the level of delusion...but...) She truly believes she can do whatever - she will be a professional triathlete and a pediatric oncologist and a fashionista. There's no doubt in her mind. She is also awesome.
25-35 Coach Kelly
When I started working with Kelly this winter, she asked me what I would consider to be a successful first season of us working together...and I said it would be me showing up healthy and trained to IMLOU. Not finishing or meeting a certain time, because that's dependent on so many things out of her control and mine, but being there and ready to start. And she has succeeded. I'm feeling good (as much as I can) and I know that she has put me in a position to do my best this weekend.
35-45 B and her husband S (collectively BS?)
B was one of my first real tri friends and she and I attempted our first Ironman races the same year. And neither of us finished and that's OK. We've had some crazy ups and downs since then but no matter what, she's always been a fantastic encourager (and oftentimes NAG) - but whichever she is doing, it is usually what I needed. She's been a great cheerleader & she's awesome.
B has a husband S - a year ago he couldn't swim and then he signed up for a HIM. Anyway, S overcame that tiny obstacle of not being able to swim and finished his first HIM in some of the worst swimming conditions I've ever seen. So he's awesome too. And they both inspire me.
45-55 D
D is a more recent friend, but she is also a great source of encouragement and mental peace. She has overcome mountains of obstacles and she just keeps trucking and that inspires me to keep on trucking, too. Also, she's in my age group, so we've shared a couple hugs before swim starts which is pretty awesome. (Plus she and I are already planning to kick some ass in 2017!)
55-65 Richmond Tri Club
For the longest time when I started triathlons, I was a loner. My friends were on Beginner Triathlete (a different line item of thank yous) and although I met a few in real life, the real camaraderie was online. But in the last few years, I've gotten involved in RTC and have found real life friends. More important, I've found some real life sources of inspiration, information, and encouragement.
65-75 Family
Not IronSherpa and the children, but my extended family. Most of them don't understand what the hell I'm doing, but they try to be supportive and mostly it's cute. My dad even unexpectedly told me he may show up at Louisville, but then he got tickets to the Cubs playoff games. I told him I'll probably do another IM but the Cubbies may never make it back....so....
75-85 Work Friends
More people who don't have the first clue what the hell I do, but they think I'm alternately crazy or a badass. I'll take it.
85-95 L
Miss L, as my daughters call her, is a special lady. She was racked near me for my very first triathlon and was amazingly kind. She helped me set up my transition area and talked me off my ledge. I've come to know L better in the last few years and this kindness, calm, and willingness to make people feel comfortable is just who she is, to her core. She did her first IM last year, at Louisville, and rocked it. I was so proud of her and I look forward to being an Ironman just likeher.
95-105 Nerd Candy
You may think I'm being disrespectful here - a long list of people I genuinely am thanking with all my heart - and then I throw in Nerd candy? Seriously. Nerd candy has saved my life - maybe not literally, but there is something about Nerd candy (or at least the sugar in it) that has brought me up from the depths of despair during long races. I can assure you - Nerds will be with me this weekend and will get me through the tough times.
105-115 Former Students
I am a teacher, a good teacher (IMHO) - and I want what is best for my students, even after they graduate. So it thrills me to see so many of them participating in triathlons themselves. E and E are just starting the sport - even if one of them hates to swim, she's doing it. J is going to be racing at Louisville too, and I'm super excited for her - she's got a good race in her and I hope she does amazing. There are others too, but the initials thing is getting confusing.
RUN 26.2 miles
115-117 IronSherpa
It wouldn't do to thank IronSherpa only once. When I make it to the run, he deserves another round of thanks. I could not do anything I do, including triathlons, without his help and support and love. Even if he is a tough critic sometimes, he wants the best for me. LOVE!
117-119 Elder and Younger
And again, they deserve a lot more thanks than they get. They have spent the late summer and early fall basically fending for themselves. (They are tween/teenagers - I'm not leaving infants alone - but still, I imagine a little more mom would be appreciated.)
119-121 Drivers
Going back to people who don't understand anything about the crazy that is my triathlon life...the other folks that carpool with us. They are amazing - Elder has been driven far more than we've been able to repay and these people make my life work. I can't thank them enough.
121-123 Baby Sonic
My coach has a baby. For the past few weeks, the baby has been instructing and encouraging me via text message. (OK, they come from my coach - but the pictures of the baby along with the message have made for much enjoyment of the last minute coaching!) I'm definitely grateful for baby texts - if nothing else, they provide much giggling.
123-125 Work/Travel Friends
There is a group of colleagues that I travel with frequently. They like to eat and drink and carouse. (So do I.) But they also know that I'm training - and so they like to ask, the morning after, if I got my run in before breakfast. Knowing that they are going to ask makes it a lot easier for me to put down the wine, go to bed, and get up and actually get my training in. Plus I love to see the looks of amusement (or horror) on their faces when they (in a hungover state) realize I went for a short run that morning (also in a hungover state, occasionally). They probably don't realize it, but they are good for me.
125-127 Beginner Triathlete
As I mentioned above, when I first started triathlons, I didn't know what the hell I was doing, so I went to BT and figured it out. I spent a few years very engaged on BT and made triathlon friends there (including a couple I met in real life - shout out to J & J!). Once I got more comfortable with triathlons, I got more involved with the local tri community - but it was good to have a safe space to figure out what I was doing when I was an utter newbie. (Yes, I did ask whether I was supposed to wear underwear under my trisuit. Yes, they did laugh and tell me it was a bad idea.)
127-129 Samurai Cynthia, Judge J, and others
Another source of inspiration for me has been the people I know from other places in my life (from high school to previous workplaces) that are also triathletes. I have loved reading about Judge J's first year of triathlon (go!) and I followed carefully as Samurai Cynthia did her first (and then second IM) - before she turned into some badass mountain biker. Those two and others are awesome.
129-131 People who can't
One statement that sticks with me is that I do what some people can't. There are a couple of people who can't that I carry in my heart. My cousin's wife K who died of brain cancer. My high school principal E who passed way too early from ALS. A grade school friend's wife who died from epilepsy shortly after they were married. Love to all the people who are left behind - I run with these people, who can't run anymore, in my heart.
131-133 Swim Friends
There are too many of you to name - in part because I keep changing lanes - but shoutout to my swim lane friends. You have encouraged me all along the way - from J and N when I first started at Masters (thank you for not hating me and my total inability to figure things out) to M, S, A, and others that keep me moving currently. Plus everyone in between. You inspire me with your accomplishments and are always encouraging me. Thank you.
133-135 Endorphin Fitness
I don't train with EF, but Younger Child does. Not only are they helping her become a stronger triathlete, but I appreciate their philosophy of combining fun and hard work. Also, the bike shop at EF has taken good care of my bike, and my husband's (especially when he crashed this fall)...so I am grateful for them.
135-140.6
The last 5 miles are on me. I'm not really grateful for myself - that would be weird and awkward. But I am proud of myself. For buying a bike 10 years ago. For learning how to swim as a grownup. For failing often and getting back up. For reaching farther than my short little tyrannosaurus rex arms should be able to reach. For daring to dream. For being realistic in my expectations but ambitious in my hopes. For getting to the starting line.
I want to thank all of you (plus so many people that I couldn't remember or couldn't figure out how to talk about without embarrassing them or whatever). You have made Sunday, no matter what the outcome, one of the best days of my life.
Heading into IM Louisville - I'm still not certain I will make the time cutoffs or finish, but I know that if I have any chance at all of doing so, I need to be in the right mental place. And I've been figuring out over the last couple years that the best mindset comes from a place of happiness and gratitude. So to foster that spirit of gratitude and get into the proper place for this weekend, I decided to write up 140.6 miles of gratitude. Yeah, I know, a lot of people do this after the race, but I am grateful now - for all the people who got me here, for all the people I will keep in my thoughts during the race, and for all the people I know will love me and encourage me, no matter what Sunday brings. This one's for you all:
Miles
SWIM 2.4 miles
0-2.4 Peluso Open Water
Yeah, it feels wrong to not thank IronSherpa first and foremost. Don't worry, his is coming. But I have to think that while I'm swimming, my gratitude will be squarely placed on POW. Swimming has been a struggle for me and I could not make it to the start line without the coaching I've gotten from them over the last few years. Seriously - it wasn't that long ago that I absolutely feared the open water and would do anything I could to avoid it. Now - meh - still not my favorite but I'm not afraid.
BIKE 112 miles
2.4-5 IronSherpa
My husband, IronSherpa, is also racing at IM Lou...so I guess he's not much of a sherpa after all, but he still should get the lion's share of the thanks. He is my support system, my cheerleader, my partner in crime, and makes this possible by helping split all the other stuff, like making sure that Elder and Younger get to where they need to be, etc. He has supported me since before I even started triathlons and now that he does them too, he is even better at it.
5-15 Elder Child
Elder Child is amazing. She puts her all into everything she does, even when she doesn't want to do it. There is no one who will outwork her, and I admire her for this. She has been unreasonably supportive of this crazy triathlon stuff, because that's not even her sport. She's awesome.
15-25 Younger Child
Younger Child is amazing in other ways. No one will accuse her of working too hard, but what I admire about her is that she has an attitude of awesome. (Of course, sometimes this rises to the level of delusion...but...) She truly believes she can do whatever - she will be a professional triathlete and a pediatric oncologist and a fashionista. There's no doubt in her mind. She is also awesome.
25-35 Coach Kelly
When I started working with Kelly this winter, she asked me what I would consider to be a successful first season of us working together...and I said it would be me showing up healthy and trained to IMLOU. Not finishing or meeting a certain time, because that's dependent on so many things out of her control and mine, but being there and ready to start. And she has succeeded. I'm feeling good (as much as I can) and I know that she has put me in a position to do my best this weekend.
35-45 B and her husband S (collectively BS?)
B was one of my first real tri friends and she and I attempted our first Ironman races the same year. And neither of us finished and that's OK. We've had some crazy ups and downs since then but no matter what, she's always been a fantastic encourager (and oftentimes NAG) - but whichever she is doing, it is usually what I needed. She's been a great cheerleader & she's awesome.
B has a husband S - a year ago he couldn't swim and then he signed up for a HIM. Anyway, S overcame that tiny obstacle of not being able to swim and finished his first HIM in some of the worst swimming conditions I've ever seen. So he's awesome too. And they both inspire me.
45-55 D
D is a more recent friend, but she is also a great source of encouragement and mental peace. She has overcome mountains of obstacles and she just keeps trucking and that inspires me to keep on trucking, too. Also, she's in my age group, so we've shared a couple hugs before swim starts which is pretty awesome. (Plus she and I are already planning to kick some ass in 2017!)
55-65 Richmond Tri Club
For the longest time when I started triathlons, I was a loner. My friends were on Beginner Triathlete (a different line item of thank yous) and although I met a few in real life, the real camaraderie was online. But in the last few years, I've gotten involved in RTC and have found real life friends. More important, I've found some real life sources of inspiration, information, and encouragement.
65-75 Family
Not IronSherpa and the children, but my extended family. Most of them don't understand what the hell I'm doing, but they try to be supportive and mostly it's cute. My dad even unexpectedly told me he may show up at Louisville, but then he got tickets to the Cubs playoff games. I told him I'll probably do another IM but the Cubbies may never make it back....so....
75-85 Work Friends
More people who don't have the first clue what the hell I do, but they think I'm alternately crazy or a badass. I'll take it.
85-95 L
Miss L, as my daughters call her, is a special lady. She was racked near me for my very first triathlon and was amazingly kind. She helped me set up my transition area and talked me off my ledge. I've come to know L better in the last few years and this kindness, calm, and willingness to make people feel comfortable is just who she is, to her core. She did her first IM last year, at Louisville, and rocked it. I was so proud of her and I look forward to being an Ironman just likeher.
95-105 Nerd Candy
You may think I'm being disrespectful here - a long list of people I genuinely am thanking with all my heart - and then I throw in Nerd candy? Seriously. Nerd candy has saved my life - maybe not literally, but there is something about Nerd candy (or at least the sugar in it) that has brought me up from the depths of despair during long races. I can assure you - Nerds will be with me this weekend and will get me through the tough times.
105-115 Former Students
I am a teacher, a good teacher (IMHO) - and I want what is best for my students, even after they graduate. So it thrills me to see so many of them participating in triathlons themselves. E and E are just starting the sport - even if one of them hates to swim, she's doing it. J is going to be racing at Louisville too, and I'm super excited for her - she's got a good race in her and I hope she does amazing. There are others too, but the initials thing is getting confusing.
RUN 26.2 miles
115-117 IronSherpa
It wouldn't do to thank IronSherpa only once. When I make it to the run, he deserves another round of thanks. I could not do anything I do, including triathlons, without his help and support and love. Even if he is a tough critic sometimes, he wants the best for me. LOVE!
117-119 Elder and Younger
And again, they deserve a lot more thanks than they get. They have spent the late summer and early fall basically fending for themselves. (They are tween/teenagers - I'm not leaving infants alone - but still, I imagine a little more mom would be appreciated.)
119-121 Drivers
Going back to people who don't understand anything about the crazy that is my triathlon life...the other folks that carpool with us. They are amazing - Elder has been driven far more than we've been able to repay and these people make my life work. I can't thank them enough.
121-123 Baby Sonic
My coach has a baby. For the past few weeks, the baby has been instructing and encouraging me via text message. (OK, they come from my coach - but the pictures of the baby along with the message have made for much enjoyment of the last minute coaching!) I'm definitely grateful for baby texts - if nothing else, they provide much giggling.
123-125 Work/Travel Friends
There is a group of colleagues that I travel with frequently. They like to eat and drink and carouse. (So do I.) But they also know that I'm training - and so they like to ask, the morning after, if I got my run in before breakfast. Knowing that they are going to ask makes it a lot easier for me to put down the wine, go to bed, and get up and actually get my training in. Plus I love to see the looks of amusement (or horror) on their faces when they (in a hungover state) realize I went for a short run that morning (also in a hungover state, occasionally). They probably don't realize it, but they are good for me.
125-127 Beginner Triathlete
As I mentioned above, when I first started triathlons, I didn't know what the hell I was doing, so I went to BT and figured it out. I spent a few years very engaged on BT and made triathlon friends there (including a couple I met in real life - shout out to J & J!). Once I got more comfortable with triathlons, I got more involved with the local tri community - but it was good to have a safe space to figure out what I was doing when I was an utter newbie. (Yes, I did ask whether I was supposed to wear underwear under my trisuit. Yes, they did laugh and tell me it was a bad idea.)
127-129 Samurai Cynthia, Judge J, and others
Another source of inspiration for me has been the people I know from other places in my life (from high school to previous workplaces) that are also triathletes. I have loved reading about Judge J's first year of triathlon (go!) and I followed carefully as Samurai Cynthia did her first (and then second IM) - before she turned into some badass mountain biker. Those two and others are awesome.
129-131 People who can't
One statement that sticks with me is that I do what some people can't. There are a couple of people who can't that I carry in my heart. My cousin's wife K who died of brain cancer. My high school principal E who passed way too early from ALS. A grade school friend's wife who died from epilepsy shortly after they were married. Love to all the people who are left behind - I run with these people, who can't run anymore, in my heart.
131-133 Swim Friends
There are too many of you to name - in part because I keep changing lanes - but shoutout to my swim lane friends. You have encouraged me all along the way - from J and N when I first started at Masters (thank you for not hating me and my total inability to figure things out) to M, S, A, and others that keep me moving currently. Plus everyone in between. You inspire me with your accomplishments and are always encouraging me. Thank you.
133-135 Endorphin Fitness
I don't train with EF, but Younger Child does. Not only are they helping her become a stronger triathlete, but I appreciate their philosophy of combining fun and hard work. Also, the bike shop at EF has taken good care of my bike, and my husband's (especially when he crashed this fall)...so I am grateful for them.
135-140.6
The last 5 miles are on me. I'm not really grateful for myself - that would be weird and awkward. But I am proud of myself. For buying a bike 10 years ago. For learning how to swim as a grownup. For failing often and getting back up. For reaching farther than my short little tyrannosaurus rex arms should be able to reach. For daring to dream. For being realistic in my expectations but ambitious in my hopes. For getting to the starting line.
I want to thank all of you (plus so many people that I couldn't remember or couldn't figure out how to talk about without embarrassing them or whatever). You have made Sunday, no matter what the outcome, one of the best days of my life.
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