Friday, September 25, 2015

IMCHOO 2015- Here We Go



I am continuing to raise money for the Navy Seal Foundation.  For more information please read this: Supporting the Navy Seal Foundation- Frogman Swim 
 
We are only a few days out from Ironman Chattanooga 2015 (IMCHOO).  Here we are facing the start line to this race.  My heart leaps, fluttering with excitement and nerves.  Some will tell me, “Don’t worry, you have done this before.”  But this does not calm my nerves; it does comfort me to be reminded that I HAVE done this before.  I try to build on this comfort platform to say I have done this twice before AND I have raced several tris before.  This process is not new.  This race course is not new.  This drive is not new.  But my nervousness is not new either. 
Being a working athlete who tries to have a social outlet or two and who is a wife to an athlete and raising four fur babies, life gets crazy and racing makes me crazier (while adding a weird calm).  So for now in this moment I look back at where I was, I look in the mirror for where I am, and I look forward to the finish line.

A Look Back
A year ago I could not believe Patrick and I were going to embark on this journey.  I thought several times, “Who does an Ironman?” I answered myself with images of athletes made of steel with wings on their feet.  But I would soon find out the reality was people like me do Ironman races.  People like me step up to the line and take a flying leap off the dock.  People like me walk and run and walk through the darkness.  People like me break down.  People like me walk across Ironman finish lines.  I learned a year ago that my body and mind will follow my soul.  And that my soul when pushed with a challenge will push back harder. 
It is funny looking back, though, because what I remember the most about that day is only two moments and while I clearly see the finish line it is not that image that stands in my mind.  The first memory was of a volunteer at about the 25 mile mark.  I had started to run again after the aid station, and stopped to walk while yelling at my body.  She ran up behind me (I honestly though tot tell me that I was going the wrong way), wrapped her arm around my sweaty, aching shoulders, and said to me, “You keep going.  You are going to finish.  You are going to be an Ironman tonight.”  I cry just writing it.  This woman did not know me, she could not see my internal struggle, but she knew I needed her.  She walked a few more steps with me then told me to “go” to “finish” my race.  I started running again and while I would walk again and again to the finish line her words in that moment pushed me harder than I could have pushed myself.
The second moment, which stands out the most vivid to me, was seeing Patrick walk up from the crowd to me.  You see after you cross the line at an Ironman, they hand you a medal and hat, they usher you to a photo spot, they wrap a blanket around you and ask 100 times if you are okay, then a nice person writes down your times and hands it to you.  As she was writing down my time I was asking if she would look up Patrick’s information, she basically begged me to be patient and that she would.  She gave me his last check in, my heart sank.  Then a few moments later, after hugging my parents, I started to track him on my phone, no check in.  We waited with no news.  I fought everything in me to not go back out on the course.  Then there he was walking towards me.  I ran and hugged him, he smiled.  HE SMILED!!  I could tell he was disappointed and still trying to process, but he smiled.  In that moment everything that I had known about my husband was truer than it had ever been- he was and has always been the strongest person I know.  He put his heart into that race.  He pushed and pulled others.  He smiled.  The details of why he did not finish are hidden in the details of this race- long bike, short time, time adjustments, no adjustments to cut offs.  But it is not the details of what didn’t happen that night that is most important, what I hold tight in my heart was his smile.  Patrick showed there is comfort in pushing hard, there is achievement in accepting the challenge, and there is joy in knowing there will be other opportunities bigger than this one.  Patrick didn’t quit or give up.  He didn’t say it was too tough.  He didn’t moan over a broken rib or sore foot.  Instead he was there with his head high having pushed as long and as hard as the race details would allow him all with a smile.  Everyday I love him more and that day was no different.
These are the moments from that day that stand forward in my memory.  These are the moments which offer me calm and comfort.  These are the moments that I play over and over each night as I race my race before falling asleep. 
But these are moments of the past.  They have given me lessons but where am I now.
           
A Look In The Mirror
A year after racing IMCHOO for the first time I stand before the mirror and at first look I appear no different than what appeared here a year ago.  However, the subtle changes are there.  When I think about giving up on something- work, personal, or athletic- I step back and remember I alone pushed myself to that finish line.  It really does set in your head, “If I can do an Ironman, I can do this.”  I know there are bigger challenges out there but for me the experience of mind, body, and soul, all coming together for one day was inspiring and energizing. 
In the mirror I see someone who grew that day but continues to find new adventures.  In this year we raced Escape from Alcatraz, a race on our bucket list.  A race that seemed unrealistic to even get into, but there we stood on that boat, together.  This year we raced IM New Orleans 70.3.  The first long race that we did “mostly” together, I could not imagine having more fun on that course.  This year I finished a second full Iron distance in Ocala, with the support of Patrick, who was m run support late into the night.  This year we raced.  But we did so much more.  We got closer to family.  We forged new friendships.  We grew not only as athletes but as people.
So who is looking back at me in that mirror?  A person who through the sport of triathlon has taken a year of focusing on improving at the core- I am working on being better at being social, at being open to new people, and at being a better spouse.  I see a woman ready to take on challenges, even those day to day ones where we have to face ourselves.
On race day the woman in that mirror will be strong, strengthened by the love of family and friends. On race day the woman in the mirror will be humble, graced by the support of others.  On race day the woman in the mirror will be confident, empowered by the encouragements of the past year. 
On race day the woman in the mirror will be better than she was any day before.  

A Look At The Finish Line

For some a finish line is just another line, but for me it is more.  During the hours on the course I think about everything and nothing.   The finish line is a level of peace and accomplishment. I don’t know exactly what I will feel but I hope to see that line and feel the energy—I want to imprint that moment and take again that love!

This journey is long, I will trust in training but out there I will be lifted by love and support.

I am continuing to raise money for the Navy Seal Foundation.  For more information please read this: Supporting the Navy Seal Foundation- Frogman Swim 

I've been blogging for a while now. If you enjoyed this one, you may enjoy others. Look though the Blog Archive on the right, for more of our experiences and random thoughts. 

Thank you for your ongoing support of our adventures.  

Please feel free to share our blog.

Friday, September 18, 2015

Taper, they say. It will be fun, they say.

Make new friends
"They" are wrong.  
Spend time with family
Tapering is an interesting part of training and a part I can honestly say I am not good at.  It causes me to be moody; it causes my body to ache; it makes me want more than anything want to run further, bike faster, and swim harder, right then and there.  
The taper time situation get more interesting when you have two athletes, training for the same race, under one roof.  This tapering moodiness does not always make for the best of days.  Let's be honest, we get frustrated with each other; and want to scream, "GO RUN, A$#&*@#".  But this negative mood doesn't help our legs feel stronger nor does it keep our mind right, so what do we do? 
Have Fun
My mantra in racing repeats in my head:  
Be Positive.  Stay Strong.  Press On. 

I try to apply these principles during these times of tapering.  I force myself to focus on the positive.  Focus on healing my body and resting.  The positive thoughts about training and previous races.  I work on my inner will, strengthening the core of who I am.  Letting my mind build my body stronger.  Then I do what I do everyday during training times-- PRESS ON.  I go to work and home, to gatherings and events.  I do all the things I need to do.  
Doing these things in the tapering times aids me in being able to do them more effectively on race day.   
It takes a lot of effort to focus on your body and mind during this time in a different way than what you have been focusing for the last few months.  Now you have to have trust in your training, trust in yourself, and trust that the finish line waits with open arms.      


I am continuing to raise money for the Navy Seal Foundation.  For more information please read this: Supporting the Navy Seal Foundation- Frogman Swim 

I've been blogging for a while now. If you enjoyed this one, you may enjoy others. Look though the Blog Archive on the right, for more of our experiences and random thoughts. 

Thank you for your ongoing support of our adventures.  

Please feel free to share our blog.
 

Friday, September 11, 2015

Those Pesky Wedding Rings :)



On most days I am good at remembering my wedding ring.  It is simply a way of life- out of the shower, brush hair, dress, put on ring, out the door.  However, I am also easily distracted and once my morning routine is changed I forget the "simple ways of life." Forgetting your wedding band as you head out to the office is a simple "fix"- you simply move forward with your day, when given a chance you mention it to your spouse in passing, but it is no big deal.  If only I forgot my ring on my way to work.  Nope, that's not me; I forget my wedding ring as we are going on a cruise, or traveling on a business trip, or when heading to a race-cation.  And to add to my forgetful problem I don't remember that I forgot my wedding band until we are at a point unable to turn around and return to the house- turns out they won't hold a boat or a plane for me to go back home (again). 
"Oh, that ring. Well you see..."
I have been teased by others that this is a ploy to get a new ring on every trip- I promise it is not.  But I have gotten some good stories from it.  The first “major” forgetful event was when I left my ring as we headed out on our first cruise, a seven day cruise.  We made it to a friend’s house where we were going to carpool to the ship and I freaked out, realizing my ring was not on my finger.  I thought maybe it fell off in the car - NOPE, no such luck.  I remembered quickly where it was, safe and sound on the dresser back home, an hour’s drive from our current location. There was no turning back.  Now, what is great about this is that Patrick never forgets his wedding band (which by the way sits on the same ring holder as mine, just saying); he also never minds that I forget mine.  Remember not minding and not teasing are two different things- he is good at picking on me about my “convenient forgetfulness” with a smile. 
There I was with my husband, with his showing of undying love wrapped around his finger, ready to head on a seven day trip.  I tried not to stress about it but by the second day it was making me crazy, so I did what any normal person would do—I bought a temporary wedding band.  This band would become known as the Jamaican wedding band.  No, I didn’t spend thousands of dollars on this band, but we didn’t do that for my actual wedding band.  I found a nice little ring at a nice little shop.  For the rest of the trip Patrick pointed out my new purchase, but I was happy with my unnaked finger!
Now it would be great to say that I learned my lesson and from this point forward made a point o remember my ring- but you know that’s not what happened.  I may need to go to meetings about this but… “My name is Teresa and I have a Jamaican wedding band, a Memphis wedding band, and another one that I don’t even recall where it was purchased (maybe south Florida).  Also, I have had to make numerous u-turns and back tracks to my house to get my ring.”
Memphis. 
You might be saying to yourself, “What does it matter?  Your wedding band does not define you or your behaviors.”  You would be right it does not.  But it is a part of who I am and a reminder in trying moments of a man who loves me more than I will ever comprehend.  I need that reminder sometimes.  I like to feel a ring on my finger, wrapped around like he wraps his arms around me.  In fact I miss my ring during racing so much that I am looking to purchase silicone rings for racing.  What does my love say about this purchase, “Good.  Those are cost effective enough to purchase one for each of your bags so you won’t forget them.”  That’s right he will purchase enough of them to have them prepacked in every one of my bags--- looks like I am getting no more vacation wedding bands.      

I am continuing to raise money for the Navy Seal Foundation.  For more information please read this: Supporting the Navy Seal Foundation- Frogman Swim 

I've been blogging for a while now. If you enjoyed this one, you may enjoy others. Look though the Blog Archive on the right, for more of our experiences and random thoughts. 

Thank you for your ongoing support of our adventures.  

Please feel free to share our blog.

Saturday, September 5, 2015

Training Buddy Down

In racing and training you learn there are things you can't control- bad weather, flat tire, or broken goggles.  While you can fight through a head wind, carry gear to fix a flat, and power through a swim with no goggles, one thing difficult to overcome is when your training partner ends up with an injury.  

I was reminded of the hardships of having a down training partner as one of our friends and teammate was recently injured in a cycling event.  The couple trains together and offer support to each other.  The wife said to me as we were swimming (well, on a short break) that she felt bad because she was still training and her husband could not.   Then she also noted that she didn't want to complain about feeling bad because she didn't want to make it worse.
It may seem strange to say that another person's injury has a HUGE effect on one's training, when the person still training is not the injured one.  But the reality is when your training partner gets injured the vicarious trauma to the uninjured partner can be a hurdle hard to overcome. 
This has occurred on a few occasions for Patrick and I; when he had severe back pain, when I broke my foot, when he broke his ribs, and just on some rough days.  So we have been there and have had to climb out of frustration as the victim and the survivor.  
For me one reason this hurdle seems so high is the factor that you are NOT injured, no doctor is telling you to stop, but your motivation is dampered, your mind is wondering if there is a chance of you getting injured, and your plans to high five at the end of a long run now becomes a "self hug".  In addition there is the problem that you feel guilty sharing your ongoing training with your injured training buddy, they can't get out there and you don't want to rub it in that you got to go for a run (even though they still encourage you to go out there and still want to talk about it). 
What can be done to help with "training survivor's guilt" and "lone trainee motivation?"  There are some things we have done:  
Figure out if your training buddy can do something else to still train and join them for some alternative training.  When I got a stress fracture a few years ago I started aqua jogging (yep, I love it and I promote it) since I could not put pressure of my foot. During this time Patrick spent more time in the pool swimming.  Even though we weren't doing the same activity at least we would be together at the same place and could see each other's progress.  Being there with my training partner made me feel complete and not so broken.
If you can't change your training find something you can do for the same amount of time.  During the same foot injury Patrick was running to train for a half marathon and a 15K.  I of course could not go running, so I started riding my bike on the trainer (once I was a little into my healing).  This allowed me to work out for the same amount of time, feel accomplished, and not feel like an anchor still in bed.  It also was something I could do the same time of day as him and it didn't change his need to go run.  
Another one of the adjustments we have made when one of us has been hurt has been changing running to walking.  Sure it isn't a run but it is forward motion.  Walking is a great way to keep moving as a triathlete who sustains injury to the upper body.  There is no bouncing but it is movement-- forward motion. 
These methods help the injured athletes to stay in the game, which can be helpful as the uninjured partner to take away some of the guilt a training partner may feel from being able to get out there and go.  Also by having your training buddy out there it helps you to not feel alone in your training, instead while you aren't doing the same things you ARE both moving forward. 

One last thing to remember for the injured and uninjured athlete- stay positive.  your body will heal, your buddy will get back on the road with you, you can bounce back.  Staying positive about an injury helps both training partners.  The uninjured athlete encouraging rest and healing gives the injured athlete permission to take time to care for themselves.  Sometimes we need permission to sit still.  Additionally for the injured athlete positive self talk and finding things to do to keep going helps promote healing.  The focus shifts from "can't" to "CAN".  
Remember help your training buddy along the way, through injury, through healing, and through their return to the road. You would want them to do the same for you!  

 
I am continuing to raise money for the Navy Seal Foundation.  For more information please read the blog posting below.  
Thank you for your on going support of our adventure. 
Supporting the Navy Seal Foundation- Frogman Swim