2015 Triathlon Season- OFFICIALLY CLOSED

Our 2015 triathlon season started on 29 March in Ocala, Florida, with HITS Ocala 140.6, and ended on 24 October in Clermont, Florida, with The Great Floridian 140.6.  During this tri season there were several highs and lows.  

It started out a little rough with Patrick pulling out halfway on the bike in Ocala.  While he was glad he made this choice it compounded the hurdle he would have to climb over in his mind when it came time to complete IMCHOO in the fall.  The good news is this was the only set back in the year- Patrick went on to complete IMCHOO which was the ultimate goal. 
 During this year we also had great adventures- completing the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon was a highlight to our year, not only because of the race but also because of the family time and exploring in and around San Fransisco.  This race was challenging with cold waters, hills, and fog, but it was great fun with an upbeat atmosphere and lots of friendly people.  It was out great adventure race of the season.  
This season we also raced as members of the Gavel Girlz and Gavel Guyz Team (#gavelnation).  Being a part of this team brought comradery and growth.  We found extra training buddies and found ourselves on little adventures with Team Trouble.  Having this team created a huge support network as we trained and raced through the season. It was nice to see the black and orange on race day and know you had another friend out there. 
Our triathlon club, Tri Gulf Coast, was also a huge support system for us this year and an opportunity to give back to our tri community. 
Over the course of this year we traveled around Florida, Alabama, California, Louisiana, and Tennessee. 
This year brought us some of the worse jelly fish encounters. 
I completed my first off road triathlon this season (and loved it). 
Patrick beat me by seconds in a triathlon this year (only the second time this has happened and again because I had to pee). 
We came across the finish line at IMNOLA 70.3 together (and it took me a while to catch Patrick on the bike). 
We improved our times at IMCHOO, with Patrick's bike being an hour and twenty minutes faster and my overall time being eighteen minutes faster in more difficult conditions. 
This season in racing events I completed 15.21 miles swimming, 545 miles biking, and 149.7 miles running; for a grand total of 709.91 miles of racing triathlon this season.  
We raced everything from Super Sprints to Full Iron distance.  we raced in 15 events this year.  
It has be a long, rewarding season and I can't wait to see what 2016 holds.... maybe a few shorter distances!!!! 

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

We'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.

Stark-- The Tattoo

In 2013 we decided to complete an Ironman I decided it would be fun to complete an Ironman.  When this decision was made I also made another decision- I wanted to get a tattoo to express the journey.  I wasn't sure at the time what I wanted.  It was maybe three months into training I "knew" the idea of what I wanted- a sea turtle with the M-dot.

This is Carrie. She is Awesome.

Many of you have read the blog for some time now and know about the journey of Patrick and I both completing our Ironman journeys.  This will be a story of Stark.
For me getting a tattoo, something that will be on my body forever (because I don't by in to the notion shared amongst some that "it is no big deal, it can be removed"), required meaning and purpose.  Some will say, "Then why be branded with the M-dot?" This is as good a place as any to start with Stark's story.
Some will see the M-dot and simply pass, knowing I did an Ironman and I bought into the hype of getting branded.  But if they take time to ask they would find the M-dot holds more meaning than "just a race".  The M-dot was a journey-- one of pain, healing, heartbreak, and ultimately achievement.  The M-dot tells me that if I put a goal in my heart and in my mind I can achieve it, no matter the time it will take or the pain it will bring.
The M-dot is also a journey Patrick and I took together.  The creation and finalizing of Stark took time because the journey to us both completing an Ironman took time.  We were in this together, Stark could not have life if OUR journey was not complete.
The M-dot symbolizes the journey Patrick and I took together to overcome something that felt a lifetime away.  We did it through support and love for each other.  We did it through encouragement and faith for each other.  We did it through compassion and patience for each other.  That is what the M-dot symbolizes all of those virtues we held for each other during the two years of training and racing.  The M-dot is not a brand to me, it is an achievement that has made me a better person through the journey of achievement.
Stark is marked with the M-dot on the back of his shell, as a symbol of the journey, as we all carry with us symbols of our journeys.  Now, to explain why Stark is a sea turtle.  The sea turtle is my race animal (like a spirit animal but for racing).  Patrick and I were diving in Honduras when we came across our first sea turtle encounter during dives.  One of the turtles was nestled in some grasses, nearly camouflaged; he was content and peaceful just sitting in the grass.  This is how I feel in the water, content and peaceful.  The other swimmers thrash around me, waves catch me, but there in the water I am at peace.
The second sea turtle encounter was of one swimming along.  He swam with such ease, a single push of his front flippers he was transformed to a flying machine.  He moved with motions appearing effortless, he tilted from side to side to turn.  For a moment he even looked as if he closed his eyes and smiles as the water rushed by.  In the water this is how I feel.  There are others much faster than me, but I doubt there are many who enjoy it as much as me; that feeling of the water rushing past you, that glimpse of sky as you breath and duck back under, that feeling of life being everywhere around you.

While the sea turtle is spectacular in the water, he is a bit clumsy and clunky on land.  This too I relate to, especially in the early years of triathlon.  After I leave the water it takes a minute for me to remember how to use my legs, then as I mount my bike it takes time for me to switch from the feel of water to the feel of the air, then the run leaves little for my as far as ease, it is a struggle.  I feel like that sea turtle coming on shore, fighting through the sand to get to a safe place.
Lastly, the sea turtle and I have "the fight" in common.  When a sea turtle hatches he has to dig his way out of the sand then figure out where the water is; he then has to survive.  The fight is real for all of us in different arenas in our life. For me it is a very real fight in triathlon; having that inner will to press on when the world is trying to trick me into going the wrong direction.  This will to fight till the end, no matter the adversity ahead, is something that drives me in several parts of my life and drives me to be a better me each day.
Well that’s Stark, how he came to be.
The quick on how he got named: Thank the tattoo parlor manger.  As he showed me the art books for the different artist, he asked what I was looking to get.  I told him an Ironmn tattoo.  When I had (finally) chosen an artist, he smiled and said, “Let’s me go get her and you can talk about your Stark tattoo.” 
If you are not an Avengers/ Ironman fan you may need to have this piece of insight—The person who becomes Ironman is Tony Stark.      
 A special thank you to Carrie at Hula Moon who dealt with my crazy planning, questioning, nervous chatter, late night or early morning emails, and who helped me to laugh through the experience.  

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

We'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.

Veterans Day Moment

I want to share a powerful moment that I had today.  I went after work and sat at the Veterans Memorial Park. I watched children played and laugh as their parents looked at monuments. I watched joggers run by. I watched people pay there respects. For a long time though I watched this young woman sitting on a bench in front of a wreath. Even with her back to me it was clear she was crying. I am not typically the type to approach others but I felt compelled to approach her.

I approached her and stood beside her. I gestured to sit and she nodded. I sat beside her and simply said thank you. She looked at me surprised. I told her I did not know who she lost or how they were taken from her, but that her loved on mattered to me.  She looked at me and then looked away and began to tell me that she lost the love of her life.  He graduated boot camp only days before 09/11.  He had done 4 tours overseas and he job was to disable bombs.  Unfortunately a few weeks shy of him coming home he was killed.  She told me how they had planned to be moving upon his return and had found an apartment.  They were just starting their life together and he was "the love of her life".   

To the side of where we sat two children giggled and one ran his fingers over the names on the memorial wall.  She glanced at them.  I told her, "It isn't fair that he was taken from you and there is nothing I will say today to make your heart whole again.  But those children over there can laugh because of him.  They will not understand today who those names represent but one day they will and one day they will know and respect what has been given to them through the sacrifice of others like the man you loved."  I went on to tell her that because of her love, others, whose names she will never know, will be able to grow up to do amazing things for this world.  Those whose lives he protected will be inspired to protect the lives of others.  And because of him this world has been made a little better. 

She wiped tears from her eyes and said, "I just don't know."  I looked at her and said, "There is no doubt in my mind or heart that all those things are true.  And that her love who gave his life will forever affect the lives of others."  

We shared a few others words, which are for her and I, before I hugged her and thanked her once again.  Then I walked away, to the sound of children giggling.  

I tell you this because when we look to our flag waving on Veteran's Day, or Memorial Day, or the Fourth of July, we often forget that our flag flies on the wind from the wings of fallen soldiers, our flag flies on the breath of men and women in the field battle, and our flag flies because of the men and women who have planted it firmly in the ground.  And for all of that our thanks is the least we can give.

I will never be able to say thank you enough, not to the woman at the memorial, not to the service men and women that make up my family and friends, not to those who fought long before I knew what war was; I will never be able to say thank you enough but that does not mean I will won't try.  

Thank you today and every day, thank you for all you have done, all you do, and all you will do to ensure protection for all who may need protected. 

On the WWII memorial these words are written, "Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival."- Winston Churchill       

Taking Care of Ourselves, Even If It Is Scary

We all think we take care of our bodies via exercise, eating well, and getting sleep.  But one thing most athlete appear to avoid is the doctor's office.  I have heard athletes say, "I am sure it is just swelling from my shoes", about a foot stress fracture; "I have some back pain", it ends up being a displaced vertebra; "It wasn't that bad of a crash", only to find out you have a broke femur; "I am just tired", ends up being the flu.

I will admit I am one of these types of people.  I have been curled up on the couch, gasping for breath, crying, and telling Patrick to not take me to the hospital; only to later get diagnosed with pleurisy caused by pneumonia. Which almost ended me up admitted to the hospital.  
I have had Patrick stand watch at the hospital room door so I could hobble to the bed from throwing up in the bathroom before the nurse came in so they would release me to go home after my knee surgery, instead of keeping me over night.
I have waited nearly a month before having my foot looked at after sever pain started during a Marathon.  Ending up with a stress fracture diagnosis which I tried to convince the doctor that a walking boot could be used as a running boot.  
I am telling you this so you will understand I am not one to run to the hospital or doctor.  In fact most years my primary care physician sees me one time- for a physical that my insurance says I have to have.  All that said I am now going to tell you, you need to seek medical help even when you sometimes don't think it is a big deal.  
I will tell you while all my test have always come back normal (eventually, sometimes), I still get nervous and feel overwhelmed with dealing with medical issues.  I think as a female some medical issues hit closer to home this was my case over the past two years.  
I have had two recent events which I think are important to share because they could have been something much scarier than what they ended up being. 

About a year ago I was having intense pain on the right side of my abdominal area.  I figured the pain was from ovarian cyst which I am prone to and hurt like a son-of-a-gun. I continued to train and race.  On one run I started to notice the pain felt started to cause pressure in my abdomen and then became stabbing pain.  By the end of the run I was leaning to my right side due to the pain.  I of course did what any normal person would do, I took a shower, got out the heating pad, and tried to rest.  Well, resting was not very restful.  I fought it a few more days, fighting through a few more workouts, until I finally went to the doctor (well, was told I could go or stop mentioning it by someone who will remain unnamed).  After some testing come to find out that I not only had ovarian cysts but also my liver appeared enlarged (yeah I know it seems weird to find one while looking at the other but they ultra-sounded the whole side).  Turns out enlarged livers can mean a lot of things- some are kind of scary things.  More testing- still not a fan.  The good thing is most liver issues can be identified or dismissed through blood testing.  YAY-- blood testing came back normal, second liver scan came back with no changes, and the ovarian cysts were decreasing in size-- pain was decreasing.  While all was good I was still worried, there is really no reason for my liver to be enlarged that medical professionals could find but there is also no medical issue found either.  The ovarian cysts still plague me but not nearly as much pain.  It was semi peace of mind but I knew for sure it wasn't as bad as it could have been.
While it took time, frustration, and encountering the unknown, it was ultimately worth it to know that my insides were really not trying to leave the union of my body and my health was intact. 

The second event happened over the past few weeks.  I have been having breast tenderness and pain.  I finally convinced myself my xray vision didn't work, a doctor would be necessary.  I went to the Women's Imaging Center near our home (after my PCP visit because of course one appointment is not enough)-- I have to say the 3D imaging is awesome (I am never having kids so 3D breast imagining is the best I get)!!!! They did the 3D imagining and an ultrasound. In the imaging there was clearly 2 cyst and a swollen lymph node.  The ultrasound showed the cysts were not abnormal, they were filled with fluid and not hard tumors.  YAY!!!  The pain was mostly being cause because the cysts are between the fibrocystic breast tissue and my muscle tissue.  While again the diagnosis was positive- it is always good to have a "go home and if you need us come back follow up plan".  Again the problem is not solved but I know what it is and more importantly what it isn't.
For me these events turned out well, but I will say this I will go to the doctor and get testing each time these pains of concerns come up. WHY?  Because peace of mind and honoring my body is why I run, so it order to keep on running I am going to make sure I make efforts to take care of me even when I get scared. 
I tell you this because I know it is difficult to go to the doctor.  It is scary, because WedMD tells you the worse diagnosis possible.  But doctor's have their place in helping us to take care of ourselves.  Bottom line for me is this-- I don't have cancer and my liver is not failing-- I know that right now; I am not guessing, I KNOW.  In that there is freedom and peace.  

Just a friendly PSA to see your doctor. 


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

We'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.