tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764741750470226332024-03-05T16:43:56.303-08:00The Trial of Miles; Miles of TrialsBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16247635973514495690noreply@blogger.comBlogger192125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576474175047022633.post-49977971977446414462018-06-30T18:21:00.001-07:002018-06-30T18:21:17.060-07:00PemiI clearly haven't kept up with my blogging very well. But I did a thing! And it felt blog-worthy. So I shall blog.<br />
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First, an update. Last year I raced as a professional triathlete. Then I "retired". Then I did the Philly Marathon. Then I entered into my first year (in a very, very, very, VERY long time) where I didn't have a "race schedule". It was weird. Good at first! I could sleep in on Saturdays! But then I felt a bit lost. And who am I kidding, I can't sleep in, even if my life depended on it. <br />
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So I looked towards some of goals I had set last fall. I wanted and needed a challenge. I trained hard over the winter to try and break 20:00 in the 1650. I swam a 20:04 at a meet at Harvard in March. Close, but I'll have to try that one again next winter. Then it was nice outside and I could ride my bike! So I set about trying to improve on my mountain bike. I did a smaller mountain bike race in May and didn't kill myself. I considered that a victory. Most of all it was FUN. I suppose you can take the girl out of racing but you can't take the racing out of the girl! <br />
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In early June I did the Wilmington Whiteface 100K mountain bike race. This is in Lake Placid area and, in case you hadn't already guessed, is a bit on the hilly side. As in you literally just go up up up, then down, then up and then down and then at the end they make you climb back up the ski mountain before finishing and I SWEAR that's the only point that I wanted to cry. :) Again, a great time and it felt good to challenge myself in a new way.<br />
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And then, then it was time for Pemi. Pemi refers to the Pemigewasset Loop, which is a 29-30 mile hike in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. With over 9000 feet of climbing and some pretty rugged terrain, it's considered one of the harder hikes around. Which means I've really wanted to do it since I learned about it. Luckily, my boss Jesse Kropelnicki, has hiked Pemi multiple times and was doing it again yesterday. When I got the invite, I was 100% in. And SUPER pumped to have my next challenge underway.<br />
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When you google "Pemi Loop", most everything that comes up describes it as a "multi-day hike". Of course if you know anything about Jesse, you know that means he's not only going to do it in a day, but he's also going to do it AS FAST AS POSSIBLE. No stopping and taking pictures folks, we are trying to set PRs here!<br />
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I "trained" for Pemi by doing the Skyline Trail in Blue Hills a few times, which has similar terrain, but isn't nearly as far (13 miles and about 3500 feet of elevation gain). It would have to be good enough. I was definitely going to be in some uncharted territory, never having gone farther than 26.2 miles and never having attempted that much climbing.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pemi takes you up and over nine 4000 foot peaks. I loved the going up part. The coming down the other side is what will wreck you. The views atop each were simply stunning. Lafayette was my favorite.<br />
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And so it started. Driving to the trailhead, I was pretty pumped. Or it could have been the crazy strong coffee that the Kropelnicki's coffee contraption makes. Either way, I WAS READY TO ROLL!</div>
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You can easily run (at a somewhat fast pace) the first 4-5 miles of Pemi, because it's on an old railroad bed. So we ran. Then we started climbing. Then descending, then climbing, then descending, then climbing again, until we made the final descent. And that pretty much sums up Pemi. Outside of the aforementioned first 4-5 miles and the last 3 miles the terrain is pretty gnarly. By gnarly, I mean rocky, root-y but sometimes somewhat "runnable" (that, of course, depends on your definition of "runnable"). At times, Jesse's and my definition of runnable wasn't the same. I'd see him running up ahead of me and I'd cringe. GAH!!! The rocks! He was definitely a better descender than me and often had to wait. We climbed well pretty well together. We really only stopped once, at the hut to refill fluids, and otherwise kept on moving. We had a goal of breaking 10 hours, but settled for a 10:12 instead (and happily so!).</div>
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Some random thoughts about Pemi:</div>
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1) It's tough. I wouldn't say I did a ton of specific training for Pemi but I've also been training for Pemi my whole life in a sense (10 hour events aren't new to me). Some call it harder than Ironman. I'd say it's different. It's tougher on the body in many senses - IM is 9-10 hours also, but 6-7 of those hours are not spent ON YOUR FEET. Pemi is obviously all on your feet. Within 2 hours, I knew my feet were going to be my limiter. They and my ankles, were beat up the most. There are also many opportunities in IM where you can zone out and just tune into your own self. You can't do that on the mountain. You HAVE to focus on what you are doing, where you are putting your feet. The mental strain is real. </div>
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2) Falling. I fell twice. Okay, we'll call it 2.5 times. Jesse fell once. As he told me "it's not if you are going to fall, it's when". One of my falls was not bad - I slipped on a wet rock and fell in mud. Popped right back up. The other fall hurt. We were on top of the ridge after climbing Lafayette and it was super rocky. I don't even know what happened other than, I landed in a pile of rocks. Got back up. Jesse asked what hurt. I immediately said my wrist (which did really hurt) but then saw my right shin and changed my mind. Nice little gash and it IMMEDIATELY swelled up. It was fine, in the end, but it left me shaky and the 1/2 fall came shortly after. Clearly I was starting to fatigue. Time to up the mental focus and LIFT UP MY FEET. Which sounds easy, but at that point, felt pretty hard. </div>
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3) After the rocky fall, I had my lowest 60-90 minutes of the day. We were only 6.5 hours in. I knew we had a lot of technical terrain left to cover. Being on the ridge and hitting the high peaks were AWESOME and the views spectacular, but they also made me a bit shaky and although I'm not afraid of heights, in that particular time frame, I FELT like I was afraid of heights. I didn't need more calories or caffeine or really aything. I just needed to bear down. And focus. Like the last hour of the IM marathon, except we had 3.5+ more hours to go.</div>
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4) Once we got about 8 hours in, I felt back in the game. My spirit came back around. My body felt a bit better. I felt more sure of making it. Even though we still had some serious technical stuff left, I knew we were getting closer to the easier train that was 100% runnable. I was starting to smell the finish line. It's amazing how your mind and body can adapt. Or not. The mental piece of long "events" is fascinating.</div>
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5) I was so happy to do this with Jesse. Doing it by yourself would be tough - mentally and of course dangerous if you hurt yourself. We'd go LONG stretches without seeing anyone. Plus, I just think having someone to talk to made the time go fast. It didn't feel like a 10+ hour day (other than my low 60-90 minutes, which felt like an eternity and we only covered about 2-3 miles in that time). Two or three people seems optimal. A big group would be tough to keep together.</div>
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6) We lucked out with a nice day. It was actually warm and humid, even on the high peaks. And wind was minimal. I actually WANTED it to be colder, which is usually not the case, apparently. Knowing the weather, we didn't have to carry a lot of extra gear which made our packs lighter. For the last 2 hours or so, we heard thunder and the sky looked ominous. We were coming down and were below the tree line so Jesse didn't seem too concerned. But it does go to show how fast the weather can change up in the mountains and how careful you have to be. Mother Nature is not to be messed with up there.</div>
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7) Nutrition. I essentially fueled like I would an IM - gels, chews and sports drink. But I also added in a bagel with peanut butter, just because (mostly because Jesse told me to :). There is only one opportunity to fill up with water and it was about 4 hours in for us. I started with 82 ounces. Filled up with another 82 and definitely ran out of fluids with about 45 minutes to go. And I was THIRSTY. Carrying more, or carrying tablets to be able to drink the stream water is an option, of course. </div>
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8) Speaking of fluid, the experience was a lot more wet than I thought it would be. There were several stream crossings. The trails were wet and pretty muddy in some spots. There was one spot where we literally climbed up a waterfall. So cool (literally and figuratively) Needless to say, I had wet feet for most of the day. Luckily my feet didn't blister. My shoes though - I'm thinking it best just to throw them away and start over. :)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's just a whole lot of this. "Oh wait, the trail goes up that way..."<br />
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Overall it was such an amazing experience. Just the type of challenge I'm looking for post-retirement. And it felt like such a privilege to get to do it. To be healthy enough and fit enough to enjoy these beautiful mountains and trails. This type of hiking is ideal training for ultras, Ironman, marathons even. Or it could be THE event, not the training for the event. Either way, I don't think you'll be disappointed. <br />
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And now onto the next adventure! Learning how to descend faster so I can go faster on trails. :) The NYC Marathon also awaits! More mountain bike races. But first, the soreness from this adventure needs to fade some. :)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okay, we did stop for one picture. :)</td></tr>
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Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16247635973514495690noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576474175047022633.post-4422326586106649492017-11-28T08:42:00.000-08:002017-11-28T08:42:12.158-08:00Marathons and Mountain Biking<br />
About a week ago, I ran a marathon! It was fun. Prior to this, I hadn't run an open marathon since April 25, 2004. FYI, that's 13.5 years ago. WHAT? Man, I'm old. Side note - when I looked in my old logs to find the date of that last marathon (Cleveland Marathon, BTW), I took a look at what I did for training for it too. I did a 23.5 mile run. Haha. Whose idea was that? Also, we didn't have GPS watches then so all my comments are "comfortable pace", "fast pace", "easy pace" with absolutely NO concept of how fast any of those paces were. #thegoodolddays<br />
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I mostly did Philly because I had several athletes running it and because I somehow swindled Kait and Kim into also doing it. And because I wanted to remember what it felt like to run an open marathon. It brought me back to my roots. Kim and I ran through the half in 1:37. We were both still pretty comfortable. We started to run some 7:00-ish miles. We ran through 19 or 20 together. Kim took off. I stayed pretty steady. The last 5 miles was hard! I ran a bit with my athlete Michele, who was SO tough. She inspired me! I finished with a 1:35:35 second half for a 3:12+. Got a qualifying time for Boston and NYC. Ate a big burger. Goal accomplished.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My partners in crime. #lifetimemiles got us through.<br /></td></tr>
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My athlete Becca took a video of me finishing. I posted it on Instagram (@bethshutt), but I can't figure out how to extract the video to post here again (since it was a repost). Too bad. My stride looks pretty much exactly like Shalane's when she was winning NYC. #ornotatall :)<div>
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SO! Then I came home and decided it was MOUNTAIN BIKE SEASON!! Because I have a new mountain bike. Her name is Cami. We go on adventures together. I talk to her. She somehow gets me home alive every ride (through no skill of mine). </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cami is purple. #duh</td></tr>
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This is the thing though: mountain biking scares the living s@##HI@#! out of me. Think of the thing that is really hard and scary to you. That's mountain biking for me. For the most part, the trails in New England are rocky, full of roots, and, well, very technical for someone like me with very little skill. Oh and narrow. The trails are narrow too. Most rides have one of these challenging elements to them. Some have all of them - rocky, rooty, narrow, crazy ups/downs. Sometimes I want to cry when I ride on trails like that. And I've really only ridden with people that have far superior skill. And they make it look SO easy. John does things on his bike that I can't even fathom. Like wait, did you just somehow get your bike on top of that very high rock and then shoot straight down off the other side? Yup, he sure did.</div>
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Here is where I say something really profound about fear and challenging yourself daily to do scary things; get outside of your comfort zone. Or maybe here is where I say something about how the fear makes me feel ALIVE! A little, maybe. Really the fear just makes me feel...well, like I might cry. :) And sometimes I force myself to do the really scary thing that I don't want to do and I feel quite accomplished when I do it! And sometimes I chicken out even when John is saying "you CAN do this", and I walk my bike down the hill or over the rocks without even trying. And that makes me feel a little disappointed in myself. MOSTLY I think I like riding mountain bikes because it is a huge challenge and I'm proud that I take it on, even when I don't rise to the challenge (annnnnd she's walking her bike again...). The thing is, I'm pretty determined to get better at it and that usually means one thing...I'll use my true talent in life to get there: persistence.</div>
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In the mean time, if you are riding in the woods in New England and you hear someone yell "GO CAMI!", it's probably me. Watch out because I don't really know how to maneuver around people well and chances are, I'll run right into you. </div>
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So go out and do something scary today! Even if you don't rise to the challenge and chicken out, there is always tomorrow. :)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the best things about about mountain biking is, you can ride when it's really cold! 21 degrees this morning and I was quite toasty about 15 minutes in. </td></tr>
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Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16247635973514495690noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576474175047022633.post-81092602355799651742017-11-06T10:11:00.002-08:002017-11-06T10:11:28.042-08:00It Was A Good Run6 years ago I wrote a <a href="http://thetrialofmilesmilesoftrials.blogspot.com/2011/10/no-regrets.html" target="_blank">blog</a> about my decision to race pro in triathlon the following year. I re-read that blog not long ago and smiled. I was so darn young and green. And giddy with excitement. I was SO FREAKING hungry to see just how fast I could go. And now, 6 years later, I am happy to say, I really feel like I answered that question. I chased my passion and did the very best I could. And I am so, so thankful for the opportunity that I was given to do this. <br />
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6 years of racing pro triathlon. It was a good run! I met the most fantastic people. I traveled to really cool places. I laughed hysterically. I cried probably just as much. I saw the very rawest version of myself. Racing gives you a front row view of that. Sometimes I liked what I saw. Other times, not so much. Chasing a dream and having a passion is such a gift - it will give you the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. I don't regret one second of it, even the bad decisions I made. They always eventually turned to good.<br />
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At Ironman Louisville a few weeks back, I raced my last pro triathlon. It was a fantastic end to a career I'm proud of. Most of all, I am proud that I raced with integrity. <br />
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And now, I make the transition to life. It's a transition I've already been making so it's not a huge jolt. Although I was always worried I wouldn't know how/when to finish pro triathlon, it was actually much smoother than I thought. I just knew it was time and I just knew what I wanted to do next in life. <br />
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I have just as much passion and competitiveness inside of me. Now I channel it into different things: <a href="http://www.therunformula.com/" target="_blank">The Run Formula</a>, which is my baby; family and friends; new athletic goals - mountain biking (Xterra?), trying to break 3 hours in the marathon, <a href="https://www.northeasthikes.com/the-pemi-loop-hike/" target="_blank">Pemi Loop</a> with my boss, going after a sub 20 minute 1650 in the pool. Oh and maybe watching a little tv, hanging out at my favorite place (The Villa - duh!), and sleeping in every now and then. Life on the other side ain't bad at all.<br />
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Blogging doesn't seem like a thing people do anymore. Maybe I'll do it anyway, because I'll have to share my pictures of my mountain biking bruises somewhere! Or maybe I won't. That's the thing about retirement - you do what you want, when you want to. :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVi2ylcFmyYeT_po1Waf-069ZHODqWl-CKmOYMHClt-xNbmb_13WNarboTDit-ctX1kjeJjuaUcBiXzbHVWcvYcYopDaH9SXGvDMKMF54QpXUufOEBj1puS3oLKPhdepNGoX1CwGKel4/s1600/IMG_1536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="901" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVi2ylcFmyYeT_po1Waf-069ZHODqWl-CKmOYMHClt-xNbmb_13WNarboTDit-ctX1kjeJjuaUcBiXzbHVWcvYcYopDaH9SXGvDMKMF54QpXUufOEBj1puS3oLKPhdepNGoX1CwGKel4/s400/IMG_1536.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who doesn't love pizza and a coke after a 70.3? My last, in Augusta, Georgia in September.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_m1rnONjDqNJZb_FYMqkWH1TjVh1Oi-zy8Hj3N7u1BN7y665FUyqKRLcBla93Y8XorEeEJZNsaQMp90Z3Rm07kvcEHHUGtM1QUIg7cO7mL_HBgFqEFe_8xIcZdUMGJvZ8Yh3xbXD0BA/s1600/IMG_2066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_m1rnONjDqNJZb_FYMqkWH1TjVh1Oi-zy8Hj3N7u1BN7y665FUyqKRLcBla93Y8XorEeEJZNsaQMp90Z3Rm07kvcEHHUGtM1QUIg7cO7mL_HBgFqEFe_8xIcZdUMGJvZ8Yh3xbXD0BA/s400/IMG_2066.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After IM Louisville, we did Louisville things.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ebjeoOYmgd_UItGXPQGK-WKKL9tpkiLJYKEIgvE_RLPzVM9QY-PlU4skDxpVdoe3DkyOeUdDFnDdSv28oKnA_ExidYSH5yOIgAcyofhb_yQAxRgGdXGnhkIl42NqkSi6nvyxcxMQxJA/s1600/IMG_1777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ebjeoOYmgd_UItGXPQGK-WKKL9tpkiLJYKEIgvE_RLPzVM9QY-PlU4skDxpVdoe3DkyOeUdDFnDdSv28oKnA_ExidYSH5yOIgAcyofhb_yQAxRgGdXGnhkIl42NqkSi6nvyxcxMQxJA/s400/IMG_1777.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my all time favorite races (why, I'm not sure - it's always miserably hot), Eagleman 70.3, this year. With some of my favorite friends in the world that I've been racing with for ages. :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLJzeKJLH7MrsC4Mjo1uPB8KviUUZkrAj5XxAE4M7bDSay__orbQkl8lefvOs4HGjPCFU_chRsOjCLoigeedD-D6GBWXcSdQFlvP9v8Jv7jlMHqloFGzmCaA4-HkCArHXhIHsqagkUfY/s1600/IMG_1714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLJzeKJLH7MrsC4Mjo1uPB8KviUUZkrAj5XxAE4M7bDSay__orbQkl8lefvOs4HGjPCFU_chRsOjCLoigeedD-D6GBWXcSdQFlvP9v8Jv7jlMHqloFGzmCaA4-HkCArHXhIHsqagkUfY/s400/IMG_1714.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okay, pizza and a coke after a race is great, but burger, fries and milkshake with Kim after a race - EVEN BETTER! Chattanooga 70.3 in May.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSsTnSae0FHPnRdv9h5k-QVM9eH8V_m9Ro0vqDZPOq2cbcT9Mhpf7W-TddE71gtyUQ5MN1ax2ZLi661kR1YEuz5uDHmFahMQd1uWzA3z4aTxOPagFSbEG1JkkuULu_x9Sa90ZnStga-M/s1600/IMG_1916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSsTnSae0FHPnRdv9h5k-QVM9eH8V_m9Ro0vqDZPOq2cbcT9Mhpf7W-TddE71gtyUQ5MN1ax2ZLi661kR1YEuz5uDHmFahMQd1uWzA3z4aTxOPagFSbEG1JkkuULu_x9Sa90ZnStga-M/s400/IMG_1916.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steelhead 70.3 in August. Amber and I laughed so hard my stomach hurt. :)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMxxj_X5DQsuWZwuT1GQiHn9_w7199q4h5Jq9mWqpk6xMAVGuY3LFaNu5agctoyLiCyiL9EyKX6yuktOjDJ28h7ct_nedOSFyswVEmqIesfVxfPYitRE-15LNT9716vjsvtMTk7dQPA8/s1600/IMG_1848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMxxj_X5DQsuWZwuT1GQiHn9_w7199q4h5Jq9mWqpk6xMAVGuY3LFaNu5agctoyLiCyiL9EyKX6yuktOjDJ28h7ct_nedOSFyswVEmqIesfVxfPYitRE-15LNT9716vjsvtMTk7dQPA8/s400/IMG_1848.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These two.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zYrX-N5IADFj9fHN6sWvLEwb-I9tCMgWcYNttkNJp-Up-Cx93UfA6bGpZLEz_b8bnJk2NNlB0oNWxHP6_hS9nrcW83qyqauBPS3Wh18CLdvGOu63vpDCYHc_wMVcqVhH-A53vp5Ksu0/s1600/IMG_1679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zYrX-N5IADFj9fHN6sWvLEwb-I9tCMgWcYNttkNJp-Up-Cx93UfA6bGpZLEz_b8bnJk2NNlB0oNWxHP6_hS9nrcW83qyqauBPS3Wh18CLdvGOu63vpDCYHc_wMVcqVhH-A53vp5Ksu0/s400/IMG_1679.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Run Formula Vermont Trail Camp! More of this fun to come!</td></tr>
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Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16247635973514495690noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576474175047022633.post-76192255377026918142017-03-30T13:50:00.002-07:002017-03-30T13:50:35.923-07:00Do people still blog?Because apparently I don't. At least not very often! The other day one of those memories came up on Facebook and it was from what seemed like a lifetime ago (really only 4 or 5 years ago) and a comment was made "remember when Instagram and twitter and social media didn't really exist and we all just blogged instead?" Right! The good old days! (but I do kinda like Instagram...)<br />
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ANYWAY, my blog was looking a little sad since I hadn't updated it for almost 4 months so I decided I'd write an entry. I'm not ready to give up the good old days just yet, I suppose.<br />
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What has happened since I last raced, in Texas, in November? Not that much. Or maybe a lot? That's what happens when you don't blog for 4 months - you forget what happened! So we'll let the pictures from my cell phone tell the story... :)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnRR5HY47W_PKe4g169deQ7wO0hZc-ZaAL4UjlR2nHgm6M9D9BgoVON95br7jId_1xxdAtPuolvlfmZ_SAtEXAOPi1ZIN45OXMajaPXrUUxQhLC5XRfOQT0AA1ao-9hd3HQfYf0CG2gw/s1600/IMG_1442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnRR5HY47W_PKe4g169deQ7wO0hZc-ZaAL4UjlR2nHgm6M9D9BgoVON95br7jId_1xxdAtPuolvlfmZ_SAtEXAOPi1ZIN45OXMajaPXrUUxQhLC5XRfOQT0AA1ao-9hd3HQfYf0CG2gw/s400/IMG_1442.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Christmas Day I went mountain biking with John. It was warm and awesome and I didn't crash (badly). WIN WIN!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zMC4A79l3N-1o9F4DoXdg2inIJbqPlUnSMQNAjkeJiGr66cYyCrJyHf3oVQxAp45dsjqPa6qr2pBWnMDFgcudoUzbmWgWNMnvkNtPc0kRPwepXRDeNH1T_r4PQTBQADrh-p9R-697D8/s1600/IMG_1459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zMC4A79l3N-1o9F4DoXdg2inIJbqPlUnSMQNAjkeJiGr66cYyCrJyHf3oVQxAp45dsjqPa6qr2pBWnMDFgcudoUzbmWgWNMnvkNtPc0kRPwepXRDeNH1T_r4PQTBQADrh-p9R-697D8/s400/IMG_1459.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For New Year's we went to Burlington, my first time in Vermont. And we saw the world's tallest filing cabinet. Because why not? :)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharr1Ubd5Rtvv02k4UwcNtY6oirKyeJuRDDJccdvkK57P1_Tb9glWIGiM-_S19AvfTz2i1tXJSIm8XtJAvCCsv2Qj1g5L4auiR4c6zUdL7Zg7cXIjZB2p0GhblxcvXrrQ0XJTbk7E5Jkc/s1600/IMG_1480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharr1Ubd5Rtvv02k4UwcNtY6oirKyeJuRDDJccdvkK57P1_Tb9glWIGiM-_S19AvfTz2i1tXJSIm8XtJAvCCsv2Qj1g5L4auiR4c6zUdL7Zg7cXIjZB2p0GhblxcvXrrQ0XJTbk7E5Jkc/s400/IMG_1480.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I started training "for real" again some time in December or January. I wasn't very fit.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYN60iyALXleY-aMsupHneRZmdLAPdkKjX3-EvJROguR2gUdf84qMPzjhzrPwWAG4mN6znWQ4DqEY0eDh8wgihKMoq80O9MJn8PAm1Q051c0lb5_41fHiZIxlavWjbLN_PAzjYeD7gwJE/s1600/IMG_1499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYN60iyALXleY-aMsupHneRZmdLAPdkKjX3-EvJROguR2gUdf84qMPzjhzrPwWAG4mN6znWQ4DqEY0eDh8wgihKMoq80O9MJn8PAm1Q051c0lb5_41fHiZIxlavWjbLN_PAzjYeD7gwJE/s400/IMG_1499.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I went to my first Bruins game! With John, who is very suspect of selfies.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4eeCPCS3mLLBGn_MMCZ95AtsQ3qcDcY1Xf1AFZFjZr4hWJzGIcpy3278ZLgvbHvC4P0mmSq7kFr5Ngv5lfCH9ksiHdDwZrtdZYvTG7vi59rt1pIkjcNIsMohuRjnfCFp2mo4iqS0RbRI/s1600/IMG_1515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4eeCPCS3mLLBGn_MMCZ95AtsQ3qcDcY1Xf1AFZFjZr4hWJzGIcpy3278ZLgvbHvC4P0mmSq7kFr5Ngv5lfCH9ksiHdDwZrtdZYvTG7vi59rt1pIkjcNIsMohuRjnfCFp2mo4iqS0RbRI/s400/IMG_1515.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And I got a new race bike! She's fast and furious and ready to roll, thanks to my bike mechanic/fitter extraordinaire!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj551OXoT6cuWHZ9ix7YzvW6hmaI1GsaWjmjFDWXFFHnLRjLJkrFkiepXn2t1HKSIH_9BICkpEKWUCXuljzb55TPSAmuhuCKNr_IlnshS5vo8YmgLt0cgh3QdQnI5D72MzsrH-WkIjTX-w/s1600/IMG_1523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj551OXoT6cuWHZ9ix7YzvW6hmaI1GsaWjmjFDWXFFHnLRjLJkrFkiepXn2t1HKSIH_9BICkpEKWUCXuljzb55TPSAmuhuCKNr_IlnshS5vo8YmgLt0cgh3QdQnI5D72MzsrH-WkIjTX-w/s400/IMG_1523.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then I went to Florida for QT2 pro camp. I got to ride my bike outside in the sun with awesome people.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ugM4J85xsbs0601L6vVf7PQoHiCOiyAZcfxxj_5s2KKaZhwyvjVJ5iTw3FBa7g0AGb7-RjSs1X6BAANK6zbKrWDCBcmOD_OE5Ir9MZLLJYAXPZLcYJmczmW3D6jDnPhq_xJvyomw__0/s1600/IMG_1527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ugM4J85xsbs0601L6vVf7PQoHiCOiyAZcfxxj_5s2KKaZhwyvjVJ5iTw3FBa7g0AGb7-RjSs1X6BAANK6zbKrWDCBcmOD_OE5Ir9MZLLJYAXPZLcYJmczmW3D6jDnPhq_xJvyomw__0/s400/IMG_1527.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had a meltdown (or two) at camp. I went in unfit and it was hard. Like REALLY hard.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWZRxoFW-eoePZBUg_WdHqeP-S7YJAsDu4j4V-WbNfRc-Uv49Qktb75qDGQ4mMBATW-9Vk12830q9CGSbf9-IPFAVKdwulSBdx5Dt3R6-MED4lgR526AHU1OWkE5taqRqKiRLRJ_oYQI/s1600/IMG_1554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWZRxoFW-eoePZBUg_WdHqeP-S7YJAsDu4j4V-WbNfRc-Uv49Qktb75qDGQ4mMBATW-9Vk12830q9CGSbf9-IPFAVKdwulSBdx5Dt3R6-MED4lgR526AHU1OWkE5taqRqKiRLRJ_oYQI/s400/IMG_1554.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But there's only one way back to fitness and that's a painful, long road that involves a lot of hard work. Thankfully I had awesome, fun teammates for 3 weeks to help with this process.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1bDF3Y47GiYFSwLcmLcZXuFs5eBwdh0lBGIXzD1j-7CWQHTzuYXhVhqfPpftEW4M-alOJrqRKcb4g1bV8c3uTbEJYr1_KOMOltS_9-vmZIUOLFto2LKuEsAI36OINxja8eF5rfc2BH0/s1600/IMG_1561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1bDF3Y47GiYFSwLcmLcZXuFs5eBwdh0lBGIXzD1j-7CWQHTzuYXhVhqfPpftEW4M-alOJrqRKcb4g1bV8c3uTbEJYr1_KOMOltS_9-vmZIUOLFto2LKuEsAI36OINxja8eF5rfc2BH0/s400/IMG_1561.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had my best day of camp on the last day. We swam long and hard and then ran 18x800. I stopped thinking and just told myself to stick with Jennie. So for 9 miles, that's what I did. Somewhere along the way, I decided that I'm not done with this sport just yet. It was an important decision.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9M3JeNRZ1vR43gv6aMxTHTrrkGgEx0Iu8EnIpJOxhMW831aJa5ryeiAlH0CWGkMLlNdoIoilseGnFqFPFhgIW2QB7Ah5VceXeQKANqq41b9FdqvVAWyGqoa3NplGVmKT57h2lZG0W5K4/s1600/IMG_1568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9M3JeNRZ1vR43gv6aMxTHTrrkGgEx0Iu8EnIpJOxhMW831aJa5ryeiAlH0CWGkMLlNdoIoilseGnFqFPFhgIW2QB7Ah5VceXeQKANqq41b9FdqvVAWyGqoa3NplGVmKT57h2lZG0W5K4/s400/IMG_1568.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then I came home and it snowed in Massachusetts. Not surprising. But my fitness was way better than when I left. Also, not surprising.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EPA70J5QrJ0hX7aDGDG00vlJ_44e35a7dM8JyK93olqJKVMRAuzaDpRc6WEWm38nQgFgdHjNmpq7jecNiSENaf3ZYa8BaULBIRAWBD8z0cjXV9UlXL9jS7wHwrohfUtJkOXtx04a1t0/s1600/IMG_1588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EPA70J5QrJ0hX7aDGDG00vlJ_44e35a7dM8JyK93olqJKVMRAuzaDpRc6WEWm38nQgFgdHjNmpq7jecNiSENaf3ZYa8BaULBIRAWBD8z0cjXV9UlXL9jS7wHwrohfUtJkOXtx04a1t0/s400/IMG_1588.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And THEN, this past weekend, The Run Formula had a Boston Marathon training camp! I had a blast with these awesome campers. They inspired me and made me laugh and they all crushed it. I want to run the marathon now too.</td></tr>
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And that pretty much brings us to the current! Oh, I ran a half marathon in there somewhere too. It went well. I ran fast and then we turned into the wind and I ran slow. All in all, just about right. :) First race of the season is Chattanooga 70.3! I even went so far as to get plane tickets to TN so this is HAPPENING. Blog report to follow. Eventually... :)Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16247635973514495690noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576474175047022633.post-35004392946298726122016-11-05T07:21:00.001-07:002016-11-05T07:24:10.275-07:00Austin 69.1Last Sunday I toed the line for the final race of my 2016 season. It was a fun little adventure.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUc0iSRIkLQUh4aySVywXbmFgrepJ9QhLjy4AYe3Q-OYjoIchct-_8mAtpVDFS2LiD6AdSsarL4BKKOS-j2BNxglMjFb-0JqynlMR7iWy6InAPFs1XEzuBjnAOGshda97eqHvzsqwSwc/s1600/IMG_1293.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUc0iSRIkLQUh4aySVywXbmFgrepJ9QhLjy4AYe3Q-OYjoIchct-_8mAtpVDFS2LiD6AdSsarL4BKKOS-j2BNxglMjFb-0JqynlMR7iWy6InAPFs1XEzuBjnAOGshda97eqHvzsqwSwc/s400/IMG_1293.PNG" width="225" /></a></div>
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The race itself got a little delayed because of fog. As in you couldn't tell where the water/lake was, let alone where the buoys were. So, as you can see in the picture above, we sat around for a while. I mostly thought about how badly I had to pee. And also how I REALLY didn't want the swim to be cancelled. I'm obviously not a great swimmer. But I'm not a bad one either. I'm one of those people that isn't really good at anything, but isn't really bad at anything. A cancelled swim leaves me in roughly the same spot as I would have been with one. So really I just wanted to put all my hard swim practices and early morning masters wake-ups to good use.<br />
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No such luck. The swim was cancelled. So onto a TT bike start it was!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIxUeuPuWS9c1-RaaoCa-3qgefe6V5lgJ_xt5DohiHluF-VG3Ukam3s_7t8gFaVF6Gd419upbeVCPZyuFG4IfFk1gguIsNt476fn-Jyg2kujCzlF9bQvnEy3y-Jgj_gWRk1Ve8uXAJBE/s1600/IMG_1283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIxUeuPuWS9c1-RaaoCa-3qgefe6V5lgJ_xt5DohiHluF-VG3Ukam3s_7t8gFaVF6Gd419upbeVCPZyuFG4IfFk1gguIsNt476fn-Jyg2kujCzlF9bQvnEy3y-Jgj_gWRk1Ve8uXAJBE/s400/IMG_1283.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stretching my arms before starting the bike. Because that's obviously very important. :)</td></tr>
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Because my last name is Shutt and that's at the end of the alphabet, I got to start almost last in the pro women's field. I liked this a lot because I like to chase people. Much harder, in my opinion, to race off the front. <br />
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So chase is what I did. I haven't been riding well all year but my cycling legs came alive a little for this race. Not quite up to last year's standards but MUCH better and closer than I've been all year! That made me happy. <br />
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Because of the TT start, I wasn't quite sure where I was in the race off the bike. We had started at 30 second intervals. I had caught some people. Some people where still ahead, or were they? Who knows. Just run hard and keep as cool as you can is all I told myself. <br />
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It was hot by the run. Like really hot. Like high 80s hot. Last time I did this race there were record lows. This time, record highs. What can I say, I like to go to extremes. :)<br />
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As the run progressed, I knew this - Jeanni (my QT2 teammate) was going to win by a lot. Jennie (also my QT2 teammate) and I were really close. And Kelly (not a QT2 teammate) was running me down and if I didn't let her get toooooo far ahead, I could probably still beat her (she started 4.5 minutes ahead of me on the bike). But dang was she running fast (as usual). There was a lot of mental math going on when I was really, really hot and tired. Every time I saw John he told me to "stay in it, people are all over the place" and that was very true. In the end, Jennie beat me by about a minute and I barely squeaked it out over Kelly. Third place. I'll take it! Plus that meant QT2 went 1-2-3! I was very proud of that (and really glad I wasn't the reason we didn't do it!).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvadlYQpHM91H0GfzJ3uYkAETRWNZBXJ7unjCbwCoSmLRhZfBHld01RnKnRBkW76Ao3-x5F5cQvuvAmNqkkk6P3aUi2DM9nDXygQiZ7h0EdLorl2ifEGWBAwuQDeF7LDCiTqxuNIv7Q9k/s1600/IMG_1748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvadlYQpHM91H0GfzJ3uYkAETRWNZBXJ7unjCbwCoSmLRhZfBHld01RnKnRBkW76Ao3-x5F5cQvuvAmNqkkk6P3aUi2DM9nDXygQiZ7h0EdLorl2ifEGWBAwuQDeF7LDCiTqxuNIv7Q9k/s400/IMG_1748.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See you at camp in the winter, girls! Let's just hope it's a little cooler.</td></tr>
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I deemed this a fine way to end my season. It's been a rough one, but in the end, when I DID get to race, I enjoyed it and it turned out pretty well. <br />
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Mostly I was excited about the fact that for one of the first times ever, I was staying after a race to explore the city and see what Austin was all about! That's one thing I regret over my years of racing. I've always just come home directly after races. Which means I've been to tons of great places, but never really seen any of them. That's kind of sad! <br />
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So over the next three days, John and I ate and drank our way through Austin. It was awesome! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ol4Nl38H3w0YDW3MPSZOnWzdV0-7mz8z5ExjKHGd46Lwv5yy9eh57kfpP_YQXPPxT1GNtCyZgT8teaL_niNZT5BeAt1ePq4YrW7KrisaY2R3twtzh-QW8T2K7E3Bk5x-PiAbhyKI4FA/s1600/IMG_1287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ol4Nl38H3w0YDW3MPSZOnWzdV0-7mz8z5ExjKHGd46Lwv5yy9eh57kfpP_YQXPPxT1GNtCyZgT8teaL_niNZT5BeAt1ePq4YrW7KrisaY2R3twtzh-QW8T2K7E3Bk5x-PiAbhyKI4FA/s400/IMG_1287.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Austin is a beautiful city on a lake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib52hh3vigJNij6Q0NFh2sjPyecgdW5369BsDWB0xtnWNI_6IiFcqjET3jtIXAo4mgpWugVCrdVw1WrQrh3zu5a9zVD5JZyjirl2mGXdq0r2jaEE4zyPLEMv2XBQ6ELGj9-Cu6XvB6AVc/s1600/IMG_1289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib52hh3vigJNij6Q0NFh2sjPyecgdW5369BsDWB0xtnWNI_6IiFcqjET3jtIXAo4mgpWugVCrdVw1WrQrh3zu5a9zVD5JZyjirl2mGXdq0r2jaEE4zyPLEMv2XBQ6ELGj9-Cu6XvB6AVc/s400/IMG_1289.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graffiti words of wisdom. #nevergiveup</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCh2Hn0zdscXifd-3CmXnspJ-pW1qRFUpvfPq4ygv2_Lbgav-1w3COzvQ5eN0xrjdXY38Yd4TfBEMRPUKoZXQXN6fJv1xcx7mOo_mpVxnyY7KCYnKjk5JUHY5m_BEmcT2Y-2K8eusQxg/s1600/IMG_1290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCh2Hn0zdscXifd-3CmXnspJ-pW1qRFUpvfPq4ygv2_Lbgav-1w3COzvQ5eN0xrjdXY38Yd4TfBEMRPUKoZXQXN6fJv1xcx7mOo_mpVxnyY7KCYnKjk5JUHY5m_BEmcT2Y-2K8eusQxg/s400/IMG_1290.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We took a boat tour at night and got to see the bats under the bat bridge! So. Many. Bats.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYtyoW7lovNH9e4VlyV7WVUuaDFC9vikD-UKmHpzsR4k2b_Y-JfdSkNuU-g7IXh9OWTTjv9R65nLyR2Q8qIbJ9qxSwa5V-oyL7GqjnePeTRIhVM3mqVdsMlTm3FSpmFzlhjzikM9jFGU/s1600/IMG_1295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYtyoW7lovNH9e4VlyV7WVUuaDFC9vikD-UKmHpzsR4k2b_Y-JfdSkNuU-g7IXh9OWTTjv9R65nLyR2Q8qIbJ9qxSwa5V-oyL7GqjnePeTRIhVM3mqVdsMlTm3FSpmFzlhjzikM9jFGU/s400/IMG_1295.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went canoeing! And by that I mean, John paddled and I sat in the front and put my feet in the water.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh084EWpWAlw6dvZIy6gauWYXEwK2omjjMPtXPwWPZBlfcXSXCJdDmg-Vow8wYzLi761SaKEIFUgERM1SwAknzJ-SEfqYVT6UwwpWxavaiKp6iLSJlM_HR8WQIqJP2rwvTQxjtJyS4165A/s1600/IMG_1294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh084EWpWAlw6dvZIy6gauWYXEwK2omjjMPtXPwWPZBlfcXSXCJdDmg-Vow8wYzLi761SaKEIFUgERM1SwAknzJ-SEfqYVT6UwwpWxavaiKp6iLSJlM_HR8WQIqJP2rwvTQxjtJyS4165A/s400/IMG_1294.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So. Many. Turtles.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrOBMXAO7Euq4WNjtTDU-zfaPBON3KFO6ob1sccZP1DpfNs8ZzkbU9CnxUdxwoJdcvbJqCjZJ1l9ns7lvhkc0LXxRHC41Dyj34Eqd-qteIj1pb14yj6sQW398SqBXhAvAPZt70naRBgk/s1600/IMG_1286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrOBMXAO7Euq4WNjtTDU-zfaPBON3KFO6ob1sccZP1DpfNs8ZzkbU9CnxUdxwoJdcvbJqCjZJ1l9ns7lvhkc0LXxRHC41Dyj34Eqd-qteIj1pb14yj6sQW398SqBXhAvAPZt70naRBgk/s400/IMG_1286.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Voodoo Donuts! On Halloween of all days!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6xqNX2uXRT3K2QcApD0A88WCsacXHODC2NGwfMv1lvRSmUY29KjqqyVitns-RvYgLW1jYERgWEP1zPbfK-9otTQp7v4pv1UGGua1TjM474p4AEaw__G2-OjzhS6YfVoV7sX6lYYfVr0/s1600/IMG_1279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6xqNX2uXRT3K2QcApD0A88WCsacXHODC2NGwfMv1lvRSmUY29KjqqyVitns-RvYgLW1jYERgWEP1zPbfK-9otTQp7v4pv1UGGua1TjM474p4AEaw__G2-OjzhS6YfVoV7sX6lYYfVr0/s400/IMG_1279.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vicki, my gracious homestay and friend, took me to Magnolia Cafe before the race. It was awesome! Thanks for everything, Vicki!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDnjf2JzE13GCfEi967S6mGzKUecubtlXTaykTMsrrw1hD2QFDbq73hWPZKjTvRn4hjNLyGSa9M8qyTr7tjqz0tVe03XISWS7P6vefi7QYyQSq1fGw3Mg2FkUteAhPDGSQL0mwD7ZGLs/s1600/IMG_1278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDnjf2JzE13GCfEi967S6mGzKUecubtlXTaykTMsrrw1hD2QFDbq73hWPZKjTvRn4hjNLyGSa9M8qyTr7tjqz0tVe03XISWS7P6vefi7QYyQSq1fGw3Mg2FkUteAhPDGSQL0mwD7ZGLs/s400/IMG_1278.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She warned me that the pancakes were big. I didn't fully appreciate this until I tried to eat two of them. I was defeated.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHl2mU8MiCFBpUHXpPkJDz3fQmXpbFxOfK__vqJua6SQ-BFTrn8nqOChJD_75Js9wzggl6o3gIzqSu16DjnD23_niKYnm79bf2UYA9MC-Afyd_BslKyQBC__fIbzMz_UJUZ0TqOudF87E/s1600/IMG_1275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHl2mU8MiCFBpUHXpPkJDz3fQmXpbFxOfK__vqJua6SQ-BFTrn8nqOChJD_75Js9wzggl6o3gIzqSu16DjnD23_niKYnm79bf2UYA9MC-Afyd_BslKyQBC__fIbzMz_UJUZ0TqOudF87E/s400/IMG_1275.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Izzie. Best homestay dog ever. My, what long ears you have!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJlwZL1fCdWwjxwUy5cMptIjI-rJ2wc8hviMkJ_bRfAr_cjr8ci3VLecgjxvFWR6pZSHsfrebd98q4CYyMtyiWlunKEHDZbA9PuuCCqEuzwdGQ072pXfoZE4qDSIuCHYMC7vyonUxXYk/s1600/IMG_1746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJlwZL1fCdWwjxwUy5cMptIjI-rJ2wc8hviMkJ_bRfAr_cjr8ci3VLecgjxvFWR6pZSHsfrebd98q4CYyMtyiWlunKEHDZbA9PuuCCqEuzwdGQ072pXfoZE4qDSIuCHYMC7vyonUxXYk/s400/IMG_1746.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always an honor to race with these strong women.</td></tr>
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So that's a wrap on 2016! I thought long and hard about racing in 2017. There were certainly times that I was pretty convinced this would be my last year racing as a pro. Mostly because my body fought me a lot this year and at some point you have to ask, "am I just too old to do this anymore at this level?" The trouble is, I still REALLY love to race. And I still feel competitive. And well, I just really love to race. I have so much support and a busy, yet good lifestyle to continue to train. So I will. I'm not sure what TYPES of races 2017 has in store, but for sure, I plan on being on some more starting lines. On most days I curse this sport but I'm not ready to give it up just yet!<br />
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Biggest thanks to a lot of people who keep me running (literally and figuratively). A great group of sponsors - Coeur, QR, Rudy Project, Normatec. My actual family who has put up with my shenanigans for years. My QT2 family who REALLY are like family. The Snows and my 441 family who have been through all the ups and downs of the past couple years with me and have made me laugh and smile despite it all. And John and the Peterson family - it is said that a happy athlete is a fast athlete and if that's the case, thank you for making me so fast. I have a lot of really amazing people in my life. <br />
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So now it's time to mountain bike! If my next post is about my broken arm, you'll know why! :)Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16247635973514495690noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576474175047022633.post-7903200679929511892016-10-22T12:44:00.001-07:002016-10-22T12:44:58.712-07:00SOMEone's Got Some Catching Up To Do.So. I've gone and not blogged for a while. #badbeth I will try to make up for this with lots of pictures. #nobodyreadsthewordsanyway<br />
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Since I last wrote, I caught a cooking bug. Don't worry, it didn't last long. I'm back to eating cereal for dinner.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qkn4x6CDeIr0AG3YR2Lf6eh99uwj9WbIR64lC40Sjbmb4WaPWWN4n8XpDMSSQM3m07OFvlPr-wCjlFa_1h1JxXCt7eQa5-U6mHX0ptOmdg-hMCVN485d_RqTNhCgK2hoGnmLgqykuho/s1600/IMG_1200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qkn4x6CDeIr0AG3YR2Lf6eh99uwj9WbIR64lC40Sjbmb4WaPWWN4n8XpDMSSQM3m07OFvlPr-wCjlFa_1h1JxXCt7eQa5-U6mHX0ptOmdg-hMCVN485d_RqTNhCgK2hoGnmLgqykuho/s400/IMG_1200.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soup. It was good. I had to google how to mince garlic.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtp2dmeAckSNgVhdErfnvyCIK5Hbkjjbv2btlYi8Bv0j2cQgKUaHPL6xL_qoU0uJ3dxKAMmNJpa7NZ6j8hJi7ONmpx1tT5JaIF16pzSoNDQrNoGwa3tzW7FqjPL6mXOfqIv8d6VKYz54/s1600/IMG_1245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtp2dmeAckSNgVhdErfnvyCIK5Hbkjjbv2btlYi8Bv0j2cQgKUaHPL6xL_qoU0uJ3dxKAMmNJpa7NZ6j8hJi7ONmpx1tT5JaIF16pzSoNDQrNoGwa3tzW7FqjPL6mXOfqIv8d6VKYz54/s400/IMG_1245.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Shalane Flanagan's cook book. It was also good. Get the book. Make the lasagna.</td></tr>
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Also, we went to Kait and Matt's wedding. It was fun. Matt and Kait looked great and there was dancing and food and good company. What more could you ask for.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWk5RV5JvK2RCwZb9lAnuc54J_3iLWg_aFI41jvjnsxF8H6VETDcnhKyWkhcbvhkIsqtpMi3_750365p8Rhr_dX5eRrarowv4jbh5bgrBylmST65KNWjQMva6bC-xHqY3e4ysQIsS68A/s1600/IMG_1147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWk5RV5JvK2RCwZb9lAnuc54J_3iLWg_aFI41jvjnsxF8H6VETDcnhKyWkhcbvhkIsqtpMi3_750365p8Rhr_dX5eRrarowv4jbh5bgrBylmST65KNWjQMva6bC-xHqY3e4ysQIsS68A/s400/IMG_1147.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes we don't wear cycling clothes.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjcQ-fHv3-WhzSmylDM46xceUAqmQ8rHRk9sVg6tyShibKy18GZX9k1LzkAaiOcHMn5i8rxVrDvcJhZAs_j_K7cHbVcmSo5N5VwRuE5VLGW3APRalQyfiLpVcKPjEvWd0wSEhWPvj6TXI/s1600/IMG_1161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjcQ-fHv3-WhzSmylDM46xceUAqmQ8rHRk9sVg6tyShibKy18GZX9k1LzkAaiOcHMn5i8rxVrDvcJhZAs_j_K7cHbVcmSo5N5VwRuE5VLGW3APRalQyfiLpVcKPjEvWd0wSEhWPvj6TXI/s400/IMG_1161.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls. Largely outfitted by Lauren.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIp3fPc70gXEORzdioT-n6wAKx2Eki4fcueGZ6RKttTMfo0rR6gm9G6AOQ9gyRk01fL-gBIqtJmKnVn7iobOKKUoUxx1yj0YKrkvrYRHS5BosAAtYS1LeAb271pCPTXcwOlAs216fWTM/s1600/IMG_1167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIp3fPc70gXEORzdioT-n6wAKx2Eki4fcueGZ6RKttTMfo0rR6gm9G6AOQ9gyRk01fL-gBIqtJmKnVn7iobOKKUoUxx1yj0YKrkvrYRHS5BosAAtYS1LeAb271pCPTXcwOlAs216fWTM/s400/IMG_1167.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The guys. Also largely outfitted by Lauren.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHaLq8jKKy5_i8WIMdpiU4oJfS63HXFbK4WbWpE-ZViGyC5kpG1_ImTgkwPf6VJ2-FdzNETEUCqHEhPFc9GDWKN4ZR4_y-c3ToJCKdB_YE_x7g4uOM2Qw9aU5ZS_RejxmN83Uk0XrbSQ/s1600/IMG_1175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHaLq8jKKy5_i8WIMdpiU4oJfS63HXFbK4WbWpE-ZViGyC5kpG1_ImTgkwPf6VJ2-FdzNETEUCqHEhPFc9GDWKN4ZR4_y-c3ToJCKdB_YE_x7g4uOM2Qw9aU5ZS_RejxmN83Uk0XrbSQ/s400/IMG_1175.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 441. I got yelled out for using the wrong finger for the "1". #mypeople</td></tr>
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Also, cross season started. One day I'd like to try it, but honestly, spectating cross is probably more fun than anything else...<br />
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Also, I ran a few races! It was super fun to get back to my running roots.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFO_ytPpFIDBZW0NfU1qWQfzPIB68jjSzeYuvoMU2tlDaAZE4mgj3rCXNQVvoa2yV8LUJrRhhYxqEuWWFRsqjgv62M8BBuGKDwiyKpgoFDgCTor4EJAdnAFJ6f3mXZ5p7rGe2EURO8Ta8/s1600/IMG_1141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFO_ytPpFIDBZW0NfU1qWQfzPIB68jjSzeYuvoMU2tlDaAZE4mgj3rCXNQVvoa2yV8LUJrRhhYxqEuWWFRsqjgv62M8BBuGKDwiyKpgoFDgCTor4EJAdnAFJ6f3mXZ5p7rGe2EURO8Ta8/s400/IMG_1141.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First, a 4 miler. John never runs but somehow managed 6:10 pace with me. What the heck? It was fun and we got coffee cake for our efforts. Can't ask for much more.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0-EWBTnfgl87I_wCrYmhPoVlmvUEl997ad1V0zrkSBlIvvNqwuprSXhvaznlk0QLl-F0d0-xYON883aZnXrTq7zQs5bDEiP2GeQXzrjb0PD9I-dGbDWB-gvl8Tm99JEDhRaJMQa2Qbc/s1600/IMG_1196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0-EWBTnfgl87I_wCrYmhPoVlmvUEl997ad1V0zrkSBlIvvNqwuprSXhvaznlk0QLl-F0d0-xYON883aZnXrTq7zQs5bDEiP2GeQXzrjb0PD9I-dGbDWB-gvl8Tm99JEDhRaJMQa2Qbc/s400/IMG_1196.JPG" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then I ran a half marathon a few weeks later. 1:23 which is equal to my PR from about 10,000 years ago. I was surprised and happy with the outcome.<br /></td></tr>
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Also, we went camping. On the ONE weekend of the year that it rained THE ENTIRE WEEKEND. #oops. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfW4P0TbSJ4wqEiGMJGI4ASETP0bH_cUK7_ce4Osr_zjkxwuK95vh7vbEl_XPAj23hphnosCbT-MdWDP5UQjtBy7nxvke4XLhenL1sWaGuxMTSirr1hjAyeoP2ZnKkjE_ivcRm9rvCoU/s1600/IMG_1229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfW4P0TbSJ4wqEiGMJGI4ASETP0bH_cUK7_ce4Osr_zjkxwuK95vh7vbEl_XPAj23hphnosCbT-MdWDP5UQjtBy7nxvke4XLhenL1sWaGuxMTSirr1hjAyeoP2ZnKkjE_ivcRm9rvCoU/s400/IMG_1229.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John rode his mountain bike. And got a little wet and dirty. I stayed in the van. :)<br /></td></tr>
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So that's that! Next weekend I'm racing the Austin 70.3 and then we are staying for a few extra days to explore the city. I'm excited about this. Last time I did Austin I went straight home. #nofun</div>
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And then I'll be done with my season. But I already bought winter cycling tights AND winter cycling shoes. Me and my road bike have a date! </div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16247635973514495690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576474175047022633.post-42265165141145969412016-09-12T12:18:00.002-07:002016-09-12T12:23:14.756-07:00Pumpkinman v2.0<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This past weekend two of my very favorite races happened - Ironman Wisconsin and Pumpkinman Half Ironman. Two very different feels - one an Ironman branded race that has all the Ironman bells and whistles, and the other - a local race with plenty of it's own special touches that has an awesome, grassroots feel to it.</div>
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Ironman Wisconsin was originally on the docket, but, as discussed in my last blog entry, axed after I caught the plague.<br />
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The plague eventually went away and I got back to a tiny bit of training and so, my new light at the end of the tunnel became Pumpkinman. A full distance race didn't seem like a great idea but a half distance race was doable and could make for a great training day/reintroduction into going hard. If you can't do one of your favorite races, well why not do the other!<br />
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Luckily, Kat, the Pumpkinman race director, was kind enough to allow me into the race last minute. And right there is one of the best parts of Pumpkinman. It's the kind of race where everyone knows the race director and she's there cheering you up the (nasty) hill from the water to transition and she's there to give you a hug at the end of the day and she's...well, she's just everywhere. For every last participant.<br />
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The race itself got a little crazy. It started well with a solid (for me) swim. I spent the first loop of the 2 loop course SPRINTING to keep on some feet I had found (elite men and women start together so I had some feet to choose from!). Then on the second loop those feet either slowed down or I finally caught my breath, and it started to feel easier. We exited the water in just under 28 minutes (27:53 to be exact, for me) and I was pretty pumped. That was about a minute faster than last year. There is no doubt in my mind that I'm swimming better than I ever have, but I have a pretty hard time translating that into open water swim prowess in races. It's a matter of finding feet (which is often not an easy task in the small women's pro fields) and being able to handle the significant oxygen debt from the fast early pace, until the pace slows a little. Anyway, swim was good. Next up bike.<br />
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Bike, not so good. Actually, I'm not sure how it was. My power meter was not working right and so I was trying to go off feel and HR. I'm not that good at that. Actually, I think the real problem was a significant lack of bike fitness. I felt great for about an hour, then the last 1:25 or so felt not so great. And long. Like really long. HA! I kept pedaling though and eventually ended up in T2. I biked a good 6 minutes slower than last year but that wasn't surprising. I was ON FIRE last year on my bike at this time. Now, not so much. But you have to (re)start somewhere so after yesterday's ride, I'm one small step closer.<br />
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I started off on the run feeling pretty good. I was running a tempo-ish pace that was eventually going to feel hard (probably) but that felt very comfortable at the time. But then things got crazy. First, I heard the men's lead biker tell my lead biker that they weren't allowing anyone else on the run course as there was a BIG storm coming. Huh, it didn't even really look dark anywhere? That was around mile 3. By mile 3.5, I was not questioning whether a storm was coming because I was all of a sudden in the middle of it. Holy. Cats.<br />
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It got nasty fast. Wind, hail, branches/limbs/trees coming down everywhere. My lead biker and I continued on. I was mostly thinking how glad I was that I was running and thinking about the poor people on their bikes still. I made it to about 4.5 miles when a police cruiser flagged me down and told me to get in. Race was stopped, everyone was to get off the course ASAP. He was there to give me a ride back to transition. <br />
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YIKES!!! I pretty happily hopped in the back seat of his car. Of course I wanted to finish the race but it was insanity out there and didn't feel that safe. I certainly didn't expect to end my day in the back of a police car (he turned his siren on and everything! fun!!) but it was the right call on Kat's part. Safety first. I think everyone agreed.<br />
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As luck would have it, the storm really only lasted 20-30 minutes and then the sun came out and the weather was brilliant! This only meant that we could still have the awesome turkey dinner (Pumpkinman is FAMOUS for their post race meal!) and the awards and end the day on a great note. <br />
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Takeaways? Pumpkinman is awesome. My cycling needs some work. Half Ironman distance races should always end with 4.5 mile runs (not even sore today!). Police car rides WITH siren included are super fun...assuming you aren't going to jail in it... And I'm super happy to be back on the up and up in terms of health. Feels good to ask my body to do something and it (kinda) listens. <br />
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HUGE thanks to Kat, all the wonderful volunteers who stuck around in the bad, bad weather to make sure all the athletes safely made it to transition and to my travel mate Lauren that raced her way into 3rd and then rescued my bike while I was riding around in the cop car!<br />
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Next up - a 4 mile running race this weekend! I ONLY have to bring running shoes! :)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg836ZnNbNEKjhHvF9HD-QGSAAWeJ1dZdM6pnTiWZtluzAfpjGywwiVrdWol9CM4yj_pzNg_zfprSvUKQlGGarxPfNKEWsB049RgmhUvqdUp0L23NICIMw3YD6eVKNjO0J2VPkQgkyWfwk/s1600/IMG_1114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg836ZnNbNEKjhHvF9HD-QGSAAWeJ1dZdM6pnTiWZtluzAfpjGywwiVrdWol9CM4yj_pzNg_zfprSvUKQlGGarxPfNKEWsB049RgmhUvqdUp0L23NICIMw3YD6eVKNjO0J2VPkQgkyWfwk/s400/IMG_1114.JPG" width="397" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This podium is made up of Wayland Masters swimmers. And we were all at practice this morning (the day after the race) too! Big congrats to Kim and Lauren. Always a pleasure racing these women!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh91hQcmKZwd8v0u7WRRkkJeR35xs-Scs0CgQdisBrbHyiGz-0oFbx0sBhYCqBbMVojWYs_8R9LMziLzCZMIBoGwbbmd0TH4HA2RmAhP189Z4EcjHDo7K3_8uFQ-lV7bCNInGDnl4dZM0/s1600/IMG_1115.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh91hQcmKZwd8v0u7WRRkkJeR35xs-Scs0CgQdisBrbHyiGz-0oFbx0sBhYCqBbMVojWYs_8R9LMziLzCZMIBoGwbbmd0TH4HA2RmAhP189Z4EcjHDo7K3_8uFQ-lV7bCNInGDnl4dZM0/s400/IMG_1115.PNG" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You get to start Thanksgiving early if you race Pumpkinman. I was quite concerned the storm was going to mean no awesome post race meal but of course, that was an empty worry. Meal. Was. Awesome.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVisTl4qLxcRqK2VdEr87EzIqRMJfegrHbbYUkIt_gwB76W4d1g4VVwSXcYHjs5mRkuH0cKUyYPicHkDuVptol7a7BFsTT1oBy3JP6XHoCsr_BmL-s3nz5dltkNY9IBW-fJdbOVMf6YHI/s1600/IMG_1113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVisTl4qLxcRqK2VdEr87EzIqRMJfegrHbbYUkIt_gwB76W4d1g4VVwSXcYHjs5mRkuH0cKUyYPicHkDuVptol7a7BFsTT1oBy3JP6XHoCsr_BmL-s3nz5dltkNY9IBW-fJdbOVMf6YHI/s400/IMG_1113.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then I headed home to Boston, which is really starting to feel like home. (notice the perfectly sunny skies after the storm - there has to be a lesson in that somewhere...)</td></tr>
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Big thanks to my sponsors. I don't give thanks enough to a great group of companies/people that continue to support me through a pretty rough, inconsistent year. That's when you know that you have good people on your side - they stick with you through all the ups and downs. Coeur (ALWAYS keeping me looking good), QR (the bike works beautifully, just not the legs powering the bike), Rudy Project (keeping my noggin and eyeballs happy and healthy), NormaTec (I have a date with Norma every day), Beet Performer (drink your beets!) and of course, QT2 Systems (not just my team and my coaches, but my family as well). I am truly a lucky girl.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16247635973514495690noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576474175047022633.post-40490669281842631112016-08-31T12:04:00.001-07:002016-08-31T12:04:45.425-07:00So...That Happened...So. Last I updated, I had finished IMLP and was getting geared up to race IM Wisconsin. I was pretty pumped for it. Training was going reasonably well. Not great, but not bad. I caught a cold the first week or so back into real training but that wasn't too bad. I think I missed a day or two of training and then got right back into it. <br />
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Then, on a training ride one day, I got stung by a bee (or some other evil insect). I'm allergic to bee stings. Not in the sense that I can't breathe and go into anaphylactic shock, but allergic in that this happens:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3SCdDeFWdcNb4LPDaPU979PRCqVAiUJbNJSPwUDrlSxpaEi_B_CwIwuakzADA_cWM7BAA7BxDTQ3pxzGzu81nnSGGNKT2tbzGOl1Lhw9ILFjEgjmRc7vtRFhpMtS-D2W9k9VW_jkHDOY/s1600/IMG_1050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3SCdDeFWdcNb4LPDaPU979PRCqVAiUJbNJSPwUDrlSxpaEi_B_CwIwuakzADA_cWM7BAA7BxDTQ3pxzGzu81nnSGGNKT2tbzGOl1Lhw9ILFjEgjmRc7vtRFhpMtS-D2W9k9VW_jkHDOY/s400/IMG_1050.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yea, my lip/chin usually isn't that big.</td></tr>
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So that was annoying. But the swelling will eventually go away on it's own, so I continued on with training for the next few days and tried not to scare small children when I stopped in convenience stores for extra fluids on my rides.<br />
<br />
Later that week though, I started to feel not great. Like I might have something nasty brewing. I went to swim practice one Friday morning and felt awful. I remember we were swimming 200s on 2:30 and I seriously wanted to cry. Like for real, tears in my goggles. I came home and thought I'd lay down for "20-30 minutes" before my ride. I woke up 4 hours later with the sheets soaking wet. I was in a rough spot.<br />
<br />
It didn't get better from there. As in I got pretty sick. And I developed a sharp epigastric pain to the point where I couldn't really stand up. I definitely couldn't eat or drink. And John finally convinced me to go to urgent care. At urgent care, the doctor convinced me to go to the ER. And that, my friends, is how you buy yourself a day in the hospital.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23YwLu5M3UBQb0GlBmrFCUnM4NxykOrM-IfazAIJVUMcrqqo4WCEXbiWktb2qgF9slaarLOWLPtP6jHq_GRpaA2UrfaZCbGygqRqzkei_KiN6N__dsqY6Wp7ekY28MPHXrVvvBGxYLbk/s1600/IMG_1055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23YwLu5M3UBQb0GlBmrFCUnM4NxykOrM-IfazAIJVUMcrqqo4WCEXbiWktb2qgF9slaarLOWLPtP6jHq_GRpaA2UrfaZCbGygqRqzkei_KiN6N__dsqY6Wp7ekY28MPHXrVvvBGxYLbk/s400/IMG_1055.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Worst IV ever. It was ever so slightly kinked so if I even THOUGHT about moving my arm, the pump started beeping madly at me. It was worse than swimming 200s on 2:30.<br /></td></tr>
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Not much was discovered at the hospital. Lots of tests and poking and prodding. My first ever belly CT where the nurse did NOT tell me that the contrast they inject into your IV makes your whole arm feel like it's on fire. Seriously - you should tell people that's going to happen. I thought I was dying! (I don't get sick often so I really suck at being sick, as you might be piecing together here...) Some discussion about a bad appendix but then my appendix wasn't visible on CT. To which my doctor asked "you DO have an appendix, right"? Umm...I think so! Nobody ever took it out to my knowledge! Oh man...<br />
<br />
In the end, I left the hospital with no real answers but I was pumped full of IV fluids and medicine and I thought feeling much better.<br />
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Except I wasn't really better. And the next couple days were pretty darn miserable. I still couldn't eat or really drink and I lost more weight than I should have and I definitely was not training.<br />
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Eventually my symptoms got better just by me sleeping most of the day, but what didn't come back was my ability or willingness to eat. Now. Those of you that know me, KNOW eating is one of my talents. And in my 37 years of life, I NEVER remember being sick enough that I couldn't eat. I spent 12 years as a clinical dietitian trying to convince sick people that the only way to get better was to start eating. And I never understood how it could be so hard. For real - JUST EAT. Even if you don't feel like it...just eat. But now? Now I get it. Not having an appetite and being sickened by the thought of food - that's a real thing. It's a sad thing. It made me very sad.<br />
<br />
So another doctor's visit and some new medicine (that tastes like chalk but makes me able to eat) and I'm slowly getting back to normal. Whatever the heck I caught, it was no good. And I don't recommend catching it. Zero fun.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8R7HC0fMmlxxL60j6DJcOpjPodR6QaP3mZ-JU0GQt4luULePG47A2uQobKDU7C3mybDLl5U-X4k_yYf9nzSreu755hw8goOUN-tN5odYXHwc1DKQI7O7mnGmEDZ432ZWt2Vhw5S5dXLk/s1600/IMG_1083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8R7HC0fMmlxxL60j6DJcOpjPodR6QaP3mZ-JU0GQt4luULePG47A2uQobKDU7C3mybDLl5U-X4k_yYf9nzSreu755hw8goOUN-tN5odYXHwc1DKQI7O7mnGmEDZ432ZWt2Vhw5S5dXLk/s400/IMG_1083.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chalk medicine. For people with peptic ulcers and stuff. Or people like me who REALLY want to eat again.</td></tr>
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<br />
In the mean time, I've slowly started to return to training. VERY slowly. Somewhere in the midst of my misery (I'm making it sound like it was months and years of pain and torture...really it has only been about 2 weeks), Tim and I decided Wisconsin wasn't a great idea. Not just from the viewpoint of missed training, but also due to the fact that after being pretty sick, putting my body through an Ironman didn't seem like a great method to full recovery. So that's pretty disappointing. But that's sport for you. Sometimes you are GREATLY, greatly rewarded for your hard work. But much of the time you are disappointed. And that's okay. When the rewards no longer outweigh the disappointment, it will be time to move onto something else. But I'm not there just yet.<br />
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So what's next? Other than slowly adding food back into my life (oh food! how I missed you!!)? I'm not sure! We'll see how the body responds and take it from there. One thing's for sure though - I will never take my good appetite for granted again! Eat on, friends! And stay away from the plague!! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LLTNvgpR0fNkGXqsOqxQniVeK3pGOwAoxHaCbzJ97mSkhIkAYLYGKlJfC2RbhO0L48dnzJPxEhCCUOwL6WGyRq1gO33fUNJKxYfywJwa2kb5uOpfVCy053xq5fSgNT9GxhQsY4i7sm0/s1600/IMG_1066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LLTNvgpR0fNkGXqsOqxQniVeK3pGOwAoxHaCbzJ97mSkhIkAYLYGKlJfC2RbhO0L48dnzJPxEhCCUOwL6WGyRq1gO33fUNJKxYfywJwa2kb5uOpfVCy053xq5fSgNT9GxhQsY4i7sm0/s400/IMG_1066.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made myself brownies in hopes of wanting to eat them. But then I didn't even want those, really. Sad clown.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQT3BCCB0pXkEpPl6pn6NFinzqWUIuevwnYxWbSxKMUPlgI3nADbLUT73bKoHxUwxEULjilqsY-DlOm9tvDtosQ5Z0sIcW11ObSCgQkscbSEmRrYINBDLLNf9IKCyBUeivoo8QVjWgF8o/s1600/IMG_1078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQT3BCCB0pXkEpPl6pn6NFinzqWUIuevwnYxWbSxKMUPlgI3nADbLUT73bKoHxUwxEULjilqsY-DlOm9tvDtosQ5Z0sIcW11ObSCgQkscbSEmRrYINBDLLNf9IKCyBUeivoo8QVjWgF8o/s400/IMG_1078.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No worries. In the mean time, the sky was really pretty last night. :)</td></tr>
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<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16247635973514495690noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576474175047022633.post-15530456734493035072016-07-31T18:32:00.000-07:002016-07-31T18:32:23.368-07:00Ironman: Not For The Faint Of Heart (Or The Unfit)<br />
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A week ago, I raced Ironman Lake Placid. About 80 miles into the bike I knew I was in for a long day. Whether it was mental durability or physical durability, that I was lacking, I'm not quite sure. Either way, I eventually went into "one foot in front of the other" mode. Luckily, in Ironman, you can be rewarded for perseverance alone. The pro women's field got VERY spread out and I knew, barring any major catastrophe, I was probably going to hold onto the place I was in (4th). Indeed, I did. I was very happy to see the finish line. </div>
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I walked away feeling pretty disappointed. I did swim well (hello 2nd loop with AGers - I didn't even have to move my arms and I just got sucked around the lake!), but my bike was poor and that resulted in a rough run. But as is usually the case, with some time and reflection, I saw the positives of the day. And there were many:<br />
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1) Lake Placid is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen and one of the most iconic courses on the Ironman circuit. And I *finally* got to do the race and be a part of it's history. When I first started into triathlon, Placid was one of the only Ironmans in the US! Little known fact: Kim Schwabenbauer and I actually signed up for the race in 2006, together. Then we realized we had no idea what we were doing and riding 112 miles might be a problem. Neither of us ended up racing that year but she went on to race Placid a few years later (and then a few times after that). I always meant to do the race but just never got there. Now it's going to be hard NOT to do the race every year!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHV-Os2Z4aSD3EJ_yyxPf4mtsgHsR90W4WTgGZxNppaXXJYIBY2S0LvSBeWEMF21huukk2obNf85PjW3l6P7Il56SWfyBtHKEUhtJE1eTTK9eyzC-ruy39a8KOxr0S_nyNcWaDh79BIt0/s1600/IMG_0991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHV-Os2Z4aSD3EJ_yyxPf4mtsgHsR90W4WTgGZxNppaXXJYIBY2S0LvSBeWEMF21huukk2obNf85PjW3l6P7Il56SWfyBtHKEUhtJE1eTTK9eyzC-ruy39a8KOxr0S_nyNcWaDh79BIt0/s400/IMG_0991.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See, told you it was beautiful.</td></tr>
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2) I'm healthy. In January my back hurt so badly I cringed at even the thought of having to get up and walk to the refrigerator. In February it wasn't much better. In March I still wasn't running. It's pretty amazing to me that just a few months later I was running 26.2 miles. I have learned over the span of 25 years of racing, to never take a healthy, able body for granted. And I will say, even in my darkest moments last Sunday, I was still able to have a bit of perspective and be thankful that I was DOING THIS and that, as rough as it might be, it's lightyears ahead of sitting on the couch.<br />
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3) So much support. On the course and from afar. I am so thankful for all the people that took time to cheer, encourage and lift me up when I needed it! I know it's cliche beyond belief, but it's also very, very true - it takes a village and my village is awesome.<br />
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So onward to Ironman Wisconsin we go! Because, why not? :) Wisconsin is one of my FAVORITE races. And I like cheese. #nobrainer<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbU9hiXbFmFlryUoqU4gaTmUzoqj8TfgmdefqJPPW70C_qASfzbGXQOWJ5_5O1JWmt19cYoUZNwnFDSFl-R7glNVgTO_GCNmsYGM0KRHE1HK08WqdYP1XELKOcfEZ-EyjcSflYZ2yPeA/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbU9hiXbFmFlryUoqU4gaTmUzoqj8TfgmdefqJPPW70C_qASfzbGXQOWJ5_5O1JWmt19cYoUZNwnFDSFl-R7glNVgTO_GCNmsYGM0KRHE1HK08WqdYP1XELKOcfEZ-EyjcSflYZ2yPeA/s400/Untitled.png" width="390" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The run from the water to transition is long. But it's all downhill and lots of people cheer for you and you kinda feel like a rockstar.<br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZFY4Xp16XiMIIvmoGPdTOdlzxVifbGqTq8pwWmJ5ksOL7nKQRHy7eULKujqrTjeJljEwMSmQrY3XMaWW7aEQyvBjv2-752CEl0Ukmuyg8vOL2q5Qj-f4_CNQZkwn2TZw9sMxLPueVTU/s1600/13690634_10153769175678450_6360041694390761088_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZFY4Xp16XiMIIvmoGPdTOdlzxVifbGqTq8pwWmJ5ksOL7nKQRHy7eULKujqrTjeJljEwMSmQrY3XMaWW7aEQyvBjv2-752CEl0Ukmuyg8vOL2q5Qj-f4_CNQZkwn2TZw9sMxLPueVTU/s400/13690634_10153769175678450_6360041694390761088_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">IMLP bike course: not for the faint of heart.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieOd1381qBgXrsNzCFn_eF8xXQ2oYEYHvg0wqf3hRkCmsxmdcqWuQVI5E_siPMxLXICAWlFLqCoKyyB0yLZDJITmUQ73PBZ3X0zRN-GzhOwgmGT1j08EBedBK6XCW77hcrtnYHeHLfXXE/s1600/13754547_10153769676748450_2613338359328242077_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieOd1381qBgXrsNzCFn_eF8xXQ2oYEYHvg0wqf3hRkCmsxmdcqWuQVI5E_siPMxLXICAWlFLqCoKyyB0yLZDJITmUQ73PBZ3X0zRN-GzhOwgmGT1j08EBedBK6XCW77hcrtnYHeHLfXXE/s400/13754547_10153769676748450_2613338359328242077_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">IMLP run course: also not for the faint of heart. :)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6RBt4P1W2N3zjk1iFNcZbt1gdOg3_Fh5VskB2T0f6COecnAXwtayQ4EUgYCKXNmlFHAROeWGs1iRGil9kZrpe-_a_dkvy8hxmuwUckXOBb0L7o8Op6EPl9K3mze58J9rx13LKbQebZA/s1600/IMG_0997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6RBt4P1W2N3zjk1iFNcZbt1gdOg3_Fh5VskB2T0f6COecnAXwtayQ4EUgYCKXNmlFHAROeWGs1iRGil9kZrpe-_a_dkvy8hxmuwUckXOBb0L7o8Op6EPl9K3mze58J9rx13LKbQebZA/s400/IMG_0997.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luckily there was a lot of on course encouragement to KEEP MOVING FORWARD SHUTT!</td></tr>
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Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16247635973514495690noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576474175047022633.post-15238177001993462952016-06-22T19:06:00.000-07:002016-06-22T19:06:21.620-07:00So...I RACED! And Then I Went To Placid To Ride Up Hills.Yup. The title pretty much says it all.<div>
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My friend Joe and I made the 7.5 (or 8.5...er...maybe 9.5, okay, it took us like 12) hour drive from Boston to Cambridge, MD for Eaglman 70.3. Joe is about 134 years younger than me so he didn't know any of the songs on the 80s pop Pandora station. I found this to be quite alarming. We solved this problem by listening to the Justin Timberlake station for many, many, MANY hours straight. This station happens to play a lot of 'N Sync. We heard the song Girlfriend so many times that it's permanently burned into my memory. This makes me sad. The George Washington Bridge in NYC also makes me sad.</div>
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<div>
ANYWAY, we had a great time. We got to Maryland and it was hot, humid and windy. That pretty much sums up Eagleman. I hadn't raced in 9 months. I was afraid of all sorts of things. Like that I forgot how to race. That I forgot how to hurt. That I forgot how to go hard. And most importantly, that I forgot what order the sports go in. It would be a shame to mess that one up.</div>
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But then the gun went off and I just knew. Maybe my fitness isn't quite there yet but my heart and head were! That's the more important piece of the puzzle, in my opinion. I got out of the water 9th. Got off the bike 4th. And then ran into 2nd. I was pleased as punch. For a good result, for sure. But also just because I GOT TO RACE. And because it felt good. And because I still loved it like I always have.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFFxsxE7G6U0ekAxnzI0nDIh7Q-KMpKndBL55jLVDdGMIWu2UcLJvcVQFdiAktKHZY5Ymqgg8mWzhq7BHq8o116BKouMhPxe51cOHrLbrNPiVPBG86qFXObHlboHjD5We5fa1TvdbDjE/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFFxsxE7G6U0ekAxnzI0nDIh7Q-KMpKndBL55jLVDdGMIWu2UcLJvcVQFdiAktKHZY5Ymqgg8mWzhq7BHq8o116BKouMhPxe51cOHrLbrNPiVPBG86qFXObHlboHjD5We5fa1TvdbDjE/s400/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If it looks like I'm melting, it's because I am.</td></tr>
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So that was that.</div>
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We drove the 10,000 hours home. I MIGHT have had to pull over to sleep at a rest stop for 20 minutes in Connecticut at 2 am. #powernap But we made it. Barely.</div>
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A few days later my roommate Marie and I loaded up the little red car and headed north (north? or west? I'm not good with directions...) to Lake Placid. We are both doing IMLP and she was doing a QT2 camp while I (and another friend Lauren) did our own little training camp. </div>
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Lake Placid is beautiful. Absolutely breathtaking. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwl-ONJVfHmVP1HP7Fx_ZtUL9fBNiRxGn66r6m8AIxR7BRzF7X3bmBvUHk7I2Jmy__-2ufoNIzz0uIcfImRFiHkiEz9xslOSfvRjyw-t-MOaKBIAvU8Aji8cItR_o7lyKUfZKhRYx8zk/s1600/IMG_0914-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwl-ONJVfHmVP1HP7Fx_ZtUL9fBNiRxGn66r6m8AIxR7BRzF7X3bmBvUHk7I2Jmy__-2ufoNIzz0uIcfImRFiHkiEz9xslOSfvRjyw-t-MOaKBIAvU8Aji8cItR_o7lyKUfZKhRYx8zk/s400/IMG_0914-1.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a bad place to swim.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3sWTeR5IGH0R6WbMWLS6m9rb6h3dK7sR0T9EKMUzMVdJfJ3iDhXJxJeaXZQLjkJThE9gqXfCd1SKbvR94J3A2gT4f2i6edMevl8OD2bsiz4BPB-EbOB0YDv0JyFEYOzz9j6zT4Myhdg/s1600/IMG_0905-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3sWTeR5IGH0R6WbMWLS6m9rb6h3dK7sR0T9EKMUzMVdJfJ3iDhXJxJeaXZQLjkJThE9gqXfCd1SKbvR94J3A2gT4f2i6edMevl8OD2bsiz4BPB-EbOB0YDv0JyFEYOzz9j6zT4Myhdg/s400/IMG_0905-1.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also not a bad place to do work.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcsA0I0APMvFzT-JnMcUBKHv4AtoSblgKhx-DkP6Cj6txMLQaIoG7S2h0KFkOMjJzWFrf78L0TPIC5y_SNqZArYNbKEcTx06Wr4OeV8_pUnTGgIn0SjCuOwJOaM7OUenBqF1ifwUOsf4/s1600/IMG_0902-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcsA0I0APMvFzT-JnMcUBKHv4AtoSblgKhx-DkP6Cj6txMLQaIoG7S2h0KFkOMjJzWFrf78L0TPIC5y_SNqZArYNbKEcTx06Wr4OeV8_pUnTGgIn0SjCuOwJOaM7OUenBqF1ifwUOsf4/s400/IMG_0902-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annnnnd not a bad place to have fun either.</td></tr>
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I swam the course twice, biked the course twice and ran the course as well. It was a motivating and awesome place to train. The weather was beautiful. We had fun. We stayed on top of a huge hill and I biked up that dang hill every day. #ouch </div>
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And now, I'm back home and back to training and regular life. Feels good to be home. #lifeatthe441</div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16247635973514495690noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576474175047022633.post-67548665835047417722016-03-25T16:23:00.000-07:002016-04-07T04:33:58.267-07:00Anatomy Of A Sacral Stress FractureThe last few blogs I've written have been about the emotional turmoil of injury. Probably important to write about but enough about feelings for now! In THIS blog, I thought I'd talk instead about the actual injury and how I've progressed thus far with it.<br />
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As soon as the doctor told me I had a sacral stress fracture, the first thing I did (obviously) was google it. (seriously, I DID live in a time where google didn't exist, but I'm not really certain how...) What I wanted to know was things like how long until I can run (even though the doctor gave me guidelines, I wanted to know what Dr. Google said)? Should it hurt when I start back? Is some pain okay? What supplements should I take? Do I REALLY have to stop caffeine intake for my bone to heal? <br />
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I scoured the interwebs for blogs, literature reviews, etc... for any and all information I could about having a sacral stress fracture. Of course everyone's experience is different, but I figured if I told mine, it might help someone who, like me, is looking for information about how this all turns out.<br />
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So first, actual anatomy:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVG-XqpT57KSgIDMWC12ckpeO0IO_vWtT4WJDBtWT7gjK8YUItW4e8OqUhF1sl1SRpDjTHom3cHVsXfIkano0jFPOzh8V7pbDGWnwn9P0sbJ1BqUPspG1ea7cxJAd6DoZX1F7WdsaDZs/s1600/sacral_insufficiency_intro01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVG-XqpT57KSgIDMWC12ckpeO0IO_vWtT4WJDBtWT7gjK8YUItW4e8OqUhF1sl1SRpDjTHom3cHVsXfIkano0jFPOzh8V7pbDGWnwn9P0sbJ1BqUPspG1ea7cxJAd6DoZX1F7WdsaDZs/s400/sacral_insufficiency_intro01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEftqygdmqA_Nd-0l1h2MdYtxLH9FZF02rRhzZxetPHLEdxEEgAACEQtS3Lp-QCTvKN3Yngop336ltmppJRfaPi8zA9OBCKQ_NqzMB6_d0cuYt0lAwHYeEVSVsE5cj1LO8_yE5De1rZMU/s1600/sacrum_coccyx_Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEftqygdmqA_Nd-0l1h2MdYtxLH9FZF02rRhzZxetPHLEdxEEgAACEQtS3Lp-QCTvKN3Yngop336ltmppJRfaPi8zA9OBCKQ_NqzMB6_d0cuYt0lAwHYeEVSVsE5cj1LO8_yE5De1rZMU/s400/sacrum_coccyx_Front.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On my MRI you could see, clear as day, a fracture line down the holes on the left side. "Holes" is the technical term, by the way. :) </td></tr>
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My fracture apparently presented somewhat rare. I didn't have any pain and then one day I went out on a run and my lower left back started to hurt. By the end of the run it REALLY hurt. And then for the next several weeks I couldn't walk without grimacing. I didn't "do" anything on that run - step in a pothole or jar my back in any way. It just started hurting. Or did it hurt before and I ignored it? Strong possibility. We are conditioned, as athletes, to deal with pain and so, perhaps it was there and I just didn't "feel" it. Regardless, on January 5th, I felt it all right! And it hurt like @$V#@$!!<br />
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For the next couple weeks I went to PT, a chiro, I swam and biked, and I took Motrin like it was going out of style. The pain was pretty bad. On January 21st, the doctor called and told me that my sacrum was most definitely busted. Boo.<br />
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Starting January 21 through Feb 8 I did nothing. Like absolutely nothing. I sat on the couch and tried not to gouge out my eyes or crawl up the walls. I was successful at these things only. But barely.<br />
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By Feb 8 (5 weeks in), I no longer had pain walking around. This was amazing. Stopping all activity together for 2.5 weeks is when the pain finally started to go away. I stopped taking the Motrin on January 21 when when I found out about the stress fracture (can inhibit healing) and was also glad to get off this medication so it didn't burn a hole through the lining of my stomach. Progress!<br />
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Feb 8 I spun easy on the bike. I also started to swim again but all pull as kicking seemed to bother my back. I would try a little kick in the pool and my back would get sore. So we'd hold off for a while. I'd try again and it would get sore again. So we'd wait a while again. This was somewhat baffling to me because swimming is obviously no impact and walking/biking didn't hurt so range of motion should have been there to kick. Who knows though. My body said no so I tried to listen.<br />
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All the while, I was doing PT exercises every day. Weak hips are the root of all evil. All triathletes have weak hips. So strong hips were my goal. As an aside, the labral tear I had/have in my left hip 2 years ago is the primary suspect in this sacral stress fracture. (at least in my own uneducated opinion - stupid hips!)<br />
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I saw the doctor in mid February again and she gave me the go ahead to try running. So on Feb 23 (7 weeks in), I tried a 20 minute (VERY EASY) run. The run itself was fine but afterwards, not so much. My back ached and got sore and hurt sitting and I got scared that I did a bad thing. By a day or two later it was back to it's normal self but it's reaction to the run scared me enough that I didn't try running again for 2 weeks.<br />
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At the same time, I started to do a little elliptical at PT with the thought that it could break up some scar tissue and give me some range of motion back without the impact. I didn't do much - 15-20 minutes a few times a week.<br />
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I tried running again March 9 (9 weeks in) for 15 minutes. This time better. It still got a little sore afterwards but not scary sore. It was around this time that I also started a little kicking in the pool without my back getting too sore. I went back to masters (where I NEVER pull and I swim HARD) for the first time on March 11. Back hung in there.<br />
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I haven't talked much about riding. It, all along, was good. Even in the very worst stages of my back pain early on, riding felt okay. Once I started working out again in February, riding was always something that I could do and my back wouldn't react negatively. Even in aero position. I got a new road bike built up during this time and I'm in LOVE with it so I rode that sucker outside about 4 times a week from late Feb up until the current time - 2-3.5 hours at a time.<br />
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Which sort of brings us to the current. At this point, I'd say swimming and biking are pretty much back to normal. This was the first week (12 weeks in) that I would say I didn't have any pain swimming or biking and my back didn't get sore after either. I almost "forget" about the fracture when I'm swimming and biking.<br />
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Running at 12 weeks in, is a bit of a different story. For the past 3 weeks, I've run 3 times a week for 15-25 minutes each. Each time my back feels pretty good running but afterwards gets a touch sore. My hip (labral tear hip) is also a bit grumpy right now when running, but that is not out of the ordinary. My running mechanics feel quite off, although that's to be expected after close to 3 months of no running/very little running. Each run feels a bit better but I would say that, even if all goes really well and smoothly, I'm looking at another month before I can actually run "train", which would be 16 weeks in.<br />
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Moral of the story, a sacral stress fracture, at least in my experience, is not the fastest healing injury around! And as I come back, it's not without some pain and ache still in the bone and surrounding areas. Patience is most certainly, key. (oh goodie, my strong point!) <br />
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I hope this helps someone dealing with the same type of thing. If you got here by googling sacral stress fracture, take heart! You will get better! But when in doubt, play it conservative. And know that it's going to be a while. But just like with all things, time heals.<br />
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Now, for some pictures. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzjy2_TmU2xgAjLdbDWoPS6m-KVWGv1I1T6tSw7CJKz4JHEXHmflWNAM0pSicAHe3vpaxC9wZDV5Gk3yW3GefyifWD50hA5Ki1HhRjpX_p0Dmn5Mw3mQw1JU6ZSBI5YtA8O_cFXTuWy8/s1600/IMG_0594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzjy2_TmU2xgAjLdbDWoPS6m-KVWGv1I1T6tSw7CJKz4JHEXHmflWNAM0pSicAHe3vpaxC9wZDV5Gk3yW3GefyifWD50hA5Ki1HhRjpX_p0Dmn5Mw3mQw1JU6ZSBI5YtA8O_cFXTuWy8/s400/IMG_0594.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have to brag on one of my athletes a little. He dealt with his own injury in the fall but still came back to run a 20 minute PR and Boston Qualifying time in his marathon a few weeks ago. I enjoy coaching immensely because when you see hard work pay off, well, that's just a darn good feeling.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheW38Mzn_N_yE56_oEk-4ff76IaaWmV-5vvqpLeJotUWfP8cFRak5rEeqseploJ2bhxrFOgKRtI0EuT_Bw1FGecstmmj0HtRNHRfXwuHd-Xt545kAFQ4QY0z_Zs8OS8nZB3pfuHiJGzgI/s1600/IMG_0609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheW38Mzn_N_yE56_oEk-4ff76IaaWmV-5vvqpLeJotUWfP8cFRak5rEeqseploJ2bhxrFOgKRtI0EuT_Bw1FGecstmmj0HtRNHRfXwuHd-Xt545kAFQ4QY0z_Zs8OS8nZB3pfuHiJGzgI/s400/IMG_0609.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rode the train to NYC and caught a rainbow on my way there.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQx7UIeYwpdCJj8xFJEcra1_lIdFsOLmP3xqxJSPxqRxb-aTMCe09ISsop_bAOKTnP4eo7DQoPgcdbIdYj5kI_xv_9f-qshmrBlJd_tS580xlTpWnC6piQnzIz8nTS1ruxQy1NR6pPMUc/s1600/IMG_0620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQx7UIeYwpdCJj8xFJEcra1_lIdFsOLmP3xqxJSPxqRxb-aTMCe09ISsop_bAOKTnP4eo7DQoPgcdbIdYj5kI_xv_9f-qshmrBlJd_tS580xlTpWnC6piQnzIz8nTS1ruxQy1NR6pPMUc/s400/IMG_0620.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once in NYC, I got to meet and cheer on some of the amazing Smile Train athletes that were racing in the NYC half marathon. They raise tons of money for a great cause all the while working and training and living their busy lives. Honored to work with this great group!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUGntePYbOzio2_zL613L334O4We78q4jysn24zyDZUpliHhQNHWQnFhCcMZHWtoyDZ_G3vKTImfCW01CVqNq2Gb-xEC4PUxQycMQ-ka3shNAIP_jyh5DTNLr3DW1TJdPGx2tWPp-NE4/s1600/IMG_0625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUGntePYbOzio2_zL613L334O4We78q4jysn24zyDZUpliHhQNHWQnFhCcMZHWtoyDZ_G3vKTImfCW01CVqNq2Gb-xEC4PUxQycMQ-ka3shNAIP_jyh5DTNLr3DW1TJdPGx2tWPp-NE4/s400/IMG_0625.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also, you should know that New Bedford, Mass has a zoo. And that zoo has river otters. #boom</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKs9hztTpoAomG0P9gjeUCvfNidoIHdCdX6AwpeDUc-hwhyJgdXUIOnAyLjbCuFGLgYSFpJ1Z4rt2bE4Bqn7JnNTRAaVPa0sp5La7ZLvUzu2sczCOHJNJd0jGyo22x0k5bgvsawja1_g/s1600/IMG_0631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKs9hztTpoAomG0P9gjeUCvfNidoIHdCdX6AwpeDUc-hwhyJgdXUIOnAyLjbCuFGLgYSFpJ1Z4rt2bE4Bqn7JnNTRAaVPa0sp5La7ZLvUzu2sczCOHJNJd0jGyo22x0k5bgvsawja1_g/s400/IMG_0631.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This here is Wandar. He's a shelter cat and he wants to be adopted!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqD0vdC1thr93UEwMXIHSMMbEhxpiOR3LnHRHK_a6wqn7eSPUjTMq-9UpwGA-o4LfKSSMjAZ1ztSeoAklvrJrB90TchR2upAKzST0Qx-x9m-aACXn5qKIDlPR8vmeosTDV5Dk24dJowo/s1600/IMG_0635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqD0vdC1thr93UEwMXIHSMMbEhxpiOR3LnHRHK_a6wqn7eSPUjTMq-9UpwGA-o4LfKSSMjAZ1ztSeoAklvrJrB90TchR2upAKzST0Qx-x9m-aACXn5qKIDlPR8vmeosTDV5Dk24dJowo/s400/IMG_0635.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Masters workout the other day. Reverse IM is the devil. #truestory</td></tr>
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<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16247635973514495690noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576474175047022633.post-43645058525965676062016-02-24T14:02:00.000-08:002016-02-24T14:15:28.135-08:00Healing A Cracked Sacrum, A Fractured Heart, And A Broken HeadSomeone once told me that God speaks to us in two ways. He either yells loudly (often with pain), or He softly whispers. And that He prefers to whisper because that means we are leaning in close to Him. If He has to yell, we've gotten pretty far off track. You may or may not believe in that but it makes perfect sense to me. My sacral fracture? I was most definitely getting yelled at. Like "you need to do some work on yourself and fix what's broken and until then, I'm taking away all your crutches." Dang. Guess I better get to work.<br />
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So for the past 8 weeks I've been on a little bit of a mission. Actually, for the past FIVE-ish weeks I've been on a mission. For the 3 weeks before that I was busy digging a hole to one of my deepest, darkest places. I don't want to gloss over that fact. Because I think it's good to be honest and tell it like it is. Every time I'm injured, I go to a dark place. Some injuries, the places are darker than others. This injury the place was particularly dark. Part of me feels a little ridiculous for talking about going to a dark place over a silly sports injury. I mean come on, PERSPECTIVE! But then part of me thinks "nope, you do not apologize for how you feel and for what is reality to you." And then the last part of me reminds me that there's probably someone reading this that wants to know that they aren't the ONLY one that struggles and gets pretty down. So yes, for 3-ish weeks I tried not to slip down into the muddy pit, but I did. Then, as usual, something snapped me out of it (this time around it was some close friends - love you girls!) and I set some goals and made a plan and got motivated to fix myself. REALLY fix myself. As my friend told me, might as well fix your heart and your head while you're waiting for your back to heal.<br />
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I've never really spent time on improving myself (outside of swimming, biking, and running faster...I've spent COPIOUS amounts of time on that). Finding what makes me happy, learning how to let go of the rest, learning to forgive myself (hard for anyone, let alone someone who has thrived on being extremely hard on themselves), learning to tune out all the "noise" and hone in on the still small voice inside of me. That's hard stuff (so hard in fact, that I needed to bring in some professional help). And it's not really fun stuff. But, I will say, it's worthwhile stuff. And so although I really wished I never cracked my sacrum, I guess it's good that I did. Otherwise I wouldn't be doing this important stuff now. It's a work in progress for sure, but I dove in head first this time. Because I had to. The dark places were getting darker and darker, and I didn't want to get to the point where it was so dark that I couldn't find my way back out. It is my hope that I can make myself a whole person again, in addition to making my sacral bone fracture-free. It's going to take a while but luckily I'm annoyingly persistent. Here's to stubbornness like none other!<br />
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But enough of that "deep" talk! Now I shall post pictures that will hopefully make you laugh and smile. Because that is an important part of the healing process too. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtEjvzTjNOp9tJq5_hQw2FSaPwk_e9uw9y50hzPQ-ymfJLdXkcYcKhBu774i1Xhroq5n7U98aEafyVLN_leMkmbT4kGIaIomY9ZDRPhkQcpWMa1vQFeJsw7dT_NNt3uPprbCcM-tVisBk/s1600/IMG_0466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtEjvzTjNOp9tJq5_hQw2FSaPwk_e9uw9y50hzPQ-ymfJLdXkcYcKhBu774i1Xhroq5n7U98aEafyVLN_leMkmbT4kGIaIomY9ZDRPhkQcpWMa1vQFeJsw7dT_NNt3uPprbCcM-tVisBk/s400/IMG_0466.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thankful for awesome friends who send me goodies when I'm down, including color books and nail polish and pictures and slippers and ICE CREAM (you know, for the calcium, obviously...).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTUefo88a3aZapNQ-JSePO2ZC14JgrV4pAfsoMFOx6_HkEYgCGBCNWRUOta4OgxFKS1Jpmc-hW01CCjB_sA4MZo6NWdneiH52TWhHsL6ebL-YizJQSc1idOyPG2ZfeJXDtv4Yk6xBqOQ/s1600/IMG_0472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTUefo88a3aZapNQ-JSePO2ZC14JgrV4pAfsoMFOx6_HkEYgCGBCNWRUOta4OgxFKS1Jpmc-hW01CCjB_sA4MZo6NWdneiH52TWhHsL6ebL-YizJQSc1idOyPG2ZfeJXDtv4Yk6xBqOQ/s400/IMG_0472.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And ALSO thankful for friends who invite me over and play Settler's of Catan with me! One of my favorites.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQdK7ftEIyP1RwhrtIYQZc-4wvYfRR6Fb-KqhPdknuv6coPTp9qucpLsXJA9IZD7biz98HCs6ZIX2Er9I6fHkl4PVbNBTnxFUQZsdPAg338EjLasaaeaMTldtG6GJzqr-BdsllYlvIE8/s1600/IMG_0519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQdK7ftEIyP1RwhrtIYQZc-4wvYfRR6Fb-KqhPdknuv6coPTp9qucpLsXJA9IZD7biz98HCs6ZIX2Er9I6fHkl4PVbNBTnxFUQZsdPAg338EjLasaaeaMTldtG6GJzqr-BdsllYlvIE8/s400/IMG_0519.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then there was the time we tried to play trivia & failed miserably. I'm a JV trivia player at best. But we laughed a lot? :) </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wQPQMRwL8unYFYdPAOQfDNBFIGt9Z1SSDChLKGhXRzuyu0jvwwmPmizsWqlxM4WjfESe6NjQmALH9L0WPy8mOtyjtcQkrSQw5MCMhZxyfKAUtSdzeyu7y54WxqSFzdb7Zo0c-hayDMY/s1600/IMG_0528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wQPQMRwL8unYFYdPAOQfDNBFIGt9Z1SSDChLKGhXRzuyu0jvwwmPmizsWqlxM4WjfESe6NjQmALH9L0WPy8mOtyjtcQkrSQw5MCMhZxyfKAUtSdzeyu7y54WxqSFzdb7Zo0c-hayDMY/s400/IMG_0528.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House of Blues near Fenway Park. Awesome venue.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4nE6i_XrBW1IB1WMcgfEqq66OkgkVnPL7U9ClfPOXlRgT9vrR1qCr_Pk27_YNXSXkmAoUm6h-tyHFAeIXvt-dZCMqrRi8LDwIzlfJNTJHoSmaGe46cbqonCGtyKuIhWS6tMfEq-5mc68/s1600/IMG_0533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4nE6i_XrBW1IB1WMcgfEqq66OkgkVnPL7U9ClfPOXlRgT9vrR1qCr_Pk27_YNXSXkmAoUm6h-tyHFAeIXvt-dZCMqrRi8LDwIzlfJNTJHoSmaGe46cbqonCGtyKuIhWS6tMfEq-5mc68/s400/IMG_0533.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You know it's going to be a good day when your roommate's toast smiles at you! </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6IsDgrH4rM0gpDFZV3x4NFUd-FPIB2XQEbeHFJNZheElLZXvTW6tWBGw6F4Ylg3aW-2TM_pzFYM6L5hJX-Yb2O44q9jmfJl_vrrVEDbkkX6XIu08VnfnhyphenhyphenDkb5KJTzjztmsfuGSiQTeE/s1600/IMG_0545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6IsDgrH4rM0gpDFZV3x4NFUd-FPIB2XQEbeHFJNZheElLZXvTW6tWBGw6F4Ylg3aW-2TM_pzFYM6L5hJX-Yb2O44q9jmfJl_vrrVEDbkkX6XIu08VnfnhyphenhyphenDkb5KJTzjztmsfuGSiQTeE/s400/IMG_0545.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hockey game at Harvard. Did you know that Harvard's "mascot" is a color (crimson)? I can't get behind that.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibW8fDVz9uSXhdZeq_yun5km9fEphFypfnwO_UiDgb3Cw_SeYF_zuRUpsiTdwVAiKytO1It8Ur5EuAUISRrOWk65riqhwAjEWl5dkSywX1WJVkTt-bkOVa3RaJl82Ei16wmr2obg-L1ok/s1600/IMG_0548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibW8fDVz9uSXhdZeq_yun5km9fEphFypfnwO_UiDgb3Cw_SeYF_zuRUpsiTdwVAiKytO1It8Ur5EuAUISRrOWk65riqhwAjEWl5dkSywX1WJVkTt-bkOVa3RaJl82Ei16wmr2obg-L1ok/s400/IMG_0548.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This past weekend it was 55 degrees in February in New England. So naturally I rode my bike.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpo9MI-pEFfuCtmc4e59YVm2c5FD4LWpfKVDL_3snLixQlX1W0TZ79uTVviZMavWeNpU77P6LJ71HY9sH0jPBA8ypAsdA6-pXevSk7Px-drq-83Xlj99TK2taLPjfF7eLmnyvp0rawfJs/s1600/IMG_0553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpo9MI-pEFfuCtmc4e59YVm2c5FD4LWpfKVDL_3snLixQlX1W0TZ79uTVviZMavWeNpU77P6LJ71HY9sH0jPBA8ypAsdA6-pXevSk7Px-drq-83Xlj99TK2taLPjfF7eLmnyvp0rawfJs/s400/IMG_0553.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then the next day it was still (kinda) warm so I rode my jazzy new road bike outside! #goodforthesoul</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXKuPsdebbZ41FsJFVoe1hAmsyd3TjH9lMUOcHtfq5BtXSrSUBPr8lPNnxxjiFsxGGWFJsAdBlu3Ga12BgzPSXdONTzgbkrgX4vsTn7jCZGa6tI2On_7s53OA9Hc8kiPwn0sRQlJkfms/s1600/IMG_0555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXKuPsdebbZ41FsJFVoe1hAmsyd3TjH9lMUOcHtfq5BtXSrSUBPr8lPNnxxjiFsxGGWFJsAdBlu3Ga12BgzPSXdONTzgbkrgX4vsTn7jCZGa6tI2On_7s53OA9Hc8kiPwn0sRQlJkfms/s400/IMG_0555.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Except it wasn't really THAT warm when I rode my new road bike so I was glad to have the Coeur winter cycling jacket. Get it. It's awesome. And when you have it, you can ride outside in 30 degree temps no problem!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTbRWcUk5UQJs5xGWSWvf6I1pPmiaTWhMa_BnFEa5aZRaFotntFwTiIbWS1OQUB6NQTztJ-0fi-gdzQVxgC_IcMS2WCMCSI7eaZdpWmqxodpD_qzlZh6YYSMKUeDUw6unrZNWPdeLgj4/s1600/IMG_0561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTbRWcUk5UQJs5xGWSWvf6I1pPmiaTWhMa_BnFEa5aZRaFotntFwTiIbWS1OQUB6NQTztJ-0fi-gdzQVxgC_IcMS2WCMCSI7eaZdpWmqxodpD_qzlZh6YYSMKUeDUw6unrZNWPdeLgj4/s400/IMG_0561.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When flowers show up with your name on them, just cause.</td></tr>
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<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16247635973514495690noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576474175047022633.post-24488198615177833922016-01-22T07:04:00.000-08:002016-01-22T07:04:15.840-08:00Ain't Nobody Got Time For That!ONE of these days, I'm going to have this awesome blog post about how everything is great in life and all is moving in the right direction. Training will be going well. Personal life even better. Work life also on par. <br />
<br />
Today, however, is not that awesome blog post.<br />
<br />
Sigh.<br />
<br />
I believe where I last left off, I had just gotten back into training after bailing on IMAZ. The holidays happened. Lots of fun, family and food was had. I got my workouts in every day but was largely unfocused. I worried I didn't really want to be training this year. I had a major heart to heart with my coach about possibly not racing pro anymore. New Years came. I started to get really excited for QT2 pro camp in Florida in February. Training started to come around. And then it seemed like GAME ON. My head felt screwed on right for the first time in ages, and although I was still pretty unfit, my mind was firing on all cylinders. If you can get the head right, the body will eventually come. <br />
<br />
And then, when I was on a run about 2.5 weeks ago, my back really started to hurt. I finished the run (which was an easy 5 miler - nothing out of the ordinary) and my back REALLY hurt. Like knives stabbing me in my back. Like really limping around. Grrrrr....<br />
<br />
I spent the next 2 weeks going to PT, ART, a chiropractor, getting Graston, etc... all with absolutely no improvement. In fact it was starting to feel worse. I was still doing a bit of swimming and riding as these activities didn't seem to bother it much, but running was absolutely out of the question. Walking without LOTS of Motrin on board was also pretty much out of the question.<br />
<br />
I started to become concerned that I might need something like a cortisone shot (cortisone is like GOLD in my book) so I went to see a sports medicine/ortho doctor (whom I randomly picked but who ended up being AWESOME). Her first words after she examined me were "I think you have a stress fracture in your sacrum." To which I thought "NOPE!!" I've never had a stress fracture. I was BARELY running (max of 35 miles a week). BARELY training (maybe 16 or 17 hours a week). Stress fracture not a possibility. But of course I agreed to a MRI, which I had this past Tuesday.<br />
<br />
Yesterday my doctor called me on my way home from the pool and informed me that, I do indeed, have a stress fracture in my sacrum. Was clear as day on the MRI. <br />
<br />
She continued to talk about crutches and calcium and vitamin D and bone stimulators and all sorts of things but I couldn't really listen. All I could think is:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_1ePdeq186c/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_1ePdeq186c?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Big thanks to Meg and Brad Strater for introducing me to this gem.</span></div>
<br />
Seriously, ain't nobody got time for that! A stress fracture was most certainly not part of my plan. 2016 was the year that things were going to start going RIGHT. And already, just a few weeks into the year, I was veering off course.<br />
<br />
Blah.<br />
<br />
Am I bummed? Absolutely. Really bummed. Especially because now I can't go to camp in Florida and I have to spend the entire winter in Boston (it's cold here, people!). I absolutely hate just sitting around on the couch and that's what I have to do for the next 4 weeks while my bone knits itself back together. I think what bums me out the MOST though is this feeling like I just can't get my act together. SERIOUSLY PEOPLE, WHY CAN'T I GET MY SH$#$T TOGETHER?! All moving parts going FORWARD. That's all I ask. But I haven't been able to achieve that for a while and I'm starting to feel major frustration. That's just my honest, raw feeling.<br />
<br />
I feel like this blog entry, and all my entries from the past year, are yelling quite loudly "woe is me." Which is really the last thing I want. I've been seriously struggling in SOME portion of my life for the past 12-13 months, this is most definitely true. And I don't want to make it sound like it HASN'T been a struggle or paint a rosy picture like social media tends to do. Life ain't perfect and it ain't pretty sometimes. I'm no exception. There have been A LOT of tears over the last year (at one point I couldn't get past 3 or 4 days in a row without tears!) and that's the honest truth. <br />
<br />
But the honest truth is also that I haven't lost perspective, of which I'm very thankful. I coach an awesome woman who is an ER physician, and just the other day we had a wonderful conversation about perspective. You gain a lot of perspective working in a hospital. Perspective is a POWERFUL, powerful thing.<br />
<br />
I have a very small fracture (that I will admit to being EXTREMELY painful, darnit!) in my back. I don't have cancer. Nobody died. The sun still rose this morning. I have amazing friends, bosses, roommates, and family and I think they still like me (one more crying episode though and I might be voted off the island). I still have a roof over my head and food to eat. I have <a href="http://www.your262.com/" target="_blank">a job</a> that I absolutely love. I can VERY much see this picture of a very happy and fulfilling life and I'm very much headed in that direction. Every single day. I really am light years ahead of where I was even just 6 months ago. The key for me, is to keep perspective and to "enjoy" the bumps/hills/mountains, on my way there. Very cliche, but it isn't really about the end goal, it's about the journey to get there. And to keep laughing. I MUST keep laughing. As powerful as perspective is, laugher is just as powerful. So when Linsey asked me if I knew how to properly attach a coffee mug to my crutches and John asked me if this stress fracture meant snow tubing was off the list, I laughed. Really hard. And smiled. It's amazing what smiling can do.<br />
<br />
So if you need me, I'll be on the couch. Knitting bones and writing training plans and thinking up ways to make my athletes faster. I'll probably be watching some Netflix. Who knows, maybe I'll even read a book (gasp!). I promised myself I won't push this thing. I'm REALLY going to let it heal. I'm REALLY going to give my beaten up, stressed body a chance to REALLY fix itself. I'll probably take a nap or 20 and get back to sleeping a lot each night... 2016, you and I aren't through just yet! <br />
<br />
And now for some pictures. If you actually read all the gibberish up above, you deserve at least a picture or two...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIDFJYvQXsN_Qbzm0drpSPboP2k-XgE1csUYjukMr_aCvi2386hMz8oFLbXwj5gnsZUA4PPwHhlEHfB3H7WjXwqtBWPcQkD1CYuVdRxHb5Lgt-RrY119KahK7jVzMWv05LsyZIXrPD0M/s1600/IMG_0347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIDFJYvQXsN_Qbzm0drpSPboP2k-XgE1csUYjukMr_aCvi2386hMz8oFLbXwj5gnsZUA4PPwHhlEHfB3H7WjXwqtBWPcQkD1CYuVdRxHb5Lgt-RrY119KahK7jVzMWv05LsyZIXrPD0M/s400/IMG_0347.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got a SNAZZY new bike for Christmas! AND IT'S PURPLE! Can't wait until it warms up some and I can cruise around on this puppy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaBkQAzXNUdXiWz6kHAGsNU0tnvLqTmlLUyK9als23ACNq9biJ5rQJzwmMN6LQjM7OYa8lwbLpWHfdwhCoZriHEuLWO-C6RRsSk0Ut7iiv7uY3moareCnIQHDJKCQRE2WkiugzSPy_OMg/s1600/IMG_0435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaBkQAzXNUdXiWz6kHAGsNU0tnvLqTmlLUyK9als23ACNq9biJ5rQJzwmMN6LQjM7OYa8lwbLpWHfdwhCoZriHEuLWO-C6RRsSk0Ut7iiv7uY3moareCnIQHDJKCQRE2WkiugzSPy_OMg/s400/IMG_0435.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who, me? </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqI8Jakr9p_Pl_CD_YRBaVpFil8DajtnW-0ZF695qkh47U9FhvoFOfnmU7HtwheZyH20J7K0CZRG4ojY2it2zzlYKUCJoXWxfk50KrI9LexcbJWBYu0yZqXyDgfTlEM2H774_5XsNwTM/s1600/IMG_0442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqI8Jakr9p_Pl_CD_YRBaVpFil8DajtnW-0ZF695qkh47U9FhvoFOfnmU7HtwheZyH20J7K0CZRG4ojY2it2zzlYKUCJoXWxfk50KrI9LexcbJWBYu0yZqXyDgfTlEM2H774_5XsNwTM/s400/IMG_0442.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I went to the library! Admittedly for the free wi-fi though. Next time I go back, perhaps I'll get a book too. :)<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenzgZdK0mZywav6cHkZXK3MH-t0y1X113dH12Sd3OLg58WunDB5xLkWCB8ICZeLdm2EARlK3UCVJVL0es_nLDF4eF9DHE1nbXJhts9g7wEDLRM2GOeTkcR6fW4ziK-0zh1PkaNvTBB-I/s1600/IMG_0360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenzgZdK0mZywav6cHkZXK3MH-t0y1X113dH12Sd3OLg58WunDB5xLkWCB8ICZeLdm2EARlK3UCVJVL0es_nLDF4eF9DHE1nbXJhts9g7wEDLRM2GOeTkcR6fW4ziK-0zh1PkaNvTBB-I/s400/IMG_0360.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clayton sandwich! My sister and bro-in-law, at Christmas.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzU4d5kpj-BPsTkE2ZoeBwu4P22UVZzDq5Q4APsfTdd7rvmYl2uZhjZjNfpMdTOPpijaXGZ9iPwNAABHe8__gNvSD3yPZUVDdjM70WGz1vlSoxGKUb8HUT_PAez00_UXmihlUBRog5ULM/s1600/IMG_0362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzU4d5kpj-BPsTkE2ZoeBwu4P22UVZzDq5Q4APsfTdd7rvmYl2uZhjZjNfpMdTOPpijaXGZ9iPwNAABHe8__gNvSD3yPZUVDdjM70WGz1vlSoxGKUb8HUT_PAez00_UXmihlUBRog5ULM/s400/IMG_0362.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And my parents. When I think of all the ups and downs we've been through. Amazing what parents do for you. Love you both to the ends of the earth.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeT-WhILj6t-sLYJ6sjsyvWbekG-I4N2533t4bzGng6zubb8pPCkmedKBYoUtmrOht2dq2GuEYyY8ebQRAgyIw77h4WkK1mVcTXmzel4QKzhmMzsRs2AUkl0AnYo8g8lVXmmU7g6zTTLI/s1600/IMG_0402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeT-WhILj6t-sLYJ6sjsyvWbekG-I4N2533t4bzGng6zubb8pPCkmedKBYoUtmrOht2dq2GuEYyY8ebQRAgyIw77h4WkK1mVcTXmzel4QKzhmMzsRs2AUkl0AnYo8g8lVXmmU7g6zTTLI/s400/IMG_0402.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also quite amazing what friends do for you! These ladies are simply priceless.<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiur4ZZdgB_2YGLTAxQQYGbAZtGp6cFTPsXA9NAbEFlMNLT3S1T-qBLsaWTF8UqVTckp67-7PWEb-KjjhpD6fRKDBr3Q7Y4X3sLCA8lTZYLGtdTQMmSRl9ddN-gOXLvuDVK3HEZTMT-Kxw/s1600/IMG_0428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiur4ZZdgB_2YGLTAxQQYGbAZtGp6cFTPsXA9NAbEFlMNLT3S1T-qBLsaWTF8UqVTckp67-7PWEb-KjjhpD6fRKDBr3Q7Y4X3sLCA8lTZYLGtdTQMmSRl9ddN-gOXLvuDVK3HEZTMT-Kxw/s400/IMG_0428.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In other news, I thought it would be fun to get a pet otter. My roommate did not agree.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkp151IHYiAzSTAh1i2FlNWrEoTQOpjE8G0WaWmYUEg_yRMPZ3hHqZD4ERpQrt4hMEuaAKJU7gPLgfgv36xAXlFjJXZQOz_ppoqH8owdDk3Nx0btpBC9sNpIorBwKrTCLs6d-9kmL_Io/s1600/IMG_0444.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkp151IHYiAzSTAh1i2FlNWrEoTQOpjE8G0WaWmYUEg_yRMPZ3hHqZD4ERpQrt4hMEuaAKJU7gPLgfgv36xAXlFjJXZQOz_ppoqH8owdDk3Nx0btpBC9sNpIorBwKrTCLs6d-9kmL_Io/s400/IMG_0444.PNG" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So instead I asked for a weasel. This was also met with disdain.<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2EzSgsLrM1FgFtntUL_aG0KQvt6UBGan0tEgA0GPbKAwBST2MLiiMr17OWAXVHiudY1e4L5fgX1cLRGIoRc2QE87lMpXr-TC06a_umLapoyUxJ4R1Nlm95w8GY8-bw8WZjoLJ7blfZo/s1600/IMG_0454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2EzSgsLrM1FgFtntUL_aG0KQvt6UBGan0tEgA0GPbKAwBST2MLiiMr17OWAXVHiudY1e4L5fgX1cLRGIoRc2QE87lMpXr-TC06a_umLapoyUxJ4R1Nlm95w8GY8-bw8WZjoLJ7blfZo/s400/IMG_0454.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FYI, I had THE worst case scenario for this most recent MRI: closed machine WITH my head in first. Holy claustrophobia, Batman! I had to go to my happy place. And promise myself M&Ms.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhU8GTqdGvNj4gPwbn0tQh7ho6GRybAqhtYt2dUsnyAduagboTHPLrwrY-V456Q-w9Us7hg0WIBNwLTegybZ2eRRWuKtqrmySxuwq8Gm8_KSpks9G9LU1Y6vs4k6T98X7Wx5feaMxBjs/s1600/IMG_0458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhU8GTqdGvNj4gPwbn0tQh7ho6GRybAqhtYt2dUsnyAduagboTHPLrwrY-V456Q-w9Us7hg0WIBNwLTegybZ2eRRWuKtqrmySxuwq8Gm8_KSpks9G9LU1Y6vs4k6T98X7Wx5feaMxBjs/s400/IMG_0458.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmm...train wreck? Okay, yea...that sounds about right. But at least I can laugh about it! :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16247635973514495690noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576474175047022633.post-14379612005924427632015-12-03T17:25:00.000-08:002015-12-03T17:28:22.247-08:00And So It GoesSo yea, turns out I didn't race Ironman Arizona. Oops. What happened is this: after my not-so-awesome race at Ironman Chattanooga, I was pretty pumped to get an opportunity in Arizona to redeem myself and put some of my fitness to use. But then my body just didn't come around. Or maybe it was my mind? Training wasn't great but I hung in there. Then training still wasn't great but I hung in there. And then training STILL wasn't great and I found myself sitting outside the YMCA one morning in tears because I REALLY didn't want to swim. Wow, not sure how I got there.<br />
<br />
So I took a step back and bailed on Arizona and got off season off to an early start. Not how I had it planned but this entire year hasn't exactly gone to plan, so, yea. What I've learned is, you have to roll with the punches. <br />
<br />
I recently watched a documentary about Team Foxcatcher (disturbing story of John DuPont's team of wrestlers) and in it, Mark Schultz comments about how, to reach your potential as an athlete, your life has to be extremely stable. That resonated with me quite loudly. My life has been anything BUT that for the past year. And I think what happened in Chattanooga and following the race is, it finally all caught up with me. <br />
<br />
I will admit that I worried that the fire to train and race wouldn't come back and that my body wouldn't ever come around again. I spent a few weeks doing absolutely nothing. Then a few weeks doing what I felt like and then last week, I decided to actually try to "train". It went well. I do indeed still love to swim, bike and run. That's a relief! But still, just taking it one step, one day at a time. So far, so good.<br />
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In the mean time, I've been doing other stuff:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJQOwHnh-ujONvs-U1WwBmUWSt4qloP-xyr-wPTCOyVTbPRSXeWtrHH-W4uaUQ8R-8iq_FovFLGLA44f8ez9IQAVO-FeUmnmKwOjaXiOOPONKp1rFdNOOfcC7stXg0ozMRI_ZkH3pNT8/s1600/IMG_0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJQOwHnh-ujONvs-U1WwBmUWSt4qloP-xyr-wPTCOyVTbPRSXeWtrHH-W4uaUQ8R-8iq_FovFLGLA44f8ez9IQAVO-FeUmnmKwOjaXiOOPONKp1rFdNOOfcC7stXg0ozMRI_ZkH3pNT8/s400/IMG_0052.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I met #mavicthedog.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_V9_TYnQVBNQUZ_Vu8RZgmCX3X16UOFW4jjfbiS67MplkOSDJULrTf7yX4-_b698K74fuEKQwjikARae0sUyFhIkGgrhyHaO1gWJ5WPrYshGM5tIR12Vttp3785-5nrLB87z5YGCDHr0/s1600/IMG_0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_V9_TYnQVBNQUZ_Vu8RZgmCX3X16UOFW4jjfbiS67MplkOSDJULrTf7yX4-_b698K74fuEKQwjikARae0sUyFhIkGgrhyHaO1gWJ5WPrYshGM5tIR12Vttp3785-5nrLB87z5YGCDHr0/s400/IMG_0055.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This thing is evil and makes you really sore.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVN2HpPxfGDlC-DGw_pZENvuz8enM_cLPAVJ3QWf9QNEJGJdQeZEB-hJCB5GZwN4ExeGfKRnbVFvu3Z6_qZpEnp9EDUOXhDgkdyrs933jJmI0k2LWCGGsXp_smjcxsBJ4DedX0ggOYXA/s1600/IMG_0062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVN2HpPxfGDlC-DGw_pZENvuz8enM_cLPAVJ3QWf9QNEJGJdQeZEB-hJCB5GZwN4ExeGfKRnbVFvu3Z6_qZpEnp9EDUOXhDgkdyrs933jJmI0k2LWCGGsXp_smjcxsBJ4DedX0ggOYXA/s400/IMG_0062.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turbo? Yes please.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_vk_inu2jI0V3EMuRGrHpuZvUFyeCktoLKLCPa_XoQshrSFIK_Sex1cUaFBlDlvJh7mZdQkWjxFpuUcNJtzSe4dJiKYQT724ZymLiUTBktG03t_6BMeW_hQEHMDlOBUiioupYc2naYR8/s1600/IMG_0091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_vk_inu2jI0V3EMuRGrHpuZvUFyeCktoLKLCPa_XoQshrSFIK_Sex1cUaFBlDlvJh7mZdQkWjxFpuUcNJtzSe4dJiKYQT724ZymLiUTBktG03t_6BMeW_hQEHMDlOBUiioupYc2naYR8/s400/IMG_0091.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great little spot. To ride a bike or to watch other people ride bikes.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Njk89EWH0tfgNF2ydi-tumbet6memmKXDOpzU6sO7CZnQ-XvFMpPL5v8miPm7c_v6ruHnldnygdxVCaQackKvi3wjW-Xa9rm8kAn773xXViufIAoOssriu6vJAUgpKmY_QG33UUdOh0/s1600/IMG_0094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Njk89EWH0tfgNF2ydi-tumbet6memmKXDOpzU6sO7CZnQ-XvFMpPL5v8miPm7c_v6ruHnldnygdxVCaQackKvi3wjW-Xa9rm8kAn773xXViufIAoOssriu6vJAUgpKmY_QG33UUdOh0/s400/IMG_0094.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fall in New England is really pretty.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqXubpV9oCUuLNGOEgWHM6UwyKdqE6Z2vDp-8chk4PXjy3NRXgbndJ7STZNNb7n3WzyhWSarE2TK1CcQh44T4epV6UaQjhdJhZP0N0NsSoV3_FrsIrYc1aWUW3t1wq5wjzX2QJQ_aHtk/s1600/IMG_0118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqXubpV9oCUuLNGOEgWHM6UwyKdqE6Z2vDp-8chk4PXjy3NRXgbndJ7STZNNb7n3WzyhWSarE2TK1CcQh44T4epV6UaQjhdJhZP0N0NsSoV3_FrsIrYc1aWUW3t1wq5wjzX2QJQ_aHtk/s400/IMG_0118.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't have to twist my arm!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYbqoE0mPbQFjoADMrULOkqVsgFGZ8qBfBdqWLGA78tSdOGJglgiKtHApncEuKk8L652wdv_peihquTH1w9788XkZFodv1RnwZkiBR-LxAszGhiuE_XXWSXoHkEmBPDMsU_HFABqrj0I/s1600/IMG_0132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYbqoE0mPbQFjoADMrULOkqVsgFGZ8qBfBdqWLGA78tSdOGJglgiKtHApncEuKk8L652wdv_peihquTH1w9788XkZFodv1RnwZkiBR-LxAszGhiuE_XXWSXoHkEmBPDMsU_HFABqrj0I/s400/IMG_0132.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was a girls night (or two or three...).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBuThk59HCsHRc4eIKeUIrWg16FkFVKNDLVreaUCnQ2cfeFAqVrT5abCQCOZHYDHlS5uPeEMbar4IA5c3oOuGHqrmHSSJZc39kuXsdVf-2CpXwNaOjlZ5qCMp2v7rKC1oDBxdH01pMVQ/s1600/IMG_0141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBuThk59HCsHRc4eIKeUIrWg16FkFVKNDLVreaUCnQ2cfeFAqVrT5abCQCOZHYDHlS5uPeEMbar4IA5c3oOuGHqrmHSSJZc39kuXsdVf-2CpXwNaOjlZ5qCMp2v7rKC1oDBxdH01pMVQ/s400/IMG_0141.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I rode a mountain bike.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdf11Jk3eRbYM-zA5tFRfFObuaKSUKUENdXZjGAvcGiWuxJDwP0Y1sm5erUn9wE0a85uOPJfjYZHPkvnAEQkbFA0Rwt8lP8OBN0Ttsu1A1gxmwhg8UZWBuqmuAEqewjhQKgj2_fGwNCig/s1600/IMG_0260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdf11Jk3eRbYM-zA5tFRfFObuaKSUKUENdXZjGAvcGiWuxJDwP0Y1sm5erUn9wE0a85uOPJfjYZHPkvnAEQkbFA0Rwt8lP8OBN0Ttsu1A1gxmwhg8UZWBuqmuAEqewjhQKgj2_fGwNCig/s400/IMG_0260.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like for real! On hard trails! Turns out, I'm not too good.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlpXqmyxx4VOTooSJswA-V-rOGclKWC_SXwpry8VEBHIr4ohU9w5Wi6lKSpDIK9bOYFjtBYb2I6dRM-xOz05R5yNUniGJHXJhyphenhyphenajoEYxEHtdznkxta0jl5BZw0AYLSSyn0fid3l7MnO0/s1600/IMG_0204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlpXqmyxx4VOTooSJswA-V-rOGclKWC_SXwpry8VEBHIr4ohU9w5Wi6lKSpDIK9bOYFjtBYb2I6dRM-xOz05R5yNUniGJHXJhyphenhyphenajoEYxEHtdznkxta0jl5BZw0AYLSSyn0fid3l7MnO0/s400/IMG_0204.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I went to the zoo in Greenville. They have a giant anteater. He is awesome.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtAu7lhaWqzgwseGgfSm6GHWvXh-4FXEuiZwHRmPboZ4rae5QDl5UWPTXcamgFufjmOyw3sdvWNrrXZ_KQxud1Q01TZvnxRg4LNQcRaRl2uRcGh7dwxBOTwJdFhltH_X-8XYO5wHtuHU/s1600/IMG_0242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtAu7lhaWqzgwseGgfSm6GHWvXh-4FXEuiZwHRmPboZ4rae5QDl5UWPTXcamgFufjmOyw3sdvWNrrXZ_KQxud1Q01TZvnxRg4LNQcRaRl2uRcGh7dwxBOTwJdFhltH_X-8XYO5wHtuHU/s400/IMG_0242.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wait, another picture of coffee? Patriots win, Dunks gives out free coffee. Go Pats. Maybe one of these days, you'll have one for the thumb, too. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-JsHXShlcU7GHmC1-CGvlexXski95Xrct_0G7AtM2P0z2zCpSIFzw1pjWgZrGSK31U2-CoePy4bKsDK8ZfGxBmxc0ERAjfkfIt1NReJoBClBfi8p1UI8n84PWW9oi5_sFO7XUtfYgao/s1600/IMG_0252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-JsHXShlcU7GHmC1-CGvlexXski95Xrct_0G7AtM2P0z2zCpSIFzw1pjWgZrGSK31U2-CoePy4bKsDK8ZfGxBmxc0ERAjfkfIt1NReJoBClBfi8p1UI8n84PWW9oi5_sFO7XUtfYgao/s400/IMG_0252.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seriously? Heartbreaking.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4LD5keoyNTmyHZ9O4UI_vj4qw_Avg4kwBp3kUSCjVrao8bs9Agse7SUF16r64NITI9luE3_BiY9WeusGgS0kr3OF54MBwOrVReAWNGQ1OrTKadJL2kt8VWey9Kw_L63kbTiXpEe-DgE/s1600/IMG_0257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4LD5keoyNTmyHZ9O4UI_vj4qw_Avg4kwBp3kUSCjVrao8bs9Agse7SUF16r64NITI9luE3_BiY9WeusGgS0kr3OF54MBwOrVReAWNGQ1OrTKadJL2kt8VWey9Kw_L63kbTiXpEe-DgE/s400/IMG_0257.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've been swimming with a great masters group and the day after Thanksgiving they did 100x100. I did 50x100 which seemed like enough. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fANbxgkQERb62JORMCN3pDbjX71EZWS-Tl6zBHJ40x7UxXeYYt4IC8ztz2bK5JymmrzOmLYSx5D1KONU5lIu8_RXld25cV-T7Olr87GLvTHezd2dvcOYYXevggvhfM8X6WK7JLEirMo/s1600/IMG_0263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fANbxgkQERb62JORMCN3pDbjX71EZWS-Tl6zBHJ40x7UxXeYYt4IC8ztz2bK5JymmrzOmLYSx5D1KONU5lIu8_RXld25cV-T7Olr87GLvTHezd2dvcOYYXevggvhfM8X6WK7JLEirMo/s400/IMG_0263.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was trying to hold out to get to the cheap gas station (gas for $1.97/gallon!). I was only sweating bullets for 15 or 20 minutes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MIDyPzu4kwe_AiWjaayEpVPs2j4NNtO7gFmEY2aH9V019GJ06ZAmGju-AVcI2_t6sWI_nixpumD3VQG1UGt4_fnRWXE8tpccN9mfQRnD5jXCxXWx4Wo8apXagBy1AvPYYGs2C6MuP4w/s1600/IMG_0139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MIDyPzu4kwe_AiWjaayEpVPs2j4NNtO7gFmEY2aH9V019GJ06ZAmGju-AVcI2_t6sWI_nixpumD3VQG1UGt4_fnRWXE8tpccN9mfQRnD5jXCxXWx4Wo8apXagBy1AvPYYGs2C6MuP4w/s400/IMG_0139.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nice little reminder. I will need this.</td></tr>
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<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16247635973514495690noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576474175047022633.post-37175372490186525552015-10-01T15:47:00.000-07:002015-10-01T15:47:38.792-07:00Finishing What I StartedThis past Sunday I swam, biked and ran my way through Chattanooga, TN during my 10th Ironman. As I was treading water (more like holding onto a rope, trying not to get swept down the Tennessee River) waiting for the canon to go off, I sincerely believed I could win the race. This was the first time in my career that I truly, with all my heart, thought I could make this happen. Not necessarily because my training had been so great or that I had the results all year to suggest as such. But rather simply because I believed that I belonged and that if someone had to win, I was as good as any to be that person.<br />
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I didn't win. In fact, I didn't even come close. As in the winner of the race, Carrie Lester, was done, showered, had eaten and was taking a nap by the time I found my way to the finish line. Not only did I not win, I didn't make it onto the podium at all and in fact, for much of the marathon, just finishing was in question. <br />
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So what happened? Well a multitude of things happened. I made some execution errors on the bike. Some caffeine errors, perhaps. I definitely forgot how long an Ironman is and possibly didn't give the distance the respect it deserves. My body didn't want to cooperate physically and then I let the disappointment of not having the day I wanted, take over me mentally. So in other words, nothing really happened. I just didn't have the day that I imagined and there were many women that were faster and that beat me. And that's okay. This is sport and sport doesn't always go the way we hoped. But despite what turned into one of my slowest IMs (as a pro), the fact remains, for the first time I BELIEVED. And that is pretty big. Pretty darn big.<br />
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My day started to go south on the back half of the bike and the marathon was a struggle pretty much from the first step. 26.2 miles is a LOOOOONG way to feel bad. It's especially long when you are running a good 1:30-2 minutes/mile slower than you want to be. I waffled between dropping out or sticking it out for much of the first half. I didn't need to prove to myself that I could do an IM and I have more races this year so why slog this one out? But then it dawned on me that quitting really isn't an option and so I accepted that, as slow as it might be, as poorly as the results would look, as damaging to the ego that it would be, I was going to finish what I started. So I thanked the volunteers (you have a lot of time to chat when you are trotting along), I made friends with age groupers on their first loop, I ate all the good stuff at the aid stations that I usually skip, I cheered for each pro lady and each of my teammates as they ran past me, I thought a lot about how racing is a privilege and, well, I just kept plugging along. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBxpEXFSGN_0iUBSahUYqOBIzEh86GXwp7_syZ9R2tS0zr2gHgkigyqg0xvBz8PlFxUi7EwOtv7lkQ1NDpiQjnrLkQ_uYWwhlQtvL4MV437BuhSS7m1X696FRYP6X-w92QBnGjei13A8U/s1600/IMG_5320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBxpEXFSGN_0iUBSahUYqOBIzEh86GXwp7_syZ9R2tS0zr2gHgkigyqg0xvBz8PlFxUi7EwOtv7lkQ1NDpiQjnrLkQ_uYWwhlQtvL4MV437BuhSS7m1X696FRYP6X-w92QBnGjei13A8U/s400/IMG_5320.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bike went well until it didn't. On a positive note, the course was awesome and there were lots of pigs, horses, goats and sheep to look at.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwt89pnN0rjmbz0PkQuyxi_i-wFeORbHB1D9bpHHpbFyDbyQfRmzJ3yMPchoQYL9AeYVRl3b9ef0RJZAFLDo_C65GicILZA7nlAU5-PoeTYPhKXXrhg6H6bRCqVFonzpxzYqEy4dDpdg8/s1600/IMG_0548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwt89pnN0rjmbz0PkQuyxi_i-wFeORbHB1D9bpHHpbFyDbyQfRmzJ3yMPchoQYL9AeYVRl3b9ef0RJZAFLDo_C65GicILZA7nlAU5-PoeTYPhKXXrhg6H6bRCqVFonzpxzYqEy4dDpdg8/s400/IMG_0548.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's my "let's hope for the best" smile when starting the run. Well, one can always hope...<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3h9Jtoeu7ne8nBTi3zY6okM0HJh0Oc5kEBy5KpvXqur_gaM_UCynOZ0DRp3nQbuzvv68RnNjHZ_nbRPZSIBClyc8cThIZ4eBXhGuu7oci8Q2qV7048KiZjuRptM-a8sRET-GAFKfRjuE/s1600/IMG_5507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3h9Jtoeu7ne8nBTi3zY6okM0HJh0Oc5kEBy5KpvXqur_gaM_UCynOZ0DRp3nQbuzvv68RnNjHZ_nbRPZSIBClyc8cThIZ4eBXhGuu7oci8Q2qV7048KiZjuRptM-a8sRET-GAFKfRjuE/s400/IMG_5507.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best part of the day? This one right here CRUSHED IT. And we toasted her great day with Little Debbies afterwards. I highly recommend peanut butter cream pies.</td></tr>
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I am very happy that I made the decision to finish. I'm not criticizing the pros that drop out to save it for "another day" but that really just isn't me. Plus I got to see a side of Ironman racing that I don't normally get to see. It brought a lot of perspective to my experience as an athlete. So onward and upward - luckily I get another shot soon in Arizona!<br />
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Huge thank yous to the village that it takes to get me to the starting line each race: A great group of <a href="http://bethshutt.com/sponsors.html" target="_blank">sponsors</a>. The homestay families that take me in all over the country (Hal and Cheryl - you were AWESOME!). My own family that has seen me through every up and every down since I first put on a pair of running shoes and decided racing was a fun way to pass the time. To a wonderful group of QT2 teammates and friends that make me laugh and help me keep it all in perspective. And finally, to Tim, Kristen, John and the entire 441, for seeing me through the hardest time in my life and for helping me learn how to live, REALLY live, again. Maybe one of these days I really will win one of these things to make you all proud. In the mean time, let's keep having fun.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16247635973514495690noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576474175047022633.post-5469045207849712392015-09-16T09:10:00.001-07:002015-09-16T09:10:51.521-07:00You ARE a Pumpkin-woman!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of my absolute favorite things to do is race. Like I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY like it. Like really. So when, a few weeks back, my coach asked me if I wanted to race Pumpkinman Half in Maine, he didn't even get the full sentence out before I was signed up. Yes sir!<br />
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Pumpkinman is a pretty awesome race. Kat, the race director, takes care of all the details as if it's a big WTC affair, yet it still very much has a local, low key feel to it. The best of both worlds!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4C66wRoOaQDybjivAOJUX4JPZ0IdNUjYTPRH1UVXBenFZDh0EovsfY-zeZAOznIQmLE5-Wlx9sAYt_NclO-gskv-qoX8BC4MH3vr5bOPanOsZJu2KqKpjIC0nZsT5-qfX0A5tX4pnZ6k/s1600/20150913_125755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4C66wRoOaQDybjivAOJUX4JPZ0IdNUjYTPRH1UVXBenFZDh0EovsfY-zeZAOznIQmLE5-Wlx9sAYt_NclO-gskv-qoX8BC4MH3vr5bOPanOsZJu2KqKpjIC0nZsT5-qfX0A5tX4pnZ6k/s400/20150913_125755.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plus, this is the post race meal. No lies. Full on Thanksgiving dinner that was SO FREAKING GOOD. I legitimately would have done the race all over again if it meant I got to get back in line for seconds. Don't lie, you all want to do the race now too.</td></tr>
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I swam well (for me) and finally got myself under 30 minutes again. The swim might have been a bit short, but at the very least, I felt like myself again in the water. Wing is coming around just in time. Then I rode really hard. I was given the go ahead to go at it on the bike and, trust me, you don't have to tell me that twice! At one point I thought to myself "you DO still have to run after this, so maybe we need to back it down a notch". Still, I felt good and strong. The cycling legs are coming around. And finally, I got to really enjoy the run which was the best part. I cheered for people, I thanked volunteers and I smiled. It was a fun day.<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQv7vaXsZ5rjkhrddKZAYmyh27qiVhVKUE14py94ldKf98TGXDiA_rb2xy3dbc-Txt1PxALSGG6yNLFjICtIahyphenhyphenrYol7qlJ86lKU7ZjPJeUi8yi5x4uk6uPt4lXBfHDnAIDU9Q6MK3FYA/s1600/429161_451341584966_1401797064_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQv7vaXsZ5rjkhrddKZAYmyh27qiVhVKUE14py94ldKf98TGXDiA_rb2xy3dbc-Txt1PxALSGG6yNLFjICtIahyphenhyphenrYol7qlJ86lKU7ZjPJeUi8yi5x4uk6uPt4lXBfHDnAIDU9Q6MK3FYA/s400/429161_451341584966_1401797064_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You do have to run up this into T1. There are actually prizes for the fastest times. Let it be known, I was in NO danger of winning one of these prizes.<br /><div style="text-align: left;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0n9aHwghumfOD8U822WtNT54HSX0vpfnBhSDw5NRkwsUlzaM69aYgD8CUSBFJFc2GgXTmd9pPB86r29vjQBvpUvHE_oY892IeXRVRVk6ym9YeJ9b0tNMT-2-qg91dukTJADaGmLh98Y/s1600/10352094_1174684482545377_3060132960368940650_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0n9aHwghumfOD8U822WtNT54HSX0vpfnBhSDw5NRkwsUlzaM69aYgD8CUSBFJFc2GgXTmd9pPB86r29vjQBvpUvHE_oY892IeXRVRVk6ym9YeJ9b0tNMT-2-qg91dukTJADaGmLh98Y/s400/10352094_1174684482545377_3060132960368940650_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a wet, chilly day but New Englanders are tough and I didn't hear any complaints. I kinda couldn't feel my feet at this point on the bike.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7fNPde_N2wZ3QpaoRbrp53NPCPIqLKDKVId7pc5GolJyH6u6KMgJFqV8yCGzDfTelNS7gFoUZ1HJ6GUlQr6fDvwDo-92Nif9NAAKXLyhAgxL488nDnRN7EIwnxyc_zlxHV9_0AF2oHRQ/s1600/11990445_1174684795878679_4061355356287131930_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7fNPde_N2wZ3QpaoRbrp53NPCPIqLKDKVId7pc5GolJyH6u6KMgJFqV8yCGzDfTelNS7gFoUZ1HJ6GUlQr6fDvwDo-92Nif9NAAKXLyhAgxL488nDnRN7EIwnxyc_zlxHV9_0AF2oHRQ/s400/11990445_1174684795878679_4061355356287131930_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When I was finishing I heard a woman scream "You ARE a Pumpkin-woman!". Not sure how I feel about that.<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-KgceAgdci7ZVIR68CIIOD8khOrB_Inq51lDQ9YP6oQxWQGBeiwC2jc9iZiJ51WXgaDjdELCrW7dapeP7mG9fX430iJfsl6hys6l81cA6__hjvLXGGX6fUYRJSFCEGSBLgXj_sr7NPU/s1600/11986544_1174684889212003_5166417068916860720_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-KgceAgdci7ZVIR68CIIOD8khOrB_Inq51lDQ9YP6oQxWQGBeiwC2jc9iZiJ51WXgaDjdELCrW7dapeP7mG9fX430iJfsl6hys6l81cA6__hjvLXGGX6fUYRJSFCEGSBLgXj_sr7NPU/s400/11986544_1174684889212003_5166417068916860720_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You might notice that I'm wearing the race shirt on the day of the race. In general this is a no-no, but when one doesn't bring enough warm clothes, one is very, very thankful for the awesome long sleeve, hooded race shirt and will break all the rules to keep warm.<br /></td></tr>
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I really hope I get to return to Pumpkinman next year! I highly recommend it as a nice end of the season half or in preparation for a fall IM. Indeed, that's what I used it for. IM Chattanooga here we come!</div>
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Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16247635973514495690noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576474175047022633.post-20509247144264638822015-08-24T05:39:00.000-07:002015-08-24T05:43:12.531-07:00Tiiiiiiiiiiimberman 70.3 (Plus More)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I really need to stop waiting 3-4 weeks in between each blog post.</div>
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Let's see, in the last few weeks, I raced twice. YES! I didn't get to race much at the beginning of the season so I'm making up for lost time now!<br />
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First, I did a local sprint triathlon. I haven't raced that short or that close to home in 3 or 4 years. It was awesome. Also, I out split my coach on the bike. Goal accomplished.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0J6L3r6tPdj8KCE3b_eJdrVMc2U-YpyWiPemRLaJ_oflE8oBMLiURD6oHIXNQi1x-qsT8p9qmE0YYUAVDISuyk_fVKTMUKhHaKdEntdrmYYlTplSameMo-5MAP4PI0lw9IP1nW9RKTI/s1600/MPSR15BM00158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0J6L3r6tPdj8KCE3b_eJdrVMc2U-YpyWiPemRLaJ_oflE8oBMLiURD6oHIXNQi1x-qsT8p9qmE0YYUAVDISuyk_fVKTMUKhHaKdEntdrmYYlTplSameMo-5MAP4PI0lw9IP1nW9RKTI/s400/MPSR15BM00158.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did NOT out split anyone in the swim though. Shoulder is getting stronger but we still got a ways to go. Also, I'd like it to be known that I did not steal this picture (I have a pet peeve about that), but that each athlete got their choice of one free one! Cool.<br />
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</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMsbdFeQFnRwtOBBxfYAis7L2DMVVuP7VL-FzSx4z-D3xuvs4F-5_nKfzEz77re-PbMGLi0EVKRKgces9RyUbzUuSLHkegVgPL8lLx7JEdHMRUMhKNMpC2YqFTV6mzF1rr0tad2RQe8k/s1600/083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMsbdFeQFnRwtOBBxfYAis7L2DMVVuP7VL-FzSx4z-D3xuvs4F-5_nKfzEz77re-PbMGLi0EVKRKgces9RyUbzUuSLHkegVgPL8lLx7JEdHMRUMhKNMpC2YqFTV6mzF1rr0tad2RQe8k/s400/083.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1:13 isn't a very long time to race but oh man was there a lot of pain packed into that 1:13.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjie5P-xv2nRRsxIqiH8ZQe_sBoCNRW05Cn7Iish_e8MJGD0tKejtH1SAGFNsmIhRG7y11oJi990hthE8k5swCwu3afsZ2Mg7maVINuvthkTl6FvnmoRQyAlcqtakRpbfOwhwNPCMDm-vM/s1600/138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjie5P-xv2nRRsxIqiH8ZQe_sBoCNRW05Cn7Iish_e8MJGD0tKejtH1SAGFNsmIhRG7y11oJi990hthE8k5swCwu3afsZ2Mg7maVINuvthkTl6FvnmoRQyAlcqtakRpbfOwhwNPCMDm-vM/s400/138.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a good, fun day with my teammates and friends.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPgkMgvRkMYmy2MjA42HZD1ddjs0suq_G29I-Ipk_gFABlE8mTvAiFsZNFsEh5ew3c8iT2j4291oFbFZnz7XSyXgAn-fAiMZRhr86slsqAsdiGmB4f1JzAjd5zxf01rD0otYKSSD8M2E/s1600/IMG_0279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPgkMgvRkMYmy2MjA42HZD1ddjs0suq_G29I-Ipk_gFABlE8mTvAiFsZNFsEh5ew3c8iT2j4291oFbFZnz7XSyXgAn-fAiMZRhr86slsqAsdiGmB4f1JzAjd5zxf01rD0otYKSSD8M2E/s400/IMG_0279.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then we rode our bikes for 3 hours after the race because Ironman is stupid.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbSuftRUSvpoSOtH_0T982Oefgyut0lqKV4wwsA_5tWvsZjIDu9n8MIByz0YDNb30u6FwO1Tq3ylOrDgWYPP3kAZJM5xa8aMGus3No0XlTEMRlP8rE9CrlAtfalwYY-f1KgGNOjhEvns/s1600/marg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbSuftRUSvpoSOtH_0T982Oefgyut0lqKV4wwsA_5tWvsZjIDu9n8MIByz0YDNb30u6FwO1Tq3ylOrDgWYPP3kAZJM5xa8aMGus3No0XlTEMRlP8rE9CrlAtfalwYY-f1KgGNOjhEvns/s400/marg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But then we got to the post-race BBQ and all was right in the world again.</td></tr>
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<br />
The same week/weekend of the sprint race, Kim, my sister from another mother, was visiting me. Kim and I have been friends for the majority of my life and so it was great to have her in town and be able to hang out like old times. She has seen me through thick and thin and been there for me every step of the way. Super cheesy and cliche, but good, true friends really are like gold.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcp3NRX0H4HWAbyZyoyn3TD1XEGVEWGKlWru2Y6DmLZ6a_yfTi30mnVzYBTnWR27FBwpQBaevxklLlwoACqAGamioUd3T_eg91w3g6qW2OttjWRACFT9ejy8lMmsaVS71cstx_Ha2WRE/s1600/IMG_1183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcp3NRX0H4HWAbyZyoyn3TD1XEGVEWGKlWru2Y6DmLZ6a_yfTi30mnVzYBTnWR27FBwpQBaevxklLlwoACqAGamioUd3T_eg91w3g6qW2OttjWRACFT9ejy8lMmsaVS71cstx_Ha2WRE/s400/IMG_1183.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And of course we ate ice cream. Duh.</td></tr>
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The following weekend after the sprint, Kait, Matt and I loaded up the minivan and headed north to New Hampshire for Timberman 70.3. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjsdYpnyEctrWDENgYCgCvdAVH5CtYneTc_p-mJtS4_JoOxwscFxLTNmzSNIRahM0uU7zZ26NXg_HyV1GVmMaMBaSaE6rYEK88_yMNVshiiJUiWVTRQFi5ewJbOAG5rO8CUFYHbOqIAc/s1600/20150814_143557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjsdYpnyEctrWDENgYCgCvdAVH5CtYneTc_p-mJtS4_JoOxwscFxLTNmzSNIRahM0uU7zZ26NXg_HyV1GVmMaMBaSaE6rYEK88_yMNVshiiJUiWVTRQFi5ewJbOAG5rO8CUFYHbOqIAc/s400/20150814_143557.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If these two ever get sick of their third wheel, I'm in serious trouble.<br />
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I was pleased with my race in Timberman. I don't quite know what to expect from myself these days, other than a good, hard effort. But what I've found is that letting go of the expectations can be a very good thing. My swim at Timberman was improved (still bad, but improved). I biked better than I ever have and rode my way into 3rd/4th into T2. And then, after falling to 5th on the run, I clawed my way back into 4th at mile 12 and held it to the end. It was a strong field and I was pleased. And most of all, it was just fun to RACE. When the WTC restructured the pro races this year, removing pro fields from some races and thereby concentrating the fields at other races, I wasn't sure how I felt about it. I knew it would likely mean less prize money for me. But in reality, I absolutely love it. Each time I've raced this year, it's been a big, strong women's field and it has been AWESOME. Each race has felt like a RACE with people to go after and chase or try and hold off. That is why we do this! I race triathlon because I love to race other people and see where I stack up, not because I like to see how fast I can go in a TT effort. Anyway, I've gotten a bit off topic, but suffice it to say, I have really enjoyed racing some great gals this season, thus far!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoRujMMccg9Q2HIApBdGXvQBOSAzadQQD_O7pnwH29aGsC1mQNUaMDBl3zYeYRiiGgL9wDbQBLQQ0ml8iwiTY2CRNEPOW0Hf6GPPFf6paPkx2EKDGdI9gIRn6Esa4vCVHbYQPhUBGjgW4/s1600/IMG_20150814_180249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoRujMMccg9Q2HIApBdGXvQBOSAzadQQD_O7pnwH29aGsC1mQNUaMDBl3zYeYRiiGgL9wDbQBLQQ0ml8iwiTY2CRNEPOW0Hf6GPPFf6paPkx2EKDGdI9gIRn6Esa4vCVHbYQPhUBGjgW4/s400/IMG_20150814_180249.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And if you ever get the chance to go to Timberman, do it. Because this is where you get to race.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSFIQT6Ow60Q-XnJhe6bjTGbFbMnI5V5SXMNIZFzJgXBOMT4Zo7IJEOq6FoGrjrS0A7FWRAr04IcmVMHTIpeF61L6dpZGG-UEVLnO6crUtxklJVuxcktWd_d6hukFGgRW5QuCuBBD0K4/s1600/20150816_212211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSFIQT6Ow60Q-XnJhe6bjTGbFbMnI5V5SXMNIZFzJgXBOMT4Zo7IJEOq6FoGrjrS0A7FWRAr04IcmVMHTIpeF61L6dpZGG-UEVLnO6crUtxklJVuxcktWd_d6hukFGgRW5QuCuBBD0K4/s400/20150816_212211.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post race we went to an OAR concert in Portsmouth, NH. I had so much caffeine in my system from racing, I never skipped a beat.<br />
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</tbody></table>
After Timberman it was back home and back to work. This past week I swam the most yards I have since breaking my shoulder - 16,200. Yup, that's pretty pathetic! HA! But I also can't express how amazed I am at how well the body can heal itself. It wasn't long ago that I could barely swim a 100 with FINS! And this past week I did one 6K swim and also a set of 50s with ankle bands. The amount of pain that would have caused just a few weeks ago is absolutely off the charts. But this week my shoulder handled it with barely a squawk. Thank you, body. You rock.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqGbcCp1LtxWUb82EEdky5gcT-c_iG8pB-JEJOmSbEkHmywJN0tJfkH3JG5Gn-pzE0Foy0vuUHzqDVNAGStZ6v0ERdnxoyzn938GutTeVxqRkdsKF276etj7M_ONtJE0e6YnvKIS7pGo/s1600/IMG_20150810_121224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqGbcCp1LtxWUb82EEdky5gcT-c_iG8pB-JEJOmSbEkHmywJN0tJfkH3JG5Gn-pzE0Foy0vuUHzqDVNAGStZ6v0ERdnxoyzn938GutTeVxqRkdsKF276etj7M_ONtJE0e6YnvKIS7pGo/s400/IMG_20150810_121224.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding bikes in the summer. Not a bad gig.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkCfcVugqSGAdsBIQ8f1Y1zChMg4s5GRfqBAwP_UWz5i47zqV4aouFRF88jkllR_Hc2xt-tUxRY_zzoHy7Acp63mn_I9jXL9vIGIWytYKRiJf5U0aKxBFPJ2DIpIzTJnsP19SBo7-iPI/s1600/IMG_0371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkCfcVugqSGAdsBIQ8f1Y1zChMg4s5GRfqBAwP_UWz5i47zqV4aouFRF88jkllR_Hc2xt-tUxRY_zzoHy7Acp63mn_I9jXL9vIGIWytYKRiJf5U0aKxBFPJ2DIpIzTJnsP19SBo7-iPI/s400/IMG_0371.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also, you should know that I've become a bit obsessed with goats. Because look how cute this is.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTcKPgQMBMtqIzL6IET_8XlEAwj2fw_1a_Vlil6Mj1ZtnOd4Wmu4PbpucUuFKCs2ctN70FA6g3xJerA8MlV9kurWiTnmKrOY2RiKjfPGBJ4iy09Mv-G4TQDat9mSL90DGz-7IUZDtOsE/s1600/IMG_0387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTcKPgQMBMtqIzL6IET_8XlEAwj2fw_1a_Vlil6Mj1ZtnOd4Wmu4PbpucUuFKCs2ctN70FA6g3xJerA8MlV9kurWiTnmKrOY2RiKjfPGBJ4iy09Mv-G4TQDat9mSL90DGz-7IUZDtOsE/s400/IMG_0387.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So when we were in Hartford, CT yesterday to speak at a QT2 continuing ed seminar, and I saw that they have a baseball team called the Yard Goats? Well, let's just say I know who I'm rooting for from now on...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPwSZ9zLz-Pxbv66uG5_DvrA751A_EJhAMaIcQHpfdJWdbUbbncxFD2YG8MtM99LzuuPFhg28Whb8eua-wSGtDnZMrO3SXGXvCq3I8kIAwRM4TfZSHLp_OyuLI8irYwtz1neFPtY70SM/s1600/IMG_20150814_105648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPwSZ9zLz-Pxbv66uG5_DvrA751A_EJhAMaIcQHpfdJWdbUbbncxFD2YG8MtM99LzuuPFhg28Whb8eua-wSGtDnZMrO3SXGXvCq3I8kIAwRM4TfZSHLp_OyuLI8irYwtz1neFPtY70SM/s400/IMG_20150814_105648.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And yes, every blog post should end with a watermelon picture. #fact</td></tr>
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<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16247635973514495690noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576474175047022633.post-82468474421342837582015-07-27T17:56:00.000-07:002015-07-27T18:04:23.158-07:00Since We Last Spoke......I RACED! Not going to lie, it was a bit of a rough experience (including the $263 speeding ticket I got on the drive from the airport PLUS 4 more points on my license...oh man...). I was the last pro out of the water. I flatted on the bike. But the real issue is, my legs flatted too! Ooooops! I felt out of shape and NOT race ready. But you know what? It was so awesome to race again, I didn't care. I may have a long way to go but at least I'm moving in the right direction. And any race, even when you don't perform like you want, is better than sitting at home on the couch with a broken shoulder.<br />
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Plus, we had fun.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOx-D7xJcEMUwsIcAv74k2poqYgDAstg4ceY999IUtkBn65G2SK_UV_C2m7AD0iL5UvT0267iM6isJnxR1Wj1Hlm_pSGkhX4wd08TZdvMpEh2GSa42GMD9wvovDSAf_kUndiKGdr55Zg/s1600/20150717_075240.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOx-D7xJcEMUwsIcAv74k2poqYgDAstg4ceY999IUtkBn65G2SK_UV_C2m7AD0iL5UvT0267iM6isJnxR1Wj1Hlm_pSGkhX4wd08TZdvMpEh2GSa42GMD9wvovDSAf_kUndiKGdr55Zg/s400/20150717_075240.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When in Wisconsin, one obviously wears a cheesehead.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgjAHROkTMW6LeATH1dvX36XBEdRSnBNjqxvDy6qUqqJNI_N51ZnYolxESK8HUhhNWpCNg5hWDvNshtMigRZbIOKYIo8vId0SRZ9YrRSm5wRV6J0zva25PSTDWDV4dTi3biLEVl7kfFE/s1600/20150719_143856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgjAHROkTMW6LeATH1dvX36XBEdRSnBNjqxvDy6qUqqJNI_N51ZnYolxESK8HUhhNWpCNg5hWDvNshtMigRZbIOKYIo8vId0SRZ9YrRSm5wRV6J0zva25PSTDWDV4dTi3biLEVl7kfFE/s400/20150719_143856.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Racine, you were rough. But we got 'er done.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYBKraO6SlL-qCYcl0fQmi2ZILLqVDF_fjOS2mLNvw5gu5W-ErgWrstfULJEk7SDxYu7fJuptjYnmyu5DT7lZayJ_rWV1NOOkKtTNgULl6sspWlvGw6SNTV4INlAHUyGHruVF22FAXQE/s1600/20150719_185539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYBKraO6SlL-qCYcl0fQmi2ZILLqVDF_fjOS2mLNvw5gu5W-ErgWrstfULJEk7SDxYu7fJuptjYnmyu5DT7lZayJ_rWV1NOOkKtTNgULl6sspWlvGw6SNTV4INlAHUyGHruVF22FAXQE/s400/20150719_185539.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I might have drank a fruit salad in the airport on the way home.</td></tr>
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I also went to a few concerts since last time I wrote. I highly recommend Billy Joel at Fenway Park.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFlLyeG4cY2kQjwf4dZT_PWS1XlCQAQ_n6PQFNW958JWJGUIMxHgYzfporJcVkR3nSa6qjqfg89aGxHf-oZCFkgFGYTQtNiHa-0rsKcTtgO9_ZUcwP6uXzE9b75nvSo6cf-Y5S2w8YCU/s1600/20150709_222911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFlLyeG4cY2kQjwf4dZT_PWS1XlCQAQ_n6PQFNW958JWJGUIMxHgYzfporJcVkR3nSa6qjqfg89aGxHf-oZCFkgFGYTQtNiHa-0rsKcTtgO9_ZUcwP6uXzE9b75nvSo6cf-Y5S2w8YCU/s400/20150709_222911.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Slightly Stoopid at Blue Hills Bank Pavilion. Pretty sure I was high from second hand smoke.</td></tr>
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And then there was the trip to Lake Placid that I just returned from. It was my first time in Lake Placid. First time watching an Ironman. Many firsts. And it was awesome. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFnFBJp8bn8LSZTLQRZT9DUN7FcmlgkyUVmfnfXK0oy8M9PY3AOmhgy78YbZsJmlz_3Shzy62wLnf7BNdD-GEdLOp2qWsM7Ju8dZm9iyMrDBodaXhVJ4yPLhvZ98V25hmSnMETEpp4JQ/s1600/20150722_173036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFnFBJp8bn8LSZTLQRZT9DUN7FcmlgkyUVmfnfXK0oy8M9PY3AOmhgy78YbZsJmlz_3Shzy62wLnf7BNdD-GEdLOp2qWsM7Ju8dZm9iyMrDBodaXhVJ4yPLhvZ98V25hmSnMETEpp4JQ/s400/20150722_173036.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mirror Lake. Not a shabby place to do all your swimming for a week.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbOP-l48s1X5T9FtwpN1jMulcc1FoJRs9mcfIXr3K0kTcCLYeFtz1L6Z_cxewZRIBrzs_xgmC8UN1sC6VkXdZC-gTki3dOBHROueL1emh2jw9SwDHbF5mC_STDbOFH42jShdo-CGgoIY/s1600/IMG_8934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbOP-l48s1X5T9FtwpN1jMulcc1FoJRs9mcfIXr3K0kTcCLYeFtz1L6Z_cxewZRIBrzs_xgmC8UN1sC6VkXdZC-gTki3dOBHROueL1emh2jw9SwDHbF5mC_STDbOFH42jShdo-CGgoIY/s400/IMG_8934.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I worked <a href="http://www.thecorediet.com/">The Core Diet</a> booth at the IMLP expo. I've never answered so many questions about beet juice in my life.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWst8oTDdZfWQkN8chVzvmpIdaVP77idUehW8vHkHoZ2cHl14DePRyGNltjIe_H3dA1NixHYLRFsJB5OdhUQA3N_aRQAJvi_D6DkwZ1OXyuTZfkwIAZkAc1BF6hmyp66XX_xjuGo33l0/s1600/IMG_8940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWst8oTDdZfWQkN8chVzvmpIdaVP77idUehW8vHkHoZ2cHl14DePRyGNltjIe_H3dA1NixHYLRFsJB5OdhUQA3N_aRQAJvi_D6DkwZ1OXyuTZfkwIAZkAc1BF6hmyp66XX_xjuGo33l0/s400/IMG_8940.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found a picture of myself at the expo at the NormaTec booth. And then Michelle made me take my picture by it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9iB1N-qFanAfq8IFVU6dGAMRIFaY9w3S4kjHFSI2EorUvWyPqtADSQqeX6AX-TK99txnaRHPCH-OWnTv2dEM40nbgjClEEZe8RoL38axp4Dwe1Z7U1zEnpECqyaoM0W4wzr3kS_4kBI/s1600/20150725_153856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9iB1N-qFanAfq8IFVU6dGAMRIFaY9w3S4kjHFSI2EorUvWyPqtADSQqeX6AX-TK99txnaRHPCH-OWnTv2dEM40nbgjClEEZe8RoL38axp4Dwe1Z7U1zEnpECqyaoM0W4wzr3kS_4kBI/s400/20150725_153856.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did a bunch of training, including climbing to the clouds up Whiteface Mountain.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIpgoXjIKCNuUECb7oDoMmGhsqRmENqKGkTa8JqBYaZ_dTBxF7O9Tiu9Ay__QSk-qc_ZuZkkyTkkOjVh3IpT-5q6TTiZW9oEzP5YqGZ5BcqJ5ZNMTm_IzprgUwNSsuw9PuXe1WdWxk2I/s1600/11760134_10206094008483521_1817936610597816536_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIpgoXjIKCNuUECb7oDoMmGhsqRmENqKGkTa8JqBYaZ_dTBxF7O9Tiu9Ay__QSk-qc_ZuZkkyTkkOjVh3IpT-5q6TTiZW9oEzP5YqGZ5BcqJ5ZNMTm_IzprgUwNSsuw9PuXe1WdWxk2I/s400/11760134_10206094008483521_1817936610597816536_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did an absolutely awesome ride with the boys. Although at the time I'm not sure "awesome" is the word I would have used to describe what was happening. <br />
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And then there was just the normal every days. Smiling. Feeling alive. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpHy4ojEuczrHtvqgzWoa33QVbB8DtO1E1CLtnlvfrEWD3P1lgYDYc3z19pX0y65haqxCXcO5_5kkyL74cZpo1lNjHF4ZCOFl_eERa4FIXRvlFdGmK1ccVCfljqf0pVCX1JTT3cqIxuc/s1600/20150706_145447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpHy4ojEuczrHtvqgzWoa33QVbB8DtO1E1CLtnlvfrEWD3P1lgYDYc3z19pX0y65haqxCXcO5_5kkyL74cZpo1lNjHF4ZCOFl_eERa4FIXRvlFdGmK1ccVCfljqf0pVCX1JTT3cqIxuc/s400/20150706_145447.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And eating watermelon. Duh.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpoTr9mo6Cibu9tSN2gRB5Iik2Wy5i8yuLomRhQfP2IrrsnKKJi6NT6UU9n46lKwXpy4DR2dbtPc0jFWAzHvb5KD32IT_q-oM-MLLi8f3MVfAcHzlzMJDFP7JwoHiMa89RVHRR4cUbMQ/s1600/Blue+Hills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpoTr9mo6Cibu9tSN2gRB5Iik2Wy5i8yuLomRhQfP2IrrsnKKJi6NT6UU9n46lKwXpy4DR2dbtPc0jFWAzHvb5KD32IT_q-oM-MLLi8f3MVfAcHzlzMJDFP7JwoHiMa89RVHRR4cUbMQ/s400/Blue+Hills.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Until next time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16247635973514495690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576474175047022633.post-44066818367097481722015-07-05T21:07:00.000-07:002015-07-05T21:07:47.267-07:00Starting Over<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This year has, thus far, been a year of "starting over", in many different ways. At times it's been disheartening. At times thrilling. At times very scary. At times extremely frustrating. Through it all I've tried to keep an open mind, an open heart and the cursing to a minimum. I've failed miserably. I've seen some success. I've laughed hysterically. I've cried (a lot). I've been overwhelmed with gratefulness for the true friends and family that have seen me through it all (and continue to do so). And I've tried to remember that life is pretty damn awesome every single day. And that even when it hurts, it still feels really GOOD to feel so alive. I've got a lifetime to live yet. The only way to do it is with happiness.<br />
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In a few weeks I'm going to Racine, WI to race. My shoulder has been slow to heal. I've only swam a handful of times and my bike/run fitness is lacking too. But I don't really care. What I've learned with each re-start is this: you have to start somewhere. And starting over ain't so bad, after all.<br />
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The past few months...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrn35VCHPEzOFKY_dqSPrxNDGtgYmafEqebu7CgveryQY_GNxJpiSAsle61y1R5ukkF6r6-fYuKpxEQ5Iz8ClWaAi7YxaazMtikuCzNpSy2O0kIj4LhJMbbFJGuWqa8Vn3wzXPrJFgEXg/s1600/20150521_202516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrn35VCHPEzOFKY_dqSPrxNDGtgYmafEqebu7CgveryQY_GNxJpiSAsle61y1R5ukkF6r6-fYuKpxEQ5Iz8ClWaAi7YxaazMtikuCzNpSy2O0kIj4LhJMbbFJGuWqa8Vn3wzXPrJFgEXg/s400/20150521_202516.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There have been some bad days.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCR9fdYJZ5Dpj4fjeODfeFJrQAeQbAq9W8ufd14c3EX33HPCe75zEq7yd9tu0HdJuxsYOCiGDv0hajGf18uqWzD4a3EO-yEpbOOlaEMl7iOmNnP_Q9IR-Bv7wkNTPNWL86IeeFPKPFDA/s1600/picnic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCR9fdYJZ5Dpj4fjeODfeFJrQAeQbAq9W8ufd14c3EX33HPCe75zEq7yd9tu0HdJuxsYOCiGDv0hajGf18uqWzD4a3EO-yEpbOOlaEMl7iOmNnP_Q9IR-Bv7wkNTPNWL86IeeFPKPFDA/s400/picnic.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But also some amazingly good days.<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ub8BVJPx48FVXIv74SDlGGN5IrFztG7yC5LCLD3kkGcLDL6g53pqzj4USqJTNBjCw1LZXNqMvPjD8lElCtkaMMzdLXyfK8a105kT7Tj_E8pP4FAVrGkV4xnqhoX5ujlFG6-dS8CD2vY/s1600/20150613_102524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ub8BVJPx48FVXIv74SDlGGN5IrFztG7yC5LCLD3kkGcLDL6g53pqzj4USqJTNBjCw1LZXNqMvPjD8lElCtkaMMzdLXyfK8a105kT7Tj_E8pP4FAVrGkV4xnqhoX5ujlFG6-dS8CD2vY/s400/20150613_102524.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I rode my bike to the Atlantic Ocean.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQwNMgaRXC3ZHmhAHky3qj1PiRtFetjyauvodxCqjKLBSFLlz-8CYyRyjUIRPjOrG4VoaS_U3phoR2tuJ6TI5mqbjfYxXPtz5shcnL1_lswym7rMCcJ4Q8wOBBGG4hnHSsjul68XexQQ/s1600/IMG_20150704_173032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQwNMgaRXC3ZHmhAHky3qj1PiRtFetjyauvodxCqjKLBSFLlz-8CYyRyjUIRPjOrG4VoaS_U3phoR2tuJ6TI5mqbjfYxXPtz5shcnL1_lswym7rMCcJ4Q8wOBBGG4hnHSsjul68XexQQ/s400/IMG_20150704_173032.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And around Lake Cayuga in upstate, NY.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCU7YRkTCf90_En5tPFDEDI6N2r3wVXe9EvOeBSnPVBoV7k-BB9psQMitzwRVZGtzx9U_J7JyXxqRbYC-eFgMZa7fyXbrWoNYku-FqvkGoBZ_1HPiRkTdHaMtPgKd2h7C6iWxYEp9QkDc/s1600/20150627_081557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCU7YRkTCf90_En5tPFDEDI6N2r3wVXe9EvOeBSnPVBoV7k-BB9psQMitzwRVZGtzx9U_J7JyXxqRbYC-eFgMZa7fyXbrWoNYku-FqvkGoBZ_1HPiRkTdHaMtPgKd2h7C6iWxYEp9QkDc/s400/20150627_081557.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And up the Kanc (x2!) in New Hampshire.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGIFR5SmEFDnBH3l8Om77xLNCErlX1dhQnuaFbB46xrPR8wE-we__kbkJwqLBburyS1abmI9ek-f5xK32OfoGkQ0Yhyphenhyphen4i0w0npBeDArVqekFU5vITTIqGV0xWNicyvikof7ma4GIiPec/s1600/20150627_114930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGIFR5SmEFDnBH3l8Om77xLNCErlX1dhQnuaFbB46xrPR8wE-we__kbkJwqLBburyS1abmI9ek-f5xK32OfoGkQ0Yhyphenhyphen4i0w0npBeDArVqekFU5vITTIqGV0xWNicyvikof7ma4GIiPec/s400/20150627_114930.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I highly recommend stopping for pie mid-ride.<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDo8UBjlfnQ_Gkl3oc7A0Rx4dWRHiGD3TFT3xpngaTD5bAHUI8P9YhPIxm567n-OeXvnjClZkvBqUQXHuIQ5ZpE2N3S81NLrGEPy_M7bKDerYVZm-CF9f7khxDdKj6igvSUt7Zw1Y3go/s1600/20150703_082345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDo8UBjlfnQ_Gkl3oc7A0Rx4dWRHiGD3TFT3xpngaTD5bAHUI8P9YhPIxm567n-OeXvnjClZkvBqUQXHuIQ5ZpE2N3S81NLrGEPy_M7bKDerYVZm-CF9f7khxDdKj6igvSUt7Zw1Y3go/s400/20150703_082345.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got to swim in the beautiful facility at Ithaca College.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtD5TQ5qRPtGSVIHF792Rg_V-JRudKr2GtT6hYd5De_4XN6swk1H9bc1ImgLr1JkNLYM3v_EBGhdX_YxfYyIzs8Co6czQNQD-SUbUZTAD8Df3iWD3DjOIoMlGmYShai6dI_skhuGoBlI8/s1600/20150624_101108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtD5TQ5qRPtGSVIHF792Rg_V-JRudKr2GtT6hYd5De_4XN6swk1H9bc1ImgLr1JkNLYM3v_EBGhdX_YxfYyIzs8Co6czQNQD-SUbUZTAD8Df3iWD3DjOIoMlGmYShai6dI_skhuGoBlI8/s400/20150624_101108.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But most of my swimming (as limited as it's been) has taken place in this beauty of a "pool".<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgrluO6HrUCv6qyibBOmKZ4CZ1shGhi4dqlwCn31_zccSrOeEZEYQx_Yc5P-ceOP99I6NlZcc8xVMY34V2xSs1OPV3YFMUyhm4HV9WGzEahRQJW3uDc5vcooFonLVny0ymMIgAwXoNHo/s1600/20150705_174259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgrluO6HrUCv6qyibBOmKZ4CZ1shGhi4dqlwCn31_zccSrOeEZEYQx_Yc5P-ceOP99I6NlZcc8xVMY34V2xSs1OPV3YFMUyhm4HV9WGzEahRQJW3uDc5vcooFonLVny0ymMIgAwXoNHo/s400/20150705_174259.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you're ever in Boston, go to see Joshua Tree, awesome U2 cover band.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsoB8G8L1n7PeXH08x1M70OJSec8-lYnrNO5BX4Lez4oszn7j7xaWlNpyHNt8x1_NivgISabV6Ehj22dJvM7hb56DdmK2ddQ1-ys0Fi60PolUFyKFfQQ_7bdt6zQ1HAoumF8xFDElPr8/s1600/20150604_083338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsoB8G8L1n7PeXH08x1M70OJSec8-lYnrNO5BX4Lez4oszn7j7xaWlNpyHNt8x1_NivgISabV6Ehj22dJvM7hb56DdmK2ddQ1-ys0Fi60PolUFyKFfQQ_7bdt6zQ1HAoumF8xFDElPr8/s400/20150604_083338.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little reminder from a very wise friend.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16247635973514495690noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576474175047022633.post-14681855581547398202015-05-02T15:53:00.000-07:002015-05-02T15:53:59.288-07:00The Highs And Lows<div class="MsoNormal">
There exists a tradition in my family called “The Highs and
Lows”. Every year around New Years we
are each responsible for listing what we’d consider our “highs” for the
previous year, as well as our “lows”.
It’s a good way to reflect on the year and I’m always interested in
hearing what my family members perceive as their best and worst moments. The year I was 2<sup>nd</sup> at Ironman
Wisconsin, my father listed one of his “highs” as watching me cross the finish
line. It was one of the most touching
things anyone has ever said to me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I must admit, most years I struggle to come up with my list
of lows. Because my life is very, very
good and, well, I just haven’t suffered a ton of lows along the way. This is what I was thinking, last night, when
I was sitting on a bench in The Woodlands, TX, eating ice cream. I had just heard back from the doctor that my
MRI showed a fracture in my humerus and that I couldn’t race IM Texas. I decided I needed calcium to heal my bone
and the best way to get it was ice cream.
So I got a big dish of it, sat on a bench on a beautiful Friday night,
and thought “well, at least I won’t have trouble coming up with lows for this
year’s “Highs and Lows” game.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Life seems to be kicking me in the teeth lately. A foot injury in Jan/Feb kept me out of IM
South Africa in March. Some ongoing
personal issues have left me heartbroken for most of the winter/spring. Some personal health issues kept me up at
night for most of March and April. I
came down to Texas torn and unsure if I even wanted to race but then I did the
Galveston 70.3 and surprised myself with a strong performance. I was 6th in a tough field and rode better than I had every ridden before. A high!
Finally! Galveston got me hugely
excited to race IM Texas and really give it a go. I felt like I had some momentum and
positivity for the first time in a while.
But then, two days later, I was riding my bike on the IMTX course and
crashed. Everything felt okay but my
shoulder. I thought (hoped!) it was just
really bruised up, but an MRI on Friday showed a fracture in the humerus. No activity for 3 weeks. A sling.
And definitely no IMTX. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To say I’m disappointed is a huge understatement. But you know what? Life goes on.
And ultimately, my “problems” are of little significance in the grand
scheme of things. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If there is one (huge) positive that has come from the
disappointments I’ve had over the past several months, it is this: I’ve noticed
now more than ever how many kind and generous people there are in this
world. I’ve relied largely on this
generosity and kindness to get me through my tough spots and I want to point out
just a few. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To the Yorks (Aeri, Skip, Stuart, Charles and Sonja): you
were absolutely amazing to me and I so appreciate your kindness. I very much regret not being able to stay and
race but I am DETERMINED to do IMTX so keep my room ready for next year! Thank you for your hospitality. It was second to none.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To Amy, the good Samaritan who stopped (and ultimately took
me & my banged up bike home) after I crashed: thank you for reminding me
that there are VERY good people in this world!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To Dr. Keith Johnson and his staff at Sterling Ridge Orthopedics: WOW –
JUST WOW!! I am truly amazed and so, so
grateful for what you did for me. Within
a day of calling his office I was in for a visit, saw a physical therapist, had
an MRI, a diagnosis and a treatment plan.
All at no cost. It happened
so fast, I’m not even sure what happened!
You likely saved my season by setting me on a path to recovery faster
than I could even say “humerus”! And I
will never be able to repay your generosity.
Go kick some ass at IMTX on May 16<sup>th</sup>. I, for one, will be tracking and cheering for
you all day! You have a lifelong fan,
for sure.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To QR: your bikes are awesome. But your service and the way you treat your
athletes is even better. Thanks for
over-nighting a new stem so that I could get my beautiful PRsix ride-ready
again! Unfortunately my shoulder had
other ideas. But once that puppy heals,
I’ll be back on task and ready to rock!
THANK YOU for doing everything you possibly could to get me on the start
line in TX.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To Bike Lane of Houston: HUGE thanks for putting me on the
top of your priority list and getting my bike ready to go! So grateful for your service and generosity.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To my QT2 family, most especially Kait, Matt, and
Pat: you guys rock. All there is to
it. Thanks for keeping me laughing and
for making memories with me. Special
thanks to Pat, who was with me when I crashed, for sitting in the ER with me,
taking my bike to the shop, and wiping away a ton of tears.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To my own family: oy vey!
You put up with a lot. Sorry for
all the worry. I’ll get my act together
here soon, I promise!! Thanks for loving
me, no matter what.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And finally to the Snow family: I simply have no words. No words for what you have done for me. Know that your kindness will never, ever be forgotten. And know also the huge impact you've had on
me and my life. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m getting a bit teary eyed thinking of all the wonderful
people in my life. Even just this
morning, as I struggled to get a huge bike box, a wheel bag, 2 suitcases and a
backpack through the airport with a broken shoulder in a sling, I can’t even
recount how many kind strangers offered to help me. This world has a lot of really good
people!!! And right now, that’s my take
away from all that is happening in my own little world. Despite the struggle I feel, there are people
who care and who will help. And when I’m
finally in the position to be of help to someone else, it will be at the top of
my priority list. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So three weeks of no activity and this @@#V$ sling (that I
already hate and have sworn at relentlessly) – here we go! Oh, and lots of ice cream. You know, for the calcium...!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13L-46L-kf1oFZNAg0Ccjt_jtQuiGwQ7F0QlTM99gGUgYFOtL9LvqSwVlZg-XDubJtG_-b9G8N6HWOLr4mIP2J9PEAiG-ZLPL6BDOI8uMJfzzTqZ1CUWfp3yJrrW8g8akJv-8zKLaR4Y/s1600/20150501_094255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13L-46L-kf1oFZNAg0Ccjt_jtQuiGwQ7F0QlTM99gGUgYFOtL9LvqSwVlZg-XDubJtG_-b9G8N6HWOLr4mIP2J9PEAiG-ZLPL6BDOI8uMJfzzTqZ1CUWfp3yJrrW8g8akJv-8zKLaR4Y/s1600/20150501_094255.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a TEENY bit of road rash - not bad! But the real trouble is the cracked wing...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWC0aakFNGhi2QhL_c2UAnYZmaYP0YwJLfySXLv9ZcsKL-yT-3YUD0X972TjRWsFRUVorpj_zdm9gHgENPX8W4KhPa8-qtJl49T9lkT_3vq_x9yQ9OQy5mmHY_-cZ6QnRMkl7JgzqXyvU/s1600/20150428_215831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWC0aakFNGhi2QhL_c2UAnYZmaYP0YwJLfySXLv9ZcsKL-yT-3YUD0X972TjRWsFRUVorpj_zdm9gHgENPX8W4KhPa8-qtJl49T9lkT_3vq_x9yQ9OQy5mmHY_-cZ6QnRMkl7JgzqXyvU/s1600/20150428_215831.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I really need to stop hanging out in ERs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfdLN0w2TDxvS8_nnTTxLWnboXuzgh_lyC5sNmmi6Vz71XfV2RvR8YBuu0HSdA-pV5Dq_lGVkireLxgelGQzt3YQY9Wty3byNFVh74qW0UcXCVQCFj7awZ9zQrVQaqNj_ZgZCDgOrWS4/s1600/20150424_163834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfdLN0w2TDxvS8_nnTTxLWnboXuzgh_lyC5sNmmi6Vz71XfV2RvR8YBuu0HSdA-pV5Dq_lGVkireLxgelGQzt3YQY9Wty3byNFVh74qW0UcXCVQCFj7awZ9zQrVQaqNj_ZgZCDgOrWS4/s1600/20150424_163834.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy days in Galveston! Two @couersports gals and one honorary @couersports guy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16247635973514495690noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576474175047022633.post-43624753888429208072015-04-21T16:05:00.000-07:002015-04-21T16:05:10.951-07:00LifeOh boy, it's been a while.<br />
<br />
If you've ever had a blog and at some point failed to update that blog for a significant period of time, you'll understand my current conundrum. You want to write and update but you don't know where to start. A lot of time has passed and a lot of things have happened. Because this seems like such a daunting task, you choose instead to watch tv. Or take a nap. Or walk the dog. Then more time passes and more things happen. At which point the task becomes even more daunting. The blog goes silent. Then you start getting emails asking if you are okay. Yup, I'm getting the emails.<br />
<br />
So here is the abridged version! <br />
<br />
I raced Kona in October.<br />
<br />
I came home and took a month off of training. There was weeping and gnashing of teeth. I survived. My coach nearly did not.<br />
<br />
I started training again. The holidays happened. Life moved forward.<br />
<br />
In January I cursed the weather. My foot started to hurt.<br />
<br />
In February I went to Florida. Weather much better. Foot not so much. I spent a month in FL, first helping out with the QT2 AG training camps (which are awesome, by the way, check them out <a href="http://www.qt2systems.com/shop/358-catId.562036743_358-productId.0.html">here</a>) and then at the QT2 Pro camp. I swam and biked a ton. I did not run so much.<br />
<br />
Then it was March and I had an Ironman coming up in South Africa. But my foot was still not right and at the same time, I was going through a very hard time personally. All signs pointed towards NOT racing in South Africa. It was heartbreaking, but life moves on. <br />
<br />
And indeed, life did move on. By mid March I was running again with much less pain (Hokas to the rescue - seriously). I made a tentative plan of racing IM Texas. <br />
<br />
In early April I ran a running race. It was painful. But the good kind of pain. And my foot was okay. I bought plane tickets to Texas.<br />
<br />
And now here we are in late April and this Friday, I'm about to board a plane for my first race of the year (Galveston 70.3). I haven't raced for over 6 months. I hope I remember how this goes! After Galveston, I'm staying in Texas until IMTX where I will (if all goes according to plan!) race my 10th Ironman. Hard to believe. My Mom will be there as always. I'm looking forward to it.<br />
<br />
There you have it in a nutshell - the last 6 months of my life! I know you've just all been dying to know. :) And because I know pictures are really the only thing people look at anyway...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGL-sgsjdQWNcbBUbyH1jNxVqZSuAOVGQgr-8mOKERZ6tiv8SQ9dLkkdv4xKu_wTWaQOxzf7Ovk6bwrAlR-ybWprtaXJsiPhdUH763pYATNfpjgvj7aNZBF9g7443m_JQAoUP74Ubtdhk/s1600/20150309_175222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGL-sgsjdQWNcbBUbyH1jNxVqZSuAOVGQgr-8mOKERZ6tiv8SQ9dLkkdv4xKu_wTWaQOxzf7Ovk6bwrAlR-ybWprtaXJsiPhdUH763pYATNfpjgvj7aNZBF9g7443m_JQAoUP74Ubtdhk/s1600/20150309_175222.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got me a new bike and she is faaaaaaast and purty!<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibkvf9MV_cEqZqpvVZnJx9KSV_HtVAAnHK3qCvLp8zMshYhtlHIvOGSexVcESEmvRwUwy6om6CLHkIttyMF5YvlBBms0kGEPvGhDE_LyhlHcUiKyZnTr9DsOS_cOSTZx5Va1Dt15XufrU/s1600/20150406_181952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibkvf9MV_cEqZqpvVZnJx9KSV_HtVAAnHK3qCvLp8zMshYhtlHIvOGSexVcESEmvRwUwy6om6CLHkIttyMF5YvlBBms0kGEPvGhDE_LyhlHcUiKyZnTr9DsOS_cOSTZx5Va1Dt15XufrU/s1600/20150406_181952.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And I got me a new racing kit too! Many thanks to an amazing group of supporters again in 2015.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjncLReDRzA3Nhh3qK1cNr-z1xwswhqAxIpl7vpF3H9hRFxyCtByaxrLncPxNIJtJqebzI9h3pq70m8hyvS9wABmTDwzjeOyF7tWr3PQNtZ67XUI9JNjlSfkxneiScaklqOmUZAxLtHytM/s1600/20150415_181907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjncLReDRzA3Nhh3qK1cNr-z1xwswhqAxIpl7vpF3H9hRFxyCtByaxrLncPxNIJtJqebzI9h3pq70m8hyvS9wABmTDwzjeOyF7tWr3PQNtZ67XUI9JNjlSfkxneiScaklqOmUZAxLtHytM/s1600/20150415_181907.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've been training in Boston for a bit now and I have to say, I really like it here. It's mostly the people of Boston I love. Because they say things like this, with a straight face, and expect you to understand them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EdEXaFSEiTDtt6b8Y3Ho9nohabcAGKtI5HvF4ASJdZImII4ND6rcqGHjI_O9BHlZA8qF8j0Y4nipLnBqkSpIkQJikkUj2dEkhrNyWC4QRHH4q9dI3F55ejyv3lBBpcmMcEPOSp1xBJg/s1600/20150419_083233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EdEXaFSEiTDtt6b8Y3Ho9nohabcAGKtI5HvF4ASJdZImII4ND6rcqGHjI_O9BHlZA8qF8j0Y4nipLnBqkSpIkQJikkUj2dEkhrNyWC4QRHH4q9dI3F55ejyv3lBBpcmMcEPOSp1xBJg/s1600/20150419_083233.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've picked up a bad habit, or two.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fZXn8cXYc0RaaMpiczYEgsflXb6-ue2pSD4T_-nwqyv47G5_hZlzpRntsymzKKJNW7XQvYgx2CDUSetKejMl48rON1CIDcyFPOF8aHL3IIOxNyOu_cV5EhYaIx2VNLfB1g6uCGmeprU/s1600/IMG_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fZXn8cXYc0RaaMpiczYEgsflXb6-ue2pSD4T_-nwqyv47G5_hZlzpRntsymzKKJNW7XQvYgx2CDUSetKejMl48rON1CIDcyFPOF8aHL3IIOxNyOu_cV5EhYaIx2VNLfB1g6uCGmeprU/s1600/IMG_0003.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House 1717 from camp. We were, by far, the most awesome. (of course)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhqvGM_00egIp_aYQbv-nkb0xztMyqWQ1BmgrCSPRZeW8356Zu6oJQq6HWuVjDcpRG2O6H-_II9P6_qx6nxUbT6cNJeta-haPj8YNzPUtYBLytkPx7JO3ulrXTNXFplPBNmjmN8N0vLtQ/s1600/IMG_20150419_211120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhqvGM_00egIp_aYQbv-nkb0xztMyqWQ1BmgrCSPRZeW8356Zu6oJQq6HWuVjDcpRG2O6H-_II9P6_qx6nxUbT6cNJeta-haPj8YNzPUtYBLytkPx7JO3ulrXTNXFplPBNmjmN8N0vLtQ/s1600/IMG_20150419_211120.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I blame this on you, Corbin. I never even HAD gelato before...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16247635973514495690noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576474175047022633.post-53442229883932498232015-01-16T19:21:00.001-08:002015-01-16T19:26:35.532-08:00All About MeRemember that confidence project I wrote about in my last blog entry? Yep, still working on it. What can I say, when you have my confidence issues, it takes a while to sort out. :) But the good news is, things are improving! I have a new blog assignment, for the project though, so below, read 100 things all about me. The good. The bad. The ugly. (in no particular order) Why this assignment? Well, I have trouble putting myself "out there" (in fact, I hate it), and so, this is a little practice in doing just that. Just trying to learn to be myself, all over again.<br />
<br />
1) My favorite color is purple. If you looked in my closet, it kind of looks like purple threw up in there.<br />
<br />
2) I failed my drivers exam three times - once on the written part (yes, that IS possible) and twice on the driving part. I didn't get parallel parking back then. But I'm proud of the fact that I can now parallel park our manual, in a tight spot, on the side of a large hill in Oakland, with traffic waiting behind me. Boom.<br />
<br />
3) One of the feelings I feel most is gratitude.<br />
<br />
4) I've never lived on my own.<br />
<br />
5) I don't know how to pay bills or do online banking. At all.<br />
<br />
6) I also don't know how to turn on a grill.<br />
<br />
7) Nor do I know how to play poker.<br />
<br />
8) But I do know how to play Settlers of Catan. That's my favorite game.<br />
<br />
9) I am a registered dietitian. When I went through my schooling, I SWORE I'd never work in a hospital. The first job I took? Working in a hospital. And I really loved it.<br />
<br />
10) When I worked at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, I saw a lot of people die from cancer. Cancer really scares me.<br />
<br />
11) Alcoholism also scares me. I think it's one of the saddest diseases there is.<br />
<br />
12) I don't drink (alcohol) at all because of that fear.<br />
<br />
13) Running is my absolute first love. Although we've been through a lot of ups and downs through the years, running has been a constant for a majority of my life.<br />
<br />
14) I LOVE dogs. But big dogs scare me. I got bit by our next door neighbor's German Shepard when I was little and also once when I was out running while in college. <br />
<br />
15) I rode horses growing up. I used to dream of being in the Olympics for show jumping (one of the equestrian sports). <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEiAAhr0zaTXW7-UF-g6WKhonpTukV5r6Cen1cQWGAlgKvxgaSmPT0rddEdFu_RK9kRlEAnbU4n6dcwYqlFVwlLTI6u1VC7GDl2vf8LSSrTu66udI9DubLxO1nOmSvzrl_EEdey7Q3i6o/s1600/10346270_10204043409193322_3231127025669550161_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEiAAhr0zaTXW7-UF-g6WKhonpTukV5r6Cen1cQWGAlgKvxgaSmPT0rddEdFu_RK9kRlEAnbU4n6dcwYqlFVwlLTI6u1VC7GDl2vf8LSSrTu66udI9DubLxO1nOmSvzrl_EEdey7Q3i6o/s1600/10346270_10204043409193322_3231127025669550161_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm the one in the black shirt. Back when trucker hats were cool, the first time around.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
16) I have one sister that I really look up to. She is super smart but has never made me feel dumb.<br />
<br />
17) I wear a size 7 shoe.<br />
<br />
18) I like all kinds of music. I know all the words to most Billy Joel and Whitney Houston songs.<br />
<br />
19) One of my all time favorite movies is Silver Linings Playbook.<br />
<br />
20) There are a lot of things I don't like about myself but I'm really working hard to accept that all these things make me who I am, good, bad or ugly. I want to be one of those people that is really comfortable just being who they are.<br />
<br />
21) I never went to a high school dance.<br />
<br />
22) It seems crazy to me that I get to wake up every morning and swim, bike and run for the majority of the day. That literally is, a dream come true. <br />
<br />
23) I've always been an all or nothing type person. I'm not interested in many things, but when I am interested in something I am ALL IN.<br />
<br />
24) On May 27th of this year, I'll be 36 years old. That's hard for me to believe. I don't feel that close to 40.<br />
<br />
25) I'm really proud of the fact that I graduated from and ran for Penn State University. It's a great school in a wonderful community with one of the best athletic programs in the country. I still have my college uniform.<br />
<br />
26) Bradley Cooper is my favorite actor. For obvious reasons.<br />
<br />
27) My coaches have been some of the most influential people in my life, and I'm very thankful for every last one of them. Some of the deepest grief I have ever felt came when my high school coach passed away in the fall of 2006.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvipRbrsPAzo2Ra4GO6vzkeeTaIN_zcxwFF-hg2CTlgEX5jX1G1GpjNgCRT4vDQtLGEjIi7x96WpR0FbzG022D5RtGlwl3iCsjK7MThSV8_TYLewyqWlK59zAwvETIKiUACCJfTEpaug/s1600/984068_10202884948779034_8933326946475508374_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvipRbrsPAzo2Ra4GO6vzkeeTaIN_zcxwFF-hg2CTlgEX5jX1G1GpjNgCRT4vDQtLGEjIi7x96WpR0FbzG022D5RtGlwl3iCsjK7MThSV8_TYLewyqWlK59zAwvETIKiUACCJfTEpaug/s1600/984068_10202884948779034_8933326946475508374_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still miss you every day, Coach Gatons.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
28) And my teammates have always been my best friends. Even to this day, on the QT2 team. There is something about many miles suffered together, that helps bonds to form.<br />
<br />
29) I'd FAR prefer to listen to someone else talk versus having to talk myself. And I really dislike talking about myself (which makes this assignment rather painful).<br />
<br />
30) I make a list every day of the things I have to do. And I write it on paper. Old school style.<br />
<br />
31) I get (BAD) hiccups after almost every race I do. Like the kind that make your entire chest ache. <br />
<br />
32) One of the coolest things I ever did was ride my bike down the coast of California with friends. I saw some amazing things that I can still so vividly picture in my mind. <br />
<br />
33) Another cool thing I did was swim with dolphins in Hawaii.<br />
<br />
34) I hate eating in restaurants by myself.<br />
<br />
35) I'm scared of the end of my triathlon "career". <br />
<br />
36) In high school, I worked on an ostrich farm. There were also horses, cows, dogs, pigs, and llamas. The llamas were definitely my least favorite of the bunch. <br />
<br />
37) I also worked at a swimming pool (lifeguard, in the admissions booth) and, during college, in several nutrition labs on campus.<br />
<br />
38) Pizza is my absolute FAVORITE food. Any kind. From anywhere. <br />
<br />
39) I gave up drinking Diet Pepsi/Coke almost a year ago, but I still think about drinking it every single day. <br />
<br />
40) I love going to the movie theater. And eating salty popcorn. (with a big Diet Pepsi...oh wait...)<br />
<br />
41) I used to have a major sweet tooth but now I just want salt. LOTS and lots of salt. <br />
<br />
42) I am always cold. And I HATE being cold. <br />
<br />
43) I am the slowest reader, ever. My sister and mom can read circles around me. <br />
<br />
44) I've been to 4 different countries - Mexico, Canada, England and Germany. <br />
<br />
45) God willing, I'll add to that list in March when I do an Ironman in South Africa.<br />
<br />
46) My Mom has been to all 9 of the Ironmans I've done.<br />
<br />
47) I don't like offending people. And I hope I don't when I say this, but I think abortion is wrong. I know it's an incredibly complex issue and I don't pretend to understand it all. But in my heart, it doesn't feel right.<br />
<br />
48) I dropped out of grad school twice - once as a PhD student, and again later while I was working towards a masters. I'm a serious grad school dropout. I sometimes wonder how my life would have been different had I stuck it out. But I don't regret either choice terribly.<br />
<br />
49) One day I want to coach a high school cross country team.<br />
<br />
50) I've been to 36 of the 50 states. (or maybe 37, I can't remember if I've been to Vermont or not)<br />
<br />
51) Montana is one of the states I haven't been to that I'd most like to visit. Either that or Maine.<br />
<br />
52) Almost all of my travel has been related to sports - travelling to races either college or as a triathlete.<br />
<br />
53) One of my most favorite places is Benton Harbor, MI where the Steelhead 70.3 is. I think it's really beautiful there.<br />
<br />
54) I'm really struggling to think of 100 things about me. And I'm only on #54.<br />
<br />
55) Did I mention I really like pizza?<br />
<br />
56) I really like giraffes. I think they are one of the coolest animals. I got to feed one in Arizona once.<br />
<br />
57) I wear contacts/glasses. Kind of blind without them.<br />
<br />
58) I don't floss. But I usually lie to the dental hygienist and tell her that I do.<br />
<br />
59) My means of procrastination usually involves twitter, Facebook or Instagram.<br />
<br />
60) I sometimes can't fathom that I grew up without a cell phone, OR the internet!<br />
<br />
61) I don't wear makeup.<br />
<br />
62) I've always struggled to believe that I have the talent to compete with the best in my sport. But I do believe in my ability to do the work.<br />
<br />
63) I've been iron deficient, vit D deficient, and vit B12 deficient. I still take vit D and B12 supplements.<br />
<br />
64) There must not be much vit D or B12 in pizza...<br />
<br />
65) My favorite tv show is Homeland.<br />
<br />
66) I've also watched every single episode of Grey's Anatomy and Friday Night Lights. Multiple times.<br />
<br />
67) My favorite book is Catcher in the Rye.<br />
<br />
68) This past September I attended a training camp with my QT2 teammates and coaches. Every morning we had open water swim workouts in a lake. And after every single one of those workouts I cried in the shower. It was so hard. And so, so cold.<br />
<br />
69) It's really hard to think of 100 things about yourself. I challenge you to try it.<br />
<br />
70) One of my goals for this year is to consistently look at training as a big picture instead of getting caught up and worried about the small details. A good friend taught me that.<br />
<br />
71) I love to sleep. And I'm pretty good at it, if I do say so myself. <br />
<br />
72) I'm terrible at spelling. Not sure how I survived without spell check.<br />
<br />
73) Also not sure how I survived without Google.<br />
<br />
74) I love mini golf and bowling, but am PRETTY bad at both.<br />
<br />
75) If I didn't become a dietitian, I would have become a nurse. They have such a tough job but make such a huge difference in people's lives.<br />
<br />
76) One thing that my father taught me is, "you get what you pay for".<br />
<br />
77) In high school, one of my favorite songs was 1979, by the Smashing Pumpkins.<br />
<br />
78) I took calculus in high school but I have NO IDEA what calculus even is now. <br />
<br />
79) I also took 4 years of German in high school. I think I can still count to 10, but other than that, I don't remember a single word of that language.<br />
<br />
80) I don't like vegetables. At all. Except maybe peppers. But I eat them because they're good for you. <br />
<br />
81) I wish vegetables tasted like pizza. <br />
<br />
82) Winter = nose bleed season for me.<br />
<br />
83) Speaking in front of people makes me extremely nervous. EXTREMELY.<br />
<br />
84) I've only been to one concert - Billy Joel at Madison Square Gardens.<br />
<br />
85) I took piano lessons when I was little. Wish I would have stuck with it and actually remember how to play!<br />
<br />
86) My favorite thing about riding a bike is how fast and how far you can go.<br />
<br />
87) My favorite thing about swimming is how you can only hear the water in your ears and the rest of the world is shut out.<br />
<br />
88) My maiden name is Buchheit. The "c" is silent.<br />
<br />
89) I don't like fish. I mean to eat. Fish themselves are pretty cool.<br />
<br />
90) I knew all 4 of my grandparents. None of them are alive today but I am very happy to have wonderful memories of all of them. <br />
<br />
91) Thinking of 100 things about myself is really hard. I've been working on this for 4 days now...<br />
<br />
92) I consider myself a stubborn person. <br />
<br />
93) I haven't seen many (any?) Disney movies. I have no idea what the Lion King is about.<br />
<br />
94) My memory isn't very good. Especially when it comes to peoples names.<br />
<br />
95) I rode in a helicopter once. When I was flown to Allegheny General after getting hit by a truck while riding. I was fine though. Not a broken bone in my body. And the whole situation wasn't very traumatic because I don't remember a thing about it!<br />
<br />
96) Even though I don't remember the accident, for about a year after it, when I would close my eyes, I would "see" the point of impact. Strange.<br />
<br />
97) I am so close to finishing this assignment, I can *taste* victory.<br />
<br />
98) I wear my jeans WAY more times than I should before I wash them.<br />
<br />
99) I almost never remember to wear a belt.<br />
<br />
100) I AM SO HAPPY I FINALLY GOT TO 100! <br />
<br />
And if you actually made it all the way to the end, you deserve some sort of medal. There is literally nothing else to know about me!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16247635973514495690noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576474175047022633.post-30236704536216131122014-11-30T18:35:00.000-08:002014-11-30T19:02:33.413-08:00Confidence Is A ChoiceThis fall/winter/off-season/base-training season, I've embarked on something I've decided to call The Confidence Project. Because I feel that a lack of confidence is one of my biggest mental hurdles, I have committed to the hard (and somewhat uncomfortable) work that is required to improve it. One of my assignments for this project was to write a piece entitled "If Confidence Is A Choice, Why Aren't I Choosing It?" It was very difficult for me to write, but it helped me learn a lot about myself. I thought I'd share, below.<br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If Confidence Is A
Choice, Why Aren’t I Choosing It?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why aren’t I choosing confidence? I had to think about this for a long
time. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think the first problem I had to overcome before I could consistently choose confidence is that I had to first believe, <b><i>really</i>
</b>believe that it is, in fact, a choice.
I don’t think I always perceived it as an option. Rather I was much more apt to think that you
either had confidence or you didn’t. You
were born with it or you weren’t. It was
one of the tools in your toolbox, or it wasn’t.
And it definitely wasn’t one of my tools.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I started to understand confidence a bit more, I
started to realize that with hard work, confidence could be gained. It took me a long time to get to this point,
but with a bit of research and lots of reading, it started to
become more clear. Confidence <b><i>could
</i></b>be one of my tools. But I needed
to stop making excuses for myself. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
“I believe confidence
is a choice. And I always choose to believe that I am always going to come out
on top.” Max Scherzer, pitcher for the Detroit Tigers<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
So once I realized that confidence <b><i>is</i></b> a choice, why am I
still not choosing it? Perhaps the
answer to this issue is a bit more complicated.
But in its simplest form, the answer is: I don’t choose confidence
because it’s not the easiest option for me.
It’s not where my mind automatically goes. To choose confidence is hard work. And up until this point, I apparently have
been choosing the easy way out. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7DaUY3tejIUmuIvUb5GULw7KIoT6LI6XyV3nbJZdzZwKRwoGmFhyphenhyphenSVZwDQT1FFUTRj8NwDeS2SB2Daitn9L4q_p_QjtWd4jz1WiAu58hNSKtKuzOOeMcReyDptYWJPNLsQH2daZ-1eM/s1600/1fb46a4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7DaUY3tejIUmuIvUb5GULw7KIoT6LI6XyV3nbJZdzZwKRwoGmFhyphenhyphenSVZwDQT1FFUTRj8NwDeS2SB2Daitn9L4q_p_QjtWd4jz1WiAu58hNSKtKuzOOeMcReyDptYWJPNLsQH2daZ-1eM/s1600/1fb46a4.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think that my “confidence muscle” is weak, probably from
years of not being exercised. In the
past, I had only “symptomatic confidence” which is the type of confidence that
is built only on recent success. This
isn’t particularly hard to come by and doesn’t require much work from the
confidence muscle. But it’s also not
particularly useful because it’s very easily destroyed. It only takes one injury or even just a
string of poor workouts to wipe away symptomatic confidence. Instead, I need to build “sustainable
confidence” that which comes from within and is not built on external
events. This is the type of confidence
that will withstand the storms of life and still remain intact, but also the
type of confidence that requires some muscle behind it. It’s that muscle that requires hard work and
commitment, both of which I have neglected.
I must exercise this muscle. I <b><i>must </i></b>constantly
and consistently correct self-doubt and negative thoughts. This is a difficult process and seems
tedious. It’s not something I enjoy or
want to do. But in order to develop the
sustainable confidence that I so desperately want, this is the type of work I
must get busy doing. Without it, the
physical work that I so enjoy, is wasted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On a deeper level, I think choosing confidence requires a
strong self-worth, a trait that I’ve likely never possessed. Or at least a trait that I never remember
feeling.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
“An athlete’s
self-esteem and self-worth are intimately related to their self-confidence.
When athletes feel good about themselves, they are more likely to perform well,
especially when the pressure is on. An essential key to developing an
unbreakable self-confidence is to cultivate an “inside-out” approach to
confidence. This begins by teaching athletes to feel good about who they are
and how they do things and ends with them feeling good about themselves
regardless of outcomes.” (Vernacchia,
2003)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do I feel good about who I am? That’s perhaps a question that I’d rather not discuss, or even think about. But it is also central to this topic. Growing up my self-worth was not high. I ran cross country and track during those years and with success in
sport, I found a reason to justify my worthiness. But the dangerous mistake in this, is having
performance so intimately tied to my self-esteem. When one took a nose dive, so did the
other. And this is not favorable for
sustainable confidence. It easily
follows why I fear failure. With failure
comes a significant loss of self-worth.
It seems to be a very tough cycle to break.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Perhaps then, building self-worth is the way out. With a higher self-esteem, which is in no way
tied to performance, fear of failure can be removed. Even if I fail, I can theoretically still
feel deeply good about who I am. If this
is the case, what is there to fear? With
the removal of this fear, pressure lifts and confidence can improve. When I feel good about who I am, no matter
what is going on around me, I am not worried about what people think or say,
and I don’t depend on others to make me feel good. Perhaps the cycle isn’t very tough to break,
after all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I must believe that self-worth is a choice too, then. Just as with confidence, I must commit to
improving my self-worth with positive self-talk and with the refusal to believe
that it’s something that I cannot change.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This will be very hard, very uncomfortable work for me. Just as with confidence, my mind does not
automatically go to feeling good about myself.
Instead, I more easily hear the voices that say I’m not good enough,
that I do not deserve success and that I will never measure up. I’ve surrendered to these thoughts for a very
long time. I don’t suspect I will be
able to quickly turn them around. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fortunately, I have never shied away from hard work. I guess then, that it’s time to put my head
down, or rather, learn to hold it up high.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16247635973514495690noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576474175047022633.post-14495557270953559712014-11-04T05:57:00.002-08:002014-11-04T05:59:52.106-08:00Off SeasonThere are a couple things in life that I'm relatively good at. Remembering people's birthdays. Cleaning my bike. Matching socks. Making chili. <br />
<br />
You may notice that "off season" didn't make the list. Because, I'll be frank, I suck at off season.<br />
<br />
Off season and I go way back. We've always hated each other, even in high school when my coach would tell me after cross country season that I NEEDED to take some time off before indoor track started. This usually resulted in tears and begging and anger and secret runs where my coach couldn't see me. I'm a rule follower, except when it comes to off season (and speed limits while driving, but that's a whole other blog post...). I just simply couldn't stand the thought of not getting to run for a few weeks.<br />
<br />
Fast forward a few (okay, A LOT) of years to my current self. I'm older and wiser now and I truly understand the importance of giving my body a rest and letting myself heal after a long season of abuse. But that doesn't mean I'm any better at off season. I no longer sneak in workouts that I'm not supposed to do. I follow the rules. But I hate it just as much (if not more) than my 15 year old self.<br />
<br />
When Tim told me, after Kona, that I had to take 4 weeks off, I stared at him in silence. I think I was in shock. FOUR WEEKS? Is this man trying to kill me? Here I thought I was going to convince him that I should be able to do Ironman Arizona! HA! I had another thing coming! Instead, a four week prescription of big fat NOTHING-ness. Zero. Zip. Nada. Oh, and I also had to gain 6-8 lbs. I wanted to cry. Or punch someone in the face. Or both.<br />
<br />
So here we are 3.5 weeks later. I won't say that it's been pretty. There have been a few (okay, MANY) meltdowns. There has been begging. I have been majorly frustrated. And angry. But thankfully I have a coach that is more stubborn than me and he didn't budge an inch (just don't tell him I said that!). <br />
<br />
Because, here's the thing. This is what it takes. Gaining weight, getting totally out of shape, TRULY resting (unlike the off seasons I see that somehow still involve mountain biking and swim meets and 20 mile hikes up mountains - that's MY kind of off season!) and, doing a hard reset. And for me, THIS is the sacrifice. Many people see training hard and doing long rides and going to bed really early and skipping desert and all THOSE things as the sacrifice. But for me, those are the things I LOVE! That is where I thrive. I would do that year round if I could. Instead, my sacrifice comes when I'm asked to not do the things I love and to relax. We are all different. We all struggle with something. This is most definitely MY struggle. Thankfully, I have a coach that forces me to do it right (and I do truly believe it's the right thing) regardless of how much I complain and whine. And thankfully, I only have half a week to go. :)<br />
<br />
So what HAVE I been doing this off season, other than wishing I was swim/bike/running? Well, I've been sleeping (a lot), doing some Your 26.2 work, going to movies (Oscar and I went to 3 movies the first week I was home!), eating a lot, sleeping, eating, sleeping (did I mention sleeping?). And spending time with friends and Oscar! That is the best part! So here's to doing the off season right. Maybe next year I won't even complain about it! (highly unlikely)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7eWi4K6Vy58dXXrRDSqwIdmpSNFCxRQRFfE7L74GksbqHHwv7ryrW2UoZI2HTge7zfw1vpJAz8S0OnR2zjbNZ8gRJt7UHl5aqWcKX59FzYYsu6mi-wb2Mb6k3aQAsyBh8oekXWQgBnI/s1600/1901522_10203168175068680_8471180202659441084_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7eWi4K6Vy58dXXrRDSqwIdmpSNFCxRQRFfE7L74GksbqHHwv7ryrW2UoZI2HTge7zfw1vpJAz8S0OnR2zjbNZ8gRJt7UHl5aqWcKX59FzYYsu6mi-wb2Mb6k3aQAsyBh8oekXWQgBnI/s1600/1901522_10203168175068680_8471180202659441084_n.jpg" height="400" width="333" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kim and I took a trip to visit our college teammate/roommate/BFF near State College. We played on the trampoline with her 4 year old daughter during which I split my pants (no joke) AND I learned how to do some really awesome tricks. :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozkik78XXz_6Ufg3bbs3Oy8d4fO4f36xjU9AnqXEqOOHFS2PMzFm8LOoJp-vrtLKaIv3gAeCNakom12XoE17H03XzPE613b8cF_6kEeTizHuqje3QdHZhpEXz6bO4E_f-nQnvY331OC0/s1600/10341707_10204785002201819_755918494727268613_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozkik78XXz_6Ufg3bbs3Oy8d4fO4f36xjU9AnqXEqOOHFS2PMzFm8LOoJp-vrtLKaIv3gAeCNakom12XoE17H03XzPE613b8cF_6kEeTizHuqje3QdHZhpEXz6bO4E_f-nQnvY331OC0/s1600/10341707_10204785002201819_755918494727268613_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See that cutie in the middle? She may look innocent, but she can do a mean trampoline split!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNE9Aon0D_hoXmN3rvydExZoNwcd6jMkNnLJhHK3jR93A1fq5qaX4zzluqYEWEOn8B29kIv0I407yOUxNH6umtWEdFcD0ZLiY46BRDuebdK5wF8l-U850aEQ52iSlRGVXgpoRzfiMaK4/s1600/10428583_10204062338373038_7255005007981386440_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNE9Aon0D_hoXmN3rvydExZoNwcd6jMkNnLJhHK3jR93A1fq5qaX4zzluqYEWEOn8B29kIv0I407yOUxNH6umtWEdFcD0ZLiY46BRDuebdK5wF8l-U850aEQ52iSlRGVXgpoRzfiMaK4/s1600/10428583_10204062338373038_7255005007981386440_n.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Pennsylvania State HS Cross Country Championships, I tracked down these two (also college roommates/teammates/BFFs). Great to see them as such successful coaches!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYqCZQMXWJW7fSpyC10uYuyEy0Lwp2qF899yKGS9jbc-Gy39ewh4xqR7ArTOJ7rKVKuQm_NkddGQLTTu7dz85OLhwXByidWZucjWtUuHvtxR820CVydgdVfcx7k-M6Fdn_qmvszrkV_Q/s1600/1972266_10202816787360799_371170141933876982_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYqCZQMXWJW7fSpyC10uYuyEy0Lwp2qF899yKGS9jbc-Gy39ewh4xqR7ArTOJ7rKVKuQm_NkddGQLTTu7dz85OLhwXByidWZucjWtUuHvtxR820CVydgdVfcx7k-M6Fdn_qmvszrkV_Q/s1600/1972266_10202816787360799_371170141933876982_n.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Because I was away for most of the fall, I missed a lot of Oscar's team's cross country meets. But I made it home in time to see them finish 2nd in their district and 5th in the state!</td></tr>
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<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16247635973514495690noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576474175047022633.post-7800856504313800492014-10-20T11:59:00.000-07:002014-10-20T11:59:50.239-07:00On RunningWhen I was in 6th grade, my older sister took me for my first ever run. She is four years older than me and was already running on the high school cross country and track teams. <br />
<br />
I'm pretty sure I hated it. Running is hard, after all. And I'm sure I was out of shape. But I wanted to run 7th grade track, so I kept at it. Funny how one small decision can define the course of your life, even if, at the time, it doesn't seem like a big deal at all.<br />
<br />
I did run 7th and then 8th grade track. I was nothing special certainly, but it was fun and I made some friends. For someone who was (and still is!) awkwardly shy, making some new friends was all the reason in the world to continue to run.<br />
<br />
In 1993 (yep, I'm that old), I was a freshman in high school. I was super excited to run cross country that fall. By that point, I loved being on a team for the friendships, but I had also fallen in love with running itself. <br />
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That love affair would last for the next 20+ years, and continues today.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fYyRzpLb8wsMwL3yjqgjyF9dmdXVEPwvDTycXuNAGKzVAZ4SqtOWXpxIocN1iz-HSjxYSJ3PZJwlPomN1be1uZMThJuYOB9JLqA5egIrH6zGj0PkB_3RiER-bbsMe-EG6WkA8Sb58LY/s1600/img047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fYyRzpLb8wsMwL3yjqgjyF9dmdXVEPwvDTycXuNAGKzVAZ4SqtOWXpxIocN1iz-HSjxYSJ3PZJwlPomN1be1uZMThJuYOB9JLqA5egIrH6zGj0PkB_3RiER-bbsMe-EG6WkA8Sb58LY/s1600/img047.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That freshman year that I spoke of? We won the State CC Championships. I was the 5th runner on the team.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4usI1W61418mP9Wifqc5pTJ8d70Tpk27Hh_YH3ylvKEwMGak3Q4Fwp2PLHoGlLsm4IqX4xX1WdGJ5h1HydIa7i3uZ0WR-bQCyGm7aPkCEVpJEMRHe25A_OrHuMc7ZRH5YGtnnWu7laM/s1600/10400958_1038790564305_2113_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4usI1W61418mP9Wifqc5pTJ8d70Tpk27Hh_YH3ylvKEwMGak3Q4Fwp2PLHoGlLsm4IqX4xX1WdGJ5h1HydIa7i3uZ0WR-bQCyGm7aPkCEVpJEMRHe25A_OrHuMc7ZRH5YGtnnWu7laM/s1600/10400958_1038790564305_2113_n.jpg" height="271" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My teammates have always been my closest friends.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRv_TiiFBNMIjyQyumycjXtb7b231NutH9Y9CmZ6xKzJXAomK9zIaAVEIjd6Ip0dye3r30GFu9YkOWZK9DxGAeydFcmVT3JwpGXhmE3NWvqFfaRvKVkxyPG8bpCRwvm0ODdZhGgbwVg0A/s1600/img043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRv_TiiFBNMIjyQyumycjXtb7b231NutH9Y9CmZ6xKzJXAomK9zIaAVEIjd6Ip0dye3r30GFu9YkOWZK9DxGAeydFcmVT3JwpGXhmE3NWvqFfaRvKVkxyPG8bpCRwvm0ODdZhGgbwVg0A/s1600/img043.jpg" height="352" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On any given Saturday in the fall...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv88NK5vHBxtE2Hwrtv0LrlnQswoRW-1A7Nl8YxdT871lFQBBnwtWiDLobhYmJtc7PG5T225hmpK3DVxCf1poLceJysPRoGmPgMPMhfaYA3ATv4tz97qQsQQifcgNtNVghzdB-tZiPnpk/s1600/img038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv88NK5vHBxtE2Hwrtv0LrlnQswoRW-1A7Nl8YxdT871lFQBBnwtWiDLobhYmJtc7PG5T225hmpK3DVxCf1poLceJysPRoGmPgMPMhfaYA3ATv4tz97qQsQQifcgNtNVghzdB-tZiPnpk/s1600/img038.jpg" height="400" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know you love the mesh basketball shorts! Uniforms have changed a bit these days...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpC_2yL7g-nRw5SObS1EQlv4SWWni9y6CYOUhQVrbcSjAKvfmMEIw0TKDvOq9jn7FYtnWWmOkgsweZ6lSof7spzJOmB4Xrm6Uoa3NkFCa_I1asXF5cOYi7CIlzv6YRQk1ARdbyoMxlkOc/s1600/img049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpC_2yL7g-nRw5SObS1EQlv4SWWni9y6CYOUhQVrbcSjAKvfmMEIw0TKDvOq9jn7FYtnWWmOkgsweZ6lSof7spzJOmB4Xrm6Uoa3NkFCa_I1asXF5cOYi7CIlzv6YRQk1ARdbyoMxlkOc/s1600/img049.jpg" height="351" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know the picture is out of focus, but I keep this one to remind myself that I AM capable of some knee lift...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1sxrxJq7b4nsI_TSC_dVhJ8q-x1TUxxI2lKh8m6OXtR6xcYEvfFPyeLEGILtQcolPsybyDfT50FfPJVoyKJXpXfpvDHp9oWjl4ktLQ7VV7bwHh4kuaXvzoMRzbaqK_LwMeYVBzuRpfA/s1600/img048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1sxrxJq7b4nsI_TSC_dVhJ8q-x1TUxxI2lKh8m6OXtR6xcYEvfFPyeLEGILtQcolPsybyDfT50FfPJVoyKJXpXfpvDHp9oWjl4ktLQ7VV7bwHh4kuaXvzoMRzbaqK_LwMeYVBzuRpfA/s1600/img048.jpg" height="400" width="393" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cross country can be muddy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5BNd8q95jPo58VtlHdrSUT_DScsrigzwJyAO0xT_epuWjaHIiKOBgCh-pj8cIUJCdoNHmjlMV3VwqSfZARFB7KFWppJ8UD4-j43OPt-7Q-TVmu_Ay1kkWB9vt680uFOwshmRiY62A780/s1600/img039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5BNd8q95jPo58VtlHdrSUT_DScsrigzwJyAO0xT_epuWjaHIiKOBgCh-pj8cIUJCdoNHmjlMV3VwqSfZARFB7KFWppJ8UD4-j43OPt-7Q-TVmu_Ay1kkWB9vt680uFOwshmRiY62A780/s1600/img039.jpg" height="400" width="393" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were probably supposed to be warming up, but instead we were fooling around on the bus.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytDeivE92IIrF_f5h5BOfjjrynu5z7w2bjR4gIBr5f0cAXJh-tHFVHN83ph10EDYhACXmiKg4i_Xz_24090sY_0BT8ITSp0NrJGOnIRyhKan18K8YdzdekkZ_AM3nHE3Y5oWCzataGfk/s1600/img044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytDeivE92IIrF_f5h5BOfjjrynu5z7w2bjR4gIBr5f0cAXJh-tHFVHN83ph10EDYhACXmiKg4i_Xz_24090sY_0BT8ITSp0NrJGOnIRyhKan18K8YdzdekkZ_AM3nHE3Y5oWCzataGfk/s1600/img044.jpg" height="351" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This scenario played out often in my HS races. I would lead for a long time and then Chrissie would outsprint me to the line. I never had much giddy up and go.</td></tr>
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<br />
After that freshman year, I made another conscious decision that also changed the course of my life. I decided that I wanted to be the very best I could be at running. Which meant working hard and making some sacrifices. From there I started to win a few races and decided I wanted to run in college. In the fall of 1997, I headed off to Penn State to continue my running career.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBqWR-H4qeoMZ5TjtqRNELUSFD4TCovq3AbdC_EuObf7pCnfCsqt2moHSByv6L6OeKBpc8WRk4_I5z6bH0dLzlg67zDLPOz4vIFw8sycdzyCEAbZ3Eg024vQ48rMbpmayJ5tvINgQ5_k/s1600/img045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBqWR-H4qeoMZ5TjtqRNELUSFD4TCovq3AbdC_EuObf7pCnfCsqt2moHSByv6L6OeKBpc8WRk4_I5z6bH0dLzlg67zDLPOz4vIFw8sycdzyCEAbZ3Eg024vQ48rMbpmayJ5tvINgQ5_k/s1600/img045.jpg" height="400" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Either my freshman or sophomore year of college, NCAA Nationals was held at the University of Kansas. This here is Jim Ryan and I. :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWutJlD-JqAZcR5za6ZB00q3-rdbJg8J0MQAgKI8sC_scObDiy4iKABxvaRZZBBC6ir7MKUhP5LicUvkiAfq2QVDWOT-welu7AjfRBLgmAJLzRoUs92wJMPRyDIklXOA2TsbtHQpGKK40/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWutJlD-JqAZcR5za6ZB00q3-rdbJg8J0MQAgKI8sC_scObDiy4iKABxvaRZZBBC6ir7MKUhP5LicUvkiAfq2QVDWOT-welu7AjfRBLgmAJLzRoUs92wJMPRyDIklXOA2TsbtHQpGKK40/s1600/Untitled.png" height="400" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 3 Beths: myself, my coach Beth, and my teammate Beth.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQn3KIxyurPkf0bkWX1vt-G22gcbGjmh1PexaMvWbfAf-SUAOgzGBu-E0DpCXyVZK0S0yWO-UnqDEaXU9Tudo_xg3daJKtFGtmzRm88hKRXdu9GSjrNDsjxzXDEAbeSIxkOq8GIvdH1J8/s1600/10400958_1038790404301_1378_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQn3KIxyurPkf0bkWX1vt-G22gcbGjmh1PexaMvWbfAf-SUAOgzGBu-E0DpCXyVZK0S0yWO-UnqDEaXU9Tudo_xg3daJKtFGtmzRm88hKRXdu9GSjrNDsjxzXDEAbeSIxkOq8GIvdH1J8/s1600/10400958_1038790404301_1378_n.jpg" height="381" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQFR9M5DxPIuTDP88-1XLGlX4Vu80Zin3fARyFnvDaKVC_Gf2EsG2gsVBFlkn7mcp8guhxo0FccVotsURk9PlHuma-Ao9kgrE0HGuFTUwOPrtipIXgR907nEB8JAS0eFNnRYtClFVQrI/s1600/img036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQFR9M5DxPIuTDP88-1XLGlX4Vu80Zin3fARyFnvDaKVC_Gf2EsG2gsVBFlkn7mcp8guhxo0FccVotsURk9PlHuma-Ao9kgrE0HGuFTUwOPrtipIXgR907nEB8JAS0eFNnRYtClFVQrI/s1600/img036.jpg" height="400" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't have to search hard to find a picture of <a href="http://fuelyourpassion.net/">Kim</a> and I running together. We've (literally) been running in the same circles for years. :)</td></tr>
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Running not only gave me amazing friends and some of my best memories, but it also gave me my husband. My teammate introduced me to Oscar when I was a sophomore in college. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-gA56zpmFUEN_-RHx3A1A7mszZ38arQn5GMl7ZiVLxofIwlvyQTdUpMR8V15CSQn0pY9VJDdAzVUneyl6frXFSVkdUiTjpKtyQnSlw4pQnX5k3-m0VQQMTCA2oV04EUKt5zmtDUC9W4/s1600/img042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-gA56zpmFUEN_-RHx3A1A7mszZ38arQn5GMl7ZiVLxofIwlvyQTdUpMR8V15CSQn0pY9VJDdAzVUneyl6frXFSVkdUiTjpKtyQnSlw4pQnX5k3-m0VQQMTCA2oV04EUKt5zmtDUC9W4/s1600/img042.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In 2001, I competed in my last Big 10 Championship and Oscar made the drive (with Kim's mom, no less!) from Penn State to Indiana University to watch me race.</td></tr>
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After college, I continued to run. Because running is one thing I know how to do. And because I love it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqOgaF4DI0d6qRXcuNlJStp5RGMg_RXslQHGeAkz8an9ydk3BxcpCZ3NNaUinbqtf0W4vCQeGQd60oKfvaHh0uxFnQzQHMj1x7JTSd707GxSzrnYXJk9ktaQAtPBgrWs85ftgfcKaDis/s1600/18438_1299856610793_5599478_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqOgaF4DI0d6qRXcuNlJStp5RGMg_RXslQHGeAkz8an9ydk3BxcpCZ3NNaUinbqtf0W4vCQeGQd60oKfvaHh0uxFnQzQHMj1x7JTSd707GxSzrnYXJk9ktaQAtPBgrWs85ftgfcKaDis/s1600/18438_1299856610793_5599478_n.jpg" height="310" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A particularly cold race...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7sbMSTAemhlwvpDX_lb5O31Dh3pUy7651Il1SI1IkyV-R-Dyd3zbRNLIdbPQoLXz2rPalZXXLINA4heOPJpBLKUeT0k0u0_nmD318D8J7iWQjEoEEDTDxDKn4IsewfUAHYSHTyRYcWM/s1600/img035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7sbMSTAemhlwvpDX_lb5O31Dh3pUy7651Il1SI1IkyV-R-Dyd3zbRNLIdbPQoLXz2rPalZXXLINA4heOPJpBLKUeT0k0u0_nmD318D8J7iWQjEoEEDTDxDKn4IsewfUAHYSHTyRYcWM/s1600/img035.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my best friends and college teammates and I, after running the Cleveland Marathon together. This is still my stand alone marathon PR, although I've since run faster in an Ironman.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2_CrGoCuk2LRr21743-W9f9n_nNdjjnHzbZ-RVXvxkfu7ic1X6ckMk2-UTv51-BO9IcPiuJwFSuvH20UBm6FLxag1f5idJQ1A3Qq1IGb-a5Ym4XDoGDOHv-IriDvFEQrJP4tInlmqQU/s1600/1935705_1239283056492_7826101_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2_CrGoCuk2LRr21743-W9f9n_nNdjjnHzbZ-RVXvxkfu7ic1X6ckMk2-UTv51-BO9IcPiuJwFSuvH20UBm6FLxag1f5idJQ1A3Qq1IGb-a5Ym4XDoGDOHv-IriDvFEQrJP4tInlmqQU/s1600/1935705_1239283056492_7826101_n.jpg" height="400" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finishing a local half marathon.</td></tr>
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Of course now I focus more on triathon. Luckily I still get a good dose of running with tri training! But it's safe to say, running will always be my first love.<br />
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This past May, Jesse and Tim of <a href="http://www.qt2systems.com/">QT2</a> approached me about taking on the run coaching portion of the business, <a href="http://www.yourmarathontrainingplan.com/">Your 26.2</a>. I was thrilled! And super excited and thankful for the opportunity. Coaching others who share the same passion for running as me? And they pay ME to do this? DEAL!! Although at first I wasn't sure I was qualified, I then realized I've been training a lifetime for this job. From the time I went on that very first run with my sister, almost 25 years ago, to now and all the years, miles and memories in between. Running sure has been good to me.</div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16247635973514495690noreply@blogger.com6