Otherwise known as The Masters......

 If you ask my husband what this weekend was he may respond with the Masters, but really it was my birthday too.  Never fret , Webb ensured all gifts were purchased and meal reservations made before HIS night before Christmas.

 

On the night before my birthday, or better known as "Friday at Augusta" Webb surprised me with a cute top as an early gift, or a "thank you for letting me OWN the TV all day (and soon to be all weekend) gift".

 

Powerbar provided my breakfast for riding up and down a hill with teammates, and a fun run on trails around Discovery Park.

Bridget brought amazing homemade treats in famous B-Jones-style and left the team asking for more.

A nice nap and then dinner time with family at the delicious and local La Rustica.

 

Thanks to everyone for making my day so special, one lucky and thankful girl over here!

Finding Motivation.

 

Motivational quotes are EVERYWHERE!  "Face your fears", "aim high", "dig deeper".  When focused these make sense, but over the past few months they have been a discouragement.  And I have to close my eyes and ignore the unsettling swirls in my stomach.  I read them and think I am lazy, but in reality, I need to be smart.  I believe to truly be successful you need to be "all in", and honestly, in the racing aspect of my life I have been striving to find that certain something that drives me each and every day, primarily in fear of compromising my health.  Having enough eye-opening- flare-up-experiences can do this to you.   But, when the time is right, the time is right and the drive to excel finds you.  When the time isn't right, then we occupy that time with other important goals in our life.

 

It is easy to be influenced into continually doing more, even if it is unhealthy, as an athlete, that is all many of us know. Balance is hard, but it is rewarding.

I have been lucky enough to do the Hot Chocolate 15K a few months ago with lots of teammates (it made the out and back so-much-fun!) Considering I had only run 1 full hour a couple of times, you can only imagine what happened at 1 hour and 1 minutes into the race...ouch!  But the hot cocoa was great!

 

I did the Mercer Island 5K too, double ouch. But thankful to be out there once again.

 

Insurance finally gave approval for the VLS#3 probiotic and after a couple of weeks I am feeling even better. So am sticking to the combination of Humira and Imuran and the probiotics.

 

I was challenged with my achy shoulders  restricting me in the water, with my legs producing watts 50 lower than what I was used to seeing, and with my run paces being sub-par.  I had to go back to the basics and appreciate training by disabling all gadgets and committing to persistence. Over several weeks things started to change...did I mention SEVERAL weeks! 

 

My motivation and drive is reinstated. I may have decided on doing some triathlon races this year (pro or age group is yet to be determined) but either way I am really love what I am doing again, its undeniable!

 

Back on the bike!

Since mid-August I have not pedaled my legs in circles, not even once.  Somewhere in between bed rest and now I sold my bike and have been waiting for the new.  It came at the perfect time because I am cleared to do some additional training (still under an hour each time) and had I received it any sooner the temptation could have killed me. Funny how the universe works.  Introducing our newest addition, the Specialized Shiv with Di2, Gonzales!

His wheels are ready to spin (more now than ever!)! Giddy-Up!

Peaks and Pits

Does it count that I have written 101 posts in my head the past 2 months!

As with every year, life never disappoints in keeping me on my toes. Just when I think you have it down, all new things thrown into the mix. These adventures keep me growing, means I am living, and in the end makes me a better person.

 

2012 was great for so many reasons! The PEAKS outweighed the PITS. (anyone follow the Kardashians? No judging!)

Peaks
(If I could post every picture I would......pictures say more than any words I could use describe how amazing this year was)

FRIENDSHIPS, TRAVELING, LOVE, FAMILY, WORK, TRAINING, RACING, LIVING

PITS

 

 Life Lessons (which are a peaks eventually!) AND UC flare, UC flare, UC flare (ughh!)

 

2012 has reminded me the importance of good people. I have my own struggles, my own values and understand everyone is on a different journey. I love to help people that are honest with themselves and where they are going. I am overly-passionate about my relationships (athletes, friendships, and family) and I will continue to be this way. I embrace those that are kind, thankful, and honest. 

 

My UC flare this year was a huge struggle, bigger than before, hence why I had to step away (only way to come back stronger!), take care of myself and learned along the way that you truly can replace one passion for another.  Everyone has many talents and, for me,  triathlon and athletics is not the end-all.  Cooking and crafts and more time with friends, along with even more energy put into building TNM have all filled my "personal time" with joy. It was not an easy shift by any means, but day by day I made small changes.

 

I have also learned that over time, as your body heals, your mind heals, and the journey of self-discovery continues.

 

Cheers to 2012 and thank you everyone for following me through this journey. This last flare was another eye-opener that health is the most important thing in life, without your health you can not live. Embrace the day, embrace your training, and embrace 2013!

Here we go again!

Walking!

I'll admit, I was not looking forward to starting a walk program.  I encourage my athletes to walk often, it is great for fitness, exceptional during the off-season and transition periods and just plain good for you. But, I sat around for a week after being told I could "walk". I wasn't feeling it. Heart rate less than 100, come on Dr B!!!, slow, just wasn't feeling it.  More thinking "why bother", because really I just want to run.

 Not my best state.

But then one day my mind shifted. I needed to get away from all I had "known" and switch things up.  I grabbed my phone (with the itunes) and decided to walk.  3 songs out and three songs back.  No garmin, no watch, just Miley-Cyrus-Leona-Lewis-Beyonce-forget-anything-matters-displaying-thee-best-voice-in-the-world-music.  I needed it. It cleared my head. I felt good, I took in the Seattle Space Needle views and I smiled.

I continued to enjoy these "walks" and added some inclines on the treadmill on rainy days.  Then one day I attempted a 1 mile run, at a...um...9:30 pace.

Within 3 minutes I had that shoulder blade achy cramp feeling, but I kept running. Embrace the suck, over and over. At 9 minutes and 30 seconds I reached a mile!!! Hallelujah!!! And I was bobbing and weaving and ducking and bobby to those same tunes with a smile (yes, I was "that girl" on the treadmil)l.  I walked for a moment for cool down and was dizzy.

WOW. I have a LONG way to go and will not be attempting a mile time trial soon. BUT, I am getting off some stiff medicines, moon-face be gone, and am thankful that things are moving slowly, VERY slowly, in the right direction.

"Good things come to those wait. Be patient"

I realize a big step for me to get back into things is to not be able to compare any of my past training. I needed to make a total shift of getting started again. Keeping things simple and just going with the flow, the easier the better.  I don't even own a bike right now and plan on keeping things simple. This is going to be a huge challenge I am taking on for the next 6+ weeks.

 Just like resuming any training the key is to stop before your body tells you too. To feel good, before, during and after so you can be stronger the next day.  Bring on the challenge.

Walk more, switch things up, be patient, BE HAPPY!

PS. Swimming started this week too! 1600 blissful yards, with no pace clocks.

110% lecture.

I got a lecture from Dr B (about 2 weeks ago now, as this post has been sitting in the post section for bit).

Not a normal lecture..

It was 6 words and a "you bes' listen up look".

 I  could have just handled the "look" but it came with the specific words of  "No swim, no bike, no run". 

I searched for the "gray" in the black and white and it just wasn't there.

My eyes filled. 

I asked if I was done racing. 

I didn't get an answer.

My eyes became blurry.

 

You see, I give 110%.  In sport, in life, in work, in relationships.  I may not be perfect, but I sure try to be the best I can be in each moment.  If you add that up that's 440% and that is not balance.  I was told I have 110% to give and that was it.  Nearly ALL of which needed to go to healing.

My UC flare comes as no little surprise. We caught it early...this is just part of the process, in reality I had been pretty healthy for a year and a few months. And I did have some doubts at Danskin if it would be my last race.....for a short time, a long time, or ever....time will tell!

 I'm bummed...it could be better, it could be worse.  I will get through, as it is literally a one day at a time thing.

Take that UC!

There really is a whole other world outside of triathlon, but I miss that bubble. It is "known" to me and the "unknown" can be scary, but rewarding as well. I can already see such great improvements in other areas.

 

The good things: My pinterest is account is getting organized, along with my closets, details on our business are coming together, additional stressors eliminated and each moment of each day has a bit more calmness and collectiveness to it.  Healing feels good, well, actually it hurts and sucks, but it is getting better, so bad is better than the worst.

Take the time out and ask yourself where your 110% falls, choose it wisely, choose moderation, and be happy.  Life is short and so can your time be in sport.  Cherish your moments, surround yourself by good people and hang onto those special moments.  There are lots of mountains to climb, not just physically, but mentally too! Good luck to everyone with fun races left in their 2012 season.  We are SO ready to track your success and jump through the live feed with cheers!!

Back to my roots....

This past weekend I got to head back to my college town of Reno.  I was so excited for this trip for may reasons:

I got to see my college, its been 12 years! And Mark got to see my college. Oh the memories!

We spent the majority of our time in Tahoe.

Running trails.

Swimming at North Star.

Hanging out with friends.

Seeing my BFF Kelley!

Meeting new friends. 

And preparing for Ironman Tahoe and camp next year.

Scouting out the course....I really want to tell you all about it, but am concerned it will change...so will save for a later date, but it will be FAST if it stays as published.

If you got signed up for this you are signed up for one amazingly epic day!!!!

But most importantly we went to our friends Karissa and Todd's wedding at Martis Camp. Thank you for letting us share in your special day!

We had an amazing trip and are excited to add this venue to our travel plans a few times over next year.

I am happy to say that I logged a total of 3 hours of training last week. Progress!

One of the great lap pools at North Star. 6 miles to race start.

Kings Beach. Iroman Tahoe race start!

Trails at North Star.

The Marker Wedding at Martis Camp.