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!

Costa Rica-training days

Day 1.

(Rebecca, Jason, Mark)

The first day was just a nice easy jog.  Remember that hilly drive we had? Well our option was to run there, or run where we could be in the paths of rattlesnakes.  We took the path most chosen.  The wind definitely killed the heat and the humidity was not nearly as rough as I was planning.  But the hills were not our best decision.  I came up with ankle roll #1 of the trip.  OUCH! But still managed to run just fine, just a little tender around the muscles.

Laps in the 7 yard house pool...something is better than nothing right?! 10' of dizziness.

Day 2.

(New TN tri shorts!)

Bike ride with the TNM crew!  The talk was the "hills" going in and out of the park were similar to the beast at ST Croix.  Not the case.  The duration is far less and the steepness is brief in comparison.  However, we were sweating buckets immediately and the wind and gravel paths were our bigger challenges ahead.  100 feet of gravel and a fish-tailin' I was.  My mind checks out on race day so hoping that it does during that part.

This was the last opportunity really to ride until Friday.  It is true what we were told the roads are great for riding (except that there is no shoulder) but the drivers are a bit scary. We were nearly afraid to even drive on the roads.

Laps at the hotel pool.  Although it looks to be a long play pool, it did not have lane lines, and the distance had to be about 25 yards if not a little more because my stroke count was hanging out right at 18.  My little sweet spot! So it felt a little like open water swim practice, but not Playa Conchal open water swimming, that's a whole different level.

Day 3.

Mini-swim with the girl who lives in the ocean, Bree. We decided to give the chilly rough water ocean a try and circle around the  main boats.  First round was about 6 minutes...so we did it twice.  Yep, the water was that rough. Hours later my body was still filled with sand.

Then a quick jot around 1 loop of the run course (we do 2, the half-iron does 4).  Did I say quick jot....I take that back....we stopped to see a sea turtle preparing to give birth and lay her eggs, I guess in humans that would mean she was in labor. Twisted the same ankle again....GRRRR!!!

Day 4.

The buoys are UP and so we went for the entire loop (750 yards exactly on the garmin 910).  I tend to giggle when the waves or so rough I can not even control my swim stroke, but the group was a bit more serious today, almost leaving me stranded at the first buoy just because I had to laugh at how much "flailing" it felt like I was doing.  And just watching these waves try to take us out is pretty humorous. Maliaka and Bree and I darted out for one more out and back to the last buoy and then it was picture time!  Honestly, the rough water is so much more manageable with great friends to swim side by side with.  Time flew by with these great girls! And being stung by sea lice was not my favorite.....little pinches and a lot of "ouches".

(Two fast fish and myself)

Little spin on bike to check out some bike mechanicals and NO run, based on my history so far here in CR I think that is the best.

 Today is one last sleep before my first triathlon of 2012.  Smiling already!

PS. Here are the dog photos I really wanted to post yesterday....aren't they adorable!

Training and Coaching

I set a big goal this year. To pay more attention to this blog, in so doing, the goal is to post one, just ONE more blog per month than the previous year. February is quickly coming to an end and so this post must go up!

For the first time since FOREVER I finally trained over 15 hours in a week, not this week, it was last week. But really I could not have made it through without my favorite Powerbar products. Yes, I love the gels and perform but the ultimate is the Snickers bar. Oops, I mean the recovery bar. Just like lip gloss you can find one, or two, or….well, whose really counting, in any bag, purse, car, or any other place imaginable. Those bars are genius.

Also would not have made it through that week without the 110% Play Harder capris. Too bad my husband is practically my size so we are always grabbing the wrong pair :). Mine are always the ones that are clean and ready to wear (right?!). Fighting for recovery around here!

The Shiv got out for its inaugural ride of 6x5’ hill repeats in West Seattle. It was smooth and I am a happy rider again! The watts outside put me in a much happier place than what they have been showing on the trainer.

This week would have been a big week too, but Humira forced me to sleep through a couple workouts. Oh and a stubbed toe, which immediately took off the big toenail, leaving me floored and nauseous and near-vomiting forcing some modification to the plan. Really hate not being right on my game plan, but I am keeping my chin up and knowing that I am giving it my best. Mark says I need to focus more…..I just think that things shouldn’t jump on my toes. :)

Today it snowed. So it was back on the bike trainer for the long ride.

Found some quotes on “coaching” that spoke to me.

You can motivate by fear, and you can motivate by reward. But both those methods are only temporary. The only lasting thing is self motivation. -Homer Rice

 

You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one." –John Wooden

Coaching is a profession of love. You can't coach people unless you love them. -Eddie Robinson

Being your best is contagious to others around you! Train on!