Rev 3 Portland 2011

I did it! The 2011 goal was to complete a triathlon. Seems so minor from where I was a year ago. Seems so BIG from where I have been this past year. (reminder posts: here and here)Who would have thought? Would love to say I did the race to prove to myself “I am back!” but really I am so far from that (but will use that as a blog title someday!).

I did this race for ME. I needed to know that I could do this sport again. Yes, it is incredibly challenging to go to a start line with not even half the fitness I had currently displayed, especially with a little “P” marked on your left calf. The “P” represents professional, a choice I made when my health was at its best for months. But at the end of the day, life is too short, and I wanted to play. I didn’t want to wait around until my fitness surpassed where I was in July of 2010 just because of the “P” status and the expectations that are placed on you while “displaying” it.

This race brought more tears to my eyes than any athletic event I have ever participated in. Everything truly felt surreal.

It is challenging to write this report because it felt so unusual than any other race in my life. There was no second or third gear, there is no pushing the pace, and there is very little fitness to pull from. It was a race of staying steady and making it to the line on both feet. This made it incredibly challenging to “race” as it was nothing of that sort for me.

Although it may sound dramatic, the truth is, my mind could not stop flashing back to the days in the hospital bed (total of 7 nights, over 10 ER visits, and one only 2 weeks prior to this race). To the days of taking 50mg of Prednisone and 3 vicodin for over 5 months (and tapering off these medications have been even more of a challenge). My training is half of what it used to be, simply because the recovery time is twice as long for any workout. I need two days off a week, and typically have 10 hours + a night of sleep. When the going got tough I would just smile thinking about how lucky I was to be out on a beautifully sunny day, with 31 TNM athletes, and countless supporters out there cheering for me. I was awe-struck by how many people had really followed this journey back to health that did not even know me.

I did not need this race to show to me or anyone else how weak I have become (losing over 8 pounds and I can tell you it was all muscle), I needed this race to know exactly where my body is now, how much recovery time is needed, and to help coach and I move forward with my upcoming plans. I needed to just get out there again, experience living, and doing what I love. I got all this and more.
You will probably not see me at a triathlon for the remainder of the year, Coach and Mark and I have developed a plan as my fitness and health improve to get me stronger. With this intact, I am accepting of the strategy to taking a few more months off of triathlon racing. I got my fix and am satisfied….for now!

To my amazing supporters (a little story first):
My swim coach growing up (Dick Hannula) would, along with emphasize the importance of our fitness and health, would also highlight the priority of friendships and the relationships formed in sports. His words were “Your best friends in the world are with you during your highest- highs, and your lowest- lows”. He would reference this as our teammates sharing the same experiences during every practice, every swim meet, every great success, every hardship. And that they were!
It takes a true person, a true company, and a true heart to support someone during their most challenging times to date:
Thank you to TYR, Gerk's Issaquah, RUDY Project, Cyclops, Lululemon,Brian Perry, Peter Schmidt, Mom, Mark, all my teammates, tri-buddies, coaches, doctors and family.

With you guys......anything is possible!

June and on to the other side!

We've been doing a lot, but who hasn't. Unfortunately, we have been doing so much that I can't even remember what we did yesterday!

Here are some highlights for the month of June (post-Hawaiian sunshine):

Boise 70.3-

*Went to observe the athletes race and planned for a little swim training. The lake, more or less, left us feeling like we were freezing our bodies for future lab testing.

*Friend, TNM Coach and athlete- Kim Pancoast won the overall amateur in her first half ever!

(strong, strong, stronger)

*With athlete-tracking down I played the role of Matt Lieto and Hillary Biscay for a short amount of time to send updated to the world (okay to twitter fans, but you get the idea)
Ironman CDA-
Upon return we had postponed my Remicade treatment to the following Monday so I could enjoy a weekend at home. The training was superb and all I had hoped for this weekend. Thanks to Brent Hardy for keeping me honest, or is it the other way around?!
Monday I had treatment. By Wednesday our nomad-like selves were off to Ironman CDA. An entire week of VACATION! My vision was clear going into this. Loads of times with friends, family, training, and eating. The minutes were booked to the second. By Wednesday afternoon the head was aching.

You would think we know the routine by now but the medicines are still changing so each treatment is different. All that “pre-booked” time became eternity in the “Dream” bedroom of our 6-bedroom rented home. And a visit to the ER. Once the migraine (not sure of the terminology of a migraine-beyond-migraines, but it hurts and I can only accept vomitting while racing an ironman) diminishes it is still a few days of feeling really wonky before returning to normal life. Can’t thank our loving family enough for helping me, once again. (Webbs, Cunninghams, Mom and hubby Webb).

Some photos of what I wanted to be doing:

(These two champs swam in the minus 55 degree water....brrr! Maybe the migraine WAS a blessing...ha!) (Current was so strong that the paddle boat got stuck at shore, these boys came to the rescue but still had to be pulled in by the boaters!)

By Sunday I was feeling up for cheering on friends from all over the country! Every Ironman event is beyond surreal. So many dreams coming true in one day, at one event! The TNM team had an amazing day and Mark came out with more improvements than ever. He continues to prove that hard work DOES pay off!
(the boys an hour before conquering the world)

As for racing, Rev 3 Portland has always been on the table. Taking an entire week off (with only 3 weeks to go) was less than ideal. We are beginning to realize that my training plan is 6 weeks ON, 1 week completely OFF. Once home I was able to get in 4 solid days of training and now sniffles and congestion is settling in. Painfully depressing blog, I know!

So Rev 3 continues to be a yes, then a no, and is an affirmative maybe now. The decision will be made by race morning.

My fitness is far from where it was, and I am staying away from comparing THEN from NOW. My new now is what matters and my fitness has continued to improve since beginning training in the last week of February this year. That is all I can truly ask for.

There was a plan to participate in a smaller race for lead up but for a few reasons I bailed out, primarily due to the torrential downpour, but too, because I was clearly not ready. Not ready mentally. This was a huge eye opener for me because I had not realized the level of confidence you get from racing frequently. There is a level of assurance I had not realized existed in myself. I was so unsure about everything that I knew my day would not unfold in a positive manner. I was more nervous that I had ever been in my life going into a race. I, pulled a quick U-turn and headed straight home. More mental training needed for me!

Rev 3 Portland will mark exactly one year since I have had the opportunity to race.

Fitness or not, my heart is strong and my mind is tenacious with belief, with that, the body will mimic.

Kukio Challenge

Another trip down and it is always so sad to leave Hawaii! I am not cleared to do a "full" triathlon yet so I continue to enter fun activities and try new things. I heard of the Kukio challenge last year from Kiet and Bree and when I knew I would not be racing Honu 70.3 I jumped on the Kukio Challenge bandwagon.

What it is:

1/2 mile swim, 3 mile run (uphill and then back down), 2 mile paddle board.

Swimming: done that forever

Running: coming back slowly but surely

Paddleboarding: once at Honu 70.3 2010 and once the week of the 2011 Kukio Challenge


We took of from the swim and there was no draft from Flannigan as he took off and we battled the chop. It was two quick buoys and with difficulty sighting the shore I stayed with the board short dudes stroke per stroke to stay on target to the shore.

The run was up and up and Rachel had pre-warned me about this. She sped past me on the way down the hill in her cute Betty Designs signature suit (BTW she raced Honu the day before!).

The paddle: YIKES! Volunteers knew my lack of paddle experience so I was told it was okay to stay on my knees. I saw the far buoy and it was not getting any closer. I had a Powerbar energy gel in my suit but could not reach for it, in fear that I would move back another 10 feet if I stopped paddling. I promised myself that Powergel no-matter-what when I reached the buoy. But it was like holding a donut in front of a starving individual....it was never coming to an end! 25'ish minutes later I made it to the turnaround. I was ready to sunbathe on my board at this point as I lied down to take the ever-so-sought-after gel. I need to train to sit on my knees that long! The paddle back was much more "refreshing" as the waves assisted in the forward movement and the calories gave the muscles power to motor home. In the finish chute I reached the volunteers and immediately a the big Kahuna wave came over me and flushed me to outside the buoys. Yep, I was "that girl" making the grand exit after being on the paddle portion of this event longer than anyone. Flailing outside the finish chute, cutting up the toes, and smiling while running the dirt path to the finish line!

So I was passed by all the islanders, however, somehow managed first in the division (Rachel took 1st overall thrashing the women's field).

I will be back.....and next time on the prone board simulating swimming on a board, instead of submerging an oar into the thrashing waters of the ocean and moving no-where-fast!

Thanks Kukio for the amazing venue, amazing pumpkin pancake, fresh fruit, drinks, and sushi, and super fun event. Kiet we have a challenge next year!

Cross check complete.

We are off again. Lots of travel has left me far away from the computer. Last week was the TNM CDA (I miss-spell it everytime so it will forever be in initials) camp. And now we are in Hawaii which was our honeymoon and a race for both of us last year.

Yep, its been one-full year that has been a whirlwind and along the way (dang, still need to order wedding photos too!). From sleeping on hospital floors, to taking over my daily tasks, to helping me keep my head on straight, through EVERY doctors appointment and his unconditional love and support our love was tested for sure. I am not sure how I would have possibly made it through without this man in my life. THANK YOU!

We have mastered traveling....Mark packs bikes, Teresa over-packs her luggage, Teresa then SECRETLY packs more stuff in bike boxes and Marks luggage....it is working out nicely and I have yet to exceed the 50lb maximum in any bag. :)

We left early last week for CDA because mid-70 temps were calling our names. We got in some solid training (two 70+ mile rides for me=happy) before and in-between helping the seven amazing campers with their goals for the weekend of training. They are all looking great and in 5 weeks (gulp...maybe closer to 4 weeks) their dedication will pay off. So excited to watch them flourish!

(Sunny biking days, thanks Betty Designs for the super stylin kit!)

(43 degree ice bath...yikes!)

Then it was 4 days of "real work". Getting things done in overtime so we can enjoy some vacay', a little work, and a little play, and top the next weekend off with some weekend racing/cheering in Kona. We nearly pulled an all-nighter, which I am become all to familiar with (the last flying trip the royal wedding was being televised, so it made sense to pack and clean through the night...who's with me here?! :)), to get everything together and I was still 10 min late getting out the door this morning. Luggage-would-not-zip-up! Going to try to redeem myself for the Boise trip up next :)

(Waiting to go play ALL week in Hawaii)

Things are looking again with my health and I submitted the 2011 racing license to USAT. I see a race in my deck of cards by the end of the year. Fingers crossed!

Playin' tricks!

This weather is really playing some tricks on us! It is amazing how much more of a "challenge" it is to get outside when it is grey, wet, windy (insert more complaining here). I accept it during the winter, but each day this past week has been incredibly different.

One, naturally, would believe that if it is 60 and gorgeously sunny with only a few clouds that the weather man is "off" saying the next day will bring the biggest rain fall yet. But he was right and the plans of riding with the girls all day was quickly knixed! I waited until 6pm on a Sunday for the rain to stop and then played mind games with myself for a bit longer only to land my bum on the bike trainer, as the rest of Seattle (and all those that escaped to Wenatchee in hopes for great weather) had to do.

Luckily there is a bit of flexibility in my schedule (and so do my best training buddies) so we were able to jump on our biking wheels at the break of sunshine for a few great rides this week. Lucky we were! And I really felt like I had a break-through brick workout on one of those that left me smiling for the rest of the day!!

We are looking forward to Ironman CDA camp (we will miss you Kiet, but I will warm the course up for you!) and then the next week off to Honu 70.3 where the weather will have no effect on the excitement to train!

Sunny days ahead and grey skies behind us (please?!).

I want you back....and some Wildflower news!

My fitness is slow, slow, slowly returning.......and then I get stopped in my tracks....and then it feels like starting from square one again. A few weeks on then 3-4 days off then repeat. Not the most ideal training schedule but it is better than having my bum sealed to the couch participating in online window shopping.

The medicines I am weening off of is going at a much slower rate because they are sparking the headaches/mini-migraines that are wiping me out for a few days. And the fear of falling into the horrific conditions of last year leave Mark and I "playing" it safe and not taking any risks when it comes to my health. Health first, racing second!


The plan was to have me ready to race Rev 3 July 10th in Portland but it is starting to look a bit slim with the constant adjustments to my training plan. Although 90% of it is getting done, I stress over the additional 10% that I feel are key workouts in prepping this out of shape body. Muscle...I want strong, speedy muscle! So instead of stressing too much I am left embracing the 90% (90% more than I was able to do) and just going to see what this body is ready for come July 10.

I have a few big training weekends ahead and anticipate to tackle them with all my might. Primarily since they land directly in the middle of treatments at the point when I feel the most functional!

And a quick Wildflower Recap!
Genevieve-First triathlon EVER....need we say more!

Kara- Wins overall amateur in the last 50 yards!!

Kim took note from our speedy stylin' car and placed second in the Olympic and qualified for her pro license!

Jeff and Mark who raced their hearts out in prep for CDA and took care of all us girls!

With these results one must believe there was something in the chicken (or the peep s'mores) at our campsite.....we are taking reservations NOW for next year!

To all of you racing currently: you continue to inspire me, give me hope, and know that dreams do come true! Let your journey continue!

April Birthdays!

April is THE month that we have the most closest friends celebrating their day of birth. Call it a cupcake a day, a month of hoopla, endless smiles!

*It started with an "April" birthday ride. 4 of us ventured out together while our 5th gang member was awaiting the birth of his child. Welcome little boy Viggo.

*Then we celebrated Bridget Jones's (amazing friend, co-worker, and best buddy), 30th birthday discussing how once you hit the 30's you have a BIG celebration every decade. Fortunately Bridget and I eat enough cake that we celebrate year-round! The "gift" of the night was the shaker and it provided some major entertainment (and just may be regifted at Christmas):

*Opening night at Safeco Field!

(Mom and I)

*Then a Lululemon photo shoot! The rain/wind left our knuckles red and the makeup in shambles. But the ladies and laughs made the moment one that was so great you can only hope to be able to relive something similar again someday. Thank you Amanda, Grace, Bridget, and Andria.

(So sore from running/hopping for the perfect picture)

*My personal birthday DAY was finished off with dinner at my favorite La Rustica and enough clothing gifts from Mark to compile a new outfit each day until the end of the month (well, nearly).

*Off to Long Beach we were then to have a mini-training camp (Thank you John) and connect with the greatest group of girls (and a few guys) for endless riding, running, and swimming. Was so excited I nearly forgot that my lugguage took a little detour and didn't quite make it to CA in time. But TYR set us up immediately with wetsuits to get in a couple open water swims. Absolutely the best they are. Using yachts as our buoys was VERY new to us! Our last ride was the BEST with very little planning we grouped together and ended up making what felt like a 2 hour ride, that was supposed to be a 3 hour ride, become a 5 hour ride. Time with your girlfriends can do that too you.

Thank you Heather, Megan, and Tracy, Kevin, John and Mark for the training escapade.

(H* and Mega-Meg...can't wait for the wedding!)

*Finally, the birthday week was filled with the biggest surprise of having my super best bud from college (met doing fitness competitions and have been inseparable since), by acquaintance, land herself in the OC the same time we were there! She (Kelley Renae) just finished her second MMA fight (yes, she is a super bad-*ss) and was on a little break. So sun, shopping and food were high on our to-do list.

(There is a reason I did not post a picture of us together!!!)

*The week has left me so blessed, so thankful, and so tired! Happy to be home with the lil' cats and some relaxation before Wildflower adventures come in the next two weeks. And a few more birthdays!