Bay Swim in the Pool, I'm Getting Dizzy

I am having my own internal battles with the Chesapeake Bay swim. Things are coming along. The date is fast approaching. Mentally, the training in the pool is tough. I can't wash the clorine away. I'm getting good a flip turns though! But feeling dizzy from so many.

Ironwoman Canada, is giving me lots of good Mojo. I think, slowly, I am earning her respect. It means alot to me. Swam masters on Thursday, then swam another hour straight. Still no training schedule. Decided I don't really need one. I'll manage.
I'll try to squeeze in nearly 4 miles this Thursday. A solid 4 next week. Then 4.5 then 5. Then taper.
Friday nights in May will now all be spent swimming in the James River. Still need to figure out if I can manage in a wetsuit, or if I'll go without.

Riding Through the Storm

It's true. I've been in a bit of a rut.

Which is why riding at Pony Pasture yesterday put me in a good mood. It reminded me of why I ride, and why I love being a team leader for TRIgirls. Riding a 5 mile loop along the river with herons, ducks, geese and kayakers would put anyone in a good mood. Riding with a new team of baby pinks reminds me of my first days of getting into the sport. Where 15 miles seemed like a long ride. Speed wasn't important. Everything seemed new and intriguing. And plenty of smiles were going around just at the sheer joy of being out and about at the beautiful river in perfect weather. Well, it did rain for a few minutes, but no one's complaining.

And, after racing home from my ride to get Daisy to her soccer game on time, only to hear a severe thunderstorm warning on the way, and having the game get called as the lightning started to strike, made me thing of the noble triathletes on my team, who were still out on the road, on Route 5, and in Goochland, biking. And running 16 miles all over Richmond. Getting flats, and getting buzzed by big guys in big trucks with big wheels....all in that same scary thunderstorm. By the way, Daisy and Redfish were cowering in the back seat of my car, holding their fingers to their ears, looking very scared. And THEY were in a CAR! So, this is an ode to those of you who managed to cycle through that storm or run through it. I promise you on race day, nothing will be quite as scary. And now, you are ready for anything!

Technological Doping: What is the Cost?

I recently came across a really interesting article about technological doping, thanks to another local blogger, Jon Becker. Basically, Speedo's new high-tech LZR Racer swimsuit makes swimmers feel like they are swimming downhill. The suit uses NASA technology, and sound comparable to wearing a high end tri-specific wetsuit -- It gives compression, and a bit of buoyancy. So the question is, is it really technological doping if anyone can buy one? Do we want to make swimming about equipment, like so many other sports are? Actually, until now, swimming was the one sport where equipment doesn't matter. Only what Mother Nature gave you and what you do with it matters.

I have an idea. Fair is fair, lets make everyone swim naked.

Why You Shouldn't Store Things in your Bra When You Run

I just g0t back from the doctor. I know, I know. You are saying AGAIN! I'm sure you think I'm a hypochondriac. And, maybe I am. BUT, wait until you hear this story. ANNNN I am talking to you!
Do not put things in your bra while you are running! I repeat, do not! Apparently one doesn't have nerve endings there.....or else I would have realized that I was tearing my skin to little bits with each step of my 10K. Ok, let me back track a little bit.
Based on some advice I received (will not mention names)....but I will say she is the Notorius Bra Stuffer, I put my asthma inhaler in my sports bra during the 10K. I could have put it in my back pocket, but, well, it looked kinda funny back there. Do I have to admit here that Mr. Preschool actually warned me not to do this, for this exact reason! Thank God I have a sense of humor, right. Because when I got home and took a shower, I had the most gory gash. I will not mention any more details. Except to say, that it hurt like crazy when I took a shower. I swear I thought that was vinegar coming out of the showerhead it hurt so much. And, now it is now infected. And, booo hoooo, pity party for me, my doctor says I can not do the open water swim in the James River on Sunday. I am so sad. I've been looking forward to this for weeks. Even took the day off of work to go. On the bright side, at least I have a funny story to tell.
Would you believe me if I told you my (male) doctor told me he did the same thing?! I have his number if you want it. Apparently, either this is a common mistake!?! or my doctor was really going out of his way to make sure I didn't feel bad. And, he threw in a tetnus shot for good measure.
Oh, well. It is what it is.

Monument Avenue 10K Race Results

The TRIgirls ran a soggy Monument Avenue 10K today. Definately not a PR for me, but no surprise there, since I've been sick and still getting over it. Wasn't a huge negative split for me....but almost....more like even splits -- 39 and 39. Well, at least I'm consistant.
Here's my time: 1:18:08
The Half Ironman Dinner was lots of fun....but it is getting late.
Now I think I wanna go to bed. It's been a long day. Maybe a report tomorrow.

The Potomac Videogame-Simulator-Job River

This is the weirdest typo I've ever seen. It came to me in an email from USAT regarding the new partnership between The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the Nation's Triathlon that was announced today. Perhaps alluding to bloggers concerns that in it's first year the organizers of the The Nations Triathlon race never intended to really let folks swim in the Potomac River. I have no idea if that is true, but last year, the swim went off without a hitch. Anyway, here it is. All I have to say is WEIRD!

Nation's Triathlon is the premiere Olympic distance triathlon in the United
States. Set against the magnificent and patriotic setting of the nation's
capital and its monuments, participants in the Nation's Triathlon will swim 1.5k
in the Potomac Videogame-Simulator-Job River, a course that will take
them under the Memorial Bridge, bike 40k through downtown D.C. , out onto Clara
Barton Parkway and Rock Creek Park, and run 10k through downtown D.C, past the
White House, Washington Monument, National Mall, finishing on the plaza of the
Navy Memorial on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Congratulations to TriSarahTops Team Evotri's Newest Member

Congratulations to Sarah, who won Evotri's second, Making the Team contest. She had a great idea to help kid connect thru a kids triathlon blog. I know she'll make a great addition to Team Evotri.
On another note, I am happy to say that today I was back in the pool. Yay! I swam for 90 minutes straight, only stopping to fix my goggles and take a sip of water. I felt like I kept a good pace and that I could have gone for alot longer if It was race day. I wasn't really tired when I was done, but just a little water-logged. The Y has a rule you can only use the daycare for 2 hours, so I figured I'd better go get Redfish before they started wondering about me. Also, an official training schedule is coming from Coach G, so soon I'll be able to be more confident that the training I'm doing Is the training I NEED to be doing.
Mostly I'm just happy to say that my Z-Pack is still working. Speaking of which, I need to go grab my pill for today. ON to a WET and soggy, sleety Monument 10K tomorrow. Hmmm, maybe all of this swiming will come in handy.

Spring Break Ick-Sick

Last Thursday, a whole week ago, after the early morning run I felt great. It was Spring Break, and oh so nice to actually be able to get a coffee with the TRIgirls, since I didn't have to rush home. But later in the day I felt bad and had chills and a fever. And by Friday night I was really ill, so much so that I cancelled my date with Mr. Preschool even though we had a free sitter -- my mom.
Friday I felt OK, good enough to help the kids through Stu's World Wide Triathlon. Saturday I felt OK, at least in the morning. Good enough for 2 loops at West Creek in the cold. And luckily, we still had a free sitter in town so I got to ride with Mr. Preschool for the first time in many years! We both agree it was the best part of spring break.
Anyway, I limped through the rest of the week, but by Tuesday night had a full on ear infection, migrane, pink eye, sore throat, cough and general feeling that I'd be lucky if I made it into daylight ever again. A quick trip to the doctor and a Zpak later, I'm feeling much better. All of my aches and pains have been replaced by a stomach ache from the medicine.

So, I think for the Monument Avenue 10K I'll be better enough to race, but not 100 percent. I'm hoping with a few more days and lots of water, I'll be good as new. Then back in the pool!

Simply Stu's World Wide Triathlon

On Friday, the kids participated in Simply Stu's World Wide Triathlon. It was a first triathlon for both, so it was all about them. We started with body marking. Daisy had 8's all over and her USAT age is 8 too. I let them choose their numbers and this is her favorite she says becuase if you turn it sideways, it means infinity. Redfish, chose 6. I guess that is how old he thinks he is.
We actually did the TRI in reverse order, but for the sake of avoiding confusion, I'm going to list the times in swim, bike, run order.

Swim
Daisy: 100 meters: 8.23
Redfish (with dad helping) 50 meters: 3.35

Bike
10 blocks: 42.32 (Dad carried the bigwheel for Redfish the last block)

Run
Daisy: 1K 9.25
Redfish: .5K 6

Totals
Daisy: 59.8
Redfish: 52.07

I have to say, I wasn't very specific on the timing. I didn't do a transition split between the bike and the run (so that one is included in the time). On the other hand, I didn't count driving to the YMCA to get to the pool in a transition time either. Actu
The kids had fun. And slept well that night. When we do this next year, I'm going to do a few things differently.
1. I'm going to set it up more like a real race if I can with transition areas and a true finish line, and have them race in the correct order. This might be difficult logisitically, since There is not a great place to bike from the YMCA we go to, but I'll have to figure out something.
2. I'm going to involve more of their friends and make it more of a community event.
3. I'm going to hand-make some medals of sorts and also include water stops. I am such a cruel forgetful mother -- I forgot to pack water on the bike and run!!! OK, I'll never make it as a race director! My kids were good sports though, and got water when we finished.

I'm also sorry to say that I may have signed Daisy up for her first real race a bit prematurely. I think I over estimated her biking ability. We've got alot of work to do. Her bike is steel and it is so heavy that with the training wheels she has trouble getting it to go up the slightest hill becuase of the weight and the drag of the training wheel. I actually had to help push her back to help her get up the hills!
The PowerKids Tri is May 31st. We need to get her much more confident on her bike and in the water by then, or I'm worried she'll have a bad first race. Help! Ideas anyone?

Swimming Alone

I knew I wouldn't be able to make it to Masters swim tonight, so Redfish and I headed over the the Y. Rain is predicted for today, along with thunderstorms, so I was praying we would get neither. Not just so I wouldn't get kicked out of the pool, but also since my window is stuck in the down position. I figured I'd already be wet from the swim so if it started to pour, I'd just get wetter, but still, I wasn't looking forward to it. Not to get sidetracked here, but while I need to fix it as soon as possible, I can't figure out when I can give up my car for the entire day, and I can't seem to figure out where the $400 to fix it is coming from either.

Luckily, all the fates aligned this morning. Actually, I'm in a great mood, because of all the things that finally went right. Redfish now considers the YMCA childcare in the gym "fun." Also, as an added bonus he is learning the letters YMC and A! It didn't rain, but got sunnier during my swim. And, after I warmed up, my ribs stopped hurting. Jason, my physical therapist, picked up the slack of the past couple of weeks and really gave my injury some much needed attention. He is super good, but for some reason, recently he's been so busy and distracted, I'd been having trouble getting him to do the deep tissue stuff I needed, in the time he had. It also helped that his intern, Liz, spend about 15 minutes on me too. Anyway, I decided since I have so much trouble staying focused on my swim when I swim by myself at the Y, I decided to just swim for 30 minutes with no breaks at all and see what happened.

For the 4.4 Mile Bay Swim, I'm going to need to swim about 3 hour straight, so this really was a baby goal. Then again, taking breaks, even for 10-15 seconds at the end of a 200 is a huge help, so not having the breaks will help me get used to the reality of 4.4 miles in the open water with not a wall in sight.

The swim just kept getting better and better (as opposed to worse and worse, which is how many of my runs end up). As I put more distance behind me I focused on turning my core with my hips, bilateral breaths every 3rd stroke, and flip turns. In fact, things were going so well that after 30 minutes I took a 100 yard "break" of side stroke and then swam another 45 minutes straight. I looked at splits for my 100's and maintained a fairly consistent 2:01 to 2:09 for the entire swim. If I was better at math, I could tell you how far I swam. I'm guessing maybe 3600 yards or just over 2 miles, plus my 200 warm up. I was sort of tired of the chlorine and the black line on the bottom of the pool and all those ladies doing their water aerobics, but still felt like I wanted to swim more. Ah, I'll save it for another day. I don't want Redfish to think I've abandoned him.

I can't wait until Friday to put in some more time in the pool. Now, all I need is some company to draft off of! And, I won't miss you guys too much tonight while you are at Masters while I'm babysitting the kids and Mr. Preschool is off seeing DJ Spooky at the Modlin Center, cause at least I got in a good workout today.

Swimming to Swim

Swimming more and posting less. That about sums up my last couple of weeks.

The TRIgirl swims with awesome Coach Annie have started. I officially joined the YMCA this week and the Master's Swims with Ironwoman Canada and the rest of the Butterfly Girls continue to kick my butt. Friday mornings mean gym time for Redfish and more swimming for me at the Y with one of my super cool little sister TRIgirl J.

My chest/rib injury still bothers me...and based on how it feels I go back and forth between thinking I should go back to see Dr. Dec or just training through the minor pain I am in and making it through to the 4.4 MileCheasapeake Bay Swim and then hoping it will take care of itself as I ease back on my mileage. I continue physical therapy for at least a few more weeks, and whenever I find the time to do my exercises on my own I feel much better.

It feels great to have a race to focus on. Between training and reading Swimming To Antartica, by Lynne Cox, I feel much more confident about the race....but I also wish I had some kind of training schedule to follow. I know I need to do a few 7,000 to 8,000 meter swims in the next month or so, but the thought of doing that in the pool is more overwhelming than the actual race to me. Redfish and Daisy already keep asking me what that new smell is....and I know they are talking about my entire body smelling like Chlorine!

Swimming with the Masters

Well you know it was a good workout when it takes more than 24 hours to recover enough to post about it! (Actually, that is not entirely true, I've been really busy with some other commitments, so that accounts for the delay.)
Masters swim with Ironwoman Canada was awesome. She was really down-to-earth, had a good sense of humor and made a newcomer like me, feel welcome. Apparently word of mouth has gotten around Richmond -- and especially the TRIgirls about what an excellent coach she is. We took over the entire pool! Ironwoman Canada put me in the 2nd to slowest lane, so I could be with some of my TRIgirl peeps and not feel totally like a fish out of water. Actually, everyone in my lane was either a current or former TRIgirl.
We swam about 2,500 meters. (Well, except for the break I took to go find a drink of water because I forgot mine.) Let me just say, that won't happen again! I was wondering around the Y dripping wet, with no towel looking for a drink, and people kept telling me to go into the gym to get it. Not likely! I guess that is why I missed a whole 150 meters while I was gone.

Jason, my physical therapist, said not to overdo it and to increase my pool mileage slowly. I guess I overdid it just a bit -- as I'm still sore 36 hours later. It's just that one area near my chest that has been bothering me. But, I think the full extension is helping because this week instead of my ribs being turned posterior, he said they were turned the opposite direction and were anterior.
I fell right to sleep after the workout, but then awoke in the middle of the night, and couldn't sleep! When my alarm went off at 5:30 a.m. for my run, I hit the snooze. Only one problem. There is no snooze alarm on my watch. I scrambled out the door to the Thursday morning run, late, but still felt lucky to get a work out in. I turned it in to a fast 2 mile workout instead of the planned 4, because Mr. Preschool was waiting for me to get home so he could be on time for work.
Today, I'll rest and prepare for tomorrow's long brick.

Back in the Pool

This week I finally got the go-ahead from my physical therapist to get back in the pool. I was so excited! Dr. Dec was worried I'd do more harm than good if I started swimming before I regained full extension of my arm and shoulder, so we were taking it slow getting back in the water. I dropped Redfish off at the Y's daycare in the gym and decided to just take it easy and see how things felt when I got back in the water. I could definitely feel my chest muscles not wanting to cooperate with all of the new movement, but managed to get in a mile anyway. Still a bit sore 2 days later, but it's all for the best. I've got some catching up to do . Another report after Masters tomorrow.

The Final Cut -- Team Evotri

Thanks for all of your support guys! I found out this morning that I didn't make it onto Team Evotri.
I'm really glad I participated, anyway. It was really nice to see all of the support and the loving community that I have here come vote for me. It means so much to me, more than you might realize. And, even though this contest took me WAY out of my comfort zone, that is what triathlons are all about -- so it's about right that I tried anyway. If I inspired just a few folks on the way, then it was all worthwhile.

I hope you will continue to vote for your favorite contestant at www.evotri.com My favorite is Sarah McKibben, and she is running on a similar platform to mine. To vote for her email vote@evotri.com and "Final Round Sarah McKibben" in the subject line.

Thank You for Voting -- this is not American Idol or a Presidential Primary

I want to thank the so many of you that have taken the time to vote for me. There are a few people in particular who have made a really huge difference. First, I want to thank my friend John Sarvay over at Buttermilk & Molasses who featured me on his site. Countless Richmonders read his blog because it is so well written, funny and smart. Plus, he is always telling us things we need to know! Also, I'd like to thank my Near West End News partner, Kory Mohr, who's been getting the word out both on twitter, his personal blog and a local fitness forum. Also, I'd like to thank Chris Humes over at SPROUT who emailed all the folks in my CSA Veggie Co-Op to support me. And finally, thanks to Sarah over at Fat Girl on a Bike, who has been a huge support, and has said some really nice things about me. And, her words are really good at reminding me why I've taken on this challenge in the first place.

This team is an amazing opportunity for non-elite triathletes. It gives them the
equipment, coaching, sponsorship and training availabilities that most
triathletes can’t afford. It exists to honor the everyman triathlete. Jonah
would make an awesome addition to their team.

And finally, none of this would have happened at all if it weren't for TRIgirl 40. She has been my biggest supporter and started the ball rolling on this whole thing!

Team Evotri -- On to Round Two of the Competition

Thank you for all of your support and your votes! With your help, I am excited to say that I made it to Round Two of the Team Evotri contest! The Richmond area support has been amazing -- especially for someone like me who's a bit shy. It is a little overwhelming even!

The entire Richmond community (TRIgirls, Richmond TRI Club members, teachers, bloggers, friends and friends of friends) have been so great in supporting me. I am very grateful.

If you have time please go to the Evotri website and watch all 7 videos and vote for the one that you think best answers these questions (hopefully it's mine):

1. How will you benefit the team if you're chosen? What are your personal
attributes?

2. How have you, and how do you plan to give back to the endurance
sport community? Nothing is too insignificant, list it all.

3. Why tri? Please be as creative as possible in explaining why you are passionate about triathlon and endurance sport?

Team Evotri Making the Team: Round One

I am so happy to say that I am a finalist for a national contest to be a member of Team EVOTRI.

The top ten applications can be found at the EVOTRI website.

To vote for me, first watch the videos, then send an email to vote@evotri.com with JONAH HOLLAND in the subject line.

I entered by submitting a You Tube video, something totally out of my comfort zone -- but that is what the triathlons are all about, leaving your comfort zone. Actually, I'm not sure If I would have entered at all if it hadn't been for my teammates! It is an amazing thing that Evotri would offer someone like me this sort of opportunity.

Since the day I fell in love with the sport, it has always been my mission to get other people like me involved, because it has had such a huge positive impact on my life. So, if I win, one of the things I'd like to do is host clinics for newbies and help them learn how they can do their first race.

I completely support Evotri's mission of helping the general population learn more about the sport, so that they too, might be inspired to try a triathlon. So, if you have time, please watch all the videos and vote for the best one, per the guidelines on the website.

On the Mend & TRIgirl Season Kick Off

Good news! Dr. Dec, gave me a good report on my chest/rib injury. She thinks I'll be back to 100 percent with 2-3 more weeks of physical therapy and home exercises. Did I mention that I bought a $35 giant tampon-looking thing to roll around on! Well, anything to get back in the pool. You know that is the one thing that she's keeping me from doing, and also the one thing that I want to do most! Dr. Dec says backstroke only until I regain full movement in my arm and neck and things loosen up in my chest. So, Maybe it will be 2 more weeks before I can do freestyle and make it to masters swimming, but I just can't say how happy I am that I'll be back to my full training schedule in 2-3 weeks.

During Saturday's brick, I even was able to go in aero for about 15 minutes of the 2.5 hour bike. It was the first time in weeks. And overall, the workout was pretty painless, well, except for those 1/2 mile repeats.
I'll be happy when I can focus my time on strength training instead of physical therapy. I've never been in PT before, so I don't really know what it's supposed to be like, but anytime I walk in the door, it is at least 2 hours before I walk out again. Jason does a great job, but I thought Redfish was going to loose it when I had to take him with me and he tried to entertain himself. Have you ever tried to entertain a 3 year old for 2 hours in a doctor's office? Let me just say, I think I'd rather do 1/2 mile repeats!

Sunday is the TRIgirl Big Sister, Little Sister Meet and Great and season kick-off meeting and clinic with our team sports psychologist. I can't wait to finally kick off the new TRIgirl season. There is nothing like a sea of fresh faces to remind you of why you are here, and how far you have come since you started your own triathlon journey.

Making the Team: 2008 Team Evotri

My Making the Team Evotri application is coming together. I will post the complete video on Friday, after we finish it. Until then, here are some words I've written for it.

By Monday, the 10 finalists will be announced!

Regardless of whether I am a finalist, I'm having a great time watching other's videos on You Tube (search for "Evotri" or "Evo Tri" or "Making the Team") and I'm really happy for all of the positive exposure the sport will be getting. I just hope the normal people watching on You Tube don't think we are all completely crazy!

Also, I just want to say thanks to my AWESOME TRIgirl teammates for the nomination. I get so much of my inspiration from YOU. More than you know....
Here goes:

I will benefit team Evotri by inspiring everyday people to try the sport of triathlon. Many people are intrigued by the sport, but think that they can't participate because they don't think of themselves as athletic, strong or fast. I can show them that anyone can do this sport. All it takes is a desire, inspiration and training.



I am drawn to the spirit of the sport. Facing adversity, triathletes find a way to succeed. All of us have challenges we have to overcome to get to the finish line. Asthma, injuries, extra pounds, or even everyday responsibilities to work and family are all things that we constantly manage. But the payoff when you overcome those things is tremendous.


When they see how much fun I have, and that you don't have to be skinny or particularly fast to enjoy racing, I hope that they are inspired. There is something special about the triathlon community. I love the culture, feeling like I'm part of a group, and the sense of commitment to helping others achieve their goals.



If I am selected for Team Evotri, I will use what I learn to provide training clinics my local triathlon community. I will continue to blog about my experiences as a triathlete and provide race reports. I will use the knowledge and training that team Evotri offers, to take my training to the next level, but also to spread the knowledge with folks new to the sport. When I'm not racing at an event, then I'm there helping out. When you see me a familiar face volunteering at packet pickup and body marking it helps ease pre-race anxiety.



When you don't look like everyone else, and maybe you're even here for a different reason, it is so, so important to feel, I belong here, because really, anyone who can and wants to tri, belongs.



At TRIgirl Training, my all-women's triathlon team, our focus is on having fun, being fit, and giving back. Last year, as a volunteer team leader, I helped to raise over $2,000 for Safe Harbor House, a shelter for women and their children, who are victims of domestic abuse. And helped mentor over 90 women -- 40 of whom were racing in their first triathlon. There is nothing quite so rewarding as helping someone compete in their first race and watching them cross that finish line.



I love triathlons because they dare to push you to your limits, and somehow you find a way to keep on going. You find that you are stronger than you knew. This is why I tri. Each race can be a condensed version of life -- full of joys, but also sometimes frustrations. I am my best self when I am training hard. Racing reminds me why I have been inspired. Triathlons help me be my best self.

Most importantly, I tri because I want to set a good example for my kids. I grew up in a family where adults didn't exercise. I want my children to have a role model who emphasizes how important exercise is. Also, I want them to know, that when things get hard, they will find they are stronger than they think, and they can persevere. To show them the challenge of working for a long time towards a goal, and seeing it through, despite what life throws our way. and to find the inspiration you gain from watching someone find the strength to do what they thought they couldn't.

Dysfunction

I've been avoiding discussing my injury. Why? Because I was been scared. I wasn't sure I was in a place where I could reflect on what had happened to me, physically or mentally. I am now just starting to come out of that shadow of doubt.

We all have our stumbling blocks in training. Sometimes, they just hit too close to home, or hit too hard to want to dissect them play-by-play for all the world to see. But looking back, once you've turned some sort of corner towards recovery, somehow, one gains objectivity that was not there before in looking back.

Now, that I think (THINK) we've got the problem correctly diagnosed and I'm back to a modified workout schedule, I'll do a recap. Back around Christmas, I did something to my chest. At first it was just pain in certain positions, then it got worse. I continued to work out, and deal with the pain until after a 3-hour brick one Saturday in early January, I tried to take one too many breaths. (That tends to happen as I huff and puff, running down the sidewalk). I stopped and tried to take a deep breath. Sometimes, this is not easy, with my Exercise Induced Asthma. I tried a gain. OUCH. At the bottom of each breath, there after, was a sharp stabbing pain, in my lung. My chest hurt. I was frightened. I was in a lot of pain, and kinda wanted to just not breath, because of the pain. As my breath slowed down, so did the pain. But every once in a while, I'd sigh and there it was again rearing its ugly, scary head. I called my doctor. The wait for an appointment was about a week.

And, I know many of you have heard this part of the story....so skip it if you want. My doctor told me it was one of three things. Either

1. I strained my pectoral minor, and after that workout it went into some kind of spasm

2. I had an infection in my plural lining of my lungs

3. I had a pulmonary embolism.

What! Isn't that what kills people? God. I think I'm going to faint. Can I lie down?

He says, just take some Celebrex (which I'm too chicken to take) or a huge dose of Advil and (DON'T) call me in the morning. Oh, and don't worry! It's probably not that he says.

Oh, and the only way to find out is to give you a CAT scan, which is like 50 chest X-rays, a lot of radiation.

He doesn't know me. At all. Not worry?

So, I am afraid to work out. I am afraid that if I run too hard it will dislodge my pulmonary embolism and kill me for certain. (Can you tell I have no F-ing idea what I'm talking about?) I don't want to run because then I might have to take a deep pain-stabbing breath. I am terrified, but trying to have a sense of humor. It doesn't come as easily as I had hoped.

A week later, still suffering from chest pain, another doctor decides I need an EKG.

No, your not having a pulmonary embolism -- it's just a heart attack! ha ha.

More worry ensues. I decide these doctors are idiots! I want another opinion. I finally get to talk to a receptionist at a pulmonary specialist.

"What did your X-ray say?" she says. My what? He won't see you without an X-ray. OK, so you can see a pulmonary embolism on an X-ray? I high tail it over to St. Mary's Hospital for an X-ray.

Several days later the pulmonary specialist can see me. It looks OK to me he says. Your kinda young to have a P.E. You don't have the traditional risk factors. I've seen folks with all the risk factors who didn't have a pulmonary embolism and I've seen folks with no risk factors who have it. You might or you might not have one. He says. But don't worry! It's probably not one.

I see a theme here. If I'm going to die, the last thing they want me to do is know about it and worry. An in person appointment with the guy is slightly reassuring. He offers to give me a CAT scan if I really want one. Um, no, not really.

By this time, I'd taken nearly 3 weeks off of my training. My goal of going for a Half Ironman in April was shot. The idea of swimming seemed impossible. The reaching motion was causing me so much pain. I started to doubt that I would have enough time to get better and still train to be in shape enough to complete one of my dreams: swimming across the Cheasapeake Bay in June. My mental game was suffering hugely. The more I didn't workout, the worse everything around me seemed to be. I could tell that even my 3-year-old son was worried about me. I wanted to work out, but not if it was going to kill me.

A week later, I got an appointment with Dr. Dec. Did I mention that Dr. Dec is a goddess?

She has tons of experience with injured athletes. That is what she does all day long. She has even been a sports medicine doctor for Olympic teams. For the first time, a doctor put her hands on me. Really felt around. Could see what things caused pain for me and what didn't. She listened.

I told her, "Taking my shirt off: Agony. Pulling Redfish's shirt off, double agony. Buckling him in his car seat: Lord have mercy on me. Aerobars? Not a good idea. Want to make it hurt twice as bad? Just add stress. Reaching for cereal? Hmm, maybe with the other arm."

Dr. Dec told me what was wrong with me. Rib Dysfunction. I know, it sounds like I made it up.

She said I have a block. In Eastern Medicine the call it that. I don't know how they treat it in the East, but here they use physical therapy. But most of all, she told me I was going to be ok. She told me I could workout. And how I could work out without further injuring myself. She gave me exercises and stretches to do at home. Dr. Dec doesn't know why this happened, but seems to think it had something to do with my overcompensating for having my abdominal muscles cut during 2 C-Sections in the past 7 years. She gave me hope, and said she thought that I could be on my way to recovery in 2 weeks. She sent me Jason, my physical therapist.

I've never had physical therapy before. I don't know if it is supposed to make you feel worse, but I can tell you I was in alot of pain after and during my 2 plus hour appointment. I learned that I don't like to have electrical current wired to run through my body. Jason showed me how my body was uneven -- lopsided even. And how my shoulders were starting to slope forward compensating for back muscles that weren't strong. He gave me this sort of bear hug from behind that made everything feel much better, at least temporarily.

The good news: A run the next day, with my new running partner, Becky, was the best and fastest run I've had in a long time. And my brick the day after that was fine, but taxing, about what I expected for running 2 times in 15 hours.

My physical therapist assures me that when I see him later today, I will hate him for the pain he causes me, but love him tomorrow, when I feel better. I'll let you know.

Most of all, I am happy. I am happy I have hope to be better soon. I am happy to be alive, without being fearful all the time that I am about to die. I am soooo soooo happy to be working out again. Even if I can't swim, go aero, or strength train -- yet. Sometime, being away from one of the things you love most, helps you appreciate it again.

The other good news -- I found a new primary care doctor. He's a runner, so I know he'll understands the demands of training and and the complexity of injuries. Dr. Dec recommend him which is a great sign. And, when I meet with him in a few weeks, I'm going to be sure to tell him, please don't tell me I might have a fatal condition, but not to worry.

Whey Protein: The Breakfast of Champions....I Mean Superhereos

Good news. I just came across an article that says whey protein, one of the key ingredients in Accelerade, ( my long distance training drink) can help you lose weight, improve insulin sensitivity, and increase muscle mass.

Now get this: It may also be able to reduce stress, moderate cortisol, and support healthy serotonin levels, thus imparting feelings of well-being. In other words: help fight off depression.

And, the cherry on top?

These findings add to whey’s already well-established benefits, which
include boosting glutathione levels, facilitating immune function, and
aiding in the fight against cancer.

......

One of the study’s most interesting findings relates to body weight, which increased in the group receiving food and supplements compared to the fasting group. In the groups that received either glucose or whole-milk protein, the increase in weight was from body fat. However, in the whey-fed group, the weight increase reflected an increase in muscle mass and a decrease in body fat.3 Whey thus appears to be the preferable choice for supporting improvements in body composition.

......

Whey may also support weight loss by modulating levels of the crucial neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin is involved in a wide range of psychological and biological functions, and influences mood, anxiety, and appetite. Healthy levels of serotonin are correlated with relaxation, calm, and an improved ability to cope with stress, whereas lower levels are associated with depression, anxiety, and poor appetite control.
Since serotonin is derived from the dietary amino acid tryptophan, scientists have speculated that increasing dietary tryptophan might increase serotonin levels. A recent study conducted in the Netherlands examined whether supplementing the diet with whey-derived alpha-lactalbumin, a tryptophan-rich whey constituent, would influence plasma tryptophan levels, reduce depression, or modulate concentrations of cortisol, the so-called “stress hormone.”

No wonder you Ironmen are so Iron! I think I might go get some right
now. ...Actually, maybe my next project will be to buy some whey protein and make my own drink, without all that succrose and food coloring.

It is a fascinating article. GO read it!

USA Triathlon Rankings for 2007

Every year when the USA Triathlon rankings come out, I post mine. I think it is really cool that even middle and back of the packers like me get ranked right there with the rest of the age groupers. Still, I'm not sure why this appeals to me, but it does.

Last year, I ranked slightly higher than this year, despite my 3 minute PR on the only race I did both years, Sandman. I guess what that goes to show is that easier races (as opposed to taking on Eagleman) can help your rankings. In 2007 I definately was faster, more in shape and more passionate about triathlons that I have ever been. It was a great year, and looking back on some of my posts, I'm seeing I learned alot, by taking my racing to the next level (the half iron distance). Ok here are the results:

9/16/2007 Sandman Triathlon
Time 1:54:16.40
Ranking 56.01075

7/1/2007
I Love the Tavern Triathlon
Time: 2:07:40
Ranking: 56.37458

6/10/2007
The Eagleman Ironman 70.3 Triathlon
Time: 7:39:06
Ranking 50.49307

Overall Score 54.15465
Gender Grade 59.57011


On another note, I just finished reading Slow, Fat, Triathlete, by Jayne Williams. I figured it was required reading for me since we seemed to have some things in common and I had run into her comenting on the Athena forum that I sometimes check out. The good news: It is a really great book for beginers, age groupers and folks like me. The bad news, I didn't learn anything, except that our journeys have been quite similar. Well, that is not true. I did learn one thing. That a neoprene (wetsuit) swim cap is called a Squid Lid. I guess what I'm saying is that I should have read this book a long time ago. It really would have helped me in my first or second season.

7 Weird Things

TRIgirl 40 tagged me, asking me to come up with 7 wierd things about myself. Are you sure you want to know?

1. Who ever thought of asking, "What's the worst thing that can happen?" Bad, bad idea. My mom, said it to me all the time, when i was scared to jump off the high dive, when I didn't want to go for the first day of school.
Now the worst thing that can happen just naturally pops into my head. (Thanks, Mom!) And, I counter every time, "What's the best thing that can happen?"

2. I hate socks in bed. I don't know why, but it gives me the hebegebes. What's worse? socks on someone else in bed.

3. I love soda water aka seltzer water. I've been know to pretend it is real soda or beer even -- I'm easily fooled! Daisy has tried soda (Dr. Pepper and seltzer) she cries every time! Don't ask me why she keeps trying it. She hates it.

4. I wake up automatically at 5:30 a.m. or earlier every day!!! The only time I don't wake up automatically is if I have something to get up for. So, I have to set the alarm. Which, I've been known to sleep through.

5. In general I hate getting my hair cut. Really. Pretty much everything about it. The smell of chemicals. A stranger touching you. Taking my glasses off. Hair dryers. Itchy neck. I hate getting my nails done too, I know, weird, right. For a while, I had a friend who would come cut my hair at my house while we drank beer. I was in heaven.

6. I have a ritual with my morning coffee. First i put sugar in the spoon. Then I let a little coffee into the spoon and swirl it so it melts. Only then can I add the sugar to the coffee and add cream (Silk soy creamer that is!) This is very important. I hate it when I don't have a spoon for my coffee!

7. I can only comb my hair in the shower. And I can't brush it. Ever. It's just the way it is. My hair gets frizzy if I do it any other way. Pretty funny, since I won't let Daisy leave the house without combing her hair. So, next time you see me and my hair looks like it needs a good brushing, you know why -- and what I really need is a shower!

Remembering Ruby, Stella, Bryan and Kathryn Harvey

There is something sacred about New Years Day. A precarious balance between remembering Ruby, Stella, Bryan and Kathryn Harvey and celebrating life.
Richmond will never forget. I will never forget. We will remember them well.

The Story of Stuff

Yet another non-triathlon post. Sorry guys. My friends Daniel Farrel and John Sarvay are on to something. They posted a link that explains so many mysteries...and yet seems so obvious. Why we keep buying more stuff and then can't figure out where to put it all -- The Story of Stuff.

I know it's depressing but we can change. So, take a look -- mystery solved. I think I know what my new years resolution is going to be: buy less stuff.

Free Rice Makes My Day

I just came across a new website that I LOVE. I mean really love. It is Freerice.com you play a game testing your vocabulary and when you get words right you earn rice for 3rd world countries. I'm such a skeptic. I know....it seems too good to be true. I had to check Snopes to make sure it was real. But it is. The rice is paid for by the advertisers at the bottom of your screen, which strangely enough keep catching my attention as I'm trying to figure out words that I've never seen before.
I think what I like best about this site is that I can totally indulge in a computer game and yet not feel too guilty. After all I'm learning vocabulary and helping feed the poor. What more could you ask for? Now go try it. Just don't blame me if you get addicted!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! I hope that your holiday is filled with peace, joy and giving. And I hope that you and your family are safe and healthy.
If it is not -- go for a run, I'm sure you'll feel better when you get back! Your problems may still be the same, but at least you'll have a new perspective on things. Hmmm, I think I may go take my own advice.

Running for Real

I was so happy to run into Annnnn and Kate on Monument Avenue after my 90 minute bike at Maramarc. They were running the same distance I was, 6 miles, only they were 3 miles into the run.
I didn't think twice about running across the street to meet them. I'd only run one mile and I was already tired of the same Monument Avenue scenery. But, probably I should have thought twice, because they were running it all. Maybe slow, but running it ALL. I always run and then walk and then run and then...well you know.
Anyway, I managed to stay with them most of the time, until they sprinted the last few blocks back to Starbucks. After a big glass of water I continued my run alone and lonely. But, I had run with them for basically 30 minutes. That is really good news for me. Since I didn't know I could....now all I need is someone to help me run like that 3 times a week.

I should also note that we stood up in cycling class for the first time today. I thought we weren't going to do that until January! Well, it was hard, but felt good. I miss my old Cannondale hoods to hang onto. The new aero bars are much lower and it's especially noticeable when we are standing in the sadle, but maybe something I'll get used to. The good news is that so far, I can do it.
I still remember so well, last January when I wanted to go home and cry after I couldn't do the workout we were supposed to. Well, we are not in January yet, so I may get that feeling again, but I'll work through it if I do. And, it'll make me stronger.

Christmas Light Run

Last night, I really missed my family. It was super cold and so windy that I was lucky I didn't get blown away on my way to my car after work. I had been planning on doing the Christmas Light Run with the TRIgirls, but it just felt so wrong to work all day Sunday and then to not even come home to see my family, but to go to a workout instead. I know I sound like I'm whining, but when you have a 3-year-old screaming, "Please Mama don't go to work!" it makes it hard. Redfish always confuses where I go when I leave him anyway. If I'm dressed in spandex he says "Don't go to work!" If I'm dressed in slacks and a blouse, he says, "Don't go workout!" I'm sure he's wondering why I'm always laughing at him.

Anyway, Mr. Preschool called me at work to see if I'd finally made up my mind. After hearing my predicament, super cool Mr. Preschool offered to meet us at Starbucks for the 40 minutes I had between work and the Christmas Light Run. I was slightly worried that leaving the kids again would be more heartbreak then the joy of getting to see them for few minutes but Mr. Preschool had prepared them and made them promise not to cry when I left.

I'd been wanting to go on this run since last year, when I kept hearing how fun it was. Actually, I think the main thing that folks talked about after the run last year was the Glogg that TRIgirl 40 brought. Based on its rave reviews, I figured it would make the run worth it and I was right. Between the great company on the run (Annnnn, T, Margo, Cathy) and the Glogg, I was soooo happy I went, even if we did cut the route a bit short so we didn't actually have to run through Oregon Hill. Or more importantly miss the Glogg because we were so slow.

So, in case you want to try it at home, here are the ingredients for the Glogg. It is sort of like a mulled wine with a kick.

It is red wine (Pinot Grigio)

Brandy

Vodka

Ground ginger

Cinnamon

Sugar

Whole Almonds

Raisins and well, maybe something else...heated on the stove until it is warm and some of the alcohol has dissipated. I'll update with the real recipe when I get it. And, you can be sure that I will be at the Xmas Light Run next year, even if I have to bring my own Glogg! The kids were fast asleep when I got home and I don't think they missed me as much as I thought they would. Tonight, I'll be gone to another workout when they go to bed -- but tomorrow, I get to stay home!

TRIgirl Training Starts a New Blog

Grandison, Cyndi and I just started a TRIgirl Training blog. Check it out!

imATHLETE Wants You!

A blogging buddy of mine, Jeff Matlow, (who also happens to be one of my favorite writers) just started a new website called imATHLETE. imATHLETE is a resource for athletes (especially triathletes) that will act as a sort of wikipedia of sorts, giving all sorts of information about the sport, including race reports, race listings, club listings, coaches and more.
This is where YOU come in! Jeff is looking for folks to contribute to the website. Got a race report you want to post? Photos of a race? Or do you know of an event that is not yet listed? All you do is create a login and ad the info to the site. You'll be helping other triathletes if you do and you might even learn something while you are there.
imATHLETE is still in its Beta stage. You are one of the first ones to know about it. Go ahead, make a contribution to the site, and check it out....then, pass the word along. Oh, and while you are there -- you can vote for me (and my blog)!

Teachers Ask for What They Want -- And Get It!

This is a post from my other blog, The Near West End News. I'm just repeating it hear, because, well, Mr. Preschool is a teacher, and I think it is the best idea I've heard in a long, long time....
I can’t emphasize enough how important schools are to both our community and our future. One Richmond City school teacher found out about a great online program, DonorsChoose.org that was able to help her make a even bigger difference in her students’ lives. Cheryl Thompson, a teacher at Blackwell Elementary, submitted a short essay to DonorsChoose explaining that she had an idea to use a digital voice recorder to record some of the classrooms activities and send them home with the kids. It was a way to involve parents, but also a way to reach out to the non-verbal children who couldn’t communicate with their parents about what was going on in the classroom. Donorschoose matches up everyday folks like you and me with folks like teachers who have a need but not necessarily the resources to fulfill it. It makes philanthropy easy for a regular Joe, and there is a personal element to it because the donor gets to pick the recipient and the project that he wants to support.
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine plans to announce this morning at Blackwell that Virginia teachers are now eligible to post their projects on the site.
“You just put your hopes and dreams out there, your visions, and somebody out there believes in you,” said Thompson, who is in her fourth year teaching early childhood special education in the city schools. “I love that idea. You don’t have to write a big, long grant.”
[via]

The 2008 Triathlon Season Begins!

Yesterday, we started our winter training. I am so happy to be back, it was tough seeing how out of shape I've become in the past 2 months, but great to realize it doesn't have to stay like that.
This has been a really tough Autumn for me. It seems like one malady after another has kept me from getting back into the swing of things. Yesterday, I was still fighting a terrible cough but after taking some asthma medicine from my inhaler, I was able to continue the workout. The truth is that yesterday is the best I've felt in a long time. I slept well. My back didn't ache. I was happier and more upbeat than I've been in a while. My cough even seems to have improved, even if it almost brought me to my knees yesterday during my "run." Yes, run is in quotes because it was more like a walk, run, stagger, stagger, walk. I'd run, feel that the heavy breathing was just too much, because of all the congestion. Then walk. When I walked is when I uncontrollably started coughing...which the running seemed to help, so I'd run to stop coughing and well....you get the idea.
It was really wonderful to see all of the "baby pink" TRIgirls moving on to be the experts. The pros that will be able to answer all sorts of questions for the next baby pinks. It was wonderful to see everyone again, but especially to be inspired by the baby pinks taking on full and half Ironmans in the coming season.
As for me, I'm focusing more on the season ahead. Trying to figure out what races will complete my season.
So far, I've committed to
The Great Cheapeake Bay Swim 4.4. Miler on June 8th
I Love the Tavern Sprint Triathlon on June 29
Sandman Triathlon on Sept. 14th
The Richmond Marathon on November 15

I'm thinking about

The Lake Anna Kinetic Half on April 19 or

The Williamsburg Patriot Half on Sept. 6th (or possibly the International)

The Charlottesville International on July 27

Still have to sort things out. I really want to do one half this season and one Olympic or International distance race. That Charlottesville one sounds fun but hilly and hot!

Happy Thanksgiving

I am thankful for TRIgirls. For Mr. Preschool. Of course, for my beautiful kids.
And, I am thankful we can all be together at home for a nice relaxed Thanksgiving. And, It may sound silly, but I am really thankful that we have 3 days with no going to work, no driving to school, no VCU classes, no obligations.
Just family.

Drink Beer Kids, the Pilgrims Did

My daughter, who is 6, came home from school yesterday telling me that she drank apple juice, but that everyone in the class had to pretend it was beer. She assured me this was the teacher's idea. Weird. I try not to get to picky with the teachers, but we wrote her a note, just making sure that was right, that all the kids had to pretend they were drinking beer.



Yep. Apparently they were Pilgrims for Thanksgiving and all the water was "rotten" so even the children had to drink beer. BUT, fear not, her teacher said. No one was allowed to get drunk...first of all they were just pretending....and second of all, that apparently was one of the first rules the Pilgrims made, when they got to Plymouth Rock.



I am all for bringing history to life for the sake of teaching, but this seem crazy. By no means am I a teetotaler, but we've always made sure the kids know beer and coffee are "adult beverages". I'm sure many of her classmates don't even know what drunk is. I talked to Daisy about what "drunk" is, what, one time, about 6 months ago. Her version of drunk, "you know when you get in the car and drive around and the policeman catches you." Yeah, I was laughing on the floor. "Oh, yeah" she said about 2 minutes later, "because you drink too much."

I Won the Lottery!

No, not that kind of lottery! The swim lottery. See, there is this race that I've been wanting to do for years. The Great Cheasapeake Bay Swim. Yep, you swim accross the entire Cheasapeake Bay. 4.4 Miles. And, I never thought I'd actually have the balls to sign up. But, it is so hard to get into, you have to enter the lottery. So, I figured, what the Hell, I won't get in anyway, right?
I think that is how they suck you in. But, I did get in. And, I'm like, "How lucky am I? I won the lottery....this might never happen again, I guess I should do this race! I have to hurry, only 24 hours to register or they will give my spot away!"
$250 dollars later, I'm thinking "ACKKKKKKKK, What have I done?"
I don't even belong to a pool! I guess that is gonna' change.

In light of the drownings the past 2 years at Ironman Florida, yes I am scared. But, I am also the kind of person who sometimes needed a push to follow my dreams. So, here goes!

Ruby's Run is Sunday at the Carillon

This post already appeared on my other blog, The Near West End News, but I think it's worth repeating, so here it is again!

I’ve been trying to encourage my friends with kids to sign up for Ruby’s Run, in memory of Ruby Harvey. Ruby’s Run is a celebration or Ruby’s life, and a way to raise money for a scholarship in her name at her old preschool.
I didn’t know Ruby, but I did know her mom and dad, Kathryn and Bryan Harvey. They made a huge impression on me. They were the among the first people I knew who were parents and still managed to be “cool”. It sounds silly to say it now, but I was pretty young when I met them, and I had just married and It made a huge impression on me that they were able to be parents and still maintain their pre-kid lifestyle of having lots of friends and being really involved in the things that they were interested in. They showed me you could be a dedicated parent and that it didn’t have to interfere your own sense of self.
Like many Richmonders, I have been devastated by the Harvey family’s death. The best way to honor them, I think, is to remember all the good things about them. Remember the happier times and to celebrate their lives as best we can.
My kids will be running on Sunday, in memory of Ruby, and if you’d like to make a pledge for the Ruby Harvey Memorial Fund or if you’d like your children to participate here’s the info:
Sunday, November 18thpacket pick up is at 1 p.m.the race starts at 2 p.m.It is for ages 4-14 (ages 15 and up can volunteer)the race distance varies from 100 meters to 2 miles, depending on age.
Pledges can be made online.

Ntelos 8K Race Report

Due to my back injury, I decided to walk instead of run the 8K today. I was a little worried that I wouldn't be able to finish if I started having back pain, but the Prednizone seems to be keeping it away. After plenty of jokes about how I was going to be disqualified due to my steriod use, I started out. I had never walked a race before and I was surprised at how much company I had.
I enjoyed it, but it was difficult not running, it was like fighting an instinct. And all those people running around me at the start made me even more aware of it.
I was worried it would take a long time to finish, but that sad truth is that I wasn't much slower than if I ran. I came in under 1:15 averaging 15 minute miles. The last time I ran this race, it took me 59 minutes, and I ran my little heart out, I was surprised there was not more of a time difference.
I walked for a lot of the race with a guy named John from Arlington. He did the Marine Corps Marathon last year racewalking (which is I guess what we were doing). That was inspiring to hear about, because I signed up for next years marathon. And, if he can do a marathon walking and make the time cut off, then I can too.

Anyway, I will say that I had fun getting back out there today. I've missed racing and workouts and happy to see a light at the end to this injury tunnel. Cross your fingers that when I wake up tomorrow, after a long nights sleep, that my back doesn't change it's mind. Now if I can just fight off this infection.....

Active.com Tells Me What I Already Know.....

So, I wasn't really holding out hope....but this confirms what I already knew....2008 wasn't my year. Here's the email I just got regarding my Ironman Florida registration:

Thank you for contacting Active.com.

There was a technical error during your registration. Unfortunately, the Ford Ironman Florida is now full.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact the Customer Support Team at Active.com.
Best Regards,

Active.com Support - Amy

Bigger Challenges Lie Ahead

You gotta love your coach when she calls you at 8 a.m. the morning after she does an Ironman, to tell you that you too need to sign up for it next year. AND, you have 3 hours to decide. AND, you'll be at work during that deciding time. God, I love her. I love that she can even wake up at 8 a.m. after an Ironman, no need to sleep late! I love that she has faith in me that this overweight woman can accomplish that kind of a feat. I think what I love most is that she doesn't take this lightly -- she knows how much hard work is involved, she knows me -- and she still thinks I'm ready for the challenge.

But wait, you say. You've had years to ponder doing an Ironman. You've had plenty of time to think about this. You've even admitted that it is a dream of yours. Yea, and I decided I wasn't ready yet.
Swimming 2.4 Miles, biking 112 miles, and running 26.2 just for fun and within a 17 hour time limit, is a dream of mine. But I figured It would be years away. I figured first I had to loose 25 pounds or so I could run faster and longer. I figured I would certainly help if Mr. Preschool didn't have class on Saturday mornings for his PhD. I figured at least my 3-year-old would have to be in school part time (we had to pull him out of preschool -- loooong story). I figured, no way in hell it would be this year.
But, when your coach calls you, and tells you that you can. ...and you secretly know you want to ...and she has that much faith in you, well all sanity and reason goes out the window.

Registration was pushed back to 1 p.m. local time. I had a few more hours to think about it. I loved the prospect of getting to train with TRIgirls that were going for it next year. And, I decided, what the hell, It's a dream of mine, I'll go for it.

I signed on the the Ironman Florida registration website, which mentioned that there would be VERY FEW spots available. I felt like a teenager on Ticketmaster trying to get tickets to the next big show. At 12:56 p.m. I sat down at my work computer, making sure there were no customers around to be helped. If anyone walked in that door, I would abandon entering the race at all. I was at work afterall! I clicked "register." The race was not open yet. At 12:57 p.m. I clicked it again and gasped an audible gasp as I got to the registration screen. Still no customers in need of help coming in. I proceeded to enter my USAT number, my address, my medical info, and my credit card number. I hit send, but had to go back a screen because in my nervousness, I'd forgotten the (804) on my phone number. Then started freaking.
What am I doing?
You see, for the past 7 weeks I've been unsuccessfully fighting an infection. Remember back in September when my nurse practitioner told me not to even race Sandman? That's the same one. I'm now on my 4th round of antibiotics. Not working out really messes with your head. I've been struggling. Then, last week, I through out my back trying to carry a kicking a screaming Redfish up the stairs to bed. OUCH! Damn. And get this, I feel like such a hypochondriac that I haven't really told anyone how much pain I'm in.
What am I doing, registering for Ironman Florida when I couldn't even walk 10 steps without pain, and I haven't worked out since September? What am I thinking?
But, I know it is a leap of faith, and after calling 2 TRIgirls, I'm convinced. I hit send! But in my hesitation, I lose my opportunity. The slots are all gone.

So, at least that has gotten me here. I WILL register for IMFL in 2009. And by then, maybe Mr. Preschool won't have class on Saturday and Redfish will be in school. And I will be well. And I will finally follow my dream. And it is oh so nice to know that there is someone besides myself who thinks I can do this.
I can do this.

Richmond Team Rocks Ironman Florida

Today, 9 of my teammates and 3 of my coaches are on one of the biggest journeys of their life. Swimming 2. 4 miles. Biking 112 miles. And capping it all off with a full marathon just for the hell of it. Today, is Ironman Florida.

These are normal people. People like you and me. Professors, network engineers, waitresses, ropes course instructors, research analysts, computer geeks and stay-at-home moms. These are average people who have chosen to accomplish something extraordinary today. And, as I write this they are winding up the 112 mile bike course. I can't tell you how much these women have inspired me. I trained with them closely for the first 6 months of their season, as we all trained for Eagleman together. This women have accomplished so much, just even getting to the starting line. They have trained for nearly a year. Sacrificing many hours at home with their loved ones so they could complete long brick workouts. Finding ways to train on the road while traveling for work. Biking and running in extreme conditions, rain, and wind and in the dark, because there just wasn't enough hours in the day, to get it all in. They have run miles and miles on some of August's hottest days and biked bundled in all their winter gear, trying to keep their toes from freezing.

Today, they started in the dark, at 7 a.m. swimming in the Gulf of Mexico. Today, they will become Ironmen -- 8 of them for the first time. And, at midnight, some 17 hours later, the last of these warriors, who chose to take on something greater than themselves...will finish the longest day of their life.

Deanna B.,

Suzie Q,

Karen,
Carmen,

Shelley,

Granidson,

Deanna L.,

Cyndi,

Lynn,

Anna,

Som

and Blake, Congratulations

YOU are IRONMEN. You are amazing. You are representing Richmond well.

Now, go get your tattoos!

Just One More Reason I Love Blogs...They Can Help Little Kids with Leukemia Not Feel as Alone

This is just a little shout out to Mr. Preschool.

Recently, one of his favorite students was diagnosed with Leukemia. When he found out that she had been playing school at home and missing her classmates terribly, he made a classroom blog. Now, the class can send her videos, photos and messages each day. And she can log on anytime she wants to look at her classmates, post messages to them and say hi. It not the same as being in a real class with them, but maybe it's the next best thing.

Considering she lives in the Projects, she is very lucky she has Internet at home. And she is very lucky she had persistent teachers and parents who didn't listen to the doctors who said her leg pain was normal. She is very lucky they caught it early and that she has such a great cancer center right here in downtown Richmond. She is also very lucky she has Mr. Preschool for her teacher. Because you can make sure she won't feel forgotten. And if he can bring the classroom to her -- he will.

Missing You

It has been one week since my last post. Jeez, I feel like I'm at confession.
I've been working my ass off at the Near West End News, well today at least. And, well, the truth is, I've been kinda sick. I'm not sure what is wrong with me. I've made reference to it before on this site, but until I get the OK from the doctors, I'm not working out. I hate not knowing what is wrong with me. I wish it would just go away.

So, I guess becuase of this, I don't have much to say in the world of triathlon, except: I miss you baby. I miss workouts. I miss TRIgirls. And all of a sudden things seem incredibly tough.
Hmmm. Couldn't all be related, could it?

My Decorations

Little Redfish and I were laying in bed the other day, snuggling.
"What are those things on your tummy Mama?" he said.
"What things?" I said as I pulled down the part of my shirt that had inched its way up.
"You know," he says sticking his little fingers on my belly. "Your decorations!"
"Oh those!" I say. "Those are called stretch marks Sweetie!"

Today:
"What are those things on your arms Mama?" he says as he runs his finger on the inside of my upper arm. You know the place, right were it flaps around when you run and you pretend not to hear it. And then you say to yourself, well it's OK your arms make that sound when your running because at least you ARE running.
"Oh, honey, you mean my decorations?" I say.
"Those aren't decorations, Mama!"
You just can't win with a 3 year old!

The Rest of the Story: Sandman Race Report

I should have written this before, the day I got home from the race while I was still tired from it. I have been taking the week off. I think as I mentioned before I had been sick right before the race and my nurse practitioner had asked me not to. The deal was that I would take one whole week to do nothing after the race and well, that is exactly what I have done. Nothing. No strength training Monday or Wednesday, no Sunday swim, no brick on Saturday and no run on Thursday morning. Truly I've done zilch.
So, now that I'm writing the race report, I hardly feel like a triathlete. It's funny how fast you forget all of those long workouts. Here are some photos. OK lets see if this helps me remember.
Yep, this is my favorite part of the race. Daisy was so excited to see me. Her dad had miscalculated my swim time (I was too fast) and then had gotten distracted, so she, Redfish and Mr. Preschool missed me on both my transitions. I hadn't really thought about missing her or wondered where they were, I was too busy concentrating on my race. But all of a sudden, there she was! She and Redfish were so excited to see me. And, she just started running. I held her hand and we ran together to the finish line. It was really nice to show her one of the many reasons I do triathlons. Because she was running with me, of course we got all this attention. Actually, I don't think I've ever heard a crowd cheer so hard for me. Wait, it must have been here they were cheering for. Anyway, she got to truly sense what it feels like to cross a finish line (regardless of your place). And I think, and I hope, she found that inspiring.
We talked about how the next time I volunteer at a race, she'll come help too. I think she is finally ready. And next spring, she'll do her first race (and no, I won't be running across the finish line with her then.
Actually, I've never published a photo of either of my kids. So, here is her official internet debut. I guess she's old enough for that too. Not much of a race report. Sorry. I guess I waited to long.

Photo available at Triduo.com

Unempty Pancakes

I was checking in on Ironmom, a blog a used to read alot, but recently I just haven't had as much time to check blogs. I guess the Near West End News, my other blog, has been taking up most of my computer time. Anyway, Robin has a great post on kids eating healthy, and I just love her pancake recipe (although I can see myself adapting it to use soymilk since that is what we usually have in the house).
She has a really good point about what we teach our kids to eat. My daughter can't stand lemonaid, Kool Aide, snow cones, icey pops and the like. She thinks they just taste wrong. My son, who sampled lemonaid at a young age is much less choosey, and will drink anything, well, maybe not soda.

Anyway, here is the recipe:
Robin's Non-Empty Pancakes
1 cup raw milk (ours is goat's)
1 cup yogurt
1 1/2 cup whole grain flour (sometimes I combine oat, spelt, wheat, coconut flour, whatever I have available)
1/4 Cup Ground Flax Meal
1/4 Cup Hemp Seeds
If I have time, mix everything above together and let it soak for 12 - 24 hours to ferment a little bit.
Then, the next morning, I mix in:
6 eggs
4 Tbs coconut oil or butter
1 tsp Vanilla
2 Tbs Raw Evaporated Cane Juice (Sucanat)
1 tsp sea salt
Sometimes I make them with bananas and pecans or blueberries or huckleberries in season. These also make great rollups with peanut butter and honey for a middle of the day snack. If I have the time, I'll mix up a double or triple batch and freeze a bunch so the kids can get pancakes any day of the week. It's both more nutritious and much more cost-effective than breakfast cereals.

Sandman Triathlon Race Results

I love haw Kale Running actually emails your race results to you in a summary format, and just hours after the race none-the-less. It just simply rocks!

Well, I didn't blog about this race beforehand at ALL, because not only did I stay up all night with 2 kids with the stomach flu this week, but I also had it myself on Friday night. YUK! I was so tired and wiped out I didn't know if I'd make it to the race. And, on top of that, I was already fighting an infection and on antibiotics. My nurse practitioner said not to race. Wanna hear something really funny? She said she thought I was over training. He he. She obviously doesn't know what a slacker I've been recently. She had herself convinced. Anyway, It's alot to pack up the kids, drive them 2 (or more) hours each way, and stay in a strange place. When you don't feel your best. It's even scarier to do that when you've been medically advised not to.

Plus, I just can't stand it when folks start a race and don't finish and I was worried I'd do that. And I REALLY can't stand it when someone says they are going to do a race and then don't. Well we've all done that once or twice (including myself) but I still can't stand it.

I ended up having a great race. It was a beautiful (but windy) day. Perfect weather. I had a PR by almost 4 minutes over last year. And that was significant for 2 reasons. 1. My run was 2 minutes slower and 2. The race management decided to be lazy and only put out 2 buoys. One at the start and one at the finish, instead of the 5-6 they normally have. We were told we had to go around them both. Only one problem was that I didn't know that the second buoy decided to go for a swim in the Atlantic. I kept waiting for a large swell, and then I'd ride it to the top and look for the buoy. I never found it. I was told we'd be disqualified if we didn't go around them both, so I decided to go looking for it for a while. I figure I lost about 50 yards swimming on my wild goose chase before I realized that it wasn't going to happen. I had never had waves come crashing down on me like the did today. You just couldn't really get out there past the breakers. I'd see this giant shadow, and think I was close to a boat or something and then...BAM a wave would crash over me. It was the weirdest thing.

I'm getting carried away. This wasn't supposed to be a race report, just the results, with the report later. Photos and details about my fantastic favorite finish will be posted soon.

Anyway, here are my results:

I came in 5th out of 15 Athena's in the Under 40 division. I had the second fastest Athena bike split in my division as well, thanks to my new bike.

Total time: 1:54:17

Last years time was 1:57:53.80

Swim was 1,000 meters (or more) 21:17
T1 2:20
Bike 14 miles 48:09
Bike average 17.4mph
T2 2:15
Run 40:13
12:58 pace per mile

The First Real Day of Preschool (No Mamas Allowed)

Redfish left for his first REAL day of preschool today -- No Mamas Allowed! I'm not sure why it is such a big deal, but for the first time in a long time I have the house to myself. It is a exciting feeling, but a little scary! You should have seen him, so proud as he put on his back pack!

At his school, they want the kids to feel empowered and let them do the "leaving" so drop at drop off the kids hop out of the car and walk to class on their own (with a little help from teachers). It is such a big kid thing to do ....on the first day of school!

And tomorrow he'll be 3, he's growing up so fast.


Here are some photos from this morning.

Back to School

Redfish started school today. Am I allowed to say that even though I didn't leave him? Actually, since it was the first day, we weren't supposed to leave, but still he had a great first day of school. I think he fell in love with 2 of his 3 teachers already.
"Mama, I LOVE her name!" he says to me, 2 seconds after I finally persuade him to leave the classroom by enticing him with the playground.
"Which one?" I say. "Elizabeth," he says.

After the 30 minutes of classroom time, we played on the playground for an hour and a half. He still didn't want to leave. The only way I got him out of there was to let him bring a piece of the playground with him. He finally settled on a pine tree pom pom, when I told he couldn't bring a giant tree branch stick that he had become attached to.

We'll see if he goes running out of the car when he goes back for his first real day of school on Wednesday. The teachers take them out of the car at carpool so that the kids are doing the leaving, not the parents. That will make for an awkward good bye, but I bet he'll go running into class, even on the first day. He is so ready! No one can tell he is still 2.

I think this is going to be a good school year for both the kids. Daisy has an excellent teacher, and she loves first grade. I'm going to have some free time, for the first time in 6 1/2 year. I can't wait to clean the house!

Do You Know Me?

I got TRIgirl tagged. Everyone knows I've been putting this off. I'm going to change the format a bit for my own sake, but here goes -- 26 things about me (that maybe you did, or maybe you didn't know):
1. I've held almost every job you can imagine. Some, just for the sake of wanting to know what it felt like to, say, pull a double shift on a Sunday as a dishwasher in a fancy restaurant. I worked at Fan Thrift for one day. I was a editor and reporter and photographer for Style Weekly. I even freelanced for the Times Dispatch. I even worked in a Visa call center and as a corporate concierge.
2. Favorite jobs are my current jobs: TRIgirl Team leader, Travel Councilor
3. I love that movie Say Anything. I could watch it a million times. But I still giggle every time I see this photo of John Cusack. He looks like such a geek! I also love My Own Private Idaho.
4. In general I absolutely hate movies. I get too emotionally involved. Or, it takes me two hours to realize that they aren't worth my time.
5. Survivor, on the other hand, is totally worth my time. How does that work? Also, I love The Office . I think I like TV way better than movies. TV is like eating ice cream out of the carton rather than actually having to commit to a bowl (which is movies).
6. I hate to fly. The last time I flew was 1995, I think. We were escaping a horrible honeymoon in Jamaica where the cruise ship went bankrupt while we were on it. They served us rotten food and ran the ship aground. A water main broke in the dining room. Everyone cheered when we boarded the plane in Jamaica and lifted off the ground. We were seriously lucky to get a flight back to the states considering. That is the only time I truly enjoyed a flight. 7. This also might explain why I mostly hate to travel. I hate hotels. I hate airports. I hate uncertainty. I love my own bed, in my own house.
8. I always wanted to go to Europe. Both my parents lived there for years. Maybe someday I'll go. Also, I've always wanted to go to South Africa. oh and Brazil. And Thailand. Maybe I'll have to rethink that flying thing.
9. I love food. Mostly anything that is homegrown or homemade. I hate Twinkies, Kool-Aid and especially Hi-C. I hate fake. I love real. I hate cherry Popsicles, but love cherries. You get the idea.
10. Favorite foods include: TomKha (coconut, mushroom & tofu soup) and
just about anything from Tara Thai. Also, homemade Chili Rellenos from the 17th Street Farmer's Market. And at Christmastime homemade Bourbon Cake. I think I'd rather eat it than drink it.
11. I love SPROUT Organic co-op. It has made me really appreciate fresh vegetables. Because of Sprout, we almost never eat out anymore. Last week I looked at the veggies in the grocery store and actually feel sorry for them!
12. Last week I bought black-eyed peas and me and the kids pulled them out of the shell ourselves. They were the best beans I've ever tasted. They tasted sort of like Hot Boiled Peanuts...yet another food I love.
13. I swam competitively and played soccer from when I was 5 until I was 18.
14. When I was 12 I broke my big toe kicking a goal kick. I miss-judged and kicked the ground instead. Ouch.
15. My soccer coach told me I was fine....at the end of practice he told me to ride my bike home. That was the most painful bike ride yet. Hmmmmmm, well maybe there was that one 75 mile ride not too long ago where my girlparts hurt almost just as much.
16. I was voted "Most Likely to Start a Revolution" in Senior (high school) superlatives.
17. I earned a Society of Professional Journalist merit-based scholarship at Virginia Commonwealth University.
18. I had dinner with Allen Ginsberg at the 3rd Street Diner. He made a lewd comment to me about how I wanted Jim Morrison to.... wait, I cannot finish this sentence it would be obscene.
19. I auditioned for and was chosen to be in a GWAR video. Now that I was proud of! Had to miss it because I went to diner with Allen Ginsberg that night.

20. I took a really cool photo of Mikhail Gorbachev and Eugene Trani (VCU's President). One of these days I'll scan it in to the computer.

19. Had dinner with Chuck D from Public Enemy. We ate at Bluepoint Seafood, it used to be in 6th Street Marketplace, next to the Carpenter Center. He was much more civilized than Allen Ginsberg.
20. I have stage dived at an Avail concert.
21. I rode a motorcycle for 10 years. Gave it up when I got pregnant with Daisy.
22. My husband proposed to me at the former East Coast gas station at Cary and Meadow in the Fan. I know you want to know more!
23. Our first date was on the train trestle down at great ship lock park. Not far from the only triple train crossing in America.

24. I knew I loved my husband on our first date.
25. Websites I visit everyday or often:
http://www.nearwestendnews.net/
http://www.trigirltraining.com/ forum
http://johnmholland.blogspot.com/
http://ironmanlife.blogspot.com/
http://www.nancytoby.blogspot.com/

26. I have a tattoo on my head. No questions please.

Tri One O One is Gone

"All Triathlon One O One events have been cancelled until further notice.

All participant entry fees and 2008 transfers will be refunded within the next two weeks. "



So sad that Tri One O One didn't Make it. I liked the distance. I liked the branding. I wished they had a race close to Richmond! I feel bad for all those people have been training for a race and may even have paid for hotels and airline tickets. Hopefully some 70.3 races and Ironman races will open some extra slots for them. We really needed a new race like this.

http://www.trioneoone.com/

Patriot Half Ironman Bike Test Ride

Here's a great photo of us after the Patriot Half Ironman bike test ride. One of the most beautiful courses ever -- well except for the part on Route 60 and the part where I had to walk! Dope!

I think we look mighty happy considering we just rode 56 miles!
From left to right, Back: Deanna B., Deanna L., Carmen and Jonah
Cyndi, Melissa, Anna Mac, and Kate O. in front.

New Near West End News Blog

So you know I'm a triathlete. And you know I'm a mom. But did you know that I have an alter ego? I used to be a journalist. Became jaded. Way jaded. Finding my way back to writing, I started my Triathlonmom site. And, as a way to further express myself and support my community, I recently co-launched a new blog.
My old buddy John Sarvay, was broadcasting a call from John Murden (another old friend) over at the Church Hill People's News for folks to start West End neighborhood blog, and Kory Mohr and I answered the call.
Anyway, with out further adeau here it is:
http://www.nearwestendnews.net/

Please forgive my lack of links, I'm on a strange computer and it seems to not be an option!