I am just over 14 weeks out to the New York City Marathon, and I finally did it…I completed my first 20 mile training run in prep for the marathon! It has been a LONG time since I last ran 20 miles, so completing this 20 mile training run was a milestone for me…an important turning point in my training and more importantly, a stepping stone towards returning to normalcy from the accident last September. I used to take completing a 20 mile run for granted. When coming back from injury or illness, sometimes setting goals can be discouraging, especially if the return to training is not going well. If they had an award for the most DNS on a race schedule, I would win. As I started this season I tried not to put too much emphasis on performance and racing, but I have been an athlete for so long that taking that approach is difficult for me. So, for 2009, there were only 2 races that really meant something to me.

Earlier this month I ran the Green Lake 12 mile road race in Minnesota…that was race #1 on the schedule. It meant something to me because it is a bit nostalgic. I spent many summers camping, boating and skiing on Green Lake and I remember watching runners in that race when I was much younger. I used to think-who in their right mind would want to run around the lake when it is much easier just to ski around it! I had not been back to that area in 20 years so it was nice to go back there and race…and the win was just the icing on the cake!

The other race I have my mind set on is the New York City Marathon. I am eagerly counting down the weeks, but also trying not to get too excited. I admit, I have a tiny bit of fear about this race-fear of not making it to the start line. However, this fear is being over-ridden with the reason why I am running that marathon. You see, I am not running it just for me. This race has a purpose.

Many are familiar with Jon Blais and the Blazeman Foundation since Jon was featured on the 2005 Hawaii Ironman DVD. Since Jon’s death in 2007, Bob and Mary Ann Blais continue their son’s quest to educate others about ALS and help fund research for this debilitating, deadly disease. A few months ago, Bob and Mary Ann contacted me and I have been given the honor to carry some of Jon Blais’ ashes with me while I run in the New York City Marathon. What better way to motivate me through my training and racing…because I am not just running for myself, but because I need to follow in the footsteps of Jon and ‘fight the great fight’ and finish what I start. His words resonate with me daily when I head out the door to run and I know they will be with me on race day motivating me through every step of those 26.2 miles. Just as Jon liked to end his story with a quote, I’ll end with his words, “Everyone in life has a certain amount of their own adversity. I think that puts the person inside you that makes you challenge yourself to push on to be a better individual.” For Jon…I’ll push on.

To learn more about Jon and the Blazeman Foundation please visit:

http://www.waronals.com/index.php

One Bad Run

I really despise bad training runs, and it can be one hard pill to swallow when they fall on a key track workout day. I’m not talking about the kind of day where you feel slightly off , you might have to work a little harder to achieve your goal, or at worse, your pace is a tad slower than goal pace…nope, I’m talking about the kind of day where even the coach says let’s stop this workout.

The road back from injury is usually slow (and seems to get slower with age) and requires a LOT of patience. Up until this past weekend, I had not raced since August 2008 and I missed the competition! The fact that I have recently been able to introduce some speed sessions into my training has been awesome and I truly love being out on the track. I am an athlete for many reasons, one of which is the joy and satisfaction I receive in testing my limits as I pursue my goals. These quality run days are in essence one way for me to fill the void of not being able to compete for the past 8 months. So when coach told me to stop my workout after only 1 interval, I was initially a bit dejected.

I knew when I started my interval that it was going to be a tough day. I expect tough days, but this workout was a little different. There was that internal struggle between YOU HAVE TO GUT THIS OUT versus You are not on today so let’s back it off because the risk outweighs the reward, and thankfully, I had another pair of eyes watching me. Honestly, had my coach not been at the track I probably would have completed the workout, been disappointed with the pace, and not gained one thing by doing so! Every workout has a purpose and when that purpose is compromised, adjustments need to be made, or at least expectations need to be reset. However, this is always easier said that done.

As athletes we are often our own worst critic. We condition our mind and body to handle pain, to block things out, and focus on the task ahead of us. Weakness is not tolerated. Stubbornness can get us to the finish line, but can also lead to our downfall. There are several articles and books written about what it takes to have a champions mentality and often one of the recurring themes is being able to adapt to adversity and rebound from failures. While my body was physically healing over the past several months, I focused my attention on reading such books as In Pursuit of Excellence by Terry Orlick, PhD. Today’s run was a test…would I obsess over the failed workout or embrace the day for what it was…just another training run? On that day, I chose the latter (with some help from Coach!) and decided to save the work for a better day.

Since my injuries from when I was hit by a car earlier this fall have me sidelined, and knocked me out of any competitions for the remainder of the season (World 70.3 Championship & IM Arizona) I will talk about life without training and my transition from athlete (sitting on the Injured Reserve list is not all that fun) to Cheer Mom.

Back at our Team Training Camp earlier this season a few of you were quite surprised to learn that my youngest had taken up cheerleading. I was just as surprised, and honestly believed that this was just a phase that she would outgrow. Eight months later I am preparing to head to our first ‘official’ cheerleading competition this weekend. Funny how sometimes our life really does not go as we had planned.

Anyway, I survived the dress-rehearsal. At our team-parent meeting we learned how to apply the make up and do their hair. Needless to say, I felt like I was in preschool learning how to cut, and I was the kid who the teacher had to spend extra time with to figure things out. You know what I mean, like when the teacher is going over instructions and then specifically looks at you to make sure you are really getting it. I think I ‘got it.’

Through this down-time I have been forced to not only provide lip service with the notion that “Yes, I know I am not only defined by the races I do or the training I accomplish in a day, but that I am a mother, wife, friend, and I have other interests” but to actually BELIEVE it. Talking the talk is so much easier than actually walking the talk!

So in the meantime, I am enjoying the new sport that has come into our life. I am glad to watch my youngest find her passion, pursue her goals, and work hard in her pursuit. Every parent knows just how much pride and joy there is in watching their children emulate the discipline, perseverance, and tenacity it takes to be the best that they can be. The lessons I have learned through being involved in sports have shaped who I am today and it is exciting to watch my youngest child build character through her own adventures.

I will miss my Ironman buddies and the race-week festivities when November 23rd rolls along, but there is always next year!

With Hurricane Ike fast approaching the area, I figured that NOW is a perfect time to update things on our Team Timex Blog. I mean, what else is there to do except sit and wait for the inevitable to happen…

Brief Racing Update: My last race was mid-August in DeGray Lake, Arkansas. I decided to make the trip to race the Half Iron Distance because I heard the course was a tough, rolling bike course (nobody seemed to mention to me that there were a couple of small hills on the run as well!) and I needed to redeem myself from my awful swim at Lifetime Fitness. We had ideal race day conditions for August and lucked out with partly cloudy conditions and cooler weather (which only means it didn’t hit 95 degrees and 90% humidity). I think the most astonishing part of this race was the fact that I FINALLY had a decent swim. I actually made a wise decision as far as where to position myself at the start and it paid off…Sharpie would have been left speechless (has she ever been speechless?…oh, yeah…that’s right…when that one certain male cyclist stopped to help her)…I was actually the first female from the Half Iron distance out of the water. Miracles do happen.

Brief Training Update: With Clearwater 70.3 Championships and Ironman Arizona approaching, training had been going quite well. Physically I was doing pretty good and was excited for the upcoming races…when…I was rear-ended by an SUV! OH, and did I mention…I was on MY BIKE! Amazing how in a split second you go from being able to handle those long rides and runs to struggling with your daily errands. Instead of spending hours training and hanging out with my kiddos, I’m spending hours at the doctors office and PT. Sorry…if you sense a tone of anger…there is…I’m just a bit frustrated.

But there is never a dull moment down here in Texas…no time to throw much of a pity-party because we have bigger issues to deal with as Hurricane Ike is about to make landfall. Since I have gone almost a week without training, I have been missing my endorphins and grumpiness has set in. Poor hubby and kids…to think that we might be hunkered down in small quarters for several hours must frighten them. Good thing I purchased a camping stove (to make hot water) and a french press so I can keep my Starbucks caffeine intake regular just in case we lose power.

Last week we made our usual summer trip to Minnesota and Wisconsin to visit family, water-ski and get out of TEXAS! Every year I seem to grow more weary of the oppressive heat and humidity we have here in the Houston area, so a trip up north is a welcome reprieve. Unfortunately, this trip was shorter than in years past due to my girls’ activities, but nonetheless, still enjoyable. I even managed to fit in a race while visiting…the Lifetime Fitness Triathlon.

My last OLY was nearly 3 years ago. I do not race OLYs often because it is brutal distance for me, but I couldn’t pass on the opportunity to have a ‘legitimate’ reason to take my bike with me on this brief trip. The race is well-run, on a beautiful course (the fact that I could tell you more about the homes along the bike route would indicate a lack of race day focus on my part), with awesome volunteers and spectator support. I was quite impressed. The race experience itself was a reminder to me as to why I do not race this distance often and why I prefer the longer distances.

The best part of the trip was heading to the theme park inside the MOA the day after the race. Hanna and I hung out all afternoon and it was nice Mommy-Daughter time. I think riding on some of those theme-park rides is more ‘painful’ than training! The fearless wonder-child I used to be has turned into a fearFUL-I-think-I-am-going-to-puke-37-year-old. Every ride I went on I kept thinking “I sure hope the engineers knew what they were doing when they designed this ride” and after awhile I just couldn’t ride any more because my head was spinning and my stomach was churning and I felt like I had drank a little too much red wine! However, the priceless memory of having my 7 year-old tell me, “Mommy, let go of me you are squeezing my hand too tight” is now something I will never be able to live down.

Enjoy your summer.