The Journey

 So a running buddy called me a week before a 200 mile relay race from Flintstone, MD to Washington, DC. Her team needed one more runner to replace a person who could not attend due to a life event. I said, "Sure, I can do this."  I tend to be a "Yes" girl.  I like to say "Yes" more than "No." So there I sat in my pajamas not knowing what adventure awaited me. Six days after the call, I met the team for dinner and headed up to a hotel close to the course start. I must say I was nervous. I did not feel prepared. I observed how calm my teammates were and internally I was hoping to not let them down. See, I was Leg one of a 200 mile race. Leg 1-Rocky Gap Trail. 0500 There I was at the start. Pumped and ready. It was pitch dark when the race started. My 0500 wave started and off I went. I had a map of the course and followed the directions as best as I could. Before I knew it I was under a canopy of trees. It was dark. No, it was p...

T-minus one~Breathe, Beats and Breaths Two weeks ago, I planned on completing the Chicago tri to honor my friend who passed away from cancer, but I did not complete that triathlon.  Today, I participated in the Diamondman triathlon in Delaware.   In six months, a beautifully, vibrant 50-something was gone.   Her birthday is September 7.   Her name started with a T.   As I slowly watched my friend drift from this realm into another, I learned the meaning of breathing, beats and breath.   I am humbled still.  You know the beginning of the triathlon when you have done all the training and the race announcer counts down 30 seconds, 15 seconds, 3, 2,……. 1.   In that one second everything becomes a blur, at least it does for me.   I start with simple and slow breathing.   I look to the sky to capture air and the sea to exhale.   Today, I remember looking up at the sky. It was beautiful. The moon was still out.   Sta...

On Sunday, I started the Chicago Triathlon.  It was one of the largest in the United States.  The goal was to complete 1500m in Lake Michigan cycle 24.5 miles and run 6.2 miles in Chicago. I completed this race last year. It was both challenging and fun. This year the outcome was not what I had planned. I started the race surrounded by wonderful people, Some I knew while others were strangers. We all started the race together. Rough waters awaited. Lake Michigan looked menacing.  She churned and tossed us from the moment we entered the water. Here I am at the first bouy. My plan was slow and steady since I was not familiar with this type of water. So I swam. I remembered saying to myself, "Slow is fast". I focused on each stroke and thought of little else. I saw a friend swim by me. It made me feel great as I turned to the straightaway toward the finish. I could see the finish through my Rx goggles. I swam and swam. As I sighted for the tall buildings in the dis...

Recently, I chimed in on a discussion about the latest health documentary on What the Health?  The movie describes how nutrition research, regulations and guidelines in America are influenced by  lobbyists.  The film goes on make several assertions about the "best" diet for Americans.  This is the most controversial aspect of the movie. Many people do not like being told what to eat. Who does? Food is not only very personal, but tied to culture and traditions. Disclaimer~As a health professional and certified health coach with a specialty in metabolic diseases,  I would recommend that individuals seek out professionals who can help them develop an eating plan that works for their body.  Everyone has different needs based on their biochemistry, activity levels, underlying health conditions and the medications they take.  It would be irresponsible for me to state otherwise.   A few thoughts~ 1. Nutrition is evolving like everything in sci...

Yesterday I had fun participating in the Ft Ritchie Triathlon at the Sprint Distance.  It is a local race that is extremely well organized with events in the duathlon, aquabike and triathlon at the Sprint and Olympic Distance.  It was a beautiful day indeed.  Someone asked me awhile ago why do I sign up for triathlon when I am not a great swimmer or won't win the race.  I did not answer them, but have reflected on this quite a bit. Here are my thoughts. Everyday I live, I realize there are more and more days behind.   I constantly ask myself, how long or when? When are you going to give yourself permission to let go of fear of failure? How long are you going allow yourself to feel that you must be perfect? How long are you going to sit on the sidelines and watch others try new things?  When are you just going to allow yourself to be imperfect and just find the joy in learning new things? Yes, trying new things is both scary and humbling. It requ...

After my disqualification, I felt depressed and inadequate.  How could I have missed a turn?   In 25+ years of running, I had never had a disqualification, DQ, on my official results. I had two choices, give up or get up.  I thought about giving up, but it is just not my style so I got up.  I signed up for a triathlon with a course that included hills beyond my ability. See,  I needed a redemption race.  I needed to erase the DQ mentally. So, I decided to challenge myself. Today, I joined a local triathlon club to practice my next triathlon course.  I was scared. What if I missed a turn?  What if I can't do this?  Anxiety was setting in, especially about the bike course. Just take a peek at the course. It was quite steep. Was I scared? Yes. I was worried that I couldn't make it up the hills.  Then I started thinking of  my favorite Mary J. Blige song, "Just fine."  I love that song and the words. "No time for mopin...

Today I must admit was an extra-ordinary day. I had the opportunity to do something I had never done before. I completed 2 endurance events back to back. I participated in the Maryland Sprint duathlon on Saturday and Olympic Distance on Sunday. This consisted of 39 miles of cycling uphill and 10 miles of running in back to back within 24 hours.  For a few, this seemed like a walk in a park. See these events bring out the most talent athletes around. They look fast and have fancy bikes.   I signed up for this race because a buddy asked me to do so.  There I was. No fancy shoes. A bike that is 11 years old. No fancy outfit. NOTHING.  I just said to myself, " Oh well, you defined what you want to get out of this." Oh course, I was totally intimidated by all the racers.  I had not planned on doing this event.  The course is very tough.  I have not trained for much in the past few months, but exercise regularly for sanity.  All I could do is ...