Tri to Be Funny

My Body's Punch List

2010-07-28T12:18:00.000-05:00

When hubster and I were building our house, the blue "punch list" tape was our best friend. In fact, after three years, I still find a piece of blue tape every now and then. Anywhere there was a paint mistake, scuff mark, carpenter error, or other blemish, we slapped a piece of blue tape next to it so that the appropriate worker would eventually fix the error.

My body has become a palette of blue tape recently.

: I don't know if it works, but the blue "punch list" tape makes my leg feel better

God knows there are plenty of blemishes to fix on my little house. Dr. Brown at Austin Sports Therapy has been doing some serious ART on my legs, hips and back. As my friend Muna so eloquently pointed out (in a time when I needed it most), I'm still recovering from the actual procedure itself. The injury has been fixed and the aches and pains probably have more to do with the incisions, cameras, instruments and traction table that ripped and pulled a lot of my right leg out of it's hip socket. Pleasant thought, eh?

In any event, the blue kinesio/rock tape isn't just to make people feel sorry for me (although it works). It is there as a reminder that there are still things that are under construction and constantly need "touched up."

: Still Some Repair Work to be Done on this Leg

Time Heals All Wounds...It Better

2010-07-23T17:34:00.000-05:00

Remember the first time you had your heart broken? As in, ripped out, stomped on and left for dead? You never thought you would recover. You never thought you would move past the darkness and depression. I remember it vividly. It still makes me shudder to look back at that shattered girl. Of course, I can also look back and say, "You'll be just fine and you'll be better and stronger than you've ever been before." Thank goodness for growth, humility and a daily dose of TIME. It truly does heal wounds.

My hip is not unlike that first boy that crushed me. Even now, eight weeks post-op, not a day goes by that I don't think about it first thing in the morning and revisit it right before I go to bed. Man, I've been having some good days, so DAMN good days. My mobility is good and my activity level is stellar (at least according to the professionals) for someone who is just two months post-op. I celebrated my first small treadmill runs this week. So, they were in one-minute increments, but I got more endorphins from those small runs than I have from any 20 miler previous to surgery. These are little steps forward out of darkness. They are teasers of normalcy and beacons of hope that I will regain strength and feel "normal" again soon.

But, like the damn ex-boyfriend, every now and again I'll be humbled right back to reality and forced to face the pain and frustration of an injury that just won't quit. I went into PT feeling great yesterday. I even told her my leg was basically feeling normal. Could this be the beginning of the light at the end of the tunnel? Is this the point where I don't wake up and think about it constantly? We had a great, but tough, hour-long session. I did my small treadmill run (this time at full weight), followed by some sliders and right leg "moon jumps" on the pilates reformer. Essentially, by the end of the hour, I had given that hip socket a beating and it paid me dearly for it. I headed directly to ART massage therapy where he worked the hell out of the muscles, tendons, fascia and everything else he does that hurts like a mother.

By the end of the day, my right leg went from feeling "normal" to feeling vengeful. Just like that jerk ex-boyfriend, the burning and stabbing pain in my groin progressed throughout the day reminding me of who is still in charge. Naturally, I went to bed last night lamenting about this endless loop of hope followed by frustration. The little victories followed by the kicks in the teeth.

I know this is all a part of the healing process. I work it hard and it hurts. Of course, that's natural like any healthy exercise regime. What scares me is some of the pain I'm experiencing is the exact pain I was feeling before surgery begging the question, "Did the surgery even fix the problem?" And, if not, "What the hell is going on?" Why does my hamstring still get really tight? Why does my right foot go numb after a long swim session? Why is my hip clicking more than before? Is it possible to have a knife in my groin without me knowing it (because that's certainly what it feels like).

The other side says, "Of course this is natural." Scar tissue is forming and needs to be broken down, nerves are still pissed off from being in traction, muscles are tight, blah, blah, blah...It's only been two months! Take a chill pill and relax.

Experts suggest that it usually takes six months to get over any major loss. Until then, you have to wade through the good and bad days and realize it's all part of the growth and healing process. All I know is that on November 19th, I'm throwing a huge 6-month anniversary party and hoping that I wake up to a nice long training run!!

Happiness is...

2010-07-22T17:16:00.000-05:00

As a rehabbing athlete, happiness is having your PT say the word, "Run."
As a writer, happiness is having an editor say, "It looks great!"
As a friend, happiness is having a girlfriend say, "Thanks for listening."
As a wife, happiness is having your husband say, "You Rock."
As a coach, happiness is having your athlete say, "Check out my bloody toe!!"

Hell yes!! One of my athletes sent me before and after pictures of his jacked up toe last week :-) Woo Hoo!! I love it! That means he's working hard and his reward will be an empty nail bed when that sucker falls off. Welcome to the Ironman club.

As a triathlete, happiness is going to a race and cheering for friends and hubster who were seriously kicking some tail!

Hubster leaving T2

Holly looking awesome after her race on her new Kestrel!

Me with Christopher and Noah. The future of Triathlon!

Happy Two Month Anniversary!!

2010-07-20T10:28:00.000-05:00

On May 19th, 2010, I went in for a labral tear debridement and repair in my right hip. Two months later, I got to experience my first run! So, it was only for one minute increments at a whopping 10 min mile at only 26lbs of body weight, but it was RUNNING!!!

Excuse me while I do the "happy dance" and try not to re-injure myself. It's time to celebrate the little victories.

Swim Training for Got2Swim 4 Miles for Colin's Hope!

2010-07-18T15:54:00.001-05:00

Seriously, the fact that I am about to blog about how much I love swimming lately is just plain weird and scary. I'm actually enjoying it more than I ever imagined. I've had such a wonderful time meeting and connecting with some amazing people as we all train for the Got2Swim 4-Mile Open Water Swim for Colin's Hope. I'm so fortunate and haven't laughed this hard with new friends in a long time. (Although, I suppose it's hard to belly laugh when you're running gut-wrenching 800m repeats on the track!) Selfishly and serendipitously, this event came at the perfect time for the sake of my life, recovery and physical/mental well-being. I guess I feel so blessed because not only are the workouts fulfilling and challenging, but the cause we are swimming for is so vitally important, and so often overlooked.

Last summer, a sweet four-year-old Austin boy named Colin drowned at a popular local health club pool. The details of what happened aren't mine to share, but what it did shine light on was the importance of water safety and security for children--especially in crowded pool areas where there are too many kiddos and sometimes not enough eyeballs to watch them. I didn't realize that drowning was the number one cause of death in children under the age of four. I do now. The money we are raising will go to these programs that aid in preventing children from drowning. Our 4 mile swim is just one of many fundraisers they do throughout the year to promote childhood water safety. Ironically, I know so many adults who are deathly afraid of water because they never learned how to learn to swim as a child. It's so vitally important.

Please consider donating even just a minimal amount to my personal pledge page. I thoroughly appreciate the thought and consideration!

Yesterday, several of us did a 2.4 Mile Open Water Swim sanctioned by Red Licorice Events. For most, it was the farthest they have ever gone. It certainly was the farthest I've gone since Ironman last year--and this one was wetsuit-free. It was certainly a proud moment for all of us!

Fox 7 News recently did a piece on the upcoming event.

Now--onto some of the recent stellar and breathtaking photography of our training swims shot by Lauren Lesley Photography.

Sharing a laugh before kicking off our training swim in Lake Austin

Our crew is flanked by water guardians in kayaks for safety and fuel

I'm not gonna lie...That's me in the pink cap drafting! This ain't my first swimming rodeo :-)

What a gorgeous sunrise over Lake Austin

Our 4 mile swim will start at the 360 Bridge and end at Hula Hut. Margaritas anyone?

Remembering why we're here. www.Colin'sHope.org

Thanks to Clif Bar and TYR for sponsoring this event!

Our fearless leader Alissa talks with the media before our training swim

And my personal fav...a little synchronized swimming practice to "kick" off the training swim.
(this one may or may not have been enhanced just a tad to increase the dramatic effect) :-)

My LAVA Dream Gig

2010-07-16T17:51:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, injuries truly are blessings. I'm honored and blessed to be able to officially announce my guest column on the all-new triathlon website and magazine, www.lavamagazine.com. I'll be posting regular pieces about what it's like being a Rookie Coach to athletes who are gunning for their first Half-Ironman this Fall. In my first column here, read how my recent hip surgery and obligatory recovery led to a serendipitous launch to my coaching business! As always, I hope to seek the humorous side of training, coaching, learning, failing and succeeding. After all, this is supposed to fun, right? In that case, the fun is just beginning. Congratulations to the staff at Lava Magazine and happy reading to all tri-geeks (present company included) who just simply can't get enough!

Cruisin' in CB

2010-07-13T14:32:00.000-05:00

Cruiser bikes are definitely the way to go in this town.

Swimming at 9000 ft

2010-07-13T13:41:00.001-05:00

Thanks to a mix-up in our condo rental, we were granted access to the indoor pool at the Crested Butte club! Not too shabby...so, they keep the pool at a balmy 84 degrees. It's bad when you actually feel yourself sweating in the water. Oh, and did I mention that swimming at 9000 ft is like trying to blow up a titanic-sized raft? After my lungs stopped burning, I actually enjoyed a nice slow swim. A swim is a swim, after all!

Another Day of Hiking in Paradise

2010-07-12T16:32:00.000-05:00

Another day of hiking in heaven. This is on the way to the aptly-named "Oh Be Joyful" trailhead.

My Healing Hike

2010-07-12T04:53:00.001-05:00

This is, without a doubt, one of my favorite spots in earth. It's called Chapel of the Spruces in the Cement Creek Region near Crested Butte. People leave crosses and other mementos. There's even a box with pen/paper to leave your prayer intentions. Fresh flowers adorn the altar and the creek flows behind it. Small benches surround the altar for prayer and meditation. This is a true religious experience.

Heaven on Earth

2010-07-12T04:47:00.000-05:00

Sometimes Mother Nature just nails it spot-on

Heading for the Mountains

2010-07-09T15:22:00.000-05:00

I can't believe I actually contemplated not going on my annual girl's trip to Colorado. My friend put the word out about three months ago and I almost declined thinking I wouldn't be able to walk or maneuver the hikes. I didn't want to be the perverbial "stick in the mud" who couldn't do anything because of my bad hip. Humorously, I'm the youngest of the group and the one who's had hip surgery. Ah...you gotta laugh at the irony of it all. I'm just so glad my inner voice talked some sense into me about this annual trek up to the mountains. It doesn't matter that I can't go out bounding like I used to do. This trip has become part of my therapy and rehab more than "training at altitude." My love and passion with trail running and hiking started in Colorado about six years ago with that first trip. While my girlfriends were in the condo reading their books or going on a walk, I took every spare moment to lace up the trail shoes and explore the paths around Crested Butte and Crested Butte South. It was my first trip to Colorado and I had never seen such beautiful scenery. I mean, I was and am emotionally, spiritually and physically blown away.

So, needless to say, I'm admittedly a little bummed at the thought that I'll be limited to shorter walks (dare I call them hikes?) on this trip. I won't have the pleasure of renting mountain bikes and crashing into a dirt pile (yep, I've done it). Still though, I 'll take away from this trip what I always take away from it. Precious time with dear friends, precious time with nature and an overwhelming feeling of gratitude that I get to be the one to bask in all of it...even if I am sitting on a park bench with my walking stick.

Holy Crap, I'm Sue Sylvester

2010-07-02T18:24:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago, my neighbor and a couple of his buddies hired me to train them for the Longhorn 70.3 race in October. This week, I've met them on the bike, at the pool and on the track to do some baseline aerobic testing. It dawned on me this morning that I've become the politically incorrect and somewhat ambiguous Sue Sylvester from "Glee."

They've only seen me in some modified "coachy" outfit consisting of my usual Nike running shorts, Ironman emblazoned shirt and some baseball hat or visor brilliantly disguised to cover my bedhead and makeup-less face.

Pretty soon, I'll be busting out quotes like some of Sylvester's finest:

"I will no longer be carrying around photo ID. Know why? People should know who I am."

-or when I become an award winning coach-

"You know, for me trophies are like herpes. You can try to get rid of them but they just keep coming. Sue Sylvester has hourly flair ups of burning itchy highly contagious talent."

-or, if they complain about a workout being too difficult-

You think this hard. I'm passing a gallstone as we speak. That is hard!

Hang on, boys. You're being coached by a tough chick. And you'll like it.

Super Freakin' Woman

2010-07-01T11:25:00.000-05:00

Somehow, thanks to Blogger's new design templates, I've managed to totally screw up the formatting and I completely suck at any form of programming. That's ok though, because big changes are coming soon. In fact, so many wonderful things are on the horizon. I. Can't.Wait. I'm kinda feeling a little like Super Woman these days. No, seriously, I am...Well, mainly because I had to do one-legged Super Woman poses this morning at physical therapy.

This exercise has progressed three times since I started it a week ago. At first, I was doing jack knives on the ground where I balanced on one leg and then lifted the other knee to my chest and then out to the side. I felt like a rock star because I could actually stand and balance on one leg. It's the little things.

The pesky little balance board showed up in the next session proving that my rock star status is as fleeting as most rock star careers are. So, it was a little shaky at first, but I persevered at the risk of looking as shaky as Katherine Hepburn did in "On Golden Pond."

I showed up today with the apprehension of "what do these crazies have in store for me today" and, not to disappoint, my evil PT professor had added the Superman balance poses to the routine. Stand on balance board (i.e. try not to break neck in front of everyone), lift knee to chest, lift it to the outside and then hinge from the waist and take off like Super Man.

Oh, I flew alright. Flew liked the caped crusader that I am.

It had me thinking. Wouldn't running actually be easier on me at this point?!?!?

I can only imagine what they'll dream up next.

Peaks and Valleys

2010-06-27T09:06:00.003-05:00

I suppose this is the post where I would say that I had a bit of a down week from a physical therapy and rehab standpoint. Now I know what it's like to be a contestant on "The Biggest Loser" who loses 15+lbs week after week, only to have a random "off" week where they drop 5lbs and feel disappointed. That's how I feel my progress has been. I've been making strides, getting stronger and overachieving with my recovery. Unfortunately, with strength comes confidence. In my case, with confidence comes cockiness. I got a little too cocky last week and pushed my hip a bit too much. It could've been the extra five minutes on the bike each day. It could've been the fact that I was actually trying to push some wattage and feel some resistance. It could've been the aggressive PT or the hike at Wild Basin. It could've been the four swims. If resistance was what I wanted, I certainly got it alright-- in the form of a stiff achy hip and a pissed-off nerve. Needless to say, this week was a "recovery" week in my recovery.

Ironically, it was while I was cutting a big slice of humble pie that I was inspired and energized to sign up for this:

May 21, 2011

Yep, hubster and I (and about 30-40 of our closest friends) signed up for the Inaugural Ironman Texas in The Woodlands next year. I'm not sure what is more shocking--the fact that we've signed up for another Full Distance Ironman, or the fact that we signed up for a Full Distance Ironman in HOUSTON. Ugh...at least the Woodlands is a lovely suburb of the dreaded concrete metropolis.

So, while the week had a few valleys to cross, it certainly wasn't without its peaks...and I'm happy to say that I'm getting strong enough to travel across them both.

Turning Circles

2010-06-23T15:10:00.000-05:00

This data upload is funny for several reasons:

1.) I actually wore my Garmin to walk two miles on a track.

2.) I averaged a whopping pace of 21:51 per mile when I used to knock out 6:20s.

3.) Going around in circles is as boring and silly as it looks.

4.) It actually categorized my workout as "running." I assure, it was NOT.

5.) What you don't see was even more funny. I was wearing my Vibram Five Fingers.

6.) I'm actually able to walk faster WITH the crutches.

7.) I'm learning how to upload and transfer data from my Garmin making me even more of a dork than I was before.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Recovery...

2010-06-21T11:18:00.002-05:00

"Yep, I think it would potentially be something you could train for..."

That was all my PT needed to say, really, to ignite the fire of desire and give me a spark of hope to grasp onto during a pretty bleak moment. It was my initial pre-surgery consultation with her. She knew how frustrating it was to be rendered motionless by doctor's orders. She knew I was an "athlete" and had that typical overdramatic mindset that I was literally "going to die" if I didn't exercise...I admitted my deepest darkest fears of retreating into a world of laziness, queso and vast amounts of belly goo. I also confessed how difficult it was going to be sitting on the sidelines while everyone else was getting better, faster and stronger. Let's face it. The latter is the most frustrating part of any injury and subsequent recovery.

While in my meeting with her, we talked about races, people we knew in common, philosophies and everything else that goes with the territory. As an aside, she said she was about to start training for a four mile open water swim taking place in September. In an instant, my eyes became the size of saucers. The flash of light went off in front of us. She saw it and, probably in an effort to appease me, said, ""Yep, I think it would potentially be something you could train for..."

A FOUR MILE SWIM??? ME???? Just thinking about it makes me quiver with haunting memories of days gone by. Much of my childhood was spent wearing t-shirts and coverups over my bathing suits so people wouldn't look and point at me. I was the short, chunky tomboy with huge boobs. Awesome. I was the one who was doing cannonballs off the diving board because it got the most laughs (and the biggest splash, thank you very much). In high school and college, I never had a desire to do the Spring Break thing, although I'm pretty sure I would've rocked the wet t-shirt contest.

I still find it almost impossible to imagine that I'm a triathlete because it involves swimming. It has taken me eight years of participating in this sport to become an average swimmer. It wasn't long ago that swimming one continuous lap in the pool was impossible. Before I knew it, I was swimming a 1/2 mile, then 1.2 miles, then amazingly 2.4 miles in strange and murky bodies of open water.

And now, I'm gearing up to swim four continuous miles in Lake Austin to benefit Colin's Hope. It's going to take me between 2- 2 1/2 hours. FYI--that's a long damn time to be swimming. The Ironman swim distance is 2.4 miles and I never thought I could train up to that. I'm swimming 4-5 times a week now (yay! I can swim!!) and starting to get the flow and feel of the water once again. So, yeah, my PT was right when she said it was something I could potentially train for. I'm four weeks post-op and loving every minute.

I was so caught up in my own eureka moment when she mentioned the swim that I didn't even notice the flash of light that came over her. She told me that I really needed to get in touch with the woman who dreamed up this charity swim. It would definitely be good for us to meet, regardless of if I did the swim. Turns out, the Event Director had hip labral tear surgery about two months before me with the same surgeon in Austin. Our stories are similar, our injuries are similar and our recovery involves testing our limits in any way we can. In fact, she concepted the charity swim while she was sitting on the couch in her CPM Machine.

I couldn't have scripted this play better if I'd tried. Here is some of the cast of the GOT2SWIM4 TEAM benefiting Colin's Hope. There will be about 30 swimmers and an amazing support crew of kayakers, stand-up paddle boarders and medical personnel on hand Thursday, September 2nd. Stay Tuned for updates from the water all summer long!

She's Got Legs...She's Remembering How to Use Them

2010-06-14T15:44:00.000-05:00

Bye, Bye Crutches! I've given the sticks the official heave-ho and I'm ramping up physical activity and physical therapy to new levels every day. Hot damn. Now, I can start to justify my over-active appetite. Apparently, no one told it that I'm not in "training mode." I'm going to become the first morbidly obese person who eats nothing but veggies, beans and tofu. Oh yeah-- and drinks wine. Some things in life are just too good.

Speaking of good, my physical therapy sessions are rockin! I like to think that I'm the "model patient," but everyone in there is working hard to fix one problem or another. Hello--it's a bunch of type-A athlete types who want to get back on the court, field or bike as soon as possible. I'm not really special--just one of the many gimpy athletes who has a few holes in my leg. I was basically off crutches after 2 1/2 weeks. I would still take them to the gym or to the grocery, but mainly used them for stability...(or as a weapon if some little kid got on my nerves. ) I kid, I kid...

I'm happy to report that I had breakfast with my hipster group last Friday and everyone seems to be doing incredible at their various stages of post-op bliss! It's encouraging and important, as the 'fresh meat,' to follow their progress and ask questions along the way. One thing we noticed was just how vastly different everyone's post-op protocol has been. Granted, everyone is different and everyone's surgeries were a little different, but the differences in our recovery treatments are pretty amazing. It just reinforced to me that it's not fair to compare myself to anyone else in this process. (Although I am doing pretty flipping AMAZING!)

Hipster's Anonymous (or not so anonymous)...Labral Tear Repair Gang!

I'm now swimming four to five days a week between 2500-3500 meters a pop. About 30-40% of the time, I'm still using a pull buoy in between my legs to keep my hip stabilized. The swimming I'm doing without the buoy is focusing on form, light kicking and rotation--no speed work just yet. Holy Moly, it hurts just thinking about kicking hard and fast. I actually did my first wetsuit open water swim over the weekend. I did 2000m at an easy pace and started feeling it on the last couple hundred. That was, by far, the longest I had gone without the buoy. I felt pretty buoyant, though, in the wetsuit (or perhaps it's the extra weight I'm carrying around). I swam with my PT, so I figured it was ok ;-).

I'm still going to PT three times per week and it should back down to two times next week. I did some strength tests today and everything is looking good. My hip flexion is now up over 120 degrees! It was 107 when I was tested two weeks ago. Awesome--that means I'm now also able to ramp up my indoor cycling time! Watch out Lance, because this little chick can now ride for 30 minutes at a time with little resistance. Yep, that's right. This Ironman who is used to riding for 5 to 6 HOURS at a stretch is now up to a whopping 30 minutes daily! I'm also able to increase that by five minute increments if I'm not aching. It must be fun being a PT because every little affirmation or mention of doing a new activity is like a little gift. It means 1.) I'm moving in the right direction and healing properly 2.) I'm able to move my body and get back to a semblance of a routine. I received several gifts this week.

One of my favorite exercises is the Core Thrashers on the Pilates Reformer. It's always a humbling experience to work my core. Talk about exposing weaknesses. Hopefully, it will be exposing my kick-ass six pack abs soon. I also like to do the leg presses. We continue to increase resistance. I'm now over 50% of my body weight. They also work my balance and body positioning by forcing me to wear a band around my knees and a lovely pair of Birkenstocks complete with half-ball on the bottom to work my core and balance even further. Only in Austin can you work out in Birkenstocks. I love it.

HOT LEGS!

Maintaining Balance and Proper Leg Positioning. They don't pass out free granola with the Birkenstocks. Fortunately, I get a monthly shipment thanks to Erin Bakers!!

So, all is well in recovery land. I'm doing some P90x upper body work a couple of times per week just because I can. I'm obviously not able to to run, jump or do any crazy plyometrics just yet, but I'm patiently biding my time.

Through all of this, I've definitely realized why I'm called a PATIENT. I've definitely needed a lot of it, but the patience is paying off every day.

My "Aha Moment" Has Been Released!

2010-06-09T17:41:00.006-05:00

Click Here to watch video of my Official
Mutual of Omaha "Aha Moment"

Better than Tales from the Crypt

2010-06-08T11:21:00.001-05:00

The Original "Tales from the Crypt" Guy

The New and Temporary "Tales from the Crip" Chick**

Amazing and surprising things happen when you walk around the world on crutches. Disabled people who read this probably want to smack me and say, "Duh! You have NO idea what it's like!!" To that I humbly and graciously say, "You're right. You have my utmost respect." I have no idea what it's like to live with a permanent disability, but being on crutches for the last few weeks has certainly given me a glimpse into the world of handicap accessibility (or lack thereof).

Most of my encounters with people are amusing. A few have been inspiring. My visits to the gym have been the best encounters by far. The first day I hobbled into the gym, I tried to hit the handicap button which would open the door for me. It didn't work. No worries. I can push the door open and quickly hop into the building. The freakin' door was heavy as hell and it was tough to get my balance. I'm pretty sure I looked like a circle trying to squeeze into a a square peg. Fortunately, someone saw my awkward attempt at an entrance and grabbed the second door for me. That was all before I even had a chance to show them my membership card.

First of all, I know I look sexy as hell when I walk towards the pool with my swim cap, bathing suit, towel and crutches. I get looks of condolences, no looks at all, and several "be carefuls" to which I so desperately want to jokingly respond, "If I was careful, I wouldn't be on crutches, now would I?!" Usually, I just say, "thank you" and hobble on...

The first day I headed towards the pool, a guy who was exiting the pool asked me if my crutches were for a permanent disability.

"No," I explained. "Thank GOD they're just temporary because of recent hip surgery."

"Oh, you're lucky," he replied. "Aren't those crutches great? They are so much easier than regular ones."

(I looked down and noticed he had tan lines on his legs where leg braces normally go. He went on to explain his permanent disability that requires him to wear braces and use crutches every day.)

We chatted a bit more and he wished me luck with my recovery. I already told him that I felt lucky because my disability was temporary. If I could've lifted my foot to insert it into my mouth, I would have.

The next time I was at the gym in the women's locker room hobbling towards the hot sauna. A lovely woman approached me and grabbed my arm to help me along. Along the way, she warned me to be careful because it was slippery.

"God Bless You," she said. "I'll be praying for you."

"Wow...Thanks," I responded. "I need it."

"In fact, " She continued. "Hold my hand and touch my ring. I want to pray for you right now."

Holy crap, this is slightly awkward. I'm standing in the middle of the women's locker room in a towel and crutches. Women are around us in various stages of dress drying their hair and putting on make-up. She starts saying "The Our Father" OUT LOUD while I'm holding on to her crucifix ring! Do I close my eyes? Do I pray along with her? Do I dare look around and notice if others are staring?? I'm being prayed over in a women's locker room and you know what? It was lovely. Awkward as hell, but so very kind and lovely.

She opened the sauna door for me and fervently told me that she would say some prayers for me. I sat in the steam room for several minutes saying some silent prayers of thanks of my own that people like that exist in this world.

For the most part, people have been great. Kids look at me funny so I just look back. One day, I was in the locker room getting dressed while two young teen girls were putting on their makeup. Ironically, Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer" was playing over the speaker. I laughed at the irony that I was their age when that song was released. Now, over 20 years later, I'm on crutches proving that that song has more longevity than I do.

Needless to say, I'm relieved that my time with the sticks is hopefully coming to a close this week. My physical therapy is going great and my leg feels stronger every day. I definitely learned some valuable lessons along the way though! More than ever, I want to thank those who opened doors for me (literally) and those who told me I was a bad-ass for being at the gym in my compromised state. Trust me, I didn't want to be anywhere else!

**Meaning absolutely NO offense to those that physically challenged! Humor me, please.

Go With The Flow

2010-06-06T11:56:00.001-05:00

"I went for a hike yesterday!"

"Whatchu talkin' about Willis?!" (In light of his recent passing, I'd like to give props to Gary Coleman) "Seriously, you did what??"

Yep, I went for a small hike yesterday at Pedernalas Falls 40 miles outside of Austin. Granted, it wasn't a strenuous hike by any stretch of the imagination, but it was a wonderful treat to get outside and take part in a "Hike and Heal Retreat" hosted by Wendy De Rosa.

Ironically, the hiking was secondary to the healing portion of the day. We walked down (or, in my case, hobbled down) a path of rocks to the banks of Pedernales Falls. We found a wonderful shaded tree in the sand near the banks of the river, sat down and just listened...Wendy led us on a guided meditation to clear our minds and focus on the flowing water. She talked about the energy healing we can do within our body. Sounds pretty hippy trippy doesn't it?! It totally was!! But, it was so peaceful and relaxing as well. It's all about letting go and "going with the flow"...figuratively and literally.

First of all, how many times do we allow ourselves to just lie down and literally "go with the flow?" Um...if you're like me, the answer is "never." We're too obsessed with doing something, changing something, creating something, or judging something that we can't just sit in non-judgemental stillness and "be." Or, at the very least, slow our lives down even for a minute.

My surgery and subsequent rehab over the last few weeks has been a lesson in humility, patience, slowing down and "going with the flow." I physically am not able rush through my day. Every step is a conscious decision. Even my physical therapy is slow and methodical as I essentially build a new foundation for my body. I can't go out and run 26.2 miles (like I did three weeks ago--hee hee). I can barely walk properly. In essence, I'm "going with the flow" and once I surrendered to that, life got a heck of a lot easier.

Ironically, when I got home yesterday, I was inspired to read the book. "My Stroke of Insight" by Jill Bolte Taylor, Ph.D. . I first heard of this book about a year ago while listening to an Oprah Radio podcast with the author. Dr. Taylor was a Harvard schooled brain scientist when, at the age of 37 (my age now), had a stroke that affected her left hemisphere. The book is about her description of what happened that morning as her body and mind started to deteriorate without her control. Because she is a brain scientist, she instinctively knew what was happening, but couldn't stop the effects of the hemorrhage. It chronicles the steps she took to get help, as well as the long process of physical and mental recovery. It's her description of "going with the flow" with an impaired existence.

In any event, my Mother-in-Law had brought this book last week and I picked it up yesterday and started reading it. I read it in a few hours. Needless to say, I was drawn by the parallel themes of this book, my rehab, and the morning's relaxation by the water. "Going with the flow" means to slow down, stop judging, and realize that we are all connected to nature and each other. Essentially, it means to shut the left side of our brain down for a while that analyzes and critiques everything, and focus on the right side that simply feels.

Easier said than done, right?? Hell, yes it is. But, that's precisely why we need to grant ourselves permission every now and then to get a little hippy trippy and simply "Go With the Flow."

Moving Forward in Slow Motion

2010-06-03T17:07:00.000-05:00

You give me an inch and I'm going to take a mile.

I made contact with Mitch Thrower with Triathlete Magazine a few weeks ago in response to a piece that he wrote. I shared a little about what I'm going through now and he graciously responded with kind words of encouragement. He also told me to make sure I record my journey.

This past weekend was a rough one for whatever reason. While most were enjoying an extra day off from work on Memorial Day, I was on the couch barely able to lift my head. I have no idea exactly what happened, but I finally felt how I thought I was supposed to feel all along. On Saturday, we had breakfast with the Stanfords and then Shawn and I took a day trip to Schulenburg, Texas to admire the "Painted Churches" in the area. We capped it off with a semi-meal at Senglemann Dance Hall. I woke up Sunday and felt perfectly fine. Stephanie picked me up and I headed down to Auditorium Shores to watch some friends take part in the annual "Doggy Du!" OK--it was hilarious to watch some of these dogs jump in the water, swim 10 feet and then turn around like, "Hell No I'm not doing this!" After breakfast at Galaxy Cafe, I went home to take my place on the couch with the leg CPM Machine. Within an hour, I had a wave a nausea, headache and fatigue that went on for the next 24 hours. It was like I ran smack into a brick wall. Every time I would try to sit up, I felt dizzy and sick. Even my leg was acting up and producing new sharp pains. Crazy and awful...I felt miserable and lethargic all day Monday as well. I tried to find the energy to get off the couch and just sit outside, but I couldn't do it. To this minute, I'm not sure if it was a touch a food poisoning, my body's reaction to too much activity, or a reaction to the anti-inflammatories. It passed on Tuesday and I've been relatively back to normal since my post-op appointment on Tuesday.

Either way, I'm so relieved to finally beginning a normal existence again. I'm allowed to drive, which is huge. I'm also allowed to do a little weight bearing while still using the crutches as an aid. I drove myself to my first official post-op physical therapy appointment this morning. For the first two weeks, my PT consisted of sitting my ever-expanding ass in the CPM machine and watching my leg move up and down from 0 degrees to 90 degrees for 6+ hours a day. Today, it was great to finally get out and GO SOMEWHERE. This appointment consisted mostly of taking measurements of my flexibility and formulating my timeline.

Right now, my external hip rotation is at 36 degrees (It was 44 degrees pre-op). She wants to see me close to 50 degrees. Also, my hip extension is at a measly 5 degrees and she wants it to be somewhere in the 10-20 degree range. I was already able to lift my knee to my chest (lying down) up to 107 degrees. (Thank you CPM machine) and I can also put all the weight on my bad leg with no pain. I'll be seeing her 3 times per week for two weeks and then 2 times per week after that. My long range goal is to be starting to run again within 8 weeks. Now, it will be light and easy running, but running nonetheless. None of that will happen, however, until my core and glute region is strengthened enough to do proper single leg squats multiple times. Until then, I've been give some clearance to MOVE!!! 15 minutes of pool walking and swimming with pull buoy. I'm also able to get on my bike and do specific pedal stroke practice for 10 minutes 3x per day. I also have some core work to do to fill up my day because, frankly, I'm getting tired of Oprah and Dr. Oz.

I haven't even made progress yet and I felt like a proud graduate today. It was as if I passed my first two weeks of post-op recovery with flying colors and I can now move on to the good stuff. I finished my appetizer and am headed straight to the buffet line...

In my case, the buffet line is Lifetime Fitness. I left the PT office and headed straight to the pool because, of course, I was carrying my goggles and suit "just in case" she said it was ok....

Evil ;-)

2010-06-03T15:36:00.002-05:00

Just because it's from Whole Foods, doesn't mean it's healthy. Thank you, TriGreyhound, for identifying my weak spot for sweets. Add a week of recovery for each container of white chocolate, dark chocolate and gumdrops!

I'll Have You in Stitches (Or Out of Them!)

2010-06-01T16:08:00.000-05:00

I'm definitely not bringing sexy back, but I am one step closer to being active once again. The sutures came out today and I've been given clearance to make baby steps back towards humanity!

**WARNING** If you don't like stitches coming out, don't scroll down!! **WARNING**

This was my first view of the arthroscopic wounds

And they're coming out...

Trying my best to relax!

Thanks to my Mother-in-Law for driving me to the appointment!

You Know You're Injured When...

2010-05-28T16:49:00.000-05:00

Brutus is now using my crutches as a pillow. He's obviously getting
used to my lifestyle.

It's Been One Week...

2010-05-28T08:19:00.000-05:00

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU

It's hard to believe it's only been a week and 2 days since the hip surgery. In one respect, it feels like forever since I've been a slave to the couch and the CPM machine. By the same token, I'm amazed at my activity level in the last week. I can't thank my friends and family enough for being here physically and emotionally. I'm grateful for the visits, phone messages, emails, texts from people who are "in the neighborhood" and want to know if I need anything, the food deliveries, the chauffeurs who stop by and take me to lunch and to doctor's appointments and hubster for the wonderful anniversary afternoon of food, shopping and picnicking. It may be hotter than hell already, but just getting out of the house feels like a mini-retreat. In the last week, I've been able to venture out to do a lap on the track (with crutches, of course), Whole Foods a couple of times, lunch with former co-workers, and I even got out to meet my T3 group last night for the unveiling of our Ironman Coeur D'Alene video from 2009. Ironic that I was gearing up for an Ironman one year ago and now I'm not allowed to put weight on my leg. Actually, it was about this time last year that I was going to see Dr. Sellers complaining of numbness and pain in my quad/hip flexor region. Today, I get to get out of the house again and head to my very first official physical therapy appointment. Needless to say, I'm grateful for any opportunity to move and make forward progress.

I've checked off a lot of those "when I have some free time" projects too this past week...catching up on shows, magazines, blogs, emails and other non-essentials that can clutter our existence. I've written three articles this week for Livestrong.com and I'm thinking ahead and mentally manifesting goals and dreams for 2011. Lord knows, I have plenty of time to visualize, reach out to mentors, and do some goal-setting meditations.

Man, it sounds like I've had the most amazing week of catching up and regrouping. It has been wonderful, but I have to be honest, I also catch myself getting a little down and suffering a bit of anxiety. As an intrinsically self-motivated person, it really is difficult to just "be" and not "do." There are some moments when I slip into a bit of a panic..."I'm not doing enough...I'm lazy...I'm getting fat...I'm not contributing...people are judging me...I'm judging myself...I should be working...I should be doing SOMETHING..." I believe they call it good old-fashioned GUILT. While I'm essentially on my butt all day, hubster is getting up, going to work, saving a few lives, coming home, cleaning the house, doing laundry, and fetching things for me when I ask. I know I've reached my tolerance level, but I keep thinking he'll hit his limit any moment now. Does any of this sound familiar? I suppose that's why, even now, I still create a daily "to-do" checklist. At the end of the day, I like to know that I'm accomplishing something...Even if that something is simply taking a shower.

So, needless to say, it's been a topsy-turvy week of emotion. For the rest of the world, it's a much-needed three day weekend. For me, it's three more days of recovery. The Capital of Texas Triathlon is this weekend so I hope to get out and spectate. Nothing will inspire me more.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

A Day in the Life...

2010-05-25T10:25:00.000-05:00

I'm not gonna lie. Sitting here on the couch doing nothing totally blows. My experience over the last week has been a mundane combination of waking, hobbling downstairs (which I've now mastered, thank you very much), making coffee and a semblance of breakfast, and then retreating to the couch where I watch my leg move up and down in the CPM Machine while catching up on episodes of "Glee" and "Dr. Oz." I read, write articles, spend way too much time on Facebook and challenge my literary skills with multiple games of "Words with Friends." After about 3-4 hours of that excitement, I get up and spend about an hour making lunch, all the while wondering how I could possibly be hungry since I burned ZERO calories sitting on my butt (thank goodness I have a decent basal metabolic rate). The afternoon is spent doing much of the same. Even my cats think I'm being a bit lazy. Yeah--these guys.

For exercise, I climb the stairs on my crutches, shower and brush my teeth. Whew...exhausting. I sit in our steam shower for 15 minutes at 105 degrees just to remember what it was like to do yoga. Unfortunately, I can't really bend over and do "standing head to knee" or "rabbit pose" right now. I sit in the sauna and basically talk to myself (and whoever is getting a good laugh from up above). My afternoons are spent back in the leg machine and catching up with friends by phone and email. I can't thank you enough for reaching out to make sure I'm alive and sane. I'm definitely alive. I can't speak for my sanity. This view gets a little boring...and reminds me that I need a good shave and pedicure.

On a positive note, I've written a couple of good articles, finished a book, started my Training Peaks coaching tutorial and have made contact for potential future writing endeavors. I also get 9+ hours of sleep a night and, so far, my leg/hip feels awesome. I actually start some physical therapy this week and my first follow up with the surgeon is next week. I can only hope this means I'll have some independence soon. By independence, I mean to say that I hope I'll actually be able to drive myself places and walk up and down stairs without a crutch. Soon enough, I'll be able to get in a pool and move my legs back and forth. I've never been so excited about aqua jogging in all my life. I have to convince myself that I haven't become the pile of fluffy goo that my body feels like right now. Sad, isn't it? Less than one week after running my final "marathon," I feel like a chubby sloth. The mind can play cruel tricks sometimes.

Thanks to friends and hubster, I've had some wonderful outings. I actually did a lap on the track a couple of days ago and met some friends at Whole Foods for my first scooter adventure! Michelle came by on Saturday and gave me some wonderful downtime material (trashy romance novel and chick flicks!!) Most people would kill for this meditative and reflective time. I just hope it doesn't kill me first.

Until then, I'll just keep jumping these little hurdles one at a time...

Because that's how I roll!!

My "Aha" Moment

2010-05-23T18:49:00.001-05:00

What if you were given the chance to tell the world one of your "aha moments?" I'm talking about sitting down in front of a video camera and telling the story about a pivotal moment in your life that pretty much changed everything for you. What would you say? What would I say?

It was most definitely a serendipitous "cosmic coincidence" (which isn't a coincidence at all) that I received the following email last Monday, May 17th on my 37th birthday...two days before my hip surgery.

I work for the company that is producing Mutual of Omaha’s “proud sponsor of life’s aha moments” campaign– visit www.ahamoment.com<http://www.ahamoment.com> to see what an aha moment is and the great real stories we filmed during the campaign in 2009.

Associated to that, we have a 34-foot Airstream mobile film studio that is traveling the US on a 25-city tour to capture the country’s aha moments. We are headed to Austin this Thursday, May 20th & Friday, May 21st, and would love to invite you to share what lead you to lose 60 pounds & focus on your health, and how your life has changed since. I came across your blog, and think you would have a great story to share! You would just have to step into the Airstream studio for a few minutes and tell your story on film, which would be posted to www.ahamoment.com <http://www.ahamoment.com> .

Me?? Step in front of a camera to tell a story about, well...ME?? Aw shucks...I could NEVER do that. ha ha... The problem was--there was a good chance that I wouldn't be able to do it. I was going to be two days post-op and I had no idea what condition, shape, mood, or pain I'd be in on Friday. I can't drive right now so my parents would have to drive me downtown, find a parking spot and help me get to the airstream trailer studio (which I now covet). Surely, I didn't want to be the surly girl on vicodin who gets on camera and says, "Yeah, I got myself in shape, but I also tore my hip in the process of doing it, too!"

Nope, I wanted to be the inspirational Carrie who imparts life-changing wisdom and humor on whoever hears and sees it. Of course, it's wisdom of common knowledge...believe in yourself, set goals, achieve them, repeat, repeat, repeat... They asked me to talk about what it was like to run my first marathon. Looking back, I've had several "aha moments" in life. Haven't we all? The www.ahamoment.com website describes them as: a moment of clarity, a defining moment where you gain real wisdom - wisdom you can use to change your life. Whether big or small, funny or sad, they can be surprising and inspiring. Each one is unique, deeply personal, and we think, worth sharing.

Why was running my first marathon such a major "aha moment" for me? The list of reasons seems endless, but can be summed up simply as empowerment. It was the missing prop that now dresses my current stage. I felt like superwoman when I crossed that line. Truly, Wholly Invincible. About two dozen of my co-workers secretly had t-shirts printed up and were wearing them at various points along the course. They knew how hard I worked for this and were there on race day from start to finish. It truly taught me the power of self-confidence and self-actualization. I think it was the first time when something that seemed "impossible" to me became "possible." Not only did it become possible, it became real. I began to respect myself. And, THAT, I believe is the actual "aha moment."

Once I gained self-respect, everything became possible including coaching, stand-up comedy, pursuing other fitness endeavors, changing jobs, and eventually finding the man of my dreams and creating a team that far exceeds ANYTHING that I ever thought possible.

So, that is what I shared with the film crew on Friday as I hobbled my way into the mobile studio and recounted my moment. During a time when I'm admittedly feeling a little down and sorry for myself, it was good to hear a positive, uplifting and hopeful message. It was even better to know that the message was MINE.

Here's to many more "aha moments!"

My favorite race photo and "aha moment" in the making!

(I still have the infamous "Run Bitch Run" sign :-)

Day #4 Post-Op: Permanent Couch Imprint Forming

2010-05-22T18:00:00.000-05:00

I broke a sweat today. Well, sort of...I sat in our steam shower for 10 minutes at 105 degrees just to feel the heat, to feel my heart rate beat a little faster, to sweat out the toxins from the last few days, to feel alive. Certainly not the workout I'm accustomed to, but I'll take it. Of course, I also look like a complete idiot because I have to wrap a trash bag around my hip/leg/butt to not get the bandages too wet. So, yeah, I look like a creepy naked adult wearing an abnormally large plastic diaper. Sexy, no?

In the 3 1/2 years we've lived in this house, I don't think I've been on the couch as long as I have since coming home from the surgery center on Wednesday. I'm trying to enjoy the downtime, but I'm not enjoying the bloating, distended belly and constipation that has also come as a result of the surgery. As if I don't feel crappy enough (pun intended), now I have to look in the mirror at a somewhat swollen version of myself. I certainly hope that lovely little side effect goes away soon because it is doing nothing for my self-esteem right now.

I still keep waiting for the major pain to kick in, but it hasn't. I'd say at Day four, that's a good sign. In fact, I totally feel like I could put weight on this leg, but I dare NOT! The most pain I feel happens to be from the blisters that have formed on the palms of my hands from the handles on the crutches. I'm actually using a pair of cycling gloves now. I prefer to call them my "driving gloves" because it makes me feel fancy and decadent--not pathetic and useless. I also walk around the house with a backpack in case I need to transport books, water, phone to different rooms. Basically, I'm sporting the barefoot hiker look.

Cooking is a bit of a chore, but that's no different than it was when I had use of both legs and arms! God Bless Whole Foods and their vast array of options. I've probably been overdoing it a bit the last couple of days. Lots of trips up and down the stairs, in and out of cars, getting up and sitting down, etc. Almost laughable that these little things are considered "overdoing" it. Damn, I have a birthday and fall to pieces in one week. I said "goodbye" to my Mom and Dad this morning. I'm sure this wasn't their ideal vacation, but it was a huge help having my Mama nearby to help shower me, dress me and do laundry for the first couple of days until I got it all figured out. Hubster is, as per usual, a saint and master of patience. And my kitties...what would I do without their love and mounds of fur? I spent the first two nights on the couch and they were right there with me. I think they're loving my couch time more than I am!

Let the fun continue and the bloating cease. Next up? A little vino with my girl Michelle. She knows how to lift my spirits!

Sympathy recovery

2010-05-22T12:43:00.000-05:00

My boys are recovering right next to me on my makeshift couch/bed.

Day #1 Post-op: I'm Officially a Hipster

2010-05-20T08:10:00.000-05:00

The Sheep Heading to the Slaughterhouse...

Thanks to Muna for the awesome crutches!

Nothing like running a marathon and then having a hip scope the next day! I'm sure 9 out of 10 physicians would NOT have recommended this (like they do everything else), but it was therapy for my mind and emotional well-being.

Where I'll be chillin' for the next couple of weeks

I'm currently sitting on the couch (command central) as the CPM Machine moves my leg up and down. So far, so good. On a pain scale of 1 to 10, I'm feeling about a 2. Just some stiffness and mild discomfort. I keep thinking that the horrible pain will start any minute now, but I consider myself healthy and blessed that I've been relatively pain free. I haven't really tried to maneuver the steps up to my bedroom yet, but I'm going to have to today to wash the stink off my body and grit from my teeth.

The surgeon spoke with Shawn and then called me last night to make sure everything was going well. Right now, I'm deliriously optimistic. He trimmed down all of the loose cartilage around the tear, including some strange looking appendage that was dangling there. The Doc told Shawn he's never really seen that with a labral tear. Needless to say, he cut it off! He also shaved down my hip socket as he noticed a Pincer Impingement that more than likely caused the tear. Basically, the hip socket gets in the way of the ball joint and the rub creates the inflammation and subsequent tear. (see pic below) I'm ironically relieved that the Surgeon did find pretty major damage. I had visions of him getting in there and going, "Oh, it's not that bad. This probably isn't causing all of your pain." Needless to say, that's probably not the case.

I'm taking it as a good sign that, 1) he said everything went great 2) He didn't say, "You can never run again." I start PT next week, but no driving for a few weeks.

As my friend Muna said, yesterday's surgery was the low point. From here on out for the next couple of months, I get to rehab, recover and get stronger ! Here's to a new and improved hip!

All smiles in the pre-op room

Looking totally stoned in the recovery room

And There You Have It...

2010-05-18T10:55:00.000-05:00

My personal 26.2 mile journey one day before hip surgery. I can't say
it was pretty, but it sure was lovely. Thanks to those I saw who gave
me much-needed shots of adrenaline. It wasn't my PR or a Boston
qualifier, but I'll take it.

26.2 Miles of Gratitude, Hope and Lunacy

2010-05-17T11:55:00.000-05:00

Three years ago on my birthday I was a week away from getting married. Two years ago, I was in Tuscany, Italy sipping vino and eating pizza. Last year, I was in Napa sipping even more wine and gearing up for my second Ironman. This year, I'm hanging with my parents and in-laws in Austin gearing up for hip surgery! Oh, how times have changed :-)What a difference a year makes, eh?

I'm excited and nervous. In one respect, I feel like an injured animal. I want to run away, crawl under a bush and hide from everyone and everything. But, like most injured animals, I still have a little feral fight in me. Before I give up, I want to attack just one more time.

On my birthday run this morning, I decided that my last fight will be a 26.2 mile jog Tuesday morning to celebrate life, health, and new beginnings. Running is what started it all for me, after all. I would give up darn near everything to be able to run pain-free again. Call me overdramatic, but I can't think of a better way to go into surgery than with one last marathon under my belt. If surgery doesn't go well, at least I'll know I ran one last 26.2 jaunt on the life-saving trail of Lady Bird Lake. If all goes as perfectly as expected, I'll have a new time to beat :) (which shouldn't be a problem).

If you're out and about tomorrow morning, join me for a few easy miles. I have no choice but to take it easy. I haven't run more than 15 miles since last July! I'll probably leave my house around 5:30am and head straight to the Lake so that I'm done before it gets too hot. That way, I can spend the rest of the day with my parents prepping my house and my mind for what is about to come.

So, here's to living life to it's fullest and giving the surgeon something to do on Wednesday morning! I want to be able to tell him, "I ran a marathon yesterday! Now, fix my hip, dude, because I've got a lot more of these planned!"

Walk a Mile in My Shoes

2010-05-13T10:49:00.002-05:00

Lost in thought...

This picture doesn't even come close to showing just how high I was

In a former life (and I know I've had a few), I was a total Mountain Mama. Earth chick. Rock Climber. Probably even some form of mountain animal. Who knows... Every single time I step foot in the mountains, I feel like I'm coming home. I can't even describe it adequately. I know as a flatlander originally from Ohio, it REALLY doesn't make sense, but then again, most intuitive things don't make sense. You just KNOW them to be the truth.

Modeling my Pearl Izumi syncroFuel XC Trail Shoes...So NOT sexy

In addition to watching Richard and several other Austin friends totally rock Ironman St. George, we also turned it into a National Parks vacation visiting some of the wonders of the U.S. including Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Arches National Park, Canyonlands Nations Park and Snow Canyon State Park. When we weren't hiking among the world's most beautiful scenery, we were seeking out trails in and around the St. George and Moab areas. I know Austin has a great Greenbelt system, but it was nothing compared to walking out of our St. George house and hitting wonderful trails just a few steps away. As I tried to describe to others, I felt like I was a character running around in someone's painting...like, here was this palette of perfection and I was somehow in the middle of it pretending to be "trail runner girl." I guess I wasn't really pretending. I did have some spectacular trail runs and my legs were doing great thanks to my Pearl Izumi syncroFuel XC trail shoes. They arrived literally the day before we left for Utah and I've never worn these shoes before. Rookie mistake #1, right?? Never run in shoes you haven't broken in...oh well! I went on a couple of small hikes in them and then did about 4-5 great road/trail runs with absolutely no problems. I'm now anxious to try out their road shoes since the trail shoes were so comfortable, light and flexible. I highly recommend giving them a try if you are into trail running. Just being out there completely reignited my love for running amongst the rocks, hills and trees. Maybe I was a squirrel in a past life?! Or a cheetah?! Or a turtle...

The other fun shoe I tried were my Vibram Five Fingers! I still haven't attempted a run in them, but decided to hike in them at Bryce Canyon. They were quite the topic of many glances and conversations that day. Lots of Europeans were hiking and I would catch them staring at my feet as we passed by and then I would hear them launch into some kind of French or German chatter immediately after passing. I'm sure it was something to the effect of, "What the hell is she wearing--Stupid American Girl!"

Trail shoes or five-fingered slippers, Southern Utah was brilliant. I highly recommend this vacation if you truly want to get away and bask in the glory of Mother Nature. We timed it perfectly too because the weather wasn't too hot and the parks weren't crowded at all. I know I could've easily stayed in the area for another month to do some rafting, cycling and more hiking/running. Alas, reality calls home every time.

Strangely enough, it's time to put my trail shoes and vibrams away for awhile. I'm glad we spent precious time together out in the hills. It's only a matter of time before we reconnect and share more runs. For now, I'm off to take a walk down a different path of restoration and healing. Let it begin!

Perhaps I Should Move to Japan :-)

2010-05-10T20:45:00.000-05:00

My in-laws just got back from a vacation to Japan and they thought of me...Glad to know I've made some kind of impression :-) Tofu Doughnuts?!?! Even I'm a little leery of that one!

I do love my green smoothies...

and a Mini-Honda Element called "My Box!" (Hell, if the name iPad works, why not My Box?!)

Must. Have. My. Box.

Do You Work?

2010-05-09T21:18:00.001-05:00

Since I quit my full-time office job last Fall, so many people have asked things like, "What are you going to do now???" and "How will you keep yourself busy??" (As if I sit sluggishly on the couch every day and wait for my mani/pedi). I stated from the get-go that I had two main goals: become a certified USA Triathlon Coach and do some freelance writing.

Well, after a weekend of classes in Tucson back in March and a comprehensive exam, this came in the mail last week:

And, since February, I've been a freelance writer for www.livestrong.com.

I've had about 20 articles published on various topics including:

Effects of Youth Sports

Side Effects of Oregano Tea

Definition of Body Mass Index

...to name a few

You'll never reach your goals if you don't set them. And this is only the beginning...

2010-05-04T10:34:00.001-05:00

Apparently, I'm channeling my inner Snow White and having a lovely
conversation with a Zion National Park Squirrel.

What could we possibly be talking about?!

2010-05-03T10:57:00.000-05:00

Change is a good thing.

Change is part of life and happens to everyone.

Change is an opportunity for me to grow.

Change always means something good is around the corner.

Change brings new people, new opportunities and new perspectives.

Change helps strengthen my self-reliance, inner fortitude and inner faith that I can handle anything.

Change is never a punishment.

Change allows me to learn or understand something new.

Change reminds me to let go and surrender a little more to life.

-Ariane de Bonvoison's "Change Manifesto-An Optimist's Beliefs About Change" from

The First 30 Days: Your Guide To Making Any Change Easier

Ironman Texas 70.3--A Little Recap

2010-04-28T21:41:00.001-05:00

Caked in salt and smiles

I think I had a pivotal shift after the Ironman Texas 70.3 race in Galveston this past weekend. I hung around for much of the awards ceremony and was in awe of the podium finishers both young and old (a few were T3 teammates!). What made it interesting was that instead of wishing I was as young and fast as the young chicks, I found myself hoping to be as strong and beautiful and amazing as the women in the older age groups...(that I'm continually creeping closer to each year). These women don't get older. They just get more powerful and strong-willed and determined to be the best they can be regardless of age. THAT was inspiring and that was an incredibly important lesson I took away from this past weekend.

Swim:
Lots of people have been talking about how hard the race was in Galveston. They're right. Was it the hardest race ever?? Nah...I'll reserve that one for St. George. It was tough certainly. It had its challenges. It's a Half-Ironman. It's supposed to be hard!! The swim was particularly difficult because of the direction of the wind. My age group started over an hour after the pros, so the wind gusts were even more mighty before my little butt jumped in the murky, brown, salt water of Galveston Bay...yummy. It wasn't a swim of technique or form. Every Masters workout I've attended was negated by the conditions. Truly, it was a swim of mental strength and perseverance. For the "long" stretch, it felt like every stroke was followed by a wave that seemed to lift me up and push me back about five feet. I never felt nervous or panicked. I just started to get mentally frustrated saying boogerish things like, "Can we just get this crap over with so I can get on my bike?" (You know it's bad when I'm looking forward to the bike). I got blown off course slightly a few times, but nothing major... In a swim that would normally take 36-38 minutes for this Little Miss Mid-Pack, I exited the water after a laughable 44 minutes.

I actually do think I was laughing having just looked at my shiteous time.

Best Part of the Day: The Wetsuit Strippers!!!

Bike:
When you're on a hilly course, you want a flat course. When you're on a flat course, you want a hilly course...The grass is always greener, eh? The course truly is a pancake flat out-and-back right along the seawall of the Texas Gulf Coast. Road conditions were average with stretches of awesome pavement and not-so-awesome chip seal. I rode the first half very conservatively...on purpose. We were in a headwind. I spent the first half thinking, "I can't wait to turn around and coast this puppy back to transition with the tailwind." I thought I'd easily be able to average 22-23 mph on the way back. WRONG. True to what everyone else is moaning about, it really did seem like a headwind on the way back to town too. We'll call it even and just say it was a powerful crosswind. I did negative split the thing mainly because I was nowhere near the goal time I originally wanted (thinking I'd get that tailwind). So, yeah, I tried to kick it up a notch on the way back to town. Form fatigue and wind exhaustion kicked in around mile 45. You'd see people standing up and coasting on their bikes just to change position. I, myself, came out of aero just to make sure my back and hip were still working. I was definitely feeling pinches of deep pain in my bad hip (almost 3 hours of time trialing will do that). I was also feeling general weakness in my hip flexors. Again, I think it was just form fatigue. I got my overall average up to 19.4 before the last mile that slowed me down just a tad. Not bad, but I was honestly positive I could go over 20mph. Damn cross winds!!

Kinda looking like a real cyclist

Run:
I turned the four mind-numbing loopty loops into a mental game of "I Spy." The T3 tent was positioned right out of transition so I was lifted by hi-fives and screams every loop from tons of those guys. You have no idea how much that can do for a mind that is bordering on apathy. I also got to the point where I knew where friends were stationed. Suzanne and George were in one spot. Chris Marquette and Coach Liz were on the back side. Michelle, Charles and Mo were wandering and full of positive affirmations. (Or just plain, "Keep Running, Bitch!") Plus, it was impossible to go more than a few hundred yards without seeing someone I knew. If I wasn't acknowledging them, they were acknowledging me. Caught a glimpse of Michelle Jones who was cheering on us lowly age groupers. I think I even said, "That's Not Fair" as she was standing under a shaded tree with a medal around her neck and a bottle of water in her hand. I still had 9 or so miles to go.

What can I say about the run? I tried to play it conservatively and hope for a huge kick on the last loop. It didn't happen, but I'm still incredibly proud and happy with my residual fitness. I ended up averaging 8:16s for the whole Half Marathon. I have to remember (and remind myself repeatedly) that I've done NO run specific training besides going out and running a few miles here and there. I've done NO track workouts since last Spring. I've done NO hill repeat workouts. I haven't even practiced my "fast finish" runs like I normally do. In fact, on most runs, I cool down the last mile so that my leg/hip won't lock up. While my hip was aching a bit, I was actually suffering more with an occasional quad or calf cramp that would kick in whenever I tried to speed up. I certainly felt like my nutrition included enough sodium (including about 10-12 salt tabs during the day.) I took three gels with extra sodium. I was even drinking Gatorade (ick). Still, though, I was in the very beginning stages of little cramps. You'll notice my splits were reflective of that little annoyance.

The best part of the weekend BY FAR was simply being in the presence of so many amazing friends and athletes. The whole race felt like a tidal wave of emotion as I ebbed and flowed throughout the entire 5 hours and 32 minutes. The energy surrounding these types of events is certainly contagious to those who are fortunate to witness them. I always get those "Yep--this is EXACTLY where I belong" feelings when I finish a race. Of course, I also have the "Why the hell am I doing this again?!" feelings before each race. I found myself looking at the Texas Gulf Coast (as brown and murky as it was) and felt so blessed to be there. God knows I had enough time to reflect while riding. This year alone, I've been able to do two Half-Ironmans on the coastlines of two major oceans. I'm witness the wonders of the world, both in nature and in what my body is able to accomplish. For that, I am so utterly grateful and fulfilled and satisfied.

So here's the official breakdown... I ended up 15th out of 90ish people in my age group. Yep--pretty good for a chick who hasn't really trained. It really pumped me up for what is to come...I know it's there.

And here's just a sampling of what made it AWESOME!!

Now, it's on to St. George, Utah to cheer for Richard and others who are tackling what really will be THE HARDEST RACE EVER!

Sweat much??

2010-04-27T09:13:00.000-05:00

There was so much sweat and salt caked on me, I'm pretty sure my tri
kit could get up and walk away on its own after the race this weekend!

Overall time 5:32:00
15th out of 99 in age group

Race reflections coming soon. I'm still spitting out brown salt water
from Galveston Bay.

How to Make Someone's Day

2010-04-22T11:57:00.001-05:00

I saw my T3 teammate, Kelley, this morning before my last swim at
Barton Springs before this weekend's Half-Ironman.

When I went to leave, I found this note on my windshield. That, my
friends, is the kind of wonderful people this sport attracts.

Hey Kelley--you're pretty damn awesome yourself! Kick butt in Galveston!

Last "Race Week" for a While!

2010-04-19T20:14:00.002-05:00

Let's make it a good one!

My hip scope surgery is one month from today...Yikes. It's still a bit unreal that I'll be going from Ironman to not being able to walk BY CHOICE! This has been a long time coming, though, as my family, friends and coaches will tell me...I've been battling the mysterious leg numbing, hip pain, back pain, piriformis stress, foot pain, hip joint stabbing, groin burning, physical therapy, foam rolling, and mind-altering mood swings for a year now.

I look forward to the day when I can do track workouts and hill repeats again (I know...psycho). I look forward to training for a marathon and qualifying for Boston again! The Boston Marathon was today and I was slightly inspired to run fast again!

In an odd way, I'm also looking forward to starting over from the beginning and training smarter...whatever that means...more strength building, flexibility, core work...building a better foundation. I get to play the newbie card again!! I want Phase Two of this journey to be about The Journey. Will I focus on time goals? Of course! Will I focus intensely on getting faster? Naturally...I want to do it, though, as a student of the sport and not a trained robot who will decompress if I don't hit all of my training hours. (Ok--no promises, here). I guess I just want to feel like I've learned something from all of this. I've already learned that my long-term health is way more important than any short term goal. I've learned that there will always be another chance and another race. I've learned that there is just some pain that you can't push through. I've learned that setting goals is great, but setting SMART goals is even better. I've learned that rest and recovery is good...Damn good.

So, I'm heading into my race this weekend feeling so very grateful, nervous, excited and ready to lay it all out there on the course. Why?? Because in a month, I'll be laying it all out there on the couch!

Such a Wonderful Example of Joy

2010-04-19T10:29:00.000-05:00

Just yesterday, Austin hosted a Kid's Triathlon and The Austin American Statesman featured this little boy as he completed the race in under 30 minutes! All of the photos and the story are featured HERE. It's certainly one of the most heartwarming and inspiring things I've seen in a while and serves as a much-needed reminder

1.) Even those with limitations have no limits.

2.) My little hip surgery means nothing. I am able-bodied and capable.

3.) Finishing times and PRs are inconsequential. It's all about courage and determination to get to the start and finish lines.

4.) Anything is possible and there really are no excuses.

Photo Credits: (Ralph Barrera AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Reason Why Hubster and I Will Never Be Pro Athletes...

2010-04-16T21:12:00.000-05:00

...and I'm o.k. with that as long as I never have to give up this...

Berkeley, San Francisco and Sonoma were, once again, amazing! In addition to copious amounts of vino and chocolate, we also indulged at some wonderful vegetarian restaurants including Gratitude Cafe, Herbivore, Seed, Plant and Ubuntu in Napa. Yes, I couldn't make up restaurants like, "Seed" and "Plant." The only places missing were "Berries" and "Twigs" apparently.

So many good wineries and so little time. We will be back...and it may or may not involve the Vineman 70.3 Half-Ironman. I'm actually thinking of creating "Wineman." It has a much better ring to it, don't you think?

Team Trakkers Pro Happy Hour

2010-04-12T09:38:00.001-05:00

Team Trakkers Pro Team was in Austin and they kicked off their
training camp with a happy hour open to all! I, of course, took
advantage and brought along some Erin Baker's cookies to share. It's
official. Austin is full of a bunch of Tri Geeks and we love it!

2010-04-12T09:27:00.001-05:00

With pro Amanda Lovato

2010-04-12T09:26:00.001-05:00

Drew and Jack from Jack and Adam's Bike Shop

2010-04-12T09:25:00.001-05:00

Michael Lovato (center) with Mark and Hugo

Vegan Breakfast Platter

2010-04-12T08:28:00.000-05:00

Tofu scramble with soy mozzarella, fake bacon and a heaping mound of
basil pesto. Served with side of red potatoes, whole grain toast and
fake butter. Yum!!!

Just Me and my Bike

2010-04-09T16:30:00.003-05:00

While I do love the encouraging atmosphere of group rides and races, I
also enjoy just getting out there by myself for so many reasons. First
of all, there's no pressure to keep up. So many times I've started a
ride too fast or too stressed because I feel like I have to be part of
the action. I don't want to be the one who gets dropped. (Invariably,
I get dropped anyways because I end up fatiguing myself!) Another
reason I like to ride by myself sometimes is to have quiet meditation,
focus and some good 'ol inner dialogue. If I'm having a good ride, I
can pick it up. If I'm having a poopy ride, I can ease back without
feeling the pressure of holding others back. I've found that it
literally takes me about an hour to settle in and get comfy on the
bike (or as comfy as I'm going to get).
This morning, I rode 60 miles on Parmer. Austinites know what a mind
game this long stretch of open road can be depending on the direction
of the wind (and there's ALWAYS wind). Today, the wind was at my back
heading west. Oh, what a glorious feeling it is to avg over 20 mph for
the first 30 miles without really pushing too hard. This is a great
course to simulate Galveston because there are long stretches of good
time trialing, but the long rolling hills keep you honest. And then,
of course, there is the wind.
The dreadful breeze was in my face during the jaunt back to town.
Instead of fighting it, I just slapped myself into a low gear and spun
through it. There were a few "I hate this" moments, but overall I was
having a good day. It's hard to be whiny when I'm fortunate enough to
be able to do this kinda stuff in the first place. Would I rather be
at my desk in an office or out riding on a sunny Friday morning?
Duh...I'll quit any kind of bitching now.
I ended the ride at just under 18mph average. Of course, that includes
slowing down for every darn stoplight coming back into town. What a
momentum buster that is!!
I got back to the car happy with how it felt today (minus my back
which is sore from yesterday's kick boxing class!). Stopped into
Firebowl Cafe for a little tofu stir fry/sodium refueling and struck
up a great conversation with a stranger named Susan. She obviously
noticed my geeked out cycling uniform and asked me about Ironman. I
was happy to chat her ear off (even though I was about to gnaw my arm
off from hunger.) She's training for the Full Iron Distance at Redman
this fall. We could've chatted for days, I'm sure. There's just
something about this stuff that brings out goodness in people (and an
insatiable appetite).

I'm glad I have this day to remember fondly as one of the reasons why...

Austin Duathlete's Protest Double Du

2010-04-06T17:18:00.001-05:00

In my quest to squeeze in as many races as possible before surgery, I decided (on a whim) to race in the Austin Duathletes Protest Du last Saturday. They had a Sprint Du (2mi run/10mi bike/2mi run) and a Double Du (2mi run/10mi bike/2mi run/10mi bike/2mi run)!

In all of my craziness, I signed up for the Double! Oh, why the heck not, right?? Little did I know that I was only one of FIVE women who signed up for the Double. The run was relatively flat and each 10 mile bike had about 3 miles of hills. I was definitely struggling on the hills and think I was feeling the remnants of Oceanside 70.3 from the week before. (At least I'm hoping that's the case.) Can't someone give me a flat course?? Oh yeah--Galveston 70.3 is coming up soon and I signed up for that little booger as well! Be careful what you wish for. It's flat and windy.

I didn't really look at my watch during the race, but was surprised at how consistent I was on each leg of the duathlon. Honestly, I thought I'd be walking by the third run, but ended up getting stronger with each leg! (pun intended)

2 mile run #1 7:58, 7:52
10 mile bike #1 17.5 avg
2 mile run #2 8:02, 7:52
10 mile bike #2 17.7 avg
2 mile run #3 8:10, 7:34

I ended up coming in 2nd overall (out of 5!) and 1st in my age group. My age group award was a white chocolate Easter Bunny, which probably won't go on display with the other medals and awards. I'm afraid it will eventually be displayed in my belly!! (and, consequently, on my hips, thighs and scale).

Fellow T3 Teammates Phil and Bressie showing off the edible age-group hardware

A friend was asking if I'm cherishing all of these race moments before surgery puts me out for several months. Judging by this picture at the finish line, I think you know my answer.

Oceanside 70.3 Recap- (A.K.A. "Yay! I Finished a Major Race with a Smile on My Face!"

2010-04-01T16:32:00.001-05:00

I can't believe I made it. No, seriously. I can't believe I made it to the start AND the finish line of this race. Since last Fall, I've had to bail out of the Redman Half-Ironman in September 2009, the California International Marathon in December 2009 and Ironman St. George next month. Three major races...Three "Do Not Starts." Too much hip pain and the ever-frustrating knowledge that even rest wasn't making it better. I needed this race for a couple of reasons. First of all, I needed a goal and something to keep my mind and body active while I weighed the pros and cons of injections, surgery or a lifestyle change to knitting. Second, I needed this race as a vacation and an example to my brother-in-law. He had signed up for this event--his second triathlon EVER last year. We signed up for our own benefit, of course, but it was also a family bonding thing. We wanted to be there to support him and race with him. Thirdly, I needed it for ego. Yep, I admit it. I wanted to feel relevant and capable. So many of my friends are out there training and I didn't want to be left behind to wither away on the couch. Sad, but true. Plus, we have all of these blingy toys like fancy bikes, wetsuits, sponsors and computrainers and I didn't want to watch them gather dust. (Now I know what it must be like being a washed-up pop star trying to remain relevant. I won't mention any names.)

So, just getting to Oceanside and feeling healthy going into the race was monumental for me. For the last month or so (pretty much when I decided to have surgery), my hip joint has been feeling decent. Ironically, the "healthy" hip and knee have been squeaking a little louder than usual. Can you say "over compensation?" When I have massages (like every week right now), I really have them focus on my psoas, illiacus, low back and hip flexors. Basically, they massage the muscles that make my legs move! This seems to have helped loosen things up a bit. I also think hitting yoga 3-4 times a week is helping as well because I'm working on strength and blood flow to the joints-not just a constant pounding and grinding from running and cycling. Regardless, life was good when our plane finally touched down in Orange County.

So, a few days prior to the race I outlined some feasible expectations based on...well...nothing, really. They were basically goals that I wanted to hit, but not sure if I could. I guess I was predicting them on a combination of what I've done in the past (sometimes a mistake especially on an unknown course), my training levels and confidence (or lack thereof), and how I had been feeling lately. I feel like my training has been minimal the last several months. No "real" run workouts to speak of...No track, no hills, just running. My cycling has been mostly indoor training rides with a couple of outdoor rides (and one small duathlon) thrown in to prove that I still knew how to switch gears. Basically, I had no idea what I was in for, but I'm certainly glad I chose this scenic backdrop.

First of all, the race site and location is phenomenal. I mean, seriously, right on the coast of the Pacific Ocean near San Diego. Both the bike and run had sweeping views of the ocean. Of course, the swim did too because we were IN the ocean...Actually, we were in the calm harbor which made it even better! No major waves to deal with, but still plenty of salt water to swallow.

Race conditions were great--cool morning, high in the mid 70s, sunshine...Let's do this.

SWIM

Water temps on race day? OFFICIALLY 58 DEGREES! Yowsa. I ended up wearing wax in my ears and three swim caps. You know what?? It worked! The water didn't feel that bad--especially after I peed in my wetsuit while we were waiting for the gun to fire. Oh c'mon. You've done it too! We swam out to a buoy and then treaded water until the gun went off. I kinda liked the deep water start, but that was the only time I got cold...the waiting...the countdown...and finally...THE AIRHORN! I guessed somewhere between 34-36 min as a goal and came in at 38:06...I'm cool with that because the swim is just so unpredictable depending on how many times I get kicked in the head, how strong the current is and how close I swim to the buoys or draft. As usual, I ended up swimming by myself for a while and losing the pack. I could see them when I would breathe, but I just seemed to be swimming in my own space. I ended up 33rd out of 88th in the swim, which is so much better than I used to be. Seriously, being in the Top 50% is where I always dreamed of being because I am so piss-poor at swimming. While I'm still just average (ok--a little better than average at this race), the important thing is that I feel good when I get out of the water. I'm not expending as much physical and mental energy as I used to trying to survive. I'm very calm and comfortable with breathing every 3-5 strokes once I get going. I used to have to breathe every other stroke just so I wouldn't die. So, for that, I'm happy to be where I am with swimming. I'm calm, comfortable and mediocre.

Coming into transition on the run...Excuse the copyright watermark on the photo! The proofs were JUST emailed. Always a sense of relief and, "Let the real race begin!"

T1 4:38

It's a long run up to and through transition, which is huge. 2500 bikes that all pretty much look the same when your heart rate is sky high. Of course, my bike was somewhere in the middle of it all! No official wetsuit strippers, but plenty of volunteers in transition to help with whatever. I actually did have a volunteer rip off my wetsuit for me. Heck yeah, I did. I was pretty calm in transition and took time to actually put on a long sleeve pull-over and gloves since it was still pretty chilly that morning. Probably not necessary, but the 30 extra seconds gave me peace of mind...and a reason to throw the gloves away later.

Leaving for the bike portion in my winter-weather gear!

BIKE

What an interesting course! I had practiced this course on the Comptrainer numerous times, but it's always so different when you are actually in the midst of it all! The Computrainer just basically makes you feel like the one dimensional mountain climber from the "Price is Right" game (cue music). Nothing can prepare you for the actual ocean views, twists, turns, breeze and eventual hills that come along with this 56-mile ride.

This is embarrassing to admit, but my best effort on the Computrainer was an average of 15 mph. So, going into the race, I wasn't sure if I'd be able to average 15mph or 20mph. Based on last year's results (I always look at other people's times), I didn't think 20 mph was feasible for me, so I just randomly said I'd like to average between 18-19mph. Guess what? I ended up average 18.4 mph. Not bad, eh? The course is challenging because the first 25 miles or so are relatively flat, but windy. The temptation is to fly, but you also are aware that 15 miles of hill climbs are coming once you enter Camp Pendleton. So, the challenge then becomes riding comfortably hard, but saving energy for the hills and the ride back to transition. I was averaging 20.0mph when I hit the hills. I could've gone faster, but at what cost? It was definitely an 80-85% effort. I had no idea how much I would lose in the process of the climbs. Turns out, it was a fair amount. There are three pretty major climbs and one of them is laugh-out-loud steep. You see it coming from about 1/ 2 mile away. It's like knowing you're going to get hit. You see it coming and all you can do is say a silent prayer and brace yourself. The great thing about going so slow on the Computrainer is that the hill climbs on the computer seemed endless. I had in my mind that I would be climbing this bastard of a hill for 10 minutes. In actuality, the climb was much faster. Thank goodness. Grown men were walking their fancy $5,000 bikes in their aero helmets. I wanted to say HTFU, but I couldn't really breathe. This was the first test of my right leg. It felt weaker and more stiff than the left, but it didn't lock up on me. As if the hills weren't bad enough, there was also a gusty wind blowing around. Grrr...wind AND hills. I will say this. The scenery was spectacular. We were on a very private Marine base on some of the most beautiful real estate in the country. Mountains, valleys, wildflowers, tanks, pistol ranges, helicopters, you name it. It was all there. I left the "hill stage" averaging around 17.3. From 20 to 17.3 average. That's how slow some of the hills made me ride.

Not sure where this was taken, but I'm pretty sure I shouldn't have been out of my saddle. Maybe I was doing it for photo effect of being a tough biker chick...Nah.

I've heard horror stories about the headwind on the last 10 miles, but Mother Mary had mercy on us because we had an awesome tailwind that I used as best I good to ride hard, fast and increase that average to where I wanted it to be.

I said I wanted to finish around 3 hrs and I came in at 3:02, good for 26/88 in my age group. I passed a few beeotches in my age group and now it was time to see what my hip was going to do.

T2 3:12 Again, a long run into transition, but I could've sped it up a tad. I was just so damn happy to be off the bike!

RUN

Typical unflattering race photo that makes me look like an overweight dude. The white shorts aren't flattering either. At least I was passing people...and my Garmin looks like a PC on my arm!

Whoever said it was pancake flat kinda lied. It's more waffle-flat. On a normal run day, you wouldn't even feel the climbs. After 56 miles on the bike, you feel every step that takes you from beach level up to the neighborhoods. It was awesome seeing every type of person out on this gorgeous Saturday afternoon...spectators who were clearly there to enjoy the race, surfers who were too stoned to care, teenagers who just wanted to hang out in their bikinis and couldn't care less what we were doing, families on Spring Break, creepy guys with their bellies hanging out, drunk people watching from their balconies, kids running to and fro...It was a Saturday afternoon at the beach. What more can I say? My goal was to start between 8:15-8:30 pace and pick it up if and when I felt ready. Mile #1 7:42, Mile #2 7:45...I swear, it felt like I was running S-L-O-W. I very consciously was telling myself to ease off. It felt like I was, but I was still clocking sub 8:00s. By the half-way point, I was averaging around 7:48. I was starting to fade, but the hip was not locking up on me. I was just getting plain old tired. Damn it. Just hang on. I looked at my watch and realized if I could continue to run sub 8:00s, I could break 5:30, which was not even on my radar prior to the race. Remember, I was just happy to strap on a race number at this point. Well, it didn't happen...The gas was running low and I was mentally giving myself permission to ease it in instead of pushing with all my might. Plus, I could feel a monster blister forming on the bottom of my foot. (see previous post for lovely pic) It was really starting to hurt to run at this point. The last few miles were in the 8:10-8:20 range, but how could I argue with a solid race performance?! (and a whopping 5 second PR).

I did the 13.1 miles in 1:44, which was 10th out of 88 in my age group. Take that, ladies. This gimpy old bag still has it.

Finishing with a smile! The 6:22 time reflects when the pros started!

Mentally, it's probably the best race I've had in a long time. OK--so it's also the first long-course race I've had in a long time. A half-Ironman distance is so different than a full Ironman. The full Ironman is all about comfort, endurance and aerobic effort. The half for me is also about pushing those comfort zones. How long can I withstand the discomfort before my body says, "Enough." I have to say, I timed this one perfectly.

Official Time was 5:33:01 19th/88 in age group

See you in 2011 Oceanside!

__________

As for Hubster and Bro-In-Law, they also both had great races! Shawn finished with a 6:27 (major PR for him) and Bro-In-Law finished and wasn't in last place :-) At first he swore he would never do this again. By the next day, we were visiting local tri shops to get him on a proper tri bike. How quickly the mind can erase the pain!

Thanks Oceanside 70.3 for making me feel like an athlete again. I heard an interesting quote from someone on a triathlon podcast. He said something like, "I'm not a great swimmer, I'm not a great cyclist, and I'm not a great runner. However, when you put them all together, I'm a pretty decent triathlete." I know what he means. We are the sum of our parts and I'm glad all my parts were working last weekend.

They were working so good that I signed up for one more Half-Ironman before my May 19th surgery. Tempting fate?? You betcha.

My Oceanside War Wound

2010-03-29T06:39:00.000-05:00

I call her Beulah. Beulah the Blister. She has made it nearly
impossible to walk. She must die.

Beulah the Blister

2010-03-29T06:37:00.001-05:00

My biggest war wound of the race was the abnormally full and quarter-
sized blister that formed on the bottom of my foot. Who knew? I've
never really been a blister kinda gal. In any event, Beulah had to go.

2010-03-27T18:30:00.000-05:00

And another race is in the books! Team Barrett rocked it and had a
blast! Hubster PRed by 25 minutes and I actually PRrd by 7 seconds :)
The course was as difficult as advertised through the hills.
Fortunately, the wind was at our backs for the last 10 miles and we
gained some momentum.

More the report soon! My hip held up wonderfully!!! Actually a PR run
as well.

2010-03-26T17:03:00.000-05:00

In case you're wondering why we do this...this is why! Location,
location, location.

FYI--water temp is officially 59 degrees. Yikes! That's like "burn
your face and get a freezer headache" cold.

2010-03-26T13:09:00.001-05:00

I love the "HEAVY" tag on my bike box. Duh...I know it's heavy. I have
to ride the damn thing. But, thanks for the reminder Mr. American
Airlines.

And Away We Go!

2010-03-24T15:52:00.001-05:00

"Holy Crapola-It's Race Week!!"

Oops, what Mrs. Barrett meant to say was, "Yahoo, I get to race this weekend!"

I'm getting geared up and pumped up for Oceanside 70.3 this Saturday! I'm not sure if I'm more excited to be doing this race or excited to see the incredibly stacked professional field that will be buzzing by me at warped speed. Hell, part of me wants to just bag the race and watch the excitement that is sure to unfold when the pros start running each other down! How cool that I get to run the same course as these amazing athletes--Potts, Reed, Carfrae, both Lovatos, DeBoom, McGlone, Jones, Major, Taylor...and so many more! WOW!!! I'm sure they aren't thinking the same thing when they have to weave in and out of slow-ass age groupers, but just know that we are in awe of thy greatness and physique!!

So, I'm finally detoxed from my self-imposed, South by Southwest gluttonous weekend. It was four full days of seeing dozens of bands from morning until night time, eating bad food and drinking the occasional (frequent) vodka/cranberry at 2 o'clock (in the afternoon). SXSW is the week where thousands of tourists decide to move to Austin and thousands of locals want to get the hell outta dodge! My cousin came from Ohio to check it out and the two of us had a dandy time. Needless to say, the dust has settled and the cobwebs have been blown away thanks to a couple of bikram classes and a few good quick workouts to make sure the engine is still running properly.

Dare I say it? I'm feeling GOOD. Damn good, in fact. Like, cross your fingers, kinda good. My hip is behaving better than usual and my body doesn't feel as beat up as it normally does. Duh...I'm not training for an Ironman. Perhaps that's why. In a way, I feel undertrained because I'm used to more mileage, more pain, and more suffering. Part of me is doubting myself because I really haven't trained enough. But, I have. I'm just not killing myself.

With that being said, Oceanside 70.3 is going to be a wonderful and gorgeous challenge. First of all, Hubster and Bro-in-Law are also doing the race and start eight minutes behind me. I fire it up at 7:29am and they lift off at 7:37am. If I have any incentive at all, it is not to let either of those yahoos pass me at any time :-) Oceanside is known for a chilly start and windy conditions throughout the day. Temps are supposed to be mild, which may work in my favor.

Swim:

Swim in Oceanside Bay of the Pacific Ocean. Shouldn't be too choppy, but current water temps are in the 59-60 degree range. If I was a guy, I'd be shrinking just thinking about it. I'm hoping for a 34-36 minute swim, which would be my average time. As always, you just never know what may happen in the swim. Never is an open water swim exactly the length it's advertised to be. In fact, one of the speakers at the USAT Coaches Conference challenged us to never even look at our watch in the swim because 95% of people who come out of the water get depressed immediately when they see their watch. For many, it ruins the race. Interesting challenge. Let's see if I can do it! Yeah, right.

Bike:

This course has the potential of handing me my ass. There are three major climbs from miles 29-45. All reach about a 9% grade. The first one is the longest and steepest. The second one looks the worst, but it more of a steady climb until the end. The final climb is just there to piss me off. The good news is that I'll have 29 miles to warm up and wake up my leg. I've practiced this section on the Computrainer several times and am convinced that I will make these hills my beeotch. Thankfully, the rest of the course isn't so daunting, except for the ocean breeze that's been known to gust from all directions (think Galveston). I'd love to come in around 3.00 hrs on this, which would be around 18.5 mph on the bike. Let's hope those lovely downhills make up for the climbs. And, may the wind be at my back...

Like Jesse James doesn't deserve Sandra Bullock, I don't deserve this beautiful machine.

Run:

Oh, how I love thee...And, oh how you scare me these days. What is normally my "race maker" has turned into "The Big Unknown." My hip/leg has been feeling much better, but there is always a line and I may be crossing it. When it stops, it STOPS. It's not a pain that I can run through. If my leg stops working, I start walking. Ironically, I typically run my best off the bike, so this could be an advantage for me. I get 56 miles to warm that baby up (or tear it more). Plus, the course is pretty pancake flat, which is good since I haven't been working the hills. A dream scenario would be a 1:45 Half-Marathon or about an 8:00min pace. I've run that healthy. Let's see what I've got this weekend!

So, I'd love to land somewhere between 5:30-5:45. I think it's incredibly feasible, but the unknowns often beat the feasibilities into grotesque submission.

In addition to outcome-based goals, I've definitely outlined some overall race goals as well:

1.) Smile as much as possible, even if I want to cry.

2.) Thank the volunteers, race staff and Marines who will be working harder than me.

3.) Cheer on other athletes and EB teammates. Everyone needs encouragement.

4.) Stay calm on the swim. Try to draft. Usually, I end up in no man's land, but I'm going to attempt to hang with a pack.

5.) Don't give the hills on the bike too much effort. Save it for the flats and the run. 5 minutes saved on the bike could cost me 15 minutes on the run. I've learned that in a few races.

6.) Soak it in and always remember how lucky I am to be able to do this event! I'm racing in California on the Pacific Coast for heaven's sake!

7.) Hope that Matthew McConaghey decides to show up and go surfing that morning.

8.) For God's sake, don't let my husband pass me :-) (Just kidding, babe. Kick some ass. I can always play the injury card).

Follow Along on Saturday!

www.ironmanlive.com

Bib # 2030
Hubster is #2247
Bro-in-Law is #2333

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Where Did That Come From???

2010-03-17T19:21:00.000-05:00

I thought I was getting sick (sore throat, couch, headaches, lethargy--you know, the usual), but someone mentioned possible allergies. Perhaps that would explain why my head and body have been in a fog and I woke up in the middle of the night with a sinus headache so bad that my damn teeth hurt. Seriously, that never happens. Whoah. Fortunately, I slept most of it off and woke up to an utterly perfect day in Austin.

Hubster was post-call so we meandered over to Barton Springs for a 2000m open water fiesta. My lap times are about 15-20 faster than they were about a year ago. Yay me. Now, I'm just average with a little pep in my stroke.

Afterward, I went for a seven mile run around Town Lake starting from the house. I focused primarily on stride rate. 90 steps per minute/per foot. I'll be damned if my pace didn't have a little kick today.
Mile 1 8:32
Mile 2 7:50
Mile 3 7:47
Mile 4 8:01
Mile 5 7:50
Mile 6 7:52
Mile 7 was basically a cool down/shuffle back home because my right leg was in a fair amount of pain. The last tempo mile felt like someone was grabbing my hip, psoas and quad...with their claws. Just no lift whatsoever towards the end. My form was feeling and sounding hideous. Once I stop, however, I'm able to flush it out and loosen it up a bit and the burning sensation subsides (ewwww...)

It was definitely my fastest effort in a long while which makes me smile! I just wish I could sustain it.

Topped it all off with an afternoon of Bikram (which I'm convinced stands for, "sweaty ass").

Not sure what any of this means for next week's Oceanside 70.3 (audible gasp and laugh). Yep, that's right...I have a freakin' Half-Ironman in a week. I'll either have the race of a lifetime because I'm undertrained or I'll be using a cane for the run portion. Let the fun begin!!

Drinking the Triathlon Kool-Aid

2010-03-15T14:27:00.000-05:00

When I began my career shift last Fall, signing up for the USA Triathlon Level 1 Coaching Clinic was a no-brainer to me. I absolutely see a future in multi-sport coaching and becoming officially certified by the sanctioning body of the sport was a given. In the same way that I don't want to see a "fake" doctor and a non-certified plumber or car mechanic, I wouldn't want to be coached by someone who isn't certified or educated to do so. Now, this doesn't necessarily mean that a USAT credential is a must. It's not. There are many amazing coaches and mentors out there who have experience, background and loads of schooling and credibility. For me, though, as someone coming up the athlete ranks, it was important to receive the official credentials in order to pursue a future business.

Getting into a USAT Coaches Clinic is tough in and of itself. They basically have one weekend a month and only allow 40-50 people to sign up. It's worse than getting into a damn Ironman. My fingers were literally on the on-line registration the second it opened up last December. Yep, I signed up for a March weekend training way back in December.

Tucson was great (but wouldn't want to live there). Shawn and I went out a few days early and stayed at the Marriott Starr Pass Resort. Gorgeous views of the mountains in the distance. As usual, we were spoiled with great pools, food and restaurants all on-site. Our favorite was actually the lazy river lap pool. Since no kids were tooling around, we actually took advantage of an empty pool and loops against the current--kinda like swimming circles in an endless pool! We are such dorks. But it was a great workout. God knows, you didn't go far very fast, but I'm kinda used to that sensation in the water.

We also visited tri store mecca trisports.com and rented a couple of Gurus for the day. We rode for a few hours in and around the Saguaro National Park region. Unfortunately, we ran out of time and I honestly lacked the confidence and hip ability to climb some of Mt. Lemmon. We did drive up a lot of it and watched the temperatures drop 20 degrees, as well as piles of snow accumulate on the side of the road. Someday I'll get back there and climb a portion of that little bastard. It's a rite of passage for any cyclist, I suppose. My bike fit wasn't all that great so I didn't want to take too many chances with Oceanside being two weeks away. You can see from the picture below just how freakin' huge the aerobars were! Almost funny huge. Frame size was ok, but maybe a smidge big. Bike fits remain a mystery to me. It's one of those things where you know IMMEDIATELY if it's not right though. Funny, we didn't think or worry about that as kids on our oversized huffys with uncomfortable seats.

The seminar itself was, well, to be honest...like most seminars. Some of the material was beginner material or information that seemed common sense or second nature. They did explain that the Level 1 Coaches Clinic is like that because there are total newbies, as well as experienced coaches in the room. Therefore, they have to take a broad approach on some of the lectures. What stood out, though, was the magnitude of the speakers we got to see. Krista Austin spoke about Physiology and and Overtraining. She coaches with Alberto Salazar's Nike Oregon Project and works with Meb Keflezighi among many other American standouts. You think she might have a thing or two to teach? Uh yeah.

Others were just as awe-inspiring including Bobby McGee who spoke so eloquently about the mental aspects of training and the proper way to run. He had me when he said that you have to "become a runner" and not just someone who is "running in a triathlon." Bob Seebohar, who specializes in Sports Nutrition and Periodization, was also amazing to see. The new buzz phrase is being "metabolically efficient" and we learned all about it! You could really see his passion and energy for the sport. We also had elite level coaches speak on cycling skills, swimming, and writing actual training periodization plans. The goal for the weekend was to walk away with several "golden nuggets" of information that perhaps I didn't know, or needed some clarification on, or got to hear for the first time. The seminar definitely met and surpassed those goals. Plus, I got to meet 40 other like-minded individuals who are at the same point I am. Some are already coaching, some are getting ready to launch business, and others were interested from an athletic performance standpoint. We walked away with decent material, a huge exam and a 200 page coaches manual that I now get to read and study.

While I do think other topics could've been addressed in more detail (training periodization and USAT benefits specifically), I'm glad I went and would recommend the seminar. If nothing else, you gain access to some elite coaches that wouldn't otherwise be available. Listening to their stories about Olympic athletes and pros was actually quite humorous and refreshing at many points. Why? Because they are just like us normal dweebs. They have the same (if not more) insecurities and baggage to carry around. They also have to be told how and what to eat, when to shop, when to sleep, where to run and how to bike. The only difference? The elite level coaches I saw are the ones that get paid to do it for them.

So now the work begins. I get a couple of months to do my exam and hopefully pass! I'm also in the process of deciding what type of coaching I want to pursue and when I want to do it...Do I want to stick with group dynamics ( I love it), individual athletes, on-line, or some type of combination of all? Who knows? Thankfully, there's no rush to figure it out. Whatever is supposed to happen just will. It always does.

2010-03-11T09:29:00.001-06:00

Ironic that the first lecture I'm attending at the USAT coaches seminar is on overtraining? I think not.

Look out Tucson, Here We Come!

2010-03-09T00:28:00.000-06:00

Leaving for Tucson to attend my USAT Level 1 Coaching Certification classes this weekend and I can't wait. In between classroom time learning about nutrition, periodization, and signs of overtraining, Hubster and I are renting a couple of bikes and hope to ride a portion of the infamous Mt. Lemmon, along with other riding and running routes known to many in the world of multisport.

Hopefully in a few weeks, I'll actually practice what I get to preach!

Coach Carrie does have a nice ring to it.

I feel like a Tough Cookie Today!

2010-03-07T16:26:00.002-06:00

"Are you seriously trying to kill me??"

I swear that's what my hips and legs said to me today when I started the Tough Cookies Duathlon this morning up in Copperas Cove, Texas. I only told a handful of people I was doing this race because I didn't want to hear to the, "Why are you racing and trying to injure yourself even more" lectures. I signed up because frankly I only have about two months left of "race freedom" before I'm laid up for about five months and I want to eek every little ounce of ooommmph I have left before May 19th. Today, it wasn't a lot of oomph, but it was still good for 2nd Place overall and 1st in my age group. I'll take it especially since I'm coming off four days in a row of hilly and painful bike rides.

On Wednesday, I ran 9 miles at an overall pace of 8:22 and went to bikram. Thursday, I hit the Computrainer for 1.5 hours of the Oceanside 70.3 hills and a little bikram to stretch it all out. Brutal, I tell ya. On Friday, I went to T3 Swim Workout in the morning and then I met the Austin Cycle Camp Friday hookie ride for 25 miles of more hills around Austin including Scenic, Pecos, Balcones, Far West, Dry Creek, Mountain View and a lovely trip up Mt. Bonnell for the hell of it. Those were just some of the climbs I remember. Definitely not a fast ride for me, but a confidence booster in the hill department.

Saturday was another self-punishing 60 mile Austin T3 ride through the hills. Thank goodness for my friend Jerry for keeping me company out Fitzhugh. The T3 Pain Train started off a bit too fast for my leg and I couldn't hang on for all of Southwest Parkway. My poor right leg felt like it was on freakin' fire, which is generally how it feels for about an hour until it warms up (or tears more--I'm not sure). I just wish I could adequately describe the pain other than to say it feels like it's just locking up, burning, full of lactic acid and otherwise useless for a while. Lovely feeling, eh? Instead of doing Bee Caves or the Dam Loop, Jerry and I decided to just stay on Fitzhugh out 30 miles and then head back to town. Fitzhugh is an awesome road full of plenty of climbs and rollers with a lot less traffic than most roads in town. Shawn hung back too for a while, but when Jerry and I headed home, he headed towards Bee Caves. Thankfully, we had a decent tailwind for some of the ride back. When I returned to my car 60 miles later, my leg felt better, but I was just generally sore from the other workouts from the week. Ya think?

Today's Race--Tough Cookie Duathlon 2k run/10 mile bike/2k run
The race today wasn't about winning or trying to win. It's not a very competitive race in general. It's about 125 women, most of whom are trying multi-sport for the first time. I didn't wear a Garmin and I didn't have a computer on my bike. It was all effort driven and mostly dictated by what my leg decided to do.

Lined Up Second From Left at Start. Sporting the Erin Baker's Cycling Kit

Run
I lined up at the front and was in 2nd place pretty quickly. The 1st place runner and eventual winner was a total Austin badass, Glenda Adams. She was definitely the Chrissie Wellington of the day and the rest of us were average schmucks trying to get it done. I'll be damned if my right hip and leg didn't start to lock up. I have no idea what pace I was going, but I was pushing it. Sadly (or patheticly), I had to walk at the water station because I had no feeling in that leg. It just really wouldn't work properly. I held onto 2nd for a little while longer until some 9-year-old came flying by me. Seriously, she was nine and I was lame. Coming into transition I heard Shawn say, "You're getting beat by a 9 year old!!" Um, yeah, I was aware of that, thanks. My only response was, "Well, she has both of her hips!!" My legs f*ckin hurt getting on the bike, so I knew it wasn't going to be pretty.

Coming back into transition from the bike. I was in a race for 2nd place at that point.

Bike
Roads were slick and we battled some drizzle and hefty headwind for the first five miles. I did pass the 9 year old on the bike, thank you very much. Although, I'm willing to beat she'll be winning a ton of races in just a few years. She had a freakin' Kuota K-Factor decked with a Garmin Edge 705! Serious bike porn for a youngster. That should be illegal. Actually, both her cycling coach (yes, she has one) and her Dad were riding alongside of her. In the first five miles I was passed by two women which then put me in 4th at that point. I was in a lot of pain and struggled on the bike. Lots of rolling hills and a headwind did not a happy cyclist make. I don't know if my positioning on the Kestrel isn't the greatest, but I just couldn't seem to get comfy. It seemed like I was forcing every hill. Whatever. These were just mental notes and something to file away for later. Bottom line--I felt like I was struggling too much for what I was doing. My hip doesn't allow for a whole lot of time in aero these days. I just kept telling myself, "You're better than this." Then I would remember that this is my fourth day in a row of some tough riding. I did end up passing one of the women who passed me at the beginning, so I came in off the bike in a very close 3rd place.

Run
Glenda was literally in the finisher's chute when 2nd place and I left transition just steps away from each other. I passed her within about 20 yards and held that position until the end of the race crossing in 2nd place overall in 59:38. My goal was sub 1:00. Yahoo. As per usual, my leg felt much better by the 2nd leg of the run and that split was actually about 30 sec faster than my first split. I'm so glad I did it as every race is a celebration of life and fitness. I was rockin' my Erin Baker's kit and always feel proud to represent them when I can. Because it was cold at the start, I made the switch from my tri jersey to my bike jersey with arm warmers. It was a good call because I never really got too hot.

Finishing 2nd overall and 1st in my age group

I don't care who you are. It's still fun to get a trophy!

Now, it's time for a serious recovery week and taper for Oceanside 70.3. Yes, I plan on tapering because this is actually an "A" race for me, whatever that means in this pre-surgery abyss of competitive inconsistency. I leave Tuesday morning for Tucson for my USAT Coaching Classes! I've gotten a preview of the courses and can't wait!

Nine Mile Nooner

2010-03-03T16:06:00.000-06:00

Gorgeous day in Austin, Texas today!!
Hit the trail for a midday run and slapped on a Podrunner mix set to 180bpm. Got lost in the trance of the music.

1 hr 17 minutes later I was back at home having completed a little over 9 miles.

Average overall pace 8:22 per mile

Cardio-conversational

Right leg-began to stiffen and lose power, but not bad. Quickened my cadence on uphills so as not to push it. I think the slow warmup helped.

Left leg--knee a little tweaky, probably some compensating going on.

Overall mood--F*ckin' Giddy

Happy Anniversary to Me!

2010-03-02T17:31:00.000-06:00

Went vegan/vegetarian a year ago thanks to reading The Engine 2 Diet. Hard to believe it's been a year! Sure, I cheat a little every now and then, but it's usually by accident. Pasta made with egg noodles, pieces of sushi, etc. I'd say I'm 95% there and that's more than I ever thought imaginable. Yay me!

Alanis Morrisette Was Right. Don'tcha think?

2010-02-28T16:32:00.000-06:00

Black fly in your chardonnay
Death row pardon two minutes too late
Rain on your wedding day
Free ride when you've already paid...

yada yada yada

I finally succombed and booked my hip scope surgery only to turn around and have an AMAZING weekend of training! Grrr... All is well, though. It's more of a reinforcement that this stuff can be fun and enjoyable, not mostly frustrating.

Rode 32 miles of hills with Austin Cycle Camp on Friday morning. The route was a mystery upon arrival only to discover we were doing some serious hill climbing! Yikes!! I held my own quite well though and managed to climb Balcones, the backside of Mt. Bonnell, Mesa, and the two major hills on 360. If I had known the route prior to showing up, I probably would've wussed out and bailed. There's something to be said for surprises. I had a great time riding with new people and faces. The guys from Austin Cycle Camp were awesome and I look forward to many more punishing rides.

Saturday was an Austin T3 and Oceanside training day complete with a 56 mile bike ride to San Marcos and back, plus a 4 mile brick off the bike. I was able to average 18.5 mph for the entire ride which is about 1-2 mph faster than I normally ride...thanks to riding on the T3 pain train for the first 10 miles or so. I had tons of strength throughout and was certainly doing my fair share of pulling throughout the ride. Had an awesome 4 mile brick averaging 8:09s overall. Relatively little hip pain throughout...A little burning, but no catching, clicking or locking. Oddly enough, my "good" hip was giving me the most trouble damn it.

Today, I met Richard for a gorgeous 13.1 mile run. What a difference a week makes. Last week I couldn't get through 5 miles. Today I ran 13 and finished strong. We took our time and my overall average for the run was 9:09s. Again, I was having relatively little hip pain and mostly just muscle soreness from the two hard rides from the days before.

Top that off with two bikram classes, a couple of birthday celebrations with friends, and a movie date with my hubster and I'd call it a perfect weekend!!

There Comes a Time...When We Heed a Certain Call

2010-02-25T17:35:00.000-06:00

No, I didn't record another really crappy translation of "We are the World," thank goodness. I did, however, come to peace with my body. Well, we're still at odds, but I came to peace with my future.

After a year of pain, numbness, frustration, MRIs, injections, therapy (of all sorts) and sleepless nights, I finally scheduled hip scope surgery for May 19th in Austin. Why three months from now? Well, I wouldn't want a knife and a crazy surgeon with a scope to get in the way of Oceanside 70.3 on March 27th, now would I?? I also wouldn't want to be the gimpy one on crutches when we go to Utah in early May to cheer friends on at Ironman St. George and hike around some of the National Parks for a week! This surgery thing is going to slow me down and right now I've got things to do, places to go, and people to see! (and races to run!)

In actuality, I'm both relieved that I finally made a decision and a little bummed that I haven't found "the miracle cure" for torn hip cartilage. Oh, I suppose the miracle cure would be to sit on my ass and do nothing, but that's not going to happen. So there. After weighing every option more times than I want to recount, it ultimately came down to this: I want to be fit and active for many years. I don't want to give up running or triathlons. Six to eight months of recovery is NOTHING in the scheme of things. Perhaps I'll come back stronger. Perhaps I won't. I'm now finally willing to take that chance and risk. Hell, I could be doing races by the Fall! I just know that the thought of running pain free again someday far outweighs the frustration of failed runs now. Plus, with every run, ride, and injection, I'm compromising the hip further. Best to get it scoped and repaired now to avoid possible arthritis and a full replacement later? That's an easy decision. Of course, it's also not a guarantee. And I know that...which is why this decision has been a long grueling one.

For the time being, I'm going to run, and bike, and swim, and yogi as much as my little tush will allow. And I'm going to count down the days to my new beginning.

All I can say to the ladies in my age group is "Watch your backs!" This bitch is going bionic.

(unless I change my mind and completely wuss out on the whole thing!)

The Walk of Shame...

2010-02-21T19:50:00.000-06:00

What started as an attempt to run 12 miles this morning ended just after four miles and a long and humiliating two mile walk home. What the hell?! I just completed a Half-Marathon last week and today my leg couldn't even sustain four miles without walking. As per usual, my leg went dead. caput. no lift. burning. pain. Oh I was shattered. I was depressed. Why does this keep happening to me? Why am I the one who is having trouble? There are people out there with form much worse than mine. There are people who shouldn't be running, but are. And yet, today, I was the one reduced to the walk of shame.

It was an absolutely gorgeous day in Austin and I spent a bunch of it feeling sorry for myself. Instead of focusing on my 5 strong bike rides this week, 3 solid swims and 6 intense bikram classes, I focused on my botched run. Thank goodness for 12 Noon bikram with Michelle and Audra, followed by an afternoon at Whole Foods and church with hubster to lift me from the funk. It was sunny and 78 degrees today. I rode my vespa. I had a fabulous weekend with friends, parties, and live music. Yet another perfect weekend in Austin, Texas. It could not have been better. And yet, one thing could've made it just a smidge better.

It will get better.

This One's For the Girls!

2010-02-15T20:58:00.000-06:00

It's amazing what a little wine can do!

Last November, I was home in Ohio and met up with some old high school girlfriends for drinks and dinner. In between talking about the same memories we rehash every time we get together (and still laugh like we've never heard them before), Emily, Lisa and Shannon committed to come to Austin in February to run the Austin Half-Marathon. Lisa would be here to cheer us on (and get the hell away from her kids!) and Emily and Shannon were going to run with me (and get the hell away from their kids!) Truth be told, I didn't think it would actually happen. I mean, how many times do we say we're going to do something and then come up with every reason that it can't be done?! These girls didn't back down and for that I'm grateful! Plus, my cheeks still hurt from laughing.

We laughed, we ate too much, we drank too much, we slept too little, and we ran our little butts off! The four of us haven't spent more than two hours together in almost 20 years and we picked up exactly where we left off! I'm so glad I never threw away my high school yearbooks :-) In the three days they were here, we hit so many of the Austin hotspots--Mt. Bonnell, Alamo Drafthouse, Hula Hut, Oasis, Barton Springs, Hey Cupcake, and so much more! And, in between, we ran a little 13.1 race around the hills of Austin. Shawn was amazing (as usual) and had a rockin' Valentines Day dinner at Vespaio with four cougars!

All in all--it was a perfect weekend. While they were getting blasted with snow storms in Ohio, we were watching a sunset and drinking margaritas at the Oasis. Rough life, eh? Emily and Shannon rocked the Half-Marathon even though the hills were slightly daunting. It wasn't until Mile seven that Shannon told me the farthest she had ever run was FOUR miles!! What?!?!? This girl is insane, spontaneous and amazingly upbeat and positive. She made it a point to not walk one step and guess what, she didn't. She ran the entire 13.1 miles. Shit--even I wanted to stop and walk some of the hills.

While we were at Hula Hut yesterday relishing our accomplishments (and more margaritas), Martina McBride's song "This One's For the Girls" came on. I can't think of a more appropriate way to end the weekend!

At the Start Line with Shannon and Emily. My balloon broke and drifted away at Mile 2!

Running on South 1st Street. Still laughing and smiling!

Loving the fact that I was running for pure JOY!!!

Last dash to the Finish Line!

We did it!! Shannon signed up for the Full when the Half sold out--but she did the 13.1!

Everything's Bigger in Texas! Hook 'Em Horns, baby!!

Bikram is Bitchin'

2010-02-10T14:27:00.002-06:00

I hate being left out. I hate feeling like I'm one step behind what everyone else is doing. In many ways, I'm like a little puppy who doesn't want to close his eyes for fear he might miss something. (In the puppy's case, it may be dinner or a much needed escort to a fire hydrant). In my case, I'm afraid of missing life, fun, excitement, challenges, and all of the joy it has to offer.

That's why when not one, not two, but three friends recommend I try Bikram yoga for my strength, flexibility and back/hip issues, how could I NOT try it? Apparently, they have the key to life's big secret and were willing to share it with me. I admit right away that I was petrified to attend my first class. It was most certainly a combination of apprehension about being in a 105 degree room for 90 minutes, intimidation that I was going to look ridiculous while everyone else looked perfect, and a phobia of injuring myself or even passing out in front of the entire class. Essentially, I was afraid of FAILING. Imagine that.

Fortunately, FEAR of FAILURE may stall me at first, but it has also become my fuel to succeed. Fear of failure drove me to move to Austin without knowing a soul, try stand up comedy, join a running group, finish my first marathon, try my first triathlon, get married, walk in my first yoga class, etc. and ultimately successfully complete all of the above.

Thanks to my friend Tracy, I didn't have to walk into my first Bikram class alone. I met her there and just seeing a familiar face made it that much easier to walk through the door. Let's face it. We chicks can't even pee by ourselves, let alone walk into a yoga studio where clothing is at a minimum and skinny toned bodies are at a maximum. I didn't know what to expect. I've been to my fair share of yoga classes so I automatically assumed that Enya would be playing over the speakers, the lights would be off, candles would be lit and I'd be seeing life through my mysterious third eye. WRONG.

Naturally, the first thing you notice when you walk in the studio is the heat and humidity (105 degrees to be exact). The next thing you notice is the smell of sweat/body odor from classes and yogis gone by. All of the lights are on, no music is playing and the instructor is just that--a teacher (or drill sergeant). They stand on the stage and talk the class through the 26 postures with their rehearsed script. Every class is the same. Every posture is the same. Even the script is virtually the same from instructor to instructor. I was a little shocked at my first class because the instructor sounded almost like an "auctioneer" instead of a hippy-trippy granola yoga instructor. It didn't take more than two minutes (with the initial breathing exercises) to realize that this class was going to be vastly different than anything I've ever experienced. It's definitely NOT your traditional flow yoga class.

All that being said, I LOVED IT and actually surprised myself with my ability to get through the class and some of the postures I didn't think were possible for me. Now, I have visions of looking like a Japanese Ham Sandwich since I'll never eat one. I'm envisioning being able to fully lock my knees someday and still reach my forehead to it.

After almost two weeks of a daily 90 minute practice (combined with a full swim, bike and run schedule), I'm already noticing a huge difference physically, mentally and emotionally. I'm already able to go deeper into some of the postures I could barely hold before. Just today, I was finally able to get my elbows all the way back for this crazy pose. The official name is "supta vajrasana." I prefer to call it the "How am I ever going to get up from this" pose. I did it! (But I look nothing like that biatch below)

I also am almost able to wrap all my toes around my calf in Eagle Pose. And yes, I look as ridiculous as this chick below (but I have more belly goo).

They refer to Bikram yoga as an "open-eyed meditation" and I totally get it. The entire 90 minutes is one of focus, control and determination. While I may not be totally into it at the beginning, by the end, I am so relaxed and drenched with buckets of sweat that I just want to lay in the room all day--yes, the stinky, smelly room that feels and smells like Houston. I'm sleeping better at night and my moods have been lifted because I'm focusing on something other than my stupid hip and back. Have I noticed an improvement in my injuries? Hard to say since I'm still riding a bunch, swimming, and running 1-2 times per week. There's still certainly some inflammation, but the stretching benefit is huge. My body just feels better and I know it's also helping my cardiovascular and skeletal systems, as much as my muscular system.

So, officially add Bikram junkie to my list of addictions these days. I have friends who are doing the Bikram 60-Day challenge and have already lost a tremendous amount of body fat and gained lean muscle mass and flexibility. The results truly have spoken for themselves. I've gone 10 days in a row and totally hope it can be a part of my regular workout routine a least 4-5 times per week. The only thing that stops me? All of the freakin' laundry I have to do now!! No wonder why people wear as few clothes as possible!

Namaste!

2010-02-04T10:48:00.001-06:00

Bikram created great yoga, but I don't think he gave enough thought to the overwhelming studio stench of rotten meat soaked in sweaty socks.

Hey Good Lookin! Whatcha Got Cookin'?

2010-02-02T17:38:00.000-06:00

Without a doubt, one of the biggest changes over the last decade in my life has been the change in my palette, taste buds, food choices and diet. I grew up in a household with five kids, so meals were about convenience and speed. Five kids were doing five different activities at all times, so we didn't pay much attention to having "well-balanced" meals. We ate well, by God--almost too well! Even in high school, I recall walking to McDonalds damn near every day after school and BEFORE field hockey practice. Ewww...No wonder it took me 15 minutes to run a mile around the track! Taco Bell was a regular meal too because it was cheap, convenient and tasted good after a night of drinking too much :-) Just the other day, Shawn asked me if I ever really thought about what I was eating back then, or if I ever made a connection between my weight and my diet since I'm so obsessed with it now. It was an interesting question because I DID know that all the crap I was eating (hello fried chicken sandwiches at Burger King-with mayo) certainly was responsible. I was incredibly active as a kid, but didn't really give a shit about what I was putting in my mouth. My friend Kim and I worked in the "Snack Shack" at Swimland pool and in between selling Fun Dips and Frozen Reesee Cups, we were eating them. Why? Because we were bored, it was there, they tasted yummy and all of my "skinny" friends were eating the same foods with no problems. I guess I thought I was "just built this way."

That being said, as a teenager I tried all of the usual diets that everyone was trying, but I never changed my style of eating. I would do the typical diet deprivations (hello Cabbage Soup Diet, Slim Fast, etc), but they would never last long. I knew I was overweight and it bothered me, but it never really inhibited me from doing anything--well, except for dating and wearing a swim suit in public!

Yes, it's pretty amazing to do marathons, triathlons, Ultra-Marathons, Ironmans, etc. But, completely changing the way I think and feel about food has probably been the most profound change, much to the chagrin of my Mom who has to buy "healthy" food when I go home. I realized I officially turned into "that girl" when I left Bikram yoga class with my yoga mat, recyclable Whole Foods bag for my wet clothes, and headed home to make a green smoothie. Whhhhaaaatttt?? Who is this chick?!?!? Holy crap--it's me. I actually laughed out loud that I painted the Austin hippie granola picture without even trying. Doing my part to keep it weird, I suppose.

So yeah, I try to make a green smoothie at least 5 days a week. What the hell is a "green smoothie?" A green smoothie consists of pretty much any green veggie you can come up with in the fridge. I like to mix it with some protein powder and fruit for sweetness and to give it more of a "smoothie" consistency. The other day, I made a smoothie that consisted of spinach, cucumbers, celery, 1/2 grapefruit, pineapple chunks, apple and carrots...nothing like getting your daily allotment of fruits and veggies in one drink. And the best part? It's real food...not processed juices. not powdery, fake veggies. Just a blended mix of goodness. Now, I'll admit. It doesn't always look pretty, but neither does a ham and cheese omelet. Just sayin'.

Not that I'm totally turning into Rachel Ray or anything (shoot me if I do), but I went a little hog wild at Costco last week and have turned into a cooking machine since I now have enough food to feed a small country. I've been experimenting with tons of different flavors, meals, etc.

Here's a little sample of the past week's menu:

1.) A batch of quinoa with kidney beans, tomatoes and green chiles--great for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Served by itself, over a salad, over steamed spinach or kale, yummers. So much protein and fiber. Just ask hubster.

2.) Butternut squash enchiladas- steamed spinach and butternut squash and mashed them into tortillas along with Quorn fake meat crumbles, peppers and enchilada sauce. Added some spices and had a fiesta in my mouth!

3.) Simple whole wheat pasta noodles made into a lasagna/casserole. I throw in tofu, fake meat crumbles and tons of veggies including broccoli, spinach, corn, sweet potato wedges...bake like a lasagna and Vivo Italia!

4.) Last night I even whipped up a vegan meatloaf. Say what? What the hell is a vegan meatloaf? I didn't know either. In fact, I've never made a meatloaf in my life, but I followed the Engine 2 meatloaf recipe and also made it up as I went along. The loaf (ugly word) was a mixture of tofu, fake meat crumbles, dry oats and mixture of Whole Foods nature burger. I also sauteed onions, garlic, carrots and celery and mixed that in as well. Threw in some spices to give it a kick and had a killer meatloaf last night served with a side salad and steamed butternut squash (with a sprinkle of cinammon and maple syrup)...and vino.

5.) Homemade hummus--I'm not so good at the consistency of this one, but I basically blend chickpeas, garlic, lemon juice, and some jalapenos to create hummus with a kick. For lunch, I made a hummus wrap, but instead of a tortilla, I wrapped it in a big collard green leaf. It was hummus, cucumber, tomatoes and carrots. So freakin' good!!!

Needless to say, I've been eating lots of leftovers this week, but have been enjoying the variety immensely. I've been stealing recipes from books, websites, restaurants, etc. and try to recreate it. I know this is so 1968, but it makes me feel good when hubster walks in the door and says, "Damn it smells good in here." I'm also grateful to be married to a man who will eat ANYTHING!!! (Thank you Kay Barrett for that!)

Let the Week Begin!

2010-02-01T08:12:00.000-06:00

I know it's a cold and dreary Monday morning in Austin (one of the few that we have), but I'm still feeling a bit euphoric from an amazing weekend! Of course, I just also made coffee and a "green" smoothie with spinach, celery, cucumber and pineapple, so some of my "buzz" may be related to that.

I had a great time at the T3 Happy Hour on Friday night! Everyone looks so happy, healthy and ready to take on 2010. It was a good reminder that, even though I can get down in the dumps sometimes, this is certainly a group of people I can count on to lift me out of the funk. With a debilitating injury, it's easy to want to hide your face and sulk in seclusion. These damn triathletes won't let it happen and I'm grateful for it! I always leave with a smile (and a little buzz--thanks for the vino Coach Logan!)

The Saturday team ride was moved to a trainer ride indoors, so I hopped on the Computrainer and rode the Oceanside 70.3 course at home with the help of a couple of magazines and podcasts to kill the time. As with most long rides, my focus was on cadence and a steady effort throughout. 3 hours and 21 minutes later, I was done! Very pleased overall because my hip joint didn't hurt (although my right food and sciatic did--note in the pain journal) Most importantly, I kept my heart rate on the lower end and I can't tell you how good it felt to cross that little 3D Finish Line feeling strong. Everyone (including the CT folks) say that riding the Computrainer is so much harder than the real thing. I can only hope this holds true on race day! I don't have huge time expectations for this race, but one of my goals for 2010 is to feel stronger and more confident on the bike (especially since my running has been limited). I think I'm getting there, at least on the indoor trainer. I won't really know until I'm riding outside on a regular basis again (hopefully this coming weekend!)

On Saturday afternoon, Shawn and I went on the Modern Homes Tour in Austin. Some cool houses were on display including the one that everyone wanted to see---the house on Mt. Bonnell Road with the lap pool on top overlooking Lake Austin.

Yes, it can be yours for a cool $3.5 Million!

Sunday was special for me because it marked my longest run in about 3 months! I met Elizabeth, Richard, Jim, Amanda, Gordon and Jess Sunday morning at 6:45am to run about 11 miles. I'm fully FULLY aware that the steroid injection into my hip helped alleviate some of the usual pain, but it was worth it to feel like myself again--even for just a few hours. I know the steroid injection isn't a cure. In fact, if northing else, it's an indication that, yes, there IS a problem in the hip joint that needs to be addressed. I just can't verbalize how liberating it felt to be able to tackle the Lady Bird Trail just like the "good old days." OK--it wasn't just like the good old days. It was about a minute per mile slower, but my 9:00min overall pace per mile felt very easy and relaxed--another confidence boost knowing that it's not all gone.

Had breakfast on Sunday morning with Shawn and the Stanfords to plan our May Utah trip and then headed to a Sunday "Bunny Brunch" with several girlfriends. Yummy!! While my vegan meatballs raised a few eyebrows (Anna), they were well-received overall. Of course, there was also an enormous selection of quiche, salmon, spring rolls, salad, hummus, fruit and other wonderful dessert items! Needless to say, I was in a food coma by 3pm, which was perfect because I needed a nap before meeting my friend Tracy for my first-ever Bikram Yoga class!

We all have irrational fears, and bikram yoga was one of mine. I can speak in public with ease, but the thought of bikram yoga had me in knots. I also knew that it was a fear I wanted to conquer. It had everything to do with feeling inadequate and being afraid of comparisons to those who are so much better--or flexible, or experienced, or whatever. I'm not a "real yogi" like those people who can bend themselves into pretzel-like contortions. I was also afraid of the actual room conditions. 90 minutes in 105 degree heat. I'd heard horror stories of people getting sick, passing out, etc and not being allowed to leave the room! Nothing induces panic like the thought of being suffocated!!! Well, I did meet my friend Tracy at Bikram yoga last night and...it was hard...it was intense...it was hot...but it was awesome! While not the traditional yoga flow I'm accustomed to, this required a lot of mental relaxation to hold the poses and remain calm and relaxed in the conditions. No one judged me when I couldn't get all bendy like some people. The instructor (although he sounded like and auctioneer at times) was strict, but empathetic and constantly reminded people to just take a break if they needed to. Sometimes that's all you need to hear. Fortunately, I had a great class. I was able to hit about 90% of the poses and never felt sick or light headed (common for beginners). It was a great way to end the week and prepare for this next one.

So, as I sit here on a Monday morning contemplating my meetings, obligations and appointments for the week, I'm grateful that I just completed a spectacular weekend filled with a wonderful balance of friends, fitness, relaxation and food!

I've Taken More Steroids Recently Than Most Major League Baseball Players!

2010-01-29T08:23:00.000-06:00

Ahhh....the drugs going into the hip joint!

"Good Lord woman, what the hell is wrong with you????"

If I had a dollar for every time I've heard that in the last six months, I'd be on my own private yacht by now. I promise I'm not making up this injury and secretly training in secret for my breakthrough performance at Oceanside 70.3!! (although my low level of training may be my best plan ever!) Somedays I write that I'm at the doctor or physical therapist. Other days I brag about my 40 mile bike ride and 9 mile run. I'm as schizophrenic as the next person at this injury. I know my diagnosis (or diagnoses) as it were. I've got a hip labral tear and herniated disk putting pressure on L5 nerves which has been affecting my lower back and leg...both on the right side...since last summer.

I've been calling this my "little problem child." Somedays, my hip hurts constantly, but never to the point where I can't walk, function or even exercise. In fact, I'm impressed with the level of activity I've been able to maintain. Other days, my leg and sciatic are feeling goofy (or heavy, burning or numb). Still other days, I wake up feeling like I could run a marathon...until I actually start running. Up to this point, I've treated them both medically and beyond. In December, I had an epidural spinal injection in my back which has helped a little bit. Just yesterday, I had a cortisone shot in my right hip. I've been the most excited about this diagnostic test. It's not a permanent fix. In the long run, a cortisone shot can actually damage and weaken the joint. I just wanted some relief...in a huge way. I want to feel the sensation of running with no hip joint pain. Or, at least see if it's possible again.

I'm becoming buds with the peeps over at Central Park Surgery Center (where Lance had his clavicle operated on last year). They went to take my blood pressure in the pre-op area, but the machine wouldn't even register a blood pressure because my resting heart rate was so low. Yay!! Low 40s... It finally registered a 110/65. Cool. At least that's some good news. You can definitely tell I'm not overtraining.

The hip injection was a piece of cake. Five minutes tops. Thank goodness for numbing solution! One of the ER takes took photos on my iPhone. I told them I needed them for blogging and twitter posterity. Yes, I'm a dork.

They took my blood pressure afterward and the machine keep giving me the same beeping noise. Finally, it registered at a perfect 120/80. Nurse gave me the gold star of the morning. Amazing what a little positive affirmation can do, especially since I've been feeling less than adequate in the athlete world. At least I've got some good healthy numbers!

Right leg felt heavy and numb for several hours yesterday afternoon, but I followed Doctor's orders and went for a 30 minute run (re: jog) around 3pm. I'm happy to report that my hip joint didn't hurt at all!!! Ah....Actually, I take that back. It hurt where they did the needle injection, but the chronic soreness was NOT there. I'm guessing I was trotting along at 10:00 min miles, so I wasn't trying to force it. Of course, I came home and hopped on the Computrainer for about 45 minutes. There was a little soreness, but it was mostly on my quad and front of my foot/ankle. Could that be my back flaring up and shooting down the L5? Could it be a little tendonitis? This is what we're trying to figure out before moving forward with any surgery.
In the meantime, I'll head back to some PT and traction next week. I'm also going to hit Bikram yoga a couple of times a week along with my regular routine of swimming, riding and a little running.

I've now interviewed three surgeons in Austin and received some great feedback from a local anesthesiologist (not my hubster--although his advice, guidance and support has been amazingly invaluable. I can't even tell you. He listens to ailment complaints all day and then comes home and never forgets to ask about mine). The anesthesiologist said that hip scopes are "notoriously difficult." Yes, that was his quote. Tables, angles, surgery centers and the surgeon itself are huge factors to consider. Is Austin even the best place? Put it this way, I'd hate to have a hip scope only to find that my back has been giving me the most grief. I'd also hate to pursue a dangerous back surgery if it's my hip. So, in this respect, the muddied waters continue and the diagnostic tests continue. So, do my dorky photos and updates!!

Thumbs Up for the Steroid Injection!

2010-01-28T15:30:00.001-06:00

Dr's Orders: go for short run to test the effects of the hip cortisone shot. 30 min max...rain and wind starting, but it's a chance to run!

Hola Routine!

2010-01-27T21:12:00.000-06:00

Back from four days in Mexico and I've decided that I want to try a new social experiment. I want to find an all-inclusive resort who will put me up for 30 days just to see what happens when I don't have to cook, clean, or even think...Where the only decision I have to make is what restaurant I want to attend for the next meal, or which book I want to read next, or whether I want to take another nap or go to yoga. I wonder how much damage you can do to your body in 30 days at a resort where food and drinks are provided at a whim. I'm sure it wouldn't be pretty, but I'm willing to make the sacrifice for the rest of us. You're welcome.

Actually, I think once the gluttonous "you mean I can eat or drink as much as I want?!" mentality wore off (which it does after about day 2), I'd probably be craving my usual routine. Yeah, I'm pretty sure I couldn't survive without my bike and Computrainer. While we definitely were enjoying the food and drinks (call the vegan police--I did have lobster one night), we also found plenty of time for fitness and a somewhat subdued level of activity. Believe it or not, we sought out a place with lap pools large enough for a decent swim workout. We checked out the fitness facilities and amenities. We even took a yoga class together and went on the resort bike ride (albeit on beat up mountain bikes at an avg of about 8 miles per hour). Does a 2 hour walk on the beach count as a workout? Hope so! The elliptical machine got a couple of workouts as well. I wasn't a total slug.

So yes, I'm afraid to step on the scale, but I know I fared much better than about 90% of the people down there. Actually, they had a myriad vegan and veggie choices. It was a lot easier than I thought. My main problem is kinda knowing when to put the fork down. It was hard to resist making a big salad and not follow it up with a small piece of vegan pizza...and maybe a piece or two of veggie sushi (i.e. fake sushi), followed by some fruit...well, you get the point. There was so much and I was afraid of missing out :-) They even had a "healthy choices" breakfast buffet with tofu, hummus, veggies, soy milk, green smoothies, bran cereals, egg white omelets, etc. It was humorous to watch most people walk by and give an audible "ewwwww" as they moved toward the promised land of real omelets, pancakes, bacon, sausages, etc.

So yes, it's been another wonderful getaway that always makes me swell with gratitude (or is it my weight), but makes me grateful for coming home as well. There's something lovely with routine. In fact, I hit Costco this morning and made some meals for the rest of the week. I actually enjoyed cooking after not having to think about it for a few days. I hope that we don't stop drinking rice milk and eating quinoa anytime soon, because I now have enough for about three years!

The rest of this week is going to be very exciting. Tomorrow, I'm getting a shot of cortisone in my hip to see if that helps with some of my pain and discomfort. This is basically my "last resort" before I more than likely proceed to a hip scope in the near future. Alas, like a car with a mechanical problem that acts normal when you take it to the shop, my leg and hip have been feeling better than usual lately. Even after 1.5 hours on the Computrainer today, the pain and soreness is minimal and I had a really great training session on the hilly section of the Oceanside course. Definite confidence booster. Before leaving for Mexico, I had a decent (not great) 9 mile run the morning we left. I actually averaged under 9:00min/miles. Sad to think I could clip off 7:00min miles a year ago at this time and blasted a 1:33 Half Marathon. I also know that once my leg comes back, my lungs will too!!!

More health updates this week! I know they will be great! I'm starting to get excited about Oceanside 70.3. I'm confident that I can put together a solid race and proudly represent Erin Baker's Tri Team for my first race in 2010! Will I break any PR's?! Ummm....highly doubtful since my running has been miniscule at best. I just want to get off that bike and know I can put together a decent Half-Marathon. That, my friends, will be my biggest victory.

2010-01-24T17:58:00.001-06:00

The stocked wet bar AND room service is included in the "all inclusive" portion. Mercy, mercy me. Unfortunately, the detox and lipo is not.

2010-01-22T08:11:00.001-06:00

"Uno mas margarita, por favor!" Don't know much Spanish, but that's all I need for a wknd in Mexico. That, and however you say, "Don't shoot." Adios!

Today, I Rode

2010-01-21T17:54:00.000-06:00

Self-Portrait of a Happy Triathlete

Today, I rode.
I rode outdoors.
I rode because I wanted to and not because I had to.

I thought a lot...
...about friends who were having surgery.
...about friends who couldn't be riding with me.
...about what it meant for me to be on my bike on this beautiful January morning all by myself.
...about where I wanted it to take me physically, mentally and emotionally.

Today, I rode.
I rode fast.
I rode slow.
I climbed hills that felt like mountains.
I descended hills that felt like canyons.
The wind was in my face.
The wind was at my back.
The roads were familiar, and yet so different.

Today, I rode.
I rode outdoors.
I rode because I wanted to and not because I had to.

For that, I'm grateful.
(and a wee bit sore)

I Still Have About 14 min and 45 sec Left!!

2010-01-21T09:15:00.000-06:00

Did you see me on TV recently?? Did you?? Did you?? Yeah--me neither really. But I was there in support of the real rock-stars, my friends who own the company Grease Monkey Wipes. They were recently featured on an episode of ABC's "The Shark Tank." If you cycle, you may have seen this product or most certainly wished you had one in your possession when you get a flat tire . They are individually wrapped degreasers for your hands and your bike. The show and their pitch was a smashing success! In the last week, their website traffic and sales and increased exponentially and they recently picked up a national distributor so they will hopefully be coming to thousands of stores near you!

Here was my brush with the famous! Yes, that "grainy" screen shot was taken from the episode and I'm on the far left in blue--trying to get some exposure for the Kestrel :-) If you blinked, you missed it, but I'm sure my presence won't be forgotten!! Ha ha...It's what won the judges over, I'm sure.

Actually, the real stars of the night belonged to Tim Stansbury and Erin Whalen, who are the owners and geniuses behind GMW. Tim took the "numbers" approach and Erin knocked 'em dead with her "we won't let you down" closing tactic it. It worked! They wowed the Sharks and landed a $40K investment deal! Way to go Grease Monkey Wipes! We're so happy for you!

Now, if only you would invent something that makes riding a bicycle really easy. Oh wait--they call those motorcycles. Never mind!! Time to get off the blog and get on my bike!

Can You Judge a Book By Its Reader?

2010-01-19T21:15:00.006-06:00

In 2009, I set out to read at least one book a month. No real strategy to it, but more than I'd read in a long time. I'm just not a bookworm...or a movie buff...or even a music junkie (anymore). When I lay down at night to read, I typically get about five pages done and then I'm toast. Sometimes I even feel guilty about sitting down to read! Shouldn't I be doing something productive?? Believe me, that guilt is beginning to alleviate as the months pass. Reading IS doing something productive. It might be educational, humorous, romantic, pragmatic, spiritual, or down-right fluffy entertainment. All of those induce some level of productivity for the mind and body. They all also encompassed my reading selections for 2009.

January 2009

"Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson
I had to balance my 2008 Danielle Steel novel by reading a non-fiction book about the power of one human being's spirit to make a positive change in the world. It's the story of a mountain climber who vowed to build schools in remote Pakistan after villagers cared for him after a near-death climbing experience. This one was a bit hard to get into (probably still in Danielle Steel mindset), but was tough to put down once this man's compassion began to sink in. If only the world's problems could be fixed like this...

February 2009

"My Life on the Run" by Bart Yasso
If you're a runner, you are familiar with Yasso and his infamous Yasso 800 training techniques. This was a very interesting memoir written by a running legend. He tells great race stories, injuries, rates his favorite races and discusses what a love affair running can be (as brutal as she can also be).

"No Limits" by Michael Phelps
Clearly feeling the need to get inspired during Ironman training, this book was also an interesting, easy-to-read book by Phelps (and whoever really wrote it). I read this during his pre-bong days, but took away a lot of inspiration. You really get a glimpse of the sacrifices that an athlete at his level must endure (and the calories they get to eat!)

"4 Blondes" by Candace Bushnell
And back to the fluff! From the writer who gave us "Sex in the City," 4 Blondes is basically just that..."Sex in the City."

March 2009

"The Engine 2 Diet" by Rip Esselstyn
Hard to imagine that this book would've had the most profound impact on me in 2009. Who ever thought I would really engage in any type of vegan lifestyle?! Yet, here I am almost one year later and still loving the overall effects of this lifestyle (not a "diet"). The only downside is being the high-maintenance one at restaurants. Beyond that, I've enjoyed shopping, cooking and feeling the energy that comes with a plant-based whole foods lifestyle.

"Moose" by Stephanie Klein
Ironically and humorously, this is a book by Austin Author about growing up fat as a teenager and enduring summers at fat camp. While I never went to fat camp, I was a self-conscious chunkster and totally related (laughed and cried) and some of her most horrific and awkward moments. I highly recommend this book as it is both funny and poignant. FYI--the author is skinny as a rail now.

April 2009

"Fitness Swimming"by Emmett Hines
One in a never-ending series of books I read every so often about the sport that remains a mystery to me. The illustrations were good and some of the descriptions about proper technique were good reminders. Bottom Line--the written word can only get you so far. You have to actually get your ass in the water and practice.

May 2009

"There's a Slight Chance I Might Be Going to Hell" By Laurie Notaro
OK-If I could write like someone, I'd want it to be this author. She's funny as hell, self-deprecating and so damn smart. When I read her books ("Autobiography of a Fat Bride, " Idiot Girls Series...), I picture myself as the main character. Basically, she's a mess, but always succeeds. Put any of her books on your list for a good laugh.

June 2009

"The Overachiever's Diary" by The Army Swim Team Coach
Sounds boring as shit, doesn't it?! This was actually one of the most profound and well-written books on swimming I've ever read (and I've read a few). It's basically a compilation of his emails and lessons to his athletes--things to remember, things to focus on in the water, body positioning, and visual techniques to think about (kick like Barbie Doll, swim quietly, etc). Again, nothing beats actually getting in the water, but I refer to this book a lot almost as a reference guide. In other words, it's permanently on our bathroom bookshelf.

July 2009

"Keeping Faith" by Jodi Picoult
A brilliantly written book about surviving tragedy and keeping faith...through the eyes of a child. Very powerful book, especially if you are a strong believer in the Divine. I plan on reading more of Picoult's books this year as I've already read a few in the past.

"Losing My Religion" by William Lobdell
Again, an ironic turn to my selections... This non-fiction book written by a former LA Times Religion writer (and fellow Ironman Triathlete) discusses how he went from a born-again Christian to an atheist by reporting on religion (or lack thereof) in America. He discusses various scandals throughout all religions and how the ugly truth eroded his faith.

August 2009

"Once a Runner" by John Parker, Jr
I wasn't crazy about this book, but definitely understood some of the nuances of how a sport like this and the goals you can set dictate EVERYTHING in your life...to the point of obsession.

"Then We Came to An End" Joshua Farris
Perhaps I was foreshadowing my resignation from the ad agency. This book is about an ad agency that appears to be crumbling. Accounts are being lost, people are being fired, ideas seem stale, and people's office chairs are being stolen. It was an episode of "The Office" with a bit of bittersweet sadness. (FYI--The agency I used to work for is kicking ASS and not falling apart) :-)

"Wishful Drinking" by Carrie Fisher
I read this in about two hours in the Denver Airport. Pretty hysterical memoir about Carrie Fisher's f*cked up life. It's honest, outrageously funny and sad all at the same time. Who knew that Princess Leah had electroshock therapy for manic depression? Growing up in Hollywood doesn't sound fun, but it made for a good book.

September 2009

"The Shack"By William Paul Young
After his daughter is murdered, the protagonist returns to the scene of the crime and meets God. Comedy ensues from there! Just kidding...it was an interesting read, but I didn't personally find it "life changing" like millions of others have. Lots to think about and it attempts to explain why bad things happen to good people.

"Official Book Club Selection" by Kathy Griffin
I'm a sucker for Kathy, what can I say? I loved reading about her childhood, her endless attempts at stand-up, her realization that she never was and never will be "the pretty one," and I loved reading about celebrity gossip!

October 2009

"Born to Run" by Christopher McDougall
This is the new "It" book in the running community that challenges everything we ever believed about running and shoes. I was inspired by the story, the science and the love that these runners have for the sport. It truly made me want to run a 100 mile trail race immediately!

"Where Are You Now" by Nora Roberts
So, I bought a quick paperback trashy novel so I could read on vacation. It was perfect fluff!

November 2009

"Honeymoon" by James Patterson
Ha Ha...Another fluff piece read on vacation in about two days! Mystery, murder, sex, and one bitchy anagonist!! Loved it :-)

"Letters from Medjugorje" by Wayne Weibel
In June of 1981, the Virgin Mary appeared to six teenagers in Medjugorje, Yugoslavia. She still appears to this very day. These are letters of people who's lives have been transformed by these powerful visits. I always need some faith rejuvenation. This book did it!

"The China Study"by T. Colin Campbell
As I continue my vegan journey, this book became a must-read. In a quick nutshell, it explains why the Chinese are healthier than Americans even though they eat more carbs and calories overall...more plant-based foods, less meat, etc. It draws a direct correlation to diseases like heart disease, cancer, diabetes and other diseases to the standard American diet.

December 2009

"Dog On It" by Spencer Quinn
Hubster picked it up on a whim and it was one of the best books I read all year. Written from the perspective of Chet the Dog, this humorous book takes us on a journey about what it must really be like to be a doggie dectective!

"Twilight" and "New Moon" by Stephanie Meyer
Not much else to say. So far, I'm Team Jacob all the way!!!

2010-01-16T16:28:00.001-06:00

couple of hours on the bike, massage and healthy food from "My Fit Foods" in Austin. Great Saturday afternoon!

2010-01-15T11:53:00.001-06:00

Not sure which was worse: Phil's traction torture device or Eric ripping the electro pads off my butt. Either way, they now have more of money...and my dignity.

Pains and Gains

2010-01-14T20:42:00.000-06:00

I was told yesterday that I should begin keeping a "pain journal" so that I can effectively communicate with my doctors exactly where my hip/back pain is concentrated and when, where, and how it manifests. Holy shit! Whatever happened to the days of a sweet love diary, a food journal, or better yet, my humorous and irreverent "Tri to be Funny" blog?! Now, I'm reduced to recording a f*cking Pain Journal?!?! That, in itself, is pretty hilarious. I also find it incredibly counter-intuitive to healing.

I'm a firm believer that we bring about what we think about. We all know that the more attention we give to something (good or bad), the bigger the chance it's going to happen. When you believe something to be true, it usually becomes true. My friends Leslie, Muna and I (fellow labral tear hipsters) meet for breakfast on a regular basis. Like with most injuries, it's good to have a support team of people who understand exactly what you're going through. However, we joke that we actually feel worse when we leave because we've spent the previous hour talking about nothing but our pain, our frustrations, our impending surgeries and treatment! Humorous and ironic, but true! Therefore, the last thing I want to give attention to is a pain journal because all that means is that I'm focusing on pain. I'm thinking about it constantly. It wakes me up at night and keeps me up. Where does it hurt? What was I doing? Is it my hip? Back? Piriformis? L5? Sciatic nerve? Do I need a massage? Yoga? PT? Accupuncture? Surgery? Rest? Airrosti? Cortisone? Rolfing? Reiki? I've heard them all and I've considered them all. I had a follow up with the spine doc yesterday and I'm meeting with potential surgeon #3 next week.

It's definitely incredibly important to communicate effectively with every health care provider I meet with. I do, after all, put all my faith and trust in them. But, I also know the power of positive thinking and keeping a "pain journal" is anything BUT positive. It only focuses on the negative. So, while I'll be journaling my little aches and pains, I'll do so from a positive viewpoint. Why? Because I wouldn't have these tweaks and pains if I wasn't MOVING...if I wasn't out there trying to make the best of a poopy situation. If I wasn't training and working out. Let's face it, that's when I'm happiest.

In the last week, I've gone to a kick-boxing class, a T3 swim workout, completed a 5 mile jog (notice I didn't say run), 3 physical therapy appointments and "at home" rehab, pilates class, total body conditioning class and 4 cycling workouts. Do I hurt? Um...yeah. Who wouldn't?! But, it's also rewarding to know that I can still do all of these things day after day. Sadly, most of the meltdown was when I attempted to run. Call it loss of power, leg numbness, whatever. I still made it through 5 miles. Yay for me!

So, I'll be keeping the journal, but it will be "The Tri to Be Funny Some Pain, Some Gain Journal!"

Quiet Encouragement

2010-01-12T12:42:00.000-06:00

So, you're not like all the others. It's ok.

You know what? It makes you special. It makes you unique. It makes you vulnerable and different.

You stand out from all the rest, in a way, more beautiful than all the others.

You most definitely still have a lot to offer and a lot to give. Don't you forget it.

Your exterior may be damaged, hurt, bruised and compromised, but inside you are still radiant.

You are full of life, energy, love, fulfillment and light.

You can and will still accomplish so much.

Your potential is boundless.

Your future achievements are limitless and vast.

You have a flaw.

Goodness, don't we all?

Maybe you'll be something else all together. We'll fool everyone that way.

Maybe, just maybe, this one little bump will be the beginning of something totally new, inspiring and intoxicating.

Embrace It. Love It. Cherish It.

To some, you may be damaged goods.

To me, you are Perfect.

Decisions, Decisions

2010-01-10T17:23:00.000-06:00

Well, it hasn't been easy to make this call, but I have decided to bail on Ironman St. George for 2010. There's just no possible way I could be ready for the race on May 1st and I don't want to "just finish" to get the Ironman medal. It means so much more to me than that. Plus, who am I to assume that I could "just finish" anyway?! This isn't a 5k. It's a freaking Ironman and it was looming like a dark menacing cloud. At this point, I'd be doing a disservice to my body, mind, doctors, husband and self who have cautioned and begged me to take it easy this year. I spoke with my team leader for Erin Baker's Tri Team and he was very empathetic and understanding. Seems a few of us are battling some injuries. I plan to compete in a couple of 70.3s this year and take 2011 as it comes! All told, there is always a sense of relief when a decision has been made that I'm now officially putting out there. It also comes with a sense of sadness that I'm letting another registered event slip through my fingers. Plus, I really wanted to cross the line with my friend Richard who is kicking butt training for this, his first Ironman. He'll do great and we'll still be there for him as we are DEFINITELY still going to Utah. I also promised I'd train with him when I am able, which is good since I'm still doing the Oceanside 70.3 race on March 27th in California!

In fact, Hubster and I celebrated 5-years of knowing each other by riding 45 miles of the Oceanside course on the Computrainer this morning. Wow--I'd forgotten how hard it is (and mind-numbing) to ride the CT for multiple hours. I've been putting in 1.25-1.5 long workouts, but today was 3+ solid hours with only one break to get off the bike, refuel and stretch. All in all, I'm proud of the way I rode even though my legs are not happy with me at the moment :-) It was worth it to feel such a sense of pride and accomplishment. There are some doozy hills on this course towards the back side. At least I have 2 1/2 months to basically memorize and repeat them over and over again ad nauseum. I didn't try to focus on my avg mph during the ride because that's too depressing. In fact, next time, I may seriously shut that function off the viewer. Today, I focused on my HR and cadence. For the first 25 miles, I averaged a 94 cadence. I felt like Lance just trying to hammer a steady cadence to keep the legs fresh. Fast and steady...also not many climbs. For the final 20 miles, my avg cadence was 85. Still not bad considering the hills hat begin around Mile 30! My right leg didn't go numb (victory!!), but it definitely felt weaker after a while and tended to fatigue a lot faster on the climbs. Thankfully, my hip didn't feel too bad either. I honestly felt like I could've put in a nice brick afterwards. Needless to say, I didn't because I was sweating buckets and it was 35 degrees outside. I'll chalk it up to a very successful training day and ego boost just to get those miles down. Selfishly, it feels good knowing that I don't have to go out and ride 80-90 miles in the next few months. My mind and body are thanking me right now. It was a tough, tough decision, but it's been made.

Now, it's off to Uchi for an early dinner to celebrate 5-years of knowing my Hubster! Who says you can't have it all?! Marrying that guy was the easiest decision of all.

Dr. D and His Evil Strength Building

2010-01-09T14:40:00.005-06:00

Started into some PT strength training and stretching this week. I've been doing so much, but never had an official stretching and strength building plan specifically for my back and hips. First of all, I'm not sure if it's possible for ligaments, tendons, muscles and bones to break when someone is stretching you beyond limits, but I'm sure I was pretty close. Or, at least my whimpering was a good indication that I had hit the "mercy" level of tolerance.

Also doing a few other stretches and strength building moves for my glutes, core and lower back. I'm not sure if any of these have official names, but I've made up my own.

#1 "Straight Leg Feel Your Ass/IT/Hips Burn Until You Want to Cry" Move
(PS-You don't have to be headless to do this move at home)

Keep knees locked out and don't drag feet. Make sure you lift them. Focus on strong core

#2 "Strap a Rubber Band Around Your Ankles And Feel the Knife in Your Glute While You Kick Back" Move

#3 "This Chair is a Torture Device from Medieval Times" Quad Stetch
PS-that is a grimace and not a smile)

hips forward, hold wall for stability

Side view of bed head--oops, I mean stretch...fake smile

In addition to these fun exercises a couple of times a day, I'm doing the butterfly stretch. Holding feet together and stretching the inner thighs. I also started some lunges and dead lifts yesterday. Needless to say, my glutes are sore as all get out today!! Thanks a whole hell of a lot Dr. D!

I did manage to meet my gym bunnies, Erin and Maggie, down at Lifetime this morning. We did a 30 minute core class followed by an hour of cardio kickboxing. My hip has about had it for the day!! I'm hoping for three hours on the Computrainer tomorrow morning (Hello Oceanside 70.3 course! ) followed by a wonderful torturous ice bath.

Hope to get back to some running and yoga this week! The hip is still quite sore and irritated sometimes, but the "numbness" in my leg feels a little better. Here's hoping for a good week and a cortisone shot in the hip soon!

Go "F" Yourself!

2010-01-02T15:44:00.001-06:00

Happy New Year to all of us! Sometimes I wish this time of year wasn't filled with so much reflection. It's almost like we're supposed to change everything and fail at nothing! A little self-imposed pressure, don't you think? Yes, it's always good to look back to see just how far you've come in a year...or in the last decade. (I don't even want to recount where I was in 1999). It's also healthy to look forward and make attainable, positive goals and changes. However, have you noticed that most of us are caught up in both the past and the future constantly? We completely discount the PRESENT as if it doesn't even exist. Even now as I type this entry, I'm wondering if I worked out hard enough this morning, so I'm thinking that maybe I should do something "extra" later....lamenting about the past and planning for the future...hardly enjoying the present moment of relaxation.

While my biggest resolutions for 2010 involve becoming more mindful and present, I also want to resolve to focus on the Big "F" list that I've created.

1.) Family--I'm so grateful to be a part of two families filled with so much love and support for each other. Every family has their own quirks and my families are certainly no exception. (They did breed me after all) However, the good fortune was not lost on me that I got to spend most of December visiting both of my extended families in CA and OH. So many families are broken, damaged, strained...I'm so lucky that my families actually get along and can be in the same room together. (until we start talking politics, of course!) Both sets of parents are alive, healthy and feisty as ever. I can only hope to live by the examples that they continue to set year after year. (although I don't want to be working as hard as my parents do when I'm in my 70s!! Hell, I don't want to be working that hard in my 40s.)

2.) Friends--Old friends, new friends, work friends, training friends, blog friends, coaching friends...etc. I resolve to hold them close and be the friend for others that I expect them to be for me. For better or worse, Facebook has been invaluable in reconnecting me with friends from my childhood through college and beyond! Never again do we have to wonder what that crazy ex-boyfriend and girlfriend are up to these days. Chances are, they are on Facebook! Seriously, I'm so grateful to have reconnected with my childhood friends and classmates. Everyone looks so happy, healthy and fulfilled. What more could we ask for in life? I'm looking forward to spending a weekend in February with childhood friends when they come to Austin to run the Half-Marathon with me! I'm truly so excited for that weekend as I think it will mean so much for all of us!

3.) Faith- Wow...This one should probably be first on my list. I call them my God, Spirit, Guardian Angels, Spirit Guides... Whatever and whoever guides me has never let me down as long as I'm open and willing to listen to how I'm being led. Not so easy sometimes. That stubborn ego gets in the way too often. I resolve (and am already getting better) to remain steadfast in my faith and listen to my instincts and heart. You know when people say things like, "Listen to your gut instinct" and "Follow your heart?" For me, that's all about faith. It's making a leap without knowing the results. It's taking a path that feels right even though you have no idea where that path may lead. That is faith to me and I've never been let down before.

4.) Fitness- Ah...Where would I be had I not found the endorphins and joy of fitness?! I shudder to think. I resolve to take 2010 to another level of fitness. How do you top two Ironmans in two years (along with a slew of other events?) I plan on doing so by respecting my body enough to rest, recover and heal. I'm trying new things. I'm challenging my body and fitness levels in different ways. I'm also taking it to the next level and obtaining a coaching certification. Who knows where that will take me? Of course, running, biking and swimming will always be a huge part of what I do and I have some races lined up for 2010, but this year is one of more variety. It's January 2nd and I took a kick-boxing class this morning. They should rename it kick-assing, because that's what it felt like! Nice...I've also been invited to attend some Bikram classes with a couple of friends. Healing for the body, mind and soul...gotta love it.

5.) Furry creatures--What more can I say?! My kitties, Brutus and Woody, provide me with so much comfort and joy (and sleepless nights when they insist on sleeping on me). I'm totally the married cat lady and I don't care. Those guys are just so damn adorable. How can you not smile when a 17lb piece of fur purrs in your face?!

6.) Freedom- Freedom to choose where I live, shop, eat, work...Freedom to choose who I spend time with...Freedom to choose who I vote for...Freedom to make whatever decision I want (right or wrong)...Freedom to travel near and far...Freedom to agree and disagree...Freedom to chase the goals that are right for ME. I'm grateful that I live in a place of freedom and resolve to not take that for granted. Always remember, that you have the freedom to change any situation. You have the freedom to choose your current situation. You are never trapped. Isn't that a relief? It is for me.

7.) Fun- I can't have fun if I'm not grateful for my family, friends, faith, fitness, furry creatures and freedom. In 2010, fun for me will represent traveling to new places, racing in new locations, taking random classes, becoming a certified USAT coach, and making new friends. Oh, and did I mention more travel??? Let the Barrett World Tour 2010 begin!

So, that's my list of "F" Resolutions for 2010. What are yours? I challenge you to go "F" yourself!!

Lessons I Learned in 2009

2009-12-28T20:59:00.001-06:00

I'm beginning to sound like a broken record. As I look back on 2009, I can't imagine life getting more satisfying, challenging and fulfilling. Yet, I've said that the last few years and it seems that we manage to top it every year. Every year is full of ups and downs and 2009 was no exception. This year was particularly special for me and Shawn as we both completed an Ironman TOGETHER in June. There were lots of highs this year, but that one stands out as the pinnacle for me. Along the way in 2009, we swam in the Mayan Riviera in Mexico, raced in Galveston, biked 100 miles in Napa, ran 20 miles in San Francisco, tasted wines in Paso Robles and beyond, completed the infamous Wildflower Triathlon, stayed in a castle on the Rhine region of Germany, swam with dolphins in Honduras, visited friends and family in California and Ohio and celebrated with friends as they completed the California International Marathon.

Personally, I set PRs in the Half-Marathon, Half-Ironman and Ironman Distances in 2009. I was also selected to be a proud member of Erin Baker's National Triathlon Team! Believe me, it's been nothing short of an honor to be among these folks who are stellar at this triathlon thing.

2009 was also a year of good-byes. In March, I bid farewell to meat and began adopting a vegan lifestyle for my overall health and cholesterol thanks to the guidance of Rip Esselstyn and "The Engine 2 Diet." The results have been impressive and my taste buds have thanked me (although a lot of restaurants haven't). Oh sushi and lobster, how I miss thee!! I said goodbye to some of my best friends when I resigned from my full-time job at the end of August to travel and look ahead to my next career of becoming a USAT certified triathlon coach and writer. So many amazing things are on the horizon for 2010. I also said goodbye to a body I take for granted. As most know, I've been battling some nagging leg/hip/back issues since the summer and I plan to spend 2010 recovering, slowing down, rehabbing and giving my body the break that it is so desperately craving.

With that being said, in no particular order, here are some lessons I learned in 2009 that I plan to carry with me to this next decade and beyond!

-Tofu comes in all shapes, sizes and textures. I've tried them all and have eaten tofu ice cream, turkey, and even tofu hot dogs (pretty much as gross as the real thing).

-Volunteering and working at races is truly an amazing and rewarding experience. We all should do it more often.

-A f*cked up hip and back can really screw you up mentally and physically.

-Doing events in costume (beer wench and red dress costumes specifically) make any event so much more fun and worthwhile.

-Say what you will about Facebook, but it has been instrumental in connecting me with new and old friends alike. For that, I'm grateful and fulfilled.

-Erin Bakers (www.bbcookies.com) really does have some kick ass granola and cookies (ok--my one shameless sponsor plug)

-Completing an Ironman is a life-altering event. Completing an Ironman with your husband and 60 of your teammates is truly priceless.

-It's ok to take time to rest, reflect, smell the roses (and put on a few extra pounds).

-Vegans are people too.

-One can never have enough vacations.

-One can never have enough tri-bikes.

-Be a light in the world. People are watching and looking for that light.

-Wine can fix damn near anything (except for a torn hip).

-Facebook can either motivate you or completely make you feel lazy and useless.

-Triathlon and running take you to places never imagined: Galveston, Central California, Idaho, Sacramento and beyond just this year!

-A massage isn't a luxury. It's a necessity.

-Meditation really works--if you can get the inner voices to just shut up!

-You don't always get what you want...and sometimes that's a good thing.

-You have to leave behind the good to get to the great.

--Sometimes you have to do some crazy shit in order to get your workout completed---indoor spin at the Bastrop Lost Pines Resort when MS 150 Day 1 was cancelled, running hotel stairs in Salzburg, Austria, running in the snow in Germany, swimming in Lake Havasou, doing a century bike ride in Napa, 20 mile run through San Fran!

- Austin, Texas is still one of the most amazing and wonderful cities on the face of the earth.

-Most things are out of your control. Accept this and go with the flow. Don't try to paddle your boat against the current of life.

-I actually can sit down long enough to read books. In fact, I got over 25 books completed this year! (a record for me!)

-Exercise, in whatever form, is good for the soul (and ego)

-Never give up on your goals. Since you change, your goals also change. Always set new ones.

-You truly can manifest what you think about (for good and for bad)

-Becoming a vegan really is adventurous and fun (except at a steak restaurant). They don't like it when you bring your own veggie burgers and hummus.

-Friends and training partners are invaluable and priceless. My friends have helped me through so much this year.

-Sometimes it's better to be the cheerleader than the player.

-Sometimes you just gotta find that gazebo from "The Sound of Music" and dance!

Here's to an amazing and inspiring 2010 filled with challenges, adventures, good health and success beyond imagination!

2009-12-27T19:37:00.001-06:00

watching the snow fall from 31B while waiting for the plane to be de-iced. It's been almost two hours now. Can't wait to get back to Texas!

2009-12-21T14:59:00.001-06:00

gave Hubster a really cool body fat scale and monitor
for Christmas. That gift would sooooooo not work the other way around. Don't even try.