New Beginnings

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. ~E. Roosevelt

Dear 2012,

I met you bright and early on January 1, determined that this was going to be My Year. I can still remember standing in that field in Allen, looking around for familiar faces wondering if maybe I should have started on January 2^nd. But what better way to start off right than by celebrating with friends?

Little did I know.

It was like a flip switched. Suddenly, I knew exactly who I wanted to be. How to get there was becoming more clear with each passing day. A confidence, that had long been missing, returned. You arrived and for the first time in a long time, I began to once again feel like myself. But a whole brand new self. I hadn’t been this excited about the future in years!

I surrounded myself with people who dared to do Really Big Things. I watched friends run 100 miles. I caught Ironmen as they crossed that finish line crying tears of joy. I watched dear friends cross that same finish line in other states.  Cheered as other rode for hundreds of miles.  Took Spectathlon to a whole new level.  It feels good to be Support Staff.  Just to be near those who are reaching for Really Big Things.

I started to believe that I could do Really Big Things too.

2012 was the year I started to believe, really believe.  Maybe for the first time ever.  Colors are brighter, smells are stronger, everything just feels more – all those things you see in movies and read about in books?  They are true.  If only you look for them. 

That’s the thing about New Beginnings.  The past is the past and the future is as bright as you imagine it to be.  Anything is possible, if only you believe it to be so. 

And I believe with all my heart. 

Thanks for being so magical, 2012.  I owe you so much; You showed me how to really live. There’s no going back now.

Hugs,

TPG

 

May your New Beginning be full of wonder, excitement and all the blessings you are able to receive.  Happy New Year!

2012, The Year In Pictures

I was working on several versions of a year-end recap and then brilliant Katie posted this.  So, like any good blogger, I’m stealing it from her.

January

Spent an incredible weekend in Houston with sweet Nat, watching the Olympic Time Trials then racing the Houston Marathon.  An early morning adventure, the sun streaming as we yelled, “Goooooo Kara!”  Good times. I love this girl SO much.  She was there for me, even when I didn’t know it was her.  That’s how special she is.

February

February brought some much needed recovery time and the opportunity to pace a friend as she raced for 100 miles.  100 miles – in a row!  Such an honor to be by her side for the last 20 miles of this incredible journey. 

March

In March I raced my first ever sprint triathlon!  I didn’t stop smiling for days! Also had a great time spectating the Dallas RnR half.  We take our spectating very seriously ‘round these parts.

April

Triathlon numba two brought my first 70.3.  This is one of those moments I’ll remember for the rest of my life.  So blessed to experience it with my tri-bestie, Heidi.  First time we raced together – first of many!  Oh mah guah, we were so sunburned!  Looking forward to racing this one again in 2013 to see how far I’ve come.

May

Best Cheerers EVAH!

May brought my very first century ride. It was hot, windy, hilly and there were tears, thankfully, not mine.  But I did discover the secret to happiness is having a nut sack. Truth.  But the weekend to top all weekends? Volunteering and cheering at IMTX. 

June

I patted an alligator.  Went to a prom in a bicycle dress.  Enough said.  Oh yes, also raced another sprint. 

July

Photo by Mama C

Me n Violator made it to the top of Bobcat Pass

Started the month off with camping, fireworks of all kinds as well as waffles with my best frunners.  Oh yeah, and I rode through New Mexico on my new bike climbing all kind of mountains!

August

Photo by The Cyclist Could I BE more awkward?

Century numbah two and my first podium finish for triathlon.  Probably my last too, but it was a very special day full of surprises!

September

Early morning gymnastics

Some schmoopy before the last loop

Spent a lot of time at the lake, performing underwater gymnastic swimming at sunrise.  Pretty much held my breath for 12 hours straight while The Cyclist rode over 150 miles in the cold, rain.  Declared myself fat and happy.  The happiest. 

October

Photo by Dano

Raced some, dismally.  Spent a lot of time on my bike, smiling like a fool.  Met up with Dano and Dione in Austin, where I learned the disappointment of a race day DNS.  But I got to see this – such a special memory.  I can’t look at this photo without becoming entirely overwhelmed with how loved I am.  The most.

November

I felt the need to disappear a little in November.  In the best way possible.  Recharge. 

December

Restember over, IM training officially started.  I freaked out, a few times.  And of course, the best way to start any training program is to hurt yourself. 

It’s been a fantastic year and I have every expectation that 2013 will be even better.  I can’t say it enough, I am so very blessed. Surrounded by only the most incredible people to inspire me every day.  And who are encouraging and supportive and loving in all that they do.  I don’t know how I found such an amazing group of individuals, but I’m so thankful that I have.  I couldn’t do it without y’all!

Why Yes, I Have Gone Crayzay

I try to be as transparent as I can on this blog. Sure, I get to pick and choose what I share, but when I share, it's the whole truth.  I don't sugar coat.  

So I'm three weeks in to IronMan training.  Actually, wrapping up Week 4.  

Apparently, Week 4 is about the right time to have your first major freak out.  And, as usual, I'm incredibly prompt.

I had a MAJOR MELT DOWN tonight. Fortunately, my FIGJAM ladies were all there, in my phone, to calm me the eff down and say all the right things.  Also? I went to Target and bought new sheets and a bag of dark chocolate Christmas m&ms.  Target cures pretty much everything.  But in the interest of sharing, here are some of my concerns:

Am I too slow for IM?  Am I kidding myself about making the cutoffs?  People keep saying that ANYONE can complete an IM, but I'm not so sure they meant me.  The math gives me fuzzy head and terrified heart.

HOW IN THE CRAPPITY CRAP am I going to fit in all the workouts?  Right now my weekly hours are about the same as midpoint for a marathon or ultra.  But it's the juggling that is getting me.  With the pool I'm limited to when they are open.  And I haven't been to yoga in three weeks because, well, they only have classes when they have classes and thus far, I haven't been able to make it work.

Bored to tears on the trainer one morning. Dramatic much?

How am I going to make it work?  My boss generously let me change me schedule a bit to come in a half hour later.  (she's awesome, BTW) But that still means 4 am or earlier wake ups.  I'm sleeping MUCH better these days, but as tired as I am, I still can't seem to get my tail in the biscuit at a reasonable hour.  You'd think exhaustion would do it.

Am I just going to look homeless for the next 5 months? Because I'm rushing to work with wet hobo hair and no makeup.  

Who is going to clean my house?  I cannot tolerate a dirty house.  It gives me fits to see dishes in the sink.  I'm trying to eat as clean as I can, and that means cooking real meals.  Real meals make dirty dishes.  Seriously, can't I survive on peanut butter and Cheerios for the next five months?  WHAT AM I GOING TO EAT?  What SHOULD I be eating?  

Truth: I bribed myself on Christmas Eve.  If I finished my swim, I could have pizza. 

 It was amazing.  Yes, $6 pizza is amazing when you're swungry.

My fence is falling over. This isn't related to IM, but it is stressing me out.  I keep putting it off and it keeps leaning further over.  Must find someone who won't rip me off and have them repair or replace it.

Why am I so fluffy?  (oh, maybe it's the pizza and m&ms, ya think?) Race weight is but a distant memory.  My pity party after Chicago was very unkind.  But I'm so stinkin' HANGRY all the time.  Am I going to be the only person who ever GAINS weight during IM training?  

I'm still allergic to SOMETHING.  And I think it's the pool.  The hives are making me a grumpasaurus.  

I don't understand all of my swim workouts. So. Much. Math.  And how come I'm already swimming 4000 yds?  Don't I get to work up to race distance like I do for the run and bike? No?  Oh.  

I stopped taking my vitamins to see if they were causing my allergy. And my nails are growing like crayzay.  But only on my left hand.  Weird.  

What should my race schedule look like?  I'm only signed up for one race in 2013 and that's IM.  


And so much more.

Yes, I know, I'm cray.  Just allow me a little cray today and I'll settle down.  I'm not usually a worrier and that is stressing me out that much more.  Sweet Drum says that it's just so overwhelming that it magnifies everything else.  Her advice?  Get off social media and focus on myself for a while.  

And I think she's right.  I've deleted Twitter off my phone, FB is a distant memory, Instagram is gone forever and Daily Mile? Well, sorry folks, I'm just going to use that to log my miles to keep up with my training.  I'm not trying to be selfish with my DM "encouragement" but, yeah, I am.  I gots to get ahold of TPG!  

I'm thankful I have friends who have been there before and can give me guidance.  I'm thankful I have friends who are going through the exact same thing.  I'm thankful that this crazy will only last until I finally get my pink butt in bed.  I just need a long nap. Everything will be better in the morning. Cause, for all that getting up early, I get to see things like this.

Tomorrow is another day.  

Wordless Wednesday

I'm not really sure what got into her.  I was watching a documentary on Yellowstone and she became entranced by the wolf pack.  

 Jumped up to get a closer view.

The headed behind the tv to see where they went.

And I guess hopping onto the mantle makes the most sense, right? Cause tv wolves can't get you all the way up there!  

Cats!

Moar Faster, Less Crashiness

Confession: it has been a week now and I still haven’t been back on my bike. 

Okay, that’s not entirely true.  Last Monday I tried to ride but too much hurty.

Still experiencing limited dexterity in the steering, shifting, braking areas, Imma lil nervous to venture out on my own. But, I need to ride.

Tuesday night I can go to spin class.  My favorite instructor just happens to teach on my Key Bike Night.  I went last week and since there is no need to steer, I’m okay with putting all my weight on my right arm.  My  sad paw just kind of dangles in front of my chest all pathetic like.

But on Sunday I needed to ride for 2+ hours.  So, I bought a trainer.

Yeah, I had one, but it was a free trainer given to me with the instruction to pay it forward to some other new cyclist some day and last summer that’s just what I did.  So it was time to take the plunge.  After much research (mostly just bugging my cyclist friends) I picked up a Cycle Ops mag trainer.  Got a decent price at my favorite store, REI. 

And, what should have been very simple assembly, was made all that more complicated by my sad paw.  And, possibly, my four legged assistant.

Whaddya lookin at me for?  I don't got thumbs!

But get it assembled together, I did. And suffered through the monotony of riding in one’s living room. 

Oh, my, so boring.  The time just creeps along.  BUT without fear I rode!  Moar faster, less crashiness, moar awesome! 

Yes, I know that's not how you're supposed to ride.  

My wrist still hasn't forgiven me so I'm babying it.

I could go to spin tonight, but it doesn’t start until 6:45.  I’d really like to get my workout done well before 8 pm.  (plus, maybe have time for yoga...) Sooo, I set my alarm for stupid thirty this morning to get my hour in and then run for 15.  All before I have to be at work at 7.  Uggggghhhh.  I can do this.  I can be a morning worker out.  

How do you Early Birds do it?!!?

Bikes, Bones, Kit

Alternately titled, Cute and Durable.

So the plan was to spectate on our bikes for the Dallas Marathon.  I had it all planned out - oh, Dallas Marathon, you tried to foil me with your super crappy course map that was missing many street names, but you couldn't hold me back!  I'd see The Cyclist off at the start and then we'd head to Mile 4 to see all of the runners, half and full alike. Then, we'd head to Mile 11, cheer like the fools we are, move on to Mile 21 and then finally, the finish.  All planned out.  

You know what they say, right?  The best laid plans...

So we missed our train.  I knew we wouldn't be able to get to the start and find everyone in time. So I made the difficult decision to get off the train early, at Mockingbird Station, and just go over to Mile 11.   This way I would be sure not to miss Speedy McSpeederson, aka The Cyclist.  Also?  I was supposed to meet his sister at 9 and didn't want to stand her up.  So, I text my well wishes and hopped on my bike to head to Ellsworth and Abrams to stake a spot for us.  

Notice anything funny in this pic?  Maybe my left hand?  

No, not the laminated head.

The streets were wet with humidity and Dallas is known for really janky asphalt.  I hadn't been on my bike for 3 miles when the next thing I knew, I was on the ground and there were police officers surrounding me.  I crashed.  Hard.  Now, I'm the queen of the slow mo tip over.  You know, you can't get unclipped and down you go - it takes forever.  This was different.  Fortunately I was only going about 12-15mph.  But I don't remember going down, just lying there trying to figure out why I was on the ground. And why I hurt so much.  

If you're going to crash, you might as well do it in front of a bunch of police officers.  Because why not be dramatic about it?  Have an audience!  Annnd, they are obligated to all EMS.  Oh yes, lights, sirens the whole bit. They wouldn't let me get up until EMS arrived.  They did pull my bike off of me and hold it for me - asking questions about my pedals, lifting it up, marveling at how light it is.  So nice the Dallas Police, so nice.  I can't say enough about how compassionate and helpful they were.  

My first thought, when I starting actually thinking things, was A. Is my bike okay? B. Is my collar bone okay? and 3. Is my kit ripped?  In that order. Bike, bones, kit.  My bike is fine, not even scratched that I can tell.  My collar bone appears to be still connected in all places and believe it or not, my kit wasn't ripped.  More on that later.  

I, of course, refused transport to the hospital. Because A. I was pretty sure I wasn't that hurt and 2.  I had plans to spectate!  Ain't nothing gonna keep me from holding high my laminated head!  So after my pulse was taken, my pupils verified to be the same size and my bloody wounds clean up and bandaged, they let me go.

Ever the good blogger, I tweeted the incident.  And text my friends. Who, understandably, freaked out.  

My hero, the first responder to the scene. She was so sweet!

And honestly, I wanted to freak out too.  I've never crashed moving that "fast" before.  It hurt like hell and scared the crap out of me.  I did NOT want to get back on my bike.  I was hurting like whoa and really nervous about getting back on so soon. But I had no other way to get to Mile 11.  Now I realize how ridiculous this is. There are about a zillion people I could have called to come get me.  Brian and Ninja both offered.  But I wasn't thinking clearly.  My brain was scrambled.  All I could think about was getting to Mile 11 to see my runner.  

And how I wanted to cry like a little girl!  Oh, my gosh, Brian text me a photo of The Cyclist at the start and I felt SO bad for not being there, add that to the excitement of what had just happened and I nearly lost it in the ambulance. But tears wouldn't help the situation, so I manned up and stopped the waterworks with one big sniff.  Pressing on.

I stood at Mile 11 for a few hours before my friends joined me.  (good thing I got off that train - I would have missed him for sure!)  As soon as I saw Dat and he reached out to hug me I once again almost started crying. Weak times ten, this Pink Girl.  It was so good to see my friends!  I know they were all worried about me and relieved to see me in one piece.  

I rode the rest of the day bandaged up and favoring my left side.  It wasn't until I got home that it all hit me.  OUCH.  Everything started to hurt.  My hand and arm are super swollen. 

It's Tuesday and my hip hurts like whoa.  My whole body aches like I hit a cement wall going 15mph, because that is exactly what happened.  It all hurts.  My back, my neck, my legs - of course my hand and my elbow.  I'm a mess.  But I'm so thankful.  If I had fallen just a few minutes earlier, instead of a residential street, I'd have fallen on Mockingbird Lane, a super busy street.  And if I had wiped out like that in front of a car, they might not have been able to stop in time.  Plus, I would have been going a lot faster.  So grateful I was on a residential street and going slow. So glad the police were there, as embarrassing as it was, so that they could make sure no one ran over me.  I def laid there uncertain of what had just happened, for longer than a moment.  

This is my arm, raised. Normally my forearm (top of pic) isn't larger than my bicep. 

 I'll spare you a photo of my hip.  :o)

And my kit?  Oh, my arm was a bloody mess and my hip has some light road rash but my kit didn't rip!  I was talking to Heidi about it and we commented on what great quality Betty Designs is.  Cute and durable. "Just like us," I said!  Hey, I have a new motto!  

My giant, swollen man hand.  Very little road rash on my hand, thankfully.  

Just hurty and swolley.  Check out that fat thumb!

And yes, I know if I had been wearing gloves, I wouldn't have rash on my palm.  But I don't usually wear gloves with my tri-bike.  That might change for training.  I do know I'll continue to wear long sleeves. They saved me!  I'm NOT super anxious to get back on my bike.  I had no choice on Sunday but to ride the course and to the finish - but I was anxious the entire time.  Riding solo probably didn't help the situation.  It's gonna take a Donkey Ride with friends to get comfortable again.  And Oreos, def Oreos.  Hey, that was a bright spot - after my crash I found an old Oreo in my jacket pocket!  So there's that.  Not dead AND an Oreo - living a charmed life for sure!

Today I tried to ride and it hurt entirely too much to put any pressure on my arm and I can't grip my hoods or manuever the brakes. So I went in to get it checked out.  And, fortunately, no fractures, just a sprain.  A splint for two weeks and I should be good as new.

Wear your helmets kids!

Have you crashed?  What was your experience?  Were you chicken like me about getting back on your bike?




TPG ~ Cute and Durable, bwahahaha

Dallas Marathon - Spectathletes

For many, many years, it was the Dallas White Rock Marathon.  I first ran it in 2006, running the 4 mile leg of the relay.  It was the farthest I had ever run!  And I was hooked.  That is what started it all.  I wanted to be a part of the marathon excitement again and again.  So the White Rock Marathon will always have a special place in my heart. 

Well, this year the course changed significantly (again) and was rebranded as the Dallas Marathon.  This year, I did not run it.  I was waiting to see how Chicago went, and we all know how that went down.  And I must say, when I woke up on race morning to the heat and humidity, I wasn't the least bit sad to not be running!

Instead, I packed my laminated head, signs and cowbells in my pink backpack and headed out to spectate my friends, with my friends, from the comfort of our bicycles.  

Lovely Fiona on the train. Dat is in the background.  

We had a train mishap.  Missed connections.  With a heavy heart, I got off early at Mockingbird station so that I could be sure to be at Mile 11, my designated spot.  I was meeting The Cyclist's sister to cheer and didn't want to be late.  I hated to miss the start but knew that I wouldn't make it on time.  And turns out, I was right. The rest of my crew missed him.  So I made the right choice to ride out there alone.  

My running bestie, Sare Bear, who I missed since the half course didn't come out my way.  How cute is she?  Very, the answer is very!  Thx for the pic, Mama C!

I did however, get to see the lead runner!  So exciting!

And just a few steps behind him, The Cyclist (who also runs, clearly) looking strong and holding a swift pace, despite the heat and humidity.  (please note, the high yesterday was in the 70's and the humidity the lower 90's...today? It SNOWED, sheesh) 

MK's hubs, EK at mile 19 - he is a part of the aid station, The Dollies.  You see, there two great big hills at 19 known as the Dolly Parton Hills, ahem.  EK and friends dress in drag and pass out BEER of all things.  Doesn't he look lovely?  Pic by Mama

After seeing almost all of the runners we were looking for, we headed down the street to Mile 21.  

Oh my cries, Mama C is too adorbs in her pig tails!

Our Crew, minus B who stayed back to cheer on his wife, Heidi at the half finish.  Dat, Mama C and Fi.  Love these people!  

The pacers all wore giant foam cowboy hats the entire race!  

And here is Sare Bear's hubs, Matt, making 21 miles look easy. 

Here he comes, The Cyclist screaming up a hill at mile 21.  

Mark taking time to visit with us - and he STILL had a PR!  

Spectathletes at Mile 21 Pic by Mama

Once I saw The Cyclist go by, I hopped on my bike and slowly made my way to downtown.  I actually got to see him again at mile 22, quite unexpectedly. He didn't see me but I yelled my head off anyway! So many street closures due to the race and construction.  I was a little worried that he would finish those four miles on foot before I could on my bike!  But eventually I did make it to the finish line, hopeful he hadn't yet.  

What a view to finish to!

And there he is, hauling @ss to a HUGE new PR, despite the yucky weather!!!  So stinkin proud of him!

This wasn't an easy course to spectate.  They tried to make sure the new course covered all the highlights of Dallas, which meant, the race circle was really large, making it difficult to shoot across town.  I'm not sure I'd spectate by bike again, but if I do, I'll do things differently. But it was still crazy fun to see to look of excitement on our friend's faces when they recognized us.  Heck, it is fun to see someone light up even if you don't know them. All you gotta go is call their name or some distinguishing characteristic.  "Hey, you, love your pink socks!"  

Even though I love racing, it is so rewarding to see all the hard work on the course.  To witness all the shapes, sizes, ages and abilities - all out there DOING IT!  Incredible!  I stand amazed that humans can run 26.2 miles - or farther!  The marathon is something else and I'm blessed to be on either side of it.

No pics, but I did see Race for Others,  Unlikelyrunner cross the finish, IronTxMommy, Racing it Off and a few others who are blogless.  :o)  

Congratulations to everyone who toughed it out for the Dallas Marathon!

So It Begins

Alternately titled, I have, apparently, absolutely no shame.

So, Restember came and went.  Yeah, I was pretty quiet. I have a lot of blog commenting to catch up on. Unless, of course, you are on Wordpress.  I'm sorry to say, Blogger and Wordpress are still feuding and I cannot comment.  The blog warfare, it pains my heart.  So, nice work, y'all - keep it up!

As promised, I rested.  Oh, it was hard at times.  I really missed running.  Missed it in my soul.  But I knew that the days of leisiure were numbered, so I stayed put. That really was the best thing for my hip and hamstring.  My return to running during the week of Thanksgiving was slow and awkward.  It's like I didn't know what to do with my arms. They just hung there like a little baby velociraptor, every so often swaying from side to side.  Week 1 I kept it to 2 miles.  Last week, I upped it to 2.5 miles, then 3, glorious 3!  

On Saturday I headed out for FOUR miles but, feeling good, made it a very slow 6.5 miles.  There was some walking, but oh, it felt so good to be back out there again!  I cross the street y'all, crossed into the next neighborhood!  Freedom, sweet freedom.

It only looks like fall; it's in the 80's.  

As seen on my run. Tee hee. (but not pee pee, oh no) 

Oh, and ya wanna be skeered?  Welp, I got into something, still not sure what.  And had a massive allergic reaction.  Hives, itchiness, swelling.  Like whoa.  On Monday morning my eyes were nearly swollen shut my face was so swolley.  After a few days it calmed down until...I woke up like this on Friday morning.  Like free collagen injections!  Except really painful and kinda scary.  And scary to look at too!  (sorry coworkers who had to look at me) No worries, I'm on roids now and they are keeping me somewhat normal.  However, I do expect to be breaking world records in the pool and on the track any day now.  

Fat lip anyone?  You shoulda seen the other guy!

 After all that rest and working out just for fun, today marks the beginning on IMTX training.  It's official.  To start my training I jumped in the pool for a long swim.  Yes, my face is still super red and splotchy, but look, normal sized lips!  Oh, and a brand new suit.  It's true, I have no shame.  If I have to be in the pool for hours each week, I might as well have a fun suit to make me giggle.  I got two compliments - one dude said, "Shazam!  Cool suit." and another girl, a teenager, told me she liked it.  Then she also asked if I swam on my high school team.  So of course I wanted to hug her.  And of course, that ensured that from now on I'm going to go around wearing a swim suit, cap and goggles.  Ageless that get up. Ageless.  

Yup, this is really happening.  

 And THEN. And then, as if this day couldn't get any better...wait, back up.  I lent my copy of Eat & Run to my pal Ninja.  I looooove Scott Jurek's Eat & Run.  I've made so many of the recipes included in the book - they've all been delicious.  I eat the quinoa porridge nearly every single day for breakfast - nom nom nom.  Welp, Fiona, Ninja's adorable wife, learned that Scott was going to be in town signing books. She surprised me by taking my book up there and Scott signed it.  How cool is THAT?!?  Do I have the best friends or what?  Just floored.  

I think I'm back y'all.  It's been a tough couple of months.  A little blue since my miserable Chicago, and then my even worse Austin, I've been laying low.  Just one of those, if you don't have anything nice to say... step away from it all for a bit.  I tried to write so many times, but it always came out whiney.  I don't want to be a whiney butt!  (even with a hurty butt) The time away to rest my hip was beneficial for my outlook as well.  I'm excited about the race before me and excited about the process.  I have a lot to learn and I'm looking to YOU for inspiration!  

What are YOU excited about?!?!?




Let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.  Hebrews 12:1