I was feeling icky when I wrote my last post. The unexpected bad news left a sour taste in my mouth. I'm sure it will stay there a while.
I've had enough of it though...so it's time to move on.
I went out side on my TT bike for the first time since Hawaii. I had an invitation to ride with a few men in my neighborhood who go out together a lot. I couldn't pass it up. I needed an extra kick to get out there. It was an unseasonably warm sunny day. There won't be many more of those.
Not only was it my first time on my Bike since Hawaii....it was the first time my HR has gone higher than...well....low. WOAH! I had to struggle at times to keep up. And of course, my competitive ego didn't want to be dropped! No way! By the end of the ride I had a groove and I kept up with no problemo. It was nice to get out there.
Today I will swim and lift. Tomorrow....more swimming. And more biking.
I am missing the run for sure. I really really miss it. However, my foot is still sore and I must respect what that means. I will be patient and just try to feel lucky that I have hte other sports.
THis post is boring. I have to go now...time to swim. I just wanted to move on from the sour note over the weekend.
Our new Tri Club (whatever that may be) will prevail. I have no doubt about that.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
The End of Something Good
Maine Multisport had a tough day yesterday. Our local Tri shop closed it's doors. Unexpectedly. It was shocking and rough for many.
It leaves a hole in my heart--- it feels like a part of my life is gone.
I bought my first bike from a neat little shop a few years ago. I bought my wetsuit down the street at another fun little Tri shop. A year later, they merged. The result was a big friendly triathlon store that became home base for a wondeful family of friends.
I met so so many wonderful people through this shop. It wasn't about the merchandise to me. It was about the support, the comraderie, the unit. I grew to love Triathlon very quickly. It filled a void in my life that I didn't realize was there. When people ask me why I do this and what is so wondeful about this hobby.....many times I come back to the people. There is something very special about the people in this sport.
Even though I live an hour from this little mecca, I was there almost each week. Not because I needed gear, but because I needed to see my friends. Some days the shop was filled with 10 friends and sometimes only 2. But there were always friendly faces eager to chat about the race last weekend or the one coming up. It was filled with people just like me. People who love to live this lifestyle. Healthy, energetic, enthusastic people.
Living out of town is tough for me. It's not always easy for me to stay in touch with friends. I don't run into them at the grocery store or while out for a run. But I could always see them at Peak. And when I didn't see them, I read about them on their site. There was always an event coming up or a social on the calendar. We had a community.
And now our home base is gone.
The guys at Peak watched me start from nothing. They watched me dive in with no experience and in a few years find my way to Kona. They were there to help me. To advise me, to encourage me, and to pat me on the back. Thank you!!! Perhaps I could have done it alone, but I doubt it. And I Know it would not have been nearly as fun.
They supported all the local tri races. They were on site with support and smiles. I took Total advantage of Nat's experience and knowledge with bikes before Every single race. Now, I don't even have to ask. He sees me coming and knows I just need one more reminder of how to fix a flat. Or, like at Lobsterman two years ago, when I rode my new disc for it's inaugural warm up and flatted! I was in prerace panic mode Before that!! I simple looked at Brendan and Nat and sure enough, they took good care of me.
Many of us have talked in the past 24 hours.
One thing is clear. Real frienships last forever. A bond was made between many and I am sure we will rise above the loss and stick together.
Sad to see it all go. Big loss for Southern Maine and I will miss it very much.
It leaves a hole in my heart--- it feels like a part of my life is gone.
I bought my first bike from a neat little shop a few years ago. I bought my wetsuit down the street at another fun little Tri shop. A year later, they merged. The result was a big friendly triathlon store that became home base for a wondeful family of friends.
I met so so many wonderful people through this shop. It wasn't about the merchandise to me. It was about the support, the comraderie, the unit. I grew to love Triathlon very quickly. It filled a void in my life that I didn't realize was there. When people ask me why I do this and what is so wondeful about this hobby.....many times I come back to the people. There is something very special about the people in this sport.
Even though I live an hour from this little mecca, I was there almost each week. Not because I needed gear, but because I needed to see my friends. Some days the shop was filled with 10 friends and sometimes only 2. But there were always friendly faces eager to chat about the race last weekend or the one coming up. It was filled with people just like me. People who love to live this lifestyle. Healthy, energetic, enthusastic people.
Living out of town is tough for me. It's not always easy for me to stay in touch with friends. I don't run into them at the grocery store or while out for a run. But I could always see them at Peak. And when I didn't see them, I read about them on their site. There was always an event coming up or a social on the calendar. We had a community.
And now our home base is gone.
The guys at Peak watched me start from nothing. They watched me dive in with no experience and in a few years find my way to Kona. They were there to help me. To advise me, to encourage me, and to pat me on the back. Thank you!!! Perhaps I could have done it alone, but I doubt it. And I Know it would not have been nearly as fun.
They supported all the local tri races. They were on site with support and smiles. I took Total advantage of Nat's experience and knowledge with bikes before Every single race. Now, I don't even have to ask. He sees me coming and knows I just need one more reminder of how to fix a flat. Or, like at Lobsterman two years ago, when I rode my new disc for it's inaugural warm up and flatted! I was in prerace panic mode Before that!! I simple looked at Brendan and Nat and sure enough, they took good care of me.
Many of us have talked in the past 24 hours.
One thing is clear. Real frienships last forever. A bond was made between many and I am sure we will rise above the loss and stick together.
Sad to see it all go. Big loss for Southern Maine and I will miss it very much.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Diagnosis
Metatarsal Stress fracture.
I am writing in red because that's how it feels. Red hot pulsing aching pain.
I'm not going to take a lot of time feeling pity for myself. I was fairly depressed about this on Monday and Tuesday as I came to realize this is probably what was going on. I felt sorry for myself. I cried. I slammed a few things around. (not the foot though! )
Now, I guess I have to stop and feel lucky. I competed in Ironman Lake Placid and basically had the race of my life. I had a few strange pains after that-switched to deep water running-and held whatever was going on in there off for a few more months. I continued to run hard and long for a few more months. I got to the starting line in Kona.
And I did it. Every day I smile at my finisher's medal.
This annoying injury could have struck me on July 10th. Or October 3rd. But it didn't. It waited until November. And Hey! it's hunting season in my back yard so I guess running wasn't meant to be right now anyway! But seriously, it is November. I am ok. I will be just fine. I can swim. I can bike. I can do lots of core work.
I caught it early and it will heal.
From here I move forward. I will hope for the pain to stop. I will take lots of Vit D and Calcium and my Multivitamin of course. I will eat lots of healthy food. I am off my off-season splurge fest.
Tomorrrow...I am off to substitute teach in a 4th grade classroom! Wish me luck!
I am writing in red because that's how it feels. Red hot pulsing aching pain.
I'm not going to take a lot of time feeling pity for myself. I was fairly depressed about this on Monday and Tuesday as I came to realize this is probably what was going on. I felt sorry for myself. I cried. I slammed a few things around. (not the foot though! )
Now, I guess I have to stop and feel lucky. I competed in Ironman Lake Placid and basically had the race of my life. I had a few strange pains after that-switched to deep water running-and held whatever was going on in there off for a few more months. I continued to run hard and long for a few more months. I got to the starting line in Kona.
And I did it. Every day I smile at my finisher's medal.
This annoying injury could have struck me on July 10th. Or October 3rd. But it didn't. It waited until November. And Hey! it's hunting season in my back yard so I guess running wasn't meant to be right now anyway! But seriously, it is November. I am ok. I will be just fine. I can swim. I can bike. I can do lots of core work.
I caught it early and it will heal.
From here I move forward. I will hope for the pain to stop. I will take lots of Vit D and Calcium and my Multivitamin of course. I will eat lots of healthy food. I am off my off-season splurge fest.
Tomorrrow...I am off to substitute teach in a 4th grade classroom! Wish me luck!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
This can't be good
I'm feeling pretty discouraged rigth now.
I am in pain.
My foot aches. It actually aches a lot. I have no idea why. I just took 3 weeks off...almost completely!!! I did a few slow and easy runs and two 1000 yard swims. WHY would I have an injury NOW????
it's the off season and while I am ready to start back in to things, I know this is the best time to have an injury. IF there is a GOOD time.
It started Sunday night. I ran that day--an easy run. Nothing notable. Just a 5 mi jog. My feet were sore in their typical way. Nothing to note.
That night my left foot began to ache. On top. In one area.
I know. Not good.
It radiates at times....on and off. But for the past few hours, its' been on. It's making me a little nauseus. Sounds like a stress fx doesn't it.
I see the doc on Thursday. I am afraid of what I'll learn.
This can't be good. I wish I had just dropped a can of soup on it and that would explain things. But I didn't.
And WHY after all that time off?? I don't get it.
I am in pain.
My foot aches. It actually aches a lot. I have no idea why. I just took 3 weeks off...almost completely!!! I did a few slow and easy runs and two 1000 yard swims. WHY would I have an injury NOW????
it's the off season and while I am ready to start back in to things, I know this is the best time to have an injury. IF there is a GOOD time.
It started Sunday night. I ran that day--an easy run. Nothing notable. Just a 5 mi jog. My feet were sore in their typical way. Nothing to note.
That night my left foot began to ache. On top. In one area.
I know. Not good.
It radiates at times....on and off. But for the past few hours, its' been on. It's making me a little nauseus. Sounds like a stress fx doesn't it.
I see the doc on Thursday. I am afraid of what I'll learn.
This can't be good. I wish I had just dropped a can of soup on it and that would explain things. But I didn't.
And WHY after all that time off?? I don't get it.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Soul Searching -Time to turn the Page
Ironman is done. That chapter of my life is closed. For now. Time will tell if I pull that book down off the shelf again. I have a feeling I will. Someday. When the time is right.
While Ironman is done, Triathlon is Not. The pages of that book are flapping all over my living room table. Major opportunities and challenges staring me in the face.
Since October 10th, many people have asked me the question, "Now what?"
That's a loaded question in my eyes. Are we talking about racing? What are my goals for 2010? I expect that this is what they mean since we are discussing my Kona experience.
However, to me, the question means a lot more. I have been asking myself the same question lately. Now what? I am at a bit of a turning point in my personal/professional life. It is time to make some decisions.
One thing is a constant. I am a Mom. Of course, this is my 1st priority...my job if you will. I am very lucky. I was able to leave my work 8 years ago (that long??? wow, time flies) to stay home with my little ones. At that time, I had a two year old and was expecting my second. Now, I am blessed with three spectacular little boys. Yes, they really are awesome to me. They are my biggest successes in my life.....
Ok. That is figured out. I'm Mom.
I'm also Mark's wife. Clearly, that is figured out too.
Family priorities-check.
My oldest turned 10, my littlest is 5, and I am about to turn deep breath gulp stand up straight and smile 40!!!!
There, I said it. 40. Forty. Four x Ten = 40! however, you look at it, January 8th is approaching.
But the big change in my life is actually that little Nicholas has made the trek off to Kindergarten. I no longer have any kids home with me from 9-3. That has left me with some new choices, opportunities, decisions, and yes, Time. I had Ironman training to completely fill that void for the first few months. Since then, I have been trying to catch up on various things that I put off while training for those two Ironmans. I have yet to be bored. I can imagine that is hard to imagine for some, but trust me, when you care for 3 boys during all the other hours of the day, things get put off and there are things to be done.
Despite that lack of boredom and down time, I crave more. I have some ideas and I am very excited. And they would fit perfectly into our life.
It's time to follow my heart. That is easier said that done. When you have a passion for something..you do it. Right? Or is taking risks....foolish? Are you foolish not to stick with the safe and secure option? I do feel the need to go for it. I feel the need to try something that drives me. If you do what you love-you will do it well. I firmly believe this. If you are happy in your work-you are happy in your life. When I make the final decisions about the next part of my life, I want to be sure. I want to be sure it is just right for me. For my children. For my husband. For all of us.
How do you know? How do you make that step away from what is your safety? Your skill? Perhaps you have another skill. Perhaps that skill is something that you have worked for all your life without realizing it...and now you have a chance to turn it into more.
I think it's time for me to turn the page. To dive in. Head first....with my sparkly new anti fog goggles on of course.
While Ironman is done, Triathlon is Not. The pages of that book are flapping all over my living room table. Major opportunities and challenges staring me in the face.
Since October 10th, many people have asked me the question, "Now what?"
That's a loaded question in my eyes. Are we talking about racing? What are my goals for 2010? I expect that this is what they mean since we are discussing my Kona experience.
However, to me, the question means a lot more. I have been asking myself the same question lately. Now what? I am at a bit of a turning point in my personal/professional life. It is time to make some decisions.
One thing is a constant. I am a Mom. Of course, this is my 1st priority...my job if you will. I am very lucky. I was able to leave my work 8 years ago (that long??? wow, time flies) to stay home with my little ones. At that time, I had a two year old and was expecting my second. Now, I am blessed with three spectacular little boys. Yes, they really are awesome to me. They are my biggest successes in my life.....
Ok. That is figured out. I'm Mom.
I'm also Mark's wife. Clearly, that is figured out too.
Family priorities-check.
My oldest turned 10, my littlest is 5, and I am about to turn deep breath gulp stand up straight and smile 40!!!!
There, I said it. 40. Forty. Four x Ten = 40! however, you look at it, January 8th is approaching.
But the big change in my life is actually that little Nicholas has made the trek off to Kindergarten. I no longer have any kids home with me from 9-3. That has left me with some new choices, opportunities, decisions, and yes, Time. I had Ironman training to completely fill that void for the first few months. Since then, I have been trying to catch up on various things that I put off while training for those two Ironmans. I have yet to be bored. I can imagine that is hard to imagine for some, but trust me, when you care for 3 boys during all the other hours of the day, things get put off and there are things to be done.
Despite that lack of boredom and down time, I crave more. I have some ideas and I am very excited. And they would fit perfectly into our life.
It's time to follow my heart. That is easier said that done. When you have a passion for something..you do it. Right? Or is taking risks....foolish? Are you foolish not to stick with the safe and secure option? I do feel the need to go for it. I feel the need to try something that drives me. If you do what you love-you will do it well. I firmly believe this. If you are happy in your work-you are happy in your life. When I make the final decisions about the next part of my life, I want to be sure. I want to be sure it is just right for me. For my children. For my husband. For all of us.
How do you know? How do you make that step away from what is your safety? Your skill? Perhaps you have another skill. Perhaps that skill is something that you have worked for all your life without realizing it...and now you have a chance to turn it into more.
I think it's time for me to turn the page. To dive in. Head first....with my sparkly new anti fog goggles on of course.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
The weekend in pictures
After spending some time thinking about a more serious blog I was about to post, I decided my brain was not ready to put it into words. It's really not as intense as that makes it sound, but I am pondering a lot of new things that are important to me. Life changing decisions. Exciting prospects. And at the same time, a tad scary.
Instead, I decided to post a few pictures from our weekend. I have not been training. At all. Not even a little. I did go for a few super short and ridiculously easy runs. Or actually jogs. Trots? You get the point. I get up no earlier than 6:00. I shower in the morning. Sometimes, gasp, as soon as I get out of bed! I did that today and it was weird. For those of you on the crazy triathlete training plan, I know you understand. Some days I shower2 or maybe 3 times when I'm training. But Never upon waking. Never ever. Amazing how this simple thing can result in an entire paragraph. Saturday was cold, dark, and rainy. We planned ahead and reschuduled the soccer game. (benefit of being the coach) I saved all the Halloween 'tasks' for Saturday. I captured most of them in the shots below. What got left out? Well, while cleaning up the mess from project #1,the faucet handle pulled off the sink? I was standign there with the faucet in my hand calling (ok, hollering) for my husband to HELP! About 2 minutes after that lovely event, the power went out. Three boys, cold / rainy day, many projects ahead that had to be done 'or else' and suddenly no lights. Grrr. I tried to smile. I admit it was hard at first. Luckily, all of these problems were fixed before anything was too serious. close one. I also forgot to record my costume making efforts. Half the day was spent making a Robot costume for Tommy. We'll be sure to get pictures of that on Saturday.
Elizabeth (http://www.elizabethfedofskyblogspot.com/) posted some pictures on facebook last week of some ghost cookies she made. I told her I was going to copy them. And I did. YUM!!! Nutter butters...indulgence #78 I've managed to enjoy during this 'break' from training.
Instead, I decided to post a few pictures from our weekend. I have not been training. At all. Not even a little. I did go for a few super short and ridiculously easy runs. Or actually jogs. Trots? You get the point. I get up no earlier than 6:00. I shower in the morning. Sometimes, gasp, as soon as I get out of bed! I did that today and it was weird. For those of you on the crazy triathlete training plan, I know you understand. Some days I shower2 or maybe 3 times when I'm training. But Never upon waking. Never ever. Amazing how this simple thing can result in an entire paragraph. Saturday was cold, dark, and rainy. We planned ahead and reschuduled the soccer game. (benefit of being the coach) I saved all the Halloween 'tasks' for Saturday. I captured most of them in the shots below. What got left out? Well, while cleaning up the mess from project #1,the faucet handle pulled off the sink? I was standign there with the faucet in my hand calling (ok, hollering) for my husband to HELP! About 2 minutes after that lovely event, the power went out. Three boys, cold / rainy day, many projects ahead that had to be done 'or else' and suddenly no lights. Grrr. I tried to smile. I admit it was hard at first. Luckily, all of these problems were fixed before anything was too serious. close one. I also forgot to record my costume making efforts. Half the day was spent making a Robot costume for Tommy. We'll be sure to get pictures of that on Saturday.
Elizabeth (http://www.elizabethfedofskyblogspot.com/) posted some pictures on facebook last week of some ghost cookies she made. I told her I was going to copy them. And I did. YUM!!! Nutter butters...indulgence #78 I've managed to enjoy during this 'break' from training.
A nice easy Halloween treat for the kids to make. 
We didn't have mini M&Ms. The boy's uncle mistook them for frogs. oh well. They tasted really good.
We didn't have mini M&Ms. The boy's uncle mistook them for frogs. oh well. They tasted really good.
our new kittens are good friends and apparently these boys tire them out! Harley is gray and Fireball is yellow. 
Pumpkin carving is serious business in our house. It causes little boys to strip their shirts and get serious. 
Nick is proud of his "scary pumpkin." Mommy was just relieved she did it right!
The final results. Pretty creative bunch huh. :0)
Tommy's last soccer game. Mark coached his team this year. That's him jumping in the air with the red 'pinny' and below looking into the sun. It's tough to get good action shots on the soccer field when the kids are all 6 & 7 years old. They travel just travel in one big pack.
That's that. I'll organize my brain for the next post soon....
Nick is proud of his "scary pumpkin." Mommy was just relieved she did it right!
The final results. Pretty creative bunch huh. :0)
Tommy's last soccer game. Mark coached his team this year. That's him jumping in the air with the red 'pinny' and below looking into the sun. It's tough to get good action shots on the soccer field when the kids are all 6 & 7 years old. They travel just travel in one big pack.
That's that. I'll organize my brain for the next post soon....Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Truth
I'll start with a few random pictures from our trip.
We left the boy's names in the lava with coral from our beach...
At the expo getting my legs loosened up with a compex machine...not sure what it was called. It's supposed to remove the lactic acid from your legs. It felt good at the time..who knows..
The beach Mark and I relaxed on the day before we left.
Ange and Nat cooling off with iced coffee from Lava Java.
Mark collecting coral for the boys
My poolside post race indulgence. Yummy! And oh- so bad.
We left the boy's names in the lava with coral from our beach...
At the expo getting my legs loosened up with a compex machine...not sure what it was called. It's supposed to remove the lactic acid from your legs. It felt good at the time..who knows..
The beach Mark and I relaxed on the day before we left.
Ange and Nat cooling off with iced coffee from Lava Java.
Mark collecting coral for the boys
My poolside post race indulgence. Yummy! And oh- so bad.
Life post Ironman.....
Things have really changed for me in the past week. Eleven days ago...I crossed the Finish line in Kona. I donned that Lei and that beautiful medal and smiled a very satisified smile. I walked through transition to pick up my bags, my bike, and at last, the post-race pizza. I sat on the ground and just smiled. I did it.
The truth of that day--it was tough. So tough. Gruelling really. But I put my head down and got to that finish line.
Was the day perfect? No. Did I reach my full potential? Probably not. I can pick apart the race piece by piece and find places that I could have executed differently. Of course, I have done this. But the Truth is...I did the best I could do that day. I trained for two Ironmans this past year. Only one was planned. The second was only 10 weeks after the first. When I walked down those famed green steps into the waters of Kailua-Kona bay...I forced myself to remember this. I travelled around the world from Maine to Hawaii and prepped for an Ironman in 4 days. The honest truth is that that is not easy to do. I am proud of myself for holding it together and performing as best I could that day.
And that is my truth.
Mark and I drove back to the hotel that night for a shower and some food before heading back to the finish line. Throughout the week I had thought I was fighting a cold. I had a slight sore throat but convinced myself it was irritated by the salt water during my morning swims. My body let down all it's defenses during the 11 hrs of work on the lava fields and I was instantly sick. My tongue was swollen with cankers so badly that I coudln't eat. Within the next few hours I had a massive sore throat and cough. I had held on just long enough.
We drove back to town Just in time to see my friend MLou heading towards the finish line. I hopped out and ha...ran...to Ali'i drive.
What a party scene that was!!! I had so much fun standing at the finish watching more and more tough athletes make their way to the glorious end. Chrissie Wellington was dancing around wiht the volunteers placing leis on age groupers heads. I give her credit for this. She was there for 2+ hours enjoying the scene with all of us. Great music was blasting, the crowd was unbelievably energized and the athletes were all incredibly pumped to cross that line! I had a blast. One of the best parts of the day. I had perched myself on a wall overlooking the spot just after they went under the clock. Perfect...until some woman in front of me climbed up on the wall and Stomped on my foot!! I almost passed out the pain was so bad. My feet were already aching beyond description. The toe she hit is now a gorgeous shade of black and purple-the whole toe.
The next few days were spent relaxing, drinking coffee and eating pancakes at Lava Java, lounging on a deserted beach, watching manta rays in the moonlight, and then travelling hours and hours back to our children.
It was an amazing trip. I am so lucky that I had the support of my husband, my kids, my parents and my in-laws so we could make this trip happen. I have the greatest coach-Jen Harrison-who trained me so thoroughly so I was able to have the race of my life in New York and earn my spot in Hawaii. And then she miraculously took my beaten up body and retrained me for Hawaii just a short 2 months later. Amazing work Jen!! You kept me in line and made me believe when I thought I wanted to crawl into a pile of sand. My friends were so supportive as I travelled and hit the lava fields. I can't thank you all enough for the encouraging words and nice words after I crossed the line. And a giant thank you to you guys who stayed up Half the night to watch me cross. I tried to get before midnight...oh man did I try.
Now I am home and on break. I have had the question, "now what?" or "what are you doing next?"
Resting!!
Am I anxious to train again? Yes. I miss my workouts. Am I secretly thinking about triathlon? yes...It's hard to let it go. It's on my mind. Am I planning 2010 and making goals? Of course. I am.
The truth is...this is who I am. It drives me. It make me feel good.It gives me something just for me.
I love this sport and I can't wait to go at it again. Next season will read much differently. I will race shorter and faster and more frequently. I can't wait....
I made a promise to myself to be smart now. To savor this break. It is important. It is what will make 2010 successful. I wll continue to sleep in past 4:30, I will take showers when I get up, and I wont' schedule family events around my 5 hour bike rides for a long time.
The truth is...I need this break.
Things have really changed for me in the past week. Eleven days ago...I crossed the Finish line in Kona. I donned that Lei and that beautiful medal and smiled a very satisified smile. I walked through transition to pick up my bags, my bike, and at last, the post-race pizza. I sat on the ground and just smiled. I did it.
The truth of that day--it was tough. So tough. Gruelling really. But I put my head down and got to that finish line.
Was the day perfect? No. Did I reach my full potential? Probably not. I can pick apart the race piece by piece and find places that I could have executed differently. Of course, I have done this. But the Truth is...I did the best I could do that day. I trained for two Ironmans this past year. Only one was planned. The second was only 10 weeks after the first. When I walked down those famed green steps into the waters of Kailua-Kona bay...I forced myself to remember this. I travelled around the world from Maine to Hawaii and prepped for an Ironman in 4 days. The honest truth is that that is not easy to do. I am proud of myself for holding it together and performing as best I could that day.
And that is my truth.
Mark and I drove back to the hotel that night for a shower and some food before heading back to the finish line. Throughout the week I had thought I was fighting a cold. I had a slight sore throat but convinced myself it was irritated by the salt water during my morning swims. My body let down all it's defenses during the 11 hrs of work on the lava fields and I was instantly sick. My tongue was swollen with cankers so badly that I coudln't eat. Within the next few hours I had a massive sore throat and cough. I had held on just long enough.
We drove back to town Just in time to see my friend MLou heading towards the finish line. I hopped out and ha...ran...to Ali'i drive.
What a party scene that was!!! I had so much fun standing at the finish watching more and more tough athletes make their way to the glorious end. Chrissie Wellington was dancing around wiht the volunteers placing leis on age groupers heads. I give her credit for this. She was there for 2+ hours enjoying the scene with all of us. Great music was blasting, the crowd was unbelievably energized and the athletes were all incredibly pumped to cross that line! I had a blast. One of the best parts of the day. I had perched myself on a wall overlooking the spot just after they went under the clock. Perfect...until some woman in front of me climbed up on the wall and Stomped on my foot!! I almost passed out the pain was so bad. My feet were already aching beyond description. The toe she hit is now a gorgeous shade of black and purple-the whole toe.
The next few days were spent relaxing, drinking coffee and eating pancakes at Lava Java, lounging on a deserted beach, watching manta rays in the moonlight, and then travelling hours and hours back to our children.
It was an amazing trip. I am so lucky that I had the support of my husband, my kids, my parents and my in-laws so we could make this trip happen. I have the greatest coach-Jen Harrison-who trained me so thoroughly so I was able to have the race of my life in New York and earn my spot in Hawaii. And then she miraculously took my beaten up body and retrained me for Hawaii just a short 2 months later. Amazing work Jen!! You kept me in line and made me believe when I thought I wanted to crawl into a pile of sand. My friends were so supportive as I travelled and hit the lava fields. I can't thank you all enough for the encouraging words and nice words after I crossed the line. And a giant thank you to you guys who stayed up Half the night to watch me cross. I tried to get before midnight...oh man did I try.
Now I am home and on break. I have had the question, "now what?" or "what are you doing next?"
Resting!!
Am I anxious to train again? Yes. I miss my workouts. Am I secretly thinking about triathlon? yes...It's hard to let it go. It's on my mind. Am I planning 2010 and making goals? Of course. I am.
The truth is...this is who I am. It drives me. It make me feel good.It gives me something just for me.
I love this sport and I can't wait to go at it again. Next season will read much differently. I will race shorter and faster and more frequently. I can't wait....
I made a promise to myself to be smart now. To savor this break. It is important. It is what will make 2010 successful. I wll continue to sleep in past 4:30, I will take showers when I get up, and I wont' schedule family events around my 5 hour bike rides for a long time.
The truth is...I need this break.
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