14 months later...

Wow. No post on this blog for 14 months. One might think I've had a dull life if I've had no adventures to write about for 14 months. On the contrary, it seems like I keep jumping from one adventure to the next. Let's see if I can sum up the 14 months of memorable adventures in one blog entry.

• October-November 2007 - a team of six people from work travelled to Nairobi, Kenya to work with our partner church out there. For me, the greater impact of our time there came once I was home and the Kenya elections had taken place. I remember walking through some of the slums, one of them being Kibera, places where people seemed to have nothing. Now, post election, their once "homes" had been completely destroyed by the violence. Images of the campaign trucks driving through the slums and the feeling of volatility returned to me and my heart ached for all involved.
• June-July 2008 - A train trip to Washington State with my mom and two of my aunts. What an experience! Journeying from the Great Plains right into the mountains was magnificent. We stopped in Glacier Park for a day and discovered some of God's breath-taking secrets in nature. After that experience and later watching the Orca's swim in the ocean, I really wonder how someone can see such things and say there is no God, no Creator of the world. How could such beauty just "be" here?
• July 12, 2008 - completed my first half-ironman. Lighting while swimming, 26 of 56 miles biked in the rain and bright warm July sun for a run made it a great challenge. I do believe I ended the race telling my mother "NEVER again." In fact, I think I repeated it several times and told her if I talked of doing such a crazy thing again, she could remind me of that moment.
• October 2008 - I officially began applying for a new position at work at the end of July. I had NO idea what I was doing. I knew it was something I was to do. I wasn't dying to get out of the position I was in. Someone brought this new position to my attention and we both decided to pray about it. We went through our sad moments of thinking about me leaving that position, but we both knew I needed to go forward and our prayer was that God would make it super clear to the interview team. I went through some good surrendering moments as I waited for different parts of the interview process. The team interview was on a September Sunday and I was offered the job later in the week with a story of it having been a pretty unanimous decision. How could I not go forward? I was told the answer to my prayer. And, so I did. Reminding myself quite often that I'm still learning, I have to say I'm having fun and my team is filled with some pretty grand folks.
• December 2008 - My whole family came to my house for our family Christmas! They all had to fight a little, okay, A LOT of ice, to make it here, but I think our time together was pretty good. It seemed all too short, but it was good. It was the best Christmas present ever!

Well, that's 14 months. I'll see if I can update it more frequently from this point.

Recap of the Chi-Tri

It's been a month and a half and a recap of my last triathlon is LONG overdue. I figured I better post a recap of the last adventure since the next adventure will start in 8 days!

The first YEAH is the Indiana Chicago Triathlon Team In Training Team raised over $40,000 to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

August 26, 2007 - We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day in the windy city. Upon arrival on Saturday there was concern of the swim portion being cancelled due to a sewage dumping into Lake Michigan on Friday. Officials tested the water several times and by Saturday night declared the water safe and the swim was on. Apparently the breakwalls of the Chicago Yacht Club blocked the sewage from entering our swim course.

My race day started at 3:15 am. I got up, finished packing my transition bag and headed to the lobby to meet up with the team. Before the crack of dawn we headed over to the transition area to choose our spots on the bike racks and set up our transitions. Everyone had to be out of the transition area by 5:45 since the race started at 6. I was out around 5:45 and headed back to the hotel to take a nap before my wave of participants started. The race started at 6 am and my wave was scheduled to start at 9:20! Mom, Dad and Aunt Ilene were just making it into the city as the sun was coming up and the race was starting. They watched the beginning of the race. I slept. :)

I met up with them and hung out in the shade for a couple hours. Then the time came. Time to put on the wetsuit and get in line. As my participants in my wave began jumping in the water, I didn't understand why everyone was screaming. Then I put my feet in the water. IT WAS COLD!!!!! I jumped in and tried to keep breathing deep. I wondered when I was going to feel my feet again.

And we're off! Once I got used to the water, the swim wasn't so bad. I was more tired than normal, but I was not panicing. About half way through the swim I spotted and heard Stu and Rosie yelling at me on the wall. I saw them meet up with Aunt Ilene and mom and point me out to them. If it wasn't for all them walking along the wall with me as I finish the rest of the swim, I don't think I would have made my target time. My goal was to finish the swim in less than 45 minutes. I looked at my watch as I exited the water and I did it in 39 something! My official time shows a longer time because the chip reader was 500 yards away at the transition area. YEAH for the swim!

The bike...Incredible! The beautiful day made the lake view an enjoyable one. You could see the sailboats out on the lake. Many times I had to make myself refocus on the road so I wouldn't hit a pot-hole or run into other cyclists. It was also fun to be moving faster than the vehicle traffic on Lake Shore Drive. My goal for the bike portion was to complete it in less than 2 hours. My official time was 1:36:24. YEAH for the bike!

The run...HOT! Time was approaching noon. I was a lot slower on the run than I wanted to be. I walked several portions of it. I tried to set a pattern...run to an aid station, walk for two minutes and then run to the next aid station. This approach to the course worked for a little while and then I just needed to walk for awhile. About mile 4 I ran pasted a fellow team member (it was an out anc back portion of the course). As I cheered this team member on, I also challenged him to catch me. This challenge meant I had to keep on running... No more walking now! The "no walking" was a definite decision as I started passing the professionals who were heading out on the course. They started 2 hours after me and I was not going to let them finish before me! I had about a mile left at this point and I kicked it into gear. I ran the rest of the way and finished before the professionals! I believe my goal was to average less than a 12 minute mile for the run. Officially, my average was 12:12. Not bad. I say YEAH to the run 'cuz I beat the professionals! :)

Once I ate some lunch and had my post race mocha frap, I was feeling pretty good. It was a great day and a great race! I'm contemplating doing it again next year. I'm also pondering a half-ironman for next year. Before I continue pondering such wacky things, I shall enjoy my next adventure.

The next adventure is a trip to Africa that happens in 8 days! To see details of this adventure, and postings from the team as we travel, click on the GKC Africa 2007 link on the right.

That's the recap. Sorry it to so long to post it.

Sprint Tri #2

This morning I completed triathlon #2 for this season. There were a couple reasons for doing this tri today. First, I really needed to work on the obstacles I have been facing on the swim portion. And, second, by completing this tri and the Chicago tri in August I will be an officially ranked USAT triathlete! Why not squeeze in another race just to be able to put such a description with my name? :)

The race was great! I was so glad I did it. The swim went much better than the race a couple weeks ago. I still have a couple things to figure out and some speed to work on, otherwise I feel A LOT better about the swim than I have in the past. The kicking and wacking from other people along with doing some of these actions myself didn't delay me too much today (note: where I was in the pack, it's typically not intentional hitting by anyone). I know my TNT coach will help me work on the speed stuff. She definitely knows how to push one to the limits while training.

The bike and the run went well too. One hill was a BEAR to climb on the bike, but on the way back it was probably the most fun part of the whole ride! It was a great down hill cruise. Not having any bikes around me made it even more fun.

I set my goal to finish in 1:45:00. I crossed the finish line in the 1:38:00 minute! YIPPEE!

Determination vs Stubborn

Meriam-Webster Online defines each as the following:

Determination: the act of deciding definitely and firmly.
Stubborn: performed or carried on in an unyielding, obstinate, or persistent manner.

After a decision I made in group training this morning I realized I have the will power and determination to finish any task I desire. I want to complete the triathlon in August, and unless I'm tied down in a hospital bed, I plan on crossing the finish line.

Then there's the negative determination - a.k.a. being stubborn. In training this morning we did hill repeats when we biked and when we ran. (A hill repeat is just what it says, when you reach the top of the hill you turn around, go down the hill and head right back up it.) Well, due to the training I did the day before, hills were a quite difficult this morning. I did one repeat and when I came around to do the second, I decided in order to have strength for six miles of running, I was going to ignore the repeat request. I finished the ride and the six miles of running. In hindsite, I realized I really could have done the small hill repeat.

Then came the question from my coach, "Could you truly not go any further or did you not want to go any further?" When training one can often reach points where they don't want to go any further, but they really could go much further. It's the mind game. (fun. fun)

So, today, I received great grace and once again a lesson has been learned. Next time I reach the point of wanting to be stubborn and do it my way, I hope I have enough determination and will power to overcome it.

Overcoming Obstacles

On Saturday, 7/7, I took part in a local sprint triathlon. It was fun to have most of the TNT members who were in town to be part of it together. It helped build some team comaraderie. I was excited about the tri all week. Thoughts of the swim caused a little hesitation on my part, but I was able to overcome the anxious thoughts and stay excited and calm about the day. We lined up for the swim and I was ready. I began the swim and did a few good, calm strokes before I started running into people and little waves seemed to be all around. Suddenly, I had all this energy and I really wanted to swim this whole course but anytime I put my head in the water I lost focus and began to choke on the water. So, side kicking and breast stroke and freestyle with my head out of the water is what I did for about 300 yards. This was an obstacle I was hoping wouldn't present itself, but it did. I "yelled" at myself to start focusing and figure out a different strategy because what I was trying to do wasn't working, and I wasn't going to be the last pink cap out of the water.

The great news...I did it! I changed my breathing pattern and finished the final 300 yards a lot better than I started. The bike and run portions both went MUCH better than expected. And, I set a goal to finish the race under 2 hours and I did it in 1:53!

When you put your mind to it, you can overcome obstacles.

Our TNT Honored Hero has recently faced his own unexpected obstacles. On his birthday he began a new form of chemo treatment in hopes that after 10 days of the treatment he would be cancer free. Ten days passed and the blood work still showed some cancer. So, he will be undergoing another batch of treatment soon. The good news...they have a good transplant match for him! Also, he found out last week his tumor is shrinking, so the drugs are working. The hopes are one more batch of chemo and then a transplant in August.

He's faced an unwanted obstacle of the return of cancer, but he's putting his mind to it and is determined to beat it again.

An Eye Opening Fundraiser.

Last Saturday some of the Chicago triathlon TNT members did a fundraiser outside of a Sam's Club in town. It was a very eye opening experience for me. I must confess I've often been one who intentionally avoids eye contact with those asking exiting customers to support their cause. After this experience I think my actions will change. I was also amazed at many people's comments.

One lady was ready to donate before she exited the store. As tears began to well in her eyes, she said, "I've had too many friends die from Leukemia. Find a cure, please."

One man stopped to talk with us for a few moments. His daughter was diagnosed with a blood cancer when she was 18 months old. Her tenacity to get through treatments and transplants brought her to remission and she has been there since for the past 11 years! This father proudly told us his hero is no famous person, but his 15 year old daughter.

Others shared about family members who were battling leukemia or lymphoma. And one more story that sticks out in my head is the man who walked up to me and shared he was battling with both prostate cancer and leukemia. Looking at him, you would have never guessed.

This goes to show, everybody is somebody. And, everyone has a story.

The Next Adventure Has Begun!

It's time for another Team In Training event! This year I will be taking part in the Accenture Chicago Triathlon on August 26, to represent over 785,000 Americans who have been diagnosed with a blood cancer. A little closer to home, I am representing family members who have lost their battles with different blood cancers and I am also racing for those I've met who are currently battling a blood cancer.

You, too, can be part of this Chicago team! The best part is you won't have to do any training. Visit my Team In Training website today to donate to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and become part of my team. $.75 of every dollar donated is dedicated to be use for blood cancer research and patient aid. I can't wait for you to become part of my team!

Check back often for training updates!

By the way - This August triathlon is just the beginning of a year long adventure. In August of 2008, it is my goal to complete a half ironman in Michigan! Lots of fun training ahead!