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.