Motivational Monday

This weekend I was disappointed, yet again, by people close to me.  Seems those closest to you have the ability to hurt you the most.  What I am always curious of, is why???  Not why CAN they hurt you the most; but, why DO they hurt you at all?

My Dad, Larry.  R.I.P (1945-2010)

Almost a year ago now I lost a great man in my life, my Step Dad.  Someone I grew to admire over the many years he was married to my mom.  Then when my mom passed away six plus years ago, this great man became an even more important part of my life than he had ever been before.  He was always my biggest cheerleader.  Even when many others did not understand my commitment to LLS and Team in Training, he ALWAYS stood behind me and supported me like no other.

Just one week before he passed away, my dad told me, like only he could... "I don't think even YOU know what it is you are doing, kiddo.  Whatever you do, just keep doing it.  You are doing the right thing and some day, others will understand that, too."  (Thankfully, I can still hear his voice saying this.)  I love this man so much and I miss him every day that passes.  

I have been planning to set up a motorcycle ride to both honor my dad and to help me do what he was so proud of me for continuing to do, supporting a great cause, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  Turns out, some thought I was making this event about me (and LLS) and not about my dad.  They just don't get they go hand in hand.  But then again, like he told me, "Some people just don't understand!"

So how does this story of such disappointment play into Motivational Monday?  Well, I found this: 

“The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire; the size of your dream; and how you handle disappointment along the way.”  [Robert Kiyosaki]

If you know me you know my dream is HUGE... A cure for Blood Cancers, a cure for ALL cancers.  I obviously have strength in my desire as I keep going and going (kinda like the energizer bunny).  Now, how will I handle this disappointment?  Since this is not the first time, and I am most certain it will not be the last, I know disappointments generally fuel my desire.

Many people did not believe I would actually get my degree, let alone my Master's.  Many thought I would never complete a marathon, let alone a triathlon.  To date I have raised almost $20,000 for LLS, and I am not about to stop; in fact, I am just getting started!

Back in the Saddle Again

Wow, What a weekend of training!  It is Sunday night (about 5:30 pm) and I am fading fast.  However, I wanted to get my blog out this evening before the long week starts again. 

This weekend it was back to the bike (for the first time since Tahoe).  I skipped swim training with the Team on Saturday since I had already committed to attend (and help if necessary) a Ride to Benefit Leukemia Kristin "Bobcat" Bartholomew was putting on.  So up early and waiting on Kansas (Jacey) so we could make the ride up to (and back from) Juno Beach more pleasurable with company.  We arrived at Ocean Cay Park at about 6:45 am; and, the team took off at 7 heading up to Hobe Sound.  

It was great to see some of my Tahoe Teammates up there.  We reminisced and rode with the current Tucson Century Team.  Coach Bryan of course did not let us down from the Mc Torture we knew in the days past.  He of course had a surprise for us... You guested it... Water Tower Climbs!!  Which was actually fine with me since I had yet to attempt the Tower with my new gear-set.  Bring it on!

The ride out was great.  We were about 10 miles and taking our turns pulling at about 19-20 mph and feeling great for the first time on my bike since Tahoe.  Then Kansas tells me my back tire is looking a bit low.  Sure enough, it was.  I was quite unhappy since I had just picked up my bike the day before from the shop.  So I stop and use my CO to refill the tire hoping it is not a flat.  Then I notice the front is a bit low as well.  I opened the 2nd CO I had to fill the front tire.  Now I am out of CO... not good if a flat happens.

Off to the water tower and a few climbs with ease.  I was impressed.  It was either all the great training (thanks to McTorture), the experience of Tahoe, the new gear-set, or all of the above.  I took the Tower with confidence and SUCCESS!!

Then the ride home, where my back tire was just not cooperating.  I think I rode the last 7 miles of a total of 32 at about 15mph on a flat tire.  It was not totally flat, but it was definitely a slow leak that was stalling my efforts to speed up.  By the time I finished it was all I could do to not rip out the tire and toss it.  

We finished the day with a group swim in the ocean where I learned to sight while swimming without breaking my stroke.  Another SUCCESS!  I have such anxiety about not being able to see in the Potomac, so this quick lesson in sighting was PERFECT!  Thank you Isabella!!!

Of course the day is not complete without a meal.  So, a great BBQ with wonderful friends.  I just love the people we have in Team in Training and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  So blessed to be part of this FAMILY!

After an evening with my best friend, I went home and to bed by 9 pm so I could be ready for another early morning training with my Nation's Triathlon Team.  

Sunday Morning at 5 am came way too early.  Some days when I get up for training I wonder if anyone understands the sacrifice that goes into training for an endurance event.  There is not a day in the week when I am not up at 4 or 5 in the morning, eating breakfast, fueling for a training whether it is a swim, a bike, or a run.  Yes, it is so much easier to just stay in bed.  But staying in bed won't cure cancer.  My participation in an endurance event may not either, but at least I know I am doing what I can to try to make a difference.

So Sunday was not much different than Saturday.  Although, today I was asked to share a mission moment with the team.  This is when we take a moment to tell the team why we are here doing what we do  So, of course, I talk about Courtney.  McNugget asked me to keep it short, so I tried and instead of going through the long two-year saga, I focused on just the last few weeks.  I started to cry thinking of my amazing niece walking again after a 1 1/2 years in a wheel chair (thanks to a chemo drug she was taking).  Great way to start a ride, with tears in my eyes.

Back to the team... I have to say Mr Personality (Coach Stan) is nothing like Coach McTorture.  I miss that fun loving and genuine caring personality of my last coach.  There are few people who are able to handle the abrasive personality of Mr Personality.  I just try to take what I can from it and ignore the outbursts he is so famous for.  At the end of the day, we are not professionals, we are volunteers out here doing something for a cause.  Sometimes I think he forgets that.

Our triathlon bike training starts in Lake Worth.  Today to add more miles to the normal inlet and back ride, we headed down to Boynton Beach inlet first.  Then after a quick "how to" on pace line riding (there is really nothing quick on SAFE pace line riding) we were off to the Palm Beach Inlet.  This team, as dedicated as they are, and as hard as they try, there are noticeable differences with experience.  However, Mr Personality wants to keep everyone together.

Of course, I don't see any fault in keeping the TEAM together, but when some riders just are not at the caliber of 20 mph just yet, why set a pace line at 19-20, then complain when it slows...  

Any how, the ride was some what easy until the turn around to head back.  Mr Personality took off pretty quickly leaving some struggling to track down the pace group.  Not very fun with a strong head wind.  I was one of the stragglers.  After riding with my dear friend Teri for a bit, and chatting about the training, she opted to try to help me out since my asthma was obviously an issue in the morning heat.  Although, her attempts to help out did not matter when my front tire flatted with 8 miles to go.  

Remember I was out of CO from yesterday and I did not hit the bike store to pick up more.  So even if I could have fixed the tire with the tube I had, there was no way to inflate it.  So I called McNugget to come get me with only 7 miles left of the ride.

All in all, I had 32 miles on Saturday and 28 miles on Sunday; so, a nice 60 miles this weekend.  Not to mention the little swim in the ocean after Saturday's ride.  All in all a good weekend.  And what better way to end the weekend than with a massage and facial at my local Massage Envy!!  Oh yeah, two full hours of heaven!!! Well deserved, and Well Overdue!!!

Tuesday's Testimonial

So when I was running last night, and this morning.... Yes, overachiever, I know...  I was thinking about this scene from the movie What Women Want when Mel Gibson's character was creating an ad for NIKE...  I thought I would share as this was my motivation to run this morning...

You don't stand in front of a mirror before a run and wonder what the road will think of your outfit. You don't have to listen to its jokes and pretend they're funny. It would not be easier to run if you dressed sexier. The road doesn't notice if you're not wearing lipstick.

It does not care how old you are. You do not feel uncomfortable because you make more money than the road. And you can call on the road whenever you feel like it, whether it's been a day or even a couple of hours since your last date. The only thing the road cares about is that you pay it a visit once in a while.


 Nike. No games. Just sports.

So I ask you... What is your excuse for NOT running (or walking) today???

Swimming like a Fish...

Finally... My stroke is coming together. Swim practice with the TEAM today. After a very long and stressful week this is what I needed. Not an easy swim; but a good one.

Here was our workout.

• 100 Yard Warm Up
• 5x50 yrds (250 yds) Drills - Buoy, Reverse Buoy, Finger Tips, Fists, Catchup
• 10x50 yds (500 yds) on the 1:30 (a little too much rest in between for me)
• 5x100 yds (500 yds) Straight - Total Time 11:23 (Last summer, my 500 time was 14+)
• Sprints: 1x25 yds, 1x50 yds, 1x75 yds, 1x100 yds (250 yds)
• 2x100 Warm Down

Diagram of a flip turn

Total 1800 Yds = Roughly 1.1 miles

A good swim work out followed by a Flip Turn Clinic. Seems easy, looks easy, but not easy. Flip turning is not necessarily hard either, just not a easy thing to just do. It takes practice and a sense of where you are in the pool in relation to the wall. 

You probably want to know how a flip turn will help me with swimming in open water... Well... It wont.  But, flip turning in the pool is more efficient when training. Two things... 1. Yes, there are no walls in open waters to push off of. and, 2. There are no walls in open water to stop me from swimming if even for a second or two to turn around.

My homework for the week is working on endurance and flip turns. My stroke is finally down to a fairly decent stroke and much more efficient. (I counted only 18 strokes across the pool today!!! Down from 22!! Just by stretching out my stroke!)

By the way, Swimming is a THINKING sport. No way to get through the workout without constantly thinking about form. In the last 50 yards of my swim my right calf cramped (badly) when I kicked off the wall. With 25 yards to go, the right foot decided to join in.  Nothing will break your form faster than a cramp. =(

Back at Tri Training

So, I am only home from Tahoe a few days, but there is no rest for me.  My Nation's Triathlon Team has not stopped training since I was first there the middle of May.  I have not been back with them since then either.  Now, that Tahoe is over, it is time to get my grove back with tri training.

Saturday morning was swim training.  Not a bad workout, but I can tell I need more time in the pool.  I am not quite in top shape.  This summer will change that.  (I hope!)

Here was our workout.

• 5x50 yrds (250 yds) Drills
• 10x 50 yds (500 yds) Under 1:15
• 5x100 yds (500 yds) Under 2:20
• 4x25 yds (100 yds) Under :30
• 2x50 yds (100 yds) Under 1:00
• 1x100 yds (100 yds) Under 1:50
• 1x50 yds (50 yds) Under :55 (did it in :54)

• Total 1600 Yds = .9 miles

At one point when Coach said 2x50 under 1:00 (each) I mentioned my asthma... He basically shrugged and said "You signed up for triathlon." and walked away.  Not that I expected it, but there is NO sympathy from Coach Stan.  He is right though.  I can't keep using my asthma as a crutch.  Obviously I have done more than one would expect with this condition, so there is no excuse.  And, I was able to meet the goals above yesterday even without swimming for some time.  

After training, I asked Coach for advice.  His words... "Since you already know how to swim, you need to work on stretching out your stroke."  So, efficiency of stroke is my chore for this week.  Pool time is necessary.  Looks like Meadows Park or Deerfield Pool this week after work.  Anyone care to join me??

Sunday was to be our biking day.  My bike is still in transit from Tahoe (delayed due to snow... in JUNE!).  I know I keep talking about the snow in Tahoe, but seriously, this Florida girl who has never seen snow (not real snow anyhow) is still in disbelief about the weather in Tahoe.  

In any case, since I cannot ride with the team, I decided to run instead.  A short 3+ mile run around my neighborhood, just to get my legs back in gear.  It is kinda hot running here in the summer, but one must do what one must do to compete.  

There is nothing that will keep this determined girl from finishing Nation's Tri in less than 3:15:00 this year.

Inspired Endurance Jewlery Online Raffle

Loggerhead Triathlon 2010 with my
Inspired Endurance necklace on

Hello, everyone!  I am back from Tahoe and all thawed out!  Thank you all for your encouraging words of support.  That trip was a lot harder than I thought it would be.  Kudos to all those who were able to deal with the weather and complete the entire course!

Ok, so I mentioned a few weeks ago about a surprise I had for you. Well here it is... Many of you have admired the necklace I wear (almost always) with my many charms from events past.  I buy all of these great charms from Inspired Endurance Jewelry.  I first met Marie at Women's Half Marathon in St Pete almost 3 years ago now.  I purchased my 13.1 belly ring from her and Annette (another TNT-aholic) bought me my first race charm and necklace, my running girl.  I have been hooked ever sense!

Stick Gem Runner Girl Pendant & Earrings

Now I purchase a new charm after every race.  I still owe myself one for Tahoe (Hint Hint Marie, time to come up with something for my bike ride!).  Not only do I have the necklace, but I have a pandora bracelet too!  All of the beads have come from Marie at Inspired Endurance Jewelry.  I just love her selection.

Here is the deal we have cooked up for you...  An online Raffle to win one of the following:

1. Stick Gem Runner pendant on 18" bead chain with Amethyst (purple) Swarovski crystal (Retail Value $54)
2. NEW stick runner earrings - not available on her site yet (Retail Value $35)
3. 13.1 Endurance Bead fits on Pandora bracelet  (Retail Value $30)

How do you qualify?  There is a process, of course, but a simple one.  Just follow these steps:

• Become a Fan of my blog or sign up for the email notifications and comment on this post
• Become a FAN of Inspired Endurance Facebook Page and leave a message you were sent by TNT Princess Andi
• Make a minimum $5 donation to LLS on my Nation's Triathlon Fundraising page.  (For every $5 you will receive one raffle ticket.)

Raffle Ends June 30th... So hurry for your chance to win!!!

Pandora Bead: 13.1 Half Marathon



It is that easy!!!  And there is a  bonus... you will have the added knowledge that you are saving lives!!! 

Here is what every donation does with LLS...

• $25 pays the co-pay for chemotherapy drug prescription.
• $50 registers one person to be a bone marrow donor.
• $75 provides HLA (bone marrow) typing for a family member.
• $100 provides transportation costs to the hospital for treatment.
• $500 provides patient aid for a year.
• $5,000 stops me from sending letters, emails, facebook updates, etc...

You can be a HERO too!!!  And look good while you do!!



What Makes Someone a HERO??

A coward gets scared and quits. A hero gets scared, but still goes on.

- Anonymous

I found this quote today when I was looking for inspiration for my blog. I needed something to stir my creative mind for an update.  You see I have been feeling down, feeling a little uninspired.  Yesterday I had the most inspirational news in that my niece is walking again on her own... or, at least she is taking baby steps toward getting there.  Her words to me "I GOT THIS!!"  Her spirit, her tenaciousness, is what makes her my hero!!!

The Society choses Honored Heroes for each season.  Blood cancer patients who are battling this disease, have battled and survived this disease, and even some who have battled yet loss their fight.  I have met so many inspiring people through this organization.  Although I have had a personal hero from day one... my niece, Courtney; this year I have added two more: my Aunt Margie and my best friend's Uncle Jim.  

The above quote just hit home when I think about what makes these individuals heroes.  They would probably all disagree with me and say they are not, they would say they are only doing what needs to be done to survive.  Truth is, what they go through, this chemo, is not easy.  It is a tough road!  And, whether you are 15 or 50 it is a battle!  My hat is off to them for the fight they put up.  They are my inspiration to continue to swim, bike, run for a cure.

I have to comment on another hero that comes to mind, even beyond our patient heroes... It is inevitable that each TNT season I see someone new with the organization who has never done an endurance event and is trying something new.  It is one thing to train for and complete an endurance event.  It is something entirely different to do this for the cause, not just for yourself.  I meet these heroes everyday.  They are my teammates.  They inspire me to keep going almost as much as my niece does.  (For those who wonder "Why TNT?", THEY - my Teammates - are the reason why!)

So I ask you, who has inspired you?  Who is YOUR hero and Why???  Please leave your comments below...

Let the Swimming Begin...

Although I am still in training for America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride on June 5, 2011, it is about time to start training for Nation's Triathlon.  This summer my focus will be on the swim since I tanked my swim in last year's event.  Not only that, but I have greatly improved on the bike; and, the run being what it is, swim is where I have the most room for improvement.

At the start of the 2010 Nation's Triathlon, I was completely unprepared for the feeling of terror that would come over me as I watched the waves before me enter and exit the waters of The Potomac.  I was well trained by my Team in Training Coach, Lisa; however, training for the swim does not including training the mind to relax. 

During last year's training I focused on getting my stroke down and not worrying about speed.  With the proper stroke, speed will come.  More importantly, I spent even more of my time focused on just breathing.  As an asthmatic athlete (ya, I know, I am crazy to even attempt these things), breathing in sync with my stroke is very important.  Breathing mechanics will be my focus over the summer.  The question is, how do I improve?

My first step is to overcome the fear of having an asthma attack in the water.  I have one running coach who asked me "Have you ever actually had an asthma attack while running?"  I had to think about it, and then I said "Um... not really!"  So she asked, "Why are you so freaked out about that?"  Good point!!  I have learned to push through most of my breathing fears on my runs; I just have to translate that into the swim.

For me, this is a constant Jedi-Mind-Trick I have to play on myself.  Maybe instead of Finding Nemo's Dori chants of "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming..." I should alter those to "Just Keep Breathing!"  Chanting will only get me so far, that I am well aware of.  So, the question is, HOW do I improve my breathing?

Well, I went looking for answers and found them on ACTIVE.COM.  Great website for the endurance freaks out there.  Here is what I found:

"The key to maximizing both air and speed is to breathe as seamlessly as possible. Let's start with the mechanics of getting air into your lungs:

• Inhale through your mouth; exhale through your mouth 70 percent and nose 30 percent. Are these figures exact? No, just keep enough air pressure coming from your nose to keep the water out.
• Never hold your breath—even if you'll swim three to five strokes between breaths. Begin exhaling as soon as you finish inhaling—just exhale in a more controlled way if you'll take more strokes before your next breath.
• Exhale the final 20 percent of air more forcefully than the first 80 percent. This should make the inhale almost effortless by creating a vacuum in your lungs. It also helps clear the water away from your mouth for the next breath. Also, the force of your exhale should be proportionate to your effort. The next time you swim a descending set, experiment with consciously adding some force to your exhale as you go faster." (from Active.com) 

There is more on this website for breathing mechanics, but I am going to start here.  I will also be taking the advice of a friend who suggested just standing at the pool's edge with my face in the water to practice breathing without swimming: just to get the breathing down first.  I did this last summer, but apparently I did not spend enough time working on this tactic. 

Years ago, a day at the pool meant suntanning with a cool drink in my hand.  Now, a day at the pool is all about training.  Yesterday I spent just about an hour at the pool swimming laps to get my body back in the water.  I only swam about 600 meters when I actaully wanted to do 2000.  I realized all this time away from the pool has brought me almost back to square one.  Now I need to define a scedule and stick with it.

Stay tuned as the TRI-Training has officially begun!!

Individual Commitment to a Group Effort



"...That is what makes a Team work, a Company work, a Society work, a Civilization work" Vince Lombardi

Sunrise at the 2011
FAU Sprint Triathlon

Vince Lombardi was an amazing coach, with a ton of wisdom and an incredible ability to inspire a TEAM to victory. I often think of the many quotes attributed to Coach Lombardi. This particular one stood out for me this weekend. You see, although this blog is dedicated to my endeavors with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training, not all of my days are about my training/participation in the endurance sports we dedicate ourselves to. Sunday was one of those days where it was not about me at all.

Sandra, TNT Teammate

Each 'season' the Society has teams dedicated to training and fundraising for events. This current season I am involved with the Cycle Team (as you know from reading about my many hours in the saddle). However, there are two other teams this season I don't often see: a Marathon Team that is training for the Rock n Roll San Diego Marathon and Half Marathon (I ran the half last year) and the Triathlon Team whose members are training for either FAU Wellness Sprint Triathlon or St Anthony's Olympic Triathlon. Sunday was about the Sprint Triathletes, many of which were competing in their first triathlon event. Oh, I remember those days of nerves and anxiety about open water swims... Oh, wait, that was only last summer... right!

Coach Rob, AKA
Coach Smack Talk



I am writing today about the team effort that took place on Sunday with these amazing people... the Purple People as we refer to ourselves. You see, it takes a unique individual to train for an endurance event. Even more unique to train for a triathlon. Add to this effort the fundraising and selflessness of the reasons for training and participating and you have one amazing character. Each Purple Person I have met in the last two years has inspired me in a different way. Sunday was my chance to show them how much they inspire me.

 

Very early in the morning on Sunday, before the sun even thought about peaking up on the horizon, I set out on my way to Spanish River Park in Boca Raton to watch the FAU Sprint Triathlon. This was the first time in over two years I was a viewer on the sidelines... I thought for certain I would be itching to be in the water, on the bike, or running through the park just watching these athletes go. However, after the training we had on Saturday, I was all to happy to take my place as a cheerleader for the Purple People.

Mikki, TNT
Triple Crown



With my cowbell in hand, pompoms in tote (one in my cap like a ponytail), and not to mention my voice (a voice accustomed to loud chants from years of cheerleading as a child) I headed to the beach for the swim portion of the triathlon. This was a super sprint triathlon so only a 1/4 mile swim in the ocean, a 10 mile bike, and a 3.1 mile run: Easy, right? That depends on who you ask!!!

These teammates of mine who I rarely have a chance to train with were amazing as I watched them coming out of the water smiling and running to their bikes. Many of these folks experience great anxiety over open water swims. I applaud them for conquering their fears and heading out into the ocean that early morning. I will say, the ocean was well behaved as there were barely even ripples let alone waves to compete with.

Chris, TNT Teammate



Out of the water & off with the swim cap as they trek their way towards transition. This is a bit of a difficult course for transition since you actually have to run under A1A through a tunnel to get from the beach to the park and transition area. Once there, it is on with the helmet & bike shoes, and biking off to a ten mile sprint.

One thing I should mention, I noticed as the swimmers were exiting the ocean fog had begun to set in around Boca Raton's coastline. This was going to make for some challenges during the bike course. But never fear, the Purple People are here! And they were not deterred by a little fog!


Me, TNT Cheerleader

I did not have a chance to see many of my teammates complete their bike portion; however, thankful to Jacey for her photography skills that day, I was able to relive a bit of those moments with them after the race. My post was by the finish line cheering our team on to a strong finish. That I did!



I believe at one point someone was trying to confiscate my cowbell. Not a chance!! Not only was I not giving it up, I am quite attached to my cowbell.  In all my cheering, I actually injured myself with the cowbell.  Later in the morning, I was actually given a second cowbell, and that just made me glow!

Leanne, Current TNT
Teammate



As I watched our teammates one by one coming around the finish line, I was not only impressed by their smiles as they approached their end, I was inspired by their commitment to this cause. None of these fine individuals gave up. They kept pushing to the end and even if worn out from the long morning and heat that was settling in on the early afternoon, you would not know it as they were dashing to the finish line. Inspired is an understatement.

Coach Big Mac



Even more to a testament of the things we do to raise awareness for this great cause, one of my current teammates (and Coach Big Mac) completed the triathlon just one day after the torturous bridge repeats and water tower climbs from Saturday. Impressive!

Often I am asked why I continue to work with LLS when I have the ability and training base to train on my own for these events that I love so much. It is more than just the shear fact that I may not actually work hard without the team behind me, it is largely due to the Purple People. This group of people, not just here in Palm Beach, but from all over the country, is an amazing group. They are selfless and inspiring. They are encouraging and tenacious. I am proud to be a part of The Purple Nation we call Team In Training!

GO TEAM!!!