Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Looking Forward to 2014 With a Glance Back at 2013

I used to look back over my year and try to set goals and plans for the coming year.  Then I found that goal setting and planning didn't work well for me.  Maybe it's because I have two boys - both active in sports; both excelling in school (one in college and the other in middle school); both vivacious, out-going people that others love to have around.  Maybe it's because I'm married to an officer for going on 22+ years and his job has the potential to put the "ka-bosh" on any plans laid, no matter how well in advance.  Maybe it's because I get caught up in "winning" side of racing (which is not a bad thing) and that's not really where my heart is.

So, this year when I looked back, the first things I saw were the incredible accomplishments: qualifying for the Boston Marathon (for the third time) by nearly 15 minutes; leading a pace group for the 2nd consecutive year at 26.2 with Donna:  The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer; setting PRs in the 30K, 5K, and 10K; finishing my second 70.3 (5th in my age group for the second consecutive year) and PRing by nearly 20 minutes; and completing my first 140.6 event (finishing 9th in my age group).  

Then I saw the even more outstanding achievements:  my first born "graduating" from high school at practically the same moment he crossed the finish line of IM 70.3 Honu (Hawai'i) on June 1.  Standing by and watching as he chatted with Pete Jacobs and Craig Alexander and accepted his slot to IMWC Kona.  Watching him go at it as the youngest competitor  in Kona from 7,000 miles away and seeing him come down the chute and hearing Mike Riley call him an Ironman.  Every time I watch that video I cry.





I have seen my "baby" take on the rigors of middle school.  How children survive the middle school years these days is beyond me.  Kids are so cruel and mean and snarky.  The tender-hearted ones suffer the most and you don't want them to harden too much, but it's a challenge to know how hard to teach them to be.  I have watched this sweet soul try to not let the "world" get to him, but it does.  And, as any parent knows, it's hard to watch from afar.  I have seen this same pre-teen decide that he is going to race triathlon and enter a race his brother never did.  He is well on his way to greatness both in the pool, as an up and coming breast-stroker, and on the triathlon course.  Look out 19&U he's coming for you!


     
Isn't he intimidating looking?
Speeding toward the finish.
And, yes, that is a SMILE on his face.




3rd Place - 19 & Under
Last but not at all least, my wonderful, ever-supportive, best-Sherpa-on-the-planet husband aged up to 50-54 and completed his first Olympic distance triathlon; sherpa'd TWO 140.6 distance races on opposite sides of the world in less than two weeks, AND was promoted  to Lieutenant just after Halloween.



But, after looking at all the tremendous achievements and accomplishments and "growth spurts" of a year in the Abbey Life, I found there were some points worthy of reflection that really make goal setting hard for the coming year.  My first 140.6 was supposed to have been a "girls trip" with one of my greatest ever Girls (she happens to also be one of my biggest fans).  Sadly, she was unable to make that trip a) due to health reasons that prevented her from completing the training, and b) due to family complications could not even go and be at the finish line.  2014 will be a "Take 2" kind of year for her.  I have already committed to being there with her, so 2014 brings with it another 140.6 where there was only one originally planned.

So many people in my "circle" are struggling with so many things:  round after round of cancer; surprise diagnoses of cancer and sometimes worse; unchanging, hostile domestic environments; estrangement from family; battles with depression and bi-polarism; employment.  The list goes on.  I know that for them goal setting is a day-by-day activity.  I feel that it would be flippant to set what others might consider lofty, and luxurious, or shallow goals.  Therefore, I have set realistic, healthy goals for 2014:

I.  Train safely, intelligently, and completely for any event on my calendar.  Right now those are few and far between:  GWTC 30K, but maybe only the 15K; 26.2 with Donna, I have a "streaker" status to maintain; Boston - if the finances align, and if they don't, OK; at least one 70.3 in the late spring - likely it will be either IM 70.3 Florida or Gulf Coast Triathlon; maybe an olympic or a sprint here and there, and some local road races for fun and tune-up; and Beach2Battleship in October - the crowning jewel of my year.

II.  Maintain my relationship(s) with my family both near and far; love and support them in what ever their endeavors and choices may be in the new year.

III.  Have fun!  Because, truly, if it isn't fun it's time to find something new to do.  That is one of the primary reasons I am looking forward to Big Sexy Racing.  Already it sounds like it will be more fun than work, and I like it that way.

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Monday, November 18, 2013

Who I am and Why I Do This

It seems that a part of being a teammate involves introducing/re-introducing myself:  who I am, what I do, why I do it.  I am more proud of My Boys and my athletes than myself, and I don't post a lot of "what I do" all the time.  It's more likely you'll hear about my family and coached athletes than about me.


I began my running "career" at age 35 (in 2002) when training with a long-time friend of mine, who pleaded with me to be her running partner in order to keep her motivated and focused on her goal.  Shortly after our first half marathon, she stopped running for a time while I continued running half marathons - frequently with my mother.  She eventually, a few years later and nearly 100 pounds lighter, came back to running.  She went into it gung ho for her first marathon while I remained a "halfer" and took on Team In Training as a Team Mate and later as a Mentor and then Team Leader.  Along the way I "picked up" people who ran with me, or I ran with them depending on your point of view, who were looking only for a consistent pace and a positive mindset during the runs.  I became what I call a Companion Runner.  I didn't run a single race for myself or for an intentional PR until I decided to qualify for the Boston Marathon.  And, even then I had a difficult time swallowing that I was allowed to run for me and for a selfish goal.  Beginning in September of 2009, I set out with really only one goal in mind:  Qualify for Boston, and PR in every distance I could before Boston 2011.  Which I managed to do without injury or set back.

I am married to a police lieutenant who has been by my side and supported me "no matter what" for going on 23 years.  An accomplished athlete himself, he also has "sipped the kool-aid" and is dabbling in Triathlon.  On his 50th birthday this fall he completed his first Olympic distance and has fallen even further into the sport than I thought possible.

I am the mother of this year's Youngest Competitor at Ironman World Championship.  My 18 year-old son qualified for Kona at only his second 70.3 and had the rare privilege of standing on the podium with both Craig Alexander and Pete Jacobs in Hawaii this past June.  His Kona experience what not what he had trained for, hoped for, or imagined.  But, he DID race, and he DID cross the finish line.  And, by his own admission, did NOT go to the med tent as did do many others that day.  He and two teammates from Revolutions:  Triathlon Coaching (Shannon Coates - Team Timex, and Kate Harrison) were blessed to race and have their coach, Chuck Kemeny - IMWC Finisher, 2009 , present with them the entire journey.

56:12 swim time - top 100 overall
In the hot corner -
no passing zone leaving T1


Yep, that's the finish chute.
He did it!


My 12 year-old son just stepped up his game from year-round swimming, middle school cross country, and kids' tris to "game on" adult sprint distances.  Already placing in the 19 and Under age group(s) he is ready to follow in his big brother's foot steps and see where the multi-sport world will lead him.  I can only imagine where we will be with him in just a few years.  He cold be even faster than his brother.

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If it's not fun he won't do it,
and you can't make him.
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Speeding toward the finish line and
a 3rd place 19&U award.
























                    


Now, 11 years later, I am an a multi-time finisher in Boston; I am an "ironman" having just completed my first 140.6 at Beach2Battleship on my 46th birthday in Wilmington, North Carolina; I am a running and triathlon coach working with some of the best coaches and athletes in my area (Revolutions:  Triathlon Coaching);  I am qualified by more than 12 minutes for the 2014 Boston Marathon; and I will again take on the Beach2Battleship course in October.  This year I will be training with a dear friend who has been in chemo and radiation for the better part of 18 months and wants nothing more than just to simply cross the finish line of a 140.6.  I can't deny her the feeling of wanting to accomplish that.  As her training partner and secondary coach, I'll be right there with her every step of the way.

I am not the "uber" competitive athlete my son is.  But, I have a heart for all things endurance sport related.  I hope to bring to Big Sexy Racing my passion for helping the person next to me do their best and achieve Big Sexy goals.  I find that once again, I am in the position I am most comfortable with:  The companion runner (swimmer, cyclist, training partner); the eternal "Pollyanna Coach."


Sunday, November 17, 2013

That's what the letter said...


"Congratulations, and welcome to Big Sexy Racing!"

A little in shock... Just read my e-mail from Big Sexy Racing that said, "Congratulations! Hi Team, I am very happy to announce that you have made the team for 2014." 

I always fill out the applications when they show up on Facebook and in my In Box. I used to fill them out for Colin, he's way more talented and deserving. Always in the past the answer(a) has been, "Thank you, but..." It was really quite shocking to read, "Congratulations...." I am looking forward to how much fun this will be.

Yes, it has been more than two years since I actively blogged here, but I am going to make a concerted effort to be MUCH better at it going forward.  For me it's usually easy to put the day/week/month into words.  But, there are times when words just are going to cut it and I have to walk away from it all for a while.  Here's to a new year, a new TEAM (BSR), and an entire set of new goals.

Coaches for a Cause

Mac's "SwimSTRONG" Foundation

Mac's "SwimSTRONG" Foundation
Love this art work. Click for link to the web site. And follow Team TRI Mac at www.trimac-competingforareason.blogspot.com