Full Time Job - Full Time Mom - Full Time Ironman

I’ve been an “athlete” for going on 12 years now.  I began running in 2002 just having turned 35 and with a 17 month old son.  Many of you know that I started running (again…regularly) with a life-long friend of mine who had been told by her sister “it was time to get back in shape” and that she should do so by running.  But, not just any running, she should target a half marathon.  Yep, that somewhat magical 13.1 number.  She called me early that November and gave me the run down, and said she needed my help:  to be her training partner.  I hemmed and hawed and told her that I was a Mountain Biker (you can stop laughing now) and I HATED running.  Needless to say, the next day I went out and bought running shoes.  It’s pretty much been “full on” since then.

I’ve run, and run, and run some more.  Once upon a time, I said I “never wanted to run a marathon.”  Well, “never” is a very, very, very long time.  And then along came 26.2 with Donna:  The Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer the same year I turned 40.  Kaboom!  Sure, I’ll run a marathon to celebrate my fortieth birthday AND to recognize all those I knew who had been touched by breast cancer.  But, wait, first let me mentor the marathon group of the North Florida Chapter of Team In Training and run the Goofy Challenge a month beforehand.  Can you say, “Not the brightest bulb in the box?”  That was 2008.  So, I kept running, and bought a road bike so I could add some cross training.  In 2009, I followed the same schedule of madness:  Goofy in January followed by “Donna” in February.  That makes FOUR marathons in about 14 months’ time.  Along about October of 2009 I thought I might have it in me to attempt the elusive BQ.  Now, I wasn’t sure that I could actually qualify for Boston, but I had the time to train properly and some awesome people to train with so I went for it.  In February, 2010, at the Tallahassee Marathon I nailed that BQ time on my first attempt.  My husband and sons were at the finish line along with my training partners.  It was a “mountain top” kind of moment.  Since that first BQ I have qualified for the Boston Marathon 3 times, and run it twice.

Pre-Race Transition Set-Up:  Red Hills Triathlon 2010

My older son had been dabbling in triathlon for a couple of years at this point.  2010 was his third year racing Tallahassee's very own Red Hills Sprint Triathlon, and his father completed his first triathlon of any distance at the same event.  I had begun participating in the shorter distance triathlons because I needed something to do while I waited for Colin to finish.  I found it fun in the summer, but not something that I wanted to devote myself to on a full time training level.  Then along came another friend…

This friend has a bucket list.  Her bucket list includes finishing an “iron distance” triathlon.  You all know that one:  2.4 mile swim, 112 mile ride, 26.2 run.  INSANE!  CRAZY!  Stooooopid!  So not what I had ever considered, thought about, or planned.  Thank God for a great coach, a relative healthy and injury-free body, and an extremely understanding and supportive husband.  We started training a week after the Breast Cancer Marathon with a target race in October.  Last year when I trained for that first 140.6 event I was blessed with the good fortune of being able to train “long” whenever the schedule said to do so.  I had a job that allowed me to put in 2-3 hours of training on a daily basis if need be.  In retrospect, even with the inclusion of 1 or 2 off days, I feel like I was always tired.  Always hungry.  And always tight or sore to some degree … All. The. Time.  Flash forward to race day:  I finished in almost exactly what I predicted putting in a solid day on the race course.  When I woke up the next morning I was tired and hungry, yes.  But, I was not sore or broken.  It seems that the training, my nutrition, and my recovery had been spot on the entire 32 weeks.  Whew.

Beach2Battleship 2013 - 2nd Loop on the run course

That was 2013.  This is 2014 and it’s a “whole new world.”  In January I took on a new job that mandates the traditional Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. schedule.  2-3 hour workouts during the week are not an option.  Well, I suppose they could be if I got out of bed every morning at 3:00 a.m. in order to be finished by 6:30 to be out the door to work by 7:25 a.m.  Riiiiiiiight.  That’s going to happen.  NOT!  What does happen is a 60-90 minute workout before work with a 45-60 minute swim three evenings a week after work.  The other evolution is that very few “off days” exist.  For example, if today calls for a “mid-long” brick (90 minutes or longer), the bike leg is today and the run is tomorrow.  And the workouts move out by one day accordingly.  Thus, the off days are almost always eliminated.  Is this going to work?  I’m not sure yet.  However, I can tell you that the soreness rating has been lowered by a degree or two (I wonder why…HA!), and I don’t feel as if I am always starving.  I will be interested to see how the change in approach affects performance on race day.  And, I am anxious to see if overall recovery is as speedy as last year.  

2014 has brought with it a lot of changes.  Not just in careers, but in community and team involvement.  I have been a member of the 2014 Big Sexy Amateur Racing team and thoroughly enjoying my time on the team.  The team has afforded me the opportunity to meet and race with great new people; to test out some new products; and work with some fabulous athletes.  I hope that trend will continue into 2015.  ;-)

2013 Ironman World Championship - Finish Area

I can tell you that it is possible to train for the “iron” distance without alienating your family; nodding off at your desk; or falling asleep in your dinner and really making your spouse unhappy.  However, I am reserving judgment on what kind of outcome this approach to training will produce on race day.  All I can say is, “So far, so good.”  See you at the finish line.

Living A Life While Training for "Ironman"

Monday through Friday

4:15 - 4:30 a.m.  Morning Alarm

5:15 - 6:45 a.m.  Morning Training Session

8:00 - 5:00 p.m.  "Work"

5:30 - 6:30 p.m.  Evening Training Session (swim) - three days a week

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.  Dinner and "Family Time", laundry, dishes, etc.

Saturday

5:30 - 6:30 a.m.  Morning Alarm

6:30 - Noon        Training Session - usually "long brick" day

Afternoon           Lunch, grocery shopping, "family time", dinner preparation, laundry, dishes, etc.

Evening              "Family Time" or Movie Night

8:30 - 9:00 p.m.  (Truly) Lights Out

Sunday

6:00 a.m.              Morning Alarm

7:00 - 10:00 a.m.  Long Run

11:00 - Noon        Church

Afternoon           Laundry, Dinner preparation, "Family time", coaching e-mails and plans, maybe a second "work out" with the hubby

8:30 - 9:00 p.m.   (Truly) Lights Out

Every seven days, "lather, rinse, repeat."

Now, bear in mind that I am married to an age-group triathlete, law-enforcement lieutenant who is currently assigned to the midnight shift, and that I have two competitive triathlete sons so the preferred schedule is frequently revised at a moment's notice if not more quickly.

For example, on the weekends when my younger son will compete in a three-day swim meet.  His session will require his arriving at the pool by 6:30 a.m. and concluding somewhere about Noon.  And, if he swims top 16 in any of his events he returns by 4:30 p.m. for warm-up for the Finals competition.  That means Saturday's long ride/brick will have to move to the next weekend and the long run on Sunday will have to be split or shortened to be completed during the warm-up period.

Last summer, right in the middle of training for my first 140.6, I traveled to Hawai'i with my son for two weeks.  Since he was competing (IM Honu 70.3), my tri bike stayed in Florida (golly gee it's expensive to take a bike anywhere if it isn't on your car).  That meant training was limited to short runs and swimming when my son was swimming.  Later in the fall when my husband "aged up" to 50, and wanted to complete an Olympic Tri for his birthday, that meant my scheduled 100 mile ride became a high intensity 3-tiered brick followed by a loooonnnnggg run the next day.  And, for anyone who wants to know about long trainer rides, I'm here to tell you they can be done.

The weekend preceding and the weekend of Ironman World Championship left me a "single parent" while my husband traveled with my older son to Hawai'i.  If you have a pre-teen son, you know that leaving one to his own devices while you ride 120+ miles is not advisable.  Six and seven hour trainer sessions can be done:  you pick a movie, the son picks a movie, and ... continue until the required time/mileage is achieved.  Of course, one of those rides was done at 1:00 p.m. following the pre-teen's participation in his first adult sprint tri that he had insisted upon entering.  And, naturally, traveling to an out-of-town swim meet or tri in which I am not entered presents another set of scheduling challenges not only for training but for the normal family dynamics as well.

Sadly, the husband gets the shortest end of the scheduling stick.  Largely due to his current shift assignment, but sometimes (frequently) it just happens.  As any person who has completed the training for any 140.6 event, the training is lengthy, and the athlete can often be accused of being selfish and self-absorbed, self-centered, etc.  It takes conscious, deliberate effort on my part to not be "turning into a pumpkin" by 8:00 p.m. every night he is off duty.  Honestly, that can be very difficult if that day held an early 4-6 hour work out.  And, social friend time?  I'm pretty sure my only friends are now people who are willing to ride or run long.

The important thing to remember is that balance is vital.  The mantra, "all things in moderation" plays an key role in balancing training versus family versus life.  I make sure that my athletes know and live by the standard of "Life and family first, everything else second, training next."  Training should compliment your lifestyle, not dictate it.  You are not defined by the distance you race.  It is a part of who you are, not the entire you.

Choosing Your Own Path

Originally published on BigSexy.net

May 30, 2014

Tattoo, Bucket List, or Life Style

 

“I hear you’re a running coach.”

“Well, I sometimes help people I know reach a goal.”

“Really?  I was hoping you’d ‘train’ me for my first marathon.”

“Wow!  That would be awesome.  How many half marathons have you run?”

“Ummmm…well, none.”

“Wow…  Maybe we should start with a couple half marathons to build you up and then look at your first marathon.”

Or how about this one:

“I want to run my first marathon, and my best half marathon time predicts that I could finish in xxxxxx hours.  Will you help me train?”

“I just registered for Ironman.  I’m buying my first tri bike next week and I don’t really swim all that well.”

I offer up to you the phrase, “Tattoo or Bucket List?”

As an endurance athlete, a training partner, a member of my local triathlon community, and a somewhat “quiet, sit on the sidelines” kind of coach I hear these statements frequently.  I nearly always have to bite my tongue and try not to choke on my Gatorade.  And, so many times the person I am listening to has been influenced by someone else – usually another athlete with some experience.  However, every now and that “other person” is someone who is just checking things of their own personal “Bucket List.”  Having had a couple of “training decisions” made for me and not necessarily by me, I have some pretty strong opinions about choosing your own path.

 

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
 – Ralph Waldo Emerson

I came to endurance sports by way of a life-long friend whose sister had informed her that it was “time for her to get back into shape.”  She was nearly 100 pounds over-weight, and coerced and guilted me into training for our first half marathon.  I was not a runner at the time.  In fact, I distinctly remember telling her that I hated running and was NOT going to train with her.  I was a northern California (Sierra Nevada) mountain biker.  Needless to say, we trained.  We huffed and puffed.  We finished.  And, while I stayed in the endurance world, continuing to run half marathons all over the south eastern United States, I believe that she felt worn down and beaten up by the training.  She came back to the running world about 18 months later – very slowly, methodically, and working towards a lifestyle goal in a very smart fashion.  When she decided that the marathon was her next goal, I declared to all who would listen that I “never wanted to run a full marathon.”  Well, I’m here to tell you that NEVER is VERY, very, very long time.  I chose my first marathon on my own, for reasons of the heart – not from peer pressure, or a coach’s desires to see me run longer.  I coached/trained myself and felt successful for my first attempt.  I ran a few more marathons, and decided to take it to a new level:  Qualify for Boston – just to prove that I could if I wanted to.

While I was training for that elusive BQ time, I discovered road cycling was an excellent form of cross training.  Are you looking into your glass ball?  Follow me here…  It gets really complicated.  Not too long after, a friend of mine who also happened to be an IMWC finisher (2009) asked me to join his coaching group.  The group was interested in a dedicated run coach for their athletes during the “non-tri” season.  Really?  In Florida there is a non-tri season?  Anyway…I digress.  I was quite nervous and worried about being a coach to those who I deemed be far more accomplished and capable than I.  Not one of them ever questioned me or blinked.  Thus began a facet of my life that I have grown to love and enjoy more than maybe even my own training.

Three months after I qualified for Boston the first time, I sprained my ankle to the tune of 8 weeks no running.  Grrrrrrr and Bahhhhh!  I couldn’t even clip in and out of my pedals for the first three weeks.  Now what was I going to do?  My state ranked swimmer son said, “Duh, mom…swim.”  I did my first two sprint tris that summer with my son.  I didn’t do another one for quite some time – there just wasn’t time to train for THREE sports and stay Boston Qualified.  Not as a 40+ year-old mother of two high energy, involved, athletic sons, and wife to an career VICE officer in a high-stress, high liability position.  Something’s gotta give.

As I looked for a way to keep my training more level year round, I added more and more cycling and (oh my gosh…) more and more swimming.  Then, I decided that if I could comfortably ride Centuries and run a pretty quick half marathon, it was time to beef up the triathlon aspect.  So, after more than a two year hiatus from triathlon I joined forces with a world-class coach, the same one who invited me to join his group, and attacked my first 70.3.  I decided it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be, but in no way felt “the Need” to try that whole “stupid Ironman thing.”

Flash forward a bit.
(All those "named" below are COMPOSITE characters.  No one individual makes up the profile presented.)

I have found that those new to the world of endurance sports really want to fit in.  Unfortunately, I have found that they want to skip a lot of the base that will secure a successful future.

Take for instance “Sally” who is pretty new to the endurance world.  She went right to the marathon when she began running.  She qualified for Boston in one of her early attempts.  But, mostly she was lucky.  She really only suffered one major injury in her hips and pelvis.  She has since been through massage therapy, regularly supervised stretching, some physical therapy, and has learned the value of “slow but steady” base training.  However, when she dove into triathlon she did so with a 70.3.  No sprints or Olympics.  And, less than 2 years later she trained for her first 140.6.

Let’s talk about “Ricardo.”  Ricardo is the “time goal” athlete.  He had run 2 half marathons and wanted to train for his first full marathon based on that finish time. BUCKET LIST item he said.  Not only that, he had lost a bet, and not only did he “have to run it” but he had to wear pink.  I advised him against it; passed him at Mile 5 and invited him to run with my pace group.  I was waiting for him at the finish line when he crossed more than an hour off of his “goal” finish time.

*Now, I’ll be the first one to tell you that PINK makes you the fastest one on the course, so don’t discount it.

Another superb example is the County Commissioner who came to me wanting to run his first full marathon.  In college he was a NCAA Div. I running back who enjoyed a brief career in the NFL.  But, he had no idea how to train for an endurance event.  To his credit, he did follow the advice of “his coach” and started “small” with the half marathon.  We are still working up to that full marathon distance.

I have watched new triathletes go from Sprint to 140.6 in less than 2 years after signing up to work with a new coach.  It makes me wonder about where the coach’s interest truly lies – with the extended 140.6 time line and subsequent pay check(s) or with the health, safety, and success of the athlete.

I have turned away and lost athletes who have asked for my help because they didn’t want to come at the ultimate goal in a slow, safe, methodical manner.  Truly from the selfishly safe side, I would much rather see someone become a healthy and successful athlete rather than a mere finisher.

How do you measure success?  Well, I suppose that’s relative.  Are you in it to just finish?  Are you in it to want to do it again?  Are you in it to win?  Are you in it for life?

When faced with any of the above scenarios I tend to fall back on my favorite responses:

1.  Is this event a Bucket List item for you?

2.  Are you only doing this for the tattoo/medal at the finish line?

3.  Do you want this to become a lifestyle?

The answers to those questions tell me an awful lot about the athlete.  It also tells me how we are going to best collaborate on reaching the athlete’s goal.  Sometimes I try to dig just a little bit further and find out who was the primary influence in the decision making process.  Mostly what I try to impress upon any athlete, whether s/he decides to work with me as a coach or not, is to pick their own path.  Be the master of their own fate.

I am often shocked, amazed, stunned, floored – pick your adverb – by the athlete, be s/he novice or experienced, who allows the influence of another person or group to determine the path towards any given finish line.  I encourage anyone new to a distance/event to do some soul searching, and evaluate the decision to take on that goal.  I believe the heart should make distance decisions for you, not a person, group, or tattoo.

Last fall on my birthday I became an “ironwoman.”  Again, I chose to accept the challenge of the 140.6 for reasons of the heart.  No one person, group, tattoo, or title forced me to push the “submit” button on my registration form.  A great number of people, groups, and dreams pushed me to the finish line.  But the initial decision was mine and mine alone.

I became a runner in 2002; a marathoner in 2008; Boston Qualified in 2010, 2011, 2013; a triathlete in 2010; a 70.3 finisher in 2012; and an “ironman” in 2013.  I am the mother of two boys – 19½ and 13.  Both are accomplished swimmers, stellar students, and triathletes.  My older son qualified for his first Ironman and 2013 Ironman World Championship last year at his second 70.3 (Hawai’i) the same day he was to graduate from high school.  He was the youngest qualified competitor on the IMWC course on October 12, 2013.  My younger son has completed his first two “adult” distance sprint triathlons in the last six months – the youngest competitor at both races.  I am the wife of a 24 year career law enforcement officer.  He holds one of the most stressful and high-liability positions within his department.  I hold a full time job within the Florida Office of the State Attorney; a second job with the local running specialty shop; and coach endurance athletes of all abilities around the world.  And, this year I have the exciting privilege and opportunity to race with some of the best amateur athletes I’ve ever run across.  I wouldn’t trade any of it for anything.

Lori Abbey

Red Hills Tri: Florida's Toughest Sprint

"In the beginning..."  I had thought and planned that if I could "go" 1:40 that would be a great first time finish on that course. If I could get close to the Master's time that would be sweet. Anything in between totally acceptable.  

The day begins waaaaay early because #KonaKid wants the end place on the rack and the gates open at 5:00 am. Sheesh.  We are four cars back when the gates open. Body marking, chips, rack placement no problem. Irony-he gets assigned a middle rack and I get an end spot. LMBSAO. Then it's time to chill, snack, and get off my middle-aged legs for a while. 

Dancing my way to the "fun" side of Tri ...
and out of Transition for the swim start.

This is my first time here as a participant (Colin has been racing it since 2008), but it felt like a reunion of sorts. Once I'm awake, I do love the early morning camaraderie and fun.  Lots and lots of friends here including guys who trained with Colin in 2008 for his first Red Hills.

Here is probably a great place to say, "Thank you" to Champion Systems for a comfortable and well-fitting kit (although I still prefer a kids' size short); Headsweats for my favorite visors of all time; Newton Running - I've been a Newtonite since before they were the cool kids on the block; and Big Sexy (I'm not sure what you were thinking when you added me to the team, but "I'm here....").

Transition closes.  Now sheathed in neoprene, we waddle to the lake shore for a brief acclimation and warm up swim. I'm fairly relaxed because I have "swim strategy." I know my asthma could attack me at any time. My inhaler is in my wet suite sleeve just in case. The swim waves are lining up and I hope to see Colin get out before I start. The day will good for him if he is out of the water first.  I turn around and see My Main Man/Hubby/Honey on the hill behind the swim start. He has worked a 10 hour shift keeping Tallahassee safe, but still came to the race to see Colin and I finish. Now I'm ready...a kiss and a "good luck" send me to the shore. I check the swimmers coming in and immediately recognize Colin's stroke. Yep! First out. Let's start this party!

That's my Honey.  Always there for me.

I start near the back of the wave even though people are telling me to move up. Nope. I want to PASS people as I settle in, not stress over where I am.  It works like a charm.  Slowly I settle into my stroke and begin to work through he crowd. I'm not fast, but I'm steady, and I can negatively split the swim. I pass a lot of people including men from the previous two waves. I hit the boat ramp at 11:29, not bad for me (1/3 mile) and the transition mats at 11:54 - it's up hill and you're stripping your own wet suit. 

Out of T1 and on the bike ahead if three people that ran past me into T1. It's not my first rodeo. I don't expect to win or place, I just want to be smart. I had set the gears for an uphill start and was very glad to have done so. I've seen people crash 10 feet past the mount line for not planning. Passed four people in the first 200m uphill. My husband and bonus parents said it looked like booster rockets on my bike.  Thank the stars for those big quads   Got out of the state park and kept rolling. My goal on the bike was to NOT get passed. I was successful in that the only person who "net" passed me had played cat and mouse with me for about 8 miles of the course.  I tried to reel her in....she was in my age group. 

I had estimated that with the wave start and my times Colin would be FINISHED by the time I came in off the bike.  He wanted to win, and he was working for it.  At the dismount line into T2 I asked my friend GP Palmer if Colin had won. He said, ""No, third." I proclaimed some bad word in my "outside" voice and kept moving.  T2 was not blazing, but I stayed on my feet. My husband, Mike, was at the run exit and confirmed Colin's finish but added that he had gone a PR time! I felt better. UP that damn hill again for the run. 

Gotta Get My "Big Sexy" on straight.

Most of the first mile is paved, so I'm great here right on my goal pace. Then we get to the trails. The first section of the trail is loose road bedding gravel: a weak ankle's enemy. Slowing down, I pick my way through to the actual trail. It's not too bad. Soft and cushy but rooty (turns out Colin tripped twice out here for the first time), so more caution. Just after mile two I'm back on the pavement and picking up a little speed. Funny, the first and third miles are the hilliest but were my best paced miles. I make the turn to the downhill finish and Mike is right there. He was awesome: tired, exhausted, and I'm sure hot (still in full uniform); but right there for both of us. 

About 100 feet from the finish line

My watch read 1:31:41 when I stopped it. Not great. Not bad. Better than I had planned for.  Good enough for third in my age group. I'll take it. 

GP Petty, Melissa Thompson,
Michael Weyant, Yours Truly

Team Big Sexy had a great showing:  Melissa Thompson won her age group; GP "Crash the Party" Petty took second in his age group and finished 13th Overall.  Michael Weyant was on site as volunteer supremo.

Red Hills "Bling"  Made by local potter Brian Bachman,
 it's unique to the region, and nearly always useful.

I don't know if I'll do this one again. It might be hard to say, "No," since it local. However, make no mistake, it's a challenge. Beginning with a cold, dark, murky water swim, you need courage. The early miles of the bike and one good climb about two miles from T2 can waste your legs before the run. Two uphill-out-of-transition starts test you for sure. The run isn't your typical sprint run: it's not flat, and it's not even all paved. Things to remember in January when registration opens.

Colin #KonaKid #HonuBrat Abbey, Third Overall - 1:08:5

1 Corinthians  9:24-27

  

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.

 

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.

If it's not fun he won't do it,
and you can't make him.

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."

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.