The Last Lecture

"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand."

--Randy Pausch

Randy was diagnosed with terminal cancer when he gave this lecture. A very positive message that talks about achieving your childhood dreams and enabling others to achieve their dreams.

285.1

That’s the number of combined race miles of swimming, biking, and running this year, or in the metric language the total is 457.8 km. 4.8 miles of swimming, 200 miles of biking, and 80.3 miles of running. That kind of equals 4 one mile open water swims, 2 century bike rides, 3 marathons, and one 5k.

There were a few firsts for me this past year.

-          First Olympic Distance Tri

-          First time I paced under 10:00 min/mile in a half marathon

-          First mud run

-          First triathlon in the rain

-          First Half Iron Distance Tri

Now that 2010 is done, I’ve started planning for 2011, and there are a few firsts already in the plan. So here is my list of wants for 2011 (I’m not really a “goal” person, and not even close to a “need” person)

-          Complete a marathon (registered for Carlsbad in Jan)

-          Volunteer for a triathlon (hopefully Oceanside 70.3)

-          Experience Wildflower

-          Complete a Mountain Bike ride at night – with a full moon.

-          Finish a half marathon under 2 hrs

-          Complete a full Ironman (registered for AZ in November)

This being my second full year of triathlons completed, I am still very grateful to have “found” the healthy lifestyle of triathlons. Before 2009, I was overweight and out of shape – not only physically, but mentally as well. Triathlons have been a huge influence in my life, and will always be. I compare it to your first love; she’s always there in the back of your mind, no matter where you’re at. I’m not the fastest triathlete, nor the fittest triathlete, nor the strongest triathlete, however I do enjoy and appreciate this sport just as much as a seasoned pro.

2009 Year 1 – 213.2 miles

2010 Year 2 – 285.1 miles

Not sure what the total number of miles is gonna be for 2011, although in the end it really doesn’t matter. What I do know is that it’s gonna be fun, and I’m gonna find someplace inside me that I haven’t found before…..

Invisible Victories

I read this post on a message board the other day and thought it was a really good perspective. In life we are constantly looking for “Visible Victories”. I get consumed in the hype, the drive, and the fact that I can never do enough to train. In reality, the “Invisible Victories” are just as important as the “Visible Victories” – we just have to learn to see them when they are present.

Invisible Victories

By Whitney Post, former World Champion and Olympic Rower

www.thebodyself.com

We live in a culture that is always looking for the shiny accomplishment.  We are taught to be good, to look good, to achieve more-and it never seems to end.  Yet I have found over and over again that the tasks and achievements that are most in line with my recovery are invisible, humble acts that won't take up space on my resume and that I probably won't want to tell anyone about at a cocktail party.  Each month in this column I will celebrate an invisible victory that I or one of my clients has accomplished.  My hope is that it will help you be better able to spot and celebrate your own.

I want to thank Rachel Bikofsky, our May 2010 Invisible Victory Contest winner for sharing her strength and growth in this essay about the Boston Marathon.  I believe it belongs on the medal stand because it articulates something so many of us feel when we see high level athletes, or witness events we think our "perfect" or "preferred" selves should be participating in.  The victory here comes in accepting her own body's truth about what is right and balanced, and releasing old ideas of who she should be.

My Invisible Victory – by Rachel Bikofsky

Today was the 114th Boston Marathon, and I didn't run it.  Nor did I run the 113th, or the 112th, or any marathon ever, at any time.  Every year in recent memory, I have used Marathon Monday as an excuse to berate myself endlessly for my lack of strength and discipline-obviously, if I possessed those qualities, I'd be running.  So this year, as the big event loomed once more, I approached it with my usual sense of trepidation...and was pleasantly surprised to be greeted not with self-hatred, but with acceptance and clarity.  Here's what I know:

            I did not run the Marathon, and this used to mean that I was weak.  But, I know I'm not weak, because I wake up at 5:45 every morning, get to work an hour later, and have energy enough to shepherd 25 rambunctious third graders through a full day of learning, five days a week.

            I did not run the Marathon, and this used to mean I was undisciplined.  But, I know I'm not undisciplined, I just save my discipline for things that matter to me, and running doesn't.  I work hard, I study meticulously, I make to-do lists and schedules and stick to them.  If I set a goal, I do my best to meet it, and I'm pretty sure that's what discipline is about.

            I did not run the Marathon, and this used to mean I'd never have the body I wanted.  Well, it does mean I'll never have a marathoner's body, but it doesn't have to mean I'll never have a body I'm satisfied with.  Also, it probably means for me I'll have a better chance of keeping my period, and won't have to endure the pain of running with stress fractures in my feet ever again.  It means I'll be gentler with my body, and my body and spirit will reflect that.

            I did not run the Marathon, and this used to mean I'd never get medals or have people cheer for me.  Okay, so it probably does eliminate one possible avenue for medal winning.  But last week, one of my students presented me with two tiny origami swans he had made for me in art class.  Better than a medal?  It was for me.

            I did not run the Marathon, and this used to mean I had no worth.  While it's true that I'm not a runner, I am a person who stops to touch wildflowers and exclaim over nature, who is intuitive to the needs of others, who loves her family, and who can soothe a crying child.  I am a thinker, a writer, and a person with a wicked sense of humor.  I am all of those things, so I can also accept what I am not.

            What not running the Marathon means is simply that I am not a marathon runner-and there is no longer a value judgment attached to that statement.  It's neither good nor bad, it's just what is.  And, I'm finally, finally okay with that, or at least more okay than I've ever been before. I did not run the race, or win a medal...., but I have earned an invisible victory, and I think the 114th Boston Marathon has been my best one yet. 

Misc Pictures of Mine

Here are some of my favorite pictures I have taken in my travels.

Belgium

Blue Angels - Sioux Falls, SD

Lance an Levi - Tour of Calif, Cole Grade in Escondido

Suzhou, China

Suzhou, China

Moutain Biking in Palm Canyon

I am very, very new to the sport of mountain biking, and although it kicks my ass every time I go for a ride, I truly appreciate the experience when I get a ride in. I have only been mountain biking for about 9 months, and the biggest challenge for me is the mental side of mountain biking – constantly analyzing the trail and the path in front of you. The best part about mountain biking are the cool names of the trails –Dragon’s Back, Cheese Grater, Tunnel of Love, The Forest, ….

Within the past month, I have had 2 great rides. The first was at Vail Lake in Temecula, CA where myself and four other coworkers completed in a 12 hour mountain bike race. This was my first mountain bike race, and my first 12 hour race. The course was a 10.5 mile loop which took the good riders about 45 min, the average riders about 60 min, and then the beginners (like me) 75 min. What really impressed me were the solo riders. Since just completing my first half iron distance triathlon, I could really appreciate the endurance and determination of these riders to push through 12 hours of mountain biking!

The second ride was a 12 mile loop in the mountains above Palm Springs – Palm Canyon ride starting in Pinyon Pines. This was actually a small sample of the 25 mile trial that takes you all the way into Palm Springs. This ride was something I had never experienced, loose dirt, narrow trails, and step switchbacks on the side of canyons. After the ride I felt OK physically, although mentally I was pretty much drained - I was constantly looking at the drops instead of the trail.

Overall it was a great learning experience. I really enjoy the surroundings of mountain biking, but the technical and mental side are huge work in process. It’s all about risk-reward. And even though I am getting better at taking more risks, there are always big rewards.

The First 70.3 Completed - SILVERMAN

One of my goals for 2010 was to complete a Half Ironman Distance – 70.3 miles. Early in the year I targeted the Oct – Nov time frame so that I could complete a few Olympic distance events throughout the year and work my way up to the Half Iron distance. Initially I signed up for the Soma Triathlon in Tempe, AZ for Oct. 23, however a freak dam burst canceled that event and sent me to Silverman in Vegas - a race that advertises itself as North America’s Toughest Triathlon. I questioned myself many times whether I made the right decision, although I had pegged this race a long time ago when I first started triathlons, and now was the time.

Race weekend started with the drive to Vegas Friday morning before the Sunday race. The weather for the weekend was scheduled to be in the mid 70’s to low 80’s and lots of sunshine, absolutely perfect weather. The race is actually in Henderson, a suburb south east of Vegas near Lake Mead. I arrived at the Race Expo in the afternoon and checked in #703 – fitting number since this was my first 70.3 race!

I spent the rest of Friday relaxing and enjoying the nice weather. Saturday morning was scheduled for a pre-race meeting and gear check in. I had never raced a triathlon with different locations for T1 and T2, so the gear bag check was new for me. Making sure all the correct equipment was placed in the correct bag was a nerve racking task – I double and triple checked each bag to make sure everything was in its place. That afternoon I had planned on a short bike ride, but since I had to check my bike in at T1, there was no bike to ride. Instead I got some relaxing exercise through a round of golf! After the round of golf, I got a nice dinner and headed for bed. I was pretty tired, so I fell asleep quick, unfortunately I woke up at 1:00am and tossed and turned for the next 4 hours.

As I started to prepare for the race, I felt a nervous-excitement, not sure what to expect for my first 70.3, and North America’s Toughest Triathlon. I arrived at the swim start at 6:30am at Lake Las Vegas, a small manmade lake resort. The Full Ironman race was scheduled to start at 7:00am and the Half Ironman at 8:30am. The morning temp was cool, and water temp was a nice 68. The swim was a mass start of about 600 racers, and I lined up about mid pack towards the outside. Everyone was in a good mood, and there were a lot of jokes in the water before the start. It was nice to talk to a few other racers that were doing their first 70.3 as well. As the horn sounded I started slowly, looking for some open water and working to get a good rhythm. The mass of swimmers thinned out fast, and I was able to find some open water pretty quick. Overall I felt good, and had a decent swim of 50 minutes, about 5 minutes slower than my 45 minute goal, however I felt the energy conserved was worth the 5 minutes.

One thing about Silverman, even though it’s the Toughest triathlon, it is also the best supported triathlon! Exiting the water, I was greeted by a group of wetsuit strippers who helped me get my wetsuit of in about 5 sec! There was a short jog to the changing tent, and a small uphill climb before the bike mount, and after a 5 min T1 transition I was on my bike – 1.2 miles completed, 69.1 miles to go.

What I discovered was that for the next 69.1 miles, I would not ride or run on a flat piece of ground; the rest of the course was either up or down. The first 30 miles of the bike were spectacular, nice rolling hills in the desert around Lake Mead and fully supported aide stations every 10 miles with great volunteers! As I hit the turnaround point at mile 30, I was still feeling really good. What I didn’t know was that the next 39.1 miles (bike and run) would be the toughest thing I had every experienced in any triathlon. Mile 30 to mile 45 was a gradual climb of 15 miles – with 3 very short steep hills called the “3 sisters”. The sisters are back to back to back, with the last one having a crazy 17% grade. Once your legs are blown out by the sisters, you have the next 10 miles straight into a head wind on a lonely desert bike trail on the outskirts of Henderson. Those 10 miles hurt me not only physically but mentally - and took me an hour to get through! My goal was to finish the bike in 3.5 hours, and it took my 4.5 hours! As I finished the bike, I honestly didn’t think I could run 13.1 miles and finish the race.

When I rode into T2, a volunteer took my bike, and I grabbed my gear bag to change into my running shoes. I took a few minutes to regroup mentally, and headed out for the last 13.1 miles. The first mile felt good, and was slightly downhill. We then made a right turn and proceeded to run the next 3 miles uphill, 2 miles down, 3 miles up, 2 miles down, 1 mile up, and actually the last mile flat! I started to cramp a little on the up hills, fortunately the aide stations every mile were stocked with enough nutrition to replace electrolytes, carbs, and liquids to keep me going. My best 13.1 time is 2:10, I was shooting for 2:30, and finished in 2:45. Not bad considering all the hills, and the suffering that took place on the bike. Total 70.3 time, for my first 70.3, at North America’s Toughest Triathlon was a respectable and proud 8hr - 30min. Although an hour and a half longer than my goal, I was very proud.

I will be back next year to challenge Silverman, and I will race another 70.3 before Silverman. The journey during the race was incredible, and my mind and body went through an experience like no other. Triathlon is an amazing sport, one which I have learned so much and will continue to learn.