Tri, tri again

Looking back at my life prior to my rediscovering fitness, last weekend seems almost impossible. And yet, it happened: I have finished my second sprint triathlon (and my fourth overall) (counting two indoor ones, which may or may not actually count). It was Esprit de She Weekend!

Saturday morning was gym time with my friends, so we swam at 6:30 a.m. (yawn) and then did Strictly Strength class, where Pam (per usual) kicked our asses. Then it was off to Naperville for packet pickup and the race expo.

The expo took place at Naper Settlement (in, of all places, Naperville). It was a perfect day for an outdoor shindig like this. We wasted no time mugging for the camera.

Me, Megan and Pam

We picked up our race shirts (super-cute t-back tanks that run small, ergo I will wear mine next year!), got body marked (that's when race personnel write your number on you with permanent ink; the only time in the history of ever that I tolerate writing on skin!) and wandered around a wee bit. All too soon, it was time to head home. Morning comes early for a triathlete!

I set my alarm to go off at 4:02. Unfortunately, it was set for p.m. instead of a.m., so I overslept. But I woke up in time to leap into my gear (which I had laid out the night before) and headed out the door. I arrived at Centennial Beach in plenty of time.

I found my wave area and racked my bike, looking for Pam, Meg and Linda. Pam was in the wave before me - wave 8 - while Linda was in 5. Meg brought up the rear in 15, but our transition areas were pretty close together. It gets kinda crazy on race day, so Pam took the time to mark our spaces with chalk. This makes it easy to find your stuff when you go from swim to bike, or bike to run.

Hey, that's me!

At this point, there wasn't much to do except prepare, and wait. We got all our stuff laid out and walked around, occasionally running into friends.

That's me with Coach Lynn from LTF Schaumburg. She's awesome!

I can't imagine going into an event like this without the support of my friends. I am so lucky to have an amazing support system! They are undeniably the greatest people in the world.

Linda, Pam, Meg and Me

There's a real sense of camaraderie among athletes at events like this. Except for the occasional weirdo (like the lady who photo-bombed us) or a competitor who takes the event way too seriously, this event is pretty much jam-packed with people who really just want to see each other do their very best, and offer support and encouragement. It's groovy like that.

Once we were settled in, it was time to take a walk down by the water and see what it felt like. In a word, it felt cold. Exactly 70 degrees, in fact! Brr! It was inspiring to look out at the swim course and know that in an hour or so, this entire place would be filled with women waiting to begin their day with a half-mile swim.

Centennial Beach in Naperville, site of the swim for the Esprit de She Triathlon.

I didn't know Meg was snapping when she took this photo. I really like it!

That's the whole crew - Meg, Me, Pam and Linda

Sooner than I was quite ready, it was time to put on the swim cap, grab my goggles and head to the water. The race was about to begin!

My wave took off at 7:32 a.m. My wave was filled with women ages 46 and 47, and I stood next to a few who were just as nervous as I was. The truth is, I think I am the worst at everything. I am the slowest runner in my group, and my skills on the bike aren't that great (although cycle is my best event) (which is sad), and as a swimmer I make a great sunbather. I usually think when people tell me how un-good they are, they're being kind or they just don't realize how much some of us suck. Once we got into the water and started swimming, I noticed one of my "new friends" was truly struggling. So I put my focus on helping Ellen, rather than my own pending panic, and it changed the entire first leg of the race for me. Sure, it might slow me down a little bit, but I've learned that's what true athletes do: they help each other succeed.

I put on this face of confidence in the water, and it totally became who I was. While I still swam like me - slow and purposefully - I was able to guide and help Ellen finish the half mile like a champ. It was actually fun this year, because I wasn't scared and I wasn't holding on to the ropes for dear life. I was swimming! It's funny how getting out of my own head helped so much.

Soon, our feet were able to touch the bottom and we ran (stumbled, walked, shuffled) to shore. Time to dry off and hit the bike! I rinsed my feet (sand!), dried them off and put on my socks and shoes, squoze (shut up, it's a word) as much water out of my shorts and tank as I could, and put my tech tee and kilt (yes) on over it. Headband? Check. Bike helmet? Check. And ... we're off!

The bike course is relatively flat with just a few gentle inclines. I took off like a champ, thinking it felt really easy; the feeling didn't last. I mean, come on ... 15 miles is a long time. But I kept at it. When I saw the three mile sign, I started doing math; I was 1/5 of the way there. I stopped doing math.

You cycle the same loop twice before you re-rack your bike and begin the run course. By the time I was done on the bike, my lady bits were really unhappy with me. But I had done it! It was all over now except for a 5K run. I grabbed water and headed out.

By now, the sun was out in full. It was starting to get humid. So, naturally, I was running. Great. I felt like I was going really slowly, and I took walk breaks when I needed them. I knew I would finish, and I knew I might be a little slower overall because I waited a bit in the water. At this point, it didn't matter; I was in it for the experience, for the fun and for the accomplishment.

Soon, we were running along the riverwalk, which meant we were nearing the finish line. I allowed myself to break into a run and really go for it, which explains why my official finish line photos look damn near like I'm having a stroke. (Which also explains why they are not posted here.)

To make a short story longer, it was a great race; truly a life-affirming morning. I felt happy and accomplished, and I will never forget that feeling. I was a little nervous heading in to get my results, because I wasn't sure how I did. But because all races are really nothing more than a competition against myself and my past, it was time to face the music. Here's the straight poop:

• Swim (half mile) took me 23:12.
• Transition 1 (exiting the pool, gearing up and getting onto the bike) took me 7:55.
• Bike (14.2 miles) took 1:01:12.
• Transition 2 (re-racking the bike, taking off helmet, hydrating and getting onto the run course) took me 3:43.
• Run (5K or 3.1 miles) took me 42:26.
• Overall time: 2:18:27.

Not too shabby. (Unless you take into account that the first-place finisher was done in 1:06:14. Whatever; freak.) But then, consider my results from 2012:

• Swim: 23:27.
• Transition 1: 10:53.
• Bike: 1:12:00.
• Transition 2: 5:26.
• Run: 46:16.
• Overall: 2:38:00.

So, I took almost a full 20 minutes off my overall time, and I improved in literally every discipline - even the swim, which I admittedly took a bit slower than my abilities. When I realized just how much progress I'd made in a year - even if a lot of it was just getting through the transitions faster - I am gratified and truly happy. It's been a lot of work, and a lot of times it should have taken more work but I didn't always execute the plan perfectly. But I got results; I did the work, I worked the plan, and I made progress. 

And I really can't wait until next year. 

Pam, Me and Linda, after our big finish.

The work is play

Sunday is my fourth triathlon. My second outdoor, for-real triathlon. (Two have been indoor events, which - while great - are not quite as intense as the experience of swimming, biking and running outdoors.) As usual, my training has not been spot on. Life being what it is, I kinda have to go with the flow. What's more, I'm also technically training for a half marathon in July, so with the swimming and biking, I have some rather substantial runs on the plan.

Which means two things have fallen by the wayside: weight training, and yoga.

No more, ladies and gentlemen. Last night, I did a little weight training courtesy of the Nike Training Club app for iPhone. That little sucker kicks ass.

I am feeling my muscles today! There's something about working - really working - that gives you a delicious and hard-earned ache the next day. And it just served as a great reminder that I can make time. I can fit it in.

It was only a little demoralizing, this realization that I have let myself become so sedentary, I can't really jump, or do high-knee runs. Seriously! Practice is what made us good at this stuff when we were kids.

I stopped practicing, and I became overweight, out of shape and - gasp - a grown-up.

Well, no more, people. There is going to be a lot more play in my summer, and beyond. I need to practice jumping, skipping, working with the body I brought and building the body I deserve.

I'm not down on myself - not really. I mean, I'm in great shape compared to where I came from. But there is so much more work to be done. I have allowed myself to go stagnant and stop progressing, and it's time to get back to work. And I'm going to play through as much of that work as possible.

Hungry

I feel like I've kicked ass in epic battle this week. First, to maintain my sanity; then, to avoid food. Not all food, just the nasty kind.

I firmly believe that if food has the potential to be passed to me through a car window, I should not eat it. (Exception: St. Arbucks.) My summer work schedule has me working 10-hour days Monday through Thursday, with Fridays off ... which is awesome except for the food part. I usually arrive at work hungry, and spend most of the day that way. It is really hard to stay within my calories. And, when I am finally on my way home, I pass a Taco Bell.

I know! It's horrible food. It's not even really food, but sometimes a girl needs a crispy potato soft taco. Or a chicken burrito. Or both. Which just makes no sense at all, when you're on your way to the gym. On Monday, the siren's call was strong, and I almost succumbed to it. But I did not. Instead, I drove the 30 miles toward home, stopped at the gym, and ran. And then I swam. (Then I went home and ate a pulled pork sandwich, which was a far better choice so for chrissakes stop judging me!)

That was Tuesday. Yesterday, a mere 24 hours later, I felt much more in control. I did not even consider stopping on my way home for some tasty awful treat. Last night's workout, by the way, almost killed me. I biked for about 45 minutes, and then I had to run some nasty intervals. Training for a tri, I'm doing brick workouts ... and pretty felt like a ton of bricks during the run part. All I can say is, oy.

But my point ... I am hungry, but I'm making the best choices I can during a long day that tends to include first and second breakfast, plus first and second lunch. It's not a perfect scenario, but I am doing my best. Today, my "best" included eating my sandwich at 11 - technically third breakfast instead of first lunch, but whatever.

Like I said, I'm hungry.

Neglecty?

Okay, I'm not neglecting you. Or myself. I'm just really really busy. My work hours in the summer require me to work Monday-Thursday from 7 until 5:30. Which means I leave the house at 6, and I'm back in the area around 6:30. When my workout is done, I stroll into the house around 8:30 or 9.

Which leaves me little time to write.

I am off on Fridays, but, life being what it is, I don't have a lot of time to devote to writing. Several personal projects are on the back burner for a bit ... but they will bubble back up to the top before too long, I am sure. I just need to get my bearings. The new schedule started last week, and then there was the holiday weekend, and I'm just now starting to adjust, really.

So that's that. More in the not-too-distant future.

Personal Record; also, the worst

Saturday, May 11 was Race to Wrigley - the 5K through the Wrigley Field neighborhood. I ran it for the second time. 

In 2012, this became my 5K PR race. A year ago, I ran it in 40:44, for a 13:09 minute mile. This was the race that got me thinking, hey, maybe I could run a sub-40 5K. For most runners, this is a given. For me, it has been a struggle. Race to Wrigley last year was the closest I'd ever gotten.

We had a swell group of people running this year, although I sure did miss my sister Kathie and nephew Alex. (In true Cubs fashion ... wait 'til next year!) Shelly, Kristen, Linda, Pam and I met up with Diane and Justin at Wrigley. 

Clockwise from 1:00 - Diane, Kristen, Shelly, Pam, Linda, Me, Justin. I think.

Before we headed out, Kristen's friends Michelle and Tracy joined us, too, along with Tracy's kids. Soon, it was time to get started!

Me at the start, surrounded by a bunch of people.
Yes, I realize how much I look like my brother.

I love this race. Going in, I knew it would be a fast one for me; after last year, I had a feeling for how it would go. It's relatively flat, very few turns, and relatively open. I was looking forward to a great run, and I was not disappointed. 

We ran through the area, and lots of residents came out to offer us more cowbell or just cheer us on from their front porches. I felt like I was giving a good effort, and there were a few times I wanted to stop and walk, but I wouldn't let myself. It is not supposed to be easy! It should feel like effort, I kept telling myself; it should be a challenge. I took a short walk break to drink some water, and then it was right back to it.

When we turned off of Waveland and into the concourse of the stadium, I knew I was going to be close to earning my PR. I pushed it as hard as I could, while maintaining my breath and ... ya know ... not dying. Honestly, it felt good! I crossed the finish line, smiling. Soon I ran into Kristen, and she asked if I'd gotten my PR, and I said I thought so! The clock said 41 minutes, so unless I crossed the start line right at 8 a.m., I was going to be close. Lucky for me, they had a kiosk set up so you could look up your results. I put in my bib number, and this is what I saw:

Yup, that's what my PR looks like.

I could not believe it. Not only did I get my PR, but I beat the crap out of it! I was more than two minutes faster than last year's race! Unreal. I am still on cloud nine.

On a similar yet not sort of note, Jenn and I did a 5K on Sunday, too. It was the Aurora Fox River Trail 5K, done in conjunction with a half marathon by the same company. It sucked. It was actually almost four miles, which is no big deal except it sure does screw up your clock time, and it was poorly organized. Thankfully, it was a gorgeous day and the company was good.

So there you have it; one weekend, two races. One a personal best, the other an organizational worst. For me, the thing that is most striking about all of this is the way I am able to bounce back. In the past, a 5k would wipe me out, and I'd wake up sore as hell the next day. Lately, it's just become something I do without a whole lot of drama. So there's progress all around! Woot!

Of bagpipes and the best of friends

Sunday morning dawned clear and warm. The training was done, and it was all down to this. This morning, this moment, this race.

It was GO TIME.

Early raceday morning, I got a text from my sister Kathie: "Have a safe and healthy run. You rock!" Yup, she said it. In writing. It was time to go and prove her right. As I drove to St. Charles, I bit back nerves the entire time. From here, anything could happen ... good and bad.

So why is it that we focus on what could go wrong instead of what could go right? I found myself tied up in metaphoric knots right up until the airhorn started us off. Seriously! What the heck is THAT about? What if I was too slow and they didn't allow me to finish? What if I was literally the last person and I got embarrassed?

Well, so what? That's the worst-case scenario? I'll take it.

There are people - lots and lots of people - for whom running isn't an option. There are others who physically could, and would like to, but something keeps them from trying. I can. So what if the "what-ifs" get me down? I approached the start area.

And almost immediately found a friend - Carrie, one of my first encouragers and an amazing woman. Carrie is an IronMan and an incredible all-around athlete. I love her.

The incredible IronCarrie Mills and me, pre-race.

With a few words of wisdom from Carrie, I was ready. Just one more check of my phone, and another text from Kathie: "Focus. Be strong. Run healthy. You can do whatever you were meant to do."

Amen.

And I began to run. The first mile was horrible! My legs were tired, and the pack immediately began pulling away from me. But I had the world's best playlist, and I knew it would help. I ran this race as a fundraiser for the MS Society, and I asked those who donated to my run to give me song suggestions and prayer requests to bear in mind during the run. The songs - except for the ones suggested by Mike Rice - reminded me of why I was running. Mike's suggestions pretty much just reminded me to laugh. The music helped - a lot!

Once I got through that first mile, I settled into a rhythm and a run/walk interval that felt good. I kept telling myself, "You planned and prepared; execute the plan". I kept passing the same people, and they me, so there was a sort of "back of the pack" camaraderie; it was nice! A mile or two before the turnaround, the "real" runners started coming toward me. It was incredible to see these amazing athletes running toward the finish. Seeing people I know - Carrie, her friend Pat, their friend Jay and my old friend Laura - did a lot to help me keep my head in the game. So much support. And once I got halfway, well ... to turn back at this point is pretty much to finish. 

This is where I met Denise. She settled into a pace alongside me, and we ran/walked the rest of the race together. I think we saved each other! We chatted on and off as we made our way the six or so miles we had until we made it to the finish. She told me about her kids and her career, and her journey as an athlete, and I shared my reasons for running. I explained that I was running as a fundraiser, and that the finish line might be a bit of a spectacle because my friend Rich Bird was planning to be there.

With bagpipes. 

Our deal was that if I raised $800, he'd "pipe me in" at the finish line. Well, I raised $1170, so as Denice and I approached the finish line area, we saw this guy:

My friend Rich Bird is the coolest person ever. For serious.

And he began to play. And I began to cry. And then I told my self to knock that shit off, because there was no way I'd finish if I were crying! 

It was so cool; best finish line ever - and that's goin' some. The finish line at a Disney race is pretty stellar, but this one was special. In a lot of ways, it was the culmination of months of planning on my part. It was my friends, though, that made it awesome. They - 26 of them in all - had donated to a cause that's important to me, and I felt their support with me along the run. I was running (walking, stumbling) for them. It mattered.

I wasn't kidding about the bagpipes, or the kilt, or the awesomeness of my friends.

I crossed the finish line hand in hand with my new friend Denise, and Linda (who had volunteered for the race) put my medal around my neck. I had done it! I won a half marathon! (And by "won" I mean "finished in the upright position".) My friends Millie and Eric were there to cheer me on, and Kristen (another Runner of the Round Table, our unofficial running club) had come all the way down from Schaumburg to see me finish.

That's what running is, for me. It's something I do by myself, with a large group of people. Many of them are strangers, a few are good friends. Some of them, like Denise, aren't strangers for long. It doesn't matter if you run or not; you can still be part of the race. Runners, especially the Pokey Joes like me, couldn't do it without the volunteers and the spectators and the other runners. That's where we get the motivation to keep going. We run, because we know you believe in us.

Finishing the race and celebrating with my friends ...  that's life, at its best. Those who were with me got hugs and tears, but those who weren't - my Walk MS team, my family, Carrie (who had to go to her son's ballgame) and the rest of the Runners of the Round Table - were there in my heart, for sure.

Someone you know was very very tired on Sunday night.

It was as magical a day as you can have, outside of Disney World.

Half marathon, all crazy

So I made a few bargains while asking for donations for the half marathon, benefitting the MS Society. The coolest was that if I reached $800, my friend Rich Bird would come to the finish line to "pipe me in" on the bagpipes. SO NEAT.

But there were other "incentives", too, that allow donors to be part of the experience. First, I asked everyone for a thought, hope or prayer that I would keep in the center of my mind throughout a portion of the race. With the number of donors I have, each person will have roughly a half mile dedicated to their request. 

I also asked for people to suggest songs for my running playlist, which I'll use to keep me moving forward on Sunday. So I thought I'd share with you what I've received, both prayers and songs. I will update as more come in. 

I'll be thinking of and praying for ...

• a dear friend's sister who is battling MS.
• the children. Think of the children. (There's a jokester in the bunch.)
• those who are battling MS combined with depression, and how hard it is to deal with both.
• health and happiness for all those we love. 
• family.
• everyone fighting MS.
• that we can leave a better world for our children.
• all my friends to have happiness, however they define it.
• a woman named Barb who was admired and appreciated by her co-workers, and has moved on to a different job.

I'll be listening to ...

• I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor
• Big Panty Woman by Barefoot Man
• Tubthumping by Chumbawamba
• The Greatest Love of All by Whitney Houston (at which point I will probably have to step off the trail and vomit)
• Silent Running by Mike & the Mechanics
• Texas Twister by Little Feat (I'll probably listen to Dixie Chicken, too)
• Not Dead Yet by Bad Examples
• Kryptonite (Live) by 3 Doors Down
• Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen (who else?)
• Viva la Vida by Coldplay
• Something Pitbull (haven't decided what!)
• Thunder Road by Bruce Springsteen
• God's Great Dance Floor by Chris Tomlin
• Raise Your Glass by P!nk
• Chelsea DAgger by The Fratellis
• Jump by Van Halen
• The Olympic Theme by John Williams
• Carry On by Fun

I am still reeling with the generosity of my friends and family. The donations continue to come in, and I am so grateful that so many have chosen to support my run by giving to an organization I believe in. I absolutely trust that, in time, one of the dollars we raise will be the one that wipes out MS. And that's the real gift.