Ohhh triathlon how I miss you!

I am so grateful to still be able to swim, spin, lift weights and walk!  So don't get me wrong I am so very thankful that I still have a capable body that is just temporarily having to slow down to take care of this little business called creating a life! :-)  But it is ok to miss my triathlon life and it makes me appreciate it more and more each day.  With triathlon season kicking off I'm getting daily reminders of what I would normally be doing at this time of year and what I took for granted for so many years.  As I drive home and see cyclist heading up a hill that I use to train on regularly, as I get emails reminding me of fast approaching registration deadlines, as I see friends posting race pics and reports, I smile and relive some of my favorite triathlon moments.

I'm finally reaching that awkward stage where the belly is just starting to get in the way of things.  It's starting to get harder to bend over to pick something up or to stretch.  As I try to get up from the recliner I bob back and forth a few times before I can get the momentum to push the legs down.  When I run my shins feel the strain of my extra weight and I'm only running about 1 mile comfortably after that it's a constant battle balance of when I should give in and walk the rest.  I bemoaned to hubs the other day that he's gonna just have to start rolling me everywhere.  But then I think of the women who have had to be bed ridden due to complications, or those who could never do a triathlon.  It takes me back to what initially made me not only decide that I could accomplish an Ironman finish but made me feel like I had an obligation to do an Ironman.  Because I can!!!  Watching story after story of people who had obstacles in their way or were told they couldn't do an Ironman and still found a way to get there.  Some of those stories ended in heartbreak and were cut short at the swim or bike cutoff.  So I thought what is there to question, I can therefore I will!

While I sit here and yearn for my triathlon days to come back I also know there were days I didn't want to drag myself out of bed for that early morning run or there were races as I drug my equipment to transition with a ball of nerves in my stomach I thought why do I do this to myself.  But I want to capture these moments of want of desire to remind me when I am able again that not only will I go back and do a triathlon but I will choose to make the most of each workout, each rest day, and each race.  Now I will have someone new to pass along all the lessons that triathlon has taught me and even if the little guy doesn't choose to follow in the triathlon footsteps of his mom he will know what it is like to be part of a great community of strong people with a will and desire to overcome anything!

Swim because you can,

Ride because you can,

Run because you can,

TRI even when you think you can't!

 

Life Lessons...

Lately it seems like I've been learning a lot of life lessons and that while we are surrounded by tragedy we must remember that we are part of a strong community and the good that still exists and will prevail!  A few quotes that have gone viral since the Boston Marathon events have really hit a chord with me:

The good out number the bad and they always will!

My husband and I just found out that our baby is a BOY!!!  It's easy to get scared about bringing a new life into all of this but if we create strong communities and ensure that good will always prevail we must stay positive about the future.  I am so proud to be a part of the running and triathlon community! 

Tonight one of our local running shops is hosting a 2.62 mi. run and for each loop you can run they will donate $5 up to $1,000.  I have a feeling most of the runners will match their donations.  Everyday take the time to find small ways to make a difference.  While tragedy strikes we are brought together and reminded of our strength and good will of others.  But I challenge you to remember this even after this has passed.

First World Problems....

Lately I've been feeling like I've been kinda... hmmm... how can I say it...  Ok just a brat!  I've been a little whiny.  That might be a reason I haven't been posting quite as much because I don't want you guys to get tired of me.  :-)  Well my body has just been going through changes that I'm not use to but it's ok.  I may be bigger and I may not be able to run fast but see here's the thing it's all temporary.  So today I was reminded that I should be grateful that I can still run even if it's slower and I have food on my table to feed the growing baby that is going to join us soon.  I'm not sure if I've mentioned on here before that I'm originally from Colombia, South America.  I still have a lot of family that lives there and I get to go visit them soon!  Well today is Dia Internacional Contra Las Minas and some countries are putting on a race to help raise awareness and funds.

Which translated is a day against mines. 

One of my favorite artist from Colombia has made it his mission to raise awareness of this problem: 

Juanes started the Mi Sangre Foundation to help victims of anti-personnel mines, and is a Goodwill Ambassador for United for Colombia.
He performed before the European Parliament in 2006 as part of a campaign to increase awareness of the use of land mines around the world. The Parliament donated €2.5 million ($3.15m) to demine Colombia and to rehabilitate victims of the landmines.
Juanes has received numerous honors for his humanitarian work, including:

• An escopetarra (a decommissioned AK-47 converted into a guitar) by peace activist César López, which he later sold at a fundraiser for $17,000.

Why am I bringing all this to light?  Well I think it is a worthy cause and I need to stop complaining about my first world problems!    I'm going to practice being thankful this week and hope to make it a daily habit.  So first and foremost I am thankful that I can still run and that I don't have to worry about possibly going out into a field and stepping on one of these.   What are you thankful for?

Ok to lighten the mood just a little a few first world problem memes I found.

5 months and counting

Hello! 

First of all if I could ask a favor of you to go click "like" on the photo I posted for my dad to enter the Quintana Roo contest he would greatly appreciate it.  I had to help him a little since he still posts to his own page instead of other people's pages and thinks it goes to the right page :-)  So you are supposed to like QR's FB page then like the photo I posted for him on their page.  The link is here.   Thank you so much! :-)


The photo I posted for him is this one it's him on his QR during the IM in November, he's even sporting their temporary tattoo!

As for me?  I'm still trucking along.  I'm at 5 months now and we find out next week if it's a boy or girl.  We are getting excited for that.  Instead of calling it "Little A" we can actually call it by it's name! :-)  I'm still teaching my 5k class and my Boot Camp class and as you might have seen in my last post it has been very motivating and inspirational to see the progress the people in the classes have made!!  I feel HUGE but I keep telling myself it's not that bad at least the constant nauseous feeling is gone for now and I have a long ways to go so I better not start complaining too soon cause I'm gonna get even bigger, Ahhhhhh!! :-)  As for myself I still exercise 6 days a week but of course it is at a much slower pace or less intensity.  So I try to throw in extra walks where ever possible.  My goal is to remain fit even though I know I can't push my self too hard.  I liked a photo CTER posted on FB today and I could relate to it so well for both our chosen sport of TRIathlons as well as now that I'm counting TRImesters.  "Success is about enduring suffering"  and yet we keep coming back to it to prove to ourselves that we can endure!

BTW I've been having horrible shin pain any time I try to run on the treadmill, does anyone have any experience with this and how did you fix it?  I've tried playing around with the incline and the pace and it is just excruciating.  I usually only get about a mile in on the TM but when I'm outside I'm still running 4 miles no problem.  HELP!  When it starts to get hotter I may be stuck on the elliptical. :-(

HAPPY TRAINING!!!

Sometimes we just need a reminder of why we do this! I had to share...

Hello Blog World!  I know I have been MIA lately but I promise I haven't disappeared.  I'm still reading your blogs and it has helped keep me motivated during this time.  I know that even though I am not able to do as much it will still keep me ready to bounce back once this journey is over.  Sometimes as someone who has been use to pushing their body and never having to say "NO" to a physical challenge I get a little down during times I do have to say no and that I am forced to take it easy.  I know it is all worth it in the end but it sure is nice that just when you are at a low point somehow the universe knows just what to send you.

I have kept teaching my 5k and Boot camp classes even though I can't always do the workouts with them and the progress I have seen with everyone has been amazing!  I also love seeing new faces and the motivation I have been seeing from these individuals.  It just gives me life and keeps me going.  Because I know that it is this that keeps me going and will always keep me active.  I will never stop moving my movements may just take different shapes from time to time.

So why this sudden revitalization?  We just got this email today:

Good Afternoon Fitness Gurus,

I am really hoping that we do not lose these wonderful classes here.  I have to stress to you all, how these classes have really changed my life for the better.  I have had medical issues that were deteriorating my mind, body and soul for many years.  If it wasn’t for these classes that are held here, I know would not have the time or the money to get myself to join any fitness club. 

Since I have started, you all have given me the strength to push forward.  I am glad to say I have added the Boot Camp class to my workout.  These classes are not just a convenience, but they have enhanced my mind, body and spirit beyond what I could have ever expected.  I attribute that to all the instructor’s attitudes and passion for the motivation and making it fun.

I wish that the program that would allow us to invite our families to these sessions, this way I could pay for them and make it a family affair.

By the way, I am actively recruiting folks to attend these classes.  I haven’t missed a class and I pray that we do not lose this privilege.

Thanks for all you do!