First Brick

So a brick is when you combine 2 of the sports back to back. In other words, you swim and then you bike or you bike and then you run. Yesterday we had some AMAZING weather in the northeast and I gained a ton of confidence for the upcoming NV race. I ran 6 miles with my girlfriends in the morning. The pace wasn't stellar but we were talking the whole time. The distance felt good though. In the afternoon, I decided to venture out again and cycle outdoors for the first time since last October. Nothing short of heavenly! I did a quick 10 miles as I really didn't want to overdo it my first day out. And then I did a brick by running another mile fresh off the bike. Jelly legs for sure but it gave me some muscle memory to fall back on. A little sore last night but am hoping for another run this afternoon. Tomorrow will be a rest day and then a little over 2 weeks before the race. Now the logistics begin. Shipping the bike is for starters. Actually taking it apart is first but I am going to ship UPS this year instead of carrying it on the airplane. Same price, less stressful... I think. That's the news. If you live in the Northeast... enjoy this weather!

Home Stretch

So the calendar has turned a page and it is March already. My triathlon season is on the horizon. Wasn't it just December and wasn't I just enjoying the time off and the extra calories... guilt free? Time flies and although I had a tough off season, I am looking forward to racing again. I was sick several times this winter which is very unlike me. And the snow and ice in the Northeast has made outdoor training challenging. But I can feel it... SPRING is around the corner. Rather than the ice field in my backyard, I see mud. That makes me happy; it means things are melting. Las Vegas is the first stop on this year's journey and I am OH so excited to feel the warmth on my shoulders. Stepping up the training but trying to take care. I don't expect to post any amazing results since it's the first race of the season but it will feel good to get "back in the saddle". I must really be suffering from the winter blues. My 5 am run this morning was actually pleasant. More later...

Panic Setting In

So I'm sick again.... haven't worked out since last Thursday. Bronchial thing. Rule of thumb says if you are sick from the neck up, it's ok to workout. If you are sick below the neck, don't do it. So ....

But here's the thing. First race is a little more than a month away. I am no where near ready for it. It's been a tough winter. I've been sick twice and we've had so much snow, freezing temps and general bad weather that training has been challenging.

I am starting to be concerned about even finishing the race. Is this realistic or am I just going through my pre-season jitters? There is still time but with each day off, I fear my muscles are losing their memory.

I am going to give myself a few more days of healing and try not to panic. I won't freak out until, oh.... March 1.

Enough of That

So I can't say that I didn't try (tri)... ha ha. No pun intended. If you've been following, you know I have a shoulder problem and my swim coach suggested a new stroke. I gave it a good 2 weeks of effort and it didn't make my shoulder any better. But it did slow me down.
So you know what? I'm going back to my old stroke. It was a good try but enough of that!
I think I have to resign myself to the fact that my shoulder will hurt. I am a competitive (very competitive) athlete and my body is going to hurt from time to time. So what?
When I consider why I am racing and who I am racing for and what women in treatment are going through, my shoulder pain is nothing. There is a greater purpose and it isn't about me and my ailments.
I am strong. My body is healthy (for the most part) and I race for women who can't and for women yet to be diagnosed.
Please pardon the cathartic pep talk... I needed it.

A Big Thank You

The donations are rolling in and I am so thrilled. A big thank you to all those who jumped at the chance to help. And an advance thank you to those who are still planning on donating and/or forwarding my link along to others. I started sending my donation emails this week and the response has been very positive.
I know times are tough and I know we are not out of the recession but guess what?... Cancer doesn't care about the recession. It never takes a holiday. This year's fundraising is more important than ever as we have never been this close to finding the method of early detection. The excitement is palpable.
Anyway, if you are reading this, I am preaching to the choir. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for your support of this important cause.