Saturday, March 26, 2011

A week from today..

IM Oceanside 70.3, 2011 version

A week from today.. I would have hopefully added my 3rd Oceanside 70.3 finish to my name. Last year, going into it, I was not feeling well as I had been sick for many of the weeks leading up to it so I had no high expectations. This year, I go into it with the only expectation of getting through it the best I can and really try to enjoy the experience.

The swim will be a mess as usual but I will enjoy being swum over by the competitive men that start after me and the rough waters at the turn around. I will enjoy the fact that on your way back from the swim, you can't see a thing because the sun is in your eye and when you look at your watch after finishing the swim circuit, I will enjoy the fact that my swim time is just as long as I thought it'd be.

I will probably make the usual potty stop... while sitting on my wetsuit.. in transition... shhh don't tell anyone!

On the bike.. I will take in the scenery and the experience that we'll be riding through Camp Pendleton and if you're lucky, you can enjoy the sight of a military tank rolling next to you. I will most definitely enjoy the last portion of the bike along the palm tree lined main road that takes you back into the transition area.

Off to the run, I will indeed take my potty stop, properly in the porta-potty this time! I will enjoy the run along the promenade but will walk the short uphill probably. I will enjoy all the spectators out there with their beers and cheers. And as always, I'll greet them with a smile and a thank you as I am always gracious of their support to a stranger.

And after the race, I will take in the experience of hanging out with my friends at our annual Dairy Queen stop. Whatever my time will be, it isn't important to me this time (well hopefully it won't take me too long), I just want to enjoy it and take it in. After all, I never forget that I am fortunate enough to be able to swim in the Pacific Ocean waters, ride a bike through some of the most beautiful scenery, and the ability to run.

With much gratitude.. yours truly.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Ask and you shall receive!

I feel like I can breathe again!

Sometimes guidance and support comes from where you least expect it to. It reminds me of when I used to fundraise money for Team In Training.. the people that I thought would donate the most didn't and the people that I didn't expect to donate were my highest donors. My sigh of relief came from that form...

Thank "you" so much! Advice.. thoughts.. and all was much appreciated! I can feel like I can breathe again with a refreshed perspective..

Thursday, March 10, 2011

7 year curse?

The 7 year itch...

Or maybe the 7 year curse? I always thought the number 7 was a lucky number.. aren't the winning jackpot numbers to a slot machine "777"? I bring this up because this year has not gone how I had envisioned it thus far. Most parts of my life seem to be influx at the moment.

Training has been picking up but motivation and eagerness to get out there has been subpar... could be weather related? Could be time to move on to another passion of mine? Not sure. Two other pieces of my life are currently in deciding factor. And at times like this, I am extremely thankful for my family for being my core. You know what they say... home is where the heart is. I don't always show it but I never forget it.

So why 7 years? Well, as I reflect back on my life, the last 6 years has been great! I am crossing every finger and toe that somehow this 7th year will turn itself around. In my heart, I feel that it will, but my mind has always been more impatient than my heart. I've always been fortunate enough to live a "charmed" life where things just work themselves out and work out for me...so "charmed" life.. please don't let me down now!

I think the best thing to do is put my best foot forward and take this current period of my life as a chapter on "faith and patience."

Much love.