Week 4 - Creating a Balance

I've always said, I work hard but I play harder. My career and training are both important but my family & friends are even more important to me. At times I can work 50 - 60 hours a week and now my workouts are running around 12 hours per week and I know that is only going to go up. So how do you fit in the fun? I make time the time by having a plan, setting priorities and making to do lists, which really help me keep it all straight.

This past weekend, Nancy & David came to Pittsburgh for the Red Sox Series. Roy, Roger, Sharon, the kids and Ron's dad Bob were also coming in for a game. I really wanted to spend as much time with them as possible but I also had 5 1/2 hours of training to fit in as well. We were staying in the city with them, so this was going to be hard. I decided the best thing to do was get up at 4 am on Friday so I could be on my by bike by 5:30 and done with my run by 9:00, was it difficult to get up? Yup, you bet it was, but it was a priority and I was happy to get it done. On Saturday, I was able to sleep in, something I haven't been done in a while. We had a great weekend, and it was nice not feeling guilty about neglecting a workout. I was able to relax, recharge and most importantly, enjoy my time with great friends. I also learned more than anyone needs to know about Furries, a story for a different blog! Really?! On Monday morning, I was back at it again up early to get in a 2 hour run in. It's true, you can do it all...you just have to set priorities and understand what's important. We had a blast this weekend with Friends and Family!!

Week #3: The Open Water Swim - My Personal Fear Factor

I am starting this blog a little late - I am 3 weeks into formal training for the half Ironman, but I have been working towards this goal for a while now. Some training sessions are good, I feel strong, like I can could go on forever and others have me weak in the knees, having me digging down deep to find the courage to forge forward. At times I don't have to go to far, I can usually find motivation by telling myself that I get to swim, bike or run today. I have several positive affirmations that I tell myself when the going gets tough and lastly I think of all the people who would if they could and would much rather be doing what I'm doing then struggling with what they have been presented with.

Well, on Sunday I pulled out all the tricks and still it took a lot of coaxing to make it through an open water swim. I participated in a Swim Clinic at Lake Arthur in Moraine State Park. I swim in this lake often, mostly because it's the only one close by. It is dark water so it's a little intimidating at first but once I get in I usually relax pretty quickly. We were swimming in a new section so I was nervous, anticipating what it would be like. We had the option of swimming a 1/2 mile loop or 1/4 mile loop. I chose the 1/2 mile and planned to do it twice as the 1/2 Ironman swim distance is 1.2 miles so I thought this would be good practice. I have to say that 1/2 mile buoy looked like it was a long way from the shore!

We started out as a group to simulate the mass start of triathlon - as I stepped into the water I sunk down 3 inches into muck...ewww. Grow up I tell myself - the sooner you start swimming the sooner you will be out of the muck! We're off - well right into a patch of lillie pads, as they are sticking to me I am beginning to panic, it's just plants, Traci stop it!! OK I'm through it, wait, what is that stuck to my arm? Oh god!! Oh....it's just the string on the zipper of my wetsuit. What the heck am I doing? Get a hold of yourself, relax, relax ...face in the water, OK I'm swimming, nope...I'm inhaling with my face in the water, not good!! I'm on my back trying to get a hold of my breathing, no matter how hard I try I can't get a hold of myself. You're fine, I tell myself, where the heck is that first buoy, I feel like I have no energy and it goes on from there.

Well I'm here to talk about it, so obviously I made it. However, I completely bonked, my energy levels were low and I needed food and collect myself. On the shore I got a Honey Stinger Waffle and some Gaterade and my energy levels slowly came back. But now, nothing in me wanted to get back in the water. I knew I had to, if I didn't I would be going home defeated and THAT was not going to happen! It took a lot of coaxing by myself, by my coach and my husband but I got back in, got through the muck and the lilly pads as quickly as possible and I swam, like I knew I could!

Although I wasn't proud of my performance that first time out, I was proud of myself for getting back in and not giving up on myself! I have much work ahead of me, mostly on my mental game, but I know I will be successful...I know I can do it!

I have wanted to start a blog for quite some time but I have struggled with getting it started. I could start by saying I was a heavy kid, yes I was the kid that practically threw up at the end of running the 600 yard dash in gym class (man I dreaded that day each school year). I could tell you about all my yo-yo dieting in my 20's & 30's. How I sporadically belonged to various gyms, diet programs, etc. Then there's all the bad decisions I made in my early adult life because I was missing self-confidence during the years whe you struggle to define yourself. But really? blah, blah, blah! We all struggle, we struggle with our appearance, with finding self-confidence, we struggle to define who we are, who we hope to be. It's all part of our journey and it's up to each of us to define it. You can choose to fall victim to all the negative experiences, blame others for not having the things you wish could have, or you can learn from your experiences, find the positives in each challenge that comes your way, rise above them, choose to learn from the experience and to persevere. What I have ultimately come to realize is I own my own journey. I am responsible for the person I choose to be, no one else, just me. I think Oprah said it best in her final show when she said, "Be responsible for the energy you bring into a room". Wow, how true is that?

I am thankful for all the blessings I have been given in my life, for I have many. I have an amazing husband, who encourages me to go for it, whatever "it" may be. A supportive family, many, many good friends, a great career and the strength and health to lead a Fit and healthy life.

3 years ago, I made a conscious decision to remove the word "Can't" from my vocabulary and I haven't looked back since. That's not to say I haven't stumbled, but I haven't stopped. I started biking & running and then came swimming - In the past three years, I have taught myself how to run, competed in seveal 5k's, a few half marathons and a marathon. And, in the process I have lost 25 lbs. and 5 dress sizes. But that's not the best part. The best part is I also learned that I am strong, confident and happy.

I am about to embarque on my biggest challenge yet. On September 11, 2011 I will compete in my first Half Ironman, that's 70.3 miles of self propelled insanity. I hope you will follow along with me, as I journal about my training, the challenges I face and how I over come the fear that continually rears it's ugly head just about every day in one way or another. And, in the process, maybe I'll inspire you to stretch yourself past your comfort zone, in whatever your "IT" is.