Week 7

 (I wrote this on the airplane last Sunday when I was heading back to Dallas.  I forgot to post it-so here it is!)

 

Kylie update: The MRI couldn't be scheduled with her EUA next month so she won't have the EUA until July. This means she will get her new eye this summer. It should be right before Ironman.

 

Spring Break made things much easier for me in regards to training. I was able to get in my workouts early in the week and still enjoy time with the girls. I will have to say that it would be so nice if this was always the routine. It's seems to be much less stressful...yeah, back to reality tomorrow.

 

To start off the break, my family and I got to share Kylie's journey for Texas NF. She will be the Jr. Chef at their Dining in Dallas event next month. I was actually really nervous on camera and just hope that they're able to edit all of our hiccups in the interview. Ugh and umm wont sound so well!  There are so many little heroes that they could've chosen and it is such an honor to have our Kylie as the Jr. chef. I can't wait to share the experience with everybody!

 

On Thursday, I flew to New York City and started an amazing weekend! Coach adjusted my training because of the trip and it helped ease the stress of missing workouts. Actually arriving at the hotel was an adventure. My shuttle driver's favorite word was the f bomb...I guess he was just an angry New Yorker. As I was on the shuttle thinking "holy cow just get me to my hotel." Part of me was laughing. F bomb this f bomb that. Hey-you do this for a living. Chill. There are bigger fish to fry.

 

Friday, I got to experience a NYC swim at one of the local clubs. We went during an"off time" so it was less crowded than normal. Less crowded meant that everybody had to share lanes with several other people. The definition of crowded varies from city to city. Of course, at my pool, there are times when I swim that I have most of it to myself. Regardless, the ladies in my lane were very pleasant and didn't have any problems sharing. That definitely made up for the shuttle driver the day before.

 

On Saturday, I got to experience a run in Central Park. It was really nice. I was definitely thankful that my friend joined me for the first part of it. It was nice and early so it was still dark outside. I would've had to hit the dreadmill if it wasn't for her!

 

We had a Team Summit over the weekend with the Children's Tumor Foundation and I'm walking away with a little bit more spring in my step. I finally got to meet several people face to face that I've spoken to over the course of time. Even better, I met many new faces. To be surrounded by so many people that share the same passion is priceless. All of the people there have such wonderful stories and have decided to take the high road on what life has thrown at them. They all want to make a difference and CTF has empowered all of us with the tools to make things happen. I am so honored to be a part of such a wonderful organization.

 

I know this is a long post, but there is so much to share about the journey and NF this week. Up next...a 3 hour ride on Saturday and a 13 mile run on Sunday. This doesn't include my workouts during the week. I have a 1/2 Ironman in 3 weeks. Moving along one workout at a time.

 

This is a video of one of the inspiring athletes that I have the honor of knowing. Watch it. It's worth every second of your time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SIZ-xFn2ww

Week 6

Week 6

 I must admit, I struggled getting in my workouts this week.  I didn't realize how guilty I would feel until I actually missed one.  In the back of my mind, I knew that I was counting on myself to constantly do my best throughout this journey and it just wasn't humanly possible for me to get in the workout.  Today's run was, by far, the hardest.  The wind just blasted me.  I got to see my "friend" along the way.  I stopped to video him baying at me, but the wind prevented it.  I captured a photo instead.

My "friend".  He follows me along the fence line baying and bucking.  Just waiting for me to pet him. 

In the end, Kylie carried me through the run.  Last night, we went out for hubby's and Kylie's birthday dinner.  When we got home, she took her meds.  As I was laying down in bed, she calls for me.  Next thing I know, I'm holding her hair back so she doesn't get throw up in it.  This is my simple reminder of why I'm doing what I'm doing.  It doesn't take much for me to stop in my tracks and refocus.

Our hero turned 7!!!! She's ready to ride her new bike to school.  

Week 4 and 5

I didn't blog last week because it was just as normal as can be.  Went through my workouts without any hiccups.  That's been the case, for the most part, so far.  I've been extremely busy with just life in general.  Many different things have been on my mind and those continue to carry me through all of the challenges that I face as a mom, wife, and teacher.

I got a phone call from an appointment from Kylie's ocularist sometime last week or this week.  I don't remember which. It seems like my days have been slipping into the next.  Anyway, in a nutshell, he informs me that she needs a new prosthetic eye.  Apparently, she is supposed to get one every couple of years.  Well, this is a new ocularist, a second opinion.  He informed me that if she doesn't get a new one every so often, then she will become even more asymmetrical that she already is.  The bones and muscles around her eye socket need to be stimulated for growth. Ugh...good to know.  Ya see, she's had a "fake" eye since she was three years old. Furthermore, because she had a debulking last year on her tumor, she should have had an exam under anesthesia afterwards.  How frustrating!  So, needless to say, next month while she is put under for her MRI, for the upteenth time, she will also get a plaster type material inserted into her eye socket so she can be fitted correctly for her prosthetic.

Now,  all of this being said... DO I NEED ANY OTHER REASON TO DO IRONMAN????

Motivation baby.

We need a CURE.