4 weeks

4 weeks to go...

Wow.  Wow.  Only 4 weeks.  I have mixed emotions about what little time I have left before the day that I've been talking, eating, sleeping, and dreaming about.  You see, in the beginning, this was just a little glimmer in the back of my mind.  A "simple" bucket list item.  I never thought that I would actually do it.  This is proof to anybody that if you set your mind to it, you CAN and WILL achieve your dreams.  I'm not an elite athlete or fast.  Point A to point B is more like it.  I've held onto these thoughts over the last several weeks.  I have my frame of mind ready to go for race day and they say that is one of the biggest parts in finishing Ironman.

This time I have a story to share...

Kylie went to basketball camp the first week of summer vacation.  Last week, she broke down and told me about this little girl telling her that she is "freaky looking".  Unfortunately, this isn't the first time the same little girl has said something to Kylie.  Of course, what happens to Kylie?  Low self-esteem thoughts come racing out of her mouth.  I'm stupid.  I can't do anything.  I'm not pretty.  Talk about heartbreaking.  I know that Kylie is going to have a harder road that the "average" kid.  What gets me is how can children be so mean at such a young age?  I shared this story with one of my dear friends and I love her idea.  She said that I shouldn't teach Kylie to stoop down to a mean kids level.  Instead, Kylie can simply say, "I may not be able to change the way I look, but you are choosing to be mean."  Kylie is a fun loving, dramatic, independent, caring little girl.  The only thing I can do is continue to teach her that she is beautiful inside and out.  She is God's princess.

So, the reason why I'm sharing this story is that, as parents, we have a choice on how we raise our kids.  Just because your kid is "good" and you think they will never pick on another child.  Think again.  Teach kids that it's ok to be different.  Society and false role models have really messed things up.  The foundation starts and ends in the home.
...End of my soap box.

People with NF do look "different".  Some have tumors that are visible all over their body.  Some have them on their face and look disfigured.  Some are in wheelchairs because of bone abnormalities.  Some people have NF and you would never know.  No matter how it affects them, they are human.  They have feelings.  They need love and support.  They need a cure.

8 Weeks to go...

I guess it's time to start flipping things around and instead of how many weeks of training I'm into...the official countdown has begun.

Crazy.  This is the only word that comes to mind when I think about how little time I have until the big day.  8 weeks.

The past two weeks of training has definitely been a "push" for me.  I've spent more time on the bike than I thought I could ever possibly achieve.  I swam 4000 yards in the pool one evening after work...even after having a morning workout the same day. This is the Ironman swim distance.  Let me clarify, so you can feel my excitement.  I swam the same distance that I will be doing on my IM day!
During the workout I wasn't sure if I was going to end up making it.  Not because my body was tired, but strictly because it was absolutely boring going from one end of the pool to the other.  80 times...back and forth.  Let me tell you, it was worth it.  The sense of accomplishment moving forward with my training is beyond words.  I suddenly know, beyond a doubt, that I'm going to achieve my goal.

Moving forward... this past Saturday's training.  I was up and out on my bike early.  I rode almost 30 miles up to my mom's house to catch up with DB-who has become one of my biking buddies-so, he could keep my company on the next 50 miles.  Well, about 30 miles into our ride we ended up on the side of the road with two flats and no other tubes.  A phone call later, we were picked up and I was dropped off at my house and lacing up my shoes to run.  The joys of cycling...

My morning swim workouts have ceased until school gets out.  It's been more challenging to get my swims in because of this.  All I can do... is the best I can.  I do every work out I possibly can and I no longer beat myself up inside if I have to miss one because I am busy being a wife or a mother.  Life happens.  I'm not a workout machine.  My family comes first.  Period. God willing, I will still be in the water waiting for the cannon to go off on race morning.

Kylie:  Our little hero has an endocrinologist appointment on Wednesday to check her hormone levels.  After a year on chemotherapy pills, she isn't growing or gaining any weight.  Her growth hormone level will determine the next course of action.  If the levels are low, then she will go on hormones.  If they are in the normal range, then she will start an appetite inhibitor.

Inspirational Video of the Week:

Sidemark...I have a fabulous video when DB and I were on the side of the road waiting for our ride, but I need to get with a techy on how to post video from my iphone.  Enjoy.

Week 13-14

I guess I'm just going to be really honest with this blog.  After all, it's supposed to be about my journey and this is part of it.  So here it goes...

Last week, was the roughest by far.  I found out some pretty devastating news involving our family.  Have you ever felt like crawling under the covers and not emerging for days?  Well, that was me.  Shocker, huh?  After all, I'm supposably one of the toughest, strongest people you've ever met.  Truth be known, even the strongest people fall down.  The only difference?  Strong people get back up.  In my weakest moment last week, it even crossed my mind to withdraw from Lake Placid.  Just throw away months of training and a once in a life time race that would mean the world to me.  Give up. Why didn't I succumb to these thoughts?  Because of my internal drive.  The reason why I get up at the crack of dawn to swim.  The reason why I spend hours on my bike.  I'm doing this for a bigger reason.

Let me fast forward to Saturday's training to put it into perspective for you...

I woke up at 6:00 am and decided to get on my bike trainer for 1/2 of my four hour ride.  My husband works nights and I wanted him to rest instead making him wake up and take care of the girls.  Next thing I know four hours goes by... just a short time ago I wouldn't have EVER thought about riding a trainer that long.  Honestly, it didn't even feel that long.  I had it in a gear that still gave me resistance and I was dripping with sweat by the time I got finished.  Anyway, while I'm on the bike Kylie awakes.    I get ready to head out the door for my run and go to the bathroom before I leave.  What do I find?  Throw up that hasn't been flushed.  Did Kylie say anything about it?  Complain?  Get upset?  No.  I had to actually ask her if she did and if she was ok.  Yes, she said-like it didn't even phase her.  I head out the door.  Normally, I don't wear my headphones because I can't listen to music on IM day.  I'm trying to get used to the silence.  This day, I decide to take them with me.

I'm about a mile into my run when "Shout to the Lord" comes on.  Normally, I skip these type of songs when I'm running because I want to listen to the upbeat stuff.  (I don't have playlists set up and its pretty common for Disney Princess to pop up as well.)  Anyway, I decide to turn it up and listen.  Of course, while I'm running I'm thinking about the devastating news from last week and my journey.  Next thing I know I have a feeling inside of my body that is overwhelming, kind of like the chills.  It engulfs me.  I start bursting into tears, yes, I'm still running.  Next thing I know, I can't feel my legs.  This continues for the next several miles.  I know this sounds very strange and nothing like this has ever happened to me.  But, it was real.  I do have a lot of faith in the Lord and typically don't share things like this. I don't think I could be as strong as I am without Him.  I've been through a lot, as a mom, since Kylie was diagnosed with NF.  And that's just Kylie.  I have Katelyn that I worry about as well.

But, I know without Him, this journey wouldn't be possible.

I guess the reason why I'm sharing all of this is just to say that this is a huge journey for me and for my family.  My husband works nights.  Most of the time it's the girls and I.  Between being a mom, extracurricular activities and a full-time job, sometimes training seems a bit overwhelming.  There are days that I don't have time to fit in my entire work out.  There are days that I walk into work exhausted before the day even begins.  But you know what?  I will be in Mirror Lake on July 28th starting a race with many others who have beautiful stories.  My journey is only one of them.  I will be doing this for NF.  God will be watching over me and I will finish in under 17 hours.  It is going to hurt and I will cry.  And it will be all worth it.

Week 12

I have trained for 94 hours, 5 minutes and 36 seconds so far.  That's 3 days, 22 hours, and 5 mins.

Training:  Overall, I'm still feeling great.  The biggest challenge that I'm having is still fitting in all of the training sessions in and managing to be a mom, wife, and teacher. I will have to say that if anybody goes into this without great time management skills, then they will come out with them! 

I did my first 100K (63 miles) bike rally on Saturday.  There were tons of hills and I really got to know my bike.  It helped a lot riding with DB, who is a very seasoned cyclist.  He really showed me out to crank it down and get up the "beasts".  However, I don't think the hills in Texas are going to be anything like the mountains in Lake Placid.  I'm going to have to look into more climbing gears on my bike.

My hero:  Kylie is just trucking along with her medication.  She takes it every night out of habit and never complains.  She loved getting her face painted yesterday after the race!  She also has dance pictures tonight and she is so excited to dress up in her costume and get all gussied up.  Such a girly girl!  Her sister, Katelyn, and "Garbear" ran a 5K race on Saturday and did terrific!   

Please to help me with my "Journey to Placid" by donating to my fundraising campaign.  I have raised $5066.00 so far and my goal is $10,000.  I'm a little over half way there!!! I'm doing all of the work, you just have to donate!  What a deal! 

http://ctf.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1034366&lis=1&kntae1034366=31D76130C77A41A899ED7F3E1722928B&supId=358283427

Week 10-11

My how the time flies!  I looked at my last post and realized it was before my 1/2 Ironman a few weeks ago.  So let me start with a quick recap.

70.3 Texas:  I felt completely ready for this race.  I started the day pumped and eager to start.  I had my wetsuit on and jumped off of a dock to start.  I was a little nervous about the type of start, simply because it was foreign to me.  When I hit the water, I couldn't believe how cold it was.  Freezing.  Still feeling confident, I moved my way to the middle of the pack knowing that I am a strong swimmer.  The gun went off, I put my head under water to swim and I lost it.  I couldn't move.  I couldn't breath.  I panicked.  I knew that if I didn't get my head in the game I wouldn't make it.  I rolled over on my back and let the others pass me while I refocused and talked myself into calming down.  Luckily, it worked.  I tried swimming again, and this time, I was off.  Before I knew it I was exiting the swim and feeling great.  The bike was flat out and back course.  It went by without a hitch, well except for getting off the bike twice to go to the bathroom.  (Apparently, a skill of using the restroom on the bike works for some triathletes.  Maybe we should address that later.)  I really tried to stay focused on my coaches words of encouragement and I think it paid off.  When I transitioned from the bike to the run, I still felt great.  I started my run a little too fast and had to slow down, but over all I walked away from this race with a smile on my face.

Training:  This is just a glimpse of my training this weekend.  Friday:  Two hours on the bike.  30 mins strength training.  Saturday:  Two hour run.  (I was supposed to swim as well, but I was STARVING after my run, so I ate instead.)  Sorry, coach.  :)  Sunday:  I was on my bike for almost 4 1/2 hours and really felt beaten up by the time I got off of the bike.  Followed by a 30 min. run.  Let's just say that I took my 30 min. run indoors because the wind won today.

It seems like when I'm thinking "Holy Cow! What have I gotten myself into???"  Things like this happen:

That's right.  After months and months of trying, she's finally riding her bike without training wheels.  

Perseverance.  

Week 8-9

Half Ironman week!  Wow.  That went by really fast!  Training so far has been absolutely amazing.  I've spent more hours on the bike trainer than I would like to confess to and, before this journey is over, I may wear out my third treadmill. 

Sunday is the day.  I feel really great going into this race.  Mentally, I'm going to hold back and enjoy the entire thing.  I never thought I would actually say that I'm using a 1/2 IM as a training experience.  Sounds crazy. 

I know that my little hero will carry me through.  She is having another MRI next week.  All I have to think about is how brave she is when the doctor puts the mask over her face.  How she bruises afterwards from the IV and never complains.  How she takes her medication every night without any complaints, even when it results in throwing up afterwards.  She makes my journey so much easier and well worth it. 

Please help support me and my hero along the way...

http://ctf.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1034366&lis=1&kntae1034366=23D0BAE3CCA9427287C98F3D0FDC63E2&supId=358283427

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