The ride and the swim...

Yesterday I was lucky to get another "wonderful Wednesday" - in more ways than one.

Not only did I get my girls, Michelle and Sonja, in from Denver for our training day - but we were treated to a beautiful 75 degree day... ummmm, minus the gale force winds!!!!

We were loving the opportunity to show off our flashy Trakkers uniforms - and I was eager to give my new Kestrel a good test run.  "Time to stretch her legs", I would think to myself.   My Kestrel is sleek and beautiful, handles the road well, and is pretty comfy.  Her motor needs some work, but time in the saddle is the only solution.

We set out for a 5-hour day amid the gorgeous Colorado scenery.  Days like this, with the views we had, make me continue to feel so lucky to live in a place like this.

True, the winds were pretty rough - the headwinds were fierce and the crosswinds about freaked me out a couple times... "I NEED TO WASH MY SHORTS WHEN I GET HOME!!", I would yell out to Michelle and Sonja to elicit a smile amid our fear.  I would always get one!... and then we'd all hang on for dear life as we were being blown into the road!!!   Today was mental toughness day, fo sho'!

Sonja freaks me out when she takes pictures while riding!   Like a protective Momma Bear, I yell at her to put her camera away!!!!   (Amazing how good her pictures are when she is in motion, huh?)

Slowly but surely we made our way to Carter lake....

Both Michelle and Son dusted me up the climb to Carter Lake, and I found them curbside waiting for me to, of course, celebrate arriving at our destination with a picture (and Michelle a peanut butter and honey sandwich)!

The winds were really picking up, so we were all pretty determined to make our way back to my place.  You gotta admit, if you have to suffer amid a long day on your bike, there are worse places to be than here:

  I was so proud of my girls today --- hanging tough and not giving up.  They did some pretty tough intervals amid some crazy winds.  I was really pleased with my very strict aerobic day.  I'm not ready for intervals, I need to get my endurance back... and I have a loooooooooong way to go, but I was pleased with how I felt, how well I executed my nutrition all day, and that I kept myself "steady eddie" all day.  No surges, no blowing up, no bonking, all low HR.  It was a good day.... and let me tell you, the fact that I get to share these days with 2 gals who are never negative, never cranky and are always encouraging -- well, who wouldn't thrive in THAT atmosphere....    (Plus they eat burgers and drink margaritas!   Ooooh yaaaa!)

Sonja and Michelle are always so sweet and appreciative, they're always thanking me for things like riding with them.  I'm not sure they know how great it is for me to have them.  They look out for me as much as I look out for them, perhaps even more, which I find utterly heartwarming.

Case in point, and probably my favorite moment of the ride.  We descended Carter Lake.  Just about anyone who has ridden with me will attest to my nervous nelly descending skills.  Most of it, admittedly, is mental (once you crash and break your whole body you get a little scared), but the years off my bike have left my handling skills, already mediocre at best, pretty abysmal.   I have gotten much better.   (Andy and Cory helped me a ton in Phoenix in January!)   As faithful companions, Michelle and Sonja are completely tuned into my needs on these rides.  Without my even asking - they both jump right into formation.

We begin the steep descent.  As usual my hands are death gripping the brakes.  Sonja jets out in front and keeps looking over her shoulder to stay in front so I can follow her line, but also never letting herself get too far ahead where she can't help.  As I keep looking over my shoulder, Michelle is behind me, guiding, calling out tips and encouragement, staying close enough to help if needed.   I remember how touched I was at this.  I didn't ask them for help, I didn't ask them to protect me, I didn't ask them to look out for me.  They both just did it.  It was almost instinctive.   I was the creme filling to the Oreo.  This made me feel very cared about, which I appreciated more than they will ever realize.  This doesn't happen a lot, me feeling truly cared about - so when it does I notice.  Big time.  (Thank you, friends...)

So - 5+ hours in the saddle.... signed, sealed and delivered....

Then, quick funny story about today.

I wanted to go to Monica Byrn's 10am swim.  She'd texted me that she was coaching and that's all I needed to get some incentive to swim.   I really love her workouts and, selfishly, how much attention she gives us all.  Within the first 200 of warmup, I was psyched to see Cooper had come!!!  She jumped into my lane and we continued with the warmup set.... not long after, Gordo jumped into our lane - so it was the 3 of us playing nicely with each other.

So Monica gives us this crazy-ass set... 29 x 100m's - descending intervals starting at 1:40 and going down to 1:20, then starting again at 1:40.    Some we were doing more than once - like 1 x 1:40, 2 x 1:35, 1 x 1:30, 3 x 1:25... I don't know but it was impossible (for me) to follow! :)   I am the worst at leading complicated sets because of my poor memory retention (thanks head injury!) - it used to upset me, now I just sort of laugh about it.   Cooper totally had that set figured out but I was already tuned out.   No way in hell I was leading that thing - I was already lost and we'd not even begun.  I knew Cooper didn't want to lead.  So she and I looked at Gordo and almost in unison said, "You're leading!"  :)    He was totally compliant, he laughed and said with a smile, "I am good with the numbers".   He and Lara repeated the set, confirming all the different intervals and numbers.... whatever.... I tuned them both out and drooled at the hot guy on the deck....

But soon we were starting.  First 100m on 1:40.  Gordo looked at me and said, "Carole, don't go Rock Star on the 1:40!"   *laugh*   I don't know why that was so funny to me (meaning, take the effort easy on the very easy 1:40 interval) ... but it was... what a funny way of saying it.  That kept me entertained for a good while.

30+ minutes later, we were at the end of the set - we had the last 4 x 100's on 1:20.  Gordo had been leading the whole time, Cooper behind me, and I had to admit he'd been swimming well.   The last 100 came and Monica, of course, urged us to make this one the fastest.  (shit!  I was pooped!)  Ok, game on.   There is nothing worse for your ego than having a non-swimmer (GORDO!!) in front of you.  I may as well be wearing a Seal Mask too.  :)   So for this last one I was damned determined to swim completely up Gordo's ass!  I was going to literally swim over him and then tease him afterward (all in good training fun, naturally) - that was my plan.  I was ready.  Let's go, pal...  This is MY turf.
Ummmm. .....  He completely dusted me.  Completely.   Man!   Is there anything worse than having a non-swimmer dust you??  :)     :)

Great job today, Gordo and Cooper!  Thanks for keeping me going on that set!

Monday's

This morning just before 7am I bolted to the grocery store to get a few things I needed.  Though Boulder will be in the 70's this week, last night we had a bit of snow in the evening.  (This place is CRAZY!)   However, the nice weather rolling in mixed with the crisp air from last night's flurries left the air so clean (but it's always clean here) that I couldn't stop taking in deep breaths with a soft smile on my face.   This isn't the greatest picture I could post, right behind a store and all... but THIS was my view this morning of the majestic Boulder Flatirons amid my crisp air breathing.  I took the emotional cue and stopped my rushing... and took it all in. 

My back was feeling better today, so later I went to 12:30 Masters at FAC. 

I'm pleased that my swimming has turned a corner these days and I am finally swimming a bit better more consistently.  I still have a ways to go until I will put myself in the fastest lane, but I am finally seeing that it's almost there.  I am almost ready.

I arrived a few minutes early and got in to warmup.  Swimmers kept piling in within minutes.   Dave Scott was in my lane, swimming fast and thrashing around.  As people kept showing up, there was just something in the air.   Something not quite right - it felt like a MONDAY.  I needed to do something about the energy level at that place.   Dave was about 20 yards from a group of us at the wall, he was heading in.   I loudly announced to everyone that I was going to moon Dave.   I quickly pushed off the wall and dove deeper so I was heading right underneath him.   I hiked my suit up my butt (ouch!) and swam under him with full butt exposure. 

Dave popped up, laughing, and yelled out, "My goggles just fogged up!" ... meanwhile everyone at the wall was dying laughing!   It was awesome!!!  :)    I tried to talk to Tingle, "How was that?", I asked with a big smile, but she couldn't stop cracking up and was snorting up water.  :)   Love it.

Problem fixed:  energy and laughter was back.

I look to the solution, people, not the problem.   If flashing my huge pale white butt can change the dynamic, then I'm in.   It's a small, victimless crime...  :)

Soon after the "Great Moon of 2010", I was both thrilled and scared as I saw my friend and stud swimmer (and stud pro, for that matter), Brooke Davison, stroll towards the pool as she was sub coaching for the workout.   There is something about a swimmer coaching another swimmer that you know you're in for a serious ass whooping.  But you're usually also in for some great encouragement therein.

Case in point was last week, too.   My friend Monica Byrn (former stud swimmer and stud pro Monica Caplan) subbed for Dave Scott's Masters last week and I think I am still sore! :)  

Both Brooke and Monica really pushed me in each respective practice.  Both paid (too much!!!) attention to my splits and kept pushing me to come in faster each time... and both were totally on hand with the "Good job, Carole!" as I hit the wall in massive oxygen deprivation, gasping for air, and pushed off again seconds later at the interval.    There is something about a swimmer coaching a swimmer.  They just know the right things to say and do.  And there's usually no mercy which sucks in the moment, but you look back (as I do) in gratitude.

Thank you Brooke and Monica for helping me to be better on these days!   I'm getting there....

After swimming I suited up for a ride:

And my girl, Tingle, did some strength work:

Happy Monday!!!
Cheers,
C.

The Buick

When I first started riding again (and running and swimming, but mostly riding), my friend Brian likes to quote one of my better responses when asked how I was feeling:
Carole: "Like a Buick is driving through my spine!"

I long ago promised my blog would always be a place for REAL and HONEST writing. My real and honest. It's not a place where I will brood and lick my wounds indefinitely but from time to time these real things are going to happen along my comeback trail.

It's good for me to recall my Buick quote to remember not long ago things were much worse. My good buddy, Laura Tingle, remembers last summer I couldn't last longer than 2 hours on the bike. Things are better..

BUT ...

 My recovery continues to be a puzzle wrapped in a riddle inside an enigma.   I never, ever know what is going to set things off, or push my progress backwards.   (I think I will always be "recovering" -- the type of injuries I have sustained will never be gone. I will always have to manage them, not unlike any other "back patient". Ug - I hate that word ... "patient"...)

I try to learn the patterns to be prepared for the outcome - but I seem to always be wrong.  Sometimes I expect my back to explode with pain given what I've done, yet I feel great.  No side effects. (???)   Other times I haven't done anything yet out of nowhere I have to lie on my back and begin painful stretches and twists, try to get some blood moving, try to find relief.   It is frustrating to never know what to expect because I can never learn.  More importantly, I can never prevent.

Last night I awoke to an extremely sore (I hasten to use the word "pain") back at 2am.  I know I let out several loud, aching moans. I talked out loud to myself as if there was someone in the room who could help me.

Carole: "Carole, you're going to be ok. Just breathe for a second... That's it. Try to straighten your legs.... mmmmmm, STOP!, no - ok, try to curl into a ball.... that's it ... relax... breathe .... try to crack your back a bit...

Can you get up? Let's get you some ice. And Advil. Maybe some oxycodone is ok - just tonight, just this once. NOOOOOOO! You can't take that. Just take Advil.

You're going to be ok, honey. Just breathe, it's just inflamed from something.... "

(Is it really weird to call yourself "honey" in an effort to self soothe?? Oh well, I don't care if it is. Someone has to take care of the poor girl, even if it is myself.)

7 hours later... still aches a lot, but better than last night. I have NO idea what set it off.... it's never one thing, it's usually an accumulation. But I never know the chain of events that lead to the moment of implosion.

All I can do is feel it, try to deal with it, and get back out there the very second I can. No excuses.


"Pain was their body's way of telling them that they'd pushed themselves to their limits -- which was exactly where they were supposed to be."   --  Richard Marcinko

Here I am this morning on my bed "going fetal", as I say. (In the fetal position.)

With A Little Help From My Friends

Best to play this YouTube while you're reading so it's great music in the background for this.  :)

Sometimes other people write blog posts better than I ever could.   (Find Sonja's blog link below)

But let me include my abridged version:
Michelle and Sonja pulled ME all day.  Don't let them fool you.  They dusted me up climbs, kicked my ass descending, and could sing on cue at any moment without being at all breathless (while I was panting at the pace).   The only place where I was clearly victorious was in food consumption.  But that was no surprise....

In short, I loved the day with my girls - both of whom share the same approach to this stuff I do:  Laughing required.  Singing even more required.  Tears acceptable.  Whining unacceptable.  Self doubt understandable.   Group support mandatory.  Petty bullshit doesn't even make it to the door.  Group encouragement part of the gift along the way.    Jokes and teasing, all part of the fun.   Crank calling Charlie Patten (Trakkers owner) - A GIVEN!

Here are a couple pics that didn't make it to her final cut:

To read all about it: Sonja's Recap

 I get by with a little help from my friends....................
Cheers!

Blind Dates and Airplanes

No one likes blind dates. I certainly do NOT - but you gotta give these things a shot. The opportunity to make a new friend is never one to waste and hopefully at the very least this is what you could make. Since I'm thankfully not subjected to blind dates often (let's face it, my friends know to be fairly choosy on my behalf), I try to rally the internal "fire up" and go if the situation presents itself. And yes, go with a good attitude. : )

So I'd had a few phone conversations with impending blind-date "Doug". He'd gone to University of Southern CA for undergrad and graduate school, and spent those formidable years living in oh-so-trendy Manhattan Beach (a few beach towns from where I had lived after college, Santa Monica). 10 years later he moved back to Colorado and was now in Denver. So - the obvious connection - living in CA and CO.

He had lived in Manhattan Beach, how bad could he really be?  :)

I'd been traveling a lot so we weren't able to align our schedules to meet for a while. Finally I was back in town and Doug was on the ball with getting something on our respective calendars.

We had a pretty funny conversation, and he lured me in with his unblinking bravado:

Doug:  So what would impress you for a first date?

Carole:  Seriously?

Doug: Yeah...

Carole:  If the guy could complete a sentence. At this point in my life that would impress me.

Doug:  *laugh* That's harsh! You've dated some losers, huh.

Carole:  Oh I've trudged through a waist-deep mudslide of 'em. (I said sarcastically, of course!)

Doug:  *laugh* You're funny. Ok.. so what would impress you? Are you adventurous, Carole?

Carole:  Well, it would depend, but yes, I think so. (Don't worry, friends.  I've been around the block a few times.  I knew where that was headed.  I was prepared!)

Doug:  Can you be ready at 5:30pm?  I'm going to pick you up...

Carole: Ummmm ok...

Doug: At the Boulder Airport...

Carole: WHAT???

Doug: Can I take you flying?

Carole: Can you take me FLYING???????

Doug: Yeah. I've had my pilot's license for 10 years. I fly all the time.

Carole:  Holy crap. That would be a hard first date to trump!

Doug:  Perfect.

Flying over University of Colorado (CU) Stadium .... so cool!!!

Props to my skilled and fearless pilot.  Of course, I threw out all the appropriate and well-timed "Top Gun" quotes during the flight, especially when I talked him into doing a "Tower fly by".  He especially laughed when I often ended my sentences with, "Roger that!"  

I got props at the end of the night for my "adventuous spirit". 

Cheers to that.

Carp Diem!!!! 

Giving Back

Recently I found myself back in Phoenix again. A bit of business to do, but also, my Dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer and I was in town to help him with various doctor appointments.

One afternoon I had a couple hours to get in a ride. My bike seemed a bit beat up so I stopped by a local bike shop, Focus, to get some repairs done.

While there, I began chit-chatting with the owner of the shop. One conversation led to another and somehow the next thing I knew he was telling me about a local stud cyclist, Heidi Clayton, who had recently been hit by a car while cycling and had broken her back. My eyes grew wide like saucers. “How is she?!”, was my first obvious question.  Instantly I was connected.

He ran down the current situation: she had just been released from the hospital having had her back fused. Physically she was ‘ok’ but mentally this had put her through the wringer. (Poor thing.) Apparently she was doing a lot of the understandable “why me?” stuff.

http://www.examiner.com/x-26314-Phoenix-Cycling-Examiner~y2010m3d26-Local-cyclist-hit-by-car

Without any hesitation, I asked if it would be ok for me to visit her. The owner’s mouth dropped and said how kind that was, and he’d get me in touch with needed people. I gave him all my contact information and left the store in some pretty heavy thought.

Quickly my mind went back to my own accident in 2007, my own broken back, broken wrists, broken ribs, head injury – but more important, the people who rushed by my side. They say in hard times you really learn who your friends are. I believe this is true.

Normally the first thing I do when I am in the car is crank up the radio. But on this day, I drove in silence, reliving the images in my head of those who helped me:

• I thought of Pam Stone who had tried to set up a daily maid service for me. Even though I wouldn’t let her, she tried valiantly.

• I thought of Heidi Phillips, on her hands and knees by my bedside, scrubbing away at the carpet stains from my puke that had dried there days earlier.

• I thought of Heather Gollnick who sponge bathed me more effectively than I think I have ever cleaned myself (who knew you could get to THOSE places?).

• I thought of Dana Henry who drove me to every orthopedic surgeon/doctor appointment I had, and who lovingly held my trembling hand as an 11-inch needle was injected into my spinal cord.

• I thought of JZ, who spoon fed me dinner when I was too broken to even feed myself.

• I thought of Lee and Amy Amlicke who visited me and cared about me while I was bedridden, and they tried to help relieve my boredom.

• I thought of Kellye Mills who brought me dinner and a bottle of wine (why not mix with Oxycontin? God love her!) immediately.

• I thought of Tony Myers who organized a spinathon for me at ATS, where tons of people signed cards for me and sent such loving notes.

• I thought of Brent Johnston and Brian Rell who became fierce older brothers and protected me from the mean spirited people.  To my horror, there were many.

• I thought of the kind stranger who sat next to me on the plane as my mummy-wrapped body was transported on and off the plane after the accident; he helped carry my bags, bought me lunch without me knowing it, and later hunted me down and sent me a get well card to Georgia. 

•  I thought of Karen O'Riordan who sat with me for hours at the Kona Hospital, even though she was racing in 2 days, and who contacted friends and family on my behalf.

…And the dozens of others who called and emailed regularly to check in on me…

So here I am , three (3) years later.  Sometimes, really tough situations can change you in good ways if you let them.  I’d like to think my accident, and the things I learned about myself and others as a result, has made me a better person.  Tough times teach you more than easier times ever will. Tough times reveal character, I think.   I hope I have become a more compassionate person, a less judgmental person, and more charitable.   I believe I have.   I'm DEFINITELY a very good prescription drug addict.

So in this moment in my car, as I thought of those who had so selflessly helped me, I was completely drawn to making sure I gave back. There is no way I’d ever be able to repay those who helped me. I never will. The only way I can pay them back is to pay it forward – help someone else. I couldn’t wait to meet Heidi and do whatever I could to try and help her – whatever that would be.

The following day a friend of hers called me and let me know that Heidi really appreciated that I wanted to see her. He told me she hadn’t really wanted to see many people, but knowing what I had been though, that I would understand, she perked up and really wanted to meet me.  That made me feel good.  I knew she and I would connect.

Heidi had just gotten out of the hospital after recent surgery to fuse her spine. Ugg. The poor thing.
The second I met her… a tall, pretty thing with a pink back brace cradling her core, we immediately hugged as though we already knew each other. In many ways, we did.

We talked extensively about her accident and her impending rehab - the car literally ran her over.  To say she is lucky to be alive is not an overstatement.   I shared some of my stories to try to comfort her and help her to feel somewhat understood with her physical limitations and impending journey.   She didn't cry much but when she did I instinctively grabbed her hand and met her eyeball to eyeball.   I was going to be right by her side for that.  To cry alone, no one who "gets you" - there's a loneliness to that.  My girl wasn't going to feel that if I could help it.

As we talked, she continued to have a revolving door of well wishers bringing her needed items and checking on her. I was so happy to see that – and it reminded me of the familiar theme: in tough times people will show their true colors, and you will know who your friends are. Heidi and I talked about that very thing.   She commented how overwhelmed she was by how much people cared and were doing for her, and how saddened she was by some others who she thought were friends. 

We talked about her prognosis. Funny, the doctors told her she’d never bike again. As I watched her already hobbling around her house, grimacing with every movement, I observed that toughness of spirit we athletes have.  No way this chick was going to sit idly by and let life pass.  I smiled as I said to her, “You know by telling you that you’d never bike again, he pretty much ensured you will be right back out there”…. Heidi smiled and I saw her spirit come alive, “Absolutely”.

Wishing my new, sweet, tough friend, Heidi, a speedy recovery, a spirit that can find some peace, and a heart full of love for the people she knows really love her right back.
Heidi, go kick ass, girl! I’ll be the first one cheering for you!
xoxox

One New Thing Every Day...

A little over a month ago my friend Kristen gave me a quotable card that says:
"Do one thing every day that scares you." – Eleanor Roosevelt

I got the card and set it near my kitchen sink. I would stare at it every time I washed my hands, scrubbed dishes, drained pasta, or cut vegetables. I tried to throw it away, but couldn’t, then decided maybe if I tried putting it into practice it would stop haunting me. In keeping with my current theme of trying new things, being brave, facing fears, accepting new challenges without shrinking, I decided it was time for this daily dose of really testing (and expanding!) my limits.

So for a month I did something each day, in varying degrees of course, that was scary. I was surprised at how difficult this really was.

Among my scary things:

One day I descended a pretty steep hill on my bike without hitting my brakes.

One day I risked the painful sting of rejection by admitting the truth.

One day I rode my bike for 5 hours with hills.

One day I jumped into the same lane as Matt Reed and JZ at swimming.

One day I made a cold call about publishing some of my work.

One day I had a conversation that was so difficult that it left me breathless, puffy-eyed, and congested for the rest of the day.

One day I cooked dinner for a new friend.

One day I helped a stranger who was stranded with their car off the side of the road.

One day I rode my bike amid brutal, howling winds, and stayed out there in it (and later cleaned my bike shorts! HA!).

One day I let silence be an answer, and let it go.

Being really honest, trying something new, or doing something old in a new and improved way…all these things, in one way or another, scare the crap out of me. I feel totally vulnerable. Why? Because I’m afraid of hurting, burning, bonking, crashing, or running out of air. Yet I have, to date, survived every single thing, so why the fear?

It has been a worthwhile experiment, doing my One Thing. Facing fear is ultimately easier than constantly navigating around situations to avoid it. I’m thinking that if I can train myself in this way, expand my comfort zone and my threshold in the presence of fear, my new reaction to it might become second nature. Like the way athletes practice a certain sequence of motion over and over again until their body knows it by heart. I want my default set to courage and openness.

That courage is somewhere inside each of us when we dare to run, to speak the truth, to love, to believe, to work hard, to explore and nurture our true selves, to face the things that confuse or intimidate us.

Thucydides:
"The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out and meet it."

It starts with One Thing.

Try it...

K-Swiss Cheese...

Bring it, K-Swiss!!!!

http://www.rev3tri.com/!/news/REV3%20-%20show_1005111%20-%20mike%20&%20richie%20quotes.mp3

Hills........................

I have a love-hate relationship with hills.

I'm working on hills more and more in my life these days (both literally and metaphorically).  I'm trying to change my run stride and start engaging muscles that have never been used before.  It's sort of like starting a new language.  Everything feels different and nothing, yet, feels right.   (Come to think of it - it didn't feel right before so who the hell knows...)

Running hills is an interesting lesson.  It is hard for me to find peace with my body.   I struggle with air (aka I need a mask and oxygen tank on wheels with a pole beside me), struggle to keep my shoulders back, struggle to look far enough ahead to stay focused but not so far that I panic.  I struggle with what is ‘natural’ to do with my arms versus how much to pump them, struggle with my pace - do I push it and get it over with or remain steady?  I struggle with the "and over" part of "up and over" as I want to screech to a stop and bend over at the crest. I struggle with catching my breath on the downhill, struggle with my limit on the descent between getting some turnover in my legs and going down with limbs totally flailing and out of control.  I struggle with the morale it takes to do it over and over again, with the added pleasure of keeping my times consistent.  I just plain struggle.

I love the hills.  I hate the hills.

I can’t keep myself from the paradox, it’s just too good.  Maybe that’s why I'm currently making myself do the hills, some personal torture on an average, unassuming Tuesday.  I want to be fit for the hills…in running, and in my life.  They often come - those hills, be it in a race or in my life, when I least expect them.  We think we are giving it everything we have and things are moving along in status quo, and then WHOA, there it is, no way around it except to climb.  I want to do these drills, to feel dimensions of this inflicted pain, until I have a ‘muscle memory’ of it – in my legs or in my heart.  I want to have practiced enough, done the drills so many times that when I am suddenly faced with a ‘hill’ of any proportion, I kick into auto-pilot.  I want to be able to tackle the hill if for no other reason than because it is what I have been trained to do.  In life, there is not time to dwell on accessing the hill.  You just go because it is blocking your path. Or sometimes because this is the unexpected direction you’re now faced to go.  (Up and over, Carole…)

 You know in races when you are well trained and you come to a hill and you see people walking, puking, or simply sitting along the side?  But you just stay steady and git ‘er done?   It’s awesome.  It’s the difference between ready and not ready.  It’s the difference made when pain turns into power.  Sometimes the anticipation and fear alone will inhibit my breathing and jack up my heartrate long before I reach the base…  I am not making light of those who walk these hills (I have done it myself), I’m only saying I want to be one of those who doesn’t flinch.

I don’t have a goal in mind per se, and I am not in the midst of a personal crisis (of course it’s only noon).     Maybe I just need to know, if the situation requires it of me, that I can haul a little ass...

Team Trakkers 2010 Launch: Austin, Texas

Come join Trakkers Pro Team and Jack & Adam’s Bicycles for a weekend of Triathlon fun. Team Trakkers is kicking off their year with multiple happenings at Jack & Adam’s on Fri., Sat., and Sun., April 9th, 10th, and 11th. Come join us for a happy hour, swim, bike, run, or just stop by the mini expo and try to win some free stuff. Other guests will include Rev 3 Events, High Five Events, Trakkers GPS, Saucony, First Endurance, and many more. Mark your calendar now so you don’t miss the fun. Below is a schedule of events for the entire weekend.

Friday April 9
8:30 AM Group Swim at Barton Springs – Knock the dust off your wetsuit and come take a swim with some of the best in the sport. (Meet at Barton Springs, bring cash for entry!)
6:00-8:00PM, Happy hour for ALL to attend – Come meet the Trakkers Pro Team, drink beer, eat catered food, kick back and listen to some live music! (Meet at J & A’s.)
Pro Team includes Michael Lovato, Amanda Lovato, Richie Cunningham, Dede Griesbauer, Brian Fleischmann, Mary Beth Ellis, Jacqui Gordon, and Carole Sharpless.


Saturday April 10
8:30 AM Group ride from J & A’s – 30 Mile Hilly Loop, presented by First Endurance ANYONE welcome – Free First Endurance product provided pre- and post-ride.
First Endurance nutrition talk immediately following the ride: learn the ins and outs of fueling and recovery. Breakfast tacos & coffee compliments of First Endurance.
12:00 PM- 4:00 PM – Trakkers Pro Team & Jack & Adam’s Season Kick-Off
Catered food from Whole Foods – fruit, sandwiches, and more, compliments of Team Trakkers and J & A’s.
Trakkers device test run and demo set to view at J & A’s.
High Five Events, Rev 3 Events, Trakkers, Saucony, First Endurance, and more will be on site with product samples and displays.
Lots of Free stuff to be given away!
4:30 PM Group Run from J & A’s – Take a jog around Town Lake. 4 and 7 mile loops available. – Pros split off for photos on Auditorium Shores

Sunday April 11
8:00AM Optional Capitol 10,000 event.

Easter Giggles....

"In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter."
-- Kahil Gibran


So I'd been feeling rather melancholy the last few days... nothing over the top but enough to keep me sighing heavily throughout the day.   After doing everything I could think of to snap myself out of it, I just acquiesced to it all.   It's not like me to be down for very long - when I am I pay attention to it - and hopefully deal with it.  I make concerted, valiant efforts to be as chipper as possible at all times... but I've learned in order to do this I need to recharge when the well is dry.  Sometimes I think it's healthy for me to just be SAD if I'm feeling sad.  Let myself feel it and then get on with things.  Moping ad nauseum is not ok... moping privately as I am pulling myself together is probably quite healthy (and smart).


Sometimes friends can step in at just the right times, with just the right things that are needed for internal adjustment.   I'm not sure if this is friend intuition or just plain random circumstance - whatever the cause, today I thankfully got a break from myself.  (You know when you are on your own nerves, things are bad, right?)


Around 1pm I got a text from my good friend, Leanne (i.e., my partner in crime on my birthday BUI post).  She had something for me and was "stopping by".   Not long after, Leanne walks into my condo with an Easter basket in hand.   (How sweet was she??? The last basket I got was in 1986. Really!)   I was so touched and almost started to cry.


"No, no - look in your basket!", Leanne said with a devilish grin.

I grabbed it like an enthusiastic 6-year old and tore through its contents.  She had loaded that thing with all kinds of great candy... chocolate... and then - I saw it.    


BATTERIES.  (A joke that any single woman can share...)


I burst into laughter, the strong hold-your-gut stuff that accompanies a great joke with someone who knows how to make you laugh.   Then Leanne laughed at how much I was laughing.  It was a great moment...


The basket from "Bunny Miller" (aka Leanne Miller):

Let me pull those suckers out for you.  Underneath all the chocolate bunnies and Cadbury eggs:

(9V, Leanne??  Yikes!  ha.....)


I hug my sweet friend and continue laughing... my giggles were genuine but the mark of a true friend is one who can see through the veneer.  I suspect she did and "friend instinct" probably told her to take action.


Leanne: We're going riding.  I'll be back in an hour.  Be ready.


Sharpie:  Ummmm...


Leanne:  BE READY.


Sharpie: (smiles) Ok.  


True to her word, an hour later she appeared to haul my butt up NCAR climb - fresh air and some laughs were called for... and had!

I have no greater blessings in my life than the devotion I receive from those I call "friends".   While I may struggle from time to time with what I am supposed to be doing with my life, am I where I am supposed to be (?) because something really seems to be missing .... anytime I take a moment to reflect on those people in my world who truly, TRULY love me and look out for me, I am nothing but humbled.   I am so grateful to have the quality of friends that I do and I believe, without hesitation, that my friends are the greatest souls on the earth.   I also realize that having the depth of loyalty and love that I do from these people doesn't just happen... to have a friend you must also be a friend...


I must be doing something right to have friends as amazing as mine....

...and to all of you, I am so soooo lucky!  Don't think I don't know it, not even for a second...


XOXOXO.