“Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another.” Walter Elliott

Hi Friends:

I DID IT!  Yes... I completed my practice triathlon!  WOOOO HOOOO!  No injuries, at my own pace, and feeling good feeling GREAT afterwards.  (See Photo)

It was not easy.  As most of you know I pulled a muscle in my chest (still weird to me) and I was concerned that I was not going to be ready for the practice try.  I went to track training last week and then I did some swimming to get my muscles used to the motion.  Well, at this point, in my mind, I was ready.  But I still had some anxiety.  DON'T ASK ME WHY!  I really don't know why.  I guess the excitement of doing something that I have never done, in a 2 feet x 4 foot transition space, and not know how long it was going to take me gave me a little stress.  Needless to say, I could not sleep Thursday or Friday night just thinking about the swim.  I was not too concerned about the bike or the run/walk, but the swim was my vice as a .25 miles seems like 100 miles to me.  Don't ask why... It just does.

Well Saturday morning I got up at 5:15 am and got my clothes on.  Everything was packed the night before.  All I had to do was throw my stuff in the car and put my bike and bike rack on the car.  I also remembered I needed to get gas for my car so that little stress did not help.  We met at the Starbucks and I got some food and tea.  My teammate Michelle and I loaded up my car and headed to Santa Rosa.  (I really forgot how far but close it is)  We were both very nervous so we put The Roots on the iPod and rocked out to the lake.  It made us feel better.  Well, when we arrived, I saw the place where we were going to swim and was AYE OKAY!  It was a swimming hole, very different and calmer than the ocean, but it was .25 miles around.

Everything was set up for us.  We had to set up our area like a REAL TRIATHLON!  Small space, bikes on racks, clothes, shoes, stuff for later everywhere.  There was Goose Poop everywhere too.  I think the poop is still on the bottom of my pants even after wash.  After checking in, getting our race packets, numbers (I was 67... 6+7= 13... my lucky number???), putting on our wetsuits and swim gear, we were ready to go at 835... AM that is.  We jump in the water and  I expected it to be as cold as it was outside but when we got in the water to test it out, it was exceptionally warm.  Well once we got wet and used to the water we got out and the whistle was blown.  OFF WE GO!!!!!!!!!!  I jumped in the water and just could not get myself together.  My NERVES had taken over.  Finally, I found a spot so stand and just shake myself together.  Finally, after about 5 second, I said GO and jumped in and swam the rest of the lake.  I swam slow, but dang it, I did it!  When I got to the end, I got out of the water and headed to my transition area and took off my wetsuit, put on my bike shirt, my race shirt, glasses, a jacket, socks, bike shoes, my backpack and my helmet and off I went on a 10 mile ride.  I was a little slow on the out (7 to 9 mph) but fast coming back (14 to 17 mph).  I was surprised about how strong I was on the bike and I was not putting forth a lot of effort because I knew I still had a run to complete.  I did my two laps and on the way back, just before the big hill, I got a killer cramp in my calf.  I think it was because of how cold it was and because I did not eat much, but nonetheless, that hurt.  I walked up most of the big hill (about 1.5 blocks) to work the cramp out and then I pedaled back to my transition area to start my run/walk.

Well, the run/walk turned into a walk/run.  My calf hurt.  Finally, after walking about a half mile, I found my shot blocks with the sodium and potassium, ate those, and kept on moving.  I walked most of my 2.3 miles, but dang it, I did it.  I am so excited how well I did.

I am not sure how long it took, but I know it was less than 3 hours.  For the Pac Grove race, I am going to give myself 3 hours to complete it.  I will pace myself and go at my own pace.  I can do it.  I know I can.  I just have to find a way to combat my nerves.

Doing a triathlon takes a lot of perseverance.  You are really doing several short races, one after another after another.  This takes great training, but it also takes a healthy mind and a health spirit.  You have to have some fight in you.  My race is not a long one, but really, as Phat as I am, who would think I could do something like this?  Well, something in my heart has told me I could and I am not going to stop.  My goal is to one day complete a 1/2 IronMan Tri.  I want to do it before I turn 40!  You know that is a long time from now but I am pacing myself, getting myself in shape and keeping my mind and spirit in a place to achieve that goal.  I can do it, and you can too, if you look it as several small successes versus going out there one time and achieve One Big Success!

I will take a photo of my medal later and put it up with my next post.  Well, back to Aquatic Park this weekend!  Burrrr, just thinking about it.  Thank GOD for the SUPERSUIT!

Don't just stand there.... BUST A MOVE!

Best,

Phat Athlete

"Thanks Swimmer Biker Walker Texas Ranger!"- Jen "Mojito" Mojica

Hahaha.  This was the text from a message I received this week after helping a friend with something.  It kind of stuck with me as inspiration this week as I struggled with a little setback.  Walker Texas Ranger was the BEST!  You could get in a punch but you could never defeat him!  That is how I felt about my self this week as I had to deal with a minor injury.

I think (yes I think...) that sometimes we forget to listen to our bodies when we are striving for perfection or striving to reach something that seems out of our reach.  Well this week, I finally had my first real injury of the season.  You might think it should have been a sore ankle, strained leg muscle, knee problems, or another fall of the bike (stop laughing).  But it was the strangest injury, a strained chest muscle. (http://www.ehow.com/about_5073567_symptoms-strained-pectoral-muscle.html)

Oh the pain I had!  I don't know how I did this or how it got so bad, but I went for a swim on Monday, washed my hair, and braided my hair.  I think somewhere between getting out of the wetsuit and braiding my hair, I messed something up!  Again I repeat... OH THE PAIN!  I am on training restriction until the 17th!  (Grrrrr!  In George Lopez's voice... "Maaaannnn...I can't do nothing!")

Muscle strains are not joke.  Seeking proper treatment is important.  As much as I wanted to fight the pain and fact that I was actually hurt, my body stopped my mind from doing any kind of major activity this week (including excessive driving).  I think I said this before, but LISTEN TO YOUR BODY!  It is usually telling you the right thing.  After lots of ice, heat, and pain medication, I an feeling better and ready to jump in the water to finish mastering swimming on top of water in my Supersuit!

While resting, I learned how to workout in other ways.  I worked my mind by reading up on proper training and preventing injury, I worked my body by feeding it what it needed to repair itself (lots of protein) and by doing other low impact exercises like leg lifts and some core exercises to strengthen my core, and I worked out my patience by watch quite a few movies, documentaries, and catching up on my Summer TV Series (Drop Dead Diva and HawthoRNe).  Because I was so used to moving and going and training for the last two months, actually slowing down a bit was good for me.  Very good!

While resting, I realized... I have a long season ahead of me.  After I complete the Triathlon in Pacific Grove, I will be training for the Nike Women's Half Marathon ( http://inside.nike.com/blogs/nikerunning_events-en_US/?tags=nike_womens_marathon_2010) and the Women's Running Magazine Women's Half Marathon (http://www.womenshalfmarathon.com/scottsdale-tempe/), and last the annual Solano County Turkey Trot (http://www.solanoturkeytrot.org/)!  This is gonna be a long season and I have a long way to go... injury is not an option... REST when I need it is!

So, if I haven't seen you at practice or out on the street, I want to let you know... I'm BACK!  Back to training in the morning and a light swim tomorrow evening.  I know you missed the PHAT Athlete:  A Super Swimmer Bike Walker Texas Ranger! (Thanks Jen)

Ok all... Let's Keep It MOVING!  Today is gonna be the day!

PHAT Athlete!

“You can’t fly a kite unless you go against the wind and have a weight to keep it from turning a somersault. The same with man. No man will succeed unless he is ready to face and overcome difficulties and is prepared to assume responsibilities.” William J.H. Boetcker

Arrrrggg!  The Supersuit! Also know as the Teletubby suit!  Hee hee.  I have found my difficulty!

Hey all.  It has been a few days.  Last week was crazy busy with trips and work, training and being a volunteer.  I had a lot going on and did not get to bed before 12 Midnight any night last week except for Friday. 

So I know you wanna know what is going on with my training... Well, here you go!  Last week, Tuesday, when I postponed my trip to LA, I decided I was going to be Superwoman and do a mini tri at 24 Hour.  Hahaha... I crack me up!  So I got on the bike and was so uncomfortable (there is something to be desired about gym bikes versus your own) that I could not get through a 5 mile ride.  So I moved to the treadmill... yes, I busted out 2 miles.  Now, I was with my friend who next to me look 10 feet 12 inches.  I was jogging at the pace she was walking.  Oh well, I will just have to move and train faster if I am going to keep up with her at Nike Marathon!  After the jog, I thought I was going to have a peaceful swim in the pool to only be greeted by "RED SPEEDO MAN" and "Octopus Man."  Well Red Speedo thinks he owns the pool at 24 Hour gym.  He comes in in his red speedo and stands over the pool doing jumping jacks, side bends, squats, and various other exercises that can be deemed offensive when you are swimming and come out of the water to the... RED SPEEDO!  YUCK!  I know I irritate Red Speedo because he tries to move me out of my lane and I just bump into him.  Hee hee.  And then Octopus Man... So, I have never been in the pool and been hit by someone swimming in a totally different lane.  The Man smacked the stuff out of my leg and almost pulled me under.  I know it was an accident but jeesh!  Whose arms are that long?  I had to get out of pool after 40 mins after being hit like that!

So, Wednesday I missed Track Practice.  (Hey Marathon Team!)  I was on a day trip to LA.  I was so tired when I got back that I slept half of Thursday away.  I did a little walking but nothing major... I said it was a tough week.  Well Friday, I got the Teletubby suit BACK!  Yay!  It was cut back a lot.  I tried it on and could hardly breathe after getting it on.  My 10 foot 12 inch friend was there to watch me try it on.  Oh did we laugh.

Then Saturday came.  I was not feeling good on Saturday.  I started sneezing and I had leg cramps.  But I got in the water anyway.  BOY!  DID I FREAK OUT!  Don't ask me why, but I freaked out.  Being in the wetsuit just did not seem normal to me.  As I dived in to swim, I had a mini attack.  No, I did not think I was gonna drown (that suit will not let you) but I just could not get my mojo to get past the difficulty of wearing the suit!  I did however do my BEST to get used to it and I swam on half length down and back a little closer to the shoreline than I would like.  I had a fight with the water the whole swim.  So bad that I got out of the water and want to give up.  My Coaches were reassuring but that was not enough for me.  I wanted to overcome the difficulty of this suit and get my swim on!

I then changed into my running shoes and started on my jog/walk.  I am so impressed with my progress.  I job/walked 3.6 miles at 3/1 intervals (3 mins jog/ 1 min walk)  I was able to complete all but 3 intervals, of course they were both up the hills.  My jogging is getting better and my knees are not hurting.  I was jogging and watching the thin, fast runners pass me by.  I thought to myself that it would be nice to run with that level of ease.  But if I could run with that level of ease, I wouldn't run!  So, my challenge is to get there.  Right now, I feel good about my slow jog... I just need to work on my swim in that suit.  Hmmmmm, can I swim naked?  Kidding!

As much as I would like this Triathlon training to be a cakewalk for me, it is not.  Every week I have a new obstacle to navigate and somehow I always win.  Again, I can only win when I try.  This week, the lesson of not comparing yourself to others really sunk in.  I am AMAZING despite how slow or fast or if I come in first or last!  I ROCK HARD... Like the GRAND CANYON!

P.S.  YOU ROCK HARD TOO!  I am going to overcome this wetsuit this week.  What are you going to overcome this week?

Loving you!
Phat Athlete!  :)
 

“You don’t have to be a fantastic hero to do certain things – to compete. You can be just an ordinary chap, sufficiently motivated to reach challenging goals.” Edmund Hillary

How many of us want to be FANTASTIC all of the time?  Meee... (my hand it raised) but is it possible?

This has been an interesting few days for me.  Since my last post a lot of great and wonderful things have happened.  I will share with you my want to be FANTASTIC and how once can actually accomplish FANTASTIC doing ordinary things.

On Friday, July 30, I met up with some GREAT ladies from the 'hood' and we went on a 13-14 mile bike ride.  This was SO much fun!  Just a leisurely ride from the Florida Street Art Museum to the wetlands in American Canyon.  We all had different styles of bikes, rode at different levels, enjoyed each others company and flirted with traffic violations! (hee hee)  WHAT A FANTASTIC RIDE!  All we had to do was set a time and a place and roll!  The Vallejo Breakfast Cycle Club was born!  8am everyday at Florida and Marin, not matter if there is only one person or many people riding... someone will ride in honor of the earth, our health, and our community!  I am proud of these ladies.  They know who they are.

While on this ride, I got a call from the Boys and Girls Club to come by because the Members had something for me.  Well, I took a detour and went over to the Club to have the kids present me with a Scooby Doo Lunch Box, Flowers, and a Card signed by each kid!  I was so TOUCHED!  I felt FANTASTIC.

Well, Saturday was the BIG DAY!  In the SF Bay with my wetsuit on.  OH want a FEELING!  It was a nice early cold day (as predicted in the Bay Area).  When we go to Aquatic Park, I actually put on my wetsuit to keep warm!  I was coached into the water by my dear friend and cycle coach and believe me, I fought him all of the way in.  First the water was too cold, then my face and hands were cold, they I could not work my way upright one way so I did it another way.  Then I had to learn how to float on my back.  Then float upright (Oh those amazing wetsuits).  Then it was time to start swimming... and yes, the green water freaked me out a bit, but I started swimming a little at a time until I finally swam to the mid point buoy!  I than swam to another buoy, and then another one, and then the final one.  I was so excited I actually swallowed a huge gulp of salt water (yuck) and choked.  Though I was CHOKING, I felt FANTASTIC!  I was so excited when I saw just how far out I was... Yes, my suit was filling with water, yes my face was cold, yes something gross touched my hand, but I WAS EXCITED!  As I gathered my breath, I started to swim back to the shore.  I felt good in the water.  I kept swimming until I finally hit the shoreline with my hand.  As I tried to stand up, I fell face forward into the sand (ahahhaah) and finally I floated over and picked myself up!  What an experience!  I haven't swam in the ocean in a long time.  Now, the Triathlon is real!

On my way home, I stopped of and played Wii with my Friends and their Son.  Again, I was exhausted from swimming and jogging, driving and waking up early, but I still had lots of energy!  I later went to a party and again though I was tired, I FELT FANTASTIC having a great time with great friends!

It is our responsibility to decide if we are going to be fantastic or not.  You have to be self motivated enough to be FANTASTIC when you want to be FANTASTIC and know that reaching goals are your choice.  Again not matter how fast or slow, first or last, getting to the end is all that matters.  I truly believe that heroes are not made they are born... put on this earth to be and achieve the goal of being FANTASTIC for themselves and for those they surround themselves with.

Have a FANTASTIC week!

Some Really FANTASTIC People (GO TEAM!)

Phat Athlete