Poker Face

My physical therapist consistently tells me I have an impressive poker face.  This usually happens during the deep tissue massages where I grip the sides of the table and try to ignore the searing pain through my body.  While I don't think my poker face would be useful in an actual game of poker (I get too excited when winning), it works well for being an athlete.  After spending the last two decades in sports, I have encrued various injuries.  Due to that and phrases from coaches that include "Dig or Die" and "Sacrifice your body for the ball" I have learned how to hide the pain that I am in.  Luckily, Costco sells monster-sized bottles of Ibuprofen.

Alas, here is a laundry list of all the major injuries that I have encountered in the past 20 years:

• tendonitis
• juvenile rhematory arthritis (JRA)
• torn miniscus
• torn cartilage
• blown ACL
• sprained ankles
• sprained wrists
• jammed fingers
• pinched sciatic nerve
• separated bone from tendon
• stress fractures
• bone spurs
• joint injury (apparently only resolved by exploratory surgery - no thanks)

Majority of these issues still bother me today, even if they are quite old.  I am pretty sure I am keeping my physical therapist, multiple specialist doctors and Costco afloat.

60 Days

Today marks officially 1 week since I have been allowed to start training again and exactly 60 days to Lake Stevens.  In the past week, to start getting my endurance back, I have had my butt kicked in just about each thing I did:

• Spinning classes - these can and will kick your butt no matter what shape you are in
• 100 mile bike ride - definitely challenging when you have not worked out for 2 months
• 7 mile hike - the morning after the century ride
• Masters swim - was planning to be a recovery workout, but instead turned into a 3000 meter swim in 60 minutes

It still hurts to run, even to eliptical, so my new strategy is to race the swim and bike as fast as possible in order to not be kicked off the course during the run, even if I have to walk most of the way - which is very likely.

I also just signed up for the first Olympic distance Seafair Triathlon (they have only had sprint distances in the past).  This will be a good indictor on how painful and tough the run for the 70.3 will be.

With only 2 months to go, I am already getting butterflies and second guessing myself.  What if I don't make it?  What if they kick me off the course?  Not only will my group of friends (aka my team) be racing or cheering but my parents are planning on driving up from California to watch me as well.  Which is great! I love having my parents be there and support me and I know just how lucky I am to have that, but it definitely adds another level of nervousness to the race. 

As an athlete, my biggest competitor is myself and I definitely don't want to let me down.

Many Things, Here Are A Select Few

It has been forever since I have posted, and there is lots to catch up on.  Here are some highlights:

• Finally done with my project management program!  So happy to have my evenings back.  School is way different as an adult, without student loans (and out of my pocket instead), and working full-time
• I am (unofficially for now) the new VP of the Board of Directors of Candlelighters Children's Cancer Foundation of Western Washington
• Injuries from training.  Lots of injuries.  Was banned from running for a couple months, which caused me to cancel my Seattle Rock n Roll half marathon and also the 1-day Seattle to Portland ride.  Sadface.
• I now have a little over 2 months to train for Lake Stevens 70.3,  lets hope my body doesnt break down again
• It still hurts to walk, yet I am now allowed to start training again
• Changes in friendships have made me realize how amazing my true friends are
• Taking a vacation in Florida made me remember what life was like living outside of the PNW
• Fun spring/summer weekends have started, I am so stoked for what the rest of this summer brings.