Saturday, March 13, 2010

Pain is Anticipated, Fun is Ensured & Triumph is Hopeful!

Excitement is building, not just for me but ALL the triathletes that will be going down to Parris Island next weekend. It is the 1st triathlon of the 2010 season put on by Set-Up Events. This will be my 2nd year doing this race & I can't wait! I thoroughly enjoyed my "off season" and probably wasn't quite as dedicated as I should have been, but I have kicked it into gear and am going into this race feeling so much better than I did last year.

Kicking it into gear hasn't been the easiest. I'm crazy excited about the season, but there has been so many things pulling me in every direction: schoolwork, full time job, TNT, hours spent in the car each day, disappointment, friends, my own training, family, volunteering ... every different avenue has taken a chunk out of me & there is not much left. This last week I found out I did not make it into the nursing program I had applied for. That was devastating. I'm sure it didn't help having 2 prerequisites in limbo, but I'll try again ... and again. I know I'm not the only one w/ lots on their plate, it's just learning how to juggle it all, & that is something I have to work on.

On another note, my Team In Training (TNT) group is doing great! We've got 4 athletes training for a sprint triathlon & 1 getting ready for an olympic distance. They have been so dedicated & coming out for the group workouts and group socials. I know they thought I was looking for every hill in Travelers Rest today for their group ride, but I'm so proud. They hung in there and stuck it out!! Can't wait to see them through to their races. Way to go TNT triathletes!!!

This past week has been full of fun stuff!
1. I've been going up to Tryon to see one of my sponsors, Dr. Dan Becker, on a weekly basis to get the kinks worked out of my shoulder and hip - he's been a miracle worker! If you ever have an issue w/ anything you need to give him a call!
2.The TNT social was moved to Monday this week, so I was actually able to go & hang out w/ all the crew. It was fun to see how many people here in the Upstate are working to help find a cure for blood cancers. So much fulfillment comes from realizing you have an active part in helping change someones life - I'm so glad I get to be part of that.
3. At work, me and the other lab tech were experimenting w/ the X-ray machine, b/c it turns out we have a bad batch of films so I got to take an X-ray of my weird looking clavicles - crazy I tell you! They've been out of alignment since elementary school & I'm sure it was from falling out of too many trees. =)
4.The final "out of the ordinary" thing that I got to do this week was go see my dad sing in an opera. That's right I said OPERA! Yes, shocking I know - this triathlete knows how to wear a dress & high heels! It's been a fun week!!