Part II Triathlon

The Bike

The swim had taken more out of me than I had trained for it to. Even Doug didn't realize it would be as challenging as it was. But now it was behind us and the parts of the race we were looking forward to were in front of us.

At the transition area, the first thing I noticed was how it seemed all the bikes were gone. I dropped my goggles and swim cap and tried to dry off, I talked with Doug and breathless we both expressed immense relief that the swim was over. We put our helmets on and our shoes and mounted our bikes. I was in front of Doug but he soon caught up. We started out on the course together talking and riding and being passed by the fast ones that were already beginning their second loop. We saw the kids waiting for us on a corner cheering us on and it pushed us on. The beginning of the course started with a hill. But my legs felt good. We were on an open or controlled course so we were on major roads and soon we had to ride single file instead of side by side for safety. So Doug was in front and soon his lead in front of me stretched further and further. He is a stronger rider than me and I knew he would be ahead. Soon I couldn't even see him anymore, but it was fine. I felt good I was enjoying the ride and there were even people along the route cheering us on. We had to do the loop twice, the ride was 22 miles. The first loop seemed long and as I rounded the park to start the second loop I had this feeling I was dead last. I wasn't being passed anymore and when I looked ahead and behind me I saw no bikers.

I just kept riding. There were volunteers along the route pointing and guiding us along the turns. There were arrows even painted on the road so that we knew where to turn. But. Somehow I made a wrong turn. I sensed something was not right I felt all alone on the road but just assumed it was because I was the last rider on the route. That combined with the rain, the quiet it was a bit disconcerting. My mind was unsettled a bit what if I was really lost?

I rode and rode then I looked to my left and saw police lights at one of the corners and rode toward them. When I approached them I realized they were there to control traffic for the riders so I somehow found my way back on the course. Then I saw another rider and I knew I was right again. But I wondered did I lose miles or make up more? I just kept riding. It wasn't long before the end was in sight and I have to admit I was glad. My right knee had begun to bother me and now felt really sore. Not to mention my bottom was ready to be off that bike.

As I walked my bike into the transition area I expected it to be the last bike back really I did. Then I looked at Doug's spot and his bike was not there, which meant he was still on the loop. Only I never passed him so that only confirmed that I was off the course. I parked my bike in my spot and started the run. All the kids were there yelling and screaming cheering me on. Which helped me start strong despite my legs feeling a bit wobbly at first. But my mind was full of questions. Where was Doug? Was he ok?

All my questions would be soon be answered.

To be continued....

QUAKERMAN TRIATHLON

Orchard Park, NY 6/28/09

I never mentioned in my training that Doug would be participating with me in the Triathlon. Partly, because his schedule with his camps has kept him so incredibly busy that I thought if he changed his mind there would be no added burden of expectation. But he persisted and even the 20 hour drive here a day before, couldn't sway his determination. I am so glad he stuck with it. We needed each other. We both had no idea what we were doing and having someone who is going through the same thing was priceless.

We arrived early, set up our transition area and got our time chips and body markings and just waited.
Although the weather called for sun and mild temperatures, it was rainy and chilly. Chilly for these Floridians who are used to heat and humidity, who trained in the heat and humidity. And I really under estimated how intimidating it is to see what seemed to me "professional athletes" walking around in awesome gear, walking around their race bikes and generally making me feel like I had no idea what I was in for.

But we kept telling ourselves, "this is our first race...."

The Swim

My fears leading up to the swim never were about if I could do it but rather if I could swim in that yucky green lake. Well, I can say that it really did not matter what the lake was like, I don't know if it was adrenaline or the fact that so many people were in the water also, but the quality of the water was a non factor really. I was in the 4th heat the women 34 and under, Doug was in the 3rd, men 34 and younger. Standing on the shore I knew I should've gotten in to familiarize myself with how it would feel to swim but I didn't and that would make a big difference.

Finally Doug had to go with his group and he joined them at the shore. He looked back and winked at me. I stood with my group to follow his in 2 minutes.

The water was warmer than I thought it would be. The chaos of getting in the water was not as crazed as I thought. But the sensation of having so many people at one time with arms and legs kicking in zero visibility water took me straight into a panic.

I tried to calm my breathing and settle myself down. The best advice that I received was from my mom a couple of days before, "just say Hail Mary's when you need to steady yourself". So I started praying "Hail Mary full of grace...." over and over and it did the trick I calmed down and even the flailing people all around me stopped bothering me. I just swam, not with one shred of technique that I practiced in my training. I was in survival mode. Every time I tried to put my head in and swim, my breathing became erratic again. So I swam freestyle with my head up. The first buoy was easy to get to because the whole way to that one, I was occupied with orienting myself to the situation. Once I rounded that buoy I saw the next one and boy did it look far. But I just swam, praying and swimming. The physical aspect of the swim didn't tire me it was all the breathing and trying to stay calm and keep my thoughts right that was most exhausting. Finally I rounded the second buoy and I could see the end in sight which did wonders for my morale. I must've looked like I was struggling because a life guard held out a floater to me and asked me if I was ok. I said I was fine, but now my legs were tiring, because I was using them so much.

And then I got hit in the head hard. The guy who hit me said "Sorry" but seriously, I have never ever in my life been hit that hard. I recovered just out of sheer will and the shore was in sight. I swam faster to reach it. Climbing out I felt so slow. Legs felt heavy but I jogged to the transition area. Doug was there and he shared with me how hard his swim had been. He really struggled and told me "I did not respect the swim enough".

Doug about to get out of water

With the swim behind us, I was excited about the rest of the race. The bike as always been my favorite of the three. But there would be a few twists and turns........

I know I said my last post would be my last...I lied.

Our bags are packed.

I am as ready as I can be..thanks be to God for a very understanding husband and all the loose ends I am leaving him with.

I just had to say that my wonderful friend Tersea came over tonight, brought dinner, helped me weed out the excessive packing and among other things just made me laugh. I just had to say again how grateful I am for really good friends who just know my heart.

Stop. Breathe. Live in the Moment.

E n j o y your summer. God be with you....Really friends, that is my last prayer for you!

All my love....XXOOO

C.

I decided to do a triathlon. I have always feared athletic competitions/races because I honestly did not think I had what it takes to accomplish them. I never thought I could be strong enough physically or mentally to actually compete like athletes do. I just saw myself as a non athlete. I still don't know why I decided to do a triathlon. But I did and honestly, I had no idea where it would take me. Looking back, I am surprised by what has happened. I can say with certainty, deciding was the hardest part.

Today I did a triathlon run through, and when I got to the run there was a small group of runners that waved me over to them. I joined and I met the most inspiring woman. She is 54, a marathon runner/coach and she gave me the motivational boost I needed. I am not going to tell you all about our conversation because I am still processing it and because I feel like she was an angel sent to me on this day. And the best part, it reminded me of the many people who have helped me keep focused and stay the course.

There is my trainer, Dani who has gone above and way beyond. My new workout partner Corinne who inspires me more than she says I inspire her. There is my sister who has had to hear my fears/gripes/struggles with training on a daily basis, yet tells me just what I need to hear. There is Doug who started training with me and then decided to join me and has been the best masseuse, and ego booster. My kids who cheer me on and whose respect I think I finally earned by showing them how hard I've been working on a consistent basis. That is all kids respond to really ....seeing lessons lived. And my friend, Louise who told me early on that I could use this entire journey to grow closer to God and then showed me how to find that path. You see how blessed I am? You see how I am already a winner in this game of life?? I just decided, and all this support just fell at my feet.

So, tonite let me tell you.... I am tired. Because I worked out/cleaned my house/ started to pack/ and then swam/bike/ran after dinner only to shower and then welcome into my home three ladies so we could have our last prayer Circle of the summer. Please don't misread this as I am bragging about all I have done today. No..no..no..I tell you all this because I want to tell whoever will listen that all you have to do is decide. Do not fear life. Decide to do something that will stretch you and force you out from your safe zone into some place messy. In any way, big or small and then ask God to help you. He will. He will help you beyond what you ever dreamed of asking from him. He is far more extraordinary than we are.

Trust me.

He is the reason I do all I do.
He is the reason I can do all I do. All glory to Him today and everyday.

Friends, this will probably be my last post until.......... who knows.

I am leaving to DC and then to Buffalo for awhile. Please pray for my family and me if you think of us. God Bless you and have a wonderful summer!!

Vacation Bible Camp 2009

"Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ." 1Corinthians 11:1

This year, the Jubilee year in the Church designated the Year of St. Paul by Pope Benedict XVI...

Dear brothers and sisters, as in early times, today too Christ needs apostles
ready to sacrifice themselves. He needs witnesses and martyrs like St Paul.
Paul, a former violent persecutor of Christians, when he fell to the ground
dazzled by the divine light on the road to Damascus, did not hesitate to change
sides to the Crucified One and followed him without second thoughts. He lived
and worked for Christ, for him he suffered and died. How timely his example is
today!

So of course we decided to make our camp theme all about St. Paul.

Monday: Conversion

We focused on St. Paul's big "change" or conversion from a Christian persecutor to one who believed and dedicated himself to spreading the Good News.

We talked about how commercials and ads try to get us to believe if we buy their products we will be "changed" for the better. But those kind of changes are not what God wants for us. He doesn't care what kind of shampoo we use or what kind of clothes we wear. He wants to change our hearts like St. Paul on the road to Damascus.

Tuesday: Suffering

I told them stories of the suffering St. Paul endured...Shipwrecked, Shackled, Escaped by being lowered in a basket over city walls, jailed and earthquakes.

I showed the kids these pieces of charcoal and told the kids these represented our sufferings. Dark, hard and rocky.



Then I poured a "trinity" of chemicals over our sufferings. And I told the kids we needed to be patient to see how God turns our suffering into something beautiful.

Characters waiting for the puppet show...

Wednesday: Evangalization


We talked about how St. Paul was the Great Evangelizer and then we played games to demonstrate how much energy and strength it takes to spread the Gospel.

Thursday: Body of Christ the Holy Spirit and the 7 Sacraments as our guide and support.

We played the Hokey Pokey and talked about how that game wouldn't work if the head or legs decided they didn't want to be part of the body. We are different parts of the body of Christ and we have to work together.."that's what it's all about"...

I taught them the 5 finger prayer

Praying hands:

The thumb is closest to us so it reminds us to pray for those closest to us..our families and friends.

The index finger is one we use to point with, so that finger reminds us to pray for those who point us in the right direction; our priests, our parents, our teachers.

The middle finger is the tallest finger so it reminds us to pray for the leaders; our Pope, our President, and people in our government.

The ring finger is the weakest finger and it reminds us to pray for the sick and the suffering.

The pinkie reminds us to pray for ourselves.

Friday: We are all Apostles!!

**Sadly, my photographer (Camryn) quit on me today and so no photos of the day.

Our verse was: "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength." Phil 4:13

We talked about following St.Paul's example and being imitators of Christ.

It was a wonderful, challenging and fun week. Of course I just gave you a "glimpse" (I think my weariness from the week is getting the best of me because I feel incapable of too much detail, trust me I had to keep 5 groups of 14 kids occupied for 25 minutes at a time) of what we did in the Bible Lesson room but the kids also enjoyed a craft, games, music and snack all incorporating our theme throughout the week.

And, in case you were wondering about our sufferings....they are turning into crystals. A lesson we all need to be reminded of...God always turns our suffering into something beautiful.

Checkin' In

Hiya!

I am now officially paniking!

I am leaving in less than 10 days to D.C.

I am competing in a triathlon in 18 days.

I am teaching the Bible lesson this week at our Church's Vacation Bible Camp.

Not to mention, kids are out of school and we are officially into Doug's summer o'camps.

Everyday I feel like I am just hanging on. You don't want to even see what kind of squalor we are all living in because of the above three things.

But I am pressing on. And I am uplifted. By friends sharing their promptings of the Holy Spirit..(thanks Lisa), by the excitement of my children as they look up and talk non stop about the history and sights we will experience in D.C., and the kids from the camp remind me constantly why I commit to do this every year.
So pray for me ...my head is spinning....

Boca Blast Tournament

Three lacrosse games
2 small girls
1 hot day

=Mama had one horrible sunstroke/headache last night!!

But the good news is Daddy took care of dinnerbathbedtime and I could agony in peace.
Cade's lacrosse team is on FIRE. I actually heard a father from one the teams we played yesterday say...

Opposing father: This team is big and fast and they are great to watch even when you are not playing them.

Excuse me? Did I hear that man correct? Did he say he would want to watch my son's team play even if his son was not playing against them? Why anyone would want to watch additional games besides your own is really beyond me. I am sorry but our sideline is the only one I can handle. Maybe, if I didn't have two small girlies running up and down bleachers and rifling through our cooler looking for treats and fighting over the pink folding chair and climbing all over me and it wasn't 100 degrees out then maybe, maybe I might watch an additional lacrosse game, but really even then.....no... not likely.

Really that is the difference between me and Doug. My view is so narrow in regards to sports. I make sure our sideline is comfy and well prepared with snacks and drinks. I launder and air out the equipment. I taxi to and from. But the game?? Well lets just say I watch my son and not much else. I do have a couple of distractions. But when I think about it, even when it was just me there in the bleachers watching Doug play football I only watched him.

Sure I care about the season and the team, but I care more about my player. And really, seasons blend together, and teams come and go, but my guy or girl, is the only constant. I remember reading a book about a football coach that was written by his wife who seemed to remember every detail of every game her husband coached. I met her at a coaching convention and I asked her, "how on earth did you remember all those games in detail?" And she just looked at me, smiled and said, "How could I not?".

Doug gets that. He can remember details of games and players like it happened yesterday and I guess it is because he loves the game and his players.

I just love my player. Loving the game? Well that part is up to whoever is playing.