Team Member at Zoot Sports

After just one season in triathlon, I am excited to announce I am going to be sponsored by Zoot in 2016! I feel very honored to be among such amazing athletes! I never dreamed I'd be where I am in my fitness endeavors. And I couldn't be happier to be here! 

 

 

I have always loved Zoot! In fact every triathlon I've done I've been wearing Zoot. So Zoot has been with me since the beginning of my triathlon journey. And Zoot will continue to be with me on my journey to become an IRONMAN!

 



 

 

 

 

 

My Swim Progression

I know I've posted something similar before, but I am constantly analyzing data. Anyone else obsessive about this like me? I am definitely motivated by numbers! 

In these pics my expressions say it all! These are not pretty pictures or fast times, but this is how my swim evolved over my first tri season. 1. CB&I 500 meters = 2:54 pace 2. TriGirl 200 meters = 3:13 pace (I got kicked in the nose and saw stars!) 3. Cypress Triathlon 600 meters = 2:45 pace (was supposed to be 550 meters but was officially adjusted to 600 post race) 4. Towne Lake Olympic 1500 meters = 2:44 pace!! Getting stronger on the swim! **had only been swimming 7 months prior to first tri. had never put my face in the water to swim until I was 38 years old**

My Transformation

My transformation may not be one you can see as much as some others. My transformation comes from within and it is one of confidence. I have struggled with feeling insecure my entire life. This is a picture of my very first race ever in 2013 (10k - pace 11:00) and a picture of my most recent race (10 miler - pace 8:04). From the beginning of this journey at 37 years old to today at 40 years old I have never felt better and more confident in my life! That first race changed my life! How did your first race change you? 

My New TriBike!!

I am so thrilled about my new to me tribike! It is a QuintanRoo Dulce. I am so thankful to my hubby for getting it for me, to my teammate Heidi for hooking me up with a great bike, and my coach and her husband (Gena and Greg) for fine tuning the bike and getting me fitted! It's definitely a group effort, and I am so thankful for such a supportive group!!

 And here it is!! I love it!

 I just know I am going to be fast and furious!

 A little stretching before my ride! Just a little love affair going on with my new bike!

 Practicing clipping in and out on the indoor trainer first!

I got out there and clipped in and out no problem! Even got into aero a little bit! Building the confidence! I stayed on my cul de sac until I get a little more comfortable!

 I am hoping this is the view the other cyclists see as I fly by them!

Overcomers are Achievers!

Sitting down to fill out/update my athlete questionnaire for my coach had me counting my blessings. I have a lot of excuses I could use not to do what I do and yet I choose to anyway. Putting on paper the broken bones, surgeries, autoimmune disorders, etc. doesn't make me think about what I can't do or what holds me back. But instead it makes me appreciate what my body can do....in spite of everything that could stand in my way. I have had 10 broken bones not including multiple toes. I have had 9 surgeries. I have Scoliosis and Spondyliothesis which are both deformities of the spine. I have an irregular heartbeat and Angina which both require heart medications. I suffer from a few autoimmune disorders - Hypothythoid, IBS, Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, Raynauds, and I am being treated for Rhuematoid Arthritis.
I am sometimes limited from my issues with my back. But I have to say the biggest challenge for me is the Rheumatoid Arthritis. It has taken a couple years to get a diagnosis and begin treatment and we are still tinkering with the treatment. I am constantly fatigued and every day there is chronic pain. Some days are harder than others. Some days it takes everything I've got just to get out of bed. But I make a choice to do it. I make that choice because I am afraid if I give in I let the disease win. And if you know me at all I don't like to lose! Some doctors have recommended me to stop running, some have told me to limit my efforts, I am thankful for the ones who encourage me to push thru it. Because for me, if I can't control my physical body I would like to have some say over my mental state. Swimming, biking, and running help keep me sane! Being able to do what I can gives me the feeling of control over something I don't always have control over.

I take a lot of medicine each day. I take Methotrexate and Prednisone for the arthritis, Synthroid for my thyroid, Cardizem and Ranexa for heart, Nexium for reflux, Omega 3 for meibomian gland dysfunction, Calcium for osteopenia/bone strength, Vitamin D, Zyrtec and Omnaris for allergies, and Albuterol for asthma.  I also tend to take Ibuprofen 3 times a day.

What you see in this pic is a woman who is 39 years old and just completed her first triathlon! A woman who crossed the finish line who a year before and a week before questioned if it was even possible. What you don't see is that I had finally recovered from my bike crash after 2 surgeries and months of physical therapy and training. And wouldn't you know it less than a week before my first triathlon I had an arthritis flare up so intense I could not walk. I shuffled in pain if I had to move. I was covered head to toe in a rash that caused swelling and horrible itching. I had put in so much work and overcame so many obstacles and I was not about to give up now! My rheumatologist and dermatologist worked together to treat my flare up. My meds were increased, I was bumped up to a high dosage of steroids, and was put on a steroid cream. And within a couple days I could walk! And a couple days after that I not only competed but I surpassed my goal and expectations. I sobbed hysterically at the finish line, I cried for days, and truth be told I still tear up when I think about the moment I crossed that finish line!
But as I've continued in the sport of running and triathlon, do you know what I've learned? Just about everyone in this field has their battles. We all have a story. And that is what makes us stronger and pushes us to accomplish anything we set our hearts on! I am inspired daily by stories I hear from people I meet in the field as well as those I may never meet! Overcomers are Achievers!

1st Olympic Distance Triathlon - 3:00:09

This race season I completed three 5k's, a Supersprint triathlon, two Sprint triathlons, and an Olympic distance triathlon. In every race I achieved a new personal record. I finish in at least the top 25% of my races. I even won a 1st place and 2nd place in my Age Group in 5k's. I will not let anything stand in my way! Choose not to let anything stand in yours!