As I sit here and write this, I am looking out my kitchen window at the community garden across the street. Gardeners are out there all day. Sometimes, they are even there when I leave for a workout. The garden has an amazing back drop of Mt. Helena. They are so dedicated and hard working. Heat and wind and they still get it done. I will train for an Ironman, but I will not garden. That is some hard shit. Although, watching them is cathartic for me and I love the sense of community the space brings. Sometimes I drink my morning coffee and just watch them. Not creepily like my neighbor watches me, but in a good way that encourages gratitude, not mace.
Before I begin-here is the song I am loving right now. By fellow badass, Pink.
Just Like Fire
Wow. 6 weeks has flown by (only 24 left!). However, in my 4th week is when it really hit me. And training mode hit. You know that mode when your priorities become food, sleep, train.....more food. My tolerance for not getting food in my is even more scary. My schedule is set and that's that. People like it or they don't. Many are used to it. But, there rarely is leniency with it. There are mornings I am up at dawn and nights I get home past 8 pm. Please remember this girl likes to be resting most of the time by 6:30-7 pm. So, new habits begin with training, life and food. This is all with a demanding full time job. From April to the end of May, I traveled 6,000 miles. So, my tolerance for whining (unless it's me and I even tell myself to get a grip), missed appointments, inflexible schedules and such is nil. Just the way it is. It has to be that way. It's not you....it's me.
My life.
Dreams need to be chased. They aren't given to you. There will be sweat, blood and tears. That being said, I know my journey is not yours. I totally get it. I realized this when training for the NYCM 2013. I was bothered by my "friends" not asking how my training is going. Now, I am grateful for those who ask and really don't think about those that don't. Dreams don't work unless you do. You are not born with grit, you create it. In your actions, in waking up before the sun and staying up after the sun, weekend warrioring and sticking true to your plan of training, eating and self care. I will not be going to weddings, picnics and many other things because I have made a commitment to me and this.
My loves.
I learned so much in 6 weeks. I continue to realize I am stronger than I think. I used to look at my plan and be like "You want me to run how long after what?" But there has been a shift. Gotta get the miles in the bank. The balance of rest day and where it falls. I sometimes don't plan anything after a long ride because I don't want to be rushed and my top priorities after are eating and napping.....then showering and then maybe going out into the world. In my job, I communicate all day and moving fast. I need weekends to be with me and re-charge. There are days I can't wait to get to the pool because no one can talk to me under water. However, I love my Masters family! I need that.
I couldn't have this dream without a strong village behind me. Family and friends. My Betty Sistas and close girlfriends. Support and inspiration are part of my plan as well. You need to support each other, not question each other. Give high-fives and encourage people. Hug people. Let people cry when they need to, smile more and just give love. Thank you to all that do that.
I completed 2 sprints in the last 2 weeks. I felt strong and raced with some great women. These ladies range from 20s to 60s. This last weekend, I placed 1st in my AG! There was a triathlete that was paralyzed from the hips down that competed yesterday. Hand cycled and wheel chaired the run. And it was rocky run. That is badass. That is stomping on limitations. That is getting out there and making shit happen. That.....is inspiration. Now it's about training and a few road races with my next triathlon at the end of summer...or at least that is the plan now. :-)
Continue to give love and light and rise people up. Do Epic Shit. Dream Outloud and always remember, you do you and it will all fall in place.
