I'm an Athlete?

The other day it was toooooo cool when someone said to me, "Everything about you screams runner." Wow! I was blown away!

Thinking back over the past 18 months, & over the past 41 years, I can't believe it.

Never in my life did anyone ever mistake me for an athlete. 18 months ago I could barely walk around the block without getting short of breath. Now, my being "screams runner"?

I'm the chick who used to make up reasons to skip P.E. in school (actually, I used to ditch & smoke behind the bleachers). I used to avoid going outside like the plague - I might sweat for goodness sake!

Now, I plan my days around the pool schedule & the weather so I can get my workouts in. I plan my eating around what will best support the next workout (o.k. - not so good at that one yet!)

The average week for me includes more than 200 minutes of triathlon-specific training. Biking, running & swimming are my main focus. Lately, I've added in some yoga to help with flexibility (oops, forgot that part!). And, now that it's cooling down, I'm hoping to resume kayaking & hiking again.

Somehow - I'm becoming an athlete. Now, I'll admit...not a great athlete, but the mindset is there. My body is starting to respond too! And, evidently...People are beginning to notice!!!

Too Cool!!!

In 2 weeks I'm scheduled to participate in my very 1st Triathlon.

I'm a little nervous.

After months of preparation, I was totally ready - until Tuesday when I hurt my foot/ankle. It seems I was running in poor shoes & strained a tendon. It's a setback. One that might have knocked me off course in the past. Not this time!

I've got 14 days to recover, a great sports orthopedist who is also a triathlete, a structures physical therapy plan & team helping me, so I'm really hopeful!

A couple of days ago I headed to Melbourne to check out the race site! I biked & swam the distance, but am leaving the running for race day. It was great! I did my open water swim - a huge accomplishment! If you want to know what that's all about, read Fear & Do it Anyway!

If my foot & ankle are up to it, I'll run on race day. If not, I'll probably walk that last portion of the triathlon. Either way - the plan is to finish the race!

Somehow, I've become an athlete - not a super athlete, but an athlete none the less. Not somehow...I can definitely define the process. The road to health hasn't been easy, but it's been fun - most of the time. The systematic changes that have occurred in my body over the past 18 months are remarkable. From sickness unto health only begins to describe what has occurred!

Do I still have health issues? Sure. Am I still 41 years old...yup! But now, I'm a 41-year-old, athlete who manages her chronic health issues with healthy eating, exercise, stress management & lifestyle decisions.

One day at a time, one step at a time, one moment at a time!