Letting Things Get Infected

It's been a week and it's only Tuesday! Had another amazing ride on Sunday with Alex. It was a beautiful day. Too bad they're calling for snow tomorrow. Crazy weather! But it was nice to spend the weekend on the back of the bike. Alex also had a killer swim workout for me Sunday morning. The time flew by!

Yesterday I woke up to the small bump on my neckline bigger then ever! The area around it was red and it hurt! I looked at it and then did what I have been doing all week, I ignored it. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I believed it would just go away. So off to the gym I went in the morning and then I came home and got ready for work. By time I got to the office, my "little" bump had gotten even bigger and the redness was still spreading.

Casey, my fellow co-worker and my co-conspirator by the window (one day we will get a door), told me that I needed to go to the doctor. If you know me, you know that I don't go to the doctor. It's not that I hate or am afraid of the doctor but I just don't like to go. I think-if I am being honest here- I don't like to admit that I'm sick. That's a sign of weakness. But I regress. So I make an appointment with a dermatologist that Casey knows. But they can't see me until Friday. No big deal to me.

Until the afternoon when my face is hot and beet red and the "little" bump hurts. A LOT! My regular doctor's medial practice has nighttime hours during the week on a walk-in basis. I admit my weakness and decide to visit the doctor's rather then hit the gym Monday night. I almost didn't go but I could hear Casey's voice in the back of my head and knew there would be hell to pay Tuesday morning if I skipped the doctor's.

The doctor told me that it was a good thing that I came in. My "little" bump had become infected. I won't put all the gross details here but needless to say, if I had taken care of the bump sooner, I might have been able to avoid some of the pain and such.

I have other "little" bumps in my life. They are not the physical kind but the ones that I try to ignore and hope they go away. I'm not big on conflict or hurting others especially those I love and care for so I "put" up with a lot of crap. I ignore the signs and signals of a relationship going wrong. I allow things in my life to get "infected" and then the cure is typically more severe. Sometimes it involves removing the "bumps" from my life.

I need to learn to address and identify the "bumps" in my life before they become infected. Maybe then I can save myself from some unnecessary pain.

It's Like Riding A Bike

Today was a great day! Not a good day but a GREAT day! God showed mercy on Greensboro and gave us a beautiful day. The kind I've been waiting for since the beginning of December. I got up this morning and ran four miles. Nice slow and steady pace. Felt good after I worked out the initial kinks. Then after lunch, Alex came over and we hit the road! I was super worried this morning about riding the bike today. All of these negative thoughts were going through my mind. It's been three months. What if I forgot how to ride? What if I wasn't strong enough? What if I fell off the bike?

But the moment I placed me feet in those clips and pushed off, it was like, the past three months never happened. I was back with my old friend. I think I even cheered out loud and I know there were several times during the ride that I did. Tomorrow is another ride and a swim in the morning. Just thinking about it brings a smile to my face. Alex is such good company on the rides and we compliment each other's ability. Pushing one another to be better riders! Whoohoo!!!

But other then the craziness of the work week, it's been a good week! Had dinner with Pam and Duane last night. What a riot we had! Laughing, joking and just being comfortable with one another. I had two good workouts yesterday! Legs in the AM and shoulders, biceps and triceps in the PM. I felt good yesterday. I woke up Thursday morning and knew I needed to take a rest so I took the whole day off from working out! Wow! A whole day! But I needed it and it made me stronger!

My lent journey is going well. I had a difficult conversation with Pam on Thursday and I think in the end, we are better friends for having it. We had a good discussion on Thursday night at bible study about the "letting go" of lent. I am getting ready for the resurrected Christ and every day I grow stronger and closer to Him.

So today was a GREAT day and I foresee another GREAT day tomorrow with a swim, church, lunch and then spending the afternoon with an old friend and a new one!

It's like riding a bike....

Too Much To Say and Not to Say

I am so filled with thoughts and updates right now. A lot has happened since the weekend and I want to share it all but not sure I can describe the craziness that has been my world. After that amazing brick on Saturday morning with Alex and the team, I spent the afternoon resting for a Valentine's Day party at Hannah's. What a GREAT time! I met some fun people and got to know some familiar ones, even better. I arrived with the jello- a party in a box and the festivities began. Kevin made awesome cheesecakes, Hannah made a mean martini and I got close to my buddy "jack". What more could I want? After helping Hannah clean up some, I headed home around 2am! Way past my bedtime!

I woke up at 6:30am and knew there was no going back to bed. I drank some coffee and wondered around for a bit and decided that if I ran before church, my afternoon would be free! So off I went. Shannon was at the gym running her 20 miles and I hopped on the treadmill next to her. I'm not sure if it was her or the hangover or the good vibes I was feeling but I ran 4 miles in my best time! I didn't even stop to walk at all! It was great. I rushed home and headed to church and then afterwards stayed for the evangelism committee. It was nice to get involved in something. I was all about creating some organization and spreading the work.

I met up with the gang for lunch and hung out for a while with Austin. Kathryn joined us when she finished up. A plan was made for dinner and the Olympics and off I went to do my weekend errands. I cooked two meatloaves and took one over to Kathryn and Austin's for dinner. It was a nice peaceful evening. There is something calming about them. Like food for the soul.

Monday saw a crazy day at work and as budget season roars its ugly head, I fear that's the way the next few months will be. I ran Monday night (it sucked) and did abs with Pam. Poor Pam! She hurt herself and now has to take it easy. As a fellow gym junkie, I know how bad that must be! I can't even imagine!

Tuesday was an amazing leg day! Maxed out my squats and leg presses at 340!! Whoohoo! After another stressful and crazy day at work, I hit the gym for a ride and then spin class with Mike. Shannon joined me which made it a little easier to endure. My legs were toast!

I swam this morning with Kathy which is always fun! Tonight was the Ash Weds service at church. I'm not sure when the last time was that I received ashes for the start of lent. I really enjoyed the service. The pastor talked about how we are always trying to give things up for lent. To make a sacrifice like Jesus did on the cross. But he said that it's possible that we are minimizes what Jesus did by simply giving up some pleasure in our lives. Instead, we should remember what Jesus came to this world to do. That He came to ease our suffering and carry our burdens. He came so that we might have life. So maybe for lent, we need to give up those things that weigh us down-our burdens, sins, pain, etc.

We had the option of writing these things on a coffee filter and meditating on them. We then placed them in water and watched them disappear in the same way that Jesus can heal us. While I enjoyed the symbolism, I wish it really was that easy to let it go. I only had one word written on my filter but it encompassed all the weight and hurt I am currently feeling. I need to learn to let it go and maybe lent is a good time to do that. I just wish it was as easy as putting it in water and stirring.

The Week of Extra

What a day! What a week! Yesterday was our transition day that Alex organized (thanks) where we swam, rode and ran. I was so nervous going into the event. My schedule was to swim 500m then ride 5 miles. That was the first set. Second was to swim 250m and then I was leading everyone in a 30 minute spin. I opted to transition into the run as well the first round because I had a little extra time. We had 30 minutes to complete. I made really good time on the ride!

Alex had estimated how long the swim would take us and as I pulled myself from the pool, I looked at the time and thought, "damn. I didn't make it." I was disappointed in myself. I wanted to come in under time. But I kept moving and threw on my bike stuff and sprinted off to the spin room. When Kathy joined us there a few minutes later, she told me that I swam an extra 50 meters. WHAT! I had actually beaten Alex's time estimate!

The second round started and I got to about 150m and lost count. I popped my head out and asked how much further. I kind of heard the response from Shannon and Alex's brother and I kept swimming. When I completed what I thought was the set and was getting out to transition to the bike, Alex's brother was laughing. It seems I did another extra 50! A victory lap.

This seemed to be the week of extras! When I swam with Kathy on Wednesday, I kept forgetting to count and I swam way more then I needed to. On Thursday, I was running on a treadmill and I was probably more then half a mile into the run when the treadmill shutdown in error. I keep the time and mileage covered with a towel so that mileage was lost to me. Hopped on another treadmill and kept running! Ugh!

There is a lesson to be learned here. I need to focus on what I am doing. On the here and now. So often I am thinking about the finish line or what's going on around me that I forget to pay attention to my own life in the moment. I need to live it and not watch it or wonder where it is going to go. Sometimes, I'll have a mechanical failure like the treadmill and have to redo things or accept a difficult pain but if I focus on what I'm doing, I am less likely to complete a victory lap that wasn't much of a victory.

Middle of the Week Weariness

There was something this morning about swimming in the new suit. I was nervous going in but it felt wonderful to wear something in the pool that fit. I was motivated to keep on swimming even when my arms and legs grew weary. Like magic, the new suit kept me going.

It's been a long week and it's only Wednesday. I'm tired tonight. So tired that I could have rushed from my 4pm meeting to make the Valentine's Step class but instead moved so slow that I was sure to miss it. I don't typically miss Mike's step class but I am taking a page from Alex's playbook. I'm learning to listen to my body. It's not easy for me to do and there is some guilt from a missed workout but I'm trying to focus on the idea that by resting now, the next workout will be even better. Stronger. I am no good to myself when I am this tired.

Yesterday morning I completed my leg set. My one leg was a little sore so I didn't max out like last week but I did manage a good drop set to end the workout and I felt strong. I got to the gym early last night to get in some good mileage before Kiernen's spin class which always kicks me in the butt. Between the 45 minutes before class and the class itself, I managed 30 miles. Class was awesome! Andrew from church came and we had a good time. Stopped by to see the girls at the pool where Andrew could drool over Alex's stroke!

This morning was my swim with Kathy. It was a day to be tired. Kathy was not her normal self and struggled but still managed to complete her workout. I kept forgetting to count my laps and I am sure I did way more then I needed to. But it was a good set. I used my new hand paddles and they helped.

Tomorrow morning is normally shoulders, biceps and triceps. I am skipping my shoulder workout this week. My arms are still sore from my swim this morning and I want to keep them fresh for the transition set on Saturday morning. So my goal for the morning is to get in a good run and then complete my bicep and triceps workout.

Tomorrow night is our first young adult Bible study. I have been reading the material that I am leading tomorrow and I am trying to find a good way to present the ideas. Depending on who comes, we have a very diverse group of people and I want everyone to be able to relate and gain something from the discussion. Need to pray more about it.

But, I'm heading to bed soon. I have a busy rest of the week planned. Works been crazy with the upcoming budget meetings and the workplan training. Just another day in paradise!

The Missing Blog

Ok. It's been a week since my last post. Too long. Last week seemed to get away from me. I was way too busy living life to write about it and I was way too tired at night to think about it. So let's see if I can summarize that crazy week.

The game was on last week. I hit all of my workouts and some extra. I got in two 3.1 mile runs and one 4 mile run! WOW! I was slow but it sure felt good to hit it. I have never run that far in my life. It was a personal victory. I lifted all of my body parts and even got two back workouts in. I lifted with Duane Friday night to show him a killer back routine. I had an awesome week of lifting. Leg pressed and squatted 300 pounds which is a new record for me. I showed increases in my chest and in my arm workouts as well. My cardio leg workout rocked! I went into the gym not knowing what I was going to do but came out with a killer workout and some new tricks!

I got in two somewhat long rides. One was 28 miles and the other 25. Good solid mileage. I swam twice. Sunday's swim was tough after the ride and Alex imitated open water swimming. I so wanted to touch the bottom and the sides! :) The pool was still closed on Wednesday so Kathy and I took the Polar Bear plunge on Thursday. It was so COLD! I never got warm and I didn't want to stop. It was crazy and as usual, a good time with Kathy!

Last week on Wednesday night was Guinness and the Good News. I had a good time and we had a really good conversation about friendship. I needed that. Thursday night I ran errands and on Friday morning I woke up to more snow! Ugh! I did make it to work and me and the gang hit the Mellow Mushroom for lunch. It was so much fun. Friday night, I went to dinner with Pam and Duane and David and after dinner I hung out with David until 4am! It was crazy and at times I felt like the old woman!

I slept til 11am Saturday! LOL! Hit the gym and then came home and got ready for Alex's dinner party. What a GREAT time we had. The food was amazing and the company even better. I got to know Alex's parents better and I want to adopt them! Ellen gave us some good news (think baby)! Kathy made some amazing desserts and I had the never ending wine glass! I am truly blessed for having those ladies in my life. Without them, I think I would go crazy. Here's a picture from that night! Thanks Alex!

Sunday saw church, grocery shopping, a bike ride, a swim and a Super Bowl Party at the Campbell's. The chili was super and the company was well worth the loss of sleep!

It's going to be another crazy week. I went today and bought a new bathing suit! Look out pool- here I come. I also got a bag, new goggles, and hand paddles. I now feel like a swimmer! :) I ran 2 miles tonight. It was rough. My leg is still sore. Got in my ab workout which always puts me in a bad mood! Trying to get over it!

So here's to another week! The game is still on and I promise not to let another week go by!

Are You Training For Something?

Before I begin my actual blog topic (see below this public service announcement), I wanted to report on my first day back lifting and my first day of "game on". I had a great workout this AM. Then I met Alex and worked with her on total body. That was good. I am so not use to helping others with weights that I hope I did ok. Alex and I ended the morning by doing an ab workout- thank you Alex for doing abs with me (I hate abs!) and for showing me the swimmers ab move. My poor abs are sore this evening. I headed back to the gym tonight for a run. I had a great run. I got in 3.1 miles. I was only going to do 2 but it felt so good, I kept going. Must be the new shoes! I made good time and dropped 1:55 minutes off my base 5K time. Whoohooo! Ok. On to the actual post:

Are You Training For Something?
Those were the words I heard from a fellow gym goer as I walked toward the locker room for my evening run. I had never really spoken to this girl besides asking if she was done with the Smith machine one morning. I had seen her around enough to nod at her as I walk by. She's of those what I call "beautiful people" who make working out look effortless and who look as good at the end of the workout as they did at the beginning and not the sweaty blob that I normally resemble. I didn't think that either me or my workouts were on her radar.

I never know how to respond to this question. I mean up until a month ago, I wasn't training for anything. I was just working out. My workouts have varied so much in the past two years. I use to be what I'll call the "recreational" gym folk who took every class I could and didn't know what half the equipment on the floor did or how to operate it. I had a trainer one day a week but other then a good workout, she didn't teach me anything. I then discovered lifting and I began to approach the gym as a "bodybuilder". Everything was about the weights. Cardio was to burn the fat to see the muscles. I reduced my classes and focused on interval training. Then I bought a bike, everything became about riding and training for long rides. I still lifted but I also focused on core work and took a lot of spin. Then in the fall, I hooked up with Alex and the pool and I expanded my horizons to include swimming and I dared to start dreaming about a triathlon.

I believe my workouts are now more rounded. I still lift weights and see the value there but I've changed up my cardio and can enjoy and benefit from all sorts of training. So when asked what I am training for, I never really know how to respond. But I did respond. I told her, "I lift because, well, I like it and everything else,(I shrug) I'm training for my first triathlon in May." She looked at me slightly perplexed and said thanks and walked away. I'm not sure if she was perplexed because I liked lifting or because I don't "look" like a triathlete.

I was somewhat excited that someone noticed my efforts at the gym. It put a spring in my step and fuel to my workout. But looking back, I wish I could have answered her in a different way. I mean sure, I am training for White Lake but really to me, it's all about the workouts. Even if there were no triathlons, I'd still be in the gym giving everything I have. You see, working out is a lifeline. A reminder that I never want to weigh over 400 pounds again and that I won't. I love moving and challenging this "new" body daily.

So perhaps, my response should have been, "I'm training for life. Because every day I have to choose not to weigh 400 pounds and that battle never ends."