Welcome 2014... We have LOTS to do this year!!

Happy New Year  - 2014 and I am so excited to see how it unfolds

As some of you know, I had a "REBUILDING" year in 2013.  My last race was March 2013 in a relay at Desert Tri in LaQuinta, CA.  (TC SuperStorm)  By the way, our Team came in 3rd place and I was the swimmer ha. Sandy rode like a Bandit and Joseph Ran like he robbed a bank. It was so exciting to have a fun race.  I haven't swam since this event.  Another old injury crept up and took over my shoulder.   One week after this event the rebuilding began. 

3rd Place Podium Finish - March 2013 - My last race

 

 

 

 First surgery for 2013 was a new hip.  Since I completed Boise Half Ironman in June 2012, running had stopped, walking was hard so all I had was swimming and biking (but no aero).  It was a challenge and very frustrating.   But, I did what I could and moved forward.  

Sandy, Pat with both moms in the back... They were taking me in.

It was awesome having these girls with me.  They kept me laughing

The new and improved Bionic Hip

 It took a long time to recover, at least in my head. Although 10 weeks later I hiked up Mt. Baden Powell with my adopted Lil Sis Jamie.  This is not an easy hike and I'm not sure why I felt I had to do it but to prove to myself.  It took us 5 hours round trip as I took one small step at a time.  Almost 3,000 feet later (4 miles straight up) we were there and I was ecstatic.  

9,039 ft at the Summit of Baden-Powell the Founder of the Boy Scouts

 
This helped me to get on my bike and start walking/running again.   At this time, I was not able to swim because of the arthritis and tear in my shoulder was so bad from lifting my butt up so much during hip recovery. 

I took on my mountain and road bike and hit the pedals hard.  I started walking, then walking and jogging and by October I was up to 8 miles without pain.  I am giving credit to the Hokas I bought in September.  Before October, it was very hard to run 3 miles without pain in  hip or knees.

The summer was amazing and I did lots of traveling, spending time with family either here in Southern California or all the way in the Indiana.  My husband taught me how to "tent" camp and I fell in love with hiking. 

November's trip back home to Indiana!  My oldest nephew's wedding.  That's my mom with her grandchildren

 
(My new dream is to hike the PCT - sections at a time but first I must conquer CDA 2015).  I kept busy and did as much as I could with workouts.  And, to stay positive I decided 2015 would be my Ironman.  Meaning 2014 will be my big training year.    2013 was also the year I would start exposing Bionic Barbie, become an Ambassador for some amazing products and start planning my strategy for Ironman.

I signed up for some events before I knew my surgery date for my shoulder.  As always, I have an issue with patience.   I didn't do HITS in December and I cancelled my half century in January 2014.   I have the Firecraker 30 mile hilly bike ride in February with a 6 mile run the next day.  Can I do it?  Sure I can.  Some way, some how I will cross the finish line for both. Plus I got a new bike for Christmas. Surely this will make me fast.

My new Camo Pink QR waiting patiently! 

On Nov 29, I went for a hike and fell.  We (the hubby and mom) thought it was bad sprain.  But two weeks later, it was still swollen and bruised. Found out my fibula bone was broken.  On Dec 2nd, I had my shoulder surgery.  Now, if I hadn't fallen and broke that bone, there would be NO QUESTION if I could finish February's race, and I would have done the half century in January even if my doctor thinks I'm crazy.

Here we go again. Happy juice and waiting for the Doc to take me in

Nice walking boot since I couldn't be cast because of the shoulder.

Being a bit active, I do my therapy exercises everyday and within 10 days after surgery my ROM was 40% in my shoulder.  I'm sure my Recovery Bits had a lot to do with it.  Four weeks later, I can fully rotate my arm and even do some swim strokes with minimal pain. YES to bits and persistence!!

  I don't have a lot of pain in the ankle so that makes it worse sitting still.  So what does one do when they are not suppose to bear weight on their left leg and not lift anything more than 3 lbs with their right arm for 6 weeks??  I started a sitting Yoga class with Debra Anderson and I spin easy on my  easy while reading.  I'm also training my mind which is harder than anything I have every done.  Seriously the mind is very difficult to control!  I see improvements everyday!

So back to the strategy, I am signed up for the International Distance at Desert Tri in March.  My only real concern is swimming which will have to wait until Jan. 14 when the boot comes off.  Isn't swimming like riding a bike?   Let's  hope so.

In May I really want to do a HITS 70.3 in Colorado. But sometimes I have to be a bit more realistic.  So I might postpone it until June in Kansas or Lubbock, TX.  I am signed up for Silverman Half Ironman in October in Vegas. I know that will be a challenging one and I know all my TC Family will be waiting for me at the finish line, cheering me home (they are always so supportive). And then there will be HITS in December just not sure what distance yet.




Some might be asking why I do this. Well, once this sport is "in the blood" there is no leaving it.  I will be honest and tell you after CDA 2015, I will hang up my running shoes and focus on hiking, cycling and swimming.  I really don't want anymore "bionic" parts.  Arthritis tends to run rampant in my family.  There are more Aquabike events showing up all over.   And the definition of a Triathlete so I have to do more than ONE thing.

Since I started training for triathlons and completed some, then include the weight loss, I have realized I have much more potential than I ever thought.  I have realized that we (Yes YOU) can do anything we really want to do.  It doesn't happen overnight, but it will happen.  Just Never Give UP!

In closing, each year I add up my miles to see what I did except I can't seem to find 2011.  I know I ran 1,010 miles in 2010 (which helped increase the hip surgery).  In 2012 I did 3,155.50 miles total of swimming, biking and running.  I know the suspense is killing y'all but wait for it..

With all my rebuilding and injuries, I am proud to say my total swim, bike, run, hike, moving miles totaled 2,760.24 miles.  This doesn't include the endless hours of stretching and strength training.  I'm 395.10 miles short from last year.  I had set a goal last January but can't find that little journal anywhere.  However, I think that is pretty darn good with two surgeries and an injury. 

I think I will set my goal for 2014 HIGH!!  Let's go for 4,000 total miles moving.!  So, watch for me swimming, biking, running, walking, hiking, kayaking, and paddleboarding 2014.  It will be a fun journey as I continue to push my body and mind to limits of the unknown.

A big thanks to all of you for believing and supporting me.  To all my new sponsors who believe in me.. Swirlgear, Engery Bits, Tough Chiks, Sock Guy, Ryno Power, GU, Sweat Pink, and Live Wire, I will try hard to represent you as my racing events commence in February. 

And I ask a Favor from everyone.  DON'T GIVE UP!  Never give up on your DREAMS!   Dream Big, Aim for the stars!   Just take one day at a time!  Set your goals and Go FOR IT!!

Much Love, Peace, Joy, Happiness and Swimming, Biking, Running and Moving in 2014