Just and Only

Just and Only are dangerous words.  I am just as guilty as the next guy at using these words.  Have you ever caught yourself saying one of the following?:

I JUST did a 5K

I ONLY did a xx minute mile

I JUST did a sprint triathlon

I ONLY did the swim

The beauty of our sport is that EVERYONE can do it, and everyone should feel included.  There are many elitists out there, I will dedicate an entire post to those annoying jerks, but this one is for the "rest of us."

I always feel the need to qualify my time.  I don't know what it is about it, my friends all know I'm slow but I feel the need to state it all the time.  I am trying very hard to STOP qualifying my times or workouts because I will always be faster than someone (and slower than most, LOL)!  

I feel bad when I see social media posts like "OMG MY RUN SUCKED SO BAD, I HAD ONLY A 10 MIN PACE."  I tell you, if I ever came out of a race with a 10 min pace, I would be doing cartwheels (and pigs would probably be flying). 

I love long distance cycling for example, but 'just' because I do 50 miles, doesn't mean your 2 miles are less important.  

It is about what YOU can do, and how you compared to what YOU are capable of doing.   It is not "just"  or "only" anything, it is YOUR accomplishment.

Please stop qualifying workouts with these words, every time you say it, it puts someone else's amazing accomplishments down.

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Anything is Possible - No Excuses!

I don't even know where to start this post.  I spent Saturday with 15 people who are just amazing.   Selfless, determined, and inspirational.  This is going to be a long one, please stay to the end it is amazing!

Rewind a bit: 
My friend Jay was my Ironman cycling training partner, even though he doesn't do triathlons!  Spending a couple hundred hours together means you get to know one another.  Through Jay I met and got to know his wife Dawn.  She has Parkinson's Disease and is quite young for how severe her symptoms have been.

I'm sure you've heard of Parkinson's, but here's a basic description from  http://www.parkinsoninfo.org/

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease that belongs to the group of conditions called motor system disorders. PD cannot yet be cured and sufferers get worse over time as the normal bodily functions, including breathing, balance, movement, and heart function worsen.
Parkinson’s disease most often occurs after the age of 50 and is one of the most common nervous system disorders of the elderly. The disease is caused by the slow deterioration of the nerve cells in the brain, which create dopamine. Dopamine is a natural substance found in the brain that helps control muscle movement throughout the body.

It affects men more than women, and generally has an onset later in life. Dawn was diagnosed when she was 28. Her symptoms fluctuate and she does have good and bad days.  Unfortunately, her case is complicated and she has not responded normally to the standard Parkinson's protocols.  She is a bit of an enigma to her doctors (on her 12th neurologist).  This leaves confusion and frustration for Dawn about what her body is willing to do on any given day.  Some days she can walk fine and three weeks ago she had walked 2 miles on her own.  When I met her she had yet to be able to walk a mile. 

Dawn has been following my blog for years and has told me several times how she admires me for what I can do despite my own EDS limitations.  Then when I finished Ironman, I told her "you can do your own 'Ironman' you know?" (Ironman definition here: pushing your body and mind to places you want it to go, despite the obstacle  or pain in your way).

She called me crazy, I told her that if I can push my bendy body to 140.6 miles, she can handle 3.1.  She agreed, then had a laser focus on training for a 5K.  As with EDS, the more you keep your body active, the better you feel.  Dawn was experiencing the same!  She still had symptoms, good days, bad days but it had an overall positive impact.

She asked me "is everyone doing this for Abby?".  I skirted the question.

I then decided to go all crazy.  I had a 'secret' REAL 5K in the works. I invited friends who have proved anything is possible. Friends who understand and support other friends unconditionally, even friends they never met before!!  One friend Sue, made a tutu for Dawn, brought a finish line banner, and invited HER friends,  then BROKE HER FOOT the week before.  So we improvised and brought a wheelchair. (not that she stayed in it the whole time)!  Sometimes you improvise to make your goals. The journey may not turn out the way you planned, but you CAN get there.

Jay also invited some friends and family, and Dawns best friend FLEW IN for this amazing milestone in Dawn's life.  Back of The Pack Productions, which couldn't be a better sponsor for this event,  donated the water and snacks!  Dawn had no idea any of this was in the works.

Weeks leading up to the event she would message me with statements like this;  "I don't want to let anyone down... do you know how long this is going to take me?.. I don't think you know how slow I am"- I assured her that the only way to let anyone down was to NOT TRY!  And that we didn't care how long it took.

She kept training, she had a goal. She had an inspiration too!  (everyone needs an inspiration).  She admires Abby, my friend's 5 year old that continues to fight brain cancer.   So Dawn was "doing this 5K for Abby"  It is what kept her going!  (Abby is my own inspiration for the PMC).

Then came race day!

It was a beautiful fall day in New England.  15 people from 3 states met up on a bike path to walk a 5K with Dawn, regardless of how long it would take.  She arrived and saw the mass of people dressed in tutus and dawned with race numbers!   Immediately she was apologizing "I'm sorry, do they all know how long this is going to take?" Yup they do!! (and I can understand this sentiment, because that's how I feel with anyone who decides to 'run' with me).

I gave an intro and she was told 'oh this is FOR DAWN!' -- but Dawn still had her Beezy Bee (Abby) t shirt on and I gave her a photo of Abby for her back. Her inspiration was with her! (Ok I won't lie, anything  athletic I do is 'for Abby' too).  I handed out bracelets from my  #GotChocolateMilk  friend Chrisann that said "She believed she could, so she did." It was perfect!

We started off and immediately she noticed that she was going to have an uncooperative body day. What took her 15 min to do a week ago, now took an hour. She continued to 'feel bad' and apologize and you could see frustration on her face.  No one was leaving, we were here for her.  Unconditional support of athletes is something that is very special about our community!  (Yes Dawn you are an athlete now),

Jay is an amazingly supportive husband. He knows  how to take care of her. "Dawn do you need a kick start?" -  "yup", so just about every step she took yesterday was initiated by Jay 'kicking' her foot forward.  With Parkinson's her balance and gait are affected. Some days are better than others.

She was in pain, her wrist hurt from holding onto Jay for so long. Her feet were 'on fire.'  Along the way, Dawn changed her shoes 4 times, and once changed socks as she was trying to make her feet comfortable. (Sounding more and more like an Ironman isn't it?).  I would ask "would you like to turn around? or would you like to sit in the wheelchair?"  Emphatic NO was the answer each time.

I saw the look of defeat on her face every time she'd ask for a mileage check. "Ugh, that's it?" (hmmmm again, sound like Ironman?).  We would see looks of pain, of frustration "oh I'm holding everyone up, I'm sure they have something else to do today.".. No Dawn, we don't we are HERE FOR YOU!   Then came the halfway point.  We lined up and cheered.  GIANT SMILE across her face. WOOOHOO I GET TO TURN AROUND :).

  We headed back and I thought she was going to kill me; we joked that she was going to have the bat waiting for me at the end.  She had the option to sit or even ride back in the wheelchair, but refused every time.  She was in pain but the grin that crossed her face when passersby gave a giant high-five was priceless. Everyone, I mean EVERYONE was proud of her for being out there, for trying!

She would ask about a distance check more and more, (again sound like Ironman?).  A few of us would run ahead "look see that bend, the bridge (which was near the car) is around that corner."   She yelled at me once "you said that 5x already with each bend I just see another bend."

She decided she wanted some tunes so put in her iPod, she had a little spring in her step for a bit!  Jay continued by her side, walking sideways while kicking her foot forward.

The day wore on, but I refused to tell her what time it was. We were approaching 7 hours.  We really did make it to the last bend. Kellie, Laura, Angela and Jay stayed with her for the last .1 miles and the rest of us ran to the corner to set up the finish line.

I gave everyone medals, and we held up the finish line.  She couldn't see us until she was only 20 or so steps away.  Her face was covered in MANY emotions. I heard her say "I can't cry in front of all these people?" .. I said OF COURSE YOU CAN, I bet we all will.  I cry at sporting events all the time, especially the ones that are INSANELY motivational.. like this one.  So like an Ironman, you're rounding the corner to the finish line FINALLY, what do you do? Fix your hair, make sure you don't have cookie on your face, tuck in the shirt LOL.. Yes Dawn, you really did go through all the steps just like Ironman day.

She saw the finish line, came and went through the tape like a champ.  I'm not sure she grasped what just happened, she just wanted out of those shoes and to sit down with a Pina Colada.

We cheered, we teared up.. then her mom walked over to her to give her a MEDAL. 

Dawn had no idea I had medals!  Mom gave a little speech on how proud she was, it made EVERYONE cry.  

Videos of the finish in 3 segments;

• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3

The things like Mom's approval, or a random stranger's high five, or 15 random strangers (now friends), family and friends sticking it out for 7 hours,  on a day like today are priceless!

Dawn did it, she tackled what the thought was NEVER possible.  I hope her mindset is changed. SHE CAN do it.  She will now and forever be an inspiration for OTHERS as well!

Sometimes you have to think about your goals and how to achieve them. The path to get there may be unique only to you, but there is a path to whatever you want to accomplish!

Yes Dawn believed she could, so she did!

Feel free to leave comments on the blog for Dawn, I will make sure she sees them!

***I can't thank everyone enough for supporting Dawn, it was an amazing selfless day for all that attended. Yes it was a long day, but everyone went in knowing we were getting her to that finish line.  I love you all for being there!  You are all amazing, inspirational and my hero today!

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Nothing is wrong with you because I don't see it!

May is Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Awareness month. Normally I post and try to raise awareness but the month has gotten away from me.

I have several posts that talk about my EDS,  you can read about them here.  It is important to remember that EDS is a different for every person that has it, but there are many common characteristics, like chronic pain, subluxations, dislocations, and general body stability issues.

Today I choose to discuss the update from  IPC (International Paralymic Committee) to all Parasport including TRIATHLON on the para-triathlete' definition.   You can find the entire classification document here: Triathlon Para-triathlete Definitions  

They are trying to do a good thing by expanding the definition so the physically challenged category can be more inclusive.  However, they have specifically EXCLUDED Ehlers Danlos Syndrome or Hypermobility as a reason to be included as a PC athlete.

---"Findings such as minor soft tissue contracture, joint instability such as joint dislocation, joint hypermobility, impaired muscle power from disuse, hypotonia e.g as associated with Down syndrome, Ehlers Danlos syndrome, oedema, disuse atrophy, organ dysfunction, fatigue as in myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or fibromyalgia or symptoms such as pain and/or numbness without other eligibility criteria listed above shall not beconsidered as a permanent physical disability. Such impairments are not considered in the types determined by the IPC."-

This angers me, people with EDS are constantly trying to 'prove' that something might be wrong.  It is common to have to argue with physicians and even family that your pain is real.  If someone is visibly injured or impaired, no one questions them, however 'invisible' illnesses are ignored.  EDS patients have a really hard time even getting proper pain medications.  They are often classified as pain-med seeking junkies.  It is a sad reality. 

I personally am managing, I have a great support team from my family to my coaches to my physicians.  But I am closely involved with many others with EDS and this is NOT the norm. 

Having Triathlon specially call us out is a slap in the face.  I would rather be ignored than a specific call out. It is saying "hey, yea YOU are not included (and I hear the undertone, you are making it up)"

I have been most positive about my EDS and becoming an Ironman.  I have no idea if it was 'easier' or 'harder' than the next person, I work with what I've got!

 I don't know what it's like to wake up pain free.  I don't know what it's like to have an injury that gets better with time.   I never know what my body will give me from day to day.  I've learned to just deal with it, because I don't know any different!

I would LOVE to go for a run and not have my arch collapse, but my reality is that it WILL, and I have to know how to deal with the pain and how to 'push on' if I can. I would love to go for a ride with cyclists and actually pace line, however, I cannot sit upright on a bike because my wrists and shoulders fall out of place.  I must ride outside of the line in my aerobars.  I would love to just run, or ride, or swim without thinking of EVERY body motion, every step, every single stoke.  It is natural for athletes to just 'get in a zone', however I have to concentrate on where my joints are with EVERY step, because they don't know where to be.

I have so many odd considerations in how I work out and race.  I carry a plethora of medical 'stuff' with me on every ride/race.  I'm sometimes laughed at because I bring the kitchen sink, but it is what I have to do.

I have wondered, am I physically challenged?   Even if I was able to compete in a PC category, I still wouldn't win anything.  The only thing it would do for me is cause questions "hey she looks fine, why is she in that category?" - (A very similar reaction that young people with EDS face if they have a Handicap parking sticker.  Check out this story).

I'm not saying "hey, pick me as a physically challenged athlete." - but they certainly shouldn't have called us out!  Everyone has a challenge of some sort so there really has to be a 'line', but why does it have to be here? and why do we have to be called out?

I know this is probably going to be a controversial post, and that is ok.  Some circles think that EDS isn't real, our pain is made up, or we're attention seeking babies.  Some circles think that hypermobility is a "benefit" - well, I tell you it is not.  When I watch gymnasts or contortionist, I cringe. I know what they're doing to the joints in the long run.  I would love to give my body to someone just for one day if they think any of these things.

We are living in the era of 'everyone is included' - TO A FAULT;   Such as kids all win trophies, whether they win or lose.   I am ok with not being INCLUDED as a PC athlete, but I have a problem with being specifically called out as excluded.


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Don't Judge a Book By Its Cover.. I am an IRONMAN!

Writing this post is quite frankly the scariest thing I have ever done!  But I feel it needs to be said!

I am a real woman, with a real body, real body issues, and a real accomplishment to share.  Body image is plaguing us, both young and old alike.  We are afraid to share our bodies, we are afraid to do things because of 'how we look.'  I have numerous friends who say they love to swim but 'No one wants to see me in a bathing suit."  It breaks my heart, so I am finally  putting this out there.

I started writing this blog 6 years ago. I named it "FatGirl's Ironman Journey" because I identified with being fat and there's a little tongue in cheek humor on it based on how Triathlon classifies larger athletes.   I've had so many conversations about "FAT", it is a bad word to some, it is an excuse to some, it is a demon of some, and it is a word that I am not afraid of, I am embracing "FATGIRL"

I have wanted to write a post like this for years but honestly, it's scary. I know there will be haters, and I know this will encourage others so I'm doing it.    I've been yelled at: "did you call this fatgirl to just get attention.".. uh no? no one told you to read my blog :).  

Today I weighed 170 lbs.  I am 5' tall!  Yes that puts me in the obese category.  I am not the biggest women ever, I'm also not so small.   I haven't lost hundreds of pounds, I am in awe of those folks! You guys are awesome.  I get looks of "shuttup" from some larger women, they say "you're not fat, cut it out"- but I am, and it's ok.

  I find my self defending 'you're not fat.' I'm like 'hello? you should see me without the spanx or just in a bikini top."  I don't strive to look like one of the Olsen twins, I just don't want to FEEL fat anymore.   I also just recently found myself saying the SAME thing to a friend who I think is beautiful and well, SKINNY.  She isn't happy either, she's had a couple children and said "I'd like to keep that other stupid 5lbs off." I immediately went to the "you are not fat, really are you on the 'overweight or obese line in the health scale?" - wow I'm a jerk.  I thought about it after and  she has a right to feel uncomfortable just like I do.  I think until society makes a little plumpness more the 'norm' we will all have these issues, and we need to stick together.

I am a story of persistence, and of acceptance.  I bounce between 150-170.  I don't really lose weight.  I have tried just about every fad diet, diet meds, nutritionists. Things like Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, or just tracking calories.  I've tried prescription diet pills and even the OTC scary ones that had ephedra in them. I quietly sat by and did these things to my body without letting anyone know my struggles.  I am so sad about what lengths women and girls are going through 'lose weight' like the cotton ball diet? ugh!    There is a point where so many folks just throw in the towel and just binge eat.

I never lose weight, I was always 'fat'. People say I don't "look" fat, that's good!  I can dress! My crazy outfits are on purpose. A well placed design on a bike shirt hides rolls I don't want to see.  This is the same day as the top picture!

I am almost to a point  of acceptance. I mean I did an Ironman and I'm still fat, that means..guess what, my body wants to be here!  I'd like my pants to fit, I'd like to not be horrified at the 'wrong angle' picture.  I'd like to wear a form fitting shirt.  I doubt any of those things will happen!

What I have to do now is realize, yea so what, I'm fat... but I AM AN IRONMAN!

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Freezer CrockPot Example

This post goes hand in hand with the one from last night.
Here is an example on how to put it all together.
I found recipe from theclothesmakethegirl.com

First, I copied the recipe into my word doc, then copied the ingredients into my excel spreadsheet so I could gather all ingredients.

5-Spice Slow-Cooker Pork Ribs  
3-4 pounds baby back or St. Louis pork ribs
salt and ground black pepper
2 teaspoons Chinese five-spice powder
3/4 teaspoon coarse (granulated) garlic powder
1 fresh jalapeño, cut into rings2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons coconut aminos
1 tablespoon tomato paste
Put the ribs into pieces that will fit standing up in the slow cooker. 

Lay the ribs on a cutting board and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.


 In a small bowl, mix the Chinese five- spice and garlic powder together,  then massage onto the meat to coat the ribs. Toss the jalapeño rings into the bottom of the slow cooker, and add the rice vinegar, coconut aminos, and tomato paste. Stir until the tomato paste is combined with the other liquids. Add the ribs, standing up so they’re not lying in the liquid – or use a roasting rack inside the cooker so the ribs are not lying on the bottom – cover, and cook 6 hours on high or 8-10 hours on low. 

When the ribs are fall-apart tender, remove them from the cooker. Pour the liquid into a heat-proof container and refrigerate until the fat separates from the juices. Remove the fat and bring the remaining liquid to a boil, then simmer for a few minutes. Use as a dipping/drizzle sauce for the meat.4. Want ‘em crispy? Throw the ribs in a 400F oven for 10 minutes while you boil the sauce.

Fast Forward to actually prepping this meal for freezing:

I review the ingredients list, and decide what items should go together.  Here I put the liquids in one bag and the spices in another. The reason is that the spices are a 'rub' and the liquid goes in the bottom of the crockpot.  If this recipe simply had a marinade, I would have put the spices and liquid together in one bag.

I then took the ribs out of the store packaging and put them in a ziplock.

My end product, I have a gallon bag with all my necessary ingredients to just start a crockpot meal.  Bag goes into freezer, then 1-2 days before you're going to cook it, put it in the fridge to thaw.

After it thaws, (or depending on how you like to cook, you an put many frozen meats into  a crockpot and it will do fine).  I put the liquid in the bottom. If you have a thicker liquid, you can cut a corner of the bag and squeeze it out like icing a cake!

I tossed the ribs as directed then organized them on their side in the crockpot.

I can't tell you what this will taste like, as I just put it on.  I also made several changes, like I didn't use Chinese 5 Spice, and I didn't have coconut amino,so I used low sodium soy instead.

Hopefully this shows a little more how I put these together.

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Prepping Food for the Month!

Today I posted a picture of my latest grand idea and you all seemed to want MORE so here's my brain dump on it!

For the 3 years leading up to Ironman I went to Dream Dinners.  John and I both loved the concept! They provide several meals from which to chose. You go to their store and prepare everything in an hour.  They do the hard work in organizing, chopping, and laying it all out for you.  You just assemble your meals the way you want them, go home, stick in freezer, then pull out as you need them!  Problem for me is once I started training really hard, I wasn't eating enough of the 'meals' to warrant the minimum required purchase.

*note if you stop in the Framingham store, tell them I said HI!

I loved meals for my crockpot, but not all of Dream Dinners went in the crockpot, some were saute, some oven, etc.  Most were simple but just not what I need right now.

I have been trying to collect ideas and recipes on how I can create a bunch of paleo-ish recipes for my CROCKPOT and today I took my first whack at it!

First I collected recipes in Pinterest. I started a board for crockpot and/or Paleo recipes that I intend on modifying or just using. I spent a week or so just collecting recipes when I had a free minute.

Yesterday I went through those recipes and copied a dozen or so into MS Word.  I put a page break between each so I could print it out and stick into the bags.

Next, I went through the recipes and outlined the ingredients into excel. I tallied up all the things I needed from each recipe (including Dill Weed, which I still giggle at writing or saying).  This is probably the most important part. You want to have ALL of your ingredients ready before you start.

Make sure you get good 'freezer' bags. You'll want quart, gallon and some 2 gallon ones. You will also want to get a large open mouth container that can hold a freezer bag open for you while you dump things into it! Otherwise you're messing with the edge of a plastic bag trying not to spill!

Next, the grocery store!  Ugh, I don't shop for a family of 18 but buying this much made me think I was doing just that!  WOW!

I had originally intended on also prepping the meals last night but I had ENOUGH once I collected, and organized the menu for the month then went shopping!

I personally love crockpot meals, but you can do this with LOTS of different meals and preparation styles!  I am also hesitant to post ACTUAL recipes for two reasons:

1. I haven't tasted any of these yet and more importantly 
2. I'm a 'non-measure' person.   

I modify recipes, eyeball spices and such.  For example one recipe called for Chinese 5 spice. John hates cloves, so I just threw in some other spices instead. I LITERALLY threw them in,  I couldn't tell you how much! I will continue to collect recipes on Pinterest, I've found that to be a great place to just tag what might look good, or what might be a good base for me.

I pulled out all ingredients and worked off one recipe at a time.  This was a mistake. Next time I will add more prep to my excel sheet so I can have things like veggies cut up appropriately before I start. You will mostly 'prep' the food prior to putting them into the bags. You will rarely cook anything before you freeze it.

If you do try this, you'll want to put your protein in one ziplock.  If that protein has a marinade, just go ahead and add it to the bag.  If it's a 'rub' or other dry spice ingredients put that in a separate small bag to be 'rubbed' before you cook it.   You'll want to put things like 'liquids' together into a ziploc, you may have a 'meal' with 3-4 ziplocks inside.  Put your recipe and directions INSIDE the bag, and write the date on the outside.


I will get better at this and will post some pictures of the step by step next time, but this should get you started!  I do have 4 more meals to do tomorrow night!

**UPDATE: check out my new blog post, it shows a little detailed explanation  of one recipe.

Thanks for reading!

Please consider helping me to reach my goal to get rid of Cancer, one pedal stroke at a time! ! 

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Virtual Run for a Cause

You may have seen a 'virtual run' listed somewhere and wondered, WHAT IS THAT?

Well, it is a really great way to support a cause, get some bling, and do 'it' on your own time!

I am hosting a Virtual Run in 2014 to support my Pan Mass Challenge fundraiser.  I am providing a limited edition collectible medal for 192 people.  192 is a special number as that is the number of miles in the Pan Mass Challenge.

HOW FAR is the run:

You walk or run however far you want. 1 mile, 5 miles, 10 miles, half marathon or marathon,or any combination thereof. 

There are no times, so you are on your honor, also this gives you the opportunity to TRY without feeling the stress of a 'race.'

WHEN is the run:

ANYTIME you want, however I won't have the medals until Late March. They will be mailed out on April 1.  That's the beauty of a virtual run, if you want to do a 10 miler at 8PM on a Tuesday.. you CAN!

WHERE is the run:

ANYWHERE you want, treadmill, on the beach on vacation, around your neighborhood.. or even if you participate in another race, you can count it and wear the PMC medal with pride!

What is this "Pan Mass Challenge"  

I ride in a very successful bike-o-thon every year that benefits Cancer Research and Care.   5000 cyclists ride 192 miles from Sturbridge MA to Provincetown MA over 2 days
and last year alone, the raised $39 million dollars, where 100% of rider donations go directly to care and research.  Yes you heard that right, 100% *

My story and why I ride can be found here: PMC Link 

You can also read about what it means to ride in the PMC here.   What it's like to ride!

Each participant must raise $4300, and that is why I'm hosting a virtual run. I thought it was a good way to do something FUN with all of you, and still raise money for the PMC! 

 Why should I participate?

• Because, unfortunately, just about everyone is touched by cancer
• Because this is a limited edition medal
• Because most of you are running anyway, why not get some bling out of it?
• Because you are awesome and want to support awesome causes

How can I participate:

Go to this link and donate $35 http://www.youcaring.com/nonprofits/virtual-run-for-the-pmc/118620

Please note that I needed to use YouCaring so I could cover the cost of shipping and the medal. If you are uncomfortable with that method, please message me fatgirlironmanjourney @ gmail.com and I will give you an alternative method.  

I will send out Medals when I receive them on March 28th.   These medals, although 2" in size, are awesome and are designed and printed by the same folks that do Ironman and the Boston Marathon.  If this event is successful I plan on doing it every year, and every year the Medals will be more exciting.

Thank you for your support!
-Laura


**here is a facebook event for the Run, https://www.facebook.com/events/634425063281195/  Please note that it did not allow me to have an 'open' date, so remember the date is arbitrary'

* There is a cost associated to this virtual run, I guarantee at least $25 of your $35 will go to the PMC, most likely more depending on shipping costs to your house from mine.

Post Ironman Slack - Importance of working out, especially for EDS

I sit here 6 weeks post Ironman and  6 lbs up from the race (actually 5 days post IM was my lowest IM weight). I'm frustrated, feeling puffy, wiggly, and very out of shape.  I should be in the best shape of my life, instead I let my excuses get the best of me.

It is typical for post-Ironman to give into to the "you did that, so you get a break", but you have to be careful how far you take that excuse.

I ate Cheesy Fries with Bacon and some sort of high-fat dip for I swear 6 meals in a row.  I've been loading on cookies, pasta, and anything gross.  I did watch the scale. I did 'intend' on going to the gym, but every 5:45AM spin class gave me an excuse.   My coach even iterated "You need to stay active, if you don't you will regret it."- Yup Coach, I regret it.

I've spent the last 2 years with a coach, with workouts planned for me, with the accountability to 'get it done.'  Turns out, I am a total slacker without that accountability.

I imagine many of you have that same accountability problem, so I've created a 'myfitnesspal' account.  If you would like to share accountability with me, my username is fatgirlironmanjourney .

I've been slapped in the face with EDS lately too, on something that I KNOW already but I guess choose to ignore!?  For those of us with EDS it is SO important to work out.  Our muscles are all that hold us together, without them, we are wet noodles!

Ligaments, tendons, and anything connective tissue related can be pretty useless.  Our muscles need to be strong to compensate for any of that laxity.  I made the mistake of not working out for 6 weeks, and I'm paying the price.  My neck is the most wiggly thing on me.  Loose bones in the neck cause Migraines (even for non-EDS folks).

Yesterday I somehow subluxed something in my esophagus!? I didn't know that was possible.  What that means is I have to keep my head down or it hurts the front of my neck. I have to keep my head back with perfect posture to prevent migraines.. you see where this is going?

There is no relief except to get my butt back to the gym and restore these muscles!  Unfortunately EDS muscles have a very rapid atrophy rate.  Many of us get in downward spirals, where we are active and put together, have a bad week, can't go to the gym, which makes it worse, which make the following week bad, and so on and so on, never letting us catch up.

Morale of this story - DO NOT STOP, Ironman training was actually pretty good for me!  No excuse is worth the pain and fat collection!

If you want to be accountable, create a myfitnesspal account and let's share data. Once we have some folks on there, I will create a private group for discussions!

Good luck with the Holidays.  May you balance out your enjoyment of the holiday food with some good workouts!

I do have some plans for FY14, I'll share them with you all on Facebook.  I hope to see many of you at some of the events!

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Things They Don't Tell You About Ironman

I thought about things I encountered during training and during the race. Things that no one mentioned, or that I just discovered.  I then shared with my virtual team BAZINGA and they contributed as well. Below is our compilation, Enjoy!

Pre-Race:

• You will have a training plan, you will follow it.  You will think you didn't train enough on race day.  Do yourself a favor, tell yourself every single day that if you follow your plan, you will be ready. Be HAPPY with your success getting to the start line, confidence on race morning will take you far.
• You will miss workouts, and that is ok. Don't try to 'make them up.'  No one makes "every single planned workout." 
• You will get LOTS AND LOTS of advise.  Don't just poo poo, listen nod your head and if applicable roll your eyes to yourself. BUT, at some point that info may actually become useful.
• You will meet people who think THEIR way is the ONLY way, and THEIR coach is the ONLY coach - run from those folks!  There are always 'alternatives' and it's good to have the ideas  in your pocket.

Race Day:

• You will think you didn't train enough (see my first bullet).
• You will doubt yourself (see my first bullet).
• You will cry / or have tears of excitement several times during the day, Crying is allowed as long as you finish.
• You will smell, everyone does, If you don’t- you did something wrong.
• You will have blisters- everyone does.
• You will be caked with salt, so much that you think it is cement.
• You will follow a farting guy – and will giggle.
• You will get hit with some bodily fluid (pee, booger, spit, hopefully that’s it)- carry wetones.
• There might be clowns at an aid station, if you are a Coulrophobic, better work that out.
• You will forget something, just go with it.
• You will get kicked, punched, dragged in the swim (ok they do tell you that one), learn to be a defensive swimmer.  (Note it is fun to grab and drag the foot of someone who just did it to you, they get all offended like they just didn't do the same thing).
• You will giggle at the dumbest things.
• You will forget A LOT! 
• You will meet the most awesome people.
• You will encounter aholes, don't get caught up in their 'cheating'. Just run your race and don't waste the energy on them.
• You will get sand in your crotch and It will create havoc later!
• The shower immediately following your race will feel like heaven. However be prepared for the sting when water finds its first bit of chafing.
• Be careful where you put the public Vaseline.. it's been EVERYWHERE!
• Port o potties are your friend. They will run out of toilet paper. Ask the volunteers for paper towels
• You will see people puking during the run
• If you can't change in a "public" space bumping up against other gross people, get over it.
• That gatorade/gel/bar/whatever that tasted so good during training, no longer will during the race.
• Fellow Ironletes that are suffering with you, will cheer you on, and make you feel better.
• Put Vaseline (your own) on your feet , rather slather it on, before putting on your shoes or cycle shoes, will help prevent blisters later in the day. 
• Put Vasoline in your special needs and reapply half way through the run.
•  You will realize that chicken broth is the remedy of all stomach issues. Chicken Broth = Ironman Heaven.
• It's OK if you vomit in the water ... all the cool kids do it
• Singing to yourself or talking to yourself seems perfectly normal during both training and race day.
• Make eye contact on the live video feed at the finish line. Give a thumbs up and mouth thank you to your friends and family that watched and prayed all day.

Post Race:

• You won’t remember much of the finisher chute- enjoy your videos.
• You will be hungrier than you ever imagined for the next week.
• You will immediately want to sign up for another one- resist the urge!
• You will swell up with at least 5 lbs of fluid. Don't worry, this is normal and it will go away.
• Post Ironman depression is REAL.  Have a plan to stay active. 
• Get a community of folks to  talk about Ironman with you, your non-triathlete friends will get tired of you fast.
• If you are a girl, you will hear so many say "you are an IronWOMAN" and' you'll want to punch them.. just roll your eyes and know they just don't get it.
• You will go broke. Or at least take out a second mortgage.
• You will be bitten by the bug and start planning your "next" way sooner than you thought you ever would.
• You will not feel like you can possibly verbalize the amount of appreciation and love you have for those close to you in tolerating this insane lifestyle!

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