EDS Awareness Month

This post is about me and living and training with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. 

I have written many blog posts about EDS.  As I've said before I don't want this blog to be ABOUT Ehlers Danlos, but it is part of me.  I've tried to describe some daily issues I experience in hopes to bring some more awareness to the disorder.  For Awareness month, I have added this new post.

This video is an example of what others with EDS experience.

It is a spectrum disorder, so it's affects are different on each and every one of us.  Today I will share more with you on how it affects ME.  I am highly active for someone with EDS, but it isn't without sacrifice or pain.  I usually laugh when I am asked "on a pain scale of 1-10, what is it?" - I often giggle, who's pain scale? I live with a 3 every day. 3-4 is normal.  If I ever wake up and have no pain, I wonder "am I dead?"

My migraines are what led me to my diagnosis of EDS.  Migraines are debilitating, at one point I had a migraine for 24 days out of every month, I would have just a regular headache the other days. Then it would repeat.  I learned to deal with them, and I became a fine tuned medical testing facility.  I know so much more about my body than most non-medical professionals.  My chiropractor laughs when I tell him the exact bones that are out.

I have learned how to cope, from medication,  to massage, heat, cold, hottub, KTTape, or rest.  Rest is a hard one for me though. As a Type A, go-getter, I find it REALLY hard to 'just rest,' especially when I have an Ironman schedule to keep!  It is hard to tell when I'm being lazy and just 'want' to skip a workout, vs when I should just rest.  Some days, I have no choice.

On an average day, one to several joints will be subluxed (aka out of place).  If I run, the top of foot collapses at the Navicular bone. I try desperately to run and not aggravate it, orthotics don't really work because my bones are just squishy and fall over the orthotic.  KT tape helps to reduce the squish, but it doesn't eliminate it.  After a 40 min run, I am guaranteed to not be able to put weight on my foot for a few hours.

This is one of the reasons I hate running ;). But hey, it's part of Ironman so I have to push through!

I had a ton of problems with my neck and upper back, then in Feb I had a breast reduction.  (I owe a blog post on that alone).  It was the best thing I've ever done and can't believe I waited this long!  My migraines have been reduced (not eliminated), and my upper back pain and ribhead subluxations have been reduced by I'd say 50%!  Not to say they don't still bother me, but a 50% reduction in that pain is calls for a WHOOP WHOOP!

Another area of contention is my shoulder. This past weekend it was not cooperative.  I had a 100 mile ride and every 30 miles or so I was off the bike, looking for a tree to shove my arm back in place. It isn't as painful as the foot, but it is incredibly annoying.  I've fully dislocated my shoulder before on a bike ride, it happens so fast too. I stumbled  on my aerobars and next thing I knew my shoulder was at my ear. Unlike normal humans though, I can shove it back and move on. Sure it hurt, but I live.

My hips often sublux, it happened on the 100 mile ride I mentioned before.  The simple act of swinging my leg over the bike pulled my femur straight out of the hip joint.  Sometimes I can put that back, sometimes not.  In this case, I rode with it out for about 20 miles then it went back.  It causes pain and I know if I KEEP it out of the socket that I will inflame the entire joint and will be in trouble.

There are many other joints that sublux or just ache, hands, neck, knees, really anything can come out on any given day. It depends on the weather or who knows!

Another issue for those with EDS (or really any joint problem) is the weather.  High and low pressure systems particularly affect us.  A high pressure system is like the earth giving us a hug, holding in the joints.  Low pressure turns me into a big blob!  The last week has been High ,Low, High , Low, extreme temperatures, crazy events, storms, etc.  I am paying for it dearly.  All I wanted to do last week was sleep, and it just killed me, I felt so lazy for not doing workouts. I finally gave up and decided my body needed a break.  Another KILLER thing is when these systems come through it SUCKS THE LIFE out of my training.  I can  lose strength and muscle in a matter of days.  It is the price I have to pay.

I have to THINK about all of my joints and muscles with every step, pedal or swim stroke.

Do I write this for sympathy? no.  It is for awareness of those with 'invisible' illnesses. You REALLY don't know what people around you are going through, so careful not to judge.

There isn't anything I can do about the EDS. It isn't curable, and it's not that treatable either.  I do fear that I use it as an excuse sometimes for my lack of speed, or sometimes when I just don't want to do a workout.  There is a fine line between 'excuse' and 'yes I need to rest.' I HOPE I've finally found that line.

It is not without cost, I assure you. But I wouldn't have it any other way, I enjoy being active.  I don't do small either, hence IRONMAN!

Here's to another High pressure system!



**I know I've been  slacking on the actual blog posts, I do frequently update my facebook page though: facebook !

Boston Marathon - The Good

It is hard to explain how I feel today so this is what I wrote yesterday!

I am devastated, disgusted, and dumbfounded at today's attacks! It is so close to home. I am not native to Boston, but I've been here for 17 years, so it is home. This isn't just an attack on humanity, but also a close personal attack on athletics. So many hopes and dreams are left out on race days. You train and think of nothing other than that personal triumph of crossing a finish line. So much was stolen from the athletes, the supporters, Bostonians, and Americans. Don't let them win. Everyone take this opportunity to go find a finish line and cross it for those who could not today. Do a 5k, 1mile fun run, anything! Take back the finish line.

I am horrified, as most of us are, at the pictures, videos, stories of yesterday.  It seems like a bad dream.  Normally Marathon coverage is uplifting, sometimes even overkill. There are so many really amazing stories, each athlete is running for something.  Racing is something you can't explain to those that don't do it. It is in your heart, your bones, your soul.  You can't help but watch  'uplifting' stories on Monday night or Tuesday.  Today those stories are missing and I want to offer two stories to share.

First:
My friend Jay ran yesterday's Marathon in the time it takes me to do a HALF marathon!  He was racing for a really great cause, First Descents!   Jay was running to help provide outdoor experiences and adventures for young adult cancer fighters and survivors.

In addition to his great speed, great cause, he was central to a true family event.  His sister Megan is pregnant with her first child.  Megan had her ultrasound, had the results sealed in an envelope, and she handed to her brother Jay. No one but Jay knew the sex of the baby until yesterday.

The whole family waited for Jay at mile 23.

He greeted them with his "ITS A BOY" T-shirt!

He also carried little blue sneakers for 23 miles so he could hand them to his Sister.

Jay crossed the finish line a while before the bombings, but there was a slight where the family couldn't find each other.  Happy to report everyone is ok!

TO donate to Jay's cause please visit: http://www.crowdrise.com/teamfirstdescents2013/fundraiser/jasonbirri/


My second story is about my Pan Mass Challenge teammate  Kris, and her daughter Kayla.

Kris has run several marathons, but yesterday was the first DUO!  As a matter of fact, they are the first mother-daughter duo to RUN the Boston Marathon!

Kayla is 18 and suffers from mitochondrial disease.  Mom pushed Kayla 26.2 miles to this amazing accomplishment of being the FIRST!

Here they are at mile 17! *fb pic*

They are raising money for Children's Hospital, where Kayla has been a patient for years. They wanted to give back when Children's has given them so much!

Check out the story in the: Milford Daily News
Check out the Interview before the Marathon!

Kayla and Kris were one of the last few finishers before they shut down the race.  They passed by the explosion site just as it happened. Some family members required stitches from some shrapnel, but everyone is safe.

I am proud of them for finishing this, for fighting so hard and for doing something no other mother daughter team has ever done!  WAY TO GO!

The K girls are looking to raise $26K,check out their fundraising page to help push them over the edge! http://www.milesformiracles.org/boston/kgirls

**if you have other stories to share please do so on my facebook page for all to see!

Lastly, please consider taking back the finish line!  Go find a race and DO IT for everyone that could not cross yesterday!

Chicken Finger

I really need to get back to some of my training antics and the bizarre and funny things that happen to me! Like who sees Fred Flintstone bowling in the pool?, or drops chicken salad in her shoe?, or ends up with Milk in her eye?.... yea this girl!

So, a little back-story on this one.  My parents had a pool and got rid of it.  They had tons of extra beach towels and offered them to me. Of course I took them!  I didn't think anything of it, and like probably most of you, in the grogginess of 4AM, I stuffed a towel in my bag and went to the FAMILY FRIENDLY gym.

I swam, then showered.  Upon finishing my shower I went to grab my towel that was hanging on the outside of the stall.  This is what I see.

I thought, WHAT THE HELL? is that  a FINGER?   I then opened towel and see this: 

MOM, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING??


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Shrinking the Girls!

I have debated whether or not to blog about this, and decided it was best to share.  I’m having a breast reduction next Thursday!  I had so many cute, funny titles to this but that would just invite the freak-shows that tend to search the key word ‘boob’ or ‘fat’ and that’s all I need.. more freaks!

What really made me decide to share:

Well first, I’m not that shy. 

Second:  I know some of you will wonder why I fell off the face of the earth for a month. And most importantly, I have received the BEST comments from so many followers. I still remain so humbled that I am being followed all over the world.  So many women have mustered the courage to strive to their fitness goals, regardless of size.  They tell me I was their mentor, or I encouraged them, but in reality, that they already had in them.  I've also had some negative comments, like one woman said I called myself fat just to get attention. (I can think of other things to do to get attention, and none of which would involve trying to eat right and exercise)!  I will pay it forward in my openness here! 

Lastly, I have thought about this procedure for a long time.  I have gained the courage through others that have had it done.  From Facebook support groups, to just random friends that have had it done. I've only seen/heard of ONE person that wasn't happy they did it – so here I go!

I also write a little of this larger side of things for the many athletes I know who ‘want boobs.’ I've been asked “can I have your leftovers?”; “is there a donation to the needy?”; read on girls, you may not want them!

I've always been on the larger size. I can’t say I hate them, because sometimes it’s nice to HIDE MY FAT, or to wear a low cut dress. BUT, I kid you not, they are a PAIN!

I giggle every time I see / think about this cartoon

Yea it rings true, BUT I’m NOT AN OLD LADY.  Aside from the aesthetics, I see a chiropractor twice a week! Yes that’s 90 visits a year. 12 visits are covered by insurance.  Most people who know me say “really, you aren't that big” but I've always worn bigger shirts, and to be honest, nice cute shirts do not fit. 

I am constantly battling the button bulge!  If I do find a shirt that fits, it is way too wide. I went through a period (like 8 years) that I would only wear a tankini and button my shirt half way up.  I was forever uni-boob! 

I didn't care, I was just tired of bra shopping. Nothing ever fit and it was always a waste of money.  Victoria's Secret ‘measured’ me once, said 40D.  I was horrified at being a 40, but that didn't fit either. I had to stuff the girls into that bra and they would hang over the sides or UNDER.. God I hate underboob.

Then one day I went to a real bra shop and was measured properly.  36H.  Yes you heard that right. Yea I was much happier that my ribcage was a 36 and not a 40.. but an H? What the hell is an H? I saw this cup that I could store a small dog in. BUT, I didn't let it get to me, purchased those bras and actually felt a little smaller in my clothing.

Workout gear sucks too.  For some reason they keep putting this stupid zipper in women’s clothing. Great! Except when I fall out of them! Countless times the zipper just flies open and exposes cleavage.  (where’s the photographer?).  I wear my bike jersey with the zipper down too, because it is too tight all the way up.  I was horrified to need a MENs XL!  Now, for some stupid reason, bike shirts are made about 4 sizes too small, but still. 

Although there is one thing I will definitely miss… I have a built in pocket in the cleavage. Such a great place for my towel!  (yea think of your Great Aunt sticking Kleenex there.. yup that’s me). I'll never forget the look on my newer at the time riding partner's face. I pulled out my towel, dabbed my face and he said "WHERE DID YOU GET THAT???"  - uh.. here?

Once, I didn't have headphones, so I just put my phone on the mp3 player and shoved it down my shirt with the volume up. You should have seen the looks, no one could figure out where the sound was coming from!

When I did my first half marathon, I discovered the real chafing  pain of the breasts.  I have learned to run and not bounce through  Chi Running, but that doesn't take all the swaggle away. I KNOW that some people have slowed their cars at the moving and shaking of the well endowed women runners, but I assure you, it is not comfortable.  At that first half marathon, about mile 10, I dumped water over my head, and then felt this BURN.  Later I looked and saw that I had a 2 inch RING around my ribcage from the rubbing of the elastic of the sports bra.  I think I still have a small scar from that! 

Yea this pic is great, but I hate the video.. You can REALLY see my boobs are going one direction and my feet another. I can’t wait for my entire body to cooperate and go the same direction!

I’m nervous of the surgery, I’ve never had stitches.  Yea 39 years old and I escaped that life event until now. I swear my brother was stitched enough for the both of us!  I’m nervous that I’m going to have to relearn how to swim and run.  Will I sink now that I’m getting rid of the buoys? Will I need my bike refitted now that I won’t have to knee  myself in the boob with every pedal stroke of the bike?

Will I run like the wind? (yea probably not).

Wish me luck and send any good thoughts next week. I will be down on most of my training for about 30 days. I’m not particularly excited about that, but I think in the long run, it will be awesome!

Here goes nuthin!


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A Night at The Pool

It's been a while since I had a random post about nothin', so here goes!

I almost drowned last night!

Normally I'm an AM workout person, I can't motivate myself to do anything after work, so 4AM it is for me!  I know the people at the gym at that time, athletes and old folks that just want to get the job done and start their day.  The AM has its share of grumpy people but hey it 2 hrs before the sun comes up!

Yesterday I had intended on my normal AM swim, then remembered I needed some fasting bloodwork.  It really isn't a good idea to go workout for an hour on an empty stomach so I opted to move my swim to the evening.

WHAT a difference in the people at the gym!  I got there and the pool was full so I waited for a lane (well half of a lane). I jumped in and my FIRST lane share partner was great, we didn't hit each other in any way.  The person in the NEXT lane kept hitting me under the rope, which I found slightly odd..... then she actually GRABBED My foot!  I thought "am I out of my line here?" (watching her alone, nope, she just was grabbing under the water?!).

There was a kid swim class going on in the first 2 lanes, they were cute and on my 'kick' sets I enjoyed watching them, and the parents.  So cute!  - the head back in the water!  My 2nd lane partner wasn't so nice!  His front half was fine, but he had this weird scissor kick that was as wide as someone doing the butterfly!  Hey I thought practice for IM!

THEN ... I was reminded of my time at Bally's.  Everyday there was something amusing or really annoying.  This dad and his kid just jumped into our lane.  I approached the wall and thought, uh? do I just TAG YOU IN?... they moved out of the way.. then proceeded to CHASE me, kicking and splashing.  They didn't bother my swim THAT Much, was simply very odd.  They kept this up in TWO lanes for about 20 min!

Then came my near drowning incident.

I look over under the water, there was a larger guy in the next lane, big round belly, tiny legs.  He had one of those flotation things around his waste, his legs were bent and he seemed to be 'walking' on his tippy toes.  ALL I could see and hear was Fred Flintstone and that sound when he would go bowling.. I snorted water in TWICE by trying to hold in my laughter.

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Paleo Update

I apologize for the delay in my posts.  I have several in my head, I just need time to get fingers to keyboard! I guess that's the irony of "Ironman Journey", the closer the journey gets, the harder it is to find time to write.

So many of you saw from my facebook page that I was interested in the Paleo Diet. I put the question out there, and as suspected people love or hate it.  Many don't "agree" with the principles, and many think it's the best thing since (not eating) sliced bread.

You all know I've struggled with weight most of my life.  I just can't lose it! Last year, eating mostly right, and all the training I did resulted in almost no weight loss.  Sad because at one point I was training near 20 hrs a week!  Don't worry folks, yes I watched calories, yes I have been to a doctor and believe it not I was on a weight loss drug for a period last summer too.. the result was NADA!

Then came the holidays, cold weather, and 'rest' period from training. This resulted in me gaining 15lbs.  Awesome! No, I didn't drink myself silly or eat all cake, but I wasn't as careful and I certainly didn't stick to a diet, but I was reasonable.

I've tried every diet on the market.  My body just wants to have a higher fat content I think.   So a few friends  have had success with the Paleo, so I thought, even with the controversy, I'd give it a try.

The research is so conflicting on what is/ isn't included in this diet. So, I decided to go with my gut. I'm eating what I think is right given the premise "eat what is natural and not industrialized." That means cutting out processed grains, most dairy, and lots and lots of chemicals.

I have no idea what is right or wrong, for example: you can read one book and it says organic butter is ok, yet another says NO WAY. I'm just going to continue to do it my way, the results are there:

15 days, down 7 lbs.

I'm loving playing in the kitchen again. I am not loving the grocery bill!  We wonder why America is fat? well it's because most people can't afford to eat foods good for you!  I know I won't keep up with the fully organic everything, but I'll do my best.  This is what my kitchen counter looked like in preparing for breakfast and lunch at work, so much stuff!

My favorite dish so far, is probably not 100% paleo but it's close enough. Shrimp Scampi on spaghetti squash..  Spaghetti squash has become my new love! You can do so much with it, if you don't cut your arm off trying to prepare it.

Making lunch has been sorta fun. It does take some planning and lengthy AM preparations to eat healthy, but I have to say I'm not starving with this diet.  This was a turkey,tomato and avocado "lettuce' wrap.

 This was breakfast one day.  Poached egg, coconut butter on paleo bread with avocado and tomato to accompany!  I can do without the paleo bread, it is rather dry. I can't wait to try it in some sort of  casserole with it.

I've tried so many things these past two weeks. If nothing else I'm having fun discovering some healthy foods.


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Liver Detox - Metabolism Jumpstart

I decided to do a Detox/Cleanse on Friday after recommendation from my coach.  She recommended a Liver Detox ** from First Magazine.  At first glance, I liked the idea of this one because it wasn't some crazy product littered with words I can't read!  It was regular foods and it also allowed you to EAT starting day 2.

You can read the description for what it does for you, but reality is,  the cleanse is like an oil change.  You just need to do it once in a while to keep things working right.  Many of you know I struggle with my weight too, so I thought why not give it a try?

Day 1:

Drink a concoction that you create with spices, juices and water with an addition of flax seed in the AM and PM. Alternate that and water for 12 hours.

I can't handle non-sugar sweeteners, so I had to deal with the tart cranberry/lemon taste.  It wasn't that bad. It would have been nicer  sweet, but was just fine.

Thoughts: not as bad as I thought.  I  found that drinking 8oz of water every hour was really hard to do.  I'm dumbfounded too as it is only 4 more portions than required normally. Clearly I do not drink enough.  As expected, I had to pee every 45 min, and I was a little hungry at points.  I figured my 'hunger' wasn't really 'hunger' since my stomach wasn't growling, I just wanted to eat!

I went to bed early and dreamed of my eggs for breakfast.

Day 2:

I prepared my scrambled eggs, mushrooms and tomatoes. I realized there was a TON of food and wasn't going to be hungry today.  I finished my eggs, ate my orange for dessert and packed my lunch.

My first snack: 1 cup of plain yogurt, strawberries, blueberries and flax seed.  1 cup of yogurt is a TON!  Those single servings are like 1/3 of a cup or something, I felt like I was eating a full bowl of cereal.

Lunch: big salad with dark greens, beets, artichokes and chicken.  I giggled at at the beets, yes for you Carlie!   I also am not particularly fond of lettuce, it is just weird and difficult to eat to me, but it's a necessity in eating heatlhy! I found the salad to be very filling; and luckily I do not need dressing so "as is" was fine for me.

Around 1, I had enough and I just wanted to eat a piece of bread or a chocolate (or chocolate on bread?), or donuts  or cookie, or cake, or just warm french bread, or pizza.. or wings with bleu cheese,  or cheese, or potato chips.....then I reality checked myself and realized I AM FULL, it is my brain saying "eat this crap." I am fully addicted to carbs, hopefully this 3 day thing will help get me off of them.

Thank God I don't have a caffeine addiction. I imagine this would be REALLY HARD if you needed coffee.  My coach has asked me a couple times if I had a headache.  I really wouldn't know the difference, I have a headache 99% of the time anyway so whatever, right?  If you are going to try this, I recommend kicking your caffeine addiction first!

Dinner was good, a big bag of cauliflower and broccoli, 6oz of chicken and I made a dipping sauce for all of it.  2tbl of that plain yogurt and 'simply garlic' (a packaged bought spice blend.).    I like sauce, so the addition of my little mixture was just perfect. It is very good too!

Then a baked apple with nutmeg and cinnamon! Yum!

For those that don't understand how yogurt can be used as a sauce, you have to try it.  Plain yogurt is so well, plain!  John made a face at me, he said "but it's sweet" I said "no it's plain" he said "no it's sweet."  His response is typical.  You can use plain yogurt as a substitute for sour cream, just add some chive! You can have a veggie dip by adding onion soup mix....You just have to try it.

Day 3: 

Woke up and down 4.5 lbs from the start. That's not "REAL" we all can call a spade a spade here. Water weight! I'm just shocking the system, but hell, I'll pretend and be happy today.  I feel full, but my brain still wants something sugary or bubbly to drink, and carbs.. oh how I would love a bagel.

I choose to eat the same thing as Day 2, I could have mixed up my veg and protein  but was just easier to prepare it all at once.  Eating healthy does take more time, but I kinda like getting up early, making eggs and watching something from the DVR.

The most annoying thing so far with this detox is the pee-breaks!  I have a 1 hour commute, and a 30-45 min bladder at this point.  One word UGH.. (ok 2 words) pee dance!

I lived through day 3 just fine, I enjoyed my food for the day.  So much that I even prepared the same breakfast today. I'll probably have that yogurt/ fruit mix for a snack later.  I did add a small piece of toast to breakfast though.  Damn carb addiction, but man it was good!

Officially I'm 4.2lbs down from when I started. I'll be surprised to see how much actually stays off.

I feel a little better, but mentally I feel LOTS better.

I would recommend it, I feel like it jump-started my potential to eat better.

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** The original link to the recipe was removed from the source, so here it is **

First Day:

Prepare the Miracle Juice!

• 8 oz all natural cranberry juice
•  3/4 cup orange juice
• 56 oz pure water
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ginger and nutmeg
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• Stevia natural sweetener to taste
• Ground flax seed (store in freezer)

Bring the mixture of water and cranberry juice to a soft boil. Combine cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg into a tea ball and steep it in the mixture for 15 minutes. (For a tangier juice, add the spices directly to the liquid.) Let it cool, then add lemon juice to the mix. Add Stevia for taste.

Day One of The Liver Cleanse Plan

• For breakfast pour a glass of the juice. Stir in 2 Tbs. of flax seed 
• One hour later drink 8 oz. water
• Keep alternating juice and water for the next 12 hours without the flax seed
• Add the flax seed again to your final cup of juice before bedtime

Alternate drinking 1 cup (8 ounces) of filtered water and 1 cup (8 ounces) of Miracle Juice during the day. Drink at least 72 ounces of filtered water throughout the day, in addition to the Miracle Juice. Make sure you drink at least a cup of liquid - either the Miracle Juice or water - every hour. Begin the protocol when you wake up in the morning. You don't have to begin at a specific time, but be sure to have all eight glasses of Miracle Juice in addition to the 72 ounces of water by day's end.

Breakfast:

• scramble 2 eggs
• add veggies (mix in or serve as side dish )
• have a small orange for dessert (no juice)
• add fresh lemon juice to glass of water

Snack:

• 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt topped with fresh (or from the freezer) berries and ground flax seeds.  Grind in coffee grinder or mini blender.  Refrigerate after opening bag.  Organic yogurt best and Trader Joe's carries it!

Lunch:

• dark green salad with beets (raw shredded or cooked), artichoke hearts, 6oz lean protein (wild and/or organic best).  Avocado okay.

Snack:

• baked apple with cinnamon and nutmeg 

Dinner:

• big portions of cauliflower, broccoli and 6oz lean protein (wild and/or organic best)
  
  

12 week Winter Training - Fundraising Event!

Build base, strength, and power and help a GREAT cause!

Hate winter training, but also hate the sluggish feeling in the spring?
Want to learn how to train more effectively?
Want to be a better, faster, stronger rider?
Want to ride with Phil's Phriends?

Cycling Fusion is a great startup that is changing the face of indoor cycling. They are offering a 12 week winter training starting in January that will get you in shape and ready for next season without leaving the comfort of your own home!

Anyone can take the class, beginners, advanced, you just need a trainer or indoor cycling bike and an internet connection.

You get 30 hours of instruction from experts in the industry, a tool to log and evaluate your workouts, increasing ride time, and cross training for $299 and a generous portion is donated to  Phils Phriends 2013 PAN MASS CHALLENGE. (Use PMC2013 as your coupon code to have a portion donated)!  As a special one time event, because we are their first fundraiser, they are donating 30%-50% of the training to the PMC!

The classes are live on Saturday AMs, then rebroadcast on Sunday, Monday  and Tuesday.  Starting Wednesday classes are available on demand and you can take the class when you want!

This is your opportunity to ride with us, support a wonderful cause, and get in shape!

To sign up:

Go to Cycling Fusion Winter Training and click on the sign up today button.

Then from the Train at Home, select either one lump sum of $299 or you can select to pay in installments.

VERY IMPORTANT: in the coupon code use the "PMC2013" to make sure your registration qualifies for a generous donation by Cycling Fusion.

Check out the short video about Winter Training:

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2012 Ironman Florida Volunteer Race Report

I decided a couple months ago that I was going go to Florida to volunteer.  You really need to be there the year before if you want a slot for next year. As a volunteer you get the privilege of standing in a 3 hour line in hopes to get a slot.  I'm glad I did this, as the online slots sold out in less than a minute!

I arrived on Friday and drove in from Tallahassee.  My hotel was NOT within walking distance so I had to drive to the race site.  Parking is terrible, you park at a Walmart a mile away, or down the street, a little under a mile.  I found that LaVela was the best place, it was slightly closer even though it charged to park.  

I went to find a volunteer registration tent only to find out that there was a meeting at 5PM (??), I received  no emails or communications to me about meetings, so I was a bit frustrated.  I wasn't sure where I was going, what I was doing, but I'm a Type A and was bound to find my post. It was just before 5 EST when I discovered that Panama City is on CENTRAL TIME!   Seriously  who put half of Florida in Central Time?  I felt stupid!  The 5PM meeting was also not helpful for me, the Security and Swim captains did not show, so I was still at a loss.  The Volunteer Coordinator told me to just go to my posts in the AM and I would be fine.  

Well, not only was I fine, I had the absolute best posts on the course!  There were 2500 volunteers and I think I had the best posts!

I arrived race day at 4:30am.  Met up with some people who I thought were in charge.  Turns out I met the Sheriff's department and they stationed me with the EMT's.  It was my job to get DNF's and injured athletes out of the surf as they were brought in on the Jet Skis.  

The water was pretty choppy.  Many, including the pros said it was the roughest water they'd seen in the 14 year history of the race.  I watched as the Jetskis and Kayakers had  a tough time maneuvering. 

 The mass start was crazy, I was at the other end so I didn't capture great pictures, however you can see there are 5+ people in spots where there should be one.  Many were hurt during the start. Including one man who was kicked so hard he dislocated his shoulder. I asked an athlete later and he said there was no way to NOT climb on people.  I was also told this was more viscous than any IM they'd done before.  Presumably due to the waves.

I saw most of the pros come in for the first lap prior to to getting to work. A tip I learned, all the Pros "SKIPPED" out of the water, definitely made the trudging through surf look easier than the mess I saw with the age groupers.

After the first loop of the pros, I put my camera away and went to work. I had a wetsuit on so I stood in the waves.  I helped people off the Jetskis, but also kept an eye on people falling over in the surf.  I saw the weirdest stuff once the age groupers came through.  One guy had a skull cap on to keep his head warm, not odd.. but couple that with the fact he was in a SPEEDO ONLY: Weird.  Seriously if you're cold, WEAR A WETSUIT.   Another guy had a zipper, over the head wetsuit shirt on, he tried to remove it in the surf and of course got it stuck on top of his head, arms extended and landed face first into the surf.  I yanked his head out of the water and he said "hey I'm ok." - Seriously, don't put your head in the waves as your arms are tied down.

As we got closer to the cutoff, things got  hairy.  MANY MANY people were throwing up.  I had never considered that I would have to swim through puke on an IM swim.  The last swimmer that would make the cutoff stood up, her eyes were almost rolled back into her head.  I ran to her and she said "I'm not going to finish."One other volunteer and I just yelled, how about you make that decision in 20 yards, you have 1 minute to get there and we ran her up. She at least finished the swim!  The look on the faces of those behind her were devastating.   Knowing their day was over at 9:30 AM just heartbreaking.

I was the only volunteer in the actual water on my side.  As the end drew near, a few joined me and also wished they had brought a wetsuit. (note, bring a wetsuit if you're volunteering, you might want to swim at some point)!

I collected so much junk as I was standing there, several goggles, caps, gu packets, all would be 'trash.'  I don't know if the athletes retrieved their stuff, but know to check lost and found. People turn in just about anything. 

I then took a break to remove my wet clothes and eat and watch the pros come in on the bike. This was the end of Andrew Starykowicz's epic ride. 112 miles in 4:04!  I didn't make the connection until later in the day, but he was the athlete in Abu Dhabi who hit a volunteer that ran out in front of him an was subsequently thrown in jail. (Check out his blog).  He didn't receive medical care for his injuries and had a pretty hellish month.  I swear this story could be on that "locked up abroad" show!  He really just let it all out today!

Note he has a police escort! YEA, so I will consider myself first place from now on when I have one, instead of last!

After watching him finish, I proceeded to the most awesome post, the finish line, where I stayed for the next 11 hours. I was un-wrapping medals, and handing them out!  WOW!  This is what life looked like for the rest of the day!

I was lucky enough to be there for Pros, and take some pretty cool pictures.   Their interviews were very humbling too, they were genuinely happy, proud, they let it all out there.  Andrew especially was touched, especially after the year he's had. 

Yvonne was similar happy, no smug athletes here!  That was nice. Actually, I only encountered a couple of jerks all day. Most  athletes were just so awesome!

 My Idol Rinny! And  a great pic of the top women. Yvonne, Mirinda, and Meredith. I was in awe of Meredith as she came out of the water 11th overall. Yea she caught almost all of the pro MEN, who had a 5 min headstart!

Then as the day wore on, there were the age groupers.  The emotion on their faces is just awesome. People were letting it ALL out on the course.  Many  would collapse as soon as they got to the finish line. It was an absolute honor to put medals on these athletes heads!

Ironman had a special event this race. It's 500,000's finisher crossed the line at 14 hours.  This poor guy had no idea what was going on, why there were fireworks for him, or the women's winner was putting his medal on!

A finisher in the last 30 min was especially  amazing. Not only did she complete an Ironman, but RAN IN HER FULL FIRE GEAR!  WOW! 

 We drew closer to the end, the pros were all out either running people in, or giving medals.

Inspiring is an understatement.  You can't help but be inspired, in awe, touched, and just downright emotional when you watch the last hour.  TO hear the chant from the crowd "You are an Ironman" was amazing.

Well watch for yourself! I took this video!

I cannot wait until next year.  359 days until I cross that finish line.  If you need an excuse to go to Florida  this sure is a good one!  Fatgirl is now officially on her Ironman Journey!


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Be not afraid!

I was cleaning out an old closet and found a poem I wrote as a teenager.  I must have profoundly understood my ambitions and 'be not afraid' attitude at that time.

As I look at next year's schedule and think about what I'm going to tackle, this is just perfect!

Life is uncertain.
as a fawn in the sight of a tiger
You sit still in the grass,
anticipating and waiting.
Who will make the 1st move?
Does he see you?

Your eyes are wide with anxiety,
for you are on the defense.
One blink and you could be gone.
Your life is in danger!
or is it?

How far away is he?
you will never know!
The grass around you seems to grow,
it covers and hides you.
Is this how you want to stay?
Covered and on the defense?

You see another fawn nearby.
What is she thinking?
She is frolicking through your hiding place,
without a care of the tiger.

Do you take the chance?
Should you live on the defense or have fun?

You decide to join your sister.
As you play in the tall grass,
a curious eye looks toward the tiger
only to see that it was just a shadow.

-Laura Slipski ~1989ish