You gotta know when to...

The last few weeks can best be summarized by Kenny Rogers, The Gambler:  

You've got to know when to hold 'em

Know when to fold 'em

Know when to walk away

Know when to run

Before the holidays, training was going great.  I was back into the routine of things and my swim, bike, and run were all starting to feel stronger.  We had planned on going to Puerto Vallarta for Christmas, so I knew training was going to take a back seat.  I went in with the best intentions of swimming & running, but I knew I wouldn't be able to bike.  In summary, I did one run!  The pool wasn't the length I expected it to be, much shorter, and colder!  And the streets were like a runner's war zone between the cracks in the sidewalk, the one foot curbs, the car exhaust, etc.  I felt I would be putting myself in danger of derailing any future training by twisting an ankle or getting hit by a car.  So, I decided to be Zen and enjoy my time with my family... that is what Christmas is all about anyway!  And we had a wonderful time!!!... Know when to run :-)

The first day back was New Year's Eve, back to work & back in the pool.  No harm done.  I felt great in the pool & was hitting all of my intervals.  The next day Dawn had planned a 3:30hr New Year's Day ride, awesome!  I was excited to see my Iron-Twinkie's & get back in the saddle with all of them.  Unfortunately, New Year's Eve was cold & rainy, which didn't leave the streets in the best condition.  Before we all even showed up Orissa pulled out because of the weather, Kris pulled out because she was sick, & Shelly was out of town... that left Linda, Herbito, & I!  No worries, I was still positive, I would be cool to ride with some new riders... although, it was COLD!  We headed up Blanco Rd. into a bitter headwind & by 5miles in we started dropping like flies!  We planned to re-group at Specht Rd & that was when Linda rode up looking like someone killed her dog!  For once, it was my turn to be the voice of reason... "Come on, we can do this!  Let's just hang in there and cruise!"  That was also when we found out Herbito got a flat, his first!  Dawn rode back to help him out & pull him back up & the rest of the crew rode on.  Wow, it's COLD... and it kept getting colder!  A few more miles out, the next flat tire in our group!  That's when Linda & I had a pow-wow and decided if someone responds to our SOS txt, we are outta here!  Allen to the rescue!!!  We asked him to pick us up at a Starbucks 4miles down the rode, 20miles from where he was.  We got to Starbucks & initiated our defrost.  Then came the dreaded call... Coachie!!!  BUSTED!!!  "Did you guys call for a ride?... You need to HTFU!... You can't call for a ride in May at IMTX!"  We know, we know... but it wasn't going to happen today.  Long story short, we bailed!... Know when to fold 'em :-)

I tried to make the best of the situation & tell myself the New Year can only get better... and so far so good!  I had a great training week, redeemed myself on our long ride & even willingly choose to ride the hills of 211 that once almost made me cry!  

Today we participated in Monica's Mile, a swimathon fundraiser for my friend Monica who is recovering from spinal cord injury after being hit by a car while training for IMAZ.  The triathlon community never ceases to amaze me!  There was a huge turnout for the event, which included a one mile swim or a one hour swim.  Coachie never gave us a choice... we were swimming for an hour!  I implemented a strategy I learned while doing base training, entertain your mind!  Next thing I knew it was the two minute mark and everyone was yelling and cheering us on, including Monica!  I started to tear up a little in my googles & then heard Kris in my head, "Are you crying? Stop crying!"  I completed 2mi in the hour to my surprise & felt GREAT!  Then of course, we followed it up with our Sunday long run, 9mi in McAllister Park.  I know for a fact & I frequently tell my patients at work... "There will be good days and bad days... You just have to make sure there are more good than bad!" :-)