Triathlon season is over and I am settling into the holiday season. I vow each year to not slip into bad eating habits and try to stick with my exercise routine- even though I am not training for anything specifically yet. How do you stay inspired to stay with the program? That is the million dollar question that many people ask themselves to stay on track with diet and exercise. So what do you do?
Find something that you love and go for it. That advice sounds so simple and yet how many times have you started a diet or exercise program only to find yourself defeated ? The only answer is to realize that staying fit and healthy is a lifestyle.Most people have short term weight loss goals; they want to look great for a big occasion but what most don't realize is that exercise and proper nutrition doesn't ever end. There is a start point, but there is no end point. Proper nutrition and exercise should be incorporated daily into your life like sleeping and showering. It's a harsh reality, but it is the honest truth when it comes to maintaining fitness health.
I have heard over and over again by countless people that the number one reason for not staying active is time. But there is time for a workout if you consciously put it into your schedule. I know for full time working people this is the hardest thing to incorporate into a schedule. My advice, sit down and schedule it. Personally, nothing in my life is accomplished unless I sit down each week ( maybe five or ten minutes) and think about what I have to do. Write a list of what needs to be done, look at your list and then see when you have a block of time for exercise- even five minutes is a start. During the holidays it is important to do this to keep sane.
Five minutes? I can already hear some of you squawking that five minutes is not enough so why bother? You can climb your own stairs for five minutes, never leaving your house or apartment. You will see benefits if you do it everyday. Don't like stairs? Walk to your mailbox and back as many times as you can for five minutes. Live in a cul-de-sac? Walk to the cul-de-sac and back as many times as you can for five minutes. Get the picture? Get moving. Park further away from the door when you go to the mall; this adds walking time. Try adding a minute to your walk or stair climb each day and after a week you'll be up to twelve minutes. Most beginners can run a mile in that amount of time. If you speed walk, a mile can be done in around thirteen to fourteen minutes. The time excuse just doesn't cut it.
Last week at my son's basketball practice everyone was sitting around on their phones, reading their Kindle's, or working on laptops. I kept thinking that some of the people sitting around should get up and walk around the gym or go outside and walk around. Why not manage that time better? That was an hour practice. Think of what exercise you could do in an hour. Put away the technology and get off your bum is what I wanted to shout! I had visions of Richard Simmons pulling people off the bleachers and forcing them to walk around the gym. The point is that here was a block of time. It was only a practice and not a game so parents should not feel guilt for fitting in a walk or run here.
What inspires me to keep fit is that I physically feel better and have more energy to tackle my day; especially this time of year when the holidays are approaching and there is so much that needs to be done. I am inspired to keep at it when the clothes I have in my closet fit, when I go for my yearly physical and my blood pressure is outstanding, when people tell me that I look the same as I did in high school. Those are the little reasons I am inspired to stay active, but there are big reasons as well.
Recently losing my aunt and grandmother to cancer has taught me to be inspired by little things like a beautiful day or my kids sharing with me their school day or perhaps my husband explaining his victories in work. I am inspired by friends that make me feel good about my accomplishments and goals. I am inspired by one of my spin instructors at the gym who always seems to get me to work a little harder. The biggest inspiration to me is when I see someone with a challenge out there participating in sports.
A few days ago I was running at Lake Pine Park in Cary, NC. I was not feeling in the moment at all, in fact I was not really enjoying my run as I was distracted by all the things on my to do list for the day. I was getting through it when I saw a girl in a wheelchair going around the lake. I was stunned, but she was using one foot to push off and propel herself around a two mile loop. She had a group with her and what struck me was that she had a big smile on her face. She was rehabbing an injury and it looked very difficult and yet she was having fun with her group. I immediately realized that although I was tired and really didn't feel like running at the moment, I was so lucky to be out there; I was inspired by witnessing one person who was challenged, but she wasn't feeling sorry for herself. She was simply doing what she had to do.
When I am struggling to continue with my training, I look to other people to train with, take a fun group class, or put on music with a great beat. Sometimes if I need a further push I look to two videos for inspiration. One is with Dick and Rick Hoyt, a father and son team that do triathlons together, the other is Jim Valvano's famous ESPY speech from 1993.
Rick was diagnosed as a quadriplegic with cerebral palsy as a result of a lack of oxygen to his brain at birth. His mother and father have strived all of Rick's life to make it as normal as possible. Rick's parents were able to have a special interactive computer built for him that enabled him to communicate.The computer gave their son a," voice," and they quickly learned that Rick loved sports. In 1977, Rick told his father that he wanted to participate in a five mile run that benefited a lacrosse player that had been paralyzed in an accident. Dick agreed but was not really a runner at the time. He pushed his son in the wheelchair for the five miles and finished the race. Later, Rick told his father that he did not feel paralyzed when they were running together. This was the catalyst that sparked the beginning of a foundation Dick started for his son called Team Hoyt. Together the two have done over 1,000 races including marathons, duathlons, and triathlons(six of them ironman competitions). Dick pulls his son in a boat, pulls him while riding a bike, and pushes him in a wheelchair during triathlons; it is a sight to see.
Ten years ago when I decided to sign up for my first triathlon, I had seen Rick and Dick Hoyt on the televised Kona Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii. I was so inspired I knew I had to try one. I cried the entire time watching them and the feeling that came over me was overwhelming. I knew that there was absolutely no reason for me to not do a triathlon. I was hooked after my first race and have continued ever since. Each year I watch Kona and am inspired by anyone who attempts this race, but seeing the Hoyt's blew me away. Kona is still a dream for me, but I am hopeful that someday it will be a reality.
The other person that inspires me is Jimmy Valvano, a former basketball coach at NC State University. He blew me away with his speech at the 1993 ESPY awards. It was my first time watching the ESPY's; I remember my husband saying that I would love the awards show.Valvano gave the speech of a lifetime, talking about the important things in life while he was fighting cancer. His motto,"Don't give up, don't ever give up," is something we have all heard, but there are many things I have taken from that speech like when he said ,"a good day is when you laugh, cry and you think." These are very simple things that we can do each day. When I'm feeling down about anything I think of his powerful words.
Finally, I am inspired by the founders of HydroWorx for the wonderful pools they have created that help people all over the world. Through the power of water therapy they are continually improving the quality of life for people.
I am inspired each day by the grace of God and my many blessings, and like Dick Hoyt has said, "Yes you can," and like Jimmy V. has said," Don't ever give up," I say tri-on friends! Below is Jimmy Valvano's 1993 ESPY video-You Tube and Team Hoyt video-You Tube.
Kelly
Showing posts with label Catfish Triathlon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Catfish Triathlon. Show all posts
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Tri- Protege
One of the nicest compliments I could receive is when my son Bryce came to me this past May after The Woodlake Triathlon in NC and asked if he could sign up for a triathlon. I couldn't have been happier or prouder as a mom and as a triathlete. For the last nine years my family has supported my nutty obsession with triathlon. They have not missed many of my races and I am so thankful to have them there cheering me to the finish line.
Many Sunday and Saturday mornings my family has gotten up at the crack of dawn or before and traveled with me to a race site only to stand around for the longevity of the event. Many times they have fished in the water that I swam in or gone to an extravagant breakfast to pass the time while I am swimming, biking and running my way to the finish line. Usually by the run portion I am questioning why I would want to torture myself with all this nonsense. My legs are usually tired by the last leg and I'm usually feeling cruddy but the thing that keeps me going is knowing that my kids and my husband are waiting with smiles and hugs for me at the end. Trying to impress them is what keeps me going. I want them to think of me as not just their mom or their wife but as a superstar. I know that sounds a bit corny and a bit narcissistic but as my realtor recently said, "Triathlon is something just for you isn't it?" Yes, triathlon is something I can do, but sharing triathlon is even better.
I'd like to think that I have inspired some folks to,"tri," or at least to consider doing something to keep healthy. A friend of mine named Shellie Gruber got hooked on triathlon and I like to take some credit for that as I encouraged her to sign up for the same race I did nine years ago. She is still at it today and a very good triathlete. Another family I know named Purich is also into triathlon; again I'd like to think I inspired them as well, but I am not one hundred percent certain. This family has been friends with my family for years. I've seen their twins grow up and now their daughter and the husband and wife are participating in triathlon as a family. They recently did an event called The Mission Man Triathlon in Burlington, NC as a team. How great! Whether I had anything to do with their new passion or not I really admire the fact that they too love triathlon now. Todd Purich recently said,"Triathlon is addictive. The events are electric." Indeed the sport is addictive but in a healthy way.
Now with my son Bryce wanting to participate in triathlon my passion has come full circle. I remember when just trying to get my workout in was such a challenge when my sons were little. Many hours they spent at the daycare at the YMCA so I could swim, bike or run. I went through the jog stroller phase too, where I'd load them up in the double stroller and run around Lake Pine in Cary, NC. Then we moved to them riding bikes with me while I ran. Now both of my kids come running with me except that my youngest doesn't really like long distance running so now he usually opts out. Bryce( my oldest) however has become a natural and strong runner which makes me mad sometimes as I have to work so hard.
One of my long term goals is to become a triathlon coach. I have my first,"victim," to train now and I have to say that it is a challenge to motivate my fourteen year old. He has signed up to do a sprint triathlon with me at the Rex Wellness Center in Raleigh. We have been swimming, biking, and running together all summer but his training enthusiasm is not like mine. Most mornings I have to wake him and drag him out of bed only to hear him say,"I don't feel like running today Mom. How about we go tomorrow?" Anyone who knows me will laugh at this because I am pretty disciplined in my sport and someone telling me,'"no," will drive my type,"A," personality over the edge. I am happy to say that I have been extremely patient with Bryce and his training, but I gently remind him of how important it is to train for his event so he can complete it and complete it without feeling totally awful. I also think that this is going to be his race and it will be a teachable moment if he perhaps doesn't train as hard as he should. I will not let him fail, but until he tries this sport for himself he won't know exactly what he needs to succeed. Sometimes having a "bad," race will teach you what you need to practice for the next race. Perhaps a,"bad," race will deter some people from ever doing another event. We won't know until we try or," tri."
I am happy to report that Bryce has improved his swimming. He has been doing his laps when we go the neighborhood pool. He has been riding his bike, but on his terms; around the lake with his friends and his brother. He ran with me last Saturday and the little whippersnapper stayed with me for the first mile and half and then took off to beat me in the 5k we were running. The young have it easy.I am envious and proud of him at the same time.
Recently I had a conversation with my own dad who inspired me to swim and run at an early age. He used to come to all of my swim meets. I know how painful it must have been for him to sit on the sidelines for four hours or more just to see his daughter swim for 30 seconds or a minute, literally. I told him how much it meant to me for him to be there and how I could really appreciate it now as a parent after attending all of my kids events. Now my son is inspired after watching me on the sidelines or perhaps he is tired of standing around. Full circle or family tradition is a way to describe our passion for sports.
I love watching my son grow as a triathlete. I love more talking to him and having some one on one time with him while we train. I remember when he was a little boy riding his trike and now he is riding a road bike. He is somewhere in between that little boy I remember and a grown man as a fourteen year old. He is striving toward manhood but is still awkward and immature; don't misunderstand this for criticism as I love the person he is now and the person he is becoming. He is a wonderful young man. I'm just so proud I could pass one of my passions to him. We'll see how it goes in a couple of weeks. I'm hoping after the Rex Sprint Triathlon that he still shares the passion for triathlon- either way it's all good.
Tri- On Friends,
Kelly
Many Sunday and Saturday mornings my family has gotten up at the crack of dawn or before and traveled with me to a race site only to stand around for the longevity of the event. Many times they have fished in the water that I swam in or gone to an extravagant breakfast to pass the time while I am swimming, biking and running my way to the finish line. Usually by the run portion I am questioning why I would want to torture myself with all this nonsense. My legs are usually tired by the last leg and I'm usually feeling cruddy but the thing that keeps me going is knowing that my kids and my husband are waiting with smiles and hugs for me at the end. Trying to impress them is what keeps me going. I want them to think of me as not just their mom or their wife but as a superstar. I know that sounds a bit corny and a bit narcissistic but as my realtor recently said, "Triathlon is something just for you isn't it?" Yes, triathlon is something I can do, but sharing triathlon is even better.
I'd like to think that I have inspired some folks to,"tri," or at least to consider doing something to keep healthy. A friend of mine named Shellie Gruber got hooked on triathlon and I like to take some credit for that as I encouraged her to sign up for the same race I did nine years ago. She is still at it today and a very good triathlete. Another family I know named Purich is also into triathlon; again I'd like to think I inspired them as well, but I am not one hundred percent certain. This family has been friends with my family for years. I've seen their twins grow up and now their daughter and the husband and wife are participating in triathlon as a family. They recently did an event called The Mission Man Triathlon in Burlington, NC as a team. How great! Whether I had anything to do with their new passion or not I really admire the fact that they too love triathlon now. Todd Purich recently said,"Triathlon is addictive. The events are electric." Indeed the sport is addictive but in a healthy way.
Now with my son Bryce wanting to participate in triathlon my passion has come full circle. I remember when just trying to get my workout in was such a challenge when my sons were little. Many hours they spent at the daycare at the YMCA so I could swim, bike or run. I went through the jog stroller phase too, where I'd load them up in the double stroller and run around Lake Pine in Cary, NC. Then we moved to them riding bikes with me while I ran. Now both of my kids come running with me except that my youngest doesn't really like long distance running so now he usually opts out. Bryce( my oldest) however has become a natural and strong runner which makes me mad sometimes as I have to work so hard.
One of my long term goals is to become a triathlon coach. I have my first,"victim," to train now and I have to say that it is a challenge to motivate my fourteen year old. He has signed up to do a sprint triathlon with me at the Rex Wellness Center in Raleigh. We have been swimming, biking, and running together all summer but his training enthusiasm is not like mine. Most mornings I have to wake him and drag him out of bed only to hear him say,"I don't feel like running today Mom. How about we go tomorrow?" Anyone who knows me will laugh at this because I am pretty disciplined in my sport and someone telling me,'"no," will drive my type,"A," personality over the edge. I am happy to say that I have been extremely patient with Bryce and his training, but I gently remind him of how important it is to train for his event so he can complete it and complete it without feeling totally awful. I also think that this is going to be his race and it will be a teachable moment if he perhaps doesn't train as hard as he should. I will not let him fail, but until he tries this sport for himself he won't know exactly what he needs to succeed. Sometimes having a "bad," race will teach you what you need to practice for the next race. Perhaps a,"bad," race will deter some people from ever doing another event. We won't know until we try or," tri."
I am happy to report that Bryce has improved his swimming. He has been doing his laps when we go the neighborhood pool. He has been riding his bike, but on his terms; around the lake with his friends and his brother. He ran with me last Saturday and the little whippersnapper stayed with me for the first mile and half and then took off to beat me in the 5k we were running. The young have it easy.I am envious and proud of him at the same time.
Recently I had a conversation with my own dad who inspired me to swim and run at an early age. He used to come to all of my swim meets. I know how painful it must have been for him to sit on the sidelines for four hours or more just to see his daughter swim for 30 seconds or a minute, literally. I told him how much it meant to me for him to be there and how I could really appreciate it now as a parent after attending all of my kids events. Now my son is inspired after watching me on the sidelines or perhaps he is tired of standing around. Full circle or family tradition is a way to describe our passion for sports.
I love watching my son grow as a triathlete. I love more talking to him and having some one on one time with him while we train. I remember when he was a little boy riding his trike and now he is riding a road bike. He is somewhere in between that little boy I remember and a grown man as a fourteen year old. He is striving toward manhood but is still awkward and immature; don't misunderstand this for criticism as I love the person he is now and the person he is becoming. He is a wonderful young man. I'm just so proud I could pass one of my passions to him. We'll see how it goes in a couple of weeks. I'm hoping after the Rex Sprint Triathlon that he still shares the passion for triathlon- either way it's all good.
Tri- On Friends,
Kelly
Friday, July 1, 2011
Farewell But Not Goodbye
I had a video about triathlon transitions to share this week for my blog but something or someone was pulling me in a different direction to write about a very important transition that I am going through now. It is not the transition from swim to bike or the transition from bike to run, but rather the fact that in one weeks’ time I will be moving my family to North Carolina to live. A little voice inside my head said the video can wait.
Five short years ago we were faced with a decision to move to Pennsylvania for a promotion for my husband's job. When our kids were born I gave up full time work in sales to stay at home with our boys. My husband was the bread winner so when an opportunity came for him we knew it would be good for his career in the insurance industry. The move to Pennsylvania was inevitable.
Here we are five years later moving back to the Raleigh area of North Carolina, right back where we started our family after college. As my neighbor said, “Full circle is nice." Full circle is right. I never thought I would feel sad leaving PA since I really did not have ties here but after five years I've finally felt like I was fitting in and that I had built a new life here for my family. My heart is sad in a way, but I know that once again this is the right move for my family. Once again my husband's job takes us back.
There are many people, places and things I will miss about PA. I was able to plug into triathlon here, which is such a big part of me. I will miss the Catfish Triathlon on City Island that I have done each year since I moved here. I won't, however, miss swimming in the Susquehanna River; sorry folks but can you blame me? One year the river was so shallow triathletes were walking it. I had my first experience in the HydroWorx pool at the Catfish Tri where I got to try out the endless swim jet. I was immediately hooked and little did I know that I would develop a relationship with them.
I will also miss the triathlon at Pinchot Park. I won't miss the fact that last year when I finished the race my son Nick informed me that they pulled out a very large black snake with fangs when they were fishing during my race. I will miss my runs on the trail and around the grounds at Messiah College. I won't miss all of those killer hills, but I will miss my running friends Susan and Fran and all the things we shared while we ran. I will miss running on the underwater treadmill at HydroWorx.
I will miss the bike rides around here. I never thought I would say that because there are so many hills. My thick thighs are proof that my cycling has really improved, at least on hills and now I get bored on the flats. The scenery in Central PA is so beautiful and I would savor my rides taking in all the green fields and the miles and miles of farms in the area. The winding roads and the peacefulness of watching a farmer tend to his fields is something I will miss. The hard working farmer will forever be ingrained in my brain.
I met some really good people here who are farmers that I had the pleasure of working for giving school tours. I will really miss their orchard and the fond memories of working with the schools and sharing information about what an orchard is and what happens there.
I could name all of the great friends I've made but I think I'd like to explain what type of people they are rather than embarrass them by naming them. There seems to be one common thread in the friends that I’ve made in PA and that are God, family, country. What does that mean?
My friends here have their priorities straight. They are not concerned with material things but rather helping others. I know of several families here that are involved in missionary work. Recently, one young man in the area travelled to South America on a mission and another family is soon to go to Costa Rica to help others find Christ. One family left the area and moved to Africa to build a new hospital.
One friend showed up at my door after a trying time with my teenager with an apple crisp and a hug. Just being there for me when she knew I needed a friend; so much for not sharing a story.
When ABC's Extreme Home Makeover showed up in PA, many of the friends I have here were involved in planning meals and coordinating volunteers to help a very needy family in nearby Etters. The people of our community showed up to do whatever was needed to get a very special home built for a quadriplegic.
I have a great group of neighbors too. I will really miss hanging out in our back yards and getting together over the holidays. My neighbors would do anything to help my family, especially in the “transition mode," we've been in lately. Offers to cut grass or watch the kids or come over if I'm scared have been endless.
Transitions are hard in triathlon and in life. I can practice transitioning for triathlon, but I can't practice some of life's transitions. What I can do is remain supportive of my family and the move and look at it as another fun adventure.
Tri- On,
Kelly
.
Five short years ago we were faced with a decision to move to Pennsylvania for a promotion for my husband's job. When our kids were born I gave up full time work in sales to stay at home with our boys. My husband was the bread winner so when an opportunity came for him we knew it would be good for his career in the insurance industry. The move to Pennsylvania was inevitable.
Here we are five years later moving back to the Raleigh area of North Carolina, right back where we started our family after college. As my neighbor said, “Full circle is nice." Full circle is right. I never thought I would feel sad leaving PA since I really did not have ties here but after five years I've finally felt like I was fitting in and that I had built a new life here for my family. My heart is sad in a way, but I know that once again this is the right move for my family. Once again my husband's job takes us back.
There are many people, places and things I will miss about PA. I was able to plug into triathlon here, which is such a big part of me. I will miss the Catfish Triathlon on City Island that I have done each year since I moved here. I won't, however, miss swimming in the Susquehanna River; sorry folks but can you blame me? One year the river was so shallow triathletes were walking it. I had my first experience in the HydroWorx pool at the Catfish Tri where I got to try out the endless swim jet. I was immediately hooked and little did I know that I would develop a relationship with them.
I will also miss the triathlon at Pinchot Park. I won't miss the fact that last year when I finished the race my son Nick informed me that they pulled out a very large black snake with fangs when they were fishing during my race. I will miss my runs on the trail and around the grounds at Messiah College. I won't miss all of those killer hills, but I will miss my running friends Susan and Fran and all the things we shared while we ran. I will miss running on the underwater treadmill at HydroWorx.
I will miss the bike rides around here. I never thought I would say that because there are so many hills. My thick thighs are proof that my cycling has really improved, at least on hills and now I get bored on the flats. The scenery in Central PA is so beautiful and I would savor my rides taking in all the green fields and the miles and miles of farms in the area. The winding roads and the peacefulness of watching a farmer tend to his fields is something I will miss. The hard working farmer will forever be ingrained in my brain.
I met some really good people here who are farmers that I had the pleasure of working for giving school tours. I will really miss their orchard and the fond memories of working with the schools and sharing information about what an orchard is and what happens there.
I could name all of the great friends I've made but I think I'd like to explain what type of people they are rather than embarrass them by naming them. There seems to be one common thread in the friends that I’ve made in PA and that are God, family, country. What does that mean?
My friends here have their priorities straight. They are not concerned with material things but rather helping others. I know of several families here that are involved in missionary work. Recently, one young man in the area travelled to South America on a mission and another family is soon to go to Costa Rica to help others find Christ. One family left the area and moved to Africa to build a new hospital.
One friend showed up at my door after a trying time with my teenager with an apple crisp and a hug. Just being there for me when she knew I needed a friend; so much for not sharing a story.
When ABC's Extreme Home Makeover showed up in PA, many of the friends I have here were involved in planning meals and coordinating volunteers to help a very needy family in nearby Etters. The people of our community showed up to do whatever was needed to get a very special home built for a quadriplegic.
I have a great group of neighbors too. I will really miss hanging out in our back yards and getting together over the holidays. My neighbors would do anything to help my family, especially in the “transition mode," we've been in lately. Offers to cut grass or watch the kids or come over if I'm scared have been endless.
Transitions are hard in triathlon and in life. I can practice transitioning for triathlon, but I can't practice some of life's transitions. What I can do is remain supportive of my family and the move and look at it as another fun adventure.
Tri- On,
Kelly
.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)