Pollyann is recovering from being sick, and so this week's post is written by me--Kelly--on her behalf.

Listening to your body: this is a concept that many of us know we should do, but often do not do well. In a world that tells us there's always more work to do or something fun on the calendar we can't miss out on, our body and mind are often left running on fumes and our needs are pushed to the back burner. 

What I admire most about Pollyann is her ability to set boundaries with herself and others based on what she needs. She pushes herself out of her comfort zone often, but so too knows when a limit is reached and when her body and mind genuinely require a pause. 

Pollyann reached out early in the week to inform me she was feeling under the weather. She asked to schedule a time to discuss the blog later in the week. Though when later came, she expressed she still wasn't feeling well and said we could skip the blog this week. Since we do this together and made a commitment to post every week, I had the idea that this would be a perfect time for me to write a post highlighting Pollyann's important practice of knowing when to hit that pause button exemplified in this moment. 

I recently heard the month of May described as "just as busy as December without the presents" and thought this important lesson of pause could be a timely reminder for all of us. Sometimes we have to rest. Sometimes we have to cancel plans. Sometimes we have to go back on agreements. And when we do: everything works out. Because Pollyann doesn't do this blog alone, there is a post this week because I can help. Because Pollyann didn't stress herself to work on the blog, she has more time to rest and recover (and can hopefully feel better more quickly). We often tell ourselves we simply can't press that pause button because everything will fall apart. But I am here to say: do it. 

We often think the actions of others teach us lessons, but so too can we learn from inaction. I will carry this lesson forward as a reminder to listen and respond to what I need, even when that means changing a plan or agreements.

Trust yourself and give yourself grace, by doing so we give others in our life permission to do the same. All things will work out as they ought to. 

Until Next Week... 

You might think that after finishing over one-hundred marathons and numerous Ultras (50K and 50 milers), qualifying and running the Boston Marathon, completing a marathon in all 50 states with my husband, and crossing the finish line at seven full IRONMANs, I would RUN out of running goals that stretch myself. However, I have learned (and love) stretching myself and seeking new challenges (and don’t plan on stopping any time soon). For my next goal, I have decided to seek and find the limit to my endurance.  I have registered for the Oregon Cascades 100 at the end of August.

“Always go with the thing that scares you the most, because that is the one that is going to help you grow” -- Caroline Myss

This new adventure scares the hell out of me. Just thinking about the event makes me sick to my stomach at times. Many thoughts race through my mind. For one, I will be going solo (No Steve by my side). Then there are the physical challenges: sleep deprivation, pushing my body where it has never gone before, and training while in the midst of menopause and during the Texas summer heat… just to name a few. 

Race Director Umpstead 100 said, “At some point during this race many of you will experience adversity; know that when you fight those times and overcome, it will mold your character just as iron forges iron, and you will emerge with battle-tested armor.” 

Yes, I have many questions about whether or not I can successfully complete Oregon Cascades 100. But I desire to find out more than I wish to keep myself safe by not trying. I want to know if I strip myself down mentally and physically, can I prevail? Can I finish something I previously thought was impossible? What could it feel like to prevail? All of us have thoughts of doubt that creep in, but we can focus more on hope (and what could happen when we are successful). I have done hard things all my life and have overcome so many obstacles (beyond just my race goals). 

This challenge is a doozie. The ability to overcome will require me to stretch myself in new ways. One of those ways is utilizing a coach for the first time. I need someone who has been through the experience, understands what a female athlete’s body needs, and the mechanics of a 100-mile trail run. By training my body physically and mentally for this race, I believe I can succeed, but I will have to put in the practice and work. 

"Make friends with pain and you will never be alone” -Ken Chlouber

Go out there, find ways to embrace pain and challenge. Whether you are getting a degree, working hard at your job, raising your kids, preparing for a physical challenge, or overcoming adversity in some other area of life: embrace the struggle, because satisfaction will follow. 

Until Next Monday… 
​

"I will never do IRONMAN TX." I told myself this because I had a fear of swimming in the canal with 2,000 other athletes and since it was held in April.  I typically registered for fall IRONMAN triathlons because I could train in the summer. This would allow me to participate in different “T-Shirt” rides on different terrain for preparation.  


However, I just completed IRONMAN TX last week. After talking with a friend in 2019, I decided to get out of my comfort zone and register for IMTX.  Due to Covid, the race was cancelled two years in a row.  During those two years, I completed IRONMAN Florida and IRONMAN Cozumel.  

When I returned home from IRONMAN Cozumel in November 2021, I learned that my cheap, $800 bike (that I fondly refer to as "Faithful") needed more than a simple tune up and actually had a cracked frame. The expert at my bike shop told me this crack would make my bike dangerous to ride.  I was crestfallen and knew I needed to find a new bike. A few months later, I found a good deal on a used bike.  I purchased the bike and had it fitted.

I rode the bike for the first time at IM (IRONMAN) Galveston 70.3, which turned out to be a disaster.  The tire was rubbing, and my body had to work overtime to fight the resistance, which caused extreme pain in my right knee and lower back. I was able to finish, but after that experience I decided to roll the dice and take my old and broken “Faithful” instead of my new bike to IMTX.  She had gotten me through 6 other full IRONMAN triathlons, so I felt confident gambling on her. 

Fast forward to race day:  It was a beautiful morning, and I was feeling good and confident. Though I had some nerves about the swim since I had only done one open-water swim (which was half the distance of the IM) and I was worried about the claustrophobia of swimming with so many in the canal. I also had reservations about whether “Faithful” could get me through the 112-mile ride, but I was going to try and trust her. 

The 2.4-mile swim went well.  I didn't like that I could feel the bottom and that so many people were squeezed together inside, but overall, I felt strong, and my time was as expected 1:44:23. Next was the 112-bike ride.  The course wasn't very scenic and was on a toll road. And boy, was it a doozy for me and "Faithful."  We fought 20mph head winds with gusts up to 40mph in the Texas heat.  There were a few times I was almost blown off my bike and I could only go 10mph. Early into the ride, I wondered if I was going to make the cut off time. However, after my lunch break (A simple PB&J sandwich) at mile 65, I was feeling mentally and physically strong.  "Let's Go!" I thought.  It may have taken me 7:29:25 to finish the 112 miles, but we did it!  "Faithful" pulled through one last time!

Next was the 26.2-mile run. For some odd reason my feet were killing me (never happened before), but I just kept jogging and they started feeling better after mile ten. I was tired from fighting the wind the last 7.5 hours, but I was so happy to be off the bike. The weather was hot and humid, so to keep my core cool I kept adding ice in my sports bra. I was overjoyed to find three different people on the course who were handing out popsicles. It truly is the little things that bring me happiness and the cold and sugar of the popsicles helped me push through. I took it easy and enjoyed the run. As always, I met some new friends and embraced the experience (Texas knows how to put on an event, the support was amazing). My hubby/sherpa was there to cheer me on all the way to the finish line of a tough but rewarding experience! 

I am grateful to have completed another full IRONMAN and for placing faith in my old "Faithful." I will forever push myself to try because as Oliver Wendell Holmes says, "A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions." And now I will be stretching myself to prepare for my first 100-mile trail run, and oh what a stretch that will be! Stay tuned and stay motivated. 

Until Next Monday...