In Over My Head

Oh my goodness.  What have I gotten myself into?  I'm definitely feeling more than a little overwhelmed right now.  I knew it was going to be tough, and was going to take up a significant amount of my time, but seeing it all laid out in front of me is an entirely different situation.

You see, I've decided to do an Ironman this summer.  For those of you not initiated into the world of Ironman triathlons, that's 140.6 grueling miles of competition, consisting of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike, and a 26.2 mile run.  For most, that probably sounds like hell.  For me, it sounds like an outstanding challenge.

So, why am I overwhelmed right now?  It's not like I didn't know this was a serious undertaking; I've done enough Half-Ironman events to know that.  But, this time, it's different.  This race is double the distance of anything I've ever done, and double the commitment.  So, I've decided to train the right way, and really take it seriously.  In the past, I've followed training schedules of my own making, and have done well enough, but I thought I could do better with a proper coach.  Enter Mile High Mountain Sports, Coach Kathy, and the TriBella women's team.  I'm counting on them to keep me accountable, challenge me, and help me prepare for this race at a much more competitive level than I could on my own.

Again, why am I overwhelmed?  Well, Coach Kathy just sent me the first few weeks of my training schedule, and it isn't pretty.  It's much more technical and focussed than anything I've ever done: fartleks, intervals, tempos, and a whole lot of training jargon that I'm not quite sure I understand.  Just looking at the proposed workouts makes my head spin.  While I understand this is exactly what I need, it doesn't make it any less intimidating.  It really makes me question whether or not I've gotten in over my head.

But I don't have time to panic.  The race is only 6 months away, so I just have to throw myself into this,  and do the best I can.  As the weeks and months go by, the training will begin to make more sense, and will become more intuitive.

I'm going to start writing regular updates to my training, to help keep track of my progress.  So, I guess the countdown to Ironman Canada is beginning.  6 months and counting...

Punching Bags

Patients can be so cruel at times, lashing out at the very same people who provide them life saving care in their hours (and days) of need. They throw out insults and racial slurs like daggers to our hearts, saying such pointedly mean and ignorant things that it's tough to simply shrug the words off. They rant anti-gay or chauvinistic sentiment with such vehemence that it's all one can do to shut out the epitaphs. As healthcare professionals, we are taught that, most often, they don't mean what they say. They are not themselves, especially when some type of brain injury is involved. We know we're not supposed to take it personally. But, sometimes, the yelling and the ranting is so cruelly directed at us and is so personally offensive that it's difficult not to. We have to wonder if there isn't a kernel of personal truth to their hateful comments. We want to think the best of everyone, but it's not always so easy. We try to build thick skins, but sometimes the insults are too much. All too often, I've seen the sting in a coworker' eyes. And I know it's been apparent in mine from time to time, too. In what other industry would this ever be remotely acceptable? Why are we expected to be the punching bags? And worse, we're supposed to take the abuse with a smile? It's a serious flaw in the healthcare industry; one that I have no clue how to begin solving. All I know is that you should give your favorite nurse, or other healthcare worker a big hug today, as you never know what they went through at work.

A Slice of Caribbean Paradise

We've arrived stateside. Our vacation is officially done. The kayaks and our Caribbean adventure nothing but a pleasant memory; a trip that turned out to be everything we had hoped. We got away from it all for an entire week, seeing no other human being for the duration of our cay-hopping. We swam with stingrays, sharks, and all other sorts of marine life. We drank wine by the fire at nightfall. We woke every morning to the bluest of blue ocean lapping on our own, private beach. It was a vacation that many will only dream of, and we were lucky enough to make it our reality. Sore muscles and sunburns aside, this past week was near-perfection. I'm going to miss our sandy paradise...

Full trip report and pics to come soon.

Off the Grid

Today is the day our true Bahamas adventure begins.  Today we put out, brave the Carribean winds, and begin our kayak trip through the Exuma Cays.  I've been dreaming of this for months.  For the next seven days, our lives will be nothing but white, sandy beaches, and warm, tropical water.  We'll paddle and snorkel and paddle some more.  We'll be totally off the grid and out of touch with the rest of the world.  We'll be in our own private paradise.  Pictures to come later...

Paradise Found

I am in paradise.  I'm not exaggerating.  I am, quite literally, in paradise at this very moment.  I am lazing on the beach, in the Bahamas, ice-cold Kalik in hand,  with the bluest of cerulean blue ocean stretched out in front of me, as far as the eye can see.  (I wish I could attach one of the million pictures I've taken, but the technology out here is a little behind, so there is no way to send my photos from my phone at the moment.)  But, please, take my word for it, the scenery is beyond gorgeous.  It is breath-taking.  It is perfect.  I promise you, I am in paradise.

Destination Bahamas

Ahhh... We made it. The last few days have been insanely busy: work, packing, catching a flight to Denver, more packing, and a pre-dawn drive out to DIA. But, now, we're finally here. The Bahamas. Great Exuma Island, to be exact. George Town, to be even more exact. Our vacation has begun. First, a few days of lazing about on the beach. Nothing but cold beers, native rum, and relaxing for us. On Sunday, the real adventure begins when we pick up our kayaks and start exploring the out-islands. But, for now, we're testing out the local flavors, noshing on fried Grouper fingers and sipping the Caribbean version of Guinness. (Yes - It really is different.). Let the good times roll...

SoCal State of Mind

And then I get to have a day like this; a beautiful, sunny, mild day in the middle of winter, in which I have all the time in the world to do whatever I want, and I remember how nice it is to live (even if somewhat temporarily) in SoCal. It was the perfect day to pack a picnic lunch, grab a good book, and settle into the sand for some much-needed beach time, so that is exactly what I did. It was my own form of therapy, easing the loneliness of being so far from home for just a little while; my mind soothed by the rhythmic crashing of the waves and smell of ocean hanging in the air. I couldn't help but be happy. It was an ideal afternoon, after all, my mind immersed in my book, my toes digging into the warm sand. It made me appreciate the freedom my solitude affords, to be able to laze about, without guilt, on my free day. I'll be back in Denver soon enough, I suppose. So, for now, I'll take my beach days and appreciate the life I'm in. It's not hard to do with scenery like this...