tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42850566474835766792024-03-13T12:34:08.319-07:00Building BlockI'm a triathlete. I started blogging when I began my trek to hear the words, "Shawna you are an IRONMAN!" in 2014. The journey continues. I invite you to follow along as I discuss everything and anything that happens along the way which most recently involves going from glaringly single to soon-to-be stepmom.Shawna Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10742472057600356938noreply@blogger.comBlogger113125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285056647483576679.post-16619498643467012322019-01-08T17:19:00.002-08:002019-01-08T17:19:38.417-08:00My Last Blog....<div>
If this is my last post - I'm going out verbose!</div>
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2018 was one hell of a year. B and I rang in the new year with good friends and good food. We enjoyed a week of chill until my job was due to kick back up. Then a year ago today, I received a text that I was needed in a meeting at 10am. I called B and told him I was going in to lose my job. I was right.<br />
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Every one loves a good plot twist right?</div>
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So things that were planned out around my former position were scratched from the calendar and a new game plan was formulated. This new plan involved me giving up my home in Roswell with the sister-wife and moving in to B's place in Braselton. (It's okay, I didn't know where that was either until I met him.) Talk about a toe-pick! I had lived in the East Cobb/Roswell area since the day I moved to Georgia. It was an adjustment I did not make well. B promised it was temporary.</div>
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Change is hard. When it feels like everything is changing at the exact same time, it's really freakin' hard. </div>
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At the end of February I moved in with B to his place (He had a lease and I did not. His place was conducive to his custody arrangement and mine was not.) Paying 2 rents off 1 salary is not practical.</div>
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We had a low-key January and enjoyed some snow days with the kids as I tried to settle in up there, but not too much because he had agreed before all this that we weren't staying there.</div>
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February kicked off lacrosse season and I returned to the field in stripes. I worked pretty much any day I could and B got used to me being a road warrior.</div>
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I think it was also in February/March that the Kyle Pease Foundation reached out about assisting with their grant writing. I couldn't come up with a reason to not say, "Sure!" I went on to attend some seminars with the Georgia Center for NonProfit and learned a little and then went about it as baptism by fire. I've had success and I've had plenty of denials. Overall, I think I'm doing okay as they have kept me on for 2019.</div>
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In April I was at Dynamo Swim Club at my usual Wednesday computrainer class, and my legs stopped working. I couldn't get them to turn over. I left the room, shed a few tears and came back in to try again. But they didn't go. Nothing was moving and the voice I had in my head was spinning on repeat, "I don't want to do this anymore."</div>
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I spoke with B that morning and that afternoon on my way to a lacrosse game, I called Coach. He answered, told me he only had a few minutes but had a feeling I needed to talk to him. I told him I didn't want to do the 70.3 I had been training for in May. He basically said it was about time I acknowledged that, that the coaching team was just waiting for me to come to that conclusion on my own. And that was the day I entered ReTRIerment. We continued on with the focus just being on my running, but that didn't last long. By May, I had told Coach not to put workouts in my TrainingPeaks anymore because I wasn't doing them and I didn't want to waste his time.</div>
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Because I didn't have a full time job that dictated my time off, we were able to get the kids for a short spring break trip to Gulf Shores, AL with my sister and her family. Total perks of contract work is setting my own schedule.</div>
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Lacrosse season came to an end and for the second year in a row, I opted out of the State Championship (I don't know that I would have earned it, but I had worked it many years previously) to spend the weekend in Chattanooga supporting the 70.3.</div>
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Now we are in May and we haven't made any real gains towards moving. There were many reasons for this. But I was so unhappy in Braselton I told B that I would move out until steps were in place for us to move. I wasn't calling off the wedding or anything, but I would move out. B said he wasn't helping me move again so we found a house.</div>
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In June we took the kids to their first Disney World trip with B's mom, sister and brother-in-law. A good time was had by all, but we needed a vacation from our vacation. The week before we headed to Disney we signed the lease on our current place in Lawrenceville. It's not Roswell, but I'm enjoying being back in the middle of everything. The week we returned from Disney we moved. Thank you MacKay & Sons movers we know not to call you again anytime soon.</div>
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Our new neighborhood is a neighborhood. Has all the amenities I was used to within 5 miles. The drive to the kids' school is easy so that keeping our custody arrangement is totally doable. It cut about 40 minutes a day off B's commute. When I do go out running or walking I don't have to carry mace out of fear of loose dogs.</div>
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The end of summer had more traveling. We had a great trip to his family's place in Goose Creek, NC. </div>
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Then I took a week up in NJ visiting friends and family and B joined me for a weekend and I crushed his little soul getting him to experience as much Jersey as possible in 48 hours. He enjoyed it so much he agreed that this summer's big trip will be to bring the kids up for a week. </div>
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We visited a few lakes this summer as well. August starts school back up and our traveling settled down and I took on some admin type stuff to help out the Kyle Pease Foundation. I also had my bridal shower and started finalizing details for the wedding. Oh, and I started doing crossfit. Apparently it is possible to do crossfit without posting the WOD everyday on social media. I also spent the weekend at the track with B and his friends at this thing called GridLife.</div>
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September was a blur as we got ready for the wedding and took the annual Labor Day trip. Dress fittings, wedding, all wedding. And football for the boy: 3 nights a week and 2.5 hours on Saturdays.</div>
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The first week of October was the kids fall break and the week before our wedding. Due to some communication gaffs, they stayed with us that week. B was working. We woke up, went to the gym, went to the playground, and then it was wedding stuff. We made it work.</div>
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Wedding weekend was so much fun. So.Much.Fun. Still waiting on all the pictures, but the ones we have seen have been amazing.</div>
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Honeymoon. Hawaii. Ironman Kona. Brent and Kyle Pease become the first team of brothers to ever cross the finish line. I mean, why wouldn't we wrap up our honeymoon with 40 of our closest friends? And volunteering. </div>
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November seemed a little calmer as we hosted our first Thanksgiving as a married couple. B ran a half marathon that morning, I did a crossfit WOD. The food was amazing and then we took all the leftovers camping at Lake Moe. Oh yea, and we got a puppy.</div>
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December wrapped up the year and saw us with a lot time with the kids as since it was our holiday year, we got some extra custody time with them. I really do love having them around, but this mom gig is exhausting. We had an amazing Christmas. His mom visited the weekend before. Some good friends came over on Christmas Eve. Santa visited and then we met up with my folks to see Mary Poppins Returns. Then we headed off to Hilton Head to just hang out and be with B's dad and his wife, and B's sister and brother-in-law. We stayed through 1/1 making the decision to come home a day early to make it easier on the kids to transition back to their mom's.</div>
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It's been a good year. So why is this my last blog? B asked me if I was going to write more. I told him no. Most of the topics I would want to write about these days aren't about me. This blog started as being about me. I am my own story teller and can say whatever I want about me. My life isn't my own anymore. Everything I have to say, I have to presume will get back to the bonus kids or their mom. I talk about a frustration or an accomplishment, how will that translate back? Our relationship with her is decent. I'd like to protect that. Me running off at the mouth (or fingers) isn't going to do that.</div>
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So I'm signing off. This doesn't mean I won't vent to some of you, but it won't be in writing....plausible deniability, it's a thing.</div>
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Shawna Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10742472057600356938noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285056647483576679.post-80369512991777585182018-11-14T15:26:00.001-08:002018-11-14T15:26:31.153-08:00Block Went GrayFor those of you who were completely devastated that you missed the wedding of the century<span style="color: cyan;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=wedding+of+the+century"><span style="color: cyan;">click here.</span></a></span><br />
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If you notice, our wedding isn't in the top choices on YouTube. So maybe it wasn't quite the wedding of the century, but we thought it was a hell of a good party. We had picked October because we wanted a fall wedding. It didn't work out that way, but the sun was shining and there was no rain in the forecast. It was also a high of 86. We all were sweating. And oh my lord wedding gowns are hot!<br />
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So very thankful for air conditioning and the paper fans my sister suggested us getting.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Cred: Karen V.</td></tr>
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We kicked off the morning with a group of friends to run a 5k. Bowie and I totally podiumed in the "getting married today" grouping. We were thrilled that so many of our friends and family came out to support our crazy idea.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgze7bpSWtO03uz1hb4AAXuq_6SBXDlwuMUs0TVYLdvdpFC6iTQLDccDn55VpBbuTG9qsnsiUtJ3nDiXdNYFO59Z2q_x6n2tzHYDOO-sB5GeL8PvnLbrpZLVZUljqkEBJpNTcvjVwGna_-V/s1600/44346276_10160765120755618_4458544952284020736_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1440" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgze7bpSWtO03uz1hb4AAXuq_6SBXDlwuMUs0TVYLdvdpFC6iTQLDccDn55VpBbuTG9qsnsiUtJ3nDiXdNYFO59Z2q_x6n2tzHYDOO-sB5GeL8PvnLbrpZLVZUljqkEBJpNTcvjVwGna_-V/s320/44346276_10160765120755618_4458544952284020736_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo cred: Andrea S.</td></tr>
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Then the bridal party headed over to Sister Wife's apartment for showers and food and then to get beautified at <a href="http://www.voila60sloan.com/"><span style="color: cyan;">Voila Salon. </span></a><br />
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We did most of our formal pictures before hand and a staged first look for B...I think he liked what he saw....<br />
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Then the ceremony happened (If you have a spare 30 minutes and care to click, Rich Reed did an amazing job of pulling this together. <a href="https://youtu.be/a7vDRgxu2ho"><span style="color: cyan;"><b>CLICK HERE</b></span></a> for our wedding ceremony)<br />
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B's friends and my sister-in-law cranked out the tunes. Can't thank them enough for doing this for us. Our wedding was very much a family affair as my brother was our officiant.<br />
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My bridesmaids were rockstars! Asharp kept it together almost the entire day long into the evening. My friends are just wonderful. My niece's beauty is only exceeded by her genuineness. She is my original and forever mini-me. She HAND BEADED my veil over her fall break because the string of beads just wouldn't look nice enough. I am so thankful all of these wonderful girls were a part of our day. My sister was the unsung hero of the weekend. She herded the bonus kids, thought of last minute details, and labeled our cookie bar.<br />
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Not only was my wedding gown freaking heavy, it caught on everything. But hey, I always love a close moment with a good friend!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBZj2PZ01spLqqXGa1KTXnmYxE_A6F6W74R9FFeQxcMG5D3SNzNsX1xSPlrLydPP7sP9kS3BWGfjqDC1eoGfh3MUNF3lCrL_PNVAEih0x5JCRZPt9prHjXcw6augiJ5kYmG5GW_37Y3Nm/s1600/ShawnaBowie4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBZj2PZ01spLqqXGa1KTXnmYxE_A6F6W74R9FFeQxcMG5D3SNzNsX1xSPlrLydPP7sP9kS3BWGfjqDC1eoGfh3MUNF3lCrL_PNVAEih0x5JCRZPt9prHjXcw6augiJ5kYmG5GW_37Y3Nm/s320/ShawnaBowie4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo GregG Photography</td></tr>
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B and I danced to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDUOcHg5ijg">Are You Going to Kiss Me or What?</a> It seemed appropriate after B would have friend-zoned himself on date three if not for this question.<br />
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And the DJ played the Hora and there were not enough Jews in the room, but the few were strong and encouraging and no one was dropped.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: GregG Photography</td></tr>
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When it was all said and done, we were Mr. and Mrs. Gray. If I had to do it all again, I wouldn't. We would elope!!!<br />
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<br />Shawna Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10742472057600356938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285056647483576679.post-18131860030897207052018-09-23T18:09:00.001-07:002018-09-24T04:27:20.206-07:00Augusta 70.3 2018, A Race ReportI love this race. I love so much about the Ironman Augusta 70.3. It was my first 70.3. I know a TON of people who race or spectate. It's my kind of course: down river swim, not much elevation on the bike, and a flat spectator friendly run.<br />
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I've done it twice: <a href="http://buildingblockblog.blogspot.com/2014/09/part-1-of-2-race.html"><b><span style="color: magenta;">2014</span></b></a> and <a href="http://buildingblockblog.blogspot.com/2016/09/it-takes-village.html"><b><span style="color: magenta;">2016</span></b></a>. Both races were remarkable in their own way.<br />
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This year, after deciding to not do <a href="http://buildingblockblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/i-lost-that-lovin-feeling_29.html"><b><span style="color: magenta;">Ironman Chattanooga 70.3</span></b></a>, I thought I would do Augusta. I chatted with coach and explained that I just wanted to get through it. Not race per se. Just do. He thought it was a poor idea. He advocated (hard) for me to step away from training for the sport and to try something new. I'm so glad I listened to him one more time before we parted ways as Coach-Athlete. He's was so right I would have been utterly miserable today.<br />
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Instead....B and I went down to Augusta (because why not? We still have 13 more days until our wedding...) and supported friends and strangers and hung out with my favorite sister-wife.<br />
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I hemmed and hawed about going. It's a decent drive. We really do have things we could/should be doing. But the energy and feels from hanging out with friends and being around a race like this is almost indescribable.<br />
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Saturday night we met up with friends for dinner and decided to swing by St. Paul's pasta dinner just to see who was there. And to no one's surprise, I got to see more than a handful of familiar faces and answer a few questions like, "What rock have you been hiding under?" "Are you racing?" Ummm... no. I ran 3 miles for the first time in months last week. I don't think a 70.3 is in my immediate future.<br />
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Unfortunately, I think I missed pictures with Susan and Amy, but it was great to see everyone!<br />
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Back to hang out with our hosts for the weekend and we laughed and told stories for a few hours before finally going to bed.<br />
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We got up nice and early Sunday morning to be around transition and swim start. The nerves, the energy, the enthusiasm. It's race day! We were able to help a bit with newbie questions as well as get morning clothes bags dropped off.<br />
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After the pros took off we went and watched a lot of friends head out on the bike and then honestly had some chuckles watching the bike mount line.<br />
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For those who don't know, you can not get on your bike until the "mount line". It's a safety thing. I have always gone past the line, TO THE SIDE and then got on my bike. For some reason today, a bunch of people ran right to the line and STOPPED in the middle! This caused a lot of confusion, bumping, and awkwardness. A lot of shoes were left on the bike, but these folks seemed to have difficulty getting their bikes moving to then get their feet in...lots of wobbling. I've never done it this way because, well, I don't have the skill set. I'm sure it was high stress for the participants, but from the sideline it was chuckle worthy.<br />
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From there we walked most of Augusta looking for a place to get food. Surely there are food trucks in Augusta that would be willing to operate on a Sunday morning. I'm sure they'd do very well!<br />
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B and I spent a few hours on the course around mile 3 (on the first loop) spotting our friends, ringing cowbells, shouting into a megaphone, and generally just out there making noise for each athlete that passed by. Some athletes looked strong and some looked like they were having a tough go of it. (Biking too hard, being off on nutrition, reacting to the heat, or just not prepared enough for what the day was giving them). It's always funny how long it takes some one to realize you know their name because it's printed on their race bib or on their kits.<br />
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It wasn't a complete waste of time as far as the wedding is concerned. On the way home we worked on a list of <i>All.The.Things</i> we still need to do. Spending the weekend with my tri family refreshed my sense of being. And, well, I ordered a new pair of running shoes. Fall has to come around eventually, right?<br />
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<br />Shawna Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10742472057600356938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285056647483576679.post-9153061457092140712018-08-07T11:57:00.000-07:002018-08-07T11:57:10.348-07:00Who am I...<i>Side note: I wrote this back in May and never pressed publish. I think I know why. But I reread it today and I think it's time. Today's edits are in italics.</i><br />
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For those of you following along from the beginning, you know what the answer used to be: Shawna is a single triathlete. Why single first? Because most of my best stories revolved around single life. Plenty of responsibilities, plenty of people counting on me, but when push came to shove I did what I wanted when I wanted. I've reviewed the pros and cons before of being single v not being single. This isn't the time to debate which is better. <a href="http://buildingblockblog.blogspot.com/2014/09/is-grass-greener.html"><span style="color: red;">The grass is greener, blah blah blah</span></a>. Triathlete was clear. How many times did I say to one of you directly or indirectly, "I can't I have to/I'm going to train."?<br />
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But today....Today I am not single. I am not a triathlete. I'm not an office worker. I'm not a coach. So who am I? I have no idea.<br />
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I have some new labels that I'm not quite sure how I'm doing with them:<br />
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Fiancee: I get to plan a wedding and all that comes with it. We are officially "shacking up" so I keep our fridge and freezer stocked with food. I make sure the clothes get washed and sometimes I even fold them. I'm trying to stay on the upkeep of the house. Trying my hardest to not be anything close to a bridezilla, I'm having trouble asking for things from others. I'm not used to anyone doing anything for me. I have always just taken care of myself. If I wanted a birthday party, I planned it. If my car needed something, I paid someone to do it. I have never counted on anyone to do anything for me as it wasn't really an option; I have friends who would lament that their significant other didn't XYZ for them, and all I could think was, then do it for yourself. Now I'm checking with someone else before I book travel or agree to go out to dinner after an event. <i>(2 months till we say "I do!" Holy crap the invites have been mailed, my dress is being altered. This is really happening!)</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He's cute, I think I'll keep him.</td></tr>
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Nonracing Triathlete: <a href="http://buildingblockblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/i-lost-that-lovin-feeling_29.html"><span style="color: red;">I'm sticking to not starting HIM Chat</span></a> because I've done a crap job of keeping my fitness/endurance up. If I jumped in the river a week from Sunday I would just be in for a complete sufferfest. I have some workouts still scheduled for me, and now I look at them as mere suggestions. I've given myself permission to completely rearrange them and hell, cut them in half. Sometimes I have a good reason, more often I don't. I've never seen so many yellow and red boxes in my training peaks before.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My fitness chart. The sever drop is after MCM 17.</td></tr>
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I used to love running, but I don't right now. I'm living in unfamiliar territory with the promise of relocating. If we are relocating soon, why get too comfortable here. I can't run far from our front door because it just isn't safe (unleashed country dogs, no shoulders, no sidewalks). I have about 30 minutes from the front door and then I'm running in circles with nothing much to look at. I haven't found a pool that is remotely convenient. I do think there is decent cycling, but I don't know the roads and I have a (ir)rational fear of getting lost. My network of who I can go out and play with here is minimal to nonexistent. My weight is up so unsurprisingly my pace is down. As much as training is an individual event, <a href="http://buildingblockblog.blogspot.com/2014/05/happy-runniversary-to-me.html"><span style="color: red;">I miss the social aspect</span></a>.I love being out with others or at least being out in the same place as friends. My friends are over an hour from here, unless there's traffic and then it can take 2. <i>(I'm still barely running 3x a week for about 30 minutes. I got into the pool for 1000 yards last night for the first time in forever. I haven't had my bike off a trainer since maybe April. B and I are signed up for the Kiawah Marathon in December. Training should have started last weekend with an 8 mile run. A couple of weeks ago B said the nicest thing to me. He told me I didn't have to run Kiawah with him. I'm still hoping to do the half.)</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Throw back race photo of me and the Running Husband.</td></tr>
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Step Mom/Bonus Mom: The kids live with us 9 days a month: weekend, school week, weekend. And for these 9 days, my world turns inside out and pretty much my entire schedule revolves around them. I know many of you do this already. Some of you are even thinking: "You knew what you were getting into. You aren't working a day job, what else are you supposed to be doing? Big deal, my entire life revolves around others' schedules. Quit your bitching." I don't really think I'm bitching so much as just pointing out the stark change in life as I knew it to be. As hard as upending life is for 9 days, I'm am glad we have them with us for more than every other weekend. I have really gotten to know them since we get to spend real time with them. I think I am getting better at this. I used to ask them what they wanted for dinner and now I tell them what we are having. There is always at least 2 tried and true options on the plate and potentially a 3rd they may or may not like. It's eliminated me feeling like a short-order cook. Thisisfive <i>(she turns 6 in a couple of days)</i> and I made homemade cookies and frosting last week. She loves the KitchenAide, but it might just be because it's pink. B-minor has successfully pinned me at least a dozen times and has gone from uber picky eater to trying foods and liking many of them. I'm not taking full credit for that, I know a lot is maturity, we are just giving him the opportunity. We are staying consistent with rules at our house and it's helping. He is gaining confidence and skills on his bike (he was barely riding last spring) and she is getting it together. Almost ready to work on ditching the training wheels. <i>(He loves trying new things on his bike and she ditched the training wheels in July!)</i><br />
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Lacrosse season is done in a week or two. I'm not consistently training. I don't wake up and leave the house for work. I thought about a part time job, but I can't figure out how to do that and keep the schedule we have set up for the rest of 2018. We have vacations with the kids, weekends away for just us. Come fall we have the wedding and honeymoon. There isn't a place that's going to hire me that will let me take one week off a month so I can be "mom" to two elementary aged kids that can't take the yellow limousine to school from our house (or they would!). I have contacts for babysitting, but they are all over an hour away, and time v. money, it's just not worth it. <i>(I found employment that will work with my schedule. I am cleared to substitute in Gwinnett County and the Kyle Pease Foundation has given me an opportunity at grant writing from the kitchen table!)</i><br />
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I'm struggling with who I am. My identity has changed seemingly over night. Last night I turned to B and told him I need a new hobby. I mean shopping Amazon Prime is a hobby, but not one we can really afford right now. Although, I have a bunch of canning stuff being delivered this week and we'll see how that turns out. He asked if I wanted to get back to tennis and I thought, yes! It's active, social, etc. Now to find a team up here in the countree. I have no interest in losing my friends down south, but I need to find a way to connect up here. Maybe I can volunteer.<i> (We have moved and settled, so I am still working on sorting out some connections here. We went to a group run, but then had to miss the next 2 with prior commitments. I am currently trying crossfit.)</i><br />
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Feel free to throw out some suggestions. Truth: It's hard to adjust to a new place when you are being told you are going to move "soon". <i>(It's time to settle in as B and I both really like the part of town we are in. Well, the hills are kind of a bitch to run.)</i><br />
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Please don't jump on me for not being over the moon with joy at my lot in life right now. I know I signed up for it. Just because I volunteered, doesn't mean I REALLY knew what I was getting in to. Yes, the kids are wonderful. Yes, I'm thrilled to marry B. Yes, I have a great person who is supporting me and I don't have the stress of finding more employment as the lacrosse season ends. Yes, I'm healthy and we have plenty of food in the pantry and fridge and outside freezer (I COOK FOR COMPANY, come visit!!). Change, even good change, can be really freaking hard.<br />
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Finally, B always reads my post before I publish. As I told him, I don't know if I'm really writing to share, or just getting this off my chest.<br />
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<i>(This entry was originally written in May 2018. I was in a really rough place. I think I've turned the corner. I love the life I'm leading, but it isn't what I was expecting and I had no idea what I had signed up for. I'd really like to thank those of you who have listened to me, kept faith in me, and most importantly, those who let me cry on their shoulder without judgement or at least without doing the judging in front of me.)</i><br />
<br />Shawna Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10742472057600356938noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285056647483576679.post-1690021582938297652018-03-29T10:00:00.001-07:002018-03-29T10:00:58.669-07:00I Lost That Lovin' Feeling....<div dir="ltr">
I've been battling through training and race prep for a while now. Coach saw it. Others saw it. I was in denial. The world of triathlon was and is my social outlet. These people are my friends, my confidantes, my support. </div>
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I have come to dread training. I like to run. I like to swim. I like to ride. I am tired of monitoring heart rate, pace, cadence, watts, etc. I have a ride coming up this weekend and I'm not dreading the distance, but I don't want to do the 'work' intervals. I just want to ride. A friend last year told me I was making this stuff too much like work and that was sucking the joy right out if it, he was right.</div>
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I felt pressure to carry on because because I can. I am physically able. I am healthy. I have the time. I have found the funds. There are others out there for so many reasons that can not. They would trade places with me in a blink of the eye. I can do all this stuff, so I should. But I don't want to.</div>
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I think part of it is I have a coach who I hired to push me to my greatest potential. His job is not to accept mediocrity from me. I didn't hire him to just get me to the finish line. I hired him to help me get to a stronger version of myself. Right now, though, I'm feeling okay being just whatever version of me wakes up in the morning. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe I'll buy a t-shirt. It would match my Adultish tee.</td></tr>
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These thoughts and emotions aren't new. I've been here before. <a href="http://buildingblockblog.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-start-line-that-almost-wasnt.html"><span style="color: red;">I almost didn't start IMChat</span>.</a> This year, I think I'm going to act on them. I'm going to pull out of HIM Chat. </div>
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I do not have a good answer anymore when I'm asked, "Why do you do this?"</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When you don't know your WHY, it's hard to endure any thing.</td></tr>
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Since 2013 I have let my hobby rule my life and it's time to shake things up. After telling Coach what I wanted to do, he supported my decision and asked, "What do you need from me as your coach?" B and I had already talked about this and I had my answer ready. "I want to be trained as a runner who cross trains. I still want to do Triathlon Wednesday because I love being in the Bank with everyone and I still want to swim a couple times a week as I'm making progress and I don't want to lose it all. I don't want to lose an entire day to cycling unless that's what I decide I want to do."</div>
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I'm hopeful to grab a couple local tris this summer if they fit in our schedule. We will most definitely be on the sidelines of HIM Chat volunteering/cheering. (and hopefully Augusta, and IM Chat, and IMWC, and IM Florida, etc.)</div>
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In the mean time I am going to:</div>
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<li>Keep doing the 3 sports because I like them. </li>
<li>Get ready for a winter marathon with B and friends. </li>
<li>Plan a wedding. </li>
<li>Maybe pick up heavy things and put them back down.</li>
<li>Maybe restring my tennis racket.</li>
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Most importantly I'm going to rediscover the joy of being fit and active. </div>
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Shawna Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10742472057600356938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285056647483576679.post-55472456587353221952018-03-07T12:03:00.000-08:002018-03-09T11:58:43.360-08:00I Have a Favorite Grocery Store....Yesterday was my birthday and for the first time since maybe 2012 or 2013, I didn't plan out my day around a workout. I had no interest in swimming 4400 yards, or cycling 44 miles, or running for 44 minutes or 4.4 miles. I was just going to turn 44 as quietly and gracefully as possible.<br />
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B took the day off and we spent the day being foodies in Asheville, NC and Greenville, SC.<br />
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43 was a good year for me. I started it in (what I thought was) my dream job as a collegiate lacrosse coach. I became the winningest coach in the program's history and was honored by my peers as the conference coach of the year. I spent the summer traveling for work, getting to know B, and training for my 3rd Ironman. In late summer/fall B and I were engaged:<br />
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Less than 2 months later I retired from Ironman with a hell of a PR in Chattanooga.<br />
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B and I found our wedding location and we traveled to DC with the Kyle Pease Foundation for the Marine Corp Marathon. That event was a real struggle for me physically, but was most likely my strongest mental day yet. I shaved off about 10-15 minutes from the year before. Go #TeamNaomi!<br />
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B and I merged our families together for Thanksgiving and for Christmas we saw (almost) EVERYONE. Wedding planning was in full swing and I prepared for another lacrosse season as a coach instead of a ref.<br />
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Then things changed. I was released/resigned from my coaching responsibilities. Huh.<br />
<ul>
<li>It was for the best.</li>
<li>It was a blessing in disguise.</li>
<li>When one door closes, another door opens.</li>
<li>[[insert your favorite here]]</li>
</ul>
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I landed on my feet because that's what I do. I took a day and threw myself a lovely pity party and then I called all the lacrosse assignors I knew (for officiating) and got back on the schedules. B and I evaluated options and sped up the process of shacking-up officially. I needed to yield my house as paying 2 rents just didn't make sense. I moved to the counttree. Adulting is hard.</div>
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Some days are great, some are difficult. Just like when I did have a steady full time job. So the question has been, "What are you looking for now?" The answer: I'm not. I'm completely LOVING being back in the middle of the lacrosse field with the Zebras. I'm trying my hand at some contract work. I get to cut back on my schedule when B and I have the kids and spend time with them before and after school. I'm taking the break I wanted back in November 2016 but instead went straight from one job to the next. Oh, and B calls me a semi-pro triathlete because I have a little bit more time to train. </div>
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So cheers to: (in no particular order)</div>
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<ul>
<li>being 44</li>
<li>being a step mom</li>
<li>being a lot less stressed</li>
<li>being in love</li>
<li>being happy</li>
<li>being content</li>
<li>accepting my lot in life right now and being very, VERY happy with it.</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I LOVE Aldi... seriously, I do.</td></tr>
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Shawna Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10742472057600356938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285056647483576679.post-35993054240595170352018-02-08T13:43:00.001-08:002018-02-08T13:43:53.313-08:00Letting Go...Moving Forward...My Facebook memories reminded me this week that this week in 2009, I told a very important person in my life I no longer wanted to be with him. I didn't want to see him anymore. I needed to move on as we were never. ever. going to be what the other person needed or wanted. It took me a good bit of time to <i>get over</i> him, to <i>move on</i>. I mean years. I think that's reasonable when you break up with someone who has been more than your best friend for 7+ years. <div>
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While I moved on, I still held on. A small piece. I've moved multiple times since that date. Some moves by choice, some not. I always moved this item with me.</div>
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This little trinket box held a guardian angel, a four-leaf clover, a heart, and some seas shells. Oh I love seashells! It was a gift he gave me in 2004 when I drove away from NJ and headed to GA. It has moved from NJ to Roswell. Roswell to Marietta. Marietta to Orlando. Orlando to Roswell. Roswell to Marietta. It survived the fire of 2013. It then traveled from Marietta back to Roswell (a different house this time, not my sister's!).</div>
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This box has sat on my night stand. It's been on my dresser. It's been in a drawer. It's been on a living room bookshelf. Most recently I just found it in a room I rarely go in, on the top shelf of a bookcase I rarely look at. </div>
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See, I'm moving. Again. But this time, even though the timing is off, the change is welcome. I'm moving in with B.</div>
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I moved on YEARS ago but I always held on, just a bit. Today as I begin to pack so we can start bringing things north I'm throwing this away. It is time to completely let go and move forward. </div>
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Life has been quite a roller coaster so far this year and I'm thankful for it. </div>
Shawna Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10742472057600356938noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285056647483576679.post-23922800431990818702017-12-26T07:06:00.000-08:002017-12-26T07:06:47.440-08:00A Tale of Seven Christmases....2017 was the first time EVER in the history of my world that I had a significant other in my life that I was spending 12/25 (Christmas Day) with. There have been some fleeting guys of the past over the holidays but no one I actually spent thee day with. Even being Jewish, I have cultivated my own traditions for the day over the past many years. The most important to me is spending Christmas morning with my sister's kids. This is the tale of how we, yes We, made it through Christmas 2017.<br />
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Our first Christmas so originally named "Early Christmas" was held on Saturday 12/16. Lil B and This is Five were headed out of town with their mother for Christmas so we hosted an early celebration. The night before we had Forced Family Fun and decorated gingerbread ornaments and watched old school Christmas cartoons.<br />
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On Saturday after Lil B's basketball game and I got back from campus from touring a recruit, we settled in with my sister's family for lunch, present unwrapping and then playing with presents.<br />
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I can't tell you how great it is that my entire family has so warmly and openly accepted and embraced not just B but the littles too! We love watching my niece and nephews be so kind and patient with their newly acquired 5 and 8 year old cousins.<br />
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We then had a week to prep for the rest of our celebrations that would all happen in the span of about 28 hours in 2 different states.<br />
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It was disappointing but probably for the best, that our engagement photo shoot was delayed on Saturday 12/23. We started our day off a little calmer and we got an hour earlier start on our trip up to NC. We even had time to stop for Lexington BBQ and tour through B's alma mater.<br />
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After a 7 hour trip up north, #2 and #3 were in our sights. Christmas Eve was being spent in B's home town with his folks.<br />
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We woke up the next morning and went out for a run. Waving, wishing drivers passing by a merry Christmas and decked out in fun head bands. Had we been home, we had been invited to a couple fun runs. Since we couldn't go, we had to make our own!<br />
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#2 was at B's dad's house on Christmas Eve. It was a house full of people I had never met and they went out of their way to welcome me and even laugh at some Dad Jokes. I mean, I had a new audience and a few glasses of wine... A short visit there and we were headed to #3.<br />
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#3 was with B's mom. We headed out to a Chinese restaurant in Rocky Mount, NC. His mom had heard good things and wanted to check it out. It was packed, but I swear I was the only MOT there! Amazingly, Santa made an early stop that day and our stockings that had been hung by the chimney with care were now full!<br />
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We enjoyed unwrapping presents and chatting with his mom before turning in knowing we had a 4:45am wake up call.<br />
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Christmas Day arrived and I don't know how Santa does it as we were pretty wiped out after on a few hours of sleep. However, right on schedule in our Christmas p.j.s we were out the door at 5am and headed straight to my sister's house. Thankfully as the kids have gotten older, the morning has started later. I used to spend the night there as the kids would be up and ready to go at 6:30. This year we got a call around 10, checking in on our status....After a 7 plus hour drive....<br />
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#4 was with my sister and her family as it has been since at least 2001 if not before. (I missed 2009 but they came to Orlando the next day.) Kids still being kids, they unwrapped the presents under the tree before we got there, I can't blame them, but they did wait to do their stockings with us. We got to the house around 1pm in time for an amazing brunch in which we ate and ate as we had been up for 7-some hours without real food. Then presents and stockings with the neighbors and then...I napped! We put on A Christmas Story and I proceeded to pass out. I won Christmas this year as I commissioned my niece to paint a picture of where we got engaged. B loved it!<br />
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My niece who has really enjoyed cheering with us this year upped our cheer game...<br />
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After some visiting and short nap, we were headed to #5.<br />
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#5 was a visit with friends who have pretty regularly held an open house on Christmas Day, but I can't remember the last time I had stopped by. I'm sure it's been a few years. But when I got the invite this year, I knew I wanted to make time to stop by. This was a group of friend who hadn't yet gotten to meet B and the hostess was responsible for me signing up for my first half marathon. We couldn't stay too long, but it was really nice to visit with them! Old friends are good friends to keep around. It's nice when you can just pick up from where you left off. Except....their children who I used to babysit for are all much taller than me and driving!<br />
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#6 was with our sister-wife and her family. We couldn't miss spending some time with my roomie and her family. They so generously open their home on Christmas to any of their friends to come by for dinner. Besides, we really like spending time with them so of course we'd be there! Friends are the family you get to choose! After racing BB-8s around the house in which I kicked B's butt... we headed home for our last Christmas celebration.<br />
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#7 was just the 2 of us. Sitting on the couch we unwrapped our presents. We discussed that neither one of us could have fathomed 8 months ago, that we'd be sitting on the couch together Christmas day thinking of how we get to start our own family holiday traditions.<br />
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Keeping B busy all day I think kept his mind off not spending Christmas with the kids until we stopped moving. Then I think it hit him. This life is new to all of us and we are doing the best we can with each situation as it presents. We are both very much looking forward to having the four of us together for Christmas in 2018!<br />
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Oh, and one of B's other gifts was his first Marathon at Kiawah Island, December 2018. I'm either the best fiancee ever, or a jerk. Let's see how training goes!<br />
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Wishing you and yours a very healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year!<br />
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<br />Shawna Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10742472057600356938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285056647483576679.post-6957416090371314962017-10-23T20:27:00.001-07:002017-10-24T05:54:42.098-07:00KPF MCM 2017...Last year I made a concious decision to find a way to give back through my passion for running and triathlon. I got involved with the Kyle Pease Foundation and completed a handful of events with them including <a href="http://buildingblockblog.blogspot.com/2016/10/mcmkpf16-marine-corp-marathon-kyle.html">pushing Aidan through the Marine Corp Marathon.</a> I enjoyed it so much, that after a couple of days of recovery, I was all in to repeat this year.<br />
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This year would bring about new challenges in preparation. I had only 4 weeks to recover and keep fitness at the same time after <a href="http://buildingblockblog.blogspot.com/2017/09/my-im-swan-song.html">Ironman Chattanooga</a>. I didn't have to just keep fitness, I had to keep focus. This proved challenging every day with every workout. But this race wasn't for me. It was for this year's partner, Naomi. I have a hard time brushing off a workout when it isn't just about my personal results.<br />
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Life seems to be happening a lot these days, and I couldn't get them all done. But I tried. Boy did I try. I missed things. I missed a 2 hour bike ride because I had work commitments that ate up my day and by the time I got home, I walked right past my bike (that was nicely set up in the living room) and climbed in to bed. I had to drop 10 minutes off a run because I over slept and was time crunched with a family responsibility. I ended up splitting my one and only longer run into 2, because after 11 miles in 80+ degree weather while trying to stay whole30 compliant, my legs gave out on me.<br />
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But quitting isn't an option when you push. After rehydrating, fueling, watching a 7 year old baseball game, taking the kids to dinner, and then putting them to bed; B went out to finish the last 5 miles with me even though we started them after we usually go to bed. (His mom was in town, we didn't leave the kids alone!) Had those miles been for me, Training Peaks would still be yellow.<br />
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I ask people all the time who are struggling with getting their workouts complete, or following a plan or the plan, "What's your why?". It's my why that keeps me going and it's my lack of why that is my reason for hiatus from 140.6 for a bit. I digress... but Naomi was my why for this.<br />
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So THE weekend is upon us! I've done everything I can do to be ready to push Naomi around DC and Virginia. I fundraised the best I could. It was time to celebrate the hard work and tour DC with Naomi pulling me through. With work responsibilities different this year, we were able to take much kinder flights. Last year I was on 6am flights to and from!<br />
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B and I got into DC Friday in time to hang with some of the crew for the weekend before heading out to grab some dinner. Then on Saturday morning, B and I and three others headed over to the expo to grab all the bibs and race shirts we could for the KPeasey crew. With the 5 of us, I thought it went incredibly smooth. Then to a relaxing lunch and time to get my feet up until our team dinner.<br />
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Race morning....I was nervous. And anxious. I've been achy since Chat. I have never pushed a race chair. It's 26 point 2 freaking miles!!! I don't think the distance ever gets easier for me to process.<br />
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However, I was hanging out with someone who was more anxious than me, so I tried to put forth a calm exterior and stay positive in my own head. Every one should dance to the start line, right? (You'll want volume for this.)<br />
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Marine Corps Marathon is one heck of an event. Pushing or running, I highly recommend it. The pageantry before the start, and the on course support is just simply amazing. However, it is a crowded course and it seemed even more crowded this year than I remembered it to be in the past.<br />
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Naomi and I took off when it was our turn and I ran by distance only. No data display except on the mile chirps. No heart rate. No pace. I ran completely by feel. B asked me what the race plan was...I told him it was to have fun and get Naomi to the finish line. There were zero expectations on us for a time, except to finish. We also had the honor of running in memory of Spc Tyler R. Seidman who died in a helicopter crash in August 2007 through the Medals of Honor organization.<br />
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The first few miles just kept going by. Towards the beginning, we were going up a slight hill and the elite runners were going past us. So we cheered them on and occasionally I would turn to them and tell them we would race them to the top. That got them to crack a smile. And the miles kept going by. I'm still in awe at how seamlessly the miles seemed to go by. I think about mile 3, Jeff caught us and visited for a moment before going on to finish his race.<br />
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At mile 4 we saw Brent and he checked on us both and we were great. I think we saw him again before mile 10, but I'm not positive. Somewhere on the out and back both Amy and Smitha hollered <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9h0Arg_-380">hellos from the other side</a> of the road. At about 10 Naomi's mom and B were on the right. We pulled up to them and stopped for a quick visit. Tina (Naomi's mom) checked on her, B checked on me. We reloaded my Gu's and I told B my knee hurt and I needed water. He didn't have any on him, so off we went. Less than a quarter mile later, up came B sprinting after me...Tina had water!<br />
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We were then on our own till about mile 16. Naomi and I are yelling at the Marines supporting the course, "Oorah!". We are walking the aid stations and grabbing water. I'm trying to stay on top of my gels. Did I mention the miles kept rolling by? I gel by mileage and I kept missing the aid station I should have stopped at. So I averaged a gel about every 4-5 miles instead of being spot on the 4 like I had been doing.<br />
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At mile 16 I see Mike on the right and tell him I need Ibruprofen. He doesn't have any but tells me the crew is up on the right. We stop there and the crew is right in front of a medical tent and Helen gets me Tylenol. Tina checks on Naomi. B and Helen check on me. I tell B my knee hurts to bend and I can't put any pressure on my left arm or I get a shooting pain in my shoulder. It means I can't lean and steer the race chair with both arms, I can only use my right. B offers me peanuts, I say no thanks. Helen calls Brent and less than half a mile later, I'm stopped talking with him. Brent gives Naomi a pack of cookies. He tells me to eat the peanuts. I have a few. He gives me more. I say I'm good, he gets me to finish the bag. B still doesn't get why I ate peanuts when Brent told me to but not him. Duh....Coach. Brent asks about the pain so I tell him. Neither of us are all that surprised as I did finish an Ironman just four weeks ago. He shows me where to hold the chair and I assure him I already figured it out. He asked if I wanted him to find someone on the course to finish the day with me? I said NO! Naomi wasn't done racing and neither was I. I signed up for this, I'm going to finish it. I don't quit and I surely don't quit on someone else's race. Brent said he was going to be sending everyone on to the finish line, and I said that's fine. See you all there.<br />
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The last 10 miles took us a bit longer to get through than the first 10 but we were still moving. Naomi offered to share her cookies, but I was good. Right before mile 20, there were spectators handing out beer and fireball shots. Since the Tylenol wasn't dulling the pain, I figured fireball might...<br />
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Then we beat the bridge. Knowing we would finish, I now had a decision to make. Walk it in, and my knee was going to hurt, or jog it in the best I could and my knee was going to hurt. Naomi cheered me on and we walked/ran our way in. At about mile 22 there was a non-official aide station set up and they offered chips that Naomi wanted. She was great about sharing them with me also. If it's good enough for Ironman, it's good enough for a marathon!<br />
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What I haven't mentioned is I had a whistle for the whole run. Naomi had been blowing one at dinner the night before, and lost it. So I brought another. I gave it to her to use but she didn't want to. So I took it. I would blow it, and she would tell me to stop. I think it kept us both engaged in the event.<br />
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At some point, we hit mile 23. A 5K to go and our hotel is RIGHT there! I mean, RIGHT there!!! I jokingly ask Naomi if she wants to just call it quits and go back to the room for a shower and naps. She says NO! She's the boss today...so we finished it off.<br />
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At about mile 24-25 we caught up to Cynthia who was having a tough day. She walked/jogged with us a for a little bit and then we finished it off on our own.<br />
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A nice slow walk up the last little hill and then we turned the corner and jogged it in. It was time for Naomi to be a marathoner again!<br />
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We both enjoyed getting our medals and high-fiving the Marines in the finishing chute. And I don't know about Naomi, but that was the best tasting Coke, ever!<br />
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With Naomi wearing this year's medal and happy to be back in the tent hanging out with friends, B and I made our way to the Metro and back to the hotel.<br />
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Personally, I am happy to report that I barely chafed at all and that I had about a 16 minute PR over last year. It was a great way to wrap up my long course career (for now). I PR'd my 140.6 and I PR'd my push marathon.<br />
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After a shower, Motrin, and a short nap (and some tears getting out of bed), B and I went out and ate amazing Ethiopian food and milkshakes with NFG.<br />
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Monday morning when the alarm went off, B asked me if getting out of bed was going to make me cry. With that statement I had an ah-ha moment. Truthfully, there were some tears getting vertical. I'm having a really hard time getting up from an extended seated position. Stairs are not my friend. BUT...this is temporary. It's temporary! There are people for whom this is an everyday part of their life. Everyday they wake up and wonder if the pain will be so bad that getting out of bed is going to make them cry. I'm actually thankful for this pain. I'm thankful that I am healthy enough to do what I do to cause this pain and that it will go away. The extreme pain from the race has diminished and was replaced by muscle soreness. Soreness because I was able to, chose to, and had the privilege of running a marathon with Naomi. (You'll want volume for this one also.)<br />
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I want to thank Brent and Kyle Pease and Helen for allowing me to participate for a second year in the Marine Corps Marathon with the Kyle Pease Foundation. It is an honor and privilege to race in blue for you all.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4cmOeFWqWegmFecmpSe8BuxEpL3Bjh-GYzl0SJseV1Svk_PeYk-N3_YmnPlJcTjgJtTK5xUZFZgaU27-ZvLd6vXk0TyHrOIgD-y0nlaqCBB3uYJe6R608C2Lfeee6a0ls8Lshzic21_jt/s1600/22687770_10159315332195618_9143555663080514648_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="855" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4cmOeFWqWegmFecmpSe8BuxEpL3Bjh-GYzl0SJseV1Svk_PeYk-N3_YmnPlJcTjgJtTK5xUZFZgaU27-ZvLd6vXk0TyHrOIgD-y0nlaqCBB3uYJe6R608C2Lfeee6a0ls8Lshzic21_jt/s400/22687770_10159315332195618_9143555663080514648_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">16 teams. 16 TEAMS!!!</td></tr>
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If you were meaning to donate and didn't get a chance too, <a href="https://www.crowdrise.com/team-naomi-kpfmcm17/fundraiser/shawnablock?utm_campaign=ocdonate&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=crowdrise">Naomi and my fundraising page is still active.</a> While we met our goal, know that we are allowed to exceed that goal! All moneys raised go to supporting inclusion and furthering the <a href="http://www.kylepeasefoundation.org/">Kyle Pease Foundation mission. </a><br />
<br />
I will be taking next year off from the marathon distance, but plan to stay involved with KPF! 2017 has been a heck of year for me in all facets of life. Thanks for being part of it and let's see what the last two months bring!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevuU4V_3VLJxctimx3IF5WZQoh0xkeNR8sHRI1u-5ZM0Ff8-NaIqpNDZhwMUNYNC1J62fQkaectynimASalSx_oc2-Isv95I_cOfQxr_PF6kPD6EtlEGR6RtDaU73N6JE_vtimpn_oy2S/s1600/22811601_10159318049855618_214181967_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevuU4V_3VLJxctimx3IF5WZQoh0xkeNR8sHRI1u-5ZM0Ff8-NaIqpNDZhwMUNYNC1J62fQkaectynimASalSx_oc2-Isv95I_cOfQxr_PF6kPD6EtlEGR6RtDaU73N6JE_vtimpn_oy2S/s320/22811601_10159318049855618_214181967_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheers to a wonderful 2017!</td></tr>
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P.S. If you are in the Atlanta area and want to experience the wonderfulness that is a KPeasey Event, join us at their annual Bowling Party on Sunday November 12th. It is a true family event. For more information and to purchase tickets in advance, <a href="http://www.kylepeasefoundation.org/bowlingwithkp/#register">click here</a>.<br />
<br />Shawna Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10742472057600356938noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285056647483576679.post-17786577797290009792017-09-27T07:08:00.000-07:002017-10-25T12:04:34.511-07:00My IM Swan Song...In case you missed my last installment, I almost didn't start IM Chattanooga. You can read why <a href="http://buildingblockblog.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-start-line-that-almost-wasnt.html">here</a>. But I did...<br />
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You know I'm pretty lousy at keeping my own good news a secret so I'll tell you that once again I crushed the Shawna Block division. I was a favorite going in and I did not disappoint.<br />
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There were quite a few things different about this Ironman event. First and foremost, when I signed up for it I was painfully single. When race day came, I was engaged. I don't mean engaged in the event, I mean engaged to be married. We can all take a moment and let that sink in....If you are totally good with this concept, you should go read some of my earlier posts. Otherwise, we are all now on the same page....This race weekend I traveled with a different support crew. Stacy, my long standing sherpa, project manager, and BFF was there with me but my parents were not. My 15 year old niece, M, came with me for the weekend for her first long course event. B drove in from Indianapolis on Saturday as he refused to take my very genuine pass on this event.<br />
<br />
How does being engaged make this event different than the other two? When I was single:<br />
<ul>
<li>no one else lost sleep when my alarm went off at 0430 or 0445</li>
<li>no one else had their vacation plans altered by my training schedule</li>
<li>no one else lost out on socializing because I was in Ironman training</li>
<li>no one else had dinner plans with their family delayed because I had a long run</li>
<li>no one else was physically invested in my training</li>
</ul>
<div>
I felt like I went into the event with more pressure to succeed for the above reasons. Also, I made it very public that no matter what happened, Ironman Chattanooga was going to be my last full for awhile if not forever. I really wanted to go out on a high note. </div>
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<div>
Brent of <a href="http://www.dynamomultisport.com/">Dynamo Multisport</a> has been my coach since March 2015. When we first started to get ready for another full (I took 2016 off from fulls) we had goals of really pushing IMChoo. As a matter of fact, after <a href="http://buildingblockblog.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-dynamic-race.html">Half Ironman Chattanooga</a> we even discussed some targetted running paces. As life happened and I challenged Brent to get me ready while I traveled <i>every.damn.weekend</i> of the summer, we both knew the goals for me needed to be adjusted. That didn't mean he pushed me less. He just had to push differently. Once worked kicked up, he had to push a little gentler. (Overwhelmed and Stressed, Party of 1 your table is ready!). Everyone but me knew going in I was set up for a most amazing day. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4j5vObx35ZOYWLi-NybrpQsMLMWD42OjUXJ3u6Rfat4_tUlsy_K2OFfplJLNYf-LhkNxruwAbsG1kwaknBxkHUgWhYY6Nw72UMA8vON1DE6wbQ8xOrGKuscaggG8F_korbDaQLAZ4UqAa/s1600/21950166_10159205287745618_9061049984915915748_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1064" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4j5vObx35ZOYWLi-NybrpQsMLMWD42OjUXJ3u6Rfat4_tUlsy_K2OFfplJLNYf-LhkNxruwAbsG1kwaknBxkHUgWhYY6Nw72UMA8vON1DE6wbQ8xOrGKuscaggG8F_korbDaQLAZ4UqAa/s320/21950166_10159205287745618_9061049984915915748_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Coach Brent</td></tr>
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Race Day:</div>
<div>
I woke up early to eat and then go hang out at swim start. Stacy and Maria were already there when M, B, and I walked up. The attitude in the air is a mixture of joy, excitement, and terror. I'm fairly certain I went through all 3.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKzBZ5Q_CtFo85Si7ooNo5-_X8YiSKxCbrFMWbD2WV5ygRuHrvsvuLhEZ7drSwMNu8H7GsW7UnCV_7DbZPcdhtfA2aBpuYMdf8HWmO9znftwxR0eK26peoDzWvUd9_2uSFIj86CRg_z7l/s1600/22052583_10159206289855618_1248940638_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKzBZ5Q_CtFo85Si7ooNo5-_X8YiSKxCbrFMWbD2WV5ygRuHrvsvuLhEZ7drSwMNu8H7GsW7UnCV_7DbZPcdhtfA2aBpuYMdf8HWmO9znftwxR0eK26peoDzWvUd9_2uSFIj86CRg_z7l/s320/22052583_10159206289855618_1248940638_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stewing in my own thoughts.</td></tr>
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A few rounds of tears were shed on B's shoulder and then we were up and moving towards the water. There was no turning back. Besides, I had two friends racing with very heavy hearts, I had no excuse.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was announced early that the swim would not be wetsuit legal and I have yet to invest in a swimskin. Since I knew I was doing a full change in T1, Coach said to swim in a swimsuit to cut back on drag. So I did with my sports bra already on as I was concerned about the acrobatic moves it would take to put on a sports bra on a wet body. The swim is straight down river and the river was moving. Swim PR by about 30+ minutes!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNDgP-Y9dxcw2axh-T0qMkpQHpbHT0n3s8BDrxnHePs-jVMNZZzEqT44dHO5bnsFlOX0KIFY_sOf3NXgUT_n-0GCHH8mL9_EQgZtXU2YlF-6bIFW13qIqVAEnrx2egrj8HuNSl0sh8BGe/s1600/blog+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNDgP-Y9dxcw2axh-T0qMkpQHpbHT0n3s8BDrxnHePs-jVMNZZzEqT44dHO5bnsFlOX0KIFY_sOf3NXgUT_n-0GCHH8mL9_EQgZtXU2YlF-6bIFW13qIqVAEnrx2egrj8HuNSl0sh8BGe/s320/blog+2.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those are ear plugs. I started swimming with them after my dance with Bronchitis/Ear issues last year.</td></tr>
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Out of the water and up the ramp. EVERYONE is there cheering! I got to see Stacy, M, and the rest of the Dynamo cheering crew. I was also able to stop and give B a kiss. Dynamo has a family first philosophy and I have been told to always stop (even if briefly) to thank those who are there supporting you and who helped you get there. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In T1 I grabbed a volunteer and got into my <a href="http://www.kylepeasefoundation.org/">KPeasey</a> Cycling Kit. It was time to ride.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg5hUJ8uIaWEmddUA4LVqdA-xwM31gHs71Pfd9ys4suvsFA-A7b3KIONpAo0AcuarO67i90arDTShvS_oODNUVowaoP0x_caaF0gjuBJz0w2fzDnRUnM1uugAVGd90n5XWqqZmSSAY0aQ/s1600/21761963_10203769870084949_1179832827748888501_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg5hUJ8uIaWEmddUA4LVqdA-xwM31gHs71Pfd9ys4suvsFA-A7b3KIONpAo0AcuarO67i90arDTShvS_oODNUVowaoP0x_caaF0gjuBJz0w2fzDnRUnM1uugAVGd90n5XWqqZmSSAY0aQ/s320/21761963_10203769870084949_1179832827748888501_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Cred: Nadya</td></tr>
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I never did get a chance this summer to come up to preview the course but I have ridden the loop many times at Dynamo Camps in 2015 and 2016. One my way out, I was to only drink water for the first 15 minutes. I had a water bottle and was about to take a sip when I saw railroad tracks. Holding the bottle against my handle bars as I went over the tracks, the bottle bounced right out. The volunteer hollered at me to let it go. Buh-bye water! Otherwise the first loop went well. My watch chirps every 5 miles on the bike. When it chirps I look at how long those 5 miles took. I don't ride by pace. I ride by heart rate, cadence, and most importantly power (but I manage that metric the worst). However, I know if the watch chirps less than 20 minutes, than I am riding faster than 15 mph. I was crushing the first loop. On the first loop, I grabbed a bottle of water from the first aide station and used it to sip as well as pour on myself. A quick stop at special needs to switch out my nutrition bottles and I was back rolling. (I also used the bathroom, but I didn't make a special stop just to pee!)</div>
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<div>
The second loop was tougher. Same course but more sun and more winds. I expected this. I knew this would happen. When I slowed down, I just rolled with it. By mile 70, the pain I had been experiencing in my feet on the bike was rearing its ugly head. In full force. Tear inducing pain. Knowing the course well and remembering the advise Coach has been giving me for 3 seasons: I needed to focus on small chunks. First target was up to Hog Jowl to turn left on to some rollers. There would be recovery time there on the down hills. Then I told myself to get to the pavilion. From the pavilion it was get to Chickamauga. From Chickamauga it was get up the last long climb because the reward is WEEEEE all the way down. After the WEEEEE we turned right and had about 11 miles back to transition. That's when I bumped my watch and screwed up all my data collecting! ❅ and I have an on-going joke about #brackets, but it was how I got through the 116 mile ride. Small chunks. (See Coach, I have been listening to you!).<br />
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In to T2 and my awesome support crew from swim start has been joined by Coach and Ty. I'm back sooner than I anticipated and everyone, including me is thrilled with my bike and Coach yells at me to take a bow. I bow. I courtesy. I head towards the tent to change yet again, I see Stacy. I tell her about my feet and assure her I have taken advil already and I'll take more. She yells at me to get my shoes off and give my feet a chance to spread a little. She's been through this with me before.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's time to run. I get to see B, M, and Ty on my way out as well as Coach. He reminds me to walk the hills. I get my feet under me and I start my run. I've never started my run this early in the day! My feet still hurt. It's not going away. I walk up the first hill and I start running. I loved all the support on the course. The aide stations were great and every mile as promised.<br />
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I was holding on until about mile 9 when the hills really started. The pain in my foot just wouldn't release. I'm not running the plan. I'm run-walking and walking more than just the aide stations. I get out of the hills and I'm having a lovely pity party in my head when I am about to cross the pedestrian bridge to start the second loop. I have my speech prepared for the next time I see Coach. And I see Coach at about mile 12. And before I can say a word, he starts talking: </div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Second loop is when it hurts. Second loop is when you dig deep. Everyone is out here cheering for you and pulling for you. Get it done. </blockquote>
He never gave me a chance to reply. As I crossed on to the pedestrian bridge, I walked. I shed a few tears, and I muttered a few choice words for Coach. Then a guy comes running up to me and says, "Hey Dynamo, I didn't catch your name, but I hope you saw your cheering squad back there on the corner!" I assured him they were hard to miss and I started running again.<br />
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In special needs I pulled my gels and decided I didn't want my long sleeve shirt. It was still daylight and I've never hit special needs in broad daylight. Thankfully Laura was standing right there and I was able to give her my bag so I wouldn't have to leave my shirt behind and lose it forever. Michael and Lorilyn ended up helping me and it's always great to see them volunteering and cheering on the course.<br />
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It's very easy to get caught up walking at this point of the day. I was trying to keep my head about me and luckily landed in a group that was doing what I was doing: run - walk - run. It's much easier to keep running when everyone around you is doing it. I had no concept of time or how long I'd been on the course. I knew I would finish, I just didn't know when. Everything from my waist down hurt.<br />
<br />
Around mile 20, M and B were at the bottom of a steep hill and they walked up it with me. B is trying to talk me up. I snap at him. Telling him how much I hurt, tearing a bit, telling him I hate him right now. He took it well. I took a gel. They left me and told me everyone else was up on the bridge waiting for me.<br />
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At the top of the hill I start running again and I see Stacy. She stays with me for a brief moment and gives me a pep talk and tells me Coach is at the end of the bridge. I cross the end of the bridge, no Coach. A few minutes later I hear him calling my name and he rides up next to me. He asked how I was doing. I gave him an honest answer: Everything hurts and I'm dying.<br />
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He asked me if I thought it would be easy. I snapped that I knew it wasn't going to be easy but that my feet have hurt since mile 70 on the bike and he asked how I was feeling. He asked when I ate last and I told him mile 20. I was at mile 21.5. He asked me what was I going to do. I told him I was going to finish it. He said of course you are, but are you going to walk it in or run? I told him I was still in it. He told me to start running again at the top of the hill and then at the next aide station to get chicken broth (nectar of the gods, I swear!), coke, and pretzels. Well, the next aide station didn't have chicken broth or pretzels so I had a handful of chips and a coke.<br />
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I finished the last five miles or so walking the hills, running the downs, and run-walking what flats were left. I crossed over the pedestrian bridge and as I came around the corner, EVERYONE was there.<br />
<br />
I stopped and hugged Stacy, my sister-wife.<br />
I stopped and hugged Ty, my tri-wife.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Missing 1 to share with you my amazing bridal party!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I stopped and hugged Coach and thanked him for everything. He asked for a hat tip at the finish. I did my best, but I think my hat tipping needs work.<br />
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<br />
I high-fived other friends on the fence.<br />
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I stopped and gave B a kiss before I crossed the finish line.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQC2PLgFa9xWn_o-1SQjexybZ2aEe03lOWOcdp6Ywl4BSTycTozGP0ZSjBQkBOs_MunpC71XmdjgBv_aMs8oboNwp3o4-PZeLqCeFzdrOnPqmoqZDlPR-87uw4bAcSWCC69V29xAOQ5Un/s1600/22008118_1497653350301760_6972383328519400790_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="667" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQC2PLgFa9xWn_o-1SQjexybZ2aEe03lOWOcdp6Ywl4BSTycTozGP0ZSjBQkBOs_MunpC71XmdjgBv_aMs8oboNwp3o4-PZeLqCeFzdrOnPqmoqZDlPR-87uw4bAcSWCC69V29xAOQ5Un/s320/22008118_1497653350301760_6972383328519400790_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screen shot thanks to Karen!</td></tr>
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Then I ran to the finish line with my shoulders back and a huge grin on my face.<br />
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<br />
Mike Reilly announced I was an Ironman!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grabbed a selfie when we returned for final finisher.</td></tr>
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I had no concept of my time. I had no idea what time of day it was or how long it had taken me to complete the 144.6 miles of Ironman Chattanooga. I just knew I did it. When M and B caught up with me, B showed me the tracker.<br />
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<br />
Holy Hell....I went out on a 13 minute Personal Best from IM Louisville in 2015.<br />
<br />
It was a good day. It was a tough day. That's Ironman for you. It is an emotional roller coaster from the time I wake up until I put my head down on a pillow for the night. Success for the day is managing the emotional ride. I am retiring/taking a leave of absence from full distance for now. I'm an excellent sherpa and am available for hire! I am already signed up Chat 70.3 in 2018 and we have every intention of voluncheering Kona 2018. I'm not giving up triathlon, just reallocating some of the time I spent training for the longer distance.<br />
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<br />
While triathlon is an individual sport, I would never get through it with out the support of my family, my team, and my friends. You all mean so much to me and I am ever so thankful to the sport for bringing (most of) you into my life.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bracelet is off, tri tats removed. Time to look to the last event of the year.</td></tr>
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2017 has been a heck of a year and it isn't over yet. I have one more big event that I could still use your help with! Naomi and I are so very close to our fundraising goal for the Marine Corp Marathon, and if you would be so kind as to donate just $10, you would put us that much closer to hitting our goal. You can make your tax deductible donation <a href="https://www.crowdrise.com/team-naomi-kpfmcm17/fundraiser/shawnablock?utm_source=dash-card-cr&utm_platform=fb&utm_device=desktop">here</a>. Remember: <b>Where there is a wheel, there is a way!!!</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naomi, my running partner for MCM 2017!</td></tr>
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<br />Shawna Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10742472057600356938noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285056647483576679.post-16489404908468519332017-09-04T17:57:00.000-07:002017-09-04T17:57:18.404-07:00The Start Line That Almost Wasn't...For the past month, I had legitimately considered not staring IM Chattanooga. I'm not injured. No one in my family is gravely ill. My training is right on schedule with the usual ups and downs and seemingly more ups this cycle than downs. I had a fantastic race at Ironman Chattanooga 70.3. For all intents and purposes, I had no real reason to pull out.<br />
<br />
Except I didn't want to do it.<br />
<br />
I just didn't want to race. I didn't want to do more long bike rides. I just didn't want to. 3 weekends ago when I did a random gravity check off my bike (I tipped over, no big deal) the thought ran through my head: If my wrist is broken, I don't have to do Chat. Y'all...talk about an unhealthy place to be!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'll spare you the bloody knee and elbow.</td></tr>
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A few people knew about my angst, but really not the right people. I didn't tell my coach, I just got whinier in my debrief post workouts. I didn't talk it over with my fiance. (That still seems so weird to say!). Until I finally did.<br />
<br />
Many things are different this training cycle.<br />
<br />
I switched jobs in December 2016 to coaching at the collegiate level which is anything but 9-5 like the last job. The summer was easy to train as while every weekend was taken with traveling, I had a teammate who works weekends and we did our long stuff together mid week. (Hi Snowflake!!!). But then school kicked back up and I'm experiencing "off season" for the first time and all the meetings and responsibilities that go with it. And the stress.<br />
<br />
And I started dating someone who is crazy enough to want to marry me. I'm still wrapping my head around that. I digress. I have someone else who wants my time and more importantly, I want to give my time to. I want to give my time to him and my future stepkids.<br />
<br />
I was pushing through because I thought everyone would be disappointed in me if I didn't finish what I started.<br />
<br />
Seems I was wrong. Coach and I had a long conversation and he gave me his blessings if I wanted to DNS (Did not start) Ironman Chattanooga. I told Coach I'd discuss it with B.<br />
<br />
So I did. B and I spoke for a while about it. I just couldn't wrap my head around quitting. If you've been around long enough, you know that I DON'T QUIT. I might be the last one in off the ride. I might be the last one running. I DON'T QUIT. I wasn't going to start now. There were so many reasons I couldn't throw in the towel. I push my athletes to find a way and get through the suck. I spew positivity in Ironwilled: Women Who Tri. I have kids (some younger some older) who are amazed at what I do. I couldn't come up with being okay with telling any of these people, or my own ego, that I was going to tap out.<br />
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I went to Dynamo Camp last weekend and ran 16 on Friday, rode 115 on Saturday, did a tri (750m swim, 18 mile bike, 4 mile run) on Sunday. I needed to find a way for one more long workout. It should have been next weekend, but the only weekend I could rerate for my lacrosse officiating is then in Nashville. B and I talked it over and instead of a leisurely vacation in Jacksonville Labor Day weekend, I was bringing my bike. Yup, B said Sunday's a perfect day for you to go do your race sim.<br />
<br />
We (with the kids) headed to Jacksonville Friday night and Saturday enjoyed the beach, a trip to watch the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp play baseball and before any of that, we drove the route I was going to train so I could see where stores were if needed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4MT8NT1D4oT5aaQ38Tl_FYF7G_udJvFqDqtlDdPrmFdioYQ4GMWEtaRsdFvt6894l9jrSzCps8yqdJX2r7tbM-i48DbVo7YaAMBxTrI2j4WZOqBzhkSND1-K_zFyMplvxVyO2Y4aDONc/s1600/21390608_10159114692320618_357664330_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4MT8NT1D4oT5aaQ38Tl_FYF7G_udJvFqDqtlDdPrmFdioYQ4GMWEtaRsdFvt6894l9jrSzCps8yqdJX2r7tbM-i48DbVo7YaAMBxTrI2j4WZOqBzhkSND1-K_zFyMplvxVyO2Y4aDONc/s320/21390608_10159114692320618_357664330_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's challenging to get a picture with everyone looking in the same direction.</td></tr>
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On Sunday, with the full support of B, I headed out to go ride 100 miles and then run for 90 minutes in the middle of our weekend vacation. He brought the kids to my 70 mile sag stop, and then cheered me on a few more times on the loop. Then after the day at the beach with them, he and the friends we were visiting went to the ball park. All the time I'm out riding and then running. When I finished he even gave me a pass to skip the ball game and just veg for the night. I met them at the ball park. A little tired. A little sore. Very happy I got that workout in.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHEU0ZxbTCHMsCZtn9SWibcXhPx1eKR2f_aXyQWufeMGzt52pS_yG_6KvRvP2LprjPJEtEeVB8fwt4cNdG3xqXJOZcRod8bLQvw8j_VIZD1-EtW2rvX65zn-chSsNYJ15m7_yI-x1vbOP/s1600/21389408_10159114725735618_820793536_o.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="1440" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHEU0ZxbTCHMsCZtn9SWibcXhPx1eKR2f_aXyQWufeMGzt52pS_yG_6KvRvP2LprjPJEtEeVB8fwt4cNdG3xqXJOZcRod8bLQvw8j_VIZD1-EtW2rvX65zn-chSsNYJ15m7_yI-x1vbOP/s320/21389408_10159114725735618_820793536_o.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When you aren't a swift cyclist, 100 miles takes a while!</td></tr>
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With support like that, a coach who says scheduling my workouts is like doing a puzzle without a border but gets me ready anyway, and a training crew as awesome as mine; there just isn't anyway I couldn't go jump in the river at Chat.<br />
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So let's go! A handful more workouts. A long run or so. And it is race day!!! It's time to complete my last IM for a while. Chat 70.3 will be my big race of 2018 and then I'm pulling back on distance. I have a wedding to plan and a family I want to spend time with. Ironman isn't going anywhere and there are plenty of options within triathlon that will give me more time to spend with them.<br />
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I'll say thanks again after I'm done, but a very special thank you to Brent Pease and Dynamo Multisport, Stacy Sims (my roomie, project manager, and Dyna Coach), Snowflake for sharing ride time and poptarts, and B who swears I do actually have a heart. Let's go make my last IM one hell of a good time!Shawna Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10742472057600356938noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285056647483576679.post-36225579106602947952017-08-22T18:17:00.002-07:002017-08-22T18:32:09.898-07:00My Last First Date....I finally updated my blog description removing the premise of me being a single triathlete. Who knew that my second of 2 first dates on the first weekend in April would lead to this? Not I!<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: #fff9e7; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I'm a triathlete. I started blogging when I began my trek to hear the words, "Shawna you are an IRONMAN!" in 2014. The journey continues. I invite you to follow along as I discuss everything and anything that happens along the way which most recently involves going from glaringly single to soon-to-be stepmom.</span></blockquote>
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So it would go that my last first date was on April 2, 2017. Joke was on me as I have finally met a man who:<br />
<ul>
<li>is smart and sharp.</li>
<li>gets my humor. </li>
<li>isn't intimidated by the schedule I keep (although I'm working on that.)</li>
<li>is impressed by my Ironman status, not intimidated by it.</li>
<li>treats me like a princess, but won't let me act like one.</li>
<li>enjoys various food and loves my cooking (but really, what's not to like?)</li>
<li>will dance with me on the sidewalk in any city we visit.</li>
<li>wants to be in a relationship.</li>
<li>wants to be in a relationship with me!</li>
<li>has the most beautiful eyes.</li>
<li>let's me cry on his shoulder when I'm overwhelmed </li>
<li>calms me.</li>
<li>compliments me.</li>
<li>complements me.</li>
<li>brings me flowers.</li>
<li>does the dishes if I cook.</li>
<li>can grill.</li>
<li>calls when he says he will.</li>
<li>plots out a 14 mile run for me and rides his bike to keep me company.</li>
<li>supports my goals (he has been helping me fundraise for the KPeasey Foundation through his network among other overt actions.)</li>
<li>sets up my bike on the trainer so I can get my workout in (even when I'm looking for an out.)</li>
<li>makes me ice my bruises when I do a random gravity check off my bike.</li>
<li>woke up at 4am to sit at swim start with me while I stirred in my own head and didn't talk to him.</li>
<li>walks up to people he has never met before, introduces himself, and then spends the day cheering with them until I finish my race.</li>
<li>runs with me.</li>
<li>gets along with all my family and friends.</li>
<li>goes out of his way to connect me with his friends and family.</li>
<li>brags about me.</li>
<li>enjoys cheering and supporting races as much as I do.</li>
<li>loves me.</li>
<li>has his own hobbies.</li>
<li>and so so so much more.............</li>
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All I had to do was get out of my own way and let him in. He was persistent too! In the beginning when I was too busy to go out with him, he found a way to make it work. No time for dinner, he met me for lunch. I wanted to go watch a lacrosse game on a Sunday in the rain 2.5 hours from his house, he came with me. He invited himself to Chat 70.3. He invited himself to my last home lacrosse game. He offered to put it in writing that he would not get upset my my Ironman training. (He hasn't to date!)</div>
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He chipped away at any wall I tried to put between us. </div>
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He isn't perfect but he's perfect for me. So to my brother et al who liked to post all those great memes about me being single.... </div>
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I'm going to keep blogging with race reports and other topics that amuse me. He enjoys my writing and after things started getting serious, read the whole dang thing. Who knew I had been writing my own instruction manual and I found a guy who actually reads instructions!?!</div>
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New topics that may creep in besides race reports: wedding planning, stepmom-ing, house hunting, and all those other fun topics of going from me to we.</div>
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I think we might have broken Facebook with the news....<br />
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If you have any connections or suggestions for a wedding venue in the Roswell/Marietta ish area, we'd love to hear them!</div>
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Shawna Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10742472057600356938noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285056647483576679.post-35033581357997199772017-07-27T19:11:00.001-07:002017-07-27T19:12:03.992-07:00Racecation....Blah blah blah... I had a great vacation down the shore and then finished it off with 2 races.<br />
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Just kidding, I started my 10 day tour of the East Coast on a Thursday when I drove up to the Richmond, VA area to recruit at the IWLCA lacrosse tournament. I then headed back south to Wilson, NC to spend the weekend with my boyfriend and his family. (Yes, you read that right. No, you don't get more details yet.) From there, after wrapping up an incredible training build with 18 miles on Sunday (10 and 8 mile runs) I headed back north to NJ to spend the rest of the week Down the Shore in Margate with Terri who I've known for more years than I care to acknowledge.<br />
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It was a beautiful week to be down the shore....we spent time in the ocean, collecting shells, eating Jersey fresh produce, visiting with friends, and I even got to eat some blue claw crabs on the outside deck of a bar over looking the bay.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thursday was a great day to take a walk and collect shells.</td></tr>
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It was the most relaxing vacation I have taken in a very long time. To add to the relaxation it was a recovery week, so my workouts were less and Terri went running with me and arranged for me to be able to swim at the local JCC.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Because down the shore everything's all right.</td></tr>
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It's never enough time at the shore, but all good things must come to an end and I packed up and headed to Michele's.<br />
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Being a good triathlete, I traveled with all my gear (and then some). I also found 2 races I could do while up north. The New Jersey State Triathlon was last weekend and they have a Double Down option: Sprint on Saturday, Olympic on Sunday. Not being able to pick just one, I signed up for both. Not nearly the Dopey ideas I've had in the past. It's a local race for Michele and she sherpa'd in the most excellent way!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo cred - Michele. Thanks to Central Jersey Tri Club for the hospitality!</td></tr>
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Saturday was the sprint and thanks to a training teammate, I was able to race in Green for the first time ever. Coach's directions for the race: Swim controlled just short of really pushing it. On the bike and run... GO! Push and then push more and hold on. I'm a trained/training long course athlete. It's different. But man, this one was fun! Maybe because it's the largest sprint tri in NJ. Maybe because the course was pretty much flat compared to anything I get to run or ride at home. Whatever, it was a GREAT DAY! My swim was non-eventful except for my first kick to the face. 500 meters: 12:22.<br />
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The bike was 11 miles and FLAT! I rode big ring the whole loop. Clock time: 33:28. (20ish MPH!!!), at about 90% of my FTP.<br />
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A triathlete cannot claim they had a fantastic ride unless they can back it up on the run. So it was time to run. I went out as quick as I could while still feeling in control. My first mile was a 9:14. The bar had been set. Now I needed to hold on. The second mile was 9:18. Wrong direction. I made the decision to leave it all out there and finished mile 3 with a 9:03 and a finishing kick at 8:19 to cross the finish line. Official time was 28:29.<br />
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My official sprint (500m swim, 11 mile ride, 5k run) time was 1:19:49 earning me top 20% in my age group.<br />
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I've been working my butt off and boy did it pay off Saturday. The next question: Could I repeat a similar effort with the Olympic on Sunday.<br />
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After an incredible dinner with Michele's family consisting of amazing Jersey produce, we got to sleep early-ish for a Sunday 0500 alarm. Back to Mercer County Park for the Olympic distance.<br />
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The swim was also non-noteworthy. I got through it. Same directions from coach as Saturday. 1500 meters: 41:12. I think this might be my fastest olympic swim to date, but I'm not positive.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Cred Michele. </td></tr>
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The bike was a double loop of Saturday's ride. A little crowded at moments with it being a double loop, but completely manageable. Directions from coach: try to hold on to similar watts as yesterday, if need drop down 10%. 25ish miles 1:17:57 (18+ mph: absolutely my fastest Olympic split evah!) and about 85% of my FTP. Coach and I chatted and he thinks I can get that effort up just a bit more.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aero and a smile!</td></tr>
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Again: I don't get to claim I had a great bike if I can't back it up with a great run. Off on the run. Directions: Find your legs in the first mile, then go! I settled in on the first mile but was a little quick on the clock. I think it was mostly shaded. The sun came out and I settled in a bit, but I was watching my pace slow down: 9:40, 9:47, 9:48, 9:50. NOT the plan. I knew I was going to need to dig in for the last 1.2 miles as I had decided that I WAS going to run a sub-60 10k. Last mile was 9:29 with my final kick at 8:31. Earning me an official time of 59:17 for 6.2 miles!<br />
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Overall my Olympic time was 3:04:17 which I think is a distance PR by 10 minutes and a top 1/3 spot in my age group. Thrilled I backed up Saturday's effort with this result. Thrilled to see that all the effort I've been putting in is paying off. Just plain old thrilled with the entire weekend!<br />
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Lastly!!! It's time for me to start sending weekly emails and putting up Facebook posts again. I'm returning to the Marine Corp Marathon in October in DC to run with The Kyle Pease Foundation. This year's running partner is Naomi. If you've been thinking about making a donation, now would be the perfect time. <a href="https://www.crowdrise.com/team-naomi-kpfmcm17/fundraiser/shawnablock">Just click HERE</a>! Please help us reach our fundraising goal to #RunwiththeMarines!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naomi loves representing Walking with K. Peasey!<br />
(so do I!)</td></tr>
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<br />Shawna Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10742472057600356938noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285056647483576679.post-52504041186261921992017-05-23T14:44:00.004-07:002017-05-23T14:44:42.758-07:00The DYNAmic Race...Last week in a fit of fingers, I punched out probably my shortest blog ever: <a href="http://buildingblockblog.blogspot.com/2017/05/its-called-race.html">It's Called a Race...</a> and yesterday, I completed that race: Ironman Chattanooga, 70.3. For those of you short on time, I'll tell you right now I totally CRUSHED the Shawna Block division! For those of you with time on your hands, read on. (It's long, but there are pictures.)<br />
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<a href="http://buildingblockblog.blogspot.com/2016/09/">Ironman Augusta 70.3 in 2016</a> didn't quite go as planned. In a post race fog and after a visit to the doctor's office, I registered for Chat 70.3. Some of you may remember that I have put off early season races in the past as lacrosse season keeps me busy and exhausted. This spring, even with less reffing, was no different. This time around, Coach and I had to figure out how the travel and stress of coaching a team would wear on me as it did very much, at different points.</div>
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I didn't feel prepared for this 70.3. I felt like I had barely been on my bike outside (maybe 3 rides over 50 miles). As a matter of . fact, in my race plan, Coach put: You are ready. Direct quote. It's like he knows me or something.</div>
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It was an easy trip up to Chat on Friday and I was able to check in, get the usual swag shopping and be done with Athlete Village. I always grab a water bottle, pint glass, mug, and a race t-shirt. Speaking of which, if anyone has an extra Chat 70.3 water bottle, one of my friends lost her's on the bike and would love to buy it from you.</div>
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Friday night I did what I always do, I made sure I really had everything I needed to race. If I am missing something, this gives me a chance to have someone bring it to me from home or go buy it. I had everything I meant to pack.</div>
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With athlete check-in completed all I needed to do was get a quick ride and run in to make sure my bike was in order for Sunday. My original plan was to pop the bike on my trainer and spin it out for 25 minutes, but after chatting with some <a href="http://www.dynamomultisport.com/">Dynamo</a> teammates Friday night; Karen and I decided to drive out on to the course for a quick spin. We got to the parking lot as Joseph, Kyra, and Thomas were wrapping up and Katie was getting there to start. Quick chats and then Karen and I rolled out. I start going through my gears and drop from big ring to little ring and my chain drops. I try to spin it back up and my pedals are LOCKED. We are maybe .25 miles from the car. We walk back in and Joseph asks if I have a flat. I said no, it's my chain. He took a look at it and we all agreed I was heading straight back to the Athletes' Village to the <a href="http://www.quintanarootri.com/">Quintana Roo</a> tent. </div>
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See the chain almost makes a 90 degree turn between links and it isn't even close to where it belongs on the cassette? QR swiftly and calmly took care of my bike, but I used the word f@ck many, many times.</div>
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I called Coach on my drive back to town and he reminded me this is why we wake up early and check everything out, just in case. After I took my bike in, he called back to check in and he told me while I waited to check out <a href="https://markmanson.net/not-giving-a-fuck">The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F@ck</a>. I assured him, many f@cks were shared.</div>
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Karen came back from her ride confirming her bike was race ready and I popped out with her for a short run. Then back to QR. A new chain and Sam, the QR mechanic/tech had me ready roll. A quick 5 minute ride in and out of all the gears, and I agreed.<br />
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Saturday night I coordinated dinner for a few friends and then by chance a few more joined in.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhriCAxpjv-Nzrv-lfTdMByKd0759IfXSOnSLcjTVaJUtKgX2iLO4Co-W_Y3Ei84VeA9ss6znTIsowx6e-ovswTpYftpkqRQ543F17nWPAi3u3h01qSdFVT3v_DUzk6ikOyxl_w__kfIDQo/s1600/sat+dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhriCAxpjv-Nzrv-lfTdMByKd0759IfXSOnSLcjTVaJUtKgX2iLO4Co-W_Y3Ei84VeA9ss6znTIsowx6e-ovswTpYftpkqRQ543F17nWPAi3u3h01qSdFVT3v_DUzk6ikOyxl_w__kfIDQo/s320/sat+dinner.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo cred: Nadya D.</td></tr>
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Over dinner we were able to discuss the possible scenarios for tomorrow's race. The weather forecast had been crap and we had no idea what we would really wake up to. Possible options if the storms that were to roll in Saturday night lingered through the morning:<br />
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<ul>
<li>cancel the race</li>
<li>cancel the swim</li>
<li>delay the start</li>
<li>shorten the swim</li>
<li>race as scheduled</li>
</ul>
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Having been through <a href="http://buildingblockblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/ironman-florida-part-2.html">IMFL 2014</a>, the weather was the least of my concern. There was nothing I could do about it. However, as we had already discussed when Coach called, we did need extra nutrition/calories with us at the swim start in case we were delayed so as to stay on top of our fueling needs for the day. Fun dinner with friends and then time to get ready and try to get some sleep.<br />
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Race morning went about uneventful (no rain!), except that I kept feeling like I was missing something, transition went too smoothly. Or maybe, I'm getting good at this. Still unsure of the weather, I set out my bike needs, but left all my run needs in a ziplock bag.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGCEAgMJHYLlYNOgauLV9EMNm9nKCx5Alztyy0PvWKvovM7x5RB5b8Y8520zuxZikQMQ030NaK1GP6fT8POJw94ZPpbUt-tzdtkZBmQuDswBlGRi7RCM80mfb2Hi0TEFq_DRpslHNneI-/s1600/swim+start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGCEAgMJHYLlYNOgauLV9EMNm9nKCx5Alztyy0PvWKvovM7x5RB5b8Y8520zuxZikQMQ030NaK1GP6fT8POJw94ZPpbUt-tzdtkZBmQuDswBlGRi7RCM80mfb2Hi0TEFq_DRpslHNneI-/s320/swim+start.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swim start as the sun began to rise</td></tr>
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We hopped on the bus to take us up to swim start and we got in line with other Dynamo teammates. A little close to the front for me. OK, a lot close to the front for me. However it was great to spend the morning with familiar faces and chatting the time away. The pros launched first and after they did, there was a longer than usual delay. They were changing the course. Instead of swimming up river to 2 right turns and down river, we were going to swim across and then down. It made the course about .9 miles instead of 1.2. I think without the change, I'd be typing this blog from the river.<br />
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The river was WILD!!! I average 1:30ish/100 yds. My training average is 2:25/2:30. Holy crap was the river moving. I didn't enjoy the swim. As a matter of fact there were many times I was in a deep scary place in my head wondering if I was going to get through it. I was getting the crap beat out of me (which I knew was going to happen) and I couldn't catch my breath. I tried breathing on every right stroke. I tried breathing on every left stroke. I tried bilaterally breathing. I could hear Maria's voice to keep my head down and still on the breath and I couldn't as I think I was drinking most of the Tennessee River. Still not sure how there is water left to flow.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_CL840ixuhYSh8XUQ9x-0BHWBe0Ju1xzZGlDPgu6PvKV0QIsu4lLO7JlPu7AUrhmH_NyWGNml6Yv-M1ink_uZZPLg28yjCFzX_b1XFjc_qhW9mK87U4ojDBI33WEoc25FpJCgwVGGJ3k/s1600/out+of+the+swim.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_CL840ixuhYSh8XUQ9x-0BHWBe0Ju1xzZGlDPgu6PvKV0QIsu4lLO7JlPu7AUrhmH_NyWGNml6Yv-M1ink_uZZPLg28yjCFzX_b1XFjc_qhW9mK87U4ojDBI33WEoc25FpJCgwVGGJ3k/s320/out+of+the+swim.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dazed, confused, and thankful to be done!</td></tr>
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With my wetsuit off, it was time to start the climb to T1. On the way, I felt like a freaking rockstar! So many cheers from Dynamo teammates and coaches and from friends on both sides of the fences. Having a not so common name, I knew they were yelling for me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCxuSpiSwbjs1Yax6zVaZzDA4J0PFDJX900eyF1RvAlSOLwwNsZWtNFo9L59VQ5nisI9J2ucEIKJ4A8CM4Ogz9rAUr4fNgMnQwpqYkMEhSlIZpZ7oDGJ0X7R7jfjkZmixLwgoGsbBXu5M/s1600/swim+exit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCxuSpiSwbjs1Yax6zVaZzDA4J0PFDJX900eyF1RvAlSOLwwNsZWtNFo9L59VQ5nisI9J2ucEIKJ4A8CM4Ogz9rAUr4fNgMnQwpqYkMEhSlIZpZ7oDGJ0X7R7jfjkZmixLwgoGsbBXu5M/s320/swim+exit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So very happy to be on dry land! Photo cred: Andrew N.</td></tr>
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As always, Coach had given me a race plan. This time, I was making a solid effort to follow it. On the swim, I modified the plan to "Don't get pulled out of the water!". It was time for the bike. I was going to be riding primarily by heart rate, but I also had some power numbers to reference. My power meter on my bike is still wonky. Determined to make this work, I put a crib sheet on my bike. Winner winner! The stickers stuck for the entire ride.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrbBlCWo8WgnNEbTfydkwpauKHWQdWTOzElO6XL7CcJxMCUSeqHMGojjCmkDUq4YKm5oBNihDO0-GGg7wqeM8Ie24HLTlILbTJUMZzMZq11Hez-bmFhO1Td9Q7jRwOFTbvWp7gQjRQJmHS/s1600/bike+notes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrbBlCWo8WgnNEbTfydkwpauKHWQdWTOzElO6XL7CcJxMCUSeqHMGojjCmkDUq4YKm5oBNihDO0-GGg7wqeM8Ie24HLTlILbTJUMZzMZq11Hez-bmFhO1Td9Q7jRwOFTbvWp7gQjRQJmHS/s320/bike+notes.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I also added some additional reminders to the stem for my ride: SMILE, LET'S DO THIS!, and WE CHAT THIS.</td></tr>
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As I left on my bike, it really hit me hard that I needed to pee. Seriously, I needed to go. Beside being hydrated, I told you I drank half the river! I have never peed on my bike. Never. Ever. OMG, I had to go! I kept thinking if I stuck to my hydration plan, eventually, I would basically wet my pants and it would be all over. At mile 15, I couldn't take it anymore. <i>I regret to inform everyone, I stopped on the bike and peed in a port-a-potty.</i> I'm still hanging my head in shame, and was sufficiently tongue-lashed by 2 of Dynamo's finest after the race. Moving on....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEick_eYG_fYHwYHUo1HrgX7brawdFPF_PzFMx622bpzjbuAhddlSimGx3YpF0KRgwEMfjlyvfjLq2NUQFCa2xtUxCulq_BVWeVUQyFDbNVksuB8mbHQsGG-JqjOcBibGf7FiN_Y8qi5MSdR/s1600/bike+out.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEick_eYG_fYHwYHUo1HrgX7brawdFPF_PzFMx622bpzjbuAhddlSimGx3YpF0KRgwEMfjlyvfjLq2NUQFCa2xtUxCulq_BVWeVUQyFDbNVksuB8mbHQsGG-JqjOcBibGf7FiN_Y8qi5MSdR/s320/bike+out.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was trying to cross my legs on the bike, but it just didn't help.</td></tr>
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The bike was great. I rode with Jesse for a few and then he pulled away. A few miles later Fred caught me. We chatted for a brief moment and then he took off. I was really happy to see Fred and get to say hello since he saved me from a DNF in Augusta last year. I was rapidly, seriously I couldn't believe the splits I was putting up, approaching the toughest climb of the day: Andrews. I knew it was coming after I saw mile marker 25 on the ground. I looked down at my bike and thought: Let's do this! I got my gearing right and up I went! At the top was an EMS vehicle, I asked them if they had oxygen for us. They just laughed.<br />
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I was/am so very happy with this ride. I averaged 18.2 mph and my average cadence was 83rpms. This means I actually RODE the ride. I pedaled. I kept my head in the ride and kept my legs turning over. Y'all! I train at about 15-15.5 mph. It was the absolute PERFECT weather to ride! I followed the plan, I came back in a little faster than I went out. More fun: I hit 39 mph on one of the descents: WHEEEEEEEEEE! Nutrition I alternated between Cliff Shot Blocks and <a href="http://haileyintraining.blogspot.com/2013/10/salty-balls.html">Salty Balls</a>.<br />
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Interesting bit of information I found out today when having the wheels switched back: <i>My back wheel was rubbing my frame the entire ride. </i>Surprise! Ugg. Still so very happy with my ride!<br />
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T2. Dry socks, running shoes, hat, and decide to skip the sunglasses. As I turn the corner to run out I see Nick from when I got my USAT certification. I give him a big hug and Jason runs past me and yells some trash talk. I left Nick and took about 5 steps towards Jason and wised up, fast! Bye-bye Jason.<br />
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Now the fun starts! The run is when the spectators really get to be involved. Special thanks to Atlanta Track Club, ITL, Peak Racing, Endurance House, BTA, TriCoachGeorgia, the women from Ironwilled who said hi, and so many friends who were out there cheering and taking pictures. (I hope I didn't miss anyone!)<br />
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This is my third season training with Brent and Dynamo Multisport and really my first team race. I've done the same race as other teammates, but not in this volume. We had 35+ athletes on the course and I think just as many cheering from the sidelines. It was amazing to see everyone in action and be supported throughout the course by coaches and teammates from beginning to end.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimqgXkPKTAqohQHUBiq4Xi02bsJfaPrs14gIT0I2ruQuxHBvSd4ZtzFhaP39t1oShZupwm5ReK79TcJoWglcSIYtP_uqj1EEia1VWLcCC_08w83n8e51xAqkNpRNBOlqE7o436U2YjjUgw/s1600/dynacheer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimqgXkPKTAqohQHUBiq4Xi02bsJfaPrs14gIT0I2ruQuxHBvSd4ZtzFhaP39t1oShZupwm5ReK79TcJoWglcSIYtP_uqj1EEia1VWLcCC_08w83n8e51xAqkNpRNBOlqE7o436U2YjjUgw/s320/dynacheer.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Cred: David X of ITL</td></tr>
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I came out of T2 and Coach told me to get moving and keep going. LOL... his race plan said don't go out too fast. Keep it contained. I followed the plan and got my feet under me. I also needed to stop at the first aid station to fill my water bottles.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9-kHXofxfD2QK-6RZwD6q98FRq2R70OBIYiQX7CfReNTN-GXs9htxVXwSMaCZdaX6CIV9XKG0FsMC-WZkByy8aX5Wvl-PYpPYJVfLDqHJiVnxQsuZT3QlI4bEBADOdCjygGOzFCfXpNV/s1600/atc+corner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9-kHXofxfD2QK-6RZwD6q98FRq2R70OBIYiQX7CfReNTN-GXs9htxVXwSMaCZdaX6CIV9XKG0FsMC-WZkByy8aX5Wvl-PYpPYJVfLDqHJiVnxQsuZT3QlI4bEBADOdCjygGOzFCfXpNV/s320/atc+corner.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another great pic from Andrew</td></tr>
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The run had a bunch of out and backs and which allowed me to see lots of people. The first loop went well. I was feeling good about my pacing and my running. Usually I get through the run by going aid station to aide station and walking each one. That was not the plan this year. Heck, the last two 70.3s I did I got through the run barely! This year I ran through almost all the aide stations or only paused long enough to refill bottles. 1 to drink, 1 to pour on my head and body.<br />
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My fueling strategy was a gel at miles 3, 6, 9, and 11. Mile 3 chirped and I was fine. I felt fine. I wan't hungry. I was good. And then I kicked myself in the butt and took the gel. I reminded myself I had to stay ahead of the game or I would fall apart. I stuck with this plan through mile 9. At mile 11, I took in Gatorade as I wanted nothing to do with a gel.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOPNZOJE8axVZYDDKU5siHIW1_AIeXt613PGpAUVc2nRkZNTf2-0yqI0J44eBh3YQvubMCKxE6qPraL60E5kxo1XYxDQrrvaFD9nzK14kvgyYvrTEvsepcFfcRFPOX0HxExySP8_WCL2W/s1600/dynamo+run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOPNZOJE8axVZYDDKU5siHIW1_AIeXt613PGpAUVc2nRkZNTf2-0yqI0J44eBh3YQvubMCKxE6qPraL60E5kxo1XYxDQrrvaFD9nzK14kvgyYvrTEvsepcFfcRFPOX0HxExySP8_WCL2W/s320/dynamo+run.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Race plan said to smile. So I did, as much as I could. Photo Cred: Tanya U.</td></tr>
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I have voluncheered this race for the past 2 years and it was incredible to be on the course. The first loop went well. I ran my first 3 miles contained as I was told. Then I tried to go a little bit more, but didn't succeed to well, but I do think I held on fairly well.<br />
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I crossed the bridge to start my second lap and Coach is there. He asks if I'm doing okay. I really didn't have a decent answer for him. I was fine. But I wasn't. Both knees and both ankles had really started to hurt. HURT.<br />
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So I didn't answer him, and kept running. I had thought back to the Subtle Art of Not Giving a F@ck, and had two choices: I could give a f@ck about the pain, or I could not. See it was going to hurt if I walked 17 minute miles or it was going to hurt if I ran 11ish minute miles. With 7 miles left to go, the math was easy. There were no f@cks to give about how much I hurt. The hurt was inevitable, focusing on it was not.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDejHYz2eKxSCb-QBnRRUyAVSJp8zVfdOpHfmr_ESVTIDRSKQzoIxH4-3-Hx2kZMkL6K3Aog6NDu_O_h48JA4gUiCkq8wxc5h1zZjRDMcJkZwvPboliNmDfi4_RTHwQP393Ha_22wMhyUZ/s1600/run.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDejHYz2eKxSCb-QBnRRUyAVSJp8zVfdOpHfmr_ESVTIDRSKQzoIxH4-3-Hx2kZMkL6K3Aog6NDu_O_h48JA4gUiCkq8wxc5h1zZjRDMcJkZwvPboliNmDfi4_RTHwQP393Ha_22wMhyUZ/s320/run.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
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There is so much support on the run. Familiar faces at every turn. Friends on the course. Friends cheering. It was truly an incredible day. The volunteers were amazing as always.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxj7KAoIQuwND5NnEkHshOLGNWiMZz8MP46oEEm87AK6DDHfrFVD5o6OO3WBEr4Tr0ELZQQVI7a0zm5C8hXsR4utLEZU0dNxc9BeZt4vd5cjr9ri3CIt5MNmIXJBgWCgDW9upX9Kie5VH7/s1600/chat+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxj7KAoIQuwND5NnEkHshOLGNWiMZz8MP46oEEm87AK6DDHfrFVD5o6OO3WBEr4Tr0ELZQQVI7a0zm5C8hXsR4utLEZU0dNxc9BeZt4vd5cjr9ri3CIt5MNmIXJBgWCgDW9upX9Kie5VH7/s320/chat+bridge.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last cheer from Coach to finish strong.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'm a headcase in case you are new around here. I think what I am most proud about from this race is that I took a really tough start (struggling with the swim) and turned it around. I stayed mentally tough the entire route. I cheered on me. I cheered on others. I smiled. A lot.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgau0LxmZAU9UZXy4evcih5UDDN3Xazcd7W4x8cn6jsjiTBHDjEofAh3TVZH7gCIGUB-LXM3h3lJqQ2noYrwSHAhGeryRs30u_ki9LwV-ICPnqvFUOnEJItXtGzHjyfJOjtr0bycUrb8A9R/s1600/final+push.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgau0LxmZAU9UZXy4evcih5UDDN3Xazcd7W4x8cn6jsjiTBHDjEofAh3TVZH7gCIGUB-LXM3h3lJqQ2noYrwSHAhGeryRs30u_ki9LwV-ICPnqvFUOnEJItXtGzHjyfJOjtr0bycUrb8A9R/s320/final+push.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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I turned the final corner and surprised everyone with the timing of my arrival. And it was time to go! I pushed the best I could down the final down hill and am not sorry at all to the people I passed in the finish shoot.<br />
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It's really hard to compare races to each other as the terrain and weather greatly impact everything every year. The last time I completed a 70.3 successfully (no melt downs on the run) was <a href="http://buildingblockblog.blogspot.com/2014/09/part-1-of-2-race.html">Augusta 70.3 in 2014.</a> In 2014 I was about 5 weeks out from a full Ironman. I had already completed a few 7-8 hour workouts. This year I'm just about to start those training days. Anyway: On a much tougher course: my bike was faster this year and my run was not only slightly faster, but much more consistent.<br />
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<div>
This weekend would not have been nearly as amazing without the endless support and encouragement of my coach and project manager (2 different people as I've been told, no one can handle both roles), my sherpa, Kris my overly patient cycling companion, and Karen who knows how I feel about her.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjplYo_BcHWfkw0028TxNaZcufWr-M2ZLDPfptGjZ0tIpSNpID0dioToaUdxkpGBV9cXvp3vfcteoIoKCLCXCjg4-_I-Qdo6OrKlbo5LC-Pc7UZAzpeddkvOdthHweA-llArws6jI7EUG9q/s1600/karen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjplYo_BcHWfkw0028TxNaZcufWr-M2ZLDPfptGjZ0tIpSNpID0dioToaUdxkpGBV9cXvp3vfcteoIoKCLCXCjg4-_I-Qdo6OrKlbo5LC-Pc7UZAzpeddkvOdthHweA-llArws6jI7EUG9q/s320/karen.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#wechatthis #NFQS</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you have read to the end, thank you for being part of a my amazing support network who continue to help me accomplish just a wee bit more everyday. I love the triathlon community and race day just brings out the best in everyone.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAnURkWkwo-lBjKsOQC2uBlSIZSCPPNuR86h1JqyuzXs7p07AlW5VuCkTupVxd0BYnSDfHSEjdjMZeXC4cQ8JUw2UeQcC4h6zdVX5FWrYe9wg1-Erk_mC6MXC0aZCIizxWf-dUzDqt1Ot/s1600/chat+stats.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAnURkWkwo-lBjKsOQC2uBlSIZSCPPNuR86h1JqyuzXs7p07AlW5VuCkTupVxd0BYnSDfHSEjdjMZeXC4cQ8JUw2UeQcC4h6zdVX5FWrYe9wg1-Erk_mC6MXC0aZCIizxWf-dUzDqt1Ot/s320/chat+stats.png" width="298" /></a></div>
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Next up are a couple tris in New Jersey while I'm on vacation and then Ironman Chattanooga and another go at the Marine Corp Marathon in October.</div>
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Shawna Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10742472057600356938noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285056647483576679.post-52135722204395389132017-05-17T15:13:00.002-07:002017-05-17T15:13:57.226-07:00It's Called a Race....Triathlon season is in full swing. Each weekend there is a race whether it is a sprint or a 70.3 (soon the 140.6s will start). The usual Facebook posts go up on Wednesday: Who is racing (fill in the blank)?<div>
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<div>
The responses follow. People check in as to who is racing and who is volunteering and who is cheering.</div>
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And then the comments start to go like this:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>I'll be there</li>
<ul>
<li>Are you racing?</li>
</ul>
<li>I'm participating. I wouldn't call it racing.</li>
</ul>
<div>
Raise your hand if you are guilty of down playing your race? Me!!! Me!!! I'm right here!!! I truly JUST had this conversation on Facebook about 20 minutes ago. Why? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Why the hell did I just down play my participation in a race this weekend? I'm not ill. I'm not injured. I'm not unprepared. Hell, I've been busting my butt since December. I thoroughly enjoyed my off-season of November, but then it was back it. 6 days a week. 7 days a week. Early mornings to get it done before long travel days. </div>
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Is it because I fall into that whole comparison thing? Am I thinking I'm not really racing because I'm not as fast as those other people? So they get to race and I don't? I just participate. Screw that. </div>
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Truth: I'm not as fast as them and they will beat me across the finish line. But I am racing! I'm racing the voices in my head. I'm racing the doubts in my mind. I'm racing the ache in my lungs. I'm racing the soreness in my legs. I'm racing. </div>
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Coach gave me a race plan. No where is it called a "participation" plan. So that's what I plan to work with on Sunday: my race plan.</div>
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I will finish well behind some and I will finish well ahead of others. When I finish if I have followed my race plan to the best of my ability on that given day, then I win. I will have won the Shawna Block division and that is the only one I am competing in.</div>
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Looking forward to seeing everyone racing, cheering, and volunteering on Sunday in Chattanooga!</div>
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I'm bib 1276 if you are looking to cheer from afar.</div>
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Shawna Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10742472057600356938noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285056647483576679.post-18412322285665239902017-02-23T19:39:00.001-08:002017-02-23T19:39:52.956-08:00Why Did You Do That?Seems I haven't written in a while and some of you missed me.....Here's my attempt at making sense and explaining some of what's been going on in my world.<br />
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I have finally been taking action in my life. Hell, I'm almost 43. It's about time.<br />
<br />
Since my last blog so much has happened.<br />
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I quit my job. I didn't have another one lined up. Many kept asking: What are you going to do? I would reply that I didn't know, but I would figure it out. I'd land on my feet. I always do eventually. (I was going to work seasonal retail then referee full time and give myself time to find a job.)<br />
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Why did I quit the job I had? It didn't make me happy. I wasn't fulfilled as a person. It was a job not a career. I dreaded Sunday nights because it meant I had to go to work on Monday. I had figured out I enjoyed being a happy person and this job didn't promote that.<br />
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My elective retirement from the work force lasted 2 weeks. On my last week of work I ended up with an interview and a <a href="http://gopetrels.com/sports/wlax/2016-17/releases/20161129lyddiy">job offer that I accepted</a>.<br />
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Maybe it's still the honeymoon phase, but I love my job. What I'm doing matters to me and to those I interact with. When I meet new people and they ask what I do, I'm proud to say that I am a college coach. Is everything perfect? Oh hell no. I mean it is a job. But it's a career combining my love and passion: I work with people in sports! When I go home at night I know I made a difference in the world and not just by killing a tree through use of paper. I can only hope that in 21 years, some of my players still think about me the way I remember my college coach. The work can be tough and draining. It can be exhausting and the hours long and the pay could be more. Most important though, is my quality of life right now is through the roof!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzMK6m0YZX-MDYn6SN2C5yO-3k887LtfT_H3yN66-CA9-rJ6nX286gVNsiEs9LCSN3DWHXal_HwxX8ZoSv5vc_xlJwE-ZZhkrvr_rZLiPHGWV9fzE1r25Ycn_W-mYnQmE1qsbaZm4Tg72/s200/16602612_10212515896841213_6219177696163290282_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="193" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out the high light reel of our first game. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kPO4r7Ai5g">Click here</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span id="goog_68916699"></span><span id="goog_68916700"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a></div>
Seriously. through the roof. I wear fitness gear to work. I have time to complete my workouts. I like my team. I still stress sometimes because, HELLO!, have you met me? There are a ton of moving parts off the field I'm still trying to figure out, but it's coming around.<br />
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I dropped 100 or so people off my Facebook account. I failed miserably off staying off FB for a month and I'm really okay with that. I never should have entered the bet because I like FB. Most of my friends live there and that's how I know what they are up too. I've almost mastered the "scroll past" technique of posts that I don't agree with, upset me, etc. Almost. Sometimes I still weigh in. I still have too many folks on my page, but it was a start. I dropped people I didn't know. People I couldn't remember why or how we were connected. I dropped some people I know in real life. Through a typo, a friend liked my word: epolitics (electronic politics). I had left these people on my page because we traveled in the same circles and for social-political reasons, we had stayed "friends". The truth of the matter is: we aren't friends. I'm a lot of personality and many people (so I'm told) enjoy my company. Some don't. Often, whichever the case may be, the feeling is mutual. If we aren't friends in real life, we don't need to be friends on Facebook. Why did I decide I'm done with the epolitics: because I'm not in high school any more and I'm okay not being cool.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJKy-pRgeNN1Bu7kqmfmYWMAuRSI76o2yIt0sX1B8t_q9Nc1jZlP9xD0FAImp6mUFdsco5p5nmzkFszVEYpMt4yUJcFwdnHPfuHwQK822NxpJ3JfHlCkOPk-JOXKYLtmGtI96VQTz8PvPM/s1600/536ea2655afb6fec364d84bef2b5c449600a72c9ea64bcd4e382d7d57922fbe9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJKy-pRgeNN1Bu7kqmfmYWMAuRSI76o2yIt0sX1B8t_q9Nc1jZlP9xD0FAImp6mUFdsco5p5nmzkFszVEYpMt4yUJcFwdnHPfuHwQK822NxpJ3JfHlCkOPk-JOXKYLtmGtI96VQTz8PvPM/s200/536ea2655afb6fec364d84bef2b5c449600a72c9ea64bcd4e382d7d57922fbe9.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Somethings never change.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I signed up for a couple of triathlons. Why? Because everyone I know does them. I'm KIDDING!!! That's a HORRIBLE/no good/VERY BAD reason. I enjoy it. I enjoy the company I get to keep while training and getting ready. I LOVE race day. (Not the week leading up to race day when I'm completely positive I'm under prepared and there is no possible way I could get it done.) I love being amazed by what my body can do. I LOVE finish lines! I'm hoping and planning on fundraising for the KPeasey Foundation and pushing for the Marine Corp Marathon again. Why? Because I can. Because I am physically able to help someone become a marathoner who could never do it on their own.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdXzqKKe5pSsN4hQp-HNypAsVffyUJrXXk4qOtzRkIIW-pQUHYpnTA8oQKIwrbkGFyjUMLurAYQzKLq2EdeZXianA8GfWNIPOEXlYXdpHTfDu_rNuj5Gej-Ug7Q2tmluomSr04du8sE6nN/s1600/559567_240789720_XLarge+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdXzqKKe5pSsN4hQp-HNypAsVffyUJrXXk4qOtzRkIIW-pQUHYpnTA8oQKIwrbkGFyjUMLurAYQzKLq2EdeZXianA8GfWNIPOEXlYXdpHTfDu_rNuj5Gej-Ug7Q2tmluomSr04du8sE6nN/s200/559567_240789720_XLarge+%25281%2529.jpg" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For more information on supporting the KPeasey Foundation, <a href="http://www.kylepeasefoundation.org/">click here</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And last and definitely least: I tried dating again....still looking for a nunnery that will take me. Besides, if you've been following along, you know I'm on a dating moratorium until after my birthday. No one dumped me on my birthday (or the week of) last year which tops my birthday week in 2013, 2014, and 2015.<br />
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I hope you know your Why? and you are doing what makes you happy. If you aren't, why not?<br />
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<br />Shawna Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10742472057600356938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285056647483576679.post-3288464014212253752016-10-31T11:37:00.002-07:002017-10-25T12:05:06.746-07:00#MCMKPF16 - Marine Corp Marathon Kyle Pease Foundation 2016Triathlon and running is an inherently selfish sport. We, triathletes and runners, know this. We take time away from other endeavors, family, and muggle (non runner/triathlete) friends to train and recover.<br />
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I have been training for and competing in races purely for my enjoyment and satisfaction for five-six years now. That's really not that long of a time considering some of my friends have been involved in endurance sports for 20-some years. Anyway, I wanted to find a way to get more out of my hobby. How could I make it less selfish and more rewarding?<br />
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As 2015 progressed I learned more and more about the <span style="color: magenta;"><a href="http://www.kylepeasefoundation.org/">Kyle Pease Foundation</a>.</span> It's a great non-profit organization based out of the Atlanta, GA area that was founded by my coach, Brent, and his brother Kyle. Directly from their website:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The purpose of the Kyle Pease Foundation (KPF) is to create awareness
and raise funds to promote success for persons with disabilities by
providing assistance to meet their individual needs through sports.</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Programs
may include scholarship opportunities, purchasing of medical equipment
or adaptive sports equipment for others or contributing to other
organizations that provide similar assistance to disabled persons as
well as participating in educational campaigns to create awareness about
Cerebral Palsy and other disabilities.</blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcthodCJzSjjsXxslIx7vfwQ5wxSir42G3jz47jEUhE04DWPlwixwLohVU3d1rGRk1Ovl4tMhsw9X_CHcy4IvP2IEE9IMgitblT7mF9gqk3hYTidLgAASUSiVzWSzajhWQy3Qg2Hvwn15/s1600/index.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcthodCJzSjjsXxslIx7vfwQ5wxSir42G3jz47jEUhE04DWPlwixwLohVU3d1rGRk1Ovl4tMhsw9X_CHcy4IvP2IEE9IMgitblT7mF9gqk3hYTidLgAASUSiVzWSzajhWQy3Qg2Hvwn15/s200/index.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I told Brent I wanted to get involved with the KPF and he said, "Come run the Marine Corp Marathon (MCM) with us." Then he forgot. I didn't.<br />
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About 7 months ago, Helen posted on Facebook they were looking for a couple more runners for the 2016 MCM. I reached out to her and said I would like to. I also confirmed you didn't have to be fast, you just had to be able to finish. Fast I'm not; finish I do.<br />
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I received the official invite to join in on the fun and I began my fundraising. I was blown away by the generosity of my friends in swiftly helping me and Aidan (my running partner for MCM) reach our goals. With my minimum <span style="background-color: white;"> <span style="color: magenta;"><a href="https://www.crowdrise.com/aiden-and-shawna-run-with-the-marines/fundraiser/shawnablock">fundraising commitment</a></span></span> met, I could focus on my training.<br />
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Augusta 70.3 was my goal triathlon for the 2016 season and after finishing that, I could focus running and prepping for MCM which would be about 4 weeks later. However, <span style="color: magenta;"><a href="http://buildingblockblog.blogspot.com/2016/09/it-takes-village.html">Augusta</a></span> didn't go as planned as I ended up racing it with Bronchitis. Oops. I lost 7-10 days post race trying to recover from the event and the lung crud.<br />
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I am not the person that can just go do an event without training. I mean maybe my body would cooperate, but my mind doesn't. I was a bit worried about the marathon because I had only run one 16 mile run (which was split 8 before work, 8 after) and one 20 mile run in which I pretty much had a melt down at about mile 17-18.<br />
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How was I going to get through a marathon not for me but PUSHING another HUMAN!!! Aidan wasn't in DC to hear my excuses. He was there to run with the Marines!<br />
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RACE MORNING<br />
All the teams that were staying at the hotel met in the lobby at 5am and we piled into cars, vans, trucks, and an Uber to get over to the staging area for the run. Chairs were adjusted and the push athletes were set up. Aidan's mom choose the racing stroller type chair instead of the traditional race chair. We wanted him comfortable and well supported for the day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7PNZilnbnKVxxAaAVBIEi7NesUUc-WOKiI7XxgHh2GZ2beh7bhdgTarL-lN_ZM_lbbJ4f9nm53Qi1eIQfFODK1Br561nLxYVnc78LLHRLlsSWJN31H1OS0UMO6rsn1V3rod1K5dBMKTNC/s1600/14906991_10106161321010150_4766758796829785778_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7PNZilnbnKVxxAaAVBIEi7NesUUc-WOKiI7XxgHh2GZ2beh7bhdgTarL-lN_ZM_lbbJ4f9nm53Qi1eIQfFODK1Br561nLxYVnc78LLHRLlsSWJN31H1OS0UMO6rsn1V3rod1K5dBMKTNC/s320/14906991_10106161321010150_4766758796829785778_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The KPF and Ability Experience Athletes photo cred: J. Blackburn</td></tr>
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After a great group photo we made our way to the start line. There wasn't a lot of time to be in my head and besides, every time I walked past Helen I was given a pat on the back or an encouraging word. Brent had told me the night before to just go have fun.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvW9TlF26tcFKXF7WbhP2I7MV5bC_3u-Lm-TItf43cV9K0lI_7S1OpTaDVKnvYokM-C0D_X3gGMN5AueBAUsCwJmJAG_mc_IQjCLM6eCPOMyZO2L7Dbxux_H3h3ZHZuIKoza9wraC1z4rQ/s1600/14581499_1346279778715727_6711184640278129417_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvW9TlF26tcFKXF7WbhP2I7MV5bC_3u-Lm-TItf43cV9K0lI_7S1OpTaDVKnvYokM-C0D_X3gGMN5AueBAUsCwJmJAG_mc_IQjCLM6eCPOMyZO2L7Dbxux_H3h3ZHZuIKoza9wraC1z4rQ/s320/14581499_1346279778715727_6711184640278129417_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We started the race with good company, Team Naomi! photo cred: T. Hagman-Hicks </td></tr>
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And we were off. I had one objective: Get Aidan across the finish line. The first part of the course has some hills and running hills pushing is different than running hills. Fully understanding this and I made the decision to walk up all the hills and then hold on the best I could on the down. The support on the course from runners and spectators was absolutely amazing. Aidan and I were offered cheers and high-5s throughout the course.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6373BONX8vuHkxcIIYcJC-mBDlxTUjnCrGamjMo5DWrg_qI7jEUj1f5ZQVJjMost2LJrF0kkxy50SBDHsGFM_SuYDq7OljZjWPl3aY_rWkjekHSa2pZ0WM02kTkc7vtCS3KHoUzXtlEA/s1600/14915288_1576095479083004_5786251496998131450_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6373BONX8vuHkxcIIYcJC-mBDlxTUjnCrGamjMo5DWrg_qI7jEUj1f5ZQVJjMost2LJrF0kkxy50SBDHsGFM_SuYDq7OljZjWPl3aY_rWkjekHSa2pZ0WM02kTkc7vtCS3KHoUzXtlEA/s320/14915288_1576095479083004_5786251496998131450_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not going to lie, I'm not really sure where/when this is. Photo cred: J. Jackson</td></tr>
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More than one runner cleared space for us. Running ahead calling, "Wheels back. Wheels on the right. Wheels on the left." and if they didn't get a response (normally a runner with headphones too loud - a rant for another day.) they would tap them on the shoulder.<br />
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About half way through we saw Brent and crew. Jennifer (Aidan's mom) checked on him. Brent checked on me. I wasn't in a bad place, but I was calculating that still had 13 miles to go. I used this time to grab another gel, Brent used this time for a selfie.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJb8ExoPogw_hNHhwWbH1lhq9QSNrZXrwYkJLPWvzq-Ru_c2hY-En-X8LsaVbQz5HHgQhZjyvJ6ueOGWsNDmbiiO8GRIGtAeX1bNKJ-gu_B7ZnYPZ-wgFo3HGIbctCX6tfsiwXVN3HE4OC/s1600/14591622_1576095212416364_5278582922539955650_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJb8ExoPogw_hNHhwWbH1lhq9QSNrZXrwYkJLPWvzq-Ru_c2hY-En-X8LsaVbQz5HHgQhZjyvJ6ueOGWsNDmbiiO8GRIGtAeX1bNKJ-gu_B7ZnYPZ-wgFo3HGIbctCX6tfsiwXVN3HE4OC/s320/14591622_1576095212416364_5278582922539955650_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't know if I have ever felt more supported or loved than I did by this crowd.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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With Aidan checked on and in a good place, we took off knowing we'd see them at the finish.<br />
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We made it to mile 20 and things were okay. I was having some leg pain (knees and calves) and I knew that showering was going to hurt later but that didn't matter (OMG am I chafed!). I saw Aidan look up at me and I just dug a little deeper. I reminded myself why we were out there. When we were on the Blue Mile, I reminded myself and told Aidan, "We are running today because these men and women will never run again." <br />
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At some point in the second half, Megan caught up to me with her friend and she pushed for a few minutes giving me a chance to run upright and stretch a little. I then sent them on their way. Other people that I'd never met and may never interact with again offered to help push up a hill or clear room so I could keep running. The camaraderie among the runners was just as overwhelming as the support from the KPeasey families and support crew.<br />
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I have a horrible habit of underestimating myself. I thought Aidan and I would be out there for 6-7 hours. I really didn't know how it would go. It went so well that Helen said, "Don't take this the wrong way, but we didn't think we'd see you this soon." I think I laughed and replied, "I didn't think I'd see you this soon either!"<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPFU4oETVvOi3RPqmggjHyOX7qxXYbFl6XH8TEEMvNfwAfLDq0PS8JQ_Jidc0HbqVWgl7cWmp0Wx_kdpppYUd8uQJiKur2tjl8N2Poex_Tj_KEeUUiNnVUEWKsAsKxBwVt7pZdgOQ6hGtV/s1600/14900470_10157558983410618_1391378207307128943_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPFU4oETVvOi3RPqmggjHyOX7qxXYbFl6XH8TEEMvNfwAfLDq0PS8JQ_Jidc0HbqVWgl7cWmp0Wx_kdpppYUd8uQJiKur2tjl8N2Poex_Tj_KEeUUiNnVUEWKsAsKxBwVt7pZdgOQ6hGtV/s320/14900470_10157558983410618_1391378207307128943_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aidan's official splits. </td></tr>
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I think the best support sighting of the day was Brent, Helen, and Renee at about mile 26. Aidan and I were on the right side of the road, where we were most of the day and they were on the left. FAR left. I heard them yell for us and I some how got us across the entire road of runners to stop and say hi.<br />
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On to the finish, where yes, at MCM there is a hill at the finish. Thank you to the young Marine who verbally encouraged me to get up that hill.<br />
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And then we finished and Aidan WALKED across the finish line! Really! <span style="color: magenta;"><a href="http://www.csnmidatlantic.com/video/marine-corps-marathon-finish-line-53030-54030">Watch here</a></span>. We come into view about 5:33:57 on the race clock, 3:30 on the time line of the video. And if any of you who read this have video editing skills....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aidan was awarded his first marathon medal!</td></tr>
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The smiles are real. The discomfort of running and pushing 26.2 is nothing compared to Aidan smiling for his mom and enjoying his medal. Are my legs sore today like I ran a marathon, yup. Does it matter, nope. Aidan is a marathoner and no one can take that away from him.<br />
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Here is what I'd like you to take away from this: You don't have to be fast or a super athlete to give back and help out. You just have to want to. I was surrounded this weekend by amazing runners and triathletes who embraced me with open arms because I wanted to be part of this. Not one person asked me what my expected finish time would be and when we finished, no one asked what our time was.<br />
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If you'd like to support the Kyle Pease Foundation and learn more about everything they accomplished this year, join us at the <span style="color: magenta;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/318372945188239/">7th Annual Bowling with KPeasey Event</a></span>, a VERY family friendly affair.<br />
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If you kept meaning to donate to Aidan and my fundraising page and/or you are moved by our accomplishments on Sunday, please consider another small donation. <span style="color: magenta;"><a href="https://www.crowdrise.com/aiden-and-shawna-run-with-the-marines/fundraiser/shawnablock">CLICK HERE!</a></span> All funds donated are 100% tax deductible. My fundraising page will be open until next Monday, 11/7/16.<br />
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A huge thanks to Brent for being my coach, for getting me ready for this task, and believing in me to get Aidan across the finish line. There isn't enough pumpkin spice to thank Helen for her organization, endless supply of information, and support all weekend. Put me down for next year please!<br />
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P.S. If marathoning is on your list of things to do, The <a href="http://www.marinemarathon.com/">Marine Corp Marathon</a> should be at the top. Just like when I ran it in 2013, it was simply amazing.<br />
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<br />Shawna Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10742472057600356938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285056647483576679.post-10258671401588292942016-09-27T07:56:00.000-07:002016-09-27T07:56:33.316-07:00It Takes a Village....A month or so before Ironman Louisville 2015, I made the decision not to participate in anything longer than a 70.3 in 2016. My "A" race, the race I was going to be training for was going to be Ironman 70.3 Augusta.<br />
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Leading up to Augusta, I was oddly calm. I wasn't counting down to race day, nor was I agitated by other's countdowns. I didn't change my Facebook profile picture to my bib number. I had everything I needed for race day sorted out and ready to pack 3 days before I needed to leave. I had had some great runs leading up to taper. My last work out went well, REALLY well. I was ready.<br />
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The weekend before I flew in to Philadelphia to voluncheer at Ironman 70.3 Atlantic City. My good friend was going for her first. I had a travel voucher for Delta. I hadn't been home in a while. All good reasons to pop out of town for a couple of days.<br />
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It was a great trip and I was feeling great until Tuesday. As Tuesday rolled on, so did my "Taper Cold". I missed 2 days of work and instead of uploading data, I was reporting in my sleep and nap episodes:<br />
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I'm doing everything possible to rest, recover and get ready. Coach pulled workouts in favor of rest. I whined a little but followed directions. This resulted in my taper week being a total of 3 workouts: 2 short swims, and then Saturday before race I hopped on my bike for the first time in 8 days for 15 minutes and then trotted 8 minutes. I told Coach I was going to be the most rested athlete to jump in the river on Sunday!<br />
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Minimal to no improvement throughout the week. On Saturday I lost my voice. I still couldn't come up with a reason not to jump in the river. Some of you get this and some of you don't. That's okay.<br />
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I had little sleep Saturday night leading into race morning. That's not uncommon for many athletes, but it is for me. I can usually get about 5-6 straight hours of sleep. Not Saturday night, a couple hours and then coughing fits. A little bit more sleep, then coughing fits.<br />
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I woke up, grabbed my stuff and walked to the shuttle. My folks came to cheer and Dad's plan was to meet me at the flag pole at 7am. I left the room at about 5.<br />
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On the shuttle I sat right behind Lane and I had my first tears of the morning. I still can't figure out why. But they were there. A quick chat with Lane and we hear for the first time the swim isn't wetsuit legal. First time in Augusta 70.3 history.<br />
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Into transition to set up my area. Coach had a race plan for me that had heart-rate zones and power numbers. I had written it out and tucked it into a Ziploc bag to shove into my jersey for reference. Set up my bottles, my fuel, etc. Heard the official "no wetsuit" announcement. I could have worn my wetsuit but I would start in the last wave. I was not willing to give up my 8:04 start for 9:20. Besides, as I was reminded by coach: I am a swimmer. The wetsuit would have shaved 5-7 minutes off my swim, but I didn't <i>need</i> it. I packed up my backpack and headed to the flag pole.<br />
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Dad and I had no issues connecting and I was explaining what was going on and we were taking it all in. Caught up with lots of friends and a couple teammates to wish everyone well or see what they were wearing so to spot them on the run later.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My #1 fan.</td></tr>
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Presentation of the flag, national anthem, and the pros were off. Time for me to go huddle in my wave. Hug to dad (best sherpa of the day!) and I was gone. Saw a few Ironwilled ladies and lots of friends. Sabra says hi to me, and the tears flow again. Why? I couldn't figure out why I was so teary. Don't get me wrong, anyone who knows me knows I cry. One day I'll get my tear ducts under control but this weekend wasn't going to be it. Stacey comes up to me and gives me a hug. I get the tears to stop. Regroup and it's time to walk down the ramp.<br />
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The Swim:<br />
<b>Plan:</b> Go hard for about 2-300 yards, find your place, and then pull off a little, but keep swimming strong.<br />
<b>What happened:</b> I started a little too close to the front for my liking, but I held my place the best I could. Big arms, a bit of contact. One woman stroked across my leg and didn't just make contact, but grabbed my leg and pulled. The second time she did that I pulled in my leg, put it on her shoulder and pushed her away. Contact happens, but there is no need for me to feel like you are trying to pull me under. I swam strong and steady. Out of the water. Waves to Kris (the only person to give me a nickname and actually stick to it!) and my Dad. Came out of the water steady enough to trot up the ramp and continue a jog to my bike.<br />
<b>Take away</b>: I am not a fast swimmer, but I am strong and confident. I've learned how to and will protect my space on the swim.<br />
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T1: I felt good about this. A quick pause for another round of sunscreen. Socks, shoes, helmet, bike and out.<br />
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The Bike:<br />
<b>Plan</b>: Coach broke the ride into 3 segments.Each segment had power goals and hear-rate targets. I felt good about the plan. I thought it was something I could accomplish.<br />
<b>What happened</b>: When I got back to my bike, the Ziploc bag was no where to be found and the ink on my arm was smeared. I'd read the plan at least 5 times, so I knew it was: stay under control and find your legs, then push a bit, then push more. That's what I tried to do. I tried to stay on top of my water; at each aide station I would grab one bottle for my bike to drink and then another bottle to dump all over me. I didn't hit my power goals and my heart-rate was high; but as far as perceived effort, I felt like I was in the right place for the whole ride. With the exception of the discomfort (see next paragraph) I felt good about the data I was seeing every 5 miles. I truly tried to dig deep and stay focused for the last 8+ miles as it's a net downhill... free speed if I could keep pedaling!<br />
<b>Take away</b>: This wasn't the bike course I signed up for! There was a DOT detour so 2 additional climbs were added. I handled them fine, John Cobb says "comfort is speed". I am not comfortable on my bike. I'm comfortable riding a bike, but not MP. My knees started to hurt, my hoo-ha still hates me. It was <i>only</i> 56 miles. I should have been able to ride without such discomfort. I'm not going to gain any speed if I can't keep my cadence up because I'm shifting around in the saddle trying to find a spot that doesn't suck. Every time I stop pedaling, there goes pace. It is time to retire MP, he's a good man. It's not him, it's me. Merry Chrisma-kah to me!<br />
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<br />
T2: I had a picnic. I was in no rush. I walked my bike in. I took my time switching shoes. I grabbed my Dynamo Trucker hat, my fuel belt so I could always have water with me, and my race belt with my number. I walked to get sunscreen. I was trying to get my heart-rate down as I was high to start my run. Augusta has about .25 mile route in and out of transition. I walked all of it.<br />
<br />
The Run:<br />
<b>Plan</b>: I was given a plan I believed I could follow. That had me all in as opposed to going in with any doubts. I know it would be tough at the end, but it was supposed to be. It was time to race! Miles 1-3 nice and easy, Z1. Miles 4-10, kick it up a bit. Miles 11-12, more, what was left? Last mile: Dig deep, get it done.<br />
<b>What happened</b>: My wheels started to wobble maybe a mile in, maybe sooner. It is a 13.1 mile run. I stopped at the first aide station and had them fill my bottles. I started to run easy. Nice and easy, but it felt labored. It didn't feel good. It should have, dang it!<br />
<br />
I told myself to shift to aide station to aide station. That process has worked well for me in the past. Let's let it work for me now. Aide is about at every mile. This switched to 4-1, run 4, walk 1. A woman caught up to me and asked if I wanted to join her. I said YES! I hung for the first set, and then I let her go. At about mile 2 I came up to the TriCoachGeorgia and TriAugusta Tents. Lots of friends right there. I think I saw Darsh and then Danielle and I walked towards them and proceeded to have an epic melt down. Jeff saw it. Tears. More tears. I was having a physical and emotional melt down. I was not following my plan, I was having tons of doubts. I was thinking of a DNF. They gave me hugs and I moved on. I saw Tiffanie, who kindly did NOT take a picture of me at that moment. Then I saw Kristin. Probably my guardian angle for the entire race.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78UaiguDOkDERo3ycyy8sfhys-a6-ZbgA4YsWiSW0DX-CqdKy3EdYMTiC9pDfis7aS9Nx5rm10-SFEiwmBmTH5_66LuPBMaxiGjBHDJIZ8_s9uYbFwGDkHrU-iYKSYcyhGdBt1sCfbTwb/s1600/head+hang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78UaiguDOkDERo3ycyy8sfhys-a6-ZbgA4YsWiSW0DX-CqdKy3EdYMTiC9pDfis7aS9Nx5rm10-SFEiwmBmTH5_66LuPBMaxiGjBHDJIZ8_s9uYbFwGDkHrU-iYKSYcyhGdBt1sCfbTwb/s320/head+hang.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not my best moment of the race, but Kris caught them all.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Kristin asked what was up and I told her I had a blister in my foot. I hurt. Everything hurt. Right then Fred ran up to me on his second loop. He stopped. Heard me mention a blister. I took off my shoe and sock, Fred put Aquaphor on it. I put my sock/shoe back on. Both of them asked when I had eaten last. Through tears I told them, "I don't know". Fred opened a gel and I took it in. He then said let's go. And he stayed with me for about 2 miles. We posed for pictures, we stopped and talked to my folks. He had one of my bottles switched to Gatorade and I filled the other with water. He helped me pull myself together. I started to see Kris on the run course.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxeO7YW7Adn1icoAnmV5xeFAF7vkCZTArm3IIMtNo8ivkOEa5SbmRnyvZi-byw48ugh2f_JOJLKrIIYbfkd1mSAir68eteOobaTLqRmoXB9er14DOCyzixp5Vlhd5N4-9ziIIRoAB4P7EC/s1600/fred.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxeO7YW7Adn1icoAnmV5xeFAF7vkCZTArm3IIMtNo8ivkOEa5SbmRnyvZi-byw48ugh2f_JOJLKrIIYbfkd1mSAir68eteOobaTLqRmoXB9er14DOCyzixp5Vlhd5N4-9ziIIRoAB4P7EC/s320/fred.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucky and blessed to be part of the <a href="http://www.dynamomultisport.com/">Dynamo Team</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At about mile 3.5/4 ish Fred took off to finish his race. To be honest with myself, if not for the help of friends, Kristin and Fred specifically, I might have had my first DNF. I know this shocks those that know me really well, but I was really thinking about it. But then...what would I do with the swag that I bought? Just sayin'....<br />
<br />
I got my head together. I abandoned the plan and I created a new one. I needed to finish. There was not a real single reason I could come up with not too. I was sick, so what? It was hot, so what? Finish what you started.<br />
<br />
I needed a run interval I could succeed with. So as coach had told me going into this when we both realized I'd be racing sick, small chunks, Shawna, small chunks. And that's what I did. I stopped looking at my watch and I started looking around. Run to the red car, walk to the street light. Run to the street sign, walk at the white car. Rinse, repeat, keep moving forward. I stopped and hugged everyone I knew.<br />
<br />
And that's how the run went. Slow. Small chunks. It got done.<br />
<br />
At the turn to the finish, Doris caught up to me and said let's finish together. So we did. Holding hands and celebrating the finish line.<br />
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<br />
<br />
<b>Take away:</b> The only thing you can control on race day is your attitude (Thank you Stacy S. for the reminder). I let that go for a bit, but with the help of friends and calories I recovered it. And when the plan no longer works you find a way, and you get it done. There was zero, zero reason for me not to finish.<br />
<br />
My triathlon season is over for 2016. I had lots of ups and downs. I PR'd some races. I had some very tough training days. I'm thankful for it all. There will be more from this race for me to remember and reflect on. Lessons learned to take to next season. Two thoughts crept in to my head as I made it through the run: I should retire from long course and then I should retire from triathlon. Nah...I think I have decided on my first 70.3 for 2017.<br />
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<br />
<br />
I'm thankful.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>My parents were able to spend the weekend with me, my sister was cheering and watching the live feed from home. </li>
<li>My coaches, teammates, and friends believe in me, even when I fail/forget to believe in myself.</li>
<li>The triathlon community I've built around myself is the most amazing for taking care of each other. </li>
<li>I am physically able to do this stuff. I am healthy enough to continue working on my mental game.</li>
</ul>
<br />
Ironman 70.3 Augusta was not the race I trained for, but it was the race that I got. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MaccaLive/videos/p.10154539048067288/10154539048067288/?type=2&theater&notif_t=comment_mention&notif_id=1474938313519509">I will build on the experience for next year</a>. Now it's time to get back to my running roots as Marine Corp Marathon is in about 4 weeks. Aidan and I have work to do.<br />
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If you were considering donating to our fundraising efforts, it's not too late. <a href="https://www.crowdrise.com/aiden-and-shawna-run-with-the-marines/fundraiser/shawnablock">Click here for more information.</a><br />
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<br />Shawna Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10742472057600356938noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285056647483576679.post-92210401268921392252016-06-27T12:46:00.001-07:002016-06-27T13:27:35.490-07:00Not Much of a Trend Setter...It seems to be the current trend is to share everything on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and a few other social media outlets I'm not cool enough to understand. While it seems like everyone is over sharing, I'm sitting here thinking, "Do I really want that shared?" and I'm pulling back. (Before I get called out on my food posts to Instagram, those posts are for me, not you. I'm in a second round of Whole30, and posting to Instagram helps keep me focused. And even there, an outlet for pictures, I don't post every bite that I take.)<br />
<br />
Maybe that's why I haven't written much recently.<br />
<br />
Or maybe, when I started blogging it was because I was constantly being challenged to push myself further and sharing these new experiences with you was fun and the support provided really helped me keep going. Now when I swim, bike, run, it seems as normal as eating breakfast. It's what I do. Am I facing new challenges, all the time, but it seems like a more personal journey I guess.<br />
<br />
Anyway...I have a race report to share. I don't think I shared a report on my first race of the season or if I did, I just had it on Facebook.<br />
<br />
PT Solutions Allatoona Triathlon: 500m swim, 16mile bike, 5K run<br />
<br />
I'm chronically early on race day. It's my thing. I get to Dallas Landing before the sun rises. I don't know why I didn't think of this a year or so ago, but I did all my bike prep at home before driving over (air in the tires, etc). My first stop is the <a href="http://cannoncyclery.bike/">Cannon Cyclery</a> tent because Bart had been requesting #bakedgoods. I brought the guys s'more stuffed brownies and Wayne wastes no time digging in. Curtis does a quick once over on my bike and I'm off to set up my transition.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wayne making sure everyone saw the deliciousness he was about to eat! (Happy 60th Wayne!)</td></tr>
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I must be getting more comfortable because I have started bringing less and less with me to sprints.<br />
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I claimed a spot in the middle of the rack, but on the end, if that makes sense. My number grouping was assigned to a rack on the inside of 2 put together. Anyway, I set up, put things down and then start visiting. After all, what else do you do for 1.5 hours before the race starts, I mean besides braid Jess's hair? <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpDKxz-FIvByl98cMrllOosizqZap-ksA-BJ9eEVsrmHwKy-rjHBSUmlojJRJU-k90hhYid0rr_yJxNRbJBjRVWVPodSY11GEZWT9iVqUpW63Qa5lKtrCPmzXlNk9CT_a_20ohcOSO7df/s1600/20160626_061909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpDKxz-FIvByl98cMrllOosizqZap-ksA-BJ9eEVsrmHwKy-rjHBSUmlojJRJU-k90hhYid0rr_yJxNRbJBjRVWVPodSY11GEZWT9iVqUpW63Qa5lKtrCPmzXlNk9CT_a_20ohcOSO7df/s320/20160626_061909.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jess and I rocking our Ironwilled kits by <a href="https://www.coeursports.com/">Coeur</a>!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
When I returned, some one had shifted my bike over, placed her bike between mine and the rail, and had her bike hanging over my stuff. Come on folks, you don't touch other people's bikes. If you have an issue, you tell an official. They find the person. She said she didn't mean to upset me when I asked her how my bike got moved. I then told her not to worry, I would reset so that I was not in her way as I pointed out to her that I would have to climb under her bike to get to my shoes.<br />
<br />
<em>PSA: Please don't touch someone's stuff in transition. If there's a problem, a race official will find the owner of said stuff</em>.<br />
<br />
It's always fun doing local races and meeting new people and seeing friends. That has to be the only reason I keep coming back to this race. It's a first rate race, but the only thing flat on this course is the swim! I got to hang out and chat with too many people to list without forgetting someone, so I'll skip that part.<br />
<br />
The race report:<br />
<br />
The Swim:<br />
The swim is posted as 500 meters. I think the course was long. I'm not complaining, everyone swam the same course. I looked at my official race pace and the meters Garmin says I covered and my pace and theirs aren't close! (Garmin said 2:17/100yd, race pace said 2:50/100 yd) So I looked at other athletes and their posted race pace, no way. They swim much faster than that. Anyway, this year, unlike last year, I was able to get in and start swimming without engaging in a boxing match for 500 meters. My heart rate stayed steady, and I felt good. As a matter of fact, I'm swimming looking for the next buoy (there were 2-3 between turns) and the next thing I know I'm approaching the turn. Not really sure where the other went, but oh well.<br />
<br />
Out of the swim and I'm able to run up the beach and into transition. T1 was about 90 secs. Nothing worth noting, but once again, I don't practice transitions, so I'm happy.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8eMBchGXl-D3ht8feNRfhyphenhyphen52sJtgssyGW1oUDSuQYpiL2imH41bT-24btHHkFyubExUsJCiSRx12eCkWutWVYOGCH_wiXzV7XcD2GYnLlZvjw4zM9i7qCoOkSs0sTe1_hb_IXRGACU3E/s1600/FB_IMG_1466982758422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8eMBchGXl-D3ht8feNRfhyphenhyphen52sJtgssyGW1oUDSuQYpiL2imH41bT-24btHHkFyubExUsJCiSRx12eCkWutWVYOGCH_wiXzV7XcD2GYnLlZvjw4zM9i7qCoOkSs0sTe1_hb_IXRGACU3E/s320/FB_IMG_1466982758422.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo cred: Lauren who I met at <a href="http://atlanta.endurancehouse.com/">Endurance House's</a> event a couple of weekends ago.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Bike.<br />
The plan on any sprint I do is to "put the pedal down and hold on for as long as possible." This one was no different except I was to hold back a little towards the end of the bike to get ready for the run, and see how hard I could push the run. More on that in a moment.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ride elevation chart, about 675 feet on climbing in 16 miles.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The bike is never my favorite part. It is a necessary component to get me from the swim to the run. I can't remember ever finishing a race and thinking, THAT was a good bike! But yesterday I did. I felt I was riding strong and steady. I didn't curse any of the hills out loud. (I may have had some internal dialogue about some cyclists who were riding down the middle of the lane and I had to get very specific about them moving to the right so I could pass them but my words out loud were very encouraging. I promise!!!) I even kept my joy about me to motivate others up a nice steady long <strike>freakin'</strike> hill about mile 12. Last year I rode this route at about 15.8 mph. This year was 17.2!<br />
<br />
T2: a minute ish<br />
<br />
The Run.<br />
They changed the run this year. I'm not sure why, but they did. It added more hills. In all, about 245 feet of climbing in 3.1 miles. The usual plan is to get my feet under me and just hold on. Saturday night, coach added some helpful planning for the race: Let's work the run and at the end, I want you to remember why you hate sprints. Out of transition and at that moment the cloud cover parted and the sun came out. It was hot and sunny. I decided it was best to stop at the first water station (I normally go past it on a sprint) and grab 2 waters: 1 for my head and one to sip for a moment. Then I started off again. Lizzie said I looked strong. I wasn't feeling that way. Heat. Hills. Humidity. Pretty normal for Atlanta, but still tough to push through. I remembered 6 secs and started setting small goals for going up the next hill. Get to the purple flowers. Get to the mailbox. Get to the top of the hill. Other than split second stops at the aide stations, I ran through and still pulled off negative splits with a sprint in on the <span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">fi</span>nal straight away. 29:32, about 30 secs off of last year, but it was hotter and it was different course.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain goats would love this course</td></tr>
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Overall:<br />
I was very happy with how my day went. I can honestly say I had a great ride and followed it up with a really good run. Usually when someone finishes a tri and starts talking about how great their ride was, it is usually followed by a complete meltdown on the run.<br />
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A VERY VERY special shout out goes to this lady who shaved 26 minutes off her time from last year and has dropped 40lbs!! She's a true juggler of triathlon, family, and career. Once again...I'm so happy for you and your accomplishments!<br />
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And coach: I remember why I hate sprints!*<br />
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*Come on, people. They are hard! Nothing against you short course people.<br />
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Lastly....while I have met my fundraising goal, Aidan and his family are still working on theirs. If you are interested and able to support our endeavor, <a href="https://www.crowdrise.com/aidan-and-shawna-run-with-the-marines">please consider donating to the Kyle Pease Foundation on our behalf</a>. EVERY dollar is helpful!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aidan and I after our first 5K together. #KPMCM16 here we come!</td></tr>
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<br />Shawna Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10742472057600356938noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285056647483576679.post-15197486924429203092016-04-27T11:15:00.001-07:002016-04-27T11:15:03.206-07:00Rollercoaster Aren't Always Fun....Ever go to an amusement park and get dragged on a ride you didn't want to go on? And it wasn't fun... I mean sometimes you get dragged on a ride and finish asking to go again, but other times you get off the ride and have lots of colorful words for your friend.<br />
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<br />
I did that to a few people in my life this winter. I dragged them onto my emotional roller coaster without asking if they wanted to come. <br />
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One of the reasons I haven't been writing is I didn't feel like I had anything worth sharing. You know, because everything doesn't have to be shared with cyberspace. Some things really are best kept personal. <br />
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I finished <a href="http://buildingblockblog.blogspot.com/2015/10/ironman-louisville.html">IMLou</a> and stayed high off that for a bit, but then I hurt my ankle. And the high came crashing down. The winter plans of working on my running speed for triathlon and lacrosse got shelved. Why? Because it hurt to run. If it hurts, don't do it. About 8 weeks of minimal running and a lot of swimming and cycling on the trainer. I was thankful I was not a one trick pony or I would have been a mess. This endurance junkie (like most) doesn't do well sitting still.<br />
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However, my run stayed stagnant and I felt like I had no legs on the field. <br />
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Oh, and my jeans stopped fitting.<br />
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Then there was work, there was a huge, I mean HUGE change at work Nov. 1, 2015. My entire work situation got turned inside out and upside down. MAJOR, MASSIVE adjustments had to be made. And I didn't make them well. I'm still adjusting and if anything it forced me to stop talking and start doing.<br />
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<br />
And dating...oh wait, never mind. There wasn't any of that. I am however all caught up on House of Cards and I finished Nurse Jackie.<br />
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I decided that after my birthday I was going to do <a href="http://whole30.com/">Whole30</a> or a realistic version for me. When it comes to food, I have no determination. If I could focus on my food as much as I do my workouts, I'd be a lean mean tri-ing machine. If anyone had taken bets on how long I'd last without: sugar, dairy, processed foods, bread/gluten or items resembling bread, and alcohol; I would have said 3 days. But I did it. I chronicled it on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ironwilledtri/">instagram</a>. I don't know why I didn't want to share in Facebook, I just chose not too. It went well. I had lots of support from friends and some unlikely sources. It was a good experience. I'm still doing a modified version of it by really trying to focus on what foods I chose to eat. I'm still not back into the jeans from 2014, but my clothing is fitting much better.<br />
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In the middle of Whole30 I had a pretty significant break down about my workouts. And as if on cue, everything started to turn. I had a good ride. I had a good run. I kept up with almost all of masters swim. I finished probably the fastest lacrosse game I'd ever officiated and walked off the field knowing that I was where I was supposed to be, when I was supposed to be. It was like a switch was flipped.<br />
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I had lunch recently with one of the people I dragged into my pity party and they point blank said: The amount of negative energy from you is just too much. <br />
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And it was true. <br />
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To those of you I dumped on, thank you for sticking around and I'm sorry.<br />
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Things in my world are in a constant state of change and right now, it is all for the best! I've sold my home. Another lacrosse season is almost done. I'm actively working on changing some other things...to be announced later, and I'm back to enjoying tris and training.<br />
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<br />
While I have some goal triathlons this upcoming season, my new "A race" that has my focus and excitement is my return to the Marine Corp Marathon in October. It will be marathon #8 (after telling my dad I'm never running 26.2 miles because that's crazy!). However, what makes this event spectacular and special and just damn awesome is that I'm running with someone else! I will get to feed off Aidan's spirit while he gets to borrow my legs. I GET to run with him. We will be running with the <a href="http://www.kylepeasefoundation.org/#intro">Kyle Pease Foundation</a> and I feel incredibly honored that I have this opportunity. <br />
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If you are as moved by this opportunity as I am, we would love a donation of ANY amount. Really, just think if 10 people donate $10 that's $100.<br />
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Aidan and my fundraising page is <a href="https://www.crowdrise.com/aiden-and-shawna-run-with-the-marines/fundraiser/shawnablock">here</a>. We are <em>THIS</em> close to 50%. A couple clicks and you can be part of our team without taking a step!<br />
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Here's to a great spring and summer and more positivity and good stuff in all of our lives....<br />
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Shawna Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10742472057600356938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285056647483576679.post-69802304302067374492016-02-22T12:45:00.002-08:002016-02-22T12:45:47.873-08:00Dear Motorist revisited....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<em>Dear Motorist,</em></div>
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<em>I'm sorry I delayed you a few moments while you had to wait to safely pass me. However, I also want to thank you. Thank you for losing those few moments to make sure I stayed safe while riding my bike. Thank you for sharing the road with me, I'm doing the best to share it back with you. That big goofy wave I gave you, that's because I wanted you to know I was waving and not, well, giving you the finger. So I use a big ol' goofy wave. I don't know if you are aware or not, but it is not legal for me to ride my bike on the sidewalk. That's right, if you are over 12 years of age, it is against the law to ride on the sidewalk.</em></div>
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<em>You should know, I'm not the only one thanking you for giving up those few moments to pass me. My mom and dad thank you. My niece and nephews thank you. My brother and sister thank you. My friends thank you. </em></div>
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<em>See, I'm more than just a triathlete trying to stay healthy and train for my next race. I'm a daughter. I'm a sister. I'm an aunt. I'm a friend. I'm a coach. I'm an employee. </em></div>
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<em>When you sacrifice those couple of moments to get around me, you give me another opportunity to continue pursuing my goals and my dreams. You allow me to celebrate the next birthday, holiday, special occasion with my family and friends.</em></div>
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<em>These thoughts I share with you are not original and many people with much greater influence than I have shared them. I just wanted to take a moment and thank YOU for sacrificing those couple of moments.</em></div>
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<em>Please, I implore you, pass me like you love me because someone out there does.</em></div>
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<em>Respectfully,</em></div>
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<em>Shawna</em></div>
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#passthemlikeyoulovethem</div>
Shawna Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10742472057600356938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285056647483576679.post-34977962704069041202016-01-15T20:27:00.003-08:002016-01-16T11:31:05.323-08:00Time to Lighten the Load...I'm tired of being tired. Why am I tired? It isn't like I have kids. (Snarky reference to that stupid meme that says people who don't have children don't know exhaustion.) I'm tired because I over commit myself. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/scott-dannemiller/busy-is-a-sickness_b_6761264.html">I'm busy</a>. I'm busy all the time. Therefore I don't get enough down time and I don't get enough one-on-one time with my bed and I'm spontaneously crying for no apparent reason. (Special thanks to a friend who admitted this happens to her too. I appreciated her sharing cause I thought she had this adulting thing down.) And because I'm so very tired so often, I'm finding it tougher to deal with disappointments, you know...life stuff.<br />
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So what's going to give... not as a resolution but as a life style shift? I'm going to start saying no thank you, and I'm going to stop being the first to volunteer unless it's really something I want to participate in or something very meaningful.<br />
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What cannot give: <br />
<em>My day job</em>. Why you ask? I get paid biweekly and I did not win the Powerball. I'm disappointed also.<br />
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What I'm not willing to give:<br />
<em>Refereeing lacrosse</em>. It pays for triathlon and I almost always enjoy it. #whistlewhileyouwork<br />
<em>Triathlon</em>. I did cut back on distance this year. Call it a compromise. <br />
<em>Ironwilled: Women who Tri</em>. If I need to explain why...It's like you don't know me.<br />
<em>Coaching</em>. My adult athletes are all remote and a complete blast to work with. (I've got room for 2 more this season, just saying."<br />
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What can give:<br />
Starting in December and concluding last week, I've stepped away from volunteering on a consistent basis for my neighborhood. To those of you who volunteer on your neighborhood association, God bless you! <br />
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I survived my full 1 year term on the association board as vice-president. I probably should add that to my LinkedIn profile. I digress. I don't know what I actually took away from it. I do not believe I achieved any sort of personal growth during my term. My fault? Maybe, maybe not. I know by not serving another term I get back 4 hours a month (drive time + 3 hour meeting) from not attending a monthly board meeting and my gmail account has exponentially less emails wanting my attention. That's <strong>TWO</strong> days back to myself just from not going to a meeting. And my gmail inbox...so quiet!<br />
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I gave up my neighborhood Facebook group that I started and was the moderator for. Like life, this group ebbs and flows and there were times it was a great community. However, lately, it seems that the squeakiest wheels just want to squeak. They don't want to offer solutions. They don't want to stop squeaking. They just want to make noise. I'm out of diplomacy for these squeakers. I asked for someone else to take over the admin role for the group as I'd been it for 2 years or so. Only one person out of 170 offered. If you aren't part of the solution then you are part of the problem, and we're talking about improving our homes. I'm still around, but someone else can drag the horse to water.<br />
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It was not hard (not easy either by the way) to walk away from these obligations because they brought limited joy to my life. I can honestly acknowledge I'm not on my couch at night wishing I was at a meeting. I'm not disappointed that 2 people in the neighborhood Facebook group don't get the point of the group and need to be refocused and stop acting like children in the group. I'm not going to be the one who has to do it. <br />
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My volunteer efforts will be focused where they are not only meaningful, but appreciated.<br />
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However, not everything I've yielded has been an easy decision.<br />
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The most recent endeavor I decided to put on hold was Ironwilled: Kids who Tri. We will not continue in the summer of 2016. IWK was a recreational youth triathlon program that Amy and I kicked off last summer. We met with the kids 3 times a week for an hour-plus for about 8-10 weeks. It was a cost-free program and I really enjoyed working with the kids and their parents. However, it was at least a 6-8 hour commitment every week with drive time, prep, activity, clean up.<br />
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To do it right, and I don't do junk, I need more time to dedicate to it. I do not have the time nor the resources to focus on this right now. Right now. I may revisit it in the future as I do believe there is a need for non-competitive/non-elite programming for kids, but now is not the time for it to be singlehandedly produced by me. There are some great programs in the area over seen by full time staff. I posted my resignation letter in our group this afternoon. IWK was a great idea. It still is a great idea. But life happens and I'm not in a good place to lead it.<br />
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I've already identified some new endeavors to get involved with when the time is right. Until then, I'm working on saying no unless it's something I really want to be involved with, trying to adult better, and getting to sleep earlier.<br />
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And on that note...<br />
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<br />Shawna Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10742472057600356938noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285056647483576679.post-32036949099572167682016-01-04T19:45:00.001-08:002016-01-04T19:45:23.162-08:00I Am a New Year Resolutioner....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The memes on Facebook started a week or two ago. The specific complaints were quite obvious today. Someone is in my parking space. Why are all these people here? </div>
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Well, I'm here to publicly admit...I am a <strong>New Year Resolutioner</strong>. Seriously....I know. I know. You've followed my journey. Training, working out, breaking a sweat is what I do. But it wasn't always!<br />
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What I haven't done in years is go to a group exercise class. What I've never really embraced was yoga. Yes, you read that correctly, YOGA. While in Hilton Head with Michele last week we went to 4 yoga classes in a row. Different type: Warm Yin, Slow Flow, Gentle, and something else I can't remember. I enjoyed it. <br />
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My January schedule is actually fairly light until lacrosse starts. I found a local yoga studio that offered a great intro deal and I signed up. I've been binging on yoga sessions (5 in the past 4 days) around work and my regular tri training. <br />
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I was keeping this a bit on the quiet side in case I bailed half way through January. Then no one would really know. That was until I was walking out of Restorative Yoga tonight. A woman almost didn't get into the session because it was full. She commented to the instructor about needing to remember to sign up (I didn't register for the class until 45 minutes beforehand as I had to see how I felt after my bike trainer workout.). Now, I may have interpreted tone that wasn't intended. What I heard was the instructor say something to the regular like, "It's January..." Maybe I heard the tone. Maybe there was tone. But DEAL WITH IT!<br />
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It's January and I'm in your class and possibly taking the place in the room that you usually have. Sorry not sorry. We all need to start somewhere. Maybe if I get a smile and introduction I'll stick it out past January. Maybe I'll stick with it to compliment my tri training. Maybe if an instructor takes them time to get my name I'll buy the next package. Still waiting for someone who works there to make me feel welcome other than one of the owners who I introduced myself too. <br />
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More honesty, if not for the little bit of yoga I tried a year ago and for my 4 day bootcamp with Michele, I may not have gone back past the first 1 or 2. I digress, that's for another post....<br />
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Maybe that person who is on your spin bike, or using the machine you want, or walking on the treadmill, just needs a little encouragement. Give it a shot. Especially you reading this that are already on the fitness wagon, remember there is always room for more. And if you had to park a bit further, add the walk to Strava and see if you can get faster at that segment.<br />
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Oh, and if you need a good chuckle, come do yoga with me. Not because yoga is funny, but because watching me turn my cactus arms into weeping willow branches is!<br />
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Shawna Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10742472057600356938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285056647483576679.post-20020061086227876222015-10-15T21:15:00.003-07:002015-10-16T04:46:30.316-07:00Ironman Louisville...It's a long one, you've been warned.<br />
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The road to Ironman Louisville actually started over 18 months ago. No, I'm not that good at planning ahead, but that's when it was determined that I would participate in Ironman Florida, 2014 and I started this <a href="http://buildingblockblog.blogspot.com/2014/02/and-so-it-begins.html" target="_blank">blog</a>. And of course how I got to IMFL through a <a href="http://buildingblockblog.blogspot.com/2014/02/how-did-this-happen.html" target="_blank">social media contest</a>, and this was before <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/ironwilledwomenwhotri/" target="_blank">Ironwilled</a>!<br />
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Most of you know about the "ironbrick" instead of triathlon that occurred at <a href="http://buildingblockblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/ironman-florida-part-2.html" target="_blank">Ironman Florida</a>. That's right, they canceled the swim. No, it was not a duathlon. It was a modified race because of safety concerns for participants, volunteers, and safety personnel. I completed the race that was presented to me (not everyone did) and considered myself an Ironman. Most of the people in the triathlon world that I look up to and respect felt the same way. But, there were many that disagreed. Some of these people were crass enough to express their disagreement not just out loud but directly to the athletes impacted. Others were couth enough to keep their opinion to themselves. Some who were very vocal had never completed an 140.6 event (either they had never toed the line to start or they started and DNF'd (did not finish). The 2 sides got into heated debates. <a href="http://buildingblockblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/time-to-move-on.html" target="_blank">This was my take on it (and I still feel the same way).</a><br />
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Moving on...I felt incomplete. I did view myself as an Ironman, but in my head, there was an asterisk. Because I acknowledge that my life is very uncertain, I wanted to fill my PERSONAL void while I knew I had the time. I signed up for Ironman Louisville and since it is a river swim, there is no reason to think the race wouldn't go off as planned... unless <a href="http://www.courier-journal.com/story/tech/science/watchdog-earth/2015/09/20/ohio-river-toxic-algae-affect-ironman/72519422/" target="_blank">green slime</a> invades.....<br />
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Now that you all are on the same page, let's talk about my IRONMAN LOUISVILLE.<br />
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The months and weeks leading up to IMLou, I was a mess. I was constantly worried about not finishing before midnight. The bike caused heart palpitations and tears. Legit (only in my head) fears of a DNF for time. Irony: the only part of the event I wasn't worried about was the swim which is the only leg I had been worried about in Florida. 4K Fridays for the win!<br />
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Hear me out on why I was so worried about finishing IMLou before midnight. As I mentioned in another blog before I registered, it was already announced the race would start at 7:30, not 7. That meant there was 16.5 hours to compete the event IF you are the first person in the water. But IMLou is a time trial start (swimmers entered 5-10 at a time). I could have not started my race until 8:15/8:30am. What does that mean? Worst case I get a total of 15.5 hours to finish instead of 17 hours. So what? Rule of thumb is to take your 70.3 finish time, double it, and add 1-2 hours to estimate your finish time for a full. My most recent 70.3 was <a href="http://buildingblockblog.blogspot.com/2015/08/some-days-you-are-windshield.html" target="_blank">Lake Logan</a> where it took me 7:25 to finish. Simple math: 7:25+7:25+2 hours = 16:50. See, based on arithmetic, I could be in trouble.<br />
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I knew I could do the 140.6. I had trained. I was ready. I was fearful that I wouldn't time qualify and I would disappoint my friends, coach, Ironwilled women and I would embarrass myself. It took till almost race day to come to grips that the handful of people who would be tracking me and hoping for my failure just didn't matter and that the hundreds of people who were pulling for me did. <br />
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As race day approached the support and encouragement from all over the world started pouring in. I know my coach wanted me to cut back on social media, but what I explained to him was that it was an incredibly supportive space for me. The women of Ironwilled and my friend Kristen were just amazing. I had already left any group that was drama-filled and I had unfollowed anyone who was causing anxiety in my head.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Compliments of Jeanette</td></tr>
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And now the recap of what really happened this race weekend:<br />
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Friday I went to check in, attended the athlete's briefing and did a little shopping. As I'm waiting for the athlete's briefing to start, I see this group of women walking towards me.<br />
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My heart melts. I mean I know we did a special t-shirt order for the ladies form Ironwilled heading to Louisville, but every time I see someone in Ironwilled gear I have to rub my eyes to believe it's real! I get to meet these awesome women as well as see many other friends. AND, the most important announcement of the weekend: <strong><span style="color: magenta;">THE SWIM WAS ON</span></strong>! (<em>whew</em>.)<br />
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Friday night we headed out to dinner with a small group of solo travelers from the group and Kelly who is local and the volunteer captain of the finish line. She provided a lot of insight for the race.<br />
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Saturday was the practice swim. I wanted to get in the water, but Coach really didn't want me in the water any sooner than necessary. Even without the green slime warning, the Ohio River is not known for it's cleanliness and there are many that end up sick from it. Since I was already dealing with some allergy issues, I followed his urging and skipped the swim. However, I did get to meet a few more IW women.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a bit brisk that morning.</td></tr>
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Not only did I get to meet up with some IW women, I had a chance encounter with my teammates that were also racing.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vallee and Katie, just 2 of my many incredibly talented teammates.</td></tr>
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Now it was time for me to really focus on the race. I headed out on to the course to get a quick ride on MP to check gearing and make sure he was ready to roll. Of course he was, he had just been to <a href="http://cannoncyclery.bike/">Curtis & Crew at Cannon Cyclery</a>. A quick shake out of the legs and it was time to get off them.<br />
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The rest of Saturday was running errands, racking my bike, turning in my transition bags and meeting up with my folks for an early dinner. Oh, and mess with my coach some...we might have sent him a text that said, "Tomorrow's race plans have changed some." He wasn't amused and I couldn't keep up the joke. He called in a panic and I caved almost instantly telling him I was completely fine.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom has limited mobility so we learned from IMFL last year, rent a chair to help her get places faster/easier.</td></tr>
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Off to sleep nice and early with 4 alarms set in hopes that I would actually sleep some. It worked. I did actually sleep. <br />
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Sunday morning, way before the sun was up, Stacy humored my race anxiety and had me standing in line for transition (drop bottles on my bike, add air to the tires, turn in special needs bags) by 4:55. In and out of transition as quickly as I could and then she drove me to the swim start about a mile away.<br />
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I made friends with the people waiting around me (I know this surprises you...) and settled in for a 2 hour wait. Remember I said I was irrationally worried about cut off times? Solution: Get as much time on the course as possible.<br />
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Eventually we put wetsuits on and headed down on to the dock.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GTrSE7pUOEIat0Syi-XBbD2qnFLIRhBYIspV_C5DNmgO9t6qpinSLq1wvtau1rle9CKsP_UvvuOzNmf6Ydoc4b3J-4srepA7n3aEOLhuwyInlfQCS32RRuMbS9uOedaiBSWmHz00REtI/s1600/12108037_10156042188545618_1128928047124763398_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GTrSE7pUOEIat0Syi-XBbD2qnFLIRhBYIspV_C5DNmgO9t6qpinSLq1wvtau1rle9CKsP_UvvuOzNmf6Ydoc4b3J-4srepA7n3aEOLhuwyInlfQCS32RRuMbS9uOedaiBSWmHz00REtI/s320/12108037_10156042188545618_1128928047124763398_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo cred: Kelly's family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There are 2 lines to hop into the river. One puts you about 10 yards further from the finish. I stuck close to the river and saved myself 10 yards of swimming.<br />
<br />
The first part of the swim is up river in a mostly protected cove. I didn't really feel like I needed to fight any current and settled in to my swim. There was a little contact that I was prepared for, after all I'm a mid pack swimmer jumping in ahead of much faster swimmers. But it was nothing like the washing machine I have heard about in others' reports. Oddly enough, it wasn't until we were in the HUGE river that someone insisted on swimming into me a few times. After the cove broke, then I felt like I need to push and fight a little to progress up the river. And then, there was the lovely red buoy! (The turn buoy was the first benchmark for me as far as relaxing into the race) That's the one we turn around to head back down river. It was definitely a down river swim, but the current did not seem overpowering.<br />
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I swam right up to the steps where 2 volunteers grabbed my hands and pulled me right up to dry land and then coming out Katie spotted me and said hi.<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"></span><br />
In sum: FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC swim: 1:22:46 (25 minutes faster than what I thought, spot on for Coach's estimate.) Fueling: I remembered to eat the Gu before the swim.<br />
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Training plan said to SIT DOWN in transition. Take my time, don't miss anything, it's a long day. I grabbed a volunteer and began to change. Bike jersey, cycling shorts, arm sleeves on. T1: 11:50</div>
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The next benchmark I was waiting for was mile 60 of the bike. The cut off for mile 60 on the bike was 3:30pm. Yes I knew this. It was time to get to mile 60.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtEombCbi-Ao3Xh8vFtMnOoTYYhHaW5atJBbuwByR7l1Ll2tunJ-Kz3-1Wq7f7l9sSdsQhI-jiEIOLjOTCVScTj0-esg0xxK_BYNB3Iu0NdpCqfdgmVEO_RRxNgRK-Z19WKzVwShwdtrk/s1600/DSC_5697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtEombCbi-Ao3Xh8vFtMnOoTYYhHaW5atJBbuwByR7l1Ll2tunJ-Kz3-1Wq7f7l9sSdsQhI-jiEIOLjOTCVScTj0-esg0xxK_BYNB3Iu0NdpCqfdgmVEO_RRxNgRK-Z19WKzVwShwdtrk/s320/DSC_5697.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo cred: Joana</td></tr>
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I rolled out on to the course. I was spotted by my cousin and then I saw Stacy doing what she does best, when not racing, being Sally.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LtM4YOSO2F6jtbgVodZi9Ndkhh-eploJIm05AoDvVuTN3Et_aOG8ronnfIHj10ykhknVzbPzuawEST7cV5gYkZQLJg9Wo9xoBNK2bHySk5U-CgXNIOV5E-saGitgn7oz09aoQlHiJpvT/s1600/IMG_5535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LtM4YOSO2F6jtbgVodZi9Ndkhh-eploJIm05AoDvVuTN3Et_aOG8ronnfIHj10ykhknVzbPzuawEST7cV5gYkZQLJg9Wo9xoBNK2bHySk5U-CgXNIOV5E-saGitgn7oz09aoQlHiJpvT/s320/IMG_5535.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo cred: Dynamo Betty & Ernie</td></tr>
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The bike course starts off nice and flat. I ride as far to the right as possible so it's easier for others to pass and pass they did. That's okay: my race my pace. After a bit of flat there is a narrow out and back that has some <em>rolling hills. </em>The road was freshly paved and smooth as a baby's butt! Coming back out there was a wreck that took down at least 3 cyclists. Everyone slowed down and got around them. I think I heard one of the women broke her arm.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdeNxc2MuYN4IKmf8elf0VyRz_QiI9yGcnNyOIMB-rtXA4SuFkz0sNWxRSBPqS-cVQtJn1LaiPteKgs0rJqxzMluQljbbpA0o5VyltPOnieUUARd-4Zafod_TTaFcijdVC9QMe9oFQMSS/s1600/1163_012238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdeNxc2MuYN4IKmf8elf0VyRz_QiI9yGcnNyOIMB-rtXA4SuFkz0sNWxRSBPqS-cVQtJn1LaiPteKgs0rJqxzMluQljbbpA0o5VyltPOnieUUARd-4Zafod_TTaFcijdVC9QMe9oFQMSS/s320/1163_012238.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Done with the out & back, it was time to do the loop, twice. More hills. I stuck to my plan: easy up, power down. I tried to keep my heart rate in zone, but it was hard with that many hills. There was some great cheering on the course. I saw some friends, and some friends spotted me. The Dynamo cheering crew was at about mile 30 on the bike. LOVED hearing Betty's horn and voice cheering.</div>
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Coming back around on Rte 42 to do the loop again, there was a bit of a head wind, but it was nothing like Florida. And then, and then, we approached the 60 mile mark. I asked someone what time it was. They said is was about 1:30.<strong> HELLZ YES!</strong> And then the fun REALLY began. I was <em>this</em> close to hopping off my bike to do a happy dance! With that small bit of information, every single ounce of concern, anxiety, fear was swept away. I was so excited, that I almost took the beer that was offered to me on the course.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85gShjVsRNjjYeZ0ypkbab3tpCssRFJ15NSMO1Jo3575Ob-K68pQXm4kg-Dhp5-nPvMgj12yWs9_YeBndTiFcIg9S7Rmv1cVPUsPq1wDv92loAjDgiwxeDLW0RkXkJ364r8AGloS5xrY3/s1600/lou+bike.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85gShjVsRNjjYeZ0ypkbab3tpCssRFJ15NSMO1Jo3575Ob-K68pQXm4kg-Dhp5-nPvMgj12yWs9_YeBndTiFcIg9S7Rmv1cVPUsPq1wDv92loAjDgiwxeDLW0RkXkJ364r8AGloS5xrY3/s320/lou+bike.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">about 5000 feet of climbing</td></tr>
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</div>
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I kept riding. Up and over, up and over. The sun was out. The air temperature was perfect. It was a beautiful day to be out riding my bike. I was spotted a few times by some of the women in Ironwilled who said hello as they passed by. I love getting to meet my Facebook friends IRL. A quick stop at special needs to replace my bottles and I was rolling again. Then it was time to turn on to Rte 42 for the ride back. It's a straight shot to a right on River Road which takes you to transition. This should make me happy. And it did, but the head wind. Uggg. No, no, no, I'm not whining. Was there a head wind? Yes. Was in unmanageable? No. Everything is relative and compared to IMFL 2014...whatevs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdqLh_Y_iJJivUr-rvO-_Snf2-kYWv3aX3WqEdbfhhK4JS2UDQPcTwl7nTk1AL2b2yAkfc_0O8ZNQNOSm8FFQ8FeB9AK9ck3SVstnMoiXZwgdO8Ub0rS4uBicE3Szlutpr5eKLw1JRw6I/s1600/DSC_5905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdqLh_Y_iJJivUr-rvO-_Snf2-kYWv3aX3WqEdbfhhK4JS2UDQPcTwl7nTk1AL2b2yAkfc_0O8ZNQNOSm8FFQ8FeB9AK9ck3SVstnMoiXZwgdO8Ub0rS4uBicE3Szlutpr5eKLw1JRw6I/s320/DSC_5905.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As it warmed up, I just slid my arm covers into my pocket, photo cred: Joana</td></tr>
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In sum: Bike: 7:25:35 (exactly what Coach and I both thought). Fueling: 1 bottle of Infinit every hour on the hour mark. 1 <a href="http://haileyintraining.blogspot.com/2013/10/salty-balls.html">Salty Ball</a> every hour on the :30. I didn't screw this up.</div>
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<br />
I passed my bike off to one of the volunteers and began my walk in to transition. I wasn't in a rush. I had plen-TEE of time. I grabbed by bag and Karen came running screaming my name. Funny one she is, I saw her in Augusta running <em>her</em> race and she wished <em>me</em> well on my upcoming race.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3rTrT3rsenkei1A7saHN7hW5ME8gOiZ6ISSocABV2EaFrFQtwi27X8mnST_AsVsom8Y8rsbGCnYs53CaKotizbMHaTWqMPOJefRe1sGIgMLuOJrD1DRdD5B_W0x0Pfo5ziW9CaX9LgMM/s1600/12112334_10156042312705618_3216014249769246377_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3rTrT3rsenkei1A7saHN7hW5ME8gOiZ6ISSocABV2EaFrFQtwi27X8mnST_AsVsom8Y8rsbGCnYs53CaKotizbMHaTWqMPOJefRe1sGIgMLuOJrD1DRdD5B_W0x0Pfo5ziW9CaX9LgMM/s320/12112334_10156042312705618_3216014249769246377_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo cred: Karen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A volunteer grabbed me this time and took me over where it wasn't so crowded. She helped me shift gears from bike to run. I decided to leave my cycling jersey on which meant I didn't need a fuel belt. I tossed my Gu into the jersey pockets, switched shorts, shoes and grabbed my race belt and I was out. </div>
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T2: 11:01</div>
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<br /></div>
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Heading out on to the run, I turned a corner and saw Felicia. Stopped to say hi to her and she shooed me on. Bye, Felicia! Just a mile in to my run was my mom, dad and Stacy. HUGS for EVERYONE!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2RlcP5aGBqBLIlY-E5LuzMWhJo85dqgL-6iGfNAX0jk3-lzMPOBcPwYWsk2GNPCj2UgzBDrNjb954chslq9UOPYMdK6zdDhy9PnhgOaPctJSUQqWHWKr-cTrTuKG3zUQs_1XY_KLXOin/s1600/Picture1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2RlcP5aGBqBLIlY-E5LuzMWhJo85dqgL-6iGfNAX0jk3-lzMPOBcPwYWsk2GNPCj2UgzBDrNjb954chslq9UOPYMdK6zdDhy9PnhgOaPctJSUQqWHWKr-cTrTuKG3zUQs_1XY_KLXOin/s320/Picture1.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stacy and Dad were in the middle of the road cheering everyone on, Mom was hanging on the side.</td></tr>
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My race plan was to run aid station to aid station and walk each station. This would allow me to get in water, fluids and fuel as needed. I tried to stay low Z2 for the first part of my run. I was a little high early on and then settled in. The fun part of the run is that people are moving slow enough to say hello and cheer on.</div>
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On the early part of my run I saw Vallee flying to the finish earning her 2nd in AG and a Kona slot! Then I saw Katie and she was crushing it! 6th in age group! Day-um my teammates are incredible. I spotted Betty on her bike. the run is like playing "Where's Waldo." She hung up on Maria to chase me down for a goofy picture. I actually asked her to call Maria back and tell her I had a great swim. Nadya and I met in the middle for a quick high-5.</div>
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I was running. You know, after swimming 2.4 miles and riding 112 miles, it is just logical to run a marathon. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYk65bXTIWspY90Zgodb4HNtnYpIDVVpVvpRkPip-Y3uVBg56zNniH3TL9Pn8UhwwQHgu7LJF5egDqbz58tcLs8DYwDZxHRh5SclSXaxVvVj-CGj82EmJuD2K5oQHVAsintBj30sQDn-fK/s1600/1163_061422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYk65bXTIWspY90Zgodb4HNtnYpIDVVpVvpRkPip-Y3uVBg56zNniH3TL9Pn8UhwwQHgu7LJF5egDqbz58tcLs8DYwDZxHRh5SclSXaxVvVj-CGj82EmJuD2K5oQHVAsintBj30sQDn-fK/s320/1163_061422.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I really need to work on my running posture.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It was a pretty flat course that is a double loop on mostly closed roads and some good cheering groups. Heading back in on my first loop Joe D caught up to me and I held pace with him (he slowed down) for a couple seconds and then I enjoyed harassing him as he ran in to a crazy fast finish. Just after that I saw Les and I thought he would catch me too, but I had to use the port-a-pot and I think he passed by while I was, um, busy. At about mile 12ish I got to hand off my sunglasses and say quick hellos to mom, dad, and Stacy. A very quick stop in special needs to grab my Gu and it was back on my feet.</div>
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As I headed back out on my second loop you could tell who was on loop 2 and who was just heading out. Doing what I do, I was chatting up people as I passed them, or ran with them a little. In an attempt to remind myself, as it got later, I started telling other runners it was a beautiful day to be an Ironman. </div>
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You hear about hitting the wall. Physically, mentally, I only lost my focus briefly and I wanted to add an extra walk break, but that wasn't the plan and I couldn't come up with a reason to not stick to the plan. I also remembered something Matthew sent me:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<em>Stay Present. Don't project forward. Don't harp on the past. Stay in a 5-second window: the three ahead of you, the second you're in, and the second that just passed. Make decisions in a 5-second window and live here for as much of the day as possible.</em></blockquote>
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I stopped thinking about how many miles were left and just kept running. I synced up with a guy from Philly for miles 23-25. I wish I could remember his name, but when it was all over, everything became a blur. He and I chatted until the last aid station and then he had some pep left, so I assured him he should go. He and his wife (please, you didn't think he was single did you?) found me after the finish area, but there was so much going on I couldn't focus. </div>
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Meanwhile...</div>
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I come back in and Stacy is waiting there for me with a huge grin and a big hug.</div>
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All that's left is to turn some corners and head to the finish line. I run right into my friend Ron's arms for a huge hug and then it was time to finish the party.</div>
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I'm running down the shoot (ok, trotting) and I'm giving out high-5s and I'm trying to find my folks. I knew they would be there. I couldn't find them. </div>
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And then I did. I couldn't see them in the spot lights and right as I stepped across the mat, I heard my father. Sad face. I wasn't sure what would happen if I went back over the timing mat so I went to the side, blew them kisses, turned around and there was Felicia! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1OvG8fM3jEy31chvqgRqEn6sJZcqDy32iX3BgYpiNB6KnwJvsdI91kS349-w7m1yHa4rtpjiizor5n5fEp6ZlvcYLkO-9m4LdE4IA2B26fA4x1L4tOT3ZrxmQYDlkoOc8pIFpjsUXQHX/s1600/12122565_10156042188540618_1538059730701784409_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1OvG8fM3jEy31chvqgRqEn6sJZcqDy32iX3BgYpiNB6KnwJvsdI91kS349-w7m1yHa4rtpjiizor5n5fEp6ZlvcYLkO-9m4LdE4IA2B26fA4x1L4tOT3ZrxmQYDlkoOc8pIFpjsUXQHX/s320/12122565_10156042188540618_1538059730701784409_n.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo cred: Felecia</td></tr>
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Run: 5:15:36 (12 minutes faster than IMFL and faster than my first stand alone marathon). Fuel: Gu about every hour, chicken broth and towards the end cookies and chips (don't judge!)</div>
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I got my medal, took my finisher pictures, and finally got to thank Ann for cheering and volunteering all over the course.</div>
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I think I look a little happy....</div>
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The volunteer who hands you your medal, also walks you through until you see someone you know. First familiar face I see:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjix1tCWwa8B9OhJ68nDSHZj9Z3rwPIYwD74JTv25TzS7s1sQ3h2wbhAc-tLxTpTETDTfJtta3HyPbdUDIt00mn_BpGgvlyr3ck-SAzggMC_IujEs8101dPFieU-QR1d2EFoPj0tsZATho1/s1600/12088050_10156040867920618_374665742798245269_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjix1tCWwa8B9OhJ68nDSHZj9Z3rwPIYwD74JTv25TzS7s1sQ3h2wbhAc-tLxTpTETDTfJtta3HyPbdUDIt00mn_BpGgvlyr3ck-SAzggMC_IujEs8101dPFieU-QR1d2EFoPj0tsZATho1/s320/12088050_10156040867920618_374665742798245269_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Did I mention I have amazing teammates? Vallee and her husband came back out to cheer me in and I got a text from Katie apologizing for not coming back, but she got detained with her parents. What?!? Such great people I've gotten to connect with this year.</div>
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Stacy found me and helped me find my folks...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHii99FnASGhOoJKbVv12fl_QGIs7p-FmoWwGPO0D9xmG2ngjDEp6wNL8vyqeknqM_fh9K3NOtclxa5Z_tbos-KMQVcZotNASK7b-mcQBGQ6sSeW2-HMaDlmdwRrLUxwknoIhoHIwbQUu/s1600/12079218_10156040867730618_2077459311687018048_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHii99FnASGhOoJKbVv12fl_QGIs7p-FmoWwGPO0D9xmG2ngjDEp6wNL8vyqeknqM_fh9K3NOtclxa5Z_tbos-KMQVcZotNASK7b-mcQBGQ6sSeW2-HMaDlmdwRrLUxwknoIhoHIwbQUu/s320/12079218_10156040867730618_2077459311687018048_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And then these guys who had finished a few hours earlier insisted on see me before heading back to their families.</div>
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Rob and Joe are just 2 of the guys that I got to meet because of this race. They were congratulating <em>me</em> on a great race. (Their finish times...wow!) We were talking about time and I said I thought I went about 15:30. I had no idea, I was working with the time on the clock and my math was faulty. Rob pulled out athlete tracker and told me my time. You should have seen my eyes light up. I NEVER thought I'd have this great of a race. Apparently everyone else knew, I just wouldn't listen....</div>
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<strong>Total: 14:26:48</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
There are so many people to thank I'm going to miss someone and in advance: I'm sorry.<br />
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The coaching staff at Dynamo: Maria for not getting frustrated with me and my faulty steering wheel and flat tires; swimming is hard. Shanks for answering questions and helping me work with Champion Systems for Ironwilled. Haley for being awesome. Matthew for patiently waiting for me on the long rides at camp and letting me cry and then not saying a word when I got back on my bike and pedaled away. Thank you Matthew for the email and text around race weekend and for encouraging me and for making me feel just as significant as your athletes you train who podium. <br />
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The Dynamo triathletes I got to meet in Chattanooga and Pine Mountain: Thank you for welcoming me into your family. Canada Cat and Linda for showing me that teammates help teammates reach their goals.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2cyuV3M6Ti3T1tEXMf6acMhF7c7x7R8p1_WInTwOo9Dxdbogiwp48zqdACYBB_gwqvBgUJURBHalZuACgyQBB2So_o_7k9TLbczbJQEq6VMKE2sPdtRfhhxBfmQIHSXEz2cc8-6t4mIRY/s1600/11953128_993757580675193_9482984738391559_n+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2cyuV3M6Ti3T1tEXMf6acMhF7c7x7R8p1_WInTwOo9Dxdbogiwp48zqdACYBB_gwqvBgUJURBHalZuACgyQBB2So_o_7k9TLbczbJQEq6VMKE2sPdtRfhhxBfmQIHSXEz2cc8-6t4mIRY/s320/11953128_993757580675193_9482984738391559_n+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo cred: Vallee</td></tr>
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#MyCoachisHot, Brent: Thank you for figuring out how to keep me progressing despite my crazy schedule in the spring with lacrosse. And working around my commitments with Ironwilled: Kids who Tri in the summer and every other thing I wanted to put into my schedule this training cycle. Thank you for listening to me and encouraging me and believing in me when I didn't believe in myself. Thank you for being at Lake Logan all the way till the end. Thank you for riding with me my last 14 miles of my first ever 120 and then even running with me. Thank you for encouraging me to get out of my comfort zone. Thank you for the perfect race plan. Thank you for coaching me beyond just putting workouts into Training Peaks.<br />
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Stacy: Thank you for encouraging me to join the Dynamo Family. I used to not like when you would tell people, "Shawna isn't the fastest athlete, but she has more heart and determination than anyone you'll ever meet." I now know what an incredible compliment that is. Thank you for being an amazing friend and mentor. #womenbeshopping<br />
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Eric: For many many long rides.<br />
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The Louisville Smack talk group: For many many laughs and for allowing me to be a fly on the wall of the men's locker room.<br />
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Ironwilled: Women Who TRI: My tribe. Y'all are awesome. Period.<br />
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My family: I know you think I'm completely nuts but you love me anyway.<br />
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What's next? I am taking a year off from 140.6. This had actually been determined Labor Day weekend. No matter what happened in Louisville, I was cutting back on distance to focus on some other things. Am I returning, who knows? Let's see what life brings my way. Maybe I'll start dating again, I know y'all miss the stories and Facebook posts. I also have some personal things I need to spend some time focused on.<br />
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What I do know is this: I am sticking with Dynamo and I'm staying on Team Brent. <br />
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Much love and respect and thanks to everyone who played even the smallest part of me reaching the finish line at Ironman Lourisville.<br />
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I had: If you have gotten this far wow....but instead, let's end with:<br />
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<br />Shawna Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10742472057600356938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285056647483576679.post-25415281510719309842015-09-22T21:18:00.001-07:002015-09-23T05:09:16.904-07:00Too Many Thoughts to Keep Bottled Up...."You've been really quiet this year." "I was just going to message you and ask you if I'd missed your blog postings." <br />
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Pretty sure I've mentioned before that I didn't have much to say this go round. I made a conscious decision a few months ago to deactivate every and any dating profile that I had posted anywhere. It wasn't that I was/am opposed to dating, I just decided I didn't have the time or emotional energy to put in to forcing it. That means I have no dating stories. No good. No bad. No ugly. Simply no tales to be shared.<br />
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So let's talk training. Ironman Louisville is in like 20 days or something ridiculous like that. I'm really trying not to do a count down. I'm out of the primary Facebook group for IMLOU. It just doesn't have the same vibe as the IMFL group and after one too many panic emails to coach he finally said, "I need you to leave that group. Please." So I did. I've also unfollowed a bunch of people who are posting countdowns and panic postings. I just can't right now. I'm really trying to focus on me. <br />
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The most current panic (weather watches haven't started yet) is the <a href="http://www.courier-journal.com/story/tech/science/watchdog-earth/2015/09/20/ohio-river-toxic-algae-affect-ironman/72519422/" target="_blank">green slime in the Ohio River</a>. Nothing like a national organization saying don't touch the water. There is nothing I can do about the river. If WTC/IM tells me to get in the water, I'm getting in. If they tell us the swim is canceled...well, I've been there before and already have a 138.2 badge for my Road ID.<br />
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Before I posted that there wasn't a lot of new this training cycle. There weren't new distances to report. And this stuff is just what I do. Here is what was different this training cycle: I was CONSTANTLY out of my comfort zone.<br />
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My bike and I went to: <br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://buildingblockblog.blogspot.com/2015/05/gulf-coast-tri-race-report.html" target="_blank">Panama City Beach</a> for a mini spring break with Stacy and Lane</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh064DTdzerpYjnW0cvV2cH_MOaCA2RmZjvmKEalOSwKQkLcFZa1-1aYpT50dyE67W2znPjLd3gLjbbem5Wu-EZBQ2i1lxjAxlM04uXYPnVl-hT3-dTb0q3eFEYwk0nD-9fyd9IlAS4inDF/s1600/pcb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh064DTdzerpYjnW0cvV2cH_MOaCA2RmZjvmKEalOSwKQkLcFZa1-1aYpT50dyE67W2znPjLd3gLjbbem5Wu-EZBQ2i1lxjAxlM04uXYPnVl-hT3-dTb0q3eFEYwk0nD-9fyd9IlAS4inDF/s200/pcb.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We didn't just ride our bikes, we cheered too!</td></tr>
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<ul>
<li>the <a href="http://buildingblockblog.blogspot.com/2015/06/i-started-this-blog-post-off-bit-whoa.html" target="_blank">Gaps with ITL</a> and thankfully Angela rode with me (sag/coaches were great too). </li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kCidNsLi4ahRO8y0Vg9Xm6IBRFfpo5XNz96lNkvt_v0VrRe0u4uqgjIDqeNtL71LDPcH4kAglYXiQvjzI_rKDrMDAhIEMJPpKABEhw18on37MXExfEC8aFTzg3nfaQ_REuQlIV-7Pl6K/s1600/11392919_10205258155386424_345733253023140745_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kCidNsLi4ahRO8y0Vg9Xm6IBRFfpo5XNz96lNkvt_v0VrRe0u4uqgjIDqeNtL71LDPcH4kAglYXiQvjzI_rKDrMDAhIEMJPpKABEhw18on37MXExfEC8aFTzg3nfaQ_REuQlIV-7Pl6K/s200/11392919_10205258155386424_345733253023140745_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top of the last climb with Angela and a foggy camera</td></tr>
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://buildingblockblog.blogspot.com/2015/08/some-days-you-are-windshield.html" target="_blank">Lake Logan for a 70.3</a></li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QeKvyRcgBmwnx8oCF65fXKXbeQWPJpFpuyeATRCjI0TaZMi0pUOQ7mpPK3yEGAVK5QWPGk8XcxhU2_jc6lK99VWVLUqJ93HaS-Y7lZIA-sPdGmddqEoXy77xevbOVlitFkJqttGPI9Kn/s1600/scream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QeKvyRcgBmwnx8oCF65fXKXbeQWPJpFpuyeATRCjI0TaZMi0pUOQ7mpPK3yEGAVK5QWPGk8XcxhU2_jc6lK99VWVLUqJ93HaS-Y7lZIA-sPdGmddqEoXy77xevbOVlitFkJqttGPI9Kn/s200/scream.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It went really well.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>Chattanooga for tri camp with my coaching team, <a href="http://www.dynamomultisport.com/" target="_blank">Dynamo Multisport</a>. Amazing patient coaches and my first 100 of the training cycle with teammates I hadn't met yet who are incredible athletes and super nice. </li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGyWLf11-alqsuhf3P1FS9TaOU4yGTm3sqkIte8Aie9SACK0ypdMce7wDh_1KRbd0eX9SGlecF2evGBbTisJmQSGA3u_yIDjR21Y9vlvv_NZceCgMMl92NT6Rcb6j8ein1QNhemvdg7gI/s1600/choo+camp.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGyWLf11-alqsuhf3P1FS9TaOU4yGTm3sqkIte8Aie9SACK0ypdMce7wDh_1KRbd0eX9SGlecF2evGBbTisJmQSGA3u_yIDjR21Y9vlvv_NZceCgMMl92NT6Rcb6j8ein1QNhemvdg7gI/s200/choo+camp.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: @WeAreDynamo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>Louisville, KY to meet up with a handful of women from Ironwilled: Women who TRI to preview the course.</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDr3RTgLPZn6Tj15sPtvQQopP33FV8jVqnkViURvzEZDMzGGFMIGUPfpk-u5UOCjgV3lC1m_6S-F2qJiuxbXxkL-UOCj7ljEuEDur_-eJxh23CQ40OFJ98aVpjTYWtUocep6MhyhotEJmr/s1600/iwlou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDr3RTgLPZn6Tj15sPtvQQopP33FV8jVqnkViURvzEZDMzGGFMIGUPfpk-u5UOCjgV3lC1m_6S-F2qJiuxbXxkL-UOCj7ljEuEDur_-eJxh23CQ40OFJ98aVpjTYWtUocep6MhyhotEJmr/s200/iwlou.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Could not have asked for better tour guides or company for the weekend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>Pine Mountain, GA for another tri camp with even more amazing athletes, patient coaches and my very first EVER 120 mile ride followed up with 70 miles (okay fine, 69 miles) the next day.</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyA1sm4eOmT5q8sPXfirpXJFUa5jZ7y7sdd3AOnl3nYkC0mzfPiRvEqgnuoOXRw8De1z9YmzoRZEj-JarPNw-71qRYszwNZ3tZXxmWz_WePVkRb05sVVEvj6cE6slh-WoBlZdYsjbP6MXX/s1600/11953128_993757580675193_9482984738391559_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyA1sm4eOmT5q8sPXfirpXJFUa5jZ7y7sdd3AOnl3nYkC0mzfPiRvEqgnuoOXRw8De1z9YmzoRZEj-JarPNw-71qRYszwNZ3tZXxmWz_WePVkRb05sVVEvj6cE6slh-WoBlZdYsjbP6MXX/s200/11953128_993757580675193_9482984738391559_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me ruining a great picture by laughing. Photo cred: Vallee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>of course weekly trips to the Bud Plant and Silk Sheets (local riding routes) with different friends.</li>
</ul>
I started going to a Masters Swimming program at <a href="http://www.dynamomasters.com/Home.jsp?_tabid_=0&team=usmsgadm" target="_blank">Dynamo Swim Club</a>. I've been assured I've improved, but I am usually the first one in the water and the last one out to make sure I get the yardage I needed for my workout. As I explained to someone today, I could swim somewhere else and maybe be in the middle of the pack. But, if I really want to get better, I need to train with the best.<br />
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I started going to a computrainer class. Think spin class but on your own bike.<br />
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I cheered a bunch of races and even got a chance to provide kayak support. Not because the athletes I am coaching were racing but because it's FUN!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZTY7nop3rKInIyXJplnXxKMONrMquo69QNpmINM7Da0GMlEfsyvNI1svxBZ5TIEp5oxz6rya6cDK8JrQeaeOIej5nisIxrXP0nyF50fK-1OExwFDFbi_AmW2_2p-jNYe6gTp-huryQ8t/s1600/11828631_10155790601105618_8291078624712040689_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZTY7nop3rKInIyXJplnXxKMONrMquo69QNpmINM7Da0GMlEfsyvNI1svxBZ5TIEp5oxz6rya6cDK8JrQeaeOIej5nisIxrXP0nyF50fK-1OExwFDFbi_AmW2_2p-jNYe6gTp-huryQ8t/s200/11828631_10155790601105618_8291078624712040689_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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I've been dropped on more rides than I can count. I've also been supported and encouraged and never been made to feel inferior. I got the best compliment from one of my coaches. (I say "one of" because while I have my coach, you know: #mycoachishot, the best byproduct from going to tri camp: I got to know the others coaches and they got to know me.) I told this coach that everyone was so nice and supportive and she told me I earned their respect. I didn't have to be as fast as they were, they respected my work ethic and perseverance. <br />
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Coaching with Brent and the Dynamo team has been a really amazing experience for me. And humbling. And encouraging. And frustrating. And absolutely the right choice. I'm going to keep working on becoming more comfortable in my own skin. (Remember, I've acknowledged before I can give anyone a pep talk, but my internal monologue isn't quite as positive.) I've already discussed next year's goals with Brent and we've agreed to continue working together. (Thank God! I've bought a ton of Dynamo clothing to intersperse with my Ironwilled stuff!)<br />
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I have similar race anxiety that I did leading up to IMFL. I know this: I have worked my ass off. I've followed the plan I was given. I've been committed 100% to the training/process. You could almost say I should be committed. October 11, 2015 you will find me jumping into the Ohio River and I'm going to keep going until I cross the finish line or someone tells me my day is done. There are no guarantees on race day, but I promise you this: <strong>I'll give it the best I've got</strong>. And to answer your question: Yes, I'm ready.<br />
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<br />Shawna Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10742472057600356938noreply@blogger.com6