Show Them The Money

Extending a Super Big Thanks to everyone that donated to my triathlon efforts. It was an honor presenting a $3525 check to Community Partners of Dallas on behalf of all of you! I could not have reached this fundraising level without your support and belief that I could finish the race! Thanks!!!!

What A Difference A Race Makes

It's been 3 weeks since the big CapTex Triathlon where I completed a one mile open water swim across Austin's Town Lake. **I have one week left for you to donate, so go to my donation link to the left and do it now! I'm back in training (race to be determined) and I swam last night for the first time in 3 weeks. I'm less than thrilled to be back to the pool facing all the bad side effects of the chlorine. At least I'm not swallowing it now. I must say showing up to the first day of training was alot different this round. I can remember the evening of February 16 like it was yesterday. I was driving to my very first swim feeling the impending doom of wearing a tight fitting Speedo over my super white body as well as that oh so attractive swim hat in public. I was so sick to my stomach all I wanted to do was turn around and go home. Last night I showed up to the pool in my new, super cute, red & black, Nike swimsuit as a "veteran triathlete." As you know, looking the part is my number one priority. This time the only thing I was worried about was my awful bike short tan line that will probably never even out. Those big white rings around my thighs certainly don't help out in the appearing thin department. Last night, a whole new group of trainees arrived. They were obviously feeling very self conscious and worried about what they had gotten themselves into. One of those self conscious people was none other than my hubbie, Bradley P. He walked out in the Speedo I convinced him to purchase by assuring him he would look no different than any other guy there & I was right. Apparently there is no difference in the way a girl feels walking out in a Speedo and the way a guy does. Girls wonder how fat they look and why the suit doesn't cover more. Guys wonder why the suit has to be so tight and "revealing." It's also the one true time that a guy has to deal with the "muffin top," which I personally feel is small, sweet victory for chics dealing with the muffin top issue on a daily basis! There is one common thread between the guys & dolls. Both promise themselves they will never ever eat again because the roll of flab around your stomach is so embarrassing you can't get into the pool fast enough. As soon as that swim is over, you are so hungry and that promise goes right out the window. Oh, well. C'est la vie! All one can do is try try again!

Post Race Interview by Molly Nolan

First I must say that I am incredibly proud of you. A triathlon is certainly not something I would have ever thought you would do. However, when I read that you were doing it for Community Partners of Dallas, I thought, “yep, that’s Kate!”

What was your time?
I finished the race in 3 hours & 40 minutes. For me, this was a personal best because I was counting on finishing between 4 hours & 15 mins to 4 and half hours. To put it into perspective, you have 6 hours to complete the whole race. The professionals who raced and won their categories finish the race in 2 hours on average. So if you look at a side by side comparison, I swam a mile in 45 minutes and the pros swim it in about 20 minutes. I completed the 25 mile bike ride in an hour and a half and the pros do it in an hour or less. I ran 6.2 miles in an 1 hour and 20 minutes and the pros run it between 30-45 minutes. Another thing that factors into your race time is how long you spend in the transition area between legs. I need a lot of work in this area because I am slow. I took almost 6 minutes between the swim & the bike and 6 and half minutes between the bike and the run. The pros never spend more than 2 minutes in either transition and it's usually about one and a half minutes.

How are your clothes fitting now?
Much to my dismay, my clothes are not fitting any differently. I only lost 3 pounds over the 14 weeks of training. I'm definitely more toned, I've got some new muscles and my face is thinner, but I must say I was hoping for much more visable results - like jeans fitting & no gut.

If you had to say what your favorite part of the swimming, running or biking was, what was your favorite part? The biking was my favorite part of three. I think this is because I've swallowed more chlorine and lake water than I care to think about and running long distance is hard. I had not spent any time on a bike since I was young. As long as you are not going up really steep hills, the rides are nice and relatively relaxing. It makes you feel young again.

Which stage were you most surprised you did well at doing?
I'm amazed that I can run 6.2 miles. In January, I could run a half mile and I was exhausted when I finished, so every time I made it another mile in my training it actually brought tears to my eyes. I still don't like to run, but it's a necessary evil.

Did you fall off the bike?
I did not fall off the bike during the race. I did fall off a few days prior to the race and suffered lots of bruises on both legs, an arm and my backside. I took my time clipping in before I took off and I didn't have any problems. Two times during the race riders passed me so close on the left that I was extremely uncomfortable and one guy passed on the right - which is not supposed to happen so this shook me up a little. A pedestrian also almost walked into me and I had to yell at him to watch out - which I thought was most bizarre.

What is the first thing you thought when you crossed the finish line?
In those last few minutes I was focusing on a fast strong finish, so I think the first thing I thought was to smile for the camera while simultaneously thinking I did it! I was surprised I didn't tear up because I had so many times during training when I accomplished a new goal. I thought I would be overwhelmed, but I was just happy and ready to see my friends and family that cheered me through the race.

What was the first thing you saw when you crossed the finish line?
A photographer laying on the ground.

Will you do another triathlon?
Yes. There are many in my future. There are lots of short "sprint length" races,which are less than half the distance of an Olympic length. These are all around the metroplex year round and I'm also considering starting to train for another Olympic length race that would take place in September.

What was the toughest stage?
The run. I had no doubts I could run the 6.2 miles because I had trained and worked up to this distance. I was mentally prepared. I did not however factor in the immense heat. The sun was brutal and blaring down on me at 95 degrees. I got really sunburned and it just zapped the remaining energy right out of me. The first 3.5 miles were fine, but a little after mile 4 started, I struggled to keep my pace. Of the 6.2 miles, I walked on and off about a half mile during the last portion of the run. I had been running about a 10 minute mile, but race day I ran slightly over a 12 minute mile. I did finish at a really strong pace, so although I'm disappointed I had to walk some, I'm happy with the outcome.

How much did you raise to give back to Community Partners of Dallas?
To date *fundraising isn't over*, I've raised $2700 thanks to all my very generous friends and family. I've got 3 more weeks to raise money, so feel free to click my donation link on this blog and make a much needed donation.

Did you ever feel like you weren’t going to make it?
No, not at any point. I was really tired during the run, but not discouraged. I was very prepared and knew I would finish.

So your husband was there, did you ever see him?
Yes. He found me right before I went into the water, so I saw him before & after the swim. I saw him once on the run course. I had to get up at 4:30 and leave the hotel at 5:30 the morning of the race with my training group, so that is why he had to find me in the mass of competitors.

Did you ever think about Brandon during the race? Yes, Molly, I thought about your boyfriend a lot during the race - especially during the running leg when I was hallucinating from the extreme heat. I was envisioning his hip new clothing line "Mackerel Life" being a major sponsor of the 2010 Cap Tex Tri. Then I thought of him agreeing to be my named sponsor for my next race and having the Mackerel Life logo displayed prominently on my tri top as well as some stickers on my bike helmet and water bottles. It was a cool line of thought with lots of logo placement opportunities and that got me through at least another mile in that blazing heat.

What did you do to celebrate completing this?
Probably just what I should not be doing - eating & drinking all my favorites that I've deprived myself of for the past few months. My stomach isn't happy about it. It's not letting me have as much as I think I want.

What was the most rewarding aspect?
Discovering I was physically capable of completing the training and enduring the race and receiving all the support and encouragement from friends and family. You can't imagine how many notes and phone calls I've received during this. It's been great.

Which stage did you excel the best at?
The swim. It has consistently taken me 45 plus minutes to swim a mile during my training, most of which was done in a swimming pool. The open water swims I did prior to the race were a disaster so I wasn't expecting much for race day. Surprisingly the water was smooth and I could actually see my hands and any feet in front of me. I swam the mile without stopping, without tiring and much faster than I ever have.

Did Brad give you a special gift for completing?
A hug! He also took some time off from work to spend with me so we could enjoy being finished with the training and the race a little longer.

Were any other family members present? Who?
I had a big cheering section and they were spread out all over the bike and run course so I saw them at a lot of different spots. My mom & dad were there. Brad's mother, his little sister and her boyfriend were there. My best childhood friend and her husband were there. She was the maid of honor in my wedding and his dad took all our wedding pictures. At this race, her husband took my race pictures with his fancy camera, so that was a fun unexpected surprise. Bethany Malloy & Rachel Karnes made the trip from Big D and brought lots of flair. They cheered from the sidelines with hot pink pom-poms, cowbells and big pink signs. They were easy to find and really loud and that was really very cool!

Did you develop any friendships while training or at the event?
Yes. Although we were a complete mix of personalities and backgrounds, our training group was small so we definitely got to know each other well. We all had the same common goal - to raise money for our cause and complete the race. We will always be the original group of All Tri, so there is a definite bond there and I'm sure we will see each other at future training sessions and races.

Did you talk to anyone during it, listen to music?
Our coach made it crystal clear we were not to listen to any music during the race. In fact, we were not supposed to listen to anything but our breathing during the last month of training. I saw other members of my group during the bike & run portions so we would give each other shout outs of encouragement. I asked a few bikers where we were supposed to exit the bike course and talked to a couple runners that were going the same pace as me.

What did you think about during?
I was so nervous the day before the race that I must have gotten it all out of my system for race day because all I thought about was my performance during each leg. I was very focused. During the swim, I concentrated on my strokes and watching where I was going. During the bike, I spent a lot of time counting my laps because I had to go around the bike course 4 times. I also looked for my husband & my parents during the bike course because I couldn't ever see them. I found out after the race they went to Whataburger for the better portion of the bike race and basically saw me start the course and leave the course. During the run, I just tried to get through it. All I can really remember was thinking about how hot it was.

Were you sore afterward?
Oh, Yeah! Very sore & very tired for the 3 days following the race. It started almost immediately with my feet and the sunburn. Then it was my legs. The day after the race my neck, shoulders and back were really sore. The next day it was just my calves & triceps. I'm all good now.

Do you have any words of wisdom for others considering doing a triathlon?
Get a good coach (Claire Oliver if she is available) and try to find a training buddy or some way to keep you very accountable. It's hard to stay committed to the training schedule when you do it alone. I was able to stick with it because I didn't want to let all the people that had donated down. Also, make sure you are aware of the financial commitment and the time commitment. It takes alot of both of these. I started from scratch on all my gear so this was an unexpected expense and the training schedule took over my life.

How will you present your money to CPD? Is there a specific program that they have that you have designated the money to go toward?
Checks will be presented at a special beneficiary breakfast sponsored by All Tri. I'll make sure take photos. I did not designate any specific area. I fully trust the leadership at CPD to put the money to good use in the area(s) that need it most.

Now that you have finished, what’s next?
I'm going to Disneyworld! (not really - that's just what they always say after winning the Super Bowl.) I wish I had something really exciting to embark on, but I'm just trying to get things back to "normal." A less hectic schedule is priority number one and getting a handle on work, family and all my upcoming volunteer commitments. Life goes on, so I'm jumping back in it!

I FINISHED THE RACE !!!

Well, I did it! 14 weeks of training later, I completed my first ever Olympic length triathlon crossing the finish line with a smile on my face in 3 hours and 40 minutes.

1 More Day !

Tomorrow I race. I'm packed and off to Austin now. Started the day with a little yoga & meditation to relax my mind & my nervous stomach. Got my running mantra down that flows right with my pace. In some instances, I have "Do it for the children" running through my head and at other times I have "Community Partners" in cadence with each stride & step. I'm ready to do this! Think good thoughts for me tomorrow morning & remember it's not too late to make a donation to Community Partners of Dallas. I've done all the hard work. All you have to do is type in a few numbers & click send. See you at the finish line!!

2 More Days

All I did today was make my gigantic gear list & check it twice. Heaven forbid I forget anything, but I've been packing for a week. I've got everything I need and in some cases double - just in case I need a backup because something breaks. I maintenanced the bike, got some new tires & put the bike rack on the car. I feel very granola now with this gigantic rack on the car. Tomorrow I'm off!

3 More Days!

Today I took a nap & shopped for my BYOB -- Breakfast not Booze. My coach has encouraged consistency in all routines varying nothing & introducing nothing new on race day including eating, so she told us to pack our breakfast. I have to eat so early the morning of race day there probably isn't even room service available & I'm sure not walking to Denny's - although pancakes are always a great start to any day. These last 3 weeks, I've been starting my day with bananas, peanut butter and a wheat bagel with an orange Gatorade chaser. Pretty boring, but that's the menu. Off to bed early tonight. I've got one more open water swim training bright & early tomorrow morning and then training is officially over. Hooray!

4 More Days!

Day 4 was all about the bike! I did a slow bike ride around White Rock Lake to respect the memory of bike riders killed by motor vehicles. Riding the bike in a large group was definitely challenging, but the worst part was I had to ride in silence. Absolutely no talking for 11 miles. This was difficult for me. This last month of training has been so crazy with the ramped up training schedule. There are so many things I wanted to blog about -especially when it comes to the biking leg of this race, but there hasn't been enough time in the day to compose my thoughts. A big thing that happened in May was the training wheels came off my bike. Now I have those bike pedals that bike shoes can clip into. Since I'm all about brands and nothing but the best, these pedals are called Candy pedals designed by crankbrothers. I let the guy at the bike store assure me this is what I needed. I have no idea if he is right or not, but I'm guessing he saw a sucker and sold me an expensive pedal. This pedal claims to be the world's first 2-sided pedal with 4-sided entry. The design allows me to clip my foot in a variety of ways not possible with other pedals and they have 6 degrees of rotational float so my foot is not held in one solid position allowing less strain on my knees. My opinion on this -"Whatever!" I still have a hard time clipping into them and I've fallen off the bike enough times trying to unclip from the *&#@ pedals to have bruises all over my body. I know I would have this many coordination issues no matter what brand of pedals I have.

At least I got to buy new shoes. I've gone from Gucci to Sidi. Things these shoes have in common: their designer names rhyme, they both come with a brochure telling you what an amazing pair of shoes they are in two languages; they are both made in Italy of the finest Italian leather; they are both really expensive and they can only be worn to compliment specific outfits. Speaking of outfits - the bicycle shirts are mind blowing. It's like a watching a psychedelic t-shirt collection in motion. I've seen some super cool shirts. Some of my favorites depict images & logos of: Martha's Vineyard Black Dog Wharf; Sutter Home, Lone Star and Shiner Bock (I'm sensing a theme here.) I still hate working out, so I will do anything to distract me from the pain. I've been training in different bike rides with large groups of people. I have to try really hard to focus on my extreme lack of bicycle handling techniques because all the vivid colors, designs & styles of these shirts and in some cases the matching bike shorts are very distracting. One thing that I quickly came familiar with are brand names of triathlon gear that encompasses the swim, the run, and the bike. It goes way beyond the familiar ones everyone knows like Nike, Addidas and Speedo. Unlike my familiar circle of gal pals, you can't walk up to these athletes and casually ask, "Who are you wearing?" So I've educated myself on the best places to shop (it's not Neiman's) and I'm now familiar with designers like Tyr, Bell, Shimano, LGI (Louis Garneau), Pearl Izumi, Specialized, Moving Comfort, DeSoto, Zoot and Brooks. Most importantly, I now own something from all of these designers. So, don't hesitate to ask me, "Who Are You Wearing?" I'll gladly answer and in return would like the Paris Hilton approval of "That's Hot!"

5 More Days!

My last run before race day. I needed to run 6 miles one more time prior to the race, so I took on "The Bridge" one last time. For those of you that have no idea what I'm talking about, see the March 31st post entitled "Milestones & Measurements." This running thing has been an incredible progress monitor. In January, I could barely run a mile. At the beginning of Feburary, I made it a mile and half. February 14th was my first training day for the triathlon and by the end of the month, I was running between 2 to 2-1/2 miles. March rolled around and I turned a year older -35. I could run 3 miles at the beginning but it hurt terribly. I even cried during a training one Saturday when we were focusing combining running and sprinting. That was one of the days I would have quit had I not already received so many generous donations encouraging me and supporting Community Partners of Dallas from many friends & family members. At the end of March I ran 4 miles and thought I was going to die when I finished. I was breathing so hard and almost puked right at the end of the bridge. Last month, I was accomplishing four to five miles and doing alot of hill training. Up the hill and back down the hill. Up the hill again and back down. It was awful. On top of this, April was also the month these fun things called "double bricks" were incorporated into our training schedule, which is where you get the fun task of a two hour workout that combines swimming and running or bike riding and running. This last month, I've consistently run between five and half miles to finally the big 6-1/2! I actually don't feel terrible when I'm finished - (other than all the blisters on my feet.) I really have this great sense of accomplishment. I'm still amazed that I've gone from couch potato to triathlete. This just goes to show you, if I made the decision to this with these results in a little over 3 months, there are alot of you that could take this on an accomplish it too. Many of you have consistently told me what an inspiration I have been. If this is true, I hope I've inspired you to do something that makes you a better person inside(physical fitness & mental wellnes) and outside(taking the time to help the less fortunate, and neglected.) What's the worst that could happen by taking on a personal challenge? If you don't succeed the first few times out, try try again!

6 More Days!

Today I'm celebrating no more drinking chlorine during cocktail hours. I'm going to avoid the pool from the hours of 4:00pm til nighty-night time for as long as possible. Cheers!

7 Days till the Big Race!

THE COUNTDOWN TO THE RACE BEGINS!

Next Monday, I will be in Austin participating in my first every Olympic length triathlon. So, what does one do the week before the race? I'm gonna tell ya. One day at a time. Day 1: You go practice a one mile open water swim wearing a really tight, but really cool wetsuit. It's not fun. The waves hit you in the face and your chest hurts from drinking all that lovely lake water.

I Completed My Sprint Distance Training Triathlon!!!

Well, it was an early morning filled with anxiety. I really didn't know what to expect at a real race with lots of people I didn't know, but I saw many things that encouraged me. I learned a lot. I didn't drink any chlorine or get kicked in the face during the swim. I didn't fall off my bike by running over one of the huge potholes or get blown over by the strongest winds ever. I made it through the run without my shoes coming untied. I didn't throw up. But, most importantly, there was no one else there with the same outfit as me. As you can see, I modeled it by posing in the handicap zone to emphasize how crazy this whole endeavor is. I did however see my second choice outfit on several woman. I'm so glad I didn't make that purchase. One less wardrobe faux pas (albeit a minor one) to worry about. There were a few issues. I forgot some wardrobe change accessories & had to just deal. I thought I broke my race belt (this holds my race number on & is a required wardrobe accessory.) I haven't yet graduated to the clip in bike pedals and I had a really hard time getting my left foot into the "rat trap" attached on the top of my pedal, so the bike take off was very rocky - like "I almost fell over before entering the bike route" rocky. My mom bought me these socks to race in that are specific for the left & right foot. I brought 2 left foot socks with me. I'm sure this somehow negatively affected my run, but I haven't quite put my finger on how yet. All in all, I looked the part, finished the race and did not come in anywhere close to last place. Brad was there cheering me & thank goodness for that. I had no idea how comforting & encouraging it is to have someone you know on the sidelines. It was even great to have random people yelling, "Keep it up 266!" It's now officially 1 month to the big race in Austin. (Can You Believe It's This Close!) I'm definitely succeeding, but I'm going to keep tri training again!

Five Sweet Little Words: "Honey, Take My Credit Card!"

Ahhh…. Retail Therapy…..New clothes & especially new shoes without fail revives me, rejuvenates me and restores my mental well-being (until I get the bill & even worse when my husband gets the bill.) These days my shopping has taken me through unfamiliar territory leading to a lot of stores with the word “sports” somewhere in the name. Most of the stuff at these places is pretty mundane. Sometimes there is a silver lining like the new shoes with sparkles and the hot pink & black number I purchased for my race tomorrow (oh, just you wait & see this fabulous outfit.) There is just something about that feeling of wearing something new for the very first time. It’s exciting and gives you an occasion to look forward to whether it’s the next day at the office or a party. Looking good equals feeling good. This is the reason why when children removed from an unhealthy situation are brought to Child Protective Services they go through The Rainbow Room. The children are given a clean pair of clothes, socks and a plush toy. It has to be incredibly scary to be removed from a bad situation and introduced into a new one without having any idea what is in store. Community Partners of Dallas has made it its mission to ensure the neglected & abused children in Dallas County safety & restore their hope & dignity. It’s amazing to think how huge a role something as simple as a new pair of socks plays in this healing process. Approximately 47% of the children served by The Rainbow Room are ages 0, helpless little babies, to 3 years old. 32% are ages 4 to 9 years old. It’s staggering to think about how many children on a daily basis are being abused and neglected before they’ve even made it through 5th grade. It’s even more shocking to realize how many of these children are not old enough to make decisions about their personal welfare. Count your blessings – not your money. Honey, take out your credit card and make donation to Community Partners of Dallas right now! I guarantee you will feel rejuvenated knowing you’ve just made a positive difference in restoring a child’s hope for the future. **Words to live by – If at first you don’t succeed, try try again.

It Was Only A Matter of Time

Well, the inevitable happened. She died. I saw her when she left this morning, but after enduring a swim, a bike ride and run spanning hours she is simply not moving. (For those of you wondering if you should bring food to comfort to me & get me over this road bump, you should. Even in her more alive days, Kate never did contribute to the Hungry Husbands Fund & I'm starving. There is nothing in this house but rice cakes, protein bars, canned salmon, iceberg lettuce and protein powder. That's probably what killed her.) What ever will I do to get her motivated to move?

Oh, I know what will do the trick...... (Stay tuned to see if it works.)

---- Brad, the husband, chief cook & dishwasher.

A White Rock Bike Ride Followed By A Short Run

I just wanted everyone to know I met my All Tri group training at 8AM this morning at White Rock Lake. I stopped in and got a skinny latte & donut to eat on my commute. (This is why I'm not losing weight. It's like drinking a Diet Coke and eating a bag of M&Ms - another bad habit I joyously indulge.) Thankfully I survived a 20 mile bike ride followed by a 2.75 mile run. I didn't fall off the bike or crash into any of the 3000 bikers out there this morning riding the Tour Dallas - seriously there were a gazillion cyclist out there. It was an experience. Keep in mind, I have to ride the bike 25 miles in the race and follow that ride with a 6.2 mile run. I'm definitely making progress. The attached picture is to show you I'm still standing! I also thought I would model those ever so figure flattering, super padded biking shorts :) Show me & especially Community Partners of Dallas some love. Make a $20 donation today for the miles I biked around the lake!

There's A Party Over Here! There's A Party Over There!

Everyone I know is at a great cocktail party tonight. Then many are off to a birthday party for Rian. (Happy Birthday Rian!!!) I'm at home having a pity party because I decided to stay home and do my scheduled triathlon training, which was an hour and half bike ride in the cold wind. I totally crashed the bike on mile 8. Apparently my bike riding skills are almost as good as my car driving skills. Poor pitiful me. Anyone want to join my pity party? The Gatorade is flowing & Sponge Bob Band-Aids are the party favors. Whoop! There It Is!

Milestones & Measurements

Well, this week is week number 7 of my training and it really must be a lucky week because things are "shaping up." I wish I was referring to the shape of my body, but I think I'm actually gaining weight. I was hoping I would somehow manage to trim down through all of this but I'm not loving the way my jeans are fitting and I'm not loving who's looking back at me in the mirror. Oh well, I'm digressing. Actually, I have accomplished some milestones over the past weeks and in my mind (we all now how that works) these are major accomplishments. The first big milestone was about two weeks ago. I made it through an hour of spin class and moved to the treadmill where I jogged 3.5 miles. That was two hours of me being in constant physical motion! This gave me a glimmer of hope that I might actually be able to ride a bicycle for 25 miles and somehow manage to immediately complete a 6.2 mile run. Second milestone - get ready for this one - I was able to change clothes in the actual locker room at the gym! This was a major change because I had been cramming into the bathroom stall to go from gym clothes to swim suit or vice-versa. When you factor in having to shower before & after getting into the pool, that is an awful lot of time doing these necessary wardrobe changes while hiding out in the stalls. I personally just don't like naked. I don't want to see myself naked, I don't want to see other people naked and I especially don't want other people to see me naked. I mean, seriously, I'm already dealing with wearing a Speedo and a swim cap in public. It is just not that easy to squeeze into and out of all that tight spandex these workout wardrobes are made of. These outfits are indeed designed to keep everything in place & not jiggling around! So, about a week ago I gave in and just stripped down & re-dressed with all the other work out divas. My heart rate goes up every time I have to disrobe, but I'm painfully dealing. The biggest milestone I accomplished was on Sunday. I conquered the "bridge." There is a 2 mile bridge that runs between Rockwall & Rowlett. (Yes, I photographed the actual bridge. Doesn't it look daunting! I felt you would be more impressed with my story if you had a visual.) I tried to run this bridge once shortly after I began my training and I made it about a mile panting and walking along the way, so I've had this huge hang-up about it. The one thing I know for sure is that I can definitely run 3.5 miles, so what's another half mile? I actually made it all the way across and back without stopping! I realized that thinking I could not run that distance without stopping was all in my head. I stayed focused on the different training techniques people explained to me, but the best advice so far has come from my friend, Jenny. Jenny ran a half marathon for the first time in her life in 2003 and raised money for leukemia & lymphoma while doing it. She told me at one point in her training she went and visited some of the children with cancer undergoing chemo treatments. She said it helped her keep moving when she felt pain or got tired while running by reminding her if those kids can go through chemo, she could go the distance. She also told me to use my run time as God time. So I was very focused and positive on Sunday. I did feel quite a bit of pain the last mile, but I thought about what child abuse victims endure and kept running. I also focused on everything good around me, all my blessings and the many things I am thankful for. It was a gorgeous day! People were water skiing and the boaters would wave at me & honk their horns. This coupled with all the constant stream of Harley riders going down the road, waving & revving their engines was very motivational. I did a lot of "waving my hands in the air like I just didn't care and of course shouting whoo-hoo at the same time!" I'm now going to use the bridge to measure my progress. If I can run it twice without stopping, (that's 8 total miles for the math challenged) then I'll know I can definitely make it through the running portion. I'll keep you updated on my progress throughout April. For the first time, I can tell you I am truly focused and really driven to succeed with this endeavor. Did you know that Community Partners of Dallas has four annual drives? Last year, the Back to School Drive stuffed 2,421 backpacks and 2,735 pieces of school uniforms were distributed. The Winter Coat Drive distributed coats to more than 1,060 children. The Holiday Toy Drive distributed two or more toys to 5,693 kiddos and the Easter Basket Drive provided Easter baskets to over 1,700 children in Dallas County. The CPD staff and the members in The Partnership are focused to keep this good work going and of course, growing. You can be a part of all our efforts by clicking on my donation link on the left and making a generous tax deductible donation. Focusing on how much you should give? Don't drive yourself crazy with numbers. Just donate $100 for simple accounting and always remember, "If at first you don't succeed, try try again!"

Bicycle Shopping Begins

In a few months, May 25th to be exact, I will be riding my bicycle 25 miles in the great city of Austin, TX. This bike ride is the second leg of my first ever Olympic length triathlon that I'm training for. The ride follows a 1 mile, open water swim across Austin's Town Lake. Before getting on the bicycle, I have to go through a wardrobe change. The word "wardrobe" sparked my interest enough to take a trip to Richardson Bike Mart. The Bike Mart is really cool and really huge. It's divided into two sections: the bicycle side & the clothing & gear side. Honestly, I didn't know there were that many types of bicycles in the world. I have only owned three bikes in my life: a red tricycle; a blue bicycle with a white basket and training wheels and a ten speed that I road until I got my driver's license. I do not currently own a bicycle and I have not been on bicycle since the late 80's. I do however have a new friend at the Bike Mart, Marc Fuentes, cycling expert and bicycle salesman extraordinaire. (Marc will be making his debut in an upcoming post...stay tuned) Marc spent a lot of time with me explaining what I need. I'm a little high maintenance, so for some reason this turned out to be a really long shopping trip. Turns out I need a 23 wsd road bike with a bell and multi-colored streamers from the handles and I need the shiny white one they have in stock (bell & streamers sold separately.) I was feeling very overwhelmed after learning all the mechanics of the bicycle, so I took a breather and wandered to the other half of the store where Marc and I began assembling my new cycling wardrobe. In addition to a bike, I need a bike helmet (alien headgear), bike gloves (don't have fingers/do have special padding), special bike shorts to train in & a different pair to race in (real ugly/make my butt look even bigger/has a diaper sewn into them), special bike shoes (has something on the bottom that makes the shoe clip onto the pedal), a fix-a-flat bike pack (like I could actually fix a flat tire in the middle of a race), a water bottle and a car rack (at least I will look outdoorsy & granola) to transport it to all those places I will be riding it all the time (right- I see that happening.) I decided to purchase a helmet, since I know I will be falling down a lot & will most likely be knocked over at least once, but probably more than once by other cyclists that actually know what they are doing. Marc & I decided that a pink helmet would suit me best. It's a proven fact that pink helmets make for the best protective headgear around. I also purchased the pair of bike shorts I need to train in. Marc brought me a size Large without even consulting me and was very sure that was exactly the right size - Whatever! It's no surprise to me that I left the Bike Mart with clothing only, but protective headgear is a priority. Community Partners of Dallas is like protective headgear for abused children. Did you know that 33% of the children served by the Rainbow Room are victims of physical abuse? This a shockingly true story: Tommy is seven. When he came to school with his arm in a sling and a black eye, his teacher asked a lot of questions. He told her that he got in a fight with a bully on the way home from school, but she didn't think all the details added up so she kept asking questions. Finally, Tommy broke down in tears and told her that it was his mom who had hurt him. He begged his teacher not to tell anyone. His mom had lost her job two months earlier and was so stressed. He told her that they didn't have enough money to eat and it was his fault that he made her mad when she was so sad. He shouldn't have turned the TV on so loud and bugged her.... She just snapped and started to hit him over and over again. For now, Tommy is living with his aunt. This happened in December. Community Partners of Dallas provided him with Christmas presents and a mattress to sleep on while living at his aunt's house. Child protective services is working with his mom with hopes that they can safely reunite the family in due time. Be motivated with me & support my 25 mile bike riding efforts by making a donation now that furthers the protective efforts of Community Partners of Dallas and ensures safety to so many children. Donate toward the bike ride - $25 for 25 miles or if your wheels are spinning fast and you're so inclined, donate in multiples of $25 ($50-$75-$100-$125). Now that would provide a lot of protective headgear - pink of course! Keep riding & if at first you don't succeed, try try again.

The Swimsuit

My swimsuit fashion has certainly evolved over the years. When I was in high school and college, I would have never entertained the idea of wearing a one piece swimsuit and I can assure you that a swimsuit with a skirt was absolutely not an option. My stance on this fashion decision has been dramatically altered due to two distinct factors: 1.) I no longer have the body of an 18 - 21 year old and have long since given up trying and 2.) You can't do an open water swim in a skirt and especially not in a bikini! That's right. I will be swimming in open water - not racing in a swimming pool - the day of the triathlon. Specifically, I will be swimming in Austin's Town Lake, which I hear is quite chilly on Memorial Day so I'm hoping for blue skies and RAINBOWS. Swimming is the first leg of the triathlon. I will be swimming 1 mile followed by a bike ride and ending with a jog and it will all be worth it when we (me and all of you that are supporting my efforts by donating) get to give Community Partners of Dallas a big fat check! In 1993, Community Partners of Dallas opened the Rainbow Room which meets children's emergency needs for resources, including clothing, shoes, formula, diapers, cleaning supplies, hygiene items, birthday presents and school supplies. These items are distributed through the Dallas County caseworkers. Since it opened, the Rainbow Room has served more than 90,000 children. Community Partners of Dallas has been so successful with this program it is now being replicated across the state and is currently underway in more than 130 cities in Texas. You can be a part of keeping the Rainbow Room a success by supporting my swimming efforts. Can't decide on how much to donate? How about donating 1 penny for the 5280 grueling feet I'll be swimming across Town Lake. That's $52.80 for all you math wizzes like myself! Ladies, this is so much easier than going swimsuit shopping. Just click & donate! As always - If at first you don't succeed, try try again!

Reality Check!

Well, reality has completely set in. I realized what I've committed to doing is so far beyond any level of athleticism I may possess that it's laughable. I'm training for the "Olympic" distance triathlon. The word "Olympic" should have been my first red flag especially since it is synonymous with world-class athletes. What this boils down to is I will be swimming for 1 mile, biking for 25 miles and running for 6.2 miles in that order. Through my rigorous training, I've determined I'm approximately a little less than the halfway point on all three of the activities. It takes me an hour on any one of the three activities just to make it midway. World class athlete I definitely am not. Terrible at math I definitely am. I keep calculating how long I will actually be competing in the race. At the rate I'm going it could take me 6 hours to finish it! Hopefully my math is off - way off. So I'm turning my thoughts from this little "mini crisis" I'm mulling around in my tiara adorned head to something much more positive. Did you know that Community Partners of Dallas has a program called Kids in Crisis? This program provides emergency funds for transportation, housing, enrichment activities, clothing, therapy and medical expenses for children in relative care or in their own homes. Kids in Crisis serves more than 5,400 of Dallas County's abused and neglected children annually. Now I can do that math and the reality of it is Community Partners is making a huge impact in the lives of a lot of kiddos. Speaking of checks, this is a really good time to write one. Do some simple math like $1.00 for each mile I will complete. This equals $32.20 for those math challenged individuals like myself! Always Remember - If at first you don't succeed, try try again!

It All Started With a New Pair of Shoes

For those of you that know me, you know I love to shop - especially for shoes. You also know the words "work out" are not frequently used by me. It's a fact, that the most physical activity by me is done while dancing after enjoying a few adult beverages. So here it is 2009 and I'm turning 35. I decided it was time for a major new year's resolution. I wanted to do something that would change my life - especially physically because nothing in my closet fits the way it used to and half the time the new clothes don't look they way they are intended to. So in November 08, I decided I was going to run a triathlon this year. January began and I started surfing to find a triathlon training plan. I basically got no where with this research except determining there would be alot of shopping involved. Like any sport, a triathlon requires "outfits & gear." You need shoes, a swimsuit, swim accessories (swim cap & goggles) and a bike, which also requires special bike shoes. I decided to purchase the running shoes because I could at least start running. I went to Run On (Mockingbird Ln location) where I signed in to be "fitted." I told my shoe sales expert I was considering running a triathlon and needed shoes for this venture. She told me she was a triathlon coach and gave me her card. I bought the shoes and some very expensive socks. Apparently your feet need to breathe while you run and this can be managed through the right socks. I did manage to avoid purchasing any of the super cute running outfits. Who knew running outfits could be so super duper cute? I went home and looked up All Tri, which is the organization where my shoe sales expert coaches. I found out I could train & run a triathlon while raising money for the charity of my choice. Talk about a life changing resolution! This triathlon would now take care of me physically & mentally. I would know each time I drag myself to another work out session that I am doing this for something greater than me. I have now committed to doing this triathlon & I decided to raise money for Community Partners of Dallas, which ensures safety and restores dignity & hope to abused and neglected children by providing resources and support to the caseworkers of Dallas County Child Protective Services. My husband and I don't have children and I am adopted. It is very important to me that all children have the opportunity to be raised in a safe, nurturing & loving environment, just as I was. Every child deserves a chance to make something out of their life. I also know I am raising money for an organization that is run properly. The CPD staff is AWESOME and their President, Paige McDaniel, and Development VP, Joanna Clarke, are Top Notch! All it took was their blessing and I signed on the dotted line. I've agreed to train, compete in the triathlon and raise at least $2500 for Community Partners of Dallas. Oh, and that shoe sales expert, Clair Oliver, is now my triathlon Coach. She has ONLY completed 40 triathlons and 10 marathons and coached over 500 people. She is a Rock Star and she's my coach. Now show me your support by making a donation to CPD through my fundraising link and always remember if at first you don't succeed at something, try try again!