Lessons from the Little Blue Truck

There is a book I read to Lucas called "The Little Blue Truck."  We read it so often, I don't even need to look at the pages to tell the story.  The theme of the book is friendship and the reward of helping others.  As I was reflecting on the past few days, a passage came to life in my head:

"Thanks, little brother," 

said the Dump to Blue.  

"You helped me and they helped you.  

Now I see a lot depends 

on a helping hand 

from a few good friends."

I actually almost started to cry, because I realized how lucky I am to have friends in my life that offer help in so many ways.  I've been struggling with my workouts, both getting them done and being happy with the results . . . I've been struggling at work, overwhelmed with my new role and the way it consumes my non-working hours . . . I've been struggling with guilt over not spending enough time with my husband . . . the ONE person who gets all of my focus is Lucas.  I know he will not be little for very long, and I am cherishing every single moment I spend with my sweet baby boy.

I realized, that when I struggle to find the time for a ride, or a run, or a swim, there are so many who step up and say "let me know when you want to go, I'll go with you."  Or "I'll watch Lucas, just let me know when you need me."  Just this afternoon, my mom offered to watch him tomorrow afternoon so that I could run or ride or catch up on work.

When I am struggling to be happy with my mile time or my bike pace, I am flooded with messages reminding me that it's a gift, a journey, and look how much I am capable of doing just by sheer determination - and not just from my regular running and tri buddies, from people I have had the opportunity to known throughout my life.

While I am struggling with work, my team jumps in and says "Let me show you how I do it, it's way faster," or "how can I help, I can see the stress on your face every morning."  I am a big ol' P in a sea of strong J's.

My husband . . . I am still figuring that one out, and trying to make a more conscious effort to make him know how much I love him, how much I value him.  I know I have a lot of work to do here :)

And then there are those with whom I see or talk to infrequently who ask "how's the running going?  what are you training for?  are you raising money this year?"  I am always amazed that people take the time to remember these things, that they ask in earnest and truly want to hear the answer.

This journey to Ironman is the biggest challenge I have taken on, possibly ever.  Instead of looking at the trees, I see the forest.  I need the trees, each is important and valued.  But the forest - the forest is the beauty of ALL the trees.  That's how I see Ironman.  A big, beautiful forest.

I want it, but I don't

That's where I am currently in my training . . . wanting the coveted 140.6 status, not wanting to get out of bed at 3:45am every morning for the next 5 months to train.  What was I thinking?  Oh, yeah - that I would get back into shape, and show my son that anything is possible.  Granted, he is only 9 months old and will have NO CLUE what the significance of the big, red M-dot plastered everywhere entailed, but he will have the pictures, stories and life lessons for the remainder of his life.  Lucky kid, huh?

Yes, I will be that person who becomes a walking billboard for Ironman.

As much as I'd like to scratch this event, I've already made it very well known that I am doing this race, and so I will.  Coach Gene kicked me in the behind after our ride Saturday and scheduled two evening swims this week.  Kari told me that since we've seen each other more in normal clothes rather than spandex, we have not been riding or running enough.  Touche, friends.  Touche.

And with that, I am ready for Build 2:

This week's workouts:

• Monday:  Swim 1:00:00, Bike 0:55:00
• Tuesday:  Strength 0:30:00, Run 0:40:00
• Wednesday:  Strength 0:30:00, Swim 1:00:00, Bike 0:50:00
• Thursday:  Strength 0:30:00, Run 0:35:00
• Friday:  Strength // Active Recovery
• Saturday:  Brick 2:00:00 (Bike 1:10:00, Run 0:10:00)
• Sunday:  Run 1:10:00, Swim 1:00:00

Some of these may get switched around, as my pool isn't open on Sunday, so I may go Friday instead.  I added extra strength workouts, simply because I like going to boot camp.  My MAIN goal this week is to get in the pool and swim.  So please ask me about swimming.

In other, non-Ironman news, my sweet baby boy is now 9 months old.  The consensus is that he will be walking within 2 weeks . . . I am not ready, he is growing too fast for my liking.  He loves our dog, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, books, snacks (okay, food, in general), laughing and cuddling (okay, maybe I like that).  He is energetic, spunky, determined, temperamental, curious and oh-so-sweet.

Everyday I'm Shufflin'

It's comical, the things that run through your mind during a workout.  Saturday morning I drove over to Safety Harbor for my 50 minute run, as I had decided that I wanted coffee from Starbucks on my way home.  It was a grey, overcast morning, and the forecast was calling for rain.  One way or another, I was getting that run completed.  It was on my schedule, gosh darnnit.  When I pulled into the parking lot, I spied a white cooler, which could mean only one thing - Team IN Training was there for their weekly group run!  This was a much needed pick-me-up, as I was tired and not super excited to run.  After chatting for a few and taking a photo, I was off - I needed to get home so that my husband could go play ball with his friends.

In case you are new here, I am the tall one in the grey.  Dressed as though it is 40, not 70.

I really wanted to run with the Diva team, but I took off and got on my way.  I felt as though I was moving slower than molasses, but at least I was moving and nothing was hurting.  All of a sudden, all I could hear in my head was "Everyday I'm Shufflin."  It did not make me run faster, but it made me giggle.   I finished up my run, extending it down the pier at the marina, waving to the older gentleman enjoying their morning walk.  I arrived at my car, grabbed my gold card, and went to get a piping hot cup of joe.  I managed to get buckled in just before it started to pour.

Sunday I was slated to ride for an hour, and instead of hopping on the trainer, I headed outside to meet up with Coach Gene, who was my first tri coach and is currently leading the way for the Suncoast cyclists heading to Tahoe this June.  It was 80 degrees - the sun and humidity felt heavenly.  I did my 20 miles, mostly drafting off of Gene, and I felt good when I finished.  MUCH better than I had felt on my last ride.  Thank the Lord.

I have to say, I owe this new strength and endurance to Drew, my super awesome trainer at Camp Gladiator.  I've been going twice a week, doing my best to rebuild strength and endurance.  It is hard, but I love it.  I checked with my coaches, and they said if I am enjoying it, to continue doing the workouts.  Whew! Another awesome thing about Drew and CG?  Everyone is so friendly and supportive, and they even run before camp!  I really scored here, because I now have no excuses to skip my weekday runs.  I am loving it so much, I went BOLD.  So basically I committed to a year of getting stronger.

Yep, me again, in long sleeves on a 60 degree morning.

Training is going well.  I'm making my schedule work, getting what needs to be done done.  It is difficult, though, to be patient with myself and not compare current Me to pre-baby Me.  Two different people, two different bodies.  I see friends killing it - running, cycling, swimming 4k on a random Saturday . . . and I'm over here thinking "I only rode for an hour."  I completely trust my coaches, and no journey is the same.  And so I stay my course, focusing on myself and my family, my WHY.  Raising much needed funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as a part of Team In Training, crossing the finsh line and hearing "Megan Supernovich, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN."  Living a life that is full and robust and giving, setting an example for my son that we are all capable of so much more.

This week is Week 6 of training.  Lots of hours, but nothing unreasonable (yet).

• Monday:  Bike 50 minutes (check!)
• Tuesday:  Strength 30 minutes, Run 40 minutes (check!) - Swim 30-60 minutes
• Wednesday:  Bike 45 minutes, Swim 60 minutes
• Thursday:  Strength 30 minutes, Run 30 minutes
• Friday:  Bike 80 minutes, Swim 60 minutes
• Saturday:  Run 60 minutes
• Sunday:  Recovery (we have spring training tickets)

Week 7:

• Monday:  Bike and Swim
• Tuesday:  Strength and Run
• Wednesday:  Bike and Swim
• Thursday:  Strength and Optional Run
• Friday:  Recovery
• Saturday:  Brick
• Sunday:  Swim and Run

Next weekend I am registered for a half marathon that I am nowhere near ready for, and I am still debating whether or not I will actually make the drive to Sarasota o run.  Too much + too soon = Injury.  And ain't nobody got time for that.

Current Fundraiser:  March Madness Bracket Challenge.  $20 per entry.  Cash prizes to top 3 winners, non-cash prizes for most points earned in Sweet Sixteen, Choosing the largest upset, and Dead Last Finish.  Proceeds donated directly to my fundraising account.  Cash and payments via PayPal accepted.  Who will be the last team standing?

Thanks for all of the encouragement and support - you are all helping to get me through the challenges I face with training!

The journey of a lifetime

I finally did it.  After years of stalking watching, cheering and celebrating the accomplishments of my friends and strangers, I did it.  I signed up for Ironman - 140.6 miles (yes, in one day) of fun.  And oddly enough, I am excited.  Really excited.

As with any other seemingly impossible challenge, I have chosen to tackle Ironman the way I do any other endurance event - with Team In Training.  I have set my fundraising goal at $10,000 - I have events in the works, but if you just cannot wait for March Madness or Painting With A Twist, you can donate right now: 

http://pages.teamintraining.org/nca/ironmd15/msupernovi 

No amount is too small, and every single dollar makes a difference.  I am living proof - because of those that have come before me, I am here to do the same for others.  This fall, I will be celebrating 15 years in remission from non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.  I know that I was given a second chance, and I am not about to waste the years I have been given.

I am currently on Week 5 of Ironman Maryland (IMMD) training.  I am finding it challenging, to put it lightly, to get my workouts done, and it's only going to get more difficult, as the workouts get longer in both intensity and length.  But there are no excuses.  I will find a way.  I WILL ACCOMPLISH MY GOALS.

This week's workouts:

• Monday:  Strength, 30 minutes + Bike, 46 minutes    I did not do these - so Friday will not be a recovery day, lol
• Tuesday:  Run 40 minutes + Swim 30 minutes - This morning I did a 1 hour workout at Camp Gladiator, with is part strength and part cardio.  My butt is toast.  Will either bike tonight, or get to the pool.  
• Wednesday:  Bike 45 minutes, Strength 30 minutes
• Thursday:  Swim 60 minutes, Optional Run 30 minutes
• Friday:  Day off / Active Recovery
• Saturday:  Bike 60 minutes
• Sunday:  Swim 60 minutes, Run 50 minutes

I move things around a bit, because life with an 8 month old is very unpredictable.  Especially with one who refuses to sleep and wants his mama at all times.  Yesterday I decided that I need to find a way to get it done, but if I miss something, it's okay.  Let's be real, here - I am not winning my age group, and I am not qualifying for Kona.  I can barely do a push-up and it is a struggle to keep my runs under 12:00 minutes per mile.  And the bike?  Shoot, I might as well be riding a beach cruiser, I am so slow right now.

This does not mean that I do not have a time goal.  I do, I'm just not quite sure what I will actually decide that will be just yet.  My ultimate goal is to raise $10,000 and finish the race before midnight.  This race isn't just about me - it's about my family, and all of the families that $10,000 will offer rays of hope.  We will find a cure for the cancers that plague so many.  And that, my friends, is what it's all about.  Helping others and making a difference in the ways we are able.

Stay tuned for updates, there will be plenty :)

My running buddy, Lucas

First bike ride of training.  And this is why I live in Florida - no snow and shorts in the middle of winter.  It is as fantastic as it looks, trust me.

With a Little Help from My Friends

I've been having a difficult time locating my fitness motivation these past few months.  All was well post-baby; I was cleared to resume exercise, and I was feeling excited about my training for the RnR New Orleans Marathon.  I was up before dawn, logging 3-6 miles on Tuesdays and Thursday with some pretty awesome people, thrilled to be back at it.

And then every athlete's nemesis kicked in - I was injured.  I was going to do what I normally do and power through, until one night my foot hurt so badly I was honestly afraid that I would drop my sweet baby boy.  So I went to have it checked out.  Nothing serious, just a bout with a stubborn case of Plantaar Fascititis.  I even committed to seeing a physical therapist for 2 months.

This completely derailed my plan.  I had to drop the marathon - I mean, I could suffer through, but that would not be much fun.  I stopped running altogether.  I didn't go to yoga because I couldn't put weight on my right foot.  I rode my bike a few times, but struggled to keep up with my friends and got discouraged.  I fell into a "woe is me" hole, one that was deeper than I care to admit, and I am now just pulling it together and choosing to begin again.

I actually got back into the pool - and swam - this past Thursday.  It wasn't pretty - it took me 25 minutes to swim 700 meters - but I did it.  Saturday I paid my very awesome niece to spend the morning with my sweet baby boy so that I could go ride my bike.  While I couldn't quite hang on at 22mph, I did managed to hold an average slightly about 15mph for 32 miles, and I did not feel as though I was completely depleted after returning to my car.

Tonight . . . tonight, I will run.  My mother-in-law picked up a jogging stroller for me, and so I will take my little one along as I trudge through a few miles.  If I have to walk, so be it - but I need to get out there and just do it.

My friends have been so great - they keep inviting me to swim, bike and run with them, and they offer encouragement when I need it most.  They remind me that exercising is fun, and that is the ultimate reason why we are all out there, training for events and races, laughing and swearing in the same breath.

I'm working on a race schedule for 2015 - looking to add a mix of events, some new, some old favorites.  Trail runs, bike rides, triathlons, 5k/10/k/13.1/26/2/ultra . . . .nothing is off limits, I just want to enjoy myself, and set a good example for my family.

And so I tri . . .