Stretch the comfort zone, take on challenges, and HAVE FUN!

"If you are never scared, embarrassed, or hurt, it means you never take chances."

I got the opportunity to head north to Boston this weekend and compete in the TriMania expo triathlon competition with a few of my Rev3 teammates. It was a great early-season experience to get out there and have some fun with great people, doing what we love to do! The day began with a campus race, a swim-relay and ended with an indoor bike TT. What amazed me was the intensity these people had…not just at this simple expo, but in MARCH, so early in the year. We vowed to be the team that had the most FUN, and it’s obvious here:

We proudly represented Revolution Three Triathlon, and had so much fun doing it! I love our team, and so honored to be a part of it. I was able to take a step back from all of this and digest the times, the intensity and realize where I am in my training. After talking to some others about it, it’s great to do these early season events to see where you are in your training. They are great measures of fitness, comfort zones, and your outlook on the season ahead. Triathlon can be overwhelming at times and a great balance of personal life and training schedule. This was a good weekend for me to have fun, and press that reset button as I think ahead to my 2014 race season. Time to push that comfort zone, take on some new challenges, and definitely have some FUN!

Happy Bubbles!

Sometimes I think we all get to the point where we feel like we need a good coating of bubble wrap…to protect us from life’s injuries. The mental ones, the physical ones, our latest family crisis, issues at work and the scary stuff in life that happens as we get older. It just gets crazy! Who came along and popped our happy childhood naive bubble and made reality happen. It could have been your first goldfish that died? Or when you didn’t make the football team? Then comes the big ones. Cancer, car accidents, heart breaks. Reality bites!

Recently I’ve had some friends and family hit me with some pretty tough things, one after the next…ailments, sudden deaths, sad stories..and it made me think about how we cope with these tough times in life. I think its important to have a sport, an activity, a hobby…something that takes you to that ‘happy bubble’. Even if just for a few minutes, an hour, a day..you can let go of the cares and the stresses and release to that moment. I think it’s therapy and great to have an outlet. I find I have  a few places I go to for that ‘bubble’…triathlon, racing, running…but my most favorite is Kiteboarding. There is nothing like using the wind to ride on top of the ocean, feeling so empowered and free. I think nothing of my life, of the stresses…I sing a song, I jump, I laugh at myself, I crash..or I have to focus on not getting carried away. But, it pretty much rocks, and I’m stoked to be out there with my friends. So, find yourself a “bubble” that takes you back. We all need it in this crazy, messed up adult world… so we can always be a carefree kid, at least for a little bit.

Being weak can actually be the key to becoming strong.

"An obstacle may be either a stepping stone or a stumbling block."

We've all had those weak moments...where you just want to crumble. Cry. Run and hide. I've been there, too many times. This weekend, I am being honored at the Ulman Cancer Fund's "Blue Jeans (&Bowties) Ball" with the Young Adult Fight Award. It has made me reflect on a weak moment that happened in my life just about 4 years ago, and I think about how that moment has made me such a strong person. You see, I got that "survivor" stamp that day in January..the one that put me in a category that has become part of our society, way too familiar to people in this lifetime. I have an oncologist, get quarterly screenings, have those horrible fears of it coming back. But I will repeatedly say this, we are all survivors in some way or form. And I think this is true for many reasons, whether it be an illness, a divorce, a job loss or another hardship. Somehow, life hands us a weak moment and in turn we get strong because of it. We face adversity with a smile, or fearlessness, or courage. It makes us stronger in the end, and we learn so much about ourselves.

I won't say that cancer is a good thing, but I will say it has brought incredible challenges to my life, wonderful friendships, and incredible opportunities that I will forever be grateful for. It has indeed made me a stronger person and in a strange way, I'm glad it came my way. I've always been that glass-half full person, cancer or not.

Sunshine and pups at the Hatteras Pier...love!!!

Three things I'm stoked about...

1. Live in the Sunshine
2. Swim in the Sea
3. Drink the wild air

I love this quote by Mr. Emerson, and will write this last day of the year about this “triathlon” of life. I can relate EVERYTHING in my world to sunshine, the ocean and the wind… hells yea. So on this last, cold, blustery day of the year…all I can do is think about summertime, and being somewhere with the wind in my kite, the sun on my face, or yeah..even in the middle of a hot triathlon, sweatin’ my ass off. 

Most of us are reflecting on December 31st.. on a year gone by..things they did or didn’t do. Friends they said goodbye to, loves they lost. New one’s they made! A great job they landed, or a new family member that was added. Maybe they accomplished something they never thought they would ever do, or suffered an ailment they never thought would happen. One thing that I know is true on my 36th year, is that life is a rodeo. A rollercoaster. A ride you get on, and never know where it’s headed. It might be full of joy one minute, and heartache the next…Its surprise, sickness, joy, turmoil, and freakin’ fun! But no matter what, if you surround yourself with incredibly awesome friends and good positive people…it becomes these three things I mention above. Sunshiney days, a sea of laughter to swim, and the fresh air to drink in! So I’m grateful for this triathlon of life! Here’s to a rockin’ new year with these awesomely good people in my life. 

LUCKY DUCKLING!!!

Haven't taken the time to write in a while. Been a little busy....training...training...training....RACE, RACE, RACE....haha. Its been one incredibly busy spring. Easy to forget little things like a blog. But I will take a few moments to reflect, and write.

My race season this year began at Columbia Tri at the end of May with a great PR. Took 30 minutes off last years time, with an incredible bike time...really fun, beautiful weather, and fantastic Team Fight show of over 50 racers. Incredible awareness out there. Next up, Rev3 Quassy weekend of June 2nd. This was an incredible opportunity, not only to volunteer and work the race, represent Team Fight, but to race the Olympic on Saturday and be interviewed and followed by a team of cameras. Huge highlight on my story and UCF to be later aired in the Rev3 series TV production....really exciting experience for me. Completely humbling, and such a fun way to share my story and inspire others. Thank goodness I had practice with B doing our little films up at UCF ...being silly is my favorite. This time I had to be serious for the 4 person camera crew. BANG! Last up, following weekend was the uber-hot, mega long Eagleman 70.3. Rocked it out in 95 degree sauna conditions. Finished like a champ.... back to back to back tri-fecta of races. Time to reflect, and relax....and head to the ocean to cool off and enjoy the accomplishment!!

After the racing, it was also time to head back to Johns Hopkins for another follow up Oncologist appointment. I was lucky enough to train and race in-between follow-ups. A time to find peace, and thankfulness....for my health, and ability to be strong! Im ever so grateful for those breaks. So, I pull it together and head back up. As I write this, I tear up....for I just got my test results back YESTERDAY...and they were clear again. Im great for yet another three months. Such relief. The way a phone call can change your day. Your week, your three months. I used to get calls that would just break me....this one yesterday was not that type of call. So I have so much hope, and will continue to push, and keep my glass half-full as always! :)

I have to also write about the way life can change in an instant...just when you think things couldnt get any worse, or tougher, the sun shines on you so bright....and the most wonderous things come your way. So grateful for the way life works :) Im talking about you puppies...

Here's the video edit....came out amazing. Watch out, this little lucky duck is moving and shaking....and will continue to fight like hell. BOOM!

http://vimeo.com/44969136

Miles of Smiles

When people take something they are passionate about, and put that energy towards a great cause, something so meaningful... Amazing things happen. I just spent my last three days with the most dedicated, passionate, giving and crazy fun people who are giving up their time and energy ( and legs!!!) to raise awareness and funding for young adults with cancer. It's hard to not be emotional as I write this, for I have met incredible people, and it's very special to me...not ready to leave the run, no matter how tired my legs are!

Not only did I come here to inspire the runners and share my story, but I came here to use these legs!! I jumped off the plane in AZ in the middle of the night and cranked out 13.5 miles on the midnight shift. And I did it with a smile!! There is no better way to face the hills, the pain, and the tiredness. We are all 'survivors' out on the roads in the RAA. What you don't know about this run is the exhaustion these runners face, and the ever-changing conditions: night, day, altitude, hills, dirt, rocks, temperatures to name a few! Until you are out there running and logging the miles, you have no idea of the dedication, passion and love these people have....it brings me to tears over and over to think that they are doing this for survivors like me, young adults that are just being diagnosed, and those fighting for their lives. Truly IS all about the people.
Cancer has changed my life. I will cherish the fact that my positive attitude, strength and support from others has helped me through the fight. Just like these runs, in life, we never know whats around the corner, or on the other side of the hill. Facing it with strength, courage, smiles, and a positive attitude makes the tough times, or cancer diagnosis, much easier. I'm just thrilled to be able to inspire others, bring awareness and be part of incredible events like this . Charlie and the Rev3 gang are making their mark in the fight against cancer...follow this incredible journey we are all making. It's 3,080 miles of smiles!