One Mom’s one year journey from couch to 70.3
2015: Mom’s one year journey from couch to 70.3
When my family and I moved in September of 2013, we were happy to finally call the house in Fair Oaks Ranch our home. Our neighbors were great so we made friends quickly and our moving boxes were empty before we knew it. While our daughters Maggie, age 3, and Grace, age 2, enjoyed playing in the front yard and observing wildlife, I began to notice how physically active our new community was. People were always walking, running or riding their bikes and the number increased on a Saturday morning! This was amazing to me given that I felt this busy mom did not have the time to work out. I did not even have a gym membership. How was I supposed to squeeze in an exercise routine between dressing, cleaning, cooking, feeding, playing, supervising, cuddling, disciplining, comforting, changing, correcting, teaching, laundering, rocking, driving and encouraging my little ones. I had no time for another thing.
One year later, I had had a really challenging day. It was one of those days when the kids were sick, I had been up all night, the house was a mess, loads of dirty dishes, problems with a picky eater and one too many potty accidents! I was a mom that had a broken spirit. I needed to breathe. My husband got home from work and saw the look of exhaustion on my face. He asked what he could do to help. I said, “mind if I go for a run?” I think he was waiting for the punchline. “I want to go running, I am not joking,” I said. He lovingly said, “Ok.” I waved goodbye and closed the door. As I ran and listened to my music, I could hear myself breathe. It was the first time all day I was able to complete a thought without interruption. I was able to jog one mile and could not have been more proud of myself. I had never understood why people enjoyed running, but on this day, I discovered why.
That night, I told my husband I had a crazy idea. I told him I wanted to register for the 10K Turkey Trot in Boerne. I registered and quickly became one of those early Saturday morning runners. I joined a gym and began running on the treadmill after the girls went to bed at night. Then after competing fairly well in this race, I registered for a half marathon. After running the half, I felt like I had my old self back. I had energy, I was patient, I was able to sleep and I was balanced.
Weeks passed and I had another crazy idea: how about registering for a triathlon. Only two problems existed. I did not own a bike and I did not know how to swim. I had this all worked out. I would borrow a road bike and I would call on my good friend Darcy to do the swim event. She agreed and we registered as a relay team. Weeks passed as I enjoyed adding the bike into my training and kept up with the running. Until one day, I felt a horrible pulling pain in the back of my calf. Turns out I had a tear in my soleus muscle. The doctor recommended no running for 6 to 8 weeks. “What am I going to do” was my immediate thought?? Running gives me balance and Darcy and I have a race in 5 weeks!
Determined to do two events in the upcoming triathlon, Darcy and I decided to switch things up a bit. She would run and I would swim and bike. I began watching youtube videos that taught the basics of the freestyle swimming technique. Two days later I grabbed my diving mask and snorkel and attempted to learn the freestyle stroke at the Lifetime Fitness pool. For all you hardcore swimmers…yes this was embarrassing and not ideal! However, I was clearly motivated to drop this additional gear and did so in a few weeks. I was making progress, but not very quickly.
Feeling sorry for myself, I did what any down-in-the-dumps lady would do -- I went shopping! I visited my favorite running store and engaged in a conversation with the owner and another patron. This patron happened to be Roland Moreno, owner of E2 Multisports. I began talking to him about my upcoming triathlon and he encouraged me to come join his team for a swim. “What time?” I said. “Five a.m.” he replied. This was a problem I thought. I don’t do mornings! I had to make a go of it though. I did not want to let my teammate down. So I went.
The first swim practice with the E2 Multisports team was intimidating. The athletes in the lap lanes next to me were Ironman veterans and seasoned triathletes. I had only recently gotten rid of my mask and snorkel! This is going to be embarrassing I thought. I kept telling myself, “fake it until you make it!” Everyone was very encouraging that day and never made me feel inferior. I came back the next week and the next week and soon I was able to keep up with the other swimmers. Our triathlon race day came and Darcy and I held our own while having so much fun. I was hooked! After celebrating, I figured it was time to set a new goal.
I decided to join the E2 Multisports team and begin working with Roland Moreno to define and set a new goal. Together, we zeroed in on Ironman 70.3 in Austin. With his help, I was able to remove the guesswork that comes from not knowing how to properly and efficiently train. Roland’s training plans kept me motivated and consistent. He was also very instrumental with other factors related to injury prevention, like proper footwear and strength training. Michael Plumb, former professional triathlete, once said, “A good coach-athlete fit is like a relationship. There needs to be excellent communication on both sides, a certain level of respect, and the athlete needs to have confidence in what the coach is prescribing.” Roland, along with the team sponsors, helped me push my limits and reach my goals in a structured and safe manner.
Before long, the day of the race in my first 70.3 had arrived. I was very nervous. Due to all the heavy rain the week before the race, potholes were abundant and roads had been partially washed away on the bike course. Was I ready for this? It had only been a little over one year since the first day I laced up my shoes and ran my first mile. I knew I was prepared as I had worked hard for this! My coach provided me with a race day plan and all I had to do was execute it.
I put on my wetsuit and lined up with my age group. Shortly after, it was time to enter the water. Myself, along with over 3,000 athletes treaded water, waiting for the infamous ironman cannon to signal the start. The canon fired and I was off. I made it through the choppy waters of the swim and jumped on the bike. After 3 hour and 45 minute bike ride, I began the last leg of the race, the half marathon. I thought I had gotten good practice in running the rolls of the Fair Oaks roads, but I was wrong. These hills were monsters and my legs were tired. I began thinking about my husband and my two daughters. I thought about all the early morning training sessions I completed before my family had even awakened. I thought about all the people that gave me a funny look when I told them I had registered for a half ironman. I laid it all out on the run and beat my last half marathon time by 2 min. John Bingham got it right when he said, “The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.”
In 2015, I learned so much about myself as a wife, mother and individual. I learned that I can have balance, that I can be strong and have passions that are unique to me. I learned that no exercise equals no time to think equals trouble sleeping equals stressed out mommy equals impatience. For the first time, I can look into my daughters’ eyes and say, “Yes Maggie and Grace, you can do anything ---if you work hard enough and are willing to sacrifice.” “You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the further you get.” – Michael Phelps. I have a new finish line now, and I look forward to crossing it. In 2016, what will your finish line look like?
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