Getting physical

Training sessions have been going really well these past few weeks.  I swim, lift, and run on my own (or with the masters swim team) during the week, and on Sundays, I get to cycle and run with my TNT group.  I have never felt stronger ... which is pretty amazing considering the challenges I'm facing in my personal life (but that's for another post ... or maybe just for my journal and my friends and family).

Anyway, our group has jumped right in to the longer (for me, anyway) bike rides and runs.  Two weeks ago we began with about an hour on the bikes, followed by a 20 minute run.  This past Sunday, we had an intense 75-minute cycling session followed by a 30 minute run ... and it felt great!

The new direction my life is currently taking may be making it difficult for me to concentrate on mental tasks at work, but it's adding fuel to my workouts each day.  It's amazing how good it feels to push myself physically--and allow my mind to either go blank or race with questions, fears, etc. as I race alongside it.

It's also been pretty amazing to get to know my TNT teammates and coaches, all of whom have their own stories to share and encouragement to offer.  The mother of our TNT honor patient is actually training with us, and I've heard that the honor patient himself has been joining the group for swim sessions during the week.  I can't wait to be part of that over spring break when I'm not teaching evening classes!

I'm looking forward to an extraordinary journey over the next few months ... one that will provide me with both an outlet for my stress/anxiety and perhaps some healing as well.

Making a commitment

On Jan. 20, my friend's nine-year-old daughter was in the hospital fighting infections while undergoing treatment for Acute Lymphosytic Leukemia for the second time in her young life.  That day, I attended my first Team in Training meeting to learn more about fundraising for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)--and training for an Olympic-distance triathlon.

While I was apprehensive about the physical demands of training and the discomfort of asking people to support the LLS financially, I decided that my potential discomfort was nothing compared to physical, emotional, and financial challenges of enduring cancer ... or standing by a loved one who must endure it.

I signed up on the spot. 

And I will think of the strength, grace, and endurance of Reese Naylor and her family every step of the way.