Since the finish of my triathlon I finally got to running consistently again! But that's not what I want to talk about today. A lot of things have happened over the past few weeks and it's been a while so I feel it's time to reflect. I had my 22nd birthday almost two weeks ago now and an amazing time in Seattle enjoying the Penny Arcade Expo (essentially a convention for gamers and nerds). But on top of that it's under a week until my sister leaves for Germany for a year, she will be missed immensely! But the main reason for the title is that I finally was able to get in touch with my small group leader from Auburn and I was also rummaging through some old notes I had received.
Those notes mean a lot to me. One of them was from an amazing friend that I met at the Auburn Christian Fellowship (most of my friends in Auburn I met through there). The three notes, in my mind, are not just a simple "hey, we miss you" there was time and effort and more thought than I put into a lot of things behind them! The note from my friend I got about a month or two before I left Auburn to come back home to Washington State. When I first saw it on the wall at ACF I couldn't believe that someone would write me a note of encouragement! It's one of those things that life surprised me with and brought immense joy even though it's almost a year and a half from the date I got it. The other two notes are more recent and I received them the last time I was in Auburn for a visit.
That visit was important to me because it let me unwind and also spend some time with amazing people that I had grown to care about and love over my year in Auburn. But the one thing about notes is that they are ever lasting as long as they are kept somewhere safe. I still look at them and feel a sense of encouragement that helps me get through some hard times or a bad training day. It's friends like those that allow me to succeed not only in life but also professionally. Just like that phone call with my small group leader a week or two ago it brings me encouragement and shows the grace of God.
Even though I've had two birthdays since I left Auburn I can still talk to my friends from Auburn as if I saw them just the other day. My most recent birthday was also filled with good laughs and times with some very good friends of mine. A lot of these friends I work with but I can say I have the pleasure of knowing each and everyone of them. Now over my birthday weekend I didn't get any training in but I was walking around Seattle all day, literally from about 10 AM until 2 AM every day for three days straight... Long weekend but overall an absolute blast!
Since I've started rambling on again I'll end it here. The Portland Marathon is a month away from today and it's getting to crunch time now! A 26.2 mile run that I am looking forward to but am also dreading at the same time. Will I do well will I be conditioned enough by that time. I think so but we'll see! Let life be full of surprises and treat every day as a gift because the only direction is forward! Until next time!
08 September 2011
20 August 2011
Expectations and Joy
As many of you know I participated in a Triathlon Sprint today! There is no explanation for how challenging this was mentally and physically and I'm still struggling to find the words to explain my sense of achievement, joy and overall satisfaction. That being said I finished! But not only did I finish my first race ever I crushed my personal goals and ended up placing third in my age group, something that I was not expecting. My own personal goal was to complete it in under two hours but I finished all three events in under an hour and a half!
The flood of emotions I had when I crossed that finish line is hard to explain. I was happy, excited, over-joyed, but most important of all I was proud of myself. With the flood of emotions it's hard to explain what you're body will do. I went up to Sharon and gave her a hug and just about broke down crying out of joy. I went around to everyone and was in complete shock and awe that I completed the event (I don't care what anyone says Triathlon's are hard!) There are so many different muscle groups that get used to the brink of complete exhaustion that it seems ridiculous at first. I started out my swim and felt great, outside of a sharp pain that started shortly after my swim right above my groin area, during that but it still needs to be noted that their are two more events that are just as strenuous immediately afterwards, and one of those (the run) I was dreading due to my injury and not wanting to re-injure myself.
I am still amazed at what the body can handle going through even with stress and floods of emotions. Sharon is a great example. Having finished an Ironman 70.3 on Sunday she still turned around with a herniated back, strained foot, having just barely gotten over Pneumonia to participate in this Triathlon sprint not even a week after and she killed it! I got passed on the bike ride by her about half way through and she started three waves after I did. Another man that I would say exemplify this feat is another man involved with the group of people I trained with.
He is an older gentleman that just learned to swim this year and was terrified of the water beforehand. He had never swam in open water without having some kind of safety device with him that he could grab in case he panicked. He took on this Triathlon and ended up completing it. He conquered the water and did very well on the bike ride and the run. When our group saw him coming in we all erupted into applause and cheers because of the journey he has been through!
Now every journey has a beginning middle and an end and I know that this is just the beginning of many more events! Now sitting here with all of my markings from a great event and my age written on my left calf I wonder what is next to come. I still have the Portland Marathon in October that I will be focusing my training around the coming weeks but from there I have no clue. That's all in God's hands. Here is to a great day and to all the pleasures of the world that bring joy each and every day! Until next time.
The flood of emotions I had when I crossed that finish line is hard to explain. I was happy, excited, over-joyed, but most important of all I was proud of myself. With the flood of emotions it's hard to explain what you're body will do. I went up to Sharon and gave her a hug and just about broke down crying out of joy. I went around to everyone and was in complete shock and awe that I completed the event (I don't care what anyone says Triathlon's are hard!) There are so many different muscle groups that get used to the brink of complete exhaustion that it seems ridiculous at first. I started out my swim and felt great, outside of a sharp pain that started shortly after my swim right above my groin area, during that but it still needs to be noted that their are two more events that are just as strenuous immediately afterwards, and one of those (the run) I was dreading due to my injury and not wanting to re-injure myself.
I am still amazed at what the body can handle going through even with stress and floods of emotions. Sharon is a great example. Having finished an Ironman 70.3 on Sunday she still turned around with a herniated back, strained foot, having just barely gotten over Pneumonia to participate in this Triathlon sprint not even a week after and she killed it! I got passed on the bike ride by her about half way through and she started three waves after I did. Another man that I would say exemplify this feat is another man involved with the group of people I trained with.
He is an older gentleman that just learned to swim this year and was terrified of the water beforehand. He had never swam in open water without having some kind of safety device with him that he could grab in case he panicked. He took on this Triathlon and ended up completing it. He conquered the water and did very well on the bike ride and the run. When our group saw him coming in we all erupted into applause and cheers because of the journey he has been through!
Now every journey has a beginning middle and an end and I know that this is just the beginning of many more events! Now sitting here with all of my markings from a great event and my age written on my left calf I wonder what is next to come. I still have the Portland Marathon in October that I will be focusing my training around the coming weeks but from there I have no clue. That's all in God's hands. Here is to a great day and to all the pleasures of the world that bring joy each and every day! Until next time.
17 August 2011
Computers
The one thing on my mind this past week or so has definitely been the Monroe Tri-Sprint but work has gotten me down due to unfairness at my job. I wasn't the recipient of said unfairness but it was enough to push my buttons. Now it may seem easy, oh see a computer that has issues, check it in and fix it, right? Nope, not at my job. If anything we over complicate the process with an excess of paperwork a repair time that would be considered unacceptable by normal means and us not having the staffing / coverage to get everything done in a day.
I used to love going to work and seeing everyone that was there and now I can't wait until my next day off (I'm super excited for the coming two workless days). Now I don't want to start blaming people for why my job is pissing me off because I own that feeling and I try my hardest to not let it affect me. It still doesn't change stuff that I can't control, such as the feelings of my fellow employees and also the customer's I attempt to serve each day. The only thing that is controllable is my own feelings and what I do with them. Going off of that fact I notice everyday another customer that is mad for some reason or another.
Is being angry at one more sales person really going to accomplish anything outside of making both parties feel like crap? I don't think so. I see a finish line and strive to accomplish it. There is only one direction in my life that is supported by all those around me and I do have my moments where I consistently fall short but that's what I have amazing people in my life for. Those that I call friends, I had mentioned Chris in my last blog, have been there for me through thick and thin (pardon my very overused statement).
One thing that I've learned over the past few months that Sharon and the whole Multi-Sport Group has shown me is that no matter the circumstance there is always a finish line. Always a reason to smile and laugh and just enjoy life. Always a reason to believe in the human spirit and what it can accomplish through sheer power of will. We all have moments where we fall short. Computers fail all the time so why can't we fail and learn from those failures? There is one direction in my life and that is forward. I hope that uncontrollable laughter will pursue and the journey is full of moments to be shared with friends and family.
I used to love going to work and seeing everyone that was there and now I can't wait until my next day off (I'm super excited for the coming two workless days). Now I don't want to start blaming people for why my job is pissing me off because I own that feeling and I try my hardest to not let it affect me. It still doesn't change stuff that I can't control, such as the feelings of my fellow employees and also the customer's I attempt to serve each day. The only thing that is controllable is my own feelings and what I do with them. Going off of that fact I notice everyday another customer that is mad for some reason or another.
Is being angry at one more sales person really going to accomplish anything outside of making both parties feel like crap? I don't think so. I see a finish line and strive to accomplish it. There is only one direction in my life that is supported by all those around me and I do have my moments where I consistently fall short but that's what I have amazing people in my life for. Those that I call friends, I had mentioned Chris in my last blog, have been there for me through thick and thin (pardon my very overused statement).
One thing that I've learned over the past few months that Sharon and the whole Multi-Sport Group has shown me is that no matter the circumstance there is always a finish line. Always a reason to smile and laugh and just enjoy life. Always a reason to believe in the human spirit and what it can accomplish through sheer power of will. We all have moments where we fall short. Computers fail all the time so why can't we fail and learn from those failures? There is one direction in my life and that is forward. I hope that uncontrollable laughter will pursue and the journey is full of moments to be shared with friends and family.
08 August 2011
Life Outside the Box with a Fork
So over the past week I have had a lot of good things and also some sad ones happen to me and my family. I finally got back up and running thanks to Dr Annie, although it is only in 5 minute increments but it's still running! I threw a successful going away party for a very good friend of mine that is headed to Florida on Military Orders for three years. For all the good that has happened their is always some sad parts. We had to say good bye to a wonderful young woman that has become like family to me and my family, she had to fly back to Germany. Let's start today with family though because I heard something my sister had said earlier that intrigued me.
My family is pretty.... Well I guess the best way to explain it is weird. I love all of them dearly don't get me wrong but their are still those moments I question my family... But my sister today said that she was Happy and that she never wanted to grow up because of how my brother and I are. Now with me being the oldest of five my sister in question is the middle younger child. She has been going through some rough times recently and for her to say that she was happy was a huge eye opener for me. She loves to see me even though I seldom get the chance to visit my family, so I know my short little visit today definitely made her day. With the hard times she's been going through this is the first time I've heard her say that she was happy in at least half a year.
Half a year seems like a long time to me. I moved out of my parents house for good, at least I hope it is at my age, half a year ago in February into my current house. One thing that my sister had used as an example as to why she was happy was that she didn't have any bills or rent to worry about like my brother and I do and also that she wanted to stay a kid forever. In retort I told her that yeah that's true but I'm like a big kid because I still have a lot of fun with where I'm at in life. Then she goes on to say that she wanted to stay a little kid forever. It was good to see a smile on her face even with it partially being at my own expense. I see a lot of my interactions like a good song that just gets you in that particular mood for the day ahead or even to put the day in the back of the mind.
I don't know how most people push through the day and get through even the hard times but a good run, conversation with a friend or even a song that holds a special place in my heart. One of those good friends is a man that has touched the hearts of many. He has been there for me through a lot of issues I've had at work and with life and on top of that has shared many of his stories. He's leaving soon so I was very happy that I got the privilege to throw him a going away party, and what a party it was! There is always that one person in life that is their for the spiritual side of oneself. He has been that spiritual rock for me these past couple months and as I've gotten to know him better have learned much about the man I am proud to call my friend. It's always sad to see someone go but there is always the return and the "Wiedersehen" as it is said in German.
I can't wait for that Wiedersehen and also to be able to get my running partner back. Speaking of running! I have officially gotten two runs under my belt the past week! It felt so good to get out there and just let go again. Definite sense of nostalgia from my two very brief runs I had. No pain either which to me is the best part of the whole thing! That one item, activity (for me it's running) or even person that brings the most sense of joy to the soul should be cherished. I don't have a point with this it's just something I had to get out.
So in closing I try to live my life outside the box. What I mean by that though is the ability to take every moment and cherish it for what it is and what it's meant to be. I'm stealing a line that I heard from my buddy Chris, who is the one that is leaving. He said to me one day that a guest pastor he had at Church said that If you could not fail what would you do? The pastor said that he would build a Church and teach the word of God in his own church. To follow it up he said whatever it is that you would do just keep holding onto your fork because their is a plan that we may not be aware of. I'm holding onto my fork for whatever is coming next and will keep living outside the box.
My family is pretty.... Well I guess the best way to explain it is weird. I love all of them dearly don't get me wrong but their are still those moments I question my family... But my sister today said that she was Happy and that she never wanted to grow up because of how my brother and I are. Now with me being the oldest of five my sister in question is the middle younger child. She has been going through some rough times recently and for her to say that she was happy was a huge eye opener for me. She loves to see me even though I seldom get the chance to visit my family, so I know my short little visit today definitely made her day. With the hard times she's been going through this is the first time I've heard her say that she was happy in at least half a year.
Half a year seems like a long time to me. I moved out of my parents house for good, at least I hope it is at my age, half a year ago in February into my current house. One thing that my sister had used as an example as to why she was happy was that she didn't have any bills or rent to worry about like my brother and I do and also that she wanted to stay a kid forever. In retort I told her that yeah that's true but I'm like a big kid because I still have a lot of fun with where I'm at in life. Then she goes on to say that she wanted to stay a little kid forever. It was good to see a smile on her face even with it partially being at my own expense. I see a lot of my interactions like a good song that just gets you in that particular mood for the day ahead or even to put the day in the back of the mind.
I don't know how most people push through the day and get through even the hard times but a good run, conversation with a friend or even a song that holds a special place in my heart. One of those good friends is a man that has touched the hearts of many. He has been there for me through a lot of issues I've had at work and with life and on top of that has shared many of his stories. He's leaving soon so I was very happy that I got the privilege to throw him a going away party, and what a party it was! There is always that one person in life that is their for the spiritual side of oneself. He has been that spiritual rock for me these past couple months and as I've gotten to know him better have learned much about the man I am proud to call my friend. It's always sad to see someone go but there is always the return and the "Wiedersehen" as it is said in German.
I can't wait for that Wiedersehen and also to be able to get my running partner back. Speaking of running! I have officially gotten two runs under my belt the past week! It felt so good to get out there and just let go again. Definite sense of nostalgia from my two very brief runs I had. No pain either which to me is the best part of the whole thing! That one item, activity (for me it's running) or even person that brings the most sense of joy to the soul should be cherished. I don't have a point with this it's just something I had to get out.
So in closing I try to live my life outside the box. What I mean by that though is the ability to take every moment and cherish it for what it is and what it's meant to be. I'm stealing a line that I heard from my buddy Chris, who is the one that is leaving. He said to me one day that a guest pastor he had at Church said that If you could not fail what would you do? The pastor said that he would build a Church and teach the word of God in his own church. To follow it up he said whatever it is that you would do just keep holding onto your fork because their is a plan that we may not be aware of. I'm holding onto my fork for whatever is coming next and will keep living outside the box.
01 August 2011
Down but not out...
Onwards we go... Oh wait where's the Giant? Simple, I've been working on my biking and swimming. But back to on topic.
I have had a lot of things on my mind and this blog is one of those things I've been wanting to get started but have been too lazy / busy / no clue to do it. Well I finally did it, thanks Sharon! With having had this blog and also my many random thoughts that go through my head throughout the day on my mind where to start is my question to myself. Well a wonderful injury has been prominently on my mind lately.
With a second Doctor's visit to Dr Annie tomorrow I'm hoping to get back in gear with my running soon... We'll see how well that wish goes. I get the joy of starting from almost 0 for my running all over again. Oh wait how did this happen though!
Well I started this training thing a few months ago, I'd say April timeline or so, when my step mom said I should meet this woman that ran a Multi-Sport program at the Y she works at. I was thinking yeah right like I'm going to get beat by a simple program at the Y, I'm sure that there can't be anything to it... Yeah, right.... Keep telling yourself that and maybe just maybe you'll survive, yes I do mean survive, day one. Day one rolls around on a Wednesday morning and I meet this little Lady from South Africa, Sharon, who says we're going on a trail run this morning and that she had heard a lot about me from my step mom. Oh great, off to a wonderful start here... Then I hear she wanted to gauge where my running was at so that she had a starting point. Those that know me know that I will go and go until I drop, partially due to my stubbornness...
It was one of those days I still remember going out and thinking oh this is easy and that I have it in the bag. We get going on the trail and I'm wondering what the hell did I sign up for, but quitting is one thing I refuse to do! Although the run was very hard and I realized how much my stamina sucked and how far I felt I had to come I went full bore into this new group of people that particularly fascinated and inspired me.
Now that I'm a few months in I've come a long way. I look back at that first run and wonder why I struggled so much, oh wait no I don't. Little did I know that all this training meant that some old injuries / bio-mechanical deficiencies would act up causing me pain as well as locking my hamstrings constantly... That being said time to go back to Paragraph 2! Yeah appointment two with Dr Annie and this Active Release Therapy is tomorrow morning! I'm excited because I really really miss my running. For one I've got to meet some extremely amazing people who have an incredible ability to balance life, kids, work, and still maintain an active lifestyle while training!
I love the people I train with and have gotten to know, and would even call close friends, through many nights and mornings at Starbucks, even with no money to count on. The conversations I've had out on Saturday morning trail runs and Tuesday and Thursday night Starbucks runs never cease to amaze me. I've been known to claim a lot of our conversations the best conversation ever! We'll call this the end of my rant of the week! One thing that I want to leave with is that no matter who you are what situation you're in just remember to keep your head up cause things always get better and end up working out in the end no matter how dismal the situation may look!
I have had a lot of things on my mind and this blog is one of those things I've been wanting to get started but have been too lazy / busy / no clue to do it. Well I finally did it, thanks Sharon! With having had this blog and also my many random thoughts that go through my head throughout the day on my mind where to start is my question to myself. Well a wonderful injury has been prominently on my mind lately.
With a second Doctor's visit to Dr Annie tomorrow I'm hoping to get back in gear with my running soon... We'll see how well that wish goes. I get the joy of starting from almost 0 for my running all over again. Oh wait how did this happen though!
Well I started this training thing a few months ago, I'd say April timeline or so, when my step mom said I should meet this woman that ran a Multi-Sport program at the Y she works at. I was thinking yeah right like I'm going to get beat by a simple program at the Y, I'm sure that there can't be anything to it... Yeah, right.... Keep telling yourself that and maybe just maybe you'll survive, yes I do mean survive, day one. Day one rolls around on a Wednesday morning and I meet this little Lady from South Africa, Sharon, who says we're going on a trail run this morning and that she had heard a lot about me from my step mom. Oh great, off to a wonderful start here... Then I hear she wanted to gauge where my running was at so that she had a starting point. Those that know me know that I will go and go until I drop, partially due to my stubbornness...
It was one of those days I still remember going out and thinking oh this is easy and that I have it in the bag. We get going on the trail and I'm wondering what the hell did I sign up for, but quitting is one thing I refuse to do! Although the run was very hard and I realized how much my stamina sucked and how far I felt I had to come I went full bore into this new group of people that particularly fascinated and inspired me.
Now that I'm a few months in I've come a long way. I look back at that first run and wonder why I struggled so much, oh wait no I don't. Little did I know that all this training meant that some old injuries / bio-mechanical deficiencies would act up causing me pain as well as locking my hamstrings constantly... That being said time to go back to Paragraph 2! Yeah appointment two with Dr Annie and this Active Release Therapy is tomorrow morning! I'm excited because I really really miss my running. For one I've got to meet some extremely amazing people who have an incredible ability to balance life, kids, work, and still maintain an active lifestyle while training!
I love the people I train with and have gotten to know, and would even call close friends, through many nights and mornings at Starbucks, even with no money to count on. The conversations I've had out on Saturday morning trail runs and Tuesday and Thursday night Starbucks runs never cease to amaze me. I've been known to claim a lot of our conversations the best conversation ever! We'll call this the end of my rant of the week! One thing that I want to leave with is that no matter who you are what situation you're in just remember to keep your head up cause things always get better and end up working out in the end no matter how dismal the situation may look!
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