Training Weekend Goings On

This weekend, we went down to Lake San Antonio where the Wildflower race happens. As part of Team in Training, we get the opportunity to swim, bike, and run on the actual course. This make a huge difference in my training -- not so much physically, though it was a great workout, but to remind myself psychologically that I CAN do this race.

Even before our practice swim, I started to get butterflies in my stomach, which I didn't expect. And I had to talk myself down off of my usual bike ledge before we started off on the bike ride. My friend, Heidi, and I started off the ride together. She had to give me lecture or two about "mental toughness" as she calls it -- a trait which I apparently lack significantly.

BUT, it all went really well. The swim was great fun (the water was a balmy 62 degrees compared to 49.1 at aquatic park). The bike was gorgeous. I forgot how beautiful it is out there -- or perhaps I never really paid attention because I was so freaked out last year. And the run was actually great. I found my group of ladies to run with and we had a great time.

I also really had a great time getting to know folks on the team, especially in Chris' mentor group. They are a delightful and really interesting group of people. Something about sitting around the campfire and making s'mores that brings out the best in people.

I also learned that my friend and Todd, who is one of our honorees, is officially in remission! Amazing news to end a great weekend.

I Am NOT a Rock Star; I Am a Dork.

I recently sent out another update email to everyone. I forgot to include the URL for my fundraising page and general details about how to donate. Hopefully, folks will venture to this page and find what they need, so I don't need to annoy people with more emails.

All donations are tax-deductible:

• You can donate quickly and securely online here:
  http://www.active.com/donate/tntgsf/MelissaCheung2008
  
  
• You can send me a check made out to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Send it to: 269 26th Avenue; San Francisco, CA 94121
  
  
• You can give me cash, in person, preferably.
  
  
• You can also give me something to sell on ebay or Craigslist. An old bike, an old pair of skis. I'll do all the legwork if you donate the proceeds to LLS.

Also, don't forget about Corporate Matching at your Company. I can help with the paperwork. Just let me know!

Thanks again!
Melissa

I am a Rock Star

I love the feeling of being a rock star. In my line of work and with my personality, I mostly don't qualify as rock star material. But when I come out of the 49.1 degree water in the San Francisco Bay from our first open water swim, I feel like a rock star (in my own little world)! It's such an amazing feeling!

When I first entered, I had a short-lived panic attack as the cold water weighed heavily upon my chest. People were kicking me and splashing Bay water in my mouth. The water was murky - I couldn't see my hands while I was swimming. My face was stinging painfully, and then it went numb. The cold water slowly snaked its way through my wetsuit sending shocks from different parts of my body to my core.

But then I find a groove. I'm concentrating on my breathing. Long exhales, stroke, stroke, stroke, breathe. I am all alone, listening to my breathing and my heart beating. I have earplugs in, so all of the yelling and kicking going on around me fades into the muted background. I look up occasionally to sight my direction and I see Chris sitting on a surfboard just over my shoulder, which is comforting. I put my face back in darkness. It is just me, the water, and 2 feet of visibility, and I am strangely happy.

After half an hour or so, someone get my attention and tells me it's time to go in. I swim to shore and am exhilarated. It was cold, miserable and awful, but I feel amazing for having done the swim.

Each workout, we have a dedication to a survivor or victim of cancer. Today, my thought were with Frankie, 29, a brother of one of our teammates. He's struggling from pneumonia and lymphoma. The prognosis is not good for him. I think of him and wish he could be outside in the glorious, sunny day with us, feeling as great as a I do. I am thankful to be doing what I am doing, and hoping that our small fundraising efforts make a difference.

A Few Pix

Setting off for a 35 mile ride through Nicasio.













The view from the top of off one of the hills. This ride always reminds me how blessed I am to live where I do.


















Post-ride snacks!

Breakthroughs

While I'm training, I've got plenty of time to think. Miles of riding and running, which leads to quality mind-wandering time. (Swimming, on the other hand, tends to go something like this: 1 lap, 2 laps, 3 laps . . . oh I'm hungry . . . 2 laps, 3 laps, 4 laps. . . how long is this workout. . . 3 laps. . . oh wait. . . 4 laps? 2 laps. Crap.)

Lately, I've found myself beating myself up during this time, thinking I am lame for being so tired and not wanting to go to the track, or a pathetic loser for being the last one again in my bike group, doing sprints at Level 5 (i.e. run as fast as you can) and being lapped by people left and right. And having a fantastic athlete of a boyfriend only gives me more guests to invite to my own personal pity party. And the kicker of all kickers, I beat myself up for beating myself up. This, of course, is not unusual behavior for me.

But this week I had a couple of breakthroughs thanks to longer and longer training runs and rides.

1) It's okay to have a pity party. And I always do when something is really challenging for me -- training, work, backpacking, whatever it is. I always get really down and want to give up and usually cry. What I realized on my run today is that I always find my way out with clarity in hand. And I am pretty sure that I am not able to get there with feeling awful about myself for a short while. So, it's okay that I'm trudging through some tough training weeks right now, mentally (and physically). I'd love to say I'll come of of this with the answers to life. But more than likely I'll just come out of it one day and not even realize it. So that's that.

2) Use your glutes. Not quite as deep a breakthrough as the self-conscious blah blah blah. But seriously, engaging my glutes while biking has made all the difference in the world. That's not to say I can break 5mph climbing hills, but at least I can get up the hills feeling stronger!

3) Find balance. After 5 weeks of Physical Therapy, I learned that my body is out of whack. Years of spraining my left ankle and never fully rehabing it back to full strength has caused my right side to over compensate. My right leg muscles are significantly stronger and overworked. There's a metaphor for life in here, I'm sure. But in the mean time, I am spending a lot of time icing my right butt cheek.

Superheros

I've been feeling very sluggish these past few weeks, waking up tired and never fully hitting my stride during the day. I do remember that last year, about this time, I felt the same way. Wondering if I was in over my head, wondering if I could back out.

But then, I have a great few days like this week and feel like I can take on the world. Today, we did a great 6 mile trail run in Marin. There were some tough hills, but the sun was shining and the sky was gorgeous!

Afterwards, we had an Honoree Picnic, where cancer survivors talked about their experiences. I love this part of the season because I am always reminded of why we do Team in Training. In fact, while we were waiting in line for the bathroom, a woman comes up to us and says, "I appreciate all of your fundraising. I wouldn't be here today with out it. Thank you." I was stunned at first. I'm not sure why. Perhaps because she was a total stranger. Perhaps because it took a minute to fully appreciate what she was saying. I smiled and said, "Of course. I'm glad to do it!" Truly, I could train with any group to do a triathlon. But when I meet people like her, or hear about people who suffered through 9 months of chemo, were in induced comas for weeks, or lost loved ones, I know that I am in the right place. The folks who battle cancers are superheros and they inspire me every day.

And speaking of superheros, I have also gotten another boost from my quest to Jello Wrestle for a Cure! I am hopeful that I can raise the money by the end of March. And in anticipation, I have spent many a conversation discussing costume options. Superheros are a popular theme. Wonder Woman, Cat Girl, and a newly created Cheese Girl seems to keep coming up. The Japanese school girl killer from Kill Bill vol. 2 also has a few (male) votes. Joanne votes for Bill Cosby. (I think I will have a hard time pulling that off.)

What do you think?!