Tri for the Cure

On Sunday, April 11, I competed in my 3rd Tri for the Cure. Last year I did the duo because I was only 4 weeks post-op and had very limited range in my right arm. This year I was 9 weeks post-op from my hysterectomy, but my arm range was much improved so I decided to do all 3 events......swim 400m, bike 8.5mi and run 2.5mi. It was almost 2 yrs since I swam last, but really wanted to do it. I joined a gym with a pool and was able to train a little for it. However, on race day the swim was my struggle. I felt calm, but once I started the swim anxiety took over. I went out too fast and couldn't calm my breathing. By the time I settled down, it was almost over. The thing that kept me going was my husband yelling, "Only 100 left. You can do it.". His encouraging words helped me push through. Which leads me to a tangent.....if you've never competed in any type of racing event you have no idea how impactful encouraging words from friends on the sidelines can be to your performance. It is truly amazing. When I see friends & family cheering me along it gives me a surge of energy that pushes me over the hump. I run faster and enjoy the experience so much more. So, thank you to everyone for coming out to cheer on not just me, but everyone on Team SOS. It's also energizing for me to cheer on my fellow participants along the course and to thank the police officers for making the course safe.

The pint above is what Mark & I worked together to create to thank everyone for coming out to support and compete with me. I got the idea of a pint when Mark ran a 10K in FL at DisneyWorld. He got a pint at the finish and he drinks out of it everyday. It's really neat. I thought it would be fun to create our own pint. You can do anything on-line these days! It was so easy!!! I love them! And now I have my own pint to drink out of everyday!! Ha! :-)

We are body marked and our gear is ready in the transition area. The sun is just coming up.

Here's part of our crew just after the race meeting. We had almost 30 women come out for Team SOS. Several of them were first timers.

Same shot with a few more added in. It was hard to get everyone together at the same time.

Here I am finishing on the track at Chandler High School......with my kids trailing behind. My goal was to finish under 1 hour. With my struggle in the pool, I missed my mark by one minute. I finished at 1 hour and 1 minute.

Hooray! I finished!! It was a beautiful day....warm, but not too hot. I felt so strong coming across the finish line. It's phenomenal the "high" these events can generate within my spirit. Wow!!!

Some of Team SOS at the finish line!!! Look at those smiles!

Team SOS.....not everyone, but a good majority!! Whooo Hooo!!! We are strong women!!!! And we do not stand alone!!

My amazing family. They have supported me through so much the past 14 months. I wouldn't be strong and healthy without them.

My best friend, my coach, my rock, my husband......he's so much and more to me. He's there at every finish line.....coming out of surgeries, finishing treatment and of course, my races. I am so blessed with his unconditional love.

"Natural talent only determines the limits of your athletic potential. It's dedication and a willingness to discipline your life that makes you great."

--Billie Jean King

You can gain so much by participating in sports........focus, discipline, hard work, setting goals, dealing with failure, thrill of victory......so many life lessons.

Thanks again to everyone for supporting me in this adventure. Especially those who came out to compete with me. It's exhilerating to be part of an amazing group of women who all inspire me in different ways. Love you, srb