Chelan Man Triathlon Recap

Dan and I had so much fun at Chelan Man yesterday, it was AMAZING. I had always been intimidated by multi-sport races, the transitioning made me nervous. Not to mention I've never had a decent bicycle, or swim goggles, etc. We didn't have the trendy triathlon gear, and we didn't know what we were doing. We went into this race with two goals: to complete it, and have a blast along the way. But by going into this experience not worried if we'd look dumb with the wrong outfits, and nubby mountain bikes (borrowed at the last minute), by going just for fun, just to live and try something new, it removed all the pressure. Because it's not about what other people think. It's not about proving stuff, or worrying about trivial things. That race was for pure fun. To challenge myself and get out of my box, to try something new.

As for the race itself, we fell to the back of our "wave" of swimmers to have some space, but just a few hundred yards from the shore Dan was kicked in the head and took on a bunch of water. It took us a bit to get his lungs cleared, and for him to get a good pace again. One of the volunteer lifeguards even tossed a frog floaty for us to share back and forth as we swam. We kept that for the duration of the swim leg. Yep, we were THAT bad at the race. But it was so funny! Dan and I were just laughing and swimming and enjoying every second. 

From the swim we transitioned to the bike. It took a bit for me to get my rash guard, helmet, socks and shoes on, but once we both rehydrated we took off up the hill. The bike felt really weird though, and right as I pumped up to the top, my tire popped off. No joke! I called to the spectators and said, "Help, I think my chain or something fell off!" A guy came running and then another guy and all of a sudden it felt like I was in a Nascar pitstop, power tools whizzing, within (I swear) two minutes I was back on the saddle headed away. Rolling away I was low fiving spectators and hollering thank yous. I could hear Dan behind me chuckling. 

The bike ride was probably the most fun; Dan pulled up the rear and let me set the pace. There were water stations along the way and I would roll up slow and tease to tell them I was coming through the car wash, then they would spray me with a hose, or bottled water. It felt so good! There's nothing better to wake you up than being doused with icy water on a hundred degree day. Quite shocking, but it'll certainly cool you off.

When we transitioned from biking to running, we racked our bikes, drank some more water and started running, but almost immediately people started hollering because we were running the wrong direction. Ha! We are the worst triathletes! We might as well have been Abbott and Costello. The run was a little tough because the heat had really climbed. The route was out along the highway, the heat swirling up from the asphalt. There were a few times when I worried I might be in seizure danger zone, but Dan helped me take my rash guard off, doused it with cold water, then draped it over my shoulders. My icy cool cape really did save the day.

You'll see below that my mom took lots of pictures. My parents are so wonderful. They came with us to the race, and cheered us on during every leg. It was just shy of a hundred degrees very quickly and to have my parents there cheering, and laughing with us, was a lot of fun. The day was one of my favorites, one that will go down in the record books. 

I can't believe we did it. I can't believe how hard we laughed (mostly at ourselves). It just goes to show that everything in life is really fun, even when you don't know what you're doing. Even if there are literal obstacles. Dan was legitimately kicked in the head. My tire popped off. We ran off in the wrong direction, and yet it was one of the most fun days of my life. 

The Pit Crew: My Parents

Reliving the Glory Days

Morning Friends!

Dan and I have our triathlon this weekend. Remember that? Yikes. Have we been training? No, not really. We've ridden our bikes around the block. We've jumped in the sound a couple of times. And we jogged two miles last night. It's almost as if we've forgotten that we're not in our 20's anymore. Fingers crossed for no injuries!

This was all a harebrained idea to relive my glory days, the days before diagnosis. When I was diagnosed in 2010 I had completed two half marathons so far, and I wanted to take it further. In fact, I literally just went back in my emails to dial in this message from two weeks before I was diagnosed:

Megs,

In three weeks I'm off puddle jumping from Iceland, to Sweden, to Poland, to the United Arab Emirates and back. It's a really quick trip though, only about three weeks. I'm really excited! Going to go see the Polish family and then down to the Middle East to see one of my best friends from college - quite the adventure! You're tiny enough, you'd probably fit in my suitcase. :)

The Triathalon is in Lake Chelan, and it's called The Chelan Man and there's a lot of different options. It's on the weekend of July 17th/18th. There are different races on Saturday and on Sunday. I think I want to try the Triathalon Sprint: http://www.chelanman.com/index.php?page_id=302

The Olympic Triathalon looks great too though - just really challenging. Might be really fun to do as a three person relay though - but at the same time I kinda want to try an entire three-leg course. People could stay at my place, or we can camp out on the riverfront at my parent's house - that would be fun!!! Jet skiing to get us into the competitive mood of the race?!?! 

-Jess

As you can imagine, I never did get to take part in Chelan Man in 2010, and the trip was cancelled. My life, from two weeks on, was forever changed. It's bitter sweet to try and compete in this race (although I use the term "compete" lightly), because it reminds me of my old life. My carefree life. That ignorance that allowed me to think that my problems were important. It's going to be fun, and hard. It's supposed to be 97 degrees as a high on race day. Dan is doing it with me, though, and we'll just have a lot of water on hand, and seizure medicine as a given. This will be tricky when sun, dehydration, stress, and heat all trigger seizures, but it's something I feel compelled to do. To live my life and try to get back on track. To be the person I once was, but better. Jess 2.0, new and improved.

I'll post pictures next week, if I survive that is. Ha! Of course I will, I've navigated tougher waters that's for sure.

Moan & Gripe With Me

Last night, while I was in the shower, I started thinking about how goofy I am. Instead of being excited about the jog halfway around the lake, and concurrent walk the rest of the way home, I was disappointed in myself. What the hell? How backward is that. Instantly, I started laughing to myself and changed my thinking. Exercise is exercise. I flashed back to the days I was in the ICU. I remembered the paralysis on my right side. I remember not being able to walk more than a few steps without being winded and exhausted. I remember months of slowly training to start jogging again, and eventually, my first 10k. I have everything to be grateful about. I might get tired, and yes, that's disappointing, but I'm still here. I'm still nourishing my body with nutrients, sleep, exercise, meditation, and cognitive challenges like reading. My mind and body may be tired from time to time, but they are also the most healthy they've ever been. Sometimes, more doesn't mean better. I don't have to run five miles to get the same results. I just need to do quality exercise, breathe deeply, use it to rejuvenate my mind, and be grateful for the opportunity to work my body. There was a time when nurses told me I might never jog again. I have happily proved them wrong. When I'm down or frustrated, I have to remind myself that, if there's a down side, there's always an up side. I already feel better. Still tired, but much happier! And that's what it's all about :)

Last night Danny got a kick out of my study session. I've been reading the book, Cancer: 50 Essential Things To Do, by Greg Anderson and taking notes. I'm researching the way to navigate through this diagnosis, and learn from survivors. I figure, those who have fought the cancer fight, have learned things about attitude, nutrition, spiritual well being, and much more. The only way to be successful is to learn from others and use a whole body and mind approach. Anyway, I didn't realize he was taking a picture - he thought I looked "pretty cute" all wrapped up in furry blankets. Danny calls me a pillow monster. I somehow manage a way to turn our bed into a mass of pillows, and fluffy blankets. I like my nooks to be cozy and safe.

Just before bed, after I turned out my lamp, I stretched out, closed my eyes, and pictured my body hovering above. I just wanted to picture my body and see what it looks like in my mind's eye. The moment the image appeared in my mind, I noticed there was a light blue, and medium turquoise blue color surrounding my body. It morphed and phased into white light, then pale blue, white, pale blue, finally resting on white as it surrounded my body. The colors oscillated around the peripheral of my body - with no particular section of interest. It was really interesting. It felt good. It felt positive.

I believe that I can make myself healthy, with help from western medicine, alternative treatments, nutrition, spiritual well being, stress regulation, exercise, attitude, and enough sleep. I'm realizing that there's a lot of dedication needed, but it's all for a great purpose, and it helps me excel in all areas of life. Sure, I would love to be sipping on a mammoth goblet of red wine, nibbling on truffle-infused sheep cheese, but seriously, who cares (and someday on a special occasion.....). We can't do everything we want, eat whatever we want, and have whatever we want. That's life. The most important thing to remember is that I have the opportunity to earn my health, and each time I earn something, each time I meet a goal, I'm fulfilled and proud of myself. I just have to give this more time so that I end up looking at this as a lifestyle and not a diet or temporary thing. There will be times when I can take it easy, but I need to earn it. This whole body approach is proven to improve overall health, and that's my goal. I have to stay focused and enjoy the positive effects of the changes in my life since my last MRI. My skin is clear, my weight is down to 140. I'm more calm, and my headaches are minimal. Of the 43 days since making these changes, I've only had 3 or 4 days of headaches. That's amazing.

This diet is not what most people choose to do with their lives. It's quite extreme. But, unfortunately, it's how we should all be eating. I wish it wasn't the case. I wish we could eat sourdough, homemade pizza, jelly, cookies, and all the yummy, white carb, white sugar foods that taste so delicious. The sad truth that no one wants to acknowledge (because it sucks) is that sugar (other than in whole foods) is very bad for you. White flour is very bad for you, white potatoes are bad for you, and table salt is bad for you. If there are ingredients in your foods, you should try not to eat them. Foods should be coming from the source. The problem is that people are busy, or tired, or it's expensive, or whatever. Usually, it takes someone getting sick to change their ways. Sometimes, even then, people don't change. I'm not saying that I can cure this brain cancer just with food choices. I wish that were true - and who knows, maybe I could, but the point is that we need to give our bodies a fighting chance. A platform to succeed. Even if you can't seem to give up all of the bad stuff, just try to cut back. You don't have to be as extreme as I am. Start small. Choose oatmeal over cereal. Choose a spinach salad over iceburg lettuce. Choose a quinoa salad over a potato. Choose brown rice over pasta. Choose steamed broccoli over honey carrots. Choose vegetable soup over clam chowder. Avoid the bread basket. You always have a choice. You DO have the will power if it's important to you. Make your health your priority. If I can do it (even though I moan and gripe), you can do it too. Moan and gripe with me!

An Extra Month

Last Thursday night, I panicked at the date, the 12th. I mistakenly thought that I only had one month before my MRI. For about an hour I thought things were moving too quickly, that I was losing time, and my freedom was coming to an end. The fear of impending radiation overwhelmed me.

I don't know how I figured out my error, but once I did, I let out a sigh of relief. The first thing I did, was go for a run. There's nothing more freeing than propelling yourself through nature. Your movement is on your terms.

Luckily, I now feel like I have an extra month! Funny how that works. The extra month was never taken away from me, only in my mind. What a powerful realization.