Rainy days…

There is a gentle rainfall outside my bedroom window as I complete another hour of ceiling stares. The rain days are easier for me to absorb having to stay in bed so much – when it is sunny and beautiful outside, my spirit feels captive indoors, almost held hostage.

What is the dividing line between doing too much and not? Is it a millisecond of time or a disrupture of healthy body tissue that gets worn down? I dont have the answer to this but I do know that I am somehow doing too much. I have no idea how this is possible as I am doing very little, but it is clear to me that physically I am in worse condition than last week. I’ve been given instructions that I should be completely bedridden or I will inhibit healing. Good grief. I’m unsure which is worse – the pain or the unrelenting boredom…

I constantly remind myself this is temporary and many people have it so much worse than me … my good attitude...

Updates

Thank you again for the tremendous outpouring of affection that has been coming my way; the emails sent (I have lost track how many, which is amazing) to me are more appreciated than words could say. I’m also touched by the support within the pro triathlete community. The many emails, calls and flowers sent by my peers and competitors (some I dont even have the pleasure of knowing) have illuminated yet another reason why this sport is so different than any other.

Those closest to me know my lifestyle is a very difficult one. I do 90% of my training alone, spending other daily hours at home tending to the coaching needs of my athletes, and am working alone. My life tends to be incredibly isolated so it is often difficult to remember (or even know) that other people are there who believe in you and support the difficult tasks you are undertaking. I accept this lifestyle as part of the sacrifice of racing at the elite level, which is partly...

The Crashing Halt….

i am typing with 1 finger with my arm in a sling…. more updates when typing is not so difficult. brief version: was in a bike wreck yesterday. i am fine (big picture) but broke both wrists, broke 3 vertebrae, separated my shoulder, broke 3 ribs and have a bruised kidney. good lord! what a mess. i am on great pain killers so that is helping…. and am doing my best to stay in great spirits given my aching heart. ironman florida is out …. and i will spend most of my remaining time in hawaii lying in a bed to help heal my “broken back”. not how i envisioned this week would go.

but, big picture i am fine. 6-8 weeks expected recovery. i am tough. i can handle it. (and i look great with BOTH arms wrapped up!) oye.

thank you so much for your good thoughts and well wishes.

Day #2 in Kona

Ok, my intention is not to evoke jealousy… but I am sitting with my laptop, poolside, by some palm trees overlooking the ocean. If I had a fruity beverage with a lot of rum in it, this moment might be perfect. (Alas, my own race is in the near future – no party time yet for Carole…) For now, the bottled water will have to suffice.

This morning felt like a reunion. My teammate, Alex Mroszczyk-McDonald (2007 IMLP winner!), picked me up at 7:30am so we could do a swim together at the outdoor Kona pool. It was awesome to have some time with him to talk racing, Timex, etc. When we got to the pool, we jumped into an empty lane next to Hillary Biscay and Belinda Granger… it was fun to gab with them for a bit. Shortly thereafter, Nicole and Tim DeBoom jumped into the lane next to us. After they got out, Dede Griesbauer got in. I hadn’t seen Dede since 2006 so it was great to see her and interrupt her workout » read more

Day #1 in Kona

Aloha!

Indeed, driving down Ali’i Drive was deja vu. I haven’t been back to Kona since 2003 and I am thrilled to return. This time, however, I am not racing – and couldn’t be happier not to be. I am looking forward to enjoying “The Big Show” as purely an athlete supporter.

Professionally, it will be great to see the athletes I have worked with “do Kona”. There is no joy greater than watching those who have worked very hard, whom you’ve helped guide, reap the benefits of their hard work:
I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to support Scott Rigsby as he battles the day to become the first double-amputee athlete to complete an Ironman on prosthetics. Those running his foundation asked if I would come out to assist him in the days leading to the race. How could...