Run Joy, Run!

I began this year with a commitment to the Triathlon sport. About five months ago I got out of foot surgery and began to "run."

I put quotations besides the word run because running isn't just running. There's so much to it (for me at least). Whenever I run, it never feels right. I have to think about my shoulders being relaxed, my elbows driving the ground, my core tight, my steps light and quick, my knees high, my breathing consistent, my eyes looking 30 ft. forward, my ball-of-the-foot landing, my most efficient speed, my heart rate - should I keep going?

When I started, I began running at a sluggish 10 min. mile while complaining how much I hated it. I was always tense; it felt very uncomfortable. I had shin pain, calf soreness, stomach cramps, and burping problems. =T Now-a-days I have to say that my body has overcome these issues. Great! However, I've developed others. Now, I have toe blisters and I was told by Coach Matt that I run like a "boxer" with my wrists high by my face.

Today, we did tempo training in spurts. I learned that this is the way to train one to run faster! Build those triggering muscles! I'm so glad I bought my foot pod! It keeps me in check! My speed, my distance and my heart rate conveniently strapped on my left wrist.

After a good effort, I averaged 7.73 min miles during my .55 mile tempos with increasing speed during each interval. Apparently it is always important to increase speed/effort and not tire out too early. Though I'm not a "runner" (yet), I achieved this increasing effort today.

It was sweet and motivating to get a mention from Coach Laura and a comment from Marianne...Way to go Ms. Negative Split! =)

Better Me.

Once upon a time...in the Philippines, I was born. With flaws. We're all born with imperfections; I'm okay with that. But as we live, we quickly develop fears that hinder us. And as time passes we hope to become better. In life I want to strive to become
- a better sister
- a better daughter
- a better friend
- a better partner
- a better me!

Lululemon one of my all time favorite stores, has their shopping bag imprinted with many life statements. One of my favorite ones say to "do one thing a day that scares you." I really like this suggestion even though I'm scared of many things. To be realistic, I don't think I can do this daily, but it has certainly become my endeavor.

Sometimes we have to prove ourselves wrong. "I can't swim" can become "How can I swim faster?"

I will document my endeavors here as they come. I dedicate this blog to those who are seeking to be better for themselves and for others - just as I am.

Race Report - Triathlon #1 - Jersey Man

SATURDAY, 05.09.09 This is what I sought to do just 13 weeks ago. My first ever triathlon. What did I learn? NEVER forget your transition bag in the hotel!!! I awoke (or maybe I didn't) at 5 am - calm as a cat. Braided my own hair, put on my bright blue "first triathlon matching outfit", slobbed on sunblock, pumped my tires and headed for breakfast with the team. At 6 am I enjoyed some bananas, bagels with cream cheese, and a cup of coffee of course. Together we left for Spruce Run State Park. We parked and I grabbed what I thought was "my transition bag." Not until Tom pointed it out to me did I notice I left all my damn gear at the Hampton Inn 6 miles away! I immediately called the hotel and spoke to Mike who found my bag. They arranged for Chris (a random triathlete who was racing) to find me, Joy # 437 in blue. To think of it, I really should've taken his phone number. I missed the team warm up swim at 7:30 am and on my way to find the porter potty, I found Chris - my savior of the day! I gave him the only thing I had to give, which was a smile, a hug and a sincere thank you. After putting on my wetsuit and some of Carey's popular body glide, I met up with the group in the sandy beach. It was a gloomy day with expected rain, but by the time I got to the beach to warm up on my own, I noticed the sun peering through. "Why hello sun!" I remember thinking while I practiced my spin turns and backstrokes. My family and KC arrived just in time to watch and hear the exciting count downs of the different waves. When it was Coach Jenn's turn to start, our team counted to 3 and chanted to cheer her on! She was the only female racing in the elite division! She carries a lot of traits to be admired. Not only is she very focused, she knows what she loves and isn't afraid to go after it. Right before her jump into the water, she scooped up a struggling bat in the middle of the shore just so it can have a chance to survive.

There was a warm sense of togetherness being in this team - for most of us we were sharing a first time experience. Being with this team made it that much more comforting. It was our turn. I remember dancing to the music that was playing and then suddenly startled by the horn that prompted everyone to charge into the water. I took a few seconds to let the avid swimmers attack the water then I ran in and went after it myself. I needed to pace because I estimated 30 minutes to complete my half mile swim. At one point I started to doubt my estimated time because swimming with a large group of people and continous sighting was tougher than I thought. I went off track a few times because I didn't sight as often - lesson here is to consistently sight after 4 or 5 strokes! I went on my back twice for a few seconds during my swim, greeting the sun again to help calm me down. Throughout my swim, I breathed during every stroke, but as soon as the end was near, I pushed it to every 4 - 5 strokes. When I got up, a familiar face popped up right next to me! It was Marianela! There was a smile on her face. She looked happy the swim was over as did I. We laughed and clocked in at exactly the same swim time: 24:01 minutes. Nice job, 6 minutes faster than I calculated. Transition 1: Took me 4.41 minutes? That's almost 3 minutes more than I expected! What did I do wrong? I didn't run to transition, I carefully packed my wet suit away, I cleaned my feet. Don't do what I did. I rolled my bike out of transition and started my 19.5 mile bike ride. I better pay attention to the pointers and signs. I was afraid to lose focus and wander off to a different street. There were many cops and volunteers who guided the path and stopped traffic. The course was hilly (not quite what they had described). I encountered some major hills but was never once discouraged. I reminded myself many times to *grip the floor* - I must not be comfortably cruising in this race. People passed each other very politely. I averaged 14.9 mph on this ride and had a max speed of at least 35 mph going downhill feathering my brakes. I can't believe Emily sped through 45 mph! This girl is fearless! Though the ride was tougher than I had expected, finishing in an 1 hour and 18 minutes, I enjoyed it. It was challenging like it was supposed to be. I was glad I rolled safely back into transition - without a scratch. Transition 2 was much faster than Transition 1. I clocked in at 1.13 minutes though really...to change to my sneakers and grab my racebelt should really have only taken 45 seconds! Note to self - hurry the hell up next time! =) Now the run. I was surprised I didn't once mentally or physically complain like I usually do quietly during training. =) I just went for it - 3.1 miles. It was definitely my support team who came to cheer me that boosted my energy. I did not digest any GU as was suggested by Coach Laura. This certainly help me not get any stomach cramps - either that or the adrenaline rush. The water station aids really helped me hydrate since during the bike ride I hesitated to drink water. During the last mile I bumped into Lindsay, an athlete who I met that morning. She was nice enough to tell me that I ran too far passed the cone! Whew! Lost a couple of seconds there - but geez Joy! Why are you in La La Land? In the last couple of meters, I noticed a guy run passed me. With one swift breath he quickly said to me "Let's go!" So, I decided to push myself and follow his faster pace. Between trees and around the bend we went, until I saw that balloon that said "FINISH." I shook the sweat off myself and went for it. It took me 29 minutes at an average of 9.4 minute mile to finish 3.1 mles. When I crossed that finish line, I took a leap, I cried, I hugged my dad, my mom, and finally KC. I was so happy they were there to see me finish. It was an experience of a lifetime and I can officially call myself a triathlete!

I've been a chicken baby all my life and the day I signed up for Team Chapstick I had no idea what lay ahead. I started writing this daily blog, documenting the physical, the mental, and yes even the emotional experiences. This blog helped me remember and realize the person that I am. I've been a catalyst for change - inspiring others to learn to swim, to buy a bike and even to start training for a triathlon! Looking back, I have accomplished alot for myself but the journey certainly doesn't end. I have more races this year, and I'm here to only get better. After analyzing the race results, I noticed that every second of every minute counts towards that finish line. Same with life and the choices that one makes. That minute you decide to commit is the same minute your life changes. CHEERS TO THAT!

Congrats Team for your commitment and job well done!
And thank you Coaches for your sincere dedication and support!

Number One...

Who deserves to be placed on the pedestal as number one? Is it your spouse? Your parents? Maybe yourself???

Some of us were taught to place others before ourselves. But sometimes we are reminded that no one will care more about you than yourself. A previous cubicle buddy once advised me to "look out for number one." I had absolutely no idea what he meant as I gave him a curious stare. "Joy, number one is yourself" he said abruptly. I questioned him, is it really? I've never thought of associating a number with myself or with others. Since then, he never forgot to remind me of this phrase every evening before he left the office.

This question came about today. Who is my number one? I can't seem to put a number to people, not even myself. Can a set of people be my number one? It's like saying if you could save only one person, who would you save? Your child or your spouse? You love them both and care for them dearly, but to answer that question just doesn't seem kosher (hummm...I wonder where the Jewish-ness came from). Do you have a number one?

The Greener Grass..

This entry was inspired by two separate friends I've conversed with this past month.

One friend of mine recently wrote me his concerns about developing feelings for another - prior to and while being in a committed relationship. He asked if these feelings were okay and asked for advice if one were to face that situation.

This is what I said:

I think that people have tendancies to encounter feelings for another from time to time (even when in a committed relationship). Therefore, I can say "it's okay" because it's human nature. Physical and emotional attraction is natural and, for the most part is out of one's control. I underlined for the most part because I think the mind is a very powerful tool. It tends to find what it's looking for (so it can be within your control).

A person in that position should sit back - see the bigger picture - and reassess the commitment in the relationship. Sometimes the physical and emotional attraction is such a small piece of the bigger picture. While an attraction can be temporary, a lifetime commitment such as marriage is not.

My other friend, similar to my previous friend was questioning her current situation. She said: "Joy, you don't strike me as this type, but I'm always thinking that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence." A couple of things came to mind:

- Take a peek. What makes their grass greener?
- The grass may appear greener, but is it really greener???

Unless there's an uncontrollable plague that is deteriorating your green, is it too difficult to beautify your own? I've seen it in the books, I've seen it happen. Try it. Make it a project. Plan it out. When you'll do it. How you'll do it. You may be surprised at how deep green your grass can get.

A Fine Line.

Kate Monster from Avenue Q sang it best:

There's a fine, fine line between a lover and a friend;
There's a fine, fine line between reality and pretend;
And you never know 'til you reach the top if it was worth the uphill climb.
There's a fine, fine line between love...
And a waste of time.

Two Wrongs Can Make It Right...

When will two wrongs make it right?

One of the things that bothered me about my last relationship was the fact that I rarely got a timely response to my emails and voicemails. No matter what means of communication I used, I was continuously left hanging. In my current relationship, I was reminded by how I've left him hanging on his texts and emails. This was unintentional on my part but one night over dinner my dad suggested to "do the same to her." Leave her hanging, he implied. I was surprised that this was what my dad had in mind as we were taught not to provoke revenge.

Not only does "what goes around comes around" apply, but I'm also going to get a taste of my own medicine. Awakened by this fact I've tried harder to be more responsive without compromising the thought that goes into my responses. This is my story of when two wrongs have made me see the right. Now a days when I don't get a text back, I tend to get a bit antsy.