Ever stop to think how much of your life is routine? Same old... day in, day out. Good or bad, happy or sad.... much of our daily activities involve some sort of comfort. We are comfortable in eating the same meals every day, driving the same routes, chatting to the same friends, online activities such as FB... etc. The list is endless. How often do we step outside of our comforts? And if we do, why did we do so?

This is what I was thinking last week as I was on our IRONTEAM coached bike training.

We were to meet in Palos Verdes at 7:00 AM. Even though it is only 20 some miles away... I've actually never been to this coastal city of LA. So right off the bat I was uncomfortable in not knowing where I was driving to. But, I found the meeting spot and joined the group in prep to roll out and enjoy the ride!

This is where I REALLY stepped outside my comfort zone! First off... I'm still new on the bike - a bike that's 4 cm too big. I'm trying to navigate roads I've never even driven while strapped to two moving wheels and NO protection but a little plastic on my head (bike helmet). Now I'm reminding you of all the rain California had that week... so throw in debris from trees, mountains, cars, etc AND traffic in the local area! SCARY!!!! The small amount of bike lane was mostly obstructed by debris throwing me straight into the line of MOVING CARS! Then... come the hills - what goes up must come down and.... down hill is NOT fun, yet, I'm told. Don't know that I'll ever enjoy it... but was told to lay off the brakes cuz I don't need them by a group of cyclists wearing UCLA jerseys as they zoomed by me! I disagreed strongly and clutched tight to the bike hoping to keep it upright as I cruised to 28 MPH on switchback roads! And as I neared the bottom and was thinking.... NO WAY am I going to do the 2nd loop of that!!! I then reminded myself of Gordie Lat. One of our honored teammates who would of given his left arm to be at practice w/us on this actually stunningly beautiful coastal ride! But Gordie was coming off of a very LONG day prior spent at the hospital being poked/probed/scanned etc for a bunch of tests.... which would DEFINITELY not be a comfort to me! The difference?? I'm forcing myself into this uncomfortable situation - I can just as easily take myself out of it! But what if I was sick? What if I had cancer? Would I choose to not have treatments because it is not comfortable?? Something to think about.... as for me, I'll continue to work my way to being comfortable at 25+ MPH downhill w/no protection around me! Thanks Gordie.... and Kyle... and Megan... and everyone we are fighting to raise funds for :-) Your inspiration is helping me to be a better, stronger person!

It’s ON! 

That’s what my workout log says for today.  It’s on... a concise 18-week program geared towards peaks, tapers, tests, strength and endurance phases launches NOW!

Am I ready for this? What did I get myself into?  For it’s been nearly 12 weeks since I joined LLS TNT and started some training for this Ironman race.  November 7th was the official first IRONTEAM practice.  I wasn’t there for I was working all day.  But until last week when I was out of town, I had been to every swim practice and only missed 1 other group bike practice.  I still feel as though I’m not ready.  It’s been tough to squeeze training on my own in with my hectic work schedule.  And now that I’ve been ill w/a nasty head cold, I feel as if I’ll be starting all over again with swimming.  Not to mention fundraising... much harder than I anticipated!

So as I embark on a new year and this all out training program where I’m constantly told to enjoy my friends and family now because I won’t see them in the next few months, I am nervous and skeptical of my abilities both athletic and mental.  I know why I am doing this; for all of the honored teammates, all of the families I personally know affected by this horrible cancer, and for the hope in one day finding a cure!  But do I really think I can do this? Right now my answer is NO!  I hope to very soon change that to a YES I CAN do this... I WILL do this ... and finally to “ I AM AN IRONMAN,” or Woman :-)!

“Hang on tight, it’s going to be a wild ride!” That is also what it says in my log for today. So as I bring today to a close and await tomorrow, I will grab hold – a wild ride I just may enjoy... here I go! :-)