Archive for duathlon

Just Du It already!!!

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 11, 2014 by runmyssierun
Me riding my "Mimi" custom Felt bike from Wally's Bike Shop and wearing my sunflower trisuit from http://triflare.com/

Me riding my “Mimi” custom Felt bike from Wally’s Bike Shop and wearing my sunflower trisuit from http://triflare.com/

After last weekend’s disappointing DNF at CapTexTri, I entered the Duathlon last minute with the promise to myself to just finish it.. not for time… not for anyone… not for any cause… not for glory or “I told you so” or “I knew you could do it” or even the whispers of “I knew she wouldn’t beat me.”

I needed to finish this so that I could prove to myself that I was not going to give up. Still sick, I pushed through.

My legs felt heavy during the run. I hadn’t run like I was supposed to so I expected this to hurt… but I didn’t give up. Didn’t stop once. But boy oh boy all that mucus that had accumulated over the last few weeks all of a sudden wanted to come out… and it did!!!

I wore my brand new beautiful Triflare sunflower one piece triathlon suit. I got so many compliments (although I wish I was 20 years younger and had the body of Alex when she wore her Triflare trisuit in Brownsville). I loved it!!! Well, until I tried to figure out how to get OUT of it in a hurry while running straight past T1 and onto the bathrooms while asking the race volunteers to unzip me!!!

What happened in the bathroom is seriously TMI. Don’t even ask. All you need is a good imagination.

I spent a good 10-15 minutes in there.

I walked out and found another fellow runner who was relaying and asked her to zip me back up.

I looked over to transition and saw just three bikes left racked… including mine. “Eh… might as well be the last one out and enjoy this one.”

What????? Is my inner sarcastic voice having a nice day????

Well, alright then! Let’s go have a great time!!!

I gently took Mimi off the bike rack and maneuvered her to the mount line. Stroked her seat, said “You ready Momma? Let’s go!” Jumped on and the fun began!!!

That feeling came back and boy did I need it!

I remember Sissy saying that she wanted me to find a way to deal with stress in a healthy way because she knew things were only going to get harder on me. She was right and I did.

I remember every single person’s advice along the way. I remember every helping hand and loving gesture from supporters, donors, sponsors, coaches, friends and family. Best of all… when I’m riding my Mimi, I forget all the pain, sorrow and anger I hold inside and feel more alive and happy than I’ve ever felt before.

So I understand what Mike Padgett said a few weeks ago about how if he died riding his bike, he’d die happy. As much as it hurt to think that it could happen like that, I understand that feeling. I hope it doesn’t happen like this but if it does… I’ll die happy.

And as promised… the latest from the media regarding Eddie Arguelles

http://www.krgv.com/videos/driver-indicted-in-cyclist-s-death/

 

 

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Tag Team – duathlon for Erica

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 2, 2013 by runmyssierun

Tag Team - duathlon for Erica

So it all started like this: Mario (a friend of mine for many many years and volunteer fire fighter for the City of Mission) climbs into his bunker fire fighter gear and runs 2.2 miles with the additional est. 100 lbs on top of him. Please understand that this is NOT Nike dri-fit technical tee material. This is some seriously HOT – STEAMING HOT – DANGEROUSLY HOT for your body temperature type of gear!!!

And he does it!!! He completes over two miles in his gear and tags me with my own “love” sign for my Momma.

I then grab my bike and sprint as fast as I can *against* the oncoming cyclists (because they are all ahead of me – I was the last bike out because of the time it took for Mario to run in his gear) and have to pedal harder faster to do the best I can to try to catch up to the rest of the crowd.

The cool brisk morning was welcoming for Mario in his gear but the wind cut into me like stabbing knives. My nose was running and I didn’t want to let go of the handle bars to wipe. I figured I was the only one left out there and no one would see anyway!!! (I know… nasty, but hey, ya gotta do what ya gotta do) I knew this path. It was 6.6 miles of bumpy chipped gravel road looping through the river town of Granjeno. I remember going smoothly over the first set of railroad tracks and then it was a blur… the second set of rail road tracks was when I cried out to myself… “DON’T YOU SLOW DOWN!!! Momma help me!”

It was just a couple of minutes after that when I felt the winds change and the smell of gas. “Big John” – Team McAllen’s cycling group’s favorite preacher and now my Saint – was right behind me on his motorcycle. As I reached a stop light (yes, I obey traffic laws), he yelled out to me “You’re going FAST!!!” and then never left me until I reached the transition point.

Thank goodness for my practice and advice from Coach Sandy Overly!!! I expected the transition line, looked for it and finally – as gracefully as I could – extended my right leg over the bike and ran myself in for the tag back to Mario.

And there he went – the heroic fireman off to extinguish cancer for Erica with yet another 2.2 mile run in full gear.

My legs were wobbly like jello. I had practiced transitions but not at this speed nor at this distance yet. I remember smiling and being pretty dang proud that I was a part of this amazing story.

After a brief rest, I was startled by my young rock star SEBASTIAN (I’m sure you’ll be hearing more about him later in my adventures) as he ran up to me and exclaimed “He’s coming! He’s coming! Mario is coming!” I sprang up from the sidewalk and ran over to him with tears rolling down my cheeks. “I’m so dang freakin proud of you!!!” I yelled out.

And we crossed the finish line together – for Erica.

I understand that Team Erica has raised over $30,000 this week. All proceeds are going directly to her. Unfortunately, I know all too well how much cancer costs a family. $30k will last one month.

There is so much need!!! I simply do not understand why our human race is so far behind on this disease.

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Red Rover

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , , on February 17, 2013 by runmyssierun

Red Rover

This last year, I’ve been told several times that I was an “athlete” and I cringe each time it is said. It makes me think back to a very vivid memory of mine while I was in second grade.

We were picking teams for Red Rover. I was one of the last two. Yep, you guessed it… I was the last picked because I was clearly the weakest link. I was the least athletic.

Last week, it all changed. A brave, courageous fireman chose me to be on his team for Erica. I can’t say for sure that I was the first one he thought of to do this with but it’s enough for me to be chosen.

I met Erica early last year. We were just starting our run journey together when she announced to our run group that she was diagnosed with cancer. She was one of our own. She was one of the Run, Walk or Crawl girls that had pushed me further than I ever thought I could go. She pushed me.

Now, I’m pushing her. NEVER EVER GIVE UP.
Read the photo attached here. You don’t have to be as crazy as Mario and I are but please, I beg you, do SOMETHING. Give if you can.

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