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Monday, June 23, 2014

A Muggy But Overall Successful Ride


60 laps (20 miles) on the bike today. No brick thank God Almighty! Here's how it felt. Muggy, REALLY muggy, A gust of flipping wind to make it harder. Just when I kept getting to the reach of another lap, a sweet older man left his sprinkler on JUST out of reach while saying, "you know 3 laps is a mile right?". I laughed a little when I told him it didn't matter because I had to get 60 laps in. He told me before I left he didn't want to get me wet. Hahaha Little did he know I was dying. Pavlov's Dog seems to ring a bell at that moment.

Still, I can't even BEGIN to comprehend what the athletes went through yesterday in the heat when it was hard enough with my 60 laps. I'm EXHAUSTED!

My coach makes it look like a dip in the pool, a short bike ride up a hill and a stroll through the park. I had respect for him before, but a whole lot more now that I've seen first hand how EXTREME the conditions were. These people pay big bucks to endure pain! Hahaha



Sunday, June 22, 2014

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Physical Therapy Session Brings Good News!


Physical Therapy finished! The PT said he was impressed with the progress. Especially with the IT band stretch which I could barely do weeks prior. He used a couple other types of IT band stretches after yesterdays training and after an hour of lactic acid buildup (that's no joke let me tell you)again, I am now feeling great! YAY for progress!


The Inch Worm...Go!

A certain coach has added the Inchworm to my regimen. The pushup wasn't asked for but I may just "try" it. I would rather do the "watermelon crawl" though. 



Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Surpassing Milestones And Overcoming My Own Standards


I don't even know where to start. Maybe I'll start with the fact that I finished. I finished something I never imagined I could do. I left a whole lot of baggage physically and emotionally on the course today. I broke down twice, prayed a whole lot, met new friends and bonded with the two most amazing triathletes who helped me and encouraged me from the beginning. 

I made it through a little less than half a mile swimming toward rocky waves and managed not to be the last one out. Transition was slower than I would have liked but I got to the bike and finished 6 miles instead of my hoped-for 12. I ran a 15 minute mile and finished with 2 miles of the 3 miles I'll have to go which is MORE than I thought I could do even yesterday.

I cried twice because of the mental determination I had and also because of the debilitating fears I hope to overcome. The ones that have led me here on this journey. Of lost hopes and dreams of a child I held and had to let go, of blame and anger which led to more fear and anger. It all just came to a standstill on the road running. Overcoming standards. MY standards! Pushing past the emotional pain which I hold more than any physical scars I could endure.

Still through it all, I had my friends...new and old, by my side while my husband and Little Bear cheered me on, left and cheered me through the door again.

Guilt, shame, fear, failure, lost dreams. They are not what builds the strength to overcome victoriously! God holds no prison with which to keep us. Rather, He builds us up with a new sense of HOPE. With His strength we gain courage. Setting the baggage aside is giving me a whole new life. One that I hope will flourish and become a new way of life for my marriage and our daughter.

Today has been a hard day physically and emotionally, but I did it! I conquered the unknown, left the emotional pain behind and am hopeful for a better future.

Thank you to my coach Jamie for believing in me and opening your heart and expertise to someone you never met that day you saw my post. Thank you to Lance and his wife for what you've done for me, Farah from Syracuse Woman's Magazine and her mom for the blessing you've been, for Kellie and Joslyn for being present with me today...for pushing me and encouraging me. For redirecting my fears and anxieties. Thank you to the slew of athletes who have blessed my life with your friendships, your wisdom and resources. Bless you all for the kind hearts you have!

To the family who supports me everyday and to my friend Patti for praying with me and for talking with me when all I wanted to do was die from the heartache and pain. For standing on Gods word for our Little Bear who is our rainbow baby. To Deanna who shares a similar heartache. I can't imagine my life without you. This journey would have been SO DIFFERENT. I wouldn't have met any of these people without Gods hand over our friendship. 

Finally to the husband Doug with whom God hand-picked to be mine. Nobody would have stood the obstacles we've had together. I'm not even sure anyone would have stuck with me for the attitudes I've had. You love me. ALL of me! You are loving, thoughtful, compassionate, patient, kind, gentle, encouraging and supportive. You allow me this time so I can be who God made me to be. So I can be there for the two of you! Thank you so much!

It sounds like an award right now, I'm just on an emotional high. A year ago, I had my will typed up and thought I was heading toward death. Today I'm feeling great and facing with the things I couldn't change so that I could LIVE without fear.




Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Panic Before The Practice Run

I'm panicking the night before my first participation in swim/bike/run (or walk/run) practice at CNY Tri Club. If I'm this nervous about a training day, I'd imagine I'm going to need a stiff drink or a sock in the head the night before the actual event to help me sleep. Lord, save me from my own thoughts!

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." Philippians 4:8







Sunday, June 1, 2014

Rebekah's Vegan Version Of Macaroni Grill's Tomato Bisque Soup




I spent twice the time recreating a vegan version of Macaroni Grill's Tomato Bisque and I think I've come close.

5 carrots, finely shredded
5 stalks celery, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 cup Vegan butter + 3 TBL for the pan
1 cup Whole Wheat or Alternative flour
3 (14 oz.) cans or 32 ounce box of veggie broth (you can also use your homemade version)
2 (32 oz.) cans tomatoes, crushed
1 cup GMO free soy milk (you can use almond as well)
1/2 cup soy half and half
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon of chopped garlic
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt

Saute carrots, celery, onion and 3 tablespoons butter in skillet until tender. Set aside. Melt remaining vegan butter in a sauce pan on low heat. Add whole wheat flour and stir. Add milk. Stir constantly until it thickens. (Do NOT walk away from the flour thickener or you will burn it) Set aside. In a large stock pot, add vegetables followed by the seasonings, tomatoes, veggie broth, and garlic. Add milk mixture. Stir to combine. Add vegan half and half last. Puree the soup in a blender in batches after removing bay leaf. Garnish with a swirl of balsamic vinegar and basil leaf from your garden.