A sincere thank you to my coach Jamie, my husband Doug, two assistant coaches whom are my yogi Joslyn and my Yoda Kellie. To the guys at Bikeloft N. who've gotten to know me, encourage me and fix anything by means of girlie descriptions (that thing that goes to that other thing). To Steven who has been the ying to Jamie's yang sometimes and rooted me on in conjunction to the tough love that is sometimes received. To Everyone MOXIE those I've actually met like Heidi, Mary, Toby for just noticing me and taking the time to get to know me and encourage me. To those Moxies whom I haven't met yet but inspire me with each race I see picture of and hear about. To Earlin for the shirts. I won't forget that kindness you know!  To Lance and his precious wife whom I haven't met yet but hear so much about, THANK YOU for creating a space for health and wellness. THANK YOU for encouraging women to get involved and for your gift to so many in your (our) community.

To my Tri To Train ladies, CNY Tri Club, My PCP Dr. Hughes, my Physical therapist, Dr.'s and nurses from SOS, for your love, cooperation, prayers and faith. To Bethany for your encouragement and kindness when you sent me the polar monitor. To Shawna and your daughter for getting me through that first training session when I thought "maybe I can't do this bike thing". Thank you for your service and your friendship.  To Kathy who has talked me through some messy ups and downs both with emotions AND with plant-based eating. I don't know what I'd do without you! To Lindsay for swimming with me, making me smile and feel like I belong when all I really wanted to do was run and hide. To Laura for the time you took that day in Wegmans to get to know me and offer yourself as a running buddy sometime.  To Farah and her mother for being the epitome of kindness and encouragement. To SyracuseWomanMagazine for sharing women of CNY with all backgrounds and life experiences who make CNY what it is. To inspire women HERE in our own back yard to BE more and ACHIEVE more! To Iron Girl Syracuse for offering an amazing event FOR women of all body types and reasons for being an Iron Girl. To 4 North at Crouse...You Rock! You are ALL family. Thank you to Lynn who is THE BEST manager to my husband. To my Deanna, Your friendship has helped me heal in ways that only mothers who've lost their children can understand. I've said it before and I'll say it again...This journey wouldn't have begun had God not had his hand in our friendship. He was already taking the pain and working it into all of this. I love you sweet friend!

Finally to family, friends and anyone I've accidentally missed. You are without a doubt Each and everyone I speak of right now a part of this journey.

You see, If you look at this picture in the link below, not only was I dying on the INSIDE, I could barely walk my little girl anywhere. I was physically dying but I pretended everything was okay.

This village of support has been PHENOMENAL! Weight loss doesn't happen with a pill or powder. Emotional healing behind the weight doesn't happen with a knife and surgery. It takes TOTAL transformation. All of YOU played a part in that.

To my coach, husband, daughter my mom and dad Jeff as well as my Moxie group. You've given MORE than anyone could ever imagine. Time, resources, love, encouragement. You have a heart of GOLD.

I do not deserve what I've been given, but I'm going to be sure that my life continues in the direction God has led me since the days he's answered my prayers. The work and commitment that so many put into me, I pray I will be able to give back to another and another and again another! I pray that you ALL know how grateful I truly am as I ask God to bless all of YOU for the gifts and talents or even the loving-kindness you offered to someone who intended to hide instead of shine. I didn't want another day to go by without sharing this HUGE thank you. God speed! 

It's Happening!

Iron Girl Syracuse

I cannot believe how close we are. I'm excited and freaked out at the same time. I'm REALLY excited!

Iron Girl Syracuse

How To Find Joy In The Midst Of Chaos

Having a pep talk with myself because we're having a little bit of a rough week and it's just started.

Things may break down, plans may fall through and money may be tight, but we have each other and there is ALWAYS hope. I sat here trying to "figure things out" when I looked at the scripture on my wall. "Be still and know that He is God". BE STILL Becky! I sat with my hands in my lap and tears falling down from just feeling overwhelmed ....who's in control?! Where does your HOPE come from Becky?! Psalm 46:1 "The Lord God is my refuge and strength, a help always near in times of great trouble."

Plans fall apart, things break, money may be scarce but we have each other, we're healthy and we have each other! God said that if he takes care of the birds of the sky and fish of the sea how much greater will he care for His people! Even in times of diversity.

I found myself saying, "Lord, I desire joy". I REALLY need joy right now. How in the world do I find joy through the muck and the mire?! Then I remembered two things:

"The JOY of the Lord is my strength." Nehemiah 8:10. I opened the book I've been reading through the last several months by Ann Voskamp calledOne Thousand Gifts and I reflected on the key word to the WHOLE book. EUCHARISTEO (Thanksgiving), she says..."Always precedes the miracle."

Gratitude turns everything we have into ENOUGH. ~Melody Beattie

Using The Side Stroke

I am NOT confident with the swim part of the triathlon. The only time I've ever swam has been on vacation. Nothing to save my life and nothing more than a nice breezy vacation kind of stroke. The last swim/bike/run training I had two weeks ago, it was AGAINST the current. Everything I learned in swim class at the YMCA was null and void in the open water swim against the current.

Today I'm not sure what the water will be like until I get in. What I noticed last time is that I did not like my face in the filthy water with my eyes open. I didn't care that I had my goggles on. The water has been known to have bacteria in it. I also had a tough time measuring where the buoy was when my face was in the water. How exactly can you tell?!

To add to the problem. I put anti fog on my goggles and instead of washing with water and letting them dry, I used my hands and a towel and dried the anti fog off. I couldn't see.  It was AWFUL!  THIS is the time to learn what the mistakes are so I can correct them before race day.

What one of the assistant coaches thought, was that it would be better for me to learn the side stroke in these conditions. I'm going to try it today and see if it will make me faster, more accurate to the buoy and back so that it doesn't mess with my bike time and my run time. I NEED to be faster.