Understanding and Toughness... There is a Connection

You know, I've been thinking about this for some time now. We as athletes tend do be naturally, tough, tenacious, hard headed, determined, focused, driven.. you know the bill.. and beyond that, as athletes, we admire these qualities in ourselves and others. After all, they rock, if I do say so myself.

Though when it comes to relationships, intimacy, and connection, these matters take on a certain quality that can, on the surface, seem to come into stark contrast with our all too glamourous "toughness". The art of slowing down, the art of attending to, the art of having patience with, actually seeing and understanding another, all can certainly strike a chord of anxiety in someone who is drive to go and achieve. But personally, I think these qualities serve only to compliment our tenacity and toughness.

Quite frankly speaking, when we train, isn't rest and recovery just as important as our training itself? Don't we need to give our bodies the time it needs to repair and heal, and adapt to the stress that we have put it through? As an athlete myself I know all too well how difficult this can be at times, but I also know, that without it, our performance will suffer, we will be more prone to injury and ultimately put our athleticism at risk. And I know not a one of you wants that. =]

So, when we take time to recover, and truly recover, and we practice slowing down, tending to our bodies and listening to what we need, we are in essence, beginning to hone the skills that our relationships need as well. Relationships take tenderness and understanding. They take a willingness to step outside of our own perspective and see the other person's point of view. They take an honest assessment of ourselves and what we truly have to give to see the relationship succeed. These things are hard to do when we are going 100 miles an hour in "achievement" mode. But they are possible when we slow down turn inward and honestly evaluate our own emotional experiences, and they are also possible when we slow down, pause, look deeply into the eyes of the person we are sharing our life with and do our best to honestly see, hear and understand them and what they need on an emotional level.

After all, in the end, we can't take the medals, awards or money for that matter, with us. We can't take our loved ones with us either, but to be able to rest knowing that we have done our best to do good by the one's we have share our lives with? Is't that what it's all about?

Peace my friends,

Heidi

the pic on this page captures my point here exactly.. enjoy.. http://www.anthonymillerphotography.com/2011/02/understanding/

Tough it out Tuesday: BE STILL 9/10/13

As athletes we tend to prize achievement, getting ahead and accomplishing the next goal. The thrill of victory and the sense of accomplishment are powerful experiences that for many are unmatched by anything else. I find though, that, over time, in the perpetual quest for the next success there can be an emptiness. A place that only stillness can fill. This space for me is a sense of coming home. A sense of being one with oneself and one's purpose here. A sense of quiet calm that exudes love when it is tapped into. It takes just as much courage, patiences, and tenacity to go into this space as it does to train for and complete any ironman. The training is different but it is no less difficult. In this case, it is not a matter of one or the other. Both can be accomplished simultaneously. One must have the willingness and courage though to go within and sit thorough the silence to truly begin to tap into and fill one's emptiness.

If you are ready, set a timer for 5 to 10 min, sit quietly and breathe.. in the nose and out the nose. Allowing your breathing to become your only focus of attention. As your mind wanders, notice without  judgement and gently bring your focus back to your breathing. Notice what you are feeling in your body. Allowing the sensations to just arise and unfold. Continue to return to your breathing and release your thoughts. This is a the practice of coming home and taming the mind. Be patient with yourself, as with anything, time, consistency and focused attention here is key.

Why the Sponges...?

Ok so, today I received my first ever request for a blog post and tho it was totally tongue in cheek and probably better suited for my Living Life on Octane blog that has yet to be created, I will honor the request and write it here.

So the request was, ' I want you to write a blog post on why you have sponges in your AO top!' ('LMAO!' Deleted) Ok so, if any of you have seen my Google+ picture, you will know what my reader is talking about. I will include it here for those of you that have not seen it.

This picture was taken at the top of Curry hill during Ironman Arizona 2012. For those of you that don't know what an Ironman is, it's a triathlon that covers 140.6 miles broken down into a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run. 

Ironman Arizona takes place in November every year here in Tempe. It's a glorious time of year and a beautiful course if you ask me. 

Anyways, back to the question.. Why do I have sponges in my AO top?.. Well some of you may be wondering, 'Why is he calling it an 'AO' top?Looks like she's wearing a sports top or bathing suit top if you ask me..'

Well, if that's what you are thinking you'd be right, it is a bathing suit top.. But the AO stands for Athlete Octane, and What is Athlete Octane?.. you might ask..  And I would say, Athlete Octane  is what got me through that 140.6 miles last year =] 

More specifically tho, Athlete Octane is a liquid endurance supplement that helps to reduce soreness, improve time to recovery and keep you going stronger, longer and harder than ever before. It's packed with antioxidants that help boost immunity and improve cellular functioning. I could go on and on about it but I won't. If you want to check it out for yourself visit the website at:

http://athleteoctane.com/

Or check out the Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/AthleteOctane

What I know about Athlete Octane personally is that it works.. It's just that simple. 

Now I still haven't gotten to the real question.. Why the sponges... Well, the simple answer for the sponges is that it's HOT in Arizona.. Even in November.. Yep.. Still hot and when the sponges are soaked in water they are cool.. And cool water is a soothing thing when you have just swam 2.4 miles and ridden your bike 112 and are now working on completing a marathon. 

But quite frankly, I have no idea why I left the sponges in my AO top that day... I kno I left them there on purpose.. I know I actually thought about taking them out.. To be totally honest tho, I don't really know what prompted me to leave them there.. A symbol of my sweat and tears? An added comfort to remind me of all my amazing friends that were out on the course to support me that day? A momento for all the miles that were finally behind me? I'm truly not sure..  it was probably more of a  superstitious  OCD tendency to not change what had already been established for fear of jinxing my race =]  Lame I kno.. But more than likely that was the case.

In any regard, with sponges in my top, and AO as my supplement.. I made it through another IRONMAN and am still around today to tell the tale. 

Thanks Athlete Octane for carrying me through and as for the sponges.. If you ever do an Ironman.. They are certainly the way to go.. Even if you don't know why you leave em attached to your top. =]

Post race blues...

So Ironman is over... another year of training has come to an end. So what now?


IM is an event, it's a race it's a day to exhibit to our friends and loved ones all we are capable of and all that we had been working on during those long runs and rides that they all thought we were so crazy for going on in the first place. For me, it is the journey up to an IM that is the most significant. It builds relationships, gives direction and acts as an organizing principle for all other things in day to day life.
In this quite time of the aftermath, this time of slowing down, recovering and finding center I encourage you all to reflect on how IM worked for you in your lives.


Here's what I notice for me.. In this time post IM, as the winter (the little that we have of it here in AZ =) ) is coming upon us I am finding myself reflecting on what really matters to me. What do I value in my life? What role does training have in the greater picture of who I am as a person? What role do I want it to play next year? I am an athlete yes, but I am also a mother, an EMDR therapist, a daughter, a friend, an Octane rep and most importantly a spiritual being. All these roles make up who I am and when I sit quietly with myself and center a find a certain sense of calm, peace and acceptance for all that I have and all I have become in my life time and more specifically over the course of this past year.
I notice my thoughts as they pass in my mind bring me ideas of what I'd like to accomplish over the course of the next year. What I'd like to create in my life. I notice my thoughts reflect on what has worked and what has not worked for me this past year as well. As I wake up to the present moment and notice what is happening in my body and welcome and observe the thoughts that pass through my mind I find clarity on what matters to me in this life.

As you sit quietly with yourself and recenter, I trust you will find things that matter to you. The things that have worked for your over the course of this IM training and year and maybe even somethings that haven't worked so well.  As you awaken to these insights, welcome them. They will serve to help you as you set your plan for the year to come. It doesn't have to be an IM. It can be anything.

For me, I notice the more I allow and welcome what is happening within me to unfold, the feelings, the thoughts and the sensations the more readily the answers come about where to go next. I have felt feelings of sadness, loss, loneliness, gratitude, appreciation and joy all at the same time and at different times in this past week. They come like waves on the ocean. Never staying for too long but visiting nonetheless. Welcome them. They are part of your humanness.

As a final note... remember that more than likely you didn't do an IM because you hate physical activity =). Even if your body is still sore and you are still seeking clarity and direction on where to go next, it's ok to move. It's ok to get on your bike and go for a ride... just for the love of riding. It doesn't matter how long you go, where your heart rate happens to be or how many watts your putting out... just feel the wind in your face, let your legs turn over, allow your blood to flow and see if you can once again reconnect with why you thought swimming 2.4 miles, riding 112 and running a marathon all i the same day was a good idea to begin with. =)

Peace my friends..

I trust you will find what you need... just listen quietly... the answers are already there...

Words of Gratitude IMAZ2012

Man.. there's so many of you I need to thank.. here's to all my favorite stores, peeps, and service providers that carried me through this race as well: Sole Sports Running Zone and Karen Pitre Seymour and Lance Muzslay for having the most knowledgeable staff, Landis Cyclery andRyan Padgitt for being the best mechanic in town, Destination Kona and Brooke Schohl for being an inspiration, Tribe Mul

tisport and Glenn Allen for having the most through stock of all your tri race apparel and equipment, Trisports Tempe for having a killer friendly and inviting staff, Inner Vision Yoga, Jeff Martens and Josh Rothman for providing a space for me to recenter and find balance of body, mind and spirit, Cori Frayer for the best massages in town, Crystal Bartos stretch therapy for keeping me limber and ready to run, Dr. Brendan McCarthyfor helping me to learn that there really isn't anything wrong with me, Coach Dean Hebert for his dear friendship and great running tips, Mr. Steve Elwell for giving me the space to do it on my own, Hoss Rogers... well for being YOU!!, Lori Haas, Amy Leiferman and Kathleen Todd for believing in me and my practice, and being 3 of the best colleagues I've ever worked with, Lanny Lang, Paul Bucich, Tom Wiggins and Paul Lavin for being my training partners in crime =), Adrienne Aspezita for being my inspiration 'cause lord knows you wanted it more than I did this year!, Tim Bolen and Brian McHenry for all those track workouts that kept me honest, Arland Maccasieb and the FilAM Triclub for making me an honorary Filapino!, Red Rock Co and Crew: Andy Bellino, Casey Brown, Stephanie Webber, John Sellinger, Kimo Seymour, Justin Kern, Sean McManus, Ted Villa, Bryce Werre, Sadat Khan, Hessam Salim, Andy Felton, Tricia Grossman, and Beth Murphy for making me part of the family and being the best race crew EVER, and Lifetime Fitness and Lifetime Fitness Cycle Club for providing the go to spot from which all these relationship I now have emerged. You are all amazing thank you so much for being a part of my life..

Thoughts and reflections on IMAZ2012

Another IM in the books! Wow what an experience. You know.. this year I set 99% of training myself, took care of most of my body strength and restoration needs with yoga and fueled exclusively with my nutrition (perform and clif shots mostly) and Athlete Octane. And today, after all is said and done, despite a little dehydration and some stiffness in my shoulder and feet I feel pretty damn good! M

uscles aren't really sore my body moves and as long as my feet are up to the challenge I will be out at the Turkey Day 5k =) You know, part of this training experience for me was about tackling the challenge of IM on my own. I feel that I did that in many ways but while I was out there yesterday I realized something truly priceless. Doing an IM alone is not only impossible it is a lonely journey. I did set my own training and go minimalistic on body care but that is about all I did on my own. While I was out there racing yesterday I realized how many people I know and how many friends I have in this community of ours. You will never know how much your friendship means to me. I didn't find my family despite a smile from my mom after the swim until the 3rd lap on the run. All the hugs from all of you on the run course kept me going even more so than my fuel yesterday. Each and every one of you... thank you for your time, friendship and commitment to the sport of triathlon. And even more, I have to give a great shout out to all those spectators and volunteers that I don't know. You are amazing. being out there all day in the same spot.. man.. they have endurance too =)