Three Cups of Tea

One of the things I really enjoy is reading and discussing books, so I've participated in our office book club. Participants democratically vote for one of several books, and then discuss it over a potluck lunch. Many of these books I would have never read if not for the book club, and many books deal with other cultures, which is reflected in our potluck lunch. Previous books included The Zookeeper's Wife (Diane Ackerman), Loving Frank (Nancy Horan), Unaccoustomed Earth (Jhumpa Lahiri), and Dreams of My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance (Barack Obama). I didn't actually read the last book because during the elections, I believe in keeping politics separate from the workplace. However, the elections were over when the book discussion occured and I was piqued.

In search of an uplifting book with a happy ending, our book club chose Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. I read parts of this book while I was sick over Thanksgiving, and was inspired to sip tea while reading. I later bought Chai tea, which is often mentioned in the book.

Greg Mortenson was born in Minnesota to parents who were Lutheran missionaries and spent the first 15 years of his life near the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. He is fluent in Swahili, English, Pashtu, and Urdu. His father co-founded the Kilimajaro Christian Medical Center, a teaching hospital, and his mother, Jerene, founded the International School Moshi.

On July 24, 1992, Mortenson’s younger sister, Christa, died from a massive seizure after a lifelong struggle with epilepsy. To honor his sister, Mortenson climbed K2, the world's second highest mountain on the Karakoram range, which sits between Pakistan and China. There, at the 28,250 ft summit, he planned to bury his sister's necklace.

But Mortenson never reached the summit. After spending 70 days on the mountain, Greg and three other climbers interrupted their ascent to complete a 75-hour lifesaving rescue of another climber. The rescue depleted Mortenson's strength, and exhausted and weakend, he mistakenly wandered into the village of Korphe, where he was nursed back to health.

While recovering, Mortenson asked to see the village school and was shown a meeting place where children wrote out their lessons in the dirt with sticks. Mortenson made a vow that would prove to be a turning point in his life when he promised to return the the village with funds to build a school.

So, Mortenson returned to California and took a job in his profession as an emergency room nurse, living out of his car and pounding out more than 500 letters, first on a typewriter and then on a computer, to raise money for a school. I never could make sense of Mortenson's desperate financial situation from reading the book, as nursing has been a shortage profession for quite some time, and as such, is a financially rewarding profession. Mortenson's luck turned when he met Jean Hoerni, a former mountain climber and Silicon Valley pioneer, who funded that first school.

Much of the book details the challenges in building that first school. Unlike other books that describe humanitarian efforts, such as Josh Swiller's The Unheard: A Memoir of Deafness and Africa about his work with the Peace Corps, one of the crucial underpinnings of Mortenson's success is his willingness to learn about other cultures and adopt their practices without foisting information about American culture. In the Muslim culture of Pakistan, Mortenson communicates his respect for Islam and kneels toward Mecca to pray alongside his hosts.

Another crticial factor in his favors is his ability to identify "culture brokers" along his journey who sympathize with his goals and help him navigate the local culture and customs to help Mortenson achieve his objectives. In Rwalpindi, his host patientely and skillfully barters for building supplies for his first school while Mortenson sits through endless cups of tea needed to conduct business. It is only when he lacks a "culture broker" that trouble ensues, such as a kidnapping in the Northwest Frontier Province tribal areas of Pakistan.

Another strength is Mortenson's willingness to work with local tribal leaders within the customs of their society. He accepts a setback when the village leaders announce that they must first build a bridge instead of a school. Mortenson is forced to return to California with nothing concrete accomplished to engage in another round of fundraising.

The success of that first school in Korphe ultimately led to the founding of the non-profit Central Asia Institute with its mission to build schools in the remote, rural regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan, where few opportunities for education exist, especially for girls.

In my own mind, one litmus test of a biographical/autobiographical novel is its honesty. It is human nature to want to project successes, while glossing over unflattering aspects of our characters and our lives. Unlike Michael Phelp's Beneath the Surface which puts a creative spin on unflattering chapters of his life like his DUI, Three Cups of Tea presents an honest—and balanced—view of Mortenson's accomplishments and his character. I was often in awe of his everyday acts of bravery: crossing a tightrope bridge with rushing water below and three heavy people wobbling the rope behind him; going on a hunt for an ibex mountain goat over glaciars while wearing only tennis shoes stuffed with straw; traveling on the back of bumpy truck rides while practically boucing off the truck, over the edge of the mountain below. Yet it also presents a view of his homelife and the sascraficial amount of time he poured into CAI at the expense of his wife, children -- and even regular sleep.

Mortenson’s approach hinges on a simple idea: that by building schools and helping to promote education—particularly for girls—support for the Taliban and other extremists eventually will dry up. While this goal is laudable and I fully support his efforts to promote education, I feel that Mortenson softpedals the cultural forces particularly in Pakistan's rural and remote areas that leave girls without an education, without the opprtunity to exercise choice and determination in their lives, and even without the chance to live.

This is a culture in which male children are favored over female children and from birth, boys are given more food than their sisters. A girl's father and later her husband exercise control over her, and spousal abuse is common. Tribal customs include arranged marriage and honor killings. It is telling when a young woman approaches Mortenson to ask for tuition for higher education, that Mortenson hands the tuition money to the girl's father. The village elders think it odd that Mortenson asks girls their dreams, which shows their support for the education of girls.

The $3.7 million non-profit 501(c)3 CAI organization is still largely the work of Mortenson, with only eight U.S. staff members. None of the schools founded by CAI are self-supporting, and according to the organization's 2006 tax statements, a handful of schools had no girls enrolled. Although the effort is still young, I would have liked to have a better sense of the results that his organization has achieved in educating girls beyond anecdotal reports in the book. How many female students went on to higher education? How long did girls remain in school compared to boys? What did these students accomplish with their education?

It is a fascinating book to read and offers a great deal of insight into world events. I'm looking forward to the shape and direction our book discussion takes and its effect on my own views. The next book we'll read is The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb. I've read Lamb's two previous novels, She's Come Undone and I Know This Much is True and I'm looking forward to beginning his recently released 752-page novel.

Crested Butte Cross Country Skiing

One of the neat things about Western State College is that they have a Wilderness Pursuits program that lets students do various types of outdoor activities like rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, and camping -- for very little cost. This Saturday, they have cross country skiing for $15, which includes all equipment, lunch, instruction, and transportation. What a deal!

Of course, this is the time of year that my xc ski dreams begin. I've gone cross country skiing only once or twice, but every year I wish I could go again. One of my favorite vacations was a trip to Devil's Thumb Ranch. From looking at the web site, the resort seems to be expanded and upgraded from what I remember years ago. I don't remember any of the cabins as being that fancy and I certainly don't remember any spa. But the food was excellent and very natural, with brown eggs included in the breakfast buffet. Of course, I always order the most exotic thing on the menu. We went on a sleigh ride one afternoon where the hosts cooked s'mores and hot chocolate over a fire. Our kids would pet the horses in the field outside the cabin. I remember ice scating at night.

The first time we went cross country skiing, my husband and younger kid kept falling down and didn't enjoy it (although I dont' understand how you can possibly fall while cross country skiing because you just glide along), but my older son and I got the hang of it easily. My older son wanted to go skiing one night, but it was dark and there was snow falling and I was afraid we wouldn't find our way back, so we agreed to go out one more time on our last day there. My kids think it's lame, I still have the ski tag from that trip on my winter jacket.

Wish you were there!

Going for a Ride

Bike rides have been the highlight of my fall and the one thing I look forward to every Sunday. I've fallen off the bandwagon with everything else. I haven't run more than twice since the half-marathon, and I just returned to the swim team.

My Sundays got better four weeks ago when I decided that I was bored with my easier route. I decided that I didn't care about what I'd feel like on Monday. I decided that I was going to ride my "super hill" route -- a route that is both challenging with three hills on one road alone (they don't call it Murray Hill for nothing) and rewarding with bucolic views of a cow pasture, a horse center, fall foliage, and less-traveled roads. Then http://www.mapmyride.com/ became a frequently visited site as I searched for the favorite routes of other cyclists and created routes of my own as I sought to gradually extend my route.

Today was the first blustery fall ride with temps in the mid-40s and a strong headwind that made it feel much cooler and made pedaling a challenge. Every cyclist I passed waved "hi!"

I hope the weather holds because with cycling, I know where I'm going.

Gunnison, Colorado

Here's to wishing I was there, and knowing that I probably won't be. I think I finally understand what's so great about this place.

Inspiration

Created with Inspiration, one of my favorite programs for note-taking. SLP Barbara Ehren uses Inspiration to create diagrams to tell her audience what she's going to talk about before launching into a presentation, which I think is a great way to teach and present. This vision was inspired by her closing keynote address at the 2003 Schools Conference.

Inner Truth Scarf

These days, I just want to sit and knit, so I'm making an Inner Truth scarf by Laura Andersson. The pattern no longer seems to be publicly available on the Internet, so I won't print it here. The original pattern was made with a 100% cashmere aran yarn, which is hard to find, so I'm using the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran yarn, a soft blend of wool, microfiber, and cashmere (that's machine washable) on size 10 needles. The grey color makes the scarf androgynous and suitable for any member of the family, like my husband and I who both want to wear it. I really like the horseshoe cable pattern with the smaller cables inside.

Here's a like to a better photo on Flickr.

The pattern calls for a left twist stitch on the opposite side of the scarf (you can see it right next to the seed stitch boarder), which is meant to provide some design interest on the wrong side.

For the longest time, I could never figure out how to make a left twist, and of course, I didn't want to ask anyone. Finally....I thought of YouTube!! And sure enough, I found a video to teach me how to do this stitch. YouTube is a patient teacher and doesn't complain if you need to repeat more than once.

The video shows that the first stitch is dropped, but when I tried it, I kept pulling out that stitch. I find it helpful to hold the first stitch between my thumb and forefinger as I knit into the back of the next stitch.

I'm enjoying the scarf, which has enough twists and turns to keep me interested, but I have the urge to knit a sweater next.

Swimming in the Fridge

It seems like whenever something really good happens to me, then something really bad happens. I am now in the middle of a family crisis that won't be resolved for a while. Of course I've developed stress-related back pain and a slobbery cold. I went to a swim meet on Saturday in effort to get my mind off of the entire situation, as if I could think of anything else. But when I came back, it took a turn for the worse. Please say a prayer for the entire family.

I was so very much on the fence about whether to go to this meet at all, but my husband encouraged me to do so. About a half-hour before the online registration system closed, I signed up. Because I'd signed up so late, I thought for sure that I wouldn't get picked for a relay, which didn't bother me this time. Wrong! The coach must have put the relay teams together immediately after the registration system closed and found my name there. The relay was actually the highlight of the day. If I'm reading the results right, I swam a very fast 100 free. Because I have not been swimming regularly and because of my life events, I chose two shorter events, thinking that it would be easier. I swam a 50 breast for the first time which turned out reasonable, but then I swam a 50 free after the relay and was 4 seconds slower than my previous time. I'm not sure why. My entry and turn was pretty good, my stroke was better, and I didn't breathe too much.

Several other things worked out well at this meet and I achieved my goal of being more independent. The online entry system generated a meet program that was e-mailed to all participants in advance of the meet. The PA system and room acoustics were good and with the printed program, it was easy to follow along and know when I needed to be on deck. I walked up to the starters before the meet, introduced myself and explained that I'm deaf and requested a visual signal, which was no problem. They made a note of my events and my request and the visual signal helped me dive right in! Another highlight was when my coach teased me about my hearing loss. When we were lined up for the relay, he was there encouraging the two teams. "Did you hear what they said?" he asked me. I said no -- and realized the joke was on me. Of course he knew that I couldn't hear anything at all.

One of the best things about being on the swim team is the inspirational people I meet. Before the meet, I began chatting with a women who mentioned that she was swimming "unattached," meaning that she wasn't affiliated with a particular team. She'd swum years ago when she was in college, and now that here children were off in college themselves, she was taking up swimming again at two local pools. I was amazed. I wouldn't have been brave enough to navigate through an entire swim meet unless I had a team to be with. I hope she joins up to a team.

The meet was held at a pool with the room temperature of a refrigerator. Before long, I realized that everyone was cold, not just me. One team member came prepared with a fleece jacket to wear in between events, but noted that he's been to other meets at this location. The locker rooms had cold, clammy concrete floors and the only saving grace was the steamy, hot showers.

Baltimore Half-Marathon

Everything about the half-marathon was perfect.

This year, I did packet pickup and learned how to drive to the stadium using the official directions to reach the parking lot. It sounds silly but for years, I looked at the stadium map and the directions, but I could never figure it out. One big reason I wanted my husband to do the race with me was so that he could drive. This year, I finally figured out how to get there.

Last year, we left the house later and wound up scrambling for a parking spot after the roads closed, making it to the starting line with only 5 mins. to spare. This time, I made a detailed agenda because my husband would be doing the 5K and I would be doing the half-marathon. The agenda called for leaving the house earlier and we arrived at the stadium in plenty of time for parking.

Every single race (with the exception of the kid's fun run) was sold out this year. We watched the marathoners take off. First there were walkers, then wheelchair athletes, then the marathoners. I was surprised to see so many people scrambling to get in line at the last minute, but the sendoff was beautiful with confetti in the air.

Next, my husband took off with the 5K runners. The race starts off with a hill and I know he was really nervous about that hill. His strategy was to go out fast, rather than get stuck behind a mass of slow-moving people. It worked--too well. He hit mile 1 at 9 minutes, but then found himself out of energy for the rest of the race, which goes downhill. The route was also changed this year, which confused Tim and foiled his finish line strategy. Still, he had a great race and PR of 31:10--this is faster than my best time of 31:40!! He achieved his goal of being faster than I am.

Then, I headed over to the half-marathon start line which was about a half-mile away. I really had to go to the bathroom bad, and I was so grateful when I ducked into the Sheraton on the way and asked where the bathroom was, they directed me to it instead of making a fuss because I wasn't staying there. Of course, the next time I wanted to go, I got into the porta potty line like everyone else. The half-marathon begins at mile 13 of the marathon and I watched the marathoners go past on their way to Fort McHenry, and by the time we were ready to take off a little less than an hour later, the marathoners were coming back from FortMcHenry and passing us! Very impressive.

The day was the perfect temparature. In previous years, it's been in the 40s in the early morning, but it running clothes it felt like standing outside in the middle of winter in underwear. Today, the temperature was probably in the 50s in the early morning. Warm enough to stand outside and feel cool, but not cold. I hate being cold, so I put on two old long-sleeve shirts that I planned to discard, avoiding additional lines at the baggage check. Before the half-marathon start, the day was warming up nicely and I left my shirts near the start.

I still couldn't believe I was going to run 13.1 miles. But soon enough, confetti was released into the air and we started and headed past Johns Hopkins to Patterson Park. At the southwest corner of the park, we merged with the marathoners. As we went northward along the length of the park, there were actually two lanes, one for half-marathoners and one for marathoners, probably to ensure a gradual transition. But then the lane ended and we were all together. It was both inspiring and humbling to be running alongside people who had already run 16 miles, when were were only getting started with our race after three miles.

We ran northward through the dilapidated neighborhood in the east side of Baltimore. I've never seen so many boarded up houses. But people sat on their doorstep and watched and clapped and rang cowbells. Little kids gave runners a "high five." It made me feel really special. I reached mile 5 at about approximately 58 minutes, a bit off my projected time, and I hit mile 6 around 1:11, which is my 10K time on a flatter course. I was doing good. My right knee hurt, of course, but this went away as I went onward. I trained using a 4/1 run-walk ratio and now used it consistently throughout the race. Using a run-walk ratio was the smartest thing I ever did in training.

From about mile 5 to 10 the race is essentially one long climb....through the east side of Baltimore. Then runners come on Clifton Park which is pretty and then the beautiful Lake Montebello neighborhood. At the lake, there was a band playing and as I rounded the lake, I could hear strains of "I love rock 'n roll!" I loved it when neighborhoods play music. I never listen to music when I'm running, but I can see why so many people do because it's so motivational. The lake was beautiful and so was the older, established neighborhood around it. When I hit the 10 mile mark, I'd been running for nearly 2 hours. My hips began to feel sore, as they had during my longest run, so I'd expected this.

Then I came to the famous gummy bear station at 28th and Guilford when several volunteers stand around with silver platters with gummy bears. I let out a "ohhhhhhhh" and grabbed a handful. It was wonderful to put the little bears into my mouth one by one and chew them as I chugged along. By now, not only did my hips hurt, but everything below my hips were sore. The irony in all this was that my foot was fine--or at least it wasn't talking any louder than anything else below the waist.

The last 3 miles of the race are downhill, as the runners head south from the Johns Hopkins University campus to the finish. Before the race, I thought I would just coast through those last downhill miles. WRONG!!! I completely failed to consider how physically and psychologically difficult those last 3 miles can be--downhill or not. The hills had taken a lot out of me and I slowed to a shuffle. At times, I felt like my right leg was going to give out under me, and I slowed to a walk break, but never for more than a minute. Finally, it hurt too much to run, walk, then run again, so I just kept running very slowly. I was so very grateful for all of the spectators clapping, cheering, and playing music. Even if I wasn't visully aware of my surroundings in my fatigue, I could hear spectators say things like "just keep moving." And I did. I'm pleased with my race, satisfied with my time, but less than thrilled with the slow, shuffling finish.

And then I hit the finish line in 2:38:10 and it was all over. This race concludes a season of firsts for me.

I like this video and now I can totally relate--even if I didn't do a full marathon!

On to Baltimore

I'm getting ready to run the Baltimore Half-Marathon on Saturday. This has been a year in the making and a testament to the notion that sometimes failure can lead to bigger and better things. Last year, I got injured trying to train for my first half-marathon. True, injury isn't personal failure, but when I set a goal, I like to achieve it, and I was upset when I didn't. But the injury led to swimming in the morning. And as I swam with two arms and one leg at first and watched the sun rise outside the window of the pool, I thought that maybe I should join the master's swim team. The triathlon seed had already been planted in my mind from a serendipitous combination of events, and I gradually began building up a base in three sports. I knew deep down that a stronger base was what I needed for the half marathon.

I used the same training plan this year from John Bingham's book, Marathoning for Mortals. (No, it's not a free plan online; you have to buy the book.) I really like his brand of good common sense. But this time around, I took the plan and made several modifications to suit my tastes:

• Walk/Run plan--I scaled back and used this plan, and all of my runs are built around some type of walk/run ratio. However, I've modified the ratios in the plans to suit my preferences, and my brainpower, as I find a ratio based on a 5- or 10-minute interval is easier to work with. My mid-week runs focus on my favorite run/walk 7/3 ratio, and later 8/2. I did some long runs based on the 3/2 ratio in the plan, but later I went to a 4/1 ratio and latched onto that.
• Mid-week treadmill runs--I read that it's easier on the knees, so all of my mid-week runs were on the treadmill instead of outdoors, which was challenging when I began the program in summer when it was light out in the morning and in the mid-70 degrees in the afternoon. The runs were time-based, and I modified the plan so that these runs approximated the longer time called for in the "run half marathon" plan.
• Interval workouts--I don't really know what's properly considered an "interval" as I'm not all that familiar with running terminology or speedwork. the plan called for a moderate run + form strides. But I switched to an "interval" run in which I alternate running-walking a slower and faster level on my treadmill, using a ratio that suits my mood. Later, for the last minute or two, I used an even faster level.
• Centennial Park long runs--I didn't do any hill work, but I knew the race course is hilly, so I did all of my long runs (with the exception of recovery week runs) on the hilly IronGirl route.
• Swimming and cycling--each week, I've done two workouts with the swim team and I tried to go cycling on Sundays, but then my knee hurt on Mondays, so I quit cycling for a while.
• Core workouts--my goal was to do 2-3 core workouts a week, but I find them really boring and slacked off.
• Massage--I went to a really great masseuse who I highly recommend!! This is probably the most selfish, frivilous expenditure I've ever made, but I enjoyed every single minute. Even without telling her the exact spot that I’m sore, she’ll find it and massage it.
  
  At heart, though, I’m a complete wimp. I like working out, but I hate the soreness. Even so, I cancelled a few appointments when things were going well and subsequently had a few cases of Monday Morning DOMS. After working out on the weekend, I'd waddle into work and take the elevator--right up to the second floor. It's silly. Of course as I continue to run, I’ve discovered other favorite home remedies, like foam rolling, self-massage, icing, hot Epsom salt baths, and cold water baths after a long run.

Instead of a public training blog, I kept a private journal, but I was grateful to be able to compare how I was feeling this year with what I wrote last year on my blog. I knew exactly at what point in the training program that I crashed and burned last year, and as the weeks went by, I began to get increasingly optimistic...and excited.

Of course, there were challenges...like the week my migraine stole my motivation...and moments of utter and complete stupidity...like when I inadvertently gave myself frostnip with my ice pack....and technical challenges...like when I bought a new Nike+iPod sensor, then had to buy a whole new system to get it to work, but then I lost a sensor on the run, so it worked out OK...and injury...I developed tendinitis on the top of my right foot during the taper. I iced and took ibuferin. I didn't swim last week for various reasons, and then when I went back to swimming this week, I re-injured the area and now it's worse than before, which concerns me. I fully expect that my foot will be talking to me several miles in the race. I've heard that everything hurts more in the taper, but this is getting ridiculous. Every part of my body that's ever bothered me is now making itself announced. I woke up this morning with a sore back....from sleeping??!!!! Hear me whine and see me foam roll!!!

But things could be worse. Earlier this week, the weather called for light rain. Now, it's changed to sun. Thousands of runners must have done a dance for the sun gods!

Whatever happens Saturday, I am going to try to be pleased with the outcome.

11 miles

Today, I did the longest run I've ever done...11 miles in 2 hours. I'd been looking forward to this run for a long time. I ran the IronGirl route twice, then ran another lap around the park. The run was supposed to be a 10 miler, but I knew the route was longer and I wanted to stary on my feet for 2 hours. I've been using a run/walk ratio of 4/1 and not only is this easier on my body, it doesn't slow me down at all. When I compare my long runs this year to similar runs last year, I find that I'm running just as fast, if not faster. The temperature was cooler, around the mid-60s and it feels like fall weather is starting to come on. I'm training with fingers crossed...and I'll see how it goes!

Off To College, All Too Soon

Photos courtesy of Western State College of Colorado

My son left for college at Western State College of Colorado on August 12. With the high cost of gas, it was prohibitive in time and expense to drive out there, so he took just one duffel bag of clothes, a guitar, and a carryon and flew out to spend a few days with his grandparents in Denver. Afterwards, my son and his cousin drove up to Gunnison where he has a house that his parents bought him which he shares with roommates. Then my son moved into the dorms and started college life.

My son spent the entire summer loafing and complaining that he couldn't get a job because he'd have to ride his bike to work and he'd "get all sweaty." But when he got to Gunnison, he borrowed his cousin's bike to explore the town, and then went to the used sporting goods store and bought his own bike for $25, which he rides everywhere. After sitting on the couch all summer, he started hiking and fishing and seems to enjoy the outdoors and the Colorado mountains.

The first few days after he left went by quickly. All to soon, my husband decided to clean and re-arrange my son's room. After all, the dog kept sniffing for crumbs and food wrappers under the bed. Then, hubby hung up his diploma and other certificates of accomplishment. The room is cleaner than it;s ever been in years...and the door stays closed. My younger son is thrilled that the bathroom is clean and he is the only child in the house.

Not a day goes by when I don't miss him or think about him ... or not-so-surreptitiously check his campus e-mail. I text him ... and wait for his calls. During the first week or two in college, he said "I love you" more than he'd said in the past four years. But as his college life picks up pace, the calls are a bit less frequent. Yesterday, he said he was thrilled to get an A on his first English paper. After not studying during his entire senior year in high school, his study habits are shocking. Of course, he wants us to send money.

I can't believe my son went off to college already!

Sometimes You Need A Bottle of Wine

In the Susquehanna Valley of Pennsylvania there’s the Shade Mountain Vinyards along Route 104 in Middleburg. This winding, rural road also has a number of neat local attractions. Then we turned onto Route 45 which is known as an artisan's trail, a motorcycle route (and we saw a lot of them!) and goes through a state forest.

I so wanted to visit this winery and thought about how romantic it would be to stop at this quaint place and how nice it would be to have a bottle of local wine for dinner. But it was not to be.

Sometimes the things you want are simple and inexpensive. And the things that are romantic are so easy to do…like stopping to see the sights instead of rushing by. Or taking time out of a busy Saturday to talk. Right now, I just wish to catch my breath after a month of travel, but life keeps speeding along.

Camp Woodward

My kid is back from a week at Camp Woodward - the place for skateboarders, BMX bikers, BMX freestyle, inline skating, snowboarding, cheerleaders.

The camp is surrounded by farmland and the mountains of Pennsylvania, and along route 104 we could see Amish buggies and cyclists. The camp has everything an X-games kid could want. Indoor and outdoor ramps...






A pool ... horse stables ... go-carts ... and a video game arcade



His camp counselor was on the Dew tour and is sponsored. My son learned a lot and most of the kids were nice. There were kids from as far away as Australia and Scotland, and they were really good.

He and his friend weren't the best ones there, but he learned a lot. He showed us some of the skills he learned...





I hope he wants to go back next year. If he does, I'm thinking of staying and the lodge.

3Sports Triathlon

This race marks my first distance event ever.

Picking the race was a challenge. I wanted a pool start, which would be logistically simpler, and the bike course had to be relatively flat. My summer consists of two conferences, a family vacation, a son's graduation and then going off to college and another son's camps. This made for a logistical challenge. I didn't want to commit to IronGirl, the race to which I was emotionally attached, because my son was going off to college around that time and I wasn't sure there would be a time conflict. And before I could figure out my schedule, the race sold out. Total bummer!! After researching just about every race in the vicinity, I picked 3Sports Triathlon in Richmond, VA because it met all of my criteria. But I fretted that doing a major race after a vacation and just days before a business conference was unwise.

In the weeks leading up to the race, I couldn't believe that this was actually happening. Unlike the disappointing injury before what would have been my first half marathon, I wasn't injured. True, I woke up one morning on vacation with the outside of my knee hurting, but I'd done a big brick, run, and bike ride in the preceding days. It was a week from the race and I decided that I was done training and would do a major taper. All I did was go to one swim practice. I was ready to go.

About 1.5 weeks prior to the race, I took a tip from a member of the swim team, and did a bike-run brick the approximate length of the race course. This simulated the fatigue of the run and boosted my confidence.

I made the race into a mother-son trip with my 18-year-old son who has been pestering me to drive the car all summer and let him drive. Of course, I put up with him fiddling with the radio before every major exit and playing the music loud. But the simple overnight trip gave us the chance to talk. I found out that he wants to be a beach lifeguard, as he thinks it's the perfect, easy summer job. But I enjoyed listening to him sing, and discussing the lyrics to his favorite songs, and just talking with him. He doesn't want to do a triathlon, but even more important, he thanked me for brining him and had a good time.

I was so VERY nervous about the race. I did not think that I could do this. I worried that I hadn't trained enough. I had a lot of ambivalence and even thought of backing out of the race. I thought that I'd lost my mind to think that I could do a triathlon. What was I thinking when I got this big idea a year ago to do a triathlon??

Before the race, I visualized each part of the race and strategies I could use. I also researched some positive affirmations to tell myself throughout the race, which was a great strategy.

Here's the transition area. I got there later than I wanted to and had to move quickly to set up. I really liked the way the bike and run exits were market. That made it really easy.




Photo courtesy of Citadel1980 on Flickr

Soon, I was waiting nevrously outside the pool area for the race to begin.

Photo courtesy of Citadel1980 on Flickr

Swim - sharks rule
300 meters - 6:58
I seeded myself too fast. I gave them an honest time, but this psyched me out completely. If I do another pool start race, I'll add a minute or two to my estimated time. I tried to be courteous and let the faster people pass me. Knowing that the two toughest events are coming up, I tend to look at the swim as a refreshing warmup.

Exiting the pool...

T1 - 2:47
I'd actually practiced my transition the night before, working on assembling myself from head to toe. However, in the heat of the moment, I worked from toe to head. Someone gave me a great tip on how to roll up your socks and stick them in your shoe and this helped, as did having speed laces for my bike shoes. I decided to wear the bike shoes because I wanted to reduce the numb foot problem, which still bothers me.

Bike - going it alone
12 miles - 46:13
I had envisioned riding in a group, but my biggest surprise was that for most of the bike course, I didn't see many people. I drove the course the night before and I could see that it was relatively flat, with a few very gently rolling hills and some incline-type hills. This was much easier terrain than I'd been practicing on, which was a major confidence booster.



T2 - 2:30

Run - splat!
5K - 34:02
This was an out and back course. I was tired by this time and the run seemed to go on forever. My goal was to run to the turnaround point before walking, but I began walking and running before then. As I ran back, I suddenly went SPLAT as I tripped and fell on the sidewalk. I don't know whether I tripped on the sidewalk - or just my own feet! This gave me skinned knees and hands, an embarrassing moment, and a pesky injury. I'll have to remember to pick up my feet while running, even if I'm tired.

Finally at the finish line!



Photo courtesy of Citadel1980 on Flickr

My goal for the race was to finish and come in with a respectable time. I came in at 1:32:28, and while happy, I felt that I could have been faster. This race was the perfect first-timer event.

I have the urge to sign up for another triathlon. In 2009, it will be IronGirl or bust!

Women's Distance Festival 5K

I wanted to do this race for several years, after volunteering at another race and hearing someone comment that this was a fun race to run. Yesterday was the first time I got the chance to do it. Last year I was injured and the previous year I was on vacation. And the volunteer was right -- it's a fun race.

I wasn't really sure how I'd do in the race because when I woke up, my muscles were sore from gardening the day before. I did my at-home stretching exercices and then used the foam roller. When I got there, I did some stretching and then a short jog. And pretty soon we were off. I tried to hit my chrono button on my watch at the starting line, but the starting line wasn't clearly marked so I wasn't sure if I passed it or not. The course was really flat, except for one small hill. I know I started out fast, and I was surprised to see my 1 mile time, but I thought that had to be wrong...at 2 miles, I was still doing good but slowing down. I felt like I was really slow and dragging...but my surprise was the finish line clock which showed that I was coming in for my fastest 5K ever. I'm happy, but deep down inside, I still feel that I could have pushed myself more.

I think I need some positive affirmations during races. Something besides, "I'm tired. I'm in the middle of the pack...Where's the finish line?" My goal will be to think of some positive affirmations to tell myself during my next race.

Overall, a really fun race. They served watermellon after the race, which is the perfect post-race food. I never feel like eating after I run hard and races with a lavish post-race buffet make me feel like it's a waste. The watermellon was cool, juicy, and perfect on this hot and humid day. I chatted with a few other women, and it was a nice time.

Above: I always look like a grumpy old lady in race photos. I'm wearing my "girly" outfit with a running skirt for this all-woman race.

Going Home Again

I went back home to Milwaukee, Wisconsin for a conference. When I got to the hotel, the first thing I did--instead of heading over to the conference--was go straight down Wisconsin Ave to the lakefront. Many things look the same as they did when I left about 18 years ago, but there are some changes. There's a new addition to the art center that I learned was built in 2000 (see the white building above). There's also some other buildings in that area, and the whole lakefront looks more manicured and built that I remember it. As another photo above shows, there are restaurants along the Milwaukee river, although it's still as brown as ever.

I passed the bank where I once got chewed out for parking my bike there. The irony is that there are now two bike racks in front of the building. I don't know if riding my bike more is making me more aware of cyclists, but it seemed that every five minutes in the late afternoon I saw a cyclist going by down Grand Ave. The streets are wider and even during rush hour, the traffic is not too congested, so it's easier to cycle downtown. It seemed that a new generation of broke college students were riding their bikes, just as I did. Some had old beat up bicycles, but some had new modern bicycles (hmmm.....), while I'm riding the same bike I rode in Milwaukee years ago. The street names on all of the buses that went by were familiar.

I stopped at the Grand Ave mall and ate a gyro. Most people cannot figure out how to eat a gyro with any dignity and avoid eating them. Should one pick it up and eat it, or use a fork and knife to cut the meat? My boyfriend would order a gyro right along with me, and that's how I knew we were compatible. There was a Greek restaurant on Oakland avenue that served gyros piled high with lamb meat, and we liked to go there. I typically spent only $10 - $12 on food -- for the week. But on this day, I spent about $6 on lunch.

The conference closed with a Summerfest Party, and I hooked up with a group and went down to the lakefront for the music festival. The others walked to one end of the festival, and then back. I went with them, covered in memories that I tried to push to the back of my mind. Everything looked pretty much the same, although the festival has grown up. There's no charging into the main stage for a concert and there are more bathrooms. But the people watching is still pretty interesting! Then, much to my disappointment, everyone wanted to leave right away.

I kept bursting into tears as I walked around, homesick for the town I'd left so many years ago. I think when I was younger, I was anxious to leave and start a new life in the Washington, DC area, and I left under ambivalent conditions. Now that my oldest son is 18 and grown, I thought about the life and town that I'd left and almost wanted to come back.

Fortunately, when the plane landed in Maryland, I stepped back into the life I've made for myself and everything was as usual.

Woo Hoo for my Sister

She says, "I did the Lake Pflugerville Tri (500 meter swim, 14 mile bike, and 3 mile run) and I got 5 th place in my age group! (out of 20)…..not too bad! To break it down even more, I beat the 1 st place woman (in my age group) in the swim! And I got 4 th place the run! My total time was 1:33. (one hour 33 minutes)"

Here's to a super talented sister! Way to go!!

Dew Tour

My kid took these photos! His dad, who's a journalist, got him a press pass to the AST Dew Tour and he went with a staff photographer who gave him some tips. The result: Great photos and an up close and personal look at the BMX bikers. Awesome!!

Manassas Mini Tri 2008

At first, I wasn't even going to do this race and instead go right to a sprint -- but I'm soooooo glad I did! I was inspired to do so because I'd read reports about other beginners starting with a super sprint. I'm really glad this series is held, because it's the perfect introduction to a triathlon, which is what it's designed to be, and for others, a great way to start the season. The distances were not intimidating at all:
250 yard swim
4 mile bike
1.4 mile run.

The race was an excellent opportunity to round up my gear and go! I was sooooo excited and nervous about the race, much, much more than I thought I would be!! I used a checklist given to me by a member of the swim team to round up my gear the night before. I fretted that I might forget something, but I didn't. Everything was just perfect. With three disciplines and two transitions, I worried that I would forget to do something, but I didn't. Well, I almost forgot to get bodymarked, but my helpful husband who came along reminded me. The pettiest things confounded me. I couldn't figure out how to get the race number on the race belt until I saw someone else do it. Once the race got underway, everything more or less fell into place.

Swim 5:18
I was seeded at the beginning of the race, and was the 36th person in the water (out of about 280). I found it really challenging to get in the water and go. Unlike a swim meet, we had no opportunity to warm up in the water and I had to get in and start swimming fast. The snake swim format of touching the wall on both sides of the lane marker plays into my bad habits. When given the opportunity, I'll hold onto the wall and take a few breaths. This gives me the opportunity to rest as people bunch up in the middle of the swim...but then we spread out, so it went well.

As I swam, I couldn't help but think that the swim team was great preparation. The race was almost like swim practice in which there's the intimacy of having 7 co-ed people in a lane and all the splashing that ensues. The swim team is also a great introduction to swimming as a contact sport as I sometimes accidentally hit other people and they accidentally hit me. Nobody complains. In the race, there was one guy tapping my toes, and of course I tried to swim faster, but I thought he should just back off a bit.

T1
Took really long....way too long. The transition times weren't reported, but it can be surmised from the overall time. I wore my crocs into the pool area and put my cochlear implant processor in them. A friend suggested that I put them near where I come out of the pool, but since I couldn't tell where I'd come out, I had to ask permission to walk across the pool and get it. I also expected this transition to be lengthy because I spent time putting on my socks and tying my shoes and generally assembling myself. Should I put on the race belt now, or later? I clipped and unclipped the belt. Sunglasses on or off? Let me decide. Next time, I'll make a plan and stick with it to avoid making all of these decisions mid-race.

Bike 21:18:00
Flat and fast, but for me very slow. Cycling is my weakest area and many people who were next to me in the swim passed me. I'll have to work on this. As I came back into transition, I also remembered to put my bike in lowest gear to generate leg turnover for the run.

T2
Much faster because I simplified things by using my running shoes for the entire race. But for the most part, the race was an opportunity to experiment and try things that I might do in the future.

Run 12:56
I started out behind a 61-year-old gentleman -- the oldest person in the race -- although I didn't stay behind him. I was surprised by how tired I was at the end of the short-distance race.

And then in 39:32 minutes, it was all over. I finished in the middle of the pack in my age group. I had a great time!








A sherbet green bike is really easy to find in transition!

First Brick

I did my first brick today by cycling 2 miles to my favorite park, running 2 miles on the trail, and then cycling 2 miles back home, and then running a short distance around the neighborhood. The shorter distances suited me fine, and I could see that the repetition of the final run was helpful, as that's where I felt the slowest on a morning that was heating up quickly. On the trail, I could also see a lot of other folks had the same idea of getting their runs in early before the heat came on.

Cycling back home, there's a long, steep hill and a sign prohibiting truckers with heavy loads. All last summer, I could never make it up that hill and always wound up walking halfway up. Today, I had no problem getting up the hill. And as LeftRightRepeat says, this is a small victory!

Discouraged

I've avoided posting this for a while....but I'm feeling really discouraged about all three sports. Back in April, a sore right arm after a swim workout evolved into a rotator cuff injury. It's not bad, but it's June and I've done all the right things and it's just not gone. I also got sick a lot in April, so I took two weeks off. When I tried to go back to things, my knee started to talk to me in a way that I didn't like. Of course, it's all on one side of my body. Now I'm trying to come back from another two weeks off due to injury/schedule, and I don't know if it will be a success.

I'm going to a chiropractor who cracks my back and my neck only because I didn't want to go to an orthopod and inevitably get referred off to a PT. My insurance only allows five sessions of PT and I'd rather save it for a bigger injury. Don't know if the chiropractor is doing any good, but the one nice thing about him is that he's patient with people like me who read the Internet too much and worry. "If it were that, you'd feel this...so it's not that."

When I was last swam with the team, it wasn't an encouraging night. I come, I swim, and I go. Sometimes I feel as though I'm on the outside looking in, listening to everyone tell their stories when I have none of my own.

Sometimes I feel that three sports means triple the injuries. It's the story of my middle-aged athletic life: I had a grand vision, I tried to train sensibly, but then I always wind up injured. I'm worried that my season will be over even before it begins.

I'd sit on my couch, but I wake up before my alarm clock goes off and think about swimming, biking, and running. I like all three flavors of stress-reliever.

The Accidental Gardener

I'm an accidental gardener. I never have any confidence in my ability to keep anything alive, so I buy a small perennial and plant it, never thinking that it will survive and grow, then I forget the name of the plant. Several years later, I have a big, beautiful, and nameless plant.


Here's to horticultural naming. I'm posting pictures and names of my plants so that I can remember what's there, particularly in the early spring when I have the urge to plant and no idea of what I already have.

This is my three-year-old peony. This year, I sprayed them in time to get rid of the bugs so they could bloom. I can't wait for them to be in full bloom.

A front view of my garden. Last year, someone -- who won't be named -- decided to prune the azalea foundation bushes in front of the railing. The problem is that azaleas can't be pruned and the bushes promptly died. Now, there's an empty space and a large root system underground, so I'm trying to think of what to plant in the back. Perhaps daylilies or some small azaleas would be a good choice.

In the front (left to right) catnip plant that reproduced to the center of the garden, in front is a small lavender plant, some groundcover that has little purple trumpet-like flowers that bloom in the spring. Along the front boarder, there are blue baloonflower plants. Next to that is thyme, chives in bloom with lavender flowers, an oregano plant, rosemary, and tarragon (I think), and in back of that is a flowering plant. Then there a big continuously blooming lavender plant.

My peonies are in front. Near the front along the sidewalk are some parsley plants and a yellow callalily, which just began blooming last summer. There are the old blooms of spring bulbs, a foxglove, two basil plants, and a nameless flowering plant. There are several plants with pink carnation-like flowers. I planted one last summer and like it so much I got more of the same this year.

The flowers give color to the garden, and the herbs are in my salad from spring to fall.

Cheers for Oscar Pistorius!

I think that athletes with and without disabilities should be able to compete together.

Amputee Sprinter to Compete for Spot on S. Africa Olympic Team
Double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius will be allowed to compete for a spot on the South African Olympic team after a sport regulatory body ruled today that his carbon-fiber prosthetic limbs do not give him an advantage over other runners.

May Madness

It's May and I'm losing my mind. I could write this same post every year at this time. May is the time when the world wakes up and decides that something needs to be done before June comes and summer sets in and everyone goes on vacation. May is IEP season, in which I have the pleasure of trying to negotiate a reasonable IEP for my son after trying to gain compliance with the current plan. IEPs never get any easier, any less stressful--or any less expensive to try to obtain a free, appropriate public education. May is the time when I take on a volunteer project that's enjoyable, but a little more time-consuming than originally anticipated. It's a time when I discover through casual conversation that my husband, who was tasked with handling the college funding process, didn't have a clue as to what to do. May is at time when paperwork piles up and my task list grows longer.

Venturing Into Open Water, Right in the Neighborhood Pool

We've been tackling the open water...right in the swimming pool at swim practice. One night we learned how to sight a target, a skill needed to swim a straight line in open water where you can't see underwater. Last night we built on our skills by swimming around a buoy. We combined lane dividers and broke into groups. The coach jumped in with a big mesh bag filled with pull buoys and held them in place. Then the group sprinted off, simulating the water orgy of a mass start, and swam around the buoy. The coach probably got clobbered by the crowd. Then the group moved into the next section of the pool and sprinted from one end of the pool to the other, simulating the experience of swimming in a pack with people tapping your feet the whole time. I probably should have tried to spot the person beside me as an aid in pacing and alignment.

I was going to take a workshop to learn these skills...someday....when I was ready. The team is practicing for the bay swim, but I'm not venturing into open water at any point in the near future. But I really appreciate the coach taking the time to teach the team these skills.

Clyde's 10K 2008

It was our day--and it wasn't our day after all.

This year, I decided to volunteer for the race and was assigned to help with packet pickup on race day, starting at 6:30 a.m. For some reason, I was nervous about doing this for such a large race and recruited another volunteer--my husband. But the procedure for packet pickup was really easy. Participants looked up their bib number and then gave it to the volunteers, who would hand them their packet. Then they went to the next group of tables and asked for a race shirt. The race was sold-out at 1,500 people, so where was no race day registration, making it even more logistically simple.

My biggest surprised was meeting the race director, who I never expected to me as I assumed he'd be too busy doing other things. But there he was, helping to set up tables in the pre-dawn hours and instructing volunteers on what needed to be done. Throughout the entire morning he was here and there, attending to the myriad of details in running one of the largest local races. He took the time to answer questions and speak with each volunteer and never seemed rushed. He was very classy.

I also enjoyed talking to other runners and hearing stories from other races that they'd been in. One person had do the JFK 50-miler three times!! He was one person I wished he had talked more about his achievements and war stories on that trail, but he was very modest. One tradition that runners have is to wear shirts from other races, and I enjoyed seeing the shirts from a variety of races, including some that I'd like to enter someday.

In the midst of volunteering, I'd forgotten to take a bathroom break, and when registration closed 15 minutes before the start, the lines were just too long to get there. That made me grumpy!! Last year, the race took place in torrential rain, but this year, it was overcast and cool with a nice breeze and the rain held off long enough to complete the race.

The night before the race, Tim wanted to drive the course so that he could see where the hills were, which turned out to be a great idea. I had a clear idea of the course and all of the mile markers. I ran the race, knocking off one mile after another, passing people along the way. To take my mind off of everything else, I tried to focus on my breathing. After volunteering, I think I had more appreciation for all of the volunteers out there on the course handing out water, and especially, clapping and cheering at strategic points, such as at the top of a long hill.

I finished in exactly the same time as I did last year, right down to the second. I came away disappointed, as I'd secretly hoped to improve my time. The race capped off a week on my couch, with the exception of a two-mile run. I had an arm injury and didn't swim. Then my training was foiled with my usual spring scheduling problem. I have no motivation to get up in the pre-dawn hours and run on my treadmill when I know it's going to be 70 degrees and sunny later that day. But when the afternoon comes, other obligations steal away the time I'd planned to run or bike.

After the race, I suddenly plunged into a feverish sickness and my husband and I took to our bed for the rest of the day, he with his computer and frozen vegetable ice bags and me with Tylenol and cough drops. I hope to be well and get back to my usual training schedule!

To My Sister: You Go Girl!!!

I sent my coach's report of the swim meet around to my family, as that's the kind of things moms and other folks like to read.

My sister e-mailed back and says that she is also swimming, biking, and running and is thinking of trying a triathlon. Isn't that weird? My sister and I almost never talk to each other--we haven't had any contact in more than a year, and we're practically estranged. And now--separated by 1,500 miles, three states, and a lack of communication--we happen to be doing the same three sports???!!! Is it coincidence, or something more? Is it hereditary, or the environment? Or...is there something devine that bonds sisters?

So often I've wondered why I'm doing this. Now I know. I hope this triad of sports brings us closer together, but I'm also realistic.

To my sister: YOU GO GIRL!!! I hope you try a tri!!

Above: My younger sister (at left) and I growing up in Wisconsin, where we had a suburban home on an acre of land. My mom made the outfits, as you can tell.

Success!

Just a short note to say that after my beleagured bike ride a few weeks ago, I succeeded in doing the whole 17-mile route! Whoohoo!!! I can't believe I did it! And of course, by observing the speedy male cyclists passing me, I was able to pick up some tips. I topped the weekend off with a 6-mile run, so I think I'll be ready for the 10K in two weeks.

17 Again...or Not

I swam my first master's swim meet, the first meet since high school. The meet was the season finale which was held at the U.S. Naval Academy. I was curious to see the swim facilities at the academy, and pool was really nice and crystal clear.

Before the meet, I finally got up the nerve to put on my new racing suit. The suit I'd been wearing, while pretty, wasn't made for speed swimming and had very little give in the torso. The new suit had been on my dresser for a month, but practice after practice went by and I couldn't bring myself to wear it. There are no "kindest cut" racing suits for the middle-aged figure--although I think there should be! Every suit I put on looked horrible, highlighting some figure flaw or risking overexposure. Finally, I realized that my mind was what needed to change. Of course, all of my teammates noticed the suit right away and complimented it, while I stammered something about getting up the nerve to wear the suit.

At the meet, I showed up punctually and started my warmup. After swimming a few laps, I began to use the blocks to start. To my horror, every single time I dove in, my goggles fell off or they came apart at the nose bridge. Panicked, I sought the assistance of my coach and one of the really experienced swimmers on the team. They tightened my goggle straps to a migraine-inducing tightness and suggested that I wear my swim cap over the goggles, pulled down over my forehead. Before the meet, I wanted to practice diving off the blocks, but was afraid to ask and say that I'd developed a mental complex about the starting block. After a few more dives, I was somewhat more comfortable and managed to keep most of the water out of my goggles, which was a small reassurance.

I swam the 50 free in 37:90 and thought I did alright, although I could feel myself slow down perceptibly over the last few yards. Afterwards, my coach came by and corrected my stroke and I was glad to hear it. However, I knew that I was getting distracted by the starting bock, my goggles, the competition, and I wasn't really focused on my stroke as much as I could. There's one member of the team who gives stroke pointers to everyone. He has an uncanny ability to just glance at someone in the water and tell how their stroke could be improved, and he spent a lot of time helping a teammate with her stroke at the meet. I learn a lot just by listening to him and watching him coach other swimmers, and I later learned that he had swum on the national team in the Philippines.

After that, I swam a relay with the team. I think I must have been picked for the relay just because I showed up early, not because of any actual talent that I might contribute. The mixed relay paired men and women, and I and another inexperienced swimmer were paired with more experienced, faster swimmers on the team. We came in last. But even some of the faster swimmers on the team got washed away by the competition.

Before the meet, I hit my longtime goal of being able to do flip turns again. I started practicing them when I swam by myself, but when I began practicing with the team, I felt so distracted by all of the people swimming close together in the lane that I didn't want to flip. But after the realization that I was spending too much time hanging onto the wall taking a few breaths, I pressured myself to flip again, and I did, most of the time. I was able to flip in competition, but during the relay I flipped too soon and nearly missed the wall.

At the meet, the most amazing event was seeing one of the team's coaches swim the 200 yd fly. I marveled at his aerobic capacity to stay underwater for half of the length of the pool before surfacing, and then he breathed only every other stroke. The team stroke sage explained that in staying underwater and going deep and coming up actually propelled him when he began swimming.

Next, I swam the 100 free in 1:24 and then the 200 free in 3:10. I'd been ambivalent about signing up for the 200 free--an event which combines both speed and endurance in equal measures--but wanted a third event and decided to sign up. I regretted it, as I was tired at this point and really dragging. By the time I finished, all of my competition had gotten out of the water. Very discouraging.

The swim meet was all about everything that I couldn't do in high school, and the events that I signed up for were the ones I couldn't swim back then. At that time, my event was the 500 free but now I don't want to touch it. I went out for the swim team, not because I was fast swimmer, but because I moved to a new town where my favorite sport, the one that I was actually good at--synchronized swimming--wasn't available. I'd been lap swimming in the morning and after being challenged by my high school guidance counselor who happened to coach the team, I decided to move on to speed swimming. I believe the coach put me in the 500 free because I was slower, but could endure. It was the event that nobody else on the team wanted to do. In high school, you do what the coach tells you to, but now, I can swim whatever events I want. If I do another meet, I'll focus on shorter events, maybe 50 free, 50 breast, and 100 free. Thankfully, I've forgotten all of my times so everything seems almost new to me now.

So many things have changed since high school. I've had five great years with the cochlear implant, and I enjoy the conversation that swirls around me in the locker room and talking to my teammates. What could I hear in high school? Not much.

But the thing that hasn't changed is that without modern technology, I'm still deaf in the water. In high school, someone tapped my ankle to start me so that I could get off the bock. But now, I want to be more independent. So for my first event, I started off the block myself, just by watching what other people were doing. I was gratified that I could start independently, although in reality the independence is probably costing me precious seconds and I'm probably the last one off the block and in the water. At the end of the meet, an official told me that I could use an arm signal to start, if I wanted.

The meet motivated me to get in the water and focus on my swimming! My goals are to work harder in practice, not just survive practice as I've been doing. I also want to focus on improving my stroke, and to focus on being focused in competition, without environment distracting me from my stroke and my swimming. I also want to be more independent in getting myself down to the deck for my events. My reward is two new swim caps, building a collection just as I'd wished.