A Triathlete is born!

Twenty-three years ago as the Milwaukee Lakefront fireworks were just beginning to go off, I gave birth to a beautiful, healthy, SCREAMING (ok...singing!! ;-)), baby girl. At 22 and 23 years old, Mike and I were fairly young new parents and were utterly overwhelmed and scared....and completely in love with this tiny little creature. We naturally had conversations about what kind of person she would turn out to be, what would her passions be, what would she do with her life. We both agreed that we would, to the best of our abilities, provide our children with opportunities to experience and pursuit a variety of interests and activities. We were very fortunate to be able to take them many places that others only dream about going to. Through circumstance, family and job connections, they have traveled to Germany, England, Hawaii, and Mexico. They have seen many parts of this amazing country. They are fully aware of how fortunate they are to have had these experiences at such a young age. Their talents and interests tended to revolve around the Arts. Singing, piano, saxophone, viola, (Rachel....a three week stint!! ;-)), dance, and drama. They tried t-ball and basketball, but those activities did not last long. They did play tennis in High School which they enjoyed during the very short 8-week season. Robyn ran Cross Country in middle school, but showed no interest in continuing in high school. Look back, I find it interesting that it was during this time of self-discovery for them, I stumbled upon my passion. I was 36 years old when I ran my first race and ignited that spark. Why then? Why not any earlier in my life? I had opportunities and chances. I played tennis in high school as well. I joined athletic clubs and tried to run. I hated it. I gained lots of weight and began to hate myself. I joined the gym, lost much of the weight and felt so much better. But really no spark. Although I did enjoy aerobics, I mainly exercised to keep the weight off. And then that race....and most of you know the rest. I have talked about how THE MOST rewarding thing about what I do is how it influences other people in my life to make positive changes in their own lives. Over these ten years, I have witnessed friends and family members walking/running their first races, increasing their activities, and tweaking their diets. My Mom is a great example of this. To be honest, she was less than enthusiastic about my new passion in the beginning. She saw me run myself into major injuries, and then when my CAVM ruptured and I continued to run, she was simply worried sick. Slowly, however, she saw how my physical activity had a positive impact on my recovery, and realized how much this sport had become a huge part of not only my physical, but also my mental, emotional and spiritual health. She saw how happy I was. She decided to start walking. She recently told me, "Now I get it!". It's been tough for Mike an the girls as well. They understandably worry. There is this HHT cloud that hangs over all of this. I know how anxious everyone feels when I'm in the water, and how relieved we ALL are when I get out. It was tremendously difficult saying goodbye and hugging my two crying daughters before my first IM swim. I felt so selfish and wondered why I was putting them through this. Is this worth it? Now they understand. It makes me so happy. To live in fear of what may occur, made all the more real because we happen to KNOW the risks, is not how I choose to live the rest of my life...however long or short it may be. They get it. Rachel did her first Triathlon one week ago. She gets it.

She did so great! I was a wreck!!!! I was racing as well, but I was so worried and excited for her I had a hard time focusing on my own race. She was in wave 4 and I was in 7, so I watched her swim start. I cried. The irony is not lost on me, I just wanted her OUT OF THAT WATER!!! I watched her going around the first turn buoy and she was doing so well! When I got out of my own swim, Coach Blake was there and told me Rachel got out of the water just fine. WHEW!!! Now I could focus and enjoy. I passed her on the bike and she was looking so strong! She saw ME first on the run, and I heard her say, "Hi Mommy!", with her bobbing blond pony tail, I-Pod in her ears...and a HUGE smile! My heart sung. :D It was a successful day for both of us! We had a great time as usual with the team. Have I said how much I love this team? The support they have shown Rachel has been unreal. A few days ago, the Team BBMC newsletter came out and she is the Athlete of the Month!! Blake describes her as "mostly soft spoken". I don't know about that...my ears are still ringing from that first glass shattering scream EVERYONE heard on the night of the fireworks, 23 years ago. :) In one week we will do it again. I am beyond excited for our Door County Triathlon weekend!!!! Rachel will be doing the sprint on Saturday, and I will do the half-IM on Sunday. Rachel will also be doing the bike leg of a relay on Sunday....she will bike 56 miles one day after the sprint! Much of the team will be there...and I will be in my most happy place. :D Enjoy this day!