Due to family obligations, I will no longer be going to Washington DC for Nations triathlon. Because of the last minute change, I can only transfer 75% of my fundraised money to another season. That's ok because I think I hear Kona 70.3 calling me to start training in November... Stay tuned ...
http://ironmanhonu.com/
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Quotes that will get me through the next couple of weeks
"Struggling and suffering are the essence of a life worth living. If you're not pushing yourself beyond the comfort zone, if you're not demanding more from yourself - expanding and learning as you go - you're choosing a numb existence. You're denying yourself an extraordinary trip."
Dean Karnazes
"Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever."
Lance Armstrong
BTW, I made my fundraising goal!! Thanks to everyone who donated! I raised $2780 this season, making my total funds raised for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society over $18,000!!!
Dean Karnazes
"Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever."
Lance Armstrong
BTW, I made my fundraising goal!! Thanks to everyone who donated! I raised $2780 this season, making my total funds raised for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society over $18,000!!!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
my WTF moment
These past couple of weeks have been really difficult. As I was swimming last night I wanted to think of somethings that piss me off in order to drive me to work harder in the pool. Last night I was thinking of a WTF, yes that's WHAT THE F***, moment I had last week. I was dealing with family things and then was SLAMMED with some news that was unbelievable. I'm not going to go into the details but it was something that, never in my craziest thoughts, would be something that would happen to me. It was something so beyond my world, my personality, the people that I hang out with, that it literally slapped me in the face and told me to "Wake up and get back to your real life Jane!" Luckily, it wasn't anything of my wrong doing but it was a sign to me that I needed to put myself back on the scale of balance in my life. So I began making TNT a priority in my schedule again and it really has helped. Being around such amazing, good-hearted, life-loving people was really what I needed to jump-start things for me.
With Nation's triathlon coming up in a few weeks, I was entertaining the idea of switching to the relay with a few other teammates who were injured. But as the days went on I began feeling like a quitter if I decided to do that. With all the financial and emotional support given to me these past couple of months, I was only going to do a relay? I can't do that. So I've decided to still do the triathlon, to push through these last few weeks I have to train and to suck it up and DO THE DAMN THING! It won't be fun, it won't be easy, and it will take me a long time. One thing it definitely will be though is rewarding. I know that once I crawl past that finish line, I will have overcome personal battles. I will have beaten past the struggles that I, cancer patients and anyone dealing with difficulties in their lives had to go through. Life can't be a 24/7 party that is always filled with joy. It's through the toughest times where you will be tested to build your strength. So when you have to decide whether to get things done half assed or to suck it up and push through, which one do you think you would choose?
"Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it."
With Nation's triathlon coming up in a few weeks, I was entertaining the idea of switching to the relay with a few other teammates who were injured. But as the days went on I began feeling like a quitter if I decided to do that. With all the financial and emotional support given to me these past couple of months, I was only going to do a relay? I can't do that. So I've decided to still do the triathlon, to push through these last few weeks I have to train and to suck it up and DO THE DAMN THING! It won't be fun, it won't be easy, and it will take me a long time. One thing it definitely will be though is rewarding. I know that once I crawl past that finish line, I will have overcome personal battles. I will have beaten past the struggles that I, cancer patients and anyone dealing with difficulties in their lives had to go through. Life can't be a 24/7 party that is always filled with joy. It's through the toughest times where you will be tested to build your strength. So when you have to decide whether to get things done half assed or to suck it up and push through, which one do you think you would choose?
"Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it."
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Short and sweet
Well Saturday was our first open water swim in Long Beach. The staff met early to get our own workouts in before all the participants arrived. I met up with the staff at 6:30am to squeeze into my new long sleeved wetsuit. Just as before, the wetsuit is too long for my short 4'10" body and the neckline came up to the middle of my neck and was bound to affect my breathing. 
Coach Peter recommended that next time when I put it on again that I try to not pull it up too high so that the neckline can fit wear it's supposed to. Hopefully that'll work.
So we Bernie, Talane and I get in. We just joke around and swim casually. The water is gross and I found myself spitting half of the time. I would come up and take a break and water would be dripping from my swim cap down my face and into my mouth. Thus causing me to spit.... I imagine that the Potomac won't be any better. It wasn't a great swim, more of just a swim for me to get out there and feel comfortable in open water again. I didn't freak out. It wasn't scary I guess because I could swim 10 meters to land. I probably would freak out if I swam in ocean though.
Last night Bernie and I went swimming at Echo Park and got in a good 40 minute swim. I'm trying to just build my endurance in order to get the job done. I know I will not be fast so I just want to be able to get through the race in September.
For now, the plan is to swim at Long Beach every Sunday until the race. Slowly working our way to the full length of the swim. Anyone is welcomed to join!
Coach Peter recommended that next time when I put it on again that I try to not pull it up too high so that the neckline can fit wear it's supposed to. Hopefully that'll work.
So we Bernie, Talane and I get in. We just joke around and swim casually. The water is gross and I found myself spitting half of the time. I would come up and take a break and water would be dripping from my swim cap down my face and into my mouth. Thus causing me to spit.... I imagine that the Potomac won't be any better. It wasn't a great swim, more of just a swim for me to get out there and feel comfortable in open water again. I didn't freak out. It wasn't scary I guess because I could swim 10 meters to land. I probably would freak out if I swam in ocean though.
Last night Bernie and I went swimming at Echo Park and got in a good 40 minute swim. I'm trying to just build my endurance in order to get the job done. I know I will not be fast so I just want to be able to get through the race in September.
For now, the plan is to swim at Long Beach every Sunday until the race. Slowly working our way to the full length of the swim. Anyone is welcomed to join!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Kickin' it into gear!
Ok, so I haven't updated this silly thing like I said I was going to. So here's the first of hopefully a weekly update on my training. To summarize my training for the last month and half is easy, it was close to none. Most of you know that I've been going through some family obligations. I had to put aside certain things in order to attend to what was needed. This in turn was a big change in my day to day lifestyle. You all know how busy and active I keep myself. Rarely will you find me at home with no plans. Lately I've been at home a lot because I needed to be. But now I'm trying to find that balance where I can still do things for myself as well as still be there for my family. It's a little tough but I'm starting to figure it out. So this week will be the week I am committing to really kicking it in gear and training hard. i have 6 weeks left and am crossing my fingers that muscle memory and my past triathlon experiences will help me get through my race in September.
Yesterday I met our coaches and a few teammates at Santa Monica Beach for an open water swim. I chickened out =( For my race in September, I don't need to swim in the ocean, going through waves. So I stood there watching my teammates swim through the calm waves out the the "bitch buoy". They said the water was really choppy and so I was glad I didn't go out. After they were done, a few of us went out for a run/walk for an hour and then grabbed some food at the farmers market.
So I failed this weekend in my training BUT BUT BUT I will from today on be dedicated to training. I will jump on my bike trainer tonight and will be swimming on Tuesday and Wednesday. I'm not going to lie and tell you that I've been giving it all I've got when it comes to training, I just haven't. But I am hopefully going to be "kickin' it into gear" this week and from now on, focus on what needs to get done. Thanks for the support again and hopefully I get to run into some of you at the Rose Bowl, at the beach or call me up if you want to go out for a bike ride!
Yesterday I met our coaches and a few teammates at Santa Monica Beach for an open water swim. I chickened out =( For my race in September, I don't need to swim in the ocean, going through waves. So I stood there watching my teammates swim through the calm waves out the the "bitch buoy". They said the water was really choppy and so I was glad I didn't go out. After they were done, a few of us went out for a run/walk for an hour and then grabbed some food at the farmers market.
So I failed this weekend in my training BUT BUT BUT I will from today on be dedicated to training. I will jump on my bike trainer tonight and will be swimming on Tuesday and Wednesday. I'm not going to lie and tell you that I've been giving it all I've got when it comes to training, I just haven't. But I am hopefully going to be "kickin' it into gear" this week and from now on, focus on what needs to get done. Thanks for the support again and hopefully I get to run into some of you at the Rose Bowl, at the beach or call me up if you want to go out for a bike ride!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Tri-ing for #3!!
Today, May 14, 2011 was the Fall Season's Kick Off. When I first decided to return to the Tri team as a mentor for the Fall season, I didn't expect to show up to kick off as a participant as well. Learning about Nations Triathlon, I couldn't help but feel that "itch" and the "need" to do it again with the team. So I am signed up, once again, to fundraise and participate in my 3rd Triathlon with Team in Training.
http://pages.teamintraining.org/los/nattri11/jalbaa
Nations Triathlon was so appealing, not only because it was a national TNT event, the Nike of Triathlons, but also because it will be on the 10th anniversary of September 11th. So not only will I be doing this race in honor and support of those battling cancer, but also in honor of all the people affected by the tragic events of 9/11. And then on top of that, to be in Washington DC at that time, will be an amazing experience, frankly, a once in a lifetime experience. So I feel honored, excited and freakin PUMPED to do Nations!
I recently just finished the Spring '11 season with Team in Training where I was the Honored Teammate Captain and a participant as well. I completed Lavaman in Kona, HI on April 4th. Lavaman being my 2nd triathlon, my first Olympic Distance Tri, it was rough for me but I did it. My training for Lavaman didn't go as well as planned. Lots of excuses on my end but there were unforeseen personal events that made it difficult to have a smooth training season. But at the end of the day, I could've trained harder, been more committed and been more prepared, I just wasn't.
So for a quick recap of my Lavaman Tri, I was hella slow ... haha... I was seriously freaked out about the open water swim. I wasn't able to make it to any of the open water swims with the team. Partly because the weather wasn't cooperating with some of the scheduled ones we had so they were mostly canceled. So I had my first open water swim in Hawaii, the day before the race. Coach Victor, knew I was afraid of the open water and asked Will to be my swim buddy. Will being Mr. Awesome, stayed with me the entire time, encouraging me and forgoing his practice swim to hold my hand as I freaked out in the water. Luckily, Bernie let me borrow her wetsuit pants that helped me float and not worry about drowning. After picking up our bibs, I noticed that I was placed in my age group for the swim start. I thought I requested to be in the "novice" group but I was OK with starting with my age group ... at the time. My main concern was that there would be the men's 40+ age group swimming behind me. The fear of having that group swim past me, possibly swimming over me, freaked me out and I last minute, changed my swim start to novice.
So the next day, race day, rolls around. I'm nervous, scared and just ready to get it over with. I set up my transition area, you can feel the energy, you can feel the excitement, and I can feel my nerves. I go out for my warm up swim, I feel good, I went out on my own and felt I had my fears in control. So the race begins, the waves go through, I see the wave I was supposed to be in and slightly regret not starting with them. My wave gets called up to the start line, there's only about 20 of us. I start in the front because I don't want to be the very last person in the water. The gun goes off and I start swimming. I immediately freak out. I take a few strokes, come up for air, breathing heavily. I try to catch my breath, people pass me and ask if I'm ok. I say "yes" but I'm really not. I try to swim and I can't control my breathing. I now notice, I am THE VERY LAST PERSON in the water and that the lifeguards on their surfboards begin to escort me.
They tell me to hang on to their board and relax. I say "no" because I don't want to be further behind. I try to keep swimming but I really thought about quitting. I felt that there was NO WAY I was going to swim 1.5K in this condition. Then I just thought to myself, "YOU CAN'T QUIT, YOU HAVE TO DO THIS!" So I keep swimming, taking a breather when I can. All this time I have a personal lifeguard escort... haha ... I finally relax and get into a rhythm. I then notice I pass the girl with a snorkel. Then I pass the guy doing the back stroke. I feel more confident now, I'm not the very last person, that's all I wanted. A few times my lifeguard buddy had to tap me and tell me I was swimming off course and redirected me. It was a long swim for me but I did it. I expected to take an hour and came in just under that, 55:05. As I come in for the swim, I see the sand getting closer and closer. I keep swimming till I touch the sand with my hands.
I quickly get up and try to run through the water and of course, with my luck, I get a freakin' CRAMP! I almost fall over in the water and a kind volunteer runs to me and helps me keep my balance as I try to stretch out my leg. Finally getting it loose enough for me to walk, I come out of the water and see Coach Victor cheering me on. It was great to see him there waiting for me and smiling. He gave me my time and it actually made me feel good... haha I make my way to transition, actually jogging there, with Bernie along side me. I make a quick stop in the port-a-potty and then get on my bike, which was one of the last ones sitting there. I get on the bike and prepare myself for the ride up the road. I make my way though the crowds, with the pros starting to come in from the bike already. Since it's an out and back course, I see lots of teammates on their way back as I'm just beginning my bike leg. I pass a few girls on my way out and have an difficult time dealing with the heat and rolling hills. The hills weren't as bad as Malibu but I had the idea in my head that it was a flat course... my idea of flat is literally FLAT. It was not, there were some baby hills, and for me, baby hills, after swimming 1.5K, are big hills...
So I finally make my way to the turn around (after derailing once about half way there). I decide to actually stop and switch out my water bottles so I have a full water bottle in my frame. I get a drink of water, pour some on my head and start to head out. Trying to get my second foot clipped in, I struggled from my legs being weak, I lost my balance and crashed. I officially had my war scar for the Spring Season. The bike back was quicker than the bike out, but I still had a 10k to run....errr...uhhh... walk? I get to transition, lots of people are packing up going home. Cars are coming though leaving the event and I'm still racing. I get to my transition spot and take off as quick as possible. I have no energy to run so I'm walking pretty much the entire time. By then, it was really hot, it's about noon so the sun is at it's worst. At every aid station, I take a cup to drink and one to pour on my head. The volunteers were pouring the water on me too. At one stop, the guy grabbed a big 5 gallon jug and poured it all over me and I had to tell him to stop, even though it felt good but he ended up soaking my shoes and socks. That part I hated. I had to complete the last two miles with squishy socks! I walk through the resort with people being so kind and still cheering me on. Then at mile 5, my buddy Will comes and is carrying 2 ice cold water bottles. He walks the last mile with me and keeps me company. It was a great surprise and really helped me get through to the finish. He tried to get me to run a little and I was not having it...but I appreciated his efforts =) I finally make it to the end, I hear Bernie cheering me on from across the beach, I hand over my water bottle to Will and slowly jog my way to the finish. Happy to be done, Happy to see my friends there at the end and Happy for not giving up, I completed my second triathlon, my first Olympic distance.
Me as an official Lavaman Triathlete and my battle scar...
GO TEAM! See you in DC!
http://pages.teamintraining.org/los/nattri11/jalbaa
Nations Triathlon was so appealing, not only because it was a national TNT event, the Nike of Triathlons, but also because it will be on the 10th anniversary of September 11th. So not only will I be doing this race in honor and support of those battling cancer, but also in honor of all the people affected by the tragic events of 9/11. And then on top of that, to be in Washington DC at that time, will be an amazing experience, frankly, a once in a lifetime experience. So I feel honored, excited and freakin PUMPED to do Nations!
I recently just finished the Spring '11 season with Team in Training where I was the Honored Teammate Captain and a participant as well. I completed Lavaman in Kona, HI on April 4th. Lavaman being my 2nd triathlon, my first Olympic Distance Tri, it was rough for me but I did it. My training for Lavaman didn't go as well as planned. Lots of excuses on my end but there were unforeseen personal events that made it difficult to have a smooth training season. But at the end of the day, I could've trained harder, been more committed and been more prepared, I just wasn't.
So for a quick recap of my Lavaman Tri, I was hella slow ... haha... I was seriously freaked out about the open water swim. I wasn't able to make it to any of the open water swims with the team. Partly because the weather wasn't cooperating with some of the scheduled ones we had so they were mostly canceled. So I had my first open water swim in Hawaii, the day before the race. Coach Victor, knew I was afraid of the open water and asked Will to be my swim buddy. Will being Mr. Awesome, stayed with me the entire time, encouraging me and forgoing his practice swim to hold my hand as I freaked out in the water. Luckily, Bernie let me borrow her wetsuit pants that helped me float and not worry about drowning. After picking up our bibs, I noticed that I was placed in my age group for the swim start. I thought I requested to be in the "novice" group but I was OK with starting with my age group ... at the time. My main concern was that there would be the men's 40+ age group swimming behind me. The fear of having that group swim past me, possibly swimming over me, freaked me out and I last minute, changed my swim start to novice.
So the next day, race day, rolls around. I'm nervous, scared and just ready to get it over with. I set up my transition area, you can feel the energy, you can feel the excitement, and I can feel my nerves. I go out for my warm up swim, I feel good, I went out on my own and felt I had my fears in control. So the race begins, the waves go through, I see the wave I was supposed to be in and slightly regret not starting with them. My wave gets called up to the start line, there's only about 20 of us. I start in the front because I don't want to be the very last person in the water. The gun goes off and I start swimming. I immediately freak out. I take a few strokes, come up for air, breathing heavily. I try to catch my breath, people pass me and ask if I'm ok. I say "yes" but I'm really not. I try to swim and I can't control my breathing. I now notice, I am THE VERY LAST PERSON in the water and that the lifeguards on their surfboards begin to escort me.
They tell me to hang on to their board and relax. I say "no" because I don't want to be further behind. I try to keep swimming but I really thought about quitting. I felt that there was NO WAY I was going to swim 1.5K in this condition. Then I just thought to myself, "YOU CAN'T QUIT, YOU HAVE TO DO THIS!" So I keep swimming, taking a breather when I can. All this time I have a personal lifeguard escort... haha ... I finally relax and get into a rhythm. I then notice I pass the girl with a snorkel. Then I pass the guy doing the back stroke. I feel more confident now, I'm not the very last person, that's all I wanted. A few times my lifeguard buddy had to tap me and tell me I was swimming off course and redirected me. It was a long swim for me but I did it. I expected to take an hour and came in just under that, 55:05. As I come in for the swim, I see the sand getting closer and closer. I keep swimming till I touch the sand with my hands.
I quickly get up and try to run through the water and of course, with my luck, I get a freakin' CRAMP! I almost fall over in the water and a kind volunteer runs to me and helps me keep my balance as I try to stretch out my leg. Finally getting it loose enough for me to walk, I come out of the water and see Coach Victor cheering me on. It was great to see him there waiting for me and smiling. He gave me my time and it actually made me feel good... haha I make my way to transition, actually jogging there, with Bernie along side me. I make a quick stop in the port-a-potty and then get on my bike, which was one of the last ones sitting there. I get on the bike and prepare myself for the ride up the road. I make my way though the crowds, with the pros starting to come in from the bike already. Since it's an out and back course, I see lots of teammates on their way back as I'm just beginning my bike leg. I pass a few girls on my way out and have an difficult time dealing with the heat and rolling hills. The hills weren't as bad as Malibu but I had the idea in my head that it was a flat course... my idea of flat is literally FLAT. It was not, there were some baby hills, and for me, baby hills, after swimming 1.5K, are big hills...
So I finally make my way to the turn around (after derailing once about half way there). I decide to actually stop and switch out my water bottles so I have a full water bottle in my frame. I get a drink of water, pour some on my head and start to head out. Trying to get my second foot clipped in, I struggled from my legs being weak, I lost my balance and crashed. I officially had my war scar for the Spring Season. The bike back was quicker than the bike out, but I still had a 10k to run....errr...uhhh... walk? I get to transition, lots of people are packing up going home. Cars are coming though leaving the event and I'm still racing. I get to my transition spot and take off as quick as possible. I have no energy to run so I'm walking pretty much the entire time. By then, it was really hot, it's about noon so the sun is at it's worst. At every aid station, I take a cup to drink and one to pour on my head. The volunteers were pouring the water on me too. At one stop, the guy grabbed a big 5 gallon jug and poured it all over me and I had to tell him to stop, even though it felt good but he ended up soaking my shoes and socks. That part I hated. I had to complete the last two miles with squishy socks! I walk through the resort with people being so kind and still cheering me on. Then at mile 5, my buddy Will comes and is carrying 2 ice cold water bottles. He walks the last mile with me and keeps me company. It was a great surprise and really helped me get through to the finish. He tried to get me to run a little and I was not having it...but I appreciated his efforts =) I finally make it to the end, I hear Bernie cheering me on from across the beach, I hand over my water bottle to Will and slowly jog my way to the finish. Happy to be done, Happy to see my friends there at the end and Happy for not giving up, I completed my second triathlon, my first Olympic distance.
Me as an official Lavaman Triathlete and my battle scar... GO TEAM! See you in DC!
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