She's Powered by God

Imagine a 1.5 km swim, followed by a 31 km mountain bike ride, and then an 8.2 km trail run.  Now imagine that this takes place in Guam, where the bike ride has a total of 2400 feet of climbing, and the run is through the jungle.  The fastest racer completes this race on this day in 2:29:42, and the fastest woman in 2:46:11.  Now imagine that you are competing in this race with only one glute muscle and minus one sciatic nerve.

Jamie on her bike - XTerra Guam 2012

Jamie Whitmore won this race in 2006, and this year she came back to challenge it again, this time as a disabled athlete.  She finished the race in 4:52:09, coming in 86th out of 143 athletes.  Oh, and the other 142 were able-bodied.

Jamie blows me away all the time.  I met her in January of 2007 at a training camp in Arizona.  Her dynamic personality made it impossible to do anything but admire her.  I chatted with her briefly at the end of camp that year, and completely admired who she was.  The next year, I saw her again, and the thing that amazed me was that she actually remembered me.  Shortly after that training camp, she was diagnosed with cancer.

Like every other challenge that comes Jamie's way, she went after this one with a vengeance.  Even when it seemed like the cancer was kicking her butt, she kept fighting.  I won't share the whole story, but if you want, you can read about it here.

Now Jamie has come back to the sport that she loves - XTerra triathlon.  She has not only beaten cancer (we all hope for good!) but she has fought against all odds to go back to biking and "running."  Oh, and did I mention that she and her husband have 2-yr old twin boys?  And he was out there racing, too - placed 4th in his age category to boot.

This woman amazes me.  Motivates me.  Reminds me that life is there to live.  Reach out and grab it.  And don't ever quit.

Guam race write up can be read here.

Musings of a Pregnant Woman

Well, it's been awhile.  I often think of things I could write about here, but rarely take the time to actually do it.  Translated: by the time I get to the computer, my brain is so done with thinking throughout the day that all I can muster is reading Facebook and the odd blog or new story.  Writing more than 140 characters feel like an insurmountable challenge.

Of course, a progressing pregnancy has added to the challenge.  A pregnancy that is getting close to the done, of which my body has started reminding me through Braxton Hicks.  Yup.  The end is near.

It has been a good pregnancy.  I have felt good.  I have actually enjoyed it.  There are certain changes that come along with the territory that I have quite appreciated.  Healthier and (slightly) thicker hair.  Clear skin.  (I still deal with acne, and the break from it is fantastic).  Stronger nails.  "Girls" that don't show their age and use like they do when I'm not pregnant.  Even the belly has been fun.  Hey, this is the only time in life when an expanding waist is a great thing!

Of course, there are the cons - training is harder (heck, doing everything is harder), the first trimester nausea, the last trimester digestive frustrations.  I must say that they have been minimal though.

I love that I've been able to stay active.  I was pregnant for the majority of triathlon season and raced all the way through.  I have run three half marathons - at three, four and eight months pregnant.  I may be slow, but I'm still enjoying every run.  At 37 weeks.

It's been good.  Since this is very likely my last pregnancy (I have said that twice before, so who knows), I am trying to cherish every moment.  Part of me doesn't want it to end.  Part of me can't wait.  It will be another change in life.  Another bit of craziness to add to our already insane household.  But it will be good.

No.  It will be great.