Where Have I Been?

The problem with blogging little more than once a year, is that this post now has the possibility of becoming really long! So if you're pressed for time, and clicked on the link assuming that surely there was a mistake that I might have shown up in your blogroll, I'll provide you an abbreviated version of what's happened since my last post in April... I've seen my darkest and brightest days, I've played a part in a "real life Christmas story" and I'm challenging my body like never before (had to tie something fitness related in here eventually!). The end.


Want more? Grab a coffee, and make yourself comfortable.


Nearly 20 years to the day after I packed up and left all that was 'home' to me, I did it again.  I took a chance on life and love, moved south of the border, and tied the knot. Oh yes, I'm a Mrs!


Running, you ask? Let's just say that one of my very first runs in my new surroundings had me running in fear, chased by two fairly big dogs. Luckily for me, it seems that they had an invisible fence, and stopped giving chase soon after I passed their property. Choosing a different route for my next run, I thought I'd check out some Christmas decorations... 

...it's no wonder I feel right at home where I am, other Canadians live just down the street!

Despite my lack of running and a major life overhaul, I still managed to take a road trip in November, for a pre-planned race with the girls from my old running group in Toronto, in St. Pete's, FL running the Women's Half Marathon. While relocating and leaving friends/family behind is hard, it is significantly improved with the advent of the internet since my first time... but seeing them made a world of difference.

I do miss the training for triathlon... I just haven't found my running groove here just yet, been rock climbing at the gym rather than swimming, and my bike hasn't yet made the trip south to join me. However, I have been enjoying this injury-free streak. *Knock on wood* For anyone that has followed my blog long enough, you'll know that I typically train for a goal race, and either don't complete it or don't get to the start line because of stress fractures. 

Instead, I've taken on P90X2, the followup to the popular P90X workout. I remember previewing some of the workouts, and gulping as I saw pushups on medicine balls, and every variety of pull up possible, wondering what I'd be getting myself into. Now, I'm doing it (still assisted pull ups for now, but I've been challenged...). For me, this is becoming a mental journey as much as a physical journey... more on that another time.

I hope to catch back up with all of you over the next while, and hope you understand my being out of the loop!  Blog, and bloggers, oh how I've missed you.

I've been here before...

First of all, thank you to all of you who've stopped by my blog or sent me emails recently to check on me! I'm still around, despite having neglected my blog! Thank you as well for all the amazing comments on the slideshow I posted in my previous post... I cried more than a few times reading them all :)

It's an all too familiar place. Life has had a way of challenging me on many levels, over and over again. I wouldn't be who I am today if it wasn't for the discovery and growing I've done, so for that I'm thankful.  


As I approach the 10th anniversary of my brain surgery, (and 6 years since I quit smoking), I had really high hopes that this year would be epic. I'd face the marathon again, tackle my first 70.3, and I'd live happily ever after. What? This is my story, I can end it however I want to, no?


Well, everything was great. My long runs were getting long again, the ice and snow were finally starting to melt, my eyelashes were freezing together less often. I got home from an 18 mile run a few weeks ago, happy. It felt like a good run, confidence was increasing. An ice bath, just because. 2 days rest, then out for an 8k, immediately I felt that something was wrong. Calves felt awkward, tight, things hurt... and by the time I got home, I could barely walk. 


The next morning, things were worse. The pain, a grim reminder of my stress fractures, but this time,my right leg. Hobble into the sports clinic the following day, she felt confident that it was muscular, and not a stress fracture, and that I could hopefully try a run in a few days, as long as there's no pain walking.


Today, 3 weeks later, there's still pain... walking. It's a lot better than it was, but of course, I've had to rethink my plans. Having missed too many long runs, I've come to grips with the marathon winning, again. Thankfully, I've learned to set myself up well for disappointment in life. It's a crappy way to think and live... but if the disappointment happens, at least I was prepared for it and it wasn't a surprise, if it doesn't, consider it a bonus.


I'll do the half in Ottawa rather than the full, and fingers are crossed that the 70.3 will be my last big hurrah, here.  Then, I'll working on the 'happily ever after' with a one way ticket for two, to Atlanta!


Have I succeeded in not turning this into a pity-party post? :P  One last note, to all the racers headed to Boston, enjoy your moment, and reward!!

Believe. Inspire. Motivate. Dream.

My journey has forced me to believe. Needed an incredible amount of inspiration. Required motivation, beyond words. Developed my ability to dream.


In response to my post here, about explaining 'our passion' to others around us that might not 'get it', and while cleaning up a pictures folder on my computer, I tapped into my creative side.


You have all helped me believe, are a constant source of motivation and inspiration, and have given me dreams... so consider yourselves included in the thank you.  I heart you all.


I debated about posting this... anywhere. I wasn't sure if I wanted to, but realized that the purpose of my blog is to help others believe. Believe in change. Believe in themselves. Maybe inspire someone, and motivate a few. The feedback I got after posting this on Facebook yesterday, was, more than I imagined, to say the least. Let's just say, I needed more than a few kleenexes. So, thank you, as well, for giving me the courage to get this out there.

I just couldn't stand it anymore!

While it's the end of 2010..., I look forward to the new beginning...


Highlights of the past year include:

• first century ride - check
• first Olympic distance triathlon - check
• 3rd place AG finish in a Try-a-tri
• 250,000m milestone in masters swim, with a heartfelt speech from coach, and certificate from Mira
• Employment benefit allotment wasn't completely used up in the first six months of the year... (and I still had some left over!!) No out of pocket expenses for therapy due to injury! (knock on wood, please!)
• Combined mileage goal of 4000k reached! (2917.7k bike, 950.7 run, 238.8 swum)
• I decided to tackle the marathon again after my last attempt, so let's hope that 'take 2' in Ottawa, on May 29th, 2011 will end up differently.
• Melanie vs. 70.3!! Half Iron distance, here I come! Race picked out, Welland on June 26th, 2011, just waiting on registration to open up!

This afternoon, I headed out for my first run of the year. It had been raining all day, and unseasonably mild. I was feeling rather lazy, getting out the door later than I had planned. I convinced myself that an easy 5k would be a good start to the year, and better than nothing at all. While a blank slate can be refreshing, looking at spreadsheet with a 0 in my YTD column didn't feel right. It's been ready to be filled in weeks ago, anxious for 2011 to get here. It was time.

Soon after leaving the house, I was already feeling better. I also noticed people in cars looking at me, probably thinking that I was 'one of those resolutioners'. You know, the ones who commit (don't get me wrong... I hope they also succeed!!!) to making this the year. The year that they lose weight, or start exercising. Little do they know, this has been a part of me for a few years now (and I hope many to come!!). It's my stress relief, my independence, my freedom.  

As the song Today by the Smashing Pumpkins started playing on my iPod, I started singing along as I usually do. "Today, is the greatest, day I've ever known..." Just then, I stepped in a huge puddle, disguised by the darkness of the night... socks soaking wet.  Still, today, the first day of 2011, the beginning of my brand new journey, my first entry into my log was an amazing 10k. I say that makes it a really, really, great day.

As seen on the Multisport Canada's website... Why, yes! YES IT IS!!  What are your goals for this year?

How do you explain it?

Hi, my name is Melanie, and I'm addicted to... (clearly, blogging is not the right answer here, sigh.)  

We've all been called crazy, right? Given a quizzical look when you mention a planned or completed workout? How many times have you been asked, why?

Christmas eve, while helping my best friend clean up after dinner, said "You'd better be eating dessert tonight, especially since I know you're probably up to something crazy again tomorrow anyway. Nothing surprises me anymore." She then finished off by saying "...sometimes, I think you're addicted."

Another time, she has asked if I was becoming obsessive because of the heart attack that Terron's dad suffered... I told her I was "crazy" well before that happened. She nodded in agreement.

Without trying to sound like a sleazy salesperson, I let her know that I'm having fun, and that is of utmost importance, always. I'm challenging myself beyond my wildest dreams, and doing things because I can. I've been on the other side of that fence, not being able to do the simplest of things, because I couldn't. It sucked.  Further, I told her that triathlon, running, swimming, cycling don't define me, but they sure make me a happier person. I let her know that no, I won't win races. I'm not, and won't be paid for any of this, but I am 'compensated' by a much stronger sense of independence, freedom and confidence than I have ever known!  Can you imagine the therapy I'd need if I didn't have this in my life!? 

Do you have people in your world, that are outside of 'our bubble'-- in which we all have common goals and passions, that just "don't get it"? Do you bother taking the time to try to justify it? And if so, does the glazed look in the eye of whom you're talking ever go away?