#tbt First Bike

A recent People photo gallery featured a few current Olympians as kids, which inspired me to post my first #tbt photo.

A few weeks ago my mom showed me a collection of pictures of us while we were young. This picture was taken 7/1/91, two days before my baby brother was born (9 days before my 4th birthday!) and likely the picture of my first bike. It came fully equipped with training wheels, basket, and a big 'ol "mushroom" helmet as I like to call. I'm surprised I wasn't fully decked out on knee and elbow pads.

Some awesome cul-de-sac riding

I was a crappy bicyclist when I was young. I couldn't understand why I wasn't allowed to ride on my bike in my dress or in my sandals (sometimes still don't). I was a huge scaredy-cat and would panic if I rode anything faster than 3 miles an hour. I remember when my training wheels came off, and I strictly told my dad to "hold on and DON'T. LET. GO." Of course he didn't listen in true dad fashion, and I crashed, scabbed, and road rashed a few times. I vowed never to learn how to ride my bike without training wheels. It wasn't until maybe a few months later, a trip to New Jersey while visiting my second cousins when they showed me how it was done.

Tricked out bike for the Chinese New Year parade in Chinatown

Now 13 years later, my bike looks like this. Training wheels replaced by race wheels. Basket replaced by bento box and water bottle cages. The only thing that probably wasn't upgraded was the helmet, though my current one probably cost the same, if not less than the mushroom one that preceded it. If you had told my mom I'd be riding a bike for almost 7 hours in a race she probably would have never let my dad taught me how. If you had told my dad I would be spending $________ on a bike he probably wouldn't have either. But as much as it scares them and are convinced that I will ultimately pass out from racing one day, I know I have their support.

A lot of people ask when I started to train so intently. Was I runner, biker, or swimmer? The answer was no and I'm pretty sure both my parents would have a hard time answering that question with a straight face. None of my siblings were fast, athletic, or strong (no offense guys but really). I always tell people it's never too late to start. For some reason, no one ever believes me, citing excuses, old joints, tired bodies, families/kids, etc. I'll admit I have no experience through any of those traits, but perhaps these people can convince you otherwise.

Anne Abernathy (aka Grandma Luge) went to her first Winter Olympic at age 34. She then continued to compete in five more Winter Olympics for a total of six. Her Winter Olympic career stopped at age 53, the oldest female athlete to a Winter Olympic competition. But wait, she is now working on her first Summer Olympic appearance in Archery and is on track to compete in Rio 2016. Pretty awesome if you ask me.

Or what about this dude, at 74 years old who in kinder words kicked my butt at Ironman Taiwan 70.3 in 2011. 

50 years my senior at the time, outswam, outbiked, and outran me!

So to everyone younger, older, and everyone in between, it's never too late to start, and it's even more okay to start from nothing. Maybe in another 13 years I'll invest in a helmet that costs more than $20. Aero helmet maybe?...

Good Enough?

9 years ago on a Wednesday afternoon, I received this in my inbox:

College bound!

Several of my Seniors are at that point in their life, waiting for the one decision that will supposedly allow them to enjoy the rest of their senior year or ruin their lives. I've heard the "please-I-need-an-A-or-I-won't-get-in-to-__________" more than enough times this year, only to break their hearts because sorry, you just really didn't deserve the A. 

It's not that I'm not sympathetic, I was them at one point in my life. Wondering if everything I did in the past 4 years was good enough. Wondering if the relationships I made with my teacher were good enough for a glowing recommendation, wondering if the relationships I made with my friends were good enough to make it through college.

Senior year, I was 30+ pounds heavier, and couldn't run more than two miles.

Luckily, it worked out for me and hopefully several of my students have been able to spend the day celebrating. But I know that for so many, it won't. So what do you tell the ones that just had a multi-year dream crushed by a signed letter from someone they don't even know?

My answer: Your life in 9 years will be far different than what you could have planned or imagined. Maybe one day you'll do something completely different than your major. Maybe one day you'll become an aunt/uncle to the two (yes, two! starting 3/2014) cutest girls imaginable. Maybe one day you'll become an Ironman. You'll never stop wondering if you're good enough, because if you stop wondering, then you've stopped trying.

With the new year coming, many people are pressed for a fresh start. Resolutions are created and announced, only to be broken at some point throughout the year. Instead, I ask people to surprise themselves. Do something your 9 years ago self couldn't imagine seeing yourself do today. I've tried that for a few years now, and it's turned out pretty great.

Happy holidays and have a great new year. Don't forget to dream big. I'll be back next year!

Can't you tell life is pretty great right now?

Besties

Every(body) girl needs a bestie.

bestie (via urban dictionary): An adoring nickname for one you hold in highest esteem, more commonly known as a best friend. A bestie is the person who you not only go shopping with on a regular basis but also trust implicitly with anything.. besties do not come and go like waves and sandcastles, they are more like permanent marker on American Eagle jeans, they'll stay with you forever. A true bestie would stick with you through all of it, walking in when the world walks out.

B and S

Here is a story of three generations of (real) besties.

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Betsy and Maureen met in 1975 when they moved to DC for graduate school. Like most college kids, they were missing home and on a limited food budget. One day between classes they decided to seek out the "good stuff" in DC. They drove down unfamiliar streets and stumbled upon an Italian grocery store. They bought bread, salami, and cheese. As soon as they got back to the car, they devoured the spoils of their little field trip. From that day on, they bonded in a way that only 22 year old, single women did in a new city. 

While in graduate school, Maureen's mother became ill and was eventually diagnosed with ALS. By the time she passed away, Maureen was well on her way to her Ph.D. in child development and Betsy had switched to George Washington University for a Master's in early childhood/special education. When there was a vacancy in the apartment above Maureen's Hyatsville apartment, Betsy moved in. They dated, had their hearts broken, broke the heart of others, finished their degrees, joined the work force, met their future husbands and continued their search for good food. With no mother, Betsy filled in and hunted for the perfect wedding gown for Maureen. After Betsy gave birth to first daughter Becca, Maureen and her husband Tom moved 3,000 miles away to Seattle. Every August, Maureen would come back to visit Betsy, who was graced with a second daughter, Emily.  The years rolled by and Maureen entered local politics and served on numerous boards, always doing good work for others. Maureen tried for many years to become pregnant and her journey to motherhood ended joyously in the Forbidden City of China where she and Tom traveled to have the beautiful Micheala placed in their arms. 

Tom and Maureen visiting Becca and Emily in August

Maureen was diagnosed with ALS in October of 2010. By this time Maureen was a popular member of the city council of Issaquah, WA. Maureen was the epitomy of grace. She didn't complain, had impeccable manners, and lived and loved without fear of ALS, a disease that is all too inheritable and had now struck both her mother and a maternal aunt. Maureen's speech began to slur during her yearly August visits. The disease progressed quickly. She soon lost her ability to walk, her head slumped and her speech became increasingly hard to understand. Every three months, Betsy would fly to Seattle to see Maureen and the rapid progression of ALS. Although there was no cure, they both began to search for clinical trials. Maureen would contact people by e-mail, Betsy would be her voice. Maureen wanted to participate to help save future generations. Betsy wanted to save her.

Betsy and Maureen in the early stages of ALS

Tom lifted, carried, and cared for Maureen in every way possible. In between, he worked at his job in finance and carpooled Michaela. How he got through through the two years that followed Maureen's diagnosis is the mystery that love brings. Maureen and Betsy laughed, cried, watched many movies and taped episodes of International Househunters.  As time passed, they stopped looking for clinical trials and instead looked for old friends on Facebook. Thankfully, Maureen never had to leave her home. Tom and Michaela saw to her every need. On Independence Day, 2012, Maureen died as she lived, with grace and surrounded by love.

A dedication for Maureen at McCrary Woods, Squak Mountain State Park

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Elizabeth and Iwon were born less than a month apart. They met in 7th grade but didn't become best friends until high school. They tried out for freshman volleyball and both advanced to varsity their sophomore year. Emily was always stronger and faster and the only advantage that Iwon really had was that she was 7 inches taller. 

Elizabeth (middle) and Iwon (right) during senior year co-ed volleyball

Even though they went to different colleges, they knew everything about each other's lives. Three years into it, they both decided they were too cool for school and finished their degrees one year early. They went to each other's graduations and got their first jobs. In October of 2008, they both decided to run their first 5k together. Iwon twisted her ankle halfway through the race, but Elizabeth pushed her to keep running. It is still both of their fastest 5ks to this day. 7 months later they both ran their first half marathon. Not surprisingly, Elizabeth beat her by over 10 minutes. A few months later they both lost their first jobs, but it fazed neither of them. They had the support of each other and within a few months both girls were back in business.

First and fastest 5k @ 25:43

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Emma and Bella were friends before they were even born. Emma's parents are both American while Bella's parents are Brazilian. The four of them were international teachers who decided to work at a start up school at King Abdullah's University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia.  Emma and Bella's parents spent lots of time together, as there was not much to do at KAUST. Emma was born in September while Bella was born in November. They like to smile at each other and play with each other by waving their arms in the general direction of the other baby, not to be confused with smacking one another.

Baby Besties (Emma left, Bella right)

Emma's parents decided to leave KAUST less than a year after meeting her bestie. They took a job at a new school in Shanghai while Bella's family stayed behind. They hope to see each other again soon somewhere around the world. 

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Have you figured out the connection? 

*Elizabeth is Emily's middle name. Iwon is my middle name. Emmalyn is my niece Kadence's middle name.

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Besties understand each other when they haven't learned to speak. Besties PR races with each other. Besties fill in when others aren't there and love and support to the end. I have never met Maureen but I am thankful for her. Her bond with Betsy started a chain reaction of love, compassion, and empathy for others; passed down through Emily and shared through me.

Whatever we do in life, we can't do alone. I would have never finished that 5k. And even though Emily doesn't race with me anymore, she's always my biggest fan. I hope one day I can show Kadence what it's like to be a best friend, to smile at life's accomplishments, to support good and bad decisions, and to be brave when the other one can't. 


So grab some cheese and salami, run a 5k together, or just smile and wave. Besties are forever, and one of the greatest blessings on earth.

When life leaves you high and dryI'll be at your door tonight if you need help, if you need helpI'll shut down the city lights,I'll lie, cheat, I'll beg and bribe to make you well, to make you wellWhen enemies are at your door I'll carry you away from warIf you need help, if you need helpYour hope dangling by a stringI'll share in your suffering, to make you well, to make you well

***ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), is often referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease after the popular Yankee baseball player who died of ALS in 1941. ALS is a progressive disease that that attacks the motor neurons that provides the stimulation needed to move all of the muscles of the body. A person with ALS gradually looses control of voluntary muscle movements throughout their body. There is no cure and it is always fatal, usually between 2 and 5 years. Click here for information on Maureen McCrary's dedication ceremony. Please consider donating to Emily's ALS walk this fall.

We Run DC: Training Tips for Running Your Second Best Half

This past Sunday was the (inaugural) Nike Women's Half Marathon DC. I ran the race 6 weeks post marathon and 36 hours post the biggest fundraiser of my life (more on that on a later post!)

But I run more... and faster (sometimes)...

I honestly had no idea how would it go- using my marathon as my last "training run" I was okay going into it with the idea that I may walk some of it. I started the day with two my of my best running gals, perfect for a race overloaded with a little too much estrogen. The course was great for tourists; passing the monuments, running on the Arlington Memorial Bridge, and finishing by the Capital. I finished with a time of 2:07:54, just 1.5 minutes slower than my best half marathon.

Nike Women's Course Map

To be honest, I was very shocked and in somewhat disbelief. I definitely felt like a slug the whole time, with one of my running pals Jojo taking off somewhere in Hains Point. My remaining friend Beth and I barely talked for the rest of the race- we (I?) were both struggling.

So how was I able to pull this off? A year ago I made my best time for a half but really worked hard for it: track workouts, hill workouts, long runs, you name it. I busted my butt and after failing to break the 2:10 mark due to cramping issues, I tried again a month later and ran a 2:06:27. Here are some tips that I think could help you improve your time in the future and run a decent race without having to put too much into it. (This is not at all advice to not properly train! Just little things you can do along the way...)

1. Get stronger. Go to boot camps and strength training. I noticed when it came to my last marathon, the only reason I was able to eek out the final miles and pass people after 20+ was because of my strength. My muscles stayed strong and were able to get me to the finish.

2. Stretch your muscles. I started attending yoga class once a week since last December. I noticed an increase in my flexibility, decrease in cramping, and better overall balance.

3. Find good running friends. Running friends make things less boring (if you run at a good pace it's just catching up!) and no one wants to be left behind or have to slow down.

4. Pick a good race you're excited for. Who wouldn't want a Tiffany's necklace presented on a silver platter by a man in a tux?

Real Tiffany's necklace inside!

My best running pals and our #1 supporter Grahambo