After my awesome 13.1 in September (I just re read that blog and still can't believe I did as well as I did) I continued to train and headed down to Disney a little under 3 weeks later and took on a few races/ had some QT with Gina and Aaliyah for the weekend. I ran the Halloween 5K in the morning, then Tower of Terror 10 Miler that night. I spent most of the week leading up to the races sick, but ended up doing pretty well. I met up with my old gym buddy/ trainer Jenn and we finished in 1:45. My best cheerleader wore my medals with pride. :-)
Between these two races, and the incredible support of the ladies of bodyco, I got talked into registering for the Fenway Spartan in mid November. I have always told myself that I would stick to 5k's and gym classes, and continue to run a half marathon or two per year, but obstacle course racing was a no go. I saw the "type" of people who entered them and I was not it. They were fit, I was not. I could not even do a chin up, nevermind lift myself over a wall. My dad confirmed that ten fold, telling me how crazy I was to even consider taking it on. I came across a Living Social voucher (those damn things get me every time. That's how I initially found bodyco) and registered haphazardly. The following week I got my work schedule and was scheduled for a shift that day, with no option to trade as a result of other conflicts with staff. I figured it was fate, but a few days later was asked to join someone to run a Spartan in SC as part of the Biggest Loser team (yes, the show). I did some research and decided to register before my conscious brain talked me out of it. Basically it would give me an opportunity to "try" a Spartan race without the pressure of completing the obstacles if I couldn't, or partake in the 30 burpee penalty. A week passed and the person that asked me to do it with them backed out. Though initially angry, something told me I had to do this for myself. My cousin lives in NC, so i'd have somewhere to stay. I fly for free. I pay basically nothing for a car. What was stopping me aside for my own head? Two of the bodyco ladies were also heading down to take on the full race, so I figured wouldn't be alone all weekend. Although I was scared out of my mind, I was determined to show my dad (and deep down myself) that I could give this a shot....and then this happened.
The morning of the race I was a nervous wreck. Did I really think this through? Getting there super early didn't help, as I saw the slew of people that were completing the race, many of them pure muscle.
When we got to the start area we were told by our team captain that our course would be the last 4 miles of the 9 mile full race. We were a team of 6 and nobody had ever previously completed a Spartan. We got special shirts, which were basically our get out of jail free card for the obstacles if we opt not to do them/ couldn't complete them. After getting 10 fingers to get over the initial wall we were off, and determination came over me. I wanted to do this so bad and was excited. Right out of the gun the team broke up into two groups, one opt to walk the course, and myself and a mother/daughter duo wanted to give it our all and jog. I stood with them for the first mile and a half, and then decided to try and finish this thing on my own. I was unsuccessful in a few obstacles, some being because I didn't have a helping hand, some were just ridiculous, but finished! (The photo above was the fire obstacle before the finish line.) Happy tears were shed, and again looking back on these photos give me goosebumps.
After cleaning up a bit, I came out of the changing tent, just as the bodyco ladies were about to finish! There is no way I would've even considered doing the race if it weren't for either encouragement, so was stoked that I got to cheer them to the finish.
We took a picture on the podium and there ended my Spartan journey for a bit...or so I thought.
The next few weeks were a bit crazy and my gym routine was either non existent or super aggressive. I landed in Boston only to find out that Dad only had a few weeks left to live. After coming off a super high from the weekend, I was punched in the gut. I spent as much time with dad as I could, and tried to make it a point to get away for an hour or so per day to blow off some steam at the gym. If I wasn't there for a few days, they would notice and check in to make sure things were ok. I truly don't think I would've been able to get through the situation as well as I did if it weren't for being a member of bodyco. Between sweating out my stress, breaking medicine balls and getting random check in texts from Jody, I was so appreciative, especially since I am pretty new there. If you live on the North Shore, check them out. I have never in my life been as strong as I currently am.
Dad passed away November 12th and the last month has been a little choppy with my fitness routine. The initial week of his passing I was pretty aggressive in the gym. I needed to clear my mind with all that was going on, and was there every day. I had great support from so many people, which was great, but the gym became my "me time." There were 5 days between when he passed and the wake, and I decided to do the Fenway Spartan that I previously couldn't do. My dad always told me he would eventually make it to one of my races, and I truly felt that he was there with me that night. As I was about to cross the finish line, I looked up and there was one star in the sky. Two of my best friends from home came to support me and it was a great closure to an awful week.
The last week that my dad was alive my nutrition did take a back seat, and has pretty much continued on that trend since. After the funeral and everyone went back to their normal lives, it was the quietness that set in. I skipped the gym more often and I ate more crap. Thanksgiving week and the following I don't think I even stepped foot inside the building.
I know my dad would want me to continue doing what I love, so last week started to get back into it. I trained with Jody and felt awesome. The next day was very happy to be so sore. My eyes are now set on the Breast Cancer Marathon and Gasparilla, both in February. This will be my sixth year taking on the Breast Cancer Half and am so excited to again raise money to Finish It! If you feel so inclined, I'd love your support. Every dollar gets us closer to a cure and as always I will wear the names of anyone you want to honor on my race singlet. http://donate.breastcancermarathon.com/2015-Marathon/bdigirolamo I said in September that I will never be able to beat my race PR from that day, but my new goal is to do just that...and to straighten out my nutrition.
Until next time!
Welcome back to blogging!
ReplyDeleteCan you remind me in January about your fundraising? I definitely want to donate.