The Choice...

When I sat down at the end of 2013 and created my vision book, I really didn't think I would fulfill some of the things in it. Because of my ambitious nature, I desperately wanted to believe I would and could, but the negative voices in my head said otherwise. As flipped through the pages and read the notes that I have written, I see evidence of a somewhat broken me, a person that I actually feel sorry for. However, there is also evidence of a transformation--I can see the moment I decided to make a choice to live a "positive" life. This choice was not easy, it required me to let go of unhealthy relationships, change bad habits, battle the external negative energy, and most importantly, silence the negative self talk. 

What did I learn as a result of this "choice?" I have learned from my mistakes, I've learned to celebrate my accomplishments, and I've learned how powerful the words that follow "I AM" are (thank you Clarissa Mitchell). 

This year as I created my 2015 vision book I had a different energy surrounding me, I almost felt like there was a glow around me. As a result, I did not use many pictures, I channel energy when I see words written by my hand. Although, I won't share the specifics (My granny used to say"don't tell everybody your business, all people don't have your best interest at heart...lol) my vision book contains several "I AM" statements...several. I will admit, I am a bit intimidated, but I am not afraid. 

Happy New Year!

Elle

Triathlon and locs...what to do?

Disclaimer: the information shared in this blog is for informational purposes only. Please consult your cosmetologist, loctitian, barber, or anyone else you trust with the care of your hair and scalp, that's not me. : )

Since I have ventured into the world of triathlon I've had requests to discuss how I maintain my hair, especially with swimming. Well, I don't know that I'm the best resource for this since I contemplate cutting my hair daily, but I will share what has worked for ME. Again, this is what has worked for me.

Pool swimming was my biggest concern because of the chlorine. When I started swimming I tried different swim caps to "keep my hair from getting wet" until learned that swim caps were not designed to keep your hair dry, but to assist you with "gliding through the water." Once I understood that I decided on a couple of caps; the Speedo Long hair swim cap and My swim cap. I've had time to test them both and my favorite is actually the Speedo. I'm not saying that My Swim Cap is not good, but I've recently started swimming with earbuds and My Swim Cap has to cover your ears; this jams the earbuds deep into my ears and that hurts.

As for hair care, I will break this down into activities:

Running/Cycling:
Both of these activities I wear something on my head. When I run I wear a cap or visor and of course I wear my helmet while cycling. With that, gone are the days where I can sport the cute updos or the curly loc styles. With the updos my helmet does not fit and I'm not that vain where I will wear my helmet perched atop my hair to keep from messing it up. As for the curly style, once I sweat the curls are pretty much gone in few days.  In addition, with the updos my hair does not dry completely and my locs would stink...like mildew and I can't have that. Currently I wear my locs braided (usually 6 locs per plait) or straight.  After working out I blow dry my hair and scalp and twice a week I spray my scalp with water, blot dry, and I spray my scalp with tea tree oil and almond oil (different days).  The tea tree oil helps with the mildew smell and acts as an anti fungal, however my hair smells like astringent. The almond oil is used as a moisturizer.

Swimming:

After every swim I rinse my hair, but I don't always shampoo and I apply the almond oil. Typically it is only my edges and the nape of my neck that are wet. I do not apply conditioner or wet my hair prior to swimming, I find that it makes my cap slide off and when the edges get wet her comes the conditioner.

There you have it; and you thought locs were low maintenance!?! They are not and this is why I contemplate cutting them every day. Who knows, I may trade in my "long hair cap" for one that for "not so long hair."

Until next time,

Elle

Oh S#!+...Chasing 2:45

So it has been 2 weeks since Thanksgiving and I finally have my thoughts together to talk about why I am still “chasing 2:45.”

For those of you who are not “friends” on Facebook, the day before Thanksgiving I posted a time goal, something I rarely do. However, this Thanksgiving Day 13.1 was going to be different. I trained different; therefore my goal was not unreasonable. I even signed up for the 2:45 pace team because I felt just that good.

Fast forward to race day.

I woke up 3 hours early as I typically do before a race to make sure everything was in order. I completed the final check of my race items, I mixed up my “super starch” protein shake, prepped my Osmo hydration for my fuel belt bottles, and took a selfie…lol  Next up should have been “moving the crowd” if you know what I mean; however this was not the case. I messed around a bit more and made sure the rest of my family were up and about, they were participating in the 5k. 

530 am- I decided it was time to wrestle with my CW-X tights so we could head down to Turner field…still no crowd movement. I started to get a little anxious because a successful “poo plan” is imperative to my race day strategy.

I’m in wave E and see familiar friendly faces, Janelle and Priscilla. We chat. We take pictures. We are ready. If you haven’t noticed, I have not mentioned being grossed because I had to leave “the crowd” in the port-o-pot.

I really hope they did not smell that. : /

Mile 5-6: I can’t believe this is happening, my stomach starts to cramp but I run until the pace lead signals us to walk. I walk. The cramp does not subside. I pass some gas (sorry folks behind me). Relief. Time to run. The more I run, the more I want to pass gas. My gut is doing all sorts of foolishness. I feel like if I could just let a good one rip, I would be fine. After all, my mother-in-law swears that passing good gas will relieve any body ache. However, I can't bring myself to let it go. I know my body the end result of passing what may be gas, may also be a “shart.” 

I stop running and fortunately there are restaurants nearby that are very runner friendly. I’m pissed. I see my pace group run off. I take my turn in line with the rest of the folks who either can't hold their water or "poo plans" failed.   Bye "crowd." Bye 2:45.

I called Dorian and told him not to look for me with the pace team and cried (I’ve got that bad lately…crying) but reassured him I wasn’t hurt. I continued on my way, really pushing myself hoping I could make up some time. (Yes, I was channeling positive energy). I saw Jurmain. She saw tears. She cursed me. Really, she did. Something like "quit crying and hurry your ass up" but don't quote me. I'm certain that was her way of cheering me on. I needed it. Then I saw my warm and fuzzy people, Cassie and Raquel and pushed a little harder.  They were at mile 12.

I finally cross the finish line and of course my family is screaming and cheering. I smile. I am thankful and blessed for such an amazing support system. I applaud all of them for earning their medals; I was proud of them. 

Well my “poo plan” failed but overall I had an amazing day. I was with family and friends and completed the final race of the "Triple Peach" Series...mission accomplished. I am still chasing 2:45, but I am confident that the next time it won't go down the toilet...lol

Atlanta Half Marathon Medal

Triple Peach

I'm being transparent, I wanted to quit.

When I decided to become a triathlete, I subscribed to every social media feed I could find with hopes of people excited to help me simply because I was "becoming one of them." Now that I think about this, I realize how ridiculous it was to think that. I mean there is certainly an level of arrogance amongst athletes in general, but if you're competing in 3 sports in one day...good gawd folks are a tad bit worse...IMO. I mean I've had folks ignore questions that I had in different groups. Folks have suggested that because I am not loyal to a certain brand gear that this somehow diminishes my self worth...REALLY???

Anyway, today was one of those days where I truly felt like the last kid being picked for a team in gym class. I had decided that I would leave all triathlon FB groups and focus on cycling. I mean why not embrace the sport where the people I've met have been so helpful. No one made me feel like I was asking stupid questions when I asked. Men, women, black, white... everyone truly seemed happy that I was riding my bike and willing to share all they knew about cycling.  Please don't misunderstand, I have met some very supportive triathletes and appreciate what they have offered and I was not expecting everyone to be helpful, but dang. (I now realize that I was allowing those bad apples to spoil the bunch.)  It was at this point that I had made up my mind that I no longer needed a coach. I no longer wanted to compete in a triathlon any longer than a sprint. I decided I was going to devote my time to becoming a strong cyclist. 

Since my mind was made up, I did not feel the need to share my feelings with Dorian, Michelle, Valerie, or Clarissa; these are my "people" and I share with them when I start to doubt myself. I knew they would listen and then share reasons why I need to keep pursuing triathlon; hell Clarissa would likely post three words that would have me reconsidering my decision. I did not want to reconsider. 

As I prepared to call Richard I received a text that Cassie had just crossed the 10k mark during the Rock n Roll Las Vegas half marathon and I saw this post...

I can't blame Clarissa, this is more than three words...lol. 

  

I immediately shared the post on FB and I replayed today's Deepak and Oprah meditation to listen to the centering thought..."Fulling my dreams fulfills my spirit."  I smiled and wrote this blog. 

One of my dreams...goals...whatever you want to call it is to complete the races on my calendar; IM 70.3 Augusta will be the grand finale for 2015. I cannot allow negativity to invade my spirit to the point it makes feel like I should not do...cannot do what I have planned for myself. I'm sure when some "negative Ned or Nellie" reads this, they will have something to say. What I say to you, remember you were new once and stop being an ass.

I did not call Richard. I will not quit. 

  

Embracing MY Influence

Frequently, I receive messages from family, friends, and acquaintances who have shared my weight loss/fitness/emotional and spiritual growth journey, telling me "LaWanda you inspire me." Because of negative self talk, (you know the voices in your head that make you feel like you are not worthy) I would actually feel embarrassed and discount what they said. Sure, I would say thank you and offer words of encouragement to them to start their own journey, but in my head I wondered "how in THE HELL am I an inspiration?' I was simply this overweight, emotionally labile chick who has learned to love different forms of exercise and make better food choices...most of the time.

One morning while scrolling through facebook an update from one of my favorite blogs, "Three Words Daily," appeared on my timeline... "Accept Your Influence." This post spoke to me because I had recently completed my first sprint triathlon and the support, not only from my family, but from people I "met" via social media who came out to support me was OVERWHELMING. In my mind it was a big deal, but these other folks had completed iron distance races and they were celebrating my "little ole sprint." I thought, maybe I do "inspire" people.

Fast forward to this blog entry on November 14, 2014 (Happy birthday, Ma), I am embracing my influence with the birth of "Running Cycle Water Lillie." Why that name? Well, I asked my husband to help me; he's creative and knows me. When he shared the name, I loved it. It fit my quirky personality. It incorporated my granny-Lillie Mae Pryor (my guarding angel), and it incorporates my three favorite activities...Running, Cycling, and Swimming. Not to mention, after researching the what the flower represents (there are several), I thought it was perfect.  That's it. That's all.

So there it is, the birth of Running Cycling Water Lillie. I certainly hope you join me on my journey and feel inspired along the way to "Embrace Your Influence."

Don't forget to check out and support my friend, Clarissa Mitchell and her blog, "Three Words Daily" at http://www.threewordsdaily.com/